Burrator

BEACON Autumn 2018

Re-opening of Burrator reservoir after it was raised in 1928 (Photo credit: South West Water)

2 Burrator Beacon Editorial – Karen Batson As you have driven across Dartmoor, you may have noticed signs showing the number of sheep or ponies killed by vehicles in a particular area of the moor. Sadly, this is an ongoing problem. There are two articles after the Clerk’s Report about this important issue, which relate directly to our parish. Thanks must go to those volunteers who are giving up their own time to protect our livestock and, it must be said, US! Who knows how long it will be before another member of the public is a victim of those who continue to put their own needs first before the safety of all? On a lighter note, there are lots of interesting reports in this issue, which bear testament to all those other volunteers who work hard to stage events and entertainment for our benefit. The winter issue of the Burrator Beacon will be published at the end of November. Deadline for copy will be Tuesday 6th November, at the latest. That issue will cover the months up until the end of February 2019. Don’t forget, this is your magazine for your parish, so we would like to hear from you! Do consider writing a piece about any of the events you have participated in, or visited, in our area. We need to spread the word about all the great things that happen around here. Please send all submissions as Word attachments, as this makes the cut and pasting process much simpler!

Parish Clerk’s Report – Lucie Luke The Planning Committee have recently been consulted on the following applications with the Parish Council’s comments in bold:

0305/18 Proposed installation of BT cabinet, addition of antennas to existing telegraph pole and ancillary equipment, Telegraph pole at Burrator Dam, Burrator Reservoir, Yelverton SUPPORTED Application 0301/18 Proposed erection of side extension to orangery, 2 Boundary Road, Dousland. SUPPORTED 0329/18 Proposed erection of polytunnel, land at Walkhampton (SX53006917), Yelverton. NEUTRAL VIEW 0320/18 Proposed erection of agricultural building for storage of machinery and fodder (12.2x9.1m), Down Farm, Lovaton. SUPPORTED 0355/18 Proposed erection of first floor extension and alterations to north and south elevations of dwelling, 15 Merrivale View Road, Dousland NEUTRAL VIEW

Following a small chimney fire at The Royal Oak Inn it has been agreed to fit a traditional multifuel stove and new flue making the Inn warmer and safer The inscription to the Meavy War Memorial is an ongoing matter with the railings requiring to be temporarily removed for the inscriber to fit the equipment in. This will allow however the railings to be overhauled. The notice board in Walkhampton has been successfully installed and is in regular use by the community. The Parish Council will continue to monitor the other notice boards throughout the area.

Burrator Beacon 3 Community Speedwatch seeking to protect livestock in the parish Isobel Parris

Did you know that in the first seven months of 2018, the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society recorded 95 fatalities of ponies, cattle and sheep and a further 14 casualties, some with horrendous injuries? Many of these tragic incidents were avoidable and were the result of drivers either exceeding the speed limit or travelling too fast in poor conditions in areas where animals graze. Would you believe that on a Sunday lunchtime summer’s day the vehicle activated sign on Peek Hill recorded a speed of 128 mph approaching the Leedon corner, which is a blind bend? Dartmoor needs to be a safe environment for road users, walkers and for livestock to thrive; we have a responsibility to ensure that it is. Speed Watch is there to help us achieve this. I joined Speed Watch in 2017. It is a national scheme which is community based and its purpose is to educate drivers to slow down, respect speed limits and drive responsibly. If we can achieve this then, not only will the safety of all road users be enhanced, but the number of accidents involving livestock should also reduce. The scheme is run by police volunteers using individuals recruited locally; it is hoped to have a dedicated Dousland team in the near future. So what do we do? We are organised in teams of between 2 and 4 people and are equipped with a police radar gun, high visibility clothing and signs to alert drivers to our presence. As volunteers, we have no power to issue fines or other penalties. However, we do record the details of speeding vehicles and this data is uploaded to the police for follow-on action. After a first occasion of speeding the driver will receive a letter from the police. After two incidents a visit from the police will result, with three instances leading to a prosecution. Speed watch is keen to spread the word about road safety on the moor and recently, along with a Police Community Support Officer, I have been visiting local junior schools to talk to the pupils about the hazards and risks associated with driving too fast. This has been a very rewarding experience with my audiences eager to learn. My work to reduce the number of livestock fatalities goes beyond my membership of Speed Watch. Earlier this year a 3-day old foal was hit and badly injured; the vehicle drove on. This incident happened in an area where the national speed limit (60 mph) prevails. Despite there being animals grazing, there are many such unrestricted areas in our parish and across the moor. This awful event convinced me that yet more needed to be done. My initial step was to start a paper petition. This was going well but clearly an on-line petition could achieve more. This petition can be found at Changeorg.Dartmoor National Park/Animals endangered. It calls for: • All unfenced moorland roads to have a 40 mph maximum speed limit. • To have bracken cut back so that animals are more visible. • Warning signs stating that animals are freely grazing. • Do not feed the ponies signs. • An added bonus would be vehicle activated signs.

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In closing I would like to thank the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, the Princetown-based Speed Watch and The Burrator Parish Council, all of whom have supported me in my campaign. Let us make Dartmoor a safe environment for road users, walkers and for livestock to thrive. To do nothing is not an option.

