Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08

Subject: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Blowzabella
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 11:21 AM

Ok .... well ... I'm starting a new thread for this, so as not to get confused ...

The Festival that Refused to Lie Down

This is to advise that the 2008 Glasson Maritime Weekend is going ahead at Easter.

The organisers (who are presently in a state of shock *G* - they have only just heard themselves!!!) will be the same as for last year's Glasson Maritime Weekend and therefore the same people who organised the Lancaster Maritime Festival. In total, this will be the 20th year!

Some funding is coming from one major sponsor, some from Lancaster City Council and the balance will be made up of smaller income sources.

At this stage, it looks as though it will run from the evening of Good Friday, through to Easter Monday - with an improved main venue (the big performance marquee from last year will not be repeated).

An enormous 'Thank You' to everyone who took the time to send communications to the press and councillors etc - it seems it did the trick!

Please understand that the organisers have had no opportunity to make any firm plans at this stage and will have an *ahem* very busy couple of months ahead of them. Those of you who have been before will know that this is a very special festival, and the organisers will do all they can to maintain this, despite the concertina'd timescale available to them. It's a good job they hadn't booked an Easter break themselves, eh!

For further information, when it is available, please make contact via email to [e-mail] or [e-mail]

If you would like to be placed on the Festival's mailing list, please make sure you include your full name and POSTAL address. Thank you!!

Going for a lie down now ....

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 12:52 PM

fab news, what a good christmas present.
good luck and hope its not toooooooo stressful.
take care
see you there. yeh haaaa

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 06:47 AM

Any news of the Glasson Folk Festival 2008? http://www.glassonfestival.org.uk/index.html

I went along to check out The Glasson Folk Festival in 2007 and I thought that Glasson had a lot of potential.

This is not an a tempt to high jack this thread having never visited Glasson I did so to check it out with a view to attending both festivals in 2008.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Blowzabella
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 07:26 AM

Sorry Tyke - no idea about the Glasson Folk Festival - different organisers. I haven't heard anything but I think that some people who tried to contact the organisers (to include them in a promotional guide thing, if they wanted) didn't get any info from them. That's not to say it's not happening, of course - look at our own situation!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:02 AM

well done ,all the people who contacted city councillors etc.and well done David Wright and Val Simpkin.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Alio
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 12:33 PM

Fantastic news Val and David - looking forward to it already!

Ali xx

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,cap'n hand
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 12:37 PM

more info, as it becomes available, will be on www.shanty.co.uk - will still be the world's bibbest gathering of sea song and shanty performers, supported by a vast array of maritime themed entertainments.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Derby Ram
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 01:24 PM

Really, really good news - well done to all those that have worked so hard to make sure the festival stays alive.

Keith & Sylvia

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Blowzabella
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 01:53 PM

Thanks for all your comments everyone - it really is appreciated
Blowz xxx

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,nauti bouy
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 10:58 AM

fantastic news can not wait we had a fabulous time last year

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,cap'n hand
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 12:47 PM

Dear nauti bouy, please provide more details. Getting a pirate crew together to raid Glasson at Easter and you sound to be the sort of salt I'm looking for.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 08:12 AM

Huzzah for the "Glasson" Maritime Weekend - lets hope a fair wind blows this Easter!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Blowzabella
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 07:05 AM

stormalong john; hughie jones; sid kipper; dick miles; bitter end; derek gifford & andy kenna booked so far, more to follow. Four sea song and shanty venues confirmed, possibly one more to be added. Big improvement - Glasson village hall replaces the inadequate marquee, as main performance venue. Roy Palmer will give talks in parish church again.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 03:56 PM

What a line-up!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Jan 08 - 05:51 PM

excellent.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 01:02 PM

fab line up so far, cant wait.
we already got accomadation booked. he he he

kerry and mandy

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 06:02 AM

me too.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 04:57 PM

I believe there will be a few gigs at Lancaster Maritime Museum.
We[Bitter End shanty website] have just received a signal (confirmed by a usually reliable source) that the Lancaster Shipmates Skull & Cross Bones is flying over Lancaster Town Hall!
Thanks to all of those people who supported the continuance of the festival by writing to the media, councillors etc - IT'S ON.
It will take place on Good Friday evening, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday & Easter Monday, as last year with the focus being Glasson Dock, but with some events in St George's Quayside pubs and the Maritime Museum. As before, there will be a service between Lancaster & Glasson Dock with the Classic Coaches (an experience in itself)
More information will be available on this website as arrangements progress.
In the meantime, contact can be made with the organisers on [phone] or [phone].
As usual, much of the festival will be free, but to help raise funds, the Shipmates Scheme will run again to support the festival at a modest fee of £15.
AS ALWAYS, BEWARE THE PRESS GANG!
P.S. Improvements this year will include the absence of the draughty marquee: instead Glasson Village Hall will be the main venue for concert performances.
If you have not been before, why not take the opportunity to visit the festival that wouldn't be sunk!!
The organisers look forward to welcoming you all to the Festival in its 20th year.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Paul Sirman
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 07:45 AM

Great news!! See you all there

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 11:32 AM

Dear "Guest, The Press Gang"

EH? nothing to say for yourselves? That makes a nice change - hohoho!!

p.s Do you still run like girls?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Press Gang
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 11:58 AM

Difficulties encountered by Flag Officer sending a signal on this damn thing, but the message reads , 'Watch out Chairman and Sirman and Birdseye, we will be out and about, ready to settle old scores. And for the information of Chairman, we do not run like girls, but they do run after us '.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 01:11 PM

hi press gang
glad to see your on form, after all, the notes prosted round the RKA 2 years ago do still deserve some retribution. not that we are one's to stir thing's but????????????

do the girl's realy run after you?????? or is the earlier comment more accurate????

have fun guys

see you there

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 08:41 AM

Thats Charmain not Chairman I thank you sirs - and as for the girls running after you... all I ever saw was them running in the opposite direction - haahahahahahaaa

Are there any updates on the artists performing at the festival for the benefit of "the public"?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Press Gang
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 12:53 PM

For the benefit of the public :

In addition to the much admired Press Gang, the line-up so far is :
Stormalong John; Dick Miles; Bitter End; Andy Kenna; Hughie Jones; Sid Kipper; Derek Gifford; Keith Kendrick; Geoff Higginbottom; Three-Sheets-to-the-Wind; Paul Sirman; Steve Dawes & Helen Pitt; LocTup Together; Four'n'Aft; Sylvia Needham and many still to be recruited, hopefully including representatives of our overseas allies.

