Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Tim & Anne Giggs
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 10:23 AM

Can someone help us please.

We want to come to Sidmouth again next year but we have been told by the Council that none of the normal campsites are likely to be operating as the usual health & safety and insurance requirements are unlikely to be met.

A very helpful man told us on the phone that he thought the only concerts and dances would be in the Knowle Arena or local halls and public houses as the organisers would have to pay "many thousands of pounds" to meet licensing regulations for marquees and campsites.

Can someone please tell us if this is so? Where will we be able to camp next year and will any of the usual marquees still be in their normal places? We are a bit worried about what we are hearing.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Lizzie in SASSY SIDMOUTH!
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 06:46 AM

No that wasn't me Siddy Rezzy! Sorry! Gee, poor lady!

Anyway, I'd much rather have a few Foul Dogs around beautiful Siddy than all those Foul-Anti-Siddy-Folk-Week-2005-Trolls! Thank God they all seem to be going to Cropredy! Poor Cropredy!

However, I have trained my dogs to sniff out F.A.S.F.W.T's, then leap on them from a great height and pin them to the ground! So, or should that be soh! (quick Show of Hands abbreviation there! Gosh, must remember that for Ian!!!!)....Soh, even if one or two of you do still manage to get through the Anti-Mighty-Moaning-Minnie-Gates that I'm going to be erecting around all entrances to my gorgeous town next year, my dogs will spot you at 1,000 paces!!!!

And once we have 'caught' you, where shall we take you? Hmmmmmmm.....
let me think! Ah Yes! I shall lock you all away in Kent's Cavern down in Torquay, it's got lights and the temperature is always warm, so you can all have your own REAL CAVE, which will cheer all you TROLLS up perfectly! In fact you may like it SO much in there that you may NEVER want to come out!! What Perfect Bliss! :-):-)

Do you like my new 'From' bit, btw?

I think we should call next year's festival 'SASSY SIDMOUTH'S FUNKY FOLK WEEK'

Lizzie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Resident
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 02:27 PM

Lizzie. I hope you weren't the lady who was letting her dog foul the grass when I also walked through the Gardens this afternoon. If you were then I apologise for my language when asking for the mess to be cleaned-up. I do dislike local people who mess up our beautiful town. We expect some of the rougher visitors during the festival to drop litter and discarded take-aways but there is no excuse for those of us who live here all year round is there?

P.S. Please don't confuse me with The Devonian. I think you'll find he lives over Exeter way. The Wild West to us local folk.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Lizzie still in Sidmouth!
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 10:58 AM

Hello you old Devonian, Sidmouth Resident you! You're making me smile again, you naughty little imp! Were you like this when you were little????! :-)

Had 'Lunch on the Beach' today! Lovely! The waves were just perfect, giving that lovely 'swooshing' noise as they tumbled over the pebbles. Fed the seagulls, (like to be a rebel in my own way!), sat on the rocks and looked at beautiful Salcombe Hill and pondered about the way the rock changes from deepest red to palest white as it goes around to Beer and beyond!

Came back through Blackmore Gardens, could hear all the Fiddles and Accordians playing in my head, walked down by the Rugby Club and up the road to Knowle Park, more commonly called The Arena. Watched all the wild rabbits up there, thought about Show of Hands (Sigh! I think about them a LOT!!! :-) :-)!!) and walked back down again to the seafront, looked up to Peak Hill and towards Jacob's Ladder, finished the shopping, thought 'What an incredibly beautiful place I live in!', imagined all the Morris Dancers wandering through town and the people just standing in the market square, playing and dancing, and Show of Hands, (see!, told you!) and Fiddles and Mandocellos and.........!

And then I came home, came in here and sat down to write.........

Beautiful Sassy Sidmouth!

Lizzie :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 07:33 AM

We do indeed "await further news with interest" but those of us who have questioned plans for Sidmouth 2005 should at least give the organisers credit for their Press Release detailing the current state-of-play and naming some of the individuals involved.

