Glastonbury Festival

Best in Stall

It could reasonably be said that when a man is tired of having a head massage from a woman wearing huge inflatable breasts, he is tired of life. And those who have wandered through the vast mud-flecked temple of weirdness that is Lost Vagueness this year may have experienced this rather unusual pleasure in super-kitsch beauty emporium the Laundromat of Love.

Giving the chance for visitors to feed their inner throwback, the 1950s-themed beauty salon makes sure those who wander into the strangest little corner of Glastonbury can re-emerge made up, feeling pampered and ready to party. Perhaps it is this dedication to serving their fellow man – plus the fact they all seem completely nuts – that has netted the retro pamper palace the title of best stall at this year’s festival.

Laundretta-in-chief Kaye Dunnings, 24, set up the bonkers beauty salon a year and a half ago to escape the daily grind and, you know, mess about with her mates and that.
“I had all these amazing friends in my life who lived all over the place,” she said. “We all had really rubbish jobs and I wanted us to do something together with all that energy and love we have and share it with people. With the war and everything we just wanted to do something to make life less serious.”

The interior of the Laundromat looks like someone took over Marilyn Monroe’s dressing room to use as the set of a toddlers TV show, all bright colours and retro tweaks. Everyone is mega-friendly and according to Kaye, the Laundromat of Love is an oasis of calm in the mad, mad surroundings of Lost Vagueness. “It is quite hedonistic out there,” she explained. “I thought it needed a place that had a bit of love, not crazy rock and roll.”

Chrissie Savage, who presented the award to Laundromat on behalf of the festival team, could barely contain her excitement at stumbling upon the salon. “I never knew this place existed until I walked in 20 minutes ago but it is absolutely amazing,” she said. “It is a real step back for me, with all the pictures on the wall and the fashion. I am definitely coming in here next year.”

As well as the inflated sense of self-esteem that comes from being officially THE place to come at Glastonbury, the girls can celebrate with the gigantic box of wine they received as a present. But it will be a double celebration for Kaye, who is tying the knot, festival style, with nine-month boyfriend Matthew Cook, 27, in the nearby restaurant tomorrow.

“We just felt it was the right time to do it - I know he is the man I am going to marry,” said lovestruck Kaye. “We will do it properly some other time.” Bless.

The Laundrettes may have scooped the top spot but these venues came highly recommended:
Your Place (A1/05) Great value, local food.
Sundried Tomatoes (E2/17) Quality Mediterranean food served with a smile.
African Safari Kitchen (D3/11) Different and tasty.
Anansi Cajun/Creole (G2/04) Quite simply the best campsite café on site.
Manic Organic (M2/06) Old friends, a great welcome and wide range.
Creations (O1/03) Wonderful metalwork and sculpture.
La Grande Bouffe (K1/03) Last year’s winners. Fantastique, with French cuisine and musicians.

Will Saunders

Bandstand Line-up 2004

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