The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,mirrorblue
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 02:58 PM

The new Bromyard Sessions blog is now up and running at:

http://www.bromyardsessions.co.uk/

Anyone can post a comment and I am happy to set anyone I know up as an author if you want to add your own posts. If that's of interest just let me know and I'll sort it out. Please forward the link to anyone you think might be interested.

See you soon.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Schantieman
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 04:27 AM

Ear plugs, Cresby...... yes.... but it's difficult enough to hear whichever desirable young lady one is trying to chat up without further dulling one's senses. I have never understood why the volume has to be turned up so loud!

Steve

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 01:18 PM

Steve we believe you. But trust politicians a little more...........

Dick Dixon - I trust.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 05:46 PM

Any pics anyone?

sal

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: steve_harris
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 11:55 AM

ever organised something of this size themselves with no hiccoughs whatsoever?

Good point! Similarly, I never vote or take faulty goods back to shops. Since I can't run the country or build a leak-proof air bed it would be so wrong of me.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 05:27 AM

One of the problems many festival organisers face is changes to the availability of artists requiring last minute changes to the schedule. I don't know if this happened at Bromyard, but it's one of the reasons that programme printing typcially happens as close to the wire as possible, and as a result thing do go wrong. Errors are actually quite commonplace. This year one large and lovely UK festival (no names, no pack drill) completely forgot to include one of its four headline bands - mine! (But we're still best of chums, because that's just how it goes sometimes).

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mr Red
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 04:18 PM

Some festival organisers say they welcome feedback - even negative feedback. Sadly, in practice, that may not be the case. Which can surprise trusting, believing folkies.

I find Dick listens to feedback if he is not rushing to another panic. I always felt, if he disagreed he was saying no in a constructive way. Hence the relaxed nature of his festivals IMHO.

Schantieman - I would have to agree on the volume of ceilidhs, but at least the base guitars didn't dominate to the point of clipping (I could name festivals where they have). Whapweasel are not the loudest out there but .... Try earplugs - it helps for ceilidhs. The floor was level.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 03:48 PM

Actually, the late arrival of the programs didn't bother me one bit as I very rarely get to any concerts on Friday evenings, it's a time of meeting & greeting for me.

But I can imagine that it must have caused a great inconvenience for others and for the Festival itself. I was delighted to see the lovely obituary for Colin Kemp included in it and I had wondered if perhaps that had caused the program to be late which would have been totally acceptable in my view!

The shoddy printing & program errors were the major problems as far as I was concerned, though of course they couldn't spoil the festival for me.

My earlier post was made merely to point out that negative comments are equally valid as the rose-tinted positive comments and should not be dismissed so lightly.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 03:38 PM

Good weekend; enjoyed dancing (though it WAS too loud, as usual) and singing in the FC; mooching around; meeting old friends and new ones. Good weather too - well done to whoever organised that!

Steve

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 01:18 PM

When I arrived to pick up the tickets at the artists reception Dick was tearing out his hair about the programme so therewas no way that it's late arrival was intentional.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 12:01 PM

Sorry Connie, I don't believe that it's 'finding picky fault' to be annoyed about the program problems. The late receipt of the badly printed program with the provisional program instead of the correct one printed inside it caused problems for festival-goers and artists alike. When punters organise themselves around printed program times they're likely to be disappointed and annoyed to find they're incorrect.

For sure, Bromyard is a lovely festival and one of my favourites, but as with every large organised event, there are glitches which are learned from, however difficult the organisation has already been. So I don't think it's unreasonable for people to make negative comments here aswell as the positive ones, that's only fair isn't it?

Meanwhile I had a great weekend apart from the ear infections, lovely to see so many friends and collect so many hugs. Agree with the comments about the second artist at the final concert, saw a few people voting with their feet, as I did! Also agree with Jo about the Wilson, just Fab!! Was sorry to miss so many concerts due to the ears, but my highlight has to be New Rope on Sunday evening, just wonderful!!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 10:43 AM

I'm sure Dick didn't arrange for the programmes to be late on purpose. Have any of those who have managed to find picky fault with what was an absolutely brilliant festival ever organised something of this size themselves with no hiccoughs whatsoever?

