East Leake
ST MARY’S OPEN FOR PERSONAL PRAYER. With the new limited re-opening of church buildings being allowed following the latest government guidance East Leake St Mary’s Church is open for personal prayer and reflection. It is understood provision for funerals in churches may also be possible soon.
Despite the headlines, the guidance itself is still quite restrictive and many churches will only be able to open for short periods, if at all, due to the cleaning and supervision protocols currently required.
In the case of St Mary’s, from Sunday this last weekend, June 21, the church will be able to open the church for private prayer on Sundays 1pm-4pm and Wednesdays 1pmm - 4pm. Hand sanitiser points have already been installed and a simplified layout adopted to enable social distancing. Important areas of the guidance are still to be clarified, and it is expected that more detail will be available soon.
The Rector, the Rev Tim Parker is asking parishioners to please do pray, as buildings begin to reopen, for safety and the opportunity for ministry.
The St Mary’s youth groups are continuing to meet online.
However, the new rules about outside gatherings have enabled a few small socially distanced meetings to take place in the Rectory garden. Please continue to pray for our teenagers and youthwork.
An online service for the care home charity, MHA was held in the form, of a virtual service of reflection, memorial and appreciation for all those impacted by COVID-19.
Local resident Lucy as a member of the group wrote in a message that “As I’m sure you can imagine it’s been a pretty horrific 12 weeks here and this is an opportunity for all impacted by coronavirus to reflect on the experiences and share the stories of the last couple of months, as well as remembering those we have sadly lost during this time.”
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS. Village infrastructure issues that have proved difficult to resolve have dominated the work of East Leake Parish Council during the past year, according to chairman Coun Conrad Oatey.
The chairman’s report should have been presented to the annual parish meeting which had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis and lockdown
Cllr Oatey commented: “At the time of writing this report thoughts are on the challenges we all face with the Covid-19 epidemic. Life seems to have been turned upside down. Such circumstances perhaps cause us to long for normality, when nothing much happens and life goes on.......”
According to the chairman: ” The 2019/20 year has been a challenging year for your new Council, as it has been dominated by infrastructure issues which have proved difficult to resolve.”
The issues include flooding and sewage, the proposed new village health centre, ideas for making the village centre more pedestrianfriendly and less dominated by traffic and an issue with the children’s playground,
As for the flooding and sewage Coun Oatey explained: “The exceptionally wet autumn brought several floods to East Leake. Whilst we were more fortunate that many communities, the most worrying aspect was the regular overflow of sewage, both from the pumping station in the centre of the village and through manholes in various roads.
“After years of challenge, Severn Trent has finally accepted that there is a problem. We don’t know what the solution will be, but it is likely to take some years to be delivered.”
A project plan and a business case have been made for a new Health Centre. Coun Oatey said:” Involvement of our new MP Ruth Edwards even got an adjournment debate on the subject at Westminster. When the project happens, and if it encompasses the services planned - health, social care, library, Rushcliffe Service Point, Police Service Point - the parish council may decide to move, to get all the services in one place.
According to the chairman: “The only thing needed to move forwards is grant money. In the current pandemic when funds are needed to help individuals and businesses, as well as the NHS, I fear that money for our health centre will slip down the priority list again.”
Through the Growth Board the parish council commissioned some work to review ways in which the village centre could be made more pedestrian-friendly and less dominated by traffic. Highways undertook the work, but the results (which we have yet to receive officially) appear to be disappointing. We may gain another pedestrian crossing, but we wait and see!”
Families and the parish council have expressed ‘frustrations’ about the failure of the surface of the children’s playground. Coun Oatey commented: ”we are very conscious that this is a major frustration for many families, as it is to us. Unfortunately there is no easy (and economical) way to resolve the situation. We are currently taking legal advice on whether we can claim the significant costs of repair from the original contractors.”
However, Coun Oatey also commented positively: “There are a number of things which have started and should bare fruit in the coming years”
The council’s tree wardens are exploring ways in which many more trees may enhance the village, and help combat climate change. A start has been made on the Oldershaw Trust land, and other opportunities are being researched.
In the near future the parish council will seek planning permission for a car park on the derelict land opposite the Costock Road Playing Fields. Cllr. Oatey commented:” If approved, construction could start as soon as this pandemic permits. It would finally address the parking hazards on Costock Road on football match days.”
According to Coun Oatey, the parish council has agreed to fund additional hours for the council clerk to project manage the work necessary to agree a building design, obtain costings and progress grant funding through the Football Foundation and other bodies for a new Costock Road Sports Pavilion. The project is a joint venture between the Playing Field Charity, members of the community and the Parish Council.
