TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

A lot of horrible things happened this year, but there were good things as well.
So, for me the personal positives were... (in no particular order)

My faith in the innate goodness of the majority was restored
I re-met and met lots of fun, friendly, warm people
Having had a really lousy year, I could meet with the people that got me through it upright (as opposed to in a box)
I exorcised a pretty significant ghost (I heard that Delfini ;))
I was taken to another place by amazing music
(and on a really personal note...I largely ignored the existence of the 'Boots the Chemist' that I have to cart around with me everywhere ;D.....oh alright, I know I shouldn't be smug about that one, but I am anyway :D)


Mic - a happy bunny

Great topic Mic!  8)

My blood pressure is back to what passes for normal after a very relaxing weekend.
My sister who was attending Cropredy for the first time really enjoyed herself.
It didn't rain when Richard Thompson was playing - So who shall we blame for the deluge on Saturday?
I didn't get a serious hangover despite trying very hard to do so.
Peggy said "See you next year"

Cheers
Dunc

I didn't see a single wasp ;D

rachel

Second time for me and really enjoyed it again!!! Music was fantastic .. a good mix ..the weather was, well weather!... it was great to see most people unperturbed and smiling, even when it was belting it down....and I love the efficiency of everyones waterproofing.. there are some really well prepared people at Cropredy!! ... nice to be home with the comfy bed and hot shower but ROLL ON NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!

You're right Rachel, no wasps! :D only just realised that!
Got to Cropredy on Thursday morning with no hassle and managed to get on Field 5 - just! and that was at 9.30am!
Friday was a lovely, sunny day, and it got quite hot in the afternoon.
The music was great.
The Indian food stall was addictive.
My friend and her children came for the first time and had such a good time that they are going to return next year.
My son only argued with me once.
If I had a hangover, I didn't notice it.
My mobile phone wouldn't work ;)
The van started first time on Sunday morning.
It was wonderful to leave all the hassles of the 'real world' behind

I did see a single wasp. just one solitary one on the Friday.  I was worried it would return with its mates, but it probably got swatted by someone further along the field.

We had no incidents other than some noisy people nearby, but its a festival and they were probably better behaved then when I was younger :-X

All in all the four of us decided that we will be coming next year.  Though we will be bring a lot less gear, having now found the breakfast places etc.

Mark (Tired but still happy)

OK. We have had the negatives on the other thread. Now the good bits.

Cropredy happened - hurrah.

We heard some great music, camped with some wonderful people, met and drank with even more wonderful people, talked absolute rubbish for hours on end, laughed a LOT, ate lots of good food and some of us even managed to stay clean.

The two Cropredy virgins we had with us thought it was one of the best weekends ever, and can't wait for next year.

At the end of the day that was what counted, and is why we will all be back next year.

Thank you so much to everyone for the good times. It all just went much too fast.

Sandra

I chatted with two of the young girls (mid-teens) who were with one of my neighbours. One had visited previously, her friend had not....

'What did you think ?', I asked... 'Was it like you imagined ?'

'No' came the reply... 'It was better than I had imagined'...... and of they went with smiling faces and pink fluffy ears ..... surely just a small step away from a tiara   ;D Bless their hearts.  [;-)

We also had with us not only a Cropredy virgin but a complete (entire ? ::) ) festival virgin who loved it so much she'll be back next year, and she'll no doubt sample a few others with us in the mean time  ;D

Ditto here - collared by a bloke on the way into the field on Friday - didn't look very folkie, (but then neither do I), but he struck up conversation.  Said he's been coming last few years - didn't think music was his cup of tea, and his mates thought he was mad, but "he just thought it was wonderful"

Said "there was nowhere else he'd rather be right now"

This year my son enjoyed the festival itself much more than previous years. He couldn't stop talking about it as we went back to the van Saturday night. He went down the front during several acts, and also made a lot of new friends when doing circus skills at the top of the field.

Paul

Personally, I reckon it was one of the best festivals I've ever been to.  [;-)

Eclectic music, eclectic weather, good food, wonderful company, new friends, (oh, and the chance to hear an excellent sounding pre-release of the new album from a certain prominent board member  :-X  8) ) What more could anyone ask for?

The Fez/Tiara thing is just hysterical - this year and last I really felt I was a part of the festival, not just a punter. I really appreciate that.

The thing is, it's a festival. It's a gathering of thousands and thousands of people in strange circumstances to celebrate in ways that are totally different from everyday life. Festivals are amazing things and Cropredy is still the best of them. To next year!

Cheers

Nick

Got onto Field 5 (just) which was lovely and quiet at night and near but not too near the loos  ;D
Friendly camping neighbours  ;D
Lovely clean toilets all weekend  :D
Sat outside the Brasenose on Thursday afternoon, sun shining, pint in hand, baby fast asleep in pram....... :D
22 month old daughter dancing away to RT at 10.00pm at night, pointing and waving at the stars  ;D

We WILL be back .............   :-*

Came along with 9 Cropredy virgins who all had a fab time despite the Saturday rain and can't wait again until next year. Some of them had never been to a festival at all before but they all agreed that the laid back atmosphere and the friendly people were something they didn't think still existed in this day and age. Total escape.
Thankyou <peggy> <simon> <ric> <gerry> <chris> for a fantastic 3 days and a blinding last few hours :-*- all over far too quick!

We had no Cropredy virgins with us this year.
As a bunch  of Cropredy veterans, we all agreed it was as good as ever!
Positive points for me:-
-It was on
-The important people were there (you lot  [;-))
-Spending time with son and heir
-Camping and taking life easy with my closest fiends
-The music, most of it fact, despite peoples personal preferences we did get to see / hear some brilliant / accomplished musicians

I've said it in the Thank you thread, but special thanks to you lot for being such jolly good folks!

All in all .......................Brill!  ;D

Ok, some good stuff....

- The toilets were much cleaner than last year, even on Sunday morning!
- The food was gorgeous, and healthy, I could happily have all my meals forever at Cropredy
- The sound was much better than last year, and if you wished you could have your insides rearranged by the bass  ;D
- RT, Tickled Pink and the Dylan Project were far better than I expected
- Fairport, RT, Maart and all the guests (well, most) were technically suberb and a visual treat
- The lighting was second to none
- Greenpeace were allowed a pitch, which was a really nice touch by the organisers  :)
- There was no cow poo
- There were no wasps
- The family field was quiet (at least from within the field itself)
- There were loads of board members and some really nice beer to share with them (MikeC, I owe you a pint)

Very positive weekend:

- met lots of new friends
- got some nice new clothes (pity I can't wear them to work; I think we need a bit of colour in this office)
- Finally got the chance to chill out at the bar with certain performers (they know who they are)
- Toilets were better than I've seen before (although the blue bleach was still eye-watering)
- Food was nice and edible
- On the whole (with only 2 exceptions), a good, diverse selection of performers and some real treats in it as well

Bring on 2006!

Well done Mic for starting this - I was despairing at the volumes of moans!
It was lovely to meet you and the others at Barnstones - didn't get enough time to talk so hope for more next year!(At least we will recognise each other!)
As always we had a fantastic year - in response to previous criticism the Clan were very quiet and well behaved and sorry if they upset people last year.
Great music, very good company, lovely food, good shopping, clean loos, nice relaxed atmosphere and FUN, FUN, FUN.  ;D Isn't that what it's all about????
Auntiebobble X

Got the chance to dance with my 14 year old daughter who just loved the groove of the Fairport set last 30 minutes - we were down in "the mosh pit" Excellent stuff (sorry about those who were behind her when we hoisted her up high)

Brilliant event, keep it up please we'll be back !

I certainly hope the FC boys are reading this

My positives

1. That it took place at all, and was "virtually" unchanged from previous years
2. Great beer as always (and also thanks to Braze, Red Lion and the Pav)
3. Superb food selection (see thred on Croppers food)
4. Great mix of musical styles - whilst FC were not rocking in the first part of the set (but soon did) I found the whole deal to be a lot "bluesier" than in some years.  Add in a smattering of Dub, Reggae and quite a bit of folk, and you get a mix, suitably different from other years, that will, I think, stand out for some time.  I agree with other posts here - lighting was fantastic
5. Fields seemed pretty clear, mud and poo free on arrival
6. No wasps! (I'd love to thank Fairport for this, but I think that is more down to mama nature)
7. Test match was on in the Pav
8. Stewards and scouts were, in my experience, friendly and jolly - love the signs!
9. Nice mix of stalls - still bit too much junk for the kids, but seemed to be, just, you know... more!  (two musical instrument stores for a start!!)
10. Friendly people (99% of the time!)
11. Toilets were cleaner than usual - seemed to be restocked regularly
12. whilst we had a little rain - no mud!
13. Got there at a time I thought was too early, but they let us in to get a superb pitch
14. Despite any bother that may have gone on with the Banbury crowd - the villagers were as welcoming and involved as ever (big thanks!)

Cropredy Virgin here (I had a tiara on loan, but shall have to invest in my own for the future methinks, why is there no smiley with a tiara?  ::)). Anyway, I had a fantastic time  :).

My big highlight was Christine Collister walking on stage...I couldn't believe my luck, first Cropredy, excellent RT and DT set and then my favourite singer ever too. What more could ya want?. And The Saturday night concert was great, though I didn't know quite what to expect, I loved it.

Thanks to the excellent group of people I've managed to meet over the past year and was camped with, I think that made it for me; the nonsense talking, the inaugural Cropredy 'fork' awards (ask Sandy), the little yellow dragons and the "Bert" game...absolutely hilarious.

And hello to all the Talkawhile people I met at the bar on Friday and Saturday, I don't get time to post much here, but I expect I will in future  :D

Cheers

Fi

Well I have to say that we had a great weekend!

My backpacking (well trolley packing as he said!) neighbour was a lovely man and very polite and a such a dear about us being so close to his tent!

The food was fantastic.... Leons polenta was the best polenta I have had in a long while! I also worked out that although it seemed a bit steep that the food was not as expensive as it could have been... and potato moon is just the best value for fries since when they have finished with them they are out of this world!

