JULY/AUGUST 2020

All Saints’ Church Parish Magazine

LEEK WOOTTON LINK | Guy’s Cliffe | Hill Wootton | Chesford | Goodrest | Wedgnock | North & Middle Woodloes LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 for some time! EDITORIAL But once we got that sorted, the news Welcome to the July/August Summer and photos came flooding in and for the issue of The Link. fourth time in a row, we have a Once again we embarked on this magazine that does our community month’s magazine thinking there would justice. be little to say, due to the apparent We hope you agree and will enjoy inactivity caused by COVID-19. For a reading. while there we had nothing, but that was Stay safe! mostly because Jim changed our email Helen & Lesley Eldridge settings and didn’t tell us the new ones, The Editorial Team so we were looking at an empty inbox Cover Image: ‘Baby grass snake in the car park’ by Heather Clatworthy All Saints’ Church WHO’S WHO? Vicar Readers Jim Perryman t : 850610 Audrey Rowberry t : 851498 The Vicarage, 4 Hill Wootton Road 7a The Meadows e : [email protected] e : [email protected] Church Wardens Nigel Stallard (see left for contact) Jonathan Kingston t : 851181 Secretary to the PCC 32 Hill Wootton Road Eileen Clayton t : 855124 e : [email protected] 2 The Hamlet Nigel Stallard t : 850548 e : [email protected] Reading Room Cottage Treasurer to the PCC Church Lane e : [email protected] Iain Wilton t : 07771 664185 4 Croft Road Parish Safeguarding Officer e : [email protected] e : [email protected]

Articles for The Link: If there is anything you would like to include, please email [email protected] The deadline for editorial submissions for the SEPTEMBER issue is: FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 2020 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

Back issues of The Link are available to view online at: https://express.yudu.com/library/82141/LeekWootton-amp-GuysCliffe-s-Library 2 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 FROM THE VICARAGE Opening Doors You may have heard the news that churches are allowed to open their doors once more to welcome people in – not for public worship yet, but for private prayer and stillness. As I write, we are working on preparations for All Saints’ Church to be able to start this once more. As it needs to be supervised at the moment, we cannot be freely open as we have been, but from Saturday, 27 June there will be times on Tuesday afternoons (2:00pm – 6:00pm) and on Saturday afternoons (2:00pm – 4:30pm) when our volunteers will be delighted to welcome you with an open door. Please be ready to cooperate with the hygiene regulations that will be in place, which are for your wellbeing and for the wellbeing of others who may visit after you. Sadly, for now, for the remainder of the week, the doors of the building will have to remain closed. In our morning Zoom worship through the last couple of weeks, we have been looking at the first four chapters of the book of Revelation – and there the picture of open and closed doors is seen too. These chapters contain the start of the ‘revelation’ given to the apostle John, one of the ’12 disciples’, in his old age (probably around 95AD) while exiled on the Greek island of Patmos because of his continuing faith in and testimony of Jesus. There are messages to the ‘seven churches’ in what is now Western Turkey, which were places where John was well known and perhaps had been the area where he was arrested and sent into exile. In two of these letters, the picture of the door is given – an open door to the faithful church in Philadelphia, offering them the assurance that they are heading in the right direction, but a closed door to the church in Laodicea, which is made famous by the Holman Hunt painting in St Paul’s Cathedral: where Jesus, the Light of the World, is pictured knocking on the closed door, inviting whoever is on the side with the handle to open it and allow him to enter with his light and to share fellowship with him. Nigel Stallard spoke on this passage (you can listen to the full talk on the video of the service which is at www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk/thursday-18 -june). In his talk, Nigel highlights the grace of God shown to these largely faithless followers in Laodicea. That, rather than just give up on them, he invites them to turn back, and gives a promise to those who will respond. Nigel highlights ‘the warmth and the compassion that Jesus seems to show … he stands outside the door and knocks, he waits for them to open the door to him’. Applying the passage to us and to our current circumstances, Nigel used the following analogy: “[Jesus] doesn’t just want to visit, to stand in the garden at 2- metres distance. He wants to come in and share food with us. He wants to come in to our ‘social bubble’ and join our household for good.” One thing you can be sure of, you are in no danger of catching COVID-19 if

3 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 you respond to his knock, open the door, and invite him in. The only infectious things Jesus brings are love, joy, peace – and ‘amazing grace’. The more these are spread from household to household, the better we will all be. Jim Perryman

www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

CHURCH SERVICES / EVENTS FOR JULY/AUGUST As you will realise, Government policy is constantly changing, and announcements are made at very short notice about what is and isn’t permitted. At the time of writing, there is no news on when public worship will be allowed within church buildings, though it seems likely that it would be permitted in some form during the summer months. However, the likelihood remains that it would be extremely limited and, under those circumstances, we will plan to continue our main times of worship via Zoom through the next two months. Should anything change, this will be made clear on the church website, social media and by email to those on the mailing list. Monday – Friday, 8:45 – 9:05am: Morning Worship: Prayer, Bible reading, time to reflect on the reading and a song of worship related to the theme, and a chance to chat at the end. Saturday, 5:15 – 6:15pm: Pre-Sunday Worship, starting with 15 minutes of contemporary worship songs which lead us into 40 minutes of prayer, reading, reflection and more traditional hymns, with a chance to chat at the end. All services are recorded and are normally available on the church website an hour or so after they have ended. To join us live, go to www.tiny.cc/lwzoom and follow the instructions. If you are joining for the first time and haven’t connected to Zoom for any work-related meetings, there will be some software to install – but it is simple, safe and easy (don’t get put off by the media stories). If using a phone or iPad etc., you will need to have the ‘Zoom Cloud Meeting’ app installed, and then you will be joining Meeting ID 645 991 3128. If you are on a Windows PC or laptop, you just need to install a small Zoom file which will happen when you first try to connect. There will also be a special Taizé-style worship service on Sunday, 30 August at 6:30pm organised on behalf of Churches Together in & District. If this is a live-streamed service, as is likely, the link to join this will be www.tiny.cc/ctkdservice. Other details will be on the church website as well as the Churches Together website www.lovekenilworth.org.uk

