When 39-year-old Ella Hammond from Marden, Kent, learned she was too ill to attend Glastonbury Festival, she refused to let her dream fade. Instead of giving up, she created her own version of the event, called Ella Fest, and shared music and joy with family and friends shortly before her death.
A Long-Standing Dream of Glastonbury
Ella had always wanted to go to Glastonbury. She and her friends finally secured tickets for 2024, and the news filled her with excitement. However, her health declined quickly after the diagnosis of colon cancer in August 2023.
Ella and her husband, Stuart, had struggled to conceive a child. They investigated the issue after several miscarriages. During this process, doctors discovered the cancer. A radiographer spotted that her colon was blocked by a tumour. She received emergency surgery the next day. Doctors removed part of her colon and lymph nodes, but later tests confirmed the disease had already spread.
Ella started chemotherapy, but doctors estimated she had around two years to live. The reality devastated her and her family. They tried to process the information, but the emotional pressure felt overwhelming at times.
A Sudden Decision to Move Into Hospice Care
By spring 2024, Ella spent weekly visits in A&E to manage severe pain. She entered hospital again one Friday. Later that day, she phoned her parents and announced she had decided to move into Hospice In The Weald in Pembury. She explained a room had opened, and she wanted to take it while she could.
Her parents, Maurice and Rita, expected to find her exhausted and low. Instead, they saw a dramatic change the next morning. Ella sat cross-legged on her bed with a notebook and whiteboard. She looked determined.
She said, “I planned to go to Glastonbury. I’m not well enough. So I’m planning a festival on the farm instead. I’ve made a list of jobs for everyone.”
Ella Fest: A Creative Celebration of Life
Ella designed Ella Fest down to the finest detail. The event took place on Stuart’s family farm. It included live bands during the day and DJs who played music inspired by Glastonbury headliners. Volunteers created festival wristbands and acted as security. A charity brought goats from a local sanctuary. A converted VW campervan served as a photo booth so guests could take keepsake pictures. A handmade flower wall decorated the DJ area.
The festival attracted around 120 friends and family members. The joyful atmosphere lasted late into the evening. It gave everyone the chance to feel close, celebrate, and support Ella’s final vision.
Staff at the hospice adjusted the schedule of her pain medication. Their care allowed her to attend the event comfortably and remain present for most of the celebration.
Ella died on July 1, the day after Glastonbury 2024 ended.
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Compassionate Care in Her Final Days
Ella thought deeply about where she wanted to spend her final days. She did not want to die in hospital. She also did not want her home linked to her death. She wanted Stuart to continue living there without a painful memory.
The hospice staff helped her achieve these wishes. They used a chalkboard in her room to learn what mattered most to her. They adapted their support based on her priorities. Throughout her stay, they treated both Ella and her family with empathy and honesty.
Ella struggled to eat, so she lived on crushed ice and meringues. A member of the kitchen team taught Maurice how to operate the ice machine. That simple act meant he could care for her whenever she needed something cold.
Ella wanted a film night with her husband. Staff carried a sofa into her room to make it possible. Later, when she did not want to sleep alone, they moved her to another room. Her parents and husband slept on mattresses on the floor so she never woke up without someone there.
Maurice said the hospice gave Ella comfort, dignity, and peace. The space allowed her to live her final days with freedom and support.
Ella’s Legacy of Joy and Strength
Ella Fest represented more than a party. It acknowledged her resilience, creativity, and love for the people around her. She could not attend Glastonbury, but she refused to surrender her dream. Instead, she turned it into a personal celebration of life.
Her story shows that even during sadness, people can create moments of connection. Ella chose joy when life offered very little certainty. In doing so, she left a lasting memory for everyone she loved.
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