Whitby FF seems very quiet this year

Subject: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Nick
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 01:44 PM

It may just have been the time I went - Sunday afternoon - but Whitby Folk Week seeme exceptionally quiet.

No music at all in any of the following: Station (though there was some later on); Black Horse; Endeavour; Fleece (just in the small room); Bottom House (shut); Middle Earth (tough a session had just finished); Elsinore;

There was a European session in The Resolution but apart from that it was like I had not seen it in previous years.

I hope it was just a one off because of when I went. I'll try it on evening.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 01:57 PM

On our return from Glaisdale I called in the Endeavour, although not full of folkies there was a good session going on in there prior to Les and Maggie hosting a sing a round,I poked my head into the Black Horse where singing was in abundance and nipped into the Middle Earth for a quick half and a wizz where there were at least 30 people om accordions and fiddles having a rare old time, this was all in the last hour, so you must have been extremely unlucky

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Nick
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 04:57 PM

Such is life - should have gone to Glaisdale!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 05:00 PM

Pierre le Chapeau is there somewhere so at least the breweries will be in profit...

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 05:06 PM

It has been a strange year for folk festivals - many have sold out well in advance and others have been cancelled owing to lower than normal advance ticket sales.

Small amount of discussion here: http://www.seered.co.uk/folk172.htm

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:09 PM

You know, my wife and I had the best time. It was a far more intimate do than oxford and so much more wonderfull. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Les from Hull
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 07:11 AM

Come to the Endeavour Tuesday 8pm onwards for Whitby's unofficial official Mudgather.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 08:12 AM

A few people have been at Moira Furnace festival this weekend, heading on to Whitby afterwards so that may swell numbers a bit.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Soldier boy
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 09:05 AM

I'm on my way today as well. Me

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Nick
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 09:18 AM

Over again on Wedensday evening so see you then Les. Unlikely to make Tuesday but we'll see

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: mally
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 01:58 PM

Hope to get over Tuesday to boost the No's.
See you all in the 'Endeavour'.

       Mally

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Acorn4
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 06:10 PM

We're on our way up tomorrow from Moira Furnace as said by Lynne a couple of posts back.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:24 PM

The evening sings in the Station were well supported - thanks to everyone who came and sang on the evenings that Derek and I were steering! The Dolphin sessions at Robin's Hood Bay seem to have been packed out.

Kitty - who came home a day early because of the awful weather!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Nick
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:53 PM

It must just have been Sunday mid afternoon. I was up on Tuesday and wednesday evenings and found plenty to do. Especially enjoyed the Golden Lion which I hadn't been in before and listening to Jacks Rake playing

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Rozza
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 05:31 PM

The awful weather finished me off too. "Venue Full" notices in operation at quite a few evening venues - Football Club, Cons Club, Metropole, so plenty of people around.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:07 AM

It's quiet now! Thanks to everyone who came to our Singarounds in the Endeavour especially the Tuesday Mudgather.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:20 AM

Everything seemed pretty busy when I was around Monday and Tuesday.The trad stuff up at the football club particularly.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:02 AM

I was out every day and every evening and there was allways a lot going on. I met people from the south of England, Plymouth Kent Hampshire and there were people from Aberdeen as well - So I think think it was surprisingly well attended considering the economic climate at present.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 09:13 AM

Home now it was a bit quiet on Saturday but after that we had a full house at The Rifle Club singaround each night it alllways seemed full in the concert room upstairs and thanks to all those who came and sang so well and were such exellent company.

Joe and Mo

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 10:39 AM

Liz and I played five concerts this year and all were packed venues. Two sold out before the official starting time. This was the experience of other booked acts that I talked to. The concerts were very much busier than previously. This did not at any time reflect the weather outside. I also wandered around the town and noticed the shortage of sessions but its worth noting the following. The sessions in pubs are not part of the festival itself. They are 'fringe' events. Now this doesn't mean that they are any less important than the 'official' events but rather that they are organised ad hoc by people who, for whatever reasons, do not buy season tickets. The venues in the official festival found themselves packed with season ticket holders. It is this which makes Whitby 2011 different. We basically had less people in the fringe and more buying season tickets. Thus, the sessions in town were quieter on the whole. As Aleksandr says, 'Simples!'

