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Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0)
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: The Barden of England Date: 20 Aug 06 - 09:52 AM I wonderwith regard to H & S. Who do they report to? If it's themselves then no wonder it's such a bind. I do however believe it's our increasingly letigious society that is causing the big problem with H & S along with the insurance costs. John Barden |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Ron Davies Date: 20 Aug 06 - 10:07 AM Another intriguing theory I heard in Sidmouth this year about the dearth of international dance troupes: Before the Iron Curtain fell, East Bloc countries subsidized their dance troupes' tours. Since then they have not done so. Also, Steve Heap, when he was in charge, arranged for such troupes to play at some of his other festivals--Sidmouth being one stop. This is obviously not an option now--and dance enthusiasts will have to understand it. If it means they go elsewhere, that's the way it is. (I did however talk to some fans of international dance this year, who thought the dance offerings were good.) For both these reasons-and others--especially the insurance question----we're not likely to see a return to the spectacular dance troupes of former years. Can anybody confirm or deny? |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Scooby Doo Date: 20 Aug 06 - 10:48 AM You are correct Ron.I often had the chance to speak to Steve Heap about that question. I can also remember buying Vodka from the Russians for £5.00 a bottle which was in the early 80's before the iron curtain came down,to help subsidise there income as all their money was confiscated at the boarder. Scooby |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Folkiedave Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:43 PM Another intriguing theory I heard in Sidmouth this year about the dearth of international dance troupes......... Also, Steve Heap, when he was in charge, arranged for such troupes to play at some of his other festivals--Sidmouth being one stop. ...........Can anybody confirm or deny? Bit big to include all of the quote but I will try and shed some light on the question and economics of international dance sides in general. I write as someone who has been to many festivals abroad as a performer. The main "contact" is CIOFF - easily googled - which few people seem to know much about. The current UK representatives are now Billingham Folk Festival - http://www.billinghamfestival.co.uk/billinghamfestival/ Many of the foreign teams did tours and so got to other festivals. This is part of the purpose of CIOFF to help facilitate this. This was not arranged directly by Steve but Sidmouth was a member of CIOFF and thus would become part of the "circuit". (Steve did not have a string of festivals for people to go to!!) CIOFF regulations can require all sorts of things but accommodation and food is always to be provided - and we have virtually always had three meals per day. (Occasionally more!!) Quality depends on where you are - we lived in one country on a diet of chicken and rice, in another it was "No more champagne and lobster for me". Likewise the accommodation varies. Hexham Morris have also done these trips. I went as part of Sheffield City Morris. Some of the larger festivals give a daily pocket money - and many pay transport from the point of landing, for a coach. I have no idea whether Sidmouth did either of these last two things, (pocket money and petrol)but for sure it paid for accommodation and food. (They were usually put up in halls of residence in Exeter and transported to Sidmouth if my memory serves me correctly). Either way it is an expensive business for a festival. The Eastern European teams can still be subsidized though it is no longer the way to the West it once was and many of them survive by selling trinkets. If anyone wants any advice on these things feel free to contact me - though I am away for the next week or so. But before you do - THINK. 1.Can your group do a display of dancing that will last an hour (for that is sometimes how long a performance you have to give). Can you do that both physically, and make it artistically interesting. 2. Do you like each other enough to spend twenty four hours per day in each other's company for a week or so? Sharing accommodation etc. Eight to a room? 3. Do you have a range of foreign languages you can speak? Not compulsory but it helps. (We got thunderous applause in Hungary for saying "ladies and gentlemen" in Hungarian). 4. Do you have a range of "party" activites to entertain in post dance parties? 5. Are you good at hanging around doing nothing for ages, followed by minutes of frantic activity? If the answer to all these is yes - then feel free to contact me. If the answer to any of them is no - best not to go down that road. Hope this helps and I hope it is not too far from the thread. Dave |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Ron Davies Date: 20 Aug 06 - 07:45 PM Thanks for the information--that really does clarify a lot. |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: fiddler Date: 21 Aug 06 - 02:48 PM I keep watching this thread with interest, a lot of good stuff can be found in amongst all the posts. Keep the constructive comments coming and it all becomes worthwhile! Andy |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST,a sad fiddlist Date: 22 Aug 06 - 07:05 AM as a new visitor to the site I was interested in reading some feedback about sidmouth. i went, thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted to hear other's opinions. is there any way of filtering out this idiot countess richard so that i can read something sensible? i have given up cos it's just made me angry. i thought folkies were all a good bunch and about this kind of venom and one upmanship. it's actually made me quite sad, and i hope i never have to meet him/her. i assume his/her mark is probably stamped all over what seems otherwise to be a decent site, so i won't be signing up to Mudcat because music is my hobby. i see little pleasure in