Monthly Archives: October 2018

Where to stay

Please note, the listing of any accommodation provider on this site does not constitute a recommendation on behalf of NorthShropshireCajun.co.uk Please check them out for yourself before booking.

The Big Weekend Campsite

The campsite is situated in Welshampton village, close to the Parish Hall. Campsite facilities will include portable toilets, running water and a wash-up area. Showers are also available to campers in the Parish Hall from 9am until mdnight. A large tent will also be erected for informal gatherings.

There is plenty of room for all those wishing to camp, the campsite is open from midday on Friday 16th August and closes midday on Monday 19th August. Tents, caravans, camper vans and motorhomes are all welcome.

Important: Please note that the land owner operates a ‘STRICTLY NO DOGS’ policy on the campsite. Camping is not included in any of the ticket types; a weekend camping ticket MUST be purchased separately). No day camping rates available.

Camping and Caravan Sites

Hampton Bank Caravan Site (No Children or Awnings)
Fernwood Caravan Site
The Newnes, Ellesmere
The Trotting Mare Caravan and Camping Park, Ellesmere (No Children)
Ty Mawr (Camping and Caravan Club Members Only)
Birch Hill Farm (Caravan Club Members only)
Bed and Breakfast

I Yew Tree House, Lower Frankton, SY11 4PB
Green Banks, Coptiviney, SY12 0ND
Hordley Hall, Nr Ellesmere, SY12 9BB
The Old Rectory, Wem, SY4 5UA
18 St. Johns Hill, Ellesmere
Mere side Farm, Ellesmere
Plas Warren, Duddleston
Wood Farm House Boutique B&B, Breaden Heath SY13 2LQ

Hotels

The Black Lion Hotel, Ellesmere
The Ellesmere Hotel, Ellesmere
The Red Lion Hotel, Ellesmere
The Hamner Arms, Hanmer
Premier Inn, Harmer Hill

Festival Info

Important ticketing info:

The ticketing structure for 2019 has changed! We have been listening to feedback and tried to strike a better balance between having an easy to manage ticketing system, keeping fees to a minimum and being able to keep the festival afloat. Therefore we now have three tiers of tickets:

Tier 1:

Early Bird Ticket £50 +fees (£53.89) – These have been frozen at the 2018 price of £50 and are limited to the first 30 tickets; after which Tier 2 tickets will be activated. The early bird tickets do not include camping; therefore a weekend camping ticket will be required if you wish to camp (You only need one camping ticket per camping unit).

Weekend Camping Ticket £20 +fees (£21.91) – Valid for entire weekend. No day camping rates available. is a PER CAMPING UNIT fee, so if you are a couple in one tent, caravan or ‘live-in’ vehicle you ONLY need one camping ticket).

Tier 2:

Weekend+Camping Ticket £80 +fees (£85.87) – This is a bundled ticket to reduce the fees as much as possible for those who wish to camp. These tickets are available until 22nd April 2019, at which point the Tier 3 Weekend+Camping tickets will go on sale at a higher rate of £90 +fees.
HINT: Camping tickets cover an ENTIRE CAMPING UNIT, so if you are a couple in one tent OR caravan OR ‘live-in’ vehicle you ONLY need one camping ticket per unit; so to keep your costs down we advise you buy one bundled ‘Weekend+Camping’ ticket and then your other ticket at the standard ‘Tier 2’ rate of £60 +fees.

Tier 2: Weekend ONLY Ticket £60 +fees (£64.55) – This ticket price DOES NOT include camping, if you intend to camp then you will need to purchase the bundled Weekend+Camping ticket or a separate Weekend Camping ticket. These tickets are available until 22nd April 2019, at which point the Tier 3 Weekend ONLY tickets will go on sale at a higher rate of £70 +fees.
HINT: Camping tickets cover an ENTIRE CAMPING UNIT, so if you are a couple in one tent OR caravan OR ‘live-in’ vehicle you ONLY need one camping ticket per unit; so to keep your costs down we advise you buy one bundled ‘Weekend+Camping’ ticket and then your other ticket at the ‘Tier 2’ rate of £60 +fees.

Tier 3:

Weekend+Camping Ticket £90 +fees (£96.53) – This ticket price INCLUDES camping, you do not need to purchase another camping ticket. These tickets are available until Midday on Friday16th August 2019, at which point all online sales will cease and tickets can only be purchased on site at the festival box office.
HINT: Camping tickets cover an ENTIRE CAMPING UNIT, so if you are a couple in one tent OR caravan OR ‘live-in’ vehicle you ONLY need one camping ticket per unit; so to keep your costs down we advise you buy one bundled ‘Weekend+Camping’ ticket and then your other ticket at the standard ‘Tier 3’ rate of £70 +fees.

Tier 3:

Weekend ONLY Ticket £70 +fees (£75.21) – This ticket price DOES NOT include camping, if you intend to camp then you will need to purchase the bundled Weekend+Camping ticket or a separate Weekend Camping ticket. These tickets are available until Midday on Friday16th August 2019, at which point all online sales will cease and tickets can only be purchased on site at the festival box office.
HINT: Camping tickets cover an ENTIRE CAMPING UNIT, so if you are a couple in one tent OR caravan OR ‘live-in’ vehicle you ONLY need one camping ticket per unit; so to keep your costs down we advise you buy one bundled ‘Weekend+Camping’ ticket and then your other ticket at the standard ‘Tier 3’ rate of £70 +fees.

Day tickets and individual event tickets will be released on May 27th 2019 at 10am. More info on these tickets to come…

NB: Weekend tickets include all main events and dance workshops, any other workshops are paid on the day to the workshop leader and prices are listed on the festival website; you DO NOT need to purchase individual event or day tickets if you have a weekend ticket.

Cancellation Policy

North Shropshire Big Weekend believes in helping its festival goers as far as possible, and has therefore a liberal cancellation policy.

Under this policy:

• Cancellations will be considered only if the request is made at the latest one month prior to the event.
• Tickets are non refundable during the final month of the event
• Tickets are transferable and you are free to sell your ticket on if you wish*

*Please note in these cases, the new attendee must bring a copy of the original receipt

What is Cajun & Zydeco?

Cajuns les Cadiens or Les Acadiens, are descendants of the Acadian French from Acadia Canada, now settled in South West Louisiana.Cajun music is the traditional music of the French settlers of south west Louisiana.

The roots of this unique style can be traced back through the French Canadian traditions of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Maritimes, and further back to the original French pioneers who left Northern France many generations ago.Over many years the traditional music has absorbed many other cultural styles into the mix, including Celtic, Spanish, and of course a huge influence from their Creole French neighbours.The result is a unique and intense firey mix, played mainly on the Fiddle and the Accordion, highly emotive and irresistibly danceable!

Zydeco (French from the phrase “Les haricots ne sont<> pas sales” means “the snap beans aren’t salty” or “lehzy-dee-co sohn pah salay..”

Zydeco music has its roots based in African Creole traditions; The Creole settlers in South West Louisiana also absorbed musical styles from many different cultures over the years including a huge influence from their Cajun neighbours.

Many of the songs and tunes are shared between the two cultures, the Creole Zydeco style however is rooted more in the African Rhythm & Blues tradition, but is always embracing modern styles such as funk and hip hop, always keeping the music alive and fresh, and of course always compellingly danceable.

Like Cajun music, Zydeco is very much Accordion led, also features the rub-board, a percussion instrument, based on the washboard, but worn like a vest over the chest and played with spoons or keys.

A totally irresistible and unique dance music, spicy hot with a generous dose of bump n grind!