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 10:59 AM

I ended up doing a daily routine of afternoons in the Resolution for the Euro session, end of the night first in the Elsinore and then after it closed in the Station with the Jack's Rake folks. With workshops in the morning and concerts in the evening. Far more than I could get to and I wouldn't want it any busier.   (I bring my instruments in a folding fisherman's stool so I can always get a seat, and the session pubs were full enough that I used it that way several times).

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 11:23 AM

There is a pub at the bottom of Silver St(forget its name) that I kept walking past betwen gigs and digs, and there are always seemed to be an unofficial session blasting out. I must admit I didn't play in any unofficial sessions myself,not for want of inclination but basically because I was kept fairly busy by the festival. Some of that time being spent leading an official session, which was packed as were most other events I attended.
The best bits of the festival for me were Jim Eldon's diary, which is I hope something which will be featured by other festivals, a wondrous entertainment. And the other thing was Peta Webb's birthday session at the football club, particulaly Sheila Stewart's performance, and Tom McCarthy in the after-session small hours session.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Tig
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 11:37 AM

We 'did' the fringe this year and there seemed to be plenty of sessions for John to play in. He found a couple of cracking ones in the evenings at the Elsinore and the Board kept him busy in the afternoon. The Friendship Club also had full singarounds each evening with about 100 people in each.

I think the people were there - just opting to stay in venues (official and unofficial) especially in the evenings when the weather was rough.

Thanks Nick for arranging the soggy sing on the boat and the trip to Glaisdale. How much was the total figure for the Runswick Rescue Boat this festival?

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 11:46 AM

With Paul on this one. I really only went to "official" gigs due to time pressures, but the restaurants and gigs I went to were mostly full.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Splott Man
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 02:30 PM

I haven't read down all the threads since I got back home, but I was unaware of a Mudgather. Was it posted here?

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 04:32 PM

Splott Man

See post above by Les from Hull on 22 August.

CC

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Splott Man
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 05:40 PM

I was already in Whitby by then, and offline, never mind.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 06:49 PM

mmmmmmm dunno what to say really, it's sort of like reading about a really good pub and find it no better than the one across the road at home. I am of course talking about the fringe, could only make it for half a day and as I toured around I found most of the session/singarounds well set and impenetrable. I think maybe If I don't leave seven years or so between visits then I might have a better understanding of the protocols. Lots of good music and singing going on but actually didn't feel part of it or that comfortable joining in. Almost like intruding at family get together.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 07:21 PM

The sessions in pubs are not part of the festival itself. They are 'fringe' events. Now this doesn't mean that they are any less important than the 'official' events but rather that they are organised ad hoc by people who, for whatever reasons, do not buy season tickets.

All the sessions I was at had a significant number of players at them with tickets hanging round their necks. But that was only instrumental sessions. Are you saying singers operate differently?

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Lady Policeman
Date: 27 Aug 11 - 08:00 PM

I always buy a festival ticket to support the festival then spend most of my time doing the'fringe' as that's what I enjoy. There was certainly enough Fringe to keep a singer going for the week and as the previous poster said, many singers were also season ticket holders. I did go to a couple of concerts and the range of artists was fantastic, something for everyone. What I do like about Whitby is that some of the booked artists also run some of the free singarounds in the pubs ie The Wilsons ran the first singaround on the Saturday in the Endeavour. Great festival and booked accommodation for next year!

Kath

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 02:18 AM

Kath, there are 'fringe' sessions and there are 'official', free sessions. I suspect that the less confident players go to the advertised 'official' sessions, and the little gangs of friends set up their own sessions which may seem more exclusive.

