18 June 2008
Farming Dartmoor - Flock, Stock and Bales
27 June – 8 October 2008
Find out why farming is so important to Dartmoor in a major new exhibition with interactive games for children, superb farm photography, a stunning new film by Dartmoor photographers and film makers Chris Chapman and Kate King, and a series of farm walk events. Celebrating the Year of Food and Farming, the exhibition opens at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, on Friday 27 June and runs until 8 October 2008.
The exhibition Farming Dartmoor - Flock, Stock and Bales was produced by Dartmoor National Park Authority in partnership with a group of Dartmoor farmers – Bridget Cole of Greenwell Farm, near Yelverton, Alison Geen of Sherberton Farm, near Hexworthy, and Russell Ashford of Bowden Farm, Buckfastleigh – and with contributions from the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council and the Dartmoor Partnership Ltd.
Cathy Heath, Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Hill Farm Project Officer said:
‘This exhibition explains in a very visual way what farming on high Dartmoor is all about, from its interaction with the seasons to the beautiful landscape that it helps to manage. There is a giant children’s jigsaw, complete with real tractor tyre, a children’s activity book and a great new interactive farming game. The short film by Chris Chapman and Kate King helps set the scene, with farming activity being carried out to a backdrop of stunning footage of the Dartmoor landscape. Many of the images contained in the exhibition were taken by the farmers themselves, and their personal knowledge of hill farming adds weight to the accompanying information, making the exhibition well worth a visit this summer.’
Running alongside the exhibition is an exciting competition providing the opportunity for young people to show off their talents as Dartmoor farming photographers. The competition is open to three age groups (5-11 years, 11-16 years and 17-23 years) and is sponsored by the Duchy of Cornwall and the London Camera Exchange with a prize for the winner in each category. The theme of the competition is ‘Farming Dartmoor’ and photographs will need to illustrate farming activities on Dartmoor. Entries must be digital and must be submitted by 8 October 2008. Winning images will be published online.
Farming Dartmoor – Flock, Stock and Bales can be visited this summer at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, or online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk. Princetown is accessible by public transport. For public transport information telephone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
For information on the full programme of farm events and guided walks visit www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk or pick up a leaflet in one of Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Information Centres at Haytor, Postbridge, Newbridge - or in the exhibition at Princetown.
Ends
For Further Information
Cathy Heath, Dartmoor Hill Farm Project Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 836013
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 available on the Authority's web site .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop
Notes for editors
For more information on the Year of Food and Farming visit www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk (external link, opens new window)
Dartmoor National Park Authority events and guided walks
All events are FREE unless specified. Events will be signed on the day.
Visit Bullaton Historic Farmstead
Bullaton has been described as one of the best historic farmsteads on Dartmoor. Its buildings remain virtually untouched, illustrating past farming practices.
- Sun 6 July 2008
- Sun 20 July 2008
- Thurs 7 August 2008
- Sat 18 August 2008
Start: 2.30 pm (2 hr) Trenchford Reservoir Car Park, Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference SX 804 823
Adults: £3 Children 14 & Under: free
Bowden Farm Open Day
Visit this totally organic farm. See how beef, lamb and crops are produced. Highlights include a shearing demonstration. Refreshments will be available and organic produce for sale.
Please book on (01822) 890414
- Sun 6 July 2008
Start: 2 pm (3 hr) Bowden Farm nr Buckfastleigh, OS grid reference SX 701 672
Sherberton Farm Walk
Visit Sherberton Farm, a Duchy of Cornwall tenanted farm in the same family for 160 years. This walk will take you on a circular route along the Swincombe valley and through the farm yard (3 miles). Learn how the land has been traditionally farmed making best use of newtakes, common and in-bye land. Afterwards, the Forest Inn, will be selling Sherberton beef rolls with salad garnish and crisps, £3.
Please book on (01822) 890414 (When booking please indicate if you would like to eat at the Forest Inn afterwards)
- Wed 23 July 2008
Start: 10.30 am (2 hr) Cattle grid on the approach road from Hexworthy near Dartmeet, OS grid reference SX 650 728
In Search of the Dartmoor Pony
Walk to Bellever Tor to see Dartmoor ponies in their natural environment. Learn more about their lives and the work of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. The walk is followed by a locally sourced lunch served at the Youth Hostel.
