Normanton on Soar
HARVEST FESTIVAL – SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER AT 5PM - St James Church has been open since the beginning of July every day from 10am to 4pm for silent prayer and meditation along with our usual Sunday services.
By using the whole church space for our meetings, we are able to observe social distancing rules and ensure that everyone is kept as safe as possible. It’s lovely that we can hear the bells ringing before the services. Harvest Festival will be somewhat different this year but all are welcome to come along at 5pm on Sunday 27th September. The congregation isn’t allowed to sing inside church yet but we can still listen to harvest hymns and be thankful for all we have. Instead of harvest produce, we would like gifts of store cupboard items and tins, fruit and vegetables and beverages such as fruit juice and squash for the Carpenter’s Arms in Loughborough. They are really in need at this time and much appreciate our support. Baskets for donations of such items are in the church.
QUIET SPACES AT ST JAMES’ – JULIAN GROUP, TAIZÉ SERVICE AND QUIET TIME - The Julian Group - Having continued during lockdown, with people using the meditations at home, we had our first group in church on 28th July. We will continue to meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm at home and in church – if you’d like to be placed on the list for receiving emails about the Julian meditation materials, please contact sue.archbold@ btinternet.com.
The next Julian date is 29th September.
Taizé - Under current government guidelines, we are not able to sing in church at the moment. As the Taizé service includes singing, we are considering whether we can hold the meetings with music playing but without the accompanying chanting.
Silence and Stillness - St James will now also be open for half an hour for practising to be still and silent together which, for many of us, is so difficult to do. This time will be held every Tuesday at 6.30pm in the peaceful area near the font so that we can join together with others in contemplative prayer. All are welcome to join us in this beautiful place, where so many have gone before us.
NORMANTON ON SOAR ENVIRONMENT NEWSLETTER - The Normanton on Soar PC’s Environment Group is currently welcoming submissions from village residents and visitors for their monthly email newsletter, which includes photographs, stories and ways to enjoy and support the village’s plants and animals. If you would like to receive a copy or contribute an image, wildlife sighting, article idea or ‘think piece,’ please do get in touch and email nos.environment@ gmail.com.
NOT THE CHURCH FÊTE! - Last Saturday should have been the church fête in Normanton on Soar but due to Covid-19, this sadly had to be cancelled. Apart from being the biggest fundraiser of the year, it is always a lovely social occasion, meeting together in the grounds of the church on the banks of the River Soar. However, villagers were keen to do something this year so bearing in mind the need for social distancing, various houses opened their gardens and driveways for stalls. People were able to walk round the village to make purchases and to socialise yet keep two metres apart. Other individuals and local businesses made generous donations to the church. In all, our Not the Church Fête event raised the incredible amount of £3,170. Many thanks to all who contributed and came along.
ST JAMES CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING - The annual meeting is normally held in April / May but with the lockdown, we were unable to hold it earlier in the year meaning that existing officers continued their duties. With lockdown measures easing, the annual meeting was held on Sunday 6th September immediately after the church service. Longstanding PCC member and former churchwarden Chris Ashworth passed away last year. Churchwarden Janet Bonser has stood down, and Janet and Keith Bonser and Anne Lawes stood down from the PCC. They have given wonderful service over the years and we are really grateful for all they have done. Churchwardens elected were Peter Tyers and Brian Archbold. Representatives to the Deanery Synod and also members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) were also elected. At the meeting, a report was given on what we have achieved over the last year and what is planned for the future. police will play their part alongside government, businesses, hospitality owners, local authorities and others. This is about ensuring everyone takes responsibility in all households to follow the rules.
Universities re-opening is an important step in a return to a more normal world and all agencies recognise the contribution that students make to the economy, culture and society.
The vast majority of residents, including students, are responsible people. However, deliberate deviation from these rules could see swift action including fines, and even loss of tenancy agreements and for students this could include the loss of university places in extreme cases.
The leaders are keen to ensure that people take personal responsibility to follow the rules to limit the impact of Covid-19.
Nottinghamshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: “The new rules are clear, and we all have a personal responsibility for following them to help stop of the spread of a deadly virus.
“Police will continue to be in communities and engaging, explaining and encouraging people to follow the new regulations. We will disperse groups of over six and issue fines to those who refuse to comply.
“This is about us taking action for any breaches in any part of the city or county, not just with students. That is why we are working together across the LRF partnership to deal with anyone who is causing issues, wherever they live. While we are working with the universities, this is a wider issue than just being about students.”
The campus at Sutton Bonington encompasses world-leading laboratories and specialist facilities for studying biosciences and veterinary medicine.
The campus is home to over 2,500 students from the Schools of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, which creates a place where it’s easy to get to know your fellow students and teaching teams, yet part of a wider global community.
Sutton Bonington is affectionately known as ‘SB’ to those that study, work and live there, which defines the culture and atmosphere. It is a relaxed and friendly place where students can feel at home, with access to help and support when it is needed.
The Guild is the dedicated campus Students’ Union, run by students for students. They provide a varied calendar of events and student-led activities throughout the year.
There are over 40 societies based at Sutton Bonington Campus to get involved in, from music soc, dance and SB players to climbing, lacrosse and biking. You can join existing sports clubs and societies or start your own.
PLAYING FIELDS. Sutton Bonington parish council Playing Fields working party, headed by Coun. Duncan Bembridge, are continuing to progress work and