Glastonbury residents came together on Saturday (March 19) to show their support for Ukraine.

At 6pm, a crowd gathered at the town's Peace Pole to observe The Silent Minute during a 'Vigil for Ukraine'. Mayor Jon Cousins opened the event supported by Glastonbury's Town Crier David Greenway. Cllr Cousins reflected, "As we gather here in the heart of Glastonbury, I am minded of the words written in many languages on this Peace Pole: 'May Peace Prevail On Earth'. This is the message that we send today, may it touch the heart of all those who hear it." St. John's Curate, Revd Michele Kitto and Archdruid Dreow Bennett lit Glastonbury's Unity Candle prior to The Silent Minute, which was observed for all those who are suffering and those who have died as a result of the war in Ukraine. From the vigil, a Message of Peace written by the mayor will travel through Europe with Amanda Marshall, who has volunteered to be a Peace Ambassador for the town. Its final destination will be Glastonbury's Twin Town of Patmos, where it will be delivered to Eleftherios Pentes, the Mayor of Patmos. Cllr Cousins told the crowd, "In the letter, I write to Mayor Pentes saying: Patmos and Glastonbury are a 'Twinning in Perpetuity'. We are two places sanctified by the earliest of Christian saints of each land – may we see the message of peace that Christ brought to this world prevail. Indeed, may peace prevail on Earth." During the vigil, the blue and yellow Ukrainian Flag was flown from the Town Hall, and – following The Silent Minute – residents tied blue and yellow ribbons to railings near to the Peace Pole to show all those who see them that 'Glastonbury Stands With Ukraine'.