Meeting up on the way!

[bdize]

So this is my first Glastonbury and i'm going alone! I have "met" several people who are also going solo and would like to meet on the journey down so we can arrive together. So....

is meeting at the services a good idea? I have been warned about doing this as a risk of theft/ unwelcome police attention .

if not the services where? I would like somewhere public as we are all meeting for the first time.

thanks for any ideas

[ukslim]

Is the plan to consolidate into fewer cars?

If not, I wouldn't really bother. Meet inside the gates when you get there. At least then any standing around waiting you do will be in an interesting place. Like the Cider Bus

[LusciousLucy]

Well first of all...you cant all be driving past the same services unless you pick one ridiculously close to the site unless of course everyone you have 'met' are all coming down via the M5 surely?

Erm...a strange question tbh. Usually meets in Efestland happen ON site or at least in a field or camping together before the festival.

If you gave more info as to which direction you are all coming from that may help with better suggestions coming your way that way folk can suggest the best or better service stations they know of.

I cant really talk/suggest much as our route is a cross country one via Salisbury and services are never encountered!

Dont know what sort of Glastonbury related theft you might encounter at a service station though and police attention will be higher at places like Paddington and Reading Station for foot passengers (there are sniffer dogs there). Cant say I have ever heard of there being dogs at Fleet, Cherwell Valley and every other service station on route.

[ukslim]

I've heard people complaining about police presence at motorway services in previous years. I've never noticed it myself, although since I wouldn't have been doing anything illegal I guess I wouldn't have been looking.

I must say that putting sniffer dogs at Reading train station disgusts me. It seems like a cynical move by the police force in that area to boost their figures without doing actually targeting any real criminals.

[bdize]

Sorry if I was a little vague but first post!!

to clarify a bit more:

we are all travelling on the m5! midlands and west Wales and will probably be staying in our own cars.

I was told there were sniffer dogs at the closest 2 services on M5.

theft was in regard to money/tickets but does seem a bit unlikely to me too.

hmmm It seems i have been fed some scare stories that are untrue

[LusciousLucy]

The M5 services and police presence could def be a possibility but as for ticket and money theft...unless there is a gang of Fagin's urchins going around pickpocketing...I highly doubt you are going to get done over for your ticket.

Leaving your wallet in full show in the car whilst you go and buy a Burger King is obviously asking for trouble and the same goes for your tent once you get to the G.

As for needing to avoid the police...is there any reason WHY you would want to be avoiding the police???

If you all turn off the M5 together at the Bridgewater exit which I believe is roughly where you would be coming off anyway to head to the G, there is a bloody great Asda there just as you get into the town after the motorway exit and you could safely meet in the car park and then all head into Somerset together.

Dont take my advice as definite for the exit info but my National Express coach stopped there (Bridgewater - I was on my way to Exeter at the time) last year and I could see the Tor off in the east as we came off the motorway and noticed the signs to Glastonbury Town. I know there is a Glastonbury Town bus service that goes from BW anyway.