WELLOW CHURCH AND PARISH NEWS

April 2004

Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld

PRIEST INTERREGNUM

Our Rector, Hugh, left us on 11th March. He has taken up a position as Team Vicar at Great Wishford and South Newton near Salisbury. We wish him well in his new position.

The post of Priest in Charge at Peasedown St John and Wellow is thus technically vacant. This interregnum is likely to continue until early January 2005. A new priest should be instituted at that time by the Bishop and we will be actively involved in choosing him or her.

Status Quo during Interregnum

Your churchwardens are in charge, they, together with the Rural Dean, have technically become sequestrators and church services in Wellow will continue as normal with Sunday services, weddings, funerals and baptisms. Please contact either of the churchwardens - Joyce Mannings or Jonathan Wyld. Services will be taken by clergy or retired clergy and others well known to you, e.g. Brian Sutton, Neville Pearce, our Team Clergy of Kevin Tingay and Christopher Hare, Jo Vening, the Archdeacon and others.

Priest Replacement

Despite contractions in clergy numbers, Peasedown and Wellow will see a new Priest in Charge appointed. The recommendation is the new priest possesses evangelistic gifts with a heart for mission and enthusiasm for outreaching to all in the community.

Timetable and Selection Process

We advertise in the Church News and this happens in early April. We put together a parish profile which is essentially a marketing document provided to those interested, describing the parish, church, our services etc. The PCC will be actively involved in putting that parish profile together. Closing date for applications is late May and after short listing 4 candidates will be selected for interview. End June the candidates and their spouses come to Wellow, meet the PCC, go through the selection interview process and hopefully the preferred candidate is chosen by mid-July. If the initial process does not come up with the right person we have the opportunity for a second round. Regrettably the chosen candidate will not take up his position until 5th January 2005 when he or she should be instituted at an induction service conducted by the Bishop of Taunton.

Interview Panel

The interview panel will comprise two representatives from PSJ, two representatives from Wellow, the Archdeacon and the Patron. The candidates will also be interviewed separately by the other two clergy in our Team Ministry, Kevin Tingay and Christopher Hare. The interviewers will confer together and agree on their preferred candidate who will be offered the position but must first meet with the Bishop of Taunton and be approved by him. There is general agreement that the appointee needs to be a good "peoples' person" who will be enthusiastic, outgoing and move the church forward, both in Wellow and PSJ.

What can you do?

If we are to persuade the best candidate to come to us we need to be the church worth joining. Live, enthusiastic and ready to respond to good leadership. So please play your part in helping to invigorate the church. Come to services, participate, help with flowers, cleaning, and financial support. Pray that we may be given a person of faith, prayer, vision, wisdom and a love for people and that they may even now be being prepared to come to us. With your help we can get the right person.

Jonathan Wyld

For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE

For details of Church Services in Peasedown St. John CLICK HERE

CHURCH NEWS On Sunday, 22^nd February after the morning service that was Revd Hugh Bonsey’s last service as Parish Priest, a presentation was made to him of an engraved Dartington Glass decanter, a case of vintage wine and a cheque for £50 on behalf of Wellow Church members and parishioners. A letter of thanks has been sent from him to say how delighted he and his wife Heather were to receive them (see below). Three Wellow members along with David and Jenny Nixon attended Hugh’s licensing at St Andrew’s Church South Newton on Thursday 11^th March. The Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Rev. Peter Hullah, preached the sermon. The church, very old but smaller than Wellow and warmer, was enhanced by spring flowers and one could hardly believe it was snowing quite hard outside, but not settling on the roads. The evening ended with refreshments at a nearby venue bringing a very pleasant evening to a close.

Now back to St. Julian’s; we also had a very happy evening on 29^th February at 6.00 pm when the Seven Lamps Group held their service, the Revd Kevin Tingay of Camerton leading and preaching. At the service seven candles were lit to represent the group and refreshments were served after the service. It was good to see a fairly packed church. During the interregnum our services will carry on as normal with help from other priests and our reader Jo. Please read Jonathan’s article on the front page which explains the procedures for appointing a new Priest.

It would be nice to see a few more at our services to support us at this time.

Churchwardens

THANK YOU! I am writing to thank everyone who contributed to our wonderful Leaving Gifts presented on Sunday, 22^nd February in St Julian’s Church. It was a surprise enough to open the first present and find my beautifully engraved wine decanter, but to be told to look further and then to discover a box of vintage wine – what more can I say!

Thank you for all your messages of thanks and good wishes for the future. We have settled in our new home remarkably quickly, thanks to Heather and her mother, Margaret.

