Whitby 2013

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 09:10 AM

The New Angel does not allow music, so there won't be any sessions there this year. Upstairs of the Angel is not too bad, downstairs tends to be very noisy and there are frequently numerous children about both up and down. Food is decent enough and for Whitby very reasonably priced and a decent collection of beers for those who drink it.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 09:09 AM

Got my frestival programme yesterday morning and I'm all of a fidgety fidge on account of it's the first time I've been able to make Whitby in donkey's years. Two questions though.

1.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 08:26 AM

Ive seen sometimes seen sessions going on in there over the last few years.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 04:02 AM

The angel was never busy on folk week, I think you mean the plough

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 07:50 PM

There was a pub there before (the Angel?), and it was the busiest in town during Folk Week at least, so won't the situation go back to mostly as it was then, rather than this being something totally new?

The Resolution looks like a sitting duck as it is in its "gastropub" incarnation after throwing us out, though. They aren't doing anything Wetherspoons can't do cheaper. It is not easy to feel sorry for them.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Dicky boy
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 05:24 PM

No sessions in weatherspoons pubs i dont think ,bit cheaper beer but never had a great pint in a weatherspoons...

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 02:38 PM

Oops ............that means each of the other venues should lose almost £59,000 in revenue. If these figures are remotely accurate it is inevitable that pubs/cafes will close.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 02:35 PM

The received "knowledge" in town is that Wetherspoons has to turn over £62,000 per week every week. If the bedrooms it has available were booked 7 nights a week, every week that would produce an income of £28,000 per week which leaves a shortfall to be made up by wet sales and food of £34,000 per week to be attracted from customers of other venues. There are approximately 30 venues in Whitby which means that in order for Wetherspoons to achieve their target each of the other venues must forego approximately £1130 per week in takings (

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 01:20 PM

Whitby wetherspoons is more expensive than Wetherspoons elsewhere but its okay and on the harbour front.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 01:07 PM

I had that on my website all along - it's in the Northumbrian Minstrelsy:

http://www.campin.me.uk/Music/BruceStokoe.abc

Rather similar to "Willie's Gane to Melville Castle".

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Lynn W
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 11:39 AM

Its doon the Lang Stairs, And strite alang the Close,
All in Baker's Entry, Adam Buckham knows.
O Adam Buckham, O, O Adam Buckham, O;
O Adam Buckham, O, Wiv his bow legs.

Above lyrics from Fiddler's Companion which has it as Adam Buckhan, but I never saw that spelling before, always knew it as Adam Buckham.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 11:27 AM

Nope, can't trace any tune or song matching that. Maybe you mean a version of Lord Bateman?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:52 AM

How ever you spell him, the song says he's got bow legs.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:50 AM

Sorry - I can't spell. I mean't Adam Bu.... Now I'm not sure. Buckan, Buchan????

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:47 AM

Its probably 'Adam Buchan O' - strathspey?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: selby
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 10:27 AM

100

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,The Station Inn, Whitby
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 07:19 AM

It's that time of year again, and we can't wait to get cracking! This year are opening hours are the same as every year, but here's a little reminder:

Friday 16th August to Friday 23rd August 10.00am - 2.00am daily.

We also have a lovely new beer from the Whitby Brewing Co exclusive to us - Platform 3, give it a whirl.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Cheers,
Col

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 06:30 PM

I hadn't heard of Adam Bachan. Neither has the abc tune search engine. And Google tells me it's either a rather well-connected web-2 user in Slovakia or a 104-year-old man in Buffalo, NY who I can request criminal background checks on.

Explain?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 05:11 PM

I think there is a meet-up, one afternoon in a pub, that I stumbled into with my not-melodeon. Arranged by some secret grapevine known only to session players.
But there are some Northern type sessions too where they play tunes like Morpeth Rant and Soldiers Joy, and if you try to play Adam Bachan someone else has heard of it (unlike Chippenham).
Get a programme even if you don't get a season ticket. If you know who the leader of the official sessions are you will know a little about what their character might be (but it depends who's there as well, obviously).
There has been a daily unofficial French session the past few years.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 04:43 PM

how many melodeons playing Pat a Cake polka and other nursery rhymes
all together? this is crucial to my decision- 2/3 is bearable for short periods but the standard 20 or so at southern festivals would keep me away...

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Johnjo
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 05:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestion 'Guest', but a tenor banjo 'session' where most people will be trying to play their particular party piece as fast as possible, regardless of those who can't keep up, is my idea of musical hell, and a poor substitute for the sort of series of organised workshops that Whitby has offered in previous years.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,also sort of local
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 10:40 AM

Nay lad nice and quite, those 2 pubs are full of self rightouse bald locals who are some of the bigest bigots alive !