In addition, the following have taken the King's Shilling:

Des Newton & Eric Greenhough (ship bottling & ropework);Punch & Judy; Kipperland; Coracleman; Inner State Theatre Co.(nautical dramas);The Chantey Cabin; Roy Palmer and the Brocklebank tug, from the Port of Liverpool.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 02:43 PM

Captain Gardner,is a lily livered land lubber,and as for his second in command Fathom,whoever heard of a member of the Kings Navy,with a familiar called Horace,.
The Hare should be made to walk the plank,or alternatively put in the stocks.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 07:39 PM

I think the hare should be made to walk the stocks and Fathom should be put in a plank... or is it the other way round?

The atists engaged so far look a likely bunch - I was very sad to hear that Louis Killen can't be with us this year...

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 04:52 PM

Charmain,that sounds hare brained

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 06:24 PM

Aye - just trying to get onto the Press Gang's wavelength!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 04:44 AM

is that possiable???????
we thought thier wave was of indeterminable length.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 06:08 AM

they remind me of The Navy Lark and HMS Troutbridge.
a gang of bumbling fools and incompetents.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 06:51 AM

be careful what you say dick, they may be listening???
wouldnt want to see you in the captains blue holding chamber, ive been there and it's not nice.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Paul Sirman
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 08:47 AM

I totally agree with Captain Birdseye about Fathom although I wouldn' t say it to his face let alone Captain Gardner

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Press Gang
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 10:19 AM

Beware Birdseye, Sirman, Chairman and the two young ladies, Kerry and Mandy ! We have a little list and also the facility of three blue holding chambers, in Glasson at Easter.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 05:12 PM

whilst sir we are flattered at being called young, one of us is not a lady, as well you know.
but we can now see where Mr Sirman and Captain Birdseye are comeing from.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 06:47 PM

Birdseye,has been honing up his Kung Fu,he also has his pea shooter ,he is well prepared.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Paul Sirman
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 07:54 AM

By the way Kerry, when they locked you in a blue holding chamber, at least they let you out. They forgot about me. Strange that! Captain Birdseye, you will glad to hear that my better half is placing a large order for pea shooters

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 02:14 PM

fab we can line up and give them a full broadside and pepper thier bottoms for them?????
ah! they might like that, better not.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 01:30 PM

refresh.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 02:48 PM

the press gangs gone very quiet???
do you think we've scared them?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 08:28 PM

Naah - they'll just be a while thinking up their next "broadside" (so-called) bless their breeches...

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 01:59 PM

Oooh - Charmain - speaking of breeches - you've just reminded me ... must send a signal to the Admiralty Board's tailors ... or there'll be none!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 02:36 PM

extra large for Horace the Hare.so we can suffocate him,and have him Jugged.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 05:47 PM

The Press Gang minus their breeches - what a terrifying thought!!!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Press Gang
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 04:26 AM

In the interests of the defence of the realm, this debate has now been officially closed, by order of the Admirality Board.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Blowzabella
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 11:43 AM

There is a pdf of the Festival's interim newsletter available on Bitter End's website now. The link is HERE

Since that went to print, Tim Laycock has also been added to the guestlist, as have newcomers The Young 'Uns, from Hartlepool.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 09:53 AM

very good.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 08:31 AM

GlASSON MARITIME WEEKEND
21st – 24th March EASTER 2008
Good Friday (evening) – Bank Holiday Monday
Lancaster District's 20th Annual Celebration of Sea Songs,
Shanties and Matters Maritime, Featuring The World's
Biggest Gathering of Sea Song & Shanty Performers:
Hughie Jones • Stormalong John
Sid Kipper • Dick Miles • Andy Kenna
Armstrong's Patent • Bernie Davis
Derek Gifford • Geoff Higginbottom
Steve Dawes & Helen Pitt • Bitter End
Keith Kendrick • Paul Sirman
Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman
Four 'n' Aft • Trim Rig & A Doxy
LocTup Together • Richard Grainger
Three Sheets to the Wind
Johnny Collins • Jim Mageean
Endeavour Shantymen

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 02:53 PM

And Tim Laycock and The Young 'Uns ... and lots of other things too - Talks by Roy Palmer; visiting vessels; nautical dramas; guided walks around the village and the area; vintage buses; ships in bottles; knot-tying and ropework; coracle making and demos; Kipperland (nothing to do with Sid); Punch & Judy by one of the country's foremost Professors, Clive Chandler, the Chantey Cabin and .... The Press Gang! All set in a most remarkably picturesque location. And all free of charge, with the exception of one, possibly two, concerts and the vintage buses. Donations, though, are most welcome.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Feb 08 - 06:07 PM

Donations, though, are most welcome.
can I donate Horace The Hare to the RSPCA.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 06:30 AM

This is looking Good

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 08:09 AM

Its going to be fantastic - and with Glasson Village Hall as our main venue it will be all nice and warm and dry even if the weather isn't with us this year - Huzzah!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 06:42 AM

http://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 10:28 AM

For the latest shennanigans regarding the festival and the City Council's bizarre attitude towards it go to:
http://www.lancasterukonline.net/

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,spb-cooperator
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 05:58 AM

Hope to be able to do a day trip for one day of the festival, but a lot depends on the state of my carraige.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,cap'n hand
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 07:07 AM

if spb-cooperator chose to travel by carriage, instead of carraige, a visit would probably be greatly facilitated. Even better, join my piratical crew and sail into glasson at easter to see off the press gang.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Admiralty Board.
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 07:15 AM

A message to the Chairman and the public in general,'Don't Panic!'

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 07:59 AM

ok admiralty board. we wre panicing but we are not now.
we panicing like a panicy thing in a panic, i think.

cap'n hand, can we join your piratical crew and help see off the press, we have our pea shooters.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,cap'n hand
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 11:06 AM

the answers "no" kerry and mandy.
i don't allow no womenfolk on my ship, on account of them bringing bad luck.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 02:43 PM

Aww - I never panic Cap'n - on account of my stoical nature...
But quite right - don't anyone else panic either!!

The festival will still sail this Easter with its usual gallant crew - Huzzah!

p.s Ahoy there Kerry and Mandy - don't aim your pea-shooters at the press they're only telling the truth - aim them at the back-ends of some certain members of the corporation ... mind you I'm not sure they'd feel it even if you scored a direct hit!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Feb 08 - 12:55 PM

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,cap'n hand - PM
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 11:06 AM

the answers "no" kerry and mandy.
i don't allow no womenfolk on my ship, on account of them bringing bad luck.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
wot terrorbal grama.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 25 Feb 08 - 01:40 PM

i quite agree captain birdseye.

