I was recently talking to a client of ours who used to live in Sidmouth. He told me that it was quite true that many traders boast that they take almost half of their annual income in folk week. He also reckoned that not only do the traders mostly make a packet out of it, but so do the locals who either take in b&b guests or rent out their houses. Most of the moaners are the incomers - mostly retired folk, who don't want their peace disturbed

I don't see what everyones problem is with anyone making money from folk events. Get real. The world does not revolve around the 60's we need more than love & peace to make the world as we know it exist. We are (mostly)intelligent, financially viable people who should appreciate that these events, no matter how large or small take a lot of money to organise. If you want to go to a festival that doesn't have any organised acts, or big names, then go find one. Otherwise lets be positive, find ways that the folk world can underpin these events & move forward.