Hmm
for reasons not connected with the Festival I should have not enjoyed it as much as I did. It was a lift as far as I was concerned.

1) Debs Newbold all on her own did "Romeo & Juliet" and made it her own. I knew she would be good, but "WOW". Me & Bill Shake have an uneasy relationship, but this transcended all of that. The Church was full. We arrived at 19:10 for 8pm! And sat at the front.
2) The Burlesdon Village Band were on fire. On Thursday. But if you don't dance that is academic. So are 3) & 4):
3) Mrs Midnight played Pachabel's Cannon for the closing polka. Their dance was superb but Pachabel was the icing on the cake.
4) Cock & Bull in their original (as near as poss) line-up. Superb. And they did Horse's Brawle - more icing.
5) Yoof was well behaved, and loved their dancing. And were well prepared to engage with old fogies. Fogies who didn't dis them that is.
6) The volumes at venues was acceptable and in the concert tent people seemed to SHUT UP and listen. Both contrary to my experience (and more recently confirmed to me) at Shrewsbury.
7) Roy Bailey was well on form. He will be there next year if he is still with us, he says. But just in case I have seen him recently. I sat on the grass, stage right. There was room.
8) The big session was well attended and the session in the 3 Horseshoes was a more cosy true session.

of course the dance floor was full most of the time, because the dances were superb. It attracts the dancers. It could do with a bigger floor, but then it will fill up just the same.

If you wanted perfection you will always be disappointed. I didn't, I wasn't. The place to complain is with the suggestion form they provided in the information tent.