Memories of Glastonbury festival

Nylon metropolis

Facebook friends have already begun posting photos and updates as they excitedly arrive to set up what is surely the greatest festival of them all. This year I won't be joining them; I'm taking a break from Glastonbury, which I have worked continuously since 2007.  And I don't know that I'll return.

Glastonbury festival entered my consciousness in the late eighties. An earnest law undergraduate, the utter mayhem and round the clock partying did not appeal.  I had adventurous friends who went;  disappearing and reappearing days later, smellier, dirtier and having clearly undergone a rite of passage.

In the nineties, a chic and affluent city buddy arranged a jaunt from London; I paid my ticket but had to drop out due to a domestic emergency; I see now that fate was playing its hand; my first experience of Glastonbury would have to wait.

Beautiful spirit of early festivals

Several years later I found myself meandering along a disused railway line near the village of Pilton, Somerset.

I had just moved to the area and was walking with a friend. I didnt consider myself to be particularly psychically attuned; nonetheless I distinctly recall the feeling of excitement, of being a little high! We had unknowingly meandered on the festival site, treading where so many had whooped, skipped and danced. I could feel it in the air!

For two winters and one glorious summer, I lived a stones throw from site in a low impact community. I developed a personal and special relationship with the land; it was calm and peaceful for nine months of the year and the permanent stone circle was an obvious weekly pilgrimage and great place to take visiting friends.

During the colder months I often collected firewood on the farm; enjoying the freedom to roam across empty, open fields.  In early May the build would begin. A small camp could be seen in the Kings Meadow,  a small fire. We reciprocated with our Beltane fire,  two tribes connecting across opposing hills.

Stone Circle 1990s

Then the fencing would go up, an epic task, many, many miles of shining aluminium to delineate festival boundaries. Every year a little more land would be enclosed.

By early June the site was very active. We were kept awake as heavy plant vehicles lumbered and thrusted into the night establishing the infrastructure that supports a veritable small city, a temporary population of close to a quarter of a million.

For several happy seasons I would erect my geodome in the healing field, the quietest cleanest corner of the blissful green fields where many come for respite from commercial activity and stimulation. I would often chuckle to myself as I practised early morning yoga, watching the bemused litter crew making their matinal sweep and leaving empty handed.

Beloved Green Fields

My work as a therapist felt important. I gave countless massages and facials. Bodywork at festivals calms the senses, grounds and restore wellbeing. How may have taken their first massage at Glastonbury?

Treatments were popular and I also looked after crew, friends from other fields with sore backs from hammering and sawing rudimentary structures and handling enormous canvases. I felt rewarded, happy and fulfilled.

I  witnessed transformations in those Green fields. As though entering a  magical realm streetsmart  youth abandon brands and designer labels to romp and frolic in vintage clothing, a leopard skin coat, some bunny ears, a tutu! My deepest joy came from watching adults lose their cool and rediscover their playful nature. I love that the ticket holders bring unlimited optimism and expect to have a good time!

Adults at play!

My favourite memories?  Early morning saunas and late night sunsets, quiet moments connecting with friends.

The poignant return of Edwin Collins in 2008, still in recovery from a stroke. The surrealism of  massaging a client as Chas and Dave insistently banged out Rabbit Rabbit  nearby.

All good things must come to an end and I knew as I packed up at the end of 2010 that I didnt want to return. It had been a near perfect event; hot, sunny and just lovely. I was changing and becoming increasingly sensitive to my environment: Glastonbury is full on, intense, overwhelming and it was time for me to move on.

Me (right) and friend 2010

I love that I was able to take part and make a contribution to festival that is as old as I am; an institution of British cultural history!

It is satisfying to let go with ease and grace knowing that my festival friends and family will be carrying on as usual and that the event is sure to continue and grow.

As I write, I am relishing quiet time at home and enjoying smaller projects. I live in Glastonbury town am curious about what happens during the festival, a giant commercial and creative vortex which sucks in local talent; I wonder who else will be staying behind?

If you are involved in 2011 have an amazing time!

 

Links
Official website www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Fascinating, evocative  footage of early gathering
Glastonbury Fayre 1971

Polished and professional movie homage from Julien Temple
Glastonbury (2006)