I think that the highly inflated prices for the woodside and ballad sessions are an attempt to get more people to buy seasons. It seems unlikely that I will go to either this year if it will cost me £8 to pop in for a sing.
If there isn't enough left to make an enjoyable week away then I will have to think carefully about whether I want to be there at all.
I used to go to Broadstairs but don't any longer because the tickets were not good value for money and there wasn't enough fringe to make a good week away. Sidmouth could end up suffering the same fate.
Whitby, on the other hand, has a thriving fringe and plenty of sings to drop in and out of which are free apart from donations, the workshops are reasonably priced and there are plenty of free places run by locals in and around the town. I wouldn't miss it for the world...