Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 12:30 PM

LoL, bliss ... I wonder what is happening in the Folkie world these days ? ? ?
- Mark , x.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Gordon Newton
Date: 08 May 10 - 09:43 AM

Thanks to all who came to Sweeps 2010.
From my perspective as Festival Director for the 30th year It well well thanks to my colleagues Doug Hudson and all at Medway Council's Event Team.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 05 May 10 - 07:16 PM

the Albion Abbo's - me playing Myrtle and Hix singing 'Fever!'
That was in the cellar bar Jolly Knight, Sweeps '94. Bludy hot, no ventilation whatsoever, and 5+ pts Abbott (or was in Burton?). Fingers covered in blisters the next day, couldn't play my sqweezbox. Not even when I was sober ..

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 05 May 10 - 07:07 PM

sorry, I just remembered; Terry's bass was called Myrtle !!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 May 10 - 06:26 PM

If we are talking Ely - book your ticket, go somewhere else for the weekend, turn up 7 pm Sunday night and go to the beer tent. Do not expect to drive home until 3 PM monday, you will be over the limit - I have nearly gone straight over that first roundabout in the past.

And the second.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: The Barden of England
Date: 05 May 10 - 03:44 PM

Not leading sessions Jen, but joining in. Beer tent is the place.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 May 10 - 12:01 PM

It was a very enjoyable Sweeps this year I saw no trouble at all. despite I was by near attacked by a sodding Dog.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,synbyn no cookie
Date: 05 May 10 - 10:03 AM

Had an enjoyable Sat & Sun despite the weather- and think pretty well all the trouble was caused by bunches of tanked-up local lads coming into the town with cans of supermarket lager- saw a fight at 6pm on Sat which was nothing to do with festival, it had been prearranged over mobiles. Police did well I thought. Highlights were Luke on Sun and the guitar session in the Good Intent- so many excellent players in one space! Thanks to all the organisers who had good contingency plans in place, and especially the Pigs Ear stage who coped amid deluge!
Bob

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 05 May 10 - 10:01 AM

goodo, there's a bunch of us coming from broadstairs
are you leading sessions there john?

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: The Barden of England
Date: 05 May 10 - 08:46 AM

I'll be aT Ely too, making sure the Kent contingent is as strong as ever.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 05 May 10 - 06:02 AM

Thanks Jen and Pierre, pleased you enjoyed it, hope we catch up with you again soon.

John

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 05 May 10 - 05:24 AM

agreed, i really enjoyed the bounty hounds too

even played their cd on the way home

i noticed they are also booked at ely - will try to make the whole gig there!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 May 10 - 04:46 AM

Bounty hounds you done a great gig in the Eagle I was there fore much of the set and the pints of Nelson I consumed were equally has good. Very well done.
Regards Pierre.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: The Barden of England
Date: 05 May 10 - 03:20 AM

Terry and Myrtle the bass were there, and a fun time they were having too.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 04 May 10 - 08:09 PM

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 10 - 08:06 PM

Sorry, I couldn't make it this year.
Still a rowdy element? I remember all the lager-drinking chavs coming out on the streets 15 years ago.. Remember the Jolly Knight, had a great session there till 5am back in '94 when I arrived just before 'closing time' at 22:50 !! :D

was Terry and Emily(?) the bass there ? I've not seen them for a long time now...

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 10 - 08:06 PM

Sorry, I couldn't make it this year.
Still a rowdy element? I remember all the lager-drinking chavs coming out on the streets 15 years ago.. Remember the Jolly Knight, had a great session there till 5am back in '94 when I arrived just before 'closing time' at 22:50 !! :D

was Terry and Emily(?) the bass there ? I've not seen them for a long time now...

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 04 May 10 - 07:14 PM

I walked the high street and heard no music from the night club Thank heavens.

It all seems a bit of a palaver and has suggested lets not blame the wrong folk who are nice people?
It will all come out in the wash. I know no more then any folk but truth will come out when the owner of the hotel comes out he aint got nowt to loose.
Regards Pierre.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 May 10 - 06:55 PM

BH - there used to be lots of acoustic music at Sweeps.

And I think a post of mine has gone to the bit-bucket int he sky

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 04 May 10 - 06:41 PM

Sorry to hear people had bad experiences at the Sweeps. We had a great time, two cracking gigs in Expectations and the Eagle Tavern, although playing mainly (I suspect) to locals and other visitors rather than 'folkies' who had come specifically for the festival. We played at both venues to a full house, sold lots of CDs and were delighted with the number of people who remembered us from last year and looked us out again.

My impression is that the sort of unfortunate incident described above could have happened on any Saturday night in Rochester and is no reflection on anyone involved in the organisation of the festival.

Before complaining too much, please remember that first and foremost, the Sweeps is a Morris festival with concerts and such like as an added bonus, and, in that respect, very different to a folk festival with a paying audience come specifically for the music. One other thing to bear in mind is that events were juggled around a bit because of the extreem weather conditions, which may be the reason for the problem in the acoustic tent, they may have been booked performers who were scheduled to be outside.

