Moor Links October/November 2020

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

MOOR LINKS Oct/Nov 2020 | Issue 47

The River Otter Beavers DEVON WILDLIFE TRUST’S 5-YEAR TRIAL

A Passion For Nature And Art

ROBIN ARMSTRONG’S WILDLIFE ART

Orphans in the wild CHANGING LIVES IN TANZANIA

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Animal magic

The deadline date for any inclusions in the December/ January issue of Moor Links will be 28 October 2020. For all editorial enquiries please contact Rosemary via email: rosemary.best@ linksmagazines.co.uk

THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Rosemary Best Writers: Nichola Williams, Kaye Rogers Design: Sara Venner, Julian Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel,

A lot of things have changed recently in the world, especially for us humans. However, the life-cycle of the natural world has continued to revolve as normal, paying little heed to global events. Wildlife and animals in general have also been a huge source of distraction and inspiration in recent months, with people deriving a great deal of comfort and renewed interest in spending more time outdoors and appreciating all the simple pleasures that nature and wildlife have to offer. The reduced pollution of lockdown even started to benefit the environment for a short time, while empty roads and countryside encouraged wildlife to explore new territory. However, as charities struggle to fundraise with events on hold and the impact of austerity on donations, the long-term harm to conservation, and many other worthy causes, could be considerable without urgent action.

Our feature article tells the story of the beavers who set up home in a river in East Devon, and Devon Wildlife Trust’s five-year trial to help them stay. I went to meet Robin Armstrong who has managed to forge a career by combining his passions for art and nature, and we hear how Hoofbeats Equine Rehabilitation Sanctuary has gone from strength to strength, only to find itself struggling as a result of the pandemic. Pete Mayston has the lowdown on mushrooms, Sue Fisher explains how to entice wildlife into your garden and The Box opens in Plymouth with three exciting, new exhibitions.

Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard, Claire Pearce

Tim: 07450 161 929 Jane: 07772 619 808

Front cover image: Grey Wagtail by Maxwell Law, Facebook@MaxwellLawPhotography

Rosemary Best

Editor

Max is also a regular contributor to Facebook group: Horrabridge Nature Sightings

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Contents 5 Feature

24 Charity

43 Book Review

8 Local People

26 Law

44 Business

13 Health & Wellbeing

27 Community News

45 Trade Secrets

17 Farming News

33 What’s On

46 Outdoors & Active

18 Gardening

37 Music & Art

48 History

23 Naturalist

42 Food & Drink

54 Tech Help

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@moorlinks Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to Olijam Communications Ltd the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by such material. The opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. All content is fully covered by copyright laws and reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

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FEATURE

River Otter Beaver Trial This summer marked a landmark moment in conservation when, after years of uncertainty, the government announced that England’s first wild breeding population of beavers for 400 years had been given the permanent right to remain on the River Otter.

The decision signals the first legally sanctioned reintroduction of an extinct native mammal to England and means that up to 15 family groups of wild beavers on the River Otter in East Devon now have a secure future. Devon Wildlife Trust started running a beaver project on a securely-fenced, private site in West Devon in 2011 to monitor the ecological effects of these once-native mammals. Supported by Viridor Credits Environment Company, The Truell Charitable Foundation and Westland Countryside Stewards, research has focused on the impact of beavers on trees, plants, wildlife populations, water quality, water levels and flow rates through the site, proving that their dams have reduced the flow of tonnes of soil and nutrients from nearby agricultural fields into the

local river system. Devon Wildlife Trust’s pioneering five-year River Otter Beaver Trial in East Devon commenced in 2015, coming to a conclusion earlier this year. Mark Elliott led the River Otter Beaver Trial from the beginning and he looks back at this remarkable story, saying: “There was a great deal riding on the government’s decision. Beavers are astonishing animals, capable of breathing life into our rivers and wetland habitats. They are known as a ‘keystone species’, because of the disproportionate impact they have on shaping their environment, and because of the benefits that this brings to a whole host of other wildlife. Beavers also benefit people.

Their wetlands slow the flow of water off the land, reducing flooding and the impacts of droughts – things that will become increasingly important as we face an unfolding climate emergency.”

The beavers’ story stretches back to 2008 when two animals were thought to have escaped or been released by persons

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FEATURE

unknown into East Devon’s River Otter. For several years they lived with relatively few people knowing of their existence.

Things changed in 2013 when evidence emerged that the beavers were breeding. This was big news: the first breeding beaver population in England for 400 years was now living on a Westcountry river. The government responded, proposing to round up the beavers and remove them, but what followed was a fierce campaign from local communities for the beavers to remain. It was then that Devon Wildlife Trust stepped in to broker a compromise; it was agreed the beavers could stay under the conditions of a five-year licence. So, the River Otter Beaver Trial began in 2015, led by Devon Wildlife Trust, working with Clinton Devon Estates (a major local landowner) and our long-standing research partners, the University of Exeter. The trial was set the task of not only monitoring the beavers’ numbers, geographical spread and health, but also researching their impact on local wildlife, the river’s health, on farming and farmland, on people and the local economy.

This was a big job, especially as the trial came with no funding. It has taken a lot of time, energy and dedication from staff, project partners and local volunteers, but five years on, the trial is complete and its findings make striking reading.

The following conclusions are all taken from a detailed investigation led by University of Exeter academic, Professor Richard Brazier (see exeter.ac.uk/creww/research/beavertrial).

Reduced flood risk A sequence of beaver dams constructed upstream of an East Devon village with properties at risk of flooding has seen a reduction in peak flows in that stream.

Beavers thrive Two family-groups in 2015 grew to as many as 13 territories by 2019, with beavers dispersing throughout the River Otter and some of its smaller tributaries. Detailed veterinary work concludes the beavers are healthy and present no significant risk to human, livestock or wildlife health.

Fish jumping dams Videos and pictures of fish jumping a beaver dam also help demonstrate that migrating fish are able to navigate dams in certain flow conditions. The trial’s surveys showed the abundance of fish in beaver pools above dams was 37% higher than in other parts of the river without beaver dams.

Benefits to other wildlife The activities of beavers, especially their dam-building have created new wetlands for local wildlife. Water voles, teal and frogs are just a few examples of species to have benefited from the beavers’ ability to open up scrubby areas of land and raise water levels.

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FEATURE

Local impacts on farming During the trial, beaver dams caused issues with landdrainage at five sites. Devon Wildlife Trust intervened to reduce the impact, sometimes removing dams, and in one place installing a device (a so-called ‘beaver deceiver’) to reduce a dam’s water level.

Beavers like apples There has been no recorded beaver impact on forestry plantations, but small riverside orchards have seen beavers feeding on both windfall apples and apple trees - tree-guards have prevented further damage.

Selective dam building In October 2019 there were 28 dams in place throughout the River Otter’s catchment and only six of the 13 beaver territories contained dams, generally only in the smaller headwater streams and ditches, and not in the main river where the water is already deep enough.

Beavers benefit fish In the River Tale (a tributary of the River Otter) which has fast and strong flows, dams can often be partially destroyed during high rainfall. Their temporary nature has created new features in the river including meanders, shallow gravel beds and pools, which are starting to be used by young trout.

Beavers are popular 2017 national public perception questionnaires found that 86% of 2,741 people surveyed supported beaver reintroduction. By 2019 a repeat survey of 386 people found 90% in support.

The trial shows that the costs of beaver reintroduction are outweighed by the benefit they bring. Beavers provide ecosystem services, including flood alleviation, helping to remove pollution from water supplies and improving or creating wildlife habitat, as well as social gains, most notably a boost in local eco-tourism. Funding will be needed to manage an expanding beaver population, to solve local issues where they arise and support communities with information and education, and particularly provide help for farmers and landowners to allow beavers to create new wetlands. News of other populations of beavers living wild has also emerged from West Devon, North Somerset, the River Wye and elsewhere, seemingly the result of escapes or unsanctioned releases.

Our work to keep beavers in the wild will continue as we monitor their activities, ensuring they continue to live happily alongside the local community.

Devon Wildlife Trust If you would like to support our work you can become a member for as little as £3 a month, or to make a donation please visit devonwildlifetrust.org/support-us/ make-donation.

Photo credit: Mike Symes

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LOCAL PEOPLE

Painting nature Art and nature have always been Robin Armstrong’s passions for as long as he can remember, and a large part of his life has been devoted to creating art – in particular wildlife art.

Robin was born in the years following the war in Basingstoke, where his father had been stationed, although soon after that the family moved to Bromley. Robin describes his childhood as very normal but he vividly recalls exploring the local woods and having a keen interest in the natural world and any wildlife he came across. Drawing became second nature while he was young, but right from the start his subjects were always animals or some part of nature.

His first foray into the world of work came during his teens when the vicar at his mother’s church offered him a job as a messenger boy in London. He realised by his early twenties that he wanted to see more of the world and leapt at the opportunity when one of his relatives put him forward for a

job as a merchant seaman on a three-month round-the-world voyage. He found the experience eye-opening and followed it with another three-month trip, before starting to work in advertising in London. Alongside his day job he still managed to keep painting and began to think of a career in art after joining a commercial London art studio where he progressed to be a studio manager.

In 1969 he decided he had had enough of city life and moved to Kingsteignton, where he stayed with Ewan Clarkson, a keen nature lover, fisherman and environmental writer with whom he had become good friends. Initially to pay his way, he took freelance work selling art in a Moretonhampstead gallery while he continued to paint his own work. Finally, he

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LOCAL PEOPLE

took the plunge and rented a property at Powder Mills where he set about carving out a career as a full-time artist. After his move to Devon he also took up angling, and in the late 70s an opportunity came up to take on the role of river warden on the River Tavy near Tavistock. His keen eye for detail combined with his artistic skills thrived in this watery environment, provoking a raft of beautiful, nature-inspired artwork. In the eighties, a friend suggested that he ghost-write a book for Robin about the experiences of a river warden accompanied by Robin’s illustrations. Their efforts resulted in ‘Painted Stream’ which became a bestseller with 18,000 copies purchased in just one week at the height of its sales. Enjoying a taste of celebrity status, Robin attended book-signings from Tavistock to Harrods in London. He went on to produce several more books after that, three of which he wrote himself about fishing.

