East Leake Mike
HOLIDAY CLUB. The popular Holiday Club held each year by East Leake St Marys Parish Church is a non-starter this year, having been called off because of the national UK situation of the coronavirus pandemic.
Making the announcement of the cancellation, the Rev Tim Parker says in consultation with the diocese, they are unfortunately having to postpone the holiday club this year.
“One of the main reasons for this is that, outside of food preparation areas, we only have one small sink in the building available for hand washing so this means we do not have the capacity to host 50 children, plus volunteers, for this type of high intensity event.”
The Rev Tim has offered a Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help, and says they we look forward to being ‘back on air’ next year.
VILLAGE CRISIS RESPONSE GROUP. East Leake’s Coronavirus Crisis Response volunteer group, a Community Hub registered with Rushcliffe Borough council is a relief effort engaging Emergency Volunteers. ELCR is working closely with East Leake Parish Council, East Leake Community Care and the ‘ The Tomorrow Project’.
A number of tasks are being undertaken by the group as they continue their work within the community to support local people who cannot get their prescriptions, shopping or some other pressing need,
A spokesman for the group says they are working out of the Village Hall on Main Street and give out a message to all residents that if they need any sort of help during the current coronavirus pandemic, then contact them.” This can be done by contacting the group by email at info@elcr.org.uk or by telephone by calling Martin on 07909 563 531.
“Best of all we would like you to complete the online request form which will allow us to assess your needs and put in place a strategy to assist you in any way we can. If you cannot complete the form then please email us using the email,” Finally if you are unable to either fill out the form or to send an email then you can contact us by telephone.”
The group organise the food bank in the village hall and if there is anyone needing help from it contact the group in the various ways possible.
Every household in the village has received a leaflet issued by the group in which they outline the way they can offer help.
VILLAGE EVENTS BOARD.
Village event organisers in East Leake are being reminded they can give details of what they are hoping to organise after the coronavirus situation goes to parish councillor Mel Roper at the Village Greengrocer shop on Main Street so they can be displayed on the Village Events board sited at the shop.
Mel asks for organisers to please keep them informed of any village events that might be planned even though at present no-one really knows when they might start to appear on the diary programme again.
SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP.
In light of COVID-19, the Rushcliffe Event Safety Advisory Group (SAG) have advised that all events due to take place in the Borough within the next 12 weeks are cancelled, postponed or delivered by another means such as using a digital platform.
The Borough statement echoes one from East Leake involving a wide range of activities that were planned to be held both now and later in the year.
The borough statement says their statement includes all sporting, cultural and religious gatherings in line with current government guidelines on social distancing and to protect the capacity of public services up to the end of June 2020, adding that the approach should be maintained throughout their area until further advice is issued.
Rushciffe say event promoters should operate responsibly in this unprecedented situation and take appropriate action in response to the advice they are giving. A spokesman for them says: “The Rushcliffe SAG is working closely with partners, businesses and community groups to keep all relevant parties informed and supported as necessary.”
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.
Although the Women’s Institute branch in East Leake – like all other WIs UK wide - cannot currently hold its monthly meeting because of the pandemic situation, it will be operating as soon as it can once the current position is over.
In a message they say anyone new to the village or even been a resident for a while and put out an invitation to come along as a visitor, once they are back in action,.
The Institute promise that anyone visiting a meeting will enjoy a pleasant evening, be able to join in and find out more about what the Institute does. “We offer a warm welcome to a range of events and activities with fun and friendship,” is the message from the Institute.
CRICKET CLUB FIXTURES.
East Leake cricket club’s 2020 season – if in fact it ever gets off the ground – will look totally different to what it originally expected.
The club are long standing members of the Gunn and Moore South Notts cricket league and were due to start their season four weeks ago, but because of the coronavirus pandemic situation throughout the UK this has not been possible and now the original fixture list produced for them will see dramatic changes.
A spokesman for the league says fixtures for 2020 have now been removed from their website. “It is obvious that the full season will not take place and therefore the published fixtures are not relevant. If something resembling the normality returns then a shortened season would be the only option. If this is possible we will attempt to publish new fixtures in time for clubs, groundsman, umpires and players to prepare.”
The League statement ended:” The management committee are aware of the financial impact that any cricket will have on clubs and also the benefits it may bring. We are working to serve you as best we can. Please stay safe and where possible stay home”
CHURCH LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE. As part of responding well to the COVID-19 epidemic, the parish church of St Mary’s at East Leake launched a new website ahead of schedule in order to be better able to communicate and offer streamed and other digital content and have been praised for their initiative.
However, the bigger task before us is seeking not just to endure these dark times, but to flourish in them, says the Rev Tim Paker.
“As Christians, we should not be surprised to wake up and find ourselves living, working and worshipping in a world of death. This has never not been the case. It is why God sent a saviour in Jesus Christ! And these dark times, in some ways, only serve to magnify his light and help us love each other better: because of the gospel, I need not be afraid to live in a world of death for I know the Lord of Life. So suffering, grief and death - they can only serve to bring us closer to him.
And this good news not only serves to comfort us but to liberate us. If Jesus is my saviour (rather than bulk-bought pasta and carefully rationed loo roll) then not only will I be better able to cope with the realities that are ahead, but I will be able to face them with a generosity, love and humanity that all the world needs at this time. Exodus Series.”
The Rev Tim says that over the coming weeks, this website will seek to equip them for doing that, even if they are not able to get to church.