Hi everyone, me and my mate have been accepted as CATs at Reading, it'll be our third Reading and our first volunteering, so we're super excited.
I was wondering a few things:
- Where is the staff campsite located at Reading? I presume it's near the Arena, but I don't remember seeing it on the maps last year.
- Is it true that we can arrive from Tuesday?
- Is it likely we'll be able to work together? We met two guys volunteering last year who had applied together and were teamed up on duty, which is sort of how we hoped we'd end up!
- And finally do CATs get a say in which campsite they work?
Thanks for any replies. I have been scouring other threads, but I couldn't find any of these answers. Looking forward to meeting you all in 135 days time!
A couple of Reading queries!
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- Last Post 12 April 2009
Hey hey....welcome to Reading Cats :D
The campsite wasn't mentioned on the map, but we were located on the western side of the NME tent, bellow Yellow campsite and just right of orange. Its all secure with secuirty guarding the entrances to the area.
Yes we can arrive on tuesday still i think. Belive it was around midday we could arrive.
If you both get there early enough, there is no reason why you and your mate won't get the same shifts, so no worries there.
Last year what they did was they shouted, \"who wants to work in...eg...yellow\" and people would say yes or no, so it is very flexiable :).
Hope this helps :D
chunkyboy
Thought someone said camp site would be in different location this year?
Also thought you got allocated the camp site you worked in?
quote:
Originally posted by robsteve
Thought someone said camp site would be in different location this year?
Also thought you got allocated the camp site you worked in?
they did didn't they, ah well, we wil see.
From what i remembered last year, we could chose which site we wanted :s
chunkyboy
Yes take a look in Hot Water topic which i think you started lol
as to the other maybe different shifts did things differently.
Yes the CAT campsite will be in White this year.
You should have more space, better showers and toilets, access to a better cafe with free 24hr tea and coffee (and of course hot water). Also over there will be Stuart Security and CTM.
Julie is the FR White Zone Manager. When not at Reading Julie is the Licence Co-ordinator for Glastonbury so really knows her stuff and is a lovely lady - will make sure you're well looked after over there.
The only negative is that it's of course a little further from the arena. Although, nothing quite like a wonder back through the campsites after a night off in the arena! Should also mean it'll be far easier to get a little sleep the morning after your one night shift.
I can't believe it's in White! I've stayed in White the last two years and was hoping I'd get to volunteer in there because I know it so well. Well, this is ideal! Hopefully there's not too much demand now it's right next to the staff campsite, but we'll see. It'll be nice working, sleeping and being parked all on the same side of the river.
The Arena trek isn't all that bad contrary to popular belief, it's great fun as you get to see almost every single campsite, and it's good exercise!
Good point - forgot to mention it's also next to where you park.
We're looking to set-up a shuttle operation for the day of arrival - won't be huge (a buggy with a trailer basically!) but should help those who get public transport to the show. We'll probably do runs from Rivermead to White and back for those with especially large luggage.
Ahhh excellent....always did hate the trek between the white car park and the camp site lol...especially with all the luggage hehe....
only negative i can think of is we are further away from tescos now :(
ah well
Gd news bout free tea n coffee and hot water though :D is perfect :D
chunkyboy
i agree with chunkyboy, yeah further to trek for beer!!!
quote:
Originally posted by LukeM
I can't believe it's in White! I've stayed in White the last two years and was hoping I'd get to volunteer in there because I know it so well. Well, this is ideal! Hopefully there's not too much demand now it's right next to the staff campsite, but we'll see. It'll be nice working, sleeping and being parked all on the same side of the river.
The Arena trek isn't all that bad contrary to popular belief, it's great fun as you get to see almost every single campsite, and it's good exercise!
Volunteer for white, no thanks lol, happier if a choice of Yellow or Green.
quote:
Originally posted by Mark
Good point - forgot to mention it's also next to where you park.
We're looking to set-up a shuttle operation for the day of arrival - won't be huge (a buggy with a trailer basically!) but should help those who get public transport to the show. We'll probably do runs from Rivermead to White and back for those with especially large luggage.
Will Rivermead be the best place to get on site if coming by public transport.
yellow is best camp to work
quote:
Originally posted by robstevequote:
Originally posted by Mark
Good point - forgot to mention it's also next to where you park.
We're looking to set-up a shuttle operation for the day of arrival - won't be huge (a buggy with a trailer basically!) but should help those who get public transport to the show. We'll probably do runs from Rivermead to White and back for those with especially large luggage.
Will Rivermead be the best place to get on site if coming by public transport.
We'll confirm this via the \"info about this event\" which will be available to view via PAAM nearer the time.
I enjoyed working Green. The Salvation Army are a great laugh to keep the spirits up during the graveyard shift (and they let you hug their warm coffee urn if you ask politely).
What's the difference between the different campsites in terms of working in them? What makes one better than the other?
Most of the campsites are pretty much the same, except in size or distance from the crew campsite - they are all basic fields with water points, bins, toilets, catering facilities, etc. Some areas may also have retail/catering \"villages\", funfair rides or additional entertainment stages. More details and a map of the festival site can be found on the official festival websites, although these are not normally added until closer to the event.
In terms of working; the campsites nearer the arena are more crowded and therefore livelier.
quote:
Originally posted by Tavis
Most of the campsites are pretty much the same, except in size or distance from the crew campsite - they are all basic fields with water points, bins, toilets, catering facilities, etc. Some areas may also have retail/catering \"villages\", funfair rides or additional entertainment stages. More details and a map of the festival site can be found on the official festival websites, although these are not normally added until closer to the event.
In terms of working; the campsites nearer the arena are more crowded and therefore livelier.
Thats a very good way of putting it lol
Last year, we were close to the tunnel that lead out to Tescos, and... wasn't bag checked when coming back so we could bring in glass bottles, you know vodka, JD etc... Is this is gonna be a problem this year if we have to carry our goodies through all the sites..?
Also, given that White was about 30 mins walk to the arena and last year we had to be at base camp to log-in for our shifts 60 mins before they start, it's gonna mean leaving arena at least an hour to get back to base camp to log-in.. Or..... are there going to be alternate 'log-in' points as it's gonna be a p155er to get back to white, then back over to your allocated field... especially if you're in green, red....
Additionally, we were able to use the entrances/exits at the sides (Gate C and D I think) to gain access to the arena... will we be able to do the same this year or are we forced to use the main entrance together with joe public?
Alternative 'shift log-in' points ?
Especially now as I notice Tavis amended my 30 mins before shift to 60 mins, thanks Tavis, my oversight... so now it's one and half hours to leave from arena to get back to White base camp to log-in..
Suggestion, proposal.... how about the teams report straight to the campsite office (cute little caravan) in the site they are working when they relieve the previous shift... though I can see this is gonna cause a ruckus..(not sure that's spelled correctly) when/if people turn up 10/15 mins (or even longer) late....
Arena Entrances/exits ? Will CATS be able to use Entrances/Exits not normally available for general public..?
Thanks in advance....
Heading to the zone offices wouldn't work well, as we would need to check everyone's attendance, allocate uniforms and possibly give additional briefings prior to a shift - for instance information relating to last year's White car park inccident needed to be relayed to the following team(s). It would also cause difficulties if, as you highlight, CATs were late to arrive.
CATs will still be able to use the staff entrance to the arena, and I understand from past experience, staff can also queue-jump at the main public entrances into the arena.
