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
We in the Chimes editorial team are always on the lookout for stories of local people, places or events of interest to our readers. This edition features Paula’s story, a Lea resident who has worked hard to qualify for her dream job and she is still setting herself challenges, as you can read below.
If anyone has an interesting story to tell with a Lea focus, do get in touch with me, Angela Kirton, using the contact details above.
PAULA’S STORY
I am a resident of Lea Village, and my journey into sports therapy began with a gentle push from my partner, who encouraged me to step away from supermarket work and consider going to university — something I truly believed wasn’t for me. I often laughed and said I wasn’t clever enough, but he had far more belief in me than I had in myself.
When Covid happened, life slowed down in a way it never had before, and it gave me time to reflect on what I wanted from my working life. I had previously trained and worked as a holistic therapist and initially thought I might return to that path. However, the more I reflected, the more I realised I wanted to understand the body in greater depth and help people in a more structured, clinical way.
Taking a leap of faith, I applied for a Sports Therapy degree — and to my surprise, I was accepted. Studying wasn’t easy. Alongside my degree, I worked night shifts in a nursing home and raised a family. Many breaks were spent revising or writing assignments, often running on very little sleep. That period taught me resilience, but more importantly it gave me a deep understanding of people living with pain, exhaustion, and long-term physical challenges.
Those experiences shaped the therapist I am today. I don’t just treat sports injuries; I work with people who are juggling busy lives, physical strain, and ongoing discomfort.
My approach is practical, compassionate, and realistic — focused on helping people manage pain, move better, and feel supported.
Graduating at 40 was a real milestone for me, and I have been incredibly fortunate to receive such support locally — especially from Ross Rugby Club. They have kindly supported me by providing a space to run my clinic, and I am proud to continue working with the club by providing first aid support for the team.
At this time of year I focus on the London Marathon, not as a competitor but as a volunteer, to be on hand to deliver that vital support. I provide pre-event sports massage (which is a light massage) for marathon runners, or even for runners that have come over from the Boston marathon, offering either 15 or 30 minute sessions. Last year I did 56 massages in 4 days - this year I’m trying to beat my record!
By the time you read this in The Chimes, I will have completed my challenge and possibly have a new record. Wish me luck, and of course keep my contact details in case you would like my support: Paula Lewis BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
NEWS FROM LEA CHURCH
Hello everyone, hope you all had a good Easter break and didn't eat too many chocolate eggs! Well, the year is galloping on and it will soon be summer!
It was a busy Easter for us at Lea church; starting on Good Friday, the Children's church children along with Alice Basey and Iris Calderbank and several parents created a wonderful Easter Garden in the church porch, see photo. They also had a great time making hand biscuits with jam in the middle to represent the wounds of Christ (they looked rather yummy, a bit like a Jammy Dodger!!). The Easter lilies were put in place on the Saturday and thank you to all who sponsored this occasion. The church looked and smelt wonderful! Thanks go to all the ladies who did the flowers and decorations too. We had a very well attended service on Easter Sunday, so lovely to see so many people there! (as I had been to the 6am service at Upton Bishop as well I was feeling rather whacked out after our one!).
We have a couple of events coming up in May and early June, the first on 21st May at Lea Church is the Drybrook Ladies Choir starting at 7.30pm, tickets are £10 to include wine and nibbles. Please phone Rose on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page to book tickets. This is followed by an Open Garden at Castle End, by kind permission of Martin and Sarah Lowe. Please keep an eye on the noticeboards for more information regarding this. It is a beautiful garden and not to be missed!
PLEASE NOTE - all services at Lea Church will now start at 9.30am from May - except Children's church, which will stay at 10am. The first Sunday in May is a Benefice service at Weston-under-Penyard at 10.30am, at which we will have the honour of Bishop Richard attending. There will be no service that Sunday at Lea.
Keep safe everyone and God Bless,
Marion Martin
Churchwarden
LEA CE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND GATEWAY LODGE NURSERY
Oak Class have been busy over the last few weeks planning and orchestrating their very own fundraising event. The children of year 5 and 6 spent time researching charities and devising a plan to raise money. After seeing the devastation caused last November to local town, Monmouth, the children decided Monmouth Aid was the charity they would like to fundraise for.
The children made posters to advertise their jumble sale and request donations to be sold. With enthusiasm and perseverance, they also sorted and arranged all of the kindly-gifted donations themselves on the day!
The event raised an amazing £125, which was well-received by a member of Monmouth Aid who came to visit us to personally thank the children for their efforts.
