Behind The Scenes

Widecombe Fair is Devon's best known folk song and Uncle Tom Cobley sang it for charity.

People from all over Devon - all along, down along out a long lee - sang the world famous local folk song at the same time on Tuesday 9 September.

The familiar lyrics were sung in unison in schools, workplaces, clubs and pubs as thousands of people joined us to sing Widecombe Fair for charity.

All money raised will go to the 2008 BBC Children in Need appeal.

More than 5000 local people, of all ages, took part in the county's sing-a-long sing-a-thon.

Uncle Tom Cobley

Spreyton Primary School in Tom Cobley's home village was the first school to sign up to Devon Sings. It was followed by Ladysmith Junior School in Exeter and many more.

There was also singing in town centres all over the county - Tavistock, Torquay, Barnstaple, Braunton and Shaldon.

Choirs in North Devon, Dartmouth and Tiverton also took part in Devon Sings. Local churches in the north, south, east and west of the county hosted singers turning up and tuning up for charity.

The song was first published in the 1880s. It tells the story of seven men and a grey mare, who set off for Widecombe Fair. Before completing their journey the old horse becomes sick and dies.

Devon Sings is a partnership between BBC Devon and the Rotary clubs of Devon.

"We wanted this to be a major event across the whole of Devon," said Rotary co-ordinator Richard Hopkins.

"We chose a song that everyone knows and can easily sing. It's probably the only folk song from Devon that everyone is familiar with.

"Devon has a population of 1.1 million, so we can make plenty of noise if everyone pulls together to make this work.

"Rotary clubs from across Devon have been involved. They have all worked very hard to get people in their communities joining in.

"Joining together can raise thousands of pounds for Children in Need, which is an admirable charity."

BBC Devon's assistant editor Sarah Solftley said this is a unique opportunity for the county of Devon to sing as one: "We didn't mind whether people could sing or not. We just wanted people to take part and help raise money for Children in Need - and have fun at the same time."

Widecombe Fair day (Tuesday 9 September) was the day the county sang the song 'Widecombe Fair' together.

The sing-a-long began with BBC Radio Devon's Judi Spiers at 9.15am and with a special live programme from Widecombe Fair and venues around the county from 7pm on Tuesday 9 September.

The Devon Sings fund is managed by Rotary and the banking numbers you need to pay in your donation  are - Nat West account number 75044722 with the sort code 557002.