I might be missing something here; but surely an initial summary and synopsis of what a festival has to offer; with a list of artists booked and details of workshops and morris teams attending and camping and accomodation details etc etc on a website, should suffice well enough

It would, but somebody would have to edit it.

Why should you possibly need a full programme and schedule detailing every single event, hour by hour and day by day at such a huge week-long festival, posted on the website?

You don't, but it would probably be easier to provide the raw information than edit the times and places out to create two different versions, and then try to keep them in sync.

Surely advance ordering of programmes and sales during the festival are an essential income generator for that festival.

Up to the organizers to say, but I'd bet they sell far more programmes at the event - like just about every other festival I've ever heard of.

So why should organisers shoot themselves in their income-generating foot by allowing freeloaders to download and print off every single detail on line for nowt?

It's hardly "for nowt". The hassle of printing off a large festival programme at home and lugging loose sheets around means that hardly anybody would do it if they could buy a bound hard copy at the event.

Is £4.00 for a programme (+ sae) really too much to fork out?

It is when you haven't decided to go and it's only available too late to swing your decision.

Jack Campin! Your comments are becoming more and more offensive here.

When some bystander comes out with patronizing shite like "what's your point?" you can hardly expect me to be polite back. (On the other hand, the organizers posting here have been perfectly reasonable).