A History of Free Festivals: From the Wallies to the Battle of the Beanfield

If you can remember them you just weren’t there. Now Wally Dean will help to fill in the gaps. Firm fixtures on the counter-cultural calendar since the 1960s, free festivals had their heyday between the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970 and the police ambush of the Stonehenge Festival convoy at the Battle of the Beanfield in 1985. However the spirit continued and was much revitalised by the early rave scene. Free festivals functioned as autonomous spaces in which to celebrate, resist and experiment – a chance to get together in mini alternative societies.

As Crass fans will know, Wally Hope, the legendary founder of the Stonehenge Festival died in mysterious circumstances in 1975. Dean looks after Wally Hope’s ashes and administers the Wally Hope Appreciation Society. He is part of the Festival Eye collective. As Crass fans will know, Wally Hope, the legendary founder of the Stonehenge Festival died in mysterious circumstances in 1975. Dean looks after Wally Hope’s ashes and administers the Wally Hope Appreciation Society. He is part of the Festival Eye collective.