Great Easton B & B "Comfortable accommodation, open all year round" 01536-772581 6, High Street, Great Easton Leicestershire LE16 8ST Email: greateastonpo2@hotmail.com www.greateastonbed-breakfast.co.uk Salsborough Kennels And Cattery A home from home for your beloved pets Small and Medium dog grooming now re-instated. Oaktree Lodge, Horninghold Road, Stockerston Tel: 01572 822270 Eyebrook Wild Bird Feeds Quality mixes and straights at farm gate prices, mixed on our farm near the Eyebrook Reservoir Visit our website: www.eyebrookwildbirdfeeds.co.uk Rectory Farm, right of Church, Great Easton Tel: 01536 770771 Open Friday & Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am 12 noon You are welcome to collect at any other time, but please telephone first EM DORMAN FUNERAL DIRECTOR A family concern, giving 24-hour personal service to all areas. Golden Charter pre-paid plans available (help and advice without obligation) PRIVATE CHAPEL OF REST Tel: 01572 823976 A member of Society of Allied and Independent Funeral directors PATRICK FISHER CARPENTER & JOINER New and restoration work Purpose made joinery For a friendly and reliable service Phone: Tel: 01858 565117 Mob: 07805 495958 MEDBOURNE PRE-SCHOOL Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.15-3.15 Held at Medbourne Village Hall. Term time only For ages 2 ½ - 5. Limited places for 2 year olds Flexible packages available. Funded places. Contact Sara 01536 771368 PJH & SONS PHILIP J. HAMMOND & SONS SOLICITORS Commissioners for Oaths 47 FRIAR LANE, LEICESTER, LE1 5QX TELEPHONE: (0116) 251 7171 FAX NO: (0116) 253 7370 e-mail enquiries@pjhammond.com Website www.pjhammond.com Contact Richard Hammond Home visits possible CAR PARK AVAILABLE WHILST VISITING THE OFFICE 32
The Parish of the Six Saints circa Holt The Reverend Stephen Bishop The Rectory, Rectory Lane, Medbourne, LE16 8DZ Tel: 01858 565933 Mobile: 07590 829902 email rector@sixsaintscircaholt.org Revd Richard Barribal: Associate Priest Mr Roy Cashmore: Reader Parish Office: 01536 660568 Open: Tuesday and Wednesday 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Secretary: Julia Unna E. secretary@sixsaintscircaholt.org * Please note parish office revised opening days. PCC Secretary Ann Baile Treasurer Miles Ingram Vice-Chair Neville F Hackett Teal Cottage, 5 Holt View 17 Old Holt Road Great Easton LE16 8TN Medbourne LE16 8DY 01572 821202 01536 772571 01858 565265 GREAT EASTON Tom Theakston 4 Banbury Lane Great Easton LE16 8SF 01536 770929 Mary Henniker-Major Linden House Great Easton LE16 8SJ 01536 770320 BRINGHURST Margaret Stamp 1 Banbury Lane Great Easton Leicestershire LE16 8SF 01536 770605 DRAYTON David Hill-Brookes 1 Medbourne Road Drayton Leicestershire LE16 8SE 01858 565171 Established since 1913 For all your building requirements Stonework and listed building specialist 01536 770257 / 07876765226 / 07594935958 E-Mail-virginiasnow@btinternet.com NOW ZERO RATED VAT ON EVERYTHING Foot Health Practitioner CONSTRUCTION: RENOVATION: MAINTENANCE: Specialist Foot Care Treatment in the comfort of your own home BRINGHURST CUM GREAT EASTON & DRAYTON Wardens H. Snow & Son Julia Bowder (Deputy) Rosebrook Cottage Little London Great Easton LE16 8SU 01536 771539 Graham Clark JOSEPH WARBURTON SAC(dip), CFHP (pract) Carpentry & Building Services For an appointment call 01536 772118 Vicarage Cottage Main Street, Loddington Leicestershire LE7 9XE Home Tel: 01572 717302 Mobile Tel: 0774 04 2 6889 Great Easton Village Hall To Hire: MEDBOURNE CUM HOLT, STOCKERSTON & BLASTON Wardens T: 01536 772562 or E. enquiries@greateastonvillagehall.co.uk MEDBOURNE CUM HOLT Mr Martin van Oppen Manor Farm Medbourne LE16 8DR 01858 565332 STOCKERSTON Mary Patston Apple Cottage, Medbourne Road Stockerston LE15 9JF 01572 823396 BLASTON Wilfred Coon Hallcroft, Medbourne Road Hallaton LE16 8UH 01858 555630 Robin Murray-Philipson Garden House Blaston LE16 8DE 01858 555233 Treasurers Bringhurst etc Medbourne Stockerston Blaston David Gibley Howard Unna Louise Bromwich Wilfred Coon 01536 772159 01572 822331 01572 821910 01858 555630 Secretaries Bringhurst etc Medbourne Stockerston Blaston Ann Baile Jenny Sandars Wendy Bromwich Della Stones 01858 466647 01858 565245 01572 823110 01858 555688 GARRY HYDE Interior and Exterior Painting and Decorating Glazing We are always pleased to welcome new residents to our parish so please do make yourself known to one of the above-named. Supported by Great Easton and Medbourne Parish Councils, and other local groups and organisations. Printed by Quantum Print Services Ltd, Earlstrees Industrial Estate, Corby, NN17 4AR 2 TEL: 01858 565215 MOB: 07795 096109 31
