Just noticed Eliza's comment about the old timey bar sessions in the Bedford. I was stewarding most of the concerts in the Bedford "dining room" and we too had problems, because of the noise filtering through from those sessions (especially when step-dancing or bass playing was happening). Most of the time they were pretty good about stopping or quieting when we asked, so that the main concerts - ticketed, of course - weren't too disrupted. However, it's not a good or easy situation, and I've suggested a couple of possible solutions in my post festival steward's feedback. Hope this can be sorted next year, as otherwise the Bedford main room is a pleasant intimate space.

On a more general point, this was my first Sidmouth for about 30 years and I thought it had much of the old spirit about it - but with the added advantage of young people, like Eliza and many more, who have brought such exciting new, but traditionally based, ideas and techniques. Just a brilliant week.

We're planning a folk weekend in South Herefordshire in June next year, and if it has just a 50th of the Sidmouth atmosphere I'll be very happy!

Dick Goddard