TRAVELLING across Dartmoor, some may have seen groupings of unusual small stone benches on the open moorland and wondered what they could be. The man-made stone benches were used by the makers of granite cobblestones — known as setts — for the streets of the towns and boroughs of Devon. The makers' story is to be told at an evening lecture at the Devon Rural Archive on Thursday, August 7, entitled 'Dartmoor's Sett Makers Bankers', to be given by moorland guide Simon Dell MBE. Abi Gray, consultant archaeologist at the DRA, said: 'The setts were made to prevent the streets of Devon's towns and cities being churned up in the late 19th century by the new traction engines which were causing a lot of damage to road surfaces. 'There was a need for new materials with which to build harder-wearing road surfaces, and so in the 1870s granite was quarried on Dartmoor to make cobbles or setts, carved by skilled sett makers.' Simon Dell has written a book about the subject entitled: 'Dartmoor's Sett Makers' Bankers', and in his lecture he will explain how these granite setts were quarried and constructed, and how the sett makers crouched on these benches on the open moorland in all weathers, carving the setts for use in Plymouth, Tavistock and other towns. A former police officer, Simon regularly talks on a variety of topics ranging from Dartmoor, Lundy and local policing, to his adventures in Tibet. He has been a special constable volunteer in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary since retiring as a full-time police constable after 30 years. He is also the superintendent leading the volunteer policing teams throughout North and West Devon. The talk will take place in the lecture room at the Devon Rural Archive in Modbury. Tickets are £5 each and booking is advisable. Refreshments will be available from 6.30pm and are included in the ticket price. To book call Abi Gray on 01548 830832 or email [email protected]">[email protected] For further information on Simon visit http://simondell.co.uk">http://simondell.co.uk