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| 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 over the next few months. More details can be found in our Newsletters. New events are normally added to the website to coincide with Newsletters being posted.
Please use the Book Now buttons to book places and pay online. If you are a Dartmoor Society member please sign into the Member Centre beforehand so you can book places for members-only events and not need to enter all your contact details every time.
Alternatively you can download and print a booking form and post it to us together with a cheque to cover any payment to The Dartmoor Society, PO Box 570, Torquay, TQ1 9JB.
When our events are over-subscribed, waiting lists are created. If you find that you cannot attend an event you have booked for, please contact the Honorary Secretary as soon as possible. Your place can then be allocated to someone else.
Thursday 21st February, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Meavy Parish Hall (PL20 6PJ, SX 540 671)
This event is now fully booked. Please email secretary@dartmoorsociety.com if you would like to go on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
Devon-born Professor Bob Stone and his research team have very kindly offered us a unique opportunity to attend a Virtual Reality (VR) presentation based on a number of local high tech projects including developing a VR model of the reservoir bed at Burrator, the old Burrator and Sheepstor Halt, and the use of drones and special sensors to 3D-map the radiation from radon over the tor outcrops and quarries at Haytor.
Bob is Professor of Interactive Multimedia Systems, as well as a Director of the Human Interface Technologies (HIT) Team, at the University of Birmingham.
Recently Bob and his team obtained permission to dive their new Blue ROV2 and Trident unmanned submersibles in Burrator Reservoir to search for the remains of WWII anti-torpedo nets and buoys. Evidence of these remains were detected a couple of years ago when the team carried out an underwater sonar survey in the reservoir and is backed up by photographs of previous reservoir droughts provided by local villagers.
As well as a presentation describing the multitude of projects the HIT Team undertakes in the region, there will also be an opportunity for attendees to experience the latest VR headsets and related technologies, and to see some of the aerial and underwater drones the team uses to support its research.
If any members have any images or postcards relating to the following topics, Bob and his team would be delighted to see them on the day: WWII anti-torpedo nets; Head Weir Cottage; Essworthy Farm, Longstone Manor; Burrator and Sheepstor Halt; 1920s suspension bridge; Sheepstor Bridge; quarrying activities; general pre-flooding views; previous droughts; Ju88 aircraft crash on 19 May 1941.
This special VR event is being held at Meavy Parish Hall in association with Yelverton and District Local History Society (YDLHS) and is open to both members and non-members alike.
After the 2 hour presentation tea will be served.
Wednesday 27th March, 1:50pm – 4:00pm
TQ13 7PD, SX 6950 7320
This event is now fully booked, but we are trying to arrange an additional time slot on the same day. More details to follow.
Higher Uppacott medieval longhouse has recently undergone substantial conservation works under the Heritage Lottery funded Moor than meets the eye Landscape Partnership scheme. This work has not only improved access to, and the condition of, the building, but has also increased understanding of the longhouse and its associated outbuildings and farm.
During the renovation period the grade I listed building was closed to the public for a number of years. Its re-opening provides an excellent opportunity to explore this important historic site and learn what life was like on medieval Dartmoor.
As parking space is limited at the site itself, please meet at Bel Tor Corner, grid ref SX 6950 7320, for car sharing at 1.50pm. After travelling the short distance to the site our tour of the longhouse will commence at 2pm.
Saturday 13th April, 2:30pm
Scoriton Village Hall (TQ11 0JB)
Before the business proceedings, we will welcome Emma Stockley, Community Heritage Officer for Moor than Meets the Eye, who will give an illustrated talk entitled ‘Parishscapes and the Dartmoor Community’.
1. Welcome and Apologies.
2. Minutes of the 20th (2018) AGM – to be approved (printed in Newsletter 62, June 2018).
3. Chairman’s Report 2018/19.
4. Honorary Treasurer’s Report and Annual Accounts 2018 (enclosed) – to be approved.
5. The following Motions (approved by the Executive Committee at their meeting on 22nd November 2018) are recommended for approval by this AGM:
(i) That a new Officer position of Vice-Chairman shall be created.
(ii) If the above Motion is approved: That Section 8 (Officers) of the Constitution of the Charity will now read: ‘The Officers of the Charity shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor. All Officers shall be eligible for membership of such other sub-committees as shall be appointed.’
6. Election of Officers and other Executive Committee members. The following nominations have been received:
Chairman: TBA
Vice-Chairman: TBA
Honorary Treasurer: Tom Orchard proposed by Nigel Rendle and seconded by Tanya Welch.
Membership Secretary: Wilfrid Hodges proposed by Judy Ehlen and seconded by Marcia Babington.
