30 YEARS OF BRISTOL VOLKSFEST
If we haven’t banged on about it enough already, you’re probably aware that this year - 2023, we’ll be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Bristol Volksfest.
Some of you might be new to this unique little show, some might have been with us from the very beginning. Either way, we thought we’d take you on a bit of a road trip down memory lane and give you an insight into BVF, how it all began and what it takes to put on.
My name is Peter, I’m one of the organisers of Bristol Volksfest and this is my account of the last 30+ years of mud, sweat and tears - as far as I can remember it anyway.
It’s crazy to think we’ve been doing this for over 30 years. I can’t remember a time without it, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about it; this wild beast feels like part of the family. Much to my mum's dismay we struggle to get through a Sunday lunch without BVF coming up and taking over the conversation. She might as well lay an extra plate for it. In fact, most of the planning takes place in Mum and Dad’s kitchen.
Travel back in time with us to 1990. The VW scene in Bristol was buoyant, full of colour, character and you could pick up a bug or a bus for a few hundred quid.
Adrian (my Dad and founder of Bristol Volksfest) owned a panel & paint shop in Lawrence Hill, Bristol, called KGC Panels. KGC distributed parts for all makes and models of cars but at this time Adrian noticed an increasing demand for VW parts and accessories over the counter. Ever the entrepreneur Adrian and employee Mark Matthews split the KGC shop in half and became VW Dream Machine specialists. He also rented out the garage below the shop to a couple of young VW nuts, Tim and Arthur, making KGC a one stop Volkswagen parts and repairs shop. On Saturdays there was a real buzz about the shop, with people queuing out of the door looking for parts and paint for all kinds of VW projects they were working on. But it wasn’t until Adrian randomly picked up a white 1971 Volkswagen Wizard, that he realised just how much of a following there was for these iconic motors. Our family loved the Wizard, we called it Superfly (it has FLY in the number plate) and my parents became members of Bath Air-cooled Owners Club. I vividly remember going on B.A.C treasure hunts and cruises as a family; my brother, sister and I squished into the back of the Wizard, sun shining, top down and Kid Creole blaring out of the one speaker that worked.
With shows like Stanford Hall, Run to the Sun and Bug Jam booming in popularity Adrian could tell that his regulars would be up for a local show & swap meet. And so, on a Sunday in September 1992, Mum and Dad, along with the help of the staff at KGC, Bath Air-cooled OC, friends and family, held the first Bristol Volksfest - a one day show with about 200 cars, lots of spares, a bug push and a cruise out at the end.
The stage was set and a new show was born. For the next 10 years the show continued to grow, and Volksfest would go on the road moving venues more frequently than a travelling Circus. The shows at the combination rugby ground in Filton were particularly memorable. Big Show & Shine, lots of autojumble and genuine VW Traders, helicopter rides, crazy club competitions, bug push, driving skills and live bands on the back of a flatbed trailer. The shows there caught the attention of Volksworld Magazine (other VW magazines also available) and stapled Bristol Volksfest firmly to the national VW calendar.
Bristol Volksfest Venues
Almondsbury 1992
Southmead 1993 & 1994
Filton - The Combination Ground 1995 - 1999
Thornbury - Woodhouse Park Scout Grounds 2000 - 2002
Bath Racecourse 2003 & 2004
Wraxall - North Somerset Showground 2005 - 2009
Easter Compton - Washingpool Farm 2010 - 2016
Long Ashton - Birches Farm 2017 -
Other Volksfest Events:
BAWA Club, Filton and Parkside, Brislington - Bristol Volksfest Christmas Swap Meet 1995, 1996, 1997 & 1998
Helicopter Museum WSM - BVF Reboot September 2019
Helicopter Museum WSM - BVF Drive In - September 2020
It wasn’t until we moved to Wraxall that Volksfest became more than a one day show. To start off we opened the gates on Saturday afternoon with camping available on Saturday night and the main show being on Sunday. To begin with, we hired a marquee, booked a few local bands, sold cold cans out of a cool box and played lots of silly games to entertain our campers. It was great fun! The show was growing organically - North Somerset Showground was a nice, green, grassroots site and since we’d introduced camping, Volksfest started to adopt more of a festival vibe.
