19 April 2005
Focus on Dartmoor’s Cultural Heritage
A new exhibition opens at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, on Friday 29 April 2005. Focus on Heritage explores Dartmoor’s fascinating cultural heritage – customs, traditions, archaeology and historic buildings - through the stunning photographs of Brian Byng, Piers Howell, Rob Hutchinson, Lee Pengelley, Paul Rendell and Peter White. There will also be images by Marie-Claire Sabel, specially selected from the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s collection.
Focus on Heritage also displays Dartmoor artefacts, from prehistory to the 20th century, on loan from Plymouth Museum and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, as well as from private collections – all brought together for the first time in one exhibition.
Archive images, gathered by Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Moor Memories Oral History Project, will be on display and there will be the opportunity to listen to a specially produced recording of memories of the Princetown area in the first half of the 20th century.
Visitors to the Focus on Heritage exhibition on Monday 30 May or Tuesday 31 May can also enjoy a unique Hands on Heritage experience. Dartmoor National Park Authority has organised an exciting programme of free events, demonstrations and activities for all the family, including archaeological excavations in sand boxes, quizzes, treasure hunts and self guided discovery trails, as well as flint knapping demonstrations, pot making and stone walling. There will be story telling for young and old alike, guided walks and much more.
The exhibition, Focus on Heritage runs until 29 June. The High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, is open daily, 10 am to 5 pm. For more information on the Hands on Heritage events, on 30 and 31 May, telephone (01822) 890414.
Princetown can be reached by bus from Plymouth, Exeter, Tavistock, Yelverton and Newton Abbot (summer service only). For further information on public transport telephone traveline on 0870 608 2 608.
Ends
For further information
Debbie Griffiths, Head of Archaeology and Historic Buildings
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
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
Hands on Heritage – two days of events for all ages to enjoy (30 and 31 May 2005) including: flint knapping; your archaeological finds identified; archaeological dig boxes; trace the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes; Megaliths by Moonlight; prison sniffer dogs display; the Wag from Widecombe; self guided trails – with prizes; listen to local oral history; pottery demonstrations; discover who the pressed men are; guided walks; quizzes; story telling; stone splitting; brewery visit; stone walling; and exhibitions.
Exhibitions at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, 2005/06
Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School - An exhibition of work produced by pupils during school art week. 1 July – 17 July
Rangers - An exhibition showing the diverse nature of the work carried out by Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Ranger Service. 19 July – 7 September
Dartmoor in Contrast - Exhibition of textile art and photographs by Eileen and James Fraser. 9 September – 28 September
Devonport Leat - Photography and text, telling the story of this historic waterway, by Mike Sapiecha. 30 September – 19 October
Rooted in Place – photographic studies of Dartmoor’s Ancient Woodland - A celebration of Dartmoor’s ancient woodland by photographers Kim Aplin and Chris Smith. 21 October – 7 December
Wild Dartmoor - Exhibition of Dartmoor wildlife paintings by regional artists. 9 December – 18 Jan 06
Four Seasons - An exhibition by regional photographers. 20 January 06 – 5 March 06
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They 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 33,000 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
Return to General Interest News Releases 2005 Archive
This page last updated 19 April 2005
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