East Leake

SERVICES RESUME. The good news from East Leake St Mary’s Church this week is that midweek services in church have resumed as restrictions under the coronavirus pandemic situation continue to be reduced.

Rector Tim Parker said he was pleased to announce that the restart of services began last week and they are able to resume short and simple services in the church building, though sadly without singing at this time.

Tim says the two-metre ‘rule’ that everyone has become used to is still to apply and so the capacity “As such, we will still broadcast digital worship each week and this will be the main focus of our prayer, worship and Bible teaching whereas the services in church will focus on sharing the Lord’s Supper. The chairs will be arranged so households can sit together, and we will remain in our seats throughout the service, with communion (bread only) being brought to you where you are sat.”

The Rector continued: “The service leader will of course be following all the hygiene guidance around communion, including wearing a mask/ visor as appropriate. Members of the congregation are not required to wear masks, but are most welcome to do so, and everyone will be asked to use the hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the building.”

The words for the service will be printed on single use service sheets and there is a steward to assist in social distancing as worshippers enter and leave the building.”

The first services were last Wednesday July 15 at 10am with another today ( Wednesday) at the same time. Next Wednesday July 22 the service will be 7.30pm.

Rev Tim says additional dates may be possible and in order to ensure the use the space as efficiently as possible. “We are asking everyone to ‘book’ a space at any service they wish to go to . We anticipate seats to be filled, which will need to be done in advance. There are two ways to book. If possible, please use the online form at www.eastleakechurch.org or ring 01509 559702 to say which services you would be available to attend. We will arrange things to fit as many people in as possible and then contact you again.”

Rev Tim is asking for everyone to be patient as they sort things out for the services, saying it might take a while to find the best way of managing things.

“There is absolutely no expectation or pressure for anyone, especially those in vulnerable groups, to come along to any of the services. But everyone will be welcome, as long as you follow all the appropriate social distancing guidance and of course do not come if you’re displaying any of the symptoms of coronavirus or have been advised to self isolate as part of the test and trace scheme.”

Because of the Coronavirus situation the Methodist Church in the village has been closed on advice from the Methodist Church nationally, with no Sunday services, the Saturday coffee morning nor any of the activities organised by them or by other groups that use the building, the aim being to prevent the transmission of the covid 19 virus. The church itself has continued while their building is closed and each Sunday they have produced a service that can be used at home.

SHOW CALLED OFF. The current coronavirus pandemic continues to have its effect on social life in East Leake, with news that the annual village flower and vegetable show due to be held in September has been called off.

Organiser Jenny Britt says the decision to call a halt to arrangements for the 2020 show was not taken before a great deal of thought had been given to it, and following discussions with officials of the village hall where the event would have been held.

But Jenny says they will be back in 2021 firing on all engines, with special efforts being made to include children in the wider aspect of the overall event.

Jenny says they are hoping to be able to distribute papers to the junior schools in the village to increase and invite participation from the youngsters. “We aim to introduce slight changes to the classes we will be offering to make them more available for youngsters to take part.”

The Village Show, which was revived in 2018 atera years break by former parish councillor Melvin Stevenson after missing a year, looks to have a good future with Jenny and her team being well committed to it.

The show in 2018 was brought back to the events calendar for the village by Mr Stevenson, whose enthusiasm for it to continue ensured it did and that it was successful. Initially single handed, he got it off the ground, and as the time for the event neared it was his determination that helped to bring in more volunteers.

Then last year he took a back seat, but was supporting Jenny and her team who came forward to continue his efforts lin 2018 to revive the show, which itself has a history dating back over 130 years.

Records unearthed by the East Leake and District History Society indicate the first garden show for the village was in 1880 and which was inaugurated by Mr Wass. It was held on fields on Lantern Lane, where the Academy now stands. At that time the then organisers decided to limit entries to the village and the surrounding ones of West Leake, Costock, Normanton on Soar and Stamford on Soar.

In 1914 the formation of the East Leake Allotment Association is recorded and in that year, the start of WW1, a show was held after the then Prince of Wales called on allotment holders all over the country to exhibit in shows in their locality.

In 1917 it is recorded that East Leake was to donate three acres of land and seed potatoes to grow them for the families of Service Men. And by 1934 the Annual show had 253 entries.

The current Allotments on West Leake Road and have been there since the 1960s, with many of the occupants having been there for long periods of occupancy.

After a significant break caused by the war and passage of time the East Leake Flower Show was resurrected and held In the Village Hall.

The up-to-date history of the show records it ran successfully for a number of years but in 2017 the organisers said because of a lack of people to help, it would not be held.

But then two years ago , after a 12 month break, it was restored, and now it is hoped it will become part of the village events calendar once again, and would have done if the coronavirus had not reared its ugly head.

These days, as well as flowers, fruits and vegetables, the village show includes exhibits of such as crafts and photography, with new categories having been added to reflect the various crafts and hobbies in the village.

The village show, with its motto ‘By the people for the people’, is organised entirely by volunteers all funds raised will be distributed to local charities.

The show last year in the village hall was under the direction of Jenny Britt for the first time, having taken over from Melvyn for the 2019 event to ensure its continuance.

