all saints’ church parish magazine leek wootton link · editorial welcome to the may issue of the...

LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MAY 2018

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EDITORIAL

Welcome to the May issue of The Link.

Its been such a long winter with a very late spring, but the smell of freshly cut grass and the vision of buds seeming to be swelling and opening in front of one’s eyes has been wonderful during the past few days.

Hopefully, the flooding of Guy’s Cliffe Walled Garden is now well and truly over and local herds will finally be released into the fields after such a long time ‘inside'.

There is new life of all forms in our gardens and we hope that all will benefit from their ‘release’ into the outdoors! One new addition for us, discovered this weekend whilst compiling the magazine, has been a nest of a newly hatched clutch of blackbirds - magic!

Helen & Lesley Eldridge The Editorial Team

Cover Image:

Articles for The Link: If there is anything you would like to include, please email

[email protected]

The deadline for editorial submissions for the JUNE issue is: FRIDAY, 18 MAY

Advertisements for The Link or for www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk: 1 WEEK IN ADVANCE OF THE MAIN SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Via email to [email protected] or call Jim Perryman on 01926 850610

Would you like to receive The Link by email? Please email [email protected] and request your email copy

Priest in Charge Jim Perryman t : 850610 The Vicarage, 4 Hill Wootton Road e : [email protected]

Church Wardens Jonathan Kingston t : 851181 32 Hill Wootton Road

Nigel Stallard t : 850548 Reading Room Cottage Church Lane

Reader Audrey Rowberry t : 851498 7a The Meadows

Secretary to the PCC Eileen Clayton t : 855124 2 The Hamlet

Treasurer to the PCC Mark Sayers t : 859389 36 The Hamlet

All Saints’ Church

WHO’S WHO?

Back issues of The Link are available to view online. go to free.yudu.com and search for ‘Leek Wootton Link’


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FROM THE VICARAGE Spring into action

Yes, I know I used the same pun in the Messy Church advert last month (and repeat it this month as you will probably get this edition in time for Sunday, 29 April). However, this really is an active month as spring is finally allowed a quick look in before summer starts to throw its weight about, and I’m sure that many readers are feeling more inspired by the brighter, warmer weather to get cracking on all the jobs around house and garden that have been put to one side over the elongated winter.

As some may know, 2018 is the centenary of the reforming of the Diocese of Coventry. It is interesting to think that, had that not happened and we had remained part of the Diocese of Worcester, then the bombing of Coventry in 1940 would have destroyed a parish church rather than the cathedral – and I wonder whether it would have inspired such a response that led to the great ‘Cross of Nails’ movement for reconciliation that has brought so much benefit around the globe and for which Coventry and the diocese is now world-famous.

Anyway, as a major part of the celebrations, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who was a parish priest in this diocese for fifteen years, is coming to spend a few days with us, culminating in a major event at the Cathedral on Saturday, 5 May to which you are ALL invited! See the notices elsewhere about this and other open meetings with the Archbishop in Frankton and Chilvers Coton, and I hope that many of you will take this great opportunity to celebrate being a part of the Coventry story.

More locally, the following day is celebrating our own community. The 9.30 morning service, for Rogation Sunday, will be celebrating, and praying for God’s blessing on, the various parish organisations. Why not come along and represent your group as we give thanks for our wonderful community? Then, from 2:30pm that afternoon, it’s TEDDY BEAR PARACHUTING day as brave soft toys of all shapes and sizes leap from the church tower, safely harnessed to one of Katie Kingston’s beautifully colourful parachute creations. If you’ve never experienced this annual wonder, make sure you come along this year to join the fun. It’s great for all ages. My 61-year-old teddy will be jumping again, despite his adventures in the trees last year. Any other old bears brave enough? Refreshments will be available in the church throughout the afternoon.

Following that, from Thursday, 10 (Ascension Day) to Sunday, 20 April (Pentecost), we will be taking part in the nationwide ‘Your Kingdom Come’ festival where churches of all denominations work and pray together for our nation. We will be setting up another prayer and contemplation trail in the church and churchyard to encourage everyone to spend a little time in quiet reflection – this time letting creation as well as the Bible inspire our thinking and perhaps our prayers. After all the activity, maybe we should all take advantage of this time to ponder – whatever our faith.

Jim Perryman


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www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk

CHURCH SERVICES / EVENTS FOR MAY 2018.

Wednesday, 2 May

10:30am Midweek Holy Communion

DIOCESAN CENTENARY FESTIVAL with Archbishop Justin Welby Thursday, 3 May

6:30pm ‘Coming Home’ at Highfield Farm, Frankton

Friday, 4 May

7:30pm ‘Ask the Archbishop’ at All Saints’, Chilvers Coton

Saturday, 5 May

10:30am Centenary Festival at the Cathedral (until 4:00pm)

Sunday, 6 May CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY 8:00am Holy Communion (CW) 9:30am All Age Worship for Rogation Sunday A celebration of local organisations 2:30pm Teddy Bear Parachuting from the Church Tower and Church Teas (until 4:30pm)

Thursday, 10 May to Sunday, 20 May ‘Your Kingdom Come’ Prayer and Contemplation Trail in All Saints’ Church and Churchyard

