WHITCHURCH
Correspondent: Jenny Sparkes jandjsparkes@btinternet.com
Survey of Worshippers
St Dubricius PCC would like to find out more about the type of services people would like and their views on worship as we plan for the future.
Survey of Worship at St Dubricius Church V2<click here> to find a copy of a short anonymous questionnaire which we would be very grateful if you could fill in and return to St Dubricius or one of the Church Wardens. This is also being sent to people on the Church Electoral Roll.
Please email your completed questionnaire to Mike Miles milesofcorse@aol.com.
We would be really pleased to hear what you think. The closing date is 1st October 2018
Our annual sponsored Charity Walk is on September 23rd. This will start from Ganarew. Registration at 9.00am, start at 9.30. For those who cannot walk too far there is a shorter walk starting from the Clock Tower at 10am. Both finish at St Dubricius for Coffee and Cake. All proceeds will go to The Teenage Cancer Trust.
Travelling Light are holding a Refocus Retreat, ‘ Called to Solitude’, at Wyesham Christian Fellowship on 29th September from 10am to 4pm. Further details from Robin 01600 890376.
Aisle Community lunches are on September 10th and 24th 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. They will be on September 5th and 19th 10.30 to 12noon.
Do join us for coffee and chat (and read the daily papers!).
‘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. The next meeting is on September12th, 7.30pm at The Old Court. There will be demonstrations by 5 members of the Society on the theme ‘Flowers for the Home’.
Bingo at the Old Court is on Tuesday September 4th at 7.30pm.
Dog Rescue On October 4th at 2.00pm in the Aisle there will be a talk by the Forest of Dean Dog Rescue. Come and meet dogs and Carers. Tea, Hot Dogs(!) and cake to follow
MEMORIAL HALL ACTIVITIES Flicks in the Sticks returns this month with the “Potato Pie” film, a very good watch, set during the German occupation of the Channel Islands.
Diary dates: Friday September 14th
The Guernsey literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Friday October 19th Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri
Friday November 23rd Happy FeetFilms start at 7.30pm. Doors and
Licensed Bar from 7pm . Entry £5.
All that Jazz! On Saturday 29th September we welcome back the ever popular Pedigree Jazz. Tickets £15 to include a light supper, from 7.15 pm. Ring Colin 890640. Booking essential.
We are thrilled to announce that a septet from the world famous Pasadena Roof Orchestra led by Duncan Galloway will perform on Friday 26th October. Tickets £20 (no food) Free seating. Doors open from 7.30pm. Demand is likely to be high and tickets are limited so it’s first come first served ! Ring Colin to book 890640.
Trip to Bath on November 10th (see separate notice on page 9) . Ticket money can be left in the black postbox at the Hall. Cheques payable to Mrs J Gill.
Kundalini Tantric Yoga Classes will start on Friday 14th September 10 to 11.30 am in the hall. This unites Hatha with Tantra yoga and is a set of practices that can be incorporated into your life, helping you to attain your full potential, connecting you to your true self and inner peace. The class will include pranayama, meditation/visualisation, asanas (posture) chanting and relaxation. Mixed ability class. Email -clarewholistic@googlemail. com. Mob 07581782775
The Memorial Hall is run by a small hardworking Committee of volunteers who manage the Hall and a busy events programme including Flicks in the Sticks, live jazz evenings and occasional drama performances. We are looking for new members to join the Committee and / or help out at these events. If you think you may be interested please contact Judith on 890943 to find out more.
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