July 2026
Update from the Griffin with a Fire Engine outside 
Message from Sir Jamie
I have been updated by Sir Jamie on what occurred overnight 31st May into Monday morning 1st June.
The bad news is that the Griffin Inn has suffered a fire in the kitchen which started in the tumble dryer.
A warning to all that we must not leave a tumble dryer on unsupervised and that oily kitchen tea towels are super dangerous!
The good news is that no one was hurt.
We have pulled together and built a temporary kitchen in the garden and plan to operate from there throughout the Summer.
We intend to launch the new menu this week - so please come and try it out, and book your table via the website.
Update on Don’t Lose Hope day by Sir Jamie
We are thrilled to update all who played a part in our 24 hour walk event in aid of Don’t Lose Hope, that it has raised more than double the amount we had initially hoped we would.
The total now stands at more than £6000.
Rainy days in Irnham by Sir Jamie
The recent rain in early June has made a huge difference to the garden and farm.
The weeds of course have redoubled their efforts to take over.
The crops have enjoyed a boost just in time to make a difference before harvest.
The cows now have a decent source of winter forage as the hay will be cut at the end of this month.
You will not perhaps have noticed that the cuckoo call which we have enjoyed listening to over the last month has stopped, and these precious birds have flown home to Africa.
The end of GCSEs will be seen as a great relief to many.
The World Cup Football will be something to look forward to, now that we have drawn the sweep stake in the pub - good luck England.
My holiday surprise 
I went away for a wedding anniversary treat with hubby Terry to Cornwall, after being inspired to visit Clovelly.
My inspiration to visit there was thanks to a book series I read called the Borrow a Bookshop by Keley Dunbar which has 5 books based on Clovelly and the owners of the village.
A lovely look at seaside village life and comings and goings of visitors to the village.
We also visited the Eden Project (I do love plants ) Fowey, Megavissey, Newquay, The story of Emily (this place blew our minds and to think there were concentration camps in south Africa) which I wasn’t aware of. Such a touching story of Miss Emily Hobhouse that had been created in a display that was to such a high standard that at the end of the visit around the war rooms it made us both cry. Really worth a visit.
Lynton and Lynmouth and Watersmeet with its history in 1952 of a major flood demolishing houses which in turn caused the loss of life to 34 souls and others with crippling injuries. Very sad and made me want to cry. ( I guess I was still feeling emotional after the Emily story)
There was also a water powered cliff railway that took you from Lynton from Lynmouth which was so interesting.
On our last day after breakfast, I noticed that there was a National Trust castle nearby called Dunster Castle.
Imagine my surprise when we got into the castle and entered the dining room to be met by a volunteer who after I noticed a reference to Sir Geoffrey Luttrell, confirmed that they were related to the Luttrell’s of Irnham village.
She was most interested in the fact we came from Irnham and proceeded to tell us that they had the same group ( de Mowbray’s Musicke ) that had perform in the Church in Irnham July 2024 play at the castle last year.
What a small world we live in.
