Families will not be allowed in the notorious after-hours south-east corner after 10pm

[Bike_Like_A_Mum]

13 minutes ago, gigpusher said:

I think it's just the babies in strollers they want to discourage. In a very busy area where people are not usually in full control of themselves they just don't want a potential crowd issue that involve injuries to really young kids. 

Upvote, definitely needed 👍🏼

Edited March 3, 2023 by Bike_Like_A_Mum

[LowerMead]

We've got an 8yo kid, we take him to loads of festivals, his first was at End Of The Road as a 6 month old baby. 

These days we are one of those annoying couples with the big pull along garden trolley wagon with a waterproof cover and mattress inside for him to sleep on, loads of lights on the outside, so people can see it in the dark etc. I always take the view of 'try to be as least inconvenient for others as possible' as, pre-kid, I know what it is like to be caught in a massive buggy/wagon jam when you are trying to get around quickly. 

Our wagon is great for smaller festivals, where it can be seen, and people can see us. 

The South East Corner of it at Glastonbury with it, after dark? Not a chance.  It's too big/heavy/slow (especially in bad weather) and is just a massive contributor to the crowds and ball-ache that is getting around that part of the site at night. My wife doesn't actually like Glastonbury, she finds it too big/busy, so I do it as a solo mission with mates, but might be taking our son along this year. The one thing I'll be leaving at home is his wagon.  We'll just go back to our tent at a sensible hour - certainly before midnight - because he's 8 and needs his kip. The last thing I want to be doing is getting off my tits until 4am, when I'm responsible for a kid and most importantly, he's going to be awake at 7am and needing some attention. 

I'm not much of a fan of the SE corner anyway, it's just waaaaay too busy, so I give it a swerve most of the time anyway, but definitely would avoid it with our lad, so I think this is a reasonable policy, albeit one which doesn't really impact me.  

 

  

Edited March 3, 2023 by LowerMead

[shuttlep]

hasn't this always been the case. we had a 12 year old with us one year, were denied entry to the naughty corner on Saturday night , they said he had to be over 18

[Crazyfool01]

i swear there were some jobs going relating to this on the farm ... cant find the thread but @Dukeicon posted it so might be able to track it down .... a friend stewards the area and has done extra training this year 

[Hugh Jass II]

It's sad that they even need to say this really. Surely it's about people being responsible for themselves and their kids?

Mine are 5 and 3 and there's absolutely no way I'd be taking them to the SE Corner post headliners. It wouldn't be fair on them, us or any punters nearby who are trying to enjoy their nights.

[gigpusher]

1 minute ago, Hugh Jass II said:

It's sad that they even need to say this really. Surely it's about people being responsible for themselves and their kids?

Mine are 5 and 3 and there's absolutely no way I'd be taking them to the SE Corner post headliners. It wouldn't be fair on them, us or any punters nearby who are trying to enjoy their nights.

I find it a bit claustrophobic for me when it's really busy so I can only imagine how scary it is for a kid who is much smaller. I'd say if you want to take kids there to see it great go but just not at busy times. I have friends who take kids to the festival and one of the things they always say is that it's just a different but equally great experience with kids. 

Met up with my friend who will be taking her 4 year old daughter for the 2nd time this year and her and her husband usually take it in turns who gets a late night out. She said she tries not to get excited about the acts because she knows it will be dependent on whether her daughter wants to watch music or be at a play area. 

[BambooShanks]

Quote

'and will be encouraged to seek out child-friendly areas across the site such as the theatre and circus fields, and the campfire in the new Woodsies area.'

I read that as dissuading families with buggies / carts more than anything which makes sense given the conditions of the SEC and it's patrons after the headliners.

4 minutes ago, shuttlep said:

hasn't this always been the case. we had a 12 year old with us one year, were denied entry to the naughty corner on Saturday night , they said he had to be over 18

That seems fair with what the SEC is like at night.  it can be stressful enough navigating the place safely without losing your friends that adding a child into the mix just feels like a recipe for disaster that GFL would prefer to avoid.

 

[gfa]

1 hour ago, Nice hymer said:

I can't agree with the child services idea, imagine morality police at the festival, that could make for an interesting Sunday... In all my years attending, I don't ever recall a moment where I've seen a child 'at risk'. If I had, I would be compelled to step in or contact stewards, we've all got a duty to look out for each other.

Child Services on tower's with flashlights wasn't serious

given the barrier thing you go through to get in, surely would be very very easy to stop buggies getting in

a child just shouldn't be up at 2am after 12 hours of music really.

