Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 02:43 PM

. . . that was, of course, to Ron Davies, not madlizzie, though I'd not offer her a glass of wine either though might pour a particulary vile bottle (such as an oversweet Gewürztraminer - and don't bother to tell me if I haven't spelled that right, I'm hardly likely to have a bottle here to check - ) over her head.

Ah, yet another case of literacy deficiency. The reason why I couldn't be arsed to contribute anything to the Sidmouth committee is because what I could contribute couldn't be paid for. It would be pointless to offer my skills when there is no-one to do the fundraising. In common with the hatted person, madlizzie clearly hasn't a clue what event organisation entails. Go and ask the crumpet, who does.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 02:50 PM

What you don't know Diane is that I work for an Arts organisation and know exactly what is needed in the way of fundraising and event co-ordination.

And before you leap in and suggest I offer my services ,be advised that I did what I was able to do for Folkweek both this year and last.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 02:58 PM

Oh good, then you will realise how ridiculous it is that madlizzie assumes that I should volunteer myself for fundraising when I don't do sodding fundraising. It is an entirely different skill which I don't have a clue how to carry out. I said above what I could do and how pointless it would be to elaborate on what I would need when there was no bleedin' dosh to do it and no-one to raise it.

Why does nobody ever read the fucking thread?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 03:05 PM

Well - how unexpected that Dianne Easby would come here and be disruptive. All she can ever spout is what Other people write about a festival she has not attended for the last few years , nor wishes to attend in future. Vitriol from a non entity thrills nor bothers me. Come on Dianne - try sticks and stones, rather than inanely spouting that it's all MOR crap. For a so called knowledgeable person, how comes the majority who went to this festival found it fun, and you - who never went - are such an almighty authority? My opinion - You're just a sad person who just pours forth garbage - and now I expect you will then spew forth fire and brimstone in my direction. Well - please bring it on - I'm waiting!!!
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 03:08 PM

Horses for courses Diane.

If you have a skill that can be utilised why not offer it?

I read what you said earlier but if you have Stage management experience it could be that you help out with ,say, the Ham concerts.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 03:12 PM

Oh, here we go again. Yet another thread dragged into the abyss by our two dear matrons, LC and CR.

I'm off elsewhere (and I hope they don't follow me - watch your backs!).

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 03:26 PM

Waiting for what? Last time you spoke to me it was just after Sidmouth when I'd been (obviously) at Womad and you promised to clear me a space at the Bedford this year. I was unable to come but didn't shed tears over it because I missed very little that I couldn't catch elsewhere (the Reeds concert & Mike Waterson - that's about it). Sidmouth is no longer special to me for reasons fully outlined which you clearly have not assimilated. If it's special to you or anyone else, that's entirely up to you, go but don't try and bludgeon anyone else into a boring and distasteful 'family and continuity' fest. It's insulting.

I mentioned MOR crap in the context of what a certain contingent appears to favour at what used to be the Marlborough. Again, a literacy deficiency in thread-reading. I don't consider open mics to have a great deal to do with the Sidmouth I used to know. Each to their own but again, don't ram it down my throat.

I've been asked what I could contribute. I've said what I could do. Another literacy failure? This was in the context of what would need to be done to incorporate Arena and international events. It would be entirely pointless to present such proposals which could never be afforded without massive fundraising (and no-one to do it) and as such would not be regarded as helpful. It's all been said before. Not disruptive. Realistic. And stop putting an extra 'n' in my name.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 03:58 PM

OK, so Sidmouth is no longer special to you. I have assimilated that, no problem. So where's your problem Dianne (with two n's for that's the way I spell it - or have you not assimilated that yet?). When you do people the simple courtesy of treating them like adults then I might try and do that too - until the you are just two n's to me.

To continue - Sidmouth is no longer special to you - but the vast majority of people have come here to say how much they enjoyed it, and what do you do? - just poured vitriol. Seems to me that Sidmouth may well indeed be special them, but you want it to be as it was. Well, how's about putting up the money for it to be as was? There is no funding from EDDC - there never was going to be and that's the main reason why Mrs. Casey pulled out as I see it.
I intend to live the future, not the past - and Folk music, and Folk events include not only the past, but the here and now, and of course are looking to the future too. And bring on the family fests - the more the merrier.
As to ramming things down throats - perhaps a look toward oneself might be handy, but are you capable of that? I sincerely hope so.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 04:05 PM

"but are you capable of that?"

I don't think so John!

