I now feel that I have to comment on these varying views having read them over the last few days.

"The other is a large business attempt to milk off a quick profit from their showfield (during a quiet week for them), by booking the dearest artists from the agents lists. They have little knowledge of the the acts or the audiences who buy the tickets, or the ethos and tradition of these audiences. If this festival doesn't provide a payout for the business it will be axed..."

George, this is complete and utter drivel! How do you know what knowledge the organisers have? Please tell me how you came to this ridiculous conclusion. I suspect that the person putting this show together would be deeply hurt by this were they to read it. It looks like a very tasty little line-up to me. I don't think you could book such a varied and talented programme WITHOUT having such an extensive knowledge. I, personally will definately be going to Pickering. I've been to too many tedious singarounds and talentless sessions in my time. In fact the ONLY reason that most of these 'musicians' are in sessions and singarounds is because they haven't got a prayer of ever being booked at a festival like Pickering! They're nearly always run by 'the clique' as well that turn up year after year out of duty.

"All you have to remember is one has been built up over many years through folk club fund raising, hard unpaid work by organisers and committees' and a love of the music and tradition which the festival supports."

More drivel I'm afraid. How is it a sin to be starting up a new festival? Everything has to start at the beginning. If this company in Pickering were so adamant about making money would they have seriously organised a folk festival? Surely with their 'apparent' wads at their disposal they would have gone for the Rock option. Seriously big headliners at seriously expensive ticket prices.

Get real guys. It's not a competition. It's entertainment.