July 2004
Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld
We have recently completed the Annual Parochial Church Meeting for St Julian's Wellow and the suggestion has been made that it might be helpful to explain what a PCC is and does.
Parochial Church Councils should not be confused with civil Parish Councils. In the past the Church was responsible for the administration of some aspects of what we would now call Local Government, such as administration of the Poor Law. Such administration was carried out by the Vicar or Rector and the Churchwardens. By the end of the 19th century almost all civil matters were in the hands of elected Local Government agencies. In the 1920s there came into being in the Church of England what is now called Synodical Government, with elected representatives of the laity making a contribution to the governance of the Church. At the parish level this was expressed in the formation of Parochial Church Councils, or was referred to by their initials as PCCs.
The PCC consists of the Parish Priest, two Churchwardens and members elected by the congregation at an annual meeting. The size of the PCC depends on the size of the congregation. Also elected are a Secretary and a Treasurer, and, every three years representatives to the Deanery Synod who become members of the PCC ex-officio. If a Parish has a Curate or a licensed lay worker on the staff they are automatically members of the PCC, as are members of the Diocesan or General Synod who may be members of that congregation. A parish may decide that licensed Readers may automatically be on the PCC too.
The purpose of the PCC is to take counsel together for the furtherance of the Christian Ministry in and to the Parish. They share with the Parish Priests the responsibility for that ministry, for the maintenance of the Church buildings and for the financial wellbeing of the Parish. Though practical concerns often seem to dominate PCC meetings we should always remember that their task and purpose is ultimately a spiritual one. The PCC is also a forum for the discussion of matters of concern to both the congregation and the wider community in which they live. The Churchwardens, as well as the Parish Priest are always there to receive suggestions and to answer questions that may arise throughout the year, as well as at the Annual Meeting. Remember to pray for your PCC as they go forward in their responsibilities.
Kevin Tingay/Jo Vening
Wellow PCC
Vice- Chairman - Colin Tremellen
Churchwardens - Joyce Mannings and Jonathan Wyld
Treasurer - Clover Holland
Secretary - Jo Vening
Members - Rupert Dewey, Charles Kerr, Jenny Matthews, Simon Veysey,
Deanery Synod Representatives - Tim Bray and Nigel Vening
For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE
For details of Church Services in Peasedown St. John CLICK HERE
CHURCH NEWS On going to press interviews will be taking place shortly to choose who will be our next vicar. From twelve applicants four now remain, so by the August newsletter we should know who has been selected. They will take up their new post in January. We all trust that he/she will be the right person for us here in Wellow as well as Peasedown St John.
The money raised at the Fashion Show was £1418.00, half of which went to the Village Hall to help with their subsidence problem. The £709.00 we received at St Julian's we thought we should do something special with so the PCC have agreed we shall spend it on some new carpet to go in front of the altar and in the Warrior Chapel. As the present carpet has seen better days we hope you all agree this is badly needed, and thanks to the Fashion Show we can afford it now. It will be nice to have it down before our new priest arrives.
Our next project will be refurbishing the vestry and getting some toilets put in which are badly needed also, but this will happen hopefully in the new year when we have the new incumbent.
At the Family Service on 13th June we welcomed Tyler Edwin Doman into the church. Tyler was baptised by the Revd Christopher Hare who also preached the sermon. The service was led by Jo Vening our Reader, and it was lovely to see so many people present.
Churchwardens
Church Spring Cleaning A very big "thank you" to those who so kindly helped with the spring clean on 22nd May, both inside and out. The church looks really spic and span and now boasts cobweb free zones as well as polished floors, pews and brass. In addition the guttering was thoroughly cleaned and the churchyard tidied - WELL DONE! Without the volunteer cleaners the church would be in a sorry state and we always welcome extra help so if anyone could spare a couple of hours once a year do please contact either me on 832874 or Jill Tremellen on 833506.
Jenny Matthews
PARISH PLAN UPDATE We were delighted to see such an encouraging response from you for the 'Wellow Past, Wellow Future' event held in the Village Hall on 19th June. It is heart-warming to see how much you wish to contribute to the future of Wellow and the formation of the Parish Plan. Over 150 comments and ideas have been received which will form the basis of the questionnaire to fully consult you on the contents of the parish plan. In the next newsletter we will publish some of the key issues raised to date.