After ten years as a river warden Robin left that life behind and set up as a freelance painter, often curating his own exhibitions. Over the years his painting style has gradually and subconsciously evolved, incorporating more contemporary elements, and moving through different phases with inspiration drawn from overseas travel to places such as Africa, Australia and even the Arctic, where he met Robin Knox Johnson who later opened his exhibition entitled ‘The Blue Period’. However, his local habitat of Dartmoor has remained a constant and fundamental aspect of his work, as has his love of nature. He has coped with the isolation of the recent lockdown due to coronavirus by throwing himself into

his work in his Horrabridge art studio based in a converted pig barn, producing a series of paintings for a new exhibition.

Widely regarded as one of the UK’s most respected wildlife artists, he describes the need to paint as ‘building on a craving where he becomes more and more perfectionist’ – during a hard-working art period he often starts early in the morning and can still be found at his easel painting late into the night.

The result is a prolific output of nature-focused work featuring a wealth of wildlife from elegant birds, to stunning fish and adorable otters, as well as his latest departure into abstract landscapes.

Rosemary Best

Saturday 12th to Friday 18th December Robin Armstrong Exhibition A wide selection of Robin’s work will be on display at his latest exhibition in The Art & Frame Centre, Florence Road Business Park, Kelly Bray, Cornwall, PL17 8EX. Exhibition open 10:00am to 4:00pm daily with a preview night on Wednesday 9th December. The Art & Frame Centre is a covid-secure venue but all events are subject to current government guidelines at the time – please check Robin’s website/Facebook page for updates.

For more details about Robin’s work see robinarmstrong.co.uk or facebook.com/robinarmstrongart or contact him at robin. armstrong@yahoo.co.uk.

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LOCAL PEOPLE

Orphans in the Wild When Tavistock sweethearts Vicky Shaw and Geoff Fox married in Whitchurch in December 1962, they knew their life together was going to be anything but ordinary. They emerged from the church to discover the red carpet laid by Vicky’s father had turned white!

The big freeze of 62/63 had started and their car had to be pushed up Whitchurch hill.

Geoff took his bride to Tanzania where he worked for Brooke Bond Tea, then a traditional family-run business. Vicky set up a school for local children in a remote part of Tanzania in the southern highlands called Mufindi where she taught her own boys alongside the local village children. After 28 years working for Brooke Bond, Geoff moved into cattle ranching whilst Vicky, with ever an eye for opportunity, had a lodge built in 10

Rauha to provide safari accommodation.

Demand for safaris increased and soon a number of lodges/camps were built. Vicky and Geoff maintained their Tavistock roots and continue to return every year to their home in Middlemoor which was bought by Vicky’s parents after the war. After attending Mount House and Kelly College their children also came and helped to run Fox Safaris.

In its time Fox Safaris can boast some famous guests, including Hollywood legend James Stewart, and Boris Johnson. Boris even wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph which started ‘we had the good fortune in having our Tanzanian holiday arranged by the Fox

family’ - and his children called Geoff ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ after a Roald Dahl character.

Geoff was used to villagers lining up to register at the Fox Highland Lodge and Farm, seeking employment, but when they included a thin fourteen-year-old boy in rags he was taken aback, not least by the boy’s explanation that he lived with his grandmother with eight other grandchildren, and as the oldest he had been sent out to get work. There is no social security in Tanzania and it was illegal at that time (due to donor country requirements) to employ children under the age of 18. However, culturally after leaving school, they are expected

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LOCAL PEOPLE

to contribute towards the welfare of their family and help educate younger siblings. Geoff made enquiries and found that this was by no means an isolated instance. Tea companies rely on migrant workers and many local girls have little alternative than to turn to prostitution, resulting in an HIV infection rate of 45%, and leaving many children as orphans.

Vicky and Geoff decided to set up a children’s village (they didn’t like the term ‘orphanage’) which was followed by an HIV/Aids testing and treatment centre. The latter has now been taken over by the Tanzanian government, however the children’s village still

remains and the charity ‘Orphans in the Wild’, is entirely run on charitable donations. Currently there are 51 orphans, and a further 35 older children are supported in the surrounding villages with funding for foster homes and education. Like many charities it is suffering a marked downturn in donations. Generous donations by safari guests (Geoff would always give the guests a tour of the children’s village) have dried up as the safari is currently closed due to Covid-19. A previous benefactor agreed to support the village for ten years but this has now reached the end of its term. “It’s a desperate situation,” says Geoff. “If we don’t

generate sufficient funding our children will be homeless. These are the silent victims of Covid-19 and they desperately need our support.”

A donation of £200 would cover the majority of a child’s accommodation and education fees for one year, however any donation would be gratefully received.

Donations can be made via crowdfunder. co.uk/save-the-mufindi-childrens-village and for further information contact Marion@wildorphans.org or 01386 462488.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Breaking down barriers Dr Jo Coldron explains what is happening to make healthcare more accessible for everyone.

Healthcare in the UK is free to all UK residents and available to all. On the surface this seems like an equal provision for all who live in our community, but barriers to accessing healthcare services exist for many groups of people – some of which you or your loved ones may recognise.

When we try and understand which groups experience significant barriers, one immediately thinks of people with disabilities such as mobility issues, vision and hearing loss; those who speak English as a foreign language or can’t read; people who have no fixed address or have substance or alcohol misuse issues. Perhaps less commonly we consider other groups: carers who don’t prioritise their own health needs; people who have had a previous traumatic experience that makes them fearful of healthcare environments; even the fact of being a man can be a barrier to accessing help from your GP. These days not having internet access is a huge barrier to engaging - not just with banking and shopping - but also with healthcare services, as GP surgeries move to more efficient and safe methods of communication and medicine management online, and start to conduct more consultations online.

We, and I’m sure all GP surgeries, are trying to decrease these barriers: we are a certified ‘Dementia Friendly’ surgery; we engage language and signing translators when needed; we have lifts and wheelchairs available; there are lots of different ways to contact us and we try to provide a way that feels possible for all of our patients. We aim to reach out to the most vulnerable in our society and are actively involved in the wider community health services that support those who have barriers to contacting and attending the surgery.

One thing that is extremely difficult to counter is a ‘hidden barrier’, such as the fear of ‘being judged’. This is something we as a practice have targeted over the last few months by being part of the ‘rainbow badge scheme’. If you come to Tavyside Health Centre and Lifton Surgery, you’ll see that a lot of our staff are wearing rainbow badges and lanyards. This pre-dates the rainbows, which wonderfully and joyfully sprang up everywhere for the NHS during the initial phase of the Covid pandemic; it symbolises an open and non-judgemental attitude to people that identify as LGBT+ which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and the + is inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves.

The changing legal framework governing and influencing LGBT+ rights has revolutionised people’s lives since the Sexual Offences act of 1967, but despite huge progress over that time a recent survey in 2018 shows that significant numbers of LGBT+ continue to avoid medical treatment for fear of discrimination. We are just a tiny part of the landscape that young LGBT+ people have to navigate but the more supportive organisations and institutions are around them - their schools, their sports clubs, their GP, local hospital, and workplace, the more they will be able to thrive.

There are many useful websites and resources for LGBT+ people, their peers, family, educational and recreational groups surrounding and supporting them, but a few starting points are as follows: Stonewall has many resources to support LGBT+ people both young and old: stonewall.org.uk Mermaid supports gender diverse children and their families: mermaidsuk.org.uk Intercomtrust is a local charity based in the South West which offers help and support to LGBT+ people: intercomtrust.org.uk ‘This book is Gay’ by Juno Dawson: written by a young adult author, it’s about being lesbian, bisexual, gay, queer, transgender or just curious - a humorous book for everybody, no matter their gender or sexuality.

Dr Jo Coldron Tavyside Health Centre, Tavistock

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

The benefits of reflexology and massage Reflexology is based on an ancient healing art that aims to treat the body, mind and spirit. It may also help in the reduction of pain and discomfort, as well as supporting and maintaining good health in a natural and preventative way.

By using a specific pressure technique that works on precise reflex points on the hands or feet, it helps to clear away unwanted blocked energy throughout the body. It can also complement other treatments for many conditions, such as anxiety, asthma, headaches, digestive issues, fertility, PMS, sinusitis and is suitable for everyone from babies to end of life. Although reflexologists cannot diagnose or claim to offer a cure, they offer one-to-one support through listening, a safe environment and a professional, well trained touch, with bespoke treatments for each individual. Appointment provide a full consultation and all information is completely confidential. A reflexology treatment during this challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic is a beneficial and powerful therapy to help boost the immune system, rebalance the body and restore positivity, aiding better mental health.

“From my first experience of reflexology I cannot recommend it enough. I left the appointment feeling like I was floating on air and all my stress and anxiety had melted away.”

Massage is a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being and no longer just found in spas and beauty salons but in clinics, hospitals and independent businesses.

Once a female domain, it now has a large male clientele who benefit from the different techniques available used

in sports, remedial and deep tissue massage. This hands-on complementary health therapy manipulates the muscles and other soft tissues of the body to improve health and keep the body in a balanced state. Life can be full of stresses and at some point we all experience the high and lows of day-to-day living: lack of sleep, loss of energy and the overwhelming feeling of not being able to cope in general. With today’s wonderful technologies and time-cutting devices we can become increasingly isolated from human touch.

A massage, whether it is a 30-minute neck, shoulder and back, or a 60-minute full body can restore positivity and vigour, removing lethargy and negativity.

Physical health issues such as digestive disorders, headaches, soft tissue strains and injuries, back pain, insomnia, stress and fibromyalgia are just some of the problems that can benefit.

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FARMING NEWS

Focusing on the positives…

In the last few months, the world has been flipped upside down and no one really knows what to expect next. Earlier in the year it was terrible to see our local tourism and hospitality sector closed down but since they have re-opened, they have really done a fantastic job.

From a standing start they leapt into action and have probably recorded their busiest tourist season ever given the numbers of caravans, top boxes, trailers and cars full of families clogging up our roads! It is great to see so many people appreciating Devon heaven and enjoying what we have to offer, but it does sometimes present challenges when you are trying to get around with a tractor or livestock on the road. It is a shame however that August didn’t give us much good weather, but rather biblical rainstorms and floods! Even Princetown got flooded, which is unprecedented as it is at the top of the hill!

