Loughborough Echo

Normanton on Soar

- Ross Aston aston.ross@gmail.com

ST JAMES CHURCH IS OPEN. Our church reopened for services on Sunday, December 6 – this was a service of Morning Prayer for Advent led by Jan Bonser.

The following week on December 13, we held A Christmas Celebratio­n: Comfort & Joy led by the Revd Canon Michael Knight and involving, as usual, the Soar Boating Club and other village organisati­ons.

Due to COVID-19 restrictio­ns, we were not able to sing the carols but the congregati­on listened to beautiful Christmas music and readings.

During the service, a presentati­on was made to the Carpenter’s Arms and Judith Spence, Executive Director, spoke movingly about the work that they are doing with homeless people.

The church remains open daily between 10am and 4pm. When visiting the church, please note the following: at either side of the porch, we have put the Test & Trace QR code so if you have the app on your phone, you can open it and point it to the QR code to log your attendance. Please don’t forget to use the sanitiser, wear your mask, and keep your distance.

Anyone who visits the church and later suspects that they may have COVID-19, should please phone Brian Archbold (07850 414158).

CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMEN­TS. On Christmas Eve at 6pm, Jan Bonser will be leading Christmas Eve at St James and on Christmas Day, Revd

Mary Essex will be taking a service of Holy Communion at our usual time of 9:30am. All are welcome.

FLOODING ISSUES IN NORMANTON ON SOAR. Nottingham­shire County Council has been looking at ways of reducing the risk of flooding in the Far Lane / Moor Lane / Main Street area for a number of years now and, despite a number of hurdles has identified a proposal that will help improve the situation.

A key contributo­r to the problem is a Severn Trent Water sewer that is completely blocked and non-operationa­l and as such we have been working closely with Severn Trent to agree a way forward. Nottingham­shire County Council cannot carry out works on a Severn Trent Water sewer, that must be carried out by Severn Trent Water or their Contractor­s. Nottingham­shire County Council and Severn Trent Water propose to clear the blockage and create an open ditch along Main Street towards the Boat Club.

We remain focused on working with Severn Trent Water to reduce the risk of future flooding in the area. As well as a financial contributi­on towards the scheme, our officers have spent many hours work on this. We can do no more than we have already. We understand that the work is to be completed in this financial year.

David Smith on behalf of Normanton on Soar Parish Council

NOS ENVIRONMEN­T GROUP NEWSLETTER. The Normanton on Soar Environmen­t Group is currently welcoming submission­s from village residents and visitors for their 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.

NORMANTON ON SOAR COMMUNITY SHOP. The Normanton on Soar Community Shop is now open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 10am-1pm. We are urgently looking for more volunteers for when we reopen and would appreciate any help that can be offered to ensure that we are able to keep the shop going to help the community.

To get involved, please contact Sheila (01509 646093).

 ??  ?? The Plough at Normanton on Soar.
The Plough at Normanton on Soar.

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