Mere numbers are not what made Sidmouth unique, even through the Mrs. Casey days.

I suspect that next year will see a huge increase in attendance, as many of the people who did not go this year went elsewhere because they wanted to ensure that their main holiday was not a disappointment, rather than that they didn't like the new format.

Those who believed took the risk because they believed, and thank God for them.

I don't feel animosity toward anyone, whether they attended or not. I must say tho' that the atmosphere was quite different. Gone the "us and them" feeling between arena goers and what they labelled as the fringe, and in its place a community feeling of "we are all here for the same thing".

I sincerely hope that, with the financial success of 2005, the arena shows will return, but I hope also that the sense of oneness will remain, and that every part of the festival will be regarded as vital to the character of the whole.

No rose tinted specs here, lessons will be learned and the best possible start has IMHO been made.

Don T.