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Updated July 2021

Avon Free Festival Wick Quarry Nr Bristol May 1988. Chaos UK, Hawkdog, Twinkies on Meathooks   May 27-31st ?

    Establishing exact details regarding free festivals is always something of a a fraught business as, by their very nature , free festies are impromptu and secretive gatherings, so things don't always work out exactly to plan . Avon Free festival is a good example. In 1988 it was held in Wick Quarry and featured Hawkdog and possibly Nick Turner. The above poster,( which has had to be worked on heavily to make it even partly readable ) isn't a great help as the dates don't tie in with any of the published dates on the net and there's no site details either. However its more likely than not that is the 88 event as Hawkwind did not play at the 89 show. . In 89 the festival moved to Inglestone Common which muddies the waters even further. The 1988 show was attended by 10000 people and went off well apparently with little of the police harassment that went on in 1989 and in subsequent years.

Very interesting and well presented & researched website you have there. I keep coming back to dip into it as there is far too much to take in in one visit.

I noticed that you are seeking further information regarding the 1988 Avon Free Festival. I attended (and in fact played in a band who performed there). Memories are a bit vague unfortunately, but I did take a few grainy photos, which you are welcome to use if you want to. I have 11 photos in total, although most won’t be of interest as they are of individuals, with no background context. The best are attached.

Band-wise, I can confirm that in addition to Hawkwind, Chaos UK played, as did my (awful!) band ‘Twinkies On Meathooks’ (who are onstage in the photo). I think that was on the Saturday night, but I have no idea of the actual date.

Hope this is of interest to you.

All the best,

John (Finch)

So ,can anyone provide some new info and even better , MORE pics of this festival ?

Any info to add- well don't just sit there ! Contact us

Free festivals and small fayres held in the United Kingdom between 1967-90.

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Free rock festivals of the 70s and 80s

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We are proud of the contribution we have made to Andy Worthington's sociological history of Stonehenge and the free festival scene in the UK .This new book gives a fascinating insight into the various counter cultural obsessions with the Stones and provides a variety of new perspectives to many of the key events surrounding the Henge such as the Battle Of The Beanfield and the more recent attempts hold a celebration at the Stones during the Solstice.   Find out more about this great book by clicking on the image on the left and visit the Heart of Albion Press web site .

Sending details of a small book I've just self-published which might be of interest to some readers of your admirable site. 'Waiting for Utopia- The Albion Free State, Windsor Free festivals and Radical Britain' is available as an e-book and paperback through Amazon: I have featured the book and its contents on one of my blogs too: https://wordpress.com/post/johnkruseblog.wordpress.com/7530 With many thanks in advance John Kruse

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Many, many thanks go to Roger Hutchinson , Big Steve , Roger Duncan, Celia, Will , Chazz, Jeza ,Chris Hewitt ,The Fabulous Time Tortoise , Peter Piwowarski - ( 70s music site/photos ) Martin S, Steve Austin ,Traveller Dave, Herb, Tim Brighton, Vin Miles, Haze Evans , Noddy Guevara, Chris Brown, Janet Thompson, David Stooke, Gary Gibbons , Nigel Ayers, Rich Deakin ,Glenda Pescardo,Justin Warman,Brian F, Steve Bayfield, Kev Ellis, Paul Seaton and many other minor contributors for their help in providing the archival material related to these free festivals which has at enabled us to construct the site .

Any info to add ?-well don't just sit there , Contact us

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