The Beacon Directory - Music and Dancing
Contact information for local organisations and groups, places, parish Councils, trusts & charities, activities and annual events for Belstone, South Tawton, South Zeal and Sticklepath.
Information can be altered or added to at any time, including groups not listed here, by contacting info.thebeacononline@gmail.com
Church House Concerts
Website: Church House Concerts
Dartmoor Folk Festival
https://www.dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/dartmoorfolkfestival/
Cogs and Wheels Ladies Morris
Contact Donna Tombs
07711 294331
https://www.cogsandwheels.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/cogsandwheelsladiesmorris
Cogs & Wheels Ladies Morris were formed in 1995. We take our inspiration from Finch Foundry in Sticklepath and the surrounding Dartmoor landscape. Our costumes reflect the hues of the moor and our Beldames style of dancing is quite distinctive. Our original team of ten has grown each year and although some are relatively new to Morris dancing we believe that our enthusiasm and joy for the dance overcomes all obstacles!
We are a friendly, welcoming group and are always looking for new dancers or musicians to join our happy group.
Devvy Sessions
Contact 01837 840316
https://www.facebook.com/Devysessions/
The Folk singaround and music session has been running every first Sunday evening of the month in the Devonshire Inn, Sticklepath for a quarter of a century. All are welcome to sing out, offer a tune, a poem or a story. Guests arrive en route to other gigs, so we never know who might turn up... and we have had some famous singers passing through. But whatever the standard or choice of music, the aim is to have a good time with a glass in hand.
Whidsong
Local entertainment with all kinds of songs and music from Devonshire and beyond. £2.00 on door, raffle, starts at 8.00pm.
Whiddon Down Village Hall, once a month, phone Bill Murray 01647 231297.
Also see: Gidsong Memories facebook page
Mariners Away
Singers of sea shanties and other songs of the sea. Established in 2007, Mariners Away are one of the leading and most popular sea shanty crews in the south west.
Contact Steve Mathewson
We practise Thursday evenings in the King’s Arms, South Zeal from around 8:30pm until closing time. We also perform at various venues - often pubs - around Devon.
Mariners Away are a long-established shanty crew who perform traditional sea shanties and other songs of the sea.
Formed in 2007, our name is derived from 'The Mariners' Way,' a fabled ancient route used by sailors who, seeking work, would travel between the ports of Bideford on the North Devon coast and Dartmouth on the south. The village of South Zeal lies en-route and the King’s Arms is believed to have been one of the inns where the sea-faring nomads would rest.
Mariners Away perform throughout the year at various events in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset (and occasionally further afield too). Alongside many other pub gigs and private functions, over the last two years we have also performed at most of the prominent shanty festivals and folk festivals including the Falmouth International Shanty Festival and the famed Sidmouth Folk Festival.
The stand-out event in October last year was a special fund-raising concert held in aid of Royal Devon & Exeter hospital at Exeter’s prestigious Corn Exchange where, in collaboration with a number of our close friends on the music scene, we raised the princely sum of £2500.
To promote this musical extravaganza, we also had the unique honour of appearing on BBC Spotlight, the early evening television news programme when we serenaded the South West TV audience as the regional airwaves were handed back to the national network.
Moor Harmony
Contact Jeremy McKnight
01837 840741
http://www.moorharmony.yolasite.com/
We are a small choir, established in 1999, and are based in South Zeal. We consider ourselves more of a ‘chamber choir’ with a very varied repertoire, meeting on Wednesday evenings throughout the year (but with good summer and Christmas breaks). Generally we aim at two main sets per year (typically), Christmas always being on the last Saturday before the big day followed by a party, a summer concert followed by a barbecue and, an occasional Festival entry. Rehearsals are generally very relaxed affairs and, no auditions required!
Tinners Morris (men)
Contact 01837 840316
Tinners Morris facebook page
Tinners Morris has been bringing together fellas for 15 years who are interested in keeping fit and are committed to keeping the tradition going. Respected nationwide for their love of fun and banter, the Side practices in the Victory Hall Sunday mornings and are often booked to dance at various events, festivals and County Shows...... or we find a pub with an audience to amuse!
