WHITCHURCH
Correspondent: Jenny Sparkes jandjsparkes@btinternet.com
Sadly the walk, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, was cancelled due to very inclement weather but the coffee and cakes went ahead! Many thanks to all those who supported this and gave generously to the charity. Also thank you to all who came along
to the MacMillan tea party and supported that organisation as well.
10th and 11th November As usual we will meet at the Memorial Hall on November 11th. The laying of wreaths will be at 3.00pm followed by the Remembrance Service at 3.15.
“A fall of poppies” made by local ladies will be on display in The Memorial Hall Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November as part of our commemorations for the ending of WW1. Our exhibition “The Home Front” which includes local stories will be open at the same venue from 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 1pm Sunday. An all-day WW1 café will be open where homemade cakes on sale will be to recipes of Dorothy Peel from Ganarew, born 1868 and writing cookery books around the First World War period.
Saturday afternoon we will be entertained by “Beaujoladies” singing WW1 songs but maybe a few favourites from WW2 as well. Saturday evening doors open again for those lucky to have obtained one of the 50 free tickets available from the hall during Saturday. They will
be entertained with a drama by Sam Densham “A Slice of Life” based on Dorothy Peel’s life. Free refreshments will be available from 7pm with wine on sale and the play starts at 7.30pm. For those wishing to attend but on the Bath trip we will make special arrangements re tickets. Sunday same as Saturday but without “Beaujoladies” and doors close
1pm. Starting at 3pm wreaths will be laid followed by a special memorial service in the Memorial Hall. At 4.15pm a torchlight procession to
the beacon at The Maze will begin. The day and weekend ends with the beacon lit and the last Post played.
Official programmes will still be available from venues listed on posters displayed around the parish.
Travelling Light are holding a Refocus Retreat on November 17th from 10am to 4pm at Wyesham Christian Fellowship. Further details from Robin 01600 890376.
Aisle Community lunches are
on November 12th and 26th at 12 noon at St Dubricius. The meals are cooked by Woods of Whitchurch. Come and join us. To book ring 01600 890397.
Good Neighbour Coffee mornings
are held at the Memorial Hall on November 7th and 21st,
10.30 to 12noon. Everyone enjoyed the Boat Trip in October. Many thanks to Ian King who captained the boat
Tea and Chat’
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 meets at the Old Court on November14th at 7.30pm when the speaker will be Marie Monday. Her topic is “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”. This is an open meeting and visitors are very welcome.
Bingo at the Old Court is on Tuesday 6th November at 7 for 7.30pm.
MEMORIAL HALL ACTIVITIES Flicks in the Sticks The last showing this year will be Finding Your Feet (not Happy Feet as previously advised!). When Lady Sandra Abbott discovers her husband is having an affair she seeks refuge with her bohemian sister Bif. She is persuaded to join a dance class and finds a whole new lease of life and love. This is a “feel good” film with all our favourite actors. Film starts at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm for licensed bar. Entry on the door £5.
Jazz On Saturday December 1st we welcome the John Maddox band to the hall. Ring Colin ( 890640) to book £15 per head
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