Please book on (01822) 890414
- Tues 29 July 2008
Start: 11 am (1 1/2 hr) Bellever Youth Hostel
Adults: £8 Children 12 & Under: £3 (cost includes lunch)
Greenwell Farm Open Day
Visit Greenwell Farm, one of the locations used in the Aune Head Arts film Focus on Farming. Watch the film, meet the Cole family and tour their farm. Watch sheep shearing, sheep dogs working, handle Dartmoor ponies. Enjoy a ram roast.
For more information contact (01822) 853563
- Sat 2 & Sun 3 August 2008, 12 noon until 5 pm,
Greenwell Farm near Clearbrook, Yelverton, OS grid reference SX 536 659
Adults: £3 Children 14 & Under: free
Narracombe Farm Walk
Join farmer Ed Williams on a tour of this organic beef farm. Hear about commoners’ rights and running stock on Haytor Down - a practice that has helped shape the landscape we see today.
- Sun 17 August 2008
Start: 2 pm (2 hr) Narracombe Farm near Haytor, OS grid reference SX 783 769Follow signs from cattle grid on B3387, Bovey Tracey to Widecombe-in-the-Moor road.
In Search of the Dartmoor Pony
The walk is followed by a locally sourced high tea served at the Youth Hostel (see 29 July In Search of the Dartmoor Pony event).
Please book on (01822) 890414
- Tues 26 August 2008
Start: 2.30 pm (1 3/4 hr) Bellever Youth Hostel
Adults: £6.50 Children 12 & Under: £2.50 (cost includes tea)
East Okement Farm Walk
Visit one of the highest farmsteads on Dartmoor. The farm is on the edge of the Okehampton firing range. Discover more about the history of the farm and how it is currently worked.
- Tues 2 September 2008
Start: 2 pm (2 hr) OS grid reference SX 605 913
From Okehampton follow the signs for the Army Camp and then signs for the farm.
Meldon Farm Walk
Join Philip Heard for a tour of his farm. See Welsh black hill cows and lowland cows, as calving gets underway. See some of his sheep flock and take a trailer ride over some spectacular scenery.
- Sun 7 September 2008
Start: 2.30 pm (2 hr) Meldon Farm (on the approach road to Meldon Reservoir), OS grid reference SX 559 925
Pizwell Farm Open Afternoon
Visit Pizwell Farm, an ancient Dartmoor Tenement with some fascinating historic buildings. Learn how the farm operated in the past and how this has changed. Refreshments and local produce will be for sale, including beef and lamb produced on the farm. For more information and to book a place, contact Sue Martin (01822) 880223
- Sun 14 September 2008
Start: 2 pm, Pizwell Farm near Postbridge, OS grid reference SX 668 784
Brimpts Farm Walk
Brimpts Farm has won awards for its farm diversification. Farmer Andy Bradford has managed successfully to mix modern day needs with the historic nature of the farmstead. Join Andy to hear this fascinating story and learn about his most recent project to provide heating for the farm, using timber from the surrounding woodlands.
- Tues 23 September 2008
Start: 10.30 am (2 hr) Brimpts farm near Dartmeet, OS grid reference SX 668 738
Bittleford Farm Walk
Visit a typical Dartmoor farm and meet the third generation farmer now managing it.
- Thurs 2 October 2008
Start: 10.30 am (2 - 3 hr) Bittleford Farm, between Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Ponsworthy, OS grid reference SX 705 748
The Dartmoor Film Project – The Story of Dartmoor
In July 2007 photographer/film-maker Chris Chapman and film-maker Kate King, started to document life on Dartmoor, the place that they are honoured to call their home.
The Story of Dartmoor (working title) is still in the process of being made. It will chart the history of the moor and its people. A beautiful mixture of music, poetry, stories of life and landscape and most importantly the testimony of those whose families have been custodians of the land for generations.
The short film you will see in this exhibition is a work in progress, a small extract about the farming community of Dartmoor, who have been unfailingly generous with their time and their willingness to help in telling the story.
The finished film is due to be released towards Christmas 2008. It will be shown in venues across Dartmoor and be available as a DVD from Dartmoor National Park Authority Information Centres and other outlets. It will also be available online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and www.chrischapmanphotography.com (external link, opens new window).
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 33,500 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 18 June 2008
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