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Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I camped at a festival in my 40s and there are three things I'd never do again'
Kendal Calling is a festival with something for everyone but camping in your 40s is a very different experience Like many people my age, I'm no stranger to a music festival so when the chance came to watch some amazing music in a stunning location in the county I grew up in, I jumped at the chance. Kendal Calling celebrated 20 years of music and partying in the fields this year and since its inception two decades ago it's grown to become one of the best-loved festival experiences in the country. Nestled in the hills of the north Lake District in the stunning Lowther Park, and yes, closer to Penrith than Kendal, not only does it attract some of the biggest acts but it also comes with utterly stunning views of the lakeland hills. This wasn't my first time in the fields of Cumbria so I was very confident I knew what I was taking on when I set my heart on spending three nights under the stars, spending the days listening to some incredible music. Fat Boy Slim's incredible Saturday night set was my highlight of the weekend, I danced my wellies off for two hours (won't lie, this did feel like I'd done a particularly gruelling exercise class the next morning) but Frank Turner, The Prodigy, Reverend and The Makers, Daniel Bedingfield, John Bishop and Nina Nesbitt must also get a special mention for being utterly amazing. Kendal Calling has grown massively in size since my first time in the fields back in 2014, with disco tents, game shows, silent discos in the woods, comedy, more food and drink stalls than you could shake a stick at, and even bingo and a massive light up globe now providing more entertainment than anyone could possibly see in one weekend. There really is something for everyone. And while I had an absolutely epic weekend what I hadn't taken into account was that the last night I partied near Penrith, I was still in my 30s. Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing weekend and we're all already planning our next visit next year, but camping at a festival in your 40s compared to 11 years ago is definitely a very different experience. With this in mind, there are three things I'd never, ever do again. 1. I would not spend less than £20 on a sleeping bag What was I thinking? I grew up in Cumbria, I know it's not the Med, I know it gets cold when the sun goes down, I know sleeping outside will be chilly. I don't know if living in London for the last 10 years has addled my brain but when you're camping, you need a good quality sleeping bag to keep you warm under canvas in the cold night air. Waking up shivering because you need to nip to the loo at 3am is not fun in your 40s, if it ever was. So quite what panic possessed me to order the cheapest sleeping bag I could find is beyond me. Next time, and believe me, I've really caught the camping bug with this, I'll be investing in a cosy arrangement, designed to keep me totally warm. 2. I would not think a single sleeping mat is sufficient Again, what was I thinking? We all know as the clock strikes midnight on your 40th birthday, something strange and awful happens to your back. Your start making that dreadful noise when you get off the sofa. Sitting for too long hurts. I've even managed to sprain my back by turning to look at someone too vigorously, so clearly sleeping on the cold, hard floor for three nights is going to hurt. One thing I've discovered since turning 40 is comfort is key. Next time I decide to sleep under the stars, I'll be packing a lovely, double airbed for maximum comfort. 3. I would not forget my thermals All of my loved ones are aware I hate nothing more than being cold. Ignore the myth that northerners are hard and can cope with chilly temperatures, I can confirm I am utterly pathetic. I'm always the first person I know to flip the heating on, sleep under a huge duvet, often with two hot water bottles as soon as the heat of summer is over. So what was going through my brain when I packed a normal pair of PJs for three nights in the open air, we'll never know. Next time, I'll be wrapped up in thermals, probably several layers, and woolly socks. See you in the fields next year. For more information about Kendal Calling 2026 click here.
