This years' Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled because too many people are getting in without paying even though £1m was spent improving security.

The following statement was issued at 4pm:

After much deliberation and consultation I have now decided not to run the Festival this year. There are many good reasons for this -

1. To show all interested parties that there has to be a more effective control over numbers, which means - amongst other things - designing a fence that works properly!

2. To tell all the people that come without tickets that their behaviour is not sustainable and that by doing so they are taking up valuable resources on site from the people who are here legitimately.

3. That the problem of excessive numbers on site is causing us some concern, particularly after the festival in Denmark last year where nine people died.
This year off will hopefully give a powerful message to everyone that we are worried about the large number of gatecrashers and we will use the coming months to develop ways and means of controlling entry to the site effectively. People will have to understand that the growing culture of fence-hopping has to be stopped and the long-term prospects for the festival will depend upon us succeeding.

I have to say however that I am very proud of the way we manage this event generally. The atmosphere and charm of the event is almost without comparison, which is in part why it is so successful. I have the greatest respect for the large number of people who work so hard to make this festival so unique; they have exceptional management skills and are for the large part volunteers.

I am very sorry and sad to have to make this announcement, but you can be sure of one thing - we will be back next year in 2002!


Michael Eavis
4th January 2001