Village news

OBJECTION TO PLANS. Sutton Bonington parish council have objected to plans for an extension to the property at 24 Willow Poole Lane in the village.

The applications to Rushcliffe Borough Council for a single storey side/front extension, rear dormer and detached garage at the property was opposed on the grounds that members considered the property is overbearing and is out of sympathy with the rest of the area.

SCHOOL COUNCILLORS. Each class at Sutton Bonington Primary School has chosen its two school councillors for the year, with one boy and one girl elected to represent their class at School Council meetings.

Head teacher Mr Mark Brumwell explains that prior to meetings, each class holds its own meeting which allows every child in school the opportunity to view their opinions or ideas on the forthcoming agenda items.

The pupil councillors then take their collected suggestions to the meeting for discussion. After the meeting they then report back, either in assemblies or direct to their own class.

The two councillors who are elected for Year 6 have an additional responsibility. Once a term, they attend the Rushcliffe Learning Alliance Pupil Parliament at County Hall in West Bridgford. Two representatives from each primary school within the RLA (around 30 in

total) meet to consider areas of mutual interest, based on a pre-set agenda that has been discussed in advance by the full School Council.

This year’s representatives are: Reception – Jasper and Elise; C1 – Flynn and Hetty; C2 – Max and Erin J; C3: Noah and Bella P; C4 – Reuben and Holly; C5: Ethan, Barnaby (tied vote!) and Evie; C6: Cody and Izzy.

RUBBISH DUMPING INVESTIGATION. Rushcliffe Borough Council are investigating an incident of rubbish dumping in the village that caused a road to be closed.

Rubbish containing asbestos was dumped in the middle of Hungary Lane on Thursday afternoon last week, causing the authorities to deciding to close it.

A police spokesman said that it had been felt necessary to close the road on safety grounds because of the materials found in the rubbish.

Rushcliffe Borough Council, as the prosecuting authority for fly tipping, told the Echo that the road was re-opened on Friday and they are now investigating evidence found within the waste. LIBRARY BOOK SERVICE.

Discussions are taking place in Sutton Bonington to consider a suggestion to provide a library book service from a bus shelter in the village.

Nottinghamshire County Council have been in touch with the Primary School in the village and have said while they do not normally permit the adapting of bus shelters on this occasion they are happy to explore the proposal further with the possibility of the Parish Council taking on responsibility of the bus shelter.

The Parish Council have agreed to take over responsibility and maintenance of the shelter although it is understood no firm decision has been taken as yet.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT. Christmas will again be superbly welcomed in Sutton Bonington with the SB campus Christmas concert planned for Saturday December 9.

The festive season will be truly welcomed in traditional festive style by the renowned Sutton Bonington Symphony Orchestra and the Sutton Bonington Singers who will be joining forces to perform once again their annual Christmas Concert in the Barn on the village Campus of Nottingham University.

The evening, which usually attracts a capacity audience, provides an early Christmas celebration which will include popular Christmas classics, famous film music and even, we are promised, a little jazz, to ensure there will be something for everyone.

The performance will start at 7pm, with doors opening thirty minutes before that. Tickets are £5 (which includes refreshments) and can be purchased at Sutton Bonington post office from 27th November, from the Farmers Market on Wednesday 6th December or at the door. There is no charge for children under twelve if they are accompanied by an adult.

SOAR VALLEY U3A. Sutton Bonington members of the Soar Valley U3A will be attending its next meeting on Tuesday November 28 in Normanton-on-Soar Village Hall when the guest speaker, Tony Irwin, will be recalling his experiences as a test pilot flying fighter jets and civil aircraft. The meeting will start at 2pm.

The group give an invite to anyone retired or semi-retired, sahing they are welcome to join them. Non-members are most welcome and refreshments are provided. Soar Valley U3A (University of the Third Age) provides relaxed learning and leisure activities for retired people in the area.

More information on the successful group can be obtained from Membership Secretary Lorna Orton on 01332 811030 or by visiting the website www.u3asites. org.uk/soar-valley

POSADA JOURNEY. Sutton Bonington’s Posada journey in the lead up to Christmas is taking place again this year. Each year the olivewood figures from St Michael’s and St Anne’s Christmas Crib travel around the village to remind parishioners of Mary’s and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, when there was no room for them at the inn.

