Glastonbury pagans attacked by Catholic youths » Communities » 24dash.com

Pagans living in Glastonbury have been attacked and abused by a group of young Catholic pilgrims who threatened to "cleanse" them from the town, it was claimed today.

Trouble flared during a procession organised by Youth 2000, when local pagans were pelted with salt and branded witches in the historic Somerset town.

Much of the dissent focused on the pagan shop Magick Box, which was on the route of the march.

Owner Maya Pinder said she was outraged by the abuse she and other staff received from the Christian teenagers.

"We've had to hear comments such as 'burn the witches', we've had salt thrown in our faces and at our shop, people were openly saying they were 'cleansing Glastonbury of the paganism'.

"It was as if we had returned to the Dark Ages. This is hugely damaging to Glastonbury, of which I would suggest two-thirds is pagan.

"It is hard enough to trade in Glastonbury as it is, if you were to take away the pagan element it would be a dead town."

The Archdruid of Glastonbury, Dreow Bennett, was also shocked by the Catholic troublemakers' attitude.

"To call the behaviour of some of their members medieval would be an understatement," he said in a letter of complaint.

"I personally witnessed the owner of of the Magick Box being confronted by one of their associates and being referred to as a bloody bitch and being told 'you will burn in hell.'

The Youth 2000 retreat had been organised to mark the 467th anniversary of the beheading of the last Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, Richard Whiting, and fellow martyrs.

Worshippers had headed from Glastonbury Tor down through the High Street during the event.

Father Kevin Knox-Lecky, of St Mary's church, said that after meeting representatives of the pagan community he had would not be inviting Youth 2000 to the town again.

He blamed a large family for the abuse and said he was "very angry" over what had happened.

"A family appeared who we don't know, who were very destructive not only in the town and to the pagan community, but were also swearing at our parishioners as well."

The vast majority of Catholics taking part in the procession were well behaved and respectful of the Pagan community, he insisted.

But last year's event also sparked controversy, when marchers allegedly spat at the shop's windows.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a youth had been arrested at Magick Box on suspicion of causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Two women were also given cautions and warned about their future conduct.

Youth 2000, based in West Yorkshire, is an international initiative aimed at connecting with young Catholics.

Copyright Press Association 2006.