Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale

Subject: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 05:16 AM

Please have a look at the new website and our new on-line ticketing system. Early Bird tickets are now on sale. There is some preliminary information about stewarding as well.

www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk

Hope to see lots of you at Sidmouth this year.

Joan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 06:12 AM

I have suggested some improvements to the official website - at the moment you need about 25 click to find and compare all the prices.

Here you need one click: I was wrong on one point. I said this could be done in ten minutes. It took me half an hour.

all ticket prices on one page!

official website

You forgot the blue clicky Joan.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: GUEST,Dave Eyre
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 07:58 AM

I think you are seeing unnecessary complications.

I want four all in one tickets and an all in one youth ticket. What's the problem Steve?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 08:30 AM

Steve's comparison seems very helpful. It enables me immediately to see that if I took the vardo down for the duration, I'd pay £107 with no event tickets. I couldn't find the "passport" on the official site at all even with the help of Mr Google.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 08:35 AM

NO PROBLEM AT ALL IF YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!! And if you know you can afford it.

If you have a budget of (say) £600, try working out how you could spend it - you need all the prices on one page to skim through.

It's the same problem exactly as many bank and building society websites - 25 clicks to find all the intererst rate(s) you want because the key data is hidden behind multiple clicks and information you don't need in a primary visit.

I've sent comments to organisers, glad to say the site is being improved.....

I may load the full email if necessary to explain the obvious!

I repeat - it's no problem at all for old timers who know in advance exactly what they want.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: The Barden of England
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 08:36 AM

I found the "passport" no problem at all. £107 is a great price for a full weeks 'vardo' Richard. It's the way I'm doing it this year, and Jan's doing her stewarding thing again after a year off. And the bus runs really late too.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 08:39 AM

Thank you for the comment Richard! I've had another one already.

SO NICE to be appreciated...........

One day I might even get a link from the official website - but I'm not holding my breath!

I think my Newcomers Guide could be especially helpful - page folk160.htm from memory.

Hey ho.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 08:47 AM

Thank you Joan for starting another thread.

Now I have to keep posting on both of them.

What is it about women?

Everything has to be made as complicated as possible ....

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 09:26 AM

Whoops, even men make mistakes sometimes.

Forgot the blue clicky,,,,,,

Newcomers' Guide to FolkWeek

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 09:52 AM

I've just noticed something.

If you look at my one page guide to ticket prices, the Early Bird wording is applied to every age group on weekly tickets (second image on page) but only to the Adults line of the All-In-One (first image on page). It seems to be missing elsewhere too, in other of the images - is this intentional?

I guess you only notice these things when they are all on the one page.....

Also, is there any reason why the Early Bird wording is used against children's tickets when these are free anyway?

exceedingly helpful summary of tickets page

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: GUEST,Previous Guest
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 10:36 PM

It would seem that no matter how hard the organisers of Sidmouth try they are never going to satisfy one local in particular.

Perhaps it would be sensible of them not to try and just rely on normal information streams ie mailshots, media coverage and advertising.

Unfortunately although Mudcat can be very informative and useful it is also very prone to being dominated by self opinionated bigots and verbacious clowns - and yes you know who you are.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 04:09 AM

WOOHOOT! Getting excited already. We plan to steward too. Happy that JB is joining us in the camping field. Would be great if we could get the Kent crowd camping near each other, but I am locked into the disabled camping area.

Praying for fine weather because that trek up and down field was difficult enough when dry.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: GUEST,Initiated
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 08:29 AM

Anyone else notice how out of the 27 bands/musicians in the line up, seven are represented by Albion Folk, Sidmouth organiser Joan Crump's company?

Init?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 09:18 AM

I think I intimated in the other thread that it was not so much helpful as it was critical and more likely to turn people away from Sidmouth Folk Week than to encourage them to attend.

If you really want to help the organisers do it better than offer your advice (and hands on work) for free and offer it privately.

At the very least keep your axe grinding to your own thread.

I know, not very nice but I have flu and no patience for this childishness.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 09:50 AM

Thanks, Tam. How I love the notorious Mudcat "Guests". :)

As was discussed on a previous thread, the Board of SFWP Ltd is fully aware of my work with Albion Folk. The agency side of Albion Folk belongs to Nick Hallam. I do not derive any financial gain or benefit from the agency.

For Sidmouth I book artists that I think our audiences will like. That's the only criteria. I have worked with several of the Albion artists in the past, and it seems a bit daft to think I could no longer book them because my colleague is now their agent.

There are still many festival bookings to be made. There will be literally hundreds of artists in the final lineup. The number of Albion artists will be a tiny minority - but they are all there because I think they are right for the festival, and for no other reason.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: GUEST,Nick Hallam - Albion Folk
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 11:03 AM

Hi Guest-Initiated

Look I've used my real name.

