East Leake
CRIME REPORT. Three crimes were reported in the East Leake area during December, including high-value shoplifting and thefts.
On December 4 two male shoplifters entered the Co-op store in the village and stole goods to the value of £200.
Three days later high-value items were stolen from a building site on Rempstone Road during the weekend.
Two vehicles were broken into on Truro Close and Ash Walk over night on December 8 and items were stolen
Details of the crimes committed during the month have been reported to the local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and to East Leake Parish Council
Any residents who wish to contact the local Notts beat officer responsible for the village – P.c. Kelly Carlisle – may contact her at Kelly. carlile@nottinghamshire.pnn. police.uk
She can be followed on twitter @LeakeKworthCops or on facebook at Rushcliffe South Police
Her mobile number is 07725925330
If wish to contact her you can ring 101 ext 3101530, or the control room where a message can be left. Her Sergeant is Sgt 775 Robinson based at Cotgrave Police Station (ext. 3100775).
SERVICES ON DVD. The parish church of St Mary’s at East Leake are giving a reminder that free DVDs of all their online services are available for any who do not have internet access.
“Please get in touch if you would like to be added to the list for weekly distribution”
NEW ZEBRA CROSSING. Notts County Council are progressing with plans and work to provide a new zebra crossing in East Leake.
To allow for the work on Gotham Road to make progress, a temporary bus stop will operate for the duration of the works and Nottingham City Transport confirmed that until Sunday March 14, the “East Leake Shops” named bus stops will be closed whilst a new zebra crossing is installed and the footpath widened.
Temporary stops have been located away from the village centre further up Gotham Road, nearer to the Fire Station.
VILLAGE SHOW HOPE. As in all villages throughout the UK the coronavirus pandemic had a tremendous effect on social life in East Leake over the last nine months or so , with many annual events and indeed regular weekly ones having to be put on the back burner. And currently there is no certainty when they will reappear.
Last year the village carnival was a victim as was the hugely popular Christmas lights switch on event when hundreds of people, involving as many adults as children, would have packed the Main Street through the village to wait for the arrival of Santa, there to carry out his annual duty of moving the switch that brought on the super display of festive lights. The lights did as usual, in the main, appear, but the excitement of the switch-on event was missing, and youngsters in particular could be excused for being disappointed.
One important ‘event-off’ notice that did appear in 2020 was the cancellation of the annual village flower and vegetable show due to have been held in September. Perhaps that cancellation was more important than ever because the organisers are busy trying to ensure the continuance of the show after a period of difficulty had seen it off the calendar because of lack of support.
Current organiser Jenny Britt said the decision to call a halt to arrangements for the 2020 show was an obvious one because of the virus situation but it had not been taken before a great deal of thought had been given to it.
But Jenny says they plan to be back in this year 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,” she says.
The Village Show, which was revived in 2018, after a years break, by former parish councillor Melvin Stevenson, looked to have a good future with Jenny and her team being well committed to it…. until the virus came along.
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.
But then in 2019 he took a back seat, but was supporting Jenny and her team who came forward to continue his efforts in 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 three 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 in 2019 in the village hall was under the direction of Jenny for the first time, having taken over from Melvyn for the event to ensure its continuance.
During the last event 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 months and against many odds the show happened in 2018, and was well supported.
The motto of the show is: ‘By the people for the people’ and that slogan will it is hoped ensure it continues to be part of village life in East Leake.
NEWSLETTER INCENTIVE. Local groups in East Leake, including the village Scouts, are to be offered a donation to their funds if they assist the parish council in delivery of the council newsletter. The publication goes to every house in the village.
AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR CHURCH. An ambitious step forward is being planned by St Mary’s parish church at East Leake with the announcement it is discussing the creation of a paid role to focus on their ministry to children and families.
The Rector, the Rev Tim Parker, says the parochial church council have decided to pursue the creation of the new role and hope in the coming months to finalise a job description, lay out a timetable for an appointment, and will encourage the church to partner in this vital ministry through financial giving and prayer.
Says the Rev Tim: “We are deeply excited by the prospect of being able more effectively to reach and care for the young families in our growing village and who attend our local schools. Do hold these next steps in your prayers.”
The church meanwhile continues to offer digital worship each Sunday on their website, Facebook and YouTube channels. Gathered worship paused at St Mary’s over two weeks ago after the Parochial Church Council decided t suspend temporarily the midweek communions in view of the increasing cases of coronavirus in the village.
The Rector, the Rev Tim Parker, says it was not a decision taken lightly but was seen as the wise and responsible things to do at the time.
The Rector does add that the church building is still open every day during daylight hours and additional cleaning has been put in place.
LIVE SERVICES. The parish church of St Mary’s at East Leake are to resume live services, albeit on a very limited basis, with gathered worship to resume today, February 17, Ash Wednesday.
The Rector, the Rev Tim Parker, says although the national lockdown continues, churches have always been permitted to open for worship in accordance with Covidsecure guidance.
“However, a few weeks ago, in response to a spike in cases locally, the Parochial Church Council took a the reluctant decision to suspend public worship at St Mary’s,” said the Rev Tim.
“This decision has been reviewed and we now feel it is appropriate to resume offering limited midweek services for all who wish to attend”.
The Rector says that as before, services will follow very strict social distancing and hygiene measures an d worshippers must wear masks as started in the guidance to them, with a ruling there is to be no mingling between groups either before or after the service.
“As always, this decision will be kept under review, but unless anything changes, we look forward to these continuing.”
The service today and again tomorrow will be at 10am. And to help the church manage numbers, would-be worshippers are asked to please ring 01509 559702 to ‘book in’ a place, or use the form on the website. St Mary’s is also open for private prayer most days of the week.