Just checking!

Today, WITC followed in our footsteps in order to check our Rangale of deer series. Sited in April, the set has been on the moor during one of the wettest Summers on record, and we were conscious how many of the main stamps (if not the books) were not double-potted, risking damage if any moisture got in. Conditions under foot were ‘spongy’, and we were forced to walk upstream to Kit Rocks in order to cross the East Dart.

We walked our series in reverse, in the hope of gathering information of the previous boxes through visitor book comments.  We were aware of at least one box in trouble, and were keen to check that they were all on site, and dry.  Today’s forecast of sunshine was the only motivation we needed to get out there.  Firing in Okehampton Military Range would not affect us.

The Rangale clues have been visible, and accessible via this blog, and we were curious about who had visited the stamps also.  Numbers varied between individual boxes, but we have had approximately 25 letterboxers complete the set, and that is pleasing.

Unfortunately, Broad Marsh and Lade Hill boxes were water damaged.  In both cases we removed them from the moor.  Our original blog post has been amended accordingly.  We will probably now take the entire set off the moor in early 2013.  I guess we have learnt lessons in stamp manufacturing, and box construction.  To their credit, the actual rubber Tanda Stamps have remained in one piece, so they are a ‘recommend’.  Find them at www.TandaStamps.com.

All the other boxes and stamps are in reasonable or good condition, which delights us.  We hope to site our Christmas walk in the next 4-6 weeks.   

More details to follow!

Overall, including a diversion to Braddon Tor and Kit Rocks, 13.4 miles walked, and 9 other boxes found.

Battle Plans Part IV

(Planning Application 0501/12, Cramber Training Area, Dartmoor National Park Authority)

As promised in last year's Integrated Rural Management Plan (see post Battle Plans III - Any clearer?), the MOD have submitted a planning application to continue using the Cramber Tor area (highlighted above) as a 'dry' military training area.  The news of the application can be found on the Dartmoor National Park Authority website.  The DNPA reports that the area "has had a number of temporary consents since the 1980s for military training. This time the MOD want a permanent planning permission" (www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/planning/cramber-tor).

Reading through the application (as I have) it appears that, by and large, the MOD will continue to use the area in the same way it always has.  The last consultation (back in 2002) produced the following guidelines for training in the Cramber area:

1.  Use to continue until 3 January 2013, but with a review, to consider the results of monitoring and the changing needs of the armed forces, in the first half of 2008. 

2.  No training to take place on Sundays, public holidays and during the month of August. 

3.  A strategy for monitoring the impact of military use on the area, utilising the existing baseline data, shall be submitted for approval by the Authority within three months of the date of the decision letter. An annual monitoring report shall be submitted to the Authority. 

4.  No digging or wiring, within the areas defined on the plan attached to this letter, avoidance of heather areas and full reinstatement of the ground after any exercise. All such operations to be monitored as part of the strategy referred to above. 

5.  No tracked vehicles to use the area and no wheeled vehicles other than landrovers (excluding the one tonne variant) to use the area. Such use to be confined to the existing track through the area, with entry to it only from the western end, via Burrator Forest, and no entry or exit at the eastern end via the Whiteworks road. The MOD, through Standing Orders, to ensure the minimum possible use by vehicles. 

6.  Tenting in excess of four tents to be confined to the agreed tented camp areas (defined on the plan attached to the decision letter). Such use to avoid areas of heather and to be no closer than 20m from any area of identified archaeological significance. 

7.  Standing Orders to ensure that, as far as possible, the risk of fires is minimised, and to ban the use of pyrotechnics at times of high fire risk (a method of identifying such times to be agreed through the Military Working Party). 

8.  A strategy for controlling accidental fires, together with any necessary restoration measures, to be submitted for approval by the Authority within one month of the date of the decision letter. 

9.  Helicopters not to be used on Saturdays, except in emergencies. 

10. . The use of blanks and pyrotechnics to be restricted to no more than 12 Saturdays in the year and no more than two Saturdays in any one month. 

