Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 03:29 PM

Generally speaking the deal for the "International Sides" is that you get yourself to the festival and they look after you whilst you are there.

That's more or less what I had in mind. But my impression is that over the years the International participants at Sidmouth were increasingly big scale or near professionals, a kionnd of show business at times, and the cost involved has been allowed to mount quite steeply.

I can't see why the living expenses for a foreign team staying at Sidmouth should be any higher than for an English team, whether staying on the campsite or indoor camping in school halls or whatever. The only real difference is the cost of getting there in the first place.

Maybe somethimg like town twinning between dance sides might be one way forward "look after us when we go to you, and we look after you when you come to us."

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 01:55 PM

HipFlask Andy,
John's right - Dan was writing out tunes for Elenor (or for someone else) - at least this year he had the presence of mind to bring manuscript with him, 'cos drawing five straight lines is nigh on impossible in that state! In a few weeks we'll be at Bridgnorth where last year Dan got to the point (at about 5:30am) of being incapable of walking, talking, even smoking or drinking, but still wanted to play more tunes (and could!) - The man nust have a pact with the Devil I tells ya!

As for Fiddler Anne heading off to Croatia, it reminds me of the T-shirt slogan I caught in the Bedford: "Good people go to Heaven; bad people go to Zaghreb!"

Cheers!

Vince

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 11:58 AM

There's no reason why dance displays, involving both British and International sides, couldn't be brought back without enormous cost. It just means having sides who are self-financing in the way Morris teams are, and who fancy a holiday trip to England, or can fit a side trip to Sidmouth in with some appearance at Langollen or something. And maybe even more so, there is the potential of bringing in more of the enormous range of music and dance from ethnic minority communities in Britain

As a point of information really more than anything else. And certainly not intended as a note of criticism to the above idea.

I write as someone whose morris team (Sheffield City Morris)have been all over Europe and also to South America. Generally speaking the deal for the "International Sides" is that you get yourself to the festival and they look after you whilst you are there. This will generally include hostal accommodation and food (B,B and EM) for the days when you are performing. And if you go by Bus as we did to Poland, fuel for any bus you have brought with you, sometimes from the point of landing. Some festivals, notably large French ones pay each person a daily rate too!! On top of this you need insurance and things like a doctor on tap.

If people fly then local transport is provided (as it was in Hungary last year where we were). So it may not be possible to arrange Sidmouth like it was before.

This clearly does not apply to English sides who go to Sidmouth even as arena sides but it does to the foreign sides and I believe they were generally put up in Exeter Halls of Residence and came in each day. Í don´t have Derek Schofield´s book to hand, but I seem to remember that Sidmouth College was the place in the old days.

I doubt if homestay would be an option in Sidmouth except perhaps with local teams like the Sidmouth Steppers to take one side on a sort of recipprocal understanding, and having organised a visit or two like this let me tell you it is dauntng!!

I do think it is a shame that the foreign sides may no longer be seen, but I can see the logic in giving up the Arena.

In a sense it is a shame because one of the great things about a festival with International teams is that there is some great interaction between the teams - even if sometimes the festivalgoers do not see all of it.

And in fairness it never happened between sides from GB and abroad much at Sidmouth.


Hope this helps,

Best regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Seaking
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 11:30 AM

Can I thank all the musicians in the Bedford and Newt for making my three children (aka 'Mash') so welcome and giving them huge amounts of encouragement whenever they played. They've come back fuelled by enthusiasm for their music and next year's festival - and so have I.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 09:14 AM

Cheers John (Barden) - I'll let Annie know when she returns from hols.
All the very best - HFA - Duncan (McFarlane)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,The Barden of England
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 08:36 AM

Hi HipflaskAndy

I think Dan was writing down a tune for Elenor (the lady playing the flute at much the same pace as Dan), and couldn't remember them all - far too much Guiness was the excuse. At the same time Elenor was writing down a different one for Dan (whilst under the influence of Otter Ale). You can bet your boots that next year they'll both be playing those along to each other. It's always a sight to behold, and to hear.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: John Golightly
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 08:04 AM

Thanks for your comments, fiddler - I've passed them on to Alan White.

On another note - last week I discovered that there are still quite a few people around who believe that if they were on the mailing list for Sidmouth International Folk Festival, then they must automatically be on the Sidmouth Folk Week mailing list. Not so.