Dousland's Dangerous Roads Isobel Parris

Having lived in Walkhampton and Dousland for the past 33 years I have been aware that speeding in the village is a major concern, particularly on the B3212 and the Burrator Road. Evolving work on the Burrator Community Plan has confirmed that a significant number of Dousland households are unhappy with drivers’ speed and believe that action is needed, with a number preferring to use their car as they feel unsafe walking. Whilst many Parish Councillors have tried to find solutions, with the late Bobbie Williams (Borough Councillor) coming close to getting the long-needed footpath from Dousland to Woodman’s Corner, priorities have sadly changed. Regrettably little has changed over the years. By way of illustration, the owners of Moorlands on Peek Hill have had to rebuild their wall four times following vehicles losing control. Not only are people and property at risk from speeding but animals are in danger as well. The cattle grid at Welltown Cross frequently fills up with leaves enabling livestock to cross; I have often found myself shepherding them back to safe ground or contacting the farmer. There are 21 households with access to the B3212 in this particular area and there is also traffic coming off Yennadon Down. This, combined with the blind bends, makes 60mph both excessive and dangerous. I believe that speeding has worsened over the years, with increased volume of traffic adding to the problem. As a result I have started a petition to decrease the 60 mph limit from Peek Hill to 40mph, with the limit to remain at 30mph in the village, and then 40mph to Woodman’s Corner. I also ask for a footpath from Dousland to Woodman’s Corner. The petition is still available for signing in Dousland Post Office. I believe we must not give up trying to achieve our aim and I have approached our County Councillor to see if monitoring devices can be installed. Also, by the time you are reading this, I hope we will have a Speed Watch team in place in Dousland; anyone interested in taking part, please contact me on 01822 855041. Please remember that there has already been one accidental death and not so long ago a young girl was in a coma in Derriford for a period of time having been hit by a vehicle. Surely it is time that the safety of the Dousland residents is addressed before another serious accident occurs.

Burrator Beacon 5 Articles for the Burrator Beacon Andy Paskins

I am involved in the Community Led Planning exercise currently being undertaken in the communities in the Combined Parishes of Burrator. Feedback from the consultation in Walkhampton flagged up that residents were conscious of the disparity in number of articles about the different communities and asking for more about Walkhampton. Looking at this Summer’s edition of the Burrator Beacon, and excluding the editorial, I note that there are four good pages of input about Walkhampton, around two pages relating to Sheepstor, a bit about Meavy and very little about Dousland per se. This edition may be unusual, in that this year is the 10th Anniversary of start-up of the Walkhampton Market and Coffee Shop, and contains a review of how it all began. The editor has her hands full in editing submissions made for the quarterly publication. However, it is for the readers and residents, of the various communities served by the Beacon, to furnish the editor with suitable, positive, interesting articles for publication. As such I am writing this article to encourage you, the readers, to put pen to paper, or fire up your laptop or tablet, and to write and submit an article on a topical subject or a particular personal interest for publication. The editor, I am sure, will manage the content to ensure a well-balanced content. But this can only be done if the articles are submitted in the first place. So, get to it and remember the deadline for submission is given at the bottom of the Editorial, as are the details for format. I am sure that hand written articles would also be considered, but would need to be legible. Photos can also be included for added interest but remember the Burrator Beacon is in black and white.

Village Halls Please support our local village halls for your meetings, parties and activities. All the halls have disabled access and they vary in size and facilities so one of them will suit your requirements. All the Halls are run by willing volunteers who strive to keep them in good repair providing vital facilities for our communities. Meavy Parish Hall Alison Stoker 853389 Sheepstor Village Hall Patrick Drennan 853186 Walkhampton Memorial Hall Sheila Glanville 859215 They will be able to advise you on availability, hire charges and terms & conditions of hire.

6 Burrator Beacon What’s on in Sheepstor…

Sheepstor Village Hall Report Summer 2018 Patrick Drennan - Chairperson Sheepstor Village Hall

Sheepstor Open Gardens Event 2018 was a fantastic success, our best ever on the profit side (>£2200), helped in some part by the appearance of several rambling groups wanting refreshment rather than horticultural enlightenment! Saturday saw a steady stream of visitors, some deliberately avoiding the alternative TV attractions, and some wishing to visit the Yelverton open garden scheme the next day. Sunday was full on so an extra special thankyou to Corinna & Sue for keeping their cool mentally if not physically! Many many thanks to all of you who contributed in some shape or form to SOGE 2018, be it refreshment donors, plant givers, bakers (and for all I know there may have been butchers too but no candlestickmakers that I am aware of), car park providers, sign erectors, info pass-er-on-ers, garden openers, raffle organisers and prize donors, thinkers and producers of lists of things that needed to be organised, the Sheepstor frontier sustenance posts at Yellowmead & Yeo House, photographers, and last, but very definitely not least, the sweat shop workers in the Hall kitchen who kept the refreshment show on the road through some challenging moments, especially on Sunday when all the hitchhikers of the galaxy descended for revitalisation! I’ve probably forgotten a category of helper in that line up, but when I cogitate on’t, I realise what a mammoth undertaking Sheepstor village takes on biennially, with only a score or so of households to do it all. We are also fortunate to have very supportive ex villagers and some from outside Sheepstor parish who care very much about its welfare. Thanks also to the Sheepstor Brook temporary linesmen, aka Simon, Mark, Trevor, Esther & Annie who joined me in pulling out the water hemlock, and David for disposing of it safely. At the request of several Sheepstor Parish residents, the SVH Officers for 2018-9 are myself as Chairperson, Corinna Legassick as Vice Chair, Trevor Rookes as Secretariat and Simon Sheard as Treasurer. The next committee meeting is on August 31st. The SVH Constitution & Deeds subcommittee consists of Stephen Hopson, Richard Bayly, Simon Sheard and Trevor Rookes, who are tasked to come up with some solutions to the issue. Future Events, Dates for your diary: Quiz, with Curry & Stew supper, 7 pm on Friday October 5th (details from Chairperson); Ninebarrow concert St Leonard’s Church on Wednesday October 17th (details elsewhere); German evening on Friday November 30th at 7pm (final details to be published later). We hope to have a talk on a local subject in the early Spring of 2019 so any suggestions to the management please! 01822 853186; [email protected]