What I noticed, this year and last (under the new management) was the lack of stewards with collecting tins in the 'official' sessions, though the stewards were active at the workshops, dances and concerts, collecting dues from those who didn't buy a weeks ticket.
As a festival that is so spread around town it makes sense for some people to pay for seperate workshops, though we get good value from the season ticket and enjoy the sessions too.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 04:34 AM

Tig have a look at the named threads for Nick's events

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 04:51 AM

It all seemed pretty busy to me! We had a fantastic time, running a singaround which was 2 hours in the endeavour and made it round once. Concerts were full and the restaurants seemed very busy all the time. It was a successful week with great feedback as far as the offical festival was concerned. I was very proud to be part of it.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 05:14 AM

Ditto what Linda just said
geoff turner

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 05:23 AM

Hiya Linda, I did go looking for you and Pistachio but I didn't find you. Don't get me wrong, there was a plethora of good music and singing I just never felt comfortable, whether that says more about me than the others I don't know except I have never been backward at coming forwards but I continually felt like a wasp at a picnic. I certainly feel more comfortable in the home session at York but then i would wouldn't I. I suppose the dynamics are too complex to generalise but I sincerely hope it doesn't put off people new to the genre. As to the Mudcat unofficial gather, I did go in but left before the rolled up newspapers came out!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 05:37 AM

Jack wrote: Are you saying singers operate differently?
No Jack, what I'm saying is that if you go to a folk festival and can't, as we couldn't some years ago, afford a full season ticket then you tend to go to the free events. Now, as it happens, the 'official' festival singarounds are free as are the 'fringe' events. This year the festival nearly sold out of season tickets. Thus, there were full concerts and, for whatever reason, and despite a recession, less people with no ticket at all.
There seems to have been some prioritising this year with people choosing to go to only one festival over the summer rather than go from one to another. This may have had something to do with this being one of the most successful WFWs for years.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 05:38 AM

One thing that really didn't work: the Wailer. A daily news sheet is a good idea, and the content is exactly what's needed, but you can't actually get a copy. The last few days there were never any in the craft fair (which is the only place I knew of to get one), let alone down at the riverside.

Time to give up on the paper version and do it by Twitter.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:29 AM

I like the Twitter idea Jack. There were wailers aplenty in the festival offcie but they did keep selling out. Will pass that on to committee. Wailers do provide a valuable income source I imagine so i cannot see the paper version disappearing soon. I imagine that there isnt the same distribution resource as your average daily mirror but I do know both Chris and Kat were working full out to write produce and distribute it as quickly as they could and there were definitely more points of sale than just the craft fair. all feedback welcome so keep it coming!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:43 AM

We went for the whole week and had a fantastic time mainly playing in sessions. This has been touched on already but there were times when it was hard to 'feel part of' what was going on and no doubt this was due to it being our first time at Whitby and therefore not overly familiar with the local etiquette. There is a long established (25 years we were told) evening session in the Elsinore where the hard core have been playing year in and year out since it formed. A very definite and quite limited repertoire of tunes has evolved and if people strayed too far, or often, there were disapproving mutterings from the hierarchy. Surely, as with most sessions, whether local or festival based, newcomers should be welcomed and 'new' tunes listened to with a modicum of interest. Folk music is a wonderful way of bringing people together and it would be a shame if a genre of exclusivity was allowed to prevail.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 07:17 AM

re The Elsinore "A very definite and quite limited repertoire of tunes has evolved" perhaps thats the reason I and other people return year after year if it ain't broke why fix it and the disapproving mutterings you will get in any session in the country and are usually tongue in cheek.

Gerry
who at least puts his name to his posts

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 07:35 AM

I didn't find the Elsinore crowd hostile to new tunes - this was only the second time I've been. I didn't expect them to necessarily play much of my usual repertoire but it it seemed worth the experiment to find out what did overlap, and I'd do it again. (They did seem to have a hard time learning the words for the Hoy Song, though).

