Dartmoor folk festival

Subject: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,suzie
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 02:29 PM

Did anyone go to Dartmoor Festival. I only went for the Saturday but it was good. I really enjoyed it. What did you think?

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Hawker (must reset my cookie)
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 02:44 PM

Hi Suzie,
There were a few catters there, I thought it was a lovely festival this year, have made comments on the Anyone for Dartmoor thread.
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,sylvia
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 05:11 PM

Nice to see you and Kevin and girls on Saturday Lucy. Hope to see you at Wadebridge Bank holiday weekend.

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Noreen
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 05:52 PM

Anyone for Dartmoor?

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 07:07 PM

Hi Sylvia,
Nice to see you too!I heard Thorn & Roses at the sing around in the marquee in the morning, but it was so damn hot in there - and I am sure you can guess why I chose to sing in the pub garden!
Yep will be at Wadebridge,we will have to agree on a not organised by the festival sing around, 2 years ago at the Earl was Fantastic, but last year everybody got to know and it was huge, uncomfortable and the pub didn't seem too keen 'till they had finished food, so we went in the garden. There is always the camp site!!!!! I have suggested a quiet end and a noisy end, whether it will happen is another thing!
Thanks for the clicky Noreen, you're a star!
Cheers,
Lucy

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 11:21 PM

Is Alfy Hines still in Dartmoor?

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 07:02 AM

I was at Dartmoor for the first time this year. I thought it was a lovely little festival and will be there next year. Mr. and Mrs. Leach were especially kind to me. Thanks to you both, and to Jason for asking me to go. The weather was so hot. Skinny dipping in the moorland stream at 07.00 was a wonderful experience.

Something to dream about over the long, cold winter months.

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 11:24 AM

Just looking at all the old threads to which i've contributed something and came up with this one. Gosh how time flies. I've been back to this festival ever since and will be there again this year.

The most wonderful thing of all is that I met a man, Phil Allen, on the internet who has moved in with me in my little cottage in North Herefordshire. What I didn't know when I met him was that he has a cottage in South Zeal! Not only do I not have to camp at this fest anymore, but I visit South Zeal frequently. It's such a lovely village, and the residents are very friendly. I shall be there this wkend in fact.


Sal (that lemonade woman!)

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 01:49 PM

Something a bit funny about the way that myspace site plays - you get "teh little mohee" and then any other things you play play over the top of it too!

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 01:55 PM

oh i'll see what's going on, thanks.

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 09:33 AM

Some very sad news... The Oxenham Arms is closed, the landlord bankrupt.

Both Phil and I feel like we've lost an old friend because it's our regular pub. The King's Arms is ok but it's not got the character of the Ox.

Can some very famous person buy it and get it going again, please?

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 09:38 AM

Sad news indeed :-(

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Woody
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 09:44 AM

That's a shame. What happened with the King's Arms? I seem to remember it was up for sale when I was at the festival this year.

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: John J
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 10:11 AM

Bloody hell, this IS bad news.

I too noticed the King's Arms up for grabs when I was at the festival this year.

It's not looking good for pubs anywhere, especially in rural areas.

JJ

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,The Lemonade Lady
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 11:29 AM

So far as I know it's still open although the for sale sign is still on the wall. Limited opening hours tho.

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 07:12 AM

So is the Oxenham Arms still closed? If so who is the new owner?

Pop

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Marje
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 07:33 AM

I've just done a bit of googling, which makes it clear that the Oxenham Arms is still closed (this was in a forum post dated 3 March 09); also, the King's Arms was (as of about a month ago) still for sale - I don't know whether this means it's operating normally in the meantime.

Not looking good for the Festival as things stand at the moment - I do hope there is some good news soon.

Marje

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 07:16 PM

The King's Arms is open as per but yes, the Ox is closed and very very dark!

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 02:59 PM

Cornish songwriters booked to perform Cornish Lads, though...

Kitty

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 03:01 PM

Or Cornwall Songwriters even....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 12:58 PM

Oh, dear, thanks "the lemonade lady", and "Marje" for your replies re The Oxenham Arms. I had some nice times there in the past. I just wondered, as I noticed that their website had started up again, I was hoping that a new owner had been found.

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: henryclem
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 01:50 PM

It would be a real shame if the Ox was still closed for this year's festival - it's usually the best (nay, only) venue for us singers (sometimes 3 or 4 sessions going on at once). If it is not to re-open, what are the alternatives, assuming the King's Arms continues as in other years with a predominance of musicians' sessions?

Henry

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 02:05 PM

Quite Henry. Not sure of the reason for it's current closure, didn't get to meet the last owners, but I would have thought it was a viable business. What date is the festival due to start?

Popy

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: John J
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 03:19 PM

It usually kicks off on the same Friday that Sidmouth finishes.

JJ

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 04:35 PM

Thanks for that info JJ

Poppy

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 08:11 PM

Link to the festival website (and wonderful music from the Pixies) here .

