newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Jul 10 - 08:21 AM

Greenguy, I think you'll find the vast majority of sessions are NOT by invitation, but they all vary. With the Middle Bar it's the twig-holder. At the Bedford and the Swan it's mainly "jump in" when you can. At others it may be "round the room" (Woodlands?)or the session host may indicate how things will go. At Rosie's evening one at the Faulkner, she takes names in a wee book as you arrive, then usually tells you when your turn is coming up. It used to be "by invitation" at the Volunteer, but that may have changed - please someone advise - but I think if you tell the host you'd like to sing they'll fit you in. (And same for the late night singing session in the back room at the Bedford).
Leadfingers and Kitty can tell what the system is in their respective sessions.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 04:20 PM

Tam - and, if you've set up on Thursday, there will be singing in the Anchor on Thursday evening and Friday lunchtime, hopefully before you have any stewarding duties!

Kitty

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 02:45 PM

Tam: yes. Campsite open from Wednesday.

Off to Sidders - see you all there!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 02:00 PM

Can stewards (it's our first time too) set up caravan on Thursday 29th? We wanted to arrive day before reporting for duty so we can set up and go grocery shopping and stuff.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 01:55 PM

Greenguy - hope to see you in the Middle Bar and possibly even in the Faulkner bar sessions. The reason for the fines in the Anchor is to raise money for the festival so it's quite acceptable to sing TWR if you're happy to pay the fine! And it was noticeable, when the Middle Bar singers were made to sing TWR to the tune of Away in a Manger at the Wareham Wail as a forfeit a few years ago, that the MBS all knew the words all the way through....

Kitty

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,Greenguy
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 12:31 PM

I wrote:
People aren't sick of hearing "Barrett's Privateers" or "What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor"?

*Not*, I should point out, that I had been considering leading either of those two songs.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,Greenguy
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 12:29 PM

Thanks to Leadfingers and Tattie Bogle for the useful information.

As a Sidmouth newbie who wishes to lead a song here and there, but also wants to be sure to comply with local custom, this is really valuable information to have. By the way, I'm one of Cllr's friends from the states, and the one who asked him about a "newbie's guide". This sort of thing is part of what I was hoping to learn.


Tattie Bogle said:
"Some of the Trad sessions are a bit more exclusive: i.e.
   don't ask you to sing unless they know you."

So is it common for you to need to be asked to sing, as opposed to just following the general politeness rules that Leadfinger described for the Newt's session?

And, when an invitation is required to start a song, is there generally either a passed token (such as the Middle Bar twig) or an explicit introduction? The former ought to be pretty obvious and so easy to follow, while the latter would make it clear with whom I should check in if I want to sing. If, on the other hand, there are sings where you need an invitation but not an introduction/token, then that could be confusing to someone who doesn't need the room quieted.


Leadfingers wrote:
"DONT Sing The Wild Rover"

Got it, and no problem. Any others songs that make people groan? People aren't sick of hearing "Barrett's Privateers" or "What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor"?

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 05:13 PM

Yeah, Wild Rover in the Middle Bar) attracts a £5 fine.....unless you can do it in German (as someone did one year and got away with it) or maybe do the real trad version )dfiferent tune) without the "no, nay, never" bits. Mobile phones going off also attract fines as do such things as over-acting, "crap swaying" etc, etc.

The strange thing about the twig is that it is "driven" from "The Bench", so just when you think it might be your turn next, it goes off in the opposite direction. But if you hang around for long enough/get in early enough you should get at least one song in per session, and ample opportunity to join in any choruses, some of which will be "Standing choruses" when everyone ......stands!

Don't think there's anyone who will seriously get the hump if you do "their song", and you don't necessarliy have to keep "leaving songs" to the end of the session as it will probably not be you singing at the end of the session anyway! (I have sung the "older" version of "Auld Lang Syne" in the middle of a session, on the grounds that it's more about enjoying each others' company than going away!

In the Bedford, a quiet word with the session host that you have a quiet voice and would like to sing usually results in him bellowing "Quiet! (Lady)Singer on!" and it usually works!

Some of the Trad sessions are a bit more exclusive: i.e. don't ask you to sing unless they know you. I was quietly killing myself laughing to be introduced as a "new singer" at a late night session, when I ahd been singing for over 50 years!

