'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Paul Martin from nearby Newark
Date: 19 Apr 22 - 04:05 PM

I hitched up Friday evening from Uni summer hols building-site job in London, crashed out at the family house in Newark, parents away on holiday, don't remember how I got to the festival site next day. Met up with some gorgeous Dutch girls, but sadly nothing happened even in the big tent that night. A great, great day. Wish I could remember what words the Incredibles were singing as the sun went down! And Buffy Saint Marie definitely sang later on, I clearly remember her red dress in the spotlights in the darkness. And the Byrds were not exactly folk but great! Superb, a brilliant experience.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Mike Boursnell
Date: 05 Nov 20 - 10:33 AM

I remember that some of Steeleye Span were late, so Tim Hart and Maddy Prior did some stuff from "Summer Solstice".

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Alan Watson
Date: 29 Oct 19 - 04:51 PM

The first festival I ever went to... and what a line up!! Like so many others, it's the Byrds, James Taylor, Buffy and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (why did only two of them turn up?). We caught the train from Donny on Friday Night, camped that night and Saturday too under a huge ex-army bell tent, which no-one had an idea about erecting. I have read elsewhere that Cat Stevens (quite a star at the time) turned up and asked to play but was told, in no uncertain terms, that no pop stars were wanted on the bill!! Don't know if it's been posted before but here's a link to the Byrds playing at the festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfUuDTJmAOw

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Wounded
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 03:20 PM

Drove to Lincoln from Dover in 1971. Engine blew 60 miles short. Had to hich back following week to collect. A great bill opened by Ralph McTell, who played superb ragtime guitar and had the whole crowd joining in his recently written Streets of London. He was followed by an acoustic Dion with Abraham, Martin and John, Ruby baby etc. I was very anxious to see Tim Hardin, whose songs I first heard through Bobby Darin and Scott Walker. He sang his well-known Lady came from Baltimore, Black sheep boy, and Reason to believe in a style which was too jazzy at times and failed to project to the audience as it should have. Steeleye Span were entertaining. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee were a thrill to see after all those years of listening to their records. Their set was pretty well the one they recorded at The Troubadour with Lightnin' Hopkins, which I had bought on the Saga label, and included the wonderful Just rode in your town. Sandy Denny was billed to appear with Fotheringay but they'd since disbanded. Instead, she sang powerfully with Richard Thompson, Dave Pegg and Gerry Conway who, I'm told, called themselves The Happy Blunderers - I thought I recalled her saying they were The Bunch. Tom Paxton was so predictably superb, that we thought we'd leave, so good had been the feast. Still to come were The Byrds, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick and James Taylor and Buffy Sainte Marie. However, as we were making our preparations and farewells, The Byrds came on stage. They had been billed to play an acoustic set, but they stormed on with the electric Rock and roll star and played a classic set which included a cymbal knocking over version of Jesus is just all right and an acoustic second half which included Chestnut Mare. They were magnificent. I hadn't been a fan previously, but now I was converted. When they finished, that really was it for us. It couldn't get any better. By this time the audience at the back were chucking cans about and setting fire to the rudimentary toilets which straddled a long ditch.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,D Milne
Date: 10 Feb 18 - 05:52 PM

Went there with my cousin and a couple of friends. We arrived too early the Monday or Tuesday. We were interviewed by the local newspaper, although never got a copy. The hells angels came up to our tents as we were the only ones there. One of them volunteered me to go with him into town to buy alcohol on his easy rider style bike. Never to be forgotten. For some mad reson we took my cousins dog Turk with us. Don't know what we were thinking.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Barbara Smock
Date: 05 Oct 17 - 09:37 PM

I still have my £2 ticket. I thought (at the time) the Byrds sucked, but James Taylor made me melt... We had all been smoking of course - the air was thick with a sweet heavy smell. I married the guy I was with at the time and moved to America. I'll never forget that concert....

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Spider Maghee
Date: 17 Sep 17 - 08:09 AM

Arrived at the site on Friday night, parked up in a field and walked into the village to find a pub. Mission accomplished we were having a few beers while some guy was abusing a piano in the corner. Then a group of Hells Angels walked in and Altamont sprang immediately to mind. One of them announced that his mate could actually play the piano and would we mind awefully if they entertained us. The whole pub ended up singing Rock N'Roll songs. Probably my favourite memory of a great weekend although the Byrds blasting into So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star is a close second.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 03 Sep 17 - 04:23 PM

The order of appearance, listed above, certainly isn't correct.
Ralph McTell did open the show but Buffy st Marie appeared very late in the show.
I'm tempted to say that she was the penultimate act with Carthy/Swarbrick closing proceedings.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Descartes
Date: 03 Sep 17 - 03:09 PM

I was there in 1971, with a couple of uni mates.

We travelled up by train from Cambridge, and walked to the festival site from Lincoln - and back again the following day.

And I recently discovered that my sister-in-law's partner of the last 4 years was also there - probably sitting next to us. He unearthed his own copy of the programme.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 07 Sep 16 - 02:06 PM

Thanks Rob....

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 07 Sep 16 - 10:23 AM

Georgiansilver (2014)....Yes, the Great Western Festival was a different one, the following year (1972). I was there.

There was a Folk Tent, and I remember Harvey Andrews and Anne Briggs performing there.

Main stage was bands such as Focus, Nazareth, Wishbone Ash, Joe Cocker, The Beach Boys, Rory Gallagher and loads more. Not much folk there!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 Sep 16 - 09:35 AM

Wasn't there but can listen to Sandy Denny's set!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Paul Richard Sheridan
Date: 07 Sep 16 - 06:41 AM

I was there.Fantastic...I remember seeing topless girls as well as al the acts. I remember wishing I was James Taylor! So memorable. I went with Graham Drew and David Smith = all of us from Grimsby.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Mar 16 - 11:09 AM

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Pavane
Date: 30 Nov 15 - 09:58 AM

I was there too. Drove a group of friends from a club - I think it was the Herga. Never to be forgotten! Never thought much of James Taylor before, but he was GOOD. And Buffy and Sonny and Brownie stand out in my memory. It was the only time I ever saw Sandy Denny, too.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Jonny Soprano
Date: 03 Nov 15 - 06:46 AM

Missed most of the festival because of work. Dashed to the site just as the crowd was departing. Felt like i had let a little piece of history slip through my fingers.
Found a pub close by where i guy gave me a copy of the programme called :A Concert Of Contemporary And Traditional Folk Music. Still in excellent condition.
I was 20 years old and thought i new everything. I'm 65 this coming Saturday. Where did it all go?

