Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (2011)

Subject: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:48 AM

From the 'Winsford & Middlewich Guardian:

MIDDLEWICH Folk and Boat Festival has been saved.

It has been revealed that the town's flagship event, which attracts 20,000 people, was in jeopardy.

The 20-year-old festival was previously run as a charity but due to diminishing volunteers and financial difficulties, the town council has come to the rescue.

But visitors will notice some major changes as Middlewich Rose Fete and the dog show is being merged with the festival in June and there will be no marquee.

Stephen Dent, former festival chairman, said: "We want to get the message to the town that the Folk and Boat Festival is happening. There were rumours that it was finishing.

"The organisers decided to call it a day and we've picked it up. The committee went down to just a few people and it's a lot of work to run it independently."

In the past, the event has attracted renowned artists like Bob Geldof but the team of council workers, councillors and volunteers will now shift the focus on the community.

Stephen added: "The charity had difficulty running it the way it had in the past.

"The marquee is extremely expensive - the stage, the lighting, the top class sound system, the stewards, health and safety issues.

"For 200 people at the most, it just won't make a profit on that basis at the moment.

"This year will be more about Middlewich, it was an international event at the time.

"We may need to consider changing the name in the future as the majority of people in Middlewich like a variety of music, not just folk."

Jonathan Williams, town clerk, added: "It's so important to the economic life of the town but we don't need to take the commercial risk.

"This will ensure that in these harsh economic times the festival can be run within tight budget constraints and the new organising committee can focus on delivering a revamped event."

As part of the changes, organisers have promised that the traditional festival parade will be making a return.

Middlewich Town Council has allocated £4,500 toward the Folk and Boat Festival in its budget.

There will be concerts, heritage events, traditional boats on display, a funfair, a flower festival and other community events, almost all of which is free.

Organisers argue that most people won't notice a difference.

Another reason the charity has called it a day is that marketing director Tim Turner suffered a massive heart attack in September while on holiday with his wife Diane in Caernarfon.

He was saved by two passers by who performed CPR for around 15 minutes before an emergency first responder arrived with a defibrillator.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mr Happy
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 11:19 AM

http://www.midfest.org/

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 06:35 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 06:38 PM

I'm interested to hear what people think about this development. A previously independent festival, run by a volunteer committee, going under and being 'rescued' by the local authority and, in the process, being transmogrified into a 'local community event'.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 04:36 AM

Without wishing to stir up any issues. I was suprised and pleased to have been invited to a meeting with the town council a few weeks ago to discuss a possible way forward for MFAB and am pleased that they do see it had a great reputation on the Folk Festival cicuit, and in principle think the way forward and the vision they have is a good one under the circumstances. I was invited to suggest ways of keeping the 'folk music' aspect in. After some very positive disucssions the council chose to do their 'own thing.' For one thing that I do agree with, spending the 'tax payers money on folk bands' would not be the way forward. However 'Cheshire Folk' proposal was to insert that aspect of the festival into their event at no risk to the Council.
After some very positive and genuine discussions they chose to continue their own with their own plans. Lynne and I as Cheshire Folk are disapointed as we did have some bands who would have really been delighted to take part - but they'll do concerts for our events over the year instead! We wish MFAB in it's new form every success.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mo the caller
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:36 AM

Well, Mr Happy's link tells us that "This year, we are also catering for our wider audience with bands that even true Folk lovers will enjoy too"
Then they list last year's line up, and 2009.

Since the True Folk Lovers on this site can't even agree among themselves which bands they enjoy, I wonder how the town council thinks it knows.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:11 PM

Several festivals have disappeared owing to lack of council support, so it's good to hear that a council has stepped in to save one. Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival had a distinctive character and more interaction with residents than most festivals can manage. Let's hope for the best.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:15 PM

There won't be a folk festival this year as we used to know it - that website is out of date and put up by the old committee who have all resigned. It's complicated! There will be a fringe of sorts and maybe a band or two! There is Ceilidh and Morris planned.
To be fair they haven't had very long to put something together as the committee only threw in the towel a few weeks ago.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:07 PM

My purpose in raising this was to find out whether anyone on Mudcat had had experience of this kind of thing happening. Have similar festivals been 'rescued' in this way and, if so, what was the outcome?
It may reassure some people that a few members of the former organising committee are now involved with the Town Council in various ways and will thus be involved in organising this new festival.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Aeola
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 04:47 PM

