FEBRUARY 2018

All Saints’ Church Parish Magazine

LEEK WOOTTON LINK | Guy’s Cliffe | Hill Wootton | Chesford | Goodrest | Wedgnock | North & Middle Woodloes LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 well as individual residents, is circulated EDITORIAL to you all 10 times a year and we trust Welcome to the February issue of The that you value this service to the Link. community. Snow, rain, wind and the January sales Readers of a hard copy magazine should and now we come along and ask you all receive an envelope with details of your to make a donation towards the cost of distributor to return any donation to. producing The Link! Alternatively, the editorial team will be All that is contributed, edited and happy to receive donations (cheques to distributed, is voluntary and we hope that Leek Wootton PCC) to 30 Hill Wootton everyone will help to support the Road. production costs for another year. Thank you in anticipation and please News from the Church, the Parish keep your contributions coming. Council, community organisations, as Helen & Lesley Eldridge The Editorial Team

Cover Image: Snowy Churchyard, 10 December 2017 by Steph Jones

All Saints’ Church WHO’S WHO? Priest in Charge Reader Jim Perryman t : 850610 Audrey Rowberry t : 851498 The Vicarage, 4 Hill Wootton Road 7a The Meadows e : [email protected] Secretary to the PCC Church Wardens Eileen Clayton t : 855124 Jonathan Kingston t : 851181 2 The Hamlet 32 Hill Wootton Road Treasurer to the PCC Nigel Stallard t : 850548 Mark Sayers t : 859389 Reading Room Cottage 36 The Hamlet Church Lane

Articles for The Link: If there is anything you would like to include, please email [email protected] The deadline for editorial submissions for the MONTH issue is: FRIDAY, 16 February 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. go to free.yudu.com and search for ‘Leek Wootton Link’ 2 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 FROM THE VICARAGE The Power of Love Say the words “February Fourteenth”, and many people would immediately respond, “Valentine’s Day”. I wonder how many other Saints’ Day dates are as well known? Oddly, the actual St Valentines (yes, there appear to be two of them from a similar time in the third century. One a bishop, one a priest and both of whom were martyred in Rome during times of persecution) have no connection traditionally with love, marriage, romance or – for that matter – anything else other than being killed because of their faith in Christ. Still, let’s not allow facts to spoil a good commercial festival. Just as 25 December is as good a day as any to celebrate the birth of Jesus, why not use 14 February as a good day to celebrate romantic love. Love, in all its forms, is intensely powerful – the romantic with its dramatic passion; the familial with its deep and lasting bond; the committed with its determined desire to seek the best for the other person; the divine which encompasses all these in a self-sacrificial revelation of the heart of God. Love changes everything, as the song says. Which brings me back to 14 February which, this year, is also Ash Wednesday – the first day of the season of Lent. Lent is not a time when we tend to think of ‘love’ – it is a time of discipline: ‘giving things up’. The Ash Wednesday ceremony of having the sign of the cross made on the forehead in ash is a symbol of a repentant heart – sorrow for the role each of us has played in being the reason why Jesus had to come and face the cruelty of his death on the cross. But there, of course, is the whole point – there is the link which Ash Wednesday falling on Saint Valentine’s Day highlights so poignantly for us. The power of love – that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) – reaches out to us even in our undeserving and sinful state. Love changes everything. The love of God brings hope, brings opportunity, brings purpose, inspires repentance. Jesus Christ came to show the passionate nature of God’s love for each and every one of us and for his entire creation – love that was prepared to suffer the intense pain of rejection without changing one iota. God has never ‘fallen out of love’ with you or me, despite the fact that we can never be good enough to earn that love. The ash cross placed by one sinner onto the head of another is a reminder to each of us of the power of love, a call to each of us to recognise the cost of love, and a sign to ourselves of our desire to respond to the great love of God, with the poor but genuine love of our own hearts. Let’s truly celebrate the power of love together – you’re invited to All Saints’ for a romantic, if perhaps rather symbolic, Holy Communion meal of bread and wine with the one who loves you more than anyone else possibly could. The table’s booked for 7:30pm. Jim Perryman

3 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH www.leekwoottonchurch.co.uk

CHURCH SERVICES / EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY Sunday, 4 February 8:00am Holy Communion (CW) 9:30am All Age Worship Wednesday, 7 February 10:30am Midweek Holy Communion Sunday, 11 February 9:00am PANCAKE BREAKFAST No charge (donations welcome), but please remember to pre-book - sign the list in church or email Jim Perryman

c.10:00am Holy Communion with Children’s Groups Wednesday, 14 February ASH WEDNESDAY 7:30pm Ash Wednesday Holy Communion INCLUDING THE CEREMONY OF THE IMPOSITION OF ASH AS A SIGN OF REPENTANCE Sunday, 18 February 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP) 9:30am All Age Worship Wednesday, 21 February 10:30am Midweek Holy Communion Sunday, 25 February 9:30am All Age Holy Communion with Children’s Groups Saturday, 3 March 6:30pm Youth for Christ Praise and Worship event at Kenilworth Methodist Church Sunday, 4 March 8:00am Holy Communion (CW) 9:30am NO SERVICE – Road closures for BHF Half-Marathon 4 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018