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Sue
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 01:27 PM

Still have fond memories of this festival. Travelled from south London, staying in Nottingham with friends before cadging a lift with them to Lincoln. Little did I realise that eight years later I would be offered a job here and have stayed ever since! Amazed how so many people fitted into the field at Tupholme Manor as it seems quite small and isolated now. A great event - happy days!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 04 Sep 15 - 12:29 PM

Just found this thread, prompted to look up Tupholme Manor after my program from the festival turned up in a box of memorabilia. Hadn't thought about it in a long time! I'm from the States and was backpacking through England at what I now (as a grandmother) think is a shockingly young age. I remember best Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and the Byrds. No memory of Buffy St. Marie, but the latrines were vividly etched in memory so maybe that's where I was when she was on stage. Though I don't look back on my youth as a golden era, I'm glad to have been able to see so many whose music I still love and listen to.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,derek
Date: 12 Aug 15 - 09:54 AM

I remember sitting in the "parcel" section of the train back from Lincoln with the Incredibles!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Bill Hornsby
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 04:27 PM

Just found this thread while looking for the reprint poster now on sale. Yep - I was there. Went with a load of mates . Train from Darlington to Lincoln then the organised bus to the site. Remember Lots of the acts - Buffy was great but Sonny and Brownie were the most memorable to me. I'm afraid I was a bit vague (must have been the No6(?) about Sandy Denny and James Taylor - well I was there so I must have seen them . Was there until the early hours but me and my mates got split up on way out. I managed to get that bus (after a long wait) into Lincoln. Remember a church was open for people to crash in and bumped into one of the lads then train back home that morning. How the hell i hadnt lost the ticket I dont know. Yeh those toilets were basic (no portaloos in those days kids!!). I've read all of the above so thanks for the 40+ year old memories folks.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Les Owen
Date: 09 Jul 15 - 04:12 PM

P.s. If my memory serves me well (thanks Dylan) Steeleye Span were late on stage so Tim Hart and Maddy Prior did two or three on their own. Didn't go down too well.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,les owen
Date: 09 Jul 15 - 03:56 PM

I went with Bob Fox. Bob now knows all the artistes (just about). What a day!!! My lasting memories are of Sonny and Brownie, Buffy and Martin Carthy/Dave Swarbrick. It was either Melody Maker or NME that reported about fans shouting out their favourites to Martin C and Dave S late at night. That was me and Bob. Took us Sunday and half Monday to hitch home in sweltering weather. Halcyon Days.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Dave Evardson
Date: 18 Mar 15 - 05:30 PM

I should remember it well. Coming home on the coach (courtesy of Liam Duffy & Grimsby's Black Swan Folk Club) I sat next to Julie & the rest is history (we're still together 43 years later). Other acts I recall: Steeleye Span, Tim Hardyn, Tom Paxton. All a hazy memory but very very special.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Kenny Goodman
Date: 23 Sep 14 - 10:02 AM

Great day, travelled from Manchester,I remember all the line up especially sonny terry and brownie McGee who were excellent, a magical time !!!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Peter Kievenaar
Date: 14 Sep 14 - 07:10 AM

We are going to see James Taylor next month at The Royal Albert Hall; this has brought back fond memories, as I remember going to the Lincoln Folk Festival, but had forgotten what year it was. 1971- 43 years ago- I can hardly believe it! One of the highlights for me was The Byrds- fantastic stuff!
I remember a shower of rain in the afternoon, and some people went to shelter. We were able to get virtually right up to the stage, meaning I was a matter of feet away when James Taylor came on. Of all the concerts I have been to, James Taylor's set stands out- relaxed, fantastic vocally, and a wonderful guitarist.
Great to read all the other comments here- it has brought it all to life again!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,raymond j martin aka Snowie
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 03:54 AM

Forty-three years ago today was a Saturday, I had the weekend off from work. At the time I worked for Plessey Telecommunications as a wireman. This weekend was special, my girlfriend Eileen was away on holiday with her parents, and I had a ticket for the Tupholme Folk Festival in Bardney near Lincoln. The ticket for the one day festival cost £2-00p., what a price. Go to a concert today, I am next month, a minor act, and the tickets were on sale for EUR 38,50 that's £30 for a two hour concert. The times they are a changing!
In Bardney that day 43 years ago the sun was shining, the atmosphere was peaceful and calm and the music phenomenal. There were three highlights which I remember: Buffy St. Marie, a Cree Indian she sang so beautifully; if my memory serves me right she had a very husky voice and her songs were stories. Listen to the song Soldier Blue
The next highlight was the late coming group The Byrds. They started with an acoustic song (the whole festival was under the motto acoustic folk music); after that as an intro, they said something like "And this is what you wanted to hear" and exchanged their acoustic instruments for electric. The crowd went wild but the abided by the motto and went back to playing unplugged.
Most amazing was the performance of James Taylor. He was so cool and sang the crowd nearly into sleep; I've never seen so many people laid-back singing along with the songs. It was indescribable!
One more thing, if anyone who is reading was at the festival: Do you remember the Meeting Tree? I don't know why, but when I think of the festival the big oak tree at the end of the field always comes to my mind. Wasn't that a great festival? It was the best I have ever been to.
Today I posted this story on my Blog:
http://my-daily-banana.blogspot.de/

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,oggie
Date: 03 Jun 14 - 08:45 AM

Two different festivals.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Jun 14 - 02:15 AM

Perhaps it was a different Festival........ I don't remember it being called The Great Western either!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Jun 14 - 02:13 AM

Photos of GW Festival...    Did we get the year wrong? It says 1972.... I'm sure it was 1971!!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,kev liverpool
Date: 02 Jun 14 - 05:51 PM

Just found this site. I was at this as a 15year old having hitched down from liverpool by myself. During the byrds and James Taylor I climbed up the scaffolding on the left of the stage to watch the music, ending up being closest to some of the greatest live music i`ve ever heard in my life. Enjoyed this festival immensely and hitch hiked back with a lovely girl who was a couple of years older than me. Was dropped off at kirkby by the driver who whisked her off into central liverpool. Would love to know if anyone has photos of the stage during those sets in case I can spot myself.

