Rochester Sweeps (UK)

Subject: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 03:59 PM

Any of you dancing type chappies, or, indeed chappesses, my be interested that the Good Intent, John Street, has boards in the garden, all weekend, about 5 yards from a rack of 10 real ales

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 06:42 AM

Isn't that a bit close? The potential for beer shake ups and accidental stick clonking, not to mention the possibility of a morris person falling and pushing a barrel off the rack is huge... this needs to be thought through a little more...

Drink the beer first and THEN start the dancing.

LTS

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Mr Grumpy
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 07:13 AM

Careful, the GEFF police will be after you.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 03:59 PM

I can assure you, that I will be there, all Weekend , to lick, suck, or indeed, drain , any spillages of said ales. Please put your fears to rest and just treat me , as you would a Dyson

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 05:22 PM

If you want to suck up liquids, you need to be a Vax.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 05:38 PM

Listen, I ll suck up, what I want to suck up, OK!!!!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 07:12 PM

PM me big boy!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 03:50 AM

For the benefit of those not getting it, my last post was a humorous reference to all that sucking...

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 04:50 AM

Along with all that sweeping I hope. :-)

John B

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 05:47 PM

Well! We were going to go, but now I'm a little scared!!! Only kidding!! Will probably see you folks at the singarounds (dont go in for the dancing stuff much, like to watch but two left feet!)

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Folk Bloke
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 02:15 AM

Well?

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 04:29 PM

No we havn't got a well, but a tap, or ten real ales, if you prefer

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,dillie the oast ouse opper
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 11:41 AM

right -oh, i'll be there from about 6 on firday night, leaving occasionally to go and do my bit with Kent Korkers, then i'll most likely return....
Charlotte :0)

So looking forward to sweeps :0)

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Phot
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 03:26 PM

When are the Sweeps?

Wassail! Chris

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Mick Woods
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 04:22 AM

There doesn't seem to be much about this on the Web. I found this Sweeps Program on the local council site but why no mention of the Good Intent or any of the other fantastic stuff that goes on? I notice that Denny Laine is one of the main acts on! What's he got to do with anything?

Talk about a missed opportunity by the local council to promote this fine town.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 05:56 AM

The programme is there Woodsie. If you look towrd the top it has the days, just click on thos and it gives you each days programme, and they're all in there including the Good Intent. The site could be easier to navigate though, and if last year is anything to go by the maps won't show The Good Intent either, just an arrow pointing somewhere.

By the way, if anybody needs a B&B, then our space in Rochester is up for grabs. Just up from the Cathedral and wonderful breakfasts.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 05:59 AM

Why, are you not going, or what?

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 10:49 AM

Don't be hard on Medway Council, John. The ' Good Intent'is shown on the map in this year's programme, it's just in the wrong place !!!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Mick Woods
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 11:33 AM

I take it all back! mind you it wsan't that obvious if you didn't know where to look. Are you going to be there JB?

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 11:36 AM

Where is the campsite?.


Scooby

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 12:06 PM

The campsite was always at the college at the bottom of Star Hill and I'm assuming, still is Scoob!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 12:09 PM

By the way, Rochester Sweeps is the BEST free festival in the country bar none! You have to pay for some of the gigs but you can find plenty going on without having to pay anything. The pub gigs are always good (and free) and lots of participatory stuff too.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 05:19 PM

I didn't know there was a campsite! If there is one at the college, then that will be at the top of Star Hill, not the bottom.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 06:06 PM

AFAIK campsite only for invited sides and booked artists.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 01:28 AM

Sorry melodeonboy, I stand corrected. Is it the borrom of City Way that I meant? The long road down the hill to the roundabout? I see that it's for invited sides only. If you're going from afar, and there's not more that a car full, they're usually sympathetic.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 02:20 AM

It used to be at the Art school - I think you can get there on foot from the roundabout between Star Hill, City Way, and New Road, across the grass, but to get there by car you drive along New Road for about 300 yards until you see the Roffen Club on your left, ignore the unmade road on your right, then take the next right up to the Art school and behind the Art school (as you can see by approaching from this direction) is another school and that used to be the one that had the camping, the Moor and Coast tent, and the ceilidh (they had Whapweasel one year) and occasionally there used to be an event called the Folk Club there hosted by Rainham Folk Club (Maz and Dan Hobday)(they had Kimber's Men one year).

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: fisheye
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 04:52 AM

hi all, George, myself and babs will be there saturday, and this year we have nice blue disabled badges, so parking should be a lot easier.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 07:39 AM

Ah, splendid Fisheye. Thank you for the loan of your guitar - would this be a good weekend to swap back? I've got yours playing somewhat better but the string spacing is still a problem for me, with the action at its present height, and It won't go any lower without major surgery which I was not going to do without telling you!

It has got a big round bass, and lots of volume, plenty of sweet, but there is something about the character of the sound that does not wholly ding my dong.

I took it to one event (apart from that it has stayed in the house) and although there were several guitar nuts there, no-one noticed what it was, although they were enthusing about the vintage of a younger, less good, Yamaha!

