Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 05:41 PM

Two hu... oh bugger

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 06:11 PM

Oxi Giorgio.
G.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 04:23 AM

>>Sorry Lizzy you won't find me in a tent, not at any price.<<

Ha! I'll find you MacKenzie! ;0)

...And when I do...I shall fill your sporran with giant ice cubes!

I know how to 'get my own back' on a Scotsman! ;0)

Lizzie
(Rolling On The Floor With Giggles Smiley!)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 04:32 AM

Kitty, this is from Page 2 of this week's Sidmouth Herald:

"SPECTACULAR CLOSE TO FOLK WEEK 2006

Sidmouth Folk Festival is set to close this year with one of the town's biggest-ever firework displays, writes Kingsley Squire.

Financed by local businesses and traders, who have joined forces in a united front of community support, it will take place on the last night, Friday August 11th.

Colin Pyne, joint proprietor of The Bedford Hotel, who has been collating donations, believes the willingness of traders to contribute underlines an upsurge in the goodwill generated by the festival since its re-launch two years ago.

"Sidmouth, in a sense, has now got its festival back," he said this week. "Instead of being focused on The Knowle, it is now right here in the town, much to the benefit of local businesses.

Without local sponsorship and support, which is the lifeblood of the festival, it might not be able to carry on. So we are more than pleased to play our part and put something back.

The organisers have spent a vast amount of unpaid time in putting the whole thing together. Without their dedication it wouldn't happen. They certainly deserve our support."

The business initiative in raising £2,000 for the fireworks display was welcomed by festival co-director Barry Lister. "Wonderful," he said. "It's a tremendous effort, which reflects the support we are getting from the community.

It is especially nice this year to see how many concerts are sponsored by local businesses. There are always one or two disappointments when it comes to sponsorship. We still have some way to go. But overall, we are very pleased."

Businesses contributing to the last night firework display are The Bedford Hotel, Anchor Inn, Black Horse, The Bowd, The Ship Inn, The Marine, Potburys, Devoran Hotel, Radway Inn, The Swan, Stags, Ian Winchester & Son, Glyn Hewitt, Bedford Car Park, Sue's Pantry, Tudor Rose, Shaul's Bakery, Home and Hardware, Haymans, Royal York & Faulkener Hotel, Upper Crust, Dukes, Delderfields, Elizabeth and Kingswood Hotels, Prospect and Mocha Cafes, Salcombe Regis Caravana and Camping."




MUSIC, DANCE AND SONG -WORKSHOPS FOR ALL

Sidmouth Folk Week, August 4/11 has enough this year to keep even the keenest student busy, with nearly 250 workshops providing almost 350 hours of opportunity, taught by some of the leading artists in the music scene.

There are workshops in dance, music and song for beginnners and experienced performers, and from toddlers to grown-ups. In short, something for everyone!

For musicians there is the ever-popular Festival Big Concert Band with John Kirkpatrick, and the Festival Big Ceilidh Band with Nick and Mary Barber, plus you can hone your skills in workshops covering everything from Concertina For Beginners with John Dipper, to Band Arrangements with Cross Current, and all points in between.

Brand new musicians and more experienced performers will all find something to keep the busy, with workshops for melodeon, cello, fiddle, bodhran, guitar, mandolin, banjo and much more.

For singers, Sandra Kerr will be leading the Festival Choir, plus there'll be workshops on harmony singing, including one especially for new and aspiring unaccompanied singers from Graham O'Callaghan. What's more, there is an extra special one-off workshop for snorers
from Alise Ojay, who has developed an effective treatment technique involving singing!

For dancers of all ages, the exciting and vibrant Morris Offspring will be running a series of workshops.

EthnoEngland are offering plenty of activities all week for teens and early twenties, including a workshop with Jaswinder Singh exploring Bhangra music and dance. There are more workshops in everything from American Appalachian and Cajun dance all the way to Eastern Europe.

As if that weren't enough, there are story-telling workshops from some of the country's leading story-tellers, craft workshops, workshops especially for younger ages, and a special workshops for musicians, singers and dancers to come together in Maypoles And Mistletoe, to produce a fantastic folk musical."



Heck! That sounds SO good I might just go!!

MacKenzie...I've booked you in for the Snorers Sessions (I'm merciless aren't I! Chuckle!!) ;0)

And I'll also be watching out for Secret Snogging during the Mistletoe and Maypoles Sessions too....after all, this IS Sidmouth and we don't want any of that Hanky Panky going on, under the guise of Folk Music! Strictly forbidden in Siddy you know!



