TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

An unashamed advert!

We are pleased to announce that the line up for the 2006 Oxford Folk Festival, to be held 7th – 9th April 2006 :

Bellowhead, Waterson:Carthy, Flook, Andy Irvine, Chris Wood, Steve Ashley and Friends (Chris Leslie and Al Fenn), Magpie Lane, Rachel Unthank & the Winterset, The Oxford Waits, On English Ground , Bill Caddick.

plus more

Very cheap early bird tickets at £39.50 available from 3rd October.

Sandra

Added to calendar. Paul

Look out for the shocking pink leaflets at a festival/gig near you soon...am looking forward to being absolutely exhausted at the end of it again  :)

i know a band that i think should be on............ :P ::)

OK Olly.

I will try ;D

Sandra

that would be great!!
thanks,

Wow, is that how you get on at Oxford?

Brilliant line-up there ;D  (with one glaring omission of course Olly  ;))

And as I'll be a mile or three closer...

Mic :) :)

Maybe not quite that simple. Olly wowed us last year and we want his band back!

Cheers

Nick

Fi will of course be demonstrating the Acton Stick Dance at the Oxford Folk Festival.

If you wish to see it performed with the minimum of discomfort you will have to come along  :D

Cheers

Nick

Additional acts now added are Black Umfolosi, The Old Swan Band with caller Dave Hunt, The John Dipper Band, The Outside Capering Crew, Spire (with our very own Sian and Cheesy),  wRants (with our very own Olly), Bartholomew Fair and St Christopher's School Dhol Drumming Group.

Also appearing will be Steindór Andersen, backed by Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson. Steindor is an Icelandic bard who chants epic poems. He also appears alongside Bjórk and Sigur Rós in the film 'Screaming Masterpiece'  which we hope will have its first UK screening in Oxford ahead of the festival. Well, its something different isn't?

We are also having belly dancers, for the less cerebral among you.

The cheap Early Bird tickets are still on sale until 24th December.

Sandra

Confession... apart from the wRants (who I can't wait to hear) I haven't heard of any of those :-[
But I love the sound of the Icelandic Bard and his epic poems :)

I'm looking forward to Oxford Folk Festival, and it will be another 'first' for me, yippee!!!

Belly dancing, participation is optional I hope :o or mine'll still be dancing of it's own accord by Cropredy ;D

Mic

We were going to go, but the weekend clashes with a holiday in Dorset with my parents and family plus a couple of Austrlian relatives, so maybe 2007 for me :'(

Sounds like a good time to be had though!

Mark

Maybe they'd like a surprise weekend excursion to historic Oxford Mark?

Mic

Not sure they could fit it into their very busy schedule.  But you never know!

These two have had a long running collaboration with Sigur Ros. You can find out some bits and peices, including song samples, from here (http://sigur-ros.co.uk/media/articles/odin0.php) and here (http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/media/press/othin1.php).

Cheers

Nick

Sandy, I'm up for it (ooh, err) - cheque winding its way Upcountry next week.

Is there any news on accommodation, like last year's indoor camping that I read about?

Cheers,
T.

Indoor camping is very limited as most of it hs aready been grabbed. I could possibly arrange to keep a place for you though.

Sandra

Thanks Nick!!!   I'm really excited about seeing them now :)  right up my alley!!! There's always been something magnetic to me about Iceland and the Icelandic people; I can't wait :)

Mic

Sandy - where's the best place to plonk a camper?

I've never been, so I'm not sure what's where, but I think it is based in the City? Not a festival in a field...

Is there a specific place to park/camp, or is it just a case of finding a nearby campsite?

Steve

The festival is based in the Town Hall in St Aldates, where the main and second stages are, plus the all important bar, but with other venues in the city in halls, pubs etc.

There is an excellent camp site just inside the ring road a short bus ride away from the City Centre, with frequent buses. The address is
Oxford Camping And Caravanning Club Site       
426 Abingdon Rd
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 4XN
Tel: 01865 244088

Hope you can make it.

Sandra

Thanks Sandra, I'll look into it. 

Thanks for the offer of space reservation, Sandra. I had a think about it - and realised that the idea of queuing for the shower (or jumping in the Isis) doesn't really turn me on... I think I'll go posh {:-) and B&B it for a change. Never done this for a festival - I'm decidedly going middle-aged... :o

Another question: what time of the day does the festival kick off? Should I make my way up on Thursday night, or is Friday morning early enough?

It starts on Friday evening, so no need for an early start.

We are working on accommodation/season packages which I hope to have news on soon.

If anyone is interested we will be advertising for stewards soon. Our very own Nuthouse is to be Chief Steward, so at least the boss is nice. The terms are an access pass to the festival for the full day for any day that a steward works for 4 hours (sorry about circular way of putting it - its all to do with payment in kind and tax implications), plus accommodation in indoor camping if required (subject to availability).

Sandra

Hmm, what if one has just posted you a cheque and then decides to steward a bit? Is payment in beer an option?

As that fabulous North American combo sang:

They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit

At least there will be two of us Sandy  ;D

Could you tell me what kinds of Stewarding are required please?
Mic

IM on it's way Mic'

Hmm, I'm now intrigued what kind of stewarding can't be talked about on the open board, so it needs IMing... ;)

It's not the stewarding as such. Discussions about individuals helping with stewarding would be personal correspondence and not related to the thread which should be about the festival itself.

Cheers

Nick

Fair enough. I would have classed it as general information about the festival, but hey.

In this case, I'd like to ask for an IM with more info on Stewarding, please, if any of the organisers would be so kind. Thanks.

Stewards duties include things like manning the boxoffices/reception desk, checking tickets/wristbands, manning the indoor camping, meeting and greeting, being a 'runner' between venues, dealing with enquiries and helping in the event of an emergency (fire evacuation etc). This is not an exhaustive list of jobs but gives you some idea. Helpers are also needed on the catering side to serve food and on the bar (though the bar is almost fully manned now). We ask for experience/preferences on the application form and will try to fit round pegs in round holes, but this is not always possible.

If you are thinking of volunteering be aware you will have to wear a flouro jacket for identification purposes.

