It’s not just kids who Elderflower Fields inspires. Many parents tell us they’ve first tried something over the May Bank Holiday weekend and continue with it beyond the festival. Perhaps you joined a new sport or dance class, or pursued a new hobby or career?
Who was inspired? Tor – Hush Beats Queen
What and when inspired you?
I’d been running Hush Beats as a hire-only service for 2 years with just 30 headsets when I first met one of the festival organisers through our kids’ school. Although I’d run events at university and worked for many conferences, the late-night woodland discos felt different because I was completely in charge. I felt very responsible for making sure everyone had a good time.
The first year, I was super nervous, but I love planning, so with lots of lists and help from the Elderflower Fields crew, I managed it! It was such a thrill to see everyone dancing! Working with the experienced DJs and playing some of my own selection was a fab combination and a great way to start.
What did you do as a result?
The Hush Beats crew have returned to our favourite family festival every year since. Elderflower Fields is firmly in the Hush Beats calendar. There’s always a new challenge. It’s great working with the dedicated crew and so many amazing volunteers who give their time to bring joy to the late-night revellers.
Managing the Elderflower Fields discos gave me the confidence to start running my own events. First, I experimented with lunchtime workout-type events in local parks. That didn’t quite work, but my festival experience gave me the resilience to rethink and adapt to what does work.
Brighton beach at low tide offers the perfect dance floor for these picture-perfect moments of pure joy. Attracting over 100 dancers during high summer, we have a great crowd of regulars and new folks discovering us all the time.
6 years after that chance meeting at the school gates, I have a team of confident crew supporting me at a host of events including Elderflower Fields, and I have amassed 450 headsets, so we can manage most events people throw at us.
What are you up to now?
I’ve made connections with so many lovely folks through the extended Elderflower Fields family, including Mortimer Nanniers, a partner I work with at other festivals. I plan to expand more in the event and festival world and the grounding I’ve had with the supportive Elderflower Fields crew has given me the confidence to go for it.
Hush Beats private rentals (get a quote for yours here) are booming with headsets out most weekends at birthdays, school discos, camping trips and anywhere people want to dance. They are so easy to run yourself.
I’m on the hunt for new locations in the Brighton and surrounding area for Daylight Disco Club, as the beach events rely on tide times.
Autumn and winter are quieter for our hire service. Still, I offer super low-cost service to small charities and community groups to help them fundraise or throw a party to celebrate their staff, volunteers and communities.
Any advice?
Always prepare. But also accept that you will always face a challenge. It will be fine!
Roll with the punches and keep dancin’!
Hire your own Hush Beats kit in Brighton and the surrounding area here. Drop an email to hello@elderflowerfields.co.uk if you’d like to share your inspired by story.
