'The Church of Glastonbury is my religious retreat'

Lewis Simonds, who will be ordained next month, says he has been to Glastonbury many times

A soon-to-be ordained curate said working at the Church of Glastonbury for the second year running will be a religious "retreat where I can feel close to God".

Lewis Simonds, 39, who lives in Milton Keynes and is based at St Frideswide's Church in Water Eaton, Bletchley, will spend the festival weekend in a simple marquee which he described as "a very gentle expression of church".

He says everyone attending Worthy Farm is welcome at the makeshift place of worship, where daily prayers and services will take place, as well as baptisms and wedding vow blessings.

Mr Simonds will be ordained as a deacon at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, on 5 July.

Members of the Church of Glastonbury are on hand to help anyone at the festival, including giving out water

Mr Simonds, who has trained for three years, said once he is ordained he will become a curate and work alongside the vicar at St Frideswide's Church for about four years.

"It's a very exciting and happy time," he said.

He has been at Worthy Farm, Somerset since Tuesday, to set up the temporary church, and will return home on Monday.

"It is open to anyone, with prayers in the morning, middle of the day and evening," he said.

"On Sunday we have a couple of communion services happening, with pre-arranged baptisms and wedding vow blessings.

"The reason I came here was for a chance to be with real people, in a real place, in their real lives.

"It's a very gentle expression of church, where people can come and rest from the shade, rain, talk to someone, if they want."

Mr Simonds said it was not a holiday to be at Glastonbury, but a "retreat"

He said that as well as giving spiritual guidance, the team will hand out "thousands of cups of water" and lend a hand to festival-goers.

"Even building tents, that is a moment when I feel close to God," he said.

"The world is diverse, the festival is diverse and the church is part of that diverse world, it mirrors in the microcosm of Glastonbury."

He is also looking forward to catching some of the acts, including Alanis Morissette on Friday.

"For me Glastonbury is a retreat, I feel close to God, and I feel centred and ready for life", he said.

Lewis said despite being at the festival to work at the church, he does have some spare time to watch the acts