THE Two Moors Festival returned to Okehampton last week, providing people in the area with the chance to listen to classical music performed by celebrated musicians on their doorstep.

The event, Classic FM's festival in the South West, was launched in 2001 to help regenerate the area following the devastation caused by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Now a festival of international standing, it brings world class musical talent to venues across Dartmoor and Exmoor.

One of those venues was All Saints Church, which hosted two poignant concerts on October 16.

The first was a recital in memory of the Titanic disaster. Soprano Caroline MacPhie and pianist Anna Tilbrook performed a moving programme including pieces by Schubert, Haydn and Handel.

The church also hosted an evening concert by pianist Ashley Wass, Kathryn Thomas, cellist Jing Zhao and violinist Tia Murray.

The concert was a musical tribute to Beethoven's famous letter 'Immortal Beloved', and pieces by Chopin, Schubert and Beethoven himself were performed. Ashley Wass also gave a pre-concert talk on the letter.

The Friends of All Saints helped out throughout the day, providing refreshments, suppers and wine to the visitors and supporters. Contributions and takings from the wine bar and suppers were made to the Friends of All Saints funds, raising £650 on the day.

George Ware, chairman of the Friends of All Saints Church, said: 'Caroline had a lovely, powerful voice, and both artists gave stunning performances of wonderful music for piano and voice. It was truly breathtaking.

'All the concerts shared one thing — the sheer enthusiasm and first class musicianship and professionalism of all the performers.

'The magnificent piano which played an important part in the concerts, and is especially transported to venues as required, was the familiar Bosendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano, valued at around £100,000.

'It is a fabulous sounding instrument.

'We again succeeded in living up to our reputation for good organisation and for extending warm and excellent hospitality.

'We certainly look forward to next year's visit knowing that we will have a wonderful time in good company.'

Mr Ware expressed his thanks to the committee members, family members and supports for making the concerts such a success.

Hatherleigh and Chagford also hosted concerts, with St John's the Baptist Church and St Michael the Archangel's Church both hosting events throughout the week-long festivities.