Planning next year's festivals?

Subject: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 08:13 AM

It's getting that time of year again as this festival season is gradually drawing to a close, so its not too early to be pondering where to visit in 2011.

So I'm looking for suggestions from y'all as to what places may be best fitted to my requirements.

These are:

Plenty of sessions, preferably mixed.

Reasonably priced camping, without the neccesity of buying a full festival ticket.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: theleveller
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 08:53 AM

Pretty certain we'll be going to Ryedale and Moonbeams again - can't beat them for value and an all-round great time. Then we'll just have to keep an eye on what's on and decide if we've got the time and the money.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Midchuck
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 08:55 AM

Is this a UK or US thread?

P.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 09:17 AM

yes

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 09:18 AM

.......but seriously, I'm looking at UK fests

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: banjoman
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 05:52 AM

The Old Trout Band were planning to be at Broadstairs again next year for the 22nd year supporting the Hobby Horse Club, singarounds, ceilidhs, workshops etc. However, I have just had an email saying we are not wanted-giving the reason as -we have to do whats best for the festival. It seems a poor way to end such a long term relationship.However, we wish all at BFW our best wishes, especially those performers who grew up musically either listening to or being encouraged to sit in with the OTB. Quite a few now famous names in that list.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: jeddy
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 06:07 AM

i second that request.

we haven't done any festivals for a couple of years now and am missing seeing everyone.
the only requirement so far is they need to allow dogs on campsites.
not sure where we are headed next year for hols.

take care all
jade x x x x x x x

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: GUEST,freespiritceol
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 06:15 AM

Don't know if you include this side of the Irish Sea in your plans, but if you do. The weekend after st patricks day we have a weekend of music and fun at Bernard Harringtons bar Glengarriff West Cork. It's free all you have to do is get here. Here is last years program to give you some idea what it's all about.
All the best
John

Free Spirit Music Festival
St Patrick's Day Weekend 2010
Glengarriff County Cork
Friday 19/03/10
Opening Session at Bernard Harrington's Bar From 9.00 till ……………..
Including CD Launch from kerrys own John Buckley fabulous accordion player
Introduces his new CD "Tunes From The Heart"
Hosted by John & Marie FREE SPIRIT
Saturday20/03/10
3.00 —5.30 Open Mic At The Maple Leaf Bar   come and show off your talents , all welcome, singers/musicians/dancers/poets/storytellers/Comedians……..

6.00— 8.00 Hiring fair looking to hire musicians for the coming season? Want to see the best local talent? This is the place for you come and see and listen to what's on offer. Looking for Gigs? Come and showcase your act.
9.00—9.45 'The Story and The song'
CD Launch from Irelands very own Travelling Pipeline Man
Steve Roche Steve is a very talented song writer and story teller Not to be Missed!

Followed by Late Concert/Session at Maple Leaf Bar Starring the best and brightest local and visiting talent. Come along and be entertained ! or better still take part! Have you got the Glengarriff factor?

Sunday 21/03/10
Lunchtime Barbeque 1.00—3.00 with live music and very special guests Outside if weather permits, inside if not.
Survivors Session (sore Fingers Time) 6.00—????????????

Interested in taking part? Contact John & Marie [e-mail]
Tel [phone]

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 06:18 AM

All those events are down as being in March 2010!

Isn't it a bit late to be posting, surely we've missed 'em all!!

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 07:57 AM

.........oops, just re-read your post - you said its this years

Looks good, thanks

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 08:09 AM

Think you'd probably like this one, Mr H:-

Moira Furnace Folk Festival

Even if you buy the ticket, that's only £20 for the whole weekend.

Sessions/singarounds in two of the local pubs and on site.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: GUEST,Larry
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 10:01 AM

Ely Festival accepts dogs and is a fun little festival in a gorgeous town/city.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: jeddy
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 10:27 AM

thanks larry, we will certinly check it out!

moira is on a wonderful site. we meant to do it this year, but funds would only allow either festies or holiday :(

now i am wanting a time machine so we can have a second summer.
x x x x x x x x

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 10:39 AM

This was my first year properly folk festivalling (including camping)
We stewarded at Sidmouth and loved every minute of both stewarding and spectating and partaking. Next year we will steward again and we'll stay for the entire week.

