Developing ideas for BBQ67/27: 23rd July 2026

We were delighted by the positive atmosphere throughout the evening and by the feedback we received afterwards. Many people commented on how inclusive the session felt, the opportunity it provided to meet new people and make connections, and how it encouraged everyone to start thinking creatively about what the festival could become. It was fantastic to see so many conversations taking place, ideas being shared, and new collaborations beginning to emerge. The momentum is really starting to build, and we're excited to continue developing these ideas together over the coming months.

To help everyone plan ahead, we've confirmed the dates of our next two planning meetings. We hope you'll be able to join us as we move from generating ideas to developing a coordinated festival programme.

NEXT MEETINGS

Wednesday 9th September 2026
12.30pm – 2.30pm
The Parish Church of St Mary and St Nicolas
Church Gate, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2RA

At the next meeting, we'll begin shaping the festival programme in more detail. If you're considering organising or contributing to an event, we'd love you to come prepared to give a two-minute pitch covering:

• What is your event or activity?
• Who is it for?
• Where could it take place?
• When might it happen?
• How will it work?
• What support, resources or collaborators do you need?

We'll also begin bringing everyone's ideas together into a draft festival calendar, helping us to identify opportunities for collaboration and create a balanced programme of events across the festival.

Wednesday 4th November 2026
6pm – 8pm
The Parish Church of St Mary and St Nicolas
Church Gate, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2RA

For those who were unable to attend the meeting on 23rd July, or for anyone who would like a reminder of the discussions, the key points from the meeting on 23rd July are summarised below.

In attendance: Alan Barnesdale, Sir John Hayes, Joanne Mackell, Harrison Fuller, Emma Sheppard, Rev. Rob Parker-McGee, Chris Hicks, Cllr Jan Whitbourn, Sarah Fletcher, Rachel Morgan, John Bland, Keith Copping, Doug Kendall, Callum Brazzo, Daniel Gregory, Padraig Hughes, Frank Watts, Laura Stevens, Jo Ireland, David Must, Andy Johnson-Smith, Ian Braid, Abi Hunt

Apologies: Amanda Reynolds, Tracey Carter, Dustin Frazier Wood, Rachel Rowett, Robin Hancox, Kirsty Berry, Nathan Marshall, Cllr Gary Taylor, Debbie Bailey, Colin Ward, Leigh Porter, Kevin Robinson, Rob Pitman, Ryan Gilmartin, Karen Smilley, Jo Ireland, Henry Bingham

PROJECT UPDATE

PastPresentPossible CIC (PPP) reiterated that, as a Community Interest Company, collaboration and community participation are at the heart of the BBQ67/27 project. The aim is to create a festival that belongs to the whole community, with opportunities for everyone to get involved, regardless of whether they are based within the Spalding BID district.

PPP provided an update on current funding applications. A National Lottery Heritage Fund application is being developed to support a heritage project that will collect oral histories from people connected to BBQ67. Alongside these memories, associated artefacts will be preserved within a permanent archive at The Spalding Gentlemen's Society, ensuring this important part of Spalding's history is safeguarded for future generations. Funding has also been sought for a documentary film that will record the process of gathering these stories and conserving the archive.

A separate Arts Council England funding application is being prepared to support the celebratory festival in May 2027. Subject to funding, the festival will begin with a launch event and culminate in a major live music event in the town. Throughout May, PastPresentPossible will coordinate a programme of activities taking place across Spalding and the surrounding area.

As part of this, PPP will develop the festival branding, create promotional materials, produce a dedicated BBQ67/27 section on the PPP website featuring event listings and booking information, and publish a festival brochure containing event details, maps, a festival diary and advertising opportunities for local businesses. While the funding will support the coordination and promotion of the festival, it will not cover the costs of individual events. However, a small bursary fund will be available to help organisations and groups that may otherwise struggle to deliver their planned activities (more details to follow).

PPP is also seeking volunteers to support a range of activities, including collecting oral histories, cataloguing archive material, assisting at festival events, creating installations and sharing skills, expertise or resources. Anyone interested in becoming involved is encouraged to get in touch.

WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES

The focus of this meeting was on developing ideas, encouraging collaboration and building new partnerships. Rather than relying solely on whole-group discussion, attendees worked together in smaller groups, providing opportunities for more people to contribute, exchange ideas and make new connections.

This approach reflected the project's ambition to be genuinely community-led, ensuring that a wide range of voices could help shape the festival and develop a shared vision for celebrating BBQ67.

The first workshop activity invited participants to think broadly about the project with consideration of the Arts Council’s key funding themes. Working in small groups, attendees discussed the following questions. The notes below capture the ideas generated by participants during the workshops. They are intended as a record of the discussion rather than a final programme, and all ideas will continue to be developed over the coming months.

CONTENT (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN?)

• Music Bingo
• Fashion Show (Jan Whitbourn - 60s Flower Power)
• Poetry readings
• Grassroots music
• BBQ food
• Classic car 60s show
• Dance shows
• Mural - hole in wall
• Pop up shop - decorated in 60s decor selling memorabilia
• 60s quiz
• Main event 29th May - must include grassroots band - original music
• Restaurant offer 60s menu
• Community art that is linked to the subject
• Multicultural activities representing local communities
• Tribute band concert and new contemporary music event for today’s teenagers

HISTORY (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DISCOVER?)

• Emerging local musicians/bands
• Complete music/set lists from BBQ67
• More about the social interactions
• Locate exact site of bulb auction hall
• Trace performers from the time (Colin Ward, Sound Force 5)
• Re-creating the look/feel of the town (1967)
• Use the river - flotilla/band on river - Yacht Club Sarah Prior
• Education for schools - Grammar school
• Memorabilia - T-shirts (‘I was there 67/27’), posters
• Visible, permanent celebration of the event (to compliment the sheep/cattle)
• Cultural significance - Was it the 1st rock festival? Impact and how it has grown? Cultural memories of the region/time

LEGACY (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND?)

• A value in culture and history of place
• Podcast - oral history in podcast format
• Enhance music culture - events continue for live grassroots music - under the name: Legacy of ’67, is it continues reminding people and bands that take part from outside Spalding - learn and pass on - helps town culture and scene
• Some annual reminder  - maybe yearly concert one-off to celebrate legacy and music in town like we do flower parade
• Themed sculpture
• Mural paint or tiles (large - like Holbeach mural)
• Visual legacy in form of community art - mural as close as possible to original site
• Film documentary, recording memories of those who were there
• Pride in Spalding
• Positive press
• Summer of love
• Story book
• Learning
• Opportunities to pass the history on

ENGAGEMENT (WHO DO YOU WANT TO ENGAGE AND HOW?)

• Everyone - range of events and activities will appeal to different ages
• Opportunity to promote Spalding - appeal to wider audience outside of town
• Community of Spalding must be at the heart, create local pride
• All ages/cultural backgrounds/etc. 
• Workshops - art for the event - going into schools
• Artists and attendees of the original event
• The original audience demographic