Glastonbury Festival – Here Comes the Sun!

June, 2017

Who would have thought I’d be back in the UK revelling in another Glastonbury Festival but in sunshine this time?

As the 2019 Glastonbury (Glasto) festival runs from 26th-30th June, wanted to re-share this 2017 experience of the Glasto festival with you…

Where is the festival?

Pilton, Glastonbury festival England

The festival is not held in the actual town of Glastonbury, but at Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton – around 5 miles from Glastonbury.

As a Glastonbury Virgin back in 2016 not knowing what to expect, this year I’m totally prepared mentally – I think.

Hopefully, the weather is kind this year not like last year’s complete mud fest!

Having no intention of returning to the UK after the 2016 run-in with Border Force, here I am back again and raring to go.

The run down

This year, the festival runs from the 21st-25th June. Check out the 2017 line-up.

An hour’s meeting with the Silver Hayes crew the week before the festival, sees Fire Stewards now armed with their information packs, containing the entrance ticket, maps, safety booklet, contact list, and of course, the trusty Shift Roster.

A quick glance at the Roster reveals that Radiohead is not to be on this occasion…for me anyway. I’m on shift in another tent when they’re playing…damn!

Why is it that after specifically requesting not to do a shift whilst this band plays, I get that exact shift elsewhere? Annoyed.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Hammock hangout

Leaving Reg at the festival site

After provisioning Reg (trusty motorhome) with tins, packet food, alcohol, sleeping bags, pillows, and clothes, we venture to the Steward’s campsite on the Sunday before the festival.

Although the festival gates don’t open until Tuesday, already people are setting up around the grounds with hundreds of tents, campervans, motorhomes, and anything else that will be the festival goers’ home for the duration.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
John Peel Stage in the distance

Finding a patch of grass for Reg, stake out a small patch of blue tarpaulin at the step, lock up, help a friend with pitching his campsite. So far, it is warm, sunny, and no rain about – a good sign.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, motorhome, England, United Kingdom
Reg – still space around

I’m quite apprehensive leaving Reg alone at the site. Although this particular site has security, is enclosed, and not in the public area, it’s still a risk.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Parked close to the colourful long drops

The sun has been shining for a few days now and I have to admit, even for an Australian, it’s actually quite warm, especially erecting a couple of tents and a Gazebo.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Sonic stage – before the onslaught

Let’s hope the sun stays out for the festival as typically, it’s an ankle-deep mud fest!

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Before…
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
After…

In the beginning…

Born out of a “free festival movement” and “heavily influenced by hippie ethics” back in 1970 on the day following Jimi Hendrix’s death, this world-renown festival outgrew the Worthy Farm in 1985. This saw neighbouring Cockmill Farm purchased to expand the festival grounds.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Boot art

Today, the festival is the largest music and arts festival in Europe. Spreading over 1,000 acres across 14 farms, it really is that massive.

Returning for the gig

After a quick hearty breakfast at Wetherspoons in Wells on this ambient Thursday morning, our ‘special’ lift drives us through a ‘special’ gate and straight into the Steward campsite – no one checks us at all.

What a relief to see Reg where we left him, not harmed in any way but fully enclosed and suffocated by a plethora of tents.

Lucky I pegged a small ground sheet down otherwise, a tent would be pitched right at our doorstep.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
All the way from Australia – crazy friend Amy (Photo credit: random festival goer)

Space is at a premium. You’re lucky to have a small walking sliver around your tent or van – this is how close tents are to each other – fun and games.

Fire Steward’s induction

Unlike last year when I was on shift during the induction, this year I’m free to attend so meet in the Silver Hayes base for the one-hour induction.

This steward’s base is a demountable set up as a meeting point prior to each shift. Also, they’re somewhere you can get hot coffee, tea, water, and ear plugs whilst you’re on shift – especially on the graveyard shifts.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Backstage – Silver Hayes

After our induction, walking around all the Silver Hayes tents and areas to patrol, our group is free to go until our shifts.