25 years before the mast in his case, and 15 in mine. My assistant purser didn't seem to think that women on board were bad luck, especially when he moved in with me!
Mandy (the girly one) and Kerry (the hairy one!)

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 08 - 05:17 PM

I'm guessing that's a good thing?

I wish I could be there.
Barry

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:51 AM

Well thank goodness the festival has been saved - again...(quite a few faces have been saved too by the looks of things - local politics eh?)

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 09:41 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 02:45 PM

Hoo-di-Ho only THREE weeks to go!!

GLASSON MARITIME WEEKEND

21st – 24th March EASTER 2008
Good Friday (evening) – Bank Holiday Monday

Lancaster District's 20th Annual Celebration of Sea Songs, Shanties and Matters Maritime,
Featuring The World's Biggest Gathering of Sea Song & Shanty Performers:

Sid Kipper • Stormalong John
• Dick Miles • Andy Kenna
Armstrong's Patent • Bernie Davis
Derek Gifford • Geoff Higginbottom
Steve Dawes & Helen Pitt • Bitter End
Keith Kendrick • Paul Sirman
Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman
Four 'n' Aft • Trim Rig & A Doxy
LocTup Together • Richard Grainger
Three Sheets to the Wind
Johnny Collins • Jim Mageean
Endeavour Shantymen - Tim Laycock
The Young 'Uns....
PLUS
Talks by Roy Palmer; visiting vessels; nautical dramas; guided walks around the village and the area; vintage buses; ships in bottles; knot-tying and ropework; coracle making and demos; Kipperland (its about smoked fish nothing to do with Sid...); Punch & Judy by one of the country's foremost Professors, Clive Chandler, the Chantey Cabin and .... The Press Gang! All set in a most remarkably picturesque location.
And mostly free of charge... with the exception of one, possibly two, concerts and the vintage buses.
Donations, though, are most welcome.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:28 PM

... and The Portsmouth Shantymen!!! Yaaaaay!!!

Plus - th elocal church are really entering into the spirit of the occasion and are arranging tours of the churchyard, focussing on the maritime and canal linked gravestones there. For those more interested in 'variety' the churchyard also houses the tombstone of the lady who founded The Tiller Girls! And, on Sunday at 6pm, they have a special Easter Service, with a preacher from the Mission to Seafarers and are particularly welcoming musicians to that service. Dunno if it's to join in or cos they need praying for, mind ...

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: BretonCap
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 01:55 PM

So is there any chance of B & B somewhere at this late stage?

Dave

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 02:51 PM

Your best bet for accommodation enquiries is to ring Lancaster TIC on 01524 32878. There is no accommodation in Glasson itself. Maybe try here???

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 07:13 PM

or, anovva thought - The Fleece Inn, Dolphinholme - equidistant. Sorry no website, but comes highly recommended ... by me ... for whateva that is wirth *smile*

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Admiralty Board
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 08:22 AM

A Notice to the Public in General : The full Festival programme is now available to be viewed at shanty.co.uk

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Informer
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 07:42 AM

Message for Breton Cap. At time of posting, Lancaster Town House, Tel.[phone], still has a room or two.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: BretonCap
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 05:34 AM

Thank you people, but the day job has imposed itself and I will not now be able to attend.

Dave

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:13 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 02:18 PM

Here's a linky to the full programme http://www.shanty.co.uk/lancsnews2008.pdf

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: John Routledge
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 07:27 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 07:46 AM

we got accommodation just this last weekend, in the centre of Lancaster.

Looking forward to it - especially to meeting Dick Miles. :)

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 07:52 AM

In case anone's still looking:

The Sun Inn

they still had vacancies on Sunday.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 07:03 PM

Where & when for the celebrated singarounds?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Blowz
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 07:02 AM

If anyone is looking for accommodation I have just heard that there is a room available at The Stork, which is a venue as well. Tel no is 01524 751234

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 06:54 PM

LAST DAY TOMORROW!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Red Rose, Blue Nose
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 07:35 AM

Who's daft idea was it to make two of the main performance areas open-sided, unheated, marquees in freezing March? It's unfair on the performers, outdoor stall holders and the audience. I can't remember the Lancashire coast ever being particularly warm at this time of year. The performers and MC's have gone above and beyond the call of duty, this year, but the festival organisers really must do better. I know there are money problems, but there also seem to be a dearth of common-sense too. If local indoor venues are not available during the day (why? - there's an unused primary school, the pubs were only used in the evenings) then the festival needs to be re-sited. The Village Hall is a good venue but the absence of permission for a bar is mystifying. The festival seems to be sadly dying - numbers of performers and audience were well down (despite the misleading hype about it being the largest gathering of shanty singers). I buggered off home to get warm and fondly remember the better organised Lancaster festivals of recent years. I won't go next year, at all, unless there are drastic changes.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Chilly Fingers
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 03:28 PM

That said, from a performers point of view it was a good weekend. It was good to see so many of the performers enjoying themselves and getting a good rapport with the audience wherever they were performing.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 04:53 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Mary
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:04 AM

Glasson weekend was lovely! The weather was mostly bright and sunny - yes it was cold, that was the forecast! Everyone knew what to expect and wrapped up accordingly. I sat in one of the marquees on Saturday for two and a half hours to listen to the singing - I didn't want to leave because the performances were so good.

No one knows what the weather is going to do at any festival - I've worked outdoors in March in T-shirts before today. I have also been to summer festivals in the UK and been rained out of my tent. That's the English weather for you!

The organisers and the stewards did a great job with a lot of good humour and performers and audience alike all seemed to be having a great time!

I wish the organisers well for next year.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Helen Pitt
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:32 AM

Just a quick note to say 'thank you' to David, Val and the rest of the team for organising a smashing festival. I think we did pretty well for weather. A lot of the country seemed to get a covering of snow, while we were mostly dry, albeit cold. It was a bit nippy (!) singing the tents but we all managed and the audience understood the difficulties and were very appreciative and made every appearence for us very enjoyable. The Village hall is an excellent venue to sing in and the sound system was a pleasure to work with. I wasn't aware of audiences being down - in fact at 11am on monday morning, when Steve & I started the concert in the Village hall, the room was at least 2/3rds for the first song, which is far better attendance than many other festivals manage for an early morning event!

