Is Sidmouth empty this year??

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: The Barden of England
Date: 25 May 07 - 06:59 AM

My Wife was a steward at The War Memorial Club last year, but it would seem it's not a venue this year. I believe that some of the members were against its use in the first place, but who knows.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 25 May 07 - 06:55 AM

Probably would Kitty - that's probably one of the reasons I never made it to the Theatre Bar in the few years since I returned to Sidmouth - the clash of times of the events!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 25 May 07 - 06:49 AM

Has the War Memorial Club opposite the church been thought of as a possible alternative venue to the Theatre Bar? The Woodlands Hotel conservatory was being touted as a venue two years ago as well. I don't know whether the Rugby Club social club has been thought of as a lunchtime option.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: The Barden of England
Date: 25 May 07 - 06:48 AM

That's a good idea Kitty. I didn't think there was anything there during the day, and people know the venue. I really hope it works out well for you.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 May 07 - 06:42 AM

There's an evening come-all-ye session in the Faulkner bar, run by Rosy Daisley. I've just been speaking to Peter Hook at RYF about the possibility of Tim and I running a daytime singaround, and he will get back to me after discussing with the family (and when I've returned from Chippenham). I'm wondering whether an afternoon session would be better than lunchtime (so not completely clashing with Volunteer or Middle Bar).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 25 May 07 - 06:25 AM

Different time would mean that people like me might be able to turn up after all... keeping my fingers crossed for you Kitty!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: The Barden of England
Date: 25 May 07 - 05:33 AM

Isn't there one at The Royal York & Faulkner?
John Barden

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 May 07 - 05:26 AM

Following explanation received from Graham O'Callaghan:

"We have had a few difficulties with venues this year because of planned building work and an ever expanding & changing performance programme. Unfortunately we have had to utilise the theatre bar for the songwriters' interviews as it was the best option available to us. We have tried to explore other venue options to re-home your sing-a-round but to no avail due to the lack of available space at the correct time of day. We had kept the options open until very recently, but unsuccessfully I am afraid so it is unlikely that for this year we will be able to accommodate your ever popular gatherings.

We will of course keep the situation under review and let you know if the position changes. As you know, we always review all of our festival programme at the end of each year and if the position for this year doesn't change, we shall of course consider the reinstatement of your valued contribution for 2008."

We've offered to move to a different time if that would help, and Graham has said he'll keep trying.....

Kitty

PS Will post again if anything turns up!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 25 May 07 - 04:25 AM

Someone certainly needs to do some heavy duty apologising for this gross discourtesy.

Kitty, you should try the Bedford, at least during the afternoon. There is plenty of opportunity for singers (about 50%, I'd say).

As you know, I'm a singer who accompanies himself on guitar, and I spend half of Folk Week there.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 25 May 07 - 04:06 AM

I'm with surreysinger on this. I was always more of a Volunteer person but would drop in a couple of times to the Theatre bar during the week.

If they've really dropped the event without reference to the long established organisers of that event it is gross discourtesy to you and Tim, Kitty, and also a major blow to the many people who attended and enjoyed those sessions.

Hope something gets sorted for you.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 May 07 - 03:44 AM

Sorry Kitty, not being a Sidder myself I did not realise it was your event.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GRex
Date: 25 May 07 - 02:46 AM

The Theatre Bar Singarounds formed a major part of my entertainment at Sidmouth, must reconsider my attendance this year.

    Richard,
      Can you tell us more of Lechlade?

             GRex

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,IFOR
Date: 25 May 07 - 02:41 AM

iI am gutted that the theatre bar singaround will not be taking place this year ..its where Heather my wifefirst got up to sing and that took some courage...plus it is where I got to hear fine sings and singers...SPMETHING MUST BE DONE!!!!
IFOR

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: The Barden of England
Date: 25 May 07 - 02:06 AM

Kitty - I'm really sorry to hear that the singarounds at the Theatre Bar aren't happening, and I don't understand why. Sidmouth does need the variety that this gives. They should at least give some explanation.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 24 May 07 - 09:19 PM

I concider this crass rudeness to Kitty so Sidmouth is off the calender this year !! Hils and I will be singing at Lechlade instead,and go home.
third to fith August party with singer fiendly landlord.
Hope Sidmouth doesn't loose the plot next year !!!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 May 07 - 07:28 PM

Kitty - I'm really sorry to hear that. Although I never made it to any of the Theatre Bar singarounds (the Volunteer being an attraction for me), I find it rather sad that one of the major events for people who actually want to stand up and sing themselves has disappeared. There always seem to be masses of places for instrumentalists (singers too are musicians!) - but those for singers are limited - and not everybody wants to join the Middle Bar, or, indeed, even the Volunteer - horses for courses. Have they given you any reason or indication for this change??