I still have doubts about whether Sidmouth 2005 will happen or be a success but as a long-time festival devotee I hope others prove me wrong and succeed in keeping the festival alive.

It's worth going just to see the lovely Lizzie.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Resident
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 07:26 AM

Agree absolutely with Lynne.

The Press Release omits to say whether EDDC has approved all the licensing, health & safety, site and insurance arrangements for outdoor events. I understand they have not as yet.

A senior council official told me last night that so far as he was aware EDDC hasn't yet received any licence applications.

Nothing has been approved as yet.

I'm told there have been preliminary discussions with the people organising Sidmouth 2005 but none of the arrangements for outdoor sites and marquees are approved yet though he did point out that indoor venues could be used without needing any additional approvals.

Hopefully such matters will be resolved in due course.

As you say Lynne, not sure how anyone can have an opinion of something that not only hasn't happened yet but hasn't even got any of the approvals that will be required for use of the arena or any outdoor venues and marquees.

We all await further news with interest.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 03:18 AM

Not sure though, how anyone can have an opinion of something that hasn't happened yet. Maybe they should wait, try it, and THEN give an opinion about what it was like?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Dave Earl
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 02:57 AM

A message to all those who seem to be anti Sidmouth.

Read the press release!!

Whether you are going to be there or not Sidmouth Folk Week is going to happen.!

You can say what you like but a lot of us will know that you are just bleating because it is not what you want. You are entitled to your opinion but please allow others to have theirs.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Tony Day
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 01:50 AM

Sidmouth Folk Week

Press Release                                                             24 November 2004


More details of the Sidmouth Folk Week have been revealed this week after a further series of successful and positive meetings was held in the town. Future plans include a public town meeting to be held in February.

A 'steering group', nominated by people planning events in 2005, has appointed a co-ordinating team. The group includes former Festival Director John Dowell who lives in Newton Poppleford, Barry Lister from Sidford and Sidmouth hotelier Mark Seward.

Eddie Upton, Director of Folk South West, and Paul Burgess of the West Country-based ceilidh band Old Swan Band, are to be artistic advisers, whilst Sidmouth Steppers' musician Gordon Newton will be the business adviser. These three people will be available to advise the organisers of the individual events in 2005 if requested.

A 'future strategy' group has held its second all-day meeting. The group has made progress with formulating a business plan including an artistic policy and consideration of the scope of the Festival for the longer term from 2006 onwards.

It is intended that the future Festival will be a colourful showcase and celebration of the wide variety of the folk arts, both British and international. A high quality event in terms of performance, organisation and customer experience is central to the future. The Festival will be both participatory and display-based, encouraging an environment which fosters and nurtures creativity, spontaneity and innovation.

Progress has been made towards establishing a new company limited by guarantee and with registered charity status, and it is intended that this will be in place in the early part of 2005.

The future strategy group members include representatives of Folk South West, Wren Music and Great Western Morris, as well as of East Devon District Council and Sidmouth Town Council. The participants include Eddie Upton, Director of Folk South West, and Sidmouth solicitor and festival supporter Tim Shardlow.

An important feature of the current initiatives is the local involvement, and more than half the members of both the steering group and the future strategy group come from the local area. Sidmouth Town Council Chairman Tony Reed commented, 'It is great to see this co-operation and collaboration between the local community and the wider folk music and dance movement'.

Enquiries can be addressed to Tony Day, Harvest Home, 8 Underhill Crescent, Lympstone, Devon, EX8 5JF, [e-mail]

Sidmouth Town Council is to host a town meeting in the Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth on Friday 11 February, when plans for 2005 and the future strategy will be outlined, with the opportunity for local residents and the business community to lend their support and add their suggestions.

End

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Lizzie still in Sidmouth!
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 07:35 AM

Hello there Guest and Sidmouth Resident! Yeyyyyyy! I'm a Sidmouth Groupie! Can't wait for it to get here again. Really looking forward to a 'different' kind of thing this year and then hopefully back to a more 'Steve Heap' kind of thing the year after!

