lucky escape for WOMAD

WOMAD 2007, the new site will be able to cope

WOMAD festival, which will be taking place at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire this weekend, looks like it will narrowly avoid the brunt of the bad weather that has recently caused severe flooding across the UK.

The festival has been based at Rivermead, Reading since 1990 (also the home of Reading Festival), and is moving to Charlton Park for the first time this year. According to the BBC, flooding is predicted to start in Reading and Caversham (where the festival was previously held) this evening.

The festival will go ahead as the new site has been unaffected by the floods. It has a clay soil on limestone brash and is on high ground, which allows for efficient drainage. So the ground, including the camping and parking areas, is still solid.

There is still a possibility of rain, so festival organisers are advising you to come prepared with wellies, waterproof clothing and plenty of changes of clothes

Although access to the site is unaffected by the heavy rain and floods, we recommended that you check your route before leaving, to avoid some of the worse affected parts of the country.

Unfortunately, Event Mobility (a company that assists the Disabled, Elderly and Mobility Impaired in getting easier access to countryside events) are unable to attend the festival this weekend due to flooding in the Pershore/Tewkesbury area where they are based. They will be contacting anyone who made a booking through them.

Please note, the River Avon that runs near to the WOMAD site is not the same as the River Avon in Gloucestershire that has been featuring in the news.

WOMAD has over 70 world-class artists from 40 countries performing over the festival weekend, including The Blind Boys Of Alabama playing a special Thursday night concert, plus playing over the three days of the festival: Peter Gabriel, Baaba Maal, Toots and the Maytals, Isaac Hayes, Seckou Keita Quartet, Taj Mahal, Ben Taylor, Chambao, Tinariwen, Candi Staton, Clube Do Balanço, Calexico, Dhol Foundation, DJ Shantel, Steel Pulse, Seth Lakeman, and more - click here for all the details to-date.

WOMAD Charlton Park will feature seven stages and workshop areas, including a children's village, many more activities and festival features, all in the idyllic environment of Charlton's open lawns and rolling fields.

Tickets are on sale, priced at £120. Camping from Friday to Monday is included in the ticket price - if you wish to camp on the Thursday there's an extra charge of £10. Click here to buy.