Join us for a Bogtastic day out!

Date: 31 May 2013
Times: 10am – 4pm

Join us on Friday 31st May for a fun-packed ‘drop in’ event for all ages discovering Exmoor’s bogs and wetlands with activities in and around Simonsbath and Blackpitts. Stream dipping, dam making, wildlife activities and guided walks. Explore and enjoy the boggy moors and the amazing River Barle and the historic water-powered sawmill at Simonsbath. (Part of the Simonsbath Festival !!!)

All-weather options such as undercover exhibitions, sawmill tours and face painting, complement the outdoor activities which include stream dipping, dam building, bird of prey demonstrations, crafts, and guided walks on the local nature and heritage. Simonsbath’s water-powered sawmill on the beautiful River Barle is the event base, close to the village’s tearoom and the pub. A shuttle minibus will carry visitors to the bogs near Blackpitts, enjoying spectacular views along the Exe valley.

David Rolls, Education and Outreach Officer for the Heart of Exmoor scheme said: “Exmoor bogs are amazing! This fun day is all about enjoying and learning more about them. We have loads of free activities and can even help with transport costs for community groups to attend.”

“Please wear outdoor clothing and bring your brightest wellies!”

Bogtastic is part of the Simonsbath Festival (simonsbathfestival.co.uk) and is a joint initiative between the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership, Exmoor National Park Authority, Simonsbath House, Exmoor Mires Project, and is financially supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Environment Agency.

Call 07875 565823 or National Park Centre Lynmouth 01598 752509 for more details. Admission is free. Refreshments available. There is a tearoom, a pub and accommodation at Simonsbath. Children must be accompanied by adults. Toilets available. Minibus shuttle between sites.

Activities located at Simonsbath Sawmill (Postcode TA24 7SH. OS grid ref: SS 773 393) and Blackpitts (OS grid ref: SS 764 415), 2km north of Simonsbath on the B3223.

Date: 31 May 2013. Times: 10am – 4pm.
Booking: No need to book – just turn up.
Charge: Entrance free, though some activities might be chargeable.
Grade: easy going stroll. Contact: 01598 752509 / 07875 565823.

Students on geography challenge ask: is Exmoor National Park Authority achieving objectives?

A few posts from Twitter…

@heartofexmoor @ExmoorHouseWX They were from 7 schools across the UK and made up of 14-15 year old.—
FSC Nettlecombe (@FSCNettlecombe) May 19, 2013

@heartofexmoor @ExmoorHouseWX They were answering the question "Is @ExmoorNP meeting its objectives?" and visited 5 sites to collect data.—
FSC Nettlecombe (@FSCNettlecombe) May 19, 2013

@heartofexmoor talking to @The_GA on Dunkery Beacon on #Exmoor. #GAWWC13 http://t.co/J23i4zvNce—
FSC Nettlecombe (@FSCNettlecombe) May 18, 2013

@courtfarmdave talking to @the_ga students about tourism on #Exmoor. #GAWWC13 http://t.co/t6I9rgEfBs—
FSC Nettlecombe (@FSCNettlecombe) May 18, 2013

@heartofexmoor @ExmoorNP Dave G looking regal #GAWWC13 http://t.co/zmXM7ICfiD—
FSC Nettlecombe (@FSCNettlecombe) May 18, 2013

@heartofexmoor @ExmoorHouseWX The general consensus was yes, but it is a pretty difficult job and only likely to get harder in the future.—
FSC Nettlecombe (@FSCNettlecombe) May 19, 2013

Links:

The Geographical Association – they run the Worldwise Challenge

FSC Nettlecombe Court (The FSC funds the  challenge and Nettlecombe Court was this year’s host centre.)

Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership (gave evidence about moorland heritage and management,  tourism, and organisations working in partnership)

Court Farm (gave evidence about living here, tourism and running a business on Exmoor)

The National Trust’s Holnicote Estate (gave evidence about coastal and moorland issues, villages, heritage, tourism, etc)

Exmoor National Park (visit the park authority’s website)

Preview: a new book about Exmoor’s ‘treeless forest’

The ancient Royal Forests are not a very well known or widely understood part of our countryside’s cultural heritage. The forest located at what is now the heart of Exmoor National Park was an intimidating area of moorland, and not a wooded forest as most people assume. You can still trace the imprint of the forest – and each year its boundary is stomped along by people who undertake the annual Exmoor Perambulation endurance walk.

Thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, a new booklet about the Royal Forest of Exmoor is being produced through the Heart of Exmoor scheme, authored by the historian Mary Siraut and to be published by the Exmoor National Park Authority.

A Field Guide to the Royal Forest of Exmoor is a very accessible little book, easy to thumb through, and likely to be travelling in a rucksack with many a keen walker as they enjoy Exmoor.

The guide explores the history of the Royal Forest of Exmoor from the Anglo-Saxon period until the end of the 19th century. It charts the long history as a medieval hunting forest when it was used to graze livestock and to provide revenue for the Crown. It shows how the Forest was transformed during the 19th century by the creation of roads, settlements and farms to become the landscape we recognise today. The field guide interprets a wide range of fascinating Exmoor locations to tell the story of the Royal Forest of Exmoor.

The author Mary Siraut is well known for her book Exmoor, the Making of an English Upland and she is the County Editor of the Somerset Victoria County History. The guide editors are Faye Balmond (our Moorland Heritage Officer) and Rob Wilson-North (Conservation Manager for Exmoor National Park Authority).

Look out for A Field Guide to the Royal Forest of Exmoor coming soon. We will announce its arrival on Twitter!

@heritagelottery Thanks! The book has excellent pictures, fascinating maps, docs & references about the Royal Forest on Exmoor. #history—
Moorland Partnership (@heartofexmoor) May 15, 2013

Teacher training – discover the Moorland Classroom

http://tinyurl.com/moorlandclassroom

The Moorland Classroom is a project to provide unforgettable learning experiences both in the classroom and at fantastic moorland locations on Exmoor National Park. We have free training on offer to support educators in getting the very best out of moorland visits and our new free online resources. Materials are appropriate from Key Stage 1 to lower Key Stage 3 and are highly adaptable.

Come to our FREE twilight taster sessions for teachers on Tuesday 11th June and Tuesday 2nd July 2013. 

These session will enable primary colleagues to:

• Go with experts to visit brilliant fieldwork locations – Dunkery Beacon and Haddon Hill
• Get the best from being outdoors and our new bespoke online resources
• Be fully briefed in the preparation you need to confidently take children to these Moorland Classroom sites for an unforgettable visit
• Find out how to access travel funding for school visits
• Find out how to book our prehistory loan boxes

Contributors on the day will include:

• David Gurnett, Education Manager, Exmoor National Park Authority
• David Rolls, Moorland Education and Outreach Officer
• Faye Balmond, Moorland Heritage Officer
• David Weatherly, Curriculum Advisor

BOOK NOW

Booking form > 2013moorland-classroom-workshop-form17may13

Please book as early as possible, either by email to: David Rolls, DRolls@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or by post to: Moorland Classroom, The Heart of Exmoor Scheme, 7 – 9 Fore St, Dulverton, TA22 9EX. Tel: 01398 322164.

www.heartofexmoor.org.uk

Accessible Exmoor events 2013

A special promotion by the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership A great selection of 2013 events on Exmoor which are generally free from steps and stiles, have accessible toilets, good surfaces. Some locations have Trampers (all terrain wheelchairs) available for booking. If you have other specific needs please contact the event organiser.

