Review: Sidmouth '08

Subject: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Mavs82
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 04:35 PM

So, to all the 'catters who made it to Sidmouth this year, what did everyone think?
Sal - it was good to see you again! I hope you had a decent week trade wise, despite the inclemant weather.
So, any thoughts, insights, comments, suggestions etc. with regard to Sidmouth 2008 would be great!!!

Thanks guys!!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: JHW
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 05:07 PM

I didn't get down till Monday but that gave me a good campsite spot. I could almost see the next tent through the mist. I really enjoyed it. This year a highlight was the Ballad sessions under the Bedford where there were some great surprise linking songs from those gathered. The room there is far more suited than the Cons club at Whitby but I think also it works better in Jacks with just the one guest each day which gives a focus.   
I've missed two years Sidmouth and thought there were less folks about but next year's a must again.
The Cleverley Brothers were good in the Swan. Silly but fun with a beer or two. Better beer now in the York and Fork.

John

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Fidjit
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 05:46 PM

As posted on the other thread.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Fidjit - PM
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 03:53 PM

Finally back in Sweden after many Festivals. Among them Sidmouth.
Spent most time there between Sue the Border's, Herbaceous Border on the Esplanade, and the Anchor Garden lunchtime ceilidh's. also via the Newt. Where Terry and I had a laugh or two.
Jacks bar in the cellar of the Bedford and The Ship were my other haunts. In the Ship I met up with my mates from the, "Half Moon" in Bishop's Stortford. Great sessions thee.

Looked in on the Radway - mostly diddley stuff when I looked in. Like the Swan Not my cup of tea. As was the main bar session in the Bedford.
Got some dots from John KP.at the Rugby Club.
Caught Derek's talk on RVW. That was good.
Sorry Surreysinger I missed your Lucy bit. Found out next day.
The Volunteer was too far up the street for me.
In fact I found the whole of Sidmouth was far too spread out.
Missed you Lemon lady so never got a drink of that sort.
Sue. I had a really great time with the Hosepipe Band and all of HB.

Met a few friends and made a few new ones.

Having done them both now, i.e. Sidmouth and Broadstairs.
I must say that of the two, I prefer Broadstairs. Not so far to walk between venues there.

Chas

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,watcher
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 05:51 PM

It's often been said there isn't "A" sidmouth festival, its a lot of overlapping ones that people can choose between. some people on this list appear to never leave their chosen pub/venue!

so, where to start....
The display dance teams were excellent in spite of the weather. The Latvians were amusing as well as well drilled,the French girls enthusiastically joined in the ceilidhs after their performances, and the home sides Mortimers, Great Western and, er, Chinwrdde? (OK, Kenilworth I can spell) were crowd-pleasers. All the teams seemed to be enjoying themselves, dancing with precision but not being precious.

Ceilidhs were a mixed bag.
Like many others, I thought Maerlock were no good for dancing (uneven rhythms, a waltz that wasn't in waltz time etc). Likewise Demon Barbers were a bad choice for the final LNE; many people expected a last night ceilidh and felt short changed, some said they might not bother buying season tickets in future. Even Blowzabella seemed to have lost their edge to some extent, in particular the long hurdy-gurdy solo was just self-indulgent, and the fiddle solo supposedly for a bourree had people trying to spot where the beat and A and B sections of the music were.

LNE layout was unsatisfactory - previously rows of seats alongside the dance floor meant people could be based somewhere and know where to find each other - the lack of seating this year made the event less sociable, people crowded at the back couldn't easily get up and find a partner for the next dance. And why was the whole of one side occupied by crash barriers surrounding the sound desk - the Blackmore set-up was unobtrusive and the mixing was also of a much higher standard.

Blackmore Lastminute ceilidhs had a better atmosphere, but were too crowded. They need the whole of the marquee, not have part taken for craft stalls, and hopefully some sort of "beer-garden" so people can pop outside for fresh air and a drink. Again, the seating arrangement was poor with a single block - people sat in the middle were stuck there and would struggle to get to the dance floor if they could spot a partner. I do wonder if the people planning the layouts of both the dance marquees actually do much dancing at sidmouth.

The Anchor ceilidhs went well despite the weather, gave "experts" what they wanted but also brought in the general public novices who will hopefully get more involved in future. I don't like the word "inclusivity" but it is appropriate for the Anchor events and is good for public relations with the locals.
Speaking of "inclusivity" or lack of it the Cornish/Breton evening seemed elitist, no attempt to teach newcomers, anyone who didn't know the dances in advance just floundered (but the music was good).

