Forms from J Beaman or can be downloaded from this website

01889502401

Attendance at the Leigh and district WI meeting on June 10^th was as usual excellent with a roll-call of 35 and including another new member and two ladies who are ‘interested’. We hope they will join us!

Jill Baggaley sent her apologies as she was taking part in the ‘Race for Life’ at Trentham Gardens. We are sure she did very well for this very worthy cause.

We had further reports from members who have attended their courses at Denman College. Molly and Sue Cotton enjoyed their “Fresh Air and Fine Houses” course while Glenys Matthews had a lovely time learning a new skill of Bobbin Lace making. Further to the individual courses at Denman that most of us have now attended, many of us will visit Denman College in Oxfordshire on Friday 20^th June for a ‘Taster Day’. We expect to have a lovely day out.

The visit to Trentham Gardens on June 4^th was much enjoyed by everyone and included a walk round the Italian Gardens and refreshments of strawberries and cream with Bucks Fizz at the Edinburgh Wool Mill.

Another rather exciting visit was reported on by Lorraine Penlington and Maureen Crosby-Kinson. They joined Kingston group for a visit to Highgrove, home of His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. They enjoyed their day so much that we will now try to apply to make our own group visit, even though we will have to wait a while as there is a 4 year waiting list !

Several new potential outings were announced. Visits to Blithfield Hall in July, Chatsworth in October and early notice of a trip to Tissington Hall in July 2009.

Our bi-weekly craft group is getting on well with the new catering aprons which we need in time for our institute’s big annual event, the summer lunch in August.

Several new events were announced including ‘Murder by Candlelight’ at Checkley Village Hall on 23^rd October. This is advertised as “an evening of Mystery” and will include a 3-course meal with catering by our own, Leigh & District, Institute. There are also opportunities to attend a 6 week ‘Bowling for Beginners’ course in Stafford in September or a 2-day mixed media painting course at Sandon in November or even a ‘Pots of Silk” workshop at the county showground in October. So many interesting activities are on offer to us; it is often hard to choose which to do and how to fit everything in.

Entertainment for the meeting was provided by Mrs Kathleen Mason with a talk on “Embroidery around the World”. Very soon many of us were holding our sides with laughter as the talk was often most humourous and Mrs Mason had a delightfully amusing way of getting her message across. She brought with her many items of embroidery, from around the world and frequently dived into her suitcase to extract from its depths, yet another wonderful example of embroidery work from the far corners of the globe. In the space of an hour we travelled with her and her Pandora’s box of a suitcase, through many countries including India, Japan, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Canada and we were enthralled and also very impressed with the beautiful and varied embroidery. We were fortunate to have been entertained by such a talented speaker.

Next Meeting - July 8th – with speaker Mr Tim Cockin on the topic of “Staffordshire Folklore”.

Everyone welcome. Contact tel : 01538 722573

I attended a church service recently which was followed by a bun-fight in the adjoining room where there were tables loaded with food, lovingly provided by the ladies of the church. Along with everyone else I picked up a plate, knife and fork and ate. The food was quickly cleared - all except for a bowl of rice salad in the centre. I wondered why this hadn’t been touched - was there something wrong with it? I felt sorry for the person who had made and provided this dish, and slightly embarrassed that it hadn’t been eaten, but then, on closer inspection I realised why  - the problem lay not with the rice salad itself - just that no one had thought to put out any spoons - and without a spoon there was no way to serve rice onto our plates!

Thinking about that incident reminded me that faith can be a bit like this too. Most of us are aware that we have a soul or a spirit within us, and at some level a longing or desire to communicate with and know God. We are aware that God’s goodness is on offer all around us and yet there is often no obvious way to tuck in and start eating - for we quite simply lack the tools to get started.