At this point I need to hit the pause button quickly and say thanks to Chris White.
The show was growing quickly and we needed more people to share the load. Although my brother, sister and I were doing what we could, we were still young. Chris stepped in and brought with him some new ideas and fresh legs - Charlie, Rocky, Simon & Nikky, Wayne and the formidable Martin aka Smiley. And so began a new era for Bristol Volksfest. While they were at it, in 2007 Adrian and Chris started a new show together in Yeovil called Vanwest!
The North Somerset Showground was a great site but like the others before, we needed more space.
Changing venues is never easy. Is it big enough, is it too big, what facilities does it have, what do we need to bring in? What’s the location like, is it easy to find, what will the traffic implications be to the local area? What are the entrances/exits, are there enough gates, how will these cope at peak times? How will the ground hold up in adverse conditions? How much is it going to cost to put on? Will people like it?
It took us a good few years to crack the layout at Washingpool Farm, but when we cracked it it worked really well. Thankfully a few more friends, Danny (owner of Simply Surf Bus and brother from another mother), Jake and Dom threw their names in the hat, lightened the load and really helped push things on again. Dom ran the trade, Jake ran the gates and like a problem solving Tasmanian Devil, Dan had the unique ability to be everywhere at all times! Since our move to Birches Farm Dan has played a big part in rewriting our power plan, improving our efficiency and saving money on Diesel. Dom, Jake and Smiley work day and night to keep the festival running.`
I think it was 2015 at Easter Compton when we really felt the scales tilt. In addition to the usual Volksfest displays and shenanigans we also hosted the Lowrider Nationals, Crucial BMX and Scooter competition and Upfest graffiti displays. We stepped up the entertainment on stage and in the barn too with headline performances from the likes of Bad Manners and DJ Yoda.
We would have loved to have stayed at Easter Compton but in the end unfortunately the matter was taken out of our hands. We worked really hard to earn a premises licence there and improve the facilities but the use of the barns was being restricted and the demands on us were escalating. We know that there was a lot of love for that venue, some people still refuse to come to the new site, but we are really happy at Birches Farm and knowing what we know now it’s all for the best.
There are great memories from each of these venues, however for a lot of people the most memorable and defining feature is annoyingly…the great British weather.
I do miss the good old days. There’s no hiding from it, the modern day BVF is very different to the way it was in the early 90’s. A part of growing is change, and as time moves on we experience more change. While we adapt to cope with change we try to stay true to our roots and objective. We just want to put on a wicked show with epic cars and awesome entertainment. We want to create different and new experiences for our attendees not seen at any other VW show; keep the original air-cooled spirit at heart and most of all - we want everyone to enjoy themselves.
We’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to put on this event for so many years, but in recent times it has become more and more difficult to do the thing we love. There’s a lot more red tape and hoops to jump through now. Social Media can be a help and a hindrance. VW Specialists and traders don’t attend as many shows as they used to. And as a family run event at the core of this we have always tried to give good value for money; but even that is becoming more tricky now that the cost of everything increases year on year. Fuel, electricity, labour, materials, equipment and of course there’s been covid!
The Bristol Volksfest we put on now is nothing short of a mini festival city.
Starting with lush green empty fields on a farm site - we haul absolutely everything in. Generators, toilets, showers, water points in each of the fields, fencing, netting and crowd barriers, bars, tents, stages, PA equipment, 4km of power cables and distribution, 2km of festoon, lighting towers, diesel…lots and lots of diesel! Medics and Paramedics, Security, Traffic management, Health & Safety Advisors, Fire crew, groundworks, caterers, traders…the list goes on. Not forgetting the introduction of ‘The Bunker’. A barn used to store straw for 11 months of the year which gets transformed into a post-apocalyptic night time hangout once Aiden, Justin, Pete and the rest of their posse roll into town. Love your work guys.
Considering the scale of it we run with a small, very dedicated team that put in a massive shift for us every year.
