Whitby Folk Week 2016

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 05:47 AM

Actually Jack the locals, some of whom don't appreciate folk music, do need somewhere to drink themselves so a few pubs without folkies is no bad thing.

When you think of the town centre pubs and clubs that do have music it doesn't leave the indigenous population with many to go at.

The following have the OFFICIAL festival
Endeavour
Con Club
Middle Earth
Rifle Club
Met Hotel
Football Club
Rugby Club
Star
Dolphin RHB
Fishermans Rowing Club
Friendship Rowing Club
The Following have the FRINGE
Fleece
Dolphin, Whitby
Black Horse
Board
Duke of York
Golden Lion
Ship
Pier
Golden Lion
Elsinore
Black Swan
Station
Granby
Little Angel
Waiting Room
Arncliffe Arms, Glaisdale (Sunday aft only)

There may be more that I haven't visited.

That only leaves the following pubs none of which are anything to write home about
George
Wellington
Beez (now has a new name)
Plough
Big Angel
Buck
Jolly Sailor
Wharf

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 06:31 AM

What about FILO Nick?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 06:39 AM

The back room of the Black Horse, the new bar on the station the Waiting Room, The Station, the Fleece to name but four.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 06:46 AM

Don't know about the FILO haven't set foot in it for some time due in no small part to the SEVEN televisions in the main bar.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,In good company
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 10:39 AM

Hope you have arranged some good weather, Raggy, seeing as I am camping :-D

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: JP2
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 11:16 AM

Despite the fact that the FILO is only fifty yards from my front door I don't bother either Nick.

I'm pretty sure that the Waiting Room said that they wouldn't be opening at all while the Regatta was in progress.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 11:28 AM

No the Waiting Room will be open Saturday & Sunday but will not be open on the Monday (as per norm, and the Regatta)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 11:33 AM

Weather ordered.



You did say you wanted Manchester weather didn't you?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Mo the caller
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 12:46 PM

Good grief, I've been to 10 Whitbys since we started again in 2006. (After a break of 15 years).
And certainly for several years from 2006 the sessions were interrupted by collectors. Not so many the last few years.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: JP2
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 01:50 PM

Only reporting what Rob said to me Nick.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 07:02 PM

Not disputing that John, I'm possibly more up to date that's all.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Joe Nicholson
Date: 10 Aug 16 - 05:56 AM

Nik the Dolphin is ussually an official lunchtime singaround in the Dolphin

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Aug 16 - 06:14 AM

Hi Joe, There's nothing down in the programme for the Dolphin in Whitby. There's been a change of ownership this year which led to it being closed for a few weeks which may have had an impact.

That's not to say someone can't start one should they wish.


There's half a day at the bay as usual in Ye Dolphin which is to be recommended.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 06:06 AM

Are there any French Sessions anywhere this year?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 07:52 AM

That's what the Eurosession is.

Look upthread to my post of 08 Aug 16 - 05:59 PM.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 10:47 AM

@ Jack Campin
Why should GUEST 11 Aug 16 - 06:06 AM be aware that the Euro session is a French music session rather than Polish or Greek or Spanish or Italian?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 09:04 PM

I would at one time (maybe) have joined in the debate regarding the official and the fringe.

Now, having read through this thread, I realise I would be wasting my time, yet again, as happened many years ago when I still had an involvement with the festival. On that occasion I explained in detail the reasoning and the pricing for the three official campsites.

I was almost immediately told by some smart arse that I did not know what I was talking about.

I did not bother to reply.

Suffice it to say that the majority of the so called current debate is to a great extent utter twaddle.

I will equally not respond to any comments on this posting.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 05:12 AM

The current debate expresses a wide range of views all looking forward to Whitby, so I'm hurt that you dismiss us as twaddle without saying what your views are.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 05:35 AM

Malcolm did a great job as Director for 25 years and fully deserves to be thanked for the massive amount of work he did to nurse, cajole, build the festival to what is became and hopefully will remain.

