Last but by no means least Bonnie…

What have you learnt from organising DDF?

Well there is so much I have learnt, but here goes…the main thing is how three people who are so different can get together and organise a Volkswagen festival and make it such a success, but the thing that touches me is how proud I am of Martin and Zoe both working so hard with the wonderful Volkyfolks, our family and friends and how they all get behind us and help in so many ways, all for free and with great eagerness to do so. Big thumbs up from me to all of you!

What has been the biggest challenge?

Personally for me my biggest challenge is trying to blag as much as possible to keep our cost as low as possible, so we don’t have to hike our prices up to a level where people can’t afford to come and have a good time.

What has overwhelmed you?

Blimey! The thing that has overwhelmed me the most are people like John from Sign Vision, Chris from Stage Engage, Scott from Brandon hire and Alex and Jan from Autocamp to name a few and there are a lot to name!

They give there time, help and support for next to nothing or for free, to help us raise more money for an amazing Charity, to give all you dubbers out there a fantastic weekend, you all make me smile, thank you all for supporting us!

From 1957 to 1989 VW buses and vans were converted to campers by Devon Conversions who were based at the Alexandria Works in Sidmouth. The company was owned by the White family, headed by the now-famous Jack White, who had previously been a builder and cabinet-maker.  The beautiful and practical interiors were largely designed by Jack’s foreman Pat Mitchell.  Over the years these campers have given many thousands of people the opportunity to enjoy memorable holidays, yet there has never been an event to celebrate this – until now!

It is fifty years since Jack died on his way to work at the wheel of his VW pick-up so we thought now would be the time to pay tribute to the White family, Pat Mitchell and the workforce who created these iconic vehicles.  Devon Dub Fest is located close to Sidmouth so is the perfect place to do this.

We hope to attract as many examples of Devon campers as possible and to make this THE event for those who still drive them and camp in them.  We are keen to get lots of early examples of splits and bays, but all Devons produced before 1989 will be welcomed. We are organizing a number of events within the show specifically for Devons including:

• A display on Saturday of as many examples of each year and conversion type as possible situated in the ring at the centre of the show
• Opportunities to meet some of those associated with the Alexandria Works
• Hopefully something else rather special – watch this space!

This should be a great opportunity for Devon owners to get together so the more the merrier!

Image – thanks to Thru A Lupe Photographic

As you may know Devon Dub Fest is a local VW festival done in aid of CLIC Sargent is coming to life for its third year from 26^th – 28^th July 2013 at Bicton College.

But without the help and support of local businesses and individuals it really wouldn’t be possible.

Organiser Zoe Keeping says “We are so fortunate to have so much support to help us make this festival a reality, each year we are overwhelmed by the help we get from both local businesses and individuals”

Local VW Club Volkyfolks from Exmouth has become a key part of the annual event with club members giving up their time to become festival stewards and help it all run smoothly.

Carl Joscelyne club manager says “The club has been running for around 5 years now and we love being a part of Devon Dub Fest especially when it’s done for such a great cause. The event is all about what the club members love, great VWs, great people and lots of fun.”

The Volkyfolks club doors are always open to new members – meetings take place at 1pm on the second and fourth Sunday of every month at The Bath House in Exmouth.

If you are a local business and interested in supporting this local event and in turn CLIC Sargent then please get in contact with the organisers at enquiries@devondubfest.co.uk.

Next up Mart…

What have you learnt from organising DDF?

Just how many people come together to help with the event and how hard they work for free!

What has been the biggest challenge?

For me it’s trying to get my head around the fact that only 3 of us are responsible for all the people that come to have a good time.

What has overwhelmed you?

All the good feedback from people and the way it is growing from year to year, but the biggest thing that overwhelmes me is to see the site full of VWs!

First up Zoe…

What have you learnt from organising DDF?

Oh my, where to start. There really is so much! So as not to bore everyone with a big long list I would say the 3 biggest things are:

1. A lot more detail about licencing & planning – from bars, music, insurance, security ratios, water taps, fire safety….it goes on!
2. How to be even more efficient! When you have a full time day job as well this is key!
3. That providing toilets and showers is the most expensive cost at the festival – lol!

What has been the biggest challenge?

Securing sunshine! Other than that it wouldn’t be right if there weren’t challenges and I’d also be really bored!

What has overwhelmed you?

Crikey I get teary eyes just thinking about this it has to be the overwhelming support we get from local people and businesses it just blows me away and the Sunday day of the festival where we get to spoil some CLIC families as it’s the perfect reminder as to why we do it all. Oh and the lovely people that come and speak to us throughout the weekend and give feedback. It’s just all in all a really fab experience.

So after nearly 3 months in hibernation (otherwise known as under a car cover at my mum and dads) it was time to awake him from his slumber. Now each year when I do this I have a bet with a friend I work with who is convinced that there is no chance of it starting within 3 attempts (not a VW owner), so this year we were well in the clear with it starting on the first attempt with no worry – hoorah!

However, great to have him running but boy was there real signs of just how wet this winter had been, mould galore across steering wheel, seat covers and seat belts – doh!

It’s now only a few weeks and our great friends at Sign Vision will be getting both Doodles & Skippy them plastered with DDF signs so that they are ready to do their bit to help promote this years DDF.

