Thought for the Week – Glastonbury

Glastonbury begins this week after a year’s break and will welcome musicians and revellers from all over the world.   Glastonbury began in 1970 when the first festival was held in the beautiful Somerset countryside. You got in for a pound to see T Rex and one of the perks was free milk from the nearby farm!   The 1500 who attended in 1970 has increased phenomenally to over 200,000 expected this year.  Glastonbury has certainly become one of the most prestigious music festivals in the world and if you’re on your way I hope the sun shines brightly.

It goes without saying that if you’re going to Glastonbury then you’ve got to be prepared to rough it for the time you’re there.   Living under canvas in often close proximity to other noisy and sometimes smelly fellow revellers is never easy but soon becomes very much part of the experience.    The inevitable result of any rainfall soon becomes an added attraction for those who see the fields of mud as an added bonus of the fun.  Then again, rain or shine Glastonbury’s unique atmosphere sees newcomers and regulars returning year after year and there’s no doubt that friendships are made and renewed year after year as Glastonbury now has friends all over the world.

Friendship, like music, is a precious gift, and when both come together there can be a wonderful power for good. There’s something special about singing and performing for the pleasure of others or just listening and allowing the music to lift your spirit.  Music is also a force for unity as it is not confined by language and is multicultural in its appeal.  Our own Llangollen International Eisteddfod which begins in a few weeks will bring singers choirs and dancers from every continent and for a short time will bring the world to this lovely part of North Wales.     The Bible says ‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord’ and what better way to worship than to sing to God and then to pray that the message of God’s love will find a place in the hearts of all people and of all nations. If this week so many will be united by the sheer joy of music and friendship what potential for the message of God’s love in bringing us closer in peace and understanding of each other.  In the song that Status Quo sang to close Glastonbury in 2009 such friendship, tolerance and love will soon be ‘Rocking all over the world’