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 May 07 - 06:11 PM

Richard - as a way of finding out that an event I've been running for several years (and Tim Edwards for much longer - and which the organisers had described as "an important part of the festival") isn't happening, it's not exactly ideal. JB's sessions are excellent but much noisier, and mainly for musicians.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 May 07 - 05:51 PM

Join JB in the Bedford - or squat.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 May 07 - 05:50 PM

The programme arrived yesterday (which is how I found out that there are no singarounds in the Theatre Bar this year, and that no alternative venue has yet been found).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 May 07 - 02:37 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Shuffer
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 09:14 AM

According to the communication we have had from the stewards co-ordinators they are Platinum

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,lucy the guest
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 07:05 PM

As far as I know, Sidmouth are making sure that this year, for definite, steward's passes count as Platinum tickets. Can't find anything on the website about it, but I'm pretty sure that's the case!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: bubblyrat
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 11:46 AM

The question of Stewards' passes last year, regarding Marquee admission, was also a bit ambiguous and non-specific, but we managed to get in to lots of concerts, our fellow stewards letting us in IF there were seats available ( but only after the event had started )--- Hopefully, it will be more or less the same this year !!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,owner of a VERY small tent
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:50 AM

I remember that student, Kitty - he was convinced he could convince me there was room in my tent for him as well as me!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 04:04 PM

Well, actually, Giok, I don't think the word "alternative" was included - it was just "looking for ac".

It's not really clear from the website whether stewards' passes will include Ham Marquee evening concerts.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 03:57 PM

Hee hee, I'd love to think that was true Kitty.
G.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 03:51 PM

PS this reminds me of the year when CBS were running the community choir singing workshop and performance at the Manor Pavilion, and (allegedly) told Steve Heap that it would include a song with the lines, "The rich man's in the Bedford, the poor man's on the front, the student's on the campsite, looking for alternative accommodation"..........

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 03:44 PM

The website says "Due to extraordinary demand, we regret to report that all Platinum Season Tickets have now been sold".

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,peter
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 12:05 PM

That's a problem, I didn't buy any yet< anyone got two spare?

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 10:03 AM

I heard Platinum tickets have just sold out...somebody's gonna be there.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Bry
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 09:41 AM

It certainly won't be empty when all the Newcastle Kingsmen pile down south! We haven't been as a team for a while...but it was very messy last time.....

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: English Jon
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 07:46 AM

I'll be there too...

Cheers,
Jon

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 07:09 AM

Sounds good Gadaffi - looking forward to it all, particularly if there are going to be some evening sessions with Roger and Ken!!
(Thanks for the stuff that was dropped through my door a week or two ago BTW - most gratefully received!!)

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 05:01 AM

The lunchtime Volunteer sessions are in the process of being organised (ha!) Hopefully, Roger Grimes and Ken Langsbury will be running something mor informal during the evenings.

There will aso be a full programme of talks and discussions at the Arts Centre, also in the process of negotiation.

Perhaps Guest Wanderer would care to volunteer as a steward.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Cats
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 04:10 PM

We'll probabaly be down for some of the week but can't make any plans to be away from home for too long until the house is sold.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 08:48 PM

Ye might as well sign up Topsie. You know it makes sense.

Anyway, now the nastiness of the last couple of years has faded, it seems a better idea than ever.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 12:32 PM

Do permanent guests get half price lemonade or do I have to sign up under this name?

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Dave Earl
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 12:10 PM

Lemonade in the Gardens, laughing - drinking - singing in the Anchor, odd trips to the Bedford and Volly and maybe even a Ham Concert or Two.

All in all another Sidmouth as good (if not better ) than the previous.

See you all there

Dave
ps Mudcat Badges count as ID otherwise give Sally your Mudcat name for your discounted lemonade

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 11:59 AM

Hey, does that mean mobile supplies of lemonade then? And how will you know that we are who we say we are? Do we need some form of ID???

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 11:39 AM

And if you don't all come and buy a lemonade (half price to Mudcats btw) then i'll know where to find you now. Thanks for telling me.

sal

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 11:38 AM

Dear me, what a roll call!!

sal

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 10:50 AM

"And the Volunteer is just bonkers!!"
EH?? Has it changed that much in the last two years since I last attended then Ralphie??? Define bonkers???

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 08:29 AM

Oi Bubbly....What Tom and I get up to is none of your business LOL!!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: bubblyrat
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 07:28 AM

I fervently hope that you DON"T "Bumb " into him!! Hmmm---I don"t know, though !!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 04:34 AM

Woops, that last one was for Tom B by the way!!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 04:32 AM

Watch out for Housewives Choice...
Def doing the Sunday lunch dance (Used to be the Anchor Gardens...not sure about this year yet!!)
Might have a conflict of interest on Tuesday, but, Hey Ho!! all will be well I'm sure.
Regards Ralph

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 04:24 AM

Hi Ralph - hope to catch up with you then. I'm on with Parky the Squeeze at the Rugby club on Tuesday, and with various others too but not sure where or when. Hope to bumb into you at some point. Tom

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 12:23 AM

When not gainfully employed, It will be either the Volunteer or the Radway for me...
No change there then!!
IMHO, The Radway is a treasure trove for learning new tunes. And the Volunteer is just bonkers!!
See some of you there
Ralph

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Roger Rabbit
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 09:47 PM

I'll be there for part of the week though I'm going to the Wickham Festival in Hampshire first.

