Village news
NEW VILLAGE BOOK. Life in East Leake before, during and after the First World War is described in detail in 175 pages of village history written by Alan Hall in what is his fifth book for East Leake and District Local History Society.
Alan is a newcomer to local history and to the society’s committee, but says he has learned a great deal during the writing of what have been described as ground-breaking books.
The latest book deals with changes to the village and its people which were brought about by and during the First World War. Part 1 describes the village before 1914, Part 2 explains the part pain by villagers in the war itself, including a zeppelin raid, a huge bomb blast – and a donation of potatoes to help “war widows” and their families.
The last section tries to show how the village was altered by the war, though some of these changes were slow to emerge and difficult to identify in local evidence.
The book was launched at an impressive yet simple event held in the village Library last week and attended by some 50 people who were able to see the fruits of hours of work by the author who vividly brings to life through words and pictures how the village coped with what, for scores of local residents, was a harrowing time.
The book is the final one in a series of five all written by Alan that explain what East Leake was like in the 100 years starting from 1830, covering the Village and its Churches, Where did people work, Family Life and Schools, Health Care, Services and Transport, and now, finally, East Leake and the Great War.
History Society chairman Mike Saunders officiated and welcomed those attending. He gave thanks to the Parish and Borough council members for their support and also gave their apologies for not attending – the parish council had a special meeting the same evening on an important planning matter.
Mr Saunders thanked Alan for all his hard work in completing his fifth book and said he was sure that everyone would be as delighted as he himself was with the finished product.
The guest speakers gave short talks about the significance of the whole series of books. First Alan Parker, chairman of the Notts Local History Association, spoke of the recent growth of interest in local history in general and in this village particularly. History, he said, was about change, and the last century saw more changes – improvements perhaps – than any other period until now. Alan Hall’s five books show these changes clearly and graphically. Mr Parker, gave praise to the author and urged everyone to look to buy the book.
Then Mollie Jacques, former Chairman of East Leake Parish Council, explained that the books filled a large and growing gap in knowledge of recent village history. The recording of heritage, she said, was becoming increasingly important as East Leake expanded, changes were rapid and newcomers needed to understand what we could be losing. Mollie concluded that “If you want to understand where you are and where you are going, then you need to know where you came from, and these books do just that.”
The author said he had found the five years he had worked on the books to be extremely interesting, and he was grateful to the many people who had helped him on the way. He had found the challenge to produce the books rewarding but also at times frustrating.
“I have tried to tell the story of ordinary people in the village, not the rich and famous,” he said.
Alan started work on the books in 2012 and books one and two were published in October 2014. The next two followed in 2015, and now the final one.
Writing the books has been an immense task for Alan. The first book contained 32,335 words and then the following ones.32,929. 43,1945, 38,597 and the current War period one 39.863, making a total of 186,919 words in all. All the books are still available to buy at East Leake Library and cost £8.00 each.
Mr and Mrs Hall have lived in East Leake since December 1968. Alan recalls that his first attempt at writing was a pamphlet on the possibility of there being a Green Man in St. Mary’s Church in the village. The five books are his first attempt at actually writing a book.
Mr Hall thanked the speakers and the library staff who had had organised this superb venue for the society.
The five books are available through the library, the local card shop and of course the History Society’s own website.”
GOLDEN STAR RESTAURANT. Work carried out on the forecourt of the Golden Star Chinese restaurant on Main Street at East Leake is being questioned by the parish council.
Planning committee chairman Carys Thomas has requested the clerk Neil Lambert to seek comment from the borough after the committee were asked for its comment on the work that has been carried out to forecourt of the premises. It is suggested the result has created a very bright appearance which can be regarded as totally out of keeping with the Conservation Area in which it is situated.
