Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (2011)

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 11:15 AM

Sad to say, but the current economic climate and possibility of financial ruin for the organisers has resulted in the cancellation of the High Lane Gathering mentioned previously in this thread.

Let's hope the MFAB takes place and can regain some of its former glory and folk content.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 08:12 AM

I've been regularly checking the website for the 2012 festival but it hasn't been updated for ages. Does anyone know if it's really going ahead?

Subject: Information on the new Middlewich Festival
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 15 Jun 11 - 05:00 PM

This information is supplied in good faith. I have no connection with this new festival.

From the 'Middlewich Guardian':The full line-up for the Folk and Boat Festival's fringe venues has been unveiled.

Artists and bands will be flocking to Middlewich to fill nine of the town's pubs with music - and it's all free.

The venues taking part in the 'FAB Fringe' are the Big Lock, Boar's Head, Cheshire Cheese, Choklat Bar, Kinderton Hotel, Kings Lock, the Narrowboat, the Turnpike and the White Horse.

For the first year in the flagship festival's 21-year history, the town council is running the event.

As reported in the Guardian, the council came to the rescue when it was revealed that the charity that previously managed it was having financial difficulties.

Although there will no longer be a marquee, Middlewich chiefs argue that most people won't notice a difference.

The council has allocated £4,500 toward the Folk and Boat Festival in its budget and has been awarded a £1,000 grant from Cheshire East.

Dave Thompson, town centre events manager, said: "All thanks goes to the venues - they've really taken up the baton.

"We've had to do things differently and they've made the most of it.

"There's some excellent artists performing from all over the UK and many from our area.

"The thing we must stress is that all this entertainment is free."

The FAB Fringe comes to Middlewich for three days on June 17 to 19.

One of the acts Dave is most looking forward to is Irish fiddlers, the Kane Sisters and Edel Fox.

He added: "I'm keen for the festival to develop the strong Irish connection we have in Middlewich."


Big Lock, Webb's Lane

Friday 8pm
Twisted Knee Soul Club and Cheshire Folk presents Phil Maddocks and friends Saturday
2pm Live&Local presents Pilgrim's Way, Andrew Buckley, Salty Dog and the Tow Path Tipplers
6.30pm The Crazy Folk Band 9pm Sniggleheap Sunday 1pm Big Lock sunday singaround 5pm Acoustak 8pm David Gibb and the Pony Club

Boar's Head, Kinderton Street

Friday 8pm
Boaters welcome (upstairs), Morris Welcome (lounge), musicians' session (dining room) Saturday 1pm Meet Pete Morton followed by singaround (upstairs) Musicians' session (lounge and dining room) 8pm Musicians' session (lounge and dining room) Pete Morton's singaround (upstairs) Sunday 1pm Thom Kirkpatrick (lounge) Musicians' session (dining room) Pete Morton's Sunday sing (upstairs) 7pm FAB farewell session and singaround
Cheshire Cheese, Lewin Street
(musicians always welcome to play in the lounge bar)
Friday 8pm
Acoustak Saturday 1pm to 5pm Steamhead and the Weavils 5pm Acoustak 9pm Calico Jack Sunday 1pm Last Ones Out 3pm The Boat Band Sunday 8pm Wearside Jack
Choklat Bar, Wheelock Street

Friday 9pm
Maxine Adelle Saturday 8pm Karaoke with DJ Miss Paris Sunday 2pm Jazz on the terrace with Louisa James
Kinderton Hotel, Kinderton Street
Friday 8pm
The Kane Sisters and Edel Fox Saturday 1pm Musicians' session - all welcome 8pm Hayley Strangelove Sunday 2pm Sunday Blues with Dai Thomas and the Salty Dog Blues Band Kings Lock, Booth Lane
Friday 9pm
The Middlewich Paddies Saturday 2pm Last Ones Out 8pm With Bob On Our Side Sunday 2pm The Generation
Narrowboat, Lewin Street
Friday 9pm
No Dinosaurs Saturday 1pm Blackfingers 3.30pm Hayley Strangelove 6pm Providence Jug Band 9pm Acoustak Sunday 12pm Musicians' session - all welcome 2.30pm Calico Jack and friends 7.30pm Stan's Magic Foot Turnpike, Warmingham Lane
Friday 9pm
Friday Night Live Saturday 8pm Junction 18 Sunday 8pm Hayley Strangelove
White Horse, Lewin Street
Friday 8pm
Musicians' session - all welcome Saturday 1pm Musicians' session - all welcome 9pm The Middlewich Paddies and friends Sunday 1pm Musicians' session - all welcome 8pm Steven Doyle