Metro
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Brighton Pride 2025 is here - what you need to know
Brighton is preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of revellers for their annual Pride event this weekend. Brighton & Hove Pride 2025 starts today with a parade, where hundreds wearing their brightest rainbow gear will march through the coastal city. Pride-goers will then pack Preston Park to see none other than Mariah Carey, who was meant to headline in 2020 but couldn't due to Covid-19. This year's theme is 'ravishing rage', with Pride organisers saying queer people uniting is more important than ever before. 'It's a celebration of resilience, spirit, passion, and unity,' the organisers said, adding that it's a response to the global pushback of LGBTQ+ rights. From transport to whether you'll need a brolly or not, here's everything you need to know. At 11am, the Brighton and Hove Pride LGBTQ+ Community Parade will set off from the beachside Hove Lawns and finish at Preston Park. More than 100 charities, community groups, local businesses and blue light service workers will wrap themselves in LGBTQ+ Pride flags and march. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Pride on the Park, a ticketed two-day festival, will take over Preston Park from 1pm. The line-up includes: Mariah Carey Ashnikko Confidence Man Loreen Slayyter Gokwan Bimini Katy B Fat Boy Slim Sugababes Will Young Natalie Imbruglia Ultra Nate Andy Bell Little Gay Brother Ysanne While Pride Street Party, hosted by the Revenge and Charles Street pubs, is at a new location this year on Marine Parade. Drag queens, music zones and daytime clubbing – it's hard to ask for much more, to be honest. (We didn't ask, but there will also be food traders.) Performners include RuPaul's Drag Race UK favourites, winner Danny Beard and season two star Tayce, as well as Sonia and Jaguar. Centre Stage and Marine Tavern will host an outside stage, and The Camelford Arms will host a DJ bar on New Steine. With hundreds of thousands expected to light up Brighton, transport services have been modified to help manage the crowds. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) – which operates train services in and out of the city – is running more trains with extra carriages this weekend. The railway operator urged Pride-goers to allow plenty of time to get to and from Brighton, given trains will likely be rammed. Both Southern and Thameslink are at pains to stress in their travel guides for Brighton Pride that, no, you can't take glass bottles or containers onto trains or stations. Preston Park and London Road will be closed – meaning only Brighton Station is open. But a rainbow queue system has been established to help facilitate passengers as they leave the event. The green queue will lead to the East Coastway for trains towards Lewes, Seaford and Eastbourne. The purple queue will be for West Coastway services towards Shoreham-by-Sea, Worthing and Chichester, And the blue queue will be for trains on the Brighton Main Line heading up to Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport and London. Festival-goers can also board a bus shuttle service that loops through the Pride Campsite, Pride on the Park and the City Centre. Here's the timetable. Though, as the council says, many buses will be diverted and timetables tweaked. If you're driving, be aware that a multitude of roads near the main events are closed off with parking suspended. There's no parking at Preston Park at all over the weekend, while parking around Madeira Drive will be limited. London Road, Preston Road, Queen's Road and Grand Parade will be closed until this afternoon. Many cab companies operate in the city and today, there will be a designated Pride taxi pick-up on Stanford Avenue. More Trending Walking to the parade start and most major events will take less than 30 minutes from Brighton Station. When it comes to the weather in the UK, you can never ask for too much. In 2023, Pride-goers were drenched in rain, while they were treated to sun last year. This year is in the middle. The Met Office is forecasting a mix of cloud and sunshine, with temperatures peaking just over 21°C on today. Sunday will be more of the same, though it will likely be a degree cooler. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Labour's school guidance is Section 28 all over again for LGBTQ+ people MORE: Coronation Street's Jane Hazlegrove reveals how she responds to daily homophobia MORE: As queer women, we couldn't be more proud of the 'Lesbian-esses'
ITV News
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Sell-out crowd of 40,000 festival goers head to Kendal Calling as it marks its 20th anniversary
A sell-out crowd of 40,000 festival goers are expected to fill Lowther Deer Park across the next four days as Kendal Calling celebrates its 20th festival anniversary. The festival started as a small showcase for local talent and has now grown into an event that attracts some of the biggest UK acts. This year's headliners include the Courteeners, Fat Boy Slim, The Prodigy and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. One mother who has attended the event six times, said: "It's really family-oriented. We're looking forward to Fat Boy Slim and The Royston Club because we're from Wrexham." Speaking about an exciting few days ahead, a young man said: "It's my first time in Kendal. It's all about meeting people and having a laugh." Two girls who have come back for a second time, said: "We're looking forward to seeing the Courteeners. We came last year and we loved it, we wanted to come back. It's not as chaotic as the others." With the festival marking its 20th year, the Co-founders of Kendal Calling, Andy Smith and Ben Robinson, say it 'feels like a daydream'. He added: "We are so fortunate in so many ways, whether it's growing up in such a beautiful part of the world or being able to have a career in an industry that we love so much, and that we're so passionate about. We've been very fortunate, and not a day goes by that you don't look back at it and smile." The police are urging those attending the festival not to take a chance on bringing drugs to the event. Chief Superintendent Matt Kennerley, from Cumbria Police, is encouraging people to use the amnesty bins available. He said: "If you get caught taking drugs into the festival, you are liable to arrest and are very likely to spend the weekend with the police. "We'll have police in and around the footprint of the event, supporting the event organisers and security. There will be a number of searches being conducted... We'll be there if the security team need us to step in."