All in all I had a really great weekend and sincerely hope that people will continue to support the event.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 07:20 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Glasson attender
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 05:21 AM

The reason the pubs were only used during the day is because that is what the landlords / landladies wanted to do - they have other customers to think of who want to dine and can't necessarily give over all of their premises for the entire day.

As for the open sided marquees - yes it was chilly - more chilly than anticipated - but the performances in them were well attended. If you totally shut a marquee it makes anyone passing by think they can't go in and that is not what a festival is about.

As for the village hall bar - a slip up - but there was nothing stopping people taking their own choice of alcoholic beverage into the hall (bought at a lower price than the bar would have sold at, probably) so don't see why that was a problem really.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 05:41 AM

I agree with Helen. Yes, it was a bit on the nippy side, but it was bright and clear most of the weekend. Ian and I had full audiences wherever we sang over the weekend and the weather didn't seem to put people off listening in the tents - most people made a bit of a joke about it and the atmosphere was very warm! The Village Hall was a lovely venue and the soundman was excellent. The Stork (where we performed on Saturday and Sunday nights) was packed out on both evenings and all the artists concerned enjoyed the concerts.

We have, in previous years, sung in freezing cold marquees during the May bank holiday and many festival stall holders have been "washed out" in August downpours. The weather in this country is always a gamble. So I, for one, didn't feel as if I had gone "above and beyond the call of duty". We were simply doing what we enjoy doing most - singing our songs.

Thanks to all the team - it was a great weekend.

Chris Lock
LocTup Together

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Doxy
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 07:51 AM

Trim and I had an enjoyable weekend as usual at the festival. Thanks to the production team and also although it's been said before to the great sound guys in the village hall.

A big thanks to the audience too who are the people who make the weekend. It was great to see so many there and to have such a good time with them.

Cheers
Doxy

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Killer Whale
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 09:35 AM

Thank you for the good news, red rose blue nose, that you are unlikely to be at Glasson next year. Your negative, ill-informed comments, suggest that unless the arrangements do not exactly match your personal requirements, you will never enjoy such occasions. Thankfully, several thousand people appear not to share them.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Lancastrian at Glasson
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 09:47 AM

I was there and couldn't see any 'open sided marquees'- as reported by 'blue nose '.I did see lots of people enjoying themselves and all the artists and organisers doing their very best to make the festival a success in difficult circumstances. They need a word of thanks, I think, not unfounded criticism.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 09:52 AM

I have to respond to Guest, Red Rose-Blue Nose.
While what you say about the tents being cold is true it is really unfair of you to be so damning about the festival organisers - yes the festival was a different fish in Lancaster when it was properly supported and properly funded by the Council and there were five indoor venues available throughout the weekend but it is NOT the fault of the organisers that the festival was moved wholesale to Glasson just as it was not the organisers decision for The Victoria pub to choose not to be a part of the festival thus denying the option of another pub venue - The Stork and The Dalton Arms are both well known for their excellent food and the organisers could not possibly expect them to give up the opportunity of benefitting from the increased volume of customers at lunchtimes. The lack of a bar was the result of a miscommunication and everyone was informed repeatedly that they were free to bring their own - OK this was not ideal but it was unfortunately unavoidable.
Maybe Red Rose, Blue Nose and possibly others don't realise that not only were the organisers convinced that the event wouldn't happen again until just shortly after Christmas when they were given the go-ahead but also just THREE WEEKS ago the festival was very nearly cancelled due to the machinations and poisonous jealousy of some members of Lancaster City Council - in fact the only reason it went ahead this year is because it would have cost the council more in pre-contracts and loss of face to go ahead with the festival that it would have to cancel it. FACT!!
David, Val and their production team put their hearts and souls into this event - and over the past four years it has become a serious labour of love to keep it alive at all - things don't always work as planned but the only way to get the festival back to what it was five years ago is to fight - not the organisers but the the people who want and have wanted for years to see this festival dead in the water.
It is so wonderful to read all the positive comments made in this thread - especially those from the performers who sang so wonderfully over the weekend and had not a word of complaint between them about the organisation of this fragile and beautiful event.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 09:55 AM

OOOPs - that should have read...

"in fact the only reason it went ahead this year is because it would have cost the council more in pre-contracts and loss of face to CANCEL the festival that it would have to go ahead with it."

...Hahahahahaha!! see thats what happens when I get all cross.....

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Eileen
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 04:37 PM

I'd like to add my congratulation to the festival organisers. The criticism was totally unwarranted. It was our first visit to Glasson and the warm atmosphere more than made up for the cold weather - I've been colder and wetter at festivals in May than over the Easter weekend which was, at least, bright and sunny most of the time! We spent two hours on Saturday in the marquee and thoroughly enjoyed the performances despite the cold. The performers, sound engineers and organisers all did a splendid job. I can understand the pubs not wanting to give up their regular food trade over the weekend and they were available on an evening - the Stork in particular was an excellent venue. I hope that the festival does continue despite opposition from some quarters.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 06:01 PM

We very much enjoyed our weekend in Glasson. Our thanks go once again to the dedicated team of organisers. The songs of Tim Laycock and Keith Kendrick, who both appeared solo and in duos, made a fine contrast to the more robust singing of the shanty groups.

We took in Roy Palmer's talks in the small church, which was prettily decorated with daffodils and offered eggs dyed purple to children on Easter Monday.

We crossed the Lune and as the tide was going out made a pilgrimage to Sambo's Grave at Sunderland Point, sitting directly across the Lune from Glasson. We enjoyed a meal at The Globe in Overton and also remembered Anne Gilchrist who collected a pace egging song there in 1906.

We have many happy memories of the festival in both Lancaster and Glasson and would love to hear that it will continue for another year.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Red Rose, Blue Nose
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 09:29 PM

As I said, the performers and MC's worked very hard in difficult circumstances. Perhaps some of you like to suffer to hear your music but I don't. Sorry that I don't sing from the approved hymn book; I was just explaining why the numbers will be further depleted next year (by at least 3 of us...). Frankly, life's too short and there are other good music festivals on at Easter.

The poster, Lancastrian at Glasson, who didn't see an open-sided marquee obviously didn't stumble as far as the Dalton car park. Perhaps he/she was too busy trying to keep warm elsewhere or perhaps the sleet impeded his/her view.

