Sidmouth Folk Week 2006

Subject: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 12:15 PM

This is the start of a new Sidmouth thread, WITHOUT the misleading title of the other thread that has appeared on on here recently.

Well, have just read 'from the horse's mouth' as they say, on the other thread, that Mudcat's own 'El Greko' (George Papavgeris to those not in 'the know') is going to be at Siddy 2006...

Yayyyyyyy!! ;0)

So...that's one gig definitely pencilled in for us next year then! Can't wait George...truly, just can't wait to see and hear you again.

Hopefully this thread will shortly have much more 'correct' information added to it now, as soon as it becomes available.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 12:17 PM

Excuse the 'on on' bit...am typing with just one contact lens in! Not the best thing to do really......

Lizzie ;0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 01:01 PM

Mary and I will be there too, to the extent that anything is "official" yet.

Most mornings you'll find us helping out in Nick and Mary Barber's Big Band workshop, which they've been doing for many years including this year.

We hope to be doing some ceilidhs as English Rebellion and of course concert spots as ourselves too.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 01:52 PM

Anahata! Hello there.....You're on my wonderful George Papavgeris CD 'Ordinary Heroes' Do you know...I think Cellos are beginning to take over my life...'tis most worrying....first there's your lovely music, then there's 'The Cello Man' whom we saw at Beautiful Days and then there's Miranda Sykes and her double bass too...and wasn't Miranda also on George's CD...yes she was. Can't wait for the next one to come out! Hurry up everyone!

Looking forward to seeing you next year too.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:19 AM

Newsletter for 2006 now on the official website Lizzie - don't miss your chance to be first saying how wonderful it all looks. Actually, it does look promising, but maybe a little expensive compared to the good old days?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:22 AM

I think that should have been "compared with the good old days" ; it was quantitative.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Dave Earl
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:35 AM

Yep

Website for 2006 has link to booking form and says tix on sale from Jan 1.

http:www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk

See you there.

Oh and the Middle Bar Singers will be in the Anchor for there winter reunion for the weekend Feb 17 to 19.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 11:46 AM

For the lazy of copy-and-paste: Sidmouth Folk Week

Anahata
(relieved to see we're listed under guests, we haven't actually heard from them yet)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 03:52 PM

But evening concerts at the Ham are not included!!

That is quite an extra.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: breezy
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 04:56 PM

dont like the 12 string yamaha guitar, should have been a Brook Manson, Norman or Eccleshall

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 04:58 PM

Thanks Stevie...hope we can be friends this time round eh? Very good of you to put that up...will tip-tap more tomorrow...

Merry Christmas!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,JT
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 07:23 PM

Whaaatttt!

£300 for a family season ticket.

Plus another £120 for camping.

Those are seriously rip-off prices certain to deter many who supported Sidmouth 2005 - my own family included.

When you add in the costs of transport, food, drink etc. etc. we'd have little change from a thousand quid.

Cheaper to fly to Miami or spend a weekend in the south of France.

Sorry. We enjoyed 2005 but at these prices we can't afford 2006.

Jeremy T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 07:27 PM

We were friends last time Lizzie, until you left me off your hug card.........

Seriously, the organisers continue to achieve the nearly impossible but will it be enough long term?

What is promised for 2006 is a lot less than Steve Heap offered and for about the same money. Evening Ham concerts are extra, and there is no International Arena to draw some of the high spending overseas visitors.

This is all taking place against the backdrop of the profits realised by Gordon Newton in 2005 - these are providing much of the 'up-front' funding for 2006. It's going to be a long road back to the splendour of 2004 - if ever.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 12:25 AM

Typical, isn't it? As soon as the Sidmouth website is on-line the "knockers" come out!
If Guest Jeremy T. thinks that the prices are high then I suggest he looks again at the mathematics of his argument. £420 for a family of five with camping works out at £84 per person per week, or £12 per person per day if you want it really simple.
The last commercial camp site on which I stayed cost £12 per person per day WITHOUT ENTERTAINMENT! I cannot see any foreign trip costing this little.
Guest Jeremy seems to think that his total would be about £1000 with food and travel. Assuming a reasonable mileage with his family in a car his fuel cost would be probably less than £100. That leaves him with £480 for food/drink for his family for the week. As he is camping he would be self-catering, and his suggested £480 would most likely feed his family for a month at home, so where does he buy the champagne and caviar to have with his meals at Sidmouth?
Even a single adult season ticket with camping works out at just over £25 per day for camping and entertainment.
Where else would one get such good value?
Jeremy, please wake up and grow up!
You have obviously not read the newsletter to see what has to be paid for and lighting, publicity, sound, premises licences etc are only a small part of any festival costs. Strangely, the artistes have to be paid as well!
I hope you will look again at the finances an I look forward to seeing you at Sidmouth 2006
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 04:03 AM

The price is high but the value is even higher.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: MBSLynne
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 07:02 AM

Well if you can't afford a season ticket, as my family has not been able to for years..it was bloody expensive under Steve Heap too....be a steward.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 07:06 AM

Sorry Stevie...you're off the hugs card once more! I'm SO not going down the negativite/positive war road again.

If you want to come to Sidmouth and have a brilliant time then do. If you don't...then don't. Nothing more to be said really.

I'll leave you to your games. There truly is no point in doing exactly what you did last year.


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 10:53 AM

If you don't want to pay the money then join the fringe.

I go to Sidmouth each year and don't spend much - I'm too busy singing and playing. I did buy a tee shirt, the Silver Jubilee year - I try to sing at the Anchor but it is usually too smoky - I go to the Pavillion cafe bar and Woodlands hotel.

I hope to be there all week next year, with my drum at Herbaceous Border and Motley Morris if it happens.

There is more to Sidmouth than the 'staged' events - and I am sure they can be very good and well organised but I am too busy to attend them. I'm just not an audience person.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Anon
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 10:57 AM

What a weak argument from Bonecruncher.

Not only is the season ticket expensive but now we're told by Steve of Sidmouth that evening concerts in the Ham marquee have to be paid for on top i.e. they're not included in the season ticket price which makes the season ticket idea a nonsense.

As others have said, it's much poorer value than in the days of the International Arena and so much more.

When you think of all the profits made in 2005 it seems some people are getting greedy and just want to make bigger profits in 2006.

Very disappointing.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: BB
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 11:02 AM

Presumably, Jeremy, you could do as you had to do last year, i.e. pay for individual events, which gives you less priority in the queue perhaps, and less freedom to dip your toe in the water with the possibility that you won't like the event, and you could always book onto another local campsite instead of the Festival one. I'm sure there are ways around it, even if you don't want to steward.

But, like Colyn, it looks like damn good value to me. Most holiday attractions would cost an awful lot more for a possible 16 hrs. a day entertainment.

Look again - and yes, you could fly to Miami or have a weekend in the South of France for that thousand quid, but you'd still need spending money on top of that.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 12:36 PM

You still need to buy food, even if you stay at home.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Hungry Annie
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 08:33 PM

But the food's cheaper at home than in Sidmouth.

Healthier too.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: fiddler
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 04:19 AM

AW b*ll*x - here we go again, When Mrs C ran it it was too expensive too big and not what you all wanted?

Now that the desired 'locals' have taken over well I never they are all greedy - it is too expensive and folk just want the fringe without the festival - Again -

This is obviously a loose loose situation. Thre are some good guys working towards a good festival - taking decisions that need to be taken and attempting to keep a festival going and keep it economically viable.

If you want it please go and support them and whilst I would never stiffle good healthy debate - if you don't then shut yer 'gob', 'cake hole' or other orifice for emission of garbage!

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 06:19 AM

Rumncoke...the Middle Bar is much less smoky now than it was since we have a request notice up asking people not to smoke where the singing is. Everyone who smoked went outside last year and found that it was actually quite nice to have a chat-break with the other smokers in the fresh air for a bit. It made singing an awful lot easier too! You can really notice the difference.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 06:29 AM

Don't forget that £60,000 has been cut by the EDDC, not an insubstantial sum, and before you say they were allowed to get away with it, that was one of the reasons Mrs. Casey pulled out as the EDDC wouldn't guarantee that sum for 2006.

I'll be there, taking in the concerts I want, and not taking in those I don't - seems fair to me.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,frooty
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 08:08 AM

Has anyone told Lizzie fRoots are sponsoring it? Showdown at the Dukes Cafe methinks!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 09:34 PM

This year I was driven out of the Middle bar three times by people smoking right in the bar, and several other times I held my breath to pass by people on the stairs smoking - on the last occasion, on the Tuesday or Wednesday it was not normal cigarettes but a cigar type, and I think two people were smoking them - standing right behind me as I was choking.

In 2003 there really was no smoking and I was able to sing there every day. I remarked on how wonderful it had been before singing the last time that week.

I was really disappointed this year. People knew they shouldn't really be smoking so they held the cigarettes out of sight in cupped hands and puffed surreptitiously - as though that made a difference.

Only my inability to breathe the Middle bar atmosphere drove me away, and I will try again next year, but there are other places to sing. I am usually too buzy to go to hear concerts, I have to rush from place to place to get to all that I should attend, and when I have a spare minute I sit down and play and usually end up late for something.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Sid Mouth
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:27 PM

Well said those gents who told the knockers to bog off.

Just the kind of friendly attitude that will draw the doubters back to Sidmouth.

Add in a season ticket deliberately priced to keep all those dreadful poor people away.

