Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 03:40 PM

I thought the Volunteer session I attended was wonderful, even if I felt out of my league/depth when I got to sing. It was full-to-bursting with great singers and would have been well worth attending just to listen. I meant to go back on Friday, but then somebody wanted to talk to me about the fairies.

It was that kind of week. I'm still knackered.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 03:31 PM

Lynne

The lunchtime Volunteer sessions are programmed as "In the tradition", and have always featured festival guests, particularly those from traditional sources. They've never been advertised as a singaround.

I've never got to a Volunteer lunchtime session, because I'm involved in the concurrent Theatre Bar singarounds, which are intended to give a chance to anyone who wants to perform, and only feature festival guests if they happen to wander in, in search of a coffee or snack. Singers quite often come to the Theatre Bar for an early sing before nipping up to the Volly, or sometimes turn up because they couldn't get a sing in the Volly....

Gadaffi - Gideon is from Cornwall and I've met hin in the Middle Bar, and at Voice Tours, and he also came and sang in the Theatre Bar.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 02:14 PM

Whenever I run a singaround, if it's too big for me to remember who has sung and who has come in, I have a list on the door and give people songs in order of arrival. I ALWAYS make sure that eveyone gets at least one song and while I might change the order after the first round, I dole out songs as fairly as possible.

Just for interest, if the Volunteer sessions aren't singarounds, what are they?

I do have to agree, on the subject of noise on the campsite, that some of it was a bit above and beyond the normal. As the one who was blamed for noise (even if I wasn't there!), for years I do try to be tolerant of people partying and playing music (provided it's live) but the people who were yelling, screaming and shouting as late as 4.30am were definitely out of line. On the other hand, the social scene on the campsite was great.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 09:21 AM

Some initial collated comments - more welcome, but nothing will get updated for a few days. The Bulverton campsite seems to have been a real pain this year - lots of complaints about the noise. The Anchor has to have security people, but as many as eight???

Latest webpage observations on Sidmouth 2006

No-one is going to agree with every observation but please tell me if anything is actually wrong. It is only a first draft. Pics welcome especially of Fee Lock (!) and dancing in the Ford that of course did not take place.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cllr
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:53 AM

Whenever I run a singaround or similar i always make sure that whatever rules i am using are announced whether it is twig rules and bench driven or simply a clockwise direction. It is worth it IMHO to make the audience aware. If they are under the impression that by waiting pateintly and haveing given an indication that the chance to sing will occur then understandably get annoyed if it does not happen.

I only went to the volly on the friday night and it was a great session ( i actually indicated I didnt want to sing that night!) and i went to Rosie's session at the york and faulkner where i had my name taken and was then later asked to sing.
On tuesday night at the midddle bar shanty session, which i run I regularly call out an abrieveated version of the twig rules as it is one on the busiest nights of the week. I can't comment on the other sessions at the volly 'cos i was only there on the friday but i will say from comments made to me (more than one person) was that the expectation was given that putting the name in the book would lead to a chance to sing that evening and this did not always occur. If it is explained that

"If you want to sing, get their at noon, introduce yourself to me (AND my co-host, thus doubling your chances), and trust to our limited powers of cognition. " then people would know the situation.

Incidently other singing sessions including MBS will jump to festival artists to allow them the chance as obviously there time management can be tricky. cllr

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Schantieman
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:43 AM

Sounds like fun. Sorry I missed it but, as Ms Lemon said, I was indeed bobbing about on the briny.

See ya

Steve

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:16 AM

My apologies ought to go to Seaking and Mr Bean about The Volunteer sessions. I personally took on these when it became apparent that John Howson and Dan Quinn weren't prepared to continue them after 2004. I had no idea how they would go last year, and am humbled at their success and the kind words said to me as a result - and the signed marrow that was awarded to me on the Thursday!

First of all, this is not a singaround. Nor is it meant to the preserve of any particular clique, although of course, the same people tend to come every day. That said, I have deliberately kept the same format that John/Dan evolved to differentiate it from equally successful sessions at the Anchor, Theatre Bar, Newt, etc. The use of a 'list' is an aide memoire since I really do have a bad memory for faces, and honestly try to give everybody a fair crack of the whip, regardless of gender, age, type of song, etc. etc. This is one reason why I have used a daily co-host, so they can widen that circle of recognition and make it more inclusive. I would like to welcome Sid Calderbank, some guy called Gideon, and Neil Brookes who came most days, waited patiently, and game storming performances when they performed, and I will extend the same welcome to Chris or anyone if they persist next year. It took me two or three years before anyone asked me to sing at the Volly, but thought that the robust nature of the singing so powerful an attraction that it was worth postponing my daily visit to the Radway to experience and ultimately share in this.

