Who's for Wareham this year?

Subject: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 01:29 PM

We many of us know about the deep gloom that possesses our souls on a Sunday night with the realisation that Monday is just a few hours away and therefore we must bid farewell to the careless rapture of the weekend and say hello again to our desk, boss and in-tray. For me, this is magnified 100 times in September where, except for the occasional blip on the radar screen, the long, hot (or miserable and rainy) summer of festivals draws to a close. Winter holds nothing but cold, dark music-less days and the world is a dimmer and sadder place.

I have a suggested cure and it involves a couple of fields in Dorset, an indefinite number of like-minded loonies, several marquees and a pig. Yes, honestly guys, a pig. It won't banish winter but, if you are anything like me, it will put a smile on your face for a couple of weeks as you recall the glorious harmonies, the lunacy of the medieval banquet and the energy, enthusiasm and friendliness of the participants.

Wareham Wail in Verwood, Dorset takes place this year from 31st August to 2nd September. It is held down a dirt track, in a couple of fields surprisingly well furnished with the necessaries ( loos and showers) as well as a kitchen turning out breakfasts, dinners and a fantastic, freshly made cream tea on Saturday afternoon for those of us who are sick of our camping stoves by then... which is pretty much everyone, right?

The unaccompanied singing takes place in any one of the three marquees that take your fancy or, if you like, you can drift between the three, you faithless hussy, you! We have the Shanty or any other big, boisterous songs you care to sing tent. There is the Folk Club tent, which tends toward the quieter, more reflective singers and songs, beautifully managed by experienced organisers and witness to some of the loveliest songs and sounds I have heard anywhere. Somewhere in the middle there's a singaround, usually managed by a twig or similar, being passed around so everyone gets a turn. All three marquees have a bar and all have real, and usually very good, ale, rum and shrub and other essential ingredients to a good sing.

Sometime on or around Saturday morning there is a medieval costume workshop, all materials supplied for a small donation to charity, in preparation for the marginally managed chaos that is the Banquet.

About midnight on Saturday we all solemnly file into the biggest marquee, now softly lit and hung with banners and bejewelled with long banqueting tables set for the fabulous 4 course meal that is to come. The top table has its benevolent King, Queen and Courtiers,freshly chosen that day for their charm, talent and ability to shout very loudly when necessary. The other tables hold the rabble, peasants and proles set on shenanigans and, generally, getting outside of as much wine as possible (bring your own bottle(s)).

How to describe the songs sung by the assembled company, to accompany the rich fare, or the majesty of the occasion when the pig's head is brought before the company, apple ensconced between it's molars and a rather surprised expression on it's face? Or perhaps I could try and describe the appallingly undignified and increasingly desperate attempts to kidnap said pig's head, the sheer effrontery of the supposedly good and gentle burghers of our temporary village and the ribald songs and jokes that are an inevitable part of this process?

Perhaps not though; perhaps you should come along and check it out for yourself? It's the best cure for the end of the summertime/end of the festivals blues that I know.

http://www.wail.org.uk/

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: GRex
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 01:43 PM

Have already booked. Wouldn'd miss the Wail for anything. Pleased to hear that there will be showers available this year or are you refering to the weather or maybe to the attending folkies folkies?

         GRex

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 02:56 PM

Looks like I'll have to get my booking sorted out early before it gets sold out due to all this wonderful publicity :-)

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Cats
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 03:21 PM

Couldn't have the Cream Tea sing without us bringing the Cornish Clotted Cream up. We'll be there.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 03:25 PM

Morty - I think it might be time for Alan or Idris to update the leaflet. Derek and I will be there - he'll be running sessions in one of the marquees, as the last of the regular Poole Bay Shantymen/ Free Toast attendees. For the last several years, all the programmed sessions have been organised, and any type of unaccompanied song is acceptable in any of the sessions. The raucous jump-in shanties and noisy/ boisterous songs session is the late Friday night one!

