THE VICAR 'S LETTER
My dear friends,
I think a parish magazine ought really to consist chiefly of notice of things
which are about to happen, and of topical articles, because records of past events
so easily get out of date in a monthly periodical. Nevertheless, so much of importance
has happened in the past few weeks, that this number necessarily records them.
Perhaps it is pardonable to look forward to a rather quieter and less eventful
time in the coming month! A full account of the carnival, etc., is given elsewhere.
There are just two things I want to say here. One, that I have referred as fully
as possible to all that took place, but space does not allow me to refer to all
individuals by name-- it would need another page, at least. Lest anybody should
be hurt by feeling they have been overlooked, may I take this opportunity to
assure them that any omissions are entirely accidental. Secondly , one of the
most encouraging things was the feeling of team work. It was my first attempt
at anything of this kind, and I am grateful indeed to all who helped me with
good advice, and particularly to the members of the committee which planned everything.
Almost every organisation in the village had a share, and I hope this may be
the first of many occasions when all sections Of the community will get together
to help one or another that is in need. It seems that there is not enough village
loyalty and local pride of the right kind; one cannot but feel that, in so large
a village, all our sports teams and other social organistions ought to be second
to none in the forest-- and so perhaps they could be if all Bream men gave their
talents first and foremost to their own village. I am always, pleased to give
space in this paper to local organisations, and I do hope we shall all continue
to work together to make Bream the happiest, as well as the largest, village
in this county. With good wishes
to you all,
Yours sincerely, Charles Vernon, vicar.
COMING EVENTS
Sunday, July 25. St. James, A.M. Patronal festival. Preacher: the Rev.
W. E. Joyce, formerly vicar of Bream.
Thursday, Sept. 23. Harvest Thanksgiving. Preacher at Evensong, Rev. Canon
L. P. Jones, Rural Dean.
Sunday, Sept. 26. Harvest Thanksgiving. Preacher at Evensong. Rev. Canon
R. P. Steer.
Sunday, Oct. 17. Dedication festival. Preacher at Evensong, Rev. B. Prime,
vicar of Lydbrook
FROM THE PARISH REGISTER
Holy Baptism
April 18.-Megan Ann Green, Coleford Road.
May 16.-Michael Sidney Stratford, 3 Parkend Road.
May 16.-Henry John Cole, Bromley House, New Road, ,
Holy Matrimony
May 17.-Royston Edwards (Woodside) and Audrey Patricia Hancocks (The Eaves).
May 17.-Edward Henry Hoare (Clement's End) and Kathleen Iris Winifred Hancocks
(The Eaves) .
Obituary
May 5.-Elizabeth Williams, The Tufts, aged 80.
May 9.-Elizabeth Mary Thomas, The Eaves, aged 75.
May 16.-Richard Miles, Mill Hill, aged.74.
Confirmation
At Bream Parish Church on Monday, April 26, by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester:-
Robert Cook, Graham Lambert, Cyril Miles, John Peachey, Leonard Preest, Michael
Preest, Anthony Preest, Terence Preest, Joyce Baker, May Bath, June Cole, Marlene
Cole, Katherine Cook, Joan Crote, May Edmunds, Annie Greenman, Kathleen Higgins,
Patricia Lewis, Christine Martin, Joan Thomas, Bernice Turner, Jennifer Tye,
Joyce Voss, Betty Watkins, Margaret Watkins, Irene Williams.
RECENT EVENTS
May 2nd. Rogation Sunday. Members or the Order of Buffaloes from many local
lodges joined the Vernon lodge of Bream, and marched in procession (led by
the Coleford silver band) through the village to the church to attend evensong.
There was already a large congregation at church, and it was only by using
every available chair and bench that all were seated-though even then it was
not possible to find room for the members of the band. Though the vicar is
not yet officially padre to the R.A.O.B., it was a very successful "unofficial" parade,
and we were pleased to welcome so many visitors at a most enoyable service.
Lessons were read by Mr. T. Marshall and Mr. W. 0. Davies.
Sacred concert.
On the evenjng of Sunday, May 9th, the Bream Miners' Welfare cinema was kindly
lent by the committee and a concert of sacred music was given by the mixed
and male voice choirs, under the leadership of Mrs. W. O. Davies. Solos were
sung by Miss Margaret Vedmore, Mr. Rowe Vedmore and Master John Dyall. The
general standard of singing was very high, and the songs were greatly appreciated.
A film (The Ware Case) was shown afterwards, to compete the programme. Over £12
was raised for church funds.
