Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?

Subject: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 May 07 - 09:26 AM

Meself + assorted musical fiends will be here

http://www.chesterfolk.org.uk/festhome.htm

on the Whit Bank Holiday weakend, anyone joining us?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: muppitz
Date: 16 May 07 - 04:25 PM

Not a chance.
I've never felt so unsafe at a festival.
The line up was fab, it's a nice setting, good sessions, but the presence of the local 'youths' who set up their own camp for nothing, after the rest of us had paid, and who proceeded to cause no end of trouble ALL night and morning (Literally) was enough to put me off for life.
I'd love to go again but I can't see it happening, I can't afford a B&B & I wouldn't camp.

muppitz
x

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 May 07 - 09:32 AM

Camping and Security


Last year, in common with a number of other festivals, we had some problems with non-festival goers causing disturbance on the campsite. Our situation is made more difficult by the fact that our site includes a public footpath and the village recreation ground, so it is not possible to restrict access completely. However, we do take these problems very seriously and have been working closely with the parish council, the pub management and the police to ensure that no repeat of these problems occurs.

Several steps have already been taken:

· The new licencees at the pub have clamped down on the use of their car park by local youths as a meeting place, and have also put a padlock on the vehicle gate to the field.

· The local council have put in place an alcohol ban on the playing field area (not the whole festival site - just the playing field!). This means that anyone consuming alcohol in this area is committing an offence. Festival goers who camp there will also have to comply with this.

· The Parish Council have kindly agreed to remove the football posts and let us use the whole of the recreation area. As well as giving us more space it will alleviate the nuisance caused by football games near the tents.

As a result of these measures, problems with antisocial behaviour in that area are considerably reduced, however, we still feel it necessary to take steps to ensure that our campers are undisturbed and we all have a peaceful, relaxing festival. Therefore, rather than employ a security company, we have decided to pay the extra for police cover each night during the weekend.

*******

Also see here:http://www.chesterfolk.org.uk/festnews.htm

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Willa
Date: 18 May 07 - 09:45 AM

Up to the top

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 May 07 - 09:47 AM

I'll be in another place.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: r.padgett
Date: 18 May 07 - 05:17 PM

WEll I have every intention of returning, it looks as though there are some improvements to camping and security and a new area in place

It is always difficult to avoid all sorts of trouble but i do find Chester is pretty good from that point of view

The Olive Tree is a focal point and quite large inside, although the club is a really lovely venue and not too large gives it a nice feel

Hope the weather is good!

Ray

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: GUEST,Keith
Date: 19 May 07 - 08:08 AM

I'll be there.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Sue Wilcock
Date: 20 May 07 - 05:22 PM

So will I

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: julian morbihan
Date: 21 May 07 - 08:50 AM

Good to see there are only eight messages currently on this topic. Chippenham's is up to 54....

OK, so I'm biased....

Have a good time at Chester - Climax Ceilidh Band are superb by the way - equally biased....

Let's hope the weather stays good for both festivals!

Cheers

Julian

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 22 May 07 - 09:26 AM

'Good to see there are only eight messages currently on this topic. Chippenham's is up to 54....'

Well its not a competition! - but thanks julian morbihan for the goodwill sentiment & hope your do goes well also.

I start work on site tomorrow morning as part of the ground crew, setting up ready for the festival proper on Friday.

Meself & chums will be camping from Wednesday night & hope to ruin a sinaround/ music sesh in the Farmers Arms that night & one of the other hostelries on Thursday evening.

Please come along & join us, 'though bear in mind that if anyone is contemplating camping earlier than Friday, the only toilets available are those in the pub during opening hours, but water will be available from the tap on the outside wall of the Morris Dancer.

As regards security before the event proper, there'll be a good number of early tent campers & caravanners on site from Wed, so hopefully 'safety in numbers'.

Look forward to seeing loads of fiends, both old & new - can't weight - yippeeee!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Sue Wilcock
Date: 29 May 07 - 08:20 AM

Chester was superb despite the weather. For all of you who decided againstgoing because of the trouble with the local chavs last year you missed a treat. The measures taken by the festival organisers definitely seemed to work as there was no trouble at all on the field this year that I could tell (I don't know about other venues) Any chavs who tried to join us were quickly shown the way out either by the organisers or the police who were conspicuous by their presence each evening. Thanks a lot for making the festival feel as friendly as it used to.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: kitchen piper
Date: 29 May 07 - 08:22 AM

We had a totally great time this weekend! Even the weather couldn't dampen a marvelous weekend! Thanks to the organisers for a fantastic festival!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 30 May 07 - 06:37 AM

It was a great do, I had far too much to drink ~ again!

The Social club was my main venue for the singing and guests

Good to see the 'Morris Dancer' upstairs room in use as a singaround/meet the guests

Isambarde, Swan and Dyer, Les 'the talented Alien' has a bit of paper to prove it (good on yer!!)

Crucible were really great, not seen much of em even tho they only live in Sheffield

Jim Causley and his two singing partners? name escapes me, up and comers in the tradition

And thanks to my mate Cedric for the company and tea

A good deal of talent local like Tom Browne, Full House, Roy and Mary, Mal Waite and her Collective including extension (grandad and grandma!)John (?) Finnan and his band of solicitors, really lovely singing

Ray

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester Folk Festival:Who's Going?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 30 May 07 - 06:55 AM

Just got back late last night from the festival site, where meself & band of hardy stalwart ground crew managed to clear away everything.

A hearty thanks to the committee & all helpers who worked together so well to produce such an overwhelmingly improved & enjoyable experience for all attendees.

My observations of the event this time include those above, it was frequently being mentioned all around that due to the police & other security arrangements, everyone felt much more relaxed & chilled [not only 'cause've falling temperatures & rain!] in that the tensions of previous years caused by the outrageous & indimidating behaviours of the local 'asbo's' were entirely absent.

Even the St Johns Ambulance Brigade had sinarounds in their tent!

Me & the fiends had some fabulous musing & song sessions in all the pubs & other venues, & even though I didn't attend any concerts [other than a brief glimpse of Swarby & co on stage in the marquee}, our extended folky family tents were only about 50 yards away, so we could hear & enjoy the performances - all brill!!

Really looking forward already to the next one - yippee!