IT was an Olympic-style double for one young person at the Dartmoor Folk Festival, held at South Zeal last Friday to Sunday.

Molly Marvin, 11, of Stockley, Okehampton, won both the Dartmoor broom dance competition and the junior Dartmoor step dance competition.

The broom dance competition, for primary school-aged children, involves dancing over a broom and the step dance competition involves dancers 'stepping' on a 15-inch square board.

Molly was presented with two trophies by festival president Mrs Joyce Cann and, to follow the Olympic theme, two gold medals by mayor of West Devon Cllr Robin Musgrave.

Medals were presented to winners, and silver and bronze medals to runners-up, on a specially made podium in the main arena.

Winner of the adult Dartmoor Step Dance competition was Jenny Read, 35, of Exeter, a local dance teacher.

Jenny previously won the Dartmoor Step Dance competition in 2002 and 2004.  She also received a gold medal.

Festival chairman Jason Rice said that everything had gone well with the festival.

He thanked all those who helped to stage the event, the villagers who allowed the village to double in size while it took place and all those who attended.

He added: 'There were a wonderful variety of different artists this year including many young performers.

'The young people coming on have a real confidence on stage and they are to be admired.

'Bob Cann has left a remarkable legacy and musical heritage.'

Top local and national artists appeared at the event included Spiers and Boden, All Blacked Up, Moore Moss Rutter, Kelly Quarry Blasters, The Young 'Uns, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman, Chucklefoot, The Bonfire Band, Dartmoor Pixie Band, Jim Causley and Jackie Oates.

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

Children's festival entertainers included Rob Pudner and Dexter Newman, Mark's Ark, Uncle Tacko and Pete Coe.

It was 35 years ago that the festival was founded by the late Bob Cann, who lived in the village.  He had the dream of a folk event on his doorstep that would help to revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor.

Bob and Jacqueline Patten of Morchard Bishop, near Crediton, archivists for the association, performed the official opening and launched a DVD charting the festival's history.

Copies of the DVD are available to purchase at £10 from association members or £12, which includes postage and packing, from the festival secretary, Mrs Jane White on 01837 840102.

A 'Cream of Devon' concert featured exclusively Devonian artists including the Ramsley Miners, Bill Murray, Moor Music, Matt Norman, bone rattler Dave Alford and many more.

The festival was also used by melodeon player and tutor, Ed Rennie of Crediton, to launch his book 'The Melodeon Tutor'.

The festival concluded with a grand music hall featuring most of the artists who performed during the weekend.  It was compered by Tony Beard 'The Wag from Widecombe' and the final act, as tradition has it, was the Dartmoor Pixie Band.

Secretary Jane White said: 'It was a brilliant festival and everything went smoothly.

'The atmosphere was terrific, there were no accidents or incidents and we had the most wonderful weather.

'It concluded with one of the best music halls for years.'

Children's Festival co-ordinator, Rob Pudner, said: 'The children's festival was possibly the best yet.

'A rich experience was provided for the young people and their families and the feedback received has been tremendous.

Alan Quick, press officer, said: 'The high quality of the artists, great weather, superb location and good numbers attending all the events helped make the 35th birthday festival one to remember.'

Plans are already being made for next year's festival from August 9 to 11, 2013.