Remedy - click Here to register your details.

John

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 07:12 AM

Seen the piccies - thanks Vince - yep, I believe that thar Dan's the man!
I can't be certain as I couldn't get in anywhere near, but I reckon so. Our Anne (being very tiny) squeezed through for a close look, but I can't ask her to view the pix as she left for Croatia yesterday!
I did see him stop and seemingly make notes, fill in staves etc - does that help narrow it down?
Anne came back with 'Jings! Wit duz HE need tae write doon?!!'

Hey Kitty, how you doing?
Sorry we never ran into you at Siddy, but I'll see you at Herga on Nov 14th if not before!

Cheers! - HFA

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: alanww
Date: 09 Aug 05 - 06:49 AM

Congatulations to all the volunteers who made the festival a success and helped to bring Sidmouth back to its roots!
Best wishes.
"... for I am free to go abroad!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 05:01 PM

There's a separate thread going on the theft of Alan Bell's concertina. It was nicked last weekend from a table in the Bedford Hotel, so if anyone who was in the Bedford sessions has any idea where it went, could they please let Alan know.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 04:37 PM

I missed the Arena - not the Big Guest concerts, but the dance displays and the entertainers in the rest of the place, and the tune sessions in the Beer Tent and so forth. And some of the traders, who weren't by many means all tat.

I hope that one way and another those kind of things can come back in the future, and if they can involve using the natural ampitheatre all the better. Many an enjoyable afternoon and evening I've spent there. I know some people never even get up there, but then I never get to the Bulverton, and that doesn't mean I have to dismiss it as not worth having. The special thing about Sidmouth has been that people can have totally different festivals and still fit in together.

There's always ben the moment when you find yourself standing there listening to the sound of half a dozen different types of music coming from different directions - a dance band somewhere, a Morris side, a bunch of people playing a tune in the graveyard, someone busking on a corner, a foreign team parading along a street nearby... That's what makes Sidmouth magic.

Big costly events where bad weather will mean financial disaster, we can do without them. But that doesn't have to mean cutting down on the diversity of the music and the dance.

There's no reason why dance displays, involving both British and International sides, couldn't be brought back without enormous cost. It just means having sides who are self-financing in the way Morris teams are, and who fancy a holiday trip to England, or can fit a side trip to Sidmouth in with some appearance at Langollen or something. And maybe even more so, there is the potential of bringing in more of the enormous range of music and dance from ethnic minority communities in Britain.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 02:16 PM

Came home via Dartmoor festival, so have only just caught up with this thread.

I had a lovely week. The Theatre Bar singarounds were programmed to run from 11.30am-2pm, rather than 10.30-2 as previously, because the Beach Store in the Bedford sessions started at 10.30. But after a couple of days we started earlier and finished later, so that we could get all the usual singers in and still have time for people who went to the Bedford first.

I agree with McGrath that the disadvantage of not having a season ticket was that you couldn't dip in and out of events. But some people preferred not having a season ticket, because having a ticket for a particular event guaranteed that they would get into it. Also, people could pay to camp without having to buy a season ticket.

I can't see that anyone will want to undertake the risks of running the Arena and international dance teams in future. But Sidmouth Folk Week lived up to its name.

Kitty

PS I came third in the DG&D

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Ralphie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:52 PM

Hello Mr Concertina Chap.

Yes, It has always struck me as strange that most of these threads revolve around the Bedford/Anchor singers, Mainstream Irish/Popular Folk Songs,with Banjos and Bodhrans. (Nothing wrong with that.It is, after all a week long party....so, lets party.) It's not my cup of tea particularly, but, on the evidence of Sunday night, a fine time was being had by all. Hope you can all do it again at Whitby...Respect to all.

Meanwhile the poor Old Radway barely gets a mention. A sad 3rd place after the Volunteer.

Maybe thats just as well. (If the word gets out, you'll never get in. Bit like the old days of the Balfour!)

Due to lack of time down at Sid this year, I only had Monday lunchtime at the Rad. Always a quiet day, it was still a sumptuous 3 hours of the best of English music. And twas great to meet old friends again. (and a few new and younger peeps too)

So, if any old mates read this. A salute to you. Maybe next year.
Sad to have missed Dartmoor. Ho Hum.

(I now return this thread to the MBS ...enjoy!)

