Dartmoor Magazine

Support for local events

2012-02-11T03:40:00.000-08:00

Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts

This event was officially launched this week at a gathering of representatives from the Festival organisers, local producers and exhibitors, and the media, held in the Library at Bovey Castle. The Festival has received 90 applications from exhibitors (more than last year) and promises to be an excellent day. The Dartmoor Magazine trailer will be located at the end of Cross Street, towards the Almshouses on the Exeter Road.

News from the Valiant Soldier, Buckfastleigh
Recruitment evening, Monday 13 February; recruitment morning, Thursday 16 February

A successful South Devon local heritage project is going on a volunteer recruitment drive. The Valiant Soldier in Buckfastleigh is looking for people to help with what promises to be the project’s most exciting year so far. Known as the pub where time was never called, the Valiant Soldier is a preserved public house from the 1950s and 60s. Volunteers opened it as a tourist attraction in 2000. Manager Sandra Coleman said: 'It is going to be a busy year – we are opening our new archive room and completing the Buckfastleigh museum. The success of the Valiant Soldier has been down to its volunteers. They work tirelessly both in the summer when we are open and in the winter behind the scenes. But we need more help now, so we are holding two recruitment sessions – on the evening of Monday 13th February and the morning of Thursday 16th February. We are calling the sessions Do You Belong in a Museum? We would particularly like to hear from young people aged 16 and upwards and older people, especially those with local knowledge.'

The Valiant Soldier has a new archive room with books, deeds and papers relating to Buckfastleigh and the immediate area. In addition, there are over 2500 photographs, most of which were donated by local man Chris Routley, who collected them as a member of the Buckfastleigh and District Society’s Local History Group before donating them to the Valiant Soldier. A new volunteer, Anne Goulborn, a former librarian, has been appointed as the archive co-ordinator. The project is willing to accept donations of books and papers relating to Buckfastleigh, Devon and the Westcountry.

In addition, the Valiant Soldier was awarded a National Lottery grant of £33,300 to help local people create a town museum in the Information Centre next door.

Open for the new season on Monday 2 April: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Bank Holiday Sunday from 12.30 to 4.30pm and Wednesday and Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Last entry 4pm.

Further information from Sandra Coleman, Valiant Soldier, (01364) 644522 www.valiantsoldier.org.uk

February update

2012-02-07T03:04:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the long silence... let's just say I've had a busy few weeks (and have just come back to Dartmoor refreshed after a week walking along levadas and in the mountains of Madeira)!

The spring issue is being laid out as we speak, and I will be checking proofs this week before it goes to print on 17 February. Once again it's packed to the gunnels with a hugely varied selection of features, including a couple of new series for the new year, and an additional (shorter) walking feature which should appeal to those who prefer not to strike off across pathless moorland but are looking for less testing routes. These will include details on a recommended cafe or pub for that post-walk cuppa or pint.

Our first outing with the Dartmoor Magazine trailer will be at the Moretonhampstead Food and Arts Festival on Saturday 10 March. Over 5000 people turned up on a bitterly cold day last year, so this year's event has been put back one week in the hope that it will be a slightly warmer day! It will be good to be 'out on the road' again, so please come and say hello if you are planning to visit the festival. On Thursday this week I will be attending the official launch of the festival, which is being held at Bovey Castle.

The newly created Moorland Guides team has been busy over the winter months creating a programme of varied walks for all levels of ability, including many that will visit sites that appear in Steven Spielberg's film 'War Horse'. You can check what's on offer by visiting www.moorlandguides.co.uk, where you can also sign up to the newsletter.

Nationally important archaeological find

2011-11-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

From Sue

Exciting news re the results of the Whitehorse Hill cist excavation, just in from DNPA: the collection of finds is being analysed, and has been dated to the Early Bronze Age

An excavation, co-ordinated by Dartmoor National Park Authority, has discovered a nationally important collection of Early Bronze Age remains in a burial site situated in Dartmoor National Park. The discovery could prove to be one of the most important archaeological finds of the last 100 years nationally.

The excavation has revealed that cremated human bone and burnt textile was placed within an animal hide or fur on top of a very thin leather and textile object, itself placed above a mat of plant material. At one end of the fur/ hide was a delicate woven bag or basket with fine stitching still visible. The contents inside included beautifully preserved shale disc beads, amber spherical beads (see image bottom right) and a circular textile band. A further layer of matted plant material covered these objects.

