Gosport & Fareham Festival (2003-05)

Subject: Gosport and Fareham Folk Festival
From: MairSea
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 09:18 AM

Gosport and Fareham Folk Festival runs over the Easter Weekend each year. This year's line-up includes Lindisfarne, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Show of Hands and many more. More info on

http://www.gosportfestival.co.uk

ope to meet up with some of you there.

Subject: RE: Gosport and Fareham Folk Festival
From: Nevada
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 11:04 AM

Best line-up of the year.
Already booked tickets!
Lookin forward to it!

Subject: RE: Gosport and Fareham Folk Festival
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 11:10 AM

Me too! One of the best festivals of the year. Can't wait.

Kris

Subject: Gosport & Fareham
From: brid widder
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 07:20 PM

is anyone else going to this festival this weekend?...I know it's last minute but does anyone have any idea where we might stay?...a bit early for camping don't you think?

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: MairSea
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 06:35 AM

We've got season tickets for this our local festival so we'll be there. There is a caravan/?camping space at the Ashcroft Centre just round the corner from the main venue. Many people come down and staythere because although it is outdoors it is quite a cosy gathering. I am more into my creature comforts though! The local tourist board

http://www.resort-guide.co.uk/intro-pages/destinations/fareham.htm

may be able to help you but it could be too short notice for anything close. Sorry can't be more help - maybe see you there if you get somewhere.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,John Barden
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 06:55 AM

I'll be there, but have booked my B & B for this one. There is no 'tenting' on the Ashcroft Centre site, but Caravans & Motorhomes are fine there. It's a great festival so do try and go. You may be lucky if you try 'Bed Breakfast Osborn Road Fareham' in something like Google. Hope it helps

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 08:01 AM

We'll be there - in our half-way-through self-build camper conversion (white LDV pilot). It will be its first trip out - so we get to try out whether the beds actually work etc..... (still its a step up from making Amoret sleep in the boot of the car - which we threatened to do at Llanstock)
So we'll be in the Ashcroft carpark unless its full by the time we get there. We're really looking forward to being on-site again this year.

*****

We have camped in the past - and it was no problem. We used a really friendly campsite about 10 mins walk from the venues, and if the Ashcroft is full then we'll go there again :

Ellerslie Camping & Caravan Park   
Down End Road
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 8TS
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Pitches: 40

Its a hotel, with camping in an orchard in the grounds. The only facilities were a toilet & shower block & it was fairly quiet. Just right really. With the weather we're promised for the weekend it should be no problem camping.

*****

Last year, when easter was too early for the campsite (opens from beginning April), we hired a static caravan at :

Kingfisher Park
Browndown Road
Stokes Bay
LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT
Hampshire
PO139BE
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

That was more comfortable of course - but also more expensive. Plus I wasn't totally happy with the attitude of the people running it - but it was ok overall, and I'd use it again if necessary. That made sense last year because the Late Night stuff was at the Belle Vue close by, but of course if you stay that far away then you are going to have to drive in to the Ferneham every day - which is naff if you wanted to drink.

*********

Prior to that we stayed in a B&B in Gosport one year. The proprietors sold the B&B, but we still see them each year because now they come to the festival instead of slaving away all weekend.

***********

See ya

Kris (KingBrilliant), Mark & Amoret

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,John Barden
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 09:38 AM

Nice to see some 'Catters going down there. You should have no trouble identifying me, I'm the one who is the double of George Wilson, the MC in the Fernham Halls - he keeps calling me Dad!! See you there

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 10:36 AM

Aha - the Doppelganger! Then I know who you are!
We may be less identifiable.
Mark is blond, bearded, built like a tank - looks like a Viking or a German tugboat captain depending who you're talking to. Amoret is 12 and looks a lot like her dad - except the beard & bear-belly! I am usually dark-haired, short & portly & wear funny black bat-wing makeup on my eyes. We sat near you last year in one of the Ferneham bar sessions. Amoret & I sing - Mark doesn't.

MairSea and BridWidder - any distinguishing features?

See ya

Kris

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: brid widder
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 03:11 PM

Well I'm here "http://www.mudcat.org/photos/events_page.cfm?file_name_sent=whitby_2001_bbq ...although my hair is longer...and redder...I'm going with beardy....who's....beardy!! although admittedly in a festival full of folkies that might not be a great help
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,kris
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 05:49 PM

I'll try to hold the photo in my mind - which means I'll probably be asking the wrong people whether they're Brid Widder all weekend.

Hope we all have a great time.

Kris

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: Beardy
Date: 17 Apr 03 - 05:19 AM

Have arranged to stay at Ellerslie campsite; thanks guest.

If you have been to Gosport before I am the member of the audience who always does the Daily Mirror quiz word during George Wilsons Saturday morning first artist on spot. Now it has become 'traditional' to bring a crossword to do.Last year George even issued the audience with one he had devised himself.

