This item was first posted in 2016 since when a lot has happened and the land known as Manning’s Pit has been bought for the community and saved from development.
The fields of Manning’s Pit and the surrounding area around Bradiford Water in Pilton have been walked and played on by local people for hundreds of years. The area is beautiful, a magical piece of North Devon countryside within easy walking reach of town. The people of Pilton hold these fields very close to their hearts. Many tell tales of their parents, grandparents and even great grandparents playing there. It offers a safe and natural playground to a new generation of children. Until recently the land was owned by a local farmer – who allowed free access – and the local population respected his need to graze animals on the land.
But now Manning’s Pit has been sold to London-based speculators who are interested only in forcing through planning permission for a housing estate so that they can sell the land on to a developer for a huge profit. A petition has been started by the Friends of Manning’s Pit to demonstrate to the speculators just how strongly local people feel about their land. A short film “The Magic of Manning’s Pit” can be watched at: www.vimeo.com/togetherland/MagicPit. It has been made to record the wonder of Manning’s Pit.
It has to be acknowledged that, contrary to the truth, the land shown in this image is NOT part of the land now owned by the Pilton Green Man CIO on behalf of the community, but is a view of the land on the opposite side of Bradiford Water. It just a lovely photograph taken early on a spring morning!
The complete story of saving Manning’s Pit can be found here: https://thepiltonstory.org/mannings-pit/