I've said enough, now for the arguments and slagging off..... :-))

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: bubblyrat
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 06:22 PM

I didn't "steward", OR buy a ticket this year, but just went for the "fringe". Obviously, several elements of the "old" Sidmouth are missing,especially the Arena ( I miss all the people walking up the hill !! ),and the Church House Lawn marquee. Also, the "ambience" isn't the same around the Ham marquee either. Blackmore Gardens did not seem to have the same "buzz", and, from a distance, the LNE complex seemed to be smaller than in previous years ,or is it just me ?? But I enjoyed the American Old Time sessions, and Colin's hospitality and lunchtime victuals, in the Bedford Hotel ( some things never seem to change, thank God !!) , and the Radway was fun, too. Otherwise, the whole thing was kind of OK, but not nearly as memorable as was the case a few short ( 3 or 4 ) years ago. There is definitely something missing, I feel ( sadly ). Of course, the weather ( what happened to Global Warming ?) didn't help !!
                               See you (maybe !) at Wallingford, Swanage, Banbury, and Bampton ( Devon ) !!

                               Nick E. Nackinou

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 11:37 AM

I only did the fringe and was only there from the Monday, never the less I had a good dance in the Anchor Gardens, Heard and joined in some cracking singing in the Anchor Middle bar , and the York and Faulkner Played in the radway and sang in the Newt and generally had a marvellous time that the horrible weather did not manage to spoil. I even managed 3 swims in the sea!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 02:23 PM

Do we need to have scraping and squeezing in EVERY bloody bar?
Well anyway it seemed like that to me!
I could have stayed home and listened to all that Irish and Scottish material, could even have enjoyed the same weather.
Nothing unique at all this year for me, but I did meet up with 3 people I hadn't seen for over 20 years, so that was good.

JM

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: melodeonboy
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 02:47 PM

"Do we need to have scraping and squeezing in EVERY bloody bar?"

If you scrape or squeeze in the anchor Middle Bar, you're likely to get your goolies chopped off!

I didn't notice an awful lot of it in the York and Faulkner either. And there was plenty of unaccompanied stuff in the Ship, along with scrapy, strummy, parpy and squeezy!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Fidjit
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 03:08 PM

John MacK

Then you didn't hear me sing The Cruel Sister, Child No.10 in Norwegian, at the "Body count" session, at the Woodlands Hotel. We came up to 30.000 odd. I only added two.

Chas

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 03:22 PM

Who could tell?

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,watcher
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 12:58 PM

Terrible in Blackmore Gardens, the lastminute bar was charging £2.60 for an excellent pint of Royal Oak, £1.80 a pint of shandy, a quid for non-alcoholic cocktails(with fruit and paper umbrella!) and 50p soft drinks.
They need a good talking to otherwise we'll be inundated with that lot from the whitby golden egg thread, cluttering up the place and rattling their begging bowls.....

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Fidjit
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 03:14 PM

John MK.

Anyone who knows the Cruel Sister
The younger sister drowns the elder sister is turned to stone.

My point John MK is,

That there were other places where there was not scraping and squeezing.

Although I spent quite a lot of time with Herbaceous Border on the Esplanade. I did get to other places.
This was my first ever Sidmouth so I went nearly all over.

Jack's bar (underneath the Bedford) was every afternoon ballad singing.
As was the Woodlands Hotel.
I'm sure - although I didn't get there - too far up the street. The Volunteer was unaccompanied too.
The Ship had some great sessions with all sorts of song and tunes. Seldom scraping style.
The Middle bar also u a c.
Terry (Leadfingers) in the Newt was mostly songs. At least when I was there.

Derek Schofield had Eliza Carthy in for a couple of songs at his lecture on RVW.
I'm also reasonably sure that Surresinger (Irene Settle) sung some of Lucy Broadwood stuff at her talk. Sadly I missed this in the program.

It really depends where you were.

I'll get me coat.

Chas

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Mavs82
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 07:18 PM

Bubblyrat mentioned that there is something missing at Sidmouth these days. Does it not strike any of you that the something missing is the large number of people that used to turn up and enjoy the week without being critical of everything they could be?! I don't remember people bitching and grousing about the layouts, the sessions, the workshops, the displays, the marquees etc etc etc...

I think people have become far more judgemental since the 50th and that impedes on their ability to relax and enjoy the festival. I found plenty to occupy me and had a thourighly enjoyable week. I don't feel any need to complain about what wasn't there - I just went to the stuff that was!!

Why is it that people (And this isn't aimed at any individual) feel the most appropriate thing to do is complain that things aren't how they used to be?! Here's some news for you guys - no, it's not. For a start, it's not being run by full time professionals but by volunteers. Isn't it enough to just enjoy what is going on without childishly complaining that this, that or the other hasn't been arranged for you?!?!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: John J
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 07:46 PM

Middle Bar was excellent. Again.

