Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:42 AM

I had a good time selling lemonade in the Blackmore Gardens. Didn't see many of you guys there! Thought the Middle Bar looked thin on the ground every time I looked in.

I did not enjoy my stay on the camp site. I should have followed thru my reservation at King's Down Tail but was persuaded to stay on the fest site. One of the biggest mistakes I've made over the years. Noisy buggers! Didn't get to sleep till past 4 am most nights/mornings. I won't be doing THAT again. I want a campsite where I can get out of a warm shower onto a clean floor at 8am and not have to wait till 11pm before I can wash. And get a decent night's sleep so that I can work the next day.
Otherwise my red headed son and my blue headed daughter had a pretty good time. BBQ on the beach with the bodgers was the highlight for me.

Thanks to Elizabeth for singing Schantieman's song specially written for the Middle Bar. She got a standing chorus and it was voted 'Very Sensible' in the silly songs sesh on Thurs. Needlesstosay Steve was bobbing on the briny.

Sal

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:46 AM

hey, that sidders throat is contageous. I have come home with it. I think it's more the crap comming out of my lungs from not being stuck in london.

I returned home and remembered how bloody noisy london is and returned to a cop car outside my house as kids have been harasing my neighbours in the close. Oh to be on holiday again!!!!!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Essex Girl
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:44 AM

Arrived home Saturday afternoon to face a house where my 17 year old has been eating (at times)and not washing up or clearing up. Still after the wonderful week at Sidmouth I didn't care. Enjoyed my first time stewarding and know even more people now. Great weather, great music and great people, I couldn't wish for anything more.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:00 AM

I wanted to ask the Middle bar Singers what they thought of the 'bouncers' at the Anchor. Health & Safety my a**e. They seemed to be just looking for trouble. How come the Bedford can have people crammed in and spilling out the door with no issues? On Sat they were even stopping people going in the pub. That was it for us - didn't frequent the place at all. Totally against the spirit of the festival.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John J
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:57 AM

Re: the Anchor & it's security goons.

I agree with your sentiments. This was my first visit to Sidmouth for 10 years, most of my waking time was spent in the Middle Bar where I had a great time. I felt that the presence of security guards was not at all necessary, in fact they were a bloody nuisance.

I was particularly miffed at having my bag searched one lunchtime before they let me in the pub. Mind you it did contain my song-book.

Perhaps the landlord will move, he clearly has no idea what 'we' are about. I would have thought it would have paid him to reaearch his customers....he would have saved a lot of money by not having the goons, he would also made a lot more money by selling more beer by not antagonising his customers so.

My thanks to all for letting me sing in the Middle Bar so much.

Best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:00 AM

I did come down and buy lemonade from you at the Blackmore, and you were very busy (it was either Saturday or Sunday) otherwise I would have introduced myself. I never made it to the Middle Bar, but I understand that 'The Anchor' has been given a makeover, so perhaps it was that.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:20 AM

Interesting that The Newt is the overflow bar for Carinas , and the only 'bouncers' I saw all week were on the front door , after normal pub hours , and a guy on the Fore Street entrance to let the musicians out ! The same way it has been for the last Umpteen years !!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Declan, still on holiday
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:03 AM

I had a woderful time as usual, mostly in the Bedford but with ocasional outings to the Ham Marquee, the Swan, the Anchor, the Old Ship and the Dove.

I would like to echo previous comments about Colin and his staff in the Bedford, who seem to cope magnificently almost 20 hours a day with heaving crowds with good humour and good grace, and never any hint of trouble. It truly is a remarkable place.

Also congratulations to all the organisers and festival workers, who seem to have preserved all the best bits of the fesitval and have got things up and running remarkably well in a short space of time.

I'll certainly be back.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:19 AM

This was my first visit to Sidmouth, but it definitely won't be my last! An excellent festival with a friendly atmosphere in a beautiful town. I shall come for the whole week next year.

I had a great time at the sessions/singarounds, seeing old friends and meeting a lot of new people. Thanks, John B., for directing me to the Bedford; it's every bit as good as you told me.

