What's been written
Name: Sietske van de Wal
Email: sietskevandewal@hetnet.nl
Comments: I saw photo`s on Albion fairs You tube Mr Colin and i am the tall one with long white hair picture taking through buswindow also on further pics from fairs i am seen throwing water away out off a bowl son on there looking into the camera ( trying to be on as less photos as possible at the time) (shame really love looking at myself now who does`nt) all my friends are on there. Colin one off the friends took a sport in taking pictures all the time.Tks for that.
I remember Bruce Lacey the guy who did the fertilitie dance midnight we were not alloud any artificial lights.(faery fair). I also remember the Green fair with Jill and Bruce painted up green doing a performance The Rougham fair i remember being the only one (from friends) having a shower each morning with the solarsystem? Lost my son who was then maybe 4 years or so found him again pfff.I remember the bus loaded with pottery i remember earthoven were clay was baked. The earth pipe i not tried. Family planning did funny act. On the Faery fair i like the guy wondering arround with no head looking for it and suddenly you walk the fairgrounds and see a head sticking out off the sand talking to me lol. The Goblins the schoolkids faeries I remember the tubes with new age music i went in. Oh i remember that my son (still 3 or 4 at time) went with pushchair and himself rolling down sandpitt as i was watching a show he ate some sand (all turned out ok) In fact maybe if i paid less attention to the performance and watch the child he never got lost or eat sand lol. Simple Simon i think it was called got all the eating there some off my friends are seen on your pictures there. Stuffing yourself silly wondering later why stomach felt bit bad. Oh the toilets where good. After a few days i used the open land sneak off sorry about that handy when you an early morning type. Also one fair there was water a river and it was hot weather i went swimming in there with some friends. (shame i never remember where that was in UK)
Oh the pictures on You tube Albion fairs are all friends on campsite off which i remember the music well Litle Feat being played (forget which album) The newspaper Guardian did good write up at the time over the Faery fair and i wrote an essay while i was attempting to do an o level english at the time. I wrote about my holiday and the teacher was impressed that all that happened in her country and she knew nothing about it. Mixing with the wrong kind off folk she must off been i said. Anyway i lived in the UK from 79 till 91 and the best times where Albion. Something extra to add for the story i not have really. The memories are in my computer (head). Strange that campfire smell earthy smells earthy colours always remind me off the Albion fairs. The guy making incence with thistels on chacoal i bought some for at home whole house in the smoke lol. Eating a hamburger with onion feeling the pressure off a big thunderstorm to break out at any moment that afternoon. All the hand made jumbers i bought. Wooden toys.
On You tube are 1 or 2 photos from a fair in Norwich University grounds not Albion i think anyway it was very simular happening only we had a stall and were not told it was vegetarian not handy when you got loads off bacon anyway we sold our bacon rolls to many bikers looking for meat and happy to find us with baconrolls unfortunately we got warning off the organisers that if we not stoppend selling the bacon they come with hundereds off students smashing our stall down lol (scared me anyway) we ended up making chicken stew for free.
Hey Maureen Lenny yous got mail address love to get in contact? Lynne Jim Collin John Christine Steve Phil Julie you on the net let us have your mail. Got own website if you interested. www.peterandsietske.com
Sorry if i misspelled some text i hope it still makes sense never pass the o level english either
Sietske
6th November 2007
Name: Cheryl Brands
Comments: I was at the one in 1976 -and have many pictures from it. What a great time. We were with the military in East Anglia at the time and although I was dreading spending three years in England (I didn't yet appreciate the opportunity) the horse faire was one of the mosts memorable and fun times we had. I wish they still had them.
Cheryl
3rd April 2007
Name: Frog Morris
Email: frogmorris@frogmorris.net
Comments: Hello, My name is Frog Morris. I have some hazy memories of my parents taking me to the Norfolk and Suffolk fairs as a toddler. I am grown up now and set up my own fair called Frogstock in Blo' Norton, Norfolk inspired by the memories. Check out the website
www.frogmorris.net/frogstock
and come along some time!
Frog
23rd March 2007
Name: Craig Nix
Email: craignix@mac.com
Comments: Thanks for this site,it brings back a lot of almost memories if you know what I mean.
Rougham was a lot of fun, I was living in Diss at the time.
Does anyone remember a fire one year maybe some bales of straw or something like that? [Editors note: It was a beautiful thatched hut that Adie built - torched by some vile swine. ]
Anyway thanks for the site.
Craig Nix
Sarasota,
Florida
14th March 2007
Name: Colin Sloley
Email: slocoach@blueyonder.co.uk
Comments: I also remember the Albion festivals. Rougham sticks out a lot, cos them days was my best, I learnt a lot going to these festivals, i have bags of fotos, and have put same down on my youtube Channel please accept this link, thanks, Mr Colin
The Albion Fairs
10th March 2007
Name: Ali McGrath
Email: ali@wild-dream.com
Comments: Looking through the pictures on the site brought a tear to my eye, as I was feeling nostalgic for my childhood days spent wandering around at the Albion fairs. Now in my late thirties I've started to look for the essence of the fairs in other current festivals like the BGG, so my children can maybe experience some of what I was lucky to have growing up. If anyone has any good suggestions for events to go to in 2007 please let me know, or post details. I know you can't re-create the magic of the fairs, but there must be some good stuff happening which revives the spirit.
