Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,flyingcat ( moira)
Date: 11 Aug 08 - 02:21 PM

Sorry to use this thread but I just had to say thanks to everyone for their support and good wishes. My brother Jimmy is a very lucky man to have so many people that he doesn't even know rooting for him. He still has a way to go but things are still continuing to improve and we're very hopeful for his recovery. Thanks again, Moira (CMR) (flyingcat)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: nickp
Date: 11 Aug 08 - 02:56 PM

HI Bubblyrat, yes, I just creep in one of the photos hiding at the back with my mandolin - the one with my wife clogging in the orangey top.

Cheers, NIck

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: naughtyforty
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 04:39 AM

Mr Bridge you really shouldn't listen to vicious rumours!!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: MBSLynne
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 08:21 AM

I was a collecting steward for the firs time this year so got to see places outside the Middle Bar. Admittedly that was mostly the Anchor Garden (couldn't go TOO far away!) but I heard a lot of people I wouldn't normally have done. Loved Toothless Mary, and the Mumming afternoon was brilliant. I was impressed byt the fact that, when it started raining, the audience was enjoying it so much they just stayed where they were.

Middle Bar was good (the accoustics in there are brilliant) but it will never be the same for me as it was in the glory days in the real Middle Bar. I actually heard someone telling someone else that the "Top Bar singers" were in the Anchor.

The ASBO tent on the campsite was good in the evening too.

Pity about the rain...maybe better next year?

And I will try and make the whole week this time!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 12:59 PM

I had a great week too, singing, playing, attending concerts and workshops, staying up too late, drinking too much Thatchers', doing daft fringe things, etc, etc.
The Festival seems to be going from strength to strength since the setbacks of a few years ago. I enjoyed most of the evening concerts I went to, but the John Tams/Barry Coope one rates top (narrowly)with me.
So pleased to hear that Moira's brother is improving, and a big tribute to Saro and Carolyn for coping with the masses in their very enjoyable workshop. I believe they said the performance was being recorded, but not sure whether that meant audio or video recording. I got a reasonable recording on my mini-disc anyhow.
Not sure who did "Little Pot Stove" on the Sea Songs night, as there are several MBS meembers who do it.
Great pics WFD: will try to get mine uploaded soon too.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Saro
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 01:22 PM

Tattie Bogle, it was an audio recording and it has come out really well. Let me know if there are any bits that haven't come out on yours, and I can supply the relevant tracks!
Saro

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 01:24 PM

Sid as usual was what it always is.

Took me three days to get to the seafront.
Spent most of my days in the Radway.
Jolly nice it was too!
And really good to not be booked to do anything at all...
You get a really different perspective on the gig if, you aren't running around all the time.
Sidmouth changes and evolves, but, basically it's the same today as it was in the 70's

Back next year in some capacity, I suppose

Regards Ralph J

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Houston_Diamond
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 02:53 PM

I loved it... only thing is, I didn't get to do things in town till Wednesday onwards... Am upset I didn't get to sing at Ashby De La Zouch folk club (Sorry Lynne) or at the Middle Bar (sorry MBSs) or at the Faulkner (very) early singaround (Sorry Kitty and Tim)... I saved my voice for the ASBO marquee when I was really drunk and now my voice doesn't like me :(

Should be fine for Towersey though so I will attempt to get to the Barn to sing (sorry LTS ;p )lol And it's my Birthday on the Friday so lots of D&D from me ;)

Ruth Archer... I definitely wish to go to a song session with you... are you going to go to a singaround? Do you think you'll get to the late night session tent?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: alanww
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 03:06 PM

... and, for the record, here is the result of the Doom, Gloom & Despondency Competition:
There were 13 entries with the top placings being as follows:-
1st with 99 pts Heather Redding with "Leonard Cohen Carols"
2nd with 89 pts Trish Santer with "Last Days of the Napoli"
3rd with 87 pts Phil Shrouds with "The Embalmer"
Idris Roker, the 2007 winner, decorated the trophy by putting the coffin in a mausoleum.
My thanks go to the judges: Dave Earl, Terri Messenger, Elizabeth Eggington & Sandy Waller.
Thanks also to the audience who managed to keep their faces straight for most of the time...
"Isn't it grand, boys ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 03:10 PM