Parish of the Six Saints circa Holt March 2017 Services 5 March The First Sunday of Lent (Purple) 8am Eucharist at Great Easton 9am 1662 Eucharist at Drayton 10.45am Eucharist at Medbourne 12 March The Second Sunday of Lent (Purple) 9am Eucharist at Blaston 10.45am Eucharist at Great Easton 19 March The Third Sunday of Lent (Purple) 9am 1662 Eucharist at Bringhurst 10.45am Eucharist at Medbourne 6.00pm Evening Prayer at Great Easton 26 March Mothering Sunday (Purple or Rose) 8am 1662 Eucharist at Medbourne 9am 1662 Eucharist at Stockerston 10.45am Eucharist with Baptism at Great Easton Wednesday Morning Eucharist Services St Andrews Church, Great Easton 1 March 10.30am ASH WEDNESDAY Service to include the imposition of ashes 8 March 10.30am 15 March 10.30am 22 March 10.30am 29 March 10.30am The Rector s Letter - Lent 2017 sees Ash Wednesday occur on 1st March. The start of the season of Lent presents a good opportunity to consider our priorities, our life balance and to reflect on how we might find ways of expressing our faith not only in words but also in actions. Elsewhere in this magazine there is further information about the Lent Course that will be offered in the Parish and about other opportunities for action and engagement as well as for reflection and study. As an alternative or an addition to the traditional Lenten practice of giving up chocolate and sweets or alcohol, you might consider surrendering something else: giving up or cutting down on social media for 40 days to spend the time in other ways, or pledging to lower your carbon usage. An alternative might lie in taking on something which allows you to put faith into practice. Perhaps most significantly among these you might consider giving or reviewing your planned giving to sustain the fabric and the life and ministry of the churches. You might also wish to support our lent lunches which this year are in aid of the charity 'Hands Across the Water'. You may also wish to consider giving to our food bank collection, another vital cause. As well as the excellent Lent York Course, perhaps you may think of Lent as a time to engage in other ways with study, perhaps by reading the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2017 'Dethroning Mammon'. You might seek to tackle the discipline of praying - perhaps committing to remember those who are being baptised and confirmed at Easter, or looking to participate in Bishop Martyn's School of Prayer which is advertised on our Diocesan website. Anything that makes us less self-indulgent, more intellectually engaged, and more committed to the needs of our community and the wider world is self-evidently and innately a good thing. Yet for people of faith these acts of denial and engagement are not an end in themselves. Rather, they are small steps in a journey into the life of God. The Revd Stephen Bishop Rector of the Parish of Six Saints circa Holt A Lenten Call to Action and Lenten Prayers by Dr Deidre Homer on behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain: The Israelite prophet Micah said: "What does the Lord require of you? Only to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." God of mercy and source of justice, pour on your people such love and compassion that we cannot remain silent, we cannot tolerate injustice and poverty. As your grace fills our hearts so may we be stirred into action to demonstrate your love for all the world and for all creatures that live and move on this earth. Lord, as we enter Lent help us to draw near to you in praise, stripping away all that distracts us from worship. Amen Jesus resisted temptation by the devil in the wilderness, help us reflect on his faithfulness to God, his rejection of worldly values and hold these thoughts in our hearts throughout Lent and beyond. Amen Jesus, you prayed and fasted. As your disciple teach me about spiritual discipline in my relationship with you. Amen Lord may Lent be a time of inward searching that makes me more able to look with compassion at the needs of the world. Amen 30 3
BLASTON NEWS Here we are in Lent, the season for our abstinence and reflection on Jesus s suffering and his politically motivated execution, which led to the mysterious events occurring three days afterwards. Our Lent service is on Sunday 12 th March at 9:00 am. Please be there to prepare your thoughts in time for our Easter Day celebration in April. Lent, a time of sacrifice, prompts the churchwardens to thank all our churchgoers very much for their generosity in giving their time and money in various ways to keep Blaston St Giles as a visible centre of village life in Blaston. Family on duty reminder: March: Maclean Family Wilfred Coon BRINGHURST NEWS A village reminder that our monthly Parish Eucharist Service will be on: Sunday 19 th March at 9.00am We would be delighted to see as many as possible experiencing the special peaceful calm of our unique church. Margaret Stamp - Warden DRAYTON NEWS A village reminder that our monthly Parish Eucharist Service will be on: Sunday 5 th March at 9.00am ALL WELCOME David Hill - Brookes - Warden ST ANDREW S CHURCH ROTA OF SIDESPEOPLE MARCH 2017 Sunday 12 March 10.45 am Eric and Flick Craven Sunday 26 March 10.45 am Gill Irons and Margaret Stamp If this date is inconvenient, please arrange to swap with someone, or if you have a problem - contact Julia Bowder on T. 01536 771539. 