Glastonbury 2014

[Gerry1time]

It said there was no opposition to the licence

Excellent! I know they did tons of work to speak to as many people as possible locally and address their concerns before it got to any hearing, so suspect there will be some very smiley people in the site office today.

 

[WBC-WORKER]

here is the official announcement

http://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/3478/Glastonbury-Festival-Granted-Licence

 

[William of Walworth]

Almost unimaginable when you think to 'back in the day' and various disputatious Council v Festival conflicts, to see the licence being secured so safely. I've no doubt at all that a huge amount of work was involved! Well done Festival, and respect to Mendip as well as it goes ...

I used to read the Council's post-Festival reviews of how it all went in particular years, so no doubt there's much more detail to be found somewhere than in that headline report ... e.g. is it confirmed that the crew numbers will be expanding?

 

[William of Walworth]

Oh yes, I know all about Avalon. None too impressed with the limited, much reduced Ale choice (fairly dull standards) at the so called 'Real Ale Tent' in Acoustic last year. Which in previous fests had stacks of choice, but not so last year ...

Right I will hold up my hand here as I cant stand Real Ale but I will find out why they reduced the selection although I could make a bloody good guess why as real ' Real Ale ' is a right pain in the arse to transport and manage correctly.

The Old Red Flag used to have a lot more background staff than any other bar.

I like the changes they have made but they don't market it as a 'Real Ale Tent' any longer so I can fully appreciate why Avalon has made the changes but I am looking at it from a Bar Operation side and not as a Real Ale drinker.

Thanks for this, anything you find would be interesting.

I'd quite like to contact them myself about it actually (politely obviously ), but I'm struggling to find an active/usable link online. If you're able to PM me a named and emailable person at Avalon I'd be especially grateful ...

The whole issue of ale maintenance needn't necessarily be a problem technically, s long as managers are pragmatic and not CAMRA-purist about the matter, which at a huge event like Glastonbury isn't even desirable. In fact I'm almost sure in previous years, beer has been delivered and served 'bright' to the Red Flag (ie conditioned at the brewery, then sealed for better preservation just in advance of delivery.

Our little gang are all CAMRA veterans. and we organise/run a large beer festival ourselves, but we do allow for bright beer in certain circumstances, and that can get you out of a hole nicely when supplies run out unexpectedly and when that's the only category of replacement you can get hold of quickly ...

So I'm sure Avalon could do better, like their predecessors used to, and that they could expand their choice and range, etc., if they put their mind to the matter properly and professionally. Especially If they consulted or even recruited extra people who are experienced and knowledgeable in matters of ale ...

 

[WBC-WORKER]

Thanks for this, anything you find would be interesting.

I'd quite like to contact them myself about it actually (politely obviously ), but I'm struggling to find an active/usable link online. If you're able to PM me a named and emailable person at Avalon I'd be especially grateful ...

The whole issue of ale maintenance needn't necessarily be a problem technically, s long as managers are pragmatic and not CAMRA-purist about the matter, which at a huge event like Glastonbury isn't even desirable. In fact I'm almost sure in previous years, beer has been delivered and served 'bright' to the Red Flag (ie conditioned at the brewery, then sealed for better preservation just in advance of delivery.

Our little gang are all CAMRA veterans. and we organise/run a large beer festival ourselves, but we do allow for bright beer in certain circumstances, and that can get you out of a hole nicely when supplies run out unexpectedly and when that's the only category of replacement you can get hold of quickly ...

So I'm sure Avalon could do better, like their predecessors used to, and that they could expand their choice and range, etc., if they put their mind to the matter properly and professionally. Especially If they consulted or even recruited extra people who are experienced and knowledgeable in matters of ale ...

Now is not the right time

Avalon is still trying to get over the death of Terry Butkeraitis

http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2014/feb/05/terry-butkeraitis-obituary

founder member of the WBC and one of the key people behind Avalon and I suspect their minds is not on Glastonbury.

send me a pm in a month or so and I will send you their e-mail but remember the ones at the top have been doing it nearly 30 years so they know their buisness.

 

[wiskey]

Another Ten years ... they really don't want to let it go gracefully do they

 

[William of Walworth]

Now is not the right time

Avalon is still trying to get over the death of Terry Butkeraitis

http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2014/feb/05/terry-butkeraitis-obituary

founder member of the WBC and one of the key people behind Avalon and I suspect their minds is not on Glastonbury.

send me a pm in a month or so and I will send you their e-mail but remember the ones at the top have been doing it nearly 30 years so they know their buisness.

Fair enough and thanks for that, I didn't know. Will leave it for a sensible time then will get back to you.