Because this isn't a straightforward singaround - more of a quirky performance - I design the last half hour to include some of the singers who have brought so much pleasure to non-singing regulars and singing regulars over the years, people like Alan and Carole Prior, George Withers, Ken Langsbury, plus anyone from the 'booked' part of the programme (who arrive in the Volly NOT as part of their Festival contract). If you want to sing, get their at noon, introduce yourself to me (AND my co-host, thus doubling your chances), and trust to our limited powers of cognition. Disappearing into the garden or loo at crucial moments will lose you brownie points! Failing that, please enjoy whatever else you may decide to do in Sidmouth FolkWeek 2007 and thereafter.

George

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 08:02 AM

Another great week in Sidmouth this year - Champagne breakfasts on the front, Bedford, Swan, Dove, Seaside, Sunshine - what more can you ask for?

Can't believe Dan wouldn't let me take my ukulele this year, but that means I've got 12 months to practice for next year (You have been warned)

Cheers to all those I met up with. See you next year

Vince

John B: re young fiddler, are we talking about the red-haired chap who spent a lot of time with the guitarist from Germany? i thought he was called Dave (but I have a terrible memory for names...)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MuddleC
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 07:51 AM

Well, it was my first sidmouth, and despite spending a lot of it as a bulverton gate steward still managed to enjoy myself. Gripes.. I tried to attend the gegorian chant workshops held in the parish church..excellent acoustics, but marred by insufficient words and music sheets, no way can you sing by reading the script held by someone two rows in front, one row in front was possible, but without magnified binocular vision, you were still singing directely into someones ear. Other workshops I found to be more of a 'self-promotion' event than workshop, but after hearing tales of the anchor found that lacking on several fronts, the bar staff who served me up a couple of pints of suspect Thatchers and proceeded to make a real meal of changing it for me,( I stuck to my guns then, and got a full refund), the excellent irish and MBS sessions were marred by the lack of the old wall acting as a baffle to each other, and the garden party noise made MBS downright difficult to enyoy sometimes. The Dove sessions were small but beautifully formed (although I beleive it was an instument 'no-go' area), Ham marquee events were very good, as was LNE. The esplande was more akin to english football night in the spanish resorts, with the dross on sale, hawkers , pan-handlers , & buskers ...pushed 'folk-week' into obscurity. Well done to all the Morris sides who took part, how the 'rappers' didn't manage to have anyones arm or leg off in the tiny places they displayed beats me!
As for the noise at Bulverton, having seen it from my stance on the gate at 8PM-12AM, 12AM-4AM, 4AM-8AM over several nights, I can tell you I was not impressed.. up till 2AM, I can understand, even staying up to see the dawn, but there didn't seem to be any consideration for others. Frankly , many of the people on the site I thought had no interest in folk music but were simply using it as a cheap campsite. Several groups of youngsters, and twenty somethings around me had 'boom-box' sessions of amplified 'head-ache music'. I would like to thank people for their perseverence with producing camping passes, you wouldn't believe some of the excuses and ploys some people had to get in without paying... you paid, why shouldn't they? The number of bits of paper, door passes, season tickets, camping passes, youth passes,priorty passes did seem ridiculous, especially since the issue of these things didn't seem to be resolved until several days in.
If I had paid the full season ticket price, with extra to attend the ham events, and some 'independent' workshops (e.g.concertina), I wold not feel as though I had got my money's worth. The hours I worked , and with extra 'impromtu' stewarding, I feel I just broke even.
Walking with the MBS 'troupe' into the sea was a highlight!
Thanks to the person in the 'lean-to' tent for making it so enjoyable.
It is the people you meet and mutually repect that make up for the shortcomings, oh.... and the music!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 06:09 AM

