Ooh! Helloo Stevie....I wondered when The Siddy 2006 Game was going to 'pop up' It's a bit like one of those local 'Monopoly' games that you get these days isn't it. ;0)

Do you know we've got nearly nine months to play Siddy Games on here before Siddy 2006...what fun!

Right then....I'll throw my dice in and see where it tumbles.

I am SO looking forward to Sidmouth 2006. I thoroughly enjoyed 2005, more than ever before, as there was such a special atmosphere. And even without The Arena there was loads to do and see. Everyone I spoke to loved it, the shopkeepers were loads happier as it was so centred in the town this time. Local people feel as if they've been given their festival back again and that's very important.

The only complaint I heard was that food could have been better. I think the shopkeepers were really taken aback with the volume of people who turned up..but next year they'll be ready. Could maybe do with somewhere to have a cup of tea down on The Ham as well, although I think all the Health & Safety regs make this difficult. Has anyone told the Army that they shouldn't do catering in tents anymore?...Very dangerous stuff making tea in tents! ;0) And I think the season ticket will be back next year too.

I can't wait to see if Patterson Jordan Dipper are coming back to The Bedford again, or in The Ham...that would be EVEN better. And I can't wait for all the colours, the morris dancers, the bells!...the bells!, and ribbons and that Yellow Lilo to appear on it's way down to the sea...and all the Middle Bar Singers standing in the water singing 'Oh..we're bound for South Australia..." at the tops of their voices, whilst the sun beats down and the crowds gather on the seafront to watch them all....and all those Shanty men singing the hearts out and the fun and ohhhhhh....

And next year I am SO not going to miss the 'Undancing' in the ford. After you'd gone home this year, the shop window of Fords was filled with photographs of you all 'not dancing' down there...it made me feel very sad! :0(

And hearing loads of people singing at Dukes...that was great the way anyone could just wander in and sing whatever they wanted...loved that bit! Hope Rhyzome come back again for that..and bring young Chloe with them too..she went down a storm with all the youngsters. And do you know that the person who organises St. Ives festival in Cornwall saw Chloe and Barry doing their 'father and daughter' bit and he booked them for St. Ives! Yup...they were there as The Tamworth Two...great name Barry....went down a storm too, so I hear.

Oh...and the only other thing I'd like is for some dance space in The Ham Marquee as it's very hard to sit down when acts such as Bellowhead and the DMcF Band are on, and I'm sure that next year they'll be other bands that we all need to dance to as well!

AND did you know that Sidmouth 2005 is mentioned in Show of Hands Autumn Newsletter? I know! Sigh! Isn't that lovely...hang on a tick and I'll go and get it................

.....Aha! Here we are, now then..SoH say this:

"Special credit must also go to all of those who helped the Sidmouth festival rise from the ashes and emerge as one of the summer's great occasions once more."

And you can't say better than that can you!

See you soon Stevie, lovely to talk to you again....see your glass is still half empty though, try standing on your head and that way the world will look much more exciting and your glass will be half full!

Lizzie :0)