Towersey - who's going?

Subject: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Dancer in Heavan
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 08:06 AM

well - anyone packed and ready to roll?

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 08:15 AM

going - yes
packed - no

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Hamish
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 08:21 AM

Only the Sunday, I'm afraid. Boldwood at lunchtime, Chris Smither later on and as much of the ceilidh with the superb Florida as I can squeeze in...

~8^)

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 08:31 AM

Me

I'm stewarding but don't seem to have received my rota yet. Hope to be working in the Box Office.

See ya there

Dave

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: nickp
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 09:13 AM

Dave, rotas should have been with you about 10 days ago. Worth phoning them up.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Chris Green
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 10:27 AM

I am - as a guest muso with the thoroughly estimable Boldwood. Never been before so I'm looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 10:31 AM

I am planning on a trip over to the Barn on Sunday !

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Morticia
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 10:38 AM

yep, hopefully, even with a broken collar bone.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 10:53 AM

I have phoned them and established when my first shift is so its all working out now.

I can take details of my other shifts when I turn up at the box office for the first shift.

Dave

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:47 AM

Sadly Can't afford it...
Ah Well

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Micca
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:10 PM

With Great regrets I wont be there (for only the 2nd time in 30 years) due to a very bad case of flu', Dont think its Mexican or Porcine, but is quite nasty enough, Thought I had got rid of it over the last 2 weeks, but it came surging back like an avenging army yesterday, and my temerature has been dancing around the 100F mark all day with the odd excursion to 102F. so to quote a certain member of what used to be our usual Towersey group " I feel like 10 lbs of S**t in a 5 lb bag", I hope to be with you "in spirit" tho' (see my representative for details)

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:18 PM

We'll be there on the Saturday to help celebrate Lady P's birthday! Not been for a couple of years and we're all looking forward to it this year. Next year we'll be there for the whole festival instead of a day.

Khatt and Paul

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Hamish
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 01:30 PM

Yay! Chris Green of Boldwood: I've been before but I've never seen you before. But I've heard you and you were one of the first acts I underlined in the programme.

--
Hamish

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Phot
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 01:35 PM

Fiona and i hope to make it to the barn on Sunday. Wonder if the hound will?.......................

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Chris Green
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 02:45 PM

Actually I'm more commonly Chris Green of Isambarde! Boldwood very kindly asked me to turn up and strum for them, so I leapt at the opportunity to moonlight! I'll be the bloke in the dark glasses and false beard reading the newspaper with eyeholes cut into the front...

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: sleepyjon
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:42 PM

Wot! no Micca!-? - might as well leave the 151 proof Appleton rum at home then - and I'd specially laid in a bottle of Jenever from close to Ghent to challenge you with.

Get well soon you old B***** - barn won't be the same.

SJ

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: JemmaGurney
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 10:41 AM

Going: yes ( trinculo
/ pecsaetan )
Packed: No

However, for all the negative points of sexy hanky waving at a festival (the sweat, the wearing the same kit for three days on end, the getting changed in a tent…), it does at least make the packing decidedly easier, by removing most of the decision processes regarding clothes…

Looking forward to it!

Jems

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 01:43 PM

Sleepyjon - don't you dare leave it at home!!! I am the aforementioned representative and you'll find me by the name on the hi-vis vest.... or on the gates first thing in the morning with Lady P - I'll be the perky one not having a hangover.

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Micca
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 05:10 PM

Sleepyjon, she will also be in posession of something extremely rare in the spirit line, and as my spirit-ual representative will be dispensing.....

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 11:11 AM

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 11:13 AM

Oops!


I am looking forward greatly to the grand singing in the barn, but can anyone tell me where any fringe instrumental sessions may be held?

See you soon.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 01:01 PM

in the shoes usually

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 01:39 PM

In the Pub or The Beer Tent Noreen ! I will no doubt have a look in the Beer Tent after the sing

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 01:41 PM

No, you've got me... explain, m'dear?

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 01:52 PM

Comment directed to Mortie, of course- your answer is totally understandable thanks, LF :0)

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 04:16 PM

Shoes= 3 Horseshoes Pub where the Barn is. There is usually a session in the bar there.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 04:42 PM

Can't make it this year. Hoist a pint for me, chums?