- To buy a £1 guide to the festival, call Dave on 01606 833434

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 04:12 AM

Well, it seems to have been decided to stick with the name 'Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival' which I think, on balance, is the right thing to do.
Details of the festival are filling out nicely at the festival's website:

MFAB site

Can I just say hello to all my readers, especially those at the Middlewich Town Council?

Hiya!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 08:43 AM

It's now been confirmed that camping will be available at Sutton Lane for the festival weekend.

Details from the contact nos. and websites in previous postings.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 30 Mar 11 - 04:57 AM

Contact details for the festival might be useful:

Dave Thompson
Middlewich Town Council Events Manager
Room 1
Victoria Building
Lewin Street
Middlewich
CW10 9AS
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Festival website

Middlewich site

Hope this is useful.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 01:57 PM

Good luck with it, Ian. I'll make a point of keeping in touch.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 11:51 AM

Hope to be at the Middlewich (Folk) and Boat Festival this year to see for myself what's going on. Hope to see some mudcatters there.

With regard to the event I mentioned previously which is to take place in July 2012, preparations continue apace. After considering potential names, the Middlewood Folk and Boat Festival being discounted early on, I can now announce that the 1st High Lane Gathering is taking shape. It's very early days and the web-site is very much in its infancy but why not bookmark it and call back occasionally in the next year to see how we progress?

Advice is always welcome and I'm grateful for that which we've had already.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 09:50 AM

...and now that we've established that it is actually OK for people in the music business to try to obtain work and get paid for it, I'll throw this link in.

Lost In The Mist are ideal for canalside gigs. We're doing two this year at The Shroppie Fly in Audlem, for the May and August Bank Holidays.

Lost In The Mist

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 05:46 AM

Guest 'Sandbach Folkie' - Hear hear. That's the situation in a nutshell.

I was approached by a Middlewich Town Councillor last night and put right on the matter of the 'Dog Show'.

Seemingly, it's not a 'Dog Show' but a 'Dog Display'.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Sandbach Folkie
Date: 08 Mar 11 - 05:53 PM

I am sure Middlewich Town Council will make a success of this event as several of their staff and members have many many years of experience on the FAB Committee, including two founder members, a former chairman and a former Festival Director. Many of the volunteers who have helped over the years (including me) will be there to help again.

Quite simply the event in its previous form was unsustainable because not enough people were buying tickets. It is as simple as that. This year will be not much different to previous years for visitors unless you were the minority who paid for tickets. I understand this year it is called the Middlewich FAB Festival and is likely to change its name next year.

Many thanks to forward-looking Middlewich Town Council for keeping this event alive and moving with the times.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: banj
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 02:28 PM

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 12:58 PM

That's good feedback Mo....

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 11:36 AM

On the Fringe v Concerts debate.
A concert has to have something special to make me part with my time (and money but that to a lesser extent).
An evening dancing, playing or calling will nearly always win.
And the 'big names' who have been booked for the Middlewich festival are not as special for me as the more traditional artists.

I tend to pick a few festivals which have dancing and workshops to buy season tickets and accomodation. A local festival like Middlewich, I'll add to / benifit from the session fringe.

It's not that we're mean - look at the people who paid their money and spent most of their time in the session room at Chester folk day, last week. The gathering of good musicians and a chance to participate was too good to miss. And the acts in that concert were my kind of special.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 11:34 AM

Thanks for trying Dave. That's what happened when I did it.

