Access to a Dartmoor beauty spot is set to see big improvements thanks to funding
from the People's Postcode Lottery.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Emsworthy Mire nature reserve is known to many Dartmoor
visitors for its impressive carpet of bluebells which appear in May and June each
year. The reserve covers 100 hectares of a shallow valley between Widecombe-in-the
Moor and Haytor. Now, £10,000 from the People's Postcode Trust - a grant-giving charity, funded
entirely by players of People's Postcode Lottery - is set to open up another side of
the nature reserve.
As the name suggests, Emsworthy Mire is a wet place - much of it
too wet to allow easy access for people. But this new funding will help to change
this. Among the main changes secured by funding will be the installation of 130 metres of
wooden boardwalk. The new walkways will allow visitors to tour the reserve without
sinking in to knee-high mud.
In other parts of the reserve easy-access gates are being provided, while new paths
are to be cut through dense bracken.
To ensure that visitors know where to explore new way markers and entrance signage
are also being introduced.
It's the job of Devon Wildlife Trust's Jackie Gage to look after Emsworthy Mire for
wildlife and people. Jackie said:
'Funding from the People's Postcode Lottery is a tremendous boost for this special
corner of Dartmoor. Some parts of the site are well-known to walkers and
day-trippers, but other parts, especially those that are very wet and boggy, have
largely been off-limits to visitors. Now we hope to let people into see the
butterflies, bog plants, birds and dragonflies that make this such a wonderful
place.'
However, the Trust is being careful to balance the needs of people with those of the
precious moorland wildlife that lives at Emsworthy Mire. Jackie explained:
'Despite the changes, we're making sure that there are enough parts of the nature
reserve which will remain undisturbed by people. The new boardwalks and waymarks
will be discreet and in keeping with this wild place.'
Work to bring about greater access to the nature reserve has already begun. In
recent weeks teams of local volunteers and students from Duchy College have helped
lay boardwalk over some of its swampiest areas. A new easy access gate has also been
installed. The remainder of the work will be finished later this year. When complete the new boardwalks and paths will link the nature reserve with a
popular local footpath from nearby Hound Tor.
One local volunteer who has helped in the project is Andrew Taylor. Andrew, who
lives in nearby Manaton, spoke of the affection for the nature reserve and its
wildlife which inspired him to get involved.
'Emsworthy Mire is a special place with some spectacular wildlife. In spring and
summer its bluebells and cotton grass make for a wonderful sight. The rare marsh
fritillary butterfly has made a home here, alongside at least a dozen species of
dragonfly. The nature reserve is also one of the most reliable places to see and
hear cuckoos - one of several species that is declining across much of our
countryside, but which still thrives at Emsworthy Mire.'
'New funding will allow more people to enjoy Emsworthy's
wonderful wildlife'. Photo copyright 'Simon Williams' (All rights reserved)
Volunteers are helping Devon Wildlife Trust construct
new boardwalks at the Dartmoor beauty spot, Emsworthy Mire. Photo copyright DevonWildlife Trust (All rights reserved)
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Devon Wildlife Trust Emsworthy Moor Grid ref SX 747 764
The nature reserve is open 365 days a year and is free to enter. It can be found off
the B3387 Bovey Tracey to Widecombe-in-the-Moor road, past Hay Tor. There is a small
car park on the right hand side just beyond Saddle Tor. From here there it is a 100m
walk downhill to a gate at the south east entrance to the reserve.
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