JJ

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GRex
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 03:23 AM

Mavs82

         Hear Hear

                   GRex

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: mattkeen
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 05:23 AM

Did anybody enjoy any of the concerts?

I though Chris Wood was great and really enjoyed Jo Freya's Lal Waterson project

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 05:37 AM

To be honest mattkeen, I didn't go to one concert at the ham - not one appealled to me (unusually). The only concert I went to was to see the Askew sisters at the rugby club. Hope they do a lot better next year (matching my tastes) or I'll bugger off else where for a change.

Some good ceilidhs but blowzabella went on too long (fatigue set in after 3 hours) and the Demon barbers was the wrong choice for the last lne (still enjoyed what I saw of it though)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 06:11 AM

OK. My thoughts for what they're worth.

First time at Sidmouth with no official reason for being there.
I will confess that my spiritual home is the Radway (Popular to Contrary belief, very few Irish tunes are played!) With occasional forays to the Volunteer.
It might be a well kept secret but the Rad is all encompassing, particularly to learners. Nothing better than hearing some really well played tunes to give inspiration.
Overheard two people in the High street.

Person 1. Where are you off to?
Person 2. The Radway.
Person 1. Not for me, they play all this complicated stuff!!

Highlights for me, getting to play with Matt Quinn (Dans son) for the first time, and hearing an amazing harmonica player (from the North East I think, didn't catch his name sadly.)

That's the beauty of Sidmouth, renewing old friendships, and being blown away by something new.

Yes, of course, the Anchor, The Swan, and every other fringe venue is equally important. Not my bag, but vital to the festival.
Interestingly, both the Rad and the Anchor have a Mid winter re-union, on the same weekend. Shows the commitment of both Singers and Musos to schlep all the way there just for a laugh.

As for beer prices.....I live in London....nuff said!!

Long may the festival continue.
"Nothing changes, It all stays the same"

Ralphie
(Didn't get to see the sea until the third day!!)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 06:26 AM

"hearing an amazing harmonica player (from the North East I think, didn't catch his name sadly.)"

If it was a young chap, it was probably Will Pound, who is on the Folk Degree at Newcastle.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 06:42 AM

Thanks for that Ruth.
Will go-a-digging!
Hope you're well.
See you soon
R xx

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,JM
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 07:08 AM

There's a track of Will playing Princess Royal here - http://www.myspace.com/jigcrew

For a muppet he can't half play the harmonica well. He's also the drummer in Steamchicken.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 07:30 AM

Blue clicky:

http://www.myspace.com/jigcrew

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 08:49 AM

DOH!
Thanks Jim.
Memo to self.
Should really get out more!!
Ralph

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 08:56 AM

You should have heard him playing Music for a Found Harmonium (or as one of my young musician friends referred to it, "The MFI advert!") in the ASBO session at the Bedford one evening. Several harmonicas were involved. It was amazing to watch and to listen to.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,miss lemon
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:13 AM

i have a pretty good time considering. My fellow camping mates bunked off due to being townies and not being able to cope with a bit of rain! Ha whimps!

Does anyone have any photos to share with the group, then??

Sal

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Paul B
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 12:02 PM

Ralphie - might have been young Will Pound, who plays in Steamchicken. We played together at Whitby and he was playing up a storm, lots of blues riffs and ornaments around the tune - great stuff. At the end I asked if he'd enjoyed it and he said that he wasn;t sure, as a lot of the tunes had been in G, he hadn;t had a G gob-iron and so had to play them in the C!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Fidjit
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 02:52 PM

Ruth Archer

Would have been nice to catch up with you. Understand, The Swan was your scene. Which wasn't mine.

Some other time.

Chas

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 03:45 PM

Paul B - your post has given me deja-vu! See previous posts in this thread re Harmonica Will...

Fidjit/Chas, I was just really busy during Sidmouth week, and didn't do much in the way of pub sessions and stuff at all. I go to the Swan for the mackerel rather than the music. :)

We would have crossed paths (albeit briefly) during Derek's RVW talk - I was doing the sound.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 05:59 PM

A somewhat negative thread, methinks! I enjoyed most of what I went to, and even missed some things I would have liked to have seen being otherwise occupied in fringing (e.g. Thurs pm in the Ham - Last Night's Fun and the Demon Barbers.
There was some evidence of bad temper and primae donnae in the Bedford sessions: having complimented one of the session "facilitators" on his giving everyone a fairer crack of the whip than exists sometimes, there was a major ruckus from a couple who were miffed that they couldn't just jump in ad nauseam every 2 minutes! And as for the "mobile phone" episode.....nuff said!
The Anchor Middle Bar was great for nearly every session I attended.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: dilligafxx
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 06:41 PM

