There are usually two methods of getting a song - Woodlands and upstairs at the Rugby club you write your name on a list at the door - at Woodlands they are usually over subscribed so you might have to try again next day, when preference is given to previous attendees. At the York and Faulkner you might be accosted and interrogated as to your willingness to sing as you enter the door, or be sitting down listening when the same thing happens, just more quietly. If there is time there might be a general enquiry to the room as to who might like to sing but came in late.

Upstairs at the Anchor the Twig Rules, so you might need to accost the twig carrier but that is usually not too difficult.

It is many a long year since I first went to Sidmouth - I have a tee shirt for the 21st and I think this year was the 80th, for those of us who went the year it wasn't and had a festival anyway. There is a lot of it and it might just be that you need to find the places where you can sing.