Fenny Drayton Parish News

September 2014

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Editor’s Notes

A warm welcome again to Fenny Drayton Parish News – as I write this, the good weather of July and the first half of August have given way to an almost Autumnal feeling – let’s hope September brings a last bit of Summer even as the children return to school and village activities like Friday With Friends, The Fenns Folk and Fenn Lanes Men’s Group restart.

Towards the end of this month (27 & 28th) we have the Village Flower Festival – an event not just for us in the village, so make sure you invite your friends too. As well as the flowers and other attractions (tea & cakes) there will be a Village Quiz.

Last month we appealed for a new volunteer to deliver 23 magazines each month to Church Lane, Drayton Lane and Drayton Close (still needed!) – we also need a volunteer to deliver to Quaker Close and part of Old Forge Road. Can you help (perhaps a volunteer or two from one of those roads?). It’s a great way to meet your neighbours and other people in the village. Please let Pauline know if you can help out.

Neil Sherry – [email protected] - 713848

To advertise and to subscribe, please contact:

Pauline Walsh - [email protected] – 715466

Front Cover – St. Michael & All Angels Church, Fenny Drayton – by kind permission of the copyright holder, Colin Sabin of Leicester. For more of Colin’s pictures, please see www.flickr.com/photos/37329908@N08 Fenny Drayton School A small white bungalow on Old Forge Road has recently come onto the market – newer villagers might not know that this used to be the village school. In 1867, a school room was set up in the Rectory (now ‘the Firs’ in Church Lane). Four years later, a dedicated school building was erected. By 1912 there were ‘considerable improvements required by the board of education’. By 1923 36-40 children attended the school, as well as the building being used as a Sunday School and for other social events.

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Fenny Drayton Church Services

7 September Holy Communion 9.00am 14 September Benefice Service, Dadlington 10.30am 21 September All Age Service 10.30am 28 September Songs of Praise 5.00pm

Church Readings 7 September Ezekial 33, v7-11 Audrey Smith Romans 13, v8-14 Janet Agar 21 September Proverbs 3, v13-18 Maureen Bonner 2 Corinthians 4, v1-6 Joan Holder 28 September Ezekial 18, v1-4, 25-32 Alan Wood Philippians 2, v1-13 Gina Hawthorne

Other Services in the Benefice

Higham on the Hill 7 September Holy Communion 10.30am 14 September Benefice Service, Dadlington 10.30am 21 September Evening Service 6.30pm 24 September Ecumenical Service – Methodist Church 10.30am

Witherley 7 September All Age Service 10.30am 14 September Benefice Service, Dadlington 10.30am 21 September Evening service 6.30pm 28 September Holy Communion 10.30am

Stoke Golding 7 September All Age Service 10.30am 14 September Benefice Service, Dadlington 10.30am 21 September Holy Communion 10.30am 28 September Morning Worship 10.30am

Dadlington 7 September BCP Morning Prayer 9.00am 14 September Benefice Service, Dadlington 10.30am 21 September BCP Holy Communion 9.00am 28 September Harvest Songs of Praise 6.30pm

St Michael & All Angels Church Management Committee (PCC) Janet Agar 01827 716035 Gina Hawthorne 01827 716159 Alan Baxter 02476 383438 Susan Kosniowski 01827 714628 Maureen Bonner 01827 715768 Michelle Nelson 01827 722182 Julia Collis 01827 713881 Audrey Smith 01827 717034 John Frisby 01827 715826 Pamela Wills 01827 720929

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Church Matters from the Parishes of: Fenny Drayton, Witherley, Higham-on-the-Hill, Stoke Golding & Dadlington RECTOR: Rev’d Linda Blay (01455) 213988, [email protected]

I have been in post here as Rector of the Fenn Lanes Benefice for six and a half years now, and ordained for fourteen years. It is recommended that clergy take a period of three months sabbatical or study leave every so often in order to be renewed and refreshed for the demands of their role, so as part of my Ministry Development Review with the Archdeacon, I was advised to take a sabbatical in the next three months.

The idea of having some time for self and being alone with God is a strong Biblical theme. Jesus knew the importance of it. He would often leave his disciples to go off by himself and pray alone.

