Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?

Subject: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Flossie
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 03:50 AM

Anyone know the state of play with this given the travel and weather conditions?

Flossie

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: doc.tom
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 04:28 AM

What is 'The Great British Folk Festival' ?

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 04:56 AM

I think it's the Butlins one - Mudcat thread here

I don't know whether it's happening or not but I think conditions are pretty bad on the coast and wolds. Be worth giving them a call on 01754 762 311

Cheers,

Pete.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 05:00 AM

I called them on the 0845 nymber and got to speak to someone who was nowhere near Skeg, who said they roads were all clear! Well I live 40 miles away and can't get my car out of the drive! Even the towns are cut off! Can't see the performers making it.

Check out the forecast, especially the animated sequence

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 05:01 AM

oops http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2910

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 05:08 AM

O that one Flossie, get yer thermals out flower

I do know one or two have bought tickets! I know nothing more

Ray

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 05:28 AM

I just rang them on 01754 number. Definitely going ahead, despite the weather forecast, and even if many of the artists can't get there.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Flossie
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:17 AM

We live in Grimsby, and it's knee deep snow here, can't get the car out of the drive. The roads around Lincolnshire are treacherous, and there's heavy snow forecast in Lincolnshire overnight, especially the Skegness area.

However when I rang Butlins, I was told that all the roads are clear and that it will be going ahead. It's somewhat irresponsible in my opinion, to encourage hundreds, maybe thousands to such a treacherous area. Cars are being stranded over night in the Lincolnshire Wolds, and Lincoln City Council have cancelled the Christmas Market - the biggest event in their calender.

We're not going to the GBFF, and we're only 40 miles away. Gonna have to ride the loss, but after hearing that at Gunby Corner (main route in to Skeg) there's only 1 lane open on the dual carriageway, and that the A52 (the other main route in) is passable only with extreme caution, we're really not gonna risk it.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Fran
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:17 AM

Unlike the 70's and 80's weekends at least the folkie ones can bring instruments, so even in all the artists don't make it it will still be fun.

Think the Chalets might be a bit cold though, packing blankets!

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: I don't know
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:32 AM

Just posted on the main thread. Rung & was told to ring 9.00am tomorrow bwhen they will say more as more snow is expected today & overnight. Will not risk our lives even for this event if there is any doubt to the road conditions in that area. Here in north essex in has just stopped snowing having been since about 9.pm yesturday & the warnings are not to travel unless you have to.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Joules
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:44 AM

I have just rung them ( actually Skegness itself I was told ) and was told that the sun is shining, the A52 is clear and all artists will still be performing and tomorrows are actually already there. A friend rung 5 mins later and they told him it was snowing.
Also, there is no mention of Butlins on Jethro Tulls website, but Kate Rusbys site says she is there on Sunday. I haven't checked anyone else's yet but intend to later on.
I think we will leave the final decision ( to go or not to go, that is the question ) until tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Fran
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:49 AM

Expected program

Friday December 3rd
(Downstairs venue)
7.30 ˆ 8.45: Gary Fletcher
9.15 ˆ 10.30: John Renbourn and Jaqui McShee
11.00 -12.15: Oysterband
(Upstairs venue)
7.30 ˆ 8.30: Gordon Giltrap
9.15 ˆ 10.30: Acoustic Strawbs
11.00 -12.15: The Lancashire Hotpots


Saturday December 4th
(Downstairs)
12.30 - 1.30: Ay Ducane
2.00 ˆ 3.15: Phil Cool
3.45 ˆ 5.00: Richard Digance
7.30 ˆ 8.30: Rod Clements
9.00 ˆ 10.30: The Unthanks
11.00 -12.15: Jiggerypipery
(Upstairs)
7.30 ˆ 8.45: The Gathering Unplugged
9.15 ˆ 10.30: Sandi Thom
11.00 -12.15: Stackridge


Sunday December 5th
(Downstairs)
1.00 ˆ 2.00: Hunter Muskett
2.30 - 3.30: Shinjig
4.00 ˆ 5.00: Deborah Bonham Acoustic
7.45 ˆ 8.30: Kate Rusby part 1
9.00 ˆ 9.45: Kate Rusby part 2
10.15 ˆ 11.30: The Dylan Project
(Upstairs)
7.30 ˆ 8.30: Away with the Faeries
9.00 ˆ 9.45: Donovan
10.15ˆ 11.00: Donovan and Band

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 12:05 PM

Its a bit of a struggle to get to Immingham ,Scunthorpe from Grimsby and Caistor is I believe still cut off...Shops are running short on things like bread and milk.
If any of you do make the journey hope you fare well and have a lot of fun you will deserve it..

