Chippenham FF UK 2005

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Schantieman
Date: 23 May 05 - 02:07 PM

What about people who want to belt out choruses without getting lung cancer?

S

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 23 May 05 - 02:21 PM

Schantieman,

Yes, they're catered for too - in one of The Cause sessions:

    IT'S GOTTA HAVE A CHORUS - 11.00 P.M. CAUSE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY
    With Johnny Collins, Tony & Pearl O'Neill and Kitty Vernon.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: alanww
Date: 23 May 05 - 02:41 PM

That's right Schantieman! I don't like the smoke either and nor does my vioce but I like big chorus songs!
So which pubs would you suggest we go to, Polly Squeezebox? The Angel always used to be a great venue in the centre of town for an evening singaround but I remember standing outside it a couple of years back, after its refurbishment, along with perhaps ten other unaccompanied singers wondering where we could go! We tried all sorts of pubs but nowhere was possible (too many crowded public bars, dining rooms, discos and pool tables etc). We had to give up looking in the end!
One year we did go to a pub (I forget its name) out of town but that pub closed the year after (I hope it wasn't cause and effect!). Last year we managed to get something going in The Three Crowns but it too is a bit out of town, being further up the road from The Cause community centre.
Have you a particular town centre pub in mind Polly Squeezebox?
In terms of the lunchtimes, I'm one person who is in both client groups as you put it - I shall certainly go to one or other of the singarounds run by Kitty and the Admiral. But in the past I know that the Admiral has struggled to ensure that everyone has a chance to sing on some days! Its that popular!
Two hours with a strict finishing time of 2 pm does seem a bit silly. Why could it not run most of the afternoon? I am sure there would be several volunteers to run it, if it needed to be organised.
"I like to rise when the sun she rises!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 23 May 05 - 03:05 PM

Well, I try to run my singarounds so that everyone who arrives early gets a song, and hopefully, so do later arrivals. But I also get festival guests doing a spot - this year, Craig, Morgan, Robson on Saturday, Joan Gifford on Sunday and Johnny Collins on Monday.

Alanww's right though - the refurbishment of the Angel put an end to the informal song sessions in the Saddlers bar.

How's the Black Horse these days? (This year will be the 30th anniversary of Herga's discovering Robot Nimb.)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Schantieman
Date: 23 May 05 - 03:31 PM

Right - put me down for a spot on Sunday!
S

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 23 May 05 - 06:42 PM

I second alanww's suggestion about seeing if the Admiral's sing in the Rosie could be extended beyond 2 o'clock. I'm even keener on that idea now I've got my 'proper programme' and discovered that the only things I don't want to miss in the whole weekend (the two Border Morris workshops) are scheduled for lunchtime. (Sadly I didn't get permission to run the 'scratch Border side' at Chippenham or the workshops might not be quite such a priority)

Kitty, the Sunday night sing in the Cause Auditorium was great last year - and I expect this will be too, BUT - we barely seemed to have got started last year and it had to finish. I notice that once again it is only on from 11.00 to 11.45pm. Then what?

My biggest problem in the Three Crowns last year was the noise level - mixed with the smoke. I think most of the women had given up singing the one evening I went there.

And - Polly - the drawback with singers 'finding their own space to sing' is that you often don't get to hear about it til afterwards.

So - can we extend the time at the Rosie? And is the Cause Hall empty between 6 and 8? I imagine chairs probably need moving, but I think last year some people had a sing in there for a while. Any other suggestions?

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 24 May 05 - 12:52 PM

Kitty, I haven't been into the Black Horse for some years, so I've just phoned the Black Horse and spoken to the licensee. Unfortunately, they no longer have a skittle alley (I'd hoped we might have been able to take it over for the weekend). The landlady says that her quite young clientele would probably not welcome a lot of singers going in for the weekend, and of course she has to look after her regulars.

