29 August 2007
Sustainability and Cultural Heritage explored in Dartmoor National Park
Join Dartmoor National Park Authority for a celebration of Dartmoor’s unique cultural heritage from 6 – 9 September 2007. Special events have been organised as part of Heritage Open Days to help bring aspects of Dartmoor’s cultural heritage to a wider audience. The events will be lead by the Authority’s specialist Archaeologists, Historic Buildings Officers and the Oral History Project Officer.
Heritage Open Days are annually co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and English Heritage and aim to give people the opportunity to visit and enjoy England’s wonderfully diverse architectural and cultural heritage. They offer the chance to visit sites and buildings which are not usually open to the public or that normally charge admission, and all for free!
Throughout 2007 the National Park Authority is particularly focusing upon the issues of climate change and its impact on Dartmoor. This theme will also be the focus of the Authority’s ‘Heritage Open Days 2007’ - linking today’s issues with our shared past. Learn how renewable energy, sustainable construction practices, transport, recycling, and the sustainable management of resources - issues at the forefront of todays green agendam - were important to our ancestors. Visit traditional buildings, both domestic and industrial, medieval and prehistoric archaeological landscapes and listen to the memories of Dartmoor people. Find out how Dartmoor’s residents had to adapt, and how sometimes radical solutions were needed. Can an understanding of the past help inform us for today’s challenges?
Keep 6 – 9 September free and join us to learn about climate change and its impact on Dartmoor’s population and landscape in the past.
Thursday 6 September
Visit Merrivale Prehistoric complex. Meet at Four winds car park, Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference SX 5608 7489, 5 miles east of Tavistock on B3357. Short walk from car park, starting at 2 pm for two hours.
Friday 7 September
Snowed in and Stocked up. A presentation at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, by Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Oral History Project Officer. Listen to the memories of those who experienced extremes of weather on Dartmoor in the past. 2.00 – 2.45 pm
Enjoy a guided visit to one of Dartmoor’s most enigmatic locations. Why did the people desert their homes? Join us at Houndtor Deserted medieval settlement to discover how Dartmoor's medieval residents had to adapt to change, including changing climatic conditions. There are limited places on this event so please contact the High Moorland Visitor Centre on (01822) 890414 to book a place. The walk starts at 10 am and lasts two hours.
Due to its location Dartmoor National Park Authority owned Grade I listed longhouse, Higher Uppacott is not routinely opened to the public. This weekend there are a number of chances to enjoy a guided tour of this medieval farmhouse in which both people and cattle were accommodated. Higher Uppacott is one of the few remaining examples of this historic building type which has retained its original unaltered shippon (cattle shelter). There are two opportunities to visit on 7 September. The first starts at 10 am, for two hours, and the second from 2 pm - 4 pm. Places are limited so it is important to book on (01822) 890414.
Learn how renewable energy played a vital role in the production of gun powder on Dartmoor on a fascinating tour of the 19th century gunpowder factory at Powdermills, near Postbridge. Places are limited so please book on (01822) 890414. Tour starts at 2 pm and finishes at 5.30.
Saturday 8 September
Another chance to visit the Medieval longhouse at Higher Uppacott, near Poundsgate.10 am – 12 noon. Please book on (01822) 890414.
Sunday 9 September
Higher Uppacott visits will be taking place at 10 am and 2 pm. Duration two hours. Please book a place on (01822) 890414.
Full details of these events are available on the Civic Trust web site www.heritageopendays.org (external link, opens new window)and on Dartmoor National Park Authority’s web site. For further information on start points for bookable events please call (01822) 890414. Unfortunately, due to the potential hazard to livestock, no dogs, other than guide dogs are permitted on Dartmoor National Park Authority events and guided walks.
Ends
For Further Information
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer
Tel: (01626) 832093
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's website. Agendas are placed on the web site 7 days in advance of the meetings.
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by Dartmoor National Park Authority (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and click on In the news).
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
Notes for Editors
Heritage Open Days are co-ordinated by the Civic Trust with core funding from English Heritage. Thousands of opportunities to enjoy the nation’s rich diversity will be on offer throughout the country. Events will be free of charge and/or allow access to sites not normally available to public visits. The aim is to encourage interest in all aspects of our cultural heritage, from historic buildings and grand houses to archaeological sites and oral history. Heritage Open Day events are free of charge. Booking is essential where indicated.
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 29 August 2007
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Page updated 28 August 2007
