EDITORIAL
News: Aston Ingham, Bromsash, Lea, Linton, Upton Bishop & Combined.
GORSLEY NEWS
News: Aston Ingham, Bromsash, Lea, Linton, Upton Bishop & Combined.
News: Aston Ingham, Gorsley, Bromsash, Linton, Upton Bishop & Combined.
LEA NEWS
NEWS FROM LEA CHURCH
Hello everyone, and I hope that you have all had a great summer (too hot for me - as I write this in August, it's still 30+ degrees!) and it seems far too early to start talking about Autumn, Harvest Festivals and then the dreaded 'C' word -
Christmas!!☹️
Our treasurer at Lea Church, Alice Basey, completed in July, for the 7th time, the Nijmegen walk in the Netherlands. This is a journey of some 200 km over 4 days. I am delighted to say that she raised over £1000 for the church by sponsorship for this event. Well done and thank you, Alice, and I hope the blisters weren't too bad!! I love the fact you get gladioli when you finish - Alice, Jack Abbey, Will Nunn.
Our last fundraising event in June was the Open Garden at Castle End House, with the kind permission of Martin and Sarah Lowe. This was very well attended, even though we had a slight rain shower (one of the few this summer!) and the gardens and afternoon tea were thoroughly enjoyed by all who came along. Our thanks go to all who contributed with cakes, Pimms, etc and those who came along to help and enjoy the gardens.
In the previous month, we had a super concert by the Drybrook Ladies Choir - what a lovely evening of varied music with great singers. All those who came along thoroughly enjoyed the evening - and the nibbles. Again, our thanks go to all who contributed to this event!
We start our fundraising again in September with a Quiz Night at Lea Village Hall on 18th September. Please keep an eye out for posters or for posts on Facebook/Nextdoor with details of the event.
We are hoping to have a 'Murder, Mystery Evening' in October, so if any of you fancy being Lea's version of Benedict Cumberbatch or Dame Helen Mirren, we would be happy to hear from you! This will be presented in a 'radio play' style. No stage experience necessary!! Please ring Marion on 01989 750808 for more details.
The 2026 Christmas Shoebox Appeal is again up and running for this year. Leaflets are available at the back of the church. Again, please ring me, Marion, if you have any questions. This is usually a good time to pick up those little bits and pieces for Shoeboxes, as school items are very popular with the recipients. These boxes can also be completed online; see the leaflet for more details.
We send our deepest condolences to the family of Enid Williams, who sadly passed away at the end of July, a lovely lady who will most certainly be missed by all who knew her.
We also start Open the Book again this month at Lea School. If you would be interested in acting out these stories with us or narrating the stories, please do get in touch with me on the above number.
See you in October, God Bless all!!
Marion Martin, Churchwarden
NEWS FROM LEA CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
At the end of the summer term, Lea CE Primary School said a fond farewell to our Head of School, Mrs Sally-Anne Vines, as she retired after ten years of dedicated service.
Mrs Vines has been a highly valued and much-loved member of our school community throughout her time at Lea. Her compassionate leadership, unwavering commitment, and genuine care for every child have had a lasting impact on the lives of our pupils, families, and staff.
During her time at Lea, Mrs Vines also played a pivotal role in the development of the Gateway Federation, establishing a successful partnership between Lea CE Primary School and Gorsley Goffs Primary School, for the benefit of both school communities.
We would like to thank Mrs Vines for her outstanding service, dedication, and friendship over the past decade, and to wish her a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.
We are also delighted to welcome Miss Julie Sullivan as our new Head of School from September. We look forward to the future under her leadership, alongside our Executive Headteacher, Mr Simon Manning.
If you would like to visit our wonderful school, we would be delighted to welcome you. Please contact the school office on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page to arrange a visit and discover everything that Lea CE Primary School has to offer.
LEA PLAY AND CHAT
During the summer, we enjoyed a very hot Picnic in the Park at Weston under Penyard play park. Thank you to everyone for supporting this event, especially the Ross on Wye Community Police, Rob with his tractor, and Rachel, who spent the whole three hours face painting.
The Ramble in the Forest at Beechenhurst was also well attended.
At Play and Chat this term, we are exploring autumn with lots of craft, songs, and play. Come along and join the fun. All sessions are free, on Fridays at 9-10.30am in the Lea Primary School hall (term time only).
For more information, contact Carolyn Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
LEA VILLAGE HALL
Something new will be available at Lea Village Hall in the autumn, and it’s the topic of SCAMS!!
We have a series of three two-hour talks led by Richard Connelly, who is the AbilityNet Digital Skills Trainer for Herefordshire.
The talks will cover:
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staying safe online and scam awareness;
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An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Plus, building confidence with phones and tablets, through sessions like:
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digital hygiene;
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digital security and safety;
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How your phone can help in an emergency.