Our prayers and good wishes are with you as you seek to find a new priest who will lead a new ministry in the benefice next year.

Hugh and Heather Bonsey

CHILDREN’S EASTER CHURCH DECORATING Last year the children made a wonderful Easter Garden that remained in the Church for six weeks until Ascension Day. It was commented on by many people who visited the Church. This year we are going to do it again. Will any children who would like to build a garden come to the St. Julian’s on Saturday, April 10^th at 10.00 and help Steve construct another beautiful garden. If you have anything that you think would look good in the garden please bring it with you. There will, of course be drinks and biscuits to keep you going. If you want to know more please contact Jill Tremellen on 833506.

MOTHERING SUNDAY It was good to see so many children and young families at the Mothering Sunday Service. The church was buzzing with activity as the children made posies, marzipan sweets, and cards for their mothers and other ladies in the congregation. These gifts were then given to out during the short Service that followed taken by Jo Vening. The children also drew a life sized Mum and decorated her with cards saying what they liked most about their own Mum; it now adorns the North door for all to see. Special thanks to all the Fathers who brought their children to the workshops and to our wonderful group of helpers who worked so hard to make it all run so smoothly.

ST JULIAN’S SPRING CLEANING Please make a date in your diary Saturday, 22^nd May is the day we shall be giving the Church its annual Spring Clean. Our Church has a long tradition of being well maintained and cared for, and it still is today thanks to the people who clean tend it on a regular basis. However Spring Cleaning is a chance to get to the higher cobwebs. Please come and help us from 10.00 am onwards.

WELLOW PARISH COUNCIL The Parish Sweeper Scheme was the subject of discussion following an extensive document from B&NES describing the legislation to which Wellow Parish Council would have to adhere if they wished to carry on with the scheme. As well as writing to B&NES to express their views of the new document, the Council is going to explore other options since they wish to retain the current service.

The Council and several parishioners have again raised the subject of dog fouling in the village. Everyone is very concerned that this has occurred recently in the Children’s Playground. This fouling is abhorrent and is a danger to health. The Council wishes to pursue a policy of naming and shaming. So dog owners are respectfully requested to carry plastic bags with them to remove any fouling when they are walking their dogs. If parishioners wish to report any fouling please ring 01225 840258 or 835254 and it will be reported to the dog warden.

As you will all be aware by now, we are very pleased that we have 20mph speed limit signs at either end of the village. It was agreed at the Council meeting that we ask parishioners to keep within the speed limit to set a good example in the hope that visitors to the village will also remain within this limit.

To show our great appreciation for Ray the Postman and the service he has given to the village over 11 years, the Council presented him with an engraved tankard in the Fox & Badger last week. He was also presented with a sum of money, generously donated by many parishioners. Ray intends to put this money towards a navigation system for his new venture of being a taxi driver and expresses his thanks to all involved.

Sheilagh Humphreys, Clerk

FROM THE PAST

February 1857

There were more than 30 paupers from Wellow, (men, women and children) in the Workhouse when our Guardian attended a weekly meeting. There the Rev Newnham reported that the children had been invited to the Theatre Royal to see the pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk; he said "it was monstrous to introduce children in their care to early dissipation". Mr Barnes spoke for the children...Mr Lewis said "a pantomime was a childish amusement and he liked to be a child at least once a year". But the Rev. Newnham's will prevailed and the invitation was refused. What followed was reported widely and news of the decision reached PUNCH magazine, this is their story. "Mr Bush, the Board chairman, had heedlessly accepted the invitation. What a burst of sunlight swept through the gloom of the workhouse,... the children rapidly dressed in their best uniform.... doubtless their vanity would be rebuked,.... But the children on wicked pleasure bent...had departed (from Odd Down) for that Temple of Sin, the theatre....fluttering with sinful emotion...and reached the theatre door,....A messenger was dispatched with an order to return....to their prison-house to mope, sob and cry..... It is said the Rev Newnham greeted them on return to the workhouse and assured them the guidance of the Board had saved them from temptation....

Punch said; ...how fortunate the children were not to be born princes and princesses of the House of Hanover,... because the Queen herself had taken her little ones,.. from the Princess Royal to Prince Arthur, to see the abomination of a pantomime at that Temple of Disorder called the Adelphi.

We trust the Wellow Guardian voted against the Rev. Newnham. In later years Wellow brought the Workhouse Boy's Band to village school fetes where they were paid and given tea and toys.

