Leigh

REPS: Philippa Toulson philippa.toulson@gmail.com Eddie Upton upton.eddie@gmail.com DISTRIBUTOR: Judy Tuke

A strong turnout in the veg section of the Flower Show

Congratulations to Emma, Julia, Elizabeth and all the organising team on the triumphant return of the Leigh Flower Show. Well done to everyone who won a prize, and well done to everyone who didn’t. It was good to see it so well supported by so many people and we’re sure that it will now return to its rightful position as one of the highlights of the annual village calendar.

After a long break, the excellent Leigh Art Show is also back this month, on 23 and 24 October, with a preview on Friday 22 October from 6.00–8.00pm (see p55)

We have read and seen reports of the dreadful position of people in Afghanistan. Save the Children Fund has launched a special Afghanistan Appeal and a Village Tea Party has been arranged for Wednesday 20 October, 3.00-4.30pm in the Village Hall to raise funds for the Appeal (see p55). This is such a good cause, and it would be good to see the village raising lots of money to help alleviate the situation in this impoverished, war-torn country. Please support the event.

Next month, we are holding a Remembrance Day event at 7.30pm on Friday 12 November in the Village Hall. George Zambellas, the former First Sea Lord, will reflect on his long career and the demands of senior command. Tickets are £7.50 and all proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion annual Poppy Appeal (see p56).

The Pop Inn goes from strength to strength. The relaunch night in August was an outrageous success with a lovely village atmosphere; the second, in September, promised to be at least the equal of the first night, and Friday 29 October looks like being just as good again. Hot dogs with all the trimmings

will be available, together with the usual mix of high quality beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

Michelle Read has gathered a wonderful line-up of helpers and everything goes like clockwork. There is a very smart new bar, courtesy of Mark Read, assisted by Steve Humphries, with paintwork from Charlie and Lydia from Drummers Farm. Robert Edwards has done a great job on rebranding and producing fabulous header boards for the bar. With friendly and efficient bar staff supported by an amazing crew of washers-up, this is a brilliant village initiative supported by a terrific village team.

Well done everyone, but particularly well done Michelle for having the idea and for pushing it all through.

Philippa Toulson and Eddie Upton

St Andrew’s Church, Leigh

This is the month when we celebrate what has become one of the highlights of the church calendar – harvest. Our Harvest Festival service is on Sunday 24 October at 10.00am. Brother Hugh is coming from the Friary to preach and the service will be followed by harvest-type activities for all ages, then a cooked lunch in the church at 12.45pm. Please tell us before Friday 21 October if you would like lunch (upton.eddie@gmail.com or 07813 089002). You don’t have to come to the service to qualify for lunch!

Our monthly coffee morning will be on Tuesday 5 October, starting at 10.30am. This is the place for chats with fellow villagers, catching up on news, making new friends, or just to hear the latest gossip accompanied by a hot drink and delicious cake.

The Benefice will be holding its annual Consultation Day on Saturday 23 October. If you would like us to be doing things a little differently, please let one of us know and we will raise it at the Consultation Day on your behalf.

Our “31st” churchyard service to remember past lives is on a Sunday this month. Feel free to join us in the churchyard at 10.00am for a short, informal service of remembrance.

Don’t forget to buy tickets for the draw for Angela Seabrook’s wonderful double bed-size quilt and get your tickets for the fish supper in the village hall on Wednesday 1 December, when the winning ticket will be drawn.

You will also be treated to an entertainment on a nautical theme.

Alaistair Cumming & Eddie Upton

Churchwardens

Leigh fielded two teams for the Ride and Stride. The ‘A’ team of Morag Orchard and Alaistair Cumming set off at the crack of dawn and visited a total of 20 churches, cycling 40 miles in six hours (Morag pedals her bike with real leg power which is pretty impressive whilst this was the maiden voyage for Alaistair's new hip!) They did weaken calling into Castle Gardens for a coffee halfway round but, with perfect weather for the event, Morag was heard to describe it as “good fun”!

The B team consisted of Eddie, five other people and four dogs. They set off at the crack of midday, visited five churches in five hours, strolling a total of six miles and only stopped for two picnics! Thank you so much to Roger for overseeing logistics so no one had to carry a thing with them. All the team were powered by real leg power, which was no mean feat given the height of some of the stiles. As they sat in the sun in Leigh churchyard enjoying a cuppa and a cream tea, everyone agreed it had also been “good fun”.

