VANLOVE FEST 25 GET TO KNOW: laura fiddes-brown
In our ‘Vanlove Fest 25: Get To Know’ blog series, we’re giving you the chance to learn more about the incredible individuals who come to share their passions, skills, and stories through workshops and discussions across the festival weekend.
We've asked our workshop hosts and speakers a few questions to help you find out what drives them, what they'll be sharing, and why they can't wait to be part of Vanlove Fest 25.
This week, it’s the turn of Laura Fiddes-Brown — one of the creative forces behind the awesome Brown Bird & Company.
Who are you, and what do you do?
Hi! I’m Laura, director of Brown Bird and Company. We build handcrafted Campervans including both converted panel vans and Land Rover Defenders.
I am the ‘customer facing person’ of the company but also spend a good chunk of my time still on the tools helping to make customers dream vans.
What first sparked your love for vanlife / life on the road?
Freedom and travel. I didn’t want to be tied down having a house, mortgage and bills and want to explore the world before I got too old to do all the things that I love (hiking and climbing etc). There was a divine moment when I was on a winter mountaineering course in Scotland stood up to my knees in snow with a bright blue sky and a cloud inversion…that was the moment I thought this is what life should be…having these experiences and not being tied down in a high pressure sales job that was difficult to switch off from.
What can people expect from your session at Vanlove Fest?
Inspiration to make life changing decisions, embrace impulsive thoughts and have the confidence to believe in your own ability. Also lots of talk about land rovers and where they can take you!
Describe your dream van in 3 words.
Beautiful, Overland, Practical
What’s one vanlife myth you’d love to bust?
It’s hard to pick 1! First one is that you have to have a shower otherwise how will you keep clean….good old basin washes, river swims, campsites, gyms etc are all perfect ways which don’t break your camper build budget and also keep your space more open and enjoyable.
Second one applies to UK vanlife and that’s the idea of stealth camping everywhere and ease of park ups. They definitely arent as easy as they were and there are certain places which are very difficult and you have to settle with a crap lay by or industrial park with HGV’s!
What’s your go-to comfort ritual on the road?
Heated seats! A well stocked food cupboard so you can rustle something up quickly when travelling without having to go to the shops all the time or spend loads of money on eating out.
What does ‘Vanlove’ mean to you?
PARTY!!
Where can people follow your journey or connect with you online?
Instagram and Facebook - we have a dedicated Defender Instagram too now for those people who love overland adventures.
We also have several websites - our main parent website for all build types, our Defender website and also our competition website where you can win one of our campers!
Laura will be talking about the challenges of building in a 4x4, what it took to shift from vans to rugged rigs, and how they reimagined their skills to suit a totally different kind of build on our Adventure Stage on Saturday.
Buy tickets and find out all you need to know about Vanlove Fest 25 by clicking below:
