My Unique Role with Glastonbury Festival – Being the Elected Councillor where the Largest Greenfield Music and Performing Arts Festival in the World is held
Not many elected councillors in the country can say they oversee a community that welcomes over 200,000 visitors in one weekend—especially in a village of fewer than 1,000 residents! As the Councillor for Pilton in Mendip South, I have the unusual privilege (and sometimes challenge) of representing a small community that transforms into the world’s largest greenfield music and arts festival.
Glastonbury Festival’s impact on Pilton and the surrounding villages is immense. It brings local economic opportunities and global attention, but it also requires careful planning to minimise its effects on local residents. Throughout the year, I engage with festival organisers, parish councils, Somerset Council and local communities, listening to concerns and making sure everyone’s voice is heard.
One of my priorities is to see for myself how the festival is managing crowd safety, noise levels, and other important issues. I believe that being on the ground, observing how the organisers operate, helps me better support our community and ensure that the festival remains a safe and respectful event.
Handling casework related to the festival—before, during, and after—is part of my role. This ongoing dialogue allows me to support continuous improvement, ensuring the festival remains a positive event for both visitors and local residents. It also gives me a unique channel to speak directly with organisers about community impact.
Working closely with Somerset Council, I see firsthand how the festival’s management aims to meet licensing objectives while respecting our community. It’s a rare and rewarding position—balancing the excitement of a world-famous event with the needs of our local community, ensuring that everyone’s interests are considered.