Happy campers story supports volunteer rescuers

A pair of happy campers have written a children’s story booklet, inspired by their holidays on Dartmoor, in aid of volunteer rescuers.

The couple are selling ‘The Mystery of Spike, the Missing Hedgehog’, at Langstone Manor Holiday Park, at Moortown, near Tavistock, where they have spent many a night under canvas or roof in the past few years.

The amateur authors, who prefer to be anonymous, have dedicated the £5 per book proceeds to Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock (DSRT). The couple, who live in Torbay, enjoyed walking on Dartmoor while on their breaks and appreciate the work of the mountain rescue teams.

The writers have allocated story characters’ names to the campsite staff members by way of a tribute to them for making their holidays enjoyable.

The authors say: “This short story series (the second is planned to be about dragons) has been written about Langstone Manor Holiday Park and surrounding area because we love it so much.

“We visit very often and it has become special to us, so we wanted to share a little of the magic and the way it feels to us through these stories. Dartmoor Search and Rescue Tavistock does such important work in keeping people safe on the moors.”

Park assistant Jane Cornbill said: “It’s a lovely whimsical book. When we read it to each other we were quite moved emotionally. They want to be anonymous for the book’s publicity, but we know them quite well because they keep coming back. They started off in 2018 staying in a mega-pod, then camping and now want a static. They say they feel the magic of the place and the staff have wisdom.”

Mike Sherry, of DSRT, said: “It’s generous and kind of the authors and of Langstone Holiday Park to support us in the novel way. The team is very appreciative.”