As organisers make the final preparations for this year's Trowbridge Village Pump Festival, TREVOR PORTER takes a look back to 1970, and how it all began.

When a group of local folk followers decided to run a festival, little did they realise it would grow into one of the most popular events on the national calendar.

It all started back in November 1970, with musician Pat Drinkwater wanting to start a folk club in Trowbridge.

He found an old store room at the back of his local pub the Lamb Inn in Trowbridge, and gathered together a team of volunteers to clean up the place... and so the Village Pump folk club was born.

With a collection of country tools decorating the walls and the stage an old farm cart, the rustic venue was dubbed the Village Pump from a song by The Stonegallows' vocalist Alan Briars.

Pat and his dedicated team created one of the best folk venues in Great Britain and during the life of the Village Pump at the Lamb just about everyone who was anyone in the folk scene played there.

So successful was the club that the idea of a Folk Festival was discussed.

In 1974 at a marquee at the Lamb the Village Pump Festival was launched.

But by 1979, the festival had outgrown the Lamb, and the organisers were forced to look for a bigger site.

One of the Village Pump followers was farmer Phil Bryant, who runs Stowford Manor Farm near Wingfield, and he was happy to allow the festival to take over his land for a weekend each year.

The seventh Folk Festival was held at Stowford for the first time in 1980 and the close relationship between land owners and festival organisers was made .

Since then, the Village Pump festival has grown to be one of the top five festivals in the country attracting thousands each July to the picturesque venue of Stowford.

Top names such as Lonnie Donnigan, Maddy Prior, Bob Geldof, Tom Paxton, Tom Robinson and Mary Coughan have sampled the unique atmosphere of the Village Pump.

And the venue has proved a hit with top groups such as Oysterband, All About Eve, Edward The Second and Alexander D Great to name just a few.

Main stage compere John Alderslade, who has been involved with the festival since it began, said all the entertainers who visit the Pump love the atmosphere.

He said: "It has a lovely atmosphere, quite unique. None of us thought the festival would ever grow to what it is today. It is rated as one of the best events in the country and has a terrific following.

"Nearly everyone who was first involved in the early days is still involved in one way or another.

"Its the pull of the Pump that has that effect on you." The Village Pump is now controlled by musician Alan Briars and Dave Newman, who pull together a close-knit team to put on the festival.

This year's Trowbridge Village Pump Festival takes place from July 25-28 at Stowford Manor Farm.

Tickets can be bought in advance or on the gate for the weekend or daily. Weekend tickets are £60, day tickets are Friday £12, Saturday and Sunday £30 per day.

They are available through The Record Collector, 41 Roundstone Street, Trow-bridge, (01225) 776403 or by post at PO Box 984, Bath BA1 6YH. Credit card line 0117 929 9008.

Festival information line (01225) 769132, e-mail enquiries@trowbridgefestival.co.uk or visit the website www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk