The above front page headline appeared on 18 March 2008. Part of the text of the article is reproduced below. The rest was merely reiteration of ticket and stewarding information that can be found on the official website. You may form the opinion that this 'free' newspaper had nothing better to put on its front page than a report of a 'possible' crackdown the details of which had yet to be finalised! Maybe it gave the Folk Week PR 'spokesperson' something to do?

POLICE, organisers and civic chiefs are planning to squeeze out rogue traders who marred Sidmouth Folk Week last year.

Full details of the crackdown have yet to be finalised.

But Folk Week spokeswoman Jo Breeze said:

"Following large numbers of complaints and concerns about uncontrolled trading on Sidmouth seafront during Folk Week, the district and town councils, together with the police and Folk Week organisers, are discussing options to control and limit trading.

"The warning to traders is that they should not plan to just arrive expecting to trade as before, because a new approach will be in place.

"Potential traders are advised to look at the Folk Week or East Devon District Council websites over the coming months as local consultation on new controls is announced.

"These may include the need to apply to trade in advance.

"Those traders with pedlars licences will also find that new rules are applied to ensure they do not establish pitches."

On a brighter note, Ms Breeze said tickets for this year's Folk Week are disappearing fast.

"We're delighted to be able to say that season ticket sales are going really well. They're booming!"

But she warned that time was fast running out for anyone wanting to buy a discounted season ticket for the 1st to 8th of August event.

She added: "So far we have over 100 acts confirmed - with hundreds of artists - and more are being added all the time.

"Last year's festival had over 600 scheduled events, and 2008 is likely to be even bigger and better.

"Our headline acts include some fantastic names, such as Show of Hands, Kathryn Tickell, Martin Simpson, John Tams and Barry Coope, the Demon Barber Roadshow, Jim Moray, and many more.

"Plus, we have some great ticket offers. Anyone buying a season ticket before March 31^st will pay just £136 for an adult season ticket as opposed to the full price of £155.