Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: r.padgett
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 01:15 PM

Must go as soon as I retire!

Ray

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST,Rupert
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 04:11 PM

Hey what a surprise I got today up here in far flung Orkney when I went into a local music cafe in Kirkwall, there sitting on an inside table were a pile of cards advertising the 2007 Holmfirth Festival of Folk. Well you could have knocked me down with a tartan mackeral ...500 miles away from Holmfirth and there under me very nose a reminder of Yorkshire's success in the folk festival business. Up here folk music is a part of the pulse of life.
For those of you soft southerners who don't know, the cafe is The Reel and run by the Wrigley Sisters - got it. Oh and they serve very good coffee and snap.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 02:59 PM

I have a leaflet for Shepley Spring Festival for 18th 19th and 20th of May 2007 given to me by Nicky at Warwick FF, which is I believe a 'Greenfield Site' planned for 2007 with Waterson Carthy, Tams and Coope and others

The Holmfirth Festival of Folk will continue at the old date in 2007 in Holmfirth I understand
Ray

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 10:07 AM

I noticed at Sidmouth that the old organisers of HFF are promoting a new Festival at Shepley for 2007

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST,Cath
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 08:00 AM

Our web person has been doing a bit of work on the site www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk   

There isn't much in the way of news at the moment but there's a few nice photos so why not take a look - you might even be on one of them?

You can also sign up to get regular updates when we have something to tell you so you could leave us an address to get in touch with you.

We are also doing well at getting out the little flyers telling people of the dates for next year (May 11th- 13th) and the contact details so keep an eye out for them. It would be interesting to know how far abroad we have managed to distribute them - why not let us know where you have seen them?

Cheers
Cath

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Cath
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 05:42 PM

All offers most gratefully received.
I've sent you a pm so let me know if the handover can be arranged.
Enjoy Italy.
Cath

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Ian Burdon
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 01:37 PM

Panurus
Cath

I'm a bit distant but if you let me have some flyers in due course I'll pop them into local folkie places up here.

Ian

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: panurus biarmicus
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 03:06 PM

quick update for yous all - had another mtg on monday and it looks like we have quite a krew of happy helpers for 2007.

If anyone wants to steward, perform, sponsor etc etc pls let us know via here or mail your detials to Cath using the address on the web site- we will have 2 email groups one for the inner circle of movers and shakers who will sit around and chew the fat once a month or so, apply for money and plan the event. The wider mailing will be an update for all supporters, volunteers and nosey buggers. you can join either on request.

We are going with the second weekend in may for the date, and spaces and venues will all be booked in advance, We have boxes of little cardboard flyers to get out to the festivals this year - if you can take a pile out to festivals and chuck em about for us that would be great. The web site will be same address as it is now, and updated and will give details of developments as they emerge.

A mini gp will be looking at getting funding applications in and there will be a bigger better school programme of lead in events and performances at the festival.

think that was about it for now - we will keep this thread alive for news and views.

be good if it didnt get side tracked into discussions re merits of beastiality, regional dialect or recipes and wider debates re non related issues but this very request is bound to lead to some whackaday response

ho hum !

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 08:05 PM

Many thanks dozy rozy for your offer of help and support this is very much appreciated. I know you will bring your usual sparkle and energy to make this festival work and be a real success.

Over the weekend I also received offers of help from Cathy and Ian from the Slubbing Billys morris dance team. I know that they also have a lot to offer and will also be very valuable additions to the team for next years festival.

It's looking good. Please keep the offers of help coming.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: dozy rozy
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 07:09 PM

i'd like to offer my support.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 12:20 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 08:05 PM

This was a very constructive and positive meeting tonight.

Many thanks to Sheila,Ian,Duggs,Cath,Carol,Lyn et al for putting on such a well planned and well organised meeting.

This was very well attended with loads of folk willing to volunteer their time to help organise, provide support and make sure that next years Festival is another resounding success.

It really is encouraging that so many people turned up who were serious about getting involved and I am sure this display of support will have cheered the hearts of this years organisers who hopefully will not have it all to do on their own next year.

Because this meeting was so well organised and structured loads of ideas,suggestions,hopes and wishes for next years festival came out of it. So much so in fact that the existing line up of organisers have masses of input and ideas to spend lots of fruitful and well spent time going through them all.

