your comments
Iain M Povey, Carlisle
I attended the 2009 event on Friday night and was very impressed, especially at the way this event connected with the town. We went on Friday and inside the racecourse it began very quiet, but built very nicely ... we danced like diryishes and enjoyed a few local brews! I was actually dissapointed to be leaving when we saw what else was planned! I for one will certainly returning, and paying for the privilege too!!!
John McConnachie
People just don't understand the meaning of the word community do they? I worked on the festival for three years with the rest of the team, ensuring that we put as much as we humanly could into ensuring that the Two Rivers Folk Festival is not only affordable but includes cutting edge music, dance, a choice of approx 11 venues with different themes of folk happening at each, some free, some requiring tickets as sound, light, stage. Companies do not work for nothing, as the organisers do! For your info I myself oversaw the organisation of 12 hours of free music in three free venues including the Kings Head, Coach, Bridge Inn, just on Saturday alone, but as you only spent an hour and obviously didn't look very hard, you wouldn't know. We worked in partnership with the council who offer fantastic support with road closures etc but again these costs have to be met. What, Mr Jones, do you expect? I would presume, something for nothing, which you obviously can and did get, and still you felt the need to criticise what you got for nothing. Did you not consider buying a £1 programme which would tell you where/what events were planned? I no longer organise the festival and your comments help confirm why it is so difficult for organisers with today’s pressures. You are unsatisfied after spending no time, effort or money. I suggest you may just be unhappy and that no festival free or otherwise will change that. It may finally be down to you to do that. Happy Days! I wish the organisers every success with this year and hope you may be on holiday somewhere nice.
Jayne Worrin, Chepstow
Myself, my husband and our 4 year old son spent the day with friends and their children watching the Morris dancers perform in Chepstow. It was a magical day, and it was free. We met and chatted with people from all over the globe that had travelled to be part of this event. We were so inspired by the dancing that we have gone on to join a local group - The Widders. We have become very proud to be part of this network and very excited about performing ourselves this summer.
P Ruddock, Bulwark, Chepstow
I just could not believe my eyes when directed to Ade Jones's comments by a friend. Ade spent one hour on Saturday of a 3 day festival. I can tell you the Saturday in town was fantastic! There were hundreds of colourful morris dancers and at least 3 music sessions in the pubs. Also I saw several great folk bands in the Kings Head, the Five Alls and the Bridge Inn. There was also street entertainers and a brilliant folk club at the old British Legion. I was more than happy to pay my dues to see several outstanding bands at the Castle in the evening. There was also a packed ceilidh at the racecourse. I have never heard that the festival was free, perhaps Ade is getting confused with the Town festival which is not a folk music festival, and is also not free. I for one will be going to this years Two Rivers festival - it's great fun and the kids love it too, the campsite is really good with late night music sessions, well done to the organisers.
Tim Ryan, Chepstow
Where on earth did you get the impression that it was a free festival? The council supported the festival in purchasing some equipment. The format for the weekend was virtually the same as the previous festivals. There were over twenty Morris sides at six different town venues all for free. There a was a free Town Folk Club and free music in five pubs. Eight bands plus a procession of all the dancers on the Sunday. And so much more. There was a continuous shuttle bus service to and from the Racecourse for the evening concerts. Does the writer really expect to see the Oysterband for free????
Mike Lewis, Chepstow
The festival is not free, it is funded entirely on ticket sales. We the team work 10 months of the year unpaid to put the festival on for our community. We are one of the lowest priced festivals in the country. Most people are happy to contribute to the effort we all make by buying a ticket. In 2008 there were over 500 morris dancers in the town on Saturday, and much music and entertainment in the pubs. Some people just want a free ride and are not interested in contributing. It's a shame because we need everyone's positive support to keep the festival going. Thank you to all who support us.
Ade Jones - Lydney
Went on Saturday. Terribly disappointed - not a patch on last year. Half a dozen Morris dancer troupes and that's your lot. Apparently all the decent stuff was up the Racecourse or in the Castle - which you had to pay to go and see. I thought that this was a free event supported by the Council? Allegedly there were some bands down by the Boat on the Sunday, but I'd already had enough after an hour on the Saturday. Please do better next year.