I live locally and am aware of the tawdry politics surrounding the festival. But if there is no political will to have it and attenders are not willing to fund it themselves then a rethink is required. Moreover if the residents and businesses of Glasson village can't be persuaded to offer up suitable venues (rather than expecting visitors to sit under an awning in a pub car park in a March blizzard) then it's time to call it a day.

I don't doubt the sincerity of the tiny organisational team but I think that failings ought to be recognised and learned from.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Lancastrian at Glasson
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 06:02 AM

I feel sorry for Red Rose Blue Nose - what an uncompromising, miserable, self-centered individual. Their argument seems to be with the weather not the organisation, but uses the excuse of the unseasonal elements to slag off the organisational team, who I know are held in the greatest esteem by the artists and and the great body of visiting public. Yes,I did see the two marquees, but the truth is that they merely had one panel open for access(no doubt a health and safety regulation)rather than being open-sided, as the miserable, moaning blue nose exagerates. Also, I didn't need to make a special effort to keep warm, as common sense told me to dress appropriately for the weather. Blue nose claims knowledge of the local political situation, but then shows a complete ignorance of the matter. There is strong political support from most of the council for the festival to continue. Also, there is no major festival like this in the country, much of it held in the open with popular appeal (not just for us folkies)that can be funded by 'the attenders themselves'. Why doesn't blue nose do something positive like start campaigning for the local council to properly fund the festival and be proud of it. Or would they prefer that 2008 was the last ?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 07:24 AM

Well said Lancastrian!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 08:33 AM

One of the problems with the maritime festival is that is has always been run with a "tourist" slant to it rather than a "folky" slant. As such, it has hoped to bring in people from outside the area.
And those people have come.
And they have enjoyed it.
And as "outsiders" they are disenfranchised from getting back at certain council representatives who don't wish to see the festival continue.
The locals, who do have the power, have not had the same targeted encouragement to attend the festival, and many don't even realise that it is on.
In my experience the local musicians and singers are also keen to perfom rather than listen and the format of the festival has always been low on sing-arounds etc.

Hoping that this explanation of how a local perceives the festival will shed light on the situation.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 08:53 AM

100

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 09:02 AM

I think you possibly have at least one valid point there "black belt" - but I don't think that people from out side the area should feel that they can't appeal to the council on the festivals behalf - if enough non-locals did so then surely it would show that the event was acheiving what it set out to acheive in the first place (get tourists into the area). If enough people wrote and said how much they loved it and how much money they spent and let slip that they had stayed in Morecambe rather than Lancaster it might have an effect on some of the festivals detractors in the council...

There are lots of people who enjoy the festival who are from the local area - not to mention the local businesses who have benefitted from it over the years - it always amazed me that the management team of the Maritime Museum did not put up more of a fight to keep the festival on the Quayside - their visitor numbers must have plummeted since the event moved to Glasson. I think there are enough supporters for there to be a sizable effort made to persuade the council - it is just a matter of doing it!

But as for local people not knowing that it is on - it has been going for twenty years and is in every local paper and on the local radio stations - so I'm not sure there is much of an excuse... alas having been involved in small scale events in my home village I realise that even if you put a flyer through every single door there will still be people who had no clue anything was happening.

I think the most classic example of this was when a couple of years ago at the Maritime Festival I heard someone exclaim in a slightly cross manner that if they hadn't have heard about the festival on Radio Lancashire the day before they would have had no idea it was happening....hmmmmmmm....

Local musicians prefer to perform rather than listen? Isn't that a little prima donna-ish?

There were three hour-and three quarter singarounds over the weekend...

And non of the performers object to people joining in with the singing...

but I digress - the point is anyone who loves or benfits from the event should feel entitled to write to the papers, the council, the Prince of Wales (a supporter of the festival apparantly) whoever...

It would be nice to see it rise from the ashes in style for its 21st Birthday in April 2009.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 09:03 AM

Ouch I had my first 100 pinched from under my very nose!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 04:41 PM

As I said I'm just putting forward what I have picked up as local perceptions.
I knew that the festival was on OK. I saw it in the local press, on the internet in several places, and heard about it on at least three radio programs, however, I still ran into local folkies who were not sure if it was on, or had forgotten about it.
The most often heard remark was that they hadn't seen any posters.
Now I haven't been in the area for that many years but I have been told that there have never been any posters up locally. This fits in with the emphasis on advertising in a way to get "outsiders" to come to the festival, but even for them it must be a bit disquieting to not find any local advertising.
Perhaps some of those AA signs that you see for events would be appropriate; It's not just vehicle owners that take note of them.

Yes, we have a fair number of prima-donna types around in the Lancaster area I'm afraid, but then we do have a lot of musicians so I expect the ratio is fairly normal:)
How many festival attendees knew that there was a session in the Victoria on Monday night, by the way?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 05:40 PM

I met a local resident (CT) who mentioned the Victoria Monday night session while we were discussing concertinas after Dick Miles' Saturday Dalton Arms and Frozen Fingers set. Hope to get there someday (couldn't go on Easter Monday because I went to the final bash in the village hall).

I've been attending the festival since it started, both as a punter and as a performer when the occasion offered. The organisers have consistently brought the best available talent in the field of sea songs and shanties to Lancaster through the years, and there can be no doubting the high regard accorded to David, Val and the rest of the team by anyone who has been the least bit aware of their work. Aside from the Maritime Festival, they were responsible for the Old Calendar Walks program which ran for many years, introducing locals and visitors alike to some of the more esoteric aspects of Lancaster's streets and their history. The Georgian Festival, Jacobite Festival, Guy Fawkes night, Fish and Chips Festival in Morecambe and other events (all now abandoned) brought people out in their thousands.

Unfortunately, as Council employees their remit has changed as departments get shuffled from one budgetary column to another to match changing targets. And despite the council's own website offering grant assistance to any proposed festival that targets tourism (it's hard to find your way to it, but it's there!), there seems to be no local recognition of the multiplier effect that local authority spending on such a festival as this generates - Blackpool and Lancashire Tourism reckoned that last year's Maritime Festival brought in excess of £250,000 spending to the area.

For the past few years the organisers have been bashing their heads against a brick wall.
When you realise that there is someone on the other side of the wall with a demolition ball, you have to admire their persistence, but I worry for their continued health and welfare.

