Weare Giffard

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Much sympathy and kindness have been shown to the family of the late Mrs Banbrook, who passed away suddenly. Mrs Banbrook was the widow of Mr John Banbrook who died six years ago.

Deceased was highly respected, and beloved by all who knew her.
The funeral service was taken by the Rector, the Rev R H Moyses. During the first part in the church, the hymn ‘Abide with me’ was sung, and, as the funeral procession wended its way to the graveside, the organist, Mrs Mancy, played ‘O Rest in the Lord’. The coffin of unpolished oak inscribed ‘Elizabeth Banbrook, aged 82 years’, was lowered into its last resting place by the side of her late husband, by Messrs J Beer, F Wise, J Rooks, H Busby, A Gilbert and H Beer.
The chief mourners were Mrs Tremlett, Miss Banbrook and Miss G L Banbrook, and Miss Marion Banbrook. Deceased’s eldest son, Mr J E Banbrook, residing in America, was unable to be present.
Beautiful floral tributes were sent by ‘Her sorrowing children’, Mrs M Banbrook, Cissy and John, Girlie and Fred Swinton, Mrs Mancy and the children of Weare Gifford School, Mrs Bushby and family, Betty, Mr and Mrs A Gilbert and Florrie.
Gazette article dated 8 May 1923

Weare Giffard Bells

To be re-hung and re-tuned

Weare Giffard Parochial Church Council has decided to proceed with a scheme for re-hanging and re-tuning the Church’s peals of six bells.
The estimated cost of the work, which it is hoped will be finished by Christmas 1951, will be £637. This is a very heavy burden for the Church to bear by itself and it is hoped that the villagers of all denominations will concern themselves in this improvement to their historical church, so that the bells may once more ring in perfect harmony.
An appeal for funds will be launched in the near future and it is hoped that friends outside the village will give generous support. Anyone wishing to contribute can send donations to the Churchwarden, Mr L A Edwards, of Quay House, Weare Giffard, who would like to hear from anyone who is interested in ringing the bells when the necessary work has been completed.
Originally a peal of five made by Thomas Bilbie, of Cullompton, the old treble and No. 4 of five were re-cast, in 1878 and 1840, and a new treble, forming the present ring of six, was also added in 1878.
The beautiful church itself was built in the twelfth century and has seen much of the history of Devon, with close links with the Fortescue family. During the Civil Wars, the Parliamentarians are supposed to have destroyed the famous Jesse window.
The report of the bell founders, Messrs John Taylor and Co, states that all the bells appear to be sound but are not in good tune. From long usage, the bells are wearing thin where the clapper strikes against them, which will entail the bells being quarter turned for the clappers to strike on a new and unworn surface. The wood frame supporting the bells is not considered really strong enough to support them. The repairing of the bells will include bringing them into correct musical relationship for the diatonic scale of G sharp.

Gazette article dated 10 November 1950

Weare Giffard Bride

Mr W D Redclift and Miss P M Evans

Many relatives and friends attended the wedding at Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard, on August 4th, of Mr Walter Douglas Redclift, second son of Mr William Redclift and the late Mrs Redclift, of Hartland Mill, and Miss Phyllis Mary Evans, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Evans, of Quay Cottage, Weare Giffard.
The wedding service was fully choral and was conducted by the Rector of Weare Giffard, Rev G C F Edwards. The organist was Mrs L A Edwards.
There were three bridesmaids, Misses Vera Evans, Barbara Redclift and Jennifer Short. Duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Peter Redclift.
After a reception at Weare Giffard Hall, Mr and Mrs Redclift left for their honeymoon in Shropshire.
The full Gazette article is dated 17 August 1951