. News Archives - Wilcop Media

News

News, Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care, Notts Leisure, Notts Sport

Here at P.E.C.S. we have been open since January2017, offering a range of facilities from free weights, pin loaded machines, plate loaded machines and fitness classes. Our ethos is to help the community to realise the benefits of a healthy exercise and nutritional lifestyle.

We have not stood still in these seven years of business, we have survived covid and expanded twice since opening. We have future developments to make this a very exciting time to be a member.

We are continually striving to introduce new concepts and classes.

The gym is co-owned by Stephen Edwards and Tracy Kidsley. Stephen has been in the fitness industry for over forty years and brings a wealth of experience. Tracy has been in the industry for seven years and is currently exploring the impact of peri-post menopause fitness benefits. They are both local to the surrounding area and offer personal training sessions at very competitive prices.

One of our main target groups at PECS Fitness is the growing Diabetic population in today’s society. Stephen Edwards co – owner was diagnosed 33 years ago and has first-hand knowledge and understanding of diabetes. Now at the age of 60 he manages the condition through his own specialist diabetic program of exercise and low carb diet. Adapting training techniques with his own substantial training experience to pass on knowledge to members at P.E.C.S. Fitness (Prevention Exercise Cure Solutions) Gibb Street, Long Eaton, NG10 1EE.

We at P.E.C.S. insist that the exercises do not need to be complex or complicated. The first is just to be more active by moving more. You can incorporate an exercise routine using a chair if mobility is an issue. Basic bodyweight exercises and resistant bands can be used to progress to a more active stage.

What is Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the result of the body losing the ability to control its sugar levels properly. The level of sugar is critical, to high and it can cause damage to the body. Control of sugar levels is the job of a very important hormone called insulin which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin sends the sugar to cells in the muscles, liver or converts it to fat for storage. When someone is type 2 diabetic those cells have become resistant to insulin therefore sugar levels remain elevated and dangerous.

Factors such as ethnicity, high levels of stress, a diet high in processed foods and refined sugars, very sedentary lives all increase the chances of becoming type 2 diabetic.

What is important to be aware of is that type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed and even reversed. Making dietary changes such as reducing consumption of processed foods and refined sugars, increasing daily activity and managing stress effectively can help the body to become more insulin sensitive again which lowers sugar to healthier less damaging levels. Over time medications can be reduced or even stopped and the person classed as non type 2 diabetic.

News, Nottingham News

Four jurors who conducted their own research online while sitting on a conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to possess firearms trial have been sentenced.

Tina Denning, Ann-Marie Fletcher, Sharon Doughty, and Jamie Lowe all used their mobile phones to carry out searches on the Internet regarding defendants charged and standing trial in relation to two shootings in Nottinghamshire.

The first of these happened on the evening of 2 October 2018 when multiple shots were fired through the window of a house in Upper Langwith.

The second took place on 3 November 2018 when a young woman was hit in the arm when a gunman riding a moped fired five shots toward the Das Kino bar in Fletcher Gate, Nottingham city centre.

Eight people were charged with a number of offences connected to both incidents – resulting in a long-running trial held at Nottingham Crown Court at the end of 2019 and into the start of 2020.

Immediately after the jury was sworn in, on 2 October 2019, members were warned they should no carry out their own research on any aspect of the case, including by making any Internet searches.

They were warned that doing so would be a criminal offence and they were also provided with leaflets, reinforcing the judge’s directions and setting out their duties and responsibilities.

Further warnings regarding these prohibitions were given as the trial progressed.

The jury retired to consider verdicts, regarding six of the defendants, on 12 February 2020.

It was during retirement that concerns about certain jury members’ conduct came to light.

It was reported some had been undertaking their own research on aspects of the case and had, in some cases, shared that research with other jurors.

This disclosure caused the discharge of the jury part way through deliberations, on 10 March 2020, with verdicts still outstanding on four of the defendants. The other two were acquitted by the jury Immediately prior to their discharge.

Due to the misconduct of the four jurors – Denning, Fletcher, Doughty, and Lowe – a retrial was needed.

The cost of the abandoned first trial was estimated to have been more than £1.4 million to the public purse.

Investigation of mobile phones revealed Denning, Fletcher, Doughty, and Lowe had each used their devices to undertake their own online research relating to the case.

They were subsequently interviewed and charged with offences, contrary to the Juries Act 1974.

The investigation into the jury members’ misconduct was carried out by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime Leicester Hub.