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Gy Morris man
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 12:48 PM

Have been grimsby to skeggie today, in gy we have 2 to 3 feet of snow.
But not a lot today,
Skegness is 2to 3 inches at most. main roads clear. But have been through heavy snow showers.
Avoid the wolds if you can the higher up the more lying snow.
From about 5 miles south of louth heading north it gets worse very quickly,
and louth was passable with care.
Tonights forecast is -6 but no snow.
For those that make it enjoy.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Pulseroom
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 03:35 PM

There's a thread about the concert.

Folk Festival at Butlins Fri-3-Mon-6 Dec 2010 (UK)

I'm going, I'll get there one way or the other.

In the chilly hours and minutes,
Of uncertainty, I want to be,
In Butlins at Skeggy beside the sea.

Whooop Whooop! Bring it on.........

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: I don't know
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 04:44 PM

Just had e-mail to say going ahead but please drive with care. Still going to double check before leaving in case of any last minute changes.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Pulseroom
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 08:52 AM

One word sums up this event *****Phenomenal*****

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Mick Woods
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 08:53 AM

I wish I had booked for this one - a superb line up for a really good price. I hope they do it again soon!

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Mad spaniel
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 10:03 AM

Was apparently a fantastic event. A friend went and loved it, had a little bit of a slow journey but otherwise OK and nice warm chalets.
Some of the acts didn't make it (Strawbs)
Will try and go if they do it again
Only downside was Donovan who was apparently awful

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 11:20 AM

Just got back after quite a long and hairy drive,,,,,,,,A good event despite a few no shows and some rearrangements. The Strawbs were there (on Friday) and were excellent as were the Oysterband, Rod Clements Gordon Giltrap and The Dylan Project. Kate Rusby was fine. I was prepared to be disappointed having read some horror stories about Butlins however was more than pleasantly surprised. Accommodation and food were fine, staff were very pleasant and helpful. There is lots of potential for improvement of course but for a first attempt I thought it was a great effort. Hopefully there will be more events like this at Butlins or the like. Must say wouldn't fancy it during high season as I imagine it could be chaotic and unpleasant. Perhaps people might write to Butlins with suggestions for more singarounds, workshops etc. On the whole very enjoyable and will certainly pencil it in for a repeat visit.

Frank

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,bigdrummergirl
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 11:39 AM

I had a fantastic weekend have booked again for next year. Judging by hthe queues at the booking shop so have lots of others.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 12:23 PM

Soundsfine if you are happy to be an audience - Nbt so hot if you are looking for somewhere to activly play/sing yourself !

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Pulseroom
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 01:23 PM

The Strawbs did make it, they were fantastic, and Donovan wasn't awful? I think personally he was very good for his age, however there are 2 events working simultaneous, there is centre stage and Reds, Donovan was performing in Reds and in centre stage was Kate Rusby and Dylan project and they were awesome. Best for me were Strawbs, Phil cool, Oyster band, Ey Ducane, Rod Clements, Deborah Bonham, Gordon Gilt rap (Awesome), Donovan, Nine Belo Zero, and finally The Dylan Project who really finished the show with a bang. Just to make it clear there was a fantastic open mike in Jaks Night Club. Good audience and plenty of chances to do your thing, I did 2 sessions and enjoyed it very much; it was a nice stage and lighting with good sound with sound engineers.

So! Some of you are posting incorrect information, the above is Fact! Take it from me it was phenomenal.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Dick Greener
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 06:08 PM

Thanks for pointing out the Strawbs did make it - only to perform in a room which itself was at sub-zero temperatures. Fortunately aheating engineer was called to sort it out for the next day.   Great Festival, good accomodation, friendly staff.

For me, a little too much blues, but hey that's me, and of course some of the dropouts (Unthanks, Renbourn/McShee) were the prime folk part of the pie. But scheduling could have been better thought through: the original schedule had Remborun/McShee against Strawbs (the former were unable to make it owing to the weather), but also The Gathering (feat. Ray Jackson) at the same as Rod Clements solo: realoly dumb.

Kate Rusby was spectacular and Digance showed yet again he can command a lunchtime crowd with absolute confidence.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Mad spaniel
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 05:44 AM

Sorry Strawbs WERE there, maybe he missed them.
I only come to this forum occasionally and some of you get SO aggressive.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 08:01 AM

Some friends of ours went and wanted us to accompany them but we couldn't because of the overtly discriminatory over-18 rule which not only excludes youngsters but also families. It's Butlins, for goodness sake, so you can't say they aren't geared up to catering for kids. It just goes to reinforce the stereotype of folk music as for 'old gits'.

I wonder if artistes like Kate Rusby were allowed to bring their children with them. I also wonder what kind of an outcry there would be if a music festival put on an upper age limit excluding, say, anyone over 60.

Ah well, can't wait until Ryedale and Moonbeams which are brilliant for kids.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 08:03 AM

Hey, maybe it should be renamed The Great British Old Folks Festival!

