Coo - what a lot of hot air!! It's funny how malicious rumour can so quickly take on the mantle of (erroneousartificial) fact.

The truth is that Stuart Hughes is one of two dozen people who spent an amicable, enthusuastic and hard working three and a half hours on the 23rd, putting together the bones of what is going to be a very enjoyable festival. The team includes people who have considerable experience as senior organisers of most aspects of the Sidmouth Festival, as well as running other festivals. It also has a strong core of Sidmouth and nearby residents.

There will be a press release any moment now, and a flier before Christmas. The full programme will take shape in an orderly way over the next few months. Stuart's arena events will be an important part of Sidmouth Folk Week 2005, but there will also be many other concerts, ceilidhs, dances, singarounds, sessions and workshops. Much, much more than a fringe!

Those who love Sidmouth will keep July 29th - August 5th clear in their diaries, the rest will carry on carping here on mudcat to their hearts' content.

Tony