Writers step up to help Standon Calling offer a family feel at July’s festival

This year’s Standon Calling festival has already announced a raft of big music names for its July bill, but organisers are keen to stress that their big event has a much wider brief.

They’ve just announced details of their family programme to run over the weekend of Friday to Sunday, July 29 to 31 – and it includes new areas, themed crafts, storytelling, film-making, DJ workshops and more.

And they are promising everything from baby multi-sensory raves and yoga to sea monster puppet shows and street dance classes.

Returning to the festival will be the famous costume parade, kids-only trapeze, family swim sessions in the festival’s very own heated pool, plus dedicated family camping on sale in advance for the first time.

Teens have a variety of production workshops to choose from, including a chance to capture their favourite Standon moments in film-making classes.

Hertfordshire children’s authors Alice Hemming and Tamsyn Murray will be there, too, reading from their work as well as running character development and craft workshops.

There’s also music for the younger generation, with internationally renowned children’s singer/songwriter Nick Cope performing tunes from his new album The Pirate’s Breakfast while Vegas Girls will put on an exciting show, mixing old-school classics to create harmonious and unique mash ups.

The marquee music names include Suede, Jess Glynne and Kelis – you find out the full bill and ticket prices online at www.standon-calling.com.