WELLOW CHURCH AND PARISH NEWS

MAY 2001

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

THE VISITATION

Mary visits Elizabeth

For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE

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

VISIT TO RADSTOCK MUSEUM: FRIDAY 18TH MAY

Everyone is invited to join in the Group Ministry Visit to Radstock Museum on Friday 18th May at 7.30pm to see the Exhibition showing the history of Christianity in North Somerset. It promises to be a most interesting evening: a local historian will guide us through the life and times of Christians over the centuries in this area. Of particular interest will be the subject of the Reverend John Skinner, Rector of Camerton, whose life was chronicled in his famous Diary, and which ended in tragedy.

Tickets are priced at £3.00 which includes refreshments. If you would like to know more about the visit, please contact me.

ASCENSION DAY SUNG EUCHARIST: THURSDAY 24TH MAY

Thursday 24th May is Ascension Day, which is a Principal Feast Day in the Church of England when all Anglicans are encouraged to receive Holy Communion. Again this year the Sung Eucharist for the United Benefice is being held at St Julian's at 7.30pm, and I hope that many parishioners will be able to attend. On that evening we will welcome members of St John's congregation joining us for the occasion.

Hugh Bonsey

Church News How good it was to see our church almost filled on Easter Sunday. Thank you to everyone who made it look so lovely with the beautiful flower arrangements, and to those who clean our church on a regular basis polishing sweeping, cleaning the brass etc. and to those who look after the paths weeding and tidying , also to Charlie who cuts the grass. A special thanks to them all not forgetting our bell ringers who ring every Sunday.

The Jumble Sale held in the village hall on March 31st raised £158.00 after expenses which was a little disappointing as a lot of effort went into it. We had some very nice things donated, and the best of what was left was taken to the Sue Ryder shop, and the other was sorted and went to the Third World and to be recycled so nothing was wasted. Again our thanks to all who helped and gave us items. It was a pity a few more from the village didn't come as they would surely have gone home with a bargain or two. Don't forget the Flower Festival in St. Julian's Church on June 15th, 16th & 17th. If anyone can spare an hour or two to help in anyway we shall be pleased to hear from you.

Rumours are going around that, because the heating has taken so long, the structure of the church is suffering and the organ is kaput - this is not the case. The PCC has done everything possible to hurry things along but everyone should know all the red tape one has to go through to get anything done today. But we can assure you all, except for a few damp organ keys it is alright and we hope when we get the heating this problem will be solved. There is no problem with the structure of the church. The heating is now progressing and tenders have, at last, gone out. The only question is where do we get the money to pay for it? We hope to get some help from English Heritage (etc), but most of it will have to be raised by us so - if anyone has any money-making ideas we will be pleased to hear them.

Churchwardens

Special events for May 2001 Please make sure that you read the news items in the Church News above

Hugh Bonsey

St Julian's Church - Spring Clean

You are invited to help spring-clean St Julian's on Tuesday 5th June from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to prepare our beautiful Church for the forthcoming Flower Festival. Children are very welcome to come and join in. Refreshments are being provided. If you would like to have more information, please contact me.

Elisabeth Irving 835358

News from Wells. Grand Garden party at the Bishop's Palace on Saturday 23rd June. Lots of fun for the family in a magnificent moated setting, craft stalls, side shows, children's entertainment, games and races. For tickets 01275 848884 Adults £3.00 Children £1.00 concessions available.

Three Spiritual Texts Seminars on the Rule of Benedict, the Revelations of Divine Love and the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola with Lavinia Byrne, and Melvyn Matthews, Tuesday 3rd 17th and 24th July 7.30pm at the Cathedral. Details from the Cathedral Office 01749 674483/678763

The Quiet Garden at St. Julian's Well There are now some 210 Quiet Gardens world wide ranging from small suburban gardens, hospitals, farms, to urban churchyards and retreat houses. Our garden in Wellow will be open as usual on the first Thursday of every month from May until October from 10.30-3.30 for anyone who seeks a time for peace and reflection. Come for part or all of the day & bring a packed lunch. We also welcome people on 2nd June and 1st September from 12.30-4.00 and from 6.00-8.30 on the 7th June, 5th July, and 2nd August. This month Father Raymond Hayne from Warminster will lead the meditation. For more details visit the Wellow website.