We got to sit with some lovely people in the shape of captain puggs crew which was lovely since it meant James and I could spend time together at the bar without worrying about our box of wine for later!

I can't wait for next year now!

Well, we had a bit of a "down" festival - that would have happened anyway, whatever else went on.  Nothing to do with the organisation, or the "yoofs", or anything.  Mostly to do with the Land Rover breaking down half way there on Thursday, so we had to pay (lots!) for it to be recovered home, chuck all the stuff into a different car and start all over again.  This meant not only that we were relegated to field 7, but also we were all tetchy and pissed off all weekend, thinking we should really be at home fixing the Landy rather than wasting time in a field...

Anyhoo,  Positively Speaking!!

There was lots of cider!  And lots of beer!  Although that probably didn't help the mood late at night when fatigue got on top of it but hey, you take the ups with the downs.  The lads liked all of the ales, so the traditional running out of 6X wasn't a problem.  Here's hoping the Summersault is back next year!

FC played a BEAUTIFUL version of Rosemary's Sister.

Maart's bass in Beth Neilsen-Chapman's set was perfectly audible from where I was sitting, and I want MORE!!! (discovery of the weekend!)

Good food, especially the buffalo stall.

Good friends - Talkawhilers and other mates we only seem to catch up with at Cropredy.

We, too, had a brilliant time.
It was great meeting everyone - being part of it instead of wondering what the fezzes were about!
Food was great, even if I didn't have much of an appetite - too excited perhaps.
I reckon the loos were better than last year, and well supplied - I've brought most of our emergency loo roll stock home with us.
The music was great. I don't think a single act really disappointed and some were real discoveries.
Getting to the camping field was easy - we were clearly directed by friendly stewards.

Highlights -
Steering Amy & Puggs' narrowboat
Richard Thompson
Talking to Simon mayor about mandolins.

Low points -
Having to find a doctor for Rachel's asthma attack.
Developing a migraine and missing thursday eve.

And the loos!  How could I forget the loos?!!

FAB!  11/10, really!  Even saw the teams stocking them up on Sunday morning!  Couldn't ask for better, and I certainly didn't see any floods.

Thinking about it, the problems I noted in the Feild 4 toilets were possibly due to revelers at the other place after hours!   

The Tardi at the top of the field did seem ok, only gripe was there were no paper towels in the gents caravan thing! 

The good things outweighed any bad things I saw, by miles!

Mark (Are the tickets on sale yet for next year?)

21st Cropredy - enjoyed it immensely

we were on f6 - caravans , disabled etc - quiet at night, no hassles.

Music - really good- i never enjoy everything, but I did enjoy most of it this year.

toilets this year really excellent compared with previous years.

brilliant job from Gareth, rob, Simon and Peggy - keep up the good work and don't be downhearted by the criticisms [many justified] because no event as large as this will be problem free. Just take them on board and make us another fantastic festival next year.....please

sorry off topic p.s. in case the powers that be read this:-
unexpected special guests on the Sat really go done well with the punters[ as we used to have - Plant, Connelly etc.]
special request for next year The Blockheads - one of the best live bands i've seen in a long while.
and I bet Peggy knows Steve Winwood - what about a little phone call? I know Peggy likes the guys music because I just read it in the 1985 programme!!!!!!!


thanks
Paul

This was posted in the Cropredy Problems thread and is essentially a call for sanity and reason from the newly-arrived Soundtowerguy


I asked if it was OK to copy this post across for reasons that are evident.... i know that you will make STG welcome on these pages.

Nuthouse

Wecome STG.......it doesn't come much more 'positive' than a new member ;D
Look forward to getting to know you, and to hearing what you have to say :)

Mic

Thanks for the welcome. We've been going to cropredy for many years now and thought it was about time that we made ourselves heard. Don't like to hear so many negative views on what is such a wonderful weekend.

Well, I'd just like to say I had a brilliant time (again).

Met lots of new faces and some not-so-new ones again too.
Drank in copious amounts - and didn't fall over
Enjoyed the festival atmosphere and soaked it all in.

See you all again next year!

Ana

Just to add my twopennorth:

I agree with all of the above!!!  Great to hear acts that I go to see anyway and even greater to get introduced to new ones - can you get more diverse than Tickled Pink and The Muffin men - I shall make every effort to see both again asap.

Moments of great fun and great poignancy - 'Solo' always brings a tear close to my eye but after several festivales ....

We spoke to a group of 20 something croprevirgins - they'd danced and sung and seen a side of massed humanity that was unexpected (In the positive sense).

We camped at the top of F7 where all seemed quiet.  One of my high points was as we left on thursday evening to be in a crowd of several hundred being held back by just one young man for no apparent reason (It was of course to ensure safety over the bridge). Many people wondered what was going on and there were a few comments about the delay until a gentle baaing ran round the group.  We all behaved like perfect sheep and were shepherded across in safety.  Perhaps this is a ritual but we've never camped there before and it just seemed to sum up the gentle Cropredy spirit.

