Sidmouth Confusion

Subject: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Puzzled Pig
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 02:19 PM

I've just been looking at the 2005 Sidmouth Festival website and see the concerts that were planned for the Arena are now listed as taking place in a tent on the Ham.

Does this mean nothing at all is happening at the Arena in 2005?

Any information would be welcomed - e-mails I've sent to the supposed organisers have gone unanswered.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 05:47 PM

Have you cross posted to ukmf? More of the people concerned seem to be regulars there.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 03:48 AM

And it's just this sort of rumouring, confusion and misinformation that will kill the thing stone dead except for the pub sessions that haven't moved since time immoral and don't intend to.

(As the Arena is council owned, it may well be that they have refused to give permission, or is asking for too high a fee for its use this year).

LTS

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Immoral of Sidmouth
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 04:17 AM

So can you still have an immoral time in Sidmouth then?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 06:01 AM

Its cancelled

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 07:23 AM

AS far as I know the organisers of the Caribbean night have booked the arena to ensure that something happens and the Council are cooperating except in the matter of funding. There are plenty of other threads about it.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Tony Day
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 02:23 AM

I append the text of a press release sent to the Sidmouth Herald for publication today. I hope it is self explanatory - if not I will happily try to answer factual questions on here. I will not get into discussion with anonymous ill wishers!

PRESS RELEASE

Folk Week comes back into town

The focus of Folk Week 2005 will be the centre of town and the seafront, the organisers have announced.

Three main concert venues are planned – the Manor Pavilion, the restaurant of the Bedford Hotel, and now a 900 seat marquee on the Ham. Artists being lined up include Show of Hands, the Battlefield Band, Strawhead, Sandra Kerr, John Kirkpatrick, the New Scorpion Band and many more.

Local dancers the Sidmouth Steppers are arranging Morris dancing on the Esplanade and in the Market Square – and have had offers from almost 40 groups, including a women's Morris dancing group from Rhode Island, USA.

As well as the concerts, there will be ceilidhs in the Anchor Garden and elsewhere, and several town centre pubs will be hosting singarounds and music sessions.

The plans for the Ham have been drawn up by folk promoter Gordon Newton, who will soon be moving to Sidmouth to live. They take the place of earlier proposals to use the Knowle Arena in 2005.

Steering Group member Stuart Hughes says "we had hoped that it would be possible to put on a week of events up at the Knowle, but the infrastructure costs just keep on mounting and it has now become clear, as others have found out before, that without significant sponsorship the financial risk is just too great."

Eddie Upton, who is co-ordinating the concert programme, says the decision to pull out of the Arena will open up new opportunities. "Stuart and Chris Wale made a brave attempt, and I'm pleased that they will remain involved with Folk Week. By putting on the big names at the Ham instead, we will be bringing all concert goers into the town. That will benefit local businesses – and no-one will lose a fortune should it rain all week."

Tony Reed, Chairman of the Town Council is also on the 2005 Folk Week Steering Group, which has a majority of local people. He says "discussions with the various organisers are going well – I continue to be delighted by the tremendous spirit of co-operation. It bodes very well for the future of the Festival."

[ends]

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Puzzled Pig
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 03:54 AM

Thank you Tony for clarifying the situation.

Your press release says it all. Nothing happening at the Knowle arena in 2005. No dance marquees on the campsites either from the look of it but there will be a marquee at the Ham (half the size of previous years?) plus some pub sessions, ceilidhs, Manor Pavilion concerts and Morris dancing on the prom.

It seems reality has caught-up with Stuart Hughes and others.

Eddie Upton and Gordon Newton appear to have a more realistic and practical approach to the current situation.

Although Sidmouth 2005 is not going to be anything like previous festivals I hope those who are struggling to keep something going get the support they deserve.

While many may choose not to attend Sidmouth this year I am sure the Middle Bar Singers will still be in situ and those who do
still visit will enjoy the concerts on offer.

Good luck to you Tony. I'm sure you're doing your best in very difficult circumstances.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Wurzelmania
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 08:49 AM

The Wurzels have previously been announced as one of the big-name headline acts for the 2005 Sidmouth festival but I cannot see them mentioned in Tony Day's press release.

Is this just an oversight ? As living legends and one of the greatest bands ever to come out of the West Country can someone please tell me are they still appearing ?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,MBS Regular
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 11:05 AM

No idea about the Wurzels. Don't think they're appropriate for Sidmouth.

MBS regulars will still be going strong in Sidmouth though both at our annual reunion and at festival time.

There may be little else of the festival surviving but we'll still be there as usual.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 01:34 PM

I hope the Wurzels are not appearing next year,they are living of the name only not their crappy music!!!!!!.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Wurzelmania
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 09:05 PM

The Wurzels are fab. That's why they were booked to headline Sidmouth 2005. Now there's no Arena events the tent at the Ham may be a bit small for them but someone please at least tell us what is going on.

Are The Wurzels still playing or not? Is Wurzels fan Councillor Stuart Hughes still in charge of the 2005 Festival or has he been ousted in favour of Mr. Upton and some guy who has yet to move to Sidmouth? What's happening people? What's going on?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Cllr
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 02:27 AM

Festival 2005 is going to be brill and Im going to be there singing laughing and drinking (in no particular order) I cant wait it will -be fab = seems like every thing else is coming together
, My only regret is that i cant put more help in to those people doing all the work welll done guys Cllr

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Wurzelmania
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 11:39 AM

Cllr

Are you Councillor Hughes or another Councillor?

If the former can you please confirm whether you're still booking The Wurzels?

If the latter can you please tell us what's happened to Stuart?

Every post about Sidmouth 2005 leaves me more confused as to what is really happening next summer.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Cllr
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 11:52 AM

I am a cllr for bedfordshire county and no relation to stuart I also have had a flat in sidmouth since 1981 and havnt missed a festival in twenty years, you will usually find me in the anchor or dancing at the late night extra. Cllr

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: GUEST,Wurzelmania
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 02:33 PM

Thanks Councillor. Appreciate you identifying yourself. Sorry there doesn't look to be any late night extra for you to dance at in 2005 but I'm sure you'll still have fun at the anchor.

As so few of the normal venues will be operating in 2005 it sounds as if the anchor is going to be even more jam-packed than normal.

BTW Any good festivals in Bedfordshire?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Cats
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 03:46 PM

Cornwall Songwriters will be at Sidmouth are are going to do Unsung Heroes in the Manor Pavilion. Date yet to be confirmed. I will be there as well and will be doing a 'special'. Many of you know about Joan Wytte, the witch who was the exhibit in the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle and know that I have written and recorded her story (with the help and blessing of Graham King.) I will be performing the whole thing at Sidmouth at some time during the week, complete with Mike O'Connor doing the music. It's a 45 minute one woman tour de force, and suggest you bring tissues.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Cllr
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 07:17 PM

thats sounds brilliant cats I look forward to both performances
CllrI shall dance in the anchor garden as well Cllr

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Confusion
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 12:17 PM

Thanks for posting the Press release, Tony. I'm looking forward to a festival in the town this year.

Kitty