carping, moaning and directing poison at other people, particularly ones with whom i share common interests. i really have been left quite saddened by what i read. folk music is something of a safe haven to me, something i do to get away from all the crap there is in the world. but nastiness can infiltrate even the nicest places. anyway, i'm rabbiting, i'm sorry i didn't mean to go on! big love and hugs to all those gooduns out there a sad fiddlist :( x |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST Date: 22 Aug 06 - 07:42 AM Dear Sad Fiddlist, Countess richard is a she. Her mudcat handle is taken from a Child ballad. A lot of us wish she would go away but she hasn't upset enough people to get herself deleted yet. We live in hope |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: John J Date: 22 Aug 06 - 08:12 AM Sad Fiddlist, Please don't be put off by unpleasant Mudcatters, there aren't that many and you soon get to ignore them. The vast majority are enthusiastic about their interest in folk and will contribute interestingly and constructively to discussions. The Mudcat is a great place to chat, to find information and just belong to. I've met a great many people who have become friends, friends I wouldn't otherwise have. Just this year I've discovered (through Mudcat) festivals I didn't know about, found words to songs I've been hunting for and loads more. Oh, and we're a friendly lot too! Cheers, John (a happy incompetent singer & melodeon player) |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST,Bemused Guest Date: 22 Aug 06 - 08:22 AM There are those who are activists, whether organisers, performers, researchers, archivists or all these. And then there are punters who want only to play or listen to music as entertainment and not concern themselves with the social and historical context or the logistics and economics of its organisation. The contributor who you are maligning falls clearly in the former category with a seemingly sound background in most or all areas who has workable ideas of how to stage a better festival but knows they cannot be paid for. Isn't it a pointless kneejerk reaction to shoot the messenger then complain when it turns round and bites you? |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Scooby Doo Date: 22 Aug 06 - 08:23 AM Well said John.I have met catters through been on this group too. Yas |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: John MacKenzie Date: 22 Aug 06 - 08:38 AM I wonder which regular Mudcat poster is hiding behind the pseudenym 'a sad fiddlist' The post is just too pat, designed to wind up existing members against CR. As you will see from my previous posts, I hold no brief for CR and disagree with her attitude wholeheartedly. However I post under my own name and don't make snide comments while pretending to be someone else! Giok |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: The Borchester Echo Date: 22 Aug 06 - 10:18 AM I've been a Mudcat member for a very long time but used to post for ages even before that as a guest under my own name. My Mudcat name was invented on the spot because of slightly amusing at the time Child 68 implications as well as to act as an umbrella because my purpose was to defend an artist who was on the sharp end of even more flak than I get from people who had not the slightest understanding of his musical direction nor knowledge of his background and previous experience. I think most people are perfectly aware of who I am and the episode to which I refer. This present wrangle about Sidmouth arises from pretty much the same mindset. People who on their own admission have no interest in large-scale, spectacular displays or an international element: (never went anyway', 'good riddance' being typical, hugely balanced comments) bristle and square up to those who think the absence of such elements is a loss, in the apparent hope that ridiculing them and administering a good kicking will deter them from ever again attending: ('go somewhere else'we don't want your sort at our festival' etc, blah, blah, sneer, sneer). Whose festival? Most such posters have only rolled up in the past couple of years, and because 'folkweek' was just like any other festival and didn't exactly fall flat on its face, think it was OK and shouldn't be criticised. I'm sure it was OK . . . more than, probably. But it wasn't what rather a lot of other people really want, based on past glories. If it happens to float your boat to hang out in a fringe pub all the time, so be it. Other people wanting to establish a way achieve other things won't affect you in the slightest, so why such a whingeing fuss? I don't think anyone's intending to frogmarch you out of the pub to an Arena (covered or not), or any other venue whatsoever or even make you pay to either watch ot take part in stuff you don't want to. I'm a 'sad fiddler' too (what the fuck's a 'fiddlist'?) though for entirely extraneous reasons, unconnected with narrow-minded, blinkered 'good enough for f*lk' saddos with unbelievably limited vision. What's that blanket term I'm searching for? Ah yes, 'f*lkie'. Don't ever call me one of those. This terminally damaged word needs binning along with the tie-dies, tankards, out-of-tune stringed things and out-of-time bodhráns. No Giok, I've not yet dropped the 'attack is the best form of defence' school of writing. It's obviously not safe to do so. |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST,still sad! Date: 22 Aug 06 - 10:19 AM woah! wasn't hiding ... sorry... i really am a guest, my name's liv i'm a fiddle player based in south devon... i was a member a long time ago but i forgot my id and login as i hardly ever used it... i can plug now in an attempt to prove myself lol!! i'm in www.thenaturalsuk.com or www.myspace.com/wearethenaturals as well as a regular in some of the sessions round here.... phew... i feel like i'm on trial! thanks to the nice people who replied and to the others, i'm sorry you feel so antagonised - i didn't mean to offend. was just so shocked to find nastiness here of all places. the majority seem lovely. anyway, all i really wanted to do was read