As far as I am concerned Doug and Gordon deserve a huge cheer for everything they do for the event.

John

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Girl Friday
Date: 04 May 10 - 05:50 PM

I have just got a lengthy reply, and a very detailed one from Doug.

Some of his points are valid, but I will be contacting him again. Apparently the Gordon had asked for a late music licence which was granted, and the concert, headlining Moveable Feast was due to finish at 12.30. This change was too late to go in the programme. The incident was unrelated to the festival and it's clientel. Whoever the band was were excessively loud, and did not take into account the acoustic session with Heretic.
I doubt we shall stay at The Gordon next year. Tam, can you p.m. me with details of your B and B please.

Sue

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Girl Friday
Date: 04 May 10 - 05:07 PM

That was me, forgot to log in!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 10 - 05:05 PM

I wouldn't think for one moment that Moveable Feast were to blame. They were supposedly the support act. Calico Street Riots says it all, I thought from the material that they were The Singing Loins. Let me explain some more. As usual, I was the only person to loudly comment on the fact that someone should shut up the w*****s" in the marquee as they were clearly going on too long. It did seem that they had stopped at about 11.15, but then they started again. I suggested that someone pull out their plug, and was prepared to do so, were it not for the unsavoury people who were arriving. The incident happened in the lounge bar. The landlord's son refused to serve one of them. The refusee then telephoned some friends, who turned up . Then a fight ensued. The police stopped all the music, and closed the bar. I wasn't aware why until breakfast time.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: The Barden of England
Date: 04 May 10 - 03:30 PM

If it was XXXL the Richard Bridge would claim it!!!

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: melodeonboy
Date: 04 May 10 - 03:21 PM

"at the campsite i was presented with a small white metal thingie with holes in"

I believe that's a component from the Z-booster drive of a Martian spaceship. The Martians, being clever little creatures, have since developed the far superior XX-booster drive. I fear that your thingie may already be obsolete, unless someone wants it for spares for an older model.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 04 May 10 - 11:57 AM

if you read the sweeps program about calico street riots..."a young festival band that aims to leave an indelible impression!"

the situation happened after the gig in the backroom.

please do not inadvertantly link this to moveable feast...they played at my venue many and were lovely people.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 May 10 - 09:50 AM

As I read it the thumpers were not the band, but late night revellers attracted by the racket.

I would however shoot the operators of the "night club" blasting hip-hop out of speakers on the High Street near Star Hill all day.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 04 May 10 - 09:25 AM

Re above
"What a Palaver" I put it too you all last years Bank holiday was over shadowed by thuggish behavior from the younger generation. I noticed it was not so bad this year. I noted a higher Police presence and not so many falling over drunk youngsters drinking openly on the high street. There again we also didnt have to contend with that bloody night club thumping out rave music.
Its a sorry state of affairs when performers cause riots and has a result a man is put in hospital.

I must ask
I quote Girl Friday " they were excessively loud and they would not stop playing.
I wonder why the plug was not pulled on this band? the moment they started acting up.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 May 10 - 08:39 AM

Ah, the Jolly Knight has been thus ever since it was sold off separately from the King's Head.

First I heard of the events of the Sat night. What a bummer. I trust the miscreants (if identified) will not only be prosecuted but also permanently barred from all pubs in Rochester. The band should be named and shamed: the booked bands were Moveable Feast and Calico Street Riots.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Girl Friday
Date: 04 May 10 - 06:21 AM

As we didn't see Jen yesterday, can we assume that the owner of the thingy has been located? That was a very enjoyable final session at the G.I. Tiredness overcame us by 5.00 , and we had to leave. Yet again, the G.I. sessions were the best part of the Festival!
The other performance opportunities proved poor. As ever, we were welcomed at the Corn Exchange sing around, but due to lack of signs, the attendance was very patchy. Thanks to Mark L for requesting "Road Kill Cafe", and introducing us so wittily. We had been asked to turn up at the Acoustic Tent, but after a couple of hours of endless band spots, (Doug had organized), we went off to watch Perfect Strangers. An open mic should be just that , the guests have other performance opportunities! Even the advertised Friday session in the Gordon was replaced by a band gig. The Jolly Knight session was replaced with karaoke.
As to the unfortunate events at The Gordon on Saturday night. The incident may have been avoided if a grip had been kept on the performance time in the beer tent! The band were excessively loud, and would not stop. "People" were drifting into the hotel after hours, attracted by the racket, and ruining Heretique's attempt at a late nighrt session. It culminated in the hospitalisation of the hotel proprietor !
I am raising these points with Doug who will be emailed a copy of this posting.