Listen, I lived on Dartmoor for years before I came to live here, so Sidmouth Rocks!! (as opposed to Dartmoor rocks! :-) giggle!) I'm a Happy Young/Oldie I definitely won't be bored stiff next year as The Sidmouth Folk Week Is Coming To Town!

Oh Yes! Little knitted 'Steve in Sidmouth' swingy thingys for the car, what a BRILLIANT idea!!

Well, can't stop too long, have to go and walk down to the sea and make sure it's still there and then I've got to go and kiss The Sidmouth Fiddler and tell him that everything will be JUST FINE! come next summer. He needs a great big hug every now and then!

Byeeeeeee!

Lizzie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 04:03 PM

Lizzie are one of them oldies who have retired to Sidmouth or a sad youngest who has nothing but Sidmouth festival to enlighten there life every year and if you dont have the festival next year you will be bored stiff!!!!!!!.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Resident
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 03:51 PM

Ummmm. I don't know what you're on Lizzie but I want some.

I never thought of 'Steve in Sidmouth' as a substitute for Botox before.

If he's to be Festival mascot will we be able to buy little knitted stuffed versions to hang in our cars?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Lizzie still in Sidmouth!
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:04 PM

Hello Guys! I really wasn't going to come back over to Mudcat but I've just taken a quick peep and well.....what can I say?????!

What I CAN say is this!

If Sidmouth Folk Week 2005 turns out to be as ENTERTAINING, UPLIFTING
and PASSIONATE as this thread has become, it will just be the most Enormously Enjoyable Event that I will ever have attended! I truly can't wait for it to happen! Think of all the Mudcat Stories we can all swap!

Steve in Sidmouth.....I think this idea of yours to advertise your seered site and get everyone 'going' was absolutely BRILLIANT! In fact you've gone up SO MUCH in my estimation. You might just SAVE this Glorious Festival after all! Forget that hard-working pilloried Steering Committee!

Next year is going to be a Real Whizz! Why? Because all the people the come will be there for the RIGHT reasons! Because they have always LOVED Sidmouth! And THANK GOD! all those Mighty Miserable Moaners will have gone elsewhere! WHOOOOPPPPEEEEEE!

Watch out for MMM's at all those other Festivals. At Sidmouth everyone will have a smile on their face!

In the last few months I have discovered a deep love of my town and its Festival that I never knew was there before! So SeeRed Steve,
thank you, from the bottom of my heart! I think you're a wonderful person! I do! I Do! In fact, I think you should be the Official Mascot for 2005 Folk Week! I have especially loved the way that you put all your info on and then answer yourself in the next post! That was my most favourite bit! Where did you think of that? It's just brilliant! My smile has been so broad that my wrinkles are now starting to turn upwards!! It's truly magnificent! :-) Far better than Botox and SO much cheaper!!

This thread, and the other one, have given me so very, very many giggles over the past few weeks. Every time I read them I get EVEN more excited about Sidmouth Folk Week and am counting off the days!

There is truly no other Festival that could inspire ALL the things that have been put on this thread! No other Festival in the Country, probably not even the World!

THE PASSION OF SIDMOUTH STILL RULES!!!!!

So, to ALL you Mudcat Posters, good and bad and in the middles
a REALLY HUGE THANK-YOU!


Lizzie   xxxxxx :-) :-) :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:54 AM

I know and respect The Barden of England. I hope he enjoys Sidmouth whenever he visits. He is a fine man.

It's the local people who claim to be organising next year's festival that worry me. I just don't see any evidence of them being up to the job.

Having got that off my rather large chest I really do think this thread has run its course and ought now be closed.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:49 AM

Absolutely when sensible folkies are "BOOKED"?.Not tv produced guests from the 70's.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Wurzel Hater
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:39 AM

...a mailing list to receive up to date information...

Like when some artists are booked?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: rhyzla
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:29 AM

May I suggest that the festival organisers give people interested in a positive Sidmouth 2005 an email address to go on a mailing list to recieve up to date information.