I love that bit of time waiting to return slowly to field 7 actually it's quite nice to be able to see the faces of your temporary neighbours....last year my dad had a conversation with a fellow Pole in the queue.... twas lovely!

Whilst down the front for the Fairport set, two young, over refreshed ,fun Scots guys started talking to us and rather than be rude and say sssh, we're listening we found out that these two were down from Scotland working in the area and just happened upon the festival. They said how good it was and how they just had to stay for the whole day on Saturday. They had never heard of Fairport and were so eager to find out all about them. They were so complimentary on their musical ability and were going to go home and look Fairport up on the internet. They told us they were used to good Gaelic music at home but that this was fabulous. Two Cropredy Virgins found the Festival by accident and thought it was the best music festival they had ever been to.  [;-)

Thats one of the most uplifting posts I've read since returning. This is the kind of folks Cropredy Convention needs not just to survive but to flourish.  Good on 'em  :D

Thers so much positive stuff...

* just the anticipation of getting there
* arriving there and having a good pitch near to Angela Jack and Dennis and some loverly loos with pictures on the walls and wooden loo seats ;D)
* having help getting my tent up (thanks  :-*)
* it didn't rain til the last day and it was very sunny on thursday
* great performances and music and extra guests (thank you Christine Collister, you are a star!)
* the Amy and Puggs enclave
* the Talkawhile meets and all the gorgeous people I met - special love to GF  :)
* great food
* and its all going to happen again next year!!

Hazzah!!  Cant wait..
Issy

so many positives too......
getting there after getting lost a few times(the dreaded diversion signs!)
very nice lady on next pitch coming to my assistance with my tent
Chris Leslie's smile
remembering to take a waterproof
chatting to a man from London on the narrow bridge on saturday night

can't wait till next year!

...and I thought the stage lighting was fab and the sound much better than last year...   and I was very happy with the music selection  O0

I was on field 3 and thankfully didn't experience any trouble.. bit noisy at times, but then it is a festie, I just stuffed my ear plugs in and went to sleep.. no problem..   had nice neighbours :)

and the fireworks at the end made a happy ending!  [;-)

I thought that the sound was much better this year.  Though we were in a different location, directly in line with the left PA speakers.  Last year it seemed to fade in and out.  As to problems with certain instruments etc, technical problems will always occur, no matter how hard every one trys to stop them.

I also stayed nearly sober, so did not sleep/collapse and miss any of it. 

Just wish I was there now, instead of here.

A positively good time I thought, as did the others I was with.

Tech probs with instruments, I would have thought, was down to the fairly dramatic change in weather - went from dry and warm to cold and wet - would have played havoc with feedback, tuning etc

Spot on.
Last year there was a phasing error in part of one of the speaker banks, which was only traced several festivals later to a incorrectly wired cable. This caused the slightly eratic sound, depending on where you were standing and what was being played.
This year it was fixed and explains why the sound carried much further.

Loved hearing Chris Leslie sound checking early on Thursday morning......that lovely voice drifting across the empty festival field...... magic.

Meeting countless new talkawhilers, Issy, Pastieboy, Dad Volt, Mark, MikeC, Tarda, Rachie Poos, Skirky, James SftBH, fBilly to name but a few..... ;D ;D ;D ;D

Gower Flower

Definetly time to 'Accentuate the Positive' as the song said, well I had a great time, listened to some great music (And some I could take or leave). Picked up some smashin' CDs, met LOADS of people this year and re-met some from previous, got a little bit giggly and over-relaxed  :-[ , finally got to 'The Reindeer' very nice, overall a very good experience thanks to everyone involved in the organisation. Oh and of course I got my 1989 festival poster of Peggy, noe proudly on me wall. My real winge is that I didn't win the shirt competition (Who was the judge anyway)  ;)

Show of
Ah, that would be telling, wouldn't it. Anyways, mine were't  best :-* I am still waiting for the prize though.

Sandra

Thanks for starting this thread and taking it forward. We each of us have our own take on the weekend/event and it is helpful to have this forum for comparison. As at the moment I'm busy mailing back stolen wallets (sans cash but with cards - that tells you the kind of villains we're beset by) I find this reinforcing place comforting. Thanks again and g'night.

Well we had a brilliant weekend! And as a positive response to the 'yoof' problems many of you had, the 15-year-old lad we found wandering by our tent as we set up early on Thursday morning was the most polite and erudite kid I've met in years. Wicked guitarist too.  He had a sleeping bag but no tent; apparently his dad was supposed to have travelled up with him but had been delayed. He slept under our gazebo and left his gear in our tent 'til he met up with his dad on Friday night. No problems at all   :)

Bit late I know, but I do agree - there is a feeling camaraderie about it all, especially after the good vibes that the whole event gives off it's kinda nice to look round knowing that there are alot of like minded people around

We have often camped in field 7. There have often been sheep impressions from the crowd. There have often been several blokes greatly interested in the wildlife in the tow path hedge as well  ::) ;D Yes me included  :-[

Paul

It was judged by the Lovely Samantha. She was difficult to miss, in the mini sou'wester, waders and fez.