I suspect it is, for the most part, a thankless task with people more than willing to complain but seldom taking the time to praise.

I, for one, salute him and the work he did.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Jack Campin
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 07:17 AM

So the Dolphin will be open and receptive to musicians doing stuff in there, despite the change?

If so it would presumably be a good idea for people to take advantage of that (though maybe not while the Regatta is still going on). The new owners might need to be shown that musicians can get the till ringing.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 07:41 AM

A few people go there to play on a Monday (I think) so they will in all likelihood be receptive to the idea.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 10:05 AM

Hi Malcolm,
As you couldn't be bothered to read the thread I'll help you out.
There are actually no posts on this thread either criticising the festival, its organisers or the fringe either past present or future.

Current debate? Have you got this mixed up with another thread. Don't worry, we're all getting a little older.

Thank-you for your interest.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 10:18 AM

Re--official v fringe
A very long running accordian and fiddle festival for some reason folded at least 10 years ago. The people who attended this official festival continued to turn up each year thereafter with the addition of newcomers each succeeding year. So much so that when one year the council banned the overnight parking of motorhomes the local traders spoke to a high council official and a police inspector then visited the various sites and advised the owners of the said vehicles to ignore the large 6ft. x 4ft. council notice.
This past year one had to turn up on a Thursday in order to secure a place to park a motorhome, such being the success of this unofficial festival.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 04:19 PM

Raggy, I agree about Malcolm did in making the festival such a great participative event. Lots of people sharing their expertise.
But I share Steve's views too.

This time next week my car will be packed & I'll be 50 miles nearer Whitby than I am now.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Guest - just curious
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 08:08 PM

Guest on the glorious 12th.

Where was this long running accordion and fiddle festival and what has it, or more relevantly its successor, to do with Whitby?

Or are you inferring that if Whitby Folk Week were to fold that a bigger and better free festival would appear as if by magic?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Katy from Burnley
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 08:40 PM

I suppose my original comment was a bit like a cry of frustration. The sort of people over here, who go to Whitby once a year, won't pay to see a guest, won't buy a ticket won't support local clubs unless they get to sing on the night, they won't learn new songs or in some cases even the words and read them of a typed script. They won't even listen to each other properly, they just want to sing their song and play their guitar and get applause. Some of them even violently object to anybody better than they are daring to sing at their sing around. I remember a really good singer and musician who was treated despicably at one singers night, because he threatened their little bit of kudos, and several of the regulars stared at him as if he had torn the head of their favourite teddy bear. I and my husband have stopped going to the local clubs for this reason. I would rather travel a bit further and get a decent night in a club. I was sort of getting it off my chest, and probably this thread was not the right place to do it. I will still come to Whitby though if I can, and buy a ticket or pay on the door. Sorry if I've started a row.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 03:26 AM

Don't worry about it Katy, it's almost inevitable that someone will take the wrong meaning from the things they read here. By and large the folk world is brilliant, great people, great musicians and singers.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 04:49 AM

In any gathering of people there are inevitably those that don't quite fit in. In spite of this the folk world,I find,is a fun and easy going place to be. Especially when I manage to accept the inevitable fact that,sometimes, there will be individuals and even whole sessions that aren't quite as perfect as me!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,LesB
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 05:09 AM

Katy (from Burnley), you have just described what I think of as a typical singaround. Which is why I am not fond of them.
I totally agree with HenryP about the general reluctance among some folkies to dip their hands in their pockets, but the good thing about Whitby is it's ability to cater for everyone.
By the way, I will be going for 3 days this year, I haven't managed to get for several years.
Cheers Les

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Jack Campin
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 05:43 AM

The most you can say against the travelling-singaround types is that they're making their chosen pub rather unattractive for any other musician to be in. But there are plenty of alternative places to sing or play. They're spending money in the town so the locals can't complain.

