Taking Care of Glastonbury and the Environment
Just as real sustainability embraces the biodiversity of the whole planet, it also includes the sacred within creation. We need to relearn the wisdom of how to listen to life, feel its heartbeat, sense its soul.
Llewelllyn Vaughan-Lee
Llewelllyn Vaughan-Lee
Glastonbury has a wonderful mix of innovative thinkers, many of whom could be said to be thinking and living ‘outside the box’. Therefore it is hardly surprising that there is a very active, vibrant, local response to the global ecological crisis. From 'slow food' to eco-housing to eco-psychology to raising awareness of the sacredness of the land.
Along with many organisations in the town, Glaston Centre and the Pilgrim Reception team encourages its residents and visitors to the area to consider using local produce, goods and services. "Think global and buy local" is a small yet incredibly positive action that each and every visitor can choose and which helps to strengthen local community, supports our economy and benefits the environment.
Along with many organisations in the town, Glaston Centre and the Pilgrim Reception team encourages its residents and visitors to the area to consider using local produce, goods and services. "Think global and buy local" is a small yet incredibly positive action that each and every visitor can choose and which helps to strengthen local community, supports our economy and benefits the environment.
Tips to consider when out and about in Glastonbury...
Transport
Bike hire at Glastonbury Information Centre
Consider transport. This starts from the moment you start planning your trip to Glastonbury. You may use plane and car or rail transport to get here, but when you finally arrive in Glastonbury, consider using local transport or hiring a bicycle. There are lots of great cycle routes on the levels which also have the advantage of being just that - level! Bikes can be hired from Glastonbury Information Centre.
Buy Local Food
When considering where and what you are going to eat whilst you are here, choose local food. Many of our B&B's, restaurant, shops and cafés, source local produce. Don't be shy to ask.
Visit our outdoor market every Tuesday and take a look at the County Market on the same day in the Town Hall – lots of home-made goodies. Our monthly Glastonbury Farmers' Market, on the 4th Saturday in the month, is also worth a visit. If you are self-catering, why not order your local food in advance and have it delivered through one of the local box schemes?
Visit our outdoor market every Tuesday and take a look at the County Market on the same day in the Town Hall – lots of home-made goodies. Our monthly Glastonbury Farmers' Market, on the 4th Saturday in the month, is also worth a visit. If you are self-catering, why not order your local food in advance and have it delivered through one of the local box schemes?
Taking a Picnic? Eating on the Hoof?
Think about the plastic. Buying sandwiches? Why not find outlets willing to let to make you a fresh one and put into a paper bag?
Paper plates? Choose those made of chlorine-free recycled paper. Wash “disposable" utensils/bottles and use them again. Even one re-use cuts your waste by half.
Think about buying some cheap and cheerful lightweight pottery from the charity shops. Take them back when you leave. Not only does this protect the environment but helps our local charities too!
Paper plates? Choose those made of chlorine-free recycled paper. Wash “disposable" utensils/bottles and use them again. Even one re-use cuts your waste by half.
Think about buying some cheap and cheerful lightweight pottery from the charity shops. Take them back when you leave. Not only does this protect the environment but helps our local charities too!
Support Local Artisans and Fairtrade
Glastonbury is a Fairtrade town. Keep your eye out for the symbol. We also have an abundance of creative and talented artisans offering unique and beautiful gifts and keepsakes. Look out for them in shops and local outlets. See also the weekly Tuesday market in the Assembly Rooms, just off the High Street.
Thirsty?
Rather than buying bottled water or flavoured drinks, think about filling a re-usable container at the two water outlets in Wellhouse Lane. Both are drinkable and free. Any healing comes as a bonus and you’ll not get the chance again until you return! There are other outlets in Glastonbury where you can also fill up.
Recycle
Take all your recyclable material back to the place you are staying.
Ask them to be placed it into their recycling system.
If they don't have one, ask them to get with the programme!
Ask them to be placed it into their recycling system.
If they don't have one, ask them to get with the programme!
Clooties / Prayer Ribbons?
Clooties come from the old tradition of leaving a strip of clothing, belonging to a person who requires healing. They were hung over sacred wells with prayers. It was believed that as they disintegrated, so too any illness or woes would disappear. Recent times have seen the rise of a new tradition of hanging them on trees around sacred sites. However, special though they seem, please remember they are, in the main, PLASTIC. They take several hundred years to 'disappear'. Tying them to branches can also run the risk of leeching poisonous dyes into the trees and tightly tied ones, strangle growing branches. Our ancestors used natural fibres. If you do feel the need to tie them places, why not following in their footsteps and use natural threads too?
Sky/Chinese Lanterns
Paper lanterns aren't safe for animals and the environment. Besides being a fire risk to property and dry land, they can also cause injury, suffering and death to animals by ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.
When ingested, sharp parts like the wire frame can tear and puncture an animal’s throat or stomach causing internal bleeding. Animals can also become entangled in fallen lantern frames, where they can suffer from injury and stress trying to get free or starve to death from being trapped. Marine life is also endangered by lanterns falling into the sea.
