Public speak about Glastonbury

Around 50 people – including Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis - attended the public meeting tonight in Shepton Mallet, which was an opportunity for locals to let Councillors know their thoughts about next years proposed Festival.

It was confirmed that the submitted Public Entertainment License application was for 28th-30th June, with times of entertainment from 10:00 to 00:30 on the Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 to 00:00 on the Sunday. The gates would open (as usual) at 9am on the Wednesday (26th).

The application requests the numbers set at 135,000. Of that number, 100,000 would be for sale, with the remaining 35,000 for performers, traders, staff, children, etc. It's already known that without the license being granted for the requested numbers, the Festival could be over. The revenue from the extra ticket sales is earmarked for the estimated £1.5M new security costs.

There are some changes to the layout of the Festival site from 2000, with an extra camping area added. Security has been radically reviewed, though the details are to remain under wraps for the present - as one of the security measures!

When the floor was opened to the public, two people spoke out strongly, and from their tone and comments it seems as though no measures would be enough to satisfy them. It was one of these people who – rather disingenuously – suggested that the Festival shouldn't go ahead (due to the current "War on Terrorism") because it "could be overtaken by demands on Police resources".

eFestivals listens intently for similar calls for the cancellation of the FA Cup Final, Wimbledon, England's summer test series and every other event that requires policing... No? Forget that then!

When a councillor from Glastonbury took his turn to express his support for the Festival going ahead, one of those two interrupted, objecting that he wasn't local enough. There then followed a brief discussion amongst the councils Regulatory Board (who will consider the license application) members present as to who exactly was entitled to speak; the decision was "anyone that's affected".

Others voiced their concern about particular issues. Some local residents suffer each year with people walking through their gardens, damage to property or feeling/being threatened or intimidated by the people the festival attracts.

If it's you doing those unsociable acts, CUT IT OUT!

Another gripe was the nuisance caused by New Age Travellers, who are drawn to the area because of the Festival, but are not actually on the Festival site. It was pointed out that these Travellers are able to get down closed roads, obviously going straight past the vigilant boys-in-blue, while the locals are stopped from using those same roads.

Security was a major concern: for the organisers, Mark Cann assured that the proposed measures would be effective, and a carefully targeted publicity campaign would ensure that the message gets across that the days of free access are over.

Several people spoke representing local clubs, saying that the funds normally raised at the Festival had been sorely missed this year. Also mentioned was the amount of money brought into the local economy, although others pointed out that many benefits go to non-locals too.

Other positive comments includes an opinion that the Festival was well run, gives the area good publicity, and any problems are no more than with any other mass of 100,000 people.

The application is due to be considered at the meeting of the Regulatory Board on 29th November.

FINGERS CROSSED!

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