On the negative side, the beer at the Anchor was not up to scratch.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 01:37 PM

To be fair to the anchor staff, it is a legal requirement for venues to have SIA qualified door staff at venues more than a certain size. There is a statutory safety limit on the combined Anchor bars plus Anchor Gardens (which resulted in people having to queue to get into the ceilidhs, one in one out). If the Bedford was ignoring the limits you'd better keep quiet about it or the authorities will be keeping a closer eye on it next time.
As for checking bags, the anchor is a commercial venture, they provide the Middle Bar venue and the stage in the Garden free, so they don't want people taking in food and drink bought elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 02:10 PM

The security guys were there more because of the garden ceilidhs than anything...they get very packed at times. Despite several friends moaning about having been stopped from going in to the Middle Bar, I never actually saw a security guy on the door when I was going in and out.

Sally, the second field on the campsite is the one which is supposed to be the quiet area. I discovered ear plugs two years ago and they are wonderful! My only gripe is about the bloody dogs! Barking, biting....they were a pain.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Seaking
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:33 PM

Agree with you about the dogs Lynne, seems to be a problem getting worse each year, I was also saved by earplugs and handed out a few pairs to grateful neigbours.

I had a quieter Sidmouth than usual but many highlights including some of the Ham concerts (Spiers and Boden in particular), busking on the prom with my three teenagers, Newt sessions, Kitty and Rosie's sessions and some spontaneous harmony singing with friends one night in The Ship. Thought the Ham PA was excellent this year.

Biggest frustration was trying to get a song in the lunchtime session at the Volunteer despite having my name 'on the list' for three days. Found out afterwards this happens regulary if you're not known or don't have the password.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Mr Bean
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:36 PM

Seaking thats how the Volunteer has worked since i started going to Sidmouth in the early 80's.
Mr Bean

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:53 PM

I had a great time, and maintained a longstanding tradition by coming 3rd in the Doom, Gloom and Despondency workshop. (The winner was Tattie Bogle.)

Seaking - I'm glad you enjoyed the Theatre Bar singarounds, and thanks for the songs you contributed.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: billybob
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:11 PM

Mrs Lemon,
that was the most delish drink I ever had! Thank you for working so hard while we had a lovely time!
Wendy

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cat in Plymouth
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:55 PM

Crikey!!! what a brilliant week!!!

highlights: Not being further back than third row for any of the gigs, Seth Lakeman, Spiers & Boden, Meeting Martin Carthy, Julie Fowlis remembering me from Cambridge, Finally meeting Lizzie *waves at lizzie*, Mrs Ackroyd Band, 'Women's voices', meeting lovely lovely people on field one, Great Western Morris (haven't laughed so much in ages) and many other things besides.

Lowlight: the incredibly selfish man who decided he was going to stand on the wall to watch the procession and fireworks despite me asking very nicely if he wouldn't mind stepping down on to the road so that the twenty people stood behind him might see something. I couldn't see a thing and i'm quite tall. Many a rude word issued from my mouth when that happened... Grrrr. still, weren't the fireworks fab?!

Absolutely can't wait til next year :D

Cat
x

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 02:57 AM

I had a great time at my first Sidmouth and enjoyed meeting many people from Mudcat that I hadn't met before. Essex Girl was kind enough to take me round to lots of places when I first arrived, and I really enjoyed the harmony workshops with the delightful ladies of Craig:Morgan:Robson. I ended up settling into the comfy space of the Theatre Bar singaround at lunchtime and the York and Faulkner in the evening (with some space allowing for concerts and afternoons reserved for working for EFDSS), except for one memorably terrifying lunchtime outing to the Volunteer session, where I ended up following Mike Waterson and kind of wanting to sink into the earth afterwards. Thanks very much to everyone who made me feel so welcomed and brought home to me once again that no matter how much research I do and time I spend putting together memorable arrangements of traditional music-- people will always remember me as "the lady with the harp who sings songs about the fairies."

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 04:23 AM

I was a bit disappointed that my two kids, who had planned to go to various workshops, couldn't actually get into any of them. It obviously needs more to spead the numbers a bit.

The caterers on the campsite (Ed and Saph)were absolutely fabulous (sorry!) Really nice people who would get in almost anything you suggested, within reason. And the campsite bus service was the best yet and planning to get better next year.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: SkiptomyLou
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 05:54 AM

Hey Guys, Heres to a great Sidmouth. My first year stewarding and on my own still had fun. Anyone see the Peatbog Faeries up at the Bulverton??? Weren't they great and Seth got to steward for his so saw most of it. If Mike's out there howdy from B's friend Emma you remember me... Em x

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 06:09 AM

Well I got back yesterday evening, and looking back on it from a distance I enjoyed most of it. Had some good sessions in the Newt, Saturday afternoon in the Bedford was good too, but I couldn't get in there any day after that, too crowded and claustrophobic. I did get in one day and was standing on the fringe looking for a way in to find a seat where I could play, [can't stand up for long] and this stupid woman said "Excuse me but I can't see".... Silly Cow!!, I go to listen to the music not to watch it! So I thought 'Fuck it', and picked up my guitar and went back to the Newt where the company was excellent.
Anchor was good but didn't have as nice a 'feel' as last year, and the music from the instrumental session in the right hand bar seemed to impinge much more than I remember. Swan was fun, but why oh why do people stand at the narrowest part of the entrance and make it difficult to get in and out?
Didn't get to much else, as my walking is very poor at the moment, hopefully it will be better next year. I tell you there's nothing like hobbling along with a walking stick for making you notice how bad mannered and inconsiderate many people are these days.
I can recommend the King's Down Tail camp site, OK it's a bit far out, but it's quiet and friendly, and Ian and Sue who run it are so very helpful.
Giok

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MuddleC
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 07:51 AM

Well, it was my first sidmouth, and despite spending a lot of it as a bulverton gate steward still managed to enjoy myself. Gripes.. I tried to attend the gegorian chant workshops held in the parish church..excellent acoustics, but marred by insufficient words and music sheets, no way can you sing by reading the script held by someone two rows in front, one row in front was possible, but without magnified binocular vision, you were still singing directely into someones ear. Other workshops I found to be more of a 'self-promotion' event than workshop, but after hearing tales of the anchor found that lacking on several fronts, the bar staff who served me up a couple of pints of suspect Thatchers and proceeded to make a real meal of changing it for me,( I stuck to my guns then, and got a full refund), the excellent irish and MBS sessions were marred by the lack of the old wall acting as a baffle to each other, and the garden party noise made MBS downright difficult to enyoy sometimes. The Dove sessions were small but beautifully formed (although I beleive it was an instument 'no-go' area), Ham marquee events were very good, as was LNE. The esplande was more akin to english football night in the spanish resorts, with the dross on sale, hawkers , pan-handlers , & buskers ...pushed 'folk-week' into obscurity. Well done to all the Morris sides who took part, how the 'rappers' didn't manage to have anyones arm or leg off in the tiny places they displayed beats me!
As for the noise at Bulverton, having seen it from my stance on the gate at 8PM-12AM, 12AM-4AM, 4AM-8AM over several nights, I can tell you I was not impressed.. up till 2AM, I can understand, even staying up to see the dawn, but there didn't seem to be any consideration for others. Frankly , many of the people on the site I thought had no interest in folk music but were simply using it as a cheap campsite. Several groups of youngsters, and twenty somethings around me had 'boom-box' sessions of amplified 'head-ache music'. I would like to thank people for their perseverence with producing camping passes, you wouldn't believe some of the excuses and ploys some people had to get in without paying... you paid, why shouldn't they? The number of bits of paper, door passes, season tickets, camping passes, youth passes,priorty passes did seem ridiculous, especially since the issue of these things didn't seem to be resolved until several days in.
If I had paid the full season ticket price, with extra to attend the ham events, and some 'independent' workshops (e.g.concertina), I wold not feel as though I had got my money's worth. The hours I worked , and with extra 'impromtu' stewarding, I feel I just broke even.
Walking with the MBS 'troupe' into the sea was a highlight!
Thanks to the person in the 'lean-to' tent for making it so enjoyable.
It is the people you meet and mutually repect that make up for the shortcomings, oh.... and the music!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:02 AM

Another great week in Sidmouth this year - Champagne breakfasts on the front, Bedford, Swan, Dove, Seaside, Sunshine - what more can you ask for?

