> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # VEF 50: “The day belongs to everyone” notes on the first Vale Earth Fair, 1976, by the late Errol Groves. - URL: https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/festivals-vef-50-the-day-belongs-to-everyone-notes-on-the-first-vale-earth-fair-1976-by-the-late-errol-groves/ - Published: 2026-08-27T10:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-27T11:53:58.000Z - Description: "The music scene can never have been better here in Guernsey" - Author: îles - Tags: Guernési, Jèrri ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/A37-Weymouth-1.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/cover-1.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260810_142427_4.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260810_143558_9-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260810_142441_5-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260810_142617_1-1.jpg) ## “Since early times, people have gathered, to play, to listen and to dance. Through the ages, these festivals have continued uniting humanity in dance and in song.” Errol Groves *It's a spiral notebook. Her Majesty's Stationary Office. Inside, a sign for the A37, draft letters from a vegetarian café in Manchester. Then further on, a list of 12 names. A few pages later, a poster: the first annual Festival of Folk Country & Rock Music. It's notes made by Errol Groves, my father, 50 summers ago as he prepared for the first Vale Castle festival that would become the Vale Earth Fair.* *Below, his notes on a festival.* The thought of organising a festival of music has wandered around amongst us for nearly three years, sometimes much spoken about, but that was as far as it went until now, and has this year taken shape after some promptings and encouragement from the local musicians. Since early times, people have gathered, to play, to listen and to dance. Through the ages, these festivals have continued uniting humanity in dance and in song. From small tribal celebrations to huge religious gatherings such as the Kumba Mela in India, peaceful festivals have through the years united humanity and find their latest expression in the music festivals of today. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/Vale-Earth-Fayre-Errol--2--2.jpg) Errol Groves ****©**Andy Chauvel ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/draft-poster-3.jpeg) ### The music scene can never have been better here in Guernsey The coming one-day festival at the Vale Castle is the result of the need for an expression of the growing, much varied and greatly-talent band of musicians we have here in Guernsey. The initiative was taken by the musicians when they asked us, Lumphammer Promotions who had organised the Xmas Feed the Hungry Concert, if we were organising anything this summer. > "The festival is a collecting together of these musicians, an expression of this richness" The music scene can never have been better here in Guernsey. The idea came about with the realisation of how much good music is being played here at the moment, for such a small community we are very rich musically and lucky, I feel, to have people who are so willing to play just for the joy of playing with and to others. The festival is a collecting together of these musicians, an expression of this richness, with so many highly talented bands and musicians playing such a wide range of music, a natural progression from three-hour indoor shows. > for such a small community we are very rich musically and lucky, I feel, to have people who are so willing to play just for the joy of playing with and to others. ### Within two days we found ourselves with twelve acts lined up ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/07/Errol-in-front-of-stage---76.JPG) Errol Groves, 1976 As usual the least of our worries involved getting the acts, within two days we found ourselves with twelve acts lined up, with the possibility of two more, and a very tight schedule, a fine line-up and if we had the time we could have as many again, makes us wonder how many places there are with a 50,000 population who could boast of so much musical talent, we are lucky to have them. > "...makes us wonder how many places there are with a 50,000 population who could boast of so much musical talent, we are lucky to have them" ### Music to keep everyone happy Music to suit all tastes from classical guitar through traditional folk to country and good old rock and roll. A good chance for the younger ones to hear some live music as most music over here is played in licensed premises. ### The Vale Castle, probably the best place on the island for live, outdoor music After the initial discussions we began to look around for a suitable site and eventually came up with the Vale Castle, which we feel now to be the best venue for a festival such as this, probably the best place on the island for live outdoor music. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260809_152637_3.jpg) Vale Castle, Guernsey > This is your festival...we ask you to join in as well What we want to stress is this is your festival, how it goes depends on everyone. We have been running around for three weeks organising the advertising, scaffolding, food etc etc and we ask you to join in as well. The musicians will put a full day's work into it, getting equipment there, rigged up, playing and then lugging it all away again. There will be plenty to do on the day to help keep things running smoothly. ### Let's make it one to remember We (the musicians and the people involved in the organising - Lumphammer Promotions) want to see not only teenagers and younger people there, we want you to bring your kids and your mums and dads and grandmas and grandads and make it a real festive occasion. > we want you to bring your kids and your mums and dads and grandmas and grandads and make it a real festive occasion. ### if (hopefully) there is any money left over this will go to charity. there will be no admission charge but it is hoped that the festival goers will make small donations towards covering expenses and if (hopefully) there is any money left over this will go to charity. Food, teas and soft drinks and perhaps some crafts etc will be on sale, all at reasonable prices. Proceeds from these will either go to charity such as Mother Theresa's work for the hungry and towards covering the expenses of the festival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260810_142642_9.jpg) Musicians willingness to play for free makes for an easier atmosphere, if people can come and go as they please, means families can easily come along in the afternoon, have a picnic, meet friends etc without having to spend a lot of money, with the fine line up we feel we cannot fail to cover expenses through donations. --- > LIGHT AND THE WARM DANCE > and when the darkness comes there will be light, all manner of lights flashing and strobing and gently stroking your minds > as the darkness grows and the music plays on, dance on, dance on and keep the warmth flowing > but if you’re not a dancer bring a blanket as it gets bloody cold after dark > if you remember bring a cup as well and then we won’t need to use so many plastic ones > But most important bring yourselves. See you there folks, it should be a good one! --- There isn't much to more to cover really except to thank the Ancient Monuments Committee for giving us the use of the castle, the Northern Venture Unit for their invaluable help and cooperation and Gamble & Blair for the use of their electricity. The music will start at 2.30 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m., we may have a half hour break around 6.30 p.m. but we have to see how it goes and how Mick fares on the old calculator. --- [VEF 50: “Between sets one could feel the expectancy” the 1976 festival review by Errol GrovesAn army of part-time roadies, an old Charlie Chaplin & cowboy movie playing as a backdrop and the people sent still dancing out into the warm summer night. The First Annual Festival Of Folk Country & Rock Music, as reviewed in 1976 by the late Errol Groves. After an afternoon of![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/icon/ILES-ANGLO-NORMANDES-UPDATED-4-0d854a97-b079-418f-a7da-47e21d62605f.png)îles anglo-normandesîles![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d1/c7/d1c79ccb-3da4-4ed2-8fda-9b60db236f61/content/images/thumbnail/Program-1976-1-8660a9ec-b2f4-4e52-a504-55c9dc110572.jpeg)](https://www.ilesanglo-normandes.com/festivals-vef-50-between-sets-one-could-feel-the-expectancy-the-1976-festival-review-by-errol-groves/)