4 Monday Medbourne Tiddlywinks Parent, baby and toddler group Medbourne Village Hall Weekly Events 10am to 12 noon Line Dancing Great Easton Village Hall 2pm to 3.30pm Tuesday Parish Office, Great Easton Village Hall 9am to 1pm Medbourne Pre-school with lunch session and an afternoon session Medbourne Village Hall Art Club Great Easton Village Hall Bell Ringing Practice St Andrew s Great Easton 9.15am to 12.15pm 12.15pm to 1.15pm 1.15pm to 3.15pm 10am to 12 noon 7.30pm to 9pm Ladies Choir Great Easton Village Hall 8pm to 9.30pm Wednesday Parish Office, Great Easton Village Hall 9am to 1pm Tai Chi Great Easton Village Hall 9.15am to 10.15am Medbourne Pre-school 9.15am to 12.15pm with lunch session 12.15pm to 1.15pm and an afternoon session 1.15pm to 3.15pm Medbourne Village Hall Thursday Clubbercise 9.30am to 10.15am Great Easton Village Hall Medbourne Pre-school with lunch session and an afternoon session Medbourne Village Hall 1st Welland Valley Scouts Medbourne Village Hall Beavers (6-8 years) Cubs (8-10years) and Scouts (10-14 years) 9.15am to 12.15pm 12.15pm to 1.15pm 1.15pm to 3.15pm 6pm to 7pm From 7pm Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Racheleyoga Great Easton Village Hall 6.30pm to 7.30pm Friday Singing Sally 2pm to 2.45pm Great Easton Village Hall Medbourne Tennis Club * subject to individual playing standard Mon 9.00am - 11.00am Adult coaching with James Muir Mon 7.00pm - 8.30pm Adult coaching with Bruce Tarran Wed 9.00am - 11.00am Club Morning All Welcome Thurs 4.30pm - 7.00pm (3 Sessions) Jnr coaching with Bruce Tarran* Thurs 7.00pm onwards Clubnight (March to October only) Sat 10.00am - 11.00am Jnr coaching with Paul Hutchinson* Sat 11.00am - 12.00am Jnr coaching with Paul Hutchinson* Sun 10.00am - 2.00pm (4 sessions) with Bruce Tarran* Lessons (Group or Individual) with Michael Rickman by arrangement 29
Gardeners Corner March 2017 By Alistair Peak PGS Have you got the buzz yet! The birds are singing the garden is coming to life after winter and more importantly the sun has shone and should have got your fingers and toes going!!!! I was very fortunate to be given some lovely home grown vegetables to have with my Christmas dinner last year, ok a little muddy not all the same size with a few twists and misshapen but above all the flavour was out of this world! I personally am more of a flower grower than a vegetable grower, that is not to say I don t like growing them I d just rather eat them than grow them. I have a lot of admiration for Vegetable growers, well done to all you out there that do. If you haven t but thought that you might start growing them, now is a good time to start. There are many seed companies available with an array of vegetables. May I suggest you have a look at the collection section as they have mixture of different vegetable seeds and normally at a discount! Where can you grow them? Vegetables can be grown almost any where from your borders, to flower pots/containers, hanging baskets, on window sills, in grow bags even using old compost bags to grow your potatoes in. On the 26th March two events happen this year, first the clocks go forward and second it s Mothering Sunday. With the clocks going forward, this will give you more time in your garden, a good place to start is tidying through your borders, which should include trimming back anything that has been missed previously, digging through and giving a feed to all the plants, this can be Blood Fish and Bone or Growmore and finally apply a layer of organic matter, this can be home produced compost, try and put a good layer on the border around 4 (10cm), this will help to suppress the weeds, retain moisture and give your borders a healthy look. You can t beat a freshly dug border that has been mucked! Mothering Sunday originates in Church tradition when people went back to their mother Church and is always half way through Lent. Instead of giving your mother cut flowers which will only last a week or two, why not give her either a house plant or plant that she can grow in her garden and will give many years of joy. I m sure the Garden Centres and Nurseries will have plenty of options available. Alistair Tip... Glanthus (Snow Drops) will have nearly have finished flowering and now is a good time to divide them, this is called dividing them in The Green, they still have their green foliage so they can take the goodness back into the bulbs, if you lift them and replant elsewhere in the garden, remember to always plant two and half times the depth of the bulb, They may take a couple of years before they flower but its worth while in the long run. STOCKERSTON NEWS Many thanks to all who braved the very cold day of our last service. It was good to see so many of you. I will be preparing the Church in March. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone well and hope that the Lent lunches make huge amounts for this year's Parish Project. Georgina Halliday THE AFTERNOON TEA GROUP invites you to a talk on MY CHILDHOOD IN THE BLITZ kindly to be given by BRIAN TYLER followed by a luxury War Time Tea on 27th April 2017 at 2.30 p.m. in Great Easton Village Hall. Admission 5 payable at the door The Parish Magazine To advertise or to place an article in the magazine please email: secretary@sixsaintscircaholt.org The deadline date for receipt of any article or advert is the 5 th day of the preceding month. We cannot guarantee to included articles received after this date. Please note that all Items for the April Edition must be received by 5 th March for guaranteed inclusion. 28 5
