Reposted by Sophie PierceDartmoor Preservation Association @dpadartmoor.bsky.social · 11/06/2026A population of rare Small Pearl Bordered #Fritillary butterflies has been confirmed on DPA owned land at High House Waste. Our Ecological Consultant, Albert Knott, surveyed for these #butterflies, and was delighted to record substantial activity. dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/rare-butterf...dartmoorpreservation.co.ukRare Butterflies Confirmed at High House Waste - Dartmoor Preservation AssociationA population of rare Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies has been confirmed on DPA owned land at High House Waste. Our Ecological Consultant, Albert Knott, spent a day on the land last week su... 062
Reposted by Sophie PierceFiona Robertson @stonelands.bsky.social · 30/04/2026Preorder the Stone Lands paperback before its publication on 4th June and you have a chance to win this stunning framed print of Avebury by incredible illustrator Philip Harris! (I love his images so much, this is the Chapter 1 opener.) Enter here (T&Cs apply): www.littlebrown.co.uk/little-brown... 26718
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 14/04/2026In search of 200 year old inscribed stones on Dartmoor- the work of the Rev Edward Bray, until recently, hidden and forgotten. There’s a rare chance to see them on Sat 2nd May. 2pm in a walk led by Simon Dell. Book here dartmoortorsfestival.co.uk/edward-brays... 022
Reposted by Sophie PierceFiona Robertson @stonelands.bsky.social · 14/04/2026This weekend (17–19th) is the Good Grief spring festival 💚 It is online and FREE, with a huge choice of talks. I'll be speaking at 3pm on Sunday 19th with @smpierce.bsky.social + Lizzie Pickering @goodgrieffest.bsky.social on finding comfort and hope in nature. www.goodgrieffest.com/events/lands... 0111
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 10/04/2026Really excited that nature poet @janelovellpoetry.bsky.social will be joining us at the Dartmoor Tors Festival on Sunday 3rd May at 11am @ashburtonarts.bsky.social - along with fellow poet Mark Haworth Booth for conversation and readings . Book here : wegottickets.com/f/16604/ 010
Reposted by Sophie PierceDartmoor Preservation Association @dpadartmoor.bsky.social · 05/04/2026An interesting behind the scenes perspective from Paul Harris of Glavind Strachan Photography, who photographed our depiction of St Gudula for the Dartmoor Tors Festival. He delves into the complex and contrasting history of this local (or not so local) saint. glavindstrachan.com/blog/st-gudu...glavindstrachan.comDartmoor Portrait Photography - St Gudula Shoot at Swincombe | Glavind Strachan Photography — Glavind Strachan PhotographyDartmoor photographer Paul Harris captures Helen Bruce as St Gudula for the Dartmoor Tors Festival - a portrait shoot in the Swincombe Valley 051
Reposted by Sophie PierceDartmoor Preservation Association @dpadartmoor.bsky.social · 04/04/2026By reconnecting with local customs, by invoking #Dartmoor rivers as beings with agency and presence, the Dartmoor Tors Festival invites both locals and visitors to enter a deeper relationship with the national park. #holywell #welldressing #mayday dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/ancient-holy...dartmoorpreservation.co.ukAncient Holy Well Forms Centrepiece for New Dartmoor Community Pageant - Dartmoor Preservation AssociationSt Gudula’s Well in Ashburton, an ancient holy well, will be the focus of a new community ritual honouring water as the source of all life, and celebrating the start of summer. ‘Gudula’s Gathering’ ha... 043
Reposted by Sophie Piercethe PRSD @theprsd.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Gudula’s Gathering | New Dartmoor Community Pageant focuses on ancient holy well New community ritual for Dartmoor reconnects with local customs and draws people together at St Gudula’s Welltheprsd.co.ukGudula’s Gathering | New Dartmoor Community Pageant focuses on ancient holy wellNew community ritual for Dartmoor reconnects with local customs and draws people together at St Gudula’s Well 031
Reposted by Sophie PierceDartmoor Preservation Association @dpadartmoor.bsky.social · 01/04/2026We're supporting the #Dartmoor Tors #Festival as lead partner for 2026, which includes playing a part in the closing parade. This celebrates community, culture and life giving water, symbolized by the dressing of St. Gudula's healing well in #Ashburton. www.theprsd.co.uk/2026/04/01/g...theprsd.co.ukGudula’s Gathering | New Dartmoor Community Pageant focuses on ancient holy well - the PRSDNew community ritual for Dartmoor reconnects with local customs and draws people together at St Gudula’s Well 041
