WELLOW CHURCH AND PARISH NEWS

September 2001

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

MICHAELMAS

Saturday 29th September is the Feast Day of St Michael and All Angels, also known as Michaelmas Day.

This is an unusual Feast Day as it does not celebrate the life or death of any man, woman or child. St Michael is given the title of "Archangel". The Church of England adds to the feast the celebration of "All Angels."

St Michael is mentioned four times in the Bible: twice in the Book of Daniel, once in the Book of Jude and once in the Book of Revelation. Perhaps he is most remembered in the Book of Revelation where he fights the dragon (shown as an image of the powers of evil). He is not only a Christian Saint. The Jews regarded Michael as the protector of Israel. He is also mentioned in writings outside Scripture and has been seen by the Church as her defender against her enemies and the one who assists in the journey of human souls to God.

Michaelmas Day used to be an important day in secular life as a "Quarter Day" in the course of each year. Many academic institutions still have a "Michaelmas Term" in their school or university year.

An excerpt from the "Dictionary of Phrase and Fable" in 1898 by E. Cobham Brewer states:

"Michaelmas Day, September 29th, one of the quarter-days when rents are paid, and the day when magistrates are elected. Michael the archangel is represented in the Bible as the general of the celestial host, and as such Milton represents him. September 29th is dedicated to Michael and All Angels, and as magistrates were once considered "angels" or their representatives, they were chosen on the day of "All Angels."

Up until 1513 the Feast of Guardian Angels was celebrated together with St Michael on 29th September. After 1670 the Roman Catholic Church moved the feast of Guardian Angels to an independent celebration on 2nd October.

Michaelmastide, with its emphasis on protection and guardianship of human souls, ushers in the season when we focus our attention on those who have died. As I have said, Michaelmas falls on 29th September. The Feast of Guardian Angels in the RC Church falls on 2nd October. All Saints' Day follows on 1st November, with All Souls' Day being on the following day. Remembrance Sunday is always on the second Sunday in November. These special days are followed by the austere and solemn season of Advent, which traditionally examines the themes of Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell.

In all these events we are invited by the Church to examine our own faith in the life of the Church as it extends beyond this world, and to hold in our love and prayers the souls of those who have travelled further along the mysterious way of life beyond death.

The celebration of St Michael and All Angels reminds us that this moving towards Heaven is not a journey that we must undergo alone, but that we always have those heavenly spirits who are sent to guide us and protect us on our way.

The word "Angel" does not describe the nature of a heavenly being; it describes the function of such a being who is sent with a message.

On Michaelmas Day, as on all days, we rejoice that the message the angels bring is one of salvation - for us and for all mankind.

Hugh Bonsey

For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE

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

WEDDING EXHIBITION AT TIMSBURY On Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September 2001 there will be an exhibition of Wedding Dresses at Timsbury Parish Church. Visitors will be invited to share wedding cake and wine (or coffee/tea) while they enjoy the exhibition. All proceeds will be shared by Dorothy House, Winsley and Children's Hospice South West.

MATTINS AT ST JULIAN'S: SUNDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER Sunday 9th September sees the next "Exchange of Pulpits" in the Seven Lamps Group Ministry. We will welcome the Rector of Camerton, the Revd Kevin Tingay, who will officiate and preach at Mattins at 11.15am.

ST JULIAN'S HARVEST FESTIVAL: SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER Please come and join our Harvest Festival at St Julian's this year. The day starts with a celebration of the Sung Eucharist at 11.15am. In the evening at 6.00pm we have our Harvest Evensong when the preacher will be our Reader, Jo Vening.

CHURCH NEWS

Thank you to all who attended the concert given by David Russell in St. Julian's in aid of the heating fund. We hope you all had an enjoyable evening. We will let you know the amount made at this event at a later date. September is the month of our Harvest Festival time when we hold our services of thanksgiving. They take place on Sunday 30th at 11.15 am and 6.00pm. We would like to see a goodly congregation for these services. All the fruit, veg and groceries you can bring along usually go to The Julian House for the homeless in Bath. If anyone can spare some flowers for church decoration please bring them along on Saturday morning at 10. O Clock; they will be gratefully received. Children are always welcome at services especially at ones where we give thanks for all the wonders of nature around us So come along and bring the family. We shall be pleased to see you all.

Churchwardens

WELLOW AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Murder Mystery Supper Evening

At Wellow Village Hall

On 14th & 15th September 2001

7.30pm prompt

As one of his valued employees you are requested to attend the Will reading of the late Sir Herbert Strangely-Brown in accordance with the terms of the Will. If any nasty incident should occur at the reading it is expected that you will assist the police in the identification of the perpetrator. You will however be expected to pay for your supper tickets availablefrom the Parlour Shop now, at £6.00 to include supper. There will also be a licensed bar plus a raffle and prizes for identification of the culprit. If you would like further information please contact

Mary Messer 832732 or Joy Fortune 319584

WELLOW VILLAGE HALL

"150 CLUB" Draw

The winners for the month of August

1st Prize £32.00 Ticket 44 Mr. K. Hyde

2nd Prize £13.00 Ticket 47 Mrs. J. Morphew

3rd Prize £7.00 Ticket 104 Mr. H.A. Nowell

4th Prize £5.00 Ticket 56 Mr. F. Matthews

Thank you for your support Brian Messer Chair

CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT THURSDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER @ 8PM

Just a reminder that the next Charity Quiz Night, at the Fox & Badger, in aid of The Dorothy House Hospice, will be held on Thursday 6th September, starting at 8pm. Why not come along and join our many regular teams for a stimulating evening of light hearted brain teasing, fun and friendship and all in aid of a good cause. Since we started, in March this year, we have raised a total of £598 towards a number of Charities. A big thank you to all who have contributed to date and continue to do so. So, remember, if it's the first Thursday of the month then it's Charity Quiz Night at the Fox & Badger!

