The area was surveyed around 1827 by Cornishmen with thirty years experience in the clay industry.
They obtained a 21-year lease in 1830, from the Earl of Morley who owned the land, to work the area between Lee Moor and Shaugh Moor.
The use of moorstone continued to such an extent that in 1847 boundary markers were cut around Pew Tor to protect it.
A rival pit was opened at Leftlake in about 1850 and at Hemerdon and Broomage in about 1855.
A rival pit was opened at Leftlake in about 1850 and at Hemerdon and Broomage in about 1855.
Further pits were opened at Cholwichtown, Whitehill Yeo and Wigford Down/Brisworthy (circa 1860).
The policy now is to replant with more native hardwood trees although more resistant conifers are also being used. ===Reservoirs=== There are eight Dartmoor reservoirs, with the earliest being Tottiford Reservoir, 1861.
The current leases run for many years, with Cramber Tor most recently being granted a further 40-year licence. ===Afforestation=== Early afforestation occurred when Brimpts was planted with trees in 1862.
Others followed at Smallhanger and Headon in the 1870s.
Commoners rights seem to have been a settled issue in recent years: except for where they are impinged upon by the military presence. ===Military use=== Dartmoor Training Area has been used regularly for military training since 1873, although it was used earlier during the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars.
The taking of stone started to change the Dartmoor landscape: for example Eric Hemery (writing in 1983) stated that Swell Tor had been "decapitated and disembowelled by the quarrymen". In August 1881, a public meeting was convened by the Portreeve of Tavistock in the Guildhall to discuss the continued taking of stone, particularly from landmark tors.
It was founded in 1883.
The DPA was founded in 1883.
"A Dartmoor Century 1883-1983: One hundred years of the Dartmoor Preservation Association".
. ==External links== Campaign for National Parks website Charity Commission Register: Dartmoor Preservation Association Dartmoor Preservation Association website Dartmoor Organizations established in 1883 1883 establishments in England Charities based in Devon
In 1901, the DPA commissioned a report into damage to ancient monuments, caused by the taking of stone for building and road-mending, and into unlawful enclosures of common land. ===Commoners' rights=== The first publication of the DPA, in 1890, was a short history of commoners' rights on Dartmoor and the commons of Devon.
Dartmoor Preservation Association, Plymouth, 1890.
An important battle occurred in 1894 when the Corporation of London attempted to buy the whole of Dartmoor in order to pipe its water to Paddington alongside Brunel’s recently converted railway, when it went from broad gauge to standard gauge.
The protected area around Pew Tor was extended in December 1896.
In 1897, the DPA went to court to fight successfully the enclosure of a section of Peter Tavy Great Common, in support of a farmer.
In 1901, the DPA commissioned a report into damage to ancient monuments, caused by the taking of stone for building and road-mending, and into unlawful enclosures of common land. ===Commoners' rights=== The first publication of the DPA, in 1890, was a short history of commoners' rights on Dartmoor and the commons of Devon.
In 1906-07, seven miles of roads were built on the north moor to facilitate the movement of guns.
Redlake started working in 1910.
The Forestry Commission was founded in 1919, following World War I and in that year the Duchy of Cornwall planted 800 acres of conifers at Fernworthy.
In 1921, Plymouth Corporation planted conifers around Burrator Reservoir.
The Forestry Commission planted Bellever and Laughter Tor farms in 1930-32 and in 1944-1945 Soussons Down was also planted.
Three were built in the mid-20th century: Fernworthy, 1942; Avon, 1957 and Meldon, 1972, and the DPA fought many battles over these.
The Forestry Commission planted Bellever and Laughter Tor farms in 1930-32 and in 1944-1945 Soussons Down was also planted.
In 1985 the DPA used funds from a bequest to purchase 50 acres of land where the dam of a reservoir at Swincombe would have to be. ===National Park designation=== The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 led to Dartmoor being one of the first four parks to be designated, by an order made on 15 August 1951 and confirmed on 30 October 1951.
In 1985 the DPA used funds from a bequest to purchase 50 acres of land where the dam of a reservoir at Swincombe would have to be. ===National Park designation=== The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 led to Dartmoor being one of the first four parks to be designated, by an order made on 15 August 1951 and confirmed on 30 October 1951.
It was not until 1997 that an independent Dartmoor National Park Authority was enabled under the Environment Act 1995 as a free-standing local authority, forty-four years after the park was created, although it is still dominated by local authorities and government appointees. ===North Hessary Tor TV mast=== The DPA learned in October 1951 that the BBC planned to build a 750-foot television mast on North Hessary Tor, near Princetown, that was erected in 1955.
DPA opposition to forestry on Dartmoor arose again in 1953 when it wrote a policy on woodlands in the then-new national park.