The build really starts in May at our task force weekend. A hardy crew of crafty club members, locals and friends are assembled and kick start the preparations. Volksfest takes about four weeks to build, two weeks to break down with four days of chaos sandwiched in between. And as soon as the last one’s over, we’re onto planning the next one. Special thanks must go to our landlords Simon, Lesley and all the Butlers at Birches Farm. The transition to the new venue hasn’t been that easy, sometimes it feels like the elements are against us, but the support of Simon and his family has been beyond incredible. For some reason Simon always picks up the phone and is happy to have us over for tea and hear us pitch our crazy ideas.
But we’re still here, giving it everything we’ve got and we really really couldn’t have done it without the incredible help of our forgiving friends and family. For working with us, putting up with us and supporting this crazy dream of ours.
So here we are, thirty years down the road. In the wise words of Vinnie Jones - it’s been emotional. We can look back and be grateful that people embraced our vision. There’s a real sense of community about it all. We’ve had birthdays, weddings, children conceived, children nearly delivered, gas explosions and near death experiences all take place at the event. I’d love to think that in another 30 years the spirit of Bristol Volksfest will continue to live on…The show is still going and one of our kids will be writing their own account of the Volksfest way of life to the next generation of VW enthusiasts. I love what we do and I’m proud to be able to look back and think that we played a small part in the VW show scene. I’m also extremely proud (and a little bit jealous) of my dad. Volksfest surges through his veins, he continues to be the visionary mind and driving force behind what we do.
However… this dream would be nothing without you. While the cars are the stars of the show, you are what gives it such character. VW owners and enthusiasts, campers, club members and traders. Your support means the world, from Adrian, Jono, myself and all the team - thanks you.
While I’m at it - big love to all that follow…where would we be without you guys.
Dan Birch, Jake Arrindell, Dom Carroll, Martin Cook, Ross Mitchell, Matt Tucker, Craig Coulstring, Helen Lee, Tracy Prescott, Janet Hiscox, The Bunker Boys - Aiden Neary, Justin McCarthy and Pete Marselle. Chris White, Charlie Cockelle, Marilyn Lewis, Angie Mizen, Tim Shettle, Arthur Thomas, Baz, Mark Matthews, Spencer Pritchard, Steve Upton, Larry & Lyn Collins, Paul Branfield, Ray and Skyee Tunnecliffe, Ian Mallin & Amanda Hambly and all the members of Bath Air-Cooled, Simon Plumstead, Simon & Nikky Cox, Paul Brown, Clive Allen, Joel Allen-Westlake, Rich Dagger, Luke O’D, Amy McMahon, Simon Butler, Phil Carnell, Colin Eade, Steve, Jez, Josh, Del and the Vee Dub Family, Amy Jane, Nick Hobbs, Janek Krywald, Adrian Whitcombe, Jonno Medder, Simon Bennett, Vince & James Cambridge, Tony Nikou, Mike & Kate Port, Rob Spencer-Scott, Andrew Thompson, Dom King, Alan Cooper, Rich Hill, John Harvey, Ricky Bobby, Casper & Georger Verney, Boo, Blake, Tommy T Break, Caroline, Lewis, helpers from Cotham Park Rugby Club, Tony and Mark (our first security team), Terry Gray, Paul Wiltshire, Dan Cameron, Lee Minter, Simply Surf Bus, Paul Dickinson, Rich Birch, Dan Barnes, Stu Wilkinson, Rob Page, Josh Jones, Dan Bright, Alun and the LA Miners Crew, Mike Golding, Steve Coles, Jimmer & Crawf, Dave, Anthony and Steve, Adge and all the local farmers and tractor drivers of 2019, Sue, Sinead, Senan, Ellis, Amrit & Robyn, Josh Bagstaff, Tony & Mel, Colman O’D, Karen and Alan Joy, Rob Lingo, Bristol Festivals, Long Ashton Parish Council, Tim at Brandon Tool Hire, Will Long Out of Hand, Rob Howarth at Event Safety Plan, Hans at Chew Valley Hire, JPS, County Medics, Rubicon and to anyone else that knows me 😅 (longest ever pop master shout out). We salute you x