Subject: !!!!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 30 May 14 - 04:38 PM

It's time this thread disappeared for good....... I was YOUNG then.... in my twenties!!!! STOP IT!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 14 - 01:39 AM

thats great -- just seen your message-- have you still got flyer if so i can give you my address dave

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Mike Winters
Date: 18 Mar 14 - 03:46 PM

Hitched from Southport with my girlfriend and ex-girlfriend (It was 1971 after all). Got to within a mile of the festival site when some guy in a min-van run into us on the road and knocked us all into a ditch. He took us into a building (probably Tupholme Manor Hall) and we were taken from there to Lincoln Hospital where I spent the night having X-Rays. Managed to get to the festival early next morning, fell asleep and was awoken by the sound check of an Alice Coltrane record (I think, Great day, great weather - loved the Byrds. Took all Sunday to get back home.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,iriscot 53
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 04:52 AM

GREAT TO LEAVE A FEW MEMORIES OF THIS GREAT FESTIVAL THE BYRDS SET WAS BRILLIANT TAYLOR WAS MAGIC AND RALPH MCTELL SINGING THE STREETS OF LONDON WITH EVERYONE JOINING IN I WILL NEVER FORGET.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 24 Jan 14 - 03:08 PM

I was there! Ralph McTell opened the show.
I too, was very impressed with Buffy Saint Marie.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Mick Gough
Date: 24 Jan 14 - 02:09 PM

I was working at the time as a Volunteer at Hothorpe Hall in Northamptonshire- an ecumenical conference centre. A Transit full of us went Warren and Ray from US, Maria from Sweden, Eeva and Laura from Finland, Harald originally from East Germany and then from Nottingham, Elizabeth, Harry and myself from England. At the time Walk On was popular with us so to see and hear Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee was brilliant. I can als remember James Taylor rebuking photographers saying somthing like "after the first one they're all the same, man" .

Anway great great day and a fabulous snog with Maria in a collapsed tent whilst Pentangle were on !

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Deb
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 02:01 PM

That summer of 1971, the Canadian government arranged for summer jobs in foreign countries for university students - the only qualification was that you had to speak the language, so I applied for England and got a position as an office temp in London. In July some of my new friends were going to a music festival in Lincolnshire and one of the guys borrowed his grandmother's Mercedes and off we went - my memory is fuzzy after 42 years. I remember we had some trouble finding the place but eventually we did and enjoyed the show from a great distance. I remember most Ralph McTell, the Incredible String Band, and Sandy Denny alone on the stage with a piano. And people dancing round a bonfire, not far from the stage. I think we left before it was over and drove for a while before setting up a couple of pup tents in s field near the road. In the morning I heard the sound of a horse approaching and when I clambered out, there was a girl in the saddle, who politely asked if we wanted to come to the house for breakfast. At that time not that many rural Brits had much exposure to North Americans, and colonial accents were quite exotic so my friends made me do the talking. It was an ancient farm house with exposed beams and a family pleased to have caught some of the hippies from the concert. They joked I remember about not enough loaves and fishes in the village for the crowd. What a time! O to be 20 again...

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 07:16 PM

Don't recall who I went with, how I got there (or back) - alls I remember is the wondrous James Taylor - his perfect music floating over the field - and the balmy warmth of that evening. I think we decided to make tracks after his set. I'd have surely had the Byrds etched in my brain. Thanks to all those reminiscensers who still have such vivid impressions of that wonderful day.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Rockinjan
Date: 31 Dec 13 - 07:06 AM

i bumped into Tim Hardin's manager who took me to the area behind the stage and introduced me to most of the musicians. I remember in particular saying hello to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and to Tim Hardin.
I was offered a ride back to London in their limo but wanted to here the Birds so was given a pass and sat under the stage to hear an acoustic set by the Birds!! one of the best days of my life!!
I still have a signed poster of the day

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,jah pensioner
Date: 05 Dec 13 - 04:17 PM

I was there too - as said by everybody, it was a great lineup. Tim Hardin was pretty good, with a very 'jazzy' sound, and an excellent ellectric pianist in his band. The Byrds were everything I hoped for, as was James Taylor and Dion, whose 'albums' I owned then.
I only ever went to 3 festivals in the UK, IOW, Hollywood [with the Dead & Mungo Jerry] and Lincoln - all were brilliant.....

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 03:32 AM

They dont book them like that anymore.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Rob Oxberry
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 06:06 AM

Remember a great time with girlfriend Pat life was simple and fun I remember the dead tree and many people who couldn't find the way back to their friends and when it was over sleeping in a church hall good times

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Aug 13 - 05:56 PM

1971 TUPHOLME FOLK FESTIVAL

On a bright and sunny Saturday, 24th July 1971, Frederick Bannister Productions Ltd, staged a very successful concert of 'Contemporary and Traditional Folk Music', at Tupholme Manor Park.
Trains and coaches were overwhelmed with travellers attending this one-day festival. Hudson's Bus Company and Pilgrim Tours were operating a shuttle service from Lincoln station.
The crowd was estimated at 60,000, by Bill Hardy, the local farmer on whose land the event was held, with visitors from as far as Australia and New Zealand.
Tickets for the day were £2-00p.
The list of UK and American artists included:
Buffy Sainte Marie
Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy
Dion
Incredible String Band
James Taylor
Pentangle
Ralph McTell
Sandy Denny
Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Steeleye Span
The Byrds
Tim Hardin
Tom Paxton (did not attend)
The Byrds, who arrived late, by surprise, were going to play an acoustic set, but because of the fantastic way they went down playing electric at the previous year's Bath Festival, they again stole the show by being the only band to play an electric set, on the day.
It was described as a very successful, trouble-free event.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,gordon
Date: 18 Aug 13 - 05:19 PM

Dave,

two years later, yes i have a flyer. How do I send it to you?

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 01:18 PM

glad to hear it, bill, hope you till sleep out occasionally under a sheet.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Bill Geddes.
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 08:37 AM

I was 29 and was with a girl I met after my marriage broke down. We had a wonderful time! I remember the Byrds were billed as doing "an acoustic set" but when they came on they burst into "Do you wanna be a Rock n Roll Star" & they were electric, blew me away.I remember CSN being played over the PA, The canvas round the toilets falling down. We did not have a tent and at nightime it pissed down so we slept under a sheet of plastic. We are still together.......