It was not until 1997 that an independent Dartmoor National Park Authority was enabled under the Environment Act 1995 as a free-standing local authority, forty-four years after the park was created, although it is still dominated by local authorities and government appointees. ===North Hessary Tor TV mast=== The DPA learned in October 1951 that the BBC planned to build a 750-foot television mast on North Hessary Tor, near Princetown, that was erected in 1955.
In 1956, permission was granted to rebuild the station as part of the "Gee" radio navigation system, to be occupied for ten years.
Three were built in the mid-20th century: Fernworthy, 1942; Avon, 1957 and Meldon, 1972, and the DPA fought many battles over these.
It also contains details of a 1958 incident in which a young boy was killed by a mortar shell near Cranmere Pool. Since the 1960s there has been much less military damage and litter as a result of the DPA persuading the Services to be more cautious.
Opposition was exercised when Hawn, Dendles and High House Wastes, all near Cornwood, were designated for tree planting in 1959.
It also contains details of a 1958 incident in which a young boy was killed by a mortar shell near Cranmere Pool. Since the 1960s there has been much less military damage and litter as a result of the DPA persuading the Services to be more cautious.
Argument continued while Hawns and Dendles Wastes were ploughed in 1960.
In 1963 the DPA published a widely circulated 24-page booklet entitled Misuse of a National Park which includes photographs of unexploded shells lying on the open moor, corrugated iron buildings, large craters, a derelict tank used as a target, bullet marks on standing stones, etc.
The need for a bypass was mooted in 1963.
High House Waste was purchased by the DPA in 1964 and the Nature Conservancy (UK) bought neighbouring Dendles in 1965.
High House Waste was purchased by the DPA in 1964 and the Nature Conservancy (UK) bought neighbouring Dendles in 1965.
48, October 1966, with a comment that designs based on the initial letters DPA had been exhausted.
David & Charles, Newton Abbot, Devon, 1968.
Newton Abbot, Devon, 1968.
The simpler logo appeared in November 1969, when Newsletter 52 carried the logo with "DPA" on it.
This was rejected in parliament in 1970, revived in 1974 and finally resolved by the building of the Roadford Reservoir to the west of the moor.
There followed delay in leaving and a proposal was made in 1970 by Devon & Cornwall Police to use the mast, which was rejected.
David & Charles, Newton Abbot Devon, 1970.
Three were built in the mid-20th century: Fernworthy, 1942; Avon, 1957 and Meldon, 1972, and the DPA fought many battles over these.
The committee was reformed as Dartmoor National Park Committee under the Local Government Act 1972 but it was still a subcommittee of Devon County Council and as such it was not seen to be an independent guardian of the moor by the DPA.
Crapstone, Plymouth, 1972.
At a public enquiry in June 1973 Lady Sylvia Sayer represented the DPA and permission for development on the site was refused.
This was rejected in parliament in 1970, revived in 1974 and finally resolved by the building of the Roadford Reservoir to the west of the moor.
In 1975, three routes were considered: a northern route through mainly farmland, a central route using a railway, and a southern route through Dartmoor National Park.
In August 1976, the Department of the Environment announced the preferred route was through the National Park.
A major event on the timeline of this project was a 96-day public enquiry from 1 May 1979 to 4 February 1980 held in Okehampton.
A major event on the timeline of this project was a 96-day public enquiry from 1 May 1979 to 4 February 1980 held in Okehampton.
The taking of stone started to change the Dartmoor landscape: for example Eric Hemery (writing in 1983) stated that Swell Tor had been "decapitated and disembowelled by the quarrymen". In August 1881, a public meeting was convened by the Portreeve of Tavistock in the Guildhall to discuss the continued taking of stone, particularly from landmark tors.
Robert Hale Ltd, London, 1983.
Yelverton, Devon, 1983.
The DPA purchased 32 acres in February 1984. ===Okehampton bypass=== Okehampton lies on the A30 main road, the shortest route from London to west Devon and Cornwall.
In March 1984, the DPA with other organisations petitioned Parliament opposing compulsory purchase orders on public open spaces.
In 1985 the DPA used funds from a bequest to purchase 50 acres of land where the dam of a reservoir at Swincombe would have to be. ===National Park designation=== The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 led to Dartmoor being one of the first four parks to be designated, by an order made on 15 August 1951 and confirmed on 30 October 1951.
The Secretary of State announced in July 1985 that he was introducing a bill to reverse the decision of a Joint Parliamentary Committee and confirm a route through the National Park.
This was followed by a confirmation bill in November 1985 that was passed in the House of Lords on 5 December 1985.
Construction started in November 1986 and the road was opened on 19 July 1988. ==Since 2000== The DPA continues to follow the same objectives as when it was founded.
Devon Books, Kingkerswell, Devon, 1986.
Construction started in November 1986 and the road was opened on 19 July 1988. ==Since 2000== The DPA continues to follow the same objectives as when it was founded.
Peninsula Press, Newton Abbot, Devon, 1992.