Oh, and if you should read this Lizzie, the fact that "PJD were in one room at the Bedford, and the musicians were in the other," caused greaty hilarity in the band, and expect the quote to appear on our website soon.

To all. Enjoy the rest of your summer

Kind regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Malc R
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:51 PM

We stayed on the Bulverton camp from early Saturday morning, having driven through the night from Yorkshire, until Thursday morning.
During the short week we attended concerts at the Ham, heard some amazing Story Telling saw varied dancing, street entertainers and visited The Anchor, Newt, Bedford and Black Horse (Which I might add serves excellent value for money meals - and not all served with chips).
I'm sorry to admit that I too failed to knowingly meet with Lizzy and get my Hug :o( but overall we enjoyed our stay and found it to be what we expected - a folk festival.
Must congratulate all those that made it possible, and Alan White for the Campsite facilities.
We do have one minor criticism however (Actually two but they are linked) and that was the "noise" eminating from the Anchor Garden, which on occasions stretched the interpretation of FOLK to extremes, coupled with the constant flow of people into the middle bar through the back door made listening to some of the MBS's nigh on impossible.
Good luck and best wishes for Sidmouth 2005

Mal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 01:06 PM

The missus and I had a great time at Sidmouth and in our view the week was a success, Certainly Eddie Upton thought so, and he and Folk Southwest put in a lot of hard work to make it so, by bringing together the various disjointed bits of the organisation to form a coherent team. I didn't really miss the arena shows as we saw some cracking performances in the Marquee and the Manor Theatre - Bellowhead were magnificent as usual, the New Scorpion Band were great and I really enjoyed the Demon Barber Roadshow - OK in the latter band the bass was too loud and you couldn't hear the words of the songs, but did you see that rapper dance! Superb.

The wife and I got some songs in and I even gave a talk with video clips. There is talk of my helping out to help organise the talks for next year or to help set up some ballad sessions - anyone up for that?

It was good to see the food outlets of the town being used rather than the marquee food, but a) Sidmouth caterers have to learn to give better customer service: half hour waits for food or waiting 10 minutes before having your order taken are unacceptable and b) Sidmouth caterers do not do healthy - it's chips with everything.

That said, as a people's festival, it was a great success - lots of singing, playing, dancing etc and the promise of even better next year.

Gwilym

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 12:38 PM

Well, I may have been 'young and awake' last week, but I have also spent all dayt at work trying not to fall asleeep at the keyboarddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

Vince

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: The Barden of England
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 12:16 PM

It's got to be Dan hasn't it Vince - who else?

I was totally worn out come Friday, but managed to hang on until 1am, but Dan and Vince were up until 4am. Oh to be young and awake!!
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 11:22 AM

Great pictures Vince, I almost feel as if I was there (oh I forgot, I WAS there)

HFA what a great description of Lizzie, like you I was surprised she wasn't more 'loud, brash, etc. I was very pleased to meet her, and she did her best to see as much as possible, because she loves it all.

I'm sorry now we didn't fight harder to get in the Bedford late Friday, but it was just TOO packed - and we wanted a beer! It sounds like a great time was had.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 11:14 AM

HipFlaskAndy wrote:
Anne (our fiddler) was agog watching one chap 'go' in there. A superb fiddler in her estimation, wonder who he was?

In all liklihood it was me old mate Dan... The link in my post above has some pictures of him. (He never stops!)

Vince

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 10:50 AM

Various ramblings from my first ever time at Sidmouth.

Arrived in Sidmouth on Wednesday (work commitments prevented full week).
I sought out and located the infamous Lizzie (PM facility here meant that goal was easy to make possible).
She hasn't exactly held back her admiration for my band's music (based on her purchase of our CDs by web) on various message boards so I have to confess that meeting her for the first time was a daunting prospect.
No worries though. She seems a perfectly 'normal' and remarkably unassuming lady. No wonder you 'couldn't find her' Lynne, Breton Cap (and others above).
I might have fully expected some sort of, er, 'loud' brash person, full of 'look at me' and so on. Nope. She (and all her family) seemed, in total contrast to the sometimes OTT outpourings on the message boards (which at least are positive) quite quiet and unassuming.
Her husband Peter seemed a tireless worker for the festival (among so many valuable others!) and spent a great deal of his time setting up, operating, and packing away the PA system for the (Dukes) Open Mic sessions each day.
Lizzie flitted from one place to another making notes and taking in as much of the various activities as possible, from dawn to dusk (for her self-appointed role as unofficial roving reporter for another board). Interestingly, I noticed her opt to maintain a low profile when Steve Knightley came to stand and watch a while at Dukes (she can be a little over the top in expressing her admiration for SOH music on boards too!) Even when our melodeon player (who is also called Steve!) offered to introduce her to him (Steve knows Steve well) she declined. Hardly the mad stalker some would have you believe. No, just an honest and enthusiastic soul, that bubbles with optimism (albeit too much for some) and a complete love of music generally. Bless. She's a kindly soul in the flesh.
Now I have a face to put with the name.

