Leek Wootton Link

MARCH 2020

All Saints’ Church Parish Magazine

LEEK WOOTTON LINK Leek Wootton | Guy’s Cliffe | Hill Wootton | Chesford | Goodrest | Wedgnock | North & Middle Woodloes LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 experienced in the past, Spring is EDITORIAL now very much on its way and the Welcome to the March edition of The Horticultural Society passes on some Link and thank you to everyone who more tips for your gardens (page 23), has already made a donation to the while activities continue all around. production costs of the magazine for The CRUK Big Breakfast, at the 2020. Even if you have ‘lost’ your Sports Club from 8:00am - 2:00pm on bright blue envelope please do Friday, 6 March (page 21), is a consider making a donation via the veritable community event, not to be person who delivers your copy or missed! direct to 30 Hill Wootton Road. Thank And, of course, European Summer you. Time begins at 2:00am on Sunday, 29 After an autumn and winter of weather March. very different from that we have Helen & Lesley Eldridge The Editorial Team Cover Image: ‘Bracket’ at The British Bird of Prey Centre 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] Nigel Stallard (see left for contact) Church Wardens Secretary to the PCC Jonathan Kingston t : 851181 Eileen Clayton t : 855124 32 Hill Wootton Road 2 The Hamlet Nigel Stallard t : 850548 Treasurer to the PCC Reading Room Cottage Church Lane Iain Wilton t : 07771 664185 4 Croft Road

Articles for The Link: If there is anything you would like to include, please email [email protected] The deadline for editorial submissions for the APRIL issue is: FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 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 | MARCH 2020 FROM THE VICARAGE

Firstly, many thanks to those who responded to give their views on the different styles of paper used for the magazine over recent months. It seems clear that we should continue as last month as this not only offers great quality, but also fantastic value for money. I hope you agree. And so we enter March, the season of Lent, which is a great time to take stock of ourselves and start our spiritual, and perhaps physical, Spring Cleaning. This year, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have set a ‘Live Lent’ 40-day Challenge to encourage us all to ‘Care for God’s Creation’. With the extreme weather events which have been sweeping the nation over recent days, as well as much of Europe and other parts of the world (not least Australia), what was once seen as the obsession of the few has now become recognised as one of, if not ‘the’, most urgent issues facing humanity. Here at the Vicarage, we re-commit ourselves to this challenge that we have tried to engage with now for nearly 30 years. Just doing SOMETHING, however seemingly insignificant, will make a difference, but doing NOTHING is no longer an option. Will you join with us? 1000 ‘Somethings’ around the parish would total up to quite a lot. You might still be able to pick up a #LiveLent booklet from church, and you can download the app onto your phone etc., get daily emails or social media updates. See the Church of England website www.churchofengland.org/livelent for details. Lent will have only just started when this edition of Link lands on your doormat, so let’s give up procrastination and get straight on with #LiveLent. Oh, and just to let you know, there is now a Vicar in the Vicarage! Don’t get too excited – it’s only me. Officially, my title has been ‘Priest-in-Charge’ since I arrived eleven years ago (as was the case for a few of my predecessors), but on Saturday 22 February, I was magically transformed into a Vicar. I thought I’d better tell you because you won’t notice any difference ☺ Jim Perryman 3 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020

www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

CHURCH SERVICES / EVENTS FOR MARCH Charity Prayer Focus for the month: Barnabas Fund www.barnabasfund.org Sunday, 1 March Prayer Focus: The Elms 8:00am Holy Communion (CW) 9:30am NO SERVICE due to road closures for the Warwick Half Marathon Wednesday, 4 March 10:30am Holy Communion Sunday, 8 March Prayer Focus: Church Lane 9:30am Holy Communion with MOSAIC (for children 2-12) Sunday, 15 March Prayer Focus: Home Farm 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP) 9:30am All Age Worship – Faith and Life 10:45am PCC Meeting Wednesday, 18 March 10:30am Holy Communion Sunday, 22 March MOTHERING SUNDAY Prayer Focus: Hill Wootton Road 9:30am Mothering Sunday Parade Service with local Scouting & Guiding Groups Sunday, 29 March Prayer Focus: The Hamlet 9:30am All Age Holy Communion with MOSAIC (for children 2-12) 5:00pm Trekkers (Y6-Y11) group in Church, followed by 6:30pm CTKD* Taizé Worship at All Saints

* CTKD is the abbreviation for Churches Together in Kenilworth and District, which is the grouping of Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, United Reformed, and Pentecostal churches in the town of Kenilworth and the villages of Ashow, Leek Wootton and Stoneleigh. For ecumenical activities taking place outside the church buildings, we also work under the title Love Kenilworth, which also encompasses the villages, including Burton Green. For more information on the ecumenical events and links to the individual fellowships, see the website www.lovekenilworth.org.uk

4 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 Friday, 6 March World Day of Prayer 2020 A WOMEN LED, GLOBAL, ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT Rise! Take your mat and walk Women, men and children of all ages are called to 'Rise, take your mat and walk' to join this day of prayer. Women of Zimbabwe have prepared this year's service and they encourage us all to reflect on the difficulties and unrest that have plagued their country over many years. They share the challenges they have met and the hopes they have for the future. They encourage us to 'Rise, take your mat and walk' with them as they continue their often turbulent journey towards full reconciliation.

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous Teach me to serve Thee as Thou deservest To give and not to count the cost To fight and not to heed the wounds To toil and not to seek for rest To labour and not to seek reward save that of knowing that I do Thy will.

