Berry Pomeroy

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Berry Pomeroy is a village and civil parish in the South Hams district of Devon, England, about two miles east of Totnes. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 973. Berry Pomeroy is part of the Totnes constituency, although is in fact larger than the neighbouring town (in terms of the geographic size of the parish, not of course, comparative population).

Berry Pomeroy Castle, which can be found in Berry Pomeroy has often been cited as being the most haunted castle in Britain. The most famous ghost in residence is the White Lady. The castle is owned by the Duke of Somerset, however its upkeep is maintained by English Heritage. The castle was considered a 'romantic ruin' by the Victorians and a tragic love story involving Margaret, Eleanor and a handsome knight is based around the castle. The castle appeared in a recent BBC timewatch documentary "White Slaves and Pirate Gold". The contemporary British television show Most Haunted have also made a visit to the site.

St. Mary's Church, in the village centre features in the final wedding scene of Ang Lee's film Sense and Sensibility, was once visited by William III and visited more recently by the Duke of Kent. Berry Pomeroy's Parish Council meets at the Village Hall, next to Berry Pomeroy Parochial Primary School. To celebrate the turning of the millennium in 2000, a nice new bench was erected opposite the War Memorial. Every summer, there is held a fete in the grounds of the manor house next to the church, where Maypole Dancing, Devonshire Cream Teas and a Coconut shy may be enjoyed. American soldiers were stationed in the village in the build up to D-Day and were billeted in tents opposite the church. American veterans revisited Berry Pomeroy for the 60th anniversary of the invasion.

Berry Pomeroy has the distinction of being the only parish in the country which still observes "Queene's" Day - the anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth the First on November 17th. Celebrations begin with evensong in the parish church and culminate with a bonfire in the adjacent field, upon which is burned an effigy of Satan.

There have been a number of barn conversions and offices furnished recently in the village and the old man-made pond has been relined, as it was in disrepair.