Sidmouth FolkWeek 2011 - demise of
the Sailing Club as a FolkWeek music venue?
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For many years, there has been
friction between folk festival attendees and 'a certain person' at Sidmouth's sailing club. The club is one of the town venues that is popular
amongst the people who participate in Sidmouth's 'fringe' events. The club is also
rumoured to have good showers.
In 2011, matters came to a head in the bar
and an unpleasant altercation resulted in a mass walkout by people who had been attending
for many years.
The version I heard was that the bar staff
dislike people who buy only a limited amount of alcohol.
One 'disabled' man (the only description I
was given) was sitting with his empty glass listening to music and the staff suggested he
should buy more drink or leave. |
This altercation produced a reaction - described to me in the following email, received
on 7 August 2011 - and for 'Yacht' read 'Sailing' (!)
You may be interested to know that
the big session which was informally run by the Loose Knit Band is no more. After enduring
more unpleasant behaviour from the staff there it was formally announced that they would
no longer meet there in future years. Following the announcement a large number of
stalwarts walked out and will not return.
Many people have been on the receiving end of a particular persons unpleasantness over the
years and this year it came to a head. I do not attend the Yacht club but many friends do.
Whilst the whole episode may
'blow over' - especially if the offending member of the club is removed from his post
(even if only for FolkWeek) it does illustrate what is a general reality in Sidmouth -
some traders and townspeople tolerate the festival only because of the money that it
brings to the town. They are not interested in the song, the dance, the culture or indeed
in any spirit of goodwill.
 |
You can look up several
references on Google to the Loose
Knit Band. Members include Gordon Newton from Kent who did so
much to help save Sidmouth festival in 2005. The Sailing Club is a central part of the
music fringe at Sidmouth. Losing it would be most regrettable - maybe harmony can be
restored for 2012?
Local musicians Pete and Nicole Mac can be seen in the first photo (photos from
looseknit website) |
Thus, whilst FolkWeek finances have been
put on a sound footing by virtue largely of the sponsorship from traders that has been
secured over the last few years (itself an amazing achievement) it does mean that the
event will forever be at the mercy of people who do not have much or any genuine interest
in it - apart from their own self-interest.
A related problem is that the festival management operate as a closed tightly knit
group and with very little involvement of local singers or dancers - apart from Barry
Lister and a few people from Great Western Morris. Far more genuine local involvement
might help overcome the 'them and us' attitude which is still a feature of the festival -
as it was in the Steve Heap days.
 |
From the mudcat folk forum:
let's hope the showers are still made available - many people seem to appreciate them.
Those in the rugby club are said to be best avoided! |
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