Teignbridge Trotters run at Parke

Despite a night of very heavy rain the latest meeting of the Teignbridge Trotters was poised to take place at the National Trust property, Parke, Bovey Tracey! Setting up was itself a challenge with more heavy rain and no shortage of mud to contend with. To cheer us all up the snack wagon opened for business just as we finished. But would all of the effort of the Trotters and the National Trust be wasted? Would the runners see sense and choose a full English fry up to a day of squelching around in the mud?

Gradually competitors began to arrive and warm up for the first race. Pretty soon the car park was overflowing and parking spilled out on to the main drive. Perhaps the promise of ankle deep mud added to the fun. As the first race started the weather improved to a light drizzle, ideal running weather to keep the temperature down.

The finish of the first race heralded a constant stream of trotters heading for the hose pipe and a rinse down before going home.

In spite of the weather everyone seemed to enjoy the day especially the little girl in pink!

Wild Tribe

Wild Tribe is a chance to experience, explore and learn about the countryside its wild life, traditions and pass times.

On the first Sunday of every month in 2011, starting on the 6th March, there will be a Wild Tribe event on and around the Fingle Bridge meadows.

The vision is to help and guide families and young people who wish to develop their own relationship with the countryside. We can over time provide a wide range of activities all based around the National Trusts estate which will excite, stimulate and educate and be guided by the interests of the Tribe members themselves.

A group may have with a particular interest in say traditional woodland skills, another in natural history, another in wildlife watch, either live or by setting up web cams, families with young children may enjoy forest school, older children may like to set up a mountain bike course. Each group would be a part of the Tribe and could come together to share their experiences on Wild Tribe days. People will be encouaged to move between groups to widen their experience and enjoyment.

Over the first few months we will be setting up a number of activities for you and your family to try we hope then if we get feedback to tailor the events to the needs of the families attending.

There is no compulsion to 'join' anything and it will be fine to come to just occasional days, however if you want to make a regular commitment to attending Wild Tribe events then much more can be achieved over time. This will be especially true for children who can grow into areas of interest and develop new skills and experience.

To book places at the Wild Tribe day or to get further information please ring 01647 433356 and ask for Tom or 01626 834748 and ask for Mick. or email mick.jones@nationaltrust.org.uk

Go on give it a try.

Scarecrow Day - Parke

Wednesday 23 February - 11am-3.30pm:

Make your own scarecrow - sessions start at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. The winner of each session will win a prize and their scarecrow will work in the walled garden. Child £2.

Booking essential on 01626 834748.

Lydford Gorge's new log boiler

Here is a short video of our new log boiler system at Lydford Gorge on Dartmoor.

The boiler will burn around 25 tonnes of logs (from our own woodlands) every year and heat the office, the flat, the shop, visitor reception and our tearooms.

The video shows the boiler, the complex plumbing and a variety of air blowing radiators around the property. The system will also provide hot water. Part funded by Devon County Council.

The system is being commissioned tomorrow and more details will follow once it is fully operational. Previously we had a really inefficient calor gas and electric heating system - all part of our campaign to get of fossil fuel based energy.

Castle Drogo 'Last Chance Saloon' press coverage

Castle Drogo needs your help or its game over - we have just launched a public appeal to raise £1.5M as a contribution towards the £11M cost of saving Drogo forever.

Here is a selction of of the media coverage we have got today

Westcountry ITV News
The Independent
The Daily Telegraph
BBC
Culture 24
Guardian
Guardian Editorial

If you want to support the appeal go to here

You can also follow the Castle Drogo campaign on twitter at www.twitter.com@savecastledrogo and on facebook at www.facebook.com/savecastledrogo

Going for gold

Thousands of people volunteer with the National Trust each year, across a whole range of roles. From working in the historic homes of the chattering classes to mucking in with the countryside rangers. They come from all walks of life and volunteer for all sorts of reasons, this is one volunteers story.







Property: Lydford Gorge, West Dartmoor
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lydfordgorge

Tells us a little bit about yourself?
Robert Yells, 18 from Lewdown, near Okehampton. I studied A levels at Okehampton College and I'm now talking a gap year before stating university.

Why are you volunteering?
I am volunteering at Lydford Gorge as part of my gold Duke of Edinburgh award. This is giving me the chance to learn new skills and meet different people.

What have you been doing?
I've been working with the rangers at Lydford Gorge and other volunteers. So far I've helping out for 3 months, assisting with tasks such as collecting and stacking wood for the new wood fuel boiler, planting trees and other general maintenance.

Whats next?
I'm planning on going to the university of Aberdeen to study Environmental Science this September.

If your interested, curious or just plain nosey about volunteering with the National Trust follow this link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-volunteering.htm