ABC s Tidy Gardens Offering a full range of services for garden maintenance and landscaping. A large team of male & female workers to tackle everything in the garden, but more importantly NOT to let you down. We are regularly in your area. For a winter makeover, tree work, hedges, fencing (all types), clearance etc, call Alister on 07815 889992 Post Office and Village Stores Open Monday - Friday 08.00-17.30 Saturday 08.00-14.00 Sunday 08.00-13.00 All courses will be held on Wednesday evenings and commence at 7.30 pm. The courses may conclude with a short Compline Service tbc. Course Dates th 8 March Title Venue Receiving Christ: as children of God Julia Bowder s Home Great Easton 15th March Receiving Christ: in the stranger and the needy Mary Henniker-Major s Home Great Easton 22nd March Receiving Christ: in Holy Communion The Rectory, Medbourne 29th March Receiving Christ: through prayer and fellowship The Chaplin s Home Drayton 5th April Christ in you, the hope of glory The Cashmore s Home Blaston ALL WELCOME For further information and to express your interest in attending any or all of the courses, please contact the Revd Stephen Bishop T. 07590 829902 6 POST OFFICE, FRESH BREAD & PASTRIES, DRY CLEANING, NEWSPAPERS, GROCERIES, FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES, DELICATESSEN, COTTAGE DELIGHT PRODUCTS, SANDWICHES, CHILLED DRINKS, GREETINGS CARDS. Springbank. Medbourne, Leicestershire, LE16 8EB Telephone: 01858 565928 DSG Auto Services Time for a change, but no time to change? For mobile servicing, repairs and MOT failure work for all cars and bikes carried out Reliable and friendly service at competitive prices My business helps small and medium-sized companies with short or long-term projects, including accounts office set-up and reorganisation, IT & software changes and contract reviews For more information or a free no-obligation meeting: Dean:01536772622/ 07976233262 Email : deano-tvr@hotmail.co.uk Michael@Hedgecott.co.uk 01858 897647 27.Hedgecott.co.uk www
2017 LENT LUNCHES PILATES CLASSES BY FORMER BALLERINA OF THE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET COMPANY Increase your sense of well-being Improve your posture Alleviate aches & pains Become more flexible Improve your core strength Lengthen & tone muscles FRIDAY MEDBOURNE VILLAGE HALL 9.30 10.30am Improvers 10.30 11.30am Beginners/Refreshers To book please contact: This is the full list of venues for this year s Lent lunches. As you probably know, they are a series of simple bread and cheese lunches held on Fridays during Lent. They take place across the parish and act as a reminder that Lent can be a time of fasting and reflection. They also happen to be rather jolly social occasions. Everyone is very welcome to come along no need to tell anyone in advance. There is no charge but people are asked to make a donation towards the Parish Project. Please see the separate information about this year s Parish Project, Hands Across the Water. You will see below that a representative from this charity is able to come and tell us about the work they do on March 31 st which should be very interesting. Our hosts for the lunches this year are: March 3rd: (Following the Women s World Day of Prayer Service at Gt. Easton) Johnny and Mary Henniker-Major 2 Brook Lane, Great Easton, LE16 8SJ (01536 770320) March 10th: David and Sue Hill-Brookes 1 Medbourne Road, Drayton, LE16 8SE (01858 565171) March 17th: Tom and Margaret Theakston 4 Banbury Lane, Great Easton, LE16 8SF (01536 770929) March 24th: Neville Hackett 17 Old Holt Road, Medbourne, LE16 8DY (01858 565265) March 31st: (With a short talk about the charity) Sally and David Beaty Watsons Lodge, Drayton Road, Nevill Holt, LE16 8ET (01858 565302) April 7th: Robin and Nini Murray-Philipson Garden House, Blaston, LE16 8DE (01858 555233) jane.fletcher001@btinternet.com 07776058973 NICKY S IRONING SERVICE Connect Electrical Find ironing a chore, then why not let me do it for you? Offering a local village service, based in Sutton Bassett. Fast and reliable, in a smoke free environment. I also stitch on loose buttons and carry out small repairs. Domestic & Commercial List of services: Rewires New Consumer Units Test & Inspection/Landlord Certificates Extra Lighting & Power Outdoor Power Security Lighting PAT Testing Please call 07801 682284. Fully insured' and 'Part P Approved For a free friendly quotation please contact Tom. email: connectelec@yahoo.co.uk Office: 01858 681326 Mob: 07715 554977 