fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled

Subject: fylde folk & roots festival 2015
From: GUEST,I Don,t Know
Date: 27 Jul 15 - 12:17 PM

Sorry to have just read on Facebook that this years Fylde Folk & Roots Festival has been cancelled due to lack of ticket sales.
Such a shame after the committee had tried very hard to get a good line up & retain venues from the original festival.
Thank you to anyone who was helping.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 15 - 06:13 PM

What a pity that such a good festival folds after such a distinguished run.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015
From: GUEST,Amateur Pathologist
Date: 27 Jul 15 - 08:45 PM

Don't recall seeing a bill for the proposed festival.

Are there any clues there as to the cause of death?

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 03:09 AM

Is this analogous to the election? We are in the aftermath of a recession/depression and when the market is fragmented and the punters hesitate over the choices: they go with the familiar.

Maybe the numbers have been falling for some time and there are not enough of the "familiarista" now. Other festivals seem to be growing. Take Warwick - being so close to Sidmouth you might think it would be shrinking, but not by any measure I put on this year's crowd. Mind you Warwick has excelent and quirky kiddos entertainment and being in a large school grounds I saw a lot of kids enjoying the spaces unfettered by parental admonishments. And a healthy crop of teens and twenties as well as the thirties with family. We are a conveyor belt, festivals and Folk in general need those youngsters getting on to compensate the losses at the other end.

If you want things to survive, as a punter even, you have to make it welcoming to all ages. I try, but then I have an obvious talking point to get started with.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 03:46 AM

My personal opinion was that the tickets were pricey for an 'experimental' festival. I was hoping to get there and support it but when I saw that the prices were they same as the old Fylde festival I was a bit put off. OK - It probably was good value but I was not willing to take the risk. Just my 2d.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 05:45 AM

Although Wyre Council did not give Alan Bell any direct financial support, it did contribute the Marine Hall and the Leisure Centre, which gave the festival a solid foundation.

I understand that they did not extend this support to the organisers of the new festival, making their task even more difficult.

The result is that we have lost a folk festival, while Wyre District has lost its biggest single tourist event, one that since 1972 has attracted thousands of people to Fleetwood and brought in millions of pounds to the local economy.

It's another blow to Lancashire which lost the successful Lancaster Maritime Festival through interdepartmental squabbles on the City Council.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Myrtle's cook
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 06:21 AM

This is a real shame and after going to this event for 23 years the news was received with sadness. The new team had worked so very hard to make this happen and are to be congratulated and thanked for sticking their heads above the parapet and having a go.

For those of us facing serious Fylde withdrawal symptoms, their press release states:

'Whilst the festival will not now be going ahead, we are pleased to note that there will be other live music events taking place in Fleetwood during the weekend of 4th – 6th September. The North Euston Hotel will be holding a Friday night concert in the Ballroom and plan to have live music in the main bar, The Mount Hotel and Queens also plan to have entertainment too, the Steamer Hotel will be celebrating 175 years with free music throughout the weekend, and the Museum are hopeful that they can put on an event. We wish all venues the best for these events, which we wholeheartedly support. Our aim was always to support and encourage the existence of good quality live music in Fleetwood and throughout the Fylde, and we will continue to do this as individuals.'

I would be nice to think that a smaller gathering can continue along the lines of Robinhood's Bay festival - lots of free singarounds, sessions, dancing along with a few larger events promoted by venues.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Myrtle's cook
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 06:23 AM

Here's the full press release which explains why the organisers were unable to proceed.

http://www.fyldefolknroots.org/newsfeed/

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 06:41 AM

very sad. how was the new set up going to be different from the old fylde festival. It was the most beautiful setting.all those big victorian houses facing the sea. ireally loved it and missed it when we moved south.

as my parents were from lancashire -it felt a bit like coming home at some level.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Stanron
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 08:37 AM

Perhaps it could become a session fest instead. Anyone fancy turning up for a weekend of sessions?