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Acorn4
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 07:50 AM

We went for the last 4 days and have now decided to ditch Shrewsbury in favour of Whitby as its' actually very much more of a "Folk" Festival.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: johncharles
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 08:04 AM

Our trio spent most of the week playing in the little room in the station and had a great time. I popped into the ship
(two great sessions at once),the Black Horse(nice singing) The Elsinore(some good tunes) and several other pubs as well. The problem was never one of not feeling part of it, but being unable to get a seat to sit down and play or sing.
For my two friends I think one of their highlights was the incomparable Jim Eldon.
I like the mix of the official festival and the fringe and the interaction between the two. The young Un's,Edwina Hayes,Paul Button, Ray Hearne all passed through the station while we were there.
Long may it continue. John

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: terrier
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 08:15 AM

I also missed the Mudgather as I went up to Whitby on the 21st. so missed the post by Les. Was looking forward to putting some more faces to names, thought it might be posted in the Wailer, but didn't see a copy all week!
I attended mostly fringe music sessions and must say was made to feel very welcome at both Enlish and Irish sessions. Fantastic week. The only thing I found strange was I saw not one dance display on the streets. Other years I've been (not been for quite a few years) I'd be falling over morris teams dancing for the public but this year although I spent a lot of time walking around the town, I saw none? Was I just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
What can one say about the Elsinore evening sessions, wall to wall sound, go with the flow or go to another session, suits some people and not others.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 08:32 AM

I think you must have been at the wrong place terrier. The parade was cancelled sadly due to weather, but other times the teams were definitely out and about.it was a very good point made by JohnCharles. Whitby is one of the few festivals where you feel that there is never any competition between the festival and the fringe and that they compliment and benefit each other wholly. It is really a unique thing when you feel the town understands the festival and realises it benefits from it. I love the place.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Rozza
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 08:47 AM

Fishermen's Rowing Club was my favourite venue this time. Great workshops on Playing for Dancing with English Rebellion, including some cracking new tunes from the William Clarke MS and excellent tea-time sessions especially with Workshy Profits, Vic Gammon and Sussex friends and Peeping Tom. Couldn't even get into the 422 one - so many really good young musicians.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Les from Hull
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 10:51 AM

The Mudgather was mentioned on the Whitby Singarounds thread some time before the week, as it was a singaround first and a Mudgather second. We mainly have singing in the Endeavour evening sessions. I'm sorry that some people missed out. Must try harder.

Although Maggie and I don't have season tickets because of running the Endeavour evenings, during the day we're at workshops, concerts etc, or out with Whitby Scratch Morris.

The point about the many free events in pubs (including the half a day at the Bay) organised by the Festival Committee and the many fringe events is well made and gives Whitby Folk Week it's unique flavour and for us will always be our favourite festival.

Les and Maggie

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 11:13 AM

We found ourselves in the Friendship singing session in the evening which had the advantage of allowing us to take the children. Many of the pubs ask them to leave just as the music is getting going so it was nice to be able to go somewhere as a family. When they weren't with us we went to Les and Maggies singarounds at the Endeavour which were brilliant with a real mix of songs and some stories. We also got into every room in the Station and the Elsinore and the Resolution after hours one night. Whitby Scratch danced in and out and we had after dance sings in the Golden Lion. We saw other sides dancing as we went round too. We didn't have season tickets (eldest daughter did) but found plenty to do and also paid to go to a few events during the week. Cottage booked for next year!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 11:25 AM

Acorn4 writes 'have now decided to ditch Shrewsbury in favour of Whitby as its' actually very much more of a "Folk" Festival.'
This is so good to hear. There's a lot of criticism about the festival which all too frequently revolves around the issue of who's booked and who isn't. The fact is that the management, love 'em or hate 'em, have never lost sight of the fact that it's a 'folk' week! Mind you, Liz and I got an actual soundcheck at the Metropole thanks to two very professional young chaps. Now that shows WFW can change! :-)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: dozy rozy
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 11:25 AM

I had a fab time and it was anything but quiet.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 12:36 PM

A great week, just waved my friends off, they've bagged my spare room for next year already :)

Really enjoyed the Early Music workshops and Concert, hope 'The Night Watch' are booked again next year.

Seemed to spend most of the free 'non-workshop' time either with the 'Infamous Scratch Morris Band' or in the Resolution at the Euro sessions.