All over the UK you get the same subculture of ageing people doing the same ever-decreasing repertoire of stereotyped songs year in year out with ever less conviction around a circuit of venues. We have the same thing in southern Scotland. It's not a phenomenon created by Whitby.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: sapper82
Date: 14 Aug 16 - 03:16 PM

I'll be there with the two lads and the Dearly Tolerant with eldest lad turning up some time or another on one of his motorbikes.
Sadly, daughter will not as she's just started as a (VERY) Junior Doctor in Harlow.
At least her initial 6y of studying are over now and she's finally getting paid!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Acorn4
Date: 14 Aug 16 - 06:38 PM

Went into a cafe a couple of years ago in Whitby on the Thursday and they were playing Glen Miller type music. Commented to the staff how it made a nice change and he said:-

"We've been trying to drown out that pub opposite - they've been playing the same six bloody songs all week!"

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 15 Aug 16 - 03:42 AM

Just back from Broadstairs and attended a few of the woodshed sessions. The stated rules

Please buy a drink from the bar
Please contribute to the tin ( passed round once)
Please play or sing something that encourages others to join in with

just about everybody I saw or heard seemed to follow these rules as did the nominated guests.

Do a few overt rules help?
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Children in Performance
Date: 17 Aug 16 - 10:38 AM

Hello all, I hope you don't mind me posting.

My name is Grace and I am part of the team that runs the Children in Performance workshop at the festival, along with Lizzie, Liz, Ellie, Lesley and Kerry.

You may remember last year that, along with the show involving all the children's workshops, our children were asked by Chrissie and Taffy Thomas to sing during the Salty Sea Tales 2 concert, along with The Wilsons, The Keelers and John Conolly, to name but a few, to raise money for the Lifeboat.

The CD of the concert is going to be released, with all profits going to the lifeboat, with the launch of the CD during the Taffy's Tunes and Tales session on the Saturday, which is 19:00-22:00 at the Brunswick Centre.

Chrissie has emailed Lizzie today asking if any children involved in the concert last year wouldn't mind singing at the launch. So I am putting a message out in case any of the parents of the children read the forum and would like their children to be involved. We are planning on having a rehearsal of the song after the 'Introduction to the week's Children's activites' (formerly known as Wot about the Kids?) event, which is at West Cliff School Hall on Saturday between 3-4:30pm, so will be finished at the very latest by 5. We hope that some of the children can make it!

You will also be able to find out what all the children's events have planned for the week. I know we have some very exciting things planned (involving pirates!) and having spoken to some of the leaders of the other children's workshops it sounds like there are lots of fun things planned for children and young people of all ages and abilities.

As ever our workshop is in West Cliff school Hall 3-5pm (though some days it starts at 3.15).

So this message ended up much longer than expected...it is safe to say I am excited for the week!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 17 Aug 16 - 05:13 PM

Glenn Miller music? Try the melnet meet at The Elsinore on Thursday afternoon. We play anything!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: sapper82
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 01:32 PM

Got here after a surprisingly easy drive up the M1/M18/A1 and across via Thirsk and Rosedale Agricultural Show.
Trying to persuade the Dearly Tolerant to work up the energy for a walk into town now.
Looking forward to the Glaisdale session tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Bloke in Grouch mask
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 02:44 PM

There's a rumour that original Musket will get there by Monday lunchtime. Been a while since I got up to Whitby and a bed has been secured till Wednesday.

I'll miss not hearing me old mate Jack's melodeon in the yard of The Plough and I'll be boring all and sundry with tales of when we used to go straight from Whitby to the "old" Stainsby festival back in the day.

