ST DUBRICIUS OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
Starting on Thursday 1st October from 11-12 St Dubricius will be open for private prayer and reflection. At first this will just be for one hour once a week until we see how this works and test our Track and Trace system, deal with cleaning, etc. You will find that some areas of the church will be roped off and there will be a one- way system in place in order to comply with Covid guidelines from the diocese. There is no need to book for this.
Please note the church will NOT be open on Thursday 22nd October because of a Memorial Service ( close family only) for Michael Reeve Tucker
WHITCHURCH
Please contact Sue (890981),Mandy (890791)or Geoff (01989 730405) or the clergy if you are uncertain.
We would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of help and support after the devastating floods, the worst since 1793 we are told, reaching over 5ft high in the church.
As we near the end of restoration, we plan to have a re-commissioning service on 18th October, led by Archdeacon Derek to celebrate the re-ordering of St Dubricius. Due to the covid restrictions places are limited so please book with Sue Morris 01600 890981. We hope to gather the completed cushions just before this, so that they may be dedicated along with the other new furnishings. The finsl 20 cushion kits have arrived , so that the project can carry on during autumn and winter, so please help if you can.
FOOD BANK- Woods of Whitchurch are collecting food all through the Corona Virus Crisis for the Ross Food bank.
Aisle Community Lunches are cancelled for the time being The meals are cooked by Woods of Whitchurch.
Good Neighbour Coffee morning is at the Memorial Hall but has had to be cancelled for the time being. It is hoped there may be an informal coffee morning at the end of August outside The Memorial Hall
Tea and Chat for Knitters and Natterers is held on Thursdays from 2 – 4pm. This is open to all and a warm welcome awaits you. Cancelled at the moment
Whitchurch Floral Society.
The Floral Society usually meets on the second Wednesday of the month in The Old Court. Annual Membership is £30 , Guests £5 per meeting. Open evenings: Guests £8. All are very welcome when we reconvene and see our varied and interesting programme. Details from Pauline Curtis 01989 768400 or Wendy Smith 01989 568733. Proposed Christmas Lunch at Orles Barn on 9th December.
Sticky Little Fingers, a morning for parents and pre-school children, usually each Tuesday at the Memorial Hall from 10.00am- 12. More details from Sue 890981. Unfortunately cnacelled for the time being. Please keep in touch by sending your news
BINGO
Bingo The next eyes down has been cancelled.
MEMORIAL HALL ACTIVITIES
The Memorial Hall reopened on July 6th with Covid 19 precautions in place, for limited use only by certain “ low risk “ groups. Initially all Snooker players returned in force, followed by Table Tennis.
On September 8th Yoga and the Art Group will return , also Paws and Claws Dog training .
All electrical equipment has been PAT tested and the outside area treated by the Parish Lengthsman. The dry spell has taken its toll on the grass.
It may be possible to start Flicks again in October with distanced seating and a “bring your own drinks” arrangement. Band music practice is permitted now, apart from brass and wind instruments.
The Hall Committee will finally held the AGM on September 16th and the Parish Council will be reinstating meetings , using the main hall to allow distancing.
Judo and Ballet cancelled
Jazz
Unfortunatley is now cancelled for 2020
Whitchurch and Ganarew LHS
The Whitchurch and Ganarew Local History Society have completed the refurbishment of both telephone boxes in the parish that were capable of being refurbished. Sadly the one on the Doward is beyond help. Apart from the fact that both boxes look good on the outside they hold a large map of the area, some interesting local stories from the past and information that may enhance enjoyment of the area. We thank many local people in helping achieve this task, financially and in practical ways as well as those who have offered to act as “caretakers” in future.
This last 6 months also saw the online publication of our recent scrapbook. This can still be viewed on the website alongside the 1965 scrapbook by the then WI of Whitchurch. If you haven’t yet had chance to view ,both are recommended ,and can be seen at www.wagshistory.com.We will be following this up with an exhibition based on the 1965 scrapbook in spring of next year ,all being well ,so back to the swinging sixties.
Our AGM had to be postponed due to lockdown and was be held in The Memorial Hall on Saturday September 12th.
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