How did you find Whitby folk week

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,bec
Date: 15 Sep 12 - 07:54 AM

re. tides and Regatta.
The locals don't think it is anything to do with the tides. Races are often finished the next week.
People letting accomodation are annoyed because they can easily let out two weeks, it is impossible to fit everyone in to one.
Thoughts are that it is when the Red Arrows are available!

We always enjoy Whitby - though there are always hiccups.

Strange, hardly any of you memtion dancing - both ritual and social, workshops and dances and ceilidhs. Probably healthier than sitting still in pubs! It is all wonderful. Only problem is not being able to do it all, too many clashes in the programme, oh, and needing ear plugs for the Spa at night.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: bfdk
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 08:49 AM

I didn't notice till I was working the video over for youtube, but who is the bloke with the Mudcat badge wandering around with the collection box?

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 05:39 AM

I finally made it to Whitby Folk Week for the first time this year after many years of hearing about it from various people. I was stewarding and my working hours were about 9:30-1:30 (mornings to lunch not late night!) then the rest of the day was my own. I couldn't believe the extent of the selection of workshops, sessions and concerts in the programme. I don't think I really made the most of my season ticket because I had decided to just chill out and go with the flow. I met up with a banjo playing friend whose band played at a few sessions down at the Bottom House. I went down there Saturday and Sunday nights and a couple of times later on in the week, and got my bluegrass fix. I'd come to WFW on my own (other half was working) but got on just fine chatting to people I met at the campsite, at sessions and workshops. Quite a few of my singing friends had also come to the Festival so it was good to meet up and go to a couple of concerts with them, or meet for dinner or a cuppa.

The Old Time American evening was one of the highlights for me, with Steven Green sitting in with Sara Grey and Kieron Means (very impressed with them). Ben Paley also joined them for a couple of numbers. I also enjoyed Rattle on the Stovepipe and Jeff Warner. Another night I went to a more traditional folk evening at the Football Club with some of my mates. I had never seen many of the performers before but really loved the whole evening which included traditional songs from Will Noble and John Cocking and Jim MacFarland from Ireland amongst others. Also wonderful fiddle and accordion, English clogging and singing from Hannah James and Sam Sweeney. That girl can dance! Also enjoyed the Irish Hoolie and the spine tingling singing of Rosie Stewart.

There were many, many more fantastic performances during the week and I also managed to make it to a couple of Sacred Harp sessions and tried out West Gallery singing. I also attended a beginners' fiddle workshop led by Carol Dawson from the Workshy Profits. What a patient lady. I was amazed to actually get a tune out of the thing (albeit rough!) the very first time I had touched the fingerboard!! I must get a couple of proper fiddle lessons to start me off.

All in all, it was a great time in a wonderfully atmospheric place (although not being familiar with Whitby, at times I could not believe how unbelievably overcrowded the town was). The only slight negative was all the walking up and down hills (especially when carrying banjo!). In the end I never had the chance to get to a Mudgather, so didn't bump into Geoff the Duck or Noreen but I thank them and others for their kind advice on my newbie thread. I think I might have seen Max when I was hanging about at the American Dance workshop but didn't twig at the time or I would have said hello.   

Good crack, good music, nice people and sea views. I'll be back! Here are a few of the video clips I made:

Kieron Means & Sara Grey

Will Noble & John Cocking

Hannah James & Sam Sweeney

Jeff Warner

Rosie Stewart

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Soldier boy
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:53 PM

It were a grand do and I will return year after year.

The VERY special singaround in The Black Horse one night with Muppett and Hartleypool Harry and Fritz et al and a whole host of locals and tourists and damn fine singers will glow in my heart for many years to come.

Bless you all.

Chris

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: sionnach
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:25 PM

Totally agree, Mo. And those experts were happy to discuss stuff with those of us who are less-than-expert. That contributed to a wonderful atmosphere all round.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:52 PM

That's just it. Not the emphasis on 'big names' (playing loud music) that you feel some festivals have. Though the performers / callers / bands at Whitby are stars in my book.
Crowds of experts doing their bit of Folk at a high level, be it dance, song or music. A joy to be part of it and raise ones own performance. More crowds of people learning e.g. how to play in a session, so always a chance to learn something new. A different 'something' each year.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: bfdk
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:26 PM

I didn't ask them that, Jack, but I have a contact e-mail for one of them, so if you're very keen to know, you can pm me and get it. Then you can ask them yourself ;-)

Third Gog Magog video is uploading as I type this.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:10 PM

Thanks to bfdk for the terrific videos.

Where did Gog Magog get their stripey legwear?

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: sionnach
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:58 AM

My first Whitby. Thoroughly enjoyed a very busy week! We focussed on traditional song, with Doc Rowe and a few morning lectures thrown in. Enjoyed Jim & Graeme at the lunchtime singarounds in the Endeavour; it's probably unfair to single anyone out though, because everything seemed to be a highlight, and only rarely did food become an issue ;)

The main difference between this and other festivals I've been to was that Whitby's not about "stars". I went to the folk week and got a week of folk. So I'm perfectly satisfied, and hope to be back again next year. Well done to all the organisers, stewards, and venues!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:44 AM

Thanks, Bente - much appreciated.

Valmai

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: bfdk
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:26 AM

For those wanting to relive parts of the folk week there are now some videos online - and more will be added as time permits.

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:42 AM

Accommodation booked for 2010. Says it all really.

Says what? That you are senile? The next one in in 2011. You've missed the boat for 2010.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: John Routledge
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:23 AM

We had a great great week. Football club our favourite venue for listening rather than participating although atmosphere so good you feel that you are participating :0)

Attendance of Max was a real bonus. What stamina he has!!

The overall tone of this years festival was lower key than previous years and for us this was an improvement. Whitby week is surreal enough as it is.

Accommodation booked for 2010. Says it all really.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Northerner
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:03 AM

I only managed one day there this year (Friday)but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Storyaround session in the Ship is getting a bit full. Another venue? Another storyaround?

I'm hoping that Bert Draycott will be guesting there next year. I was at the Stockton Folk Club on Monday when Johnny Handle was on - Bert was there watching. I overheard Johhny Handle offer to recommend Bert to Whitby.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:54 AM

Refresh!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 03:23 AM

No Malcolm, not too bad!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 08:46 PM

So all in all it wasn't too bad then?

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 08:24 AM

Nice spectacle I didn't mention before: a longsword team was doing their act in the Elsinore. For the finale, they did the standard charge out of the door. Into the middle of the road, directly into the path of a colossal pickup truck - airhorns on the roof, extra fat tyres, stickers all over it with pictures of power tools and the caption "Weapons of Mass Construction", left hand drive with an 18-stone driver hanging one ham-sized bicep covered with flame tattoos out of the window. Wasn't playing Willie Nelson on a superwoofer stereo at the time, but you get the idea.

The dancers stopped where they were, with their swords in a lock.

The driver didn't even toot the horn.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 07:40 AM

Fleeced at the Fleece?

After following the Plough for all those years most folks moved to the Fleece. The landlord couldn't believe his luck. Then came a new landlord and higher prices. Then the flock moved on down to the Bottom House.....

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: JHW
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 05:00 PM

Thanks for all that tide stuff. My guess was right then that the flow is affected. Just trying to weigh up why the tide matters to the regatta so much as along with detriment to Folk Festival goers it must be a great nuisance to all the mass of purveyors of sideshows who's calendars are forever pushed about to suit.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Michael
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:59 PM

Perhaps that's why it's called The Fleece

Mike

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:52 PM

Had a wonderful time again this year only spoiled by the news of the young lad who drowned. Good singing everywhere - the Fleece, Endeavor, The Bottom House, The Railway, Rowing Club, FILO, Black Horse, and others - (spoiled for choice). Pity about the Beer prices in some pubs ie 3.30 for a pint of Guiness in the Fleece.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: LesB
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 06:07 PM

Unfortunatly we were unable to go this year. I have had feedback from a lot of friends that were there & they all seemed to enjoy it as usual, but there were a lot of moans about there being no 'Bop Til You Drop' this year (substituted by a poorly attnded ceilidh). I have heard since that this was down to pressure from one member of the commitee, who obviously can't stand the idea of the Spa being packed with people having a good time. (& selling lots of beer).
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:45 PM

Freudian Slip?

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:43 PM

Well maybe not Witby but Whitby would be better :-)

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:40 PM

I'll second that!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 04:14 PM

Graham Moore then for Witby next year?

Dance to Tom Paine's Bones
Dance to Tom Paine's Bones
Dance to the oldest boots I own
To the rythm of Tom Paine's Bones

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:48 PM

JHW

The effects would vary considerably depending on the size depth and course of the river, the weather conditions at the time and the strength of the opposing flows involved.

From my time in the RN Hydrographic Surveying Branch I dont think I came across a river that actually flowed backwards as the tide came in.

However our own river Severn has a tidal bore that flows up river as the river is trying to make it to the sea. Whether there is a counter current flowing below the Bore I know not.

