Alcester and Arden FF this weekend

Subject: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: GUEST,Green Man
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 09:20 AM

Greetings,

Its the Alcester and Arden Folk festival this weekend. Good singers fest. Get yer lungs fettled and join me for a blast.

See all my fellow catters there.

:-)

Dave

Subject: RE: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: GUEST,Green Man
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 09:22 AM

Just in case

http://www.alcesterandardenfolkfestival.co.uk

Visit the website... Buy the ticket... Drink the Beer...

Sing your lungs out...

Subject: RE: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 09:40 AM

http://www.alcesterandardenfolkfestival.co.uk

I'll be elsewhere this year, but thoroughly enjoyed Alcester for the last two years.

I'll miss the singing in and around the Holly Bush.

Subject: RE: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: alanww
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 11:13 AM

But I won't miss any of it, except while I am mumming on Friday evening ...
"Come fill up your glasses and let us be merry ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 11:31 AM

But you'll miss me, Alan...

Subject: RE: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Tig
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 11:57 AM

We are going to be there with the badge stall as usual. Come and find us and sign the Mudsheet - at least that way people can tell who is there :-)

[We will NOT make you buy anything but if you want a Mudname badge let us know by Thursday so we can print you one]

Subject: RE: Origins: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: alanww
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 12:10 PM

Yes, of course I will miss you, Noreen - I already do!
"As I rose up at break of day ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Herma
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 01:03 PM

Will be coming over to this lovely festival from the Netherlands again! Hope for lots and lots of singing!!!
Will try and remember to sign the Mudsheet!

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: nutty
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 03:59 PM

My first visit to Alcester .....I'm with Firm Friends and we are all really looking forward to a good weekend of singing.

If you see us around come and say hello.

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 04:22 PM

We are going to Beverley but have enjoyed Alcester in the past.

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 07:57 PM

You'll probably see me in my local, the Holly Bush

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Gillie
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 04:04 AM

Alas, I also will not be there. Hi to Green Man, may see you at Bridgnorth, give my love to Alcester.   Maybe next year I will be albe to do more :-)

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 05:31 AM

I'll be there - traffic around Birmingham permitting, on Friday evening - and am hoping my throat has recovered from the Mersey Shanty Festival. Hope to see you all - looks like we should be able to get a chorus of Mudcatters going around Sally's lemonade stall!

Steve

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Doktor Doktor
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 06:01 AM

It's a date!

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 12:43 PM

Ooh yes, sounds good to me!

xx

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Dave4Guild
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 02:05 PM

Brenda and I will be there -- the Hollybush, Snuffy ? That sounds fine to me - see you all at the weekend.

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 03:11 PM

Mick (MCP) and I will be there on Friday. Yippeeeee - only 2 days to go.

ZM

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: vectis
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 05:33 PM

Alas I won't be there this year. I've just had an eye operation and can't see to drive yet.
Enjoy it, all you lucky blighters

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 18 Jun 03 - 05:58 PM

Awwww Vectis, that's really sad. How about public transport or a lift? Where do you live? Any Catters in the area?

ZM

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: My guru always said
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 06:56 AM

Hooray, I think I'm going to get along for some of the weekend - looking forward to meeting friends old & new!!!
Hil

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 08:34 AM

Dear all,
Wish I could be there with you, as I have in recent years. I am still overseas in Vietnam, and will be returning 21st of July,
so hope to appear at Bridgnorth.

If the Festival is anything is like what it has been in recent years- it will literally be a roaring success. My best wishes to the festival organisers (Dave and Marje), and all who will be there. I do expect to hear about the usual pranks involving Dave's poneytail (some people believe he is too old to have such a good head of hair), but as Dave says, which is probably true- they're just bloody jealous!

Regards
Chris

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Gillie
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 02:32 AM

Chris.
Pranks have got to abound with Dave's (Jamsy's) ponytail around. Giuilty as charged in the past. Oh, what fun! Yes a good little festival - I shall miss the stalls, the routunda, the people, the music, sob, sob, sob. :-(
Enjoy and give my love

Gillie

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Abuwood
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 03:48 AM

I am ready to pack up and go - looks like good lemonade weather!
Can I be fan no 766?

