Welcome to Leigh on Mendip

www.leigh-on-mendip.org.uk

This booklet aims to give you as much information as possible about Leigh on Mendip and services in the surrounding area, which we hope will make you feel welcome and part of the village.

Contents Page Recreation Field and Club 2 Memorial Hall & its activities 3 Child Care and Education 4 St Giles’ Church 5 Village map 6 Village amenities 7 Village services 8 Facilities close / nearest to Village 9 Other activities 10 Useful Telephone Numbers 11 Parish Council 11 Village Information 12

1

Recreation Field and Club House

The recreation field and club house is a great facility in the village. The large open field can be used by families and young people for a variety of activities. There is also a young children’s play area, a basketball practice area, a practice goal, picnic tables and a Pump Track. Allotments are in a community field adjacent to the recreation field.

Activities which regularly take place on the field are;  Cricket - New members welcome please contact Steve Phelps 228286, Dave Cox, 07794 664698 or www.facebook.com/Leighonsocialmedia/  Football – Two junior teams from Coleford are playing on our pitch for the 2019/20 . Leigh players are eligible.   Country Fair every June – contact Roger Orpwood 812459 if you can help 

PLEASE do not allow your dog to foul the recreation field. ALL DOGS are now required to be on leads and any dog poo must be removed immediately. There are dog waste bins at both entrances, next to the Memorial Hall and on the footpath to the quarry.

Volunteers are needed to restart the Youth Club for young people aged 8 -12 years. There is lots of equipment available.

The recreation field, community field and club house are managed and supported by a voluntary group of people in the village who freely give their time and skills to ensure this facility is kept in good order for the rest of us. If you feel able to help at all please contact David Pattison 812570.

The club house and field can be hired for private parties, meetings & activities - contact Vicky Higgins 812087.

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Memorial Hall Another wonderful facility in the village, allowing for many groups and activities.

The Memorial Hall is well equipped with a fully functioning kitchen, small meeting room, safe outside space and plenty of parking. For information on cost, capacity etc. please contact Roger or Ann Orpwood on 812459.

Monday Community Coffee Morning 9.45am - 10.45am (1st Mon in month only) contact Barbara Turner – 812934 nd Women’s Institute 7.30pm - 10pm (2 Mon in month only) contact Mary Mears 812415 th Active Living Centre 10.00am – 2.00pm (usually 4 Mon in month) contact Caroline Harris - 812889 or Graham Harris – 01761 232753

Tuesday Baby & Toddler Group 9.30am – 11.30am (school term only) contact Laura Martin 07769 292304 LOMCA Kurling and Cake 2.00pm – 4.00pm (usually 2nd Tue in month) contact Graham Harris – 01761 232753 Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm – 9.30pm Sep to Apr. Outdoor bowls (Rec Field) May-Aug 6.30pm to 8pm. Contact Ty Schlechter - 07807 266406

Wednesday Yoga 10.30am – 12noon contact Jan Valentine - 01749 672880

Thursday Pilates 11.15am - 12.15pm (school term only) contact Clare Jevons – 07782 268252

For the latest events and regular bookings see the village website. As with the recreation field, the Memorial Hall is managed and supported by a voluntary group of people in the village who freely give their time and skills to ensure this facility is kept in good order for the rest of us. If you feel able to help at all please contact Sue Vaughan - 813115 3

Child Care and Education

Children from 6 months – 9 years (soon to be 11 years) are well catered for in the village.

Leigh on Mendip First School - declared an ‘Outstanding’ school by Ofsted (Office for Standards and Education) in 2009/10. The school joined the Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership in November 2018. From September 2020 the school will become a Primary School for children aged from 4 years to 11 years.

Owl Babies Pre-school (from age 2) is also part of the school and offers sessions in the morning and afternoon, as well as a lunch session for children wishing to stay all day.

The school has a team of experienced staff and combines a caring, family atmosphere, with an excellent range of learning opportunities. Contact 812592 for information about admissions to the school and pre- school. There are after school clubs on most days of the week that vary each term. Sports Club is held every Monday as well as a weekly Sunflower Club. An Art Club, a Yoga Club and a Dance Club are held most terms. These clubs are open to children at the school and generally end at 4.15pm or 4.30pm.

