Oh Dear Sidmouth

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: stallion
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 03:16 PM

ah Anne did you manage the Tap & Spile on Friday night in York, a must! Now that is definately thread creep!

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Jane Bird
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 06:22 PM

Stewarding at festivals isn't for everyone, I know. I appreciate what Anne means about the "I'm stuck here doing a really boring shift and my favourite band are on somewhere else" feeling. For me, though, it is still the best way to appreciate Sidmouth - it's another way to be part of it.

And yes, I completely agree with Dick The Box about the whinging. It's rather boring and should be reserved for when the whingers are sitting in the pub, nursing a pint, remembering the old days and forgetting some important bits too. That way they can properly savour and enjoy their conversation.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Rumncoke
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 07:18 PM

Alas no, my immediate family are not interested in folk music so paying to park all day and then waiting around whilst I went off to a folk club was never an option when visiting York.

Sidmouth is the only time I have to be away from the family and be entirely free to sing and play - I get away to a couple of local festivals for a few hours, but that is all.

Ironically I now have a promise of some work which will bring in almost exactly one season ticket's worth of money - if it happens - I am never sure of it until I have the money in the bank. Maybe I can get to some set price events after all.

I will still be unable to whinge over a pint in a pub - I can't afford to go out drinking.

I never meant to imply that a Sidmouth season ticket is not good value, if it can be got then it is fine. It is just that for people like me who are only just able to afford to get to the festival the increase in workshop prices, and the alteration of events from a collection to eight pounds entry will effect what I will be able to attend.

I only hope that it doesn't result in ever increasing segregation of ticketed events and the fringe.

Anne Croucher.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Ruthie sans biscuit
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:51 PM

At the end of the day, Anne, the events have to be self-funding, or there won't be a festival for anyone to enjoy, full stop. Buy a workshop pass and they come in, as I said earlier, at just over £6 each for 5 workshops. This seems like very good value to me, and given what you do when you're at the festival, I'd have thought it ought to be an attractive option for you, too.

You still haven't specified which events these are that are charged this year, but were free last year. You also have completely ignored the new evening Rugby Club Sessions, led by festival guests, which are free - a whole week's worth of extra free evening activity.

If you feel segregated, I'm sorry - but the festival costs money, and has to be paid for.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Surreysinger
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 09:52 PM

Personally I can think of one event which was not charged for last year (or even, if I recall correctly the year before) - the Ballad sessions. I see that these are now being charged for at the rate of £8. I have to admit (sorry Joanie/Ruth) that that does seem rather steep for an event which is essentially a specialised singaround with most (if not all) of the singing provided from the floor, if previous years are anything to go by.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 03:45 AM

Lizzie.
So you remember the first Sidmouth?
1954.
Don't think you were born then.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 07:43 AM

The first Sidmouth FOLK WEEK was just a few years ago.

Lizzie is eternally young, 25 again this year and doesn't look a day older.

All I need is to have her on my dance card.......(clothes optional)

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Rumncoke
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 10:16 AM

The themed sings at the Woodlands are now £8 entry, £48 pounds if attended all week.

The Rugby Club sessions are not free, there is a collection.

I do put money into the tin - and now feel guilty that in previous years I have put less into the Woodlands one as the collectors tend to be less 'in your face' than in other venues.

I don't feel segregated, Sidmouth is where I am not 'Mom being weird' and feel welcomed everywhere I can get to.

I feel it is the organisers who are separating the individual events and by stipulating that they have to be 'self funding' they are creating artificial divisions.

I have never divided the donations I make evenly between the different venues, and often have just put a note into the next collecting tin shaken under my nose.

If I had carefully divided up the cash so as to put in the same amount in each venue on each day, would that have provided the organisers with a greater insight into the relative 'value' of each event?

I have always regarded Sidmouth as one event to fund - perhaps I was wrong and I have been sending the wrong messages.

Anne Croucher

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Bloke from Poole
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 05:49 PM

I agree with Jane and Anne - I didn't realise what I was missing at Chipp until I had the Monday free to do as I wished.

You don't get a free pass by stewarding, even if it doesn't cost you any money. And I will miss some morning, some afternoon events and take a major hit on lunchtime events. (The Anchor will have to survive without me!)

But (given my duties) I get the first weekend free to dance, every evening, and some mornings and afternoons. And I will be doing something to help festivals keep going. And I lost weight last time I did it! Despite my free bus pass.

