middlewich ff

Subject: middlewich ff
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 05:08 AM

i hoping to atten middlewich ff this coming w/end

i'm only going for the craic at singarounds/ sessions in the pubs & i'll probably camp on sat night as i think i'll be working all day sat

anyone else going?

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 06:50 AM

watch out - some of the streets will be flooded
***BG****

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 03:05 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 03:31 PM

Hello Mr. Happy I shall be there selling my lemonade-it'll be nice to meet another 'Catter so do come and find my trailer. It's not compulsory to buy a drink from me by the way!!

Sal

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: greg stephens
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 03:37 PM

working on my boat on dock in Middlewich all week,will be there for fest fri sat, away on another gig sun

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Raggytash
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 06:36 PM

Sessions in Middlewich are not of the best, HOWEVER there are bands playing by the canal side pubs, TOP LOCK & KINGS LOCK these gigs are free. The assembly of barges is worth seeing in it's own and if the church has it's flower festival thats an added bonus. The line up this year INCLUDES lindisfarne, Fairport Convention and the Imfolosi band ........Superb

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 03:47 AM

raggy,

i think you're being somewhat subjective there [i nearly typed suggestive!]

i've been to sessions there over a number of years & on the whole pretty much ok for me. perh. i'm easily pleased, but at any fest. you'll get a hit/miss situation with impromptu sesshes- if one's starting to sag etc then i'll move on & find a better one elsewhere & there's usually lots of sessions in middlewich pubs.

mr h

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: greg stephens
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 04:59 AM

well sessions last year were brilliant in my humble experience, in spite of the fact the festival had been cancelled. And don't go calling them barges, some of those narrow-boat owners are a bit sensitive on technical points. They might refer to them themselves as "gaily painted barges" but that is an ironic pisstake of those who know no better. My boat's a scabby old pointed skip, by the way, you can call it what you like!

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: janey
Date: 16 Jun 02 - 04:11 PM

Well, what did everyone else think? We only went for the Saturday thru' Sunday and (as usual) didn't buy tickets or go to any concerts. It was disappointing to see that quite a few of the pubs had booked acts rather than encouraging sessions. It seemed very quiet on the singaround/session side of things (perhaps the football affected stuff). On the plus side, I had a lovely kebab and a refreshing ice lemonade from Mrs Lemon. And...I also met Mr Happy (who isn't yellow and not all that round).

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jun 02 - 09:00 PM

janey,

u went home 2 early!!

if you'd staid in the bore's hed 'til late, then u'd have experienced the sesh u mist.

but it was great meeting u & manchester dave, take care.

we'll meet again don't kno where, don't kno wen, but i no wheel mete agen sum sunny day!

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Jun 02 - 03:15 AM

Boar's Head session on Friday night was good...sessions I should say, one in each bar.

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 17 Jun 02 - 10:14 AM

I had quite a good time at this fest. It was nice to meet Janey and Little Mo. Mr. Happy didn't come and see me tho' 8-( . I had a real problem finding the place. I came to the conclusion that the person putting up the signs didn't expect people to come that hadn't been before. I didn't find one sign in Middlewich itself telling me there was a festival on. I turned around twice and went out again!! And the camp site was 1 mile away! and the Loos!!! Someone out there could be redesigning porta loos and making a lot of money. Please someone, please!

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: IanN
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:30 AM

Hi folks

Good to hear some feedback - I recently joined the festival committee & will pass on your your comments. There were banners and posters at all the entrances to the town - not sure why you couldn't see them!

The Boar's head has regular sessions (1st Sat of the month & all are welcome). Shame that some of you didn't see the gigs - Fairport were excvellent as usual and Kate Rusby stole the show on Sunday.

Any suggestions for next year are appreciated!

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:45 AM

Cheshire tunes workshop, concert and dance from the Boat Band.

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: IanN
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 07:24 AM

OK - I'll mention it. Keep 'em coming.

Anything anyone didn't like (apart from the rain on Friday night!)?

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 03:02 PM

i

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: janey
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 03:14 PM

We agree with Mrs Lemon; we didn't see any posters relating to where the music side of things was going on; it would be good to see some directing to the camping, big top etc etc. The toilets weren't very nice but I can hack that for the weekend (alcester folk festival seems to be the only one which actually manages to have decent portaloos which stay clean all weekend! perhaps they have a loo fairy on duty). I think it's a nice festival and the tent/market/canal activities side of things looks very well. Don't know how you can improve the amount of pub sessions really but there is certainly a lot of enthusiasm and talent wandering around. anyone going to ALCESTER? see ya there!

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: Snuffy
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 07:12 PM

I'l be at Alcester Friday night with Shakespeare Mummers (I'm the Doctor), and Sat/Sun with Shellback Chorus.

When not on duty, I'll probably be singing or drinking (or both) in the Holly Bush. I'll try to wear my Mudcat badge and/or T-shirt at all times.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: IanN
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 03:15 AM

Middlewich is funny place. There are lots of really good peple living there & roundabouts but we also have a problem with vandals etc. Some of the pubs seem keen to cater for the idiots rather than the decent folk & as such aren't really geared up for sessions. The only pub that has regular sessions is the Boar's Head (King's Lock also has sporadic get togethers) & this probably explains why some of you have felt that they hosted the best ones.

We also had some problems with the signs being nicked or vandalised - particularly around the town centre where the kids hang about. Someone altered one set of signs to read "Middlewich Sex & Porn Festival". I agree though a few maps posted up would have been useful.

As always I suppose we face an uphill battle against these idiots (at least when the festival is on some Police bother to grace the town with their presence!) but we'll keep trying.

The company the toilets came from were supposed to clean them etc. but they dissapeared on Thursday & didn't come back until Monday. This meant members of the committee had to clean them, stock up the toilet roll etc. And as always this was on top of doing everything else! Needless to say the company won't be back next year.

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: GUEST,chipinder
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 06:02 AM

We were on the performers' campsite and I regret to say that after we returned home we noticed that someone had attempted to break into our car. Central locking via a zapper but someone had tried to break into the only door actually with a keyhole. Thankfully they did not succeed and therefore did not make off with our instruments, which were hidden from view. Perhaps the lowlife had worked out that performers might have instruments worth nicking? I'm not suggesting this is peculiar to Middlewich - a lovely and friendly festival with lots for the folkie and non-folkie alike. But be vigilant and careful!

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 06:12 AM

I'll tell you something that I thought was brilliant at your festival-the canteen in the youth centre. It was clean, cheap and cheerful. The guys behind the counter did a great job. And the floor was so soft! I only walked on it honest, but it was an observation I made! Sal

Subject: RE: middlewich ff
From: IanN
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 06:35 AM

Thanks Sal - the canteen in the youth centre was staffed by some of the committee - they'll be delighted with your comments!