Sidmouth Tickets

Subject: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Andy in London
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:38 AM

I am trying to find out how to buy tickets for Sidmouth Folk Week.

I've tried the Sidmouth Folk week website and newsletter contacts but nobody seems to know what's happening.

I keep getting told that "discussions are continuing" or "details are still being finalised". I'm passed from promoter to organiser to promoter again but still nobody can tell me when tickets for the main concerts will be on sale or how the promised discounts for Folk Week supporters will actually operate.

Confusion reigns! How very different to the slick and efficient organisation of previous years.

There seem to be an awful lot of people working very hard to make Sidmouth happen but one of them really needs to sort out the ticketting operation and fast before the likes of me decide to take our custom elsewhere.

Yours in increasing frustration
Andy Beggs from London

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: greg stephens
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:45 AM

Well, the reason is, Andy Beggs, that the organisation is different from last year. But I cant help being just the teeeeeeeeensiest bit suspicious that you might be quite well aware of that fact. And I'm sticking my neck out here, but is it just barely possible that you might have participated in this controversy before, under a variety of other assumed names?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Dave Earl
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:46 AM

I think you will find that there will be no "season" tickets this year.

Tickets for some events will be on sale in May.

Camping on the Bulverton site can be booked using the booking form downladable from www.sidmouthfolkweek.org.uk site.

BTW is this is the site you looked at? There are earlier sites that have been superceded and others that are not as helpful.


Dave Earl
(not an organiser of Sidmouth Folk Week but I try to keep as up to date as I can)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,MBSLynne
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 09:14 AM

Greg, that thought did occur to me.

The ticket situation is quite clear...Sidmouth this year is not a festival as in the past, but is a series of events run by different individuals. Consequently there will be no overall ticket, but only tickets to different events. This should all be quite clear on the Sidmouth folk week website. From 2006 Sidmouth should be a 'proper' festival again.

The 'slick and efficient organisation of previous years' was done by a company whose business it is to run folk festivals. This year's is being run by a number of individuals who care about the festival and don't want it to die, but who have no funding from the council to call on. There is no 'overall' organisation running it, and since Mrs Casey's musci pulled out only a year ago, and it took them 2 years each time to plan for and organise each festival, it has all had to be done in much more of a hurry this time.

But perhaps you do know all this?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:17 AM

I do so hate slick. I am so looking forward to Sidmouth. I seem to be following you round the threads Lynne, looking forward to following you round pubs imstead.
love Robbie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:46 AM

Hey Lynne your going to have a lot of followers this year where ever you go,i better have words with your husband,lol.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Andy in London
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 01:54 PM

Let me reassure you Greg. I have never put any message on mudcat before. I only recently found by accident that mudcat existed.

Neither am I anything to do with the previous organisers of the Sidmouth Festival. The only Festival I have ever helped with is the 'Return to Camden' London Irish Festival.

I am one of those people who still plans to attend Sidmouth this year despite all the adverse publicity but I don't want to book my usual hotel room until I know I can get tickets for the concerts I want to see.

I fully understand there is no season ticket this year. That disappoints me but it's not the end of the world. What concerns me is that the concerts in The Ham still don't appear confirmed.

Bedford, no problem. Manor Pavilion, fine I'm sure. I just hope that Derek & Co. can announce ticketting details soon for The Ham Marquee which is what really concerns me.

In hopeful anticipation I'll keep looking at the Folk Week website.

Best,
Andy Beggs

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Malc R
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 02:10 PM

Andy

I read somewhere that the tickets will be on sale from May, but for the life of me I can't find the same site again. Come to Sidmouth anyway, even if you can't get into the big gigs there will still be pleanty to see, do (and join in with if you're that way inclined)

I feel sure Lynne and Lizzy are that way inclined [but then I've never met them] >:o)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 02:17 PM

I might get to see the Donkey Sanctuary this year. Perhaps even have a swim.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: MBSLynne
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:07 PM

Yas...nothing changes...I ALWAYS have a lot of followers...always have had if you remember!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Blowzabella
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:17 PM

And look on the bright side...if the tickets aren't on sale yet, they probably haven't sold out yet either!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Malc R
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:10 PM

McG - I wouldn't go swimming at the Donkey Sanctury if I were you, it might frighten the donkeys :o)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Malc R
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:16 PM

Re "Let me reassure you Greg. I have never put any message on mudcat before. I only recently found by accident that mudcat existed."