So, on balance, I win.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 06:44 PM

I very much doubt the organisers are trying to achieve 'self funding' for each event - it has long been a part of many festivals that some events have to subsidise others that are 'worthwhile' but might not bring in as much money as they cost to run. It's a standard business model to allow this - only a buffoon would try and split Sidmouth into dozens of cost centres and cut each and every one that didn't pay. Net profit or loss has to be calculated for the major venues (see my discussion on the Bulverton maybe not paying its way in past years) and I have reproduced an interesting comment from the programme on my webpage 121 that this venue is going to be 'more intimate' this year. Smaller?? What a surprise!

The Arena used to be a venue that paid for lots of other events in the good years, and the Ham still does this (we hope) under the new scheme of things.

Worrying about where you put a few odd pounds in which tin is just silly - no-one is going to notice! No-one has the time or inclination to analyse to that degree and the figures would be so variable anyway, depending on weather , distance to trek to each venue etc.

Nevertheless, introducing paying £8 for events that used to be 'free' or 'collection' - if indeed that is what has been done - smacks of some measure of desperation. They could have started this year with a notional charge, £3 maybe, and assessed what effect that had on attendance. Zero to £8 is far too steep - unless you are desperate.

The webpage containing the quote and some comments about funding is on the link below - it's my opinion, like it or not!

They have made an interesting comment too about "traditional music and song elements restored to their proper place at the core of Folk Week" - strange use of words - any idea what they mean? The relevant piece is also on my webpage (see link belw) as a jpg image.

You can't make each part self financing - the social dance took a large hit when it was only in Church Halls - now they are trying to bring it back by including some dances in the enlarged Blackmore marquee but this may fail to attract many people for years - until the dance element builds up again. Ditto Bulverton - it certainly lost money in the early years in my view, so it has to be adjusted over the years to try and make it work.

http://www.seered.co.uk/folk121.htm

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 07:28 PM

What I meant is that the festival has to pay for itself. Venues have to be hired, artists have to be paid, and it makes sense to spread the costs across the festival as a whole. To suggest that an event is not free because a tin will be passed around is a bit much, really.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: vectis
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 09:01 AM

I think that the highly inflated prices for the woodside and ballad sessions are an attempt to get more people to buy seasons. It seems unlikely that I will go to either this year if it will cost me £8 to pop in for a sing.
If there isn't enough left to make an enjoyable week away then I will have to think carefully about whether I want to be there at all.
I used to go to Broadstairs but don't any longer because the tickets were not good value for money and there wasn't enough fringe to make a good week away. Sidmouth could end up suffering the same fate.
Whitby, on the other hand, has a thriving fringe and plenty of sings to drop in and out of which are free apart from donations, the workshops are reasonably priced and there are plenty of free places run by locals in and around the town. I wouldn't miss it for the world...

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 10:26 AM

Anne - thank you for pointing out the fact that the Woodlands themed sings are listed in the working programme as a paid event this year. Having spoken with the board I can confirm that there was never any intention to charge for these events this year, and that the cost listed in the programme is an error. We will make this clear on the website and in the Internet newsgroups, and it will be clarified in the festival newsletter.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 10:43 AM

I should add, Irene, that this is also the case with the ballad sessions, which will continue to be free.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Surreysinger
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 12:29 PM

Thanks for letting me know that Joanie ... it did seem a bit of a hike in pricings! (I think by the way, that a fee used to be charged in earlier years , and _might_ reasonably be charged for the ballad sessions again (that'll probably get me lynched) .Whitby certainly do - but the format there does involve a great deal more guest input as such, and the price is not as great as the workshop one of £8 which was quoted erroneously in the working programme. ). I'll look forward to getting to one or two of the ballad sessions with Sheila in due course. The ballad session frequenters tend to be a small but rather dedicated band. :-)

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 12:54 PM

Any news on the extra caravan spaces? It would be an awful shame to turn families away. Local B&B pretty much full apparently and I've got provisional bookings for my front lawn!

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Rumncoke
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 02:27 PM

Whooopeeee!!!!!!!


Whooopeeee!!!!!!!


Whooopeeee!!!!!

I suffered so much from printers errors
That death for me can hold no terrors
I bet this stone has been misdated
I wish to God I'd been cremated.

Ogden Nash, I believe.

Anne Croucher

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 06:29 PM

I think the correction to the prices for the ballad and Woodlands themed song sessions might have robbed me of a winning entry for the Doom, Gloom and Despondency session on Thursday afternoon at the Royal York and Faulkner...?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Surreysinger
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 07:09 PM

Oh well ... back to the drawing board then Kitty, eh?? One woman's fortune is another's misfortune!! :-)

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,the Lemonade Lady
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 07:37 PM

Ruth you've omitted to mention that I will be in the Blackmore Gardens!
Sal

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 09:12 AM

Oh, what a fool I've been!

