Almost as the proofs of this issue hit my desk an email pinged into my Inbox: a press release announcing the fact that the Dartmoor area has excelled at the Taste of the West Awards 2011. (No room in ‘In the News’, so it has to go on this page!) As well as a host of Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards gained by local producers, Dartmoor Farmers won the Champion Product award, and were also the worthy winners in the tightly fought contest for the Carol Trewin South West Producer of the Year Award. And that’s not all: Michael Caines’ MBE Gidleigh Park near Chagford won the title South West Restaurant of the Year.

A couple of days later I attended an excellent Devon Renaissance (now rebranded as DR: www.DRcompany.co.uk) event at Bicton College in East Devon, titled ‘Are we making the most of our resources? Food and energy resilience in the South West’ and was further reminded of Dartmoor’s role as a key player in the region. The day was introduced by Michael Caines, and speakers included Andy Bradford of Brimpts Farm (a director of Dartmoor Farmers and Dartmoor Wood Fuel Co-operative) and, from Okehampton College, Keith Webber, whose work has reduced the college’s annual energy spend by around 40 percent over two years, with the eventual aim of becoming cash positive. It was a fascinating (and extremely positive) day.

I am putting this all in my letter because whereas I suspect that some readers would prefer every page of the magazine to be filled with features on the archaeology and geology of the moor, it is important to remember that Dartmoor is a living, working landscape and that successful local (and sustainable wherever possible) business ventures such as this are to be applauded. I think (and hope) we get the balance right in our coverage!

A brief look ahead to next May: if any of our fitter readers feel like making plans for a moorland exploration we’ll be running a perambulation of the Dartmoor Forest boundary over the first long weekend (details on page 17).

All that remains for me to do – at the end of another year – is to say a huge thank you to all those who contribute to, subscribe to and advertise in the magazine. It is a privilege for me to work on such a rewarding enterprise, and I am really grateful to all of you who support it.

Finally – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – all the best for 2012!

Sue Viccars