BREAM CARNIVAL AND SPORTS
Fine weather is one of the most important factors, on such an occasion
as this, and we were indeed fortunate to have brilliant sunshine all
day on Whit-Saturday. About 900 people attended during the day, and Viscount
and Viscountess Bledisloe were made very welcome on their visit to Bream-the
first for some years. The show opened with the carnival, for which there
was a numerous and colourful entry of grown-ups as well as children;
the procession, led by the Parkend band, proceeded through the village
streets to the field, and all arrangements were admirably carried out
by the Bream branch of the British Legion. Major and Mrs. Percival judged
the entrants, and results were as follows:-
Best single character-boys: Clifford Batten, Bryan Gwynne, Raymond Gwynne.
Girls: Loraine Williams, Bernice Turner, Wendy James.
Couples: Kathleen Jones and Betty Crote; Kathleen Higgins and June Crote; Shirley
Royal and Jennifer Tye.
Best bicycle: David Nicholls.
Single adult characters: Mrs. H. Vaughan and Mrs. J. Peachey.
Mounted: Robert and Bryan Yarworth.
Decorated vehicle: Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Yarworth and Derek.
Group: the Kentucky mongrels- Mrs. L. Smith, Mrs. E. Adams, Mrs, A. Higgins,
Mrs. W. Williams, Miss G. Morgan, Messrs. D. Adams, W. Williams and A. Higgins.
All the usual side-shows were represented, and were well organised by members
of the local lodge of the R.A.O.B., assisted by Army cadets.
Space does not permit the inclusion of a full list, but Messrs. T. W. Batten,
H. Lewis, D. Adams, A. Higgins and G. Camm were all kept busy as also were
Mesdames W. Lambert and F. Brain at the lemonade stall.
Teas and refreshments were served in the marquee by members of the Church
Council, Women's Institute and Girl Guides, who, worked hard (with the
assistance of Mr. R. Beach behind the scenes at the Cookhouse) at what
must have been the warmest job of the day. Mesdames G. Tye, J. P. O'Driscoll,
A. E. Edmunds, W. O. Davles., W. Brookbanks, R. Finnemore, G. Davies
and H. Potter, and the Misses D. A. Fraser and R. A. Gibson were responsible.
After the carnival, the Parkend band, led by Mr. F. Brown, played selections
on the field, and music, as well as announcements, was later provided
by loudspeaker by the Forest Battery Service. The Bream A.F .C. were
responsible for the six-a-side soccer competition. Brockweir A., St.
Briavels, Bream R.F.C., Family Favourites, Aylburton, Brockweir B, "Drones" and "Spivs" all
entered teams, and Brockweir A. beat the "Spivs" in the final.
Sports were organised by Bream R.F.C. and attracted good entries; it
was unfortunate that there was not sufficient time for more events.
Results;-
80 yards, boys under 14: R. Cook, N. James, B. Lewis.
80 yards, girls.; K, Lee, Y. Preece, M. Morse.
Girls' wheelbarrow: M. James: and D. Chiswell, M. Gwynne and P. Thomas, W.
Gwynne and M. Cole.
Boys' three-legged: R. Meek and B. Meek, B, Beach and R. Meek, W. Wa.rd and
R. Chiswell.
Girls' three-legged: T. Watkins and G. James, P. Thomas and M. Gwynne, M. Cole
and W. Gwynne.
100 yards, boys (14-18) : N. Brain, R. Brice, J. Davey.
100 yards, adults: R. Edwards, D. Adams, J. Edmunds.
Many attempts were made to guess the vicar's weight (at 2d. a try). In the
end, seven people tied (all being half a pound out) , and the winner was decided
by seeing which could most nearly guess his age. Mrs. W. Lambert was successful.
(The correct weight was 12 st. 13 lbs.). In the space that is available, it
is not possible to give a more detailed report than this. Our best thanks are
due to Mr. W. Preest, for the loan of his field, and to Mr. Horsley and Mr.
Adams for many neighbourly acts of kindness - to all who gave such generous
contributions to provide refreshment and to all who gave their time and their
services; it was a great effort of team-work, but mention has been made of
that in the vicar's letter. As soon as the accounts are ready, they will be
published and exhibited in the village. We feel sure that the show was as successful
financially as it was socially.
Transcribed by:
If you wish to comment on this page please use this link: Comment Page .
The comments page will open in a new Tab to allow you to easily switch between this page and the comments page.
WANTED: Old photos, old postcards, ephemera and memories of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. U.K.- please click here to make contact.