Sidmouth Tickets

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 May 05 - 08:01 AM

AND I got another 100th !!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Mr & Mrs Gigg
Date: 15 May 05 - 08:52 AM

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 15 May 05 - 09:12 AM

Hellooooo Mr. and Mrs. Gigg....I just knew you'd turn up!!! See what I mean Frank....bless them! ;0)

Erm....Mr. and Mrs. Gigg...do you know Mr. and Mrs. McBride at all? ;0)

Now then you guys...listen...I don't want to depress you all but I am just off to look through the brand, spanking new Sidmouth Folk Week 'Free Programme'.

Ye Gods and Little Fishes! It is FANTASTIC!!! How they've managed to do it in such a short time and make it look so incredible I just don't know!!

AND....the programmes are already out at various festivals around the country and apparently they are 'disappearing' off the shelves/tables like hot cakes! Whoooooooop!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Mr & Mrs Gigg
Date: 15 May 05 - 09:16 AM

Whoops! Sorry! Pressed wrong button so there's a blank message from us above.

Here's what we meant to say.

After weeks of not reading mudcat we made the mistake of looking at a post from Lizzie this morning and, hey presto! She's attacking us again!

What have we done to deserve such bile?

To recap from months ago. We are Sidmouth fans. We love the Festival. We want to see a proper Festival again in 2006. But for many reasons we are not attending the Folk week this year.

Surely we should not be condemned by Lizzie for this?

Looking at other posts we fear that Lizzie is deterring people from attending Sidmouth instead of encouraging us back.

We rather wonder if she is actually one of the 'moaning minnies' she claims to detest.

is she really a supporter of the Folk Week?

If so she has a very strange way of showing it.

Please don't attack us again when you've never met us Lizzie.

All you are doing is making us think twice about ever returning to Sidmouth if the Festival we have loved is now in the hands of such bitter and sniping individuals as yourself.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 15 May 05 - 09:24 AM

To Tim & Anne Gigg.

Don't let Lizzie get you down.

The Sidmouth Festival will rise again from the ashes despite Lizzie's attempts to destroy it.

Hope you might yet join us again in The Anchor this summer.

Your tankard will be awaiting you Tim.

We'll banish Lizzie to another pub.

Best wishes to both you and the kids,

Si

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: EagleWing
Date: 15 May 05 - 02:06 PM

Hellooooo Mr. and Mrs. Gigg....I just knew you'd turn up!!! See what I mean Frank....bless them! ;0)

Yes, Lizzie, I see exactly what you mean - they came into the bar and, before they could even order a pint of creme de menthe each, you started on them. You really ought to let them get sat down before you lay into them, Lizzie.

Frank L.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 15 May 05 - 02:31 PM

Hi Eagle Wing,

Just let me say that, if you have really decided not to come, I for one will be saddened beyond measure. I was looking forward, with real pleasure, to hearing much more of you than was possible at Donisthorpe at Easter time.

Please reconsider that decision, as your presence would enhance the sessions for myself, as for others, and by then all the infighting will be over and the craic will be the order of the day.


Hopefully
Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 15 May 05 - 04:29 PM

Frank, the thought of those 2 pints of Creme de Menthe standing on the bar in The Anchor Inn is making me feel quite green!   

Go on Frank....smile....you know you want to.....go on. ;0)

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 15 May 05 - 04:31 PM

Lizzie,You are a mental case!!!!!!!
Scooby

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 15 May 05 - 05:30 PM

Scooby Doo!!

What a sweet surprise. Haven't woofed with you for ages! How are you Scoobs? ;0) Listen, Fritz the Cat was round here earlier, so be very careful!

Can't stop I'm afraid. I'm writing a list of all the things I want to go to this Folk Week.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: EagleWing
Date: 15 May 05 - 07:28 PM

Go on Frank....smile....you know you want to.....go on.

Lizzie, I smile a lot. I smile most of the time. The only things that take the smile from my face are petulant kids and bitchy adults. Be your huggable best and I'll smile - but not while your nasty side is showing.

Frank L.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST, logged out
Date: 16 May 05 - 09:17 AM

I've just read Lizzies post with utter disbelief.