Hopefully all aspects of music will eventually be drawn in!!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:21 PM

It is very sad, and such a shame, that Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival finds itself in a similar position to so many other festivals due to these economic austere times. But it is so good to see that the local Council is trying to continue the festival even though they are attempting to cope with massive budget cuts.
I applaud the effort by the Council and volunteers, to 'rescue' the festival and truly hope that they can pull it out of the bag for the benefit of everyone, whether local residents or visitors to the town. Personal, outside business issues should not be brought into this (Bizzy Lizzy). The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:28 PM

Sorry...I should have typed Busy Lizzie, not Bizzy Lizzy in my last post. Apologies!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:38 PM

Incidentally - You should not neccessarily take the post by Busy Lizzie, 25th Feb, 01.15pm as read. You would be better informed by contacting Middlewich Town Council website if you want to know what the actual format will be.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:43 AM

The info I gave is based on what I was told on 2 recent visits to the Council, and yes you are quite right Micawber - asking the council is far the best way to find out what is going on.
There are no personal issues in any of my postings unless you take them that way, however I am frequently asked what is happening on both the festival front and about the events I organise - probably as I was director for 5 years and on the committee for 8, and also as I meet up with and see people in the folk world on a regular basis.
I have made it clear that I and my team at Cheshire Folk wish the new festival well and I am sure it will be a success.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 04:32 AM

Yes indeed. Good luck to the new festival, whatever they decide to call it. It's clear which way the wind is blowing these days, so there's little more to be said.
Well done to those who kept the MFAB flag flying for TWENTY YEARS - a great achievement.
RIP Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 11:29 AM

What I would like to asure everyone is: the Boat Band will be there! Managements come and go at MFAB, but the music and boats remain. I remember 2001, after the foot and mouth: the festival was cancelled, but it just happened anyway. Because people wanted it to.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 11:43 AM

The demise of the MFAB has coincided with preliminary discussions to hold a Folk and Boat Event on the Macclesfield Canal in July 2012. It's too early to release any details at the moment but I hope we can count on the support of some of those who attend MFAB.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:42 PM

Well if the Boat Band will be there Middlewich FOLK and Boat Festival will not be sunk ! Thank goodness for that....been there done that Nantwich...

Meanwhile I am intrigued by MiCawbers remark ''Personal, outside business issues should not be brought into this (Bizzy Lizzy). The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.''

Perhaps Mr or Mrs MiCawber could enlighten me as to which business issues she is referring, who has made financial gain or loss, and how?...and why have all the festival committee resigned? Spill the gossip please....
I assume MiCawbers principle is at issue "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery."

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 05:04 AM

Interesting point, AmandaLynne Music. I'm also intrigued by this. Aa an ex MFAB organiser my experience was that many members of the organising committee, myself included, far from making any personal gain, were permanently out of pocket. To the extent that we were once told off by the auditors for not even claiming expenses - something we did to 'help' the festival run.
At the same time we were always accused by many of 'coining it in', which is bound to raise a hollow laugh from anyone who's ever organised such a festival.
So yes, I'd love to know from Mr/Mrs Micawber just who he/she has in mind.
And I'm glad the Boat Band will be there as always, but please spare a thought for those organising the actual festival and putting all that work.
Enjoyable as they may be, a few sessions in pubs do not a festival make.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:28 AM

Couldn't agree more Dave. I suspect it may be a bit minimal this year, but I don't know anything. I am just back from a few days away freom a computer, and found an email from the new organisers saying basically "old committee resigned, something will happen nonetheless, can the Boat Band come?"
To which my answer is of course yes. Things were kept ticking over in 2001 by wellwishers, boaties and pub sessions, and it may well be there will be no big marquees and stuff this year either. But things can rise again. A lot of cultural activities are going to collapse this year with the cuts everywhere.If we all make maximum effort, coninuity can be maintained as best we can.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 06:32 AM

Yes indeed, Greg.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: OlgaJ
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 09:00 AM

As someone who plays in a ceilidh band making inroads into the smaller festival circuit, a festival goer, and a member of the organising committee of a relatively new festival I would like to say good luck to the new organisers at Middlewhich.

Our own festival relies heavily on bands who either don't want paying at all, or who will take a fee which just about covers their expenses, and we have more than enough good bands/artists to choose from so the quality of the acts is generally very good. Ticket sales so far i

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: OlgaJ
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 09:08 AM

Sorry - my machine decided to send before I was ready...

anyway - we have already sold one third of the number of tickets we sold altogether last year and the festival isn't 'til August, so perhaps filling a festival with 'big names' isn't the way forward, especially in the present climate.