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Glastonbury fans brand Nile Rogers and Chic the 'best act they've seen in years' at Worthy Farm as he leads performers on final day of festival
Glastonbury fans branded Nile Rogers and Chic the 'best act they've seen in years' after his set on Sunday, as he led the performers rounding out the festival's final day. The 1970s icon, 72, known for hits such as Le Freak and Everybody Dance, took to the Pyramid Stage after Rod Stewart 's Legends slot. But fans were quick to praise Rogers' groove-filled performance, demanding that it should have been one of this year's headliners instead. Glastonbury returned to Worthy Farm, in Somerset, this year with The 1975, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts and Olivia Rodrigo headlining. Taking to the stage on Sunday for the final day of the festival included the likes of Wolf Alice, Snow Patrol and Noah Kahan. And Fat Boy Slim, real name Norman Quentin Cook, took to Instagram to reveal that his set was his 100th time performing at Glastonbury. Fat Boy Slim wrote: 'My 100th set. Thanks for having me. Alan Carr tell us where we are…. GLASTONBURY ❤️.' Meanwhile St. Vincent, real name Annie Clark, brought her All Born Screaming tour to the Woodsies Stage. 'I would like to thank you for hanging in all the way to day four of this festival,' she said to the crowd. 'I'm not sure what kind of trip you're on but I want to be on it too, baby.' Over on The Other Stage, thousands of people hugged their best friends and chanted 'me and you' as Wolf Alice played friendship anthem Bros. Pete Doherty also returned to the festival as The Libertines took to the Pyramid Stage for the two o'clock slot, playing Up the Bracket, the title track from their 2002 debut album. Sir Rod was joined by a trio of veteran superstars during a rousing performance which saw him perform alongside his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Scottish singer Lulu. He was also joined by the festival's founder, Sir Michael Eavis, who was wheeled on to the stage by his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis. Hucknall, 65, was welcomed on stage for a rendition of Simply Red hit If You Don't Know Me By Now. Rolling back the years, Sir Rod then performed the Faces' 1971 hit Stay With Me while Rolling Stones star Wood, 78, played guitar. Lulu then made her entrance, wearing an all-white ensemble, to sing Hot Legs alongside Sir Rod and Wood. After Rod's performance, Rogers took to the stage and Glastonbury viewers were blown away by his set. Taking to social media, they wrote: 'Nile Rogers at Glastonbury. Just wow, best I've seen this year by a country mile,'; 'Just caught up with the Nile Rogers and Chic set at Glastonbury. Best set of the whole weekend by the country mile. Banger after banger. Knew every song. Proper legend. And the band and backing singers were tight as f***. 10/10,'; 'Nile Rogers & Chic absolutely brilliant,'; 'Nile Rogers and Chic just nailed it. Epic,'; 'Nile Rogers and chic have just restored my faith in Glastonbury, I loved it when he said this is what Glastonbury is about peace love and good times and rightly bloody so!'; 'Nile rogers, true legend.. His music has made so many people happy over many years ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,'; 'Wow Nile Rogers & Chic take a bow. What a Sunday set in the sunshine. Amazing!'; 'Omg Nile Rogers and Chic at Glastonbury. What. A. Band. Wow,'; 'Nile Rogers should been the headline act end of,'; 'Nile Rogers and Chic never disappoint, brilliant once again,'; 'Nile Rogers better than most (if not all!) at #Glastonbury2025,'; 'Wow Nile Rogers showing them how it's done - the best yet,'; 'Nile Rogers showing #Glastonbury2025 how it SHOULD be done,'; 'Best thing I've seen on Glastonbury in years. Nile Rogers is terrific on the guitar.' British soul singer Celeste opened the Pyramid Stage on Sunday before rock outfit The Libertines took to the stage. Other notable performances came from British funk group Cymande, US singer Shaboozey and Australian duo Royel Otis. Over at the Pilton Palais cinema, actress Jodie Comer answered questions about her career and said she felt 'really excited' to embark on a UK and Ireland tour of Prima Facie - the play that saw her win a best actress Olivier.