However, lamb and sheep prices have been very strong lately which is good for business. Morrisons is taking lots of Dartmoor lamb and paying a premium price to our Dartmoor farmers – it’s great to see a strong trade and a strong demand. We are now stocking 53 stores across southern England and even looking to expand into the Midlands! As well as supplying Morrisons, Dartmoor Farmers is now also exclusively supplying beef and lamb to local wholesaler and online retailer, Dart Fresh from Topsham. It was a

wholesale business that had to evolve quickly during lockdown and provide home deliveries and online sales. Their business has gone from strength to strength and it has been great to see Dartmoor produce going to homes across the South West.

As a farmer I am somewhat cocooned from the outside world on my piece of wet rock on the edge of Dartmoor, but given my role as a director of Dartmoor Farmers it gives me a fantastic insight into what happens to our produce once it leaves our farms. Given that there is going to be a new agricultural bill solely focused on public goods - which doesn’t include food production - never has it been so important for our industry to take our fantastic produce to the customer and tell our story! For too long we have been quietly doing a fantastic job feeding the nation, and delivering the amazing British landscape and environment. The trouble is we forgot to tell anyone we were doing it so we have neglected the most important person in the food chain, you the customer!

I would like to think that during the past few month everyone has had an opportunity to press re-set and briefly look at their lives to see how they can make changes for the better - health and wellbeing, reducing the amount of time spent commuting, working remotely, getting fit, looking after the environment, eating well and many other positive lifestyle choices that this period of shutdown has allowed us to consider. The one thing we have noticed is a massive drive to buy local food and reduce our global footprint. As a business I see that as an opportunity to tell our fantastic Dartmoor story, and Dartmoor farmers will be shouting it from the rooftops! If you want the best beef and lamb, which also helps to deliver a national park with an amazing landscape and a healthy thriving environment full of heritage, delivered by small sustainable family farming businesses - you know where we are!

Mat Cole, Greenwell Farm

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GARDENING

Wildlife-friendly autumn gardening projects A glorious ‘lockdown’ spring saw a massive boost to garden creativity as well as a huge rise in interest in garden wildlife: now autumn is the perfect time to combine the two and transform ideas into action.

Shortages of materials are mostly resolved, and the cooler autumn days mean less outdoor living, so making a mess isn’t such an issue and projects should be complete in time to enjoy the garden next year. Do bear in mind that bigger garden projects take a fair amount of work and money, so it’s well worth plenty of planning to avoid costly mistakes.

A pond is marvellous to entice a huge variety of wildlife and creates a tranquil oasis where you can sit, relax, and watch a wealth of creatures both in and out of the water. Even though we made our pond over a decade ago, I still get a thrill to see birds enjoying a bath, dragonfly nymphs emerging to transform into magnificent flying machines, or hedgehogs coming to drink. The most straightforward way to make a pond is to use a flexible liner that moulds to

whatever shape of hole you’ve dug - but do buy the best you can afford so it lasts for many years. Choose a site that gets a reasonable amount of sun and away from overhanging trees. A sloping site needn’t be a problem, as the excavated soil can be banked up on the ‘downside’ to create a level pond. Create a range of levels from a gently shelving ‘beach’ to a deeper section (at least 45cm deep) that will stay ice-free in very cold weather. Plan your edging materials for a combination of good looks, practicality and user-friendliness: ours has a sloping pebble ‘beach’; a ‘green corridor’ of grass and plants; driftwood and stones that create cool, damp crevices for amphibians, and a decking platform to sit and pond-watch. A caveat on safety though: install a secure fence or pond cover if you have young children or grandchildren, because toddlers can drown in even a few inches of water.

Creating vertical features of all kinds is a fantastic way to give more interest, growing space and wildlife habitats to even the tiniest garden. Every garden has boundaries: if you have walls or fences, clothe them with wildlifefriendly plants like firethorn (Pyracantha) that do double duty as food sources

(flowers for bees, berries for birds) and nest sites for birds. Most climbers and wall plants need some form of support, like trellis or wires, and if you use wooden blocks or battens to space these 5-8cm out from the fence, it’s the perfect ‘des res’ for birds and hibernating insects.

Within the garden itself, there’s usually loads of potential to build features such as a pergola or arbour to make a delightful seating area; divide up the garden with plant-clad trellis screens; and place arches over gates or transition points between separate areas. These can all be clothed with gorgeous climbing plants – not just ornamentals like honeysuckle, wisteria, roses, jasmine and clematis, but edibles too, like runner beans, climbing squash and berry fruits. Again, this creates lots more habitat for wildlife too, especially birds which love to perch, nest and feed up high, away from cats and other predators. Anywhere that’s in sight of house windows can be used for hanging up bird feeders too, and their antics will provide brilliant entertainment to cheer your winter days.

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GARDENING

Gardening jobs for autumn Gather fallen leaves to make leaf mould which is a fantastic soil improver. Make a wire netting container or simply pack into large bags (like old compost sacks or bin bags) and make a few holes in the base. Keep moist and leave for at least a year.

Sow sweet pea seeds during October, in pots in a cold frame, unheated porch or greenhouse. Autumn sown plants are stronger, sturdier, and flower earlier than spring-sown seed.

Plant bulbs for a glorious spring display. Tulips can be planted as late as November, but others like daffodils should be planted without delay. Plant prepared hyacinths and narcissi in pots and bowls to ‘force’ indoors for a fragrant treat of bloom in the New Year.

Summer-flowering patio plants can be brought indoors into porches or cool sunny windowsills, where they’ll often keep flowering for a month or two longer than if left to the mercy of the weather.

Glorious gardens to visit As lockdown restrictions continue to ease (at the time of writing), gardens have been cautiously reopening their gates to the public. There are few better

ways to lift the spirits than strolling through beautiful gardens ablaze with autumn colours on a crisp sunny day, so indulge yourself in some days out and give our Devon gardens some muchneeded support. Stand-out gardens for spectacular colour include The Garden House at Buckland Monochorum with dazzling Japanese maples, and the magnificent birches at Stone Lane Gardens near Chagford (now with newly

opened tea room). Opening days and times are likely to vary and pre-booking at National Trust gardens is required, so do check before setting out.

Sue continues to be available for garden advisory visits and design work, operating according to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines. Contact Sue on 01822 841895 or email at suefisher@ talktalk.net. suefishergardens.co.uk

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GARDENING

Cracking crops at RHS Rosemoor The gardens at RHS Rosemoor saw a unique explosion of colour over the summer, as the warm, wet winter, followed by the sunniest May on record and a bout of rain in June produced an exceptional crop of summer blooms. And the weather conditions weren’t only favourable for the flowers there was also an abundance of apple blossom, indicating a bumper fruit harvest this year.

The new Heritage Apple Orchard at Rosemoor contains some 45 different varieties of rare Devon apples, due to produce their first fruits this year. Would you dare try a Pig’s Nose?

A Sugar Bush? Or even a Grand Sultan? Any of these apples would make a welcome break from the ubiquitous Braeburn or Cox and yet, it would be almost impossible to track them down today. Since the 1960s, two-thirds of our nation’s orchards have been lost, and with them many apple varieties.

For hundreds of years, apples were part of the South West’s industry, and this unique new ‘mother orchard’ is a tribute to the region’s heritage, as well as a type of insurance policy to ensure that these diverse old varieties remain available for future generations. The gathered apple collection was grafted onto robust root stock and planted in February 2017. Over the next ten years, the trees will be carefully trained and pruned

by RHS horticulturalists as they grow into wide canopied trees. RHS Members helped raise over £16,000 towards the establishment of the new orchard, contributing to the grafting and long-term maintenance of the trees and surrounding area.

Jim Arbury, RHS apple tree specialist at RHS Garden Wisley, said: “We grafted this heritage collection of apples, as new trees grown from seed will not come true to parental type – and it is the unique, quirky tastes, colours and sizes we want to preserve. Since the 1950s our collection has been at RHS Garden Wisley, which now has 700 apple cultivars, 120 pear cultivars, over 100 varieties of dessert plums and gages, plus quinces, medlars and nuts. It’s exciting to have a new heritage orchard in the West Country, the spiritual home of British apple growing.”

Autumn ablaze

See how the gardens light up this autumn with fiery yellows, oranges, reds and browns Book online at rhs.org.uk/rosemoor Your visit supports our work as a charity RHS Reg Charity No. 222879 / SC038262

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21

NATURALIST

Season of renewal For some people autumn has for too long been associated with a sensation of melancholy, but I like to think of it in terms of harvest followed by the start of a great natural renewal process. Having largely completed the annual project - the successful production of viable seeds to guarantee the species survives overwinter - plants can now prepare to shed any material no longer needed. All this accumulated material starts to decay and be returned to the earth as humus as the Earth’s recycling processes swing into action. The resulting sweet, musty smell of autumn is especially noticeable while walking in the warm, humid environment of our local woodlands.

Now is the time when fungi come into prominence, although most of the fungus is hidden below the surface of the soil. What we notice, are just the

large fruiting bodies that will shed millions of microscopic spores.

Usually referred to as mushrooms and toadstools, these come in all colours and sizes, and some grow into quite spectacular structures.

Ironically the nursery rhyme image of a toadstool with a white-spotted, red cap on a tall, white stem is the fly agaric, a poisonous species!

Fly agaric releases its spores from papery gills found on the underside of this cap and many other species show the same structure, including edible field mushrooms, their commercially produced cultivars, and the large, stately parasols which often can be found on Roborough Down. Those found on dead tree trunks, such as oyster

mushrooms have stems growing horizontally before curving up to carry a fan-shaped cap. Although many species of fungi are edible, always remember never to eat them unless you are absolutely sure of their identity - if possible have it confirmed by someone who is knowledgeable about fungi since many species are highly toxic and some even deadly!

As an alternative to gills, many species have a spongy underside with the spores being released from the tubular pores including the aptly named ‘penny bun’ or ceps, as the Boletus edulis is often known, as well as the spectacular, bright yellow puffs of ‘chicken in the woods’. Some treedwelling species, the ‘bracket fungi’ have developed decidedly woody caps that are strong enough to survive and grow for many seasons, producing large shelf-like structures with the annual growth rings clearly visible. The final variation that I will mention are the puffballs, spherical in shape with a tough skin which, as they mature, will eventually split open to release a black cloud of spores. Most are small but the ‘giant’ puffball may reach the size of a football, and is edible while young and the flesh is still creamy-white.

