Going back to the initial post, yes I was there in 1976. We never missed a year from 1973 until late '80s when a change in job meant I had to be around to organise Freshers Fairs input at the old Liverpool Poly. I've never experienced the 'revised' site but reading this thread I'm starting to miss the old place! Yes, I guess it was all "so simple then" (Gladys Knight) compared to today's version but that's true of most Festivals I'd venture.
We stayed at the Barneby Arms out at Bredenbury and would hitch back, occasionally shelling out for a taxi. The Allemanders dance band were fellow residents.
Silly Wizard were just superb - raucous, good-time and good company too. I have a photo of a very young looking June Tabor on stage in the main marquee. When it rained, I'd never seen mud so red nor as cloyingly sticky! The Gents urinal drained straight into the ditch, the beer was Watneys Starlight or M&B Albright - ghastly stuff that delivered a headache after only one pint. I remember sings in the 'Railway,' up into town from the site - it's now a private house.
I had to climb back into the 'Falcon' through a window to rescue Fred Jordan's haversack which he'd left on Sunday afternoon(pubs closed at 2pm on Sunday back then) taking the skin off my shins in the process! "Thanks" said Fred.
We liked that part of the world so much that we'd stay on for a few days afterwards at the Barneby. Yes, I'm getting nostalgic! Would I still have as much fun if we returned?