Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014

Subject: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 14 - 04:03 PM

Last few days to get lowest priced tickets for the event of the year. A very Yorkshire theme to a very Yorkshire festival. Come and help us enjoy our 27th Festival. Tickets online from Eventbrite or download a form from www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org It will be good to see you there!!!

Subject: RE : Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Jan 14 - 05:20 AM

An excellent weekend in a very pleasant location

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 14 - 03:56 AM

Looking like a cracking festival line-up - let's hope the weather stays good and we can have a weekend just like last year !!!!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 14 - 01:12 PM

Last two days of cut price tickets - save up to 10% offer ends 31st May. Still a great value festival so will we see you there? www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Murpholly
Date: 30 May 14 - 07:09 AM

Please remember Nev. and sing a song for him.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 30 May 14 - 11:43 AM

Yes Nev Nicholl still poorly and according to Sue Knowles has chest infection won't go to hospital ~ post Doncaster ff 2014

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 14 - 02:50 PM

Get well soon Nev - from all at Cleckheaton !!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 30 May 14 - 06:02 PM

Got my w/ender; looking fwd to it com rain or shine. Sithee there folks!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 08 Jun 14 - 01:21 PM

3 weeks, five days to go, to Yorkshire's greates show...........

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 03:19 AM

Down to the last couple of weeks - can't wait
www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 01:57 AM

Yep another year and weekend to meet up with friends and do what you like to enjoy Cleckeaton festival events

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,David Nuttall , Wakefield
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 01:57 PM

Looking forward to meeting up with many friends ( and perhaps newcomers too ) at the on-going sing around in the Wickhams Arms , CLECKHEATON, on Saturday 5th July from noon until late. Do your best to join the various hosts....everyone is most welcome and we hope to see you there.

Best wishes . Dave

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Murpholly
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 12:18 PM

Sorry to announce that Nev. gave up the fight on Saturday night. He has been sorely missed over the last few months and folk nights are never the same without his spoons and his songs - especially his mining songs. Wonder what spoons and harps sound like together.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 01:58 PM

RIP Neville - you will be sadly missed - on behalf of all at Cleckheaton Folk Festival

Subject: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 10:18 AM

Mr Happy & the Gloom Band may be glimpsed at sessions in Clecky next w/end - anyone else going?

Cleckyclicky!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 10:51 AM

Mo & I

Joe N

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 12:49 PM

Please combine this with the Cleckheaton FF thread.. ta!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 01:56 PM

why?

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 30 Jun 14 - 08:39 AM

Maggie and me.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: r.padgett
Date: 01 Jul 14 - 03:43 AM

Clearly meant Cleckheaton ff 2014 and not the town of Cleckheaton only!
Cleckheaton is a small town in West Riding of Yorkshire and very accessible and friendly ~ even better with the festival

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: MerryLocks
Date: 01 Jul 14 - 04:09 AM

Looking forward to beers in the Wickham, sunshine, song and the fun that always is Cleckheaton

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton anyone?
From: bradfordian
Date: 01 Jul 14 - 04:46 AM

I'll be there.
Where will the singarounds be?
Somewhere better than the Wickham I hope. The Wickham was great a few years back, but the refurbishment put paid to the intimate atmosphere for the singers, but still great if you want to bang out tunes on instruments!

bradfordian
PS Linking with Shantyfreak for some Cicely Fox Smith poems/songs

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Dave Nuttall, Wakefield
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 05:48 AM

There are three rooms at the Wickams which have, in the past, been used for impromptu and more organised music. Two of these rooms were refurbished and are still used during the festival. My friends and I are hosting the singarounds in the third room...at the back....from noon on Saturday until late that night. In the past these singarounds have been well received by many people who commented on the pleasant atmosphere, quality of the music and inclusion.

Everyone is most welcome to join in ..... sing, play or simply listen! Please come along and join us. Perhaps even ' bradfordian ' may be pleasantly surprised.

David Nuttall , Wakefield

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 12:00 PM

Yes the Wickham is a big pub and impromptu musicians sessions can be a hinderance, music sessions better off in the Commercial!

