This is totally off topic, but rather a neat initiative. Basically people volunteer to work at festivals and their 'wages' go to the charity recruiting them, in this case ACTSA (formerly anti-apartheid movement). If you are interested in the following, please reply to John Nelson directly at johnnelson48@yahoo.co.uk; I've pasted his email below:
I have now received information from Workers Beer Company about their events for 2011, which I will list below. I have to apply by 20th March for the number of places I think we can fill for each event, based on volunteers offering, so it would be really helpful to hear from those interested by Friday, 18th March. We will be told our allocations of places a bit later, and I will then try to match these as fairly as possible to the names of those who have offered. For Glastonbury in particular there are always hugely more volunteers than places, so preference is given to those who have done other things for ACTSA (including other WBC events) and to those who haven't been before.
For those new to ACTSA Scotland mailings who have no idea what any of this is about, it is a means of fundraising for our Book Appeal in particular through supplying volunteer bar staff for music festivals. Workers Beer Company is owned by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council and tenders for contracts to supply bar staff at large events. Volunteers are unpaid, and the organisation recruiting them (ie us in this case) is given £6.50 for each hour worked. In return, volunteers have free admission to the event - working a six to eight hour shift each day and free for the rest of the time, have free camping space on a dedicated campsite (but supplying their own tent) with pretty decent shower facilities and catering, receive meal vouchers, and get two drinks at the end of each shift. Transport is provided from London, and for Glastonbury only there is usually a bus from Glasgow. These WBC buses are free, but otherwise volunteers need to arrange and fund their own transport.
I would be glad to supply more information on request. Once people have said at this stage that they will be available for an event it is really important to let me know at the earliest possible opportunity if anything comes up that will prevent them going.
Volunteers must, of course, be aged over 18.
Best wishes.
John Nelson (ACTSA Scotland)
Events:
Glastonbury 22nd - 26th June. Arrival on site by Tues. 21st June.
Hop Farm 1st - 3rd July. Arrival on site by Thurs. 30th June
Latitude 14th - 17th July Arrival on site by Wed. 13th July
Leeds and Reading Festivals Both 25th - 28th August. Arrival on site by Wed. 24th August.
Departure is usually on the Monday mornings following the last day.
Proms in the Park at Hyde Park, Uprise and the Tolpuddle Rally only need small numbers, and are usually confined to local groups.
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