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!

Sponsership is one thing, but it is a different word from what is being suggested here. Opera, Ballet and Classical Music would not exist in their current form if it were not for the huge Government grants and subsidies. Rightly or wrongly, many people feel upset they do subsidise, through their taxes, many grand events and institutions that they do not attend and get no personal benefit from.

I think that view is highly understandable and yet it is being suggested that folk who attend Sidmouth during that week and receive little or no direct benefit from the official ticketed events, should be targeted in order to subsidise those who do? I can understand where and why this idea is held but it is not realistic or very helpful. It is frustrating that this successful and popular event does still struggle for money when so many people are attracted to the town by it, but short of charging admission to the town, the answer must be looked for elsewhere.

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.

I am not too sure that this has been realised. I am not sure if folk realise that the Sidmouth fringe is very different. Most informal sessions etc, at are least referred to in the official programmes of other festivals. Unless things have very recently changed - the Sidmouth programme does not list the pub sessions etc and the two events tend to exist side by side, but as if in a different universe. I am not sure if the official event finished tomorrow, that it would make very much difference or if some folk in the town would even notice.