:)

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 09:38 AM

Mr Red (cresby.com) wishes it be known that he has no connection with seered.

Mr Red enjoys his sartorial affectation and eschews campaigning/political opinion.

And as much as he would like to, does not live in Sidmouth, Sidford, or Sidbury.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Mick Woods
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 11:11 AM

I've never been to this festival. I looked at the website and It looks to be VERY expensive! I'll have to give it a miss.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 12:46 PM

Oops...I got my Scarlet Men muddled up. I do apologise, Mr. Red! LOL

Do Scarlet Men behave in the same way that Scarlet Women do? :0)

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Jane Bird
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:09 PM

Mick, perhaps coming for the entire Festival doesn't appeal, but that's the really nice thing about Sidmouth: you can come for the day and have a smashing time. There are a lot of festivals who only offer a day ticket, and not for individual events. But at Sidmouth this is perfectly possible, although sometimes it requires a bit of research and queuing. And there are still a lot of free, fringe and low cost events, too.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Jane Bird
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:10 PM

PS I vote we change the thread name to "Oh Great Sidmouth" - I'm really, really looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:51 PM

Re Stewarding.
Anne Croucher and others mentioned their frustration at having to be on duty at the time they would like to be at a particular event.
Surely it is possible, within the team of stewards for an event, to sort out among yourselves the events you wish to attend and the times you will be available fo duty.
This system has been in operation within Ham Car Park Team for in excess of twenty years. It is that successful that the same stewards return year after year!
Or are the concepts of organisation, leadership and team spirit now outlawed under EU legislation along with Common Sense?
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 06:44 PM

Under EU legislation it is no longer permitted for non-approved persons to discuss what is outlawed.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Dave Earl
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 02:17 AM

Yes Colyn

A bit of shift swapping has always been a feature.

On the Box Office team there have already been requests for swaps for various reasons.

Its always been like that - provided you have enough people on duty and can cover all the tasks the overall job gets done.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Dave

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: trayton
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:27 AM

Starting to get twitchy at work, I can almost feel the bar of the Volunteer under my right elbow already.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Surreysinger at work
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 09:17 AM

Trayton - you and that right elbow contact with the bar !!! BTW, I believe that the venue should now be known as "The Tune Lover", courtesy of Borefolk...

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 10:33 AM

Do Scarlet Men behave in the same way that Scarlet Women do? :0)

Unfortunately men in red have the disadvantage of being rather visible and have difficulty blaming the other Mr Red though they do exist! And with a name like mine - I can't even hide very well in muffti. So I have to behave myself.






Mostly.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: steve_harris
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 06:59 PM

I'm surprised that no one has pointed out that the excellent, spin-free but regrettably cancelled ceilidh in the ford scheduled for 3pm on Friday 7th was priced at only £27.50 !

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:28 PM

You mean they put it in the programme this year? And I shall miss it yet again?

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: steve_harris
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:06 PM

You mean they put it in the programme this year?

It was only in a very early edition with a very short print run. Then there was a petition by some ducks to the English Ceilidh Authority and British Wildfowl PLC so funding was withdrawn....

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: The Barden of England
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 03:59 AM

Oh well, I'll have to not be there again this year. I also wasn't there last year. But then again I'm glad it didn't happen.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: The Barden of England
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:39 AM

By the way, keeping on thread, I see that Broadstairs is £154 this year. I believe Sidmouth is better value, but then that's just me.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: mattkeen
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 06:08 AM

Sidmouth looks great
Is good value for money, not cheap, just good value.

What are you lot willing to pay for?


I just paid £30 to the John Clare Society and walked around Helpstone all weekend at the John Clare Festival - it was GREAT value for money and I could have done the same thing and paid nothing. Weird I know but I like contributing to things that are worthwhile.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 09:37 AM

Of course Sidmouth isn't cheap. Unless you compare it (per day) with a 4 day festival where each venue attempts to outdecibel the other and the organisers most vehemently insult you for pointing it out. You know who they are.

Sidmouth is value. If it were cheap it would be cheap for a reason. Having said that it looks good value compared to Broadstairs. How does it compare with Whitby? Another excelent seaside town with bags of character and folkies.

And Sidmouth has the Connaught Garden Tea Rooms - portion control is a bit excessive, but another excelent example of value beyond the course of duty.

My only dilema is the choice. I may have to give-up a ceilidh or two for the Boat Band & the torchlight procession. Life is hard.........

