Bedworth Festival 2006

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Singing Referee
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 12:37 PM

Any news of pickies from the Gather?

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 01:48 PM

Thanks to "My guru always said" and to "Richard Atkins" and others for putting the point across so well.
As an active participant (not just one who sits and listens) I find singarounds are the best part of festivals since you meet the most involved people there.
However I quite take the point that the mudcat gathering at the Black bank was not a simple singaround.
My education is slowly progressing.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: MuddleC
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 04:56 AM

Apologies for not making the mudcat meet, but walking down to the black bank from the centre of Town, and back to the car the night before 'did my L.knee in', and the dodgey R.ankle came out to protest the next day. I had to sit throughout the cedlidh refusing requests to dance with women it was that bad!
Cally Hanna did hang around with me though, so I kept her from attending too!!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: My guru always said
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 04:29 AM

Sorry you didn't enjoy the Gather Shantyfreak, but as Jim quite rightly pointed out, it was a Gather not a singaround.

So often at festivals we all pass like ships in the night on the way to the next singaround, session, concert, bar or bed & often people don't get a chance to get to know each other. We've all got the Cat in common as well as a shared interest in singing, music, dancing or tradition, so we are already partway to being good friends. The Gathers are a place to meet, and if I can steal a Middle Bar expression (Tony WILL fine me), laugh, drink & sing! (and yes, daughter, it WAS fun *grin*) I think most people enjoyed themselves and I understand that some of the Guests will be registering as Catters too, so it can't have been that bad!

Personally I love the Gathers & always get a good feeling from having 'organised' them - though they tend to run themselves with the aid of the inflatable MadCat. Being able to raise a little cash for the MudCat (with the blessing of the Festival Organisers) is a Bonus and it also helps to bring home to Catters that we all owe something to Max to help keep the Cat running (see UK Friends of MudCat thread). I'm not able to give much in the way of cash, but if my 'organising skills' can help then I gladly offer them.

See you all again at the next one, keep on singing & making music!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 08:04 PM

Tiz a Gather of freinds to talk chat sing and enjoy with humour. Wonderful songs on the Fringe Party ! Shantyfreak a party with sing worked . Too many bums on seats now in concerts that dont contribute to folk , they
just listen !

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Jock O' Dreams
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 04:45 PM

Folk music is about socializing as much as the music and after all it was a Mud "Gather" not a "Sing" . Poeple wanted to meet the faces they only new as net names. That was my intrepretation of the meet. Still each to their own! Thanks to all the organizers of this and the Festival as a whole for a very memorable week-end I sang my wee heart out! Ta very much.

                   Jim

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 02:52 PM

I grant that things may have improved (after I left LOL) but in the twenty minutes or so I was there, I struggled to hear the words of the songs and I was postioned centrally in the room not tucked away in some remote corner.
I agree with daughter's comments above that it was the sound of people having "fun" (her quotes not mine) but different people have different ideas of fun.
I can do nothing except repeat my previous statement
       I had though that the music might have been the reason for
         the gathering. Obviously I was wrong.
Each to their own.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: daughter
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 12:51 PM

Shantyfreak - what you experienced was the sound of people having "fun"...............

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: John J
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 12:50 PM

I sang unaccompanied, as did my Ma who sings fairly quietly. Neither of us had any problem with back-ground noise. The audience of Mudcatters and others were very supportive. No complaints. The chocs were wonderful, the company even better.

Perhaps you just came in at a bad time.

John

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 12:23 PM

I attended my first and maybe last mudcat gathering at Bedworth. Even allowing for the awkward venue at the Black Bank I was disgisted at the amount of background noise from people tuning up, selling raffle tickets, offering food and generally nattering away throughout the songs, even the soft unaccompanied efforts.
I had though that the music might have been the reason for the gathering. Obviously I was wrong.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: muppitz
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 10:55 AM

Had a good un Malc!
Sorry I wasn't at the gather folks, I'd clearly had enough pop to make me forget about it!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Malc Bedworth
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 07:12 PM

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the kind words - we are just delighted that everyone had such a great time, I think even I enjoyed it this year!
Time for a few weeks off now before we start looking towards next year The 30th Bedworth Folk Festival! should be really special, I want to get a few "nostalgia" acts in and perhaps some sort of tribute to those that have appeared over the years but are no longer with us - right away I can think of Tony Rose and Alex Atterson who appeared at the very first Bedworth! - maybe we could have a concert of the songs that some of these heroes of the past performed, perhaps performed by the up and coming youngsters - just thinking aloud really, if anyone has any ideas just drop me a pm or email me [e-mail] thanks again for the great support you all give to the festival!
Malc.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: IWTATBM
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 02:15 PM

A very enjoyable first Mudgather for me. Thanks to all involved in its organisation - I will toast your health with a pint of Shires in The Bull tonight!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 12:25 PM

Thanks to Malc & the team for a lovely festival.

Thanks to MGAS for organising the Mudgather & Raffle & for the nice things she says, I'm always happy to be of help by selling tickets ~ It was probably the most enjoyable Mudgather I've been to so far. Nice to see so many new faces.