We would like to hear from any young persons aged 18 or under who would like to participate in the making of a video of the good and bad things about the parish. Charlotte Humphreys has kindly volunteered to lead this project. If you would like to get involved, please ring Shirley Hurdle on the number below.
As well as those attending on the day, we would like to thank those who completed our trial questionnaire in advance of the event. Special thanks go to Sue Hewlett and Jenny Matthews for giving their valuable time to help with refreshments. If you would like to help and have not already volunteered either for now or in the future, please contact one of the Steering Committee members below.
Wellow Parish Plan Steering Committee: David Halewood 830116, Alistair Colston 834528, Chris Cook 834329, Gordon Hewlett 833781, and Shirley Hurdle 832312.
Shirley Hurdle
FROM THE PAST - The tragedy of Jane Bethell 1885
Jane lived with her husband, George, and nine year old son, Charles, in a cottage in the corner of a field called Brocksmead beyond the Long Barrow. When the sun is low the field marking of the long gone cottage can still be seen. A new baby had arrived and George having taken horses to Frome for his employer, Mr. Lively, left Jane to take the baby to the Registrar's office in Bath.
Charles was by himself all day and when his father returned in the evening neither were concerned because Jane had, on several occasions, missed the return train from Bath staying overnight at her sister's house.
The next day young Charles was sent to Wellow to buy some oil for the cottage lamp and hopefully to meet his mother at the station. Instead he found his mother lying in the grass near the brook; she had died from wounds to the stomach. The baby nearby, wrapped in a red shawl, was crying but unharmed. Charles touched his mothers arm before running back to his father calling, 'Do you come for poor Mamma is dead'. William Pollard and Edwin Perry from Hinton Charterhouse gave a statement that when returning home in the evening, from Foxcote along the lane, they saw something in the grass; they thought the object was a gamekeeper spying in case they had any traps laid down. The Medical Officer from Bath Hill House reported the cause of death being due to a loss of blood from lacerations of the stomach; the cold night finishing what the blood loss had begun. Wellow's PC Matthew Smith deduced the wounds were caused by falling onto sharp stems left when a hedge had been severely cut back several days earlier. The eventual life of the George and the two children is not known.
An Inquest was held at the George Inn with William Cole as foreman of the jury. But that's another story.
Gordon Hewlett
COFFEE MORNING There will be a Coffee Morning at 2 Hungerford Terrace on Wednesday, 7th July from 10.15 am until 12.00 noon in aid of the Cancer Unit at the RUH. There will be a Bring and Buy sale and Raffles, Coffee and Biscuits £1.00. Do come and bring the sunshine with you!
Patsy Doman
LUNCH CLUB I hope this note reaches you in time. We have moved the June lunch to Thursday 1st July at 1 pm in the Village Hall. See you there.
Janet Earp 835254
WELLOW WOMEN'S INSTITUTE The next meeting of the Wellow WI will be on Thursday, 8th July at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. Mrs Rose Lunt will entertain us with "A Tea Rose" a package of laughter followed by "A Tea Party"!! The competition will be for a Small Posy - plenty of materials in our gardens now. So please come along and enjoy the evening.
Final arrangements will be made at this meeting for our trip to Evesham on 12th August; this will be instead of our monthly meeting. There are a few places available on the coach so visitors would be welcome - total cost of £10.50 includes Coach, Coffee & Biscuits, Museum Tour and Boat Trip.
New members always greeted and given a warm reception - just come along.
Pam Brigden
ST JULIAN'S SCHOOL has been a hive of activity over the last few weeks. The Silver Fayre on Saturday, 22nd May 2004 was dedicated to Sue Rodford's silver anniversary at the school and was a great success. The event included a barbecue, bouncy castle, trampolining, face painting, hair braiding and many other stalls, as well as the traditional Maypole dancing which was even more colourful this year, due to brand new ribbons! The fayre raised much-needed funds, which will be spent on extra-curricular activities and curriculum enrichment. The fayre also marked the opening of the New Play Area, which you may remember was the focus of a huge fundraising initiative back in Autumn 2002. Many thanks to all parents and Wellow residents who contributed to this campaign.