11. . Whenever avoidable no individual groups of greater than 35 personnel shall use the area between 1 March and 15 July in any year. 

12.  No works to take place within 100m of any watercourse.  

13.  Any controlled waste produced as a result of training exercises shall be properly disposed of off-site. 

14.  All possible measures to mitigate any effects of the use of the area for training, shall be implemented in accordance with arrangements agreed with the Authority.

(Planning Application 0501/12, Executive Summary, Dartmoor National Park Authority)

Dry training, the MOD insist, must happen on the South Moor, as opposed to one of the North Moor Ranges because of the distance from Plymouth, and the city's military bases.  In order to maximise training time without the requirement for troops to camp out.

The planning application submitted includes this information:

The proposal currently being considered by DNPA for [Cramber Training Area] to be used for dry military training will continue to adhere to these conditions except for:· Condition 5 – It is suggested that reference to ‘landrover’ is removed as this is make specific and replaced with ‘vehicle weighing less than 2 tonnes with four wheeled drive capability.’· Condition 11 - The MOD would like to increase the number of personnel in a group to 50 in line with DNPA Recreation and Access strategy 2011 – 2017.

(Planning Application 0501/12, Executive Summary, Dartmoor National Park Authority)

In our experience, we have only seen blue waterproof clad Marines and Cadets wandering around the Cramber area, and I was keen to find out what they were intending to do in a dry military training area.  The DNPA report states that such an area allows for "walking, map work, laying wires for communication purposes, digging trenches, camping, military manoeuvres with troops including use of pyrotechnics, non explosive devices, and occasional use of helicopters"  (www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/planning/cramber-tor).  The planning application specifies the percentage of military time is dedicated to each activity.

(Planning Application 0501/12, Application for Planning Permission, Dartmoor National Park Authority) 

I couldn't help but wonder:  51% of their time walking... 5% crawling.. 4% digging and 9% hiding?  Isn't that letterboxing?!?

The Ministry of Defence held a public exhibition in Princetown yesterday, but if you weren't there, you can still view the whole application via the Dartmoor National Park website (search the planning application number: 0501/12).  All comments must be received by the Case Officer by 12th October 2012.

References: 

Dartmoor National Park News.  Accessed via: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk, 26/09/12

Cramber Training Area map and drawing; Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Ministry of Defence. Accessed via: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/planning/pl-devcontrol/pl-planning-application/application_register). 26/09/12

Executive Summary of the Major Development Test and Non-statutory Environmental Statement for Continuation of Military Training on Cramber Training Area, Dartmoor; Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Ministry of Defence. Accessed via: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/planning/pl-devcontrol/pl-planning-application/application_register). 26/09/12

Major Development Test and Non-statutory Environmental Statement for Continuation of Military Training on Cramber Training Area, Dartmoor; Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Ministry of Defence. Accessed via: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/planning/pl-devcontrol/pl-planning-application/application_register. 26/09/12

Haytor Rocks

As we were close to the East side of the Moor, and with time to spare, we took advantage of the recent settled weather and took a short hike around Haytor Rocks and Bagtor Down.  We even indulged in the guilty pleasure of scrambling to the summit of Low Man via the steps and iron handrail on it's South-East side.

We typically would have avoided the area on a weekend, but were surprised to see just a handful of climbers roped up and picking routes up the Haytor massif opposite, and few others.

We've always enjoyed exploring the area around the Haytor Quarries, and across the road around the headwaters of the Lemon.  We found the Boxes were on site, and receiving regular visits.

With just 5 miles covered and 12 boxes found, we can't wait to spend a little longer on the moor in mid October.  Reports are suggesting that our box Rangale of Deer - Broad Down is in need of attention.  So a few walks on the North moor beckon.

Running up that hill

This August has just been about one thing for WITC: the Olympic Games.  We were very fortunate enough to have  tickets for many different events, so we criss-crossed the UK, from Weymouth to Essex to Central London, Cardiff and Olympic Park at Stratford.  We had an amazing time, watching great sports action and soaking up the incredible atmosphere.