That would be when RT was signing in the record tent. The magic still works  :)

My high points:

• It actually happened!
• Arrived at 11am and got in with minimum queueing. Directed all the way across the top of the main field, down through 6 and on into 6A. And very handy it was too.
• Met lots of very friendly people, drank a bit and laughed a lot
• Toilets were better than expected
• Discovered some new bands I like
• Peggy was there
• The signs
• The sound was good, and the bass is amazing if you get close
• Nothing bad happened to me (but very sad for others who were not so lucky)
• No serious hangover, despite the best efforts of Frogcrutches. That was good stuff. That could become a tradition  ;D
• The test match went well
• Got out on Sunday without getting stuck or spraying mud all over the camper

The new entry to field 6, across the top of the main field, with the metal road was brilliant. It restored our faith in field 6  :) Slightly dodgy getting out the old farm gate, as we nearly touched both sides, but we made it.

Toilets on field 6 were brilant. If you didn't look down to see the blue water you would have thought you were at home.

Paul

Meeting TaW folk at the bar on Saturday at 6 was brill, the T-shirt was instantly the brightest I've had in 20 years and the Fairport Set was brill.

;D

Well I'm so chuffed, I convinced myself  I'd already posted in this thread.

It went ahead when we feared it wouldn't.
We're discussing the problems and apparently so are the organisers.
Peggy made it.
I heard some brilliant music.
I met more lovely people.
Even some of the rain was warm.

Oh and this place is keeping the post Cropredy blues to a minimum.
See you next year if not sooner.

Clive

In short - overall it was great, with the many plus points already enumerated.  I look forward to meeting up with you all next year for another wonderful experience.

Bing was right 8)

 You've got to accentuate the positive
 Eliminate the negative
 Latch on to the affirmative
 Don't mess with Mister In-Between

 You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
 Bring gloom down to the minimum
 Have faith or pandemonium
 Liable to walk upon the scene

(full lyrics at http://www.mathematik.uni-ulm.de/paul/lyrics/bingcrosby/accent~1.html )

Too many positives to mention (and a lot of them  you have all beaten me too) but...

1. We've been to Cropredy 2005
2. There'll be a Cropredy 2006
3. Excellent line-up Saturday and Friday afternoon/evening
4. Sent t-shirts to a friend who couldn't make it, and the very nice postman delivered them on Saturday so they were able to wear them Sunday night
5. Simon Nicol doing the dedication of the wonderful Hiring Fair to my mate
6. Rosemary's sister  ::)
7. Didn't rain ALL weekend.

Donna
xx

Which festival did you go to Donna? It can't have been the same one  ???

Indeed where were you Donna! ;)

Donna's words were carefully emphasised Steve and Tasha, read them again ...  ;)

So they were!  :-[ It didn't rain all weekend only part of it and that is a really positive thing!
Doh!

Having had my first post in the problems, I felt the need to balance my yin with my yang...

Highlights

 - Wuthering Heights by the Ukulele Orchestra - helpless with laughter I was.

 - Meeting old friends again

 - The feeling that 3 days in an Oxfordshire feild does more for my soul than 14 days on a Mediterranean Island...

 - Anticipation of next year starting already

 - making new friends (Marillion fans of the world unite!!!)

 - a moment of madness that resulted in the purchase of a ukulele!  ;D

 - that the continuing Cropredy vibe is still there and will continue for as long as we can keep it going.



 - oh, and the HUGE tub of garlic mayonnaise outside the (non-senor moon) potato wedges stall - yum...

There are a few of us Marillion fans on here (but don't tell the folkies)  ;)

We loved it. Meeting old and new friends, pigging out on junk food, a bar you can get to at your slightest whim, loo rolls being replenished up to and including sunday morning, the vibe, brandy coffee nightcaps...oh, and some music  ;D
Skirky

Can I offer a slightly different take on the positives of Cropredy - For many years the organisers (whether Chris & Peggy or the current team) have provided us, the ordinary punters, with the opportunity to make the Festival the uniquely addictive thing it is. We've spent plenty of time on this board talking about how THEY can make next year's event better and more trouble free. Perhaps it's time to ask what contribution we can make to it's success.
There's already plenty of evidence, from Walter cycling from Stuttgart to the activities of Fez heads and tiara wearers that we don't simply go as consumers of what's being served up to us - from stage, bar or stall - Even if I didn't get to the great celebration until my 50th. year - and I've only been 8 times in total, I've got the feeling that somehow Cropredy is mine and that gives me a responsibility to do whatever I can to make sure it's the best that it can be. Anyone feel the same? If so is there anything we can do about it?

John Stride.

I've got the feeling that somehow Cropredy is mine and that gives me a responsibility to do whatever I can to make sure it's the best that it can be. Anyone feel the same?
[/quote]

Absolutely - sometimes you see a post which sums up exactly how you feel.

Thank you.

Utterly true. It's up to us to maintain the community atmosphere which is obviously still there but being crowded out by those who don't care for it.

Even little things like helping people with tents, tidying up rubbish you see, moving so someone can see better etc. can really make a difference.