The event stems from a tradition from Mexico – Posada is Spanish for Inn.

Local organiser Beth Clarke says those would like to have the figures stay at their home for a night in December, please contact her on 01509 67110 or frankandbeth@ onetel.com) so that their name can go on the journey rota.

Beth says everyone is welcome to take part regardless of age or whether they attend church services. Those who took part in the village journey last year, will have their name included again unless they let Beth know to the contrary.

The posada has its origins in the 16th century when a Mary and a Joseph from local Spanish Roman Catholic communities would dress up and journey for nine days (signifying the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy) around the homes of their village.

Certain houses were designated to be an “inn.” The head of the procession would have had a candle inside a paper lampshade. At each house, the resident would respond by singing a

song and Mary and Joseph would finally be recognized and allowed to enter. Once the “innkeepers” let them in, the group of guests would come into the home and kneel around the Nativity scene to pray. Latin American countries have continued to celebrate this holiday to

this day, with very few changes to the tradition. In some places, the final location may be a church instead of a home.

As the custom developed in the Spanish speaking world of Latin America, individuals began to play the various parts of Mary and Joseph with the expectant mother riding a real donkey, with attendants such as angels and shepherds acquired along the way. The procession will be

Followed by musicians. At the end of each night’s journey there will be Christmas carols and children often carry poinsettias and break open sweet gifts.

A wooden nativity set now replaces real life nativity characters. Instead of processions and carols a book for prayer will accompany the Crook Posada.

COLLECTIONS FOR SERVICE CHARITIES. Two deserving national charities are to benefit from the collection taken at the annual United Service of Remembrance with a parade by the uniformed organisations, held at St Michael’s Church in Sutton Bonington.

Combat Stress and the Royal British Legion are the two charities concerned both of course connected with the immense amount of work carried out nationally to assist servicemen and women affected by injuries and the stress of warfare.

Combat Stress was founded in May 1919 and originally called ‘ The Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Society’ with a recuperative home on Putney Hill, SW London. At the moment the charity is supporting thousands of veterans aged from 18 to 97. Over the past 5 years there has been a 71% increase in referrals, of which 1,300 served in Afghanistan and 1400 more, that were in Iraq conflicts.

Everything is free of charge to the veterans and in order to meet growing demand, an increase in voluntary funding is needed to run services nationwide this year.

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the armed forces community, serving men and women, veterans and their families. It was first formed in May 1921, bringing together 4 national organisations of ex servicemen, and the first Poppy Day, to raise money and awareness, was held in November of the same year.

The service at St Michael’s included wreath laying by Rushcliffe Borough Council, the parish council and local uniformed organisation. The two minutes national silence was included in the service at 11.00am and poppies scattered on to the churchyard from the church tower at the end of the service. A good number of children of all ages attended the service.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES. Early notice has been given in Sutton Bonington of the Christmas services which will be held in St Anne’s Church. On Christmas Eve there will be a Blessing the Crib service at 4.00pm and a Midnight Communion at 11.30pm and there the collection will be for Framework Housing Trust

On Christmas Day there will be the popular Family Service starting at 11am. The collection at that will be for Shelter. There will ne no morning service on Sunday Dec 24.

Shortly after the actual festive events there will be the marking of be Holy Innocents’ Day on Thursday December 28 when candles will be available throughout the day in St Anne’s church for visitors to light in memory of a child or baby who has died or been miscarried.

Bunny

TODDLER GROUP. Bunny and Bradmore Baby and Toddler Group still meets for all babies and toddlers and their carers at Bunny Village Hall on Tuesdays in term time between 10am and 11.30am.

The group offers toys for the youngsters, a little snack, and a chance for everyone to make new friends. The gathering always finish by singing some songs.

Sessions cost £1.50 for the first child and 50p for any additional children.

If you need to get in touch, please contact Nikki on 07944 687260 or Steve on 07843 052914.

SEASONAL SERVICE. Bunny St Mary’s Parish Church is to host a seasonal service on Saturday December 2 when the East of England Singers will be there to help create a ‘ Village Christmas’ evening.

