|
The
clock is ticking, and in a couple of months the largest gathering
of fun loving people will descend on Worthy Farm in Pilton - for
the festival of all festivals...
Festival
Organiser Michael Eavis takes great pride in the knowledge the event
has been able to help people in so many diverse ways.
But
few things have pleased him more than three projects the festival
is supporting in its own back yard - the village of Pilton.
The
most ambitious of these has been the stunning restoration of the
village's own 12th century tithe barn, wrecked by fire 50 years
ago.
 |
| Michael
Eavis outside the 12th Century Tithe Barn |
The
project was made possible with a grant of £400,000 from English
Heritage. The festival contributed a further £100,000 to complete
the funding and builder Peter McCurdy (the brains behind the rebuilding
of the Globe theatre) moved in to bring about the transformation
of the historic and beautiful building.
Mr
Eavis said: "I would have to say that this is one of the things
I have done in my life that I am most proud of.
"The
barn belongs to the village and it is very satisfying to know the
festival has put something back into Pilton.
"I
was born here and used to play in the rafters when I was about 10
but always wanted to restore it.
"We
are hoping it will be finished by the time the festival starts."
 |
| Michael
Eavis in front of Pilton Working Men's Club and Village Hall |
The
second task was to set about the rebuilding of Pilton Working Men's
Club. Funds from the festival have been used to totally refurbish
the club and now and now it's nearly finished an appeal has gone
out to new members - male of female.
"It's
a wonderful community facility and we want to encourage as many
people as possible to join." said Mr Eavis.
 |
| The
builders come from Pilton and any stone used for the building
work comes from Worthy farm |
Next
on the list is a major plan to improve the out-dated village hall,
which is woefully in need of modernisation to bring it up to current
fire safety standards.
Mr
Eavis is hoping the village will be able to secure another grant
to get the work underway. Ultimately the plan is to join the village
hall and working men's club together.
"These
projects are really important to us and I am proud the festival
has been able to help in the way it has and the way it always will,"
said Mr Eavis.
|