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:07 AM

Have you painted your toenails yet Ali?

S

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: nutty
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:10 AM

Like Alison ....just packing up .....hoping for a dry run (rain, rain go away) see you all soon.

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Abuwood
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:31 AM

They stay green and red suitable for Foxs Morris, but I might have to wear socks with my fishnets and boots or I get strangled toes!
You men just don't know the pain we suffer :-)

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:41 AM

My port & starboard socks, sadly, are in the wash. However, if the weather is suitable, you might see my knees (just), as I've packed my Eric Morcambe shorts.

I might even wear my sandals without socks, Sally!

S

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 05:59 AM

Hmmm... Men eh! Aw luv 'em.

Just visiting the net cafe before I trundle down. Should be there about lunch time. Hey, I've painted my toe nails too. Look out for my daughter Lucie, she's playing the fiddle with Emma Heath.   You can't miss Lucie, she's got blue braided hair.

See y'all.

Sal

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 10:14 AM

This is my attempt to be the last to post before the festival. It's 3:16 p.m. on Friday and I leave when the bell goes in 4 minutes!

See you all soon!

Steve

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: nutty
Date: 22 Jun 03 - 05:04 PM

Just got back .... tired but happy

A lovely festival ..... my only complaint is that they organised the weather rather too well (It was HOT, HOT, HOT) but Mrs Lemon's concoctions went down a treat.

LOVELY MEETING YOU ALL .....HERE'S TO NEXT YEAR

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Abuwood
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 02:50 AM

Wonderful festival, I've still got that warm glow - not only from the sunshine but from enjoying the festival with good friends!

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 03:43 AM

I'm so glad have been at your service. At least you guys have a hangover cure and don't get dehydrated. Who noticed the 'apprentice' then? Wow did his voice ring-around the sing-around in the Rotunda. And what about the bundle of laughs in the Turk's Head then? I've never been banned from a pub before!

#8-D

Sal

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 05:09 AM

What did you do Sal? Do tell!!

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 05:30 AM

It wasn't me honest... a little bit of horse play by one of the other singers in the sesh, caused the land lord to lose his rag and chuck us all out during another guy's song! He 'accidently' dropped his glass as a demo of his disappointment at not being able to finish his song. We all trooped off heads down and quietly. It wasn't an organised singaround anyway and the landlord isn't a folkie.

Sal

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 05:41 AM

Hi there Nutty! It was good to meet you at Alcester. I had a great time, I enjoyed singing there, and enjoyed everybody else's Singing as well. A fine festival with the accent on singing. All the best, Burl

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 06:13 AM

Hear hear! My first time at Alcester but not the last.

Long time before I spend money in the Turk's Head again though. Not only did we get thrown out by an abusive and aggressive barman but when I went back the following day to get my brolly (which I'd left behind in the confusion) the staff denied all knowledge of it.

Good to hear you singing, Burl. I meant what I said on Sunday - and I'll repeat it publicly: It was very largely your singing (via 'Folk on Two' and 'Folkweave') in the late 70s than got me interested in traditional English songs and started me on the road I've so much enjoyed travelling for the last 25 years or so. Thank you!

BTW, I still have a tape of one of those programmes in which you used the same lines (tropical fish) as last weekend! Plus ca change.

Steve

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:04 AM

Oh Dear....... Schantieman - I have know where your brolly went if it's green & blue!!! In the confusion at the Turk's it was rescued & carried along to the Rotunda where it was left accidently. Thought it was Snuffy's but he denied it & we hoped it would go into 'lost property' & promptly forgot all about it - so sorry!!!!

Brill weekend - eventually got to Tig & Badger's stall before I left, signed in & realised that there were loads of Catter's I missed meeting, though I did get good hugs from new ones I met! Most remiss - but there's plenty of other festivals & places to meet....

Catch you at the next one!
Hil

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:17 AM

What a wonderful festival and wonderful singing. And great to see Badger out again and looking so well.

