This_Fields_Good

I note that the two sites are only about 25 miles apart. Couldn't decide if this biased things a bit geographically, one way or the other : a) if you can do the travel to one, you can do the travel to the other; b) if you live quite local, it's a whole lot easier than having to make two long treks just a few weeks apart. But, that seems to have become less relevant, because... Clearly this strategy is working in the short term - I see that Shindig is now sold out on the Oxfam website. I wonder if there is now a possibility that priority access on 1st May may NOT guarantee the option of a Glastonbury place ?!?

Personally, I'd say it's rather early for that last ditch, grin-and-bear-it optimism; bit like giving up on getting a GA ticket before the Ticket Resale. Oxfam have been collecting all the returns since the main giveaway on 1st Feb, including anything after the Resale. In the next couple of weeks, probably announced upfront, they will release all those places; by my assessment, that will be certainly dozens, and probably quite a few more than that ! Then later last year they also had two smaller out-of-hours batches and loads of sporadic places here and there. All in all, I'd say that's got to be more than 100 spaces still to be filled. Does that make it a shoe-in to get one ? I'd say no, cos there will be 100s, if not 1000s of would-be volunteers keeping an eye out to try and snag them. Good luck, and nil desperandum, to those still in the game !

Based on that simplification, I make it 28.3% for the group of 6, or around one festival in four. Don't think I like those odds !

Sadly, I think you have some flawed logic here. Firstly, there are only around 135,000 GA tickets; the 200,000+ number includes all workers, support staff, their entourage, and all other persons on-site. And the 10% x 6 = 60% cannot work, otherwise a group of 12 would have 120% success, and even football pundits don't overegg the stats to that level ! Also, if the number of registration is, say, 2.5 million, the crude calculation does not work, because you could have an indefinite number of people trying to buy tickets based on a single (or small number) of registrations. e.g. I could have 200 people helping me and 5 mates get a single booking of 6 tickets. And that would massively skew our odds... ...now where do I find 194 honest altruistic helpers for next year's ticket day ? 😉 Don't all rush at once !

Now I'm no expert on bots, or modern (purported) techniques to game the ticket system, so please don't shoot me down for inaccuracies, but... My understanding of bots is of computer apps on networks, NOT people. And it is not so much an increase in browsers that is needed, but increased IP Addresses to improve your chances. And I do not think capacity has changed for some years. It is reported to be 135,000 (203,500 incl. workers) and has not increased since 2015, although I believe they have license to increase it by 5000 (maybe 7,500), but have chosen not to exercise that option.

Someone posted they got one a couple of weeks ago, but I'm not aware of anything else since the main 'giveaway' ! Last year they did a big resale drop in early May, and then sporadic one-offs or clusters thereafter, until close to the fest.

Different people have different outlooks and capabilities. And investing their time to help a charity in the ways you describe may have worked for you, but does not suit everybody. Yes I adapt my lifestyle wrt waste, energy, etc. but could not do some other things that you advocate. I could not now, nor could I ever have been a soldier, prison warder, psychiatric nurse, teacher or charity speaker. And then I have met other people who do those jobs and love it and find it rewarding. And given the recent discussion on RA's, the charity walk capability is a presumption. 😉 I am expecting to work Glastonbury this year, but in a recycling crew role where I do not have to be in the spotlight, nor try to influence people. And I would still do Loo Crew if that was an option.

I asked several Loo Crew people about the experience last year, and the most common descriptor was "gross", but the work was not grueling. I applied to WaterAid last year, and would have happily done Loo Crew to earn my ticket. However, I would absolutely not adapt my personality and lifestyle to ingratiate myself with the charity, to better my chances of being invited to 'clean up sh*t'. It's the classic investment/return equation, innit ? And as for 10 minutes of the smell ? Most of the site has that distinctive aroma from wednesday afternoon anyway !

If anyone on here does get an offer from WaterAid (non-campaigner), could they please hint at the standard of their credentials ? Cos it's starting to look as if Loo Crew is becoming tougher to qualify for than Law School !?! Might give some indication whether it's worth applying to them next year.

Sorry to hear that, but I can understand/empathise. Have you thought about still trying to get Oxfam Stewarding ? You say you're good with the shift requirements, but you'd be able to dodge all the aggro of transport and logistics. They might be a little tricky to catch, but I'm confident there WILL be loads of Glastonbury spots between resale and the festival itself. And the resale itself before that ! Nil desperandum.

Ah yes, the Lenor/Comfort bottles - For when you need to 'freshen some laundry' in a crowded festival field after 5 pints of cider... If the grapevine was accurate we harvested 20 wheelbarrows of 'refilled' drinks containers from the Pyramid field the morning after Elton. Perhaps that's why he's called Elton John ! 🎵 "...Well I guess that's why the call them the loos..." 🎵

Quite right - Currently 8 festivals available... ...but no Bearded or Glastonbury, natch !

Glastonbury aside, I've seen every festival come up... apart from Bearded Theory - presumably that's where the unicorns live. If recent record is anything to go by, expect batch release(s) after significant events (possibly announced on the Oxfam FB page), and then sporadic returns late on. It does seem to be what Oxfam has decided is fairest given the way their web page has been besieged !

I applied to WaterAid last year and did not get an offer from them, but by the time they told me all posts were filled, I'd got a job elsewhere. However, I applied just before the application deadline, and if I was trying with them this year, I'd get my application in ASAP ! Though they say they review the applications, I think they likely start making offers to suitable candidates before the deadline.

Interesting. Oxfam site has blanked everything. Wonder if there's gonna be something of a 'refresh' - I haven't seen a single Stewarding place anywhere all day...