Mark Totterdell wins first
prize with his thoughtful
poem "Form"

The poems can all be read on our results page - see link to the right and initial reports have been going up on Facebook and our Blog.

Here is a Full Report with photographs and videos.

The Inaugural Manning's Pit Poetry Competition

The Results

The Presentation Evening for Prizewinners was held at St. Anne's Chapel in Barnstaple on Saturday January 12th. Julia Bird came from London to speak and read a poem, and David Weeks, Executive Director of The Week Magazine gave out the prizes.

More about Julia, our Judge.

Latest News on our Situation:

why we have much to celebrate, but the war is not over yet.

In March, the Planning Application for 41 houses in Manning's Pit was withdrawn. In September, Manning's Pit was listed as an Asset of Community Value. In October, the Local Plan was adopted, with Manning's Pit outside the development boundary. This means that it would be extremely unlikely for any planning application to be successful during the next five years. And finally, in November, came the news that the land owners did not ask for a review into the Asset of Community Value Listing – they had an 8 week period in which they could have done this.

These are indeed great victories to celebrate, but we cannot say we have won the war and saved Manning's Pit until the fields are owned by the community, or an organisation that would protect them on a permanent basis. That is our goal, and we will carry on working towards it.

Onwards and Upwards!

Two recent quotes from our Facebook Page show the spirit:

"I will support Mannings Pit forever! If I win the lottery I will buy it for us all!"
M. Y.

"We didn’t start this campaign to just stop it and rest on our laurels, we won’t go away until we know it is definitely saved for our grandchildren and the generations to follow. Onwards and upward!"
W.R.

Our Facebook Page for news/photos/videos/Twitter

Big Autumn Party - Report

Our Blog - includes message from India

Endorsements from prominent environmental and cultural figures, including Sir Richard Eyre, Ken Loach, Michael Morpurgo and James Lovelock.

Upcoming Events/Calendars

Contact:
manningspit@gmail.com

How to donate

Local business support

The History and Culture of Manning's Pit:

H H Munro (Saki), Colonel and Mrs Hibbert, F. R. Lee, R.A, Henry Williamson and
Benjamin Manning

How the Local Community feel
about Manning's Pit

Maps and Information -
Manning's Pit Fact File

Our Campaign

Lance Housley

Our Policies
including link to our
Data Protection Policy

Videos and Films

Martin Haddrill has produced this song for us, and he sang it at our Big Autumn Party to great applause. We have had paintings, films, poetry and historical exhibitions but until now we haven't had a song, which is something we wanted right from the start. So we want to give a big thank you to Martin, and hope that this song will help us carry on the battle through the years to come.

And here below is Ryan Vowles, from Pilton, reading his poem "Together" at our
Poetry Competition Presentation Evening on January 12th 2019.
Ryan was 14 when he wrote the poem. His poem, and his recitation, could
not be more inspiring. It ended with these words, where he talks of who will win in this battle:

"So make a lot of effort, put your heart and soul into it
And maybe, together, we can Save Manning's Pit. "

Manning's Pit and messages of support from around the world,
including China, Australia, the Falklands and the Arctic!
Zoom in for Manning's Pit itself, and Pilton posters and signs.

A page of posters

The Friends of Manning's Pit