The Bear is still THE young peoples pub in Chippenham - so a non-starter I'm afraid. The Four Seasons (wine bar but they sell beer) was very welcoming a couple of years ago (near the Buttercross and Angel Hotel). Bob told me a short while ago that Porterblacks, by the river, had changed hands and were eager to be involved with the official festival - rather than stage their own (very noisy) event on the Saturday night so that may be a possibility.

Other than these we'd be looking quite a distance out of the centre of town I think. However, I'll put my thinking cap on and keep my eyes open as I go through Chippenham tomorrow - watch this space.

(Failed to get official printed programme yesterday because Bob and Gill were not at Devizes Folk Club. I was told they were too busy doing something else - can't imagine what that might have been.)

Polly

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 24 May 05 - 03:05 PM

Thanks for looking Polly. Hope you are successful.
Any particular thoughts about extending the time in the Rosie during the day? As Alan said, I'm sure there'd be plenty of volunteers willing to run it.

Sue

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 May 05 - 04:12 PM

Polly - thanks for info about Black Horse. Maybe someone could write a song about how good the old skittle alleys used to be?

Sue, if you want to make suggestions about the organisation of the festival, they should be directed to the festival organisers. I'm sorry that you won't be able to get to my singaround because of the clash! Hope to bump into you somewhere in Chippenham anyway.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: The Admiral
Date: 25 May 05 - 07:31 AM

Hi Chaps!

For all those calling for an extension to the lunchtime 'Essential Sing by all means, please do, I wouldn't mind running it for another or so but my experience is that no matter how crowded prior to 14.00 people melt away at the scheduled close. Even when I've asked if the sing should carry on and received the affirmative, the numbers have halved within 10 minutes and I had to close the sing through lack of interest which goes entirely against the usual ethos of my sings.

Wahtever happens, safe journeys and we'll see you all there!

Tony and Pearl

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Dave Earl
Date: 25 May 05 - 08:53 AM

I've now recieved my Stewarding rota.

All my work will be in the evenings so I will be free for the Lunchtime sessions at The Rose & Crown (smoking included0.

Sorry Kitty but will try to catch up with you somewhere over the weekend.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 25 May 05 - 03:32 PM

Helen and I will be there and hope to meet up with other catters.
I'll try not to run too many of you down on the electric scooter I'll have to use to get around this year.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 05 - 04:17 PM

where is the campsite at chippenham?
Is it far from the station?

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: AggieD
Date: 25 May 05 - 04:25 PM

GUEST go to the Chippenham website for all the details: Chippenham Folk Festival

Camping is only available for full weekend ticket holders so hope you have one, or can get one.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 05 - 04:36 PM

I've looked at the website, but theres no scale on the sketchmap, and no directions how to get to the campsite

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Polly Squeezebox
Date: 25 May 05 - 06:14 PM

Guest,

From station go out of the booking office exit to road in front of station (Cocklebury Road). Turn right and go into and down Station Hill. At T-Junction (shop in front of you is Shamrock Linens) turn left towards riverbridge (and away from railway bridge which is more obvious on your right). Cross over river bridge from which if you look left you will see the Festival Booking Office and Arena - go to booking office and either purchase ticket or exchange booking receipt for festival pass. Return to High Street (river bridge) and turn left. Just beyond Wilkinsons shop frontage, cross road and go into Borough Parade (shopping precinct entrance between card shop and Town Hall). When you reach entrance of Littlewoods shop turn left go to end of shop frontage, turn right. At end of Littlewoods building cross road into Westmead Lane. Keep going down lane, slight chicane - left then right at end - CAMPSITE. Within easy walking distance if your tent/baggage is not TOO large or heavy. If you decide it is too heavy - get taxi from station and tell him to take you to Higrade factory (which is in Westmead Lane).

I have assumed that as you are coming by train you will not be booked onto the caravan site. Enjoy the festival - campsite looks good at the moment and weather forecast is good.

