Johnny Mac Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 From bbc.co.ukGlastonbury hit by thunderstorms Rain hit the site from early in the morning Lightning and torrential rain has delayed the start of the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, which was due to begin on Friday morning. The BBC's Ian Youngs said the weather for the Somerset site turned "from scorching to soaking overnight". The first band was due on at 1030 BST, but organisers said it had been delayed indefinitely while power was restored to the main Pyramid Stage. Some 112,500 fans are on site to see acts including the White Stripes. All other stages have been closed because of the risk of lightning. Festival-goers were getting into the spirit before the rain BBC Somerset Sound's Steve Haig said: "There is nowhere for the rain to soak away and it's just staying on the surface. "The communications are down with radios not working and some of the bands who were arriving have been told to stay away because their vans might sink in the mud - the whole thing has been thrown into chaos. "One can only hope the rain stops soon or this festival is going to go down as a disaster." The set constructed for BBC Three's coverage from Glastonbury is flooded while BBC Radio 1's Jo Whiley had to abandon her live broadcast after river close to the corporation's compound burst its banks. "It's a lock-down situation at the moment," she told listeners by phone. Radio 1 Newsbeat reporter Kevin Geoghegan said he had seen tents floating away. Earlier in the morning, festival organiser Michael Eavis said he had been keeping his fingers crossed that there would be no repeat of the infamous "mudfests" of the late 1990s. "It's different from 1997 when the site was very muddy. We've had four or five days of good weather so the ground is firm. "We've also spent a lot of money on the drainage, so the main site should be OK." Conditions are expected to brighten up at Mr Eavis' Worthy Farm, near Pilton, later on Friday. Most of the crowd have already been on the site for one or two nights and had been enjoying a party atmosphere. The main stages may have been quiet, but DJs and minor bands kept crowds entertained on Thursday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lepeep Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 so my rain dance worked then ?....MWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO HA HA HA HA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 i wonder if they will put on an extra day to keep people happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeid Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 some of the bands might have other gigs on the "extra day" though.shame if it gets called off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranoid Android Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 the start was just delayed, only 6 bands had their slots cancelled and most of those will get anohter slot at sometime during the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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