Cropredy 2026

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

… plus staff costs, power to heat the water, power for refrigerated storage, H&S costs, insurance, vehicle costs, various licences, rental to FC etc etc
Ignore me, I’m being facetious, but it really isn’t just the cost of the raw materials!

[Nick Reg]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

You are also paying for Labour and the rent charged by Fairport . Don't forget that the stallholders have to stay away from home and make their profit from a smaller crowd. Be careful they might not come next time.

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

You are also paying for Labour and the rent charged by Fairport . Don't forget that the stallholders have to stay away from home and make their profit from a smaller crowd. Be careful they might not come next time.

As we are of a certain age and it costs a lot to get there, with petrol and accommodation along the way, I feel a balance was reasonable. We didn’t shun the stalls completely.

[Nick Reg]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

You are also paying for Labour and the rent charged by Fairport . Don't forget that the stallholders have to stay away from home and make their profit from a smaller crowd. Be careful they might not come next time.

As we are of a certain age and it costs a lot to get there, with petrol and accommodation along the way, I feel a balance was reasonable. We didn’t shun the stalls completely.

To be fair this is their livelihood. You cant compare a business expense with a leisure expense. I dont agree with profiteering but this has nothing to do with balance. They need to make a profit to make it worthwhile, there would soon be coplaints if they were seen to be earning less than the minimum wage. I actually think that £2 for a cup of tea in that situation is very reasonable.

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

You are also paying for Labour and the rent charged by Fairport . Don't forget that the stallholders have to stay away from home and make their profit from a smaller crowd. Be careful they might not come next time.

As we are of a certain age and it costs a lot to get there, with petrol and accommodation along the way, I feel a balance was reasonable. We didn’t shun the stalls completely.

To be fair this is their livelihood. You cant compare a business expense with a leisure expense. I dont agree with profiteering but this has nothing to do with balance. They need to make a profit to make it worthwhile, there would soon be coplaints if they were seen to be earning less than the minimum wage. I actually think that £2 for a cup of tea in that situation is very reasonable.

We’ll have to agree to disagree…if people didn’t have personal choice to try and make attending more affordable, whilst still supporting the festival…particularly as there is an aging demographic…there’d be no attendees so it’s swings and roundabouts.

[Nick Reg]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

You are also paying for Labour and the rent charged by Fairport . Don't forget that the stallholders have to stay away from home and make their profit from a smaller crowd. Be careful they might not come next time.

As we are of a certain age and it costs a lot to get there, with petrol and accommodation along the way, I feel a balance was reasonable. We didn’t shun the stalls completely.

To be fair this is their livelihood. You cant compare a business expense with a leisure expense. I dont agree with profiteering but this has nothing to do with balance. They need to make a profit to make it worthwhile, there would soon be coplaints if they were seen to be earning less than the minimum wage. I actually think that £2 for a cup of tea in that situation is very reasonable.

We’ll have to agree to disagree…if people didn’t have personal choice to try and make attending more affordable, whilst still supporting the festival…particularly as there is an aging demographic…there’d be no attendees so it’s swings and roundabouts.

Hope we can discuss this in a friendly way but did you ask any of the bands if they would sell you their CD for £7.50? Or download it for free off a pirate site. Its the same thing , its their living. I love tea but cant drink it from a flask!!  

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

At last, we teabellies remembered to get a flask! We got a 1.2 Litre Thermos in the sale and it was about £34.  It made seven large cups which we shared. With tea at £2 a cup from the stalls, we had the flask instead and saved ourselves up to £84 on three days’ tea…so it has already paid for itself. I will use it on long work journeys anyway, so it will be handy.

We did support the stalls on Friday and Saturday, having a meal each those nights. But I begrudge paying two quid for some water, UHT milk and a teabag.

You are also paying for Labour and the rent charged by Fairport . Don't forget that the stallholders have to stay away from home and make their profit from a smaller crowd. Be careful they might not come next time.

As we are of a certain age and it costs a lot to get there, with petrol and accommodation along the way, I feel a balance was reasonable. We didn’t shun the stalls completely.

To be fair this is their livelihood. You cant compare a business expense with a leisure expense. I dont agree with profiteering but this has nothing to do with balance. They need to make a profit to make it worthwhile, there would soon be coplaints if they were seen to be earning less than the minimum wage. I actually think that £2 for a cup of tea in that situation is very reasonable.

We’ll have to agree to disagree…if people didn’t have personal choice to try and make attending more affordable, whilst still supporting the festival…particularly as there is an aging demographic…there’d be no attendees so it’s swings and roundabouts.

Hope we can discuss this in a friendly way but did you ask any of the bands if they would sell you their CD for £7.50? Or download it for free off a pirate site. Its the same thing , its their living. I love tea but cant drink it from a flask!!  

I had said all I want to say on the matter. But I would say, this analogy in relation to my flask, is more like buying some cds then having a bit of a sing song in the campsite, later…making your own music while supporting the artists, too .

[Shane (Skirky)]

I had said all I want to say on the matter. But I would say, this analogy in relation to my flask, is more like buying some cds then having a bit of a sing song in the campsite, later…making your own music while supporting the artists, too .

Nice one. 👏👏👏

[Will S]

Anyone know who the person  was, whom I spotted down near the veggie stall, on the left…He was about 5’6”, slight build, slim features and had dyed black floppy hair.

I am certain he was a singer/musician possibly from 80s/90s…but I can’t get the name to mind!

Gave me a lovely smile as if he knew I had recognised him, but I didn’t want to go up and say ‘Were we at school together, were you on Talkawhile, or were you in my record collection?’

I’ll open the bidding with Steve Hogarth.

Mr Hogarth is quite grey these days!

[Andy]

If the biggest topic for discussion of Cropredy 2026 is the price of tea, it shows that the various artists featured made less than a huge impact. (Having said that, Barbara made an impact on just about everyone I have spoken to about this year's festival. Fairport made an effort on Saturday night and did well.)

I really hope we can get some bigger bands next year. (The Pearce Brothers not withstanding.)

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

If the biggest topic for discussion of Cropredy 2026 is the price of tea, it shows that the various artists featured made less than a huge impact. (Having said that, Barbara made an impact on just about everyone I have spoken to about this year's festival. Fairport made an effort on Saturday night and did well.)

I really hope we can get some bigger bands next year. (The Pearce Brothers not withstanding.)

I did put my non-tea based observations on the festival in the other thread  

[davidmjs]

I really hope we can get some bigger bands next year.

Just my opinion, of course, but to my way of thinking, Cropredy started going wrong when it started chasing (and booking) the 'bigger bands'.  So, I kind of hope they don't.  But I reserve the right to change my mind as well...