A MOVE to new premises in Coryton will enable West Devon charity West DEN more scope for new activities, according to its new recently-appointed director, writes Ann Parsons.
Polly Goodwin, who took over as director in mid-June, said West DEN had outgrown its offices in Canal Road, Tavistock, and a suitable and larger building had been found at Park Barn, Coryton.
She said: ?We are really excited about moving to new premises with more space. We are disappointed not to be on a public transport route, but we have been looking for premises for a long time and were unable to afford premises in Tavistock or Okehampton.
?Many options were considered before the trustees decided, in consultation with staff, that our new building was the right place for the future. It is not far from Tavistock, closer to Okehampton, and we will be much more a part of West Devon.?
Transport arrangements will be made for non-drivers and meetings can also be held in Tavistock, Okehampton or any other convenient location.
Ms Goodwin said: ?We will have the facilities to expand further and take on new intitiatives that could never have been considered at Canal Road.?
The increased space will enable the charity to offer on-site activities such as training, exhibitions, open days and members? meetings. It is also planned to put into practice some sustainable way of managing the office, such as water recycling.
The move should be complete by the end of October. ?We hope members who are interested and have time will visit our new premises and see for themselves why we have decided to move,? Ms Goodwin said.
l Anyone interested is invited to West DEN?s members meeting in Princetown Primary School at 7pm on September 16, when guest speaker will be Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society.
She will address national issues affecting walkers, such as the recent Countryside and Rights of Way Act, as well as looking at local issues of concern on Dartmoor, including china clay mining and the use of the moor by the military.