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 09:12 PM

Found this programme on Facebook, it seems to be public. The caption with it reads: "The 1971 Lincoln Folk Festival at Tupholme Manor Park is fairly legendary - the running order from the programme should give some idea why. The Byrds were billed for an acoustic set which they did at sunset. The sun had just gone down when they came back electric for their encore and did an incredible extended Eight Miles High while campfires lit up all over the site…My enduring memories other than the great music and awful toilets are of mercifully being able to escape to the back stage area - where Tim Hardin was being dissuaded from trying to fly out of an upstairs window of the manor house, and of Tom Paxton making a grand entry in a white limo, with manager Joe Lustig, and a fur coated, mini-skirted "model" on either arm - to universal disinterest. "

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Andy Hiles
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 06:44 PM

So Sandy Denny was on the bill - I couldn't remember among so many acts. Everyone who was anyone was there. Can't remember how I got there or back from SouthLondon, but I do recall James Taylor saying it was cold on stage but not to send up any of the bonfires sprouting around the site. My goodness it was anarchic, but don't recall any aggro. The loos were indescribable - I had a sheltered life and soggy plywood over a chasm was life changing. Hardly any food vendors, and an announcement at one point that the organisers had asked the vendors to keep the prices down (cheers).
One of those special moments. Fantastic.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Simon Welburn
Date: 27 Aug 12 - 02:34 PM

I went to this, Though James Taylor was advertise I do not remember him singing, a few seem to remember him so he must have. The Byrds were a late addition to the bill and performed last after Buffy. Rev 'Blind' Gary Davis did not do the gig at Bardney.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Malcolm Casey
Date: 27 Aug 12 - 02:55 AM

Hi Guys greeting from South Africa.
I remember this festivel very well.I was 19.
I was living in West Hartlepool and we whent to the local pub and there was a bus half full going to a festival.
Two thirds pissed thought why not.So me and my might got on the bus.
It was about 11 on the Friday Night.
By the time the bus got to Lincoln it was more than full.Picked up people on the way
Rember Ralph Mactell Strrets of London, The Birds were out of this world also liked tom Paxton.
However the best was Buffy St Marie. She dressed in full Indian Dress she was stunning.
When she started to sinf soldier blue the whols crowed went mad.
Remeber the long drop toilets food stalls which were few and far between.
I rember there was a music magazine there as well not NME it was another magazine.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Ianzblues
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 12:23 PM

Does anyone remember Rev. Gary Davis being at this event? It is listed on his itinerary for that tour, but none of the recollections posted here include him.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,trainspotter 52
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 06:19 AM

I was 22 and a graduate trainee at British Steel in Corby. We been out for our normal friday night session when someone mentioned this folk festival tomorrow at Lincoln. So following morning with hangovers we pile into a car and head up the A1 towards Lincoln Can remember getting lost a couple of times ( no sat navs then) and arriving just as the show started. I remember the Byrds coming on and playing an acoustic opening then announcing to the audience that it was supposed to be an acoutic festival "well Fuck that" and went into an incredible electric set. Other stand out sets for me were Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee; James Taylor and Buffy Saint Marie. It was certainly the greatest one day festival that I'd been to before or since. Sitting playing * miles high brings it all back

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Greg
Date: 07 Mar 12 - 05:18 AM

I was 17, in the lower sixth. I have no idea how it came together,but I went to Lincoln with Wendy and Joy, friends from school in Wendy's dad's Austin. I recall driving it into the field where we parked and almost getting stuck. I think I remember the tree, but really only two things stick out in my memory: Meeting James Taylor who was a hero of mine at the time, talking for a little while, then asking for his autograph, knowing how crass it sounded, and he said 'you know what a pile of crap this is'. Didn't I know it! The other is of the Byrds (more heroes) crashing into 'So you want to be a rock and roll star' under the lights. I was a bit of a folkie, but at that point I knew where I was going next. I wish I could say great memories, but they're really only mental snapshots - scenarios, after 40 odd years

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,dennis poole
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 09:59 AM

Having just purchased Grateful Dead at Bickershaw CD I browsed for Lincoln '71 and came up with this forum. I recall the occasion far better than the music itself. I was just 18 and my brother had recently graduated. We were at a loose end and so decided to hitch from St.Helens to Lincoln. We set off from Windle Island on the A580 and after ages got stuck on the Mancunian Way. I will always remember the guy who picked us up in his mini and took us all the way to Lincoln via Sheffield. We got to the site in pitchblack and found a campfire to try and bed down only to be kept awake by some freak complaning about a lack of tatties on the fire. Call yourselves Hippies he kept saying. Entering the arena was a bit disconcerting due to the signs saying "beware of Adders." I recall the loo's as a bit long, deep trench. We met up with some girlfriends of mine, Val and Helen, who had been pea picking near Wisbech. We had really gone to see The Byrds and I recall they did an electric set, but had completely forgotten about James Taylor. If I had I would have dined out on the fact I'd seen him at the start of his career! Getting home was a similar adventure, involving coaches to Manchester and getting the first train back to St.Helens Junction and then a bus back home. However, the funniest moment was trying to negotiate a way out of the arena. I stumbled over someone's legs and in putting my hand down to stop my fall I ended up walloping some poor guy in the nuts. Even though it was dark I can still recall him jacknifing and the sound of him exhaling with a resounding oooooofffff still makes me laugh some 40 years later. Little things, little things!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Davy, Charlie . Ed . Cass.
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 11:22 AM

We were the first to arrive at the campsite on the Tuesday. Why I can't remember. A reporter came to interview us and managed to drive her car into deep ditch halfway across the field. It was amazing to watch the field fill up at first slowly then by hoards.
We camped right next to a tree in the middle of the field. So everyone that arrived on Wednesday and Thursday came our way to say hello. Including some hells angels. which was a bit of a worry but they seemed quite friendly. And gave us lift into town on their easy rider style bikes to buy ciggies and booze (no crash helmets). We spent the night swigging cider and wine mixed in the same large plastic bottle. Never been able to even think about that since. I don't know why but I keep on thinking we met Richard Branson at that event. ???

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,bodhran terry
Date: 05 Jan 12 - 08:42 AM

Doesn't anyone remember the tree (or was that Weeley?) Soldier Blue - WOW! Purple Cloud over the site, (well, I saw it as purple!)

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 05 Jan 12 - 07:27 AM

http://tela.sugarmegs.org/alpha/s.html

Sandy Denny's set is here - scroll down to Sandy Denny & the Happy Blunderers!!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Phil Murphy
Date: 05 Jan 12 - 06:29 AM

What a brilliant day that was. We had walked from Chesterfield to Newark the previous day because none of the four of us wanted to split into twos to make hitching lifts easier. We ended up at Newark Station over night where a very officious Station Master would not let anyone onto the platform until the 4.30 milk train for Lincoln came, by which time the four of us had grown to about 40. There must be people who remember being there. The police came at least twice because the station master could smell some funny smoke. Then we walked the 12 miles from Lincoln out to the site on what was a bright sunny morning which would turn into a wet afternoon.
My recollection was that the Byrds were quite out of character and tone with the rest of the acts as they had such a polished audio and light system. Pentangle were drowned out by the sound of rain on the plastic sheets people had as rainwear but despite the weather the day was amazing and looking back the line-up was incredible. James Taylor, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, sandy Denny, Buffy St.Marie, Incredible String Band & The Byrds are the ones who really stand out to me now, though I actually recall all the acts being on - clearly i was not intoxicated.
What I cannot work out is how we found anything to eat after early morning.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Bib
Date: 11 Dec 11 - 01:45 PM

My friend and I (the late Kevin Thorpe : Out of the Blue and Tipping Point)had hitched lifts all the way to Bangor in North Wales to see some friends on the Friday before - when we got there we were told they were going to Bardney (about 15 miles from where we had started!). We went to the festival with them leaving very early in the morning. No money!!! Just walked in (I remember the signs about snakes too). Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee were my favoutites there. Lovely day - I fell asleep when Buffie St Marie was on - I was tired

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Strummin Steve Jackson
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 03:48 PM

I wrote a song about this event entitled "The 1971 Folk Music Festival Blues" It was one of entries in the 2010 Lincolnshire Folk Song Comp. It didn't win but I was happy to make the final. It's on my (blatant commercial plug coming up) new CD "Songs For Folk To Sing
but in the true spirit of Christmas you can hear it for free at www.reverbnation.com/strumminstevejackson

I tried to list as many of the performers as I could in the song but I'm usually reminded at a gig that I've missed someone out!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Mike Robnson
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 03:20 AM

Remember the festival very well 5 of us went from Reading set up very early. Brilliant festival a long walk back to the car, including giving Julie a shoulder carry for a distance that seemed like miles. Warm sunny day just incredible. All the best.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,another who was there
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 06:36 PM

hitched from south wales to get there - slept in a large pipe the night before about 30 miles from lincoln . . . only to wake up to four other people sleeping in the same concrete pipe! james taylor and the byrds stood out for me but an amazing music festival up there with bath and isle of white

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Mick Stupp
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:43 AM

Most treasured weekend my life - a moment in time, and the music was excellent too. Never matched.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,WillC
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 02:59 PM

I googled Lincoln Folk Festival and found this thread having just come back from T in the Park with my 15 year old son. Lincoln in 1971 was my first festival; I was 14 and my elder brother drove me up there from Worcestershire in our mum's Mini Traveller, so I was trying to explain to my son the differences which 40 years have made to festivals....My least blurred memories are of Tom Paxton, The Byrds, and Buffy, but the stories for my son were of the toilets - especially the torching thereof, and the lack of any commercial food outlets, which meant that by mid morning on the day of the festival, the only local shop had been stripped completely bare of anything edible!! Happy days.....

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Bill Rayner
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 07:58 AM

I'm glad I found this thread. This was the first 'festival' I had been to, went with my pal Stuart travelling up from Watford. Looking at the artists I had forgotten some! I see Tom Paxton on a regular basis when he is over and managed to see Buffy this week at Cornbury - she is still amazing at 70!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 02:06 AM

Refreshed in response to a new thread!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Bill S from Adelaide
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 11:58 PM

I remember seing posters in London which listed just about everybody I wanted to hear. Got the special train to Lincoln, there was a connecting bus and probably unwittingly enjoyed some happy baccy. I vaguely remember that Tom Paxton came after the Byrds as the contrast and the sunset were quite magical. There was only one bus shuttling back to Lincoln, I managed to be on it so was one of a handful of people who were on the special train. I'd forgotten about the loos, thanks for reminding me. Not.
40 years ago.
They didn't have morris dancing, I'd never heard of it then.
Got a cople of photos somewhere, might put them on fb for the anniversary.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 09:00 PM

I was there for some of it - the best bits by all accounts. IIRC Buffy was top of the bill. I was chuffed that she had got that much recognition, and she didn't disappoint. Which reminds me that my first encounter with Billy Connolly was at Bishop Grosseteste (where I was a governor) a year or two earlier.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Kath
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 08:08 PM

I remember this well. I was at Lincoln Art College and the organisers had sent some posters for the college and 4 free tickets for our social secretary. But term had finished and everyone had gone home - just me and my friend Elaine tidying up our work. So we had 2 tickets each. I was working in a bar all summer and asked the boss for that Saturday off - he said no so I gave in my notice. Anyway he had to beg me to come back!!
I remember the Byrds being fantastic and sitting under the stars listening to James Taylor.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 23 May 11 - 08:04 AM

http://www.btinternet.com/~stevengo/lincolnfolk.htm

This is a link to a website I did a number of years ago. E-Mail me with more memories.
One day in our lives we all have fond memories of !

Rock on
Steve

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: danensis
Date: 10 May 11 - 06:09 PM

http://www.btinternet.com/~stevengo/lincolnfolk.htm

John

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 07:21 PM

Watched 18 minutes of footage from what looks like a local TV programme about this festival, introduced by Richard "Countdown" Whiteley. Interviews with James Taylor, Tom Paxton, etc -- looked to be a great festival.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,dave
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 04:24 AM

do you still have any of the flyers -- would luv one as i have the prog and ticket

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Another who was there
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 11:18 AM

I remember the night before very well; I crashed in a marquee or something like it, next to a couple of Canadian backpackers & there were tomato sandwiches being passed around. Strange memories, waiting for the first act to appear and sitting listening to CS&N records over the PA, and gradually going through stoned to mellow....
The early hours of the next morning I had a ride to Lincoln, then hitched south and ended up walking for about three hours along the railroad line to where I lived at the time.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 12:44 AM

This thread started in 2005.. like I said before.. "I think I'll die before it does" ... but oh such memories!!!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: danensis
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 06:26 PM

Amazed this thread is still going, but just to clarify, the list I gave above is from the original programme, and doesn't reflect the running order on the day. I would have stayed to hear Buffy StMarie, but my girlfriend (later my wife) was only 18 and her parents wanted her home - although as it happened we never arrived until the next day.