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5 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 LEEK WOOTTON MU Contact : Janet Jackson t : 258264 At our December meeting, we continued our exploration of gender-based violence by looking in detail at domestic abuse – systematic, patterned behaviour that is designed to control one partner within an intimate or family relationship. It can happen against men as well as women and can take the form of physical, emotional, financial, sexual or spiritual abuse, or neglect through deprivation of food, shelter, heat, clothing, comfort, medication or access to medical care. Through a short drama we reflected on what it might feel like to be abused and we considered how and where churches and Christian people may have colluded with abuse. We looked at how we should respond to domestic abuse and learned of the agencies that work to support victims and survivors of abuse. If anyone in our community is affected by such issues, there are leaflets in church, which may be of help. At our February meeting, we will be meeting a victim and survivor of domestic abuse who will share her story with us. We will also learn about the work of Coventry Haven, which provides a safe refuge for women and children seeking to escape abusive relationships. Do feel free to join us: our meeting will take place on Thursday, 8 February at 1:30pm at 14 The Meadows. By contrast, our January meeting was more joyful! We enjoyed a time of fellowship sharing a festive meal at The Anchor and celebrating Audrey Peedle’s forthcoming big birthday (we won’t tell you which birthday, just that it is 21 and a bit more!). Our thanks to Janet for organising the event and especially the special cake. For those of you who like to plan ahead, Mothering Sunday is a key date in the church calendar to remember mothers and falls on 11 March this year. Mothers’ Union Make a Mother’s Day campaign focuses on supporting mothers all over the world. Why not give your mother an ethical gift this year that will make a difference by helping mothers all over the world move from life on the margins right to the heart of their families and Father of all, help us communities? Gifts range from just £6 - £100. For always to show love example, £6 will support projects in the UK that help for our family restore broken relationships in communities while £15 will members and to build help a mother learn to read and write, and bring a better world for transformation to her entire community. everyone. Guide us to If you would like to support the work of Mothers’ Union in use our resources and this way, details are available in church or can be found at power wisely, to show www.makeamothersday.org/choose-a-gift. When you buy respect and one of these gifts, you’ll be sent a card featuring native consideration and flowers from a country Mothers’ Union works in to give to never to raise voices your mum – so she won’t be without flowers on 11 March. or hands to each You can also order a card in memory of your mother as a other. wonderful tribute to a lost loved one. Amen 6 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 MOTHERS’ UNION SUBSCRIPTIONS Lyndsay Wager (42 The Hamlet) is collecting our subs for 2018 (£23 by end of January). If you would like to subscribe for the first time and find out more about MU; do look at the MU Website: www.themothersunion.org or ask any of our All Saints’ Church branch members or a committee member; Audrey Rowberry, Janet Jackson, Joy Morgan or Lyndsay Wager. Support of the work of Mothers’ Union through subscriptions is valued and appreciated. MU is amongst one of the most effective and wide-spread groups in the world for empowering women and girls. It has a long history of transforming communities in this country and in developing countries by working to bring peace and reconciliation. MU upholds values of family life through raising awareness of issues and campaigning at national and international level for governments to put family policy at the heart of their agendas. It seeks to nurture relationships that are loving, faithful and respectful, supports parents as they develop the faith life of their child, raises funds and offers practical support, prayer and friendship. www.ecochurch.org.uk ECO CHURCH Eco Church is an award scheme, launched in January 2016 to encourage churches to take seriously their responsibility to care for the whole of creation. As part of the Coventry Diocese Centenary celebrations, the diocese is to work towards an Eco Diocese award, part of which is for a proportion of churches to obtain an Eco Church award. In November, All Saints’ PCC agreed to join the scheme. The scheme works with a survey and awards points in five areas: • Worship and teaching • Management of church buildings • Management of church land • Community and global engagement • Lifestyle There are three levels of award, Bronze, Silver and Gold, depending on the number of points awarded. We already have enough points in the Worship and teaching and management of church land categories for a Bronze award and so need to look at ways of implementing actions in the other three categories. A small team is needed to identify and carry out the actions needed in these areas. If anyone is willing to be a part of this initiative then please contact Nicola Perryman ([email protected]). There are meetings in the next couple of months when churches will share their experiences and there is a lot of information and ideas on the Eco Church website www.ecochurch.org.uk. One possible action is to include information and Eco Tips, such as below, in this magazine. Stop using aluminium foil for cooking wherever possible; use a container with a lid that can be reused. Aluminium is a rare metal and its extraction and purification uses a lot of energy. Eat less meat, particularly red meat; producing 1kg of beef produces the equivalent CO2 to driving a 300 mile round trip while leaving all the lights on at home. Other suggestions would be welcome. 7 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.leekwootton.org.uk LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE PARISH COUNCIL Clerk to the Parish Council : Helen Eldridge t : 853841 The Parish Council last met on Tuesday, 9 January 2018 and discussion included the following: SPEEDING TRAFFIC Following the Safer Neighbourhoods Team’s traffic monitoring in October, the Council would like to gather further information about this issue and will ask the SNT if it will carry out further monitoring in different locations. A proposed public meeting regarding the NDP (see below) will include specific discussion on how to deal with the growing problem of traffic in the parish. PARISH MAINTENANCE There were several serious floods in various locations throughout the parish during November and December. WCC Highways will jet the surface water drains in the near future to ensure these floods do not recur. Severn Trent Water identified and repaired a mains leak in Tidmarsh Road in the week before Christmas and will return to make good the repairs in due course. STW is also scheduling major works to the drainage from Hill Wootton, which will require the closure of Hill Wootton Road for some time, but a date for commencement of these works has not been publicised yet. NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN Examination of the NDP is now complete and the Examiner’s final report is available for review on the website at (www.leekwootton.org.uk/2018/01/22/ndp- examiners-report). The Examiner has reviewed the NDP in detail, its audit trail to completion and external representations made. His recommendations for amendment take account of the adoption of the WDC Local Plan and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, which have taken place since the NDP preparation. The WDC Local Plan policies now effectively supersede many elements of the NDP, but important policies regarding the design and character of future development are retained. Unfortunately, some of the NDP’s more prescriptive proposals regarding layout and scale of development across the Woodcote site have been “watered down” by the Examiner’s recommendations. The overall number of new dwellings is nonetheless kept at 115. A new masterplan will now be prepared by the advisers to the Police, setting out their detailed proposals for the redevelopment, in line with the Local Plan policies. The Council believes that it is crucial that it should continue to have a voice in this process and formal ratification of the NDP is therefore paramount, in order that the NDP can have formal standing under the Localism Act. Having a “made” NDP in place also has important implications in terms of future access to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which will henceforth apply to all new developments. Acceptance of the Examiner’s recommended modifications is thus an essential precursor to the formal referendum, which we now expect to take place in mid- March.