It's got to be the best way to enjoy ourselves & to help Mudcat, especially as it involves munching chocolates & Jude's biscuits all afternoon.

Rosie x

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 04:50 AM

Nessie, in the car on the way back: "Why is it that we enjoy Bedworth so much more than any other festival? There is something in the makeup of the festival, perhaps the people we meet, perhaps the ultra-relaxed atmosphere, perhaps the fact that there is no 'star system' but the whole thing is so involving and participative".

Says it all, I think.
Thanks Malcolm, once more.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Moses
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 03:32 AM

Thanks for another great festival Malc.

We (Moses and The Ref) only managed the Saturday, but what a day! So much to do, so many friends to see and so little time.......

A great big Thank You to Guru for organising the Gather and for the lovely chocolate cake to mark the 'Big One'.

Looking forward to seeing the pics

Christine

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Lenny's mum (inactive)
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 07:26 PM

Had a wonderful time at the festival. I was unable to make it last year so this was my first stay on the Rugby Club. It made a great site for the caravan, being able to roll into bed after the late sing was wonderful. We thanked the staff there and they said 'the festival was welcome back anytime. Why not in the summer when the weather is warmer'. Can you arrange that Malc? please! Bedworth wouldn't be Bedworth if it wasn't at the end of November and our Christmas party though!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 06:53 PM

Sorry I didn't make it to the mudgather, Hils. It suddenly turned really cold on us while we were dancing and all I wanted to do afterwards was sit in the Civic Hall and thaw out.

And thanks Malc, for a great Festival. I'm glad I made it this year.

Sue

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 06:01 PM

Big thanks Malc for festival and Mudgather session.

Thanks Hils for running the Mudgather.

Thanks to everyone who brought chocs (and yes, I did try a chocolate coated carrot, not to mention 3 of Jude's gingerbread Mudcats with chocolate bottoms).

Thanks to everyone who made it such a good weekend! Here's to next year's.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: breezy
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 05:13 PM

Well done to Moses, the ref, george papav nee El G, El inglesi and Zorg for making it to Windward on Sunday for Christine Connolley's gig, what a trouper!!

next Sunday its the singing ref whose on

Well done guru for holding it together and a big well done for raising dosh for Joe

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: NaeMairSea
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:58 PM

Thanks to all for treating me gently at my first Gather.

I really must organise my life better so that I can arrive at Bedworth on time, stay to the end and travel home on the Monday instead of spending all Friday and all Monday at this work skylark.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: My guru always said
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:33 PM

A Wonderful Festival yet again, thanks to Malc & all the Bedworth helpers!!

Thanks too Malc, for the big tin of Choccies, it certainly kept us going at the Mudgather & we passed the few remaining ones at the bottom of the tin to the bar staff to polish off *grin* Mind you, there were plenty of chocolates & chocolate concoctions brought along to share & I think everyone went away well-stuffed. All hail to JudeL and her 200 handmade biscuits which went down very nicely, thank you very much!!

The MudRaffle raised a brill £46 for the MudCat which will be winging it's way across the pond asap. Thanks to all who brought prizes, bought tickets and endured my demanding raffle drawing experience. The most thanks have to go to my Lovely Assistant, Selchie-(RS) who spent the whole Gather persuading people to buy tickets, what a Fab Girlie she is! Maybe next time we'll persuade her to sing to us aswell.....

What an excellent venue the Black Bank was!! The Landlord seemed to be delighted to have a Folkie presence & was falling over himself to look after us.   The venue certainly helped to make the Gather such a success but the main ingredients were all the Catters who made the journey away from the town venues to come & join the Gather. It was really good to put more faces to names and I understand that there is a multitude of photos being prepared for our delectation!

And here's the proof taken from the Register of attendees:

my guru always said
Selchie-(RS)
Richard Atkins
Mr & Mrs Scarecrow
wuzzle
Jock O'Dreams
Soupdragon & JudeL
EmmaB
John J & Helen J
Dame Patti Smith EPNS
Splott Man
marion.h & steve
Menolly
Ian MacFlute
Herga Kitty & Derek Burgess
Maisea & Naimairsea
IWTATBM
Moses
Singing Referee
RWJ
jojofolkagogo
Snuffy

Guests too as follows (some who may be Catters soon):
Boh Wasgliw (think that's spelt right?)
Liz Kemp
Lynne & Trevor Paris
John Fellows
Lefty
Dave Bradley
Roy Louis
Dave Maskell-Glynn
Corinne Male

Apologies for non-attendance (duties & distance) received from:
MalcBedworth
Merek'n'Dary
Zany Mouse
MCP
Alanww
Dave4Guild
SortyBrenda
Noreen
Buddug
KAB
kitchenpiper & Jonny Dyer
Sue the Borderer

Catters also spotted at the Fest:
duellingbouzoukis
moonunit
Muppitz
joules
mandotim
George Papavgeris
Col K
Leraud
Verna
Flatnote

What a wonderful place we've found here - thanks to Max and all the MudCat elves!

Hope everyone had a good time & a safe journey home! Roll on next Bedworth.....