My wife Pam and I made our way to various venues over Wednesday afternoon, night and all of Thursday. Acclimatising ourselves, trying to soak up the Siddy atmosphere, as we were 'first timers'.
Last Night's Fun were amazing (as usual) in the Marquee in the afternoon. That reminds me. I read a reference elsewhere intimating that the 'paid artists' didn't go and take part elsewhere, just did their spot and got away. Not so. I'll try and cite other examples later, but the glaringly obvious 'first' is that LNF's Nick and Chris played on into the wee small hours in a pub session, for the sheer enjoyment of it. My, they're good!

A lot has been made (here and on the Beeb board etc) of numbers being down overall. It must've been hell in other years then! Everywhere we went (with one exception) we had a great deal of trouble getting in, getting served at any bar, and invariably had to stand as all seats were taken!
The only exception was the 'Newt' but that may just have been due to timing. Not knowing the ropes, we started at 7.50pm on Wed night by calling in there first. Only five people in the room, a weird set up of high seating round the perimeter (the only seat we got all week!) surrounding an open area with no tables and chairs at all! Most uninviting, and I wasn't surprised to see an endless procession of folk (many with instruments) enter, look, assess and head off elsewhere. A chap with a squeezebox kicked off proceedings at 8pm singing 'Enery the 8th' as in came three more folk, one with a guitar who promptly sang two songs in a row making me wonder if those there before him should have been more 'obvious' if they were there to sing also. I wouldn't know, I am not sufficiently versed in the etiquette required when I attend any new place. We decided (at the end of a pint) to seek out other places. I do hope that venue picked up a head of steam later, but meantime we felt obliged to sample elsewhere and (perhaps unfairly) never made it back.

We stood outside the Ham Marquee along with the overspill from a full house listening to a grand sounding Blackthorn, returning a good while later to hear some of the superb KathTickell Band.
In between-time, and later on till VERY late, we stood to drank beer and listen to all 'sorts' of sessions (mixed, tune and song) in various rooms within the Black Horse, Swan, Radway and Anchor.
Contrary to suggestions made elsewhere, we found a high standard of musicianship everywhere, and where there were 'learners' interspersed amongst the 'experienced' throng, we hoped they managed to raise their own game in the best way possible, rubbing elbows with those of a higher standard (hopefully inconspicuously) being dragged upward in the most sociable of surroundings.

A good night's sleep (airbeds on the floor of 'friends of the festival') and we were off after breakfast for a walk round the town, the craft fair, the instrument stands at Church House and the Ham and a 'touristy' walk up Jacob's Ladder to the wonderful gardens where I confess I posed unashamedly with the Sidmouth Fiddler. Cliché? Yes indeed, but relatives expect etc……

Around 2.15pm Steve and I played and sang three songs (for fun) outside at the open mic affair at Dukes, hanging on (as requested) to do three more later on. This was no terrible hardship given that there were barrels of real ale set up in a side room and the Test Match (which was going well) in another. We were only too pleased to keep a weather eye on it! Maybe that's why various other artists on the 'bill' took time to drop in and perform there all week.
More likely though, they just like to play!