See you at Jackie Leven/Edie Reader tonight.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: MairSea
Date: 17 Apr 03 - 06:04 AM

Distinguishing Features?   Fairish, fat and 50's with a very distinctive (so I'm told!) Scottish accent!

Answer to Ann and Richard is usually with me - unless of course, he's somewhere else (I may also be the one who is knitting/sewing/crochetting!)

See you there.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Shambles
Date: 17 Apr 03 - 11:01 AM

The latest - From Peter Chegwyn

There are still tickets available for the following Easter Festival concerts at the Ferneham Hall in Fareham:

Thursday 17 April Eddi Reader (Album Launch) + Jackie Leven

Saturday 19 April The Saw Doctors + Dochas

Sunday 20 April Show of Hands + Martyn Joseph

All shows start 7.30pm. Box Office 01329 231942
Please note Ian Anderson on Friday 18 is completely sold out

There are still tickets available for the folowing Easter Festival shows at the Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham:

Friday 18 April Wood, Wilson, Carthy + The Mick West Band + Ron Trueman-Border

Saturday 19 April North Cregg + Liz & Yvonne Kane

Show start 7.30pm. Box Office 01329 310600.
Please note Lindisfarne on Thursday 17 is sold out

The Festival Ceilidh on Saturday 19 April will now take place in The Red Lion Hotel, East Street, Fareham (NOT Wallington Village Hall) from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Dancing to The Simon Care Ceilidh Band (inc. members of The Albion Band and Tickled Pink). Tickets just £6 on the door.

Please see www.gosportfestival.co.uk for further info.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,John Barden
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 05:53 AM

Nice to see you all - and what a great time wasn't it? Can't wait until next year

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,Kris
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 05:57 AM

Hiya

Twas very nice to meet ....

John Bardon & his Mrs. Some very nice singing in the bar on Sat Mr B! We would have liked to join in - but were in the wrong mood really, having just got back from dashing back to Reading to get the poor old dog put down.

Mairsea and the splendidly thatched Mr. - Both such smiley happy friendly people that I felt like I'd known them for years. Not sure how come they got onto the stage in the youth concert though......... :>)

Twas nice to nearly meet...

Bridwidder - I think I saw you. You were going into the loos as I was coming out & it just wasn't the right place to start a conversation along the lines of "hello - excuse me - are you ....?". I thought I'd surely see you around again & could say hello - but unfortunately I didn't. Next time eh?

Twas a shame not to have met...

Beardy & any other 'catters that were there.


Highlights of the weekend:

The spoons workshop - where we were taught to play that handy instrument that you can take everywhere & be always ready (this from the irrepressible JR the workshop host).... - except that we'd better not dare to actually join in on any sessions else we'd piss off a lot of musicians (this from his mate Stacey who was banjo'ing for the workshop). Mixed message - which we found hilarious. We could truly feel the horror that poor Stacey was clearly feeling - the thought of a dozen or so novice spoon bashers being unleashed on the world......
- seriously though, it was a really great fun workshop & very instructive actually. And that JR is SUCH a nice bloke.

The guitar workshop - where the blokie from Legacy gave us a manageable chunk of information & inspired us to experiment with it. Then 4 workshops (guitars, bodhrans, flutes & got together on the tune we'd all been preparing - and like a miracle it all worked!

Jackie Leven - Martyn Joseph - Show of Hands - Ron Trueman-Border - Mick West Band - Maggie Boyle & Clive Carroll - Legacy - John Spiers & Jon Boden - Helen Andrews - Jim Moray - (all in no particular order) were my personal favourite performers. Though everyone was excellent - except Ian Anderson who irritated me to death with his fan-interviewing antics (plus I didn't catch a single word he sang).

All in all a very good festival - as always. Great start to the year.


Kris

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: Beardy
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 11:38 AM

A FINE weekend in every sense of the word. Ellerslie House campsite was excellent.

Really enjoyed Eddi Reader after a harrowing 8 hour drive on Thursday.
Other highlights were Steve Tilston & Maartin Allcock, Dorcas & Martyn Joseph. George Wilson's MC'ing and Saturday spot always reflect the relaxed atmosphere. The session in the Clarence Tavern, Gosport on Sunday night was excellent & nice to see Fay there.

Only 10 days to Moor&Coast!!

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: MairSea
Date: 22 Apr 03 - 02:23 PM

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the compliments Kris I felt the same talking with you so I'm sorry we didn't talk more but as George Wilson will testify when I get talking nothing stops me!!! We got on stage in the Youth Concert through the 'back door'! We were taking part in the Harmony Song Workshop which for the first time was more than just an hour tucked away from everyone. We met each day under the 'baton' of Rachel Unthank and she was asked if her workshop group would like to sing during the 'Youth Concert'! She said 'yes' and so that was that! We had great fun meeting at 11am each day of the festival - 1 and 1/2 hours singing in harmony and then off to the theatres/coffee lounge.

