East Leake
POLICE INVESTIGATING CARS AT BURIAL GROUND.
Following reports of a growing number of cars and occupants congregating in part of East Leake, police have stepped up patrols.
The attention being given by the police to increase patrols involves the burial ground n West Leake Road following reports of cars congregating in an anti-social manner.
Nottinghamshire Police says vehicles have been gathering outside the Burial Ground in West Leake Road.on the western edge of the village.
The force says local officers in the Rushcliffe district have therefore started conducting more patrols in the area to stamp out the issue which has been plaguing the area for some time.
Rushcliffe Police said: “Local officers are aware of the ongoing issue with cars congregating at the burial ground and causing issues, so patrols have been increased.
“Please report any incidents on 101 in regards to this location or anywhere else you are concerned about.”
Parks and graveyards were closed to the public on March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, memorial gardens and burial grounds were allowed to reopen from April 22 in a policy change from the Government, after complaints that mourners could not visit their loved ones.
ST MARY’S PARISH CHURCH ARRANGEMENTS.
New arrangements have been announced for the partial re-opening of East Leake St Mary’s parish church during the current coronavirus pandemic situation.
Following Government guidance, the church can be opened for individual private prayer and the Rector, the Rev Tim Parker says the full government guidance for ‘individual prayer in places of worship’ has now been issued and, having reviewed its advice with the Standing Committee, thy will be able to unlock St Mary’s, and did so beginning this last Sunday afternoon.
The Rev Tim says the new guidance has required them to make some changes to their previous plans. “Firstly, we are asked not to open the church during times when services would normally take place. Secondly, we are also no longer required to have stewards on duty at all times.
“This means that we will be open slightly longer, but at different times to those previously advertised. Therefore, beginning this weekend, we will open the church for private prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays 1pm-4pm.”
Hand sanitiser points have already been installed and a simplified layout adopted to enable social distancing. “So that people sit in chairs that have not previously been used that day, we are using a ‘traffic light’ card system. Chairs with green cards are unused; visitors are then asked to turn the card over so others will know not to sit there.
“The government guidance is very clear that the new rules are intended only to permit personal prayer in church, and any form of social gathering is still prohibited. Please do ensure that we observe silence in the church and the area around the porch. The government guidance permits people to come into church with members of their own household but they are asked not to move the chairs as these have been spaced out in order to comply with the regulations,” adds the Rector.
In a further statement at the weekend, the Rev Tim said as part of the easing of lockdown measures, the Prime Minister has announced that church buildings will soon be permitted to open for services, including weddings.
He said: “The government guidance for this has not yet been published, so we do not know what it will mean in practice. Social distancing, a limit on numbers and no refreshments after the service look like they will be a requirement, and it is not known yet whether singing will be permitted as part of the service.
“We anticipate this being a gradual process, and will continue to broadcast our Digital Worship services, at least for the next few months, even after churches have begun to reopen.”
The Rev Tim says they anticipate being able to announce plans for re-opening sometime this coming weekend .
THANKS FROM MEL ROPER. Recently retired East Leake parish councils Amenities committer leader Coun. Mel Roper has given a warm message to 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.”
Ciun 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!”
GYPSUM’S HELP FOR BUNNY OLD WOOD. Staff from the British Gypsum works at East Leake have collaborated with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for many years but work over the past 12 months will really support nature’s recovery thanks to the transformation of a barren grassland area into a wildflower meadow adjacent to the charity’s Bunny Old Wood.
Since the 1930s 97 per cent of species-rich meadows have been lost and last year British Gypsum joined Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to help restore the UK’s dwindling wildflower habitat.
The company has worked with the Trust to transform the field next to Bunny Old Wood, close to British Gypsum’s head office. The creation of the 3.3-acre wildflower meadow is an exciting contribution to the establishment of a Nature Recovery Network for Nottinghamshire, by allowing the area to regenerate and attract wildflower species.
A Nature Recovery Network is a connected system of places important for wild plants and animals. It allows plants, animals, seeds, nutrients and water to move from place to place and enables the natural world to adapt to change.
It provides plants and animals with places to live, feed and breed. It can only do this effectively if, like our road network, it is treated as a joined-up whole.
Meadows are a brilliant habitat, supporting eight times more wildlife than mown grass. Rich in wildflowers, it will attract pollinators and other insects and act as a natural buffer to protect the ancient woodland habitat of Bunny Old Wood.
It will also provide food for birds and amphibians residing in the wood such as the natural hedges the British Gypsum Distribution Team helped to build – learning the ancient skill of hedge laying in the process. The wildflower seeds will also be a beneficial food source for the small mammals such as mice and voles that reside in the hedges and woodland.
Senior estates and minerals planner Jennifer Saunders stated: “The site is reaping the benefits and we were really pleased to see there were lots of species appearing already in our meadow at Bunny Wood last year– some of which may have been lying dormant for up to 20 years!
“Much more than just pretty flowers, meadows are unrivalled havens for wildlife, and we look forward to seeing what appears this year too as the species develop and we hope they can establish further afield in the network in the future.”
