The Glastonbury Symposium was founded in 1990 by Roland Pargeter, who ran it for nine years. Wishing to go to India for two years, rather than close down the Symposium, he handed it over to Glastonbury resident Sheila Martin and crop circle researchers Andy Thomas and Karen Douglas.

They ran it together for five Symposiums, from 2000-2004. Karen moved on in the winter of 2004, and Andy and Sheila were joined in 2005 by Glastonbury resident Debbie Parkes. As from 2008, Debbie is now replaced by Di Brown. During the weekend itself, Andy and Sheila share the MC role while Di manages the Front of House.

Di Brown

Di, along with her partner Jason Porthouse, has been involved with the Symposium since 1995 where she helped on a casual basis with door and desk duty. She's also been part of Andy Thomas's talks in a theatrical sense playing characters as diverse as the Queen, an acolyte and fluffy bunny, to name a few! Three years ago she and Jason became permanent fixtures as front of house and door persons welcoming attendees. This year she is taking on Debbie's role as administrator for the Symposium. Di and Jason moved from Brighton to the Glastonbury area two years ago.

Andy Thomas

Andy is a leading researcher into unexplained mysteries and a campaigner for liberty and truth issues, organising events under the banner 'Changing Times'. He is author of many books, including Vital Signs, described by many as the definitive guide to the crop circle phenomenon. Andy widely writes and lectures in England and abroad, has published books and made numerous radio and TV appearances. A speaker at the Symposium since 1994, his Glastonbury presentations have become known for their theatrical touches - always to illustrate serious points. Andy became co-MC for the event in 1999 and then co-organiser with Sheila in 2000.
www.vitalsignspublishing.co.uk
www.changingtimes.org.uk

Sheila Martin

Sheila has been involved with the Symposium since she arrived in Glastonbury in 1993. For several years she helped out by manning the front desk then, in 2000, she became the Glastonbury anchor of the Symposium. After five years of intense involvement, she was able to step back as, at first, Debbie Parkes and now Di Brown, have taken over the adminstration. Sheila's role is predominantly strategic and 'behind the scenes', except for the weekend itself which she MCs with Andy.

The Crew

We wish also to express appreciation to our illustrious team of Glastonbury volunteers and professionals who help out at the weekend of the Symposium. These include the people who staff the doors and the cafe, who work the sound, lights, audio and video recording, and help with get-in and get-out. Some of them have been with us for years, and the team works really well. Without them, the Symposium wouldn't be what it is. A good team makes it look easy to run something like this, but don't be deceived!