People are welcome to arrive for lunch any time after 12.15 pm. Simon Gladstone Heating and Plumbing Ice cycle.co.uk A traditional ice cream tricycle is available for your event! Private parties, weddings, fetes, school sports days and almost any other event! Exciting ice cream and sorbets cones & tubs! Contact carolinejack@hotmail.co.uk 07736 397 620 Domestic, Commercial, Industrial Gas/Heating Engineer 6 Lounts Crescent, Great Easton Market Harborough, Leicestershire Tel: 01536 772620 Mobile: 07977924679 26 I would very much like to thank all the kind and generous people who have offered to host a lunch this year. It can be rather daunting not to have any idea whether 15 or 40 people might walk through your door. We do hope lots of people will come every Friday but if you can only do one of the dates, then please do come to that one. And bring a friend! All are welcome. Mary Henniker-Major (01536 770320) 5344 7
2017 PARISH PROJECT The 2017 Parish Project is going to support a charity which was set up following the December 2004 tsunami which hit Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka resulting in the death of an estimated to be 250,000 people. Police officers from 40 countries were sent to Thailand as part of the international response. One of them was Sergeant Gill Williams from Thames Valley Police. While she was there she became aware of the number of Thai children who had become orphaned by the tsunami. Many had lost complete families, their homes and their villages. Their destiny was to live in tents until they were 18 years old when they would leave the orphanage. She was determined to do something about this and held discussions with the orphanage out there to see what she could do. As a result she raised her target of 50,000 which was equalled by the Thai government so a large home for all the children could be built. Hands Across the Water UK, Gill s charity, continues to fundraise in order for orphans to be well looked after. In 2014 HATWUK built and equipped a baby and toddler unit to provide a secure environment for orphans under the age of 5. There are now 104 children in the orphanage from day-old babies to 18 year old teenagers from all sorts of backgrounds. This charity means a great deal to people in our parish who have been personally involved in the project and who know Gill. Every penny of the money raised goes directly to the orphanage. We have asked someone from the charity to come to a Lent lunch to tell us more but she cannot come until March 31st so please do come to that to meet her (see magazine for details). Ambassador Oil Heating Services Ltd Boiler installations Servicing Breakdown repair Tank installations Aga/Rayburn servicing and repair Power flushing General plumbing 01858 881118 www.ambassadorohs.com Mary Henniker-Major (01536 770320) 8 25
The Early History of Great Easton A polished stone axe head found in Barnsdale by Mr H Craythorne and flint tools found by the Fieldwork Group tell us that Neolithic people were living here 4,000 years ago - our first farmers? A Bronze Age spear head was found by Brian Hughes in a field east of the village. Farming continued through the Iron Age and Roman Period with pottery evidence of occupation in Lounts Crescent and Home Close. In 500-600 AD the Anglo Saxon people came and settled in Lounts Crescent area and where the church now stands. This was the beginning of the village. In the field Northeast of the village they were smelting iron on a small scale we have found their pottery and slag. By 900 AD the population had increased and spread down the hill and the village, as we know developed, with farmers living in the village and farming strips of land in the open fields. This is when Easton got its name East tun i.e. East of Bringhurst. In the 1086 Doomsday Book it is called Estore and was larger than Bringhurst. The present church is basically thirteenth century but there is some evidence of a small church of an earlier date. The herringbone masonry on the North wall dates from the early Norman period. In 1348 the Black Death struck the village. It became impossible to continue to bury Easton people in Bringhurst. The inhabitants of Easton asked the Bishop of Lincoln to allow the burial of plague victims in their own village. This was granted and we had our own churchyard consecrated for burials. Anne Wallis MEDBOURNE DEFIBRILLATOR FUND We are pleased to let you know that after a successful fundraising campaign, the installation of two defibrillators in Medbourne and CPR training for over 30 residents, the Defibrillator Fund has now been handed over to Medbourne Village Hall Committee. The remaining fund, over 2000, will be ring fenced and managed by the Village Hall Committee and the money will ensure that more CPR training can be arranged in the future. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support for this important project. The Defibrillator Committee is now officially disbanded. David and Val Tyler, Jo Milligan and Rebekah Budenberg 24 9
