A COMMUNITY group has launched a fundraising campaign to buy land to “preserve a precious part of Glastonbury’s heritage”.
The Friends of St Edmund’s Well Community Interest Company (CIC) is aiming to raise £20,000 to purchase land at Windmill Hill, off Selwood Road, in order to restore an orchard and wildlife haven in part as a tribute the site’s former owner – Glastonbury Egg Man, Wilf Peddle.
Mr Peddle, a legend in the town, was well known for delivering eggs to residents from his Morris Minor van. Sadly, he passed away in June last year at the age of 74.
Now, land Mr Peddle owned – known as Wilf’s Field, at Windmill Hill, which home to St Edmund’s Well – is set to be auctioned off later this year, with a guide price of around £60,000.
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The CIC says it has already raised around £35,000 – and is now hoping to raise a further £20,000 to be competitive at the sale and “take a crucial step towards safeguarding this land for the community and future generations”.
“Glastonbury has already lost many of its traditional orchards,” the group said. “Wilf’s Field offers a rare chance to protect a living link to out past, while also creating a vibrant, regenerative space for the future.”
If successful, the group – made up of Windmill Hill residents – has pledged to restore the orchard, planting new trees to commemorate births, deaths, weddings and more, as well as enhancing biodiversity and offering community activities and volunteering opportunities.
The well is a long way from the farmlands that are being auctioned. Also, there is a significant uplist clause which radically deters development of the land either commercially or residentially.