7-9 July 2023

Wiltshire Scout Centre, Potterne Wick, SN10 5QT

What is it?

St James Festival is a wonderful opportunity to relax, socialise, chill and meet new friends. To deepen community and relationships in one weekend of fun, games, disco dancing, BBQ food, and engaging with God in a new environment.

You can come for the whole weekend, camp overnight, or just visit during the day. We have tried to keep tickets affordable but we also don't want money to stop anyone from coming. Do contact me directly if you would like some support. 

To book, click here.

Festival Theme for 2023

More information coming soon...

The Venue

This year we once again have our new venue from 2022, imaginatively called The Venue. The Venue will be open 24/7 and will be a space for prayer, reflection, reading, creativity and connecting with God. There will also be a programme of events, including worship, teaching, prayer, and discussions held in The Venue over the weekend on the Festival theme.

4 Streams

To make sure you don't miss out on the many things that are going on during the weekend, each event will be identified as being in one of 4 Streams...all you need to do is identify which you want to dip into. 
- Active, for the energetic/sporty amongst you (and those who need to burn off some energy before bedtime)
- Creative, for the artist within you (and those who connect whilst being creative)
- Reflective, for those who need some time to sit and be
- Social, for those who fancy a bit of a natter and catch-up 

​About the tickets
 
A full list of ticket types can be found on the booking form.
In summary:

• Weekend Pass - Access to site from 18:00 Friday to 15:00 Sunday (includes Saturday evening entertainment & Sunday BBQ lunch)
• Sunday Pass - Access to site from 09:00 Sunday to 15:00 Sunday (includes BBQ lunch)
• Overnight pitch for tent, caravan or camper is £5 per person per night

 
Disability Access
 
For those who are disabled and coming to the festival on any day please email Steve Carter with any questions or concerns ([email protected]). The centre itself has disabled facilities and is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The rest of the site is grass and fairly flat. Parking on tarmac can be arranged.  If you have any other requirements, please again contact Steve ([email protected]).
 
Day Visitor Parking
 
You need to enter at the bottom gate. So, ...

• go past the centre on your right and, at the end of the hedge (~150 yds), go through the gate, on your right, onto the field. 

 
When I Get There What Do I Do?
 
Come and find the Brindle tent and grab a wristband and sign in. Just ask for directions to it. If you can’t find it just ask or make yourself comfy, unpack, chat, get a brew or get your chairs out, and we will catch up with you.
 
Timings Of Events
 
These will all be published in the Festival programme.
The only request we make is that the site be quiet by midnight.
 
Food & Drinks
 
Drinks

• There is free Tea and Coffee ALL weekend – No need for mugs!
  • Bring your own special milk etc
• Fresh drinking water is available from taps in the field and centre
• Please feel free to bring whatever non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks you want on any of the days

 
Food

• Friday Evening – please feel free to eat before you arrive, have your own BBQ (there are BBQ grills), order a takeaway, cook on your camping stoves etc.
  • Bring some marshmallows and sticks for later, on the bonfire!
• Saturday Breakfast – Do your own thing
• Saturday Lunch – Do your own thing.
  • There are large fridges to keep things cool if needed
• Saturday Tea – TBA (last year we had a fish and chip van)
• Sunday Breakfast – Do your own thing.
• Sunday Lunch – BBQ lunch provided as part of your ticket price

 
Hot Weather Management
 
You can keep cool inside the centre and sit in the cafe but there is limited shade onsite.  Bring your own shelters and gazebos please.
 
Children

• Bring toys, board games, bikes, balls, WATER PISTOLS, and swimming costumes and towels. We will have some water fun!
• There is a mobile tuck shop!
• 35+ children came in 2022!

Security
 
This is a ticket only event. If you come across anyone without a wristband please let us know. We have duty staff onsite between 8.00am and midnight in hi vis jackets. The area is very quiet and peaceful. Please do not bring anything too valuable to the site please.
 
What Should I Bring?

• Seating for each person (for the evenings particularly)
• Rugs and picnic blankets (if you fancy a snooze!)
• Plate, Knife, Fork and Spoon plus plastic cups
  • (Outside washing up facilities available and we have provided fairy liquid etc)
• Don’t need mugs for tea and coffee (or stoves, kettles – free hot water!)
• Your own refreshments (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) for the weekend
• Ice blocks – we can provide some freezer space I am sure but we will announce details of that on the weekend
• Cool boxes/cool bags to keep your own food and drink cold over the weekend (we only have fridge space for your own items on the Saturday-sorry)

 
Arrival

• Coming Friday Evening?
  • Campers from 6pm and other visitors from 7pm please.
  • You will need to provide your own food and drink. Cafe is open.
• Coming just Sunday?
  • From 10.00am for day visitors, 11.00am service and you will be fed a cooked BBQ lunch. 

Are You New? Not Been? What's It Like?

• “As soon as we arrived people were so friendly”
• “I loved the site. So peaceful and pretty”
• “The bonfire and marshmallows on the Friday were great. My kids loved it”
• “I felt no pressure all weekend”
• “It was so nice to see all the kids play together”
• “It was so well organised”
• “The entertainment on the Saturday was great.”
• “We loved the disco. Haven’t danced in years!”
• “The chance to catch up with each other was so special”
• “Loved the Sunday service. Speaker was great”

 
Final Bits!

• Worried About Setting Up Tents / Caravans? There are people to help you set up.
• Small table – could be useful
• Air beds – electricity available and people will have electric inflation devices to put them up
• Guitar – if you have one why not bring it and a few song
• Dogs – only well-behaved dogs but please check with organisers first
• First Aid – there are plenty of first aiders available but bring any small kits with you for plasters etc
• Can I Pop Home? Yep (we do!) I can’t think of anything else but remember you are only 8 minutes from Devizes so pop home or to the shops if you need anything.