March 22 nd April 26 th May 24 th September 27 th October 25 th November 22 nd GREAT EASTON & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Programme for 2017 The Glory of the Garden the Victorian & Edwardian Head Gardener with Michael Brown More Houses with a Story to Tell with Brian Johnson Richard III a Bloody Tyrant? with Dr Philip Stone, Chairman of the Richard III Society Breedon-on-the-Hill The Treasures of an Anglo-Saxon Monastery with Douglas Clinton Percy Pilcher, Pioneer Aviator with Roy Smart Tresham s Houses and Memoirs of a Land Girl two films by Harborough Movie Makers Medbourne cum Holt WI At the next meeting on 15 th March members will be given a talk by Jim Jacobs Market Harborough & Bowden's Charity This will be an interesting insight into this Endowed Charity working to protect and enhance lives of residents of Market Harborough and give assistance to groups and organisations operating in our community. We always welcome new members and look forward to meeting anyone who would like to come along to find out more about our active and friendly group. Jenny Sandars Member of the Medbourne cum Holt WI ON WEDNESDAYS 10 23
Covenanted Giving - St Giles, Medbourne Howard Unna, our new treasurer for St Giles, has been looking through our list of covenanters' that is those parishioners who kindly and generously covenant to support our church by way of a regular standing order payment through their bank. This is a particularly helpful and efficient way of providing the vital financial assistance we need in that we are also able to obtain an additional sum from HMRC (the tax element) at no cost to the person covenanting. The present beautiful building which dates back to the twelfth century and which, throughout that long period, has remained the centre-piece of our village due in no small part to the generosity and support of those many generations of parishioners who have gone before us. The mission and pastoral ministry has been sustained throughout the centuries, allowing for countless baptisms, weddings and funerals to take place, enabling the community to come together, and allowing for people to be supported in times of difficulties and sadness as well as joy. We therefore owe it to them to continue to maintain it for the enjoyment of future generations, as yet unborn. Looking ahead with Stephen, our Rector, in addition to our usual expenses and commitments, we are facing major roof repairs and necessary improvements to the heating system. St Giles will therefore be facing a heavy burden of expenditure over the course of the next few years. We must therefore make provision for them. To that end, it would be of enormous assistance if, in addition to those families and individuals who are already kindly making a contribution by way of covenanting, more parishioners could also see their way to doing so. The monthly, quarterly or annual amount does not need to be large every little bit helps us to reach our targets, pay our way and provide for the future. As in the past, it is through the combined support of team effort and many purses that we will succeed in what I believe to be our duty. Therefore, please could anybody who feels able to do so, and would like to help us meet these commitments, contact either myself on 01858 565332 or Howard on 01572 822331 and we will assist you with guidance and the form-filling exercise. MARTIN VAN OPPEN (Churchwarden, St Giles Church Medbourne) WEDNESDAY CRAFTERNOON! Do you have unfinished craft projects lurking in your cupboard? A 5 Dr Who scarf?...an abandoned needlepoint?...or simply a pile of pending mending? Bring them along to Great Easton Village Hall and get busy in convivial atmosphere with other crafters, makers or menders. Every second Wednesday of the month next session is on: Wednesday 8th March 2.00-4.00 pm 2 per session to include tea/coffee and bics All proceeds to Village Hall Funds. For more info: contact Alice Murdock - aliz28a@hotmail.com ALL WELCOME Firewood for wood burners, open fires etc. Also Fence Panels made to order and size All types of fencing: Feather edge, Paling, Trellis, Posts, rails etc. Ring Janet on: 07760 390670 OR 01858 565712 Parish Website Information The Parish of Six Saints circa Holt: http://www.sixsaintscircaholt.org/ Medbourne: http://www.medbourne.org.uk/ Great Easton : http://greateaston.org/ Take a look at the websites above which all have lots of useful information 22 11
