Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale

Subject: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: GUEST,Growler at Work
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 01:21 PM

Dear All
Weekends for this year
May 1st to 4th Sweeps
July 25th/26th Summer Beer
September 26th/27th Dal and Simon's Birthday
December 19th/20th   Wassail
   All Welcome

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:27 PM

What's "Sweeps"?

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:31 PM

Rochester Sweeps Festival. The largest street folk dance festival in Europe.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:38 PM

Rochester Sweeps festival is wall to wall Morris bonanza on the High Street on the May Day Weekend in Rochester Kent.   Day and evening sing around sessions (various venues, days and times), couple of live stages and some electric music in different pubs. Concert this year is Kate Rusby in the Cathedral. I think there is a fair/mop or something like in the Castle Grounds too.

I would post a link to the Medway Council brochure but it is usually not published until about 2 weeks prior to event.

Hey Growler - Is the GI still Morris headquaters for this year's Sweeps? If so that is going to make the sessions wilder than ever.

We plan to attend all except the Summer Beer. Will be travelling back from Scotland.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:39 PM

whoa the RB beat me to it.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: melodeonboy
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 05:30 PM

Ah, Rocester! That history city on the banks of the Medway, near Catam and Gillingam!

(Or Rochester, as most of us call it!)

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: GUEST,Girl Friday
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 05:39 PM

I downloaded a Sweeps Festival programme from Medway. It wasn't easy to find, but I persevered. There seems to be no Folk Factor this year.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: The Barden of England
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 05:40 PM

Here you go then. The proramme in all its glory for 2009:-

http://www.medway.gov.uk/sweeps2009_new2_lr.pdf

John Barden

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: The Barden of England
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 05:46 PM

But - of course the only place to be during Sweeps, and the other dates metioned earleir on is - THE GOOD INTENT
John Barden

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 05:47 PM

Rocester's where JCBs come from, I think? (Different county, no "h"),

Kitty

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 06:23 PM

Hi Tam I am told it is. But we shall see. It will be wild enough anyway

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 07:11 PM

Wot, no Folk Factor? Was I too rude about that piano player (or TDL)?

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:41 PM

Wow! The Sweeps programme is early this year? Amazing. Ironically now that I don't need it, as I know I will be at the GI. And at the GI and at the GI. With maybe one little side trip to the GI.

Well actually we plan to be there Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday afternoon and maybe Sunday evening.

Is the Saturday afternoon session only 2 hours? It seemed longer last year.

Wish we could come Friday night as well, but already made plans to provide lift to one person and to meet 2 others on Saturday. Don't know if I could get accommodation for Friday night this late in the game anyway.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:46 PM

Tam With JB, Saturday goes on 'till people fall over, usually, the last is John

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: The Barden of England
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:53 PM

Growler's correct Tam - the programme says one thing, the actuallity is another. Sunday on the other hand often involves Gastove with invited mike spots, from about 3pm to 8pm so the mid-day session gets a bit curtailed.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:58 PM

wooteriffic

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 05:30 PM

I believe the programme for Sweeps at The good Intent is:-
Friday 1st May, Sing around with Ruff'n'Reddy from 8.00pm
Saturday 2nd May with John Barden, ( Taking bets when that one    finishes )
Sunday John Barden Singaround from one ish
         Gastove Bands from 3.00pm
Monday Singaround with Ruff'n'Reddy, till whenever

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 06:42 PM

Wonder why John doesn't fall down - - - well, Weebles wobble...

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:15 PM

Hi Richard, he always keeps upright, but it's everyone else that runs out of steam

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:49 PM

VT,
Every things Early this Year. Ive gone and Got Bloody Frog Spawn on me pond already (.March)
25 years of gardening never known that. Mother natures going through P.M.T.s.I Imagine. Please note I am talking about Mother Nature not Women GYNO in General
In regards to the one time Statement that, !! Nothing is safe till end of May.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:59 PM

Hi folks
One cannot purchase Weebles any more so Do as I do,
1) and half blow an Egg.
Hard boil the other half Paint a face and away you go.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 05:35 PM

Pete, get a babysitter for your frog spawn, and get your arse down to Sweeps

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 08:16 PM

Leave the rest in London, he only wants that bit - all those years in a certain quasi-military service you know....

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 05:52 AM

Thought for the day
If it was not for Frog-spawn there wouldn't be a Rochester Sweeps.
has for a Babysitter bugger that.
They are all going down to Greenwich for a swim in the Themes. You never know they might all end up in Rochester or worse still In RBs back garden for the next flood session........................ We can all do the Frog Song.
Dom Dom Dom. La Ha Dom Dom Dom Laha

Seriously folks I have been told you can spend the entire Sweeps weekend in the Good Intent
which is all very well.
I know they have a excellent Beer tent . and dancers singers musicians, guests. I am gonna
book myself in at Andys B&B next week for the full four days. When I am on my way back from picking up my Ovation and Tanglewood from Chatham.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: melodeonboy
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 11:18 AM

Are those the ones that have "chav" inscribed on the fingerboards in tortoise shell?

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Chatham_Girl
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 01:56 PM

:-O

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 02:40 PM

Is the GI still set to be the Morris HQ during the Sweeps?

Hi Chatham Girl. Have we met?

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 03:11 PM

' Are those the ones that have "Chav" inscribed on the fingerboards in Tortoise Shell ?

I wouldn't know Melodeonboy, I really have no idea. I myself much prefer a decent Tanglewood to a bloody Fender any-day.

