Cornish folk singer to be presented with top honour at Dartmoor Folk Festival

A CORNISH folk singer will be honoured with one of the highest awards in the folk world at the Dartmoor Folk Festival on Sunday, August 11.

Vic Legg, will be presented with an English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) Gold Badge.

Such gold badges are presented for unique or outstanding contributions to folk music, dance or song, distinguished service to EFDSS and/or exceptional contributions to EFDSS' work.

Vic was just one four recipients of such an award announced by EFDSS last year.

Vic was born into the singing and step-dancing traveller tradition in Cornwall.
In 1968 he co-founded Bodmin Folk Club, serving for many years as its chairman.

Vic is still an active member and its de facto ambassador.

He co-founded Trigg Morris Men in 1971 and in 1974 he was invited to join the Bodmin Wassailers.

He was a member of the original recorded cast of Peter Bellamy's ballad opera "The Transports", and his solo recording "Ive Come To Sing A Song" was released on CD in 2000.

The official presentation of the badge will be made during an Afternoon of Music, Dance and Song, in the main arena at the Dartmoor Folk Festival at South Zeal, near Okehampton, on Sunday, August 11.

The afternoon will run from 2pm to 4.30pm and admission is £5 for adults and free for children.

Copies of Vic Legg's CD's will be available to purchase, including "Cornish Family Songs", which has been described as "a perfect delight".

The festival runs from August 9-11 and artists appearing will include Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys (Friday), Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar, Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll, Sara Grey and Kieron Means, Moirai, The Jellyman’s Daughter, Kirkophany (Saturday) and Luke Daniels (Sunday).

Also appearing will be The Stowes (Sunday), The Dartmoor Pixie Band, the Ramsley Minors, Entertainingly Different and The Pocketwatch Theatre Company, plus more to be confirmed.

A hugely-successful dedicated children's festival will again run alongside the main event.

Jim Causley will take part in the children's festival and Jackie Oates will host a starter's song session.

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

“Britain's Got Talent” star Roger Butler, aka Chucklefoot, will perform the official opening of the festival.

There will be concerts, a ceilidh, craft displays, dances, music hall, pub sessions and music, song and dance workshops and competitions.

Free events include Starter's Song Sessions, Shanty Group singing, Festival Folk Club sessions, a ramble on Dartmoor, Folk church service and Youth Music Session.

Alan Quick, press officer for the Dartmoor Folk Festival Association, explained: "The festival is deeply rooted in the heart of the Dartmoor community and is keeping customs and traditions alive."

Enquiries can be made by telephoning 01837 840102 or email: enquiries.dartmoorfolk@gmail.com