I would love to get to a song session at Towersey - I haven't ever really plugged into the singing side of things there as most of my friends either dance or play in music sessions. So lead on, MacDuff!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: alanww
Date: 12 Aug 08 - 07:40 PM

Ooops ...
And, of course, a big thank you to Bob TB, who acted as bouncer!
BTW, sorry, it is Elizabeth Rimmington not Eggington!
Alan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,Miss Lemon
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 03:43 AM

Well what a week of strange weather and discomfort with the Craft Marquee Traders.

I do hope Mudcat members visited the Craft Marquee, it was behind the wall next to the dance marqee in the Blackmore Gardens.

I had a pretty average week for Sidmouth even tho I didn't open the trailer on Tuesday until 2pm. Not a lot of point trying to sell lemonade in the rain.

The Gardens were disappointng this year. No dance demo stage (which could have had a roof incase of rain) and charging a fee to watch the dancing in the marquee. Last year it was all free. Many of my customers commented on this. On the dry days we had lots of picnics so the audiences were there, but as I say they were disappointed too. The childrens' entertainment was very good and Alex and his sister were stunning as usual.

I camped at King's Down Tail which was excellent, as per.

So all downhill till next year then!

Sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Surreysinger
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 04:56 AM

Sal

I don't think you're right about dancing in the marquee being free last year. I certainly had to pay to watch the Smiffs in action, and wanted to get into something else which I'd have had to pay for. Maybe just some of the items were free of charge - although I have to admit that I have the impression that all the programmed events in there were ticket only.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 09:30 AM

Alanww,
Thanks for the DG&D Information.
Hmmm... Wonder if they want one at Fylde...
"Digging Graves is my delight..."
Dave.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 11:35 AM

Although I had a season ticket I never got in to see the teams dance in the Blackmore tent (too crowded and way too small a venue - scrimping on a bigger marquee for the craft fair I suppose). Missed the dance stage in the garden though; I really enjoyed it last year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: nickp
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 11:39 AM

"scrimping on a bigger marquee for the craft fair "

Funny, but I wouldn't have thought the craft marquees in total were as big as last year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 12:27 PM

Houston Diamond - "the ASBO Marquee??" The mind boggles!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,JM
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

The first rule of ASBO tent is - don't talk about ASBO tent.

The second rule of ASBO tent is - DON'T TALK ABOUT ASBO TENT.

It is a club to which, if you need to be told the magic word, you shouldn't be asking. ;)

Isn't that right Houston?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 11:16 AM

The Blackmore dance floor was made smaller this year because it was not fully utilised last year, also the clear grassed area was intended for lots of picnics in the sunshine. In the event, the Blackmore was insufferable in the heat of packed ceilidhs (Asha, Token Women), a major failing being that the side flaps could not be opened because of insufficient stewards and (as usual) fire regs and H&S meaning that everyone had to be broiled instead. There were similar problems in the Church House Lawn marquee last year. This needs sorting out using common sense - agreement to open side flaps to let in air and sufficient stewards to man them. Later in the week the breeze cooled the marquee.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Dick The Box
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 11:48 AM

The floor space available in the Blackmore marquee was smaller than last year because about a third had been lost to the craft section. However, the dance floor itself was not that much smaller because although it was shorter than last year it was also wider which made a better shape for dancing. The main loss was to the area put aside for sitting and standing which was far too small forcing the excess people on to the dance floor. Next year they should go back to the full size tent, with a full width dance floor occuping two thirds of the length of the tent, and the remaining third for the bar and socialising.

We did the best we could regards opening the sides. Apart from the entrance there were two ten foot openings which were manned and a number of vents on the other side. It is not feasible to have more openings because we do not have that many stewards available and if the sides were totally open then they would be impossible to police.

