Sidmouth Folk Week 2006

Subject: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 12:15 PM

This is the start of a new Sidmouth thread, WITHOUT the misleading title of the other thread that has appeared on on here recently.

Well, have just read 'from the horse's mouth' as they say, on the other thread, that Mudcat's own 'El Greko' (George Papavgeris to those not in 'the know') is going to be at Siddy 2006...

Yayyyyyyy!! ;0)

So...that's one gig definitely pencilled in for us next year then! Can't wait George...truly, just can't wait to see and hear you again.

Hopefully this thread will shortly have much more 'correct' information added to it now, as soon as it becomes available.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 12:17 PM

Excuse the 'on on' bit...am typing with just one contact lens in! Not the best thing to do really......

Lizzie ;0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 01:01 PM

Mary and I will be there too, to the extent that anything is "official" yet.

Most mornings you'll find us helping out in Nick and Mary Barber's Big Band workshop, which they've been doing for many years including this year.

We hope to be doing some ceilidhs as English Rebellion and of course concert spots as ourselves too.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 01:52 PM

Anahata! Hello there.....You're on my wonderful George Papavgeris CD 'Ordinary Heroes' Do you know...I think Cellos are beginning to take over my life...'tis most worrying....first there's your lovely music, then there's 'The Cello Man' whom we saw at Beautiful Days and then there's Miranda Sykes and her double bass too...and wasn't Miranda also on George's CD...yes she was. Can't wait for the next one to come out! Hurry up everyone!

Looking forward to seeing you next year too.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:19 AM

Newsletter for 2006 now on the official website Lizzie - don't miss your chance to be first saying how wonderful it all looks. Actually, it does look promising, but maybe a little expensive compared to the good old days?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:22 AM

I think that should have been "compared with the good old days" ; it was quantitative.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Dave Earl
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:35 AM

Yep

Website for 2006 has link to booking form and says tix on sale from Jan 1.

http:www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk

See you there.

Oh and the Middle Bar Singers will be in the Anchor for there winter reunion for the weekend Feb 17 to 19.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:46 AM

For the lazy of copy-and-paste: Sidmouth Folk Week

Anahata
(relieved to see we're listed under guests, we haven't actually heard from them yet)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 03:52 PM

But evening concerts at the Ham are not included!!

That is quite an extra.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: breezy
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 04:56 PM

dont like the 12 string yamaha guitar, should have been a Brook Manson, Norman or Eccleshall

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 04:58 PM

Thanks Stevie...hope we can be friends this time round eh? Very good of you to put that up...will tip-tap more tomorrow...

Merry Christmas!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,JT
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 07:23 PM

Whaaatttt!

£300 for a family season ticket.

Plus another £120 for camping.

Those are seriously rip-off prices certain to deter many who supported Sidmouth 2005 - my own family included.

When you add in the costs of transport, food, drink etc. etc. we'd have little change from a thousand quid.

Cheaper to fly to Miami or spend a weekend in the south of France.

Sorry. We enjoyed 2005 but at these prices we can't afford 2006.

Jeremy T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 07:27 PM

We were friends last time Lizzie, until you left me off your hug card.........

Seriously, the organisers continue to achieve the nearly impossible but will it be enough long term?

What is promised for 2006 is a lot less than Steve Heap offered and for about the same money. Evening Ham concerts are extra, and there is no International Arena to draw some of the high spending overseas visitors.

This is all taking place against the backdrop of the profits realised by Gordon Newton in 2005 - these are providing much of the 'up-front' funding for 2006. It's going to be a long road back to the splendour of 2004 - if ever.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 12:25 AM

Typical, isn't it? As soon as the Sidmouth website is on-line the "knockers" come out!
If Guest Jeremy T. thinks that the prices are high then I suggest he looks again at the mathematics of his argument. £420 for a family of five with camping works out at £84 per person per week, or £12 per person per day if you want it really simple.
The last commercial camp site on which I stayed cost £12 per person per day WITHOUT ENTERTAINMENT! I cannot see any foreign trip costing this little.
Guest Jeremy seems to think that his total would be about £1000 with food and travel. Assuming a reasonable mileage with his family in a car his fuel cost would be probably less than £100. That leaves him with £480 for food/drink for his family for the week. As he is camping he would be self-catering, and his suggested £480 would most likely feed his family for a month at home, so where does he buy the champagne and caviar to have with his meals at Sidmouth?
Even a single adult season ticket with camping works out at just over £25 per day for camping and entertainment.
Where else would one get such good value?
Jeremy, please wake up and grow up!
You have obviously not read the newsletter to see what has to be paid for and lighting, publicity, sound, premises licences etc are only a small part of any festival costs. Strangely, the artistes have to be paid as well!
I hope you will look again at the finances an I look forward to seeing you at Sidmouth 2006
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 04:03 AM

The price is high but the value is even higher.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: MBSLynne
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 07:02 AM

Well if you can't afford a season ticket, as my family has not been able to for years..it was bloody expensive under Steve Heap too....be a steward.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 07:06 AM

Sorry Stevie...you're off the hugs card once more! I'm SO not going down the negativite/positive war road again.