Ross

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Glasson attender
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 06:17 PM

First I have heard of a session in the Victoria on the Monday, but it doesn't surprise me one jot - freeloaders. Wouldn't be involved as an official venue, because that would have meant making a small financial contribution to the Festival - sent the organisers who wanted to involve them away with a flea in their ear - but then paid Bay Radio to come down and broadcast from there on Easter Saturday, as part of the Maritime Festival and wanted the organisers and artists to go in there to do interviews and sing etc. They aren't popular in Glasson at all. Happy to take all the benefits but won't contribute to it. Even if the organisers had known it was on, why would they have wanted to promote it? It wasn't part of the Festival.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 06:20 PM

The Monday night session in the Victoria was not part of the festival - The Victoria pub were asked if they would like to be a part of the Maritime Weekend but balked at paying whatever the going rate was for a spot in the programme. They tagged themselves onto the festival by inviting the Bay Radio to come down over the weekend and (as I see here) by having a Monday night session - I know for a fact that the other businesses at Glasson (especially the very supportive Dalton Arms and Stork Hotel) were extremely angry about their behaviour which was seen by many as being underhand and unfair.

The lack of posters locally was a result of the organisers being given direct instruction NOT to promote the festival in the last few weeks running up to Easter and having been refused permission to spend any of their budget on local advertising.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 06:20 PM

hoho - my thunder stolen again!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 27 Mar 08 - 10:33 PM

As I understand it the Monday night session is a weekly event run by locals, no connection to the festival.

Ross

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 05:08 AM

Ah well thats not quite as cheeky of them them as I initially thought (quietly gets down off high horse) ... Although (re-mounts high horse with impressive leap) they did have Bay Radio promoting them as if they were part of the festival over the weekend - I find it rather odd that they chose to hang onto the festival's coatails rather than paying a few squid and being a real part of it - I assumed it was because they don't like folkie-folk - but if they have a music session there on Monday's every week it makes it seem even more odd that they didn't want to join in like everybody else...?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 08:28 AM

Someone has found their way through to the grant information Ross, I'm fairly sure that's how the Lancaster International Hurdy-Gurdy festival got started last year.
The next one's 25th-27th April, clashing with playing for John o' Gaunt morris men and Wrigley Head at Horwich on the Saturday, but I should managed to get to some of it.
Can anyone think of Maritime/Hurdy-Gurdy connections that might lead to mutual promotion?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 09:08 AM

Pint & Dale are the only Maritime/Hurdy-Gurdy connection I can think of so far. Although I recall seeing an Italian band at one of the Liverpool Shanty fests who I'm nearly sure had a hurdy-gurdy in the line-up.

I seem to remember a hurdy-gurdy event in Lancaster many years (20?) ago, held in the Georgian Club. Could have been part of the Clocks-Back Festival (yet another of Lancaster's secret treasures).

Ross

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 09:08 AM

You're right black belt - the hurdy-gurdy fest did have money from the "Festival Innovations Fund" last year and I think they got some this year too - thing is that the council can't apply to themselves through this scheme to fund the Easter Maritime Festival - If I am as reliably infornmed as I think I am, the EMF costs about 30K+ to stage and the vast majority (at least two thirds) of that comes from sponsorship.
The main reason that the EMF is so well organised and run is because the council department responsible employ skilled people to work on the festival - now I'm not saying that the gurdyfest wasn't well done last year and I'm sure it will be a success this year too but to sustain excellence on this scale over a number if years takes more than a few helpful volunteers types willing to work all the hours God sends for seven days on the trot recieving only thanks and a free ticket to some workshops in exchange.
If the EMF were to be run by anyone other than the Council it would lose one of its most important aspects - it would inevitably have to become a paying festival which would then nessecitate a total restructuring of the way the festival presents itself - there would be an end to music played for free in the pubs, an end to the free street theatre and Punch and Judy shows etc etc - in effect it would no longer the Festival that so many people know and love.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 09:58 PM

Special message for Kerry, Mandy, Paul and Linda - who am I? what am I? heeheehee!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 03:31 AM

eeeeeeeeeeeee you bugger , come on tell us????????
linda's sat here going mad now.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 06:13 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Barry Finn
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 07:30 PM

My 2 cents from afar. If the Monday evening sessions were a local event hosted weekly then it seems to me that they should've been invited into the festival "free of charge" as an honory musical host of the local talent thay they support all yr round. When trying to bring in the tourists & others from far away, it would behove the oginizers to include those that are the all year round attraction & not ask them to "pay up" for an inclusion to what they are already an indigious part of.
You don't set up tent next to the tribe then ask the tribe to pay to be a part of their own cultural experience.

Just my take from afar

Barry

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 29 Mar 08 - 09:06 PM

The Monday night session is an informal affair run, as I said, by local singers and musicians, The fact that they use the Victoria Hotel is coincidental, the Victoria presumably allows them the use of the space in the absence of any other commercial opportunity on a Monday night (Glasson Dock is a very small village). Like all such pubs nowadays, the Victoria relies on serving food rather than drink for its living. The Dalton Arms didn't have to give up any of their tables to accommodate the festival, that's what the marquee was for. The Stork (half-a-mile away in Conder Green) had a bit more space available indoors, so were able to host singaround sessions and concerts. The festival of its nature is a largely free event as far as both visitors and locals are concerned. There are a couple of concerts for which a reasonable fee is charged. Aside from local authority funding, the festival depends on the generosity of private sponsors. It is not unusual to expect commercial premises to contribute to be part of such an event, the usual expectation being that they will more than cover their outlay through increased custom linked to the festival. Presumably the Victoria made a commercial decision based on their own assessment. It's a shame the festival didn't get them on board. No doubt they benefitted from the extra numbers of visitors over the weekend, but then so did the Lock-keepers Rest, and Lantern o'er the Lune cafes and the (at risk) village post office and shop.

Ross

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Chilly Fingers
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 05:52 AM

I started the post festival debate on this thread and as there is a little negativity creeping in I think there is need to call a halt to that direction.
Whatever the Victoria decided to do is their decision.
The situation with the local radio can always be addressed if the festival continues.
It is time now to give those closest to the event the time to reflect on its successes/failures as they see it. If there is a desire to continue then there should be a calling for all the positives to be aired, not only on the partially enclosed world of mudcat but in the wider press and media.
There were many locals who did voice their opinion to us in a positive way, so they are the voices that would have to be asked to help also.
The energy and desire to reach the 21st event needs to be there though, heads on brick walls can only go on for so long!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,The Informer
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 07:11 AM

The definitive position is this, believe me. The festival would not exist if it was not primarily undertaken as a tourism promotion, bringing substantial economomic benefit to the North Lancashire economy. Lancaster City Council does/will not allocate the significant funds needed to run such a major festival, just for the sake of promoting the arts or providing a platform for local 'folk' musicians. However, the main vision in establishing the festival was to develop and celebrate the area's inherent maritime resources, particularly the cultural heritage.

