Just returned from the festival and thoroughly enjoyed it. Warm accommodation, good food and drink and some excellent music. The two negatives were the queuing for a decent seat (in the cold) AND THE SOUND!

Clearly there was something seriously wrong with the set-up in both venues and the amount of time it took to change over between acts was ridiculous. This resulted in slow hand-claps and booing in the Friday night which, one might have thought, would have had some effect but if it did it was marginal.

Fairport were one of the few acts to actually get their sound sorted and were able to start on time and were magnificent, as was Cara Dillon and her band.

On the other hand in one venue two solo performers were, separately, far too loud and their lyrics therefore incomprehensible. For the sake of my ear-drums and sanity I left.

The statement above from the Butlins' manager was clearly bunkum.

Despite the negatives, and without even knowing the line-up, I've booked for next year. I hope they address the sound problems in the interim.