Sandra

the line up looks very good

I may well get along this year - if only for the belly dancing!!!


mik

Hello Sandy
I'm sure by now you have a whole army of helpers chomping at the it and raring to go, but just in case you haven't I thought I'd offer you my services as whatever you still need. I would have PM'd you but I'm not sure how to do that yet....
Anyway if you let me know I will happily send you my stewarding c.v ;D
Take care
Vikki xx

Hi Vikki- you just need to click on the little symbol with IM in it on the left hand of the screen under Sandys picture that way you will be able to send her a personal message. :)

But you'll need to loose that annonymouse lablel first. E-mail Colin or Nick with who you really are, and they will remove it.

Paul

I have sent a message to Vikki regarding stewarding in the meantime

I sent off for my ticket this morning :) (another contribution to the post office's 'hols in the Bahamas' fund ;))    But worth it!!!!

Mic

Any news on the Steward application front?

Yes... I have just completed them

The forms will be given the once-over and then be sent out and generaly be made available

Yay! :-) Cheers for the update.

Should be a cracking fest, I'll be trying to get me girlfriend to buy me a ticket, as it is my birthday in April!

Cant wait for On English Ground, saw the first show in November and it was spell binding.

Hurrah!

I read that as "I'll be trying to get me a girlfriend to buy me a ticket" and thought that was a bit going to extremes! ;)

Latest news:

Spiers and Boden to do festival pre-event at the Holywell Music Room, 17th Feb

The festival now has its own forum - not that we wish you to stop discussing it here! Link from the main page.

www.oxfordfolkfestival.com

The form is now available on the web site.

The b*gger beat me to it........

So come on, have a think about it... there's no better place to be in early April that Oxford. The company will be fantastic and the music even better.  ;D

Just to update you on the festival.

We have had fabulous news that we have been awarded a grant of £10000 by the Arts Council that will enable us to expand our programme of public and family events.

Chief amongst these will be the creation of Melomania (I know, it sounds like an illness), an eight piece marching melodian band featuring squeezbox maestros John Spiers and Dave Townsend which will be accompanied by various other musicians and dancers plus a Hobby Horse and Jack in the Green.

It will also mean that we can have more children's events, street entertainers and general madness.

The second lot of good news is that we have been invited to use the gardens and piazzas of newly opened Oxford Castle site (http://www.oxfordcastle.com/home.html), which houses the first ever hotel built in a (now redundant) prison, to house our outdoor events. These will include the folk-jazz band Tongues of Fire, the New St George Waits, The Outside Capering Crew, belly dancer Nikki Livermore and dancing giant effigies of King Stephen and Queen Matilda, who are closely associated with the Castle site.

The Castle will now also be our main Morris dancing site.

We are also pleased to announce that we have a unique special accommodation/season ticket package of two nights in a traditional Oxford College coupled with a Festival season ticket.

Full details can be found on  http://www.oxfordfolkfestival.com/2006/index.html.

Sandra

Hurrah for Sandy and all the organisers! That's really great news, the prison development will be a great place for Morris dancing (sigh, if only they would put the canal basin back in instead of that awful car park that side of the city centre would be completely rejuvenated).

I digress. Really looking forward to April and Boatboy and I are still well up for stewarding if you still need people (flourescent yellow is so me).   ;D

I've tried to email about the accommdation package, using the contact click, but it's bounced, is it me or the click on the site please?


Mic- I bet it's Fred ::)

Others have got through, Mic, but I will check it out tonight.

In the meantime any enquiries can be sent to me at info@oxfordfolkfestival.com or sandra@oxfordfolkfestival.com.

Sandra

Nice plug in the new Word magazine - the only festival listed in their A-Z of the best things about the new folk revival. Trebles all round, chums  :)

As can be seen from the 'countdown' at the top of this page - there is currenlty just 38 days to go to OFF 2006

As can be seen from the OFF website (http://www.oxfordfolkfestival.com/) 2006 looks like being another triumphant year.

With events taking place at the Town Hall, the Holywell Room, Oxford Castle and other sites the need for stewards has never been greater.

If anyone feels that they might like to\be able to help then I would love to hear from you - drop me a line at stuart@oxfordfolkfestival.com

If you are not sure and just want to find out more, then get in touch with me - no experience is necessary, just a desire to help out at this terrific festival & rub shoulders with some very decent Folk folks (the beer is very good too)

Hope to hear from you soon

Stu

Just another update.

The Oxford Folk Festival have been given their own stage at this year's Cornbury Festival. It will be on the Sunday of the festival and will be housed in a 1000 seater Big Top. We are currently sorting out what we hope will be a really exciting line up.

The festival is on 8th and 9th July (when I will be on holiday, boo, hoo).

Cornbury's site is at http://www.cornburyfestival.com/ (its rumoured to be the only festival that has catering by Waitrose).

More info as we get it.

Sandra

Ps The Oxford Folk Festival web site has been updated again. More info on the free events at the Castle site and more.

Hi Sandra
Where exactly is Cornbury? And do you know any of the artists who will be appearing?
We have a free weekend then and it sounds interesting.

Anne

(by the way, we seem to have given up booking holidays in the festival season! (apart from Sidmouth last year and this))

Hi Anne

Cornbury Park is a lovely country house setting  is in North Oxfordshire, nearish to Woodstock/Witney:

http://www.cornburypark.co.uk/

And is famous for being in the Argos adverts!

Their own website has loads of information...

I suspect there may be a need for a "Cornbury Festival" thread now... :D

The final tickets prices for all concerts are now on the web site plus a detailed schedule of who and what is happening when.

Don't forget if you want to get to enjoy some fantastic music for free, check out the scedule for the most convenient time to volunteer to be a steward.

http://www.oxfordfolkfestival.com

Thanks for that, just printed it out.

Home with my marker pen now! I sometimes think I enjoy the anticipation more than the actual event  ;D

If anyone wants tickets for just the Bellowhead concert I suggest you get them now at http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/Calendar/TO/view.asp?Promoter=76  as they are selling fast.

Weekend Season and Day tickets are still available, and include admission to all concerts and events.

Sandra

PS Our stewarding needs continue to grow as the festival expands by the day, so if you are interested contact Stuart (Nuthouse) on stewards@oxfordfolkfestival.com

Was it Phillip Larkin or John Betjeman who (kind of) said that it is better to travel than to arrive?

