Sandy & I enjoyed Upton DIY FF. We met lots of friends, I danced (yes, danced!) with Tarka Morris Men on the Saturday & Sunday and we went to various music & song sessions.
Well done Richard, Chris and Bev and everyone who kept the festival going this year! In terms of feedback:-
* The Shanty Session in the barn of The Swan went very well in a very good venue (as Abuwood said!), with Compost Heap and lots of members of Shellback Chorus attending. It seemed to end all too quickly!
* The White Lion song sessions were good but not great as, when I attended, there were fewer strong chorus singers and too many non-singers in the main singing area compared with other years. Could the reason be that the price for the beer festival was £2.65 a pint? How extortionate! I certainly made sure that I happened to have a full pint in my tankard as I arrived!
* The Saturday night music session in The Kings Head was magic and it was predominantly English rather than Irish - brill! But I happened to leave my mobile phone and, when I picked it up just after they had closed, I got a lot of abuse from a tied and emotional landlord, with all the staff looking on! Like Richard Atkins I certainly won't go there again! I fail to undersatand how such an oaf can make a success of running a business which relies so heavily on having happy customers!
* Personally, I didn't miss the concerts but I agree that it would be a good idea if some could be organised next year upstairs in The Star, as Splott Man suggests. They could easily be filled with free local talent, as done by Miskin & Crediton FFs etc.
I hope I will be there again next year!
"Won't you help me to raise 'em, boys!"
Alan