Strummerville
Joe’s campfires at Glastonbury started in the 1990s when he kept the Festival flames aglow from the beginning to the end, beckoning in strangers and friends to share the warmth, chatter, fun and friendship he so readily gave out. Today we strive to continue the welcoming vibe and have expanded the scope of the fire with a cafe, bar and our stage, which has the most amazing atmosphere for performers and Festival-goers alike.
Everyone is welcome and the money we raise here is channelled to charities we believe Joe would have endorsed, like the London-based Single Homeless Project and the Trussel Trust which is a UK-based anti-poverty charity that supports those struggling to feed their families. We also support WAYout Arts, an organisation we have helped for over a decade, doing incredible work helping mainly street youth and traumatised people in Sierra Leone through the arts. Over the years we have raised tens of thousands for good causes.
One of the many qualities Joe had was his ability to collaborate and mesh together with people from all walks of life and this is what we are proud to have continued at Strummerville. The name ‘Strummerville’ was created by Joe and Roger Goodman, the idea – and what it was to become – was created by Joe’s friends and family in 2003, in order to continue his legacy.
In 1995, the original campfire was situated between the two main stages, an area mainly for trucks and tour buses. Joe made the fire for stewards, roadies and crew to sit around, to take the weight off and chew the fat.
Now, the campfire never goes out and the Strummerville area at Glastonbury Festival welcomes all-comers to escape the buzz of the main site. You get to experience much more intimate sets from artists that are playing elsewhere across the weekend. It’s still a bit of a hidden gem and you never quite know who is going to rock up. There is a certain energy about the space and a shared kindred spirit with a community feel that still feels humble and authentic. Being up on the hill and looking down on the rest of the site gives you a real sense of the scale of the Festival. Those who make the journey are welcomed with open arms and become part of the Strummer ethos.
These days, we have something for everyone, perfectly displayed in this year’s programming, which we felt pushed the boundaries and, in some respects, was the best yet. Twenty years down the line, and we are forever learning.
All of the performers understand why Strummerville exists and want to be involved in a community that welcomes all, knows how to have fun and encourages a DIY approach focused on giving people from all backgrounds a chance to express themselves.
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Photo by Tom Beard