[Leyrulion]

38 minutes ago, Crazyfool01 said:

i swear there were some jobs going relating to this on the farm ... cant find the thread but @Dukeicon posted it so might be able to track it down .... a friend stewards the area and has done extra training this year 

Ahhh interesting, a friend who did stewarding their last year said their group isn't doing it again. Wonder if that's played a part.

[goonerben]

I hope that. as others have said, this is more aimed at the pushchair end of childhood!

Difficult to see how they can have this both ways - when you turn 13, you need your own (full price) ticket.  If that doesn't let you go to the SE Corner at night - why are people being asked to pay for the full experience if they can't have it?

Would make sense if people are screened on entry via the "night" entrance route - checking for people with wristbands vs 12's and under who get in free.  I can't imagine they'll be doing 18+ ID checks anywhere!

 

[Hugh Jass II]

41 minutes ago, gigpusher said:

 

Met up with my friend who will be taking her 4 year old daughter for the 2nd time this year and her and her husband usually take it in turns who gets a late night out. She said she tries not to get excited about the acts because she knows it will be dependent on whether her daughter wants to watch music or be at a play area. 

This is exactly why I'm not massively concerned with the lineup this year, I've accepted that daytimes will largely be spent in the Kids and T/C fields. I'll settle for a couple of decent acts to see at sub and headliner time.

[gfa]

5 minutes ago, goonerben said:

I hope that. as others have said, this is more aimed at the pushchair end of childhood!

Difficult to see how they can have this both ways - when you turn 13, you need your own (full price) ticket.  If that doesn't let you go to the SE Corner at night - why are people being asked to pay for the full experience if they can't have it?

Would make sense if people are screened on entry via the "night" entrance route - checking for people with wristbands vs 12's and under who get in free.  I can't imagine they'll be doing 18+ ID checks anywhere!

 

Good point re full experience. Boomtown does it too but they have kids tickets, not really a thing for 12-16 year olds at glasto its one price. I guess adults can't go in kidzfield or something but i doubt 12-16 year olds are too interested in that either

[Joshuwarr]

I'm sure the festival is a wonderful experience for children but seems sensible to expect people not to be taking their kids to the SE corner in the early hours. Its hard enough not to lose your friends let alone how mad it might be with small children. Also as a lot of the venues are club type venues I'm not sure what there really is for kids beyond a few visuals?

[MEGABOWL]

I was really baffled to see pushchairs with miserable, tired looking little kids in the SE Corner last year. Not surprised by this.

[Skip997]

Just now, MEGABOWL said:

I was really baffled to see pushchairs with miserable, tired looking little kids in the SE Corner last year. Not surprised by this.

Neither am I. Good move IMO

[Bike_Like_A_Mum]

Out of interest, did anyone find this an issue last year?

Like a previous poster said, I've never seen a child at risk of any harm and didn't see any in the SE corner... I think it's agreed that buggies and trollies are absolutely not appropriate in busy adult areas. But the statement 'kids should not be up at 2am' is completely unrelated and very bossy.

Not all families have been watching music for 12 hours straight, some might have been chilling in the green fields or already been back to the tent for 2 hour nap early evening, so if they're still having a little disco with the kids at 2am that's their prerogative, they're on holiday.

We're usually back at the tent by 11pm at other festivals when we've got the kids in tow but glasto is a bit different as there's still so much going on (which doesn't involve getting off your face and raving) so I'm going to go with flow and see what suits us. I'm open minded to finding a little tent and listening to a band with a chai tea or watching circus still in the early hours. I'll make the decision based on my children's needs, we're on holiday!!!

Might have to stay away from this thread, I agree with Emily's sentiment in the article but some comments are borderline judgey 

[Leyrulion]

1 hour ago, Bike_Like_A_Mum said:

Plenty of my friends are judging me for taking the kids to Glastonbury already full stop... they've never been of course

I try to explain to people that you could spend the whole weekend not seeing a single live act on the main stages and still have a great weekend. 

Green futures, craft field, KIDZ Field, Greenpeace, theatre, circus, cinema could keep a load of families entertained for 5 days. 

 

[danbailey80]

People actually push toddlers around the SE corner at midnight? WTF is wrong with people. As if a child wants that. Selfish twats. 

Teenagers fine. 

[Nice hymer]

11 minutes ago, goonerben said:

I hope that. as others have said, this is more aimed at the pushchair end of childhood!

Difficult to see how they can have this both ways - when you turn 13, you need your own (full price) ticket.  If that doesn't let you go to the SE Corner at night - why are people being asked to pay for the full experience if they can't have it?

Would make sense if people are screened on entry via the "night" entrance route - checking for people with wristbands vs 12's and under who get in free.  I can't imagine they'll be doing 18+ ID checks anywhere!

 

That would seem to be a sensible compromise.

