Delicious homemade no cook Chutney

Try this no cook Chutney recipe. It is a favourite with staff and visitors at Lydford Gorge. Visitors to the tearooms at the gorge enjoy the chutney so much they return every year to get their annual fix of it.

The recipe below makes 10 litres. Smaller quantities can easily be made by halving or quartering the ingredients.

4lb (1.8kg) chopped onions
4lb (1.8kg) chopped apples
2lb (907grams) chopped dates
2lb (907grams) chopped apricots
2lb (907 grams) sultanas
3 pints malt vinegar
4lb (1.8kg) dark brown sugar
8tsps curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
Mix all ingredients well together and leave for 24 hours before use. Keep in a large sealed tub. Stir regularly. Happy eating!

Painted lady butterflies on Dartmoor

In the past few days there has been a massive migration of painted lady butterflies from North Africa and Southern Europe up through Italy and into Northern Europe. The first butterflies arrived in south east England over the weekend.

I have seen my first painted lady this morning at Parke, Bovey Tracey. It was rather a tatty individual which I suppose isn't that surprising considering where it has come from.

Butterfly Conservation - a conservation charity saving butterflies, moths and their habitats are currently carrying out a painted lady survey - so if you see a painted lady why not submit your record to them. http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/. For further details - see here.

Plym Bridge Peregines

There are four chicks in the nest at Plym Bridge - the National Trust peregrine watch on the outskirts of Plymouth. Why not visit the site can get shown the birds by our team of volunteers.

There is a dedicated web site which gives you lots of information about the project, how to get there, what to see and how to get involved.

The Party's Over - a must read book on climate change and peak oil

In essence the book warns that oil production is about to peak and as a result massive changes will reverberate throughout the world. Indeed the future of industrialisation and globalisation is unsustainable.

The book is divided into 6 chapters.

Chapter 1 reviews the laws of physics, energy in ecology and the role of energy in former dominant civilisations. The key point in the latter example is that that former civilisations (e.g. Myas, Minoans, Greeks & Romans) collapsed because their energy budgets collapsed.

Chapter 2 looks at the rise of energy use from medieval times to the present - the rise of wood through coal to oil.

Chapter 3 describes the concept of peak oil – i.e. oil is a non –renewable resource . It details the work of Hubbert and describes why his work is so important.

Chapter 4 assesses whether renewable sources of energy can replace the oil based alternatives – they can't and the book describes why.

Chapter 5 entitled "A banquet of consequences" describes what the impacts on modern society of the peaking of oil. It is profoundly and deeply worrying.

Chapter 6 is a much more positive piece of writing giving hope of what can be done at the individual, community and national levels in preparing for the transition from oil to renewables and a different lifestyle.

The book is a really important contribution to the changes society needs to make in the light of diminishing oil resources. It is a useful additional information source to the bulk of climate change literature. It makes it plain that climate change policy cannot be seen in isolation from peak oil issues.

This book is in no large part responsible for the Transition Movement in the UK which started in Totnes, Devon earlier this century.

The book is a brilliant analysis of politics, geopolitics, geology, sociology, ecology and economics. Essential reading – I urge you to read it and get your elected politicians and senior managers to do the same.

Whortleberry jam promotion in the shop at Lydford

From the 4th of June there will be a promotion of Whortleberry Jam in the shop at Lydford. This unusual jam is produced by a local company Brendon Hill Crafts from North Devon. There will be a chance for tasting this product on the 7th of June in the Main Entrance shop at Lydford.
Whortleberries (or wild Bilberries as they are known in other parts of the country) grow wild on Dartmoor and Exmoor. They are said to taste very like a Blueberry. Come and have a try for yourselves and take advantage of the special price of the this promotion!! This offer runs until the 2nd of July.

Intro to the Almshouses Moretonhampstead

1 & 2 The Almshouses, Moretonhampstead are owned by the National Trust and are Grade 1 Listed Buildings.

After the Parish Church this is the most important building in Moretonhampstead. Its famous facade makes it of national importance. Likely date: c. 1450 with major 1637 additions. Its late medieval origins, with the survival of the smoke-blackened face-pegged jointed cruck roof, make this an outstanding building, with the granite loggia, fireplaces, screens, beams and windows of the 1637 conversion to eight almshouses, it is outstanding.

For more details about these fancinating buildings see here.

Please note there is no public access to either of the cottages as they are rented to private individuals.

Intro to Holne Woods

Holne Woods is 165 acres and was given, anonymously, to the Trust in 1957. It is located to the west of Ashburton on the road to Two Bridges. Parking is in a layby immediately before Newbridge.