Can't believe Dan wouldn't let me take my ukulele this year, but that means I've got 12 months to practice for next year (You have been warned)

Cheers to all those I met up with. See you next year

Vince

John B: re young fiddler, are we talking about the red-haired chap who spent a lot of time with the guitarist from Germany? i thought he was called Dave (but I have a terrible memory for names...)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:16 AM

My apologies ought to go to Seaking and Mr Bean about The Volunteer sessions. I personally took on these when it became apparent that John Howson and Dan Quinn weren't prepared to continue them after 2004. I had no idea how they would go last year, and am humbled at their success and the kind words said to me as a result - and the signed marrow that was awarded to me on the Thursday!

First of all, this is not a singaround. Nor is it meant to the preserve of any particular clique, although of course, the same people tend to come every day. That said, I have deliberately kept the same format that John/Dan evolved to differentiate it from equally successful sessions at the Anchor, Theatre Bar, Newt, etc. The use of a 'list' is an aide memoire since I really do have a bad memory for faces, and honestly try to give everybody a fair crack of the whip, regardless of gender, age, type of song, etc. etc. This is one reason why I have used a daily co-host, so they can widen that circle of recognition and make it more inclusive. I would like to welcome Sid Calderbank, some guy called Gideon, and Neil Brookes who came most days, waited patiently, and game storming performances when they performed, and I will extend the same welcome to Chris or anyone if they persist next year. It took me two or three years before anyone asked me to sing at the Volly, but thought that the robust nature of the singing so powerful an attraction that it was worth postponing my daily visit to the Radway to experience and ultimately share in this.

Because this isn't a straightforward singaround - more of a quirky performance - I design the last half hour to include some of the singers who have brought so much pleasure to non-singing regulars and singing regulars over the years, people like Alan and Carole Prior, George Withers, Ken Langsbury, plus anyone from the 'booked' part of the programme (who arrive in the Volly NOT as part of their Festival contract). If you want to sing, get their at noon, introduce yourself to me (AND my co-host, thus doubling your chances), and trust to our limited powers of cognition. Disappearing into the garden or loo at crucial moments will lose you brownie points! Failing that, please enjoy whatever else you may decide to do in Sidmouth FolkWeek 2007 and thereafter.

George

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Schantieman
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:43 AM

Sounds like fun. Sorry I missed it but, as Ms Lemon said, I was indeed bobbing about on the briny.

See ya

Steve

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cllr
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:53 AM

Whenever I run a singaround or similar i always make sure that whatever rules i am using are announced whether it is twig rules and bench driven or simply a clockwise direction. It is worth it IMHO to make the audience aware. If they are under the impression that by waiting pateintly and haveing given an indication that the chance to sing will occur then understandably get annoyed if it does not happen.

I only went to the volly on the friday night and it was a great session ( i actually indicated I didnt want to sing that night!) and i went to Rosie's session at the york and faulkner where i had my name taken and was then later asked to sing.
On tuesday night at the midddle bar shanty session, which i run I regularly call out an abrieveated version of the twig rules as it is one on the busiest nights of the week. I can't comment on the other sessions at the volly 'cos i was only there on the friday but i will say from comments made to me (more than one person) was that the expectation was given that putting the name in the book would lead to a chance to sing that evening and this did not always occur. If it is explained that

"If you want to sing, get their at noon, introduce yourself to me (AND my co-host, thus doubling your chances), and trust to our limited powers of cognition. " then people would know the situation.

Incidently other singing sessions including MBS will jump to festival artists to allow them the chance as obviously there time management can be tricky. cllr

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 09:21 AM

Some initial collated comments - more welcome, but nothing will get updated for a few days. The Bulverton campsite seems to have been a real pain this year - lots of complaints about the noise. The Anchor has to have security people, but as many as eight???

