TLRT Dartmoor Letterboxing Charity Walk March - October 2009
A Dartmoor letterboxing walk HAS been organised on behalf of The Labrador Rescue Trust that is out now and will finish at the end of October 2009.
The walk is called "Rescue The Labradors 2009" and all the stamps are of 12 random dogs from our "Success Stories" on this website that have been re-homed by TLRT in the past. There is also a "Thank You" stamp.
- How do I purchase a clue sheet for the walk?
- Where is the walk situated?
- What is letterboxing?
- How did letterboxing begin?
- The Letterbox 100 club
- How does a charity letterboxing walk work?
- Where can I find out more information about letterboxing?
- Any questions?
How do I purchase a clue sheet for the walk?
Please contact Nick Swift who organised the walk for details of how to purchase a clue sheet for "Rescue The Labradors 2009" either by telephone on 07813 025134 or email at nick.swift@labrador-rescue.com
Note: We will be at the Letterboxing meet this Sunday 29th March from 10:00 to 18:00 selling the clue sheet as well as a select range of merchandise. The Letterboxing meet is held at Lee Moor Village Hall (Grid reference 5720 6175).
Where is the walk situated?
The walk is in Lydford in Devon. More specifically, the walk is in the Brat Tor, Arms Tor, and Little Links Tor area. Recommended parking is at Black Down car park (Grid reference 526 854).
What is letterboxing?
Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby that is a combination of orienteering, treasure hunting, art, and puzzle solving. It can also be an entertaining way to exercise your dog!
A letterbox in this context is a small pot that is hidden on the moors. In each pot is a "stamp" and sometimes a visitors book. Predetermined clues are used to locate these letterboxes.
Once a letterbox is found, the letterboxer (person looking for letterboxes) uses the stamp from the pot they have found and using an ink pad that they carry around with them, they take an impression of the stamp and record it in their own book/paper/cards. They then mark the visitors book (with their own personal stamp if they have one) in the box to say they have found the letterbox. Letterboxers tend to keep careful track of their "find count".
How did letterboxing begin?
Letterboxing originated on Dartmoor in 1854. A Dartmoor guide called James Perrot, placed a bottle for visitors cards at a remote location on Dartmoor called Cranmere Pool. Perrot encouraged hikers that had made the considerable walk to Cranmere Pool to leave a calling card as a record of their achievement.
The Letterbox 100 club
Once a letterboxer has found 100 stamps and has visual proof of this (e.g. book of their stamp collection) they can register to the official letterboxing 100 club. There is also a canine 100 club for dogs. Simply provide your 100 club membership number and you can purchase a special 100 club dog tag. The dog is also issued with its own canine 100 club membership number.
How does a charity letterboxing walk work?
A letterboxer volunteers to create a charity letterbox walk for a charity of their choice. Letterboxers then pay for the clue sheet for the walk (£2.50 approx). The clues then direct them to the letterboxes (typically between 10-16 letterboxes). The walks range in distance from 3 miles to 6 miles and form a walk around a Dartmoor Tor. On a charity walk the stamps have a theme (e.g. teddy bears picnic, mining on Dartmoor). All money raised from selling the clue sheets goes to the charity.
Where can I find out more information about letterboxing?
Below are some links to some websites that provide information about letterboxing.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterboxing
- http://www.dartmoorletterboxing.org
- http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-enjoyingdartmoor/vi-letterboxing.htm
Any questions?
If you have any questions please contact Nick Swift on 07813 025134 or email nick.swift@labrador-rescue.com. Nick Swift is organising the charity walk on behalf of The Labrador Rescue Trust.