Most improved folk festival 2012

Subject: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 04:56 AM

Ok - so we all go to festivals and they add a bit and take away a bit - but much the same format. Which festival changed for the better for you.
My vote would go to Tenterton this year. I remember past festivals where the only sessions were ones we started ourselves - and even then had to stop because the football came on for the regulars. This year there seemed to be music in most pubs as well as an organised programme of dancing and concerts.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Mr Happy
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 07:12 AM

Never heard of Tenterton, where's that?

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 07:58 AM

tenterden is in kent, i am booked to appear there this year.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Mr Red
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:33 AM

I nominate the Blitherscrum Festival

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Mr Happy
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 09:43 AM

GsS,

Thanks, but I think the OP's referring to somewhere called Tenterton

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 10:34 AM

What was special about Blitherscrum?
FloraG

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Kampervan
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 10:53 AM

High Mr H

I think that the OP was referring to Tenterden and just hit the wrong spelling.

It's a lovely festival and very much on an upward path.

Cheers
K/van

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 12:55 PM

Tenterden has long been one of my favourites. I look forward to hearing you there Dick. Lovely town, nice walking distance camping (facilities, field, portaloos, bowsers of water fit to cook with if not technically drinking water) at least two wonderful pubs (shame about the 8 Bells), great sound in the barn behind the Woolpack last year

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 12:56 PM

Oh - and three rousing cheers for Alan Castle!

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Vic Smith
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 01:00 PM

Oh - and three rousing cheers for Alan Castle!
...which I will join in heartily.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:21 PM

We went to Tenterden for the first time this year and really enjoyed it.

Looking at the information available for previous years and chatting to both locals and regulars it would seem that it would certainly be a strong contender for the mythical award.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Green Man
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 09:12 AM

Moira Furncae gets my vote. Friendly really well run and superb campsite.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 09:27 AM

Most improved folk festival - that's a bit of a back-handed compliment!

I think most people are just naming those they've enjoyed.

I hope Beverley is a success at the Racecourse this year.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 10:35 AM

Suggest putting (UK) or (US) at the end of the title for threads of this nature. Saves reading time.

P.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 10:58 AM

Someone asked what was special about Blitherscrum.. well, in the context of this thread re improvements :- 1) A Park and Ride was arranged with local farmer Rick Ovay who has offered use of his tractor/trailer for a small fee.
2) Portaloos were used instead of the usual holes in the ground
3) Camp beds were purchased for the bunkhouse... better than sleeping on the newly concreted floor.
4) Each performer was tested under health and safety rules to ensure that the number of decibels reached was within government standards.
5) Bodhrans used as frisbees were kept away from Farmer Giles windows. Last year he had three windows broken and two teeth.
6) Banjo tennis was not banned in spite of the decibel levels when the banjo connected with the tennis balls used.
7) Due to the recent rise in VAT, camping charges were raised by only 10% to partially cover the rise.
8) Any discussion on Coalition policies were confined to the bunkhouse and only when all were asleep.
A number of stars were booked... some from previous years such as :- Jezlo, Vinegar Butt, Peeleyed Stan, The Doublinuppers, Donervan and Maya Karding.
These changes heralded huge improvements on previous years.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 11:03 AM

But who throws good money after bad and keeps going to a crap festival to see if it improves?

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Michael
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 03:26 PM

Any festival can improve, even a good one.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: selby
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 03:52 PM

Anyone who organises a festival deserves praise and everybody has their own favourites, we should applaud every festival.
Keith

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 04:06 PM

that is correct,Malcolm Storey ran whitby for many years, and it was a good festival.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 07:06 PM

I think it is thanks Dick - but I'm never sure.

I know we certainly tried to improve the running of Whitby year on year.

The music spoke for itself, it was just such a privilege to be lucky enough to present some truly great people in an atmosphere that most of them enjoyed.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 08:58 PM

It is a bit of an odd title: very subjective for attenders, and very bias-prone for organisers. Those of us who run festivals do strive to make it "best ever" each year and keep raising the bar, and the only way you can do this is to be self-critical (after you've wallowed in a few pats on the back in the immediate aftermath of the event) If you're into doing feedback forms, "economic impact assessments" and the rest, it's worth reading all the comments, even if some are quite laughable and totally unrealistic, but others are genuinely useful and can lead to improvements in subsequent years.
So I'd say Linlithgow Folk Festival - may not be MOST improved as it's already so good in my totally unbiased (ahem!) opinion, but ever improving if I have anything to do with it! Dates for 2013 are Sept 12th-15th.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 05:05 AM

Tatie - you are right. There are loads of good festivals around and all credit to the organisers and helpers whom for many its an unpaid labour of love. These are well documented elsewhere. Of course its biased. Thats why saying what has especially improved about it is helpful. I think it also keeps people positive. Thankyou Georgiansilver. Do I bring my own banjo to play tennis or will someone lend me one?
I'm sure there must be some festivals in the USA and Aussie that have also improved. No need to restrict it to the UK.
I mentioned Tenterden in Kent ( UK) as a long time attender. There used to be a very few of us who camped at the top of the railway car park - it tended to be too wet anywhere else. There is now an organised camp site, although I was told still a bit wet. We used to run our own session lunchtimes and evenings. I was lucky, as a member of one of the big singing morris sides in Kent we could always get a mixed tune and song session going. I have not been to any of the paid performers, as they have not yet put on any ' must go and see ' acts - but that is a taste thing. I went to Sidmouth last year just to hear the Voice squad. The rest was a bonus.
This year at Tenterden there were 4 days of things to do. More of the pubs opened their doors to the folkies and there were designated sessions. Much improved.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 07:27 AM

Malcolm, you may have called me a wanker when we played cricket, but the i wasnt booked by you on the my cricketing abilty still to be fair you ran a good festival.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 07:44 AM

Some festivals will never be as you would like them but one festival goer's opinion doesn't necessarily mean that they are well run or otherwise.

For instance, I've been to some festivals where the organisation has been chaos but I've still had a great time. Good acts, sessions, local pubs, and even making the best of things with like minded people can make up for many shortcomings in terms of organisation.

Conversely, there are many excellently organised events where there may be nothing "for you" although it might appeal to others.
However, most festivals tend to be a mixture of all of the above.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Johnny J
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 07:47 AM

Oops, the last guest was me. My cookies needed resetting

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 06:10 AM

I can't believe that no other festivals improved in 2012 except the ones mentioned. I know a lot of festivals provide something for everyone - so hard to improve massively, but I think most must have done something better.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 01:40 PM

I can't believe that Tom Lewis, Kimbers' Men, Brian Peters, and the Keelers (to name but a few from Tenterden over the years) are not counted as "must see" guests.

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:52 AM

Already seen em - got the T shirt.   
FloraG

Subject: RE: Most improved folk festival 2012
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:50 AM

""6) Banjo tennis was not banned in spite of the decibel levels when the banjo connected with the tennis balls used.""

Concrete balls produce less noise and are much more effective Mike.

Don T. ):-)