Sidmouth 05 is alive?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 02:52 AM

Yes, it's probably true that "Sidmouth as we knew it is behind us" but those of us who have been going for any length of time know that the Sidmouth of recent years has been a completely different thing from Sidmouths of other eras. What we will now probably have is yet another incarnation of the festival, but that isn't to say that a wonderful, enjoyable Sidmouth festival can't burst from the sahes of the old one. And those who put their efforts and energy into helping this to happen may be able to create a festival that they will want to go to...and a lot of other people will enjoy.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Barney
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 01:09 AM

Anyone seeking an informative and impartial view of Sidmouth past, present and future should read the editorial in the latest "Living Tradition" magazine. I hope the author Pete Heywood won't mind me quoting his remarks that: "messages claiming a healthy future for the event are a little wide of the mark. It is likely that there will be a spin-off event, but we should face the fact that Sidmouth as we knew it is behind us".

There's some interesting background information explaining why Steve Heap quit and why anyone attempting to pick up the baton will find it difficult.

The editorial comes to the conclusion that: "It won't be impossible for somebody else to pick up the baton, but unless there is a significant change in the circumstances, it won't be easy."

An interesting conclusion from somebody who knows more than most us about what really caused Steve Heap to quit and what problems will be faced by anyone attempting to pick up the baton.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,The Burnley Cloggies
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 12:51 AM

This is only our second attempt to express our views on mudcat. We were rather put off when our first attempt earned us some negative abuse from Mr. Hughes and his supporters. All we wish to say now is that we will continue to follow with interest the various debates on Sidmouth's future but remain to be convinced that Mr. Hughes will be able to organise anything like as good a festival as we have enjoyed in the past. On a brighter note we thank John Golightly for letting us know of new threads as it was taking us an age to view the 51st Sidmouth festival thread so long had it become.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: John Golightly
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 07:07 AM

News of another thread


Several people have expressed a wish to terminate the thread
51st Sidmouth festival
and replace it as follows:



If you have news, questions (straight, not rhetorical), suggestions, or
something positive/constructive/forward-looking to say,
then please go to
Sidmouth 2005+ - news, info & support


If you have a problem with the way things are going, or with which individuals is/are
involved in helping them go that way, or if you want to discuss past history or
high-level strategic issues, or ask a rhetorical question, then try

Sidmouth 2005+ - opinions

Hopefully this will pull it all together!


John Golightly

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: steve_harris
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 09:11 PM

"Do you have any alternatives in mind - for people who don't necessarily want to go to three dances every day for seven days"

Personally, I'd like a ticket that got me into 2-3 ceilidhs, some storytelling, a bit of Les Barker and a cream tea every day.

And if I don't get it, I'll ask someone to write me a protest folk song :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:20 PM

Steve,

I have no axe to grind here, as I've never been to Sidmouth. And yes, £4.29 is a good price for one dance. But (and I'm not a dancer, particularly either), I would say that you can't just expect to multiply that by the number of dances available and charge £90 and expect it to be considered the same good deal. Do you have any alternatives in mind - for people who don't necessarily want to go to three dances every day for seven days, to get their money's worth? (Even if they do make a 9p saving on the deal doing it that way)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: steve_harris
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:15 PM



I believe the punters will get 7 days of events and there will be several dances and/or workshops each day. Shall we say 3 events per day? That works out at 4.29 quid per event.

Your usage of "ridiculous" is possibly non-traditional :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 07:44 AM

Nothing much in the Sidmouth Herald this week about the folk festival. We were all expecting a big announcement. There is a letter from Birmingham praising the SeeRed website for its coverage of the background issues - which may have got a little up the nose of some of those organising the "Hughes Fest", as the 2005 fringe is now called amongst some local folkies. You can view this by clicking on the link below and then on 'letters' on the left hand side. I tried to make a direct link but it didn't work.

Some locals are not buying the dance tickets because the decision was taken to hold them in a number of village halls scattered around and far from the town centre - where the dancing and music should (in our opinion) be concentrated. Amazingly, the dance coordinator apparently was not a member of the inner circle planning the 2005 fringe but was invited belatedly to the 23 October coven - which he couldn't make anyway. Some of us are seething about the lack of proper local consultation - but are we surprised?? This is Sidmouth after all.

On the bright side (depending on your point of view) the headlines in the Herald were of a £31,000 haul of cannabis. Also the recent storms made the seafront look like mid-winter. I am asking the Herald if I can have one of their photos for SeeRed. Read these stories too on the link below.

