The Glastonbury Town Deal board has strengthened its team by welcoming three new members.

Their arrival comes just in time as the board is poised to kickstart several Town Deal projects. Indra Donfrancesco, Samantha Cullen, and Ros Wyke are the latest inclusions, bringing a wealth of local knowledge and expertise to the table.

Newly appointed Mayor of Glastonbury, Indra Donfrancesco, joins the board, offering an invaluable perspective as a local councillor for St Benedict's Ward. A Glastonbury native and former St Dunstan's School student, Donfrancesco is a well-known community development worker. Her commitment to preserving natural spaces and advocating for participatory democracy will provide valuable insights to the board.

Samantha Cullen, a Somerset native who once ventured into the film and TV industry in London, also assumes a position on the board. After returning to Somerset, Cullen worked in local government and national charities, championing good governance and community services. Now a part of a local heritage charity in Street, her diverse experiences will offer a unique vantage point to the board.

Somerset Council's Lead Member for Prosperity, Assets & Development, Ros Wyke, rounds up the new appointments, fulfilling the Town Deal governance guideline requirement for a local government representative. Wyke, a previous Leader of Mendip District Council, has an extensive background in commercial, operational management in the UK and overseas. Her wide-ranging project experiences will undeniably benefit the board.

Expressing her excitement over the new appointments, Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, said: "I am delighted to welcome three new board members. Their perspectives and contributions will be invaluable as we move into the delivery phase of the Glastonbury Town Deal. All three are brimming with ideas, talents and commitment. They each represent different facets of our local and broader community. Sam has several hats and links us into Street and the broader impact of the Town Deal investment into other towns in Somerset; our new Mayor, Indra, brings significant experience of living in, and representing Glastonbury, with links to both the town council and to the alternative community; and Ros has been consistently supportive of the Town Deal since its inception so we welcome her extensive skills, experience and commitment directly onto the Board."

Glastonbury is among the 101 towns set to receive investment from the government's Towns Fund scheme, under its Levelling Up agenda. The town received confirmation of a £23.6 million funding allocation in September 2022. The funds, which are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, are expected to breathe new life into the town. All funds must be utilised by March 2026, meaning the projects are set for completion within the next three years.