Hi Katters

Just back from TV-free Woodford (except for the TV cameras). We missed all the TV coverage, but what a party anyway!

On 1st January the great Fire Event had world-wide coverage, but sitting on the hill with 60,000 other folkies was something very special. 1500 performers, massed choir, elaborate lantern parades, and the torching of all the structures(including a 20 metre high "temple") with lots of fireworks was something special, with the only other light coming from candles. All the structures, made of timber and paper, and representing many cultures, carried messages of peace and environmental awareness. Thousands of messages of peace and love were contained in them.

As for Woodford - one word - MUD! It pissed down on the 26th and 27th, turning the whole camping ground into a sea of mud and 5000 bogged cars. Everyone shrugged their shoulders and went out and enjoyed themselves anyway.

As for the music - 20 stages, so much music you couldn't possible experience it all. Some of the highlights for me were Andy Irvine, Scottish guitarist Tony McManus, the Fagans and especially James Fagan/Nancy Kerr, the New Age Sensitive Cowpersons; Never the Twain were also good. Kristina Olsen appeared with Cellist Peter Grayling, with occasional appearances of supporting musicians, such as amazing singer/guitarist Jeff Lang.

Other good performances came from Sirocco, Margret Roadknight, Kavisha Mazzella, Bernard Bolan, the Backsliders, Bushwackers, Bernard Carney, Andrew Clermont, Dya Singh, and many others that I did not get to see, but heard good reports about, such as Iota, Tiddas and Seamus Begley/Jim Murray.

Street theatre, heaps of kids' shows (including a circus), endless jam sessions; after a while your mind gets overloaded and you think about what you are going to eat instead of finding the next session.

The comedians were excellent, but one summed up the new year thus "What is so special about the new millenium? We are all going to die in it!"

Regards and happy new year
Chris