From http://www.riversevernbore.co.uk/

The River Severn Bore is a natural example of a self-reinforcing solitary wave or solution.

A curious phenomenon associated with the lower reaches of the Severn is the tidal phenomenon known as the Severn Bore . The river's estuary , part of the Bristol Channel , has the second largest tidal range in the world which is approximately 15 metres , exceeded only (couple of feet) by the Bay of Fundy in Canada - and at certain combinations of the tides, the rising water is funneled up the estuary into a wave that travels rapidly upstream against the river current

The bore travels a distance of approximately 25 miles between Awre and Gloucester.

Severn Bore enthusiasts even attempt to surf along on the bore wave, which can be 2 m high. Being the onset of the flood tide it is accompanied by a rapid rise in water level which continues for about one and a half hours after the Severn Bore has passed.

According to some sources, the name " Severn " is derived from the name Sabrina (or "Sabern"), based on the mythical story of the drowning of a nymph in the river . Sabrina is also the goddess of the River Severn in Brythonic mythology .

From my experience of the river Esk it generally slows down as the tide is coming in and speeds up as the tide is going out. The rate varies with the following:

Whether it is Spring or Neap tides and the height of tide at the time.
The wind direction and strength
The amount of water coming down the river as run off from rainfall.

Sorry if the waters have been muddied but there are many variables to take into account.

CC

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: treewind
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:36 PM

The flow of the river is affected by the FLOW of the tide!
Tide coming in - river is slower; tide going out: river is faster.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: JHW
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:08 PM

Re the Tides and Regatta?
Now I wouldn't know a Coxless Pear from an Orange Pippin but does the FLOW of the river change with height of the tide?

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 10:08 AM

Just been speaking with Graham Moore and he is a alive and kicking.
He is away at the moment, but said that if the organisers wanted to book him for next year, he would be more than happy to oblige. Just e-mail him and he will reply.

He asked me to say hello to everyone and of course Malcolm Storey. He said he is missing the lobsters and crab sandwiches.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,Lurkio
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 09:49 AM

This year was (I think) my 30th Whitby. I often think that the location is so charming and interesting that the festival organisers could easily become complacent about the events on offer, knowing that most people would return to Whitby regardless. Thankfully, this has never been the case in my experience, and the festival never disappoints. I still miss Roy Atkinson's fringe competition and the old tooth-loosening scrum for the heather, but I wouldn't miss my time there for the festival for the world. Thanks to all involved in this year's event.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 07:52 AM

Speaking as a person who some years ago used to be the one responsible for the figures published in the Admiralty Tide Tables, it all gets rather complicated in some locations.

Surpisingly it is all a bit like music!

You would think that the variations ot the pull of the moon and that of the sun would make for a pattern of tides that could easily be deduced, but you have to consider 64 different "harmonic constants" and see if the maginitude of each of them is sufficient to make a difference. They are all deduced from readings taken at the location over a number of years and then in turn used for prediction. The shape of the coastline and seabottom depths will affect which of the harmonic constants come to the fore for each location.

If you think of each harmonic constant as describing a sine wave of a particular wavelength, telling you the amplitude and the offset of the starting position, then all you have to do is add up the heights of each one at a particular time to get your prediction. You can see why it all became easier with the use of computers.

We used to have a mechanical "predicting engine" at the Hydrographic Office that used just the 16 most important constants. A fascinating piece of machinery!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Mo the caller
Date: 01 Sep 10 - 03:09 AM

Ann said "my friends bagged the spare room for next year almost as soon as they'd unpacked for this one"

We booked for next year in July, when we paid the balance for our self catering flat (been caught out by leaving it till August).

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Ann N
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 05:04 PM

Had a great time and my friends bagged the spare room for next year almost as soon as they'd unpacked for this one :)

Only got to a few official events as there was so much going on in 'the fringe'

I didn't see the TV interview (too busy with music/sessions etc) but in the run up to Regatta/Folk Week the local radio station had several interviews with Regatta officials and they all said that the committees for both events were working together to ensure that everything went as smoothly as possible :D

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:58 PM

Herga Kitty: "Mike oN - we had the slightly unnerving experience of realising that Doc Rowe was filming us singing in the family room of the Station Inn on Friday evening!"

Kitty, I can understand your Friday night nerves! At the Wednesday night ceilidh, just as we were going on, I realised that Doc Rowe was filming Hexham Morrismen's spot. Fortunately nobody fell over, dropped a stick, or lost the plot - but no doubt the video will expose a few technical flaws for other Morris-persons to mock, if and when it becomes publicly available.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: r.padgett
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:25 PM

o fame at last Kitty!!

