Sutton Bonington

FITTING TRIBUTE TO FRANK CLARKE. Sutton Bonington St Michael’s Church was full to capacity on Friday – a fitting tribute for the funeral of well-known and popular village resident Frank Clarke who had died on January 14, after a short illness at the age of 77.

Former village minister the Rev Michael Brock returned from retirement to take the service and welcomed everyone by saying the numbers attending underlined the strength of feeling there was for Frank and his wife Beth and their family.

Frank had left notes as to how he wanted his funeral to be conducted, and in which he made it quite clear he did not want an eulogy.

He was born in Hucknall, and was the youngest of an unexpected set of twins.

He began work for the Coal Board and later moved to the Central Electricity Generating Board at Wilford Power Station where he initially researched air pollution, and later in the new research labs at Ratcliffe on Soar. In the latter parts of 1980 and 1990

The couple were married in 1967 and moved then to live in Sutton Bonington. They had three children, Rebecca, Thomas and Bridget, born in 1972, 1974 and 1980. They celebrated their golden wedding in 2017.

Frank was an enthusiastic cricket and hockey player until family life became too time consuming. He took early retirement from business , although he continued to work as a consultant for a couple of years.

He survived a bout of cancer in 2001, saw his three children married and welcome six grandchildren: Mina and Cora; Lily and Martha; Kezia and Isadora.

Frank took a great interest in the life of his village and became a school governor, a parish councillor with special responsibility for the Spinney, the chairman of the Horticultural Society and a member of the Village Show committee where he had the responsibility for the very successful and highly rated flower and vegetable section.

He also cultivated a beautiful garden at the family home on Gables Lee.

He was taken into hospital with breathing problems on Sunday evening, January 12. His lungs had been in a poor condition for some years. He died peacefully two days later, surrounded by his family.

Beth said the family are pleased that he didn’t suffer for long. “In the last few days before he died he planted his wallflowers, raked up the last of the leaves and organised the Horticultural Society New Year party, which included providing the plates and glasses, making his famous tiramisu, writing a quiz, collecting the money and finalising the accounts!”

That was Frank, determined to the end.

After the service at St Michael’s, family and close friends went to St Anne’s church in the village where burial took place.

HISTORY SOCIETY. The next meeting of Sutton Bonington Local History Society will take place on Wednesday next week, February 12 when Peter Liddle will give a talk on ‘ The Archaeology of Bradgate Park’.

For five summer seasons University of Leicester archaeologists have been excavating in Bradgate Park. This has revealed evidence of hunting in the park since the end of the last Ice Age, the creation of the first park in 1241 and it’s associated lodge, and the building of the mansion in the park in the sixteenth century.

Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church school room and visitors are very welcome.

ANNUAL SHOW MEETING.

The Sutton Bonington Show annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday next week, February 11, at 7.30 pm in Sutton Bonington Village Hall Library.

Organisers say everybody is welcome to attend as they plan arrangements for this year’s show.

COLLECTION BOX TOTAL.

Collection boxes in Sutton Bonington raised more than £200 for the Children’s Society last year.

The idea is that people put any loose change in their collection boxes. Fourteen boxes were given out last year and they raised £206.

The total UK box network raises £1.5 million but there has been a recent decline in the number of box holders and it is hoped that the network can be expanded locally.

Any villagers who would like a box is asked to contact Margaret Bishop on 01509 672662 or for Normanton on Soar Mrs Gill Hillsden on 01509 842520.

The Children’s Society was established in 1881 to address the urgent needs of vulnerable children and young people and even now in the twenty-first century there are young people in the UK who still live with enormous disadvantages and whom the Society support.

The society, supported by almost 6,000 local church communities, work directly with these children, many of whom have nowhere else to turn to ensure they are loved, valued and listened to and to fight childhood poverty, harm and neglect.

MAIN STREET PARKING CONCERN. Vehicle parking on the village main street at Sutton Bonington can at times cause concerns members of the parish council have been told.

At a recent meeting of the council chaired by Coun. Miles Craven, members discussed the concerns on Main Street and looked to see what might be done to alleviate the problems and agree action.

