Festival possibly 'best in world'

Glastonbury Festival is "possibly the best managed event of its kind in the world", according to a review of the 2008 event by Mendip District Council.

The council praised everyone involved with organising the festival, calling it "well-planned, managed and implemented".

However, the review also raised concerns over noise control.

Among more than 30 new recommendations are those aimed at reducing the effects of noise on nearby towns and villages.

"We know how important it is to Mendip and to ensure it remains one of the best in the world"
Mendip councillor Tom Killen

In total the council received 32 noise complaints from residents in 21 properties, some as far away as Shepton Mallet and Castle Cary.

Much of the noise concerns were generated by two new areas at the festival - Shangri La and Trash City, but investigations showed that the weather conditions carried some noise farther than usual.

Mendip District Council environmental health officer Keith Horton said: "It has been long recognised that the festival site is host to a very significant amount of acoustic energy and inevitably there will be some community impact.

"Weather conditions can significantly influence the off-site effects and there was evidence of this again this year."

This year's festival has also won praise from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the Environment Agency, Somerset Primary Care Trust and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue.

"We know how important it is to Mendip and how important it is to ensure it remains one of the best in the world," said Mendip councillor Tom Killen.

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Glastonbury Festival
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