Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: mattkeen
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 04:46 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 underwhelming

Well done Joan - great speech at the Folk Against Fascists launch too

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: The Barden of England
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 01:13 PM

Can you imagine what it would have been like if the Arena was still going? At least the events are now under cover (apart from the Anchor dances). I'm sure the team did their best with what they had, and hope that the weather hasn't made next year too difficult. I thoroughly enjoyed Sidmouth this year and it was good to see the international part starting to come back. I did feel sorry for those on the campsite but a day and a half of solid rain in one go would challenge even a Haven Holiday site.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Morticia
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 01:07 PM

would have been better if i had managed to stay in one piece...having said that, local ambulance crew and exeter a&e were great.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 11:17 AM

I had to come home early in 1997 , so I missed seeing The Sid in flood then , but it WAS interesting this year , seeing the Ford closed for two days !

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Acorn4
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 11:17 AM

Sorry, the "Guest" was me; I was on my laptop and didn't notice I hadn't logged in.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 11:15 AM

"I overheard a steward saying that the equipment to lay temporary roadways was available but the festival had decided not to spend the money."

The festival actually tried very hard to source the necessary additional trackway, but because the weather conditions were affecting events all over the south of the country, it was in very short supply and we were unable to do so. There are already plans in place to source extra trackway now in order to have it on standby for next year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Howard Jones
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 11:10 AM

I was only there for the second part of the week - good timing as it turned out as the weather had improved by then.

My main observations are:

The melodeon masterclass with John Spiers was at the same time as the anglo concertina workshop with Keith Kendrick. There are quite a lot of musicians who play both instruments who would face a difficult choice.

The weather earlier in the week had reduced the campsite to a bog. Vehicle movements were impossible and even walking was difficult in places. The approach to the Bulverton marquee was also very muddy. I overheard a steward saying that the equipment to lay temporary roadways was available but the festival had decided not to spend the money. Understandable, but when the weather turned out to be poor a bit of temporary surfacing, even on only the critical areas, would have made all the difference.

It was my first visit to Sidmouth for many years and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highlights for me were Babylon Lane's shape note and Roger Watson's harmony singing workshops. As usual, I spent too much time playing in sessions to get to many official events.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Stower
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 10:46 AM

GUEST, it is impossible for an organiser to know exactly how many ticket holders are going to attend any one particular event. A season ticket is therefore for the festival as a whole and does not therefore guarantee admission to any one particular event. If you really want to get in, be there early. I, for excample, wanted to go to the Quebecois workshop, which was first thing in the morning. That day I got up rather slowly and arrived just in time for it to start. I didn't get in, as it was already full. I didn't feel in the least agrieved or that there was anything 'wrong' with the organising side: all venues have a capacity and if I had wanted to get in *that* desperately I'd have been there earlier.

(BTW, GUEST, please use a name to distinguish you from other 'guest's.)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 10:05 AM

Some of the venues are small and if you really want to get into something you have to start queuing early. It's all part of the experience.

The experience was brillant this year, enhanced by a few 'virgin' friends coming down, who all did different thngs but really enjoyed themselves.

Missing it already.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:35 AM

We didn't actually go to Sidmouth, but I was talking to Brian Dawson last night who said that there were a few problems with people who had bought full week tickets b not being able to get into venues.

Subject: Sidmouth 2009 - Evaluation
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:30 AM

Well, what can I say??!!!

Just got back from Sidders. Great week - LOADS of GREAT memories etc etc.

I thought that I'd start this EVALUATION thread regarding Sidmouth 2009 as there are many threads relating to many matters that are now getting fairly jumbled!!!

I have a fair few thoughts about 2009 - too tired to compose them now, but hope that this thread can be used PRODUCTIVELY and HONESTLY to comment on all aspects of the festival in order that views can be considered and possibly acted upon for 2010.

I'll pop back tomorrow and post my views.

regards

Kev