Category: Community (Warminster)

Topics about organisations and activities in Warminster.

In The Lord’s Service ~ Terence Howes

Three parishioners of St. George’s, Warminster, were presented with the Bene Merenti Medal by Bishop Mervyn when he celebrated Mass at St. George’s on 29th September 1998 on the occasion of the Parish’s 60th anniversary.

One of the three recipients of the medal was Terence Howes. The following citation was read out by Fr. Paul before the medal was presented to Terence:

Terence Howes, born 1922. (Retired Civil Servant). Among his many lifelong activities for his Church, Terence was President, Legion of Mary; Secretary, Knights of St. Columba; Treasurer, Diocesan and Ecumenical Councils; Secretary, Clifton Diocesan Pastoral Council. These are the bare details given in ‘Who’s Who in Catholic Life’ (1996).

Behind this bare listing of facts is a long history of involvement in the many aspects of the Church’s ministry long before he retired to Warminster. Here are two testimonials from his past career:

“I am delighted that Terence Howes is being considered for the Bene Merenti Medal – we were together on the Board of Lourdes House, an initiative to provide holidays for handicapped people and their families. He was the Secretary, and quite the best I’ve ever worked with.” – Gilbert Jones, St. Augustine’s Abbey, Ramsgate, 10th April 1997.

From his previous parish, St. Peter’s, Westgate On Sea: “I can confirm that Terence was an active member of St. Peter’s, Westgate. Terence was Parish MC, Parish Secretary, and ‘Archivist’. He was active in Westgate for more than twenty years. Always ready to put his professional skills at the disposal of the Parish, the Deanery and the Diocese. He lived his Catholic faith in the workplace, was proud of his Catholic heritage, was an exemplary husband and family man. He well deserves the Honour.” – Fr. Jim Hurley, former Parish Priest at Westgate.

Since coming to Warminster in 1985 he has been involved in every facet of Parish life and in the ecumenical context he has been the driving force behind many inter-church initiatives. On the educational side he has been Secretary of the Board of Governors of St. George’s Primary School and is currently Secretary to the Trustees. The Parish finances benefit from his accounting skills in that very difficult area of covenanting. His present contribution to the workings of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is substantial and beneficial, not least his skill and hard work in weaving its sometimes disconnected deliberations into a readable narrative. He is also Secretary to PADS (Parents Against Drugs) and has been instrumental in guiding this body through the legal tangles of obtaining charitable status.

Terence is following the example of his father who was also a holder of the Bene Merenti Medal.

At the age of 75 years we submit his proposal with the suggestion that his works past and present are, in the current idiom, ‘something of a record’.

In The Lord’s Service ~ John O’Brien

Three parishioners of St. George’s, Warminster, were presented with the Bene Merenti Medal by Bishop Mervyn when he celebrated Mass at St. George’s on 29th September 1998 on the occasion of the Parish’s 60th anniversary.

One of the three recipients of the medal was John O’Brien. The following citation was read out by Fr. Paul before the medal was presented to John:

(Philip) John O’Brien, born 1918. John is a lifelong parishioner who has been involved in Parish and Church affairs since his early youth. This was particularly true of his early days in Parish fund-raising, his membership of the Knights of St. Columba (Grand Knight for three years), the Parish football pools and many other activities during the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the original committee members for St. George’s School.

As you can see his loyalty and commitment to duty are attested by an old parishioner, Bill Hogg: “St. George’s School owes much of its success to the work carried out by John.” This assessment is also supported by Sr. Paula Langton who has been in the Parish since 1972: “He is a man deeply rooted in the faith, who has put the Parish to the forefront in his thinking. To the present day (and he has been retired for some years) he takes the collection at 8.30 a.m. Mass every Sunday and is still on the door when we have the Parish Bazaar.”

John is most warmly put forward by the Parish as a worthy recipient of the Bene Merenti medal.

Warminster Osteopathic Clinic

Saturday 11th July 1998

Warminster Osteopathic Clinic
4 Station Road, Warminster
Telephone 01985 213927

Jonathan C.S. Penny DO, MRO Registered Osteopath

Elizabeth K. Mawditt DO, MRO Registered Osteopath

Gregory D. Ball DO, MRO Registered Osteopath

Rosemary Holder RGM, RM, MISPA, ITEC Aromatherapy and Reflexology

Dr. Rod Brunt BSc., PhD, Lic Ac MBAcc Chinese Acupuncture

Jan Hunt HST, ICHFST Sports and Remedial Massage

Henrietta Wells MCH, RS Hom Homeopath

Sarah Bilton IIHHT, IBC, ITEC Reflexologist and Aromatherapist

Weekday consultations available from 9 am to 8 pm.

Emergency domiciliary visits by arrangement.

Bell Ringing At St. Denys Church, Warminster

Saturday 11th July 1998

Bell Ringing at St. Denys Church, Warminster

The Church has eight bells and in order to ring some of the great variety of arrangements, eight ringers are required. As well as the practice evenings the bells are rung before Sunday services and at many weddings. If you are interested you will be most welcome to join with us all at the Thursday evening practice at 7.30 p.m. We really do need some serious recruits, so we can use all the bells to ring in the Millennium.

