Greg: I'm new(ish) to folk music and last year was the first time I had ever been to a folk festival, so I'm on a learning curve.
I've learned now to look at the artist line-up very carefully and avoid big venues if there are any 'noisy' bands.

I'm a big fan of Spiers and Boden and have bought every one of their CDs. I really didn't expect to be overpowered by the sound in their act and was dreadfully disappointed to have to leave but realise that it was just bad luck and apportion no blame to them whatsoever. Actually, it was the act on before them that caused the problem for me; by the time S&B came on stage I was already feeling very ill but trying to hold on because I wanted to see them so much.

I know I can move on to another venue if the one I've gone to see doesn't suit but sometimes that doesn't work out. For example, at Sidmouth this year the concerts in the smaller venues had house full notices a lot of the time and you would need to queue early to get in. Even season ticket holders were turned away from some of them after queueing for ages! Turning up part-way through and expecting to get in just wouldn't work.

At smaller festivals there might not be much else going on apart from sessions and it does seem very extravagant to buy a season ticket and attend mainly fringe events.

I really enjoyed Sidmouth this year (my first time) in spite of not going to any Ham marquee concerts apart from the one I had to leave early. There was such a lot of other stuff going on that missing all the Ham concerts wasn't a problem. Will be back next year but will not buy a full season ticket. We have decided to buy a workshop only ticket and then pay for individual concerts in the smaller venues. Seems the sensible thing for us to do.

For Chester festival we will almost certainly still buy a full season ticket and, if we go to Whitby as hoped, will buy the full ticket there too. I just think we need to consider carefully whether or not a full season ticket represents good value for us before forking out any money.