Launch of new Parishscape project for Bovey Tracey

ColehayesGranite Elements the new Bovey Tracey Parishscapes project is holding its launch on Tuesday 1st March at Colehayes Field Study Centre. 

To set the scene for the Granite Elements project there will be an illustrated talk by Dartmoor author Dr Tom Greeves on 'Dartmoor's granite legacy- People and place '.

This will be followed by an opportunity for people interested in the project to get together and share ideas over afternoon tea. 

Granite Elements will use a series of walks, talks, demonstrations and workshops to explore the Granite Tramway around Bovey Tracey. Local groups will be researching the heritage of the Granite being quarried at Haytor this underpins the project and how it has  impacted on the local community.
Local artists' responses to the Granite Tramway will be exhibited in key places around Bovey Tracey as will the findings from the research.

The legacy will be a better understanding of how the Granite Tramway affects our community and how it needs to be looked after for future generations to continue to enjoy.

More information on this project can be found on graniteelements.blogspot.co.uk

If you would like to know more about this project and would like to come to this launch event please contact Bridget Arnold on 07766342723 or email
bridgetarnold66@gmail.com

Granite Elements is just one of several Parishscape projects that are already underway across the South eastern area of Dartmoor covered by the Moor than meets the eye Landscape Partnership scheme. For more information on the Parishscape project visit our  website www.moorthanmeetstheeye.org/parishscapes

Related Articles

On 23rd March, members of Throwleigh parish (and some from across the border!) performed the Parishscapes-funded ‘Miss Varwell’s Throwleigh’ written and directed by Throwleigh resident Jon Bell. The performance told the story of two unmarried sisters, Emmie and Michael Varwell, who arrived in 1909 to set up home in Throwleigh. In 1938 one of the sisters, Emmie, wrote a book, ‘Throwleigh, The Story of a Dartmoor Village’. In it Emmie describes her love of the landscape and the history of the area, and for the people that she had known (as well as her belief that pixies lived amongst the moss-covered stones lining the parish lanes). It is this book which formed the inspiration behind the project.The performance brought to life key characters from Throwleigh’s past such as the influential Rector, the blacksmith, the last of the Devon wrestlers and an old lady whose family’s memories stretch back as far as the English Civil War. Dispersed with traditional folk songs and music, the performance included projected images from the parish archive. Spontaneous applause, and a few tears broke out when a photo of Mr and Mrs Endacott (seated in the audience) appeared, showing them on their wedding day, 68 years ago.The evening was hugely enjoyable; entertaining and poignant in equal measures. Emma Stockley, Parishscapes project lead elaborated “the community have worked together and have given an incredible 700 hours of their time to create a truly unforgettable performance – well done to all those involved. I’m really looking forward to seeing next year’s performance, ‘Colonel Heath’s Hut’”.

Read more

Step back in time

With the help of a Parishscapes grant the community of Throwleigh are celebrating Miss Varwells Throwleigh with the production of a play based on her book.In 1909 two unmarried sisters, Emmie and Michael Varwell, arrived to set up home in Throwleigh where they were to spend the rest of their lives.In 1938 one of them, Emmie, wrote a book, ‘Throwleigh, The Story of a Dartmoor Village.’ In it she describes her love for both the landscape and the history of the area, but especially for the village people that she had known and the stories that they had told her, both of the recent past and of long-ago. We meet key ‘characters,’ such as the influential Rector and the ‘jack of all trades’ blacksmith; the last of the Devon wrestlers and an old lady whose family’s memories stretch back as far as the English Civil War. Along with Emmie Varwell, we enjoy the village celebrations, the stories that are told, the songs that are sung and we share her sadness as an older generation departs.In March 2017, Emmie and Michael Varwell will return to Throwleigh. For just three evenings they will tell us their stories of Throwleigh; the old songs will be sung once more and, via pictures from the Throwleigh Archive, we will see the village that Emmie Varwell knew, meet the characters that filled her world and re-create the place that she so loved.Frequently moving, often hilarious and always fascinating,The Miss Varwells Throwleigh will be a unique village event not to be missed.The production will take place on 23, 24, 25 March 2017 at 7.30pm in Throwleigh Village Hall. Tickets are £10 including wine and refreshments (£5 under 18) Tel: 01647 231051 for more details or visit the website www.throwleigh.org

Read more

Unveiling the Bronze Age landscape of the High Moor and Forests

The project aims to improve understanding of and to promote the internationally important Bronze Age landscape on Dartmoor.

Read more

Last update: 23 Feb 2016 5:04pm