Active Dartmoor

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If you look back about 50 years the main leisure activities on Dartmoor were; walking, cycling (to a limited degree), letterboxing, rock climbing, canoeing, and pony trekking. Today, thanks to modern technology (such as GPS, mountain bikes, para gliding. etc.) and a desire for more challenging pass times that list has exploded into a whole range of diverse adventures. This coupled with people having more leisure time and the ability to easily travel has seen the Dartmoor National Park become one of the main places that can easily cater for such activities thanks to it's unique landscape, heritage and history. For this very reason, 2011 sees the launch of a new magazine called 'Active Dartmoor' which is aimed at encouraging people to come to the moor and experience for themselves the many healthy and exciting activities available.

This new bi-annual magazine is published by the Okehampton based Edgemoor Publishing (who also produce The Dartmoor Magazine) and is supported (for its first two years by the 'Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund'). The editor, John Baker, describes the magazine's concept as follows; "Whilst our aim is to encourage people to participate in these exciting and rewarding activities our principles of demonstrating best practice, supporting local providers and raising environmental awareness are at the heart of Active Dartmoor". Each article has been written by a local expert in its field and provides an insight into the subject along with technical advice and tips on how people can take part in the various activities. The first 48 page issue features on the following:

The magazine is now widely available and can be bought in most local newsagents, shops, and visitors centres for the very affordable price of £1.95. There are two issues of Dartmoor Active planned for 2011 which will be increased to three issues each year following. There is even an online version that can be read free and can be found at the link opposite along with the facility to subscribe to Active Dartmoor.

OK, having read the first issue of Active Dartmoor what are my personal views? Firstly on the positive side, it is a much needed magazine of the 21st century that will fully embrace the needs of the modern visitor to Dartmoor. It has an excellent visual impact and refreshingly carries very few adverts, four in fact. I very much like the idea of each activity being explained by not only an expert but a local one who is well versed in the unique aspects of Dartmoor. Each article is accompanied with advice on where to find further information either from books or websites along with a list of events and courses where applicable. The various walks come with eye-catching aerial maps, route description, OS grid co-ordinates and things to look out for. I personally found the bushcraft article fascinating as it is a subject that many people overlook when out on the moor. The photographic content is excellent and hopefully will be a subject for future issues? The appeal of Active Dartmoor will apply to all ages and abilities wherever their interest lies. I would also suggest that no matter what expertise you have in your chosen activity there will be something to learn from Active Dartmoor.

On the negative side, despite desperately trying to find something to gripe about, the only comments that I can make are that the map of Dartmoor contains a list of eleven hills and tors which seem to be pointless unless they refer to rock climbing sites? And secondly it would have been nice to see Letterboxing and Geocaching treated as separate topics but then again I am biased. Would I buy another copy - yes definately !!! - congratulations Edgemoor Publishing.

05/06/2011