Isn't that true for everybody, no one would actually find this site deliberately would they, they would have to be certifiable if they did ..... yes doctor I,ve taken my medication..... no I'm not talking to myself....the voices told me to do it.....

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: steve_harris
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:44 PM

In previous years, we have had to wait until June before reasonably *complete* artiste and event information was public. If, as has been promised, we have that data and the opportunity to buy event tickets in May, that will be EARLIER than last year!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 06:10 PM

Details of tickets etc can be found here, as always. newcomers should just try Google.
http://www.seered.co.uk/folk51.htm

The only tickets on sale before May 2005 are likely to be social dance - see this page http://www.seered.co.uk/folk47.htm The replacement hall for Sidmouth College is a dreary place - more details and photos on SeeRed soon.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Sally
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 05:55 PM

"The replacement hall for Sidmouth College is a dreary place"

Oh dear. Steve in Sidmouth has made me think twice about coming to Sidmouth again this year.

His 'seered' website really is depressing. I didn't know there was so much infighting and so much uncertainty about whether some of the promised concerts will actually take place.

Maybe I should heed the advice of friends who are planning to go to the Broadstairs and Eastleigh festivals instead.

So sorry to see what has happened in Sidmouth. I hope it never happens to Cambridge, Chippenham or Cambridge.

Sal

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Dave Earl
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 06:56 PM

The "Official" website is www.sidmouthfolkweek.org.uk.

The Seered sit is full of negative stuff.


Suggest you check the official site for up to date info. Mr See Red is not part of the organising team and, to my mind has an agenda that is wider and he is using the Folk week issues to get at the Local Authorities that have got up his nose for one reason or another.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 12 Mar 05 - 09:49 PM

Maybe so Dave but at least we should thank 'Steve in Sidmouth' for helping to get rid of that Tory Councillor fella who was trying to takeover the festival and put The Wurzels in as headliners!

Whatever became of Councillor Whatshisname? Is he still involved in any way at all?

Just as all his arena concert plans bit the dust, word here in Devon is that the plans for a concert marquee on The Ham are also in trouble and unlikely to receive local authority approval.

At least the plans for dance sides, sessions in The Anchor, concerts in The Bedford & Manor Pavilion and dances in community halls look to be progressing more smoothly now.

BTW The official website looks very professional.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 08:24 AM

Councillor Hughes (?) is something else again and what he is doing I do not know.

I believe he dropped out of the arrangements for the arena proposals when the horrendous economics became apparent.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: MBSLynne
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 08:31 AM

Yes, that's right Dave,,he is still involved with the planning for Folk Week though.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Puzzled Pig
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 08:57 AM

Dave

Strange that Stuart Hughes dropped out of the arena "when the horrendous economics became apparent".

As he organised the Caribbean Night in the arena for several years, surely he had some knowledge of what the economics were?

If "the horrendous economics" were responsible for the scrapping of the arena shows, surely "horrendous economics" must also put a question-mark over the plans for The Ham?

I guess marquees, P.A., lights, power supplies, outside toilets, staging, fencing, dressing rooms, water supplies, insurance, seating etc. cost as much at The Ham as they did at the arena?

Piggy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:17 AM

I think it was more to do with potential losses in the event of bad weather and the lack of support from Local Authorities.

Also when he was running the Carribean Night the Arena was all set up at the cost to the main festival. I think when he found out what he would have to fork out to set up the Arena it became clear that it would not be viable.