As I write this I am still very excited about our second RENEW festival held in the village of Leigh with two great marquees on the Recreation Ground over the May Bank Holiday weekend, and especially so because it provided for a number of people both the impetus to do something about exploring a relationship with God, and also because it offered some appropriate tools with which to do this - an Alpha course which people could join. I strongly believe that we all have a responsibility in our adult lives to open ourselves to an exploration of our spirituality  - to open the doors to our hearts and go on an adventure of faith, and I was greatly encouraged by the number of people who reached a point over the RENEW weekend where they acknowledged to themselves (and to God) that the time has come for them to quite literally “taste and see”.

Of course, the difficulty with opening ourselves up to God and exploring a relationship with him is that it may turn out to be inconvenient (not the time we would have chosen) it may be costly (emotionally and in other ways) and we run the real risk that it may completely change our view on life and our set of priorities. It is also the case that we often need to come to a place where we are willing and able to make ourselves vulnerable before one another and before God - really opening to door to our hearts, letting all of our defences down before we can really let God come in. This can only happen in a safe place - sharing our stories and experiences openly and honestly with people we know and trust, and together learning how to remain open to God and receive all that he has to give us.

To provide those safe and loving places, we are running a number of small groups across the parishes and there are more planned for the summer and autumn These groups may have different names in different places - Alpha, Emmaeus, Fellowship or study groups, but the important thing is that somewhere near to you there will be others embarking on exactly the same journey - perhaps revisiting and refreshing a childhood faith, discovering more about an existing faith, or starting with no previous experience of exploring faith at all.

I wonder if all of this strikes a chord with you - is this a journey that you know that you have been ignoring or avoiding and would really like to take? What can we do to help you grasp the moment and take the plunge - to join a group and start the journey - picking up the spoon so that you can come to the feast? If you are interested in the possibilities, I would love to hear from you - ring me or e-mail - or just catch me when you next see me and have a word, and we will be more than happy to see how we can help that journey to begin. Remember - God stands at the door to our hearts and knocks - we can ignore him if we wish, and many of us do -  but wouldn’t you rather just take a deep breath and let him in?

With every blessing. Dominic (dominicstone@btinternet.com)

A Tribute to Sheila Halden - Dominic Stone.

Six years ago I moved into the vicarage at Marchington to look after the parishes of Marchington, Kingstone and Woodlands, and one of the first telephone calls I had was from someone called Sheila from a place called Leigh that I had never heard of, welcoming me and inviting me over here to see what I could for her. She was very persuasive! By the time I came to Leigh as vicar nearly three years ago I had come to know Sheila quite well, and have had the privilege of working with one of the most direct, persuasive, relentless, wholehearted, generous and committed church people I have ever known. She tired me out, wore me down, and I loved her for it because in the best way she could, she loved and cared deeply for God’s church, and for us all.

Within weeks of my coming to Leigh Sheila was telephoning me at least twice a day, often three of four times - she knew that I would answer the telephone at 7.30 in the morning and at 6.30 in the evening and she loved to keep me up to date with all that she was doing - how many concert tickets had been sold, who was coming to the special service, the details of her current project - and didn’t she have a lot of wonderful projects in the church? We have Sheila to thank for our chairs, the Sunday School tables, the new window, the pruning work in the churchyard, the new seat outside , the notice board, the restoration of the chancel, the redecoration of the doors and lych gate, the construction of the meeting room, the toilet, the restoration of the organ, and much more besides, and right up to a week before she died she was still involved in the work that was planned for this year - the vestry extension was her next project, the repair and cleaning of the nave floor was next on her list - she was very involved in the reordering that is happening here. What an amazing legacy!

How did she do all this? Through Generosity - she gave of her time and energy, and often her own money as well. By persistence, she would not be put off achieving her goals and wasn’t afraid to go directly to the top to get things moving - all of the bishops and archdeacons of the past 15 years have known Sheila well and been worn down by her persistence repeatedly. By control - she never left anything to chance, and since most of us couldn’t devote the time and energy she could she would often do it all herself. And finally through love - we must not underestimate the love that she had for God and because of that, for us.  God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

Her stained glass window which she gave to the church reveals much about her - and her relationship with God. Sheila as a farmer saw God first of all as the good shepherd - this is farming imagery, and an image she understood deeply. She understood God as the one who tends and cares for his flock, who leads them, who protects them, who brings them together into his fold. God was her shepherd, and following his example, she shepherded us out of love and concern. We were quite literally her children.

