19 April 2005
Moor Memories of Blacksticks and Blizzards on Dartmoor
The third collection of recordings from Dartmoor National Park Authority’s "Moor Memories" Oral History Project is being launched on Monday 25 April.
Entitled Blacksticks and Blizzards the set of three CDs is a compilation of memories from 26 people who have recorded their recollections of life on Dartmoor during the 20th century. The collection brings to life Dartmoor’s recent past, opening a window onto the cultural life of the moor and goes back to a time when the pace of life was much slower and when the Sunday School outing was often the only day out in the year. Listen to recollections of effects that World War II had on the life and landscape of the moor, and of the blizzards which caused remote areas to be cut off for long periods of time. There are accounts of how the resources of the moor were regularly harvested, including turf, bracken and whortleberries, as well as the black sticks from burnt gorse which were used for lighting open hearth fires.
Blacksticks and Blizzards will be launched at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s headquarters at Parke, Bovey Tracey, on 25 April, with a tea party for those who have been involved in the production of the CDs. This will be an opportunity for all who have contributed to meet and to hear the CDs for the first time.
The CDs will be available to hear at listening points at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, and the Authority’s Information Centre at Postbridge. Listening points are also situated at Ashburton Tourist Information Centre and the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton.
The collection of three CDs and accompanying booklet will be available for sale, priced £13.75, at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre,
Princetown, and Postbridge Information Centre. It will also be available by post at £16.70 (includes £2.95 postage and packing), from the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6QF (telephone 01822 890414). Alternatively, order online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Ends
For Further Information
Becky Newell, Oral History Project Officer
Deborah Griffiths, Head of Archaeology and Historic Buildings
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are now available on the Authority's website
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and click on News).
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Notes for Editors
Media representatives wishing to attend the tea party on 25 April should contact Becky Newell. Photographs and audio are available for broadcast or publication.
All the recordings are fully transcribed and archived in full onto CDs for future historical research.
The first two "Moor Memories" collections, entitled Rabbits whortleberries and railways and Lovely Days, are also available for sale from the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, Postbridge Information Centre and online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England and Wales and are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,400 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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This page last updated 19 April 2005
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