I don't know if it's something to do with the fact that I've placed the web-site in a sub-directory of my main site www.waterwaysongs.co.uk and then used re-direction from www.northcheshirefolk.co.uk. I'll probably have to change this later as, apparently, this re-direction doesn't allow search engines to pick up the site.

Anyway Dave, I've followed your advice and tried again and it seems to work.

http://www.northcheshirefolk.co.uk

Cheers
Ian

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 11:16 AM

Just tried that to see if I could remember how to do it. It sort of worked, but goes to a 'multiple choice' page I haven't seen before.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 11:15 AM

Link?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 11:07 AM

Ian,

I think you have to include the http:// bit before the www

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 10:06 AM

A basic web-site advertising two autumnal fund-raising concerts for previously mentioned 2012 folk and boat event on the Macclesfield canal can be found at www.northcheshirefolk.co.uk/index.htm


The blue clicky maker was creating a link to www.mudcat.org/www.northcheshirefolk.co.uk! Was it me or has something gone wrong?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mr Happy
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 06:52 AM

AmandaLynne Music - PM
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:35 PM



'I can take festival fliers to loads of sessions in advance and barely pick up a ticket sale...they all turn up for the free sessions though....maybe I just move in tight fisted circles !'

*********

Could it be democracy in action, I wonder?

I suppose it depends on one's definitive perspective of the format of a 'Folk' Festival, aims, objectives etc

If you've found that everyday 'folk' in the pubs prefer sessions to concerts - doesn't it ring a bell that maybe your focus is flawed?

Discuss

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 05:46 AM

The dates for the proposed folk festival and boat gathering on the Macclesfield Canal (upper level) are Fri 20 to Sun 22 July 2012. As this is still over a year away, though some artists have been booked, I am not in a position to say much more at this stage.

The venue is small and there are many logistical problems to be addressed. A web-site for folk events on the Macc will be up and running soon.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 02:06 AM

The 'new festival' will take place on the date on which the 'old' festival would have taken place, the 17th - 19th June, and will retain the name 'Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival'for this year at least, although a name change looks likely for future events.
The website has now been updated with a rather fetching Middlewich Town Council logo to reflect the new situation.
Thanks, Diane, for pointing out the fact that Middlewich does have the advantage of the Boat Rally running alongside its festival to create additional interest.
I own up to the fact that I very often overlook this aspect of the event, an attitude which can be traced back to the early years of the festival when the Boat Rally was almost a separate entity run, in those days, by the Trent & Mersey Canal Society, many of whose members made a point of staying well away from our folkie activities.
But that's another story and a different class of business altogether.
As Lizzie will tell you, once you've been involved in running a festival like MFAB it's very hard to break away and let others 'get on with it', but now seems like a good time for me to do so.
So good luck to the new Middlewich Festival, and all who sail in her...

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Guest, Diane
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:56 PM

Have I missed something amongst all this sparring...but I don't recall seeing any Dates - either for the 'new' Middlewich Festival, or for Ian's new event on the Macclesfield. Dates would be good...remembering that Middlewich Folk AND Boat Festival was just that ie very much centred about the boat gathering (as far as I viewed it, as one who visited most years), as well as the folk event. In this respect, if the boats continue to visit (depending on what the local Council are offering towards the boat community), then this particular community festival will still have a significant additional attraction over and above just being a local rose show. I love the boats, and I love the Boat Band (but, have to say that the rest of the Festival, apart from the Morris and parade, didn't really float this particular boat...), so, I would probably make the effort to attend on that basis. So, if the website is out of date, etc., and the other event is 'sometime in July' then, if somebody could supply some dates I will commit them both to the 'virtual Diary'.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:49 PM

PS I am definitely not out of touch...in fact totally aware of how the whole process works and have seen it wax and wain and wax again over many years...and I love to see folk music out there in front of people who may not even know what it is.

Question....to give young people a taste of folk would it be better to play in a pub.... or play in a pub, camcorder it and put a video on youtube or facebook ?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:37 PM

Ian...go to MFAB this year...the sessions will be great...see above note !

