Village news
If you would like to contribute to Village News, write to Andy Rush, Editor, Loughborough Echo, Ark Business Centre, Office 7, Gordon Road, Loughborough, LE11 1JP or email: andy.rush@trinitymirror.com
SOAR VALLEY U3A. Soar Valley U3A continues to welcome Sutton Bonington residents to join their ranks.
Main meetings of the very successful group are held at Normanton on Soar village hall, but they stress Sutton Bonington visitors are more than welcome.
The message to residents from the group is if you are retired or semi-retired why not 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. For more information, phone Membership Secretary Lorna Orton (01332 811030) or visit our website www.u3asites.org.uk/soar-valley
TOLD TO REMOVE BOULDERS. Notts County Council highways have confirmed they have asked the current occupants of their old County Council depot alongside the A6006 on the outskirts of Sutton Bonington that should the boulders and trees, currently installed on the highway verge, not be removed then they will remove all items and charge the persons responsible.
PRAISE FOR MUSIC SOCIETY. The progressive and hugely popular Sutton Bonington Music Society continue to have praise piled upon them for their stirring local performances.
They are always happy to receive contact from anyone wanting to know more about them and at the start of each new term of appearances hold a taster session for those interested.
The Sutton Bonington Symphony Orchestra (SBSO) is an unauditoned ensemble at the university’s Sutton Bonington Campus with a very varied repertoire. It was formed in 2013.
More information can always be obtained by making contact their Ensemble secretary, Flo, at styfj@nottinham.ac.uk
Another part of the Society are the Sutton Bonington Singers and they are the sixty-strong campus-based choir comprising under- and post- graduates, staff and members of the local community.
Like the orchestra, the choir is unauditioned and no experience is necessary. In fact, you may have had the pleasure of attending one or more of their concerts in recent years!
Anyone keen to know more about them is invited to please contact choir director, Izzy, at styfj@nottinham.ac.uk for more information.
Third in the line-up is the Sutton Bonington Big Band, an unauditioned jazz/swing group who play regularly at formal events and other social gatherings.
Excitingly, members of the Big Band are hoping to host their own concert this year so there will be plenty of music on offer!
If playing in the Big Band interests you, please contact musical director, Izzy, at styfj@ nottinham.ac.uk for more details
Andy finally, there is the Sutton Bonington Folk, the campus’s latest addition to the music scene, playing traditional Scottish, English and Irish tunes with some songs thrown in and their own caller for ceilidhs!
Anyone interested in having more information on this arm of the Society then please contact their folk leader, Emily at styfj@nottinham.ac.uk
In addition, the society has links with local schools and groups, performing regularly for assemblies at SB Primary School.
In recognition of this work, in 2016, the founding committee were awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal by the University for services to the community and the University.
FEARS OVER HOUSING PLANS. Parish councillors at Sutton Bonington fear an outline planning application for the erection of up to 195 dwellings, with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage system and a vehicular access point from Lantern Lane at East Leake could have detrimental effects on their parish, and are therefore objecting.
They say that traffic along Lantern lane is already impossible and congested. The current traffic comprises the safety of all school and leisure centre users.
CHILDREN CONGRATULATED. Children from Sutton Bonington primary school class four have been congratulated on their pre-Christmas staging of their concert to showcase their performance skills after a term of whole class lessons on the violin, viola or cello.
Mrs Price, their teacher from the Notts’ ‘Inspire’ support team, was particularly impressed with the progress that the children had made in just a few weeks.
That event wasn’t the only one in the run up to the festive break and two very successful Christmas concerts were staged.
Headmaster Mark Brumwell said the performances were a real success, with the children singing and reading beautifully in the very festive setting of St Michael’s Church.
“I’d also like to say another huge ‘well done’ to all of the children and staff from Reception and Key Stage 1, following on from their super production of ‘ The Magical Christmas Jigsaw’.”
The headmaster also gave thanks to the PTA and the many volunteers who organised refreshments at each event, and also the very successful Christmas fair they had held in school before the festive break.