...... and .... possibly a 1st for the Scratch Morris archives... on the way back home on Friday I detoured into St. Ninians for a cuppa and about 5mins later the church was filled with the sounds of Ode to Joy followed by Cwm Rhondda for church organ with all the stops out and concertina :D

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 01:53 PM

This was my first full body immersion - spending a whole week at Whitby, and I found it a marvellous experience. It was a real festival for joining in among friends, everyone seemed to have something to contribute which made it such a huge pleasure to be part of.

The Crystal Spirit event to commemorate the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War was one personal highlight, and I also greatly enjoyed the concert celebrating Peter Bellamy. The lunchtime ballad sessions at the Conservative Club were excellent, and so were the Traditional Nights at the Football Club although I had to miss out on some of these due to problems with the Law of Bilocation. I'm still laughing at some of Jack Lynch's stories. Hissyfit were great to see in action; Linda's songs are so powerful. Ray Hearne's song for adults with learning disabilities 'Things To Say' is a song I am definitely going to use.

It felt a huge privilege to listen to Sheila Stewart talk about her life, and also to hear Thomas MacCarthy and Simon Doyle share their songs and tunes.

Congratulations to Jerry Simons for winning the songwriting competition with 'Living Momently'; when he sang it at the Rifle Club on Friday night it was thrilling to have Chris Miles's voice join in from behind me. It is a lovely song which I think stands well in the tradition of Harry Clifton's motto songs.

On a personal note thanks to Rob, the room steward in the Conservative Club, for reuniting me with my wallet!

Matthew

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack's Rake
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 01:55 PM

Regarding exclusive sessions, I guess, like anywhere else, it depends where you go. We tend to frequent the "ad hoc" sessions in the Fleece, Golden Lion, Station and, occasionally, the Middle Earth. While there are sometimes periods in some of them when a small group of people (often, I'm sad to say, people whose names are in the programme) seem to want to take over, the sessions in these venues always appear to welcome all comers. Likewise the Ship and the Board whe we tend to go to listen rather than join in.



Regarding the OP, the places mentioned above seemed as busy as any other year in the evenings but less so in the afternoons. I suspect the good weather may have had some influence.

Cheers.

Mark & Catherine.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: vectis
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 04:28 PM

It was much easier to get over the bridge than usual so I think there may have been fewer people in town than usual. The loss of two concert venues meant that the remaining venues were packed and some people were muttering about not buying a season in future because they couldn't get into places because non-ticket holders had filled the venues. Some venues seemed to be short of stewards, or were they just short of experienced stewards who could control the venues properly? I dunno.

I had a lovely week and the Endeavour Maratime sessions raised over £1600 for the lifeboats. FANTASTIC!

I'll be back next year for sure.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Surreysinger
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:13 PM

Two venues lost? Were these the two locations in the Resolution? If so, there is the matter of the addition of the Brunswick Rooms to the list of venues to consider - vastly better than the concert room in the Resolution - much better acoustic, and better sight lines.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:19 PM

Is the Resolution undergoing terminal disintegration or what?

Astonishing to see the Angel gone. Last year it was packed all the time (nothing to do with Folk Week but it looked like that location was a licence to print money).

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:39 PM

It was easier to get over the bridge because the pavement has been widened by a foot either side. Nothing to do with numbers of people. :-)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:50 PM

Last two years Regatta Week has also been the same time as folk week.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:53 PM

Regatta is three days Dave, Sat though to Monday.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 02:40 AM

The Resolution might not have been on the 'official' list of venues but it was a great unofficial on for the daily Euro music sessions :)

Regatta will coincide with the first 3 days of Folk Week next year, this year as well as all the rowing races there were the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a 4K fun run, under 11 beach football festival, Vintage and Classic car rally, Birds of prey and all the usual stalls and fairground rides on the Monday topped off by the fireworks :D Look on it as a bonus for keeping family who may not want to go to workshops and concerts amused :)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 05:33 AM

Or look on it as a major problem with less accomodation available and a domination of the main dance spots (of which there are very few now) Add to that running a gauntlet of drunken youths on the way back from the pavilion at night and it hardly seems an asset to the Folk Week.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 05:37 AM

