TALKS
Paul Rendell, editor of Dartmoor News, is available as a speaker to groups, societies and other organisations. All talks are illustrated and last about an hour plus time for questions. Talks, details of which follow, can be linked to a guided walk in towns, villages or open moorland.
To find out more, contact Paul (see Contacts).
To find out more, contact Paul (see Contacts).
THE HISTORY OF DARTMOOR
A general talk about the history of Dartmoor from the Bronze Age to the present day looking at farmhouses, reservoirs, villages and landscapes.
OLD DARTMOOR
Come on a wonderful journey and look at things that have changed over the years. From travel to houses to villages and towns. Using old postcards and photographs of Dartmoor to help to bring back memories of the ‘good old days’.
BURRATOR RESERVOIR AND ITS SOCIAL IMPACT
The building of Burrator Reservoir, which opened in September 1898, had a direct impact on the people and the farms of Sheepstor, a Dartmoor village which grew and declined during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,
A general talk about the history of Dartmoor from the Bronze Age to the present day looking at farmhouses, reservoirs, villages and landscapes.
OLD DARTMOOR
Come on a wonderful journey and look at things that have changed over the years. From travel to houses to villages and towns. Using old postcards and photographs of Dartmoor to help to bring back memories of the ‘good old days’.
BURRATOR RESERVOIR AND ITS SOCIAL IMPACT
The building of Burrator Reservoir, which opened in September 1898, had a direct impact on the people and the farms of Sheepstor, a Dartmoor village which grew and declined during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,
DARTMOOR TINNERS
A talk in which we look at one of the major industries on the Moor and some of the trades which grew up around the tin miners.
INDUSTRIAL ARCHEOLOGY OF THE MOOR
This talk will look at how man has changed the Moor by mining for tin, copper and silver and quarried for granite and china clay. Man has dug for peat, made ice and started many other small industrial enterspises.
STONE MEN OF THE MOOR
Look at how men cut and used granite from the many quarries on the Moor.
THE SECRET WILDLIFE ON DARTMOOR
Looking specifically at the plants and wildlife found on the moor, in the woods and in the rivers.
PRINCETOWN AND ITS PRISON
The history of the highest village on Dartmoor. The great plan to turn the area over to productive farming. The history of the bleak prison and the railway that makes Princetown special.
DARTMOOR TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Looking at the history and lifestyles within some of the villages and towns on the Moor. The talk can cover the whole Moor or can be broken down into three specific areas -
A brief look at some of the 80 or more pubs and inns on Dartmoor. Stories relating to these places and looking at some of their names.
THE TAMAR VALLEY - once an important route
This 60 mile long river is the boundary between Devon and Cornwall. This talk will be looking at the landscape, the villages, industrial ruins, workers and the wildlife.
THE SECRET NATURE OF THE TAMAR VALLEY
Looking at the plants and wildlife to be found in this quiet valley.
THE LANDSCAPE & WILDLIFE OF BODMIN MOOR
A small moorland area which is rich in archeology, industrial remains and wildlife.
EXMOOR - the land of combes
The history and wildlife of Exmoor: from forest to farming; moorland to coast.All within a national park.
WILD PLANTS OF THE WESTCOUNTRY
Some plants are found only on the Lizard in Cornwall while others are very common throughout the area. This is a new talk for 2008.
DEVON’S WILDLIFE
Looking at the wildlife on the moors, in the woods, on the rivers and on the coast. The plant life and some of their uses will be looked at.
This 60 mile long river is the boundary between Devon and Cornwall. This talk will be looking at the landscape, the villages, industrial ruins, workers and the wildlife.
THE SECRET NATURE OF THE TAMAR VALLEY
Looking at the plants and wildlife to be found in this quiet valley.
THE LANDSCAPE & WILDLIFE OF BODMIN MOOR
A small moorland area which is rich in archeology, industrial remains and wildlife.
EXMOOR -
The history and wildlife of Exmoor: from forest to farming; moorland to coast.All within a national park.
WILD PLANTS OF THE WESTCOUNTRY
Some plants are found only on the Lizard in Cornwall while others are very common throughout the area. This is a new talk for 2008.
DEVON’S WILDLIFE
Looking at the wildlife on the moors, in the woods, on the rivers and on the coast. The plant life and some of their uses will be looked at.
WESTCOUNTRY TALKS
STREET FURNITURE
What are these strange objects? We walk over and past them but do not look at thyem. Find out more about post boxes, drain covers, etc.