8 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 The Council will issue an explanatory note and will hold a public meeting to explain the implications of the Final NDP, as well as the importance of the referendum and the CIL to our community. The public meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss future traffic management through our parish. Further information on actual dates will follow in February. BUDGET 2018/19 The Parish Council agreed its budget for 2018/19, which includes an increase to compensate for the WDC Concurrent Grant (which has now been completely phased out, having been halved in 2017/18). This increase will be reflected as an increase in the precept of approximately 28.5% and the Band D equivalent in £ will rise by approximately £26.00. This increase is necessary to provide the funding for the Council to continue to ensure the level of service required. It should be noted that even with this increase, we continue to lag behind the precept levels of many (often smaller) neighbouring parishes. NEXT MEETIING The Parish Council will next meet on Tuesday, 13 February 2018 at 7:30pm in the Committee Room, 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. DOG BINS AND DOG WASTE The dog waste and litter bins around the parish were an issue over the festive period, with them apparently not being emptied regularly. This would have been understandable during the snowy weather, but was occurring in November as well. The Council has raised the issue with WDC Contract Services, which has confirmed that bins are scheduled to be emptied once a week, with the bin on the recreation ground/Waller Close cut through twice weekly. The Council will continue to monitor this situation and alert WDC when bins are full, but it would ask that, if bins are too full walkers DO NOT leave dog waste bags on the ground around bins, but use either an alternative bin or take waste home. You can inform the Parish Council that there is a full bin using the Fault/Issue Report Form on the Council website (www.leekwootton.org.uk/fault-report-form). The Council is grateful to all who bag and bin their dog’s waste and is aware that 99% of dog owners are responsible, after all it has been an offence for a person with responsibility for a dog to leave its faeces in public places for many years now. The Council has observed and received reports of several incidents of waste being left on pavements in Hill Wootton Road and The Hamlet, which are unlikely streets to be walked by visitors to the area. Having provided ample bins in convenient locations throughout the village, the Parish Council is understandably appalled by anyone who doesn’t pick up when walking a dog. Please: • Remember to always carry a dog poo bag when out with your dog • Pick up behind your dog • Knot the bag and dispose of it in any bin or take it home to dispose of it 9 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 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. and scored for the Club in recent years and would always offer his advice to all who played. He just wanted 'to give something back to the club' and he loved every minute he spent involved. It has been a pleasure to call Malc a teammate, but more importantly a Malcolm Barnett friend. He was a massive character It was with great shock and sadness around the Club and he will be greatly that we lost one of the Cricket Club missed by all that knew him. stalwarts in November, Malcolm A GoFundMe page, which was set up Barnett. by Malcolm’s wife and daughters, Clubs like Leek Wootton need a Malc Estelle, Carly and Laura, to purchase Barnett to survive and he threw his a memorial bench to be placed at the heart and soul into Leek Wootton Cricket Club has already far exceeded Cricket Club. He played for the Club its goal and they have decided that for many years then, after hanging up extra funds will be used for a Malcolm his pads, he continued to work Barnett Fund at Leek Wootton Cricket tirelessly, spending hours sitting on his Club. This will help fund cricket tractor to produce the best ground equipment for future generations of around. You could see the look of cricketers to enjoy. pride on his face whenever anyone www.gofundme.com/malc-barnett- commented on how beautiful the memorial-bench-lwcc ground looked. Malc also umpired

From the Parish Registers

16 December 2017 Burial of Ashes of John Michael Mitchell

14 January 2018 Baptism of Sadie Isobel Reeve

10 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 Your Letters If you would like to write to us, please email the Editorial Team at : [email protected]

An Important Message from Leek Wootton Sports Club President, Tony O’Toole: Ladies and Gentlemen of Leek Wootton & Guy’s Cliffe I am writing on behalf of the Sports Club to ask for your support. This last year the Committee has worked very hard and we have progressed well as a Club, but we’ve also had a year of great loss and illness and it has diminished our Committee, which we can ill afford. I am writing this letter to ask you to consider joining and strengthening us. Like all clubs we are going through a time of uncertainty, but if we can recruit just a few of you with new ideas and ability we will take the Club from strength to strength. It’s exciting to think that in a few years’ time the Leek Wootton Neighbourhood Development Plan will swell the community and we hope it will make the Sports Club the hub of the community with plenty of sports and social activities for the residents and our other members. I’m sure this can happen with your help. The Club AGM will take place on Friday, 16 March at 7:45pm. We would be grateful to hear from you either at the Club or on 01926 497394 and perhaps you will consider joining the Club and also our Committee. The parish is a stronger and more enjoyable place with a strong sports club; we can offer plenty of enjoyment as well as other benefits such as the defibrillator we secured for the community last year. We need some new members to help develop our social side; the sports sections are doing fantastically well, but our social numbers are dwindling, we need more otherwise the Club as we know it today will be different tomorrow. Please join us and come along with some good ideas to help make the Club stronger and if you would like to be considered for a position on the Committee please let us know. Kind Regards Tony O’Toole Club President LOST: Lost from a garden in Croft Road, Leek Wootton during the storm on the night of Wednesday/ Thursday 17/18 January: One large round black patio furniture cover If you have found this item in your garden and wish to return it then please contact 01926 850961.