During the last week of May, Chris Sperring from the Hawk and Owl Trust visited St Julian's. This visit was arranged and coordinated by Sue Rodford as part of the development of our Secret Woodland Area. Chris brought Cotleigh the barn owl and addressed the whole school in a special assembly in which he shared the trust's work. He then visited each class in turn and the children were given the opportunity to ask questions. Chris' colleagues, Lyn and Keith worked with children in Year 4, as well as two members of Class 4, to make nesting boxes from recycled wood suitable for blue tits and robins. These boxes have been positioned in the New Play Area and in the Secret Woodland Area. In addition, it is hoped that the trust will be able to set up a camera link, so that the children can view the developing fledglings from a very young age.
During the week after half term, pupils and staff enjoyed a wonderful week of arts related activities in Wellow World Arts' Week. Masterminded by Tracy Soccorsy, our Art & Design Subject Leader, the week was jam packed with exciting activities including: Salsa dancing, Indian dancing, making shadow puppets, looking at Zambian artefacts, as well as a south east Asian workshop, a batik workshop and lots more! Events were partially funded through a small voluntary contribution from parents, as well as fundraising in the form of the May Disco and a Mufti-Day. The rest of the money was raised through an initiative that Tracy introduced in the Autumn Term - FUNMATS. This not only raised valuable funds for the school, but also enabled friends and family to purchase coasters, tablemats and mouse mats, designed by pupils at St Julian's. The week culminated in a fantastic day on Friday, 11th June during which John Walter from 'Drum Crazy' visited the school and provided workshops for each class. At 2.00 pm parents were invited to attend a celebratory performance, in which all pupils took part and following which, the parents were invited to perform with Class 4. One Wellow resident heard the performance and asked for the name of the African band that was visiting the school!! What a compliment, but it really was just us!
Finally, sad news for St. Julian's: after eight years, Karen Cook will be leaving St. Julian's to take up a post at a school in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The post is that of class teacher, Key Stage 1 Coordinator and Senior Management. We are desperately sorry to lose a member of staff who has contributed greatly to the school and who is a very talented and dedicated teacher, much liked by pupils, parents and staff. However, we are of course delighted for Karen and wish her all the very best for the future.
Forthcoming events include:
The Leavers' Production at 7.00 pm at the Village Hall on Friday, 9th July and the Leavers' Service at 2.00 p.m. at St Julian's Church on Friday, 16th July.
Sara Jones
PS Sue Rodford would like to thank to people who came to the Silver Fayre and gave their good wishes - it was very nice to see everyone. She has used the vouchers to buy some new garden furniture.
WADS - Wellow Amateur Dramatic Society
A plea for fresh talent - RECRUIT OR FOLD
We are holding an open evening at 8 pm on 13th July 2004 in the Village Hall. Please come and join us for Wine and Nibbles and bring a friend.
We would like to start the Christmas Festivities on 3rd and 4th of December 2004 with a PUNCH and of course the ubiquitous Mince Pie.
Possibly a Potted Panto and much more. Whatever you have to offer. Music, Song, Recitation, Dance or Sketch!!!!
We also need backstage help, lighting skills and those willing to just join in the fun.
All are Welcome - young and old. Come and help us
We don't want to FOLD
For further information contact:- Mary Messer 01225 832732 or Joy Fortune 01225 319584.
Thanks. Mary Messer
WELLOW & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Reminder Friday, 2nd July The Annual Garden Party this year is being held in the delightful garden of Margaret and Les Layzell. 6.30 pm. A drink and finger buffet will be available. It is free to members of the Hort Soc. We welcome non-members at £3.00 a head. Let us hope the sun will shine.
Wellow Flower Show - Now only two months to go before the Show on Saturday, 4th September. The schedules will be out very shortly - so please get planting and planning. There will be lots of classes to enter. Your entries will make a difference SO GO ON HAVE A GO!
Help is always needed, and if you can, do contact: Liza Layzell-Davis - 01225 309007, Jenny Barr - 835410 or Shirley Betts 833683
Junior Gardening Club The next club meeting is on Sunday, 18th July 10.30 am -12 noon at the Village Hall. Do ring Liza Layzell-Davies - 01225 309007 for details OR if you can help too. She really would love to hear from you.
Libby Kerr
NEWSLETTER Please may I have all copy for the Newsletter by Tuesday, 20th July. It can be left in the shop or delivered to me at St Julian's Well. If you miss the deadline give me a ring it may not be too late. If you have email that would be very helpful: jilltremellen@onetel.com
Thank you very much.