Back to being positive - One of the high points for me was Les Barker leading the audience in his poem about the Polar bear and the iceberg. Not a dry eye in the house!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 01:04 PM

I wasn't so keen on the second act, final concert. But you couldn't fault their skill. The bass sound was a kick drum I think, it certainly took the edge off for me.

I listened comfortably without earplugs - and noticed the soundman. An irony that would not be lost to those familiar with the volume debate in another place. And some who were present.

FWIW earplugs are not much use in concerts because they mostly dull higher frequencies which changes the musical appreciation. Ceilidhs -they do their stuff well.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Jo
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 04:57 AM

Excellent festival and very freindly atmosphere all weekend, it was great to see our favourites at the moment the Wilsons again, after seeing them earlier in the year at Saddleworth, and they didn't disappoint, they were great! even the sessions they did in the `bar tent` with all the noise from the main tent, the dance tent and on sunday, the morris dancing going on around them, they just sat there and sang songs. Thier concert spot in the church was just amazing, and with no disrespect to the other guests on the final sing concert on sunday afternoon in the 'art centre tent' but the Wilsons were just in a different league. Thanks to all for a lovely weekend, it was our first visit to Bromyard, but not the last.

Jo

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 02:50 AM

We were in the final concert until the death, the second act wasn't to our taste either.

We would certainly have welcomed a session / sing after the concert, but as there nothing mentioned in the programme we just went to bed.

An excellent weekend, thanks to everyone who worked hard to make it happen.

John

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 05:25 PM

My question was where was everyone on Sunday night?
We left the main tent soon after Roy's act (the next act had too much heavy bass for us old fogies, and we'd seen as much as we wanted of the New Rope in the afternoon).
So thought we'd go back to the session in the football club. But no-one there, so drove into town - all the pubs empty too.
So back to the B&B, where the sound of that loud bass drifted across the fields.

Until then it had been a great festival.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 02:17 PM

Well I had a bumper wkend at the Abergavenny Food Festival so ner!

Glad you all had a good one tho.

Sal

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Folkie
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 08:09 AM

Wonderful festival - the best I've been to this year (and I've been to lots!).

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 07:45 AM

Main tent was heaving on Saturday nite, by which time the wasp which bedivilled the Devils, me and CBS had gone home to bed. Actually nodded off in my van by the stage door, slept through Mabon AND the Donnans (sorry guys) to wake at 1.30 also wondering where everyone had gone! (Up to the Arts to see Keith, I think). A top festival (thanks for coming up to the Hall, Mupz) and full marks to Dick and the team.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Ruston Hornsby
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 07:28 AM

It wasn't the cheeseburger that she had on Friday night, was it?

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: muppitz
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 07:18 AM

I only have one question!
Where did everyone go on Saturday night????
After Friday's onslaught in the food tent, we got everything well prepared so we could serve it out in a decent time and only a few showed up!! Did the Doonans finish you all off or something?

My only lament was not seeing Shona & Damien, their Friday & Saturday spots were while I was working and the Sunday spot, sadly Shona was ill so they went home!
Always enjoy Bromyard, haven't been to a bad one yet!

muppitz
x

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 08:53 PM

Can the program be delivered on time and correct next year please Dick. Missed a main artist as a result of errors.
I never thought the New Rope Band could ever replace the loss of Joe Scourfield .Joe will smile now on a wonderkul peformance.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 05:58 PM

This was our first ever Bromyard so I can't really compare, however: I sang a bit, played a bit, was entertained by excellent musicians & singers, drank rather a lot of decent beer, and generally had an excellent time.

We shall be back next year without a doubt, Bromyard is set to be an annual fixture for us!

