• Round Table bit off more than it could chew with festival
  • 150,000 fans turned country village into Rock Central 
  • Scuffles broke out as Hell's Angels took over security

IT’S probably fair to say Clacton Round Table got a little more than they bargained for when they hit on the bright idea of holding a rock festival instead of the traditional donkey derby to raise some money for good causes.

What was meant to be a modest affair in the quiet village of Weeley turned into a vast event, attracting an estimated 150,000 music fans, Hell’s Angels and some of the biggest names in rock.

The legendary line-up included T Rex, Status Quo, Rod Stewart and the Faces, Lindisfarne, Mott the Hoople and Mungo Jerry, who had just topped the charts with In the Summertime.

Security fences were ripped down as music-lovers from all over the country flocked to the site, which soon looked more like Woodstock than Weeley.

The village train station could barely cope, tents filled five fields and scuffles broke out as Hell’s Angels decided they would take over security.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the legendary Weeley Festival.

Freelance producer Tom Latter is putting together a documentary about the event.

“This year is the 45th anniversary of the remarkable Weeley Festival and the story is so astonishing that I have decided to make a film about it.

"At the start of 1971, local Round Table members decided to stage a pop festival for local bands as a way to raise funds for charity.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Scuffles broke out involving the Hell's Angels who took over security

“What started off as a local festival for local bands and a few thousand spectators became one of the most extraordinary festivals of the ‘flower power’ period, with 150,000 in attendance, and bands as diverse and successful as T Rex, Rod Stewart and The Faces, and Status Quo performing.

“It’s a festival that lives vividly in the memory of all those present, and quite literally changed some lives.”

Tom has already visited Clacton to meet some of the organisers.

“It was hugely productive and I am more excited than ever about the project,” he said.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Mungo Jerry's In the Summertime had recently topped the charts

“At the moment I am trying to amass as many interesting stories as possible, and to amass as much archive as possible for the film.

“It would be great to hear from locals who have memories of the festival, or a good story to tell, as well as from locals who have any photos, film, clippings, memorabilia etc of the festival.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Stone The Crows on stage at Weeley Festival

We’ve dug out some old photos from our archive and would also love to share readers’ photos and stories from the festival when the anniversary takes place in August.

Readers can email us at cf.gazette@nqe.com or call 01255 254217. To get in touch with Tom, email thefestival1971@gmail.com.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • A huge clean-up operation was needed after the festival