Sidmouth Tickets

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_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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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 - 07:13 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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,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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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