From 1 November there is a new website run by the Sidmouth Herald group and called www.devon24.co.uk. You could try this if you're interested in local news, also try www.sidmouthherald.co.uk for local news stories but few pictures. http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,gadaffi
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 04:22 AM

Re- 'dance workshops' and 'two left feet', all I hear are rumours.
One rumour is that enquiries are under way to continue the ceilidhs in the Anchor garden, and there will be an LNE-type marquee on the old third site. I wasn't at last Saturday's meeting, and we still await an update from those who were. I believe that ideas are still being firmed up.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: fiddler
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:38 AM

I think from my grapevine more news will leak out slowly, efforts to coordinate are as I hear difficult!

Many matters I hear are in hand but as I do not have first hand knowledge I will refrain from detailing that which I know wrongly.

But

Whilst the festival may not at present sound healthy the chesty cough it has could possibly be cureable!

Andy

And George I love your left feew too!
X

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Cllr
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 08:08 PM

Gearge you may have two left feet but they are beautiful left feet Cllr

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: MBSGeorge
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 04:37 PM

Do we yet have anything more on the festival other than being charged ridiculous ammuts of money to go to a few dance workshops? What about those of us who have 2 left feet?

George.x

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 07:19 PM

Support from traders in Sidmouth.

This topic has been done to death over the years in the local press and a summary is available on the SeeRed website - page 21 I recall.
http://www.seered.co.uk/folk21.htm

The simple facts are that A FEW traders make huge profits and car parks do well for zero investment.

Many traders see virtually no difference (so they say) , some do reasonably and some see losses as their 'normal' trade keeps away from the town.

Asking for support from the whole town rather than just a few traders (about 80 out of population of 13,000) is being tried (see page 50 of SeeRed) but some of us are wondering if we are being asked to support the folk festival we have grown to love if Chas and Dave and the Worzels are prime attractions in the arena.

So much is still unclear for 2005 - camping costs, car parking arrangements, yet dance tickets are on sale with 'rival' dances being suggested for marquees. Would a free for all or some coordination be best? If 2005 is a shambles it will do 2006 no good at all.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: steve_harris
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 06:24 PM



There's something wrong with this picture. Every year, we go down to Sidders and put a bloody great whoompf in all these trader's accounts for the first week in August, right?

But, damn near all of them fail to notice anything? When their bank statements arrive without "OD" on them, they think the pixies took their overdraft away?

Or maybe they know exactly how (un)important the festival is to their business and make sensible decisions?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:34 PM

http://www.mustrad.org.uk/

Suggestion to list owners - separate the "link maker" from the "submit message". Some of us are getting older..........

Best regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:33 PM

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:32 PM

Sorry - pressed the wrong button.

Try Rod Stradling here:

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 05:31 PM

I suspect that Tiger Moth came together for the purposes of Sidmouth 50 anniversary.

Try Rod Stradling here:

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 16 Oct 04 - 07:55 PM

I think the editor of fRoots is a member of the band, so you could try sending an email via him.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 08:41 PM

BBC 4 TV programme on Sidmouth 2004 being repeated 18 October see BBC4 listings.

At present I don't have a TV set let alone a DVD player but if someone could record it on DVD that would be great for my old age (a long time yet but I am bound to get nostalgic one day). I already have a reasonable quality taped copy.

Just back from a dance on Dartmoor - the band played the same tune for one of the dances that the Tiger Moth band were playing on the LNE event that was shown on the BBC4 programme. Anyone know what it is called please?

Finally, do Tiger Moth have an email address where I can find out where they are playing in the UK?

Thanks. Comments about my website much appreciated. Please copy the latest seered links to all other folk discussion boards. I'm no expert on these.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 04:54 PM

No it isn't. They are not giving any money because they are cutting back on expenditure.

I might not agree with everything Steve Wozniak thinks but we do owe him a great deal of thanks for his detailed discussion of both issues and personalities as this goes on, thanks Steve. Most of all his transparency.

If Steve Heap went through a tenth of this over the 18 years he ran Sidmouth then he deserves a gold pig. The fact that he solved these problems and ran a great festival is a tribute to the talent of the man and his organisation. And note from the Seered website that tickets simply to dance and attend workshops for a week are £90.00. No major concerts; (Arena/Ham); and no LNE; no Bedford concerts; Manor House Pavillion, etc. no Volunteer sessions and so on.......

Best regards,

Dave Eyre
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,In the library
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 11:06 AM

Is it true that the Sidmouth Council won't give any more money because Mr. Heap wouldn't show the festival accounts to anyone?

Graham

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 10:49 AM

After they have managed to do that, the fund raiser will only have to raise £10,000 to make it all worthwihile!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: fiddler
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 10:45 AM

You've gotta laught smile and sigh else you........

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 10:12 AM

Latest from local press here http://www.seered.co.uk/folk50.htm

Sidmouth Town Council wants to raise £50,000 to employ a fundraiser.

Don't ask me, I just live here.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: fiddler
Date: 15 Oct 04 - 04:10 AM

These thread will run and run, I find it amazing after hearing grizzles about the price of Sidmouth tickets for years a figure of 90 squids is being quoted for teh dance element of the fringe festival.

Tony, At least yours is free!!!

I still beleive we should all be doing Sidmouth in EXile to make the town and traders realise what is what so to speak if you know what I mean (like man!)

By the same token I also understand why you all want to be there so I wouldn't criticise you all on that level either.

I watch with interest.

Steve of Sidmouth seems to be giving a good an informed commentary on the local politics but is begining to sound not just a council basher now (as I have accused him previously) but a festival cynic too - in this case I can't blame him for either.

Hugs to all and keep singing folks.

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: MBSGeorge
Date: 14 Oct 04 - 10:57 AM

What I meant was that no one wants a disorganised mess they want to know what's going on where and if Sidders is going to be anything like the festifal they're used to.

I've done the main festival and the fringe and although both have their good points I've missed things from both because the programme was sometimes hard to understand.

I would hope that there will be some events that appeal to a wide range of people and that any big names have adequate seating.

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 05:40 PM

Tony's post made more sense than George's for anyone who's been following the local politics. But I know both George and Tony as friends, who can amicably carry on discussions, which can't be said of anonymous guests.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: *Laura*
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 05:22 PM

I'll be going. Well - MCM aren't doing it so it depends how fast I learn to drive....
but in theory I'll be there!!! even if it is higgeldy piggeldy

xLx

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 04:52 PM

George's post made perfect sense, from Tony's response I do wonder what he has been smoking recently.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Tony Day
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 10:57 AM

Hey George,

I think your higgledy piggledies just zoomed past my window. My top floor window, that is! ;-) Their lil old tails were twirlin' so fast, they were goin' all backards.

I'll ask the Council to throw you a middle bar together on the Thursday morning just before opening time - it'll save me 'n' Andy moving the chairs around as usual.

Hey - bet my message makes more sense than yours! :-)))

Your good friend Tony

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: MBSGeorge
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 08:46 AM

I think that everyone could benefit from a break for a year and it would also give the council a bit of extra time to come up with ideas that suit them, the residents and the punters of the festival. I would enjoy some sort of fringe event next year but no one wants a higgledy piggledy festival thrown together badly at the last minute!! I look forward to hearing what the council intend to do to please everyone involved in this issue.

George. x

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 08:11 AM

Do we have to maintain two threads? Do I have to post everything twice?

Lots more information on latest pages of www.seered.co.uk including details of dance tickets (only 300 available at £90), camping (looks like it may be a shambles) and discussion of where the arena profits will go. I think the steering group have missed a key opportunity.

If you have already read folk 45 then start at folk 46 and on to folk49. Any comments welcome but please read and digest before rushing to criticise!
http://www.seered.co.uk/folk46.htm

Does anyone have a person to person email link I could add to page folk46 please?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 13 Oct 04 - 04:39 AM

It's OK we've managed to book on the site at Little Bowd Farm - at least we get a power hook-up there.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 08:25 PM

I can waffle with the best, Tony - though I do try to be objective, I don't always suceed.

Anyway - heartfelt grumpiness is perfectly acceptable.

All being well I should turn up next year, in Sidmouth, as usual. Then we can all discus Sidmouth futures.

Since it was not a Bank Holiday the weather that week seems to have improved - on average - I think.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive
From: Tony Day
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 06:21 PM

Next year's events are, as was indicated during this year's festival, 29th July - 5th August. That has not changed and will not change.

Yeah, I prolly was a bit grumpy with Anne - it was meant more as a general comment against the hot air merchants around here. I doubt Anne is one of them, really!

Tony

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 03:07 PM

Dave Bryant

Sidmouth festival is always around the first Monday in August (from the days when this was the Bank Holiday Monday, rather than the last Monday).

Exactly when it will start and finish next year, will depend on how well the fringe gets itself together. There should be camping and caravan sites available though. PM me for more info.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: fiddler
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 11:31 AM

Aha so good management is now acrime and we should all make losses and bleed the Arts council and government dry then.

Sorry Guest whoever you are - I got it wrong!

Assisting in promotion of the Native Culture of the Uk and presenting examples of diverse international culture is not really an issue after all!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 09:34 AM

Why should public authorities, with public money, accountable as they must be, fund a festival which is currently (as of 04) not losing money?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 09:04 AM

Linda and I intend to turn up for 2005 - provided that we can find a suitable caravan site. Since we tend to spend most of our time in fringe events, even at festivals when we do have tickets, things probably won't be a lot different for us. We'd both be quite happy to help run any sessioms or do the odd spot if required.