But you're right that it's a very therapeutic weekend, with lots of great singing and huge fun - highly recommended!

Kitty

PS - there are other festivals later in September, in Swanage and Tisbury.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 04:18 PM

I have spoken to Grandad and booked my ticket.


Kind Regads.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Phot
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 04:23 PM

I think I'm still in the country at the moment! So with luck the beautiful PoD and I will be there, well Fiona will, I'm still waiting on the twits at work, but as long as I'm still in the UK, I'll see you there!

Wassail!!! Chris.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 04:38 PM

I am referring to showers promised this year by Alan, GRex, but rain is always a possibility :)

Hils, wonderful to see you there, as it is anywhere!

Cats, looking forward to seeing you and Jon... and the cream!

Kitty, the leaflet has been updated to Grandad's specs, you'll have to take it up with him if you don't agree with it. And although I know there are other festivals and later, this is the very last Main one for us and, of course, has a very special place for us, as it does for you and Derek.

Look forward to seeing you, Yas...and possibly your young man(?).

Phot, I would hope to see my little girl ( yes, all right, I know she is actually taller than I am, that is not the point) if not both of you.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 07:13 PM

I've just reset my cookie (again). I might have a word with Grandad sometime about his specs and what he hasn't seen with them..... but then it's just like the leaflet saying what time Sunday breakfast is, innit?

Kitty

PS and I hope Crouch Vale provide the beer again this year!

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Severn
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 07:21 PM

Morti seems to have twisted my arm on my visiting thread, so you'll most likely have a Token Yank.

"If the Wareham fits, it's a Shoo-in", or however that goes......

If it rains, it'll be Wash and Wareham, I guess.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 07:32 PM

Aahh

Want to be there.

Will move heaven, earth and my bank manager in order to get there.

Dave

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 08:12 PM

I presume I'm down for washing-up again?
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 04:48 AM

Hope to be, we'll see.

BobH

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:30 AM

Fingers crossed...

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Hawker
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 11:44 AM

Noooooooooooo!
I cannot go this year - and I've made a new banqueting gown and all! Have a booking that weekend to play for a ceilidh, Well, we WILL be there next year.
Dont have too good a time without us!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 12:55 PM

Oh no,I was banking on the hamster for harmonies, Lucy!

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Severn
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 06:41 PM

If it rains at Wareham, will it be a Beached Wail?

No matter, I'll enjoy anyway, for in the end, a man's judged by the unaccompany he keeps!

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Phot
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 12:46 AM

looking foward to meeting you Severn.

Wassail!! Chris.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 06:38 AM

Yep, will be good to meet you again Seevern, despite the awful puns.

There is a lot of Severn about at the moment - in people's basements, kitchens, soaking their carpets...

Noreen
in soggy Worcestershire

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: AlexB
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 10:29 AM

Does anyone know if Alan is setting up the campsite in Sidmouth already, or if there is a chance I might catch him at home? I'm thinking of a wander up to his house (I'm not talking to him on the phone, it gets expensive). Ee's never around when you want him...

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 10:34 AM

He was home on Monday night as i gave him a bell.



Scooby

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: AlexB
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 10:44 AM

Right. I'm off up the Old Wareham rd then. Wish me luck on finding him.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Cats
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 02:02 PM

Good luck finding him, Mad Alex.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:30 PM

Yes, Mad Alex - even when you get to number 10 (Old Wareham Road, that is, not Downing Street), you still have to find where the house is!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:58 PM

Morti - can you PM me details of how to book please? I've taken a mental abherration and decided I want to come too!

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 09:16 PM

LTS
Find me at Wareham, I'll be in the washing-up crew, and we'll have a chat about musculo-skeletal problems, should you wish. I'll have my couch with me.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:55 AM

LTS - details of how to book are on the website at the address given by Morticia in the first post on the thread!

http://www.wail.org.uk/docs/wail-leaflet.pdf

Kitty

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Phot
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:46 PM

Jack and Joline are coming too!

