Confusion?
6 November 1906
Great dedication!4 August 1961
No need to wrap it in a ribbon16 November 1956
15th Century Stained Glass Replaced2 second-year students of Bideford School of Art have replaced
Weare Giffard And Landcross WIMembers of Weare Giffard and Landcross W.I. were entertained by Miss D Luard who gave a talk
Master Mariner Who Went To Sea At 10Captain Frederick John Gayette, formerly of Myrtle Street, Appledore, who has died, at the age
Weare Giffard Old InhabitantMrs Beatrice Mary Braunton of April Cottage, Weare Giffard, who died at the age of 82 was the widow
Reed ThreshingThe last time reed-threshing was seen in the village of Weare Giffard was about 30 years ago
Duties are relinquished19 October 1962
A precursor to a modern 'date night'?9 January 1959
Revels18 July 1958
Funeral of Mrs Banbrook8 May 1923
Honeymoon in Shropshire17 August 1951
Evaporation of team spirit led to defeat7 March 1958
A 'Bideford Day'3 October 1958
Estimated cost of £63710 November 1950
A family home3 March 1967
Enterprising13 May 1960
Weare Giffard Man's Abbotsham BrideThe bridgegroom, Mr Terry William Dymond, eldest son of Mr and Mrs W Dymond, 3 Church View
Weare Giffard Hall Sold For £11,300The 15th century Manor House of Weare Giffard Hall, with 3 1/2 acres of land and half a mile of fishing
Confusion?6 November 1906
Wear Gifford
During the past six years it has been the practice among some public bodies, including the Devon County Council, to sanction the alteration of the way in which the name of this Parish has been spelt "Weare Giffard" and in many quarters this has now become the general way of spelling it. As the alteration has, however, never been allowed by the Local Government Board, the District Auditor informed the Hon. Clerk to the Parish Council (Mr J M Tucker) on Wednesday last, the alteration in spelling the name was entirely illegal. A meeting of the Parish Council will shortly be called in order to rectify the error, and to revert to the old way of spelling the name until it has been legally altered.
Gazette articled dated 6 November 1906
Great dedication!4 August 1961
Weare Giffard postman’s memories
As he recalled days when he had had to wade through floods to deliver the mail, Mr Albert Curtis, of 1 Downings Terrace, Weare Giffard, who retired on Friday as postman there, was able to look at a river Torridge reduced almost to a stream by the long dry spell and giving little indication of how rapidly it can rise, flooding meadows, roads and sometimes houses.
On Friday morning at 7 o’clock Mr Curtis, who will be 65 on August 7th, began his round at usual, astride his bicycle (known to him as his iron horse). After delivering through the village, he took the road to Gammaton, completed a circle and returned to Weare Gifford post office just after 12.30.
Mr Curtis, born at Torrington, moved to Weare Giffard in 1921 after marriage and has lived there ever since. In 1925 he went to live in his present home and from 1930-1944 took up duties as relief postman, being called upon to work when the official postman was sick or on holiday. Since 1944 he has...
No need to wrap it in a ribbon16 November 1956
£3,000 Village Hall
Weare Giffard, one of Devon’s longest villages, straggling for three miles alongside the River Torridge, is giving itself a £3,000 present this Christmas.
The present will not be wrapped or tied with pink ribbon but there will be all the excitement attendant on the unwrapping of Christmas parcels when the new Village Hall is opened.
While the last war was still going on Lord Fortescue generously gave to the village the now disused school for use as a hall and it has fulfilled that function ever since but only with difficulty because of the small size of the room.
Mr Bruce Lake, of Huxhill Farm, who is Chairman of the Parish Hall Committee, told a reporter how several times the volunteers had returned the next day to find that miniature landslides had occurred to undo all the work they had done the previous evening. But, rolling up shirtsleeves, the men went to work again until the site was cleared and work could begin.
The new hall, well on the way to completion,...
15th Century Stained Glass Replaced2 second-year students of Bideford School of Art have replaced
15th Century Stained Glass Replaced - February 1968
2 second-year students of Bideford School of Art have replaced stained glass windows in the gate house of the 15th century Weare Giffard Hall which had been vandalised some years ago.
There are 4 windows set in pairs – the picture above details Henry VIII and Ann of Cleves. Weare Giffard Hall is being restored by Miss E M Mullins, Mrs M Minett and Mr and Mrs H M Dickinson who bought it 12 months ago.
This picture and article appeared in the Gazette on 2 February 1968.
Weare Giffard And Landcross WIMembers of Weare Giffard and Landcross W.I. were entertained by Miss D Luard who gave a talk
Weare Giffard And Landcross WI
Members of Weare Giffard and Landcross W.I. were entertained by Miss D Luard who gave a talk and showed slides about her visit to Australia. She was thanked by Mrs Bannister.
The competition - scotch eggs - resulted: 1. Mrs Bannister; 2. Mrs Chamings.
