When I moved to this part of South Herefordshire three years ago, I was told by a friend who was born in Much Marcle that the locally accepted name for our village is ‘The Lea’, rather than simply ‘Lea’, which is the formal name used in maps and road signage.  
Since then, I have adopted this rather quaint local usage myself and have noticed that ‘The Lea’ is frequently used by people I come across.  I also discovered that even Lea village’s Wikipedia page refers to ‘The Lea’ as an alternative name.  But I have always wanted to know when, in the history of the village, the ‘The’ started being applied to ‘Lea’.  Our local historian, David Mullin, explains all on the centre pages of this issue.
Angela Kirton
 
News from Lea Church
Hello everyone and I hope this finds you all well and getting ready for Christmas! At the church we have had our last fundraiser of the year with the Craft Fayre and Soup Bar. Now it's all downhill to the big day!
Christmas services:
Sunday 30th November at 6pm, Advent Carol service with refreshments served afterwards.
Sunday 21st December at 4.30pm, Carols by Torchlight at Lea Village Hall (unless weather is uncooperative, then in Lea Church!!) Mulled wine and mince pies.                                                                                                                                                                           
Wednesday 24th December 11.30pm, Midnight Communion Service.
We look forward to seeing lots of you at one or all of our Christmas services!
After all this Christmas activity, we at the church can then put our feet up for a while! I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank-you to all of you who have supported our events, by either taking part, donating, sponsoring or advertising our programme, we couldn't do it without you all!!
We start fundraising again in the New Year and if you have any ideas for events, or there is something you think we could put on, please do let us know, we are always looking for new ideas. Just give me a ring on 01989 750808 or email me at cornagefarm1@btinternet.com with any suggestions - clean ones only please! 
The PCC would like to say thank you again to Bob Taylor and his wife Anne, the churchyard looks fantastic and Bob is getting his teeth into the necessary repairs and maintenance we need to undertake (so more fundraising then!)
On a less fun note - if you are leaving, or clearing flowers on a grave, please can you take your rubbish home with you. We no longer have facilities for rubbish bins in the churchyard and it is such a shame when people leave their rubbish for someone else to pick up. It also makes our now beautifully kept churchyard look unnecessarily untidy. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this.
Our 'Warm Space' area is now up and running with timer switches for heating and lighting.  If you want somewhere warm to go, or just need a warm space to yourself for a while, please do use this facility, it is for everyone!
I think all that remains now is for me to wish you all a Happy and Blessed Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year!  See you all in 2026!!
God bless all,
Marion Martin, Churchwarden

News from Lea CE Primary
Autumn Term in Rowan Class (Years 3 & 4) – A Journey Back to the Stone Age!
It has been an incredible term in Rowan Class, as we have travelled thousands of years back in time to explore the fascinating world of the Stone Age! Our young historians have been captivated by discovering how people lived and worked during this remarkable period of history.
We have explored the different stages of the Stone Age, learning about how early humans made their tools, hunted for food, and fashioned their clothing from what nature provided. One of our favourite activities was creating beautiful cave art, using handprints and natural colours to bring ancient stories to life – just as people did all those years ago!
The highlight of our learning journey was a fantastic trip to the Museum in the Park in Stroud, where the children had the chance to explore real Stone Age tools and fossils. They took part in hands-on activities that truly brought history off the page and made it come alive. The excitement and wonder on the children’s faces said it all – it really was an unforgettable experience!
At Lea CE Primary School and Gateway Lodge Nursery, every day is an adventure in learning, discovery, and joy. We would love to welcome you to come and see our amazing school community in action. To arrange a visit, please contact Rachel in the school office on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page We can’t wait to meet you and show you why, at Lea, “Everyone counts!”

