The Valiant Soldier - The pub where time was never called - Buckfastleigh

I spoke in the last Blog about community engagement and empowerment in political terms with a small p. Involvement in the planning and infrastructure spheres of our lives.

Another example of community engagement and volunteers quietly working away for their community, I offer:

The Valiant Soldier Buckfastleigh.

Regular readers will remember that I and my Ward colleague Charlie Dennis contributed £250 each from our Councillor Community Funds to assist with a replica door for this heritage asset.

The Valiant Soldier was a village inn for more than two centuries. It closed in the 1960s, and time literally stood still. Furniture, pub artefacts and domestic items were simply left where they were as the last customer walked out. Thanks to volunteers this asset has been restored and is run for the benefit of visitors and the community of Buckfastleigh. They also have a display and museum section dedicated to the history of Buckfastleigh, and as regular readers will know from these Blogs, Buckfastleigh is very much alive in the 21st century. If you are visiting Dartmoor or a local out and about give them a visit.

The photo below is courtesy of the BuckfastleighTrust who can be contacted on 01364 644522, via email: enquiries@valiantsoldier.org.uk or on the website:

http://www.valiantsoldier.org.uk/

Special thanks to Sandra Coleman and her team of dedicated volunteers for several very illuminating visits.