Devon Folk
Folk Awareness Month and
Devon Folk Soundbeam Appeal

Results of the Soundbeam Appeal

The money raised by Devon Folk for the Soundbeam Appeal of £7773.58 has enabled the Devon Folk Committee to fund the purchase of Soundbeam Equipment for :
Bidwell Brook School, Rowcroft Hospice and Sound Waves South West.

Terry Underhill, President of Devon Folk, presented the 'Soundbeams' at Bidwell Brook School, Dartington, on Weds 11th October 2006.

We are also able to offer tuition in the use of the equipment funded mainly by a grant of £440 from the Devon Community Foundation, for which we are very grateful.

Explanation of the Soundbeam Appeal

Everyone in Devon who is involved in some folk activity, will combine their efforts during the month of April 2006, to raise money to purchase Soundbeam equipment for people within the county, young or old, with a disability. The month of April will be known as the Devon Folk Awareness Month.

This month of fund-raising has been organised by “Devon Folk”, a committee of volunteers representing all the Folk Clubs in the county. “Devon Folk” is committed to keeping our folk traditions alive by sponsoring and organising folk events, through training and education and by supporting and publicising events organised by individual members or clubs. “Devon Folk” also produces a Folk Magazine three times a year called “What’s Afoot”. This magazine lists all the folk clubs in Devon, all the diary dates and has articles and reviews. For a copy, ring 01363 877216 or see What's Afoot.

The Soundbeams that Devon Folk wish to purchase, are made in Bristol and convert movements into sound by using information from the interruption of ultrasonic pulses. They are looked upon as one of the greatest single technological advances in music access for people with disabilities, although they are equally successful when used by the able bodied or by young people interacting with professional musicians. So many of us take for granted the pleasure we get from making music together, but now Soundbeams have opened the door to the disabled and infirm and given them opportunities for music making that were previously denied them. Music has now been made available to all and more detailed information can be found by visiting the website, www.soundbeam.co.uk

“Each Soundbeam costs just over £2,500. Devon Folk hope to raise, with the help from Devon’s singing clubs, storytellers, mummers, morris sides, sword dancers, folk dancers, musicians and callers, at least £10,000, while having an opportunity to publicise all aspects of the county’s folk heritage”, says Terry Underhill, President of Devon Folk and Dartington morris man, who initially instigated this fund-raising scheme.

During “Folk Awareness Month”, (1st April-1st May 2006), a variety of folk events will be taking place throughout the county. Many bands and callers will be offering their services free so that the proceeds of a dance can be given straight to the Soundbeam fund.
Morris sides will attempt “The Ten Tours” when individual teams or teams grouped together, will dance ten morris tours in Devon during the month of April and make collections for the Soundbeam appeal as they go. Keep a lookout for them and give generously if you are lucky enough to meet them!
Individual folk members are also coming up with fund-raising ideas as varied as a Folk Quiz costing a £1 or a sponsored diet to rid one morris man of those extra pounds gained after all the pints of beer enjoyed while out dancing!
Musicians will be out on the streets entertaining the public with their folk music during the month and making collections for this worthwhile cause.
If Devon Folk are successful and they manage to raise sufficient money for 4 Soundbeams, then they will make certain that the Soundbeams are placed where a trained teacher is available to ensure it is used regularly and to provide the opportunity for the disabled and infirm to experience the joy of making music, something so many of us just take for granted.

For further information about Devon Folk’s Soundbeam Appeal and Folk Awareness Month, contact Terry Underhill, 01364 72314, Sheila Chappell, 01392 882156 or Patricia Reid, 01395 265520.

Some of the events that contributed to the Soundbeam Appeal

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