The major focus of my time away is to have some opportunity for spiritual refreshment and renewal. With this in mind, I am hoping to go on a pilgrimage, walking part of the Camino de Santiago, a recognised pilgrimage walk through the north of Spain ending at the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostella. This will, no doubt, be a challenge for me physically, but also give me time to think, to pray, to reflect, and to meet other people along the way. It will be something completely different, but I feel that it’s important that I break away from the ministerial role that I love, for this period of time.

There will also be some time during the three months, to spend with my family, especially my mother who is elderly and suffers from dementia. Alongside this, I am hoping to arrange some visits to parishes in similar rural situations to ours, in order to gain new insights and ideas.

During the time of my absence, the Benefice will be in the capable hands of the Curate, the Readers, Retired Clergy, Church Wardens

5 and PCC members. Revd Hilary Surridge will be the first port of call for any inquiries regarding ministry, but I know that others will help to take on leadership responsibilities.

I shall be away from the benefice from the second week of September, and return by the second Sunday in December (14th), in good time for Christmas, hoping to be restored, refreshed, and eager to get on with the challenges and opportunities of ministry here in the Fenn Lanes.

Wishing you God’s blessings

Linda

Community Coffee Mornings

Should you wish to join us, we meet in the kitchen area of the Church from 10:30am-12:30. ALL ARE MOST WELCOME The dates for September are: Thursdays 4th and 18th FLOWER FESTIVAL IN CHURCH 27TH and 28TH SEPTEMBER 2014 The theme will be SAINTS Help will be needed making cakes and manning the tea stall and the door. Prizes for the raffle are also needed. Anyone willing to do a flower arrangement will be welcomed with open arms.

There will be a meeting on Wednesday, 3rd September 2014 at 7.30 p.m. in the church for everyone interested to finalise arrangements.

Please contact Yvonne Morson on 01827 716924 or Julia Collis on 01827 713881 if you are willing to be involved in any way especially if you cannot come to the meeting.

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The Fenns Folk Now that September is upon us, we start a new season of The Fenn’s Folk. Our first speaker, on September 25th, is a talk from Solicitor Steve Evans of Cocks Lloyd who is going to speak on the subject of ‘Witty Wills and Improbable Probates’ - telling us about some of the more interesting and unusual Wills and Probates he has dealt with over the years. So please come along if you can - we always meet on the last Thursday of the month, from 7.30pm in Church - where we enjoy a glass of wine with those famous 'themed nibbles', an interesting speaker, and a good chat.

Friday With Friends

We will be meeting again in September on Friday 5th. Please join us; everyone is welcome - just bring your own drink and glass. The church will be open from 7 - 10pm and you can stay as long, or as briefly, as you wish. Future dates: September 5th October 10th November 7th December 12th

Please note October's is later in the month than usual because there will be another musical 'gig' in church on the 3rd which you would be most welcome to attend; December's is later because we will be setting up for the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 6th December.

Household Hints DRIED OUT FELT TIP PENS: Dip tip in white vinegar for five seconds FRUIT SALAD: Improve flavour of fruit salads by adding ½ cup lemonade; this will also keep it fresh for several days.

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Party With The Men In Black - Friday 3rd October

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the band that are playing in Fenny Drayton Church on Friday, October 3rd as a fund raiser for the church.

We are called Men In Black (the original members all used to wear black), we are based and play mainly around Stoke Golding. We play quite a broad range of music, 60s & 70s pop music, some Irish songs, some rock, lots of old favourites.

We are a band that like the party atmosphere and love to get people joining in, our secret weapon is Phil the front man who will get you laughing, clapping, dancing, and singing along.

This is a fund raising gig with all the proceeds going to the church fund, tickets will be £5.00 each, there will be food available, please bring your own wine, beer, etc. There are more details opposite.

So if you like to have some fun, make some noise and have a really good time then please come along on Friday October 3rd. See you there.

Men In Black – Steve (drums), Malc (guitar & vocals), Rory (guitar & vocals), Perry (bass & vocals), Mick (guitar & vocals) and Phil (very vocal).