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Nature on Dartmoor is in decline. Is it too late to save it? @lisaschneidau.bsky.social from Dartmoor Nature Alliance, Tracy May from Dartmoor Commoners and Richard Drysdale from DNP, will discuss this with @sophiepavs.bsky.social in the chair - at the Dartmoor Tors Festival info at link in bio . 0114
Reposted by Sophie PierceFiona Robertson @stonelands.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Looking forward to my talk at Arundells Salisbury on 15th April! All about Britain’s amazing standing stones - and local hero John Aubrey too (in this his 400th anniversary year). Just a very few tickets left now arundells.org/events/stone...arundells.orgStone Lands: The Megaliths of Britain - ArundellsA Journey of Darkness and Light through Britain's Ancient Places 2236
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 22/03/2026What is natural mysticism and how does it relate to Paganism? The wonderful @rebeccambeattie.bsky.social will be joining us at the Dartmoor Tors Festival to discuss, and also lead a workshop on the Wheel of the Year. She grew up on Dartmoor; this feeds into her life and work. Tix at the link in bio 010
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Brilliant news, all thanks to the dogged determination and research by @guyshrubsole.bsky.social who is frankly a bit of a hero ! 082
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 14/03/2026This pic, of the Beating of the Bounds at Throwleigh, was taken in 1991 by Chris Chapman. Chris has been documenting life on Dartmoor since the 70s, and he will be speaking at the Dartmoor Tors Fest with archaeologist Alan Endacott. Do join them on 1 May in Ashburton. wegottickets.com/f/16579/ 0145
Reposted by Sophie PierceFiona Robertson @stonelands.bsky.social · 11/03/2026Upcoming book event! LOVE, LOSS AND LANDSCAPE with me and lovely @smpierce.bsky.social, hosted by @foldedorset.bsky.social who yesterday were named Best Indie Bookshop in the Southwest! Please join us on 22nd April, 7pm, The Grosvenor Arms Shaftesbury. Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/folde-dorset 06710
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 06/03/2026Dawn at Sharpham Meadow where my son Felix rests. My memoir #TheGreenHill is out in paperback in April with @wiltonsquare.bsky.social - I’m doing some events with @foldedorset.bsky.social @goodgrieffest.bsky.social and others next month - talking love, landscape and loss - more info in bio 053
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 25/02/2026Thrilled to launch the 2nd #DartmoorTorsFestival - celebrating Dartmoor’s nature and culture. We’ve got talks, walks, performances and more .. shorturl.at/8ROTt @visitdartmoor.bsky.social @dpadartmoor.bsky.social @dartmoorcollective.org @dartmoorac.bsky.social 1188
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Quoit questing in West Penwith… a magical megalithic landscape. Pix show outside and inside of Chun Quoit. And a natural rock balance on the cliffs nearby….a pre-echo of these ancient graves ? 040
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 01/11/2025Sunday November 2nd 11-3 Moor Imaginations Centre, Buckfastleigh I’ll be selling Dart Map tea towels etc in aid of SUDEP Action and in memory of our dear Felix who died of SUDEP aged 20. Hope to see you there ! 021
Reposted by Sophie PierceJon Vernon @onlyindevon.co.uk · 20/10/2025A huge thank you to everyone who's already ordered a copy - it really means the world to us. All the money raised by the zine goes directly back in to supporting future events, projects and publications promoting the work or artists and photographers working on Dartmoor. 073
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 14/10/2025Delighted that #TheGreenHill will be out in paperback from @wiltonsquare.bsky.social in April. And you can get 25% off if you pre order by Friday from @waterstones.bsky.social with code OCTOBER25 - link in bio 040
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 10/10/2025An enchanting evening listening to tales of Dartmoor told by Emma Cunis… enjoying not just the stories themselves but exploring why they still resonate with us today. And wonderful to be in such a historic and atmospheric venue - St Lawrence Chapel in Ashburton…whose walls could tell a few tales … 150
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 08/10/2025Spent a morning clearing vegetation around one of Dartmoor’s strangest oddities - the Rev Bray’s inscribed stones. 200 years ago he decided to carve poets’ names into boulders in the Cowsic valley. Some of the stones also have lines from the poems and others have Bardic runes…. 0213
