Frequently Asked Questions

Who and what is Rhythms Of The World?: Rhythms of the World (ROTW) is a registered charity number 1090835. The Rhythms of the World festival, originally organised by the local Oxfam campaigns group, is now organised entirely by volunteers. Over the years the festival has evolved into one of the biggest world music festivals in the UK with over 31,000 people in attendance over the two days in 2011. People come from all sectors of the community and the event features music, arts, dance and cuisine - both from around the world and the local community. ROTW became a Limited Company in 2000 and gained charitable status in 2001.
Why a festival?: A community festival is a fun, creative and inclusive way of achieving our charitable mission and objectives.
What does ROTW do for the rest of the year?: As the charity has become more financially stable we have begun to develop an Outreach programme 'Rhythms in your Community' which aims to bring the essence of the festival to people who might not be able to attend. We also work with schools and other community groups on our art projects. We hope to develop these sides of our work further in the future.
What can I expect from the festival?: Over the course of two days we’ll be putting on around 140 music acts from all over the world and the local community, there will be the chance to see community arts projects; relax in the chill out area; sample food from around the world; support and find out more about local community groups; buy a wide range of products from the craft stalls on site and get involved in an array of games in the arena. The weekend will offer something for everyone - whether it is the music, enjoying our multicultural community or simply trying something new.
How much are the tickets?: Ticket prices for 2012 have not yet been released. In 2011, advance tickets were £7 for adults and £3 for youths (6-17 years) per day. Children aged 5 and under were free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets on the day were £10 for adults and £5 for youths with 5 and unders free.
What is the readmission policy?: Once you leave the festival site you won’t be allowed back in unless you buy a new ticket. It is a condition of the licence that there is no readmission to the site. No exceptions can be made.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?: Yes. Everyone is allowed to bring in their own food and everyone aged 18 or over can bring the equivalent of 1 bottle of wine or 4 cans of beer, cider or alcopops. For safety reasons, no glass can be brought onto the site, so all bottles must be decanted beforehand. There are a variety of bars, selling a wide range of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, open on site for the duration of the event. There is also a general store selling soft drinks and other items such as nappies and suncream as well as a huge variety of food stalls from around the world.
Do you need volunteers?: Yes. The festival is run solely by volunteers and over 800 people volunteer their time to support the charity. We are always looking for more people to get involved. There are a range of opportunities, from helping out over the weekend by stewarding for a minimum of four hours to helping to coordinate the festival throughout the year - such as by booking acts, managing ticket sales, promoting the event, designing artwork, managing the website and much more. You can give as much or as little time as you like, any contribution is valuable. Please see our volunteering page for more details.
Why should I get involved?: There are many reasons why people volunteer for ROTW - gaining work experience, sharing professional skills, looking to give something back to their local community, meeting new people and simply having some fun. As well as receiving refreshments whilst you’re volunteering, as a thank you for getting involved you’ll get free access to the festival for the rest of the dady and receive a ROTW T-shirt.
How do I get involved?: Visit the volunteering page to find out more or for a chat about how you can help, please contact either of our volunteer coordinators: Alison Watt - 07834363626 Jo Winstanley - 07879 487445 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, pop along and see us in the market square on the four Saturdays leading up to the event.
How can businesses benefit from the festival?: ROTW is a special event set against the beautiful backdrop of Hitchin Priory. It draws people not only from Hitchin, but from across the county, the east of England and further afield. ROTW provides a fantastic opportunity for your company to be seen supporting the local community, different cultures and the arts. The award-winning festival prides itself on its ethical approach and is world renowned. To promote your company through the festival would provide you with good brand awareness, an opportunity to fulfil your corporate social responsibilities and to speak to a captive audience of around 30,000 people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds over the course of the weekend. Previous sponsors have included HSBC, The University of Hertfordshire and John Lewis, as well as a range of local companies. Find out more on our sponsoring pages.
How can businesses get involved?: We have a sponsorship package to suit every business. Please contact our sponsors team.
Do you accept donations?: Yes. ROTW is a registered charity and we rely on the generosity of individuals to continue our work. Ticket sales contribute towards the running of the festival but we need donations to meet the full costs of the event, achieve the aims of the charity and truly benefit the community all year round. Please visit our Donations page for more info.
Is there seating at the festival?: Yes. The pews from St. Mary’s Church have been brought onto the festival site for people listening to acts on the St Mary’s Stage. A number of the bars and food stalls also provide seating. However, with approximately 30,000 people in site, we highly recommend you bring your own, portable chair to guarantee a seat.
Can I park on site?: No. Parking is strictly limited and restricted to essential vehicles only. A limited number of Blue Badge parking spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. Weather permitting, we also operate a car park at Butts Close which is a short walk through town to the festival. Please note, normal parking restrictions operate throughout town on the festival weekend and ROTW cannot be held responsible for anyone who receives a parking fine for parking illegally.