Sunday, 13 May

9:30am Holy Communion (CW) and Baptism with Children’s Groups

Wednesday, 16 May 10:30am Midweek Holy Communion

Sunday, 20 May PENTECOST/WHITSUN 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP) 9:30am All Age Worship 10:45am PCC Meeting

Saturday, 26 May

2:00pm Wedding of Mark Kelly and Sherrie Bloomer Service to be taken by The Rev’d Brian Pearson

Sunday, 27 May 9:30am All Age Holy Communion

Service to be taken by

The Rev’d Brian Pearson


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Sunday, 29 April, 3pm to 5pm

IN THE ARBORETUM (by permission) AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE

WARWICKSHIRE Suitable clothing & footwear essential

Parking at the entrance to the Warwickshire and not in the Health Club car park

Come ready for activities in the great outdoors as we enjoy the beauty and fascination of this special place just

near the entrance to The Warwickshire

Messy Church:

• is a way of being church for families involving fun

• is found across the world • values are about being Christ-centred, for

all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration

Spring into action and turn over a new leaf!.


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LEEK WOOTTON MU Contact : Janet Jackson t : 258264

In place of or usual monthly branch meeting, in April we encouraged our members to attend the Diocesan MU (belated) service of celebration for Lady Day – the traditional name of the Feast of the Annunciation when Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. Lady Day is a key day in the MU year when new members are welcomed. This year’s celebration took place at St Martin’s Church, Finham, and we were delighted to welcome The Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral, who spoke to us on the theme of ‘Peace and Reconciliation’. This was very timely for our branch members as our March meeting had been about ‘Peace’ and our next meeting in May is about ‘Reconciliation’!

There are three events coming up in May:

Saturday, 5 May 10:30 – 4:00pm: this is an open event at Coventry Cathedral as part of Archbishop Justin Welby’s visit to Coventry. Everyone is welcome to attend and MU members will be in evidence offering hospitality.

Thursday, 10 May 1:30 – 3:30pm: our branch meeting will take place in All Saints’ Church when, as well as our planned discussion topic, we will be celebrating another important day in the Christian calendar - Ascension Day when we commemorate Christ’s ascension into heaven.

Monday, 14 May at 3:00pm: MU members worldwide will be uniting in a Global Moment act of worship from Coventry Cathedral to pray ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ as part of the Archbishop’s Pentecost call to prayer. The service will focus on our need for reconciliation with God made possible by the death and resurrection of Christ and calls us to pray for friends and family to come to faith in Jesus. All MU members are welcome.

Do join us at one or more of these important events.

Prayer Lord God,

bring us together as one, reconciled, healed and forgiven, sharing you with others as you

have called us to do. In Jesus Christ,

let us be together as one.

Amen


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www.coventrycathedral.org.uk

COVENTRY CATHEDRAL MATTERS Parish Partner : Mary Robins t : 512643

Thursday, 3 May at 7:00pm

Music in the Cathedral The Coventry Cathedral Chorus will be joined by the male chorus, Sons of Jubal from Georgia, USA, promising an exciting programme of sacred and secular choral pops.

Friday, 11 May 2018

Replica LIVE 2018 Coventry’s own tribute festival, is returning for 2018; with a twist! “Two of the world’s best tribute acts will be joined by the infamous ROCKAOKE band” and,

as last year, all of the fun, dancing, singing, eating and drinking will take place inside the ruins of the old Cathedral, complimented by a full festival-style production under cover of an open marquee, including bars and street food.

Saturday, 5 May

Centenary Festival The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby will be visiting Coventry Cathedral as part of a five-day visit to Coventry Diocese. It is 25 years since the Archbishop was ordained as a priest in the Cathedral and between 2002 and 2007 he was Canon for Reconciliation Ministry. There are posters in All Saints’ Church outlining all the events planned for the day (see also page 10). They will include guided tours, exhibitions, family activities and free tea and coffee!! 10:30am - 4:00pm.

To discover more about the Centenary Festival and Coventry100, go to www.cov100.org


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www.leekwootton.org.uk

LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE PARISH COUNCIL Clerk to the Parish Council : Helen Eldridge t : 853841

The Parish Council last met on Tuesday, 10 April 2018, at All Saints ’ Church to allow for full disability access. Discussion included the following:

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN The NP Public Meeting on 27 March was well-attended and feedback on the NP and referendum was gratefully received. The presentation material and a report of the meeting are available on the PC website at www.leekwootton.org.uk/neighbourhood-plan (Posted at the bottom of the page). This is also where you can read the Neighbourhood Plan itself.

The Referendum will take place on Thursday, 3 May and will ask the question: “Do you want Warwick District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Leek Wootton and Guy’s Cliffe to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

The Parish Council hopes electors will support the NP and vote YES. If you have any questions before 3 May, please come to the Annual Parish Assembly on 1 May, or contact the Clerk (e: [email protected]) or any member of the Council.

