June 2003
Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld
Celebration of the Gift of the Spirit
Sunday 8th June is the Festival of Pentecost, the day on which we celebrate the Gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.
The feast day is given to the Church by St Luke who times the giving of the Spirit at the Jewish Festival of Shavuot, or the Feast of the Weeks, which celebrates the harvest season in Israel. Shavuot, which means "weeks", refers to the timing of the festival which is held exactly seven weeks after Passover.
With only one exception (the story of Jesus speaking to Mary Magdalen in the Garden in Jn. 20.11-18) the resurrected Jesus always appears from heaven, and it is from heaven that the Spirit is always given. <
St John, in contrast to St Luke, tells of the Gift of the Spirit being given on the evening of Easter Day, when Jesus meets his disciples and breathes upon them. This is a story of the Spirit being given fully, not just some token gift, as if the disciples had to wait for fifty days to comply with Luke's date of Pentecost.
The Church uses the extended timing of St Luke to give shape to the season of Easter. The Great Fifty Days of Easter conclude with the Festival of Pentecost, after which the Calendar reverts back to Ordinary Time.
Pentecost is a turning point in the Christian Year. The Year begins on Advent Sunday, and from then until Pentecost the Church celebrates Jesus' life, death, resurrection and ascension, and the giving of the Spirit. From the day after Pentecost until the day before Advent Sunday, the Church examines and meditates upon the ministry of Jesus and the message he brings of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
On the Festival of Pentecost, the Church celebrates the Gift of the Holy Spirit who gives it life and the possibility of communication with the Father through his Son. It is seen as the Church's birthday because from that first Day of Pentecost, in St Luke's telling of the story, the apostles were commissioned to be sent out to proclaim to the whole world the message of redemption.
In St Luke's story the twelve disciples of Jesus are changed from being cautious, frightened, self-centred men who have no confidence whatever in any belief that Jesus, although raised, can be championed anywhere in their society, or the wider world, into the twelve apostles who, at a later time, were described as having "turned the world upside down". The Spirit was given, and immediately the twelve apostles burst out of the house and spoke openly in Jerusalem, which was crowded for the Jewish Festival of Shavuot. They were able to speak to everyone from their various countries in their own language.
The apostles received their commission from God as the Spirit was given to them. Christians are commissioned by God as the Spirit is given at our Baptism. Pentecost serves as a reminder to us that we cannot celebrate the Feast as mere spectators or people for whom the celebration is a distant memory, locked in the history of the Church devoid of real meaning.
Everyone who is baptized into the Name of God has a commission to tell others of the love that God has for all his children. The proclamation of the Kingdom by the Church begins at Pentecost. The same proclamation begins in Christians' lives at Baptism.
Let us use this time of Pentecost to reaffirm our commitment to the Risen Lord and to proclaim to our world, just as the first apostles proclaimed to their world, the wonderful truth that God raised the man Jesus who was crucified into a new life which we all can share - that now, in the days after the Resurrection, the Kingdom of God can be established.
Hugh Bonsey
For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE
For details of Church Services in Peasedown St. John CLICK HERE
CHURCH NEWS The Annual Church meeting took place on Wednesday April 30th at 7.30pm in St. Julian's. It was disappointing no one from the village came, only those already on the church council or regular worshippers, it would be nice to have a little more interest shown. On Saturday May 10th the annual spring clean took place, again the faithful few turned up to polish clean and get rid of the cobwebs. Three men took on the task of cleaning outside weeding the paths etc it certainly looks better for the effort. Thank you to everyone involved.
At the funeral services of Joane Rittner and Marie Small collections were taken for St. Julian's Church, these amounted to £335.10 for Joane Rittner and plus another £155 to the restoration fund, and £503.30 from Marie Small's collection. We hope to put the monies to good use and buy something the church needs but something we can remember Marie and Joane with. Our thanks to both families and to all those who gave donations.
On Sunday 8th June there is another "Exchange of Pulpits" in our Seven Lamps Group Ministry. We look forward to welcoming the Revd Christopher Hare, Rector of Timsbury, as our celebrant and preacher. Also on Sunday 29th June there is a special Group Evening Service at St Peter's Church, Camerton.
Churchwardens
QUIET DAY AT CHEWTON MENDIP On Saturday 14th June there is going to be a Quiet Day for the Seven Lamps Group at Chewton Keynsham led by the Archdeacon of Bath. Entitled "Pictures in the Quiet", the Archdeacon will lead the day by reflecting on three paintings. There is a shared lunch at 1.15pm. Participants are asked to bring a plate of food that can be shared. The cost will be £3. Please contact the Revd Christopher Hare to register on 01761 479660.
QUIET GARDEN AT ST JULIAN'S WELL Will be open for a time of quiet and reflection on Thursday June 5th from 10.30. Come for part or all of the day. We welcome people of all faiths. The day will be led by the Rector of Dilton Marsh, he is a young Hebrew scholar with a special interest in music. See leaflets in the church and on the Wellow website.