A new member, Mrs Moore, was welcomed.
Master Mariner Who Went To Sea At 10Captain Frederick John Gayette, formerly of Myrtle Street, Appledore, who has died, at the age
Master Mariner Who Went To Sea At 10 - 22nd April 1977
Captain Frederick John Gayette, formerly of Myrtle Street, Appledore, who has died, at the age of 93, went to sea at the age of 10.
He had travelled all over the world in sailing and steamships, and served on Merchant Navy ships in the Boer Wars. One of his ships was torpedoed in the First World War and another, the Shoal Fisher, was sunk by bombs in teh World War 2. He then served in the Admiralty in the Torridge estuary. For his services he was appointed M.B.E.
The funeral took place at St Mary's Church, Appledore. Immediate mourners were; Messrs Freddie and Ivor Gayette, Mesdames Linda Marshall and Anne Brennan, Mesdames Gladys and Violet Gayette, Yvonne, Eric, Brian, Pat, Patrick and Diane, Mrs Olive Shortridge.
Weare Giffard Old InhabitantMrs Beatrice Mary Braunton of April Cottage, Weare Giffard, who died at the age of 82 was the widow
Weare Giffard Old Inhabitant - 22nd April 1977
Mrs Beatrice Mary Braunton of April Cottage, Weare Giffard, who died at the age of 82 was the widow of Mr Frank Braunton. The funeral took place at Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard.
Immediate mourners were: Mr and Mrs A Braunton, Mr and Mrs C Parish, Mr and Mrs R Baker, Mrs E Brend, Mr J Hocking, Mr A Tanton, Valerie Searle, Tom and Beryl Cruse, Pat Bond, Stella and John Barter, Jill and Neville Heard, Graham and Susan Brend, Ian and Carol Brend, Mrs F Ayre and Mrs P Mitchell. Bearers were Messrs R Randall, F Gordon, H Beer, H Curtis. Unable to attend were: Mrs J Hocking, Susan, Jane, Mandy, Wendy, Joy and Cheryl, Linda, Maureen, Mrs T Avery, Mrs M Ricky, Mre E Mitchell, Mrs J Blake, Mr T Wills.
Reed ThreshingThe last time reed-threshing was seen in the village of Weare Giffard was about 30 years ago
Reed Threshing - 1st December 1967
Putting The Clock Back At Weare Giffard
The last time reed-threshing was seen in the village of Weare Giffard was about 30 years ago, and it could be another 30 years before it is seen again.
It so heard that Mr John Moore of Riversdale, Weare Giffard, heard of a sudden demand for thatch to re-roof some of the several remaining thatched buildings in the area. He hired a 'reed comber' from Messrs Murch of Little Torrington and set to work with a dozen or so helpers. The four men in the photograph are Messrs Bill Marshall of Frithelstock, Bill Dymond of Weare Giffard, Charlie Marshall of Monkleigh, and Lewis Cole of Weare Giffard.
Duties are relinquished19 October 1962
It was members’ night at the October meeting of Weare Giffard WI and the officers relinquished their duties for the evening.
Mrs Cork took over the duties of the President, assisted by Mrs Wilkie as secretary. Mrs Chamings entertained members with a series of delightful coloured slides. Mrs Lampard-Vachell distributed bulbs for the February hyacinth competition. Mrs Lillie was the tea hostess.
Results of the previous completion for ‘a poem on Weare Giffard’ were announced as Mrs Lillie; Mrs Bannister; and Mrs Maxwell. Mrs Coyle judged the competition for a jar of green tomato chutney awarding as follows: Mrs Lee; Mrs Stanbury; and Mrs Bannister.
Mrs Prout was responsible for the social time and Mrs Brown was the successful competitor.
The Gazette article is dated 19 October 1962
A precursor to a modern 'date night'?9 January 1959
Baby sitters and refreshments provided.
Husband and wife only – that was the strict ruling for those attending a Christmas and New Year social at Weare Giffard Parish Hall on Thursday week.
The social was the second annual event of its kind at Weare Giffard and is an experiment being carried out by the rector and his wife, the Rev and Mrs J M Lucas.
There was an attendance of 44 at the social, all husbands and wives. Young people of the village and some older members of the local Mothers’ Union branch helped with refreshments and babysitting. The programme of dancing and games was organised by Mr D G Glover.
The full Gazette article is dated 9 January 1959
Revels18 July 1958
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
Funeral of Mrs Banbrook8 May 1923
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,...
Honeymoon in Shropshire17 August 1951
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
Evaporation of team spirit led to defeat7 March 1958
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...
A 'Bideford Day'3 October 1958
Twenty three young Germans were the guests of honour at a Weare Giffard social evening held at the Parish Hall in aid of the Church Restoration Fund.
There were members of a party from Uelzen, Lower Saxony, visiting North Devon under an exchange scheme, and had earlier been entertained to tea at Landcross by Mrs Glover and her sister, Mrs Jones.
