Fun for all at 38th Dartmoor Folk Festival

The Dartmoor Folk Festival is one of the top family-friendly folk events in the South West.

It provides the perfect opportunity to catch bright new folk acts, high-calibre national and local artists and established performers, all in the foothills of Dartmoor.

Festival events and activities are suitable for all ages, and there is a hugely-successful dedicated children's festival run alongside the main event.

The 38th annual festival will take place at South Zeal, near Okehampton, on August 7, 8 and 9.

Artists appearing will include Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, Huw Williams and Maartin Allcock, Alistair Anderson, Jeff Warner (USA), The Dovetail Trio, Liam Robinson Dance Band and Kestor Stringband.

Other artists attending are Johnny Handle, Sid Calderbank, The Dartmoor Pixie Band (Friday and Sunday night), Ramsley Minors and Dave Wills.

Morris and dance teams due to attend are Old Speckled Hen, Ragged and Old, Beetlecrushers, Appakella, Exmoor Border Morris, South Zeal Steppers, Tinners Morris and Cogs and Wheels.

Jez Lowe was a double-nominee at this year's BBC Folk Awards, and the band will be featuring songs from his latest album "The Ballad Beyond", alongside some of his best-known and most covered songs from his earlier repertoire.

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin were winners of the 2014 BBC Radio Two Folk Award for Best Duo and Alistair Anderson is internationally recognised as the master of the English Concertina.

Children's entertainers will include Rattlebox Theatre, Captain Coconut, Dave Hendy, Nina Fenner, Trepanning Through History and Entertainingly Different.

The packed weekend programme will include concerts, a ramble on Dartmoor, a ceilidh, folk service, craft displays, dances, a Jig Doll competition, a Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub sessions and music, song and dance workshops.

Hotly-contested competitions are the Dartmoor Broom Dance championships and Dartmoor Stepdance Championships.

Dartmoor Broom dancing involves dancing with a broom, or rather over a broom, and is for primary school-aged children.

The Dartmoor Step dance sees dancers step on a 15 inch square board showing the different steps to try to outstep the previous dancer, until a final champion is decided upon.  Adult and junior champions are selected.

Classes to teach both broom dancing and step dancing are held during the festival and anyone can take part.

It was 38 years ago that the festival was founded by the late Bob Cann, who lived in the parish of South Zeal.  He had the dream of a folk event on his doorstep that would help to revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor.

Mr Cann was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to folk music, which included founding the festival.

It was the traditional music, dance, song and crafts of the area that formed the basis for the first festival and they still remain for the association which runs the festival today.

Since it was founded it has grown so that it can invite some of the best folk artists around, whilst maintaining its reputation for being a relaxed, friendly and traditional festival.

It will also include a duck race, starter melodeon sessions, craft marquee, stalls and refreshments.

Alan Quick, publicity officer, said: “An action-packed programme has been arranged and we are looking forward to a great festival.

“There will be three days of music, song, dance and crafts.

“Entertainment is arranged for the whole family to enjoy, whether to take part or simply sit and watch.

“Most events are very modestly priced and some are totally free, so there is something for everyone.

"The festival is deeply rooted in the heart of the Dartmoor community and is keeping customs and traditions alive."

For further details, or to enquire about booking tickets, telephone 01837 840102 or visit the website: www.dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk