whitby folk week 2006

Subject: whitby folk week
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 10:43 AM

We plan to return to Whitby after 15 years or more.
What has changed, what should we try not to miss?
Is the SLOW SESSION on this year?

Twenty years ago our Whitby week was :-
Lots of dance (all sorts tried)
Lots of hill running (between workshops)
Singing the choruses in a few sing-arounds
Playing a few tunes with Peter Mayes and Jane Ball
Singing harmony with Bread & Roses
A few concerts (we were there when The Kippers started)

This time round we are beginning to play in sessions, still are mainly interested in dance, but probably wont go to many late-night ceilidhs. And we'll qualify for pensioners cheaap tickets

Subject: RE: whitby folk week
From: concertina ceol
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 12:13 PM

well Mo I am probably in the perfect position to advise, I went in 2004 and 2005 before which my last visit was 1988!

I found that things had not moved on very much, the venues seemed smaller, the big bamboo is no more (it burnt down), the metropole is about half the size it was (the front bar is now a bar and a chinese resturant), but at least they have stopped the spa falling into the sea and rebuilt it :-)

As for the acts, the usuall mixed bag of fantastic to plastic, but mostly fantastic. 2006 will be the first year since Malcolm Storey has stepped down from organising so it will be interesting to see how it develops.

In short, it was great to come back and I thoroughly enjoyed Whitby revisited!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 01:35 PM

We went last year, first time since '82 and really enjoyed it. It seemed the same but their seemed much more of it. As a starter session player I found quite a few workshops and sessions that I could join in with. More places to eat and much excellent music. Needless to say the weather was no surprise, it rained a lot!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 02:12 PM

I thought that _this_ was Malcolm's actual last year of organising - or have I got that wrong?

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 02:44 PM

I really loved the children's concerts. It was a real treat to hear Cyril Tawney and Janet Russell sing for kids when I was in Whitby a few years back. I think I'll have a crush on Janet Russell for the rest of my life.
-Joe Offer, from California-

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 03:08 PM

One things for sure, you will not be going to the Albion Club
this year, Its been completely demolished !!!

Shock horror after 30 years Whitbying it,s gone

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 04:35 PM

I'm booking my B&B so wondering where things are based these days, the sessions and concerts etc. My memory from 20 years ago is a lot of walking, up and down, and I believe the dance is at the Community College now so even more walking or driving, what is the parking like?

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: concertina ceol
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 05:34 PM

The main dance venue for the August folk week is the spa ballroom, which is quite a big venue half way down the west cliff, most of the houses in the west cliff area are B&B's and that is where I stayed last year. West cliff is central to most things, concerts, sessions, workshops and dances - having said that it is a fair old yomp to the friends rowing club or middle earth on the east side if you are trying to get there for a 10am workshop!

Regarding Malcolm, I may be mistaken but I thought he was pretty clear that last year was his last as main organiser, although he has set up a team to continue the good work.

Les I didn't camp so I don't remember it being particularly wet this last year. There was one year I remember in the early eighties when the campsite was next to the abbey (there is a car park there now) and the fog was so bad that the fog horn was sounding solidly for two days! Happy memories.....

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 07:15 PM

Hi Mo, George Garside will be running his 'slow & steady' sessions this year. For those who are camping Glen from Moor & Coast has hired the Community Collage this year to provide a temporary campsite. SeeThis Thread & the hills are still there. Last year the Community College was little used owing to the cost, (the performers campsite was moved up to Eskdale) but after 1 day & many complaints the dance teams were moved to the Rugby Club.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: LesB
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 07:18 PM

Whoops my cookie seems to have crumbled. That was me above.
LesB

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 09:32 PM

Edmund and I are planning to make the scene, bringing a mandolin and our rain gear all the way from the Ottawa Valley. Right now we're concerned about quarters. I have asked Mrs. Duck for advice, and would be grateful for recce reports from other Catters with current knowledge of the terrain.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: nutty
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 07:24 AM

Charmion .... this site gives a flavour of what Whitby is all about.

CLICK HERE

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 03:26 PM

Apparently there is an objection to the music licence for the bandstand area!

Watch this space

CC

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Northerner
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 03:46 PM

If you haven't tried storytelling before, give that a try. You may even see yours truly at the storyrounds having a go. I learnt storytelling at a workshop last year at Bleddfa, now I'm up at every opportunity to give it a try!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: concertina ceol
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 04:38 PM

How can there be an objection to music at a bandstand!

Anyway, there is more overflow of noise from the amusments and trawler ice tower than could be generated by even 20 melodeons......

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 04:50 AM

If they object to "music" let them eat "morris dancers" instead. No licence needed - start early, carry on till midnight, teach all the families to morris dance (clashing their lolly sticks, waving their sandcastle flags).
Does this new act really mean you can't have music at bandstands?