Thursday evening was spent trawling through the sessions as we had done the night before. Apologies! Didn't revisit the Newt, time ran out.
The passing of a leafy branch round the infamous Middle Bar was interesting. We had fancied a turn, but after standing in amongst them there a total of about four hours over two nights, when it did get anywhere near, seeing it bypass us again and again, we gave up all hope of perhaps singing a song down there. Once again, not knowing the correct procedure in an established set up, no one proffering aid for the uninitiated, and not being the sort to be at all 'forward' in such surroundings, we limped off into the night untested. Our fault entirely, I'm sure.
It would have been nice though.
One 'proper' downside in the Anchor, the 'new' Landlord saw fit to put a 'soul' band on in the garden, as there wasn't a folk event organised there on the Wed night. Even the presence of 'Bouncers' at the top of the stairs didn't keep the door shut half enough and the noise from the 'band' garden made listening (to the singers) from that end of the middle bar very difficult.
Friday passed us by, as there was much to do to prepare for our gig in the evening. We checked into our rooms in the Bedford and met up with the rest of the band as they arrived one by one from the North (only three of us had arrived on Wednesday and Thursday.
We did catch the ever-magnificent Whapweasel as we unloaded our gear at the Ham Marquee and 'cheated' somewhat by lingering around backstage in the 'wings' to admire them.
Before we knew what time it was, we were sound-checking after the Battlefield Band and soon after it was 7.55 and we were heading onstage.
The evening concerts all week were sold out I understand, fire regulations setting the capacity at 807. I was a little stunned to find the place completely full when we kicked off at eight. The Batty's fans did us proud, taking to their seats for us too rather than drifting in for their scheduled start at 9.15pm
Our MC (as per programme) was otherwise engaged preparing for his own gig at the LNE (11.15 start) so the diminutive but delightful Sue stepped in, announced us, and the next hour flew by!
I thoroughly enjoyed playing our set and the audience reaction was far above my expectations! I was particularly pleased for our fiddle player Anne, who got the biggest cheer of all as I introduced the band during the last set of Jigs.
We spent the rest of the night having backs patted and hands shaken and we couldn't believe the volume of CDs we shifted.

A few thanks are order. Cheers MC Sue, soundman Chris (the mini-disc recording is superb!), the Batty-Band (who made us feel like we were friends right from the start), the extremely helpful head steward and his band of stewards (many of whom were so supportive and encouraging from right after the sound-check onwards!) and bar staff (who looked after us well), to ALL those souls that worked their socks off to keep Sidmouth Festival alive. You did more than just that! It did far better than merely survive! It was a success. Those there had a whale of a time. All power to you, I hope you kick on from here, improving as you go, to become bigger and better still.
But personally, a huge thank-you to Gordon Newton, not just for his organisational merits, for putting his head on the block, but also for having the courage to put on a relatively unknown semi-pro outfit like us amidst the full time pros.
Thanks for the opportunity GN.

And then….
After watching the great Battys and packing up, it was back to the Bedford for the rest of the night. It was HEAVING in there. The session in the front room so crammed and vibrant it was nigh on impossible to get to the bar! Anne (our fiddler) was agog watching one chap 'go' in there. A superb fiddler in her estimation, wonder who he was? A second room was in full flow too (behind the bar) and in there later on, two Battys (fiddle and guitar) were soon in full flight, totally amazing stuff. Later the pipe player joined in too and we watched in awe. Being the lightweights that we are, Anne and I retreated to our beds at about 2.30am exhaustion had set in.
I've been a punter at Whitby for some 15 or more consecutive Festivals, then, more recently, as a performer at various festivals for the past four years - and my conclusion is, I don't know or cre whatwent before, 'this' new Sidmouth is right out of the top drawer! Cheers one and all. HFA – Duncan McFarlane

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: fiddler
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 10:50 AM

In the Middle of this don't forget one integral part of the festival which came together against all the odds and with a lot of hard work by - Alan White - The Public don't see it, lots of the festival folk stay there for the week - The Campsite - the only 24 hours a day Stewards Team usually - and I beleive at the last minute stewards
co ordination which no one else had taken on board.

Some one say thanx to him please......

The boys (and girls) in the back room handling the daily drudge jobs are indispensible!

OK I was not there but I do know what went on!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 09:29 AM

Had a great time myself.

Spent a lot of time working on the Newsletter (Yes it all my fault!)
and when not doing that I was Laughing, Drinking and Singing in the Middle Bar.

So where was Lizzie? I didn't knowingly encounter her.

Should be even better next year (and perhaps a bit less disjointed)

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,Guest - vince
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:48 AM

I had a wonderful time this year at Sidmouth, spent most of it in the Bedford Sessions, so no real difference from previous years. I liked being able to camp at Bulverton without needing a season ticket, which meant I didn't have to keep pitching my tent when the council decided to move us on.

