Alcester Festival

Subject: Alcester Festival
From: Dave4Guild
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:15 PM

Janey mentioned Alcester (UK) in the replies to the Middlewich thread.I'm going this year for the first time. Can anyone recommend a pub session for a singer/guitarist, or where Catters are likely to foregather.

Subject: RE: BS: Alcester Festival
From: Emma B
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:55 PM

A great festival and a great festival for singers! Last years programme contained 'A Concise Guide To The Pubs of Alcester' Everyone states singers and musicians welcome! Personally I'd reccommend the Holly Bush but then they did have 30 Real Ales and single malts beyond number! Unfortunately Mrs Lemon will not be there so you'll have to meet catters elsewhere!

Subject: RE: BS: Alcester Festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 05:11 PM

I think Snuffy recommended the Holly Bush as well. I'm planning a day trip on Saturday ....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Alcester Festival
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 07:02 PM

Is this Alcester in Warwickshire (or is it West Midlands now?) Tell me more!

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Alcester Festival
From: Snuffy
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 07:47 PM

Yes, Alcester in Warwickshire. You should find something to suit you in at least one of the pubs in the town centre.

The Holly Bush is the place for unaccompanied singers, but last year they managed to accommodate a singaround, a shanty session, an Irish music session and a 60's folk/pop thing - all at the same time on Saturday evening.

For beer afficionados, The Holly Bush is staging a beer festival with about 30 beers, including offshore ales from Ireland, Orkney, Isle of Man etc; the Three Tuns is also in the Good Beer Guide with about 8 real ales; and the Turks Head has 4 good 'uns.

The pubs shut about midnight, but the Greig Hall (where the concerts are) serves beer till 1 am, and there was a stupendous late-night sing in the rotunda at the entrance. And if you're still going after that, there was singing and music at the Moor & Coast food tent on the campsite till about 3.30 - pitch your tent well away if you want a quiet night!

I'll be performing with Shakespeare Mummers on Friday night at the Three Tuns and Holly Bush (I'm the Doctor), and Singing with Shellback Chorus on Sat (& Sun?). When not performing, I'll probably be found the rest of the weekend in the Holly Bush. I'll try to make my Mudcat badge and/or T-shirt visible at all times. Anyway, you can't miss me - I really am Snuffy.

Last year the Rincewynds badge stall at the Greig Hall (run by 'Catters Badger and Tig) had a message board for Catters to register their presence.

Looking forward to meeting lots of old Mudcat friends, and making some new ones. Don't be shy: we don't bite - much!!

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: janey
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 06:16 PM

well snuffy has said it all... i echo his sentiments. Alchester is a really nice little town, the pubs are very welcoming. The Hollybush was very busy last year with a barbeque in the garden and lots of beer. The Three Tuns is only small and the mummers scare me but it's good low ceiling stone floor type of place. The campsite is great; about five minutes on the level to the nearest pub and food from moor and coast. last year was busier than the year before so i'm hoping to enjoy this weekend. Haven't got a tshirt or a badge and do sometimes bite but am generally friendly; let on if you see us. i will be in cowboy hat probably with sheepdog Bobbi probably and boyfiend dave probably.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Tig
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 06:23 PM

We'll be there with the stall again this year. last year we put up a sheet for 'Catters to 'sign in'. It was a way to find out who was there - even if we didn't know them.

Janey - if you want a badge let us know by Friday morning so we can make you one to bring down. Otherwise you'll have to have a handwritten one which aren't as nice.

Shame Mrs Lemon won't be there!

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Col K
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 07:23 PM

Hi Tig I need a badge as well if you would be so good as to bring me one Ta

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: GUEST,Fiddler 2
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 02:52 PM

Sounds great to me ,but if there are thirty beers how will we manage to walk back to the campsite on saturday night?

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 02:58 PM

I've not been able to find a website for the Alcester festival. Would that be because there isn't one? :0)

I'm planning to turn up and see what happens... Thanks for the info, all.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: GUEST,stantheman
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 05:22 PM

Hello Tig,

Can you make me a badge as well please? I'll be along to collect it on Saturday morning.

I would be interested to meet any other mudcatters who like myself come from Alcester, probably in the Holly Bush!

Wassail. Stan

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: janey
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 06:02 PM

Noreen, I've found the Alcester & Arden Folk Festival Website; I got to it thru' the fRoots 2002 Festival Website (try Ask Jeeves). The place isn't that big and if you find the High Street then you can find the camping and everything else easy. The kebabs from the High Street Takeaway were very tasty last year. See you all there!

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 06:59 PM

Thanks, janey, I found it though fRoots as you advised:

Alcester & Arden Folk Festival

(Wasn't available through my beloved Google!)