I think that the 800 seat marquee on the Ham is considerably less expensive to set up and will not be subect to the same potential losses in the event of the weather turning nasty.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Puzzled Pig
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:08 AM

Hope you're right Dave though I fear many of the costs will be the same at The Ham as in the arena... maybe even more for insurance in a tented venue plus the cost of providing seating.

Still... at least we'll be dry in a tent. I remember slithering and sliding down the arena in the mud. Not a happy memory!

As this thread was originally about tickets I do hope the various event organisers can sort something out soon and announce what the ticket arrangements will be.

But then I guess they have to be sure the costs are affordable and the marquee will be approved by the council before they can start selling tickets.

Who would want to be responsible for organising a festival? It all sounds very stressful indeed.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:55 AM

No.....Puzzled Pig....organising a festival is only tricky if you don't know what you're doing!! ;0) Luckily The Sidmouth Folk Week organisers are right on the ball! It's in the hands of people who love it and who are supporting it with all their might!

Sally.....if you worried about Sidmouth....try Broadstairs then my deario....Mind you...all the questions that are constantly being asked of Sidmouth also apply to Broadstairs too of course. Now THERE'S a dilemma!! There are only two 100% certainties in life and that is....1)We Live 2)We Die.

But in between that time Sally.....fill your life with as much happiness, joy and love and as many Folk Weeks and Festivals as possible.

Fight for everything you believe in, everything that you hold dear and then....when your time comes...you'll go out with a huge smile on your face.

Oh.....and don't forget to smile at all the negative twits that you encounter along your way!! ;0) ;0) ;0)

Oh and Sally, amongst the huge amount of top artists now coming to Sidmouth we've also got Ashley Hutching's Rainbow Chasers and Last Night's Fun to look forward to. AND there are EVEN MORE yet to be announced.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 02:40 PM

Lizzie - the only problem with all these artists you keep mentioning is that you still don't appear to have council approval for any venue that they can play in.

The arena is no more. The Bowd & Bulverton marquees are no more. The tent on The Ham is promised but not yet approved.

Can they all fit in The Manor Pavlion and Bedford Hotel?

I think not!

Maybe they're all going to play in 'Lizzie Towers' - Last Night's Fun in your living room and Show of Hands performing in your bedroom (and if that thought doesn't provoke a Lizzie-response then I don't know what will!).

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 06:12 PM

Oh dear, Lizzie, or if you prefer, Oh, dear Lizzie.

What a difference a comma makes between friends.

""Oh and Sally, amongst the huge amount of top artists now coming to Sidmouth""

It is the NUMBER of them not the AMOUNT of them. You've been reading the Sidmouth Herald (AKA Toytown Weekly). They often make the same mistake.

My website is simply factual. If you think anything is wrong, tell me, and I will consider correcting it. You don't have to read it, but I am pleased that so many people do.

By the way, if you want to sell your soul Lizzie, you can now do it on Sidmouth's largest website Best and Final Offers

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Ted Knight
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 06:34 PM

To Steve in Sidmouth:

Those of us who read mudcat but don't normally write to mudcat rely on your own web pages for the truth about what is really happening in Sidmouth this year.

It is the truth that is putting many of us off attending.

We wish the new Folk Week success but when we read of all the council politics and uncertainty regarding what will be allowed or licensed it doesn't inspire confidence.

Please keep up the good work in exposing the truth and don't be put off by Lizzie or others who are looking at Sidmouth through rose-tinted spectacles.

Yours etc.

Ted Knight

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 06:53 PM

well i'just read mr seereds page for the first time. It's strange and very worrying when the hidden words between the lines shout at you so much louder than the written words!!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 06:55 PM

What happens in Sidmouth this year will be what we make happen and I for one intend having a good time; playing, singing, talking , maybe even drinking. Stop whining and just get on with your life.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: steve_harris
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 07:13 PM

"I fear many of the costs will be the same at The Ham as in the arena"

The other half of the srory is INCOME.