And Terry, I'll give the Newt a try this year!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:32 PM

I CAN speak for the Newt - Ita a MIXED session . Songs AND Tunes - IF you dont want anyone to join in , SAY SO , other wise we tend to play along ! And NOT to drown out the singer !
We (Gerry and I) are there to fill gaps and maintain SOME semblance of order , so we try NOT to let one person or group take over !
Otherwise its just be polite and try NOT to start a song when someone else has just got going - There are one or two who are quieter than me !!
The Middle Bar has Twig Rule - When you are passed the twig its your turn ! And there is usually a board witha list of Fines - DONT Sing The Wild Rover is usually top of the list
Not sure how some of the other sessions run - No Doubt others will say whats what !

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,guest - Greenguy
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:00 PM

I was wondering about session etiquette for the fringe singing sessions, such as that at the Middle Bar. I expect that etiquette may vary by session, but any information would be appreciated on the following:

1) Are there songs that are either officially or unofficially reserved for certain occasions? I mean something along the lines of saving "Leave Her Johnny" or "The Seamen's Hymn" for the final song of a session.

2) Are there songs that are either officially or unofficially reserved for certain people to lead? Here I mean something along the lines of, "Old Fred always leads that one, so the rest of us leave it to him".

3) Are there songs that are just not sung? Here I mean something along the lines of, "Please, lord, not *that* one, we're all sick of *that* one."

4) What about ending a song with a repeated chorus? Is that common? Left to the discretion of whoever is leading the song? Frowned upon?

Thanks in advance for all help!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 01:46 PM

after reading all this this lot I wanna to be in at least six places at the same time and Iam a Sidmouth Virgin this year too.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Lady Policeman
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 06:44 PM

Jane, just to let you and any others that are interested know, the Sidmouth Indoor Market that was situated up the High Street opposite Somerfields, is now The Original Factory Shop. Ganesha Foods has survived the move and is now in the old Clarks shoe shop at the top of Old Fore Street and the Cheese Board delicatessen has also thankfully survived and moved onto the High Street just down from Somerfields. (Cheapest milk in Sidmouth at 78p per litre!). Quite a few other shops have closed and reopened in some form or other and some are being renovated as I type.The Dove is now a surf shop! Lots of changes but still the same old Sidmouth looking forward to welcoming newbies and oldies to it's festival!

Kath

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:13 AM

Of course

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Jane Bird
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 02:22 PM

Ron Shuttleworth?

Don't you mean his distant cousin, John? :-)

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 01:44 PM

ten days to go! well nine for me but ten if you are seeing Ron Shuttleworth on the Thursday

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: PercyBysshe
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 06:48 AM

This newbie now has her stewarding rota, has engineered a couple of swaps and is very excited (and also quite dizzy from looking at the programme!)

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 06:20 AM

Praise indeed Mr Red !

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 04:45 AM

Read all of the above.

After 3 years I would not be considered a newbie but Terry mentions 2 or 3 session/pubs I haven't any cognizance/recollection of.

Take three gold (make that Silver) stars Mr Leadfingers.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: JHW
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 04:35 AM

As a newbie I was advised to buy a full season ticket so I could try anything.
This was very good advice and I would offer it in turn but I have never bought one since. Partly because I go for such as are in Leadfingers 30th June list plus absolutely the Middle Bar singers in the Anchor ie non ticket events.
Partly because however good a show might be (see Ruth Archer 30th June list) I won't spend half my day queuing to get in which you may well have to do even though you have a ticket and you might still not get in!   
(Plus I struggle with the heat. Last time I had a Ham marquee ticket I came out and listened outside.)

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 08:31 PM

Jane has pretty well answered all Fred's questions, but just to add that Sidmouth has several very good bakeries, a small market hall and a great greengrocer's.
And don't forget the wonderful fresh fish and seafood at Bagwell's, very close to the Ham marquee (tucked away behind the public loos!. The prawn and crab sandwiches are a real treat!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Jane Bird
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 07:03 PM

Desert Dancer - NuCeilidh is more complex dances but with ceilidh attitude, I understand. I'm waiting to find out about Transatlantic Ceilidh.

Ivy, re shoes - wear what ever you find most comfortable to dance in, as believe that most venues are pretty relxed about footware. The dance venues vary from church halls to wooden dance floors in marquees. When dancing at The Anchor Gardens you're outside and in fact you're in a car park, so trainers works best for me there and anything more delicate might not withstand tarmac.

Tankards are a matter of personal choice. A significant minority of people at Sidmouth do use them, but personally I prefer the taste of beer to the taste of peuter.