Fletcher, aged 41, pleaded guilty to four counts of researching the case during the trial period.

She was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 120 hours’ unpaid work.

Doughty, aged 51, pleaded guilty to two counts of researching the case during the trial period and a further charge of intentionally disclosing information to other jury members during the trial period.

She was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 120 hours’ unpaid work.

Lowe, aged 27, went on to plead guilty to four counts of researching the case during the trial period.

He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 80 hours’ unpaid work.

Denning, aged 50, pleaded guilty to one count of researching the case during the trial period and a second count of intentionally disclosing information to other jury members during the trial period.

She was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 80 hours’ unpaid work.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: “Not only did this offending result in a significant monetary wastage to the public purse, but the collapse of the trial caused witnesses to have to go through the traumatic experience of giving their evidence again at a re-trial, as well as causing delay to the resolution of the case.

“These four jurors were well aware that they should not have been engaging in their own research into aspects of this case.

“Any action which interferes with the administration of justice is a serious breach and I hope the sentences imposed sends a warning to other jurors about their essential responsibilities.”

News, Nottingham News, Notts Health & Care

An innovative project saving surplus food from being wasted which has delivered around 1,000 meals a week to local charities has been shortlisted for a national award.

The City Council’s meal production project in partnership with FareShare Midlands, FareShare UK and Sainsbury’s has been going from strength to strength since its launch in July 2022.

In recognition of our work with FareShare we have been nominated for a prestigious Public Sector Catering Award for Sustainability. The awards celebrate the work of individuals, teams and organisations in the catering industry that work to make a difference whether that be in schools, universities, NHS or local government.

Nottingham City Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People and Education, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a Public Sector Catering Award for sustainability for our meal production project with FareShare. This important project is reducing the environmental impact of food waste while bringing healthy food to community groups.

“The project is giving volunteers valuable opportunities to develop their skills, take part in training, improve their employability and improve mental wellbeing. The meals created have been of an excellent standard and it is evident that the meals are making a difference to people who receive them.”

The FareShare team has been creating delicious meals that make a difference to local people in need and saving food from going to waste. FareShare Midlands are using the commercial kitchen at Loxley House, Nottingham City Council’s HQ, to make meals from surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise be thrown away. The meals are delivered to local charities dealing with poverty, isolation and the cost of living crisis.

By the end of December 2022, the kitchen had:

  • Saved eight tonnes of surplus food going to waste, equivalent to 20 tonnes CO2 
  • Distributed 6.8 tonnes of food, equivalent to 19,428 meals
  • Cooked, frozen and delivered around 1,000 meals per week
  • Registered 19 Nottingham charitable groups to receive meals.

Surplus food is sourced by FareShare from local suppliers across the Midlands. The fresh produce FareShare receive is always seasonal. It’s sourced from growers when they are harvesting quantities of fruits or vegetable surplus to requirements. Currently the project has a glut of celeriac they are putting into meals.

Fareshare has also began accessing and unlocking new surplus food from manufacturing. This food, sometimes termed ‘work in progress’, lends itself to cooking activities as the food is already part-prepared and part-cooked. By accessing this surplus food, they can cook more community meals quickly and save more food from going to waste.

Volunteers are vital to running the project and the FareShare team at Loxley House includes two chefs and a team of over 20 volunteers. Through their experience in the kitchen, volunteers are able to develop their confidence, social connections as well as improve their employability skills.

FareShare Midlands also work in partnership with local organisation Pulp Friction, to provide adults with a learning disability and/or autism the chance to further develop their skills in the Loxley House kitchen.

Pulp Friction’s Members are given the opportunity take part in a ten-week work experience placement at the kitchen where they work through training, such as:

  • Health and Safety in the kitchen
  • Food safety & Hygiene
  • Food preparation skills
  • knife skills
  • Soup preparation (for 300 portions)

At the end of ten weeks, Pulp Friction’s Members can take Level 2 Food Safety.

Then they can volunteer at the Police and Fire Station HQ canteen which serves 1,000 staff meals daily and some will go on to have work experience in a school kitchen environment with a view to employment.

Since September 2022 the kitchen has been shared between FareShare and Nottingham Catering as we needed freshly prepared hot meals to be transport into a local school.

Pierce O’Connor, FareShare Projects and Programmes Manager, said: “All the staff are respectful of the space and get on with each other very well. They are always looking out for each other.”

The project aims to increase its services to cook and distribute 2,000 meals a week to up to 40 local charities within the next six months.

