Glastonbury Left Field Tower

Trade unions announced today (Friday 30th April) that they will be marking May Day 2004 by beginning work this weekend on a giant steel tower and sculpture to celebrate the global struggle for social and economic justice. The tower will be erected at the entrance to the Left Field at the Glastonbury Festival in time for this year’s festival at the end of June.

The Left Field Tower, standing some 70 feet high, has been designed by Glastonbury Festival owner Michael Eavis and Cornwall-based artists Graham Jobbins and Kurt Jackson. It is being built in North Devon by unionised apprentices from the Appledore shipyard who until recently were facing a bleak future as they fought against the threat of closure.

Michael Eavis said: "I had a call from someone in Barnstable who said there were 400 or so shipyard workers who were being made redundant and wanted to make something in metal for this years Festival."

"I came up with the idea of having 12 large figures cut out of steel plate revolving on a big cylinder pulling a rope which should indicate the need for all people around the world to work and pull together."

Graham Jobbins. Left Field Tower designer said "Having been a festival goer for twenty five years, I was thrilled that Michael has given me the opportunity to design the Left Field Tower. I want it to be a beacon of hope and a memorial for the working people’s of this world, and show solidarity in the struggle against poverty and exploitation; as well as a celebration of the spirit, skills and ingenuity of the workers, artists, musicians and performers who all make Glastonbury such a phenomenal festival."

Geoff Martin, union organiser and Left Field director: "We’ve timed the commissioning of the Left Field tower for this weekend to remind people what May Day is all about – international workers solidarity. This tower will rise from the Somerset fields this summer like the Labour Movement’s Angel of the North. We aim to inspire people to get involved and get active."

The Left Field enters its third year at Glastonbury Festival at an improved location near the main meeting point, and with a much bigger site – all with the aim to get out messages of social justice and workers solidarity!

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