Save Manning's Pit

The speculators withdraw
we advance
to our

"Bring and Share" Party

for all our supporters

on Saturday April 21st
at Pilton Parish Hall,
7pm - 10pm

Enjoy the Moment!

Hope to see you there,

accompanied children welcome.





Our First Event for 2018

Save Manning's Pit

Coffee Morning


Saturday February 24th

10 am - 2 pm


Pilton Parish Hall





Save Manning's Pit

Coffee Morning

Saturday October 7th

10 am - 1 pm at Pilton Parish Hall


Thanks to everyone who came to this - it was good

 seeing you all, and  meeting new supporters too.


Read more about it on our Blog:




The Friends of Manning's Pit Exhibition, at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon


Museum poster

More information, and updates about the Exhibition

will appear regularly on our Blog





 Previous Events



Outside Pilton Parish Hall

Save Manning's Pit

Coffee Mornings

Saturday March 11th - Sunday March 12th

10 am - 2 pm both days, at Pilton Parish Hall





Save Manning's Pit

Killer Skittles Evening

 March 4th at

The Green Man

in Pilton Street

Report to come but it was a very enjoyable night!






Manning's Pit Paintings

An Art Exhibition of Paintings inspired by Manning's Pit.
January 2017

Children's competition -
                                      Peter Heaton Jones MP and Dylan
                                      Knox-Bulpett
Click on image for report










Coffee Morning on November 26th


Mr Manning

Mr. Manning and his shop were there, with leaflets, information and Save Manning's Pit money boxes for those who want to start collecting their loose change to help with our fund raising.
Along with mince pies, there were some small cakes and biscuits that were works of art in themselves.
It was a successful and enjoyable event, and good to have time to chat with many of our supporters. 
Some lovely works of art were also produced at the Children's colouring table - and they are now decorating windows!
money boxes





Fun Skittles Evening at The Reform

This event, on September 24th at The Reform Inn, was yet another successful and enjoyable one. We were especially pleased to welcome Peter Vaughan and his friend as our guests, after he had so generously donated £500 to our fund raising campaign this summer.
The Skittles Games were organised by Chris Bulpett and before the break a fierce game of Killer Skittles took place, won finally by John Smaldon.
This was followed by the Fish and Chips which were fetched from came from Pilton Fryer, and then the Raffle.
In the second half of the evening a game of Bar Skittles was set up. This proved much more of a challenge - finally Wendy Robinson was the last person not out, and she won the prizes for that game.
Thanks to the Reform Inn, the Pilton Fryer, to Martin Hadrill for lending us the Bar Skittles game, and all the people who contributed to the Raffle.
The photo below (taken on a mobile) shows Christine Lovelock giving the prize for the first Skittles game to John Smaldon. He was also presented with a special award - two skittles made to represent Mr and Mrs Benjamin Manning, which he said he will keep in his beach hut.
John Smaldon
                            receiving prize

The Reform Inn on Facebook






Save Manning's Pit Pub Quiz

at The Windsor Arms

Saturday August 6th


This was a fantastic evening, so well supported and we all had a wonderful time.  Yet again we should have had a designated photographer. Did anyone take any photos, if so please do send us them? 
Thanks especially to Steve who organised the Quiz, to those who donated prizes, to Lisa, Scott  and all the Staff at The Windsor Arms who helped make it such an enjoyable night, and to all the people who donated prizes to the Raffle. 
We raised a considerable amount of money for the campaign, and equally important was the fact that this event showed yet again what terrific support this campaign has in our local community.  People also made new friends and had a lot of fun!


The Windsor Arms Pub




The Green Man Festival

Saturday July 16th


We had a really big presence at this year's Festival, and we want to thank the organisers for being so  supportive to our cause.
We had a
stand in the High Street and also a trailer in the Rotary Gardens, where the film, The Magic of Manning's Pit could be seen, and a children's poster competition took place..
 There is nothing quite like The Green Man Festival, it is one of the best days of the year, and  it was a great day  even despite the wettest weather for many years!





Manning's old house

The house in which Benjamin Manning lived.
Photograph above from early 20th century.

Our stand, just outside the Manning home.

Our stand in Pilton Street

If you look carefully, you may spot the figure
of Mr. Manning himself, in his butcher's apron.
 Thanks to Tim Saunders for his life-like creation.