It's often been said there isn't "A" sidmouth festival, its a lot of overlapping ones that people can choose between. some people on this list appear to never leave their chosen pub/venue!

so, where to start....
The display dance teams were excellent in spite of the weather. The Latvians were amusing as well as well drilled,the French girls enthusiastically joined in the ceilidhs after their performances, and the home sides Mortimers, Great Western and, er, Chinwrdde? (OK, Kenilworth I can spell) were crowd-pleasers. All the teams seemed to be enjoying themselves, dancing with precision but not being precious.

Ceilidhs were a mixed bag.
Like many others, I thought Maerlock were no good for dancing (uneven rhythms, a waltz that wasn't in waltz time etc). Likewise Demon Barbers were a bad choice for the final LNE; many people expected a last night ceilidh and felt short changed, some said they might not bother buying season tickets in future. Even Blowzabella seemed to have lost their edge to some extent, in particular the long hurdy-gurdy solo was just self-indulgent, and the fiddle solo supposedly for a bourree had people trying to spot where the beat and A and B sections of the music were.

LNE layout was unsatisfactory - previously rows of seats alongside the dance floor meant people could be based somewhere and know where to find each other - the lack of seating this year made the event less sociable, people crowded at the back couldn't easily get up and find a partner for the next dance. And why was the whole of one side occupied by crash barriers surrounding the sound desk - the Blackmore set-up was unobtrusive and the mixing was also of a much higher standard.

Blackmore Lastminute ceilidhs had a better atmosphere, but were too crowded. They need the whole of the marquee, not have part taken for craft stalls, and hopefully some sort of "beer-garden" so people can pop outside for fresh air and a drink. Again, the seating arrangement was poor with a single block - people sat in the middle were stuck there and would struggle to get to the dance floor if they could spot a partner. I do wonder if the people planning the layouts of both the dance marquees actually do much dancing at sidmouth.

The Anchor ceilidhs went well despite the weather, gave "experts" what they wanted but also brought in the general public novices who will hopefully get more involved in future. I don't like the word "inclusivity" but it is appropriate for the Anchor events and is good for public relations with the locals.
Speaking of "inclusivity" or lack of it the Cornish/Breton evening seemed elitist, no attempt to teach newcomers, anyone who didn't know the dances in advance just floundered (but the music was good).

I've said enough, now for the arguments and slagging off..... :-))