Captain of the Tower, Mr. John Horton. Telephone 218400.

The Business Friends Of Kingdown School, Warminster

From the Kingdown School (Warminster) Summer Fayre programme, Friday 26th June 1998, a list of “The Business Friends of Kingdown School” (established 1994):

Membership

Barrie Taylor Assoc., Silver Street, Warminster.
Beeline Coaches, Bishopstrow Road, Warminster. 
Boots The Chemist, Market Place, Warminster.
Center Parcs Ltd., Longleat, Warminster.
Clark’s International, Fairfield Road, Warminster.
Croda International, Leeds, Yorkshire.

Davis & Latcham, High Street, Warminster. 
Dents Gloves, Fairfield Road, Warminster.
Dove Publishing, Old Chapel House, Sutton Veny.
Farnfield & Nicholls, High Street, Warminster.
Financial Times Ltd., Old Silk Works, Warminster.

Independent Financial Services, Market Place, Warminster.
Junction 18 Ltd., Bath Road, Warminster. 
The Kit Co., The Close, Warminster.
Lloyds Bank plc, Market Place, Warminster.
Midland Bank plc, Market Place, Warminster.

National Westminster Bank plc, Market Place, Warminster.
Scholars, Fore Street, Trowbridge.
Silver Fin, 1a Queen Square, Bath.
Smallbrook Surgery, Boreham Road, Warminster.
Mrs. J. Stanley, 50 Gipsy Lane, Warminster. 
Theraposture Ltd., Bath Road, Warminster.

Teaching Can Be Tough

Thursday 11 June 1998

Danny Howell writes:

Our very great friend and colleague, Andrew Houghton, who teaches at Kingdown School, Warminster, has a letter in today’s Independent newspaper, in reply to a letter about education by Anne Simon.

Andrew penned:

“I was very saddened by Anne Simon’s letter (Your views, Education+, June 4) but I have to admire her passion for teaching in the face of real difficulties.

I, too, have taught for 25 years – but under three head teachers who fought for higher standards, smaller classes, and better discipline.

Yes, teaching can be tough – but don’t overstate the case!

Andrew Houghton, Warminster, Wiltshire.”

Admiral Vernon And Inn Sign

Monday 11th May 1998

Re: There was once an inn at Silver Street, Warminster, called The Admiral Vernon:

The Admiral Vernon inn was obviously named after a naval officer. The Dictionary Of National Biography, Volume XX, pages 267 to 272, records the life of Admiral Vernon. He was born in 1684.

He commanded an expedition to the West Indies to attack and capture Spanish colonies. He was successful in taking Porto Bello.

Monamy, the famous Marine-painter, was responsible for the portrait of Admiral Vernon’s ship for a famous public house of its day, which was well-known by the sign of the Porto Bello, which remained until recently, with a few doors north of the church in St Martin’s Lane.

When news of Vernon’s capture of Porto Bello reached England it prompted people “to go mad with excitement and joy.” Many medals were struck, all showing Vernon’s head, with the inscription “He took Porto Bello with six ships.” Over a hundred of these medals still survive in the British Museum.

The daily issue of grog (rum and water) to Royal Navy sailors was introduced by Admiral Vernon. The practice, which commenced in 1746, continued until recently.

In various parts of England and Scotland, a picture of Vernon’s head was for many years a favourite subject for a public house sign.

The name is still in use today for public houses, including those at:

141 Broad Street, Dagenham, London;

31 High Street, Over, Cambridge.

Torwood Georgian Dining Room

1998:

Your personal invitation to Torwood Georgian Dining Room.

Monica Baker,
24 Boreham Road, Warminster, BA12 9JR.
Telephone 01985 216049.

Torwood Georgian Dining Room.
Tables must be reserved.
Open for very special evening meals on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Please arrive from 7.30 p.m. for dinner at 8.00 p.m.
. . . . and Sunday Lunch,
arriving from 12.30 p.m. for lunch at 1.00 p.m.

Regret – Credit cards not accepted.

We are not licensed so operate a “Bring Your Own”
drinks service but we have all the facilities to chill
and serve your wine and drinks, and stock a small
selection of soft drinks for your convenience –
corkage is included in the standard charge of £14.50.

All party sizes are fully catered for, from the intimate
supper for two, right up to the dinner party for sixteen.
Please feel free to phone and discuss your personal
requirements with Derek and Monica Baker:
01985 216049.

Parties of 12 guests or more can request the exclusive
use of the facilities when booking.

We can cater for business lunches, meetings and functions,
ranging from coffee and sandwiches to a full five course
meal. Just call us.

We are also able to cater in your home for that very special
Dinner Party – menus and prices on request.

Torwood (built in 1797) has been owned by the same family
since 1852. Given by deed of gift through each generation,
it is now in our care and remains our family home.

Torwood is perfect for that intimate dinner for two, a private
party celebration or just a different night out with friends.

Five courses from just £14.50 including corkage!

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