I'm sure that it doesn't apply to people here, but I think the rubbish was dreadful this year. On Friday, us, and the family in front of us, duetifully collected our rubbish into plastic bags, to be carried off with us. As we left we were surrounded by a sea of rubbish. We still carried off our plastic bags and dumped them in the bin.

Hi to the family with the green alien BTW if you ever read this.

Paul

My 1st time at Croperdy. It was brill
great atmosphere
great beer
GREAT PEOPLE!!!...............you know who you are, and that includes the three wise women of the west.

in the words of big arnie
I'LL BE BACK!

Ditto here on the rubbish collection Paul

Forgive me if I celebrate publicly one more personal positive, helped by Cropredy 2005.

Today I had my appointment with the psychologist, as usual...
full of the joys and spirit of our Cropredy, I sat and yapped, and told her all about the Festival
and the lovely people, the great atmosphere and the fantastic music...

I must have looked and sounded impressive because....in the nicest possible way of course....she has told me to go forth and multiply ;D ;D

So there you go.....Cropredy, healer of the spirit :)

Mic

I don't know the background to this, Mic, but well done ;)

And I agree about the rubbish, felt so sorry for the people who had to clear it all up. 

But, Cropredy happened after we all thought it might not, and it was wonderful to be there again, and to feel that life isn't so bad, after all.

Happy Daze, Mic, Happy Daze...

I don't think it was the rubbish collection as people not taking their rubbish away with them  >:(

Probably the same people who heckled the bands etc.

Hi Simon

Hope you do not think this is a naff message.  I just wanted to say, on behalf of all the 'front rowers', a BIG thanks for all you, and the backroom boys and girls have done to get Cropredy on this year.

No, it wasn't all perfect, but more than we ever dared think this time last year.

You all deserve a holiday, take care and thanks again!

Front Row Nic and friends.

Thank heavens for some positives! Well my highlights off the top of me head were:

Meeting Talkawhilers at the bar Sat 1800-ish.   [;-) Sorry I was incoherent but I had a bust collarbone, was p*ssed off because I couldn't attend Thur/Fri, and had had a few pints plus brown pills (prescribed) to compensate!

Rabbiting on to David Hughes about Sandy Denny. Sorry Dave.  :-[

Downing two large glasses of Chinese (?) firewater in one. Thanks to the kind Talkawhiler for the drinkies - there is probably a dent in the one of the portaloos where I later bounced off the the door & nearly broke the other collarbone!  ;D ;D ;D
 
Realising there were five nurses, a plumber, a Ministry of Defence employee, a pharmacist, a doctor (well a gynaecologist) and two students, at least one of whom can play the fiddle, in our group. So nearly any eventuality was covered... and by the way, the gynaecologist is married to the plumber.  :D

Richard Thompson as ever, even though I only saw him on Sat.

And if you look at this thread again Mr. Nicol, thanks for a great Saturday, we will all be back next year, we do appreciate what a mammoth job you guys have had. You are ALL part of our lives now, and we feel you are friends.

Sorry about long post, celebrating having two hands again! See some of you before next year, God willing. Cheers - Ed         

Said the actress to the bishop

I have been a little reluctant to post in this thread as I was working with and alongside Gareth Williams during the festival and felt a little uneasy about getting involved in this discussion but here goes.
Yes there was a problem with security and I know it caused Gareth a terrible headache as he tried to tighten up the general level of stewarding with very limited human resources. As Simon said in his earlier posting this is one area that will be addressed before next year. The reality is in any community of 18,000 souls, there will unfortunately be a few bad apples, it's rooting those few individuals out that's the problem, because as few as they thankfully are, they inflict a great deal of damage and discomfort on their victims.  By their very nature, it's impossible to make a tent secure, we individually and collectively must take the utmost care and responsibility for our valuables. There is a balance to be struck, we don't want to turn the camping sites in to Stalags, yet at the same time we do need to improve the monitoring of people entering the camping fields, it's a tricky one but a problem I know that will be addressed seriously.
One of the problems this year was the shortage of experienced stewards, over the years Christine had built up an army of such individuals, sadly Gareth had no list of previous helpers to work from. So if you feel you would like to get involved, I'm certain Gareth would be glad to hear from you when he starts to build his team for next year.
There were many positives this year, the general spirit of the event was great, the music was fab. the weather was, well, changeable but we've experienced worse.
Most of the negatives were outside the control of the festival, such as the fun fair and the Other Place, Gareth did place an objection to the magistrates when the Other Place applied for it's late licence but the magistrate knew best !

I can assure you with Gareth at the helm, the spirit of Cropredy is as strong as ever, the festival is in good hands. With our collective help and support it's possible it will continue to improve.

Thanks for your time, here's to Cropredy 2006
Cheers! martin

Excellent news Mic!!!!   Keep up the good work  ;)

This was my second year at Cropredy, and after last year me and my brother in law were made up that it was on again this year!  It was a great, relaxed three days in the sun (and rain...), and there's no way we should let a few gits ruin it all by stealing stuff.

Looking forward to 2006 already - at least, i am now my body has returned to it's normal temperature, and my clothes have dried off!

nice to see so many people of the same opinion! roll on next year!