More than that - I believe that she saw through the physical window to what lay beyond - through the stone and glass to God himself for the church architecture is designed to be a lens through which we see heaven, through which we see God’s kingdom. Sheila was aware of the power of the things that she did in the church, and of presence of God into which we are invited by its beauty and its care.

Sheila gave up being Church Warden at All Saints Church about seven years ago when she had cancer for the first time, and her subsequent strokes have slowed her down and diminished what she was able to do physically, but she saw her recovery from her illness and the years she has had since as an answer to prayer and a precious gift from God which she needed to use well. She has done that and much more than that - and was able to face her recent illness and death with the knowledge that she has done her best, and achieved much for us all to enjoy and to the glory of God.

Songs of Praise for all ages

4pm

Sunday 24^th August 2008

All Saints Church, Leigh

(Refreshments afterwards)

Come along and join in with some of our old favourites and some praise choices from our younger members- also hearing a little bit about why they are important to those who have chosen them.

 Contact Nicky 502243 for more information

JAM Club

Come along to the J.A.M Club.There are lots of things to report, hopefully most people will have read the youth report given out at the APCM’s in April. The information below is a summary of what’s happened in the last 2 months and some future dates for your diaries.   May I also thank everyone for their support and prayers all the events below are great team efforts.

A fun club to enjoy, we have loads to do including:-

Crafts; Bible stories; Music; Fun; talks; Games; Refreshments

and so much more!!!

Come along or try it with a friend.

                     Held at

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, CHURCH LEIGH

ON THE 1^ST 2^nd AND 3^RD SUNDAYS

AT 11AM- 12 ISH

Soul Survivor

During Lent There was lots of knitting going on around St Mary’s first school which resulted in some very long scarves being made these were joined up with scarves made by groups at St Mary’s church   and were all used in a celebration service on palm Sunday.   This was a real community effort and brought people together.

At the end of April 26 young people went away for a weekend at Beudesert Campsite in Cannock. We had a broad cross section of people attending including young people from Windsor Park and Ryecroft middle school.   We were able to celebrate God’s creation in worship activities and discussions. We spent a wonderful afternoon in the Reflections Garden, which has been creatively laid out to inspire prayer and stillness. Rev Christian Polhill joined us over the weekend and we were blessed with her input

In May the confirmation classes culminated in a wonderful service all saints Church Leigh where an l6 young people were joined by a group of adult confirmation candidates. 

The next big event on the Horizon was Renew in Church Leigh this is an ecumenical event   where three churches come together over the May Bank Holiday.  Speakers, Bands, Workshops and Places to Chill and Chat all came together with the aim of renewing and transforming lives. On the Saturday night The Gentlemen came with guitars and drums and message of God’s love aimed at young people.  The whole weekend was a great success and there has been lots of positive feedback.

Along side the one off bigger vents. Groups continue to run in the schools and in the villages. At Windsor Park we have just completed the 4^th full communion service demonstration. With the plan of over time offering a regular   Holy Communion   service structured into the timetable of the school. 

Please continue to pray and encourage the young people who are connected with our churches. The journey of integration s a long one and needs everyone’s support. Please also remember those who have no connection with the church and feel that God is remote and distant.

Dates for Soul Survivor 25^th to the 29^th July   

If you want to come for the day we recommend Sunday 27^th

If Family groups want to come we recommend that they book independently booking forms available   or book on line at

 www.soulsurvivor.com

Young People  Soul Survivor

 is coming to Stafford!   keep this week free  25-29^th of July 2008.  We can go together, camp out, enjoy the worship and meet new friends. The cost of this event is £90.  HOWEVER if that’s a problem we can help, we have some funds available to help those in need so please don’t be afraid to ask.