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:35 PM

Mr Happy
're the fringe...the fringe is for those folk who only want to play or get e freebie...and can be detrimental to ticket sales.'

********

I strongly resent that remark, it really shows how out of touch with the underlying cultural forces, which are the raisons d'etre for the performance of live music & song in public, are some of the individuals associated with the organisational aspects of the festival
Furthermore, how would one expect to involve 'the community', other than by the often accidental ways in which many people 'discovered' folk & acoustic music in the first place, by hearing it performed in sessions in local hostelries.'

You are right Mr Happy unfortunately so am I....given the chance of free sessions versus ££ ticket for top class performers many people will take the free option. I love sessions myself and it has always been part of the whole folk festival ethos.I can take festival fliers to loads of sessions in advance and barely pick up a ticket sale...they all turn up for the free sessions though....maybe I just move in tight fisted circles !

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Spencer the Rover
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:06 PM

It is shame that a financially successful folk festival made a loss last year. Not surprising the committee resigned. Shame that it is being downgraded from a national event to £4500 community festival, rose queen, dog show. Shame that local expertise is being ignored. Shame that Dickensian attitudes might win the day!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 01:54 PM

My goodness what a busy day you have all had! Whilst I have been out doing my day job - for which I do get paid, I have come home to run my other business - for which I expect to get paid having done the same job voluntarily for many years. Or is there some reason why I shouldn't! I don't really understand that! I don't really mind who buys the tickets whether they are from this town or any other - the fact is I have put the hours in along with my team and we are doing an honest job, if we are in profits after the event I will say - job well done!And it will be up to us what we do with those profits. All my concerts up to now have been in profit however small or as with my final year with MFAB in the thousands - leaving a healthy profit in the bank - not my bank I hasten to add!!!
Stop being so negative Macawber! We are all entitled to make an honest crust and without being made to feel guilty! Richard Branson - I wonder if he makes a profit on V fest! Or the Oysters from theirs - or Fairport from Cropredy! This I believe has been said before the last time I stood accused. Now get on with your life Macawber and let people get on with what they have to do. Good luck with your future voluntary work. Ever thought of being a politician ?!
And finally - the actual prospect of putting on a mainstage folk stage back into the festival was to bring revenue into the town from outside - for which MFAB won awards for tourism in previous years. However - this was seen to be a far too big a task to organise even between us in the few months available. It would have forged a good working partnership and who knows - may do another year! In the meantime we welcome you to purchase tickets for any of our concerts that will be happening across cheshire this summer.
Keeping both musicians and associated industries in business.
That I hope will be my final word.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 10:37 AM

Well, as is the traditional way with Mudcat, let us let others read through this topic and make their own minds up.

For myself, I'm happy to stand by my own opinion. So much so that I invariably use my real name.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 10:00 AM

No retreat, just tired of people trying to read between the lines and find something that simply just isn't there and never was in the first place. I trust the record has been well and truly set straight!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:57 AM

http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-news/local-crewe-news/2011/03/02/middlewich-folk-and-boat-festival-saved-from-sinking-by-town-council-96135-28258182/

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:56 AM

Ah! Is there a more enjoyable sight than that of the Micawber in full, ignominious retreat?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:43 AM

Folk Star - Micawber is the name we use to describe our dog's facial hair, based on the appearance of the Dickens character and nothing more sinister than that! How amusing that people read so deeply into silly things!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:37 AM

Oh dear, this has become somewhat tiresome in that I made a comment which was taken completely out of context. MFAB was run for 20 years by volunteers - none of whom ever profited but were more often than not, left out of pocket. Following the resignation of directors and trustees, due to the festival being financially unviable in times of great austerity, a former volunteer was asked for advice and saw a business opportunity - fair game and no problems with that. Sadly, that business opportunity did not come to fruition and it resulted in details of meetings being made public on this forum and the statement -

"There won't be a folk festival this year as we used to know it - that website is out of date and put up by the old committee who have all resigned. It's complicated! There will be a fringe of sorts and maybe a band or two! There is Ceilidh and Morris planned.
To be fair they haven't had very long to put something together as the committee only threw in the towel a few weeks ago."