Sue T.D.L.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 04 May 10 - 04:31 AM

i dont know richard, it could be if a separate mouthpiece fits on. i'll check with mike n.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 May 10 - 03:15 AM

Is it a circular pitch pipe? If so I know that Capella usually use one.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 04 May 10 - 02:47 AM

tam - you too, it was great to hear you sing too, well done.

at the campsite i was presented with a small white metal thingie with holes in. not sure if its part of a blowy instrument or a bangy one. it was found at the GI. not sure why it wasnt left there, but if anyone has lost it let me know and i can arrange to get it back to you. i checked with TDL and norman who all seem to have weird and wonderful bangy things, but its home is not yet found. will probably return it to the GI if noone claims.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 May 10 - 06:20 PM

RM - I took some wossname (as discussed at Crayford) down on Sunday in case I met you and you needed it, but there you weren't!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: romanyman
Date: 03 May 10 - 04:40 PM

Loved it, even with a slipped disk, it was a great sweeps

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 May 10 - 02:40 PM

p.s. Nice to have finally met you Broadstairs - Jen.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 May 10 - 02:36 PM

Indeed! In spite (or maybe because) of the weather. I did not go out and spot Dancers this year. But I will next year.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: broadstairs-jen
Date: 03 May 10 - 02:03 PM

yes it was!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 May 10 - 01:51 PM

What a great Sweeps that was

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Wee Jock
Date: 01 May 10 - 03:31 AM

Border Crossing are playing at the City Wall Wine Bar stage hosted by Pigs Ear on Sunday 2nd at 12:30, till 1:15. We are also playing on the Boley Hill Stage on Monday 3rd i think its 1:30 till 2pm, we will also be at the Good Intent over the weekend for the best singarounds
at the festival

Lets all have a GREAT GREAT WEEKEND

John

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 09:54 AM

Caravan packed and hitched up, ready to go!!

Come and see us at:

1st May, Expectations, 6-8pm
3rd May, Eagle Tavern, 12.30-2.20pm

Mainly traditional based, with some original songs and a smattering of folk/rock classics.

http://www.bountyhounds.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 09:49 AM

Wevva looking wetta and wetta on metcheck

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Dave K
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 02:09 PM

Looking forward to another superb Am version of Ride On Saturday John. Plus the equally superb selection of beers!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 10:34 AM

Hi Richard
Re Crucial Brew.

I think it was something like 12% volume and nothing has equaled it since in a can.
Special Brew was nothing in comparison and nether are the 9% cans like the are ones on sale these days.

Crucial brew was drunk by the homeless. has high 9% cans of Tennant and skol still are to this day>

If my memory serves me right

"There was a tee shirt once that had a picture of a tramp on the front and the tramp had a halo of a glow all round his body and he held a loft a can of Crucial Brew and the caption on the tee shirt read.

In big Red Letters                         "Crucial Brew
                                                          Ready Break for tramps?
Re the Ready break porridge oats breakfast , advertised on television at about the same time has Crucial brew was on sale.

The advert with glowing kids going to school in a snow storm?
The tee shirt sold in great numbers at Carnaby Street. But ther tee shirts were banned by the then outraged authorities at the time.

Regards Pierre.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 08:17 PM

Just returned from Wetherspoons and a couple of halves of Maui Coconut Porter 5.0%abv. Yummy !!
Remnants of thier two and a half week long Real Ale Festival.

I knew that you were a decent bloke Richard, I'm not like the others you may have unfortunately encountered ..

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Pete Cunningham
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 08:12 PM

As part of the Rochester Sweeps Festival
PJ playalong music session 8 till late will be at the
Coopers Arms, St Margarets St, Rochester on
Saturday 1st May 8.00 - 11.00pm.and
Sunday 2nd May, 7.30 - 10.00pm
Pre festival session on Friday 8.00 - 11.00pm.as a bonus!
All welcome

Also come and check out all the music books, instruments and accesories on sale at P J Music. Princes Hall, High Street,(opposite Ye Arrow)10.00am - 6.00pm SAT, & Sunday and 10.00am to 3.00pm Monday

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 06:18 PM

Crucial Brew Fakebook Group

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 06:07 PM

Pierre, point me at high ABV drink...

I didn't know Crucial Brew had been restricted. When I was younger I was a reggae disc jockey, you see...

I was at Kenny Cramp's 65th (or was it 60th) birthday party (thanks to John Barden and Paul Hurst) and he brought out the private stock cider. He, a lifelong cider drinker, was drinking it in nippikins! But it was lovely.

Well, to my surprise, Mark, it seems we may be able to talk civilly about something, so long as politics are eschewed.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 05:39 PM

I drank four cans of that Crucial Brew once and fell backwards out of a open window and smashed a coal frame Im surprised you have even heard of it Richard? It was banned years ago?

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: GUEST,Mark Stevens
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 05:35 PM

Richard, I must find out about the Red Stripe Crucial Brew, thanks. I don't find the Dragon Stout too sweet and sickly at all ! Quite the contrary in fact.

Now, a whole pint of Harveys Christmas Ale 8.1%abv .. That CAN get a bit sweet and sticky-ly ..   @o)D

Subject: RE: Sweeps Festival 2010 - Rochester, Kent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 04:24 PM

It looks as if the rain will hold off for the dawn dancers, but you'd all better change your names by deed poll to Noah and have hewn a quantity of cedars of Lebanon by Sunday afternoon... albeit the campsite is high on the hill.