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 04:48 PM

Thats a given Dick !

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 05:22 PM

Thank you Khatt, now I understand.

It's a good few years since I was at Towersey, but I remember the barn very well.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Martin Ellison
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 07:24 PM

I'll be there playing the final dance with Ran Tan. Towersey also sees the launch of our re-issued "The Big Cheese".
Martin

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Fidjit
Date: 27 Aug 09 - 09:38 PM

Just for the curious

I can't make it. Going else where.

Chas

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 03:08 AM

No worries Noreen. I'm sure there will be other music sessions too in the beer tent and outside the beer tent etc of the weather stays good.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Phot
Date: 28 Aug 09 - 01:24 PM

We will be there all day on Sunday! And most of Monday!

See you there!

Wassail!! Chris and Fiona

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: SaggyDiamond
Date: 29 Aug 09 - 07:14 PM

Hoping to make it later on today (it seems) to the Barn if nowhere else. Hope to see some people I know with any luck.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Noreen
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 04:27 PM

This is the current Towersey thread! (The other one from 2004 could prove somewhat confusing.)

Back home very tired after a great time at Towersey.

Tent survived high winds thanks to a couple of guys from unknown benefactor called Wendy, who I couldn't find to return them.

Good singing, playing and fun; invading the Showground with the Spookymen today was brill!

Shame we couldn't stay for the finale tonight, or the magnificent Ran Tan Band's comeback performance- will have to take the Tuesday off work next year!

Major highlight was the Imagined Village performance on Friday evening. Will travel a long way to hear them again.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Folknacious
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 06:11 PM

Major highlight was the Imagined Village performance on Friday evening.

Yes, wasn't all that new material excellent, plus Chris Wood doing the opening spot was terrific too. The Dance House is my favourite of the bigger Towersey venues in the evenings now, there's so much more energy than in the concert tent, though I must admit I skipped Shooglenifty on Saturday evening in favour of the Old Swan Band. Last night was also fantastic with Edward 2nd and Blue Blokes 3. Unfortunately I had to leave before this evening's Jim Moray & Tickled Pink events - how did they go?

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 06:46 PM

Any comments on The Beer Tent ? Nothing happening in there Sunday afternoon ( I was over for the Barn and a wander round)

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Folknacious
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 08:27 PM

I saw plenty of music in the Beer Tent over the weekend, including a very spirited morris dancing session in full swing at one point. There were lots of tune sessions on the grass outside as usual too, loads of bagpipe players on Sunday for example. You must have struck unlucky. I suppose its Shooting Roots and the Hive that make so many people bring their instruments to the festival.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 03:42 AM

Had a lovely time on Saturday catching up with old friends. The singing in the barn was fantastic as always.

There was music going on in the beer tent on the Saturday, and alaround the show ground.

Next year we'll be there for the whole festival! Looking forward to it!

Khatt and Paul

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 12:41 PM

Had a fantastic time as always, lots of hugs and kisses with hairy friends, and some not so hairy as they were....

Spirits were distributed - no-one guessed what it was so I don't owe anyone a pint.

Birthdays were celebrated, strange objects purchased in drunken shopping frenzies - I still can't explain the pigs head mask.... and my nose is now peeling.

But best of all, was singing along to while away a quiet duty with Lady Penelope and Steve Heap telling us it sounded wonderful! Quite made my weekend that did!

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 03:11 PM

Me hob-nailed boots be fair wore out wi' a'that ceilidhing plus bits of Skandi and Breton and Contra. Contra on a carpet, I ask you.

Barn was cosy against the chill wind yesterday and the sun the day before.

Thatchers Traditional Orange looks much like Tizer but tastes much, much better. What exactly were the aforesaid spirits, er, no not asking that, but impressive they tasted.

Singing pretty damn' good as well.

That socking great slow-ish tunes session in the Dance House was amazingly useful to chaps like myself who lack Leadfingers ear and dexterity.

And *can* get down as low as a Spooky bass. So I'm told, anyway.

Saw umpteen people from here and elsewhere.

Did much more at Towersey than in a week of this year's Sidmouth.