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 21 Jun 02 - 01:31 PM

We went last year and it was great but can't make it this time(sigh)! Still if Snuffy's not going to bite it might not be as much fun ;-)

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 08:59 PM

Just got home from Alcester, what a wonderful weeekend: lots of singing, lots of Catters, lots of real ales, who could ask for more.

Nice to meet up with lots of Catter I already knew, including Shellback Chorus members abuwood, Col K, Kipling, Noreen, Old Bones, treaties1, and of course the wonderful Badger and Tig, and the one and only Mr Red. Shame the Ducks couldn't make it this year. Didn't see Herga Kitty on Saturday, but that's probably my fault.

And especially nice to meet new mudcat friends like Janey and Dave4guild.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 09:32 PM

Did you see anything on Saturday, Snuffy??! Sorry I didn't say goodbye to you- I had to drag myself away from that lovely extra seeion this afternoon. It was a real treat, as was the whole weekend. Very impressed with the festival, and the town.
So glad I decided to go.
Wonderful festival.
Very tired now.
Listening to new CD I treated myself to today (first I've lashed out on for a good while!) Keith Kendrick and Lynne Heraud's 'Stars In My Crown'. Lovely!

Night night

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 02:40 AM

No, Snuffy, it was my fault.... something came up and I only made it as far as Caversham (where I found King Brilliant)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Watson
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 06:48 AM

I'm sorry I couldn't get there this year - I enjoyed it last year.

It's irrelevant now, but I found the web site through Google - either entering Alcester folk festival or Alcester and Arden festival gives it to you at the top of the list. Perhaps it was having a bad day when you tried it, Noreen!

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 11:00 AM

Noreen: You should hear Rapsquillion do 'Stars in my Crown' It has a bit more ummph!!

I had a lovely time at Hampton Court-very 'English' and very civilized. Not at all folkie I'm sad to say, but I did have fun anyway. Went around a maze at dusk and when I got to the middle went under ground and through a long dark tunnel-it was scarey (remembered how it felt to be a child again) and came out under a waterfall. It was wonderful. Going to Upton on Severn Jazz festival next w/e.

Sal

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Emma B
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 01:17 PM

Great festival, nice to put faces to names if if some of the 'faces' were much better known than expected! Totally shattered as only just got home after the 'survivors session' in the Moor and Coast tent on Sun night/ Mon morning! If anyone has the negatives of that can-can dance how much do you want to prevent publication? Who else still feels "fragile?"

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Tig
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 02:19 PM

I do!!!!!

Another good Alcester - watch out for some of the photos Dave James says are going on the website.(Negatives on a digital camera?)

23 Mudcatters bothered to sign the sheet - but we suspect that there were more lurking around, probably in the fire station or the Holly Bush.

Put it on your list for next year.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Col K
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 03:10 PM

Glad so many made it, I hope the heads are slowly clearing now, mine is. How many of you will be there next year? See you all again soon

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 03:50 PM

Mrs Lemon
Which Hampton Caught?

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: janey
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 04:38 PM

We had a good time even thou' the Spiceland Takeaway was closed. Hollybush was very busy and it was nice to meet fellow mudcatters. I now have my badge and Bobbi is proud owner of mudcatter dogtag.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 04:59 PM

Oh Mr. Red: That would be telling! You know me!!

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Trevor
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:25 AM

Noreen, I've been trying to find that album. I heard a bit of it on our local folk show and called for details a couple of times, with no effect (Watson!).

Is there any chance you could let me have number and label please. (And its not just so that I can compare their 'Stars' with ours!)

Cheers.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:41 AM

Trev:(And its not just so that I can compare their 'Stars' with ours!) ?? Oh yes it is!!

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Watson
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 12:05 PM

What...???

You rang, Trevor?

Stars in my Crown is a very fine CD - it was released last year on Wild Goose Records WGS303CD

With any luck, I'm sure it could be on the radio again - I know I'd like to hear it.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Tig
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 01:58 PM

If Noreen bought it this weekend she almost certainly got it from Roots Records so contact Graham for it.

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 01 Jul 02 - 08:44 PM

Sorry, just caught up with this thread again after being away.

Yes, bought it at the stall in the Rotunda at Greig Hall, and I love it; unusual material, performed beautifully. And no, I'm not on commission (am I, Keith?)

Sal and Trevor, I look forward to hearing Rpsqln's version of Stars with ummph!! :0)

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Trevor
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:51 AM

We're all talk Noreen!

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 11:03 AM

:0)

Subject: RE: Alcester Festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 11:35 AM

Trev's all talk-I know what I think we sing like and it's good!!!