The Festival is run by a tight team who've worked together for between 5 and 15 years. It is - like Tony Benn's famous description - a bit like gathering for Christmas, with new family joining every year.
All the work is pretty demanding, but the atmosphere is great and the friendships formed do seem to have survived flood, tempest, euphoric romance and the close scrutiny of the US security services...
Stewards
All the Festival events are stewarded by teams of between 4 and 10. The main job is to make sure the audiences are safe and happy before, during, and after each event.
Stewards work shifts of 3-4 hours. It's voluntary but fun and you'll make lots of good friends.
If you are interested in stewarding at the Hay Festival 2008 in Wales, click here and let us know which parts of the day you would be available to help
Box Office
Sarah Edwards takes on an extra 10 box office staff in May and the early part of June. The Box Office team are the first point of contact for the public once the brochure is published.
You need to be calm, good on the telephone, familiar with computers and enjoy working with the public. Retail experience, a sense of humour and rhino-hide help. Very long hours and fair pay.
To apply, please Sarah on: s.edwards@hayfestival.com
Interns
Interns wishing to apply for Hay Festival 2008 should send a CV and covering
letter to jesse@hayfestival.com. Applicants should have good social skills
and plenty of energy, and must be free from 22 May to 1 June 2008.
Accommodation and meals will be provided. Closing date for applications is
21 March 2008.
Bookshop
Diana Blunt at Pembertons Bookshop takes on extra volunteer staff for the Festival week. Some bookshop experience really helps. If you'd like to be considered please contact
bookseller@hayfestival.co.uk
Site Crew
Fred Wright is looking for site crew to assit with the construction of the festival site in the weeks running up to and after the festival has finished.
Interested parties should contact him directly on: 07968 333 095.