Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?

Subject: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 08:30 AM

Sidders 2009 is over and done with. The Cat has been really quiet for the last week but can we expect it to overflow now?

Come on, you lucky people, we want reports from Sidmouth

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 08:37 AM

It Rained , for a change !

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 08:39 AM

Bet it wasn't as bad as that awful year, 97/98 or thereabouts, where we actually had a river running under the caravan!

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:11 AM

I'm sitting here listening to Jim Moray's set from the Silent Folkin' Disco, which was definitely one of the highlights of the week for me.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:24 AM

I was told by the horse's mouth that Jim Causley's set was pretty damn fine as well [grins] ... The weather on Wednesday and Friday was great - can't say the same about Tuesday, when I got soaked and achieved some street cred by getting muddy toes and shoes (open toed sandals) and mud encrusted jeans (not bad for someone who wasn't camping) just by walking into the Music Tent in Blackmore Gardens - no walkways to keep you out of the mud from the path to the entrance to the tent ... boo hiss! Got my lemonade from Sally, though. Highlight for the week for me was always going to be meeting up with old friends for a sing, a chat, and enjoyment of good music.... and so it proved.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:29 AM

Mixed weather, quite often not as much seemed to be happenening around the pubs. Not so sure Blackmore is best place for the music tent.Always good to be there though.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Jane Bird
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 10:19 AM

Tuesday (the day that it rained all day) could have been so rubbish, for me. It was my one day off from stewarding and I woke up on the wrong side of bed. The cloud was so thick at the campsite that you couldn't see half-way down the field. However, after that somewhat grim start, Simon Care's lunch time concert was spot on and thoroughly cheered me up, we fitted in a couple of very wet dances at the Anchor to Random (who were on top form) and to top it all off, Edward II were completely awesome at the Bulverton. Better than ever - I'm so glad they reformed for this year :-)

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Cats
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 01:47 PM

Might still be quiet as it is Bideford this week and quite a few go to Dartmoor then straight on to Bideford.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 01:50 PM

And then of course there is Broadstairs...

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 02:33 PM

Perhaps they're scared to post, because whatever they do say will be picked on, disagreed with, and dissected, ad nauseam.

JM

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: naughtyforty
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 02:53 PM

I had a great time despite the weather and the awful state of the campsite (I managed not to get muddy toes until Thursday at Blackmore Gardens!!!) Spooky Men were fab and I actually went to some concerts this year in between sessions and stewarding - roll on next year I say (but I'm not camping!)

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 03:47 PM

John, by you and who else?

Naughty40 - who have you persuaded to put you in the lap of luxury, do tell?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 04:03 PM

If you come out of your left wing wonderland Mr Bridge, you may have perceived that I am not around here much any more. However, any time you want your pomposity pricked, I'm you man.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: mattkeen
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 04:42 PM

Loved it

Mike Wilson's singing was fantastic and the rest of the Peter Bellamy tribute concert was great as well

Spiers and Boden were stunning; Hugh Lupton's storytelling great and the Dhol Foundation were a pure joy.


Loved the Methodist Church as a venue - Spooky Men were great in there.

Found Mawkin: Causley underwhelmimg

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 05:08 PM

Oh dear, another dimmer. You come here, John, offering to dissect and criticise. Twig?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Rumncoke
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:22 AM

Groan.

Monday morning and back to the old routine.

My Sidmouth was great - though I had to forgo buying ice cream, alcohol and have ready made hot food sparingly - and the price for parking at the Rugby club had gone up quite a bit.

I have discovered that I am a shanty snob.

I wince when there is a nonsense line or wrong term used.

When the writer of a song with sailing content obviously knows their subject it is quite a relief.

Anne Croucher

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:26 AM

I agree with John, a lot of people probably won't be posting due to the nastiness that has occurred on Sidmouth threads in the past. I only dropped into this by chance as I rarely use Mudcat anymore due to the unpleasantness that crops up even on innocent discussions. I'll keep my discussion about Sidmouth to Facebook and the Middle Bar Group

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Marilyn
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:56 AM

Really enjoyed it. Our whole band rented a flat round the corner from the Bedford on Station Road so the cost wasn't too bad shared betwenn six of us and we had somewhere dry and comfy to stay. If you saw a group of well-oiled people playing on the top floor balcony (or trying to play with that much wine flowing!) - that was us.