On a personal level we often find that the sessions and fringe events actually DO make a festival as you often see some gems that you wouldn't get on a main stage even though they are good enough.

We haven't been able to come to Middlewich in the past as it has always clashed with something else but hopefully we can get this year.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie (w/o cookie)
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 10:31 AM

There is a Folk Festival and Boat Gathering planned for July 2012 less than 30 miles from Middlewich (2-3 days by boat). Some big name artists have already been booked and discussions are underway regarding aspects of the organisation. This was planned before we knew of the changes to MFAB.

If I asked for advice about running such an event I am sure I know what the answer would be - don't do it! That's probably the best answer as I am already having sleepless nights. Where do we get these artists who come at affordable rates?

Bearing in mind that this event will be situated at a small canal-side location which effectively puts an upper limit on the numbers attending concerts, what advice can anyone give that would help make this a success?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: OlgaJ
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 10:51 AM

Ian - get in touch with me by PM if you can.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 12:13 PM

Ian - pm me! In spite of the shinanikins and a wide range of mud getting slung in my direction on Mudcat which you can make your own mind up about!! I can offer lots of advice and am happy to, of course you should do it if you love it! There are folkie and other artists out there who need promoters like us to take a chance on them and give them work. I also have some events coming up in July and before - lets see if we can help each other out with promotional stuff if appropriate!

www.cheshirefolk.com
[e-mail]

Look forward to hearing from you!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,micawber
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 03:22 PM

Copied & pasted -


"...However 'Cheshire Folk' proposal was to insert that aspect of the festival into their event at no risk to the Council.
...... they chose to continue their own with their own plans. Lynne and I as Cheshire Folk are disapointed as we did have some bands who would have really been delighted to take part - but they'll do concerts for our events over the year instead!"

"There won't be a folk festival this year as we used to know it - that website is out of date and put up by the old committee who have all resigned. It's complicated! There will be a fringe of sorts and maybe a band or two! There is Ceilidh and Morris planned."

Perhaps that goes some way to answering the questions posed. No further comment, save to say that we support the Town Council's efforts to ensure that there is a festival for the benefit of the town this year. Enough said.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Bev of South Cheshire
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:35 PM

OlgaJ - Your post embodies everything about the local festival. We need to be able to bring in new talent at low cost, without the risk of losing a long standing Festival! Whilst a headline act is good for ticket sales, we also need far more new talent that can create a festival on the fringe. I hope Middlewich Folk & Boat can find some great new acts for the Fringe this year that will bring folk into the town. I visit this festival every year and don't want to miss out this year!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:45 PM

Ian.......good luck with the festival, join Folk Arts England for training and see modestly price folk and acoustic musicians on my website www.amandalynnemusic.com

Dave and Olga and Ian.......re the fringe...the fringe is for those folk who only want to play or get e freebie...and can be detrimental to ticket sales. I have always felt that if you run a festival with headliner acts then it all should be on one site and for ticket holders only. There was a time when both fringe and ticketed concerts were successful alongside but it's not really a good idea with economics as they are. By all means run a fringe only festival with fringe venues paying for musicians or ads..but not wise to let them compete with ticketed gigs.....get them to buy tickets to see acts and go to sessions!

Micawber......I too have already wished the town council organisers success. I love Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival and long may it continue with its welcoming friendly bustling format and superb concerts.
Are you saying that Cheshire Folk have gained financially from the festival ? How and by how much ?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:51 PM

I have never said that anyone has gained financially from the festival in the past and have no further comment.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:10 AM

Micawber - stop talking in riddles and tell us what you really mean please. I have never had anything to hide and it will be a pleasure to clear my name. You made this public - not me but it's very easy to hide behind a chat forum and by sending personal emails.
Liz Rosenfield

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 04:24 AM

To go back to Dave's question of 24 Feb it is good to see that a festival is continuing but surely they need to remove the word 'folk' from the title in their advertising. I don't want to travel a considerable distance in my boat for a dog show or a rose queen procession.

Out of date web-sites such as the MFAB one need to be removed from the internet to avoid mis-leading people, or up-dated.