Hide the beer!

Wassail!! Chris.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Jock O' Dreams
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 05:16 PM

Anne and myself will be there. I am still kicking myself for having to miss last years! Wareham is one of the highlights of the unaccompanied folk singers year.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 05:35 PM

I'm confused.... I can get a weekend ticket and if I want to eat (other than the banquet) I can buy an extra ticket?

I'm easily confused.

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: My guru always said
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:06 PM

Liz, the weekend ticket is for the weekend & camping & inclues the banquet. The meal ticket will cover food over the weekend. So, it depends on whether you want to fend for yourself or eat communally.

Just sent for our tickets, hurrah *grin*

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:09 PM

That's what I thought... Guess mine'll be in the post tomorrow then!

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Severn
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:55 PM

The Post-Tomorrow? Is that something like the future? If so, the Near Future?

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 03:32 AM

Don't forget the cream tea isn't part of the meal ticket so bring a few pennies to buy delicious scones, jam and cream on Saturday afternoon.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:48 AM

Want a donation of home made red jam?

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: GUEST,Phot at work
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:51 AM

Hurrah! My leave is confirmed. Wareham here we come!!!

Wassail!!!!! Chris.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:02 AM

Well done Phot it be good to see you there.
Lots of Love.
Yasmin.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:53 AM

what fruit is a red?

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 12:02 PM

I made the jam a while ago, and whilst it's perfectly good jam, it's unlabelled and thus unidentifiable. It may be strawberry, it may be raspberry... it may be a conglomorate of red fruits - there is no way to tell.

Thus, it's just 'red jam' as opposed to the inferior orange jam - that is, it's orange in colour and may be apricot flavoured - that is in the same cupboard and also unlabelled.

It's free jam, d'ya wannit or not?!

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 07:28 PM

I'm sure we could all use some free jam, Liz, thanks.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Cllr
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 07:37 PM

I thought we had unacompanied song and no jamming sessions at all.
Cllr

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Severn
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 08:02 PM

No jamming, Cllr, unless with cream but, rather, the preserving of folk music instead. Kind of like a folkie jam, but only chunkier. Any jelly rolls and getting ladies in their jammies into jams is relegated to either after hours or after yours. The grounds can be considered a Folk Preserve like some grounds are considered Game Preserves. Game Preserves are like Game Jelly or Game Jam, only chunkier AND gamier....


Right?


Someone else can work in the Marmalade reference, I'm too tired.....

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:01 PM

And heaven forefend we get lemon curd!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 07:16 AM

Sev, I may have to rescind your invitation *G*

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 11:35 AM

Can you imagine the two of us together Morti... me and Severn....

Bruahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!   and yer little dawg too!

LTS

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Seaking
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 03:23 PM

I'm going and can't wait as this will be my first sing anywhere since Wareham last year. Looking forward to catching up with everyone...

Chris

Subject: RE:Pence, Ye Recinders!
From: Severn
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 03:52 PM

Recind?

Have I sinned that bad in advance already? Can I pent in advance, so I don't have to do that again, as well? Or a couple of pents, and keep the change! Can you get bought off that cheaply? I'm told that if I keep my pents up, I'll stay out of trouble, but I don't want myself and my emotions to be TOO pent up. I think I'm safe enough to be around adults unaccompanied.

I'll figure it all out when I get there!








........."He's not penting, he's just breathing hard, is all!"

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Jul 07 - 10:22 AM

Wot, Chris, no Sidmouth????

You can always buy me off with a pent, Sev *G*.

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: My guru always said
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 04:45 AM

Bu**er, I was so looking forward to Lemon Curd!!

Subject: RE: Who's for Wareham this year?
From: GUEST,NicP
Date: 30 Jul 07 - 02:38 PM

Think I'll be in Marseilles still, or possibly Morlaix. Definitely not Malmo, but if not, will see y'all there.