What is CNSP?

We have been participating in festivals for many years and always felt that we could do something greener, friendlier and more relaxing than anything the older, larger events can offer, but it was only when we were offered the chance to do it on the most beautiful site that we’d ever seen, that the ideas could be brought to life.

The ethos that marks the green fields of Glastonbury is common to the summer party, as are the crew that make it happen. Everyone; organisers and volunteers, have grown up together, meeting up at festivals year after year, with children who have grown up in tune with the way we work. Now those children are old enough to bring their own ideas into play, so the Summer Party is a collaboration born out of a glorious mix of youth and experience.  At Glastonbury we simply offer a venue in which bands can play, and book traders for the field who reflect the green ethos.  At CNSP we can do a great deal more to ensure that everyone, of any age can enjoy themselves. We are responsible for everything: music, catering, activities, the loos, the lantern parade, the healing area, the pub quiz and so on.

A big festival is like a city: there is much to do, but activities are widely scattered so it can be lonely and a little overwhelming. The Summer Party offers something much smaller and friendlier. If someone helps you put a tent up, you can meet them in the bar later and buy them a drink. If your child makes friends with someone on Friday, they will not lose each other on Saturday, and they will not lose you on a smaller, more people friendly site.

We try hard to walk through the event as a visitor, to ensure that people feel that they are arriving at a party put on by friends, rather than entering some kind of bizarre gulag having been all but frisked by security on the way in…On arrival a ‘barrow boy’ (who might be any age or sex) will meet you in the car park and offer to help you take your kit to the camping field. We also try to consider what might engage different ages, particularly older children, too young to be at a festival without their parents, but too old for the children’s tent. Done well, these activities can be equally attractive to single people coming alone, as they offer an easy, unpressurised way to meet others. Some people are there primarily because the rest of their family or friends wanted them to come along. They tend to be pleasantly surprised by the local ale and friendly atmosphere in the bar, which is shared by crew, performers, visitors and volunteers. The campfire is lit every night, weather permitting, and the lantern procession up to the wooded hill fort on Sunday evening is pure magic. As one mother put it when asked what she enjoyed most: “Feral children, husband parked happily in the bar. I barely saw them. Bliss!”

The music is good too, and there is always a surprise in the line up, – a new act that is really good – although it may be different for different people, according to taste.

But although music is important, the essence of Croissant Neuf Summer Party lies in its coherence. The underlying ethos is green, but it is a way of sharing the positive, exemplifying co-operation, volunteering, and enjoyment while respecting the site and all the participants. So we try to do everything as well as we can, from music to lavatories, activity and inactivity, so that people go home refreshed and invigorated after only a weekend away.