Of course, what we see above ground or growing out of a tree trunk is only a small fraction of the total body of the whole fungus. The part that we don’t normally see is the network of mycorhizal filaments that spread throughout the surface layer of the soil and under the bark of decaying timber. These filaments are thin and delicate, like the fluffy white mould that may be seen on a piece of fruit or vegetable left too long in the bottom of the vegetable rack; the extent and importance of these networks has only been discovered relatively recently. Fungi form a separate biological kingdom equal in status to that of plants and animals. They feed using filaments that penetrate and digest complex organic material and this network maintains the health and life of the plants living in the same soil. It is even thought that plants would not have made the successful move from water to the land if fungal networks had not provided vital minerals essential for plant growth. Within a woodland this ecosystem is maintained by the annual supplement of new organic material from each autumn leaf fall. Truly ancient woodlands have been developing these interrelationships over centuries, but this heritage can so easily be destroyed by the bulldozer in the name of ‘progress’! Gardeners mimic this renewal process by collecting waste organic material in a well-stacked compost heap, to be returned to the soil after the fungi have done their work. Even a pile of woody material will decay if the fungi are given enough time!

Pete Mayston

23

CHARITY FOCUS

Hoofbeats Equine Rehabilitation A local charity with 23 mouths to feed…

Having officially been set up in 2000, Hoofbeats Sanctuary has gone from strength to strength, rehabilitating a range of horses and ponies from its Dartmoor yard. But restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have had a dramatic effect on the finances of this small charity, which is now appealing to the public for help.

After rescuing her first horse at the age of 18, founder Sharon Vieira’s passion for the rehabilitation of horses hasn’t been without its learning curves. Former racehorse ‘Second Chance’ was the unplanned beginning of an ever-growing sanctuary for unwanted equines. Sharon told Links magazines about her first rescue: “At the time I thought I was so lucky to be given an exracehorse; I remember wondering how anyone could abandon a horse that has worked so hard for humans. Little did I know how tough it can be to own an ex-racer, yet how rewarding working with a rescue horse can be.”

From these humble beginnings, Sharon has remained devoted to giving horses and ponies of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds a ‘second chance’ at life, in memory of her

Sharon and Mike Mad Dog Mcrea

first rescue. Now, more than 30 years on, together with a team of like-minded, dedicated volunteers, Hoofbeats has rescued more than 150 equines, finding them lasting and loving loan homes which are regularly monitored. With every penny donated and fundraised going towards the horses and ponies in their care, it has been no mean feat for Hoofbeats to reach this impressive total. Working all year round, and with an average of around 20 horses awaiting homes or being rehabilitated on site at any one time, the costs can really mount up – the charity’s running costs alone add up to

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£1,600 a month. It’s a task made even harder by the unavoidable effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As Sharon said: “When Hoofbeats takes on horses and ponies, they forever remain our responsibility. Sadly, some of our adopted horses and ponies have been returned to our care, due to the unavoidable effects of coronavirus.”

Having made the heart-breaking decision to cancel all of their planned fundraising events for the usually busy spring and summer periods, the charity has also lost a vital source of income.

With 2020 being the charity’s 20th anniversary year, the team at Hoofbeats had already begun planning celebratory events to mark the occasion, supported by the charity’s new patron Michael Mathieson, front man of the popular folk band Mad Dog Mcrea. He has two ponies on loan from Hoofbeats at his

pub - The White Thorn at Shaugh Prior.

Sadly, these events have now had to be put on hold.

“We had such high hopes for 2020,” said Sharon. “Last year, our team worked tirelessly to re-home our horses and ponies, reaching an all-time record number of successful re-homings across the South West and beyond. We were determined to surpass these figures this year, but coronavirus has definitely meant that finding these equines the loving homes they so deserve has become a lot harder.”

With the decrease in donations and fundraising income and so many horses and ponies currently in their care, Hoofbeats is in desperate need of support as funds run low. The bill for winter hay provisions alone can cost the charity thousands of pounds a year as a

bale of hay costs the sanctuary £35 and lasts one pony one month, meaning hay alone costs the small charity over £1 a day. Launching the charity’s emergency coronavirus appeal, Sharon said: “We know that given the current situation around coronavirus, individuals’ funds are at an all-time low - but that includes us as a small charity. We know times are hard for everyone, but as a charity surviving on donations alone, our funds are at risk, and these horses and ponies really need our help.”

To help ensure the future of these horses and ponies and enable them to find their deserved loving homes in the future, you can donate to Hoofbeats today. The Dartmoor-based charity’s emergency coronavirus appeal can be found at justgiving.com/hoofbeats , or you can donate via Paypal at fundraising@ hoofbeats.org.uk To find out more about the work of Hoofbeats, please visit hoofbeats.org. uk, or follow their facebook page for updates at facebook.com/teamhoof

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LAW COMMUNITY NEWS

legally speaking...

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Marsh Fritillary, photo credit: Peter Eales Yellow Brain, photo credit: Jacky Pearce

Say hello, wave goodbye…

The last few mornings have definitely felt autumnal, making me want to stay in bed just that little bit longer. As we move into autumn at Burrator, we say goodbye to some of the wildlife that has made its home there during spring and summer - birds such as the nightjar and tree pipit will soon fly back to their African wintering grounds. Autumn marks the season of change as some birds gather for their long migration, whilst other animals prepare for winter hibernation or develop into the next stage of their lifecycle.

In early September we followed up our summer Marsh Fritillary survey, searching for silky webs containing small brown caterpillars wrapped around the leaves of devil’s-bit scabious plants (the foodplant for this butterfly) - as this is a sign of breeding success.

Hopefully the caterpillars will survive in grass tussocks over winter and go

on to become majestic adults next spring. If you are out exploring damp and marshy grasslands and find a Marsh Fritillary web, then Jenny Plackett at Butterfly Conservation would be keen to hear from you, so please take a photo, note its location and contact Jenny at jplackett@butterfly-conservation.org This summer has rewarded us with plenty of reptile sightings at Burrator, but as these cold-blooded animals rely on the sun to regulate their body temperature they need to lie dormant or brumate during the colder winter months. To ensure their survival they choose warm and humid spots such as compost heaps, rotten wood or underground in old burrows. Other species such as bats will hibernate when food sources become scarce; their body temperature lowers and heart rate slows as they go into a state of torpor, selecting hibernation roosts which are

cool and a constant temperature such as old buildings, underground caves and crevices in trees.

Although we say a temporary goodbye to some species, we say hello to others.

With the cooler, wetter conditions come mushrooms and toadstools in all sorts of shapes and colours to brighten our walks, and with great names such as Yellow Brain (or witches’ butter) and Scarlet Caterpillar Club (which grows on dead underground pupae). Over the next few weeks we will be heading out across the site to record fungi sightings as these are an important indicator of the health of our environment. Some fungi can be poisonous or rare, so remember to look not pick.

Deborah Deveney Biodiversity Officer, SWLT For more information about the Burrator Biodiversity Project please contact DDdeveney@swlakestrust.org.uk.

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Arranging any funeral can be distressing, which is why choosing the right funeral director to ease you through the process can make all the difference.

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A pre-paid funeral plan with Golden Charter gives you and your family peace of mind with a range of plans to suit all budgets from just £1950. Your plan will be allocated to Morris Bros here in Tavistock.

We also offer bespoke plans to suit specific requests. Contact us for further details or to make an appointment.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

CHSW hospice care during Covid-19 Social isolation is not new to families caring for children with life-limiting conditions. Many are used to long hospital stays far from home, long periods of illness preventing normal daily activities, being unable to attend school due to health needs, and sacrificing social interactions due to care needs. But the Covid lockdown brought many new and often terrifying challenges to these families, many of whom have seen care packages fall away and their wider support networks disappear in the wake of the global pandemic.

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), which looks after 500 families around the South West, has had to adapt its care model. Because of the significant risks and the vulnerability of children, routine respite stays at the three hospices have been cancelled. But the hospices remain open for emergency and end-of-life care and the charity has developed a ‘hospice, home and

Another Wollemi pine Ian and Jane Swann were interested to read about the Wollemi pine in the Aug/ Sep issue as they also have a mature flowering specimen in their Bere Ferrers garden. They were unaware of the tree’s name for several years until Jane’s son Adam - who just happens to be a gardener in Sydney, Australia - identified it from a photograph of their garden.

The garden was a wilderness when Ian and Jane moved to Bere Ferrers in June 2014 and discovered the Wollemi pine, so their tree’s history is a mystery to them – unless anyone can shed any light on it?

virtual’ model to be able to continue caring for families.

Alli Ryder, CHSW’s Director of Care, said: “For the first time ever, we have started working in the community, which has been an amazing transformation in our services. We have supported children in their homes providing night shifts when care packages in the community have fallen apart.

We have also been providing care for community children’s nurses, cover over weekends and evenings.”

CHSW needs around £11m a year to run its three children’s hospices and around 85 per cent is raised through voluntary donations. As a result of the lockdown, the charity had to cancel or postpone many of its fundraising events planned

for the year. It also had to close its 35 South West charity shops, although the majority of these have now been able to reopen. CHSW Director of Fundraising, Paul Courtney, said: “Across the South West, many people don’t know what the coming months will hold, but we can all do something now to play a huge part in our future.” To find out how you can support the charity, visit www.chsw. org.uk

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COMMUNITY NEWS

New artwork for Plymouth A new art installation, ‘Speedwell’, opened to the public in Plymouth in September, transforming the Mount Batten Breakwater into a public forum for discussion and debate about the impact and legacy of the Mayflower’s journey, colonialism and the ecological state of our planet. 63m long and 6m high, ‘Speedwell’ was created by local artist collective Still/Moving (Laura Hopes, Martin Hampton and Léonie Hampton), and funded by Arts Council England and Plymouth Culture as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations.

Its illuminated signage comprising 3,723 LED lights invites viewers to think about the damaged planet and the legacy of the pivotal journeys made by the Mayflower and its companion ship the Speedwell. It is inspired by the

Photo credit: Wayne Perry

events of 1620 when passengers on board the Mayflower set sail to settle in what they called the ‘New World’, a world already home to indigenous people; the Speedwell was unable to make the journey across the Atlantic.

