Between January and March 2009, school workshops took place at two primary schools within the Dartmoor National Park, Chagford and Okehampton. Year 5 pupils explored how Dartmoor myths are specific to their locality through discussion and drama exercises. In small groups the pupils thought up their own new Dartmoor myths using different stimuli as inspiration, such as local, historical newspaper clippings, photographs and other Dartmoor stories. The Arts and Education Officer from the Dartmoor National Park Authority, Willem Montagne, worked alongside MED Theatre to facilitate the year 5 pupils to create shadow puppet shows of their new Dartmoor myths. Animation tutor Tanya Morel took a group from each school and helped them to create animations of myths. The workshops took place over six week periods, culminating in a final performance in each school to fellow pupils, teachers and parents. Visit the schools section of the website to see the shadow puppets and animations they made, and watch the myths unfold.
The contemporary myths that have been created are an exciting and imaginative slant on the original concept of myth, but perhaps more importantly, the process of their creation was a chance to value the ideas and views of members of the community, young and old. The outreach projects were a valuable tool to educate members of the community about the opportunity of adding to and using the Dartmoor Resource website when it was launched in April 2009.
Clare Saunders and Abby Stobart