With the lifting of restrictions, we are grateful to the owners of some of our regular venues who have offered to host some of the events that would usually be included in the official Festival Programme.
Please note that these events are not part of the official Celebration of Sidmouth Folk Festival and will not be staffed by festival volunteers. Please follow all guidance from the venue owners, the hosts and their assistants in ensuring your comfort and safety.
The hosts are all keen to support the future of Sidmouth Folk Festival and Collections Tins will be available for appropriate donations.
Melodeon Workshop for Relative Beginners Bob Ellis: Rugby Club Bar
Sunday 1 August: 10:30 – 12:00:
A ‘live’ workshop for those who can pick out a few tunes on a D/G melodeon but want to develop more fluency and variety in their playing. The workshop will teach how to play a French schottische and how to construct a bass line that goes beyond simple oom-pahs. Ability to read music is useful but not essential. If there is time, we may look at a second schottische that can be played as a set with the first one.
Tune: Scottish à Catinaux in G major; Scottish à Clementine in G major. Sheet music to be distributed at the start of the workshop.
Well-Known Tunes at a Steady Pace 1: Bob Ellis & Jannette Stewart: Rugby Club Bar
Monday 2 August: 13:30 – 15:30
This is the first of two structured ‘live’ sessions suitable for those new to, or with limited experience of, tune sessions, who would like a gentle introduction to them. You will be able to join in with well-known tunes played slowly and there will be the opportunity to lead a tune of your choice (provided it is well-known), if you wish to do so. All instruments are welcome, as are more experienced musicians, provided they are happy to play well-known tunes at a slower tempo than normal.
Well-Known Tunes at a Steady Pace 2: Bob Ellis & Jannette Stewart: Rugby Club Bar
Tuesday 3 August: 16:30 – 18:00
This is the second of two structured ‘live’ sessions suitable for those new to, or with limited experience of, tune sessions, who would like a gentle introduction to them. You will be able to join in with well-known tunes played slowly and there will be the opportunity to lead a tune of your choice (provided it is well-known), if you wish to do so. All instruments are welcome, as are more experienced musicians, provided they are happy to play well-known tunes at a slower tempo than normal.
Ballad Sessions hosted by Sheila Miller and Moira Craig
The Woodland Hotel (Marquee behind the hotel) 3-5pm on Monday 2 , Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 August.
Singarounds hosted by Bob and Gill Berry
The Woodland Hotel (Marquee behind the hotel)
7.30-10.00 Sat 31 July , Sunday 1st, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th.
Themed Singarounds hosted by Colin and Sonja Andrews
Royal Glen Hotel Sunday 1 – Friday 6 August 2.30 – 4.30 pm
Sunday : Friends and Foes
Monday: In Uniform
Tuesday: Away From Home
Wednesday: Food And Drink
Thursday: All Creatures Great & Small
Friday: Time, Past Times, Pastimes
Story Circle with Janet Dowling
Sat 31st July – 7 for 7:30 to 9;30pm LIVE story circle with Janet Dowling in a Secret Location in Sidmouth. Come tell a story or just listen to one! Max 10 mins and no reading aloud allowed. Bring your own drinks, and maybe your supper. We have 20 chairs- so contact Janet on 07834 194215 or janettells@gmail.com if you want to come, cross her hand with gold (ie make a donation) and the secret place will be revealed to you! We have a canopy, firepit and a toilet! 10 mins walk from the Ham.
Poetry Workshops with Ilse Pedler
Royal Glen Hotel
Sunday 1 and Thursday 5 August 11.30 -1pm.
90 minutes of reading and writing prompts to produce your own poems in a friendly and inclusive workshop.
Singarounds with Kitty Vernon
Faulkner Bar Royal York Hotel – Sunday 1 August to Friday 6 August, 10.30 to 12.30.