Glastonbury Left Field Tower
May Day 2004 saw work begin on a giant steel tower and sculpture to celebrate the global struggle for social and economic justice.
It is being built by Pro-Weld Fabrications with unionised apprentices from the Appledore shipyard, who until recently were facing a bleak future as they fought against the threat of closure.
Standing some 70 feet high, the Left Field Tower has been designed by Glastonbury Festival owner Michael Eavis and artists Graham Jobbins and Kurt Jackson.
See a streaming video introduced by Billy Bragg here...
The structure 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 project started with a call to Michael Eavis from the North Devon shipyard.
“I had a call from someone 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.”
Work on the tower will provide a real boost for industry in Devon. In the words of Gary Cooke, GMB Steward for the Appledore Workers, it will be a ‘Labour of love for all involved’.
Kurt Jackson and Graham Jobbins are two Cornwall based artists. Jackson was approached by Michael Eavis earlier in the year to help with the project who, in turn, recommended Jobbins, a life long festival goer:
“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.”
The commissioning of the tower was timed to coincide with May 1st, to remind people what May Day is all about - international workers solidarity.
Geoff Martin, union organiser and Left Field director said “The 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.”
Pro-Weld Fabrications is a local enterprise offering a high quality welding and fabrication service to businesses and individual clients throughout the region.
Pro-Weld Fabrications
Unit 3, Estuary Business Park
West Yelland
BARNSTAPLE
EX31 3EZ
Email here
Tel: 01271 860100