Well I got back yesterday evening, and looking back on it from a distance I enjoyed most of it. Had some good sessions in the Newt, Saturday afternoon in the Bedford was good too, but I couldn't get in there any day after that, too crowded and claustrophobic. I did get in one day and was standing on the fringe looking for a way in to find a seat where I could play, [can't stand up for long] and this stupid woman said "Excuse me but I can't see".... Silly Cow!!, I go to listen to the music not to watch it! So I thought 'Fuck it', and picked up my guitar and went back to the Newt where the company was excellent.
Anchor was good but didn't have as nice a 'feel' as last year, and the music from the instrumental session in the right hand bar seemed to impinge much more than I remember. Swan was fun, but why oh why do people stand at the narrowest part of the entrance and make it difficult to get in and out?
Didn't get to much else, as my walking is very poor at the moment, hopefully it will be better next year. I tell you there's nothing like hobbling along with a walking stick for making you notice how bad mannered and inconsiderate many people are these days.
I can recommend the King's Down Tail camp site, OK it's a bit far out, but it's quiet and friendly, and Ian and Sue who run it are so very helpful.
Giok

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: SkiptomyLou
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 05:54 AM

Hey Guys, Heres to a great Sidmouth. My first year stewarding and on my own still had fun. Anyone see the Peatbog Faeries up at the Bulverton??? Weren't they great and Seth got to steward for his so saw most of it. If Mike's out there howdy from B's friend Emma you remember me... Em x

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 04:23 AM

I was a bit disappointed that my two kids, who had planned to go to various workshops, couldn't actually get into any of them. It obviously needs more to spead the numbers a bit.

The caterers on the campsite (Ed and Saph)were absolutely fabulous (sorry!) Really nice people who would get in almost anything you suggested, within reason. And the campsite bus service was the best yet and planning to get better next year.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 02:57 AM

I had a great time at my first Sidmouth and enjoyed meeting many people from Mudcat that I hadn't met before. Essex Girl was kind enough to take me round to lots of places when I first arrived, and I really enjoyed the harmony workshops with the delightful ladies of Craig:Morgan:Robson. I ended up settling into the comfy space of the Theatre Bar singaround at lunchtime and the York and Faulkner in the evening (with some space allowing for concerts and afternoons reserved for working for EFDSS), except for one memorably terrifying lunchtime outing to the Volunteer session, where I ended up following Mike Waterson and kind of wanting to sink into the earth afterwards. Thanks very much to everyone who made me feel so welcomed and brought home to me once again that no matter how much research I do and time I spend putting together memorable arrangements of traditional music-- people will always remember me as "the lady with the harp who sings songs about the fairies."

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cat in Plymouth
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:55 PM

Crikey!!! what a brilliant week!!!

highlights: Not being further back than third row for any of the gigs, Seth Lakeman, Spiers & Boden, Meeting Martin Carthy, Julie Fowlis remembering me from Cambridge, Finally meeting Lizzie *waves at lizzie*, Mrs Ackroyd Band, 'Women's voices', meeting lovely lovely people on field one, Great Western Morris (haven't laughed so much in ages) and many other things besides.

Lowlight: the incredibly selfish man who decided he was going to stand on the wall to watch the procession and fireworks despite me asking very nicely if he wouldn't mind stepping down on to the road so that the twenty people stood behind him might see something. I couldn't see a thing and i'm quite tall. Many a rude word issued from my mouth when that happened... Grrrr. still, weren't the fireworks fab?!

Absolutely can't wait til next year :D

Cat
x

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: billybob
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:11 PM

Mrs Lemon,
that was the most delish drink I ever had! Thank you for working so hard while we had a lovely time!
Wendy

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:53 PM

I had a great time, and maintained a longstanding tradition by coming 3rd in the Doom, Gloom and Despondency workshop. (The winner was Tattie Bogle.)

Seaking - I'm glad you enjoyed the Theatre Bar singarounds, and thanks for the songs you contributed.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Mr Bean
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:36 PM

Seaking thats how the Volunteer has worked since i started going to Sidmouth in the early 80's.
Mr Bean

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Seaking
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:33 PM

Agree with you about the dogs Lynne, seems to be a problem getting worse each year, I was also saved by earplugs and handed out a few pairs to grateful neigbours.

I had a quieter Sidmouth than usual but many highlights including some of the Ham concerts (Spiers and Boden in particular), busking on the prom with my three teenagers, Newt sessions, Kitty and Rosie's sessions and some spontaneous harmony singing with friends one night in The Ship. Thought the Ham PA was excellent this year.

Biggest frustration was trying to get a song in the lunchtime session at the Volunteer despite having my name 'on the list' for three days. Found out afterwards this happens regulary if you're not known or don't have the password.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 02:10 PM

The security guys were there more because of the garden ceilidhs than anything...they get very packed at times. Despite several friends moaning about having been stopped from going in to the Middle Bar, I never actually saw a security guy on the door when I was going in and out.

