In another thread , Richard Bridge commented on the lack of song sessions at Rochester Sweeps Festival. I thought that maybe we could do with a thread about it.

It seems as though the director (Gordon Newton) has rather turned his back on folk music. Although he started off organising the event as "Motley's" musician, he is now mainly to be seen with the "Fez Heads" performing what I can only describe as old pop music.

Last year on the Saturday afternoon, Linda, myself and some others started a session in the "Two Brewers". Just as things were getting going, the "Fez Heads" (anti-folksong patrol) who were drinking in the other bar, decided to break in to song(?). We were forced to give up, but passing the pub 10 minutes later, we noticed that the "Fez Heads" had stopped singing - obviously shutting up our session had been their motive.

I realise that the event is mainly a morris dance one and that many sides (especially some of the newer ones) are not so interested in the song side, but it wouldn't hurt to let those who did want to sing to have an session somewhere. It really isn't infectious Gordon !