This is all good and positive. If any other Mudcatters would like to get involved but could not attend tonights meeting please announce your interest on this thread or PM Cath or myself for the moment until we have a dedicated contact point.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 11:56 AM

This meetimg is tonight folks so if you can offer any help for next year or have any suggestions to contribute please come along to The Old Bridge Hotel for 8.00pm.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Cath
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 04:51 AM

Just a quick reminder that it's the festival open meeting on Monday at 8.00 at the Old Bridge to look at what worked well, what needs looking at and suggestions and help for next year. All welcome.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:52 PM

Again!!!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:50 PM

P.S The last message was from me, Soldier Boy.
Sorry, I must have forgotten to sign in or show my passport !

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:46 PM

Sorry to hear that Wombat is not well Raggytash. Wishing her gods' speed for a full recovery.

Cath, I will try my best to get to the Open Meeting at The Old Bridge Hotel in Holmfirth on Mon 5 June at 8.00pm.
I am willing to offer my help for next years Festival in whatever capacity I can be of use.
Just thought I would raise details of this meeting again so no one misses it and people come along.

Glad to hear that the 'Old Guard' will not be trying to run in competition with the Holmfirth festival and I really do wish them all the best in their endeavours.
Whatever is done to promote and keep the folk tradition alive and robustly well in this country is very much welcome indeed.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: r.padgett
Date: 31 May 06 - 11:39 AM

Yes I heard about the broken arm in the Community hall!

Put paid to the late night sing!

Was talking to John Bromley and Ken and Sue from West Yorks at Chester!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST,squeezeboxhp
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:04 AM

the chester dance sides were good too Mortimer's first time, chester city showing they can still cut it, white hart less 1 broken arm,sunshine mountain was too steep, bradshaw mummers excellent as usual.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 31 May 06 - 04:02 AM

Sadly not this year, we have a christening to go to on the Sunday. Wombat is still off work and looks like being for some time yet, waiting now to be refered to the Neurology dept for futher tests

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 30 May 06 - 06:03 PM

Yes Ray I expext that they will be going here for the weekend after next.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: r.padgett
Date: 30 May 06 - 05:40 PM

Yes good to see Christine's back singing again!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 30 May 06 - 04:58 PM

It's ok Ray Woombats better so I can pick on Raggytash again. Even so you would have a lot more room if you put the baack seats down.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Saro
Date: 30 May 06 - 08:23 AM

Why thank you Mr.Padgett(on behalf of CMR!). Yes, weren't Cloudstreet great, and we did a CD swap with Isambarde and listened to them on the way home. What energy and a great rapport with the audience too.
Best wishes
Sarah

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: r.padgett
Date: 30 May 06 - 06:16 AM

Well I get back back from Chester and find all this!

I can just get into the Citreon Berlingo to sleep (across the diagonal)

Thanks for all the praise!!

Seen some great acts at Chester:

Isambarde
Morgan, Robson and Craig
Steve Tilston
Cloudstreet (best live act going)
Ed Rennie

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 29 May 06 - 07:59 AM

True Cath and he didn't even have to put the back seats down. The good news is that Wombat is well so I can start to pick on Raggytash again.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Cath
Date: 28 May 06 - 09:51 AM

Nay Tyke, if you could sleep in the back of your van why would you want to go to all the trouble of putting up a tent?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 28 May 06 - 07:15 AM

Are we having a fundraising to buy Ray a tent Cath? They may have some second hand tents going cheap. Action Man was 40 years old this year by the by.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Cath
Date: 28 May 06 - 05:14 AM

We will be holding an Open Meeting on Monday June 5th at the Old Bridge Hotel in Holmfirth starting at 8.00pm.

Anyone who has anything to contribute in terms of offers of help, praise, money, criticism (not too much please!) is welcome to come along.

Please pass the word around to anyone who might be interested but who isn't a regular Mudcatter.

Cath

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 06 - 01:08 PM

But he didn't even have a tent!!
Cath

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 26 May 06 - 12:55 PM

I would like to add that if we had more Artist and Folkies of Ray Padget
Stature we would be able to get twice as many tents on the campsite.

Plus he can sing too :-)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: dozy rozy
Date: 26 May 06 - 10:27 AM

Well thats nice.A bit of male bonding.I'm glad everyones buddies.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 25 May 06 - 08:33 PM

Thanks Tyke. I very much appreciate that.
I also join you in thanking Cath and all the festival organisers for their wonderful work in making the festival such a brilliant success this year.
Me and Panarus Biarmicus are away for a very long weekend in Bruges
with the Slubbing Billys so I won't be communicating for a while.
Please keep this important thread going and keep constructive discourse flowing.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 25 May 06 - 05:32 PM

Soldier Boy yes I probably did come back a bit strongly sorry it was probably because I was annoyed about the mud slinging as much as any thing else. I can't see the benefit of knocking someone else's efforts. I'm sure you will agree with me that my own personal decision, and your own, of supporting Cath was the right one. As Cath did a wonderful job of holding everything together and along with everyone involved put on a great little festival this year.

