March 2003

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

ASH WEDNESDAY

This year I offer as an introduction to the season of Lent an article from 'Answers in Action', an American evangelical organization committed to discussing religious issues on a wide range of topics.

Ash Wednesday begins a forty-day period during which Christians remember their sinfulness, repent, ask God's forgiveness, and recognize that God's forgiveness comes at an infinite price -- the death of Christ on the cross on our behalf. It is not meant as a time of false humility or prideful self-sacrifice. It reminds us that our sin separates us from God, who "demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

The day before Ash Wednesday is popularly known as Mardi Gras (or "Fat Tuesday"). It has developed into a time of partying and carousing, exemplified by the extravagant celebration in New Orleans. Most people who celebrate Mardi Gras attach little or no religious significance to it. Although it is better known than the following day, Ash Wednesday, it is virtually irrelevant to the spiritual focus of Christian observances.

On Ash Wednesday, the historic churches mark the beginning of this period with a special service explaining the season, calling the people to repentance, signifying repentance with ashes, by which a cross is marked on the forehead of the penitent Christian.

Ashes (and "sackcloth," or rough, plain clothing, usually of camel's hair) traditionally represent mourning (2 Sam. 13:19; Gen. 37:34), repentance (Job 42:6; Matt. 11:21; Dan. 9:3; Joel 1:8, 13), and the judgment of God (Rev. 6:12). When King Ahasuerus ordered all Jews to be killed, Mordecai "tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and . . . cried out with a loud and bitter cry." The Jews throughout the land prayed "with great mourning. . . with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes" (Esther 4:1-3). This was for the dual purpose of mourning for their coming death and of demonstrating their repentance to God, pleading with Him to spare them from His judgment. When Jonah preached God's coming judgment against Nineveh, the pagan king of Nineveh and his subjects understood that if a nation repents from its evil ways, God may withhold His judgment (Jer. 18:7-10), so they repented and prayed that God would spare them:

So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe and covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, "Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?" Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it (Jonah 3:5-10).

Ash Wednesday should remind Christians that they are sinners in need of a savior, and that their salvation comes at the sacrifice of God's Son:

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:11-12).

Hugh Bonsey

For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE

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

CHURCH NEWS Mothering Sunday is on March 30th this year. Our service starts at 11.15am. We do hope that you will turn out in force for this service as it's always a pleasant one; each Mum will receive a posy of flowers, in fact it's quite usual for all the ladies present to have one as there are nearly always some over. So do try to come - dads are most welcome too, as are grandparents.

One person has offered to help at our Sunday Services after our appeal in the last newsletter - it would be nice to have a few more, so how about it??

It's lovely to have a new member in our church who seems to come most Sundays now. His name is Henry Vening and he is our reader Jo, and husband Nigel's, son, who so far has been on his best behaviour. We welcome him to St Julian's Church.

Church Wardens

PARISH COUNCIL The Parish Council met on 17th February at 8pm in the Village Hall.

Planning: Application 03/00179/Ful and 03/00171/LBA by Mr J Knight, Canteen Cottage, Wellow re garden store, family room, new porch, and windows was discussed and the Council agreed to support the application. NOMINATION PAPERS have been received for Parish Councillors re the Election to be held on May 1st. The chairman, Cllr Whittington and vice chairman, Cllr Hurdle have announced that they will not be standing at the election.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A PARISH COUNCILLOR? Nomination papers, and more details, can be obtained from me at Wellow Farm.

Unfortunately the chains on one of the swings at the Playing Field is showing signs of wear, so will be taken out of action until we are sure that it is safe to use.

Joyce Morphew, Clerk, tel.833947

W.A.D.S. present A SUPPER SHOW entitled 'PICK OF THE BUNCH' (highlights from previous shows) on 30th and 31st May.

This will be a big fund-raising event for the Royal United Hospital. Their most pressing need at present is the Accident and Emergency Department; I am sure we have all used this facility, so let's see what Wellow can do. We deserve the best and it's no good relying on the government.

