"A Blues Covent Garden" the Advertiser said. Out of season on what would otherwise have been a quiet weekend in March.
The Swanage Blues Festival is BIG, with people coming from all over the UK and abroad, and the BBC, national newspapers and magazines recognising its importance with substantial coverage.
What I saw was a seaside town out of season, full of people who had flocked there to revel in a joyous festival atmosphere. Meanwhile the shops, pubs and restaurants, like the hotels and guest houses, were taking a great deal of extra money. I know how much my wife and I spent, and we did not begrudge one penny. It was marvellous!
But did you know that for a year beforehand, Steve Darrington puts a huge amount of effort, time and his own benefit money into creating this annual success for Swanage? Sadly he overdid it this time and collapsed Saturday lunchtime, spending the rest of the weekend in bed, so he didn't even get to enjoy it himself.
Can you honestly say that he got your support? Did you put up a poster, make a donation or take out an advertisement on the website (for £12 a year, that's all he asks). He can't do it without you, you know.
You can still help. Steve's already launched himself into arrangements for next year, and he's got plans for other weekends. But he can only do it if you, the people of Swanage, offer your help, support or financial backing.
You can contact him via the website www.swanage-blues.org or phone him on 01929 422338. Don't he shy, he can't afford to be and still make it happen again.
Posted by Friend of the Festival to swanage view at 8:44 AM
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15 comments:
I have to say how amazed I am by Steve Darrington - his commitment and passion to music makes him work tirelessly all year to bring such a wonderful event to Swanage. In the past I like many other people in Swanage have let this one pass me by not really appreciating the nature of the event...but having met Steve this year and the realisation that what he was doing was quite incredible I ventured down to town and took myself on what I can only describe as a rare treat of entertainment for Swanage! On Saturday afternoon I was enchanted watching a young band outside Dino's...three youngsters singing their own music in the sunlight...then there was a boy band who had a great deal of fun entertaining the audience. All afternoon there was a buzz about the town, people walking around with musical instruments…playing guitar on the beach. On Saturday evening I moved between The White Horse, Kings Bar and the Anchor...the music was fantastic, the atmosphere wonderful, so many people having such a great evening and the musicianship was outstanding, such a high standard. This is an event I will be putting in my diary from now on and one that I will not miss!
Tara Dominick
Must add huge congratulations to Steve on the 2007 Blues Festival. Our hotel was completely full of people who'd come specifically for the Festival and they were all thrilled with the whole experience. So much so that some have already booked for next year. Steve must have some help for this event - it's now too big for one person to organise alone. All venues are free entry and the whole town buzzed, but the workload and financial commitment must be overwhelming. Hope he gets the support he deserves. Looking forward to March 2008
steve has done very very well and he should get some support, both financially and work wise, but be warned if swanage town council get involved it will be the end of the festival as it is ie free fun and brilliant they will sap all they can out of it and leave it a dry husk, so lets support steve 100% but please please please lets do it by private means.
Another great Swanage Blues Festival. Great atmosphere and great music. Good to hear Steve Darrington playing on Saturday lunchtime..... the Dorset Dr John!
Keep it up for next year.
This was our first festival and it was absolutely fantastic. We will definitely be back next year. Steve and Elaine did a brilliant job in organising the festival. We particularly enjoyed the King's bar as the staging and room were just right for the Festival. Some of the pubs just got too crowded, and if the festival gets any bigger they will burst at the seams.
Swanage Council should provide a financial grant for the festival. It brings in a great deal of money for the hotels, pubs and restaurants in the town.
Again well done Steve you should be very proud of what you have achieved.
someone said "if swanage town council get involved it will be the end of the festival as it is" do you mean just like they support the folk festival and the regatta ?
This was my sixth year and Steve has once again worked a minor miracle
It was excellent and has to be good news for the town -felt it had quite a bizz about it on Sunday and visitors like me must spend around £100 each time -has to be good for the local economy
Will be there next year
Chris
Steve, fantastic yet again. This weekend brings a huge amount to what is a dormant town this time of year. We were fully booked at the beginning of October last year, and continuing enquiries, including saturday afternoon meant many recommendations to other places. Many, many thanks to John Crampton who again wowed us all with his amazing music, with a large percentage of people coming to watch both nights that he played, including a gentleman that flew from Scotland just to catch the Saturday gig! It cannot be stressed enough what an important festival this is and what it brings this town, and as it continues to grow, so should support in all aspects of it. Steve, this is one place that will never underestimate the value of what you do and the work that goes into it! Long may it continue, and all hail the Blues Weekend!!
My First Swanage Blues Festival
What can I say had a great time we will be back next year with some friends see you all again then
Bob from Bournemouth
***** Top of the line music fest for everyone to enjoy only thing we need bigger pubs to fit more people in. I have been coming now for 5 years and it gets better every year. Thanks Steve you are the man.
For me the highlight of the weekend was seeing HollowBone at the Anchor in the High Street. They made the whole weekend worth the journey - Simply Amazing energy from these two guys.
Fourth time I've been and, as others have said, it seems to get better (and busier) every year. The town was humming over the weekend. The music was as varied as ever from hard blues rock to accoustic folky blues and there were some fantastic musicians. Given that it is all free I hope everybody dug deep in their pockets for the collection that was going aound the Kings Bar. Thanks Steve for another great weekend
Amazing ,Steve and Elaine have done it again,the best ever Swanage Blues festival!!!Busy..buzzing..pub bursting..brilliant..what a great and varied lineup of musical talent.We will be back next year,we wished we lived closer so that we could help you guys in Swanage.
take care Steve and have a well deserved rest.
Vince and Viv
Thank you so much everybody.
As a result of all your encouragement the 8th Swanage Blues Festival will be 7, 8, 9 March 2008.
BUT the good news is that there will be a blues and roots weekend from 5-7 October 2007 too!
If you want to know any more about it, please see www.swanage-blues.org
As usual I came with a big party of friends and had a really good time.
Good atmosphere, ace music and a nice location.
Hats off to Stevie D for organising this fest.
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