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 06/10/2025The coach of bones : one of Dartmoor’s stranger stories .. I’ll be chatting to Emma Cunis about the moor’s many myths and legends at historic St Lawrence Chapel, Ashburton 9/10/25 - do join us! Tickets : dartmoortorsfestival.co.uk/tall-tales-a... @dartmoorcollective.org @visitdartmoor.bsky.social 0226
Reposted by Sophie PierceTerri Windling @terriwindling.bsky.social · 03/10/2025This is coming up next Tuesday here in Chagford: a remarkable evening with one of my favourite people, Alan Weisman (author of World Without Us, Gaviotas, etc.). If you're anywhere near Dartmoor, please come. And please share to help spread the word. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624630... 0136
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 20/09/2025Dartmoor has many weird and wonderful myths and legends - I’ll be delving into them with Emma Cunis aka Dartmoor’s Daughter - do come and join us 9/10 at atmospheric St Lawrence Chapel, Ashburton 7pm dartmoortorsfestival.co.uk/tall-tales-a... @visitdartmoor.bsky.social @dartmoorcollective.org 031
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 11/09/2025Huge congratulations @guyshrubsole.bsky.social ! Your tireless and meticulous research as well as brilliant writing is creating real social change . 030
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 17/08/2025A 5 hour swim/scramble down the Dart from Buckfast to Staverton. It’s the only way to see the river as both banks on this stretch are private. Now rather tired …., 071
Reposted by Sophie PierceGuy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 30/07/2025Excellent to hear @lewis-winks.bsky.social on the Today programme this morning discussing his research on 'Who owns the River Dart' - and why this shows we need a right of responsible access Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comDevon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 ownersResearch shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access 27224
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 30/06/2025This Sat - 5 July at 11am at Bude Methodist Church join Matt and I for swimming stories and amazing images of swim locations across the West Country - and after for a dip at Bude Sea Pool … @tessread.bsky.social @outdoorswimmer.com 152
Reposted by Sophie PierceThe Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 24/06/2025ICYMI: What Unbound’s demise has shown, to a quite alarming degree, is how little tangible, active advocacy is available to authors in this situation, say the authors affected by the collapse of Unbound in our recent Comment piece 👇 #BookSky ebx.shOpinion: The Unbound authors' view 055
Reposted by Sophie PierceAlex de Campi @alexdecampi.bsky.social · 24/06/2025Unbound authors’ statement on the collapse of the publisher. Please read it and share. If you want to know what really went on, here are some answers: 1195137
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 19/06/2025More salt bath than salt path....Matt Newbury and I will be recalling our aquatice adventures in upcoming talks.. we'll be in Bude 5/7/25 (and swimming at #BudeSeaPool of course). The next day we'll be in Fowey - venue TBA. Tix shorturl.at/pjNoM @outdoorswimmer.com @tessread.bsky.social 020
Reposted by Sophie PierceSusannah Walker @susannahwalker.bsky.social · 10/06/2025Being part of the whole Unbound saga has not been fun; one consolation has been the support of the many other authors involved. And so, in that spirit, we've put together a list of some of the great books that now need publishers and agents. Please do share! open.substack.com/pub/therebou... 6270197
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 23/05/2025The banner’s up… the #DartmoorTorsFestival starts today! Lots to enjoy inc talks with writers, archaeologists, artists incl @lisaschneidau.bsky.social @guyshrubsole.bsky.social , @lewis-winks.bsky.social and walks shorturl.at/Oomce 0105
Reposted by Sophie PierceGuy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 21/05/2025"Win or lose in the Supreme Court, we now want the government to step up and pass a right to roam act, to protect and extend public rights of access to nature across England.” @lewis-winks.bsky.social ahead of this morning’s verdict on wild camping on Dartmoor: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukDartmoor case set to decide future of wild campingHikers can pitch a tent under the stars on the moor without permission, but for how much longer? 314338
