Sidmouth is a town during Sidmouth week, just like it's a town at any other time. In this great nation of ours we do not have laws that either ban or criticise people for going to a town, for whatever legal reason, just because a folk festival happens to be on. If I go to Sidmouth during Sidmouth week and do not buy a ticket (I do buy one sometimes as it happens) I am no more a freeloader than if I go to Sidmouth at any other time of the year. Actually, I go to Sidmouth pretty frequently as I happen to have relatives who live in Sidmouth and in nearby East Budleigh and Exmouth. 'Tis pleasant to stroll along the prom on a fine day at any time of the year. When I go to Sidmouth I buy stuff in shops, go to tea rooms, have the odd pint and pay good money to park me car. If I happen along to Sidmouth during Sidmouth week, do some or all of these things, bring along my harmonicas and have a tune or ten wherever I can find an opportunity, I am not a freeloader. It so happens that I am there on a day when there is no band I wish to see, that's all. And I will not buy a season ticket because Sidmouth, like all such events, is, except to hard-core aficionados of the genre, a crock of shite (with occasional gleaming diamonds embedded) when it comes to stuff you have to pay for to get into. This is a free country, and I can go into towns if I want at any time and I do not wish to be called a freeloader for so doing, thanks! And, let's face it, if the sun is out and you want a tune, you can always sit on the sea front and play. Plenty of room.