Anyway, away mark away, there'll be glossy progs at the festival this year.

Probably a silly question, but I've bought some tickets for my family and I've got the piece of paper back to swap for their wristbands, but it doesn't seem to mention where you have to go to do this. Would I be right in assuming the Town Hall? And is it the same place for performers wristbands?

Thanks
Andy

All wristbands (season ticket, day ticket, artists etc.) can be collected from the Box Office in the Town Hall.

Fi has made sure that they will come in colours to brighten your heart.

Sandra

Yes ideed, the Box Office is on the RH side as you walk into th Town Hall. We will have more signage than you can shake a stick at, so hopefully it'll be obvious when you arrive  ;D

Cheers

Fi

And there will be lots of morris people there so that is quite a challenge  ;D

Aah.....I shook a stick at some signage once back in my morris dancing days........it all ended in tears of course with another Blackheath Morris Minibus disaster.

I can't seem to be able to get on the Oxfest's Message Board today.  Anyone else having problems?

Sir Robert Peel
Oxfester

I am having trouble getting on as well.

I have left a message for the webmistress (aka Fi).

Sandra

Looks to me like the server is down, not only the OFF board.

Merci Beaucoup, Sandra and Creamty.

I was beginning to think that I had been sacked as the Assistant to the Temporary Deputy Acting Head Steward's Gofer.

Phew!  :P

Excuse me while I go and put the finishing touches to my uniform. 

Sir Robert Peel
Steward's Enclosure

The Freebb boards have gone down - I know of two others that bit the dust too....

All the boards on Server 17 with FreeBB are down. Those of us affected have posted in thier support community, so all we can do is await a response/fix. I'll be keeping an eye on it.

We are working on a board hosted from our own website, a more techy person than I needs to kick this off, and he has been emailed!  ;)

Cheers

Fi

We are on the way to being sorted...more later!  {:-)

Thanks Fi. :-*
Keep us informed.

Bob

Fingers crossed, it would be nice to stay in touch before next Friday.

Where "there"?

Ah, there there: http://oxfordfolkfestival.com/forum/index.php

Good grief - it's a slim-line Tory Blue thing.

I suspect it's an imposter.  Let's maintain observations on the beggar until it's declared safe, Creamty.  :-\

Peel

Nah, it looks alright to me. Bog-standard phpBB, but the same ugly pardon: friendly faces as before. C'mon, me old hearty! Join in!

Fair enough, my partner in crime.  Let's go forth and folk, so to speak.

Peel

Oohh Cream-T looks slghtly different....

Cream-T, are you Bill Bailey?

Hi All, we are working on the pinkness  ;D. I don;t like the bog standard phpBB blue either...come over there and make it pink in spirit, if not in body !!!

I am, of course, not Bill Bailey - but the Avatar is scarily close to being recognisably me, or so I'm told.

Are you part troll, even?  ;D

Definitely! Especially early mornings...

I've given up trying to get into the new blue OFF forum.  It tells me my username and password don't match, or something.  But all the same, I'm really really really looking forward to Friday.  Woohoo and so on   ;D

Carolyn

BellowHead has SOLD OUT, and there are no more season tickets, or Saturday DAY tickets left.

Individual concert tickets are still available though (but not for the Bhead gig), so there is still lots to do -  i.e. On English Ground, Waterson:Carthy, Chris Wood and loads of FREE stuff down at the Castle - check the schedule at http://www.oxfordfolkfestival.com/2006/schedule.html. Alternatives for the Bellowhead gig are for the interesting Gamelan Orchestra at the Holywell Music Room and possibly a sesh in the festival bar or some of the other session pubs (Half Moon, Old Tom, FftMC) and fringe events at the Oxfolk ceilidh and "From Roots to Fruits" at the Vaults.

Would I be right in thinking that those of us with season tickets who want to see Bellowhead should get there early?

Yes. You will get in (we have carefully worked out the numbers), but it depends on whether you want to 'see' them or 'get in the groove'.

If you want to actually see them I would recommend the balcony. No drinks allowed but unrestricted view. If you want to dance stay downstairs - there is no way everyone will stay seated!

Know where I will be (probably under the stage at that point ^-^).

As Pete says though, there are still plenty of tickets for the  Friday night ceilidh, Saturday afternoons concerts and all day Sunday, as well as the Holywell concerts. Also the free stuff at the Castle and the fringe events.

Most of all don't forget the Parade at 11.00am on Saturday, of only to see me in a yellow flouro jacket!

Sandra

Thanks Sandy, it's a pity some other festival organisers aren't so considerate. Sometimes they sell so many individual tickets that the season ticket holders can get left out in the cold.

Anne

I have never thought that was entirely fair, though I have to say the maths is quite complicated, as you have to account for probability rather than certainty (we could find 100 people go to the Cellar Bar for Morrison Steam Fayre and Luke Smith, hence and surprising us all) !!!  ;D

Gawd....I think I have breathed in too many laminating fumes... ^-^

Cheers

Fi

Looking forward to dancing on saturday at the Castle and Cornmarket...  and hoping for nice weather!

but trying to dance Dillwyn to that tune which all the dancers have all been asked by the organisers to do was fairly hysterical at last nights practice...   :o ::)     

Issy

Some festivals treat a ticket as an opportunity to join a queue to get in...

At Sidmouth, if you have a season ticket or individual concert ticket you get in one queue, if you are buying on the door you get in another queue. From about an hour before the gig, ticketed people are allowed to go in unless the venue is full. 10 or so minutes before the start, unticketed people can pay to enter and fill up any remaining space. This all means, even if you've bought a full season ticket you can still miss out on the gig if you don't arrive promptly.

The solution? Come to Oxford Folk Fest!  :D

Cheers

Nick

Hoorah because if we miss Bellowhead there'll be tears! 

I'm looking forward to the promise of Snaketown (and trying not to think about their name too much  :( ) with their hurdy gurdy.

I'm off tomorrow and Friday so see you there   ;D ;D ;D

Carolyn.

Snaketown are a new bunch, formed very recently from the ashes of a band called Fiendhandle - the same Hurdy Gurdy player at least.

No idea how similar the sounds of the two bands are but if you go to http://www.fiendhandle.com/ (http://www.fiendhandle.com/) you can find a couple of tracks to listen to.