It was a shame when the whole show ended on the night of the 12th.  And what a marvellous closing ceremony it was!  We were delighted to discover therefore that two British Olympians - cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish - will be in action on Dartmoor in September.  The Tour of Britain event arrives in Devon on its penultimate leg on September 15th. Cyclists from around the world will converge on the county on a 106 mile route from Barnstaple to Dartmouth, via Merrivale Hill (pictured) on the Tavistock to Two Bridges road.

Expect road closures and cheering crowds if you are walking this way that weekend.  Perhaps it was fortunate we completed our route up the Walkham valley this past week then.  Up to Dead Lake and Cocks Hill via the Staple Tors.  With a brisk wind to push us along, the slopes did not hold us back.  And like a true King of the mountain (ahem), whoisthechallenger found 29 boxes on the 13 mile day.    Next week the Paralympics start, and we are hoping to witness more great sport and intense competition.  Come on Team GB!

Uncle Ab

Concluding our July focus on Dartmoor houses, today's walk included a visit to the remains of a pit pony residence near the head of Middle Brook: Uncle Abs House.  

Our walk took us from Shipley Bridge up the Zeal Tor Tramroad to Petres Pits, and on up to Eastern Whittaburrow.  Affectionately known as the Sub, due to its resemblance to a surfacing submarine with a conning tower.  At 472 metres, EWB is one of the highest points on the South moor, and provides impressive views across the South Hams.

WITC met fellow letterboxers 'Slow Going' and 'Cornish Lady'.  They helped kick start the box finding, which up to this point had been tough, thanks to iffy weather and the LBT.  From Eastern Whittaburrow to Western Whittaburrow, with Petres Cross affixed in it's cairn.  

We descended from here to Quickbeam Hill, Knattaburrow, and Middle Brook.  Pausing to look around Uncle Abs House.  The shell of this property stood as late as the 1950's, as a photo on the Dartmoor archive shows here.  Today, just a solitary corner remains upright, alongside the ruined foundations.  A geocache is hidden among the ruins, but letterboxes keep their distance.

The house used to be split level, with the ground floor used to store the horses for nearby pit work, and the first floor for the staff.

A quick crossing of the hill to Bala Brook, and we found ourselves just a short stroll around Brent Moor from the Avon Dam track and Shipley Bridge.

8 miles walked.  15 boxes found.

A sneaky peek

WITC notes with interest the sale of another iconic Dartmoor house:  Pew Tor Cottage, near Merrivale.  This 6-bedroomed property has a unique situation amongst small Dartmoor properties, in that it is surrounded by access land (and probably letterboxes) right up to it's four boundaries.  High hedges provide the residents with seclusion, and the proximity from the top of the Pew Tor prevents prying eyes.  So the brochure attached to the property listing (accessible via Rightmove: here) gives a rare glimpse into the home and gardens.

The sales information suggests that the house was built in the late 18th century, with many original character features.  It has an acre of land including an ornamental pond and - although it needs upgrading - a swimming pool too.

The square shaped, wooded family retreat is on the market now for £675,000 from Tavistock agent Ward and Chowan.

Rain stopped play

Whoisthechallenger took a stroll up the Plym this past week.  With high hopes and even higher gaiters, we splashed our way out of the Gutter Tor car park towards Ditsworthy Warren.  The house, which featured in last year's Oscar-nominated Spielberg epic 'War Horse' looked decidedly moody under leaden skies.

The recent rains on Dartmoor again has hit the headlines with the Yealm sparking a Severe Flood Warning on Friday 6th July.  River levels in Yealmpton rose more than 6 feet higher than normal for this time of year.  The Plym was also on high alert.  The Youtube video below was filmed during the morning of July 7th at the confluence of Blackaton Brook and River Plym above Cadover Bridge.  The OP of the video: 'Bikiniboy' states that levels had dropped 2.5ft before he arrived on location.

In keeping with the exceptional conditions, our walk came to an abrupt halt at Whittenknowles Rocks because our path to Drizzlecombe and beyond was underwater.

Lets hope Summer arrives soon!