Villages

Published date23 June 2021
Publication titleLoughborough Echo
GOOD NEWS DESPITE LOCKDOWN EXTENSION. With disappointment being expressed by many of East Leake's residents over the latest of the decisions by the Government involving the COVID-19 situation and which sees an extension of the time towards the end of July before a planned lifting of all restrictions can be brought into operations, comes some good news from others with a personal achievement and where determined efforts are to be made to bring back some social and entertainment life to the village.

On a personal achievement aspect, East Leake Academy's Harry M recently represented them in the Notts Schools Golf Competition.

At the age of just 12, he came 11th out of 32 players, competing against players up to the age of 18. Harry persevered with a slow start and heavy rain to shoot only one over his handicap.

The competition is open to children under 18 and so the challenge was tough.

Says Principal Mr Blake Francis: "We are looking forward to seeing Harry represent the school in golf competitions again over the next few years."

Back in 2019 the village had a new social attraction lined up on its list of events when what was thought to be the first ever gardens trail to be held in the village was organised to take place, with to make it even more interesting it also included a scarecrow trail.

There were over 30 gardens open to the public on the big day -a Sunday-- and at least 16 scarecrows on display also.

Maps showing the gardens

that were open were on sale in various points in the village and the £3 per person charge for adults saw all proceeds from the event donated towards the exciting rebuild of the East Leake Community Sports Hub on Costock Road.

Reports after the event confidently stated it looks as

though East Leake had a new event for its social calendar following the huge success of the first attempt. Organiser Hannah Owen said they were delighted at the support they had at their first attempt of staging the event, with so many gardens open and scarecrows on show. And there were plans being made for the event to be on again next year, but then COVID-19 stepped in and sopped it appearing for a second time.

Food was available at some of the gardens, with the scarecrows following a themed display connected with films, which included such as 101 Dalmations, Mary Poppins, Gruffalo, Mama MIA Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, The BFG, Alice in Wonderland, Mission Impossible, Chicken Run, Top Gun, Toy Story, Jesus and Zaccheus, Spiderman, and Wallace and Gromit.

Entertainment was offered at some of the gardens, including live piano music and cocktails at 1 Sharpley Drive, cakes and hair glitter stall at 12 Towlson Field, 'Have a go' crochet at 2 The Nook, and live music at 51 Bateman Road.

The event certainly brought people out on the streets and the village car parks were all full. The competition for the best scarecrow was won by Wendy and Gary Mitchell of Bateman Road with their Mary Poppins scarecrow.

The event made over £1900 for its cause.

Now its time for a second performance, on Sunday July

25, and Mel Robinson says if you would like to open your garden or put a scarecrow in your front garden please email jacquieowen@hotmail. com for an entry form. Maps will be on sale on the day from Gotham Road Car Park and again all proceeds will go to the Costock Road Pavilion Rebuild Fund.

Mel told the Echo they were delighted to say they have a willing group of volunteers to help organise this popular and all they need now are people willing to open up their gardens and some creative folk to make some scarecrows!

"Please get in touch by emailing jacquieowen@ hotmail.com for an entry form or call in at The Greengrocer for more info!" says Mel.

More good news is the hope that East Leake WI who have been active in the village for over 90 years are hopeful of reintroducing face to face meetings again after a lapse because of the pandemic situation for the last 12 months or so.

President Gretel Wilson says their meetings generally take place on the second Tuesday of every month in the village hall and in better times they have a varied programme of speakers and organise daytime and evening activities between meetings, including craft groups, walks, lunches, table tennis and outings. The branch has around 40 members of all ages.

The group are hoping to restart (COVID permitting) meetings on Tuesday July 13 in the village hall with Project: Life After Lockdown - an interactive session given by Yvonne Radley where she walks you through your Life Pie to help you live a balanced life when it comes to business and pleasure.

A message from the president: "Why not come

along to join us! New members and visitors very welcome."

Continuing with the good news is an item from the East Leake Local History Group, in which one of its leading members, Keith Hodgkinson, says nothing stops their activitie, not even the pandemic.

Keith says: "The various and unexpected COVID lockdowns have not stopped the East Leake Local History Society from continuing to give talks, write new material and research new topics.

"The usual monthly talks have been organised online by Zoom, and the AGM was fully virtual by IT. Next year's talks will begin on The latest book to be published is "To a place of greater safety", about the 200 or so evacuees to the village from Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham and London during World War II.

This is a cracking and delightful read, full of tales and emotive illustrations - every child has their own story to tell, and we have found some fascinating stories" Keith says: "The society was particularly pleased to have received a wonderful account by Peter Russell who recently visited the village and the school to which those evacuees of school age were sent. It was the school records that have informed the writers of the details of their lives away in the countryside. So we have information about the children's ages, home addresses, school classes and, most revealing, the addresses of their many hosts in and around East Leake. This was all part of "Operation Pied Piper", the government's plan to move over a million people away from vulnerable city centres, all planned in 1938, well before war broke out. The plan worked well in outline, but the details left some

things to be chance and the vagaries of human reactions,."

The book is available from jmhurst2@hotmail.co.uk and will be sent by post, price £8.50."

PLANS. Rushcliffe Borough Council have given planning permission for the construction of single storey rear and side extension, loft conversion including front and rear box dormer windows with raised decking area and screen at the rear and small open porch at side/front at 39 Rempstone Road, East Leake.

CHURCH CHANGES. East Leake St Mary's Parish Church say under the latest guidance, two households are now able to sit together during services, should they wish.

The Rector, the Rev Tim, says this, with some general re-jigging, gives them plenty of space so please don't hesitate to book in to attend a service.

He says the easing of the restrictions might also be a great chance to invite someone else to attend with you. "Just let us know when you book in. And a reminder that we are sharing tea and coffee together after the service, outside the church building. Just bring along a drink and join us!"

St Mary's are continuing their gathered worship on a Sunday with 9:15am Holy Communion and 11am Morning Worship. The 11am service is also be streamed live on the website and our 9.15am service is broadcast in the evening at 6pm..

The Rev Tim says...

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