Got very muddy toes and jeans on Tuesday going to the Music Tent in Blackmore. Like Surreysinger I was horrified that there were no boards as the approach was in a dreadful state. There were boards next time I went so was very glad someone got it sorted.

I avoided concerts in the Ham Marquee (can't stand the volume and can't cope with the heat so it's best just to stay away) but some of the band went to several concerts and really enjoyed Spiers and Boden in particular. Well, who wouldn't!

I went to the John Spiers melodeon masterclass with the other melodeon player in our band and got a lot out of it. Also Vicky Swan's Scottish small pipes workshop was great - a chance to have a go without feeling too much of a fool.

All in all a fabulous holiday which we thoroughly enjoyed - who can ask for more?

Marilyn

p.s. Quite a lot of people took photos of our band playing on the balcony and also playing under the arches on the road up to Connaught Gardens - if you were one of them would you be willing to email any copies, please? Our website is www.halfepannikin.co.uk and my contact details are on there. t.i.a.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:02 AM

"I'm sitting here listening to Jim Moray's set from the Silent Folkin' Disco, which was definitely one of the highlights of the week for me." (Ruth Archer)..."disco"...what next - traditional singarounds replaced by folk karaoke?!

Poem 213 of 230: MORE AMOR PATRIAE

There is Tai Chi AND there is tennis,
    Line is fine BUT so is Morris,
There is curry AND there is the roast,
    AND, when England is playing host,
It is the rest-of-the-world's good wish
    To sense culture that is English.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:19 AM

As a confirmation of John MacKenzies (And Lynne's) post , here is WAV leaping in with both feet about something he has NOT attended and knows NOTHING about !

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:40 AM

I love Mudcat.

WAV, Sidmouth contained around 500 programmed events this year - and that doesn't include the fringe. The Silent Folkin' Disco was one event amongst many, many traditional ones. It was a phenomenal success, and an answer to a problem - we could not hold late night events at Bulverton on Sunday last year because of noise restrictions, and Silent Disco meant that this year we could. Simples.

The DJs were Jim Moray, Eliza Carthy, Jim Causley and Pete Lawrence from the Big Chill. Quite often there was folk music to be heard, but equally often mashed together with something decidedly not folk - my favourite of Jim Moray's inspirted mixes was Adam Ant's Stand and Deliver with Eliza Carthy and the Kings of Calicutt's Good Morning Mr Walker. Glorious.

I was also proud of the giant bugs walking around, which added just the right note of wierdness. Even the Witchmen's morris set, stuck in the middle of a disco, worked. It was a great night, the venue was rammed, and I have no doubt we'll do something similar again. Silent ceilidh, anyone...?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:44 AM

If you post your PM here, LF, I can respond to it here (as I've done by PM). Re: "NOTHING about!" - I've enjoyed most of the highlights of the 50th Sidmouth (via the BBC) but, yes, have not yet been.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:48 AM

Thanks for detailing what LF just sent me by PM, Ruth - and, as I replied by PM, why not an "English county dance to recorded English music", then?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 06:06 AM

OK W A V , Get on the Festival Committe and organise something yourself , instead of criticising an Event that you have never attended !

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 06:18 AM

"as I replied by PM, why not an "English county dance to recorded English music", then?"

Because it wasn't. Because we have lots of different audiences at Sidmouth who all enjoy different things. Because it's fun to do something different that no one else has done. Because Sidmouth is big enough and diverse enough that you can build the festival that suits you, without having to do any of the things that don't, and still have enough activity to fill every day.

As LF says, come down some time and see for yourself.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,Jim Moray
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 07:28 AM

Hi WAV,

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make with your poem. I played mostly English music -   The Bonny Breast Knot mixed into Lily Allens london song 'LDN', Eliza Carthy into Adam and the Ants 'Stand and Deliver'. There were people doing ceilidh figures, morris stepping and typical nightclub moves all together. The aim was to make this - http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/wp-content/media/2009/07/englishfolkdances.jpg - come true. and it worked. What I'm interested in is the integration of this stuff into everyday life - i.e. Morris IS fine and it happily co-exists alongside all of the glorious diversity of other stuff around us. I can be equally proud and contented in turning up to a dance out at the weekend in Morris kit as I can in going to a club with my mates. It's all strands of the same thing. I would take it from your poem that you would agree.