When it rains, people are more likey to pay to get into a concert instead of lounging on the beach. Even if it's sunny, a lot of people will go to concerts. The old Arena could be deviod of even season ticket holders in bad weather - let alone people paying on the gate.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 07:14 PM

Turn up and see what happens seems to have been pretty much the theme for my life. I went to the Isle of Wight pop festival without a ticket. It was a riot. No, it really WAS a riot.

Even if Sidmouth this year is as low key as its detractors seem to hope I think those of us who do turn up will be for ever the better for it.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: steve_harris
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 07:23 PM

"The replacement hall for Sidmouth College is a dreary place"

Please name it. Thanks

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Another Guest
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:43 PM

I'm intrigued to know which Isle of Wight Pop Festival Anne attended? The 1970 Festival was certainly something of a riot but I don't think the revived 2003 and 2004 Festivals were all that riotous.

Steve Harris is right to mention that potential income is as important as expenditure when deciding on venues.

A tent on the Ham may well be better than an open arena when it pours with rain and may well attract more ticket-buying customers.

The downside is that the Ham can be pretty wild on a windy day and tented venues have to be evacuated in strong winds due to health and safety issues.

The safest venues are indoors.

How long before The Radway gets used again by the Festival?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 10:38 PM

It was 1970. I think. You know what they say about if you can remember...I forget the rest.

The fence was torn down and security went crazy, then the festival was declared free - there were rumours about the Black Panthers being there but all I saw were some rather grubby youths waving fists in the air and trying to look revolutionary. They failed.

I was interviewed for the TV - there was this man in a grey suit and pink shirt, 'These look weird enough' he said to his camera crew as they approached - I looked at him, then looked around, then back at him (the only guy in the arena to be wearing a suit)

The guy standing behind him doing the sound with the tribble on a stick was having severe trouble not laughing out loud for the whole of the interview. I did wonder if it affected the sound quality, and the interviewer kept glancing down at the microphone as it quivered and wondering what the Hell was going on behind him, I expect.

You just have to find what amusement you can in whatever situation you find yourself.

By the way the police in plain clothes really were still wearing their shiny black boots. They arrived on duty freshly washed and shaved and they did wander around saying 'want to score, man?' to everyone they met. I could only asume they did not want to arrest anyone and so deliberately made themselves conspicuous. It did add to the general weirdness of the experience.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 05:56 AM

Ahhh! Me! Ahhh! My!

Last night I dreamt that I was all alone in the 800 seater 'tent' with.........

The Battlefied Band, Show of Hands, (Whoo! ;0)..) Whapweazel, Bellowhead, Kathryn Tickell, Little Johnny England, John Kirkpatrick, Last Night's Fun, Bismarcks, The Hush, Random, Ashley Hutchings' Rainbow Chasers, Harvey Andrews, Brendan Power, Damien Barber, New Scorpion Band, Rhyzome, Strawhead, Dr. Faustus, Craig;Morgan;Robson, Sandra Kerr, Hot Rats, Martyn Wyndham-Read and Iris Bishop,Blackthorn, Moor Music, Patterson Jordan Dipper, Alison McMorland and Geordie McIntyre, TrioTHRELFALL, All Jigged Out, Jim Causley, Emily Portman and Lauren McCormick, Nandobinyan, Thingumajig, Joe Le Taxi, Mr.Sticky, Red Shed, Keith Kendrick, Ed Rennie, Jackie Oates, Pendragon, Stradivarious, Kelly's Eye, Colin Hume, Charles Bolton, Chris Turner, Mike Courthold, Shropshire Bedlams, Martha Rhoden's Tuppenny Dish, Ladies of the Rolling Pin (Rhode Island USA), Sidmouth Steppers (YAY!)
Chinewrde and lots more........