Coun Oatey commented: “Good progress has been made. The original building design, which was granted planning permission, would be too costly to construct with the likely funding, so a modified design has now been agreed. This provides a lower initial cost but retains the flexibility to expand at a future date.”
In his conclusion the chairman said: “I am very grateful for our staff who undertake all the day-to-day tasks which can never feature in a report such as this: Neil and Sue in the office, and Steve and Adey outdoors.”
DARE T-SHIRTS. East Leake’s Lantern Lane school have thanked the village parish council for again supporting them with finance towards the Year 6 DARE graduation T-shirts, being worn by the youngsters.
ROSA PRICE. The funeral has taken place of a ‘no nonsense’ former teacher Mrs Rosa Price from East Leake who has died at the age of 88.
The funeral at East Leake Burial Ground was conducted by the Rector, the Rev Tim Parker.
Mrs Price was educated at St Cecilia’s Girls School and St Albert’s Convent School in Hinckley where she met her life-long friend of 78 years, Margaret Evans, who was later to be her bridesmaid.
In 1950 she started a teacher training course at the Nottinghamshire County Training College at Eaton Hall in Retford and graduated in 1952. While at college she met her future husband, Philip, at a Young Farmers Ball.
She obtained her first teaching post at Lantern Lane Primary School in East Leake, and lived with Gladys, Philip’s eldest sister.
She and her husband Philip moved to a bungalow on West Leake Road in 1955 and this became their lifetime home.
They both supported local groups including TocH and the 2nd East Leake Scouts and Mrs Price joined the local amateur dramatics group often appearing on stage at Stanford Hall Theatre.
The couple had two children Anne and Sam and after maternity leave Mrs Price returned to teaching at Brookside School in East Leake and was one of the first teachers to go into the new school building in 1968.
Long time friend Mr Andrew Clarke, in the funeral address, said her style of teaching was no-nonsense. “She set high standards for her pupils and expected good behavior. Many hundreds of lives were impacted by her and all would come to respect the commitment she showed to her profession and the children she taught until she retired in the mid 1980s,” he added.
A former pupil Sophy Young said: ‘Mrs Price was my second ever teacher and has always been present in my memories. She was really old fashioned and quite strict but had a real twinkle in her eye. Without realising it she has been an inspiration for the kind of teacher I have become. She had firm guidelines but an absolute heart for those in front of her. She also had the best laugh and when it came it filled the room.”
Keen supporters of traction engine rallies the couple made many friends up and down the country travelling the Bruder Fair Organ for 20 years and subsequently showing vintage tractors and classic cars. They were involved in village life at West Leake, supporting the Young Farmers Club, St Helena’s church and village events.
“Their energy and enthusiasm ensured that a major fundraising campaign to overhaul the church organ at St. Helena’s was a huge success. Raising funds is no easy task, but their determination shone through.
They supported the church in every way they could,” added Mr Clarke.
Mrs Price suffered a major stroke in early May and was taken to Nottingham City Hospital where she passed away on May 21.
MP APPOINTMENT. Already a well-known visitor to East Leake to follow up a number of problems including flooding and the need for a new health centre, new Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards has become the Parliamentary Private Secretary PPS to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack.
Says Ruth: “This unpaid promotion means I become the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Secretary of State in parliament and liaise with MPs on his behalf.
“It’s certainly a great honour and a bit of a surprise so early in my parliamentary career but it means I can learn first-hand about how a government department works and this will be of real benefit in my work representing Rushcliffe.
“Be assured that, while I will be learning a great deal, the position will not impact on my work in Rushcliffe or the promises I have made to residents to be their champion.”
DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP. All organisations continue to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic situation and have to accept not being able to operate in the way they were used to.
The East Leake and District Diabetes Support Group are among those affected, with Diabetes UK having advised the cancellation of all Support Group meetings until further notice during the current position.
The local group say they will ensure information is made available as soon as the restrictions are lifted.
THANKS FROM MEL ROPER. Recently retired East Leake parish councils Amenities committer leader Coun. Mel Roper has given a warm message of thanks to ensure those residents who play a part in keeping the village looking tidy.
In her annual report for the Amenities Committee -giving it as the then chairman -- she expressed thanks to all the volunteers on The Tidy Team who she described as a great bunch of residents who regularly get together to litter pick, sweep, clean and weed when required to keep our village tidy.
