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

Eight Brownie Packs' Combined Revel

Here are some of the 130 Brownies who attended the Brownie Revels, held at Weare Giffard on Friday.

Brownies came from four Bideford packs, and packs at Appledore, Northam and Alwington, as well as Weare Giffard.
The event was organised by the Rector of Weare Giffard, the Rev J M Lucas, and Miss P Durant.
During the warm, sunny evening Brownies enjoyed races, games, a treasure hunt and refreshments.
Gazette article dated 18 July 1958

‘Cut It Out’ Said Ref At Weare Giffard

So much arguing and shouting was going on among some Weare Giffard players in the second half of their North Devon Senior League game at home to Ilfracombe Town Reserves that the referee halted the game and ordered the Grasshoppers ‘Cut it out or else….’

The incident had a repercussion following the game when the Chairman Walter Heddon told the players concerned that they either had to mend their ways or go somewhere else for their football. Weare Giffard started off well with a goal scrambled by Kenny Keen in the first minute and were unlucky not to be leading by five or six goals at the interval despite the fact that Combe Reserves played well in defence. The visitors won 4-1 but the Grasshoppers largely beat themselves through the evaporation of team spirit in the second period.

Every night during the previous week the club chairman had been out looking for a goal-keeper to sign to replace the injured Jackie Ebsworthy and between the sticks on Saturday Weare Giffard had 16 year old Michael Grigg, better known as a rugby player, but who played well and could not be blamed for the shots that beat him.

Gazette article dated 7 March 1958