From the point of view of a Sidmouth virgin (it was my first time) I had a great time luckily I wasn,t camping but dispite the rain I danced with Herbaceous Border, drunk gallons of Otter beer (very drinkable) stewarded at the Manor, thank you Howard and every body else there for being so nice. Enjoyed lots of good sessions diddly diddly and other wise and danced lots in water and out, met friends old and made new ones, Then drove through the night to Broadstairs so as to dance Sat am with my morris side. Sorry but I have to disagree with you fidgit Simouth beat Broadstairs, friendlier and more going on, for me anyway Thank you Sidmouth Please can I come back next year?

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 05:28 AM

Sidmouth 08? For me it was much like Sidmouth 07/06/05 etc.

Swan - Bedford - Swan - Bedford - Swan - Bedford - The Black Horse - Swan - Bedford - Swan - Faulkner - Bedford - Swan - Bedford - No Ceilidh Not In The Ford - Swan - Bedford - Fireworks - Bedford, all with a backing track of regular (and frequent) drinking.

Hey I even had my guitar in tune most of the time, and 'sang' a couple of songs too (great fun for me, not so much for those in the vicinity!).

Great meeting up with good old friends John B, Phil, Elinor, Steve, Paul (squeezy things and banjos), Paul (Wombles), Des, Kevin and all the rest. Cheers too to Colin & Bev and the bar staff at the Bedford.

FANTASTIC. Can't wait for next year.

There was some camping and eating in there too, but I can't remember much about that, except I did have to run for the 2 o'clock bus to Salcombe Regis almost every night, the prospect of the walk up that hill gave me previously unheard-of running abilities.

Oh, saw Martin Hayes at the Ham too - beautiful, just beautiful (I think that's my third Sidmouth concert in the six or seven years I've been going, I've still not made it to an arena gig - do they still have those? ;-) ).

Vince

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 05:44 AM

Will Pound is an exceptional talent. Look out for his band the QPs. Very good at Towersey. Not sure if Will is resuming the degree course, but tells me he is staying up in Newcastle for the moment.

Also very talented is Doe Mehmet - in the style of Seth Lakeman, but with a more rootsy feel. There was tremendous support from Matt Quinn, David Steptoe and Vic Baines in The Volunteer throughout the week. In the Tradition has never looked healthier - but then, I would say that, wouldn't I?

Only got to play in The Radway once (or was it twice?) during the week.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 06:00 AM

Doe Mehmet has a great energy and style all his own - I wouldn't really compare him to Seth myself. I saw him again at Whitby and it confirmed for me that he's one to watch. I like it that he seamlessley combines the influences from his Turkish Cypriot background and his English upbringing. What could be better to represent what "English folk" REALLY means?

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Mr Red
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:54 AM

It's a town festival, run by enthusiasts. Loadsa ceilidhs, sessions, disgustingly young and talented musicians (damn them). Concerts for those wot like em.
Ticked all my boxes.
One or two organisers with attitude,
but hey! They don't slag you off publically for giving them feedback.
I think I ought to be able to cope with individuality that doesn't spill over into rudeness.
Attitude gets things done and at Sidmouth - it worked for me.

Throw in a cohort of nice people and .......... lets just say I enjoyed it immensely.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Fidjit
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 03:06 PM

Ruth said.

We would have crossed paths (albeit briefly) during Derek's RVW talk - I was doing the sound.

Ah, that was you was it . Bit fortnight the sound was. Program was good.

Bit too early for Eliza to sing. (She said that).

I hung back to chat to Derek afterwards for a few minutes.

Regards

Chas

Subject: Some News....Next Year's Sidmouth FolkWeek
From: John Golightly
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:41 PM

Next Year's Sidmouth FolkWeek

As this year's festival season draws to a close, you'll be pleased to know that we're already planning for next year and, as usual, we'd like your help. Jim Moray summed it up recently on one of the internet chat lines: 'The important thing about Sidmouth, as someone who has attended most years of my life, is that it doesn't belong to "them" in the way that other festivals do, it belongs to everyone to make their own thing out of.' So please use the opportunity to 'make your own thing' out of Sidmouth by downloading our feedback questionnaire from the website www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk and when you've filled it in, either email it back to us (info@) or print it out and post it. Obviously we can't guarantee to grant all your wishes, but we'll do what we can. And you could win two season tickets for next year in the prize draw if you get it back to us before October 1st.