If you want to come to Sidmouth and have a brilliant time then do. If you don't...then don't. Nothing more to be said really.

I'll leave you to your games. There truly is no point in doing exactly what you did last year.


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 10:53 AM

If you don't want to pay the money then join the fringe.

I go to Sidmouth each year and don't spend much - I'm too busy singing and playing. I did buy a tee shirt, the Silver Jubilee year - I try to sing at the Anchor but it is usually too smoky - I go to the Pavillion cafe bar and Woodlands hotel.

I hope to be there all week next year, with my drum at Herbaceous Border and Motley Morris if it happens.

There is more to Sidmouth than the 'staged' events - and I am sure they can be very good and well organised but I am too busy to attend them. I'm just not an audience person.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Anon
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 10:57 AM

What a weak argument from Bonecruncher.

Not only is the season ticket expensive but now we're told by Steve of Sidmouth that evening concerts in the Ham marquee have to be paid for on top i.e. they're not included in the season ticket price which makes the season ticket idea a nonsense.

As others have said, it's much poorer value than in the days of the International Arena and so much more.

When you think of all the profits made in 2005 it seems some people are getting greedy and just want to make bigger profits in 2006.

Very disappointing.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: BB
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 11:02 AM

Presumably, Jeremy, you could do as you had to do last year, i.e. pay for individual events, which gives you less priority in the queue perhaps, and less freedom to dip your toe in the water with the possibility that you won't like the event, and you could always book onto another local campsite instead of the Festival one. I'm sure there are ways around it, even if you don't want to steward.

But, like Colyn, it looks like damn good value to me. Most holiday attractions would cost an awful lot more for a possible 16 hrs. a day entertainment.

Look again - and yes, you could fly to Miami or have a weekend in the South of France for that thousand quid, but you'd still need spending money on top of that.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 12:36 PM

You still need to buy food, even if you stay at home.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Hungry Annie
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 08:33 PM

But the food's cheaper at home than in Sidmouth.

Healthier too.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: fiddler
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 04:19 AM

AW b*ll*x - here we go again, When Mrs C ran it it was too expensive too big and not what you all wanted?

Now that the desired 'locals' have taken over well I never they are all greedy - it is too expensive and folk just want the fringe without the festival - Again -

This is obviously a loose loose situation. Thre are some good guys working towards a good festival - taking decisions that need to be taken and attempting to keep a festival going and keep it economically viable.

If you want it please go and support them and whilst I would never stiffle good healthy debate - if you don't then shut yer 'gob', 'cake hole' or other orifice for emission of garbage!

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 06:19 AM

Rumncoke...the Middle Bar is much less smoky now than it was since we have a request notice up asking people not to smoke where the singing is. Everyone who smoked went outside last year and found that it was actually quite nice to have a chat-break with the other smokers in the fresh air for a bit. It made singing an awful lot easier too! You can really notice the difference.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 06:29 AM

Don't forget that £60,000 has been cut by the EDDC, not an insubstantial sum, and before you say they were allowed to get away with it, that was one of the reasons Mrs. Casey pulled out as the EDDC wouldn't guarantee that sum for 2006.

I'll be there, taking in the concerts I want, and not taking in those I don't - seems fair to me.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,frooty
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 08:08 AM

Has anyone told Lizzie fRoots are sponsoring it? Showdown at the Dukes Cafe methinks!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 09:34 PM

This year I was driven out of the Middle bar three times by people smoking right in the bar, and several other times I held my breath to pass by people on the stairs smoking - on the last occasion, on the Tuesday or Wednesday it was not normal cigarettes but a cigar type, and I think two people were smoking them - standing right behind me as I was choking.

In 2003 there really was no smoking and I was able to sing there every day. I remarked on how wonderful it had been before singing the last time that week.

I was really disappointed this year. People knew they shouldn't really be smoking so they held the cigarettes out of sight in cupped hands and puffed surreptitiously - as though that made a difference.

Only my inability to breathe the Middle bar atmosphere drove me away, and I will try again next year, but there are other places to sing. I am usually too buzy to go to hear concerts, I have to rush from place to place to get to all that I should attend, and when I have a spare minute I sit down and play and usually end up late for something.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Sid Mouth
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:27 PM

Well said those gents who told the knockers to bog off.

Just the kind of friendly attitude that will draw the doubters back to Sidmouth.

Add in a season ticket deliberately priced to keep all those dreadful poor people away.

With no Arena. No international dance sides. Almost certainly no Bulverton marquee.

