No......Steve...you're COMPLETELY missing the point here!

You haven't got any photographs of what will be happening INSIDE the halls. It's what is going to take place INSIDE the halls that counts so much!

Most people are perfectly happy to have a different venue just for one year....that's why everyone is pulling together....to make Sidmouth happen!

Now listen....all this reminds me of when I used to be in The Sealed Knot, an English Civil War Re-enactment Society, many moons ago! We'd all camp out in the fields....sometimes quite a long way away from the battlefield, but we didn't mind.....we were all together and having the time of our lives. In the afternoons we'd all march down to wherever the battle was going to be...and home again afterwards.

Often there would be dancing....sometimes in beautiful, ancient pubs but more often than not in village halls, just like the ones in your photos. I can remember being all dressed up in my 'dancing gear', having been a plain old 'Camp Follower' all day in my hessian skirt and filthy blouse...authenticity!....and sometimes we'd turn up at a
1960's-70's style hall and I'd think..."Oh No!...not here! I'm all dressed up in silk, lace and pearls with feathers in my hair!....Where are the ancient beams?...Where is the history?"

But then...we'd all go INSIDE the hall and suddenly...all I saw were the other dancers....the walls, the harsh lighting...all melted away and the only thing that I was aware of was the excitement and the joy of the dancing....and a few Roundheads and Cavaliers of course!! ;0) ;0)

THAT is what counts Stevie Scarlett! And THAT is what Sidmouth Folk Week is ALL about this year too! Masses of people, coming together in a way they haven't done for YEARS! All taking part in something that is going to be very special.

And don't forget....Gordon has offered to do as much as he can to help with the dancing in The Ham Marquee....right by the ocean and no doubt he'll help wherever else he can too.

Read your new Newsletter as well, as that tells you that Ceilidhs are taking place in Blackmore Gardens, Ham Marquee and The Anchor Gardens amongst others.

Life is what you make it Steve....That goes for dancing too! Put even more effort and happiness into it this year than you EVER have before and you'll get SO much more back!

Give up being the Scientist and always searching desperately for the answers...the proof....let go of it all....and HAVE FAITH! Faith in yourself and faith in the people who KNOW what they are doing with the Sidmouth Folk Week, and faith in all the people who are coming to Sidmouth too.


Lizzie :0)