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Wyreless
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 08:56 AM

The Directors are devastated not to be able to continue Alan's 42-year legacy of running a folk festival in Fleetwood, and applaud Alan for his many years of sterling service promoting and performing folk music in the Fylde.

And there's the rub. If the festival hadn't been such a one-man band all these years then it would still be going. All very sad, but hardly surprising.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Myrtle's cook
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 09:24 AM

Stanron 'Anyone fancy turning up for a weekend of sessions?' - if that includes songs/singarounds I'd be up for it.

It may be that Fleetwood Folk Club might help facilitate this (always a thoroughly nice club and group of people when I've been to their traditional Thursday night pre festival night). I'll drop them an email and share any response.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: OlgaJ
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 11:37 AM

Whilst we have never been to Fylde and at the risk of attracting adverse comments I think there is a minor problem with all the festivals in the north of England that we have been involved with (we tend to get booked for 'fringe' events or stewarding, therefore no money but free camping and tickets). If we look at the programmes for the events we have attended so far this year and last, many of the headline and support artists are booked for most of the festivals, sometimes two years in a row. Even though we are big fans of some of these acts it is unlikely we would fork out the sort of money being asked more than a couple of times a year. Perhaps people are basing their choice of festivals on this and the ticket prices.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 02:08 PM

"However, despite unceasing activity to promote the festival," it says in the press release (link above) and goes on to bemoan low ticket sales.
Folkies tend not to rush out and buy tickets but I for one didn't know there was a festival.
Rather I remember the Final Fylde Fliers so wasn't expecting one.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,yoko
Date: 28 Jul 15 - 02:12 PM

I've never been to Fylde Festival. I picked up a flyer for it last week and the first thing I noticed is that it's the weekend after August bank holiday which I would think is not a good choice of dates for many reasons.
The flyer had a load of artists names on it but not one that I would make an effort to see though I must confess I wouldn't know what three quarters of them do. I did have a look at the website (after the announcement) but there seemed to be little there that would entice me and my family.
I reckon people go to festivals for different reasons. We don't have a campervan. We camp and go to one festival every year. Every penny is worked out. We have two kids so we have to make sure that they're catered for. They would be bored out of their heads going to concert after concert. Along with their mother(uke/tinwhistle) they love joining in the ceilidhs and other dances. They love to mix with the other kids and make friends easily.
I personally go for the workshops and the sessions. If there's no mention of a session, we wouldn't go.
It's families that you ought to attract and with that comes the lack of spending money. People will get picky. Looking forward to August bank holiday.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 04:06 AM

As people above have said, we saw all the publicity about last year being the last Fylde festival.

For that reason we didn't expect one this year. We only saw an advert for this years festival about a week and a half ago. We had decided we would probably go. However we were a little unsure about the world music part, as in we particularly like the more traditional elements of folk, each to their own. We would probably have gone for a day to see what the festival was like, before deciding whether the new format justifies us as a family committing to weekend tickets next year.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Hamish
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 03:46 AM

Looked like a brilliant line-up to me.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Guest Andrea
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 08:09 AM

Like others who received the sad news at Warwick FF last w/e and who had already booked accommodation at 'Fylde', I shall be going anyway; with the N. Euston and other venues providing music, it seems as though there's an opportunity for a good Song/Music/Ale Fest. and, who knows, the 'phoenix' might just 'rise from the ashes'.......

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 08:28 AM

I think there are probably a number of factors.

I think the first problem with the new festival was that it wasn't widely enough advertised. The end of the old festival was well publicised and there was some finality to to, so it needed a very loud and clear message to get over that there was going to be a new one. How many people even knew about it? Perhaps a year or two off followed by a heavily-publicised launch as a completely new event might have been better? There was also possibly some confusion with the similarly-named Fylde Rock and Roots Festival.