John

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Guest Cymraeg
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 06:33 PM

This was my first festival. I was 16 and went with my then boyfriend whose mother lived near-by. I don't even remember how we got to the festival or the toilets! But I do remember The Byrds and Incredible String Band, who I was nuts about. I remember us trying to leave and gave up and put up our pup tent in what we thought was a field. No sleeping bags or change of clothes, oh to be young and free. Woke up next morning in the middle of a road interchange with cars wizzing all around us.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,gogs
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 07:11 PM

Buffy St Marie was absolutely tremendous and as it was getting cold she asked if any guy had any room in his tent to warm her up! That brought a few shouts! The Byrds were excellent as were all the acts. Hard to believe that it was only £2! Can't remember a problem with the toilets. Hate to think what problems I'd have with that now!!!

I remember four of us travelling back to Scotland in a mini in horrendous mist. The threads have brought back wonderful memories. I still have a few of the flyers in mint condition if anyone wants one.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Danny
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 07:54 AM

I was just 18 and came up with my (then) girlfriend. Fantastic line up, especially ISB, Pentangle, James Taylor. I remember we ended up helping the caterers / beer tent people load up afterwards in exchenge for free booze and some travel money. Never again any festival like it for sheer concentration of so many fantastic acts

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 05:32 AM

I was at both the 1971 folk one, AND the Great Western Express one the following year. I was 16 in 1971and quite surprised my mum let me go.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Steve & Marl
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 01:44 AM

We were in our very early twenties with a 3 year old daughter and a Basset Hound . We travelled up from Portsmouth in an old mini and squeezed two or three more people in during the long treck to the site. I remember the toilets and my wife going back to the farmhouse and telling them our daughter wouldn't use the site loos, so that she could use them herself. Fabulous line-up and a memorable festival.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 11:46 AM

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 08:26 PM

Still plugging away at stairway to heaven i'm afraid. But I am writing a book of hippy myths and tales that I have been collecting for about ten years. Some amazing things happened at that time. I'm trying to get it all down on paper before all the originals drift off to the great free fest in the sky! Keep on truckin'

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,neil
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 12:38 AM

Just saw Tom Paxton tonight and It bought back memories of the festival. Does anyone remember how Tim Hardin was ? , i was not overly impressed with Dion as I had no idea who he was back then .

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 08:26 PM

Yippee ... I echo Deskjet's Wow, and say Wow again. You should write a song about it. Very entertaining. Thanks.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: skipy
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 08:21 PM

I was there & I still have the original prog! It was there that I saw Harvey Andrews! The rest of it is history, e.g. Raf Coningsby folk club was formed 4 days later, Raf Luqa Malta, Raf Brize Norton, Raf Halton, followed by Stanford in the Vale folk festival, Folkforms, & White Horse folk festival, that weekend has a lot to answer for!
Skipy

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Deskjet
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 08:11 PM

Yippee....... Wow!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,yippee
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 05:38 PM

Re the girls on the other side of the fence, Martyn, they came with us in our Commer hippy van and yes they were all quite stunning (or was that stunned?). We were very radical at that time and thought all festivals ought to be free. Looking at the bands who were playing I can't believe we regarded £2 as a capitalist ripoff, but we all sat in the field until the security staff had so many complaints they came over and begged us to come in for free but not tell anyone. They were really nice guys. The only band I can remember with any sort of clarity were the Byrds. We were flying much too high for folk music and so left quite early for the seaside. I daren't tell you everything we got up to in the next 48hrs but all those implicated agreed it was fairly freaky and most enjoyable. Pre-watershed highlights were the clutch pedal breaking off(!!!)and having to be replaced by a pull string operated from the passenger seat (think about it); three dimensional caterpillar races on a busy coastal path; a darts match in a violent thunderstorm; running out of petrol at 2am in the middle of nowhere and being confronted by a hysterical woman in a night dress & curlers, toting a loaded shotgun; a 20 mile high speed drive in a police car with lights and hooter in the middle of the night to get petrol from an unmanned pump in Nottinghamshire and then telling the policeman I hadn't any money (if you are reading this mr pc thanks-you were amazing); climbing out of a stone sarcophagus at dawn in a mist-enveloped ruined Gothic abbey (Roche? Fountains? still no idea) just as the first tourists arrived. Golden days indeed.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Martyn Williams - now of Portugal
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 07:27 PM

I was there as a 16 year kid. I was told I couldn't go, but went anyway. My friend and I travelled up from South Wales, hitching and catching buses. We slept the night before in one of the old style bus shelters. Shared it with some Hell's Angels!
The best festival I've ever been too. Ralph McTell opened and The Byrds were amazing. But those toilets ... and the girls seated the other side of the fence watching!!!
Took us 3 days to hitch back home. I walked in the house and my dad just said, 'You're back then?' Was I relieved!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Strummin Steve
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 06:41 PM

Antique Sandy is a fine song & is on the Byrds "Father Along" album

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Guest from Brooklyn NY
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 02:20 PM

I was 17 and living in Paris going to the Sorbonne learning french that summer after graduating high school and before going off to the University of Michigan Art School that fall. I lived at Cite Universitaire in the American House. A bunch of people heard about the concert in Lincoln so we divided up and hitched there. I went with a guy I had just met, we got rides from truck drivers, slept in a tent on camp grounds and made it to Calais where we took the hovercraft over to Dover. We got to London somehow and then took the train up to Lincoln.
We spent the night with about 200 other people in a salvation army building.
The next morning I left my companion, who I didn't really like and met up with two British guys. It was about 5 am and they stole someone's milk from their door step which we shared and then walked to the concert site through the sleeping town. We sneaked onto the site through a hole in the fence.

I remember the crowds and getting high and hanging out with these two nice guys. I loved the music, and wasn't too familiar with a lot of the groups, really being a rock and roll American girl. I remember James Taylor, and had hopes that Carole King would show, but she didn't.
Amazingly enough, in the days before the ubiquitous cell phone and gps
my friends found me!
After the concert ended we hitched a ride with some locals to the train station, and managed somehow to get back to Paris. Someone had some money, I was broke

It was great fun, and I never told my parents.....hitch hiking was a big no no! They never let me go to Woodstock so this was payback!