Fill us, we pray Thee, with Thy light and life, that we may show forth Thy wondrous glory. The WDP service will be held at Grant that Thy love may so fill our lives that All Saints’, Leek Wootton on we may count nothing too small to do for Friday, 6 March at 2:00pm with a Thee, nothing too hard to bear. light lunch before the service at Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556 12:30pm. Volunteers needed now for Marie Curie Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families, will shortly launch their annual Great Daffodil Appeal, held across the UK every March. As part of the appeal, Marie Curie needs volunteers who will give two hours of their time to help hand out their iconic daffodil pins in return for donations, and get more people than ever wearing the pin. If you’ve got two hours to spare, then there may be a location near you and it’s a great way to engage in your local community and support those in need. The charity says that the appeal is urgently needed as one in four people currently don’t receive the care and support they need at the end of their life, and with the population getting older; demand on the charity’s services is set to increase. More details at: www.mariecurie.org.uk/collect or call free on 0800 304 7025. If you or someone you know would like help from Marie Curie, call Support Line on 0800 090 2309. 5 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.mothersunioncoventry.com LEEK WOOTTON MU Contact : Janet Jackson t : 258264 Tuesday, 17 March, 1:30pm at 6 Beechwood Croft, Kenilworth Deanery Prayers: For family life and communities in our area Thursday, 19 March, 2:00pm at St John’s Church Hall Michelle Harris, Youth worker in Kenilworth: “Da Yuf” – What does Michelle do all day? Wednesday, 25 March, 11:00am at St Giles Church, Exhall MU Lady Day Service St Giles Church, 3 St Giles Rd, Coventry, CV7 9GZ / Contact Janet if you’d like to share a lift Dear God, Make a Mother's Day

We thank you for mothers and carers Appeal everywhere, Mothering Sunday, 22 March and for all they do to help us to grow up well. We thank you that they love us and show us At this special time of saying how to learn to stand on our own two feet. thank you to all mothers and caregivers for their nurture, We pray that mums will feel really special today; love and helping us to grow, that they will know how much we love them Mothers’ Union is again and how much you love them too. celebrating through its ‘Make Most of all, we thank you, God, a Mother's Day Appeal’. that you are our heavenly parent The ethical gifts have the who loves us and added benefit of making a helps us all to grow well difference to mothers and and make the very best of life. caregivers in communities all Amen around the world. This year, you can celebrate or remember someone special by giving a gift that grows. When you buy a gift for your mother, grandmother, auntie or carer, or in memory of a loved one, you will be helping to empower other women, children and communities worldwide to tackle the challenges they face and make positive changes that grow and last. The gifts include learning literacy skills, starting a business, gaining parenting skills and building peace. Add an extra £1 to your gift and we will say thank you with a seeded greetings card that blossoms into wildflowers. To buy your gift, visit: www.makeamothersday.org or call: 020 7222 5533 for an MU gift catalogue

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In the first issue of the reborn Leek Wootton Link (March 1994), the editors shared this rather beautiful piece with their readers: Why she says yes

Lent is not a fast time, Lent is not a sleeping time, but a measured long to last time, more a wake up weeping time, a somewhat lean but clean time, but tears that rinse us through time, a useful in between time. a making all things new time. Lent is not a false time, Lent’s not a dead unfeeling time, nor a masked ball or fancy waltz-time, but a passionate spring not a rough and tough uncouth time, Lord’s healing time, but an honest loving truth time. a release the imprisoned rigid time. Lent is not a grasping time, Lent is not for me a no time, nor a smothering greedy clasping time, but a go slow wake up grow time, but a patient shaping moulding time, it’s a be more but do less time, a pay attention holding time. for me it is a yes time. Tina Lamb Poetry and Prayer Retreat Holland House

7 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.coventrycathedral.org.uk COVENTRY CATHEDRAL MATTERS Parish Partner : Mary Robins t : 512643 Friday, 10 April, 6:00pm-8:00pm Coventry Cathedral Chorus: St John Passion Tickets at www.ticketweb.uk - £7.50 for students and £15-£22 for adults About the Chorus: Formed in 1963 following the consecration of the Cathedral, it was previously known as ‘St Michael’s Singers’ taking the name from St Michael, to whom the Cathedral is dedicated. There is a superb sculpture of St Michael slaying the devil on the southern end of the east wall, right beside the steps leading up to the Cathedral from Priory Street. The change of name aligns the Chorus to the Cathedral and will now be recognised for what it is and where it is based. There are approximately ninety singers who have all auditioned to become members. Many performances are with professional soloists, conductors and orchestras and the Chorus has performed in many UK churches and concert halls as well as in Europe. A recently released recording ‘Carols from Coventry’ follows many other recordings over the years. Paul Leddington Wright has been Musical Director for many years and may be a recognisable MD on BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’ going back to the early programmes. The members of the choir sometimes supplemented the local congregation to boost the singing. Pam Rhodes is now its President and has presented the music at Cathedral services. The next musical event will be on Good Friday, as above. For more information about the Coventry Cathedral Chorus see: [email protected]. Saturday, 7 March, 1:00pm-2:00pm Informal Concert: SoliDeisten Dresden, a sextet of Dresden soloists. Saturday, 21 March, 8:00pm-11:30pm Supersonic presents: Chelsea Wolfe + Jonathan Hulten. Chelsea performs songs “presenting simple folk ideas as magnificent oceanic reveries”. Saturday, 4 April, 7:30pm-9:30pm London Concertante present: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons by Candlelight. Also to include Telemann and Bach. Tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk

8 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 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 on Tuesday, 4 February, at Leek Wootton Village Hall. Discussion included the following: POLICE RESPONSE VEHICLES In January the PC wrote to the Chief Constable to inquire about the policy on response vehicles exiting Police Headquarters, following comments about the number of vehicles travelling at speed and using lights and sirens when exiting Woodcote Lane. The response received stated that staff should only use warning systems when absolutely necessary in and around Woodcote Drive and the immediate vicinity, although, of course, there will be occasions when use of lights and sirens will need to be used. Following a further complaint from a resident about speeding vehicles on Warwick Road, the PC wrote again to the Chief Constable asking for a meeting with the Chief Inspector accountable for Operational Support within Warwickshire, which was offered in the letter received in January. Meanwhile the Chief Constable has assured the PC that the Police are committed to keeping noise and disruption to local residents to a minimum and working with the PC and community to ensure a harmonious relationship. COMMUNITY GRANT FUND The PC has a fund for Community Organisations or Groups. Bids should be made for projects which will be of benefit to the whole community or a specific group whose principal objectives are not those of a single individual. Applications will not be accepted where the benefit is to a single individual. If your organisation or group has a project for which it would like up to £500 support, please go to the PC website for further information and application form at: www.leekwootton.org.uk/parish-council-business/lwgc-parish- council-grant-fund/ ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY The Annual Parish Assembly has been arranged for Monday, 6 April 2020 at the Village Hall (7:00pm) and the Deputy Chief Constable has been confirmed to attend to speak both about the status of the Police at Woodcote, the future plans for the site and wider policing in Warwickshire. Further details of the Annual Parish Assembly will be published in the April issue of The Link.

9 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE County Highways have informed the PC that they are experiencing a 2½ month backlog of jobs due to the bad weather, which means that no permanent repairs are being carried out, so unfortunately the ponding at the Skew Bridge (railway bridge) Hill Wootton Road/B4115 and outside the old school will not be permanently resolved in the immediate future, although jetting of the gullies at the Skew Bridge will hopefully take place soon. There have been site meetings with WCC Highways engineers about flooding at the Saxon Mill and plans are in place for a sequence of works to take place to clear ditches and drains in the vicinity until July/August. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and will be at 7:30pm on Tuesday, 3 March 2020, at Leek Wootton Village Hall. 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.

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10 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 Announcements We share here news we have received of people who have died. We send condolences to their relatives, and to all who have recently been bereaved. We learn that Guy Gibson, who had suffered with Motor Neurone Disease, died on 17 January and neighbours on Tidmarsh Road paid tribute to him with the flag of Yorkshire on the day of his funeral. News has also been received of the death on 9 February of Simon Butler. He was born in 1957 and grew up in the parish, one of the four children of the late Esmé and Peter Butler.

From the Parish Registers

Monday, 27 January The Funeral and Burial of Priscilla Mary Teresa ‘Mary’ Inions

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12 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE NEWS f LWandGC c LWandGC_Community Fundraiser event at Leek Wootton pub raises more than £700 for charity Cancer Research UK Kenilworth committee raised the £700 from a raffle and tickets sales for an evening meal at The Anchor Inn on Wednesday, 29 January.

Roger Davies, the chair of the Cancer Research UK Kenilworth committee, and Sean Rouse, the chef and manager at The Anchor Inn pub

Roger Davies, the chair of the Cancer Research UK Kenilworth committee, said: "We all believe that research and care of families affected by cancer can be helped by our fundraising. We are just a small part of the charity and we aim to raise money locally to benefit the fabulous work that the charity does every day in the UK. "Many people are affected by cancer in all or some of its forms. We all know of people who have been affected as, I think, one in four people may acquire Cancer in their lives. "We are really grateful for Sean Rouse and his team, who looked after us very well and helped a great deal in our fundraising." Extract from Kenilworth Weekly News, 2 February 2020

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14 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 Grand Prix du Design & CBE for Ian Leek Wootton resident and recently retired Director of Design at Jaguar Cars, Ian Callum, was recently among the awards again. On 28 January he was in Paris for the 35th Festival Automobile International held at The Hôtel des Invalides to receive the Grand Prix du Design for Designer Automobiles. Apart from the award, the highlight of the event was that he got to meet Giorgetto Giugiaro, brilliant designer of numerous supercars and production cars from Maserati to VW, Nikon cameras and Apple computers and Ian's inspiration when he was young. On Friday, 14 February he was at Buckingham Palace to receive his CBE from HRH Prince Charles. Ian decided to don the tartan, so he dug out his kilt, sporran and hose and went in National Dress. He is seen showing off his CBE medal and celebrating in The Anchor that evening.

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16 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 Tuesday, 31 March 2020, 7:30pm at Leek Wootton Sports Club VE75 Planning Meeting The afternoon of Friday, 8 May 2020 (a bank holiday) will be a fun day for the whole community, full of music, singing, games, competitions, dressing-up and fun, with the Parish Summer Fête moving from its usual June date for this special occasion. At the last planning meeting the following was confirmed: • The event will be held on Leek Wootton War Memorial Recreation Ground where it will begin with a children's 'Evacuee's Welcome Home' tea party. • Entertainment will include Spa Brass, Stoneleigh Male Voice Choir and Chinewrde Morris and hopefully more, concluding with a wartime singalong. • ‘Drool Britannia’: a dog show, will include a best dressed dog & handler competition, the return of Musical Sit and some dog races. • The fête will include, stalls, games, vintage cars from the Midland Vehicle Preservation Society and historical information about WWII in the parish. This event will bring together the various organisations in the community, including charities, social and special interest groups (e.g. the Sports Club, WI, Horticultural Society), as well as the church and school. The next planning meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm on Tuesday, 31 March at Leek Wootton Sports Club. ADVERTISING

