From Ravenhead Foyer; Me, Alex (resident) and Vicky (staff), drove to Coops Foyer in Wigan were we met staff  and chosen residents from both Coops and Bridge Foyer. We then boarded the train to Preston which was heaving with other excited weekenders travelling to Preston for the final day of the BIG Weekend. As we arrived at Moore Park (venue), we could see 1000’s of people queuing to enter. Tension was building as we queued for our special ticket winners tickets and entered the arena. In the huge venue we could see two big blue tents set up and 100’s of small stalls, food trailers, and various other tents set up for the day including a 100ft bar!! As we entered one of the two main entrances, there was an outdoor arena stage ready for the DJ sets. As it had been predicted rain, 100’s of people had came in wellies to avoid being ‘stuck in the mud’, but much to our delight the sun was cracking the flags meaning a nice hot day ahead of us.

We then split into smaller groups to explore the venue and check out a few bands. I went to visit some stalls and to have a peek at the main arena with members of staff. Some of the stalls we seen were selling some fun stuff like neon-coloured socks and cowboy hats and others were just outrageous, like the oxygen mask stall (which pumped coloured oxygen into the brain). As the park filled up, the bands started and the DJ set pumped lots of loud music into the open air for all to enjoy. We decided to worm our way through the crowd into the front of the outdoor arena, were we met the rest of the group jumping in time to the music. The cameras were rolling and the DJs had everyone jumping up and down to the music. The atmosphere was great. After a while we decided to stop for lunch before splitting up again to explore a bit more and check out some of the smaller tents, which is were when found a tent called One Life. Inside we left love messages and placed it into the ‘love bomb’ which would explode later on in the evening. There was also a wall covered in peoples handprints, so we used the paint provided and left our mark, and also decided to mark each others faces tribal style.

As we entered the Main Stage to watch Just Jack, it was already chocker with other fans, and as we could see the stage, or get any closer (it was that packed), we decided to leave and go back to the outdoor Arena were other DJs had set up. Throughout the day we kept on watching a little of the bands and a bit of the DJ sets in order to see as many as possible.

My main highlights for the day were seeing MIKA, Vernon Kay and Pete Tong, and seeing Vicky’s eye on the big screen. We decided to get into the Main Stage to watch MIKA before all the fans came, but it was already packed with 1000’s of fans. We managed to get a good spot and took some photos while we waited, one of which Andy (Bridge Foyer staff) sent in to Radio 1 for a competition. When MIKA entered the stage, the crowd went wild screaming and singing along. MIKA put on a really good show, with props and dancers, and he can really move, it was fab.

Vernon Kaye and Pete Tong played on the outdoor arena, and before they came on, our group decided to get a bit closer to the stage before the army of fans came rushing in. They played some really good dance tunes, old and new to get the crowd jumping. At one point in the set, Vernon Kay pressed the wrong button and the whole system shut off for a couple of seconds which was funny, but they managed to regain things pretty quickly. I decided to use that moment to take a look at the crowd and stood on my tiptoes…and as far as I could see were fans, just 1000’s upon 1000’s of fans dancing in the crowd it was quite a sight.

Various other big named bands were playing throughout the day and as the day wore on we tried to visit them all but there was jus too many to fit into one day. A lot of the time, because o the heat, a few of us spent a lot of the afternoon sitting on the grass enjoying the DJs music, rather than being squashed watching the bands all of the time. By the end of the day, crowds had disappeared in their 1000’s making the long journey home. We were all tired, anxious to get home and rather sunburnt, but we didn’t want to leave and miss anything. In the end we finally let and started to make the journey home. We just caught the train in time and all boarded on and talking excitedly about our amazing day out, and comparing sunburn. It was a fantastic day out and really was just an amazing experience. It was also really nice to see residents from other foyers, to get to know them, and to get to know a bit about their foyers.

Sunday 20th May I got up and got ready to go to radio 1s big weekend. We left the foyer at 9.15am and went to Coops Foyer in Wigan to pick up other residents and staff that were coming with us. We then got the train from Wigan to Preston (the train was packed).

