Sidmouth 2010 comments??

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 04:44 PM

if you are inferring that I meant incontinent folk cats, you are way off base.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:13 PM

Best Sidmouth `Jan and I have had except for 2004. `Loads of great music everywhere you turned. `Prom music just wonderful, and an amazing assortment. ~Love the street performers (great stage patter, among other things.) Some really classic performances in the Middle Bar; above all for me was `'Bollocky Bill`. March to the Sea and singing in the sea a great kick--and well recorded, it appears--lots of videocameras.


Thanks so much to Glen Titmus for renting violins for the week--and to Leadfingers for putting me in touch with him.   `Having an instrument makes a huge difference in getting into pickup sessions on the prom and elsewhere. I was at one of `Leadfingers' dynamite sessions at the Newt, among lots of others.   Even got taken for a `Grappelli-style fiddler.   `I can live with that-to say the least.

Sorry I wasn't able to see the Wilsons, but at least heard them sing 4 or 5 at the York.

I'd really like the words to the `Gloom and `Doom parody of `'Athenry`' `9` (So why grow fields of f'--ing rye?)

Thanks to VTam for the great weather.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:17 PM

Guest above is Ron Davies, still in UK--but not for long. Wish I could take this weather--and music--- home.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:26 PM

As I lay in my bed in the morning,
Monday morning, five past nine,
Should I stay here or get up without warning,
Hit that workshop oh so fine.
Well I charged out the house with no word of Farewell
My toast and cup of tea left behind
Tho' my ma-in-law and husband thought that I was really unkind
I made it to the Rugby Club on time....

OK well nearly, and what a great week I had at John Kirkpatrick's Big Band workshop
(Apologies to Tom Paxton for that).
Then from Tuesday were the Carols in August workshops with Ian Russell: I went every day, and felt quite bereft on Friday when there wan't one.
Managed to get to most of the concerts: very little to disappoint there, other than not really liking a couple of the support bands, but I suppose that's all a matter of taste: by the time I'd heard them and had the first interval that was an hour wasted.

My biggest bugbear was making several of the evening concerts a "game of three halves": as it seems to be the norm in folk concerts for people to come and go as they please when they need the loo or the bar, I didn't really see the need for having two intervals: it just prolonged the evening unnecessarily, and so on more than one night I did not stay until the end, whereas I might have done had the concert had only one interval. Having two breaks also runs the risk of losing any good atmosphere built up so far.The exception to that might have been the Show of Hands night when it was extraordinarily hot, and the band might well have needed a cold shower and some rehydration halfway through, especially in the light of Phil's recent health scare. I have included comments to this effect in my feedback form.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:45 PM

Ron D - you omitted to mention that the superlative performance of Bollocky Bill last Thursday was delivered by a couple of septuagenarians.....

The effing rye song at the DG&D was performed by Alan Twelftree of Wessex Morris, who is also a caller ... fortunately, the lady who assaulted Richard T-W and attempted to halt his performance of a different parody of Fields of Athenrye in the Anchor wasn't present at the DG&D!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Johnny J
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 06:02 PM

Delighted to hear that your singing festival was another great success.
I'll need to get down there sometime myself.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Girl Friday
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 06:10 AM

Kitty's posting: "My understanding is that the Middle Bar t-shirts were a limited edition organised by Cllr for the Boston Song and Single Malt contingent .... to keep in touch with the Middle Bar Singers and for info about possible future t-shirt issues, I suggest contacting [e-mail] . "
I tried to put the above into my Yahoo address book, but it doesn't like the format.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,Fancy
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 08:02 AM

I don't buy a season ticket any more, Last time I had one I did not get anything like full value, and anyway I objected to having to pay extra for the concerts in the Ham marquee, so I spent most of my lunch times and evenings in the volunteer, which was great, good singing at lunchtime and great mucicians and singers in the evening(plus they were open until midnight) Great energy from some top class musicians. I went to a couple of concerts in the arts centre (what a sterile Venue that is) and a couple in the Bedford and the Woodlands respectively and enjoyed them all. If I come back next year (I have been coming since the early 80's) it will probably not be for the whole week, what I enjoy most is meeting old friends and chewing the fat with them.

Fancy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Mavs82
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 11:24 AM

Mr. Red,

Firstly, couldn't you change your name to Mr. Angry?

Secondly, "I thank you by: being there
advertising it (unbidden) on several pages on..."

What a load of rubbish. Do you patronise a shop in thanks of it being there? No, you patronise a shop because you have need of it's products. You patronise a festival for the personal benefits you gain from attendance whether that is Dancing, Singing, Drinking, Socialising, Concerts or a combination of them all.