4 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.mothersunioncoventry.com LEEK WOOTTON MU Contact : Janet Jackson t : 258264 Faith and Prayer Worldwide, faith is at the heart of Mothers’ Union as we work together to tackle poverty and improve family life through practical grassroots support. Our prayer is for a world at peace and in community. Each day, at midday, members around the world pause to pray and communities are united through this continuous expression of commitment, running throughout the year for all the places in which MU is represented. Midday Prayers can be found on the Mothers Union Live Facebook page and are then available on YouTube. In the UK, those who don't have access to the internet can hear the prayers via the Church of 's Daily Hope line by calling 0800 804 8044 from a UK mobile or landline with options 4 then 8. The daily prayers last about ten minutes, are said for the week by an MU member and unite all areas of the world at this time. They start with moments of quiet stilling and as MU’s 2020 theme is Building Hope and Confidence, words from the Bible: “God is good and a strong refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who hope in Him.” Nahum 1:7, with the final blessing: “We go in thanks for the goodness of God, our sure and steadfast hope in every circumstance.” The time of prayer includes the ‘24/7 Wave of Prayer’ across the globe for dioceses in turn and can be found on the MU website and in the ‘families worldwide’ magazine, which is also available in French, South American Spanish and Kiswahili and, as we pray, we know that around the world others are praying for us too. The Diocesan on-line MU Summer Retreat to be held on Saturday, 27 June and led by Bishop John, will include a midday prayer slot so that we are aware of all praying together. The monthly Prayer Diary for our diocese can be found at: https:// www.mothersunioncoventry.com/contact-us/prayers and for July and August includes: We pray for all families, but especially for those suffering so much more because of the lock down. Please Lord send your angels to help them and meet their needs in the way you know and understand. As we are coming out of lockdown, we pray for everyone to be sensible to think about their actions and the effect they may have on others. We bring before you Lord all those known to us who are ill or who need our prayers, and those who have no one to pray for them and are known only to you; we pray for healing at the point of their needs.

5 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 Thank you Father God that you are always with us, your love for each one of us never falters, we praise you and give you all the glory, may we shine for you as we live out each day and make our own ‘little worlds’ part of your heaven. Amen. Deanery Prayers for our locality are held each third Tuesday of the month, 1:30pm – 2:30pm so, for 21 July and 18 August we will again be praying from home or wherever we are; pausing during this time to pray for needs around us, for family life and for communities in our area. Since April, six or seven families have been joining our Mosaic Group each Sunday morning at 9:30am by Zoom. Each week there is something to prepare to share with others, a bible story, a song, a prayer and a craft. Most of our stories have been about people Jesus met and that has included a boy who shared his lunch, a blind man, a paralysed man, mothers and children, and a tax collector. We have thought about how things changed for them when they met Jesus. We have also celebrated Pentecost and Father’s Day. It is great to get together like this. The children we have are aged 3 -7, but older ones are welcome too. Younger ones would probably struggle to engage in this way. We intend carrying on with this at the moment, and if other families are interested in joining in, please contact [email protected] to get the Zoom login details. The list of things to prepare is usually sent out on Thursday or Friday each week. Because these groups are designed for children, the sessions are password protected. DAILY COMMUNITY PRAYER FOCUS: Each weekday, and each weekend, we pray specifically for those who live or work in a different street or area of our parishes. We invite everyone to join in this – perhaps thinking about those you know in a particular place, or just picturing the place in your thoughts – and in a moment of quiet, just ask that peace and blessing may come to the homes and workplaces there. Prayer doesn’t need long words or strange language, just an open heart and a brief stillness of mind. The cycle of prayer for the coming days will be displayed on the front page of the church website. Please make this one of your home pages, or bookmark it, so that you can easily find out who to think about, and when you are being specifically prayed for. You are always invited to submit personal prayer requests to [email protected] where some of the church leaders will pray for your concerns in strict confidence. To enter into conversation about a concern, please contact the Vicar or one of the Readers or Churchwardens directly – see contact details inside the front cover. 6 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.coventrycathedral.org.uk COVENTRY CATHEDRAL MATTERS Parish Partner : Mary Robins t : 512643 CATHEDRAL MUSIC For Coventry’s ‘City of Culture Year 2021 ’ the Friends of the Cathedral have commissioned Jonathan Rathbone to write Canticles (Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis) to be sung at the Festal Choral Evensong on 24 May 2021, the 59th anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral. Jonathan Rathbone was a chorister at the Cathedral and specialised in singing and composition at the Royal Academy of Music. He has orchestrated music for leading singers and conducts five choirs in London. You can listen to his music at www.jonathanrathbone.co.uk. WELCOME BACK COVID-19: Steps have been taken to reopen the Cathedral. Hand sanitizers are in place and social distances have been being marked out. The chairs are spaced well apart and a one-way system has been introduced The Holy Water stoop and water fountains are not available. In case of having to queue outside take a warm jumper or coat. There is shelter from the rain because of the canopy at the entrance where there will be an in and out system in operation. The toilets will NOT be reopened. No services are being held and the building is only open for private prayer. Visitors will be allowed to light a candle, but not all areas will be accessible. Hours of opening are 10:00am – 1:00pm for private prayer in the RUINS, and the same from Monday, 15 June in the Cathedral. Please do not visit if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms or if you are unsure because you are feeling unwell. Lunch time Organ Concerts have not started this year. Advance notice will be given should it be possible to commence, following Government guidelines. National Youth Boys’ Choir: Shoulder to Shoulder Saturday, 8 August, 12noon – 1:00pm A fantastic concert celebrating “the sense of pride and camaraderie found within groups of men and boys. The concert explores the cultural identity of male communities throughout history and the importance and presence of music and communal singing, to include sea shanties, opera choruses, folk songs, hymns and spirituals.” Conducted by Lucy Joy Morris and Patrick Barrett with Accompanist, Charlie Penn. Tickets – Full Price £13; Under 25 £5; Disabled Person/Carer £7 at www.nycgb.org.uk. NB: Please check in case of cancellation due to Government guidelines. 7 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 IT DIDN’T END IN MAY On Friday, 8 May, we rightly and joyfully celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe, but for many thousands of servicemen and their families, including people like Bernard Dee and my own father, Bill Perryman, the war didn’t end in May. For those in the Far East, the true end came only when the Emperor of Japan declared, at 12 noon on 15 August, their unconditional surrender and acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration (look it up!). As we go to press, it isn’t known whether there will be any official events to commemorate this – it looks as though it will be marked in a much more low- key way to how VE Day was, and indeed there is a greater poignancy about VJ day as we reflect on the events of the ten days leading up to it. However, I hope that the parish will take it as another opportunity to have a party under the, hopefully, more relaxed regulations that will be in force by then. The Horticultural Show, disappointingly, is not able to take place as planned on 22 August – so let’s still have something to celebrate on 15 August. Speaking of more ‘low-key’, I am planning to offer a VJ75 music broadcast, similar to the one for VE75 – but this time closer to ground level rather than from the top of the church tower! Of course, we have just had the sad news of the death of Dame Vera Lynn, and so this can also include our tribute to her as we listen and sing again to some of her songs. A songsheet will be on the church website and the community hubsite. So, whatever else the day may hold, make sure it holds…