We got off the train and rushed to get the bus to Preston big weekend. When we got off the bus there were people scouting and others selling bags with water and other things.

We then queued up at the ticket stand and Andy gave me and Matty our cameras to take pictures of things. We handed in our tickets and I.D. and went in. The Music was really loud and lights were flashing everywhere blue, yellow, and green it was amazing.

Andy and the other staff told us we could go off and meet back at the number 10 standing point at 1.30pm. I asked if someone could take a picture of the group and a staff member took the picture. Then me, Matty, and Kahla went to see the first group.

Matt kept on pulling my hand to dance and eventually I gave in and did. Kahla said look around there’s the staff .Andy was dancing like the Hoff! Everyone was just dancing, it was fantastic, everyone was enjoying themselves!

It was 1.30pm and we went for something to eat. I asked Andy to take a picture of our group near the burger bar. One of the staff from Coops said we’ll meet up again at 3.30pm. We split into groups me, Kahla and Matty went into this tent and there was a love heart statue in it with paints. We had to write love notes to go into the heart because at half past six it was blown up and all the notes went into the air. People got them took them outside and gave them to others to make them happy. The paint was for people to put their hand in and then put them on the wall to give someone a helping hand. After that Matt took a picture of me and Kahla in front of the love heart statue.

We then went to see Rhianna , Me Kahla and Matty pushed through the crowds, there were lights everywhere , we couldn’t move, we tried to get to the front but only managed to get half way. I had to get out as it was starting to get to hot so I went for an ice cream, then I saw some of the other group so I went and sat with them for a bit. We were laughing because we thought it was going to rain all day, but it was sunny and bright, we felt stupid with our raincoats and umbrellas.

A woman was walking round with purple bags so me and Kahla asked if we could have one. The woman gave us one each and they had condoms in them. Kahla blew one up and everyone laughed!

We were all getting tired and my feet were killing me. We all went off again and had to meet up and 9.30pm to go home. Me and Matty went to another group. It was amazing. I enjoyed the first group we saw they were fantastic. I really enjoyed myself. It was time to meet the group. We met them at stand 10 but we had to wait for Andy because he was still watching some other group. I was really cold at the end of the night and everyone was hungry again. We went for the bus when Andy got back and I lent Matty’s coat. We got the bus to the train station and had five minutes to catch the train so we ran but made it! Me and Kahla went and found some seats quick because we had to stand up all the way there. There was a man and woman sitting next to us and the man was eating a kebab, we were so hungry! We started talking to them they had been on the radio ones big experience weekend too. It was funny because we still had paint on our faces! It was our stop; we had to get off at Wigan because Andy had left his car at Coops Foyer. Andy Matty went to get the car and I stayed at the end spoke to Kahla for a bit.

Anyway it was time to go home so I got in the car. Matty asked me to take a picture of home and Andy in the car so I did. We went to McDonalds I was well made up because I was really hungry! We had a Big Mac each and we sat in and talked about our day out. I though our day was great. I’ve never been to anything like that before. It was very new to me but I am glad I went it was so much fun and I met new people and they were O.K.

We finally got home and Andy dropped us off outside Bridge Foyer and we went inside I would love to go again some time!

This weekend I had the privilege to go to Radio 1’s festival in Preston and from start to finish it was an amazing day out. I’ve not had that much fun in months! I saw some amazing live acts like Dizzie Rascal, Bloc Party, Klaxons, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, and Maximo Park. I’d have to say that my favourite band was Bloc Party as the crowd went wild and we were right near the front.

It was how a festival is supposed to be: live music, loads of tents and loads of people just having a good time. I thought it was a good idea for residents from the three different Foyers to go together as they were all very nice people and the other staff members were funny and easy to get on with.

There was one event of the day when I was in the One Life tent where people all got together and just spread the love by dancing around with people you didn’t know. Then we all got in a line and did the cancan. There was also something called the Love Bomb in which people would write down a love message and then place it inside the Love Bomb. When it exploded we had to go round and pass a message on to spread the love.