The burial cist was excavated in August 2011 and was located on Whitehorse Hill, northern Dartmoor, on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The work was carried out by archaeologists from the Historic Environment Projects Team, Cornwall Council, led by Andrew Jones, with assistance from English Heritage (EH) and Plymouth University specialists.

The project was jointly funded by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) and English Heritage, with contributions from a number of other local funders.

Dartmoor on the BBC this week

2011-10-25T00:56:00.000-07:00

I've just received notice of the following programmes: worth a look!
Sue

First on James May's Man Lab.
James and Oz Clarke navigate across Dartmoor and end up at The Royal Oak Inn Meavy.
On Tuesday 8pm BBC 2 and BBC HD.

James May's Man Lab is back <http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2011/10/19/james-is-on-the-one-show-tonight-2/>

And on Nigel Slater's Simple Cooking.
When Nigel visits Dartmoor and cooks Dartmoor Beef.
This Friday at 7.30pm BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD.

Nigel Slater's simple cooking <http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01541wt>

Small Animal Day at Okehampton Museum

2011-10-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

An interesting press release just in for those with pets...

The museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton invites everyone to bring their pet along to the Courtyard on Saturday 29 October between 10.30am and 1pm for a photograph to be taken which will be entered into a prize draw. The prize will be a portrait of your pet painted by specialist Artist Helene Lewis.

As part of the ‘Big Draw Campaign’ Helena Lewis and Liz Grant will be on hand during the day to encourage people to try their hand at drawing and painting; plenty of drawing materials are available for use by budding artists.

The museum also welcomes anybody who might be interested in becoming a Volunteer or a Friend to come along on the day and have a friendly chat to see what opportunities are available. For further details please telephone the museum on 01837 52295. The Big Draw is funded by West Devon Borough Council.

WALK THE PLYM

2011-10-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

I've just received a press release which may encourage some of you to get out on the moor this weekend and walk along part (or all?!) of the River Plym...
The National Trust rangers at Plym Valley, Dartmoor are inviting you to walk with them to celebrate the National Trust Walking Festival this October.

This Saturday, 22 October, you can walk the whole route from Plym Head, the source of the river Plym, to Saltram House. If you’re not such an ambitious walker, then join the rangers at any one of four locations, graded hard, moderate or easy depending on your experience.

Pete Davies, senior ranger and walk organiser, comments ‘We have devised four different locations to join the walk so that everyone can get involved whether they are a seasoned walker, new to walking, a family with a pushchair or young children or have any disabilities that make walking too far a problem. Here at Plym Valley we want to inspire people to get outdoors and find out how enjoyable walking in this beautiful valley can be.’

National Trust is running a walking festival to inspire visitors and members alike to get out and walk. Whether you have been walking for years or have never really tried it there are so many different types of walk to choose from there’s bound to be one for you. These events are absolutely free and great fun for all the family.

The four locations for the Plym Valley walks are:
Plymbridge Woods – 2 miles for young families with pushchairs and for wheelchair users.
Shaugh Prior – 6 miles for families with older children.
Cadover Bridge – 8 miles for those who want to try a little further.
Plym Head – 16 miles for the more experienced walker.

Note - For more information and your information pack contact the rangers office at Plymbridge on 01752 341377.

What's been going on?

2011-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

I knew this would happen: that if I started writing a blog there would sometimes be long gaps between posts! Suffice to say it's been a very busy few weeks, and I am now in the thick of preparing the winter issue. We did a mass of shows throughout the summer, and will be taking the trailer to Tavistock Goosey Fair on 12 October, and will also appear at the Letterbox Meet at Lee Moor village hall on Sunday 30 October.

The autumn issue has been especially well received and we've received loads of compliments, which are very much appreciated. My task now is to make the next one just as good (which of course it will be!). This winter's issue includes features on the Dartmoor Prison riot of 1932, Janet Palmer's wonderful Hill Farming article (carried over from the autumn issue) and the Perambulation of Dartmoor Forest (in anticipation of our own Perambulation which is planned for the first May Bank Holiday weekend next year: details of how to join us will appear in the next issue).

A large part of my job revolves around planning ahead and trying to balance both subject and geographical spread in each issue, and in the last couple of weeks I've had meetings with a number of writers about current or new series and features, and I already have some fascinating subjects on the list for issues throughout 2012.

Until next time...

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING AT FOXTOR CAFE, PRINCETOWN

2011-09-01T01:47:00.000-07:00

An important event coming up in Princetown:

Hi Sue,

I am writing to ask if you could make it known to everybody you know that we are hosting a coffee morning in aid of MacMillan cancer support on the 30th September, 10am till 4pm. All profits go to MacMillan. We and the MacMillian publicist is trying to make a real go of it as she says there are few events in this area at the moment so she is hoping to create awareness with a mention in the paper too! We would love it if you could come along as well if you are in the area. We have also decided to run a draw on the day to try and maximise the money raised. we will be donating 2 breakfasts and Simon Dell has donated a guided walk, the Two bridges hotel a cream tea for two, Howells butchers a meat voucher, Dartmoor Chilli farm some varied products John Stones a painting and we also wondered if there would be anything you may be able to arrange as a draw donation?? You can direct people to our website for more details, http://www.foxtorcafe.com/#/macmillan-support/4554675746
We appreciate that you are busy and must get requests like these regularly but obviously anything, no matter how small, that you are able to do will help us.
We would also love it if you could come along as well!!
Thanks for your time and help on this matter,

Abbi and Dave

SUMMER SHOWS UPDATE/WHITEHORSE HILL DISCOVERY

2011-08-22T02:20:00.000-07:00

We're right in the middle of the summer show season, and the new Dartmoor Magazine trailer has so far made an appearance at the Dartmoor Folk Festival, Okehampton Show, the Harrowbeer 70th anniversary event (with an estimated Sunday attendance of 8000 people), Chagford Show last week and Christow Show on Saturday. Our next outing will be Lustleigh Show on Bank Holiday Monday, and then Widecombe Fair on 13 September (and possibly Okehampton Camp's Military Heritage weekend on 10/11 September too). As usual the shows have been great fun, and help to get the magazine better known (and to increase subscriptions!).

Exciting news from the North Moor: 10 days ago I was invited out to Whitehorse Hill to visit the DNPA's investigation of a prehistoric burial, but couldn't make it since the date of the open afternoon clashed with Okehampton Show. Suffice to say that this – a Scheduled Monument 'at risk', and thought to be the first excavation of a burial cist on Dartmoor for well over 100 years – has revealed part of the contents of the burial, including bone fragments, a shale bead and organic remains. Radio carbon dating will be carried out to establish the age of the burial. The Whitehorse Hill cist is unusual in that it is the only known example on Dartmoor of a cist set within a peat mound. We will publish a feature on the discovery in the winter issue of the magazine.

Recent Press Releases

2011-08-03T01:11:00.000-07:00

From the Dartmoor Pony Training Centre

Last year the Dartmoor Pony Training Centre (DPTC) took a call from a concerned resident in Moretonhampstead who had stumbled upon a very lost pony. Hobo, who was no more than 6 months old, had been found wandering the lanes all alone and scared. Residents helped to round him up in to a secure area and rang the DPTC. Luckily they were based less than a mile away . . . so how could they turn down such a lovely lonely soul?!

Hobo at the time was completely wild so catching and loading him was not an option. He was gently herded down the lanes to the field where all the other DPTC Ponies were waiting to comfort and reassure him.

Now Hobo is growing in to a wonderful pony full of character. Initially he found it very hard to trust humans after his homeless ordeal – he saw them as scary people who chased him. But with time and patience he has now learnt that humans can be trusted and even bring nice things such as food!

Hobo doesn’t want to be homeless any more so is now looking for a home where he can be loved and cared for. The DPTC have a variety of hill ponies in different shapes and sizes who would also love new homes where they can enjoy lots of fuss and give lots of love in exchange. If you are interested then please call Natalie on 07802 218169 or e-mail dartmoorponytrainingcentre@yahoo.co.uk.

From the Open Spaces Society

DARTMOOR AT SIXTY — UNFINISHED BUSINESS

‘We congratulate the Dartmoor National Park on its sixtieth birthday—but there is still plenty of unfinished business.’

So declared Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society (1) speaking at an event(2) on Sunday (31 July) at Meldon reservoir, near Okehampton, organised by Devon Ramblers to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Dartmoor National Park and National Parks Week (25-31 July 2011).

Kate continued: ‘There are still major gaps in public access in the park. At the end of March the access agreement for land at Southdown, Meldon, ended and the park authority had insufficient funds to renew it at the cost demanded by the landowner.

‘The public is still barred from the wonderful Vixen Tor and we await the outcome of the public inquiry into path claims there.