John

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: JP2
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 05:15 PM

Got back from Bromyard this evening absolutely exhausted from too many late nights and early mornings but with a big grin on my face.
I loved every minute of it from the Torchlight procession to the last night concert where my sides were aching with laughter watching the New Rope String Band.
The weather couldn't have been better,I've discovered Pecsaetan Morris who were brilliant and met up with some old friends and it's still my favourite festival despite the cockup with the programme printer.
What does everyone else think?
JP2

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 02:05 PM

very relaxed week-end
The newly positioned ceilidh tent needs a bigger floor, especially when Whapweasel are on. Their ceilidh sort of self-regulated and never got impossible but I would bet there were potential dancers unsure about mixing-it with the keen ones when there was no room to edge their way in.
There was just enough room for the popular NW Morris w/s so a bigger floor might encourage more Morris - (oh well).
d8^)

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 01:52 PM

Hi Bob (& Sue),

Sorry to hear about Sue's mother. I wondered what had happened, I kept an eye open for you both over the weekend.

Best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: 8_Pints
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 09:33 AM

Hi all,

Sue's aged mother (92) took a fall recently and is now in Hospital: she may not make it through this week-end so we will have to miss out on this year's festivities.

Hope it all goes well for everyone else and the weather holds for you.

Bob

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 05:34 PM

Safe journeys all, see you in the Beer Tent around teatime Friday!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: fiddler
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 11:39 AM

ah yes but the Towersey set in FDH was stunning girl! Hope you enjoyed that one!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Bryony
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:31 AM

Hi Mo, I hope NEVER to do anything again in my whole life like that set in the spa, it was a truly horrifying experience!!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:19 AM

You can have too much of a good thing! Wrigley Head overload can be quite alarming. I see Horwich are there this year - great lads (and lasses in the band) and they won a medal once you know!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 07:47 AM

Well I won't be there this year. If you want to know why you'll have to pm me. Sorry not to be with you all.

Hope you have

Sal

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 07:38 AM

I would just like to put on record that the fact that we can't make it this year is nothing to do with Anne being banned from a Bromyard tea-shop.
Perhaps we can make it next year, particularly if we can persuade someone to book Wrigley Head again.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 07:31 AM

So will you be doing more solo stuff, like that nice set in Whitby pavillion, Byrony?

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 03:42 AM

Some people just like "being there" and enjoying the company of friends around the barbie. It used to be the last festival (or nearly the last one) of the year so it could get quite emotional knowing you might not meet again in such a convivial setting until after Christmas.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 12:44 PM

Sorry to hear that Bryony, I've enjoyed your performances - even the one where we interrupted you for the Play!

Good luck and best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 12:08 PM

I am always amazed at the number of pub sessions and the fact that you see a lot of festival tickets in them, when there are events on the field that the tickets pay for.

But then some folkies hold court around the barbie - similarly.

See ya all Fri. I will be the one dressed in ........ Yellow

d8^)

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Bryony
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 07:17 AM

Afraid so! We've got Bromyard, then a 'hanging up the broomsticks' halloween tour, then Maghull folk day...then a final party/gig at The Cumberland Arms in Byker on Nov 24th(where we started many moons ago!). I'm just trying to get the final party sorted so I'll post details when I've got them in case anyone wants to up for it.

Anyway...back to Bromyard....!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 07:09 AM

What???

I hope this doesn't mean no more Witches.

JJ

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 07:07 AM

As I'm on after you I'd better bring some hankies. Actually, wouldn't it be better if I went on first - I'm not sure i can follow that much sobbing!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Bryony
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 06:29 AM

I'm kind of excited but a bit sad too as it is the last festival we'll be singing at as the Witches...I might cry!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Sue Wilcock
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 06:23 AM

Am really fed up that we can't go, our teams dancing but my mother in her wisdom decided to get married that weekend and i don't think she'd be too happy if we weren't there!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 12 Sep 07 - 03:47 AM

Well said, Mr Red. As to the Wye Valley Brewery Stage - yes, it is on site and named to acknowledge sponsorship from Wye Valley - whose beers we have all been enjoying in the Rose and Lion for many years and long may they continue.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 03:30 PM

Bromyard isn't the biggest? Since when has big meant anything other than big? Big means queues, big means less community, big has one thing going for it - it's bigness. Bromyard is big enough to NOT have to say "I haven't seen you all festival" or "Don't seem to have seen this many new faces at a festival before". Bromyard has had critical mass for years and with the help of Dick Dixon has maintained it. When numbers drop it is difficult to maintain impetous. I stuck with it when that could have happened and am rewarded with a lovely weekend in September every year. AND it is is in the heart of cider country.

