Photo: Mike Rego
We are delighted to announce Bill Murray as our new Chair of Trustees. Bill is a leading figure in the Dartmoor music scene and was the recipient of the Dartmoor Society Award in 2011 for ‘nurturing the craft of Dartmoor song’ – and for keeping alive the tradition of unaccompanied singing. He was elected at the our AGM on 7 May.
Bill has been a member for many years and has served on the Dartmoor Society committee since last year when he became events organiser, immediately injecting fresh new ideas into our events programme.
He has been performing songs and telling stories, learned from an older generation of singers and storytellers, for over 50 years. You can hear him at our event in October with Jim Causely. He is at home on the north-eastern slopes of Dartmoor but he has been on radio and TV many times and he is also a founder member of the Dartmoor Folk Festival.
The performer is just one side of this Dartmoor enthusiast. His family farming connections keep him well-versed in the issues that face local farmers and the ways that they must adapt to the demands of changing land management issues. He takes an interest in the wellbeing of all aspects of Dartmoor, its people and its wild places. He has contacts far and wide and is proactive in getting out and discussing matters with those who make decisions about Dartmoor’s future.
Joining him as Vice Chair is Nick Fennemore, former NHS Chaplain and Minor Canon of Winchester Cathedral, now living in Chagford. He is no stranger to Dartmoor: he has been visiting for over 60 years and has now been able to accomplish a lifetime ambition to live here!
He has an interest in all things to do with Dartmoor, with a knowledge of flora and fauna, church buildings and the spiritual aspects of the moor.
Bill and Nick are joined on the committee by new members Bridget Cole, Anthea Hoey and Rachel van der Steen.