Bromyard anyone?

Subject: Bromyard anyone?
From: quantock
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 11:13 AM

Jenny and I will be at Bromyard this year. We wondered who else is going. Also, last time we went in 2008, there was a wonderful session in the Hop Pole on the Friday night. Apparently, the Hop Pole has since closed, so the other obvious question is: where will the Friday night song session be?

Cheers, Rob Williams

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Hesk
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 12:20 PM

It won't be the same without the Hop Pole, but hopefully somebody will buy it. After all the Falcon was empty for years.
There will be sing arounds on site and into the early hours, usually at the football club, but maybe that was not what you had in mind.
If I remember the 2008 sing rightly, it had to be kick started by a couple of brave souls. The same thing could happen in the Falcon, or other pubs, this year.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Snuffy
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 05:44 PM

After 19 consecutive Bromyards, I'm afraid I'll be elsewhere this time. I'll be sorry to miss Rob and Jenny, who added so much to the Hop Pole sing in 2008. Catch you somewhere else soon, I hope.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: JP2
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 07:27 PM

Well now,you're spoilt for choice this year even though the Hop Pole is closed and unlikely to re-open as a pub but as Snuffy says You never know.
There are usually sessions in the Falcon,the Bay Horse and the Rose and Lion.
I can't ever remember there being a session in the Kings Arms but that's not a reason not to start one,with Brendan's permission,of course.
The Crown and Sceptre and the Queens Arms are both having lots of money spent on them and look like building sites at the moment BUT both landlords assured me last Monday that they will be open in time for the festival and are looking forward to welcoming sessions.
I think there is also a session in the No.1 bar,it used to be called the Fox and Badger I think.
But unfortunately we can't go to the Bell Inn,the Railway,the White Horse or the Holly Tree as they are definitely gone.

That's five definites and two possibles.
We should manage.
The weather forecast looks absolutely brilliant.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:06 AM

We'll be staying in our usual B&B.
Looking forward to it.
Other years we have found the Sunday night to be rather dead in town. We stay on and go walking on Monday before heading home, but the final concert is earsplitting - no use looking for a fringe, they've all gone home.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:15 AM

Yes, I'm going with Mrs C and two of the boys. After a year out of the country and catching up with things domestic it will be the first and only festival this year. Last one I did I recall was a tad on the muddy side. Are the above sessions or singarounds?
Al

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:39 AM

The Falcon tends to be tunes.Cracking good English sessions in the afternoons.
With a 'Day of Dance' upstairs in the ballroom on the Saturday. Your season ticket will get you into this or you can pay separately. English (Playford style) and American (contras) with maybe a bit of other styles thrown in, perhaps more complex at times than the ceilidh tent, but the participants and callers are friendly and helpful. And the bands are expert. This year it's the Falconers (constant stars of Bromyard IMO) and 3D (Chris Dewhurst's band, who wrote all those good tunes that other bands play). Good music and a good floor to put the spring in your feet. With Rhodri Davies and Mike Courthold calling. Sheila Mainwaring always put on a good day.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Rich A
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:23 AM

I'll be there with the Grenoside Sword dancers, our first appearance at Bromyard. Look out for the splendid jackets!

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:31 AM

Splendid jackets indeed Richard. I will be there doing what I does plus drinking in't Rose and Lion

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: John J
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 05:43 AM

We'll be at Bromyard again - my favouritist festival!

Very sad news about the Hop Pole though.

JJ

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Wheatman
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 06:01 AM

The Kells both Jnr and Snr will be there this year. Also the Woodys from south lincs are attending for the first time in ****** years. I am sure there will be others from the flat lands

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 07:42 AM

Well - a friend has asked me to play banjo for an Appalachian dance team, the Haddenham Hoofers. They don't feature on the website, but I'm assured they'll be there, so I'll be there as a first timer - looking forward to it, I've heard lots of good reports.