Polly

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 05 - 06:17 PM

thank you polly
8-))

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 25 May 05 - 07:25 PM

Thanks Admiral. I think it would be worth a try.
Sue

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Schantieman
Date: 26 May 05 - 04:03 PM

See you all there!

Lemonade weather please!

S

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: skipy
Date: 26 May 05 - 06:29 PM

This is our 22nd without missing one!
Scary or what!
The boys know how many they have been to because it's their ages!
Skipy.
In a little black number hopefully!
c u tommorrow.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 May 05 - 12:52 PM

I hope all the Catters who posted above and were at Chippenham this weekend had a good time, because I certainly did. If only there hadn't been so many good events all happening at the same time, and I could have seen all the guests I wanted to see, as well as singing in the singarounds.... congratulations to the management for such a full and varied programme. They even managed to get the weather right this year.

I also hope Guest arrived early enough to find a space on the campsite, because it filled up pretty quickly.

Finally, I hope to see lots of you there again next year.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 May 05 - 01:56 AM

So what happened to Manitas? I was expecting him home last night and he still isn't back!

Still, it meant I got a good night's sleep with no snoring....

LTS

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: AggieD
Date: 31 May 05 - 11:54 AM

We got back last night after a thoroughly good weekend. Nice to meet Ms Lemon & Schantiemann & daughter.

As Kitty said far too much going on that I couldn't get to, especially as I was busy with playing for the side on Saturday & Sunday.

But great concerts Friday & Saturday & thoroughly enjoyed the Folk Club on Sunday.

Hope Manitas has made it safely back home by now.

Angela

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: skipy
Date: 31 May 05 - 02:12 PM

Brilliant weekend, a HUGE "WELL DONE" to all involved!
Chippenham is like the "RED ARROWS"! You know when you go it is going to be as near perfect as possible!
Regards Skipy

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: The Shambles
Date: 31 May 05 - 03:19 PM

It didn't rain - and we brought all the water proof gear! On the Bank Holiday Monday - there were even folk sitting on the grass down by the river in the sunshine. Very strange...

Another strange thing is the need for some people to insist on singing now in Chippenham sessions set aside for the playing of tunes and the surprising good nature in which this singing is received by those who go to play their instruments and who are 'shushed' to enable this singing to be inflicted upon them.

Are there not enough places for folk to sing at the Festival and if there are thought to be - why do certain people not go to these and use these to sing in? The folk I have in mind not only have the bad manners to talk, laugh and roar loudly througout the playing of the tunes - but seem to expect perfect silence for their song and to be applauded (even for their 4th inflicted song of the evening).

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 May 05 - 04:28 PM

Manitas made it back this afternoon... he took the pretty way home and is an interesting shade of red.

LTS

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 31 May 05 - 05:36 PM

In reply to the post from The Shambles - There are some really good singing sessions - but they do seem to clash with each other or to be on the short side, and don't always get round to everyone who wants to sing. .... But that doesn't give anyone an excuse for behaving badly. It is a great shame when people ruin sessions or singarounds by making lots of noise, particularly if they are singers or musicians themselves and really should know better.

Thanks to The Admiral for letting us extend the lunchtime sing in the Rose and Crown. The numbers did go down but I think the people who stayed on (or chanced upon it by accident) really enjoyed it. I hope we can do it again next year (and, Kitty, I will contact Bob and Gill direct to suggest this and hopefully publicise it so more people would be aware of it.)

I had a great weekend! See you all next year.

Sue

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: fiddler
Date: 31 May 05 - 05:40 PM

Isn't it good for singer to see musicians and musicians to see singers (and hear in both cases) Many (true) Irish sessions contain both as do many after tour sessions - I've even sung dubliners stuff in Germany (as that is all the Swedes wanted!) as well as played at the same session.

Everything in moderation can be damm good fun - Just like Chippers this year!

