Johnny Vegas sparks row after ‘turning town into travellers’ camp’ with glamping site – but some locals say they LOVE it
JOHNNY Vegas has sparked a row between locals in a “beautiful” market town over his glamping site.
The 53-year-old comedian moved his Field of Dreams to Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire after approaching the owners Lord and Lady Kerr.
The vintage vehicle glamping site was popularised in Channel 4‘s Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping after first launching in Yorkshire in 2021.
The show returned to the box last year following Johnny and his long-suffering assistant Bev.
Holidaymakers can spend a night in an American school bus (dubbed The Skoolie) or a classic Citroen Camper.
Michael Pennington – better known as his alter ego Johnny Vegas – has also restored a boat named Mahala and even a helicopter which served in Chile and Sierra Leone.
But some locals in Melbourne – home to the founder of the travel agency Thomas Cook & Son and the namesake of the Australian city – have branded the Benidorm actor’s motor haven as a “junkyard” and “hideous”.
A resident, who did not want to be named, told The Sun: “Well I don’t think the ‘Field of Dreams’ is a ‘Field of Dreams’.
“I think it looks like a Travellers’ camp. It’s horrible for Melbourne. I think it looks hideous and awful.
“It’s very distracting particularly at night. From higher up in Melbourne you can see the lights in a landscape that is purely beautiful.”
Another local said: “I wish it wasn’t here. It reminds me of a junkyard. I think it impacts the local area especially at the weekend.
“It’s so much busier and you can’t park in Melbourne anymore. If I go out on the weekends there’s no spaces when I get back.
“There’s also the danger of cars along this road. The thing is it clearly states at the bottom 5mph.
“They don’t do 5mph along here and there’s a lot more cars in general.”
One man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I think it’s a waste of time. I don’t see the point in it.
“You’re kidding if you think I’d stay there. It’s not my cup of tea. We watched ten minutes of the show and then switched it off.
“We didn’t really know about the Field of Dreams when we moved here.”
Architect Amanda Harmer, 48, who has lived in Melbourne for 14 years, said: “It doesn’t look very busy. I think as an idea it’s quite interesting.
I wish it wasn’t here. It reminds me of a junkyard.
One resident
“There weren’t many staying there last year. It looks a bit hillbilly. It does bring business to the area which is good.
“But there are a lot of people about and some of them have dropped litter. On the whole it’s not a bad thing. It just looks a bit odd.
“I don’t think it’s the kind of thing I’d stay in as it’s a bit collective. I’d want to be on my own somewhere.
“I think it’s also very expensive for what you get. It’s a lot of money to stay in a ‘thing’ with a Portaloo.”
Others wished Vegas “luck” saying they “love” the site and speculated about what wacky project is next on his agenda.
Kris Harrington, 72, who has lived in Melbourne for 40 years, said: “As far as the Field of Dreams is concerned, I say good luck to him.
“I spoke to Johnny the other day and asked him if he had enough vehicles now. He said he was thinking of two more.
MEET THE VEHICLES
Oscar The Puma – £265 per night
A chopper which served in Chile and Sierra Leone from 1970 until 2005.
The Skoolie – £370 for 2 nights
A 1970’s American School Bus which transported children to school in Minnesota.
The Citroen Camper – £205 per night
The 1960s French Citroen van is one of only thirteen ever made and includes a detachable camper trailer.
Mahala – £165 per night
A restored boat ‘moored’ on land.
Patricia – £225 per night
A Maltese public transport bus in working service from the 1960s until 2011.
“I’m sure he mentioned adding a nuclear bunker. How weird is that? But the main one was a submarine!
“I asked him: ‘where on earth are you going to put a submarine Johnny?’.”
Recruitment manager Leane Tolley, 38, said: “It’s muddy down there. I love it. Because I work in Derby city centre everyone at work knows it’s here.
“‘I’m videoing it all the time and sending it to them. This is the first time we’ve been in a while and it’s all built up again. It looks good.
“I want to bring my partner’s nephew to stay in the helicopter. He’s very excited about it.”
Director of a management company Michelle Humphries, 36, has lived in the area for seven years.
I really like it. I think it’s wonderful to see things doing well.
Michelle Humphries
She said: “I really like it. I think it’s wonderful to see things doing well.
“It’s nice for things to come to Melbourne. I quite like to see more events and stuff going on in the town.
“We had a little look at the vehicles and would potentially stay in one.”
Retired nurse Veronica Harvey, 55, said: “I’d consider staying there. My husband definitely wouldn’t! He’s not got that outdoor spirit that I have.
“The bus looks quite good fun. I’m not sure about the helicopter though. It was interesting when they brought it down here.”
The Sun has approached Johnny Vegas, Melbourne Hall and the Field of Dreams for comment.