Sidmouth - was it good for you?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Reglr
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 09:36 PM

The sax & Guitar players on the front made up the nucleus of the youthful,brassy 5/6 piece jazz band outside Dukes on the last night-they played rockish jazz,plenty of improvisation,very competent.The Dukes forecourt & the path outstide were jam-packed with The General Public and young'uns-I was surprised that repetoire would pull such a crowd.

Did anybody catch their name?

Thanks. Reg.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Malcolm
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 01:03 PM

I didn't mind most of the traders, many added to the atmosphere - the tattoo merchants, hat vendors etc. Not sure about the bloke selling window cleaning magnets, though.
There was a jazz band playing on Sunday, they were so loud that they effectively took up three or four pitches. Funnily enough, even when they had to turn off their amp (bass guitar) their sax player was just as bl**dy loud.
The Indian pipe players are semi professional - they can often be seen in Poole High St playing- and while I don't grudge them earning a living (if that IS what they're doing) I don't think an English folk festival is the place to do it.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 12:00 PM

Any booking agents out there? For next year....how about the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (aye the Scottish ones, not the Peppers). Just saw them in Dundee at the weekend, great spectacular act, loadsa noise, award-winning musicians. But is Sidmouth/England ready for them yet?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Susan B
Date: 29 Sep 07 - 08:01 AM

"there's a difference in creating the by-law and enforcing the same by-law, the will to enforce needs to be there, and therein lies the problem"

True - I asked a policeman why they were not enforcing the "no amplified music" bit and he implied that they were going easy on performers during festival week as they didn't want to spoil the atmosphere. When I said that mostly the amplified groups were not generally part of the festival he was surprised, but said that he couldn't tell the difference between different perfomers anyway. It might be worth the festival organisers discussing this aspect with the police?

Susan B

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 03:29 PM

Simple answer not good - bloody fantastic.

And bfdk did a Danish translation for my site - apparently (blame Babelfish) I had described a jam session as "marmalade" - well I'll take the laughs from wherever they come from.
Thanks Bente - see ya next year.

Joy is pecilling-in - with ink! - the whole week. Oh my aching feet.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Crazy_Man_Michael
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 03:24 PM

there's a difference in creating the by-law and enforcing the same by-law, the will to enforce needs to be there, and therein lies the problem

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: bfdk
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 02:37 PM

Dunno, Michael. I saw several signs in Sidmouth saying exactly that - no amplified music in the streets. Didn't prevent it entirely from happening, though.

Yes, Teribus, the weather was entirely different from what we had to make do with at Skagen. But then, Skagen had the good weather last year..

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Crazy_Man_Michael
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 02:32 PM

:It could DEFINITELY put a stop to the amplification:

there are many places that have prohibited buskers using amplification, that alone would help.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Teribus
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 10:46 AM

Looks like everybody had a great time - the weather was certainly better than at Skagen Bente, thanks for sharing the photos with us.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 04:00 AM

The local authority could quite easily impose a limit on the number of traders, licenced or otherwise, like wise the number of buskers. It could DEFINITELY put a stop to the amplification.
All they need to do is utter the magic words "Health and Safety". It certainly seems to put a stop to a lot of things, both desirable and undesirable!
Giok

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 05:25 PM

Bente - sorry, yes, Chris was 191 (looks like I couldn't read my own writing from my notes...)

Anyway, Sidmouth was good for me! And I expect to be back next year.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Fidjit
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 04:48 PM

Yes my bacon butty friend. I know, but they are for Ocean going liners. Not dancing feet.

How are you keeping?

Chaa

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Crazy_Man_Michael
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 04:17 PM

:Surely the local authorities have powers to curb any, what they would consider to be, un-desirable trading?:

First of all you have to have more or less clear definition of un-desirable trading, one that everyone's going to be more or less happy with. Then you can proceed.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 01:18 PM

Chas, I thought you already had a plentiful supply of fjords - no need to come and nick one of ours!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Fidjit
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 11:39 AM

Ah! Where's my diary and map of Sidmouth for the ford?

Chas

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: bfdk
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 10:24 AM

So, Chas, you'll just have to make sure not to be there - just like I intend to next year :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: The Barden of England
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 09:51 AM

And it doesn't happen on the last friday of course ;-)

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: fiddler
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 08:11 AM

But there is no Ceilidh in the Ford - how many times have I never managed to get to teh event that never happens!

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Fidjit
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 05:26 AM

Never been, but after looking at Bente's photo's I'll see if I can make it in 2008. Even if it's just for the Celidh in the Ford.

I'll bring my car.

Chas

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: bfdk
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 04:58 AM

I've updated with the names put forward by others, only I'm in doubt about this one:

Herga Kitty: "No 141 is Chris (from the Middle Bar)". Can't find that number, do you mean 191??

