A MULTI-FAITH memorial service is being held for 'King of the Hippies' Sid Rawle at the site of the festival he founded.

The green campaigner died at the Rainbow 2000 Camp in Rodley on August 31 and hundreds of mourners are expected to return there to pay their last respects on Saturday.

Tipis, a yurt and a wood henge have been put up for the public ceremony at 4pm.

The celebration of Sid's colourful life will be preceded by a private service for his family and close friends at his home in Hillersland.

His ashes will be buried behind a standing stone in the centre circle of his beloved Goddess Garden

Last week, following his death, Sid's family and friends held an all night candle-lit vigil at Rodley before Sid's body was removed by the coroner.

His daughter Phoebe Stonechild, who lives in Coleford said: "It was amazing because the site is at the top of a hill and it is always windy. But when we held the vigil it was so still it felt like we were inside and the candles burned all night."

Paying tribute to her dad, who had eight children and seven grandchildren Phoebe said: "He was an amazing dad but he was also a friend. You could talk to him about anything and he would never judge you.

"It felt like you always made him happy and you could never disappoint him, he was always proud of who you were."

Sid was a recognisable figure in the 1967 'Summer of Love' and later became known for founding hippy communities the Peace Convoy and Tip Valley.

He was also an early member of the Green Party.

The service on Saturday will be led by Sid's close friend and fellow Tipi Valley veteran Rick Mayes.

Sid, who was 64, moved to Hillersland 20 years ago.

He was recognisable around the Forest for his boiler-suit and hat, and his fondness of a fried breakfast.

After 30 years on the road, Sid grew to love the Forest as his adopted home, reminding him of his native Exmoor.

Together with friend Richard Harding they ran four Forest Fairs before Sid started up the Rainbow 2000 series of spiritual camps as an alternative to the drug culture that pervaded many festivals in the nineties.

Gardening grew to become one of Sid's great passions and he planted a nut wood and orchard at his home.

Sid's friend Beth Llewellyn who lives in Hillersland said: "He was a very generous kind-hearted man. He was a father figure to a lot of people and was encouraging to everyone he met."

The family donations in lieu of flowers to the Land Fund Burial Site gratefully accepted.