Bellas Bridge

[Pilton]

Bella’s Bridge

We went to Worthy Farm yesterday having been asked to take some photographs of the unveiling of a new Bridge that M E had commissioned in honor of Arabella Churchill.

Around 100 people attended, along with many photographers and a small BBC crew.

We hadn’t realized before today that Arabella’s involvement was so key to The Glastonbury Festival, well when we say key, we should say Paramount, along with M E as well as Andrew Kerr.

M E wanted to pay tribute to her, and so he had a beautiful little Bridge built on site near to the Circus field in her honor(some of you guys will walk over this Bridge next week ) and the way in which he, Andrew Kerr and her Nephew Jack Churchill spoke about her today really moved us.

The .Ceremony was followed by lunch which was lovely.

Thought you would like to see the pics from yesterday, M E spoke so passionately about her, So in Honor of her and The festival…. see below links and photographs’.

http://www.pilton.com/pilton/BellasBridge.htm

Also some footage of her

[mandypants]

She was indeed a remarkable and special woman From what I've read about her, she had an amazing life and did so much good, including starting her own childrens charity, as well as the fabulous work she did for the festival. I admire her very much

[Ricochet]

Thanks for that Pilton. What a great tribute to Bella.

Is Michael wearing the winning t shirt design I wonder?

[Paul ™]

Great tribute to a wonderful woman

[G1T]

So wish I'd known about that, I would have come down from Bristol.

Have been studying the history of the festival for a few years now, and have a huge amount of time for Bella's memory, she sounded like an amazing woman, and was responsible for so much of my early glasto fun through what she organised. Same for many other people too I guess,given she founded the kids field in 1981, still largely in its original location. The Children's World cafe is still round her fields to this day i understand, shall be paying them a visit or two this time.

Above all, will be paying a quiet visit to the bridge, and giving it a shout out too on Worthy FM.

[Elderflower]

Thanks for the photos and links to her interview.

Her spirit and passion for the festival was inspirational and her presence is still felt in the circus and theatre fields.

A bridge is a fitting tribute to her

[mandypants]

The Children's World cafe is still round her fields to this day i understand, shall be paying them a visit or two this time.

[Pilton]

So wish I'd known about that, I would have come down from Bristol.

Have been studying the history of the festival for a few years now, and have a huge amount of time for Bella's memory, she sounded like an amazing woman, and was responsible for so much of my early glasto fun through what she organised. Same for many other people too I guess,given she founded the kids field in 1981, still largely in its original location. The Children's World cafe is still round her fields to this day i understand, shall be paying them a visit or two this time.

Above all, will be paying a quiet visit to the bridge, and giving it a shout out too on Worthy FM.

[strudders]

Her Ashes will be spread next to the Bridge, which is fitting.

[paulo999]

Thanks for the pics Did you get any of the plaque, full on? I don't think it was there on Sunday, would love to read the words.

[Staberinde]

Thank you so much for starting this topic about Bella Ms Pilton.

Last year (or was it the year before) they had a ceremony at Glasto in Bella's memory in which I took part. We all held candle lit lanterns from the top of Glebeland marking a path down to the field east of Holts to what is now known as Bella's field. They had a parade of cabaret artists following our path ending up at a massive bonfire. The lanterns were then placed in a ring around the fire while a few performers and organisers who knew Bella made a few speeches.

I never knew her, but knew of her as the organiser of the none music entertainment side of the festival. As that's my favourite part of Glasto, I've always been a big fan of hers.

She will be missed and never forgotten. I'll have a 'moment' and think of her while standing on the bridge this year.

[Pilton]

Thanks for the pics Did you get any of the plaque, full on? I don't think it was there on Sunday, would love to read the words.

[scaryclaireyfairy]

Her Ashes will be spread next to the Bridge, which is fitting.

[Bloke down the pub]

The Bridge, Landscaping and Prayer Wheels looked magnificent . A fantastic memorial to one of the founders of the festival - Arabella Churchill

However, on Sunday night I was sickened to see some little Sh*t had graffited/ tagged all over the stone work in black aerosol paint. What a complete W@nker!

[scaryclaireyfairy]

hearing about the grafitti is far and away the worst thing i've heard about this year's festival. utterly f*cking disgusting.

having a minute by her bridge was one of the few plans i stuck to this year. it's lovely.

Edited July 2, 2010 by scaryclaireyfairy

[Nyika]

[budvar]

By far the nicest bridge on site. I made a point of stopping for a moment to reflect.

A fairly steep arch on the bridge mind so be interesting to see how easy it is to get across if it's Muddy. I'm sure Bella would be able to have a good laugh if people end up sliding all over it!

[stuie]

hearing about the grafitti is far and away the worst thing i've heard about this year's festival. utterly f*cking disgusting.

having a minute by her bridge was one of the few plans i stuck to this year. it's lovely.

[jameshunt]

I was in a pretty emotional state on Monday as we were dragging all our stuff off site anyway but when I saw the graffiti I was absolutely shocked. I remember thinking if I was Michael Eavis I would make every last person get off my land and never hold the festival again. What an insult to Bella and kick in the teeth for Michael, Emily and everyone else that made the weekend happen.

[5co77ie]

By far the nicest bridge on site. I made a point of stopping for a moment to reflect.

A fairly steep arch on the bridge mind so be interesting to see how easy it is to get across if it's Muddy. I'm sure Bella would be able to have a good laugh if people end up sliding all over it!

[budvar]

Or alternatively walking along the flat disabled access beside it.

[jameshunt]

The bridge has serious struts across the walkway to give purchase even in the wettest, muddiest years. You really think they weren't aware of the changeable conditions when designing it?

[rock n roll star]

Thank goodness you're not Michael Eavis. Fortunately he deals with setbacks rather than overreacting like a petulant child. No doubt it hurt that some twunt decided to vandalise the bridge, but it should be possible to clean it up again.

[jameshunt]

If i was Mr E and caught the little fu**ers i would stick a pitch fork up their arse :angry: :angry:

They should be able to sand blast it but that is not the point. Some people have no fu**ing respect.

[rock n roll star]

Agreed. But I wouldn't immediately kick the other 187,499 people off my land nor cancel the festival for the future either.