The property lies on the southern bank of the River Dart extending from the ‘honey pot’ of Newbridge to Holne Moor, some 1½ miles. The Two Moors Way – A National Trail, passes through part of the property.

The property is not extensively used, walkers having to go a considerable distance upstream from Newbridge before being able to cross the river and return and most visitors appear content to walk a short distance admiring the many rapids and cascades before returning to Newbridge. Indeed this stretch of the river probably contains some of the most dramatic cascades in the area and is very popular with photographers, particularly in the autumn when the Beech trees reflect their colours of orange and gold in the river. This stretch of the river is also important for salmon, sea trout, dipper and yellow and otter.

In the summer the river can be reduced to a trickle and becomes very popular with bathers, but when in spate in the winter is a serious challenge for canoeists.

The property forms part of one of the largest continuous stretches of ancient semi-natural western oak woodland in the area. It is also very important for its lichens and bryophyte communities. It is designated a Special Area of Conservation under the European Habitat Directive. The Trust's ownership extends to the islands at Bell Pool.

Management of the area is difficult due to the steepness of the slopes and the fact that, in one area a geological fault has led to landslips, which need constant monitoring and attention.
Again, partly due to the steep, unstable slopes large trees are frequently blown over, necessitating closure of the area until the hazard is cleared. Management of the area is also restricted by the presence of many charcoal hearths dating from the time when the woods were actively coppiced to produce charcoal.

The general management aim is to control the beech and sycamore re-growth and favour the oak. There are some magnificent Sweet Chestnuts and Hornbeams and the Trust will carry out any necessary surgery required to prolong the life of these trees. There is a positive policy to remove the invasive laurel and rhododendron.

Intro to the Upper Plym

The National Trust owns around 3500 acres of woodland and moorland stretching from the river bridge at Shaugh Prior right up the valley to Plym Head. The area is very rich in wildlife and archaeology and is popular with walkers, naturalists and climbers.

At the Shaugh Prior end the Dewerstone Rocks can be found - these are popular climbing rocks. Care needs to be taken when climbing here as the rock faces are high and vertical. Novice climbers should always be supervised. See the British Mountaineering Council for courses and safety tips.

There are myths and legends associated with the Dewerstone (Dewer meaning the devil!) - click here for more details.

Upstream of the Dewerstone the Plym runs through a sessile oak wooded valley which is part of the South Dartmoor Woodlands Special Area of Conservation.

An important ancient woodland site with a rich lichen and moss flora, including some rare and local species. The woodlands cover steep valley slopes around the confluence of the Rivers Meavy and Plym and contain predominantly previously coppiced Pedunculate Oak. There is also Sessile Oak, Ash, Beech, Birch and Alder. The woodland floor is grazed and the flora consists mainly of Bilberry, Bramble, Wood Sorrel, Heath Bedstraw and various grasses with Greater Woodrush along the river banks. Birds include the Buzzard, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Dipper and Grey Wagtail alongside the river banks.

From Trowlesworthy Farm the open moorland begins. Despite the great sense of space, isolation and natural wilderness of the moor, the landscape has been shaped and inhabited by people for at least 6000 years. Intermittent use, the durability of granite and the gradual decline of development since the 19th century has led to much of this activity being readily evident. The visible Bronze Age landscape of houses (many grouped in enclosures) extensive land divisions, cairns, and other ritual monuments such as stone rows and burial cists is of international significance. Medieval and post medieval farmsteads with associated field systems and the industries of tin streaming, rabbit warrening and quarrying allow the daily lives and activities of these past moorland people to be read from the landscape. Recorded oral memories of 19th and 20th century warreners attest to the hard and isolated existence this life became. Many of these sites have been designated as Scheduled Monuments of national importance.

There are many good walks in the area - this one from Shaugh Bridge to Cadover Bridge (3 miles long) is recommended.

Intro to Wheal Betsy

Wheal Betsy is an old Engine House just beside the A386 between Okehampton and Tavistock just outside Mary Tavy. The grid reference is SX 510813.

In the 17, 18 and 1900 this area was very important as a mining centre. The mines yielded tin, lead, zinc and silver. Full details can be found on the Legendary Dartmoor site.

Wheal Bestsy is also well known for its leaning tower. The site is in an exposed position so received strong gusts of wind and rain, over the years the National Trust have had to re point the tower and stabilise the walls to ensure it doesn't fall down.

Wheal Betsy is also important as it is the last standing Engine House on Dartmoor. In 1954 the Army was given permission to demolish it but luckily it was saved by the intervention of A.K. Hamilton Jenkin and other campaigners and given to the National Trust.