Checking wristbands is an interesting one, if rolled out fully they could identify hundreds (if not thousands) of ticketless blaggers, as they're surely drawn to the SE Corner

[Bike_Like_A_Mum]

2 minutes ago, Leyrulion said:

I try to explain to people that you could spend the whole weekend not seeing a single live act on the main stages and still have a great weekend. 

Green futures, craft field, KIDZ Field, Greenpeace, theatre, circus, cinema could keep a load of families entertained for 5 days. 

 

Exactly that!!! I actually can't wait, love all the crafting and workshops and happy to spend more time in those areas 🥰 

[Crazyfool01]

1 minute ago, Nice hymer said:

That would seem to be a sensible compromise.

Checking wristbands is an interesting one, if rolled out fully they could identify hundreds (if not thousands) of ticketless blaggers, as they're surely drawn to the SE Corner

they do look at wristbands down there .... although not a check on everyone security certainly keep eyes open 

[gigpusher]

2 minutes ago, Hugh Jass II said:

This is exactly why I'm not massively concerned with the lineup this year, I've accepted that daytimes will largely be spent in the Kids and T/C fields. I'll settle for a couple of decent acts to see at sub and headliner time.

It's a chance to fall in love with the festival in a totally different way. Her daughter is so excited about it and that excitement is infectious. Her daughter was happy to see some acts but it's definitely an adjust your expectations and pick your battles. 

[Bike_Like_A_Mum]

4 minutes ago, gigpusher said:

but it's definitely an adjust your expectations and pick your battles. 

Churros for breakfast lunch and dinner 🤣🤣

Edited March 3, 2023 by Bike_Like_A_Mum

[gigpusher]

9 minutes ago, Bike_Like_A_Mum said:

Out of interest, did anyone find this an issue last year?

Like a previous poster said, I've never seen a child at risk of any harm and didn't see any in the SE corner... I think it's agreed that buggies and trollies are absolutely not appropriate in busy adult areas. But the statement 'kids should not be up at 2am' is completely unrelated and very bossy.

Not all families have been watching music for 12 hours straight, some might have been chilling in the green fields or already been back to the tent for 2 hour nap early evening, so if they're still having a little disco with the kids at 2am that's their prerogative, they're on holiday.

We're usually back at the tent by 11pm at other festivals when we've got the kids in tow but glasto is a bit different as there's still so much going on (which doesn't involve getting off your face and raving) so I'm going to go with flow and see what suits us. I'm open minded to finding a little tent and listening to a band with a chai tea or watching circus still in the early hours. I'll make the decision based on my children's needs, we're on holiday!!!

Might have to stay away from this thread, I agree with Emily's sentiment in the article but some comments are borderline judgey 

Your kids will have a great time and I don't think anyone would be judgey about kids who look like they are having a ball. I think the judgement is perhaps reserved for parents who want to behave as they did pre-kids and have kids who don't look happy to be out doing things in a place that can after headliner time feel dangerously crowded for an adult like me. there are lots of after hours fun places that are better for kids where they'll have room to dance and play. 

[Nice hymer]

4 minutes ago, Bike_Like_A_Mum said:

Out of interest, did anyone find this an issue last year?

Like a previous poster said, I've never seen a child at risk of any harm and didn't see any in the SE corner... I think it's agreed that buggies and trollies are absolutely not appropriate in busy adult areas. But the statement 'kids should not be up at 2am' is completely unrelated and very bossy.

Not all families have been watching music for 12 hours straight, some might have been chilling in the green fields or already been back to the tent for 2 hour nap early evening, so if they're still having a little disco with the kids at 2am that's their prerogative, they're on holiday.

We're usually back at the tent by 11pm at other festivals when we've got the kids in tow but glasto is a bit different as there's still so much going on (which doesn't involve getting off your face and raving) so I'm going to go with flow and see what suits us. I'm open minded to finding a little tent and listening to a band with a chai tea or watching circus still in the early hours. I'll make the decision based on my children's needs, we're on holiday!!!

Might have to stay away from this thread, I agree with Emily's sentiment in the article but some comments are borderline judgey 

We aim to be back at the van by 2-3.00am depending on whether we're going to Arcadia or watching something/getting food after the headliners (have always done it this way, even when kids were very young). Kids can sleep 3.00 - 11.00, so still getting 8hrs rest. Sleep deprivation is part of the experience after all.

Unlikely we'll hit site much before 3pm, so even at 2am it's not a crazy long day.

These days, the kids are pushing to go straight through until sunrise at the stone circle. I'd let them but Mum won't agree.

We all agree that every hour is precious and do try to make the most of it.

I think it sets a good example to the kids and they try to embrace it just as much as we do.

Being told to go visit the campfire would not go down well with my lot!