Mick Edwards

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PARTY WITH ‘THE MEN IN BLACK’ Music of the 60s and 70s, Irish and many old favourites

at

FENNY DRAYTON CHURCH

on

FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2014

from 7.30p.m.

There will be Cheese and biscuits Bring your own drinks and glasses

Tickets £5 available from Julia Collis 01827 713881

Proceeds to the Church

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‘RIDE & STRIDE’

LEICESTERSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST

Fenny Drayton have supported this good cause for twenty three years - cycling and visiting Churches for sponsorship. The money is divided 50/50 between other Churches and our own, we have received £3000 from the Trust for repairs to our Church, more than we have collected in sponsor money.

In the early years we formed a cycling club, (The Fenny Wheelers) this pedalled on for many years and for different reasons slowly came to a end. However, the Ride & Stride continued with three stalwart :- John Frisby, John Wightman and Martyn Taylor. John Frisby and John Wightman have decided to ease off the pedals on long distance rides and take it easy around the countryside but Martyn Taylor is still going strong. I expect he will be riding again this year, visiting Churches and having his card stamped at each one, riding his usual seventy plus miles on the day.

The reason for the background picture: I am retiring after twenty three years from the position of your local organiser of Ride & Stride, the door is now open for anyone who would like to continue the work as organiser for 2015. I will give you all the material and support you require. For this year’s ride on Saturday 13th September I have all the sponsor forms you need.

We will be sitting in our Church on the day with refreshments ready to receive cyclists and sign them in, if anyone is willing to hold the for one hour it would be helpful. Please let me know if you can help, the hours are between 10-00am ----5-00pm

John Frisby 715826

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FENNY DRAYTON – THE FIRST QUAKER

By Alfred Lester Scrivener (1845-1886). First published in the Nuneaton Observer 1878 Transcribed by Heather Lee “Sitting in his stall, working on tanned bides, amid pincers, pastehorns, rosin, swine-bristles, and a nameless flood of rubbish, this youth had nevertheless a living spirit belonging to him; also an antique inspired volume, through which, as through a window, it could look upwards an discern its celestial Home.” – Carlyle.

Crossing the Watling Street Road and turning by the Royal Red Gate into a quiet lane with a broad margin of green on either hand, between high straggling hedgerows, where clusters of blackberries deepen into purple, and a profusion of wild flowers coyly open white or pink or blue eyes under the shadow of green bushes, I bend my steps towards Fenny Drayton, or as it was sometimes called, Drayton-in-the-clay. A few sunny days have brought us to the fullness of the harvest, and on either hand I see the reapers toiling in the fields, and slow wains freighted with golden grain, and the glemers picking up the scattered ears that have fallen from the gathered sheaves. Far away on either side, flocks and herds are grazing the rich pasture of the Leicestershire meadows, among which the cornfields stand, golden isles in a sea of emerald. A few thatched cottages, old and warped and weather-stained, under whose squared eaves the swallows have built their nests, and whose thick leaded lattices hardly light up the brown depths of the low and heavy raftered rooms; gardens decked with many an old fashioned garish flower and over- shadowed by the russet laden boughs of ancient apple trees; a blacksmith’s shop; a pleasant white parsonage; a grey gothic church with low spire, quaint Norman doorway, and tasteful modern porch, and girdled by a sombre belt of venerable yews that stretch their dark arms above the green mounds of the dead – such is Drayton village, the birthplace of George Fox the first Quaker. It was in July 1624, the last year of the reign of James I, that gossips in Drayton village told how a son was born to Christopher Fox the weaver, “Righteous Christer” as they called him. It was “Righteous Christer” who wove into fine sheets or substantial home-spun, the wool or the flax that was