Martin, Gareth, Fairport...
We'll all do everything we can to stop the moronic from taking over our very precious Cropredy!!!!

In the words of the profit ;)

Illigitimi
Non
Carborundum


Mic - Roll on Cropredy 2006 ;D ;D

Without wanting this to seem like a comment in any way on the Peggs divorce, it is a great shame that Gareth had to organise Cropredy from scratch, without even a list of names for Stewards etc.

In the circumstances, I must say Go Gareth.  That was an amazing achievement in the circumstances.

Donna

Donna, just to clarify matters, there was no conspiracy on the part of Christine to withold any list of names etc. Said list never really existed in any formal format, it was predominately done previously by word of mouth and via the grapevine, hence this years difficulties. 

Martin / Gareth
I don't know what assistance I could be, but I would like to help in any way that I could.  Get in touch.
BD

BD, do you know the way to the bar ? that would be a great help.... :D     

Seriously Big Dave, I think the time to register your interest in becoming part of the team would be after the winter tour. It's immediately after that, that Gareth enters his office to begin the 6 months of work it takes to put the festival on.
It'll be good have you aboard,
martin

Considering all the things that could have gone horribly wrong, but didn't, I think this year's festival was a superb achievement.

A big hand to all concerned. It must have been terribly disheartening to have thieving and yobbish behaviour to deal with, but apart from that I thought it was a great success. Well done chaps and thanks for all your hard work.

If the security can be improved for next year then it will be perfect. I'll be there.  [;-)

And so say all of us Mix, although I wasn't aware that the prophets spoke latin, I endorse the sentiments.

I'm sure there are a lot of us on the board willing to help with stewarding, etc. Any chance of a link so we can sign up?

When everyone has returned from their well earned but all too brief break, I will certainly put your suggestion forward John.


This is to clarify that I am not speaking in any official capacity in this thread, these are purely my personal observations. However I am confident in the knowledge that my thoughts mirror closely the aspirations of Gareth and the management team.

I can assure you with Gareth at the helm, the spirit of Cropredy is as strong as ever, the festival is in good hands. With our collective help and support it's possible it will continue to improve.

First of all .. THANK YOU ..ALL OF YOU who organised and put on one of the best festivals that I have been to .. on behalf of the small group of people I came with (1 croppers virgin, a couple of veterans and for me, 2nd time).  I can probably only guess at how much hard work and headaches are involved in organising something like this.  Nothing is perfect, and what a boring world this would be if it was!!

All of us will be coming next year, and when I have finished running around telling everyone that they should come, I will probably be introducing a new set of lucky virgins to FAIRPORT'S CROPREDY.

I do not know you, but Graham, Martin, Simon and all .. WELL DONE!!..it was brilliant. See you all next year!!!  

ps.. next year put on a big funfair about 5 miles from Cropredy..with a bar and a Happy Hour and let the local scallies play with themselves!!!!

I was only there on the Saturday, but had a great time with an eclectic choice of music topped by one of the best sets I've seen Fairport play recently. I reckon the rain brought out the Dunkirk spirit and I certainly didn't notice any dimuntion in the Cropredy atmosphere.

In front of me was a chap from Oxford in his 50s. We got talking between a couple of the acts, and he told me that he hadn't heard of Fairport until the previous Tuesday when his girlfriend took him to The Mill. He thought that was great, so they had decided to come to the festival on Friday and Saturday. He thought the whole thing was brilliant, and the friendship among the crowd, the mix of music, and the overall ambience better than anything he had experienced before!

This is what Cropredy is all about, and I think Gareth and the team did a fantastic job overall. Roll on next year!

We (me, my wife Carole and our two teenagers) went to our first Cropredy Saturday at the weekend and had the most wonderful time despite the weather. We were originally encouraged to go by our kids after they really enjoyed a Fairport concert earlier in the year, and saw the Saturday night lineup for the festival on the flyer. Couldn't keep my daughter out of the clothes stalls, where she stocked up on snazzy tops and t-shirts, and now can't wait to show them to her friends back at school. My son especially appreciated the food stalls and the bar!

We caught the music from Uscedwyr onwards and we all enjoyed every minute. Carole and I have been going to see Fairport live regularly for the past 20 years, and their set on Saturday evening was brilliant. The atmosphere on our side of the arena field (near the bar and CD test) was very friendly, and we experienced no problems on the camp site, but then we were on the distant reaches of field 7 and appreciated the peace and quiet in the small hours.

Looking forward to next year already!

Best wishes to all involved - well done, it was fantastic!!

Phil

I really enjoyed Cropredy this year-
Asking a random bloke in Field 6 if he could help putting up my tent,
meeting Mix and someone else by the bar on Friday night,
The fun spirit of the whole thing.
Loos with paper and HOT water.
Potato wedges with beans and cheese sauce.
Actually getting some sleep this year.

And all this at an event I'm "working" at- there's not many St. John duties I'll book leave for as soon as I get my leave card!

