Budleigh Past and Present

Budleigh Salterton's Fairlynch Museum now has a smart new roof, the re-thatching project having been completed by Sidmouth-based craftsman Master Thatcher Mark Smith and his team. The £30,000 cost was met by generous donations and grants, including £12,000 from Devon County Council and £5,000 from East Devon District Council. The museum celebrated its 40th birthday three years ago, being founded by Budleigh residents Priscilla Hull and Joy Gawne in 1967. Recalling how the idea for a museum came about, Priscilla said; "Budleigh did not have a museum at the time and I was keen that there should be a place where the community could preserve its history and create exhibitions of interest for the public. Fairlynch was on the market at the time and we were able to acquire it and do it up with the help of volunteers." Above: Thatching in the winter is snow fun Fairlynch is one of the architectural landmarks of Budleigh. The house was built in 1811 by Matthew Yeates, a local shi...