I have photos of the Bedford (mainly) here
Can't wait 'til next year...

Vince

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:47 AM

It was good to see you Dave. Seeing you in The Bedford was a pleasure, and I hope you are feeling better. With you and Hugh Diamond there we certainly didn't suffer from 'Crowd Noise'!!
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:26 AM

Linda and I had a wonderful week at Sidmouth, even though I wasn't in the best of health. We spent quite a lot of time in the Anchor Middle Bar, but still managed to sing at The Bedford, The Newt, and the Swan Garden.

Congratulations to the MBS for securing their seventh Bill Rutter walking stick for a collection which at something like £1,400 which was at least three times that of the runner-up - as well as raising over £500 for the Sidmouth lifeboat on Tuesday evening.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:26 AM

Personally, the best thing of the whole week was meeting loads of "young" people, never been to a folk festival before, who want to come back next year and participate - sing, play, dance, whatever.

So it must have been good to inspire them!

epn

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 08:04 AM

... But sometimes if you go the wrong way then you may have to reverse your path a bit before you can continue in a more appropriate direction ...

Just a Thought.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: AggieD
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 07:54 AM

Well I hope to make it next year, if only for the weekend & look forward to seeing it in all it's new revamped form.

I do agree that I won't miss all that tat hawked in the Arena, hardly genuine 'craft work'& I think the dance & music on the front is truly great & unique.

However I do still stick to my opinion that people are now used to better organisation & whether we like it or not, the administration will have to be better organised & those precious people who volunteer to be stewards will also need to be better organised.

I certainly do think that those people that took the bull by the horns & took on the task of organisation have been fantastic for taking it on & I hope they have the enthusiasm to carry on.

MBSLynne I am the last person who cares about what people think of me & my music personally, having been involved with Morris for over 25 years & very used to all the stares & jibes. However I still would like to see our national music & dance appreciated & not treated as a joke, but with respect as are other genres, & IMHO going backwards is not the way to do it.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 07:48 AM

No-one's mentioned the Radway yet. We spent most of the week there and had a very good time indeed. Very very few of the usual suspects were missing, quite a few good newcomers and a *lot* of good music. The only time it went wrong was on Monday night when seemingly the entire set of Radway regulars decamped to Flos Headford and Paul Burgess's programmed session in the Rugby club and the pub was completely empty of musicians. Some of us felt a bit guilty about that (including, I should say, Flos himself, who made a point of spending much of his time in the Radway for the next couple of days after that).

I'd like to see more workshops, but unlike the previous few years we actually went to some workshops this year. This was because we didn't have the awful, expensive and invidious workshop season ticket system to deal with. I would be very upset if that ever returned.

Oh, and the Ceilidh in the Ford didn't happen again as usual on Friday. We look forward to it not happening next year.

We've already rebooked our accommodation for next year.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 05:46 AM

quote: "There's something about the Newt as a pub that has never really appealed to me, I'm not sure what it is. (I'm not talking about the musicians - I think it's more the layout of the place.) "

For us it was the sticky floor and tables, the dirty glasses, the worst pint of beer we had all week. (which we left half of and walked out)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 05:46 AM

We were there from Monday to Friday and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The sessions in the bars, (specially the Bedford), the lovely local beers on offer everywhere, the whole atmosphere. We went to some concerts, saw some dancing, sat in the gardens, walked on the cliffs.

We met Lizzie - a lovely enthusiastic lady and definitely NOT a troll!

We would definitely go back again.

Well done to everyone who got it all together.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 05:22 AM

Survived another great week at Sidmouth. I'll just say I agree with all the positive things said here, and just add that I hope that the Arena never rears its ugly head again. Instead of the usual trek - Campsite/Arena/Campsite/LNE, or park car at Arena/stay in Arena/go home, people actually came further into the town and found the promenade, the sessions, the Ham, The Manor Pavillion and Arts complex. This wasn't a nostalgia trip, but a brand new and fresh beginning and the season ticket will be sorted out I'm sure,
Me? I just loved it.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 04:44 AM

I found a number of people who used to come to Sidmouth and hadn't been for years turned up again this year. I was particulary pleased to see Mitch Reynolds for the first time in about ten years. She was one of my 'crowd' in my first few Sidmouths.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 10:00 PM

