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| Paul talking about the Haytor Granite Tramway Photo by Kathy Tipping |
PAUL Rendell is available as a speaker to groups, societies and other organisations. All talks are illustrated and last about an hour plus time for questions. Talks, details of which follow, can be linked to a guided walk in towns, villages or open moorland.
THE HISTORY OF DARTMOOR
A general talk about the history of Dartmoor from the Bronze Age to the present day looking at farmhouses, reservoirs, villages and landscapes.
OLD DARTMOOR
Come on a wonderful journey and look at things that have changed over the years. From travel to houses to villages and towns. Using old postcards and photographs of Dartmoor to help to bring back memories of the ‘good old days’.
THE BUILDING OF BURRATOR RESERVOIR
The building of Burrator Reservoir, which opened in September 1898, had a direct impact on the people and the farms of Sheepstor, a Dartmoor village which grew and declined during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
BURRATOR FARMS
Looking at the history of farms around Burrator Reservoir and why they were abandoned; the human story behind the buildings.
BURRATOR WILDLIFE
The wildlife and plants that can found in and around Burrator Resevoir.
CHRISTMAS ON DARTMOOR
How was Christmas done on the moors years ago and some tales of ghosts and other winter tales.
DARTMOOR CROSSES
The history of crosses on Dartmoor. They were used for more than just waymarks and they are not just made of granite.
INDUSTRIAL ARCHEOLOGY OF THE MOOR
This talk will look at how man has changed the moor by mining for tin, copper and silver and quarried for granite and china clay. Man has dug for peat, made ice and started many other small industrial enterprises.
THE SECRET NATURE ON DARTMOOR
Looking specifically at the plants and wildlife found on the moor, in the woods and in the rivers.
PRINCETOWN AND ITS PRISON
The history of the highest village on Dartmoor. The great plan to turn the area over to productive farming. The history of the bleak prison and the railway that makes Princetown special.
DARTMOOR PUBS
A brief look at some of the 80 or more pubs and inns on Dartmoor. Stories relating to these places and looking at some of their names. We will hear tales of the Warren House Inn and many other pubs to be found on the moors, some no longer there.
MILITARY ON THE MOOR
How the military have used Dartmoor over the last 150 years: why and how they use this moorland for the security of the country.
DARTMOOR’S HISTORY THROUGH PICTURE POSTCARDS
The British picture postcard started in the 1890’s. This talk will look at the history and the ‘tricks of the trade’ used over the period of 120 years and many other aspects of postcards.
HAIRY HANDS, DEVILS AND BLACK DOGS
Witches, devils, hairy hands and wild animals can all be found in this talk which is about legends and folklore on Dartmoor.
DARTMOOR GHOST STORIES
There are 100s of ghost stories on the moor, here we will hear just a few of them. Some are well-known like Lady Howard, while others have stories relating to things that have happened to this speaker like driving through a man on a misty night.
There are 100s of ghost stories on the moor, here we will hear just a few of them. Some are well-known like Lady Howard, while others have stories relating to things that have happened to this speaker like driving through a man on a misty night.
TRACKS, ROADS AND RAILWAYS ON DARTMOOR
Many ways of moving about on Dartmoor have been used over the years. Packhorse routes, old railways and roads will be covered in this talk.
Many ways of moving about on Dartmoor have been used over the years. Packhorse routes, old railways and roads will be covered in this talk.
TALES OF A DARTMOOR GUIDE
Stories and events that can happen while taking a group walking. The guide must know a lot of things – how to read a map, how to avoid getting lost, the history of the moor, first aid and the ‘dry’ routes. This talk may put you off walking!!!
CURIOUS DARTMOOR
Looking at strange or unusual buildings, follies, stones, etc.: items which often leave more questions than answers. The history of letterboxing will be explored as well as other crazy and wild things.
DARTMOOR BRIDGES
From clapper to modern road bridge, each has its own story. One of the most famous bridges is Postbridge.
WATER FROM THE MOOR
We get a lot of rain on Dartmoor and this flows into river, leats and reservoir. This talk will look at the history of taking water from the moors including Burrator and Meldon Reservoirs, leats like Plymouth and the Devonport Leat as well a river or two.
TALES OF WINTER ON DARTMOOR
Looking at winter, tales of life on Dartmoor at this time of year including many legends. Dartmoor is so much different in the winter months.
OKEHAMPTON OF YESTERDAY
Looking at how this market town has changed over the years using many old photographs from last 100 years.
GREETINGS FROM OKEHAMPTON
Looking at the history of Okehampton through picture postcards.
Looking at the history of Okehampton through picture postcards.
TAVISTOCK OF YESTERDAY
Looking at how this market town has changed over the years using many old photographs from the last 100 years.
TALES OF A DARTMOOR MAN
My life story, how I got my interest in Dartmoor the jobs I have done over the year including tales of being a Dartmoor Guide.
THE MAKING OF WAR HORSE AND OTHERS FILMS ON DARTMOOR
This talk will look at films, TV programmes made on Dartmoor and the tricks on how they are made including War Horse.
DARTMOOR – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
A look at how man has used Dartmoor from the Bronze Age to the 21st Century; the way we lived and worked on the moor.
DARTMOOR BOUNDARY MARKERS
Looking at crosses, stone walls, boundary stones marking parish boundaries, stone marking water rights, prison land, military, railways and many others. Why do we need boundaries?
Looking at crosses, stone walls, boundary stones marking parish boundaries, stone marking water rights, prison land, military, railways and many others. Why do we need boundaries?
DARTMOOR NOW AND THEN
This talk will look at many towns, villages and open moorland places from the past and photographs taken in the 21st Century to see what has changed.
This talk will look at many towns, villages and open moorland places from the past and photographs taken in the 21st Century to see what has changed.
RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS ON DARTMOOR
There were over 30 railway stations and halts on the moor many years ago. Here we look at the Lee Moor Tramway, Haytor Granite Tramway, the Princetown Railway, and many others.
There were over 30 railway stations and halts on the moor many years ago. Here we look at the Lee Moor Tramway, Haytor Granite Tramway, the Princetown Railway, and many others.
WILD PLANTS OF DEVON
Looking at moorland plants as well as in our hedgerows and meadows while others are very rare throughout the area.
DEVON’S WILDLIFE
Looking at the wildlife on the moors, in the woods, on the rivers and on the coast. The plant life and some of their uses will be looked at.
NATURE IN THE GARDEN
Explore the wild animals, birds and creatures to be found in the garden; some easy to spot – others well hidden.
DEVON’S WATER WILDLIFE
Some of the wildlife that can be found in and around our waterways including rivers, reservoir and sea.
LUNDY ISLAND
A trip to the island just off the North Devon coast to learn about its history, its wildlife and how a small island can pack so much into a small place.
A trip to the island just off the North Devon coast to learn about its history, its wildlife and how a small island can pack so much into a small place.