A concert by the award-winning folk musician Jim Causley will be the culmination of a week-long celebration of Stockland’s village history and farming life, starting on Sunday, March 10.

Midweek Herald: Fred Pidgeon

The ‘Songs of Devon’ concert on Saturday, March 16 will feature tunes from the local folk ‘legend’ and fiddle player Fred Pidgeon, who was born and bred in Stockland and lived there until his death in 1970. He and his wife’s brother Joe Pym played the fiddle at village dances and social occasions; Fred was still playing well into his 70s and his name is on many popular folk tunes today.

Several local residents have formed a choir for the event and are rehearsing with local singing expert Caroline Rigby Johnson.

Midweek Herald: Otter Morris

The performance will also feature Otter Morris dancing their ‘Stockland Stomp’ set.

Midweek Herald: Old picture of Stockland

The concert will take place after a 'Stockland Past and Present' exhibition at St Michael and All Angels Church, which will open after the Mothering Sunday service on March 10.

There will be an informal talk by detectorist Simon Durrant about his local discoveries, starting at 12 noon, and people are invited to bring along their own finds to show and discuss. There will also be a village history trail competition with the winners to be drawn on Saturday, March 16.

The exhibition will continue from Monday, March 11 until Friday 15, open from 3pm until 7pm, and on and Saturday 16 from 10am until 2pm. The concert will start at 7.30pm.

The exhibition is free to attend – to arrange to view it by appointment, contact Wendy on 01404 881207.

Admission to the concert is £10 for adults and £5 for anyone under 25 – the ticket sales will raise funds towards the church tower.  There will be a licensed bar.

Stockland Parochial Church Council are very grateful to the Creative East Devon Fund and Villages in Action, who have supported this project.