Ray

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: JP2
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 11:59 AM

Hi BanjoRay,are you sure the Hoofers will be at Bromyard as I can't see them on any dance listing?
The Appalachian team usually seen at Bromyard is Soft Option.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 03:27 AM

I can remember sessions (Irish I think) in the Kings so Brendan must be OK about that sort of thing.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 07:25 AM

Hi JP2 -They're not listed, but the guy who leads the band, Mark Wallace, tells me it's happening. That's all I know - they'd better be there!
Ray

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,marion.h
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 07:33 AM

There is always a session in the kings - Gaynor Butler et al.usually involved.

Usually a session/singaround in the Rose & lion but always very crowded.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 08:20 AM

Hi Banjo-Ray

Has anybody told Soft Option?

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Gedi
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 08:42 AM

I went to Moira a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it and JohnJ informs me that Bromyard will be even better, so I shall be there also.

Looking forward to some good sessions and sings : )

Ged

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 11:59 AM

Ken & Sue will be there , sad about the Hop Pole but i can make the old Hohner Corona 11 kick off in any boozer, will be wearing either a squeezebox tee shirt or Mudcat ,say hi.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: JP2
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 12:47 PM

The mystery of the Haddenhan Hoofers is solved dear readers!!!!
Soft Option are a bit short of numbers and the Hoofers are helping out.
One of Soft Option's dancers,Lynne Barker,is,of course Festival Director at Bromyard Folk Festival so doesn't really have too much time for dancing over the weekend.
The weather forecast just looks better and better every time I look at it.
Factor 50 anyone?
JP2.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,quantock
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 08:29 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 09:59 AM

Fiona and I will be there, along with friends Fred, Ruth, Patricia, Paul and Lesley. Maintaining a reduced Derby presence.
Hope the weather holds.
Looking forward to it already.
Dave.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 12:38 PM

take it as red............

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: JP2
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 12:08 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: My guru always said
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 05:29 AM

Sadly, we'll be missing another year (can't do everything), have fun you lot!

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Suzi Z
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 11:02 AM

will certainly be going ..with the usual misfits from the Anchor Folk Club in Byfleet
Anchor Folk Club
Hope to catch up with a few of you ...do come round for a 'cup of tea'
would love to see you xx Suzi

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 02:39 AM

JP2 - thanks for solving the Haddenham Hoofers conundrum, I was starting to get worried! I'll see you folks there.....
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 03:35 AM

Hmm - I've just received this email from a member of the Haddenham Hoofers:

The organisation for this gig has been a fraught with incompetent communication and we are now expected to come and perform without free tickets and camping! Consequently it has been cancelled.

So I won't be there....

Those who will be - have fun.
Ray

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 05:52 AM

Hi Banjo Ray

Mark Wallis plays for another appalachian side -Applejacks - don't know if they do Bromyard, but they always do Upton.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 05:54 AM

Bromyard without the Hop Pole? Unthinkable. Are the morris displays still going on in the same place?

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 06:26 AM

Hi Banjo Ray

Please don't blame the festival for your fraught situation. I understand it was a private arrangement with Soft Option and nothing directly to do with the festival. From your discussion with JP2 above it would seem to have been confused from the beginning! I don't think the festival would expect you to come and "perform without free tickets and camping".

As to the Morris venues - there will be displays in Hop Pole Square as usual - and at all the other usual venues, plus in the yard of the Queens which is currently undergoing restoration and a grand reopening in time for the festival. The landlord of the Crown and Sceptre (also undergoing restoration in time for the festival) will be running a real ale bar in front of the Hop Pole al fresco so there should be some appropriate atmosphere for the displays.

Connie

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: G-Force
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 10:04 AM

We always go to the tune sessions in the Falcon on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

We'll be there from Thursday p.m. - anyone know of any other tune or tune&song sessions, or where would be a good place to try and start one on Thursday or Friday?

Looking forward to some sunshine (???) and lots of good music ...

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 10:40 AM

G-Force

See JP2's email of 31 August above.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Holly
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 08:17 AM

I hear there's a new outfit running the beer tent this year. Might be a good music or singing session or two in there?

