Record crowds attend Dartmoor Folk Festival

A resurgence in the popularity of folk music, song, dance and crafts resulted in record crowds attending the 38th Dartmoor Folk Festival at the weekend.

Local and national artists entertained audiences at the event held at South Zeal, near Okehampton.

The festival included concerts, dances, a Dartmoor Fayre, a ceilidh, folk service, craft displays, music hall, pub sessions, a ramble on Dartmoor and music, song and dance workshops.

The packed programme of events also included a dedicated children’s festival.

Hotly-contested competitions included the Dartmoor Broom Dance championships and Dartmoor Step Dance championships.

Matt Norman, formerly of South Zeal and Exeter, was judged the winner of the adult step dance competition after a startling display in the final danced on the 15-inch square board on top of a wagon.

Matt previously won the title in 2011 and 2008.  Joint second were Jenny Read and Nina Hansell.

Junior step dance competition winner was Molly Marvin (14), of South Zeal, who previously won the title in 2012.  Second was Emilia Bazeley (13) and third was Christabel White (14).

Broom dance champion was Molly Welsh (11) of St Austell, Cornwall.  She received the Championship shield, presented by Exeter Morris, from Mike Long, from the dance side.

Joint second were Evelyn Hansell of Wallingford, Oxford and Ruth Frangleton (11) of South Zeal and third was Annie Hockadan (10) of Welford, Stratford, Warwickshire.

The festival was founded by the late Bob Cann, from South Zeal, who wanted to revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor.

The festival association includes many descendants of Mr Cann, and his widow, Joyce, is president.

Chairman of the association is Jason Rice from Exeter.

“We have had record crowds and all of the events, from concerts to walks on Dartmoor, church services and many music sessions have gone very well,” said Alan Quick, press officer.

He added: “The resurgence in the popularity of folk music and traditions has really helped put the festival on the map.

“It is renowned as one of the top family-friendly folk events in the South West but people attend from across the country as well as locally.

“The campsite as an example, saw more than 200 pitches occupied before the festival started on Friday evening.

“The weather was fantastic and new this year was a hotly-contested Jig Doll competition, which included lots of audience participation, in fact the judges were the audience who watched the competition at the outdoor arena.”

Mr Quick said the festival provided a huge economic boost to the area with shops, pubs and bed and breakfast establishments, local suppliers and exhibitors generating thousands of pounds into the local economy.

He added: “The festival has grown over the years and attracts some of the best folk artists around, whilst maintaining its reputation for being a relaxed, friendly and traditional festival.

“It is deeply rooted in the heart of the Dartmoor community and is keeping customs and traditions alive.”