News, Nottingham News, Notts Leisure

2023 is a very special year for Loughborough based Paul S. Winson Coaches as it celebrates its 40th birthday, having been established by Paul & Margaret Winson in 1983 with just four coaches. Substantial business growth followed year-on-year and the company now enjoys the enviable reputation as being one of the most admired businesses within the UK coaching industry. The company is a member of the coveted Guild of British Coach Operators as well as receiving accreditation from the DVSA as an ‘Earned Recognition’ operator, an accreditation only bestowed upon the best in the business.

Since the retirement of Mr. & Mrs. Winson, the company is now managed by their three sons, Paul, Anthony & Matthew. However, Paul Snr is known to arrive unannounced to ensure the business is still operating to a high standard!!

The company operates an extremely popular Coach Holiday & Day Excursion programme with a variety of exciting destinations, with pick-up points in both Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire* (Holidays only*). The 2023 brochure can be viewed at www.winsoncoaches.co.uk/holidays-and-excursions or call us on 01509 230499 for your copy.

The most extensive activity of the business is Private Coach Charter, with clients ranging from local schools/colleges to Blue-Chip corporate clients. The company operates a high specification fleet of Touring & Executive Coaches ranging from 33-53 seats, along with 72-80 seat high-capacity vehicles for the student market.

To obtain a competitive Private Coach Charter quotation, please email sales@winsoncoaches.co.uk or call us on 01509 232354.

News, Nottingham News

Children of Leamington Primary Academy receive magnificent gift from Dawson’s family upon return to school

Leamington Primary & Nursery Academy children returned to school to a great surprise in their playground, all thanks to the generosity of the family of Dawson Willcock.

Two-year-old Dawson Willcock died in 2017 following a diagnosis of a rare cancer, but not before he touched the hearts of the whole community for his bravery and smiles. Following a huge fundraising effort for specialist treatment in America, his family were given the tragic news that it could not save Dawson. The family have since used the money raised to give back to the community who provided support to the family in their time of need.

Dawson’s parent’s Wendy and David Willcock attended Leamington Primary & Nursery Academy with members of their family on the first day of the new term to officially open ‘Dawson’s Fort’, a magnificent playground installation for children of the school to use during playtimes and lessons.

Wendy Willcock said, “When we needed our community to rally around us to try and save Dawson, -parents, strangers, and everyone in Leamington and farther afield really supported and backed us, and we just wanted to give something back. It would have been lovely if we could have done this for all of the schools who supported and fundraised for us, but this was the school that had the connection for us. My children came here, and Dawson would also have come here. I think he would have loved it.

“Dawson had a rare cancer,” said Wendy, “A one in a million chance of getting it and a 9 out of 10 survival rate. But when there is a 9 out of 10 there is always the 1 out of 10. He was 2 years and 2 months when he died. He would be 7 now and would have been at this school.

“Dawson was known for his infectious smile, and laugh, -he was always smiling. David and I both feel that Dawson would have been the type of child who would always have been smiling at school and we believe would have been able to make other children smile, and that is the reason behind the phrase on the plaque.”

The words on the playground structure to be known as Dawson’s Fort read, ‘If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours’ Dawson Willcock 20/09/15 – 24/11/17

David Willcock, Dawson’s Dad said, “We hope that the Fort makes children smile and enjoy themselves, -that’s our hope.”

Pupil at Leamington Primary & Nursery Academy, Elsie Tasker, age 7 said, “I think the fort is big and fun and my favourite bit is at the top of the stairs!” Fellow pupil Aaron Widdowson age 10 years said, “I think its really amazing. I remember that Foundation children used to have a little one but this one is really big. I think all of the children will really enjoy using it and all of us want to say thank you to Dawson’s family. The family donated such a lot of money, and we will always be able to remember Dawson every time we use the fort. Also, when I go home, I am going to write the words that are on the plaque on some paper and laminate it and put it in my bedroom to remember Dawson.”

Evie Doran age 11 years said, “I think it is amazing what the family have done and what they have done for our school. I really believe the children are all going to love using the fort and that it represents the memory of a pupil who would have been at school with us.”

Wendy Willcock said the family will always be grateful to all the schools, community groups and members of the public who supported the family. “We really do want to say a big thank to everyone who supported and rallied around us when we needed them to try and save Dawson. Their efforts will always be appreciated and remembered with a lot of thanks and love.”

