Castle Donington
VILLAGE RETURN. A funeral director is putting a challenging year behind her as she makes a return to Castle Donington to lead a brand-new funeral booking office.
Kate Spencer, who is Funeral Director for Central England Co-op Funeralcare’s Spondon and Borrowash Funeral Homes, has also been given responsibility for the Society’s brand-new funeral booking office which has launched in Castle Donington.
The booking office has taken up a new unit developed at Central England Co-op’s Supermarket site in Station Road, replacing a temporary funeral arrangement pod which had been in position in the car park, as well as the relocated Borough Street Funeral Home in the town.
For Kate it is a return to the town after making her way as a funeral director at the Borough Street home and she is looking forward to returning and to the new challenge after a personally difficult period.
She said: “It is really nice to be back in the Castle Donington community as I really like the atmosphere and it is a brilliant community, so it will be great to get back involved in that.
“It is a real positive for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge after not long being physically back at work as I have been shielding during the pandemic and have been working from home.
“I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (a rare disorder which affects the nerves) last year which left me paralysed from the neck down and with no voice box.
“Later in the year my daughter Connie May was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma and has been receiving chemotherapy, so I was shielding with her during lockdown. Thankfully she has now finished her treatment and is on her journey to recovery, although it’s not without its bumps.
“The Society has been great with me. It is a great place to work and they have been really supportive and allowed me to be flexible with home-working.”
Connie is the City of Derby’s Youth Mayor and has a growing interest in the co-operative movement, even recording a special video that was played to thousands of people who took part in Central England Co-op’s first-ever online Members’
Meeting in June.
Her mum has a long history with Central England Co-op working for the Society for 24 years, making a career change six years ago after previously working in the travel business.
Kate said: “I joined just as a funeral arranger really so strangely it wasn’t that different. People said I would miss working in travel, but I absolutely love my job now and would not want to go back.
“I love helping people to say goodbye to their loved ones. It is very rewarding, and I see it as real honour and a privilege to be there for someone on their last journey.”
The funeral booking office at Station Road, Castle Donington is now open for pre-booked appointments. For more information or to book an appointment call 01332 811381 or email castle. donington@ centralengland.coop representatives to the Deanery Synod, and also members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Longstanding PCC member and former churchwarden Chris Ashworth passed away last year. Churchwarden Janet Bonser has stood down and both Jan & Keith Bonser and Anne Lawes will be standing down from the PCC at the annual meeting.
They have given wonderful service over the years and we are really grateful for all they have done.
So, if you would like to consider joining the PCC to help us plan the future of our church, please think about it and if you have any questions, please have a word with Peter Tyers or Brian Archbold.
At the meeting, we will also give a report on what we have achieved over the last year and what we are planning for the future.
NORMANTON ON SOAR CHURCH FÊTE - We were hoping to have some sort of event on our annual fête day but sadly, due to Covid-19, we have decided that it won’t be possible.
Apart from it being a lovely social occasion bringing many people to our church and its grounds, it is our main fundraising event of the year with proceeds normally exceeding £5,000.
COMMUNITY SHOP - The Normanton on Soar Community Shop is now open part time initially on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings only from 10am to 1pm.
This will be reviewed weekly but we are ruled by Covid-19 regulations and the availability of volunteers.
We welcome more volunteers and would appreciate any help that can be offered to keep the shop open to help our community.
Any queries please contact Brian on 07785 926883