Photographic exhibition - Widecombe Shop

1st June to 30th June - come visit a very special exhibition, at the National Trust Shop in Widecombe, of framed photographs by Adrian Oakes of Dartmoor and the coast. Adrian Oakes is a successful Landscape photographer with many years of experience behind the camera. He has had published a hardback book on Dartmoor, with a second on its way in October and a third in 2010.

The exhibition will be open everyday from 10.30 am to 5.00pm.

Fruit bushes flourish

We have now erected the 'wires' on the walls at the Parke Walled Garden so that we can begin to train the fruit bushes up the walls.

We have planted local varieties of apples and pears along with soft fruits such as white currents, cherries and black currents. We have also planted some species which we think will flourish as the climate warms up - these include almonds, apricots and kiwi fruits.

We are training the bushes as either fans, cordons or espaliers. The classic Walled Garden styles! The recently planted bushes are all coming into leaf and the almonds and kiwis are already producing fruit. Unfortunately we will have to remove these fruits as we want the growth in the first year to go into shoots to train on the wires not into fruits.

You can get involved with this project - contact us on 01626 834 750. Alternatively you can get involved with the vegetable project in the Walled Garden run by Bovey Climate Action.

Hydro electric power on Dartmoor

The National Trust hosted a hydro electric seminar at Shaugh Prior on 13th May with representatives from a number of organisations including the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Environmental Agency, Natural England, DARE and South West Water. In addition a number of hydro developers and consultants also attended.

The point of the meeting was to discuss issues such as river abstraction licences, wildlife, landscape and archaeological issues which might stop potential micro hydro schemes progressing.

As a society we need to be producing much more of our energy from renewable resources - indeed the Government target is 15% of our energy from renewables by 2015. In addition the National Park Authority want to see an additional 1.5mW of energy produced on Dartmoor from hydro by 2012. The National Trust wishes to become energy neutral in Devon and Cornwall.

Although putting schemes together is often complex and rather bureaucratic there are a number of examples now where the specials needs of Dartmoor, it wildlife and landscape can be protected whilst still allowing small scale hydro schemes to progress. Future schemes will also have to ensure that the special character of Dartmoor is not compromised. The meeting concluded that this can be done as long as all the relevant bodies work closely together and share best practice.

Why not help with this butterfly and moth survey?

The Painted Lady Butterfly and Humming-bird Hawk-moth are arriving from Africa and becoming increasingly common in the UK. To find out just how common, we need the public’s help. Butterfly Conservation are running an online survey in 2009 specifically targeting two migrant insects which come to Britain from North Africa and the southern Mediterranean each year and are often seen in gardens: the Humming-bird Hawk-moth and the Painted Lady butterfly.

Numbers of both species appear to be increasing, probably as a result of climate change and the Humming-bird Hawk-moth is beginning to survive our warmer winters. Many mysteries remain to be solved about insect migration – we do not know, for example, whether the British ‘born’ offspring of these insects migrate southwards to avoid the winter here. With your help, BC will track the arrival, spread and possible departure of these two beautiful and exciting species during 2009. The online survey is already up and running. If you see one of these amazing animals during 2009, please log your sighting using the simple online form at http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/

Details of the 2008 survey can be found here.

Finch Foundry - events being enjoyed!

Visitors numbers are really strong at Finch Foundry this year. There have also been some special events where people have been able to enjoy the sunshine and the entertainment.

May Day was celebrated with the local school by maypole dancing - the local Morris dancers - a ladies team called Cogs and Wheels also joined in. Cogs and Wheels are based in Sticklepath and take their inspiration from Finch Foundry. Visit their web site to find out where you can see them this summer.

In addition to the May Day celebrations there was also a vintage car rally on the 16th May which attracted over 50 cars - look at those Astons!

This weekend (16th May) sees a Vintage Motorcycle Rally at Finch - Cogs and Wheels will there there too! For full details of how to get to Finch Foundry - press here.

Bovey Climate Action win Carbon Positive Award

Congratulations to Bovey Climate Action who have won Carbon and Communities section of the Regional Carbon Positive Awards. This is awarded to communities who have successfully reduced their carbon footprints.

One of the reasons they received the award was their pioneering work they are carrying out with the National Trust in the Walled Garden at Parke. The aim of the project is to involve the community in growing vegetables and fruit locally as well as teaching local people who to master gardening skills generally which can then be applied to their own gardens and allotments.

The National Trust is also running a local food campaign - Food Glorious Food - click here for more information on events occurring near you, along with advice on growing food yourself

The Wildlife of Dartmoor

If you want to know more about the wildlife of Dartmoor then this book is the one for you. It is written by two of Dartmoor's top wildlife experts: Norman Baldock and John Walters.