To arrange a visit to our school or nursery, 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
Thank you to everyone who supported Play and Chat's Animal interactive session, it was Brilliant! All the children and grown-ups had the opportunity to handle all the animals. They brought Guineapigs, rats, mice, a skunk, a very tiny owl, lizards, a large tortoise
that made its way around the hall eating carrots, a very big snake and to finish a beautiful fox! All the children were mesmerised and very excited. A big thank you to the Nourse charity for their kind donation.
We are in the school hall Friday mornings for our usual sessions and hopefully some outdoor play!
Dates for the Diary
PICNIC IN THE PARK - THURSDAY JULY 23rd WESTON UNDER PENYARD PLAYING FIELD
BEECHENHURST RAMBLE - FRIDAY 28th AUGUST
Come along and join us on Friday morning 9.00 - 10.30am Lea Primary School Hall. Everyone is welcome. Contact Carolyn on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
LEA VILLAGE HALL
I am very pleased to report that the quiz night held in March at Lea Village Hall was successful and well attended, welcoming new residents from surrounding villages too. Many thanks for coming along to support us. In light of the outcome, we have already set the date for our next quiz on Friday 22nd May, so please feel free to book. Tables of 6 at £5 per head, with drinks available, and a raffle on the night. The Lea Residents Association will be again running the session, and their poster has booking information.
On Easter Monday The Crown Inn held a quiz night to raise money for the village Hall. We are grateful to Tony Reynolds who devised the questions, and for donations from the pub towards the raffle. It was well attended, with the sum of £240 raised for the hall. Many thanks to all who participated.
If you are reading this before the end of April, you still have an opportunity to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 29th April from 7.00 – 9.00 pm at Lea Village Hall. This NOT a Parish Council meeting. It is your chance to bring thoughts for discussion on our village to the table, and together to celebrate what we have and might be able to consider for the future. It is also an opportunity to hear about groups that meet at the Village Hall and their success, and perhaps to put forward your ideas for new activities for all to enjoy. The Parish Council are obliged to set the date each year for this meeting, and to ensure the agenda is posted on the village noticeboard.
Looking ahead, we have a Village Summer Fair and Fun day planned on Sunday 12th July at the Village Hall. Further details nearer the time, and all queries to Lea Residents Association. Email: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page.
I have engaged the Everyday Play sessions which local children can enjoy. It’s open to all local children and is FREE. For your information, this is their strap line: ‘Delivering Forest School, Outdoor Play, Risky and Messy Play; Accredited and Informal Forest School and Playwork Training’. The Nourse Charity financially supports these sessions, and we have one at Lea Village Hall on Thursday 29th October and two in Rudhall View playground on Thursdays 6th and 20th August.
For all other information about Lea Village Hall feel free to email me: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Just as a reminder, here are the regular clubs/organisations which 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 – 1.00pm; Yoga 6.00 - 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 10.00 – 11.30am
Last Wednesday of the month: Lea Lunch Club (bookings to Nicky Keef Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page)
Regular monthly Bingo on Wednesdays: 20th May; 17th June; 15th July - from 7.00pm, Eyes Down 7.30pm.
LEA VILLAGE HALL 100 CLUB
Winners for March:
£100 prize - Jane Meadows
£25 - Sarah Pearce
£10 - Stella Rowlands
£5 - Clive Weyman
LEA CAFÉ
The next coffee morning is on Wednesday May 6th at 10.00 – 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.
This year's annual day out is on Wednesday 3rd June. We will be visiting Corsham Court & Gardens, followed by the National Trust village of Lacock, followed by Afternoon Tea. To be clear about the cost, all regular coffee morning attendees will pay a total cost for the day of £10. We have a waiting list for any other Lea residents who may like to go and that will be at a total cost for the day of £22.50.
Contact Gill Davis on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page with any queries.
LEA LUNCH CLUB
The lunch club meets again on Wednesday 27th May at 12.30pm in the village hall. We have a waiting list for the lunch, so if you’re interested in coming along, please speak to Nicky on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page. Priority is always given to Lea residents.
LEA ALLOTMENTS
DOES GROWING SOME OF YOUR OWN PRODUCE APPEAL TO YOU???
Why not join us at the allotments in Lea? We are a small group of enthusiastic gardeners committed to "growing our own" and enjoying fresh grown produce, open space and spending time with like-minded people.
There are a couple of vacant plots available that vary in size depending on your needs and time available. There is water on site and room for a small tool shed. If you have a few hours to spare every week and enjoy gardening, but don't have the space to grow at home, why not come along and have a chat.
Contact Graham or Dawn on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page or Email us on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
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.
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 Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page.
The next meeting of the Parish Council is on Wednesday 27th May at 7pm at the Village Hall. Please come along or submit any questions/queries via the Clerk. Meet your councillors and become involved in the village management. Please submit any questions via the email address above.
