Let me tell you a story! a long long time ago (actually it was 2002) the council in East Riding decided that the folk festival was not worth putting on, the people thereabouts however had other ideas and decided to stage a Peoples Voice Festival. No big names at organised venues, just gigs and singarounds in local pubs and clubs, street entertainers, mummers, morris dancers, etc. Publicans put signs in their windows proclaiming they were "Folk Freindly" - it was a fantastic festival.

The following year ERYC saw the error of their ways and ran the Folk Festival with a fringe. It seems councils/organisers have short memories, this year a certain ex-organiser from Sidmouth has migrated 'Up North' and is helping to organise Beverley Festival weekend, the first thing to change - camping only for weekend season ticket holders. So what about those who want to take part in, or just attend the fringe - tough. A certain "Catter" within ERYC however has managed to secure some fringe only, albeit limited, camping spaces.

I am sorry to go on, but my point is that the festival in Sidmouth this year, with or without the Marquee, will be one of the best because those going to it are determined to make it so.