As a long time supporter of Sidmouth I'm boycotting this years 'folk week' along with many others because I'm of the view that that will be the only way the Sidmouth traders, council and residents will realise the true value of the festival to their town.

Maybe Lizzie doesn't know that punters NOT buying a season ticket was a part of the problem. To cherry pick only the events you wanted to go to but take advantage of the free events meant that the economics just didn't add up, the cross-subsidy meant only season ticket holders contributed to the invisible costs, insurance, risk assesment and so on, although everyone got the use of them.

I take exception to Lizzie slagging others off too. I use Longdogs and used to use the BBC board, now you can't mention Sidmouth without her swooping down on you and we SOH fans can't use the BBC board because of all the bad feeling Lizzie has caused. Diane is a caustic so and so, but Lizzie takes every opportunity to provoke her, I'm surprised it's taken people so long to notice Lizzies nasty side. It's been obvious to me for months.

The off topic stuff above, about her children goes to show that Lizzie espouses the 'do as I say, not as I do' view. To have to listen to her talk about bullies, when she herself is bullying anyone with a different point of view, across every folk messageboard is breathtaking in it's lack of insight and empathy. Lizzie is one of the biggest bullies I've ever encountered.

I remember Lizzie saying she didn't go to the festival last year because she was ill and the year before she was bored till she heard Show of Hands. Even then, part of her interest in them is that she fancies Steve Knightley, which has bugger all to do with the music. One of the things Diane often objects to is the sexist nature of Lizzies postings. I find it refreshing that folk musicians are judged on talent instead of looks, unlike Lizzie.

So Lizie coming on here and spouting thousands of words of nonsense is irritating, to say the least. I think Lizzie has replaced the Sealed Knot with Sidmouth, but this isn't a battle, it's a folk festival and folkies are like everyone else, good people, bad people and everthing in between. It's the music which is important not the personalities.

Maybe the young people of Sidmouth are vomiting up their souls, my children and their friends are wonderful I've never been anything other than proud of them, they don't like folk music much and are off to Reading this year. Since they're happy and well adjusted, I have no experience of the despair which plays such a large part in Lizzies family. I would hope I would never be so stupid as to think all the ills in the world could be sorted by listening to folk music. To say so is the most nonsensical thing I have ever seen posted on the internet.

I also take exception to the fact Lizzie has named a poor unfortunate girl who took her own life on here. I don't know if this story is true, but to arrogantly mention it in passing, with no thought that the family are entitled to their privacy and that it has fuck all to do with this topic shows just how much disdain Lizzie has for the pain of others. You should be ashamed of yourself Lizzie.

Logged off, because I have no intention of becoming Lizzies next victim.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 05 - 11:18 AM

"Be my huggable best!!!!!!!!!!" Right Frank DUCK!!!!! Duck under someting so big and so heavy that I will never find you! OooooooooH!!!!

Frank.....just taken you out of my Hugs book darling!

So NOT into men who want to control women! If you want me to be cutesy pie, laugh a minute all the time, well you picked the wrong lady. As for putting me in the same bracket as Diane, well thanks for that Frank! Hey....I'm sorry you stood up for me as well! Sheesh!

There is ONE thing that Diane and I do have in common...ONE thing...and that is passion! We both get beside ourselves sometimes with rage, but the things that upset us are VERY different! I would never, ever say the things that Diane says and if you are prepared to hang, draw and quarter me for telling a ficticious, meddling poster to 'Push Off' well, honeybunch....you just go right ahead!

I have my views, you have yours. You may choose to see the McBrides as real posters. I know what that post is truly about and many more, like the revolting one above from 'Guest Logged Out' which I will not even respond to.

But I know how hard people are working down here and if I so choose to let posters like that 'have it' now and again, that is my freedom of choice. And believe me Frank I will continue to rant as I so choose, without foul language or foul accusations, but a little bad temper or humour to those who try to undermine Sidmouth is not a bad thing!

So you go and tell someone else off, if that makes you feel good! Look back on loads of Siddy threads and you will see me ranting and raving to all sorts of Mudcat 'Characters'....take a look at Seereds site, where you will find loads of my words that he takes off here and puts on his own site, with little cryptic comments underneath.