11 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018

12 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 Annual Leek Wootton Carol Singing As has been our custom we again entered into the spirit of Christmas with carol singing in the parish in aid of charity. On Friday, 15 December the Leek Wootton Sports Club was the venue, followed by Christmas Eve at The Anchor. All entered into the singing with gusto and the sum of £400 was collected. Our charity this year was the Helping Hands Community Project, based in Leamington. I repeat what we were told by the charity; that the aim is not to give a hand out, but a hand up. Our donation will be used to help fund improvement work at the drop-in centre. Thanks go to the staff and management at the Sports Club and The Anchor for hosting these events and, of course, primarily to all you good people who gave so generously. CANCER RESEARCH UK Secretary : Shirley Calvert t : 859003 Wednesday, 7 February 2018, 7:30 pm at Leek Wootton Sports Club Skittles Evening with Fish & Chip Supper The annual Skittles Evening is almost upon us! For £12.50 you can enjoy a chat with your neighbours, a game of skittles, a drink or two and a fish and chip supper at the Sports Club. (Those who do not like fish can pre-order chicken, if they prefer). For tickets please contact Kay Wakeman (t : 851670). ADVANCE NOTICE: Friday, 2 March 2018 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Jean & Jim’s Big Breakfast Once again, Jean and Jim’s Big Breakfast will be held at Leek Wootton Sports Club. No ticket needed, just turn up on the day. Coffee Time Quiz Have a go at these quick fire brain teasers … 1. In which country did Shakespeare’s Hamlet live? 2. In the Periodic Table what is the abbreviation for the metal Lead? 3. What is the name of the winged horse in Greek Mythology? 4. What is the middle name of Donald Trump? 5. How many countries are there in the Cricket County Championship? Answers on page 27 13 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 WHERE TO SEE SNOWDROPS According to legend, the snowdrop became the symbol of hope when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. When Eve was about to give up hope that the cold winters would never end, an angel appeared and transformed some of the snowflakes into snowdrop flowers. Each year when the snowdrops push up through hard soil and even snow they prove that even the harshest winters do eventually give way to the spring. Here are a few places to visit if you want to see snowdrops this year: hillclosegardens.com/snowdrop-weekend Snowdrop Weekend at Hill Close Gardens, Warwick Saturday & Sunday, 3 & 4 February, 11am – 4 pm. Indoor display and garden collection. Sales, tearoom refreshments. Also gardens open for National Garden Scheme, Saturday February 17th. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton/features/snowdrops-at-baddesley Snowdrops at Baddesley From January to May the churchyard at Baddesley has many beautiful flowers; first snowdrops, then daffodils and then bluebells. Flowering snowdrops are traditionally seen to herald the end of winter and we have a wonderful display here at Baddesley. www.ragley.co.uk/event/snowdrop-walks Snowdrop Walks at Ragley Hall Saturday & Sunday, 17 & 18 February This Winter, take a walk around the 26 acres of formal gardens at Ragley and explore the multitude of snow drop varieties that have been hand planted by our gardening team. Roam around the gardens at your leisure or book on to a tour at 12:00pm with our charming Head Gardener Mark Morrell, for a more in depth look at some of the garden’s horticultural points of interest at this time of year. £5 Admission The Terrace Cafe will be open at the hall for light lunches and refreshments. Ragley’s State Rooms and Adventure Playground will not be open on either date. www.batsarb.co.uk Snowdrop Time at Batsford Aboretum Thursday, 1 February to Wednesday, 28 February Weather permitting, the arboretum will be filled with snowdrops this February! Wander through drifts of Snowdrops - plus Aconites, Crocuses and Hellebores - in the arboretum, followed by lunch or afternoon tea in the Garden Terrace Cafe and a spot of retail therapy in our gift and garden shops. Our Snowdrops should be at their absolute peak of floral gorgeousness during this time, but if you're planning to make a special visit to Batsford to see them, please call us first on 01386 701441 to check how any unpredictable weather may have affected their flowering progress. Arboretum entrance fee applies. 14 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.leekwoottonhorticulturalsociety.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Hon Secretary : Mary Murdoch t : 854103 150th Anniversary Show 2018 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the Leek Wootton Horticultural Show with the then recently established Society holding its first exhibition on the last Wednesday in July 1868. The event was duly reported in the Courier on 1 August 1868, a fact for which we are grateful for the research

carried out by the Leek Wootton History group. Image © The British Library BoardLibrary ImageTheBritish ©

