THE fourth annual Baring-Gould Folk Festival is back with an even bigger line-up of stars from the world of traditional music.

The event is run by Wren, Devon's foremost community arts organisation.

The 2002 festival runs from November 1 to 3 in and around the West Devon villages of Bratton Clovelly and Lewdown. The area provides a selection of small, intimate venues, which reflect the nature of the music performed.

Concerts and workshops will be held in the local village halls and churches with a special event at Lewtrenchard Manor.

It begins on Friday November 1 with a welcome folk club; Saturday November 2 contains a series of workshops and an evening 'feast'. The festival culminates in another series of workshops and a farewell concert on Sunday November 3.

The artists hail from across the country with Yannick Minvielle-Debat bringing the vital Breton dance tradition to the heart of the festival and Frankie Armstrong inspiring as a solo singer of world renown.

Coope, Boyes and Simpson are a stunning three-part a-capella group with a huge repertoire of traditional and new songs delivered with warmth and skill.

West country performers include the fabulous Tim Laycock, the singer, playwright, concertina wizard and actor from Dorset, Vic Legg singing a selection of songs from Cornwall and George Withers bringing a series of songs from his family singing tradition in Somerset, where he still works as a 'village entertainer'.

From close to home in Devon come many fine acts including Equation members Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman whose voice and guitar skills have taken them both around the world.

Marke Bazeley, Jason Rice and Rob Murch provide foot-tapping Dartmoor tunes on melodeon, accordion, concertina and five-string banjo, while Marilyn Tucker and Paul Wilson combine striking vocal harmonies, instrumental variety and a wide repertoire to make compelling, accessible performances.

Other acts include singer Bill Murray, guitarist Chris Foster, vocal harmony from the Bratton Singers and Hocus with entertainment from members of Sacred Turf and The Eel Grinders.

The 2002 Baring-Gould Folk Festival is a must for all lovers of good music. Come along and see the quality of the local music scene.

For more information about the Folk Festival, please phone Wren on 01837 53754 or e-mail at [email protected]">[email protected]