With no Arena. No international dance sides. Almost certainly no Bulverton marquee.

And 'added value' in that even those with season tickets will have to pay extra for evening concerts at the Ham.

Pay more. Get less.

Sounds like a real winning formula to me.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 04:57 AM

Have a word with East Devon District Council and ask them why *they* aren't underwriting your enjoyment at cost to their ratepayers rather than complaining about the people who *are* doing something, at their own financial risk, to keep you entertained cheaply.

The season tickets are being priced cover costs (and keep the organisers out of the Marshalsea!). The Arena is too expensive and too risky to undertake without financial guarantees. No International dance sides? The programme isn't complete yet! No Bulverton Marquee? The Xmas Newsletter implies that there is - it gives directions to campsire by referencing it!

Complaining about the extra cost of the concerts at the Ham is a bit like complaining that you have to pay to go into the Empire, Leicester Square while there's free entertainment courtesy of the Mayor of London outside. If it's being organised separately from the rest of the festival you have to pay seperately.

Look, if you don't want to go then don't go. Just don't keep whingeing about it to everyone else.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Dave Earl
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 05:24 AM

Rumncoke.

Sorry you had problems with somkers in the Middle Bar.

What we ask is that nobody smokes in the singing area (we can't really impose restrictions on the pub as a whole).

As a smoker, what I did was to take myself off to the far end of the room or outside so as to keep my smoke away from the singing area. I am aware that some smokers were at the top of the steps and that there are a couple of pipe smokers in our happy crowd. I think it was probably walking into the initial fog that you found unpleasant.

Having explained all that I think you will find, as Lynne said,the singing area is a lot less smoky than it used to be but we can't impose our wishes on the public so there are always going to be non-singers at the bar who will want puff on their fags.

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 05:28 AM

Given the responses that I got for supporting 2005, throughout the whole of last year, I had decided not to join this years discussion.

However, I can't resist making some comment on the fact that this thread has descended to personal abuse virtually from day one.

Look folks, everyone has an opinion and none is more valid than any other. Is it really necessary for us to slag off those who disagree with us? It doesn't change anything, and it doesn't inspire confidence in those who might be thinking about going to Sidmouth for the first time.

I shall be there, enjoying myself as in many past years. Those who find it not to their taste will choose alternatives. Let's concentrate on getting another successful festival under way, and leave the bickering to other threads........PLEASE.

To those using words like greed in relation to the organisers, I would point out that the current organisers are not a commercial organisation seeking profit. This year's festival is being built on the surplus monies from 2005, and, lacking financial upport from EDDC, it will take time to amass sufficient funds to cover the risks involved in arena shows, and expensive international acts. The precise length of this procedure will relate directly to the numbers of people attending in this interim period, so the more positive the support, the sooner it is likely to happen.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,froooty
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:19 AM

In starting a discussion on a public forum you have to take what you get good or bad. Its a no brainer.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Pauline
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 10:20 AM

I always thought the whole purpose of a season ticket was that it got you into everything.

If it doesn't get you into the main concerts then it's not a proper season ticket.

I am one of those who supported Sidmouth 2005 but requested a season ticket for 2006.

I'm pleased to see there is a season ticket but I'm extremely disappointed by the limitations being placed on it.

I want to support Sidmouth again in 2006 but only if there is an affordable season ticket that allows me access to all the shows I want to see.

Sort that out and I'll be there.

Otherwise I may go elsewhere.

Pauline

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Curious
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 07:31 PM

Does the season ticket include a dance with Lizzie or do we have to pay extra for that as well?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:13 PM

You could never afford me Curiouser and Curiouser. This would make a great Christmas Board Game you know..I think someone should market it! You could call it:

'Guess Who The Next Guest Is Going To Be Guesting As...Go On GUESS!'

Is 'Guest' actually your surname by the way? Because I reckon that your family could soon be bigger than The Waltons the way you're breeding on this thread!! I liked The Waltons....I think it's about time we had a new series called 'The Guests'..why...we could even set it in Sidmouth! ;0)

Night 'Curious'
Night 'Pauline'
Night 'JT'
Night 'Anon'
Night 'Frooty'
Night 'Sid'

Night 'Stevie Scarlett!'

A Merry, Mad Christmas and a Happy Muddling and Meddling New Year to all of you!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Curious
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 08:34 AM

"You could never afford me Curiouser and Curiouser"

Sadly Lizzie I can't afford a Sidmouth season ticket either at the new inflated prices!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 09:21 AM

Ah well...I've never been able to afford one either C...now or in the past....still enjoy the things that I can afford to see though.

Merry Christmas!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 11:21 AM

"I always thought the whole purpose of a season ticket was that it got you into everything."

The season ticket never got me into the cinema, unless the Festival was using it, nor into the late night sessions at the Balfour.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 07:27 PM

For me, a Season Ticket and camping works out a bit cheaper than Steve Heap used to charge and since I never go to evening concerts at the Ham - no problem. Looks like a good festival for people who want to participate instead of just watch.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Toblerone
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 09:00 PM

"Looks like a good festival for people who want to participate instead of just watch"

Yes. I don't know why we bother to have all these concerts at festivals nowadays.

Why not just have sessions instead where we can sing and play to each other without having to worry about attracting an audience.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 07:12 AM

But you don't need to stage a festival for this, Toblerone - one can have sessions anyway. And there are a number of "song and ale" type events around the country that would typically attract 200-300 participants.

A festival is more than sessions, more than concerts, more than ceilidhs and dance displays - it is all of those things, happening concurrently and providing synergies. Some examples:
- the "star performer" in town for a concert, who will join a singaround in his/her off-duty time, giving an opportunity to others to hear him/her without going to a concert.
- the ordinary (yet excellent) singaround singer or instrumentalist who will be heard by more recognised performers and agents.
- the unusual song or tune that will be heard in a session by recognised performers and agents, giving the song or tune a chance for a wider audience thatn just that one session.
- watching a dance display for a few minutes (even for someone who is not dance-oriented like me) feels good and adds to the spirit of the occasion

And so on. When you go to a festival you hope not just to catch a few performers or have the opportunity toi sing a few songs/play a few tunes yourself, but also to sample the general atmosphere, and perhaps see/hear something that is our of your ordinary experience, that might energise you.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 12:59 PM

Re: Your 1st sentence El Greko (with which I agree).

Why don't we all stop trying to pretend that Sidmouth is still a proper Folk Festival (or Folk week) and instead accept that it's now just a series of sessions.

Instead of still calling it 'Sidmouth Folk Week' why not call the event 'The Sidmouth Sessions'?

Sidmouth Sessions has a certain ring to it and more accurately reflects what now takes place in Sidmouth in early August.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Blowzabella
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 01:55 PM

Well, Guest 'The Devonian', from what I saw of the programme last year it still looked very much like a 'proper' folk festival (whatever that might be) - there was a huge variety of things going on - much more than just a series of sessions. Are you saying that no festival taking place in the country at all is a proper folk festival then? I would say there is more to a folk festival than big tents or arenas which hold 2,000+ people - I would much prefer a plethora of smaller venues, offering more choice and a variety of atmospheres,from intimate pub spots, to small theatres, via everything in between.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 02:39 PM

Last year's festival WAS somewhat a collection of separate events organised by different people or groups, during the same week of course but with no central organising group.

However Sidmouth 2006 DOES have central organisation - a proper limited company has been set up; there will be more co-ordination between the events and there will be season tickets to allow entry to all the events, except the Ham Marquee concerts as mentioned above.
(No, I don't know the details of how or why the Ham is separate, though I do know who's organising the concerts)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: fiddler
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 07:17 PM

Why doesn't everyone get off their high horses, Sidmouth is a festival, in various guises the oldest and probably the most emotive of all in England.

Wahy not accept what is being done as being a way forward - progress from last year.

If you like Sidmouth go, if you didn't last year then vote with your feet. Give these guys a chance I know they are putting their heart and soul in to it and all they get in the background is the same old grizzles and gripes.

Please Please enter the real world.

A new years resolution perhaps

I will not be stupid in my opinions and outbursts about Sidmouth 2006 but will accept the fact that the organisers have a plan and an aim and I will back them with action - buying tickets stewarding etc. if I agree but will merely inform them honestly and logically of my views if they differ from theirs and will accept that we are all different and therefore their decision may not be as I would wish.

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 07:44 PM

WELL SAID, FIDDLER.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 08:11 AM

"Sidmouth Sessions has a certain ring to it and more accurately reflects what now takes place in Sidmouth in early August"

If you were actually there in 2005, you certainly didn't get out much!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 10:09 AM

"If you were actually there in 2005, you certainly didn't get out much!"

Couldn't afford to given the inflated ticket prices!

And at the prices proposed for 2006 I can't afford to get out at all!

I used to love Sidmouth in August but we must all face the fact that other festivals give better value for money now.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: lady penelope
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 11:57 AM

I guess it really depends on what you expect from a festival....... If you're looking for something to fill in the odd bits around your sessions, then yes it's expensive. But if you get round and see a load of stuff with the odd session thrown in, you're looking at something far more reasonably priced.

Looking at what's been organised so far, Sidmouth looks like a festival I would enjoy. Unfortunately, I can't go because I can't afford to do Sidmouth and other festivals at about the same time.

