Rodborough Tabernacle United Reformed Church

The Minister in 1914 was Rev. C. E. Watson who had two stepdaughters Mildred and Rosie Humpidge and he encouraged them to form a Guide Company on August 14, 1914.

This was one of the first companies in Gloucestershire which is still operating.

Charlie, the Guide Captain, was unable to attend for personal reasons, but her able deputies Keeley and Shipla gave a warm welcome to everyone who attended with many bringing their own memories of their time as a guide.

There were many photographs provided by Ron Cook, the Tab’s archivist, and bringing it right up to date to show the enjoyment which is still had by all the activities.

The guides were busy on their bring and buy stall and raffle and Ron and Barbara Cook were serving the refreshments.

A magnificent £120 was raised for Guide Funds.

On October 4 there will be a Memorial Service, conducted by the Minister Rev. Eric Massey, for May Haines, who was connected with guiding at the Tab for many years and wrote “The History of Guiding in Gloucestershire.”

On Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, between 10 and 4pm in the Main Sanctuary of Rodborough Tabernacle United Reformed Church, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Rev. George Whitefield called “O for a Trumpet Voice” was held to celebrate 300 years since his birth.

Ron Cook, the Tab archivist, had borrowed the display which had been collated by St. John’s Northgate Methodist Church, Gloucester Civic Society and Alan Morgan.

The boards told the story of his life from his birth in the Bell Inn, Southgate Street, Gloucester on December 16, 1714, his education and how he went as a servitor at Oxford University and became a student in 1732 at Pembroke College and became a member of the Holy Club, the beginning of the Methodist Movement.

He was a great orator and the reason why he is so important to the Tab was that he came to Minchinhampton Common on July 1, 1739 and preached on “Whitefields Tump” to a congregation reputed to be 20,000.

Thomas Adams, in the crowd, was so moved with others that the first chapel was built in 1750 which became known as Rodborough Tabernacle and Thomas was the first Minister.

Over George’s life he returned to Rodborough but spent a great deal of time in America setting up an orphanage at Bethesada called “The House of Mercy” for children of settlers who had died and is still in existence today.

He was called “The Great Awakener” and the Tab is very proud of “Whitefield’s Chair” which resides in the pulpit and his walking stick.

He died on September 30, 1770 in Newbury Port Massachusettes worn out from all his preaching and travelling.

Ron would like to thank everyone who came and for Alan Morgan and his associates for allowing the exhibition to come to the Tabernacle.