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Alan Watson
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 05:55 AM

•Buffy Sainte Marie
•Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy
•Dion
Belatedly hope this helps

•Incredible String Band
•James Taylor
•Pentangle
•Ralph McTell
•Sandy Denny
•Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
•Steeleye Span
•The Byrds
•Tim Hardin
•Tom Paxton
•The Byrds were booked to play an acoustic set, but because of the fantastic way they went down playing electric at the previous year's Bath Festival, they again stole the show by being the only band to play an electric set, on the day.
•It was described as a very successful, trouble-free event.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 07:57 PM

the setlist is wrong buffy sainte-marie played after midnight cause my girlfriend got cold during james taylor and had to go so i missed her best festival ive been to highlites ralph mctell tom paxton dion james taylor and the byrds good times

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 21 May 10 - 06:25 PM

Thanks for sharing those memories ... they awoke long dormant memories of my own. I was 19 & touring haphazardly around England for a couple of months that summer going from one music gig or festival to another interspersed with free B&B + laundry stops with various tolerant relatives and friends. Someone had told me that James Taylor was playing at the Festival and it had not been that many months before since an American friend in Jamaica (where I was living at the time) had introduced me to the Sweet Baby James album. I really loved that album & had been playing it over and over for a good while ... so I hitched to Lincoln. Don't know how close I got though because I remember walking for more than a few hours to actually reach the festival site.

Was it really just £2 to get in? Amazing!

Before finding this thread after after just typing in Lincoln 1971 (isn't the internet great when you get bored and nostalgic!) I could only partially remember bits of the sets James Taylor & Buffy Sainte-Marie played ... (really great - the first time I saw either of them play). I had attributed my limited recollections to the good herb available and also because I got pretty friendly during the show with this cute lady I'd met up there. However, having read the earlier posts I actually do now recall snatches of Pentangle, Incredible String Band, Tom Paxton playing and how could I have forgotten The Byrds?!

I must have crashed out at some point in the night towards the back of the field in front of the stage. I clearly remember groggily waking up to find that incarnation of Venus I had gotten to know a few hours earlier looking over at me with a big smile while she made love to another guy inside a sleeping bag next to me. No problem ..it was cool. We were not alone that morning as there must have been dozens of others either sleeping or getting up in that muddy debris strewn field. Anyway, it was pretty uncomfortable once awake so the three of us smoked a joint for breakfast after the goddess and her new partner finished their constricted aerobic session and then I suppose I must have headed off for some food & a ride to somewhere else...

Great music and good memories! What more can one want from a music festival....

Walk good.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,alan
Date: 22 Nov 09 - 08:18 AM

I was at Tupholme manor park,July 24th 1971 and have the program.It was the best one day concert i had ever been to.line up in order of appearance, Ralph Mctell,Steeleye Spam,Tim Hardin,Pentagle,Dion,Incredible String Band,Buffy Sainte Maria,Sonny Terry and Brownie Mcghee,Tom Paxton,The Byrds Sandy Denny,James Taylor,Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy.I also remember the large house behind the stage.Does any one know if there is any photos on a web page xxx

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 05:30 AM

Yep, I was there too (18) My most vivid memory is Buffy Sainte-Marie. She looked fantastic in electric blue tight trousers (very fitting for a rendition of Soldier Blue) and a red shiny top. I saw her last night at the Queen Elisabeth Hall (Southbank, London) She still looks amazingly good (given she's 68!)

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Banjiman
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 06:17 AM

Oggie, here's one you will appreciate!

You are correct that Lincoln Morris Men didn't get invited to the festival. I checked with my Mum.

In fact Lincoln Morris Men and Lincoln Folk Dancers did a display in a hall in Woodhall Spa on the same day. This was memorable for my Mum as apparently she got left behind by my Dad as she was sweeping up in the hall following the display. This meant that she ended up having to get a lift home on the back of Andy Francis's motorbike in full "folk dancing kit".

The route back to Lincoln (and home) from Woodhall Spa goes straight through Bardney where the Folk Festival was taking place. The sight of her on the back of said motorbike apparently raised a few eye brows (and she claims a few wolf whistles!) from the trendy young things milling about outside the festival.

I do vaguely remember ( I was 6) several days of stoney silence in the Arrowsmith household after this event....... my Dad was not popular!

Paul

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Mystic Mel
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 05:53 AM

I remember that Byrds guitarist Clarence White played a "stringbender"
Fender Telecaster which he had invented.It sounded just like a
Steel guitar and funnily enough my mate has got one now They also played
a song called "Antique Sandy" which McGuinn claimed they had wrote
backstage and Ive never seen on record.Their set was absolutely
stunning.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: oggie
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 06:20 PM

The following year they held "The Great Western Express" rock festival on the same site with a good bunch of folkes also in attendence.


Lincoln Rock Festival


All the best

Steve

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: oggie
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 06:15 PM

Lincoln Morris Men were around in 1971 (Banjiman's dad was the musician) but we didn't get an invite :(

Steve

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 07:57 AM

I was 11 LOL

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,isitthatlongago!
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 11:44 PM

I was 18 and off to Manchester University that year. My best friend's Dad drove us from Nottingham and got as close as he could then left us to walk across fields to the concert area. It seemed to take forever and we had no idea if we were ever going to get there.

Eventually we found the concert area but wee must have been at least 200 yrds from the stage.

My most vivid memories were:
1. The Byrds (who had been billed to play an "acoustic" set) played their first song with acoustic guitars. Then one group member said something like "that wasn't what you came here to hear" and they picked up their electric guitars and rocked through their set much to the audiences appreciation.

2. By mid afternoon there was a cloud over the whole audience area. No it wasn't about to rain, everybody was just getting high and we didn't even have to pay for it :)

3. One of the English groups, I think it was Steeleye Span started playing a gig and everybody started clapping along. But they suddenly stopped and asked the back half of the audience to stop clapping. It was so far back from the stage that by the time the sound reached the group there was actually a delay and they couldn't follow the beat.

4. James Taylor was definitely the star of the show. I think he started his set just before midnight and nobody wanted it to end

Then in the early hours of Sunday morning we walked back through the fields and the stink of the ditches used as toilets, to find my friends father patiently waiting for us to return

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: doncatterall
Date: 25 Jun 09 - 07:41 AM

Drove there from Manchester in an old ford van I had just bought - my mate Eric (Rowan) accompanied me as I hadn't passed my driving test - wonder where he is now??

Brilliant festival - remember watching Carthy & Swarb as the last act by the light of the blazing bogs!

Don

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 09 - 09:47 AM

Threads like this are the reason for GigMemories - a Global Gig Archive !!!

http://www.gigmemories.com

If anyone has any definitive lists of who was on where, and when, get them posted on this site :-)

Pa

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Rasener
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 11:39 AM

So who is Guest dad then. Mine is also up there, so I doubt its him.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Banjiman
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 11:26 AM

He'll be calling from the great Morris Dance in the sky then.

I knew Mudcat was special but I din't know we had links up there......

He wouldn't have been there, far to newfangled and no Morris to play for..... unless anyone knows different?

