News in Glastonbury

A student from Glastonbury has been using his stage management experience from school to illuminate Glastonbury Tor on Thursday evenings after the national clap for carers.

For the blue tribute to key workers, Sam Wardell places two small LED lights at the tower, with the effects visible for miles around.

Local photographer Ian Humphreys, who is a member of Wells and Mendip Astronomers, captured this amazing photo of the supermoon behind Glastonbury Tor in the early hours of this morning (May 7).

The actual maximum supermoon occurs around six hours after the moonset shown in the photo over Glastonbury Tor.

Details of when and how the recycling centre that serves Glastonbury could reopen are expected within days following new advice from central government.

Street Recycling Centre will not operate in the same way as before lockdown, and it is expected that there will be restrictions on how many people can visit and what they can bring.

A planning application has been submitted to Mendip District Council for the conversion of a coach house in Glastonbury into accommodation.

The conversion of the coach house to accommodation ancillary to the main house at 80 Benedict Street, Glastonbury, has been made by Amanda I'ons.

A further three care home deaths that have been linked to coronavirus have occurred in Mendip, new figures reveal.

It comes as care home bosses across the UK warn of problems in sourcing sufficient levels of personal protective equipment (PPE), while Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the number of deaths in care homes is still "far too high".

West Pennard Village Hall has received a £10,000 boost by claiming a government Coronavirus Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grant.

Mendip District Council is now urging other eligible village halls and community centres to register for a £10,000 Government grant.

A Glastonbury-based social enterprise has received a grant of more than £3,000 from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal so it can provide hot meals for vulnerable people during the crisis.

Feed Avalon runs a range of projects that help give fair access to nutritious and sustainable food, including cooking courses in their community kitchen and garden.

Virgin Money Giving has teamed up with selling site Ziffit.com as part of Giving Tuesday Now to raise money for UK charities struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, including cancer counselling charity We Hear You, which serves Glastonbury.

Communications officer Lucy MvMahon said: "We hope lots of people will get involved with the Declutter and Donate campaign.

There is still time for Glastonbury artists to enter this year's Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) open competition.

It might be all change for the format of the 2020 WAC exhibition, but plans are full steam ahead to ensure people can still see the shortlisted entries of contemporary art from around the world.

Mendip District Council will mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on its social media channels this year – and it's urging residents in Glastonbury to join in the virtual commemorations too.

The coronavirus outbreak has restricted traditional community events, however the council is inviting people to post their stories, photos and videos online instead, so they can be shared as we all celebrate together on the Bank Holiday Friday, May 8, 2020.