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Rumncoke
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 06:06 PM

Most of the time at Sidmouth I am rushing from one venue to another, that is after deciding where to go and what to spend my money on - the value good or bad is immaterial if there is no money available to pay for everything.

I am still on tenterhooks waiting for final confirmation of the hoped for money making event - but at least it has not been cancelled.

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket.

That is desperation setting in.

I have work for after I get back - but that is no use!!

Anne Croucher

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 03:51 AM

I am immensely looking forward to Jim Causley's Devon Sent night. Does anyone out there know who Barbara Hawkins is? I've met Margaret Palmer and everyone else on his list, but who's Barbara?

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Tony Five Bellies
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 04:03 AM

I don't think you are allowed to go to that one are you Mr Red?

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 04:18 AM

are we referring to aloud people? I decided to make 2008 my last year there (in 2007) but the decision was made easy for me a year earlier. I went to a festival with buzz, rather than giving my ears a BUZZ. And stayed at Sidmouth longer too.

I notice there are three Boat Band gigs in Sidmouth. Concert Wed, Cajun session in the Rugby Club Thurs eve & the Methodist Church Fri.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: GUEST,Tony Five Bellies
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 06:14 AM

Oh I hadn't realised you went last year, I thought the move in 2007 had created your abhorrence for THOSE people. I would have thought a revisit in 2008 would have changed your mind.

Anyway I'm now off thread, I'll get me coat.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:43 AM

Some ALOUD people here, possibly your relations, Mr Red?
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=622309

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:52 AM

Not maybe your type of music but a weekend ticket at Glastonbury or T in the Park costs approx the same as a whole week at Sidmouth.
Yes, I know that doesn't include all your overheads such as food drink and accommodation, but it doesn't anywhere.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: fiddler
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 08:10 AM

Well I am with Ruth and Jane, and few of you others!

But I am biased - Jane is working (not for the first time) with me and I am working with Ruth!

I last bought Sidmouth Tickets in 1980 something.

Other than that I have always worked. So you miss a few gigs - you meet some great people, have some good times and there is always the folk music to fall back on.

Go to Costa del ripoff you pay some prices get some booze meet many different people and there is no folk music to fall back on.

I have voted for over 20 years with my commitment and not my money and will continue to do so!

With the skills learned I have even Venue Managed at the Australian National Folk Festival in Canberra - Just as much fun.

Oh and the Blue Mountains Roots and Blues in Katoomba, after this week we all know where that is.

For me it is about the people and the genre - please everyone give us all a chance and come and see what we have!

Times may have changed but the people and the Folk has not.

Heartfelt Ramblings by

Andy

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 05:06 PM

When you complain about the cost of a ticket , do you ever think about the cost of setting the festival up ? Apart from Artist Fees ,
there are THOUSANDS laid out for Canvas , Insurance (ALL Sorts) and Lord Knows what else besides before a single ticket is sold !

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 05:14 PM

Are there concessions for students and unemployed?
season ticket prices

Full Week Season
        

Before 31 March
        

After 1 April

Adult
        

£140
        

£160

Young Adult (18-24)
        

£105
        

£120

Youth (12-17)
        

£70
        

£80

Child (7-11)
        

£35
        

£40

Under 7
        

FREE
        

FREE

Day Season
                

Adult
        

£28
        

£32

Young Adult
        

£21
        

£24

Youth
        

£14
        

£16

Child
        

£7
        

£8

Weekend Season (Fri-Sun)
                

Adult
        

£56
        

£64

Young Adult
        

£42
        

£48

Youth
        

£28
        

£32

Child
        

£14
        

£16

Ham Evening Season
                

Adult
        

£60
        

£60

Young Adult
        

£45
        

£45

Youth/Child
        

£30
        

£30

Camping
                

Adult/Young Adult full week
        

£50
        

£50

Youth full week
        

£25
        

£25

Under 11 full week
        

FREE
        

FREE

Family full week
        

£130
        

£130

Caravan/motorhome supplement
Sorry, all caravan pitches are already booked - we are looking into alternatives
        

£24
        

£24

Camping per night
        

£10
        

£10
                

Big discounts on season ticket prices for young people

25% off adult price for Young Adults (18-24yrs)

50% off adult price for Youths (12-17yrs)

75% off adult price for Children (7-12yrs)

Under 7s are FREE but must be accompanied by a responsible adult and may have to sit on your knee if an event is full.

Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at any event that is programmed to run after midnight.

Subject: RE: Oh Dear Sidmouth
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 05:14 PM

100