Glastonbury organisers have revealed a huge mural painted on the grass in front of the iconic Pyramid Stage, which reads ‘We stand with the NHS‘.
Fans of the festival have been watching the painting take place over the last week via the BBC’s Glastonbury webcam but most were only able to make out “We stand…“, with the rest hidden from the webcam’s view by trees and buildings. There was plenty of speculation as to what it might be, but we now know it’s part of Glasto’s celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
NHS Somerset said: “Thanks so much Glastonbury and Emily Eavis for supporting the NHS and giving us the opportunity to celebrate our 75th birthday with you on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday 24th June. Come and join us at the Pyramid Stage and show your support.”
NHS Somerset later confirmed they’ll be on the Pyramid at 5:30pm Saturday, just before Lewis Capaldi’s set gets underway.
Over at the Left Field stage, just a short walk from the Pyramid, the debate ‘Can we save the NHS?‘ will take place at 1:30pm Saturday afternoon. On the panel will be Migrants Organise, We Own It, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP and Minnie Rahman.
The huge mural stretches from the Pyramid’s sound desks right back to the field’s famous tree. The aerial video shared today quotes from a 1946 speech on the NHS bill by Aneurin Bevan, a Welsh Labour widely regarded as the father of the NHS.
In the excerpt featured in Glastonbury’s video, he says: “I believe it will lift the shadow from millions of homes. It will keep very many people alive who might otherwise be dead. It will relieve suffering. It will produce higher standards for the medical profession. It will be a great contribution towards the wellbeing of the common people of Great Britain.”
Some fans had speculated the finished mural would read ‘We stand with Ukraine’, in a follow-on from last year when Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a video message to open the festival. Others thought it could be the announcement of a band or secret set, like when Radiohead were announced with their logo being painted on the same grass.
Others got a sneak preview of the full message ahead of today’s announcement when the Devon and Somerset Air Ambulance crew posted this video yesterday:
Glastonbury 2023 will take place from Wednesday 21st June until Sunday 25th June at Worthy Farm, Pilton. Tickets are completely sold out. Most acts from the five biggest stages will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
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