Tenterden Folk Festival 2012

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,Swindon/Enfield Pete
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 08:24 AM

Planning to go this year for the first time.   Are there any sessions or singarounds going on? Can't seenm to find info on the website.

Cheers - Pete

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 07:23 AM

Yes, please do seek out the sinarounds- the one commemorating Bo on Sat lunchtime will, we hope, be a jolly affair- the last thing Bo would have wished for would be a glum session of maudlin laments. So bring out your breezy chorusses and let's send him off in due fashion, with lively tunes and funny songs to recall how great he was at driving a room along!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: melodeonboy
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 04:18 AM

I'm gigging elsewhere on the Friday and Saturday evenings, but I hope to turn up and get a bit of singing in on the Saturday afternoon.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Sep 12 - 02:50 PM

Looking forward to the sinagrounds. So delighted the Woolpack is back, and bearing in mind how rammed the song sessions used to get in the 8 Bells I am sure that the sessions this year will also be full and enjoyed (with beer).

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 06:11 PM

just shows how much goes into making a festival a success!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 05:28 PM

Sounds great, what's all the fuss about?
Al

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 03:53 PM

Dinna flap.

There are loos.

There is washing water.

There is water in the public loos near the fish and chip shop (but you will need a suitable hose and a container).

The supermarkets will sell you a litre, or even 5 litre bottles of spring water and they are only about half a mile away from the field up the church path.

What would ANYONE want that much drinking water for?

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: G-Force
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 03:24 PM

Thanks Surreysinger and TFF. After much searching we eventually found the camping info. However, unless you know to look for this sort of thing a casual visit to the website to discover who's on and ticket prices would never throw up this type of information. Sorry to be picky but dare I suggest a redesign for 2013.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: TFF
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 03:11 PM

And thanks every one for their support which is much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: TFF
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 03:04 PM

The campsite in Tenterden is a field behind the railway. There is no mains water supply to the field or even adjoining land and never has been. The cost of installing a mains supply would be well into five figures. We had an arrangement with a near by garage but that is now closed and demolished. No drinking water is available outside the railway only water for washing trains! Water is available in town. This is all made clear on the website and in our letters. See the following link.
http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site4068/News%20letters/Camping%20for%202012.pdf

The farmer whose field it is will give us a tanker of water but unless the tank is specially treated and checked by the powers that be and it is changed every 24 hours we cannot designate it as drinking water. It can be used for flushing loos, etc.

We could bring in certified drinking water from a contractor but that would cost several thousand pounds per day and we would have to increase the cost of camping several fold over to cover it and no one would pay that as it would be dearer than a five star hotel.

There are hotels and B&Bs in Tenterden if you want more comfort and a commercial campsite at Bethersden. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Surreysinger
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 02:52 PM

G Force - I have no personal axe to grind on this, but have just looked at the website for the festival myself. On the Ticket purchasing section of the website, under the heading of camping there is a clear link and a prod to seeking further information about camping which, if followed through , takes you to the Newsletter section, and a posting about purchasing camping tickets which was made seven months ago.This clearly sets out advice about the provision of water and portable loos on the camping site. (This is the link which is provided by Richard Bridge above). So the water situation is indeed made clear on the website. I can agree that there is no mention made on the booking leaflet,having checked the one that I have myself although, bearing in mind the A5 size of this, and the limited space for providing information of any sort about the festival as a whole, this is not surprising. The form does state that "terms and conditions are available on request ". I would assume that this would also apply to what camping facilities existed , and there are plenty of telephone numbers and emails address contact details on the form itself to follow up requests for further details.

Al - if you care to check the website you will see that toilets are indeed provided ,and that water tank will also be. The most that is suggested is that you provide your own drinking water.

I'm hoping to attend, but must admit that I won't be camping as I prefer a comfortable bed!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: G-Force
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 10:48 AM

Now, I'm the first to appreciate all the work and dedication that goes into running a festival and I am absolutely not knocking all their efforts. However, I do feel that if there is a water situation it should make it clear on the website. I gather from Richard Bridge's post that there will be something for washing, etc. which is good news, but the first I knew of any problem was the covering letter that arrived with the tickets, intimating no water at all. Bit of a shock, I can tell you. I have just been in to the website again for a good look round and still cannot find any reference anywhere to water. It certainly wasn't mentioned on the ticket booking forms. Perhaps you can now understand the concerns I expressed as a first-time visitor to this festival.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 10:38 AM