Come on - I dare you to tell me that I don't understand English culture as well as you. I dare you.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 07:54 AM

Too much Sidders ceilidhing to see Jim. In fact I haven't yet but I am reliably informed that a certain Jim Mory is No.5 in the Simon Care Trio (sic) playing for the Town Hall Barn Dance in Cheltenham see cresby.com Sun Dec 27 - book early- expect it to be full on the day and with Jim playing - that is guaranteed.

FWIW Jim was an excelent folk ambassidor on R4's Loose Ends not so long ago.

I am sure I could muster criticisms about Sidders - but why would I - rather I should suggest a better way. And maybe I will........

They wot don't make mistakes don't make nuffink.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 08:26 AM

" Like Surreysinger I was horrified that there were no boards as the approach was in a dreadful state"
Errmm, no Marilyn, I didn't say I was horrified, as I wasn't .. just booed and hissed that my trousers and feet had got muddy. My own fault for not noticing how soggy the grass actually was until it was too late. As you say it was (partially) rectified later. The downpour hadn't been that evident before it arrived, so you can't expect duckboards to be put down on the strength of ESP!!

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,Essex Girl
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 09:02 AM

Great week. I enjoyed every concert I saw (and that's a first), had a great time laughing, singing and drinking in various hostelries, and didn't even mind wallowing in the mud around the ham, why it wouldn't be Sidmouth without a bit of mud. I have no complaints whatsoever!!!

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 09:21 AM

As I said in my first post, which the great know it all Richard Bridge [too far?] decided meant something other than what it stated.
I see I am proven right in my comment about posts being dissected and criticised. It happens in nearly every thread now, people don't say, 'it was rubbish' when they mean, 'I thought it was rubbish' Then someone with little or no thought as to what the poster meant, leaps in and contradicts them. Of course they too usually forget the personal pronoun.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 09:51 AM

ignore the word 'don't' in the second line of my post.
Thanks

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 10:12 AM

Your words - exactly "Perhaps they're scared to post, because whatever they do say will be picked on, disagreed with, and dissected, ad nauseam"

Followed my words (exactly) "And then of course there is Broadstairs".


Or is that too difficult for you?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 10:25 AM

Just because my original post followed one of yours, does not mean it was in response to it. It was in answer to the question posed by the originator of the thread.
It was a simple statement of the facts as I see them regarding the present state of things. All you did was to prove me right.
END OF.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 12:22 PM

Hi Jim M. - the above poem is saying that I do like such aspects of other cultures of other lands, but don't like the fact that the citizens of England are, more-and-more, preferring to perform (rather than just appreciate) them instead of their own good culture.

"come down some time and see for yourself"...thanks, Ruth - and may I do a gig, or at least a set, of WalkaboutsVerse plus E. trads, with English-flute/tenor-recorder intros, please?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 12:33 PM

No, John. Here is Zany Mouse's opening post: -

"Sidders 2009 is over and done with. The Cat has been really quiet for the last week but can we expect it to overflow now?

Come on, you lucky people, we want reports from Sidmouth"


No-one has made any picky response to any reports from Sidmouth - just to a bigmouth calling the place sour.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:07 PM

' "come down some time and see for yourself"...thanks, Ruth - and may I do a gig, or at least a set, of WalkaboutsVerse plus E. trads, with English-flute/tenor-recorder intros, please?'

There are lots of open mics and sessions round the town during folk week, WAV. I'm sure you could find an appropriate spot or two.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:14 PM

WAV - I am puzzled. Do you not appreciate that Sidders has probably the widest fringe of any festivals, and you will be welcomed - and live or die by your own hand?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:56 PM

Never mind WAV - There's always a gig for you at The 2009 Re-Imagined Village Folk Festival. This year we're going for the second weekend in October to be assured of good autumnal weather. Kicking off on the Thursday (8th) with a Come-All-Ye in The Siberian Khatru with a opening concert event on the Friday in the ballroom of The Remembering, guests TBA. On Saturday... er... actually, I think I'm on the wrong thread here! Sorry about that.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,Jim Moray
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:09 PM

WAV - then we're in agreement! I enjoyed playing music that reflects all aspects of my culture - including John Kirkpatrick, Adam and the Ants, Glorystrokes, David Bowie, Bellowhead, The Watersons, DJ Shadow etc... And I enjoyed seeing the music from my own country such as the Dhol Foundation and Edward II. I'm glad that you agree with me that this is a good thing.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,Jim Moray
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:10 PM

As a further note, its a shame that you couldn't be there for the Folk Against Fascism gig at the end of the week. You would have enjoyed it. I know I did.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:41 PM

Fascism is the opposite of democracy (which, all things considered, is the best way) and socialism - so, yes, we are both against it, Jim. (But there are different kinds of democracy and socialism, of course.)