The book covers all the main habitats: open moor, woodland, farmland and water. The book is richly illustrated covers all the main animal and plant groups.

It is available for £20 at our Lydford Gorge and Widecombe in the Moor shops

Ten Tors and Trowlesworthy Tor

This weekend is Ten Tors weekend - good luck to all the young people attempting the challenge.

The furthest point south on the 55 mile route is Trowlesworthy Tor near Lee Moor, Shaugh Prior. This Tor and 3000 acres around it is owned by the National Trust. It is a great area for wildlife, archaeology and landscape. Lets hope the Ten Torers enjoy the view and the wildlife as they reach their halfway point.

Pied flycatchers at Lydford Gorge

Pied flycatchers are breeding at Lydford Gorge and they are easy to see! Pied flycatchers are classic west country oak woodland birds - they are migrants which have returned to the UK all the way from West Africa.

If you want to see this beautiful bird go to Lydford Gorge - the Waterfall Entrance and then go along the old railway line track until to reach the bird hide. The pied flycatchers will hopefully perform for you from the hide window!

Intro to the Teign Valley Woods West

The Teign Valley Estate West surrounds the National Trust property of Castle Drogo. It extends to approximately 306 hectares and contains large tracts of woodland along the steep slopes of the Teign valley, both broad-leaved woodland and conifer plantation. In addition, there is an ancient deer park containing wood-pasture and small scattered wet flush areas, old common land with heathland and rocky crags, and an area of pastoral farmland with small woods and hedgerows. The section of the River Teign flowing through the site is a valuable feature in its own right.

This combination of habitats is of considerable importance for nature conservation and it creates a landscape which forms a dramatic setting to the early 20th Century property of Castle Drogo.

The main features of nature conservation interest are as follows:

- Whiddon Deer Park SSSI - Wood-pasture and parkland. Nationally important concentration of open-grown veteran trees in semi-natural pasture.
- Piddledown & Drewston Commons – Upland heathland. Rare invertebrates of hot dry rocky situations. Important butterfly site, with a colony of Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Rare plants including Nationally rare Toadflax-leaved St John’s Wort and Nationally scarce Pale Dog Violet;
- Whiddon & Hannicombe Woods - Upland Oakwoods on north-facing slopes
- Several Bat species - including the rare Barbastelle associated with veteran trees in Whiddon Deer
- Protected mammal species - such as Dormouse in woodlands and Otter in River Teign.
- Rich bird assemblage in the diverse range of habitats - including Nightjar
- Butterfly populations associated with heathland and dry grassland - including Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

One of the most famous areas is Fingle Bridge - a real attraction for visitors to Dartmoor. There is much myth and legend associated with the area - see here.

You can download a walks leaflet here which shows you an excellent 5 mile walk along the River Teign in the Gorge.

After your walk you can get food and refreshments at the new Castle Drogo tearooms or at the Fingle Bridge Inn.

Intro to Hembury Woods

Hembury Woods is a good example of western oak woodland with a wet alder wood in the valley and areas of heathy grassland around Hembury Castle, a prehistoric hill fort. The River Dart runs through the wood and the whole of the Dart Valley is a biodiversity hot-spot. Most of the woodland is Pendunculate Oak with Silver Birch, Holly and Hazel in the understorey. Flowers include Bluebells, Primroses, Ramsons (Wild Garlic), Wild Daffodil and Wood Anemone, many of which are indicators of ancient woodland. Royal Ferns can be seen in patches, mainly on the river banks. A diverse flora of lichens occurs on the trunks and branches of the trees. The heathy areas have Gorse and Bell Heather, Tormentil, Carline Thistle and Wild Thyme. The variety of habitats support a rich invertebrate fauna - particularly butterflies. Access around the site is good and car parking is provided at SX729680.

Visiting Hembury Woods - Take the Buckfastleigh turning off the A38. Go past Buckfast Abbey, almost immediately take the next turn on the right, signposted Buckfast. Go through Buckfast village and take right fork signposted Hembury Woods. After bridge, ascend the hill and park on left hand side of the road where it levels off at top or turn in and park at the picnic area.

If you are interested in a longer walk press here - this is a Dartmoor National Park Authority Walk

Green manure at Parke Walled Garden

In the walled garden at Parke the first crops are starting to appear above the soil, but there are areas that look as though they are being taken over by a blanket of green weed.

Don’t worry. This is actually a mixture of Italian rye grass, phacelia and red clover that has been specifically planted to act as a 'green' manure, a weed suppressant and a nectar source for bees and other insects. This will be ploughed-in later in the year to help fertilise the soil and improve its structure, therefore eliminating the need for chemical fertilisers.