FBU remembers Joe Strummer


Mark Bedford

On the tenth anniversary of the national Fire Brigades Union (FBU) dispute, a benefit event will be held on Friday 16 November at the Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London W11 with the Men They Couldn’t Hang, Tymon Dogg, Take the 5th (Clash tribute group), FBU general secretary Matt Wrack and other special guests.

We will also remember the 2002 benefit concert fronted by the great punk musician Joe Strummer formerly of the Clash! On 15 November 2002 Britain’s firefighters and control staff had just completed a 48 -hour walkout (the first national fire service strike since 1977 – the ‘year of punk’). The Red Watch at Acton Fire Station, west London, had organised a benefit to raise money for the FBU hardship fund where 500 firefighters saw Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros topping the bill!

The band finished with London’s Burning – it never sounded more relevant! Sadly, Joe died suddenly a few weeks later aged just 50. London firefighters provided a guard of honour at his funeral.

With the government’s plans for piecemeal privatisation of the fire service such a spirit is needed more than ever. For further information and tickets go to:

www.armsaloftinactontown.co.uk