Ray

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 02:46 PM

Mike oN - we had the slightly unnerving experience of realising that Doc Rowe was filming us singing in the family room of the Station Inn on Friday evening! We've rebooked the B&B for next year - see you in just under 51 weeks.

Kitty

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 05:55 AM

My understanding is that The Red Arrows appear for free but the booker has to pay for public liability insurance.

All the best

Jim Hancock

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 05:45 AM

How was Whitby Folk Week for me? It was great – the thought that there won't be another one for 51 weeks is very depressing.

Problems? None, apart from my own inadequacies - the inability to be in two places at once, and the need for a few hours sleep every night.   There were so many goodies on offer that nobody needed to go short.

Highlights? Top of the list was the Monday night gathering in Max's honour at the Endeavour – great to meet so many 'catters and hear them sing and play. Also highly memorable were Will Kaufman's marvellous multi-media presentation about the life and songs of Woody Guthrie, and Doc Rowe's fascinating archive film shows. And as usual, the sessions and sing-arounds at the Station Hotel (the raucous ones in the big back bar, and the more decorous ones in the little front bars)were great fun.

Like Arnie the Terminator, I'll be back.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Barb'ry
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 05:31 AM

Did anyone see the commodore/person in charge of the regatta being interviewed on tv? The film clip showed hundreds of people milling around town, people singing/playing instruments and dancing as well as watching the regatta and not one word was mentioned about Folk week! All credit for pulling people in to Whitby was due, allegedly, to the regatta!
I couldn't decide whether the woman in question might have mentioned folk week and it had been edited out, or she had 'forgotten' to mention it at all (in which case the reporter should be drummed out for not finding out the facts). Either way, it was a shame.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 05:18 AM

Valmai

The information I gave about the tide times was accurate to the minute, there was no mis-information, I think Malcolm was trying to say that the reason given by the Regatta committee for holding the regatta was not so much driven by the tides that weekend but by other factors.

Regards

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:39 AM

Apologies for the misinformation about the tides dictating the regatta date - I'd been told that this was gospel, but Malcolm will be better-informed than anyone not directly involved in organising the jolly boatmen.

Valmai

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:36 AM

The unfortunate Monday weather saved the Regatta a large chunk of money because of the non-show of the Red Arrows so hopefully the Regatta's nominated beneficiary, the RNLI, will have done doubly well this year.

That was an eye-opener. The military actually CHARGES people to do propaganda displays?

I presume the rally of vintage vehicles and engines was an add-on to the regatta rather than to the Folk Week. It was pretty interesting. (And at a guess they didn't charge to do it).

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Old Vermin
Date: 31 Aug 10 - 03:26 AM

Has any considered actually asking the Regatta organisers how they chose the date? They'll probably be friendly and willing to chat.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 08:55 PM

Sorry Graham it's Graeme

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 08:53 PM

Jim and Graham - magnificent!

Maybe someone ought to tell the local rag.

TIDES

Total rubbish - the reason for the Regatta choosing the dates it did were probably dictated by the Tall Ships event in Hartlepool, but getting even a semblance of the real facts from the Regatta is almost impossible.

The unfortunate Monday weather saved the Regatta a large chunk of money because of the non-show of the Red Arrows so hopefully the Regatta's nominated beneficiary, the RNLI, will have done doubly well this year.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 06:58 PM

Jim and Graeme's maritime singarounds in the Endeavour raised £1733 for the lifeboat.

Kitty

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 04:37 PM

Whitby was, as I've found it to be for the six times I've been able to attend, wondrous. Fine music everywhere, separated by steep hills.
Parking this year was sparse to non-existent, so that my aging knees
restricted our choice of venues--there's not much time allowed between events-- and event organization seemed a bit more haphazard than it had in past years, but the music and the people were grand.
    Unlike many Mudcatters, Susan and I have chosen to focus on planned events, rather than fringe activities. There was too much good music for us to skip at the events, and pubs tend to get too crowded for my taste. But I've come to know so may Whitby regulars that going seems to be like coming home.
    I wish we could make it every year. As it is, we've already pencilled 2012 on our calendar.

Subject: RE: How did you find Whitby folk week
From: Paddy123
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 03:54 PM

Hello Jack,
A friend told me of your comments on mudcat. So I thought I would get in touch. I sang the song it is called What fettle old marra. I wrote it about 18 years ago now. Pleased you liked it. I do have it on a CD that I made of my songs if your interested let me know. my email is [e-mail]

cheers Paddy