Mothers Meeting / Josie da Bank interview

We think you’re amazing having three kids and having to work so hard, I bet they inspire you every day, how much input do your children have into the creative direction of Camp Bestival each year and what’s your best example of this?
They have a lot of input. They love Camp Bestival and all the activities it has to offer. Merlin, my 6 year-old, loves wildlife and nature so the whole Project Wild Thing is going to tick his box. Arlo, our eldest, loves to do circus workshops and sports and Miller our youngest is really into Horrible Histories right now. We do listen to what they want but I also need to listen to other children’s needs as I only have boys! My best example of the children inspiring Camp Bestival is setting it up in the first place. We decided to set it up as soon as we had Arlo, as Bestival isn’t really a family show – it’s more hedonistic, and we wanted somewhere all our friends could go with their children.

Do your parents come over to help out with your children while the festival is on and what do they love about it?
My parents love both Bestival and Camp Bestival. They come to Dorset for two weeks and help with the children while we build and break the show. They’re also on hand over the weekend, however they have discovered how much fun can be had at our festivals so we can no longer rely on them to babysit – especially at Bestival! All my cousins come to both shows and my husband’s family come along, and are always a great help.

Considering the amount of gear parents have to cart about with them at all times can you compile for our mumma’s Josie da Bank’s ‘capsule kid kits for camping’!
I highly recommend you bring a trolley such as a radio flyer, or hire one when you get there from Mr Trolley. These make it so much easier to move your kit from the car and also the children can go to sleep in them later on. Other things to bring are – wet wipes, water bottles, sun cream, fancy dress, snacks that your kids like – overtired and hungry kids are a nightmare especially when you have had too much wine the night before. Don’t come with any expectations and just go with the flow as you never get to see the bands you want. And make sure you come with friends or family to share the workload and take it in turns – the boys can go out one night then it’s ladies’ night the next!

What is available at Camp Bestival to help you lighten the load, ie boutique camping / cot hire / shops selling baby food brands and baby milk? Can you elaborate for us?
Camping Plus: A pre-booked pitch close to the car, you can also book a block of pitches so you get to camp with friends; Boutique Camping: bell tents are very comfortable and very beautiful, or our new Hospitality Camping which is just behind the main stage. Saying that, a normal camping ticket will get you a good spacious pitch.

Festivals are an amazing way to meet like-minded families and form friendships; do you have any feedback from people that come to Camp Bestival about their experiences you can share with us?
I often have families say that their children ask all year “when is the next one” as they want to come back. I often have parents say that their kids have loved it more than the luxury holiday in The Caribbean they had been saving long and hard for. I think there is so much to do that’s all new to them, it’s colourful and it’s such an adventure camping in a campsite full of other children and like-minded people.

Having a hugely hectic summer / year, where do you go to relax and have a nice family holiday with your children?
We mostly go away in the winter as we can completely switch off at that time of year - this year we all went to Mexico. However, we have started going to France camping in the summer holidays and that’s where I am right now – in a lovely French campsite in Noirmoutier.

How does Island life compare to the London rat race, do you ever miss it?
I don’t miss London as I still go there every week for work. If I didn’t do that I would really miss it – it’s an amazing place, full of life and great people and very creative, however it is so much easier for me to raise my children – three boys - in the countryside. The island feels safe and it’s full of activities. It’s not all a bed of roses though as commuting is very challenging and Robby finds it very hard trying to get everything done.

Tickets are still available at HERE

Josie da Bank is Creative Director of Camp Bestival and Bestival. Camp Bestival is an award-winning* family festival taking place July 31st to August 3rd, 2014 at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.

*Winner of Best Family Festival in the UK Festival Awards, 2013.