This is the Earl Of Portsmouth Preservation Society's 'Save The Earl' Community Project, a small local community group passionate about saving our traditional pub in the heart of our village in Chawleigh. We are looking to raise enough money to purchase the pub and run it as a viable, flourishing business geared towards catering for the needs of our local community and visitors coming to this beautiful area.
https://www.savetheearl.org.uk/
The Earl of Portsmouth Preservation Society Chawleigh Community Trust, Ridgeway House, Chawleigh, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7EZ
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Earl-Of-Portsmouth-Preservation-Society-102145375011182 (204)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eopps2020 (7)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlofportsmouth.chawleigh/ (2)
The 5th Earl, Isaac Newton Wallop, (Artist Sir Leslie Ward, chromolithograph from a watercolour, published in Vanity Fair 1 July 1876)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isaac_Newton_Wallop,_Vanity_Fair,_1876-07-01.jpg
Earl of Portsmouth Public House https://www.facebook.com/102145375011182/photos/a.102145768344476/172314074660978
Save the Earl banner https://www.facebook.com/102145375011182/photos/a.102145768344476/165972178628501/
A brief history of The Earl
The pub has been here since the 17th century, perfectly situated in the rolling hills of Mid Devon. It is a pub with potential for locals and visitors alike. Sadly, the pub has closed and is for sale, possibly for development, and we only have a few months to raise the money to buy it for our community.
Prior to the “Great Fire of Chawleigh” in 1869 there is little readily available history for this pub which goes back to the 17th century. The village of Chawleigh is shown on the main Exeter to Ilfracombe road map of 1675 by John Ogilby. This road remained the main route until the A377 was built which follows the Tarka railway line opened in the 1850s. At the time of the fire the pub was named The London Inn, this was changed to the Earl of Portsmouth in recognition of the support the 5th Earl of Portsmouth, Isaac Newton Fellowes, who helped to rebuild the pub. In recent times it changed to The Portsmouth Inn and then back to the Earl of Portsmouth.
The Earl of Portsmouth closed in November 2019 and still remains closed a year later.
Our Vision for The Earl
A future vision for the Earl was expressed by the Chawleigh community both in a Questionnaire in July 2020 and in further continuous communications. Overwhelmingly, the people of Chawleigh wished ‘The Earl’ to reopen as a pub serving good food. Many wanted more than that, they wanted a return of the facility which held functions such as birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, wakes as well as just meeting friends for a drink, a meal and being met by a friendly host in a comfortable environment.
Many have missed the pub games, the darts, skittles and pool competitions which were commonplace only a couple of years ago. Many attended live music events, quizzes, wanted BBQs and dreamt of them happening in the future. Younger people wanted family-friendly facilities and wished to see development of the pub garden. A café was sought within the pub serving not only the locals, including small groups, but also visitors such as walkers and the many cyclists who pass by. Others asked for facilities which would support older members of their families and community as well as improved accessibility.
Since the owner has been unable to find a new owner or new tenant, the best way to change these dreams into reality is for the community to take ownership and buy the pub via a Community Share Offer The pub can then focus on the best interests of the community both now and for future generations.
https://www.savetheearl.org.uk/buying-shares/
Wikipedia Isaac Newton Wallop, 5th Earl of Portsmouth MA DL JP (11 January 1825 - 4 October 1891) was a British Peer and the son of Newton Fellowes, 4th Earl of Portsmouth and Lady Catharine Fortescue. He married Lady Eveline Alicia Juliana Herbert, daughter of Henry John George Herbert, 3rd Earl of Carnarvon, by his wife Henrietta Anna Howard, on 15 February 1855. They had twelve children. He died on 4 October 1891 aged 66 and was succeeded in the Earldom by his son, Newton Wallop, 6th Earl of Portsmouth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton_Wallop,_5th_Earl_of_Portsmouth
National Portrait Gallery has 4 portraits of the 5th Earl
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp03624/isaac-newton-wallop-5th-earl-of-portsmouth