7th Feb 2007
Name: Denny Elrod
Email: hillbillyizard@yahoo.com
Comments: Memories of Rougham.
I'm now an Old Arkansas hillbilly. In my youth I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall from 1981 to 1984 as an airman in the USAF. One of my most treasured memories is of the day in 1982 my barracks roommate drug me out of bed and we hitch-hiked to the Bury St. Edmunds area then walked for miles through the mustard-strewn fields to come upon a fantastic place--the grove of Rougham.
I had been in the UK for almost a year and had yet to get over the culture-shock I had experienced. I'll never forget that day--or the day after--because we didn't leave the festival that night. We stayed and experienced the most amazing party I've ever attended!
I made it back for the the next year--this time having PLANNED to spend the week-end. I'll never forget the drums, the movies under the great trees (King-Kong comes to mind), the story-telling, the crafts, the music (Donovan, Heavy Puke), and especially the incredible people! I'll never forget the sense of community I felt those few days I spent under the wonderful trees of Rougham!
I value my experience with your festival-culture.
Cheers, Mate!
Denny Elrod
Name: Jacqui and Brian
Email: jacqui_wall@yahoo.com
Comments: We went to 3 of the Tree fairs at Rougham. Wonderful. Just like music festivals used to be before they became 'sanitised' and without the aggressive vibes sometimes found there.
We also went to the Rainbow Fair at East Bergholt and have some pics if you're interested.
Shame the fairs seemed to faze out - lots of like minded people having a good time and sharing enriching experiences.
Guess they took a lot out of those having to organise them! Our pics aren't digital (digital cameras in those days? If only!).
But we'd be glad to get copies done and send them by good old fashioned snail-mail. Thanks to those responsible for such memorable, chilled-out times.
Name: Andy Richards: Swansea
Email: jockrock@ntlworld.com
Comments: i hitched from Bristol with 3 friends to what became one of the happiest experiences of my life a really joyous few days, my clearest memories are of the fabulous fireworks in the rain while someone who had a p.a in the back of a van blasted out Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here album and on the last evening bopping the night away in the dome to music being played on piano, sax and a snare drum - just Magical....
Name: Lynne Wyatt
Email: lynnewyatt@btinternet.com
Comments: For me and a group of friends the fayres were the most amazing times we all spent together. Palfi the clown, Cruncher and a character by the name of Patrick. Wow when I think back it was a very happy spaced out and special time.
Name: Ben Green
Email: benandkerri@jerseymail.co.uk
Comments: Wow! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
the modern way to put it would be 'ROFLMHO'
Photos of my parents on here (No-Name Street Theatre) and some of my sister, and countless photos of Bruce and my best friend Palfi... I still have the nightmares 'shudder'
A few missing photo's of my parents doing the old puppet show and us little ones in the foreground, but you inspired me enough to get the last copy of the book off Amazon for a tenner! and get the rest of the photos. It's a huge shame I will never be able to take my kids through the experience I grew up going though the fairs and very glad for the memories, as someone earlier said, it affects me even today, and I wish more people could have had the experience. Thank you to all the oldies for arranging these, and thanks for creating the site to let every one know how great it was!
If anyone else has any photos or a web site around the fairs can they email or post them here?
Bring back the inflatable globe! (does someone still have that?)
Name: charmian
Email: charmhug@which.net
Comments: just stumbled into this site, bringing back so many memories of wonderful rougham and green desert fayres, the tibetans,and everyone, that gave frantic antics our first opportunities for performing and opened up a whole world to us, a lucky escape from a life of offices. Looking at the pics i am in awe of the effort and skills that went into putting on these fayres that i was so blase about at the time!How I wish there was all this spontaneous, creative and magical stuff to offer my children every summer now!thanks guys for both the memories and the lifelonglasting effects (and thats in a good way)xxcharmian (teatro)
Name: debi
Email: debrakingbures@aol.com
Comments: My memories of going to the fairs in the 70's and 80's was one of the reasons I was drawn back to east anglia. I've been so hoping they still existed. Not that I can remember much, a hazy smile. I remember the Tree Fair at Rougham, must have been my last. What will my children do now? thank you to who ever organised them, some of my best near memories.
Name: Sten Stenapo
Email: fitzsimons1@hotmail.com
Comments: Hi there, anyone who went to the Rougham tree fairs will remember The Papers - you can check out the web site at www.thepapersmusic.co.uk
Love Sten
Name: Emily & Joe Sparksman
Email: emily_rose_sparksman@hotmail.com
Comments: many thanks for remembering!
