I have never been to Sidmouth as I can't afford it therfore i vote with my wallet. There was a similar kerfufle at Beverley a couple of years ago, Mudcat organised a mini festival that went back to basics and worked, the highly organised festival returned the year after and included the back to basics festival.
I have not read the thread but I suspect the festival pumps a huge amount of money into the local economy but the local econonmy does not repay anything back into the festival.
A couple of years ago (again) bloody mindlessness meant that the regatta at Whitby clashed with the folk festival and the only loosers was the local economy I wonder if they will do it again?
Remember they all like our money but they dont like folkies.