PROTESTORS last week staged a mass trespass at a Dartmoor beauty spot, in their continued campaign to re-establish public access to the area. Jim Harrison, of Tavistock, said around 25 adults and children joined the protest on Vixen Tor near Merrivale ? a privately owned tor which was closed to the public after its present owner bought the land some three years ago. It was the third New Year?s Day protest staged by the group ? who claimed they were met with a hostile reception on the day. Mr Harrison said they were approached by tor owner Mary Alford and some of a large group of people, who told them to leave the tor. He said they were told the group was holding a shoot and it would be dangerous for them to remain on the tor. ?We hadn?t heard any guns at all ? we wouldn?t have gone in if we had,? said Mr Harrison. He said the group of protestors were not part of any official organisation like the Ramblers Association, which has criticised the closure of Vixen Tor. ?We are just locals who are keen it remains open. The national park is doing nothing about it and you should see the state of it ? the walls are covered with tar and oil and extra barbed wire ? it?s a terrible mess.? Mary Alford confirmed she and her family and friends had been enjoying a barbecue and clay pigeon shoot at Vixten Tor Farm when the trespass occurred. Mrs Alford said the trespassers said they had read a notice warning of shooting on the tor but still proceeded to cross the boundary wall. ?I feel this was very irresponsible, putting themselves and particularly the children into danger when guns were being used,? she said. A spokesman for Dartmoor National Park Authority said Vixen Tor had been the subject of a recent authority meeting, at which members had resolved to seek to restore public access to the tor through voluntary means. ?Discussions are still taking place with the owner ? the crucial date is March 3rd for agreement to have been achieved. ?The authority remains hopeful that a voluntary agreement will be successful,? he said. The spokesman said he could make no comment on the condition of Vixen Tor as it was private property.
