Hi Don,

can I also reply even though I won't be there this year? (I've got other commitments that would have won out over Sidmouth as a one off whatever the plans had been for this year's festival). I'd have probably gone otherwise, but whether I'm there or not isn't the full story about what I'd like for the future.

I loved the Mrs Casey style of the festival for the last few years but don't mind the idea of it all being a little less commercial and on a smaller scale. But whatever the tone of the overall event, the things I think it would be a crying shame to lose in the long run would be:
* the ceilidh scene - what has in recent years been the festival dance house - which has been the key focus for a lot of the younger end of the festival. In particular, having it all in one place within walking distance of the campsite, having an earlier event and then an LNE.
* the atmosphere of the arena with all the crowds & the stalls & music & noise - the feeling of being at a fairground I guess.
* Shooting Roots
* such a huge variety of performers of different styles, and performances of different styles too (from big arena shows to big amplified concerts and ceilidhs, to small intimate acoustic concerts in the arts centre, to dancing in the street, and to sessions & singarounds in the pubs. I like a bit of everything!

James H