It was totally unneccessary to give chapter and verse of those meetings and follow it up with a comment that seemed to offer little hope for a decent festival this year. Now let's put this to bed, once and for all!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Folk Star
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:22 AM

Oh you have got me started!! Micawber - great choice of name by the way!

Wilkins Micawber is a fictional character from Charles Dickens' 1850 novel David Copperfield. He was modelled on Dickens' father, John Dickens, who also ended up in a debtors' prison (the King's Bench Prison) after failing to meet the demands of his creditors.

He is hired as a subordinate by Uriah Heep, who believes Micawber to be as dishonest as himself due to his troubles with creditors.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Folk Star
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 08:33 AM

...and you named names - Bizzy Lizzy

isn't that slander? Unless of course you have evidence. Bizzy Lizzy doesn't seem to have that kind of reputation - she is well known to us on the folk scene and has always treated all her events equally - giving of her time and effort selflessly and with the greatest respect to us working musicians. Without the likes of Lizzy and others like her - there would be far less work for musicians to be had. And I am sure there are no bands or musicians out there who would 'pay the organiser' to put them on - especially when they do the job of negotiating the lowest fees possible in the first place in the interests of getting best value for their events!

Work it out Mcawber!!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Guest Folk Star
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 08:26 AM

I think you did Micawber!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:21 PM

It is very sad, and such a shame, that Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival finds itself in a similar position to so many other festivals due to these economic austere times. But it is so good to see that the local Council is trying to continue the festival even though they are attempting to cope with massive budget cuts.
I applaud the effort by the Council and volunteers, to 'rescue' the festival and truly hope that they can pull it out of the bag for the benefit of everyone, whether local residents or visitors to the town. Personal, outside business issues should not be brought into this (Bizzy Lizzy). The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:51 PM

I have never said that anyone has gained financially from the festival in the past and have no further comment.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:57 AM

Furthermore, how would one expect to involve 'the community', other than by the often accidental ways in which many people 'discovered' folk & acoustic music in the first place, by hearing it performed in sessions in local hostelries.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:44 AM

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music - PM
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:45 PM




're the fringe...the fringe is for those folk who only want to play or get e freebie...and can be detrimental to ticket sales.'

********

I strongly resent that remark, it really shows how out of touch with the underlying cultural forces, which are the raisons d'etre for the performance of live music & song in public, are some of the individuals associated with the organisational aspects of the festival

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:12 AM

Ian,

Thank you. You have grasped the point I was trying to make. The 'new' festival can best be described as a community festival and I was wondering if there is a model anywhere for such a festival being run as a 'successor' to an established and, in its day, well-regarded regional festival in this way.
With all due respect to the organisers, folk lovers who work their way around the summer festival circuit won't be attracted by dog shows and Rose Fetes. This is why, when MFAB was in its heyday, we fought tooth and nail to maintain the integrity of the 'main festival' and keep such events 'on the fringe'.

If MFAB had ever tried to depend on the support of local people only, it would never even have happened in the first place.

'Middlewich Community Festival' would be a good name, as it describes what the new festival is all about.

And I'm sorry 'Micawber', but I don't feel inclined to let you off so easily. Your posting of 26th February clearly states that

'The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.'

To me, that indicates that you consider that someone was making, or trying to make, money from the festival.

Now who would that person be?

Simple question.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 04:24 AM

To go back to Dave's question of 24 Feb it is good to see that a festival is continuing but surely they need to remove the word 'folk' from the title in their advertising. I don't want to travel a considerable distance in my boat for a dog show or a rose queen procession.

Out of date web-sites such as the MFAB one need to be removed from the internet to avoid mis-leading people, or up-dated.

