Valentine’s Day volunteers needed at Haytor

Show how much you love Dartmoor by helping Ranger Simon Lee look after the Haytor area on his Valentine’s Day volunteer day. On 14 February the second of Simon’s Sunday work days will begin at 10.30 am and volunteers will be carrying out work to maintain the Haytor reservoir leat.

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.

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.

Simon will be organising volunteer days in the Haytor area every second Sunday and, if you are interested in coming along, please get in touch by emailing slee@dartmoor.gov.uk  or calling 07711 104541. Booking is essential as tools and equipment need to be organised. The day finishes at 3.30 pm.

For those who come along regularly there will be 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.