Last night we celebrated the launch of our Wild Words magazine with a joyful gathering of writers, readers and performers. It was truly special to come together at Field System in Ashburton and hear so many voices sharing a deep love and connection to Dartmoor. There was a strong feeling of community between our Wild Words contributors, with over 50 writers featuring in the magazine, and almost 30 gathered in Field System to perform their pieces aloud.
We enjoyed poetry, novel extracts, folklore and songs from: Kirsteen McNish, Kate Gold, Bill Brealey, Rebecca Beattie, Chris Gilchrist, Finn Clarke, Susan and Simon Taylor, Tracey Fuller, Sara Hurley, Jenny Carden, Mark Blackburn, Benjamin Geers, Rebecca Gethin and Roz and Barron Brady. Pictured above is Bill Brealey, performing his poem ‘Watching From Ventiford Basin.’
Each piece reminded us of the far reaching and transformative power that Dartmoor has to inspire. Our duty to give back to the land couldn’t be clearer. Living in reciprocity, treading lightly and nurturing the moor that gives us so much is both vital and natural. Wild Words invites us to fall more deeply in love with Dartmoor and use that love to power positive change.
Above left: Roz and Barron Brady. Above right: Kate Gold.
For many people, Dartmoor is an important anchoring point. Whether it provides inspiration, escape, a livelihood, healing, a challenge or a home, the moor has an enduring impact on millions of lives. The Wild Words magazine, curated by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, is a collection of writing which explores, in various ways, Dartmoor’s past, present and possible future. Feedback has already been overwhelmingly positive, with those involved in the project reaffirming their commitment to be landscape stewards and speak up for a thriving, biodiverse Dartmoor.
Wild Words magazine has over 100 pages, packed with more than 50 pieces of writing. Each submission conveys a unique and powerful relationship with the moor, a landscape which has inspired storytellers of all kinds for thousands of years. Not only are these pieces enjoyable and evocative of the many moods of Dartmoor, they also capture moments of connection and inspiration in this special landscape. In all the submissions collected in the magazine, the moor itself features as a character in some way, often taking the starring role.
Seeking inspiration in nature is a time-honoured tradition. Now, in the modern day, nature writing has the power to give back, by inspiring readers to tread lightly, connect mindfully and access wild places responsibly. One of the core focuses of the DPA is making Dartmoor accessible to all, and this has involved campaigning for better bus routes, leading guided walks and supporting access rights for outdoor recreation on the moor. Our free digital Wild Words magazine is another face of this commitment to responsible access. Showcasing a myriad of ways to connect with the moor, it extends a welcome to all, reaffirming our belief that Dartmoor is a space for everyone. Plus, in exploring the ways in which the moor is both precious and vulnerable, it prompts an awareness of the part we all play in protecting it.
Positive and informed introductions to Dartmoor are so vital, as a relationship with a landscape engenders responsibility, stewardship and care. Inside the pages of Wild Words, readers can discover reason after reason to commit to taking care of the national park.
As well as collating written pieces, another aspect of the Wild Words project has been to pair writers and readers. These pairings have created brand new connections, introduced people to writing they may never have discovered and inspired readers to visit new places of the moors to record themselves reading aloud. All of our Wild Words recordings are available to listen to on our YouTube channel.
Wild Words is available to read for free online HERE.