Burrator Beacon 7 Sheepstor Villages in Action Patrick Drennan

Seventy-eight punters paid up for the Adam Bulley & Chas MacKenzie, formerly known as ”Wingin’It”, concert at St Leonard’s Church on Friday April 6th, which was another great success. They had both developed a few grey hairs since Annie & I last saw them some years ago in Ullapool, but their music and repartee was as good if not better than ever! Carn to Cove/Villages in Action received £550+, and the Friends of St Leonard’s and Sheepstor Village Hall got £200+ each. The next concert will be on Wednesday October 24th at 7.30 pm, featuring a return from Ninebarrow, who have gone from strength to strength since last performing here over two years ago. ‘Ninebarrow are a multi-award-winning folk duo, who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition. Described by Mark Radcliffe as sounding ‘like two halves of one voice’ and by Kate Rusby as ‘absolutely amazing’, Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere combine breath taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering original songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles. As well as crafting unique and engaging original material, Ninebarrow also take a wide-range of traditional folk songs and rework them in their own, distinctive way’. In 2017, the duo were nominated at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the ’Horizon’ category for ‘Best Emerging Artist’. One of the highest accolades in their genre, it was made even more exceptional because it was only a few months prior to this that Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere relinquished their jobs as a teacher and GP in favour of a full-time music career. Do look at their web site www.ninebarrow.co.uk/about and/or the You Tube videos. They are now full time music makers and are very busy around the country so I am very grateful to them for honouring their offer to come back made when there was still uncertainty over the future of the C2C/VIA initiative. Tickets are available from myself at £10 adult, £7 child on 01822 853186, or enquiries on line at [email protected]. Doors will open at 7 pm, and refreshments will be served from that time, with the concert starting at 7.30 pm. This concert is a not a C2C/VIA promotion so I’m very grateful as ever for the financial backing, if needed, from Sheepstor PCC, SVH & the Friends of St Leonard’s. Profits after the artists’ fees will be split equally between FOSLS & SVH. and Walkhampton…

Walkhampton Memorial Hall - What’s Happening at the Hall Pete Shapcott

Many of you will be aware we are finalising the plans for the next phase of Project George. By the time you read this we will be getting a costing for the work and targeted fundraising will begin. We now have broadband Wi-Fi at the hall which we hope will make the Hall more user friendly.

8 Burrator Beacon Events and Activities On Saturday 1st September we will be holding a village BBQ. If you would like to bring your Classic vehicle or head turner please do and enjoy your BBQ with other petrol heads. There will be a bar. Hope to see you all there. On December 14th 2018 we are having a quiz in aid of Project George. Keep an eye out for posters nearer the time. Your quiz master will be Shaun McDermott. These evenings are always great fun so book early to get a table. The Cream Tea which was held on the 8th July was a great success and raised £250 for Project George. Thank you to all who supported and helped at the event. The Art group will again be running classes next term on Monday afternoons. Please ring Joan on 01822 617548. This is a very friendly group for all abilities with professional tuition. Short Mat Bowls meet on a Wednesday evening and all are welcome. Perhaps you are looking for a new challenge and some good company. Yoga classes are on a Tuesday evening in term time. Please contact Una Miller on 01822 853355 Walkhampton Pre School said goodbye to Pat Woodgate who has retired after successfully leading the group for 15 years. She is replaced by Shell Thomas. Facebook users can find us @Walkhampton Memorial Hall.

Walkhampton Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale 2018 Sue Andrew

As summer days turn to autumn, thoughts turn to Walkhampton’s Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale, held every year in Walkhampton Memorial Hall. The exhibition gives professional and amateur artists, who are mostly local, the opportunity to show original art in oil, watercolour, acrylic, pastel, and graphite, alongside craft in textile, clay, glass, bronze resin and wood. Also on sale are beads, semi-precious stone and pearl jewellery, soaps, candles, cards and photographs. The exhibition runs for four days from Thursday 25th October until Sunday 28th October with opening hours from Thursday to Saturday 10am until 6pm and Sunday 10am until 4pm. Our preview evening, with wine and nibbles, is on Wednesday 24th October from 6pm until 8pm – all are welcome. Last year’s show was a great success with over £1500 raised through commission on sales, donations, and our raffle, for ‘Project George’, Walkhampton’s plan for an extension to the Memorial Hall. This year we will again be supporting this worthy cause, in order to deliver greatly improved facilities for all hall and sports field users. As usual, teas, coffees, delicious home-made cakes and light lunches will be available from our in-house café, The Pantry. Parking is plentiful and entry free. We look forward to seeing you! For further details, please take a look at our website: www.walkhampton-arts.org

Painting by Alan Clarke Burrator Beacon 9

Walkhampton Hall BBQ - In Aid of Project George

Saturday 1st September 2pm Enjoy locally produced burgers and sausages cooked by the Village BBQ Team or enjoy tea, coffee and a selection of Homemade cakes

Licensed Bar Classic vehicles welcome

and Meavy….