At a cost of over £44,000, Dawson’s family donated approximately £38,000 to the project and the academy paid the remaining amount. Kaye McGuire is Head Teacher at Leamington Primary & Nursery Academy and said. “This gesture has truly touched the hearts of everyone at the academy, -the staff, children and their families. We will always be grateful and will hold Dawson in our hearts, -and Dawson’s Fort will provide not only fun and laughter for our children, and a fantastic outdoor learning space, but will remind us of Dawson for generations to come. We want to thank the family for this wonderful gift to our children and we will cherish the memory, and the beautiful words, and will honour those words by sharing our smiles in his memory.”

Lancashire News, News

A man who carried out a serious assault inside a house in Blackburn has been jailed for five years following an investigation by officers in our East Division.

We were called to Whalley New Road just after 7am on October 7, last year, following reports of an assault.

Investigations discovered that defendant Paul Donlin had knocked on the door of the property and as soon as he was let inside, he made threats to his first male victim.

When the second male victim went to see what was going on, he was hit to the face by Donlin. A struggle then ensued, during which Donlin kicked the victim to the head at least two times.

The second victim – who suffered a 2cm cut to his forehead, cuts around his face, two chipped teeth, rib injuries and some hearing loss – manged to escape via the front door and was picked up by a passer-by.

Donlin then got into a waiting Mercedes car and while being driven around came across the first victim on nearby Cornelian Street. After being threatened with being stabbed by Donlin, the first victim was led back to Whalley New Road.

Donlin then told the first victim he had ten seconds to bring the other occupants of the house outside and began counting down from ten.

The first victim ran through the house, out of the back door and hid in a nearby garden until police arrived.

Donlin, 40, of Teasel Walk, Morecambe, was arrested and answered no comment to all questions put to him.

Donlin pleaded guilty to Section 20 Assault, two affrays and making off without payment. He was sentenced to five years custody at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday (May 10).

DC Adele Hassall, of Blackburn CID, said: “Donlin’s conduct on the morning of October 7 was completely unacceptable and I hope this sentence reflects how seriously Lancashire Police and the courts treat this kind of violent offending.

“Donlin left one man with some very nasty injuries and others, including bystanders, extremely fearful.

“I would like to thank my colleagues for helping to compile the evidence which led to Donlin’s conviction and subsequent sentence.”

News, Nottingham News

The final member of a crime gang which attacked a man with weapons during a violent raid on a cannabis grow has been jailed.

The ten-strong group of criminals travelled to Nottingham from London in a convoy of vehicles before kicking the door in at an address in Myrtle Avenue, Forest Fields, during the early hours of 20 May 2020.

A man was attacked with knives and garden shears as he escaped from the property.

After bursting in the gang stole cannabis plants from the address and loaded them into a vehicle. 

Some of the attackers abandoned their vehicles and tried to run off but they were quickly arrested, after police swiftly arrived on scene.

Others were stopped in their tracks and arrested as they fled down the M1 back towards London. 

All ten previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at Nottingham Crown Court On Friday 4 June 2021. Nine of the gang were jailed for a combined total of over 62 years at Nottingham Crown Court in September last year.

The final member, 31-year-old Edmund Mackwar, of Court Wood Lane, Croydon, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 4 January 2022) and was locked up for six years and seven months.

The others involved and the sentences they previously received were:

Toryon David, 24, of Kent – six years and ten months.

Josh Dawson, 19, of London – six years and ten months.

Temi Peters, 22, of London – six years and seven months.

Bilal Mohamed, 23, of London – seven years and five months.

Jedidia Kibambe, 25, of no fixed address – seven years and three months.

Gaele Meya, 25, of London- six years and ten months.

Rex Kibambe, 27, of no fixed address – eight years and five months.

Henock Eskinder, 28, of London – six years and seven months.

Earl Coelho De Carvalho, 23, of London – six years.

The man who was attacked as he fled the property needed stitches for head and shoulder injuries.

Detective Sergeant Simon Carter, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I am pleased to see these dangerous men being removed from the streets for a long time.

“I hope the sentences handed to the defendants, adding up to a combined total of over 68 years in prison, serve as a deterrent to other people and stops them from committing similar crimes.

“This raid would have been terrifying for neighbouring residents on this street who were disturbed by the commotion and saw this frightening incident unfold. 

“This group of men was prepared to use extreme violence to steal cannabis for their own selfish gain without any regard whatsoever for the rest of the community and how their violent actions would affect others.

“Following the report we responded quickly to secure arrests and undertook an extensive investigation involving numerous police teams all working closely together. 