17 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.leekwoottonwi.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON WI President : Genny Wilson t : 690701 SAVE THE BBC RED BUTTON SERVICE! Who can remember using Ceefax? I do! I used it to check the weather, look for holidays and flights, see the lottery results as they were released and read the latest news headlines. I remember it being so useful, so instant - and so modern! - to have access to this information at the click of a TV remote control. This of course, was long before the many technological sources that provide this information to most of us, so easily today. Sarah Gayton, our speaker this month from the National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK), arrived with her friend Sarah, and Sarah’s guide dog Kiki. Sarah explained that late last year the BBC announced it was intending to switch off the news and sport text services on the TV Red Button early in 2020. (The BBC Red button text service was launched in 1999, taking over as Ceefax was phased out.) Whilst the majority of us happily use other sources for this ‘instant’ information, Sarah explained that there are many who depend on the BBC Red Button, and regard this service as a lifeline; to obtain news, sports and information. Since the BBC made the announcement Sarah has been campaigning tirelessly to protect and retain the full Red Button service. She has lobbied both the BBC and 10 Downing Street, aiming to be a voice for the large numbers of under-represented and disadvantaged people, who find the service invaluable. She told us that:- • Many lonely, disabled and elderly people will be affected if the service is switched off. • Deaf people, people with epilepsy, people with chronic pain, people with autism, visually impaired people, people who are housebound, all contacted the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, in desperation for this service to remain.

18 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 • Many other people who find the service easy to use, want the service saved. • Many rural areas of Great Britain have no, or limited access to the internet. • Sarah Leadbetter explained on BBC Breakfast the problems faced by living in rural Leicestershire with poor internet connection and why not everyone can cope with, or afford new technology. Sarah was an impassioned speaker, who has obtained support from some 175+ UK organisations, including, Royal Mencap Society, Disability Rights UK, Blind Veterans UK, The Disabilities Trust, British Blind Sport, Guide Dogs, National Association of Deafened People (NADP). These organisations, like Sarah, recognise the importance of the BBC Red Button service, and are supporting her in her efforts. It’s quite humbling to listen to someone talk passionately about something that won’t benefit them personally, but benefits so many individuals who don’t have the means to voice their concerns. So, if like me you feel that you would like to support this campaign, then please: • Write to your MP and request that the decision to keep the Red Button switched on, be made permanent and explain how this is a vital service. • Write to the letters’ page of your local, regional and national newspapers and explain how you feel about the news that the Red Button teletext service has been saved for the time being. • Contact the NFBUK ([email protected]) to share your personal stories of how, and why, you use the service and what this decision means to you and your family. So whether you are a user of the Red Button service or not, actually doesn’t really matter, but it does matter a tremendous amount, to a lot of individuals without access to alternative sources of instant information. Time to start writing!

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For the first time, the new AC Academy Warwick Youth Choir and Scholars will be joined by some of our professional string players and singers to produce a highly entertaining evening. In this performance they will explore works from the Baroque period as well as indulging in the lighter side of music. This concert will also give you the opportunity to experience solo performances by some of our incredible young Scholars. As we teach our Scholars… “If it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it!” Wednesday, 25 March 2020 7:00pm – 8:00pm All Saints' Church, Leek Wootton Ticket prices from: £6.50 | £8.50 + booking fee Box office number: 01926 334418 Book Online at www.armonico.org.uk/whats-on/ac-academy-goes-for-baroque/

20 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 CANCER RESEARCH UK LEEK WOOTTON COMMITTEE Secretary : Shirley Calvert t : 859003 Mexican Themed Winter Supper This event, held on Saturday, 1 February, was a most enjoyable evening and we raised the sum of £1,490.42. Thank you to everyone who came along to support us. Friday, 6 March Jean and Jim’s Big Breakfast A reminder that this very popular fundraising event will once again be held at the Leek Wootton Sports Club on Friday, 6 March from 8:00am to 2:00pm. No ticket is needed, just come along on the day and enjoy a really good breakfast!

KENILWORTH PROBUS CLUB Chairman : Roger Cragg Hon Secretary : Mike Cheeseman t : 852976

Since the last report to The Link, the Club has held its Spring Lunch at The Glebe Hotel in Barford at which forty-four members and their guests enjoyed a Sunday lunch together. On Tuesday, 18 February the Club met as usual at Leek Wootton Sports Club where we heard a very interesting and enlightening talk by John Berkeley on The Czechoslovakians in Warwickshire 1940 to 1945. This talk covered how these soldiers came to be billeted in Leamington Spa and other locations in the area and how some of them had had to travel through immediate pre and wartime Europe to get to England and form the Free Czech Army. The talk, which covered in detail the journeys of two individuals and also the roles that the Czech troops undertook during World War II, was very well received and had a twist at the end which caught all the listeners by surprise!