With MOTs imminent please keep your fingers crossed for us that the bill the other side won’t be too painful and if you see either Doodles or Skippy out and about then please do give us a wave

First up – there were a lot of businesses who played a part in making sure we had everything we need on site to ensure you had all you needed so here it goes from the top…

• Pro PA – thanks to Wes and Will we know your rig had to go quiet past 7pm but my did it ensure that the music was shared far and wide outside of those hours, thank you.
• Pro Sound & Light – Chris and of course Jamie who had to manage getting lighting in time to 2 different music channels – thank you
• Instant Space – for the mega structure that kept everyone dry and gave us a place to allow musicians and DJs perform – thank you
• Event Hire Solutions – Nick thank you for all of your advice and for making sure everyone had toilets and warm showers!
• Brandon Hire – Scott you are a diamond thank you for all of your help and support and for helping us shine light over the site when night kicked in
• Silent Arena - for delivering a surreal experience to all of our guests and providing us with a solution to meet last minute changes from East Devon District Council – thank you to the whole crew who made the trip
• Roland – Ollie thank you for making silent live bands possible by providing the Roland V-Drums TD-9KX2 Electronic Drum Kit which meant we could bring bands to life without breaking our last minute 7pm curfew!
• Purple – for all the fab merchandise, wrist bands and car stickers
• QuickPrint – for providing every printed piece of DDF material – it looked fab and bought the DDF image to life – thank you!
• Eclipse Internet – for providing a safe home for our website
• Rydon Signs – for adding the DDF identity to Skippy and Doodles and providing us with signs to make sure everyone knew where they were going!

Our crew – crikey we had so many both before, during and after the event, I’m sure we will miss someone if we do we apologise in advance brains are still a little frazzled!

• VolkyFolks, Exeter Air Cooled and Veedubbin – thank you for all of your time, help and support both before, during and after the event – you are diamonds!
• Callum Vellacot – the man who had the fun task of scheduling, re-scheduling the bands whilst also trying to persuade them to do silent bands, way more than you ever signed up for and thank you sooooo much for sticking with it!
• Wayne Vincent – our head steward, what a blimin star thank you so much for everything
• Ben Hicks – for giving DDF an identity and designing every bit of stuff you see with DDF on – truly fantastic!

And finally (well until we realise we have missed someone and need to add more!)

Thank you to:

• All of the bands, DJs, performers, traders and visitors - thank you for all of your support, you are what makes the festival and boy did you make it a good one!

There truly is no better reward than seeing a child smile.

Bon, Mart and myself get asked quite a lot why are we really doing this? What is our drive? The answer is simple (we did say we were 3 simple country bumpkins from the word go ) my nephews reaction was the perfect illustration, to see people happy but not only that knowing that their happiness and enjoyment for the weekend of the festival is supporting families of CLIC Sargent.

Honestly there have been some fun and games organising the festival and some somewhat steep if not vertical learning curves but by always staying focused there has been nothing that can’t be overcome by 3 very determined bumpkins!

Bon has had firsthand experience of the work CLIC Sargent do, after her son was diagnosed with cancer at just 5 years old.  Now 23, and fully recovered, Bon’s words are: “CLIC Sargent is such an amazing charity.  Without their support I do not know how I would have got through a time that is every parent’s worst nightmare.  I always said I would give something back and Devon Dub Fest gives me the perfect opportunity to do that.”

We genuinely consider ourselves so lucky, we get to combine our love of the VW and people having a good time with the overall outcome being that everyone that attends, plays in a band or trades is helping to support CLIC Sargent and truly make a difference to peoples lives.

When any financial gain is removed from a situation it really, really does make you focus on the important things, our reward? Simple we’ve had it, it’s the overwhelming support that all of you – visitors, traders, bands, helpers, supporters have given to do some good.

So from all 3 of us THANK YOU and we can’t wait to meet you all!

Am indeed born and bred Devonshire Maid

Why are you doing DDF?
To create a fun VW event for people, see lots of people smiling and to raise money for a great charity – CLIC Sargent

What VW do you have yourself?
Doodles – a 1966 beetle

How long have you had VWs for and what is it you like about them?
Around 9 years in total, have had Doodles for around 6 years and what do I like about them? They make me smile, tons of character and also am pretty sure I should have been born in the 60s

What is your daytime job?
Working at Eclipse Internet as part of the Marketing Team.

What’s your favourite saying?
“Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day)

What’s your favourite song?
Hmmm…anything 60s, 70s or 80s – I’ll go with Sweet Home Alabama (the original!)  

Where would you most like to visit?
South America

Where’s the favourite place you visited to date?
Borneo

Why should people come to DDF?
Because it’s going to be a great fun filled and chilled weekend and, by coming and having a good time you can help raise money for CLIC Sargent :)

Are you from around these parts?

Why are you doing DDF?
For the love of the VW

What VW do you have yourself?
Ask the wife…
Bonnie’s answer – “A 1961 split screen called Skippy (Mart will say it’s his but my name’s on the papers and he only drives it cos I’m not allowed!)”

How long have you had VWs for and what is it you like about them?
23 years – and what do I like about them? they’re fun and they are easy to drive and fix!

What is your daytime job?
Getting up and shop fitter

What’s your favourite saying?
“Oh for F***ks sake”

What’s your favourite song?
Beautiful Day – U2

Where would you most like to visit?
Hawaii

Where’s the favourite place you visited to date?
Oz

Why should people come to DDF?
People should come to support this new and true VW festival in its first year