Neither was it very clear what the style of the festival was going to be. Yes, it had a comprehensive line-up, but the website says nothing about dances, workshops, sessions etc. On the one hand it seemed to want to continue from what the old festival had built up, but it was clearly going to be different in style from the old festival, but who knows in what way?

It had a good and wide-ranging lineup, but there was just not enough information to attract me. I want more from a festival than concerts, and don't pay much attention to the lineup because I usually find I don't get around to seeing half the acts I plan to. Their website tells us all about the acts, but very little about the festival itself.

It's a pity that all the hard work has gone to waste.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Dave G
Date: 31 Jul 15 - 06:08 PM

The line up was excellent and all at a very good price. We were willing to travel up from Devon for our fourth Fylde/New Fylde festival. It was well publicised for quite a while and we looked forward to a festival which has really good venues (on the same weekend as the old festival). The organisers seem to have worked really hard to continue the festival, mainly in its original format with a few alterations. Given all of this, I cannot understand why so few tickets were bought (less than a hundred I believe). I will really miss this festival if, as seems likely, it discontinues.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 05:33 AM

Al, good news for you, the Spice Girls going back on tour lol
a href="https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/post/126080697349/spice-girls-to-return-for-tour-without-victoria">https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/post/126080697349/spice-girls-to-return-for-tour-without-victoria

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 08:47 AM

Unless young people start organising one day there will be no festivals at all.
Everyone wants to be a star,yet few are prepared to put a shift in and organise events, the scene has changed, over the 40 plus years i have been involved, 35 years a a professional performer
agents believe they can hype people up and suddenly their artists will be come stars, stars with nowhere to play, take heed take heed of the way the wind is blowing.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 09:33 AM

I could not agree more GSS!!

Ray

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Stanron
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 09:49 AM

Yeah yeah, but who wants to turn up that weekend and have some sessions, tunes and songs?

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 01:12 PM

Me,Me & me chums & their chums, piles o'people!!

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 01:19 PM

4th, 5th and 6th September 2015

Camping?

Venues?

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Stanron
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 05:06 PM

Last year I used a campervan and parked in the Kite Club car park on the sea front. There was supposed to be a camp site but after the cancellation not info can be found on the web site. Tomorrow I will see if I can dig out last years program which should have more details of the camp site and the session pubs.

The cancellation notice contained the following,

"Whilst the festival will not now be going ahead, we are pleased to note that there will be other live music events taking place in Fleetwood during the weekend of 4th – 6th September. The North Euston Hotel will be holding a Friday night concert in the Ballroom and plan to have live music in the main bar, The Mount Hotel and Queens also plan to have entertainment too, the Steamer Hotel will be celebrating 175 years with free music throughout the weekend, and the Museum are hopeful that they can put on an event. We wish all venues the best for these events, which we wholeheartedly support."

Pubs mentioned here should be good starting points for sessions.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 06:07 PM

That sounds enough of a festival to be worth going. The big acts are always the sideshow in festivals for me, it's the sessions and the workshops that matter.

I hope Fylde keeps happening in some form. It's always been a lovelt festival - Whitby without the hill climbing.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 06:22 PM

seems to me a good deal of Alan's legacy is intact!

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Stanron
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 09:11 AM

I couldn't find last year's festival program so I can't pass on camp site details. Can any one remember where the camp site was? There is plenty of road side places for campervans. The car parks in front of the Marine Hall have restricted height entrances but there may well be others.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 01:46 PM

Never been myself, though have friends who used to go regularly: it was a week before another festival I used to help organise, so couldn't find the time off to come!
Between 2000 and 2006, we had "Both Sides the Tweed" festivals in the Scottish Borders (moving around various Borders towns). The final one was in Selkirk: they still have a "Selkirk Sessions" weekend in early October which has effectively kept the whole thing and the music going: no concerts or booked artists, but a weekend of pub sessions. And Innerleithen, where the first 2 were held, started their own festival in mid-August after Both Sides the Tweed moved on to Eyemouth.
So I'd say "go for it"!