Well Vic and Dick,

I'm sure that,s all true regarding Mr Castle, however I agree with Jan, if I'd known the campsite had no water supply I would not have booked tickets. As I have booked and received tickets and am now considering if I will attend or not.
It would be my first time at Tenterden FF and I'm told by friends who have attended in the past that campsites have previously had water supplies.
A campsite if paid for, should have the basic amenities of a water to wash with and toilets.I'd be quite happy to provide drinking water for myself.
I would view this as a legitimate complaint even if it seems unfair to some. I wouldn't however have complained, If I'd known, I'd have just not booked.
Al

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Vic Smith
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 07:33 AM

Alan Castle has been organising this festival for many years, and gets my thanks for doing a great job.

He gets mine as well, Dick. As a fellow folk festival organiser, I know the hours that he must put in for very little on no reward and sometimes all that he meets is complaints that the festival is not organised in the way that some would like.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Girl Friday
Date: 18 Sep 12 - 07:05 AM

Agreed!!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Sep 12 - 08:00 PM

And it is great to see that the Woolpack is back!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Sep 12 - 12:39 PM

"I quite agree with G-Force but I'll put it in stronger terms. I think to expect people who have paid good money to camp for up to five days without providing access to a water pipe is disgraceful.
Alan Castle has been organising this festival for many years, and gets my thanks for doing a great job.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Sep 12 - 11:51 AM

I usually put two 5 or 10 gallon drums in the back of the Volvo and get by. But it is a useful reminder. Last year the farmer provided a good number of the big square water things that farmers use (dunnamany gallons) in the field - but the organisers do NOT have the power to compel the railway to provide a source of water. Also the camping is very cheap - and the only available suitable field so bargaining power with the farmer is limited.

For smaller quantities it is usually possible (if you have your own flexi-pipe) to fill a container (even a roller container) at the public loos near the fish and chip shop but it will be easier then if the container is large to lift it into the boot of your car and drive to the field.

Forewarned is forearmed.

I should point out however that as far as I know the acmping onfo is still as at February

http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site4068/News%20letters/Camping%20for%202012.pdf

And although there is no MAINS water in the field (this is a fact) it seems that a bowser is likely to be available and it is merely recommended to bring bottled water for drinking. I will, if I run out of what I bring probably use the bowser for cooking and showering and washing up and be grateful.

There is a commercial camp site a few miles up the road but using it means staying sober to drive or using the buses and I am not sure what the official bus arrangements are. The public buses are not all that convenient.

I'd MUCH rather have the field as is.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,Jan
Date: 16 Sep 12 - 07:46 AM

I quite agree with G-Force but I'll put it in stronger terms. I think to expect people who have paid good money to camp for up to five days without providing access to a water pipe is disgraceful. If we had known we would never have bought tickets. It shows complete disregard for people's comfort. Maybe if enough of us complain they'll change their minds and get their fingers out!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: G-Force
Date: 14 Sep 12 - 03:23 PM

Guess we'll have to make do with beer, then.

Seriously, no water is not good.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 14 Sep 12 - 03:09 PM

And it seems to be confirmed on the programme that the campsite has no water supply!. Wot no bowser?
Al

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: TFF
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 05:16 AM

Thanks Roy, coming from you a compliment indeed.

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 11:42 AM

Tenterden Festival is one of the best, beautifully organised by gentleman Alan Castle who provides a good guest list and an easy-going atmosphere. Congratulations to Tenterden Fest on the praiseworthy decision to dedicate this years festival to the memory of Bo Foaks. RoyH

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: TFF
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 04:13 AM

Hi all,

TFF is now a Mudcat member!
http://www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 09:36 PM

Marian Button has given us the three line whip over this and as we love her to bits we are making the effort this year.

So we will be there.

Looks an interesting bill with something for everyone.

The cheque will be in the post shortly - honest!

Subject: RE: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 03:12 PM

I will be there whatever the weather - but we will only be having Pimms workshops if it is fine.

Subject: Tenterden Folk Festival 2012
From: GUEST,TFF
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 12:17 PM

Do not forget that the 20th Tenterden Folk Festival takes place from 4th to 7th October 2012.
Full weekend ticket are still available at the early bird price until 31st August.
Some tickets for the Acoustic Strawbs Concert on the Thursday are still available but are going fast.
More details of the festival and how to buy tickets can be found on the website.
Tenterden Folk Festival

Will the weather be as brilliant as last year?