Saturday, 15 August, 2:30pm – 3:00pm Tune in to Leek Wootton VJ75 TV Live broadcast via Zoom www.tiny.cc/lwvj75 (all lower case) or via Zoom Cloud Meeting app (Apple & Android) Meeting ID: 854 0378 2525 - Password: 024921 2:30 – 25 minutes of music, song and historic broadcasts 2:55 – Minute’s Silence in memory of those who didn’t return 2:56 – The Lord’s Prayer 2:57 – We’ll Meet Again 3:00 – A Toast to the heroes of WWII

Sadly, so soon after her iconic song, We’ll Meet Again was sung again by so many and before the anniversary of VJ Day, Dame Vera Lynn has died at the age of 103. She was the first ENSA artist to travel to Burma during WW2 and always referred to ‘The Boys’ that looked after her and who she entertained close to enemy lines. They in turn became known as the ‘Forgotten Army’, the survivors of which were not stood down until VJ Day - 15 August 1945. The tributes to Dame Vera have been legion, recalling a national treasure whose spirit touched the nation.

8 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.leekwootton.org.uk LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE PARISH COUNCIL Clerk to the Parish Council : Helen Eldridge t : 853841 e : [email protected] The Parish Council met remotely on Tuesday, 2 June 2020 via Zoom. Discussion included the following: COVID-19 SUPPORT As lockdown eases, the Council is aware that there will still be people shielding or requiring support and the networks established in response to the crisis will remain ‘open’. Please continue to consider your neighbours. The PC has a Community Grant Fund for applications up to £500 for community organisations. If your organisation is re-starting and requires support, please see www.leekwootton.org.uk/parish-council-business/lwgc- parish-council-grant-fund/ for information about the fund and how to apply. On a lighter note, after the success of ‘VE75’ in May, the PC is looking towards a time when we may be able to hold a community ‘VC’ celebration (victory over Coronavirus). This may be some time away, but is something we can all look forward to! LEEK WOOTTON WAR MEMORIAL RECREATION GROUND CAR PARK With the April issue of The Link, a letter from the Chairman was circulated, which explained that an increase in the PC’s portion of Council Tax is because the Council is planning to take out a Public Works Loan Board loan to fund half of the car park improvement works and the funds would be used to pay interest on the loan. The PC was finally ready to progress with the project and was planning to apply to District Council’s RUCIS scheme for the other half in matched funding. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, all Council community grant funds have been suspended, with the money being pooled into a COVID-19 response fund, which is to be reviewed at the end of the financial year (31 March 2021). The PWLB loan has not yet been applied for and the PC discussed the additional parish precept money already raised in this year’s Council Tax. It was decided to transfer this to a separate account and ring-fence it for its original purpose. The continued raising of funds for this purpose will be reconsidered in the 2021-22 budget. CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND Whilst some restrictions have begun to lift, the Children’s Playground remains closed. The PC will continue to monitor the guidance as to when it is permitted to re-open and what provision for personal protection may be required. In the meantime the PC is considering a new piece of equipment for the