When I first looked at the prices I nearly swallowed my tongue, but when you work out the daily costs, it's not that bad. It is a week long as opposed to the 3 or 4 days most other festivals are.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 02:08 PM

The Sidmouth Sessions - that's what I really fancy. One year or another I WILL get there for them.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 02:33 PM

Sidmouth 2006. THIS YEAR'S SIDMOUTH!! It's getting closer now....can't wait!!

http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/index.html

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 04:20 PM

You can't count food and drinks as an expense as you would, I presume, be eating at home anyway.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Anon
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 12:40 AM

It's cheaper at home and as others have pointed out it's probably better food at home as well.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 02:52 AM

So what - should one never leave home then because food is more expensive anywhere else? You could also add that it is more confortable at home, and more hygienic too, you don't need to share bathroom and shower facilities with strangers, you don't wear out your clothes so much and it doesn't matter if it rains. And you could listen to radio Britfolk on the internet, no licence needed and no tickets either.

And yet some people brave the weather, the expense and the risks for some live music (sessions or concerts) and dance (displays of ceilidhs). I guess they must be fools according to GUEST.

OK, I'll be seeing the fools this summer then; I'll have to make do without the company of the stay-at-homes. I can live with that.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Blowzabella
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 05:52 AM

Unfortunately, it may well be a fact that some people can't afford tickets for Sidmouth, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they offer poor value for money - or, necessarily, that these people are party-poopers - it just means that some people won't be able to afford to go.

Those who are saying it is over-priced need to remember that the event has lost a substantial amount of grant income, which subsidised the costs. If that income isn't there, or found from other sponsorship etc, and the event is to continue, it can only come from the ticket sales. People have already been complaining that there isn't as much going on as before - how much more expensive would tickets need to be to have twice as much going on?....think about it....

A major festival costs a lot of money - that is a fact. If the new organisers find that people can't afford the tickets for a week long event, then they might rethink and shorten it. The tickets would then be cheaper, but there would be lots of other people dis-satisfied. It's not as simple as it sounds - you do get what you pay for - but you can't expect a week's festival for the cost of a weekend - surely?      

It will always be the case that some people can't afford to do some things that they would like to - or chose to prioritise their spending differently - that doesn't mean things are over-priced, just that there are decisions to be made. I can't do everything I want to, but I don't feel the need to moan about the things I have chosen not to do being too expensive, because it's my choice, at the end of the day.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 05:58 AM

Very fairly put, Blowzabella, and I certainly did not mean to imply that all the stay-at-homes are party-poopers and I stand corrected. I guess the negativity of GUEST, Anon got to me just there and I let off some steam...

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Blowzabella
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 02:28 PM

Sorry El Greko - I didn't mean to sound as if I was having a go at you, if that was how it sounded - I was actually trying to put my pont more across to those saying 'it's a rip-off and I'm not going'

Blowz

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 09:12 PM

I know you weren't, Blowz; but your post made me think about my own previous one and I found myself "wanting". No worries :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Another Anon.
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 10:18 PM

Blowzabella is absolutely right to say "A major festival costs a lot of money" though it is debatable as to whether Sidmouth is still "A major festival". The BBC for one no longer rates Sidmouth alongside the likes of Cambridge when it comes to live coverage.

Bowzabella is also right to slam the disgraceful decision by the District Council to cut their funding for the festival from £60,000p.a. to zero.

The problem facing Sidmouth organisers is how to balance the books given:

(a) the huge costs of staging the Folk Week

(b) the reduced number of people attending since the demise of the "International" Festival and the scrapping of Arena events

(c) the desire of many of those who are still attending (myself included) to spend most of our time in The Anchor or the informal sessions in The Bedford and elsewhere, therefore not going to many concerts and not spending money on buying tickets which means...

(d) the free 'fringe' sessions and dance displays attract good audiences but the 'centre' of the Folk week struggles to raise the cash to keep itself going.

It's not easy. I admire those who are working so hard to deliver another successful Folk week but I fear they are up against it.

Many of us are more interested in the free events than the ticketted concerts. For us Sidmouth is a social gathering, a chance to meet old friends, have a natter, a song, a tune. We're not really bothered about whether there's an Arena or not, not that interested in many of the concerts in the Ham, not willing to pay large sums for a season ticket that doesn't cover all the events anyway.

I'll still head to Sidmouth come what may but friends who gave it a chance last year have said they won't be going in 2006.

Their loss but I wonder how many others are thinking the same?

JR

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 01:24 AM

(b) the reduced number of people attending since the demise of the "International" Festival and the scrapping of Arena events

You only have one year's statistics to make that judgement on and that one year was an interim festival. Give the new organisers a chance, eh?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: breezy
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:50 AM

But 'being at home' is sad as well as not getting out much !!

Many folks have made Sidmouth their summer holiday.

So the inclusive weeks entertainment looks very good value and would make for an economic break.

All the best to all concerned.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:24 AM

The money side is quite interesting. I spent about the same on tickets and camping as I did in 2004. The organisers managed to balance the books despite attendance seeming to be about 25% of 2004.

It suggests to me, that if 2006 pulls in half the crowds of 2004, the finances will be absolutely fine

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Another Anon.
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:06 PM

To Manitas - I am giving the organisers "every chance" and I desperately want them to succeed but if Steve Harris is right that attendances in 2005 were only around 25% of those in 2004 then we could be on a downward spiral that is difficult to reverse.

I really do feel that those of us who are still going to Sidmouth in August need to listen more to those who are not instead of just rubbishing their comments and accusing them of being negative.

We need to win them back and we won't do it by criticising them.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Tom (Anchor Regular)
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 12:55 AM

I will certainly be at the Folk week again.

I will certainly not buy a season ticket at the price quoted.

I go to Sidmouth for the singing in The Anchor where no ticket is needed and I wouldn't care a jot if all the concerts at the Ham went down the pan.

Let's just have a much more traditional Folk Week for amateur singers and musicians, the heart and soul of Sidmouth.

We don't need all these so-called 'big stars' with their equally big egos and ridiculous wage demands performing on big stages more appropriate for The Spice Girls and The Rolling Stones.

Let's return Sidmouth to what it was in the 60s & 70s, vastly better than the money-grabbing commercial machine it's become in recent years.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: fiddler
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 02:41 AM

I seem to recall Sidmouth was rescued from the verge of bankruptcy in the late 60s early 70s or thereabouts! Correct me if I am wrong - that is not a criticism some big names in many walks of life have ended up there.

It didn't work then why should it now. Tastes have become more sophisticated and appeal even broader than it was then.

Broad inclusive thinking rather than narrow dogmatic opinionated outbursts is what will make Sidmouth a success again in both the short term and in the future.

This aspect of the debate (traditional sessions only blah de blah -if there is one) was done to death in 2004/5 lets not go down that path again just more storage on the server and longer threads to wade through.

It has been good to see some 'level speak' since my last posting on this thread. Keep it up and we are all in with a chance to make this work.

What can we do to help should be our watchword not how can we put it down or get our own way. You cna't please all of the folk all of the time etc......

Andy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 04:05 AM

we could be on a downward spiral
Have you forgotten how during most of the time between the 2004 and 2005 festivals it didn't look like there was going to be a 2005 festival at all?

It's not remotely surprising that few people attended the 2005 event. By the time it was apparent that something would happen, many potential customers gave up waiting and made other plans.

It was quite clear immedately after the 2005 festival that it had been a success and would grow into a more solidly constituted festival in 2006. I predict a sellout.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 04:50 AM

I will certainly be at the Folk week again.

I go to Sidmouth for the singing in The Anchor where no ticket is needed and I wouldn't care a jot if all the concerts at the Ham went down the pan.
Let's just have a much more traditional Folk Week for amateur singers and musicians, the heart and soul of Sidmouth.

We don't need all these so-called 'big stars' with their equally big egos and ridiculous wage demands performing on big stages more appropriate for The Spice Girls and The Rolling Stones.

Let's return Sidmouth to what it was in the 60s & 70s, vastly better than the money-grabbing commercial machine it's become in recent years.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 05:11 AM

Sorry that was a case of mistaken button.

Let me try that again.

I go to Sidmouth for the singing in The Anchor where no ticket is needed and I wouldn't care a jot if all the concerts at the Ham went down the pan.

Let's just have a much more traditional Folk Week for amateur singers and musicians, the heart and soul of Sidmouth.

We don't need all these so-called 'big stars' with their equally big egos and ridiculous wage demands performing on big stages more appropriate for The Spice Girls and The Rolling Stones.

Let's return Sidmouth to what it was in the 60s & 70s, vastly better than the money-grabbing commercial machine it's become in recent years.

There are a number of points here.

First of all - if it is a festival then someone has to buy the tickets. Who will organise the event that Tom wants - a week of singing in the Anchor? Or will it happen without organisation?

I cannot imagine a week of anything worse than a week full of amateur singers.

And frankly I have met a number of amateur singers with egos much bigger than those of the stars he berates.

For the last 45 years Sidmouth was never a small-scale event. It was a big event in the 1960's and 1970's. I am fed up of pointing out that people were complaining about the size of Sidmouth and its commercialism before the sixties he harks back to were over, and there are numerous EFDSS magazines with reviews of Sidmouth each one harking back to the "Good Old Days". I believe the first complaint of Sidmouth's commercialism was back in the 1950's.

Since the chance to meet up with his friends and sing and play in a bar for a week is what Tom wants - why Sidmouth? It is not the easiest place to get to by public transport, whether we like it or not there is some anti-folk hostility in the town, and it is not especially convenient for camping. I am sure Tom could meet up with his mates at a more convenient place. And since he doesn't like the festival why come that particular week?