To mark this magnificent achievement the current Society is planning a number of events to coincide with the 2018 Show, which is to be held on Saturday, 18 August. The theme throughout the show will be 150 Years and the Show Schedule will include: Floral Art categories:- to reflect the theme Men’s and Boy’s only categories:- a celebration cake of the individuals choice Children’s classes:- A seed tray garden containing trees An arrangement of flowers from the exhibitor’s own garden A poster or flag depicting trees for LW&DHS 150th Anniversary, hand drawn or computer drawn Leaf Shaped tree biscuits Photographic categories:- ‘Celebrations’ and ‘Animals’ In addition there will be tree planting in Leek Wootton, hopefully with the assistance of the Woodland Trust and the Parish Council to determine types and placement. We believe that an invitation to all in the community and parish societies/ groups to participate in a special class to mark the celebrations, by producing flower arrangements of fresh or dried flowers will significantly enhance the event. These arrangements can be brought to the show prior to 11:00am to be judged by a panel of local and guest judges. The winning entry will be awarded a special prize to mark the event. We will be providing more details, as they develop, through The Link magazine. 15 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2018: Wednesday 14 March 2018, 7:30pm at the Village Hall AGM After the official meeting we are having a coffee and chat evening and would like to invite anyone from the parish and local groups to come along for an informal evening, when we will be able to let you know of our plans to celebrate 150 years of our Society. Saturday, 9 June 2018 Outing to: Coton Manor Garden, Coton, Northamponshire The cost per person will be £24, the coach will leave the Village Hall slope at 9:30am with a coffee stop at Kilworth Hotel & Theatre, after which we should reach Coton Manor Garden (www.cotonmanor.co.uk) at noon. Lunch can be bought at the Stable Yard Café between 12noon and 2:30pm. No picnics in the Garden. All details can be viewed on our web site together with a form to download, or to reserve your place on the coach please ring 01926 854103 or 855370 – Please make cheques payable to ‘Leek Wootton Horticultural Society’, sending or delivering them to Mary Murdoch, 7 Tidmarsh Road, Leek Wootton. Saturday, 18 August 2018, 2:30pm at the Village Hall Annual Show Celebrating 150 years of our Society in Leek Wootton Photographic Categories this year are - ‘Celebrations’ and ‘Animals’

16 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.work-shop.org.uk ECO WORKSHOP CIC A shared vision: making dreams possible Save Your Envelopes! I work for an organization called ECO Workshop, based in Stratford upon Avon where we provide work based activity sessions for adults who have autism or learning disabilities. Find out more at our website, www.work-shop.org.uk. We are asking for used envelopes to recycle and make paper which is used to make confetti cones. We also recycle stamps. Donations can be given to Janet Jackson or contact me (m: 07982 618850). Claire Olley www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=398 ROTARY CLUB OF WARWICK AVON Saturday, 17 February, 7:30pm at Leek Wootton Sports Club Charity Quiz Organised by Tony Rollins on behalf of Warwick Avon Rotary Charities, mainly Myton Hospices and Children’s Hospital. “A number of Village organisations took part last year and we raised over £450. I am the question master this year and would appreciate support again from the community” Tony Rollins Saturday, 16 June 2018 If you missed the initial planning meeting on 23 January, don’t worry; another will be scheduled for early March. See next month’s Link for more updates. Jonathan

ADVANCE NOTICE: Saturday, 17 March, 7:30pm at Leek Wootton Sports Club QUIZ and SKITTLES [POSTPONED FROM 13 JANUARY] I am sorry we had to postpone the earlier date, but now is your chance to enter a team of four (£5 per head), into an: Evening of Skittles and quizzes. There will be light refreshments at a mid-way break. Please contact Jonathan Kingston (e: [email protected]) and book your places. The evening will be raising funds towards repairs to the church heating system. 17 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.leekwoottonwi.co.uk LEEK WOOTTON WI President : Genny Wilson t : 690701 DECEMBER MEETING: On a damp, cool, dark evening forty-eight elves (aka LWWI members) descended on the Village Hall. Everyone was greeted with a Christmas card and chocolate gold coin, and a welcoming glass of warm mulled wine. The first game was to find your match, so 'Paul Simon' had to find 'Art Garfunkel', and 'Bonnie' had to find 'Clyde'. The theme to this year's Christmas party was elves, so on each table was a guide to identify your elf name. Each table read out their dinner companion's elf name, so we were all chuckling when we were introduced to Kringle Elf-pants, Perky Toe-bells, Bubbles Sugarsocks, Elvis Peppermint; to name just a few! Joy and Jill looked very elf-like in their brilliant costumes! After some lovely starters we played a game of 'higher and lower'. Then we shared our versions of the 'Hidden Present' story. Each table had customised the story, which resulted in more chuckling at some of the quirky and funny versions. No LWWI Christmas party would be complete without a rousing chorus of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', where members stand up when the equivalent of their birth month was sung. (January is Partridge in a Pear Tree, February is Two French Hens, etc). After much laughter and great food from Alex Hall from Guys Cliffe Catering and his brilliant team! the evening came to a close. One thing we are certain about is that laughter and friendship are the best Christmas presents we can share together. And the bonus is, they don't need to be wrapped! JANUARY MEETING: The Friendship Project for Children We were joined at our meeting on 16 January by Cheryll Rawbone, Chairman of The Friendship Project, and her colleague Fiona Roche. The Friendship Project for Children is a registered -wide charity supported by the Social Service. Established in 1986, it has helped around 1,000 children in and around Warwickshire where it matches children who are in need, for a variety of reasons, with volunteers, to build a friendship and to have fun. The volunteer is briefed by the Area Co-ordinator and the Social Worker involved (or the Lead Professional, if the referral is made through the Early Help Assessment) and will meet the child and family, before they agree to become the child’s ‘Older Friend’. The ‘Older Friends’ find these friendships to be both enjoyable and rewarding, 18 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 spending time with the child and enjoying activities, depending on the interests of the two friends. These may include: going for a drink and a walk in the park, baking, arts and crafts, swimming, parks and play areas, a visit to the library, bowling, badminton, gardening, cinema, Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts, etc. In fact, anything the child will enjoy, which helps to develop the relationship and to build the child’s character and, importantly, their self- esteem. In most cases, the friendship can be long-term, and some friendships have lasted many years. However, situations do change, and some may only last months. Most of us can reflect on our happy childhoods, so the case studies couldn’t fail to strike a chord as we learnt how children and young adults had their lives turned around because of their relationship with their ‘Older Friend’. The Charity is always looking for donations and volunteers, and is currently looking for ‘Older Friends’ (to work with and mentor 'Younger Friends'), Group Supporters (to support the 'Older Friends') and volunteers to help improve the self-esteem of disadvantaged youngsters. So, if you are reading this and have time to spare and would like to learn more, please call 0845 838 2098 or, if you prefer, email Fiona on email: [email protected]. You never know it might just change a child’s life for the better, and possibly, your own. ADVERTISING

19 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 TODDLERS AT LEEK WOOTTON VILLAGE HALL Contact : Janet Jackson t: 258264 Thursdays, term-time 10-11:30am. For Babies to Pre-schoolers. £1.50 per family A warm welcome is extended for Parents, Grandparents and Carers. Baby area, craft, mat and ride on toys, snack- time and singing, also fun outdoors in our woodland play area. Just turn up and join us for a friendly and relaxed morning.