Normanton on Soar Heather Herrington 01509 646240 heather.herrington@live.com
PARISH COUNCIL The following are extracts of interest from the minutes of the Normanton on Soar Parish Council meeting held on 7 December 2017.
The full minutes can be viewed on the village website www.normanton-on-soar.co. uk, on the village notice board or on application to the clerk to the council.
It was agreed to explore the purchase of a vandal-proof picnic bench.
A resurfacing request for Far Lane had been submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council. It had been confirmed that Far Lane was on the Candidate List for the Capital Programme but there was no defined term.
The issue of parking outside the primary school was discussed. The parish council had asked PC Carlile to add a visit to the police morning school patrols. The Enforcement Team would also be contacted and asked to visit the village at dropping off and collection times. A request would also be made to Nottinghamshire County Council about the provision of double yellow lines.
Information on the revitalised Key Individual Network programme was circulated. The scheme was intended to identify people with a good knowledge of and relationship with their community who would be willing to work with the police to help improve safety:
A request by the Parish Council for the drains along Main Street to be inspected and any appropriate work to be carried out was with Notts County Council’s contract officer – an update had been requested.
Leicestershire County Council would be felling a number of willow trees on the A6 in Hathern due to their deteriorating health. The trees would be replanted.
A “Picnic in the Park” event would be held in the village hall and playing field on 18 August 2018.
A problem with moles in the playing field was reported. Traps would be placed around the field.
The glass in the parish noticeboard at the entrance to the playing field needed replacing.
The cherry tree on Moor Lane would be pruned.
The authorities would be asked to check whether all the appropriate licenses were in place for the Paradise Club.
ST JAMES CHURCH. There will be a service of Holy Communion on Sunday, January 28, starting at 9.30am. Everyone is welcome to the service.
Kegworth Mike Elliott 0115 937 6506 elliottnews@btconnect.com
IMPACT OF ONE KEGWORTH. The successful One Kegworth group report for last year confirms their aim to exist to create a greater community spirit and to improve the profile of the village, villagers and all its residents, local businesses, schools and the University.
“The impact we are trying to achieve is to bring the diverse Community Together as One and to give the Kegworth community the sense of a single community,” they say, adding they want to show, by example, that joint activity has a greater effect than the sum of its parts. “We Wanted Kegworth to have the confidence to believe anything is possible with the goodwill of the community.”
The report went on: “Our stakeholders offered their support and want us to succeed and keep it sustainable- and for it to continue to live well into future years!!”
Changing the name last year to ONE KEGWORTH has allowed them to become more sustainable and gave them greater freedom to spread their wings over the seasons, says the report which explained their aims in the short team had been to organise and create as much participation as possible by finding a formula and to build on success of 2016 to create a greater sense of a stronger community of Kegworth.
“Reintroduce ourselves to each other and our growing population by raising the profile of Kegworth. The events are targeted at being inclusive; the young, elderly and families. If you live or work here you are welcome and part of this community,” the report adds.
Long term aims are to showcase village resources that people were previously unaware of and to create a series of events over the year that allows people to explore all they have to offer and to allow people the opportunity to try new things and to join the clubs, organisations and most importantly to have fun. “To maximise the Legacy of Groups working together for the future” is another aim.
Looking back on the subject of activities from the outset, they look at the activities they did carry out to achieve their aims and gathering feedback from 2016 events and build on the winning formula.
They seek to build the profile and bandwidth of independent voluntary steering group made up of local students and business professionals, adding that the skills and talents were there already, and it was a matter of encouraging the village to continue to come out to play together.
The central organisation was facilitated by seeking permissions for the use of the public spaces, providing car parking, toilets, stewards, signage, publicity, raising sponsorship, inviting and encouraging and informing participants.
With the generosity of participants and sponsors, both monetarily and in kind, the 2017 programme of events unfolded. This ranged from the Christmas Market with over 500 attending; Abba Sensation Tribute Night (sell out); Easter Charter Market – passed on to One Kegworth from the Kegworth Village Association and Museum, the Duck Race so nostalgically remembered (over 1000 ducks sold) to the main Event of the Summer. Free Family Fun day and Food Festival. Over 5000 people visited over 80 stalls and 6 performances, a Dog Show along with fairground rides and an organ on SideLey Park; Celidh and hog roast, focusing on students, sold out with over 120 attending.
