Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014

Subject: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 14 - 08:15 AM

Any info on sessions please. I know there is one in the Balfour which is good fun and the middle bar singers at the Anchor. Any more...........................?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Jul 14 - 01:12 PM

where to begin?
Volunteer singing, (poetry & Story in their garden). Mid-day at least.
Swan, inside, outside and behind sessions mid-day and probably evening.
Anchor downstairs mid-day session.
Radway English session (ish)
Bedford - session (occ song) and maybe a second session mid-day.
Cricket Club mid-day session.
and who knows what evening sessions take place but I would expect all of the above. I will be in the Blackmore Gardens or the Bulverton marquee, dancing.
Yatch Club (or wherever it is now) has a folk club - think singaround - in the evenings.
There are things in the Rugby club (collecting box), various, but Sunday 8pm is a singaround. Saturday - Irish & Scottish session. eg.
If you see me wandering around - say hello.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 28 Jul 14 - 06:17 PM

there are morning and evening sessions in the York and Faulkner, 10:30 and 19:30.

The 15:30 themed singarounds are usually interesting - this year at the rugby club.

There are ballad sessions (real ballads) in the conservatory at Woodlands 17:00. I promise I will not sing Tam Lin again.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Jul 14 - 08:41 PM

Gerry Milne and friends at The New Tavern (Overflow bar for Carina's)
Midday till Three Ish and Twenty Thirty till the disco gets noisy - The best Mixed Session in Sidders !

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Jul 14 - 08:46 PM

Morning singarounds in the York & Faulkner start on Sunday - by which time there'll already have been evening sessions on Friday and Saturday.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 04:15 AM

As you can see from the above it is hard to "not find" a session and even harder to know where they all are!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 04:38 AM

All - or most - of the fringe events are given on page 50 of the programme.
And please don't forget to put some money in the collecting tin - the collections in the fringe sessions and on the streets are an important part of the festival income.
Oh, and tickets are available for the non-fringe events ..... :-)

Derek

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 07:36 PM

You are wasting your time Derek thinking that the majority of contributors to these threads will actually make any significant financial input into this or any other festival.

Personally I have always been happy to pay my way and always offered practical support.

I know I am in the minority but can only blame that on a working class background where we expected nothing for nothing.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 08:02 PM

Well, Guest, Guest, my own experience of the named people who have previously contributed to this thread is that they have contributed financially to the festival too. And we'll be putting a collecting tin round in the Royal York singarounds again this year as in previous years.

You're welcome to come and join us and put a coin or two in the tin too. (As the saying goes, notes are quieter, and don't disturb the singers.....)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 09:18 PM

Same goes for the tin in The Newt !

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Surreysinger
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 06:20 AM

Guest Guest .... as Kitty said! The collecting tins are passed around in the Volunteer every day, and as far as I have ever noticed everybody usually makes a donation. The Middle Bar singers usually go all out as far as I am aware, and consistently make a fair bit of money for the Festival.

As far as the original guest's request about Sessions, please note that, despite what Mr Red has said, the lunchtime events at the Volunteer are NOT sessions/singarounds. Singers are invited to take the floor by the co-hosts of the day (normally George Frampton and AN Other),and quite often include festival guests etc, and music is provided by the designated "pit band" of the day.Doesn't mean to say that you don't get the chance to raise the rafters in chorus singing every now and then though! The evening events at the Volunteer (assuming that things are proceeding as they were two years ago (I haven't been able to go for that long, boo hiss)are of a more participative mixed song and tunes nature.Looking forward to getting back to the Volly for at least one session next week on the Friday. Hope you find what you are looking for guest!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Lee
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 11:00 AM

Thanks for all the feedback thing I will try and get round most of them.......don't look at the weather

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Johnny J
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 01:04 PM

I do hope that The Sidmouth Singers Festival will be a great success as usual.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: selby
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 01:19 PM

Is it true there is a folk festival at Sidmouth?
Keith

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 08:35 PM

anyone beside me going to see Ralph McTell tomorrow night?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Red
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 04:24 AM

Fri 12pm is the earliest I can get there, and probably got straight to the Anchor Gardens. Tickets & B&B must wait for a gap in my programme.

FWIW I never implied the Volunteer was a session, singing was stated, the format unspecified. I always tell people (for any pub "event") that the format depends on who is there and you have to try several to find the scenario that suits. Sidmouth affords a rich choice. "Invited Floor Spots" would be a better description. It didn't light my fire whenever I popped in, despite my singing pedigree. The Rugby Club (Sun 8pm) event run by Dave Hunt might be more to your liking. I have experience his organising and it is very eclectic and inclusive.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 12:48 PM

Do people deliberately misread postings?

Three singarounds do not make a majority.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 01:29 PM

Thanks Mr Red! ...Sunday 8pm Rugby Club...   It's billed as a 'Music and Song Session', and that's exactly what you'll get! I really like a varied and lively mix of stuff, so that there is always a chance for ANYBODY to have a go,...experienced or newcomers. I always try to maintain a stress free, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, we all had to start somewhere, and this could be YOUR opportunity. Or you may be a virtuoso musician...great, come and share your expertise with us! It will be FUN!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Surreysinger
Date: 31 Jul 14 - 05:51 PM

Mr Red - sorry, but since the OP was enquiring specifically about Sessions I would, and certainly did, construe it as relating to such. !!

