WHITCHURCH
Special Services in St Dubricius in February
Sunday 9th Sunday Worship with The Archdeacon
Sunday 23rd Holy Communion celebrated by Bishop Anthony Priddis with Dedication of the new altar frontal and oil painting of St Dubricius by Cathy Priddis
The Taize Services Next Service -Friday 14th February 6pm
Thursdays 10am Holy Communion will be held weekly as usual
Aisle Community Lunch will be at
St Dubricius on January 27th, 10th and 24th February. The meals are cooked by Woods of Whitchurch. Come and join us. To book, ring 01600 890397.
Good Neighbour Coffee morning
At the Memorial Hall from 10.30 to 12noon onJanuary 22nd, 5th and 19th February. Do drop in for coffee and a chat.
Tea and Chat for Knitters and Natterers is held in the Aisle at St Dubricius on Thursdays from 2 – 4pm. This is open to all and a warm welcome awaits you.
Whitchurch Floral Society
Next Meeting 12th February 6.45 in The Old Court, AGM followed by Peter Dowle on Garden Design
Sticky Little Fingers, a morning for parents and pre-school children, each Tuesday at the Memorial Hall starting at 10.00am. More details from Sue 890981.
Bingo
Next date Tuesday 4th February 7 for 7.30
MEMORIAL HALL ACTIVITIES
Jazz,
Next date is 7th March John Maddock’s Jazzmen. Ring Colin 890640 to book, £17.50 pp includes a light supper.
Guys and Dolls January Flicks, with a difference! On Friday January 17th it will be a rather special evening. We are showing the original 1955 musical Guys and Dolls starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and featuring well known musical numbers ( Luck be a Lady, Sit down you’re rocking the boat, If I were a bell).
Join us for what promises to be a great evening’s entertainment. You will need a secret password on the door ( check the Hall or Arts Alive websites) and the bar will be well stocked with irn bru , blackcurrant squash , and orange juice in line with the “illegal “nature of the scenario
(a gambling den) !! We hope you will embrace the “spirit” of the evening, why not wear 1950’s dress? Don’t miss this rollicking tale. Doors open 7pm for bar, film starts at 7.30pm £5 entry. Cuban themed snacks will be available. Miss it, miss out…
Next date is Friday 21st Februaury 7pm Rocket Man
Short Mat Bowls in the hall
on Mondays 6.00 – 8.45pm and Thursdays 1.45 -4.30pm. NB Time changes.
Adult ballet classes Silver Swans
1st class for any age and ability including those with illness or disability.
2nd class for good mobility and fitness. No ballet experience required. A gentle fun class for fitness and grace.
Ladies and gents both most welcome. Royal Academy of Dance registered teacher. Wednesdays 9:45/10:30am
Whitchurch Memorial Hall
Nina Salmon 07974117701
Karate Thursdays 7 to 8pm Ring David Bevan 01291 690267
Whitchurch and Ganarew Local History Society
The history group started 2020 with very clear plans. Our major event of the year will be held over the weekend 5th /6th September and is an exhibition based on the 1965 scrapbook of Whitchurch and Ganarew completed in that year by the then WI of Whitchurch and Ganarew. For anyone wishing to view the original it is held at HARC (Herefordshire Archives and records office). Your history group also have a scrapbook in production to be completed this year and they hope that it will sit alongside the 1965 one so future generations have a second snapshot in history to view. If anyone wishes to contribute materials to be included in this scrapbook of the parish please send a copy to patsbudd21@gmail.com.
FEBRUARY 27th in the evening we are having a talk on “The Iron Age in Herefordshire” by Tim Hoverd, Hereford archaeologist and hope that many of you will join us in The Memorial Hall 7 pm start . Usual ticket prices of £5 non- members and £4 members apply to cover costs.
History of St. Dubricius Church
The parish church is one of the oldest in the Deanery of Ross and Archenfield; Its foundations date from the 9th century and the oldest part goes back to the 13th century.
The church is in the Decorated style of architecture with walls of local sandstone rubble and ashlar and the roof of stone slates.
The bowl of the font is Norman in origin, the lower edge being cut away to octagonal form to fit a 14th or 15th century stem with a square base. The church was enlarged in Victorian times.
Outstanding examples of locally-produced needlecraft and tapestries decorate the church.
St. Dubricius lived in Herefordshire in 6th century and founded monasteries which were centres of learning. Legend has it he had a miraculous birth.
The tulip tree near the south porch is reputed to be over 300 years old and blooms every year in June and July.
Useful Links
The Aisle, St. Dubricius church
A History from the Celtic e-Library
A History from A Celtic Collective
Whitchurch CE Primary School Herefordshire
Kingfisher River Cruises Symonds Yat East
norton-house.com B&B Whitchurch
Amazing Hedge Puzzle, Whitchurch
Wyenot.com, A Photographic tour of news and views in the Wye Valley
Gwillim Grave Enclosure
The west side of the churchyard contains the Gwillim tomb. The Gwillims, who owned the Old Court, Whitchurch from 1600 to 1868, were benefactors of the church. Thomas Gwillim, who built the grave enclosure, had from his family of six only one grandchild, Elizabeth Posthuma, who was the daughter of his son Colonel Thomas Gwillim. Elizabeth was a remarkable woman who at 19 years old married John G. Simcoe, future first Governor of Upper Canada and founder of Toronto.
More information on
www.gwillim-simcoe-story.co.uk