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 27 Sep 07 - 03:56 AM

Have you read Mark Austin's earlier message? It explains why the situation is so difficult for the local authorities. These people are licenced; the problem is with the way the licencing works. If licences could only be issued locally there would be a ready-made means of controlling the trading; as it is, they can't.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 08:53 PM

Mark Austin.

Surely the local authorities have powers to curb any, what they would consider to be, un-desirable trading?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Declan
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 08:10 PM

While I enjoyed Sidmouth immensly, whether it was good for me is a different question. All that Otter and Exemoor bitter, to mention but a couple. has probably done my liver serious damage. And playing music into the wee small hours every night for 8 days is probably damaging to the health as well.

I'm looking forward to 2008 already, although I probably won't get there until Monday beacuse the dates clash with Cambridge again next year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: MarkAustin
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 12:13 PM

GUEST,Jim Martin said "Surely, if the local authority/ies had a mind to, the solution could be very simple?"

What is your simple solution?

Mark Austin

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 08:53 AM

Bente - nice pics, and I've posted the link to the MBS newsgroup. No 141 is Chris (from the Middle Bar) and 200 is Ken Langsbury (with Roger Grimes and Jen Spencer, I think - they sing together as Roger Jenkens).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GRex
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 04:36 AM

Many thanks for posting the photos BDFK. Couldn't make it to Sidmouth myself this year and the pics show me what I have missed.    Number 184 is Pete Luscombe.      
       GRex

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 01:01 AM

Bente.
Nice pics, Congratulations.
No 37 is Ed Rennie Melodeon, Me, Concertina, Pierce Butler, Drums
No 38 is Trevor Bennett, Trombone, Alan Rawlinson, Sousaphone
Housewives Choice Anchor Gardens Sunday.
Cheers Ralphie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 12:14 AM

Surely, if the local authority/ies had a mind to, the solution could be very simple?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: MarkAustin
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 05:06 PM

There've been some comments about the non-festival buskers and the traders on the front. I raised this with the organisers at the feedback meeting, and basically the problems are that the traders all have peddler's licences. These can be got (more or less on demand) from your local police and are valid over the entire country. They are NOT licenced, encouraged or organised by the festival. Because I was on the collecting team, I spoke to a lot of people and know that there is a perception that they are in some way organised by the festival, so if anyone says this can you correct them. Peddlers licences allow people to do mobile trading: their stalls must be movable on demand and, in theory, they should be moving around during the day. In practice, the law is vague enough that the semi-fixed stalls on the front may be legal, and would not attract a substantial penalty even if they were charged with illegal trading and found guilty. Also, if the police *did* take action, every one they picked up would take 2-4 policemen off the streets for most of the day. Given the numbers of traders, you can see why the police take no action. A similar situation applies to the amplified muisicians. They did make some contribution to the festival: one of our team toured them every day, and collected about UKP50 from them (in total) each day. Not much, but something. Even the traders admit there are probably too many (though none want to be the ones to go). I did suggest (at the meeting) that areas be blocked off for musicians/dancers, but this raises a legal question in that the Festival would become legally responsible: thus needing stewarding, H&S evaluation, insurance etc, etc, etc. The Festival and Council are well aware of the problem, but solutions are not easy.

Nark Austin

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 02:48 PM

Thanks for posting the photos bfdk. Sadly, as I don't have broadband yet, it takes too long for them to load to look at many, but I've had a chance to dip, and to find faces for some names!! Even found one event that I'd been to, as well :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Susan B
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 02:14 PM

Didn't get round to posting on this when it was more active, but thought I would add a few comments on things that haven't been discussed before (unless I have missed them). There have been so many comments on the things that I *did* enjoy at the festival that I'm not going to repeat them. So don't take it that I am knocking the festival as a whole when I give more negative thoughts.

Re noisy field v. quiet field. We were definitely told that the left hand field as you came in was supposed to be the quiet field and, as such, thought it might be worth the organisers putting the tent used as a late night session tent in the other one! Ear plugs are wonderful things though.

Facilities for disabled people - the organisers seem not to know that under the Disability Discrimination Act they have a duty to take practical and reasonable steps to overcome discrimination. There seemed to be an assumption that disabled people will be elderly, not want to join in with any dancing, and won't mind if they can only access a few venues. This could then become a self-fulfilling prophecy! Info on venues in the programme was very hit and miss. We emailed the Festival as soon as we found that our daughter was going to need to use a wheelchair, but never had any reply to our queries and only had a very dismissive response (from the Tourist info office?) when we phoned the info line. In the actual week we reached someone much more helpful, but it was rather late to put some things in place.