Highlights? too many to mention, but among them:
The rotunda singing both nights
An informal quiet(?) couple of hours with the Wilsons in the public bar of the Holly Bush.
The singarounds at the Holly Bush, with a goodly number of local people participating - it was still going strong when I left at 11 last night!

WassaiL! V

How can I keep from singing....

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:40 AM

If Snuffy could retrieve said umbrella from wherever it ended up, I'm sure the Shellback grapevine can get it back to Schantieman at some stage.

Steve- an umbrella????

Noreen (nursing sunburn)

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:42 AM

Oh, and thank you all for the reports and for reminding me what I missed at Alcester- the singing in the Rotunda....

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 10:26 AM

It'll be a much travelled umbrella, cos I gave it him having bought it in Bishop's Castle!

Sal

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 10:41 AM

I wonder how many Mudcatter's will hold that brolly before it get's back to Schantieman? And how far will it travel? Hmm.....

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 10:51 AM

I have this theory that brollies, like gloves, are never owned, only rented. You pay the rent in a shop, take away the brolly and use it about twice, then leave it somewhere and someone else uses it for a bit... Meanwhile you find another one and use that...

Thank you to whoever picked it up from the Berk's Head.   I wonder who's got it now? (I suppose I owe them an apology, having maligned them over the umbrella. Or perhaps not!)

Steve

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Tig
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 12:10 PM

We're back too. Good festival even though I didn't get to see much until Sunday night. Great finishing spot from Bill Caddick and the Jackfield Riverbillies. I also hadn't heard John Connolly in ages - some good new stuff from him.

There were 23 of us who admitted on the sheet to being Mudcats and I know of at least one other who was there.

See you at the Edge or Warwick - don't forget to sign in :-)

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 12:25 PM

Schantieman: location of brolly is known to me - it will be transported to Warwick - hope I remember to pass it on!!

Tig: Thanks for doing the sign-in sheet! Good to meet you & Badger - take it easy!!!

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 12:31 PM

Thanks, MGAS!

S

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Emma B
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 01:25 PM

Only just got home after surviving (only just) the wonderful party in Moor and Coast last night (thanks for the malt Dave), the torrential rain storm afterwards and dropping a friend home. Pleased to be introduced to you Zany Mouse - I knew we must have met before. Nice to see all the 'usual suspects' again too. The Saturday night session in the Three Tuns was excellent (particularly enjoyed the contributions from Claret) and the barman an absolute treasure

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 06:10 PM

More highlights were the large Australian contingent with some wonderful songs

AND

Col K singing My Brother Sylveste!

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Noreen
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 08:25 PM

Snuffy! What news! :0)

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: alanww
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 09:12 AM

Great festival - Enjoyed the Rotunda, despite the Wilsons taking away the ball at one point on the Saturday night. Enjoyed the music sessions as well as the singing. But it was a bit hot for me. Phew!
Badger - very nice to see you looking so well!
Turks Head incident - What a shame that was. I have some sympathy for the landlord, as it was a repeated action after a warning which led to the ban. And he didn't know we were benign as we are ... after all there were various professions represented in the room at the time: accountant, solicitor, social worker, statistician, teacher and several others!
Col K singing - Wow, and I missed it! Was he on the Old Rosey cider (7.3%)? Look forward to his next song ... maybe at the Four Fools Festival at Chorley, Lancs this coming weekend?

"... with your music, dance and song!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Doktor Doktor
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 09:55 AM

Just heard that Jon Harvison is apparently now Official Complaints Manager for all English Festivals.

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 10:11 AM

You know what I liked about htis festival? It was so firmly rooted in Singing! There was instrumental music and dancing, and that was good. But above all there was SINGING. And I like singing. Burl

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Schantieman
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 12:11 PM

I like singing Burl too!

AND I must learn that song from ColK. Please?
Steve

Subject: RE: Alcester and Arden FF this weekend
From: Herma
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 01:11 PM

Got back very late last night! after driving and sailing home again!Really enjoyed the festival once again!
Promise for next time not to lose my voice again on the last night.....and do some singing!!!!
Will study a few good Dutch songs!
Lovely to see you all and thanks Tig for the nice handwritten mudbadge!
Herma