Dave Nuttall runs a great singaround and no doubt there will be other opportunities for singing elsewhere

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 04:55 PM

Yes, it can be problematic at times with "through traffic" at the Wickham, but normally the singaround goes well. I'm looking forward to doing my stint of hosting again this year...
But the booked-guest lineup for the festival as a whole is tremendous too, so nobody will be disappointed.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 03 Jul 14 - 02:34 AM

Not a criticism of your post as you've done it right. But can I suggest to others plugging festivals. Most seem to just mention the place/town i.e Sidmouth/Clegheathon/Moseley/Wickhan etc etc, but rarely mention the county or general area. I'm often looking for Summer festivals, and often I've never heard of the town or can't place it, then can't be bothered looking further, so plese le us know which part of the country as they've done here

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 03 Jul 14 - 05:38 AM

Fair comment, Desi C, and well made.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 14 - 08:45 AM

Is acces to the festival going to be difficult because of the Tour de France???

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 14 - 11:59 AM

Depends which way you come from. Access on Friday should be OK. Saturday will have restrictions around Leeds, York, Harrogate etc. Sunday will have restrictions around Keighley, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield and Sheffield. Get here for the weekend and all should be OK

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 03 Jul 14 - 05:22 PM

I've nearly packed me rucksack. Looking fwd to my 3rd Clecky festival.
Let there be sunshine !

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 04 Jul 14 - 04:22 AM

We are escaping from Harrogate almost straigh away before they close the roads see you all soon.

Joe & Mo

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 05 Jul 14 - 02:51 AM

See you lunch time hopefully no traffic problems from Barnsley

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 05 Jul 14 - 07:30 AM

May nip across for an hour later - hoping there is not too much of a cacophony in the Wickham like there was last time we came a few years ago with two singarounds and a melodeon player making it impossible to stay!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Jul 14 - 08:25 AM

Could have been worse Joe, it could have been a piano accordion.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 12:32 PM

Just got back from the worst festival I've ever had the misfortune to attend & I'll never go there again

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 01:44 PM

In think Mr Happy (unhappy) needs to detail why and where and what he expected

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 01:52 PM

Mr Happy, please elaborate on what makes you say that? I always had a great time at Clecky Festival in the days when I lived up that way.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Orson Trap
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 03:02 AM

My favourite festival, (even though I was involved in the Saddleworth FF) it was great, as usual.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 04:48 AM

Just to balance up Mr Happy's comments - we had a fantastic time.

great campsite, great company, great venues and great music.

Even the weather was pretty good.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 06:53 AM

An excellent festival again, so thanks to the organisers.

If Mudcatters find something not to their taste it would be much more helpful to others if reasons were given. Just to dismiss something out of hand is merely opinion.

There were plenty of feedback forms available for punters to vent their spleen, whether they were people who'd payed for a ticket or just turned up for sessions. Ours was quite positive.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 06:56 AM

I have never been attracted to Cleckheaton because it is obvious, to me, from the guest list etc that I would not enjoy it.

That said I think Mr Happy's sweeping condemnation is unfair.

Is he likely to indicate which festivals he does like?

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 07:46 AM

Sorry Mr Happy is unhappy as for us we had a great time with some superb guests and some fantastic singing with the likes of Kimbers Men, Hissyfit, Youngsters like James Findlay, Greg Russell & Ciarian Algar to name just a rew. Although Mo and I usually go to Singarounds we just could not fit them in this time. But Mr happy do not knock it just because it was not your kind of thing.

Joe Nicholson.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 08:02 AM

For a festival that operates on a shoestring it seems to do very well and has lasted. Kirklees council seem to be very supportive which other festivals can only envy. My local council deliberately sabotaged the signage because they believe folk festivals attract the "wrong sort of people".

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 08:15 AM

Singarounds sometimes occur spontaneously according to the spaces provided and are not run as such. That seemed to be the case in the Wickham where there three Singaround activities in different rooms with people going from one to the other. With concert folk some people have come to expect everything to sound like folk in concert, and not amateurs having a to.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 07 Jul 14 - 07:43 PM

I just tried to post this but it disappeared - twice - what is going on with this site today???

I cannot understand Mr Happy's grumpiness. He ought to be specific...

Myself, I found the festival almost exclusively a positive experience. The only exception was the Sat evening at the Wickham, where in none of the three rooms could be found a viable singaround (all for different reasons).

