Sheringham Potty Festival

Subject: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 06:49 PM

Well, a weekend of utter bliss lies ahead, as the Sheringham Potty Festival of Morris dancing and the Shantymen choir entertain everyone on the North Norfolk coast. And the weather looks set fair for a 'Heatwave' (which in UK means quite warm and a bit of sun.) Anyone else know this Festival? The Witchmen are usually there, Loose Women and Leeds Morris. All types of Morris, including Rapper, Border, Cotswold and NW clog. Oh I can hardly wait!

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Jul 13 - 09:41 PM

Gong Scourers are there this year too. Where are the sings and sessions?

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Jul 13 - 07:48 AM

Never found any open sessions the time I went there.

That said, I've rarely found of what I'd personally seek as first option in North Norfolk (although I must say there are some very friendly singaround clubs) and most playing situations seem to be ones where my own nerves get in the way and I need players who will pull you along (not that I can't play my part when the music flows).

My health which is shakey was up to one this year close to home this year in North Norfolk only about a mile from me when some members of Craic from Strabane in NI came down. I believe the female accordionist has won an Irish championship but they were so easy to play along with.

To me, it was the best local (I head for Norwich usually) event I've been to in my say 10 years of N Norfolk living.

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Jul 13 - 07:59 AM

"Never found any open sessions the time I went there."

I've just remembered I only got there on what I think was the last afternoon though.

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 05 Jul 13 - 03:44 PM

Richard, I'm not sure about any sessions or singing, only the Sheringham Shantymen, who sing at lunchtime on Lifeboat Plain. We just go to watch the procession and dancing, and leave around 4pm. I expect I'll be burnt to a frazzle by the sea in the heatwave!

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 01:33 PM

The wevva was lovely. There was a mixed session in the school on the campsite Sat eve, but it started late and was not well attended. I only found out about it by chance and I was camped at the school! Lots of nice people at the festival. Had a very pretty drive back along smaller roads about as far as Thetford. After that back to main roads to Kent.

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 01:53 PM

It was magical as usual, but the very strong sun has burnt me rather a lot! Went back again today with my old friend Pat. She's not really a fan of Morris dancing and can't walk far, so we didn't stay long but went on to Heydon for a picnic on the green under a shady tree. Norfolk is such a lovely place, a real backwater and as yet fairly undiscovered. There have been complaints in former years Richard about the lack of publicity and information.

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 07 Jul 13 - 06:06 PM

Re the attendance, I don't know the Morris scene here but think (outside the small folk club singers players), local support wise, it can a problem in these parts.

With the Irish sessions, we are as scattered as say me near Cromer and a couple I can think of in Beccles. Norwich becomes a sort of hub or centre with some of us having some distance to go.

It's not that players don't exist in Norfolk (I know a couple with the 1000+ tune type repertoire who would hold their own anywhere) but a) part the geography and b) peoples areas of musical interest

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: melodeonboy
Date: 08 Jul 13 - 04:29 AM

Presumably it includes chamber music! :-)

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Jul 13 - 02:56 PM

Very good, melodeonboy! (For the uninitiated, the title of the Sheringham thing refers to lobster pots, not gazunders.)

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 09 Jul 13 - 08:01 AM

I'm glad someone else asked.
I was thinking either gazunders, or Michael Bentine's Potties

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,callingbird
Date: 09 Jul 13 - 11:32 AM

I shall be staying in Blakeney in August for a week. Can anyone tell me if there are any folk clubs around there? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 09 Jul 13 - 11:59 AM

There are monthly folk clubs. Singaround style with the odd tune. According to LittleBridToldMe which I think would be your best resource, Blakeney is the second Sunday of the month in the Harbour Rooms. Sherringham are the second Wednesday.

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: GUEST,callingbird
Date: 10 Jul 13 - 10:07 AM

Thank you, Jon

Subject: RE: Sheringham Potty Festival
From: Senoufou
Date: 30 Jun 17 - 11:55 AM

(That was me, Eliza, that started this thread four years ago)

Just to say it's the Potty Festival again tomorrow, 1st July. Haven't looked at the weather forecast yet, but we'll be going anyway. Husband will be wearing his most colourful African outfit.

We saw Woodside Morris in Norwich last week, and they said they'd be at Sheringham, so we'll make sure to watch them.

If any Mudcatters are at the Festival, and notice a colourfully-dressed African chap with a rather...er...ancient/overweight/frumpy lady at his side, it'll be us!!