The deal is that you have to do four 5-hour shifts over the four days and you get free entry. If you miss even one shift or skive during a shift, you forfeit your ticket and escorted off the grounds.

Festival food

Word got around that the Silver Hayes Crew area has new caterers this year and supposed to be better than last year, so decide on dinner here tonight. The curry and rice is okay. A tad stingy with portions and comes with a cheese spinach slice, which ran out early. Not exactly Indian food, but when you’re famished…catering was definitely better last year.

Typically, the food at the festival is expensive and not great. Alcohol is also expensive. As an example £5 buys a pint of Thatcher’s Cider, or a basic pie, or a very basic plastic-like hamburger.

Although there’s a plethora of cuisines from around the globe and wonderful aromas to entice hungry festival goers, meals look better than they taste and sell at around £7+ for a small plate.

Just keep this in mind if you’re not planning to take food when you’re camping, as you can easily blow your budget on food and alcohol over the 4 days.

Glastonbury festival, map, Pilton, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Displays the sheer size of the festival (Map credit: Glastonbury Festival)

On shift

As a Fire Steward, my allocated shifts are from 09:00-14:00hrs, 22:00-03:00hrs, 10:00-16:00hrs, and 16:00-21:00hrs – much better than last year’s shifts. Except, I miss Radiohead – one band I really want to see at Glasto.

The shifts are in the Pussy Parlour, Wow, and Sonic tents – all of which require ear plugs, but when patrolling close to the stage we wear Ear Defenders over ear plugs.

We’re not here to be overbearing as this is a festival and people are here to have a great time. Our task includes politely telling people to put out cigarettes, making sure no one has collapsed, spot aggressive behaviour, give people directions to various festival areas, and to oversee safety of festival goers.

The majority of people know we’re volunteers and so are very friendly and nice to us, even when asked to put out their cigarette or go and smoke outside of a tent.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Night shift and very cold Photo: Neil Lintern

Is all the festival hype really true?

In one word: YES! And then some…

Everything you hear about this festival is true but much better – especially when the sun shines as it’s much easier to walk around and you see more, than when it’s a knee-deep mud fest.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Football at its best!

The music line-up and activities are endless.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Refreshments at Cineramageddon

This year the freshly introduced Cineramageddon is a huge hit and a place to watch unforgettable movies whilst sitting in “mutated vintage American and British cars“. Just can’t co-ordinate my shifts with the cinema times, but manage to check out the cars – very cool.

Cineramageddon, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Cineramageddon
Cineramageddon, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Sunken
Cineramageddon, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Mad Max?
Cineramageddon, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Watch a movie from a plane
Cineramageddon, Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Cool artwork

Of course, the non-stop music on at the many stages is amazing. Excellent arts and crafts on show including live art. Masses of people moving from one area to another like a procession of fish swimming in a river’s current, incredible. But mostly, the people watching is spectacular!

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Sea of heads

The lengths that people go just to be noticed is entertaining to say the least.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Not Australians but British

Glasto is where anything goes and everything does go…let’s just say that the mantra is: what goes on at Glastonbury, stays at Glastonbury.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Seized! Photo: Steve Collins
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Avatar look-alikes
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Anything goes…
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
His mate?
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Not sure what the blow-up is for…

Some 2017 festival stats

Some statistics for the 2017 festival if you’re interested:

  • Festival takes place across 900 acres in the mythical Vale of Avalon, Somerset, South-west England
  • 1,300 volunteer medics treating 4,000 festival goers
  • 180 reported incidents with only 71 official arrests
  • 175,000+ festival goers with 50,000 more on Sunday (last day)
  • Around 250 volunteer Silver Hayes Fire Stewards
  • About 1,000 volunteer Stewards in total
  • Security for the 5 days’ costs £5,000,000
  • Cost: £238 + £5 booking for a ticket, more for a motorhome, caravan, or campervan
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Original printing press prints festival newspapers on Thursday and Sunday at the festival
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Bike patrol

The aftermath

Sadly, it takes around 800 cleaners and £750,000 to clean up the mess that festival goers leave behind. At least the leftover tents are donated to the Scouts and charity, and not just thrown away.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Resting amongst litter

The cleaning starts on Monday morning. Everything must be cleaned and everyone out of the farm by Tuesday – a mammoth task.