Fred, there are one of two venues that do have a reputation for getting very full. For example The Manor Pavillion, The Bedford (for concerts) and sometimes The Ham. The first two are relatively small venues, and especially if there's a terrifically popular act on getting in can be an issue. The Ham, on the other hand, is massive - round about 1,000, I think. In general, if you're prepared to queue (at least 30 mins in advance) you're often okay, but it always depends on what else is on at the same time, what the weather's like etc. Getting into the dances is rarely a problem. The good thing about Sidmouth, though, is that if something is full, you often don't have to go far to find something else instead.

If there's something you really, really, really don't want to miss, go and check out the venue first and ask advice from the stewards. They generally get a reasonable feel for what queuing might be like, but it is sometimes hard to predict.

The campsite is very civilised and it's about 25 mins brisk walk from the seafront. There's pavement most of the way now, but nearer to the campsite you have to walk on the road. Torches and reflective stuff (even if only one of those snap-on wrist bands) a v important at night. Some people bring bikes - it's perfectly cyclable. There's a bus running 3-4 times an hour (mostly) as well. The journey back up to the campsite is up the hill (gentle incline) but if you've had a good enough day you won't notice by night time :-)

Tips on cheap, reasonable healthy eating: rolls/oat cakes and cheese, humous etc in town from the grocers / supermarket. White Horse Cafe and Prospect are the chippies (not healthy, exactly), and I'd recommend White Horse as better chips and cheaper, but Prospect is better presented. Gnesha's Wholefoods (my favourite Sidmouth food place) makes the best salad, houmous and falafels around, plus they do a good line in herbs, spices, cakes and yoghurt coated dried fruit.

There you go, that's my two penn'th. I hope anyone coming to Sidmouth for the first time enjoys it as much as I did and still do! I've met so many people and made very good friends as a result of Sidmouth. I'm glad I've got the habbit!

See you in a few weeks time!
Cheers, Jane

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,Fred Snout
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:47 PM

I'm planning to go to Sidmouth for the first time this year. I found some very helpful stuff in this thread – thanks.

A few things I am wondering about…

I'm intending to buy a full week season ticket which "gives access to all events, subject to space". Based on past performance, any idea how likely I am to get grumpy that I can't get in to the events I particularly want to see?

Several contributors mention the fringe. Is there even more stuff going on than is in the Festival Programme and if so how do you find out about it?

Is the campsite fairly civilised? Is getting there and back easy?

Any tips on eating reasonably healthily, reasonably cheaply?

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 13 Jul 10 - 03:40 PM

What constitutes "NuCeilidh", as opposed to any other flavo(u)r? And "Transatlantic Ceilidh"?

I think I understand "Contra Ceilidh", given the "best of both worlds" subtitle...

~ Becky in Long Beach
(future newbie, someday)

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 13 Jul 10 - 02:42 PM

yes but if you have it in a fridge don't you get the cold shoulder?
cllr

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 12 Jul 10 - 11:24 AM

[quote]"I think its essential to get lost and wonder into things that you didn't know you were interested in - both programmed and fridge"[/quote]

That made me chuckle a the mental image of people having a folk fest in a fridge.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: vectis
Date: 12 Jul 10 - 07:46 AM

Thanks for the link. I can now sit with a highlighter and plan my week, including not going to events that are not happening

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 08:03 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 10:36 AM

Working Link

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 08:27 AM

Full festival programme now available on the festival website!

sidmouth home page

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 01:42 AM

Bring plenty of currency- we use something called "beer tokens" it like normal UK money but it only tends to get spent on alcohol during folk week.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 12:48 PM

Thanks for the news about the working programme Ruth.

Don't forget your swimming costume! "Come on in, the water's lovely when you get used to it": the beach is pebbly except at Jacob's Ladder beach at low tide, so some beach shoes are useful too! There's also a nice indoor swimming pool in the town near the Box Office and main marquee at "The Ham".
If travelling transatlantic, think twice before bringing any expensive instruments, unless you're playing professionally and really must use your own (and then be well insured!). Might be cheaper to buy or borrow on arrival and then sell on/hand back when you leave!
Yes, and clothes, something to cover every eventuality that English alleged summer can throw at you!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 11:55 AM

there's also a big range of indoor venues, from small-scale workshops spaces holding maybe 30 people, up to 1000-seater marquees. And dance venues range from church halls to marquees. I don't think they're too fussy about footwear so long as you are comfortable and not wearing anything silly to dance in, like flip flops.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Surreysinger
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 11:48 AM

> how much of my time should I expect to be spending indoors vs. outdoors?