From that point on, I suggest a strategic withdrawal from this thread, as it seems to be infected by a critically verbose virus!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:11 AM

Who said you had to write in the first place John??????.I know i never in the last 3 weeks this thread has been running

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: The Barden of England
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:07 AM

I'm so fed up with all this bickering that this is the last time I'm going to put anything here.
Many of us are going to Sidmouth next year. I'm meeting up with a lot of friends who are looking forward to it. And yes, we know it's not going to be the same as it was, and neither can it be, but we refuse to live on so called past glories. To those who don't want to go - who's forcing you? Just don't go. Just shut up and leave those of us who do want to go the space here for what it's for - News, info and support for Sidmouth 2005.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:42 AM

Well said,I will see you too not at Sidmouth though,maybe Chippemham.I prefer to be a nom-de-plume,enjoy your festivals next year Bowd Groupie.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Bowd Groupie
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:29 AM

I think many of us have given up on Sidmouth for next year.

I have read all the posts from Stuart Hughes, Tony Day, John Golightly and all the people who hide behind nom-de-plumes.

They all seem very silly and childish. The sniping and name-calling and jockeying for position. So irksome.

Let these people play their games. The rest of us will go elsewhere and remember Sidmouth for what it was, a wonderful friendly festival in a gorgeous part of the world, sadly now past and clearly beyond saving.

Goodbye. See you at Broadstairs, Cambridge, Cropredy, Wimborne, Gosport, Bromyard, Chippenham and Whitby. But not at Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 08:44 AM

Panto season - well that hits the nail firmly on the head, you need to grow up, school children in the play ground are by far more well behaved and productive.

When you all grow up and I mean ALL, you may begin to move forward and actually say something worthwhile.

Dont you understand that this thread, your bickering and striving for one-up manship/womanship is putting many many people of the festival.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Terry the Tortoise
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 08:27 AM

Well said "the Devonian" what a brave response, as they say in the panto's

Oh Yes he will

Oh no he won't

Oh Yes he will

Oh no he won't and then again

"He's behind you"

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 06:18 AM

Baron Brazenose sounds remarkably similar to 'El Punkoid Nouveau' and several others in the small (and getting smaller) group of Mudcat posters who actually think Stuart Hughes is a good thing. Anyone who dares to challenge their plans for Sidmouth 2005 gets subjected to a torrent of childish unfunny abuse which says a lot about the people claiming to be organising events next year. The only chap who seems to ad anything new and interesting to the debate is Steve of Sidmouth and I shouldn't think he'll be too bothered about the pitiful attempts to do him down.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Moneypenny
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 04:01 AM

Baron, that is a little unfair to "Steve in Sidmouth" who is doing his best to provide positve and unbiased information to ensure that doubt and confusion are spread to all. He is only trying to help and publicise his website, the name escapes me, to get his hit rate up.

Thankyou

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Baron Brazenose
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 03:09 PM

The praise given by my princely colleague the Countess, towards the humble Doctor in Sidmouth was very refreshing to read. She again demonstrates her usual firm grasp of the situation and any lack of biase or vindictiveness. Indeed I would go further and praise him for his self effacing work in the community, without any thought of personal gain or self promotion. His contribution to the debate has been both insightful, arrogant and condescending and will no doubt help to make the 2005 festival a success, as anyone reasding his drivel will immediately realise what a complete pillar ooopps I mispelt that, must get a better quill, I meant pillock of the cummunity he truely is. Must go, my bath has just been drawn

Toodle Pip

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:55 AM

Our dear Hugo has never to my knowledge said anything about the festival. He writes a column every so often in the local paper. Just towing the party line on any topic of current interest. You can view his own website here http://www.hugoswire.org.uk

Thank you for comments about SeeRed - it's getting so big that I have trouble remembering which page is which. The Opinions thread is starting to contain some sensible discussion. It took some doing!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Moneypenny
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 07:34 PM

