LOCAL, national and international artists joined in a celebration of music in Okehampton last weekend for the Baring-Gould Folk Festival. Almost 30 events were held over the weekend including concerts, lectures and singing, dancing and music making workshops in 10 venues throughout Okehampton. The festival, now in its seventh year, is inspired by the folk song collecting of West Devon?s Sabine Baring-Gould (1834 - 1924) ? one of the great social historical researchers of the Victorian era who was also a novelist and hymn writer. Organised by community folk arts organisation the Wren Trust, the festival was funded this year by the Okehampton United Charities, Okehampton Town Council, Devon County Council and the Arts Council. Press officer for Wren Kevin Buckland said the weekend was a great success. ?We had good attendances and the artists were wonderful,? he said. ?The festival also gave a wonderful boost to the tourism and hospitality industry outside the peak season.?