Where is it to be Tom?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 05:15 AM

Let's NOT return to the 60s, 70s, or 2004. Those are what Sidmouth was in the past.

Let's support the evolution of Sidmouth into what it CAN BE in the future, and that is basically whatever we want it to be.

No narrow definitions please. We need to think in very broad terms, so that there is something for everyone. It just isn't good enough to say "My part of it is O.K., so I don't care about anybody else's opinion". That isn't the spirit on which Sidmouth Festival was built.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 06:08 AM

Hear, hear Folkiedave and Don T

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Trisha
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 08:57 AM

A lot of people who used to attend the Mrs Casey festivals gave Sidmouth another chance last year.

I wonder how many of them will give Sidmouth another 'another chance' this year?

I will but others I speak to say they won't.

Towersey, Trowbridge, Eastleigh and Broadstairs all seem to be attracting people away from Sidmouth.

I still like Sidmouth for what it is, not what others think it should be, but I think it will continue to 'downsize' and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,John S. from Exeter
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 07:20 AM

I think Trisha has got it just about right.

There will always be a Sidmouth so long as enough singers, musicians and dancers come along and support it but it will never be the great International Festival that it was in the 1990s.

In future it will be a smaller, more intimate affair based on pubs, function rooms and small performance venues rather than large marquees and huge outdoor arenas.

Thos who want the big-name stars can go elsewhere.

Those of who enjoy meeting friends for a session in a rather quaint little Victorian seaside town will still head to Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 10:05 AM

John S,

This is precisely the kind of post I was hoping not to see.

The supporters of Sidmouth past were a very broad spectrum. Some liked the concerts, and some liked the sessions. The last thing we should be doing, IMHO, is writing off either, and advising them to go elsewhere.

To write off the possibility of the big concerts ever returning is to deprive Sidmouth of support that it will need in the next couple of years. That won't be good for the sessions fans either.

We need to be saying "Anything is possible, given the right support".

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:04 PM

I can only echo Don T. I was an attender at Sidmouth since the late sixties and especially for the last few years. I loved all the aspects, I am a great fan of some of the fabulous foreign artists over the past few years, Boutinne Souriante, Susanna Seivane and Kepa Junkera especially. I loved the "big" concerts in the Arena - Steeleye and the Watersons in 2005 for example, Altan a year or two ago.

But I loved the sessions in the Radway, Volunteer, Anchor. Anchor Garden Ceilidhs. I could go on.

My point is not about commercialism, but that if there is to be a festival it needs a wide spectrum of appeal. And if there is a festival Someone needs to buy tickets, just a "fringe" of amateurs is not enough.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Scottie
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:04 PM

Agree with you Dave that a "fringe" is not enough.

Sadly that's the way Sidmouth is heading though.

If you like Susanna Seivane, Kepa Junkera, La Bottine Souriante and similar artists such as Carlos Nunez then you should head to Glasgow from next week as all of those and many more have appeared at 'Celtic Connections' in recent years and most are back there this year.

'Celtic Connections' - a truly international festival.

With no Morris Dancing.

Morris Dancers wouldn't last long on Glasgow's streets!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 01:51 AM

Dunno about that. A couple of years ago we filled a few Glasgow pubs with rapper dancers. No one batted an eye at us walking down the road in kit and the pub customers were very welcoming.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 04:03 AM

And I danced at the first Edinburgh Folk Festival with no problems.

(Except the police cleared us from the top of Leith Walk where it joins Princess St. at 5.00 pm when Hibs v. Celtic turned out and Celtic had lost).

Wise move.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 05:37 AM

Spot on Dave. I've said it before that a fringe at a festival is like the one in a hair style: It adds value and it can be beautiful, as long as it is backed by some substance. On its own, it looks - well, you can imagine it yourself - and it constitutes no "coiffure" and no festival either. It's just a fringe.

Show me a festival in the UK (NOT the "Song and Ale" events, they are specialist and often strictly by invitation) consisting of a fringe alone, and I will eat my words.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Top Cat
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 11:00 AM

Eat your words EG.

What about the Edinburgh Fringe?

Yes I know there's also an International Festival, Book Festival etc. but those are really a 'fringe' to The Fringe which is itself by far the biggest Festival these days.

Also if you look at other posts on this board the new Glasgow Fringe Festival, while being staged at the same time as the 'Celtic Connections' Festival, is, in truth, a Festival in its own right.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 01:11 PM

I won't eat them just yet, Top Cat, because the Edinburgh Fringe is now a festival, organised like a festival itself, with venues charging money, and nothing like a proper "fringe" any longer.

That is probably a good example of what a "fringe" can become, in exceptional circumstances - i.e. grow to be a festival itself; but not simply with volunteer effort.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Top Cat
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 09:04 PM

You're right El Greko that the Edinburgh Fringe is now a huge commercial affair albeit one where even the best-selling artists still lose money. The costs of performing at Edinburgh are huge. The only people who make money seem to be those who hire out rooms as venues at extortionate rates.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 07:30 AM

Just like folk, eh, Top Cat :-)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: breezy
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 08:23 AM

and then we start all over again do we not?

Or do we, is it not time then to bow out and see what happens as appears to be occuring at Sids?

A fringe is no more than an embryo.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 03:31 PM

Well I'm in with the positive brigade: Sidmouth 2005 was fabulous - as ever; and as ever, I divided my time between "fringe" events (tho' even that term is now questionable when they have become so much a part of the establishment - I refer of course to the Middle Bar Singers and the Bedford sessions).......and I even paid to go to a few concerts and workshops!!! (shock...horror...oh ye of little faith!!!!)
Far from there being nothing to write home about, there was Bellowhead (see youse again in Glesga, pals), the Demon Barbers (all in one show with BH), Kathryn Tickell (tho' she seriously underestimated travel time from Tyneside), Battlefield band and other big enough names to draw the crowds. I honestly don't believe the "25% of usual numbers". I would say it looked more like 25% DOWN (ie 75% still there). Where did they get these figures from??
I SHALL be there this August, and I WILL buy a season ticket, which I shall probably under-use and I WILL still pay extra to go to some of the Ham evening concerts if they are artistes I want to see.
There's no way you can compare the "fringe" of Sidmouth to the Edinburgh Fringe: the latter is now a huge event of its own, which is far better avoided (on the whole) than is Sidmouth (and I live in the "Athens of the North!")
And finally, this leads me to final point from previous postings in this thread: the Middle bar would be even more smoke-free if England had followed Ireland's and Scotland's (as of coming March) example! (cough/cough!)
Looking forward to seeing JB, Don< Breton cap and other contributors above.
TB

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 07:16 PM

See ya there Tattie - make sure you come up and say "hi". I'll be the fat one with glasses hiding behind the Cort 12-string.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 08:01 PM

Looking forward to seeing you both again.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 08:25 PM

Lizzie's very quiet.

Have we all offended her?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 09:02 AM

Shhh ... don't wake her up

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 12:20 PM

El Greko and Tattie Bogle - I'm looking forward to seeing you both in August (if not in February,) and might even be able to help you spot each other.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 01:55 PM

If we've not already met at CC, Kitty. Your name should, of course, have been on the list of "weel-kent" faces I want to see again!
TB

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 02:06 PM

Hi 'Guests'...Oh there are so many of you! What a HUGE family you are..and how lovely that you all apparently love folk music...although only in very tiny sessions...I think you should have your very own festival you know. You could call it 'Guestonbury'
and it could be held in Sidford, where Stevie Scarlett could take the money on the door for you all. ;0)

Hey Stevie...I've just heard some LOVELY rumours about some other 'real' guests who might be coming to Siddy this year. As if we didn't have enough people to swoon over already!!

I'm going to be in the front row for George! And for the Duncan McFarlane Band...and for Blue Murder..(Mmmm...Coope Boyes & Simpson...live!!) ;0) And Roy Bailey! Have you heard his version of 'The Burning Times' with John Kirkpatrick!! WOW!! AND John is coming as well!! It just gets better and better! Plus the new rumours I've heard on top of all those wonderful people!......Triple Swoons!!!

I had Roy's 'What You Do With What You've Got' for Christmas..and Coope Boyes & Simspon's 'Triple Echo' and 'What We Sing Is What We Are'...and I've Dulaman's 'Four Year's in November' and *loads* of DMcF Band ones and George's 'Ordinary Heroes'....and now...they're ALL going to be singing down the end of my road...so I am A VERY HAPPY SIDMOUTH BUNNY Stevie.

Sidmouth Folk Week 2006 just gets better and better...and if all those gorgeous Shanty Men are singing down on the seafront again and The Shropshire Bedlams come back....well...I may just have to spend the entire Folk Week in Sidmouth Cottage Hospital.....with a bad dose of over-folk-excitement!!!!

I have to go now, as Roy and John are singing 'The Burning Times' in my ears and it's building up the finale...This is a totally wonderful song you know. Utterly hypnotic...whilst sending shivers down your spine for all those poor women! Roy sings SUCH intelligent songs..can't wait to see him!

Not long now Stevie!! Hang on in there!! ;0)



Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 04:12 PM

I forgot to say that we'd all LOVE to see The Demon Barbers coming back again this year Tattie. They were one of the major highlights of Folk Week last year for us.

Bring 'Em Back guys....but this time as a headline act down on The Ham...they were FANTASTIC!

AND...they'll bring in the younger people too, everyone went totally wild over them last year!!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Dave Earl
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 04:16 PM

Tattie bogle

Trish, I know who you, El Greko and Herga Kitty are so if Kitty misses out on the intros I'll do the honours.

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 12:21 AM

"I may just have to spend the entire Folk Week in Sidmouth General Hospital" - Lizzie

Now what have the sick and dying done to deserve that?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 04:18 AM

I'll take Lizzie's unbridled enthusiasm over your snide sarcasm any day, GUEST.


Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 05:25 AM

I'll be returning again this year - to meet up with as many of the new friends made in 05 as piossible - and hopefully make a good few more.
Good luck Sidmouth 06 - may all that attend have a great time!
HFA

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 06:22 AM

Another session together might be good, HFA... Good for me in any case.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 08:20 AM

I, EG, I!

I B OK 4 1.
U B OK 4 1 2?

HFA

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 08:25 AM

99 is the new 100. Over to you now Leadfingers.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 08:30 AM

OK 100 will do !! And dont forget The New Tavern Sessionsi

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 09:34 AM

I B OK 4 1 2 U REPROB8!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 10:19 AM

I C U R 1 2 EG!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 06:14 PM

+ BC Has just blown my cover! Dave and Elizabeth, Hellooooooooo! No I'm not hiding behind the name, but I thought El Greco was a famous painter???
TB

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 07:15 PM

"I loved the "big" concerts in the Arena - Steeleye and the Watersons in 2005 for example, Altan a year or two ago"

Do you love them enough to put your hand in your pocket to pay for a "rainy day" fund? Perhaps you do. The trouble is, a lot of people only loved them enough to demand that someone else such as taxpayers, traders stumped up

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 07:28 PM

"if Steve Harris is right that attendances in 2005 were only around 25% of those in 2004 then we could be on a downward spiral that is difficult to reverse."

I would remind you that Sidmouth 2005 had some minor marketing problems such as very real doubts about its existence.

It seems more likely to me that 2006 will be much bigger even if not as big as 2004.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 07:50 PM

Tattie Bogle,
you are right, and out of deference towards Dominicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), I spell my handle with a "k". I can't paint for toffee... Even in drawing I am rubbish (except for pints, of course).

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Roger Hayes
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 11:00 PM

"It seems more likely to me that 2006 will be much bigger even if not as big as 2004"

If it is the Council will close it down as you wouldn't fit half the people who used to attend in the much smaller number of venues now available.

Sidmouth is much better as a small community Folk Week based in local pubs and the occasional little tent.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 05:25 AM

"I loved the "big" concerts in the Arena - Steeleye and the Watersons in 2005 for example, Altan a year or two ago"

Do you love them enough to put your hand in your pocket to pay for a "rainy day" fund? Perhaps you do. The trouble is, a lot of people only loved them enough to demand that someone else such as taxpayers, traders stumped up.

I am not sure of the point you are making here. The attenders at the "Arena" concerts paid to get in - by buying a ticket, a season ticket, sometimes in the form of stewarding or as performers. But in whatever way - they paid. Knowing what artists charge and seeing the attendances at the Knowle I would imagine those concerts paid for themselves easily.

The fact is that if tickets for events were charged at cost there would be no opera, no ballet,, no Premiership football, very little theatre, few films, etc. etc. There would be little sport at any level for the vast bulk of it is subsidised. Sidmouth Festival to 2004 was "cross-subsidized" in that events that made lots of money subsidized those that didn't.

I happpen to think that arts and cultural activities (and sport) should be subsidised - first of all by the taxpayer, and secondly by those who benefit from people's attendance, i.e. traders. We are the fourth or fifth richest nation in the world - we can afford it.

It is not an unusual model. It happens every where else in Europe. I have been across most countries in Europe and every town above a minimum size has the equivalent of a councillor of culture who looks after these things. Even a small village in Hungary had someone responsible for culture.

The fact is this things are possible but we do have to have a different attitude towards it.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 05:54 AM

How right you are Folkiedave. However, it is the 'Rainy day' that so caught out the Arena. In effect it cross-subsidised itself, the good weather years paying for the bad weather years.

I thoroughly agree that in this day and age the Arts should be subsidised, and it's blatantly obvious that so called 'high end art', the Opera, Ballet etc. get far more subsidy per capita than this sort of Festival does. It now has to run without the £60,000 that the EDDC once gave it, but hopefully its now charitable status should help in the coming years. I will continue to support it and many other festivals, as the organizers and volunteers deserve our support - rather than the somewhat negative attitude that seems to proliferate at times.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 08:01 AM

Just a point of interest regarding the 'Unpaid'/'Free' fringe at The Sidmouth folk Week . A lot of the performers fronting the sessions are actually giving up Paid Work to be there , partly to support the festival and partly because they enjoy the atmosphere and consider the
festival as a Holiday from Boring Paid Gigs . I know this is so in my case ! I pay for accomodation and food and just get a discount on my weeks boozing for helping run the New Tavern with Gerry Milne , who
is also not getting paid for his week !
I hope to meet some of you in The Newt again this year .

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 09:52 AM

Didn't Steve Heap recognise this work a few years ago by giving some of the Fringe organisers free tickets and billing the sessions in the program?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 12:51 PM

Never waved any free tickets at The Newt Manitas !

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Adrianl
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 03:05 PM

Yes let us get the taxpayers of Sidmouth (who mostly would rather we were not there) pay for our good time.

And lets get those traders to stump up and then we can complain about the high cost of food from the traders.

Whatever happens elsewhere we live in a world where events have to pay for themselves. Last year the list of sponsors was impressive. Already this year the list of sponsors is building up on the website Sidmouth Folk Week. But at the end of the day we the festival goer have to pay.

Adrian

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Boatman
Date: 10 Jan 06 - 11:16 PM

At last some serious posts!

How I agree with Folkiedave and The Barden of England.

The trouble with Sidmouth now is:

(i) many of the people who attended the International Festival and arena events are now not attending at all, meaning that the Festival overall has far less income to play with

(ii) many of the people who are still attending are mainly interested in the sessions in pubs and on the prom, meaning there's less people buying tickets for the main concerts and dances, and

(iii) the council have cut their grant from £60,000 to zero and, let's be honest, many of the locals would rather we weren't there... they take our money but don't really welcome our presence in their quiet and backward town.

There's still enough happening to persuade me back one more year. Like The Barden of England I try to support those who work so hard to make festivals happen. I want the Folk Week to continue but when anything enters a spiral of decline it can be awfully hard to reverse the trend... and Sidmouth has an awful lot of competition from other festivals now.

John (Boatman) - The Singer

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: steve_harris
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 09:36 PM

"I happpen to think that arts and cultural activities (and sport) should be subsidised - first of all by the taxpayer, and secondly by those who benefit from people's attendance, i.e. traders"

Ok, so you DO want someone else to stump up. It doesn't matter what they do in other countries - it isn't going to happen here. Ask Steve Heap.

"If it is the Council will close it down as you wouldn't fit half the people who used to attend in the much smaller number of venues now available"

Yes, you would fit in half the 2004 numbers quite well. There was lots of room in 2005. On what grounds would the Council close it down anyway? PLEASE don't say "licensing", that's SO tired and as 2005 demonstrated, WRONG

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:17 AM

Anahata
(relieved to see we're listed under guests, we haven't actually heard from them yet)

Does that not worry you? If not why not?

Dave

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:20 AM

(i) many of the people who attended the International Festival and arena events are now not attending at all, meaning that the Festival overall has far less income to play with

That's hardly surprising as it's only January!

The new festival hasn't started yet so no-body can judge how good it's going to be or how many people will turn up.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 08:35 AM

Dave,
I am in the same position as Anahata - listed on the website, had some emails in November/December, but no contracts yet. It doesn't worry me; the commitment is there (on the website), and I trust them - as they trust me, not to book something else that week. It is only January after all.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: MBSGeorge
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 07:45 AM

There is way too much to read all the comments on Sidmouth Festival. Last year I couldn't afford it, I don't know how much it is this year but I probably can't afford it. The only bit I did agree with last year was the ability to camp but not pay for events that you probably won't have time to see anyway. I love Sidmouth but I'm not a fan of the new system. By the time summer comes round I don't have several hundred pounds to spare and I expect there are a lot of younger people who are in the same boat. Like last year I will probably only go to Sidmouth to go to the Anchor. My budget just about stretches to that.

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 11:47 AM

Ok, so you DO want someone else to stump up. It doesn't matter what they do in other countries - it isn't going to happen here.

In fact of course it does happen here. Many festivals are subsidised in the form of lottery grants, regional arts subsidies, by tourist boards and so on. Artists are booked who are able to access suitable grants - who then during a festival visit schools or set up education projects. Local authorities subsidise festivals.

Applying and getting these things is amongst other things what festival organisers do and the great art of a festival organiser to access these things. This sort of work goes on without anyone noticing. I believe Sheffield Folk Festival was supported to the tune of £multi-thousand for example last year.

However opera-goers and ballet-goers and theatre-goers do not pay the full price for tickets and would scream and scream until they were sick if they had to. For all sorts of reasons traditional music in this country has little access to these sorts of seats of power. Personally I feel a slight change for the better. But it is a long slow grind.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 12:42 PM

A public meeting will take place in Sidmouth on 17 Feb, to discuss 2006. In the meantime, for all of you on broadband, try this. It is old but I didn't know about it and I have not seen it discussed here.

