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Jubilee - What's on/Wine & Dine
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Miniature Pony Centre
Jubilee & Half Term
With a packed schedule of Diamond Jubilee-inspired events, why not come and join our celebrations this half term (2nd – 10th June). There’ll be a daily Jubilee Horse Parade where you can meet our two new magnificent Heavy Horses, Buster and Harris, who just love the attention they’ve been getting! Plus, you’ll be able to see our four incredibly beautiful new miniature foals (Duke, Sovereign, Countess and Beatrice), who have all been named using ‘The Monarchy ‘as the theme in honor of the Jubilee celebrations. We are also expecting two donkey foals to join them very soon, (at the end of May or the beginning of June). So, it’s exciting to think that they might even be born on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee itself! And, there’s plenty more cute baby animals to see - don’t miss our other new arrivals including the lambs, goat kids, baby mice and chicks. As well as the usual programme of activities during half term, including pony rides (there is a small extra charge for pony rides), every day we will also have a birds of prey display, a Jubilee Gymkhanas and a children’s entertainer each afternoon. Our very first Charity Day will take place on 5th June and we will be donating £1 from every admission to be shared between the two visiting charities, Dartmoor Horse and Pony Sanctuary and Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. Both charities will be represented on the day, and both are local and have been chosen due to their work with horses, which are, of course, something we care a great deal about, so please help us support them. On arrival at the Centre, every child will receive a free activity sheet and will be awarded a pony poster for taking part. With wonderful miniature ponies to see, 20 acres of stunning Dartmoor parkland, indoor and outdoor play areas and extensive picnic areas and a restaurant, we’re easy to find on the main B3212 road, just 2 miles west of Moretonhampstead, towards Princetown. Telephone 01647 432400.
The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak Inn, facing the village green in Meavy village, welcomes villagers and visitors alike. An enchanting atmosphere, enticing menu and drinks delight all who step inside. The inn, a former church house which was the pre-Reformation forerunner of the parish hall, is next to St Peter’s church and built within the church yard. Taken over by the parish council in 1936 the revenue continues to help the parishioners and maintains the inn which is a listed building. The inn takes its name from the ancient oak tree on the green. A Common Oak, Quercus robur, the tree may be a thousand years old. Over a hundred years ago boys recalled riding their bicycles through the gap of the tree and the innkeeper stored peat turves inside the trunk. Tradition has it that nine guests were served dinner in the hollow of the tree by the innkeeper, it being larger than it is today. The smaller tree on the green was grown from an acorn of the old tree and planted in 1920. In 1899 Sabine Baring-Gould, vicar of Lew Trenchard, wrote that the Meavy oak was a dancing tree. A platform was placed above the canopy of the tree and by climbing a ladder musicians sat up there and played their instruments for villagers to dance on the green at Meavy Fair. The green has been the stage for fairs and pageants over the centuries and a picnic place for families. These fairs were traditionally held in the month of June, near St Peter’s day 29 June, as they still are today. Seats at the higher part of the green were placed there sixty years ago at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Welcome to the Birdcage
Venture into the magnificent national park of Dartmoor to discover the birdcage. Located conveniently in the main square of the idyllic village of Chagford, the birdcage offers a truly unique atmosphere and dining experience.? This is not your average cafe or eatery; it’s vibrant and definitely one of a kind. A great place to meet friends and chat, the bohemian style, coupled with a quirky decor ensures that you can truly relax and enjoy your time here to the full.??Owners Geoff & Tina have a simple philosophy when it comes to the food and drink that they serve; it has to be fresh and as good as it possibly can be. This is why many regular customers claim that the birdcage serves “the best coffee in Devon” and “the best gourmet pizzas around”.??In addition to the fabulous gourmet pizzas made using fresh dough, there is always a daily special or salad on offer. We limit the amount of dishes we offer to ensure that what we do, we do well and that they are truly fresh.? So, whether you are looking for a friendly place to enjoy a great coffee and scrumptious cake, a delicious fresh salad lunch or a gorgeous gourmet pizza to eat in or take home, the birdcage has what you need. ??We are fully licensed.??We look forward to welcoming you to the birdcage soon!
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Monday, 20 May 2013
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