Colin Tremellen 833506
CHURCH SPRING CLEANING A big 'thank you' to those who helped to spring clean the church and church yard on 10th May, it was a job well done, and was well worth it.
Jennifer Matthews
WELLOW PARISH COUNCIL The election for the Parish Council has resulted in some new faces and the return of old familiar ones. Joining us are Shirley Betts, Gordon Lewis, Alistair Colston and David Halewood with Geoff Pike making a return. Leaving us are Alec Bartholomew, Erica Smith, David Phillips, Chris Hurdle and Richard Whittington.
Monday 12th May saw a busy evening with the Annual Meetings of the Parish and the Parish Council followed by the regular monthly meeting of the Parish Council. Retiring Chairman, Richard Whittington in his report paid tribute to those who were leaving or had not been re-elected to the PC. At the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, Alex Martin and Ron Humphreys were elected Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively. The new Chairman in his opening remarks thanked members for his election. He advised that on attending the count for the Parish Council election, he had observed a polarisation within the Parish and asked councillors to recognise they represented the whole Parish. He advised that his intention was that the coming year should be one of particular achievement looking for the publishing of a village plan incorporating all the issues affecting the Parish and a review of the Playing Field and Play area.
Sub committee and subject leaders were appointed as follows:
Finance Councillors Martin and Humphreys
Burial Board Councillors Pike and Elvin
Village Hall representative and Trustee Councillor Betts
Rights of Way and Environment Councillor Elvin
Playground Councillors Betts and Lewis
Village Plan Councillors Colston, Halewood, Humphreys and Martin
Task Force All councillors, Richard Whittington and Richard Holland
Matter of interest from the regular council meeting: Tiles on the houses at the Weavers Farm development continue to give concern to the village. Councillor Watson is attempting to obtain a satisfactory resolution.
A new application for a single storey extension at Teazel Cottage has been received and was supported by the Parish Council.
An application to vary the windows at Weavers Farm development has been permitted.
Parishioners will be interested to know that a new entrance to the emergency department of the R.U.H. has been constructed. A poster regarding this will displayed on the Parish Council notice board.
Full minutes of these meetings are displayed on the Parish Council notice board and are posted on the Wellow website.
Alex Martin
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS (1st May 2003) It was gratifying to see so many new applicants for the posts of Parish Councillor in the recent elections and also that so many of the existing Councillors were prepared to offer themselves for re-election. Congratulations to all that were elected and commiserations to those that were unsuccessful. Many thanks are extended to the outgoing Chairman, Richard Whittington and Vice-Chairman, Chris Hurdle who stood down after serving our Community, voluntarily for many, many hours over the last 12 years and 4 years respectively.
I am sure that, with the exception of those few villagers that regularly attend the monthly Parish Council meetings, little recognition is given to the time and effort that is put in, by Councillors, on our behalf. It is for this reason that I would personally like to publicly extend my grateful thanks to Erica Smith. Sadly, Erica was not re-elected by this Parish despite her having been one of the major practical contributors and indeed instigator of many of the works that have been carried out by the Parish Council on our behalf and for the benefit of us all. Many of the village were obviously unaware that recently Erica arranged Parish Council financing, consultation, procurement, mustering of a working party and helped (to save the village money) with the physical installation of new playground equipment. This was but the last of a number of projects Erica has worked on, so well done Erica you will be a hard act to follow!
Maybe we should all take a leaf out of her book, in future and more villagers make it our business to be directly involved in the works of the Parish Council. This could particularly mean US getting involved in some of the self-help projects that have been instigated and physically carried out by members of the previous and hopefully the new Parish Council.
Richard Holland
WELLOW WOMEN'S INSTITUTE The next meeting of the W.I. will be held on Thursday 12th June at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. The speaker will be Judith Knight from the Pampered Chef, and she will be giving a cookery demonstration and showing kitchen utensils. There will be refreshments and visitors are very welcome.
Jennifer Matthews
THE PARLOUR SHOP There was a good initial response after our circular went out recently, and some improvement in the shop's financial state - there was a further loss in March but a profit in April. So please try and keep up your efforts as customers if you want to have shop in the village. The support of the village through the Parish Council is heartening; it has made a grant of £600 again this year, for which we are very grateful. And this despite the mistake in last month's entry, which acknowledged a grant of £400 in 2002 instead of £600! Very forgiving of the Council - many apologies from me.
Marian Osborne
FROM THE PAST
The Vicar of Wellow, Charles Paul, and the 'Irish Trampers'.
