FolkieDave - Get a life.
I am NOT going to justify myself in the face of made-up accusations.
Whitby Scratch ARE and ALWAYS HAVE BEEN a part of Folk Week. We have ALWAYS been part of the final procession and have ALWAYS danced in the final dance display.
On certain years we have carried and escorted the Garland, collected officially and maintained order within the proceedings. We have asked no special treatment for these services to the festival and quite frankly have received none. Last year during the final approaches from before the Pier Hotel to th bandstand I did not see much of the procession. There was an obnoxious person driving a white van who was attempting t run into the collectors and the musicians belonging to the last team in the procession. I had to stand between him and them as a barrier, to give them safe space without him accelerating sharply up to them as he wes doing when I became aware of the situation. I also took the abuse from him after I very conspicuously borrowed pen and paper and wrote down his registration number plus description of the van and driver, so that if he did actually run over anyone I would be able to give the police full details.

A couple of years back the parade was cancelled with no given notice because some dance team complained that it was raining on that afternoon. There were several groups who had NOT been informed of this unprecedented decision. (I can recall very few occasions during my 22 years at the festival when it has not rained through the final procession. ) One of these groups who had turned up was the Childrens Orchestra, who in the light of poor weather had acquired Kazoos instead of their violins etc. They were very disappointed about the cancellation, and also were ready to process. Nobody had the honour or guts to actually arrive at the Crescent and speak to hem personally - all was via hear-say. I was asked by one of the parents if I could help, so did with pleasure. I spoke to the police officer in attendance, and he decided that he could not justify closing roads, but he would help us carry on. As a result I led the procession of children from the crescent to the spa.
Perhaps some of the people who claim to be running bits of the festival should take as much responsibility for the people who attend it as those in the Scratch do.
Subject closed.
Quack!!
Geoff the Indignant Duck.