21 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 Community Tree Planting Trees are a brilliant way of capturing some of the carbon dioxide that is causing climate change. Planting more is one response that we can all be involved in. Many communities are undertaking tree planting to improve biodiversity as well as a response to the climate crisis. It would be great if we could create a community woodland by planting new trees for future generations. The Parish Council is supportive of this project and The Warwickshire may be willing to allow it on land it owns. We need to form a small group to push this idea forward, with the hope of planting the first trees in the autumn. If you would be willing to be part of the organising group for this, please contact [email protected]

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22 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.leekwoottonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Secretary : Steph Jones e : [email protected] AGM This year’s AGM will take place on Wednesday, 18 March at 7:30pm in the Village Hall. All are welcome to attend. Garden Visit Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire is the destination for this year’s outing on Saturday, 20 June. The coach will leave the village at 10:00am to arrive at the gardens by 11:00am. You will have time to explore the 8-acre site and have lunch in the tea rooms or to picnic. A guided tour of the gardens will commence from 1:30pm for one hour, which you will be welcome to join. There will be some time in the afternoon to visit the shop, museum, and plant centre before leaving at 4.30pm. The price is £28.50 pp to include the garden entrance, tour and coach travel. Please contact Steph Jones on 855370 or [email protected] to book. Annual Show 2020 The Annual Show will take place on Saturday, 22 August. The photographic categories will be Wildlife and Seasons. Gardening Advice As we approach Spring, here are a few ideas to keep you occupied in your garden in February and early March. • One of the most satisfying jobs is cleaning or power washing paths and patios to get rid of slippery mould and dirt patches. If a power washer is not available, purchase proprietary cleaning solutions from local hardware store or supermarket. There are some good organic ones on the market that are also pet friendly (Algon). • Check winter pansies and violas to get rid of dead flowers to prevent rot setting in and to promote new flowers. • If you were prudent enough to put your cuttings, pruning’s and leaves on your compost heap last autumn give them a turn now and compost may be available ready in Spring. • It is time to prune those clematis that flower in May and June as they will form new flowers on short new growths arising from older wood. • It is time to remove hydrangea heads. Prune back to just above the first pair of healthy looking buds and consider removing older stems down to the base 23

LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020

Leek Wootton Hedgehogs We have always been so very lucky to have had hedgehogs in our garden since we moved to Leek Wootton. My love of them goes right back to my childhood when I found a mother with her babies wandering around. warwickshirehedgehogrescue.org Image: We have regularly fed our local hogs and have been privileged to see them out in the twilight in the summer. Back in September I started to notice a few small hedgehogs around and out in the daytime. I became concerned that these hogs were possibly too small to survive winter. A little research and a call to the Warwickshire Hedgehog Rescue group confirmed my suspicions. I was told to capture them and take them to my local hedgehog rescue lady in Claverdon for assessment. The capture process was relatively easy as we have a feeding station I can see from the kitchen so it was just a case of popping outside, making quite a bit of noise so they froze and curled up. The reason for so many small hogs being around appears to be due to the adults having two litters due to the warmer weather. Unfortunately, if the young, late born hogs don’t get to an adequate weight before winter, they won’t be big enough to survive hibernation. Ideally a hog should be at least 750g but most of the little ones weighed barely 300g and with the added issue of parasite infestations they would not survive without some human assistance. Once I’d taken my first hog to the main carer I was hooked - fascinated by what they were doing to help and keen to support them in some way. I then became a new hedgehog foster carer. I started off with my first capture after he’d had a short stay at the care centre sorting out a few medical issues and then spotted another small one in my garden. As friends found out what I was doing they started to notice small hedgehogs out in the daytime which I took in. I ended up with more rescues, but sadly 2 didn’t make it. Even with medical help they succumbed to the effects of heavy intestinal parasites, which can kill them if the burden gets too much. I have taken in some of the well hedgehogs from the rescue lady since then. One has been successfully released after gaining a good amount of weight even though he turned out to be a very fussy eater at first!! I have been given a further ‘outsiders’ two to release as our garden and surrounding area is an ideal hedgehog area - not too close to the main road, interconnecting and well- established gardens with hedges and sheds. I still have my original ‘capture’ who has now trebled his weight and is awaiting release. I just wanted to let you all know how you can help support your local hedgehog population as they are under threat and also say that if you find a sick, injured or very small hog that you can contact me for advice. In this warmer winter we are having there are still a lot of hedgehogs out and

24 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 about foraging for food as they have decided not to hibernate or are coming out of hibernation periodically. You can help by putting out feeding stations in your gardens, usually around the border area of the garden, with food and water. A feeding station is simply an upturned plastic box with two entrance holes cut into the sides approximately 4 inches wide by 3 inches high. You can tape up any sharp edges with duct tape if you wish. There are two holes so that they have entry and exit options. They don’t like wet food and also you want to deter cats and foxes from eating the food. Put a couple of bricks or something similar on the top to weigh the box down and there you go. As for food - well you can buy specialist hedgehog food from local pet suppliers (Spikes Hedgehog food is very popular and comes in a variety of forms - they like the crunchy biscuits the most) or if you want you can put out small/crushed cat or dog biscuits or the meat options. Please don’t use fish-based ones - they aren’t good for hogs. I tend to put a good sized pebble in the food tray (a plant pot tray) to stop them tipping it up!! Please can I also stress that hedgehogs should NOT be fed bread and milk, raw meat, any processed food, grapes, raisins, nuts or seeds. Access to water adjacent to the feeding station is always important, especially if you are offering dried biscuits. A plant pot tray weighted with a pebble is ideal. Rain or tap water is fine. If you think you have a safe garden where a hedgehog can be released in the future I would love to hear from you. It doesn’t entail much, just having a dry covered area where they can be placed in their nesting box - usually under a dense shrub, some old wood propped up at the bottom of the garden, behind a shed where it stays dry - you get the idea. They won’t necessarily stay where you put them, but they will find a safe place to sleep nearby and stay in the area.  These are 2 of my rescues ☺ ➔ You can contact me via text on 07771996952 If you would like to make a donation to the local hedgehog rescue group, all funds are put towards the ever- increasing veterinary bills the group has for medications, some specialist food and treatments. Not one penny goes to the foster carers - we all do this on a voluntary basis. Donations and further information can be made via the group web page http:// warwickshirehedgehogrescue.org/ Thank you. Sally Ellis (Hill Wootton Road)