I will be taking bookings from Individuals over the age of 12

Please note we  would like to make this event open to all and if you are in need of a bursary,  some are available to those in need,  please ask for more information.

Please make cheques payable to ‘Uttoxeter Area of Parishes Young Peoples Trust’  Return this form to Catherine Lewis   St Mary’s parish Church Bridge street  Uttoxeter Staffs.   For more information Tel 01889567677

Please note if you want to just turn up (with your family)  there  are always tickets on the door so come for the day. Let us know and we can meet up with you.

Many stalls and attractions

Middleton Green School House Trustees and Old Boys School Trustees-appointments and report

Following John Carters election to the role of Church Warden – John automatically becomes appointed as a Trustee to the above charities. Nicky Grey was re-appointed as a Trustee; Treasurer and Secretary to both charities for the immediate future, having managed the administration for several years; Michael Knobbs is re-elected as a Trustee in his capacity as Church Warden and Revd Dominic Stone as Chair and Trustee of both charities in his role as Vicar of this Parish. We continue to value and benefit from the Advice and support from Andy Backhouse and his annual auditing of the accounts for the Old Boys School charity.

The trustees have submitted a proposal to the Custodian Trustees of Lichfield Diocese to seek approval for a number of small projects within the Church- which are contributory and a continuation of, the re-ordering scheme to improve the Church for divine worship. We have also submitted a technology bid for some equipment in School to improve the worship opportunities in the main hall. The monies are forecasted to be spent in the main, from the interest on sale monies.

We are continuing to explore legitimate ways that the sale money could be spent to the benefit of both school and church within the community.

Parish Council Announcements

Crime stoppers

If you have any matter that needs to be brought to the attention of the Police, the telephone number to contact them on is 08453 302010, alternatively you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Highway

If you need to report anything regarding a problem with the highway, you can contact CLARENCE on 0800 232323

All Saint C of E (c) School

This term has been immensely busy, we have been very fortunate to have the services of Miss Sarah Robson from Draycott School in a part time capacity as Acting Head for this term, Miss Fitzgerald and Mrs Tuckwell have embraced their extra responsibility within the School and the whole school team have worked hard and pulled together to cover the summer term.

The Governors were very pleased to appoint Mrs Andrea Kenny as Head Teacher from September 2008-though she has become a very enthusiastic and familiar face in School and community events already! We look forward to Mrs Kenny settling into our School and Community in the Autumn term.

In May, as a kick start to the RENEW festival – three professional dancers from the cast of “LUV ESTHER” a biblical musical touring the UK theatres came and ran a series of dance workshops with the children in the marquee, culminating in a performance to parents of “Throne Party” a high energy dance with other class acts on the festival theme of transformation –all the children loved this chance to dance and it provided a great opening celebration to the weekend.

In June, Year 3 & 4 took part in an athletics festival at Windsor Park in which they won the trophy over 3 other first schools- this was despite the bus being late in transporting them to Windsor Park and All Saints missing the first two competitions – WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT – WELL DONE ALL SAINTS LEIGH!!!

Year 1 & 2 also took part in a multi skills festival at Thomas Alleynes High School with Key Stage 1 children from other schools.

Arts week was a great success with a multi-cultural African theme-this continent covering more than one fifth of the earth’s land surface. The creative arts week has been about a shared learning journey into the religious, historical, geographical and cultural life of Africa. A guest artist Paul Wilcox added a little vibrance to everything.

As part of Healthy Eating/ Climate Cool/ Save the Planet work – Class 1 had a fruit tasting session run by Vikki Rodgers, an ex pupil of the School who is studying for a degree in Health promotion. 

Six weeks of lessons in tag rugby have also been taking place with a recommended community rugby coach through the ESSSP. 

