On June 9th The Dartmoor National Park Authorities re-opened over 60% of
Dartmoor National Park, to public access.

The heartland and home of British Letterboxing has been closed all year as
a defence against the Foot & Mouth epidemic that has been sweeping the
United Kingdom.

A collective sigh of relief and an unconstrained cry of joy echoed across
the moor as all us letterboxers who have missed and wept for our wonderful
Dartmoor have been given access once again to begin Letterboxing in 2001.

During the closure "green wellie" walks have sprung up around the
perimeters of Dartmoor, in the coddled ancient market towns of Devon which
surround the moors.

Walks which led between ancient churches and old market squares took
Letterbox hunters to off-moor boxes set out to slake the insatiable thirst
for their hobby. That many of these walks ultimately culminated with boxes
in cosy pubs made the slaking of other thirsts developed on such
expeditions all the more delightful.

But these were mere make goods. We still mourned our moors.

That we have taken Letterboxing for granted, that for 150 years the open
wind and rain swept moors have been home to our gentle pursuit and that we
expected them forever to be so, is now clearly something that we know is a
fragile truth.

The first clause of any Letterboxing constitution must be that the right
to pursue our happy hobby should be guarded and husbanded with care.

Dartmoor, we are grateful that you have opened your wilderness to us
again, and at last. We will never again take your dark mysterious moors
and wild craggy tors for granted.

I for one have felt the loss of your magic remedies for the stress and
strains of 21st century living and will be with you again soon to repay my
tribute to your generosity and openness of spirit.

To all Letterboxers of America and to my many friends in the USA, I am
pleased to let you know that Dartmoor is once again open, and repeat my
regular invitation. Do come and visit sometime. You are very welcome.

I will be pleased to join you if I am able and introduce you our wild and
beautiful moors. It has been a joy to share our wonderful news with like
spirits and good people.

Best wishes to LbNA and all its members. I hope that this summer everyone
gets a huge F score and lots fun and enjoyment.

At last we in Britain can re-start our part of this global hobby.

Fond wishes and happy boxing.


Graham Howard
The Moorland Wizard