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20 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.allsaintsschool-leekwootton.org.uk ALL SAINTS’ SCHOOL Head Teacher : Andrew Morris t : 400498 Chair of Governors : Barbara Mead Finally, lost for words! Children from the school joined the Christmas Choir and Hand Bell Ringers for a joyful celebration at the Family Carol Service on

17 December, when the church and community took the opportunity to thank Mrs P for her years of service at All Saints’ School. Three wise men (Jim and the Churchwardens) presented three wrapped parcels, which eventually revealed a beautiful nativity set, ready for Christmas and the years to come. In her final School Newsletter Sue wrote, “2017 has been a happy and exciting year with many additional challenges that have now been wonderfully resolved. I am delighted that a new Head of the Green Leek Federation has been appointed and that we have been able to recruit such a suitable candidate as Mr Andrew Morris. As an experienced head teacher he brings a wealth of experience to the role as well as real enthusiasm for teaching. I wish him great happiness and success as he takes up the greatest job in the world. “As I come to the end of my final week at All Saints’, Green Leek and as a Head Teacher, I would like to thank each one of you for the part you have played in the life of the school, federation and personally. It has been a great privilege to be able to be part of this special school and community. I wish you all the very best as the school moves into a new era and onward from strength to strength.” Extracted from All Saints’ School Newsletter 2018/652 Academisation News A message from David Morris, Chief Executive Officer, The Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust “The Department for Education has confirmed that the conversion date for All Saints’ and Burton Green CofE Primary Schools to become an academy will be 1 March 2018. This is slightly later than we had hoped due to complexities with the land transfer, but we are confident that the paperwork is now in place for the 1 March conversion date. We are looking forward to welcoming the staff, pupils and parents into the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy in March” Extracted from All Saints’ School Newsletter 2018/654 21 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.warwickfusiliers.co.uk THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS (ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE) MUSEUM Sadly, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum in Warwick has lost funding and to help raise the £60,000 per annum running costs at St John’s, there are to be a series of Saturday talks, open to all. There is, of course, a lot of interest in what was the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and details are as follows: Saturday Talks at the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum Venue: St John’s House Museum, Warwick Charge: £5 per talk (+ £1 per item to be valued on Valuation Day – 31 March) Time: 14:00 hours Dates: Saturday, 24 February: The Wreck of the Birkenhead 1852 - David Seeney (Chairman of the Friends of the Museum) Saturday, 31 March: Militaria Valuation Day David Seeney - £1 per item Saturday, 28 April: Waterloo - Major Mick Atkinson (late RAOC) Saturday, 26 May: Gallantry at Sea (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) - David Seeney Saturday, 30 June: Bomb Disposal - Major Mick Atkinson Saturday, 28 July: Military Research (presentation and questions) - David Seeney Saturday, 29 September: The Warwickshire Yeomanry in WWI - Philip Wilson (Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum) Saturday, 27 October: The Battle of the Somme - David Seeney Saturday, 24 November: The Royal Warwicks and The Christmas Truce 1914 - Alan Reed (Military Guide and Author)

22 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 KENILWORTH PROBUS CLUB Chairman : Brian Williams Hon Secretary : Mike Cheeseman t : 852976 Due to heavy snow, the meeting of the Club due on 12 December at Leek Wootton Sports Club was cancelled at the last minute as it was considered unsafe for members to get to there. We are however promised that the planned Quiz has been ‘put on ice’ and will be used at our meeting in December 2018. The Probus meeting on Tuesday, 16 January happily went ahead as planned and a most interesting talk was given by Alan Reed on the War Graves Commission. He spoke of the time when Major General Sir Fabian Ware realised, early on in World War I, that those who had perished needed to be recorded and of the decision made that all who were killed should be buried where they lay, and their burials suitably marked. Today, 100 years later, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (formerly the Imperial War Graves Commission) continues to maintain the commemorations of some 1,700,000 deceased Commonwealth military personnel in 153 countries around the world plus others for foreign powers, including individual headstones in churchyards and cemeteries, one of which we have at All Saints’, Leek Wootton. Following the talk, the sausage rolls and mince pies acquired for the cancelled December Meeting, having been kept in deep freeze, were enjoyed by those present! www.warwickpoppies.org.uk WARWICK POPPIES 2018 A new display about the Royal Warwickshire Regiment has also been set up in St Mary’s Church in Warwick by local historians Alan Reed and Sir Andrew Hamilton, specifically for the Warwick Poppies 2018 project. The project aims to collect as many poppies as possible, in the space of a year, to be incorporated into a community tribute in St Mary’s Church in autumn 2018 commemorating 100 years since the end of WWI. The project has had more than 5,000 poppies donated to its campaign in just a few months and Leek Wootton History Group hopes to donate at least 18 poppies in honour of the eighteen men recorded on the WWI memorial in All Saints’. If you would like to help, either as an individual or with the Group, please let us know at [email protected] (t: 854347). Knitting and craft patterns are available at: www.warwickpoppies.org.uk/knitting-patterns. 23 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018