‘Moreover, the government has ceased to offer access payments as part of the Higher Level Stewardship funding, even though these brought immense public benefit.

‘Much of Dartmoor is now undergrazed because the agricultural support system is not geared specifically to Dartmoor’s conditions; the traditional hill-farming system is at risk. If land is undergrazed, it gets swamped in vegetation which is bad for public access, the habitat and archaeology. We hope the national park authority, working with the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, Natural England and wildlife and access bodies, can find a speedy solution.

‘Military training continues on vast swathes of northern Dartmoor, and the military seeks to renew its consent at Cramber Tor, on south-west Dartmoor, which expires in 2013. As long ago as 1977, Lady Sharp announced that “military training and a national park are discordant, incongruous and inconsistent”. Nothing has changed.

‘So the national park has important and challenging times ahead, as it faces ever swingeing and totally unjust budget cuts from central government.

‘We call on the government to recognise the value of national parks to the nation, for delivering health and happiness, challenge and enjoyment, as places of tranquillity rich in natural beauty. Ministers must ensure that the parks get the funding they need to do their vital job in promoting and protecting our most splendid landscapes and public access to them,’ Kate concluded.

DARTMOOR FARMERS RECOGNISED FOR DEDICATION TO CONSERVING WILDLIFE

2011-07-26T01:24:00.000-07:00

I was invited this event yesterday but unfortunately couldn't make it... I was in the area, but at Chagfood's Long Field in connection with a Moor Food feature which we plan to publish in spring 2012 (NB Chagfood are putting on an Open Day at the field on Saturday 30 July from 1pm: well worth a visit to find out more about local veg growing and cutting down your food miles).

The following press release was sent to me by Jenny Plackett, Two Moors Threatened Butterfly Project Officer:

John Mills of The Langaford Farm Trust was today awarded first prize in the competition for the Dartmoor Farmers Fritillary Award, which aims to recognise the efforts of farmers and landowners who have ‘gone the extra mile’ to restore and improve habitat for the fritillary butterflies on Dartmoor.

Dr Nigel Bourn, Director of Conservation for Butterfly Conservation, presented John with a £200 cash prize, together with a framed Marsh Fritillary print by the renowned wildlife illustrator, Richard Lewington.

Farmers and landowners were invited to enter the work they have carried out as part of the Two Moors Threatened Butterfly Project into a competition for the Dartmoor Farmer’s Fritillary Award. Applicants had to demonstrate how they have improved the wildlife value on their land, and created high quality breeding habitat for rare fritillary butterflies.

John Mills has overseen significant management work at the Langaford Farm Trust site near Chagford, liaising with contractors to get fencing in place, scrub control and bracken management carried out, and working with a pony grazier to ensure the butterfly habitat was appropriately grazed. John said ‘The improvements we have made to the butterfly habitat at Langaford have been achieved through a determined effort over a long period, with the help of our dedicated estate workers. It is gratifying that this management has also improved the habitat for other wildlife that we have on the farm – and it’s nice to be recognised for all our efforts through this award.’

The habitat improvements carried out as part of the Project have had an encouraging impact on the fritillary butterfly populations on Dartmoor over the last couple of years, with numbers of the nationally rare Marsh Fritillary on the increase, and the rapid declines in the High Brown Fritillary halted. Other rare species have also benefitted from this management work, which has ensured that significant tracts of land have not been abandoned and left to scrub over.

Jenny Plackett, Two Moors Project Officer, said “The panel of judges were really impressed by the dedication shown by farmers to conserving butterflies and improving biodiversity on their land, and by the ways in which farmers went above and beyond standard farming practices to improve habitat quality. It’s brilliant that all their hard work is being recognised in this award.”

Rosemary Coleridge and Hazel Coleridge were selected as runners-up for their management at Shapley Farm, receiving a framed Marsh Fritillary print, whilst four applicants were ‘highly commended’ on their conservation work: Carl Allerfeldt at Higher Hurston Farm, Sue Hutchings for her work at Yardworthy Farm and pony grazing for Fernworthy Reservoir, South West Lakes Trust for management at Fernworthy Reservoir, and Mick Jones of The National Trust for his management of Pearl-bordered Fritillary habitat at Castle Drogo.

Following the presentations, visits were made to view some of the work carried out through the project, with John Mills leading a walk at Langaford Farm, and Carl Allerfeldt giving a tour of the butterfly areas around his farm, and showing the management he has carried out to improve the quality of breeding habitat.