TRAFFIC ISSUES As previously reported, the Safer Neighbourhoods Team has already indicated that it is unlikely to be able to provide any additional traffic monitoring, despite the fact that traffic issues continue to be high on residents’ priorities and frequently raised with the Council. ‘Traffic issues’ include speeding, parking, quantity of traffic, overweight vehicles and pollution. Please note that incidents of illegal parking and other non-emergency offences should be reported to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team (t: 101 / e: [email protected])

The Parish Council plans, in due course, to use some of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money from future development in the parish (a contribution will be available whether or not we have a ‘made’ NP, but it will be 10% higher with a ‘Yes’ outcome) to contribute to measures to alleviate these issues. With this in mind, it launched a traffic survey at the NP Public Meeting. This will capture the opinions of residents and interested parties about a selection of traffic calming measures and collect more ideas. The survey is available online at www.leekwootton.org.uk/2018/03/27/traffic-calming-survey or contact the Clerk for a paper copy.

Also, at a recent meeting of Warwick Rural West Community Forum, the County Council assured the Council that the hard data from an earlier survey of traffic commissioned by WCC will be made available for independent analysis.


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PARISH MAINTENANCE A new grounds maintenance contract has been tendered and a new contractor to maintain the playground and parts of the recreation ground will be appointed soon. The Councillors have previously formed working parties to undertake maintenance work on other pieces of land, e.g. the farm hedge outside the school, and following on from comments and offers of help by residents, is considering forming a volunteer task force to help maintain ‘orphaned’ areas. If you would be interested in being included in a task force, or wish to raise an issue about a piece of land, please contact [email protected] or contact the Clerk.

The Parish Council has been successful in obtaining a new grant to replace the remaining bins in Leek Wootton, as well as installing a new grit bin in Croft Road, and installations will be carried out during late spring/summer.

The Parish Council continues to liaise with WCC Highways to report problems, which have recently been the quantity of new pot holes and blocked surface drains.

NEW REGULAR MEETING DATE FROM JUNE To resolve the issue of ensuring meetings are accessible to all, which is a statutory requirement for Parish Councils, it was agreed that Leek Wootton & Guy’s Cliffe Parish Council will, from 5 June 2018, move its regular meeting date to the first Tuesday in the month (except for bank holidays). Leek Wootton Village Hall is regularly available on this date and the Parish Council is grateful to the Village Hall Committee for its understanding in this matter.

UPCOMING EVENTS 1 May 2018 The Annual Parish Assembly will be held on Tuesday, at 7:30pm in the Village Hall.

3 May 2018 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REFERENDUM

8 May 2018 The Parish Council will next meet for its Annual Parish Meeting at 7:30pm. This meeting will be held at All Saints’ Church.

Minutes of all Parish Council meetings, when signed, are published on the website at www.leekwootton.org.uk. Any local issues can always be raised at meetings under Public Question Time or by contacting any of the Parish Councillors or the Clerk, details of whom are listed on all noticeboards, the Parish Council website, in the Parish Directory and the Bulletin.

ANNOUNCEMENT We have received the sad news that Peter David died peacefully at home on 14 April and our thoughts are with his wife, Hilary, and their family and friends.

Peter’s funeral will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, 25 May at St John’s Church, Kenilworth, followed by a wake at Leek Wootton Sports Club with a pig roast to which all are welcome.

Hilary has asked that, instead of sending flowers, donations be made to Peter’s choice of charity, The Salvation Army.


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Neighbourhood Plan Referendum 3 May 2018

“Do you want Warwick District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Leek Wootton and Guy’s Cliffe to help it decide planning applications

in the neighbourhood area?”

The Referendum is the official vote to confirm adoption or not of the NP.

Your votes are important to the future development of Leek Wootton as:

• Once adopted (”made”), the Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the future Statutory WDC Planning Policy.

• This will confirm the limit of Local Plan new dwelling allocation of 120 properties for Leek Wootton.

• New development in Leek Wootton will attract the “High Value Rural” infrastructure levy on all new properties.

• Based upon 120 new properties, this has been estimated to exceed £1.2 million, of which 25% (£300,000) would become available for Parish projects Without a “made” NP, this percentage falls to 15%. A difference of £120,000.

• You, via the Parish Council will continue to have a voice in future, detailed planning applications, including the Masterplan for Woodcote.

Without a Neighbourhood Plan

• All major planning decisions will be made solely by WDC, governed by the adopted Local Plan. The Parish Council will not have a voice in future, detailed planning applications, including the Masterplan for Woodcote.

• There will be less scope for controlled infrastructure development in the village.

The most significant element of future planning for Leek Wootton will be the redevelopment of Woodcote.

It is essential that the policies contained within the Neighbourhood Plan – which conform with those in the WDC Local Plan – are properly observed in any future detailed plans for the site namely:

• A maximum of 115 new dwellings on the site as a whole.

• A single coordinated development of each of the components of the new housing, within an acceptable timeframe.

• Protection and enhancement of the historic assets and their setting, including a secure and sustainable future for Woodcote as a Grade 2 listed building.

• A mix of new dwelling types in order to meet with the changing needs of Leek Wootton, including affordable housing.

• High quality layout and design, positively enhancing the landscape character.

• Provision for necessary infrastructure requirements, including open spaces.

• Provision for the future management and maintenance of the non-developed areas of the site.

• A total 120 new dwellings within the Leek Wootton settlement area constitute an increase of more than 30%.


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The Annual Parish Assembly will be held on Tuesday, 1 May 2017 at 7:30pm in the Village Hall. This is a public meeting, giving electors an opportunity to speak and discuss matters of importance or concern to the community. If you would like to speak on a subject or there is an issue that affects the community that you would like to be included for discussion, please email [email protected], contact the Clerk or any Parish Councillor.

