Free Glasto tickets for a bit of work

Badger_Lady

Well I got back from my work-weekend today! Slightly got the short straw - I was on the night shift last night (11pm-7am) :eek:

The work is fine - if you're diligent you can actually get a lot of satisfaction from projecting a professional aura and reassuring / helping the public. Time can go very quickly, and at a festival like Glasto 3 shifts doesn't eat that much time away from being on site (I still spent time in every field and saw every band I intended to bar one that I missed due to work).

The campsite and parking were very convenient, and there were showers (although by the weekend these were neither fun nor even warm). The toilets were only as good as you get on site, and the canteen was very poor for vegetarians (omnivores didn't exactly give rave reviews either).

The regime is quite militant - it has to be due to the numbers involved and the brief (read: non-existant) training provided to new Stewards. A minority of Managers / Supervisors took this to the extreme and acted like bullies on shift, completely ruining the experience. The work also attracted some quite unpleasant people, who were there for the "joy of beating up hippies" on the perimeter. I can't say I felt comfortable harbouring that knowledge.

There was also a sense of rejection from the full-time staff who saw us Stewards as "workshy students". Having now done the festival, this reputation isn't entirely unfair - most stewards were lazy and I felt quite put-out to be paired up with someone who'd crouch against the fence picking his nose and reading a book while I was watching for traffic and giving people directions... :mad:

But I also got on well with a lot of Managers, and was praised for doing my job well - it was pointed out that I was the only person on my night shift to remain diligently at my post all night (bar scheduled breaks)! And you can't deny the cash rewards...

So, overall, I would consider doing it this way again. But I'd take my camping stove and my own food, and I'd make it clear that I know what I'm doing and won't stand for thugs or bullies (I have a full-time job, I don't have to put up with that shi'p).

Anyone else have a different review?

mrwurzal

As a long dream of mine to go to Glasto...

I thought this is a great way of going and getting paid for it!!

Can someone tell me which company would be the best one to go for??

ALSO

Do you have to find your own transport to the festival??

I am nervous about doing this but what an experience it would be!!

Please advise folks!!

Dan

Badger_Lady

Hia Wurzal,

I can personally recommend this company: http://www.stuartsecurity.co.uk/2009_jobs_at_glastonbury.html

You get paid for your shifts, secure camping with food and showers on-site and parking nearby... however you are expected to work diligently when on duty, it's a professional security company so they can be quite militant. As long as you do a good job, it's very rewarding and you spend more time off-duty than on!

You do have to find your own way to the site - they will provide driving / public transport directions and it's not far to the nearest train station - on the way back kind colleagues can give you a lift back

mrwurzal

I was thinking of going with stuartsecurity as they are only based in Dursley...

I am in chepstow so glasto aint that far away and a ride on the train would be easy enough to get there...

I will see if my brother in law also wants to come then i will get my form in!!

I am quite excited now!!!

Just need to also check on dates to book off from work then away i go, once accepted of course!

Badger_Lady

Yeah - you will need a full week, from the Tuesday until the following Monday (last year I did a nightshift on Sunday night; you would not want to go straight back to work after that! :eek:)

mrwurzal

Well that wouldnt be all that bad as I work nights anyways!!!

I would be more than happy to do all nightshifts and enjoy the fun during the day!!

Who needs sleep!!! lol

Fingers crossed i will be able to get the time off work!!!

Then... I will join ya!!

Happy Days!

mo786uk

I am thinking of doing the paid bit with StuartSecurity

Do you work in pairs? If you go with a mate will you be together?

Is there a decent bed to sleep in with decent security for your clothing/food?

How much flexibility do they give you WRT to shifts? I don't mind missing BLUR but I wouldn't mind seeing Springsteen and Neil Young!

A good way to meet people?

How do the different companies that you work for differ in the types of jobs you get?

Badger_Lady

You can choose to work the same shift pattern as your mate, but you won't necessarily be working in the same place all the time - you might get split up during the shift.

You take your own tent / bed, but yes there's very strong security on the camping field, with stewards on duty guarding staff tents 24 hours.

You can't choose your shifts - you'll be allocated a pattern of one am (7am-3pm-ish), one pm (3pm-11pm-ish) and one night (11pm-7am-ish). If you're really keen to see someone you might be able to swap but remember that everyone's keen to see the bands! And we still need as many staff during those popular times. Because those shifts are spread out from Wednesday to Sunday, you do get a lot of relative time off.

Work with Oxfam etc is generally more relaxed but very similar in duties and usually unpaid. It also seems to be more difficult to get into.

mo786uk

do you leave your bags in the tents when you are not there? is it safe enough?

did you take much of your own food or is there enough there to buy?

what kind of food did you get fro mthe company?

Badger_Lady

Yeah, you really are safe enough to leave stuff. If you're really worried, you can lock it in the boot of the car, which is parked in the staff carpark next door.

They provide hot meals at £2-odd a throw, all-you-can-eat stylee. As a veggie I am most unimpressed and avoid, but a lot of the meat-eaters appreciate a big hot meal after a shift.

Don't forget, you get hot showers on the camp as well.

If you're really this nervous / picky about the work, don't bother - it's for people who are happy to get stuck in and reap the benefits!