Secondly, don't claim to 'advertise' the festival, all you do is bitch, moan and whine like a child! If all I knew of Sidmouth Folk Week was what you have written I would NEVER attend. However, I know enough about the Festival and about you to take everything you say with a large pinch of salt because moaning is all you ever do.

Enjoy the personal benefits you receive from the festival and if you have constructive criticisms, make them to the fesival management direct in the manner requested of us all.

I'm sorry to anyone offended by this rant but I am fed up with Mr.Red badmouthing a Festival he claims to enjoy. Now I'm off to carry on organising my own festival, which requires massive effort and is significantly smaller!!

Finally, congratulations to ALL staff and stewards for a wonderful Sidmouth Folk Week 2010 - see you in 2011!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: MBSLynne
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 01:34 PM

Oh-oh...it's deteriorating again. This is where I leave. Byeee

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 03:26 PM

Girl Friday - I'll check out the Middle Bar contact info problem!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 03:43 PM

Well I thought the whole thing was brilliant and I mean to tell the organisers so.
I have just completed my feed back form and it is in addressed envelope awaiting stamp.

it is capped off with "Well done and huzzah to the festival organisers, artists, stewards and the town of Sidmouth for making this such a wonderful experience. Yay you!"

I now anticipate the next Sidmouth folk week like a child does Christmas. Like it said in the Sidmouth email I just received, only 51 more weeks to go! Woohoo!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,guest - watcher
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 04:01 PM

It is significant that the initial criticisms in this thread by Mr Red were about the dance side of the festival, but the positive comments that followed were about hte concerts, fringe and sessions.

I agree with Mr Red it was dumb to have the Monday ceilidh finish at 9.30 - in previous years it was a family ceilidh on until 11pm. Parents are capable of deciding when our kids should go to bed, and at 9.30 it is too late to go to a concert and we can't take kids into a pub session.
Incidently why were all the Blackmore ceilidhs finished at 10.30 instead of 11 as in previous years, and why have "nuceilidhs" (described as challenging) unless it meant experts only - not very inclusive.
Last year in Blackmore there were adfternoon dance displays and teatime meet the team sessions, much less this year.
Overall the dance side of the festival was poor compared to the last 2-3 years. Has there been a change of organisers, a change of policy to downgrade dance, or what?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 04:32 PM

Tam - I remember my first Sidmouths, and it was, absolutely, a matter of counting the 51 weeks till the next one, so glad to hear you feel the same way too!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 04:11 AM

Girl Friday - I understand that the address I gave for the Middle Bar Singers can only be used by existing members, and that messages to that address go to all members. The address to become a member is middlebar-owner (at)yahoogroups.com (address paraphrased to deter spam....)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: MBSLynne
Date: 13 Aug 10 - 04:23 AM

VT, I remember my first Sidmouth too, and I remember sitting on the pavement outside the Anchor crying on the Friday night because I thought I'd never be able to repeat such a brilliant week. Now nearly 30 years later, I'm still doing it!

There's always the Middle Bar Reunion in February to keep you 'topped up'.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Ron Davies
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 06:57 PM

Kitty--

How would I get in touch with Alan Twelftree about that song?   Should I PM you?

Thanks,

Ron

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Ralphie
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 01:37 AM

Folk not Folky
www.xtranormal.com

I think this says it all.
I had an exceptopnally good time.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: fisheye
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 01:06 PM

you hear that Sidmouth is a festival that you must experienc., Now I have i can certainly accept what I have heard about it.
Marshalling may have it's draw backs to the fringe enjoyment, however,the rewards cirtainly out way any of them. My name will be down again for next, marshalling again asap.
I did not take many pics of the artists but did enjoy the carnival procession at the end. Some of the pics are on Facebook.
Next year with the right requests I hope I will get more involved with pics.
fisheye

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 01:10 PM

Ron D - I've PM'd you!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,folkiedave
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 01:41 PM

Would you be kind enough to post a link to the Facebook pictures?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 04:36 PM

Hi Dave...Will link to them via my profile page shortly!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 05:45 PM

Which pics were you after Dave??

Subject: RE: Sidmood.outh 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 06:45 PM

Alan Coles are pretty good.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 06:51 PM

That's right - Alan's...

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 04:27 AM

Here you go



Alan Cole's Sidmouth 2010 photographs

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: GUEST,Houston_Diamond
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 05:28 AM

I can't remember Sidmouth, I have photo evidence I was there though and I lost my voice for a while so I'm guessing I was noisy.

I think I must've had a fantastic time then :)

Houston

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2010 comments??
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 06:41 PM

Some comments are now loaded on Sidmouth's SeeRed website - they've been through several drafts and discussions locally and are now available on the web. start at page 139 and onwards to page 153.

Constructive ideas and further comments welcomed.

link here for 2010 pages: http://www.seered.co.uk/folk139.htm