Hey Stevie Scarlett, a free plug!! Hope you appreciate that! ;0)

'SeeRed' Frank, as you don't seem to know, is one of the main ringleaders behind the Sidmouth 'Meddling' campaign. Now, Stephen Wozniak, his real name which he is quite happy to reveal on his site, Stephen and I have had ermm.....a busy time over the past year, he comes on and muddles things up, creates doubt and chaos, puts his site details on and then goes away. He comes back, under many different guises, does the same thing and goes away!

And then I come in, along with quite a few other people and try to sort it out, with humour, sometimes with a bit of ranting....either way...Stevie Scarlett, who lives in my town, and I know what is going on!

But you Frank.....take the biscuit!! If you want me to be a Stepford Wife and just say what you want me to say, think as you want me to think, behave as you want me to behave and do as you want me to do...well tough! Too much Spanish blood in me Frank to keep my mouth shut for too long! Too much passion! I throw my arms around when I talk and when I speak! I will not be moulded into your 'view' of how I should be!

If I did not have this personality I would not be able to put up with all the things that get said about me. So...I may rant for a bit yet Frank, I may not, I may go away altogether,(cheers all round ;0)..) as Sidmouth is now in safe hands all round, I may not! (groans! ;0)...)

But whatever I choose to do Frank I will do because I want to and not because I am frightened that you will end up not liking me or that you have decided to call me a 'Bitchy Adult'

I've been through far too much with my children to worry about what anybody thinks anymore. I am very much my own person....go tread on someone else Frank!

Oh and if you've got the guts to apologise for anything that you've said Frank, then I may well completely change my opinion of you, however I don't think you're going to do that somehow!

Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go and sort out a Show of Hands thread over on Radio 2....I may also throw a few plates at the wall to get my 'Frank Anger' out a little!

Marches off in Scarlett O'Hara mode with long green dressing flaring out behind her!

Lizzie....look Frank....NO SMILEY!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Alan J.
Date: 16 May 05 - 12:11 PM

Can we please get back to this thread being about tickets at sidmouth, and the news info and support likewise being limited to the items in its title.

I am fed up of the ranting and rambling which contribute nothing to attract anyone to sidmouth events, and I am appalled at statements that people such as the McBrides and the Giggs are not welcome at the festival. Every ticket sold is a contribution toward a full festival in the future.
Thank goodness the vast majority of people who usually come to sidmouth aren't wasting their time reading the mudcat verbiage.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 05 - 12:30 PM

Bet a few teachers breathed a sigh of relief 3 yrs ago!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 16 May 05 - 12:56 PM

'Guest' above. No, sorry to inform you, but actually the teachers weren't really aware they'd even gone! They are far too stressed with everything else that is going on in our schools to notice or care very much. It was my children who breathed a sigh of relief.

And now back to Sidmoth tickets.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,melint
Date: 18 May 05 - 03:59 PM

I live in Sidmouth ha ha

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,melint
Date: 18 May 05 - 04:00 PM

I can smell the air now

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: EagleWing
Date: 18 May 05 - 05:58 PM

I know what that post is truly about and many more,

Oh terribly sorry, Lizzie. If I had noticed that you were into conspiracy theories, I wouldn't have made the mistake of taking you seriously.

However, you have proved my point - you have even proved Diane's point.

Sad. But with friends like you, Sidmouth does not need enemies.

Frank L.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 18 May 05 - 08:01 PM

Hypomania Lizzie, AKA bipolar affective disorder. Go and ask your Dr for lithium.
TB

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,worried
Date: 18 May 05 - 08:49 PM

I know I should find better things to do with my time but what is the

'long green dressing flaring out'? I have a picture in my head I don't want to have.

Maybe Casualty instead of a doctor?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 19 May 05 - 03:48 PM

Quote from Lizzie: ""I was wondering where Stevie Scarlett had gone.....think I just found him....the little red minx!""

Just for your information Lizzie, I have been away from my computer and underneath a caravan. Some of what you say is very thoughtful but most of it is repetitious and trivial. By the way, any post from me is under this name and only this name.

I said a long time ago (months ago) that people might well be put off by the total cost of tickets this year once these became known. As of now, I have firm information only on the social dance tickets. My opinions of these have been on my SeeRed website for a long time.

Once all the ticket sales actually start and we have a full list of availability, that will the time for further informed comment.