The report continued: “I’d also like to thank all those who run Community Care, various talks, coffee mornings and other community gatherings around the village – providing help, support and vital social environments for those who don’t get out of the village, to enable them to make friends and develop new skills and interests – these can be a lifeline to some people and are a valuable asset to our community.”
Coun Roper also reminded residents to report problems or issues around the village She concluded:” We don’t always spot everything, come to us with ideas, get involved
– we are in this together and we all want East Leake to be the best it can be!”
NO WORKING PARTIES. Unsurprisingly all working parties at East Leake‘s Meadow Park have been cancelled until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic situation.
Park press officer Brenda Lewis says one of their members volunteers for the Wildlife Trust and their policy is that as Covid19 is a notifiable virus then a full risk assessment is required before any activity can commence an describes this as a very sensible approach. And the Thursday afternoon walker sessions have also been cancelled until further notice.
Brenda, in giving thanks to everyone who supports them, says it has been lovely to see so many people in the park during lockdown. “We have a great resource on our doorstep. It would be nice if the increased footfall could lead to an increased membership. If you know anyone who would like to join forms are available at Mel’s greengrocery shop at the T junction in the village, or on line”.
CHRISTIAN AID. The superb result of 2019 Christian Aid efforts UK wide – including East Leake --are likely to suffer tremendous difficulties this year because of the coronavirus pandemic problems countrywide.
This year’s special Christian Aid Week in the middle of last month ended without any of the usual special activities aimed at raising funds
Normally various events are held, and collecting elections taken round door to door in large areas of the village. But this year that has been lost because of the national situation.
Local Christian Aid active worker Judith James says the organisation works in 37 countries, in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
“Christian Aid works with local partners and communities to fight injustice, respond to humanitarian emergencies, campaign for change, and help people claim the rights and services they are entitled to. It aims to end poverty and injustice worldwide by focussing on 7 key areas, with this involving working in partnership with local organisations, as well as with governments and the private sector.”
In 2019 Christian Aid raised £7.5million during Christian Aid Week.
It gave 58,000 people access to well-built health clinics, helping nurses to save lives. It trained 64,000 people in hygiene practices. It gave 13,000 women the means to save, and pay for children’s education and transport to health clinics through community savings groups. “That’s just a few examples among many,” says Judith.
As with scores of charities, the East Leake effort this year for Christin Aid was hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the usual income of many hundreds of pounds was a none starter - but there is still a hope something will be possible to be achieved.
The pandemic caused any major effort for Christian Aid week earlier this year to be abandoned and with it the thoughts of being able to raise somewhere level to the figure of last year, in region of £3,000.
Judith had previously explained that last year the Christian Aid’s campaign was for climate and economic justice, with the aim being to be campaigning to equip vulnerable countries to adapt to climate change, and to address our overconsumption of, and reliance on, fossil fuels.
Judith told the Echo that people in the village could still make individual donations to the charity but it wasn’t possible to say what might have been achieved in that way.
There was a suggestion that one or two events might be held later in the year once the coronavirus threat is over but there seemed no way the overall Christian Aid week would be reinstated for this year.
LOOK BACK EAST LEAKE. Residents in East Leake were in January 2016 commenting on the possibility of fracking operations being introduced to the area.
A public meeting attracted about 80 people to it in the parish church and a second with an input from the anti-group Frack Free Nottinghamshire, was held the Three Horse Shoes public house.
The first meeting was called by the East Leake Plan Group - set up to produce the community plan which fed through to the neighbourhood plan – and the second meeting was held by Frack-free Nottingham and the Friends of the Earth.
Mr Brenda Lewis, one of the organisers on behalf of the Community Plan group, says at that meeting they were informed of the new licences which the government was giving to companies to explore for shale gas and oil.
“The villages covered by licence SK42 include East Leake, Costock, Bunny, West Leake and Gotham,” says Mrs Lewis.
Fracking itself involves drilling into the ground and injecting water and chemicals at high pressure to fracture rock and release gas.
Frack Free Nottinghamshire member Greg Hewitt has said that he understands a new document drawn up by Notts County Council has revealed ‘large resources’ of shale gas under several areas of the county including Rushcliffe, stretching to Upper Broughton.
The East Midlands Chamber of Commerce said it supported fracking, claiming that developing a viable local shale industry could have positive economic implications for both Nottinghamshire and the wider region in terms of inward investment, job creation and supply chain engagement, as well as having the potential to provide security of energy supply to major manufacturers