Andy

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 31 May 05 - 08:52 PM

One of the best Chippenham Festivals. Got to see many old friends and new faces.
Sorry if I missed nayone but I was a bit unwell.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 02:05 AM

Roger,

People have often sung at the Irish session and it is accepted in Irish sessions much more than in English ones but it is never allowed to overwhelm the session. It's usually done with an awareness of the flow of the session. Do you really want to complain about the likes of Alistair Russell giving the occasional song.

I'm not even sure about this particular session being set aside for tunes - it's not actually billed as that. I'll have to ask Steve Morris what his intentions were.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 02:32 AM

Do you really want to complain about the likes of Alistair Russell giving the occasional song.

Paul - I am sure that if you or I insisted on attending the song sessions and treating everyone to the occasional set of tunes - that many folk would complain.

Steve's session has been going for many years and the ocasional song (from anyone) has always been accepted and tolerated - as it continues to be. However in recent years I feel this has been taken advantage of by those who seem determined to attend and sing more than the occasional song and to encourage others to do this in spite of the obvious nature of this session.

Many of the attendees (including the session leader) would also like to sing - the fact that they usually do not - I feel should be respected by those who feel that they are the one's qualified and entitled to sing us not the occasional song but 3 or 4.

Why do these singers (including Alistair Russell) choose not to attend the sessions set up for songs?

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: fiddler
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 03:50 AM

Sgambles if that is a generalisation presented without emotion or agression I agree!

If not then lets all try and be a bit tolerant - something most folkies are known for. I think a song often breaks up a session and can slow down some of the I can play faster than you merchants!

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GRex
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 04:17 AM

A truly great festival but doesn't the problem with singers stem from the fact that there aren't enough opportunities for them to sing.
I only managed to get three songs in in four days. Am looking forward to next year, but I do hope that there will be more song sessions.

KRex

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GUEST,Mo Bradshaw
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 06:21 AM

It is only programmed as an Irish Music session for 2 hours, from 12 -2pm. Isn't the fact that there is Irish music continually until the wee small hours, interspersed with a few songs, sometimes from great singers, a bonus? Thanks to the landlord and landlady, also the pub regulars, and Steve and Tish for facilitating it, I say!

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 06:24 AM

A great Chippenham, from our point of view and I didn't run too many people down with my electric buggy, without which I couldn't have 'done' the festival this year.
On a personal note there was one down side to the event this year, but I've started a seperate thread on that.
I agree that there are always more things that you want to do than there is time for, and it was a shame that there was only 45 minutes set aside for Johnny, Kitty, Pearl & Tony.

A great Festival, congratulations to all involved and hope to see a lot of you on the 11th !!!

(still) Hovering Bob

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 06:27 AM

Am looking forward to next year, but I do hope that there will be more song sessions.

Just come along to the Old Road Tavern and sing with the rest. *Smiles*

I am not sure that this particular problem is caused by the lack of alternative places to sing or by me having any need to complain. I go to play tunes in the Irish Session - not to sing there or to listen to anyone else singing there. If I wished to sing or listen to others singing - I would seek out a venue where I could do this without affecting the pleasure of others.

If the normal conventions were being followed (rather than being pushed to the limit) - there would be very little to complain about. If you have the courage (or the brass-neck) to keep giving your fellow session members the choice - (after inflicting your forth song of the evening on them ) - of trying somehow to stop you or just waiting for you to come to the end your current song - there is little hope.   

The (very) occasional song at any tune session is usually welcome - if only to give you a chance to go to the loo - but the same person insisting on singing a number of songs over a number of days - is not done with any "awareness of the flow of the session" but done in spite of this. In practice it also inhibits the 'occasional' song coming from others - (more considerate) - who may recognise that the quota of 'occasional' songs has been reached....

If this session was the only game in town - the occasional song would be more welcome but that is not the case here. So why do these singers not go to the sessions where singing is the object?
Is it because they would have to listen to other singers whilst waiting their turn to sing? Or not be able to sing more than one song? Or not stand-out so much and be so sure of everyone's attention and warm applause?