“I would particularly like to praise DC Sarah Gregg, the overall officer in the case, for her meticulous investigation which ultimately led to their convictions after they put in early pleas.”

DS Carter added: “Nottinghamshire Police’s number one priority is to keep people as safe as possible. The force will continue to do everything in its power to prevent drugs getting onto the streets of our local communities, where they cause serious harm, as well as investigating and disrupting this type of illegal activity, identifying those involved and bringing them to justice.

“The money organised criminals make from illegal cannabis grows is often used to fund serious crime in neighbourhoods and they will often prey on vulnerable adults and children to help run their criminal operation, spreading fear and misery.

“The value of a large grow to a rival gang can be significant, which is where the risk of violence and danger to the wider public comes from. Criminals, often armed, come into residential streets where they believe grows may be based with the intent to steal from others while other operators may use violence to protect their operations.

“We remain committed to protecting the public and preventing crime and violence before it happens. If you think a cannabis grow may have been set up in your area then you can contact the police at any time, in confidence.

Signs which may point to a cannabis grow are:

  • A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma
  • Frequent visitors throughout the day and night
  • Blacked out windows
  • Chinks of bright light throughout the night
  • Birds gathering on the roof, particularly in cold weather
  • In winter, snow melting unusually quickly on the roof
  • High levels of condensation on windows
  • Noise from fans
  • Large amounts of rubbish, including compost bags
  • Electricity meter being tampered with/altered and new cabling, sometimes leading to street lighting.

If you think a cannabis grow may have been set up in your area then call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

News, Nottingham News, Notts Leisure

The train company LNER is consulting on proposals to reduce the ticket office opening hours at Berwick-upon-Tweed; Darlington; Doncaster; Durham; Edinburgh; Grantham; London King’s Cross; Newark North Gate; Newcastle; Peterborough; Retford; Wakefield Westgate and York train stations.

The proposals would see the ticket offices at these major stations open later and close easier, and in many cases would lead to a significant reduction in opening hours.

RMT is calling on the passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch to oppose all of the proposed cuts to ticket office hours and for LNER to withdraw its proposals.

Why is this important?

Staffed ticket offices make the rail network more safe, secure and accessible for passengers. Ticket offices and travel shops provide a wide range of services and advice in addition to ticket sales that passengers cannot access from Ticket Vending Machines and online ticketing platforms.

RMT believes that LNER’s proposals to reduce ticket office hours at these 13 stations would worsen passenger safety, security and accessibility and make it easier to reduce staffing at these stations.

The cuts would also make it harder for passengers to get the cheapest and most appropriate tickets and restrict the advice they can access at the ticket office.

The cuts will also deter passengers from using the rail network and are completely at odds with the the UK Government’s climate change targets.

RMT believes that the cuts will be particularly damaging for some groups including disabled passengers, elderly passengers and people on lower incomes who may not have access to digital ticketing.

Transport Focus’ own passenger research, published in October 2020, found that ‘staff play a central role in helping passengers feel safe and secure’ and that passengers want to see more rather than less rail staff. Cuts to ticket office hours run counter to this.

For these reasons, RMT believes that the proposals must be withdrawn and the current ticket office hours protected.

Last signed by:

News, Nottingham News, Notts Sport

Eight years ago I walked through the gates at Stoke Lane for the first time in many years. As i was being greeted by the members of Carlton Town Football Club along came a well-dressed and pleasant gentleman to see who the new guy was.’Hello,Brian Dennett, Commercial manager’ were the first words that i received as my introductions were being made.Little was i to know at the time how such a good friendship would evolve over the years from a man that wanted to be involved with everything about the football club.

Brian was a man with so much knowledge and at an age of seventy-two was still active and keen to be making a difference where a lot of people at his time of life would be quite content to see their days pass by. He was a man that was a constant threat to everybody’s pocket with his endeavour to raise whatever funds he could to aid the progress of the club. His only intention was to be seen to be making money to help everybody involved have an opportunity for he knew that without his efforts the personnel involved wouldn’t have such a good football club.

Over the last few years myself and Brian would travel together to fixtures home and away with Brian driving to the home games and myself to the away ones. He was a very knowledgeable man who knew everything about every town or village that we passed through. Every trip that we had together was always like an adventure and each time it was always an interesting drive to say the least.

In his latter years Brian would struggle with illness but this wouldn’t deter him getting up on a Saturday morning or getting out in mid-week to support a club that was dear to his heart. He would still be active and still be plugging away to do his bit even at the age of seventy-nine with his constant requests of people for money for the club to keep us all afloat.