And I was having THE TIME OF MY LIFE....and THEN.....I woke up and looked at the latest Newsletter and realised that it WASN'T a dream after all.....and then......I remembered how the hotels are getting booked up and The Tourist Information Centre is sending out details all over the country....and I just KNEW that suddenly....I wasn't going to be alone in the 800 seater Ham Marquee anymore.....and at first I felt a little sad.....but then I remembered all of YOU.....and my heart leapt with joy!!! ;0)

And THEN I remembered Stevie Scarlett and my heart took a turn for the worse....just for a split second....but then I realised that NOTHING that anyone can do....least of all 'Stevie Scarlett'...can now stop Sidmouth taking place! And my heart soared once more!!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 06:09 AM

Steve Harris wrote:

"The replacement hall for Sidmouth College is a dreary place"

Please name it. Thanks

I can do better than that with my new (secondhand) £10 digital camera! Watch this space. Just off to town now. Sunshine too!!!

I really don't know why some people here are so negative about the Ham - the only reason I have much faith in a big festival happening this year is that Gordon Newton has committed himself to the Ham and he has the money and experience to back up his promises. Best of luck to him too. If he makes money he will give it to the 2006 festival. If he loses money he will stand the loss himself.

He has also financed the superb glossy leaflets (copy of the latest one will be on my website later today). Without him I doubt much would happen - a personal view but one shared by other people in the town. Lack of up-front money has been a huge problem for the other organisers - as discussed at the last town meeting.

As for the fawning attitude of some organisers towards Sidmouth Town Council, it just shows how frightened they are of getting on the wrong side of certain people. Look how much grief Steve Heap had to suffer from petty minded nonentities.

The principal practical concern I have about the Ham (and the festival in general) is whether sufficient volunteer stewards will turn up and stay the course. If the Ham is used as Gordon suggests for concerts and dancing (he said he would give it free to anyone who wanted to use it outside of his concert slots) , then several times a day all the chairs (which have to be bolted together and to the floor for fire safety reasons) will have to be removed, then put back again, then checked and re-certified. Up to 900 chairs, several times a day???

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 06:18 AM

What have I ever said to make you think I don't want it to happen you silly girl? Realism is not negativity, it's just realism. It's also necessary these days more than ever.

Whilst you were posting your latest deep thoughts I was putting a realistic comment on this thread. Missed each other by 5 or was it 15 minutes?

Maybe one day we shall meet, and maybe even dance????????? I do keep asking you.........

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 06:26 AM

806 chairs actually Stevie Baby! ;0)

And stewards?......that's all being sorted out too. No problems.

Oh and I think you'll find that Gordon, in particular, knows ALL about fire regulations, just as he knows all about Folk Festivals, as does Eddie Upton and Derek Schofield. ;0) So how many have you organised then? ;0)

Hope you enjoy your walk though....and don't forget if you don't like the venue you've gone to photograph you don't HAVE to go there....you can always go down to The Ham Marquee....be patient...I know you're excited....but just breathe deeply. ;0)

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: steve_harris
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 08:38 AM

"I can do better than that with my new (secondhand) £10 digital camera! "

Stop pratting about and NAME IT!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: steve_harris
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 08:42 AM

"The downside is that the Ham can be pretty wild on a windy day and tented venues have to be evacuated in strong winds due to health and safety issues"

Remind us all when that last happened?

(The nearest I ever saw was at Towersey where some marquees dis sustain damges and about 10% of the campsite tents were demoloshed. Hoever, marquees were NOT evacuated)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 01:56 PM

Lizzie

It wasn't me, I promise.

Mudcat went into one of its unresponsive modes this afternoon - it does that every so often, but I had nothing to do with it, despite that I had just tweaked your digital tail.

Honestly.

I was a government scientist for most of my life - you can trust me.

Anyhow, the sun was shining (on Lizzie it was at any rate) and I went into town. Sunny, glorious, sullen, inward-looking Sidmouth. Then I took out my camera. How did the sun know this?

So the only photos you get are on a cold dismal cloudy day. I'll take some brighter ones when next we have a blue sky. I might even get Lizzie to pose for you all. Anyone taking bets?

How about a bit of habeas corpus on the side Lizzie? (HC = "Produce the body"). Prove to us that you really exist. You can have a webpage to yourself and a full frontal 800 by 600 in fine mode. You could be talent spotted.

In the meantime, while we grow old waiting, see the proposed dance venues here dance venues out of town .