AVENUE OF POPPIES. East Leake parish council have been thanked by numerous people for creating an ‘avenue’ of poppies to highlight their support for the annual Royal British Legion Remembrance Service which takes place in the village on Sunday this weekend. The arrangements for the service itself have been made by the parish council and they have organised a road closure on Main Street in the village centre from Gotham Road to Station Road, from 10.20am to 12 noon, a long overdue move which again has brought praise for the past council as it will stop the roadside service being affected by passing traffic.
The array of 50 giant poppies provided by the parish council will mark the route of the Remembrance parade through the village, leading to the War Memorial opposite the parish church.
Parish clerk Neil Hunter says the poppies are on posts between the council office and the war memorial on Main Street and further along Main Street to Castle Hill, and on to Gotham Road as far as Bryers.
Nationally the Royal British Legion say they are committed to helping everyone understand the importance of Remembrance so that sacrifices are never forgotten with them being the national custodian of Remembrance, safeguarding the memory of those who fought and died in conflict.
St Marys parish church will stage a Holy Communion service on Sunday at 9-15am with an Act of Remembrance and that at 10-55 the Rev Tim Parker will lead the Parade Service at the Memorial near the parish church.
REASONS TO REMEMBER. This poppy day, there are all sorts of reasons to remember, says the Rev Tim Parker, Priest in Charge of the East Leake group of churches.
Writing in his parish magazine, he says: “Partly, we remember out of a sense of duty and respect. Whatever our views on the rights and wrongs of conflict, the sacrifice of so many throughout history has shaped our today, in my view, largely for the better. The cost of that should and must be remembered and honoured.
“We remember too in order to learn. I never really liked history at school – there was far too much reading and writing involved – but one of the things that I never saw in history as was irrelevant. Our history is something that shapes and prepares us for what lies ahead.
But Remembrance Sunday is about more than respect for the past and longing for a better future. As a child I can remember going to church Remembrance Sunday services: Second World War veterans were two a penny, First World War veterans were commonplace, and the real centres of attention were those who had survived both. As they spoke and cried, and stood lost in their own thoughts, the past became a shared experience today.”
The Rev Tim says sadly, now there are no First World War veterans left, and speaking to a Second World War veteran is an increasingly rare privilege. “This is where the Sunday part of Remembrance Sunday comes in.”
The East Leake Priest-inCharge continues: “The one ‘veteran’ who will always be with us is Jesus Christ. He suffered with soldiers on both sides, heard cries for help on both sides, and, ultimately, the souls of the fallen from both sides were commend to him and his mercy.
“As we gather for worship on Remembrance Sunday, we come to a God who is both bigger than our conflicts, and yet closer to them than we can possibly conceive. Close, not just in the suffering of us, his children, but suffering in himself he brings the world true peace and justice. The cross on our remembrance stones reminds us that the hope of the world is not found in the sad necessity of war, but the generous gift of Jesus.
When the memory of all conflict has passed, because of that generous gift our shared experience will be that of peace; peace won through a justice that is pure, a power that is humble, and a price that was not paid by the few for the many, but by the one Son of God for the whole world. God bless.”
PRODUCTIVE MEETING. Members of East Leake Mothers’ Union had a very productive ‘working meeting’ held under the expert guidance of Sandra Riley.
Those taking part created tactile samplers to be made into such items as fiddle bags, pinnies or lap rugs for use by dementia patients.
The October meeting saw the speaker Jane Foster from the Children’s Society talk about her organisation..
Two events outside the branch are an Archdeaconry morning at St Jude’s, Mapperley, when the speaker’s subject will be Food Banks and the Make Lunch project, and the service at Southwell Minister, followed by the AGM, which the Worldwide President, Lynne Tembey, attended.
More information on the branch can be obtained from Judith James on 01509 853126 and Gill Young on 01509 852536.
OBJECTION TO HOUSING. Parish councillors at East Leake have submitted an objection to the latest planning application made to Rushcliffe Borough Council for large scale housing development in the village.
