Successful Dartmoor Folk Festival 'keeping customs and traditions alive'
The Mayor of West Devon was among those who impressed the crowds who went along to the three-day Dartmoor Folk Festival held at South Zeal, near Okehampton, during the weekend of August 9-11.
Cllr Bill Cann, who performed the official opening of the festival, also got up on an old hay wagon to give an impromptu demonstration of his Dartmoor Step Dancing skills.
Mr Cann put in an admirable performance on the 15 inch square board on top of the wagon, performing most of the required dance steps, despite admitting that he had not performed the dance for more than 25 years!
In his opening speech he said he was especially proud that his late uncle, Bob Cann, was the founder of the festival 36 years ago and commented on the huge success of the event, now continued by members of his family, friends, an Association and volunteer helpers.
He assisted his Auntie Joyce, Bob's wife, who was wheelchair bound, due to a recent fall, in presenting the Dartmoor Step Dance awards.
The champion was, for the fourth year, Lisa Sture of Bideford. Junior champion was Laura Bazeley (15) of South Zeal.
The Dartmoor Broom Dance champion was Albert Hansell (10) from Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Dartmoor broom dancing involves dancing over a broom and the championship is for primary school-aged children only.
Traditional music, dance, song and crafts of the area form the basis for the festival.
One of the country's finest multi-instrumentalists, Jim Moray “kicked off” the event with a concert on the Friday evening followed by a ceilidh with the Dartmoor Pixie Band.
The rest of the weekend included a packed programme of concerts, a ramble on Dartmoor, folk service, dances, children's festival, Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub sessions and music and song and dance workshops.
Artists attending included the Old Swan Band, Brendan Power and Tim Edey, Jim Causley and Lukas Drinkwater, Trio Threlfall, Lauren McCormick Band, Peter and Barbara Snape, Gadarene, Keith Donnelly, Tony Beard, Entertainingly Different, Dave Wills, plus morris and dance teams.
Festival spokesman, Alan Quick, said: "It has been a tremendous festival with a record attendance. Most of the concerts were full or sold out and the dances were very well attended.
"Last year people stayed in to watch the Olympics on the television but this year they came along again and it is a remarkable difference.
"The weather forced us to move the Dartmoor Fayre into the marquee part way through the programme on the Saturday but we moved the wagon and hundreds of people within just a few minutes so that the event could continue."
Mr Quick added that the family-friendly festival, as well as giving enjoyment to thousands of people, provides a huge economic boost to the area with shops, pubs, bed and breakfast establishments, local suppliers and exhibitors generating thousands of pounds into the local economy.
He added: "The festival has grown over the years and attracts some of the best folk artists around, whilst maintaining its reputation for being a relaxed, friendly and traditional festival.
"It is deeply rooted in the heart of the Dartmoor community and is keeping customs and traditions alive."