My final thoughts on the day: it was the best day out I’ve had in a long time for one reason only – it was a festival and you cannot beat a festival environment. People are united, free to do what they want (well to a degree) and people are so open, you go up to random strangers and talk to them and they’re not bothered. If you did that in the streets they’d think you’re a weirdo.

On Sunday 29^th May, Me and Val were selected. to go to the Radio 1 weekend in Preston, we left Bridge Foyer at 9.15 and arrived in Wigan at 10am where we met people from other Arena Foyers, we all got introduced to each other by Andy. We bought our tickets and left Wigan train station at 11.30am the train arrived in Preston around 12 noon were we got the bus to Moor Park were the radio one big weekend was being held. We then went to get time sheets so we knew who was playing and when the first act was on. I saw was on the outdoor DJ stage it was bobby and nihal I enjoyed this act as I am into dance music and it was a good song to get the day started

Then we all met up at the number 10 sign at 1.30pm to get some dinner we all had a cheese burger. I wasn’t really interested in seeing another act until 4pm where Rhianna was performing. I watched ‘Get cape wear cape fly’ in the new music we trust stage at 2.30pm as there was nothing else to do and that’s where everyone was going I thought he was a good new act as I am not normally interested in this type of music but I enjoyed it.

Me and Val and other Arena residents went over to the main stage to watch Rhianna, I really enjoyed watching this I thought it was really entertaining and the best act I had seen on the day. I enjoyed her pon d reply and her new song umbrella the best. I also enjoyed watching the dancers. Mika was next on the main stage so I was close to the front which was good.

He sang lovely day, Grace Kelly, lolly pop they were sung really well. We went for a sit down as we were tired. And rang my girlfriend to tell her how the day was going.

At eight twenty five I went to the main stage to watch Kaiser Chiefs they sang Ruby, Ruby, Ruby and there newest song everything is average everyday. Their best performance was I predict a riot, where everybody in the tent was going mad it was brilliant. Then we met up at 9.30 pm at the number 10 sign and went for the bus to the train station the train left at 10pm we just got there in time we arrived back in Wigan at 10.30 pm we collected our stuff from Wigan foyer and got a McDonalds on the way home we got back at Bridge Foyer at 11.30. I really enjoyed the day.

Thanks for a great day.

On 19^th May 3 residents and 2 Manchester Foyer staff were chosen out of a hat full of names to attend the biggest free music event in Europe!!!!

The Manchester Foyer staff took us up to Preston. Me, Kirsty and Tracy were the lucky ones this time and we got to spend the day with some BWD residents watching the bands at the event.

When we got there ‘Tim Westwood’ was outside but we didn’t let that scare us….we still went in.

Jamie T was really good and there were lots of other bands on like ‘The Twang, The Fratellis, The Fray, Natasha Beddingfield, Kasabian, Razorlight and the Scissor Sisters’.

My absolute favourite was Kasabian…they were awesome!!

All of it was fantastic and we all enjoyed it…’Safe to Emily and Jayne and of course the Manchester Foyer, Virgin Trains and Foyer!!!!!!’

Jordan

First of all i would like to thank the Foyer Federation for giving 10 people tickets to go and see some of the biggest pop singers in the world.

Me and my mates from Blackburn with Darwen Foyer and a couple from Manchester walked down the Moor Park in Preston to go to Radio One's Big Party.

It was an amazing day I really enjoyed myself because there was so many different types of music there which I have never heard, there were DJ's, Heavy Rock etc.

And lastly thank you to Karen Dwyer  for taking BWD Foyer and taking care of us whilst we were there.

Terry Heaton

I meet the Manchester lot for the first time and we got to the Festival at oneish and went to the wrong ticket stand so we had to walk all the way round and it took 15 minutes..........

I watched the Fray Witch, which was brilliant after that I watched some DJ's, I didn't know who they were but it was good.

Im glad I went back because I really enjoyed myself so once again thanks a lot.