Whitby Folk Festival

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Graham O'C
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 03:37 PM

Mmm A mixed review of Mr Storey's character it seems. I for one am not making any criticisms of the current organising body of WFF .. I may want a booking again sometime. All I, and many others are saying is that underneath that hard and brutal exterior lies a heart of gold. I too remember being terrified of him the first time I presented myself to him for the weeks fee ... but so much went on behind the scenes ... he really looked after the 'old boys' who came to entertain us all ... like Ernest Dyson, The Shepherds, Packie Manus, Fred Jordan etc etc etc they basically had the freedom of Whitby during their stay. Also he bent over backwards to look after others who needed taxis etc for getting around Whitby and R H Bay. I too played cricket for the 'other side' and only remember great laughs. As with everything a viewpoint is very much governed by how wide open one's eyes are perhaps ...

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: blindboybutler
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 04:01 PM

Been trying to get my band on here for a few years.

Maybe nexy year.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 04:07 PM

One of my magic moments at Whitby this year was when Derek Schofield was supposed to be interviewing Archie Fisher on Sunday morning, but Archie was late because his lift hadn't turned up. Derek started to interview Malcolm instead, and we were just hearing how Malcolm had got Johnny Handle booked in Australia when Archie turned up (in the Con club, not in Australia).

Kitty

PS the interview with Archie, after he'd arrived, was a major highlight too!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 08:36 PM

Just goes to show what a treat Folk Week is. Always the unexpected!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Tatterfoal
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 05:50 AM

Highlight for me was the late night extra Young Un's , 422, and the Wilsons what a concert spoilt only by the noise at the bar from drinkers not concert goers wish we could do something about that.   Stewards constantly appealing for quiet but were ignored.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Brian May
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 07:44 AM

Question to Mr John (Conolly)

Are you singing "Harry Tate's Navy" yet? You mentioned you might when we spoke at Faldingworth.

Bring a tear to Bill's eye that will . . .

Best regards.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: r.padgett
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 04:25 AM

Yes to add to John MacKenzies post there is a FB Whitby feedback site 2011

Clearly need more stewards from the postings here, I can be quoted as saying that Wff week last year was a learning year where ppl are now realising Malcolm isnt in charge any more and individuals need to stick their heads above the wall (cant spell parapet) and take responsibility

Re booking bands be assured that Wff is not cash rich and supporters are mainly traditionalists (sorry!) who love the craic. I am also aware of that not everyone likes each other. I love 'em all musicians singers storytellers dancers of all ilks ~ but I get annoyed with some ppl who can be bloody snobs!

Ray (sorry bout the b** word)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 06:08 AM

Ray's right. We need more stewards. The new website is up and running so you can get details there.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Diva
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 06:25 AM

Well I had a brilliant time, catching up with pals, going to concerts, listening to and singing ballads ;late night singing and early morning interviews! Joe Atkin trying to translate from Scots into English was a marvel. Loads of highlights. Well done to everyone who works so hard to get it up and running.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 07:41 AM

and long may the festival continue and thrive.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 07:57 PM

The highest stewards number I saw was just short of 150 - for 600 events over 7 days - just how much work do they do?

Would suggest they are not well organised.

The steward IN CHARGE of stewarding the Conservative Club had never done any stewarding previously - not a very bright appointment. He had also had no training or advice with regard to door etiquette.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Frank Lee
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 08:48 PM

I've heard there was a problem, particularly this year, with stewards simply not turning up to do their allocated jobs. The organisers are aware of this and will, I presume, take appropriate measures next year.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 06:32 AM


I've heard there was a problem, particularly this year, with stewards simply not turning up to do their allocated jobs.

No shows are a problem for all festival organisers. Trouble is that there are always a handful of stewarding candidates who are just looking for a free ticket and don't expect to do any serious work in return. One festival organiser told me of people expecting free admission to a weekend festival in return for doing 30 minutes on the door.

Ideally stewarding is something that you do because you enjoy being involved not simply as the price of a free ticket.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 06:32 AM

Oops, that was me. Is it too much to ask for the "From" field to be mandatory?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Ann N
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 12:15 PM

quote ..//The steward IN CHARGE of stewarding the Conservative Club had never done any stewarding previously - not a very bright appointment. He had also had no training or advice with regard to door etiquette.//


The stewards on duty for the events I went to at the Conservative Club were lovely :) They were friendly, polite and very helpful while being firm about making sure the room was clear from one event before counting people in for the next :D

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 01:02 PM


The steward IN CHARGE of stewarding the Conservative Club ...