 

[WBC-WORKER]

Fair enough and thanks for that, I didn't know. Will leave it for a sensible time then will get back to you.

Well of course you would not be aware - when they brought in The Licensing Act 2003 Terry was the DPS at Glastonbury so he was responsible for ' every bar ' at Glastonbury ' including all the none WBC ones

when MDC/Trading Standards went nuts over Brothers Bar selling 2 ltr bottles of Cider they wanted Terry to Ban ' all sales of Cider ' in every Bar be it bottle - can or draft - you could just imagine how that would go down if that was imposed - it was Terry that persuaded them to to accept a compromise - which was a compete ban of 2 ltr bottles of Cider - Terry went to Brothers and found there was no Personal Licence Holder on duty - there should have been and the Brothers staff were not certain what a DPS was - Terry explained that if they did not stop that second Security would close down the Brothers Bar and he was not joking - anyway whoever was in charge did withdraw sales and Cider could be sold again - while all that was going on the WBC were not selling any Cider until the DPS gave them the green light.

Cant recall which year but it was 2003/2004/2005 - there was a big write up about it on the MDC site which was the first test of the DPS System.

its likely that this year it may be Eamon Pryle that will be DPS although will not know for certain until Saturday { some of us from the old Gang of the WBC are meeting at the Bread & Roses pub { the WBC own it } to have a drink to celebrate the life of Terry }

 

[William of Walworth]

Great story on the Brothers Bar! I well remember the 2 litre bottle days ...

More generally ....

Are you aware of any rules -- licencing based or festival imposed --about maximum ABV %age of any drinks on sale at various bars (particularly ale I'm thinking of -- it seem almost impossible now to find any ale above 5%).

That story about cider being saved for the festival is a good'un, but there does seem to be bizarre inconsistency about strong ciders (6% +) being allowed and stronger ale not. (I should stress that I wouldn't want this resolves on cider's disfavour though!)

 

[WBC-WORKER]

Great story on the Brothers Bar! I well remember the 2 litre bottle days ...

More generally ....

Are you aware of any rules -- licencing based or festival imposed --about maximum ABV %age of any drinks on sale at various bars (particularly ale I'm thinking of -- it seem almost impossible now to find any ale above 5%).

That story about cider being saved for the festival is a good'un, but there does seem to be bizarre inconsistency about strong ciders (6% +) being allowed and stronger ale not. (I should stress that I wouldn't want this resolves on cider's disfavour though!)

Now the rules under the act allows some gray areas and its all down to local officers.

take Hyde park 2006 ' one day it was ok for WBC Security to check ID before Customers reached the bar counter ' { worked really well } - the next day - the local trading standards guy would not allow WBC Security to check ID - it could only be checked at the counter - that's the same event just 24 hours later.

so in other words ' they make the rules up on the spot '

Before Brothers there used to be a Cider sold ' only ' in the Guest bar and it was 8.2 ABV forget the name as I dont drink Cider.

Brothers Festival Strength Pear Cider 7% ABV was first sold at Glastonbury Festival in 1995.

What they sell today I just don't have a clue but between MDC/trading standards they can go to the DPS and make a ' recommendation ' and he { or it may be she } can make a order that any drink over a certain ABV can be pulled.

Sure the DPS could ignore it but that would be very rare indeed.

All this is normally sorted out in advance.

I know there has been concern of the amount of Bars ' that don't appear on the official bar plan ' and they can end up being closed down if they don't tell them in advance where they are - I am sure they think they have gone unnoticed but its only a matter of time before the penny drops that they dont have a leg to stand on { now somewhere in the back of my head I think it was 15 in the last report I read }

What many don't appreciate is that if MDC/trading standards gets it into their head ' they can prevent all alcohol being brought on site ' so no more Punters walking in with wheel barrows full of cans .

In fact I amazed they have not imposed it .

Yes I Know many would not be happy but it would stop a lot of teenagers falling over themselves
who would not ever stand a chance of ever being served at a bar [ when drunk }

Sure in the years I have been involved the trend over strong drink has been more of a concern to the local officials but as I prefer normal lager I dont worry about it.

I am happy with my 4% ABV bog standard lager.

 

[tbtommyb]

I know there has been concern of the amount of Bars ' that don't appear on the official bar plan ' and they can end up being closed down if they don't tell them in advance where they are - I am sure they think they have gone unnoticed but its only a matter of time before the penny drops that they dont have a leg to stand on { now somewhere in the back of my head I think it was 15 in the last report I read }

I was wondering about this the other day. There are so many tiny bars dotted all over the place, tucked in here and there. Do the organisers know the exact location of every bar in, for example, all of the SE corner? what about the 'secret' ones?

