Michael Eavis has been awarded the Freedom of Glastonbury - meaning he can now run his sheep through the centre of town. The 86-year-old was nominated for the honour despite years of clashes with authorities over Glastonbury Festival.
He was put forward by councillors Jon Cousins and Serena Roney-Dougal - the mayor and deputy mayor of Glastonbury. The nomination was in ''appreciation of his services to the town and local economy''.
In the past freemen held several privileges and often did not have to pay local taxes. The award is now mostly symbolic but according to tradition Mr Eavis now has the right to run his sheep through the centre of the town.
The much-loved dairy farmer, born in 1935, held his first Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton in 1970. Following the Freeman vote, Cllr. Cousins said: “I can think of no one more fitting of receiving this honour.
"This is an opportunity to acknowledge that, as founder of the Glastonbury Festival, Michael has helped to promote Glastonbury for over 50 years – both nationally and internationally – a true life-time’s work.”
Cllr. Roney-Dougal was delighted with the outcome. She said: “The festival makes a significant contribution to our local economy, as well as providing year-round employment locally and support for many local organisations, community groups, and charitable causes – and, on an international scale, raising money for such truly ‘Worthy’ causes as Oxfam, WaterAid, Greenpeace, and CND.
“Our town’s high regard for Michael is clearly shared by others throughout the country and establishment. He has received Honorary Degrees from the Universities of Bath and Bristol, an Honorary MA from the University of Creative Arts, and – in 2007 – he was appointed CBE for his services to music in The Queen’s Birthday Honours.”
Glastonbury Festival is set to return this year after it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year's Pyramid Stage headliners have been confirmed as Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney, and Kendrick Lamar.
Diana Ross will fill the Sunday afternoon legend slot. When the line-up was announced, Glastonbury Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis, daughter of Michael, said: “We are very happy to bring you the first shortlist of artists from the main stages for Glastonbury Festival 2022 - and, if you can believe it, there’s even more to come!”
The festival will be held between Wednesday, June 22, and Sunday, June 26.
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