WOODBURY

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE cont’d/...

Having described the geography and geology of Dartmoor, Chris talked about facts and then told tales about Dartmoor, passed from generation to generation by locals living in the area. He explained how the mires, tors and valleys have inspired hundreds of years of legends about ghosts, strange beasts and tragic deaths. Evidence of many myths and legends can be seen to this day - the gravestone of a girl called Mary who died after being abandoned, the finger-post marking a hanging site and a memorial in Widecombe church. Two famous authors used well-known legends on which to base their stories: R D Blackmore based Lorna Doone on one such legend, relocating it from Dartmoor to Exmoor, and Conan Doyle used the legend of the Devil Dogs for The Hound Of the Baskervilles, Grimpen Mire being a local mire that the author knew, and the names of the characters people he knew too.

Chris ended his talk on a happier note - at Widecombe Fair with the tale of Uncle Tom Cobley, members joining in the singing. Sue Bury gave the vote of thanks.

After tea and birthday cake, a few business matters included supporting the NFWI Resolution on On-line Gambling Awareness. Courses, walks and trips were advertised, a letter from former member Pauline Wratten was shared, the quiz team were congratulated for coming joint fourth out of 16 teams in the DFWI competition, and Sue Bury invited quizzers to take part in a fund-raising Rotary quiz, taking place in the village hall on Friday 31 March.

The next WI meeting on 9 March will be about Beekeeping, and visitors are welcome.

Lin Milsom-Ashby