Colin and Jill Tremellen 833506

The Parish Council held the meeting for April on 17th at the Village Hall. Mr R Humphreys gave an update on the progress for traffic calming and Mr M Watson laid out the plans to be proposed. All this has been explained at the public meeting.

Mr Weale requested permission to replace the windows at George House, and Erica Smith wants to build a Willow Igloo at the playground for the small children. New Bus timetable for the 757 service at the shop.

Next meeting , 8 o'clock at the hall on May 21st.

Joyce Morphew. Clerk

Wellow Residents Association A Public Meeting was attended by as many as 80 residents on the evening of Monday 23rd April at the Village Hall to review the impact of a new industrial development at Peasedown and to propose a plan to deter and calm traffic through Wellow. Representatives from B&NES traffic and highways department were present. At the meeting, WRA Chairman Alistair Colston reported on the efforts that had been made so far while Simon Veysey gave a report on fund raising efforts and thanked everyone for their contribution. Mark Watson outlined a proposal for traffic calming for approval by local residents and to invite their comments. The draft proposals include a 20 mph speed limit enforceable by the police, a 7.5 ton weight limit, cobbled approaches to East, West and North entry points to reinforce the need for caution and traffic calming at key points within the village. Improvements to The Square and Batch formed part of the overall plan. The views of local residents will prove most helpful in forming future policy and the meeting unanimously endorsed the outline proposal.

Ron Humphreys, Parish Councillor

From the Past

January 1890. 'The Rev. G. Horton, vicar of Wellow, attended the Bath Board of Guardians, and complained that a man named Harding, who delivers bread to the Paupers in the rural parishes, was drunk while in charge of the Workhouse horse and van at Wellow on the 27th ult.' The man, Harding, admitted the truth of the charge, saying "he took a drop of spirits which overcame him". Mr Davis, the relieving officer, said, "he was the worse for liquor, but was able to drive the van for the remainder of the afternoon." Mr Ambrose, a noted teetotaller "thought that as the affair occurred at a festive season a severe admonition would meet the case." He was complimented for speaking so moderately and the Rev. Horton was thanked for bringing the case to the attention of the Guardians. It is cosy speculation that the horse knew the way whether Harding was drunk or not, and those who were poor enough to receive Workhouse bread could still brew a 'festive cheer'‚ to share with their friendly roundsman.

Gordon Hewlett

The Village Hall Results of the 100 Club Draw

1st £33.00 Ticket 65 Mr. G. Pike

2nd £14.00 Ticket 7 Mrs G Russell

3rd £ 7.00 Ticket 61 Mrs K. Thomas

4th £ 6.00 Ticket 99 Mr. A. Bartholomew

Thank you for your support

Brian Messer, Chairman

Wellow Women's Institute The next meeting of Wellow W.I. will be on Thursday 10th May at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. No speaker has been booked for this meeting as we shall be having a "Try and Buy Recipe Exchange" session followed by a Social Half Hour. Please look out favourite recipes and provide a taster with a copy of the recipe used. Previous exchanges have proved to be popular and have resulted in a wide range of dishes from sweets to savouries. New members are always welcome - please just come along.

Pam Brigden

Wellow and District Horticultural Society

IMAGINATIVE FOODS FROM THE GARDEN AND HEDGEROW by CARRIE PACKENHAM, THURSDAY 7th JUNE 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. Carrie will present a talk and demonstration on preparing some interesting foods including; ice creams, syllabubs, frosted flowers and also the processing of herb jellies and marmalade making. Her wide range of herbs, jellies and scented geraniums will also be for sale. Come at 7.15pm for refreshments. Members free, non-members welcome £1.

VISIT TO COTHAY MANOR and GARDENS, WELLINGTON, WEDNESDAY 23rd MAY. Hidden for centuries, the Manor has remained untouched since it was built in 1480. The garden was laid out in the 1920's & has been completely redesigned & replanted to feature a white garden, a scarlet & purple garden, herbaceous borders, a scree bed & a bog garden. 'A delightful and impressive place', 'Magical'. We will leave the village Square at 11.00am & travel together by coach returning early evening. Please bring a packed lunch. The cost will be £15 to include travel & entry with cream teas available at an extra £3 per head. To book please fill in the slip on the next Horticultural Society Newsletter and deliver to Sue Chivers, Wellow House tel; 832778.

