Green Man cancels burning of effigy because of fire risk

Organisers of the Green Man Festival, which runs from August 20 to 23, have made the decision in response to extremely dry ground conditions and elevated fire danger.

The festival, held near Crickhowell in Powys, is working closely with fire services and Powys safety teams to ensure everyone’s safety.

A spokesman for the festival said: "As the risk of fire is high, we are not burning the Green Man this year – we'll collect your wishes and have a special send off for them.

"Please join us for an alternative GM26 goodbye on Sunday by the Green Man statue."

The burning of the Green Man usually serves as the symbolic peak of the event, representing rebirth, the cycle of the seasons, and a collective farewell to the festival.

Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers write down their personal wishes or thoughts and tie them directly onto the massive wooden effigy. When it is set alight at midnight on Sunday, it is intended to represent those thoughts being carried to the universe.

(Image: Green Man)

Additional fire safety measures include a ban on disposable foil barbecues, campfires, and charcoal barbecues or stoves placed directly on the ground.

Only gas camping stoves and barbecues raised off the ground are permitted, and festival-goers are urged to use them with extreme caution.

Smoking and vaping are also banned inside tents and bars.

Thanks to Keep Wales Tidy, free Butt Boxes will be available across the site to help dispose of cigarette ends responsibly.

The festival has increased the number of water points this year, marked with water point flags, and encourages visitors to stay hydrated.

Extra covered areas have also been added to provide shelter throughout the event.

Headliners for this year’s festival, which runs from Thursday, August 20, until Sunday, August 23, include Mogwai, Wilco, Four Tet, and Mercury Prize winners Wolf Alice.