Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => News and Events => Topic started by: Winston Smith on March 21, 2018, 01:48:39 PM
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I suppose the answer is "Probably", but I'm in an entirely new situation and want to strike while the iron is hot.
Due to a monumental cock-up by EgyptAir, we're stuck in Egypt for an extra 6 days. Then, due to packing everything away and spraying our home there with anti-ant stuff (it's disgusting, honestly) we couldn't go back there from the airport, after hanging about, trying to re-jig our travel plan, from 05.30 till 09.30 and being completely worn out; we booked into the Winter Palace for the rest of the day and last night. It's expensive, and by the time we'd had an evening meal on room service, we'd spent half of the cash my beloved had put away for a shortish August break in Prague which she hadn't yet booked.
Then.........this morning, while we were getting the flat habitable again, she suggested a couple of days in Whitby, instead, knowing full well that it was at the time of the Folk Festival!!!!!!! This is the beloved who has not accompanied me to anything folky since shortly after we married 46 years ago, it's miraculous! So, you see just how important this is, fellow Melnetters?
Which two days would be likely to be the most beneficial for a (hard-up) folk song and melodeon nut? I know it's a bit Mystic Meg-ish from this distance in time, but she wants to try and get somewhere central and nice to stay before they're all booked up.
Please help, if you're able?
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Accomodation is more likely to be your problem, than days of the week.
SJ
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I believe the programme is available now, either by post or by downloading an app.
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Goathland or Pickering are nice and central, you could busk your way in on the NYMR Edward, certificated ant fumigated buskers are popular ;)
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Don't think there are any late trains though.
SJ
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"Don't think there are any late trains though."
Surely that should'nt be a problem? most night's at folk week can never remember how we got home next morning! :o >:E
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try and get somewhere central and nice to stay before they're all booked up.
Now would be a good time to book accom for the 2019 folk week >:E
(a little more helpfully, perhaps) purely from the accommodation point of view you might have better luck looking for somewhere Monday to Friday than the first weekend of the festival when the town is packed.
As far as the festival is concerned, one day is much like another with lots of good stuff going on everywhere.
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Thank you for your replies, I've never done anything like this before so any helpful advice is really appreciated.
My PA (no not that sort) has found a nice, affordable place which seems to have availability, with parking, near the railway station. (That's in case we cannot borrow Number-One-Son's car!)
I must admit that I was hoping to possibly catch some (free?) Melnet stuff, as well, which might not appear in the official programme. I remember asking about Melnet meets last year, but it all turned out to be academic anyway, as I couldn't manage to get there.
Buying a programme is the best thing, do you think? Hopefully, some of the Melnet things will be publicised on here before the time?
You wouldn't believe how excited I'm getting.
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Dear Confused. Definitely recommend getting a programme. Also suggest you familiarize yourself with the location of the venues and the walking in between. Bear in mind there are one or two hilly bits... What looks flat on the map often isn’t.
Finding a session that suits your tune interest and playing ability is not as easy as one might think IMHO and I would recommend planning to go to the lunch time sessions at the Conservative Club, where the cost is just a donation in a tin. I would also try the Middle Earth and other pubs like the Elsinore. I would also pick the brains of anyone you meet who has been a few times and is a melodeon player, though we will all vary in our preferences. Any research you do will pay off in the end, I feel. As Anahata has said the days are pretty similar. Unless you like West Gallery playing which can be prepped for on the Saturday and done on the Sunday . Also bear in mind workshops are usually cumulative so you may not want to go to a last one of any of them on its own.
M
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Melnet stuff isn't on the official programme. Melnet meet was in The George last year, where there was also a free session every lunchtime, and it's only a spit and a stagger from the station.
SJ
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It's been quite a few years since I've been to Whitby Folk Week but everything Mike said brought back good memories.
It was at Whitby that I've come across a B&B which had an 11pm curfew, best to avoid such places me thinks.
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Please keep it coming, although I'm thick, it will sink in eventually.
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Never too early to start thinking about Whitby . If you have only 2 days - don't come for the first Saturday as events only start at 12 on the Saturday . I made that mistake the first time I went to Whitby. There's lots of sessions - in the pubs - programmed and in programmed. The programme is useful in determining what flavour of session you want.
Paul
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I suppose the answer is "Probably", but I'm in an entirely new situation and want to strike while the iron is hot.
Blimey, too early? We started planning for this summer's festivals last summer. It's never too early to plan festivals.
Hope the planned accommodation comes off - you're really lucky finding anything this late.
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What sort of events are you looking for Edward? Concerts? workshops? sessions? What type of music / song?
Joy
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My melodeon workshops are usually Monday - Thursday mornings. (Still subject to confirmation for 2018)
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"What sort of events", Specky?
Why do people always ask me hard questions?
I don't really know, at this stage; I think I'm still in shock at my beloved's change of heart!
