In a quiet yard on the edge of Bowlish, the team who have become world leaders in putting on sustainable events are preparing for another busy summer.
It is a labour of love for Andy Hope and Sally Nowell who formed Croissant Neuf as a circus in 1986, shortly after the demise of the Stonehenge Free Festival.
Andy ran a cafe at festivals and was packing his van for the 1985 event when he heard news of the police crackdown on the festival, while Sally was a member of free-festival legends the Tibetan Ukrainian Mountain Troupe.
The got together to form Croissant Neuf as a circus and began touring festivals and the Steam Fair circuit.
The duo have now run the solar-powered stage at the Glastonbury Festival for 25 years and, as well as being the operators of the Green Roadshow and in demand to take their distinctive red and yellow big top around the world, also run their own festival – the Croissant Neuf Summer Party.
Festival-goers can go knowing they will have half the impact on the environment than by staying at home.
The energy-efficient stage is powered by solar panels and batteries that generate power equivalent to 10,000W.
The eco-friendly festival held in Monmouthshire runs from noon on Friday, August 12, to midnight on Sunday, August 14.
Multi-award winning and with a unique green outlook, the festival has developed from the team's experience as the centrepiece of Glastonbury's Green Fields and Big Green Gathering.
Croissant Neuf also boasts organic food, organic tipples at the Stagger Inn and a promise that three trees will be planted onsite for every car that brings guests to the festival.
The line-up this year includes ska legends The Beat, and a special afternoon of huge interest to folk fans, curated by Steve Knightley of Show of Hands providing the perfect soundtrack to a weekend that includes circus and open mic acts and activities, crafts and workshops for old and young – and a tea dance.
Full details can be found on www.partyneuf.co.uk.
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