WARNING - LIVE FIRING ON A WEEKEND ON SAT 7TH JULY

Having looked at the program of firing....
there is live firing booked for 7th July on the Willsworthy Ranges
THIS IS A SATURDAY!!!
Considering most of the armed services who use these ranges are out of the country on active service I cannot understand the amount the military has increased their requirements and desire of blowing holes in the moor.

It was supposed to be a mutual agreement that the moor was open to the public at weekends - probably some irk out there has booked the moor so he can let off some stupid great rocket and set fire to more of the moor.

Even though I cannot get to the moors every weekend - I consider this unfair over-use by the military - In fact I cannot remember such use by the military for such a long period of time



On a personal note - I thought there was agreement between the authorities that over the weekends all the moors would be open to the public. Especially during the summer months!

I agree with you Nik, the moors should always remain open to the public over the weekends, after all the army have all the week days to train. I was watching them from afar only last Wednesday from Longaford Tor.


Dizzy

That does seem a bit off. Weekends are short enough, without being spoilt by live firing

I made an enquiry about the firing on the weekend mentioned above... this is the response I got - From my point of view I can understand it in its entirity....


Dear Nik,

You will see from the Guaranteed Public Access Page http://www.dartmoor-ranges.co.uk/public ... ccess.html that we do not fire on Okehampton and Merrivale on Sat, Sun and Mon and on Willsworthy, which is MOD freehold land, on Sat and Sun except for the weekend containing the second Sun of the month. You will also note that we do not fire at all in Aug and at other times as shown.

We need to fire on some weekends to train volunteers of the Territorial Army, who are an integral part of the Armed Forces. Their principle training periods are at weekends and they need to learn and maintain their operational skills, which are applicable to wherever we have to defend our Nation and its interests.

Over the years we have reduced considerably the periods when live firing is permitted and also refined the dates to increase the certainty of access. Since last year we have increased notice of the live firing programme from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, again to increase the certainty of access.

Perhaps the problem is that in directing your link to the firing programme, readers are not looking at the explanation of the bigger picture of guaranteed public access.

I have copied your e mail and this reply to a colleague who is examining how we can further improve public access.

Lt Col (Retd) A H Clark OBE

Commandant Dartmoor Training Area

01837 650011 Office

01837 650010 Ops Room 24 Hour


Well that was it in its entirity - I am happy that they need their training and still a little disappointed that the TA needs it on a Saturday - but C'est la vie - it is after all the smallest range the MOD use

Thanks for trying to clarify that Nik, still a little confusing but at least you got an answer.

Well done mate,

Dizzy

As you say, although disappointing, it is a valid point.

Tina

Had some more information about the firing thingy ... there are a few days which might be worth looking into - good days out personally, I am inclined to look at the Okehampton Camp dates
Here is the letter... well email...


Dear Nik,



I’m glad that I was able to provide useful information. We try hard to care for Dartmoor and to assist with the certainty and quality of public access.



I recognise the need to communicate direct with the public, including explaining why and how we use Dartmoor. I and my staff will be at the Tavistock Steam Fair this Sunday, at the Okehampton Show on Thu 9 Aug, at the Plymouth Hoe Recruting Days on 18/19 Aug and we have our own 4th Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend on 8/9 Sep at Okehampton Camp, when vehicles and equipment will be on display, soldiers will explain their training and a military band will display. More detail is on the news page of my web site.



I look forward to meeting you if you are able to get to Oke in Sep.



Lt Col (Retd) A H Clark OBE

Commandant Dartmoor Training Area

01837 650011 Office

01837 650010 Ops Room 24 Hour

Thanks for the info, Nik. I'm about to write to complain since the Moor is not the property of the Army and they are all to keen to keep us off whenever they find it convenient to do so. I really don't care if it's the TA or the regulars, they are breaking an understanding that the Moor is free for walkers at the weekends in summer.