General Committee: Liz Miall proposed by Tom Orchard and seconded by Alan Endacott
7. Election of Independent Examiner of Accounts.
8. Any Other Business.
At the close of business, there will be a presentation of The Dartmoor Society Award 2019.
Refreshments will be available after the meeting, and donations towards their cost will be welcome.
Monday 13th May, 10:00am – 12:00pm
EX6 7EL, SX 7998 8740
Burnicombe Wood, Bridford, is a jewel of an ancient semi-natural woodland and is where John Williamson and his colleagues work. Their locally based company Dartmoor Woodcraft has an accent on restoration and biodiversity, and they endeavour to retain a natural, unique environment incorporating woodland management skills in this beautiful, unspoilt part of Dartmoor.
Although John and his team carry out a considerable amount of horse logging work using their own heavy horses, our walk and talk visit will be focussing primarily on Burnicombe Wood itself, enabling us to understand more about the flora and fauna and learning about ancient woodland crafts such as coppice work with hazel, the making of hurdles and charcoal burning. We will be able to view the heavy horses even though they are not actually ‘worked’ at this particular time of year.
As with any woodland area in the season of spring this visit will also provide us with a profusion of spring flowers such as bluebells, etc, for us all to enjoy.
John and his team have provided a parking area for us located at SX 7998 8740 and the postcode is EX6 7EL. The directions are as follows: Take the lane signposted Burnicombe Farm, near Plaistow Green, south-east of Heltor Rock. At the end of the straight section which is rough and bumpy, the lane bends sharply down to the right. Carry straight on over the brow where you will see an agricultural barn at the bottom. Go down towards this and take the field entrance on the left just past the barn towards a more modern barn. This leads to the parking area.
Friday 14th June, 2:00pm – 4:30pm
St Leonard's Church, Sheepstor (PL20 6PF, SX 5602 6766) and St Paul's Church, Yelverton (PL20 6AB, SX 5210 6775)
For about ten years Dr Helen Wilson has studied and researched the exquisite church carvings created by the Pinwill sisters in the early 20th century and we are delighted that she has agreed to provide a double visit to two beautiful Dartmoor churches, to give us an insight on the life and work of the Pinwill sisters and their amazing output.
The programme for the afternoon is as follows:
2pm – Arrive at St Leonard’s Church, Sheepstor (PL20 6PF, SX 5602 6766). There is limited parking in the village, with more available on the road to Sheepstor village, close to the Sheepstor dam (part of Burrator reservoir), but before you enter the village itself. There is a public toilet by the main Burrator dam. Tea and biscuits will be provided on arrival and we will enjoy a short talk by the churchwarden on the history of the church itself.
2.30pm – Talk by Helen Wilson on the Pinwill woodcarving business and their specific work at Sheepstor.
3.30pm – Arrive at St Paul’s Church, Yelverton (PL20 6AB, SX 5210 6775). There is limited parking close to the church itself (some of it fee-paying) and there are public toilets nearby. Alternatively, take the nearby turning off the A386 to Crapstone and Buckland Monachorum and park on the old airfield. We will then enjoy a talk by Helen on the church and the specific Pinwill carving there.
4pm – An opportunity to climb up the church tower with the churchwarden to see extensive views over Dartmoor.
This will be a fascinating afternoon giving us an insight into both of these wonderful Dartmoor churches as well as the life and work of the remarkable Pinwill sisters.
Friday 19th July, 5:00pm
Langaford Farm Charitable Trust (TQ13 8RH, SX 704 845)
We are delighted to announce this year’s summer BBQ will be held at Langaford Farm Charitable Trust near Lettaford (TQ13 8RH, SX 704 845).
The trust was established in 2002 to maintain and encourage the ecological enhancement of its 100 acres of farm land and for several years has enjoyed working with various outside professional bodies to achieve these aims.
One such organisation is Butterfly Conservation with which they have encouraged many rare and unusual species of butterfly and moth. This work resulted in the trust winning an award in 2011 in recognition of their contribution to conserving the Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
The farm can boast over 100 species of lichen, numerous mosses and liverworts and, by developing large pond areas, has promoted a wider diversity of wildlife.
At 5pm, prior to the BBQ, one of the Trustees and our host John Mills has kindly arranged for us to enjoy both a short talk on butterfly conservation at Langaford as well as a fairly level walk with a butterfly and moth theme.
The BBQ itself will start at 6pm.
The exact location is known as Farm 2 and has a large barn/seating area with toilets and a very large field at the side suitable for car parking. As usual bring along your own favourite choice of drink, bottle of wine, etc – paper cups will be provided.
Full directions and more details will be given in our June Newsletter.