Thank you "Steve in Sidmouth" for providing the only real news on what is happening in Sidmouth. The answer seems to be "Not a Lot" at present. I'm not sure the local M.P. Hugo Swire can make any difference as "Shadow Secretary for The Arts" or whatever his new title is. The best way he could help is by persuading his local Conservative councillors in East Devon to start supporting the festival again. Has Mr. Swire said anything at all about the festival as the local M.P. I wonder?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 11:11 AM

Minor updates to the SeeRed website including material on Hugo Swire - our East Devon MP and newly promoted Shadow Minister for the Arts - you can read all about him using the links on this page http://www.seered.co.uk/folk65.htm

The previous page http://www.seered.co.uk/folk64.htm contains a letter from me in the Sidmouth Herald (Yes Lizzie, it is one you have read already).

If you want a website that is really hard on the eyes because its so RED try http://www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk Page folk66 discusses Broadstairs very briefly because of a post on the BBC website.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,steve_vernon
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:07 AM

No problem El Greko, hope to see you & many others at 2005.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 05:13 PM

Fair do's, Kitty.
Steve, my apologies for having misunderstood the tone/intention behind that sentence!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 04:36 PM

El Greko

Steve's post wasn't spiteful at all.

In the handful of years I haven't made it to Sidmouth for Folk Week, since I first went as a teenager, I've had withdrawal symptoms.

It's quite reasonable to hope that people who don't come in 2005 will regret not having done so, because the success of a larger festival in 2006 will depend on the return of people who didn't come in 2005 as well as those of us who are going to be in Sidmouth in the first week of August next year.

Kitty (no relation) Vernon

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 09:56 AM

...and a flower in every gun.
Pass the stash...:-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Steve Vernon
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 09:44 AM

Oh Dear,

I seem to be able to upset even El Greko.

I have no wish to enter into petty bickering on this or any other site as I feel it's a waste of everyone's valuable time.

I merely wish to say that I, amongst others, will try to make Folk Week 2005 an enjoyment for all who attend. If people who chose not to come hear afterwards that it was a success, I hope that they will come to 2006 regretting that they missed an enjoyable week in 2005. Please give us a chance to provide you with that enjoyment in 2005. We are "doing it"!!!

Peace, Love & Joy to all, whether they chose to come or not & at the risk of upsetting even more people - remember even Jordan has her knockers !!!

Steve Vernon

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:58 AM

Steve Vernon,

you were doing fine with your last posting till your last sentence: "I trust that the people who want to come will still come & those who express a wish not to come will later regret their decision when they hear that it has been a success".

No need for spite. It's this petty bickering that has detracted from this, and its sister, threads. You want to do something? Fine. Don't waste energy arguing with your detractors - just get on and do it. Comments like the above help nobody, least of all the already polarised atmosphere around S2005.

I am sure the comment reflects little more than frustration on your part, so I don't take it seriously. I wish you success with your efforts, and may see you there in 2005. But if so, it will not be because I am trying to avoid "being sorry"...;-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Steve Vernon
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:11 AM

I'm more than happy to tell you about myself. I'm sure some people would say that it's my favourite subject.

I'm not very good at this internet & only logged onto this site because a friend suggested that I read the postings. I reply by using the box at the bottom & can't see how to register, that's why I'm a GUEST. Nothing more sinister than that.

My involvement in Folk came mainly from my time in Bristol where I was co-organiser of Yesterdays Folk Club, nationally known, booking top artists from around the world & setting a trend in clubs at the time; Artistic Director of the Iron Acton Folk Festival; Performing as a member of "Elecampane" folk theatre group; One of the founder members of Bristol Shantymen & regular MC & Caller.

I say this, not to blow my own trumpet, but to explain to Dr Wozniak who I am as requested. After a few years abroad I am now resident in Sidmouth & wanted to help support the festival in any way I could. My problem was that some people were accusing me of apeearing to support the festival on one hand & writing negative comments on this site under an alias. Now that Dr Wozniak has come out in the open I hope this misunderstanding will now cease.

