Although born within a gargoy's spout of York Minster I have always found that I rarely spend what I budget for at a festival.

I usually either miss the things I'd like to have attended through getting caught up elsewhere, or find that I should have bought a ticket from somewhere miles away first, or obtained some other piece of printed card in order to be admitted.

When I try to spend money at the stalls I usually find that what I want to buy has not been brought to the festival, or is already sold out because they only had a couple to start with - or they have never heard of what I want.

It might seem odd to read that someone of the female persuasion actually has a problem spending money, but after so many years - I am approaching 60 now, I have come to expect it.

Anne Croucher