GREAT EASTON PARISH COUNCIL Dog fouling continues to be a problem and reports of dog mess left on the recreation ground are particularly concerning with our childrens health paramount. We will endeavour to re-paint the reminders to remove dog waste on the footpaths when weather permits. The Parish Council will pursue any reports of dog fouling if villagers come forward to us with information. The PC is in the process of replacing the damaged glass in the bus shelter and is also actively talking to Mulberry Homes regarding the building works at Broadgate. The weather has not helped with the initial groundwork being carried out but Mulberry are working with us to reduce any inconvenience to a minimum. We are progressing with the installation of a defibrillator and are waiting to hear back from BT about locating it in the telephone box. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Premier AUDIO VISUAL INSTALLATIONS Bespoke Home Audio & Video System Sonos Music System Home Cinema Rooms Nuvo Systems Bespoke TV Installations HD Distribution Specialist Gigaclear Have you got your super fast broadband installed in your home? Let Premier Audio distribute this around your house and garden so that you can have super fast broad band anywhere not just where your routers are? All the documentation is ready for submission and we are currently waiting to resolve the possible issue raised by Historic England regarding an environmental survey. This is now in the hands of Harborough District Council whom we are actively pursuing in order to get our plan to the next stage of submission. Phil Long, Chair of the Great Easton Parish Council The Parish of Six Saints circa Holt ASH WEDNESDAY CHURCH SERVICE Wednesday 1 st March 10.30 am St Andrew s Church, Great Easton to include imposition of ashes ALL WELCOME 12 SKY Installations IT Networking Installations Insurance Work - Meter Testing Digital and FM DAB Aerials IRS Installations - CCTV Multi Pointing Contact: Wayne Dignum Telephone: 07939 114074 Email: Wayne@premieraudioleicester.co.uk 45 Glebe Road, Queniborough, Leicester, LE7 3FH 21
NEWS FROM... Our pre-christmas letter-box drop to all the houses in Great Easton asking for volunteers to create a Living Advent Calendar resulted in 24 amazing windows - a new one lit each night throughout advent, with the theme of Christmas Carols and Songs. GREAT EASTON & DISTRICT GARDEN SOCIETY Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, 15 th March 7.30pm in the Village Hall Harborough In Bloom Residents and visitors enjoyed a walk around the village during the festive season to see the windows, which were all unique, ranging from songs that told the Christmas story to those of snow and Santa. Some were large windows and some were small, but all were truly delightful. A big thank you to all those who contributed. We finished off the Calendar with a gathering of participants for a celebratory drink. Many ideas were shared for advent 2017 that could see Great Easton as the county s most festive village! Regrettably we have had to postpone our Panto this year. The Sleeping Beauty will now sleep on until 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd December 2017. Several problems arose within the Company that were difficult to overcome and we realised we were not ready to go ahead with the production therefore, under the circumstances, we sadly decided to postpone. by Margaret Richards an insight into this scheme that forms part of the Britain in Bloom Award Competition this month 3 Daffodils New members and visitors always welcome Annual membership 10 Visitors 2 including refreshments Meanwhile, we are looking forward to producing a requested comedy play on 23 rd and 24 th June so save the date! IF YOU FANCY A GO AT TREADING THE BOARDS, WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. Come along and audition or drop in at the Village Hall on a Monday evening when we meet for more information The village shop is a good place to go to ask questions as they are our booking office and contact point, so many sincere thanks to Diane and Mark for their on-going enthusiastic support. Louisa Feltham and Kay Mitchell Book-keeping Accounts VAT returns Sage User Lynn Bradley Book Keeping Services Telephone: 01858 434850 Mobile: 0779 064 5449 RJM Plasterers ALL ASPECTS OF PLASTERING UNDERTAKEN Contract & Private Over 30 Years Experience including Lime Mortar For your free estimate from your local plasterer call 01536 205005 07712 335 963 20 13
Great Easton & District WI Dougie Wright entertained us with his parade of hits from the 60's and 70's at our meeting in February. Dougie was a session drummer for several groups and singers (including Cilla Black) during that time. His nostalgic presentation was most interesting and left us all with smiles on our faces and feet tapping in time to songs of yesteryear, which many of our members remembered vividly! On Wednesday 1 st March, Chris Edwards will enlighten us with his talk entitled : 101 Facts about Garden Birds If you would like to find out more about these visitors to our gardens, then do come along and join us - you will be most welcome. We have an interesting programme arranged for 2017 and would be delighted to welcome both new members and visitors at any of our meetings. We meet at Great Easton Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. Women's World Day of Prayer Service on Friday 3 rd March in St Andrew's Church, Great Easton 'Am I Being Unfair to You?' Prepared by the women of the Philippines Throughout the world on this day 3 million people will have prayed