Needing disabled access we hadn't much choice about where we could camp and the area reserved for "disabled" was almost the most sloping and uneven that there was! We moved to the caravan row, but it was still not as level as the areas along the top edge of the field, which were all taken. And, disabled people do need to wash sometime during the week! Particularly young, sweaty campers! The disabled toilet had no washing facilities in it. Luckily we could get my daughter up into the showers as she can still walk a bit, but next year maybe not. And it would have been a fairly simple task to provide a ramp to one of the shower units.

The buses were great - they are the only reason why we continue to camp on the Festival site. They allow freedom for everyone in the family to get around independently and all get back for supper together. They must reduce congestion in the town considerably and I, for one, am happy to pay my £20 a week. Using the car would be a lot less convenient and more expensive in parking fees. And a big thank-you to the bloke who removed the wheelchair-and-pushchair-obstructing-bar in the middle of the doorway!

I notice in the comments about younger folkies and older ones that no-one has mentioned the age segregation that appears to be encouraged by the "Bulverton only" tickets (which were the only student concession tickets, I think). My daughter (the mad one with pink hair and a wheelchair) and a friend were just under the 18 years age limit this year, so were able to go to anything that appealed, but said that there was no way that they want the "Bulverton only" option next year. They found the Bulverton events in the evenings boring because they were disco type things, and some others they spoke to said that they were only hanging out there because they couldn't afford the Gold tickets.

RE amplified music on the prom - did anyone else notice that the music of the panpipe "player" didn't always stop when he took his mouth away from the pan pipes! And people were still giving him money! It would be much better for the festival if the police did enforce the "no amplified music" bit. I was playing happily on the front one day and then got drowned out by an amplified group that set up really close. And most of the amplified lot couldn't care two hoots for the festival; it's just seen as a cash opportunity - they migrate to anywhere there will be a lot of people and they are crowding out the folk musicians.

Andy says to send comments to Sidmouth, which I did, but it would be nice if our comments were acknowledged in some way. I went to the link provided further up, but couldn't see any of my comments represented. As it is, sadly, I don't even know if my comments have got through to those who need to read them. We want to come next year, but need to know if we will be able to manage, without making my daughter feel like a second class citizen.

And, lastly, I have offered to help if the organisation needs any advice on reasonable, practical solutions to disability access. So, I'm not being negative without offering to do something about it!

Susan B

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 12:29 PM

mea culpa

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: bfdk
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 12:22 PM

Ooops, sorry about that, it's hopefully been corrected by now (I tried, at any rate). I got the name from someone, obviously, but I think I'd better have the guts to say "any mistakes are on me", hadn't I? ;-)

For that particular photo I had "doomesdaylady" as working title, so now you can see which one you prefer :o))

Yes, I definitely hope I'll get the chance to go back there next year, I had a great time. And we could do with a bit of that sunny weather around here at present, the weather's turned downright nasty..

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 11:51 AM

Great stuff, Bente: you had me right back there for a while! And now I know who YOU are !
However, it's not Drumshanty in pic m 167, but me, Tattie Bogle! Drumshanty has never been to Sidmouth. Maybe Giok got us mixed up as we were going to go the Scottish Mudcatters' gathering together (now regret we can't).
Hope to see you again next year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: bfdk
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 09:55 AM

At long last I got my photos sorted and made ready to go online. Sorry about the delay but here are my photos from this year's Sidmouth.

There are a good many people for whom I don't know the names, any additional naming of the various "suspects" will be added as I get the time.

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Alice Bluegown
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 04:49 PM

Yes, it was great. And Sid's Mouth is just the best!!

A.B.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 04:50 PM

Come to the Wareham Wail again Sal, and you can tell them in person!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,ms lemon
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 08:39 AM

Btw...
The organisers of Sidmouth could really do with contacting Allan and Sandra Surtees with regards to setting out a campsite. shrewsbury Festival's site was wonderful.

sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,ms lemon
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 08:37 AM

Gardener: that's very interesting about the grass being dead. The smell coming from under that carpet was not nice! Now we know what was happening maybe?

Sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST,Gardener
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 08:30 AM

'ere, who killed all the grass in Blackmore Gardens? Where you parked the craft tent is a sea of brown earth with not a blade of grass to see even now. Next year can you please use something that doesn't kill the lawn.

Ta

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 07 - 06:34 PM

Nice lyrics, Kitty. Although I was so shocked to find the Theatre Bar singrounds missing from the Working Programme I nearly didn't come to the Festival, in the end I thought the Faulkener was a more than adequate alternative. Thanks for keeping them going even though you weren't given a ticket. Let's hope our lobbying restores your official status next year.

