Exhibition celebrates Dartmoor National Park's 70th anniversary
A free exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of Dartmoor’s designation as a National Park is being held at the National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown.
The exhibition, launched today, is being put on with The Dartmoor Trust, a charity run entirely by volunteers which holds a rich archive with thousands of images, audio recordings and videos of Dartmoor’s past.
The exhibition celebrates the many aspects of Dartmoor: living, working, visiting and the natural environment. The story of the National Park will be told through information panels and a special film. It will run until 24 April 2022. There's also an enticing range of limited edition products designed exclusively for the National Park's Visitor Centres.
As part of the exhibition, people are encouraged to make a pledge to keep Dartmoor special. The pledge can be big or small but will, in some way, help keep the National Park special so it can be enjoyed by many others in years to come.
Examples include giving up a couple hours to volunteer, making a small contribution to Donate for Dartmoor, buying local, or simply following the Love Moor Life Ranger Code when you’re out and about.
Rebecca Martin, Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Visitor Services Manager, said: “We’re really excited for our exhibition. Since Dartmoor was designated a National Park, our lives have changed but Dartmoor remains as spectacular today as it did all those years ago.
“We thought an exhibition would be a great way for people to explore this history as well as learn more about some major moments in Dartmoor’s timeline. We had a good trawl through our own library of images, and we teamed up with Dartmoor Trust who have provided invaluable support and access to their amazing archive. Together, we’re able to put on an exhibition that tells part of Dartmoor’s story.
“We’d love to hear people’s stories of Dartmoor through the ages too so why not join us for a trip down memory lane?”
The Dartmoor Trust is a volunteer led, independent non-political charity. Incorporated in 1996, its focus has been to grant aid practical projects that help benefit Dartmoor, it’s landscape, communities and visitors. At the core of the Dartmoor Trust is its award-winning archive that records Dartmoor’s history making it freely available worldwide through the internet.
Dartmoor Trust Chairman Lt Col (Retd) Tony Clark OBE said: “We are delighted to continue supporting the Dartmoor National Park as we celebrate its 70th Birthday. Dartmoor’s largest collection of photographs, maps, records and oral history, rapidly expanding with your help past 40,000 records, is an educational resource that encourages residents and visitors to understand and respect the Moor’s special qualities. The older images in the exhibition remind of the care given and improvements made in the past 70 years.”
Dartmoor ceramicist Helen White has created an exclusive design of her iconic Dartmoor mug and tea towel range featuring three popular locations; Brentor, Postbridge and Haytor. For all explorers, the Dartmoor National Park sustainable range features a unique flask and notebook made from sustainably sourced wood to record your Dartmoor adventures.
Devon artist Becky Bettesworth has reimagined her famous vintage inspired Dartmoor National Park print to celebrate 70 years of the moors on a limited edition print, card and magnet.
The exciting 70th anniversary range is only available in the National Park Visitor Centres at Princetown, Postbridge and Haytor.
First designated in 1951 Dartmoor National Park is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain. It is of international importance for its Bronze Age archaeology, blanket bogs, upland heaths and oak woods, and of national importance for its valley mires, Rhôs pasture and grass moor.
With 734km public rights of way and 46,000 hectares of open access land it is home to a variety of wildlife and habitats. It is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects, some of which are so rare they can only be found on Dartmoor.
Dartmoor National Park Authority works with landowners, communities, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to look after this special landscape and promote its conservation and enjoyment.
As part of the 70th celebrations, the National Park is holding a Time for Nature challenge which encourages people to explore nature and see the world around them in new and different ways. Points are earned for each activity completed and anyone scoring 70 or more are in with a chance of winning a goodie bag packed with Dartmoor products.
