The Dartmoor Arts

Ye mighty Tors, – ye regions of the cloud ! Dartmoor ! in chant of Bard too long unsung ! So lofty, so remote, so passing proud, Ye tower on high, the scenes of song among. None e’er hath looked upon you, as fit theme For verse – nor e’er …

“The essence of enjoying Dartmoor is having time to stand and stare.” John Hayward – 1988. The Dartmoor National Park came into being in 1951, at that time it consisted of 365 square miles of land which was then increased in 1994 to 368 square miles of land. Coincidentally the …

Everybody has to have a dream or else there is nothing pleasant to think of when times take you into Lowlandshire. Mine is to be able to afford a large house located in some remote spot on Dartmoor. The lounge will have a huge granite fireplace with an old wooden …

For centuries Cranmere Pool has been a Mecca for Dartmoor walkers and for those who do not know what to expect it can be something of a disappointment. But if the actual features of the pool are ignored and one views the surrounding landscape one can experience the true sense …

I have recently acquired a number of Eden Phillpotts works amongst which was a book of poetry called, ‘A Dish of Apples’ which basically consists of apple related poems. Amongst these is one called, ‘Cider Makers’ and for anyone who has seen cider being made in the traditional way or …

“Dartmoor is a favourite subject with several present-day artists, who for the most part exhibit a good knowledge of the region. No-one who is not a stranger to it can look upon the pictures of Mr. Charles E. Brittan without being conscious that they breathe its spirit. They are distinguished …

Noel Thomas Carrington, son of a Plymouth grocer was born in 1777. His first job was working in the Royal Dockyard in Plymouth where he remained for 4 years after which he absconded to sea. During he sea faring days he served in a battle of Cape Finisterre in 1797. …

Stanzas Written on Brent-Tor Church Dartmoor, Devon, John Allen Walker July 7, 1837 It stands alone – that olden fane, High raised to meet the moorland storm, And dark above the lonely plain, Uprears its venerable form. Where erst the beacon-fire, with blaze Of lurid red, dispelled the night, Its …

I recently came across the following ballad/verse in Sabine Baring Gould’s ‘Book of the West’ which was first published in 1899. It retells the famous Dartmoor legend of the Blackingstone Ravens which is all about a mother leaving her baby ‘home alone’ whilst she went to Moretonhampstead Fair (nothing changes …

Blissful, Restless Dartmoor Author – Colin Pearse Published by – Barramoor Books. ISBN 0-9548570-2-X Price £36 The price of £36 may seem at first a lot of money to spend on a book but I can tell you that for anyone with an interest in Dartmoor, farming, poetry, photography it …