Village news
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East Leake Mike Elliott 0115 937 6506 elliottnews@btconnect.com
MAUNDY SERVICE. There will be a special Maundy Thursday service at East Leake St Mary’s Parish Church tomorrow, Thursday March 29. It will start at 7.30pm. at St Mary’s, East Leake, and will be a service of Holy Communion with optional foot washing.
SERVICE FOR JOHN CURSHAM. The funeral has taken place at East Leake St Mary’s parish church of former parish council chairman Mr John Cursham. The church was full to capacity with many extra seats being provided.
Prior to the service at East Leake, the family had laid John to rest in the Churchyard of Sutton Bonington St Anne’s Church alongside his wife, Jennifer, who died some time ago.
The service at East Leake was conducted by Associate Priest the Rev Mary Essex standing in for the Rev Tim Parker who was indisposed for personal reason.
Mr Cursham was a parish councillor for many years, and served six terms of office as chairman.
During the service four grand-children together read out a Poem by Rudyard Kipling.
Afterwards those attending the service were invited to Home Farm House for tea.
The retiring collection has been divided between Prostrate Cancer UK, St Mary’s parish church East Leake and St Anne’s Church at Sutton Bonington.
During the service the congregation were told of the keen interest and love Mr Cursham had for butterflies and moths and it was a fitting coincident that throughout the afternoon there was a Red Admiral butterfly fluttering around inside the church while the service went on.
GYSPUM HELP FOR REST GARDEN. East Leake’s Rest Garden has been given some attention by local, firm British Gypsum who as well as donating a rock to be put on the Garden site – it is now in place – have also organized for the path there to be surfaced by their contractor. A ceremony will be held to unveil the rock.
CRIME REPORT. There were seven reported crimes in East Leake last month, says Rushcliffe South Police Beat Manager Pc Kelly Carlile.
The first of the offences was during the night on the 4th when unknown suspects damaged the Green Keepers hut at the Rushcliffe Golf course. On the 12th three men broke into a garage on Roulstone Drive at around 9.45am but nothing was stolen.
And on the same day damage was caused to a window on Ryeholme Close by unknown person, and believed to be by a pellet gun.
Unknown suspects stole £120 worth of spirits from the Co-op shop in the village and made off without making any attempt to pay.
On the 22nd unknown suspects entered the quarry and stolen cables from the site and on the same date a car was scratched whilst parked in the carpark on Gotham Road.
A male suspect entered the Co-op shop on the 24th and stole meat and left without making payment, but was stopped by the door and items retrieved.
HANDS OF FRIENDSHIPS. Hands of Friendship visit for members of East Leake St Mary’s church and others in the benefice for the annual Willersley Weekend, last month again a success and was an opportunity for people to get together in a lovely setting to enjoy each other’s company, take part in many different activities, go for walks, explore local attractions or simply sit back and relax, with, of course, plenty of the usual good food.
The weekend event began with the opening theme focussed on the subject of friendship, involving card “hands” were given to each person to write on the fingers words that meant the most to them about friendship.
Later the ‘hands’ were hung along one wall of the room to give everyone an opportunity to read other people’s ideas and reflect on the variety of values that were important to them. There were many very interesting thoughts shared and quite a few people commented on how their ideas about friendship had been enriched by the shared experience.
A survey of the values revealed the most important to be kindness, caring sympathy, compassion, fun laughter and happiness, loyalty, a listening ear, support encouragement and help, shared love, trust and honesty, closely followed by hugs, a smile and a hand to hold. Tolerance, patience and understanding, together with respect and honesty, were also mentioned along with many other thought provoking contributions.
The weekend itself showed how friendship is vital to everyone, as those attending shared the usual annual Willersley experience, enjoying each other’s company and making the most of a delightful winter break.
WI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. The March meeting for East Leake WI was a celebration for their 90th birthday anniversary and included a very timely and interesting talk by Anne Barnes, speaking to members about life in the 1950s and 1960s—with this followed by delicious cakes and savouries being handed out to those attending.
Members are looking forward to seeing the 90 bulbs they have planted in the village Rest Garden, with the snowdrops are already flowering.
Two new members joined at the meeting and the Institute are were delighted to welcome them to the fold
The next meeting is on Tuesday, April 10, at 7.15pm in the village hall on Main Street, East Leake. After a brief AGM, Anne Halsey will talk about the work of the Baldwin Trust, which provides canal trips in Leicestershire for those with special needs.
During this month the Institute are also having a celebration meal at Rushcliffe Golf Club, a pub lunch, a chance to hear the Hathern Band performing for the Soar Valley Group of WIs and two craft sessions and invite everyone to join them.
Long Standing member – she joined in the 1950’s -Eileen Hayes was at the 90th year meeting and cut the celebration cake at the start of the evening.
