History and Future Prospects of Sheep Farming on Dartmoor (History Section)

Morning talks at Postbridge Village Hall and an afternoon visit to Challacombe Farm exploring the history and future prospects of sheep farming in Dartmoor. The event promises to be of interest to all who find Dartmoor’s farming and its landscape a source of fascination.

Programme

• 10:15 Doors open
• 10:30 David Knapman. local historian – Wool and mutton from the moor. A talk on the evolution and historic peculiarities of farming in Dartmoor, the emergence in the late 18th century of local breeds of sheep and Devon’s endangered breeds in the 21st century.
  
• 11:20 Tea / coffee / biscuits
• 11:45 Layland Branfield (Chair of the Dartmoor Commoners) – How things have changed. Layland  discusses the changes that followed the creation of Dartmoor National Park, 75 years of agricultural policy and 50 years of environmental policy and the likely path of future changes to commercial farming on the moor.
  
• 12:15: Mark Owen (Challacombe Farm, Secretary of Central Dartmoor Farm Cluster) – Farming for nature on Dartmoor in a historic landscape.
• 12:45: Q&A (panel)
• 13:00: Lunch: Bring-your-own sandwiches, or eat at the East Dart Inn (eastdartinn.com), or visit the National Park Visitor Centre**
• 14:15: Depart by car for Challacombe Farm (3.7 miles). Afternoon walking tour of Challacombe Farm, ending about 16:00.

** The Visitor Centre does not have catering facilities, and charges for parking (min charge £3.40), but is within walking distance of the Village Hall.

Please book by emailing the organiser (details below).

Price: £10.00 for DA members; £12.50 for non-members. Details of how to pay and directions to Postbridge Village Hall and Challacombe Farm will be sent to those who have booked.