Cheers

Nick

I wonder if that's the one written for us by Squeezy?! I hope I get chance to see your attempt Issy  ;D

Cheers

Fi

Me thinks from overhearing Steve Griffiths is that it is Old Tom of Oxford, but that was a while ago now.

Oh yes!   Old Tom it is.. kind of Cotswold, and slows down periodically  :-\    May suit Cotswold sides..  but otherwise could be amusing to watch but not necessarily to dance too  :o    The answer is probably to drink a lot and have fun regardless..

Blimey the counter has gone under 24 hours. DON'T PANIC!

REALLY looking forward to it! ;D

Errm, is there any kind of Talkawhilers meet up before the Friday session. Have I missed something?

Gower Flower, thoroughly determined to enjoy herself ::)

Can't be there but hope that the sun shines, the music, the beer and the company are great and that everyone has a wonderful time.

Peel Towers is a hive of activity as I pack my case and oversee the preparation of the horses.

The Chief Steward has given me my beat and patrol times.  Not quite the high profile that I had expected, nevertheless I will be serving and protecting Oxfesters who visit the WCs at the Town Hall.  It will be an honour and a privilege to provide you with small change and hand-towels.  [;-)

Sir Robert Peel

It's all a bit less highbrow here on the moors, but I've applied liberal amounts of spit & polish to my best wellies and ironed my finest corduroys for the occasion. If my truck doesn't throw a major wobbly, I should be hitting the town tomorrow night in time to catch at least some of the entertainment. Yee-ha!

You're so easily pleased, Peel  ;)

Several of us are involved up to our arm pits so I guess the idea of meeting is just that. Anyway, no doubt we'll meet sometime, so say hello!

we are helping too, but it would be great to meet some of y'all.



 who will be there for bellowhead?
(please, don't look out for tanky or snuffkins - THEY WONT BE THERE!)
but we will. with kids in tow.
look for the stressed out mother figure!
 ;D

Reporting from Festival HQ.

Beer is on stillage and (hopefully) settling.

Talkawhilers who have been roped in to help have started to arrive (be careful - you too may get dragged in next year).

Hancock is on sideboard waiting for presentation on Saturday.

'To Do' list a miile long sitting on desk.

Green countown thing has become my worst enemy.

See you all tomorrow.

Sandra

take a pill sandy - if it aint done now its too late, but you KNOW its gonna be a success.

take off your 'in charge' hat and enjoy.

abby ;D

It's 7.30am on the first day of the festival! Already we're knackered  ^-^ after shifting barrels and stillage around yesterday. Now we have banners to set up, signs to post and giants to build. Our house smells of laminating plastic and you can't move for cable ties.

There are 2.5 days of music and dance on 4 stages across 3 different venues and a procession to walk between them. It's going to be busy but most of all it's going to be fun.

We'll keep you posted...

Cheers

Nick

Oh, if only that were possible, for either of us. As it is, we have to enjoy it with our 'in charge' hats on....... ::)

Cheers

Fi

Well, despite a steenking cold (dead swans? small children is what you ought to be afraid of!) and a general traffic conspiracy, I have made it to Oxford. I shall rest a while, then have a bite, briefly meet up with a friend and then I shall dare enter the lion(ess)'s den (aka The Bar) or the Folk Club. See youse later.



PS: This post brought to you courtesy of my B&B's wide-open wireless network. It may be part of the service, not sure - and I certainly won't complain! ;D

Hello all!

Day one, done and dusted. Everyone is still alive, just about, and everyone is smiling  :D

It seems like every other person here is a Talkawhiler  [;-) Lots of familiar faces, wonderful to see.

Everything is going smoothly, with the exception of the arrival of Sir Bob. Bob unfortunately left his carriage parked on double yellows outside the town hall with blue lights flashing. This caused something of a curfuffle and concern that the boys in blue might appear - until it was pointed out that, technically, Bob was 'the boys in blue'...

Big round of applause to the wRants who made an excellent openning act. It was particularly pleasing to be in the box office, hearing many people come and ask specifically for tickets for the wRants concert. I even heard some, after they had bought the tickets, ask 'are we allowed to see any other bands with this ticket?' Nice one wRants, you're getting quite some following  8)

The biggest round of applause has to go to two very special people though; the boards' own Sandra and Fi. There is no doubt at all that without these two people the festival would not be taking place. It's not just they they have 'helped' the festival, they 'are' the festival and we are enjoying ourselves now because of the hard work that they have put in over the last year. They don't get paid a penny for doing this work so the least we can do is say Thank You, we love you for it.

More tomorrow!

Cheers

Nick

Our living room, as we speak, is full of Talkawhilers.

I think we have had a good time but that might be the  College port kicking in.

Sir Bob is currently in the local lock up, as a result of his offer to look after the gents was misconstrued in some quarters. I hope the magistrates are forgiving .

More tomorrow, folks, if I survive that long.

Sandra

Well the folk club was packed tonight and we went on until 11.45. Lots of good slots from both near and wide and it was nice to see Sue Brown and Lorraine Irwing and also John Thomson make it over after their slots at the town hall to round off the evening. A quick trip to the Half Moon for a wind down bevvy and off to bed. There's a gurt white van beckoning the morrow.

well done ssandy and fi and all others involved- i  know the feling and hope it goes all well.  see ya tomorrow  ;D

Well done you lot!

Anji and I will be along this morning to create a bit of chaos for you (as you seem to be doing far too well) ;D

Jude

Have a great time all of you... wish I was there too...
 :-*

Thanks! and thanks to everyone that came and watched us! it was a good night we rely enjoyed it. It was the first outing of my Sugarpuffs guitar which seemed to go down very well!
Thanks again
Olly :)

It's been a riot so far, much enjoyable! Due to the sniffles, I've opted for an early night again tonight - not at all what I had planned for this weekend, but there you go. I'm looking forward to another great day tomorrow, maybe even with a little voice to speak with...

Early night? what's an early night?

We swung wildly between nervous breakdown and fantastic high today. We saw a procession occupy the centre of Oxford with much jubilation. We saw the triumphant homecoming of Bellowhead. We grooved to Verity in the Cellar until our feet gave out and now we're eating chips and cheese and drinking port.

