HAVING outgrown its original village location, the illustrious Baring-Gould Folk Festival moves to its new home of Okehampton later this month. The move will allow the festival to grow further, lure more big names and accommodate a developing fringe. Organisers Wren Music say it will also give a significant boost to Okehampton?s economy. The festival which takes place over the weekend of October 21 to 23, will provide an opportunity for local people of all ages to experience the very best in traditional folk music and song, drawing upon the collection of Victorian clergyman the Rev Sabine Baring-Gould. It features more than 25 events, with headline artists including: l Northern Harmony, the renowned 16-strong ?shape note? choir from the USA, who also specialise in Eastern European and African songs l Tickled Pink, described as probably the hottest folk dance band in the UK today l Pamela Morgan, Newfoundland singer, songwriter and guitarist, formerly leader of Figgy Duff, one of Canada?s most popular folk bands during the 80s and 90s l Phil Beer, the fiddle wizard voted Best Live Act in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2004 l Chris Coe, the queen of the ballad, and dulcimer virtuoso l Simon Care, the melodeon powerhouse from the Albion Band and Tickled Pink l Jim Causley, leading light of the new generation of folk singers. The bill also features a host of West Country talent. The festival began six years ago, inspired by the folk song collecting of Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924), novelist, hymn writer and rector of Lewtrenchard. Wren Music?s artistic director, Marilyn Tucker, said: ?I am delighted with the support we have received since first announcing that we were going to move the festival into Okehampton.? She said the festival was now supported by Arts Council England, Devon County Council, Okehampton Non-Ecclesiastical Charity, Okehampton Town Council and West Devon Borough Council. She added: ?This helps us to keep ticket prices to a fraction of what they would be without such assistance, and we hope that many, many local people will take advantage of this wonderful chance to see so many national and international stars.? On Friday evening (October 21) at 7pm, Chudleigh Repertory and Performance Society will be joined by local musicians and singers to stage a dramatic celebration for Trafalgar Day in Red Lion Yard. On Saturday (October 22), events will include lectures in the Museum of Dartmoor Life on the folk-song collecting of Baring-Gould, followed in the evening with a ceilidh. On Sunday morning (October 23), there will be a folk journey on the veteran rolling stock of the Dartmoor Railway, with singers, musicians, and morris dancers on the train and at Meldon and Sampford Courtenay stations. Also on Sunday morning Okehampton Youth Hostel will organise a guided walk on Dartmoor to reflect Baring-Gould?s great passion for the moor. Over the weekend, there will be a wide range of instrumental and singing workshops for all ages, and two special vocal workshops with Northern Harmony, one on shape-note singing, and the other exploring Eastern European and African styles. All the concert and workshop venues are in the centre of the town, within easy flat walking distance, and include the charter hall, the Ockment Centre, Fairplace Church, St James Chapel, the church hall, and the Octagon Theatre. Impromptu sessions where singers and musicians are welcome to join in will be held at a variety of town venues over the weekend ? look out for the signs. Tickets are available for the whole weekend or for a single day or single event. Tickets and a full programme are available from Wren Music, 1 St James Street, Okehampton? down the alley way by the wrought iron pigs behind St James Chapel on Fore Street, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Further information is also available on the website: http://www.wrenmusic.co.uk">www.wrenmusic.co.uk