Any idea who had that marvellous collage of empty Gordon's Gin bottles and tonic bottles outside a tent near the ceilidh tent last night? Looked like an ammonite or thereabouts.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 03:36 PM

Tickled Pink - cross-dressing apart - had the Cornish twelve-hand Willow Tree from young Mr Rees, I think it was. Was all great fun and the majority so terribly young.

Florida got me into trouble for mixing jive into a dance that wasn't *that* flexible. And there was the jazz in the beer tent immediately afterwards....

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 06:21 PM

Old Vermin - you should have identified yourself to me... Anyone could have told you who I was!

The Spirit in question came, like Paddington, from Deepest Darkest Peru... or so I was told.

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 04:37 AM

""Any idea who had that marvellous collage of empty Gordon's Gin bottles and tonic bottles outside a tent near the ceilidh tent last night?""

ah, you mean Ginhenge - the aftermath of the gin and tonic workshop!!

Derek

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 05:10 AM

Lady P and I tried our best... we did have at least 4.5 bottles of gin in the tent at one point... and only the one bottle of vermouth, which is almost the right ratio!

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 05:20 AM

Six nights in a caravan !--good job we have our own shower (I didn't fancy queueing up for the portacabins).Well, what funny,windy,un-summery weather that was,despite the MO's earlier Prevision Meteorologique of a "Barbecue Summer". Who went to the Late Night Acoustic Stage in the Shooting Roots "Hive" ?? This was the event that WFD & I were stewarding,and jolly cold & windy it was too,although all of the "acts" were pretty good in their own way,we thought.....for the young lady from Sidmouth it was her "debut",and the brother & sister from Henley (like me !) were terrific ! Snippets of conversation picked up from SH and others,suggest that the event,with improvements to seating etc,may well be a future regular attraction ! I think that WFD will shortly be putting some of her digi photties (including wind-blown tents,rainbows,and Spooky Men under a Spooky Moon) on here soon,so look out !

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 05:22 AM

Major highlight was the Imagined Village performance on Friday evening

According to Mark Radcliffe on Radio 2 last night, Martin Carthy sang a version of Slade's 'Cum On Feel The Noize' as part of the set.

Is this true? I do hope so, and would love to hear it!

Ed

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 02 Sep 09 - 06:44 PM

For all fans of Heath Robinson, here is a picture of the lashed together roof strut that nearly fell down in the ceilidh tent.

At Shrewsbury a large length of metal fell onto the dance floor.

I have a photo somewhere that is about 20 years old of a roofing slate that fell onto the roof of a Volvo estate car at just the right angle and went clean through it - knife through butter.

Things dropping off roofs are bad news. Two marquee failures in one weekend is disturbing - some fatigue testing and redesign needed maybe?

http://www.seered.co.uk/140_4064_closeup.jpg

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 07:50 AM

My worry as I arrived was the huge Flag-pole and the humungous flag within crushing distance of my tent. The guy did take it down several times but the wind noise it made was warning enough for any person with a bit of sense. It was a Budhist prayer flag!! The pole was bamboo which is (allegedly) stronger than steel. And that is twice as strong as the aluminium that made-up the tall official flag poles that fell at Shrewsbury last year. One caravan and no people affected. No people hurt by falling beams at Shrewsbury this year but that kind of luck will not last. Another factor was the exposure. The Towersey tent is flanked on two sides by trees that can dissipate a lot of wind energy. The Shrewsbury marquee (if in the same place) is on an exposed raised part of the site with a lot of flat grassland for the wind to run unimpeded from one direction. And that can be assessed in advance and the risk is obvious. Wind will blow when it wants. But at least that tent is out of the flood plain.

One report had it (on the EC forum) that the Shrewsbury beam fell during construction, also. Hmmmmm.

But then if your prime aim is growth you will miss a few tricks and let's hope it is not injurious next time.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 09:29 AM

Did Martin Carthy sing a version of Slade's 'Cum On Feel The Noize' as part of the 'Imagined Village' set. I'd be interested to know, please.

Thanks.

Ed

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 10:13 AM

The guy with the Buddhist flag should not have flown it in such high winds----he should have waited for Karma conditions !!

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 07:04 PM

Yes Ed, 'Cum On Feel The Noize' was the first encore performed by the Imagined Village, thanks for reminding me!