24 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 www.historygroup.leekwoottonandguyscliffe.org.uk LEEK WOOTTON HISTORY GROUP Chairman : Paul Eldridge t : 854347

This photograph featured in the Hill Wootton chapter of Leek Wootton and its Hamlets, but we thought to share it again as an illustration of just how much life has changed for children in rural Warwickshire. The historian who collected many early photographs of English country life, wrote: ‘… which of them are boys and which are girls … The ones with short hair, who look like boys, are boys. They are wearing skirts and Village children at Hill Wootton in August 1890 pinafores because custom and household economy demanded that the boys should wear their older sister’s clothes as they grew into them. This did not produce the taunting, and subsequent bloody noses, that one might suppose. Other little boys in the village suffered the same indignity, but without in fact feeling that it was any great affront to their manhood.’ A Country Camera 1844-1914, Gordon Winter ADVERTISING

25 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 http://leekwoottonsports.club [email protected] LEEK WOOTTON SPORTS CLUB Secretary : Paul Baigent t : 07535 736556 Opening times: Monday CLOSED Tuesday 7:00pm - 10:00pm Wednesday 7:00pm - 10:00pm Thursday CLOSED Except for Crib & Dominos nights Friday 5:30pm - 11:00pm Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm - 9:00pm Bank Holidays - Times vary

Many thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket or two in our annual Christmas raffle. The first prize was won by I Lancaster, in a total of 47 prizes. If you would like to see if you have won one of the prizes please go to the news section of our web site where the list of winners can be found. Christmas was a successful time for the Club with many good events taking place; for those who came we hope you all enjoyed them. There are more social events planned for the New Year. There is the Rotary Club quiz on Saturday, 17 February, so if you would like to take part get your team listed now at the Club. DISCUSSION GROUP: Our next presentation in our new Discussion Group is to be on Tuesday, 27 February when we will be inviting Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison to present a talk titled The Cold War - Then and Now (some personal recollections and reflections). Sir John has plenty of experience on this topic as he was an RAF fighter pilot throughout the final 25 years of the Cold War, during which time he moved from front line pilot to command of all UK air defence forces. He was also a member of the Air Force Board during the start of the drawdown in UK defences that continues to this day and the talk should be a fascinating one. We are having a meal with our discussion and the talk and the meal can be booked for £10. Tickets are sure to go fast so please get yours now at the Club to avoid disappointment. FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Other events planned include our traditional Grand National event on Saturday, 14 April and then our next Discussion Group event which is a talk on The History of Kenilworth, but more on these in the next issue. Also on dates an important one for the Club is our AGM, which is to be held on Friday, 16 March at 7:45pm. The Committee has worked very hard making sure that the Club continues to function and is able to offer a variety of social events as well as the sport and this is your chance to come along and air your views and, hopefully, consider standing as a Committee member for next year 26 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 when there will be some vacancies. Finally, we are now at the time of year when we ask members to renew their membership and of course new members are always welcome. Membership forms can be found on our web site or can be collected at the Club bar and we do ask that all members sign up as soon as possible. Forthcoming events at the Sports Club include: • Wednesday, 31 January Club Bingo Night • Wednesday, 14 February Club Bingo Night • Saturday, 17 February Rotary Club Quiz • Tuesday, 27 February Discussion Group: The Cold War Tickets £10 (to include dinner) • Friday,16 March Club AGM Don’t forget to keep up to date with all of the happenings and goings on at the Sports Club on our web site at http://leekwoottonsports.club

www.leekwoottoncc.org leekwootton.play-cricket.com LEEK WOOTTON CRICKET CLUB Secretary : Ian Cox e : [email protected] Leek Wootton Cricket Club is beginning to prepare for the 2018 season and is looking for fresh players to come and join a thriving club. The Cricket Club boasts excellent facilities both on and off the field and can cater for players of all abilities. Currently, there are two teams on a Saturday playing league cricket in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division and Division 5. There is a Sunday team playing more social cricket and a midweek side playing 20-over friendlies with local clubs. The Club also runs a junior section with coaching on Friday nights during the season for 6-13-year olds, with teams from U9 to U13. Winter nets will commence on Sunday, 28 January from 12:30pm-2:00pm at and will continue into April. There is an open invitation for those looking to join a friendly and welcoming Cricket Club and anyone interested or needing further details should contact Ian Cox at [email protected].

Coffee Time Quiz: Answers

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27 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018

28 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 Recipes from Hilary Farm Kitchen by Julia Green

Happy New Year. I thought I’d start this year with a comforting pasta bake, which can be made in advance then cooked when needed. So easy to prepare. PASTA BAKE Ingredients • 500g fresh pasta tubes • 2 x tins drained tuna • 1 lemon, squeezed • Fresh parsley, chopped • 125 ml half fat crème fraîche • 75 ml natural yogurt • 100g sweet corn, cooked. • 100g peas, cooked • 50g grated cheese of your choice • 50g breadcrumbs Method 1. Cook the fresh pasta for 5 minutes 2. Drain, keeping 1tblsp of the cooking water 3. Pour it and the pasta into a bowl 4. Add the tuna, lemon juice, parsley, crème fraîche, yogurt, sweet corn and peas to the bowl 5. Season well 6. Put into an ovenproof dish 7. Sprinkle with the cheese and breadcrumbs 8. Cook for 20-30 minutes at Gas 5/180°C until piping hot Serve with a green salad Enjoy! ANNOUNCEMENT Julia has been providing recipes for The Link since the Dec 2010/Jan 2011 issue, when she gave us her warming Mint & Pea Soup. However, she has decided, after 7 years, to hang up her apron and hand over to a new contributor. She will not leave immediately and we are in discussion about publishing a Best of… recipe book, which we hope to be able to sell in aid of local charities in the Spring/Summer, so watch this space! (...Eds) 29 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018

30 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 Love is… What do children know about love? When questioned, some four to eight year olds came up with the following: • When you're born and see your mummy for the first time. That's love. • Love is what makes you smile when you're tired. • If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who hates you. • Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day. • I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones. • You have to fall in love before you get married. Then when you're married, you just sit around and read books together. • I let my big sister pick on me because my Mum says she only picks on me because she loves me. • Love goes on even when you stop breathing and you pick up where you left off when you reach Heaven. • Love cards like Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying it. • When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.