Name: Mike Fitzsimons
Email: mike.fitzsimons@thepapersmusic.co.uk
Comments: Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the Fairs in the 1980's
love from John, Mike, Norman and John Willo - The Papers
Name: Phil
Email: phil@freebirdsystems.co.uk
Comments: Hi, thanks for a wondeful site and for documenting some wonderful times. It was nice to see some photos of Rougham Tree fair from 1982, we were there and my son is in one of the photos (the tipis). He was 14 then, grew up to be a great guy. We had a wonderful time and its so bad that 'hippies' and those times have over the years been degraded, the truth is it was great for kids, loving, peaceful and an example of how to live for the greedy world we live in today.
Anyone remember the two guys dressed as city business man walking round the fair playing the part. Really phased you when first seen.
Phil
Name: Leyline Tom
Email: tom@spiralwave.co.uk
Comments: In 2006 The European Gathering of the Rainbow Family of Living Light and Love will be in England (Albion)
To find out more visit
The englandcaravan group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/englandcaravan
or the forums @
www.spiralwave.co.uk
Pass The Word
Name: kate spiller
Email: katespiller@tesco.net
Comments: Hello, I wonder have you any info on Rougham Tree Fair as and Green deserts as I heard that it was on this year, can't believe it,many happy memories in my teens of the beautifull trees and video of remarkable seens from around the world and the budists altar!
Name: Matt
Email: mattletch@gmail.com
Comments: they were a huge part of my childhood and teenage years and for better or worse have shaped my my views in life and politics to this day. My parents used to have a stall (Annies beautiful things) and we spent a few happy summers at the east anglian festivals.I know the past always seems rosy but it really was a different time in this country wasn't it??
;] thanks for the site
Matt
Name: Alan Mynall
Email: mynall@btinternet.com
Comments: Barsham 76, I think though it might have been the year before - memory's a bit vague for that period. Majical, joyful, funful. I remember Mistress Crabbyquim and Palfi the clown and people trying to climb the greasy pole - a most improbable looking chap the first to get to the top to great cheers from the crowd. All the stalls and music and the lifelike sculptures of figures strapped to cartwheels (Catherine wheels) high up on poles - or were they real bodies? Most of the time I was a grin with a person on it. Barsham Faire was the perfect antidote, for a brief moment, from the overbearing, mechanistic, agribusiness nightmare. Lucky to have had a taste. Want more. Yes, I too would like a copy of the "Sun in the East" - reprint please! Thanx to all who contributed and made it possible and thanx to Mike for this website. Keep smiling, the best is yet to come!
Name: Peter Horne
Email: peterstick@ukonline.co.uk
Comments:
Hi
thanks for the website,lots of nostalgia.
failing another fair and an Albion resurgence,how about a reprint of the book.
regards
Peter (formerly Farley Arts)
Name: andrew
Email: andrew.thorogate@virgin.net
Comments: I remember the fairs so well,they were a big part of my childhood.i think it was Barsham 75 that was my first one.
who remembers the goblins? mistress crabbyquim at lyng fairie fair,and palfi the clown i think that was his name.
QUALITY TIMES..indeed
Name: Patrick
Email: patricksimons@gloriousninth.com
Comments: I was at the 1982 Tree and Earth fairs, I remember bits, like the pink policemen and the tunnel thing at east bergholt, but does anyone remember if bruce maclean performed? and who else?
Name: charli
Email: hodmadod@hotmail.com
Comments: I was there, and can remember some of it.
Name: Mark Johnston
Email: mark.johnston@ntlworld.com
Comments: Yes, I remember the fairs. They were great craic. They live I think?
Name: Deejay
Email: darryl.jeffrey@btinternet.com
Comments: Sunshiny days and balmy or barmy nights Thandoy and the wystic mankers real people life like it should be love and peace to you all my life would not have been the same without these times I still get a special feeling when I go near to the sites
Name:
Mmmm....well....???
Email:
utility@stockissue.wanadoo.co.uk
Comments:
Albion fayres - sorely missed indeed. Regarding the Green Deserts event near
Thetford. The only one I know of personally was in 1984. (Psst..it's 1984 etc,
courtesy of Frank Zappa and the Tibetan Ukranian Mountain Troupe). It was on
the weekend around 16th /17th 18th May and was held at Thorpe Woodlands - a
campsite in Thetford Forest. It's memorable for the bits of tree around the
place which have been carved into animals by the warden there (a Polish chap, I
believe).
Roy Harper and Jimmy Page played - allegedly (I didn't see them myself but I'm
fairly confident that it's true.)
It was quite a big do - not quite up to Rougham scratch somehow, but a good
weekend for all that.
Name: karen with
Email: karenwith@hotmail.com
Comments: "Surfing" those earthy events seems a little paradoxical but hay - why not!! Afterall we did it! I remain linked for life and know how extreemly LUCKY am I that I happened upon the first Barsham and thereafter many more . . . those were sunny muddy grizzly hard working pleasurable twirley whirly days my friends. Well done Mike for getting it together - memories galore. Al the very best, KAren, currently in Norway!
Name:
Mike/Webweaver
Email:
see top of page
Comments:
This guest book is under continual assault by spammers, we've had to move to
Plan B, so if you have photos, memories or comments to add please send them to
me and I'll sort it.
End of Comments
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