This year we will welcome, as a special guest, the newly appointed Head of Development Services at Warwick District Council, which covers Planning, the Local Plan, Conservation, Building Control and Economic Development.

Everyone may attend the Annual Parish Assembly, whether or not you are a parish elector, and all are welcome.

From the

Parish Registers

7 April 2018

Marriage of Christopher John Handler and Megan Frances Jones

15 April 2018

Baptism of Mia Rose Brindley


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READERS’ STORIES

A Tale of Two Kitties It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. Our beloved cat Casper disappeared from our home on Waller Close in the first heavy snowfall in December. He had been with us nine fur-filled years, and even habitais with us for a year in France on his own pet passport. He gave us a lot of joy and we have missed him. Spring sprang with uplifting news – sightings in the village of a big black cat!

Months earlier, we had put posters up around the village, in the Sports Club, online; we knocked on doors around Waller Close and neighbours kindly checked their sheds; we combed the woods and fields and roadsides calling forlornly his name and, as time passed, eventually, we assumed the worst.

There was news of a dead cat across from the caravan business. I checked. It was a much smaller cat.

Mid-April we got a call from a school mum who had heard of Casper’s plight and noted that her neighbour, Helen on the Hamlet had spoken of a black cat crashing the cat flap and pilfering her two cats’ food supply. The cat did what it liked,

and what it liked was their cat food. It was hungry. Helen had leafleted the neighbours and even had video evidence. It sure looked like Casper, though we were of course looking at a video of a black cat in the dark! We hatched a plan to trap the cat in the room where the food was kept, so I could get a good look at him. Problem was, the cat visited between midnight and 5am. After three nights of interrupted sleep, Helen sleeping on the sofa with one eye on her hedge-hog camera set-up on her laptop, calling me when the cat appeared, me driving over in my pyjamas and the cat scarpering, we finally caught him. Close up, he didn’t look quite so much like Casper. Though sizeable, this cat was shorter in the body, his cheek pouches much fuller. He also seemed mute, ninja-like; he never made a sound. In the morning Helen and I drove to a local vet to have the cat scanned for a microchip. None. The vet also noted that the cat’s manhood was still intact. Definitely not Casper.

We were advised by the vet to release the cat near where we found him and if he continued to appear homeless, the vet could possibly neuter him, and Cat Protection might then try to find him a nice home. (Let’s hope he’s not just a Six Dinner Sid: the cat who lived at six houses, so he could get six

Casper is missing from Waller Close

Video evidence of hungry raider sneaking in and eating other cats’ food

Children's book by Inga Moore


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dinners every day.) Heavy-heartedly, we released him back near the corner of the Hamlet and the Meadows.

Casper meanwhile is still missing. He is a shorthair, about 11 years old, long-bodied and large, with no markings on his blackish/dark brown fur. He has green eyes. He is gentle (unless you’re a mouse) and has been microchipped and neutered.

This is a tale of two kitties in Leek Wootton, who look very similar, but have very different traits. If you’re caring for either Casper or the other cat (let’s call him ‘Hamlet’ for

sake of reference) or know who is, please get in touch with Steph (m: 0781 487 5931).

Steph Allison

Whose cat is this?

Your Letters If you would like to write to us, please email the Editorial Team at : [email protected]

Village Internet dropout Thank you to those who responded to our request for information on internet dropout frustrations. We have had over 20 responses and it is clear this problem is occurring across multiple providers. Speaking informally to Openreach engineers working in Leek Wootton it is clear that the green cabinet on Warwick Road is becoming overloaded. In layman’s terms when you complain to your provider they inform Openreach who simply move your connection from one ‘card’ in the cabinet to another – which may then provide you with a better service in the short term, but possibly causes someone else to suffer. Overloading of these ‘cards’ in the cabinet seems to be the nub of our frustrations.

With ‘superfast’ broadband soon becoming the norm the reality may be this problem will only get worse. Getting in touch with Openreach without going through a provider has been somewhat tortuous, but we now have a case number with them and are awaiting a response. In the meantime the advice is to keep complaining to your provider and with enough of these across the board Openreach will be forced to do something. Good luck!!

Richard Coates

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WHO IS IT THAT FAILS TO CLEAN UP after the dog that they walk in the centre of Leek Wootton?

Someone must know who it is and that the failure is an offence, both legally and to those who have to suffer the consequences on the pavements, grass verges and garden frontages.

Recent incidents have been reported to the WDC Dog Warden, who has inspected the area and renewed signage. Please do report any further incidents, either via the Parish Council or direct at:

www.warwickdc.gov.uk/forms/form/46/report_dogs_fouling

Coffee Time Quiz Have a go at these quick fire brain teasers …

1. Who had a number one hit in the UK in April 2017 with his debut solo single Sign of the Times?

2. In literature, who was the best known pupil of Greyfriar's School?

3. What is the Christian name of Captain Mainwaring in the TV comedy Dad’s Army?

4. How many valves does a trumpet have?

5. What is the colour of the shirt worn by the King of the Mountains in the Tour de France?

Answers on page 31

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ALL SAINTS’ CHURCHYARD:

LOCAL WILDLIFE SITE All Saints' Churchyard has recently been designated as a Local Wildlife Site. The mature trees and the thick hedges have been recognised as great habitats for many creatures, but the main excitement of those coming to do the survey of species last summer, was the meadow areas, especially on the north side of the church where the grass has been undisturbed and unfertilised for very many years. This has led to there being many different species of grasses and

wildflowers. One very special flower is meadow saxifrage, which grows in very few places in Warwickshire, but is abundant in our churchyard. It flowers during May and June and some areas of the churchyard will not be mowed during this time to allow it to flower and set seed. Whilst I knew there were a few of these flowers on the bank of the drive, when I was examining the whole area closely I found a number of other patches and in a few weeks it should look lovely.