9 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 playground and is proposing an in-ground trampoline. A poll has been launched on the PC website, seeking public opinion to help inform the PC’s decision whether to go ahead with this project. Please respond to the poll to give the Council a gauge of public support at: www.leekwootton.org.uk/2020/06/04/playground-new-equipment/ COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE Various items of community maintenance have been carried out and/or are scheduled: • Wet weather has caused flooding problems on Warwick Road opposite the northbound bus stop. Some temporary remedial work was undertaken and a jetting order has been issued. Remedial works to improve the drainage at this location are to be undertaken, but this may not be for another 2 to 3 months. We would ask you to consider the residents in this area and DO NOT drive at speed through this area when it is flooded. • A work order for remedial work to prevent the problems at the manhole outside Sunrise Cottages was issued and work was under way at the time of writing. • At Skew Bridge on Hill Wootton Road a ‘Signing Improvement Scheme’ is to be undertaken by WCC Traffic and Safety. • Works at the A46 Blacklow roundabout (south of Leek Wootton) have been under way to install a new electric main and to look at minor road drainage improvements. • The PC’s grounds maintenance contractors have cleared the tink-a-tank. This was added to the contract when awarded in March. The work was carried out a little late, but we hope to ensure it is carried out automatically in May in future years. RATS Not a pleasant topic, but along with many other communities across the country in these strange times, a number of people have reported rat sightings in the heart of Leek Wootton. Their change in location/behaviour is possibly due to the change in human behaviour over the last few months affecting their regular food sources. The advice from Warwick District Council Pest & Control Service to prevent vermin is to remove any food source or potential nesting sites. “Most of our work is connected to people over-feeding the birds in an area: rats will travel around a mile looking for food. Once a reliable source is found the rat will want to be as close as possible to it, provided there is adequate harbourage and water. They will then breed and keep multiplying to take advantage of the available food supply.” Bird-feeders, etc., have been removed by home-owners in the area and there have been no sightings for some time. Further advice is available at www.warwickdc.gov.uk if you search for “pests”.

10 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 PUBLIC CONSULTATION: HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT County Council is running a public consultation on a proposed change within the Home to School Transport Policy, which could affect the way in which a pupil's Qualifying School is determined. The consultation opened on 8 June 2020 and will close on Friday, 17 July 2020. Further information on the proposal and ways to provide feedback can be found at https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/schools/home-to-school-transport/ NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Parish Council will be at 7:30pm on Tuesday, 7 July 2020 via Zoom. If you would like to ‘attend’ the Parish Council meeting on 7 July, please contact the Clerk ([email protected]), giving the following information: • Your name • Saying whether you would like to address the Council during the public forum section of the meeting The Clerk will then circulate the meeting information when available. 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. COVID-19 Response Team The COVID-19 Response Team remains available for anyone in need to contact. If you require help with anything, from picking up prescriptions to having a chat with another person, please contact: • Jim Perryman, Vicar, All Saints’ Church (t: 850610 e: [email protected]) • Richard Coates, Chairman, LW&GC Parish Council (t: 856223 e: [email protected]) • Jonathan Kingston, Churchwarden, All Saints’ Church (t: 851181 e: [email protected] ) • Helen Eldridge, Clerk to the Parish Council (e: [email protected]) • Leek Wootton Neighbourhood Watch (e: [email protected]) • Hill Wootton COVID-19 Cover Joy Maisey (t: 07827 778663 e: [email protected]) Sonia Scrimshire (t: 07770 664790 e: [email protected])

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12 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 OBITUARIES We publish here brief obituaries for members of the community who have died recently. We send condolences to their relatives, and to all who have recently been bereaved. caring and compassionate nature was evident not only within the family but beyond, though I sensed she preferred to play down her role, being content with 'the humbler part'. When John's condition was diagnosed and as time passed with its ups and downs regarding the Vicky Kelly prognosis, Vicky, while bearing a 1950-2020 great burden of concern and anxiety, was also a source of great strength Vicky’s graveside Funeral/Burial as well as comfort. While in later Service took place on 28 May and years her own health failed, her this lovely tribute was received from courage and confidence did not. Brian Pearson. She had made her wishes clear and “Vicky - with John - was among the anticipating a joyful reunion with her first people I got to know when I beloved John would have given her moved to Leek Wootton in 2000. great comfort. Although most of my encounters Vicky was most faithful in retaining were due to my working with John in contact with my wife, Althea, and his role as a Churchwarden, I myself despite our moving from Leek became aware of Vicky's supportive Wootton 14 years ago - indeed presence as a quiet and gentle faithfulness is another right and influence. She was there offering proper testimony to her life - a life encouragement and insight and I well lived and which, by God's grace, know that John relied on her as a peacefully drew to its close.” practical person and realist. Vicky's

In a touching tribute, Vicky’s colleagues from Sainsbury’s, who were unable to attend the service due to COVID-19 restrictions, lined her route to the church.

13 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations, Margot Former Leek Wootton resident and continuing member of the church family at All Saints’, Margot Prince will celebrate her 90th birthday on 6 July. We wish her many happy returns and hope she has a lovely day. Elsie’s birthday made extra special After announcing that Elsie Kersley was to celebrate her 98th birthday in the June issue of The Link, her neighbours got together on the day to surprise her with a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday!’

VE75 Prize Winners Awards were distributed to everyone who took part in the VE75 Art Competition. Certificates and prizes were socially-distantly delivered to winners, some of whom sent photos and thanked the organisers.

