A woman who moved to the village neighbouring the Glastonbury Festival having never heard of the event said she was "blown away" by it. Annette Smith moved to Pilton from Ireland with no knowledge of the festival. She said music festivals were not her scene, "with the alcohol and everything". "I used to walk my dog on the land every day, and then this festival turned up. I didn't have any clue, I never saw it before on television or anything," she said. "When I went down there the first time, I was blown away." Ms Smith said she "adores" Pilton and its residents. "We're a tight community, everyone knows what you've had for breakfast. We won't be eaten by wolves because we look after each other," she said. "Until you're in the festival, you don't understand how vastly big this is. The first year I was covered in blisters because all I did for the first one was walk around. "My thing is to go and people watch. People leave the norm behind and just want to relax and enjoy fun. We need more of these environments, the way the world is right now. "I think the music is only a small part of the Glastonbury experience." Fellow Pilton residents, Colin and Mel Lewis, moved to the village two years ago, on the week the festival was being held. Mr Lewis was born in Somerset and decided to move back after retirement. "We were quite prepared for it," he said. "We knew about it, we didn't know the extent of it. Until you see it and see how big it is. "We like music, but just the idea of the crowds. We have nothing against it, it's good for the village. "We fell asleep to Guns and Roses, because it was so hot that week we had the bedroom window open." "Once we got over the festival, it was nice and peaceful," he added. Follow BBC Somerset onFacebookandX. Send your story ideas to us on email or viaWhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
'I'd never heard of the Glastonbury Festival'
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"Local Residents Share Their Surprising Experiences at Glastonbury Festival"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Annette Smith, a newcomer to Pilton, the village adjacent to the renowned Glastonbury Festival, shared her surprise and delight upon experiencing the event for the first time. Having moved from Ireland without any prior knowledge of the festival, she described herself as someone who generally does not engage with music festivals due to their associated culture of alcohol and crowds. However, her perspective shifted dramatically when she attended the festival, stating, "I was blown away" by the scale and atmosphere of the event. Smith noted that she often walked her dog on the festival grounds daily, completely unaware of the spectacle that was to unfold. The sense of community in Pilton was also highlighted, as she expressed her admiration for the tight-knit relationships among residents, who support each other in a way that makes them feel secure and connected. She emphasized that the festival experience is more than just the music, as it creates an environment where people can relax and enjoy themselves away from the norms of daily life.
Colin and Mel Lewis, who moved to Pilton two years ago during the festival week, also reflected on their experience. Mr. Lewis, a native of Somerset, returned to the area after retirement and was aware of the festival's existence, though they were unprepared for its sheer scale. He remarked on the crowds and the vibrant atmosphere, stating that while they enjoy music, the overwhelming presence of attendees was something to adjust to. They recounted falling asleep to the sounds of Guns N' Roses during the festival due to the warm weather and open windows. Despite the initial chaos of the festival, Mr. Lewis mentioned that post-festival life returned to a peaceful normalcy, appreciating the balance that the event brings to the village. Both couples represent a unique perspective on the Glastonbury Festival, showcasing how it can surprise and engage even those who come from outside its traditional fan base.
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