The Barden of England argues his case well but the problem is that many of us who have enjoyed Sidmouth over the years fear that half a festival in 2005 could mean no festival at all thereafter. Consider this. If Sidmouth as we know it couldn't survive financially even with a £60,000 annual grant from EDDC, what chance of prospering with no grant at all from EDDC? The fact that EDDC has withdrawn all funding from both 2005 and 2006 suggests either that the Council has no confidence in its own Councillor Hughes to organise the event properly or else feels the event will be so poor compared to previous festivals that it will not be worthy of funding anyway. My fear is that many people will still visit Sidmouth in 2005 but when they see that the event is a very poor shadow of what they have come to expect and enjoy will vote with their feet and not return in 2006 or thereafter. After all there are many other fine folk festivals to attract us these days - Cambridge, Towersey, Broadstairs, Chippenham, Gosport, Whitby, Beverley, Warwick, Bromyard, Bridgnorth, Fylde and more, all run by people with many years of experience in the folk scene, experience which Councillor Hughes, however well-meaning, cannot gain overnight. P.S. Remember also that it wasn't just the lack of cash that forced Mrs. Casey Music to withdraw from running Sidmouth, it was also the ever-increasing licensing restrictions imposed by the District Council. If Councillor Hughes runs Sidmouth 2005 presumably he too will have to find the cash for a full-time Health & Safety Officer, Noise Management Consultant, £15 million Public Liability Insurance etc. etc. etc. And do it without the £60,000 EDDC funding!