Buttercups and May blossom in
Manning's Pit
The field known as Manning's Pit,
and the ones beside it that lead towards Tutshill
Woods, are loved by almost everyone, including me, in
Pilton, Bradiford and the surrounding area. The fields
have now been purchased by a presumed developer.
A town is more than houses, it needs green spaces
where people can walk and refresh their spirits. We
need housing, but the most beautiful parts of our
countryside and towns need to be protected, too. This
is the most accessible countryside to the North and
West of Barnstaple, the one place where you can walk
away from traffic noise and enjoy peace and
tranquility. These fields are part of our heritage, as
important to us as Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill
are to Londoners. If the government relaxed planning
laws in London so that those places could be built
upon, what an outcry there would be!
I was one of a group of people who set up The
Friends of Manning's Pit group in response to news of
the impending sale. I have never known an issue about
which so many local people feel both united and
passionate. Up till now, I led a quiet kind of life,
but now, every time I go out, I meet more people who
want to help in our campaign, everywhere I go, people
tell me how much Manning's Pit means to them. With
almost no time for publicity, we received pledges of
nearly £30,000 to support a bid at the Auction. We
believe that had we been given more time we could
indeed have raised the money to keep Manning's Pit
safe for ever.
Manning's Pit means many different things to many
different people. It is not just a field, it has a
name, and it is part of Pilton's history. It is
important to the health of the community, not just
physically but mentally too. Personally, I love it
because I love to walk in the countryside, I love the
fact it is a haven for wildlife, I love the fact that
it is peaceful and far from traffic and noise and, as
I am an artist, I love it especially for its beauty. I
am just one of many artists who have been inspired by
these fields. I have been painting Manning's Pit for
18 years now and some of my Manning's Pit paintings
can be found on my website, www.chrislovelock.co.uk
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