Anyroad, see you there.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 04:26 PM

Someone has told me the Regatta is on this year or is it just a ruse to keep me away?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 06:21 PM

"When you walk along the street
How often times you'll meet
Some poor old man who's getting old and grey
His age is feeble spent
In his pockets not a cent
And for shelter he has nowhere to go
His relations by the score
They'll turn him from the door
They'll meet him on a street, they'll pass him by
If you ask them why they do
They'll answer you and say,
"He is poor, he's old, he's only in the way"
Now let us cheer them all
For they won't be with us long
Don't point at them because they're old and grey
For remember while you're young
Old age to you will come
And you'll be old and grey and only in the way
There was a time, I hear
When young was not so queer
But since that time there's been an awful change
Young men with strength and might
To the parents they would strike
Yes, it happens every day, that's nothing strange
They strike for fear of toil
Whose children they would spoil
And sure for death ofttimes they do pray
For himself and faithful wife been toiling all their lives
To find they're old and only in the way."Charlie Poole

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Aug 16 - 06:49 PM

The Regatta is on. But it's much quieter than any previous year I've been here.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 16 - 04:13 AM

Thanks for Regatta info.
I've been to Glaisdale Train Sunday before but can't remember whether its today, 21st or Sunday after the festival.
I've a flyer for Saltburn FC Garden Party at Skinningrove today 1-5pm. Surely they wouldn't put it on to clash?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 21 Aug 16 - 04:26 AM

Glaisdale train is today !!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 21 Aug 16 - 05:37 AM

'The festive atmosphere in Whitby comes from the Folk Week itself. But people who enjoy the street and fringe events can take advantage of the Folk Week without contributing towards any of the costs.'

I went once to Skagen Festival. (and had a ticket)
Nobody there does anything unless they're paid to. Big audiences listen only to booked turns on stages.
I sat on a bollard on a quay near the fish and spuds cafe and sang for hours; every song I knew even a verse of to a constant though changing semicircular audience gathered around.

I dare to suggest my sung contribution was worth far more than my ticket money.
I saw nobody else doing anything for free.

No Fringe does not make for a good festival.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe is several hundred fold bigger than Edinburgh International Festival.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 21 Aug 16 - 04:43 PM

Enjoyed the Glaisdale Train session (though I drove) Thanks Nick for info.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: John J
Date: 22 Aug 16 - 07:44 AM

I was hoping to roll up for a couple of days, camping on the Moor & Coast site, but it's now looking unlikely I'll get there.

:-(

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,Bloke in Gr.. Bugger it, Musket
Date: 22 Aug 16 - 09:19 AM

Crackin' session this afternoon in The Fleece.

First time for everything, including going to a festival sans guitar... Our sponsors would like to thank Mr Windle for supplying same whilst he is on stewarding duties.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,In good company
Date: 25 Aug 16 - 06:23 AM

Spent an excellent 2.5 days there and I can certainly pick the weather :-) Visited a couple of Black Horse sessions, one in the Golden Lion and one in the Elsinore. Nice to see lots of familiar faces and equally good to see new ones at the new venue, The Waiting Room. Only problem there is that the beer is too good. And, yes, I did try all of them. Including the one that ran out and the new one that replaced it :-)

The campsite is excellent but, as I said, I did pick the sunny days! Outside folky stuff I also enjoyed the fireworks on Monday evening and I can heartily recommend the 'Diner's breakfast' at the American style diner near the Elsinore - £6.95 and you will not need to eat anything the rest of the day :-)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Aug 16 - 06:36 AM

The flat key session that I publicized really took off (largely thanks to Pikey from Melnet who led off a great choice of tunes).

The Eurosession was enormous - 60 people on Monday. That's too many but I'm not sure what we can do about it.

Numbers for the programmed events are WAY down.

The new ticketing system is horrible, introduces preposterous delays and is far too much work for the stewards. The old one worked, why the change?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: GUEST,In good company
Date: 25 Aug 16 - 09:07 AM

Change hands!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2016
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Aug 16 - 05:00 AM

And I have a new un-favourite tune: The Battle of the Somme, done the English way - blasted into G by melodeon fire and left to die of gangrene in a foxhole. It isn't a lament, folks.