Thus it was possible, quite legitimately, for sea song and shanty performances to be made a prime attraction in the procedings.Lancaster's maritime festival was created by the Council's then Tourism Development Officer, now Senior Festivals & Events Officer, who still directs all aspects of the festival with the help of a highly motivated, hard working production team, which has come together to keep the festival afloat, through stormy weather, rough seas and periods of being becalmed. The great body of festival supporters, especially the Shipmates and local voluntary helpers from Glasson, have provided inspiration that has kept the team motivated through very difficult times in recent years.

It needs to be made clear that all the uncertainty and rumours of problems, which have accompanied the festival over the last four or five years are nothing at all to do with any shortcomings or failings.In fact the opposite is the case. They result from it being an acclaimed award-winning success, which combines the nation's premier showcase of traditonal maritime music, with a programme of entertaining and more thoughtful, maritime themed events and activities - and almost free of charge. It has been a guiding principle that no one should be left out, because they could not afford to attend and many 'non folkie' visitors have been introduced, not just to sea songs and shanties, but to traditional and other 'folk' music. Most of these people are now confirmed addicts and regular attenders, not having the hang-ups of a few local folk- scene people, who don't seem to support the festival,or criticise it, mainly it seems, because it doesn't provide them with a stage and spotlight to perform their own ( non maritime )music - though of course, everyone is welcome to attend the singarounds and join in choruses.

No, the problem is not with any failure, but with the envy and jealousy of a few key individuals who have managed to disrupt preparations and create an ongoing situation of underfunding, negativity and uncertainty. Sadly, it is essentially a local political matter.

All those who love this festival, who feel a part of it and who cannot bear to see it dissapear for the wrong reasons, must stand up and be counted. Otherwise, without doubt, the 2008 Glasson Maritime Weekend will be the last.

Festival Supporters might wish to circulate this information beyond the readership of Mudcat. By the way, I thought everyone knew that Charmain was one of the many alias's of Fathom, the boring ship's surgeon in the festival's Press Gang.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 08:10 PM

Alas - I am undone.... or am I?

Despite the nastertiums cast in the direction of my true identity I have to plead with everyone who might read this thread to listen and take heed of the previous post.

There are people who want this event dead and buried - and they don't care how or where and the only reason for this is pure local political jealousy. The only way to save it is to campaign - write, write and write again...

Alas as Ship's Sturgeon, Fathom is ill-equipped for the task possessing only fins and not 'aving 'ad much of han heducation in the way of letters...

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 09:16 PM

Well I did not end attend this year's festival having received late and little or no information regarding Camping,

I did receive the brochure for the event by post out by Lancaster just 4 day's before the Easter Weekend. This is typical waste of community resources a posh brochure costing a large amount of money that looks good but serves little purpose. This should have been mailed out at least a month before. Why do councils do that?

I have to say that is now taking place on the Mudcat is doing little to promote or encourage this event ether. It's my view that the politics of funding and Local Government are a local matter. Knocking the local politicians on an international level is ridiculous. It has nothing to do with Music and as such should be moved else ware on the Mudcat.

As for the Chairman who now appears to think it funny to hide his identity with multiple aliases and thinks it amusing, I had put down his failure to response to my PM asking for information, before the start of the festival as an over sight due to the pressures of work, I now discover it was nothing to do with that at all. This person who whilst posing as a friend and oracle of all knowledge with the best interests of The Lancaster Maritime Festival at heart seems to be giving himself delusions of grandeur to reach as much havoc as he can!

You will note that none of the Artists have contributed anything but a positive image of this festival. To them and the genuine organizers I say well-done keep up the good work. You obviously had a difficult wet and windy weekend and I may make another attempt to get to your festival next year 2009.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 11:16 PM

A boring ship's surgeon? Puts a (w)hole new light on
"One night I was trepanned, by the Press Gang on the strand".

Ross

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 05:49 AM

Replying to Tyke - Ouch!

I have one and only one alias and this is it - and its Charmain not Chairman - I'm a lady you know - I have never recieved a PM from you Tyke - if I had I would have replied to the best of my ability.

As for camping - I've never known there be a camping facility attached to the Maritime Festival - other noticing that The Dalton Arms had some campervans in their car-park this year - possibly you are confusing it with the Glasson Folk Festival which has run in the summer over the past couple of years.

You may be right though that this thread has moved away from music and towards something else - which I took to be the future (or not) of the festival...

"Knocking the local politicians on an international level is ridiculous" - in the context of this festival you are right - it would be - but I don't think I have done that have I?

Anyway - after such a unfounded and confused attack I think I shall retire from this thread - I just hope that there are enough people out there who have the desire and the will to put pen to paper and help to try and secure this festival for future years.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 06:26 AM

Good! Lets get this back to promoting Music. If you want a discussion on any other subject start a chat room or a new thread using BS that is what it's there for.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,killer whale
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 07:55 AM

Dear Tyke , don't take yourself and the world so seriously and please don't try and tell other people what comments they can or can't make about politicians, local or international, on media like mudcat - its only an electronic chat forum, for christsake.
If you had been on the mailing list like me, or googled and visited shanty.co.uk, like I also did, you would have known what was going on in sufficient time to sort out a visit, should you have chosen to be there. I presume that you weren't and therefore missed a treat. Join the merry band of festival supporters trying to ensure that this festival survives. And sorry, I believe that what the Informer says is true.Uncomfortable, but true.

To the Chairman/Charmain, don't be scared off by the unpleasant outburst from Tyke, we'd like to hear your continuing thougths on this subject, be you man, woman or member of the press gang.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 12:59 PM

My dear Guest, Killer Whale, you are a guest you should be a little politer to the Mudcat membership and that includes myself.

I am on the mailing list I did receive a mailing as I said just 4 days before the festival and I did visit the festival website. The information that I required was not included.

Please note that this part of the Mudcat is about Music and the promotion of if you want a discussion start a new thread using BS. You are pushing other festivals and music promoter's wishing to advertise their events for free! Out!

The Mudcat is free to join although there are many good Mudcatters who. Hold events and raise funds to help with its costs. The use of this site by Guests is allowed however Guests are expected to meet certain standards.