Richard and I had a great time at the festival, meeting 'catters and listening to superb singers/musicians - most of whom are mentioned above. We look forward to meeting up with you all again and also those yet unmet - beware!!! :-)

Love and peace to you all (especially Amoret with whom I share a common bond - we have both attended the same school of tact and diplomacy! :-) )

Ann & Richard

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Barden of England
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:03 PM

It's coming around again - and once again I'll be there. Anyone else

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:30 PM

Hi all,

Yes the King contingent will be there again. Will be residing behind the Ashcroft as per usual.

Kris

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: MairSea
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 04:21 AM

We'll be there again John looking on and wishing!!!!!

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Barden of England
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:13 AM

I'll try and sing a bit more in the bar this year, as I tended to sit and natter far too much with Hobgoblin and Bridge. Then again I did enjoy their company too.

Look forward to seeing you all there - only 2 more days!!

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:59 AM

Gosport was great, as per usual. Ashcroft carpark was a bit cold on thursday - but ok once we piled some coats on top of the duvets. Not as many caravans as previous years I thought - dunno why.

The Barden did indeed sing plentifully and wonderfully in the bar. He was playing together with George Wilson on Monday, like a pair of folkie-twin-bookends they were!

Was lovely to see MairSea & Mr MairSea again. And this time we managed to hear MairSea sing, which was lovely. Beautiful pure Scots voice. Mairsea was very welcoming, and gave us a who's who of the locals, which made us feel very at home.

We rushed off on Sunday for Om to do her kayak race. I promised to tell Mr MairSea how she got on - but didn't see them again, so here's the result. She did 12 miles in 2 hours 1 min & 8 seconds - which meant she won her division and beat the pre-existing under 13 girls' half-marathon record by 4 minutes and 40 seconds. (extreme proud parent moment....)

We met Judy and Dennis Cook in the cafe, and what a lovely couple they are! Judy is singing at our local folk club on Sunday (Readifolk), so we are really looking forward to that. We saw a couple of her performances over the weekend, and she is a fantastic performer - bubbling with enthusiasm and knowledge, and a lovely voice. And they do some lovely duets too!

Unfortunately it seems the Ferneham hall won't be viable next year - so I hope a suitable alternative is found. Maybe it'll go back to Gosport?

cheers all

Kris, Omlit & Mark

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Barden of England
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:55 AM

That was fun wasn't it? Had a great time singing and noodling along with George Wilson - he's a great lad and a great player and singer. He should be booked by more folk clubs!

Ferneham Hall may still happen, but I think we all need to 'Watch this space', and whichever way I'm sure Peter Chegwyn wants to something at Easter next year come Hell of High Water.

It was great to see you all again, although 'see' is not perhaps the right word to use in conjunction with last Friday -What a hangover!!

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,Eric The Red
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 10:59 PM

I'm going to the Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival for the first time this year as the website http://www.gosportfestival.co.uk has a tremendous line-up - Ralph McTell; Eliza Carthy; Jez Lowe; Harvey Andrews; Show of Hands and many more.

Having just found this thread I wonder if The Barden of England is going again and whether he will again be leading singarounds over the weekend (or even appearing on the stage again)?

One of the hotels listed on the website tell me they'll be happy to welcome singers in their bar all weekend and the Ferneham Hall venue say sessions are also welcomed in their bar so I'm really looking forward to it.

Any other mudcatters going to be there at Easter I wonder?

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Barden of England
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 04:22 AM

Hi Eric The Red - Yes indeed I'll be there, there's no way I'll miss this one. The line up is always great, and my good mate George Wilson and I just love confusing people. I'm sure I'll be in the Fernham Hall venue having a sing and play, and as the website says there are quite a few other places that welcome musicians and singers. The Morris sides normally invade them so if you want to travel 'further afield' the keep your eye on them. Hope to see you there.
John B

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,Top Cat
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 11:23 AM

I've decided to go this year as I've heard good things about this Festival. I gather all the concerts are in nice warm indoor venues which is quite important when Easter is so early this year. The list of artistes looks wonderful and if John Barden is also there then it must be good.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Barden of England
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 01:41 PM

Less than a week now - who else is coming I wonder?

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 05:07 PM

sorry I can't make it, busy again this year!

Good luck all,

Andy ( Ex Cutty Wren and still Forest Tracks )

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,The Beautiful South
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 07:16 PM

I'll be there.

My local paper says they've sold more season tickets than ever before.

The Barden of England should have plenty of people to accompany him in the sessions.

http://www.gosportfestival.co.uk

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,Puzzled Pig
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 07:24 PM

Just looked at their website link.

Why do they call it the Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival with a website http://www.gosportfestival.co.uk when all the main events seem to be in Fareham?

Some excellent artists seem to be going there.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: GUEST,The Beautiful South
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 07:57 PM

I think it's a historical thing.

They used to be in Gosport.

Now they're in Fareham.

The two towns are only five miles apart.

Subject: RE: Gosport & Fareham
From: The Barden of England
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 05:58 AM

refresh