The Outline planning application by Gladman Developments Lt of Congleton, Cheshire is for the erection of up to 195 dwellings on land off Lantern Lane with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access point from Lantern Lane. All matters are reserved except for means of access to the site.
The council took their decision at a special meeting at the Lantern Lane School on Tuesday last week, chaired by Coun. Conrad Oatey.
COMMUNITY CINEMA DATES. Now the clocks have gone back, Community Cinema films will be shown on the second Saturdays of November to March in East Leake St Mary’s Church starting this coming Saturday.
The dates for the series are November 11, December 9, January 13, and March 10, doors open at 6.30pm with refreshments available, and the films start at 7pm.
On 10th February, there will again be a Family Special. Doors open at 5.30pm and the PG certificate film starts at 6.00pm.
Copyright restrictions for free-entry Community Cinemas prevent the listing of the titles in other than the place where the films are to be shown, posters are inside church and in the porch showing details of this season’s films.
Round up your family and friends and come along to enjoy the features in full HD on the big screen with surround sound is the message from the church.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. East Leake is again supporting the national Operation Christmas Child scheme and boxes for collecting the gifts are available from the back of church.
Say the organisers, every shoebox gift delivered by Operation Christmas Child is a tangible expression of God’s amazing love, but a shoebox is just the beginning.
In the hands of local churches, every gift-filled shoebox is a tool transforming the lives of children and their families around the world through the good news of God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ. As shoebox gifts are distributed, local pastors or church leaders present the Gospel in a fun way designing for kids, while family and friends listen in. along with their shoebox gift, children can also choose to take a copy of The Greatest Gift, a colourful presentation of Bible stories in their own language.
The shoebox will be the first gift many children have ever received! The treasures and personal letters inside communicate that someone cares for them and gives them opportunity to experience the love of God.
Gift Suggestions are toys to include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls or stuffed toys (with CE label), toy trucks, harmonica, yo-yo, skipping rope, ball, small puzzles etc. or school supplies such as pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or felt pens, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or notebooks and paper, solar calculators, colouring and picture books etc.
Hygiene items can include toothbrush and toothpaste, bars of wrapped soap, comb or hairbrush, flannel while other items might be a hat, cap, gloves or scarf, sunglasses, hair accessories, jewellery set, wind up torch, wrapped sweets (best-beforedate must be at least March of the following year).
But what is not required are used or damaged items, war related items such as toy guns, play soldiers or knives, chocolate or other food items, liquids or lotions of any type including bubbles; medicines; hand-made or knitted stuffed toys; anything of a political, racial or religious nature, sharp objects, glass containers, mirrors or fragile items, playing cards of the 4-suit variety, clothing other than as listed in the approved items.
WINTER GAMES. Osprey House topped the list of groups taking part in the annual Winter Games at East Leake Academy. A full afternoon of activities took place with sport activities including football, rugby, hockey, netball, dodge ball and boccia.
Principal Mrs Kathy Hardy said it was another amazing sporting event where the KS3 students competed enthusiastically.
REMPSTONE ROAD HOUSES. A number of residents in East Leake have made their own personal comments to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol in regard to plans for a proposed 235 houses off Rempstone Road on the outskirts of the village.
A public enquiry is to be held to hear an appeal against a decision by Rushcliffe Borough Council and refreshments have a right to speak at that if they wish.
The planning application in question is 16/01881/OUT. The Borough Council refused permission for the development earlier this year.
East Leake Parish Council has made a submission to the inspectorate and asked to speak at the inquiry. The hearing will be next week on 14 and 15 November 10am at Rushcliffe Arena at West Bridgford. bring the village together, the Rothley Lights event is also a great opportunity to remind everyone that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus – the Light of the World.
We would encourage everyone to come to the village centre on Thursday 30th November from 5.45pm to enjoy a fantastic evening together”
If people need further information or would like to take part in any way, please contact Tim Jackson on 07720 458626 or Simon PayneMivshuk on 0116 2301550.