 

[wiskey]

Health and safety do a looksee around before the festival (and during it) to check any bar gasses are stored correctly and general safety. Silver probably has a decent knowledge of what's where. They come down hard on unauthorised alcohol sales... Sometimes... Vodka jelly salesman = out on yer ear... Bloke with some rum he adds to coffee in his yurt cafe = blind eye.

They close unauthorised bars that are in stupid places (they think very hard about the layout... Crows dynamics says you don't want people milling at junctions for example).

 

[WBC-WORKER]

I was wondering about this the other day. There are so many tiny bars dotted all over the place, tucked in here and there. Do the organisers know the exact location of every bar in, for example, all of the SE corner? what about the 'secret' ones?

well they do and they don't

each year there is a masterplan map - a highly accurate map showing the exact location of everything with measurements between stalls - this also covers Bars.

now I know when people wander about they may think that Tent A is just shoved up in a random place when in fact its all measured out so there is enough emergence access to everything.

There is a deadline date and all traders of alcohol are supposed to indicate where they are and what name they have called their Bar.

its that masterplan map that local authorities use to spot unauthorised outlets - they then contact the DPS and its their job to work out who they are and move them on - this may involve the Police and or security.

while most people would see no harm in them - if they had a look at their stock its highly likely that they will be using counterfeit products or out of date stock as after all if they are willing to break one law they will not hesitate to break another law.

Now most of these places have told GFL that they are a cafe or something close and they assume with so much going on they will go unnoticed but all it takes is the wrong person to walk in and the game is up + the main reason why they don't want listed on that map is money.

Note these are made up figures .

lets say Tent A is a genuine cafe and they pay £2,000 and next door Tent B { which takes up the same space as Tent A } is selling alcohol they may be paying £20,000 they are going to get well pissed off if they spot someone cheating the system.

Many people are unaware that soft drinks all come from the same Wholesaler

Note The Big Note.

Avalon Events Wholesale has the sole concession on behalf of Glastonbury Festival to operate the wholesale supply of carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks to the market stall holders at the festival. You are not allowed to bring stock into the festival and this means that you are required to buy all your soft drinks from us as the official appointed wholesaler. This helps to support the festival and reduces the volume of delivery arrangements and vehicles.

http://www.avaloneventswholesale.co.uk/Avalon-Wholesale-Soft-Drinks-Glastonbury2013.pdf

and a similar system is used for alcohol { although certain items can be brought in before the event which I am not going to get into here }

This system assures that products are genuine and that all Vat has been paid for and more importantly for the end user ' they are not out of date '

its a game of cat and mouse and the Cat is winning.

 

[Looby]

Just got my WBC place confirmed. So fucking excited!!

 

[colacubes]

Just got my WBC place confirmed. So fucking excited!!

YAY

 

[William of Walworth]

Good on you both

We're still awaiting confirmation on our jobs, so while we're confident, we remain nervous for now ...

 

[William of Walworth]

Have read the posts from WBC-WORKER more thoroughly now.


That bar and licensing stuff is insanely complicated -- understandably so I suppose, given the size and crowdedness of the site. I can fully understand why Mendip, and others, feel it so necessary to enforce stuff. The days of the old style 'Dog & Vomit'-type informal bars in crew areas or obscure corners of the whole site, are now long gone and we have to take that on the chin ... ( )

I do think it a real shame though that there can't be a tad more flexibility specifically on ale strength though, even within the inevitably more regulated environment of now. In our own experience of real ale festivals (whether attending as punters, working at them, or organising them!) a wide(r) variety is essential, both of beer types and beer strengths. Which is why IMO after last year, the 'Real Ale Tent' in Acoustic should have a bit more flexibility (re numbers and strengths of different beers) than the main ones.

I'm sure the organisers up there -- or even just the main bar managers -- would actually benefit from inviting some additional expert input -- not least from CAMRA types. Eg (random thought!) organisers of big festivals like the Bristol Beer Festival (which we were at and loved a fortnight ago ) could only help them if they felt like inviting opinions and ideas re beers ...

As longdog famously and correctly said on here in the past -- 'Real Ale drinkers never start fights' ... ... so allowing us some more variety, and some more strength too, in a limited number of bars would not cause any problems at Glastonbury I think.

 

[Looby]

YAY

Obviously now I have 3 months to fret over my shifts and whether I'll miss Dolly.

 

[WBC-WORKER]

Just got my WBC place confirmed. So fucking excited!!