Lea Play and Chat
Play and Chat are well into Christmas now, lots of glitter, sticking and Christmas songs. Our last session for 2025 will be on December 12th. We are starting again on January 9th and are looking forward to meeting with everyone. We would like to thank Mrs Vines and all the staff and kitchen staff at school for the continued support they give the group. 
A date for the diary for the 2026: Wednesday April 1st we will be holding an Animal Interactive session in the Village Hall at 2.00 pm; £6.00 a child. A big thank you to the Nourse Charity for the kind donation towards this activity.
We meet every Friday (Term time only) in Lea Primary School Hall, 9.00-10.30am. Everyone is     warmly welcome. For any queries contact Carolyn Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
We would like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Lea Village Hall 
As we move into 2026, I wonder how many of you will be considering New Year Resolutions? Maybe to socialise more, or to get fitter and healthier! With that in mind, here is a reminder of what is going on at Lea Village Hall on a weekly regular basis, for residents of Lea, or from other local villages who might like to attend.
Monday - Yoga 9.10 – 10.10am. Brownies in term time 5.45 – 7.15pm
Tuesday - Short Mat Bowls 7.30 – 9.30pm. Beginners welcome too
Thursday - Keep Fit (older people but anyone welcomed) 11.30 – 1.00pm. Let’s talk Spanish 3.00 – 4.00 pm (led by a native Spanish speaker). Yoga 6.30 – 7.30pm
Friday - Painting Group 9.30am – 12 noon (newcomers welcome)
Saturday - Breathwork class 9.00 – 10.30am
Monthly Coffee Morning the first Wednesday of each month from 10.00 - 11.30am
Monthly Lunch Club, the last Wednesday of each month from 12.00 - 2.00pm. Reservation and bookings to Nicky Keef Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page (waiting list).
Monthly LRA Bingo, Wednesdays 17th December, 21st January and 11th February 7.00 for 7.30pm
Parish Council bi-monthly meetings, next one on 28th January 7.00 – 9.00pm
All contact details are on the “Events page” of our website www.leavillagehall.com
We would also welcome residents to join other volunteers helping maintain the village hall. It is a valuable asset to Lea, run by a small group of local friendly people. For more information, please contact me at: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Sylvia Nicholls (Chair)

Lea Café Christmas Coffee Morning
All Lea residents are welcome - please do come along.  It's on Wednesday 3rd December from 10am at the village hall.  As it's our nearest meeting to Christmas, there will be mince pies and mulled wine alongside the usual cake and coffee.  We also hope to have the children from the school join us to sing a few Christmassy songs. Of course, the books, sales table and raffle will be going on too.  We look forward to you dropping in for a bit of Christmas Spirit.  
The first coffee morning of 2026 will be on Wednesday 7th January, same place, same time.
If you have any questions or need a lift, contact Gill Davis on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page

Lea Lunch Club
The Christmas lunch club event was enjoyed by over 70 guests who all enjoyed mulled wine, a traditional festive feast and live entertainment provided by Mark Bowyer. Thank you to everyone for once again making this such a special event. We meet again in January and look forward to seeing everyone again. We have a waiting list for the lunch, so if you’re interested in coming along, please speak to Nicky Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page. Priority is always given to Lea residents.

Lea Friday Painters
Join us 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 on PDF copy on Home Page

Lea Village Hall 100 Club winners for October 
1st Prize £25 - Gwynneth Beard
2nd Prize £10 - Rosie Parks
3rd Prize £5 - Sally Watkins

Christmas festivities at The Crown Inn
It is the first Christmas since our local pub re-opened and the staff are looking forward to celebrating with the following activities:
Monday 8th Dec - Festive quiz at 8pm
Sunday 14th Dec - Carol Singers from 3pm-4pm
Sunday 14th Dec - Santa’s Grotto from 12noon -4pm
Sunday 21st Dec - Santa’s Grotto from 12noon - 4pm
Please look out for posters and more details on the above events as well as for Christmas opening hours.

The Lea Parish Council
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 28th January 2026 at 7.00-9.00pm in the Village Hall. Agendas and minutes of meetings are published on Lea Parish Council webpage www.theleaparishcouncil.gov.uk
Questions to the council can be sent via the Clerk to clerk@ theleaparishcouncil .gov.uk
Please come along to the next meeting, meet the new Chairperson, Martin, and be involved in decisions for the village.
Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in defibrillator and bleed kit training. This will be planned for the new year.
G Richards