Sunday 27th December 2009

09:30: 3hr Walk, Christmas Birdwatch (Trendlebere) A walk to see resident birds and winter arrivals. Guide P Page 07858 421148 Distance 3m/5km **

10:30: 3hr Walk, The Highs and Lows of the Teign Valley (Chagford) Enjoy a circular walk towards Dog Marsh bridge and Nattadon on this walk.  Guide P Rendell 01837 54727 Distance 6m/ 9.5km **

Saturday 26th December 2009, 11:00: 3.5hr Walk, Boxing Day Walk to the East Dart Falls (Postbridge).

Join our traditional boxing day walk to walk off the excesses of Christmas. B Kocziban 01395 278533 Distance 4.5m/7km **

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-eventsguidedwalks/vi-diary-of-guided-walks-and-events/vi-december-2009-guided-walks.htm

Sunday 20th December 2009, 10:00: 3hr Walk, Tinners’ Parliament and Wistman’s Wood (Two Bridges) .

Discover the Tinners’ parialment and Wistmans’ Wood. The walk follows the West dart and then across to crockern tor for the story of the Stannary Parliament which met there. Distance 4m/6km **

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-eventsguidedwalks/vi-diary-of-guided-walks-and-events/vi-december-2009-guided-walks.htm

Saturday 19th December

Father Christmas will be riding on his pony and trap down Widecombe hill and touring the village before distributing his FREE gifts to children 11 and under.  There will be lots of activities throughout the day.  For detailed information tel 01364 621321

10am – 11am Church bells pealing
9.30am – 3pm Village Market
11am – 3pm Tavistock Brass Band
12 noon – 3pm Nativity Animals under the Christmas tree
1pm Father Christmas leaves top car park, Widecombe hill and tours the village ending up outside the National Trust shop to distribute gifts
3pm Father Christmas departs
3.00pm Church bells pealing
3.30pm Carol Service, St Pancras Church

On and around the green, there will be mulled wine and mince pies, fruit punch, hot chestnuts, raffle for the history group (1st prize  - hamper), soup, biscuit decorating, story-telling, ‘Santa Special’ meals at £1 for children , old fashioned games, fir cone decorating, turkey and cranberry paninis, local market and food tastings.

For more information contact The National Trust on:  01364 621321.

Thursday 17th December 2009 – General / Conservation

Venford Reservoir Watershed – how many boundstones can we find? An open moorland walk down past waterworks and up onto Bench Tor, then Holne Lee, Ringleshutes tin mine and circling back over Holne Moor. 5-6 miles.

Location: Venford Reservoir car park (toilets) (SX 684 713)

Contact: Bob Bruce Tel: 01752 837564

Thursday 17th December

Tavistock Christmas Craft Fair takes place in Tavistock Town Hall until Saturday 19 December 2009.

Mince pies and tea will be on sale at a charity awareness raising event in Tavistock.

The Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer is holding the event at the Wharf on December 16 from 10am.

A cup of tea and a mince pie will cost £3, and be accompanied by seasonal tunes.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Chestnut-Appeal-s-festive-fundraiser/article-1590923-detail/article.html

Tuesday 15th December 2009 – Scrub ClearanceConservation on Stanlake Cairns.

Stanlake Cairns are part of the complex of Bronze Age archaeology on Leeden Hill.

Provided we have a good show of volunteers it should not take more than one day to clear away the gorse so that they can be appreciated again.

Location: Leeden Hill car park at 10am. Please call Paul to confirm.

Contact: Paul Rendell Tel: 01837 54727 Email: paul.dartmoor@virgin.net

Stannary Brass Band are inviting everyone to attend their Christmas concert at Tavistock Parish Church.

The church choir will be joining them and Tavistock Lions Club will be providing refreshments for guests. Retiring collections will be made for church funds.

Raising money for new instruments sees the fundraising continue with a Christmas raffle, which will be drawn on the evening of the concert.
An array of prizes can be won, including four first-class, return train tickets, a meal at the Bedford Hotel, an original painting, tickets for the Garden House and Sparkwell Wildlife and various spirits, wine, chocolate and pottery.

The concert will be held on Saturday December 12 at 7.30pm.

Saturday 12th December 2009, 10:30: 2.5hr Activity, An Introduction to Nordic Walking (Postbridge).

An opportunity to try out a new sport on Dartmoor and increase your fitness.  Nordic walking engages the muscles of the upper body and therefore burns more calories than ordinary walking.  Cost £6.00 which includes tuition and the use of poles.  Booking essential 01822 615513.

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-eventsguidedwalks/vi-diary-of-guided-walks-and-events/vi-december-2009-guided-walks.htm