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26 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020

The Link Quiz By Norman Rogers (answers on page 38) Otherwise Known As … 1. What was Robin Goodfellow, a sprite or fairy of English folklore, better known as? He featured in Shakespeare's ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. 2. By what other two names has the ancient city of Byzantium been known over the centuries? 3. What was the former name of the country now known as Myanmar? 4. What is Quicksilver better known as? 5. What was the 3rd Roman Emperor Gaius better known as? He reigned from 37 AD to 41 before being assassinated. 6. What is the ounce better known as? It’s a big cat that lives in the mountains of Central and Southern Asia. 7. What was Vladymir Ilyich Ulanov better known as? He was one of the most influential statesmen of the 20th Century. 8. By what name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento better known? He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. 9. Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner CBE was a pop singer at his height in the 70's and 80's, first with a band then as a solo artist. What was his stage name? 10. Issur Danielovitch was a famous film actor and Director from his film debut in 1946 for almost 50 years until his recent death at the age of 103. What was his stage name? Eat seasonally Eco-warriors who lead protest marches may have good intent, but what are they doing at home? Are they block-paving their gardens or eating avocados, for example? Alan Titchmarsh, writing in his recent column in Gardeners’ World, points out: “We cannot berate members of the Royal family and global superstars for flying hither and yon in private jets if we buy strawberries in January, for they, too, will have necessitated the burning of fossil fuel to reach our table.” Titchmarsh says that if we really want to make a difference, we should eat seasonally. “I yearn for a return to …. English apples and pears in autumn and winter, strawberries and raspberries in summer, and asparagus from April to June. And while he would not deprive anyone of “a slice of lemon for their G&T,” he does worry “about the growing consumption of avocados, which is causing the destruction of Mexican rainforests to make way for avocado plantations.” So instead of avocados this month, why not consider some artichoke, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (both Savoy and white), carrots, chicory, cauliflowers, endives, fennel, or spinach, to name but a few of the vegetables in season in March? From Parish Pump

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28 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.pawsitivevetcare.co.uk PAWSITIVE VET CARE m : 07410411461 Paws for Thought By Helen Perryman Pet Theft Awareness Week runs from 14 to 21 March this year. Unfortunately, pet theft is on the rise and is seen as a low-risk, high reward crime. In some cases, pets are stolen for ransom, in other cases for dog fighting, breeding or reselling. For cats, ‘theft by finding’ is common and people may take in a cat that they believe to be stray. How can you reduce the risk of your pet becoming a target? • Never leave your dog tied up outside a shop or supermarket • Don’t let your dog out of sight when exercising • Don’t leave your dog unattended in a car or other vehicle • Make sure your house, garden or kennels are secure • Be careful who can see photos of your pet on social media • Have your pet neutered and put a note to this effect on their collar • Change your walking routine regularly • Keep your cat enclosed in a secure garden (you can get a special discount off Protect-a-Pet cat fence by using the code PAWSITIVE) • Have your pet microchipped and make sure that you know their number If the worst happens and your pet does go missing: • Contact the microchip database to report your pet as missing and ensure that your details are up to date • Contact local veterinary surgeries and the local animal warden • Use social media • Knock on doors and poster the local area • If you suspect your pet has been stolen, contact the police • Contact DogLost (01633 673859, www.doglost.co.uk or email [email protected])

29 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.historygroup.leekwoottonandguyscliffe.org.uk LEEK WOOTTON HISTORY GROUP Chairman : Paul Eldridge t : 854347

The Group has a growing collection of material about, or including information on the parish and a recent acquisition is a book published in 1923, entitled Quaint Tales of Old Warwickshire, but there is no way we can corroborate the content of the following extract! LEEK WOOTTON [Along Kenilworth Road as far as Blackdown Mill, where turn to left and straight on.] Standing on a hill between Warwick and Kenilworth, Leek Wootton has many claims to our interest, not on account of its prettiness alone, but for its former prominence in the district and its quaint history. Many will learn with surprise that at one time Leamington was included in the parish of Leek Wootton. Many years ago there resided in the village a widow, one Martha Clarke, who claimed that she was descended from Sir Isaac Newton. A former Vicar of Leek Wootton (the Rev. F.L. Colvile, M.A.), was at some pains to investigate this claim. Martha Clarke said that her mother was a Newton descended from Sir Isaac Newton. Sir Isaac never married, so that she must have been a collateral descendant. The end of Martha Clarke was rather peculiar. She possessed some poultry, among which was a cock that “took to moaning” so much that she determined to kill it to ward off the evil which she believed it threatened. Scarcely had she drunk the soup in which it was boiled when she was seized with a stroke of the palsy and died. Her gloomy forebodings were thus verified. Of sheer vandalism I think the following story is a good example. Some years ago a stone coffin in almost perfect condition which stood in the churchyard was removed by a farmer and used as a pig trough!! There is a monumental stone in the churchyard to the memory of an old couple who died within eight days of each other at a great age. It is inscribed thus:- “The honest man, the virtuous wife, Within eight days resigned each life, Death’s awful voice with joy obeyed, In Faith and Hope they here are laid.” At one time there stood in the Vicarage garden a summer-house built of stone, beneath which was a cellar. It is believed that three Cavalier lords (among whom was probably the then Lord Leigh, as the Vicarage was a Jacobite house) used to meet and carouse, and drink a bumper to the memory of “the little man in velvet.” By this was meant the mole. It will be remembered that King William III’s horse stumbled on a mole-hill, throwing his royal rider, who broke his collar-bone, an injury from which he subsequently died. About 1857 there lived a miser in the village. This old man, with his wife, who was an imbecile, came to live in the parish, to which they were chargeable, as they professed dire poverty. They continued to live on the parish for some years, until at last the old fellow died. His wife being insane, it became necessary for the

