Memories of Wincanton

Good Old Days

I met my late husband whilst working at the Cow & Gate in 1955. Although neither of us worked there for very long, we'd some good memories. We married in August 1957, at that time I was working at Verrington Hospital as a nursing assistant, or as we were then called, a nursing auxillary.

Many years have passed,since those days. We came to live in Ireland in 1971 with our three children, all of whom are now married with families. We have been back to visit Wincanton and other places around over the years, and have seen many changes, but nothing can take away those memories of the Cow & Gate in the good old days.

My childhood

I was born in Templecombe Hospital in April 1943. My mother was Lilian Game (nee Atkins) and was staying with my grandfather, Ernest Atkins at 13 Silver Street, opposite the church (sadly now the site of a garage). My mother was married there in 1939 and was able to walk to the church because it was so close by. I was christened in St. Peter & Paul in May 1943. I have many happy memories of Wincanton, having stayed with my Gramp many times up until the beginning of the 1960's. They were happy days!

Conversion to Faith

I have great memories of the Church of St Luke and St Teresa. After instruction I was received into the church by Fr. Paul O' Sullivan, I had my confirmation there the following year. My husband and I were married at St Luke and St Teresa over 50 years ago, sad to say he passed away in 2005. Our eldest daughter was baptised in this church 1961, she was born at Templecombe that year. We came to live in Co. Clare, Ireland in 1971 but often visit Wincanton. On one such visit we were sad to find that the Carmelite Order had left the area. My first time to go into St Luke's was in 1955, when a friend, since deceased, brought me to Mass, being in Latin at that time it was difficult to understand. We now have 10 grandchildren carrying on the faith that I received at the Church of St Luke and St Teresa all those years ago.