And we presented flowers to Sandy and Fi and Sandy and I got up on stage in front of a full house and waved an award around  :o and we danced and danced.

Cool!

Cheers

Nick

p.s. Eliza? Diamond. Nuthouse says sorry for throwing Sandra at you in the Cellar by the way.

watched the Martin Carthy guitar workshop this morning. what a legend! i have spent most of the day messing around with his favorite tuning C G C D G A. i am annoyed i missed Waterson Carthy last night :'( but it was great seeing Martin!
It has been a great festival! thanks to all those in charge and every one that helped in the organization and running :)
Olly.

I hope you are all in one piece and satisfactory after the end of the festival.

It was brilliantly organised and fantastically run, (in my opinion anyway!) and I am just sorry I couldn't have been more help  :(

Jolly well hooray to you all!!! :-*

Jude

one piece, more than satisfactory, met loads of TAWers and had a generally great time.
Bellowhead - brill(contemporary, inovative, .. bit of a school play musical trip toward the close, but , hey....-and they were on course for the percusionist of the year award, until the welly dancing umpalooooompaa;s..), Winterset - better, black oompaloompa's - ( thet be eee..)yes!
fiddle and singing workshops - worth an early sunday morn and totally worth the effort!
indoor camping- easy.
kids- could've been worse.
atmosphere - great.
company - top quality!

great to meet sandy, chris, nuts, fi, adrian, GF, mic, bently bear, issy, ethan's granny, tash, ellie, nick, olly, anji, sian, boatgirl(and boatboy?)(i think?) SoN, strange yukon man, rachel unthank, frank skinner, eliza carthy, the oompaloompa's, andy irvine, pete cooper, chris leslie...................................
great time, even for non-city dwellers!  ( it took me a while to control my city centre panic attacks and not being able to see the tent......) on a side note, bus in, 320p, taxi out, 410p, math?
well done all and glad we were there.

and someone i forgot, saturday afternoon, magpie lane, a little simpsons 'maggie' at the back with her parents, engaging everyone closeby, shuffling along on her knees with her dress hiding her feet, two little curly pigtails, chomping intermittently on her dody......ssssssoooooooo cute! the star of the weekend for me.
and our little angels dancing their socks off to bellowhead!

then sleeping all night without a peep in the indoor camping.

thanks kids! :-* :-* :-*

Thanks to all who organised/attended/performed/stewarded etc for a GREAT Festival.  Some real treats and unexpected surprises in there.  I really enjoyed Magpie Lane and the John Dipper Band (I'd not heard of either before this weekend) and Black Umfolosi were stunning! ;D  Spire were as great as ever and Flook rounded off the Town Hall events on a high note... pictures of a Talkawhiler dancing wildly during their set will be in my photo album very shortly (unless she wishes to bribe me otherwise ;D). 

Bentley Ben enjoyed himself too - he learned a lot in the Martin Carthy Guitar Workshop and now he wants a guitar of his own.  I've told him that he'll have to make do with a child's accordian until he's a bit bigger.  As for me, I was drooling over the accordians and that absolutely gorgeous bright pink electric violin :o  Lack of money and complete failure to play a violin stopped me buying it but I was thinking that, if I ever learn to play a violin, then that is the one I will buy.  However, if I win the lottery, I will buy it anyway and it will look nice on my bedroom wall. ;D  I do know that somebody on this forum came away with a musical instrument but I will leave her to tell you all about it.

As for me, I know have 515 photographs downloaded and they need sorting out and labelling.  This may require a bit of help from Talkawhilers if I get stuck on names of individuals in bands but I will let you know.

Well, I wish I could remember more of the festival, it's all happened in a bit of a daze for me. I do apologise to any TAWers who didn't find out who I was, or did so in the last minute  -  and if I had had a voice to speak with, I'd chatted a lot more to all of you!

I had a very good time though, saw some great stuff, met some nice people, drank some interesting beverages (that Sloe Gin was rather nice, Vicky, as you can see from the empty bottle this morning!) and am looking forward to meeting you all again.

I'm back at w*rk now, left Oxford at a quarter to six this morning and am feeling ready for a new line in T-shirts:

I only made it to Oxford for Saturday and spent most of that Morris Dancing... the sun had got his hat on so it was great!  ;D

It was so good to see lots of TAWers - Gower Flower, Adrian, Nick, Sandy, Mic, Jude and Anji, Nuthouse and SoN...  and then I picked up a ticket for the evening  and got to see the John Dipper Band and Waterson Carthy, which I really enjoyed, having not seen either previously (Yes I know I live under a stone).   

Our own Chris Bates helped me to find out when I had to catch the train for which I am deeply grateful, (I dont do public transport would have got stranded without his help) and then I met Pete Standing, Ethans Granny, Ethans Mum et al, Groove Street and Jones and delightful children.

I couldn't stay for Bellowhead unfortunately but it was fantastic to see Rachel Unthank and the Winterset.  I saw Rachel and Becky in Towersey nearly 3 years ago when they were all giggles but clearly gifted.  All 4 of the Winterset women are massively talented and I wasnt sure why the name features Rachel specifically as all the women were equally prominent in their performance.  I thought they were quite stunning and am looking forward to seeing them again.

I was completely exhausted by the time I'd got home, and my legs ached for Britain (walking, standing, dancing etc) but it was a fabulous day.   Very Well Done to everyone involved in organising it, and next year I'll be there for the whole weekend  {:-)

Issy

Excellent festival!!!!
First time I'd seen Bellowhead....won't be the last!!!!   The Oxford Waits on Friday night were absolutely brilliant!!!!! will also be looking eagerly for any of their future performances that I can get to :)
Wonderful to meet/meetup again with so many talkawhilers. I'll be volunteering for stewarding again next year, cos it's fantastic fun!!! (but won't be partaking of the indoor camping :(  nowt wrong with the camping, but this poor old f*rt can't do the sleeping on hard floors anymore ::))
Ahh yes, a talkawhiler that yielded to temptation....hmm, wonder who that was then? ? ? Me? buy a guitar? Moi?   oops!!!!! and two whistles (a C and a D....it says on them)  with my name engraved on them for free (a price I like)

Congratulations to Sandy, Fi, Nuts, Nick Tim and everyone who brought the festival to fruition... well done folks, a triumph!!!!!!