Members have been reminded that it was a group of 33 women from the village who gathered together to with the idea of forming a local branch of the newly established national WI movement.
The first meeting of the new Institute was on 13th March 1928 and the first president was Mrs Elizabeth Tutin of East Leake Hall – itself demolished about ten years ago.
She remained in office until 1945 when she was succeeded by her daughter, Miss Margaret Tutin, who was then President for the next sixteen years. The family name is still remembered well in the village, Tutin Court sheltered housing complex there being names after them. Ever since then the Women’s Institute have held a meeting in East Leake on the second Tuesday of the month. The branch grew and grew until by 1936 East Leake WI had 139 members and was at that time one of the largest in Nottinghamshire.
The early meetings were a combination of lectures and craft demonstrations with social events such as whist drives. Outings to Skegness were organised for the many members who had never seen the sea.
The idea of acquiring a proper village hall in East Leake came from the WI, who in conjunction with other village organisations, such as the football club, raised the money to buy the land on which the present hall stands, at a cost of £85 in 1931. By 1935 the hall was completed.
The WI was particularly active during the second world war. In 1941 a jam centre was set up in the village hall which in 1942 produced 5 cwts of jam and 600 cans of fruit.
Members grew and collected herbs, planted potatoes and a pig club was formed. Members knitted and sewed for the war effort – in 1940 203 pairs of socks, 32 scarves, 20 pairs of slippers and 37 hats were produced. Fund raising continued and donations were made to the ambulance fund, the Troops Fund, the Nottinghamshire Prisoner of War fund, the Merchant Seamen’s Association and the Farmers’ Agricultural Red Cross. The potatoes grown were given to the General Hospital in Nottingham.
GYPSUM STACK REPLACEMENT. Plans by British Gypsum for their works on Gotham Road for the erection of a 25m high exhaust stack to replace existing stack as part of a project to provide an upgrade to a plasterboard dryer was supported by parish councils at East Leake and there were no objections to it.
FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. The date has been announced for this years’ East Leake Parish Meeting, as Wednesday April 18. The meeting will receive reports from, the committees of the council as well as giving opportunity to residents to raise any matters concerning the parish.
PHYSIO PLANS. Rushcliffe Borough Council have approved plans Active Physio Limited, 11 Gotham Road, East Leake, for a change of use from Physiotherapist to coffee house/delicatessen for the sale of produce and beverages (including alcohol) for consumption both on and off the premises.
FELLOWSHIP OPEN TO EVERYONE. The weekly Fellowship Groups in people’s homes in East Leake are open to everyone in the Benefice. The groups meet for a friendly chat --with tea and coffee-prayers, discussion on Bible topics, etc
If you would like to come to one of the groups, please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the leader of that group, says Sue Shaw, a Recognised Lay Minister, who can be contacted on 01509 820252.
Dates and venues are: each Tuesday 2pm. at 1 Firth Close, each Tuesday 7.30 p.m. at 69 Sycamore Road
Each Wednesday 8pm. at 4 Birch Lea and each Thursday 2pm. at 4 Hollis Meadow
FREE ACCESS FOR SPORTING STARS. East Leake Leisure Centre is one of five in Rushcliffe offering free leisure centre access to help the Borough national sporting stars
Athletes based in Rushcliffe have praised a Borough Council scheme which provides free access to its leisure centres to help them compete at national level.
In conjunction with Parkwood Leisure who operate four of the council’s sites, eligible residents are part of the Free Access to National Sportspeople (FANS) scheme.
It aims to help them reach their full potential by reducing the financial burden of training costs.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Coun Debbie Mason said: “Great sport is one of our cornerstones here in Rushcliffe and so many athletes from across the borough competing on a national level highlights just why.
“It’s very pleasing to offer them facilities free of charge that allows much needed savings on their training costs.
“In many sports the entrance fees and travel costs to competitions alone can be significant so with this support we hope it will assist them maintain and reach new heights in their respective careers with access to our leisure centres.”
Luke Colaluca General manager of Parkwood Leisure sites in Rushcliffe said: “It’s great to be able to support local athletes in this way and make a positive impact on their training ahead of flying the flag for Rushcliffe in national and international events.”
To qualify for the scheme, athletes must be a current national sportsperson where ‘national’ is deemed as someone who represents their country or is a member of the national team or listed in the top ten of the national age group in their chosen sport.
They can use any of the centres at Bingham, Cotgrave, East Leake, Keyworth and Rushcliffe Arena.
For more information visit www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/ eliteathletes
IN MARY SUMNER’S FOOTSTEPS. Members of East Leake Mothers’ Union have introduced a general theme for meetings during 2018 - ‘In Mary Sumner’s Footsteps’.