Sadly Brian passed away on Wednesday 24th February at 8PM and even in his final week from his hospital bed whilst struggling for his life was still fund-raising for the club. I have no doubt now that he will be up there at the Pearly Gates trying to convince St Peter to empty his pockets for sponsorship for the benefit of the club and that once he is through those gates be going to the big man himself.

God bless you Brian, thank-you for everything that you did for us all at the club and thank-you personally for the last eight years.

R.I.P Brian Dennett 3rd February 1942 – 24th February 2021

Article by Phil Jennings

Lancs Leisure, News, Notts Leisure

Donington Park. 14th-16th June 2019

Download Festival returned to Donington Park for 3 days of pure rock music. This mammoth extravaganza now in its 17th year is a highlight in the festival calendar, boasting a line-up that included Slipknot, Def Leppard and Tool as headliners, you would be hard pushed to find any other festival with such established names.

Slash

Unlike other festivals where they rely on just the headliners to pull in the punters, Download Festival also ensure that the non headliners are just as appealing. Acts such as legendary guitarist Slash playing with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Smashing Pumpkins, Trivium, and Whitesnake all worthy of catching live on their own, let alone together at one event.

As always Download try to put on little gems just to add that extra sparkle to their rock music crown. These are bands that are formed by individuals from other famous bands and if you don’t do your research you might miss them.

One band that could be considered a gem, were the main stage opening act Last in

Line. Created from the former members of Dio, surprisingly even Vivian Campbell (guitarist) managed to be awake early enough to ensure that the band was ready to go on time, despite also performing as part of the headline act Def Leppard later in the evening.

One other such band on Friday was Deadland Ritual. Comprising of Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) Matt Sorum (ex-Guns N Roses) Steve Stevens (Billy Idol guitarist) and vocalist Franky Perez (Apocalyptica) they impressed the crowd with their brand of rock on the Zippo Encore stage.

Over the weekend there were numerous issues with the merchandise stalls accepting card payments, some punters waiting over an hour to get to the front of the queue just to be told that the card machines weren’t working. Better communication would have been appreciated. A hoodie would have set you back £45. Drinks such as Pepsi were £3.50 for their version of a large size. Alcohol prices started at £4.50 all the way to over £16 for a bottle of wine. Tea and coffee were around £2. There was a whole variety of food stalls, ranging from £5 for doughnuts up to £9.50 for Filled Yorkshire puddings.

Unfortunately, despite Download having a stellar line up, the weather was not playing ball. Biblical downpours and endless mud were the conditions for this festival. Occasionally, the sun would make appearance to tease the rock fans to remind them of what could have been. As the saying goes “Julia Cesar and the Roman Empire couldn’t conquer the blue skies” neither could the organisers of Download.

Whitesnake

Whitesnake managed to create one of the biggest responses from the crowd, with their blend of tongue in cheek sing-along anthems. Although it was hard to tell if it was Whitesnake material or the fleeting appearance of sunshine that sparked the audience into life. Vocalist David Coverdale tried to get the audience to sing a long and at times it fell flat. However musically the band are still a tour de force when it comes to playing live, although it did feel like most people watching were just waiting for the classic hit “Here I Go Again” rather than all of the other material that they did back in the 80’s such as “Still of the Night”.

There were plenty of highlights throughout the weekend, with so many bands it would be hard not to find something to like, in summary some of my personal highlights were Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators performing a setlist that wasn’t heavily reliant on Guns N Roses tracks. (Ok so they did slip in ‘Night Train’, but they can be forgiven for that one).

Def Leppard

Seeing Def Leppard perform the album “Hysteria” in its entirety brought back lots of memories and appeared to be well received by the rain-soaked crowd.

Bad Wolves performing their version of “Zombie” was probably one of the more poignant highlights of the weekend. Dedicating it to Delores O’ Riordan.

Slipknot were another phenomenal highlight, a performance that was high octane from the opening notes of “People=S##t” to the dying notes of their final song “Surfacing”. It was a masterclass in taking the music to the fans.

Also, Slayer performing what has been widely publicised as their last ever UK appearance was a set list designed to please the fans one last time. Songs such as “Raining Blood” and “South of Heaven” sent the crowd into a frenzy. Fingers crossed that it isn’t the last time Slayer play live in the UK.

Another amazing Download Festival, albeit a muddy one. The only issue the organisers have now, is how do they make 2020 even more rocktastic!!

Written by Luke Seagrave.