Gordon Hewlett

STOP THIEF! Some vandal attempted to steal the ‘sundial’ given in memory of Dr. Ralph Bazeley which is in Manor Close Garden. He/she caused some damage but failed to remove it from its base. It has now been removed to await repair in a manner that will make future theft attempts unlikely to succeed. Shame on you thief.

WINNERS OF THE WELLOW VILLAGE HALL 150 CLUB PRIZE DRAW FOR 2004

Thank you for your support B Messer, Chairman

HELP FOR BARNARDO’S Steve and Siobhan Carter of Teazel Cottage, Wellow have lost their marbles and have decided to run the London Marathon. They would be grateful for any sponsorship support in aid of Barnardo’s. Sponsor forms are available at the Parlour Shop and the Fox and Badger. Steve Carter 837206

WELLOW WOMEN’S INSTITUTE The next meeting of Wellow Women’s Institute will be on Thursday 8^th April at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. Our speaker will be Mr B Allison and his topic "Five Young Ladies in the Australian Outback" following in the footsteps of Matthew Flanders. The competition will be anything Australian a wide choice for everyone. There will also be a Bring and Buy sale held over from the March meeting. New members are always welcome, just come along.

Pam Brigden

LUNCH CLUB The next lunch will be on Thursday, 22^nd April at 1 pm in the Village Hall. Please ring Marian Osborne on 832561 if you are unable to be there.

THE PARLOUR SHOP Customers on Friday afternoons will, alas, no longer find the Chairman of the Parish Council behind the counter. After six years of involvement with the Association, three of them as its Chairman, Alex Martin has found that pressure of time means he has to withdraw. He made a great contribution to establishing the community shop in the first place, and has kept an eagle eye on it since, to see whether it is still up to the mark. Many thanks, Alex, - you'll be missed.

Marian Osborne

FUND RAISING EVENTS FOR THE VILLAGE HALL 2004

Our next event will be Emergency First Aid, held in the Village Hall on Friday, 2^nd April at 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm. Martyn and Anneliese Smith are running a fantastic evening for young and old, showing you how to deal with life threatening situations in & around the home. A few of the things to be covered include Recovery position (adults and children), Choking, Burns, Breakages, Bleeding, Shock, Heart attacks, etc, and what to have in your first aid kit.

There are only 24 places which must be booked in advance, so don’t delay - phone Sarah (833331) or Steph (835977) for tickets & info. Please dress casually. Price - £12 - to include First Aid booklet.

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The Fashion Show will be held on Saturday 15^th May in St Julian’s Church at 7.30 pm

We are looking for male and female models of all sizes and all ages, tall, short, old, not so old, and young (over 15). If you or anyone you know would like to be a model for the night, please call us as soon as possible. We will be raising money for the Village Hall and St Julian’s Church.

We need help with anything from dressing the models to makeup, staging, lifting bits and bobs, erecting Marquees, lighting, music etc. Please call us if you can help. We will be starting to put the show together next month and look forward to hearing from you. Let’s make this a memorable evening - please come and join in the fun!

**All helpers will benefit from a reduced ticket price of £5**

(normal ticket price £8)

Please call Sarah (833331) or Steph (835977) to put your names forward to be models or helpers, Thank you.

SUSTRANS CYCLE ROUTE Since we had a talk in the village hall a couple of years ago about the proposed cycle route 24, between Bath and Salisbury, that will pass through Wellow, several people have asked me about it’s progress. Having recently spoken with the B&NES cycling officer I can give the following update:

1. funding issues have dictated that the first section to be worked on is the section between Radstock and Shoscombe, which should be beginning about now.

2. the second section to be addressed will be that between Radstock and Mells;

3. and FINALLY the section between Wellow and Midford will be constructed.

When completed, the cycle way will be a great asset to the village as it will make it possible for families with younger children, as well as those who feel daunted by the surrounding hills, to have a glorious, mainly flat, cycle ride along the old railway line to Midford. This will also help remind us of the industrial past of Wellow as we follow the old train and canal route. The plan is to have the route completed by Easter 2005, so sadly we will not be able to cycle along to the ‘Hope and Anchor’ in Midford this summer, but can look forward to that pleasure in the following summer.

Erica Smith.

ST JULIAN’S C. OF E. PRIMARY SCHOOL s.o.s little donkey I am writing to ask for your help in a charity project that I am undertaking with the help of the children of St Julian's C of E Primary School. The children and myself were moved to respond to a story that I read to them about a donkey sanctuary in the Holy Land. An English lady Lucy Fensom and her Israeli husband have single handed set up a sanctuary for sick, injured and unwanted donkeys plus offering health care and advice for working donkeys and their owners.

