All the events in licensed (and unlicensed) premises at any festival are dependent on the goodwill of the owners/managers/licensees. At Sidmouth, some of these events are fringe - ie not included in the formal programme. The Royal York and Faulkner events (morning and evening) were included in the official programme this year (see page 50 of the programme). This was no doubt at the request of the hotel. There was no admission charge - instead there was a collection. I sometimes hear the comment that there should be more participative song and music events in the programme. This was an addition to that provision.

If festival goers (especially ticket holders) have comments on these particular sessions, then there is a feedback opportunity (bottom of home page of the festival website).

Derek Schofield (not writing on behalf of the festival)