FOLK music, arts and culture is alive and well in the Mid Devon area thanks to the collective group of enthusiasts called Pennymoor Singaround.
Pennymoor Singaround aims to encourage people to take part in folk arts, music and culture through singing, playing music, story-telling and dance, at all levels of ability.
A friendly welcoming group of folk singers and musicians meet on the third Wednesday of every month at the Cruwys Arms pub in Pennymoor, near Tiverton.
The Singaround has been meeting monthly since 1979 and continues to attract a lively crowd, with musicians starting at 8pm followed by an evening of singing.
The format is informal and inclusive with everyone invited to contribute if they wish. Material is varied from humorous to quiet sensitive songs and plenty of raucous choruses. Non members are welcome to go along and take part or just listen.
A lunchtime music session is held on the last Sunday of the month at the same venue from 12pm to 2.30pm and several members run other sessions in rural pubs, currently at Coleford, Sandford and Sticklepath.
In addition to the monthly sessions there is an annual Song and Ale weekend held at Morchard Bishop and an evening event at Puddington where the Jan Stewer stories are read in Devon dialect alongside other West Country tales and songs.
Pennymoor Entertains evenings are also held in local village halls where several members provide a variety of songs and music for the enjoyment of the local community.
The evening events have proved popular and make for a lively and entertaining evening whilst raising funds for the hall in which they are held or for a nominated charity.
If you are interested in hosting one of these events at your village hall please contact Nicola on 01837 82100 or email: [email protected] or alternatively, telephone Hazel on 01363 776275.
Alan Quick