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 04:52 AM

And then get all the families to sign a petition against the act.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Saro
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 10:47 AM

Mo, I'm glad you remember singing with Bread and Roses, as I was one of them. Come and sing at the harmony workshops with me again this year if you can. I'll be there as part of Craig, Morgan, Robson.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 04:58 PM

Saro, I really enjoyed that. Will you be giving out music again? I'll certainly aim to come, unless it clashes with another Must. It was a whole week commitment, as I remember it.
Yes, I thought we'd seen you recently in the other group.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Saro
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:57 AM

Hi Mo, yes we'll give out music for the more complicated songs (not that anything will be really difficult), but we'll teach all the stuff by ear anyhow. You can come for just a day, or the whole week, but it is more fun if you do the week. We usually do a mini-concert for family, friends and any other interested parties, on the last day, rather than doing the workshop showcase, which seems IMHO to work better for the dancers...

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 11:15 AM

The workshop showcase is full of people waiting for their turn and not many watching the others, or thats how I remember it.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: kitchen piper
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 11:18 AM

Hello,
As far as I'm aware this is the last year. It was Malcolm that phoned us up to book us if that helps!
:)
Vicki

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:32 AM

Anyone know who is replacing Malcolm !!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: nutty
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 01:02 PM

I have heard that he is being replaced by a "committee".

That could be interesting.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Willa
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 04:35 PM

Mo
The showcase in the last few years has had a large and appreciative audience.

The harmony workshop is one of my' musts' each year!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:18 PM

I see that that very nice person Glen of Moor and Coast is providing a campsite for everyone this year?! What a benefactor!

Concerning all the rumours about Malcolm - there was an article in a recent EFDSS magazine which gave all the details - but then what would the EFDSS know?

I have it on good authority that Malcolm has not actually been involved in whitby folk week for at least five years as he left to give up smoking. The committee have apparently been taking it in turns to wind up an animated robot commissioned by Pete Heywood of the Living Tradition magazine and no-one has noticed the difference - but then what would the Living Tradition know??

Further reliable evidence points to the fact that Malcolm actually sold out to Steve Heap 10 years ago and has been pretending to be a consultant ever since whilst building up the National Folk Festival in New Zealand - but then what does Steve Heap know???

Finally the real truth appears to be that a steering committee of thirty has been set up to look at appointing a larger committee to replace Malcolm - but then what do I know????

C A Jones

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 02:50 PM

Reference the objection to the music licence:

Apparently the objection was to the amplified music! The licence has been granted for music from the bandstand round to the crows nest but there can only be five amplified session per year!

CC

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Northerner
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 06:10 PM

Who else is going? I've booked into a B & B this year. No more day tripping!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 07:22 AM

My other memory is various years when the fog horn rprovided a continuous bass to every tune.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: old salty
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 05:01 AM

sadly,the fog horn is no more! the life boat flares are no more,but theres plenty of machines on the new life boat station to help us out.[if they can keep up!]

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: bill\sables
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 07:08 AM

Red and Blue Mudcat Tee Shirts and sew on Mudcat Patches will be on sale again this year at my musical instrument stall in the Spa Pavilion all week.
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Surreysinger
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 02:55 PM

I'm going - same flat booked as last year - deeply convenient for the chippie, and the Resolution. Looking forward to it......

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 09:23 AM

Anyone know what may or may not be happening for little kids this year. Ours are starting to get a bit old for the playtime session in the mornings but since the sad departure of Mogsy there has been nothing for their age (6-7). Children in performance and the orchestras provide for slightly older ones but not sure what else there might be.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Northerner
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 12:09 PM

Hello Mrs Duck! Your children should be old enough to try out some of the storytelling events now. Taffy Thomas has a fabulous tale coat with pictures of animals embroidered onto it. He asks children to point to one of the pictures and then tells a story based on that picture image. He does a great deal of work with children (in schools) and is brilliant with them. Events at the Family Club and in the schoolrooms are often suitable for schoolchildren (though probably not for the smallest of tots).

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 12:50 PM

Never known there to be a Taffy Thomas workshop only a spot in the later afternoon events. My older children all went to Mogsy in the afternoon until they were old enough for children in performance. The family club is usually much later in the day around tea time whereas I am referring to day time events.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Northerner
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 07:08 PM

Hello again! Sorry, I hadn't realised that you specifically wanted a workshop. The Family Club is indeed in the evenings. Are they old enough yet to listen to maybe part of an event? The 7 year old almost certainly is.   There are storytelling events throughout most days; Stanley Robertson's stories are also good and he does have some stories that are completely suitable for youngsters. If you have a season ticket you could always go for just the first half hour of an event. There are also storyrounds on most mornings; the story version of singarounds. Occasionally a youngster does get up and perform at them. I've seen some brilliant 11 year olds. Stories do go down well with many children. I would still say that it might be worth while looking in on one of Taffy's events as he is really brilliant with children.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 08:03 AM