But hey, let's concentrate on the positives - the guest-list alone puts many a more overtly prestigious (or bigger) festival to shame, and the ancillary activities and events are all well managed. The festival scores too by not producing a carbon-copy of last year's bill and maintaining an enviable freshness in that guest-list (so many festivals fall at that particular hurdle).

There was a great buzz about the town, and everyone involved was friendly and helpful. Like the now-sadly-defunct Saddleworth festival, Cleckheaton is proving a very hard to follow. Congrats to the whole team!

Me, I'm looking forward to next year's Cleckheaton already, and the dates are in my diary!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 14 - 07:37 AM

If Mr Happy has an issue please email [e-mail] and let him know what the issue is? We can't fix it if we don't know whats broken!!

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 Jul 14 - 01:43 PM

The festival website said camping fee would be £6 per person per night.

One of my friends emailed the fest organisers to check out if we could just pay for camping as we never attend concerts, instead playing & singing in the fringe events in the local pub sessions.

The emailed response from the organisers confirmed that this would be ok.

I printed a copy of the email to show to stewards etc

On arriving at the campsite, we were shocked & very disappointed to be asked to pay £12 per person per night.

Had I known that the cost would be this high, I'd never have attended in the first place.

Turning to the pub sessions, we had one reasonable one in the House at Home pub on Sat afternoon along with some friends from Acoustic Collective but towards the later afternoon, many locals drank too much & became very noisy.

Vacating there, after an evening meal, we moved on to the Commercial where the musicians diddley session was in full & melodious swing in one of the back rooms.

The front room was unoccupied & quiet, so we set up a music & song sesh in there.

After about an hour, some other folk came, as we thought, to join our session – but no.

Two very loud players proceeded to work their way through a songbook totally oblivious of turn-taking, common good manners, session etiquette as might be reasonably expected anywhere all lacking.

They seemed to have brought all their acolytes with them, including other singers & musicians, who appeared to accept & expect the 2 raucous 'leaders' to perform all the songs while the rest meekly followed along.

I/we not accustomed to that kind of ill-mannered boorishness but apparently others liked it so voting with our feet, we'll never go there again

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: selby
Date: 15 Jul 14 - 02:26 PM

Seems to me Mr Happy you did not go to the festival as a supporter of the festival. You went to play in sessions and it did not work for you.
So your statement below is incorrect. You can not comment on the festival cos you did not go

Keith

Just got back from the worst festival I've ever had the misfortune to attend & I'll never go there again.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 16 Jul 14 - 02:04 AM

Pubs are pubs and and musicians are well, musicians (as are singers on occasion)

Friday and Saturday nights in a pub are regular pub drinking venues for all including people who live there ~ interfer with their enjoyment and see what happens Mr Happy!

Festivals make the best of available venues, however few venues survive if they have to rely on annual folk fringe musicians wanting exclusivity


Ray

grow up Mr Happy or stop at home

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jul 14 - 02:03 PM

Ok, I'll ignore your puerile & asinine comments but would an organiser explain why, after we'd enquired about camp fees, was an extra amount demanded?

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 16 Jul 14 - 02:39 PM

I understood camping was for ticket holders and this can be a problem Mr Happy

I look forward to those that know explaining the policy and what seems to have occurred

I stand by my reasonable comments above

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Lenny's mum (inactive)
Date: 17 Jul 14 - 10:59 AM

The festival website said the camping fee would be £6 per person per night. The booking form stated that this was for weekend ticket holders only and for anyone who wanted to come to the festival and 'Fringe' the price would be £12 per person per night. Did Mr. Happy ask the price of camping without buying a weekend ticket or did he just assume it would be the same as with a weekend ticket. Did he read the booking form on which it was clearly stated. Mr. Happy was right in once sense - he could camp and not buy a Festival ticket but it would cost him and extra £6 per night to do so.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Any guest you like
Date: 17 Jul 14 - 08:23 PM

I prefer normally to not get involved with these silly arguments.

At any event you care to name there are those parasites like Mr Happy who want almost everything for bugger all.

If said (sad?) person was so sure of his information and had gone to the bother to print it out why did he not ask to speak to a member of the management team?