Jennifer continued: “All of us have a role to play and we are delighted we can get involved on a local landscape scale close to our place of work. Volunteering activity complements our corporate sponsorship which we are pleased to announce we have just renewed for another year,”
Ruth Grice of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said: “We hope that by working with British Gypsum, it not only provides a start for a meadow recovery network in Nottinghamshire but also inspires the staff to get involved at home too as studies have shown the benefits of living and working close to nature.”
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and British Gypsum have plans for further engagement in 2020 to enhance habitat restoration at Bunny Old Wood and to inspire others to do the same with advisory reports detailing current levels of biodiversity. These will then go on to provide advice for future improvements and monitor how well the site is improving for wildlife.
VILLAGE RAILWAY STATION. One hundred and twenty years ago this year East Leake railway station opened, and 50 years ago it closed.
It was on March 15, 1899 that the station opened to the public, being sited in the South side of Station Road. It was operated by the Great Central Railway company and ran
successfully for 70 years before closing its lines to passenger traffic on May 5, 1969, with the London Midland Region of British Railways then being the operator.
Older residents in the village often recall using the station, with its closure being the causes of lots of sad memories for them.
The station was built to the standard country station design with an island platform accessed from a covered stairway with an entrance below the road bridge. there was a small goods yard to the north of the station on the up side of the line.
TYPED LAKE INSTEAD OF LEAK AND WENT ON A GLOBAL TRIP. A simple mis-type for East Leake parish church members as they were intending to enter the on-line services for St Mary’s Parish Church during the coronavirus pandemic took them round the world to either the a church organisation in the USA or a golf club in the same country.
Instead of typing in ‘East Leake’ a mistake that took them into ‘East Lake’ brings up the unexpected result.
East Lake Church is a network of churches and locations meeting in Chula Vista, CA, Imperial Beach, CA, Playas de Tijuana, Mexico, Zona Rio, Mexico, Torrey Pines, CA, Venice, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, and online.
They too are troubled by the virus and say in a message to their members “Thank you for being willing to help care for others impacted by this global pandemic. We are gathering information and working to respond as quickly and effectively as possible. We will be working to gather the key resources and connections to help us be the hands and feet of Jesus during this difficult time.“
Their message to members on how to help during the pandemic mirrored the one in the UK, asking them to connect with family, friends, and neighbors regularly to offer words of love and encouragement. pray with and for them, share a meal with someone who feels isolated. check in on elderly friends and neighbors, offer to get them groceries, offer respite for caregivers of elderly individuals or those with special needs, offer free childcare to parents who have to continue to work outside the home, pay for groceries or a meal for a family in need, walk your neighbor’s dog. and show kindness, practice patience, and give grace.
Their website says: “We are constantly seeking opportunities to launch new faith communities in new places, whether they be in San Diego, across our country, or around the world!”
They also say: ”East Lake Church is proud to be a longstanding partner with the Hope Child Care Program and Bright Hope School in Bulanga, Uganda. Together, the program and school provide education, meals, care, and safety to over five hundred children who have been directly impacted by the African AIDS epidemic.
“Through the partnership, members and attenders of the church are able to sponsor individual students on a monthly basis, while the church provides funding for construction, repair, and improvements of the school grounds and facilities. To find out more, visit brighthopeuganda.org.
East Lake Golf Club is a private golf club located approximately 5 miles east of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1904, East Lake is the oldest golf course in the city of Atlanta. It was the home course of golfer Bobby
Jones and much of its clubhouse serves as a tribute to his accomplishments.
MP’S CAMPAIGN FOR NEW HEALTH CENTRE. Local MP Ruth Edwards is stepping up her campaign for a new community health centre in East Leake with a government minister accepting her invitation to see the current situation first-hand.
The Rushcliffe MP reports that the campaign has gained momentum with an Adjournment Debate held in Parliament.
During the debate she told Jo Churchill, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, that the building was not fit for purpose and needed to be replaced with modern high-quality accommodation that would involve relocating social services, dental practice, pharmacy and parish council offices, plus charities into a community hub.
The present 60-year old prefabricated health centre structure on Gotham Road suffers from a leaking roof and is the oldest health centre in Nottinghamshire.
Ruth comments: “Despite this, its dedicated doctors and nurses serve some 11,000 patients and will soon be adding around 3000 more.”
Arrangements will be made for the health minister to visit East Leake to see the current conditions in which health staff have to work.
Ruth adds: ” This is not the end of the campaign, only the beginning. I will continue to push the case in Parliament and with ministers”
POLICE BEAT SURGERIES.
Police Beat Surgeries – with East Leake being one of the areas concerned – will resume once the present pandemic situation is over.
The surgeries have been held throughout the Rushcliffe police are, mainly in libraries, and the closure of all such places led the police to decided to halt them for the time being.
Sgt Steve Robinson in advising of the original decision said they had decided to cancel any proposed beat surgeries thee had planned due to the closing of libraries, to free officers up for other demands on the forces and to reduce the risk of cross contamination. “We did carry out some beat surgeries prior to the restrictions imposed due to the virus”
The officer said they would provide new dates and locations for the surgeries when we can.
