NEWS FROM LEA CHURCH
Hello everyone, I hope this finds you all well and looking forward to a nice summer! (We can hope!). As you read this, at the church we will probably be getting over our Flower Festival and Concert at the end of June! I will post some photos and report in the September issue and on the Lea Village Facebook page. 
  We held our Annual Parochial Church Meeting in May and delighted to say we had no changes on the Parochial Church Council. However, we are still in need of a Fabric Officer to help maintain the building and arrange for work to be carried out as needed. This is a voluntary position, but you don't need to be a churchgoer to fulfil the role, just attend the 4 PCC meetings a year. Please ring me on Contact Details Detail on PDF copy on home page for more details. 
  I cannot believe we have also just completed another year of Open the Book at Lea School. We go into the school fortnightly during the school year to act out short Bible stories which the children thoroughly enjoy. This takes just 1/2 hour every other Thursday. If you could spare the time to help us out, it would be much appreciated, you do not need to act if you don't wish to, but just by narrating the stories frees others up to act out the story!  Again, please ring me on the above number if you want to know more!
  Well, we don't have any events planned during the summer months, but we will be having Our Quiz Night again in September.
  We wish you all a happy, safe summer, have a great holiday if you are off on your travels and see you in September!
God bless all,   Marion Martin, Churchwarden

GATEWAY LODGE NURSERY AT LEA SCHOOL

With the Summer term well underway, our rising 5s have started their transition sessions in school. The children have weekly sessions in Willow class to get them used to their new environment and their new adults, Mrs Cook and Mrs Kendall. This transition process has been a huge success over the last few years and ensures our children have a very smooth journey into school.
  As a nursery, we spend most of our time outside. During our Forest School sessions we had been discussing forest school rules and fire safety, so we were then able to toast marshmallows to make S'mores (see the front cover).
PE sessions, run by Activate Sports Education, have also begun and the children are thoroughly enjoying these lessons.
  We have so many exciting events to look forward to, including our end of year nursery party, which is funded by Lea C of E PTFA, and graduation and sports day.
If you are interested in our fantastic nursery for your child for September, please call Contact Details Detail on PDF copy on home page to book a show around, or for more information.

LEA PLAY AND CHAT
Come and join us on Friday mornings 9.00 - 10.30am in Lea Primary School Hall, everyone welcome.
DATES FOR THE DIARY:
Thursday July 24th Picnic in the Park at Weston Under Penyard play park 11.00am - 2.00pm.
Friday August 22nd a ramble in the Forest of Dean (Beechenhurst Park) and picnic, meet at 11.00am. 
Saturday 27th September, 11.00am - 1.00pm. TABLE SALE, Lea Village Hall. Pre-loved children’s clothes and equipment. Tables £10.00. Contact Carolyn Contact Details Detail on PDF copy on home page

LEA VILLAGE HALL 
I’d firstly like to say thank you to the Lea Residents Association (LRA) who have provided funds for kitchen items to be upgraded. To date we have a new urn (the old one was leaking), and two new under counter fridges. These are invaluable for Lunch Club days, when they are filled with luscious food and wine. I need to point out to hirers, though, that neither fridge has an ice box, so if you intend wanting chilled items at your events, I suggest you bring ice along in a suitable cool box. 
  Please note that Nicky Keef and I have spent time cleaning and clearing the  kitchen of old chipped or broken/ unused items, and you will find labels in the cupboards indicating where things should be returned to. 
   Don’t forget if you need items from the cleaning cupboard, please remember to lock it again afterwards, as we need to ensure children do not handle things like bleach etc. Thank you.
  On 12th July, the LRA is holding a summer fete at the hall. This has been advertised on the local Facebook page, so please keep an eye on there for updates nearer the time and see the poster (on the next page). A suggestion has been made that the regular clubs which use the hall, might like to attend the fete and take a stand so visitors can chat and find out more about their clubs. Perhaps the recent Friday Painters’ exhibition at the village hall has inspired you, and you’d like to join! We need to encourage new residents to see what we offer.
On 26th September a Quiz is being held to raise money for the church. These are usually great fun, so hold the date, and look out for more details/posters nearer the time.
On Friday 31st October (Halloween afternoon) Everyday Play will be at the hall for a fun spooky play session. This is open to all Lea children and their friends. 
Don’t forget you can always check on the village hall website for more information, and to book hall hire for your own private/family parties. Prices and contact details to discuss/plan your own event: www.leavillagehall.com/availability.html
Sylvia Nicholls

LEA VILLAGE HALL 100 CLUB
May winners:  1st prize £25 - Liz and Andy Beechey, 2nd prize £10 - Maz Scudamore, 3rd prize £5 - Sally Watkins

LEA CAFÉ
We set off on our annual coach trip not knowing what to expect from the changeable June weather and, for some who hadn’t visited the Black Country Living Museum previously, not knowing what to expect at all! 
   Since my last trip to the museum in the 1990s, with our kids, the BCLM has expanded its exhibits, perhaps helped by its use as a popular film location for big productions like Peaky Blinders and the ‘Stan and Ollie’ film. 
   There was something for everyone to enjoy at the museum, including several food and drink venues, such as a traditional fish and chip shop and 2 pubs serving ‘old fashioned’ drinks (see the photo of Jan enjoying a Babycham). There were also many interesting places to dive into when the unpredictable rain showers came over, such as reconstructed shops and houses from the 1930s through to the 1960s, complete with characters in contemporary costume relating how ordinary people lived and worked in those times.   
  I particularly enjoyed the exhibits showing the industrial history of the Black Country, including an aluminium die casting workshop and the reconstructed Victorian coal mine. 
  Coal and iron ore mining in the region helped power the Industrial Revolution and metal working there led to the Black Country being named the ‘Workshop of the World’. One of my great great grandfathers was a Black Country horse bit maker, so this part of my own family’s history really came to life at the BCLM. 
   At the end of the day our party gathered back at the coach and, when Gill and Nigel were happy no one had been left behind in the pub, or down the mine, we set off on a comfortable journey back to The Lea. It was such an enjoyable day, and we were all grateful to Gill and Nigel for organising it so well.
Angela Kirton

Gill says:
Following our annual day trip out we shall be back to normal in July, so please do come along for FREE coffee and cake on Wednesday, 2nd July at the village hall anytime from 10am. Give me a call if you need a lift or if you'd like to chat beforehand.   Gill Davis: Contact Details Detail on PDF copy on home page

LEA LUNCH CLUB
The lunch club has now taken a break for the summer and we will next meet again on 24th September. Thank you to everyone that comes along each month and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. To enquire about booking a place at the lunch club, please contact Nicky Contact Details Detail on PDF copy on home page

LEA FRIDAY PAINTERS
Join us on at our regular Friday morning meetings at the village hall starting at 9.00am. Hope to see you there. For any queries contact Di Brice: Contact Details Detail on PDF copy on home page

SUMMER FUN DAYS AT RUDHALL VIEW
Please note the 2 fun days on Thursday 7th August and Friday 22nd August will now take place at 1.30 – 3.30pm on the field at Rudhall View.  The previously advertised venue is incorrect.  Please see poster for details.