All praise to Dave Jones, wherever he is looking down from.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: SimonS
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 01:27 PM

What's this new venue? A brewery 4 miles outside Bromyard (so google says, though the website gives few clues)

It looks to me as if the main stage has been renamed the "Wye Valley Brewery Stage", I presume as sponsership. So, not a brewery outside Bromyard - not even outside the site. Just re-named after one!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Mo the caller
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 11:03 AM

I enjoyed Shona and Damien at Whitby.
Maybe we'll sing some shanties this w/end (didn't think it was worth trying to get into the pub at Whitby, after the comments on the singing last year.
And, of course, the day of dance, which is such a well kept secret that you'd think they wanted it to wither away. We wouldn't travel that far without it. With it we enjoy all the festival, and the setting (and maybe a walk on Fri or Mon, on Bromyard Down).

What's this new venue? A brewery 4 miles outside Bromyard (so google says, though the website gives few clues)

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Jo
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 08:17 AM

We are hoping to get there for the friday night, looks like a great weekend. Will be great to see Roy Bailey, but we are really looking forward to seeing the Wilsons again, we saw them earlier in the year at Saddleworth festival and were very impressed.

Jo

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 08:16 AM

We'll be there, hoping to arrive mid-afternoon on Friday.

John

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: 8_Pints
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 07:31 AM

Cheque despatched so you can expect to see me, Sue and the friendliest chocolate Labrador [Monty] in the world!

Bob vG

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: Moses
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 12:02 PM

All being well, I'll be there.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Connie
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 10:01 AM

I'll be there - can't wait! I'm not even taking an umbrella.

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Hoygirl
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 05:40 AM

I shall be there, my second time, first visit was over 35 years ago!! Really looking forward to it, but hope the loos have improved since then! lol!!

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: fiddler
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 03:58 AM

Nice one Muppitz, coming out in secret.

I'll be there, my a favorite festival, One I BUY A TIKCKET FOR!

Andy

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: muppitz
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 05:39 PM

I'll be in my usual place of residence during the evenings, the Moor & Coast whip being firmly cracked (as it were!), during the day, who knows? Floating between watering holes and concerts I expect!
So far this year I've seen everyone on the line up I'd want to except Shona & Damien and Coope, Boyes & Simpson so they're top of the priority list.

And for anyone who doesn't know who I am, please don't ask Glen or Chris if they're muppitz, if you're really that interested in putting a face to the name I'm female and I work the night shift, that should give you a clue!!!! (Apparently at least 4 people came into the tent during the day asking at Shrewsbury!)

muppitz
x

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 05:27 PM

You're welcome JP2, the link-maker makes it so easy even I can do it *grin*

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: JP2
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 01:04 PM

Thanks "My guru always said" I'd already clicked Submit message before I'd realised there was a link to help old duffers like me to do a blue clicky.
I will try harder next time!
JP2

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 09:33 AM

So am I :-)

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: John J
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 09:32 AM

Never been to Bromyard before, this is a festival I've always wanted to do but something has always got in the way. Not this year! I'm really looking forward to it.

John

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: lady penelope
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 09:00 AM

It looks fab, but due to lack of time & money I won't be going, which is a shame - 40th year and all that. I've marked it down for next year though, so you have been warned.... *G*

Subject: RE: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 08:01 AM

Here's the Bromyard website!

See you all there!!!

Subject: The 40th Bromyard Folk Festival 2007
From: JP2
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 06:24 AM

Well,with just five days to go,the weather's looking good,the guest list's looking good,the Ceilidh's are looking good,the Morris sides are looking good so who's going to Bromyard 2007?
Not the biggest in the country but it's always been my one of my favourites.
Can't do the blue clicky thing(It's my age,honest)but there's a guest list and provisional programme on the Bromyard Folk Festival website at www.bromyard-folk-festival.org.uk.

JP2