The beat team officers will be patrolling around the Rushcliffe area during the current Corona virus pandemic at various times. “I am encouraging officers to spend as much time as possible out on their areas. They will still have an investigative work load to progress, but I think that it is important for us to be visible in our communities to ensure people are safe, both from crime and for the health perspective”
HAYLEY MASON PRAISES COUNCIL FOR EFFORTS. East Leake photography business owner Hayley Masom is among those praising Rushcliffe Borough Council for their effort to help during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Business owners on high streets across Rushcliffe are completing five secure steps to welcome back customers. The Borough Council has been connecting with businesses across the Borough to offer support and is encouraging further premises to review their plans for reopening, in line with Central
Government advice, ensuring they’re considering the steps needed to open securely.
In particular, the authority is joining calls for businesses to follow important tasks to be completed before they reopen alongside fellow non-essential retailers.
Once completed, businesses can display the ‘five steps to safer working together’ poster, which lists the pledges they have made to themselves, their employees and their customers as part of their process to reopen responsibly.
This includes undertaking a COVID-19 assessment, introducing appropriate cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures in line with Government guidance and taking reasonable steps to help people work from home.
The Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Transformation Coun Andy Edyvean of Willoughby on the Wolds has been joining officers from the Economic Growth team to engage with hardworking business owners through webinars and in person to see how businesses are adapting to take the necessary steps to reopen.
He said: “During this exceptionally challenging period, we’re looking to support local business owners across the Borough wherever possible and we’ve been delighted to hear of the plans many are already putting place to open as securely as possible.
“As many businesses in our towns and villages look to reopen, we urge them to ensure they do so responsibly and with a keen awareness for the current guidelines that will work to protect them and their customers.
“Business which have already completed their five steps towards reopening can reassure their customers that they are taking all the necessary precautions to welcome them back with the relevant procedures in place.
“We encourage anyone with uncertainties about the requirements on their business at this time to visit www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/businesscoronavirus and read more about the steps they should be taking before reopening and explore the wide array of support, guidance and practical advice currently available for businesses.”
One business preparing to welcome customers back to their premises is East Leake photography studio Captcha, owned by Hayley Masom.
She said: “It’s been a very tough time as a business owner to adapt our services, but together with other business across East Leake and the Borough we’re looking forward to welcoming our customers back onto the premises following these secure measures.
“The borough council have been of great assistance to me and other business owners and we’ll look forward to continuing to work with the authority as we encourage everybody to shop local.”
STRICT EXPECTATIONS OF PARENETS AND CARERS. There are strict expectations of parents and carers taking children to East Leake’s Brookside School during the current coronavirus problem.
A message from the head teacher Gary Kenny and two assistant heads Andry Beharall and Rachel Clark to parents of Foundation, Year 1 & Year 6 children, gives a thank to them for your understanding during the current situation.
Mr Kenny says due to so many expressions of interest in returning to school, the structuring and days available to some of the bubbles have had to be redesigned and assured everyone the safety of the children, parents and the school staff is the priority at all times.
The message made it clear that returning to school for children in Foundation, Year 1 & Y6 was not compulsory. “If you decide that you do not wish your child to return at this stage, then there are no consequences in doing so. Informing the school of your intentions will be exceptionally helpful in allowing us to plan for the reopening. You can change your mind at any time – simply keep the school updated.” The message asdded that it was imperative that the children arrive in school with an understanding of what social-distancing is and how they must follow it
The youngsters have been reminded they must not come into contact with/ touch other children or members of staff or their possessions and they will be expected and encouraged to comply with these rules whilst in school and on their journey to and from school
Mr Kenny asked parents to please ensure their child had this understanding and said children need to be checked for symptoms on a daily basis and, if they are showing signs of any of the symptoms of persistent dry cough, fever/ high temperature, loss of taste/smell it is essential that you should follow the Stay at Home Guidance . It is essential that you inform the school that your child is symptomatic.
Parents are asked to ensure they are always and immediately contactable by the school. “This is essential as you will be requested to collect your child immediately if they become symptomatic while at school. Please ensure the school has your most up-to-date contact details and emergency contact numbers.
For the safety and respect of the school community – its families, children and staff - Mr Kenny and his assistants request that they follow the most up-to-date guidance on social distancing rules outside of school, e.g. playing in the park, meeting up with friends and family, failing to do so increases the risk within school.
A fresh set of clothing is required to be worn everyday of attendance, with the request the youngsters do not go to school in the same clothes two days running, and long hair must be tied up away from faces.
It is essential that items of stationery, pencil cases and toys from home are not brought into school. but children must take their own full water bottle from home and cups and drinking vessels will not be provided in school.
Water bottles should be labelled and go home each day to be sterilised.
LOOKING BACK. In January 2016 staff and students at EastLeake Academy were being congratulated and thanked by their principal
Mrs Kath Hardy for their effort for the Children in Need Day.
A total in excess of £820 for the national appeal was made from a variety ofevents. In addition the efforts of staff and students for the annual
appeal for the Christmas Shoebox appeal resulted in over 60 boxed filled with festive season presents were collected.