The origins of The Glastonbury Trust go back to 1978 when a Dutch couple, Willem and Helene Koppejan, bought retail properties at the foot of Glastonbury High Street, which they converted into a complex of shops and function rooms called The Glastonbury Experience. The shops had an ‘arts and crafts’ focus originally, although over the years this was to change, reflecting Glastonbury’s development as a centre for contemporary spirituality. Willem, sadly, was to die before the couple’s dreams were fully realised.

The Glastonbury Experience then went through a period of instability in its early years until around 1994, when, with significant business help from local businessman Barry Taylor, The Glastonbury Trust was formed as part of their shared vision and with his guidance Helene was finally able to turn things around.

When Helene died in 1997, she bequeathed the Glastonbury Experience to The Glastonbury Trust, thereby ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the charity. Since then, the Glastonbury Trust has been working with many projects in Glastonbury and the surrounding areas, with the intention of offering help, guidance, teaching, training, and healing on all aspects of spiritual growth and ecological awareness.

Some examples of the projects the Trust have supported include:

The Pilgrim Reception Centre, Isle of Avalon Foundation, Library of Avalon, Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development, West Mendip Credit Union, Glastonbury Online, Paddington Farm, Plotgate, The Goddess Temple, Glastonbury Sea Cadets, Avalon Boxing Club, the Red Brick Building and many more.

The Glastonbury Trust has also been involved with the local schools St Dunstan’s, St Benedict’s and St Johns as well as local forest schools and home education projects. We have a special interest in building a supportive and empowering environment for parents, children, young people and the elderly.

To find out more, check out the Glastonbury Mothers Collective project.