The commission is part of Mayflower 400, a four-nation programme to commemorate and explore the 400-year anniversary of the journey and impact of one of history’s most famous ships.

Marking a step-change from previous commemorations and in recognition that their involvement is critical in understanding the history and legacy of the Mayflower, collaborative projects with the Wampanoag and wider Native American nations are central to the Mayflower 400 programme. The artwork will remain illuminated through September, October and November of 2020.

Your views on Tavistock Conservation Area West Devon Borough Council wants to hear your thoughts about the review of Tavistock’s Conservation Area boundary, the Appraisal and Management Plan. A survey sharing the council’s proposals for the Conservation Area will be running until Friday 23 October 2020 for residents to share their views. A lot has changed for Tavistock in the last ten years and one of the great values of areas of historical and heritage

status are that they provide a sense of place and identity. Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “It’s really important that we hear what local Tavistock residents think about the proposed document revisions. The document looks at important buildings, their materials, the public realm and how street furniture is chosen to complement the town’s heritage

so everyone has a role in the future conservation care of the area. We really look forward to residents’ thoughts to our survey. It’s your chance to shape your community’s Conservation Area in Tavistock, so please get involved and let us know your thoughts.”

You can complete the survey at westdevon.gov.uk/ TavistockConservationArea

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Here come the hoglets!

Our introduction to hedgehog families started in late March when I had to move a new mum and her litter of three from a garden, where the owners were worried about their dog. Not all nest moves are successful as the mum can reject or kill the babies, but fortunately Sophie and her hoglets all made it. Finding a nest in your garden is wonderful but if disturbed, mum will often move out. This is a risky endeavour as the mum will carry the hoglets individually to the new nest, but they can be dropped, lost or abandoned if she’s disturbed. While hand-rearing baby hedgehogs is lovely, their best chance of survival is to remain with their mum. She will encourage them to explore at three weeks old, but by six weeks, weighing less than 200g, they are on their own.

With the first batch of baby hedgehogs being born from April to June, it’s no surprise our summer months were all about the hoglets who had been abandoned, lost, forgotten or mamma hog had got into difficulties and not managed to return to her nest. Hedgehogs can also have a late litter in October and these hoglets have a tough time fending for themselves at the worst time of year. With only 40% making it through their first year, the things we do make all the difference to their survival.

Our new arrivals have kept us busy; midnight feeds, treating ailments, emergency runs to vets and late-night checks; the hogs have been either dehydrated, suffered from various ailments or attacked by dogs. Dart Vale Vets in Totnes gives pioneering treatment to these tiny creatures. They operated on Britney, a 99g hoglet who had to have her little toe removed after a dog attack. She made a full recovery and once her spines grow back over her other wounds, she’ll be ready to face the world - and hopefully steer clear of dogs.

rather than in nests during the hot weather - don’t use slug pellets, make sure your pond is wildlife friendly and keep your dog on a lead if you think it might attack a hog in your garden.

Hedgehogs don’t sunbathe - if you see one out during the day it needs your help (unless it is a pregnant female or nursing mum gathering food or nesting materials), so please seek help immediately.

Tina Hutton-Fellowes

To help these amazing creatures you could link your garden with your neighbour’s to stop them having to cross the road in search of food or a mate; also leave out a shallow dish of water and some cat biscuits (not bird food). Check before you use garden machinery - we have found hogs under plants

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Keeping ahead at Mount Kelly If you like the outdoors, have a sense of adventure and are keen to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way then Mount Kelly is the school for you. Mount Kelly delivered a full online academic programme from the first week of lockdown and throughout the summer term. Using the Microsoft Teams video call platform, pupils were online with their classmates and teachers for all their academic lessons and a revised version of our very busy extra-curricular programme. Activities ranged from the very popular Extreme Reading Challenge to the completion of the ‘at home’ Ten Tors Challenge including camping in the back garden.

In order to minimise lost face-to-face teaching time for all our pupils, but in particular those entering public examination years, we commenced the autumn term two weeks early.

Mount Kelly was the first English school to open its doors this academic year. Pupils have also really enjoyed getting back onto the rugby and hockey pitches, walking on Dartmoor, paddling on Alder Lake and even some day cruises on the school boat, Olga.

Our performance swimmers are back with a full training schedule in both the 50m and 25m pool and are very much looking forward to the competition programme getting up and

running again soon. The College Chamber Choir is also back in the rehearsal room preparing some new pieces and brushing up some of the old favourites. They are very much hoping that they will soon be rehearsing a new piece written especially for them to perform in The Royal Albert Hall following their win at the Barnardo’s School Choir of the Year Competition in London earlier this year.

Mount Kelly is grateful for the enthusiastic support of our pupils, staff and parents throughout this difficult time and is delighted to confirm that the school opened its doors this term with more pupils than ever before.

To find out more about our school please visit www.mountkelly. com, or contact us on 01822 813193 or admissions@ mountkelly.com

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WHAT’S ON

Journey through Plymouth’s past Discover more about Plymouth’s complex history with a free app featuring three self-guided walking trails. Utilising new technologies, the app allows users to overlay video and images onto the landscape in front of them to experience a ‘then and now’ snapshot of the city. You can download the app on Android or iOS - children’s activity guides are also available.

For a preview of the Mayflower Trail and upcoming Mayflower events visit Mayflower400uk.org. For more information see visitplymouth.co.uk/trails.

City Centre Trail: Discover a different side to the imposing post-war architecture in the city centre and learn more about how the city was rebuilt following the Blitz during World War II

Mayflower Trail: Follow a circular route around the Barbican, see the buildings and meet the people that shaped the city in 1620, when the Mayflower ship and its passengers set sail for America.

Plymouth Hoe Trail: Enjoy a walk along the coast as you delve into Plymouth’s maritime history, taking in key landmarks such as Tinside Lido and Smeaton’s Tower.

19th-23rd October

Greener Devon Week At the beginning of the summer, after lots of planning (and Zoom calls!) the Devon Youth Parliament team released our new campaign called ‘Greener Devon’. It has proved a huge success and aims to link into the UK Youth Parliament’s national campaign of ‘Protecting our Future’, which came top of last year’s Make Your Mark campaign - the largest youth survey in the country. The Greener Devon team recently released a competition for young Devon people to design either a logo for the campaign or a poster related to the climate or ecological crises – announced by Maisie and Georgia (MYPs for North Devon and Exeter) on BBC Radio Devon! The competition has been a resounding success with almost 150 entries across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and email.

pl A h ac a e t pp ob y

...

The Greener Devon team are currently in the process of planning a week in October for primary schools, secondary schools and youth groups to work with local eco-minded organisations such as Fridays for Future, Devon Wildlife

Trust and Devon Climate Emergency to educate young people about how the climate crisis will affect Devon. We are incredibly excited about this event and encourage everyone to follow our social media for updates and information on how to get involved - Instagram: @GreenerDevon; Twitter: @ greenerdevon; email: greenerdevon@gmail.com.

Windows in Time This Tavistock town trail allows you to explore the retail history of the town centre through photographs and narrative, with story boards in 43 businesses throughout the town. Pick up your trail map from the Visitor Information Centre. Look out for the Halloween Trail in October halfterm as well.

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WHAT’S ON

Nov – Jan (selected dates)

Rosemoor Glow

The trail this year will take visitors on a wonderful, magical trail through our Winter Garden (back by popular demand), the Cool Garden with its calming water features, on to the Cottage Garden (new for this year) via the Long Borders and then down to magnificent reflections at the Lake before returning to the Visitor Centre.

Visitors can see the trees, shrubs, sculptures and water features lit with hi-tech dynamic colour-changing illuminations. This year we hope to have new interactive elements for visitors to enjoy too. There will be plenty of refreshments available and you can prebook two-course Simple Suppers served

to tables in our Garden Room restaurant.

The shop and plant centre will be open too stocked full of great Christmas gift ideas and decorations. This year, there are new provisions in place to keep everyone safe including timed entry slots and pre-booking only, a one-way route and limited capacity.

12th November – 31st January

Winter Sculpture Exhibition Set against the amazing backdrop of Rosemoor in winter, the annual Sculpture Exhibition will be on display

throughout the garden. Visitors can expect unique creations in a wide variety of media, highlighted by the careful placement of the illuminations, the low winter sun, or even the pale light before a snow fall. Each year the exhibition is refreshed with new artists’ works and most of the pieces are for sale or can be made on commission; some of the sculptures are also included in Glow. Last year we welcomed record numbers of visitors to see around 150 sculptures from a range of both new artists as well as Rosemoor favourites.

Free for RHS members or normal garden admission applies, but please book a timeslot online before visiting.

Sunday 11th October & 22nd November, 10am-3pm

Upcycled Market

The Upcycled Market in the town’s historic Butcher’s Hall, showcases a myriad of innovative, recycling ideas and aims to promote the ethos of re-use, not refuse. 30 exhibitors demonstrate how you can create clothes, furniture,

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homewares, jewellery, glass and wooden objects through imaginative recycling. Postponed from March due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is the first event of its kind to be held in West Devon and organizer, Miss Ivy Events,

hopes to make it a regular fixture in Tavistock’s annual calendar. Free entry, Covid safety precautions in place.

Please check missivyevents.co.uk for information in case of last-minute cancellation.

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WHAT’S ON

Friday 27th November

Trees of Light

At 7pm, Lyn Roberts, President of the Lions Club of Tavistock, will switch on the Trees of Light on the front of Tavistock Town Hall. Bulbs on the three Christmas trees will have been sponsored by an individual or family in remembrance of a special person, occasion or memory, with all the proceeds going to five local charities. Please complete the attached form if you wish to become a sponsor and post to the address shown. All sponsors will receive a commemorative card and will be listed in the Tavistock Times Gazette. Nearly £115,000 has been raised and distributed to local charities since the start with a single tree in 1999. For the seventeenth year, local funeral company Morris Bros. (Tavistock) Ltd will be the main sponsor covering all of the administration costs and directors Simon and Lucie Luke are delighted to be supporting the project once again.

