The Energy 24 bar at 1.30am this morning illustrated that Glastonbury is in full swing. Huge speakers pumping out a relentless bass line satisfied a crowd of ravers who sat, danced or generally "chilled out" to the sounds pounding from the sound system.
Meanwhile thousands of tent-carrying pedestrians continuedto arrive with Hailey and Jess, both 21 and from Suffolk looking forward to the three-day break. "I've come for ages - last year's mud hasn't put me off - I'll just enjoy the sun even more this time round" says Hailey, an assistant in a nursing home in Ipswich.
In the centre of a vast field full of tents Stephanie and Judith are holding the fort at a Camp Information stall. "We get a free ticket and in return we report problems over our walkie-talkie to the HQ - things like people stealing or acting suspiciously" says Judith who has had to report a number of people to the police.
Inspector Reed of Glastonbury constabulary emphasizes that crime is still an unfortunate side-effect to the festival. "We've had 200 thefts from tents so far - that's an increase on last year. What we're urging people to do is use the lockups for valuable gear. One bloke we dealt with had been asleep in his tent with a bumbag round his waist - they managed to cut the tent and get hs money without waking him up" explains Reed. "People tend to sleep very soundly round here" Reed says, tapping his nose.
Up by the Green Futures field 51-year-old New-Yorker Chris Siporis reminisces with chums about the Woodstock Festival of 1969. "Of course I was there man, I snorted coke with Jefferson airplane". When asked to compare Europe's biggest festival with his flower-power days he's in no question which was better. "There was no problem with security then - nothing, nada. This is much more commercial - there's more stuff you can buy. Woodstock was more nature, more tripping out" he says staring wistfully into the fire being shared by a group of haggered festival devotees.
Siporis may be disillusoned but the night time trade in 'jumping the fence' continues unabated. A young woman called Claire has been trying unsuccessfully to barter down a trader - they finally agree on twenty pounds. Claire is ushered behind a white Ford Transit where five Bristol men administer the conterfeit UV-reactant stamp. Claire joins the queue and crosses her fingers, upon arrival at the impressive Gate Number 2 a hefty security guard holds her arm under the security light - he gives her the nod and she is through. Elated she makes her way to the dance tent to meet friends "I'm in, I'm in" she sings as she skips off up a dusty track.
Welcome to Glastonbury 99.
Dates: 25 - 27 June
Ticket info: 0906 708 0808
Website: www.glastonbury-festival.co.uk
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