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,local (sort of)
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 07:13 AM

I will be spending my money and my time in The Jolly sailors and The Plough, nice and quiet now they have driven all them whining self rightouse hairy folkies out of it.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 06:53 AM

The beer prices p a lot of people off inc myself, I avoid the Fleece completely for this reason. However there is normally a lot going on at the Friendship Rowing Club inc singarounds and beer prices are more reasonable in there, so most years there is a nice friendly crowd in there.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 06:32 AM

Not many sung American squares. You'd have to look at the programme, but I very much doubt that there would be a workshop. Various callers might put one in their evening ceilidh, but you'd not know when they were coming.
Shame, because we like them too.
Your best bet might be Youtube.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Willa
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 06:10 AM

Steve

Just got my copy of the programme; that'll keep me busy for a while!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 05:34 AM

Those folk who don't like the beer prices and the fairly crowded pubs might note that there is a LIDL on the northern outskirts of the town!
Last week in Durham City I paid £1.80 for a pint of Sam Smith's excellent OBB real ale- a point of comparison for Whitby maybe- the downside (or maybe real UPSIDE to some! is that Sam Smith's do not allow any kind of music in their pubs. Their former TV stands in the pubs often have snakes & ladders & scrabble available....

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 19 Jul 13 - 03:31 AM

Thanks.
I have a couple of playford tunes and dances in my head. I think the tunes work really well on my hardanger - not so well on the melodeon. I like to learn the tune first - then the dance. Another few would be good. I will probably bring the hardanger along.

Because we are a group of 6 I have to play it by ear what I can do as we like to do some things together, and I'm the only one with the interest in dance.   We are camping outside of Whitby so my bus pass might come in handy, as parking is a problem.

Does anyone do sung American squares. I've always thought I'd like to learn one of 2 of those.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Jul 13 - 05:14 PM

If they have the Playford for Fun sessions this year (usually in the Metropole in the afternoon, these may be what you are looking for.
Playford dances, not overcomplicated. Just like we used to dance 30 years ago before so many new, difficult dances were written.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Jul 13 - 11:28 AM

Flora, the callers this year are
Colin Hume, Dave Turner, Geoff Cubitt, Hilary Herbert, (Janice Kilroy & Pete Jones), Jerry O'Reilly, (King Kontra), (Les Barclay), Martyn Harvey, (Pete & Marj Hendy), (Will Hall).
Some will be calling Downstairs, aimed at experts and serious dancers Playford and American squares and contras.
Upstairs in the Pavillion the early evening Ceilidhs attract a lot of people who know what they are doing, but the callers should (and often do) explain things so that those who are alert but less expert can enjoy it. They call them 'ceilidhs' but can include a mix of styles, like a dance club.
Later in the evening it may be more Ceilidh.

Colin is an expert caller, always clear - Playford, American squares, traditional dances (if he does a mixed programme he always includes one of the old dances). When he's downstairs and doing a programme billed as "Squares (or whatever) to make you think" he means it.

Geoff Cubbitt specialises in American, particularly Contra. Another excellent caller. His upstairs Contra Ceilidh is well explained.

Hilary likes hard dances, she writes them too. She's well known for it so the people who go to her events tend to also like hard dances. She likes to interact with the audience. Very clear and seems to know what is going on in all parts of the room.

Martyn Harvey is the expert Ceilidh caller. Really good at that side of things.

All of those 4 can adapt to their audience and are worth learning from

Jerry o'Reilly teaches (not 'calls') Irish Set dance. If you go to his Irish Ceilidh you need to know the dances - or listen to the songs and watch the dance spots. Also a good singer.

The names in brackets I don't know enough about to comment - some I can picture, some might be musicians for all I know.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 18 Jul 13 - 05:07 AM


When you get there ask at the office if there's a venue that would welcome impromptu music workshops. Then put an advert in the Wailer for later in the week for all tenor banjo and mandolin players of all levels to meet up. You run the workshop. You don't have to be a big star to run a workshop. Call it a 'session' rather than a workshop. If you're wanting to learn there's a good chance you can learn from the others who'll turn up. I've run 'Squeezarounds' for mainly Anglos at Whitby and these are usually well attended.

There's usually some vacant slots in the programme for that very purpose - venues that haven't got anything pre-booked into the schedule, but are available on a first-come first-served basis for people to set up just that sort of event and advertise it through the Wailer.

I had vague thoughts of doing just that very thing for a non-beginners whistle & flute session, offering the opportunity to spend a couple of hours learning about and playing some of the brilliant multi-part music of the Basel Fasnacht and other fife/flute band traditions, but I've done precisely naff all about getting it organised - maybe another year ...