The competition was run by Butterfly Conservation in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority and Natural England, kindly supported by the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund.

SHELTERBOX DARTMOOR CHALLENGE 2011

2011-07-23T02:08:00.000-07:00

I've just received notification of the following very worthwhile event:

ShelterBox Dartmoor Challenge 2011 – are you tough enough?

Registration is now open for teams wishing to enter the sixth annual ShelterBox Dartmoor Challenge.

The ShelterBox Dartmoor Challenge 2011 is one of the toughest fundraising endurance events in the south west. Teams of four have to carry a full ShelterBox, weighing around 40kg, 30 miles across Dartmoor National Park in just two days.

This year’s event, on 10–11 September, is expected to be tougher than ever and organisers hope it will smash fundraising targets.

Laura Jepson, ShelterBox Fundraising Officer, said: ‘The Dartmoor Challenge has always proved very popular as it gives people the chance to do something out of the ordinary and challenging while also supporting a very worthwhile cause.

‘We get entrants from all sorts of backgrounds, from families or businesses, ranging from the ages of ten to sixty-five years-old. 36 teams entered last year and the event raised over £40,000, this year we’re aiming to raise well over £50,000.’

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity based in Helston, Cornwall. It provides emergency shelter and life-saving supplies to families around the world who are affected by disasters.

Each ShelterBox contains lifesaving equipment and a tent for a family of up to 10 people. It can withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall, useful for the teams on Dartmoor.

Victoria Reagan, a regular contestant, said of last year’s challenge: ‘I love being part of something so worthwhile and challenging. This was my fourth year of taking part in the Dartmoor Challenge and it was fantastic.’

For further details or to enter a team please contact Laura on 01326 569782 or events@shelterbox.org or visit www.shelterbox.org

Arts and music events on Dartmoor this weekend

2011-07-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend sees a variety of artistic happenings on Dartmoor! The three-day Chagstock music festival near Whiddon Down starts this evening, and (at last) it has stopped raining. It's a big sloping site, so hopefully won't get too muddy... I have also received notice of a dance event at Haytor on Sunday, as well as a new take on letterboxing from Aune Head Arts (see below).

‘Dancing on Dartmoor’

FREE mass participation dance event for all!
HAYTOR, 12.00 – 2.00 pm Sunday 24th July

July is Dance Month in Devon
http://www.universitiessouthwest.ac.uk/TeamDevon/ThemedMonths/JulyDanceinDevon.aspx <

Everyone is invited to join our celebration of the Cultural Olympiad through live music and traditional dance - with a twist!

www.danceindevon.org.uk <http://www.danceindevon.org.uk/>
www.facebook.com/danceindevon <http://www.facebook.com/danceindevon>

Dartmoor Storytrail Letterboxing Event
At 2:00p.m. on Sunday 24th July meet project artist Charlie Henry in front of The Tors Inn, Belstone, http://www.thetors.co.uk . Charlie will then lead them to the event marquee at the moor gate (OS grid reference SX618929 OL Explorer map of Dartmoor).
Participants' initial task will be to write the first sentences in each book. Then everyone will walk out onto the moor and help Charlie hide the Storyboxes. The project marquee will be open from 2pm to 4:30pm and participants (whether they join in the walk or not) can pick-up their free Wordquest Literary Maps for Devon, donate their favourite words and help Charlie create poems out of donated words.
The Storytrail map, instructions and clues will be available on the project website: http://www.wordquestdevon.info from Wednesday, 28th July. Printed copies will be available at libraries and other locations across Devon from the second week of August.

Each box holds a book containing a story in progress – after finding a box, participants are asked to add a sentence to the story in the manner of 'chain stories'. Project artist Charlie Henry explains: " In keeping with Wordquest Devon's links to the Cultural Olympiad, the Dartmoor Storytrail borrows from the concept of relay-race running and turns it into a relay-race of literary imagination."

A busy social calendar!