The stewards on duty for the events I went to at the Conservative Club were lovely :)
"Guest" was explicitly referring to a single person who he believed (accurately or not) to be the team leader for the venue not the vartious stewards on individual events. Certainly I would expect a venue team leader to be experienced in managing front of house.

Speaking as a customer I have never had any reason to complain about attitude or behaviour of an individual steward. The camp site team in fact were worthy of special praise this year as they seemed to be anticipating issues rather than reacting to them.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 02:00 PM

I was not critisising the person in question - in fact when it was quietly pointed out to them what they had been doing to cause offence to some people the steward concerned thanked the person giving the advice.

The information regarding the steward's experience was also freely given.

I appreciate that most of what is placed on mudcat will not reach the people concerned except through Paul Davenport who seems to be the festival's unofficial champion.

I was merely maikng the point that in my opinion the stewarding problem is not one of numbers but organisation and training.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,SteveG
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 02:25 PM

Stewarding at a large festival like this is always going to present problems for the organisers. These people are essentially volunteers no matter what their motives are. Yes they are paid with a free ticket but they are still initially volunteers. If they were to be paid volunteers like at some more upmarket festivals the price of tickets would have to increase dramatically and this would price the typical Whitby punter out of the market. Many of the Whitby contributors (workshops/MCs/dancers etc.) only get free tickets, at best accommodation; it's that type of festival, not like say Cambridge dominated by big names and concerts. This is a major part of Whitby's success and long may it be so, so on that one I agree with you, Dick.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 03:41 PM

In the seventies and eighties, the majority of folk festivals relied upon volunteer stewards and the system worked well, one of the ingredients that make the volunteer system work well,is treating the volunteers with courtesy and respect, another is being able to delegate and explain clearly what stewards are expected and not expected to do.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 06:37 PM

I second what was said about the campsite - some cracking staff.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,SteveG
Date: 19 Sep 11 - 02:24 PM

It's many years since I had to use a campsite at Whitby but I know several of the stewards and those in charge and they deserve medals.

I do remember back in the early days on the cliff top on the road past the abbey, and that was literally just a field, no stewards, no facilities.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Les from Hull
Date: 19 Sep 11 - 04:19 PM

In the venues we visited we found the stewarding extremely competent.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Folkiedave
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 03:41 AM

I didn't make it clear - I was referring to the Rugby Club site.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Tatterfoal
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 12:12 PM

The stewarding in the Pavilion was first class, take my hat off to any who want to steward.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,SteveG
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 12:20 PM

I didn't have a season ticket this year so I just went to the workshops at the new venue at the Colosseum and the stewards there were very helpful along with the other workers there.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Tyke
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 01:33 PM

Why not take a second or two to remember Colin K. RIP

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,SteveG
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 05:42 PM

Tyke,
We might well do that if we knew who he was and could remember.

Perhaps you'll tell us a little more.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 05:57 PM

Colin was the first (among many) one encountered at Metropole events.(among other events and festivals.Always warm, always friendly, always helpful.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 09:42 PM

Colin Kemp was the steward mentioned. Colin was a true gentleman, a friend and supporter of the festival, the artistes, the venues, the paying customers, his fellow stewards and a great enthusiast for all things folk.

He left us far too early in life and left behind a vacuum that many thought could not be filled. However such was his influence that a lot of what still happens at the Metropole during Whitby Folk Week still bears his stamp.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Tyke
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 01:14 PM

Thanks Malcolm

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 03:24 AM

Colin was great guy and is still sadly missed!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 08:19 AM

There has been a lot of criticisms of stewards, and some though not all has been valid. Since it is easier to change things from within, I hope some of the critics will be joining the stewards next year and instigate some changes for the better.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Kinda Kelly
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 08:20 AM

Sorry last guest was me-incompetent as ever!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: cooperman
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 09:19 AM

Constructive minor criticisms are ok but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture - it is a MAGNIFICENT festival!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Tatterfoal
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 11:03 AM

Taking the point about money concerns I wonder how many of the fringe events contribute nothing to the festival.   I know I attended at least 6 fringe events where there was no collecting tin at all, although I am a full paying festival goer I would still expect to contribute. Maybe it would be an idea to put collecting tins on the bar of the Fleece, Elsinor, Black Horse etc. for   contibutions from people some just day trippers who come in to enjoy the atmosphere.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Mo the caller
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 03:12 PM

