Stewarding for Oxfam, anyone here interested?
- Thread starter Sunray
- Start date
madzone
Physically unfavourable
I was thinking about it today as we drove home from Spanish.
I really don't know
It's a good base if you don't have a car - you can get to everywhere touristy either by bus or train. It's not a bad place but not as nice as St Ives for instance. What I'd do is stay in Pz in a nice but cheap B&B and travel out and about
And you could come and pat a lamb at my house
When I did it at Reading they forgot to mention that there would also be an unpaid 2 to 3 hours hanging around before an hours H&S lecture on the first day. Thats to add to the number of shifts you've already been allocated.
Also bear in mind theres always a few stewards who for whatever reason will be very late or not turn up at all to take over your shift, leaving you hanging around for many more hours possibly in the cold and rain.
And I may be wrong on this one but isn't Oxfam camping at Glasto in the same compound as the notorious SS (Stuart Security). Worth giving it a miss for that reason alone!
That said, its obviously something worth doing even if you can afford the ticket. Many more good points than the couple of bad ones I've mentioned.
Also bear in mind theres always a few stewards who for whatever reason will be very late or not turn up at all to take over your shift, leaving you hanging around for many more hours possibly in the cold and rain.
And I may be wrong on this one but isn't Oxfam camping at Glasto in the same compound as the notorious SS (Stuart Security). Worth giving it a miss for that reason alone!
That said, its obviously something worth doing even if you can afford the ticket. Many more good points than the couple of bad ones I've mentioned.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
When I did it at Reading they forgot to mention that there would also be an unpaid 2 to 3 hours hanging around before an hours H&S lecture on the first day. Thats to add to the number of shifts you've already been allocated.
Also bear in mind theres always a few stewards who for whatever reason will be very late or not turn up at all to take over your shift, leaving you hanging around for many more hours possibly in the cold and rain.
And I may be wrong on this one but isn't Oxfam camping at Glasto in the same compound as the notorious SS (Stuart Security). Worth giving it a miss for that reason alone!
That said, its obviously something worth doing even if you can afford the ticket. Many more good points than the couple of bad ones I've mentioned.
Unpaid? Your volunteering for a charity and you would be there a day early anyway so what else is there to do but sit about, esp at Reading.
Someone didn't show on my shift but the new supervisor sorted it out straight away.
For Glasto, Oxfam and Stuart Security are next door to each other, so close but no not the same. The Oxfam area has its own very clean loos, hot showers, marquee with big hot water urns and cheap bar and I forgot to mention a large 30 way plug block to charge your phone, which also makes an appearance at most of the other festivals they do.
I'll probably camp in the festival again as thats just a bit far to go at the end of the night.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
I expect that will be a chilled out affair given the target audience.
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
What were the shifts like at BD?last year was the first time they did BD, and it was interesting. nice little festival, but the catering was fucking awful (i still have most of my meal tickets, that's how bad it was) and i spent a hell of a lot on food as a resulti hope they've sorted it out for this year. they did have a nice bar backstage selling half decent cider, but by sunday night it was a lake of mud
Even though that'll be my hoilday for the year, I'm half tempted to steward to save a bit of cash.
zenie
>^^<
I preferred the work there to Glasto.
Stationed in tents so out the rain in the majority and got to watch loads of bands. The camping field was always spacious and generally mud free. Plus its easily the most expensive festival.
The meal tickets were accepted at Pieminster
If your coming can I blag a lift?
yeh it was a lovely atmosphere wasn't it.
If there's room and I drive course you can, but I do only have a mini
Is Beautiful Days an August one? Same problem for me as before with no holiday available in August. *sighs*
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
Sounds alright, not sure what it'll be like going with people who aren't stewarding though
Yep it is, can you still not take any leave in Aug?
zenie
>^^<
No, the majority of "volunteers" are paid with a free ticket to the festival and thats why they do it. If it was Sainsburys dishing out free tickets for stewarding they'd still work the shifts!
In my case (and many other stewards at Reading that year) it would've been helpful for Oxfam to have told everyone in advance what exact hours/work needed to be done to gain the free ticket. Instead they say its a strict shift pattern and nothing more which isn't normally the case. Yes, it would be slightly naive to thing everything runs like clockwork at a festival, but its also very unwise of Oxfam to be telling first timers this is the case, ultimately putting people on a downer before they even start the shifts, let alone doing it again in the future.
baldrick
hmmmmm
if it was sainsbury's i wouldn't be doing it. what an odd thing to say!
you're not paid, there's no expectation of being paid. aside from feeling a warm glow because you're raising money for charity, one of the bonuses is that in your time off you get to go and do and see stuff at the festival. it's not a free ticket, you're there to WORK.
zenie
>^^<
I think it's because people only use it to blag into festivals now cos the sceurity's so tight, whereas before those who volunteered generally cared about Oxfam. Your post kinda proves it
madzone
Physically unfavourable
I'd only be doing it for a free ticket
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
Me tooI'd only be doing it for a free ticket
Tis a bonus that cash is raised for charities, but mainly doing it for a ticket.
Thora
Differently Ethical
I'd only be doing it for a free ticket
Yeah, me too. I'm not that bothered by Oxfam tbh.
baldrick
hmmmmm
i think unless you're going to glasto, the expectation that you'd get to see more than few hours of the festival is bound to leave you disappointed.I'd only be doing it for a free ticket
madzone
Physically unfavourable
Nah, I'm fine with that. Spent a lot of my youth working gates and car parks. It's why I bought a ticket to glastonbury.
Thora
Differently Ethical
I feel like I saw more of Glade than I did of glasto.
I think it's because people only use it to blag into festivals now cos the sceurity's so tight, whereas before those who volunteered generally cared about Oxfam. Your post kinda proves it
Sorry I'm missing your point, because we were messed about that means we only volunteered to blag it in rather than having any care or thought for Oxfam??
Anyway, I was merely pointing out what perhaps Oxfam should point out in the first place, people are after all very kind to "volunteer" their time for them.
baldrick
hmmmmm
seeing as you used at least one of your shifts at Glade to catch up on sleep in a bid to recover from the night before, i would say that's entirely possible.
