DEDICATION to the welfare of Dartmoor livestock has earned a Peter Tavy resident the Dartmoor Society Award.
The award ? which was the sixth of its kind and is given to individuals or groups who, in the opinion of the society, have made a special contribution to Dartmoor ? was presented to Marion Saunders by Dr Tom Greeves, chairman of The Dartmoor Society, in Moretonhampstead last Friday.
Dr Greeves said that since Ms Saunders had moved to Dartmoor in 1970 she had dedicated her life to the well-being of Dartmoor Livestock, especially ponies.
?Working closely with the late Dee Ivey, a founder of the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, and other DLPS members and local vets, Marion has responded to reports of sick or injured ponies, sheep and cattle on the moor,? he said.
?Mares having difficulty foaling, lame sheep, or animals struck by passing vehicles, are typical of the incidents she has dealt with. Anyone who has contacted her will soon have realised that their report would receive prompt and efficient attention, even if it meant going out in bad weather or over miles of rough moorland,? he said.
?Many ponies in very poor condition have been nursed back to health at Hillbridge Farm. The Dartmoor Society has been greatly impressed with Marion?s resourcefulness, energy and selfless dedication to the livestock of Dartmoor,? Dr Greeves said, adding that he was delighted to present the award ?to such a worthy yet modest recipient?.
The award was in the form of a specially commissioned and unique ceramic plate, designed and decorated by the renowned Devon potter Penny Simpson, whose studio is in Moretonhampstead, with an inscription by calligrapher Susanne Haines of Bovey Tracey.
Marion ? who was a secretary in London before deciding to stay and live on Dartmoor during a holiday in 1970 ? said she was ?very honoured and very surprised? to be picked for the award. ?I wouldn?t have said my work was outstanding at all. It?s really just combining with other members of the DLPS in doing what we can when we see there?s a need.
?I have been working on Dartmoor for over 30 years, so I have stood the test of time, if that?s grounds for an award!? she said.
She added that the ?really beautiful? plate would have ?pride of place? in her house: ?No-one?s ever given me anything like this before.?