Steve, I just found this on your website! Under your heading of:

Thank you messages from Festival News, Friday 6 August 2004 (two of many)

".....................So to the 51st Sidmouth in whatever style it may take, I would ask you to support the Festival, support the organisers whoever they be, keep this great tradition alive and well for as long as you can and make it your gift to your children, so that Sidmouth celebrates with a Festival forever...................."

Underneath you've said that it is from.......Steve Heap, Festival Director.

Incredibly thoughtful words, especially from a man who must have felt very, sad, angry and betrayed at the time and probably still does!
However, I get the feeling that he wants it to carry on, no matter what, don't you?

After your website address it said folk/31.htm. Hope that helps you to locate it! (found it through Google!) Anyway,I hope that I've quoted it all correctly!

Perhaps you could verify this for me. And no, couldn't make Honiton, I have to stay in and listen to Mike Harding on Wednesdays! He often plays Show of Hands!!! :-)

Lizzie