Just as an aside - I did offer to get any suggestions back to the organisers at Mrs Casey - I also asked for any camp site comments to be sent to me as a pm - I have the means - I am not employed by Mrs Casey BTW.

Comparison to other Festivals is spurious - as we have just heard about Cambridge and the need for sponsorship there - 'the arts' in general have always needded sponsorship, and still do, at the risk of starting another 'row' look how much Covent Garden and ENO take each year!

Obvious comments relating to local chamber of commerce obviously have been tried I know - you can't run anything on this scale and not tap in to all available resource. That is the point that is made in the original script 'East Devon District Council have indicated their financial support will soon come to an end'

Talking of tents above the last time I was at Broadstairs as a booked artist they were very pleased to get their first big concert venue - what was it? - a big marquee - The camp site is not secure it is easy to slip in - there is a footpath though it! - Look at the pilfering that still goes on at Sidmouth which is as secure as possible - I am not criticising Broadstairs I enjoyed it - all festivals have their own series of problems and chacter - I also left after our work was complete - sorry - other commitments.

If this thread stands any chance of being useful other than to vent the spleen and bad mouth the festival organisation at Sidmouth it needs to keep focussed on ideas and discussions that could contribute to finding a solution.

I am please to see it has now been realised that the fringe would loose its edge too if the main festival were not there. Often the sign of a good festival is the fringe elements around it - and not just folk either.

Ticket prices - look what you get chargfed for a weekend or day at WOMAD!

Hugs to all though it is good to see a high level of interest!

A