Tickets will be on sale at the Parlour Shop from 5th May.

The cost will be £7.00 to include Supper and Entertainment.

There will be a Licensed Bar and a Grand Raffle each night. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and hope to welcome newcomers too.

Mary Messer (Chairman)

WELLOW WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Our next meeting will be on Thursday 13th March at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. The speaker will be the popular Bernard Tapp who will talk about his travels to China; this is sure to be as informative and entertaining as his other worldwide journeys. The competition will be for "Something Chinese".

Members are reminded that it is Wellow's turn to host the group meeting on the 27th March - this event only comes around once every six years now, so we need to preserve our good reputation for hospitality. The theme for the evening will be "Memories from Wartime" - either serious or funny and the competition will be for "A Momento from this Period".

New members are always welcome - please come along.

Pam Brigden

WELLOW & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Preparing Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables for Show - Thursday 20th March Wellow Village Hall

This talk, which has been requested by many of our members, will be presented by an experienced Show Judge. Do you polish the plums or leave them with their natural bloom, how to display flowers and what to look for in the pairing of vegetables? We all have lots of questions when it comes down to it.

The information gleaned on the night will hopefully give everyone who wants to do well at the Wellow Flower Show an extra edge on the competition and also, for those of us who haven't got a clue, the confidence to have a go this year. So get planting and producing ready in time for the WELLOW FLOWER SHOW (which will be on SATURDAY 30th AUGUST).

Cost for this talk is as usual, free to members and £1 for non-members. Arrive at 7.15pm for tea/coffee and chat.

Visit to Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Thursday 24th April

This trip is proving to be quite popular so far. We aren't sure if it is to see the magnificent display of tulips (5,000 are planted every year) and beautiful gardens, or the attraction is of the owners, who are renowned to garden scantily clad (as seen on Gardeners' World TV). However, we have been told that modesty does prevail when visitors abound. Depending on numbers we may arrange a coach and conducted tour of the gardens (cost will be extra) so please book ASAP if you do intend to go on this trip. Cost will be £5 per person, £4 concessions. Do bring a friend along as well if you wish.

To Book: Complete the booking form sent out with the Horticultural Society Newsletter and send it together with your payment to; Shirley Betts, Dawnrise, Wellow, Bath BA2 8PU or give Shirley a ring on (01225) 833683

Reminder - Membership Subscriptions are now due for 2003.

The rates remain the same as last year at £10 for families and £6 for single members. Please make cheques payable to 'Wellow & District Horticultural Society' and forward to membership secretary - Janet Plater, The Old Station, Station Road, Wellow, Bath BA2 8QB. Your membership card, incorporating this year's full programme of events, will be forwarded to you. Membership perks include discount at selected garden centres, free talks and subsidy on selected visits and free entry to the Wellow Flower Show and Annual Garden Party (which brings us to....)

Friday 4th July, Annual Garden Party - (another date for your diary). Joyce and Peter Morphew have generously offered to host the Annual Garden party to members and guests on Friday 4th July. We look forward to seeing their beautiful garden and meeting with friends.

Junior Gardening Club We will be gathering again on the 3rd Sunday of the month, as usual, which will be on Sunday 16th March 10.30am - 12noon. New kids welcome and help from any parent or Society member would be most welcome. Contact Lisa-Layzell Davies (01225) 309007

Wellow Flower Show - (planning ahead)

Favourite Photograph. We will be having a class in this year's show of 'A Favourite Photograph Taken Within the Parish of Wellow'. This can show a scene, garden, landscape, people that depicts Wellow life throughout the year. Our aim also is to use the best photographs to make into a calendar the following year.