Could you possibly use your influence on the weather please? I've had enough of the cold wind and the rain. We need some sunshine and sparkles. Please wave your wand.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 20 May 05 - 10:10 AM

STEVIE!!!! Do you know, it's been SO long since I've 'seen' you that I've missed you! I have! ;0)

Now listen, you were supposed to be INSIDE the caravan, not UNDERNEATH it!! That's why you're feeling so down! ;0) What a way to spend your holipops! You must be so hunched up by now! I know a very good osteopath down in Temple Street....don't panic! ;0)

Good job you live in Sidmouth and can walk down to the beach from your house. Nice and warm down this end of town.....bit chillier in Sidford though I hear.

Stevie Scarlett.....are you sure you weren't making me 'see red' the other day? ;0);0) Did you like the free plug I gave you? I thought that was rather kind of me.

Sunshine and Sparkles? I'll see what I can do? I've got a Harry Potter wand here that glows in the dark! Or a light saber, if you'd prefer.....two actually....we could maybe duel on the beach? ;0)

Have you seen that fantastic new furniture/gifty shop in town yet? They were putting the name up yesterday...looks great! Probably not a Boysie type of shop though....good for us Girlies mind! ;0)

'Worried Guest' above. No, I haven't gone completely insane, yet (!) It's a beautiful picture to have, honestly! Scarlett O'Hara made that wonderful dress out of those rich green velvet curtains in the film....you remember! And I was quoting sweet Rhett Butler...and well....one thing led to another and well....all I need is for Ashley Wilkes to turn up now and I am done for! ;0)

Hmmmmm....You're right....Maybe I am a smidgeon dotty! ;0) Just don't tell anyone though! ;0) But please, just SO don't send me to Casualty.....last time I went there I was there for FIVE hours before we even SAW a Doctor. (There must be a Saw Doctors joke there, somewhere!) I thought it was because they were busy, but now I think about it....maybe they were just plain terrified!!! ;0)

Too much excitement at the thought of those tickets coming out soon. There we are....back on thread.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,worried
Date: 20 May 05 - 10:38 AM

Lizzie, 'a long green dresssing' suggests to me a bandage coming loose from a festering sore.

Scarlett O'Hara made the dress to try to trick money out of Rhett Butler. She was ashamed of being honest about the reality of her circumstances. A bit like you with the Folk Week methinks, a make do and mend festival to replace a real one.

Scarletts ploy failed as Rhett seen right through her tricks, she then went off and stole her sisters fiance. I can see why you admire her, she was given to hissy fits too and only ever seen things from her own point of view.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 20 May 05 - 12:24 PM

Woops! Didn't realise I'd put that!!! I wondered what you were going on about.....thought you were even more batty than me! ;0) Gosh....NO WONDER you were worried! Now I'm worried too! "A long green dressing" You're right...I must have been a surgeon in a previous life!

Shan't wear THAT to Siddy Folk Week! ;0)

Oh 'Worried'...lighten up! 'Tis just a film and a bit of fun! ;0) Tell you what though....you sound as if you love it even more than I do....you'll have to come to Sidmouth and we can watch it together in our lovely cinema. You can have cups of tea in our Picture House! You can be Rhett and I'll be Scarlett! ;0) Would you wear that gorgeous white suit and hat that Rhett had, with a black tie, that was rather snazzy I always thought! Anyway....I'd have stayed with Rhett anyday....that Ashley Wilkes was a bit of a wimp if you ask me! Never did know WHAT she saw in him.

It's because the tickets are coming soon and my little head can't take the sheer thrill of it all!

'Tis the tickets I tell you! The tickets! ;0)

AND....ONLY 70 DAYS TO GO!!! (I'll never make it!) ;0)

'Gone With The Wind'.....reminds me of that thread where apparently the marquee was going to blow down, do you remember that one? That did make me giggle! Got at least three more wrinkles in that thread! ;0)

Now no more talk of Rhett Butler, 'tis all having a strange effect on me!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST
Date: 20 May 05 - 01:15 PM

It was a book before it was a film.

Like Sidmouth was a Festival before it was a Folk Week.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 20 May 05 - 02:53 PM

Ahh! But I've got the sequel to Gone with the Wind....'Scarlett' by Alexandra Ripley....and it's an Absolute Cracker!