Sally, the second field on the campsite is the one which is supposed to be the quiet area. I discovered ear plugs two years ago and they are wonderful! My only gripe is about the bloody dogs! Barking, biting....they were a pain.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 01:37 PM

To be fair to the anchor staff, it is a legal requirement for venues to have SIA qualified door staff at venues more than a certain size. There is a statutory safety limit on the combined Anchor bars plus Anchor Gardens (which resulted in people having to queue to get into the ceilidhs, one in one out). If the Bedford was ignoring the limits you'd better keep quiet about it or the authorities will be keeping a closer eye on it next time.
As for checking bags, the anchor is a commercial venture, they provide the Middle Bar venue and the stage in the Garden free, so they don't want people taking in food and drink bought elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:19 AM

This was my first visit to Sidmouth, but it definitely won't be my last! An excellent festival with a friendly atmosphere in a beautiful town. I shall come for the whole week next year.

I had a great time at the sessions/singarounds, seeing old friends and meeting a lot of new people. Thanks, John B., for directing me to the Bedford; it's every bit as good as you told me.

On the negative side, the beer at the Anchor was not up to scratch.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Declan, still on holiday
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:03 AM

I had a woderful time as usual, mostly in the Bedford but with ocasional outings to the Ham Marquee, the Swan, the Anchor, the Old Ship and the Dove.

I would like to echo previous comments about Colin and his staff in the Bedford, who seem to cope magnificently almost 20 hours a day with heaving crowds with good humour and good grace, and never any hint of trouble. It truly is a remarkable place.

Also congratulations to all the organisers and festival workers, who seem to have preserved all the best bits of the fesitval and have got things up and running remarkably well in a short space of time.

I'll certainly be back.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:20 AM

Interesting that The Newt is the overflow bar for Carinas , and the only 'bouncers' I saw all week were on the front door , after normal pub hours , and a guy on the Fore Street entrance to let the musicians out ! The same way it has been for the last Umpteen years !!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:00 AM

I did come down and buy lemonade from you at the Blackmore, and you were very busy (it was either Saturday or Sunday) otherwise I would have introduced myself. I never made it to the Middle Bar, but I understand that 'The Anchor' has been given a makeover, so perhaps it was that.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John J
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:57 AM

Re: the Anchor & it's security goons.

I agree with your sentiments. This was my first visit to Sidmouth for 10 years, most of my waking time was spent in the Middle Bar where I had a great time. I felt that the presence of security guards was not at all necessary, in fact they were a bloody nuisance.

I was particularly miffed at having my bag searched one lunchtime before they let me in the pub. Mind you it did contain my song-book.

Perhaps the landlord will move, he clearly has no idea what 'we' are about. I would have thought it would have paid him to reaearch his customers....he would have saved a lot of money by not having the goons, he would also made a lot more money by selling more beer by not antagonising his customers so.

My thanks to all for letting me sing in the Middle Bar so much.

Best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:00 AM

I wanted to ask the Middle bar Singers what they thought of the 'bouncers' at the Anchor. Health & Safety my a**e. They seemed to be just looking for trouble. How come the Bedford can have people crammed in and spilling out the door with no issues? On Sat they were even stopping people going in the pub. That was it for us - didn't frequent the place at all. Totally against the spirit of the festival.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Essex Girl
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:44 AM

Arrived home Saturday afternoon to face a house where my 17 year old has been eating (at times)and not washing up or clearing up. Still after the wonderful week at Sidmouth I didn't care. Enjoyed my first time stewarding and know even more people now. Great weather, great music and great people, I couldn't wish for anything more.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:46 AM

hey, that sidders throat is contageous. I have come home with it. I think it's more the crap comming out of my lungs from not being stuck in london.

I returned home and remembered how bloody noisy london is and returned to a cop car outside my house as kids have been harasing my neighbours in the close. Oh to be on holiday again!!!!!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:42 AM

I had a good time selling lemonade in the Blackmore Gardens. Didn't see many of you guys there! Thought the Middle Bar looked thin on the ground every time I looked in.

I did not enjoy my stay on the camp site. I should have followed thru my reservation at King's Down Tail but was persuaded to stay on the fest site. One of the biggest mistakes I've made over the years. Noisy buggers! Didn't get to sleep till past 4 am most nights/mornings. I won't be doing THAT again. I want a campsite where I can get out of a warm shower onto a clean floor at 8am and not have to wait till 11pm before I can wash. And get a decent night's sleep so that I can work the next day.
Otherwise my red headed son and my blue headed daughter had a pretty good time. BBQ on the beach with the bodgers was the highlight for me.

