Although agreeing broadly with Mr Shaw, re Sidmouth being just a town, that week and indeed for the rest of the year, I feel I must pull him up on the "Crock Of Shite" comment. maybe it would be better to say, "Some of the artists are not to my taste" A view with which I would agree. For example, as a non singer, I never go to the Anchor, as a non dancer, I avoid dance workshops, though I do go to ceilidhs when there's musicians playing that I enjoy. As for the "Fringe/Session" scene. Sidmouth is indeed lucky to have venues that allow things to happen, a lot of town festivals don't. All of which adds to the general bonhomie of the week. I know some people (who wouldn't know a folk song if it slapped them in the face) who go on holiday in Sidmouth week, just to soak up the ambience. They don't buy tickets for events, mainly because it's expensive enough for accomodation anyway, and they probably haven't heard of any of the artists too! But, they can wander into various pubs, hear singing, tunes, whatever...Various ad-hoc dance displays in the town centre and elsewhere, and have a jolly good time.
What's not to like about that?
On the whole, I think that Sidmouth gets the balance right. Well, it must be, It's been going for 56 years! (same age as me, so, I didn't get to the first one!)
Every festival here in the UK has to juggle their desires within a difficult economic framework, some have gone to the wall, which is sad. But, some continue to survive. I'm just grateful that a lot of unsung heroes carry on carrying on.
See some of you in August!