If anyone has more up-to-date information please let me know.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 03:59 PM

Personally, I wouldn't trust a Government Scientist as far as I could throw him. After all, these are the cretins who would have had us believe that BSE couldn't be transmitted from cows to humans... or that genetic modification is safe... how many Government Expert Witnesses have now been discredited in court?

BTW Lizzie - do I have still have that spot on your dance card?

epn

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 04:23 PM

No......Steve...you're COMPLETELY missing the point here!

You haven't got any photographs of what will be happening INSIDE the halls. It's what is going to take place INSIDE the halls that counts so much!

Most people are perfectly happy to have a different venue just for one year....that's why everyone is pulling together....to make Sidmouth happen!

Now listen....all this reminds me of when I used to be in The Sealed Knot, an English Civil War Re-enactment Society, many moons ago! We'd all camp out in the fields....sometimes quite a long way away from the battlefield, but we didn't mind.....we were all together and having the time of our lives. In the afternoons we'd all march down to wherever the battle was going to be...and home again afterwards.

Often there would be dancing....sometimes in beautiful, ancient pubs but more often than not in village halls, just like the ones in your photos. I can remember being all dressed up in my 'dancing gear', having been a plain old 'Camp Follower' all day in my hessian skirt and filthy blouse...authenticity!....and sometimes we'd turn up at a
1960's-70's style hall and I'd think..."Oh No!...not here! I'm all dressed up in silk, lace and pearls with feathers in my hair!....Where are the ancient beams?...Where is the history?"

But then...we'd all go INSIDE the hall and suddenly...all I saw were the other dancers....the walls, the harsh lighting...all melted away and the only thing that I was aware of was the excitement and the joy of the dancing....and a few Roundheads and Cavaliers of course!! ;0) ;0)

THAT is what counts Stevie Scarlett! And THAT is what Sidmouth Folk Week is ALL about this year too! Masses of people, coming together in a way they haven't done for YEARS! All taking part in something that is going to be very special.

And don't forget....Gordon has offered to do as much as he can to help with the dancing in The Ham Marquee....right by the ocean and no doubt he'll help wherever else he can too.

Read your new Newsletter as well, as that tells you that Ceilidhs are taking place in Blackmore Gardens, Ham Marquee and The Anchor Gardens amongst others.

Life is what you make it Steve....That goes for dancing too! Put even more effort and happiness into it this year than you EVER have before and you'll get SO much more back!

Give up being the Scientist and always searching desperately for the answers...the proof....let go of it all....and HAVE FAITH! Faith in yourself and faith in the people who KNOW what they are doing with the Sidmouth Folk Week, and faith in all the people who are coming to Sidmouth too.


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 04:25 PM

You certainly do El Punkoid? That's rather a dashing name? Do you have Spanish Ancestors? Any relation to El Cid? ;0)

Lizzie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 07:34 PM

Lizzie, my sweetie pie,

I have faith in my ability to produce a rational analysis - even when I am under your (considerable) influence.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Mike E
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 08:59 PM

In answer to Steve Harris who doubted whether concert tents have ever blown-down at festivals it happened several times to the Heineken 'Big Top' Festival in the mid-90s, held in a huge marquee on windy seafront sites just like The Ham.

At Brighton the entire 'Big Top' blew down overnight and we lost the whole of the following day's show.

At Portsmouth when the wind got up we had to stop the show half-way through a headline band's act and evacuate the tent.

And health & safety regulations are much tighter now than they were then!

You have to remember that there are power cables and lighting rigged to the sides and roof of the tent. Believe me, it really is dangerous if the wind gets up.

The council will insist on £15 million public liability insurance and a whole raft of safety measures before they licence the tent. That will cost a substantial sum of money... probably more than for the Knowle arena where the audience were out in the open.

Gordon Newton is well-respected as a music promoter and as a (retired) promoter myself I wish him lots of luck and very good weather.

Organising major outdoor events is, however, a very different ball-game to promoting concerts and dances inside halls.