You may have heard rumours during the Festival that Eddie Upton was stepping down from his role as Artistic Director to concentrate on his 'day job' as Director of Folk South West. Eddie has played a leading part in developing the new organisation of Sidmouth FolkWeek and we are very grateful to him for the immense amount of effort and skill he has brought to bear on making the Festival sustainable. And the dancers among you will know that Ray Goodswen has retired this year, after 13 years of leadership of social dance at Sidmouth. Again, we are indebted to him for his enormous contribution to the new organisation. Thanks are also due to Graham O'Callaghan for the work he put into planning the concert programme in the last couple of years, and indeed to many others involved in different aspects of the programme. To quote Jim again: 'The programming was some of the nuttiest ever ... but on balance all the better for it'

We are pleased to announce that Joan Crump has been appointed as our new Artistic Director. Before joining the Sidmouth team, Joan was Programme Manager at Loughborough Town Hall, where she directed the highly successful Loughborough Folk Festival. Prior to that, she was the Education Manager at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, where she developed workshop programmes for outdoor festivals such as Summer Sundae and One World Leicester. Joan has also lectured in Arts Management at De Montfort University, and managed events for Leicester Comedy Festival. We count ourselves lucky to have found an Artistic Director with such solid credentials to take Sidmouth forward, and Joan is looking on it as 'an exciting and challenging opportunity'. She is already putting together a team of advisors, some old, some new, to ensure she is kept fully up to date with the different areas covered by the Sidmouth FolkWeek programme

Many of the improvements in the venues and on the camp site this year were a result of the Festival developing a partnership with Stage Electrics, and we are working with them to make further exciting improvements for the future. Watch this space, as they say!

We'll be in touch with you again around Christmas time with more information and the first details of the guest list, and season tickets will be on sale from the website from January 1st. You probably already know the dates of next year's Festival, but we'll remind you anyway, it runs from 31st July - 7th August, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:50 PM

Well done Joan Crump, one of our own Mudcattters too.


JM

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 01:30 PM

Cheers, G.

:)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 03:54 PM

I just looked at this thread because I've just read the Sidmouth newsletter and wondered if it had reached a thread yet! I see that John G beat me to it. Congrats Joanie.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 04:09 PM

Can I add my own congratulations - well done Joanie.

There must be some local residents who will be delighted at the appointment.

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 05:04 PM

Again, thanks to both of you. It's very daunting, but incredibly exciting. I think I'm going to learn ever such a lot in this job.

Dave, you are VERY naughty. :)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 05:09 PM

I like to think so................

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: bfdk
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 07:01 PM

Congrats from here, too, Joanie. May see you there next year if you're not too busy running things ;o)

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 07:31 PM

As a predominately 'Fringe' Sidmouth goer , Congrats Joanie

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 03:58 AM

Thanks, Terry and Bente. I imagine things will be rather hectic next year, but you never know - you meet the most interesting people in Sidmouth!

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:35 AM

Hey Joan...!!!
You kept that one quiet didn't you!!!
Many Many Congratulations from me too.
How thick is your skin??
Seriously, Good luck

Ralphie xx

PS....If you where a Housewife, who would you choose?
(You can't blame an old bloke for trying!)

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 04:52 AM

LOL!!!

Thanks, Ralphie. x

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 06:40 AM

> Looked in on the Radway - mostly diddley stuff when I looked in

Um, Chas, we don't do diddley in the Radway ...

The Radway was where I spent most of my week, and I thought it was a vintage year. Some lovely music making, and the lunchtime sessions would just keep going for hours! What I saw of the York and Faulkner suggests that is picking up again nicely with some really good singing. I'm sure if someone had organised a ceilidh in the ford during that sunny period on Friday afternoon I would have enjoyed that too.

One thing I don't miss about the old festival is the arena. I always disliked the geographical split that caused in the festival; now it's gone the festival is much more coherent.

Chris

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: GUEST,Peter Stockport
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 06:55 AM

A really good festival!
I think the Bulverton is not so good as a performance venue, perhaps because it's so far out of town
We went to see Ember up there and they were brilliant.
Clever lyrics, excellent musicians and entertaining. It's good to see
new performers with their own material.
But why shove them out on the edge?
I'd like to see them in the Art Centre!
As for putting the New Rope String Band on in the Bedford, there were more people locked out than could get in!

Dare I say this?
Is it time to change?
Maybe put another tent up in the town? For performance?
Dump the Bedford and get another decent mid size venue?
Peter

Subject: RE: Review: Sidmouth '08
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:12 PM

What about that area on the left as you walk up towards the campsite? COuple of hundred yards past the narrow bit in the road....

That'd make a good venue area......