Next to a gravestone, sheep sorrel was found. It is a plant that normally grows on acidic soils and so perhaps the effect of the gravestone is to give a small patch suitable for this plant.

Ox-eye daisy is another plant that grows in patches in the grass. When allowed to flower it is very attractive to a wide range of pollinating insects.

After these and other plants have flowered the grass will be cut again. In the meantime some may think that the churchyard is being neglected. That is definitely not the case.

Please do come and enjoy the beauty of these and many other plants, as well as the

invertebrates and birds. There will soon be some new information boards to help point out what to look for.

ADVANCE NOTICE: Please make a date for Sunday, 1 July in the afternoon when we will be having a Cherishing Churchyard event - more details next month.

Meadow saxifrage

Hairy shield bug on an ox-eye daisy


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ADVERTISING

16 June

LW&GC Parish Summer Fête Plans for the Summer Fête continue to move forward with lots of ideas, but we are looking for people to come along and man stalls. You can run a stall for an organisation or you may just want to raise money for a worthy cause.

We have equipment for some stalls, or you may have your own ideas.

If you’re interested and would like to find out more, please contact:

[email protected]

Or come along to our next planning meeting at 7:30pm on Wednesday, 2 May at Leek Wootton Sports Club.


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www.leekwoottonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk

LEEK WOOTTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Hon Secretary : Mary Murdoch t : 854103

There are just a few seats left for our OUTING to COTON MANOR GARDENS in Northamptonshire on SATURDAY, 9 JUNE; please reserve your seats by contacting Mary Murdoch on 01926 854103 or Steph Jones on 01926 855370.

The Annual Show will be held on Saturday, 18 August at the Village Hall celebrating 150 years of the Society’s existence. Mark this date on your calendar and remember to come along and enjoy a truly relaxing afternoon. If you require a schedule for the Show please contact 01926 854103 or see our website for details.

All details of the Society are on our website, which continues to attract support from far and wide: www.leekwoottonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk

You can also contact the Society via [email protected]. It is worth having a look at all the information, including photographs that make up the content.

Sunday, 6 May from 2:30 - 4:30pm at All Saints’ Church

Teddy Bear Parachuting & Church Teas Come along for a fun afternoon watching your brave teddies and cuddly toys take their lives in their hands, base-jumping from the top of the church tower.

Parachutes provided and certificates for all brave jumpers!

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www.leekwoottonwi.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON WI President : Genny Wilson t : 690701

Tales from a Dairy Farmer’s Wife Our speaker this month was Jane Barnes, who shared that she had recently celebrated her Silver Wedding anniversary with husband Mark, a third generation dairy farmer. Jane recalled that he felt it was important to introduce her to his cows on their first date together! At that point we knew we were going to have an amusing evening, and with 25 years of dairy farming under her belt, Jane was well equipped to share ‘Tales from a Dairy Farmer’s Wife’.

Jane is the eldest of three daughters and describes herself as tomboy with springy hair – something that her son has inherited from her. After joining the Young Farmer’s Movement she was proud to

be successful in achieving one of two scholarships to experience farming in California.

After marrying Mark at the age of 27, their first child was a daughter Charlotte, who was named after Mark’s favourite cow! Charlotte’s delivery was initially breach and at 10lbs a Caesarean was required, although husband Mark described this as a ‘sunroof’ delivery.

When Charlotte was asleep, Jane enterprisingly started a dry flower arrangement business, mainly inspired by her husband’s response to purchasing a dishwasher. “Yes that’s fine, but you need to earn the funds for that!”

Their farm in Somerby near Melton Mowbray has 400 acres of grassland some 650ft above sea level, providing grazing for 160 milking Ayrshires. They produce 950,000 litres per year, and they are one of 42 dairy farmers who have formed a collaborative to exclusively supply their milk to produce stilton cheese.

Jane explained that when they purchased their initial herd they thoroughly checked the legs and hooves, as cows do a lot of walking; walking to the milk parlour twice a day and grazing up and down their hilly pastures. Jane reasoned that is perhaps what attracted Mark to her, as she wears size 7 shoes, so she has strong legs and feet!

Mark and their son Harry look after the herd and the milking, while Jane looks after the calves. Jane explained that cows are pregnant for 9 months and generally give birth at night with assistance. The cow will eat the placenta for


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its nutritious value, and the calves suckle for the first 24 hours to ensure they receive the essential colostrum. The calves are then moved into a calf crèche and Jane takes over the role of feeding the heifer cows and young bulls. The mother cow lactates for up to 10 months, averaging over 8,500 litres of milk per lactation.