Thanks to Elizabeth for singing Schantieman's song specially written for the Middle Bar. She got a standing chorus and it was voted 'Very Sensible' in the silly songs sesh on Thurs. Needlesstosay Steve was bobbing on the briny.

Sal

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:29 AM

?? 300 ??

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 03:29 AM

For the first time I managed to keep most of my voice for the whole week. Regular use of the inhaler and getting fresh air seemed to do the trick, and of course next year we will have the smoking ban in place - that's going to help me enormously.
George Papavgeris - thanks so much for the inpromptu session that made you late on tuesday, I had a wonderful time listening to your great songs. Just one regret was not getting the singers name who sang the song about Van Gough cutting his own hair, and managing to cut his ear off - hillarious. Glad you enjoyed Sidmouth, it is a bit special.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 08:32 PM

Well despite my protestations (to some) that I couldnt get down , I got to The Newt Monday Midday and left after the Midday Thursday session ! Nice to see a few catters in the session - SB's Protege , Don , John and a few others ! Jerrry enjoyed himself , though he was getting a bit Sidders Throaty when I left !!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 08:16 PM

We meant to leave early Tuesday morning. In the event, we got stuck in a session and left Tuesday evening, arriving home around 11:30pm.

It was great to meet all the Catters, especially Peter and (properly) John B - even without the sloop. We had some great sessions, my concerts went well, chewed the cud with several people, and the culmination for me was the concert with Sandra Kerr, John Kirkpatrick, Mike Waterson and Lester Simpson; we had such fun back- and on-stage, we were all buzzing afterwards.

By Friday we had turned around, washed the clothes, shopped for food for daughter, and were heading for Broadstairs. But still Saturday morning we were mentally back in Sidmouth.

Yes, we fell in love.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 06:07 PM

Hi Wendy - I'm glad you are going to be there for the week next year - it says that something is being done right if you found it good enough after a 15 year absence to do that. Look forward to hearing from you soon, and I enjoyed the chat too.
John B

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 06:02 PM

Steve Benbows protege - It was good to see you again. I hope the new addition arrives fit and well and wish you and your wife all the best. Please keep us posted when the new one arrives. Completely understand if you can't make it for the next couple of years, but it's always good to 'catch them young' so hopefully it won't be too long.
John B

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: billybob
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 04:41 PM

We were only there till Monday, first time for 15 years, loved everything and have booked our b and b for the whole week next year,it was like coming home.Thanks for the lovely chat in the Bedford John, I will e mail you soon.
Looking forward to next year
Wendy

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 04:13 PM

Man I am tired. Had a great week though! It was good to see the bedford crowd again. It might be the last for a while because of the baby but we will see in time.

George/John, it was a pleasure to spend time in your company.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 03:08 PM

Of coure Mrs Annie - I remember now meeting you at Ely - as to the young fiddler he did say his name and I'm afraid I'm having a seniour moment; I think it was something like Graham Bradwell or something similar, but I completely agree, someone to keep an eye out for in the future. I think Elinor (the fabulous flute player with the red hair) mentioned that he joins in the sessions around the Bristol area. If I remember I'll try and contact her and come back with a name.
John

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 12:46 PM

Hi John, I did meet you at Ely, and you are a fine singer - we prick up our ears when we hear your voice.

On Friday night there was a young fiddle player who was getting a lot of praise, please can you tell me who he was? Need to keep an eye on him.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,James H
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 12:21 PM

Lizzie, were you at the Duncan McFarlan band on Thursday night at the Bulvrton & were you dancing? I thought it might be the type of gig to appeal to you, saw several people who I could have believed were you but am too much of a shy lurker to go and say hello to any of them....

James H

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 10:46 AM

Still recovering from the journey home. Long and arduous with three grandchildren (are we there yet? I need a loo! NOW! etc.).

Though I had to take it more steadily this year ( the ticker, still recovering), I still managed to run my voice into the ground, and found the experience as perfect as ever.