Now I wonder if the great folk on this site can help is there a decent camp site in Rochester.
within staggering distance of the Good Intent.

My Polish friend wants to camp instead of B&B.
Myself I think she needs her brains tested ? but thats up to her? I never camp this early in the year......................................"Nothings safe until the end of May.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 03:28 PM

I asked this last year. I believe the answer was the only campsite (only during Sweeps) is on the grammar school grounds and that is only available to Morris Sides. I think Richard Bridge told me that.

Can't wait for Chris to retire little over 6 years, so we can move to Rochester (or thereabouts). We hope to buy a house that has some crash space for friends.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 03:39 PM

There is no legitimate useful campsite. Howver there is some land off Cory's lane that you might get away with fly-pitching on after dark, particularly if you find a dark corner out of sight. Don't blame me if you get nicked.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 04:55 PM

VT / Richard thanks very much for the above advice.

But the above sounds to me a complete
Par-larva. I may camp at Knockholt on the Tuesday night alone but satisfied that my tent + belongings will still be there when I stagger back up Stonings Lane from the Tally Ho. gone midnight

Oh she wont blame you Richard for getting nicked. Oh No She,ll blame me without doubt.

But the thought of prowling around in the dark trying to pitch a tent in some Dark shadow does not appeal to me and hopefully after reading this will have the same effect with Polish Bird.
She will want to know where the nearest Cave is next.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 07:17 PM

There are Napoleonic forts overlooking the Borstal area, but I think they were sold to nutters who wanted to build private dwellings in them. There is Fort Amhurst.

If you have a dingy with an outboard there is Dead Man's Island for tenting, but be careful of the currents.

THere is some scrub land the Strood side of the river, behind Morgan's timberyard and past the moorings - and if you pitch under the trees you might stay hidden for the duration, but I would not fancy your chances of staggering there from the GI without putting your foot in something - possibly the Medway.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Betsy
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 09:12 PM

Ah!!!!!! Strood - I remember it well when I was in digs , whilst working on the Isle of Grain cica 1970.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:59 AM

Indeed Richard those forts on the Medway.

One is owned by Jim Gardener of Caterham. He also owns Chislehurst Caves in Kent. Which is where my Polish friend works.
I worked down Chislehurst caves for 25 years prior to going to The War Museum.

I am very sensible when pissed I stay well clear of rivers . Drink and drink do not mix well
The Medway is a sod of a river to navigate on a boat let alone swim. The currents are lethal. I have Canoed the Medway several times in the past and consider it more Dangerous then the Themes and thats a killer too.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 07:32 AM

To state a fact The Medway has more Eddies, Whirlpools under flows and over flows then most rivers. It has more big currents and under current then my Nans Spotted Dick.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:16 PM

I don't know any Eddies in Medway

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:46 PM

Yes you do, Eddie White, danced with the 'Oppers until his knee got unscrewed by a chav at Cambridge folk fest about 20 years ago.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:03 PM

As Richard is aware, Inormally try to have an operation just before Sweep and he has acted as my milkman, delivering 4 pints per day.This year is no exception, having failed to put the non-slip mat in the bath,when I took a shower, I did a creditable Superman impression and landed with my foot in the toilet, tearing the ligaments. But I will be there

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 07:00 PM

I think I'd better change my name to "Ernie" (have you seen the way I treat the Volvos?)

I recommend lavatories instead, at least the philology would be impeccable.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 11:00 AM

Richard Ironically my last Tunnels under Rochester Thread mentions scrap Volvos. How Bazaar. Re mining rubbish.

I done that once Growler I was a bit drunk and broke two teeth on the Hot tap.
all the best.
Pierre.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 11:45 AM

Thanks Pete
If I been drunk, I probably wouldn't have hurt myself

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 03:24 PM

oh dear sickness and injuries. it's an epidemic.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: melodeonboy
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 03:48 AM

I think in Growler's case it could be a PAN-demic! (geddit?)

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: growler
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 06:05 AM

No, it was more like Flu

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 05:43 PM

Mister Dillon, Mister Dillon...

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 10:28 AM

I have all four days off I wonder if the Good Intent does B&B ?
Now that would be extremely handy. Or if I bring a little tent I could pitch in the very far corner of the Beer Garden and guard The Beer Tent like .

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 10:31 AM

sorry about that a slip of the thumb,
Yes has I was saying like I did at Otford They can trust me I wouldnt touch nothing.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 11:53 AM

There are some very iffy woods the other end of Upnor past the Yacht club - I really doubt if anyone would find you there if you pitched a little camouflaged bivvy. There is a legal right of way (footpath) through the yacht club but most people go along the beach past the Yacht Club and the boathouse and then climb into the woods. Warning - there is 2 feet of water on the beach at spring high tides. Don't fall in while pissed. I know some people who lived behind the boathouse in an asbestos shack for a year - we called it the Blair Witch Project.

The woods near the KA are I think all MoD, and I don't know how long you would remain undiscovered, even in a little camo bivvy.

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 02:31 PM

Er... how's he going to get from Rochester to Upnor? And why?

And why wouldn't you stay at Andy's again, Pierre?

Is it just me or is every thread realting to North Kent activites becoming more than a little confusing? Perhaps we're just having too much fun and overwhelmed by the plethora of events!

Subject: RE: Good Intent Rocester UK, Folk and Ale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 03:02 PM

Pete

Greystones B&B is near and a bit dear. Single rooms are not too expensive. They are not overly generous with the breakfast bit, but the rooms are nice. It is just a stumble up Watts Avenue, from the GI.