The fourth 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 A11: Finch Foundry. The event will start at around midday 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 1pm. We will be wearing our hi-vis so people can see where to aim for!
This iteration of the event series, unlike #3, there is ample parking along the main road of Sticklepath.
This event is in our home village of Sticklepath. Sticklepath can be traced back in the records to the 11th century, although like many small villages on the prerifery of Dartmoor National Park it probably dates back before this. The main road that runs through the village used to be the old A30, just imagine all of the traffic that flows a few miles to the north today trying to make its way through this peaceful village! Above the village to the west there is the 'White Rock' at which the legendary John Wesley is recorded to have preached at on his missions to Cornwall. To the south/south west of Sticklepath runs the River Taw, which is a lovely place to walk with beautiful woodland. Beyond this is open Moor, which makes Sticklepath, along with the neabry village of Belstone, an ideal 'gateway' to the Moor for those wanting the challenging terrain of Cosdon.
During the 17th century the Quaker movement became prominent in the village, which was later superseeded by the advent of Methodism in the 18th century. Both of these religious movement have left a visible impact on Sticklepath. The, pink, Methodist chapel to the west of Finch Foundry, that is in the process of being converted into private residence, is a reminder of the latter. The reminder of the Quaker movement is the extensive burial ground within the National Trust Property of Finch Foundry, and just behind the picnic area that this event is being hosted at.
Finch Foundry is a 19th century water-powered forge situated in the village of Sticklepath, now managed by the National Trust. It originally produced agricultural and mining hand tools and at its peak it produced around 400 edge tools a day. It remained an active foundry until the 1960s when the roof collapsed, and it subsequantly closed. The National Trust aquired the property in 1994 and today it contains excellent working examples of a tilt hammer, drop hammer and shear hammer, which are all powered by the three working water wheels on site.
Sticklepath highstreet in the 19th century
NB
We have spoken to the National Trust and although we do not need to 'book' food, they have asked as part of letting us host the event here that we given them an idea of people wanting food. They do a range of cakes, teas and coffee, as well as lighter lunch bits such as sandwiches, soups etc. If you are planning on having one of the lighter lunch bits then it would be very useful to let us know to give them an idea on numbers. If you just want cake bits then you do not need to let us know. If you want a more substantial meal then there are also two pubs within a 2 minute walk of the foundry that do good pub grub.