Normanton on Soar

ST JAMES’ CHURCH. There will be a service of Morning Prayer Sunday, November 26, starting at 9.30am. Everyone is welcome to the service.

TALK ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF ST PANCRAS STATION. There will be an illustrated talk on the transformation of St Pancras Station on Wednesday, November 29, at Normanton Hall (7.30pm for 8pm).

This is not just for train buffs – it is for anyone interested in history, world-class architecture, elegant engineering or just a great story. There will be a licensed bar. Tickets are only £2.50 and are available from the village shop. Further details from Neil Blythe 01509 843825

Burton on the Wolds

CHRISTMAS FAYRE. Burton on the Wolds’ Christmas Fayre is being held on Saturday, November 25, from 10am - 12.30pm.

There are a wide variety of stalls selling Christmas gifts. There are children’s stalls and activities.

Mulled wine and other refreshments available.

Father Christmas will be touring the village before making a grand entrance at the village hall at 10.30am!

Wymeswold

NOVEMBER REPORT FROM WYMESWOLD PARISH COUNCIL. Police Report. During the month of October 2017 Wymeswold had one burglary to a dwelling on London Lane whereby entry was forced through a rear door, cash and jewellery were taken. One assault in the area of Brook Street, one criminal damage report to a container on Alford Way and two theft from business premises on Wymeswold Lane. Since our meeting we have learnt that the defibrillator has also been stolen from outside the church.

Pavement and Grass Verge Parking

Unfortunately some residents are again parking on pavements and the grass verges causing obstructions to pedestrians. The problem is particularly bad on Trinity Crescent. Please can we ask that you park considerately? 20% of our budget is spent on keeping our grass verges tidy, please help us to keep them that way. Airfield Noise. The Parish Council is still collecting signatures for a petition to be presented to Charnwood Borough Council. The petition is available in the pharmacy and Granvilles for you to sign. If you are affected by the noise and consider it a nuisance please do make the effort to sign our petition. If you cannot access the two locations please get in touch with the clerk - Alice Gardam, wymeswoldpc@ hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01509 881664. Dog Waste. As the nights draw in we are experiencing an increase is dog waste on our pavements. This issue is particularly bad on the gitty between London Lane and Clay and on Clay Street. We have reported the issue and Charnwood Borough Council will be particularly vigilant in checking these areas.

The next meeting of Wymeswold Parish Council will be held on Monday 4th December in the Sports Pavilion, Burton Lane, Wymeswold, starting at 7pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Hathern

HATHERN CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL. Hathern Parish Church will be staging its 14th and ever popular Christmas Tree Festival on Friday, December 8, through to Sunday, December 10.

Opening times are from 10am - 8pm on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th December, and from 12noon till 5.30pm on Sunday, December 10.

This year’s event promises to be as good as ever, with over 20 new exhibitors displaying trees for the first time. As usual there will be a Tombola with a prize every time and a Christmas Hamper Raffle.

There will be musical interludes as well – On Friday at 11am the Hathern School Choir will perform a medley of Seasonal Songs while at 5pm Derek Hunter will be playing Carols on the church organ.

On Saturday and Sunday at 2pm Michael Hockaday will be giving a Christmas welcome with well- known seasonal music, and at 4.30pm on Sunday a group from the fabulous Hathern Band will entertain.

Admission is £3 for adults and accompanied children are free. The admission includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

But the Sunday morning Eucharist will still take place at 10.30am and as the church is full of trees it takes place in a magical setting – come early!

Following the close of the Festival, on Sunday evening at 7.30pm there will be “Christmas Songs of Praise” set among the trees with sherry and mince pies- this is a very popular service so once again come early- seating is limited for this service.

This Christmas Tree Festival is undoubtedly one of the best in the area-if you’ve never been before make sure you don’t miss it!

For SatNav users the post code for Hathern Church is LE12 5LA.

Mountsorrel

HERITAGE GROUP. The Mountsorrel Heritage Group was formed originally in 2005, to research, archive and preserve both the spoken and written history of the ancient village of Mountsorrel together with recording, preserving and in some instances restoring the flora and fauna of the village.