In the 1840's there were many destitute homeless people, dubbed 'Irish Trampers', roaming between workhouses seeking relief, (the modern statue, the 'Weary Traveler' at Hinton Charterhouse is a reminder of them) . Not all, of course, were Irish. The Rev Charles Paul who was chairman of the Guardians sought advice from the Poor Law Commissioners; 'are these people Paupers, the responsibility of the workhouse or are they Vagrants to be dealt with by the magistrates?' In 1847 up to 60 tramps were taken in each night and 150, principally Irish, stayed longer in a special 'Tramps ward' having brought fevers and smallpox into the workhouse. Clearly, with the facilities overwhelmed, something had to be done. With no decision from above Charles Paul directed Mr. Douglas, the Relieving officer, to send able bodied men to the magistrate's/constable's office where they might obtain help, but those officers directed many back to the workhouse at Odd Down.
Before the situation was resolved two starving men were brought before the Magistrates, they had stolen loaves from Mr. Goodropp, a baker. Evidence records "they asked for food and on being refused they each grabbed a loaf of bread which they devoured like ravenous dogs, they were otherwise well behaved". Mr. Douglas told the court he had turned away 273 in one week acting on instructions from the Chairman, (the Rev Charles Paul).
The local press were self-righteously indignant on behalf of the two accused. But a letter published later from an unnamed guardian said "the workhouse had been constructed for 500 inmates and now contained about 750," he suggested that "if the residents of the Union parishes wish to continue in this way let them convince the guardians of the error of their ways and accept an ever increasing Poor Rate." He went on... "Vagrants are often threatening and use violent language, .....the timid residents of lonely villages....will then dismiss vagrants with money and beer.
The magistrate defused the situation by directing the two to a public charity providing bread and soup from where they were to proceed on their journey, it was said "the two poor fellows lost no time in availing themselves of the benevolence afforded them."
G.H.
LUNCH CLUB The next lunch will be on Thursday 26th June at 1pm in the Village Hall. This will be the last lunch until September.
Janet Earp and Marian Osborne 832561.
THE JAMES FAMILY I wondered if there were any James's still residing in Wellow?
I have been researching my family tree for a number of years now and have quite a lot of information on the family dating back to 1777.
Willam was a popular name throughout the generations and the earliest I have is William born around 1777 who married an Hester Keats, born around 1772.
I would love to hear from anyone who might have information on this family, especially old photos etc. I know a number of the family were buried in Wellow but don't know if there graves are marked.
My e-mail address is:- JanKAYJAY@aol.
Jan Cole-Rimmer
WELLOW & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Restoration of Hestercombe by David Usher, Thursday 19th June, Wellow Village Hall, 7.30pm.
This evening's talk was recommended by Hort. Soc. member Pauline Priddy of whom David is an ex Bath school pupil of hers. David, a man passionate about his work, is one of the head gardeners at Hestercombe and will be discussing the restoration so far of the three gardens. These include 18th century parkland, the Victorian shrubbery and fountains and the 1904 Gertrude Jekyll and Edward Lutyens gardens. There are also exciting plans for the future. An excellent introduction to Hestercombe from home grown talent, so do come along to what we are sure will be a very interesting evening. We are open at 7.15pm for tea/coffee and chat. Members free with non-members £1.
Junior Gardening Club The next club will be on Sunday June 15th 10.30am- 12noon. Don't forget, BE THERE! contact Lisa Leyzell-Davies 01225 309007
The Annual Garden Party, Friday 4th July, 6.30pm, Wellow Farm, The Square
Joyce and Peter Morphew have kindly offered to open their fascinating and innovative garden for this event to members and guests of members. Cost £2.50 to include nibbles and a glass of wine. Please confirm you will be attending, with numbers, to the Morphews tel:01225 833 9
Mari Bartholomew
Wellow Flower Show, Saturday 30th August
We hope that preparations are in hand for sowing and growing for the Flower Show and that everyone in the village pulls out all the stops to enter as many categories as possible.
Here are two to tempt and prepare for:-
Photography Section - This section will be of Wellow scenes throughout the year with hopefully the twelve best made into a calendar, and a place secured in Wellow's history.
Scarecrow Competition - (something to create in the school hols?) You are invited to make a life-size scarecrow out of any material and to be self supported. These will go on display in front of the Show Marquee.
Help Needed - As you can imagine, we need as many people as possible to make the show a success, especially any time on Friday, and on the day itself helping in many ways setting up, running stalls etc. Taking down is important too and in the past left to just a few. We will be scheduling in a timetable so that an hour or so offered will be greatly appreciated. Also people with trailers or large vehicles will be most welcome for transporting some of the larger items we borrow, such as tables etc. Please ensure that the Flower Show continues for the future by doing your bit in what is a highlight in our Village Year.
Anyone who was awarded a cup or shield last year will they please return to Shirley Betts, Dawnrise, Wellow Tel; 633683. Thank you
Shirley Betts
NEWSLETTER Please may I have all copy for the July Newsletter by the 20th of June. 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 .Thank you very much.
Jill Tremellen 833506 email julians.well@virgin.net