Childminders - Matthew and Catherine Bennett have also been acclaimed ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Based in their own home in the village they offer childcare for children 6 months – school age from 7am – 6pm. They provide childcare in a very loving family environment which is safe, stimulating and above all fun.. They work closely with the pre-school and school and also offer after school and holiday care for children of all ages. Contact Matthew or Catherine 813316 or [email protected]

Baby & Toddler Group – Tuesday’s 9.30am – 11.30am in the Memorial Hall. Contact Laura Martin 07769 292304

Details of all of the above Childcare and Education facilities can be found at www.leighonmendipschool.info/

4

St Giles’ Church

The Grade 1 church building, dating from around 1350, is dedicated to a French saint, a patron of cripples and beggars.

The church community is part of the Church of and Diocese of Bath and Wells; The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is responsible for the church and the one at . It works in partnership with the parish of , and with 5 churches in the United Parish of Postlebury.

Priest-in-Charge: Reverend Anthony Dickson Nunney Rectory, Nunney BA11 4LZ Tel. 01373 837337 Email [email protected]

Church Services (typical monthly pattern)

1st Sunday 11.00am All Age Service

4th Sunday 9.15am Holy Communion

See the Church Noticeboard or the village magazine for variations and Festivals.

A major programme of work was undertaken in 2017 and 2018 to repair and conserve the church building and to establish new community facilities, including a community café. The registered charity, Friends of Leigh Church (FOLC) actively assisted the PCC with the substantial fundraising needed for this programme. Further work is needed to repair parts of the building structure along with improvements to the community facilities. FOLC is always seeking new members to support the fundraising or offer time/skills – contact any FOLC member or Graham Harris – 01761 232753.

There is an active band of bell-ringers (see Other Activities) who have recently raised the funds to refurbish the bells. 5

6

Village Amenities

The Bell Inn – real ale, skittles, darts, pool, garden and restaurant. This village local has a friendly atmosphere. Large inglenook fireplaces with logs blazing make it a great place in the winter, with extensive menu and large range of cask ales. Look out for meal offers! Tel. 01373 812316 Website - www.bellinnleigh.co.uk

Community Café Open weekdays 9am to 4pm, inside St Giles’ church

Garage (maintenance) Offers servicing, MOT, and repairs from the garage based in the village and at Holcombe. This is a friendly local garage, which gives a service virtually on your door step. Contact Paul Knowles – 01761 239240

Mobile Library Visits every 4 weeks on Wednesdays (1:40-2:05pm) by the old Telephone Box. Contact Libraries Direct – 0300 123 2224

Defibrillators There are two defibrillators in the village, located at the Memorial Hall and Rec Field Clubhouse (see page 6). Training sessions can be arranged by contacting the Parish Council Clerk.

Broadband Fibre to the Cabinet is available within the village. Fibre to the Premises (~200Mbps) will be available soon (Truespeed).

More local businesses are listed on the website

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Village Services The village is lucky to have a range of good services.

Refuse/ recycling  Black & Green Recycling boxes (glass, tin, paper, foil, plastic bottles & cardboard) every Monday  Green rubbish – every other Monday   Residential rubbish – every other Monday   Clothes and shoes recycling at Recreation Field  (for Air ambulance)

Bulky items can be collected (charged) by MDC – 0300 303 8588

Postman – delivers and collects daily (except Sunday) at approximately 11am. The last collection is at 4:45pm (11am on Saturdays) at the post box opposite the church).

Telephone – there is no public telephone in the village. The Old Telephone Box (marked on the Village Map) is free for anyone to display local events, sales and wants.

Neighbourhood Watch operates in parts of the village. Check with the Community Support Officer to see if you are covered.

Community Police cover the village – tel. 101 (non emergencies only) Further police information at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk A monthly community police beat surgery takes place one Saturday afternoon a month in the St Giles’ church community café – see village website/Facebook for details.

Transport Services  Bus 162 – (see time table at stop near to the Bell Inn) or contact – 01373 471474  Mendip Community Transport - vehicles for community groups, the disabled, elderly, frail, visually or mobility impaired and similar disadvantaged groups/individuals. Contact 01749 880613

8

Facilities close to Village

 Doctors surgery – Mendip Country Practice, Coleford 812244  Village shops - Stoke St Michael, Coleford, Mells, Nunney  Post Offices – Stoke St Michael, Mells, Coleford (part time)  Newspaper delivery – Stoke St Michael – 01749 840628  Children’s Centre – Coleford – 812789  Household Waste Recycling Centres – Frome & Dulcote (Wells) opening times on website.