Of course Dr Wozniak is entitled to air his opinions & I respect his stance. However I still firmly believe in Sidmouth Folk Week 2005 & will continue in my small way to support it from the inside as a working member of the Steering Group who went to the first meeting & shall attend the remaining meetings where possible.

I trust that the people who want to come will still come & those who express a wish not to come will later regret their decision when they hear that it has been a success.

I hope this clears it up, see you at Folk Week 2005.


Ta !!

Steve Vernon

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:22 PM

I have posted as "Steve in Sidmouth" albeit as a guest for a long time. About the time Inspector Clouseau started to make accusations about who was who, and things started to get silly, I thought it would be better if I registered on mudcat under the same name as I had previously used. All my posts have been under Steve in Sidmouth, originally as Guest, more recently as a registered user. I am aware of NO posts as Steve of Sidmouth that were not from me - there may of course be some on other threads.

Thank you for the (few) kind comments about my SeeRed website - I receive rather more from non-mudcat sources! As for the negative feedback, I have developed a thick skin. You need one around here.

I do not know who is on the steering group - and I live here! I have offered to host photos and biographies so we could all know more but have had no response. Enough said I suppose about open government!

Would Steve Vernon care to tell us a bit about himself??

On the BBC discussion board I post as "seered in sidmouth" - always as a registered user. They do not allow "guests".

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Roger Hayes
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 10:14 AM

Amen to that.

I too find the posts from Steve of Sidmouth (Steve Wozniak) interesting and informative. His own website seered is worth reading. As a local resident himself with seemingly good knowledge of what's really happening he seems able to see through the verbal pomposity and promises of others.

Which is more than can be said for some of the other posts on this site from people with very thin skins.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 10:08 AM

Unless from Avril ;-)

But you're right, Dave, Steve Wozniak is well-known in the community and his views are consistent and respected (if not universally acclaimed). I've never heard of Steve Vernon (though that may be my loss).

Anyway, what do I care? At this rate, the very last place I'm likely to want to be in during the first week of August 2005 is Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 09:57 AM

I thought that mudcatter "Steve in Sidmouth" was Dr Steve Wozniak. Perhaps "Guest, steve vernon" you should become a mudcat member (it's free) under your own name, the problem with guesting is that anyone can claim to be you. Unless someone else knows my mudcat password all postings bearing my name have to be from me.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,steve_vernon
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:34 AM

To "Steve in Sidmouth" please have the grace to use your real name and not this pseudonym. I am the Steve in Sidmouth who attended the meeting & was asked to help out on the steering group. Unfortunately I seem to have been tarred with your brush & some people think it is me writing your consistently negative postings.

Please either stop or be prepared to use your real name.

Ta !!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:07 AM

Closure of the Manor is not a likely option. EDDC are merely pointing out that in future it may have to 'pay its way' to a greater extent. EDDC are aiming to make us all feel so sorry for their financial plight and how well they are striving to overcome difficulties resulting from horrible nasty Mr Blair taking all their money. Closure is not a serious option. So relax on that score!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Roger Hayes
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:16 AM

Only just noticed the news (above) from Steve in Sidmouth warning that the "loss-making" Manor Pavilion and Arts Centre might face closure by the Council.

First they cut funding to our Festival. Then they threaten to close our venues.

Someone should tell the Council that if you take events like the Festival away from Sidmouth then the venues used by the Festival are likely to make an even bigger loss as a result.

Spiral of decline? I hope not.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: John Routledge
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:34 AM

Already up to 32 in less than 1hr30m :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Festival 05 Website design
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:01 AM

Stuart tell that clown that's bothering you that so far this month we have had 559 visits...so someone is finding it! also, if you put 'sidmouth festival 2005' into google, we are 33rd in the
list, not bad at all for a new site that's only been up a month or two.
If we paid a professional search engine company hundreds of pounds, they could only guarantee getting us into the top 30.

