Community Blogs

[Posted on behalf of PCSO Haley Harrison]

On the evening of 22/07/2010 at 9pm, a couple from Thornbury bought a painting off of a young male going door to door, claiming to be from a company called art is us ltd. As they didn’t have enough money in the house to pay for the painting the husband went with the young male to the cash point to withdraw the money. During the visit, the young male was asking a lot of questions about them and their family (children's names, wife's name how long they have been married).

The couple now believe the male may have been asking these questions as possible security questions regarding their banking. It is thought the male may have the pin number from escorting the male to the cash point.

The description of the male is as follows:

White male, tall, slim build, dark brown curly hair, and ears pierced. I am afraid there is no better details on his age, but a student!

Please remember: Do not give out personal details and ideally do not buy door to door, unless you are expecting them.

Thank you
PCSO Haley Harrison

[The following message is posted on behalf of David Russell]

Recently in Parish News and on other occasions we have advertised that we want to start confirmation classes.

We have a confirmation service arrangement for September, but as it stands we do not have enough candidates to make the confirmation course viable. So this is one last go to see if there are others considering Confirmation, either as teenagers or adults.

Confirmation is about deciding to make the commitment to faith for yourself, that was promised at your baptism by your parents and God parents.  It is about finding out more about the Christian faith over a 10 session Confirmation course.  We discuss things like, what is God like, who was Jesus, who is the Holy Spirit, what is prayer, how should I use the Bible, and so on.  And I always leave room for your questions as well. Confirmation is about you making a commitment to faith and being able to share in the bread and the wine at Communion.  Your first Communion will usually happen at the Confirmation service.

If you would like to know more, do please get in touch.  If you have already stated an interest then also get in touch again.  If we have one or two candidates we can join with a neighbouring parish and still get you through the Confirmation process, but it would be great to have a strong group from this Benefice and our own service in September.

Do please pass this message on to anyone you  might think is interested as well, and forgive me if this message wasn't relevant to you...

Every Blessing,

David Russell
The Rectory
High street
Wickwar
GL12 8NP

01454 294267
www.wickwarchurch.plus.com

Dear All,

Re: Downing Street Petition on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

You probably know that VAT paid on repairs to listed churches can be reclaimed.  This excellent system has been going for a decade, but is due to end in March 2011.  This will be a real body blow for parish fabric appeals.

Churches are mounting a major effort to keep the scheme.  Places of Worship at The Heritage Alliance (POW Alliance) has joined with forces with the Church of England and English Heritage in the campaign to preserve the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond its planned expiry date of March 2011.

However, in today’s economic climate there will be a tough fight to keep it and we will need all the help we can get. There is now a petition available for signing on the 10 Downing Street website. It can be found at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/VAT-refundscheme/

Please could you sign the petition above and encourage every church member with access to a computer to do the same.  Expect to hear more about this campaign in due course, but please sign the petition NOW!

Thank you,
Jonathan MacKechnie-Jarvis
DAC Secretary

We've had some interesting images sent to us - one of a plate with a picture of the original school on it from 1684, and some clippings from "Kelly's Directory", with the following message:

"Been doing some more research into Wickwar Residents and have come across a plate with a picture of Wickwar School on it which was apparently built in 1684. Also a 1906 Kelly's Directory on Wickwar. Sorry about the quality, am trying to get a better copy. Your predecessor in 1906 was William Toms."

Click on a thumbnail below to view the full-sized image.  The quality isn't great but you can read most of it.

This post is made on behalf of Chris Alcock who was kind enough to scan this in and send it to us.  Chris says:

"Have a look at this postcard of the inside of Wickwar Church taken around 1920. I have also scanned the back of the postcard, perhaps someone will recognise who wrote it. The card was posted 86 years ago on 18th March 1924 from Wickwar."

Some pictures from the Kingswood Classic Car show this year:

I've just discovered this buried in the depths of the Wotton Electric Picture House website...interesting viewing!

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Remember folks - the EPH really is every bit as good as a multiplex; better in some cases, the quality of some of the digital films is truly awesome.

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