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 04:36 PM

Mister Bahhhhh Dung

Oh, so it's why don't I pay for it now? Moi? Actually, I wrote quite a lot earlier about arts funding at governmental level which you obviously didn't read either. I also said far above, quoting Bob Walton, that he doubted whether Sidmouth could be anything more than just another festival. I commented that this was scarcely a bad thing to say and certainly not a matter for twisted knickers. Odd that you call it 'vitriol' Do you know what this is? BW, me, and quite a lot of other people see Sidmouth falling prey to what Giok calls the 'identikit high street' syndrome. In other words, it matters very little which festival you go to (or which branch of Tesco), they're all the bleedin' same. Some people, presumably your Bedford clientele, like this. Any semblance of edge makes them feel unsafe. Not for me. That's boring, not special.

Actually, it's becoming increasingly necessary to ram the truth down the throats of those incapable of assimilating what's been said many times over. I know what I've said. You just haven't been arsed to look at it. It's a diminishing option to treat anyone with the reading capability of a deranged, educationally subnormal gnat as an actual adult person.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 04:52 PM

Oh come on now Diane, say what you really mean, don't hold back on our account!
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:00 PM

. . . oh, and do I want to 'help stagemanage' The Ham? No thanks. Done that. The challenge from 'the pragmatist' was how to reincorporate the Arena and the international aspect. Yes I could do that as an overall project but as there is not a hope in hell of paying for it there's not a lot of point in submitting proposals. They would hardly be viewed as helpful.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:12 PM

Er....do you think that the Directors of Sidmouth Folk Week would actually WANT you on the board Diane???????

Just a thought....

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:13 PM

So do you want Arena events Diane?

It seems to me that's what you feel is missing.

So do you have a suggestion as to how that might occur?

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:35 PM

I outlined it much higher up. Thought you said you'd read it. As no-one has even begun to think about funding, it would obviously not be feasible till 2008 at the earliest. This, as somebody might recall, was the projected timescale of the original plans as outlined by Derek Schofield i.e. Sidmouth would be relaunched this year. Cos that's how long funding applications take, Additionally, that's how far forward many bookings need to be made. Even then, it's a massive initial outlay without knowing whether a funding application will succeed. Can't see them biting, do you? Nah, they'll just stick with CBS and a Lakeperson or two, zzzzzzzzzzzz. And I wouldn't be climbing on board anywhere without artistic freedom and enough working capital upfront - but push that madlizzie off the top of Jacob's Ladder anyway.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:02 PM

As it happens I don't think the Arena concerts will be reintroduced for several years yet - if at all.


I rarely attended arena events anyway so it makes little difference to me and most of the people I assciate with at Sidmouth.

I know you fell Sidders is now a mundane festival but for goodness sake, having made your point several times, stop ranting at the rest of us.

And pushing anyone off Jacobs Ladder is hardly civilised behavior.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:25 PM

Could be fun though Dave ¦¬]

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:26 PM

Are you drawing up a list Giok?

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:39 PM

I was answering a question put by a contributor about reintroducing Arena concerts and an international element. That would be the scenario to do so. Isn't it a tad selfish to care little whether this ever happens just because you and your mates spend all your time in the pub anyway? Aren't you supposed to have the festival's future at heart? Doesn't sound like it.

Stating the bleedin' obvious is not ranting. It is stating the bleedin' obvious. Ridiculous, hostile responses which have no bearing on aforegoing statements might, however be considered as such. 'The rest of us' is no homogenous mass. Odd that you disregard everyone else whose view of recent Sidmouth history is as lukewarm as mine. Do you know that they're all bigger than me, by any chance?

And madlizzie's inane behaviour is far from civilised and merits an uncivilised solution. Or give her the funding application to do. It'll be so crazed it might even succeed.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:57 PM

Were it not for my friends from the Middle bar and the rest of the the Fringe sessions and singarounds Folk Week 2005 (yes 05) would not have occured.

People from these Fringe events are now Directors annd Trustees of the Festival and many others gave their time and effort as Stewards in one form or another.

Yes I am one of the Middle bar Singers but a lot of my time is given to the festival while I am at Sidders.

I resent the fact that you suggest I don't have the future of the festival at heart.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 07:00 PM

Do you?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 07:03 PM

In words of one syllable!

Yes

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 07:44 PM

So why did you prejudice it by deviating from the original plan to miss out 2005 in order to give the festival a better chance of getting off the ground with properly co-ordinated planning in 2006?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 08:06 PM

What prejudice?

When the "Fringe" declared their intention to be back for 2005 John Dowell, Derek Schofield, Barry Lister,Tom Addiscombe John Golightly and the others all came onside and worked together to put on 2005 which in fact made a bit of a profit to put in the kitty for future years.

All in all 2005 assited, the "original plan" to produce a 2006 festival.

Again I say I resent your suggestion.

Also I object to the PM you sent to me and also, I hear, Lynne. If you can state you case why can't we?

