IT'S on the move again — 'Folk on the Moor', one of the country's most popular folk clubs, switches to a bigger venue this weekend.

After many successful years at the 'Who'd Have Thought It' pub in Milton Combe, and following a brief spell at the Burrator Inn, Dousland, the club has now taken up residence at The Moorland Hotel at Wotter.

The move could also prove to be the springboard for a small weekend folk festival next year as the hotel is conducive as both an indoor and outdoor venue for artists.

Club spokesman Anton Horwich said membership now stood at more than 70 — the highest it has been for 10 years.

'We have a national reputation. Our professional guests rate the club highly. When they play elsewhere they tell other performers about this club,' said Mr Horwich.

'A lot of professionals contact us so we can afford to be selective.'

He said the dedicated room at the Moorland Hotel had the capacity to cope with an audience of 130.

The club has always enjoyed an audience that has travelled from far a wide across West Devon and beyond to enjoy both local performers and a programme of top quality guests.

On Sunday, the first new club night, the guest performer will be Bob Fox — a fine singer and guitarist much admired on the folk scene.

He will be followed by a Singers' Night which provides the audience with an ideal opportunity to see the right variety of song, music and poetry on offer at the club.

'One of the reasons the reputation of this club is so good is because of the bank of local performers. There are about 20, of which half could become semi-professional. The other half are new and up-and-coming,' said Mr Horwich.

'The Lakeman Brothers from Yelverton cut their teeth with this club. They made their first public performance with our club and now they are touring America.

'Hanging Johnny the southwest's internationally acclaimed shanty crew met and got together at the Who'd Have Thought It. Now they are in great demand' he said.

'We have a good reputation of bringing people together and developing talent.'

The capacity of the new venue means the club can book bigger attractions such as the legendary Vin Garbutt who will be appearing on Sunday, July 9.

Other professional guests on the schedule this year include Gina Le Faux, Dangerous Curves and Jay Turner with Cath Mundy.

For more details contact Anton Horwich on (01822) 853620.