Presumably you want people to come to the Lancaster Maritime Festival in 2009 I think most people will be put off coming along to it with all this bickering. My advice is to take it elsewhere. If you truly are a supporter to what I have been told by my many friends is a brilliant festival. My only complaint about the festival the year I did attend was that the Pub ran out of Beer!

Join the Mudcat and tell us about yourself if you are open, honest and fair-minded. Stay as a Guest if you want write poison pen additions few of the Mudcat Community will take any notice of your words. If Charman who is already suffering from multiple personalities has run out of fake email address she/he is could now be you!

Oh and some Mudcatters wonder why Max saves all PM's (Personal Messages) sent to other Mudcatters by Other Mudcatters. But save them he dose I will make the PM that I sent to Charman (The one he or she denies receiving) public if you wish. However Guest Killer Whale I will give you the benefit of the doubt and put it down to your hormones during your pregnancy. Confused? Look up the name for a Pregnant Fish.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 01:13 PM

Correction I have just received a PM from Charman. As a result I have checked my sent messages and it would appear that the Message I did send to him or her has not been archived. I did however send Charman a message however due to the possible failure in transmission I am prepared to apologise to him her who ever she or he is? Publicly as requested sorry.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 09:07 PM

Phew...

that was a bit odd...

anyhooo - where were we ---- oh yes the council are going to kill this MUSIC festival unless its supporters put pen to paper etc...

but for those of you who were there - any favourite songs/singers/moments?

Of a weekend full of beautiful song I think mine has to be Paul Sirman singing "The Mary Ellen Carter" at the Last Night Do!!!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 10:31 PM

"Venezuela" from Trim Rig and a Doxy. Which led me to Youtube looking for shanties (to counter the post-festival withdrawal symptoms) where I found the original version from
John Jacob Niles
a true original himself.

Ross

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Paul Sirman
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 06:42 AM

Thanks Charmain for that, very kind of you. I did get rather emotional during that song. I always think the lyric's are appropriate regarding the festival.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 07:45 AM

Not just to put the cat amongst the pigeons, but Ron Baxter's performance in the last sing-around of his hilarious song about Morecambe set to the tune of "The band played Waltzing Matilda".
It did seem to ring true about certain Morecambe residents.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Mr Happy
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 08:24 AM

Tyke,

Meself & the Fiends were most glad've your attendance along with Dozy Rozy & chum.

All've you made a splendid addition to our Peak District do & particularly memorable for your rendition of the Bullfighter song, & Rozy's 'John Ball'.

No probs camping either - if you didn't get stuck in a snowdrift!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 11:12 AM

The igloo that blighted my life anyone got the words for it?

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,spb-cooperator
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 11:26 AM

I was hoping to do a day trip but the weather conditions put me off the 500 mile round trip. I miss the camarady of the festival, for 18 years it was almost like a home from home.

It is a pity that such a internationally renowned event is subject to local political whims, and maybe the festival, and other festivals should start to promote its national significance.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 11:27 AM

Ooooh - Hello Kettle, I'm Pot - you're black!!


but not to be accused of going off topic or promoting someone else's event through this thread or bickering to no purpose...

Does anyone have the lyrics to Derek Gifford's "Kent and Keer and Lune" another beautiful song sung over the Easter weekend which I would love to learn!

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 11:29 AM

That little smattering of sarcasm was obviously not in response to GUEST,spb-cooperator's post...

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,Mr. Wright
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 01:04 PM

It might sound obvious Charmain, but Mr. Gifford seems to be a good starting point, in your quest for the aforesaid lyrics - but then you would have to reveal your true identity. Therefore, an alternative would be to listen to a recorded version. Derek's diction is sufficiently clear,I think, for you to be able to pick out all the words by this method. You will also be able to retain your charmingly infuriating, enigmatic persona.

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Charmain
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 05:56 PM

Thankyou Mr Wright - thats most helpful...

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 07:51 PM

Derek Gifford - Sailing By

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: Tyke
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 08:15 PM

Getting back to Chantying on this trip as usual Johnny Collins was our honoured Cook and Captain Ken Stocks at the wheel. When most of these Photographs were taken.

The Foretop Men on board the Julia AF Faarborg. Songs South Austrialia and Bullyin the Alley

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 06:39 PM

In my opinion,Glasson 2008 was an improvement on 2007.
From a performers point of view the Village hall was a good venue,the function room at the Stork inn was also good,I played two concerts there which were well attended.,and enjoyable.
The Village hall could be improved by providing more comfortable chairs.
marquees/tents are in my opinion never enjoyable be they at Towersey/ Bromyard or Glasson,.
on one or two occasions[for different reasons] I have not enjoyed the noisy pubs in Lancaster either.
It is very difficult for organisers to get everything right about a festival,and at every festival there will always be some venues that are preferable to others,and providing that performers get a fair share of the good venues as well as the not so good,we have to take the rough with the smooth.
I am sure that if the organisers had better alternatives to the marquees they would be used.
I would like to thank the organisers for running this years festival and wish them every success if they continue to run this festival.http://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 08:59 PM

Back to the music of the weekend! Apart from our personal favourites (and you know who you are!!)I think Andy Kenna's medley was totally outstanding and brilliant fun. Another fabulous weekend, well done guys, cany wait till next years (fingers and everything else crossed!)

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 05 Apr 08 - 04:50 AM

sorry guys the last post from guest was us, ?????
dont know why

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: GUEST,spb-cooperator
Date: 05 Jun 08 - 02:39 PM

Searching through a pile of folkmagazine thgat were languishing at the back of the bottom draw of my filing cabinet, I found a historical document.

Printed on two sheets of double-sided A4, and folded and stapled to make an A5 'booklet'.......

The programme for the first ever lancaster Maritime Festival!

Even in 1989 viositors were warned to beware of the press gang.

I can't remember if we stayed overnight and went home the next morening, or if it was a day trip, but we did two half-hour and one fifteen minute set on Good Friday,the first ever song of the festival at 11:30 am in the museum.

Does anyone know of the subsequent fortunes of Messrs Charlie Gillow, Jeremy Craven, Larry Harrison, John Parkinson, Pat Gallagher, Ted Thompson and Cameron & Duncan Leckie?


Ahoj


Steve (ex Shanty Crew)

Subject: RE: Glasson Maritime Weekend - Easter 08
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 08 - 03:57 AM

will there be another Glasson?