MORETONHAMPSTEAD’S TURNING OF THE YEAR
(2nd of March)
The annual Turning of the Year concert, rescheduled from January because of Covid, is at Moreton’s Parish Hall on Saturday 2nd March from 6.45pm.
Over a dozen performers have been confirmed for the acoustic-onlu event, featuring performers from Moretonhampstead and Chagford. Performances range from music to poetry, storytelling and comedy.
“It’s a truly special evening,” says one of the organisers Andrea Foxwell. “Every performance is acoustic, so the atmosphere is always deeply engaging for the audience.”
The event is a fundraiser for Art Raft, a regular creative workshop that helps people to explore their creativity in a safe and supportive space at Moreton’s Green Hill Arts centre.
“Delivered in 10-week blocks of sessions, Art Raft provides each participant with the space to socialise and explore their own creativity at their own pace, in their own way,” says artist Melinda Schwakhofer, who leads Art Raft sessions.
Activities can include drawing, collage, painting, poetry, stories and a range of other creative activities. Each two-hour session ends with tea, coffee and biscuits.
“Art Raft is entering its 9th year of operation in 2024, with the Turning of the Year event making a huge contribution to the success of the project,” says Melinda. “Everyone involved is enormously grateful to all the performers and all the organisers who help to make Turning of the Year such a successful fundraiser for us.”
Art Raft is one of many initiatives that comes under the wing of Wellmoor, which aims to foster community wellbeing in North East Dartmoor. The Moretonhampstead-based organisation works to enable, facilitate, coordinate and connect health and wellbeing initiatives that meet the diverse needs of people living in the area.
All the performers at Turning of the Year donate their time free of charge. Entry to the event is also free, with money raised through audience donations and a raffle. Proceeds from a licensed bar also helps to raise funds.
This year’s event will start at 6.45pm, with the Moretonhampstead Community Folk Orchestra getting the music underway from 7pm. Other performers who will appear throughout the evening include musicians Ben Tajima, Joe Middleton, Al Head, Dickon Fell, Flute Salad and The Moortones. Spoken word performers include Daniel Lionheart, Peter Turner, Margaret Spittles and Karen Chapman Newton. Comedy will be provided by John Willis and Dan Shread in the guise of ‘Pete and Dud’. Hosts for the evening are Alistair MacLaurin and Lucy Patrick, with a special dance-led performance from Willa.
A full schedule of performances will be announced closer to the date via Moreton’s Facebook Community Hub - @moretonhampsteadcommunityhub
“ Based on the ‘sold-out’ attendance at previous years’ performances, the advice is to arrive early,” says Andrea Foxwell. The event is scheduled to end by 10pm.