FROM MARY AND MARCUS WARDEN We would like to thank the many friends and neighbours in the village who have been so kind and supportive during my husband's long illness and after his death at Dorothy House on 10th August. My lawn has been mown, friends have visited, food, flowers and vegetables have arrived at my door; and many sympathetic letters and cards of condolence have been gratefully received and appreciated. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to neighbours and friends who so kindly helped in so many ways.

WELLOW WEBSITE

Need to know what's going on in Wellow, where to find a community service, information on just about anything or indeed an electronic version of this Parish Newsletter? Then look no further than Wellow's very own website at www.cromwellow.freeserve.co.uk .

If you would like to contribute any information, for the benefit of our community, or indeed to the whole world, then visit the site or e-mail richard@cromwellow.freeserve.co.uk. Alternatively you can post a note through the letter box of Wellhope Knowe, Station Road, Wellow or telephone 01225/833348.

It is pleasing to know that since the site's launch a number of people from across the globe have been put back in contact with residents of Wellow or are now back in touch with the village of their roots. But, more of that another day.

FROM THE PAST

April 1888. The whole village celebrates a Marriage.

"The wedding of Mr Albert Sherborne Stallard, of East Harptree, to Miss Annie Hooper, eldest daughter of the late Mr Edmund Peter Hooper of Wellow, took place in the parish church. The route from the bride's home (Wellow House) to the church was prettily decorated with fir trees and other evergreens, lines of streamers were stretched across the street and bunting was displayed at nearly every window, thus giving the old village quite a festive appearance." …..At 12 o‚clock the bride entered the church to the hymn "The voice that breathed o‚er Eden"…. "When the bridal party left…they were plentifully sprinkled with rice, and the bells rang a merry peal, continuing to do so throughout the day."……... Many villagers were guests at the wedding breakfast, served by Messrs. Fisher of Bath.

The account lists some sixty presents, here are just a few… "Mr and Mrs William Stallard, spirit stand and cheque, Mr W Cole, one dozen silver teaspoons and four salt spoons; Mr J G Willis four o‚clock tea cloth and cheque; Rev Le G G Horton, Bible and Prayer book combined; ....Mr W Clark, epergne,…Mr and Mrs John Cradock, sugar basin and sifter,…Mrs Porch, set of steel fire irons,…Miss Hooper"s class at Sunday School, breakfast cruet,…Mrs E Cradock, squirrel in case,…Mrs Snook, old china,… …

Mr and Mrs Smith, old brass tray,… Mr Cole, set of pipes in case"…Mr T Hooper, Duchesse dressing table, marble top washstand with mirror, Rev Nutt Mackenzie, paper knife and photograph of East Harptree church.

"The happy couple left for Bath at five o‚clock en route for London and Brighton. In the evening the workpeople of Mr Hooper and Mr W Cole, with the trades-people and others in the village numbering nearly 100, were entertained at Mr George Steed‚s at the New Inn,…. where a very pleasant and merry evening was spent." "A substantial supper was also given at the George Inn, to about 150 persons… including the churchwardens, the church choir and the company of ringers." "The Somerset and Dorset Railway Brass Band was in attendance and played a lively selection until 8.20 pm. Afterwards Mr Cook presided at the piano, and with a glee party and some local singers , entertained the company for the rest of the evening."…"it might be mentioned that refreshments of both kinds were free to all persons who entered the house during the evening."

Joyce Mannings has sent the full newspaper account to Peter Hooper in Canada.

G.H.

BATH AND CAMERTON ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Excavating at Upper Rowe Farm, Hemmington begins on 3rd Sept 2001. The results are open for public viewing, free of charge, on Saturday 22nd Sept. from 10 am. to 4pm. families are welcome. The site is signed from Tuckers Grave Inn on A366. For further information ring, (01761) 431741.

LUNCH CLUB

The September lunch will be on Thursday 27th at 1.00pm in the Village Hall. We still need extra helpers, so if you could join our team you would be very welcome.

Janet Earp and Marian Osborne 832561

WELLOW WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

The next meeting of Wellow W.I. will be on Thursday 13th September at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Our speaker is Mr. M. Norman who will talk to us about Antique Silver and Silver Plate ware. Members may recall that he spoke to us last year about Diamonds. This talk on Silver promises to be equally as fascinating and informative. The competition will be for a "Piece of Silver Ware". New members are always welcome, just come along.

Pam Brigden

VILLAGE HALL BOOKING ENQUIRIES

Until 19th September 2001 ring Richard Holland (833348) with any enquiries about Hall bookings - after 6pm please. After that contact Marian Osborne (832561) as usual.

Marian Osborne

THE PARLOUR SHOP

Many thanks to those extra volunteers who have helped to staff the shop during the holiday period.

Marian Osborne

WELLOW AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

New Plants for the Garden Thursday 20th September 7.30pm Village Hall.

This is a welcome return visit by Derry Watkins who will introduce us, with the aid of slides, to some lesser known plants to revitalize our gardens. Derry will bring plants for sale. Please come at 7.15pm for tea/coffee and chat. Members free, non members £1.

JUNIOR GARDENING CLUB SUNDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 10.30 - 12 NOON in the Village Hall.

Contact Lisa Davis 309007.

Please may I have copy for the October Newsletter by the 20th September. 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