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
THE LEA VILLAGE STORES ARE MIDLANDS CHAMPIONS!
In the April issue, we reported that our wonderful village shop was a finalist in the Midlands section of the 2026 Countryside Alliance Awards. Well they won! Ours is the best village stores and post office in the Midlands! I am sure the whole village is as thrilled and proud as I am of our Lea Village Stores.
Having chatted with Michelle and Mark, they were quite overwhelmed when they heard the news and are very grateful to all who voted for them and for all the messages of support and congratulations they have received since. They stress that they couldn’t have done it without their team of staff who work alongside them to put all the love, care and attention to detail into the shop that make it a winner.
The next step in the Awards process is for Michelle and Mark to complete a lengthy questionnaire all about their business and the role it plays in the community. They will then be attending the Awards Ceremony on 8th July at the House of Lords, when the announcement will be made of the Best Village Stores and Post Office in England. We wish them the very best of luck!
NEWS FROM LEA CHURCH
Hello everyone and hope this finds you all well and enjoying the weather (as I write this it is glorious, but by now, of course, could be pouring!).
We now come into a small lull with church events, with Ascension and Pentecost now behind us, it's onwards to Harvest Festival!! Our thanks go to the Drybrook Ladies Choir who gave us a great evening in the church with their songs and humour! Also, thanks go to Martin and Sarah Lowe who kindly held an Open Garden event for us at the beginning of June.That is our last fund raiser for a while, we will start again in September with a quiz night and go from there! Keep an eye on the noticeboards nearer the time.You may have noticed work being done in and around the church: we are having the slats on the window on the East side of the Bell Tower repaired, so hopefully no more flooding in there!
The PCC of St John the Baptist Church, Lea, wish to extend their utmost thanks for the funding we have recently received from the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust (HHCT). The funding will enable us to undertake the urgent repairs to the 14th century Bell Tower. Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust provides financial help with repairs, restoration and improvement to churches of all denominations. With their grants for essential repairs they help Herefordshire churches to help themselves to preserve the history and architecture that is unique to our environment. They also hold concerts within churches. More info:
PLEASE NOTE - all services at Lea Church will now start at 9.30am from May - except Children's church which will stay at 10am. There will be an alternate service on the second Sunday of the month between Parish Communion (1662 BCP) and Matins, but still at 9.30am. Any queries, please ring Marion on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page. Keep safe everyone and God Bless,
Marion Martin Churchwarden
SPRING TERM AT LEA CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
It has been a busy term for Rowan Class. The children have loved their topic about Rainforests; we have been discovering different types and locations of rainforests and their impact across the world. Year 4s have been heavily preparing and improving on their times tables knowledge for their national Multiplication Table Check, in which we are expecting a successful performance. Rowan class have also had their 2-week swimming block in which they attend swimming lessons every day for 2 weeks and the children have really enjoyed and progressed well during this period. If you would like to come and see us in action, either at school or Gateway Lodge Nursery, please contact Rachel Gwilliam, who can arrange an informal visit, calling Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
LEA PLAY AND CHAT
At Play and Chat we have managed to have the doors open to enjoy outdoors play, we've been creative with our arts and crafts with lots of painting and sticking and we have planted sunflowers to grow at home. As we move on this term we will be making summer crowns and exploring ice cream!
Looking forwards to our annual PICNIC IN THE PARK Thursday July 23rd 11- 2pm at Weston under Penyard Play Park, come and see Rob the farmer with is big tractor, Ross community police and Rachel the fantastic face painting lady (small charge). Everyone is warmly welcome, and if you enjoy a ramble we will be meeting at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean for a ramble and picnic on Friday 28th at 11am at the GO APE gate. Come along and join us on Friday morning 9-10.30am in Lea Primary School Hall. Everyone is welcome. Contact Carolyn on Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
LEA VILLAGE HALL
Firstly, if you’ve recently been to a party/event at Lea Village Hall we have a rather nice item of children’s clothing left inside, along with a grey hoodie, both size 11-12years. If they belong to your family, please contact me, before they are taken to a charity shop, Thank you. Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
We are pleased to announce a new type of activity at the hall, called “Mama Moves”. In their words “Its led by a qualified pre - and postnatal coach, the class is tailored to meet you exactly where you are - whether you’re newly pregnant, recently postpartum, or further along in your recovery journey. Mama Moves is not just about exercise; it’s about education, support, and community. You’ll learn how to move well, understand your body, and build strength that carries through motherhood and beyond, all while connecting with other women on a similar journey”. It’s on Tuesdays 3.30-4.30pm. For more info contact: Claire Tracey Fitness on Facebook or call Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
On other matters, looking ahead with improvements at the hall we are hoping to have the car park relined during the school summer holidays, and also to have disabled parking bays put in. We are currently raising money to proceed. Once underway, this will also include the original “No Parking” along the entrance road by the houses, plus the marking of the speed bumps and hatching to indicate the area where emergency vehicles should park. This may affect your current parking habits, and a reminder will be in place when all is complete.
Next month we have a Village Summer Fair and Fun day planned on Sunday 12th July at the Village Hall, all queries to Lea Residents Association call Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
Bookings at the hall are looking good in the next few months, and I’d like to thank residents both in Lea and surrounding areas for using our facilities more regularly in recent months. Your endorsement to us will allow further improvements with financial security being the key to our future. Thank you.
Sylvia Nicholls, Chair of Lea Village Hall
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 HALL
Mondays: Yoga 9.30-10.30am; Brownies 5.45-7.15pm in term time
Tuesdays: Mama Moves 3.30-4.30pm; 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 6-7.30pm; 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 (bookings to Nicky Keef Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page) Regular monthly Bingo on Wednesdays: 17th June; 15th July from 7pm, Eyes Down 7.30pm.
100 CLUB
Winners for April: 1st Prize £25-Di Brice.
2nd Prize £10-Marion Martin. 3rd Prize £5-Gwynneth Beard
LEA CAFÉ NEWS
Places for our annual trip on Wednesday June 3rd filled up very quickly so unfortunately there are no spare seats. The coach will pick up firstly from Lea Village Hall at 8.45am and secondly from the entrance to Lea Villa Park a few minutes later. We will visit Corsham Court & Gardens, then Lacock all followed by an afternoon tea in Box. We aim to be home around 4.30-5pm. There will be the usual bingo, quiz and singing nonsense on board and we look forward to an enjoyable day out.
The July Coffee Morning will be back to normal on July 1st from 10am - all Lea residents very welcome. Contact me, Gill Davis, with any questions: Contact Details on PDF copy on Home Page
LEA LUNCH CLUB
The lunch club meets again on Wednesday 24th June 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 07718 065946. Priority is always given to Lea residents.
LEA ALLOTMENTS
DOES GROWING SOME OF YOUR OWN PRODUCE APPEAL TO YOU???
We have allotment plots available in the village of Lea, set in beautiful surroundings next to the church and open farmland. There is a shared picnic bench in our communal area, and a shed housing mowers and strimmer for all to use. Water is on site, and there is room for a small shed and compost area etc on all plots. Costs: Full plot: £30, half plots: £15 per year.
We are a small group of enthusiastic gardeners committed to "growing our own" and enjoying fresh grown produce, open space and the community of like-minded people. If you have a few hours to spare each week, enjoy gardening but don't have the space and live in Lea or nearby villages please contact us to have a chat. Phone 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 9am. 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 29th July 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.