In Malcolm's day the collecters came round to all the sessions. but I haven't seen many/any? the last 2 years.
If there aren't enough stewards could the leaders be asked to pass a tin round?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 04:14 PM

We did have a shortage of stewards this year.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 05:09 PM

So, Kinda Kelly, you're not the real Kelly, just Kinda a Kelly?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Tyke
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 08:23 PM

I got the Job of helping to get the coins down to the Bank a few times. The Banks did not like taking all that small change and where not happy to do it. I don't know if that attitude remains the same today as the copper content of the older coins is worth more than the face value of the coins themselves. Farewell Britania! Hello funny money and how long will it be before they Drill a large hole in these new coins. Talk about Mint! (Oh for those across the pond we have some mints in the UK (sweets) called Polo's the Mint with the hole!)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Ann N
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 02:48 AM

..In Malcolm's day the collectors came round to all the sessions. but I haven't seen many/any? the last 2 years...

:) There was at least one collector trying their best this year. A lady who came up to our group and enquired politely if there was an official collector with us. There wasn't so, again politely, she asked if it was OK to join us and spent the rest of the afternoon collecting :)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Tyke
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 06:58 AM

Collecting from all the session I would think would be problomatic. Although some of the Fringe Session would be ok Sessions that where collecting for the Lifeboats would not. Trying to get money out of some none Folkies strugling to have a quiet pint in Folk Week and some of suporters of Whitby Regatter I would say was a problem. Not all are found of Folk Week that said the the Landlords of the Station have just bought a brand new Car and they are away on Holiday for Three Weeks. Humphrey don't need your money if he wasn't so stuborn he would probabley sell up and live like a Lord. Still it leaves two empty pubs for the locals in Folk Week.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 03:00 PM

I am thinking of changing my name to Kinda Kelly-its quite benevolent. There was a substantial amount of monies collected over the festival week - there was even a prize given for the best collector!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 03:22 PM

It appears that the statement there were not many/ any collectors is incorrect.
its possible that did not see any, were, like Nelson looking the wrong way, or in need of an eye test or a visit to spec savers, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 03:33 PM

There seem to have been a heck of a lot of wrong places and wrong times, then. I think I saw two collectors for the lifeboats all week and none for the Folk Week.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 04:10 PM

Jack,maybe you were on your Jack Jones

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 05:16 PM

I wonder whether it might be an idea to recruit collectors using the same sort of incentives as stewards? Take a tin round a few session venues and get a free ticket for a concert? This might suit some of the people who want to spend most but not all of their time on the session fringe. (Yes, you'd need to encourage them to actually do the collecting and not goof off - not quite sure how, but there must be some way).

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: GUEST,Colin, The Station Inn
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 04:01 AM

It was not a brand new car, and we are only going on holiday for 2 weeks not 3 - like we do every year in September once the season has slowed down. What has that got to do with anything?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: selby
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 05:17 AM

Hopefully next years Whitby should be really happy as a lot of people have managed to get a fair bit of acid off their chests. Constructive criticism should be always encouraged and listened to but settling scores and incorrect assumptions does nothing but harm on a thread en titled Whitby Folk Festival. I believe there is a dividing line albeit small between the festival and the fringe, as a regular at Whitby it has always been the good fortune of the Station and its predecessors to be a fringe venue IMHO what happens at any local pubs should not be discussed in the same thread. There is a Festival where you pay to attend things organised by a hardworking committee they organise workshops encourage and develop all things folk related and are available at all times to listen and more importantly named. Then there is a fringe that flourishes because of the festival where people give there expertise try new material try performing for the first time and are encouraged by like minded people . Whitby from what I have seen has one of the largest fringe festivals of any festivals.
Support for both is what is required not petty sniping.
Keith.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Tyke
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 06:51 PM

Nothing Colin! Just trying to encourage some more hardworking Landlords to be more like you and welcome the Folkies and Live Music. Anyone who visited The Station, anytime not just in folk week, can see just how hard you work and your team work. Featured in the 2012 Good Beer Guide again this year is The Station Inn I hasten to point out. Why not take a look at The Station Inn New Website

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Festival
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 12:04 PM

Mo and I always collect a box from the office for our sessions at The Rifle Club no problem every little helps

Joe Nicholson