Fun for all at the 47th Dartmoor Folk Festival

EVERYONE’S favourite family-friendly festival, the Dartmoor Folk Festival, returns from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11.

Those who go along can enjoy the very best music, song and dance from Dartmoor and beyond - and many of the events and activities are free or by donation.

A beautiful little festival, it takes place in the villages of South Zeal and South Tawton.

It will be the 47th annual festival and top local and national folk artists will be attending.

Look out for headliners, international festival favourites Track Dogs, Dartmoor favourites Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman, BBC Radio Two’s Folk Awards Best Musician of the year and multi-award winning guitarist Tim Edey and A Capella and instrumental English folk phenomenon, Narthen.

You won’t want to miss Bryony Griffiths and Alice Jones, or English folk singer creating original songs alongside reworking traditional music, Detta Kenzie.

Cornwalls foot-stomping Celtic folk band, The Stowes, are sure to be a big hit and also check out Luke Daniels and Andy Neale.

There will be two ceilidhs during the weekend, The Dartmoor Pixie Band with caller Sarah Bazeley kicking things off on the Friday evening and Flowers and Frolics with caller Simon Diegan on the Saturday evening.

Proud to welcome and support young and developing artists, the festival this year is excited to welcome the National Youth Folk Ensemble (NYFE), 22 of the country’s finest budding folk artists on Saturday afternoon.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning sees the start of a full day’s programme of events, including children’s entertainment, music, song and Shanties with Mariners Away.

It will include dance displays, live music, craft stalls, a bar and food van, ice creams, busk stop and children's activities.

Entry is by donation, making it affordable for all.

There will be a lunchtime concert and then from 2pm to 5pm, the Grand Dart-i-moor Fayre. 

Highlights of the afternoon will be the hotly-contested competitions, 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 and out step the previous dancer, until a final champion is decided upon. Adult and junior champions will be selected.

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

If the weather is inclement, the outdoor arena will move into a large marquee on the festival field at South Zeal Playing Field.

There will be a free concert after the Fayre with Wren, the evening including a concert and ceilidh.

SUNDAY

Sunday begins with a ramble on Dartmoor, Rise and Shine with Rob Pudner, plus many workshops, song and music sessions, all free or by donation.

A special folk service is also held at St Andrew’s Church, South Tawton.

The Sunday afternoon includes Folk For All, a packed programme of outdoor entertainment on the Playing Field from 2pm to 5pm.

Expect song, music, dance, crafts, food and drink, ferret racing, children’s activities and a duck race, entry by donation.

Immediately after Folk For All is a free concert.

The Festival ends in a traditional way with a grand concert.

Alan Quick, press officer for the Dartmoor Folk Festival Association, explained: "It was 47 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 and we are able to invite some of the best folk artists around, whilst maintaining the festival's reputation for being a relaxed, friendly and traditional festival.

“An action-packed programme has been arranged and we are looking forward to a great festival. Entertainment is arranged for the whole family to enjoy, whether to take part or simply sit and watch.

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

For further details, or to buy tickets, visit the website: www.dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk