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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’.
BURRATOR RESERVOIR AND ITS SOCIAL IMPACT
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.
BURRATOR WILDLIFE
The wildlife and plants that can found in and Burrator Resevoir.
CHRISTMAS ON DARTMOOR
How was Christmas done on the moors years ago and some tales of ghost and other winter tales.
DARTMOOR TINNERS
A talk in which we look at one of the major industries on the Moor and some of the trades which grew up around the tin miners.
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.
STONE MEN OF THE MOOR
Look at how men cut and used granite from the many quarries on the Moor.
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.
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 100 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.
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.
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.
FOUR SEASONS
How the weather has changed over the years. Looking at great blizzards and dry spells and how the climate may change in the years to go come and how it will affect our wildlife.
DARTMOOR BRIDGES
From clapper to modern road bridge, each has its own story. One of the most famous bridge 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.
WILLIAM CROSSING AND OTHER GREAT DARTMOOR MEN
Looking at William Crossing, RH Worth and other men who have shaped Dartmoor.
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.
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 ON 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.
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.