As to the Rugby Club - always a good one. And if it's Mr Hunt at the helm fun is definitely assured. (I'll have the Fiver next time I see you Dave).Just wish I was going to be down before Thursday to come along.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: My guru always said
Date: 01 Aug 14 - 05:01 AM

Will be there Sunday evening *hurrah*

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: JHW
Date: 01 Aug 14 - 06:30 AM

My apologies for not making the York and Faulk and Sidmouth generally again. I wish you all much enjoyment.
Poorly L (Clutch) knee this year (but I've got an auto coming next w/e)
John Wilson

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 06 Aug 14 - 07:50 PM

Brings back happy memories of the 80s/90s - but also of not so good memories such as heavy rain and strong winds resulting in a flooded campsite, almost total lack of showers, stench of chemical loos, folks shouting into the early hours, and trying to sleep on a just ploughed up muddy field.

I seem to remember that the campsite was so far out from town too.

Would love to do it all over again - but Sidmouth is now way out of my financial means. They don't want pensioners there - do they even have concessionary tickets? - its very much a young person's festival - as is made quite clear in the activities programmed.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: JHW
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 04:17 AM

Sidmouth is full of pensioners, indeed it's hard to tell the folkies from the locals.
Don't worry about a ticket, just go, but use one of the permanent campsites.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 06:10 AM

Sidmouth festival sent me an email yesterday containing a photograph of a dance - nobody in the photograph looked under 80.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Jim Martin
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 07:12 AM

'CJB' - Always used to do concessions for residents, don't know if they still do. Quite a nice gesture, I thought!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Reynard
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 09:13 AM

A "young persons festival"?! The average age when I last went a couple of years ago was easily 60+.

Perhaps the organisers realise that if they don't make a serious effort to attract younger people the festival will cease to exist within the next 20 years.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 12:18 PM

But I still can't afford to go: train fare (outrageous), b&b inflated prices just for the week, Festival season ticket plus tickets for extra events - eye-watering, food & beer money, incidentals, etc. Way beyond my means.

Huh - friend of mine get free tickets for taking workshops but they don't share them with me and I haven't reached the dizzy heights of taking a workshop myself. I do clogging and step dancing - and those from Newcastle always get those workshops anyway.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: RTim
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 12:25 PM

My kids (37 and 35) and their spouses, with their 4 children - go every year!
My kids have been every year of their lives (incl. in utero!), except one year when I made them go to Pinewoods Camp in the USA.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Bignige
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 12:32 PM

We've just got back from Sidmouth and both said the same thing, its slowly its losing its vitality. The event is changing, too many traders on the sea front, not enough dancers or performers, too many mini pa's with X Factor wannabes behind them, sessions with no umph, needs a kick up the arse.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Marje
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 01:29 PM

If most of the punters are over 60, that doesn't necessarily mean that the festival will die out. In 20 years, lots more people will be over 60 and may replace the present festival-goers.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Aug 14 - 02:02 PM

Well, I'm hoping to be proper retired enough to take the week down there next year or the year after. I went down for the opening weekend a couple of times not long ago. I agree. Get rid of traders on the prom and PAs in the street, that'll give the dancers some space and those of us who want to sit in sessions can do so in every pub!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 04:48 AM

What a lot of negativity about! I had a wonderful week as ever! Many thanks again to the organisers. No shortage of young folk about, among buskers, sessioneers and paid performers. Lots of stuff for families and children too.
It would be good to get the Esplanade back for more spontaneous and/or arranged dancing and music, but hopefully (maybe?) some of the income from hiring out the spaces to the traders goes back into funding the festival?? Can someone confirm or refute that?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 06:36 AM

East Devon District Council (EDDC) hire out the spaces on the Esplanade to traders. EDDC does not give direct financial support to the festival.
see here:
http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/street_trading_sidmouth_folk_week

Write to Chief Executive Mark Williams to comment on street trading...

Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Jim Martin
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 07:28 AM

So there you have it, direct from the 'horse's mouth' - EDDC are on the make from the festival, while at the same time, apparently without realising it, stiffling the very reason genuine festival goers want to go there in the first place.

Something drastic needs doing here before the festival (& EDDC) completely loses its integrity!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 11:01 AM

To clarify ... Sidmouth Town Council gives generous financial support to the festival. And EDDC gives support in kind, and the festival obviously involves increased street cleaning, there are licensing issues etc... (all EDDC responsibility).
EDDC's car park revenue is probably up as well... :-)
Derek
ps I'm not the horse's mouth, by the way, and have no formal involvement in the organisation of the festival....