As we write this, trips are planned at the end of June for Year 1 & 2 to the Museum of Cannock Chase supporting their topic of “Animals and their homes” and “Teddy Bears”

Year 3 are also going to The Museum of Cannock Chase to support their current school topic “Habitat Discovery”

Year 4 leavers have transition time planned in Windsor Park and of course a leavers night- they have also been invited to participate in a Kwik Cricket Tournament at Uttoxeter Cricket Club on the 26^th June 2008.

Other important school dates for the community to note are :-

Thursday 3^rd July – Sports Day at 1.30pm weather permitting

Saturday 5^th July- Strawberry Fayre

Thursday 17^th July –Leavers Service in All Saints Church  

We wish all our parents, children and members of the community a safe and wonderful summer. We will miss our Year 4 leavers very much but give our love and best wishes to them for a brilliant start at their new schools in September.

We also look forward to welcoming our new little children who are moving up from the playgroup and finally here is an introduction from our new Head Teacher to us all:-

A Huge Hello to Everyone

I was absolutely delighted to be appointed the new Headteacher at All Saints First School in May this year.  You might like to know a little about me before I take up this appointment.  I was born in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and grew up in a small village just outside Newcastle with my parents and sister.  My Mum was a teacher and I understood from an early age the commitment required to be successful in this profession. 

After completing my A levels I decided to train to be a teacher and started my teaching career in a large primary school in Stoke-on-Trent with 450 children aged 3 to 11 .  In 1997, my then partner, Andy and I decided to look for our first home, and having looked at many homes and locations eagerly and happily purchased a home in Bramshall.  We then married in St. Lawrence’s Church in the village the following summer. 

I then moved to Dove First School in Rocester  in 1998 which as approx 99 children aged from 4 to 9 and continued my teaching career where I have spent ten happy years.  During this time our children, Rhiannon who is nearly eight and Reuben who is three have been born.  We now all live in Uttoxeter.

Rhiannon has joined both the football and cricket clubs in Church Leigh and this has been a great opportunity to meet some of the children and their families prior to starting at school. 
I am very fortunate to be able to make some visits to All Saints and have been delighted to be able to meet the children, staff and parents.  I will continue to visit the school so please feel free to come and say hello, as I will be honoured to meet you.

Andrea Kenny
Headteacher, All Saints First School .

Church Leigh Pre-School Playgroup News

June 2008

The children at Playgroup have had a very interesting time recently, in discovering all about animals and everything to do with them. Especially cows, which was the children favourite!

The children are just about to embark on experiments with seeds, watching them grow and everything entailed, from planting the seeds, to watering and making sure they receive enough light and hopefully seeing a successful end result (watch this space, we could either have a lot of very large sunflowers around the village, or just lots of cress).

Hopefully, by the time you will be reading this, we will have had a very successful Irish  Night (13^th June) with a full house and very popular live band (M.A.K.3) which played wonderfully and no doubt everyone would have had a very enjoyable evening. Many thanks again to all who assisted and enabled this evening to go ahead and help in fund raising for the Playgroup. Many thanks.

We are now also looking towards the summer and with the view of some children moving on towards school. This is always a sad time, but a very exciting time for the children in question and a fantastic leaver’s party awaits them all in July.

RENEW TREASURE HUNT –Weather permitting this is rescheduled for 30 AUGUST 2pm (takes approximately 1-1.5 hours)

(Departing from Leigh Recreation Field – children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, 12-16 yr olds must travel in 3’s)

BBQ, PRAISE AND WORSHIP AT LEIGH PENTECOSTAL CHURCH IN THE EVENING

AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORSHIP TOGETHER on

SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST 11am

Leigh Village Showcase –

Prayers for our Organisations and Groups in the Community!

It was a delight to see so many of the organisations and groups represented at the RENEW festival on the Bank Holiday Monday this year. Each Organisation had a lot to share and had the opportunity to express their priorities and hopes/ vision for the future. As Christians in Leigh there is a follow up commitment to pray for the most important things that organisations have said they would like prayer for.

