We lived in Warwick and one year an IBM colleague and friend of Hilary, Doug Freeman (whose wife used to run the ticket office) gave us a day ticket, so we had never attended the whole event, so this year we signed up. Following on from our Deer Shed volunteering experience we signed up as Stewards, as such we get our entrance and camping for free in return for 12 hours effort each. The Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday and since we have the time offered to work from setting up on Wednesday through to packing up on Monday. As it turned out our first shift was on Thursday morning, but with an early pass to be able to camp on the Wednesday night. Hilary though had had a bad cold/cough/flu prior so although we could have camped we instead spent a lovely evening with Sal (another IBMer) and Huw in Kineton chatting over a BBQ. The drive down in the sun brought back leafy Warwickshire memories,
Thursday’s shift started at 10:15 for gate keeping duties so got to site by 9:30 and had our tent pitched by 10. Best collaborative pitch ever, practice for Skye next week so we do not embarrass ourselves in front of Sophie, Stef and Andrew. Sophie with the Kitts on holiday in Skye whilst we’re on this festival jaunt
Upon checking in at 10:15 we found we were not needed til 12, when the mad rush of those arriving before the 1pm opening time need to be corralled and then filtering in along side those arriving at 1pm without causing a road block. Despite the chaotic nature of things the team of gate keepers had everything smooth by 1:20. The rest of our stint was rather dull, but does highlight process weaknesses – oh the joy of working in a big multinational, we spot these things. We are supposed to have a second stint at 4;15 but are not required so head to Sainsburys for essentials like gin and chocolate biscuits. It’s amazing how much of Warwick we have forgotten – navigation is by what ever the motoring equivalent of osmosis is.
Not what we ordered or wanted but torrential rain in the evening and overnight, tent though stays watertight.Music is a mixed bag in the main tent. First act ok, Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith very good. The mics failed just as they were about to do their last number – after a bit of faff Jimmy led an acoustic version of Shadow Brown – just wonderful, his voice carried right to the back of the marquee. We bailed from the Unthanks after 2nd tune – seen it all before same set list and just not fun enough.
Friday was a lovely morning, just chilling outside the tent and then a steward session from 11:30. We hang large eastern type throws in the sports hall between the material sound baffles, to jolly up the breeze blocks for the ceilidh house. It makes a great Bedouin feels in the end, then about of checking direction signs were good.
Friday afternoon is spent at the arena stage, but by its side to be in the shed as the sun is out and it’s a beautiful but warm afternoon. Some indifferent acts before Granny’s Attic recommended by Sal. A young trio, doing tradition folk stuff I liked the instrumental pieces not sure about singing and the banter can be better. Early evening back at tent to chill out with GnT in the sun. Just heavenly.
Our evening music was Barluth – good Scottish fair, before a change of venue to The Bridge Theatre for Jimmy and Sid again. Did the acoustic Shadow Brown again could well be a feature of all future sets. Back to main set for Show of Hands, Hilary heads to bed early, I stay for a not that fantastic a set. Slept well, but its very humid.
Hilary heads off on Saturday morning to meet an ex colleague. I had some fine artisan baker offerings on the site. We met in town and had a memory lane run past the Tilted Wig and Andersons Jewelers – scene of bar stools and wedding rings.
Our afternoon shift was manning the Swan Street barrier. A rather pleasant few hours answering questions and giving we hoped accurate directions from creaking memories.
Watched the procession of Morris dancers. – Slideshow follows:
Back at the main festival site I bumped into Doug Freeman – amazing I recognised him, but we had a great time catching up and hearing more about the group Doug has hung out with for years with at the Festival. Turns out we are camping in the area they frequent.
After the usual early evening relaxing, Hilary woke me up to get to a 4 piece Belgium mandolin band – MANdolinMAN. 
They were great, must book my mandolin lesson. The next lot (Korrontzi) were not so much our bag so to Bridge again for Flossie Malavialle a French lass from the North East – pretty good. Then back to main tent for Mike McGoldrick and Friends – great music. I was given permission to purchase a folkie shirt so I could blend in.
Sunday started with a leisurely breakfast from on site artisan baker before our final volunteering stint as Gate Keepers again on the main site entrance. Time rather surprisingly drifts by quicker than expected. We realised that we had not been to all the venues, so in the afternoon we took in a session at the Living Tradition Center (the schools church) and then a Meet The Artist in the Song Room ( the schools music room) before heading to the Main Stage for Isembard’s Wheel and watching some great Morris Dancing on the Arena Stage.
The evenings main stage concert was the best of the weekend, Sunjay, Rusty Shackle and Le Vent Du Nord. Sunjay a Midlander Asian singing the blues, Rusty a bunch of welsh boys – like a folk boy band on steroids whereas Le Vent Du Nord a more traditional Quebecois lively folk band.
The last nights sleep unfortunately disturbed at 4am by some happy laughing Belgiums I think. Woke at 6:30, and we had the tent de-camped and on the road by 7:55. A great Festival.