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:18 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:33 AM

Weather forecast is very poor - it could be Bromyard-in-the-Mud again!
Dave.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:18 AM

Don't be too pessimistic Dave. This forecast has changed since I looked at it this morning. What we had in the year of the Mud was an already waterlogged field plus a torrential downpour on the Friday afternoon which wiped out most major roads from Bradford to Hereford. The field isn't waterlogged this year and the current forecast is for "light rain" and there's time for it to go back to sunshine and showers. I'll be taking my wellies though, just in case.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:40 PM

Site crew tell me that the local radio weather forecast is expecting good weather. Who knows? We'll have a great time whatever the weather.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 03:59 AM

Weather update again - oh yee of little faith Dave. Forecast this morning shows sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. Maybe my wellies will be redundant. Now, where did I leave my sun hat?

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Hesk
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 01:35 PM

Has anyone ever been on Thursday (Today)? Are the facilities up and working, and does anything go on in the evening?

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 12:41 PM

If anyone would like a sing tomorrow (Sunday), Rob and I will be at the Crown and Sceptre from midday. Any other interested singers?

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 07:06 PM

Usually during a festival at 10.30 at night, the pubs are heaving with music sessions and singarounds, Bromyard especially. The only heaving going on was the local drunken youths; shouting, swearing, echoing off the buildings and down the streets; smashing plastic glasses in the gutters. It was appalling! We went around to all the pubs but only a couple of half hearted musicians were playing in one or two, and that was 'Dreeeeeem' Everly Brothers! What's happened? One pub had locked it's doors and closed. I came home. So is that it then, Bromyard?
Sal

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 02:33 AM

That's a shame Sal, but I'm sure there must be more to this year's fringe at Bromyard than that, surely! Always difficult with young people & drink whenever they hear tell of a Festival in their neighbourhood, we've seen that at a few festivals over the years. But that's not the Festival's fault, I blame the parents!!!

Wish we could have got along this year, maybe next year...
Hils

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 03:49 AM

I can't decide what caused this. Yes, the kids do react this way; excitement about a festival in town, pubs cashing in and making cheaper drinks available. Kids showing off and being territorial. I dare say over the generations it's always been the same, but where are the session players? Can't they afford to come this year? Is it that the festival has somehow managed to keep everyone down on the site? Has this become an 'us and them' situation? There's usually a core of people who only come for the fringe, are they not there? I remember not being able to get into a pub for singers and musicians, and there being 'lock-ins'. Last night was not a typical Bromyard fest Saturday night.
Sal

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 05:32 AM

I agree absolutely, Sal. Well we'll still be at the Crown and Sceptre today from midday in case anyone wants to come and sing. So far, the only singing we've found are organised 'sessions' in the Football Club, and the only singers are the organisers. We poor cattle at the back are expected to just join in. Not MY idea of a session!!

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 08:15 AM

Something's not right. Why has this happened I wonder?
Sal

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 08:38 AM

Perhaps they all went to Swanage. We are thinking we might do that next year too.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 08:41 AM

One of the reasons would probably be not having the Hop Pole any more. Others I will go into later.....

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: Hesk
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 10:38 AM

The Rose and Lion had a pleasant sing around on Friday, mainly a club from Norfolk, the "leader" asked if I would like to sing after a few moments, even though he did not know me. This fizzled out towards late afternoon, as beer, at £2.00 a pint, was too tempting. There was also a music session going on.
I feel that many festival goers now regard Bromyard town, at night as a threatening place, and this was mentioned to me by a member of the staff at the Rose and Lion. He said it was caused by locals, and was a year round problem.
For this reason, and others, the Festival site is very well packed at night.
A highlight, for me, was an 8 person Watersons set on Saturday night. This was fantastic, and felt like an historical occasion.

I have never seen intimidating behavior on the site, in over 20 years, just a little skylarking, from time to time.

Subject: RE: Bromyard anyone?
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 12:03 PM

We saw the Watersons last night too. Yes, definitely an historic occasion! We also enjoyed Belshazzars Feast.

We did notice some rowdy locals around the streets on Friday night - other than those, the streets were almost deserted.

I also heard that there were a number of robberies that night, done by a well organised team of robbers - not locals. I have certainly noticed a strong police presence.