That's another of my Whitby memories, missing the last dance and running like ... to fetch child from the creche at lunchtime. And the year they were all taken through the harbour crowds to rehearse for a performance on the beach; on my way across the bridge I noticed a lad talking to a policeman, when I arrived a parent was saying "but where is he?".
I imagine that with the child protection laws it is more complicated to organise events for unaccompanied children now.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 05:46 PM

Hi, This year is due to be Malcolm's last 'solo' year, and next year onwards will be committee driven but small and selective. It WILL be in good hands. He does deserve a happy retirement after so many wonderful years. One of my highlights being an ex-pat southerner was to hear the great harmonies of Jinks Stack and since then the even more delightful voice of Graham O'Callaghan. I read an article once in Greenman Review from the USA describing him as the male June Tabor!. It's one of is rare visitations at Whitby, I hope that he continues to visit.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 06:13 PM

Well Mo it didn't seem to bother the organisers when they had Keith Donnelly running a workshop solo with around 16 kids (technically illegal). He got them all worked up and then complained! I have never been aware of story telling events but then again I am talking about specific childrens events designed to give them something to do while we do other things. As I said earlier we have been attending for many years and the kids used to really enjoy Mogsy but nothing has been organised to serve the same age range in the sfternoon.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 06:51 PM

The more you think about what can go wrong, especially when you've got a crowd of children you don't know, the more you see the reasons for the red tape. But it takes the spontineity out of it.
I don't think I even had to sign my daughter in, so they may not even have known who they were supposed to have.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 07:04 AM

Perhaps you could organise something Mrs DucK

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Splott Man
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:04 AM

D'you mean we won't have the pleasure of your issue at the creche this year? Perhaps Julia could sign them on as volunteers.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 09:23 AM

Oh I think they might make it just this once Ned - afterall who is going to pass on the knowledge of trifle ballistics?
Guest - I am already committed to other things for three afternoons with the Scratch Morris and band.
Another problem we have encountered recently in Whitby is that new licencing laws are making it more and more difficult to take children into pubs although I do wonder if these might be relaxed in folk week.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST,baffled
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:19 PM

I find it rather odd that Mrs Duck, who seems to know so much about this particular festival, in actual fact knows very little.

She could perhaps buy a programme instead of relying on other people to do it for her. She could also ask the people at the establishments she does frequent if they would be willing to act as unpaid child minders for her? Or maybe I'm being unkind and Mrs Duck has an aversion to all things official!

I'm sure such an aversion would be incurable - shame really because it means her kids are missing out on all sorts of fun.

But there you go!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 02:36 AM

Buying a programme is not an option yet. Whitby has the daft system of posting us a letter telling us how much postage to post back to get our 'free' programme. I'd rather just pay a bit extra when I booked. But it wouldn't be ready yet.

But there you go!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 04:09 AM

Well it its near Whitby time now so why not wait 'til you get there!

Havent bought a ticket for years but progs show all you need to know
(i have now been at least 36 years)

Hope to see all old and new friends around the official and unofficial (fringe) which has always been the friendliest bit together with the morning coffee breaks in the Festival office and/or Spa coffe shop

Fond memories of sitting with Fred Jordan and meeting people from all over UK and beyond

Malcolm has taken on a great deal over the years and will be a hard act to follow ~ volunteers are hard to find and keep and they too should be applauded for all the free time and energy expended

Great festiavls too depend on the energy and enthusiasm of those coming and memory goes back to three legged races up the steps (not me) and tiddly winks down the Abbey steps, eating competitions and cricket matches Yorks V Lancs ~ Tony Rose and Mike Harding and Tony Capstick what would Whitby have been like without 'em

Booker retrieved Mike H wallet from the sea one year (it nearly sank) joking of course and the year Barnsley won the sand castle competition altho Tony C had been told by Malcolm that we werent to win (or maybe not)

Well!
I'll shut up
Ray

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 02:46 PM

Actually guest, Baffled, I always buy a programme and visit the Wot about the kids introductory event and what is more have never expected or had FREE anything. Maybe if you should check your facts before making anonymous remarks!

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: oombanjo
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 03:50 PM

me and Dixie will be there, is mrs Duck having a mudcat gathering ??

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 04:24 PM

We hope to organise something on Thursday, John but the venue will depend on finding a pub that is willing to have us. We used the Board last year which worked well but I will put a notice up so everyone knows where. There are a number of cross ponders coming so they would be particularly interested in meeting up with other Mudcatters. We will also be doing the draw for Mmarios shawl, Angelica.

Subject: RE: whitby folk week 2006
From: r.padgett
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 04:26 PM

We had a mudcat gathering last year in the Board Inn bottom Abbey steps

Time this year and day?

Ray