Sidmouth season tickets look incredibly expensive now so I'll give the Ham concerts a miss (many of the best artists are also at Wickham so I'll see them there) and concentrate on sessions in the Bedford, Volunteer etc. etc.

Look forward to meeting-up with all the usual faces.

Rockin' Roger

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 07:24 PM

Not just watching, but playing for us again, I hope, bubblyrat! And if you get hold of a tatter jacket and hat you could even join us in the procession on the Sunday morning or the torchlight one on the Friday evening. (As could anyone else ... PM me for details)

Sue

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 08:38 AM

I"ll be there on the Thursday night ,in the Bedford , too, like last year, as I"m in the box-office again, so will arrive on Tuesday, probably.And after last Friday"s wonderful experience, I shall certainly be watching Sue ( and Herbaceous Border) outside the R Y and F !! ---Although INSIDE the R Y & F will be sad this year without one of Sidmouth"s great " characters " of recent times, Jon Heyward.In that respect at least,Sidmouth will,for me ,be a bit 'empty' this year.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 08:21 AM

Looking forward to it.

I'll be down at Kingsdown Tail on the Thursday, as usual, and there'll be some kind of session at the Bedford Thursday evening. This started a couple of years ago, and is rapidly growing in numbers (Colin, the landlord, loves to get a head start on the festival).

See you all there.
Don T

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 08:07 PM

I'll be there at the usual haunts!
Will also have my osteopathic clinic on the camp site, 9am to 12am daily, plus on call until 10pm for emergencies. Tel. [phone].
Free treatment for all Stewards and official performers.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:34 PM

I'll be there all week, getting in as much singing as I can (in the Anchor and elsewhere) in between running Herbaceous Border at 11am and 6pm outside the Royal York and Faulkner every day (starting Sunday evening). Come and join us to dance, play or just watch.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 06:21 PM

Kevin, at a festival you are never empty, but still make the most noise and wear the loudest shirts!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: melodeonboy
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 06:17 PM

I intend to make it slightly less empty. Expect to see me at The Anchor, The York and Faulkner, is it(?) (you know, the one on the promenade with the rather fogeyish, but deceptively good, singaround), and The Bedford - usually in that order of an evening!

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 03:49 PM

The deadline for discount pre-booking expires next weekend (15 April). I think that when Wanderer posted, the home page on the website was explaining the difference between platinum and gold season tickets for people considering whether they want their ticket to cover Ham evening concerts or not. The home page now highlights concerts, ceilidhs and dance displays.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Surreysinger
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 01:39 PM

I'll be there this year too - looking forward to the Volunteer.. first time back in three years, so looking forward to seeing what the new style festival is like.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 01:39 PM

Cottaging, Ruth? Good grief, whatever will David say!

Living Trad has an ad with all our names on, but I don't have it here

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 12:17 PM

I'm cottaging this year. Will miss watching the sun rise from the Mexican, but worth it for somewhere to plug in my hardryer and straighteners. And other comforts. :)

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 11:47 AM

Been booked into King's Down Tail camp site since the day I left it last year.
Giok

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 11:40 AM

The website only displays artistes which are booked for the Ham concerts. The rest of the week ( including Anahata and myself, plus Nick & Mary Barber's Big Band Workshop) are not displayed. As Kitty says, you need to look at the newsletter which gives some hints about who is going to be there. The list of artistes is on the front page of the newsletter and is not exhaustive.
There will be plenty of people there, I can assure you, though not all performing in the evening concerts at the Ham! And some of the Ham performers will be elsewhere during the festival.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: billybob
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 11:14 AM

Billy and I are going to be there all week.
Wendy

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Morticia
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 10:54 AM

Yep, so will we.....in the Anchor, I mean though we are likely to migrate to other likely hostelries over the week.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: John J
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 05:32 AM

I'll be there, singing my head off in the Anchor most of the week.

John

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: nickp
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 04:26 AM

I won't be in the Bedford this year (although I'd have been in 'the other bar') as I'll be at an oldtime festival in the States. Very thoughtless of someone to choose the same days...

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Dazbo
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 04:07 AM

and me and a few others from sheffield

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 03:54 AM

Me too!
G.

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 03:05 AM

I'm there all week too, no doubt in the Bedford at some point! :-)

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: The Barden of England
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 02:27 AM

I'll be there too. In the Bedford as usual

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: vectis
Date: 10 Apr 07 - 07:14 PM

Me and Liz to join you!

Mary

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 10 Apr 07 - 04:10 PM

I'll be there, what else do you need?

Sal

Subject: RE: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Apr 07 - 03:18 PM

Why not use the link to the newsletter, with info about workshops, storytelling, youth activities..........?

Sidmouth

Kitty

Subject: Is Sidmouth empty this year??
From: GUEST,Wanderer
Date: 10 Apr 07 - 12:25 PM

Judging by their website, Sidmouth seems mighty empty this year with a considerable lack of artists. Has it been reduced to a series of evening concerts or what??