Congratulations to the organisers for a first class week.
A phoenix arose from the ashes, rather than the dodo expected by the detractors.
Although numbers were down, a great number of people who "only came for the weekend" decided to stay longer. Also many new people booked in to the camp site during Tuesday and Wednesday. Could some of these have been those who said "Sidmouth 2005 will never work"?
LNE numbers were obviously down due to the reduced overall number of attendees. Many people came with children and were unable to attend LNE due to babysitting. A few parties changed camp-site to be nearer to LNE. We could have made use of a few more volunteer stewards at LNE, though.
Those who believed in the Festival were there.
I had a fantastic time meeting old friends and making new ones, as well as seeing some wonderful entertainment.
The organisers did a fantastic job in the short time they had available and no doubt next year will be even better.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: CharleyR
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 08:04 PM

I find it's easier for musicians to interact with each other whilst playing if they can see each other, otherwise wouldn't they just end up playing in a little world of their own and ignoring what everyone else is doing?

I didn't go to this year's Sidmouth but it sounds like in general it was a success, well done to everyone involved!

Charley

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 07:34 PM

Horses for courses, Leadfingers - I looked in and found that set-up looked unfriendly (I'm sure it wasn't meant to be), so I slipped off to the Bedford instead, which is raucous and crammed but welcoming.

There's something about the Newt as a pub that has never really appealed to me, I'm not sure what it is. (I'm not talking about the musicians - I think it's more the layout of the place.)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 07:06 PM

Talking about being 'Inwards Looking' - WHY do some session musos have to sit in a circle playing to each other ?? At The New Tavern we
sit looking OUT at the rest of the bar , NOT looking at each other !!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: GUEST,Mike from Dorch
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 06:57 PM

I nearly didn't go this year, for personal reasons not because of the change of style, but a friend persuaded me to go for three days and I'm glad I did. Most of the things that I go for, and most of the people I usually see, were there. I don't think I missed sitting on that horrible steep grassy bank, or wandering round those Arena stalls full of neo-hippy tat made in sweatshops in Asia.
Many thanks to all of you who worked hard to make it happen. Next year I'll go for the week

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 06:00 PM

Here's a link to a bunch of pictures of this year's Sidmouth on flickr.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 05:42 PM

It sounds so wonderful. The way it ought to be. Next year I simply MUST get dogsitters and officesitter and do it and Dartmoor.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Col K
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 05:30 PM

Yes it happened, despite all the doom and gloom merchants out there who said it could not be done. OK it was not Sidmouth 2004 repeated regurgitated or copied, it was Sidmouth 2005. Lets congratulate all those who were involved in any way with the organization. Yes of course there were problems, as the organizers all said " We are on a steep learning curve this week".
The organizers have learnt a lot this last week and I am sure that they will take these lessons on board and that next years will be even better.
Major comments heard were about the lack of the arena, the vast majority of them being in favour of forgetting the arena and concentrating events in town.
All in all a good time was had by many people ---- Thanks to those people who risked it ----You WERE successful --- WELL DONE

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 02:36 PM

Aggie, you may consider the way Sidmouth has been this year to be going backwards. I,most emphatically,don't. Because the festival was a little smaller and much more relaxed than in recent years, doesn't mean that the many artists who performed, some of them 'big name' professionals, were any less polished than they ever are. This time we had a really good mix of the glossy, professional acts, the smaller, more accessible (but no less polished and professional) acts, and the participatory events. It was a better Sidmouth than it has been for years in some ways....certainly in atmosphere.

And I personally couldn't give a damn whether people laugh at me, or us, just so long as I'm enjoying my music and my festival

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 02:21 PM

I'm not blaming the Tourist Office people - as paid employees they presumably felt they didn't have the freedom to use their own initiative and adjust their way of working so as to reduce the delays. My point is, making use of amateurs and volunteers can sometimes be more efficient than the alternative.
.....................................

There's no reason a LNE of some side shouldn't work very well. It needn't be a primarily dance event way out of town, there are lots of ways of doing it. But some conveniently situated late night place where people can wind-down and meet at he end of the day, and the different aspects of the festival can come together could be very good for teh festival, as well as enjoyable. Maybe something like the one at Fylde (but in a less crowded setting than that please!)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 01:59 PM

I forgot to add - I didn't meet Lizzie (not to my knowledge anyway) and I am truly mortified.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 01:57 PM

The Tourist Office staff did their best issuing tickets over many weeks utilising an archaic 'record everything using a quill pen' system. They deserve credit for keeping at it not only before but during the festival when the load should have been taken off them by other people.

