I drove through Girvan just last Sunday night { 1st time in ages too } I see they have a big supermarket there now, at the top of the town .... tell me, did they trade a session Pub & a Hotel for this, or are there still enough session venues there, to go round?
Sessions are not quite as good and a "bit squeezed" but it's still OK.
Lots of trouble at the camp site again but the organisers now claim that they've resolved the problem this year.
I "hae ma doobts" but it won't affect me too much as I use another wee corner of town instead.
Moniaive is the following week and a cracking wee festival too.
I was a bit bummed out by Moniaive last year. Too many singers and not enough space for the tune players. The best sessions were outside, but it was COLD and the pipes were playing quite badly (as were my fingers) in those conditions, so I pretty much avoided the outside sessions.
Girvan was loads of fun, except for the yobs in the campsite. John, do you know what they've done to "resolve the problem?" Due to last year's experience, my bf and I were talking about going to the posh campsite so we didn't have to deal with that sh*te.
"McCreath Campsite note:
Ayrshire Police Chief Andy Clapperton has given the committee his assurance that there will be a prominent police presence at this year's festival to ensure that the camp site in particular will be maintained as a safe and peaceful area for family campers. Police will be liasing with our on site security teams, who have been instructed that anyone not attending the festival and wishing to use the camp site will be turned away."
Moniaive was a bit cold last year but if the weather's decent there seems to be more space available. Apparently, the marquee will be heated this year too.
It does get rather busy at times although the Sunday is usually a lot more relaxed.
I was there becoming part of the furniture in the Harbor, although we were in the Fish Inn Friday night and the Royal during the day on Saturday. Didn't see anyone who I thought might be Screech or John J or Davy. We went to the West Cliff after the Harbor closed on Sunday night and had some late, drunk tunes.
Did you all make it through? We had some great tunes. Hope you did as well.
Over the past 20 odd years, I've only missed 2 or 3 Girvan festivals - however last year because of too few venues and too many guitars (which is what I play in Irish sessions), I just couldn't be bothered.. I'm sick and tired of walking around in circles, eventually finding a session without an accompanist, starting to play, then being bumped by another accompanist.. I'm just not good enough to listen to the tune, and another accompanist and work out what will fit in with both - especially if I'm in disagreement with what the other guitarist is doing in the first place. Many guitarist obviously think they are capable of doing this...
Kenny did say he saw you and Uilliam when he dropped into the Westcliff on Saturday. I must say the Saturday was pretty bad in the Westcliffe, (too many shouting drunks to hear the tunes and songs), but the Sunday was brilliant - tunes and songs galore.
I was in the Royal all afternoon until about 5.30 on Saturday (in the bigger bar on the left). Went back after the evening concert, but there was no chance of getting a seat in either bar, so we poked our heads round the doors of the Harbour and Westcliff, then went home.
Didn't go back on Sunday, because Mrs. Skreech said that if I did I couldn't do Moniaive. Then I got a phone call asking me to do sound for a band next Saturday, so I won't be going to Moniaive anyway (or I might make it across on the Sunday).
@Screech. Saturday night we were in the Royal until 2am. If you poked your head in, you might have seen or heard us. Or not, as it was pretty damned noisy. I should be at Moniaive anyway.
@Davy. Yeah, I saw Liam and Kenny on the street when we came out of the pub and were having an ice cream break. We'd had a nice Saturday afternoon session in the Harbor. I generally avoid the West Cliff these days. The last couple years, we tried to have some tunes there, only to get taken over by singers.
@Ron. You would have enjoyed it this year. Not many accompanists about. The numbers were down in general but that meant the sessions were all quite nice, not manic or overrun by guitarists. We spent most of yesterday in the Harbor with only one accompanist, a very tasteful zouk player.
Girvan.
Girvan.
Anyone going?
# Posted on April 25th 2011 by skreech
Re: Girvan.
Yep. We should have a session.orgy session for all who are going.
# Posted on April 25th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
No.
# Posted on April 25th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Girvan.
Aww, too bad, Kenny. It would have been nice to see you. :(
# Posted on April 25th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
No.
# Posted on April 25th 2011 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Girvan.
Yes
# Posted on April 25th 2011 by BigDavy
Re: Girvan.
My God I was asked to but turned it down,,, Did not know you guys go there, I have not be been for a while... Maybe next year !
jim,,,
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Girvan.
I drove through Girvan just last Sunday night { 1st time in ages too } I see they have a big supermarket there now, at the top of the town .... tell me, did they trade a session Pub & a Hotel for this, or are there still enough session venues there, to go round?