ALL THAT..................AND.........COOPE BOYES & SIMPSON AS WELL!


Ohhhhhhhhh!! ;0)

How LUCKY can a town get?


Lizzie :0)


PS...I'm just off to try and find where they're hiding the mistletoe 'cos I've had a GREAT idea.........

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 05:23 AM

Lizzie,

No Hanky Panky??

You are too late dear girl its been going on for years and there are some people around here whose long term relationships and marriages started at Sidmouth!!

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 05:26 AM

And let's face it - some have ended there as well.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 05:31 AM

There's that Guest again!!

Positive as ever!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 05:58 AM

Gadzooks Dave!

Do you mean to tell me that The First Week In August is actually Hanky Panky Week?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 06:02 AM

No Lizzie it's Folk Week.

But when they are not singing, playing, dancing or going to C B S concerts they have to find something to do with their time :-)

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cllr
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 06:21 AM

well its raining here in sparkling sidmouth and my brother is just on his way down to visit. Ho ho ho
Gearge I hope you will come and visit Cllr

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 06:29 AM

Cllr

Are you down there already Mike? There's keen for you.

I'll be down on Tueday.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 09:54 AM

I take it you remember the Polish dancers from Southampton, the Irish dancers from Yetminster, the Russian (Orlyk) dancers from Manchester, and the Punjabi dancers from Wolverhampton?

That's precisely what I was remembering, Kitty, and I'd like to see that Sidmouth tradition extended and expanded. I'd like to see the whole range of living folk traditions in these islands feeding in to the festival.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 10:01 AM

So how do we find out about what is going on in Sidmouth Folk Week?

I downloaded and printed the 'Program' assuming that it would be like the one last year, but I just threw it in the bin - where are the details of the singing sessions, the workshops, all the 'goings on'?

Is it back to the usual situation of no information available?

I don't go to Sidmouth for the concerts, and last year was the first time I was trying to decide between different venues and having trouble finding time to eat - it was the best Sidmouth I ever attended.

I am sure that everything has been organised, the timetable is done - so why is it not available?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 10:14 AM

Rum.

Go to the website and download the Working programme.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 10:31 AM

The details are there Ann, and are really useful, but I can see you'd have had to wade through a lot first if you were downloading.

Fringe - page 47      Workshops - page 42

This year there's a clear distinction between what is 'fringe' and what is festival - hence all the stuff gathered together on the Fringe page. But there are also programmed events which you could look out for - such as the Theatre Bar, the Volunteer and the Themed Sings in the Woodlands Hotel.

Sorry, but I think you'll need to pull the programme out of the bin (assuming it's the same as the printed one). Many of the things you're interested in will be labelled 'Collection' in the right hand column.

I'm sure it'll be a great week again.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 12:37 PM

Duh - I had the Free program (still in the bin) - now replaced by the working program, lots more information.

OK - now where is that highlighter pen....

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 01:20 PM

I certainly will, Cllr!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 01:41 PM

One really silly thing is that they haven't reinstated the practice of attaching a list of appearance numbers to the section listing the artistes. That had always been one of the most useful features in the working probgramme. Dispensing with it is an example of the common re-organsising principle - "If it ain't broke, let's break it anyway".

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 07:19 AM

McGrath,

You may be right.

You could always make this a suggestion for future years. Drop a note into the festival office or fill in a "Feedback" form (I think they will have something along those lines)

Finally I think the whole festival was "broken" when Mrs Casey Music pulled out so (nearly) everything had to started again from scratch.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 06:03 PM

Quote from Lizzie:

we don't want any of that Hanky Panky going on, under the guise of Folk Music! Strictly forbidden in Siddy you know!

You may never have spoken a truer word my girl.

I was at a dance in Bath recently and the subject of Sidmouth came up during a two hour 'bring and share' supper. Yes! Two whole hours to feast and then back to the dancing!

However, I was told that the reason the Sidholme hotel music room was pulled as a venue for the social dancing was that whilst the local management of this Christian-run hotel was happy to have folkies (and their dubious activities) on the premises, the booking was quashed by national management. I don't know if it is true, but it was from someone who appeared to be 'in the know'. Very sad on two counts if it is true - as a friend said to me "how very un-christian". Also, Folk Week has lost (perhaps just for this year?) one of the best social dance venues it could have had outside of a proper marquee right in town.

The other large hall - at Sidmouth College - appears still be to stymied by fire regulation problems - again so I have been told.

