VIP Toilets for All
With an estimated one million gallons due to be consumed over the next few days, water plays a major part in Glastonbury's infrastructure. WaterAid, a benefactor of the festival, are highlighting the need for good sanitation and levels of hygiene around the site. Representatives of the charity are handing out water near the main Pyramid stage, as well as providing Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines in King's Meadow - a vast improvement on the bog-standard long-drop toilets. Their simple yet effective design reduces the smell. "They're the best toilets at Glastonbury" claims Sharon Brand-Self of WaterAid. Tomorrow morning (Saturday), headliners Coldplay plan to build a huge model toilet. "Bring along your collection of insides of toilet rolls" urges lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, "we can all help build the statue". The message is simple; toilets for all. The money donated to WaterAid at last year's festival was enough to provide permanent water provision, sanitation and hygiene promotion for over 4000 villagers in Ghana, a country plagued by dirty water and poor sanitation. This year they hope to promote water and sanitation issues at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
Visit the Wateraid website for more information.
Words and Pictures: Lovell Fuller