Lions Club of Tavistock TREES OF LIGHT SPONSOR FORM 2020 Name(s) or cause(s) or memories to be remembered

Please send cheque in favour of “Lions Club of Tavistock” to Lions Trees of Light, 3 Edgcumbe Drive, Tavistock, PL19 0ET

q Number of names or causes to be remembered at

q I wish to gift aid my payment (please tick the box)

minimum of £10 each.

Total amount of sponsorship £

Alternatively, donate on-line through wwwjustgiving. com and selecting: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ TavilionsTOL2020

Name of tax payer (including title & first name) Address of tax payer (if different to above, with postcode)

My name Address

Signature of tax payer Postcode

Date Charity Number 1128788

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35

WHAT’S ON

New trail at Abbey Church A fascinating trail has been designed to help families get even more out of their visit to Devon’s famous Buckfast Abbey Church. The historic site has recently partially re-opened with reduced hours and Covid restrictions; the free trail explains why the changes have been made and provides interesting things to look out for. These include details on the recently installed Ruffatti double organ which was made in Italy to mark the Abbey’s Millennium in 2018; the magnificent organ, the first instrument of its kind in the UK, can replicate the sound of bagpipes and even sleigh bells. Another gem is that the largest bell in the tower of the Abbey Church, the 7578-ton Hosanna, has the combined weight of a lion, a rhinoceros, an elephant, and a bear.

Education manager, Alison Gagg, says: “Despite parts of Abbey Church being closed because of the health crisis, there are still many wonderful and enriching things to see, for

example, there’s the Lantern Tower ceiling depicting Jesus and the saints in heaven, and the modern Blessed Sacrament Chapel where each piece of stained glass was hit with a hammer so that it would reflect the light on even the dullest of days. The trail is very much of its time in that it also explains why parts are closed, as well as how lockdown works for the monks and includes a photo of a full Abbey Church so that people can see how it normally looks. In this way, it is probably going to become a unique historical document of this period in the abbey’s colourful and continually evolving story.”

The Buckfast Abbey Church, gardens, restaurant and gift shop are currently open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 3.30pm and 12-3.30 pm on Sundays. The gates are closed at 3.30pm.

For information see Buckfast.org.uk

Welcome to Dartmoor walks A series of walking routes have been launched to introduce people to Dartmoor’s history, heritage and habitats. With lots of people discovering and rediscovering the joys of walking, both for mental and physical good health, Dartmoor National Park Authority has developed the routes to encourage less confident walkers to explore the national park, with each walk giving people opportunities to eat and drink locally. Routes vary in distance, from 3km to a more energetic 10km, and can be downloaded free from dartmoor.gov. uk. There are six walks to choose from:

Ilsington (5km) – A wander

Four Villages (10km) – a longer circular walk through South Tawton, South Zeal, Sticklepath and Belstone.

Hexworthy (5km) – A walk

17th October, 10am-3pm 21st November, 10am-4pm

Princetown (3km) – An easy

access route that takes you on top of the moors to South Hessary Tor with far reaching views.

Buckfastleigh (5.8km) – Meander through Buckfastleigh and the abbey village of Buckfast discovering weavers’ cottages and church ruins.

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through a timeless village and stunning green lanes with views of Haytor Rocks. with one steep climb taking in historic farmsteads, medieval packhorse routes and a landscape steeped in tin mining history.

Dartmeet (5.5km) – An

exploration of the East Dart river valley with ancient river crossings and opportunities to learn about Dartmoor’s mining past.

Love Local Gift & Food Markets More than 20 artisan gift exhibitors will present an array of local food and gift products at the Butcher’s Hall in Tavistock, offering a perfect opportunity to browse and purchase unique gifts.

Free entry and Covid-19 safety precautions in place.

MUSIC AND ART

10th to 17th October

Miniature art & glass exhibition Miniature art depicting Devon scenery by Rosalind Pierson and engraved glass by Steve Lee, will be on show at ‘The Annex’, the newly opened restaurant at Rockmount, Drake Road, Tavistock from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily (wheelchair accessible). Both Steve and Rosalind will be demonstrating during the week.

Rosalind was born in Tavistock and it was a love of the surrounding countryside and Dartmoor in particular that led to an unintended, but lifelong vocation, to paint and share the beautiful scenery of Devon. Over the last forty years Rosalind has had numerous solo exhibitions in Tavistock as well as further afield, and has exhibited in miniature art shows around the world. While the definition of miniature art is sometimes difficult to pin down, none of the paintings on display measure more than 3” x 4”. She has exhibited on several occasions at the Royal Academy and the Paris Salon, and since 1979 has exhibited as a member at the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers, serving as president for five years. In 2012 she received the society’s highest award, the Gold Memorial Bowl, for a painting of the coastline at Zennor, Cornwall.

In 1982 she co-founded the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists to promote miniature art in the West Country.

It is now an internationally recognised society, with an annual exhibition in Wells, Somerset.

Possibly one of the art forms closest to miniatures is glass engraving, and the exhibition will also include a small

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

selection of work

by Steve Lee. Steve has been practicing glass engraving for almost thirty years.

Originally a miniature painter specialising in silk painting, he stumbled into glass engraving and was hooked from the first scratch. Glass engraving is a seldom-seen, ethereal art form, described by Sir Lawrence Whistler as ‘painting with light’. Tiny marks on a glass surface are made using a variety of tools, from stones of various grades, through a bewildering array of diamond, dust-coated, tungsten steel ‘burrs’, to single, solitaire, diamond points. Over the years Steve has developed unique engraving techniques and tools that allow him to produce works which are almost photo realistic in quality. He is one of only a handful of engravers worldwide who specialise in portraiture, a notoriously difficult subject to engrave and achieves incredible levels of detail using ‘stipple’ engraving, probably the oldest form of engraving pioneered in Venice in the 15th and 16th century.

Steve teaches his techniques both in person and via online tutorials and he accepts select commissions internationally.

He also produces and sells a unique engraving tool allowing novice engravers to quickly produce detailed work, and established engravers or tatooists to achieve outstanding results.

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MUSIC AND ART

Friday 2nd to Saturday 31st October, 10am-4pm

Wildwood Arts Exhibition British post-war and contemporary art: an investment portfolio Wildwood Arts brings together a unique portfolio of carefully selected British artists and artwork, representing a synthesis of 70 years of craft, expertise and experimentation. This exhibition constitutes an exceptional opportunity for both lovers of art and art collectors.

British post-war art can trace its intellectual roots back to 1937, two years before the outbreak of the Second World War. A long-forgotten publication entitled The Painter’s Object, exemplifies the ongoing debate between the merits of abstraction versus portraying objects in context. After the Second World War, artists used their art more and more as a means of absorbing the shock, and looked for hope in their surroundings.

There was a return to the English landscape tradition modified by the experience of surrealism. The result has been a generation of British artists that brought intensity to their art, which can both startle and delight, discomfort or appease, carrying the artists’ experience into the minds and hearts of others, and creating an impressive legacy.

The exhibition includes the work of Richard Slater RI, Arthur Homeshaw RWA, and Allin Braund, whose

Richard Slater: Mevagissey

Peter Duffield: Rocks & Waves

individual interpretations of the figure and the land became a recurring theme in their work, inspiring new forms of realism. Sonia Robinson RSMA, SWA, looked back to the earlier radicals such as The Glasgow Boys and Cezanne as a way to explore and reorientate in a new era. The battle between realism,

Eric Waugh: Ponies

abstraction and figuration continues today in the work of Eric Waugh; some contemporary artists such as David Brooke SWA, use figuration with a playful blend of surrealism, whilst Peter Duffield plants himself firmly within realism.

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MUSIC AND ART

2020

ART I STS O F T H E TA M A R VA L L E Y

27th October to 1st November

Drawn to the Valley exhibition

Open Studios

Up to 70 artists from Drawn to the Valley’s collective of local, talented artists will be presenting their work at the annual event at Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock. The exhibition is taking place a little later than usual due to the restrictions in place earlier this year, but you can still expect to see an inspirational display of work by this eclectic community of painters, sculptors, mixed media artists, assemblage artists, printmakers, weavers, spinners, photographers, ceramicists and jewellery artists. Butchers’ Hall provides a superb backdrop and exhibition venue to browse and purchase unique pieces of contemporary art, which are all created by artists living and working alongside the River Tamar.

Normally the collective’s open studio event runs from locations across the Tamar Valley, West Devon and the western half of Dartmoor National Park. This year will be a more low-key event drawn together by a select group of artists, but as usual will include the opportunity to visit artists in their studios with a chance to talk to them and watch them at work. More details about the artists taking part and their work will be available at www.drawntothevalley.co.uk.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

As with all DttV open studios and exhibitions, the art on show will be available to buy. For details of all the artists and venues see www.drawntothevalley.co.uk.

39

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MUSIC AND ART

From 29 September

The Box Exhibitions Having postponed its original May 2020 opening due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Box opens to the public at the end of September. The Box’s ground-breaking design has completely transformed Plymouth’s former City Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library building and St Luke’s Church to create a cutting-edge, interactive cultural centre with 13 new galleries and exhibition spaces, a striking elevated archive, learning and research facilities and a brand-new public square. The Box opens with three major exhibitions:

Making It

Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy

In addition, nine permanent galleries showcase The Box’s incredible collections and will include 14 monumental ships’ figureheads, thousands of natural history specimens, a full-size woolly mammoth

The largest commemorative Mayflower exhibition in history includes over 300 objects and has been co-curated with the Wampanoag Native American Advisory Committee.

This international contemporary art exhibition features newly commissioned works by Antony Gormley, Portuguese artist Leonor Antunes and Brazilian artist Alexandre da Cunha.

Kehinde Wiley: Ship of Fools Curated in partnership with The Arts Institute at the University of Plymouth and Royal Museums Greenwich, it presents a three-channel film work by American artist Kehinde Wiley in The Levinsky Gallery.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Image courtesy of SmokeSygnals replica, paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and ceramics from the city’s art collections, objects, film and photography from its media collections and documents, maps and plans from its archives. The Box is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm by advance ticket only, available at theboxplymouth.com

41

FOOD & DRINK

Ingredients

Rhubarb and Custard Cake Here at Knightstone we like to keep to the spirit of RAF Harrowbeer and the Harrowbeer archives with plenty of retro recipes and meals. Developed by our own ‘Queen of Cakes’, Janine, this old-fashioned favourite reminds us of sucking on those red and yellow candies from yesteryear, topped with sweet and creamy, custard buttercream, and filled with our homemade sharp and tangy rhubarb jam - truly a match made in heaven and our regulars agree!

