Review: Grand finale of Ribble Valley's socially distanced pop up music festival was simply 'Divine'

Oh yes, it's been one hell of a year and it's not over yet.

But last weekend I was lucky enough to attend the grand finale weekend of what has been billed as the UK's first socially distanced outdoor music festival. And I have to say it was absolutely amazing.

The Gisburne Park Pop Up Festival launched in July and has hosted some of UK’s biggest names in dance music – including Jonas Blue, Shapeshifters and Sam Divine along with the festival’s weekly ‘Party in the Park’ experience and a programme of immersive movie nights, live entertainment, family-focused events and rounded off on Sunday with a set by the original 'Cockney Rebel' himself Steve Harley.

Other attractions included dress-up movie nights include Grease, Dirty Dancing and Moulin Rouge with family-friendly screenings of Dumbo, Frozen and Finding Nemo.

The idyllic setting of the Gisburne Park estate was the backdrop for the festival which was Covid secure observing all social distancing guidelines.

Festival goers booked their own individual hexagonal seating areas, each large enough for a social bubble of six and spaced 2.6m apart.

Designated bar-to-pitch service brought our food and drinks directly to us eliminating the need to queue, while the one-way system in place ensured festival-goers made their way around the 10-acre site with a minimum of 2m physical distance between other guests.

Marshalls were on hand to make sure all the rules were observed and they did this efficiently so the fun element of the event was not stripped away. It felt rather decadent waving a little yellow flag to alert the attention of bar staff who were consistently prompt, smiling and very helpful.

The house music played by DJs Sam Divine and the Shapeshifters attracted a crowd of mixed ages, but all with the same thing on their minds... to let their hair down and have a good old dance, something so many of us, myself included, have missed.

And while movement around the site may have been restricted the festival vibe and upbeat atmosphere was alive and well.

The festival also offered guests accommodation, either on the luxury 'Glamping' site or in a lodge or cottage situated on the Ribblesdale Park. We opted for one of the onsite luxury five metre wide bell tents on the glamping site and it was heavenly. From the super comfy double bed to the outdoor table complete with log burner to the outdoor facilities that included showers and 'real' toilets, it ticked every box.

Waking up in tranquil surroundings with just the sound of birds singing and a breathtaking view of rolling hills and fields was just perfect.

Congratulations to organisers for an inspired festival run, I know that I and many more cannot wait for next year.