2011-07-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week. On Monday DNPA hosted a visit by HRH The Duke of Cornwall, who went to the HMVC in Princetown to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Park. HRH unveiled the medieval cross found on the King Way near Great Nodden, the finding of which we reported in our News pages in Issue 101, winter 2010. The cross, thought to be early medieval (dating from the 12th–14th century), has now been mounted on a new granite base and will be returned to the moor near where it was found in the autumn. The group of walkers who found it are still scouring the area on a regular basis in search of the original base!
On Tuesday the biennial Edward Morshead Awards took place at Parke: these awards are given in recognition of significant contributions to National Park purposes, and are highly regarded. If you want to find out more about who won what, it will be reported in the autumn issue of the magazine! Importantly at the event both Professor Ian Mercer (former Chief Executive of DNPA) and Maywyn Wilkinson (DNPA Voluntary Warden) received lifetime achievement awards for their work towards the good of Dartmoor.
Thursday saw the launch of a significant new book, The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor, by Phil Newman, the outcome of 20 years' research into Dartmoor's landscape history from 4000BC to present. The book (published by English Heritage in partnership with DNPA, the Ministry of Defence and the National Trust) presents the results of an extraordinary amount of fieldwork carried out across the moor, and will be reviewed in the winter 2011 issue. It is an important addition to the library of Dartmoor literature available.
The last 'social' event of the week came about when I visited the Prince Hall Hotel on sunny Thursday afternoon, while working out a circular walking route that will take in the West Dart and Swincombe Valleys, Sherberton and Dunnabridge, which should appear in the magazine at some point next year. We have a plan to introduce a new walking element in the magazine, which will comprise a shorter walk than that usually provided by Deborah Martin, including details of a recommended pub or cafe. This series is being developed at the moment, and I hope to introduce it with the spring 2012 issue. Our recent reader survey showed that walks are a popular element, so it seems sensible to add a shorter walk to cater for a different level of expertise. (And incidentally – having done a fair amount of cream tea sampling of late – the Prince Hall version can be highly recommended, and the views are second to none!)

Making contacts

2011-07-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

I've had an interesting time over the last ten days spending time with a variety of different Dartmoor people. On a bright and breezy morning last week I accompanied Frances Cooper, DNPA Mires Project Officer, on a trip to Winney's Down west of Fernworthy Forest, the first blanket bog site under investigation (and subsequent restoration) under the project, which we announced in the spring issue's In the News. A few days later I interviewed explorer, film-maker, former TV personality and owner of the Dartmoor Expedition Centre John Earle (also a trustee of the Dartmoor Trust and book reviewer for the magazine), who has lived on the moor for more than 40 years. And this morning I spent an interesting time with Charlotte Faulkner of Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony, learning about her plans for the future. The results of all these meetings will become apparent in future issues of the magazine! At the end of June I also took part in the Exmoor Perambulation, a walk along the boundary of the ancient Forest of Exmoor. The whole route totals 31 miles, but that's well beyond my capabilities so I stuck to 16 and stopped at the roughly halfway mark. We were blessed with horrendous weather – low cloud, rain and strong winds all day, and saw nothing of Exmoor's glorious landscape – but around 170 hardy walkers took part (of which around 40 retired en route). Encouraged by this we're thinking about organising a smaller scale Dartmoor Perambulation event sometime in 2012 along with Spirit of Adventure at Powdermills: watch this space!

Earthquake!

2011-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

At 2.45pm on 23 June the effects of an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.7 was felt by many in the Bovey Tracey area (the epicentre). In Moretonhampstead it sounded like a big explosion, and my cottage certainly 'trembled'. Mike Rego, a geologist living in North Bovey, has this to say:

North Bovey is directly on the Sticklepath Fault axis, which is a lateral or 'pull-apart' wrench fault (sort of like the San Andreas system) which is the reason why the Bovey Tracey clay pits formed where they did in the Tertiary Period, associated with localised subsidence. The River Bovey and Lustleigh Cleave are all on the fault axis.

Mike will be expanding on this subject in the autumn issue of the magazine. Visit the British Geological Society's website and fill in the earthquake questionnaire (relating to yesterday's event).

Coombe Trenchard's inaugural garden festival blossoms

2011-06-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've received some follow-up publicity in the aftermath of last weekend's garden festival at Coombe Trenchard, which appeared in the summer issue of the magazine. Clearly worth noting for 2012!

The Coombe Trenchard ‘Arts and Crafts’ Garden Festival, which took place over the weekend of the 17th and 18th June, welcomed an enthusiastic and appreciative audience who joined an elegant range of plant sellers, designer makers, garden suppliers, charities and food and drinks suppliers to the historic Estate near Lewdown in Devon.

