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Mum wants refund after campervan show debacle

Motoring enthusiasts were left disappointed after a campervan show failed to get out of first gear.

Billed as a “family event not to be missed”, it was the first time Kent VW Festival had come to Headcorn Aerodrome.

It promised a variety of vintage and modern VW displays, flypasts, food and trade stalls, wrestling matches and even a DJ set from Bez from the Happy Mondays.

Paul Bridger was among enthusiasts who braved the show
Paul Bridger was among enthusiasts who braved the show

But organisers of the three-day event, which started on Friday, have received a number of complaints for failing to live up to expectations.

Tanya Whitworth, from Chessenden Lane in Smarden, took her two-year-old son Ethan Bundy, who has cerebral palsy, and had friends over from Wales for the day out.

Now she is demanding a refund after spending less than half an hour at the rain-soaked show, off Shenley Farm Cottages, on Sunday.

Tanya Witworth, and her son Ethan Vundy, want a refund after the show was a washout
Tanya Witworth, and her son Ethan Vundy, want a refund after the show was a washout

The 39-year-old carer said: “I know the weather was bad but I paid £40 for four day tickets just to walk round a field.

“There was nothing there but a few fair rides and no camper vans on display that we could see.

“We were really upset, especially as our friends had driven for four-and-a-half hours to be there and we had all been looking forward to it.

“My son’s disability means he doesn’t talk but he is very visual and likes bright colours so he was upset not to see the campervans. I’m disgusted we have not heard anything back from the organisers after complaining.

“We were really upset, especially as our friends had driven for four-and-a-half hours to be there and we had all been looking forward to it" - Tanya Whitworth

“They have taken people’s money and not done anything for them.”

Other unhappy customers took to the event’s Facebook page to complain about the event, including the lack of exhibits, scheduled events not running and stalls being closed.

The number of toilets and showers for campers was also criticised.

Headliner DJ Bez had also been cancelled six weeks before the show, although reference to him remained on posters on the event page.

One complainant described the event as a cash cow adding “this was not a Volkswagen festival in any way,” although some visitors defended the show and said show bosses could not be held to account for the bad weather.

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