Budleigh Past and Present

  That’s one of many yells of encouragement you’ll be hearing if you’re at the Britannia Inn on Thursday evening, 12 September. Friend of Fairlynch is the name of my horse in the pub’s Grand National Race Night organised by Kate and Jeff to raise funds for their chosen charity, The Royal Marines Charitable Trust.   The Britannia’s restaurant will be open as usual and many race-goers will be making the evening even more enjoyable by dining before the race, which starts at 8.00 pm. Dress up in Ascot-type gear and you’ll get a free bottle of wine. Race Marshalls are already drawing up the list of participating horses. With such a popular charity and the Britannia’s reputation for fine food -   Kate and Jeff were   delighted with their recently awarded Silver Star in the ‘Dining Pub’ category in the prestigious Taste of the West Awards for 2013 - it’s likely to be a full house.   For more information and to book a table phone 01395 445710 or c...

New faces at Knowle's local: Kate Knight with daughter Aisha and landlord Major Jeff White Buying a house? Involved in commerce? It can often be fascinating to discover the former occupants of your new home or how a venture started. The new landlord of Knowle village's local is the latest business in the area seeking to find out more about the history of the building and its previous tenants.  Going back to its original name is all part of Jeff White's keenness to explore the archives of this country pub and restaurant that for many years was known as The Dog and Donkey. “The pub started off as The Britannia back in Victorian times so we thought it was only right to respect its heritage and discover a bit more of its past,” says Jeff, pictured above with partner Kate Knight and her daughter Aisha who prepare quality food in the kitchen. And that's where Fairlynch Museum comes in with its excellent local history records. The museum is always re...