Latest webpage observations on Sidmouth 2006

No-one is going to agree with every observation but please tell me if anything is actually wrong. It is only a first draft. Pics welcome especially of Fee Lock (!) and dancing in the Ford that of course did not take place.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 02:14 PM

Whenever I run a singaround, if it's too big for me to remember who has sung and who has come in, I have a list on the door and give people songs in order of arrival. I ALWAYS make sure that eveyone gets at least one song and while I might change the order after the first round, I dole out songs as fairly as possible.

Just for interest, if the Volunteer sessions aren't singarounds, what are they?

I do have to agree, on the subject of noise on the campsite, that some of it was a bit above and beyond the normal. As the one who was blamed for noise (even if I wasn't there!), for years I do try to be tolerant of people partying and playing music (provided it's live) but the people who were yelling, screaming and shouting as late as 4.30am were definitely out of line. On the other hand, the social scene on the campsite was great.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 03:31 PM

Lynne

The lunchtime Volunteer sessions are programmed as "In the tradition", and have always featured festival guests, particularly those from traditional sources. They've never been advertised as a singaround.

I've never got to a Volunteer lunchtime session, because I'm involved in the concurrent Theatre Bar singarounds, which are intended to give a chance to anyone who wants to perform, and only feature festival guests if they happen to wander in, in search of a coffee or snack. Singers quite often come to the Theatre Bar for an early sing before nipping up to the Volly, or sometimes turn up because they couldn't get a sing in the Volly....

Gadaffi - Gideon is from Cornwall and I've met hin in the Middle Bar, and at Voice Tours, and he also came and sang in the Theatre Bar.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 03:40 PM

I thought the Volunteer session I attended was wonderful, even if I felt out of my league/depth when I got to sing. It was full-to-bursting with great singers and would have been well worth attending just to listen. I meant to go back on Friday, but then somebody wanted to talk to me about the fairies.

It was that kind of week. I'm still knackered.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: AlexB
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 03:41 PM

I didn't actually mind the noise (those nights when I actually went to bed). I found that there was a steady stream of it, and that made it easy to ignore after a while. Had it been sporadic I would have agreed.

It was my first real Sidmouth.. and to be honest, I don't know what to make of it, though I think somehow I committed myself to next year (and even if I didn't, I just know Alan will sucker me into it).

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Annie
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 05:49 PM

Mr Bean - about the Volunteer hear hear!

Gadaffi - There is no guarantee that being there before 12 and being on the list gets a person to sing and that still sounds rather like 'songs for the boys'!

Mrs. Lemon - agree with you about the noise as folk need some sleep - historically the night stewards have politely asked the noisy late night revellers to finish at about 2am with no problems so don't know why this noise is going on so long now.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 06:03 PM

Guest Annie - Oh well, I tried explaining why getting early to the Volunteer (rather than the Theatre Bar) wasn't a guarantee of getting to sing, but I seem to have failed.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 07:34 PM

Regarding noise on the Bulverton campsite, I was pitched almost as close as it was possible to be to the gate and, therefore, the noise from the catering area.
Occasionally I was awakened by particularly noisy laughter or singing.
On one occasion I was awakened at 03.30 by what sounded like an elephant with toothache! Then I remembered having seen someone carrying a tuba towards the catering area! Obviously someone with no knowledge of how to play it had been trying to get a tune from the tuba! So, turn over and go back to sleep!
Generally I thought rather nice to have been lulled to sleep by so many people innocently enjoying themselves.
The gate stewards did try to keep the noise down but I am sure most campers will understand that enforcement in such a situation is nearly impossible without appearing to be a wet blanket.
Many people, too shy to stand up in a singaround, will "cut their teeth" singing in public in a group such as the laate sessions at the camp site.
A couple of years ago I would have been part of that crowd. Not as a young man but near pensionable age! If things go well for me in my future operation I hope to be part of that same noisy crowd again next year!
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 05:15 AM

I enjoyed it, but not as much as two years ago. There was some late night noise in the part of the campsite where I camped but I always use earplugs when camping so it doesn't usually disturb me.