To be sure there were queues - more than an hour at times - but no-one expected it to be perfect this year. What is important now is not to carp about the petty failures but to analyse what worked and what didn't and to plan logically for 2006. For my money, the LNE may not be viable next year and the whole idea of a Supporters card is a non-starter. No-one asked to see the cards when you went into events, it complicated the ticketing arrangements and a much better idea would be simply to offer discounts for early purchase - just as Steve Heap did.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 01:07 PM

I don't actually think people particularly care for "slicker, glossier organisation". I mean ordinary people. Unless that means stuff like good sound systems and efficient systems for selling tickets, and getting things like that right aren't anything do with being slicker and glossier.

Look around the world today and it's full of slick glossy operations run by slick glossy operators who couldn't organise a booze-up in a brewery.

So far as I'm aware the sound systems worked pretty well this year. The ticket sales were pretty shambolic, that's true - but that was most especially the case where the paid professionals in the Tourist Office were involved.

Getting things right matters, but that is a matter of people taking responsibility, recognising what needs to be done, and doing it. It isn't about image, it's about committment - and there was plenty of that about.

I think Sidmouth 2006 is going to be one hell of a good festival.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: AggieD
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 12:04 PM

Oh dear woe is me. I see that folkies are regessing & looking inward again. Do we really want to go back to the 70's & be regarded as a joke (Arran sweaters et al) or do we want to see polished performances that can hold their own with the best of them & see the music we love given more credence?

Please don't get me wrong I enjoy the true meaning of folk music, with all being able to join in & have a go, but there are many people out there who will just laugh at us if we allow ourselves to become inward looking & lose some of the polish that many of our top artist have achieved if we don't allow the 'big' events every so often. Ok I don't have a problem with Sidmouth going back to a more core festival, but please don't discount the fact that lots more ordinary people are drawn in to have a look at what's going on if there is a slicker, glossier organisation. I wonder how long the professionals will be willing to pur their hands in their own pockets?

I didn't make it to Sidmouth this year, partly because my other half is not really a folkie & only comes along if he can have a season ticket & can drift in & out of events until he can find something he can enjoy & partly because we like to do different festivals, but one thing that I hate to hear in the folk world is that it was just like it was 30 years ago.

I really hope that the festival comes back better & stronger, but please lets not go backwards.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 08:06 AM

Steve...I agree with every word you said. I think the future for Sidmouth festival looks rosy. And perhaps I'll get to meet Lizzie next time!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: Chris Cole
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 07:54 AM

Lynne I am pleased to say I met Lizzie. If you had, you would understand why she lives in a world of smilies! All I can say is I would rather know Lizzie than some of the "guests" that frequent this site. What a lovely lady and family.
Sidmouth is different things to different people and as a family we will have had a significantly different time to other people. My main points are
1) Disappointed to meet locals that could still find reasons to whinge - they seemed obsessed with the "outside" traders in the Arena. Perhaps they should focus their energies into providing a without chips eaterie in Sidmouth.

2) Delighted that my daughter could spend 10 and a half hours singing with Emily, Lauren and Jim for £15. What a bargain and what lovely people. The super singers were indeed super.

3) Huge thankks for the determination and hard work of a group of wonderful people who allowed me and mine to enjoy our annual folkie holiday. Dipping in and out of events, meeting up with old friends and making new ones etc.

4) Sidmouth happened and was not by any stretch of anyone's imagination a failure. Imagine that being the case 12 months ago? Cynics can have their say (thank God), but I was there and had a great time/holiday.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2005 - the verdict?
From: steve_harris
Date: 07 Aug 05 - 06:49 AM

"Last year there was all the talk about taking a year off, and coming back all shiny and organised"

I'm so glad we didn't go down that shaky path. We now know that a different sort of Sidmouth IS possible.

From viewing the camp site, I estimate attendance at 75% down but we were still offered just about all the usual events - except the Arena. And the organisers haven't lost money.

I look forward to a similar Sidmouth 2006 with half the 2004 numbers which will be comfortable for all concerned.

What was particulalry good this year was that just about everybody PARTICIPATED. Yes, there were fewer people at LNE but a far higher proportion were dancing.