I'm going to have to borrow that other fellow's L'Arrivee now to see whether I want that - although I have got my eye on something else on ebay if it does not go up too high!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 04:57 PM

Shirt Murderer, what do you want a camp site for

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Girl Friday
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 05:14 PM

Fisheye, George,and Babs. Afraid having disabled badges will get you nowhere during Sweeps Festival. There's free parking in Strood, but you'll be lucky to get a space in any of the carparks that may be open. If you intend spending you time in The Good Intent, it would be a good idea to park up there.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 09:04 AM

I don't want a camp site; I can fall onto one of the late trains to Sittingbourne. I was just trying to be helpful!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Carol
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 09:09 AM

Fabulous weekend I think my favourite when we lived in Hertfordshire, but a long way from East Yorks.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,Arnie at work
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 11:25 AM

Shame there's no car parking to be had as I would have liked to pop along for Saturday aft/eve sessions. You'd think that a city the size of Rochester could organise a few park & ride car parks like Canterbury. Still, Bram Taylor is appearing at the Deal folk club on the Friday night (not so subtle plug) so that's a bit of consolation!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 11:30 AM

I shall be there as usual Richard, I shall just have the caravan at the back of the 'Good Intent' so the B&B is going to be available. Geordie Porgie is interested in one of the nights.

Grayling House
54 St. Margarets Street
Rochester
Kent
ME1 1TU

01634 826593

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 11:32 AM

You can park near or by The Good Intent Arnie, and I reckon it's earer the High Street thna the Strood car park behind the Prince of Wales.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 11:44 AM

Richard - there's an excellent train service to and from kidbrooke (change at Dartford) So you can have a good drink and not worry!!!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 02:04 PM

Just don't miss the last train home!!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 02:08 PM

Actually, it's pretty stupid that one cannot put tents on the green patch by the Esplanade, or on the sports ground at the bottom of Short's Way, or cars and campervans on the former dockyard.

Apart of course from the security problems with the youthful indigenes.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 03:26 PM

Arnie
There is loads of parking round the Good Intent, where you would be most welcome

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Girl Friday
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 04:39 PM

They plan to close Strood Civic Centre on May 23rd. Who knows what will happen to the car park ? Surely there must be a plan for 2009.A lot of Morris people use the Strood car park. It is possible to use the Car Park off of the ring road - is it Corporation Way? You would need to get there really early though. There is loads of parking up near the Good Intent, providing all the singers don't fill it up. The train service is very good, but trains don't run all that late. There used to be parking in the lorry park and cattle market, but they are short stay, so ok for day trippers.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 27 Apr 08 - 05:16 PM

The Good Intent has it's own car park and there are areas within 150 yards of the pub, where you can leave your car

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,matt
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 04:42 AM

this is all very exciting, my first sweeps!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Mick Woods
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 05:00 AM

On Saturday trains go back to Kidbrooke/Eltham (via Dartford)at:

20:20
20:48
21:20
21:48
22:28

So if you get down there at about midday you have plenty of time to enjoy the fun!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 04:35 PM

The Good Intent Sessions run from around 13.00hrs, till falling over time, and is about 800 yards from the station

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Girl Friday
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 07:23 PM

RTB tells me that he's got a gig in there on Sunday night. Expect that'll be in the Public Bar.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 05:18 AM

Thanks for that Sue. Looks like you're right, and all those things do take place in the Public Bar. I'm going to nip in and have a listen, and I'm sure he won't drown us out in the other bar. Anyway it'll be good to see him again.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,dillie the oast ouse opper
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 08:02 AM

hello all

firstly, the camp site is at fort pitt grammar school (it's not an art college but a nice ladies grammar!) (i went there! - ok so maybe the 'ladies' who come out of it aren't really ladies and aren't that nice.)

Secondly, the parking situation is normally not that bad if you get there early, so morris people can normally find a place, but if the civic centre does close, that could present come problems!

If you have a disabled badge, and don't mind rocking up early, then the casino rooms car park had wuite a few disabled, which I learned about as my dad is one of the blue badge elite. :0)

don't forget to check out hartley morris singing in the gordon house hotel during the day on satruday - should be as good as ever!

and then there's always sun up at bluebell hill picnic area at 5.32am on thursday to get you all in the mood, it's when Jack will officially wake up. :0)

take care and see you all friday night! :0) xx

Charlotte xx

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 02:47 AM

I am pleased to say that Royston will be down, so some of the stuff that "Roger the Chorister" used to do (obviously not including the stuff to which Jacqui was essential) may be in some of the sinagrounds.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 05:17 AM

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the singarounds/sessions at the Good Intent. If you haven't been before, come and give it a try. I know you'll come back for more!

In case the map in the festival programme is not clear, the postcode is ME1 1YL. The pub is about five minutes walk from the Star Hill end of the pedestrianised High Street. Once you find the Man of Kent, it's another 200 yards or so.

Were I a self-publicist, I'd also mention that Jumbo Gumbo, Kent's zydeco band, will be playing on Sunday 4th at Expectations (near the bridge, Rochester side) at12.30 p.m. and at The Price of Wales (near the bridge, Strood side) at 8.30 p.m., but as I'm not, I shan't!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,The Input
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 05:26 AM

No Tim Edey this year? Heaven forbid!