That's a bit like asking "How long is a piece of string",since you haven't said what you intend to be doing Ivy - so it's difficult to make any real comment. There are usually over 700 official events, not to mention all the unofficial stuff,both indoors and outdoors, so it's really up to you how much time you spend exposed to the elements or not. It may also make a difference if you're intending to be whizzing around to different venues in the town, or staying put in one place.
Impossible to answer :-)

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 10:32 AM

A personal drinking vessel IS useful as you are not stuck with floppy plastic and dont have to empty a glass if you decide to move elsewhere .
The Temperature is INFINITELY variable ( Remember , this IS England) so a Light Waterproof IS a good isea , and some of the venues DO get a bit Hot and Sticky as the rain is often quite warm ! LOL

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,Ivy
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 09:32 AM

Hi, one of the newbies in question here (and I dance with Pipe Dream Morris). I'm wondering especially about what to bring with me. For example, how much of my time should I expect to be spending indoors vs. outdoors? (If outdoors, I will plan for sun, rain, etc.) Does the indoor stuff tend to be so crowded that it gets very warm? (Obviously any dancing probably will, but what about the singing and listening stuff?) Are the dancehalls picky about the type of shoes you're wearing?

Anything else I should think about bringing, like "everyone has their own tankard"?

Thanks much.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 03:09 AM

If you're a singer and want to be sure of getting a song, you'll be very welcome in the Faulkner Bar of the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel between 10.30am and 12.30pm Sunday to Friday. Of course if you're staying at Cllr's abode you probably won't have got up by then....

Kitty

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: vectis
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 05:51 PM

If they want a good session of standard tunes becoming more eclectic as the evening progresses then the siling club upstairs in the evenings is THE place to be. Get there for about 7-7.30 if you want a seat.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Girl Friday
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 03:58 PM

Thanks for this thread. There has some very useful info, specially the pub list of what happens.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 02:02 PM

whoohoo! fingers crossed I can join the shanty pub crawl collecting donations for Sidmouth Lifeboat.

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Dave Earl
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 01:03 PM

VT

I am informed by my contacts that the stewarding rotas are being worked on now and will be sent out very soon

Dave

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 12:57 PM

this newbie would like to know what her stewarding schedule is so she can plan extra curricular activities....

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 11:44 AM

mattkeen, i hope it is indeed warm enough to want to walk into the fridge!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 10:18 AM

we seem to have moved away slightly from what i asked for as in a newbie guide i included a line on might " INCLUDE a not to be missed list" but more to the point .The idea of a "newbie's guide" was actually along the lines of what someone who's never before been to Sidmouth should know about the festival in general. I know they can ask stewards on arrival but what preperations can they make before they leave USA, again

Think about stuff you now know that made you think, "I wish I had known that last year" when you figured it out.

as they will be doing a mixture of fringe and festival tickets they will e buying individual tickets for events.

thanks again Mike
PS they might even post to this thread to clarify what they want - hint hint

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: John J
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 10:08 AM

Again:

Have they got festival tickets or are they doing the fringe?

JJ

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: mattkeen
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 08:37 AM

I think its essential to get lost and wonder into things that you didn't know you were interested in - both programmed and fridge

Nearly all of my fondest memories come from those sort of surprises at Sidmouth


Couple of years ago I didnt know that Methera were playing in the church tilled I wondered past ... it was fantastic. Then that made me go back to the church the next day and have since got really interested in West Gallery stuff

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,Phot at work
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 05:35 AM

Try and avoid the puppy known as Jack..................................................

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Dave Earl
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 05:29 AM

Yes

Those ladies know what happens at Sidmouth and there are others there too if the ladies mentioned happen to be off shift when Cllr's trans-Atlantic chums call.

Ian, July, Jackie, Dave (me),or almost any member of the team really (we sometimes have newbies ourselves).

We will have the full Festival information and we have all been around Sidmouth long enough to know about the fringe things too.

Dave

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 04:51 AM

Someone said earlier, go to the box office and ask. Good idea!

Ask for Flirby or Linda - who have been coming to the festival themselves for years as performers, stewards and punters, and who have husbands who've been heavily involved for as long a time, and they will sympathetically point you in the right direction.

If it's Morris your guests are more interested in, don't forget the marine morris which used to take place on Thursday afternoons in the sea in front of The Marine. I don't know who runs it these days!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 07:53 PM

Working programme is just in the finishing stages. Should be on the website next week!

Subject: RE: newbie guide to Sidmouth folk festival
From: Cllr
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 07:49 PM

I met some of jack in the green when i was in Boston last year for lilac Sunday we were singing together in a bar on the Sunday- the folk and ale was organised by red herring morris which is the team this group belong to. I know the side was went to the London Ale in Toronto earlier this year.

Cllr