Coastival 2019

It is our long-standing summer tradition here at Coast to celebrate another successful year with a good old fashioned knees up! The Coast summer garden party is our way of thanking the entire team for the incredible work they do. It’s the perfect occasion for everyone to get together in the sunshine for a few drinks and a dance!

This year, we took it up a notch and had our first ever company festival – aptly dubbed the Coastival – what better way to celebrate another triumphant year of success?

Invite intrigue

Though the date had been booked for months, it was shrouded in mystery to throw curious Coasties off the scent!

A couple of weeks before the event, staff arrived at work to find an envelope on their desks. Inside was a festival programme, wristband and glow sticks – cue the excitement!

Festival threads

So began the outfit frenzy – with everyone on the hunt for the perfect festival get-up.

After much ado about clothing, the gang were suited and booted – or more accurately, glitter-clad and looking rad – and ready for what was guaranteed to be one hell of a blowout.

And so, at lunchtime on Friday, we were whisked away by minibus, decked out in our festival finest, to Founder James Frost’s beautiful garden, but as we’d never seen it before…

Vibes for days

On arrival, we were blown away – James’ garden had been transformed into a stunning festival venue, complete with fairy lights, bunting, flags, and hay bales – provided by Rentival UK.

There was a main stage tent, a bar tent, food stands, and a face and body painting hut. We also had a professional photographer and a drone to record the whole event. As you can imagine, 50 excited people were – not to put too fine a point on it – like kids in a sweet shop!

We were greeted with bubbly in the bar tent and even a brief downpour couldn’t dampen our alcohol-fuelled spirits, especially as ponchos were provided!

Soon enough, the first act started their set, an acoustic duo THOM Music Duo and Coasties took to the dance floor to throw some serious shapes.

We took a brief break in the set for much-anticipated tacos and then it was back to the stage, whilst others made use of the pool and yet more people became works of art under the talented hand of the face/body painter.

Between sets, we had some quality DJ’ing to keep everyone grooving and the bar staff delivered drinks straight to the dance floor.

The headline act then took to the stage, an awesome 5 piece called Scooby, who belted out tune after tune. During a brief intermission, we were treated to some mouth-wateringly tasty Caribbean food, provided by JP’s Kitchen.

Fun was had with Scotch Bonnet peppers, and the fabulous bar staff made sure the alcohol kept flowing, not to mention provided some of the most delicious churros ever made.

Then it was back to the dance floor and the obligatory encore by the band.

We finished out the night with some of the team’s favourite songs, before being taxied back home.

It was an absolute pleasure to spend a wonderful day with such an incredible group of people. We’re so lucky to maintain a company culture that feels more like a family, even as we grow. Roll on Coastival 2020!