The company will bring all the materials and tailor each session to our group. Each session builds on the previous one, so it is necessary to attend all three sessions, which are planned for 10am - 12 on:
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Tuesday 27th October
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Tuesday 3rd November
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Tuesday 10th November
Sessions are FREE, since the Nourse Charity will cover costs for anyone who resides in Lea.
Booking is essential via, Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
VILLAGE HALL EVENTS
HALLOWEEN FUN AT THE VILLAGE HALL
On Friday 30th October (Halloween), the Everyday Play session is back from 1.30- 3.30pm at the hall and will take place inside if the weather is inclement. It’s FREE to all Lea children.
Sylvia Nicholls, Chair of Lea Village Hall Committee.
KEEP FIT AT THE VILLAGE HALL
Editor, Can you please insert one of the two photos Dorian sent embedded in his pdf here?
Dorian Osborne describes his experience of the 60+ Keep Fit class
There is something rather wonderful happening in Lea Village every Thursday. The 60 Plus Keep Fit class is run by Wye Valley Health Fitness and Arts.
Not quite a second coming of the Messiah, but close to the next best thing. We have not yet seen a cripple get up and walk, but there is a lady who was consigned to a wheelchair, but after less than three months is walking again unaided.
Far too many of us, especially after attaining age 60 plus, suffer an accident or illness resulting in loss of mobility. A form of recovery is achieved by the medical profession, and we rejoice that we are still alive, but only just. Nine times out of ten, we have lost something; it may be mental or physical, but physical restriction will also impair our mental ability. Balance suffers, so does walking, whilst running is out of the question.
If you recognise any of these impairments to your wellbeing, then Patrick’s class on Thursday from 11.30am to 1.00pm at Lea Village Hall is just the ticket for you. Truly inspirational, he imbibes a positive can-do attitude, where gentle but surprisingly effective exercise is combined with extremely meaningful verbal information not otherwise available. For example, there is a muscle from behind each ear to a point below the chin that controls balance, but it is most effective when stretched. We do this by maintaining an upright posture.
We will never be eighteen again, but neither do we need to carry a burden of misery with one foot in the grave.
If any of this applies to you, come along to Lea Village Hall on Thursdays at 11.30am. The first session is free for you to see if it’s for you. Interested? Contact Deborah on PDF copy on Home Page
OTHER VILLAGE HALL EVENTS
Just as a reminder, here are the regular clubs/organisations that meet in the Village Hall; contact details for the leaders are published in the events section on the Village Hall website: leavillagehall.com and on notice boards.
REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS AT THE VILLAGE HALL
Mondays - Yoga 9.30 - 10.30am; Brownies 5.45 - 7.15pm in term time
Tuesdays - Pilates 6-7pm; Short Mat Bowls 7.15 - 9.15pm
Wednesdays - Let’s Talk Spanish 3.30pm
Thursdays - 60+ Keep Fit 11.30 – 1pm; Yoga 6 - 7.30pm; Let’s Talk Spanish 10am and 3pm
Fridays - Friday Painters 9.30 – 12noon
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES AT THE HALL
First Wednesday of the month: Lea Café 10 – 11.30am
Last Wednesday of the month: Lea Lunch Club
Regular monthly Bingo on Wednesdays: 16th September; 21st October; 18th November; 16th December - from 7pm, Eyes Down 7.30pm.
LEA VILLAGE HALL 100 CLUB FOR JULY
1st Prize £25 – Maureen Bishop 2nd Prize £10 – Bob Muncey 3rd Prize £5 – Shirley Pritchard
LEA CAFÉ
The next coffee morning is on Wednesday 2nd September at 10 11.30am at The Lea Village Hall. All are given a warm welcome and can enjoy tea, coffee and cake whilst having a chat with friends and neighbours and perhaps meeting new people.
Any questions, contact Gill on: PDF copy on Home Page
LEA LUNCH CLUB
The lunch club is meeting again on Wednesday 30th September at 12.30pm in the village hall. There is a waiting list for the lunch, so if you’re interested in coming along, please speak to Nicky on PDF copy on Home Page. Priority is always given to Lea residents.
LEA FRIDAY PAINTERS’ ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION
Lea Friday Painters are holding their annual art exhibition at Lea Village Hall on Saturday 3rd October at 10am – 5.30pm. All are welcome.
If you would like to join us at our regular Friday morning meetings at the village hall, they start at 9.00am. Hope to see you there. For any queries, contact Di Brice: PDF copy on Home Page.
THE LEA PARISH COUNCIL
The agenda and full minutes of Parish Council meetings are available on the Lea Parish Council website www.theleaparishcouncil.gov.uk
Anyone in the parish can contact the council by e-mailing PDF copy on Home Page
The next meeting of the Parish Council is on Wednesday 30th September at 7pm in the Village Hall. Please come along or submit any questions/queries via the Clerk at the email address above. Meet your councillors and become involved in the village management.