‘Discovering Exmoor : People and Place’

Dulverton Town Hall, Friday 11 April 2014, 10am to 3pm.

SPRING CONFERENCE BOOKING FORM 2014.

Sixty years ago Exmoor was designated a national park because of its dramatic coastline, extensive tracts of moorland inter-mixed with ancient woodland and upland farmland, the whole establishing a mosaic of contrasts providing recreational opportunities for walking and riding in particular. The Hobhouse Report stated that “here is a potential national park which is happily free from problems”. This statement could not have been further from the truth. From the beginning there was fierce opposition to the designation and robust debate over loss of moorland, afforestation proposals, changing hill farming practices, dealing with extreme weather conditions, and with little known about the archaeology, other local businesses, and an only embryo tourist industry. These issues are very relevant today in different ways, and…