30th May 10.30am – 1pm	Wheels, Water and Moorland Stroll and activities at Wimbleball Lake	South West Lakes Trust. For more details on accessibility please call 01398 323335. For Tramper bookings and afternoon activities e.g. wheelyboat rides or disabled sailing call 01398 371460.	Donations encouraged. Activities may be chargeable.
30th May 11am – 1pm	Heddon Valley Fun Day – Water World Nature and wildlife themed activities	The National Trust. Join the rangers for some stream dipping and watery fun.  For more information on accessibility and trampers contact, 01598 763402.	£2 per child
12th June 8.30pm	A Wild Night Out in Simonsbath An evening pootle around Simonsbath	Heart of Exmoor. Experience nocturnal sights and sounds such as bats, stars and moths. Ring 01398 322164 for information about accessibility.	Free
24th July  10am – 4pm	Haddon Hill Big Adventure A moorland activity day	Exmoor National Park Authority. Haddon Hill, overlooking Wimbleball Lake. For details on accessibility please ring 01398 323841. To a book a tramper phone 01392 459222.	Free
28th July       11am – 3pm	Exmoor Pony Centre Birthday Bash Come along and meet the ponies	The Moorland Mousie Trust. One of a number of Open days, near Dulverton for all ages. Refreshments available. Ring 01398 323093 for accessibility.	Free with some chargeable activities
28th August 2pm – 4pm	Accessible Exmoor Pony Walk Short walk and talk with an Exmoor Pony	Exmoor National Park Authority. On Haddon Hill, overlooking Wimbleball Lake. Ring 01398 323841 for accessibility information. Tramper bookings 01392 459222.	£3, children free
31st August 10am – 4pm	North Hill Big Adventure Moorland activity day with guided walks	The Exmoor Society and the Exmoor National Park Authority. Explore the wartime heritage of North Hill, Minehead. Guided walks. Exmoor ponies. Have a go at all sorts of activities. For accessibility information please call 01398 323841. Tramper bookings 01392 459222. Walk info 01398 323335.	Free

Children delight Conference with their Exmoor poetry

Reblogged from Exmoor Magazine:

The Exmoor Society was delighted to present two young budding poets with prizes for their winning poems in the annual Lucy Perry Award for Literature Competition at the successful Spring Conference.

From 112 entries received from five local schools, the Exmoor Society’s Lucy Perry Award for Literature in the junior category went to 10 year old Ruby Winzer from Dulverton Middle School with her poem 'I Know a Place'.  

Read more… 141 more words

Exmoor Society poetry prizes...

National Mills Week

NEWS FROM EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK

Celebrate Britain’s mills heritage during National Mills Weekend 2013 on the 11 and 12 May with a visit to two local mills that will be open especially for the weekend.

The 19^th century water-powered Simonsbath sawmill owned and restored by Exmoor National Park Authority will be open on both days and a highlight of the programme will be a performance by South Molton Town Band which is playing at the mill on the afternoon of Sunday 12 May, funded by the Heart of Exmoor scheme.

This year’s the theme for National Mill Weekend is ‘Tales from the Mills’ encouraging people to share their stories and memories of their local mill.

Graham Wills, who will be running the Simonsbath sawmill event, says: “A fascinating survival from the history of Simonsbath sawmill is the carpenter’s diary which tells us everything he did at the mill from 27 August 1906 – 17 November 1911 and we’d love to hear from people with a connection to the mill.”

Also open for National Mills Weekend is Cowbridge Sawmill in Timberscombe. The first Mill on this site dates from at least the 14th Century when it produced flour for the local people.

The mill was bought in a derelict state in 1995 by Owen and Angela Rush who have reroofed the building and rebuilt the floors. The dilapidated workshop and forge have also been demolished and replaced by an attractive two- storey building of local stone with a slate roof. The most ambitious aspect of the project has been the restoration of the 14 ft water wheel which used water from the mill leat to power the mill for over 700 years. The wheel will be running on National Mills Weekend and there will also be a collection of tools and machinery on display.

For details of these and other mills open for National Mills Weekend visit www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk