West Somerset Folk Festival 2012

Subject: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 11:01 AM

Another small intimate festival - the kind we like best. We haven't been to it before, but we have heard good things:

West Somerset Folk Festival

It's at Carhampton, near Minehead, and includes an Acorn Folk Club (our local folk club) open stage on Saturday.

Who else is going to this?

We only got back from Roger's Rant yesterday, so just sorting the van to head off again in 3 days. It would be nice if the weather would improve, but in any case we're looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: Marje
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 11:49 AM

We're booked into this(first time for us), although we have some misgivings now because of the weather. We had hoped to fit in a bit of walking and general exploring - my husband is a non-participant and likes some alternative to wall-to-wall folk. We've got a camper van too, so I hope there's some hard standing as it's going to be pretty waterlogged.
We're in Devon, not too far away, so I expect we'll give it a try regardless of the weather forecast. Fingers crossed!

Marje

Subject: RE: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 01:53 PM

Well the weather was pretty mucky at Roger's Rant, but everything was indoors, as this is going to be, so that part won't be a problem. I don't know about hard standing, as we haven't been to this one before. Maybe somebody else who has been can confirm what the camping area is like?

Subject: RE: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,Square The Circle
Date: 04 Jul 12 - 06:19 AM

We will be there again, it's always a good weekend what ever the weather, there is limited hard standing but the field is usually not a problem getting on and off if you stick to the top end, see you all Friday.

Terry and Ann

Subject: RE: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: JennyO
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 07:38 AM

See you there soon. This is a bit of an experiment. Don't seem to be many going that we know, apart from Eileen Ann and a possible few others, but I'm sure we'll have a good time anyway. I'll report back when it's over :)

Subject: RE: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: JennyO
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 01:32 PM

Just back (well, a few hours ago) from a lovely weekend run by Mike and Di Dibble, who are the perfect hosts. Weather was pretty horrible on Friday and Saturday, but on Sunday we awoke to sun and blue skies and balmy weather - not that we wouldn't have enjoyed ourselves even if the weather had been horrible all weekend.

We chose a grassy spot for our caravan near the hall, because we like grass better, but there seemed to be quite a bit of hard standing for those who wanted it. Soft ground didn't seem to be an issue anyway, as far as I could see, even for those who camped further down the field.

There were lots of great sessions and singarounds, a bit of morris dancing on Saturday with Sue the Borderer (appropriately there was a dance with an umbrella at one point ;)) a cream tea and folk club afternoon later on Saturday afternoon and a super concert on Saturday night, which we ducked in and out of because there was a great little singaround going on in the smaller room as well! On Sunday there were more singarounds, and we had a pleasant al fresco lunch while enjoying the beautiful weather - which may turn out to be the only summer day we are going to get, the way the weather is going :(

Loved the Bristol Shantymen, Nicola Clark, Alchemy - in fact all the performers were excellent, and there was also some excellent singing from non performers too. For those who stayed Sunday night (us included) there was a survivors session, which was great fun, finishing up with hot chocolate and more of Di's marvellous cakes to end the night.

This is one of those festivals - small but perfectly formed, with the personal touch, which makes so much difference, and I would heartily recommend it!

Subject: RE: West Somerset Folk Festival 2012
From: Morticia
Date: 09 Jul 12 - 03:02 PM

me too, it was great