Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 04:36 AM

Was done last year as Clay Bodhran shooting (extra points were awarded if the player was still holding the bodhran)This year Blitherscrum is having a Pick Your Own bodhran facility . Some goats will be in a small field and you can pick which one you want watch it being slaughtered skinned and your fresh bodhran will appear. Wicked melodramatic laugh whilst twirling my moustache

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 03:59 AM

I misunderstood the Air Bodhran, and had visions of a sort of clay-pigeon shoot. Although...

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 09:38 PM

Bingo? What an excellent idea.
(the game not the song)

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 05:12 PM

I present all good ideas to the committee and they are discussed over a singaround at the local Folk Club.... After a few jars of real ale, the best ideas are taken up and the rest filed in the WPB. Much like the House of Commons really.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 04:47 PM

Personally I'd favour individual, private listening booths at concerts instead of rows of seats. Between events they could serve as dining rooms, overnight sleeping cabins and commodes, thus easing many of the traditional festival pinch-points.

Still, congratulations to the Blitherscrum committee for the progress made to date and for your on-trend-Coalition-style-consulting-the-punter-policy-making-model.
My only quibble is that you haven't yet got enough rules. You could overcome this by taking on hundreds of stewards who can then make up the rules as they go along. Bingo!

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Vic Smith
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 01:49 PM

The quietest spot at Blitherscrum is always the Air Bodhran Championships:-

PERFORMERS - silent
AUDIENCE - asleep
ADJUDICATORS - concentrating on their crosswords
STEWARDS - distracted and bored

Meanwhile, Ringo McNoskin makes rhythmic mistake after mistake in his competition performances. Now, I know that the Blitherscrum organising committee have given their reason for placing the the judges in a different marquee from the competition - that it prevents any favouritism on the part of the judging panel - but surely, at least part of a good air bodhran performance is the visual element?

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 01:13 PM

Is the "poet in a pit" event going ahead?
There have so been so many rumors that it was canceled due to lack of poets or the water table being a problem.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 09:05 AM

Guest Gail. There is always a stall selling ear defenders for those who actually want to be there but don't want to hear the music. They block the whole of the sound of course but should you want not to see the dancing you are allowed to close your eyes under the new rules.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 05:46 AM

This sounds fantastic! I've never been to Blitherscrum as I can't stand music, singing, and dancing, but if you'd consider a Quiet Area (one could easily be built if we all brought our old egg boxes with us) it could be the ideal Staycation for me this year.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 04:05 AM

I meant blithers is like the 60s. As in .
I know I came in here for something.....

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 03:22 AM

Definitely not a pleasure having someone wee behind you at a workshop.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: MC Fat
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 11:52 AM

Then you wee behind me a the Pantomine Workshop sponsored by the Lib/Con Coalition Govt. Oh no you weren't. Oh Yes You Were

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: MC Fat
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 11:45 AM

You were at the Forgetting Your Words Workshop sponsored by the Blitherscrum and Whatever Alzeimers Association Dave

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 11:29 AM

..yes Dave, I saw you.....at least.....I think it was you......

......wasn't it?

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 11:28 AM

I don't remember the 60's either.

Was I there?

Dave

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 06:42 AM

Memories? They say blithers is like the 60's.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Vic Smith
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 06:36 AM

No mention of the timing of the Air Bodhran Championship - normally the high point of the weekend and my main reason for attending. I would like to see Ringo McNoskin beaten for once.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 06:14 AM

...Ah, Blitherscrum!

....the memories.....

.........the memories.....

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 05:37 AM

Yes the archers are going to be there again this year.. shooting arrows from an omnibus is difficult and health and safety have told us we must put a fence up to prevent stray arrows hitting performers. They will only be shooting from the omnibus in the morning of the second day so you won't get bored Tim... pierced maybe but not bored!

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 05:28 PM

PS if the archers are doing another demonstration can you split it into a couple of 15 minute sessions a day?
I found the all day omnibus version last year to be very tedious.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 05:26 PM

Why oh why oh why oh why oh why oh why.............
Must you always pick dates that clash with much better festivals that many died in the brain folkies wanna go to (Again)?

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 10:19 AM

British Petroleum is sponsoring a tar ball toss at the beach front. Suggested attire "Hazmat Birkenstocks".
Immediately follows the underwater yodelling competition and keelhauling shanty demonstration.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 09:46 AM

My mistake !

Should be "Day Glow" as is bright florescent colours

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 08:53 AM

What does a dayglo hanky mean? I can't see it here:

http://www.shipmatesclub.com/Hankie%20Code.htm

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 08:08 AM

It is regretted but the Health and Safety have been checking out the Morris Dancing and come up with the following requirements for all morris dancing whether it be In Private (the best place for 'em) or in Public (Heaven forfend):-

All dancers to wear ear-defenders (The bells made me deaf you know )and hard hats (their skulls aren't thick enough).

High Vis Vests will replace baldricks and tatters HSE think the teams need to be more clearly seen (I can't imagine why -unless it's for shotgun toting husbands and fathers of female associate)Long sword dancers are to wear anti-stab vests in addition.

Sticks are to made of rubber and padded gloves will be worn as will Knee,Shin and elbow pads. Where used Hankies are to be in Dayglo colours. And in all circumstances steel toe-capped boots are to worn (Molly Dancers should not have trouble with this)

HSE have also ruled on Morris musicians! All drums and tabors are to be re-tuned using Stanley knives and Melodians and other squeezy things are to be fitted with silencers unless they are played underwater.

Does the committee think this to be a progessive course of action?

Dave

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 07:16 AM

There is to an underwater yodelling class held by the Highfield on the second day of the Festival..... and news has just reached me that the chip shop may not be open this year as their stocks of fish took a battering last year.

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: The Barden of England
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 02:31 PM

After years of asking I see Kid Sipper is not booked once again. Not too sure I want to go, especially after last years fiasco with the indoor camping. I found it particularly difficult to drive my tent pegs into that newly concreted floor!

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 02:27 PM

Will Sam and Ella be doing the catering this year?

Subject: RE: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 02:14 PM

I have to insist that if we go with tented holes in the ground that they be sex specific. A simple YES or NO hung above the door will do.

Subject: Blitherscrum Folk Festival are GO!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 02:06 PM

Hey Folkies. That time has come yet again and the Blitherscrum Committee are making plans for this years Festival....... The first meeting took place at The Nickit and Bolt in Liverpool and the committee came up with a number of suggestions:-
1) A Park and Ride could be arranged with local farmer Rick Ovay who has offered use of his tractor/trailer for a small fee.
2) Portaloos could be used instead of the usual holes in the ground or at least we should have tents over the holes to offer some privacy.
3) Camp beds could be purchased for the bunkhouse... better than sleeping on the newly concreted floor.
4) Each performer should be tested under health and safety rules to ensure that the number of decibels reached is within government standards.
5) Bodhrans can still be used as frisbees but must be away from Farmer Giles windows. Last year he had three windows broken and two teeth.
6) Banjo tennis should however be banned due to decibel levels when the banjo connects with the cricket balls used.
7) Due to the recent rise in VAT, camping charges could be raised by 10% to cover the rise (This is not exploitation, merely good business)
8) Any discussion on Coalition policies is to be confined to the bunkhouse and preferably when all are asleep.

A number of stars have already been booked... some from previous years such as :- Jezlo, Vinegar Butt, Peeleyed Stan, The Doublinuppers, Dinnervan and Maya Karding.

Look forward to hearing who's coming and if you have any further suggestions before the final prep meeting.