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 08:35 PM

prejudice: verb = to disadvantage

As any fule kno, it takes rather more than a year organise a festival and rather a lot of people thought it a hell of a risk to change the plan after the original stated intention of taking a year off. It could have gone pear-shaped but did not far more by good luck than management.

PMs: it is normal procedure to confine personal exchanges to offlist messages which is where such matters belong. It is also standard behaviour to reply to them, rather than to bring the issue back to the forum.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 04:17 AM

Look here I can't be bothered to argue with you any more over this issue.

Despite what you say,Sidmouth 2005 was a succuss and 2006 an even greater sudcess.

If it is not to your taste don't go.

Another contributer to this thread has complained to Mudcat Central about you. That person and I have agreeed that we will leave you to your own oppinions and will not engage in further discussions with you>

Dave

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 04:22 AM

Diane, what is your evidence that the decision to go ahead with a 2005 festival damaged Sidmouth's long-term future? There's something to be said for continuity in these things: audiences develop habits of attendance, and skipping a year could have been quite risky in its own right.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 04:47 AM

Bahhhhh Dung here - calling the countess richard
I see you are using your usual petty trick, but it bothers me not. I worked in the chemical industry for ten years so I have a sound knowledge of what vitriol is - and I reiterate that you simply spill it everwhere with regard to what Sidmouth has become. I certainly did read what you had written earlier, but took it in the light of you ramming things down peoples throats. You often accuse people of not reading what you have written, and treat them with contempt, or with such disdain that I actually believe that some do not. I have read it and have decided to treat it with the same contempt and disdain that you meter out so freely and frequently.
If you had read mine you may have noticed that I had said that the vast majority who had contibuted to this forum have said that they enjoyed it - and they went. All you can do is quote Bob Walton. One against many in my view - very poor statistics don't you think? However, with your blinkered attitude I'm aware that you will continue to rubbish the festival, me, Lizzie of course, and anybody you think you can bully. You frighten, nor perturb me not, and next year, whilst in Sidmouth I might give a passing thought to the'ACID' that you continue to pour forth and have a good chuckle to myself. That may well be in the Bedford, or one of the concerts that I do attend, of maybe in a workshop enjoying myself like the vast majority will be. You surely will not be missed.
As for the Arena - good riddance in my view.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:10 AM

I said nothing of the kind. I said that such haste was considered inadvisable by many because of the insufficient timescale for planning and booking. It was a risk. The risk you mention of skipping a year is also a real one. An identical dilemma arose at Beverley some years ago. In each case, a sort of festival somehow muddled through, hampered by opposing cliques, each convinced that one or other course of action was the only way, without a great deal of reference to the hard financial and practical considerations.

I am thoroughly tired of many (most) contributors to this thread shooting their mouths off without bothering to read what's been said before nor taking the trouble to look at the simple facts (as succinctly outlined by Steve Heap when outlining his rationale for relinquishing control in 2004), and diminishing the matter to 'you're not in the Middle Bar gang, you're not one of us' as though it was a playground squabble. Sidmouth has meant infinitely more to a whole lot of people than huddling in a pub all day (which could be done anywhere) and yes, we would like the old Sidmouth, that the loud-mouthed gang of recent camp followers actually know nothing about, back. As this would make not the slightest difference to a few people stuck in a bar, it is quite astonishing that they kick up such whingeing, abusive fuss at those who do want it. Not that it's coming: my outline of how it could be achieved would be dismissed out of hand because no-one has the slightest clue about how to raise the dosh. That's why I couldn't be arsed to waste hours costing and explaining it: the present 'management' has neither the vision nor commitment and meanwhile, Sidmouth becomes 'just another festival'. Keep it.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:16 AM

Sidmouth has meant infinitely more to a whole lot of people than huddling in a pub all day (which could be done anywhere) and yes, we would like the old Sidmouth, that the loud-mouthed gang of recent camp followers actually know nothing about, back. As this would make not the slightest difference to a few people stuck in a bar, it is quite astonishing that they kick up such whingeing, abusive fuss at those who do want it.

See what I mean.

I really love the bit about it is quite astonishing that they kick up such whingeing, abusive fuss at those who do want it.

Oh my - and there's me thinking it was DIANNE who was doing that. Silly me.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:18 AM

And as part of what I mean how's about this for abusive. It came in an answer to me.

It's a diminishing option to treat anyone with the reading capability of a deranged, educationally subnormal gnat as an actual adult person.

Clearly not abusive.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:20 AM

The above post was for the crumpet.