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 09:48 AM

Hellooooooooo everyone. I had a great time too. My first official gathering as a Mudcatter.....
Thank you Malc I enjoyed it yet again, Ned said he`s going to wear the dress next year cos nobody noticed he was on stage!!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: kitchen piper
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 09:40 AM

I spent all yesterday on the edge of my seat wanting to post to this thread after the weekend!!! Thank goodness it's back up again now!
We had a great time at the weekend and sorry we couldn't make it to the meet. Malc had us working hard and we didn't make it, we were there in spirit though!
Fantastic festival!
:)
Vicki (& Jonny)

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 05:40 AM

I've just totted up, Bedworth brought my total of Mudcatters met and spoken too (not just spotted across a crowded room) to 100.

And I forgot to say - thanks to Malc and his team for a wonderful weekend.

... and can we have bigger name badges next year, I kept losing mine?!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: marion.h
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:42 AM

Likewise - thoroughly enjoyed the weekend - the gather was great - even if not good for the diet!!!!!

See you all at the next one wherever that is!

Marion and Steve

Please ignore previous email - too trigger happy this morning

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: GUEST,mkarion.h
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:38 AM

Liewise - thouroghly enjoyed the weekend - the gather was great - even if not good for the diet!!!!!

See you all at the next one wherever that is!

Marion and Steve

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Singing Referee
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:26 AM

Only did Saturday, but 'twas great!

Where's Mudcat been?

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 04:05 AM

Let's make it 101 - big congrats to Malc ... well dun mate, and looking forward to next year already!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:59 AM

We had a great time as usual. Well done MGAS.

By the way -100!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: John J
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:41 AM

Me & my Ma had a great time. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make it such a success.

It was great to put faces to names at the Black Bank Mudgathering, a great way to spend a couple hours!

Cheers,

John J (& Helen J)

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: mandotim
Date: 28 Nov 06 - 03:21 AM

Big thanks to Malc and all the team; thoroughly enjoyed it again.
Tim

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 08:19 PM

Malc: Thanks for running yet another excellent festival.

Same time next year?

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: mandotim
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 07:56 AM

Emma B; there's some wine left?????
See you there,
Tim

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Emma B
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 05:25 AM

just stopping for a break mid-packing, raffle prizes sorted.... now where did I leave the wine.......and of course the midnight special food for the kitchen posse!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: MairSea
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 05:13 AM

Naemairsea and I will be there as of "Late tonight". Hope to meet some of you and get to the Gathering. We haven't got T'shirts or Badges yet so will be incognito for a wee while - I think! We are looking forward to another superb Festival and hearing lots of great singers/musicians.

Ann

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 02:57 PM

MGAS: Try and catch me early on as I have a few raffle prizes.

R

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 02:50 PM

Hey Malc: choccies for songs sounds like fair exchange *grin*

Welcome Jock O'Dreams, you got here at last!

nutty: so sorry you're suffering & can't come, we'll raise a glass to you!

Noreen: We'll miss your dulcet tones my dear. See you Sunday!

MoorleyMan: having never been to this venue I don't know how possible 'smoke-free' would be, but I know Catters are always very careful to keep smoking away from the Singers. Am hoping all will be well.

Oh Boy, am I looking forward to this, my bag of prizes is packed & ready to go......

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Jock O' Dreams
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 01:23 PM

I can,t wait Snuffy!!?? As you can see I have at last signed up and have my own "Nome du Net" so can I come to the Mud gather?

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 12:08 PM

It'll be great to see you there, Jim. I'm sure we'll be gentle with you!!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: GUEST,Jim McAdams
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 11:57 AM

I am a Bedworth virgin but by the number of old friends who have posted I won't lack good company. I hope to get to as many of the "Sings" as I can as I haven't sang in weeks.(Apart from in the bath)

            Jim x

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: muppitz
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 11:31 AM

Yes, joules is.

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: John J
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 07:56 AM

Is Joules coming to the festival?

John

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: muppitz
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 07:44 AM

Had a look at the catters list and just to clarify, my mother is also a Mudcatter going by the name of joules!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 06:30 AM

Mick and I will be running 3 singarounds during the weekend and hope to get as many Catters there as possible.

Friday: 21.00 - midnight Late Singaround at the Black Bank Pub
Saturday: 15.00 - 17.00 Singaround at the Arts Centre Coffee Bar
Saturday 21.00 - midnight Late Singaround at the Black Bank Pub.

Let's lift the roof at the late sings - everyone should be in good voice by then and I'm looking forward to great big chorus songs.

Come along and end each day with a good lung-burster.

See ya all tomorrow

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 05:59 AM

We'll be there on the Sunday only, working Sat so will miss gather, sorry Hils. Save me a choccy!

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 07:12 PM

So sorry to hear that you're "beached", Nutty - take care, and get well real soon.
MM

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: nutty
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 06:55 PM

I shall be thinking about you all. Any plans I had for the weekend are totally up in the air as I have succumbed to a rather severe bout of Shingles.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: Col K
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 05:10 PM

Not long now.
I'll be there at the meet duties permitting.
See you all soon.

Subject: RE: Bedworth Festival 2006
From: CallyH
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 02:26 PM

I'll be there too - looking forward to the gather.