Frank,

I have never been to Sidmouth, so I don't have anything to miss. But I accept that the regulars feel sad, and some are determined to continue this year. Good - I have no axe to grind, good luck. Like you, I am almost persuaded by the anti-Sidmouth brigade to go there this year. And like Andy, I am frustrated at seeing the same questions again and again posed in this forum (which can give no authoritative answer) instead of being asked of the organisers. The questions are therefore rhetorical, and expect no answer (because none can be given here).

Can you see that this repetitive airing of the same rhetorical questions in such a forum gives rise to suspicion as to the purpose of the questions? I would not call anyone a bigot over this - and I am sure Andy's name-calling is simply the result of his understandable frustration. After all, his original call was simply one for volunteers, but he perceives his thread being hijacked by detractors.

And I for one agree with his perception. Which makes me all the more interested in this year's Sidmouth.