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Forecast of Glastonbury washout proves premature Forecast of Glastonbury washout proves premature
(4 days later)
Forecasts of a Glastonbury washout proved premature on Friday when the sun broke through ominous-looking black clouds as the festival got into full swing.Forecasts of a Glastonbury washout proved premature on Friday when the sun broke through ominous-looking black clouds as the festival got into full swing.
Armed with wellies, waterproof ponchos and sunscreen, the 177,000 punters at Worthy Farm in Somerset were prepared for all conditions over the weekend.Armed with wellies, waterproof ponchos and sunscreen, the 177,000 punters at Worthy Farm in Somerset were prepared for all conditions over the weekend.
Early downpours, which turned the ground to mud, gave way to soaring temperatures and sunshine on Friday. Yet an electrical storm hit the grounds in the late afternoon, causing a festival-wide blackout, with several stages including the Pyramid temporarily shut down.Early downpours, which turned the ground to mud, gave way to soaring temperatures and sunshine on Friday. Yet an electrical storm hit the grounds in the late afternoon, causing a festival-wide blackout, with several stages including the Pyramid temporarily shut down.
Rudimental's set on the main stage was cut short at about 5:30pm. Messages broadcast on screens said a number of stages were "powering down" due to the burst of rain, hail, lightning and thunder.Rudimental's set on the main stage was cut short at about 5:30pm. Messages broadcast on screens said a number of stages were "powering down" due to the burst of rain, hail, lightning and thunder.
Rudimental later tweeted: "Thanks for an amazing experience #glasto unfortunately lightning struck the stage and we were forced to finish our set early."Rudimental later tweeted: "Thanks for an amazing experience #glasto unfortunately lightning struck the stage and we were forced to finish our set early."
Some bands were determined to play on, with Carousels and Limousines, who were playing at the Avalon cafe, playing an acoustic set once the power went out. The music resumed at about 7pm, with Lily Allen taking to the Pyramid stage half an hour later than planned.Some bands were determined to play on, with Carousels and Limousines, who were playing at the Avalon cafe, playing an acoustic set once the power went out. The music resumed at about 7pm, with Lily Allen taking to the Pyramid stage half an hour later than planned.
Early estimates indicate that about half an inch of rain fell on the festival site in less than an hour, turning Worthy Farm's 11,000 acres into a sea of mud. Forecasters are predicting the worst weather may be yet to come, with heavy showers and even some thunder expected on Saturday. Early estimates indicate that about half an inch of rain fell on the festival site in less than an hour, turning Worthy Farm's 9,000 acres into a sea of mud. Forecasters are predicting the worst weather may be yet to come, with heavy showers and even some thunder expected on Saturday.
Festival-goers appeared to embrace the 11,000-acre squelching mudbath as part of the event. "This is my first time at Glastonbury and everyone knows the rain and the mud is all part of the experience. You just have to embrace it," said Nick Peters, 42. "Saying that, I have heard that some people have already abandoned their tents. So yes, I think part of the Glastonbury mission statement is everyone should be rolling in the mud." Festival-goers appeared to embrace the squelching mudbath as part of the event. "This is my first time at Glastonbury and everyone knows the rain and the mud is all part of the experience. You just have to embrace it," said Nick Peters, 42. "Saying that, I have heard that some people have already abandoned their tents. So yes, I think part of the Glastonbury mission statement is everyone should be rolling in the mud."
Glenn George, 64, from Nottingham, reckoned he had sold hundreds of waterproof ponchos. "As soon as it starts to rain, they crowd around the stall and go mad for it," said George, who has made the annual trip to Worthy Farm for 25 years.Glenn George, 64, from Nottingham, reckoned he had sold hundreds of waterproof ponchos. "As soon as it starts to rain, they crowd around the stall and go mad for it," said George, who has made the annual trip to Worthy Farm for 25 years.
Festival organiser Michael Eavis offered reassurance. "I'm sorry about the rain, but it's going to get better," he told the Left Field tent during a tribute to Tony Benn. "Sunday is going to be a fantastically sunny day but it seems like a long way away."Festival organiser Michael Eavis offered reassurance. "I'm sorry about the rain, but it's going to get better," he told the Left Field tent during a tribute to Tony Benn. "Sunday is going to be a fantastically sunny day but it seems like a long way away."
Eavis announced he had renamed the 21-metre Left Field tower after the politician and anti-war campaigner, who died in March, calling it "the Benn Tower of Strength".Eavis announced he had renamed the 21-metre Left Field tower after the politician and anti-war campaigner, who died in March, calling it "the Benn Tower of Strength".
Underneath a poster bearing Benn's image with the words "He encouraged us", Billy Bragg led 100 or so people through an a capella rendition of Jerusalem.Underneath a poster bearing Benn's image with the words "He encouraged us", Billy Bragg led 100 or so people through an a capella rendition of Jerusalem.
A lifelong fan of Benn, Gerry Moore, 58, from Dorset, was among those in the crowd. "I'm a person of the 70s, 80s when I suppose it felt there was a radical movement around," she said outside, enjoying a rare break in the downpours. "There's a lot of talk about Glastonbury sort of losing its soul. It's become a huge event, it's so good to see there's still a place for the real principles that Glastonbury was founded on," he said.A lifelong fan of Benn, Gerry Moore, 58, from Dorset, was among those in the crowd. "I'm a person of the 70s, 80s when I suppose it felt there was a radical movement around," she said outside, enjoying a rare break in the downpours. "There's a lot of talk about Glastonbury sort of losing its soul. It's become a huge event, it's so good to see there's still a place for the real principles that Glastonbury was founded on," he said.
• This article was amended on 1 July 2014 to correct the size of the festival site. It is about 900 acres, not 11,000.