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 06:51 AM

As for playing tunes in song sessions, I have been asked to play in the Admiral and Pearl's session in the barn at Towersey even though I only went in to join in the chorus and listen. I'm sure it wasn't the quality of my playing but the fact that some sessions are more inclusive and less one-track than others.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 08:43 AM

Have a look in your programme Shambles, and tell us what song sessions singers should have been at instead of the Irish sessions.

There are precious few, and what there is is so oversubscribed that you may get to sing a song if you're there at the start, but it can't be guaranteed. And there do not seem to be many folk-friendly pubs for unscheduled sessions (unlike places like Upton or Bromyard).

I'll definitely be giving Chester a try next year

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 09:02 AM

Intolerance, selfishness and negativity seem to be some people's stock in trade, I don't know how they get to these festivals, but they always seem to leave in a huff, perhaps they came in one too. Don't get me started on the singers!
Giok

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 09:11 AM

A shortage of public Ladies toilets in a town - may be a problem.

The invasion of the Gentlemans toilets by desparate Ladies may solve the problem of the individual Ladies who had relieved themselves but does not really justify the invasion of the Gentlemens toilets and will just create a quite different problem.


If there really are not enough sessions for all those wishing to sing at Chippenham Folk Festival - the answer surely must be to create more - not to use this as excuse and justification for singers to invade and ignore the conventions of tune sessions?

But in all truth - this did not happen. It was only a very few who were taking advantage and that is where the blame should be placed.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 09:20 AM

Roger I am fast coming to the conclusion that you are a whinging pedant!
G..

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Hawker
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 05:57 PM

Interesting thread! I wasn't there, but I go to a festival to enjoy myself, I am not too bothered if I don't get to sing, at most sing sessions, there are great chorus songs for people to join in with, I have been to fabulous sing arounds where I didn't get to lead the singing. I also play and have been to great sessions, both with and without singing. The concern about the gents toilets being invaded by ladies made me smile, I have been guilty of that myself in the past, but I did send my old man in first to avoid upsetting any sensitive males. It reminded me of Wadebridge festival of old, when the best sing around used to be in the gents loo on the camp site late at night, when the camp site was at the school, before the arrival of the portaloos, its amazing how many people you can get into a gents loo, and what great acoustics!!!!!!
Cheers, Lucy.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 06:37 PM

Blame? How can you blame people for doing something that's not wrong? The singers in the Irish session did not go against the ethos of the session, it says Irish music in the program and not Irish tunes (only). Steve and Trish were there to keep things in order and if they had thought there was too much singing I'm sure they would have done something about it.

I'm not sure why there isn't more room for song sessions at Chippenham but it was pretty clear to me that few people wanted to carry on into the afternoon at the Rose and Crown. When I ran the Rose and Crown session with Tom Gilmour it was a mixed tune and song session and we carried on quite late and often ran an unprogrammed evening session before the pre-Legends crowd became too much to cope with. After that,in the evenings, we teamed up with Malc Gurnham, Pat, Rosie Daisley and others in the front bar of the Angel where there was room for mix of ballads and choruses,accompanied and unaccompanied. There was usually a quieter session in the back bar of the Angel and Tony and Pearl had their singarounds in the Bear. I believe stuff was also happening in two pubs further up the old London Road.

I know a few pubs have changed around but the Gladstone (formerly the Borough, the home of the Irish music session) and the Bar Reva apparently were interested in hosting stuff for folkies. I think the Little George was open again this year. The tune players always seem to find room, there were three simultaneous sessions at the Old Road Tavern and tunes at the New Inn, so I wonder if it's really a lack of
effort or organisation on the part of the singers these days.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: GUEST,The Shambles
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 02:37 AM

Blame? How can you blame people for doing something that's not wrong?

Not sure that it is question of right or wrong but one of judgement and individual responsibility on the part of the singer. They must decide when the conventions and consideration of the concerns of fellow session members should take second place to their need to sing.

