Dartmoor National Park Authority helps you find your way

Do you long to explore Dartmoor’s beautiful open moorland, but lack the confidence or ability to venture far from the road? On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 October 2004 Dartmoor National Park Authority has organized a special Navigation Weekend to help you learn the skills necessary to enjoy walking that little bit further in safety.

The weekend starts in Princetown at 10.15 am, on Saturday 9 October, with Navigating the Moor for Beginners. This 6 hour session includes a period indoors, learning the basics of map interpretation, understanding magnetic compasses, basic safety procedures and how to plan a safe walk. You will then go out onto the moor and try out your new skills – all under the supervision of qualified National Park guide John Whiting. Please bring a packed lunch and drink as well as an Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 map of Dartmoor and a compass if possible (pre-booking essential – telephone 01822 890414).

In the evening the Dartmoor Rescue Group presents To the Rescue, a first hand account of the work of this voluntary search and rescue organization. The talk starts at the Plume of Feathers in Princetown at 7 pm. Admission to this event is free.

On Sunday (10 October) starting at 10:15am, National Park Authority guide Debbie Jenkin will host a Family Navigation Day at Princetown. This 6 hour session has indoor and outdoor elements and has been designed for all the family to enjoy. Please bring a

packed lunch and drink as well as an Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 map of Dartmoor and a compass if possible (pre-booking essential – telephone 01822 890414).

If you are planning to attend Navigating the Moor for Beginners on Saturday, why not stay overnight locally and consolidate your skills with John Whiting on the follow-up, Moor Navigation session at Pork Hill on Sunday. The 3 hour session begins at 10.30 am (pre-booking essential – telephone 01822 890414).

This weekend is just one of many specially themed weekends taking place throughout the autumn on Dartmoor. A free, full colour, 36 page booklet, entitled Moor to Stay for, contains details of a variety of themed weekends, plus information on guided walks and accommodation special offers. Dartmoor offers an increasingly wide range of hotels, pubs, B&Bs and self catering accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

Moor to Stay for is available from all Dartmoor National Park Authority Information Centres, Tourist Information Centres, libraries and many other outlets on Dartmoor, or simply by calling the Dartmoor Tourist Association on (01822) 890 567. It can also be viewed on Dartmoor National Park Authority’s website: www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk .

For Further Information from Dartmoor National Park Authority

Claire Partridge, Information Officer (Activities)

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093

For Further information from the Dartmoor Rescue Group

Ian Spreckley, Chairman, Dartmoor Rescue Group
Tel: 01803 329574

Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings can be viewed on the Authority's website (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk)

Don't forget, if you have access to the internet/e-mail, you can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and click on News).

1 Unless indicated, there is a small charge for joining the walks and activities taking place during the Navigation Weekend. Please telephone (01822) 890414 for details.

2 The Dartmoor Rescue Group (registered charity no. 286680) was started in 1968 in the Tavistock area, when a small group of local moorland enthusiasts began helping the police with search and rescue on Dartmoor. In due course an official team was formed. Currently the Group consists of four Sections (Ashburton, Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth), each one capable of functioning independently. Normally two Sections respond on callouts leaving two as a back up in case of an extended operation.

3 Other Moor to stay for themed weekends include:

· Moor Fun Week (23 October - 31 October) featuring a host of family activities during the half-term;

· Writers Poets Myths & Legend Weekend (5 November - 7 November) investigating Dartmoor's fascinating literary history;

· Archaeology Weekend (19 November - 21 November) exploring Dartmoor's wealth of antiquities.

4 The Dartmoor Tourist Association is also promoting Moor to stay for and its members are offering a host of special offers during the campaign period featured at the back of the booklet, or on the DTA website www.discoverdartmoor.com or by telephoning Gillian Adams (01822) 890 567.

5 National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,000 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.

DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

Dartmoor National Park Authority, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9JQ

(01626) 832093 fax (01626) 834684 e-mail communications@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk