Yes, I confess, I'm a fringer. Maggie and I run pub singarounds, because we like singing and playing as much as listening. But at these singarounds we get ticket holders (who regard these events as extra entertainment), locals (supporting the festival in the local community), booked performers (who welcome the opportunity to join in with others), off-duty stewards and dance teams (who get the chance to sing and play with friends) as well as other fringers.We also attend workshops and other events, for which we pay.

People who say that the fringe does n Yes, I confess, I'm a fringer. Maggie and I run pub singarounds, because we like singing and playing as much as listening. But at these singarounds we get ticket holders (who regard these events as extra entertainment), locals (supporting the festival in the local community), booked performers (who welcome the opportunity to join in with others), off-duty stewards and dance teams (who get the chance to sing and play with friends) as well as other fringers.We also attend workshops and other events, for which we pay.

People who say that the fringe does not contribute to the festival have little or no experience of the fringe. And not everyone can afford a ticket for about eighty quid in addition to travel accommodation and catering expenses.

And as for Treewind's comment about organising a fringe only event, that's exactly what we did (with the help of Mudcat) when Beverley Festival couldn't get funding one year. It helped to keep that weekend available for the Festival, was entirely free, concerts, dances, sessions singarounds ot contribute to the festival have little or no experience of the fringe. And not everyone can afford a ticket for about eighty quid in addition to travel accommodation and catering expenses.

And as for Treewind's comment about organising a fringe only event, that's exactly what we did (with the help of Mudcat) when Beverley Festival couldn't get funding one year. It helped to keep that weekend available for the Festival, was entirely free, concerts, dances, sessions singarounds