I did miss being able to have my lunch at the same time - the home-cooked meals in the TB used to be very good. Was it because not many people ordered food and drink that the sessions were evicted?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Aug 07 - 12:12 PM

Idris won the DG&D with a song about a most unfortunate person, and scored 109 points. Mine was second with 102 points. Stephen Snow came third with the Sick Note. No-one came up with a song about the Napoli or the floods.

One contestant was given nul points by one of the new judges because he declaimed a story instead of singing a song. The rules will need to be clarified and more clearly publicised in advance next year - I don't think Alan Bond would have insisted that the entry be sung rather than declaimed.

Kitty

PS My song was about displacement and absent friends:-

I went to the Theatre Bar, last year it was heaving
Every singer was a star, but they forced us to go

Now I'm in the Faulkner Bar, but my heart is still grieving
To the fringe cast afar, with no ticket to show

And the Doveites lament for the pub that is gone
They sit outside the Anchor, so sad and forlorn
And where in the wide world is a pub to compare
With the metaphysical concept on the t-shirts they wear

Broken-hearted I'll wander, broken-hearted I'll remain
For the loss of my true Dove, I'll never drink in again

When the DGD is over, oh, where will we go
To dry up our salt tears for an hour or so
When the points are all counted, and we know who has won
Will we seek consolation in a room of the Swan…?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Bob TB
Date: 25 Aug 07 - 04:38 AM

Dave - Lynne is correct. Idris won DGD. Given the number of winners who have sadly passed away over the years I'm not sure a second win is a good thing. Kitty close behind with a song about the death of your beloved bird.

We were a little concerned that people are taking DGD too seriously. The spirit of the event is perhaps summed up by the memory of Lynne's brother singing a very depressing song about traffic lights and having the audience struggling to suppress laughter and retain their composure. It was a depressing song though.

(For those not in the know, Doom Gloom and Despondency is a fringe event started by the late Alan Bond almost 20 years old. There's a lovely prize for most depressing song. Anyone not behaving with suitable decorum, e.g. smiling, will be evicted. )

Bob

P.S. There are other pubs in Sidmouth, you know.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 10:01 AM

Reunion weekend is 22nd-24th Feb: sorry can't make it: will be supporting Scotland v Ireland in Dublin: we did beat 'em on the glorious 11th too!
Here's a clip of the Exmouth Shantymen in the Middle Bar, verse 394 of Bold Riley, I believe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcGJq1VSk1s

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 09:53 AM

'Sright, and a young lad got third with "Paddy's Sick Note": these 3 were the only ones who really got the black humour idea.
For my sins of last year I put in the coffin a black sack containing a miniature scroll with the words of the "Sack 'em Up Boys" song about Burke and Hare, the Edinburgh body-snatchers, suitably tied with BLACK watch tartan ribbon.

THE SACK 'EM UP BOYS
Chorus
Up the Close and doon the stair,
But and ben wi' Burke and hare,
Burke's the butcher, Hare's the thief,
Knox the boy who buys the beef.

Hurry doon the Castle Wynd,
Look before and look behind,
There they wait tae tak yer life
And sell ye fur the surgeon's knife….

Auld or young or dark or fair,
It maks na mind tae Burke and Hare,
While Dr Knox peys oot the tin,
They'll sack 'em up and bring them in…

Reekie's rows are dark and drear,
Reekie's vennels reek wi' fear,
Mind yersel gaun doon the stair,
Fur fear ye meet wi' Burke and Hare…

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 08:16 AM

I believe Idris won DG&D with Kitty second, but I'm sure she'll post with the details before long.

I wore my metaphysical Dove T-shirt. It seemed appropriate.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 07:52 AM

P.S.
When's the MBS Reunion?
Dave B.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 07:50 AM

Gutted!
Change of bird, at my age! They can break your arm, you know.
Who won the DG&D?
Will I be seeing any of you at Bromyard.
Still Gutted!
"She'd a voice like a Nightingale skin like a Dove..."

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 24 Aug 07 - 04:37 AM

Giok, good silage with the right bacteria smells like rich fruit cake and actually makes my mouth water. It's the stuff with the wrong sort of bacteria that stinks. (You might have known I'd pop up when you mentioned cows!)

Someone told me that Malcolm Burrows campsite on the golf course at Salcombe is closed. That's where we used to go and it was great and not very expensive. Anyone know if it's true?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth - was it good for you?
From: Rumncoke
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 07:47 PM

yes, great video, and I recognise some of the usual suspects from the Hosepipe Banned at the ford - unfortunatly I had to be elsewhere at three o'clock - but there seemed to be sufficient percusion at the riverside.

I'm the drummer of the female persuasion, with the red drum. I sing a bit so can't get to all the Herbaceous Border sessions, however, I turn up whenever I can, for as long as I can.