Visitors were impressed with the eclectic range of plants and crafts on show whilst the Speakers Yurt was full for each presentation and Q&A session. Attendees took the rare opportunity to pose their specific questions on an array of topics within special Gardeners Questions Time, featuring renowned broadcasters such as Sarah Chesters (Education Officer at RHS Rosemoor and BBC Radio Devon), Toby Buckland (Gardeners World) and author and Tracy Wilson (BBC Radio Cornwall broadcaster.)

Organiser, Sarah Marsh said: “We were absolutely delighted with the turn-out on both days. Friday was not the weather we were hoping for, but we were delighted to see that lots of people braved it and came out in great numbers. Saturday was a huge success. The grounds were packed with visitors enjoying the entertainment and the terrific array of plants and crafts on show. The Victorian croquet tournament proved a real hit and we have had a great response from exhibitors already excited about next year.”

Toby Buckland, celebrity gardener: “I thought the first ever Coombe Trenchard Garden Festival was a real success. The reason for that is that there was such a great mix of plants on show, as well as a huge amount to see and do other than shopping. It was a really terrific festival in a stunning location and there were so many smiling faces it was a pleasure to be involved.”

BBC Garden’s Illustrated Magazine and Plant Heritage were present on both days and the Devon Charity Send A Cow had significant interest in its Key Hole Garden which they have decide to leave at Coombe Trenchard in order to bring school groups down to visit the display, as well as the unique venue.

Dates for the 2012 Festival will be announced imminently.

Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony event

2011-06-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

I've just received a reminder about the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Novice Pony Show, which is mentioned in the Diary in the summer issue and on the website... but it's worth giving it another showing here. It takes place from 10am on Saturday 3 July at Corndonford, Farm Poundsgate, by kind permission of Ann Williams. And it's more than 'just' a pony show: there's a fun dog show, BBQ, cream teas and homemade cakes too. For more info call 01364 631595, or visit www.friendsofthedartmoorhillpony.com

Catch Dartmoor Magazine at the shows this summer

2011-06-17T02:54:00.000-07:00

This year we've upped the number of shows we'll be attending over the summer. Catch up with us at the following:

Dartmoor Folk Festival Friday 5–Sunday 7 August (we'll be there on Saturday 6)

Okehampton Show Thursday 11 August

RAF Harrowbeer 70th anniversary event Saturday 13–Sunday 14 August (see the feature in Issue 103)

Chagford Show Thursday 18 August

Christow Show Saturday 20 August

Lustleigh Show Monday 29 August

Widecombe Fair Tuesday 13 September

We've got a new Dartmoor Magazine/Active Dartmoor trailer which will appear at some venues, and this summer we'll have some 'extras' on board: we're teaming up with the Dartmoor Archive so will be joined by manager Jamie Dunbar plus access to a selection of fascinating old photographs of Dartmoor. If you have any material in which you think he might be interested here's your chance to come and have a chat. At selected shows we will also be holding a draw for a hamper of the best local food and drink items from the area, and we'll have some other attractions too. We'd be very pleased to see you!

For more information on Dartmoor's summer shows and fetes check the Diary on the magazine website.

2011-06-07T03:20:00.001-07:00

Editor said...: I have been dragged screaming and kicking into the 21st century: I have to write a blog! For those of you used to following such things I need to tell you that I won't be blogging on a daily basis, but will post news items as and when I receive them, and add information about 'things Dartmoor' that I come across. I will attempt to add something every week, but will only do it if I have something interesting to share.With that last comment in mind I spent a pretty grim hour or so on the moor west of Fernworthy Forest last week with a small group en route to take a look at restoration work on Winney's Down, part of the five-year Dartmoor Mires Project, the launch of which was reported on in issue 102 Spring 2011. And whereas the weather at home was reasonably clement, high winds, rain and low visibility made the trip less than easy! I plan to go out there again later this month with Frances Cooper, DNPA's Mires Project Officer, to take some photos which will appear in an update on the project in the autumn issue of the magazine.The contrary nature of Dartmoor's weather was proven yet again two days later when, on a glorious sunny and breezy day, I walked from Postbridge to Fur Tor in the very heart of the moor with DNPA Guide Debbie Jenkin and a small group. Apart from the fact that we came across a very distressed South Devon heifer who seemed incapable of standing (reported to Jane Cole, Livestock Protection Officer, via the HMVC) the day was perfect: good company, wonderful weather and an interesting route via Sandy Hole Pass and Cut Hill, and back via Brown's House. A search for the Fur Tor letterbox, however, proved fruitless...Until next time.

Welcome

2011-06-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our new blog, follow us and find out whats going on, where and when! x