Please read the Frequently Asked Questions section below for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Green Access Mobility Area (G.A.M.A) at Sunrise 2008
1. Am I entitled to a concessionary ticket?
2. I have difficulty walking and carrying things, can I park near where I am camping?
3. I need space to store my wheelchair in my tent. Can I bring a large tent or a yurt? Am I entitled to bring a carer or personal assistant?
4. Would it be possible for me to bring a caravan or campervan?
5. Am I entitled to bring a carer or personal assistant?
6. Can my family and friends camp with me in the Green Access Mobility Area?
7. Can I bring my dog with me?
8. I may need to leave the Festival to drive to a local pharmacy or for some other reason. Will I be able to be readmitted?
9. Can I have a fire outside my tent?
10.I need to store my medicine in a refrigerator?
11. Can I recharge my electric wheelchair?
12. I am camping in another part of the Sunrise site with my friends. Can I still use the wheelchair recharging facilities?
13. I want to get to Sunrise by public transport. Is this possible?
14.I am travelling by car, how do I get to Sunrise?
15.I am partially sighted and it would be useful for me to arrive early before the crowds arrive so that I can orientate myself around the site. Is this possible?
16.If I get ill I may need emergency admission to hospital.
17.I get rather tired sometimes. Given the nature of Sunrise, I may occasionally need to use a wheelchair at Sunrise. I do not own a wheelchair. Is it possible to hire/borrow one for the event ?
18.Are showers available?
19.I would like to come to Sunrise, but do not feel able to cope with overnight camping. Is it possible for me to come for a day?
20.I have heard horror stories about festival toilets
21.I need to keep in contact with friends/family who are not coming to Sunrise. What is mobile telephone reception like?
22.Are there facilities for disposal of clinical waste?
23.Who can I contact about arrangements for people with disabilities?
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Please read the notes below. We realise we cannot cover everybody’s individual circumstances. We have a confidential email and phone helpline service. Details are at the end of this document.
1. Am I entitled to a concessionary ticket?
There are no personal ticket concessions for people with disabilities. See below for information on tickets for carers and parking passes. Please ask for these when you buy your ticket. They are only available from Sunrise or Bristol Ticket Shop, not other ticket agents.
2. I have difficulty walking and carrying things, can I park near where I am camping?
Ask for a free car parking pass when you book your ticket if you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the Medium/ Higher Rate Care Component of the Disability Living Allowance.
Vehicles must display a Blue Badge as well as the free parking pass when arriving at Sunrise but we advise you not to leave blue badges in parked cars.
Sunrise will reserve spaces in a designated part of the car park for people with disabilities and have promised to provide accessible transport to the GAMA camping field.
When you arrive in the GAMA camping field, our crew will greet you and offer to put up your tent.
3. I need space to store my wheelchair in my tent. Can I bring a large tent or a yurt?
Yes but please tell us when you are arriving so that we can make sure we have a suitable space left to fit you in.
4. I am unable to get in and out of a tent. Would it be possible for me to bring a caravan or campervan into the GAMA camping field?
Yes. Apply for a free parking permit if you fit into the criteria mentioned above and you want to camp in the GAMA field. You can put up an awning but no bigger than your vehicle.
5. Am I entitled to bring a carer or personal assistant?
You are entitled to a free carers ticket if you are in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the Medium/ Higher Rate Care Component of the Disability Living Allowance. This ticket must be booked at the same time as you book your initial ticket. Carers passes can only be obtained from the Sunrise office or via Bristol Ticket Shop by calling 0845 1080259. Bristol Ticket Shop will issue a carers pass without proof of benefit, however you will need to bring this proof with you to site. Also, the carer MUST arrive with the person holding the associated ticket for their pass to be valid.
6. Can my Family and friends camp with me in the Green Access Mobility Area?
Yes. The GAMA field is a dedicated camping area for people with disabilities and their friends and families. As space is limited we only have room for yourself, a carer and one additional tent. Friends and relatives camping elsewhere are welcome to visit.
7. Can I bring my dog with me?
No pets are allowed. The only dogs allowed at the Sunrise Festival are guide dogs for the blind. You may be asked to provide documentary evidence on arrival for your dog to be admitted.
8. I may need to leave the Festival to drive to a local pharmacy or for some other reason. Will I be able to be readmitted?
Please try to avoid needing to move your vehicle during the festival except for emergencies as this increases ruts and mud in the parking area for people with disabilities. If you need to leave Sunrise Celebration and require readmission, then contact Miki Hall, the GAMA coordinator on site, and he will issue the necessary pass as and when required. There will be a Big Red Bus service to local shops.
9. Can I have a fire outside my tent?
Unfortunately, because of risks and potential difficulty in the case of emergency evacuation, individual fires and barbeques are not allowed in the GAMA field. Gas cooking stoves are allowed. There is a communal fire pit near the GAMA information tent. For the same reasons please do not light flares or fireworks in the GAMA field.
10. I need to store my medicine in a refrigerator.
The medical centre, which offers a 24 hour service, is a short distance from the GAMA field, as is the Welfare Tent. They have a refrigerator for storage of individual people’s medication.