Hope the link works and best wishes to Lizzie, as always...

a long pdf document, maybe go make a drink while it downloads!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 12:45 PM

OK so that didn't work, try this instead. I blame you Lizzie.

try again maybe second time lucky...

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,TerraPin
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 10:41 PM

An interesting read Steve.

An outsider's view of Sidmouth's "collapse" (their word, not mine)

Perhaps the individuals who are trying to keep a small Folk Week alive in Sidmouth should take the time to read it

Not sure I agree with all the conclusions but the paper offers a fresh perspective to the ongoing Sidmouth Festival saga

Terry Pindar (Musician to the Masses)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 05:52 AM

I am producing a quick-to-download copy of the pdf paper with my own brief summary/conclusion. It will be here (but not there yet!)
http://www.seered.co.uk/folk89.htm

The pdf link has been sent to many key players also, in case they want to comment, either here or elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 08:56 AM

Folkiedave - why should I worry? I'd better get on the phone to Tom Addison (who I spoke to months ago) or Barry Lister soon and make sure everything's OK - but I am assuming if we're on the web site then the only way we aren't part of the festival is if the whole festival falls flat on its face and doesn't happen at all.

We're a bit concerned about the absence of the big band workshop - a popular regular Sidmouth feature run by Nick and Mary Barber, who haven't heard anything about it this time. Last year they ran independently - hired a room in the rugby club and charged at the door. This time with central ticket organisation they can't do it that way and are at the mercy of the festival organisation.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: treewind
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 09:02 AM

...though now I look at the web site it says "all artists subject to contract" - better pick uip that phone tonight!

A.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 10:59 AM

I like to see artists contracted - and you have it in one!!

I read the Liverpool management paper and I would be delighted to see a summary Steve. I need to read it again a few times to get a full sense of it all, but one thing they mention not often seen as a benefit of festival such as this is the "work experience" it gives to people who wish to get involved in this work on a professional basis. My own daughter worked both as a volunteer and as a paid short-term worker, was given a lot of responsibility by Mrs. Casey, and I suspect got her present job as Assistant Director of a large pop-type festival on the strength of it. (Along with her degree!!)

One thing I am wary about. The suggestions that the Writers are not sure where the �5,000,000 figure comes from seem a bit strange. I believe it is fairly standard economics since Keynes that an investment of money like this is spent more than once - the B and B places re-decorate in winter with money made in the summer and buy their paint in the local paint shop. And the paint shop and the painters also spend their money and so on. Seems an underestimate to me if anything!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 12:41 PM

Guys! Guys! Calm down....

I've heard that those contracts are being 'sorted' very, very shortly! Panic Ye Not!


Stevie Scarlett...have you completely lost your marbles up there in Sidford? I know that there's not an awful lot to do up there, but surely you don't really spend your time reading pratty articles about why Siddy 2004 was 'the last one' when you've already been to Siddy 2005 and you would have read in the World Famous Sidmouth Herald this week, how well the season tickets are all ready starting to sell for Siddy 2006! Minutes after going on sale I believe.

Move downtown Stevie! Honestly...I think there must be some sort of Negative Cloud hanging over Sidford, probably caused by the exhaust fumes from those cars at the traffic lights! ;0)

We have no traffic lights down here...the air is clean and pure...and the smell of the sea wafts up the high street with the sunshine!

And if you truly can't find anything else to read...I'd recommend tracking down some old copies of The Beano or The Dandy...or maybe The Hotspur...and travel back in time to your childhood, when you belived in magic..and then transport yourself, with the magic still intact, right back to the present...and look forward to the future....

For The Future Is Bright!! The Future Is Sidmouth 2006

And HECK!!!!! COOPE BOYES & SIMPSON ARE COMING!!!!! Triple Swoon!

Here you go Stevie...listen to Radio Britfolk's Billboard instead...it will cheer you up no end:

http://www.radiobritfolkhome.co.uk/HomePage.aspx

No Coope Boyes & Simpson on there...yet...but Pete Coe is there, as is Anahata's Mary..lovely voice too..and ACRES of other wonderfully talented people.

Turn Sidford on to Britfolk Stevie...do something USEFUL!!! AND FUN!!!

Ohhhhh..George is singing on Britfolk as I type...'Flowers And The Guns' You SO have to listen to George Papavgeris Stevie...you will love the intelligence and the messages in his songs.

Tell you what...instead of reading rubbishy things like that article, take a look at George's site and read his lyrics. You'll be astounded and deeply moved too. Just click on 'albums' then click each CD in turn, takes you to a list of the songs on that CD..click on the title and voila...all of George's magical words. We are so LUCKY to be having him come to Sidmouth this year.

http://www.folk4all.net/

Uh Oh...I have to go..Alistair Hulett has just started singing now The Red Clydesiders'...Sigh!

Hope you enjoy *my* links Stevie. :0)

Take care and see you at Siddy 2006


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 03:32 PM

How can I tell you this Lizzie? My ancient computer does not even have a sound card. Unlike you rich people in central Sidmouth, we poor folk in Sidford make do and mend as best we can. So I shall have to imagine as best I can, but thank you for the thought.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 04:39 PM

Good heavens Stevie...Poor you!!!!

You are suffering from Britfolk Starvation!! It's all starting to become clear now!!

Tell you what...I'm almost word perfect on some of these songs now...I'll pop up one day and sing to you on your doorstep. That'll cheer you up no end! ;0)

Hey...I'm no way rich....bit posh though! ;0)....but in all the right areas of course! Chuckle! ;0)

Nice to talk to you again though.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 05:58 PM

An easy-to-load html version of the research paper discussing the reasons for failure of the Sidmouth Festival is now available on my website.

http://www.seered.co.uk/folk89.htm


I would be especially interested to learn whether many people in the folk world have seen it before - I came upon it by accident and was surprised that it had not been sent to me by the authors.

Has it been discussed elsewhere? If so where and by whom?

You are welcome any time Lizzie.......

Dr Stephen J Wozniak
Sidmouth.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 06:54 PM

Lizzie, is it too soon to say we'll be there - Tom, Tom, (Napper and Bliss) and The Pipers Sons (Chris Parkinson and Tony Taffinder)? Perhaps we may finally meet!
Tom (B)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Resident
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 09:34 PM

Tom. Do you REALLY want to meet Lizzie?

Better bring your headache tablets.

You may be in for a nasty shock!

And Lizzie, when you say "The smell of the sea wafts up the high street" just for once you're telling the truth.

The seaweed stank on Wednesday afternoon!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 06:35 PM

Overheard in a Sidmouth foodstore well known to festival-goers on Thursday afternoon.

One elderly woman complaining about the smell from the beach.

A distinguished-looking gentleman replying that the smell "is almost as bad as those dreadful people who invade our town during summer festival week".

Nice to know the locals welcome our presence!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 07:58 PM

That really takes the biscuit Tom. You overhear one comment, and from that alone you manage to hypothesize a negative attitude attributable to Sidmouth people in general.

The government is always on the lookout for statisticians of your calibre to prove the unprovable for them. Perhaps you should apply.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 08:14 PM

Just for the record: The Tom who doesn't like the smell of Sidmouth is neither Tom Napper nor Tom Bliss. We visited on tour last year and walked on the beach. It smelled lovely, and we're looking forward to second helpings.
Tom Bliss

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 09:39 AM

Didn't think for one second that was either of you.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 05:25 PM

Just as a point of information/interest the oldest continuing festival in UK is
http://www.ivfdf.ucam.org/

though it does change venue each year.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 07:48 AM

Copied from another Mudcat thread.

"Good to see Steve Heap is now helping to organise Beverley.

Sidmouth's loss is Beverley's gain."

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Snuffy
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 09:14 AM

That was posted back in February of last year, Steve.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 05:27 PM

Hi Tom....great news to hear Napper & Bliss are coming to Sidmouth this year! I shall book my tickets as soon as possible...and I'm sure we'll bump into each other during the week, no worries! :0) Now...if you'll excuse me...I have to deal with Steve in Sidmouth, formerly known as SeeRed Steve...(Apologies for the following outburst Tom) ;0)



Stevie Scarlett come over here IMMEDIATELY!!!

Right...now then....there is a public meeting about Sidmouth next week and I just want to tell you in advance that if you come out with cr*ppy comments like the one above, I shall probably turn into a Screaming Banshee...right there in the middle of the meeting!!

Now if you remember, last year you got a very loud and slow handclap from practically the entire audience for being such a pessimist! PLEASE Stevie....don't let me down and start coming out with waffle like that again!

If Steve Heap had wanted to stay doing Sidmouth I'm sure he would of.
He got fed up with it all and who can blame him after so many years?But you must have seen on the local news the other day that Devon is now £36,000.000 (yes...million!) behind the rest of the country in Council Grants, because apparently Terrifying Tony and Angry Alistair regard Devon as a very rich County and have therefore cut our Grants back! So....there is now even less money to go round, because of the Complete Prats in charge of my country! (Although *where* all the Good Guys have gone I've no idea..all as bad as each other)

Basically Stevie...we *ALL* need to stand together over Sidmouth..there ain't no-one else who's going to help us!

So...either you stay living in Sidford, having one of the most beautiful festivals, in one of the most beautiful settings, right on your doorstep, which you encourage and support in every way possible....or..I suggest you up sticks and move Lock, Stock, Caravan and Meddling Computers up to Beverley! I'm sure Steve Heap would love to have your support and admiration!

