Isle of Wight Festival Revealed: BBC One Show Explores Archaeological Findings

BBC One Show Explores Historic Isle of Wight Festival

Last month, archaeologists and metal detecting enthusiasts united for the first time to investigate the renowned Isle of Wight Festival site from 1970.

Landscape Archaeologist Kelly Wetherick spearheaded this ‘modern archaeology’ initiative with invaluable collaboration from the Vectis Archaeological Trust, Dimbola Lodge, and the Vectis Searchers.

The television program was hosted by Matt Allwright, who expressed his admiration for the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, deeming it "the biggest and the best."

Matt, a passionate musician, partnered with local detectorist Shirley Robinson to uncover hidden treasures and remnants, including numerous ring pulls, buried beneath the freshly plowed fields.

According to People Media UK's Tony Steyger:

“For me as a filmmaker, making this program was about spending time with people, looking back in time, spurred on by what might be hidden from sight, discovering that this monumental event was probably not the first to be held at Afton Down.”

Roger Simmonds, a festival veteran who has attended every Isle of Wight Festival since 1968, commented:

“I think this festival was as good as it gets, the music, the atmosphere, the setting, it really was the real deal.”

Don’t miss the findings on BBC One’s One Show tomorrow at 7 PM, or catch it on iPlayer later.