RECORD crowds attended the 25th anniversary Dartmoor Folk Festival held at South Zeal last weekend.
A friendly and traditional festival, the event attracted people from across the UK and overseas. Visitors found the programme of entertainment included some of the top artists from the folk world playing alongside local musicians and singers.
The 'Renaissance Man' of folk music John Kirkpatrick, Bill Jones voted best newcomer at the BBC Folk Awards, Sarah Wright and the Dorset favourites The Yetties played to packed houses at their respective concerts.
Other artists including the Dartmoor Pixie Band, the Old Swan Band and Hearts of Oak enthralled the crowds whilst Chucklefoot and Stompy, Pete White and Dr Sunshine provided entertainment for the children.
Thomas White, the great grandson of founder of the festival the late Bob Cann, joined the Dartmoor Pixie band on stage for the finale and played a tune on his accordion.
The Dartmoor Broom Dance Champion was Madeleine Weaver, aged seven, of Belstone and the Step Dance Champion was Jenny Read of Exeter.
Rosie Richie of Thaxted, Essex won the Junior Step Dance Championship for the second year running.
To celebrate the 25th year, an historical display was staged in St Mary's Church and a special silver-themed anniversary dance held on Saturday night.
Festival president Joyce Cann described the event as 'the best ever' and Dartmoor National Park chairman Bob Cann said: 'It has been a brilliant turnout — Uncle Bob would have been very proud.
'Dartmoor has been through a lot lately and it is nice to have so many people in the village. We always look forward to the folk festival because it has become part of Dartmoor itself.'