The Moot

Dartmoor’s very own assembly of equals.

What is The Moot?

The name itself is old. A “moot” was an Anglo Saxon or Medieval gathering where people met to talk things through, in principle, each voice carried equal weight. That is the idea here. No one is more important than anyone else.

So, the “Our Dartmoor” The Moot is a place to write about something you know a great deal about, especially if it might be something that people generally get wrong, or have little understanding of.

It will not have a comment section and it will not be a modern forum. There is no “reply” button, no likes, no instant back and forth. You write a piece, you send it in, and in time it is published for others to read and consider.

If someone wants to challenge what you have said (or even ask for clarification) they cannot fire off a one line retort. They have to do the same as the original writer: sit down and write a proper response of their own.

Why it is slow (and why that’s the point)

Most of the internet today rewards the fastest reaction, not the best one. People reply before they have finished reading (if they even read past the clickbait headline).

“The Moot” is built to work the other way round.

How to take part

There is no form on this page, and that is deliberate. Unfortunately forms invite spam and, truthfully, they also invite haste. Instead, you send your piece by email, like a letter to a newspaper.

Email your piece to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please include:

• A title for your piece.
• A brief description of what your piece is about.
• The name you would like the piece published under. Pseudonyms are allowed (in certain circumstances), however only a real name and a confirmable email address will warrant your piece being allowed.
• A line confirming that you are happy for it to be published on the Our Dartmoor website.

I have no intention of editing any part of the piece. It will be formatted to fit the style of the website, but no other changes will be made. If you have images to illustrate a point, or merely to make the piece prettier, feel free to email these along with your words.

Pieces that are written purely to antagonise, belittle, bully or generally miss the whole point of this idea will not be published.

What makes a good piece

Write about what you genuinely know. First hand knowledge is great, real experience or hard won understanding wins over opinions you picked up yesterday.

If you are qualified in your field, great. Mention those qualifications. If you have years of experience, tell us.

Be civil. Argue with the idea, not the person. Personal attacks are not the proper way to win a debate.

Be clear, and be plain. If your subject is technical, please try to explain it so that someone with no background can follow you. Jargon left unexplained is a sure way of shutting people out and losing your audience.

Please try to make your case in full. Say what you think, and say why. Show your reasoning. A clear piece leaves the reader better informed, whether or not they end up agreeing.

There is no minimum or maximum word count. Make it interesting and informative and it can be one paragraph or the draft to a new book!

One-off pieces are welcome too

You do not have to be arguing with anyone. If you can write something that genuinely adds to what a visitor to “Our Dartmoor” understands, whether about its history, its wildlife, its working life, its problems, or anything you know deeply, then send it in. The only test is whether it teaches the reader something worth knowing.