Leigh WI events thoughout 2024
Check Leigh WI’s page for a full programme of events in 2024.
Check Leigh WI’s page for a full programme of events in 2024.
It is with sadness that we report the news that Ted Brain passed away last Wednesday 3rd May. In his long time living in Leigh, Ted served on the parish council and for many years looked after The Spinney, the patch of woodland behind the recreation ground. Our thoughts are with his wife Caryl and his family at this time.
The new loo and kitchenette for St Bartholomew’s Church has been a mammoth undertaking, but the sparkling new facilities were officially opened on Saturday 7th January by Councillor Paul Potter, the Chairman of Mole Valley District Council; our minister Jonathan Willans; myself; Mick Lock, our amazing builder; and his beautiful little granddaughter Isla.
Vicar Jonathan expressed his delight that Leigh church has these facilities which means the church will be able to reach out more into the community. The Cosy Corner coffee morning held on every 2nd and 4th Monday morning from 10.30-1230 is the first of these supportive initiatives. The Vicar expresses his personal thanks to all who laboured along side him for 20 years to achieve this aim. He especially thanks Mick Lock the craftsman builder, Peter Joyce as project manager and Eileen Winstanley, John Worsfold among others.
Progress has not been easy, and has been made all the more difficult by the loss of our architect, Roderick Maclennan, in his battle against cancer. Not only did Roderick project manage the build until his untimely death, but being the good Christian that he was, he provided constant encouragement.
The resulting facilities are a triumph, and look as though they have always been a part of our beautiful church. The side wall with its window had to be completely taken down and moved outwards between the side buttresses so that we didn’t lose precious space at the west entrance. Every block was numbered and placed in its original position. Horsham tiles had to be found to mimic those on the existing roof. Finally, the tiles in the west entrance had to be completely lifted and relaid in the porch area to lose the 100mm drop, and to allow for a completely flat surface for ease of access. During the course of the works it was found that the porch had sunk in one corner, and this has now been underpinned with concrete to provide many more centuries of use.
This project has been a tribute to so many people. To Mick Lock and his boys, who soldiered through without an architect; to the members of the PCC for their unfailing support; to Sue and Douglas Frost for their fundraising efforts and their successful attempts to put St Bartholomew at the heart of the Leigh community; to Jonathan and Sharon for providing support whenever needed; to Paul Potter and our local councillors for their political underpinning for the project; to our wardens Eileen Winstanley and Keith Bryant, always there to assist and encourage; to Colin and David for managing the money; to my long-suffering wife, Alison, for putting up with my obsession; and of course to Isla for cutting the ribbon.
St Bartholomew’s has not been able to function properly without a loo and a kitchenette. We know that people have turned away the chance to hold a wedding or a funeral because of a lack of these facilities. We can now work on drawing people in not just for worship, but also for a number of new activities which will give the church the chance to become where it should rightfully be – at the heart of the community!
Peter Joyce
Deputy Warden
King Charles III’s Coronation Celebration
Leigh Parish Council is hosting a meeting, inviting residents and groups to come together to discuss potential events and opportunities that could take place in Leigh to mark the occasion.
This informal, initial meeting will be on Monday 30 January at 19:30. It will be held at the Cricket Pavilion on Bunce Common Road.
The King’s coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May, 2023. Monday 8 May will be a celebratory bank holiday. This means that there are three bank holidays in May next year: Monday 1 May, Monday 8 May and Monday 29 May.
All are welcome to join us! If you are unable to attend but would like to put forward any suggestions or volunteer your time however much, please email through to leighparishcouncil@gmail.com so you can be included.
W.I are planning a trip to London, hiring a coach on Saturday 7th January to go to London for the day. It will leave the Village at 8.30am and return leaving London at 4.30pm.
The coach drops and picks up at Marble Arch.
The cost is £18 per person, and there are some spaces still available to fill the coach.
Please let Judy know if you would like to join the outing by the end of November – to judith_bartley@hotmail.com or phone on 01306 611472.
It is open to all not only WI members.
On 19th March the Leigh and District Cottage Garden Society planted a commemorative tree to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year on the village green. With thanks to Chairman of Surrey County Council Helyn Clack for her support, as well that of other local councillors, cottage garden society members and villagers, not to mention the enthusiastic help of some smaller members of our community. The tree is a Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) which it is hoped will be an attractive feature at the heart of the village for many years to come.
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
(8 hours per week, pay dependant on experience)
Leigh Parish Council is seeking to recruit a new part time Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer.
The Clerk is required to prepare the agenda for, attend and to produce the minutes of all Council meetings and the Annual Parish Meeting. They are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the council and all its assets, managing the Council’s finances in accordance with Government Accounting Regulations and be responsible for the Council’s communication through the website and newsletters.
The position is home-based but will require a commitment to attend ad hoc meetings and some site visits, mainly within the Parish.
The Clerk needs to be an effective communicator, have robust IT skills and be able to manage the Councils finances accurately and securely.
The post will be based on a salary range of SCP 18-23 (currently £13.21 to £14.67 per hour) determined by qualifications and experience.
The job description and person specification can be accessed here.
To be considered for the position or for more information, please contact the clerk at leighparishcouncil@gmail.com.