Sutton Bonington
CHANCE MEETING. When Rebecca Morris moved to Sutton Bonington she had no idea that she would have a chance meeting with a nurse who helped to save the life of her daughter several years before.
Forty year old Rebecca moved to the village from Castle Donington along with her children, including eight year old Emily
Previously Emily had been seriously ill with pneumonia shortly before her second birthday, ending up in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Emily recovered and, along with her brother Henry, started at Sutton Bonington primary school in January of this year.
Soon after the house move her mum Rebecca was invited on a mum’s night out at a local pub - where she met mum-of-three Gemma Harris who was sat opposite her.
During a friendly chat Ms Harris mentioned that she worked at the Queen’s Medical Centre with children.
As the conversation progressed the pair realised that Ms Harris had in fact been in the ambulance with Emily when she took a turn for the worse in the middle of the night and had to be transferred from Royal Derby Hospital to the Queen’s Medical Centre, via Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.
Ms Morris said: “We were really quite worried about her as she was very, very poorly.
“It was very serious. We prepared ourselves for the worst at one point. Luckily, in the end, she improved and then got stronger and stronger each day.
“I always thought about the trip to the QMC. She was that ill that we weren’t allowed in with her and it takes ages when the patient is that poorly. We knew she was in the best hands, but to know Gemma was there with her is amazing.”
Gemma told her she remembered her dark hair.
She was one of a number of medical professionals who were sent to the Royal Derby Hospital to collect Emily and take her back to Nottingham.
VILLAGE SHOW DATE. Sunday, September 4 has been scheduled as the date for Sutton Bonington Village Show to re-appear after the Covid-19 pandemic problems, and the organisers are looking for everybody’s continued support.
The show’s annual general meeting will be held in Sutton Bonington Village Hall Library Room on Tuesday February 22 at 7.30p.m. All are welcome to attend
Because of the pandemic the show, which attracts thousands of people each year, was not held last year.
In making the announcement last year of the cancellation, the show organisers said unfortunately, after much deliberation they had made the decision to cancel the 2021 to protect all involved and to safeguard future shows.
“Hopefully by 2022 we will all be in a better situation and be able to plan with much more confidence.”
COVID GUIDANCE UPDATE. Moves by the Government to update both national and educational guidance regarding Covid-19 have been outlined to both parents and carers at Sutton Bonington’s primary school by head teacher Lee Shilton.
A summary of the changes, and how these impact on the current systems and ease the overall situation have been welcomed by al concerned, and everyone is looking forward to a return to more normal times, although are being reminded of the continuing need
To be aware the virus has not gone totally away and there are still residents in the village and the school catchment area being affected.
Mr Shilton says they continue to promote good hand and respiratory hygiene as well as ensure appropriate levels of ventilation alongside all other guidance and asks parents to please continue to send their child to school with warm clothing on colder days
COMMUNITY SHOP. Revised arrangements have been made for the first annual shareholders meeting of the Sutton Bonington Community Shop.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 9 at Sutton Bonington Baptist Church at 6.30 pm
In a Facebook message about the first annual members meeting, Janine B, on behalf of the Community Shop Committee “encourages all shareholders to attend and to consider one of the committee roles (which will be voted for at the meeting) in order to secure the long-term future of your community shop in the village.”
U3A. Recently retired or semi-retired people in Sutton Bonington and the surrounding villages are being invited to consider joining Soar Valley University of the Third Age branch – the u3a
Part of a national charity movement founded forty years ago, there are now over a thousand local u3as around the country providing relaxed learning and leisure activities, with plenty of opportunities to make new friends.
The local area is served by Soar Valley u3a and, like all local u3as, they are run entirely by volunteer members.
They draw on the knowledge, skills and experiences of members to organise various interest groups and social events.
Currently Soar Valley u3a has around forty interest groups, including science, singing, birdwatching, dancing, walking, crafts, photography and many more.
Guest speaker meetings are held at Normanton-on-Soar
Village Hall, day trips are arranged to places of interest, and social activities such as Christmas parties, quizzes and coffee mornings are also organised. As officers of the u3a say “there is something of interest for everybody. And all are welcome”
The local group are particularly seeking members who are happy to take on active roles. People looking for a more fulfilling retirement and or who want to try new experiences in good company, are asked to get in touch.
Membership costs just £12 a year. Search Soar Valley u3a to visit the group’s website and find out more or contact the Membership Secretary for details - 07812 913807 or e-mail marilyniwood@yahoo. co.uk
TENANCY. Residents in Sutton Bonington and neighbouring Normanton on Soar are being reminded of the arrangements that exist in the event of a tenancy being available in Swan Court at The Paddocks in Sutton Bonington.
From time to time there may be vacancies available in the one person bungalows which are one-person bungalows consisting of sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom and which are controlled by the Sutton Bonington and Normantonon-Soar Social Services Association. The properties have gas central heating and there is also an emergency communications system. Daily site visits are provided by a warden.
There is a community room for informal gatherings to be held and all the garden and grounds are maintained by the Association. The rents are from £175 per fortnight with the tenant responsible for all utility bills. These properties are designed for, and aimed at, the older members of society. Potential tenants must already live in the villages of Sutton Bonington or Normanton or have previously lived in the villages and wish to move back or be non-villagers but wish to move to be closer to relatives who do live in the villages.
Two contacts for anyone who may be interested or know someone who might be can contact Miles Raven (01509 672160) or Rosie Hopkinson (01509 672811) for further details.
FARMERS’ MARKET. Multi-Award Winning Sutton Bonington Farmers’ Market held its first meeting of the new academic term on the local university campus last Wednesday(February 2)
The markets are held on the first Wednesday of every month in the academic calendar at the Nottingham University campus in the village, selling fresh, local, seasonal, organic produce such as vegetables, fruit, bread, eggs, meat, honey and preserves.
The market is held once a month during term times from 11am to 3pm. In the Winter months the markets are held in The Barn and in the
Summer months the local traders set up their stalls on the Front Lawns.
The markets were set up on the university campus to support local producers and farmers, to promote integration between the local community and those living or working on the campus and “to provide fresh, local and tasty food for all”
Parking is free at the farmers’ markets and dogs on leads are welcome.