some feedback on sidmouth, now i'm aware i'm sinking to the levels that so appalled me lol! eek... so i can't find any other sidmouth links here so i guess i'll give up and just look forward to the next one! i really didn't mean to come across as snide, i guess i was just a bit shocked and let off a bit too much steam... sorry! i'll be off before i make any more virtual enemies lol! sorry :) |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Gervase Date: 22 Aug 06 - 10:45 AM Don't worry, fiddling person, you probably won't have to encounter countess richard. She'll be in the virtual Arena, tapping her clogs along to Rolf Harris and Tom Robinson (ah yes, those great Sidmouth milestones!) with the rest of the provisional wing of the EFDSS. |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: The Borchester Echo Date: 22 Aug 06 - 11:58 AM Ha! Someone else who knows not the first thing about me, or else gets some pathetic kick out of making up stuff. The EFDSS actually fired me. Well, not quite but I left in extremely high dudgeon over issues which remain entrenched in some quarters. Still, when Deaf Ass still ran Sidmouth, didn't the Middle Bar try and hang Bill Rutter? And it's better to be talked about than not (so they say . . . ) |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Cllr Date: 22 Aug 06 - 12:17 PM Gervase wasnt Melanie, famous for "I've got brand new pair of roller skates" booked a few years back? and also Donovan (ive got nothing against skiffle) I know steeley span wasnt booked for years because they werent folkie enough. I used to go to the arena regularly last time was oh yes to see... Show of Hands. Yeah bring back the arena for all this cutting edge stuff |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: John MacKenzie Date: 22 Aug 06 - 12:24 PM Must leap to the defence of Melanie Safka there Mike, she is a decent singer songwriter who happened to have a hit, somewhere along the same line of coincidence that made a hit of Seven Drunken Nights for the Dubliners way back when. At least she has never to my knowledge, tried to hitch her bandwagon to a failing pop star, in order to try for big bucks. Giok |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST Date: 22 Aug 06 - 12:25 PM Gervase is a mate of mine who I would say knows what he is talking about. He may never have met CR but is making his judgement based on the way CR presents herself on Mudcat. Think on CR you are what people can see of you. Regards to MJ and Dewi!! Gervase |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST Date: 22 Aug 06 - 02:12 PM Funny how you never see MG and CR in the same place together ! |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST Date: 22 Aug 06 - 02:14 PM I think it is probably due them being at opposite ends of te political spectrum. Is this a thread creep? |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: billybob Date: 23 Aug 06 - 08:58 AM I always went to Sidmouth when it was an EFDSS festival, wore me clogs and had wonderful days, took the children who grew up loving the music, song and dance.Could not go for the last 15 years, went back this year and loved it, small is beautiful,felt much friendlier and felt part of the town and not an intruder.We organised a festival in East Anglia for 17 years and know how hard it is for the locals to put up with the invasion of bearded , tankard carriers! But the people of Sidmouth were very welcoming. Well done the organisers, see you next year! Wendy |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Ruth Archer Date: 23 Aug 06 - 01:37 PM See you there, Wendy! :) |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Tattie Bogle Date: 23 Aug 06 - 08:37 PM Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! ????SPARKLING SIDMOUTH????????? Positively explosive. Not vitriol -nitroglycerine! CR would be erased from many other "chat rooms" for her bullying and foul language. Seems to me we should all just stop answering her and fuelling her fire. Oh, by the way, I had a really good Sidmouth -this year, 2005,2004,2003,2002,2001,2000,1999,1998,1997,1996,(missed 1995),1994,1993,(missed 1992), 1991,1990, 1989,1988,1987,1986,1985,1984,1983,1982,1981,1980,1979,1978,1977,1976,1975,1974,1973(married in the Parish Church) |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST,registertered Catter at work Date: 24 Aug 06 - 03:02 AM "bullying and foul language" Are you listening CR? It is possible to make your point (whether we agree with you or not)without the bad language. The English language is better than that. |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Steve in Sidmouth Date: 01 Sep 06 - 05:27 PM My summary page on Sidmouth has been much updated and extended. Copies of local press coverage are on a later page. Observations and comparisons between Sidmouth and the new Shrewsbury venue (and comparisons between the relevant local councils) are included. For Sidmouth use folk92 for press coverage folk94 (see the last comment especially) and for Shrewsbury folk95 Sidmouth page Shrewsbury page Happy reading - sensible comments appreciated and will be noted. |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST Date: 02 Sep 06 - 02:25 PM why shouldn't a fiddle player be a "fiddlist" ? you don't hear of tromboners or pianers, do you ? |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: GUEST Date: 22 Oct 06 - 07:32 AM or violiners, or cellers, come to that - or 'bloggists? |
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Subject: RE: Sparkling Sidmouth!! :0) From: Skipjack K8 Date: 23 Oct 06 - 08:55 AM This will look even sillier when the viagra posting is removed, but just to make a bigger prick of myself by entering this muckfest, I've only just noticed the (genuine, Giok!) posting by sad fiddlist, and realised she's me darlin' neice, and must report that she is about as far from sad as Diane is from being understood. Liv is a breathtakingly good fiddler in a wide range of musical genres, and a beautiful person, so if she says she enjoyed Sidders this year, I'm happy to go with that.
-Joe Offer- |
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