Norfolk festival with Bear Grylls a hit with families 

The Gone Wild festival was held on the Holkham estate from August 7 - 10 and kicked off with motivational words from Christian adventurer and writer Bear Grylls.

Helen Baldry reports
 

This is the second year the Gone Wild festival has been held in Norfolk - it has also been held in Devon for the last five years. Former SAS soldier Bear Grylls, known for his TV shows Man vs Wild, Running Wild with Bear Grylls and Celebrity Bear Hunt, is outspoken about his Christian faith and has recently published a book about the life of Jesus called 'The Greatest Story Ever Told'.

The event was launched by Bear Grylls, who described Gone Wild as a unique festival- because it is the 'safest unsafe festival'. Families get to experience adventurous activities such as axe-throwing, archery, combat moves and jumping off towers - but with expert instructors to guide them. Bear spoke about the benefits of being outdoors with people - something that was captured in his TV shows with famous faces including former president Barack Obama, actor Kate Winslet and tennis player Roger Federer - and the satisfaction derived from doing something difficult. He said, "You have space and time when you're sitting by a camp fire; the wild doesn't judge. People are honest and share the struggles of the journey."

He encouraged the young people in the audience to be brave and not to give up easily. Bear said, "The driving force of my live is to encourage people into the outdoors and introducing them to adventure."

Bear said, "For me, as a kid, I was unspectacular in every way. I didn't stand out in the crowd - and that's ok. You don't have to be the sportiest or cleverest in life to soar. If you are sporty or clever they are God-given talents. You don't have to peak now. The currency of life is never-give-up spirit."

"What you look at on your phone. The friends you make, the words you speak - these can be positive things. You've got to make good decisions."

The Royal Marines Charity was supported by the festival and Bear gave a shout-out to all those present who are involved in the military.

The festival is thriving year on year and featured plenty of activities and shows to keep people entertained and to appeal to all tastes. 

Musical acts included Clean Bandit, Blue and Ministry of Sound Classical. There were tributes to Ed Sheeran and Oasis, plus the Amy Winehouse band. There was entertainment from Dick & Dom and Bez from the Happy Mondays. On the Sunday afternoon online PE sensation Joe Wicks led a workout. 

Family-focuses entertainment including nerf wars, slime workshop, dance sessions, circus skills, BMX workshops and shows, plus a 'gross eating station'. Unfortunately the water-based activities due to take place in the lake at Holkham Hall could not go ahead due to the level of green algae. However, there were many other sports-based sessions on offer including climbing walls, military fitness and parkour. The majority of the activities were included in the ticket price and there were extras such as a colour run, quad bikes and extreme abseiling. 

https://norfolk.gonewildfestival.com/