I can assure you that the wish on the part of the Town Council to be 'thoroughly involved' with any future festival could be more of a threat than a promise - "we want far more say in what goes on in OUR TOWN" - unquote.

In the past there has been much feeling that "Steve Heap Inc" have 'taken over' Sidmouth (about time someone did!?!) and some people (no names) want more CONTROL for themselves. Now if I told you that the Town Council has a strong body of shopkeepers (who didn't want the proposed farmers' market because it would be competition) and who for years have objected to the food and drink stalls in the Arena because they want all the trade in their shops, you might get the general drift.

But don't say I told you, please. I have to live here remember? The hot news at the moment is that a small area of land with WEEDS is to be tarmacadamed so that nothing whatever can grow on it. It's all part of Sidmouth's drive towards environmental purity, and weeds are DISGUSTING. Ask any butterfly.