for the people of the Philippines. Do come along and join us, everyone is invited. The service starts at 11.00am, with tea/coffee being served from 10.30am. We look forward to seeing you. MEDBOURNE VILLAGE HALL In January Medbourne Village Hall Committee launched its Appeal to raise funds for the major refurbishment and extension of the Village Hall. The Committee is pleased and grateful for the donations and offers of help it has received to date and would like to thank all those who have contributed so far. Phase one of the project is to raise 150,000. The intention is to apply for a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and our target for local fundraising is 25,000 of which 15,000 will come from the Village Hall funds. Phase two will entail further fundraising. However, it is not only money that counts; time spent by volunteers is valued by Heritage Lottery and credited to our funds raised. The offers of help from villagers are much appreciated and will hopefully be taken up in the near future. Following the presentation of the outline plans to the Village on 25 th February, valuable and interesting feedback was received. Work is now underway consulting the Heritage specialists in the local planning office, and producing detailed plans and estimates to support the grant application. We hope that everyone who attended the presentation meeting was inspired and excited by the project. We look forward to receiving ongoing support for our fundraising events. There will be regular updates on the Village Hall website. If you would like more information on the Appeal or if you would like to organise a fundraising event, please do get in touch. Carolyn Frostwick, Treasurer 01858 565419. Good Companions Thursday 2nd March will be our A.G.M. when the leader and committee members are appointed and business matters discussed. This will be followed by a Bring and Buy sale and a somewhat different activity which, in a fun way, will test your artistic capabilities. Catering will be organised by Mrs J Brittain and Mrs K Mitchell. There will be no raffle or book exchange this month. Meetings are in the Village Hall at 2.30pm and visitors are always welcome. 14 19
Medbourne Village Hall News Great Easton Church The Committee would like to thank resident tree surgeon Jamie and his company UK Treework Ltd for taking down the tree in the Village Hall grounds. You may have seen some activity here over the last few weeks as we start to move the boundary fence from the joining house back the Hall area. SPRING TIDY-UP OF THE CHURCHYARD AND SPRING CLEANING OF THE CHURCH One of the village Defibrillator's is now located on the Doctor's Surgery outside wall of the Hall. In case of emergency call 999 for the release code. Please come and help at either or both these two events: April 1st: Churchyard working party. Starts at 10.00 am but turn up whenever you can. No specialist knowledge required. Bring basic gardening tools if you can, but not to worry otherwise. Hot drinks and biscuits provided. April 8th: Church spring cleaning indoors. Starts at 10.00 am but, again, turn up whenever you can. Hot drinks and biscuits provided. THE MORE THE MERRIER, EVERYONE WELCOME... Mary Henniker-Major (01536 770320) MICHELLE ONGLEY Sweet Hedges Farm MACHT Natural Therapies Allexton Road, Stockerston Tea Rooms Reflexology Maternity Reflexology Massage Aromatherapy Massage Natural Nutrition Colon Hydrotherapy Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, all year round (closed Tuesdays). Group parties catered for by appointment. 07973 287 361 / 01536 770 610 Tel: 01572 717398 www.healthesoul.co.uk 18 15
GREAT EASTON VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE MOSAIC THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held on The 8 voices of Mosaic will be performing in Great Bowden Church on Saturday 18th March, 7.30pm, with a varied programme to 'Welcome Spring'. Tickets are 10 in aid of Great Bowden Church and can be obtained from Kate Hill 01536 771806 or bought on the door. Mosaic is made up of 8 singers from the East Midlands and their repertoire ranges from the 15th through to the 21st century. As a group of friends who enjoy singing together they aim to bring their love of music to beautiful places and wide audiences. There should be music to suit all tastes. Many of you will have heard them in Bringhurst last summer. It would be lovely to see familiar faces in Great Bowden. Wednesday 22nd March 2017 at 10.30am in the Village Hall ALL WELCOME CONGRATULATIONS AND A BIG THANK YOU To Sarah White (6) who recently read the lesson for the first time at a regular service (she had previously read for the Carol Service) in St Giles, Medbourne. Mosaicoctet.wordpress.com The group is impressive equally for its blend, its unanimity and for an apparently infinite adaptability (Mike Wheeler, Derby) Perhaps you know of someone who would like the opportunity to read at our services in one of our churches. Please contact Revd. Stephen Bishop 07590 829902 16 17