``Can a festival that loses three-quarters of its audience in just one year really survive for much longer?''

If the audience size was "right" in 2004, you would have a point. If it looses 75% every year, you would soon have a point. Personally, I expect 2006 to run very successfully on around 50% of 2004 figures.

``There is nothing to mark Sidmouth out from the crowd now. It can no longer boast of being Europe's biggest folk festival... or even Britain's... or even the South West's''

I really think you ought to have been there. If there is another festival anywhere in the world where you can dance English Ceilidh 3-4 times a day for a week, do tell me please.