Just like Sidmouth Folk Week is going to be! ;0)

Now look, please can we leave Rhett behind! I cannot get Clark Gable's lovely grin out of my imagination any more.

Why Rhett...I do declare!!

Lizzie Scarlett ;0)

PS: Oh Cripes!!! Where's Stevie gone? I've just realised we could be related!!! ;0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST
Date: 20 May 05 - 07:18 PM

'Scarlett' is a ploy to make money on the back of the original, by someone who had nothing to do with the original. Not unlike the Folk Week.

In it Scarlett goes to Ireland having alienated her peer group by her behaviour. She has no sympathy for the community she has joined. She is disdainful of their ways and behaves like a patronising incomer. Eventually they burn down her house and she has to be rescued by a man.

She sounds like your sort of girlie.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 21 May 05 - 04:28 AM

No worried,

Not a folk week to replace a festival, a festival of a different sort, to replace the big gap that would otherwise have been left.

You may not be a fan, but that fact does not affect the status of Sidmouth 2005, only your view of it.

GUEST 01:15,

Close, but no coconut, my friend. You should have remembered that Sidmouth was a folk week, before it was an international festival, before it was a folk week, and, whether you like it or not, all three are festivals. What goes around comes around, and that's why we are your best hope to see the festival YOU enjoyed come to life again.

If those who loved the old Sidmouth (and I'm one of them) had all got behind our efforts, and given a good shove, we might even have been closer to that happy day.

Ah well!
Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Eye Lander
Date: 21 May 05 - 04:39 AM

Title of this thread - Sidmouth Tickets. That's all Andy in London asked. Have we been talking tickets here? I don't think so!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 21 May 05 - 05:18 AM

Nice one Don!;0)

Right....TICKETS!

As there's a new 'Sidmouth Programmes and Tickets' thread started and this one has become so off topic, (I blame Rhett Butler myself, amongst others! ;0)...)perhaps it would be a good idea to move to that one.

I'll put my details about tickets on there.


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 05 - 07:01 AM

You know Lizzie Clark Gable was famous for his halitosis, he had false teeth too.

You don't think you may be some of the reason these threads become so off topic? Have a read back through some of them.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Cat in Plymouth
Date: 24 May 05 - 09:52 PM

personally, i am really looking forward to what will be my first folk festival, my best friend and myself will be camping at bulverton (more than likely) and if we can get tickets for one thing only we're aiming for Show of Hands....

an aside: roughly how far from Bulverton camp to the LNE venue??

Regards
Cat
x

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 25 May 05 - 07:07 PM

I am not sure what the geography of Sidmouth has to do with tickets - those of us who live here have had printed programmes for days - I don't know what the official website is up to. I've put a few details on http://www.seered.co.uk/folk51a.htm

As for geography, Bulverton is one side of Sidmouth at the top of a steep hill to the northwest. The LNE is on the other side up a steeper and bigger hill, to the east. Walking, I would guess inside an hour and you would be fit by the time you got there.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Robert Grimes
Date: 29 May 05 - 11:05 PM

Message to Steve in Sidmouth who says on his website that all B&Bs get booked-up a year in advance for Folk Week.

Not this year they don't!

When I cancelled my booking on Sunday having finally decided to give Sidmouth a miss this year the landlady told me I was not the only one to have cancelled. She said three of her seven rooms are still available for Folk Week adding she'd never known that happen before.

Seems people are voting with their feet and attendances may not be anything like normal.

I wonder how full the campsites are?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,M8
Date: 29 May 05 - 11:49 PM

They're pretty empty right now

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 May 05 - 05:13 PM

Well I'm still going: just got the programme, but sorry I won't be buying a season ticket for the Ham as there are other good concerts in other venues which would not be covcered by said season ticket.
I'm also slightly confused as the Sidmouth Folk week supporters' ticket allows me priority booking up to 1st June - day after tomorrow, but I only received it yesterday: doesn't give me much time to decide.
It also has the wrong name on it. (Involves a gender change!)
And does the reduced (supporters')rate ONLY apply to tickets bought before 1st June or to any purchased thereafter? Not clear!
So I shall probably leave buying tickets till I get there, and if my chosen concerts are sold out, I shall just go to the sessions.
TB

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Don (Wysiwyg) T by the back door
Date: 30 May 05 - 07:54 PM

And the sessions will be very pleased to see you TB.