I was planning to go to MFAB this year, for the first time, but I don't think I'll bother now.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:12 AM

Ian,

Thank you. You have grasped the point I was trying to make. The 'new' festival can best be described as a community festival and I was wondering if there is a model anywhere for such a festival being run as a 'successor' to an established and, in its day, well-regarded regional festival in this way.
With all due respect to the organisers, folk lovers who work their way around the summer festival circuit won't be attracted by dog shows and Rose Fetes. This is why, when MFAB was in its heyday, we fought tooth and nail to maintain the integrity of the 'main festival' and keep such events 'on the fringe'.

If MFAB had ever tried to depend on the support of local people only, it would never even have happened in the first place.

'Middlewich Community Festival' would be a good name, as it describes what the new festival is all about.

And I'm sorry 'Micawber', but I don't feel inclined to let you off so easily. Your posting of 26th February clearly states that

'The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.'

To me, that indicates that you consider that someone was making, or trying to make, money from the festival.

Now who would that person be?

Simple question.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:44 AM

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music - PM
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:45 PM




're the fringe...the fringe is for those folk who only want to play or get e freebie...and can be detrimental to ticket sales.'

********

I strongly resent that remark, it really shows how out of touch with the underlying cultural forces, which are the raisons d'etre for the performance of live music & song in public, are some of the individuals associated with the organisational aspects of the festival

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:57 AM

Furthermore, how would one expect to involve 'the community', other than by the often accidental ways in which many people 'discovered' folk & acoustic music in the first place, by hearing it performed in sessions in local hostelries.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Guest Folk Star
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 08:26 AM

I think you did Micawber!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 05:21 PM

It is very sad, and such a shame, that Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival finds itself in a similar position to so many other festivals due to these economic austere times. But it is so good to see that the local Council is trying to continue the festival even though they are attempting to cope with massive budget cuts.
I applaud the effort by the Council and volunteers, to 'rescue' the festival and truly hope that they can pull it out of the bag for the benefit of everyone, whether local residents or visitors to the town. Personal, outside business issues should not be brought into this (Bizzy Lizzy). The festival is for the benefit of the area and not for any individual personal gain.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 04:51 PM

I have never said that anyone has gained financially from the festival in the past and have no further comment.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Folk Star
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 08:33 AM

...and you named names - Bizzy Lizzy

isn't that slander? Unless of course you have evidence. Bizzy Lizzy doesn't seem to have that kind of reputation - she is well known to us on the folk scene and has always treated all her events equally - giving of her time and effort selflessly and with the greatest respect to us working musicians. Without the likes of Lizzy and others like her - there would be far less work for musicians to be had. And I am sure there are no bands or musicians out there who would 'pay the organiser' to put them on - especially when they do the job of negotiating the lowest fees possible in the first place in the interests of getting best value for their events!

Work it out Mcawber!!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Folk Star
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:22 AM

Oh you have got me started!! Micawber - great choice of name by the way!

Wilkins Micawber is a fictional character from Charles Dickens' 1850 novel David Copperfield. He was modelled on Dickens' father, John Dickens, who also ended up in a debtors' prison (the King's Bench Prison) after failing to meet the demands of his creditors.

He is hired as a subordinate by Uriah Heep, who believes Micawber to be as dishonest as himself due to his troubles with creditors.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:37 AM

Oh dear, this has become somewhat tiresome in that I made a comment which was taken completely out of context. MFAB was run for 20 years by volunteers - none of whom ever profited but were more often than not, left out of pocket. Following the resignation of directors and trustees, due to the festival being financially unviable in times of great austerity, a former volunteer was asked for advice and saw a business opportunity - fair game and no problems with that. Sadly, that business opportunity did not come to fruition and it resulted in details of meetings being made public on this forum and the statement -

"There won't be a folk festival this year as we used to know it - that website is out of date and put up by the old committee who have all resigned. It's complicated! There will be a fringe of sorts and maybe a band or two! There is Ceilidh and Morris planned.
To be fair they haven't had very long to put something together as the committee only threw in the towel a few weeks ago."


It was totally unneccessary to give chapter and verse of those meetings and follow it up with a comment that seemed to offer little hope for a decent festival this year. Now let's put this to bed, once and for all!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:43 AM

Folk Star - Micawber is the name we use to describe our dog's facial hair, based on the appearance of the Dickens character and nothing more sinister than that! How amusing that people read so deeply into silly things!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:56 AM

Ah! Is there a more enjoyable sight than that of the Micawber in full, ignominious retreat?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:57 AM

http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-news/local-crewe-news/2011/03/02/middlewich-folk-and-boat-festival-saved-from-sinking-by-town-council-96135-28258182/

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Micawber
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 10:00 AM

No retreat, just tired of people trying to read between the lines and find something that simply just isn't there and never was in the first place. I trust the record has been well and truly set straight!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 10:37 AM

Well, as is the traditional way with Mudcat, let us let others read through this topic and make their own minds up.