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 12:36 PM

no formal involvement? all those photographs for EDS magazine and MC in the Ham Marquee. (!-)

But if you were a dancer you would have sore feet doing all the ceilidhs, or the Contra, or the Troyls from Kernow, Breton Montardes/Andros & Hantadros. Balkan Circles, and Irish Set dances. And 2 "free" ceilidhs in the Anchor Gardens per day.
If you were fans of Belshazzar's Feast, Chris Wood & Andy Cutting and a load of concerts I didn't get to (you could be on concerted overload). Talks, edifying lectures on Frank Kidson (eg),
If you were a session musician you would be spoilt for "free" choice in the Bedford, Swan, Anchor, Radway and a some official sessions I never got to.
Singers had the Volunteer, Anchor and other venues I didn't have time for.

But there is a tradition that says nostalgia is not what it was
but it will be one day and it is nice to know it is alive and well amongst the non-attendees.

As I always say "change is the only thing certain in life" and to those who point to death I say "as changes go? ..............".

The changes at festivals like Sidders that I don't like are compensated for by the yoof that like it. At my age there is a wonderful vicarious pleasure in seeing others enjoy themsleves, particularly yoof finding what I found long ago - that participation has a value way above consumption.

I am weary, tired and lost 2 weeks of hobbies, and I am wonderfully rewarded for all of that.

Thankyou Sidmouth organisers.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 03:46 AM

Thanks for clarifying the street traders point, Derek.

And hear hear to Mr Red's post.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 04:17 AM

Second try at this - It seemed to me that the fringe was reduced in numbers . Nowhere near as many singers and musicians as in the past

We had some good sessions in The Newt , despite fRoots curtailing our activities as they were on at a lot of the same times

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: The Barden of England
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 04:21 AM

Mr. Red has it spot on. Nice to see you in the Bedford by the way.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: daughter
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 05:12 AM

AGREED Mr Red! What a fantastic week! I have been going to Sidmouth since 1989 and have seen many changes. I couldn't fit in a quarter of the events/free sings and sessions that I would have liked.

Loads of young musicians and exciting singers and dancers along with spaces for the "older" traddies (like myself in part!).

Sidmouth remains the kind of experience where everyone can have a completely different festival - as expensive or inexpensive as suits. See Mr Red's comments for a meer glimpse of the range of pursuits, I won't list again but you get the picture.

It is some time since I returned to Mudcat and it is a shame to see that there are still so many pointless, negative musings across the threads. I'd love to see people offering ideas and suggestions for festivals/events they liked better that we all might try out instead of purely doing down other people's experiences.

Alie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GRex
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 06:45 AM

I gave Sidmouth a miss this year, the first time in over thirty years. I'm afraid I've allowed myself to get too old and decrepit. Pleased to know that it went well.

GRex

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 07:06 AM

The reason there are no fringe players anymore is the festival/Sidmouth is just too exspensive too attend. Even taking out the ticket price I know as a local every bussiness put's a little premium on everything over that week. Compare this to Dartmoor festival where a pint costs £2.50 and a burger is a couple quid.
I personally think its on way too long as well and due to this the festival just kind of fizzles out midweek. On the first weekend we sat in sessions till 2am but by Wedenesday sessions were packing up at 9.30pm. I really think a 4 day long weekend would be the way to go as the comments on here are correct the crowd is generally 50 plus and a week is too long. This would also keep that energy level up which is lacking. I know a few people on here will say "oh I had a good time all week" but it definately dies mid week. I even spotted the organiser playing putting on the Thursday so he had lost interest as well.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 07:33 AM

Shock, horror!

FESTIVAL ORGANISER TAKES A FEW MINUTES OFF TO PLAY PITCH & PUTT!!!!

HE ONLY STARTED AT 6:30AM AND HERE HE IS LAZING HIS TIME AWAY IN MID AFTERNOON.

SHAMEFUL I CALL IT.

GET REAL PREVIOUS GUEST

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 08:06 AM

Thats it focus on 1% of post.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 11:07 AM

How do you know he started at 6.30am? and also why are you so wound up (anyone that doubts this check previous posts from guest guest). If folk music upsets you so much maybe its not for you.
You wouldnt be anouther digruntled middle aged man because my god I have seen enougth of those in the last week.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 12:27 PM

Tongue in cheek is wasted on some people!

Where on earth do you get the idea that I don't like folk music?

I am also totally unwound but then see first line above.

Most of the people I met at Sidmouth of whatever age or gender seemed to be enjoying themselves - maybe it's the company you keep?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,Bignige
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 06:35 PM

We only did monday to thursday, so may have missed the best ie the weekend, but compared to previous years, banjo's, mandolins, melodians all well down, however, Ukeleles well up and now seems to be the instrument of choice for the average festival goer.

I think the earlier comments of the festival running out of steam around mid week is a fair observation IMHO

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Betsy
Date: 11 Aug 14 - 07:55 PM

Hi Leadfingers - lot of diesel wasted when you could have been enjoying yourself up in the North East.
Only joking .... but it IS a long ride when other things were on your doorstep.
Cheers Betsy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 03:39 AM

We had a very nice local festival - morris, a few pubs, nearby camping, that gradually turned into a giant boot fair with PA'd music from the pubs with cover bands.
Sidmouth looked as though it was going that way with all the tat on the prom.
Be warned.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Festival 2014
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 04:18 AM

GRex - you were missed, and the singarounds weren't the same without you!

Kitty