Beyond the Festival: Somerset Life Dives Deep into the Spirit of Pilton Village

Often, in the big narrative of the festival, Pilton, the village, and its story take a back seat. But that shouldn’t be the case. For me, Pilton and Glastonbury Festival are truly inseparable—one creates the other, and vice versa. There’s an unmistakable creativity, ingenuity, and independent spirit that drives something so unique and extraordinary in Pilton that becomes Glastonbury Festival.

That spirit comes from the place, from the people who live there. It’s not without its challenges, of course. I’ve often heard it said that if Glastonbury Festival were to be started from scratch today, it simply wouldn’t happen. Yet, somehow, it has happened—and continues to happen—here in Pilton.

Pilton and the surrounding villages, bundled together as Mendip South (division), are truly special. Coincidentally, many aspects of this area and its community connect with my life—my upbringing, my family, and past experiences.

Mendip South, as a division, will be no more after the next Somerset Council local elections. Rob and I, and before him Alex, will be the only county representatives who stood and won an election to represent this gem of an area. For that, I am incredibly grateful.