14 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE NEWS f LWandGC c LWandGC_Community Two Mayors’ Walk replaces Two Castles Run The mayors of Kenilworth and Warwick undertook their own ‘Two Castles’ event on Sunday, 14 June in place of the annual Two Castles Run, which had been cancelled because of the COVID-19 crisis. Normally the mayor of Warwick starts off the runners at and the mayor of Kenilworth greets them all at the finishing line at and they do, of course, all pass-through Leek Wootton. However, this year the two mayors walked the route starting at their respective castles at 9:00am, meeting halfway in Leek Wootton where, from a safe distance, they exchanged greetings and gifts (Kenilworth tea in return for Warwick jam!) before returning to their respective castles. Councillor Richard Dickson, Mayor of Kenilworth, said that he and Councillor Neale Murphy, Mayor of Warwick walked a total of 10,000 metres, which he hoped would remind people what a great event the Two Castles is thanks to all the volunteers from local Rotary clubs. Adapted from www.kenilworthweb.co.uk Kenilworth Books Re-opens On Monday, 15 June Kenilworth Books was featured on BBC Midlands Today, with owner Judy Brook, Tamsin Rosewell and early customers talking to Ben Godfrey. The shop has been very busy during lockdown, taking orders and supplying books (with some deliveries by John on the Book Bike!), as well as working with schools and home learners and it’s won an inaugural award in recognition, but Monday was all about preparing for and welcoming back browsing customers. Although the addition of a BBC film crew on the day in the beautiful, but quite small store, must have been a challenge, customers can now shop 10:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Saturday or continue to order by ‘phone or email (e: [email protected]; t: 01926 855784). There is a link to the BBC film on the LW&GC FB page at: www.facebook.com/LWandGC or on the shop’s FB page at : www.facebook.com/KenilworthBooks.

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16 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 YOUR LETTERS If you would like to write to us, please email the Editorial Team at : [email protected]

The parrot that came to Leek Wootton The COVID-19 Response WhatsApp group undertook a different challenge, when Hill Wootton Neighbourhood Watch put out an appeal for a missing parrot from Warwick. The Street Champions rallied and reported hearing it in trees in Leek Wootton, which led to its rescue. One of the Street Champions, Jan was inspired to draw a comic strip that you can colour in. THE RUSTIC BENCH!!! Now that we are slowly emerging from these crazy, worrying, unusual times, I wonder if many of you, like me, have needed to have somewhere to reflect and unwind?, One of my favourite localities has been the old rustic bench overlooking The Warwickshire golf courses, in a perfect position to observe the surrounding countryside, with views over to and beyond, just sitting admiring the changing scenery, watching reduced traffic and trains, appreciating the lack of pollution and thinking how different our lives have been recently as well as how, here in Leek Wootton, we are so very fortunate to have an area where the footpaths are available for the very necessary walks we need. Being able to take some time to relax there is very helpful to my own mental well- being. The bench is in the perfect place for anyone on their walks to take time out and be quiet - a haven for myself and I am sure many others. So, a tribute to the little bench, very rustic and well loved by all, please carry on sustaining everyone during this awful pandemic. Hopefully all the walkers, picnickers and thinkers will soon be able to sit a bit closer!

Not sure how long you have been there but don’t let anyone replace you with anything up to date. THANK YOU!!! Eileen Clayton

17 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.leekwoottonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Secretary : Steph Jones e : [email protected] Annual Show 2020 - Chairman’s Message A decision regarding the Show is one that I have agonised over as I have not wanted to ‘jump the gun’ as it were, but the time arrived that such a decision was required. I felt that we had to give due notice of our decision and the most obvious vehicle for giving notice to the public was via The Link magazine. I could not reasonably expect the current restrictions imposed by the government to be relaxed such that we would be able to congregate numbers in the Hall and associated grounds. I decided therefore to recommend that the Show be cancelled. Thankfully the Committee agreed, and this was underpinned by the Village Hall committee which is waiting for government guidelines before opening the Hall again. Hopefully, you will understand the thought processes and agree that the courses of action will help to take LW&DHS forward for 2020. Brian Melling COMPETITION As the Society’s Annual Show has been cancelled for this year, we propose to organise a competition. While you’ve been in lockdown have you nurtured a beautiful flower or plant? Have you grown a superb crop of strawberries or even personally made something over the last months that you are proud of? We would like you to send in your pictures of any flower, plant, vegetable, or fruit that you have grown in your garden or any crafts you have made. We will post these photographs on to the website. The Society’s Committee members will then vote for the best picture and award this year’s Banksian medal to the winner. The medal is normally awarded at the Show, to the person who gains the most points in the fruit, flower, and vegetable classes. Send your pictures to our email: [email protected] and we will post on the website: www.leekwoottonhorticultualsociety.co.uk. You can do this anytime up to Thursday, 20 August.

18 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 Please could your photograph be landscape (the website will not accept portrait pictures) and one entry for each member of the household. There is no age restriction to entries. Please include your name, address and contact number in the email. The winner will be notified at the end of August. Garden Visit – Waterperry Gardens Saturday, 19 September 2020 Waterperry Gardens are now welcoming visitors and so we are looking to run the trip, in some form, on the Saturday, 19 September; levels of social distancing or independent travel to the gardens may be required. However, at this point in time, we are assessing the level of interest. Although the tea shop may not be open, picnics are allowed. If you would like to join the trip please email [email protected] or contact Steph Jones on: t: 855370, so that we can make an assessment. I will then notify you in due course, of the arrangements made.

www.guyscliffewalledgarden.org.uk GUY’S CLIFFE WALLED GARDEN TRUST e : [email protected] Access & parking via Hintons Nursery, Coventry Road, Warwick The Garden remains closed due to COVID-19, but small groups of volunteers are working for short periods behind the scenes. Amazingly, all our fruit trees, including our ' Pear', have survived the winter flooding, although one or two are still displaying signs of stress. Considering their roots were underwater for over three months, that's pretty remarkable. Ironically, with the warmest Spring on record, we had to water daily until the rain took over. With the continued support of our volunteers, we are keeping as much of the Garden under cultivation as possible and are already harvesting produce. With the struggles some family are facing, the Trustees decided that this year all our produce will, until further notice, be donated to the ‘Helping Hands’ project and to a night shelter in Leamington. A small contribution, but it gives a new purpose to what we're doing.