WELLOW JUNIOR GARDENING CLUB The next meeting will be as usual on the 3rd Sunday of the month which will be on MAY 20th, 10.30am-12.00noon in the Village Hall. New people welcome, just turn up or contact Lisa Davis tel;-309007.

Mari Bartholomew

WELLOW WILLOW IGLOO You may have noticed that a strange form has suddenly emerged in the children's playground - what is it?? well, it's a living willow igloo, planted one cold and wet Sunday morning by The Junior Gardening Club and assorted advisors. The idea is that the willow will put down roots and then sprout shoots and leaves that can be woven into the basic structure to create a fun play space for the smaller children that use the playground. In the summer it will need frequent watering, so if anyone is using the Village Hall and would like to help, please feel free to water the base. Watch it grow.

Erica Smith

The Parlour Shop The Shop Association A.G.M. will be held in the Village Hall at 8.00pm on Wednesday 6th June 2001. The meeting is open to all shareholders in the Association and will include the presentation of the accounts for the year 2000 and elections of the Committee and officers. Anyone who would like to support the shop, and have a say in its affairs can buy a share - £10 (non-returnable), available from Charles Kerr, Leeson's Cottage, 833589, or at the shop.

Marian Osborne

Wellow Amateur Dramatic Society Just in case the news hasn't trickled through to you, we have to tell you that we both resigned from the WADS at their recent A.G.M. on Sunday March 25th. Let us say straight away that our parting was extremely amicable and our decision to leave was made only after many months of heart-searching. Each of us put in about 20 years. Wendy started as a general dogsbody, then played several parts before going on to look after costumes for many years. Alan joined WADS about a year after Wendy, first as a curtain puller (only one side of the stage in those days - our then neighbour David Cooke pulled the curtain on the other side!). Alan played many parts after and was, for several years, chairman on the Society. Lately we both have had health problems, on top of which Alan suffered a couple of knocks in 'disagreements' with the staging! Also, it has been somewhat difficult to learn lines.

We have thoroughly enjoyed those decades with a great, friendly bunch of people - young and not so young - all fired with one desire - to entertain you. However, we're not cutting ourselves off completely from the WADS as we offered to help at shows, doing odd jobs.

Sadly the number of WADS members is slowly diminishing and the need for new blood is getting somewhat urgent. If you are, or someone you know is, interested in joining the group, whether it be to play parts or help backstage in any way, then contact Mary Messer (who is currently WADS very capable chairman) on 832732. We sincerely wish the group every success, and long may it continue to bring pleasure to so many people. But, can you help WADS to continue? Just think about it.

Alan and Wendy Taylor

The Lunch Club The next meeting will be on 24th May, at 1.00pm in the Village Hall. If you are off on your holidays and won't be able to make it this time, or if you haven't been before but would like to come, please let Marian Osborne (832561) know in advance.

Janet Earp

Wellow on the Web Wellow now has its own website which has been designed, published and is maintained regularly by Richard Holland. The site URL address, for those who have access to the Internet, iswww.cromwellow.freeserve.co.uk The aim of the site is to provide residents and visitors to Wellow with a comprehensive source of reference on the Local facilities and services, groups, clubs, societies, businesses, news and just about any other area of interest that serves our Community.

Do please visit the site, and if you wish to publish new articles or alter any of its current content please let me know. You can drop, leave a note or visit me at Wellhope Knowe, Station Road, Wellow or I can be contacted either by telephone/fax on 01225 833348 or e-mail to Richard@cromwellow.freeserve.co.uk I would really appreciate feedback on this facility and would welcome input from anyone that feels able to contribute to its ongoing success or update me on any errors

Newsletter Please may I have copy for the June newsletter by the 20th May. There is a folder at the Parlour Shop, or you could drop it down to me at St. Julian's Well, alternatively email me at: julians.well@virgin.net. Thank you. Jill Tremellen