Whitby 2013

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: r.padgett
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 02:58 AM

Well I was spending all my time walking and sleeping when not at venues noted above which took all week

Very few if any youngsters in the Dolphin as they were still asleep I should not wonder!

After the Con club I went to bed ~ early to bed early to rise!

Only once did I get to stay up late and had a boozy sing (had sung only 4 songs in earnest by this time!) in the Station

Never made the Spa at night as too tired and no opportunies to sing!

Interesting to split ages up to 20 and up to 30, the names mentioned above are nigh all part of the wood work already ~ the missing ages are 45 plus from England both as booked guests and part of the official singarounds (yes a generalisation)! maybe doing their own thing
Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 04:12 AM

One problem that was noticed last year by someone who brought his grand-daughter (young teen) was the lack of 'ceilidhs like we used to have'. I think they found the Family ceilidhs too full of toddlers, the Spa early evenings too complicated and the late half too noisy (and crowded and late). They would have enjoyed Colin Hume's ceilidh, and the Sussex night (but they didn't come this year).

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: banjoman
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 06:08 AM

Had a great week and thanks to all concerned. Enjoyed the laid back sessions (afternoon)in FILO and good to put some faces to mudcatters.
Wrists and voice had given out by Friday so the banjo will now have to rest for a while. (Thank God saw many)
Thanks to Flora and Andy for great company. Sorry you had to leave early. How is Sugar?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 06:25 AM

Such a host of memorable memories. Of all the things which stood out for me, prime among them was Siobhan Miller's gobsmacking singing of the Four Marys. Not since I heard the Keane Sisters sing Lord Donegal in Stack's pub in Listowel in the early 1970s' have I been so utterly overwhelmed.

Oddly enough, the other memory which has stuck in my mind was Jimmy Crowley singing The Holy Ground on the final night. This wasn't done in the usual rambunctious "FINE GIRL YOU ARE" manner which so many of us have come to know and hate, but quietly and wistfully. Just the way I've always imagined that whoever wrote the song intended it to be sung.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,The Station Inn, Whitby
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 06:49 AM

Just a quickie to say THANK YOU for another successful Folk Week, we thoroughly enjoyed the whole week and hope that you enjoyed it too.

Same time next year,

Col, Andrew, Pat, Fen, Carly, Margaret, Rob & Tom
The Station Inn

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 10:01 AM

The evening Endeavour sessions this year were the best ever. Thanks to all who attended and especially to Michael and Barrie and the bar staff. See you all again next year! Sorry to the people who wanted to be in but couldn't find room.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 02:46 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed this years festival, I enjoyed the singing, music and the craic in The Station, Friendship+football clubs, FILO and Golden Lion. Made new friends with folk from Dorset, Nottinham, Australia, Ireland. There seemed to be loads of younger people in the Station which seemed to have music in the 3 areas most of the time. I thought the Station was especially good this year and deserves praise for their welcomming attitude to folk music, excellent beers and the fact it never took too long to get served even when the pub was heaving.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: r.padgett
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 08:25 AM

Yes Jimmy the fringe is always a good place to be and the Station is a natural environment away from the concerts etc

I have had some great times there and met many people from all over the largely English speaking communities! and countries including Scotland (lol)

They are as much a feature of Whitby ff as the more organised parts, yes no probs getting served in the Station and Endeavour and I have yet to be asked for my birth certificate!

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 02:37 PM

Yes Ray and the stools were just the right height for you to stand on so the barstaff could serve you at the bar.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 04:31 PM

Jack Campin says The Conservative Club being the worst. I'm hardly a beer buff, but even I can tell when the bar management aren't trying.

I enjoyed the Black Sheep in the Con club very much- and at a reasonable price. They got it in specially for us folkies- the rest of the year they only have the fizzy stuff. And the bar staff were very friendly and welcoming.

I don't think that counts as 'not trying'.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Frank Lee
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 05:08 PM

We had an amazing time - Corrie (Schrijver)'s violin stall was far busier than expected, and she appreciated making lots of new northern friends after her move to Cumbria from Bath.

I've just been told my 'sessions' will be programmed again next year, and even given their correct title! - they were actually 'tune-swaps' although they'd cut-and-pasted last years mistake into this year's programme! Can't complain, they got SUCH a lot right!

As stall-holders we didn't get time to see much of the festival , but spent some lovely evenings at the FILO sessions. Thanks for the thanks Commander Crabbe! A pleasant change to be listened-to - we played at Music on the Marr (not booked, but it's on our doorstep) and had an audience of one! BUT it's places like the FILO where the REAL folk music happens - and there were some absolute gems in there!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: treewind
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 05:36 PM

Agreed Black Sheep beer at the Con club was a welcome change.
I enjoyed the festival overall.

Our session at the Con club ran itself. In retrospect I wouldn't have minded throwing a few more obscure tunes in, though it was never going to be like Frank's tune swap (which I'm sorry to have missed)

High point was probably playing the Monday ceilidh with English Rebellion and discovering that a big festival ceilidh is not a scary thing at all - just like any other dance band gig but with better sound, better (and more enthusiastic) dancers and good callers. We'll try for next year with the band we originally intended to bring...

Low point - obviously the shambles at the Rifle club on Sunday night. No stage lights, problems with a broken PA, and nobody in charge to kick butts and sort things out.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 07:30 PM

It was great once again to MC/perform at concerts which are the ones I would have gone to anyway. "Icebound" was again performed to a large appreciative audience. The Roaring Forties got a real buzz from the late night at the Met on Thursday.   Great also to meet old and new friends.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Charliestu
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 02:01 PM

FILO Folk, what can I say = Wow!, from start to finish quantity and quality; fiddlers, Northumbrian pipers, git-fiddlers, beginners, experts, you name it, we had it. It was a tiring week but an extremely enjoyable 'meet and greet' with old friends along with the new.
My only issue was that my leisure time was interrupted by having to go to work on occasion but Commander Crabbe did a good fill-in. The few 'festival quests' that made an appearance at our spot thoroughly themselves and were surprised at what they found - hospitality and quality.
A big thanks to all who managed to get to us - you know who you are, and we hope to see you next year.
Take care and stay healthy!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Charliestu
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 02:05 PM

FILO Folk, what can I say = Wow!, from start to finish quantity and quality; fiddlers, Northumbrian pipers, git-fiddlers, beginners, experts, you name it, we had it. It was a tiring week but an extremely enjoyable 'meet and greet' with old friends along with the new.
My only issue was that my leisure time was interrupted by having to go to work on occasion but Commander Crabbe did a good fill-in. The few 'festival quests' that made an appearance at our spot thoroughly themselves and were surprised at what they found - hospitality and quality.
A big thanks to all who managed to get to us - you know who you are, and we hope to see you next year.
Take care and stay healthy until next year!