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JAN RAWNSLEY OPEN STUDIO

DUE TO THE CANCELLATION THIS YEAR OF OPEN STUDIOS AND ART IN THE PARK, I SHALL BE OPENING MY STUDIO FOR INDIVIDUAL, OR HOUSEHOLD COUPLES, PRE-BOOKED VISITS TO SEE MY WORK.

TO ARRANGE A VISIT PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME ON 07768 216649 [email protected]

I WILL BE OPEN FOR THESE VISITS FROM :

SATURDAY 18 JULY TO 30 SEPTEMBER

AT: 3 THE ELMS, LEEK WOOTTON CV35 7RR

During this period I will once more be raffling one of my paintings in aid of the Womens Refuge.

PLEASE VIEW SOME OF MY WORK ON MY WEBSITE AT www.janrawnsley.co.uk

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20 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.leekwoottonwi.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON WI President : Genny Wilson t : 690701 The grass is indeed greener… Lettuce, spinach, strawberries, radishes and rhubarb. No that’s not a list of my smoothie ingredients - far too healthy - but the items I’ve grown in my garden and eaten so far this year. I’d like to say I’m a pretty handy in the garden, but frankly I’m not. Plants, particularly vegetables and fruit are more likely to wither, than thrive under my care. Although my heritage would indicate otherwise, with a French mother who was a pure magician in the garden - Mum loved nature, and it responded in kind. Everything she planted, and tended would flourish, and bloom. She had acquired her love of nature at an early age from her grandmother, who as the local herbalist in the Lorraine region of France, had taught Mum all she knew. With a family of six to feed, Mum and Dad had two allotments where every indigenous vegetable and fruit you could think of was carefully planted and tended to each year. Our summers were spent picking, watering, weeding and digging with our parents, until the temptation of a game of hide and seek would easily draw us away from helping them. During the seasonal peak, the kitchen table groaned under the weight of freshly harvested produce. What wasn’t immediately eaten, was pickled, frozen, or carefully stored. Mum spent every minute she could at the allotment, and one year she lost her wedding ring and was completely distraught, so Dad arranged for a replacement as close a match as possible to the original one. Some twenty years later it was discovered, when Dad was digging up, and re-laying one of the allotment paths. Mum was over the moon. I loved spending time at the allotment throughout my childhood. I remember the hard graft, but it was worth it, because the allotment provided the best tasting and best looking veg and fruit (I’m making comparisons to bland, often flavourless school dinners of course!). Not forgetting the added bonus that the allotment gardens provided a huge exciting playground too! Mum’s love of gardening was equally matched by her love of cooking. We enjoyed many feasts and in true traditional French style we spent many leisurely hours at the table, not just eating, but talking, and arguing, and laughing, a lot. So during these last few months, whilst I’ve been spending more time in the garden, planting and tending to my small vegetable beds, memories of those halcyon days come flooding back. We are all so very lucky to have access to good, wholesome food. Food provides nourishment, not just for the body, but also for the soul - none more so than when you share a meal with those who you care about. So, when it becomes more possible to enjoy a meal with those friends, and family who you haven’t been able to see during this epidemic, cherish every moment, and every mouthful, and as Mum would say with a huge smile, ‘Bon Appetit’!

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22 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 The Link Quiz By Norman Rogers and Paul Haynes (answers on page 35) BIRDWATCH 1. What woodland bird is nicknamed the “Yaffle”? 2. Not counting the very rare Common Rosefinch, name the birds with finch in their name that are common in the British Isles? There are five of them. 3. Which of these would an adult Osprey mainly hunt to feed its young? Voles, Rabbits, Fish, Worms or other birds? 4. Which bird’s song sounds like it's asking for “a little bit of bread and no cheese”? Song Thrush, Corn Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Jay, or Yellowhammer? 5. Which family of birds do the following belong to: Brambling, Siskin, Linnet, Redpoll, Crossbill and Twite? 6. Which bird’s song sounds like a repeated “teacher, teacher”? Blackbird, Redstart, Robin, Great Tit, Chiffchaff or Wren? 7. There are eight Tit species to be found in the British Isles, some are more common than others. Can you name them? 8. Which is the only British bird that can descend, (or walk down), a tree headfirst? Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Tree Pipit, Tree Sparrow or Blackcap? 9. Which is Britain and Ireland's smallest bird? 10. Name the five owls native to Britain.

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24 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 The call during lockdown to “greet one another while out and about” led me to think of this poem: Smiling is infectious, I thought about that smile, you catch it like the flu, then I realised its worth. When someone smiled at me today, A single smile, just like mine I started smiling too. Could travel round the earth.

I passed around the corner So, if you feel a smile begin,

and someone saw my grin. don't leave it undetected. When he smiled I realised Let’s start an epidemic quick, I’d passed it on to him. and get the world infected! Jez Alborough

www.pawsitivevetcare.co.uk PAWSITIVE VET CARE m : 07410411461 Paws for Thought By Helen Perryman It’s a bad time of year for hay fever sufferers, but did you know that pets can suffer with allergies too? Unlike people, dogs and cats usually show allergies through itchy skin, rather than respiratory irritation. Skin allergies can look like: • Ear infections • Overgrooming, going bald • Licking or chewing feet or other areas of the body • Scratching Allergies are very common in our pets and they can be caused by several different things, for example food (usually the protein source of the diet), fleas, dust mites and pollens. Allergies are often lifelong conditions with flare-ups being common, even if the allergy is otherwise under control. With allergic animals, managing these so-called ‘flare-factors’ can help to reduce the frequency of severe signs. These flare-factors include things like parasites (e.g. fleas or mites), secondary yeast or bacterial infections, stress, and high levels of allergen exposure. Allergies can be frustrating to treat, but there are some really good treatment options available now which can improve your pet’s (and your!) quality of life. Continuity of care is really important for managing allergies. Seeing a different vet every time can make things very confusing and frustrating. Try to see the same vet where at all possible as that person will have a better idea of what treatment and investigations have been used in the past and what works best in your pet. Above all, don’t give up. While allergies can be frustrating for both pet and owner, management strategies are possible that will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of you both. 25 ADVERTISING