Now looking forward to next year.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 10:35 AM

GUEST,Spambuster Yes - Lizzie Cornish as a person, and a very nice one at that. Me, a capturer of ladies?? - you obviously have not seen me on the flesh (not a sight to be inflicted lightly). I captured one of the best though, lucky me is what I say.
Mrs. Annie - I'm sorry we never met properly, but as you say 'The Bedford' can be somewhat crowded at times. I put that down to the excellent music that eminates from everywhere in there (I don't include myself in that statemant mind you), the wonderful bar staff and of course Colin and Bev Pyne who put up with us all week. For my money there's nothing quite like a 'Bedford' session.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 09:21 AM

We got back last night, but i was too tired to switch on the computer.

A really great week, even better than last year.
John, I saw you every day in the Bedford but never got close enough to say 'hi'. Friday night in there was manic but brilliant. Lizzie mentioned she'd met you at last.

I got to meet George, and I'm listening to his CD now -lovely.

Highlights - the really nice people we met in the queues, the Manor Pavilion concerts, Chris Wood & Andy Cutting, the lovely local beer in the pubs, the late nights at the Swan after Ham concerts, the really nice hotel we stayed in after our self catering let us down, the Bedford of course, the weather, just spending a whole week with people who think like us and like the same things as us.

Lowlights - missing the ceilidh in the ford, the lack of information / confusion for the first couple of days, not getting to see everything I wanted (that would've meant missing my beer) having to come home.

I want to go again now.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST,Spambuster
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 08:31 AM

John Barden, a self-confessed capturer of 'ladies' thinks Lizzie Cornish is a person? This is surely the cyber equivalent of anthropomorphism and a sad delusion. The phenomenen is merely a virus progam created for mass spam generation.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 04:37 AM

My wife was the one there on Monday morning, and she related that tale to me. One of her many special traits is her ability to handle just those sort of situations, and she normally will get them sorted to everybody's satisfaction. Once again I'll let her know - she'll be pleased. She was the one with the short hair by the way and I consider myself lucky to have 'captured' her those many years ago. A lovely lady.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 04:29 AM

If your wife was one of the two on the door at the War Memorial Club on Monday morning when I arrived asking for a workshop season when they hadn't been issued with any, then my thanks to her for handling a potentially tricky situation effectively and with grace.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 12 Aug 06 - 06:02 PM

I've just got back from a fabulous week. Met old friends and made some new ones too. mikefromdorch - My wife was stewarding at the War Memorial Club so she'll be pleased to hear you liked the venue. I've at last met Lizzie so 'Hi Lizzie' it was really good to meet you at last.
All the concerts seemed to be well attended and the sessions too. For me a couple of memorable ones in the garden of 'The Swan' in the lovely weather we had, a very nice Saturday night in 'The Dove' and of course my sessions in 'The Bedford'. Boy were we heaving in there all week, and as usual not a single bit of trouble. Sidmouth really is alive and kicking. Long may it continue.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 12 Aug 06 - 04:56 PM

Well, not vintage, but good. Certainly a lot of good will sloshing around that had disappeared in the Mrs Casey days. Let's hope the current (what do I refer to them as? The holding company? The great and the good?) can build on this. Very glad to see the return of the collecting tins.

Highlights for me: lunch times in the Radway (laid back and some splendid music), the firework display (somebody paid a *lot* of dosh for that) and an inspirational workshop by Crucible.

Chris

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Cllr
Date: 12 Aug 06 - 04:43 PM

i am still here and barbecuing in the backgarden listening to the wurzels well i tink thats whats ecoing in the valley

fabulous week as usual

Cllr

still jolly chuffed that we raised £1362,15 for the sidmouth lifeboat. hardwork but i enjoyed it, champagne Carol and i got our picture in the paper!

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: mikefromdorch
Date: 12 Aug 06 - 04:24 PM

Where are you all? I have less far to go home than most, I suppose. I'm slowly coming down after a great week and hoped to relive it here.

What was really good was listening to so much music in venues that didn't need mics and amplifiers. While Waterson Carthy and Coope Boyes and Simpson, not to mention the amazing Devil's Interval, were very good in the Ham Marquee, the sound was rather cold and hard. It was the smaller venues, the Manor, the War Memorial Club, and the Woodlands, that really had the best sound and atmosphere. It was the first year the WMC have taken part in the festival - let's hope they found it worthwhile and will be in next year too.
Talking of good acoustics, I spent a lot of the festival in the church, stretching myself vocally and musically in the West Gallery choir. It all came more or less right in time for our spot in the Blackmore Gardens on Friday and sent me home with a sense of achievement. The same I hope was true of the other 380 or so who according to Eddie Upton took part in the one or more of the workshops. That is one of the things I like best about Sidmouth.