In defence of flags.

[Bernsville]

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums. Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.

I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons. If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me. Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying. Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.

Also I think the flags, inflatable throwing, and people sitting on shoulders, is one part that sets Glasto apart from other festivals and gives it that lighthearted sense of fun. It doesn't have that anger such as Reading, or the sterile commercialism of V.

I think that people who complain really need to lighten up. Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

[strolling wanderer]

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums. Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.

I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons. If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me. Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying. Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.

Also I think the flags, inflatable throwing, and people sitting on shoulders, is one part that sets Glasto apart from other festivals and gives it that lighthearted sense of fun. It doesn't have that anger such as Reading, or the sterile commercialism of V.

I think that people who complain really need to lighten up. Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

[Neville Street]

As somebody who has been fairly vehement in berating certain flags, I have sympathy with the OP here. We took a home made flag, not too big, and flew it around the site a few times. Our friends found it easy to find us, it got us chatting to some people in really random ways (the flag was a hand painted dog), and was generally "a good thing". We weren't hoping to be seen on TV, or trying to be zany, it was "our flag" and it definitely added to our overall experience in a small way. Not having it would not be the end of the world, but us having it wasn't the end of anybody elses world. The problem is the sheer volume in front of the main stages, and there is no simple way I can think of to restrict the numbers. One thing that had a definite effect is the sale on site of flags and poles.

Anyway, bit of an inconclusive ramble. We will take our flag again and fly it at camp. We may venture out with it too, but will see how the land lies. It is quite possible that the "anti" feeling is one of those forum factors more than an actual backlash.

Cheers, NS

[jameshunt]

...

I think that people who complain really need to lighten up. Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

[maninkilt]

I think that most people only have a problem with flags in the crowd during an actual set, lets be honest there is no way that your flag isn't going to block someones veiw and no way that you dont know this. I like to see flags, we look out for witty or funny ones (though there were not too many of those last year, and I really dont need to know what team you support), I think that the point of them being usefull as a rallying point for people is a valid one but look at some of the pictures of the pyramid stage this year, its becoming a flag festival with background music ( I know, a total exageration but trying to make a point).

I (and I think others) have absolutely no problems with flags except when bands are playing, as has been stated many times and illustrated with pics on other threads you cant just move, they are far too numerous. And to be honest why should people move? we are not talking about some one who is tall and has every right to thier spot in the crowd (different thread again) flags effectively take up or diminish the quality of numerous spots behind for something that you choose to do.

Hope you dont think I am haveing a go, you original post was sensible and well put.

I would say though that flags are not festy marmite, not just a matter of love or hate, me eating marmite dosent affect you.

[Staberinde]

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums.

[MEGABOWL]

The whole point is not bringing a flag. It's taking it to the front of the main stages.

[4AssedMonkey]

There were times last year when the "pit" in front of the Pyramid was so chock full of bloody flags that you literally could not see any of the stage. That means that the many thousands of people stood further back can't see what they came for due to the selfish ignorant actions of a much smaller segment of the crowd.

I agree that they work as a method of tracking people down in crowds, but you can't honestly tell me that the majority of the flag bearers in this situation have that as their motivation. They DO want to be noticed and DO think it makes them "a character" and DO think they'll be on TV. It actually makes them a sad, deluded, unoriginal, selfish scroat.

[Bernsville]

There have been some great points made here, some made more forcefully than others!

I do actually care whether people can see, as I would hate to think that I was blocking someones view, and spoiling their enjoyment, although I tend to stick to the edges of the areas as a personal preference.

An area for flag wavers is an idea, but then all those who are keen to be seen would only choose something else, huge inflatables, 10 ft hats, whatever.

I do think that with each festival the flags have become more and more prominent, and if does become a massive problem, then the popular consensus would be to ban

them. Perhaps there should be an annual referendum, like the one held this year? Wasn't it around 60/40 against banning them?

[4AssedMonkey]

Hmm. I'm not really comfortable with the idea of a ban. Telling people what they can and can't do is very New Labour thinking IMO "oh, a minor problem - pass some legislation". Doesn't solve anything and is very un-Glasto. Perhaps some sort of campaign around the main stages asking people to be more considerate? Coming from the organisers might carry some gravitas.

[ampersand]

Hmm. I'm not really comfortable with the idea of a ban. Telling people what they can and can't do is very New Labour thinking IMO "oh, a minor problem - pass some legislation". Doesn't solve anything and is very un-Glasto. Perhaps some sort of campaign around the main stages asking people to be more considerate? Coming from the organisers might carry some gravitas.

[HurrahBrother]

Let me re-phrase the problem.

It's not flags as such, it's not being able to see the bloody stage !

[rexclark]

From watching it on TV it's getting out of hand, it used to add to the atmosphere but now I can only imagine it causes an annoyance.

[guypjfreak]

for finding kids fine but only 1 in 20 or more of those flags bearers have kids the rest are kids waving there effing flag so they can say hey look thats me its those that need to be told

PUT THE FLAGS AWAY

[TheGreenDropsRule]

My wife got these joke rubber cows for christmas, with a flashing LED light inside. They're floursent pink and maybe about 20cm long. We're gonna tape a couple to 3-4 foot bamboo canes. When we need to find each other in a crowd, they can be held aloft and brought down once reunited, barely blocking anyones view anyway.

