I find the comments very interesting, as the owner of The Old Wine Vaults and also a Special Constable in Faversham I feel you might want my point of view.

Last year was our first after taking over a pub that was horrible, we worked hard to build it into a "grown up" pub, we have CAMRA LocALE and Cask Marque status. We are proud of our now great reputaton for great Ale and Cider, good food and a relaxed atmoosphere. Something that may not be reflected at Hop Fest!

On the music line up we had, we started on Friday night with Labyrith, an accoustic band as it was inside. They played for no fee, we made a generous donation to their chosen charity (Fynvola-a local one) and they had collecting jars which visitors and locals alike gave to. They also host an accoustic session on the third Sunday of the month here, local musicians come along and play, very laid back and relaxed. Also new up and coming performers in the area get the chance to get public performance experience.

Saturday, Get Carter, another local band, then Steve Bolton, local, then 4 Cohonies, local, Then Sur Le Docks, Belgian, punk folk.
Get Carter, Terry Carter can't do enough for young, up and coming musicians. He even left his sound engineer there for a young local group to have a short set for experience.
Steve Bolton, the people loved him.
The 4 Cohonies, a local "middle aged" group who have reformed and were brilliant.
Sur Le Docks, well no describing them! Brilliant muscicians who really got everyone going. These were inside and accoustic!

Sunday Get Carter again then the Trouser Trumpets, both again were brilliant.

We have to use amplified music in the garden, it's big. Last year we had drop in sessions hosted by Bob Kenward, a lovely man and great musician. However this cost us a considerable amount of money and did not return in sales. I have talked to Ernie who runs the Hop Fest and agreed that we need to let people know that we are willing to let musicians come and play informally. However I had none contact us before hand or I would have been more than willing to sort something out. Communication is a two way street and I am not knowledgable about the folk scene, Ernie helps me on this! If you want to set up in my pub and just have a sing along, ask me!

Prices, I pay for my bands, I don't get any sponsonrship from the council, commitee funds, or Sheps (like the Elephant I don't and won' sell Sheps!). The plastic glasses are a considerable expense at £26 a box, I have to pay door staff, unlike other pubs that need them but are not forced to have them (hang over form the hole in the wall days), however for everyone's peace of mind I would have them so no one's night is ruied by idiots. Staff costing for the weekend is huge. Now, ulike other pubs I decided to round down, so my premium beers that are normally £3.10 a pint were £3, we had 8 cask ales on and 3 ciders. ext year I will have to charge more, I made a mistake, I did not take into account the plastic and more to the point the wastage that happens when serving at speed. I agree this is not your problem but we did not all just hike prices. However we are businesses, if we pubs closed as they are not making money what kind of Hop Fest would it be? A tent on the local rec?

Last year we had music inside during the day (folk music) and the pub was noisey, this year it was in the garden and there was plenty of places that were quieter inside.

Lastly the "blood running in the drains". There were problems at two pubs out of the town centre, neither of which I would hazard a guess HopFest visitors would be going to. The police informed us in the town centre, as the pubs shut as we would have a flood of people heading into the town. We need this kind on info to keep our venues and customers safe. I spoke to Chris from The Railway last night as my staff and his staff enjoyed a well deserved meal. He made the decision to close to prevent a good day being ruined. We immediately stopped entry to the pub but carried on serving existing customers and continued with the music. My thought is that it is better not to be gready and take "bad money" to prevent trouble, ensure safety and let everyoe leave with good time memories. We had NO trouble over the weekend and I know there were 5 arrests, all out of the town centre. The Licencing officer came in and congratulated us on our staffing, organisation and communication systems for the weekend.

I am always more than willing to take on board advice for next year, but this must meet with the requirements of making money. Next year the Hop Fest is at risk, I and The Spice Lounge have already discussed how local businesses can help. We intend to attend committee meetings and have told them so. Hopefully more will be willing to help. I pay for my bands and will continue to do so, the music stages bands have to be paid for, so not sure how this will work next year. This is not just a business decision, I passionately believe Faversham is a great town and the Hop Festival is a great weekend. oldwinevaults@yahoo.co.uk for any suggestions on how we can improve. Thanks for your time.
Nuala