There was no clash with the Regatta this year, Regatta occurred the weekend prior to WFW, however in 2012 and 2013 the two events will coincide.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,whitby virgin
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 05:38 AM

i had a great time in the not advertised sessions in Friendship rowing club

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 05:40 AM

This year? No Regatta in evidence this year that I noticed - and last year the Red Arrows didn't make it because of the ghastly weather (although not as bad as this year). I have to agree with Paul's last sentence - I received warnings from more than one local not to walk alone at night last year ... and comments from various local traders who were less than happy with the rowdy element that the Regatta drags in.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 06:35 AM

I did put in the post that it would coincide NEXT year :) the list of events was a brief rundown of the highlights of this year's Regatta ( omitting the lowlights of the holidaying drunks) :-)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: r.padgett
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:04 AM

I was busy in the Conservative club and did a quite a bit of walking as recuperation

of course official venues now tend to be t'other side from the Harbour and good to see so many old friends

Back next year, God willing

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:43 AM

Yes the "packed out" bit was certainly true of the station when i was in there, indeed the singaround session in the front room was rammed, I couldn't get in! I did stand outside in the rain and listened through the windows which was enjoyable

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:51 AM

Hello Jack,   I've just downloaded the dots for Lamma Bada Yatathanna and am looking for videos of it on youtube to listen to :) Hopefully next year it'll be up to speed to play at the Euro session :D

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Surreysinger
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 08:09 AM

Thanks for the clarification there Raggytash. I hadn't appreciated from Anne N's posting that there had been a Regatta the week before we turned up. Shame that it will coincide for two further years :-(

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 08:16 AM

I have it on the best of authority that Wetherspoons has an application in for the Angel on the quayside and that it's more or less certain to be granted. I don't know how you all feel about the Wetherspoons ethic - personally I think the buildings, (and they're not always pubs) that have been taken over by them are far preferable being licensed rather than posh apartments conversions. Some Wetherspoons are even residential - I've stayed in their establishments in Bewdley and Tewkesbury - very reasonably priced and well-apointed - this would undoubedly help the on-going Whitby accommodation shortfall. In addition, I've never seen any trouble kick off in a J D Wetherspoons house.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 08:58 AM

buy in almost out of date beer and sell it cheap

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: treewind
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 09:30 AM

"buy in almost out of date beer and sell it cheap"

They are religious about pumping water through the pipes between barrels and their turnover must be fast enough that the beer's never actually out of date. I've never had a bad pint at a Wetherspoons.

Their "no music" policy might be a cause for concern, but the new Wetherspons at Whittlesey got a temporary music licence for the Straw Bear weekend, so the company is not completely inflexible about that.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 09:59 AM

Surely they are easier to deal with than Sam Smiths re The Plough a few years ago -

thread.cfm?threadid=86510#1610098

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 11:21 AM

that was not intended as a jibe but a comment on the weatherspoons "ethic", which i think it is eminantly better than pouring it down the drain, some of my friends wouldn't have a drink out if weatherspoons were not selling cheap beer.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 11:33 AM

Have to say that Whittlesey with Weatherspoons is infinitely preferrable to Whittlesey without them. (The George must have paid for its refurbishment in that one weekend)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 12:16 PM

Without wishing to divert this thread from its main thrust ie. music and song, Wetherspoon's CEO Tim Martin has always come across to me as being open to ideas, as opposed to Sam Smiths' inflexibility so to my mind there are positives here for the Angel, going forward.   
However the 'almost out of date beer' concept as policy, is frankly risible. I guess it all depends on which of their houses at any particular given time you've had the misfortune to experience it! Beer is only as good as the person looking after it, and if a "best before" sticker has ever appeared on a pump clip, that one has eluded me!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 03:50 PM

the out of date beer is pure bollocks

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 04:51 PM

I guess that the answer is to never assume that something is quiet based on 3 hours experience.

Timing - essence of good comedy and at the heart of conflict

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:31 PM

Ann N: swap you. Can you give me any pointers to the Finnish tunes you played?