Never did find CreamT though

mic

Boatboy and I had a fantastic time! Without a doubt it was the friendliest festival we've ever been to, and it was lovely to meet so many TAWers.

Highlights were Bellowhead (of course). Blinding set, bring on the album.
Also, Black Umfolosi (both performance and workshop were amazing). The sight of four barechested men made dragging myself out of bed SO worthwhile.

The Breton session in the Madding Crowd was brilliant, as was the DJ set in the Cellar.

I've been entertaining my workmates this morning with performances on my new kazoo. Boatboy came away with a ukelele, and wants to know if anyone is interested in forming a Yukons tribute band.
He'd like it to be known as The Ukes of Hazzard.

A massive, and I mean massive, thank you to Sandy, Chris, Fi, Nick, Stuart, Tim and everyone who made this cracking festival happen. You should all be very proud of yourselves!

Boatgirl xx

p.s if you see any pictorial evidence of an inebriated girl dancing wildly to Flook, that was my twin sister. Please rest assured, my good talkawhilers, that neither Boatboy or myself would ever behave in such a shocking fashion in public.

Hello there,

Just wanted to say a massive thanks on behalf of myself and bellowhead to Sandra, Fi, Chris, Nick and all the other talk-a-whilers working on the Oxford festival. I hope you're all having a very well deserved lie in this morning!

Thanks also to all the members of the board who voted for bellowhead in the Hancocks. What a beautiful award!

The band are on their way to Leeds as I type, for tonight's gig at the Irish Centre and we all look forward to catching up with many of you again soon at a gig somewhere!

All the best,

Kate  :)

The festival was fantastic and a big thankyou to the organisers Sandy Fi etc it was just brilliant.  I could only make Sat/Sun afternoon but the time I was there was fantastic.  The atmosphere was both relaxed and buzzy.  Cider was very potent.  Talkawhilers I met were just so lovely, nice to meet Groove St, Gower Flower, Mix, Adrian, Nuthouse, Nick, Fi, Sandy, Anji, (where was Cream T?)

A strange and unexpected highlight was the Parade.  The Castle setting for  the dancers was just spectacular and the parade by all the different sides into Cornmarket moved me to tears.  Well done everyone.  The dancing was great (especially Issy)

I hope to make for the whole thing next year as I missed out on so much. ;D

Look, I was there. Honest. Standing at the bottom of the Town Hall staircase from midday to 4pm on Saturday, quite tall (unless you're Nick) at 6'2" and that's without the flipping big hat - not easy to miss! I was not covered in jam and clotted cream, though - which suppose was an oversight on my part for which I apologise. Undoubetdly there will be photographic evidence surfacing at some point, at which moment you'll be slapping your forehead saying "oh, that was him!"

Even our very own Sir Robert Peel managed to find me, and he's been dead for almost 176 years.  :P

PS: I've changed my avatar, since apparently I don't look anything like my last one. I reckon this one might give you a better idea, just imaging a black hat on top.

i think i saw cream t on the balcony on saturday.....didnt see sir bob tho.........

and i'm sorry BG but i have hearde that there is already a yukons tribute band!

I waved my wrist many times at the bottom of the stairs at the town hall.... I think I might know which one you were now, but I wish you'd said who you were ::)   Sir Bob, another elusive personage!!!!   

mic

But I didn't see anyone who looked like a cross between Bill Bailey and Billy Connelly ;)

Sir Bob was not elusive. Didn't you see him up at the front of the parade? He was the one with the bath chair artfully disguised as a hobby horse.

The way he negotiated a route for the procession right through the middle of the rockabilly band playing in Bonn Square was quite masterful  8)

It's all a bit of a blur.   ;D

More anon..... when I find my teeth.

Peel

But Nick, to be fair: the incidence with the Rockabilly bass player and the bucket of hobby horse manure did cause a bit of a stir and Sir Bob's local colleagues diverted his bath chair at the end of the procession straight past the Town Hall for another couple of hundred yards before inviting him in "to help with their investigations".

Which reminds me, did we ever get enough money in the collection for his bail? At the last count there were only 3 shilling sixpence missing. I do hope he was released in time for the Cellar Bar party!

Ah, I see he turned up while I was typing this. Thank goodness!

Ahhh!!!! I was a bit further back, and somewhat sidetracked by keeping my head out of the way of some incredibly enthusiastic men with sticks ;) ;D
Sadly, no one would let me have a stick :(   Suzanne thinks that this might have something to do with the ASBO ::)

mic

So you WERE there Cream-T. I must have passed you many times on Saturday; sorry I missed you.

Alas I did not see Sir Robert Peel - mind you, I had no idea what to look for; I did search for a bath chair but none was forthcoming.  Maybe it can come into use at a later festival.

We're honoured that anybody would like to form a Yukons tribute band (there's already one run by Oxford undergraduates I believe) although actually the auditions to get into the real thing aren't terribly hard. We actually used to be called The Ukes Of Hazzard until we found out that somebody else already had the name, but eagled eyed visitors to our website will notice one or two hints about the old name.

It was a fantastic weekend and great to see so many of you there. Well done and a massive thank you to everyone who helped organise it. Bellowhead were brilliant, my daughters have fallen under the spell of The Winterset and are even now plotting their own Bellowhead-Winterset crossover act. Myself, I thought Magpie Lane and Spire were fabulous and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in future.

May I add my congratulations to all the organisers, what a great weekend.

I'm just so sorry I didn't find out who everybody was - name badges next year! Whoever designed the Hancock awards should be able to come up with something stunning?

Lovely to say hello to Sandy and Fi - Nick, you actually sat down at our table in the bar to eat your sandwich. I was going to say hello when you finished eating (I'm very polite) but even before you finished eating you were dragged away to deal with a renegade ambulance. But I saw you about a lot, dancing, taking photos, generally looking after everyone, and always with a big smile.

Thanks for the beer Chris, between us we managed to sample 6 out of the range, my personal favourite was the 'wedding ale' I love those light coloured beers.

And who was the MC for Sunday with the ponytail? I felt as if I ought to know him.

And I didn't find out who Sir Robert or Cream-T were - damn!

It's SO boring being back at work.

Roll on next festy - for me that's Cromer.