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 21/05/2025This weekend the #DartmoorTorsFestival will explore and celebrate #Dartmoor - with talks and walks with fascinating people incl @lisaschneidau.bsky.social @lewis-winks.bsky.social @campaignerkate.bsky.social @guyshrubsole.bsky.social - thanks BBC for coverage . 02510
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 20/05/2025The Supreme Court will rule on the Dartmoor #wildcamping case 21/5 - key players will be at #DartmoorTorsFestival this Sat, incl @guyshrubsole.bsky.social @campaignerkate.bsky.social @lewis-winks.bsky.social Tix: shorturl.at/ebGva @righttoroam.bsky.social @paulpowlesland.bsky.social 0155
Reposted by Sophie PierceGuy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Not many people open an interview by quoting Gramsci, but @georgemonbiot.bsky.social does. Dead chuffed to be in conversation with him today at the Restoring Nature festival in Totnes, chatting about cultural hegemony, The Lie of the Land, and campaigning on nature & land reform in England 1127729
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 17/05/2025“A very good new book” - thanks @johnharris1969.bsky.social for your review of #RockIdols in your very interesting substack post . 011
Reposted by Sophie PierceLewis Winks @lewis-winks.bsky.social · 15/05/2025News just in - Dartmoor wild camping Supreme Court judgement to be handed down on Wednesday next week -- We stand poised to rally, in defiance or celebration. Win or lose, we call on the government to put in place legislation to protect and extend access to nature. 15221
Reposted by Sophie PierceGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 15/05/2025On Saturday I'll be interviewing the amazing @guyshrubsole.bsky.social about his book The Lie of the Land (which is great!) at the Restoring Nature festival. Do come. www.ambios.net/restoring-na...ambios.netRestoring Nature: A literary festival - AmbiosJoin Ambios and the East Gate Bookshop on the 17th of May at Lower Sharpham Farm for our anual nature-centred literary festival! 826347
Reposted by Sophie PierceBen Bradshaw @benbradshaw.bsky.social · 15/05/2025For anyone who loves #Dartmoor or wild places generally, this is a wonderful book about its history & its mysterious & majestic tors.theguardian.com‘They erupt from the moor like castles, monsters and giants’: exploring Dartmoor’s torsThese ancient rocks have inspired myth and mysticism for millennia, and a new book and festival celebrate their enduring power 031
Reposted by Sophie PierceGuy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 15/05/2025Dartmoor’s tors “erupt from the moor, like stone beings… looking like castles, creatures, monsters and giants” Great piece by Sophie Pierce. Come and celebrate these unworldly places at the Dartmoor Tors festival she’s organising (I’ll be speaking) 23-25 May! www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...theguardian.com‘They erupt from the moor like castles, monsters and giants’: exploring Dartmoor’s torsThese ancient rocks have inspired myth and mysticism for millennia, and a new book and festival celebrate their enduring power 45114
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 14/05/2025The culture, history and people of Dartmoor will be celebrated at the first #DartmoorTorsFestival 23-26 May - with artists, writers, musicians historians, archaeologists, campaigners and more, including @guyshrubsole.bsky.social @lewis-winks.bsky.social @campaignerkate.bsky.social shorturl.at/Tv5LPtheprsd.co.ukDartmoor Tors Festival | final prep as events fill up and sell out - the PRSDThe final preparations are under way for the Dartmoor Tors Festival, and events are filling up and selling out. Here's what's on 1167
Sophie Pierce @smpierce.bsky.social · 06/05/2025Coffin conversations with coffin cakes. Sat 10 May, St Andrews Church Hall, Ashburton, Devon. It’s the chance to talk about death and dying in a warm and kind atmosphere - more info here www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/coffin-...middevonadvertiser.co.ukJoin 'coffin conversations' on death in AshburtonCOFFIN cakes will be on the menu at a new event aiming to open up the difficult subject of death and dying. 000
Reposted by Sophie PierceAgatha Christie Festival @agathafestival.bsky.social · 29/04/2025***The Green Room Interviews*** Your backstage pass to hear from some of the amazing speakers we welcome every year. Sophie Pierce chats to Jeremy Vine about his debut murder mystery novel, Murder on Line One. @thejeremyvine.bsky.social @smpierce.bsky.social youtu.be/5c3-wNR9KBg 001