I would like to thank everyone who did such a great job on this year's festival. I would also like to offer Cath my personal support again for next year festival what ever it's called. Because I am for one looking forward to next years Holmfirth Festival as I am sure are lot's more people who have already been told just how good was.

Oh and I would also like to thank the Mudcatters who have contributed to this thread. It is a very useful and positive way, in my opinion, to have your views and comments on the Holmfirth Festival noted. Thank you for taking the time to help to make it even better. Keep em coming.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Cath
Date: 25 May 06 - 04:58 AM

Thanks to all for contributions so far - all very interesting and some which I'm sure can be taken up.

However, having been to the Shepley meeting, there is no chance of working together with the 'old guard'. They moved out of Holmfirth because there was insufficient camping and B & B accommodation and lack of support from the local businesses, they said.   Whether they will find what they want in Shepley is to be seen. They also stated that they would not be trying to run in competition with Holmfirth.

We don't think you need a huge festival and the attraction is Holmfirth so we tried to cut our suit to fit our cloth to use a local textile metaphor. Most people seem to think we succeeded to some extent. We were also doing it for the benefit of the local community and businesses, hence the absence of outside caterers and food stalls either in the town or the camp site. As pubs were open well into the small hours there seemed little need for a bar at the camp site which was only likely to cause disruption to those who wanted to sleep. The generator was noisy enough without having a tent full of drinkers!!

We don't know yet what we plan for next year but we are having a look at it tonight. The great thing about not having the Civic was that it makes everything much more manageable and considerably cheaper. Having managed the Civic events in the distant past I know how tying and tiring it is to do that properly and it was nice this time to be able to see what was happening.

I think people, particularly locals, appreciated the fact that you could go in to a pub and enjoy the music and then move on if you wanted to without having to fork out lots of money. The feed back was very positive. The concert lovers were well provided for in the Picturedrome.

All being well we shall have full use of the Old Bridge and the White Hart next year so they can take care of small and more personal concerts which is what a lot of people like.

That's it for now.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: r.padgett
Date: 25 May 06 - 03:08 AM

This has all the makings of the 'The Battle of Sowerby Bridge' renamed as the the 'Battle of the Old Bridge'

'We were amongts 'em we were amongst 'em we slished and we slashed and slaughtered and we slew for an hour and a quarter, we kept the fow at bay______' etc


Note that there have been a number of past organisers of Holmfirth Folk Festival and the present owners of the title are the inheriters however come by!


I wonder what the Memorandum/Articles or Constitution puts as the objectives of Holmfirth Folk Festival ~ in terms of purpose eg something like to promote Folk music song and dance in Holmfith or something similar!

Ray

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 24 May 06 - 08:29 PM

Die

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 24 May 06 - 08:28 PM

Die

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 24 May 06 - 08:27 PM

Hello Tyke.
The tone of your last message is hostile.
I am very very sorry if I have said something or implied something in a previous thread that has upset you for it certainly was never intended.

I am just an interested and enthusiastic person who wants the Holmfirth Festival of Folk to grow and succeed.
I have never put myself forward as an expert of organising a folk festival, although I have been to very many.
The reason I started this thread was to invite people to offer their ideas and contributions so that next year we continue to get the planning, development and balance right or even better.
It is precisely people like you who have far more experience of folk festivals than me who I want to engage in this discussion.

If I have been amiss in starting this thread, upset anyone or been out of turn I sincerely apologise and am now willing to let this thread die.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 23 May 06 - 08:33 PM

I have do not know the reason why the Moor and Coast do not use the tent at there own festival I did not say that I did I only speculated that it could be a facture. I'm not against the Moor and Coast food tent. Far from it! And I would prefer to sleep further from it.

But you can't spice and the half penny. If you decided to expand the campsite to enable a quite area away from the Moor and Coast tent to keep it a family festival. The economics of attracting more people to the festival would mean booking the Civic. Booking the Civic and guests who would attract more people who would be needed to fill the Civic and the Picturedrome. Then the campsite is just not big enough so you move it to the next village and put on a bus and a Beer Tent. No more short walks into Holmfirth but a 24/7 Mini Bus service with volunteers to drive it all through the night. Now because some of the pubs are still open till 2am or later!

Is this starting to look familiar? What is it that you do want? It's your festival?
Soldier Boy you were full of praise for me when I pointed out the problems of moving the festival out of the football season. Commonsense and compromise and giving as much support as possible to the festival is needed.

