The Ruishton Millennium Project was set up to arrange a series of events to mark and celebrate the new millennium. This booklet aims to give you a brief insight into all the ages of the parish and to commemorate the Millennium Project held on March 10th – 13th, 2000 AD at Ruishton Village Hall with guest speaker Tom Mayberry, Assistant Archivist, Somerset County Council.
It is purely coincidence that on 10th March 1863, exactly 137 years ago to date, Reverend James Ward planted a Scotch Fir Tree in the garden of the School House to commemorate the marriage of Albert Edward Prince of Wales. Again we find ourselves commemorating yet another memorable occasion on March 10th. We have endeavoured to include a variety of items, which we hope will reflect the evolution of life in the villages of Ruishton, Henlade and Thornfalcon through their inhabitants, the buildings, the environment and landscape, and leisure. The future is moulded from the present which itself has evolved from the past – thus the title of our project – Ruishton Past, Present and Future. We have attempted through this project to tangibly preserve and record a little of our past and present, with the children of Ruishton School providing a glimpse into the future.
Gwyneth Bryant
Millennium Video
Millennium Gallery – Faces of Ruishton
All the people featured in these photographs are involved in the life of the village either through education, the church, businesses or other activities. Whilst many are villagers, other individuals have been included by virtue of the fact that, although not residents, they nevertheless have strong links with the village of Ruishton.
DUDLEY GOODFIELD (Vicar)
The Reverend Dudley Goodfield A.K.C. has been the Vicar of the Parish of Ruishton with Thornfalcon since 1982.
JOSIE RYE (Deputy Head, Ruishton School)
Josie has been a teacher at Ruishton School for over 20 years and, in addition to her role as Deputy Head, is also the Reception Class teacher.
HERBERT TURNER (Professional Model Maker)
A retired Chart Engraver at the Hydrographic Office, Herbert Turner has made over 70 scale models for Shipbuilders and the M.O.D. since 1955.
JENNY HARDING (Chair of School Governors)
Presently Chair of School Governors, Jenny is a well known and active member of the community.
TARA LACEY (Lacey Interiors)
One of the most recent businesses to be established in the village, Lacey Interiors, specialising in vehicle and furniture upholstery, was opened in 1998.
TONY SHATTOCK (Chairman & Founder of Ruishton Carpet Bowls Club)
A long-standing village resident, Tony is also a Parish Councillor and member of the Village Hall
SUZANNE ROOT (Play Leader – Ruishton Rascals)
Suzanne is one of two qualified Play Leaders at Ruishton Rascals out -of-school club which was set up in 1994 as part of the PlayNet Organisation.
GERRY WILLIS, Mobile Shopkeeper, Gerry and his Mobile Shop have been a regular sight in the village for the last 31 years.
BENNY LEE (Ruishton Rascals Assistant)
For many years, up until 1994, Benny was the School Caretaker. She now spends part of her retirement helping at Ruishton Rascals.
DEBBIE RICHARDS (School Caretaker)
Debbie has been the Caretaker at Ruishton School since 1996.
JUDITH JELKS (Fund Raiser)
A well known and successful fund-raiser for village causes and Save the Children for over 10 years, Judith Jelks has been a Parish Councillor and PCC Member since the 1950’s and is currently Treasurer of the Village Hall Committee.
MIKE MARSHALL (Chairman of the Parish Council)
Previously Vice Chairman of the Parish Council from 1996 to 1999 Mike Marshall has been a leading figure in opposing the development of our rural landscape.
Neil Dalton (Headmaster of Ruishton School)
SHEILA REXWORTHY (Chair Of Village Hall Committee)
A village resident for 35 years, and Chair of the Village Hall Committee since 1997, Sheila was instrumental in obtaining the grant for the new Village Hall floor and has been Editor of the Monthly Newsletter for 17 years.
BOB WIDGER (Joint Winner 1999 Village Day Flower Show)
A village resident for 45 years and a regular entrant in the Village Day Flower Show.
MIKE & JOY WADDON (Ruishton Inn)
Having previously been the tenants of the Ruishton Inn from 1977 to 1986, Mike and Joy purchased the premises and returned in 1992.
AUDREY CALLEN & JOY CLASBY (Church Flower Arrangers)
Audrey (left) and Joy have shared the responsibility for arranging the Church flowers for over 25 years.
SANDRA EVANS & TRACEY ROBERTSON (Bushy Cross Day Nursery)
Opened by owner and manager Sandra Evans (right) in 1991, the nursery is now registered for 36 children. Tracey Robertson has been Deputy Manager since 1995.
JANE BARTLETT & DONNA KEARLEY (Hairlines)
The village hairdressers, was established by Jane Bartlett in 1982. Donna Kearley (standing) joined Jane 6 years later and the business continues to grow.
ROSEMARY ELLIOTT (School Secretary)
A long-standing member of staff, Rosemary has been the School Secretary since 1981.
STEVE GREASLEY (Ice Cream Vendor)
A regular visitor to the village since 1990.
BARBARA FAULKNER (Joint Winner 1999 Village Day Flower Show)
A village resident since 1968 and a regular entrant in the Village Day Flower Show.
PAUL HARPER & ERNEST TALBOT (Church Wardens)
Ernest Talbot (left) has been a Church Warden for over 20 years. Paul Harper has recently joined Ernest as a Church Warden and is also a lay reader.
The photographer would like to thank all the people in these photographs for their co-operation and participation in this contribution to the Ruishton Millennium Project.