Thousands of free-spirited music fans turned up to the festival to see the likes of The Beach Boys, Rory Gallagher, Rod Stewart, Stone the Crows and Joe Cocker perform over the Bank Holiday from May 26 to 29 – some came from as far as New Zealand and Australia.

Originally the festival, organised by the Great Western Festival Company and backed by the actor Stanley Baker, was planned to take place in Kent but, after a local anti-festival faction formed a campaign, Bardney was chosen as the new location.

News of the festival excited music lovers but worried villagers, landowners and councillors who thought it might get out of hand.

A lot of pressure was put on MP Sir Peter Tapsell to do all he could to stop the event.
Although Sir Peter welcomed the idea of a pop festival, he warned things could get out of control.
Despite local opposition and a hearing in the High Court, thousands of students, hippies and music fans made their way to the festival site near Tupholme Abbey.

The weather was a disaster. With freezing cold winds and heavy rain throughout the
four-day Bank Holiday, the ground was transformed into marshland and many
festival-goers were treated for wind burn and other health problems.

Security arrangements for the festival included a 7,000-yard, 12ft-high corrugated metal fence with searchlights on top and a 300-strong security force, which consisted of members of the CID disguised as hippies to control drug abuse and streaking.

Overall the festival received mixed reviews with Melody Maker calling it "one of the most successful of all British Festivals" and the News of The World describing it as the "Great Western Flop".

* Do you remember the festival? Send us your memories and any photos you have to Alison Sandilands, Horncastle News, Church Lane, Horncastle LN9 5HW or email them to alison.sandilands@jpress.co.uk.

* There are more nostalgia photos on our website at www.horncastlenews.co.uk.