You are not currently signed into the Member Centre – Sign In.
| An independent voice and a forum for debate for those who find Dartmoor a source of livelihood or inspiration |
The following events have been organised for 2010. More details can be found in our Newsletters. Please note that some events are members only and are indicated as such below. Booking forms for future events are available on the website once the current newsletter has been sent out with forms.
To book a place on any of the events please download and print a booking form. Coming soon: members will be able to book online.
Wednesday 17th March, 10:30am
A visit has been arranged to meet Peter Randall-Page in his studio near Drewsteignton. He has gained an international reputation with work held in numerous public and private collections. He was a member of the design team for the Education Resource Centre (The Core) at the Eden Project, influencing the overall design of the building and incorporating an enormous granite sculpture – The Seed – at its heart. There will be an opportunity to see examples of his work in and around Drewsteignton. The Studio is at Veet Mill Farm, situated about ½ mile north of Drewsteignton at SX 736916. The easiest approach is from the old A30 described here travelling from the west. Leave the dual carriageway A30 at Whiddon Down take the Crockernwell road heading east. Continue for 3 miles then (still about ½ mile to the west of Crockernwell) turn right at the crossroads immediately after passing Barley Meadow campsite. After a few metres take a sharp right turn on to another lane and follow it down the hill. The track to Veet Mill Farm is on the right at the bottom of the hill on a sharp left hand bend.
Members only. Fully booked.
Saturday 17th April, 2:30pm, Manaton Parish Hall
Notice is hereby given that the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The Dartmoor Society will be held on Saturday 17th April 2010 at Manaton Parish Hall, starting at 2.30pm. The hall can be found at SX 750813 a short distance East of the church and village green. There is a free car park beside the church.
Before the business proceedings our Guest Speaker, Professor Ian Mercer CBE, will give a talk titled ‘Dartmoor: The New Naturalist Challenge’. Ian Mercer has a long association with Dartmoor and was Dartmoor National Park Officer 1973–1990, after which he became the first Chief Executive of the Countryside Council of Wales. He is currently Chairman of the Dartmoor Commoners' Council. His book, “Dartmoor – A Statement of Its Time”, was published by Collins in the acclaimed New Naturalist series in 2009.
Regarding Item 4 of the Agenda, the audited accounts are enclosed with the February Newsletter, with the statement of the Independent Examiner of Accounts, Simon Murray.
Regarding Item 5 of the Agenda, nominations for the vacant positions on the Executive Committee were received by 31 January 2010 for Jonathan Aylett, (proposed by Simon E. Booty; seconded by Annabel Booty) and Gill Gray (proposed by Colin Jones; seconded by Tom Greeves).
Although Elisabeth Stanbrook is doing sterling, and much appreciated, work as Acting Honorary Secretary, the Officer post of Honorary Secretary is still vacant, and we urge members to consider taking on this role (more details can be obtained from Tom Greeves on 01822 617004 or tomgreeves@btconnect.com).
Membership of the Executive Committee automatically confers the status of Trustee of a Registered Charity. This status requires the holder to fulfil certain conditions laid down by the Charity Commission, none of which is onerous and which can be read online.
At the close of the AGM business, the Dartmoor Society Award 2010 will be presented.
Refreshments will be available after the meeting and donations towards their cost will be welcome on the day.
No charge but please book so we know catering numbers.
Saturday 29th May, 11:00am, SX 692746
From Ashburton take the road signposted Dartmeet and go through Poundsgate. Beyond Uppacott Farm take the first right hand turn and carry on to Lock’s Gate Cross. Continue straight ahead for about 600 metres and Corndonford is on the left.
Charlotte Faulkner was our guest speaker at the Society AGM in 2009 (see Newsletter 35, p18–21 for a summary of her talk).
Corndonford is the base for the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, and we will hear about the work of the Association and no doubt meet some ponies!
Dinna Clerks is the site (on private land) of a medieval longhouse excavated in the 1960s. A remarkable array of finds was made then – some of the ceramic and wooden items were brought to our Finds Day at Holne in March 2009 by Tom Cadbury of Exeter Museums.
We will be welcomed by the Faulkner family to Corndonford Farm near Poundsgate.
After meeting at the farm we will walk down to the river to enjoy our picnics then walk on up to Dinna Clerks.
Please bring a packed lunch and appropriate clothing. No dogs.
No charge but booking is required.
Wednesday 16th June, 10:45am, meet at Shipley Bridge car park (SX 681629)
Mike Hedges will lead a walk up the Avon valley, pausing at the dam to talk about its history, and then moving northwards to Huntingdon Cross, where we will pause for a picnic lunch.
We will then tackle the steep walk out of the valley to Crossways, from where we will make our way back down along the Zeal Tor tramway. The route is about 7½ miles long and includes a wealth of interesting natural and historical features, as well as some fine views.
Bring a packed lunch (including sufficient drink in case it’s hot!). Come equipped for some occasionally rough Dartmoor walking. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads at all times.
No charge but please book to indicate numbers attending.
Thursday 24th June, 12:00pm, meet at Shipley Bridge car park (SX 681629)
By kind invitation of South West Water, a visit to the Avon Dam has been arranged, to complement our Avon Valley walk in the previous week.
Mike Copperwhite and Colin Hawkins of South West Water will show us around the Dam, and explain its history and its part in local water supplies.
Meet at 12 noon for a 1.5 mile walk along the metalled roadway to the Dam, where we should arrive by 1pm for the start of the visit.
For members unable to walk this distance, a small number of people can be taken by car up the private road to the Dam.
No dogs. Pre-booking essential. Please book by sending an e-mail to info@dartmoorsociety.com with your name, contact details and the number of places required, or download and print a booking form.
Members only. No charge. Numbers limited to 25.
Friday 2nd July, 6:00pm, Broadleas Camping and Training Centre, Haytor (SX 766771)
Early warning of this year’s popular summer barbecue, which will be held at Broadleas Camping and Training Centre, Haytor at. Our host, Roger Bunce, will lead us on a walk at 6pm, followed by the Barbecue at 7.30pm.
Access to the site is via a narrow lane just uphill from the entrance to the lower Haytor car park on the Bovey Tracey-Widecombe road, B3387. Parking is available on site for about ten cars and there is plenty of parking in the main car park next to the new information centre.
Dogs must be kept on leads.
£6.50 per person, booking essential.
