Event organisers applaud Stokbord® ground protection mats

As plans start to take shape for the ever-increasing number of outdoor events and festivals throughout the UK this summer, there will never be a better time for event organisers to consider a new method of ground protection using a proven recycled plastics material.

With the vagaries of our summer weather never far from organisers' thoughts, you simply cannot afford to stage an outdoor event in the UK without ground protection. But doubts are being expressed about traditional methods of protecting the grounds during the build-up period using plywood, and there are fears that unless a different material is found, the event itself might be in jeopardy, with organisers facing untold costs!

They are also faced with the "headache" that recent legislation prohibits the burning of plywood, and so one has to pay for its legitimate disposal to landfill. Alternative systems using tracking have also proved extremely expensive.

Enter onto the stage the Stokbord® recycled plastic ground protection mat from Centriforce Products – the UK's largest manufacturer of sheet and board using recycled plastics. It is more robust, rot-proof and cost effective than any alternative system. It means that vehicles, and people, can access the site with as little damage or disruption as possible. It also ticks the sustainability box, as it is made entirely from recycled plastics.

But don't just take our word for it. The organisers of West Cumbria's major summer music and arts festival, Solfest, were seeking an alternative to the poorly performing plywood. Many of the systems on the market looked prohibitively expensive, but then Solfest's Alwyn Branniff discovered Stokbord®

He explains: "From the tests that I have done, I feel sure that it will prove to be a perfect solution for the preparation and installation work prior to our event. We also intend to use it for the public walkways. We chose Stokbord® as a more robust and secure alternative to plywood. It will withstand the vagaries of climate as well as the wear and tear of usage, and be available to us for many years to come. As it uses recycled plastic, it is also a more sustainable product."

Solfest has taken delivery of the product within days. It suits their requirements perfectly. Why not see for yourself how it might benefit your event. Look on our website for more information, or contact jonathanpearce@centriforce.co.uk

About Solfest

A non-commercial music and arts festival with a warm atmosphere set between the Solway Firth and the Lake District mountains in picturesque West Cumbria, as always it features a massive range of musical and cultural adventures.

The sixth Solfest takes place from Friday August 28th to Sunday the 30th, 2009 and offers something for everyone, with a main stage, dance tent, second stage with many smaller acts, and a children's area with workshops to amaze, educate and enthral kids and adults throughout the day.

The acts confirmed so far include The Charlatans (who have said they are Sunday headliners) The Blockheads, Nerina Pallot, Buzzcocks, The Beat, Shooglenifty, Seth Lakeman, Dhol Foundation, Dub Colossus, The Lancashire Hotpots, Trickbaby, The Kabeedies, Ella Edmondson, The Resplendents, Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls, Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, and more. For the line-up details, and stage splits, as available please click here.

The festival policy is "to appeal to four generations of people, from the tiny babies through to the great-grannies and great-granddads (and everyone else in between) and have them all partying together at the same time – and lovin' it!" Solfest will be hosting Cumbria's biggest fancy dress party (no theme) on the evening of Saturday 23rd August.

Solfest is expected to include free camping (quiet and noisy!); free parking (next to your tent); plenty of food from around the world; a licensed bar (or you can bring your own); sculptures; a healing area; adult workshops where you can try things such as belly dancing and wood turning; craft stalls; walkabout performances and theatre; a baby area; fire performances; an acoustic music session tent, and friendly and helpful stewards.

Tickets are on sale. The prices are confirmed as £85 adult weekend; young person aged 12-16 £60; child aged 6-11 £25; parking FREE. Solfest are again reverting to counter ticket sales only available from branches of the Cumberland Building Society in Wigton, Aspatria and Silloth, and the Carnegie Theatre, Workington box Office tel. 01900 602122. For Solfest 2009 there will be a total of 6500 adult tickets available. There will also be a total of 750 children's tickets and 750 Young people's tickets.

The Solfest Workshop programme offers a wide range of activities to educate and inspire.

Solfest has an action packed kids area for children of all ages, from the Baby Chill-Out with facilities for feeding, changing and resting.

Plus painting drop-in sessions, circus skills, musical workshops, craft workshops, ultraviolet sandpit, wood lathes and green woodworking, facepainters, songs and stories, Hula Hooping workshops, water play, bubbles, and other toys and activities.

For older kids and teens there's the Trailer Trash Games Emporium, a mobile youth club featuring activities like table football, table tennis and other games and activities.

Last year the 'Shoreside' field (Noisy Camping) was open for public access between the hours of 5pm and 10pm on the evening of Thursday 27th August. There was no access to the main festival field or any of the other camping fields until the Friday.

For tickets please go to www.solwayfestival.co.uk