The entrances to the tent has to be manned to prevent free-loaders getting in, to control numbers for H&S and fire reasons, and to prevent drinks from being taken off of a licenced premises. We often struggled to control the three openings even with four stewards, occasional bar staff and security staff all pitching in! So more openings would be a logistical nightmare. As Steve points out, a breeze is far more effective than more openings in cooling the tent.

Can't do much about the oppressive regulations but hopefully next year there will be a fenced off, licenced area outside the tent to alleviate the over crowding.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: bubblyrat
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 02:07 PM

That explains a lot !! We nearly died of hyperthermia at Warwick, due to the oppressive heat, and could not fathom out why in the name of the Blessed Cecil Sharp the side -curtains were kept shut !! Bollocks to Health & Safety---- let's have some common sense !!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Houston_Diamond
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 02:46 PM

The first rule of ASBO tent is - don't talk about ASBO tent.

The second rule of ASBO tent is - DON'T TALK ABOUT ASBO TENT.

It is a club to which, if you need to be told the magic word, you shouldn't be asking. ;)

Isn't that right Houston?

Wow... they never told me the rules... they just got me drunk, kept me up till 5am and told me to sing!!! Maybe they did tell me but I was just too drunk ;) lol

I must admit that it seems a poorly named marquee... it should've been called the SBO marquee ;) well I was being sociable!

I came to see you Sal... I got a couple of bottles of lemonade of you and they were lovely, so I just wanna say thanks and if I don't see you before I'll see you at Chip&ham :)

Ruth Archer; did you want to go to Tony and Pearl's thing in the barn @ the 3 horseshoes or go to whatever is going on in the village hall or do you think random singing in the Bar would work?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 03:05 PM

I don't really know, Houston - I've got a meeting either Sunday or Monday afternoon in Aylesbury, so I have to work around that, but otherwise I'll go where there's singing (and maybe a pint of cider!)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,watcher
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 03:53 PM

I was told by a local that there had been complaints about the central grassed area of Blackmore Gardens being damaged by the craft tent last year, which was why there were craft stalls occupying part of what had been the dance tent, cutting down the space for ceilidhs.

There were indeed several noticable parallel lines on the ground in the centre of the grassed area but I don't remember there being a floor in the craft tent - can anyone confirm that there was? Or is the festival getting blamed for a different cause?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,miss lemon
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 05:45 PM

It's true about the marks on the grass being made by the craft tent last year. there was a plastic sheet laid down with rush matting ontop. the grass was wet and didn't a chance to dry out before the hot weather kicked in. the grass rotted beneath the sheet. it also happened in the marquee on the ham; don't you remember the foul smell? I would have thought the park keeper/council could have made a better job of repairing it tho. why didn't they returf it? it looked as tho they had just left nature to mend it. we traders aren't allowed to drive on the grass so all goods have to be trucked across to the craft marquee by sack trucks, trollies etc. I have to unhitch my trailer at the gate and man/woman-handle it into position. I can understand that the ground could be ploughed up in very wet weather, so i'm not complaining.

sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,miss lemon
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 05:48 PM

Surreysinger : what i was trying to say was that entertainment on the stage on the grass in the gardens was free. I wasn't talking about the dance marquee at that point.

sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 01:53 PM

A few collated comments on this webpage: it will be updated in a few weeks.

Sidmouth Folk Week 2008 - observations.

Does anyone have a few pics of the campsite mud?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Dave Earl
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 03:08 PM

Mr Wozniak,

That link throws up a 400 Bad Request Error code for my systems.

I did however find my way to your Seered site and read YOUR thoughts on the various matters.

Other readers may wish to see a link that works so that they can make up their own minds.

Personally, I made my views known to those I felt needed to know.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 06:26 PM

The link works fine, it is a collation of views, some mine some not, as always.

If anyone else has problems with the link please let me know.