Don T.
(usually at the Bedford)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 31 May 05 - 02:47 PM

I've also just got the programme and agree with Tattie Bogle that the ticketting arrangements are very confusing (although the brochure itself is very well produced).

If many people follow Tattie's example and don't pay for concert tickets until they arrive in Sidmouth then that could create a cash-flow problem for the concert organisers who will rely on advance sales to pay artist deposits and advance infrastructure costs etc.

If many people prefer the sessions to the concerts then those cash-flow problems are all the greater. Who pays the artists and suppliers this year if ticket income and Hobgoblin sponsorship prove insufficient to cover costs?

Is there a risk of concerts being cancelled leaving just the sessions for people to enjoy?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 31 May 05 - 03:21 PM

Tatty Bogle did say he/she would go to sessions instead when his/her chosen concerts were sold out, which would be the case with most people who want to go to concerts, I would have thought.

In that case their going to sessions would have zero financial effect on the concert side of the festival.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 31 May 05 - 04:23 PM

I phoned the ticket office on Tuesday for Show of Hands tickets and was told they've had very few ticket enquiries so far and even fewer actual ticket sales.

The woman I spoke to also said accommodation enquiries for the Folk Week are "significantly down this year".

I do hope things pick up now the programme leaflet is printed.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 03:29 AM

Guest Observer - I very much doubt that someone dealing with enquiries at the 'ticket office' would say that to you, even if it were true!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 04:05 AM

Why did I pick this year to try Sidmouth for the first time? I'm seriously considering retaining my Sidmouth virginity because of some of the contributions to this thread, I'm afraid I might actually meet some of these people.
Giok

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 04:19 AM

Well Giok, we also picked this year for our first time, as it's my husband's 50th birthday. So I am hoping to meet some of the nice people on this board, and maybe 'the moaners' won't even turn up. Just looking forward to a holiday by the sea, with a few concerts thrown in. (which I will be buying tickets for in advance - they need some support)

Annie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 05:00 AM

Hi John 'Giok' and also Mrs. Annie - I've deliberately kept away from saying anything as the 'Sidmouth knockers' will always be around. Suffice to say that all the people who will be there will be people who want to be there because it's a great place to hold a festival. If you let the 'knockers' put you off you will be missing a lovely place (Sidmouth), some great concerts and a plethora of sessions full of really nice people. I've been going for quite a few years now and am really looking forward to supporting the new organisation. They deserve all our thanks for what they have done to keep the spirit of Sidmouth alive. Don't worry - I know some will be on soon to knock this post -I will ignore them as I hope you do. I hope to see you there - I'm to be found in the Bedford Hotel right on the seafront so come and say hello, you'll be more than welcome.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 07:57 AM

I echo entirely what John Barden says.

We've got all our tickets. Hurray!!! They are safe in the drawer and just itching to be used. Show of Hands were the first we booked up as well. (No surprises there then!!) ;0)

'Guest Observer' above, I hope you went ahead and booked your tickets for Show of Hands as they've just completed their first ever tour where every venue was sold out....so you really don't have to worry, it won't just be you and me in that marquee! They are playing on their home ground down here in The West Country and the final day of this tour was just two days ago at The Barnfield Theatre in Exeter, where they played to a packed-out audience, many, many of whom will be coming to see them at Sidmouth, along with all the other artists too.

I've phoned the Tourist Information Centre to double check what was said above and apparently the rooms are filling up fast....well...no surprises there either! ;0) Most of the B&B's are full, but they do have an 'additional list' of ordinary townspeople who still have some rooms left to let out during Folk Week. They'd be happy to send out that list if anyone wants it. The Tourist Information telephone number is: 01395 578627. Also some of the big hotels still have rooms but the TIC said that this is entirely normal, as people have always booked into the B&B's and cheaper accommodation first.

I've heard as well, that all 17,000 Folk Week Programmes have now been given out and a whole pile more are already being printed. Well done to the people who designed that programme, by the way, you've done a truly excellent job!

