In an era when traditional English pubs are closing at an alarming rate, one man's devotion to his community has ensured that a century of history will endure. Peter Manfield, a 73-year-old music teacher and musician, took the extraordinary step of remortgaging his home to purchase The Dog and Donkey, his village pub in Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England.
The decision was not made lightly. Manfield, known locally as Pete, faced the prospect of watching his community's gathering place transform into a block of apartments. For a man who moved to the village in 1997 and witnessed the pub serve as the heart of local life, the potential loss was unacceptable.
"To lose (the village's) heart would've been catastrophic in my opinion—and then you've got nowhere to go," Manfield told SWNS news. "You haven't got history, that history of 100 years is gone and when it's gone there's no bringing it back."
The establishment, which celebrates its centennial this year, was originally erected in 1926 as the Brittania Inn. The building survived World War II and has operated under various landlords throughout the decades, recently becoming known as The Dog and Donkey. The pub retains its original fireplace and tiled floor, architectural features that speak to its enduring character.
"It's a beautiful building and there's nothing else in the village apart from the village hall," Manfield explained. "It's a lovely pub—and it's 100-years-old this year."
When the previous landlord struggled financially and faced the necessity of selling, Manfield confronted a choice between financial prudence and community preservation. Despite describing himself as someone who visits the pub perhaps once every ten days, primarily to unwind after work or performances, he recognized the irreplaceable value of the establishment.
"It's just a lovely old building and when it's gone it's gone—and it was just unacceptable to let it go without a fight," Manfield said. "That's the reason why we borrowed the money on the house."
Public records indicate that Manfield purchased the property in 2024 for approximately £270,000. However, acquiring the building represented only half the challenge. Operating a successful pub required finding the right person to manage daily operations.
Fortune intervened during a routine haircut. Manfield mentioned his pub purchase to his barber, and Mark Loftin, who was present, expressed interest in managing the establishment. Despite having no prior experience running a pub, Loftin's fresh perspective and alignment with Manfield's vision made him an ideal candidate.
"He's never run a pub before, which is brilliant in many ways—he's got no baggage," Manfield noted. "We are very lucky to have found him."
Loftin embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm. "This was an amazing opportunity, especially to be involved with Pete," he said. "Our values and belief systems basically align and that's what's important—wanting to keep the pub traditional, not turning it into a gastro pub—and that's what we are doing."
The partnership has proven successful in maintaining the pub's traditional character while ensuring its financial viability. The establishment serves as a meeting place for diverse community groups, including dog walkers and skittle teams, preserving the authentic English pub experience that has become increasingly rare.
"We have all sorts of people that use the pub for meetings, dog walkers, skittle teams that come in, and the ethos was to keep it a traditional pub," Manfield explained.
The community response has exceeded expectations. While many pubs across England struggle and close, The Dog and Donkey is thriving under its new ownership. Manfield credits much of this success to Loftin and his family, whose dedication has transformed the establishment into a vibrant community hub.
"We are extremely lucky. Mark (Loftin) has been an amazing landlord and his family is just wonderful," Manfield said. "It's a traditional English pub doing traditional English things. Many pubs are struggling and closing. This pub is surviving."
Local residents have expressed their gratitude on social media, with one noting, "Just moved into Knowle Village, great to have a friendly convenient Local!" Another praised the establishment's offerings: "It's a great pub with friendly staff. Never had a bad meal here and plenty of it. Nice pub garden too."
Perhaps the most telling endorsement came from a community member who simply stated: "Pete has always been a legend."
Manfield's investment represents more than a financial transaction. By risking his personal assets to preserve a community institution, he has demonstrated that some things transcend monetary value. The Dog and Donkey stands as a testament to the power of individual action in preserving communal heritage, ensuring that future generations will have a place where everybody knows their name.