And, as S. suggests for the RIV and Sidmouth does (going by the 50th, mentioned above, at least) it's probably a good thing to have a few folkies from other lands, perhaps even from as far as Siberia.

However, in my view, on your list are English citizens good at copying (rather than just appreciating) American pop/rock, and English citizens good at performing English music.

Also, curiosity killed the cat, but I've never heard you sing your strong selection of E. trads unaccompanied, Jim - do you ever nod to tradition in this way..?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 06:21 PM

WAV - I think you need to rethink your conclusions on what constitutes Our Own Good English Culture.

This may not be good exactly, but it's indisputably English, and our own for sure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0anJn7heS8

Gawd bless 'em!

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 06:22 PM

How are the English citizens who make up the Dhol Foundation copying American pop/rock?

I should point out that Sidmouth is now under completely different management than it was during the 50th, so if you really want to understand what the festival is about now, the only way is to come to the festival.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,eliza c
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 10:00 PM

Come on WAV-Jim is so much better informed and understanding of the process of traditions than you. Every name on his list is very carefully chosen to represent known English traditions, including Heavy Metal (the Midlands), drum'n'bass, and English pop, all pioneers and all quintessentially English. Rock is a form that has grown out of British tradition as well as American. Even American rock, which has its roots in blues and Appalachian folk music, has strong connections to our traditions.
And the disco was invented by Jimmy Saville, a venerable Englishman if ever there was one.
x e

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 05:42 AM

To S., R., and E.: Self-evidently, not all in Scotland are Scottish nationalists; but many HAVE successfully linked Scottish nationalism to Scottish folk - especially in this their "Home Coming Year"; we folkies in England should do similar - rather than "going pop" to be popular, in my opinion.

And, as for that opinion, "Come on WAV-Jim is so much better informed and understanding of the process of traditions than you"...I got distinctions for anthropology, Eliza C...?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: GUEST,Jim Moray
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:26 AM

OK, my boredom threshold is setting in about now, but...

a) that's because you've never heard me at all I suspect, just as you've never been to Sidmouth. I do plenty of unaccompanied singing. Of the things in your poem, when was the last time you went out Morris dancing? Mine was yesterday.

b) It's linking English music to (a more sinister kind) of English Nationalism (with a large 'N') that we are trying to prevent with Folk against Fascism. My nationalistic pride (with a small 'n') is fuelled just as much by the Dhol foundation - I'm from the midlands and lived a lot of years in inner-city Birmingham - as Walter Bulwer polkas.

c) Which university did you get your anthropology degree from?

and finally...

z) you've got it wrong, and you've always been slightly wrong. Yours is not a "great way forward for humanity". Its a tepid version of what Nick Griffin believes in.

OK, bored now. Sorry everyone else...

But a fantastic week spent with old and new friends again, I've still not caught up on sleep. My highlights were singing Pleasant and Delightfu on Thurs night with a group whose ages spanned 60 years, the silent disco, Country Life at the FAF launch, the artistic directors mohito party, and Tom McConville's interview starting with the question "So, playing the fiddle... whats that all about??"

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:29 AM

1) As any anthropologist would tell you, Anthropology is the study of human culture, not the proscription of it. Human Culture is what people do, not what you think they ought to do.

2) English Revival Folk is NOT Our Own Good Culture - rather it is the hobbyist concern of a tiny minority of English Citizens & the professional concern of a yet tinier one. For the vast majority of the English People it is utterly meaningless. Here in Fleetwood (for example) we have one of the more celebrated of the English Folk Festivals and yet in talking to my neighbours (good English Citizens all with a firm grip on Their Own Good Culture) few of them had even heard of it, let alone had attended any of the events - even those living opposite the site of the former Rhyll Street Gym where my wife had her E. Trad. Epiphany (aged 12) when she saw Fred Jordan perform there. Please note, I am not bothered by this state of affairs in the slightest, being happy that here in Fleetwood we have real Traditional English Culture such as Fluffy Morris, Fun Fairs, Tram Sunday, Brass Bands, Rock Bands, Irish Bands, Drum & Bass crews, Karaoke, Night Clubs, Churches, Pimped Cars, Wayside Shrines, Hen Parties, Sand Castles, TV, Greasy Spoons, Chinese Takeaways, Indian Restaurants, Gurkha Buffet, Chip Shops, Psychic Nights, etc. etc. etc. Blackpool has just played host to The Rebellion Festival during which the place was awash with punks. Glorious!      