Moira was fabulous. Lovely site and so well organised for such a young festival. People friendly and inclusive.

We don't camp but the Rochester (Kent) Sweeps festival is fun, lively and colourful and has lots to offer to different tastes.

Leigh (Leigh on See, Essex) Festival (no camping to speak of) is free and has some good stuff to see and do.

I am hoping to squeeze in one more folk festival next summer but we are torn. We want to return to Minch View cottage near Gairloch for a much needed Scotland fix.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: GUEST,Freespiritceol
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 10:39 AM

Sorry for the confusion

Next years free spirit fetival at Glengarriff is the weekend after st patricks day 2011.

Pics from this year at

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11424&id=100000390005799&l=8ee5bc1fcd

All the best

John

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 11:05 AM

Hardraw May Gathering I would recommend, lovely setting, camping in grounds of Green Dragon inn, Waterfall to look at and sessions and concerts in pub. http://www.hardrawgathering.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 11:21 AM

Not having the OTB at Broadstairs will be the festivals loss. You can only camp at broadstairs if you have a season ticket and there are no dogs or smoking on the field. However, its difficult to get better ice cream.

Whitby has lots of things going on and there are non festival camp sites near enough to the centre. Best fish and chips.

We did Wadebridge for the first time this year. The camping was a bit expensive but a good choice of main guests and the best PA man of all the festivals I've done this year. Excellent pasties in the town hall concerts. The second rank guests were not so hot, but we came accross a good sing around.

You have to have tickets for Ely - book early - and the sessions tend to get drowned out by the PA from the tents. There is a pub in the town that does all day music.

Autumn in kent has Faversham' Deal and Tenterton.

enjoy whatever you pick
FloraG

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Cats
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 12:54 PM

Moira and Whitby, you can go straight up after Moira to Whitby and can camp on the Moor and Coast site at the community college without having to buy a season ticket.. and it is a flat site and the closest to the town and the stewards are brilliant. Loads of sessions all over Whitby and possible to get intop events by paying at the door as well as special 'value' events for those who don't have too much money to spend but still want to see top artists.

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 30 Sep 10 - 08:10 PM

Garway, just South of Hereford next June. A lovely inexpensive little festival. Google it.          Dartmoor of course; Upton, to name my favourites.
Sal

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 07:45 PM

Bude & Stratton FF 27-30 May 2011 - Mudcatter 'Hawker' is one mainstay of the festival

Subject: RE: Planning next year's festivals?
From: Old Vermin
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 04:33 AM

This year we have done:

Summerpole in Guildford - first Saturday in May and very much Morris. Assorted pub, town festival and village fête Morris and choir outings with sessions.

Sidmouth only for a day - just me and it poured on the journey over. We camped last year and found it too much of a marathon trying to do a mix of ceilidh, workshop, plus the odd concert and session and idling in the town. It was the 'quiet' campsite noise at stupid hours coupled with rain and mud that finished us. Was it better this year? That said, I could cheerfully do much more Middle Bar, so next year?

I do know minimalist people who sleep on the street in car or van and just do Sidmouth sessions/idling. Others pay for accommodation but just do sessions.


Didn't get to Towersey at August Bank Holiday. Did last year on a half-price ticket. Tad expensive full price. I wonder about just going to the Barn for a sing.

Did get to Singfest in Surrey. First weekend in September. Is this a folk festival? Technically perhaps not but has features in common. Weekend secluded farm. Camping but not compulsory. Singing workshops leading to concert. Barbecue supper then ceilidh on Saturday night. Songs and the odd tune round the fire last thing Friday/Saturday. Cider and beer. Fiddle or two being played during the breaks from workshops.

Non-singing spouses/partners/offspring & co get to idle round the place. Small children being run off feet looking after a steward's collie which also joined the ceilidh. Not an extravagant weekend, but good.

And an afternoon and evening at Swanage - second weekend in September. Red Lion session, Artisan in concert in the church - good acoustics, and saw the odd bit of dancing plus donations-only gigs. Possible to camp and sight-see and do sessions/free events. A seaside weekend out.

Lewes coming up - not really thought about it yet. We'll see. What's it like?