From The Shire and Beyond: Pilgrimage to Poole

Winters End in Poole has been a festival put on by Planet Rock for the last 3 years. Its held at Sandford Holiday Park in Poole which is around a 10/ 15 min drive from Poole itself depending on traffic of course. The tickets can be bought either with or without accommodation. Each year we have chosen not to stay on site in a caravan.
Seems to work out cheaper unless you're in a group which can split the cost of the caravan, much nicer to have your own bathroom, hmm that must be an age thing! So the Premier Inn North is the base for the weekend. Stayed here the first year, parking is great & it's easier to get to Sandford Park than the other hotel that I tried near the Quay.
Setting off around 11.45am the journey was good, taking 3 &1/2 hours. Time to get changed & chill for a few minutes before heading down in time to see the first band The Screaming Eagles, long awaited set from these guys, 18mths at least since I last saw them perform at Rockwich. They did not disappoint, they opened up the festival in fine form, had a great crowd, treating us to a couple of new songs & some of their faves. Chris Fry on vocals reassures us they are in the throes of recording a new album. Cant wait!

Chris Fry Screaming Eagles

Over the next 2 days we have bands from 11am through to 3.30 pm with a short break until the evening line up starting at 5.30pm, which means you can either go eat, sleep or like us go for a drive to Swanage on the Sunday to have fish n chips by the sea, a tad chilly but nice all the same to get away from the site for a while.

Swanage

It's a fantastic festival, very laid back vibe as you can wander round the venue, sit in the restaurant/ TV/lounge area, eat, drink, discuss the music with friends.
Theres only one stage so no clashes & a bar right at the back of the main room, so when bands are on you cant hear any of that annoying chatter as in smaller venues.
There were 25 bands on over the 3 days, fantastic line up including Massive Wagons, Ginger & The Wildhearts, Kris Barras, Blackwater Conspiracy to name but a few.
My stand out bands were Bad Touch, Hollowstar, Ryders Creed & Reef . They all played outstanding sets with Reef bringing the proceedings to a stellar end.
Everyone has told me to try Planet Rockstock in December as its similar to Winters End but bigger, it may be on my radar for December we shall see, the PlanetRock team are a lovely bunch of very hardworking guys, that love great music & that can be seen at their events. Now what else can I fit into my gig calendar.......