Method

Cut the rhubarb into 2cm pieces and put it in an oven-proof dish, sprinkle with 200g caster sugar, and bake at 165°C for about 15 mins or until the sugar has dissolved and is starting to caramelise. Remove it from the oven and leave to cool, before mixing in 1/4 jar (2tbsp) of apricot jam or marmalade.

While the rhubarb is cooking, beat together the spreadable butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 sachets of custard mix powder and 1 tsp of vanilla extract or paste.

Add the eggs one at a time then gently fold in the flour. Pour the mix into 2 greased and lined 9 or 10-inch round cake tins.

Bake at 165°C for 20 to 30 mins until the top is golden brown and bounces back when touched gently. Leave the cakes to cool.

abigail’s

500g spreadable butter 500g golden caster sugar 3 sachets instant custard mix 500g self-raising flour 8 eggs 3-4 sticks rhubarb 200g caster sugar 1 jar apricot jam 250g butter 400-500g icing sugar 8 rhubarb & custard sweets

Make up 1 sachet of custard mix with half the quantity of milk or water stated on the packet. Beat well to a thick consistency, beat in the vanilla extract, and leave until cold. Then add all the icing sugar and the 250g pack of butter. Beat well and chill.

When the cakes are cold turn one out onto a serving platter and spread it generously with the rhubarb jam. Top it with the second sponge and spread the top with an even thin layer of the custard butter cream. Pipe swirls around the edge of the cake and add a shard of rhubarb and custard sweets (see below) to each swirl.

For the shards

Put 8 sweets onto baking parchment on a baking tray, 2 or 3 inches apart, and melt them for 2-3 mins in the oven – watch them carefully and do not walk away!! Remove them from the oven and quickly but very carefully as they will be scorching hot, run an oiled knife through the middle of them to leave a line. Don’t panic if they re-merge, timing is of the essence, so mark them again before they harden and they will snap easily at this mark once cold.

@ The Knightstone Tea Rooms NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS DINNERS BEING SERVED EVERY DAY THROUGH DECEMBER WITH PRICES STARTING AT JUST £14.95 FOR TWO COURSES. On 19 December we will be recreating the 1943 RAF Harrowbeer Station Christmas Dinner with period music being played throughout the day - why not get “In the Mood” and dress up for the occasion!

To comply with COVID Government guidelines, we have reduced our capacity. To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend booking tables in advance - especially during peak hours. Visit our Facebook page for booking details.

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01822 853386/07447744427 • modwan@sky.com 42

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BOOK REVIEW

Book recommendations for autumn

By Simon Church of Book Stop, Tavistock

Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell

Weddings flowers for life’s events creating georgously romantic & unique designs.

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The Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman The ever-popular TV presenter’s first foray into fiction is a wonderfully smart and funny whodunnit. £14.99

Agent Running in the Field

by John Le Carre Spymaster’s latest novel, just out in paperback. £8.99

An American Uprising by Kate Werren The incredible story of a Second World War shoot-out between black and white American soldiers in a quiet Cornish town that ended up putting the special relationship itself on trial. £25.00

The World’s Worst Parents by David Walliams We’ve had the World’s Worst Children and Teachers. Now it’s time for the parents to take a hit. £14.99

Workshops & demonstrations a professional floristry teacher with many workshops to choose from

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One of our very favourite authors here at Book Stop, is Booker Prize nominated author David Mitchell, who this time has served up something quite different to his usual mind-bending, metaphysical romps across space and time, with a wonderfully nostalgic and bittersweet tale of 1960s rock and roll. Fictional rock band Utopia Avenue, formed in 1967, rides the tide of social and sexual revolution to be on the verge of global success by late 1968. On the way they encounter pretty much everyone in the business from John Lennon to Janis Joplin, David Bowie to Joni Mitchell, and for die-hard fans of the more familiar Mitchell genre there is also an intriguing, metaphysical sub-plot referencing his earlier work and, in particular, the wonderful. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.This book is a lot of fun, but also ultimately genuinely moving and, as always, Mitchell has much to say about life, the universe and everything. Published by Sceptre: £20.00

The Wild Silence

by Raynor Winn

07973 226710

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

43

BUSINESS

Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd Celebrating 150 years of service in Tavistock

Simon and Lucie’s son Ben currently manages a jaguar conservation project in Costa Rica, tracking, protecting and photographing the big cat. However, he is keen to carry on the family business after spending these key early years acquiring life experiences. Charlotte, Ben’s sister, is also in the line-up. Simon’s sister Kate also works in the business, providing invaluable administrative support. In addition, there are ten part-time staff that make up the team. Simon is the managing director and has been running the firm since 2002.

He explained: “Lucie and I have some 30 years ahead of us yet before passing the business to the children but their support means a lot. There are often disruptions to planned days out and holidays due to the nature of the business and their patience has always been amazing. I was involved in the business from the age of 16 years, washing the cars, in fact I learnt how to drive in a limousine!”

Lucie entered the business after a career in HR, and although not born into the firm, she started to look at aspects of the services they provided, in particular the outsourcing of the embalming process. She decided that she could offer a better and more sympathetic service, so embarked on an extensive and lengthy training process, qualifying as a professional embalmer through the British Institute of Embalmers. She said: “I always felt we could provide a more personalised service for families. There is great satisfaction in restoring dignity to our clients and therefore giving families time with their loved ones in a safe environment. As we live at our premises, we can also easily offer this time to families outside office hours.”

44

Simon and Lucie have just completed a renovation of the office, the last part of the foundry to be refurbished, with a brand-new frontage, reception area, chapel of rest and lounge for family members to meet and consult. Simon concluded: “Lucie and I are dedicated to ensuring everything is in place to continue our independent services to bereaved families for another 150 years.”

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Husband and wife team, Simon and Lucie Luke are the fifth generation to own and run Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd, a local independent funeral directors. Established in 1870, by Simon’s great, great granddad, John Morris and his brother, the family firm has now been in existence for 150 years, providing the area with sympathetic and bespoke funeral services; very few companies can claim that continuity of service over 15 decades, and the sixth generation is waiting in the wings.

For the whole of this time the firm has been based in the Old Bedford Iron Foundry, Lakeside in Tavistock.

The Old Bedford Foundry, Lakeside, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0AZ

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TRADE SECRETS

Carol Marsh Nonsisa Handcrafted Jewellery How long have you been making jewellery?

After a lifetime without pierced ears, three years ago I had my hair cut short and my ears were suddenly crying out for decoration, so I began designing my own earrings!

Where are you based?

Having built a career in graphics in Buckinghamshire my family and I decided to move to Devon, and we found a house we loved near Chagford on Dartmoor.

Where does the name Nonsisa come from?

I was working as a signwriter in a Sardinian holiday resort. On one occasion I was asked to paint a name on a boat. It was the weekend and there were few staff at the shipyard. I found someone who was able to show me the boat. I asked the name and he replied ‘nonsisa’. I did the work only to discover later that wasn’t the name afterall. Nonsisa means ‘I don’t know’ in Gallurese, the local dialect!!! Luckily the owner had a sense of humour, loved the story, and changed the boat’s name to ‘Nonsisa’!

What is your jewellery made from?

It’s made from polymer clay, metallic flakes, glazes and Tibetan beads.

Why did you choose these particular materials?

Polymer clay is easy to work with, is readily available in many colours and can be fired in a domestic oven. The metallic flakes give an antiqued, industrial edge.

Do you specialise in any particular type of jewellery?

I want my jewellery to be bright and cheerful, uplifting and easy to wear.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

What are you influenced by when creating pieces?

I’m influenced by the colours and beauty of Dartmoor. Also the sea inspires me. The turquoise ocean, blue sky (yes, I’m only inspired when the sun shines!!!) and sparkling waves.

I find I’m replicating these colours often.

Which part of the creative process do you like the most?

Working with clay is wonderfully tactile. I love the unpredictability of the swirling patterns created when two to three coloured clays are blended together. I love the smoothness of the flakes. I’m constantly getting excited by new ideas. Its such fun seeing a lump of clay becoming something beautiful.

Can you describe a typical day?

I’m not a morning person but I do try!! First thing I’ll reply to emails, then my husband and I will take the dog for a walk and get a coffee in Chagford. I can also post orders I’ve completed.

The afternoons are spent fulfilling orders, updating my website and creating new designs.

Do you have any plans or ambitions as a jeweller?

I’d like to expand and reach more people with my website. I’m also hoping to hold a regular Craft Fair in Chagford. Details will be on my website soon.

45

OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE

Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers A 5½-mile walk with David Simkins of Tavistock Ramblers, including some fairly steep ups and downs and a stretch alongside the River Tavy which can be wet and possibly slippery at times.

Starting opposite Long Ash Garden Centre (SX497694), the route takes you through Buckland Monachorum and down to the River Tavy with an option to visit the scenic 17th century Denham Bridge. The return is then alongside the river before climbing up to Berra Tor, the most westerly granite tor in the Dartmoor National Park. The walk has some wonderful, distant views from the top of Roborough Down and both a café and a pub on the way.

1. Turn right out of the parking area over the cattle grid and walk a short way down the road.

2. Turn left through a field gate and a pedestrian gate and follow the wellmarked path to a stile at Uppaton lane.

3. Turn right on the narrow lane down to Buckland Monachorum. Bear left at the bus turning circle passing the school and church.

4. Almost opposite the pub turn right

PANNIER MARKET

to walk by the side of Brook House.

On reaching Modyford Walk use the pavement in front of the houses before turning left to go behind numbers 73

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OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE

to 79. Ignore the steps on the left and follow the footpath sign to reach the access track that leads through Cuxton Farm.

5. Turn right past the farmhouse, go between the farm buildings and then turn left before the metal gate signed as a footpath. Go through two metal gates and walk across the fields with the hedge on the right to reach a stile onto a lane.

6. Turn right, then first left up a tarmac driveway. Bear left at the top to follow the waymarks and eventually pass through two gates to reach a hairpin bend above Denham Bridge. Turn right and go downhill.

reaching a wall that forms part of the boundary of an Iron Age hill fort, follow it to reach a lane.