During the even t last year the new organiser made comments in regard to her predecessor, saying that in April 2018 year Melvyn had been determined that the village show was not going to disappear, with he and his wife Margaret working tirelessly for the following month and against many odds the show happened in 2018, and was well supported.

Said Jenny: “Melvyn gave me his paperwork and it was not until I saw the file did I realise the time and effort they had both put in, and because of this file the work for last year was easier.”

The moto of the show is: ‘By the people for the people’.

BOARD WORK CONTINUES. Although all meetings of the Growth Boards in Rushcliffe Borough, including the one for East Leake, have been postponed until further notice due to the current Government advice on social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the work of the boards continues, with Borough Council officers carrying on to work on actions from the boards.

Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards is staging a campaign for a new community health centre at East Leake and says this has gained momentum with an Adjournment Debate held in parliament on the subject.

“I told the health minister

Jo Churchill the building was not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced with modern high-quality accommodation and relocate social services, dental practice, pharmacy and parish council offices, plus charities to a community hub.”

Ruth says the present 60-year-old prefabricated Gotham Road structure suffers from a leaking roof and is the oldest health centre in Nottinghamshire. “Despite this, its dedicated doctors and nurses serve some 11,000 patients and will soon be adding around 3000 more.”

The Rushcliffe member says the minister has kindly accepted her invitation to visit to see the issues first-hand. “This is not the end of the campaign, only the beginning. I will continue to push the case in Parliament and with ministers,” adds the MP.

LOCAL PLAN WELCOMED. Parish councillors at East Leake have welcomed contents of Rushcliffe Borough Council Local Plan Part Two as it restricts the mount of development in their village.

In the annual report of the parish planning committee chairman Coun Donna Griggs says the Committee was pleased to learn that Part 2 of the Borough Plan had been was formally adopted by the Council last year.

In her report, Coun. Griggs says the Plan notes that “it would be unacceptable to identify further land at East Leake for housing development over the plan period. To do so would put at risk the Core Strategy’s focus to locate development within or adjacent to the main urban area of Nottingham” and “there are also concerns over East Leake’s capacity to support and assimilate additional housing at this time and the affect that any further development would have on the character of the village”.

The committee chairman said some councillors from East Leake had visited exhibitions about the Fairham Pastures development, involving approximately 244 hectares of land South of Clifton, which is identified for development over the next 10-15 years.

The annual report on planning presented by Coun. Griggs says the Parish Council Planning Committee continues to meet up to three times a month on a Tuesday evening, saying it has been an extremely busy period with lots of planning matters to consider since I became Chair last Summer.

“In addition to considering planning proposals for individual properties within the village, several proposals for larger housing development within East Leake have been submitted during the year for land off Stonebridge Drive, Field End Close, Kirk Ley (Phase 3), Lantern Lane, North of Rempstone Road (Reserved Matters), East of Cornflower Way, Brookside, and Brook Furlong Farm.”

Coun. Griggs says her committee has referred to key policy documents in considering the applications, such as Rushcliffe’s Local Plan Core Strategy, Rushcliffe’s Local Plan Part 2, Nottinghamshire Highway Design Guide, East Leake Neighbourhood Plan, East Leake Parish Council Planning Policy, and the Notts Mineral Local Plan, before responding accordingly to Rushcliffe Borough Council.

In the report, Coun. Griggs says to residents it is important that their opinion is heard on planning matters.

Agendas and minutes for all the planning committee meetings are available on the Parish Council website at www.east-leake.gov.uk under the ‘Council Business’ tab if you are interested in knowing more.

KEEPING ACTIVE. Volunteers from East Leake Community Care Association have remained active within the village during the Covid-19 crisis.

Thanks to the volunteers and new helpers who joined after the beginning of the lockdown, residents in the village have been helped with various tasks including tasks such as shopping, prescription and medication deliveries, plant watering and dog walking.

Befriending people, some of whom have become even more isolated during lockdown, have been an important focus for the association. Residents who have been supported in this way have appreciated regular calls from a friendly voice on the other end of the telephone.

Members of all the various groups supported by the Association are looking forward to a time when they can re-start activities with the appropriate safety measures in place.

Hospital appointments have restarted and the volunteer driver car scheme volunteers have been making journeys as well as taking passengers for medical appointments at the health centre.

Volunteers from the association are happy to reassure local people that they are ready to help in any way they can. For help or advice please telephone an area organiser. Phone numbers can be found on the village website or phone 01509 853866

PARISH COUNCIL. Villagers in East Leake are still able to contact local Parish Council staff even though they are working from home.

East Leake Parish Office remains closed. The telephones are diverted and are answered so villagers are advised to call ring if you want to contact the staff who will agree a time to for a socially distanced meeting if necessary.

Grounds staff are working normal hours. Council meetings are held electronically, and anybody is welcome to join the meetings, to listen or raise points. The meetings are advertised on the website and noticeboards, but residents will need to indicate in advance if they wish to take part so that they can be sent the appropriate meeting link.

The Parish Council would like to thank local people who have been very helpful in offering support and advice and especially all the Key Workers in East Leake who have dealt with challenging situations.