Oxenham Arms link here

I'm hoping to be there in August, so fingers crossed!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Fidjit
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 04:52 AM

Ah! Nice picture of the porch where I and Derek Tarant (Del boy)were playing boxes Whilst it was raining outside last year.
Is it to be closed. What a shame.

There's a nice Golf course near by. I had a very pleasant round there too.

Chas

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 05:22 AM

The Ox went bust! Simple as that.

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:09 AM

'The Ox went bust! simple as that'

True, but from talking to a few people, it wasn't the fact the Ox didn't make money, but that it was siezed as an asset, of the owner who had gone bust through other business failures. So there is hope yet that a new owner will step in. I hope so.

Poppy

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 02:02 PM

It's got a 'for sale' sign outside now.

sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,tom bliss
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 02:36 PM

well I had a shandy n sarnie in the kings arms today. was the only customer, and the echoes of the last session I attended there rang in my ears. can almost see it from here in bow where im playing tonight.

landlord wasn't confident it would still be open come the fest but here's hoping!

tom

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Poppy
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 06:09 AM

Glad the fo sale board is up, hopefully someone will "rescue" it for us. Tom . . . certainly hope one of them at least, is open!!

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 05:00 PM

Tom,

your comment
landlord wasn't confident it would still be open come the fest but here's hoping!

was that the kings arms?

would be a real shame if neither pub was open when the festival was on.

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,Woody
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 05:44 AM

Too right! Where would I go for a decent breakfast????

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Bloke from Poole
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 07:30 PM

Anyone update me on the state of pubs at South Zeal?

Are we looking at a BYOB festival??

Has the Ox made it?

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:57 AM

The Ox is up and running and all in SZ is as normal so far as I know.

Looking forward to the fest as usual, being restful after 8 days trading at Sidders.

Sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:58 AM

Just to RECAP

sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 06:41 PM

Thanks, Sal for the news about the Ox... looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend, and hoping we don't have to rely on a tractor to get the van off the campsite again this year!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 04:48 PM

Not long now, folks... Sidmouth followed by this chill out weekend and the weather forecast?

Friday
07 Aug Cloudy / Afternoon Sun
High: 18° Low: 11°
Sunny skies. High 18C and low 11C. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
80%
Saturday
08 Aug Fair
High: 18° Low: 10°
Mostly clear skies. High 18C and low 10C.
10%
Sunday
09 Aug Afternoon Rain
High: 18° Low: 12°
Rain. High 18C and low 12C.
15%

So there we have it.

sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: greg stephens
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 06:02 PM

We'll be arriving Saturday

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Gweltas
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 08:14 PM

Looking forward to the Dartmoor Folk Festival and fervently hoping that I don't have to be towed off site this year !
My tent will have small versions of both the Cornish flag and Irish flag on it and I would be pleased if some other Mudcatters made themselves known to me, as it is so nice to be able "to put a face to the names" when reading the posts on the discussion forum !! So far, I only know what 4 other Mudcatters look like in reality !!
Best wishes to all.
XX

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Marje
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 04:37 AM

Oh I don't know that I minded being towed off site - it was quite exciting really! I do know that when we arrived, it was quite reassuring to see that the tractors were there at the ready and we wouldn't be left to skid and wallow in it.

But, fingers crossed, it's looking to be a bit drier this year. Let's just hope that both the pubs are ready to welcome us all as usual.

Marje

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:16 PM

It was a great festival weekend. Lovely to see Mark step-dancing after he'd played for the competition!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: Marje
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 05:23 AM

Wasn't it lovely? The great weather was just such a joy after the awful rain of last year (and the last few weeks). I think it was a particular relief to the muddy-footed Sidmouth veterans.

And the pubs did us proud after all - the Ox was trying really hard to accommodate us and was welcoming and efficiently staffed. Nice to see a bit of a price-war going on with the beers in the various venues, too.

Even my non-folky husband had a good time and enjoyed the general jollity, with the welcoming peace of Dartmoor always there for him when he was what he calls "folked out". Great little festival.

Marje

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 08:58 AM

I think it's a perfect little festival. They have the formula absolutely spot on. It's been the same for as long as I have known the festival.

Seems to me that when new people come along into a committee at other festivals they have to make changes to 'prove' themselves. They should all look at Dartmoor as an example of a wonderful English festival and learn.

sal

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: greg stephens
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 10:04 AM

Well, I had a fabulous time. Didn't see all that much of official festival activities, as I played for 10 hours in the King's Arms on Saturday, and for 12 hours on Sunday. High spot for me was accompanying Kate Barfield, Amy Birch, Jean Orchard and some other ladies as they sang "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". Which was much enlivened by Kate's New Orleans trombone solo.
Unbelievably good festival, they just seem to have things just right. Really perfect occasion.

Subject: RE: Dartmoor folk festival
From: GUEST,bazparkes
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 11:06 AM

last sentence of what Greg said...then some!!

Baz