Absolutely no veterinary care is given to these sick or injured donkeys, as it is cheaper to buy a new donkey. When they are sick, injured, too old or surplus to requirements they are turned out and left to fend for themselves-quite often tied to a post without food or water and left to die.

We would like to send small rugs or blankets for the young and elderly donkeys in the sanctuary. Also, horse/pony owners have you any unwanted pony/small horse- size head collars? If you can help please hand any rugs, blankets or head collars in to St Julian's School. Many thanks.

Health Week St Julian’s Primary School has recently enjoyed a week of health related activities in our first ever Health Week. You may have seen the children out and about with many parent volunteers, doing Pedestrian Training; or perhaps you heard some very loud music one Thursday morning and saw staff and pupils leaping about under the instruction of Bev Nichols (parent). This was many of the children’s first experience of ‘Aerobics’, formally described by one of the pupils as an ‘old ladies activity’ (until he had tried it for himself). Class 4 enjoyed it so much that the children persuaded Bev to do an extra twenty minutes of toning and stretching activities. Other activities throughout the week included relaxation, massage and food tasting. Health Week culminated in a series of workshops provided by Jamie Woodland’s Black Belt Academy. These workshops clearly inspired the children and provided a fitting end to a successful and enjoyable few days. We are very much hoping that Health Week will now become an Annual Event. Many thanks to Martine Duggan, who is the Subject Leader for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), for organising and co-ordinating the activities.

International Links St Julian’s has now made two links with schools in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Class 1 is working with the ‘Bilbies’ Class in Marian School and Class 4 has become pen pals with Class 5 in St Joseph’s School. During the Summer Term, Class 1 will be finding out about The Great Barrier Reef with help from the Great Barrier Reef Education Centre in activities linked to the film ‘Finding Nemo’. In addition, during the summer holidays, Sue Rodford will be spending three weeks in Townsville working in our link schools. She would be very grateful for the loan of any Australian artefacts or books during our World Arts Week, which is being held from 7^th – 11^th June and is currently being organised by Tracy Soccorsy (Art & Design Subject Leader).

Other Successes We have raised just over £600 for the NSPCC through their sponsored spell event, and the school choir brought home the Birmingham & Mid Shires Cup for Folk Singing from the Mid-Somerset Competitive Festival on 18^th March, as well as a Certificate of Merit.

Forthcoming Events Our plant sale will be on Sunday 16^th May and order forms will be dropped through your letterboxes soon. This year we will hold a special Silver (May) Fayre to celebrate Sue Rodford’s 25 years of service at the school, on Saturday 22^nd May from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm.

Tickets are now on sale for our Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook evening on Friday, 23^rd April at 7.30 pm at the school, when Wayne Spencer (Parent Governor) will challenge Nigel Stiff (Parent). Entry fee of £3 includes a glass of wine and/or a soft drink, nibbles, and a demonstration of high quality kitchen utensils.

WELLOW & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Thursday 22^nd April there will be a talk given by our "very own" Andrew Chivers on "Composts" in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

Advance Reminder - Bring & Buy Plant afternoon on Saturday 8^th May 2-4 pm at the Village Hall. Please start potting and planning as to what you can bring along. For more details contact Marie Bartholomew - 833150 The Hollies, Wellow

AND THE SUMMER OUTING - which will be to the gardens at Hestercombe, Nr. Taunton on Thursday 3^rd June. The cost will be £10 which includes the entrance fee and the coach. Priority will be given to members. To apply for this trip contact Duncan Hammerton - 835340 Windy Ridge, Wellow. However forms for this will be coming with the next Society's Newsletter.

JUNIOR GARDENING CLUB the next morning is on Sunday, 18^th April at the Village Hall 10.30-12 noon. For details and offers to help, much appreciated, contact Lisa Layzell-Davis on 309007.

Libby Kerr

PARISH NEWS Please may I have all copy for the Parish News by the 20^th of next month. The print day is always a Friday following the 20^th so sometimes there is a bit of flexibility, similarly the day the Newlsetter arrives on your doorstep varies. Jo Vening our Reader edits the proofs, it is then sent to the Church office at St Philip’s Church, Odd Down who print it for us at a very reasonable cost. A copy is also sent to Richard Holland who puts it on the Wellow website. We then collate it and deliver it to our distributors throughout the village and to White Ox Mead and Twinhoe. We rely on our volunteers. Please send copy to Jill Tremellen at St Julian’s Well or leave it at the Village Shop. Or preferably email it to jilltremellen@onetel.com. Thank you.

Jill Tremellen 833506