They have had a number of bulls on the farm with imaginative names such as; Desmond, Benji, Billy Beaumont, Quaker, Dicky and Dopey. Jane recalls being told off by the vet when they only had one bull and, after spending three months servicing the herd of cows, he had lost half his body weight! So they now have a pair of bulls to achieve a 1:70 bull to cow ratio.

Jane described how all the cows have personalities and it’s clear she loves being a dairy farmer’s wife, and we loved hearing about her life and how dairy farming works. Jane had bought with her a selection of stilton cheese, which was soon all purchased. It sounds like an idyllic existence living in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside and not having traffic jams to contend with; if only it wasn’t for the 5:30am starts, in all weathers, 365 days of the year!


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www.historygroup.leekwoottonandguyscliffe.org.uk

LEEK WOOTTON HISTORY GROUP Chairman : Paul Eldridge t : 854347

The Way We Were… Adoption of the WDC Local Plan and the pending Neighbourhood Plan (please don’t forget to vote on 3 May!) will mean new developments within the parish. Here is an example of an earlier time of change, when the building that had housed the Village Stores, Bakery and Post Office in Leek Wootton, was put up for sale.

In January 1976 the agent, Godfrey Payton & Co, was asking £10,000 for the ‘boarded up’ and very sad looking property.

Just one image of many in the History Group archive, when the business was a vital ‘cog’ in parish life

(Image © Graham Gould, published in ’A selection of the photographs printed in The

Kenilworth Weekly News, Volume One 1946 to 1979’ by Graham Gould & Peter James)

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LEEK WOOTTON VILLAGE HALL Booking Clerk : Sigrun Fewtrill e : [email protected] t : 409641 after 4:00pm

Hiring Charges Main Hall

Committee Room Maximum 20 Persons Village Users: £7.00 ph Non-Village Users: £9.00 ph Full day rates at Committee’s discretion.

30 min setting-up charge, plus 30 min clearing-up charge is added to ALL bookings (except for regular village users).

Hire of the Main Hall or the Committee Room is for that room only.

An additional charge of £15 is payable for use of the cooker, dishwasher and heated cabinet.

We are very proud of our Village Hall and would appreciate your help in maintaining it in its present condition; all users should leave the hall, kitchen and toilets clean and tidy.

ALL litter must be taken home. Please do not leave bags of rubbish in, or outside, the hall.

BOOKING INQUIRIES TO MRS S FEWTRILL (e : [email protected] | t : 01926 409641 after 4:00pm)

SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE HALL

Charges effective from 1 January 2017

Village

Organisations / Events

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Category 1 Mon-Fri

9:00-6:00pm £7.00 ph £11.00 ph £15.00 ph

Category 2 Mon-Thu

6:00-11:00pm £7.00 ph £12.00 ph £16.00 ph

Category 3 Fri, 6:00-11:00pm

Sat & Sun By arrangement £14.00 ph £19.00 ph

ADVERTISING

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www.mentalhealth.org.uk

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 14-20 May 2018

This year Mental Health Awareness Week is focussing on stress. Research has shown that 16 million people experience a mental health problem each year, and stress is a key factor in this.

By tackling stress, we can go a long way to tackling mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and, in some instances, self-harm and suicide. We will look at how we can tackle stress and help improve our mental health.

How can you help?

• Show your support for mental health by wearing a green ribbon pin badge to raise awareness and support good mental health for all. All proceeds go towards our vital work.

• Join our social media Thunderclap to help us reach as many people as possible during the week.

• Hold a Curry & Chaat. The aim is simple: get together with friends, enjoy a delicious curry and raise money for the Mental Health Foundation and our vision of a world with good mental health for all.

For more ideas for getting involved and further information, got to: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Visitor & Volunteer Dates 2018 10:00am-3.30pm

Visitors are welcome on all these dates when volunteers will be working in the garden: from April to end of October - every Wednesday, Friday & Sunday, plus Bank Holiday Mondays, 7 May and 28 May.

New volunteers are always welcome. Tools and gloves provided.

www.guyscliffewalledgarden.org.uk

GUY’S CLIFFE WALLED GARDEN TRUST e : [email protected]

Access & parking via Hintons Nursery, Coventry Road, Warwick


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ADVERTISING

www.bhf.org.uk

WARWICK HALF MARATHON The belated sixth BHF ½ Marathon was finally held on Sunday, 8 April, having been postponed from 4 March due to the Beast from the East.

It was won by Dominic James (Bib No. 2020) with a finish time of 1:14:21 and the first woman was Victoria Nealon (Bib No. 1722) with a finish time of 1:24:14. (Results from https://resultsbase.net/event/4060/results?round=9905.)

The race’s section through Guy’s Cliffe and Leek Wootton went without a hitch, despite onlookers seeing a Warwickshire Police car, with its blue lights on, travelling along the closed road towards Warwick and the front-runners!

Again, the race-planning and clearing was efficient, with the exception of the road block being left in place at the top of the Hill Wootton Road for over an hour after the roads were opened. This issue has been raised with the organisers and contingency planning is being put in place to ensure that this does not happen in future.