30 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 Relieving Officer to take over their possessions, when it was found that the old man had one hundred and thirty pounds in gold and seven shillings in silver! This was found in a box in his bedroom. I was unable to ascertain just how long the “beating of the bounds” has been discontinued, but one old inhabitant remembers one of these functions very clearly. It appears to have been a fairly strenuous affair. The “beaters” started off on a fine bright sunny morning, but ere long the sky clouded and rain commencing they soon bore a strong resemblance to the proverbial “drowned rats.” The boundary line separating Leek Wootton parish from that of Ashow was followed as far as the Avon. At this point a boat awaited their arrival, and the churchwarden, in company with other village dignitaries, embarked, and proceeded down the centre of the river, which was the line of the demarcation. They were pelted with sods from people on the banks, with the result that the boat had to be beached, as it was in a sinking condition. However, not to be outdone, they took a second boat and proceeded gallantly on. Unknown to them, a quantity of flour had been procured from the mill, and on their passing the bridge the flour was dropped on them, with disastrous consequences, as their clothes were quite wet. It seems to have all been given and taken in very good part, for the entire party dined together at the Anchor Inn at the day’s end. The churchyard is beautified by the presence of many lovely trees. It appears that in the year 1816 each boy in the village was called upon to provide and plant his own tree in the churchyard. One of them was planted by the late Lord Leigh. Not far from the village is a farm known as Wootton Grange, now occupied by Mr. Arthur Silk. It is of some antiquity, and on the staircase is a carved gate. Queen Elizabeth kept some greyhounds at the farm at one time, and the gate was made to prevent them entering the bedrooms.

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32 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 https://bringbackguyscliffe.org BRING BACK GUY’S CLIFFE Dedicated to helping the restoration work at Guy's Cliffe Contact : [email protected]

A special magical location for that special person. Dine at Guy’s Cliffe, Warwick, on Mothering Sunday, with a beautiful 3 course meal. Treat your wonderful mum to dine at this truly beautiful location. Guys Cliffe Catering Ltd is helping us hold this special fundraising event - all proceeds will be used to help with the restoration of the location. Adults £35.00 each | Children (Under 12s) £20.00 each For menu, tickets and information about events at Guy’s Cliffe, go to: bringbackguyscliffe.org/events

All in the month of MARCH 200 years ago, on 10 March 1820 the 50 years ago, on 5 March 1970 the Royal Astronomical Society was founded Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of in Britain. Nuclear Weapons came into effect. 175 years ago, on 17 March 1845 one 40 years ago, on 21 March 1980 in the Henry Jones, a baker from Bristol, was TV soap opera Dallas, the character J.R. granted a patent for his invention of self- Ewing was shot by an unseen assailant. raising flour. This led to the famous catchphrase ‘Who 90 years ago, on 12 March 1930 Indian shot J.R.?’ The answer (Kristin political spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi Shepard) was revealed that November. led 78 activists and followers on a 23- 30 years ago, on 31 March 1990 poll tax day ‘salt march’ to protest against a riots in London broke out. 200,000 British tax on salt and British rule in protestors took to the streets and India. On 5 April he reached the sea clashed with police. Violence and and made salt, breaking British law. On looting erupted, leading to the worst riots 4 May he was arrested and imprisoned. in the city for a century. 70 years ago, on 8 March 1950 15 years ago, on 11 March 2005 the Volkswagen launched the Type 2/ Nintendo DS portable video games Transporter van – also known as the console was released in Europe. Camper, Bus, microbus or Kombi. It Also 15 years ago, on 26 March 2005 became the best-selling van in history, the science fiction TV series Doctor Who and early versions remain much-loved returned after a 16-year break. icons of the counterculture/hippie movement.

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34 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020

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

Hiring Charges

Main Hall Village Other Village Non-Village Organisations / Users Users Events Mon-Fri Category 1 £7.50 / hour £11.50 / hour £16.00 / hour 9:00-6:00pm Mon-Thu Category 2 £7.50 / hour £12.50 / hour £17.00 / hour 6:00-11:00pm

Fri, 6:00-11:00pm Category 3 By arrangement £14.50 / hour £20.00 / hour Sat & Sun

Committee Room Maximum 20 Persons Village Users: £7.00 / hour Non-Village Users: £9.00 / hour Full day rates at Committee’s discretion. 30 min setting-up charge, plus 30 min clearing-up charge is added to ALL bookings (except for regular village users). Entry or use of the Hall is for the hired period only. Hire of the Main Hall or the Committee Room is for that room only. An additional charge of £15 is payable for use of the cooker, dishwasher and heated cabinet. We are very proud of our Village Hall and would appreciate your help in maintaining it in its present condition; all users should leave the hall, kitchen and toilets clean and tidy. ALL litter must be taken home. Please do not leave bags of rubbish in, or outside, the hall. BOOKING INQUIRIES TO MRS S FEWTRILL (e : [email protected] | t : 01926 409641 after 4:00pm) SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE HALL Charges effective from 1 May 2019

