Leadfingers, yes there is room, some very welcoming pubs, (especially the Newt) at Sidmouth, but the organisers have never acknowledged us until recently. I've certainly had sarcastic comments there, when I started a tune at what is billed as an english music session run by so and so and friends, that so and so didn't know he had so many friends! So I've learnt not to bother with that one.

Take Middlewich as an example, see http://www.midfest.org/

Look what the "Fringe" is; no room for folk musicians, we're pushed out by paid performers some of whom do, in fairness, play "folk music". Either the organisers want to stay totally in control, they don't want us, or they don't even know we exist. And yet we buy the beer and food, and provide free entertainment, which is greatly appreciated by festivalgoers because we're just ordinary people like them. Should we boycott these "festivals" and let the organisers pay for the lot?