I look forward to your insightful analysis of Agency/Artist ratio from all of the other festivals over the summer - the punters will be fascinated. It's perhaps best left until the festivals have actually happened to get an accurate picture though.

However, I'm glad you've taken the effort to look through the Albion website to check my artists - you will note that they are all of an exceptional standard and I'm sure the Sidmouth, and many other festival, audiences will be very impressed with them.

In the meantime would you like to declare your agenda?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 11:05 AM

Thanks for clarifying that so simply Ruth. It is sad that some people have to question the integrity of major event organisers with proven track records. Your involcment in Sidmouth, for example makes you ideal for your part in Albion Folk.
Good Luck with Sidmouth Week, the jewel in the Folk Crown.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Howard Jones
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 11:20 AM

The "Camping Passport" is only visible once you click on "Buy Tickets" - it's not mentioned on the general ticket page, and the site search facility fails to bring it up.

I think it's a great idea. My wife and family aren't very interested in the music and don't want to go to the events, and the cost of buying several festival tickets simply in order qualify to use the campsite (at further cost) has put me off going for years. We did go a couple of years ago (I had just been made redundant and needed cheering up) but for what it cost me and my wife for the privilege of sleeping in a sloping muddy field we could have stayed in a hotel - had any rooms been available of course.

If I can buy camping tickets without having to buy a festival ticket as well I might start going again.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 01:07 PM

For some years you could have joined the Supporters Club (same £25) and camped - again instead of buying any event tickets.

To some extent, both the Supporters Club (which followed from the EX10 club and available only locally) was never widely advertised - it's caused a few problems.

The terms of the renamed scheme - Camping Passport - (when you find it!) are now clearly stated - and I am assuming you can buy one 'on the day' if space is still available.

For a newcomer, not accustomed in any way to the complex ticket structure of FolkWeek, I feel a simple one page summary is useful - hence my webpage.

One page explains all.

Also, my Newcomers Guide has proved quite popular (already!).

all about the festival

One of the first rules of marketing is surely to make taking money off people a pleasurable and relaxed experience.

If using the official website (and assuming you want to get a full picture of all the options before deciding what to buy) you have to use between 30 and 40 clicks to get ALL the information on ALL ticket types. That is just annoying - and remember many people have trouble adding up a grocery bill.

If the design of the official website puts off just one family who might have spent £300, that is £300 too much.

And surely, a new festival website doesn't need a secret build up and a hyped 'launch' - it could have been loaded as a draft (everything working except the final 'buy' link) and comments from users could have been sought for two weeks. Then all subsequent users could have been presented with a 'tried and tested' version.

Makes sense? It does to me - it is quite common these days for companies to issue 'beta' products.

Politicians test their ideas before unleashing them on the wider public - its called using "Focus Groups".

One of the most applauded and easy to use financial websites is the on-line tax return! It was extensively developed and tested before being launched.

It's brilliant - it's so logical I could have written it............

The present design of the official festival site is fine for people who already know what they want - but that is not the point!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 10 Jan 11 - 04:50 PM

Mr Wozniak,

I have been instructed by the Director of Sidmouth FolkWeek, on behalf of the Board, to ask you to immediately remove the images on your web page which belong to Sidmouth FolkWeek. Your website is not sanctioned or condoned by the festival, and you have no permission to use either the festival's logo, banner or images.

Thank you,

Joan Crump

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: GUEST,Guest, Initiated
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 11:16 AM

I am just wondering how many will look at this thread and specifically about my question about the conflicts of interest at the time? Any news on why Joanie is no longer artistic director at Sidmouth?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: bubblyrat
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 11:57 AM

Oh how I long for the Sidmouth of old , ie 1965 or thereabouts ! There were none (at least as far as I remember ) of these personality clashes , arguments , bitchiness , power-struggles and mud-slinging ( although mud seems always to have been involved somehow !) .
          The time has come to enter a new Arena , and Forge ahead !

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 01:21 PM

Yes, the days when EFDSS ran Festivals, when will entrepreneurs realise that running folk festivals is not the same as running a rock festival.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - tickets on sale
From: GUEST,Ellen Vannin
Date: 22 Nov 11 - 05:12 AM

Here we go again, it's slag-off Sidmouth time. This is so boring. Since I remember what it was like when EFDSS ran it, I can only say, I am delighted with the way it's changed. And bubblyrat, in 1965 the festival was very small and there was no easy internet way to bitch and whine and, in the case of Steve in Sidmouth, try to wreck it for everyone else.

Fortunately most people don't give a toss about small minded conspiracy theorists.

And the big question for people like that is, what do YOU do? What do YOU organise? What do YOU contribute?