It was good fun for all concerned, though Martin had to keep referring to his words :0)

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 06:42 AM

On another thread,about flags and flagpoles,I have aired my misgivings about the Towersey campsite . I was very concerned that so many tents,many of which had LPG bottles outside,were so densely packed together,even to the extent in many cases,that their guy-ropes overlapped,in some cases actually onto designated footpaths.Many caravans and camper-vans appeared to be too close together to be able to comply with the H & S LPG Gas Regulations--I may be wrong,but in my opinion,H & S and / or the local Fire Dept. could have had a "Field Day" last week.I also saw cars being driven well over the campsite speed-limit,and dogs running around off the lead despite the rule to the contrary.
                Towersey is a big accident just waiting to happen.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 07:01 AM

Shrewsbury is too, and a smidgin closer IMNSHO.
I saw guy ropes on the Towersey corridors for cars, they remained intact. Folkies are pretty good by and large but we are talking percentages, and not 100 either.

The real problem is that there are Folkies and there are festival goers. Shrewsbury was veering to the latter and by all accounts that is accelerating. But that is the intention. Cambridge - watch-out!

On observation I would prefer to trust Towersey management and punters, any day.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 07:03 AM

Yes Ed, 'Cum On Feel The Noize' was the first encore performed by the Imagined Village

Many thanks for that conformation, Noreen.

Ed

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 07:11 AM

Karma onditions - ha ha ha ha
ROTFLMAO

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 08:23 AM

Permanent campsites have to comply with Rules and Regs as regarding spacing of units, firebreaks, etc. Temporary ones do not, as far as I know. At Chippenham it is all laid out to the inch (25.4 mm!) just as a permanent site would have to be. Whether this is choice by the organisers or a requirement of the local council I don't know - but it is local, not national rules.

Agree about the excessive speed of a few cars - I was nearly swiped by an official (Towersey) Landrover at the entrance to site 2. A steward who was checking my wristband pulled me out of the way. I was sufficiently annoyed to complain - luckily I did this to the woman (Sue?) who was the site 2 manager and she appeared to take it seriously. I'll prepare a diagram suggesting changes in layout and send it to the organisers. Most of the official vehicles at Towersey were being driven slowly and setting a good example.

On another 'rules' issue why can Towersey have amplified music after midnight on Sunday and Sidmouth cannot?

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 09:32 AM

Heard amplified music after midnight on Sunday, but thought it was a car system.

As for the young lad who got into his car across the fence from my tent after Tickled Pink and started his engine and eventually just sat in it, after he had had the speakers on loud and his mates had gone to get taxis...security man had a wrathful Old V in pyjamas to deal with. He was an ex-dibble.

Bloke was spark out in the driver's seat, utterly pissed, key in ignition, engine off by then which was probably after I'd flashed a torch at him.

Conversation along the lines of 'You are technically drunk in charge of a vehicle - get in the passenger seat now - listen to me [all x 3 or 4] - when you feel cold and wake up, move the vehicle away into the corner - [x 2 or 3]. Reinforced by threat to have him nicked.

Driver looked a mix of sheepish/defiant as he drove off the next day.

Security guy as an ex-dibble had apparently missed the change in the law whereby RTAs now said to apply on private land. Probably as well...

Heard the same day "Must take this eye-liner off - don't want to get pulled by the cops...they'd never believe...But I am *completely* legal."

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 09:41 AM

"On another 'rules' issue why can Towersey have amplified music after midnight on Sunday and Sidmouth cannot?"

Different local authorities, different bugbears. Sidmouth has to apply for temporary licences on all of the sites it uses, and my understanding is that the local authority has a thing about late night noise on a Sunday across the area as a whole - not just as it applies to the festival.

Still, it gave us a good reason/opportunity to introduce silent disco, which was a massive hit.

Subject: RE: Towersey - who's going?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 09:52 AM

He was,indeed,drunk in charge of the vehicle.In fact,the very act of sitting in the vehicle with the keys in his possession,even with the engine NOT RUNNING,puts him well in the shite ! Unless the law has changed since I gained my RSA "CPC(National Freight)" ..?? Even parked in the drive outside your house (you don't have to be on the road !).