Entertainment at Meavy Parish Hall Michael Parle

From last September through to June Meavy Parish Hall has had two monthly entertainment events, a cinema show and a music night. The purpose is to provide the local community with easily accessible entertainment. The cinema shows have included films such as Dunkirk, Goodbye Christopher Robin and The Greatest Showman. Our music nights have included folk, rock and jazz, with local performers such as Geoff Lakeman, Fallen Cedars and Desperate Measures. Having had a short summer break, Meavy Parish Hall will resume the cinema shows and music nights in September. The first film on Friday 7th September will be The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a film that relates the experiences of the residents of Guernsey during the Nazi occupation in World War II. All cinema shows will be on the first Friday of each month. The first music night will be on a Friday later in September. The music nights will generally be on the third Friday of each month. For both cinema shows and music nights the start time is 8pm. We have a licensed bar, with all profits from the bar going towards the upkeep of the hall. Full details of Meavy Parish Hall entertainment events can be found on the Meavy website at meavy.org.uk. Also, we have an events mailing list to send emails about a week before each event to alert you of upcoming entertainment events in Meavy. Click on the Meavy website homepage if you would like to be added to this mailing list. If you have suggestions for films or performers that you would like to see at Meavy Parish Hall please send an email to [email protected].

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Music at Meavy Parish Hall

MEAVY GARDEN SOCIETY MEETINGS

Monday 17th September Richard Horswood talk on ‘Success and Failure with Alpines - How to Grow Them’ From Honiton. plants for sale. Note: Richard is a retired biology teacher, and Secretary of the Somerset group of the Alpine Garden Society. He does at least 20 different talks on alpines, some based on his 20 years' experience of European alpine plant expeditions.

Monday 15th October Peter Savage (Bowdens Hostas) talk on ‘Ferns`

Monday 19th November Gill Hazell (Great Western Gladiolus) talk on ‘So You Think You Know Gladiolus! (Their History, Growing and Showing)’ Great Western Gladiolus, 9 Ash Lane, Wells. BA5 2LT (near Bristol) Note: Gill and her daughter run a gladiolus mail order nursery near Wells.

All meetings start at 7.30pm Meavy Parish Hall. Refreshments, time to chat and often plants for sale from 7pm. Enquiries 01822 852672 and 01822 852984

Visitors very welcome

Burrator Beacon 11 Yelverton & District Local History Society Nigel Rendle (Chairman)

The Royal Clarence Fire and St Martin’s Island

Dr Todd Gray returned after his injury last year to explain about the fire which almost destroyed the Royal Clarence hotel in Cathedral Yard, Exeter. It began in the early hours of Friday 28th October 2016 in the Mansion House building and quickly spread to Well House next door; 100 fire-fighters tackled the fire which lasted for hours with the added complication of a ruptured gas main in the hotel. Todd was called in by Radio Devon to inform them of the background to the hotel to assist with the possible problems resulting from the age of the building as the fire officers did not know the history and the Council had not sent a listed building officer to the scene. He also did many other interviews for TV and Radio. The hotel consists of 4 buildings: the Central block is the original 18th century part with 2 floors each of stone and timber, but because the building reports had been destroyed, copies had to be obtained to prove the structures did not need to be demolished. The Royal Clarence is situated in what is known as St Martin’s Island consisting of the properties within the boundaries of High Street, Broadgate, Cathedral Yard and St Martin’s Lane. As some of the shops in the High Street are 15th century these needed to be saved. It took 5 months just to clear the rubble inside the hotel. Mansion House, an 1870s building designed by a dentist, was completely gutted and is not going to be restored inside. Inside the Well House (dating from 1500 or before) a well was found in 1936 and thought to have ‘holy properties’ but is now thought to have been a garderobe! The hotel was built on Roman and Anglo Saxon remains and, as a result of the fire, a medieval banqueting hall has been revealed. The hotel was named after the Duchess of Clarence (Adelaide) who visited in the 1820s; before that it was called Thompson’s (after the proprietor) and called an “hotel” from the 1760s. Inside the ‘island’ there are 20 houses with no access to the outside with the buildings well documented; amazingly untouched by the blitz. There are a number of buildings on the High Street and there have been lots of alterations over time. Todd went on to list some of them, showing pictures of the changes to the fronts and the heights, giving lists of the occupants and things that have been discovered as a result of the fire. There is still a lot of archaeological work being done with many buildings changed or destroyed. The hotel is due to be re-opened by Christmas 2019 with an extra floor; it will be modern inside. Todd has written a book on the above ‘St Martin’s Island – an introductory history of 42 Exeter buildings’ to record his usual extensive research.

Ivybridge and the 4 Parishes

Sheila Hancox, a new speaker for our Society, gave an entertaining talk on the birth and rise of Ivybridge, how it grew from being just a crossing point over the River Erme to the fastest growing town in Europe.

