Bewilderwood founder 'hoodwinked' over Broads festival plan

A mischievous but kind-hearted nephew tries to organise what appears to be a birthday party for his uncle, with lots of friends and family invited to a big get-together in the woods, with music, food and drink for all.

But the crocklebogs at the police and local council have other ideas, threatening to put a stop to it because it might be too noisy for the boggles and twiggles living on the surrounding marshes.

Now, the uncle has become the party pooper himself after putting a stop to the proposed celebrations, suggesting he had been "hoodwinked" by his younger relative, with whom he has had some "strong but friendly words".

Tom Blofeld pictured at BeWILDerwood in 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

The bizarre saga enveloping Tom Blofeld - creator of the Bewilderwood books and founder of the activity park inspired by them - started when a temporary events license application was lodged with North Norfolk District Council in May.

It sought permission to sell alcohol and for DJs to play music until 3am in the grounds of Hoveton House - Mr Blofeld's home, near the Bewilderwood site, between Horning and Wroxham - for an occasion in September, which was described in the documents as "Tom's Birthday Party '24".

However, the bid was met with objections from Norfolk Police and the council who pointed out that the event appeared to be more than just a birthday for Mr Blofeld - who turns 60 this year - and was actually a commercial music festival called Earworm.

READ MORE: Police object to two-day music festival in Norfolk Broads

The Earworm Festival stage at the 2023 event, which was held for Tom Blofeld's birthday (Image: Earworm Festival)

The event was first held last year, when it attracted complaints from neighbours who said it was too noisy.

The festival, organised by Mr Blofeld's nephew Zephyr Blofeld - an Extinction Rebellion activist and youth worker at his local Quaker church - has its own website and was expected to attract around 300 revellers, with tickets on sale online for up to £85.

Zephyr Blofeld, nephew of Tom Blofeld (Image: Extinction Rebellion)

After police and the council raised their concerns, and the curious affair was highlighted in the EDP, Tom Blofeld - whose official job title is 'head of silliness at Bewilderwood' - sought to clarify matters.

A yoga workshop taking place during last year's event at Hoveton House (Image: Earworm Festival)

Firstly, a woman whose official job title is 'guardian of the marketing marshes' at Bewilderwood, got in touch to say that Tom had nothing to do with the proposed event.

Then, a spokeswoman for the 'head of silliness' himself got in touch. 

Tom Blofeld, owner of Hoveton House and nearby activity centre, BeWILDerwood (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

She said: "Tom had no knowledge of the plans for the party and did not know it was planned to go ahead. 

"The party did not have, does not have and never has had his blessing. 

"Now that he has been informed of all of this, he will not be giving permission for any party.

"He has since had strong but friendly words with his nephew, as Tom believes he has been, to some extent, hoodwinked in this matter."

Tom Blofeld at the Bewilderwood park near Horning (Image: Newsquest)

Following Mr Blofeld's intervention, the website is no longer operational and would-be revellers are no longer able to buy tickets.

The application is still on the NNDC website, but prospects for the party would seem to be over.

People learning to massage during the event held in 2023 (Image: NNDC)

EARWORM RULES

Although the festival website still exists, many details have now been removed.

As well as information on travel and tickets, it highlighted the event's ethos: "Be the silliness you wish to see in the world".

It also had a lengthy 'welfare' section, which gave advice on how to avoid "being a sex pest"  at the festival and guidance on intoxication and consent.

Last year's festival attracted complaints from nearby villagers, concerned about the noise.

Tom Blofeld emerges from the mist at Bewilderwood, holding copies of his book (Image: Newsquest)

BEWILDERWOOD AND BOND

Tom Blofeld is the son of a former High Court judge and nephew of Henry Blofeld, the cricket commentator. 

The family name is thought to have been the inspiration for that of James Bond's foe Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Ian Fleming, the 007 creator, went to school with a member of the family.

Swampy, a marsh boggle, who is one of the main characters in the Bewilderwood books (Image: Bewilderwood)

Mr Blofeld's Bewilderwood theme park is based on a series of children's books he authored, first published in 2007.

A crocklebog lurking in the swamp at Bewilderwood (Image: Newsquest)

The stories are set in the magical Bewilderwood and follow the adventures of Swampy, a young 'marsh boggle', and the characters he meets along the way.

Swampy travels through the marshy swamps, meeting creatures like the twiggles, Parasquawks and Mildred the Crocklebog, a scary crocodile-like animal that is actually a warm-hearted vegetarian.

The various characters get up to mischief across a series of four books, with the debut story now also available as an audiobook.