It's the second time I've seen the Peatbog Fairies and to be honest (and sounding like my father) it all sounded the same after a few minutes. I'm sure the each time the piper played a solo it was the same bit of music as the previous solo.

I really enjoyed Spiers and Boden, Van Eyken, Faustus, Crucible and Andy Cutting, Rob Harbron, Becky Price and Jon Swayne in the Manor Pavillion.    I also really enjoyed Mawkin after the power failure and the Anchor Scratch Band after Tickled Pink were cancelled due to the rain. I only made it to a few sessions but didn't get to play (too many ceilidhs).

The bouncers did seem to be a bit over enthusiastic at The Anchor and they certainly let in less people than they let in two years ago.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: fiddler
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 08:10 AM

Hi guys Just checked Steve in sidmouth web pages and emailed him this!

**********************************************

Just checked it and the Ham page is singularly inaccurate especially as no workshops were held there this year!

Other inaccuracies I can't be bothered with, if you can't get your fact right then the whole premise of your site becomes debateable rather than the issues it attempts to address!

**********************************************

Some of the comments are correct and are being addressed or were addressed during the week!

I am not open to discussion but am open to constructive feedback from anyone who went to the Ham this year.

Andy

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 12:44 PM

well there are a Heap of reasons I have not been till this year.

I enjoyed it as much as I expected and more. Joy was wanting to forego a workaholic ethic and stay longer than 2 days - only aged parents and a wobbly dog disauded her from extending by half a day.

Believe me - it takes a really good event to do that! As long as the organisers are comfortable with the way things went then they have my support -

It is the first year I have advertised it on my website.
(someting to do with entertainment visa vis Folk - I am a folkie, that's why)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 12:46 PM

I do hope that people who have CONSTRUCTIVE criticism to offer will write to the festival organisers directly. They are on a learning curve...this is a new Sidmouth, not the same old festival and if they don't know that something is wrong or doesn't work they can't put it right. I expect they'd also like to hear what WAS right too...

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 01:20 PM

Very few of the venues were disabled accessible, by which I mostly mean wheelchairs. Even the disabled toilet in the public toilet complex in the centre of town was locked. The whole town seems to be wheelchair unfriendly really.
Giok

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 01:47 PM

my tent was pitched on the Wed previous to the fest and i really didn't know that i'd be in a noisy part then. I had no time or energy to move it when I found out about the noise. Most definately next year I shall be 5 miles away.

Agree about the blasted dogs. Why oh why do people take them to fests when they can't get them into venues anyway?

Thanks for the compliments about my drink. Good to meet you.

x sal

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,folkiedave (cookieless)
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 03:32 PM

Many years ago in the mid-sixties at Sidmouth, the "Sheffield Contingent " were particularly noisy, especially a certain Mr. Gerry Bates.

Bill Rutter was called at 3.00 am in his pyjamas and asked for the fire to be put out and the noise to be kept down.

And as an aside to the aforementioned Gerry Bates said "Don't worry Gerry, we'll move them in the morning". "Them" being the complainants of course.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 05:05 PM

Reply as sent by email to 'fiddler' regarding webpage constructive discussion!

I do not say workshops were held at the Ham. The first para relates to an incident at Bulverton but it is mentioned in the Ham section because of the emphasis there on H&S. I may reorder it later - I do say at the top that the whole page is a draft.

If you have any sensible comments about matters that you feel are addressed incorrectly or inadequately I shall be pleased to consider these alongside many others observations.

I seem to recall from last year that you have a management role at the campsite? Regards.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cllr
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 05:22 PM

no need to shout 8-(
Cllr
PS HI skiptomylou, yes i remember you *-) glad you enjoyed the festival

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: fiddler
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 05:12 AM

To reiterate,

Constructive comment sent directly to me I shall take on board and will be passed on to the festival organisers.

As Lynne said this is a new festival, year one of new management!

