Glastonbury: Our iconic town

By Tim Lethaby

16th Jul 2021 | Local News

Glastonbury Tor is just one of the many attractions of the town
Glastonbury Tor is just one of the many attractions of the town

Glastonbury Nub News recently hit 100,000 page views on our site. To mark this occasion, we wanted to write an article that celebrated all things Glastonbury.

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Glastonbury is one of those towns known to almost everyone in the UK. Whether it be through its history or the nearby music festival, it is one of the first places that comes to mind when people think of Somerset.

The tough thing about Glastonbury is knowing where to start when you are trying to sum it up. The Tor is iconic and the Abbey known as a national treasure.

Myths and legends connect Glastonbury to King Arthur, Excalibur and even to the mystical Isle of Avalon.

Add to this all the saints associated with the town, plus the Chalice Well, one has to say that Glastonbury is unique.

Of course, for many people, the town is best known for the Glastonbury Festival though, as all the locals will tell you, it is by far closer to Shepton Mallet.

Moving back to history, and the town enjoys a connection with Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Thorn – a number of which are still growing and thriving in the town today.

Of course, Glastonbury is not all New Age – it was once a thriving centre for sheepskin manufacturing, with the Morlands site a major employer for many years.

After falling into decline, the site is undergoing a renaissance, with a number of businesses based there, and the Red Brick Building community hub a vibrant centre of activity.

Sport also plays a major part in the town, with Glastonbury FC, or the Dollies, and Tor RFC providing regular football and rugby action for locals to enjoy or participate in.

When we asked the residents what the best thing about living in Glastonbury was, the main message that came back was tolerance.

There is a general understanding in the town that diversity is a blessing, and people agree that being different is not a cause for hatred.

The town's mayor, Denise Michell, agrees and said: "I and many others who live here, like to think of Glastonbury as the New Jerusalem, as my late husband John Michell named our town.

"It is also called The Heart Chakra of the World. It does seem to many of us, that what decisions we make here do eventually spread out to other towns and cities all around the world.

"There was a gathering of all faiths recently on the Tor where the meditation was to send rain to Australia.

"It did rain the next day, unfortunately it was not enough to quench the raging fires, but our wonderful community did that.

"We have more than 80 different faiths and religions here. All of us get along together very nicely thank you, with no religious wars here."

Of course, like many towns Glastonbury has its challenges, with residents agreeing that housing is a major issue, with a lack of affordable housing and a number of illegal traveller sites.

Mayor Denise said: "I would say the biggest problem we have here are the illegal traveller sites.

"Some of our residents want these people moved on who, through no fault of their own, are struggling to survive as a result of the Universal Credit sanctions for claimants, the incredibly high rents on private properties, and no legal sites in our town.

"When evicted or moved on they just turn up another part of town. So the big question is move them to where?

"Glastonbury Town Council, Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council are finally working together to find some suitable land to create a permanent site."

So whatever your history with Glastonbury, be it newcomer or long-time resident, you will find a warm welcome and a thriving town.

     

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