The page will be modified as and when as other people send views and other thoughts.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Dave Earl
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 07:07 AM

http://www.mudcat.org/%5C%5Cwww.seered.co.uk/folk110.htm is what your blue clickie produces for me (on all computers I have used in the last day or two)

It looks to me as if the first half (from http:// to www.seered) is what causes the hiccup for me cos
http://www.seered.co.uk/folk110.htm goes direct to where ,I think, you intended to direct us.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

Both links work fine for me - take your pick!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 03:15 PM

I'm only guessing, but it looks likely that a mudelf (silently)corrected an incorrect local link to the correct offsite link; it happens all the time. It was fine yesterday when I tried it.

Mick

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Fidjit
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 03:53 PM

Finally back in Sweden after many Festivals. Among them Sidmouth.
Spent most time there between Herbaceous Border on the esplanade, and the Anchor Garden lunchtime ceilidhs. also via the Newt. Where Terry and I had a laugh or two.
Jacks bar in the cellar of the Bedford and The Ship were my other haunts.

Looked in on the Radway - mostly diddley stuff like the Swan Not my cup of tea. As was the main bar session in the Bedford.
Got some dots from John KP.at the Rugby Club.
Caught Derek's talk on RVW. That was good.
Sorry Surreysinger I missed your Lucy bit. Found out next day.
The Volunteer was too far up the street for me.
In fact I found the whole of Sidmouth was far too spread out.
Missed you Lemon lady so never got a drink of that sort.
Sue. I had a really great time with the Hosepipe Band and all of HB.

Met a few friends and made a few new ones.
Having done them both now, i.e. Sidmouth and Broadstairs.
I must say that of the two, I prefer Broadstairs. Not so far to walk between venues there.

Chas

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: GUEST,c.g.
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 04:09 AM

Diddley stuff in the Radway! Certainly not. That's in The Swan. We play rum-ti-tum.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 05:50 AM

Just got back from Broadstairs, that I went to straight after Sidmouth!

An interesting set of comments from Steve's link - many of which I can agree with.

This was my sixth Sidmouth and the second time that I Stewarded. For me, Sidmouth Folk Week is one of my proper holiday weeks. I loved it, every minute of it and hope that I will continue to do so for as long as I am a Folkie and able to get there.

The Festival is well organised, the people of Sidmouth are so friendly; all of the venues offer a wide range of FOLK content, the pubs are not jammed full to bursting - compare this to Broadstairs (I live in Kent, so I should be proud of it - check out the Broadstairs thread here ).

I am happy with my B&B, I am happy with the Stewarding that I am asked to do. It is great to see friends and meet new ones. I am more than happy to drive 200 miles, spend 28 hours working and pay £300 quid for digs - It's SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK and I love every minute of it. During 152 Awake hours during Folk Week, there is just SO MUCH to do and see, even after I've Stewarded!

I will CERTAINLY be back next year! I PROBABLY will not be returning to Broadstairs next year (can't believe that I'm the only one on the thread that isn't happy) and am thinking of trying Whitby instead - I'm told that it is similar to Sidmouth.

To the organisers, good luck for 2009.

Regards

Kev

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Fidjit
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 08:18 AM

Know I missed Ruth Archer.
Would have like to have met.
Another time.

Chas

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Essex Girl
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:14 AM

From all of the above postings it proves that there's something for everyone at Sidmouth. I know I'll be back next year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 08:51 AM

Maybe I will make it for a whole week next year.

legs managed 2 ceilidhs a day for 5 days.

The whole point about Sidmouth is that it is an energetic way of relaxing. Or a relaxing way of being............

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 07:30 PM

I know it's 2009 but I can't find a thread about the fest for this year. Can anyone point me to it? I need to book a pitch in the Blackmore Gardens, but no one seems to know who's incharge of booking anyone in the gardens at all.

sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 08:32 AM

Sal - I've PM'd you a couple of suggestions for people to contact.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2008
From: Mavs82
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 03:54 AM

Sal,

If you haven't yet managed to contact someone about booking a pitch on the Blackmore, let me know and I'll let you have some details.

Mavs82