After the visitors had been welcomed by the Rector, the Rev J M Lucas, ‘Miss Weare Giffard’ (Jean Moore) presented two bouquets, one to the leader of the German party and one to Miss Elsie Gartside, the North Devon Youth Organiser. Both bouquets had been specially made by Mrs Williams.
Three kilted bagpipe players, Mr J Granger, and his two sons, led the way, followed by the ‘Town Crier’, Mr N Nethaway, the ‘Beadle’ and ‘Mace Bearer’, Messrs A Nickels and F Gordon. Then came a car containing ‘The Mayor’, Mr H Busby, ‘Miss Weare Giffard, and the ‘Town Clerk’, Mr D Glover, followed by another car in which sat the Mayor’s Chaplain, Mr J Smart) and the ‘Deputy Mayor’, Mr F...
Estimated cost of £63710 November 1950
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...
A family home3 March 1967
Clovelly family joint purchasers
The 15th-century Manor House of Weare Giffard Hall with 3½ acres of land and half a mile of fishing in the River Torridge was sold by public auction on Friday for £11,300.
Joint purchasers were Miss E Mullins, of Ealing, London, and Mr and Mrs Maurice Dickinson, of the Post Office, High Street, Clovelly. Miss Mullins is Mrs Dickinson’s aunt. Mr Dickinson, now in his seventh year as sub-postmaster at Clovelly, is a New Zealander who previously served nine years in the Army. He said after the auction that they had no plans to make the Hall into anything but a family home. He would be commuting between there and Clovelly, and had previously done the same when they lived in Bideford at Glenburnie. Asked about the ghost of 13th century Knight which is reputed to walk at midnight from the Hall to the nearby Parish Church, Mr Dickinson said ‘I am very keen to meet the ghost’.
Weare Giffard Hall, scheduled as being of special historic interest, was built on...
Enterprising13 May 1960
Summer Sunday School to be held on Thursday evenings
The enterprising Rector of Weare Giffard (the Rev J M Lucas) is to try an experiment to overcome the drop in Sunday School attendance during the summer months – by transferring the school to Thursday evenings.
He tells of the plan in the current Hartland Deanery Magazine, pointing out that Sunday afternoons in the summer ‘are a chance for families to go out together, and who would say that is a bad thing?’ He continues: ‘Each Thursday during the summer at 6.15pm the church bells will ring and a short service and lesson will be held for the children…At about 6.45 any boy or girl who like to do so can come over to the Rectory Gardens for games and other activities. This is not bait to catch them for ‘Thursday School’, because they can come and play games whether they have been to church first or whether they have not’.
The Rector also asks: ‘But what about worship in Church on Sunday?’ He says: ‘The answer is that we hope that the...
Weare Giffard Man's Abbotsham BrideThe bridgegroom, Mr Terry William Dymond, eldest son of Mr and Mrs W Dymond, 3 Church View
Weare Giffard Man's Abbotsham Bride - 22nd April 1977
The bridgegroom, Mr Terry William Dymond, eldest son of Mr and Mrs W Dymond, 3 Church View, Weare Giffard, plays skittles for a village team. The bride, Miss Linda Susan Kitto, is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs D F Kitto, 3 Glebe Houses, Abbotsham.
Bridesmaids were Julie, the bride's sister, Vanessa, the bridgegroom's sister and Beverly and Rebecca Williams, cousins of the bride. Mr Michael Randell was best man and the ushers were the bride's brother, Bryan, the bridegroom's brother Roger and the bridegroom's brother-in-law, Mr Ivor Dennis.
A reception was held at the Royal Hotel, Bideford. Flowers were by Francis, Mill Street, Bideford and the cake by Bromleys of Barnstaple
Weare Giffard Hall Sold For £11,300The 15th century Manor House of Weare Giffard Hall, with 3 1/2 acres of land and half a mile of fishing
Weare Giffard Hall Sold For £11,300 - 3rd March 1967
Clovelly Family Joint Purchasers
The 15th century Manor House of Weare Giffard Hall, with 3 1/2 acres of land and half a mile of fishing in the River Torridge was sold by public auction on Friday £11,300.
Joint purchasers were Miss E Mullins of Ealing, London, and Mr and Mrs Maurice Dickinson, of the Post Office, High Street, Clovelly. Miss Mullins is Mrs Dickinson's aunt.
Weare Giffard Hall, scheduled at being of special historic interest, was built on the site of an old Saxon manor house in about the middle of the 15th century. It is typically Elizabethan in design and is linked principally with the Fortescue family. Other families who have known the Hall include the Courtenays and the Chichesters.
Weare Giffard Hall was one of eight properties and parcels of land offered for sale by public auction at Durrant House Hotel, Northam, by Messrs John Lewington and Company of Bideford. Another lot, three building sites at 'Nilgala',...