Life in the festival village

By Ian Youngs BBC News Online in Pilton, Somerset

A group of children were ferried to school by helicopter to avoid traffic

Residents of the village of Pilton, Somerset, almost blocked this year's Glastonbury Festival because of trouble last year, and security for locals is now the "big issue" for organiser Michael Eavis.

It is every security-conscious village's dream.

On the road into the village, two bobbies stroll past, exchanging a pleasant "good morning".

One hundred metres further, two more appear and in the centre of the village, three policeman stand talking outside its one and only shop.

Pilton is probably the safest village in the country this weekend - with police patrols on top of roadblocks and a private security firm, nicknamed "the Gestapo", on the lookout for trouble.

It has to be safe - because if it is not, there is a good chance that Mr Eavis could pack the festival in, or that the local council could finally lose patience and refuse it a licence.

Last year, security measures to keep gatecrashers out of the festival worked too well and gangs resorted to hanging around the village - resulting in muggings, burglaries and damage.

A "huge crowd" gathered in the centre of the village one night, according to Sally McLean, owner of Pilton's post office.

The festival takes place in a valley below Pilton, population 900

"They were shining lights in my windows and I called security twice but they didn't arrive," she said.

Other stories told by residents include one farmer waking up to find two lambs drowned in a water bucket.

"But this year, there are so many more security guards, a different type of security guard, and the police are in evidence most of the time," Ms McLean said.

On Friday - the main day for arrivals - ticketless fans who waited outside the main entrance were swiftly moved on by serious-looking private guards while only a few small groups lay on the grass along the short stretch of road into the village.

Despite an optimistic sign outside the festival press office reading: "No crime outside site," police held a small number of people for minor offences, with any trouble stamped upon quickly.

Security guards have been stopping people getting into private land

Almost every lane leading off the main road was blocked to everybody except residents. Once through the roadblocks, it was as quiet as normal.

Another new measure was the closure of the village pub to stop angry gatecrashers getting drunk, while the alcohol section of the shop has also been shut. Both establishments were being compensated for their loss of trade.

Mr Eavis said: "We really have gone overboard on the security and the roadblocks and lighting and CCTV cameras, so that we can see the places where there may be trouble. I think this is our last chance to get it right."

He said about 50 people in the village - population 900 - opposed the festival. Residents who spoke to BBC News Online either said the village was split "down the middle" or the opponents were a "vocal minority".

Mark Edgley, whose land is next to the site, said Eavis had done everything he could to improve life for locals.

"Eavis gives security for everyone in the village," he said, although some problems in the past had been "dreadful".

A private security firm, nicknamed "the Gestapo" has been patrolling the perimeter

"These idiots without tickets just ran about the place and made life hell," he said.

"But the important thing is that Eavis and [Mean Fiddler's] Melvin Benn listened to the problems and have sorted them out."

Away from the main road, he said they had "turned it back into a sleepy village despite the fact that there are 150,000 people next door".

Mr Edgley also runs helicopter flights for bands, music industry executives, festival goers - and, on Friday, 12 schoolchildren who were airlifted to classes to avoid traffic.

Another resident, Pat Rogers, who was born in the house where he still lives after 53 years, said he would buy festival tickets if locals did not get them free because he enjoyed it so much.

Only local residents are allowed down many roads in the village

"We don't have any problems. We are not so naive that we think that people don't have trouble, but we don't here. People get problems but they are well-compensated."

Mr Eavis pays for any damage, he said - but the cause of some complaints was jealousy from farmers who had seen Eavis do so well.

It is the source of much local politics, and opponents to the festival were hard to find.

"The only grumble is that they haven't emptied the bins, but we can understand why they haven't been able to do that," said John Reina, who lives in the centre of Pilton.

Dee Leach, whose house is opposite the main festival entrance, was glowing in her praise for this year's security operation.

The local shop is not selling alcohol while the festival is on

"It's great this year," she said. "Michael Eavis has really come up trumps. He has done fantastic things for the village and the surrounding area."

A festival spokesman pointed out that money from the festival went back into the village, such as the restoration of an ancient tithe barn and the village hall.

Organisers estimated more than £4m goes to local contractors, charities, hotels and petrol stations per year.

If the trouble is kept away for the whole weekend and Mr Eavis' security clamp-down goes to plan, one of the major obstacles to the festival happening next year will have been removed.