And 'added value' in that even those with season tickets will have to pay extra for evening concerts at the Ham.

Pay more. Get less.

Sounds like a real winning formula to me.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 04:57 AM

Have a word with East Devon District Council and ask them why *they* aren't underwriting your enjoyment at cost to their ratepayers rather than complaining about the people who *are* doing something, at their own financial risk, to keep you entertained cheaply.

The season tickets are being priced cover costs (and keep the organisers out of the Marshalsea!). The Arena is too expensive and too risky to undertake without financial guarantees. No International dance sides? The programme isn't complete yet! No Bulverton Marquee? The Xmas Newsletter implies that there is - it gives directions to campsire by referencing it!

Complaining about the extra cost of the concerts at the Ham is a bit like complaining that you have to pay to go into the Empire, Leicester Square while there's free entertainment courtesy of the Mayor of London outside. If it's being organised separately from the rest of the festival you have to pay seperately.

Look, if you don't want to go then don't go. Just don't keep whingeing about it to everyone else.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Dave Earl
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 05:24 AM

Rumncoke.

Sorry you had problems with somkers in the Middle Bar.

What we ask is that nobody smokes in the singing area (we can't really impose restrictions on the pub as a whole).

As a smoker, what I did was to take myself off to the far end of the room or outside so as to keep my smoke away from the singing area. I am aware that some smokers were at the top of the steps and that there are a couple of pipe smokers in our happy crowd. I think it was probably walking into the initial fog that you found unpleasant.

Having explained all that I think you will find, as Lynne said,the singing area is a lot less smoky than it used to be but we can't impose our wishes on the public so there are always going to be non-singers at the bar who will want puff on their fags.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 05:28 AM

Given the responses that I got for supporting 2005, throughout the whole of last year, I had decided not to join this years discussion.

However, I can't resist making some comment on the fact that this thread has descended to personal abuse virtually from day one.

Look folks, everyone has an opinion and none is more valid than any other. Is it really necessary for us to slag off those who disagree with us? It doesn't change anything, and it doesn't inspire confidence in those who might be thinking about going to Sidmouth for the first time.

I shall be there, enjoying myself as in many past years. Those who find it not to their taste will choose alternatives. Let's concentrate on getting another successful festival under way, and leave the bickering to other threads........PLEASE.

To those using words like greed in relation to the organisers, I would point out that the current organisers are not a commercial organisation seeking profit. This year's festival is being built on the surplus monies from 2005, and, lacking financial upport from EDDC, it will take time to amass sufficient funds to cover the risks involved in arena shows, and expensive international acts. The precise length of this procedure will relate directly to the numbers of people attending in this interim period, so the more positive the support, the sooner it is likely to happen.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,froooty
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:19 AM

In starting a discussion on a public forum you have to take what you get good or bad. Its a no brainer.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Pauline
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 10:20 AM

I always thought the whole purpose of a season ticket was that it got you into everything.

If it doesn't get you into the main concerts then it's not a proper season ticket.

I am one of those who supported Sidmouth 2005 but requested a season ticket for 2006.

I'm pleased to see there is a season ticket but I'm extremely disappointed by the limitations being placed on it.

I want to support Sidmouth again in 2006 but only if there is an affordable season ticket that allows me access to all the shows I want to see.

Sort that out and I'll be there.

Otherwise I may go elsewhere.

Pauline

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Curious
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 07:31 PM

Does the season ticket include a dance with Lizzie or do we have to pay extra for that as well?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:13 PM

You could never afford me Curiouser and Curiouser. This would make a great Christmas Board Game you know..I think someone should market it! You could call it:

'Guess Who The Next Guest Is Going To Be Guesting As...Go On GUESS!'

Is 'Guest' actually your surname by the way? Because I reckon that your family could soon be bigger than The Waltons the way you're breeding on this thread!! I liked The Waltons....I think it's about time we had a new series called 'The Guests'..why...we could even set it in Sidmouth! ;0)

Night 'Curious'
Night 'Pauline'
Night 'JT'
Night 'Anon'
Night 'Frooty'
Night 'Sid'

Night 'Stevie Scarlett!'

A Merry, Mad Christmas and a Happy Muddling and Meddling New Year to all of you!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Curious
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 08:34 AM

"You could never afford me Curiouser and Curiouser"

Sadly Lizzie I can't afford a Sidmouth season ticket either at the new inflated prices!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 09:21 AM

Ah well...I've never been able to afford one either C...now or in the past....still enjoy the things that I can afford to see though.

Merry Christmas!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 11:21 AM

"I always thought the whole purpose of a season ticket was that it got you into everything."

