Kendal Calling festival goers have described feeling 'traumatised' and 'dehumanised' after a issues around disability access this year.

Cumbria's biggest festival says it has always taken pride in its engagement with the access community and has implemented changes in recent years.

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This year saw a change in the way the access gate was operated based on what organisers hoped was an improved dynamic operation with it being closed at busy times.

When access attendees arrived this year however they discovered the times were between 6:30pm and 11:15pm with no leeway.

Nick Auty, 37, from Hartlepool, who attended with his wife Laura Jane, 34, said: "If these times were communicated beforehand, people may have chosen not to go if it couldn't work for them.

"We're not out for a witch hunt but there were serious failures this year."

What resulted was heated exchanges with security, delayed access for paramedics and attendees soiling themselves, it is claimed.

Laura added she feels it was the most 'dehumanising' event she's ever been to.

She said: "For those of us with mobility impairments, this gate was the only safe entry and exit. The main entrance, with its steep, uneven terrain, is inaccessible and the area around the viewing platform is a nightmare for wheelchair users.

"The closure left us trapped in the arena, with no safe way out - something able-bodied attendees didn’t have to endure."

The couple also told how their friend had a medical emergency while on the accessible viewing platform on the Sunday evening, and that paramedics were initially stopped from going through the entrance by security.

(Image: Nick Auty) The woman, who is physically disabled and an ambulant wheelchair user, wishes to remain anonymous.

She said she was traumatised after almost losing consciousness due to hypothermia setting in and wetting herself after she wasn't allowed to leave the platform.

Accessible toilets were described as a 'free-for-all.'

Nikki Copson, from Eaglescliff, described how she and her family were left in tears after her husband's colostomy bag burst after not being let out of the arena.

Her husband Nick, 51, uses a wheelchair after he was left paralysed in an accident six years ago.

She said: "I lost it and challenged them when they said he wasn't allowed through. He can only be in his chair for a few hours before his skin gets damaged due to pressure sores.

"He missed Keane, who he wanted to see, and he is absolutely mortified at what happened with his colostomy bag.

"This treatment was barbaric. They took away my husband's rights as a human being let alone a person with a complex disabilities.

"Thanks to the festival angels as they formed a line to shield us and asked the security guard to open the gate. They were absolutely appalled.

"People affected need to complain and we are asking for our money back."

Each person who gave an account expressed choosing Kendal Calling because they saw it as a beacon for inclusivity and wished to work with festival organisers for change.

Organisers say they have taken the accounts seriously and will be working with them for solutions for next year's festival.

A statement from Kendal Calling festival: "We acknowledge that some members of our access community had a challenging time at this year’s Kendal Calling. As a festival, we take the needs of our access community very seriously and always strive to improve our offering year on year in an attempt to make Kendal Calling as accessible as possible.

"Less than two weeks after the conclusion of this year’s event we engaged directly with members of our access community via video call to begin discussions as to how we can continue to make improvements to our access offering in 2025 and beyond.

"We appreciate that every customer’s experience at Kendal Calling is personal and unique to themselves. We welcome anyone to get in touch directly with us so that we can investigate specific claims and take appropriate action where required."