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1. That was Harry Stiles once of One Direction

2. It was Billy Bunter who went to Greyfriars School

3. The Christian name of Captain Mainwaring is George (Image: Statue of Captain George Mainwaring erected in the Norfolk town of Thetford, where there is also a Dad’s Army Museum)

4. The trumpet has three valves

5. The King of the Mountains wears a white shirt with red spots

www.ktscc.co.uk

KENILWORTH TENNIS, SQUASH & CROQUET CLUB

Have you tried croquet yet? Come along on Sunday, 13 May; it’s NATIONAL CROQUET DAY!

Summer’s warm afternoons and light evenings will soon be upon us. What better way to enjoy them than a game of Croquet. A sport to be played socially or you can make it as competitive as you like!

Croquet is flourishing in Kenilworth, linked with the Tennis and Squash Club in Crackley Lane. Club membership is at record levels!

What can it all be about? - Come and see for yourself.

Kenilworth Croquet Club in Crackley Lane will be holding another of its popular and very enjoyable Open Days on Sunday afternoon, 13 May. Arrive anytime between 1:00pm and 5:00pm. You will enjoy a friendly welcome.

Gentle exercise in beautiful surroundings and friendly members to introduce you to the sport. Wear what you want, but flat soled or trainer type shoes, please. It's free and all equipment is provided. Refreshments will be available.

For more information, please call Adrian Morris at 859650 or visit the website www.ktscc.co.uk/croquet

Coffee Time Quiz Answers From page 17


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http://leekwoottonsports.club [email protected]

LEEK WOOTTON SPORTS CLUB Secretary : Paul Baigent t : 07535 736556

Opening times:

Monday CLOSED Tuesday 7:00pm - 10:00pm Wednesday 7:00pm - 10:00pm Thursday CLOSED Except for Crib & Dominos nights

Friday 5:30pm - 11:00pm Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm - 9:00pm

Bank Holidays - Times vary

The newly elected Committee has recently met and is already working hard on its Spring and Summer programme.

A new major event for the Sports Club is to be a Ladies Fashion Show on Wednesday, 16 May where ladies will be able to purchase High Street brand clothes at discount prices of up to 70%. There will be music and a free glass of wine on entry, all for a ticket price of £5. Tickets can be purchased from the Club or from organiser, Jo on 07501 444404 and proceeds will go to Meningitis charities.

A second big event is the Summer Party, which will take place on Saturday, 23 June. It will include live music, other entertainment and dinner, and will cost £20 per head for the evening.

Finally, as part of the Summer Fête on Saturday,10 June the Sports Club is going to host plenty of fun activities, so please put this date in your diary.

Of course, with the weather changing we are moving close to the start of the cricket season and the lads have been busy getting the pitch and square, as well as the outbuildings, brushed up and ready. The first match, on Sunday, 29 April, is to be a Memorial Match to Club stalwart, Malcolm Barnet, who sadly passed away during the winter.

Some of the planned events include:

Wednesday, 25 April Club Bingo Night

Sunday, 29 April Malcolm Barnet Memorial Cricket Match

Friday, 4 May Junior Cricket Starts

Saturday, 5 May First League Cricket Game

Wednesday, 9 May Club Bingo Night

Wednesday, 16 May Ladies Fashion Show

Sunday, 20 May Junior Football Awards Day


Saturday, 23 June Summer Party

Don’t forget to keep up to date with all of the happenings and goings on at the Sports Club on our web site at http://leekwoottonsports.club


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http://leekwoottonsports.club/sports-clubs/football/ LEEK WOOTTON FOOTBALL CLUB Chairman : Paul Baigent t : 07535 736556

More Cup Success for the Under 10s Well done to the Under 10s who have had yet more cup success. After last season’s double victory and their victory in the Autumn Cup of the Coventry League, they have now won the Spring Cup, also in the Coventry League with a close 3-2 victory over Alvis. On Saturday the team also progressed to the Cup final where they had a very exciting semi-final victory over Kenilworth Town, secured on penalties after a 1-1 draw. They now face Norton Lindsey in the final; a repeat of last year’s final tie, which Leek Wootton won 2-1; it will no doubt be another tight game.

Elsewhere, the Club is running towards the end of the season, the two Midland League teams at Under 11s and Under 12s are doing very well in the toughest of leagues and on Sunday the Under 13s Colts currently top the division with two games to play.

Plans are now being made for next season and if your lad would like to play for the Club, please call Paul Baigent on 07535 736556.

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING

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Recipes from

Hilary Farm Kitchen by Julia Green

Hot or served at room temperature, these peppers are a delicious starter or light supper dish.

Feta Stuffed Peppers Serve with a crunchy coleslaw.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS:

• 100g (4oz) whole wheat couscous

• 25g (1oz) raisins

• 25g (1oz) almond slithers

• 100g (4oz) Feta cheese, crumbled

• 1 tblsp parsley, chopped

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 2 tblsp olive oil

• Black pepper

• 2 peppers, misshapen are fine; the redder they are, the sweeter they will be

METHOD:

1. Heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

2. Put the couscous and raisins in a bowl and just cover with boiling water. Leave to stand for 5 minutes.

3. Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in the almonds, parsley, half the Feta, the cinnamon and 1 tblsp oil. Mix well and season to taste.

4. Generously stuff the peppers with the couscous mix (any leftover stuffing can be served next to the peppers), then lay them in a small roasting tin and sprinkle over the remaining Feta.