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Ivebrugge was originally just a narrow 13th century packhorse bridge on the route between Exeter and Plymouth, on the boundary of the four parishes of Cornwood, Harford, Ermington and Ugborough – a total population of c4,000. Although a chapel existed nearby from 1402, it was not until the 16th century onwards that things began to change during the Industrial Revolution with the building of mills to take advantage of the strong river flow, one of which was the Stowford paper mill, built in 1787 and becoming the major employer in the area. Following the Turnpike Act of 1753 and the arrival of stage coaches on the daily post routes the local roads were widened and a new need arose for overnight stays. The London Hotel (originally the Swan Inn) was built along with a Constitutional Club, a church and houses on Erme Road. Further inns and a new chapel soon followed as the population began to grow. By 1834 a new bridge had been built with another road by-passing the original. More big changes came with the arrival of the railway in 1848 and Brunel’s iconic wooden viaduct over the river. John Allen bought the paper mill and invested heavily, picking up the business of paper making for all postage stamps; the first post office opened in 1850. 1856 saw the first school and private ones soon followed. William Cotton, a nephew of the owners of Lukesland, fell in love with the area and bought Highlands House. An avid art collector, he took an active role in the area particularly concerning himself with the eradication of cholera, forming a local board of health. By now the new village had a 5 mile border of its own. A reservoir to serve the village was built in 1874 plus a police station with its own “Inspector of Nuisances” and the Dame Hannah Rogers School opened in 1887. By 1894 a new viaduct had been built and the village was independent of its neighbours with a population of almost 2,000 and managed by the Urban District Council. The 1911 census shows that people from all over the world were moving to the area. Wiggins Teape took over the paper mill in 1924 and trade was booming with contracts for all types of security documents including birth certificates and pension books with their trademark watermarks. Changes in technology forced its closure after 226 years in 2013. It is currently being converted to apartments but with a heritage centre. In 1977 Ivybridge became a Town and during the 1980’s was proclaimed as the fastest growing one in Europe. It is now the largest in the South Hams with over 14,000 residents and still growing. Overlooked by the lofty Western Beacon, it still prospers as the gateway to Dartmoor and the start of the Two Moors Way.

Full details of our 2018 programme are available on our website. Also summaries of other past events are available at www.yelvertonhistory.org.uk

‘A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots....’ Marcus Garvey

Burrator Beacon 13 Now You See It, Now You Don’t… Cllr M. Ellis

After many years of good service the B1322 Dousland K6 cast iron telephone kiosk has finally been removed, when it was in situ many of us probably drove past it without a second glance? Others might not have even noticed it gone! There was discussion whether we should adopt or renovate it but thoughts and ideas never seemed to get off the ground, even an article placed in the Beacon had little response. The K6 was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott and commissioned by the General Post Office in 1935 to commemorate the silver Jubilee of King George V. Introduced in 1936 with a total of over 60,000 installed of which approximately only 10,000 still remaining. You can still see some of these kiosks within our parish, at Sheepstor village, Meavy and Walkhampton. In recent years local communities have tried to re-invent the old unloved dilapidated telephone kiosks by adopting them, bringing them back to life. Some communities have renovated them and turned them into mini Libraries or notice information boards. The Community Heartbeat Trust campaigned for redundant kiosks to be turned into defibrillators stations. Recently Kingsbridge Town Council adopted one and turned it into a Tiny Nightclub, this was featured on the local and national news. Many will survive but many will not, gradually over time they will most likely all disappear, a sign of the times maybe? Modern continual evolving technology will always replace the past, at present the trend is faster and faster smart phones, Internet and WIFI. What the future holds is most probably not even a concept at present or something we even can’t imagine, or is it already being developed?

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Watercolour Art Sessions With local artist Janet Farrage - suitable for beginners & experienced artists The Burrator Inn, Dousland, nr Yelverton Tuesdays 10am-12noon

The Brook Inn, Plympton St Maurice -Wednesday 10am-12noon

Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre, Plympton - Thursdays 10am-12noon

£7 per session – pay as you go – Free easy parking For more information call or text Janet on Mobile: 07742 983311

We meet at Princetown Community Centre on the first Tuesday of the month, at 19:00 for a 19:30 start. 5th June Andrew Crabb Hound Tor Medieval village. Meet at Hound Tor car park, SX 7400 7925. 3rd July Paul Rendell Haymeadow walk. Meet at DNPA car park, Postbridge. Booking essential. Numbers limited to 15. The new owners of the meadows have asked "do we want a basic BBQ (hot dog/burger) and a hot drink for £4.00 per person." Please inform me well before the date. 7th August Simon Dell Tavistock Town Walk. Meet 19:00 at Court Gate Arch, outside the museum. princetownhistoryclub.weebly.com

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Australian Family’s Long-lost Links to Ditsworthy Keith Scrivener

A DESCENDANT of one of Dartmoor’s oldest farming families has travelled from Australia to follow his roots back to the famous and remote Ditsworthy Warren House at Sheepstor. George Ware aged 19 from Hay in New South Wales can trace his family links back to 1829 at the Warren House where successive generations made a living from farming rabbits, ending finally in the 1940s with the death of the well-known ‘Granny’ Ware - a stalwart and tough old lady who lived and ran the business at the lonely farmhouse on her own. George’s great great grandfather Thomas was the son of William Ware and was born at the Warren. He married Mary Bickle of Meavy and the pair emigrated to Australia in 1887 where Thomas found a new life working as a carpenter, joiner and moulder. George has been tracing the history of the Wares who remained behind on Dartmoor. One of his ancestors Nicholas was the publican at the Royal Oak Inn at Meavy in 1829. He went on to take over the warren at Ditsworthy where his family remained for more than a century. In its heyday Ditsworthy was the largest rabbit warren in England and required teams of men, dogs, ferrets and donkeys to collect the rabbits. Once 480 rabbits were caught before breakfast! A stained glass window in Sheepstor Church is dedicated to the memory of Celia Jane Ware born in 1845 who became the local schoolmistress while her husband William continued working the rabbit warrens in the village. Ditsworthy Warren House received world-wide attention in 2011 when Steven Spielberg used the building as a central location in his blockbuster film ‘War Horse’. George has spent many hours compiling the Ware family history and would be interested to hear from anyone who can assist his research. George’s e mail address is: [email protected] Our photo shows George at Ditsworthy Warren House after being guided there by local Dartmoor enthusiast and walker Terry Bumford.

