First of all, if you tried to access the Wail website at the beginning of this month you may have had some trouble because it was down during most of Sidmouth week. I'd like to think that, just like the Glastonbury Festival website, the problems were caused by an overwhelming number of people trying to book tickets but I doubt it somehow :-) Anyway it's all up and running again now

Last year we had a competition for the best suggestion for a special event to mark the Silver Anniversary. The winner was Tony Day of the Exmouth Shantymen who receives 2 free tickets to this year's Wail for his suggestion of a themed sing. This led to the "Sing a Song of Silver" session on the Saturday afternoon MC'd by Jon Heslop where, in addition to songs about silver, we had Pimms served by the folk-world's answer to the Chippendales

It proved to be a very popular session and a number of people asked if we would run something similar this year. We're therefore going to have a christmas party! Jon will lead it again and the same barmen will be there but I understand that, because of the December temperature, they'll be somewhat more comprehensively dressed :-) Father Christmas will also be in attendance (guess who?!)

The christmas songs will be complemented by some seasonal drinks and nibbles. (Does anyone know where you can get mince pies in August??) If you're planning to be there it would add to the atmosphere if you bring something festive to wear - possibly a Santa hat, or maybe that ghastly christmas jumper you've been trying to get rid of ever since Auntie Molly gave it to you. And who knows - if you're very good you may get to sit on Santa's knee...

Hope to see you at the 2014 Wail next week

Idris and Terri