Anne

Renagade is a very interesting choice of word to use there...  ::)  :-X  ;)

I did enjoy flitting from stage to stage filming the proceeds though and the bits that I heard and saw were fantastic without exception. I shall enjoy editing all the film and reliving properly the bits that went by in such a blur.

And it was really good to meet so many Talkawhilers too! I knew there were quite a few present but it was a shock and surprise to hear such a cheer when we gave out the Hancock award. 

[;-) and  {:-) to everyone who was there!

Cheers

Nick

Just popped a bug Thank You to Jonesy&Groove and their fabulous daughters, Cream-T and Mic for their help in stewarding, to Sandy and Fi for their inspirational determination with OFF, to ChrisE for the port and Nick for the direction to the kebab van at Silly o'Clock in the morning & SoN of whom I am immensely proud for getting stuck in on all manner of jobs large and small across the weekend.

Lovely to see old friends and other Talkawhilers,,, what a fab weekend

Feet sore, mug of tea in hand, smelly socks in washer..... back on my wanders.....

See you at Oysterband.  ;)

PHEW!

Well, what a weekend, I am absolutely and completely exhausted. Thanks to all for your kind comments, it really does make it worth it!.

Great to meet those Talkawhilers I hadn't met before; Cream T, Groove and Jones the Steam and your enthusiastic daughters, I believe I danced with them at Bellowhead (that's all a bit blurry to be honest). Sir Bob, you look very good for your age  ;D, AnnieD...glad I've met you at last! Ellie, I didn't get to hear you sing...but I will soon I hope.

Jude and Anji - sorry I just spent the weekend dashing past you both...I hadn't time even to buy sparkly danglies...! 

...and Issy, I have photographic evidence of your smashing morris dancing...

I especially want to give a big thanks to Vicki Rose who helped us enormously over the weekend, a game girl not afraid to jump in at the deep-end, when asked at short notice to do something completely new to her she would go and do it.  (Un)fortunately (? ;)) for her she is now assimilated into the OFF hive and will not be allowed to leave...resistance is futile. And so are Nuthouse and SoN. Mic said she'd come back too...are you all mad???  ;D

Sunday's MC was Tim Healey, our artistic director and etc...he looks quite a lot like his Dad  ;)


Am now off to have a long lie down...zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I can only echo Fi in saying thank you for your so kind comments. You're making us blush! The fact that so may people seem to have enjoyed it really does make it worthwhile.

It was wonderful to see so may Talkawhilers. I just wish I had had more time to talk to you all properly rather than in rushing past or being dragged off.

An ENORMOUS thank you to all who helped. You were all stars, but special mention has to go to Nuthouse, SoN, Vickie Rose Andy (of the Yukons fame) and Ellie. We could not have done it without you.

I did actually meet CreamT several times, and spent hours with him backstage, but only discovered who he was last night!

We had a quick whip round this morning, and that, together with the loose change swept up from the Town Hall floor, was enough to finally secure Sir Bob's release. I can now reveal that the actual cause of the arrest was that I had failed to declare the presence of his bath chair in the application for the parade license.Consequently he was done for obstructing a lawful and licenced parade (holding a valid road closure notice) with a wheeled vehicle (I believe it is the first time it has been cited since 1805, but they are really gearing themselves up in Oxford for a new supermagistrate I hear).

I had to cry off the clearing up this morning due to a family funeral, so I had now best make amends by going and cooking doing the festival accounts. I also have to try and persuade Mr S (oxfordchris) to wash his face which is something he has sworn never to to do again since Eliza Carthy kissed him on Saturday night.

Sandra (a very embarrassed hussy)

A huge thumbs up for a splendid festival!

The performance that will stay with me longest is "On English Ground" - wondrous, stunning, enthralling, theatrical, balletic, gymnastic... I was exhausted from watching!

The range and variety of instruments and voices deserves a mention - we heard everything from sousaphone to soprano recorder, harp to zither, piano accordion to button concertina, drum kit to hammered dulcimer, close harmonies to ancient Icelandic chants sampled on a Macintosh computer.

A triumph for everyone involved.

Phew! What a weekend......... :P

Arrived at the Town Hall on Friday night just in time to catch the Wrants. Musical talent, enthusiasm and humour all rolled into one youthful and delightful band. ;D

They were followed by the charming sound of local singers Sue Brown and Lorraine Irwing who captivated me with their beautiful unaccompanied harmonies.

It's still only Friday folks! LOL!

By this time, I was comfortably ensconced in Town Hall Second Stage, so hung around to catch Short Drag Roger "Oxfordshire's Foremost Shanty Band" They were enormous fun, professional to the core, and the set was full of humour and musicality.

Have to agree with John B. On English Ground were EXTRAORDINARY on the Saturday. I kind of drifted in during their set. What an enthralling and highly emotional experience. :o

Caught some wonderful Morris Dancing at the Castle beforehand. Hello Issy! Great to see you ;)

Other major highlights:

Rachel Unthank and The Winterset
Bellowhead
Steve Ashley and Friends
and FLOOK

Thanks to Sandy, Nick, Fi, and many others too numerous to mention.

Great to catch up with Nuthouse and SoN, Groove St and Jonesy, the lovely Jude, Anji, Vikki Rose, Ellie, Adrian, Chris B., - apologies to those I have left out.

WELL DONE ALL!

WHOOPS!!!

Forgot to mention SPIRE. I wasn't sure if I would catch this band as it clashed somewhat with Steve Ashley and Friends (who included CHRIS LESLIE). However, I was mistaken.

If you have not yet caught them, I urge you to catch up. Wonderful powerful vocals from our very own Sian Braham, for a start. Take a bow, Sian!

Delightful to hear them, and more power to them all.

Shirl :)

im Georgie ( George) and Oxford was great!

Dancing with Ellie and seeing people like stuard, Sandy boat girl, nick and many many more were also coool :o

Highlites of the week
Bellow heAD
Black oompa loompas
Rachel unthank and the winterset
and what was herd of ELLIE!

Can't wait for more folk festivals, i could try to remember my little fiddle (violin)

george (georgie) ;D ;D ;D



Edit: George (daughter of Groove St) seems to be posting all over the board, using her mothers account. Seeing as this also gives access to IM's and The Arms, the account has been suspended.

