Nazis in Training/Recycled Material

Last weekend I went to Glastonbury. For some reason it reminded me of World War Two. Maybe it was the endless queues for banks echoing the super-inflation of the Weimar Republic. Maybe it was the segregated waiting area at the train station or the uniformed officials ushering us along walkways. Maybe it was the endless fields of mud and the scorched earth of the last day as the revellers retreated. Or maybe it was the specially timetabled trains which took us to a walled site in the middle of nowhere. Who knows?

Despite the World War Two parallels, it was a great festival and I fulfilled a lifelong ambition to see Kevin Eldon live (as the poet Paul Hamilton). I was, along with my girlfriend and Dad, part of the site-wide crew (the recycling crew to be precise). And, as a party cadre, we enjoyed the benefits of two meals a day, a private campsite, backstage access and a free ticket. In return all we had to do was a daily 6hr shift of back-breaking labour starting at 6am (I know what you’re thinking, forced labour camps...). During our litter picking duties we found a total of £24.65 (consisting of a £20 note, two £2 coins, two 20p coins, one 10p coin and three 5p coins). Considering the three of us did 24hrs work in total, we made approximately 35p each per hour. That means scavenging a field at Glastonbury Festival is more economically rewarding than playing online poker (Pete and I make around 3p a day if we’re lucky) or working in a sweat-shop in Indonesia. I know which one I’d choose. Pass me that Nike trainer…

Dan

PS: I only wrote this blog so I could use the pun 'Nazis in Training'.