13 being spun with spindle and distaff in the kitchen of every farm house, and at the door of every cottage from year’s end to year’s end, so that he was known to every housewife in the country side. “Righteous Christer” was an honest, sober man “with a seed of God in him,” seeing or thinking he saw somewhat further into the mystery of Godliness than his spiritual pastor, but yet content to worship in his own parish church. His wife – “of the family of Lago and of the stock of the martyrs,” was an upright woman, accomplished above most of their degree in the place where she lived, though in a rude country village the standard would be sufficiently low. Not only in the household of “Righteous Christer” but in almost every English home, men were in those days questioning and studying their own hearts, and the Inspired Word, with a passionate intense earnestness never seen before or since; and the boy who was born on that July day in the weaver’s cottage at Drayton, heard his parents and their friends, in their daily and hourly speech, canvassing the awful problems of life and death and eternity. In such an atmosphere the boy George Fox, shewed a gravity and staidness of mind and spirit not usual in children. “When I came to eleven years of age” he writes in his journal, “I knew pureness and righteousness; for while a child I was taught how to walk and be kept pure. The Lord taught me to be faithful in all things and to act faithfully in two ways, namely, inwardly to God and outwardly to man, and to keep to yea and nay in all things.” “Righteous Christer” and his wife, as they saw the deep, earnest, devout spirit of the lad, had some thought of training him for the ministry, but other counsels prevailing, George was apprenticed to the village shoemaker, who was also a grazier having a right perhaps to run his flocks in the wide unenclosed fields which then surrounded the village. As young George sat stitching in his stall, the spirit of questioning which possessed all England laid hold on him also, and vexed his soul – but alas for the poor cobbler’s lad, none of the ways in which men had solved the Eternal Mystery, none of their church politics or forms of faith, could satisfy the hunger of his spirit. The peace he could not find in his stall he sought in the fields. He loved rather the task of shepherding his master’s flocks, for in the solitude of the wide common, he could wrestle with God, with none near but the timid sheep to witness the travail of his soul, but yet he found not the peace he sought. Could it be that the petty cares of every-day life, the cobbling of shoes, the tendance of sheep, and the talk of his fellows whose souls were of the earth earthy, caused the doubts and fears and questioning that tormented him? He would flee from them though he left also the household loves that were so dear to his heart. He

14 turned his handicraft to an unwonted used. He stitched for himself a long enduring suit of leather, and fled from his home “leaving his relations and breaking off all familiarity with old or young.” He was then (1643) nineteen years of age. We hear of him at Lutterworth, at Northampton, at Barnet, “often wandering solitary in the chace to wait upon the Lord.” Then he went to London to write his journal, “I was under great misery and trouble there, for I looked upon the great professors of the city and I saw all was dark and under the shadow of darkness.” There had been grief and trouble in the weaver’s cottage at Drayton for the fugitive whom all “loved for his innocence and honesty”; someone found out George and told him of this, and the strong cords of filial love drew him home again – why not? – he was no nearer to God in London though the great Assembly of Divines was then in full session at Westminster. Home again at Drayton, the well-meaning village worthies proposed their own remedies for the craze which seemed to possess him. One would have had him marry, but George answered not unwisely “I am yet a lad, I must get wisdom.” Another would have had him join the army of the Parliament, but his warfare was not with flesh and blood but with the Prince of Darkness. The parish priest, Nathaniel Stephens by name, came to see him and George went often to the parsonage, where they talked over high and abstruse points of the doctrine, the priest commending the depth and wisdom of his answers and speaking of him to others. But George writes “what I said in discourse to him on the week-days, he would preach on the first days, for which I did not like him.” The parson seemed to be seeking rather for matter to enrich his own discourses, than to minister to a soul that was perishing of spiritual hunger. It is pitiable to read how the poor sick soul at this time sought physician after physician and found no help. The following are extracts from his journal: - “After this I went to another ancient priest at Mancetter, in Warwickshire, and reasoned with him about the ground of despair and temptations ; but he was ignorant of my condition ; he bade me take tobacco and sing psalms. Tobacco was a thing I did not love, and psalms I was not in a state to sing ; I could not sing. Then I heard of a priest living about Tamworth who was accounted an experienced man, I went seven miles to him; but I found him only like an empty hollow cask. I heard also of one called Dr. Cradock, of Coventry, I went to him. I asked him the ground of temptation of despair, and how troubles came to be wrought