The Oxford Folk Festival was the best festival I'd been to.  Yes, even better than Cropredy.

I had a great time and I'm so glad that I volunteered to Steward.  It was lovely to catch up with Mix, Sandy, Batesy, Nick, Fi, Vikki, Oxford Chris, Nuthouse, Son of Nuthouse, Cream T, Anji and Jude.  I met some wonderful new people, too.

I'm sorry that I missed so many Talkawhilers.  I suppose you were put off by the electronic tag on my ankle and the fact that I was handcuffed to my Probation Officer, Miss Cathcart. :-X   

Karen

Styal Prison
Cheshire

We set off from Oxford Castle at zero eleven hundred hours promptly on Saturday morning in bright sunshine after a commanding briefing from Sandy.  With banners held high and a cast of hundreds of musicians, dancers, chaps in animal costumes, dhol drums, marshals and stewards we marched up New Road, into Bond Square and around the city centre halting in Cornmarket Street.  My august person and bath chair had been concealed in a hobbyhorse costume and I must admit to getting rather over excited when young women stroked my nag’s head and Japanese businesspersons insisted on having their photo taken with me.   

Peeping through the eyeholes of my costume, I could see Squeezy at the head of the procession with his band Melomania.  He was wearing a top hat festooned with Road kill, yes, I said Road kill – feathers, fur and goodness knows what else.  I determined to keep a low profile.  I was well aware that said Squeezy was going to kick my sit-upon and get his own back for a review of a Ratcatchers’ gig that I had posted in February.  I think I likened him to Jordan, but I cannot remember the details.

How one danced!  How one laughed!  How one nearly got one’s teeth taken out by the Outside Capering Crew as they leapt about one!

Melomania, the banner bearers, Sandy, Nick and yours truly peeled off and made our way to the Town Hall where I could see Devon’s finest farm hand, Cream T, waiting on the pavement to greet us.  Beside him was a chap in a shirt that required a notice under the Noise Abatement Act – it was my dear friend and drinking partner Stuart Loud Shirt.  As I was about to hail them, my attention was drawn to a chap on a window ledge above us, hanging onto a window frame by his fingernails and pointing a suspiciously shooterish implement in our direction.  Who the bleddy hell was it?  Fearing that it may be Jon Boden  (whom I had likened to Rodney out of ‘Only Fools and Horses’ in that same review) I unmasked myself and scooted like the bleddy clappers down St. Aldates, hotly pursued by Squeezy and a couple of Thames Valley’s finest Peelers.

Frankly, I was relieved when I was arrested and placed in Male Cell 4 for the duration of the festival.  It transpires that the ‘assassin’ swinging from the building was none other than ace photographer, Chris Bates, attempting to get the perfect panoramic picture of the festivities.  The Blighter!  Cream T visited me and when the Bobbies asked him to vouch for me, he claimed that he was unable to speak and had lost his voice.  The Blighter! 

I was allowed out of my cell to view CCTV images of the Hancock presentation relayed from the security cameras at the Town Hall.  I blew my nose loudly and sighed with great pleasure.  How I have enjoyed reading about your experiences of the festival, the city and the comradeship that has been forged through this little community.  Ah yes, dear Talkawhile, how glad I am that I am part of it.

Sir Robert Peel
Prisoner Consecutive Number 211/04/06

I too wish to thank everyone involved in arranging and running such a wonderful and well organised festival, and add to the embarrassment of Sandra, Fi and Vicki by singling them out for praise.

From my punter's point of view, most things ran very smoothly, and we were kept well informed when there were "problems". Quotes because relatively short delays in getting into rooms which did contain everybody with a ticket don't count as a real problem in my book. Queuing for hours and not getting in would be a real problem - but that didn't happen.

It was good to meet so many old and new friends.

It was good to see children enjoying themselves. Catch them young!

The outside stuff was fun, and seemed to be going down well with the public.

All the music I heard was good. Of the "conventional" groups which were new to me, I especially liked wRants and Spire. I must confess to not liking Bellowhead, but that's just my personal taste.

Of the unconventional performances, four for me were particularly enjoyable:
On English Ground. Morris becomes ballet. Wow.
New St George Waits (down at the Castle). Very amusing, drawing the audience into the fun.
Andy Cronshaw. Beautiful.
Steindor Andersen and Hilmar orn Hilmarsson. This was as described: remarkable - and also beautiful.

I missed a lot of course, inevitable with so much good stuff going on at once.

Maybe more information could be made available (or obvious) about fringe events? I ran into Lucy Kitt in Jesus, and would have tried to have listened to her if I had known she was performing the previous day.

I'll go along with everyone else and say I had a fantastic time.  Ethan's Mum and I met lots of lovely new people from here and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.  So why do I have a feeling of disappointment and incompleteness about the weekend?

Because I'm an idiot - that's why!  WHY didn't I book for the whole weekend?  Why?  We got tickets for Friday and Saturday only and I can't remember why!  I did exactly the same for the Cheltenham FF last year and felt like this, so this year I did the whole weekend.  You'd think I'd have learnt really, wouldn't you?   ::)

Oh well - next year I'll do the whole thing and I might even stay in Oxford rather than driving home every night   ;D

Carolyn

Hooray! Wasn't it brilliant?! I still can't believe that it actually happened. Returned to London yesterday & the whole festival seems like a beautiful distant dream.....
I guess I am just re interating everyone else but huge thanks to the wonderful team who held it all together Sandra, Fi, Nick, Stuart, Sam & Chris, I love all of you & you were all fab. There were so many talkawhilers there, never have I seen such a large contingent! Oxford Chris, Cream T, Boatgirl, Dan, Ellie, Groove st, Jones the steam & kids it was lovely to meet you all and the old brigade of Jackdaw et all lovely to catch up.
I had a brilliant weekend & will hopefully see you all soon
Vikki xx

Ay it were proper bo and no mistake.

I still have all 5 - count 'em anmd look at the pretty colours - wristbands on but am waiting for my bosses to ask me to remove them.

Unfortunately as I am stupid I sliced the top of my thumb off this morning so can't type much, but when i can i will write something usefull.

El

PS George and Daisy, you are far better dancers than me.  and it''s good to know that the Macerena can be danced to The Rambling Sailor