I'm amazed that some mudcatters can't find what they're looking for at the Whitby Festival - (eg - "Whitby was fun, but not quite my scene"....."vastly outnumbered by average holidaymakers who didn't care about the music, so there wasn't much of a "carnival" atmosphere" - Grab)

I've been going to the festival for 12 years now, always spending the full week there, and as festivals go I'd say it has the best of everything. I'm not a trad folkie either Grab, and would usually choose the Plough (in a variety of folk guises) for most of the week.

This year I spent most of the time in the Fleece, which was packed out everyday and evening with musicians, singers and a very considerable number of "average holidaymakers" who were PASSIONATE about the music. The whole week was rocking, and Friday night just blew your socks off. Some folks swear by the Tap & Spile, others wouldn't want take payment to be there - but each to their own; that's the beauty of Whitby in folk week, something for everyone (if you're prepared to scout around).

I second Raggy's comment about the Sunday Glaisdale trip - great afternoon out - danger of it getting too popular though; hope we don't need to hire that pony-haired bouncer from the Tap!

Don't despair Grab - come along next year and sample the Fleece.