15 in man? … Now as we were walking together in his garden, the alley being narrow I chanced in turning to set my foot on the side of a bed, at which the man was in a rage as if his house had been on fire. Thus all our discourse was lost. I went away in sorrow worse than I was when I came.” After this I went to another one Macham, a priest in high account. He would needs give me some physic, and I was then to be let blood; but they could not get one drop of blood from me either in arms or head (though they endeavoured to do so) my body being as it were dried up with sorrows, grief and trouble, which were so great upon me that I could have wished I had never been born, or that I had been born blind that I might never have seen wickedness and vanity, and deaf that I might never have heard vain and wicked words on the Lord’s name blasphemed. After these experiences one is hardly surprised to find a later entry, “as I was walking in a field on a first day morning that the Lord opened unto me “that being bred at Oxford or Cambridge was not enough to fit and qualify men to be ministers of Christ.” In 1647 he is again travelling up and down as a stranger in the land. He found no more help among the “separate preachers” than among the established priesthood, and groping alone through the darkness of the world, a ray of light from heaven reached his soul; “when all my hopes in them,” he writes, “and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me nor could I tell what to do, then, Oh then, I heard a voice which said, ‘There is one, even Christ Jesus that can speak to thy condition,’ and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy... I saw that there was an ocean of darkness and death; but an infinite ocean of light and love which flowed over the darkness.” In 1652, being then among the mountain solitudes of the Peak, he saw in his rapt dreams “people thick as motes in the sun that should in time be brought home to the Lord.” Then began wanderings no longer that he might fly from men, but that he might seek them out and show how they might be saved. From end to end of England, through Wales and Ireland, the West Indies, and the Continent of Europe, he hardly rested from his journeyings and preachings for 40 years, save when he was cast into prison. Neither he nor the “Friends” who followed him would take any oath – to them the simple lie was as awful a sin as the formal perjury; they would not put off their hats to high or low; they addressed all individuals as Thee and Thou, not without exciting anger – “Thou me, thou my dog;” answered one, “if thou thouest me I’ll thou thy teeth down thy throat”; they used but few words and were at a

16 word in dealing; they did not bid good morrow or good evening – was not the morrow always good, and the evening good? – neither would they “bow or scrape with the leg to any one”; and once when George was hauled up before a justice, the prisoner bade his judge tremble at the judgments of God, the justice answered that he was no quaker, and George Fox and his followers were known as Quakers from that day. It is no part of my purpose to discuss the theological subtleties of their faith of which the fundamental principle said by William Penn to be “The Light of Christ within as God’s gift for man’s salvation.” I am rather concerned in the spectacle of a human soul struggling through darkness and despair to know the will of God and to do it, neither can I trace the first Quaker though all his wanderings, when he would enter the “steeple houses” and follow or interrupt the preacher with a discourse of his own, till it became a dreadful thing when sober formal priests in quiet parishes were told “The man in Leather Breeches is come.” Now and again he returns to his old home at Drayton, and holds hot and angry distributions with Nathaniel Stephens the parson. Once Stephens aware that Fox was coming, gave out at Lecture in Atherstone, that there would be a great disputation on such a day. Crowds of people from Atherstone and the country round flocked into the village where Stephens and seven other priests held a long and heated disputation with George and a few friends, under the yews trees in Drayton Churchyard. But the priests toiled in vain. The enthusiasts refused to be convinced, and the clergymen “went away in a rage to the parsonage to drink.” Then seven lusty fellows seized Fox in their arms and carried him to the church porch and would have carried him in, but the door being locked, they dropped him in the porch and fell over him, thinking it goodly sport to bait this mad fellow in the leathern breeches; and when he was thus mauled, the eight parsons returned and renewed the disputation, which lasted till a “professor” for very weariness cried out “George wilt thou never have done.” I copy the entry recording another visit to Drayton a year after this disputation: “From thence I went to Drayton my native town, where so many priests and professors had formerly gathered together against me; but now not a priest or professor appeared. I asked some of my relations where all the priests and professors were. They said the priest at Nun-Eaton was dead, and eight or nine of them were seeking to get his benefice. “They all will let you alone now,” said they “for they are like a company of crows, when a sheep is dead they all gather together to pull out the puddings, so do the priests for a fallen benefice.”