16 Burrator Beacon Lady Modiford’s School, Walkhampton Sue Andrew

Next year, Lady Modiford’s School, Walkhampton, celebrates its tercentenary. On the ninth of September 1719 a document was signed by Lady Elizabeth Modyford endowing a charity school for twenty poor boys. The boys were to be taught ‘to read, write and cast accounts’ for a period of four years, from the ages of nine until thirteen. Ten girls were admitted to the school in 1785, to be instructed in the same subjects as the boys, but with the addition of sewing and knitting. Times have changed a little since those days! The school is planning to celebrate its long history and various events are planned, including digging up a time capsule buried at its 275th anniversary in 1994, a musical production, a church service, and very probably a good party! We also hope to write a new history of the school – the last being written by the then headmaster Lionel Govier for the school’s 250th anniversary in 1969. To that end, we would be very grateful for memories of the school, and particularly for old photographs that we can reproduce in our book. Please contact Sue Andrew, Church House, Walkhampton, on 01822 853008 or email [email protected]

Drawing by Peter Andrew aged 9 in 1994

Burrator Beacon 17 Burrator Reservoir News Emily Cannon – Community & Learning Officer

Alongside the beautiful bluebells and fantastically tall fox gloves came the long hot summer, clearly evidenced by looking at the reservoirs water level. As I write this we are currently at 39% (on13 August). “Should we be worried - it’s so low? Has been a frequent question by site and centre visitors alike. Last month we received a Reservoir Levels board, which has been installed at the front of the centre, which we will update weekly using information provided by South West Water. Over the summer months our Monday/Tuesday volunteer team have been busy helping Sam carry out a lot of routine site maintenance tasks, and in addition have transformed a section of inner reservoir footpath, so that walkers can walk with ease and not have to climb over obstacles, and more recently we managed to secure some money to remove the chicken wire along the boardwalk in the Arboretum, and replace it with grip strip. As of today, 383 boards have been painstakingly installed, only 683 to go! In addition the Midweek and Volunteer groups, have continued to remove and collect up redundant tree guards, remove redundant trail markers, carry out the annual programme of bracken bashing around our key archaeological sites, and clear bracken and bramble away from the newly planted trees. For several days we have been helped by enthusiastic teams from DWP Plymouth. As well as practical volunteering we also have volunteers involved in our monthly bat box survey programme. We have now been surveying the bat boxes at Burrator for eight years and we have learnt a lot. So far, we have found eight species of bat using the boxes: Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Brown Long-eared, Daubentons bat, Natterers bat, Whiskered bat, Barbastelle and Noctule. Every single box (120) has been occupied by bats over the eight years. The most bats recorded in one box is 36 (Natterers). Understanding our bat population over the years helps us to understand the health of our ecosystem and guide future habitat management planning. If you would like to get involved in our monthly bat box surveys please get in touch. On Wednesday 6 June we hosted a training day on butterfly identification and survey techniques led by Megan from the Butterfly Conservation Trust. We then spent the afternoon surveying the Cross Gate area to see if we could spot any Marsh Fritillaries or Small Pearl–bordered Fritillaries, last recorded in 2008 and 2011 respectively. We were really pleased to find 7 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries! Towards the end of June, as part of their studies, two ESOL classes from City College Plymouth joined us, for 2 days work experience, to complement their studies. Over the 4 days the students worked hard carrying out a litter pick around the whole reservoir, dismantling fire pits, clearing overgrown vegetation and fallen tree limbs off of paths, removing rhododendron re-growth, bruising the bracken, suffocating young trees, constructing bat boxes as prototypes for our open day and helping Ben complete his rope making machine! Between May and July we’ve been busy welcoming school visits, helping pupils learn more about our amazing environment, which has involved lots of pond dipping and bug hunting plus lots of fun in the forest, woodwork, outdoor cooking and taking on the water filter challenge! Welcome back to ACE Primary, Mount Kelly Prep, Shiphay Learning Academy, St Andrews Primary, Meavy Primary & Lady 18 Burrator Beacon Modifords, Tavistock Primary School, and Ivybridge Community College, and a big Hello to our new guests Widewell Primary Academy. "This was the best day of school ever! I loved looking for bugs and cooking marshmallows on the campfire. All of it was my favourite" Sunday 1 July, recognised the centre's 4th Birthday, and saw 30 + volunteers prepare a day of activities suitable for all ages. On offer were; a short letterbox trail, to introduce this popular Dartmoor hobby, willow weaving, cob oven pizza making, fly fishing taster sessions, rope making and a variety of woodworking tasks. After four weeks of drought we had our first rain in the morning but this was not allowed to dampen spirits. A couple of hastily erected shelters, and some relocation of sites, allowed all planned activities to go ahead. Our visitors were kept active and all said how much they had enjoyed the day and were keen to be kept informed of future opportunities to be involved with the centre. “We had such a fantastic day! Thank you to everyone who put in so much work.” To date, we are now halfway through our August summer holiday family activity days, and this summer the themes have included ‘Explorers, Pre-historic life and Mini beasts that fly!’ In addition to family learning we have compiled a really varied evening talk programme which this summer included Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, History of Willow, Small Mammals of Devon, and Butterflies and Moths with Butterfly ConservationTrust. This year we recognise a double anniversary! It is 120 years since the construction of Burrator Reservoir and 90 years since the raising of Burrator Dam. To celebrate this we will be hosting an exhibition at the Centre on Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 September as part of the National Heritage Open Days programme. In addition we will be leading a number of free short guided walks to look at the dam, and, for the first time ever, the Head Weir Gauging Station, by kind permission of South West Water. Please contact Burrator Discovery Centre dates and timings. We recently received exciting news from Tavistock Police that they have been successful in applying for funding from the Innovation Connectivity Fund to deliver a unique project between the Police, Tavistock College and ourselves (SWLT) this autumn. For a 10-week period, students will come every Tuesday, alternating with joining our midweek conservation group and attending specific skill days for them to learn about safety, team work, orienteering, survival skills, woodwork and outdoor cooking, whilst completing their John Muir Award.

