Bob Adams

Born: 1949, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes

Bob Adams grew up in Stony Stratford and became central to the development and longevity of Folk on the Green, one of Milton Keynes’ most beloved community music festivals. His story traces the event’s grassroots origins, evolution, and enduring community spirit.

Beginnings and Early Folk Scene

In the early 1970s, before Milton Keynes was fully established as a new city, Bob and friends sought entertainment through folk clubs and acoustic sessions around local pubs. He met musician and teacher Rod Hall, who later founded Folk on the Green. Their shared love of folk music and informal performances led to the first open-air event on Horsefair Green, Stony Stratford, in the early 1970s.

The first concert used a farm cart as a stage, borrowed electricity from nearby houses, and featured mostly local performers. It was a humble, do-it-yourself affair but full of charm and promise—“something quite magic,” Bob recalls.

Growth and Community Spirit

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Folk on the Green grew from a handful of musicians into a full-day festival featuring bands, dancers, and family entertainment. When Rod Hall moved away in 1986, Bob took over as organiser, forming a proper committee and securing funding. The event retained its non-commercial ethos—performers still play for free, motivated by community pride.

Bob describes Folk on the Green as being “more like a village fête with music” than a concert. Volunteers, local businesses, and residents all contribute—from power supply logistics and waste management to security and food stalls. Despite its growth, it has remained free, open, and community-led.

Atmosphere and Challenges

The magic, Bob insists, lies in Horsefair Green itself: a natural amphitheatre surrounded by trees, benches, and homes. Over the years, he’s navigated weather challenges, licensing changes, and occasional conflicts with neighbours and police, always emphasizing collaboration and respect.

Even during the COVID lockdown, the team kept the spirit alive with “Folk Not on the Green”, a live-streamed virtual event that brought the community together online.

Legacy and Continuity

Bob highlights the importance of bringing in new artistic directors and volunteers to keep the event fresh. Each year ends with a celebratory volunteer curry night—a tradition that embodies its communal heart.

He’s proud that Folk on the Green remains true to its roots: a space where “an elderly lady and a punk can sit side by side” and everyone feels part of something larger. Today, it is a cornerstone of Stony Stratford’s cultural identity—run on love, laughter, and shared purpose for over 50 years.