As a Yank visitor (fringe), I thought Sidmouth was just great, as always. We got killed by the exchange rate, but that's not Sidmouth's fault.

But the richness of music on the Prom is always wonderful--weather permitting--and it did---weather was mostly excellent. Too bad there were so many vendors--I heard there were 54--more even than the Sidmouth council authorized--Devon authorized more. But on the Prom, even with all the vendors, there was lots of music: Hanging Johnny, Roy's Irish band, the South Devon Accordion Orchestra, a local group raising money for pure water throughout the world--singing a cappella from Africa, Georgia, Italy, southern US.   A stunning ukulele player, a real virtuoso, I think her name is Emily Warner--about 22, did lots of George Fornby. Appalachian clogger/banjo player/singer--amazing. A boy who played Irish tunes and classical guitar etudes--he was 11. Trio of kids playing and singing "In the Pines", "Knocking On Heaven's Door"--with adults coming up to suggest that C major there should be an A minor. Hammer dulcimer player. Impromptu groups springing up, welcoming outsiders.

I agree with another poster that Stream of Sound was definitely one of the highlights--Anchor Garden. Those kids are so talented, so enthusiastic, have everything memorized--and it's obviously "cool" to be part of the group. That's more than half the battle.

Tony's group (Exmouth Chanteymen?) great entertainers and singers.

Incredible number of excellent squeezebox players. I borrowed a fiddle from one of the best--who played everything from Irish to Russian to French boulevard songs from the 50's.


We got a "Nigel" for "Cicada Serenade" in the Middle Bar--Silly Songs. That was fun. Some great parodies at various venues--Farmer's Alphabet--including Z is for Zubsidies--at the Volunteer, I believe.

Just great, as always, to be part of the March to the Sea from the Middle Bar.

We can't afford it every year, but Sidmouth is more than alive and well--from my perspective it has hardly lost anything from 2004.