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 01:57 PM

For once I find that I agree with GSS 100%.

All organisations, be they festivals, folk clubs, jazz clubs or stamp collecting clubs need some sort of succession planning

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 02:29 PM

they still have a "Selkirk Sessions" weekend in early October which has effectively kept the whole thing and the music going: no concerts or booked artists, but a weekend of pub sessions.

They do? I thought it folded. Most of the pubs in Selkirk have closed, and this site

http://www.selkirksessions.com/

was last updated in 2014.

I think I've been twice and it was good back then.

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: GUEST,Myrtle's cook
Date: 12 Aug 15 - 08:47 AM

Great news!
Just had the following email from one of the organisers of the sadly cancelled Fylde Folk & Roots Festival. It seems she has been able to organise a modest folk weekend to carry on Alan Bell's legacy. As a Fylde regular for over 20 years I think this is wonderful news. Programme as follows:

Hi
You will have all heard the sad and regretful news about the cancellation of the Fylde Folk'n'Roots Festival.
As a former Co-Director when I visited the venues to inform them of the sad news several of them wanted to continue to support an event which was very heartening.
After some serious thought and speaking to some of the customers, sponsors, staff and artists it was agreed that we would run a similar smaller scale event.
Some of you have already contacted me to say that you will still be attending and I thank you for your continued support, however I thought it only right to update the rest of our original supporters. As a local girl I am hoping that a smaller event will give the town something to build on in future years.
So here's what will be occurring.
Fleetwood Museum (all events only £2 entry)
Fri.
12.45 Upstairs Room - Red Duster - Maritime songs etc.
14.15 Boat Hall - Hughie Jones - ex Spinners frontman.
Sat.
11.00 Upstairs Room - Fish and Ships - Dick Gillingham and
            Dave Pearce with songs, poems and pictures from
            Fleetwood's fishing heyday.
12.30 - Upstairs Room - Scolds Bridle - Sue and Liz are
             Celebrating 40 years together - recently featured in the
             Live BBC Lancashire show from Fleetwood.
14.15 - Boat Hall - the ever popular Alan Bell and his band.
The Mount Hotel
Fri Evening - Fleetwood Folk Club host the Folk Club
Sat - there will be a variety of singarounds, musicians sessions
Sun - Acoustic Blues concert (£2 entry)
The Queens Pub (free entry)
Sat & Sun - live artists of mixed genre of folk, roots and blues
The North Euston Victoria Bar (free entry)
Friday evening, Sat & Sun
Including Reg Meuros & Jess Vincent, Thistle, Scolds Bridle, Ian Gartside Band, Ginger Dog Blues Band, Tailgates & Substitutes, Adam Smith, Gerominos Cadillac & much more
The North Euston Ballroom
Fri night concert/late night extra (£15)
6 artists
Sat night concert/late night extra (£8)
6 artists

Camping/Campervans/Caravans is available at Farmer Parrs with free entry to the petting farm and cafe. Costs will be £5 per tent/vehicle for Fri, Sat and Sun.
I hope you will all consider supporting the event. I am happy for you to email me at [e-mail] or via the facebook page www.facebook.com\fleetwoodfolkandblues


Many Thanks and Kind Regards

Rachael Bailey
Fleetwood Folk and Blues

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 12 Aug 15 - 09:29 AM

Excellent news! Very pleased to see that peeps have rallied round after all the efforts the new organisers put in to carry forward the folk legacy in Fleetwood.
Great to see that the Alan Bell Band will be there too!
Good luck.
CdM

Subject: RE: fylde folk & roots festival 2015 cancelled
From: Stanron
Date: 12 Aug 15 - 09:37 AM

Rachel

This is very welcome news. Could you give a bit more detail regarding 'Farmer Parrs'. What and where is it? Thanks.