Getting The Train & Working

[fezzyeads]

Me and my partner have been accepted to work at the festival this year. Which means we can get access to the site from Monday onwards. Neither of us drive and previous year we have NX it down to the festival.

Last year it took 17 hours to get to the site from Liverpool. 13 of them just from Brum to Glasto alone.

Obviously we lost a day as did everybody else, as we are working we can't afford to take that risk this year as our first shift is 6am Thursday.

I just need to know if there are bus services Glasto put on before the festival starts, ie; Monday/Tuesday for workers.

Also what are the train journeys down and back home like, can you get a seat on the way home etc, and how long does the transfer from the festival site take back to the train station on the Monday,

Any info greatly appreciated.

[paulo999]

Me and my partner have been accepted to work at the festival this year. Which means we can get access to the site from Monday onwards. Neither of us drive and previous year we have NX it down to the festival.

Last year it took 17 hours to get to the site from Liverpool. 13 of them just from Brum to Glasto alone.

Obviously we lost a day as did everybody else, as we are working we can't afford to take that risk this year as our first shift is 6am Thursday.

I just need to know if there are bus services Glasto put on before the festival starts, ie; Monday/Tuesday for workers.

Also what are the train journeys down and back home like, can you get a seat on the way home etc, and how long does the transfer from the festival site take back to the train station on the Monday,

Any info greatly appreciated.

[fezzyeads]

In 2008 there was a free coach provided by the festival running on Tuesday.

In 2009 it was even better, from the Saturday to Tuesday, a free bio diesel bus provided by Greenpeace, for any festival workers to use.

If you're allowed on from Monday, I'd recommend going then if you can. The site already has a nice buzz about it by then. Maybe 5-10k on site, some food places open, and some hidden crew bars that aren't too fussy about what pass you have.

Tuesday night is even better. It's a last hurrah before the show starts, so it's a big - albeit very spread out - party

In previous years the site has - I'm told - gone into 'lockdown' at 10pm. Not sure what the time will be this year, but I'd recommend being there a good hour or two before the punters start arriving in the car parks (9pm).

If you can drag yourself out of bed on Wednesday morning, go up the hill above the Park. Seeing the site fill is incredible. It's like watching an invasion.

The last time I left on Monday was 2007 - left it until 3pm ish and it was fine. Lots of space on our festy-special back to Paddington. Used first class for no extra charge.

If you can stay until Tuesday, there's obviously no problem getting train seats, and the tickets are so much cheaper that it easily covers the taxi fare up to the station - although the Greenpeace bus might still be running. And it's not too difficult to hitch a lift on site to Red Gate, which saves a walk.

(I was camped by the farm house, so I got my taxi to pick me up from where I was pitched... Luxury exit, earning me some light hearted abuse from fellow crew Whisked from a sweltering Worthy Farm by air conditioned Audi... I was very happy not be keeping it real that day. )

[fezzyeads]

Does anyone know how much roughly a taxi from Castle Cary to the festival is please?

[glasto-worker]

I also work at Glasto and will be arriving Tuesday but the WBC puts on coaches so there is no hassle getting in .

Having driven down in previous years I know that all the paperwork is vital { with a contact number for someone who you know will already be on the site just in case there is any hiccups }

make certain you know which gate you will be expected at - yes I know it sounds daft but I know that in the past WBC staff have shown up at some weird entry points expecting to get in .

it is fun getting there early as there is always something to do.

good luck.

[mandypants]

I'm staying in Pilton the night before so it would be really great if I could get dropped off nearby from Castle Cary. If not, the price of a taxi would be useful for me too if anyone knows.

[paulo999]

Taxi from CC is about £15 ish.

Because arrangements seem to change each year, go along with all options in mind....

Firstly, find another solo festy person whilst you are on the train, and ask them if they want to share a taxi if there isn't a bus. People will almost always be up for that.

When you get to CC, if there's no bus option, grab the first taxi you see. They soon disappear. If that happens, go through the numbers on the board on the platform. You might have to wait awhile for one to do a drop and then come back.

But the chances are there *will* be a bus running.

If Greenpeace is doing theirs again, you could probably get on that. They did it to reduce car traffic, so you might find they'd be happy to take you even if you're not a worker. Last year they were actively canvassing on the train platform to get passengers (much to the chagrin of the local taxi drivers).

If it's a bus provided by the festival, there's still a reasonable chance of getting on that with some mild fibbing.

With the buses, it'll mean walking back up from Red gate, but saves money.

Note that if you do take the bus option, you might need to get your host to come and meet you somewhere on the main road through Pilton (Stewards & security will be in the village, being vigilant for randoms, esp. wandering into the residential streets.)

[mandypants]

Just remembered I asked this question, thanks for the response, £15 isn't bad, although the bus would be preferable if I can sweet talk them into dropping me off in the village.