This can cause tension and the blame for this is due to the singer only. Any blame should not be placed on the Festival or onus placed on the session leader to prevent TOO much singing. Any of this second action would be too little and too late.

The singer has to decide if THEIR first song is adding anything to the session and if any subsequent songs from them are causing needless tension or depriving others. If they go ahead in spite of this - any blame for this is the singer's.

Perhaps someone will answer - why do these singers not go to the places provided - where singing is THE SOLE object and where their singing will cause no tension at all?

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: The Admiral
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 03:42 AM

I still don't see why we can't have mixed sessions. P & I have been to some cracking singers / musicians sessions over the years in the Oxford / Oxfordshire area. Some might be suprised at this because I've been 'told' several times that musical instruments are banned from my sings - I have done no such thing. If you want to perform with an instrument then I encourage you to do so. All I ask is that you pay the respect to the next performer that you expect yourself. If you want to carry on normal conversation by shouting above the singers or musicians then go and find a football match to go to...

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Dave Earl
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 04:12 AM

It seems to me that the people running sessions could take a little more direct control.

I am not a muscian and have occasionally "sat at the back" and seen the sort of thing that is annoying people around here. Similarly I have seen individual muscians take over and run into a number of different tunes. Maybe there are conventions but would "One singer/muso=one song/tune" type of rule work better?

This usually is what applies at the singarounds that I go to. At Club type events things need to be different to allow for Guest spots so not everybody in the room will get a chance to do their bit.

As I see it their are many ways of running sessions that all usually work it just requires all that participants need to understand the arrangements on the day/night and accept them.

Oh and by the way I had a great time at Chippers even though my stewarding prevented me from seeing some things and forced me to see some others - buts thats how my festival usually work out.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 04:20 AM

why do these singers not go to the places provided

Because they want singing AND playing?

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 05:45 AM

Wine is nice to drink and so is whisky. The mixing the two in the same glass would always be a minority taste - and as such perhaps the attempt to impose this upon those who go into a wine bar - to drink wine - should not be made and the wishes of those who like wine or whisky - should be respected?

Whatever the billing - I think it would be fair to say that the majority of those who attend Steve's sessions would not feel themselves deprived if there was not even one song in that session during the whole weekend. Some of these players travel a long way to attend this session and may not be prepared to do this in future.

If you should then walk in to this session and see 2 pipers, 3 banjo players 3 fiddlers, 2 box players, 2 flute/whistles players and assorted bodhrans - in would be reasonable to think that they may have attended because they wish to play their instruments together - rather than have to put them down in order to allow you to sing........

If that is not enough convince the singer who wished to have their cake and eat it - or who wished to impose their chosen tipple of wine and whisky upon others - that insisting on imposing this taste upon others was not generally thought desirable - a guide could be taken from the example set by the playing of the leader of the session?

Perhaps the answer is (as has been the case until recent years) that a singer at some point - makes in known to the session leader - that they wish to sing - and the session leader can decide when (or indeed if) this song is introduced?

Now if I were to sing at the local session that I lead - I would be hardly surprised if others followed this example. I don't choose to set this example because there are two other sessions locally where singing is the sole object and this session is the only local session where tunes are the sole object.

As I have said - this is not a matter of what is right or wrong. It is a matter of practical realities and the recognition that every action has an effect. It is always sad when the wishes of one or two individuals affect or place at risk the enjoyment of the majority. If it (this session) is not broken - there is no need to fix it - especially where there are other festival sessions where singing is the sole object.

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 06:24 AM

I am also a great believer in Mixed Sessions - The New Tavern in Sidders has always been MOSTLY tunes of ALL sorts , but does include a LOT of Songs (Again of ALL sorts) . I muck about with a number of instruments , sometimes accompnay myself and sometimes sing unaccompanied ! There ought to be acceptance of ALL at a session in my book !

Subject: RE: Chippenham FF UK 2005
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 06:25 AM

100 !!!