That's the verdict of veteran festival-goer Debbie Shaw, who has been making the pilgrimage from her home in New Jersey, America, for 12 years but saw the folk bonanza from a different view for the first time last year.

Ms Shaw, 51, suffers from a condition affecting her joints, meaning she can only walk short distances at a time.

But her love for all things Fairport Convention has not suffered thanks to the help of festival organisers and charity Fair Mobility, which hires out scooters and wheelchairs for the event.

She is encouraging anyone else in the same boat to take advantage.
"I wouldn't have had a festival if it wasn't for the help I was given last year," said Ms Shaw.

"I felt a little embarrassed at first because I can walk, but there's no way I would have been able to go and cover the ground you have to at events like that.

"I was given a scooter to use and it was a revelation.
"It also helped me meet some amazing people – the men and women watching the stage from the disabled platform are incredible, absolutely full of life."

One such person is David Tares, who has been travelling down from Dundee to see the festival for 17 years and has become good friends with Fairport Convention band members.

"It's a wonderful event," said Mr Tares, who was born with cerebral palsy.

"I've spent more time talking to people over the years than I have watching music.

"There is absolutely no reason for anyone with a disability to miss the Cropredy Festival."

The presence of Fair Mobility has grown at the event since it was first on site five years ago and trustee Ann Voce said an even bigger fleet of scooters and wheelchairs will be at this year's festival.

"We have had to hire a 44-foot trailer to get all of the equipment there," she said.

"It's grown year on year and we have already had lots of advance bookings this time.

"We also provide a charging service for anyone with their own power wheelchair or scooter and we can service and repair them as well."

The three-day festival begins on August 7 and is headlined by Supergrass, The Levellers and Fairport Convention themselves.
You can visit www.fairport convention.com and www.fair-mobility.org.uk for more information.