In 1994, the National Park boundaries were changed to include common land at Shaugh Moor and exclude china clay worked land at Lee Moor.
Devon Books, Kinkerswell, 1994.
It was not until 1997 that an independent Dartmoor National Park Authority was enabled under the Environment Act 1995 as a free-standing local authority, forty-four years after the park was created, although it is still dominated by local authorities and government appointees. ===North Hessary Tor TV mast=== The DPA learned in October 1951 that the BBC planned to build a 750-foot television mast on North Hessary Tor, near Princetown, that was erected in 1955.
However, in November 2009, the clay companies, Sibelco and Imerys, produced a report reviewing old mineral permissions under the Environment Act 1995 with a view to joining up two pits.
It was not until 1997 that an independent Dartmoor National Park Authority was enabled under the Environment Act 1995 as a free-standing local authority, forty-four years after the park was created, although it is still dominated by local authorities and government appointees. ===North Hessary Tor TV mast=== The DPA learned in October 1951 that the BBC planned to build a 750-foot television mast on North Hessary Tor, near Princetown, that was erected in 1955.
The DPA revived its campaign with the publication of a booklet in 1999 when the Blackabrook Valley, Crownhill Down and Shaugh Moor, near the popular tourist area of Cadover Bridge, all came under threat from exploitation or dumping of waste.
"Sacred Land – Working Land: the case for the preservation of the Blackabrook Valley, Crownhill Down and Shaugh Moor from the expansion of the china clay industry." Dartmoor Preservation Association, Princetown, 1999.
Construction started in November 1986 and the road was opened on 19 July 1988. ==Since 2000== The DPA continues to follow the same objectives as when it was founded.
The china clay companies relinquished planning permissions in 2001.
The DPA were recorded twice, with other bodies, in a Devon County Council Development Management Committee Report for their representations in securing the future of the three areas where planning permissions were relinquished in 2001.
Both organisations funded an invited number of upland hill farmers to attend. ===Whitehorse Hill excavation=== The excavation in August 2011 on the north moor of a Bronze Age burial kistvaen, or cist, that was originally uncovered in 2001 was part-funded by the DPA, along with other bodies. ===South West Uplands Federation Conference=== A conference for the upland farmers of Bodmin Moor, Exmoor and Dartmoor was held as a joint venture between the South West Uplands Federation and the DPA.
Tiverton, Devon, 2002.
This was replaced in 2004 with the multicoloured logo. {|style="margin: 0 auto;" | | | |} ==References== ==Further reading== Brewer, Dave.
Twelveheads Press, Truro, 2004.
Oxford Archaeology held an open day during their excavation of Emmets Post in 2014 prior to its removal. ===House of Lords reception=== The DPA and Exmoor Society held a joint reception at the House of Lords on 6 November 2008, hosted by Baroness Mallalieu, to lobby members of both Houses of Parliament and relevant Ministers about ensuring that environmental schemes for the uplands are "fit for purpose".
However, in November 2009, the clay companies, Sibelco and Imerys, produced a report reviewing old mineral permissions under the Environment Act 1995 with a view to joining up two pits.
Both organisations funded an invited number of upland hill farmers to attend. ===Whitehorse Hill excavation=== The excavation in August 2011 on the north moor of a Bronze Age burial kistvaen, or cist, that was originally uncovered in 2001 was part-funded by the DPA, along with other bodies. ===South West Uplands Federation Conference=== A conference for the upland farmers of Bodmin Moor, Exmoor and Dartmoor was held as a joint venture between the South West Uplands Federation and the DPA.
It was run by the DPA at Exeter Racecourse in October 2012, with 150 delegates.
Oxford Archaeology held an open day during their excavation of Emmets Post in 2014 prior to its removal. ===House of Lords reception=== The DPA and Exmoor Society held a joint reception at the House of Lords on 6 November 2008, hosted by Baroness Mallalieu, to lobby members of both Houses of Parliament and relevant Ministers about ensuring that environmental schemes for the uplands are "fit for purpose".
For example, in June 2015, it supported the inhabitants of Widecombe-in-the-Moor against the erecting of a telecommunications mast in an area of pristine countryside against the wishes of the local population. Dartmoor Preservation Association is a registered charity, Number 215665. ==Background== Dartmoor is said to be one of the last remaining areas of wilderness in Britain, but it has been a managed landscape since the late Neolithic (3,000-2,500 BCE).
The situation in 2015 is that some of the Dartmoor plantations have been affected by the fungal disease Phytophthora ramorum which results in widespread clear felling to prevent further spread of the disease.
The project came online in June 2015. {|style="margin: 0 auto;" | | | |} ===Widecombe telecommunications mast=== The DPA were involved in a campaign in June 2015 against four telecommunications masts planned for Dartmoor, with the first to be erected in the village of Widecombe.
Quartz and Feldspar: Dartmoor - A British Landscape in Modern Times, Jonathan Cape, London, 2015.
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