The season ticket never got me into the cinema, unless the Festival was using it, nor into the late night sessions at the Balfour.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 07:27 PM

For me, a Season Ticket and camping works out a bit cheaper than Steve Heap used to charge and since I never go to evening concerts at the Ham - no problem. Looks like a good festival for people who want to participate instead of just watch.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Toblerone
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 09:00 PM

"Looks like a good festival for people who want to participate instead of just watch"

Yes. I don't know why we bother to have all these concerts at festivals nowadays.

Why not just have sessions instead where we can sing and play to each other without having to worry about attracting an audience.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 07:12 AM

But you don't need to stage a festival for this, Toblerone - one can have sessions anyway. And there are a number of "song and ale" type events around the country that would typically attract 200-300 participants.

A festival is more than sessions, more than concerts, more than ceilidhs and dance displays - it is all of those things, happening concurrently and providing synergies. Some examples:
- the "star performer" in town for a concert, who will join a singaround in his/her off-duty time, giving an opportunity to others to hear him/her without going to a concert.
- the ordinary (yet excellent) singaround singer or instrumentalist who will be heard by more recognised performers and agents.
- the unusual song or tune that will be heard in a session by recognised performers and agents, giving the song or tune a chance for a wider audience thatn just that one session.
- watching a dance display for a few minutes (even for someone who is not dance-oriented like me) feels good and adds to the spirit of the occasion

And so on. When you go to a festival you hope not just to catch a few performers or have the opportunity toi sing a few songs/play a few tunes yourself, but also to sample the general atmosphere, and perhaps see/hear something that is our of your ordinary experience, that might energise you.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 12:59 PM

Re: Your 1st sentence El Greko (with which I agree).

Why don't we all stop trying to pretend that Sidmouth is still a proper Folk Festival (or Folk week) and instead accept that it's now just a series of sessions.

Instead of still calling it 'Sidmouth Folk Week' why not call the event 'The Sidmouth Sessions'?

Sidmouth Sessions has a certain ring to it and more accurately reflects what now takes place in Sidmouth in early August.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Blowzabella
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 01:55 PM

Well, Guest 'The Devonian', from what I saw of the programme last year it still looked very much like a 'proper' folk festival (whatever that might be) - there was a huge variety of things going on - much more than just a series of sessions. Are you saying that no festival taking place in the country at all is a proper folk festival then? I would say there is more to a folk festival than big tents or arenas which hold 2,000+ people - I would much prefer a plethora of smaller venues, offering more choice and a variety of atmospheres,from intimate pub spots, to small theatres, via everything in between.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 02:39 PM

Last year's festival WAS somewhat a collection of separate events organised by different people or groups, during the same week of course but with no central organising group.

However Sidmouth 2006 DOES have central organisation - a proper limited company has been set up; there will be more co-ordination between the events and there will be season tickets to allow entry to all the events, except the Ham Marquee concerts as mentioned above.
(No, I don't know the details of how or why the Ham is separate, though I do know who's organising the concerts)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: fiddler
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 07:17 PM

Why doesn't everyone get off their high horses, Sidmouth is a festival, in various guises the oldest and probably the most emotive of all in England.

Wahy not accept what is being done as being a way forward - progress from last year.

If you like Sidmouth go, if you didn't last year then vote with your feet. Give these guys a chance I know they are putting their heart and soul in to it and all they get in the background is the same old grizzles and gripes.

Please Please enter the real world.

A new years resolution perhaps

I will not be stupid in my opinions and outbursts about Sidmouth 2006 but will accept the fact that the organisers have a plan and an aim and I will back them with action - buying tickets stewarding etc. if I agree but will merely inform them honestly and logically of my views if they differ from theirs and will accept that we are all different and therefore their decision may not be as I would wish.

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 07:44 PM

WELL SAID, FIDDLER.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 08:11 AM

"Sidmouth Sessions has a certain ring to it and more accurately reflects what now takes place in Sidmouth in early August"

If you were actually there in 2005, you certainly didn't get out much!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 10:09 AM

"If you were actually there in 2005, you certainly didn't get out much!"

Couldn't afford to given the inflated ticket prices!

And at the prices proposed for 2006 I can't afford to get out at all!

I used to love Sidmouth in August but we must all face the fact that other festivals give better value for money now.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: lady penelope
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 11:57 AM

I guess it really depends on what you expect from a festival....... If you're looking for something to fill in the odd bits around your sessions, then yes it's expensive. But if you get round and see a load of stuff with the odd session thrown in, you're looking at something far more reasonably priced.

Looking at what's been organised so far, Sidmouth looks like a festival I would enjoy. Unfortunately, I can't go because I can't afford to do Sidmouth and other festivals at about the same time.

When I first looked at the prices I nearly swallowed my tongue, but when you work out the daily costs, it's not that bad. It is a week long as opposed to the 3 or 4 days most other festivals are.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 02:08 PM

The Sidmouth Sessions - that's what I really fancy. One year or another I WILL get there for them.