Second Sunday Volunteering – Working on Historic Dartmoor Watercourse
Join Simon Lee, our National Park Ranger, on his monthly volunteer outings to assist in the important restoration and maintenance of the Haytor area. This month we will be working on a special historical feature, Haytor’s reservoir leat. The work will take place on Sunday 13 November, starting at 10:30 and finishing at 3:30.
Some History
Haytor reservoir leat is marked on the first edition Ordnance survey map which was published in the 1880s and pre-dates any of the modern housing in Haytor Vale. It is thought that the modern South West Water reservoir was constructed over the original take off point on the River Lemon. The leat flows across common land before passing under the road and into enclosed land. It is the section of leat flowing across the common that needs some work to improve the flow and help prevent flooding on the road to Haytor Rocks.
The Benefits
Conservation work days are a great way of getting healthy exercise in a fantastic environment and meeting like-minded people, as well as helping look after this special place. You will also learn more about Dartmoor’s industrial and prehistoric archaeology, wildlife habitats, rare species and moorland management.
Our Volunteer Days
The first volunteer day, on 10 January this year, saw volunteers working with Rangers and Ecologists on a site close to the National Park Visitor Centre at Haytor where the bog hoverfly, one of Dartmoor’s rarest insects, has made a home. The bog hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum) is an extremely rare hoverfly that in recent years has been found only within a restricted area of Dartmoor. Work was carried out at the site to benefit the habitat for this fascinating creature. Since then Simon has worked with volunteers to benefit butterflies in the Becka Brook valley and carried out a large maintenance project on the Haytor granite tramway, as well as beginning work on the reservoir leat.
For those who come along regularly there is plenty of variety, with practical work being carried out on habitat management and archaeological sites as well as helping keep this iconic Dartmoor location looking good.
If you are interested in coming along, please get in touch by emailing slee@dartmoor.gov.uk or call 07711 104541. Booking is essential as tools and equipment need to be organised.
