PREPARATIONS are well under way for an event which draws thousands to the village of South Zeal every year.
The 26th Dartmoor Folk Festival will be held on August 8, 9 and 10 this year.
Chairman Jason Rice told the annual meeting of the festival association that the 25th anniversary event had been a worthy tribute to the festival founder, the late Bob Cann.
Mr Rice thanked everyone who had helped to make it such a success and particularly praised the artistic directors for arranging an impressive line-up of entertainers and guest performers for the weekend.
He also thanked the officers of the association, plus the helpers and residents of South Zeal who cope with the huge increase in traffic in the village during the festival.
He praised the Dartmoor Pixie Band and their supporters, who organise benefit dances for the festival, and the many sponsors of the event.
Mr Rice said: ?We are doing a grand job in keeping the traditions of Dartmoor alive, particularly with the Broom Dance and Step Dance competitions, which attracted more entrants this year.
?I must also thank Bob and Jacqui Patten who arranged the TSW Archive show and display in St Michael?s Church.?
And Mr Rice paid tribute to Clifford White for the use of his land, to Cyril May for decorating the marquee and to the Ritchie family who helped to produce a CD of the event.
Mr Rice said the festival had gone ahead with very few hitches and he had received many favourable comments from those who attended.
Treasurer Philip Holmes presented the accounts for the year and said increased attendance and greater sponsorship and grant funding had helped to present a healthy balance.
New officers were elected for the following year, while two resigning members, Kath and Bill Mortimore, were made life members for their services to the association during the last 25 years.
It was agreed the festival trophies would be displayed in a cabinet in the King?s Arms in South Zeal, by kind permission of the licensee.
To receive details of this summer?s Dartmoor Folk Festival, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Jane White, Sunnyhill, Zeal Head, South Zeal, Okehampton EX20 2JL.