I think some of the people voicing concern about licensing and safety issues have every right to be concerned until the licence is actually issued by the council.

Why do you think Steve Heap withdrew? If he couldn't make it all add up financially and if he'd had enough of the local council's licensing and environmental health officers do you really think others can make it all happen 'just like that' especially when they don't even have the £60,000 council funding that Steve enjoyed.

Unlike some on this board I have no axe to grind but I do feel an obligation as someone with a lifetime's experience in the events industry to warn the likes of Lizzie not to take licensing and safety issues so lightly.

At the end of the day you are talking about people's lives here. It may sound melodramatic but lives have been lost at major events in the UK and abroad when infrastructure failed.

None of us want to see that happen in Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 02:34 AM

Mike E, the people who are running Sidmouth this year are all people with an enormous combined experience of running events and festivals...they know all about that as well as you do and are organising appropriately.

Lizzie isn't 'making light' of the isuues, just trying to point out these facts to the doom and gloom merchants in her own, inimitable way.

And let's face it...it doesn't matter how much insurance you have...insurance doesn't save people's lives, it only pays 'compensation' afterwards. There seems to be this strange attitude these days that if you are well insured nothing will happen to you. Think about it.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: fiddler
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 03:30 AM

I believe this line started as a query about tickets, as usual we seem to have moved a long way form that subject!

I have discussed many apsects of this festival with many folk (including some of the promoters / organisers) let them get on with their job and please let's keep threads like this to teh topic they started on.

We are all doing a good job of talking down Sidmouth whay not start a thread on 'things that I know more about in organising a festival in Sidmouth than anyone else.

so it'll be dominated by Steve from sidmouth adn Lizzie at least it gives them a relevant forum rather than hijack another thread!

That is not an accusation you pair and you are not the only guilty ones.

Yes the ticket thing needs looking at and it does look like a bit of a bodge this year - I know there are reasons perhaps Folk South West can take that on board for 2006 in the maentime if anone can offer help and advice on this topic please do so.

Please don't get involved in defending my castigations in this post -after all that is my complaint!

Andy
Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 08:36 AM


At Portsmouth when the wind got up we had to stop the show half-way through a headline band's act and evacuate the tent.

And health & safety regulations are much tighter now than they were then!

You have to remember that there are power cables and lighting rigged to the sides and roof of the tent. Believe me, it really is dangerous if the wind gets up.>


Dear'Mikeeeeee'

Now listen....I've put out a poster with 'Do not let this man into Sidmouth under ANY circumstances!" written on it, because I've realised there is a common thread going on here. WHEREVER you seem to turn up...tents, big tops and marquees get blown away!! EEK!

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I think this MAY be happening because you're so FULL OF WIND that YOU are creating the VERY problem that is causing you, and the rest of us ;0)......SO much anxiety!!

Therefore...I'm sending you several packets of Gaviscon Tablets which are guaranteed to 'break down wind' and will leave you feeling calm, relaxed, faaaaar more attractive to everyone (!) and thus enable you to sit in tents, marquees and big tops quite safely from now on!

I've also spoken to the Health and Safety Ispectorate Directorate and suggested that EVERYONE coming to The Ham Marquee should partake of 2 tablets per concert.....just to be on the safe side! ;0)

Anyway, don't panic...the only things that will get 'Blown Away' at Sidmouth will be the minds of the jolly people who come to see all the brilliant acts happening down on The Ham.

Yours smilingly,


Lizzie :0)


PS 'Andy'...above. You've turned into Andy Andy! Are you related to Handy Andy at all? ;0) Sorry...couldn't resist that one! And now..back to THE STORY OF THE TICKETS!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Ralphie
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 03:07 PM

Hello All.

Politicking aside.

Patterson,Jordan,Dipper will be playing at the Bedford Sunday Night.
Two decades of playing at Sidmouth, in various guises, has so many fond memories for me that, If we can contribute just a little, then, we've done the decent thing.

Regards Ralphie...

PS. How do I avoid Lizzies hugs??!!