In fact well done to them all. They've had an incredibly hard job to do, under very difficult circumstances and they've really excelled themselves.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 12:52 PM

Lizzie - I'm just back from Chippenham - three and a half days for £65 including camping (say £20 per day, all in) except that as a steward I got my ticket for free. But I did have to be on duty for several hours each morning watching other people dance - most distressing. Even worse was not seeing you there. ... I've missed you so much recently. I really have...... The main dances were packed and the evening concerts were usually House Full. Several ATMs ran out of cash so I guess the town did well.

I discussed Sidmouth in detail with several people and told a lot more about it. Everyone who had seen the latest Sidmouth leaflet said the organisers have done a fantastic job but that when you work out the total daily/weekly cost it looks high - you need to pick your events in advance if you are to be sure of getting tickets. Several people wanted to know how big it was planned to be - what is the planned capacity of the Blackmore marquee? And the LNE? We know the Ham is planned for 800+ for concerts. The social dance was planned for up to 300 over 3 venues before the main (largest) of these became unavailable.

I have updated the social dance page on SeeRed http://www.seered.co.uk/folk47.htm to include details of refunds for people who now want to do a mix of social dance and ceilidhs and added bus ticket info. http://www.seered.co.uk/folk51a.htm The Stagecoach leaflet is confusing with no mention of the (separate?) LNE buses and a Gold Rider ticket which appears to do all the special festival week ticket does (and more) for the same price??. Except that you can save a whopping £2 by booking the festival one in advance. Out of interest I tried the enquiry number - it was locked in a hopeless answerphone loop.

As for Sidmouth, everything now depends on how many people calculate the overall daily cost of doing everything they want to do (higher than at most other festivals?) and how many say "sod the expense we are coming to support the Sidmouth organisers" - except that much of the money may not be going to do that anyway! Social Dance tickets are still £90 despite the decreased quality of venue, the Ham season is £135, LNEs are £63, and camping for the week could be £40 - add in a couple of evening ceilidhs and you are up to £350. Little wonder ticket sales are off to a slow start - people need to sit down, study the programme and decide what to buy.

Credit must go to Gordon Newton who has organised the Ham events - if it goes well he might make a profit and he has said he will give this to Sidmouth 2006. If he makes a loss, he will have to find it from his own pocket. Details on http://www.seered.co.uk/folk77.htm   So much else would (I guess) not have been organised at all if he had not come forward to help - and he doesn't even live here. So support the Ham events whatever else you plan to do. And support the locally organised ceilidhs in Blackmore Gardens - every evening from 8 pm.

See you there Lizzie??

By the way, take a look at the latest sidmouth website -
http://www.sidmouthfestivalcrafts.co.uk In past years many craft sales may have been to 'casual day visitors' who were drawn by the 'international' scale of the week. This year, who knows!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 02:21 PM

Either the acts are charging too much or the organisers have booked too many acts.
Giok

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 02:23 PM

Stevie,

Now listen my little 'Doubting Thomas', it sounds to me as if you're getting yourself all worked up again. You need.....an inspirational quote.....and luckily for you Steve....I have the perfect one.

"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the horizon of the spirit."

Helen Keller 1880-1968

Now Helen, being both blind and deaf would not have been able to see or hear the beauty of a Folk Festival as we can Stevie, but she would have been able to sense the joy that is around when a Festival (or a Folk Week) is taking place. She would have always looked on the positive side of things, she would have believed that anything was possible, that is why she achieved what she did in her life. She became someone for many other people to look up to and admire. She discovered the 'secrets of the stars' and took her spirit to a thousand places that no-one had ever dreamed she would ever be able to reach.

You have to have faith to get through life and you have to spread that faith around so that it touches other people and affects them too. It goes for everything in life, no matter what it is.

So Stevie, why not put all this behind us.....why don't you now become the most positive person around, where the Sidmouth Folk Week is concerned? Why not use your website, from now on, to promote everything about Sidmouth in the most confident light you possibly can.

There are now just 59 days left to go. Think how wonderful it would be to have:

59 days of Encouragement, 59 days of Enthusiasm, 59 days of Positivity

Just think........

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Tickets
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 02:42 PM

What the f**k are you on Lizzie?
G..