Vicki Steward's Blog

A Conversation with Historian Adam Stout about his new book ‘Earthing the Dragon: Glastonbury and the Sixties’

I recently had the pleasure of meeting historian Adam Stout in the Snug bar of the Crown Hotel, I’ve been fascinated by his work since hearing his talk on Glastonbury’s holy springs or the Glastonbury Antiquarian Society. While we had intended to focus on his latest book, Earthing The Dragon – Glastonbury and The Sixties, our conversation quickly concentrated on the town’s much earli...

Glastonbury truly comes alive during the colder months. As the veil thins and the air grows crisp, a unique blend of ancient traditions and vibrant community events transforms the town into a hub of warmth and wonder.

Here is your guide to the main events happening in Glastonbury during the late Autumn and Winter of 2025. (As the dates pass I’ll move the info to the bottom of the page, for ease of use)

Planning Tip: Always check the links provided or search the Facebook pages of the organ...

From a modest plot of land in Glastonbury, something big is growing. Bride’s Farm, a non-profit community farm, is on a mission to bring fresh food, education, and connection to the community. I went along to their open day to hear about their big plans—from tackling tough soil and building a unique barn to creating a truly inclusive space for everyone.From Floodplain to Farm: Bridie’s Farm’s Sustainable Mission

​Bridie’s Farm is a newly established community farm in Glastonbury, UK....

There has recently been a lot of controversy on social media over the new path on Bride’s Mound. Some welcome the improved accessibility for people who use mobility aids, while others see it as a “desecration” of a sacred site. I’ve had a look at the site myself, here’s my contribution to the debate.

A Brief Introduction and Further Reading

Bride’s Mound is a low-lying mound at the western gate of Glastonbury. It’s considered one of the sacred hills of the Isle of Avalon. The site is a sch...

A fascinating insight into the Festival

Step into the fascinating world of the Glastonbury Festival at the “Spirit of Glastonbury” exhibition, nestled within the historic Tribunal on Glastonbury’s High Street. This captivating display is the brainchild of Gez Smith, a curator and collector whose journey with festival memorabilia began as a casual hobby in 1997 and has since blossomed into a full-blown obsession.

From Hobby to Obsession: Gez Smith’s Incredible Collection

What star...

A short history of Beltane Celebrations in Glastonbury.

The celebration of May Day has become one of the most important in Glastonbury’s busy seasonal calendar, with thousands of people gathering throughout the day. Locals and visitors greet the sunrise from the Tor in a Druidic ceremony, then head to Chalice Well to jump over the Beltane Fire. Later in the morning they gather in the Town’s centre for further ceremonial events, joining with drummers, Morris dancers, the Greenmen, the Horde and o...

The Osiligi Maasai Warriors from Kenya visit Glastonbury

On the 2nd of April 2025 Glastonbury hosted the Osiligi Maasai Warriors in a fundraising event at the Town Hall, this was the last of a series of fundraising events organised by Rose Temple Morris, welcoming the Osiligi to the Town.

Glastonbury’s Mayor Lokabandhu, who was born in Kenya, welcomed the Maasai in Swahili. He then explained that he had invited everyone in Glastonbury with a connection to Kenya and asked them to raise their h...

Is an American billionaire about to transform Glastonbury forever?

A couple of days ago, a friend sent me this excerpt from the ‘Mindful Mainstream’ podcast, in which the hosts Elara Vance & Jasper Rhodes, discuss an American billionaire’s idea to create a giant Glastonbury World Theme Park. I was gobsmacked to hear this plan to buy up Glastonbury Town’s attractions in their entirety and redevelop them to include a replica of King Arthur’s Camelot in Abbey Park, a holographic druid experience at ...

Jon Minshull’s journey invites us to consider sanctuary not just as a place, but as a state of being, deeply connected to nature, community, and personal responsibility.

I met with Jon on a cold, grey February morning to discuss his contribution to the Heart of the Tribe Gallery’s upcoming Sanctuary Exhibition inspired by ‘the calming essence of nature and the personal sanctuaries we all cherish.’

It was his last day of live painting in the gallery before he headed off to his other home in the Cos...

A Tale of Two Heritage Sites?

My good friends Max and Lisa Goodwin recently invited me to their hobbit hole on the side of Glastonbury Tor for a cup of tea and a chat. I was keen to hear about their recent adventure to a place of vibrant markets and captivating stories. Their journey took them to Marrakech, Morocco, where they represented the Bards of Glastonbury Town at the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival in Jemaa El-Fnaa Square. The festival’s theme was ‘Bahja’ (Joy), their advent...