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 13 - 05:40 PM

Okay Johnjo
When you get there ask at the office if there's a venue that would welcome impromptu music workshops. Then put an advert in the Wailer for later in the week for all tenor banjo and mandolin players of all levels to meet up. You run the workshop. You don't have to be a big star to run a workshop. Call it a 'session' rather than a workshop. If you're wanting to learn there's a good chance you can learn from the others who'll turn up. I've run 'Squeezarounds' for mainly Anglos at Whitby and these are usually well attended.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 17 Jul 13 - 08:29 AM

Has anyone received their advance copy of the printed programme yet?

One of the great joys of any major festival is getting the advance programme, circling everything that you might fancy, and then ending up going to entirely different events to the ones you circled in advance and still having a great time ...

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,muppett
Date: 17 Jul 13 - 04:41 AM

Nay Johnjo,
            Don't be like that, there's nowt at this year's specifically aimed at unaccompanied singers that sing in a different key from everyone else whilst doing parodies of well known folk and pop songs at the top of their voice ( my Style of music), but that's not stopping from coming along. Come along and Don't be like a sheep and wait to follow, get that banjo out where ever you can and play it for what it's worth, there bound to be other 5 string banjo players around, you don't need workshops. Enjoy !!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 17 Jul 13 - 04:39 AM

Mo - can you recommend a good caller to observe. I'd like to pick up a few more intermediate dances.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Johnjo
Date: 16 Jul 13 - 06:55 PM

It seems that this year's Whitby Folk Week has nothing specifically aimed at tenor banjo/mandolin players. No Tom Napper, as in previous years, and when I asked on their twitter feed, the best they could suggest was a 5-stringed banjo workshop. I so wish I'd waited for the programme before booking accommodation.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: vectis
Date: 16 Jul 13 - 04:55 PM

This is the first year I will miss since I discovered Whitby many years ago. I hope some of you will enjoy things on my behalf. And Oh! How I miss Whitby bacon...

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,muppett
Date: 16 Jul 13 - 09:48 AM

Sorted, got a pitch on the Moor and Coast site.

C U You all on the 19th

Cheers

Muppett

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Dicky boy
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 03:55 PM

Muppet get in touch with moor and coast temporary camp site, im sure you will get on there dont think you need a season ticket not got one myself and im booked on there.....

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,cujimmy
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 03:55 PM

I booked myself and Andrew into the youth hostel this morning Muppett, we stayed there last year and it was fine (appart from one bloke who complained about me snoring one night - i'll play me bagpipes next time hehheh). Anyway according to their website there are still beds available from Sunday 18th to Friday 23rd. phone no is 0800 0191 7000 or 01629 592700.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 03:35 PM

Muppet
There are other camp sites on the outskirts and you can catch a bus in in the morning and back at night.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: selby
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 12:48 PM

Jack Campin:"...for festival season ticket holders."means just that,and are usually full up, pretty straight forward.
If you wish to do camping without a season ticket, you can try the Moor and Coasts site at the community college.
Keith

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Michael
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 12:33 PM

Jack Campin: the bit that says "...for festival season ticket holders."
rather suggests it's not for anybody else.

Mike

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 10:51 AM

Jack,
There's always something going in the B&B range but they tend to be topend of the market this late on. You can usually get in at the Bagdale for instance which isn't far from the station and is very civilised. I'll be there from Wednesday onwards and we only recently booked.

Muppett,
I can't see them turning anybody away. I'm sure you know John G and he's usually in charge of the site. Try the website for a phone number.

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 10:34 AM

That doesn't answer Muppett's question, does it?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Michael
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 09:44 AM

Muppett: From the festival website:-
"The Festival sets up a temporary campsite each year for festival season ticket holders. It is a basic site on a school playing field, but water, showers and toilet facilities are available."

Mike

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Mo the caller
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 07:15 AM

Freinds have been contacting the tourist board and were told that everything is booked within about 10 miles. (you can sometimes get odd days B&B at the last minute)

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 06:41 AM

I'll be there a bit in advance - going first to HISS in Scarborough:

http://www.hiss.org.uk/

and then seeing round East Yorkshire by public transport for a week, based in Whitby.

So, are there events accessible without a car from Whitby the week before Folk Week that I should know about? Regular sessions in Whitby itself that will still be happening then?

BTW a friend from Edinburgh may be interested in going but this very last-minute. She probably can't camp. What accommodation options are there?

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,muppett
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 06:41 AM

I'm planning on coming over on the Monday (19TH) and staying till Thursday (22ND), does anyone know if I can just turn up at the festival campsite (won't have a car) and pay for a pitch then and there or will I have to book in advance.

Cheers

Muppett

Subject: RE: Whitby 2013
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 06:22 AM

Well not long now, just booked my accomodation, looking forward to seeing all the friendly faces and wonderfull music.