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 08:16 AM

I thought it was a fabulous festival. Festivals can't control the Fringe and disputes over charging were easily resolved at Clecky by the very accessible Festival office in the Townhall where there was always a commitee member available. Hope Mr Happy does go again -its a very friendly festival in a very friendly town.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 08:18 AM

PS many of the artistes performed in the cafes around town providing entertainment for the price of a coffee and a bun-not may festivals can boast that.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 09:28 AM

Mr Happy wants to perform like many others, but could not find appropriate venue nor any mates to play with ~ I think?

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 11:54 AM

You think?

You are quite wrong & I've 6 other witnesses to prove it.

Furthermore, from the scurrilous, antagonistic & downright offensive comments on here, you've confirmed that a significant number of Clecky fans do in fact exhibit ill-mannered boorishness & disregard any notion of turn taking or the usual democracy of session etiquette

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: selby
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 04:04 PM

Mr Happy your original post was a bit damming
Just got back from the worst festival I've ever had the misfortune to attend & I'll never go there again.

So do not be disappointed when people turn on you, a lot of people put a lot of effort to put on festivals, and someone dams them who did not actually go to the festival only the fringe.

Either man up,grow up or run your own festival so we can come and see how good you are at getting right for everyone.
Keith

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 05:08 PM

Unofficial singarounds/sessions at festivals worry me. Why? well imagine if you put a concert on in your local Folk venue, carried the can for the financial commitment, and then some body starts up in opposition in the other bar when you are trying to get bums on seats.
Not very helpful.It's just the same at festivals unless the singaround is free within the festival which is often the case buy a ticket and support the festival and have a bit of consideration.
here endeth the lesson

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 06:24 AM

If you are NOT invited to sing/play in a public bar by the manager , its your own fault if no one listens !
And totally informal sessions , wether of music or song , with no one in any controlling position are by their nature a Free or All !
I have 'done' Cleckheaton several times both as a booked artist and as a
friend of the Festival , and always had a very enjoyable time

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 12:09 PM

Guest @0508, what a load of rubbish. the singaround situation will never be a threat to an organised concert.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 05:45 PM

How do you work that out? At the very least it's bloody bad manners, at the worst it will detract from the festival revenue. There are a finite number of festival goers.
The answer is to have a cheaper fringe ticket, as they do at blues festivals, and bringing all the pubs in the town into the festival if possible.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Stanron
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 06:41 PM

Singarounds and tunes sessions are for participants. Scheduled concerts are for listeners. A good festival caters for both. But not necessarily at the same venue.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Stanron
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 07:06 PM

Of course if you are incapable of differentiating between participants and listeners then you might make a post like GUEST 05:45

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 08:11 PM

Right that's told me then! I'm off to the pub to start a sing around in the bar while my local folk Club is on down the road. I'm sure they will be delighted. I am so much wiser now! There are two sorts of Folk festival supporters Participants and listeners, and they never meet in the same venue, and there was me thinking you could do both. I should have known, of course nobody ever listens at singarounds and sessions, and my mothers a virgin, three cheers for Stanron where would we be without his logic and perception.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: Stanron
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 11:19 PM

Isn't anonimity wonderful?

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: r.padgett
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 03:36 AM

Mr Happy please please explain yourself, you have been given many opportunities on here ~ this is THE place to say what YOUR problems are, yes I know that conflicting infornation appears to have been given re price and availabilty of camping

I appreciate that there are TWO at least types of clientelle at festivals ~ DOERS who want to do their own thing and AUDIENCE (bums on seats asa above) and yes you can be both at different times

Maybe you found the Commercial session a bit daunting and FULL and needed your own space ( yes I THINK! ~ cos you are not SAYING)

Come on now

Ray

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 06:59 AM

I can bring to mind at least a few situations where a singaround would be preferable to an organised concert.

It all depends who you might hear at either and if you are pretty sure that certain individuals or groupings would be at a singaround then it could detract from a very average (subjective) concert.

The young Wilsons in the days of the Sun Folk Club in Stockton was at times just such a situation and to a certain extent was not helped by Ron Angel's treatment of floor singers at the time.

Subject: RE: Cleckheaton Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 07:42 AM

Let's be clear here. I prefer singarounds every time, I just don't think unofficial singarounds are fair or beneficial.