Behind the Scenes at Glastonbury

As festival-goers bask in the summer sunshine whilst listening to their favourite bands and enjoying a cold beer, perhaps they should spare a thought for the squadron of workers, paid and voluntary, who make it all possible.

177,500 people attended Glastonbury this summer, covering more than 1,000 acres of ground. In order to maintain an enjoyable atmosphere and the efficient running of the festival, a vast number of staff were enlisted to ensure the success of this festival on its 40th anniversary.

These behind-the-scene workers perform a wide variety of tasks, from toilet cleaning to the provision of first aid. The former is a thankless job, as anyone who has attended a music festival will understand. Starting their working day at 8am and clocking off at 8pm, these courageous cleaners make their way around the 4,700 toilets situated across the site armed with little more than a mop and bucket.

The ubiquitous cleaning operations of the festival continue into the camp-site and arena areas, and are performed on a daily basis in an attempt to keep on top of the ever increasing amount of waste. Adhering to the "Love the Farm, Leave no Trace" policy of festival organiser Michael Eavis, the battalion of litter pickers start their day at 6am; not long after the majority of the crowds decide to call it a night.

In addition to the cleaning crews, first aid teams also patrol the site responding to any medical mishaps. Carrying kit with them, the rapid response medics attend any incidents on foot, a far more effective method of transport in comparison with numerous ambulances weaving through tents. This system, new this year, proved to be a success, with teams of voluntary first aiders attending to campers suffering minor injuries and illnesses without the need for ambulance call-outs.

So far we have mentioned the ground troops who are on hand to provide assistance and maintain pleasant living conditions throughout the site. Their contribution is invaluable in the successful organisation and execution of the festival weekend.

However, perhaps the most significant contribution comes from those who provide power to the festival, enabling the operation of the audio and visual elements of the event which includes the single most important aspect of the festival; the music. In addition to this, the 230 generators in operation at Glastonbury powered everything from market areas, broadcasting centres, medical centres, police compounds and VIP areas.