DARTMOOR-based MED Theatre has received a major boost from Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots to embark on a new project – Dartmoor in World War One — thanks to a £25,000 grant.

Working in partnership with the National Trust at Castle Drogo, Dartmoor Prison Museum, and Moretonhampstead History Society, MED Theatre will enable young people to research into life on Dartmoor during the Great War, and the impact war had on Dartmoor communities, interpreting their findings through creating performances, a film and an exhibition.

MED Theatre is a community theatre organisation that supports young people to create their own performance work based on local material, guided by professionals and working alongside adults.

A spokesperson for MED said: 'In Dartmoor in World War One, young people will investigate the creation of the Kitty Jay myth by Beatrice Chase who lost her fiancé in the war, the background to the conscientious objectors who were imprisoned in Dartmoor Prison, the story of the impact war had on the building of Castle Drogo and how Henry Williamson's traumatic experience of fighting in the trenches led to the writing of Tarka the Otter, partly set on Dartmoor.'

Commenting on the award, MED Theatre's artistic director Mark Beeson said: 'We are delighted to have received this HLF Young Roots grant for a project that will engage young people with a Dartmoor era when the world changed radically within the space of four years, leaving lessons for the future that we are still learning.'

A free taster workshop for the project will take place in Chagford Jubilee Hall on May 15.

For further information and to book a place call Abby Stobart on 01647 441356, email [email protected]">[email protected]