The fifteenth event in a series of monthly events taking place in different squares of the Dartmoor 365; the square chosen at random by pulling out a square at each event. The square pulled out for this month is M3 Guide Stones. The event will start at around 10am at the given co-ordinates for geo-chat, TB exchanging etc. People are free to come and go as they please. Skittles and I will be there until around 11am, but depending on the weather/attendees it may go on for longer.
The focus of the square M3 in the Dartmoor 365 book are two marker stones located on the lane running from Mary Tavy to Horrabridge. The location of these two stones here suggests that the route was once far more important than it is today; from a cursory bit of research it appears that in all likelihood the road that these stones stand on was once a Turnpike road and one of the main north to south routes from Lydford to Plymouth. The 365 book also suggested that there were two medieval crosses, now located elsewhere, once marked the stretch between Mary Tavy and Moorshop.
The two stones in questions, collectively called "Guide Stones" by John Hayward, are a parish boundary stone and a milestone for the aforementioned Turnpike road. Both of these are recorded as being 19th century in date, and are more or less in their original location. The boundary stone is situated at the boundary of three parishes, Tavistock, Whitechurch and Peter Tavy. The milestone, which is protected as a Grade Two Listed Building, was erected by the Tavistock Turnpike Trust in 1832 and is microchipped as part of the relatively recent project to protect vulnerable features within Dartmoor National Park. On the face of the stone is carved 14/Miles/To/Plymo/1832.
Unfortunately given the location of these features within the M3 square, which puts them on a road without any safe place to stand, and the lack of other features also within the square, we have elected to hold this event on the very edge of the moorland around Cox Tor, that is at the closest to the stones. This places the event within the correct square and at the very least I (Lala-V) will take a walk to the stones, via the footpath approximately 500m to the south named as Collaton Lane on the OS Map, after the event.
As this event is out on the moor, albeit a relatively easy walk and not very remote, it is still Dartmoor. Please bring appropriate gear for all weather.