26 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 https://bringbackguyscliffe.org BRING BACK GUY’S CLIFFE Dedicated to helping the restoration work at Guy's Cliffe Contact : [email protected] In late May the Bring Back Guy’s Cliffe project was featured on the CoventryLive website under the heading of: Ten mysteries from Coventry and Warwickshire which continue to defy explanation Secret chambers at Guy’s Cliffe? It’s one of Warwickshire’s most enchanting landmarks, but mythical Guy’s Cliffe in Warwick has been out of bounds for much of its history. Owned by the Freemasons, the core site is now the focus of the Bring Back Guy’s Cliffe campaign, an effort to involve the wider community in the regeneration work, saving a heritage asset that rivals nearby castles and stately homes in legend, if not grandeur. Used as a meeting place by the Freemasons, the Guy’s Cliffe’s history is every bit as labyrinthine as its physical layout. The charted history dates to Roman times when the secluded cliffs and water were a place of tranquillity and reflection. Guy of Warwick, a knight and pilgrim, spent his final years living as a hermit in a cave which can be seen at the foot of the cliffs. Fortunes dipped after World War Two, with the house and grounds entangled in development and ownership wrangles. The core buildings returned to regular use in the 1970s, with the Freemasons becoming tenants and carrying out renovation work. In 1981 they took ownership from the then split estate of Aldwyn Porter, Guy’s Cliffe’s former owner. Mounds of earth under the skeleton of the former grand house are thought to have buried tunnels, chambers, and rooms. The top of a grand arch can be seen at the head of one escarpment underneath the austere stone facework of the manor. It suggests that a forgotten level lies under the stone above. According to folklore, Guy himself is said to be buried within the cave, though there has never been a concerted effort to find his remains. Extracted from CoventryLive (www.coventrytelegraph.net) 27 ADVERTISING

28 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.historygroup.leekwoottonandguyscliffe.org.uk LEEK WOOTTON HISTORY GROUP Chairman : Paul Eldridge t : 854347 The Way We Were In our occasional series, we have previously featured the architect and artist, Sydney R Jones (Jul/Aug 2013 – Honeysuckle Cottage and Conifers / Oct 2013 – Yew Trees, Warwick Road). This time the image is his artistic interpretation of the cottages that occupied the site where Hill Wootton Close now stands.

Hill Wootton, Warwickshire 1906

The cottages were known to have attracted artists and photographers in the early 20C when many wished to record the particularly English historic rural way of life. The History Group has one or two books by or about Jones should anyone be interested in borrowing them. Does anyone think that this floor plan may be from a cottage that they know? Extracted from The Village Homes of England 1912:

29 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 f @LeekWoottonSportsClub LEEK WOOTTON SPORTS CLUB Club Steward : Nigel Rodgers t : 852231 During lockdown, the Committee has continued to meet via videoconference and several tasks have been undertaken. Closing the bar and managing all the stock as efficiently as possible was quite a challenge, but this has all been done and the bar area has received a thorough clean and reorganisation with several improvements made. Members may not notice some of these when we do reopen as some are infrastructure repairs and improvements that have taken place out of sight, but when we cleared the bar area we noticed that a number of repairs and some redecoration was necessary. Some of the external building fabric has also been repaired. We have also undertaken a series of jobs at the Club to refresh the venue with a lot of painting and decorating and we hope when we reopen you will enjoy the facilities and appreciate the hard work undertaken by our volunteers. We still have some more jobs to complete so if you are interested in helping for a few hours then please get in touch. Every bit of help makes a difference, so please do so if you can. The Committee has also taken the opportunity to have a thorough assessment of our operations and used the hiatus to evaluate the stock management and general operations of the Club with a focus on cost savings and improved services. This has included discussions with our on- going service providers to cancel, put on hold or reduce the services provided to save costs. Our new plans are still in development and will be advised later; again some will be out of sight, but they will generally improve the Club's position. Finally, we have started to develop a new web site and at our next briefing, we will advise the address and you can view and use it. The 200 Club has continued over the last few months as normal and the following winners are for April, May and June, which has the larger mid-year winners. Well done to all winners: April Trevor Cox and John Roberts both won £18 May Sue Whitehouse and Carina Stubbs also both won £18 June Bill Timpson won £100, Carol Couchman, Peter Champion and Martin Rennolds all won £25, and Shirley Couchman & Shaun Clifford both won £18 Finally, a few words of consideration please. Whilst the Club has been closed some visitors have been sitting on our benches having a drink in the fine weather. That is fine, but please take your empty bottles and other rubbish home with you. We have had all our bins filled by visitor’s using our benches – our wheelie bin has also been filled with other people’s rubbish and we have no service to remove it at present. Please do not use our facilities as a dumping ground for your rubbish. Until next time, keep safe … The Committee 30 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020

www.leekwoottonfc.com LEEK WOOTTON FOOTBALL CLUB Chairman : Paul Baigent t : 07535 736556