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32 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 All in the month of FEBRUARY 80 years ago, on 4 February 1938, Also 60 years ago, on 17 February German Chancellor Adolf Hitler fired 1958, Pope Pius XII declared Saint Foreign Minister, Konstantin von Claire of Assisi (1194-1253) to be the Neurat, and made himself the patron saint of television. It was on the supreme commander of the armed basis that she had been too ill to forces. attend Mass, but had reportedly been Also 80 years ago, on 20 February able to see it and hear it on the wall of 1938, British Foreign Secretary, her cell. Anthony Eden resigned over Prime 50 years ago, on 19 February 1968, Minister, Neville Chamberlain’s policy the Thalidomide scandal’s first of appeasement with Italy. compensation payments were Also 80 years ago, on 24 February awarded in Britain to 62 children born 1938, the first toothbrushes with nylon with deformities because their mothers bristles were introduced, by Du Pont. had taken the drug during pregnancy. Until then toothbrushes had been (Around 400 British children in all were made from the hair of boars or hogs. affected.) 70 years ago, on 28 February 1948, 40 years ago, on 15 February 1978, the last British Army regiment left New Zealand beat England in a cricket India. match for the first time. 65 years ago, on 5 February 1953, 30 years ago, on 5 sweet rationing ended in Britain. February 1988, Comic Relief held its first Red Also 65 years ago, on 28 Nose Day in the UK. It February 1953, British scientists, raised £15m for charity. Francis Clark and James D. Watson announced that they had 25 years ago, on 12 February 1993, discovered the double-helix two ten-year-old boys abducted two- structure of DNA. year-old James Bulger from a shopping centre near Liverpool. His 60 years ago, on 6 February mutilated body was found on a railway 1958, the Munich air disaster line nearby two days later. They were took place. A plane carrying the charged with and found guilty of Manchester United football team, abduction and murder. plus support staff and journalists, crashed while attempting to take off 20 years ago, on 23 February 1998, from a slush-covered runway at Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa Munich-Riem Airport. 23 people were against all Jews and Crusaders. killed, including 8 players. 15 years ago, on 1 February 2003, the Also 60 years ago, on 6 February US space shuttle Columbia 1958, George Harrison, aged 14, disintegrated over Texas during re- auditioned to join John Lennon’s skiffle entry, killing all seven group the Quarrymen (which later astronauts. became the Beatles). The audition Also 15 years ago, on 17 reportedly took place on a bus, and February 2003, London’s Lennon felt that Harrison was too Congestion Charge scheme young. began. 33 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018

34 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 OUT & ABOUT IN LEEK WOOTTON & GUY’S CLIFFE See main articles for further details Wednesday, 7 February 16-17 February CRUK: Skittles Evening The Lord Leycester Hospital 19:30 at the Sports Club Beer Festival Thursday, 8 February See facing page Leek Wootton MU Saturday, 17 February 13:30 at 14 The Meadows Rotary Club Quiz Night Saturday, 10 February 19:30 at the Sports Club Warwick Farmers’ Market Tuesday, 20 February www.warwickdistrictmarkets.co.uk Probus Meeting Tuesday, 13 February 10:00 at the Sports Club Shrove Tuesday Leek Wootton WI 19:45 at the Village Hall Warwick Pancake Races Saturday, 24 February 12:30pm The Square, Warwick www.enjoywarwick.co.uk Fusiliers Museum Talk 14:00 at St John’s House Museum Parish Council Meeting 19:30 at the Committee Room, Village Hall Tuesday, 27 February Wednesday, 14 February Discussion Group & Dinner at the Sports Club Ash Wednesday St Valentine’s Day Wednesday, 28 February LWSC: Club Bingo Night at the Sports Club 27 February - 3 March WAGS Gang Show www.wagsgangshow.org.uk Friday, 2 March Jean & Jim’s Big Breakfast LWSC: Club Bingo Night 08:00-14:00 at the Sports Club at the Sports Club BUS TIMETABLE Timetable for Stagecoach Route X68 between Coventry and via Leek Wootton, as published on www.stagecoachbus.com Leek Wootton  Kenilworth  Coventry MONDAY TO FRIDAY (except public holidays) Leek Wootton: 0742 0950 then hourly until 1450 1553 1653(HOL) 1738 1813 SATURDAY Leek Wootton: 0742 0950 then hourly until 1450 1553 1658 1738 1808 Leek Wootton  Warwick  Warwick Gates  Leamington  Lillington  Cubbington MONDAY TO SATURDAY (except public holidays) Leek Wootton: 0744 0914 then hourly until 1514 1627 1727 1827 (HOL) school holidays only For return journeys to Leek Wootton, please see full timetable online

35 LEEK WOOTTON LINK | FEBRUARY 2018 DECEMBER & JANUARY IN PICTURES

Woodcote Lane

We hope Father Christmas got notice of the diversion! Tidmarsh Road, 26 December 2017

36 Leek Wootton YouTree by printed is Link