Revellers praise ‘friendliest’ festival

EIGHTIES fans dressed as the Flintstones, Freddie Mercury and Hi-de-Hi! characters were among those spotted enjoying the 16th Rewind South festival.

Held in Temple Island Meadows, the festival took place from Friday to Sunday and featured 24 retro pop acts.

Soft Cell headlined on Saturday night, in what will be their only UK show this year, while the lead vocalist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Holly Johnson, topped the bill on Sunday.

The artists were supported by stars such as Go West, Midge Ure, Chesney Hawkes, ABC and Matt Goss, while rising talent performed at the Pink Flamingo Club and Riverside Stage.

The festival was hosted by radio and television’s Jenny Powell, a former presenter of BBC’s Top of the Pops, and “The Doctor” — Clive Jackson of Dr and the Medics.

Dressing up in retro regalia has become a trademark of Rewind, with this year’s revellers sporting costumes inspired by Eighties pop legends such as Prince, or iconic Eighties books and television shows.

Among them were outfits inspired by the book series Where’s Wally?, American sitcom M*A*S*H* and the heyday of disco and legwarmers.

Fans enjoyed a variety of food stalls and traders, funfair rides, a silent disco, VIP tents compete with plush sofas, and a “Kidzone” offering circus workshops, while river taxis run by Hobbs of Henley ferried revellers to and from the festival.

Festival-goers were also invited to showcase their own talents in “Rewind’s Got Talent”. Among those to take part in the contest were Rosie Northang and Phil Keable, who grew up in Henley and return annually for Rewind.

Ms Northang, who grew up in Luker Avenue and now lives in Wiltshire, said: “I’m absolutely obsessed with the Eighties. I was born in ‘82, and Phil was ’83, so Rewind’s amazing for us.

“People just go to such a fab effort. We were in the talent show earlier representing Access Rewinders — festival-goers with additional access needs — and we all got up on stage and did British Sign Language and danced.”

Ms Northang said one of her highlights was meeting Carol Decker, lead vocalist of the band T’Pau, who performed on Saturday, and Eighties television presenter Timmy Mallett, who signed a mallet for her. Mr Keable, who attended The Henley College and now lives in Didcot, said: “This is our eighth Rewind, we love the vibe. It’s always the same sort of amazing people.

“It’s all about being comfortable with yourself — it’s not a judgemental festival. It’s a fun, loving, happy and chill festival.” While many costumes were inspired by the Eighties, others went for novelty outfits.

Mel Barltrap, from Reading, attended with a group of 20 friends dressed as Spanish Flamenco dancers.

She said they go every year and vote on what to dress up as. “We’ve been coming every year since 2009, and we always have to come up with a new outfit to wear.

“It was my friend Nicky’s big birthday this year, so she chose Flamenco dancers.”

Another group of revellers from High Wycombe were dressed as characters from the board game Cluedo, which inspired the 1985 comedy mystery film Clue.

Jo Gunby, who was dressed as Colonel Mustard, said: “We’ve been coming for the last five years. It’s just a lovely atmosphere and everyone is so friendly.”

Dressed as Danny Zuko from the 1978 film Grease, Neil Phillips had travelled to Henley from Suffolk with his wife Amanda.

They introduced their friends Mark and Eva Mason from Norfolk to the festival for the first time this year, and the four of them camped together in the festival grounds.

Mr Phillips said: “We love that you can just get on with it here and have fun — no inhibitions.

“Someone said to me that if you’re looking to go to your first festival, it should be this one.”