Exmoor Trust Spring Progress Report April 2005

 

Although we all welcome springtime there are still some hanging clouds of concern about the economic and social future for Greater Exmoor. But in the spirit of renewal and hope I intend that this letter will be able to highlight some of the positive achievements as well as identifying some of the opportunities that lie ahead.

 

I begin by paying full tribute to my team of Trustees for all their support and at the same time make a plea for others to volunteer to give up a little time to help the work of the trust. Hitherto we have managed with the minimum number of Trustees but now we want to provide a reserve of expertise ready to fill the shoes of Trustees who wish to retire. We have a lot of work relating to Conservation and I would especially welcome contact with anyone with a related experience.

 

The Local Plan for Exmoor, which has taken most of three years to finalise, will no sooner be in effect that the work begins on yet another Government different management plan called the Local Area Development Plan. Despite this tranche of work our priority for the time being is with the process and results of the new Design Guide. The public process will be launched with a Design Study Seminar at Dunster Castle on 29 April. If any member wishes to attend please get in touch with me.

 

You will shortly notice some improvements in Dunster. The Dunster Working Group has now completed most of its work and now will start to raise funds to implement the costly parts of its Action Plan. The Tythe Barn Group have been very successful in raising funds to restore the Tythe Barn and the local National Trust have obtained £20,000 to improve visitor reception at the Castle. Negotiations are nearly complete to create a new Aville Walk and also for improvements to parking. A new signage plan has been prepared and tourism initiatives seem to be paying dividends.

 

We were very interested in the proposals for a number of new activities being planned by Active Exmoor. Their core work with team sports are already well supported and range across activities for young and old. We have decided to support a new canoe club and will make a major grant to enable them to purchase a trailer. This follows our commitment to support the Moorland Management plan and means that over the last year we will have made grants of over £13,000. If you wish to see at first hand the results of some of our support please try and take the short walk (only 800m) around the Sculpture Trail from Webbers Post where you can see the carvings produced for the Wood International 2004 that we co-sponsored.

 

Please note that our revised website is now commissioned and you can visit it at www.exmoortrust.org.uk. I hope you will find it easier to use and I know that Charles Woolmer would love to have any suggestions or comments.

 

Finally I hope that you will all make an effort to attend our meeting on 25 May at Exmoor House, Dulverton in the ENPA Conference Room. The meeting will begin at 4pm with a very short AGM that will be followed by a talk given by the National Park Officer on the issues facing the ENPA. After that we will hold an Open Forum before breaking for refreshment at about 5.30. If you cannot attend but would like any topic raised, either with Nigel Stone or during our forum, please let me know.

 

For members I have pleasure in enclosing the Agenda for our AGM with the request that you encourage friends and relatives who are interested in the future of Exmoor to come along.

 

 

Edwin Becket

Chairman