While the Cropredy folkies were raising their tankards to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fairport Convention, an altogether more hardcore celebration was going on over the border in Warwickshire.

Bikers and rock fans from across Europe arrived in their thousands to mark the 21st birthday of the loudest, fastest and grungiest festival of them all - The Bulldog Bash.

Events following this year's Bash have focused attention on an event which has somehow existed below the radar of even hardened festival goers. But the tragic shooting of a Bulldog Basher on his way home should never be allowed to overshadow what is a supremely peaceful, fun-loving and free-wheeling party.

So safe is the Bash, held at Long Marston, near Stratford-upon-Avon, that it is probably the only major festival with no police presence. Security is left in the capable and formidable hands of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. And you'd have to be a fool to mess with those guys.

The Bash is primarily an adrenaline-fuelled biker gathering, but it is also a massive rock festival. And while the acts are always loud and frequently heavy, this is an easy-going festival which refuses to take itself too seriously. So, headliners included three-chord rockers Status Quo and West Country tractor botherers the Wurzels.

Also appearing were a bunch of rock tributes, including AC/DC imitators Hells Bells - and double bass wielding psychobilly nutters King Kurt.

But the main attraction was the closing act - punk rock pioneers The Damned. And what a show! Shying away from their camp knockabout comedy satire, sparring partners Captain Sensible and Dave Vanian were as taut and well-oiled as the throbbing beasts being raced along the festival's dragstrip.

And they looked great, with Sensible in white naval officer's uniform, having Jack Daniels poured into his mouth, while Vanian, appearing in trademark black lapels, shades and quiff, threw himself around the stage like a vampire Elvis.