Cheers
Dick
P.S. No, I won't make it this year.
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by Ptarmigan
Re: Girvan.
They did trade a session pub and hotel for the Asda. :( Admittedly, you can feel squeezed for session venues but it all somehow manages to work.
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
I'm not sure if I'll make it this year.
Sessions are not quite as good and a "bit squeezed" but it's still OK.
Lots of trouble at the camp site again but the organisers now claim that they've resolved the problem this year.
I "hae ma doobts" but it won't affect me too much as I use another wee corner of town instead.
Moniaive is the following week and a cracking wee festival too.
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: Girvan.
I was a bit bummed out by Moniaive last year. Too many singers and not enough space for the tune players. The best sessions were outside, but it was COLD and the pipes were playing quite badly (as were my fingers) in those conditions, so I pretty much avoided the outside sessions.
Girvan was loads of fun, except for the yobs in the campsite. John, do you know what they've done to "resolve the problem?" Due to last year's experience, my bf and I were talking about going to the posh campsite so we didn't have to deal with that sh*te.
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
From website
http://www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk/contact.html
"McCreath Campsite note:
Ayrshire Police Chief Andy Clapperton has given the committee his assurance that there will be a prominent police presence at this year's festival to ensure that the camp site in particular will be maintained as a safe and peaceful area for family campers. Police will be liasing with our on site security teams, who have been instructed that anyone not attending the festival and wishing to use the camp site will be turned away."
Moniaive was a bit cold last year but if the weather's decent there seems to be more space available. Apparently, the marquee will be heated this year too.
It does get rather busy at times although the Sunday is usually a lot more relaxed.
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: Girvan.
Nothing wrong with going to both
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by BigDavy
Re: Girvan.
re: campsite...
I'll believe it when I see it.
# Posted on April 26th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
I was there becoming part of the furniture in the Harbor, although we were in the Fish Inn Friday night and the Royal during the day on Saturday. Didn't see anyone who I thought might be Screech or John J or Davy. We went to the West Cliff after the Harbor closed on Sunday night and had some late, drunk tunes.
Did you all make it through? We had some great tunes. Hope you did as well.
# Posted on May 2nd 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
Over the past 20 odd years, I've only missed 2 or 3 Girvan festivals - however last year because of too few venues and too many guitars (which is what I play in Irish sessions), I just couldn't be bothered.. I'm sick and tired of walking around in circles, eventually finding a session without an accompanist, starting to play, then being bumped by another accompanist.. I'm just not good enough to listen to the tune, and another accompanist and work out what will fit in with both - especially if I'm in disagreement with what the other guitarist is doing in the first place. Many guitarist obviously think they are capable of doing this...
# Posted on May 2nd 2011 by On Sabbatical
Re: Girvan.
Hi SS
Kenny did say he saw you and Uilliam when he dropped into the Westcliff on Saturday. I must say the Saturday was pretty bad in the Westcliffe, (too many shouting drunks to hear the tunes and songs), but the Sunday was brilliant - tunes and songs galore.
# Posted on May 2nd 2011 by BigDavy
Re: Girvan.
I was in the Royal all afternoon until about 5.30 on Saturday (in the bigger bar on the left). Went back after the evening concert, but there was no chance of getting a seat in either bar, so we poked our heads round the doors of the Harbour and Westcliff, then went home.
Didn't go back on Sunday, because Mrs. Skreech said that if I did I couldn't do Moniaive. Then I got a phone call asking me to do sound for a band next Saturday, so I won't be going to Moniaive anyway (or I might make it across on the Sunday).
# Posted on May 2nd 2011 by skreech
Re: Girvan.
@Screech. Saturday night we were in the Royal until 2am. If you poked your head in, you might have seen or heard us. Or not, as it was pretty damned noisy. I should be at Moniaive anyway.
@Davy. Yeah, I saw Liam and Kenny on the street when we came out of the pub and were having an ice cream break. We'd had a nice Saturday afternoon session in the Harbor. I generally avoid the West Cliff these days. The last couple years, we tried to have some tunes there, only to get taken over by singers.
@Ron. You would have enjoyed it this year. Not many accompanists about. The numbers were down in general but that meant the sessions were all quite nice, not manic or overrun by guitarists. We spent most of yesterday in the Harbor with only one accompanist, a very tasteful zouk player.
# Posted on May 2nd 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Girvan.
Ach Emily, you shouldnae have told me that! There you go, turn yer back and.... I bet the fridge light doesn't go off when you close the door
# Posted on May 2nd 2011 by On Sabbatical