7. If you wish to visit the ancient bridge continue downhill for 300m. Otherwise, to continue the walk turn sharply first right into the driveway of Ludbrook House. Continue past the buildings with the river on your left. The path just beyond here can be flooded but the owners of Ludbrook have kindly allowed you to use a signed permissive path through the bamboo thicket. A delightful stretch of riverside path passes Hatch Mill before turning away from the river to go steeply uphill.

10. Cross the lane near a cattle grid and walk across the down, still keeping

8. Pass a property called Boskenna and once over the top of the hill turn left at a T-junction passing the entrance to Balstone. When the road bends sharply right continue straight on up a wide track. Go through the gate onto the moor and bear right, still walking up hill, passing Berra Tor hidden in the trees. On

9. Continue ahead through a gap flanked by two stones and follow the track downhill. Just after reaching a rightangle wall corner, fork right up through the wood on a minor path. Follow the path gently uphill with the wall on your right to reach a lane.

close to the wall. Turn right at the corner and still keep close to the wall. At a second corner, go right again to the car park.

Tavistock Ramblers normally walk most Saturdays and Sundays with short walks and all-day hikes. Visit www. tavistockramblers.org.uk to see all the walks at the present time. Some Covid restrictions may still apply but there are some self-guided video walks on the website. Come and join us if you can.

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47

HISTORY

Lady Shelley Friend of Wellington and visitor to Wistman’s Wood For well over 200 years, visitors to Dartmoor have been fascinated by Wistman’s Wood, crouching by the West Dart north of Two Bridges. In his ‘Survey of the County of Devon’, the 17th century traveller Tristram Risdon claimed the wood was one of the three ‘remarkable’ things in the Forest of Dartmoor. In contrast, the Reverend John Swete, writing at the end of the 18th century, applied the term ‘grotesque’ to its weirdly-twisted dwarf oaks and tumbled, moss-clad boulders.

In the 19th century, the sense of mystery and enchantment associated with Wistman’s Wood was heightened by the writing of the celebrated Mrs Bray and her husband, the Reverend Edward Bray, rector of Tavistock. Writing to the poet Robert Southey in 1832, Anna Bray set out a wonderfully florid case that the wood is undeniably a relic of the Druids that she and her husband so firmly believed had inhabited the moor in antiquity.

In 1852, another remarkable woman paid a brief visit to the wood. She was Frances, Lady Shelley, then aged 66. Lady Shelley’s trip to Dartmoor is recorded in her fascinating ‘Diary’, a collection of her extensive private notes and letters that was published by her grandson, Richard Edgcumbe in 1912 - long after she had died in 1873. Born in Preston, Lancashire in 1787, she was orphaned by her teens and came under the wing of wealthy family friends, who ensured she received a thorough education. They also introduced her to the top levels of London society and at 19, she married the well-connected, amiable and wealthy but somewhat roguish Sir John Shelley, who was 17 years her senior. After bearing no less than six children in rapid succession, she embarked on a scintillating life of celebrity, politics and travel. It is impossible to do justice to Lady Shelley’s vivid life story in this short article but I hope it will whet your appetite to read more.

From the rich detail of her diary, it is clear that Lady Shelley was energetic, determined, curious, adventurous, and had many interests, including history, politics, science and geography. She was also attractive, vivacious, sociable and an ardent observer of people. She got to know a remarkable array of famous people, including the Duke and Duchess of York, Tsar Alexander, the Austrian statesman Metternich, the wily French political schemer and survivor Talleyrand, Lord and Lady Castlereagh, Lord Brougham, Lord Byron, Walter Scott and Lord Palmerston. She climbed Vesuvius and travelled through the Alps on a mule. However, the most significant among 48

Lady Shelley’s illustrious friends was the Duke of Wellington, who she first met in London in 1814. She became not only a devoted admirer, but also a close confidante until his death in 1852. The balance of opinion is that their relationship was platonic, but nevertheless intimate. During the exciting period in Paris following the victory at Waterloo in 1815, she accompanied Wellington to the theatre and grand balls. A very accomplished horsewoman, Lady Shelley rode alongside the ‘Iron Duke’ at grand military parades, and even rode his famous horse ‘Copenhagen’.

But how does West Devon fit into Lady Shelley’s story? Not long after Sir John Shelley died in March 1852, she paid the first of several visits to her son Frederick, who was by then the rector of Bere Ferrers parish. Frederick had been appointed through the good offices of the lord of the manor and patron of the living at Bere, the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, whose son George had married Lady Shelley’s daughter Fanny during an excursion through Italy. Her diary includes several fascinating short observations during her visit to Bere Ferrers, even though it was far removed from her earlier life in London, Paris, Vienna and Italy. On August 12, 1852, she describes: “… a tremendous earthquake shock at Beer Ferrers at 7.30 this morning. All the crockery ware on the shelves rattled for some seconds. We heard a great noise, like the blowing up of a powder magazine, which we thought must have occurred at Plymouth. The house rocked to its foundations. I happened to be writing at the time, and the pen was dashed out of my

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HISTORY

hand. At Beer Alston…the shock was greater. Tiles were thrown from the roof and people rushed into the street”, while “at Tavistock a chemist told me that all his bottles shook so much that he expected them to fall to the floor. At Two Bridges the landlord told us that while he was in his stable the noise and shaking was so great that he ran out thinking that the building would fall about his ears”.

Ever the determined explorer, Lady Shelley included a trip to Dartmoor. Thus we arrive near Wistman’s Wood – at last! Lady Shelley’s visit there is best described in her own words: “Druidical history has always interested me. So I mounted a forest pony, which I procured at Two Bridges. I believe myself to have been the first person who ever attempted to reach the Wisemans Wood on horseback. It was a fine day when I started, and there was no wind. But three weeks’ rain had made the ground very boggy and the moss-covered stones exceedingly slippery. My clever pony picked his way over great blocks of granite, and I found it harder to keep my seat than if I had been taking a Lancashire double post and rail. At last, having with difficulty reached the wood, I dismounted, and broke off a small branch from one of those curious, stunted oaks that are not more than twelve feet high. These trees, which are grafted into each other, are covered with moss, like long hair, all over their trunks. Their foliage is luxuriant, and their leaves have a flat surface like those by the sea-shore.

We visited the Croken Tor, the headquarters of Druid superstition, which rises abruptly from the Wisemans Wood.

Having tied up my pony, I began to ascend the Tor on foot, an ascent which I found far steeper than before, and the tract more closely strewn with granite boulders. The hill was very soppy, and I regretted that I had not worn a Bloomer costume!

However, I breasted it, undaunted by the thunder which growled overhead, and the large raindrops which descended

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

upon me. When, at last, I reached the Tor, and stood on a spot sacred to justice and to human sacrifice in Druid days, I experienced a sense of exaltation mingled with awe.” The reference to a ‘Bloomer costume’ was very topical, for such garments had recently become fashionable among younger women – although Lady Shelley was 66 at the time!

It seems certain that Lady Shelley would have read the exotic interpretation of Wistman’s Wood written some years earlier by the well-known Mrs Anna Bray, wife of Tavistock’s Reverend Edward Bray. The Brays were, famously, convinced that, in antiquity, Dartmoor – and the Wood – had been one of the last haunts of the Druids. Lady Shelley clearly accepted this romantic but misleading vision of the past. There is further proof in her Diary of her familiarity with Mrs Bray’s writings.

She notes: “A tree, that had been cut down a few years ago, showed seven hundred circles, which, under a microscope, were so close together that Archdeacon Froude, who examined it, was of opinion that it must have been in existence during the expulsion of the Druids and the destruction of their pagan rites.” The report of Froude’s inspection of tree rings occurs in Letter VI, p.103 of Mrs Bray’s ‘Legends, Superstitions and Sketches of Devonshire on the Borders of The Tamar and Tavy’, although Lady Shelley’s suggestion that he dated the trees so far back in time must be classed as poetic licence.

Is there a chance that Lady Shelley and Mrs Bray might have met? They were only three years apart in age, and Mrs Bray was still living in Tavistock in 1852. Certainly, they had much in common as enthusiastic and knowledgeable investigators, writers and travellers. Sadly, there is no record in Lady Shelley’s Diary, so this intriguing thought must remain mere speculation.

Clive Charlton

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50

Computer Problems?

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Mark Hussey Moorview Glazing | BUSINESS FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL WALKS | ARTS WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK ||HOMES EVENTS || BUSINESS PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL

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In this issue:

Celebrating 25 years of Tamar Valley AONB 200 artists get ready for Devon Open Studios

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TECH HELP

Tech tips from ChezvousPC Please, please, please, before you pick up your laptop and move around the house, make sure you take out the power lead! So many times this year I have had to repair power sockets that have been needlessly broken. Fortunately, most of them are easily replaceable when it is just a lead that plugs inside the machine. Some however are soldering jobs and I cannot repair these, as they have to be sent away. Most of us would not be willing to send away our precious tech to some unknown company to fix, so beware!

I have mentioned Windows Live Mail here before and it has got itself in the news again because it seems that after the Windows 10 2004 update, it sometimes breaks. The program may well continue to work in the sense that it collects mail, but the message in the reading pane becomes unreadable. There is no easy way of resolving this other than to use a different program. I suggest Thunderbird and can help with migrating everything across, which takes about 40 minutes and can be done remotely.

Lots of you mention that you have recently had Microsoft Edge put on your computer. This is the natural successor to Internet Explorer which is set for obsolescence. If you used Internet Explorer before then you should change to Microsoft Edge or another browser such as Chrome at some stage. In either of the programs you choose, you can use ‘import’ the settings and ‘favourites’ from Internet Explorer. You may well need to log in to sites for the first time of use, so make sure you have your password book handy.

We had a spectacular lightning display a while back and as a result I was kept very busy replacing routers and network cards from inside computers. This can in most cases be avoided with the use of suitable surge protectors which I can advise you about. Sometimes of course you will just get hit and the very best protection of course is to unplug everything if you know it is likely to happen, or especially if you are going away!

TIM Lambie Chez Vous PC

PC, Tablet & Mac Help for home or business - visit or remote Got a computer problem at home or office?

The LOCAL help you have been looking for!

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BATHROOMS & TILES By amanda - james