Whitby folk festival 2020

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 03:27 PM

I agree, Jack.

Things will get worse before they improve. We can help stop this thing by staying away from others. That won't kill us, but the virus could.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 02:39 PM

Aye Campin Jack, "We're all doomed, ah tell ye, we're all doomed!"

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 11:56 AM

...and Whitby has practically zero NHS services anyway. Certainly nobody competent to do a damn thing about what's about to hit them, and an older than average population. They're in very deep trouble.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 11:36 AM

I'm sure the festival organisers and those of us who are hoping to enjoy it will be watching governments (and other) advice.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 09:17 AM

The NHS will soon be overwhelmed. People would be extremely foolish bordering criminal to go to any festival anywhere until such time the virus has been defeated, if one might use such a term.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 09:05 AM

There has been a tend for many years, of people choosing to book their holidays to coincide with all, or part of the festival, some who can afford to move out altogether, while some move out in order to rent their homes at exorbitant rates, to visitors.
It's certainly not a universally popular happening, but like so much of the arts, it's hyped up by those who make, or hope to make, a living from them. Usually with the help of a grant from the Arts Council.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 09:02 AM

There will be among a vociferous minority. There is in any such city that holds such festivals. The local economy, however, will suffer in Edinburgh, as it will in Whitby, Sidmouth, etc... should these events not happen (I see Sidmouth has been cancelled, sadly). And that's people's jobs, pensions, savings and so on. The folk festival is widely welcomed in Whitby, based upon the testimonies of the locals I know, the business owners there that I speak to, and the staff we speak to every year. These blowhards who drone on as if these towns and cities belong to them are best left ignored in my experience.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Raggytash
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 09:02 AM

I'm sure there will be!

I've lost count of the number of times I've been told how folkies can make a 1/2 glass of orange juice last all afternoon.

What these people don't see, or won't see is that vast amount of barrels that are sold during folk week.

Speak to any licensee and you will be told folk week is the busiest week of the year, with next to no trouble from the folkie punters.

I was talking recently to the landlord of the station. He told me last year they got through over 300 firkins (9 Gallons) of Beer.

what these people don't see or won't see is the almost complete lack of police during folk week, they are not needed by and large.

What these people don't see or won't see is that every Guest House, B and B and holiday cottage is booked, every food outlet working at near capacity.

Yeah us folkies don't spend any money at all.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 08:30 AM

A surprising number of callers on the BBC Radio Scotland phone-in yesterday were delighted about the cancellation of the Edinburgh Festival)s).
Some comments were
'Maybe I'll be able to get a baked potato for less than £7 now'   
and
'It will be great to get our city back'

wonder if there are any echoes of that in Whitby?

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Peter Tatter
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 07:29 AM

I see that the Edinbugh festival is not going ahead in August first time in 70 years, it,s not looking good

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: r.padgett
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 04:37 PM

Stay optimistic!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Mo the caller
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 04:32 PM

Sometimes people on here do know more than has been published on the website. Whitby does tend to book the same artists so people who go regularly get to know their style. E.g. who leads slow sessions, who calls brainbending dances, which venues are packed.

Anyway talking amongst ourselves is our way of looking forward to it (in normal times) or hoping it will happen.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 11:49 AM

Look at the website? Heretic! The Mudcat way is to post here and get a lot of inaccurate and uninformed responses.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Mo the caller
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 09:54 AM

"Covid-19 Update. At this stage we do not envisage having to cancel, and are continuing with plans for the festival, but are keeping a close eye on the situation and Government advice, and will post updates to Facebook and here as and when necessary."

This is what the website says

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Mo the caller
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 09:53 AM

All the things we love about Whitby are just the things we can't do now.
Playing tunes in crowded pubs. Touching hands with many people as we dance.

I suppose it might be possible to hold a session on the West Cliff.
I'd really miss Whitby if it didn't happen.

