Dudley girl's letter inspires day tickets for Hobbit-themed Brandywine Festival

A 10-year-old Tolkien fan from Dudley has persuaded organisers of a major new UK festival to release day tickets after writing a heartfelt letter explaining why she could not attend.

The youngster contacted the team behind the five-day Brandywine Festival, which is taking place at Weston Park from September 9 to 13, saying she had dreamed of going but could not because the event was camping only.

With her birthday falling on the festival's opening day, she asked organisers whether they could make day tickets available so she and her family could attend.

Her letter struck a chord, and organisers have now confirmed they will release up to 1,200 day tickets for Saturday, September 12.

Beol Miller, chief creative officer at Burgschneider, said the letter had touched the entire team.

"When we read what she had to say we were so moved we simply had to make day tickets available for the Saturday," he said.

"The letter reminded us of how much we loved the world of Middle-earth when we were her age.

"It would have been a real loss if she and superfans like her could not attend for at least one day. Places are limited and tickets will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so we would urge people to move fast to make sure they don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to be part of a truly immersive event."

In her letter, the young fan wrote: "The Lord of the Rings is my passion. I have dreamed of going to the festival. But we can't go because it is camping only at the moment. I would be over the moon if I could go with a day ticket if you could make them."

She also included a drawing and apologised for spilling glue on the letter.

Day tickets go on sale today (July 30), priced at £68 for adults and £24 for children aged seven to 17. Children aged six and under can attend free. Tickets are available online only.

The Brandywine Festival is inspired by the world of Middle-earth and gives visitors the chance to dress and live as Hobbits and other characters from the Shire across Weston Park's rolling landscape on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border.

The fully immersive live-action roleplay (LARP) experience welcomes newcomers as well as experienced participants and promises themed workshops, live music, folk dancing, traditional games and themed meals.

The event is based on a successful sister festival in the United States, with organisers bringing the concept to the UK because of the region's links to author J.R.R. Tolkien, who drew inspiration from the landscapes around Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Organisers have also issued a final call for food vendors, acoustic Irish folk musicians and heritage craftspeople to take part.

Beol said: "Food vendors do not need to be themed or medieval in style and it could be a wonderful opportunity for local farm shops, bakeries and mobile caterers.

"We would love to also hear from musical acts, particularly traditional Irish folk musicians, and practitioners of traditional and endangered crafts in keeping with the Hobbit-inspired theme of the event.

"Examples of skills that would fit our festival include blacksmithing, tinsmithing, basket weaving, leatherwork, bookbinding, wood carving, fibre arts and storytelling."