Dear Tolpuddle Guests,

With just two days to go before gates open, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to this year’s Festival.

Before you arrive, please read this important update about cooking and fire safety on site.

Over the past week, Dorset has moved into the highest wildfire risk category. Our comrades in Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue are currently dealing with multiple wildfires across the county.

Ground conditions at Tolpuddle are extremely dry, which means that the combination of dried grass, persistent heat, and prevailing winds means that even small sparks can cause a fast‑moving fire.

Because of this, and in line with Dorset Council’s current wildfire restrictions, we have updated our rules for the safety of all festival guests, staff, volunteers, and the local community.

Therefore to reduce the risk of wildfire, the following items are not allowed anywhere on the festival grounds, including campsites, car parks, trader areas, and backstage:

• Disposable BBQs
• Hibachi‑style or low‑to‑ground BBQs
• Any charcoal, wood, or ember‑producing BBQs (including those with legs)
• Any burning of charcoal in any container
• Open fires, fire pits, log burners, or anything producing embers

What is still permitted

We know that many of you look forward to the festival each year. So camping stoves are permitted under these strict conditions:

• Must be placed off the ground on a stable, non‑flammable surface (bricks/paving slabs are great!)
• Must be operated by a competent adult
• Must be used outside, never inside tents or awnings, and at a reasonable distant from tents (which are highly flammable).
• Must be supervised at all times
• Must be turned off immediately after use
• No liquid lighting fluids (solid firelighters only)

These rules are mandatory and apply to all guests. If a guest refuses to comply, festival organisers will use safe means to extinguish the fire or stove. We also reserve the right to ask guests to leave the site and no refund will be offered.

We know this is not the message anyone wants to receive before a festival weekend, but the safety of everyone on site, the surrounding countryside, and those currently involved in tackling wildfires, must come first. All on-site caterers continue to offer solidarity meals at £10 a head plus our Kids Area crew run a vibrant pizza-making workshop for the little ones.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.