SOUP AND DESERT.

Paul Collett, Mike Dickens, Steve Hill, Emrys RobinsonGreen, _The Production Team Script Gill Bowness Director Gill Bowness Music and Choreography Ellie Bowness Stage Manager Bethany Robinson-Green Sound Paul Harris Lighting Keith Benedict Wardrobe Marian Brogan, Val Teare, Leanne Hughes. Set Design/Painting Georgia Bland, Geoff Freeman Props construction Mike Dickens, Paul Collett Props management Jane Lewis, Prompt Felicity Hill, Backstage Paul Collett, Mike Dickens, Steve Hill, Emrys RobinsonGreen, Front of House Manager Belinda Collett, Marketing design/banners Cloud Artisans, Programme Debbie Flinders, Ticket sales Mel, The Greengrocer, Tickets Graeme Wappett, Debbie Flinders, Belinda Collett General Printing Nicky Doherty The Front of House team: Nicola Bland, Erin Doherty, Mike Elliott, Edwina Jackson, Moira Males, Jacquie Owen, Katrina Thorley, Debbie Walker, Laura Walker.

Thanks to: Mel, The Greengrocer for selling the tickets, The Cottage for displaying the banner, the Village Hall Management Committee, Hayley Masom@ Captcha photography, Sophia Thorne and Millside Spencer Academy for the use of their hall, and the village shops for displaying the posters.

Q&A. Saturday morning question and answer sessions with East Leake parish council and Rushcliffe Borough Council members are again on the programme of regular activities in the village after a break in them being held because of the pandemic situation and are taking place between 10am and 12noon on the first Saturday of every month, with the councillors happy to answer questions put to them and sharing local information about the village and its activities. The sessions are held at the parish council office.

MEADOW PARK. Friends of Meadow Park group at East Leake have held their final working party morning of the year. But the last one lof the year due to haven been in the run up to Christmas had to be called off because of weather conditions.

Now the next one is on January 13 to be held as usual at the depot, behind the Parish Office and after a 10am start will be working until around 12 noon, but with some of the helpers not staying that long. The work ;planned was as usual weather dependent and those attending would have continued with the winter work being concentrated on the Stonebridge copses – the pathways between the two copses has previously been cleared an the two copses opened up with coppicing/ pollarding. The path edges needed clearing to give a chance to the wild flowers/ bulbs which have been planted along both sides and the dead hedges on both sides needed attention as well with more coppicing in the two areas. There would also have been the usual litter pick.

Brenda Lawis, publicity secretary, announcing the call off for what would have been the last work session for the year, the group gave thanks to those who have been able to attend their work sessions, and, of course, wished all their members a happy Christmas and New Year.

A Soup and Dessert lunch held last week at East Leake St Mary’s Church was held for funds of Christian Aid . There was no set cost to attend and those who did support the event were invited to give what they could to support the work of the organisers in Bangaldesh.

POWER STATION VOTE. A Local Development Order – usually shown as LDO -which has been approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council allows for redevelopment around the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station was passed on a split vote.

One of the East Leake members at Rushcliffe, Coun. Carys Thomas has explained that the LDO will allow businesses to forgo regular planning rules for 25 years to help speed development on the site.

“All councillors agreed to the principles of sustainable, well-paid jobs and were in favour of investment in the green economy and redevelopment of the brownfield parts of the site. However, many are deeply concerned that democratic oversight is being reduced substantially.

“Some have concerns about the large greenfield site on the South side of the A453 that is included in the Order, where fields and woodland habitat are in danger of being lost to monstrous industrial buildings.”

Coun. Thomas said that Leake Ward Councillors offered an amendment to do something about the predicted increased traffic through our villages and loss of habitat but this was narrowly voted down.

“Our three Borough councillors say they will continue to campaign strongly on these issues and for greater consultation, transparency, and democracy in the process as plans are taken forward.”

COUNCIL PROJECTS. Parish councillors at East Leake have discussed future projects they might undertake for the next three years for consideration in preparing the budget

A discussion took place on what future projects members would like to see implemented over the next 3 years so a wish list with costings can be produced for the Personnel & Finance committee when putting the budget together. The following is what the Committee agreed: Street Art – Painting of Toilets, bridge and Workshop door - £2,500 Picnic Area – Behind the Bowls Club - £10,000 War Memorial – Cleaning - £3,000 Gateways to Village – 5 Gateways to entrance to village - £10,000 Costock Road Car Park Overflow – Flattening Ground - £4,000 Events - D Day, Carnival etc - £3,500 £33,000.

A discussion took place on what future projects members would like to see implemented over the next three years so a wish list with costings can be produced for the Personnel and Finance committee when putting the budget together.