And Mr Dung: whether or not I happen to be in Sidmouth next or any other year is actually none of your goddam business. You have no control over the entry roads. I'll not be working though nor making any 'contribution' as this would clearly be inappropriate and you wouldn't like my material anyway (if you did I'd know I was going wrong somewhere . . .). I may be a mere observer or just a punter, why I even turn up at former glories such as Cambridge once in a while, just to write a 'vitriolic' piece about how it's all gone wrong.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:23 AM

abusive

Indeed not. 'Tis what we call in the trade 'fair comment'.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:28 AM

The trade being what? If witing It's a diminishing option to treat anyone with the reading capability of a deranged, educationally subnormal gnat as an actual adult person. as fair comment, then the trade I presume is 'HM inspeptor of Sewers', because it's certainly bilge.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:34 AM

How very constructive, Mr Dung.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:40 AM

It was though wasn't it.
Mr. Dung

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 05:54 AM

Well Diane you've certainly stirred up a few murky bits off the bottom on this thread, although none of them worth complaining to Mudcat Central about in my opinion, but then 'Robust' discussion is not to everybody's taste.
A lot of what you say makes sense, and you obviously know what you're talking about on certain subjects. It's none of my business of course , but I suggest you'd get a kinder response if you abandoned the 'Attack is the best form of defence' school of writing.
Sidmouth is like all festivals, i.e. factional, and there will always be the afficianados of the Arena, while others would never go there in a million years. I myself only go for the fringe events and the company, don't like sitting in rows among crowds, no matter what's on.
On Wednesday or Thursday night I was sitting on the bus at the Byes waiting to return to the camp site when I guy sat down beside me. He started ranting on about his belief that the bar staff at the Radway should get treble time for having to listen to three hours of folk which nearly all sounded the same. Now obviously some people enjoyed it or it wouldn't have happened, and my thought was, 'Why the f**k didn't he go to another pub'; the conclusion I came to is that he enjoyed a good moan more than he enjoyed the music.
We have a few people on here who also enjoy a good moan more than anything else, please don't join them!
Giok

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:03 AM

I agree with you 'Giok'. Well said and and to the point.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:19 AM

Ah, the Radway. Right. Good thinking Giok. They'll never get me if I hide in there.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:36 AM

[i]my outline of how it could be achieved would be dismissed out of hand because no-one has the slightest clue about how to raise the dosh. That's why I couldn't be arsed to waste hours costing and explaining it: the present 'management' has neither the vision nor commitment[/i]

that's an outrageous thing to say. I'm sorry, but it is. I have every respect for the current management committee and what they've achieved in two shot years. On what do you base this accusation? They've invested their own money, for heaven's sake. What more evidence of commitment do you need than that?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:43 AM

They don't want it. One of them just said so. That's fair enough and quite sufficient to persuade me that telling them how they could would be a complete waste of time. As well as being unaffordable.

NB: To apply html styles on Mudcat you need to use angle brackets.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:51 AM

Yes and to repeat, good riddance to the Arena in my view. If it could be a covered venue, then perhaps it has some sort of future, but sitting on that slope in the pouring rain was not my idea of fun. I'd rather see that sort of money spent on an international contingent and see that transfered to the Blackmore or the Ham, or of course the tent in the sky.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:57 AM

In my rough outline of how I would do it I did say that I'd be telling the committee how many stages would be needed ALL COVERED, how many crew, SMs, runners plus cash upfront for costumes and props . . . and just imagining the look on their faces as the producer unveiled the costings.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:21 AM

Well I think we're now talking pie in the sky, as it isn't going to happen. If you want to see international folk dance and singing etc., I suggest you go to the Welsh National Eistedffod.[sp?]
Giok

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:28 AM

pie in the sky

I think what you mean is pigs in the sky.

My terms for making it happen:

(1) complete artistic control
(2) an adequate budget with funds in place
(3) a flock of airborne pigs swooping gently over Salcombe Hill.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:31 AM

If you want to see international folk dance and singing . . .

. . . Go to WOMAD.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:32 AM

Nice one Diane - I rather like that. Well done
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:48 AM

"Eistedffod.[sp?]"

Eisteddfod, giok.

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 09:06 AM

My understanding is that one of the main problems with the Arena is the skyrocketing price of insurance. The weather question was bad enough--but, now, of course, we have the terrorism issue to throw into the mix.

Is this not so?

Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 09:21 AM

All public accessible activities are prohibitively expensive to mount these days, between insurance and health and safety regulations. I know that the H&S rules make sense, but sometimes I wonder if they don't go a bit too far in catering for the lowest common denominator of eedjits!
It's like the bouncers at the Anchor, they're required to have them there, but only due to a minority of troublemakers. It doesn't stop the determined trouble maker but it does put the price of the beer up, and contributes towards the general inconvenience of the rest of us law abiding folkies.
Giok