Failing that...perhaps you'd like to organise a SeeRed Rebellion and march on Downing Street and find out what they've done with our £36,000.000 'cos there's an awful lot of Folk Festivals in that amount! Mind you...it would probably only keep Cherie in Designer Outfits for a year or two! (oooooooooh!...sorry...don't mean to be horrid, but *that* woman drives me round the bend!)

There are people 'out here' Stevie who are working so *damned* hard for you and for everyone else...and most importantly, working hard to keep Sidmouth ALIVE...and if you're going to go to that meeting to stir things up and come out with Nauseating Nincompoopish comments like that, then I'm going armed with a basket of over-ripe tomatoes and my Arnold Schwarzenegger water pistol strapped to my back!

So watch out!!!!!! ;0)

Sheesh!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,The Sidford Sage
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 06:37 PM

"Old Buzzard turns into Screaming Banshee" Shock.

You heard it here first - Lizzie admits to amazing transformation.

It's worth going to the Public Meeting next week just to see her howling at the moon.

As for the IVDF Festival, I must admit I've never heard of it.

IVDF sounds the likes of medical treatmen women of advancing years like Lizzie take to balance their hormones.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 08:10 PM

Now Stevie Red. Control yourself. And all your alter-egos.

Your last sentence is so badly mis-spelt that I think you must have taken some IVDF yourself.

Helps stop the brain working and makes you ramble which is something I never do.

The Public Meeting has been called to give leading citizens in Sidmouth like The Mayor and myself the chance to say how absolutely sooper dooper this year's Siddie Festival is going to be especially now Tom and Tom are coming this way even though dear Phil and Steve are not.

There will be dancing on the Prom, much merriment in hostelries, singing in the public toilets and much drunken debauchery around the Ham, maybe even on the cricket field Stevie if you'd like to join me in the age-old festival tradition of holding hands and dancing around the cricket square at sunrise chanting "Stevie Red, Stevie Red, Sidmouth Festival is not dead".

I can hardly wait but must console myself with Radio Britfolk to while away the hours til August when the world and its onion will once again transform my beautiful idyllic little devonian haven into a swirling sea of morrismen, coconut dancers and hunky shanty singers with beards to their navels and Jimmy Choo sandals on their feet.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 07:08 AM

Er... ???'Guest Lizzie Cornish'??? ;0) ;0) :0)

I like the spin job there Stevie, very funny..it quite made me chuckle! BUT you let yourself down over the Jimmy Choo sandals I'm afraid!

I could *never* love a Shanty Man who wears Designer ANYTHING!!!!

We only have REAL Shanty Men in Sidmouth...I guess you is just going to the wrong festivals!! ;0) YOUR Shanty Men aren't wearing Designer Dresses as well are they? Sheesh! Another reason to Support Sidmouth!! All the other festivals have cross-dressing Shanty Men! WE may be the only one left in the country that's not awash with Jimmy Choo Shoes! Where are those Wareham Whalers....someone put a 24 hour guard around them immediately...and check their wardrobes whilst we're about it...just to be on the safe side! ;0)

And er...NO Stevie...if it's all the same to you...I'll pass on holding your hand under the moon, on the cricket field. (Whoa! Deeply Scary Smiley!) There will be far too many Shanty Men wearing REAL Shanty Men's Shoes in town who will already be on my Dance Card...besides, now I know about your ChooShoe Habit I'm more than a little worried! ;0)

See you next week I expect!

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 07:49 AM

But then again....that Guest 'Me' above *may not* be you Stevie.....Hmmmmm.....

Tell you what though...I rather fancy that vision of a 'Swirling Sea Of Morris Men'....I think we should have that all year round in Siddy...I'll get on to East Devon District Council straight away and suggest it!

Morris Men haven't taken to wearing Jimmy Choo Shoes as well have they? I don't think I could cope with that. :-(

;0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 11:17 AM

Report of a public meeting held in Sidmouth on 17 February.
Nice to see you there Lizzie!! page /folk90.htm on my website or direct from http://www.seered.co.uk/folk90.htm

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 12:46 PM

I would like to read a report from an official source and one not so obviously 'biased'.

Anne

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 01:36 PM

Stevie Scarlett!!!!! OOOOOOOH!!!!!

Don't you go smiling at me at that meeting when all the time you were sitting there writing twaddle and doing your usual thing of putting the festival down at every opportunity....casting doubts and printing things in the most negative way you possibly can....whilst getting people to 'hit' your meddling website! And the way you cleverly just add it in amongst the good stuff! OOOOHHH!!!!OOOOOHHHHH!!!!!!! 'Tis a good jod you're out of my reach Stevie else you'd have your head down something very uncomfortable at present...and you'd be feeling more than a little flushed!!!!


OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!! How...HOW can you keep doing this Stevie????

OK...a few bits you mysteriously decided to leave out of the Stevie Snipes on your Website:

Eddie Upton talking gently but passionately about how, for *so* many people Sidmouth has become their 'spiritual home'...as they've been coming here *every* year for decades!

The hotel owner who was asking about tickets for his guests and then stated that he's already booked right up for this year...and that people had booked up *last year* to come back again this year!!!!!

That lovely man, Lawrence Heath, who's helping to run The Ham this year, standing up telling us all about the great acts who are appearing there and then telling us how he and his family have been here every year since the 1970's and their daughter has *never* had a year in her life *without* Sidmouth being in it...and how they booked to come here back last year even without knowing if Sidmouth was taking place....because they knew that it would never die and they wanted to keep Sidmouth in their lives FOREVER!!


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

And that *DAFT* woman whom you've written this about on your site:

"..One person said that she was glad to get rid of the International Festival and all the arena events, which she saw as overpriced. She saw the 'new-look' Folk Week as being much more in the spirit of the 'old days'. Her view, that the town is glad to be rid of all the 'excess' of the Steve Heap years is one shared by many local people and some older folkies..."

....IS NOT TALKING FOR THE TOWN OF SIDMOUTH!!!!!!! That DAFT woman was talking through her usual drunken haze...perhaps you noticed the aroma as you went out Stevie...and she is to be seen almost every day staggering along the pavement just past the Post Office, she lives round there..she has also been banned from quite a few venues, and, quite frankly should have been banned from the meeting after the disgusting claptrap she was coming out with!....and which YOU have decided to use on your site!!!!! OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!

Her crazy view is not "shared by many local people or older folkies"...THAT is *your* opinion and those are your words and what *you* want people to believe. I've spoken to many local people and shopkeepers and they all thought that last year was fantastic!! They felt that the festival had become 'theirs' again...Oh and do you remember Eddie saying that yet *another* local business had come forward asking to sponsor Sidmouth this year? Paragon Books I think it was.....
   
BOTH OF YOU are going on that Trebuchet, except this time you are NOT going to Budleigh Salterton...oh no, no, no,...even Budleigh is too good for you....this time I'm sending you over to Florida...no...not Disneyland...I'm aiming for the Swamps and the Crocodiles this time Stevie....because I've had ENOUGH!!!!

I KNEW you'd be up to something! I DID!!!!! When Eddie asked "Any Questions?" and there was a *total* silence from you, I went cold all over...others were very pleased about it, but I KNEW what you'd be doing!!! And when that chap mentioned about his friend and the Arena he was told about Blackmore Gardens having far more to offer this year and he was very pleased and satisfied with what he heard, saying that he would pass it on to his friend! OOOOOOHHHH!!!!

And you didn't report on our lovely Excitement Officer(my phrase, not an official one)...bless her...young Jo...who was there, as she said, purely to offer Enthusiasm and Excitement! WHY didn't you mention her Stevie???? Probably too darn busy trying to make out that no young people want to come to Sidmouth I expect! Jo came down all the way from Bath for that meeting Stevie....because she believes in Sidmouth Festival and wants to do all she can to help!

Shame on you!!!

Perhaps they should make *you* the Pessimist Officer...and we could have some Stocks in Blackmore Gardens where we can all throw wet sponges at you...I reckon at £2 a time we could make a *fortune* and ensure Sidmouth's future well into the next century!!

OOOOOHHHHHH!!!

And you heard Phillipa talking about the EthnoFolk people coming in this year for the teenagers and 'older' young people! You heard her saying how Blackmore Gardens is going to have a Village Green feel, with far more things to do...And what about all those great students from Newcastle coming down to teach in the workshops...bigger craft tent, more for the children to do etc....Laurel Swift coming back this year too....

OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I had huge respect for all the people associated with Sidmouth Folk Week yesterday...but TODAY after reading your pessimistic rubbish, my respect has increased a thousand fold for them....because to go ahead and do what they are all doing *so well* with such love and committment, whilst having to put up with complete twits like you...well...it just goes to show how *deep* their love for Sidmouth *truly* is........

....and how *utterly* shallow yours is!!

Sidmouth Folk Festival will continue for a very, very long time to come Stevie, for the very reason that it is *so* loved by the people who are committed to keeping it going...and that includes *all* the people who come here year after year after year, along with those working so hard behind the scenes.

Oh..and you also forgot to mention how the audience last night was played in and treated to some lovely music from Eddie, Tom and John...AND how all the chairs were not on the stage, but out there on the floor with all of us, as they wanted the meeting to be very informal and very open.

You do yourself *far more* of an injustice than you do them Stevie.


Lizzie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 01:59 PM

Annie, I was sitting right in the front and I heard nothing but positivity coming out of that meeting. They spoke about the huge success of last year and the huge support and many letters they have had from a lot of people.