Only thing is, what will be the dates ? 29/07 - 05/08 ?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Oct 04 - 05:01 AM

Tony - I didn't read Anne's post as 'doom mongering', just voicing thoughts. She was, I think, trying to say that it might kick-start local businesses into realising what the Festival had done for them all these years.

Here is a tale from another angle...

I know of a Festival which has been organised by and funded by a LA for a number of years, and was under a threat of discontinuation because of withdrawal of funding a few years ago. Okay - it wasn't a massive, international event like Sidmouth, but it was very well attended and enormously respected, by punters and performers alike.

When this threat became very very real, many of the punters and performers said - oh well, we'll come anyway and it'll still take place, just in a less formal format. But this, as the organisers pointed out, would have just proven that withdrawing the funding made no difference - the town would still have got the income from the festival without the expenditure. As it happened, the funding continued so the situation didn't arise...

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: fiddler
Date: 07 Oct 04 - 03:50 AM

Tony,

Agreed entirely but many of us look at the dynamics and (for once in agreement with Steve of Sidmouth) and can't see a way through the treacle or quagmire.

I personally think there is crass mismanagement by the council to let such an interantionally respected event slip away in the way that it has, and am still wondering about approaching the ombudsman - this would all then reverbarate up the food chain to Arts council, Local Authority, Government and general backing for Folk Arts activities which in the main is low!

The reports on Steves pages would indicate that Steve Heap was not the problem - which would have been a council get out clause, they have now closed that possibility and shown true intransigence and lack of interest.....

But I digress, If there is a chance and If I can be of use I am there - from 2006 - if work life and the Universe do not interfere - as I said B4 I'll be at the Anchor reunion but I probably need a break from Sidmouth next year - for a number of reasons.

It is good that a thread such as this lets people air their thoughts some of which (even the negative ones) may prove useful and may help others to assess the situation.

But then as ever nothing is written in tablets of stone.

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Tony Day
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 07:28 PM

I do have to wonder about the motivation for posting crap such as "if the main festival fails", "much reduced festival", "how long can a fringe festival survive", "are there plans for opposition to Sidmouth".

Those of us who are going to ensure Sidmouth survives - and indeed prospers - don't need doom-mongers from afar gushing hot air from their armchairs. You may wish to talk Sidmouth out of existence, but I hate to tell you, others are working to make sure that just ain't gonna happen.

Much better to have more of the several offers of practical support that have been forthcoming already from this thread. Thank you to those who have responded positively and privately. If you haven't yet had a reply you will get one by the end of the month.

Tony

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 01:47 PM

Now lets get back to using the original thread PLEASE.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,MBS
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 01:46 PM

I think your right there Steve,operators "ERROR"!!!!!!.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 01:42 PM

That's funny, this old PC with an early 1990's video card and a 300 MHz processor works just fine - and its on a lazy slowband 56k line that rarely manages more than 30k through all the overhead copper wires strewn around picturesque Sidmouth.

Operator error maybe??

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 09:48 AM

The old threads were thumping big things which were choking even this rather fast PC and the broadband connection. The new title was not intended to be subversive in any way, just get to any new information faster.

I almost did not put the question mark in the title, but it seems to be necessary after all.

It will be a pity if the main festival fails, but I think that those Sidmouth residents who barracade themselves into their homes and glower out of the windows periodically throughout the duration will be glad to see the back of it all.

Maybe the effect of having a much reduced festival and income from visitors will shock the good citisens into protesting that something should be done, and local people exerting pressure on their politicians to find funding from somewhere, anywhere, will produce results.

Just how long a fringe festival will survive without the main goings on is anybody's guess, but I don't think that the town's own tourist interest will provide the income it has come to enjoy and expect from the First Week in August.

Are there maybe plans for expanding any other festivals in opposition to Sidmouth to attract those who would have gone there?

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: GUEST,Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 08:40 AM

What was so wrong with the old thread that a new one was needed (??).

Gloomy local press report here: http://www.seered.co.uk/folk45.htm

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Tony Day
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 05:42 AM

Duh,

John & Kathy I don't have your snail's address (and hasn't the GPO been abolished long ago?)

Praps you could call me 0n 268653 (you know the code).

Tony

Subject: RE: Sidmouth 05 is alive?
From: Schantieman
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 09:47 AM

Ms Lemon and I would definitely like to come and sing - informally or on stage - and she'd like to sell her lemonade.

Pweeese?


Steve