If you want to get votes promise every thing Free Buses, 24 hour catering, Hot and cold running water for each tent, how about dial a drink service delivering beer to the Moor and Coast session tent. (Which to my knowledge did not attract any singers and musicians at the last two festivals in Holmfirth. Strangely enough they were all in the beer tent.) Oh Sh... now he will want a beer tent.

If you want yet another great festival listen to suggestions and points of view from people who have been to your festival. Then support whatever decisions have to be made to keep the festival alive.

I have not contradicted myself in my last five messages I do not live in or come from Holmfirth I have just been pleased to be welcomed along to it. The running of the Holmfirth festival should be by the local people of Holmfirth. Arguing both sides to stimulate debate is not a contradiction of anything. The reaction to it from you just tells me that you don't like the argument against a food tent because it is a problem Old Boy. On reading the confusion that you are helping to create its nor surprising that someone turned up at Holmfirth this year when he should have been at the Moor and Coast Festival in Whitby that fall on the May Bank Holiday Weekend. The Holmfirth Festival has usual followed that Bank Holiday Weekend.

Could we please stop speculating the ins and outs of the Greenfield Festival Knocking other Festivals and Organizers is just not the thing to do. Personal I hope that there venture is a success.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 23 May 06 - 06:34 PM

I agree with you of course El Greko but I doubt that the first item on the agenda went quite like that and it wasn't a meeting between all the organisers of both 'sides'.

Anyway, I hope that the organisers of last years and this years festivals can get together. I suspect though that it's less a case of politics and more a case of ego massage and stubbornness from a couple of last years organisers. May peace and harmony reign and make people see sense!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Tyke
Date: 23 May 06 - 06:31 PM

We all love your Buns Dozy Rozy ;-)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: dozy rozy
Date: 23 May 06 - 06:19 PM

Why can't we have a big bunfight.
We could invite as many people as possible and slug it out for once and for all.
On the bridge at Holmfirth.
Or should it be in a green field somewhere?
I'm happy to bake some buns.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 23 May 06 - 04:40 PM

Surely the best solution would be not to have two festivals avoiding a clash with each other, but to have one festival, pure and simple. As SoldierBoy put it in his opening post: "so why don't organisers of this and last years festival just bury the hatchett and come together and work together."

So, the first item in the agenda of any meeting between the two should be "can we have a single festival?" and not "we want to run ours on May Holiday weekend - when do you want to run yours?"

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 23 May 06 - 04:29 PM

Good question Alio and the best person to answer that one is Cath.
I'm pretty sure it is sorted so they won't clash on the same weekend.

In the thread preceding this one ("Holmfirth Festival of Folk Two")
Cath reported on a recent meeting she had attended of the potential green field festival in Shepley organisers and made the point that the HOLMFIRTH Festival has been on the second weekend in May for the past 27 years and that WE had to keep the second weekend in May and THEY had to find another date. Nice one Cath!

So it should be sorted. As I mentioned earlier in this thread it would be financial suicide for the Shepley orbanisers to arrange anything on that weekend or anywhere near that weekend. In fact it would be damaging to both festivals and a real case of shooting yourself in the foot. So watch this space for updates.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Alio
Date: 23 May 06 - 03:39 PM

I'm not into the politics either - neither the time nor the energy - but what happens if the "previous organisers" are also putting on a festival on the same weekend, which is the one they have used for many years?
Does that mean there'll be 2 festivals, just a couple of miles away from each other, on the same weekend? That would be a shame, as I've always enjoyed going to them - it would mean that festival goers would need to choose....unless they went to both of course (and I haven't got the stamina for that)!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: Sooz
Date: 23 May 06 - 02:57 PM

It don't count if we don't get a day off! Don't let the government think that if 1st May is on a Sunday that they need not give us a Bank Holiday.
Easter is just something else - it would be vaguely acceptable if there was religious significance to the wandering date but as it has to do with the first moon after the vernal equinox I can't understand why it wasn't rationalised centuries ago.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007
From: BB
Date: 23 May 06 - 02:43 PM

Call me pedantic if you will, but May Day is only occasionally the first Monday in May - May Day is on the first of May - always! What the government chooses to call the May Day Bank Holiday is always the first Monday in May. [Well, I wouldn't exactly say 'pedantic'... :)]

Subject: RE: HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL OF FOLK 2007
From: dozy rozy
Date: 23 May 06 - 01:28 PM

Your brain seems to be sliding all over the place!

Subject: RE: HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL OF FOLK 2007
From: Soldier boy
Date: 23 May 06 - 11:50 AM

Sorry May Day - apolgs for besmirching your good name.
But some things slide all over the place - like Easter 4 e.g