DISCOVER THE WILD CORNWALL
The coastal path, the moors and the beaches - Cornwall has it all. This talk looks at the coastal villages, Bodmin Moor, Kit Hill and the Isles of Scilly.
WESTCOUNTRY BUILDINGS
Looking at the many buildings found in Devon and Cornwall. From Bronze Age round houses to Dartmoor Longhouses, manor houses and farmhouses as well as ash houses and tinners’ buildings.
ISLES OF SCILLY - THE PEACEFUL ISLES
These wonderful islands that lie just 28 miles from the tip of Cornwall are full of life; life that is so different from that on the mainland.
WESTCOUNTRY FROM THE AIR
Aerial views of our westcountry including Dartmoor, East Devon and West Cornwall.
What are these strange objects? We walk over and past them but do not look at thyem. Find out more about post boxes, drain covers, etc.
DISCOVER THE WILD CORNWALL
The coastal path, the moors and the beaches -
WESTCOUNTRY BUILDINGS
Looking at the many buildings found in Devon and Cornwall. From Bronze Age round houses to Dartmoor Longhouses, manor houses and farmhouses as well as ash houses and tinners’ buildings.
ISLES OF SCILLY -
These wonderful islands that lie just 28 miles from the tip of Cornwall are full of life; life that is so different from that on the mainland.
WESTCOUNTRY FROM THE AIR
Aerial views of our westcountry including Dartmoor, East Devon and West Cornwall.
DARTMOOR TALKS
OTHER TALKS
DARTMOOR CROSSES
The history of crosses on Dartmoor. They were used for more than just waymarks and they are not just made of granite. This is a new talk for 2008.
MILITARY ON THE MOOR
How the military have used Dartmoor over the last 150 years: why and how they use this moorland for the security of the country.
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF DARTMOOR
From Bronze Age to mining, medieval to current day: how man has lived and worked on Dartmoor.
DARTMOOR’S HISTORY THROUGH PICTURE POSTCARDS
The British picture postcard started in the 1890’s. This talk will look at the history and the ‘tricks of the trade’ used over the period of 100 years and many other aspects of postcards.
HAIRY HANDS, DEVILS AND BLACK DOGS
Witches, devils, hairy hands and wild animals can all be found in this talk which is about legends and folklore on Dartmoor.
TRACKS, ROADS AND RAILWAYS ON DARTMOOR
Many ways of moving about on Dartmoor have been used over the years. Packhorse routes, old railways and roads will be covered in this talk.
TALES OF A DARTMOOR GUIDE
Stories and events that can happen while taking a group walking. The guide must know a lot of things - how to read a map, how to avoid getting lost, the history of the moor, first aid and the ‘dry’ routes. This talk may put you off walking!!!
CURIOUS DARTMOOR
Looking at strange or unusual buildings, follies, stones, etc.: items which often leave more questions than answers. The history of letterboxing will be explored as well as other crazy and wild things.
How the military have used Dartmoor over the last 150 years: why and how they use this moorland for the security of the country.
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF DARTMOOR
From Bronze Age to mining, medieval to current day: how man has lived and worked on Dartmoor.
DARTMOOR’S HISTORY THROUGH PICTURE POSTCARDS
The British picture postcard started in the 1890’s. This talk will look at the history and the ‘tricks of the trade’ used over the period of 100 years and many other aspects of postcards.
HAIRY HANDS, DEVILS AND BLACK DOGS
Witches, devils, hairy hands and wild animals can all be found in this talk which is about legends and folklore on Dartmoor.
TRACKS, ROADS AND RAILWAYS ON DARTMOOR
Many ways of moving about on Dartmoor have been used over the years. Packhorse routes, old railways and roads will be covered in this talk.
TALES OF A DARTMOOR GUIDE
Stories and events that can happen while taking a group walking. The guide must know a lot of things -
CURIOUS DARTMOOR
Looking at strange or unusual buildings, follies, stones, etc.: items which often leave more questions than answers. The history of letterboxing will be explored as well as other crazy and wild things.
FINLAND - LAND OF LAKES
The natural history, the history and the way of life.
NATURE IN THE GARDEN
Explore the wild animals, birds and creatures to be found in the garden; some easy to spot - others well hidden. A new talk for 2008.
The natural history, the history and the way of life.
NATURE IN THE GARDEN
Explore the wild animals, birds and creatures to be found in the garden; some easy to spot -
ISLANDS, ISLANDS, ISLANDS
OUR BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS.
The history and wildlife on Lundy, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands. Explore the different ways of life.
OUR BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS.
The history and wildlife on Lundy, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands. Explore the different ways of life.
