I realise that I have joined this thread rather late, but would like to make a response to some of earlier discussion.

I had been a regular fan and visitor to Whitby FF for about 15 years. I was flattered to be regularly booked at the festival under one guise or another so this is from a performers' viewpoint. The unique quality of the festival which Malcolm took so much time to promote and protect was that all the artists who performed, whatever their musical genre, all got on with each other, were willing to work hard for the festival and enjoyed each other's company. It was a wonderful example of 'the sum is greater than all the parts'. Malcolm had a gift for bringing together performers of all backgrounds who 'as a whole' delivered a wonderful festival ... not only for the ticket holders and supporters, but also for the artists themselves. Thank you Malc.