5. Drizzle with the remaining oil and bake in the oven for 15 mins until hot and the Feta has turned golden.

Enjoy!

BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS Having shared the news in February that, after 7 years of contributing her recipes to The Link, Julia would be retiring this year, we can now confirm that the July/August double issue will be her last. In the meantime we (the Editorial Team) have been working with Julia to put together 50 or so of her favourite recipes into a book that will be launched at the Summer Fête on 16 June, with all profit going to local charities. Look out for more information about this project next month. (...Eds)

ADVERTISING

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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Contacts : Lisa Craine e : [email protected] Sonia Scrimshire m : 07770 664790 / e : [email protected]

Our Neighbourhood Watch contacts report that there has, sadly, been a notable increase in crime in Kenilworth and locality recently and they say that we really need to bear in mind that anything suspicious ought to be reported.

Please let them know if you see or hear anything untoward so that they may do their best to ensure our parish remains unaffected.

Local Incidents & Issues The chance arrival of a family member at Goodrest Farm on Monday, 9 April revealed two masked men attempting to steal a Land Rover. Once disturbed, the two men abandoned the vehicle and left hastily in a white van. They were followed for some distance by the young farmer in his tractor, at its maximum speed of 30 mph, but they outran him.

On the following day a woman who had been walking her dogs in Crackley Woods was approached and threatened at knife point by two masked men who, on this occasion, escaped in her Range Rover. (Two men from Coventry have since been charged with robbery and one with possession of a knife.)

Please take every precaution against theft (advice is available from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team) and be sure to report any suspicious activity.

www.warwickshire.police.uk/article/2279/Warwick-Rural-West

WARWICK RURAL WEST

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM e: [email protected]

New Beat Manager PC Ross Kirby has been appointed as Beat Manager of Warwick Rural West, which includes our ‘patch’ (Leek Wootton Ward).

Ross joined Warwickshire Police in 2004 and initially worked at Rugby Police Station as a Response Officer. In 2007 he joined the task force which provided armed and traffic support to the County.

After five years in this role, Ross moved back to incident response, working from Greys Mallory, attending emergency and priority incidents in the southern rural area. Since April 2015 he has worked on Kenilworth, Warwick Town and Leamington Safer Neighbourhood Teams and has also recently qualified as a Wildlife Officer.

If you have anything at all to report, our contact is:

PCSO Matt Hall on 01926 684397 or email: [email protected]

ADVERTISING

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OUT & ABOUT IN LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE See main articles for further details

Sunday, 29 April Malcolm Barnett Memorial Cricket Match

at the War Memorial Recreation Ground

Tuesday, 1 May Annual Parish Assembly

19:30 at the Village Hall

Wednesday, 2 May Summer Fête Planning Meeting

19:30 at the Sports Club

Thursday, 3 May Neighbourhood Plan Referendum www.leekwootton.org.uk/neighbourhood-plan

4-8 May Leamington Music Festival Weekend

www.leamingtonmusic.org

Sunday, 6 May Teddy Bear Parachuting & Church Teas

14:30-16:30 at All Saints’ Church

Tuesday, 8 May Parish Council Meeting

19:30 at All Saints’ Church


at the Sports Club

Thursday, 10 May Leek Wootton MU


Saturday, 12 May Warwick Farmers Market www.warwickdistrictmarkets.co.uk

Sunday, 13 May Walk for Myton 2018

www.mytonhospice.org

14-18 May Make a Will Week 2018

www.mytonhospice.org

Tuesday, 15 May Leek Wootton WI 19:45 at the Village Hall

Wednesday, 16 May Ladies’ Fashion Show

at the Sports Club

Sunday, 20 May PCC Meeting


Junior Football Awards Day at the Sports Club

Tuesday, 22 May Green Leek Cricket Match 17:00 at Leek Wootton Sports Club

Saturday, 26 May Leamington Farmers Market

and French Market www.warwickdistrictmarkets.co.uk

Sunday, 27 May Warwick Food Festival www.warwickfoodfestival.co.uk


at the Sports Club

BUS TIMETABLE Timetable for Stagecoach Route X68 between Coventry and Cubbington via Leek Wootton, as published on www.stagecoachbus.com

Leek Wootton Kenilworth Coventry MONDAY TO FRIDAY (except public holidays) Leek Wootton: 0742 0950 then hourly until 1450 1553 1653(HOL) 1738 1813

SATURDAY Leek Wootton: 0742 0950 then hourly until 1450 1553 1658 1738 1808

Leek Wootton Warwick Warwick Gates Leamington Lillington Cubbington MONDAY TO SATURDAY (except public holidays) Leek Wootton: 0744 0914 then hourly until 1514 1627 1727 1827

(HOL) school holidays only For return journeys to Leek Wootton, please see full timetable online


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APRIL IN PICTURES...

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Leek Wootton… Gone West! Venue for a country wedding.

“Lovely garden despite the floods!” Guy’s Cliffe Walled Garden’s first Open Day of the year on Easter Monday was waterlogged.

Young race fan cheers on the Warwick ½ Marathon runners

LW Cricket Club members prepare for the new season

all saints’ church parish magazine leek wootton link · editorial welcome to the may issue of the...

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