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This entry also, dated 1677, possesses a peculiar local interest: - “Went to Nathaniel Newton’s, at Hartshill, where several friends met me with whom I had good service.” There is also a Friends’ Meeting at Hartshill to this day. At the entrance to (Fenny) Drayton village an obelisk has been erected which bears the following inscription : - “To the memory of George Fox, the Founder of the Society of Friends, born near this spot at Fenny Drayton, A.D. 1624, and was interred in Bunhill Fields Burial Ground London A.D. 1690.” To this I need only add another extract from Sarter Resartus – “This man, the first of the Quakers, and by trade a shoemaker, was one of those to whom under ruder or purer form, the Divine Idea of the Universe is pleased to manifest itself; and across all the halls of Ignorance and earthly degradation, shines through in unspeakable Awfulness, unspeakable Beauty on their souls.”

Quaker Visits There have been several visits to St Michael and All Angels Church in the village by groups of Quakers recently. The largest group came on 11th August from Tokyo and they were students from the Quaker school there. The school has been bringing trips to the village for many years now and it is an important part of their visit to England. Several local Quakers came to meet them and one of the men dressed up as Nathaniel Stevens, who was the Rector of Fenny Drayton from 1639 – 1662, to tell the story of George Fox. The students were fascinated by the cakes we gave them, as always, and took pictures of the Church, flower arrangements and cakes. They left a donation for the church and a box of small Japanese cakes, which we shared amongst the congregation at the next church Service. It is always lovely to be able to welcome them and, as the leaders of the group have been coming for many years, they are like old friends.

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What is a Star? A star is an enormous spinning ball of hot and luminous gas. Most stars contain two main gases – hydrogen and helium. These gases are held together by gravity, and at the core they are very densely packed. Within the core, immense amounts of energy are produced. Gordon Coultrop A5 Roadworks

The roadworks on the A5 continue, with work now underway on the A444/A5 junction; creating an elongated island/roundabout:

Most villagers will be aware of the right turn restrictions at the Redgate, into and out of both sides of the A444, which seems likely to be in place for up to 20 weeks, and has led to a noticeable increase in traffic through the village – although signed diversions have been put in place via the Higham Lane and Mancetter islands. Please note that the HGV ban is still in force, so we should remain vigilant for inappropriate vehicles passing through the village (as some do) – these should be reported to one of your Parish Councillors who are monitoring the situation. As we go to press, the Parish Council is still working with LCC, the Highways Agency and the contractors in an effort to reduce the through traffic.

It is inevitable that the junction may be closed completely at some point, which will be likely to cause a further, perhaps more significant, increase in traffic cutting through the village.

Any concerns over this can perhaps be directed via our Parish Councillors.

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Witherley Parish Council – Fenny Drayton Ward Fenny Drayton Parish Councillors – to contact with News, Views & Issues:

Robert Alexander [email protected] 768649 Alistair Brittain [email protected] 712172 Maureen Cook [email protected] c/o Clerk Ann Wright [email protected] 720966 Clerk: Anji Forsyth [email protected] 880548

Extracts from Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th July (Full Minutes are available at http://witherley.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/minutes-archive.html)

A782: CRIME STATISTICS for June: Fenny Drayton: no crime reported. The police have notified us that there is a dramatic increase of burglaries from sheds and theft from vehicles within this and surrounding parishes and everyone should be aware. A784: COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT:  Cllr Ould remains unconvinced that enough weight has been given to the impact on the rural roads surrounding the Barwell SUE. Peter Price Assistant Director of Environment and Transport at County Hall The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership briefed a meeting about the development at MIRA. So far 240 jobs have been created, 1.75 million square feet of planning permission secured. It will become the largest transport research and design technology park in Europe.  Part of the briefing included a presentation by Leicestershire Promotions. Each year Leicester and Leicestershire welcome over 9 million visitors who spend £550m on their trips. Just over half of the visitors stay in the county, spending in excess of £80m. www.goleicestershire.com is now one of the top 5 most visited destination sites in the county.  A briefing was held on 9th June on “Child Sexual Exploitation”. Many parents are worried about this, and how to combat the vulnerability of children; particularly teenage girls. The growth in social media has a dark side as well as the more constructive opportunities.