Sadly there is some on these boards who's Group did not get any places at Glastonbury even although they are well experienced due to the amount of new Groups brought in this year.

Three of the new Groups has been openly advertising for recruits on Facebook which is a clear breach of the rules so even before they have even worked one event they have already broken the rules and they will soon learn that its a very risky business taking on complete strangers.

I will be making a strong protest to the person in charge of the approval Committee { I have knowing him for 25 years } not for myself as I already have a place but for the experienced Volunteers who missed out this year as its plain daft to replace them with complete strangers.

Come and say hello - I will be working in the Village bar { WBC Campsite Crew bar } - I am allowed to pick which bar I work in - in advance .

 

[colacubes]

Obviously now I have 3 months to fret over my shifts and whether I'll miss Dolly.

The OH's not fussed about Dolly so we can always sub him for you if the worst happens

 

[WBC-WORKER]

The OH's not fussed about Dolly so we can always sub him for you if the worst happens

Not sure if I am reading this correctly but if you are talking about substituting one person for another then that would be a clear breach.

lets call them Tom and Harry

Tom is working on a shift - shifts are all down to luck - some you win some you lose - Harry cant walk in and take Tom's place for the simple reason that Security checks everyone who walks into the back of a bar and will verify their photo ID - No ID no entry - lets say Harry was working for a different Team - they may or may not get away with it as WBC Staffing make random spot checks and will look at everyone's pass and they would wonder why Harry is working in a different bar than he was assigned to.

At the very least Tom and Harry will be suspended and they will end up out on the street.

I know you were meaning well but the WBC Contract { that everyone has to sign when their pass is issued } makes it very clear that Shifts cant be swapped and everyone on that Team is expected to do all their shifts assigned to them.

It has to be a good 20 years ago that official shift swapping was banned - what happened was that Team A swapped with Team B { for a late to a early shift } without permission

Team A who should have been working a late shift replaced Team B working a early shift but things came unstuck when Team B failed to show up that evening but when the Tent Manager checked he was expecting Team A - the Team Leader for Team A did point out that they had worked a early shift but as that was unauthorised it did not count - the whole Team were suspended for three months.

Ever since that date swapping shifts with or without permission has been banned.

A common complaint mainly made by new volunteers that there is more late's than early shifts - they are not looking at the bigger picture as over a year or two these shifts should even out.

The actual shifts can only be changed by the WBC for Operational reasons although most Teams will end up doing the shifts as advised on the first day .

A Tent Manager may allow a few people to go on extended break but this all has to be sorted out well in advance { best sorted out the first day of a event } and they have to be back at the agreed time otherwise they can forget about any favours at future events for them or their Team.

It all depends who is asking as a Tent Manager will tend to favour volunteers who have been in the WBC for many years over a volunteer who only has a few years under their belt.

 

[colacubes]

Not sure if I am reading this correctly but if you are talking about substituting one person for another then that would be a clear breach.

lets call them Tom and Harry

Tom is working on a shift - shifts are all down to luck - some you win some you lose - Harry cant walk in and take Tom's place for the simple reason that Security checks everyone who walks into the back of a bar and will verify their photo ID - No ID no entry - lets say Harry was working for a different Team - they may or may not get away with it as WBC Staffing make random spot checks and will look at everyone's pass and they would wonder why Harry is working in a different bar than he was assigned to.

At the very least Tom and Harry will be suspended and they will end up out on the street.

I know you were meaning well but the WBC Contract { that everyone has to sign when their pass is issued } makes it very clear that Shifts cant be swapped and everyone on that Team is expected to do all their shifts assigned to them.

It has to be a good 20 years ago that official shift swapping was banned - what happened was that Team A swapped with Team B { for a late to a early shift } without permission

Team A who should have been working a late shift replaced Team B working a early shift but things came unstuck when Team B failed to show up that evening but when the Tent Manager checked he was expecting Team A - the Team Leader for Team A did point out that they had worked a early shift but as that was unauthorised it did not count - the whole Team were suspended for three months.

Ever since that date swapping shifts with or without permission has been banned.

A common complaint mainly made by new volunteers that there is more late's than early shifts - they are not looking at the bigger picture as over a year or two these shifts should even out.

The actual shifts can only be changed by the WBC for Operational reasons although most Teams will end up doing the shifts as advised on the first day .

A Tent Manager may allow a few people to go on extended break but this all has to be sorted out well in advance { best sorted out the first day of a event } and they have to be back at the agreed time otherwise they can forget about any favours at future events for them or their Team.

It all depends who is asking as a Tent Manager will tend to favour volunteers who have been in the WBC for many years over a volunteer who only has a few years under their belt.