Prayer in Leigh has always been a real commitment of many small groups in our community, who faithfully and quietly come together from the different churches, as well as praying in our own Churches- all believing passionately in the power of prayer.

It is important to keep feeding any other important prayer points that may arise for your groups. Equally do let us know if you begin to see answers to these prayers.

If you are struggling, asking questions -seeking some answers or requiring a sense of direction it is important to share this too – you don’t need to give all the details, just pass as clear a prayer request as is needed.

Some Organisations were not able to be represented at the Leigh Village Showcase day-you are most welcome to contact us with your most important things to pray for.

We are meeting on the 1^st July and in the September edition of the magazine we hope to publish a list of prayer contacts and dates of where and when we will be meeting for the year-we can join in or perhaps pray at home.  

Please contact Nicky on 502243 until we publish the contacts names.

RENEW ‘08

A great big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this years RENEW event.

We are grateful to everyone who helped make this years RENEW a real success. Our thanks in particular go to all volunteers who helped with the varied tasks and roles which included  childrens work, the café and bookstall, the Musicians, those hosting speakers and visitors, First Aiders, site security and rubbish collectors; Leaflet deliverers and many many more.

Hopefully many of you enjoyed getting involved and might consider being drawn into roles at future events – if this attracts you, then please let us know as we will begin thinking about this  very shortly and the more help we have the better.

We received lots of good comments about this years event and were really pleased that each item on the programme seemed to have found it’s particular group of fans. This indicates that a future RENEW weekend needs to have just as varied and wide ranging a programme as this year.

Furthermore we would like to thank everybody in the community for being part of this years RENEW which survived somewhat inclement weather! There would have been no event without your support and for this we extend our genuine thanks.

Thank you  Renew 502571

24^th Annual

Leigh Produce Show

Monday 25^th August 2008

Leigh Village Hall

The Hall will be open from

 9.30am until 11.30am

for all exhibits to be displayed.

Show Schedules will be distributed in

advance of the Show

The Hall will open at 2.00pm for viewing

Admission 30p.

Awards will be presented at approx. 4.00pm.

Refreshments, Raffle, Cake Stall,

Plant Stall, Jewellery Stall, Novelty/card  Stall

For more information contact

Jill and Clive Baggaley on 01889 502440

SERVICES AT DODSLEIGH METHODIST CHURCH JULY & AUGUST

JULY

6th    MRS.T.COTTON    11am

13th  CIRCUIT SERVICE AT CHEADLE METHODIST CHURCH –

Farewell Service for Revd.Michael Parrott - 6.15pm

20th   REVD.TINA SWIRE   6.30pm

27th    REVD.J.EDWARDS     - 6.30PM

AUGUST

3rd  MRS.B.STEW  - 11am

10th  MR D.HASLAM    -   6.30pm

17th  MR ANTHONY MOTTRAM  6.30pm

24th    MR DAVID BRUNT  6.30pm31st  MR KEN JONES  - 6.30pm

A very warm welcome is extended to all.

Boys & Girls (U8—U10) Football Opportunity

If you are interested in playing organized football and you are U8; U9 and U10 and free on Saturday mornings (10am-12 Noon) then for more information contact the Club Secretary Nicky Grey 01889 502243 or Carolyn Franks on 01538 722977 Or Jan Sumnall on 01538 722450.

Leigh Cricket Club

Sunday, 15th June saw the team travelling by mini bus to our favourite ground at Lancaster Grammar School to play Gregson. After a two hour journey we arrived at their ground which overlooks Morcambe  Bay and to the north the Lake District, just fantastic and what a glorious day, bright sunshine and everything perfect.

Gregson won the toss and decided to bat on a perfect wicket. Within four overs they had lost four wickets. Included in this was a hat trick for “Demon” Dave Nash-the first hat trick recorded since the Cricket Club was re-launched. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Gregson were eventually out for a creditable 168 runs.