Wellow Crafts. This year their will be a Craft Stall where anyone living within the Parish can sell hand-made goods that they have made themselves. The type of goods and pricing is to be decided by the maker/craftsperson on a percentage basis of 80% to the maker and 20% to Wellow Flower Show. There will be no other overheads (i.e. hire of stall, staffing). We welcome hand-made goods of all kinds: sewing, knitting, embroidery, prints, paintings, pottery, woodwork, basket-making etc. from people of all ages. For further information contact Mari Bartholomew tel; 01225 840889

Mari Bartholomew

BINGO at the Manor Close Community Room. ALL ARE WELCOME.

We now meet on Tuesday afternoons 2.30 to 4.30pm. Entrance 30p, which includes tea and biscuits.

Bingo 60p for each set of 10 games.

Raffle 40p.

And, of course, a good old natter.

Mary Messer

LUNCH CLUB Our lunch in March will be on Thursday 27th at 1pm in the Village Hall. Please let us know if you cannot be there.

Janet Earp and Marion Osborne 832561

CAN YOU HELP US? We need some help with the school run, from Wellow to the Royal High School on Lansdown Hill (drop off at 8.30am, pick-up at 4pm). Is there anyone out there we could link up with? Or, is there a responsible someone who would like to earn extra doing the run independently?

Please call John and Emma Rose on 837809 or 837819.

FROM THE PAST St Julian's School, Wellow

An intriguing snapshot of school life, c1850-1860, can be had from the accounts. It relied heavily on annual contributions including £5 from Betton's Charity via 'The Ironmongers Company' and £4-5s from an endowment on 16 Russell St, Bath, this latter was paid at the post office and came net, minus 'income tax'. The Privy Council, for capitation, gave £4-5s and, most years, £3 for Night School; possibly for the instruction of Monitors (pupil teachers). Local gifts came from, among others, Jacob Willis of the Manor House, £1, Mr S Wait of Woodborough House, £2, and 10s each from Mr Gracious Cole, Mr Feaver, Decimus Hooper and Mr Gifford. Mr Rees Mogg of Paulton had pledged £1 but in 1855 he defaulted, the entry records, 'not paid'. The children paid their 'pence' weekly and this totalled around 4s3d in winter rising to 10s5d in the spring, attendance being at the mercy of the weather and children helping with work such as potato picking.

Two teachers worked for a joint salary of £55 per year and coal was delivered by the 'tram wagon' at around 1/6 per ton, (the horse-drawn wagons ran immediately below the school yard). A part inventory records some of the items held; one shovel + 44 cwt of coal, one soft sweeping brush, 1 doz Irish arithmetic books, 2 doz medium sized slates, 11 'Helmore's Canticles', 11 Bibles marked with the date 1865.

Other entries record 6/- paid to print 1000 absentee notices, 10/- for a blackboard and easel, 1/- per week to Elizabeth Bodily for washing the school and 9/- for calico to make shirts for examination.

Gordon Hewlett

MORE LOCAL HISTORY The following article appeared recently in the Somerset Guardian.

'Mystery of the Station Master' A man from Wellow became station-master of Baghdad during the First World War.

In a fascinating sideline to the current conflict, Chilcompton historian Chris Howell said that he found this bit of history when he was researching his latest book, No Thankful Village.

The book contains many interesting stories about the fate of local men who served in the 1914-18 conflict, including this piece from the Somerset Guardian of March 8, 1914: "A Wellow porter, Sgt Albert Pritchard, Somerset Light Infantry, mentioned in General Sir Stanley Maude's Mesopotamia Dispatch, is station master of Baghdad.

" He was a porter on the Somerset and Dorset Railway at Wellow Station and sent to India with the 1st/4th Somersets."

Do any readers know what happened to Sgt Pritchard, and if he has any relatives left in the area? If so please call our office at 01761 417778.

Alan Taylor

PLEASE NOTE

PARISH NEWS Jill Tremellen will be back in time to produce the April Newsletter so please leave all copy either in the Parlour Shop or e-mail it to julians.well@virgin.net by 18th March. Thank you.

Erica Smith