SOME of the top artists in the folk world will be guests at the 26th Dartmoor Folk Festival at South Zeal, near Okehampton, on August 8, 9 and 10.
Confirmed for the three-day event are: Token Women; Coope, Boyes and Simpson; Cyril Tawney; Nancy Kerr and James Fagan; Patterson, Jordan and Dipper; Betty and Norman McDonald; Odra Folk Choir (Czech Republic); Ticklish Allsorts; Hearts of Oak.
Others include: Ned and Martha; Mark Bazeley, Jason Rice and Rob Murch; Dave Wills; Tony Beard (The Wag from Widecombe), and the Dartmoor Pixie Band. Several Morris and dance teams will also be attending. These include many local teams.
Highlights of the friendly and traditional festival include: the Dartmoor Broom Dance Championships, Dartmoor Step Dance Championships, a Dartmoor Fayre, craft displays, dances, a music hall, ceilidh, workshops, Folk service, pub sessions and children?s entertainment. Other attractions include a craft tent, sideshows and dance displays.
Alan Quick, Festival press officer, said: ?Most events take place in halls or at the village playingfield, where large marquees are erected to transfer under cover if needed.
Camping is available in fields close to the festival site. The festival is run by a 40-strong association of supporters.?
Alan said: ?The festival was founded by local musician, the late Bob Cann, who had the idea that he would like to start his own folk festival to help revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor, and in particular the traditional music, dance, song and crafts of the area.
?He received the British Empire Medal for his services to folk music before his death more than 10 years ago.?
For further details about the 2003 Dartmoor Folk Festival send an SAE to: Jane White, Sunnyhill, Zeal Head, South Zeal, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2JL.