Midweek Volunteer Group – Having just removed & collected loads of redundant tree guards Burrator Beacon 19

Exciting events coming up at Burrator Evening Talks at Burrator Discovery Centre: Wednesday 12 September: 7.30pm-8.30pm - “A double anniversary, 120 years since the construction of Burrator Reservoir and 90 years since the raising of Burrator Dam” by Brian Poole. Thursday 18 October: 7.30pm-8.30pm – “Life on the Ledge”, this will mainly look at peregrines but will also include Kestrels, Tawny Owls and Barn Owls, by Roger Finnamore, South West Peregrine Group. Friday 16 November: 7.30pm-8.30pm – “Fly Fishing at Burrator and elsewhere” by Tony Hern, Burrator Fly Fishing Association. Each talk costs £4 per person and includes refreshments. Please book in advance, details below. Family Wildlife Watch Programme: Come and take part in a range of wildlife and heritage themed activities followed by hot chocolate and biscuits. We meet at Burrator Discovery Centre, unless alternative meeting point has been advertised. £3 per child, £2 per adult. Please wear outdoor clothing & footwear. No booking needed. Sunday 30 September: 10.30am-12.30pm - ‘Fruits & Seeds’ Sunday 28 October: 10.30am-12.30pm – ‘Fungi’ Sunday 25 November: 10.30am-12.30pm - ‘Christmas Woodland Crafts’School Holiday ‘Drop In’ Family Activity Days: Tuesday 23 October: 10:00am-3:00pm Our school holiday family activity days involve a wildlife or heritage themed trail, woodwork, environmental art and outdoor cooking in and around the Burrator Discovery Centre. £3 per child, £2 per adult. Please wear outdoor clothing and footwear. No booking needed. Other Seasonal Events: Wednesday 31 October: 6pm-8.30pm. Come and join us for our annual ‘Spooktacular’ evening at Burrator! Traditional Halloween activities plus night walk, pumpkin carving and spooky stories. Costumes encouraged, but not compulsory. £3 per person. Please book your place in advance. For more information or to book your place please call 01822 855700, e-mail [email protected] or pop into Burrator Discovery Centre.

Volunteering At Burrator There are lots of different volunteering projects to get involved in to suit your interests and time availability. These include site maintenance, practical conservation and archaeological preservation projects, monthly bat surveys, assisting with educational visits and family events, or as a visitor guide in the Discovery Centre, plus much more. Dates for the practical group days are below:

Midweek Days – 10am-3pm • September: Tues 4, Mon 10, Tues 18 and Fri 28 • October: Tues 2, Mon 8, Tues 16, Fri 26 and Tues 30 • November: Mon 5, Tues 13, Mon 19 and Fri 30

Weekend Days – 10.30am-3.30pm • Sun 23 September • Sun 14 October • Sun 11 November

To find out more please pop into Burrator Discovery Centre (open Tues, Wed, Thurs & alternating weekends), ring 01822 855700 or e-mail: Emily at [email protected].

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Free Guided Walks As part of the national Heritage Open Days programme Saturday 8 September: 10am-2pm - “Archaeology in the Meavy valley” lead by Andy Crabb, Archaeologist for Historic England & DNPA. This 7 km walk (with some moderate climbs and steep descents) will cover the following areas: Norsworthy, Roundy Park, Raddick Hill, Black Tor and Stanlake. Saturday 15 September 10.30am-11.30am Or 12pm-1pm: Guided Walks to the Dam to look at the construction of the Reservoir. 2pm-3pm Or 3pm-4pm: Guided walks to look at Head Weir Gauging Station Sunday 16 September 10.30am-11.30am Or 12pm-1pm: Guided walks to look at Head Weir Gauging Station 2pm-3pm Or 3pm-4pm: Guided Walks to the Dam to look at the construction of the Reservoir. The latter walks have been organised in partnership with South West Water. For more information or to book your place please call 01822 855700, e-mail [email protected] or pop into Burrator Discovery Centre.