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36 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 www.warwickshire.gov.uk WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL County Councillor for Cubbington & Leek Wootton: Wallace Redford 632384 | 07774 332160 | [email protected] Temporary Road Closure Orders & Roadworks A number of road closure orders and roadworks are scheduled to take place in the Parish before the end of March, including: Date of works: 25 February 2020 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WARWICK ROAD, LEEK WOOTTON Woodcote Lane to The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club island. Carriageway patching and road markings on Warwick Road, Leek Woootton. Order Effective from: 2 March 2020 for up to 18 months Anticipated Completion Date: 20 March 2020 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A452 LEAMINGTON ROAD, CHESFORD A452 Leamington Road, Chesford closed to vehicular traffic from A452/A46 Roundabout to Bericote Road Island. Carriageway resurfacing & associated works, overnight works 20:00 - 06:00 week nights only. Order Effective from: 6 March 2020 for up to 18 months. Anticipated Completion Date: On 6 March 2020 between 08:00hrs and 16:00hrs. TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF D2237 HILL WOOTTON ROAD, LEEK WOOTTON Hill Wootton Road, Leek Wootton closed to vehicular traffic from its junction with The Hamlet to its junction with B4115 Ashow Road. To facilitate carriageway patching & associated works. Date of Works: 26 March 2020 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF B4115 ASHOW ROAD, CHESFORD B4115 Ashow Road, closed between Hill Wootton Road, Leek Wootton, and A452 Leamington Road, for carriageway patching and associated works. To report any problems with these works or for further details of our current & planned roadworks visit our website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roadworksmap or call us 01926 412515. And nearby: 6-15 March between 20:00hrs and 06:00hrs BRIDGE INSTALLATION A45/A46 COVENTRY To enable the installation of the new bridge and tower over the A45/A46 the road will be closed in both directions from the Stivichall Island to the Tollbar End Island. There will be traffic diversions in place. Drivers are advised to avoid this area if possible and allow for extra time for their journeys. Any questions about the works please contact [email protected]

LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020

For Livestock worrying and dog safety advice visit:

www.warwickshire.police.uk/article/44324

The Link Quiz… Answers (from page 27) Douglas. Kirk

overheard calling him that your head wouldn't be attached to your body body your to attached be wouldn't head your that him calling overheard

38 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 OUT & ABOUT IN LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE See main articles for further details or visit the Parish Calendars at www.leekwoottonandguyscliffe.org.uk Sunday, 1 March Tuesday, 17 March St David’s Day Leek Wootton MU 13:30 at 6 Beechwood Croft The Wigley Group Warwick Half Marathon Leek Wootton WI www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/warwick/events-tickets/warwick-marathon 19:45 at the Village Hall Tuesday, 3 March Wednesday, 18 March Parish Council Meeting LW&D Horticultural Society AGM 19:30 at the Village Hall 19:30 at the Village Hall Friday, 6 March Saturday, 21 March CRUK: Jean & Jim’s Big Breakfast GLOW Warwick 08:00-14:00 at the Sports Club World Day of Prayer Lunch & Service 12:00 at All Saints’ Church Saturday, 7 March Coventry Cathedral Abseil 2020 www.mytonhospice.org/our-events/event/ coventry-cathedral-abseil-2020 www.memorywalk.org.uk #Love Local 2020 10:00-16:30 at Warwick Visitor Information Centre Sunday, 22 March Mothering Sunday 9-13 March Sport Relief Mothers’ Day Lunch at Guy’s Cliffe bringbackguyscliffe.org/events Wednesday, 25 March Armonico Consort Academy 19:00 at All Saints’ Church Tuesday, 31 March www.sportrelief.com VE75 Planning Meeting 19:30 at the Sports Club Sunday, 15 March PCC Meeting 10:45 at All Saints’ Church

BUS TIMETABLE (from 22 February 2020) 16 X16 Timetable for Stagecoach Routes 16 (Mon-Sat, Kenilworth to Hatton Park via Warwick) and X16 (Mon-Fri, Kenilworth to Stratford College) NORTHBOUND ⚫ MONDAY TO SATURDAY (except public holidays) Leek Wootton: [08:47A] [08:37SHol] 10:27 12:27 14:27 [17:05X16 MF] SOUTHBOUND ⚫ MONDAY TO SATURDAY (except public holidays) Leek Wootton: [07:32X16 MF] 09:15 11:15 13:15 [14:57B] [15:07SHol] A & B: runs school days only and serves Aylesford School | MF: runs Mon-Fri only SHol: on Saturdays & school holidays | X16: on school days For full routes & timetables, including Chesford Grange Hotel at Leamington Road, please see full timetable online at www.stagecoachbus.com

39 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | MARCH 2020 FEBRUARY IN PICTURES…

Please submit your photos to [email protected]

Spring flowers at Gypsy Cottage From www.facebook.com/bringbackguyscliffe From

Top middle: the cricket nets toppled by Storm Ciara Top right: the first daffodil in the churchyard, 15 Feb Above: River Avon bursts its banks at Guy’s Cliffe after Storm Dennis Left: Children’s entertainer ‘Dick Danger’ performs at the Village Hall Bottom: Yorkshire flags flying in Tidmarsh Road for

Guy Gibson’s funeral

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