For myself, I'm happy to stand by my own opinion. So much so that I invariably use my real name.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Busy Lizzie
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 01:54 PM

My goodness what a busy day you have all had! Whilst I have been out doing my day job - for which I do get paid, I have come home to run my other business - for which I expect to get paid having done the same job voluntarily for many years. Or is there some reason why I shouldn't! I don't really understand that! I don't really mind who buys the tickets whether they are from this town or any other - the fact is I have put the hours in along with my team and we are doing an honest job, if we are in profits after the event I will say - job well done!And it will be up to us what we do with those profits. All my concerts up to now have been in profit however small or as with my final year with MFAB in the thousands - leaving a healthy profit in the bank - not my bank I hasten to add!!!
Stop being so negative Macawber! We are all entitled to make an honest crust and without being made to feel guilty! Richard Branson - I wonder if he makes a profit on V fest! Or the Oysters from theirs - or Fairport from Cropredy! This I believe has been said before the last time I stood accused. Now get on with your life Macawber and let people get on with what they have to do. Good luck with your future voluntary work. Ever thought of being a politician ?!
And finally - the actual prospect of putting on a mainstage folk stage back into the festival was to bring revenue into the town from outside - for which MFAB won awards for tourism in previous years. However - this was seen to be a far too big a task to organise even between us in the few months available. It would have forged a good working partnership and who knows - may do another year! In the meantime we welcome you to purchase tickets for any of our concerts that will be happening across cheshire this summer.
Keeping both musicians and associated industries in business.
That I hope will be my final word.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: Spencer the Rover
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:06 PM

It is shame that a financially successful folk festival made a loss last year. Not surprising the committee resigned. Shame that it is being downgraded from a national event to £4500 community festival, rose queen, dog show. Shame that local expertise is being ignored. Shame that Dickensian attitudes might win the day!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:35 PM

Mr Happy
're the fringe...the fringe is for those folk who only want to play or get e freebie...and can be detrimental to ticket sales.'

********

I strongly resent that remark, it really shows how out of touch with the underlying cultural forces, which are the raisons d'etre for the performance of live music & song in public, are some of the individuals associated with the organisational aspects of the festival
Furthermore, how would one expect to involve 'the community', other than by the often accidental ways in which many people 'discovered' folk & acoustic music in the first place, by hearing it performed in sessions in local hostelries.'

You are right Mr Happy unfortunately so am I....given the chance of free sessions versus ££ ticket for top class performers many people will take the free option. I love sessions myself and it has always been part of the whole folk festival ethos.I can take festival fliers to loads of sessions in advance and barely pick up a ticket sale...they all turn up for the free sessions though....maybe I just move in tight fisted circles !

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:37 PM

Ian...go to MFAB this year...the sessions will be great...see above note !

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: AmandaLynne Music
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:49 PM

PS I am definitely not out of touch...in fact totally aware of how the whole process works and have seen it wax and wain and wax again over many years...and I love to see folk music out there in front of people who may not even know what it is.

Question....to give young people a taste of folk would it be better to play in a pub.... or play in a pub, camcorder it and put a video on youtube or facebook ?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival (England
From: GUEST,Guest, Diane
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:56 PM

Have I missed something amongst all this sparring...but I don't recall seeing any Dates - either for the 'new' Middlewich Festival, or for Ian's new event on the Macclesfield. Dates would be good...remembering that Middlewich Folk AND Boat Festival was just that ie very much centred about the boat gathering (as far as I viewed it, as one who visited most years), as well as the folk event. In this respect, if the boats continue to visit (depending on what the local Council are offering towards the boat community), then this particular community festival will still have a significant additional attraction over and above just being a local rose show. I love the boats, and I love the Boat Band (but, have to say that the rest of the Festival, apart from the Morris and parade, didn't really float this particular boat...), so, I would probably make the effort to attend on that basis. So, if the website is out of date, etc., and the other event is 'sometime in July' then, if somebody could supply some dates I will commit them both to the 'virtual Diary'.