Within the next month we should move up a few notches.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: steve_harris
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 01:32 PM

"I used to be top of 300,000, now I'm only about number 8 out of 70,000. Still not bad."

Awwwwwwwwww shame !!!!

"It is likely that SeeRed pages on Sidmouth 2005 will continue to be highly rated by Google"

Why does Google rate sites full of rhetorical questions so highly? :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 02:50 PM

No festival news this week in the Sidmouth Herald - except that the Press Release of 9 Nov. from Tony Day was reproduced in full as an article. Otherwise, no mention of folkies at all. Front page shock horror news was that EDDC are so short of money they are saying that the loss making Manor Pavilion and Arts Centre will have to stop making a loss or closure will be an option. EDDC short of money did I hear you say? It must be the £100,000 they spent on a classy refurb of the entrance to the council offices ......

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 03:51 PM

""Can somebody please explain why a search of Google only produces links to the 2004 Sidmouth festival and the Mrs. Casey Music website? I thought Stuart Hughes had a new 2005 Sidmouth festival site but it doesn't appear on Google and that probably means news of 2005 is not reaching many of the people who might attend.""

The anonymous Sidmouth Resident who posted yesterday (09.26 hrs) should learn to use Google properly! Sidmouth Library staff will be happy to advise you. Use the correct search terms (including "2005") and Google puts Stuart at the top of page one. Use most search terms for the festival (including 2005) and SeeRed is at the top.

Setting up a website is no guarantee of inclusion on Google (I read someplace that 80% of websites are not even indexed by search engines because they are even worse junk that most of the 20% that are indexed). Companies that promise to submit your site to major search engines are a rip-off. If Google likes your site he (she?) will find it and index it. Submission can speed the process. Try too hard, copy material from elsewhere on high ranked sites in an effort to improve your rankings and Google may penalise you. Google might be a computer but it is clear she is a woman - usually placid and able to do hundreds of things at once and yet capable of fury if provoked. And she has a long memory. Just like Lizzie?

Some minor search engines use Google as their guide - if Google likes a site, they list it too. About 80% of hits on SeeRed that come via a search engine come via Google - it has a near monopoly across the world because it is so good at selecting what is worth reading. Jeeves is popular but I have never found him half as good as Google. Google algorithms are complicated (in fact there are many sites where geeks chat to swop notes on SEO - I only got interested when trying to get my pages on the PN highly listed. Took some doing!) But look at this link (and I shall know how many of you did, and also what you had for breakfast). http://www.seered.co.uk/google.htm
I used to be top of 300,000, now I'm only about number 8 out of 70,000. Still not bad.

It is likely that SeeRed pages on Sidmouth 2005 will continue to be highly rated by Google simply because they are well written (!) and part of a large website that Google likes for other reasons. So photos and news etc on SeeRed are likely to be widely viewed. It may be one of the top sites for people looking for news after Christmas. I could write more on this but I have other things to do - such as posting some opinions on market sectors on the other thread. By the way, if a website vanishes from listings for a few days or is seriously downgraded by Google it may only be part of a complicated thing called a dance.

Reply to Lizzie: why ask me to confirm what is on my website? Read it yourself at http://www.seered.co.uk/folk31.htm
And why don't you buy a tape recorder for listening to Show of Hands and come to a proper folk event - at least as proper as can be found in the Sid Valley! People even come from Bridport 30 miles away. Surely you can manage a short hop from your perch in Sidmouth?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: rhyzla
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 12:11 PM

Steve of Sidmouth - you mention me above in your post, and I am happy to reply, but will also do it on the other thread!!

(Well done, lizzie ..... I'm trying to catch up!)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support
From: GUEST,Devonian
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 12:09 PM

To John Golightly. In fairness John did make it clear in my message above where I was quoting directly from the article in 'fRoots' magazine. My basic point remains the same. The main folk music magazines appear to be pouring cold water on plans for Sidmouth 2005 and 2006. Surely that should concern us all?