3) Scottish Nationalism is a very different things to English Nationalism. Whilst the former is concerned with liberation from the historical circumstance of Cultural & Imperial Tyranny, the latter is concerned with Fascism, Racism, and the perpetuation of Cultural & Imperial Tyranny. Of course this may be not how you see it yourself, WAV but there must come a point where you step off your little island and join us in the real world where such notions are defined by common consensus rather than personal fantasy.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:41 AM

The Year of Homecoming, is an appeal for expat Scots in particular, and all others with Scottish ties, to come and visit/revisit us, in this, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, our national bard.
Hardly surprising then, that folk music is included is it?

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:46 AM

Only just recovered enough to report. An endurance-test. Raining, raining, always bloody well raining.

Indeed Sidmouth only really finished on Sunday evening when we finally managed to get to hear and see the Spooky Men's Chorale in Chiswick. Queued heroically outside the Methodist church, chatting to a very civilised yong couple. Heard them invisible and muffled in the rain under the tree at the Blackmore. The Chiswick performance was good. My brother came too, which wouldn't have happened at Sidmouth. Do they bias the set for venue? This was a comedy club and we didn't get the excellent Down In The River to Pray which we had at the Blackmore.

And the rain had stopped by then.


Otherwise - ritual visits to Bedford and Middle Bar where Breton Cap thinks I ought to be soloing.

Saw lots of people we know, including non-folkie ex-neighbours from twenty years ago and the other side of the country. Report of Surreysinger in bright clothing, and Mr Red seen in yellow.

Hotel Palindrone were lovely. Enjoyed watching the list-meister for E-Ceilidh eventually getting a partner to dance at the front.

Oysterband/Potts ceilidh was great dancing but far too crowded with flailing young things.

Climax/Lock musically fine, but we just couldn't get on with the many of dances called, also- backs suffering from the camping and perhaps the earlier ceilidh. Schottische was good. Nice Anchor Gardens stuff - Climax/Walden, the last one and especially whoever Phil Bassindale was calling for when the one set was littlies and their mothers in bright rainwear, and Phil was delightul looking after them.

We much enjoyed the Molly Dancing workshop by Ouse Washes, and lots of watching them and other Morris. Mrs enjoyed West Gallery, but the rain intervened later.

All very well to put the ticket portakabin by the dancers, but just how is one supposed to by a ticket or converse with the staff against the music?

Front impassable because of tat-vendors, again.

Discovered the Woodlands. Ballads, singarounds and perhaps best of all Taffy Thomas' story-telling workshop. And cakes.

Did not, of course, watch the Ceilidh not happening in the ford not being danced by a young couple we know. Nor have nectarines handed back from the ford by the police. Nor see the wizard in the wheelchair navigating it. Certainly not.

The camp-site. Oh, the camp-site. Drove on and off unaided both Friday evenings [low-range and diff-locks engaged], which was fine, but the bit in-between...

Conversations waking us at 0245 and 0530, different perpetrators at different times. We don't do lack of sleep....

On the credit side, knowing people camped near us and the general cameraderie.

The slope. Turn over in sleeping bag and slide down the tent. Drop an apple and it rolls away into the mud. Objects slide off table in tent. And that wasn't the worst spot we could have had.

Deep mud around the showers. Being right down beyond where the fence used to be, and the showers and loos that far....

Undoubtedly getting older, but finding camping just too much like hard work this year - and taking up far,far too much time. Didn't get to do nearly as much as we'd hoped; rain, mud, lack of sleep and general knackeredness.

Not at all sure what to do about next year.

Subject: RE: Expecting Sidders folk to flood the Cat?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:54 AM

Anyone been to a Curry-oke night?
Saw one advertised at a local pub recently, what genius!
Doesn't get much more English than that..