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A785: CLERK UPDATE:  Grass Cutting in Fenny Drayton and Ratcliffe Culey playing fields had been missed, causing the grass to be left to grow for over a month. Our contractor has rectified the problem and amended their rotas to read correctly. A786: UPDATES FROM VILLAGES: FENNY DRAYTON:  Foot path signage from Rookery Close needs replacing.  Plaque commemorating the death of George Fox near the memorial tree on the bank in Drayton Lane would appear to be missing. Cllr Cook said she would look closer and report back at the next meeting. A787: PLANNING 13/00908 20 Church Lane, Fenny Drayton – objections forwarded to national appeal. 14/00582/HOU 20 Church Lane, Fenny Drayton (original plot) – no objections, although the map submitted is incorrect and the design statement contains errors. Councillor Cook left the meeting at this point. 14/00647/HOU 12 Foxs Covert, Fenny Drayton – no objections. Councillor Cook was invited back into the meeting. A790: GRASS CUTTING PROPOSAL FROM LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. A letter has been received from Leicestershire County Council offering this Council the opportunity to undertake grass cutting on their behalf within the 30 & 40 mph zones across the parish. They advise this is approximately 23,300 sq metres of grass which would have to be cut at least 5 times per annum, in return £1,667 would be paid to reimburse. Response is required by 31st July 2014. The letter raises many questions and issues to be ironed out prior to any agreement being undertaken. It was agreed that a letter be sent requesting a time extension for our concerns to be investigated. Proposed Cllr Cook, Seconded Cllr Walker. Clerk to re-circulate the current grass cutting contract list to all Councillors for review.

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White Wings Aikido

All abilities welcome, classes now open

Over 18+ years old only (for insurance purposes)

(Insurance £10.00 per year)

Mon & Fri - 7.30 pm to 9.30pm

£5 per class, 1st class Free

Call 01827 716100 or 07831 200540 and ask for Adrian

Or email [email protected]

Our Website www.whitewingsaikido.org.uk

White Wings, Quaker Close, Fenny Drayton CV13 6BS

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Corbishley Forbes Estate Agents is becoming Abbey Money and Property.

We are on the Move!

Whether you are a first time buyer, looking to re-locate, or need a bigger place, allow us to be your first point of contact and we can point you in the right direction. We offer residential and commercial sales and lettings, and operate a no sale no fee basis.

*Ask us about letting options *Energy Performance Certificates *Probate valuations *Mortgage and financial advice *Wills Abbey, welcoming you home!

2A Pool Bank Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. CV11 5DB T: 024 7663 4677 [email protected] www.corbishleyforbes.co.uk

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Tomlinsons Farm Shop OUR OWN ‘Gloucester Old Spot’ Pork – Dry Cured Bacon & Gammon Dexter Beef – Lamb – Long Clawson Stilton – AND MUCH MORE OPENING HOURS Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 10am-3pm

Tomlinson Farm Shop, Station Road, Stoke Golding, CV13 6EV Telephone 01455 212199

I AM JULIE, YOUR NEW LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE A REGULAR BROCHURE? PLEASE GET IN TOUCH I ALSO HAVE A SELECTION OF STOCK FOR LAST MINUTE PRESENTS!

Avon now sells Designer goods , Clothing, Baby wear, Handbags and Jewellery as well as Cosmetics and Skin care products. Find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/julies.avon1 All with the FAB 28 day guarantee. Tell me you’re from Fenny No payment required until delivery. Drayton and receive a free gift!

If you know of anyone who would like to sell Avon please let me know and I’ll get them started Email: [email protected] Call or text: 07879448487

The Cock Inn Sibson M.D.S. FLOORING LTD

Contact: FOR ALL YOUR CARPET AND

Lee Collins or FLOORING NEEDS David Harper Twycross Road Matt Smith Sibson 01827 880357 Fenny Drayton Based CV13 6LB [email protected] www.cockinnsibson.webs.com 07597 157419 [email protected]

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The Alpha 9 King Edward Avenue Blackpool FY2 9TD Rose & Radish [email protected]  Wedding Flowers  Funeral Tributes Gail & Steve offer a warm welcome to The Alpha, a quiet hotel on the North Shore  Gift Bouquets  Greengrocery