Metro
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
The UK's most 'walkable' city is a vibrant coastal spot just an hour from London
Whether you don't like flying or Europe's sweeping anti-tourism measures have put you off, there are plenty of reasons to holiday closer to home. For one, Britain is bursting with quality staycations, from off-the-beaten-path gems, to destination dupes to vibrant cities. You don't need a car to explore the country either; simply don your trainers and head to the UK's most walkable city. This prestigious title goes to Brighton, the beloved seaside spot on the East Sussex coast, renowned for its creative heart and diverse culture. Earlier this month, it placed third in the world and first in the UK in Time Out's survey of 18,500 people, searching for the world's most walkable cities. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. As a former Brighton resident myself, I can confirm this to be true. Despite being incredibly hilly in places (damn you, Elm Grove), the city's 82.88 km² size means that everything is within walking distance. From shops to pubs to restaurants, and of course, the beach, nothing is too far away. Brighton's music and arts scene is legendary. Over the years, the city has been home to plenty of famous faces from Pink Floyd's David Gilmour to Fat Boy Slim. As for its musical history, Brighton has seen many memorable moments, perhaps most famously Abba's 1974 Eurovision win. Today, the focus on grassroots music is more obvious than ever. Venues like Green Door Store and The Rossi Bar champion emerging artists and nurture homegrown talent, putting on affordable events every night of the week. Bands like Lambrini Girls and Lime Garden are recent successful products of the city; both constantly praise their hometown for its commitment to the local music community. 234 Fest and Homegrown Festival are non-negotiable grassroots events in Brighton's musical calendar, while the annual Great Escape showcases local artists and those from further afield. A four-day saver ticket for the latter is £108. If you're looking for a cheap way to spend your day, Brighton Beach is a classic landmark. During the long summer days, residents and holidaymakers grab their crochet blankets, speakers, and set up camp on the pebbly stretch of coastline. The Brighton Palace Pier is close in proximity if you fancy a sugary doughnut or a few games in the arcade. Brighton Beach can get incredibly overcrowded in the summer months. For a more relaxing beach day, walk further down the coast towards Hove. Here, you're guaranteed more space to spread your belongings, and it's often a little quieter. There's still a vibe, though, as Rockwater Hove, the loungey beachfront destination, is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail. Brighton Pride is arguably the main event of the year. Taking place on the first weekend in August, it's been firmly established as the UK's most popular Pride Festival. The city is widely considered to be the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of Britain, thanks to its vibrant queer culture. The parade through the city centre is an electric celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, while the event as a whole is a time for remembrance and advocacy. This year, major artists like Mariah Carey, Sugababes and Confidence Man will take to the stage in Preston Park. Weekend tickets start from £103. Inn on the Square – A city centre pub with heaps of outdoor seating. The bar staff are fun and friendly, and put on regular gigs. Their Greek-inspired kitchen does some of the best side dishes ever. The famous meatballs, at £9.50, are a standout. The Exchange – A 'hidden gem' pub nestled in the heart of Hove, head here to check out incredible artwork created by the general manager, and try delicious local beers. Hope & Ruin – Described as a 'music-led watering hole,' the reclaimed, neon interior is just as impressive as the events they put on. Fancy a bit of history? The Royal Pavilion Garden allows you to 'bask in regency splendour', inside and out. The palace is literally fit for a king – the Pavilion was constructed as the seaside pleasure palace of King George IV. Complete with Gothic and Indo-Saracenic architecture, plus a preserved interior dating back 150 years, entry is £17.00. And finally, when in Brighton, be sure to check out the North Laines. An iconic landmark within the city, the area is home to a slew of independent boutiques, vintage shops and antique stores. Whether you grab a bite to eat from one of the vegetarian cafes (Iydea is a personal favourite), or sip on a cold pint in one of the many pubs (the White Rabbit opposite can provide your after-dinner beverage), it's the ideal spot to soak up the bohemian vibe synonymous with Brighton. The Lanes (also referred to as the South Lanes) offer narrow, labyrinth-like walkways and are nestled between the North Laines and the seafront. Head here to find homeware shops and high-end brands, plus other popular pubs like The Black Lion and East Street Tap, which sits on the edges of The Lanes. From London, Brighton is super easy to reach. A train from London Victoria or Blackfriars takes just over an hour, and one-way tickets start at £23. Like we said earlier, as sustainable travel continues to rise in popularity, many people are searching for destinations where they'll make a positive environmental impact. Walkable cities receive fewer cars; when needed, people take public transport. This helps to improve air quality. More Trending Additionally, studies have shown that people who live in walkable cities are healthier and happier. It's just as easy to get your 10,000 steps in a day as it is to make friends and forge a community with your neighbours. This article was first published on April 23, 2025. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: TUI launches new flights to 'laid-back' beach city just in time for summer MORE: The buzzy European city crowned the world's most walkable — with £4 beers MORE: 'Don't tell everyone': Your favourite lesser-known European cities that aren't Paris or Berlin