Have seen lots of similar things previous years, so I just can't see that sticking up a 15 foot high, two metre square flag through the whole of a performance can be excused by "It's to help people find me". Just a rubbish excuse.

[Howl]

I appreciate its annoying if you're trying to find someone in a massive crowd and flags are a handy way of getting around that. But also watching a band on your own at Glasto is not the end of the world. At worst you'll watch one band on your own and then be able to find your friends either at the edges or in the thinned out crowds inbetween acts or, at best get chatting to one of the many many friendly folk at the festival or have a golden oppourtunity to stroll around on your own for a few hours taking it all in by yourself.

Such an attitude of 'I MUST stand next to the people I know all festival' is akin to going to go from band to band you like on a strict timetable seeing nothing you don't already know about inbetween. In my opinion I poorer way to experience Glastonbury.

(I appreciate the original post mentioned children being on their own. That is of course a different matter altogether)

[Kyelo]

Hmm. I'm not really comfortable with the idea of a ban..."oh, a minor problem - pass some legislation". Doesn't solve anything

[grumpyhack]

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums. Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.

I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons. If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me. Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying. Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.

[denwyn]

There is a lot of anger about flags on these forums. Flag carriers are either labelled as either wanting to get noticed on TV or they are trying to zany and random.

I carry a flag at Glasto, and it's not for either of these reasons. If I get seperated from my kids, which happens in big crowds, it is the easiest way for them to quickly find me. Even 12 and 10 year olds find being seperated in a large crowd worrying. Mobile phones are useless in noisy environments.

Also I think the flags, inflatable throwing, and people sitting on shoulders, is one part that sets Glasto apart from other festivals and gives it that lighthearted sense of fun. It doesn't have that anger such as Reading, or the sterile commercialism of V.

I think that people who complain really need to lighten up. Having your view hindered is a pain, but you could just move yourself, with or without folding chair to a better vantage point.

[remote]

What I don't get is this - You get your flag and you go to the front with your mates/kids, they decide they want to leave you and you want to stay, some time passes and they want to come back. They see your flag but 9 times out of 10, it's a bitch to get back to the front of a stage after you've left, especially in the evening, so, unless they're lucky and/or barge their way past, it's going to be difficult for them to get back to you anyway. Regardless of if they can see where you are or not.

If I've ever wanted to watch more than one or two bands with all my mates, we tend to either stay together or move to the side/back where there's more space and it's easier to find each other. Much easier than lugging a bloody great big flag around.

[Bernsville]

YOU NEED A FLAG TO FIND YOUR KIDS !!!!!....maybe if you put the flag down and kept an eye on your kids it would be better

Very poor excuse to wave a flag,not a good idea to take your kids to front of stage areas

YOU JUST DON'T GET THE FLAG THING DO YOU...THEY ARE A BLOODY NUSANCE AT MAIN STAGES...KEEP THEM WITH YOUR TENT

[Staberinde]

Okaaaaay! Of course I look after my children. Occasionally though with a crowd surge separation happens, even on transit from stage to stage. If you bothered to read my other post you would have noticed that I stand to the edge of the music areas. Do I have my flag up all the time? No, bugger that, I'm far too lazy for that.

I think these forums are for light hearted discussion, and not for a full on mud slinging fest. This thread was designed for a bit of a debate on flags, I gave my reasons why I like them, and other members have rather eloquently put their views across as to why they don't like them. Flame me by all means, but try to inject some sort of civility or humour into it, rather than be a wanabee social worker who doesn't like flags at Glasto.

[The_Amazing_Oblong]

I have taken my son for years. First thing as a group we do when we get there is show them the meeting point (at the pyramid it's the one half way up by the ice cream van other side of the hedge from the Mandella bar) and arrange to meet there if we get seperated. Never had a problem and never needed a flag. It's just excuses really, flags are not needed or wanted at the stages. Nor are unmbrellas or Chairs. To bring any of those to the front of a stage is selfish pure and simple. I foresee vigilante action this year.

Get Flag, Throw Flag, Run. Nearly a band name in the making.

Edit - Although I have to confess flags bother me much less than those camouflaged stealth chairs that always hit me in the knax after dark. I do take a flag but it stays at base camp to mark the way home.

Edited March 29, 2010 by The_Amazing_Oblong

[Sabcully]

Flags anywhere would not be a problem if people looked after each other. It is a festival attended by thousands of people, which is what makes it special. Loads of folk come together and have fun relatively peacefully and it works but if all peeps just pleased themselves it would result in chaos. Trouble is that flags have become latest bloody fashion statement. Couple that with a shift of Glastonbury's demographics over the past few years and you get minority spoiling it for majority of people.

Can't wait till Pilton becomes unfashionable again....me hopes.

[strolling wanderer]

Get Flag, Throw Flag, Run. Nearly a band name in the making.