BROOKSIDE FIREWORKS.
says in general there are too many nettles in the park and they are trying to keep them in check -- along with dock and ragwort. The swathe of nettles near the millstone entrance was cut back as it encroached onto the path and was a hazard.
Pesticides in the park are not used as they are harmful to wild life. Several of the members volunteer for the Wild Life Trust Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and for the Nottinghamshire Wild Life Trust and have advised the village group about steps being taken regarding pesticides and are pointing out there is currently a petition on the Government Website seeking a ban on the use of pesticides in gardens and public parks. This petition has been put together by Professor Dave Goulson who is probably the UK’s foremost expert on insect declines and in particular bee populations. Please sign it and, if possible, pass the details/links onto friends and family who would be interested in this important issue.
The park group point out the Government web site requires that you respond to an email from them in order for your signature to be counted. You have until January next year to sign it.
https://petition.parliament. uk/petitions/590309
Forest School activity at Meadow Park has resumed with all year three pupils from Lantern Lane spending the whole day in the park. The children enjoyed a range of activities and enjoyed a very pleasant day in the fresh air. The children usually spend one afternoon a fortnight in the park as year three is split into two groups. They have really enjoyed being back at school and having their usual time in the park.
Over the years Forest School has been operating it is noticeable how much more observant and knowledgeable the children are about birds, butterflies etc. and how skilled they have become in tasks such as willow weaving.
Early last month volunteers met in small groups to work on different projects in the park. Willow was harvested and sorted, the shrubbery was seriously sorted out, brambles, nettles etc. were cut back and trees in the Arboretum checked.
Autumn is a good time to see numerous birds in the park, especially as the leaves drop and they are easier to spot.
Kingfishers have been often seen this summer and as they are resident birds you might spot one. You will see blackbirds, thrushes and starlings. You may remember last winter East Leake had enough starlings to be listed as a place to see murmurations in the UK. The starlings flew over the village and roosted in the reed beds on Costock Road. Migrant birds will be arriving almost daily, either stopping to feed up before continuing their journey south, or to spend the winter with us. Skylarks are UK residents but winter south of here so will be just passing through. Meadow Pipits are also residents, but spend the summer further north and may well spend all winter here; they are
gregarious and flocks of them can be seen, especially in Oak Meadow.
POLICE CRACKDOWN. A police operation aimed at catching speeding vehicles was carried out on Costock Road at East Leake and resulted in them issuing speeding tickets and seizing vehicles.
Operation Reacher officers were out in the Rushcliffe area – including East Leake - on Wednesday last week in relation to the speeding issues raised by
The force were at Costock Lane East Leake and Abbey Road West Bridgford where they monitored the traffic.
Police said they have issued speeding tickets and reported drivers for offences uncovered.
Vehicles have also been seized among the numerous drivers that were given advice regarding their speed, the force confirmed.
Plans are being made for the Brookside Fireworks Display at Brookside Primary School in East Leake on Bonfire Night.
The event is being organised by Brookside Fundraising Group and it will take place at the school on Friday,
November 5.
Gates will open at 5.30pm and the firework display will be at 6.45 pm. When tickets are available they can be bought from the school office.
On the night the gates will open at 5.30pm and the fireworks will be at 6.45pm. Tickets for adults and children over three years will cost £5 with children under three years free of charge. There will be a bar, hot and cold food and refreshments and stalls.
The organisers ask spectators at the event not to bring sparklers.
MARRIAGE REGISTERS.
Couples getting married in Sr Mary’s parish church at East Leake –as in all other such churches in England and Wales – are involved in number of changes in the way marriages are registered. The old paper-based system with hand written registers and certificates has been scrapped and replaced by an electronic system. The marriage service itself is not changing and banns will still be called in the usual way. But at the end of the service instead of signing a registry book, couples and witnesses will now sign a ‘marriage document’ containing all details of the event. This will then be entered into the online register, maintained by the Registrar General and the couple issued with their marriage certificates.
The Rector, the Rev Tim Parker, says these too will look a little different, with details of the mothers of both the bride and the groom being included alongside details of their fathers. There will also be space for stepparents as well as additional witnesses.
FUNDING IDEAS.
Wide-ranging ideas for funding from the Government Welcome Back funding pot which has been initiated following the Covid pandemic are being investigated by East Leake Parish Council.
Councils across England are to share £56m of funding to support the return to high streets safely and help build back better from the pandemic.
This funding is known as the “Welcome Back Fund” and it builds on the £50m Reopening High Street Safely Fund allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of wider support government os providing to communities and businesses, to protect jobs, support the most vulnerable and ensure no one is left behind as we continue to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and begin to build back better.
The fund will allow local authorities in England to put in place additional measures to create and promote a safe environment for local trade and tourism, particularly in high streets as their economies reopen. We also recognise that the impact of Covid19 on local economies will be significant.
The fund can also be used by local authorities to boost the look and feel of their high streets by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces, and seating areas to make high streets welcoming, run publicity campaigns and prepare to hold events that will boost footfall and encourage people back into the high streets and thereby supporting local businesses. and install and refresh signage and communications on how people can stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Rushcliffe Borough Council has been granted £106, 209 of the Government’s Welcome Back Fund and East Leake Parish Council intends to investigate a range of possible activities before submitting applications for the Borough’s funding pot.
The Council has agreed to investigate “the beautification of the local skate park” and a Welcome Back Fun Day with a band playing, random street artists and taster sessions of croquet and boules. It has also been suggested that these activities could take place over a series of weekends or Friday evenings.
Another suggestion is an outdoor cinema and the Parish Council clerk is to investigate the costs of such a project.
Further suggestions include the purchase of gazebos to be used by the used by the whole community and extra planting of flowers in the village centre.
Once suggestions and costs have been agreed, a meeting will be held with an officer from Rushcliffe Borough Council to discuss a grant application.
EAST LEAKE WI. Helen Jones provided some thought provoking insights at the October meeting of East Leake WI with an interesting and informative talk about the work of The Friary homeless centre at West Bridgford. This incredible organisation empowers homeless and disadvantaged adults to help them to rebuild their lives by providing practical services, advice and emotional support.
WI members agreed it was fascinating to hear some real life stories and understand how the Covid -19 pandemic has impacted on how they operate and how it has enabled them to reflect on how they can develop their services for the future.
Members generously donated food items to support this valuable work which have been gratefully received.
Unfortunately, the planned walk for members was affected by bad weather this month, but everyone enjoyed a craft session and a lively lunch at the Star public house in nearby West Leake.
For October members will be walking in Rushcliffe Country Park at Ruddington followed by a café stop, getting together for a social afternoon with refreshments and optional crafts as well as a much anticipated curry evening at Heat in East Leake.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 9th November at 7.30 pm in the village hall on
Main Street when we look forward to Nigel Lowery speaking about “The History of St Pancras Station”
New to the village or been here a while? - why not come along as a visitor and enjoy a pleasant evening, join in and find out more about us, we offer a warm welcome to a range of events and activities with fun and friendship.
For more information please contact Gretel Wilson, President on 01509 853070 or Carolyn Barnett, Membership Secretary on 01509 853440.
BLUES MUSIC.