MORE than 30 people attended the inaugural Dartmoor First Award presentation evening at the High Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown to celebrate ten of the winners, who represented businesses and organisations from all over Dartmoor.

Launched in May 2009, Dartmoor First is a new sustainability initiative from the Dartmoor Partnership, which is managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Award winners included the National Trust (Dartmoor); Ashburton Cookery School; accommodation providers, including Lowertown Farm, Lower Trecott Farm, Dartmoor Holidays, Woodovis Park and Okehampton YHA; and the National Park Information Centres.

Presented with their award by Dartmoor Partnership chairman Mark Walker, the winners were recognised for a variety of actions, including conservation of the landscape and cultural heritage; energy, waste and water use and their support of the local economy.

There was also a special award to Miles and Gail Fursdon of Old Walls Hydro. The award was in recogniition for their efforts in installing a hydro electric scheme that not only successfully links the historic infrastructure with modern technology without damaging the local environment but provides power for Widecombe, Ponsworthy and Poundsgate.

The presentations were followed by talks from James Paxman, of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, on Caring for Dartmoor, Richard Dean, of Dartmoor Farmers, on the importance of local food and in particular the value of upland farming and Miles and Gail Fursdon on their journey to a renewable energy scheme.

Richard Drysdale, sustainable tourism officer for Dartmoor National Park, who is responsible for Dartmoor First, said Dartmoor First's success lay in the recognition that any business, organisation, community or individual associated with Dartmoor could apply for the award. 'It's not about legislation, but sharing best practice, highlighting what others are doing and critically recognising those who are making that extra effort to put Dartmoor First.'

Award winners presented on the night included Lower Trecott Farm, Okehampton; YHA Okehampton, Okehampton; National Trust (Dartmoor), including Finch Foundry and Lydford Gorge; Dartmoor Holidays, Peter Tavy; Woodovis Park, Tavistock; High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown; National Park Information Centre Postbridge.

Other award winners included: Dartmoor Farmers' Association, Princetown

Overcombe House, Yelverton; Harrabeer Country House Hotel, Yelverton; Barnabas House, Yelverton; Barnabas House, Yelverton; Lammergeier , Yelverton; Two Bridges Hotel, Two Bridges; Bedford Hotel, Tavistock; Acorn Cottage, Tavistock; Dartmoor magazine, Okehampton.