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Rasener
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 11:22 AM

Oh dear a banjidad :-)

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,Dad.
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 11:20 AM

She will have :-)

Dad.

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Banjiman
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 09:28 AM

I think my Mum was there. I'll check this weekend and see if she has a tale or two.

Paul

Subject: RE: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 09:01 AM

Hey I remember seeing Dick Appleton going all misty eyed over this festival.
So I guess he is older than he looks even?

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 07:28 PM

John Chambers who runs the 2nd time round folk club in Beeston Nottingham was there - I think he told me, he did a spot.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,DeltaFred
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 05:51 PM

I think that John Rouse has the acts in the wrong order. That is maybe the order they should have performed. I remember walking from the car park listening to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee quite early on, we were there all day and did not miss much. Buffy Sainte Marie was definitely after them. The stand out act for me was Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee but I am an old blues fan. It was a really friendly festival and very enjoyable. Does anyone else remember the ritual torching of the toilets after dark, best thing for them unless you really needed them, but by that time no one cared.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: skipy
Date: 05 May 09 - 04:14 PM

I was there! I still have my prog. & ticket, it was where I first saw Harvey Andrews, the rest is history!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 05 May 09 - 01:49 PM

I thought this thread had died... It makes me feel OLD!!!! I'll probably die before it does!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,John (Jockey) McVey
Date: 05 May 09 - 12:48 PM

I remember building a wooden shack with old bits of wood, plastic bags n' straw. Called it "Lovesville"

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Lissa
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 06:05 AM

I remember this as one of the best festivals I ever went to. The Incredible String Band were brilliant. Buffy St Marie was great too. I remember having a very brief hallucination that James Taylor was playing a serpent and not a guitar. This was probably provoked by all the signs about there being adders in the woods.

It was a really friendly festival.

Yes I did have some trouble getting away and ended up walking to town on a very misty morning/dawn with a few other people so that I could catch a coach home. This was a very magical walk and has stuck in my memory ever since. It was just like that line from a String Band song about the misty, twisty day.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Shambles
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 03:02 AM

I see that it is possible to buy a poster of this event - on the following site.

http://rockmusicmemorabilia.com/posters.html

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Shambles
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 07:46 PM

The main toilets consisted of a pit about 8 ft deep - 12ft wide and about 50ft long. Suspended over this was some rough planking devided into back to back cubicles with a hole cut for one's bum.

Sitting there was a real all-round sensual pleasure and even if you did not use your eyes to look down - you could still smell and hear all the contributions of your neighbours falling to the bottom - with a resounding splat!

Perhaps if I write about this experience - I will be able to forget it?

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 04:45 PM

I suppose you had to 'bring that up' Shambles!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Shambles
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 11:27 AM

I must have seen all the acts on the bill but it is interesting how few of these performances I can bring to mind. Not too sure what this means however? Most probably it means that only a few of the perfomances were truly memorable.......

Sonny and Brownie - James Taylor I do remember enjoying very much but Buffy St Marie really stands out. However, I was surprised then how much the performance of The Byrds easily eclipsed everyone else on the bill.

But I do have a general feeling that this was a festival that I enjoyed a lot. And whatever substances were then fuddling my mind - I will never be able to forget every detail of the toilets.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:59 AM

Just need to work on yours now Les! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 01:51 AM

Thats good then Mike - something has got your brain working again LOL :-)

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 05:03 PM

That has brought even more memories flooding back...I followed Steeleye Span for years.....Spent time chatting to Pentangle and Ralph Mc Tell.....Amazing how memories re-appear.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST,John Rouse
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 04:57 PM

"A concert of Contemporary and Traditional Folk Music, Tupholme Manor Park, Tupholme, Bardney, Nr Lincoln. Saturday July 24th.

Welcome to Tupholme Manor Park. We have tried to present a varied bill from the world of Traditional and Contemporary Folk Music and have placed the emphasis on quality throughout the entire programme. We hope you will enjoy todays concert. Frederick Bannister Productions Ltd."

List of artists in order of appearance

Ralph McTell
Steeleye Span
Tim Hardin
Pentangle
Dion
Incredible String Band
Buffy Sainte Marie
Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Tom Paxton
The Byrds
Sandy Denny
James Taylor
Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy

I still have the tickets - an all day ticket was £2.

My two memories are sitting on the front bumper of Tom Paxtons roller talking to Ralph McTell amidst a fog of wacky backy fumes, and making our way across a muddy field to the strains of Buffy Sainte Marie, trying to find our way back to the bus stop. Needless to say we missed the train home and spent the night on Lincoln Bus Station.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 02:24 PM

A few more -

Tom Paxton, Tim Hardin, Pentangle, Steeleye Span, Ralph Mctell, Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 11:21 AM

Yes Shambles..that's the one...I thought Buffy St Marie was tremendous. Of all of her songs, I think the theme song from "Soldier Blue" was by far the best....Julie Felix, who is still around and appearing at Gainsborough Folk Festival this year. Brian...(forget his surname) from Lancashire. My memory of it is also a bit fuddled but so was my head at the time.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 09:09 AM

Is it this one?

Subject: Where you there? Lincoln(UK) folk fest 1970?
From: The Shambles - PM
Date: 18 Apr 99 - 07:50 PM

I was thinking of this one for anther thread but with my failing memory I was going to forget someone that was memorable..... Can anyone help me complete the list of artistes appearing?
This was for, what I think was a one off Festival, of all acoustic acts, but on the lines of the big rock festivals held at the time. It was held at Lincoln UK in 1969, 70 or 71... I wonder why I can't remember it better?

I suppose this is a bit of a long shot but there were a lot of people there after all, so there must be someone out there who can help. They will surely will never forget the toilets, which was a long trench, well I won't go into that now, but I nearly did then!


Sandy Denny Band
The Incredible String Band
The Byrds
Buffy St Marie
James Taylor
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
Dion



That list was in no order at all.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 04:41 AM

Didn't realise you were around in that era GS. did you ever get to the Grantham folk club - there used to be a bloke there called Roger the Postman who sang sea shanties.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 03:55 AM

I remember riding on a trailer behind a tractor and paying some extortionate fee for doing so! At that time I was working at Burtons the Tailors in Lincoln and my wife ran a Childrens Home on St Giles Estate. Great festival though:
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: BS: 'Lincoln' Folk festival July 1971
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 05 - 05:42 PM

Clearing out some of my wife's stuff, I found a programme for the Folk Festival at Bardney in 1971. I just wondered if any other mudcatters were there - and if they had the same trouble getting home?