Sidmouth Folk Week engenders a feeling of well being and contentment

There is something about this Festival which engenders a feeling of well being and contentment. Of course a spell of friendly weather helps, but much is to do with the excellence of the programme and the high standard of all of the events listed and also those unlisted informal gatherings of old friends and musicians which take place
throughout the town in various places The Sidmouth Festival continues to offer a varied programme designed to suit all family members.

The Festival Team of Director John Braithwaite, Artistic Director Alan Bearman, their key support staff plus 500 or so volunteers can all be justly proud of this year's Festival which to the outside observer progressed to its conclusion without an obvious hitch. Of course there there are occasional grumbles about additional charges for some events in The Ham( clearly set out in the programme) but given the extortionate prices charged at many musical and sporting happenings elsewhere,this Festival represents a real bargain even with supplements given the huge cost of producing such a comprehensive programme of music and dance with many of the stars of the Folk scene, plus up and coming talent. The apposite mission statement this year was “Ear to the Past and Eye to the Future”

The Organisers have indeed made an effort to provide as much flexibility as possible
within the schedule of ticketing options.

The town of Sidmouth offers a number of attractions for a family holiday and during Festival week, a full programme of events aimed at the younger set is on offer. This mainly takes place in the Blackmore Gardens area.

New for this year at The Bulverton, was an up market lounge area providing a haven for late night revelers and an extra facility for the adjacent camping site.

The Festival makes use of of around 25 venues throughout the town all conveniently accessible on foot with a food catering area adjacent to The Festival hub of the Ham
marquee main concert venue.

The seaside promenade provides a location for many market stalls and unofficial
entertainers with the Port Royal end of the prom. the designated dance area for the many Morris sides. These dedicated dancers always provide a colourful spectacle throughout the week as is evidenced by Eve Mathews' atmospheric photographs displayed on this site.

Those of you who haven't attended Sidmouth Festival make sure that it is in your Diary
for next year.

There are selected reviews of some of the acts appearing are published on this site here.

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