11. Can I recharge my electric wheelchair?
Yes. Wheelchair recharging facilities are available in the Information Tent in the GAMA Field. We cannot supply mains power to individual campervans and caravans but let us know if you have medical equipment needing electricity.
12. I am camping in another part of the Sunrise site with my friends. Can I still use the wheelchair recharging facilities?
Yes. Many people camp with friends in other parts of Sunrise and make arrangements to have their electric wheelchairs brought over to the GAMA field for recharging. People camping on other parts of the site also visit GAMA to use the accessible showers.
13. I want to get to the Sunrise Celebration by Public Transport. Is this possible?
The main public transport routes to the site are trains and buses to Yeovil.
Bristol Bus station has good access and there are level access buses from there to Yeovil.
Please note there are three Yeovil stations on different lines. You are advised to check the National Rail Website accessibility information if you intend to arrive by train.
The Big Red Bus Service will operate on an hourly basis from Yeovil throughout the festival. It will also run services from Sunrise to the local Yeovil supermarket. The Big Red Bus service uses recycled public transport buses. The crew will do their best to help. You are advised to check frequently on the Sunrise Website for information about transport.
14. I am travelling by car, how do I get to Sunrise?
Comprehensive directions by road are printed on sheets sent out with tickets. They are also available on the website under the Getting Here Section.
15. I am blind or partially sighted and it would be useful for me to arrive early before the crowds arrive so that I can orientate myself around the site. Is this possible ?
The general public are admitted to Sunrise from 9am on Thursday. Until then there will be a lot of traffic in all parts of the Sunrise site as equipment is delivered and moved around.
We maintain safe routes around the GAMA field and will have a footpath to the main arena. Please let us know in advance if you need information in large print or as a tape, CD or mp3.
16. If I get ill I may need emergency admission to hospital.
The GAMA field is close to the main track, facilitating easy ambulance access and exit. The 24 hour emergency response Paramedic Service is adjacent to the GAMA field. In addition there is 24 hour radio contact via the GAMA crew and the main stewards at the GAMA gate through to the main control of Sunrise. Make sure you carry medical information with you, especially if you are on your own.
17. I get rather tired sometimes. Given the nature of Sunrise, I may occasionally need to use a wheelchair. Is it possible to hire/borrow one for the event ?
Unfortunately no. We have looked into this and have been given advice that it would be impracticable to provide this facility because of the fact that everyone requires a different type of wheelchair depending on their size, weight, and needs. People have commented that their local Red Cross, Accident and Emergency Department or Physiotherapy Department have been most helpful in giving advice as to where wheelchairs can be hired near their homes.
We realise that festival conditions can be difficult for people who can walk but who tire easily or have difficulty on rough ground. The GAMA field is on one side of the main arena with level access to all attractions. Sunrise have promised to place benches around the site and we have asked all cafes and venues to have some suitable seats. We will have tables and chairs in our marquee.
Rickshaws are available to transport people and luggage across the festival site, and it may be possible, with advance notice, to book one for a period of time. Please ask one of the GAMA crew about this.
18. Are showers available?
Warm showers are available close to the GAMA Field including a wide access double size shower with a ramp. These showers are in private cubicles. There are other showers and saunas elsewhere.
19. I would like to come to Sunrise, but do not feel able to cope with overnight camping. Is it possible for me to come for a day?
A limited number of daily tickets are available to visit Sunrise on Saturday and Sunday. These must be bought on the gate. There are 500 a day available, so please arrive early to ensure you get a ticket. If you have a Blue Badge you can park in the designated parking area which is the nearest to the main arena.
20. I have heard horror stories about festival toilets
Sunrise recognise the importance of adequate toilet facilities for all visitors, especially people who have medical conditions. They are providing five wide-access portaloo-type toilets for people with disabilities including three in the GAMA field. GAMA will also have two standard toilets. The GAMA toilets will be checked several times a day and emptied twice a day. Sunrise encourage visitors to use compost toilets but these usually have steps.
Hygiene is important. The GAMA field will have a sink and a tap. The water is suitable for drinking. Most chemists now sell handwash gel which can be used without water.
21. I need to keep in contact with friends/family. What is mobile telephone reception like?
Mobile reception is generally good on site. It varies from network to network and from place to place on the site. You may have to try in quite a few places on the site before you get a clear signal.
22. Are there facilities for disposal of clinical waste?
Yes, the medical centre, close to the GAMA Field has clinical waste disposal facilities. There is also a waste disposal bin in the GAMA field. We will have a changing tent for people who need privacy and space for personal care. We cannot supply a hoist.
23. Who can I contact?
We hope that these Frequently Asked Questions will go some way towards assisting you in coming to Sunrise. You are advised to frequently check back on the Sunrise Website as this information may change or we may add further information.
If there is anything that we have not covered, or you have any queries, then please do not hesitate to contact Miki Hall on 01273 565649
mikihall@hotmail.com
We hope that we can help and that you will have a lovely time and we look forward to seeing you at Sunrise Celebration 2008.
Miki Hall Coordinator - Green Access Mobility Area
Penny Ledger Assistant Co-ordinator