I was planning to go to MFAB this year, for the first time, but I don't think I'll bother now.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:10 AM

Micawber - stop talking in riddles and tell us what you really mean please. I have never had anything to hide and it will be a pleasure to clear my name. You made this public - not me but it's very easy to hide behind a chat forum and by sending personal emails.
Liz Rosenfield

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:51 PM

I have never said that anyone has gained financially from the festival in the past and have no further comment.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:45 PM

Ian.......good luck with the festival, join Folk Arts England for training and see modestly price folk and acoustic musicians on my website www.amandalynnemusic.com

Dave and Olga and Ian.......re the fringe...the fringe is for those folk who only want to play or get e freebie...and can be detrimental to ticket sales. I have always felt that if you run a festival with headliner acts then it all should be on one site and for ticket holders only. There was a time when both fringe and ticketed concerts were successful alongside but it's not really a good idea with economics as they are. By all means run a fringe only festival with fringe venues paying for musicians or ads..but not wise to let them compete with ticketed gigs.....get them to buy tickets to see acts and go to sessions!

Micawber......I too have already wished the town council organisers success. I love Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival and long may it continue with its welcoming friendly bustling format and superb concerts.
Are you saying that Cheshire Folk have gained financially from the festival ? How and by how much ?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Bev of South Cheshire
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:35 PM

OlgaJ - Your post embodies everything about the local festival. We need to be able to bring in new talent at low cost, without the risk of losing a long standing Festival! Whilst a headline act is good for ticket sales, we also need far more new talent that can create a festival on the fringe. I hope Middlewich Folk & Boat can find some great new acts for the Fringe this year that will bring folk into the town. I visit this festival every year and don't want to miss out this year!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,micawber
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 03:22 PM

Copied & pasted -


"...However 'Cheshire Folk' proposal was to insert that aspect of the festival into their event at no risk to the Council.
...... they chose to continue their own with their own plans. Lynne and I as Cheshire Folk are disapointed as we did have some bands who would have really been delighted to take part - but they'll do concerts for our events over the year instead!"

"There won't be a folk festival this year as we used to know it - that website is out of date and put up by the old committee who have all resigned. It's complicated! There will be a fringe of sorts and maybe a band or two! There is Ceilidh and Morris planned."

Perhaps that goes some way to answering the questions posed. No further comment, save to say that we support the Town Council's efforts to ensure that there is a festival for the benefit of the town this year. Enough said.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 12:13 PM

Ian - pm me! In spite of the shinanikins and a wide range of mud getting slung in my direction on Mudcat which you can make your own mind up about!! I can offer lots of advice and am happy to, of course you should do it if you love it! There are folkie and other artists out there who need promoters like us to take a chance on them and give them work. I also have some events coming up in July and before - lets see if we can help each other out with promotional stuff if appropriate!

www.cheshirefolk.com
[e-mail]

Look forward to hearing from you!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: OlgaJ
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 10:51 AM

Ian - get in touch with me by PM if you can.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie (w/o cookie)
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 10:31 AM

There is a Folk Festival and Boat Gathering planned for July 2012 less than 30 miles from Middlewich (2-3 days by boat). Some big name artists have already been booked and discussions are underway regarding aspects of the organisation. This was planned before we knew of the changes to MFAB.

If I asked for advice about running such an event I am sure I know what the answer would be - don't do it! That's probably the best answer as I am already having sleepless nights. Where do we get these artists who come at affordable rates?

Bearing in mind that this event will be situated at a small canal-side location which effectively puts an upper limit on the numbers attending concerts, what advice can anyone give that would help make this a success?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: OlgaJ
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 09:08 AM

Sorry - my machine decided to send before I was ready...

anyway - we have already sold one third of the number of tickets we sold altogether last year and the festival isn't 'til August, so perhaps filling a festival with 'big names' isn't the way forward, especially in the present climate.

On a personal level we often find that the sessions and fringe events actually DO make a festival as you often see some gems that you wouldn't get on a main stage even though they are good enough.

We haven't been able to come to Middlewich in the past as it has always clashed with something else but hopefully we can get this year.