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Glastonbury renames Left Field Tower in honour of Tony Benn Glastonbury renames Left Field Tower in honour of Tony Benn
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Benn hailed it as "a tower of strength" when it was erected in 2004, and now Glastonbury's distinctive Left Field Tower has been renamed the Tony Benn Tower in honour of the politician, speaker and friend of the festival, who died in March.Tony Benn hailed it as "a tower of strength" when it was erected in 2004, and now Glastonbury's distinctive Left Field Tower has been renamed the Tony Benn Tower in honour of the politician, speaker and friend of the festival, who died in March.
The 21m tower was originally built in 2004 by GMB apprentices from the Appledore shipyard in Devon, who were fighting against the threat of closure. Festival organiser Michael Eavis said at the time: “I had a call from someone who said there were 400 or so shipyard The 21-metre tower was built in 2004 by GMB apprentices from the Appledore shipyard in Devon, who were fighting against the threat of closure. Festival organiser Michael Eavis said at the time: “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 workers who were being made redundant and wanted to make something in
metal for this year's festival. I came up with the idea of having 12 metal for this year's festival. I came up with the idea of having 12
large figures cut out of steel plate revolving on a big cylinder pullinglarge 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 a rope, which should indicate the need for all people around the world
to work and pull together.”to work and pull together.”
The tower was commissioned by Battersea and Wandsworth TUC and designed by Cornwall-based artist and regular Glastonbury-goer Graham Jobbins, who intended it to be "a beacon of hope and a memorial for the working peoples of the world". The tower was commissioned by Battersea and Wandsworth TUC and was designed by Cornwall-based artist and Glastonbury regular Graham Jobbins, who intended it to be "a beacon of hope and a memorial for the working peoples of the world".
In this year's Glastonbury programme, Emily Eavis writes: "Tony Benn was a true inspiration and great friend of the festival. A regular speaker in the Left Field, he loved coming here every year. As a tribute, working closely with the late politician's family, we have renamed the Left Field Tower the Tony Benn Tower … Heralded as a 'tower of strength' by Tony Benn at its launch in 2004, it lies at the heart of the festival." In this year's Glastonbury programme, Emily Eavis writes: "Tony Benn was a true inspiration and great friend of the festival. A regular speaker in the left field, he loved coming here every year. As a tribute, working closely with the late politician's family, we have renamed the Left Field Tower the Tony Benn Tower … Heralded as a 'tower of strength' by Tony Benn at its launch in 2004, it lies at the heart of the festival."
And what happened to the Appledore shipyard? In 2007 it was bought by Babcock International Group and won a Royal Navy contract that secured 300 jobs until 2015. In April this year it launched Le Samuel Beckett for the Irish navy, the first completed ship to be built at the yard since 2002. And what happened to the Appledore shipyard? Babcock International Group bought it in 2007 and won a Royal Navy contract that has secured 300 jobs until 2015. In April, it launched the vessel Le Samuel Beckett for the Irish navy, the first completed ship to be built at the yard since 2002.