Established 1985 www.dartmoormagazine.co.uk
People, places and pursuits
Issue 108 Autumn 2012 £3.25
Tavistock Open for business
Walks
The future of the Dartmoor commons
9 770268 502028
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Penn Beacon Teign Gorge
Plus
The Devil on Dartmoor Ashburton Futures • Curiosities of the Meavy Valley• Billy’s Tor
The Husbandry School • Whiteface Dartmoor sheep • Arts • North Hall Manor
Part of the landscape for generations
From our foundation in 1910 to the present day, our network of 41 offices, 7 of which are in the West Country, have always taken pride in knowing the property landscape in expert detail. So whether you are buying or selling, talk to the national name with local knowledge.
Part of the countryside for over 100 years Exeter 01392 214222 www.jackson-stops.co.uk 2 DARTMOOR
From the Editor Dartmoor Magazine is published by Edgemoor Publishing Limited Wykeham House, 3 Station Road, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1DY 01837 659224
Welcome
EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Simon Lloyd simon@dartmoormagazine.co.uk EDITOR Sue Viccars editor@dartmoormagazine.co.uk ART EDITOR Simon Lloyd simon@dartmoormagazine.co.uk ADMINISTRATION Jenny How jenny@dartmoormagazine.co.uk
I am sometimes sent news items and suggestions for features that, sadly, do not relate to Dartmoor. Each time one arrives I find myself thinking about the acceptable ‘physical’ criteria
Zara Media & Design 14 Kingfisher Court, Venny Bridge, Pinhoe, Exeter, Devon EX4 8JN info@zaramedia.co.uk ADVERTISING MANAGER Susie Walker 01392 201227
PHOTOGRAPH SUE VICCARS
for inclusion in this magazine. To the north, east ADVERTISING
and south of the moor there are clear changein-landscape boundaries as the granite is left behind, and in terms of coverage we try not to stray too far into ‘Greater Dartmoor’ (without good reason or a clear link). But towards the The River Tamar, looking north towards Cotehele Quay
Tamar Valley things feel a bit different. I was a commissioning editor at Newton Abbot
Dartmoor Magazine is published quarterly every March, June, September and December. Copy date for each issue is approximately six weeks before publication.
publishers David & Charles at the time the company was still producing classic
Dartmoor Magazine is printed by Polestar Wheatons, Hennock Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8RP 01392 420222
a Dartmoor magazine it was quite acceptable at times (for both historical and
titles such as Crossing’s Guide to Dartmoor, and John W. Perkins’ and Helen Harris’ wonderful books on the geology and industrial archaeology of Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley. And so I ‘grew up’ with a firm conviction that in terms of geological reasons) to ‘spread’ west towards the Cornish border! This explains why I took part in the Tamar Valley AONB’s Discovery Trail Challenge at the end of July. A 25-mile walk from Tamerton Foliot to Lifton seemed a good way to learn more about the valley (plus a stretch of the Tavy
Subscription rates £16.50 UK: From £18.95 overseas The editor is always pleased to consider material for publication. Any transparencies, prints and copy sent by post must be accompanied by an SAE for their return. Material that is on offer elsewhere cannot be accepted. It must be original and not infringe the copyright of others. Authors and contributors must have obtained the copyright holder or archive’s permission to use any photographs, drawings or maps etc submitted. We are unable to accept poetry or fiction. The views expressed by contributors to Dartmoor Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly. Edgemoor Publishing cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. IMPORTANT NOTICE No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system (including CDs) or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.
towards Bere Ferrers). It was a wonderful day, dipping in and out of Devon and Cornwall, and with a surprising amount of ascent and descent. The fastest walkers completed in 10½ hours while the ‘slowest’ took 13½, all the time raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. I linked up with a cheerful threesome who originated from Callington, and we finished 5 miles short of Lifton at Milton Abbot (at which point my GPS registered 25 miles, and one of our party was painfully blistered). Thanks to Debs, Lisa and Steve for their company; also to Tamar Valley AONB and their volunteers, as well as Ginsters (for pasties dished out on the ferry crossing at Calstock, under the care of Mike Hooton) and Mitchelcombe’s Pure Dartmoor Water for bottled water supplied throughout the Trail. And so to this issue. As usual features cover the whole gamut, from Whiteface Dartmoor sheep, a look at the future of the Dartmoor commons, and an examination of the moor’s river systems, to a visit to The Husbandry School near Ashburton, and a look at how Tavistock is squaring up to the recession. I hope you enjoy it all.
dartmoor People, places and pursuits
magazine
Sue Viccars Editor
When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it
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CONTENTS 12 FROM A DARTMOOR HILL FARM
56 summer floods
1628–2012 Richard Horsham
Anton Coaker goes vernacular
58 moor food
14 fanfare for the common man
Norman Cowling on the history – and future – of Dartmoor’s commons
63 WALK AND EAT Drewsteignton and the Teign Gorge – Sue Viccars
18 the whitefaces
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Tom Widdicombe shares his experiences of this iconic breed
21 DARTMOOR CURIOSITIES In the upper Meavy Valley with Simon Dell
22 billy’s tor The story of Billy Easterbrook Nigel Tigwell
24 ST CLEMENT’S DAY and Finch Foundry Robert Hesketh marks an annual celebration
28 dartmoor village life in Old Photographs Children
Lori M. Reich visits The Husbandry School near Ashburton
45 tavistock Open for business
66 IN THE GARDEN Ideas for autumn from Val Tame
68 walking on dartmoor Deborah Martin explores the southern moor from Cornwood
Julia Wherrell
48 nick baker’s dartmoor autumn
82 The last word With Tony Beard
With photographs by John Walters
50 land of legends The Devil on Dartmoor – Mary Tavy
52 dartmoor arts
REGULARS 3
News and reviews with Susanne Haines
From the Editor
6 In the News 57 Subscribe
and young people – Peter F. Mason
71 Book Reviews
32 an uncle tom cobley walk Christopher Thomas
72 News from the National Trust
traces the route from Spreyton to Widecombe
74 News from Dartmoor National Park Authority
37 ashburton futures
77 Letters to the Editor
Preparing for colder weather: Katie Thompson looks at a recent initiative
78 Crossword & Diary September, October, November
40 understanding the dartmoor landscape part 7 Rivers Richard Horsham COVER PHOTOGRAPH Grimspound Border Morris PHOTOGRAPH IAN TOMEY www.grimspound.org.uk
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OPPOSITE Highland cow near Wheal Betsy PHOTOGRAPH Richard Sercombe RIGHT Evidence of a wet summer!
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