10 things you may not have known about Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis

Glastonbury festival founder Michael Eavis Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

His full legal name is Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis

His family hails from Dorset and, after his great grand father walked north with a dairy herd, settled at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset.

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

His father was a local Methodist preacher, while his mother was a school teacher.

Eavis' mother was a teacher Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Eavis was educated at the fee-paying Wells Cathedral School.

Wells Cathedral, Somerset Credit: Mel Longhurst/Eye Ubiquitous/Press Association Images

His first job was working down a mine in Somerset for £27 a week.

Eavis' first job was down a Somerset mine Credit: Christian Charisius/DPA/Press Association Images

He joined the British Merchant Navy as a trainee. His plan was to spend 20 years at sea, returning with a pension to subsidise the income from the farm.

Famous Merchant Navy ship the Cutty Sark Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Eavis stood as a candidate for the Labour Party in the 1997 General Election in the Wells constituency.

Eavis stood for election in 1997 Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Eavis holds honorary degrees from the University of Bath and the University of Bristol.

Wills memorial building, part of the University of Bristol Credit: Ben Birchall/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Tony Blair awarded Eavis the CBE in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours list.

Tony Blair awarded Eavis a CBE Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

In 2010, the festival's 40th year, he appeared on the main stage at the festival with headline artist Stevie Wonder to sing 'Happy Birthday'.

Eavis appeared on stage with Stevie Wonder in 2010 Credit: Dennis Van Tine/ABACA USA/Empics Entertainment