It was a joke ffs

 

[friedaweed]

Not sure if I am reading this correctly but if you are talking about substituting one person for another then that would be a clear breach.

lets call them Tom and Harry

Tom is working on a shift - shifts are all down to luck - some you win some you lose - Harry cant walk in and take Tom's place for the simple reason that Security checks everyone who walks into the back of a bar and will verify their photo ID - No ID no entry - lets say Harry was working for a different Team - they may or may not get away with it as WBC Staffing make random spot checks and will look at everyone's pass and they would wonder why Harry is working in a different bar than he was assigned to.

At the very least Tom and Harry will be suspended and they will end up out on the street.

I know you were meaning well but the WBC Contract { that everyone has to sign when their pass is issued } makes it very clear that Shifts cant be swapped and everyone on that Team is expected to do all their shifts assigned to them.

It has to be a good 20 years ago that official shift swapping was banned - what happened was that Team A swapped with Team B { for a late to a early shift } without permission

Team A who should have been working a late shift replaced Team B working a early shift but things came unstuck when Team B failed to show up that evening but when the Tent Manager checked he was expecting Team A - the Team Leader for Team A did point out that they had worked a early shift but as that was unauthorised it did not count - the whole Team were suspended for three months.

Ever since that date swapping shifts with or without permission has been banned.

A common complaint mainly made by new volunteers that there is more late's than early shifts - they are not looking at the bigger picture as over a year or two these shifts should even out.

The actual shifts can only be changed by the WBC for Operational reasons although most Teams will end up doing the shifts as advised on the first day .

A Tent Manager may allow a few people to go on extended break but this all has to be sorted out well in advance { best sorted out the first day of a event } and they have to be back at the agreed time otherwise they can forget about any favours at future events for them or their Team.

It all depends who is asking as a Tent Manager will tend to favour volunteers who have been in the WBC for many years over a volunteer who only has a few years under their belt.

This is all very well and I'm sure important to the gubbins of the festival but lets get right down to the heart of the matter and discuss the real issue...

Will Mumford and Son be playing, which stages will they be playing on and can you promise that a high profile Tory MP will die on the shitter this year?

 

[WBC-WORKER]

It was a joke ffs

well people have tried it in the past who don't fully understand the rules and not fully appreciating that what they do can impact on the whole Team.

 

[alsoknownas]

 

[wiskey]

Not sure if I am reading this correctly but if you are talking about substituting one person for another then that would be a clear breach.

lets call them Tom and Harry

Tom is working on a shift - shifts are all down to luck - some you win some you lose - Harry cant walk in and take Tom's place for the simple reason that Security checks everyone who walks into the back of a bar and will verify their photo ID - No ID no entry - lets say Harry was working for a different Team - they may or may not get away with it as WBC Staffing make random spot checks and will look at everyone's pass and they would wonder why Harry is working in a different bar than he was assigned to.

At the very least Tom and Harry will be suspended and they will end up out on the street.

I know you were meaning well but the WBC Contract { that everyone has to sign when their pass is issued } makes it very clear that Shifts cant be swapped and everyone on that Team is expected to do all their shifts assigned to them.

It has to be a good 20 years ago that official shift swapping was banned - what happened was that Team A swapped with Team B { for a late to a early shift } without permission

Team A who should have been working a late shift replaced Team B working a early shift but things came unstuck when Team B failed to show up that evening but when the Tent Manager checked he was expecting Team A - the Team Leader for Team A did point out that they had worked a early shift but as that was unauthorised it did not count - the whole Team were suspended for three months.

Ever since that date swapping shifts with or without permission has been banned.

A common complaint mainly made by new volunteers that there is more late's than early shifts - they are not looking at the bigger picture as over a year or two these shifts should even out.

The actual shifts can only be changed by the WBC for Operational reasons although most Teams will end up doing the shifts as advised on the first day .

A Tent Manager may allow a few people to go on extended break but this all has to be sorted out well in advance { best sorted out the first day of a event } and they have to be back at the agreed time otherwise they can forget about any favours at future events for them or their Team.

It all depends who is asking as a Tent Manager will tend to favour volunteers who have been in the WBC for many years over a volunteer who only has a few years under their belt.

Sounds like a barrel of laughs.

 

[mansonroad]

FAO the ticketless masses who want to head down to worthy farm this year: resale date(s) confirmed as the 27th for general tickets and the 24th for coach packages

 

[William of Walworth]

Good luck to anyone retrying!

24th April is a Thursday, 27th April a Sunday btw

 

[Part 2]

As I predicted...Warpaint added to the line up

 

[tbtommyb]

starting to get impatient now