The Society was formed over forty years ago, in 1982, by a group of people who believed there was a need to study the fascinating history of the villages nestling on the Yelverton side of Dartmoor, and to make an effort to record as much of that history as possible while the places existed free of development and the people remembered the past.
The first meeting was held at 7.30pm on 17th November 1982 in the Conference Room at the Devon Tors under the chairmanship of David German. Twenty people attended the meeting. The villages covered by the Y. & D.L.H.S. were (and still are) Buckland Monachorum, Clearbrook, Crapstone, Dousland, Horrabridge, Meavy, Milton Combe, Sampford Spiney, Sheepstor, Walkhampton and Yelverton.
Today, the Society has around 140 members, a programme of walks and talks throughout the year, (see our Gallery page for reports on past events) and an illustrated journal – published periodically when contributions from members & friends allow. Our latest journal was published in 2019 and is now available at our events (or direct from the Chairman) for only £4.
A number of noted members have published work independently of the Society, Pauline Hemery (now Pauline Hamilton-Leggett), Alan Rowe, Tom Greeves, Elisabeth Stanbrook and Jenny Sanders to name a few, but we as members of the society have gained much by association with their efforts.
EVENTS
Talks are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Meavy Parish Hall. Outdoor visits and walks take place in the summer at various locations in the area.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
2024 rates are £8 per member.
This entitles to free entry to all our events.
Contact: Claire Fryer, 30 Modyford Walk, Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, PL20 7NQ.
JOURNAL
The journal is published periodically depending on contributions from members.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Correspondence relating to the Journal and contributions for publication should be emailed to the Chairman – see Contacts page.