Not sure that I am slagging-off anyone, but this is a celebration and there are other issues just as important as money.

However, if (all) the rules are not enforced for 51 weeks of the year, no matter how scrupulously Mrs Casey (the festival organisers) obey them on their site etc - it is asking for trouble to insist the rules are more strickly enforced in the town, just for that week. And then just selective rules. For example, the rules about drinking in the streets are largely ignored and this relaxed atmosphere on the part of the police, needs to be encouraged.

I am also sure that the hundreds of hair braders descending (as we speak) upon the town are not going to present such a huge risk as to threaten the profitabilty of the event. No matter how upset the thought of street traders in Sidmouth is to some people it is a minor issue and should not even be a consideration for us at this point. It is a great shame that it would seem to be.