I'd be delighted if I could attend, and glean something from, Steve's workshop/s, and I enjoy listening to folk songs and singing. Sessions would be a new experience, but I can only stand so much in the way of instrumental only music. I suppose that when I get the programme I'll see what the various charges are, and work from there, with my PA's guidance!
Steve, I'd feel blessed to be a student of yours, if even for just a short spell. Is a 1-row in G at all suitable for any of your workshops?
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Usually decent evening singarounds in Station Hotel, which again is handy for where you are based.
SJ
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I used to do Whitby every year from early 70s to late 90's, lived there to make it easier for 18 years, in all the comments so far this year and those made last year I've not seen any mention of sessions at the plough, is it a closed shop there now? used to be 3 to four sessions at the same time in there.
Mike.
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"This is the beloved who has not accompanied me to anything folky since shortly after we married 46 years ago, it's miraculous!"
Blimey Edward, the misses will be attending our PlayGroup next!
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;D once the programme comes out I'll get a copy and post a list of melodeon/ concertina friendly events :||: ;D :|||: This year there is no clash with the Regatta http://whitbyregatta.co.uk/ 10th to 13th of August though if you can get to Whitby for Regatta Monday ( 13th) the firework display is always superb.
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Edward J - looks as though you've got yourself a good plan for finding what you need. I hope you both enjoy Whitby, it's a great festival.
Mike T, the Plough is a Sam Smith's pub and the boss of the brewery banned music, live or recorded, from his pubs, in 2004 - landlords who allowed this were threatened with the sack.
Joy
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Steve, I'd feel blessed to be a student of yours, if even for just a short spell. Is a 1-row in G at all suitable for any of your workshops?
I run a beginners workshop in the mornings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This starts off almost at absolute beginners level and progresses gradually each day. It's aimed at 2-row D/G players, so you'd be OK with some of the tunes in G, but there will be a 2 or 3 tunes in the key of D which would be tricky on a one-row in G. Your best bet would be to try to borrow a 2-row D/G box for the workshops.
The Thursday morning workshop is aimed at intermediate/advanced players and in previous years has concentrated on one-row technique in the key of D.
All this is still rather speculative, as the Whitby organisers are notoriously slow at getting workshops sorted, and I haven't even received a contract yet (although I've had informal confirmation that I am booked as a tutor for the week).
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At least the Regatta doesn't clash this year.
Never too early,I booked my cottage over Christmas and took option for next year and booked my stall first week in Jan
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Thanks everyone.
Steve, the Thursday 1 row thing sounds right up my street, although I'm not sure how "intermediate" I might be! I could bring my 1 row in D (as well as the one in G for anything else where I might be brave enough to have a go) as long as people wouldn't laugh at it's age and decrepitude.
But, as you say, it's all "rather speculative" as yet. I think I should perhaps ask my PA to book the Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and keep my fingers crossed.
It seems that we'll be staying at Bagdale Hall; does anyone have experience of the place?
Although the website says that you can apply for a programme now, judging by the posts from AnnC and Steve_freereeder, it would seem that the final programme is not yet decided upon, therefore it would seem that anything available now would be a waste of space. When is the actual programme available?
One last thing, will a day ticket include the price of any workshops on that particular day?
I'm sooooo pleased I found this forum when I first grappled with the instrument!
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Steve, the Thursday 1 row thing sounds right up my street, although I'm not sure how "intermediate" I might be! I could bring my 1 row in D (as well as the one in G for anything else where I might be brave enough to have a go) as long as people wouldn't laugh at it's age and decrepitude.
But, as you say, it's all "rather speculative" as yet. I think I should perhaps ask my PA to book the Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and keep my fingers crossed.
My earlier posts describe previous years' workshops. I submit a list of workshops which I can offer to the organisers and they choose from my list, depending on what other tutors are offering. My workshops could be for melodeon, concertina or all instruments. You now know as much as I do!
It seems that we'll be staying at Bagdale Hall; does anyone have experience of the place?
Good location. Everything within a (relatively) short walk. However, there are hills in Whitby.
Although the website says that you can apply for a programme now, judging by the posts from AnnC and Steve_freereeder, it would seem that the final programme is not yet decided upon, therefore it would seem that anything available now would be a waste of space. When is the actual programme available?
Take the website information with a pinch of salt at this stage. The printed programme booklet with details of everything which goes on during the week will usually be available from July-ish onwards. It's worth spending the money to get it. There is a huge range of events going on each day. You can't plan properly without it. The information doesn't get put on the website as sales of the programme contribute significantly to funding the week.
One last thing, will a day ticket include the price of any workshops on that particular day?
Yes.
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Thanks again, Steve. It would seem that most of my concerns have now been covered as far as possible at this juncture.
Thanks to everyone who's contributed.
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I can confirm that the final programme isn't out yet, they're still booking/finalizing artists and putting things together
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And don't forget that the lovely May runs a beginners session every lunchtime (1pm) in the Spa Foyer; this will be in the official programme.