Callum’s funeral was held 10 days before he was due to be going to the festival
Callum’s ‘Costa d’El Porto’ flag was spotted flying high at the Glastonbury festival
A brightly coloured flag which was spotted flying high above the Glastonbury crowd has a tragic story behind it. Callum Powell, from Ellesmere Port, loved going to festivals with his friends, and he would take a Spanish flag emblazoned with the words ‘Costa d’El Porto’ – in an affectionate nod to the town where he grew up.
Callum died from oesophageal-gastric cancer three years ago at the age of 28. Every year since his death, his family have flown the flag in memory of the 28-year-old who “lived life to the full.” Nicola, from Hoylake, previously told the ECHO: “Callum loved life and lived it to the full and prior to the diagnosis he was fit and well. Cal started going to Glastonbury with friends in 2016 when he was 22, taking with him the newly created flag, ‘The Costa Del Porto’.
“He tried every year to get tickets with his mates and most years they were lucky.
“He would come home full of amazing stories of bands he had seen. I would always watch Glastonbury on the TV trying to spot his flag flying high.
“I felt like I was part of it. He managed to go three times in total.”
Callum Powell died from oesophageal-gastric cancer in May last year at the age of 28. Callum is pictured here with friends and his ‘Costa d’El Porto’ flag(Image: Family handout)
Callum had secured tickets to Glastonbury 2020 before it was postponed for two years due to coronavirus restrictions, during which time became unwell.
Callum first realised something was wrong when he started having difficulty swallowing in March 2021, with doctors initially suspecting he might have glandular fever or a stomach ulcer.
But following further tests in May that year, Callum was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal-gastric cancer and died 12 months later.
The 28-year-old’s funeral was held ten days before he was due to be going to the rescheduled Glastonbury festival in June 2022.
Chloe Powell (left) with her brother, Callum Powell(Image: Chloe Powell)
Callum’s ‘Costa d’El Porto’ flag was seen flying high on the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury and an image was shared by a member of the Pride in the Port Facebook group.
Much like the festival, the flag has evolved over the years.
This included the addition of Liver Birds in honour of Liverpool Football Club, while stars on the top signalled the years Liverpool won the European Cup.
The stars below illustrate the years Callum and his friends attended Glastonbury.
Nicola described Callum’s flag as a “true reflection of his character” as someone who was “always bringing everyone together for fun times during the most special moments, giving us memories that will last a lifetime.”