I do not go the Sidmouth to go to the Arena events - I found I needed to wear ear defenders, and the physical sensation of the sound hitting me is unpleasant even walking behind the stage.

I spend the first part of the day at the Pavilion singing in the cafe bar, at six thirty pm I try to be at the motley morris in front of The Marine, I then go to the Anchor and as long as no one is smoking I stay there all evening, or if I am forced out I go outside in the town or to the Volunteer garden.

I plan to find something similar to do next year - the Rugby Club chairman (I think he was) said that if there were people coming the parking would be available.

I found that I could have been going to workshops even though I did not have a season ticket - despite what it said in the program (Season Ticket Holders Only) I could have paid to go in. Maybe they didn't want my money - but that is not what they were saying.

From what I was told, the talks/workshops I would have liked to attend were not full, and there had been a change of policy but there was no announcement of that - how could it be announced - there is no notice board, central information point or the like. It surely can't be beyond the wit of man to set up a number of boards in suitable places - is there a local radio station? Perhaps it would oblige with some airtime for the festival and the wavelength and the times of interest could be put on a website beforehand?

Whatever happens the festival will change, but the first meeting of the revolutionary committee of the socialist republic of Sidmouth takes place in the Anchor Middle bar late in July next year.

Anne