PS- sorry about the rain- my fault- I'd just taken the tent down... :)

Ann

Hi Ann, it was lovely to meet you :)
Next year we'll arrange to meet up whilst you're on a longer break :)

Mic

If Simon Nicol was ever  to have  a day off  . His volunteer  replacement is right behind him ;D ;D practicing  .Give me  another 39 years . [;-)

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I've been lurking around the board for years, but felt moved to sign up just so that I could say a huge thank you to the organisers of this year's festival. Gareth's debriefing post sounded so despondent I wanted to let him and the others know that they did a fabulous job, all their hard work and planning paid off as far as the overwhelming majority was concerned and everyone I came into contact with was having a ball (as usual).

The Field is a very special place to be (even if the moon doesn't rise over the hill) and I think it will be a lot more difficult to damage the atmosphere than some people realise.

Here's to 2006.

Jan

Bless them!
My daughter had her foot damaged by a vaulting steward on the friday at Crops and had to spend the rest of the weekend in a wheelchair. As I posted elsewhere, Gareth was very helpful at the time. Today Vikki received a lovely letter, apologizing for not being in contact sooner, offering to reimburse any costs incurred by the accident and enclosing a photo signed by Simon and a CD. She has no intention of asking for the costs because, as she says, accidents happen, and she has every intention of being in that field again next year - although keeping a watchful eye for flying stewards ;) . She asked me to post this as she was really pleased that Gareth had taken the time and trouble to contact her. The foot is healing nicely by the way :).

rachel

Examples like this are precisely why I am proud to count the lads as my friends.

I've just found this thread, having not been round the board much recently.

Sitting reading it has taken me back to that field, and I'm sitting here smiling, just remembering it.

I can't count the number of people I've bored when they've asked if I had a good weekend.They tend to run when they see me coming now.

I can't remember a weekend like it - ever I think. It was remarkable and shows that the amazing spirit that Fairport have created goes above and beyond the music - how many bands could have created a festival with such an atmosphere - and be out there on the field with us, sharing it??

Well done indeed.

And thanks to those of the tiaraed and fezzed brigade I met too, for adding to the fun.

delfini

Really happy to hear that the foot is healing well :)
I admit to a broad grin on my face as I read this post....sort of "that's mah boys!!!!!" grin, I mean this is what it's all about isn't it?, this is why we love Cropredy and Faiport et al so much!!! When you get right down to it, we love warm, friendly, nice, decent people, and that is what we have in Cropredy and Fairport, and in the guy's choice of friends to join them for the weekend. The excellent music is a bonus!!!

I can't wait for 2006, it will be good to be amongst so many like-minded warm, lovely people again, listening to the best of music...
no chance of starting up the the Cropredy Counter yet I suppose ;)

Mic

My first read of this post as I'm still catching up (having been afloat for most of August)...  I echo ALL of the positives expressed here..  and would like to add my heartfelt gratitude to all the team... Gareth, Simon, Martin, Peggy, those wonderful people at the booking office (!), my Steward friend Catherine (who donated her hat to me :-*), the friends who allowed us to moor alongside their boat, the young male steward who made me a mug of tea with brandy which I drank on Saturday afternoon in the pouring rain...

Our week began with the Monday warm up, continued with the Tuesday warm up, stretched to Tiny Tin Lady at The Mill on Wednesday, then three days on THE FIELD in the Holy City of Cropredy...  the music was great, the food was great, the company was great, EVERYTHING was wonderful for us...  even found the rain copable (sp?) with... 

So thanks again to the BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD for organising the highlight of my year...  and to all my lovely TALKAWHILE mates.. old and new..  can't wait to meet you all again soon :-*

I've bored my non Crops friends rigid with all my excitement...  yes there are still a few to be converted!

See you all again NEXT YEAR....  same place, same time....

With great love and thanks...  Amethyst :-*

We brought our next door neighbours this year (five of them) and they have become utterly hooked having never heard a note of Fairport before. They were really taken by the eclecticism of the music across the whole weekend.

And we have just been treated to our own mini-fest in the back garden including a brilliantly played set of jigs played by nine-year old  fiddler who has become enchanted by the whole folk thing and a beautifully sung "Winter Winds" from a twelve year old. There is hope for the world.

We camped right on the bank of the canal and only about 100 yards from the coffee van in field 7.  great place and made friends with a great Auusie who was game even as we told him his cricket teams days (innings were numbered).
Great neighbors, great sound as wew were directly behind the stage and could hear the bands we were too drun tired to get to the stage to see  8)

J-B-M

Cropredy 2005 is probably the best one so far for me -  I went occasionally when I was younger but this year I knew more about the music and everything. 2004 got me hooked, 2005 reinforced it.
Got to meet people I'd only talked to online before then (they know who they are - I think) and actually stayed awake for all the acts. Had people to talk to I'd not met before instead of the usual group (too many small kids for my liking). Now all I want is a whistle played there from the stage.. and possibly a way of keeping warm at night! Although I seem to have a habit of acquiring jackets from the less temperature-vulnerable..
Music I knew!  First time as well! And Fairport's set  was mostly the stuff on my mental playlist..
Glowy things. The all-important glowy things. Also the shiny things.
Magpie in human form! ;D