As with all activities, our Junior Football Club went into lockdown and the season ended abruptly on 23 March. However, we did have a bit of good news to report before the break; Under 12s striker, Shilo Kilwa, was banging the goals in all season and had drawn the attention of a number of scouts from the Midlands based clubs. In the end, Coventry City saw enough to select him, and he signed for the Sky Blues Academy, which is great news for him, and we wish him well. Unfortunately for the Under 12s, Shilo’s signing happened the week before their Midland League semi-final and they missed him as they went out of the competition, but they came so close. Leading 1-0 they entered the final minute of the match against Shrewsbury based Allscott, but then a very unfortunate own goal gave the visitors the equaliser and the match went to penalties which Allscott won 4-3. It was a cruel way to end what was a great season for this team. Our other Midland League teams finished the season in respectable mid-table and the Under 10s did very well in Division 1 of the Coventry League. Our Mid Warwickshire teams were headed by our Under 15s Colts who were second in the league when the break came. Moving forward we would, of course, like to get out onto the pitch again, but much depends on what is happening with the government response to COVID- 19 and the directions given by the FA. Restrictions are still in place, but hopefully as the summer moves towards autumn restrictions will be eased a little and we can get back onto the pitch. Next season all of our teams are looking for new talent so if you have a child who would like to play (including our Nippers group who start from age 5) please go to our web site (as above), register your interest and we will get back to you. Keep safe everyone …

www.kenilworthrugby.co.uk KENILWORTH RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Kenilworth Rugby Football Club has published architect’s images of its prospective new ground. This is to be located north of this parish on land between the railway and A46 Kenilworth Bypass, accessed through part of the field to the south of the new housing development on the way into Kenilworth, placing part of the new grounds within this parish. The plans and images are available on the club website, www.kenilworthrugby.co.uk (go to News and the article is dated Friday, 10 April).

31 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 Courier Fraud/Telephone Scam Sadly, the police have been dealing with various cases of scammers using the COVID-19 crisis and people’s fears to take advantage. The following is a transcript of a conversation with a telephone scammer, which has been circulated by Safer Neighbourhoods Team: "Good morning, I'm calling from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested postive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self -isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test." "OK. Can you tell me who that person was?" "I'm not able to tell you that. That is confidential information." "Right. Um... so..." But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?" "Ok” (gives address) "Thank you - and I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you." "Sorry - a payment card? I though this was all free?" "No - I'm afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit, and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you're ready." "No - that's not right. This is part of the NHS so there's no charge." "I'm afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying." Puts phone down. This is how scammers work and vulnerable people will fall for it. Do not become a victim of a scam like this. Tell your friends and family before it's too late. Damaged Oak The Oak tree in the original car park of The Hayes has suffered some damage. One huge bough has broken off, probably because its laden with leaves. Such a shame, we were only saying last week how beautiful if was. Steph Jones

32 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 A46 Warwick Drainage Scheme The Highways Agency has published notifications about the closure of the A46 Warwick/Kenilworth bypass between July and September 6 July to 25 July (Phase 2) Full southbound closure of the A46 from roundabout to M40 junction 15, with a northbound lane 2 closure from M40 junction 15 to Budbrooke roundabout.

3 August to 12 August (Phase 4) Full southbound closure of the A46 from Leek Wootton roundabout to Budbrooke roundabout, with a northbound lane 2 closure from Budbrooke roundabout to Leek Wootton roundabout.

12 August to 4 September (Phase 1) Full northbound closure of the A46 from the M40 junction 15 to Budbrooke roundabout, with a southbound lane 2 closure from Budbrooke roundabout to the M40 junction 15. 4 September to 23 September (Phase 3) Full northbound closure of the A46 from Budbrooke roundabout to Leek Wootton roundabout, with a southbound lane 2 closure from Leek Wootton roundabout to Budbrooke roundabout.

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34 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 BUS TIMETABLE LEEK WOOTTON Timetable for Route 16 (Mon-Sat, Kenilworth to Hatton Park via Warwick) COVID-19 MEASURES: a Saturday service will run Mondays to Saturdays Towards Kenilworth Towards Warwick 9:15 11:15 13:15 15:07 8:37 10:27 12:27 14:27 CHESFORD CROSSROADS (NO TIMES ADVERTISED FOR THESE STOPS) Timetable for Route U1 (Mon-Fri, Stratford to University of Warwick) COVID-19 MEASURES: a special hourly service will run between Leamington & University all week. Timetable for Route X17 (Coventry to Warwick) COVID-19 MEASURES: A special service will run Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, a normal timetable will run. This timetable is valid at the time of download. However,this may be affected by alteration at short notice. To read service updates or to re-check your journey go to www.stagecoachbus.com.

“Be funny if the siren went now, wouldn’t it?”

The Giles cartoon in Sunday Express on 19 August 1945 (from Giles’s War: Cartoons 1939-1945, Edited by Tim Benson)

Link Quiz Answers (from page 23) Owl. Little and Eared - Short Eared, - Long Tawny, Barn,

Nuthatch | 9. Goldcrest ( the Firecrest is only marginally bigger) | 10. 10. | bigger) marginally only is Firecrest the ( Goldcrest 9. | Nuthatch

Blue, Marsh, Willow, Coal, Crested, Long Tailed and Bearded Tit | 8. 8. | Tit Bearded and Tailed Long Crested, Coal, Willow, Marsh, Blue,

Hawfinch | 3. Fish | 4. Yellowhammer | 5. Finches | 6. Great Tit | 7. Great, Great, 7. | Tit Great 6. | Finches 5. | Yellowhammer 4. | Fish 3. | Hawfinch 1. Green Woodpecker | 2. Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch and and Bullfinch Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, 2. | Woodpecker Green 1.

35 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | JULY/AUGUST 2020 JUNE IN PICTURES… Please submit your photos to [email protected]

 Garden visitors ➔

 Names being etched on

Image:Scrimshire Sonia the memorial in the Garden of Remembrance

 Police exercises at Woodcote  Poppies in Hill Wootton

➔Tink-a-Tank footpath cleared

 Flooding at The Old School

 Baby doves in the bell tower at All Saints’ Church

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