A steep learning curve, damm hard work and enjoyable, we can't get it right unless we receive constructive criticism, which includes what we got right as well as wrong - otherwise we may inadvertently change that too!

Any comments that come to me directly (I have a number from the festival and now some after) will be incorporated in my report to the festival and whilst they may not be incorporated in to next year will have been fully considered.

Andy

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 07:18 AM

folkiedave said:

"Many years ago in the mid-sixties at Sidmouth, the "Sheffield Contingent " were particularly noisy,"


Plus ca change... ;-)

Being new to Sidmouth and its campsite, I blithely pitched my tent about as close as it was possible to be to the late-night revelry. Realising this at about 2am after that night's LNE, I quickly acknowledged to myself that it was most unlikely I'd get much sleep, and instead fetched out the bottle of sloe gin that was gently maturing in my tent, and joined them.

I hasten to add that there were some killer sessions taking place in that little marquee, at times comprising some of the most exciting young musicians this country currently boasts. There were also some great singarounds. I felt priveleged to be in such fine company. There were avcouple of groups of noisy tossers who were not remotely interested in the music, I grant you, but the majority of those present were young folkies.

The security was, for the most part, gentle and understated, and as a result people stopped playing at the requested time. Though most nights they stayed up chatting and I did watch the sun come up a few times.

While i understand that it's not the most conducive atmosphere to a good night's sleep, it was, for me, a highlight of the festival. Perhaps the "noisy" pitches should be somehow marked as such. or people advised as they're arriving where the quieter parts of the site are. Me, I'll be trying for the exact same pitch next year...

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: chucky
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 07:29 AM

Steve in Sidmouth is running a very fair, even handed critique on his website. Too bad if you cannot handle any critism of this years event. The campsite was full of drunken morons who had no regard for those us trying to sleep. Having been to Sidmouth five years running, this is my last.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 07:31 AM

Well I wrote and thanked John Golightly before the festival was over.

We camped 7 miles out and it was superb, quiet & only the narrow lane was in any way difficult - but that was why it was quiet. AND NO SEAGULLS either.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cat in Plymouth
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 07:39 AM

i was very near the group of "rock-music-loving youths" (i quite liked their 'gnome-on-garden-arch' artwork) in field one... i have to say that I had no problems with excess noise whatsoever and we were turning in at around 1am and i didn't get woken at all the entire time we were there.

i do feel for those who did suffer, having experienced a problem or two at cambridge (strangely not with other campers but with the orange t-shirted stewards/security types) but i felt i should air my opinions, I loved camping at Bulverton - I will definitely be back next year!

Cat
x

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 08:25 AM

On the subject of people not being given a chance to sing at singarounds/sessions (I'm never sure what to call them!), I think praise is due to Rosie (that is her name, isn't it?), who ran the sessions at the York and Faulkner. She was very organised and scrupulously fair. Add to that a wide variety of music, an attentive audience, excellent beer and a view of moonlight shining on the sea (ooh, what an old romantic I am!) and you can see why I made a point of spending a couple of hours there every evening that I was there.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: AlexB
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 09:09 AM

I think Steve and Chucky are just old codgers.

As far as "even handed" is concerned, I feel Steve's critique can be pretty much summed up as "I want Steve Heap's Sidmouth back, I'm not going to give the new management much chance to find their feet". Either that or he is going for the tough love method "this was utter shite, do better or fail".

On discussion of ceilidhs. I went to the LNE almost every night. I did not dance (no one would dance with me) I did manage to converse perfectly happily with my friends, for the most part without raised voices. "For the people who sat out some or all of ceilidh dances, conversation was virtually impossible." is therefore innaccurate. Consider this a constructive criticism of your critique Steve.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 10:14 AM

I too conversed very happily with lots of people in the LNEs.

I loved Sidmouth. I'd been put off going for years because of reports of crowds, queues etc. I can't comment on Old Sidmouth, but several people I know who are old hands have said how enjoyable last year and this have been, even in comparison to Sidmouth Mk I.

I went to 5 folk festivals this summer of varying size and profile; Sidmouth was the best of the lot.