The report said the number of people, businesses and groups involved in the events over the last 12 months is a testament to how ONE KEGWORTH has galvanised the community; a wide range of activities means there is something for everyone. All sections of the diverse community have worked together to create a mutual respect through the village.
The major change that has been witnessed by the One Kegworth team is the regeneration of the SideLey Rec to SideLey Park.
Feedback in 2016 was lots of times “How big and lovely the recreation ground is” and “How good it was to see it used as it should”. This came from all quarters including long-term residents and those new to the village.
As a result of the ONE Weekend Event held on SideLey Park in 2016, the Parish Council set about forming a working party in order to bring about improvements to the Park. Two members of the ONE Event team further volunteered as part of this working party. “By July last year , £74,000 worth of improvements have been carried out to the Park which benefits the whole community and makes the revived space a Park for all to enjoy. Had it not have been for the ONE Event in 2016, it is probably the case that these improvement works wouldn’t have taken place in the way that they have or within the timescale, as the majority of works needed to have been completed before the ONE Event in June 2017.
Effects reported include: Substantial donations, expanded education, improved community engagement, new recruits and volunteers to Clubs and Charities, quantifiable local business growth, quality outreach, 2 way feedback, mutual awareness and support, increased networking. So yes impact has been achieved and much more than anyone dreamed possible.
“Sponsors, groups and individuals have already registered their support for future years. A growing number of requests for future guidance and ideas has been already received.”
Commenting on the success they have achieved, the group’s report closes: “We wanted but could not have hoped for so much positivity across the board- the genie is well and truly out of the bottle!”
SPECIAL CELEBRITY. There are still a few tickets left for the Kegworth and District Garden Club “special celebrity” evening on Friday March 9, when the speaker will be Christine Walkden.
She was a very popular speaker last time she was in Kegworth and this year her subject will be “Glorious gardens from above” - this is based on a television series she did three years ago.
Tickets are selling fast, they are £10 and can be purchased either from Fredericka’s Flowers in Kegworth or via Paula Wood who can be contacted on 01509673274.
Paula says it has been suggested all tickets have sold but there are in fact just a few left.
OLD HAT JAZZ BAND. The Old Hat Jazz Band are in concert at Kegworth Village Hall. Presented by Live & Local and Kegworth Plan Group, the band will be live in Kegworth on Thursday, February 22, 7.30pm
A group of some of the finest young musical talents Britain has to offer, Old Hat Jazz Band bring huge amounts of style and panache to a treasure trove of quintessential 1920s and ‘30s jazz classics. Old jazz remade with real verve.
Old Hat Jazz Band plays swinging favourites and rarities from the 1920s and 30s all in the spirit of the day: with youthful vitality and brimming with enthusiasm.
Tickets all £ 9.50 from 01509 673138 or from Picture This on Dragwell, Kegworth.
COMMUNITY LIBRARY. If you’re up with the early birds to read this then you may have time to get on down to the library for bingo - today 24th January 24, eyes down 2.15pm.
We are pleased that this is proving to be so popular, if you’ve missed it today then mark your calendar for the next session on Wednesday 7th February. That’s going to be a bit of a special one….
In the meantime, next Wednesday, January 31, there is another meeting of our singing for fun group, EmbarrasSING at 7pm. Just £2 for a really enjoyable evening. If you haven’t been along yet then come on – it doesn’t matter if you can’t sing and you may be surprised to find that actually you can !
We have all the official information on local developments in the library. So, if reading about the bypass, Roxhill and HS2 is your kind of thing then come and have a look.
And if you can find anything that explains why the traffic in the village is so bad then please let us know !
Rempstone
VILLAGE HALL QUIZ. The popular Rempstone Village Hall Quiz will take place on Saturday this weekend, January 27, at 7.30pm.
Tickets will cost £10 and include a buffet supper. There will be a licensed bar and a raffle.
To book and confirm your team (max of 8 adults per team), either call Barbara Mee on 07758 464515 or email Rempstone_vh@hotmail.co.uk.