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Ivy walks in Manning's Pit to raise funds for little girl with cancer called Esme

H H Munro (Saki) grew up close to Manning's Pit. He said: "...my favourite bird is the hedge-sparrow."

The Friends of Manning's Pit Saki Short Story Competition First prize £500, second prize £200, third prize £100 Judges: Sir Richard Eyre, James Lovelock and Peter Christie Entries close on June 30th 2021.

Buy Manning's Pit!

This photo was taken just before Lockdown, when Joanna Towns, representative from developers Barratt David Wilson Homes, presented us with a cheque to help our campaign. Manning's Pit went for Auction on September 23rd but did not sell. It is described as "Land Lying East of Windsor Road". The catalogue entry suggested future development potential - Barratt David Wilson Homes obviously disagree.

Newland Homes, who have just completed a new development in Barnstaple, have also added their support to our campaign. Read more here.

The present land owners are a successful national company but they have given up the fight for planning permission.

We don't expect other developers will want to waste money on a plot of land so valued by the local community, designated an Asset of Community Value , supported by local Town and District Councillors and MPs past and present, celebrities including Ken Loach, Sir Richard Eyre, Sir Michael Morpurgo and James Lovelock - even the Prime Minister has held up a Buy Manning's Pit poster.

Few farmers would be interested in land of poor agricultural value so close to the town and used by so many people.

Mannings Pit - Our Future by Ty Redif.

About Manning's Pit

Manning's Pit is a magical piece of countryside on the edge of Pilton and Bradiford, two villages now part of Barnstaple. Otters, kingfishers, salmon and rare hazel dormice are all part of the wildlife found there by the river or in the trees.

It may be a small area but it is at the heart of the local community, loved by young and old alike. Generations of local people have walked through these fields, paddled in the river and done their courting there. They have expressed their love for Manning's Pit in hundreds of letters, poems, paintings and photographs, all of which can be seen on our website.

Our fund raising campaign started following the news that the land owners wanted to sell the fields. We - The Friends of Manning's Pit - came together with the Pilton Green Man CIO, charity no 1170742, to help buy Manning's Pit for the local community.

Donate now with Enthuse

Cheques should be made payable to "Buy Manning's Pit" and sent to: The Treasurer, c/o 7 Nursery End, Pilton, Barnstaple EX31 1RA

Gift Aid Form for BACS and cheque payments

BACS Payments By bank transfer to: Pilton Green Man CIO CAF bank Sort Code: 40-52-40 Account No.: 00033100 Payment Ref: ManPit