This year then it is still two festivals - one in Sidmouth and with the social dances located one and two miles away. So much for the comments about Folk Week now being 'centred more in the town' than in the Steve Heap days when a fraction of it was all of a third of a mile away in the Knowle Arena! Does anyone else remember how central to the town atmosphere it was to have the social dances morning, noon and evening in the Blackmore Gardens and Church House lawn marquees?

Mind you this is Sidmouth, where logic and truth take second place to befuddled vested interests.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Liam
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 09:50 AM

Good article here on one of the Sidmouth headliners (Seth Lakeman)

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14932-2286191,00.html

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 10:06 AM

Ooh! That's good Guest Liam...thanks for that. I'll bet Seth is going to set a few fireworks off in Siddy, all on his own! ;0)

Stevie Scarlett.....I'll bet they get up to all sorts of Hanky Panky in The Sidholme Hotel.....I live very close to it....and I've seen more than a few gardeners in there with a twinkle in their eye! ;0) ;0)

Dance Stevie, dance!

The Ham Marquee's going up! And Blackmore Gardens...and The Bulverton....sooooooo exciting! And my dear pal 'Pudlover' from above (and the Radio 2 Board) is about to arrive ANY second for a cup of tea and a natter.....all the way down from Scotland!

Can't WAIT!!!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 10:27 AM

Lizzie and Steve,

My mother stays at Sidholme when she goes to Sidmouth for her hols (usually September). I understand that it used to be a Methodist Holiday Guild establishment. mum tells me that it is a quiet relaxing sort of place which perhaps reflects management policy - Quiet few days by the sea for pensioners.

It is perhaps understandable why they don't feel they can open thier premises to the festival.

Steve as far as I can see there sre only two venues that are out of town and I dont see why this is a problem to you - Don't you live outside Sidders anyway (quite close to the aforementioned two venues).

My bags are packed and I pick up the hire car this evening and will be in Sidders tomorrow afternoon.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John J
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 11:04 AM

I've not been to Sidmouth for around 10 years, does anyone know if it is it possible to get week-long parking at the rugby club? My wife is registered disabled so walking any distance is a no-no.

Thanks,

John

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:13 PM

Apart from the convenience, the whole point about having the social dances IN THE TOWN CENTRE was and remains that they added so much to the atmosphere - they are events people could watch from outside the marquees and maybe they would get interested.

Also, in good weather (here's hoping) you can thrash around at a dance, nip for a bacon bun or drink in town, nip to the beach for ten minutes, run back to Blackmore (as was) almost in time for the next scheduled dance. And if the one in Blackmore didn't suit, you could try the one in Church House Lawn instead - or do half and half. That is how it used to be - and the dance music filled the air all the way from the Triangle (central bus stop) to Somerfield.

Now, you either get on your bike and cycle 2 miles to Sidford, or over a mile to St Frances hall, or walk for 30+ minutes, or take an expensive and infrequent bus (after treking to the nearest stop) and if the particular dance you selected doesn't come up to expectation it is another hike (maybe in the rain?) to try something else - and up to two miles to the sea and an ice-cream on the beach. For families with children in tow, the disparate venues must be a nightmare compared to other festivals where EVERY EVENT (and sometimes the camping too) is within easy walking distance of everything else.

As I said, it is still too much like two festivals. Some people last year just commuted between the social dance venues and didn't go into town at all. I know this year of people who are centering their week on Sidford, St Frances and the nearby LIDL store, commuting between these two dance venues (well, two and a half dance venues given that Manstone Youth Centre is big enough to swing a hamster in).

Many casual visitors used to poke their faces into the dance marquees in town and get interested. No-one does that at the out of town venues - there are simply no streams of people passing by.

The current organisers may have done another superb job against the odds but don't let's forget what used to be.

And (sheds a tear) there is no Kate Rusby in the Arena.

Cue for a few words of comfort Lizzie?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:34 PM

John J - Yes, the Rugby Club are still doing their week long ticket so no problem.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:42 PM

Don't go dancing in Lidl's Stevie....They might sell you off as a Folk Week Special Offer! ;0)

Actually, all this talk of thrashing around at dances and hanky panky at Sidholme may well make the tempterature reach sizzling degrees!

It's certainly putting my temperature up, that's for sure! PHEW!

Broadstairs will NEVER be able to match this!




Quick Nurse...The Screens!!!! :0) :0) :0) :0) :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:42 PM

Where is said Rugby Club?
G.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:43 PM

Aha....MacKenzie!!! THERE YOU ARE!!!

