Part 10: What was Worthy Pastures?
Worthy Pastures was a summer campsite operated on the site of the festival in the summer of 2021 due to Covid restrictions preventing the festival from taking place for a second year. Below is our review of the event.
A Pastoral Retreat into Music: Worthy Pastures 2021
As the world slowly turned the corner of the pandemic, the beloved Glastonbury Festival, the UK's largest greenfield festival, adapted and offered an intimate, toned-down version of its spectacle in 2021 - the Worthy Pastures camping event. This weekend retreat into music and nature was an antidote to the challenging times we had been living through, and if the trade-off was a less frenetic lineup, then the respite was worth it.
Nestled in the bosom of the lush Somerset countryside, Worthy Pastures was a far cry from the usual Glastonbury extravaganza. It was a gentle reconnection with the festival spirit, an escape from the confinement of home, and a love letter to the great British outdoors.
However, it was the atmosphere that truly won hearts. As day turned to dusk, a magical glow descended upon the site, aided by the mesmerizing light installations that were sprinkled throughout the camping grounds. The Pyramid Stage, usually a hub for the biggest bands on the planet, was repurposed as a family-friendly spot for picnics, its usually pulsating aura replaced with a charming tranquility.
The communal areas buzzed with low-key children’s entertainment creating an intimate, warm atmosphere. The absence of live music wasn't a drawback but rather allowed for a more relaxed vibe, focusing on the spirit of community that is so synonymous with Glastonbury.
Worthy Pastures also carried the festival's ethos of sustainability, with recycling points scattered throughout the grounds and an emphasis on leaving no trace. In fact, the reduced scale of the event allowed these efforts to shine through even more.
Catering was another highlight, with a broad range of vendors serving up a delicious smorgasbord of cuisines. From vegan delights to classic British fare, the taste buds were as entertained as the ears rested.
Despite the rain which graced us with its inevitable presence, the spirit remained undampened. Kids splashing in puddles and adults huddled in waterproofs, everyone embraced the full British festival experience.
In a year that still carried the weight of the pandemic, Worthy Pastures was a breath of fresh air, literally and metaphorically. It was a chance to reconnect with nature, to enjoy live music again, and to be part of a community. While it couldn't replace the full Glastonbury experience, it certainly filled a void and provided a warm, hopeful reminder of the festival's capacity for innovation, resilience, and unity in challenging times.
As we look forward to the return of the full-scale Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Pastures will be remembered as a soothing salve, a gentle reintroduction to the festival spirit, and a testament to the enduring power of music, nature, and community.