I would think that the providers of accommodation will be holding their breath, crossing their fingers etc. I've paid a deposit on mine and the agency usually asks for the balance 6 weeks in advance. See what we know then. The festival organisers will probably have a lot of accommodation for artists booked with the same agency, so that may influence the timing of any decision. And if things are still unclear the agency may be more flexible as there won't be much demand for flats.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Josh Roehl
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 03:12 PM

Please listen to this song I wrote. The song is called "Reminisce". Here is a link to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=960EyG2K_Kk

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: JHW
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 02:56 PM

Surprises me trains and buses are still running, (note above) before lockdown I'd be scared to go on one. (usually go to the Glaisdale do by train)
I'm not expecting any festival to happen this year. If we get past the peak the virus will still be here

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 02:52 PM

No problem, Raggytash. We've all done it. Best wishes to you.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Raggytash
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 01:36 PM

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Raggytash
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 01:35 PM

My mistake, I read the post at speed.

My apologies to the poster and others who pointed out my error.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 11:18 AM

Back to the OP, nobody here knows any more than what is posted on the festival's own website.

At the moment I am holding on to my B&B booking but I suspect that I won't be needing it this year. I don't think that there will be any serious easing of restrictions this side of the August Bank Holiday.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Jack Campin
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 10:30 AM

The trains are always so crowded they couldn't possibly be made safe in time.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 10:08 AM

"The "guest" says he/she is going to Whitby regardless.

What sheer bloody arrogance has he/she actually heard and understood to veto on travel."

I said, "as long as we're allowed" we'll be going. If the restrictions are lifted and people are allowed to travel we'll be going to Whitby irrespective of whether the folk festival is on. I feel strongly about the place and would love to support its cafes, hotels, bars and other attractions at what must be a horribly worrying time for them. If the restrictions dictate that we can't go, then we won't. We'll adhere strictly to whatever the government advice is, as we're doing now. I know it's a rubbish time for everyone, but please try not to pick fights without reading the post in full. Hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 09:42 AM

The "guest" did say "... as long as we're allowed ...", Raggy. We need positive attitudes to help things get back to normal, once rhe crisis has passed.

DC

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 09:37 AM

We never find time to look round Whitby during Festival Week.

If the restrictions are relaxed but the festival does not go ahead, we will still be happy to spend the week in Whitby.

We will have to make our own music.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: Raggytash
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 09:11 AM

The "guest" says he/she is going to Whitby regardless.

What sheer bloody arrogance has he/she actually heard and understood to veto on travel.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: r.padgett
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 07:15 AM

In god's hands, it seems

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 05:38 AM

Two dates are important;
the date that people are allowed to assemble, and the date the announcement is made.

It will be a different world when this epidemic is over.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival 2020
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 05:28 AM

Good points John. It would depend, I suppose, on what a 'large' event is. With regards to Whitby, it may well be that only the evening event in the Pavilion would qualify as such. But then maybe I'm hoping beyond hope there. I know that as long as we're allowed, we'll be going to Whitby that week regardless. I would imagine that many other folkies will feel the same. We'll just have to gather on the beach on the Friday night to sing Wild Mountain Thyme.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 05:13 AM

None of the big festivals in July and August have cancelled apart from Cambridge.
As far as I know, there has been no decision from Warwick, Underneath the Stars, WOMAD, Sidmouth, Whickam, Dartmoor, Broadstairs, Folk East, Towersey, Shrewsbury and Whitby. Apologies to any other festival that considers themselves 'large' but not listed here!

Derek

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 05:06 AM

As far as the economy not being able take a lockdown is concerned, I agree, but if there is an easing of our confinement, large public gatherings will be the last prohibition lifted.
Last night the Chief Medical Officer was talking in terms of at least 6 months, before we see the return of something approaching normality.
Personally, I very much doubt if any large festival, or even small festival will happen before September, possibly none before the end of this year.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival
From: GUEST,Peter Tatter
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 05:05 AM

Fingers crossed.

Subject: RE: Whitby folk festival
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 04:54 AM

I would imagine they'll be waiting and hoping. Anyone who knows any of the organisers will know that they'll be doing every last little thing they can to keep it on. But if the local council or insurance companies and the like say they won't be able to go ahead, then it will be out of their hands. I can't imagine that the UK economy will be able to take a lockdown of this nature until late August, and such considerations will become more prominent as time goes on. Most things of this nature seem to be being cancelled three months in advance, so maybe late May will be a time when we'll know more. Would be a desperate shame we it to not go ahead, but there is obviously a much bigger issue at play.

Subject: Whitby folk festival
From: GUEST,Peter Tatter
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 04:39 AM

Hi anyone heard any news about Whitby Folk Festival will it go ahead I have booked accommodation for it and want to know if I should reluctantly cancel.