News from the Burton Art Gallery & Museum
The new brochure for the second half of 2009 has now been published, and can be obtained from the Gallery or poached from a member of the Friends
- or you could become a member yourself – just ask at Reception for an Application form. The cost of a year's membership is £8 single,£13 couple or £75 for life.
As I was saying, the new brochure is ready, and is quite different from any other the Gallery has
brought out, as it is A5 book- shape, not on shiny paper, and contains a very good, illustrated read.
Its front cover has a painting, entitled 'The Story of the Shipwreck', by Albert Goodwin, (it reminds me
of 'The Boyhood of Raleigh' we had at home when I was a child) The Goodwin watercolour exhibition
began in June, and continues until 19th July, so plenty of time to discover these historical works, which
have strong connections with North Devon. Goodwin came to live in Ilfracombe in 1876, and stayed for over 30 years. His favourite village was Clovelly. He was a member of the Royal Watercolour Society, exhibited over 700 of his paintings, and the works on display document towns and buildings thathave altered considerably in the intervening years. Goodwin lived from 1845-1932.

The Beano & Dandy 70th Anniversary BASH! continues until 13th July, so make sure all the grown-ups who studied and giggled at those dastardly characters in their childhood don't miss out, and realise on the 14th July that's it's gone back to the Cartoon Art Trust from whence it came. Desperate Dan,Dennis the Menace and Minnie the Minx might not be coming this way again for a long time.
July also sees the beginning of the Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society Annual Exhibition. The Society was formed in 1922, and its Vice-President was the artist, Hubert Coop, one of the founders of the Burton Art Gallery. He donated his entire art collection to Bideford when Thomas Burton 'provided a proper home' for it by building the Gallery in memory of his daughter, Mary, in 1951. This exhibition is in its 87th year, and provides a showcase for many of the most prestigious and talented artists in the South West. Around 250 works will be on show, many for sale, and this exhibition has always provided an opportunity to anyone wishing to purchase original artwork of a high standard, locally.The dates are 25th July to 22nd August.

As always, the Cafe du Parc will feed you well, both with savouries and lovely desserts; the shop will satisfy your requirements for art and craft books, small toys and a huge variety of cards; the Tourist Information Centre is there to help you find a B & B, direction maps, coach tickets, and much more; the Gallery Staff are on hand to help you enjoy the exhibitions, the Craft Gallery, and the Museum upstairs. The staff are multi-tasking now, knowing each other's jobs.
Opening hours have changed for the Summer:
Mon-Fri: 10am to 5pm; Sat: 10-4; Sun: 11-4 Admission is Free.
Special Events in July: Families are invited to 'Mr. Darwin Comes to Town' - 11th July.
Phone: 01237 471455 to find out more. DW


Westleigh, Instow and Yelland Community on show.
Our annual summer show is scheduled for 1pm Saturday, 18th July. It is inspired by our special environment of beach, dunes, wetland, rivers, sea,farms and woodland in order to celebrate our local distinctiveness with astrong environmental theme (conservation, recycling and sustainability).
It is an opportunity for participation and enjoyment by all ages in theclasses, exhibits and competitions. The Instow venues are the estuary,beach, parish hall and Commodore Hotel car park.
Programmes are available throughout the three areas; chiefly at the Instow and Yelland post offices, and from Westleigh resident, Flippy Fronteras (01271-860460). For more information contact Dolores Harper, 01271-860268 or Pam Cantle,01271-861165.
 

Weare Giffard Medieval Hall

In the Doomsday book Weare Giffard is referred to as ‘Were’’. The ‘Were’, goes back beyond the Normans, as far as the Mesolithic hunter-gatherers confirmed by flints found locally and is therefore a very ancient settlement. It is however a good working hypothesis that the present name of the village relates to the Norman family of Giffard, who almost certainly lived off the plentiful salmon found in the Torridge, using a fishing trap or ‘wear’. Hence, Giffard’s Wear became Weare Giffard.
Although the parish church of the Holy Trinity is perhaps the oldest building in the village, it is almost certain that the church was indeed an integral part of the manor house of ‘Were’, ( a fortified manor), encompassing the church within its fortifications. Today’s Hall is almost certainly 15th century. Around 1460 when the Giffard line ended with the only daughter marrying into the Fortescue family, her husband Martin Fortescue started what we see today, with subsequent minor improvements in later centuries. Martin was a ‘somebody’ of his time, namely Chancellor and Chief Justice to Henry V1, and through this connection was allowed to fortify his dwelling. Situated on an apex of a long bend of the River Torridge, it posed an ideal defensive position.
In the Civil war it was fortunate that the large Fortescue family fought on both sides of the war, as of course did many families. So, in 1646 when Cromwell and Fairfax won the battle of Torrington, the manor, which was used to house Royalist Cavalry, was ordered to be raised to the ground. It is believed that a parliamentarian Fortescue interceded and de-fortification was agreed, thus saving the manor, and the gatehouse entrance.
The Fortescues moved to Castle Hill Filleigh c1680 resulting in neglect and decay for the manor until its restoration in 1832 by George Fortescue. It was not until 1960 that for the first time in its near 1000 year history it was sold into private, non ‘family’ hands. It is now a private dwelling, only occasionally open to the public *.
The Gatehouse pre-dates the Civil war and was the original entrance into the inner courtyard, and is all that remains of the fortified defences. The present Manor is H shaped, the great Hall forming the cross-piece between two identical wings. The present entrance and hallway house a magnificent Jacobean fireplace with 1606 Flemish wood carved panels depicting the ‘Adoration ’and the ‘Resurrection’, both surmounted by the coat of arms of King James 1st- V1 of Scotland.
The Great Hall is the jewel in the Manor’s crown, which although not large, appears larger because of its proportions and contents. It boasts a magnificent hammer beam roof (1485-1509), an 11foot wide open fireplace, over which are the Fortescue coat of arm, Misericord Stalls and a minstrel gallery. with all the walls hung with colourful coats of arms. Keith Hughes

*HALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: WEARE GIFFARD’S ART, CRAFT AND FLOWER FESTIVAL.
On the 3rd; 4th and 5th July 2009, 10 – 4 p.m. when the Village is celebrating its community’s art and craft skills, the Manor will be open to the public and will house art/ paintings, admission £1; the Church will display crafts and flowers; and the village hall crafts for sale stalls; cream teas, light refreshments, including light lunches.