Bignige ... you may be uneasy, but all 4 things you comment on are nothing to do with the festival (assuming the mini pa's are on the Esplanade). I've already commented on the Esplanade stalls (that prevent the dancing) .. though the traffic free Port Royal turnaround has absorbed dance displays. But yes, it was a good atmosphere when dancers and (unamplified) music were along the Esplanade.
The festival itself has no control over how many people choose to play in pubs...

Guest: (whatever happened to the rule that people couldn't post as simply "Guest"?)
Not so sure who the bloke in the jag from Basingstoke is.

To clarify a few things:
None of the directors of Sidmouth FolkWeek Productions Ltd take any fee, expenses or profit (ha!) from the business. they regularly visit Sidmouth at their own expense.
All those directors - if they drive jags or any other car - have earned their money from their other, non-folk professions.
Check the accounts on the Companies House website ... any suggestions that anyone from the festival board is making money from this is very wide of the mark.

Derek Schofield
writing in a personal capacity, but a board member of Sidmouth Folk Week Ltd (the charity board that is not the same as the production company).
ps anyone wishing to suggest that this particular charity is corrupt should stop posting as "Guest"....