For a Great Deal on B&B and Evening Dinner WE DELIVER LOCALLY AND WORLDWIDE 5 Main Street, Please call 01253 354828 Market Bosworth or visit alphablackpool.co.uk 01455 291740 Caring for Glitter Petals Face Painting Bethan Ford your pet 07402 299719  Caring, quality vet services in a friendly setting [email protected]  Consultations by appointment in our well equipped, FIND ME ON FACEBOOK! modern surgeries  Disabled access, plenty of parking, out if town centre Professionally Trained with Full Public locations  24-hour emergency cover provided Liability Insurance and CRB Check  Particular experience in exotic species, ocular and orthopaedic cases Oakfield Veterinary Group www.oakfield.net SEAN MURPHY

The Old Library, Hockley Road Tamworth B77 5EF Tel: 01827 281284 HAIRDRESSING

The Surgery, 2 Margaret Road At Atherstone CV9 1EE Tel: 01827 713149

713/715 Chester Road Chic Health and Beauty Bacons End Castle Bromwich B36 0LN Unit 1 Tel: 0121 770 4966 Hope & Aldridge Business Centre 183 Weddington Road Bed & Breakfast Nuneaton CV10 0HF at Vale Farm TERRY AND ETHEL PRESTON WELCOME YOU TO Appointments available Vale Farm, Stoke Lane Higham-on-the-Hill, Nuneaton daily, including Sundays

Telephone/Fax: 01455 212236 Mobile: 07977 915272, 07970 696886 Please call for a free consultation

Email: [email protected] 07968 070851 Website: valefarm-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk

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Homemade cakes TROTTERS THE BUTCHERS for all occasions A Real Family Business Specialists in: We only sell Fresh Locally Sourced Wedding, Meat and Poultry at Celebration & The Foodhall, Dobbies Garden World Novelty Cakes 01827 711982 Please contact Alison Waterer for further information Ask for Keith or Jack

07738 072207 or 01455 213786 [email protected] Specialists in Mature, Flavoursome

www.lovelycakesbyali.co.uk and Traditional Meat and Poultry W. Smith & Sons (Nuneaton) Ltd Dr I Hussain Avenue Road (BDS 1996 L’pool) www.lovelycakesbyali.co.ukNuneaton CV11 4JT Camphill Dental Practice 024 7638 2124 206 Camphill Road Funeral Directors Nuneaton CV10 0JL and Monumental Masons 024 7639 4571

FUNERAL PREPAYMENT PLANS 24-hour Free Emergency Service 07771 788722 High class interior & exterior Painting & decorating Semi-Retired Builder LOOKING FOR ODD JOBS M.D.Matthews Most trades covered

28 Choyce Close, Telephone Call Bob Davies: Atherstone, 01827 718974 07909 452794 Warwickshire Mobile Home: CV9 3AY 07946 731649 01827 768190 [email protected]

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What’s On in September 1st Blue Bins 3rd 7:30pm Flower Festival Meeting Church 4th 10:30am-12:30 Community Coffee Morning Church 4th 7:00-9:00pm Bellringing Practice Church 5th 7:30-10pm Friday with Friends Church 6th Benefice Outing to Cambridge 7th 9:00am Holy Communion Church 8th Black/Brown Bins 10th 1.05-1:30pm Mobile Library Fox’s Covert 1.35-2:05pm Rookery Close 11th 7:30pm Parish Council meeting Church 14th 10:30am Benefice Service Dadlington 15th Blue Bins 18th 10:30am-12:30 Community Coffee Morning Church 19th 5pm Parish News Copy Deadline 21th 10:30am All Age Service Church 22nd Black/Brown Bins 24th 1.05-1:30pm Mobile Library Fox’s Covert 1.35-2:05pm Rookery Close 25th 7:30-9:00pm The Fenns Folk Church 27th & 28th 10am-5pm Flower Festival Church 28th 5:00pm Songs of Praise Church 29th Blue Bins Lost Property Out of the Mouths of I have found a little boy’s blue Babes… and white check shirt that was A Sunday school teacher asked, left in the play area in early 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a August. If it belongs to one of lot of fishing when he was on the your children you can contact Ark?' me on 715222. 'No,' replied Johnny. 'How could Sue Kelly he, with just two worms.' 28