Unravelling Dartmoor’s Myths: An Evening With Emma Cunis
Thursday 9th October 2025, 7pm – 8pm
St Lawrence Chapel, 21, St Lawrence Lane, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7DD
Tickets £7 – buy HERE
From pixies to giants, and witches to wisht hounds….explore Dartmoor’s legends with guide and author Emma Cunis and writer Sophie Pierce. They’ll be delving into the Moor’s best-known myths, many of which have been circulating for hundreds if not thousands of years, and looking into their origins and their deep connection to land and roots.
From Bowerman’s Nose to the Devil at Widecombe Church, and more recently, the Hairy Hands, why do these legends persist, and what is their relevance today? At a time when many of us are seeking connection and belonging, folk tales can engage our imagination, inviting us out of the mundane and into a world of eternity, magic and archetypes.
Emma’s new book, Dartmoor Myths and Legends, delves into the history of these old stories, and explores their relationship with the place from which they come. Emma also has a fascinating personal story. She is the granddaughter of Eric Hemery, author of High Dartmoor: Land and People (1982) one of the most celebrated books on Dartmoor, often referred to as ‘Dartmoor’s Bible’. Her reconnection with Dartmoor in mid-life, after a high-powered international corporate career, is a compelling story of the restorative power of returning to your roots. Emma will be in conversation with writer and broadcaster Sophie Pierce.
Buy tickets HERE