'I stopped for tea and helped to build the Pyramid Stage'

Yahoo

2 days ago

A man who was driving through Somerset when he saw a Glastonbury Fair sign says he stopped in for a cup of tea, before ending up helping to build the Pyramid Stage.
Brian Johnson, who is now a WaterAid volunteer at the festival, was making his way from Cambridge to Cornwall with his then girlfriend in 1971 when he saw the sign nailed to a tree.
He said: "We thought it might be nice to stop for a cup of tea and a bun but we actually ended up helping to build the first Pyramid Stage."
He said they drove down to Worthy Farm and Michael Eavis' partner, Jean, gave the pair "a spanner and a pint of milk" and told them they might have something "useful" for them do.
The first Glastonbury Festival, which was known then as the Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival, took place in September 1970.
The following year, it was moved to June to coincide with the summer solstice and became known as Glastonbury Fair.
Mr Johnson told BBC Radio Somerset it was "really interesting" to be involved in the construction of the famous stage and said he "didn't know much" about festivals at the time.
Constructed from metal and plastic sheeting, the stage was deliberately placed on the Glastonbury-Stonehenge ley line (a network of lines which are said to connect sites with spiritual and cultural significance).
He added: "The idea of the Pyramid was that it concentrated cosmic energy into the performers, which I think is great and is part of what makes it such an iconic symbol now."
The WaterAid volunteer said it was at this festival he met David Bowie but only "caught the last bit" of his set as he "slept in".
David Bowie's first appearance at the Glastonbury Festival took place at about 5am on 23 June 1971.
Wateraid continues to be a huge part of Glastonbury Festival, having been a charity partner since 1994.
It supports water and sanitation services on site while spreading the message everyone deserves access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.
A set of polaroid film photos from this year's festival has revealed what it is like to work behind the scenes as a volunteer.
Liz Lace and Lucas Myers shared a sneak peak into their first shift on Wednesday handing out free water and cleaning toilets on site.
Ms Lace described the experience as "really fulfilling", allowing her to enjoy all the festival has to offer while simultaneously "doing something worthwhile".
This year marks Mr Myers' fourth time volunteering with the charity, working on the 'loo crew' to keep more than 3,000 toilets clean.
The 21-year-old described the team of volunteers as "one big family".
"Meeting other volunteers from all walks of life means every conversation back at the camp is unique, and have been some of my best times at the festival," he said.
"I really enjoyed taking the photos and capturing moments of volunteers enjoying themselves, rolling their sleeves up and spreading the important message of WaterAid's mission – that change starts with clean water and decent toilets."
Ms Lace acted as a 'water welcomer', helping festival-goers stay hydrated by filling up bottles for those passing through the gates and exploring the site.
The 60-year-old has been to every Glastonbury Festival since 1993 except one, following the birth of her daughter.
"My favourite thing about volunteering at the festival has been meeting all the lovely people. Everyone was so happy to chat and get involved," she said.
"This is my fourth time volunteering here and over the years I've made some firm, lifetime friends."
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