I am so seething (as you can probably tell) that I can't even put a Smiley on the board! (never been known before!).....

Apologies to all for exploding, but there are times when you just have to!!


Lizzie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 05:15 AM

And...when I quoted this above, from you site:

"..One person said that she was glad to get rid of the International Festival and all the arena events, which she saw as overpriced. She saw the 'new-look' Folk Week as being much more in the spirit of the 'old days'. Her view, that the town is glad to be rid of all the 'excess' of the Steve Heap years is one shared by many local people and some older folkies..."

..and then put my response above, there was one thing I forgot to add, mainly because I was raging at the time and not thinking straight (!)

It was Steve Heap's Sidmouth which brought me to live in this town in the first place and for that I will always be very grateful, because it has given me a music that I love. However, I would still have chosen to come and live here if I had wandered into Sidmouth during last year's Folk Week. The atmosphere in both festivals was (and is) palpable. It is something very precious and should never be undermined, in my opinion.

A lot of local people loved The Arena, myself being one of them, but we also realise the huge financial risk that goes with it and that having the main festival events in the heart of the town is an extremely good idea.

You also I think forgot to mention Eddie Upton/Derek Schofield talking about last year's Folk Week. Explaining that when they first started last year, there was *no* money, but they struggled on and very quickly they were being swamped with support from artists and visitors alike.

Also, when you mentioned this:

"...In passing, Eddie Upton noted that a member of the Old Rope String Band had been killed by a hit and run driver - the band had since reformed into the New Rope String Band and would perform in the Manor Pavilion..."

...you did not report that properly either!

Eddie made a *special* point of telling people how *very* pleased he was that The New Rope String Band were coming to Sidmouth this year. He explained the tragedy of Joe's death and that of his friend Keith too...his voice almost cracking with emotion at times..and then he said how thrilled he was to hear that the band was continuing to play and that they would be in The Manor Pavillion during Folk Week.

In no way was that done 'In Passing', it was done with much tenderness and emotion, and I am sure that their concert will bring many a tear to people, but also a deep feeling of happiness that Joe's memory lives on through his music and his friends. And here they all are:

http://www.newropestringband.co.uk/

And here is the Old Rope String Band as well:

http://www.oldropestringband.co.uk/

I very much hope to be able to see them, although I've a feeling they will probably sell out very quickly.

And last night, in my town, Folk Week Winter Reunion took place and once again the pubs were filled with musicians and singers.....and it was wonderful!


Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 06:25 AM

Take a breath Lizzie, you're going blue!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Resident
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 08:38 AM

I was also at the meeting and have to say Steve of Sidmouth's report is pretty accurate.

Yes, Lizzie, there were some positive comments but there were also many negative ones and the woman who said she was glad to get rid of the international arena sadly spoke for many Sidmouth residents who never liked the Folk Festival and don't like the new Folk week much either.

Of course those who have shops or B&Bs are quite happy to take the money of those who attend the Folk Week but it's when you see them in a meeting in mid-winter instead of in Sidmouth in the summer that you realise they're also very happy to bite the hands that feed them.

As one who would love to see the return of the International Festival because it was the colour of the international dance sides and arena displays that I most enjoyed, I found last week's meeting terribly depressing.

Sorry Lizzie but that's the way it is. Don't hit me when you see me in the grocers!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 08:52 AM

Totally agree with your comments re International Fest Sidmouth Resident, I know many others who agree with us!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 11:20 AM

Manitas I'll try but, it is *so* difficult to keep from going blue when 'red' is all around me! I've literally just got back from The Radway and The Anchor in town, and the happiness and feeling of community that I saw there..well...it makes you feel very emotional. For *anyone* to want to undermine Sidmouth Folk Week or seek to destroy such an atmosphere is totally beyond belief, it really is.

I know that what Stevie puts on here is no longer taken seriously but even so...it still upsets me that someone can say such things about Sidmouth, when for so very long it has been such an inspiration in so many people's lives. Ah well..best to leave him to it, I think. I've said far more than I should have anyway. Must write on my computer screen "Do not go near keyboard whilst frothing wildly at the mouth!" ;0)

Not long to Folk Week though...and as all those happy people in The Anchor called out about 30 minutes ago, hugging each other lovingly whilst bidding farewell to one another....

"See you in the first week of August!"

I'm sure they did this in The Radway as well of course, it was just that I was in The Anchor at the time, having been in The Radway earlier. Thanks to everyone for a brilliant weekend of music and songs, depsite the rain pouring down, and it was lovely to finally meet some of you.....and a great big hug to (((Dave Earl)))too! ;0)

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Cupid
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 05:59 PM

Lizzie.

Do you really think anyone takes YOU seriously?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 06:09 PM

We know who Lizzie Cornish is. OF COURSE we are more likely to take her seriously than one who comes here to register dislike for her under the name GUEST Cupid. Pretty inappropriate to the kind of posts you generate, not much love there mate.

Duh!

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Cllr
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 07:27 PM

Don excellent post LOL
Cllr

PS I met lizzie today and it was a pleasure. A very nice person!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: GUEST,Cupid
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 07:51 PM

Serious humour bypass you have there Don.

And I'm sure Cllr. and Lizzie go together very well.

Two of a kind.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:18 AM

It ill behoves one whose standard attitude is one of disdain and sarcasm to lecture others on sense of humour.

If your only purpose in posting is (as it seems to be) to belittle the efforts of others to keep Sidmouth alive, then I would suggest that your contribution is valueless, and unwanted.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: breezy
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:32 AM

was guru there?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 05:04 AM

Don, my sentiments exactly.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Cllr
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:17 AM

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Cllr
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:18 AM

Yes Breezy she was staying at my place along with a few others. we had a great weekend. Cllr

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Steve in Sidmouth
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 08:56 AM

Lizzie.

My dearest petal.

I have received a few considered comments on my draft report, and I have noticed yours. The webpage is being updated. The other evening, whilst you were no doubt busy continuing to vent your emotions, I (and several folk dance friends) were supporting the organisers of Last Minute Ceilidhs by attending one of the Great Western Ceilidhs in Exeter. It really is a case of 'use it or lose it' with many of these local folk events, so where were you?

It was a splendid evening, the Pixies were in fine form and all that was missing was the sight of you with my name on the top of your hug card.

The next day, I was busy supporting another local dance group. It's all worth it just for the hugs - you should try it sometime, it might make you more equitable.

As for the 'daft' woman at the meeting, I was told all about her and considered putting a dismissive comment in my report. However, it was pointed out to me that I should report what she said without being judgemental. It was also pointed out to me that despite the fact that she may well be 'bonkers' what she actually said has (to my direct knowledge) been said many times by many people in Sidmouth. It is sad I know, but it is also a fact.

As for your comment:

It was Steve Heap's Sidmouth which brought me to live in this town in the first place and for that I will always be very grateful, because it has given me a music that I love.

Yes I know, it's one the reasons I came to live here too.

I think we need to enjoy Sidmouth and the world while it lasts - if the worst happens (which I naturally believe it will) Sidmouth will be under the waves and all we shall have left are a few faded images of how life once was, and of course a few songs. Our town council will probably be in a bunker somewhere, debating the colour of roofing felt on a garden shed, oblivious to the fact that the whole road has been washed away.

Believe it or not, when I bought my home in Sidford I checked how far above sea level it was, and having in mind even in those days the melting of the icecaps. It may not be long now - and as a scientist I know a bit about positive feedback. It's very dangerous. It is why a door slams shut so suddenly and why Chernobyl was an accident waiting to happen (any increase in temperature makes the moderator less effective). Negative feedback is so much safer, don't you agree?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: breezy
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:22 AM

1 - 1 ?

but whose counting anyway?

is this a 'dancer v singer' syndrome ?

great entertainment nevertheless.

Beats big brother.

2nds out

next round

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 10:08 AM

Lizzie - it was good to see you in the Anchor yesterday.

Last year's festival was a stop-gap, and jolly good it was too.

The plans for the 2006 and following years' festivals seem to be shaping up pretty well.

There will be a full and co-ordinated programme of events this year, additional concert venues, great guests and family season tickets. It's pretty good value even without the Ham marquee. OK the seasons don't cover the evening Ham marquee concerts, but they do cover earlier concerts there, and there will be a 1/3 discount on evening concerts for season ticket holders.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 12:39 PM

Hi Kitty, thanks, it was lovely to see so many of you too, and to finally put names to some faces...and a big (((hug))) to Cllr too.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth Folk Week 2006
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 12:45 PM

From Steve in Sidmouth:

"I think we need to enjoy Sidmouth and the world while it lasts - if the worst happens (which I naturally believe it will) Sidmouth will be under the waves and all we shall have left are a few faded images of how life once was, and of course a few songs. Our town council will probably be in a bunker somewhere, debating the colour of roofing felt on a garden shed, oblivious to the fact that the whole road has been washed away.

Believe it or not, when I bought my home in Sidford I checked how far above sea level it was, and having in mind even in those days the melting of the icecaps. It may not be long now - and as a scientist I know a bit about positive feedback. It's very dangerous. It is why a door slams shut so suddenly and why Chernobyl was an accident waiting to happen (any increase in temperature makes the moderator less effective). Negative feedback is so much safer, don't you agree?"



From Oliver Wendell Holmes, author and physician 1809-1894:

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us."



From Me: I'm 100% with Oliver on this one Steve.



:0)