SPRING/SUMMER 2013 No. 101 - Devon Folk

Dartmoor Festival Preview
TOP local and national artists will headline at the
36th Dartmoor Folk Festival, which will be held
at South Zeal, near Okehampton, on August 9, 10
and 11.
Artists announced, to date, include: Old Swan
Band, Brendon Power and Tim Edey, Trio
Threlfall, Lauren McCormick Band, Gadarene,
Keith Donnelly, Dartmoor Pixie Band, Tony
Beard, Entertainingly Different, Dave Wills plus
morris and dance teams.
The festival will include a packed programme
of concerts, a ramble on Dartmoor, a ceilidh,
folk service, craft displays, dances, a Children’s
Festival, a Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub
sessions and music, song and dance workshops.
Competitions include the Dartmoor Broom
Dance championships and Dartmoor Stepdance
Championships.
Led by Pete Mac
Caller - Nicole
Folk Dance
and Barn Dance
Accordion, ddle, & guitar.
Caller & accordion duo
for small events.
TUITION
Piano-accordion, melodeon
and English concertina.
Band Swing & Band Time
Music books arranged by Pete:
£11.95 each (+£1 p&p per order.)
Contact Pete Mac
Exmouth 01395 266553
51
It was 36 years ago that the festival was founded
by the late Bob Cann, who lived in the village.
He had the dream of a folk event on his doorstep
that would help to revive and preserve the
traditions of Dartmoor.
It was the traditional music, dance, song and
crafts of the area that formed the basis for the rst
festival and they still remain for the association
which runs the festival today.
Since it was founded it has grown so that it can
invite some of the best folk artists around, whilst
maintaining its reputation for being a relaxed,
friendly and traditional festival.
It receives generous support from Devon Folk,
Devon County Council, West Devon Borough
Council, Willand Folk Dance Club, The
Dartmoor Society and Bodmin Folk Club.
For further details, or to book tickets, telephone
01837 840102 or see the website at: www.
dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk
OBITUARY: AUDREY JOHNSON
Audrey died very suddenly in January, having
been at a MADCAPS club night two days
before. She had been a member there for 40
years, and she was also Treasurer and a caller.
In the 1980s Audrey had been a member of the
MADCAPS sword dancing team and she had
a good knowledge of traditionl, Playford, and
modern dances. She was given a Devon Award
in 2008 for her work in various ways at the grass
roots. Audrey also went in to Girl Guides and
Brownie units to spread the folk tradtion to the
young people. She will be missed greatly by
those in the south of the county.
OBITUARY: TONY SKERRETT
Tony was an accomplished musician who
played anglo concertina for Exeter Morris
Men, Grimspound Border, and formerly with
Raddon Hill. He had been suffering from severe
respiratory problems for some time. He passed
away in hospital in the early hours of Friday,
15th February