Glastonbury behind the scenes
I worked for Oxfam at Glastonbury in both 95 and 97. Instead of employing loads of stewards, what the organisers did was donate a load to Oxfam who in turn would recruit volunteers to do things like direct traffic, take tickets at the gate and stamp hands on the way out. (or direct ticketless people to the latest area where we heard the wall had fallen over)

The benefit was that you got to the festival for nothing, got a field to camp in that was a bit quieter than the main throng and got a few free meals in exchange for three shifts on the gates or car parks, only one of which would be during the festival itself.

We also got to wear a big yellow bin bag and see some pretty scary attempts at getting in for nothing. AT one gate there was a huge collection of ropes, grappling hooks and home made wall climbing equipment that the security guards had collected in the last hour alone!

One night we were over near a section of the inside wall when a few bags came flying over. This was usual, they'd chuck over any luggage then attempt to scramble over. We weren't security and were under strict instuctions not to apprehend anyone, so if they made it we usually gave them a cheer or marks out of ten.

Security patrolled in land rovers that drove in a circle round the site between the outer and inner walls, so some unlucky punters who had made it over wall one, chucked thier luggage over wall two, suddenly found themselves in the headlights and had to scarper with nothing but the shirts on their backs.

This time though, the luggage wasn't followed by people, but by a huge dog that had obviously been lobbed over. It soared over the wall, ears flapping, and a slightly surprised look on its face. We then heard the roar of an engine, some swearing and some footsteps running away. They had chucked over the dog first and got caught! I'm sure the poor thing had a great time on its own though. I saw it a few times, happily getting fed by most people who passed it, don't know if it ever got re-united with its owner though, but if you had been thrown over a huge security wall by your master, would you want to go back?!


Other notable moments were ...

A welsh guy turning away Page and Plant, because he'd 'never heard of the buggers.'

Constantly walking into the slam door toilets to see a girl perched on the seat, open to the world

Using some of the found rope to tie a drunk bloke to the chair he had fallen asleep on, then watching him wake up and stagger off for a piss, not knowing it was still on his back

Smoking something I shouldn't have in 95 and falling asleep in my tent, with my bare legs outside in the sun for most of the afternoon.

Turning up in 97 with a small backpack full of shorts and tee-shirts, and a hope that the weather would improve.

Giving people tips as to how to improve the UV stamp they'd tried to draw on the back of their hand.

I'll watch it on the telly this year!
( Cheeses of Nazareth Where's Captain Kirk? www.whereiskirk.com, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 13:49, 4 replies)

Glastonbury 1995
was the most awesome time evar. I have never dared go back for fear of ruining my memories...
(surlygirl spanked your monkey on, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 14:47, closed)

The Dog!
I just care about the dog. What happened to the dog after the festival? I wouldn't want to go back to someone who'd thrown me over a wall either but isn't it a bit shitty to just ignore the poor creature?

I am so glad music festivals didn't get big until after I was a teen. Ick.

Otherwise, great story, I suspect you saw a lot of hilarious stuff you've forgotten dammit!
(Dog Bum Cute, wiggly, has scary anal glands, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 15:28, closed)

^ THIS ^
I too want to know about the dog.

*click* for the username "Cheeses of Nazareth" as well, by the way - it genuinely makes me laugh every time you post
( TheMagicDwarf is back like ballroom dancing, Wed 10 Jun 2009, 20:11, closed)

Reminds me of
the cheesy puff featured on HIGNFY last week, christened Cheesus by the deranged American who discovered it.
(Vice Admiral Sir Charles Cockbrush KCB MBE DSO, who is finding it increasingly difficult to log into b3ta.com wants to duck your aunt and kick your puppy, Thu 11 Jun 2009, 9:41, closed)