Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bestival main area evacuated due to high winds and safety concerns

'Due to current high winds The Castle Stage and Ambient Forest are both temporarily closed'

Jack Shepherd
Sunday 10 September 2017 11:51 EDT
Comments
Bestival
Bestival (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Bestival’s main arena has been evacuated due to high winds and safety concerns.

The music festival, now based in Dorset, has been battered by torrential rain for three days running, leading to the festival being swamped in mud.

UPDATE: The main area was reopened, just in time for The Pet Shop Boys' headline performance.

Performances on the main Castle Stage were initially halted according to NME before the main arena was completely evacuated until further notice.

“Due to current high winds and safety of all our festival-goers The Castle Stage and Ambient Forest are both temporarily closed”, Bestival wrote on Twitter.

“We’ll reopen the stages and areas as soon as possible. Due to high winds and for everyone’s safety the main arena is temporarily closed. Please make your way to the campsites until we reopen gates.”

When the main area will reopen remains unknown. The Pet Shop Boys are scheduled to headline the Castle Stage this evening (10 September), The XX and Tribe Called Quest having played the previous two nights.

Bestival previously took place on the Isle of Wight, festival taking place at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset for the first time this year.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in