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Flag street

I’m told that the actual figures of anything to do with Glasto are never made public, so everything is an approximate number. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Pussy Parlour artwork
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Pussy Parlour – other side
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Where’s my tent? John Peel stage beyond
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
On shift at Sonic
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Messing about – off duty (Photo credit: Steve Collins)

A wander up to the hill just beneath the famous Glasto sign to gaze out across the expansive festival grounds, and for a better glimpse reveals a magical gorgeous sight!

Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
Festival lights – a small city

Visit Nilla’s Photography for more images. More posts on the United Kingdom at Image Earth Travel.

22 responses to “Glastonbury Festival – Here Comes the Sun!”

  1. Mariatours Avatar

    I would like to join this festival Next Time! I think it will be a memorable experience.

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      It certainly is memorable and the ambience is electric! Hope that you get there next year.
      You may like to read about my first festival then the second festival.
      Many thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment.

  2. gillmorris Avatar

    Looks fab Nilla.. hope you had time to enjoy yourself! x

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Hey Gill, been offline for almost 5 days as just got back from the 2019 festival – a blast! x

  3. Valerie Cullers Avatar

    All I can say is Wow!!!

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      It is wow Valerie and so much fun! 😉

  4. Mohamad Toutounji Avatar

    It looks like a very nice festival
    Very interesting post
    ☺️☺️☺️

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Hi Mohamad, it’s a great festival and draws so many people – fantastic atmosphere! 😉

      1. Mohamad Toutounji Avatar

        I know
        I hope that you check out my new posts
        I posted two tutorials and an article and a interview
        Please let me know your opinion about it

      2. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        No problem, will do.

  5. Patty Avatar

    Sounds as an intriguing Festival, Nilla. Beautiful photographs again 🙂
    I am back from a short trip to Spain, much needed break. If you have time…our photo’s: https://dreampack.org/2017/10/30/adventure-spain-dreampack/
    Enjoy your weekend! XxX

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      It was loads of fun Patty and thank you for your comment. 🙂
      I’ve check out your Spain post. Looks like you had a wonderful break. Hope you have a good weekend also with lots of sleep. 😉 X

  6. gillmorris Avatar

    Great post NIlla. My husband went to Glasto religiously each year when we were together. I never went and don’t think I’d like to now but it does look amazing. The pic of the blow up, I think, is an inflatable bean bag. I’ve seen them being sold on the beach here in Thailand 🙂 xx

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thanks Gill, love hearing your feedback!

      Coming from Glastonbury, my partner used to also go religiously since the 1980s – apparently it was a very different scene back then. 😉
      I thought it may have been a blow up bean bag but wanted to confirm for me. x

  7. Christie Avatar

    This festival looks more like an adventure! Looking at the resting guys amongst the littler I can only imagine what powerful effects had the festival on people🙂

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      It is an adventure as there’s just so much to see and experience in such a short time. Not much sleep during the 4-5 days (depending when you arrive) – so much fun! 🙂

  8. Suzanne [globalhousesitterX2] Avatar

    Laying on the hammock listening to music and receiving boot art, yep sounds like a great way to spend an hour 🙂

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Sounds very relaxing Suze and definitely nothing like Glastonbury festival was! 🙂

      1. Suzanne [globalhousesitterX2] Avatar

        Yes, I can imagine, I just put a few of your photo highlights together and came up with my own festival 🙂

      2. Image Earth Travel Avatar

        Ha, ha that’s classic! Next time you should go to Glastonbury but there’s not another one until 2019. 😉

  9. Keith Jewitt Avatar
    Keith Jewitt

    As ever with your writing Nilla matter of fact, insightful and enjoyable reading though I do wonder where Neil was when you were being carried off by the boys!

    1. Image Earth Travel Avatar

      Thanks Keith and glad you enjoyed my post!

      Yes, well, what goes on in Glastonbury, stays in Glastonbury! 😉

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