In the usually progressive town of Glastonbury, a series of unpleasant homophobic incidents and the targeting of the town by conspiracy theorists have raised concerns among the local community.

The situation has been exacerbated by the distribution of 'The Light', a self-published newspaper which became notorious for spreading conspiracy theories during the Covid pandemic.

'The Light' regularly engages in conspiracy theories, linking public figures like Bill Gates to various global plots and promoting climate change denial. It has also published assertions that vaccines are weaponised mind control devices and has even gone as far as calling for modern-day Nuremberg trials for journalists, politicians, and doctors, often referencing conspiracy theories concerning Agenda 21 and the Great Reset.

Furthermore, 'The Light' has printed articles by Holocaust denier John Hamer, recommended books by white supremacist Eustace Mullins, and defended radio host Graham Hart, who was imprisoned for anti-Semitic remarks.

The paper has interviewed anti-Islam politician Anne Marie Waters, printed articles co-authored by English Democrats chair Robin Tilbrook and Heritage Party leader David Kurten, and promoted material by Mark Collett, the leader of the fascist group Patriotic Alternative. The founder of 'The Light' has also communicated with the editor of the German far-right conspiracy theory publication Demokratischer Widerstand, linked to the Reichsbürger movement responsible for a failed coup attempt in Germany in 2022.

Following a rise in homophobic incidents in the Glastonbury and the fairly regular appearance of a group of anti-vax protestors in the town, some residents are doing what they can to educate people about The Light and the influence it is having in Glastonbury.

Emma King, a local resident and secretary of Glastonbury Independent Alliance (GIA), said: "Both Mendip TUC and the GIA have expressed concern about the views promulgated by the Light gaining a foothold in town," she said.

"The GIA has a specific remit to stand up for inclusivity, and we are therefore against anything which seeks to undermine the rights of minority groups."

Emma King (left) and members of the Glastonbury Independent Alliance

King highlighted an incident where her shop, displaying a Pride Progress flag, was accused of supporting paedophilia, a baseless claim that she attributes to the influence of 'The Light' and similar media.

"This type of thinking comes directly from the pages of The Light and similar types of media," she explained.

"Glastonbury is meant to be a place where people are accepted for who they are, yet this insidious publication's message is the opposite. With anti-LGBT and racist messages rife within its pages, it deliberately seeks to spread hatred and suspicion along any lines of difference between people in any community."

In response to the growing concern, King and other residents have taken to the streets to educate people about 'The Light'. They have been distributing leaflets to inform visitors and locals about the true nature of what they are being handed, which many might mistake for a harmless hippy publication.

"When we handed out leaflets highlighting the message in The Light, we suddenly became aware of a very large number of people who were very concerned about the impact that this publication is having on the town," she said.

"The message of The Light is like a cancer in town and it needs to be combatted wherever possible. Its message needs to be scrutinised and questioned at every available opportunity."

The self-published "truthpaper" is edited by Manchester man Darren Smith who runs a business selling anti-vaccine T-shirts and 9/11 conspiracy merchandise. You can read an interview with him by BBC disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring here.

There is also a peer-reviewed analysis of The Light and its contents here.