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 08:15 AM

Perhaps if they held the next one at Butlins in Bognor Regis ( if Butlins is still there ) ,then some of us Southerners might be able to make it ?? ---Henley-on-Thames is MUCH too far from Skegness (wherever that is ) !

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Pulseroom
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 09:55 AM

I agree with you about the over 18 rule, here at the Wath festival we have a full day (Mayday) specially for kids with maypole, clowns, dances, laughing policeman, jugglers etc. I don't know the reason for the over 18 rule but Butlins may have a good reason, why don't you ask them? If you feel that bad about the rule then I can support your stance on not attending, but it's a sell-out concert so I can't see that changing the rule. Contact them, make your concerns known to them.
I did notice that all the play area's were closed, maybe it would cost too much for the staffing of these areas, and at this time of year they would probably be empty majority of the weekend.

Ha Ha, not sure about the old age gits, I'm certainly and old git but I did see some young people there, lot's of them actually but over 18 of course. I can remember my grandparents taking me and it was always freezing cold. Hence my favourite song of John Connolly "Out of Season".

Keep your fingers crossed this old git is still alive for the next one seeing that I have tickets for it.

Whoooop Whoooop bring it on............................

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: I don't know
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 10:07 AM

Never will please all the people, but one down south could redress the balance for traveling & give everyone another part of the country to visit if they wished also one further north for our scottish friends might be nice, although with the weather this year it could have been a problem.
Artists for next year to be announced springtime (the lady in the booking office hopes) be intriguing to see who will be there (all ready booked). Lets all hope the weather is better.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 11:50 AM

We drove up on the Friday from Staffordshire. Surprisingly, all of the main roads were clear, even in Lincolnshire. It was cold but the accommodation was warm. One of the venues (Reds) was cold. My husband asked one of the bar staff about it and she said that they don't have any heating in that venue because most of the events that they hold involve dancing and people generate their own heat. She told my husband "You lot are half dead", which would explain why it was cold!

We thought it was a fab event. The Strawbs were there and so was Donovan who, after a shaky start, was brilliant. He sung every song that he's ever written and we all joined in. Technically, he was a bit rusty but that didn't matter.

I saw Kate Rusby's first set and she was as good as ever. Gordon Giltrap was bloody wonderful. I enjoyed so much more: Rod Clemence, Hunter Muskett, Shinjig, Richard Digance (still singing that song about sherbert lemons.

I know this will make me unpopular but, speaking as an old fart, one of the best things was the fact that there were no children. I used to take my daughter to festivals and I know that most festivals do accommodate children - in fact this is the only one I've ever come across that didn't. It was far too cold for children and it is pleasant to enjoy uninterupted adult company. Maybe those people who want to take their children to festivals could choose from one of the hundreds that are available.

The only down side was that neither Stackridge or the Unthanks made it and they were two of the bands that we really wanted to see.

There are lots of folk festivals, special events and concerts held in the south of England. I'm always complaining about the number of concerts that are held in London, which is difficult for me to get to. Bognor would be even more difficult. Perhaps Butlins could be persuaded to run 2 parallel festivals, like the V festivals.

Not sure why it was called the BRITISH folk festival - very few Irish, Scottish or Welsh performers.

All in all, a brilliant weekend away!

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 12:34 PM

I can agree with most of what's been said here. Slightly disappointed that Donovan didn't do anything off 'Cosmic Wheels', my favourite Donovan album. And some of the acts were a bit rock/blues, but it's all music.

There wasn't anything in the singaround/session line. We asked if we could have a sing in one of the bars, and they said 'yes, fine', but by the time we got there they were shutting up (10pm!).

The accommodation and food were fine, and the staff were brilliant, friendly and ready to help with anything even if it wasn't their own job. We'll definately go again, given that there's someone on the line-up we want to see.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 02:32 AM

There was a festival down south, at Haddenham, as there has been on the first weekend in December for decades, and we had the Oyster Band too!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 08:36 AM

There you are. Those people who don't live near Skegness can go to the one in Haddenham. Sorted!

We live 125 miles away, by the way, so it wasn't really local. We wanted to see Donovan.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-2011
From: I don't know
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 05:32 AM

The festival is on again this year 2nd - 4th December.
Artists that have been booked this year to date are
Seth Lakeman
Fairport Convention
The Dylan Project
Martyn Joseph
M/athew Southern Comfort
Pentangle
Steve Gibbons

Should be another fantastic weekend, just hope the weather is kinder this year.

Subject: RE: Great British Folk Festival-going ahead?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 07:26 AM

It was at Butlin's centre in Skegness, friends of mine who went said it was wonderful, weather obviously cold being near X'mas but it was all indoors and warm. Don't know if it's to be an annual event, but do hope so as the line up was excellent