Volunteer group -Grip strip at Arboretum

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Lovaton Equine Fun Show Sunday September 30th 2018 This year we are also having a small country fair theme. Come along and support your local show raising funds for Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony £1.00 per person entry fee with under 5's free Starting at 9.30am there is lots for everyone to do including seriously fun & novelty horse showing and jumping classes, dressage ring, fun dog show (1.30pm) Try your balance on the Rodeo ride, get the children to try the assault course. Trade stalls - Catering – Bar Tombola – Great Prizes

We will have a main display ring with a sheepdog display, a native pony breeds display, the Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team and much more. Come along for a fun day and treat yourself to a gift from our many stalls. We will be in a field near you on the Yelverton to Cadover road!!!

Further details available 07799836233 [email protected] facebook page lovaton equine fun show www.lovatonfunhorseshow,co.uk

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Bowen Therapy is a holistic therapy and can be helpful in addressing a wide variety of imbalances as well as muscular and structural ones. It is suitable for all ages and people in all walks of life.

Please give me a call if you would like further details or visit: www.burratorbowentherapy.co.uk Tel 01822 258 147 [email protected]

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John Boylett Electrical Services The Smithy, Meavy, Yelverton. PL20 6PJ. Tel: 01822 853456 / 07748 513469 Domestic Electrical Installations - Rewiring - New Builds - Smoke Alarms Consumer Units - Lighting - Electric Showers - New and Replacement sockets All work tested, certificated and guaranteed Very Competitive Rates Friendly local service Part ‘P’ Elecsa Approved Contractor

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Burrator Beacon 27 Dates for your Calendar Page September 1st Barbeque Walkhampton Memorial Hall 7 7th Meavy Cinema 8 17th Meavy Garden Society talk 9 30th Lovaton Equine Fun Show 21 October 5th Meavy Cinema 8 5th Sheepstor Quiz 6 15th Meavy Garden Society talk 9 24th Ninebarrow Concert 6 25th-28th Walkhampton Art & Craft show 7 November 2nd Meavy Cinema 8 19th Meavy Garden Society talk 9 30th Sheepstor German Evening 6 December 7th Meavy Cinema 8 14th Quiz Walkhampton Memorial Hall 7 To have your event included in future issues please send details (date, time location, contact name and phone number) to the Editor as soon as you have decided on the date. This will ensure maximum publicity and avoid clashes with other events. Parish Council Meetings Full Council Meetings are usually held at 7:30pm on the last Thursday of the month (but not always!). For the dates of the next few meetings, please visit the Parish website: www.burrator.gov.uk The Planning, Finance and Royal Oak Inn Committees meet on other dates throughout the year – please contact the Clerk: [email protected] for more details. How to advertise in the Burrator Beacon The Beacon is published quarterly at the end of February, May, August and November and delivered to all homes in Burrator Parish which covers Walkhampton, Dousland, Meavy, Sheepstor, Hoo Meavy and Lovaton. Business are able to advertise in the Beacon at the following rates: Single Issue Four issues Sixes in mm Size of advert to be (approx) when submitted (mm) printed* 1/6 page £12.00 £30.00 30 × 130 42 × 180 1/3 page £20.00 £60.00 60 × 130 85 × 180 half page £30.00 £90.00 90 × 130 130 × 180 full page £48.00 £144.00 180 × 130 260 × 180 *The Beacon is printed A5 size i.e. 210mm high by 148mm wide. However, adverts should be submitted A4 size. All prices are subject to VAT. Invoices will be raised by the Parish Clerk upon receipt of your booking and will be payable upon receipt. Adverts should be submitted to the Editor (details on the back page) electronically, i.e. as an attached Word document.

28 Burrator Beacon BURRATOR GROUPED PARISH COUNCIL List of Members and Telephone Numbers (Area Code 01822) Meavy Village Walkhampton Village Bridget Cole 854810 Graham Palmer 852524 Pauline Fisk 854853 Andrew Paskins 853377 Tricia Powell 854859 Barry Landick 852142 Meavy Dousland Walkhampton Dousland Brian Willis 853901 Corinna Legassick 852613 852613

Jackie Moorhead 854800 Richard Glanville 855914

2x vacancies Michael Ellis 853854 Robin Aves 852904

Sheepstor Clerk to Council Keith Scrivener 854518 Mrs Lucie Luke 614278 The Apartment, The Old Stephen Hopson 852979 Bedford Foundry, Lakeside Tavistock, PL19 0AZ Email: [email protected] Published and issued quarterly, free of charge by Burrator Parish Council. The next edition will be published end of November. Copy deadline Tuesday November 6th 2018. Copy to be sent to the Editor, Mrs Karen Batson, 10 Blackbrook Close, Walkhampton PL20 6JF Tel 855030 email: [email protected] as a Word attachment. If you require this publication in large text please contact the editor: Karen Batson on 855030 Burrator Parish Council is a body which complies with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Contact the Clerk, Mrs. Lucie Luke for specific details about parish business. Advertising: Local events are publicised free of charge. Businesses and clubs and societies (which have membership fees) can advertise in the Beacon and should contact the Editor for advertising rates. A note to advertisers: Please check your adverts as they appear in each issue. Every effort is made to include the correct information at the time of going to press, but omissions can result where adverts are sometimes moved around in order to fit new articles in. Burrator Web Site: The Burrator Parish Website is http://burrator.gov.uk/ You can find details of meetings plus other information. The opinions expressed in the Burrator Beacon are not necessarily those held by Burrator Parish Council. Every effort is made to ensure that information in these pages is accurate. However, the Council cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Including information does not imply recommendation and any subsequent contact is made at readers' own risk. Burrator Beacon 29