Other nearby Pubs

 Knatchbull Arms – Stoke St Michael 01749 840354   Duke of Cumberland – Holcombe 01761 233731  Kings Head – Coleford 01373 812346   Waggon & Horses – Beacon 01749 880302 Other pubs are available !

Nearest Hospitals (Minor injuries) – Shepton 01749 342931 - Frome 01373 454740 Writhlington School - 01761 433581 Further Education College – Radstock 01761 433161

Oakfield Middle School – 01373 462539 Frome Community College – 01373 465353 Frome Skills & Learning – 01373 465353 Frome Leisure Centre – 01373 465446

Shepton Leisure Centre - 01749 346644 Police – Frome Enquiry Office tel. 101 (non-emergencies)

Petrol/Diesel – Nunney Catch, Shepton and Frome

9

Other activities

In addition to the activities in the Memorial Hall (see Page 3), there is a range of clubs and groups which meet in people’s home and other venues.

Allotment Association – on the field next to the Recreation Field. There is a waiting list for allotments. If you live in Leigh on Mendip and want to apply contact Helen Gulvin - 812240.

Bellringers – practice on Tuesdays 7.30pm – 9.00pm in Church Tower. (2nd Tuesday of month at Mells). Contact Julian Back - 813636

Church Choir – practice Thursdays 7.30pm – 9.00pm usually held at Stoke St Michael church. Contact Simon Francis – 01749 840260

3 Churches Craft and Cuppa Group – 1st and 3rd Thursday in the month, 2- 4pm at Sawmill Cottage. Contact Jan Horn - 812736

3 Churches House Group – lively discussions on current issues and news linked to our understanding of scripture - 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the month 7.45pm. Contact Jan & Colin Horn - 812736

Monthly Coffee and Chat mornings – usually held on the 4th Saturday in the month in various homes. Contact Caroline Harris - 812889

Relax with Classics – usually held on last Friday in the month 2pm – 4pm. Contact Rog & Ann Orpwood - 812459

Arts and Crafts group – holds an annual exhibition showcasing work by people in the village. Contact Vicki Taylor - 813942

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Other useful telephone numbers Council – 0300 303 8588 Council – 0300 123 2224 – SCC services, highways etc NHS helpline – 0845 4647 Gas leak – 0800 111 999 National rail enquiries - 0845 748 4950 CAB - 01373 465496

Fly tipping, street lighting etc – see “Village Services” on website – www.leigh-on-mendip.org.uk or report directly on www.fixmystreet.com

Parish Council Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month in the Memorial Hall. All villagers are welcome to attend. The agenda and minutes for all meetings are posted on the two notice boards (Bell Inn and Park Hayes), (see page ??) and on the village website.

The Parish Council represents the parish objectively and without prejudice, to liaise with both county and district councils to ensure effective services, manage the spending of the precept for the benefit of the parish and to protect and improve the parish’s assets. We do this through consultation, Parish Plan, Village Design Statement, ad hoc open meetings and monthly Parish Council meetings. Representation can be made at any time to Parish Councillors or the Clerk. The council communicates through the parish notice boards and the village website.

Clerk – Anthea Brooks – 01761 418737 Chair – David Mattick – 01373 812734

Other Councillors/MP Mendip District – Philip Ham – 01373 812152 [email protected] and Alan Townsend - 01761 752551 [email protected] Somerset County - Philip Ham – 01373 812152 [email protected] MP – David Warburton - 01373 580500 [email protected]

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Village Information

Website www.leigh-on-mendip.org.uk

Magazine - shared with Stoke St Michael and Downhead. Published monthly and delivered for just £5 per year ! – contact Margaret Loten 812922

Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/LeighonMendip/ This closed local social networking website has proved very popular across the community to publicise local events, items for sale/free, lost animals and lots of other items of local interest.

Noticeboards – Parish Council (see Page 6), Church, Memorial Hall and Old Telephone Box (anyone is welcome to post village notices here (events, for sale, needed etc.).

This booklet is published by the Parish Council as part of the response to the Parish Plan. The latest version is available on the website. Printed copies are distributed to new residents. The original booklet was funded by Mendip District Council’s Community Partnership Fund in 2009.

V8 – October 2019 12