Ruth, I was merely making an observation, and I do appreciate the huge amount of work that has gone into keeping the Festival alive after it nearly died, and the financial risks taken by those who committed themselves to that process. IMHO the Folk Week we have now is all the better for it: as many have said before "it has given the festival back to the town". (I speak as one whose husband is a Sidmouthian).
And despite my observations, I HAVE bought the day and evening season tickets, tho' I may not go to everything I'm entitled to (physically impossible anyway, when there's so much choice)- as I also love the Fringe events, esp the Middle Bar and the Bedford sessions with JB and pals.
The "Fringe- only" crowd also spend money in the town which is all to the good of it, and most contribute to the Folk Week collecting tins. Have also heard some local businesses say that what they take in Folk Week sustains them through the long quiet winter months.