Leigh’s reply started and the opening bats began their reply with Nick Tebbitts and Greg Faulkner beginning the assault. Nick was out fairly early on having despatched the ball to the boundary a few times with his usual zeal, and Greg carried on batting with unseen aplomb and class. He was eventually joined by “Demon” Nash who batted with sheer class until he was bowled off a very quick delivery. Greg had now passed 50 for the first time and he carried on serenely despatching the ball to all corners of this fantastic ground until he was bowled for 104 runs. The win was secured by a lusty blow for four from Sean Omer.

In summing up this performance I would say this, if you have never watched Leigh play cricket , you do not know what you are missing, come and watch our 14 year old prodigy, because, mark my words in a few years time you will have to pay to watch him.  Yes, HE IS THAT GOOD.

And here are the fixtures to give you that opportunity to watch:-

July 5th             Sutton on the Hill           Away

July 6^th              Draycott Hanbury           Home

July 12th           Shugborough                 Away

July 13th           Haughton Cav                Home

July 20th           Sutton on the Hill           Home

July 27th           Doveridge                      Home

August 3rd        Wooton                         Away

August 9th        Veterans                                    Home

August 17th       Presidents X1                 Home

August 23rd       Cudham Wyse               Home

August 24th       Gregson                         Home

August 31st       MOCC                                       Home

The 3^rd Annual Leigh May Ball

On 31^st May we held the 3^rd Leigh May Ball at Checkley Community Centre. As in previous years the event was all but sold out so a big thank you to all of you who came along and supported it. We were very lucky to have support, raffle prizes and donations from both local businesses and members of the local community.

Special Thanks to:

Paul Gilmore of Restaurant Gilmore, Keith Grimley of Hairline, John Woolley of Uttoxeter Garden Machinery, Alison at Lloyds TSB, Nick Tebbitts, Trevor and Sue Rushden, The Red Lion and Carlton Catering.

This year we have raised well over £2000 and this will be divided between Leigh Village Hall, Leigh Recreation Field and as last year a donation to the Leigh Pensioners Christmas Dinner.

Several of the organisers have had feedback saying it has been the best one yet but especially the Band - so how do we make next year better again?! We’ve started preparations already so make a note in your diaries for 2^nd May 2009 when we hope to see you all again.

If you would like to sponsor or support next year’s ball please contact one of the organisers below.

The Leigh Ball Committee.

Sue Whitworth, Pat Ingam, Jennifer Rowley, Gina Conway, Lydia Greenwood, Izzy Snowden, Alison Smith, Sara Stainsby

STOP PRESS

We were entertained in the Church last Saturday evening by Alison, Sean Omer and friends with the most wonderful evening of beautifully performed popular classics and songs from the shows. Alisons rendition of one of Victoria Woods songs was hilarious and memorable. It was a great way to raise some money for the Church and School with lovely refreshments served by the Friends of Leigh School Association. Thank you very much indeed!

nformation contact the club secretary (Nicky Grey) on:

(01889) 502243, or

EJB read out report.

C Dickins asked what action is going to be taken from the results of the Parish Plan. LJI answered the question on lack of support for organisations that the Parish Council tried to start like the best kept village and voluntary car scheme.

Mr Oakes complained about plans that are put through in the village and lack of consistency. Suggested the press picking up on the inconsistency and the fact that Cllr Lamb does not attend the Parish Council meetings and does not support the Parish. The people in the village are unhappy with the inconsistency and are quite prepared to go to the press about the lack of support.

Michael Knobbs complained about the young people hanging around the Lych Gates and requesting a shelter for these young people to meet into. They leave litter and verbally abuse people walking into the church yard. PGB to get a brochure from the Playing Fields Association for the parish Council to look at.

Izzy Snowden requesting money to help the Village Hall costs.