It was Mary Sumner who started the Mothers’ Union in 1876, and at the Branch Meeting this month Pauline Wainwright spoke to members about Mary Sumner’s life and work, and how today they may continue to build on her foundation.
Mary Elizabeth Sumner, the founder of the organisation and a mother of three, was all too aware of the burdens and responsibilities of parenting, and of the feelings of inadequacy that could swamp young mothers.
In 1876 when her daughter Margaret, had her first child, Mary took the initial steps in founding a society for the support of women in their role as mothers. Mary recognised that good parenting was more than providing for the physical needs of the child and she believed that the primary responsibility was to raise children in the love of God.
Two years later the Central Council of Mothers’ Union was formed, and the first Central Constitution was agreed unifying members across dioceses into a national union with Mary Sumner as president. Members agreed objectives and a central vision that marriage, parenting and prayer were key to the future of families.
In 1900 Mary’s connections within the Anglican Communion led to Mothers’ Union branches quickly being established in Wales, many places in England, followed by branches overseas in Dublin, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada, India and Madagascar with the organisation having nearly 170,000 members.
The years following the death of Mothers’ Union’s first patron, Queen Victoria, saw a dramatic increase in membership. New countries invited speakers and provincial Mothers’ Unions were established in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
In the early 20th Century there was an increase in the sphere of influence of Mothers’ Union and in the years up to World War II Mothers’ Union gave evidence to the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce, campaigned to raise the minimum age of marriage for women to 16 years of age, gave evidence to the Government on abortion and sent a deputation to the Board of Education on religious education.
Worldwide membership growth continued in 1936 and publications such as Families First brought members an awareness of the needs of families in developing countries. The Diamond Jubilee provided the impetus for the first funds granted for support and development work overseas.
In the 1960s and 1970s, modernising and remaining relevant to members saw new initiatives. New programmes were set up to meet the needs of the times and ‘Away From It All Holidays’ were established so that members could provide holidays for families who would otherwise never have the opportunity.
The late 20th Century saw the rapidly changing face of society bringing great changes within the Anglican Church and therefore to members of Mothers’ Union. New issues, such as the ordination of women, homosexuality, increased awareness of acute poverty in the developing world and global responsibilities to address the inequalities within both developed and developing world societies all became issues where Mothers’ Union members wanted to witness and answer God’s call within their sphere of ministry.
By 2016 Mothers’ Union’s range and depth of work far exceeded Mary Sumner’s original vision of a circle of prayer upholding family life. It now has four million members in 83 countries and this year the organisation will celebrate its 140th anniversary. PRIMARY PUPILS’ PICTURE TILES. Colour picture tiles produced by children from Gotham Primary School – they were as a result of a community arts week programme involving the East Midlands Airport During have been put up in a permanent display in departures area at the airport.
SCOUT GROUP JUBILEE. The 1st Gotham Scout Group is this year celebrating its Jubilee Year, having been formed in February 1958.
The Group continues to be a popular provision for children and young people from the village and the surroundings area as well. . It has four sections – Beavers, Cubs, Scout and Explorers and the winning entry in a badge competition staged for all members is being produced so that can be used on the uniforms of all the members.
One of the celebrations for the special year is to stage a whole group camp planned, with all four sections going on a weekend camp!
Group Scout Leader Mark Howard says this is something they are really looking forward to, especially as it’s been 10 years since our last one when they were celebrating their 50th year of existence.
The next community event is The Pudding Club, due to take place on Friday April 27th, and the group are also planning to release their own cookbook with super recipes from many contributors, including Scout members, supporters and a couple of celebrities! This be on sale and will make a great addition to any bookshelf.
Mark says a Diamond anniversary is an amazing achievement and they hope to see these events once again being supported by the village in the same brilliant way it has in the past.
EARLY MORNING SERVICE. Early morning risers from bed in Gotham on Easter Sunday are being in invited to a 6.30am service at the renowned Village Pump next to the parish church.
Worshippers from churches in the village will be attending the Sunrise Service
The short service will be followed by breakfast in Church. You will be made very welcome.
As in previous years a request has gone out for donations of Easter Eggs. They will take them to the residents of Wollaton Care Home. This has been a huge success in previous years and the residents really appreciate receiving them. So, if you can donate an egg please leave it in your local Church before Easter Sunday or bring it to Gotham Church at 11am on Easter Sunday itself. “If you’re on a diet then we could be saving you from yourself!” is the message from the churches.
Hathern
CHARITY COFFEE MORNING. There is a coffee morning on April 14th in Hathern at the Three Crowns it will be from 11am-2pm.
It is being held in memory of Jane Davies and her brother Kevin Clayton who both passed away from the lung disease called Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
This event is to raise money for more research into this disease.
The only cure is a lung transplant.