Plumpton Race Track.
Streat.
East Sussex.
The Archive.
updated June 2021
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Plumpton Race Track. Streat. East Sussex. |
Big thanks goes to Kieran McCann for the donation of his collection of cuttings from the local press. Although there is the usual litany of complaints , fears by locals that they will be murdered in their beds and Tory MP's complaining about the noise and drug taking, there are quite a few details about the bands , festival logistics and the sound problems that dogged the first night.
"We consider that the possibility of trouble is remote, but if any does break out, we shall be adequately equipped to copeThe security men will be posted in groups round the festival ground. In addition , Sussex police are sending into
with it," festival publicist Brian Sommerville said today.
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There is room for several thousand campers at the racecourse and
workmen have laid out a " mini -village "
of marquees as well as erecting a giant stage. The "village" includes a discotheque. fashion boutiques, record and book shops, a coffee shop, a dairy, a souvenir store and a camping equipment supermarket. If the hot, sunny weather continues the attendance over the weekend could top 60,000. Advance bookings had reached 20,000 last night -the majority from overseas. The festival is one of the most famous in Europe and this is the first time it has been held in Sussex. The festival budget exceeds 15,000 pounds. More than 40 groups, plus leading members of the cast of the musical " Hair."are appearing . The opening concert at 8pm tonight will feature the Pink. Floyd , the Soft Machine, East of Eden ,Blossom Toes , the Keith Tippet Jazz Group, Junior's Eyes, and The Village. |
" We didn't know what the food situation would be. and didn't want to go hungry," said one of them. Bo Svenson. from Korlskrona. The Who were the group that most interested them ," Their records sell very well in Sweden." Bo said.
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Three German students arrived on Wednesday after being told of the
festival in a letter from English pen friends. "We've
all seen The Who
before, when they came to Germany," said I9-year
old Eckhard Dobroschke.
"They're very good. We also want to hear
the Pink Floyd."
Eckhard and his friends come from near Minben.
Parties of fans have also arrived from
France, Belgium and They arrived al Plumpton yesterday-with blankets, but no tent. "We're just praying it keeps fine," said Elaine. "We' ll be sleeping in the open and if it rains - -we' ll be drowned" The girls particularly want to see the stars of "Hair" Scores of youngsters from the Midlands and North of England - are already ensconced in the camping site. "I think there may be rather too many people," said 16 year old Herawood Kay ,from Middlesborough. He was especially looking forward to hearing the Blodwyn Pig . |
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British Rail are laying on special trains over the weekend. Plumpton
station is immediately beside the racecourse and tonight shuttle services
will run from Lewes and Haywards Heath to Plumpton, arriving in time for
the concert. For visitors returning afterwards to London and main stations on the way , a train will leave Plumpton at 11:50pm. calling at Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath , Three Bridges, East Croydon and Clapham Junction There can be little doubt that the festival will prove to be one of the most sensational events that Sussex has ever seen. |
You can view many great photos of the acts at Plumpton by visiting the Repfoto site .
The early festivals.
You can find out the complete
line ups of the first festivals if you follow the links below.
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Festivals 65-83
Most of these have fairly complete documentation .
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