I haven't come to explain the workings of Sidmouth 2005 - I wasn't there, and I wouldn't presume to speak for the committee. I'm just somebody who wandered in recently, the latest of johnny-come-latelies, who's helping out with a bit of fundraising.
Though I will say the committee has some very lovely, extremely dedicated people on it.

You'll be pleased to hear that Shooting Roots is back this year, Diane.

I agree that what was achieved in 2005 - and indeed in 2006 - was extraordinary. I can't get the same perspective on the situation as someone who's been attending for many years, but anyone who knows the background of what happened - the withdrawal of both Mrs Casey and a very large council grant - will surely marvel that the new committee even had the will to make the festival carry on. To have achieved success on the level they have should inspire the respect and admiration of the folk community as a whole.

Now, I can understand that Sidmouth came to mean something very specific to people - the international dimension, and the arena, setting it apart from other festivals. But if you look at the evolution of Sidmouth from the very beginning, you begin to see it not as a static event, but one that has gone through many incarnations in its long and extraordinary history.

I reckon this is the beginning of its latest incarnation. What it is now is not necessarily what it will remain, and I think it will develop a new identity over the next few years - distinct from the Steve Heap years, perhaps, but hopefully still unique and special. I think when an organisation goes through large-scale change, there's a period of stabilisation that needs to take place before progress can happen. Well, actually becoming a new organisation, as the "new Sidmouth" has, is about as monumental as a change can get!

Sidmouth's survival instinct is pretty extraordinary. And what I'm trying to say is, don't write it off yet as "just another town-based festival". It's still finding its feet, and wonderful things may well be on the horizon.

I have to say that what I experienced last year was very special. And outward-looking. And welcoming and inclusive. It was one of the best festival experiences of my life. I turned up feeling a complete interloper, knowing hardly a soul, and left with loads of wonderful new friends and feeling like Sidmouth now belonged to me, too. And so looking forward to 2007! Though as I'm cottaging this year, I shan't be watching sun comes up over the campsite. It's high time I acted my age. :)