When ingested, sharp parts like the wire frame can tear and puncture an animal’s throat or stomach causing internal bleeding. Animals can also become entangled in fallen lantern frames, where they can suffer from injury and stress trying to get free or starve to death from being trapped. Marine life is also endangered by lanterns falling into the sea.
Tealights
These are an ongoing threat to our flora and fauna. One of our ancient trees was set alight not so long ago, through careless use and metal containers left in the countryside are harmful to farm animals and wildlife. Nor do they biodegrade. If you must use them, please, aim to use compostable tealights and take them away with you when you leave. By carrying a bottle of water, you will have something to extinguish them with - never walk away from a burning flame. Clear up any wax drippings too.
Leave nothing behind but your love.
This is where Avalon meets Glastonbury. Take these measures for yourself and get to enjoy the feel good factor of taking small steps in the right direction; take them for your children and your children's children. Do you have more tips and suggestions on how to love and care for the environment? Contact us....
This is where Avalon meets Glastonbury. Take these measures for yourself and get to enjoy the feel good factor of taking small steps in the right direction; take them for your children and your children's children. Do you have more tips and suggestions on how to love and care for the environment? Contact us....
The Glastonbury Charter for the Environment
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An Environmental Charter for Glastonbury was adopted by Glastonbury Town Council on the 10th April 2012 and ceremoniously ratified by the Mayor on 4th July 2012.
The Charter is an endeavour by the Council to play its part, as a responsible member of the community of organisations, in working for a better, sustainable, more economically and socially prosperous Glastonbury. The Charter is a statement of what the Council believes is important and how it can influence positive changes that support people and the environment. Read the full Charter for Glastonbury here. . . |
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Glastonbury Organisations keeping the environment in mind...
Bridie's Yard is a not-for-profit, Glastonbury based local organic food co-operative run by a team of volunteers with a mission to provide affordable organic food for everyone. You can get together with friends and bulk order basic foods, or browse the latest food catalogue for your own favourite foods. They are open to selling a local surplus of organic veg if you grow your own, and seasonal foods such as cordials, jams and treats.
Find out more...
Find out more...
Specialising in local, organic and fairly traded goods, vegetarian and vegan foods, eco-products, natural remedies and supplements, chemical-free body care products and more.
Find out more...
Find out more...
Glastonbury Conservation Society was founded in 1971 in appreciation of Glastonbury's built and natural environment and not only have they been responsible for saving Glastonbury's built heritage but the society has so far planted 47,200 trees in and around Glastonbury.
Visit their website...
The first farmers market established in the county of Somerset! It takes place on the 4th Saturday of each month in the Market Cross area at the bottom of the High Street between 9am to 1pm.
By choosing to support local producers at our market, you are also making a positive difference to the local economy and help to guarantee the future of Somerset's farming industry. Run as a 'not for profit' organization you can be confident that all profits are re-invested for the future sustainability of the farmers markets around the county.
By choosing to support local producers at our market, you are also making a positive difference to the local economy and help to guarantee the future of Somerset's farming industry. Run as a 'not for profit' organization you can be confident that all profits are re-invested for the future sustainability of the farmers markets around the county.
Somerset Community Food, based in Glastonbury, is a grass-roots charity which aims to re-connect people with the social, health and environmental effects of growing, buying, preparing and eating local food.
Currently, their main project, Somerset Land and Food, aims to bring more land into production for community based growing projects. Demand for land exceeds supply in many parts of Somerset so this project seeks to match landowners with available land with local community groups interested in growing food. It will also help people develop the range of skills and gain access to the tools that will enable many more people to eat affordable, locally grown and healthy food. The organisation also runs Get, Set, Grow and Get, Set, Cook courses across Somerset.
To find out more about Somerset Community Food, click here...
Currently, their main project, Somerset Land and Food, aims to bring more land into production for community based growing projects. Demand for land exceeds supply in many parts of Somerset so this project seeks to match landowners with available land with local community groups interested in growing food. It will also help people develop the range of skills and gain access to the tools that will enable many more people to eat affordable, locally grown and healthy food. The organisation also runs Get, Set, Grow and Get, Set, Cook courses across Somerset.
To find out more about Somerset Community Food, click here...
YEAST Scrapstore is a fantasmagorical treasure trove of crazy creative play materials bursting out of of their premises at Unit 7 Dyehouse Lane, Glastonbury, Somerset. They are passionate about helping individuals, schools, play groups, church groups, and their leaders have arty fun by supplying cost effective, exciting craft materials, as well as advice, work-sheets and workshops. They are a community based charity, who collect local business waste (which is safe for re-use and otherwise destined for landfill) and sell it to members for a fractions of what you’d pay on the high street. Find out more. . .
Pilgrimage | Pilgrimage and Glastonbury | Pilgrimage routes to Glastonbury | Spiritual Crisis | Taking Care of Glastonbury and the Environment | A pilgrims' journey - A walk across time to Glastonbury | A Pilgrims' Journey - The Road to Peace Pilgrimage into Glastonbury