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 06:25 AM

Jack, there's an e-mail on the way with some pdf's and a link to a Finnish tune site :)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Lowden Jameswright
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 08:45 AM

The Fleece was rammed every night from Sunday through to Friday, and was (as usual) rocking. Some afternoon sessions were not as busy as in previous years; maybe there weren't as many people there this year. As for being "exceptionally quiet" Nick then I'd suggest maybe Sunday afternoon is not the best time.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 08:53 AM

I would say that a Wetherspoon pub (N.B. spelling) would be infinitely preferable to the Angel as I saw last week.

Every time I have been in one of their pubs the beer has been cracking and well-priced. The food likewise. Not haute cuisine but perfectly fine to fill a hole.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Tatterfoal
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 09:48 AM

The Fleece was full in the daytime sessions from Tuesday onwards also.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Diva
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 10:01 AM

Had a braw time, loads of highlights. Great to catch up with friends who I only see at Whitby

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 05:52 PM

mmmmmmm interesting, i never said they sold out of date beer, their business model is based on buying beer that has only a short shelf life left, like buying up overproduction and, turning it over quickly by selling it cheap and they are very good at it

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Frank Lee
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 07:54 PM

Date beer? Must try it before they sell-out again!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Mary
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 08:29 AM

Must put in a good word for May Cheadle who did the "Not yet ready for a full session" slots each lunchtime. The Spa foyer is a great space and May leads the session with enthusiasm and wit. Very helpful for the less confident player who wants to try to play by ear. May is also an excellent tutor for tin whistles!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 12:36 PM

back in cookie land.
had a great Whitby as i have had most years since it started as a weekender.
the idea of a Wetherspoons sounds great it may encourage the landlords of Whitby pubs to charge a realistic price for the beer and in the case of the Elsinor an attempt at keeping John Smiths in drinkable condition at £3.15 a pint and in poor order.
the sessions i was involved in were tea time at the Station with impromptu get together with whoever was about.
Middle Earth 5.00 - 7.00 , Conservative afternoon session.(good ale @ right price)
regarding same old tunes, they are still good to be inclusive when folk from all over the country meet to play standard tunes eg Fiddlers Tune Book, Community Dance Manuals etc.or any of the popular session tune books.
I do not buy a ticket these days as the days of sessioning all day and dancing all night are not an option.
Big thanks (NOT) to the dog owners on last years Fringe site for it now to be non dog friendly.
Overall enjoyed it very much and will see all who i met again next year

Ken C

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Tatterfoal
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 12:44 PM

If everyone does not buy a ticket there will be no festival to have a fringe at!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 02:22 PM

Big thanks (NOT) to the dog owners on last years Fringe site for it now to be non dog friendly.

Except for guide dogs, why on earth would you bring a dog to the festival? What would you do with it while you were at an event?

(Oddly, I didn't spot any blind people at Whitby all week - an extraordinary number of people with motor disabilities that you'd think Whitby was far less accommodating for, but nobody with a guide dog or white stick).

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: stallion
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 05:57 PM

yea, possibly reflects the folk demographic, I couldn't find my nitrate spray and had to leave without one, Rob said bloody hell it's a folk festival there is bound to be someone there you can get a squirt from if you nneed it!

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 08:40 PM

The fringe campsite by which I presume you mean the Community College never was dog friendly.

If it has been so in recent years it will only have been by omission.

Dog shit and children are not a good mix.

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 03:05 AM

"Oddly, I didn't spot any blind people at Whitby all week - an extraordinary number of people with motor disabilities that you'd think Whitby was far less accommodating for, but nobody with a guide dog or white stick"

:) There were at least 2, both with the very long white canes :) One gentleman with the Scratch Morris and a superb whistle player who briefly joined the Scratch Band both outside and inside the Shambles on Friday when we were playing/singing/dancing :D
Once the long canes were folded and tucked away no-one could tell who was blind :)

Subject: RE: Whitby FF seems very quiet this year
From: Ann N
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 03:35 AM

Whoops ... that should have been Wednesday .... Friday it hoyed it down, water wings optional :)