Parish clerk Helen Chadwick circulated details of a complaint raised by a member of the public regarding the parking in the area concerned on Main Street and members agreed that this is a dangerous corner.

Coun. Bembridge asked whether the parish can put notices on offending vehicles, it was agreed that the clerk would look into this. The Chairman said that if anyone sees anyone parking inconsiderately that they approach them and remind them of this.

UNWANTED TOOLS ARE NEEDED. Unwanted tools and equipment can be put to good use in Africa, and residents in Sutton Bonington are being asked to sort through their garages and stores for items no longer required.

Residents are asked to contact Tools for Self-Reliance ( TFSR), a national organisation which can put such tools and equipment to very good use.

This organisation works with experienced local organisations across Africa to give local people the tools they need to overcome poverty and disadvantages.

TFSR volunteer groups throughout the UK collect and refurbish tools that are very welcome in Africa. If people can help in any way with this effort they are asked to contact John Green for Nottinghamshire on 01636 or Dave Wood for Leicestershire on 0116 2717407

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FLY TIPPING. Residents in Sutton Bonington are being encouraged to report any suspected fly tipping incidents, as Rushcliffe Borough Council continue their get-tough zerotolerance approach to the problem.

Five individuals who fly-tipped in the Borough over the past 12 months have been fined thousands of pounds.

The Council’s message is clear to fly-tippers: “We will prosecute you whenever possible and can seize and destroy your vehicle connected with any offence.”

Two transit vans were crushed after being linked to fly-tipping after the Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Police took action.

Fridges were amongst items dumped in the Borough and in a further incident an offender was caught dumping items outside the gates of a Recycling Centre that was closed.

Enforcement powers allow vehicles linked with the crime to be destroyed once seized unless their registered owners prove the vehicle is their property within 15 days.

Anyone who has information on those committing any fly-tipping offence should contact the Borough Council on social media, over the telephone on 0115 9819911 or via email at customerservices@rushcliffe.gov.uk

PLAYGROUP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. New volunteers are needed to help run Sutton Bonington Pre-School Playgroup and Toddler Group.

The Group would be very pleased to welcome new parents, grandparents and carers to their Parent Committee, either by coming along to meetings and supporting the committee with advice or by becoming an executive member such as treasurer.

The organisers say that getting involved in a playgroup is a great way to get to know the staff and other parents.

Family members and carers who join the committee will be involved in numerous decisions at the Playgroup ranging from key policies and fees to playgroup outings and fundraising parties. The Committee meet regularly each term and the Annual General Meeting is held every October.

As the playgroup is a registered charity it could not operate without a group of volunteers

Anybody who wishes to join the Committee or who has any questions concerning the committee is asked to contact the playgroup administrator. RURAL POLICE PATROLS.

Police in Rushcliffe have been organising special patrols in rural villages and towns in their area, including Sutton Bonington.

A spokesperson for the Force said:

‘ The local beat team officers have been patrolling around the Rushcliffe area; this includes many of the rural villages along with Cotgrave, Bingham, Radcliffe on Trent and further south around East Leake and Sutton Bonington.

No suspicious persons or vehicles were seen in the area, other than a report of a JCB tractor being driven along the A46 just after 3am, reported to us by a passing motorist.

The JCB was located by Rushcliffe and Newark response officers, the JCB was checked out and was not found to have been stolen or being used in criminal activity.”

LOOK OUT FOR JCBs AT NIGHT. Residents in Sutton Bonington and area are being asked by the police to keep an eye open for the night movements of JCB’s and other similar machines.

In a recent statement from police constable Howard Shinn he says within a 24 hours period we reported that a Manitou agricultural machine was stolen in Rushcliffe, they are often stolen and then used to carry out ATM/cash point thefts.

“If you see one of these vehicles being driven in the early hours of the morning please ring 999 and report this as quickly as possible.

“It is very unlikely any farm workers will be driving these on the roads during the night.

“There is a very good chance if one of these vehicles is seen being driven overnight, it will be being used in criminal activity.”