RE Busking etc.

I was merely reporting what has been said locally, and the reasons given. It may be a waste of time for pavement traders to come with the idea that it will be 'business as usual'. Any enforcement is envisaged to be by police under by-laws. Most of these are flouted all the time - they are only enforced when there is a political need to assert authority.

The reason why a stricter approach may be taken at the festival is more to do with local councils wishing to 'be seen to be taking Steve Heap's views seriously' than with concern over undue blocking of free passage along the esplanade. In effect, S. H. has been 'moaning' for years and finally something snapped (Festival Press Release of 7 May 2004). This caught our councils unawares (despite they had been told what was likely to be announced as far back as January 2004) and they need to be seen (perhaps rather late in the day) to be doing everything in their limited power to retain the festival in Sidmouth.

Another 'little local difficulty' this year is that there may be more venues where access is denied even to season ticket holders because more have been sold. In the past, this has affected only a few 'star' acts and popular workshops. This time it may be experienced more widely. I don't have the data for exactly how many more season/workshop tickets have been sold. I believe the festival were making policy on total numbers rather on the hoof - to judge by what was going on in May in the Derby office. (www.seered.co.uk/folk9.htm)

So maybe it will be angst and frustrated folkies all round??

The weather has been splendid (or at least dry) for over a week but with an increasing threat of storms. Maybe the Gods will deliver judgement?