;0) xx

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:44 PM

And how do I get a weekly parking ticket?
G.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 03:18 PM

Giok

The entrance to the Rugby Club car park is in the lane that runs from the Manor Pavilion to the church and War Memorial Club. Or according to my prog that's called Coburg Road and the Club is in Heydons Lane off said Coburg Road.

See you there.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 03:57 PM

Does one take the car there and leave it for a week or can you take it in and out as required?
Giok

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 04:04 PM

And you just pay for the week at the entrance and they give you a big season ticket. Hope to see you in 'The Bedford'
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 04:55 PM

Giok - you can go in and out as they always have spaces for those who have paid for the week.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 05:23 PM

Thank you John, see you there no doubt.
G.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 05:36 PM

Can anyone advise on the best accomodation options for someone who has not been very good at their forward planning? This is my first Sidmouth, and I am quite clueless. I'll be down on Monday evening and leaving Thursday in the day. Which campsite is closest to all the action? Will I get a pitch at this late date? Is there any B&B still to be had?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 06:16 PM

Joaniecrumpet - B&B would be almost impossible I would have thought although you could always try 'The Bedford Hotel' (not cheap mind). I would have thought you would be able to get on the official campsite at ther Bulverton on Monday night probably. Try this link and have a look around the site http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 06:51 PM

Joanie, you could always try ringing the Sidmouth Tourist Information on 01395 516441, they may be able to help find you some B&B accommodation.

I hope you're able to find something, and also that you have a lovely time! Ham Marquee is all up now....ready and just waiting.......

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 07:20 PM

thanks both. I think i'm going to try for the official campsite, providing there's still space...wish me luck!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Rumncoke
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 08:36 PM

If you pay for the week you get one day free - or that was the case last year - the Rugby club is really handy - hot showers always available for 50 p a go, once you have a ticket you can come and go as you like - though I think it is always wise to tell the stewards that you'll be back, particularly if you would like a place close to the exits.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Aug 06 - 08:55 PM

The map in the programme is slightly misleading in that it shows Heydons' Lane running right through to the Unitarian hall: the driveable bit terminates at the Rugby Club: thereafter, it is only a footpath, which runs past the Cottage hospital! And I'm surprised thay don't show the Health Centre and Cottage Hospital, both of which may be needed during Festival week by some! Both in close proximity to the Rugby Club. A bit tight getting into Heydon's Lane, but always well stewarded as is the rugby field itself. The public library, next to the Health Centre, allows free internet access for up to 30 mins (thereafter you pay) for those who cannot bear to go a week without Mudcat or email!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: BanjoRay
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 09:04 AM

I'll be a fairly immoveable object in the Old Time session in the right hand bar of the Bedford most of the week, mostly playing banjo or maybe a bit of bad fiddle.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 09:47 AM

I'll pop across and see you BanjoRay - I'm in the main bar normally. I'll be there early Friday.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 10:31 AM

Breaking news: I will be bringing along Martin Pearson, the Aussie singer and raconteur of whom Keith Donnelly recently said "He is funnier than me!". If you were at Warwick or Festival at the Edge this year you'll know what I mean.

Martin will be there Saturday-to-Monday inclusive, like me, and will be dropping in on singarounds, folk club sessions, open mic sessions etc.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 10:49 AM

That's great George - I assume that's THE Martin Pearson of 'The Almost Legendary Wine Bar Breakfasts'?
Sidmouth was where John Thompson, Nicole Murray and I first met when they were over here for that long 18 months in 2003, and they stayed with us for a few days the following year, hence my copy of Vol 1 & 2 of the Breakfasts. I hope you can got Martin to come into 'The Bedford Hotel' bar - I have just got to hear that wit live.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 11:17 AM

Indeed it is he, John - I have the two breakfast volumes volumes too. Plus - you just have to get his double CD of "The unfinished spelling errors of Bolkien"!

Plus, Martin recently formed a trio - the MP3s, aptly enough -, with whom he recently released an album; it's "straight", a great selection of songs brilliantly performed.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 11:20 AM

I've just got to have that - I hope he's bringing some with him

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 02:21 PM

Ah well, it's here at last. On the road at 6am, about 11 hours from now.

Another ten days of singing, playing, and drinking.

It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

See y'all on the twelfth, except them as is down there.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 03:58 PM

I'm off at 5:15 am on Friday - see you there Don.

Jan the Van (Jans Blackboard Van) wanted to know if there's anything on Thursday and I suggested the you may very well be in 'The Bedford' on Thursday evening.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 04:22 PM

And on Thursday at the Bedford..

Some pig-stealers