Money will now be collected (please contact either team if they missed you out and you didn’t have the opportunity to sponsor anyone) and we will let you know the grand total when all the pennies have been counted. Heroic riders and picnicking strollers all had a brilliant day so please do consider joining us next year. Money goes to Dorset Historic Churches Fund and half the money raised comes back to our church.

Philippa Toulson

Leigh village shop

I’m delighted to officially announce that I will be taking on the role of Leigh village shopkeeper when Brenda steps down at the end of October.

You may see me at Bridge Stores in the next few weeks as I get to grips with placing orders, stocking shelves, and getting to know all the wonderful, local suppliers and customers that we have in abundance around our village and beyond.

The plan is to stay in the existing premises until a purpose-built shop can be sited elsewhere in the village. Most likely this will be on the Village Hall grounds, thanks to the offer of the trustees, and I am currently trying to get the funds in place to make this project happen.

We will have a turnaround week between Sunday 31 October and Sunday 7 November where the shop will be closed, but plan to open on Monday 8 November.

Initially, the opening times will be 9.00am–1.00pm on Monday and then from Wednesday to Saturday (closed Tuesday) and all the usual items will be for sale, as well as a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, a milk vending machine and a variety of hot drinks and cake/pastries too.

There are also plans to offer a weekly outreach Post Office service – time and date to be confirmed.

I would like to thank Brenda for showing me the ropes, sharing her knowledge and entrusting me with her business. I am really looking forward to taking on a new venture and hope you will all be patient with me while I find my feet (and your pre-ordered loaves of bread!)

If anybody knows of any grants or funding opportunities which might benefit this new shop, please get in touch with me by emailing littleleighstore@gmail.com

Sica Burton

Any spare WVM copies will continue to be placed in the village shop, as now.

Leigh Climate Group

‘The River of flowers’

Photo: Rose Roberts

With summer now sadly over, but with hope for a beautiful autumn, I am asking you to cast your thoughts back to March when I wrote about the global movement, ‘The River of Flowers.’

If you would like to share any images of your pollinator-friendly plants and bee hotels, please send them as JPEGs to Kathryn Edwards wvm.editor@gmail. com by 12 October.

Photo: Joan Carter

Rose Roberts

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SEPTEMBER WINNERS.

Winners for the September draw:

1st Ball No 90 Keith Salvesen £40 2nd Ball No 25 Richard Taylor £20 3rd Ball No 200 Nikki King £10 4th Ball No 65 Tim Holder £5

If you would like to take part, please contact: Julian Turnbull on 01935 873846 or Alastair Cumming on 01935 872401 It is only £1 per month

MOVIOLA Leigh Village Hall October 11th 7:30 pm

Doors and Bar from 7:00 pm Tickets £6 at the door or in advance from: Bob 01935 873269 Please bring a mask and something warm to wear as windows will be open

Leigh Flower Show

The Leigh Flower Show took place on a beautiful sunny day. It is the first year with a brand new committee, so we were finding our feet. It was later than usual due to Covid, so you would have thought everything was against us. But we had huge support from the village.

There are so many people to thank, so if we have forgotten anyone, deep apologies: the exhibitors who put so much into producing great results, (especially those first timers who took the plunge!); everyone who donated to the raffle/tombola (over £200, which is a record); Eddie Upton and the handbell ringers; and last, but certainly not least, the band of helpers. We could not have done without you. Thank you all so much.

We have stupidly said we will run it again next year, so watch this space.

Emma Harris, Julia Jepson, Liz Turnbull and Edward Verner

David Stanton IAC ICPT ISOCS ISSUP

Senior Psychotherapist/Counsellor. Mental Health Consultant. Trainer. Counselling for individuals, couples, children, adolescents, families and groups. Face to face and online. 40+ years’ experience. Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self Esteem, Relationship problems, Family Dynamics, Bereavement, Eating Disorders, Substance/Alcohol Abuse, Addictions. Isolation, Loneliness, PTSD, Bi-Polar, OCD, Fear, Sexual/Physical Abuse, Self-Harming, Death Anxiety, Sex Issues. Lack of Meaning & Purpose, Anger, Phobias, Gender, Sexuality, Social Justice. Conflict Resolution. Crisis Management. Available for Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Workshops, Retreats, Seminars, Training and Talks. CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED.

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