THE Baring-Gould Folk Weekend is almost upon us, with a strong line-up of musicians and singers gracing Okehampton at the end of this month.

Organised by Wren Music, the weekend takes place from Friday, October 26 to Sunday, October 28, with a capella singer Lester Simpson, concertina player and vocalist Tim Laycock and singer Scott Gardiner among the special guests performing.

Lester Simpson makes up one third of the trio Coope Boyes and Simpson, who specialise in close-harmony vocal work, and a capella singing. They were nominated for best band and best album at the 2011 BBC Folk Awards. Their songs are mostly written by Simpson and Jim Biyes, and deal with social and environmental issues.

Tim Laycock has been playing and singing at folk clubs and festivals for more than 25 years, using mainly the concertina, melodeon or guitar to accompany his vocals. His repertoire is drawn from traditional folk songs, sea shanties, ballads and music hall songs. He also works as an actor and storyteller.

Scott Gardiner is one of Scotland's top traditional singers, and has been performing at concerts and festivals across Britain since his school days. Brought up on a farm near Forfar, he is best known for singing the ballads and songs of the north east, and has a particular love of local Angus folk songs.

There are also plenty of other attractions throughout the weekend. The Dartmoor Pixie Band are scheduled to perform a ceilidh, and the Charter Hall will host the festival feast, now a staple of the folk weekend, on Saturday, October 27.

A number of morris sides will turn out to perform some dancing, and the annual conker competition makes a welcome return.

People wishing to take part in the music themselves will also get a chance to shine, with a number of music workshops for adults and youngsters alike, and the opportunity to sing in the choir with Lester Simpson and Sarah Owen.

The weekend is inspired by the folk song collection of Sabine Baring-Gould, one of the Victorian era's great social historical researchers. He undertook the first serious and sustained attempt to collect the traditional songs of the English peasantry and workers, predominantly in West Devon.

The full extent of his research work was only realised in 1992, when his personal manuscripts were discovered at Devon's Killerton House, and shown to Wren Music's directors.

Alongside the 650 West Country songs in the manuscripts, a further find of broadside ballads and chapbooks has made the collection even more comprehensive. The collection has been fully digitalised so it can be easily accessed by academics and casual folk music researchers and enthusiasts.

Early bird tickets are now on sale, and anyone living in Okehampton with an EX20 1 postcode can purchase half-price tickets.

The special offer tickets for Okehampton residents for the whole weekend are only £25 for adults, and £10 for 8 to 16 year olds. Evidence of living in an EX20 1 postcode must be produced to receive the discount.

You can find the full programme of concerts, ceilidhs and workshops online at http://www.baring-gould.co.uk">www.baring-gould.co.uk

Tickets can be purchased online. Alternatively, call Wren Music on 01837 53754 or drop into the Wren Music office at 1 St James' Street between 10am and 5pm on a weekday.