From its original membership of approx 12 people it has grown to having over 25 members which prompted a move to using the local library for its talks and meetings

Apart from talks and meetings on local and not so local history a small ECO group has taken on not only a wild life meadow next to Christ Church but now cares for the Peace Garden where they have undertaken much new planting

With the possibility of premises becoming available in the New Year for a local museum the group have not only obtained charity status but have changed the name to The Mountsorrel Museum and Heritage Trust of which the Mountsorrel Heritage Group and the ECO Group will be sub groups .

The Groups plans for 2018 include the publication of a book about Mountsorrel and World War 1 a series of talks and the creation of the Mountsorrel Museum.

Starting in 2018 the group will be holding its meetings in the new Memorial Centre they meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm At the first meeting on January 11 Jeremy Robson will be giving a talk on the Green Bike Murder.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON, CAROLS & FESTIVE FAIR. Organised by the parish council, everyone is invited to the new Memorial Centre on Leicester Road on Tuesday December 12 from 5.30pm.

The Christmas lights are due to be switched on at 6.15pm by the Mayor of Charnwood, Coun Pauline Ranson.

Those taking part in the event include: The Ratby Co-operative Band, local clergy, Christchurch & St Peters Primary School Choir.

There will also be 30 festive food, drink and gift stalls. Light refreshments will be available. Bar will be open.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE. A Christmas Fayre will be held at Mountsorrel Methodist Church on Saturday 25th November 25, from 10am until 12 noon. Stalls will include cakes and groceries, jams & preserves, tombola, “Nearly New”, plants, and “Ladies’ Night” gift stall.

All proceeds are for church funds. Come and see him in his grotto!

Entrance is £2 per adult including a raffle ticket. Children free. All proceeds go to Burton on the Wolds village hall.

ST PETER’S PARISH CHURCH. Sunday 26 November is the Holy Day of “Christ The King” (and the Sunday next before Advent - “Stir up” Sunday) and all are warmly invited to the Parish Church of St Peter (Market Place) Mountsorrel to keep the Feast with a special celebration of the Holy Eucharist (with Hymns) at 10am.

The guest celebrant will be the Rev’d Canon Dr Johannes Arens, the Canon Precentor at Leicester Cathedral and the guest organist Mr David Cowen.

Drinks will follow the communion in the Antill Vestry.

Rothley

CHRISTMAS FAIR. A Christmas fair is being held at Methodist Church, Rothley on Saturday, December 2, from 10am -12pm

The stalls will be cake stall, tombola, raffle, Christmas gift bags, toy stall. £1 admission includes tea, coffee, biscuits, savoury nibbles.

MESSY CHURCH. The Methodist Church is hosting a Messy Church event, Howe Lane, Rothley, on Saturday, November 25, from 3pm - 5pm. Everyone welcome. Games and crafts and meal.

Come and meet new friends, new in Rothley? This is a great place to meet new friends.

FESTIVE FUNDS AND FOOD FOR CHARITIES. Fund-raising and food collecting are on the menu for The Nottingham in Rothley as they help spread festive cheer alongside a trio of local charities.

The building society team are supporting Alex’s Wish and The Jake McCarthy Foundation by providing them with gazebos from which they can fund-raise at this year’s Rothley Christmas lights switch-on and market ( Thursday, November 30).

And from now until December staff are also collecting non-perishable food items at the branch on Woodgate that will be boxed up and presented to Rothley Food Bank for them to distribute as food parcels to families in need in the area.

Assistant branch manager Samantha Rudin said: “We have supported Alex’s Wish and The Jake McCarthy Foundation for quite a few years now and are proud to link up with them again by providing gazebos for one of the biggest nights of the year in Rothley.

“They are both fantastic causes and we thought that this Christmas we would build on our community engagement - something we are very passionate about and proactive with at The Nottingham - by supporting Rothley Food Bank too.

“We are hoping lots of people will donate items so we can ensure as many families as possible benefit from food parcels over the festive period.”

Willoughby on the Wolds

BREAKFAST CLUB. Following their breakfast at the weekend, the Willoughby on the Wolds Sunday morning Breakfast Club is to revert to its more usual time of the second Sunday of each month.

The food is served from 9.30am to 11.30am as usual in the village hall.