THE colourful history of one of the highest and remotest farms in England is the subject of a talk to be given in Belstone next week.

Dr Tom Greeves, cultural environmentalist and chairman of the Dartmoor Society, completed a comprehensive study of East Okement Farm last year for the Ministry of Defence.

At 405 metres (1,330ft) above sea level, it was built in the early 1870s. Its land contains evidence of some prehistoric activity, of extensive tin-working in the 15th and 16th centuries. It features prominently in a well-known novel, The Secret Woman by Eden Phillpotts, published in 1905.

Since at least 1881 until 1954 the Endacott family lived there, combining farming with range clearing for the military. For many years the Endacott children rode across the moor to Belstone on the seven-mile journey to and from Sticklepath School.

From 1956 the farm has been run by successive generations of the Cooper family.

Dr Greeves' talk at Belstone Village Hall on Saturday, November 20 will describe the history of the farm and its inhabitants from earliest times to the present day, as well as explaining archaeological features at the site. The evening begins at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free and donations will be accepted for hall funds.