NEWS FROM LEA CHURCH
Whilst Marion completes her cruise holiday in the Atlantic Ocean, here is a reminder of the events taking place this month organised by Lea church.
Friday 15th November 'Jigsaw Jiggle'. From 7-9.30pm at the village hall. First team to complete a 500-piece jigsaw wins their entrance fee back!! Adults are £6 and children (under 16) £4.00. Maximum of 4 per team. Jigsaws are provided, there will be a licensed bar and table snacks are included. Bring your unwanted jigsaws to our free 'swap shop'. To book, please phone either Alice or Rose Detail on PDF copy on home page . The day afterwards, 16th November, is the annual Craft Fayre and Soup Bar.  From 10.30am-2pm, with homemade soups, produce stall, raffle and a variety of stalls selling lovely things!  Come and do all your Christmas shopping under one roof and have a delicious lunch as well!! All proceeds to Lea church. Watch noticeboards for more details!
The church is holding the usual Remembrance Day service at 10.50am on 10th November, all welcome with collection going to the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Keep watch for more information on the Christmas services this year.

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LEA PLAY AND CHAT
Play and Chat would like to say a VERY BIG THANK YOU to everyone who supported the preloved toy and clothes sale back in September, we raised an amazing £266.85. Thank you also to everyone who donated items and time to help on the day. We have the photographer Charlie Summers in group on November 22nd for those special pictures in time for Christmas, for more information how to BOOK a sitting contact Carolyn Detail on PDF copy on home page  or pop along to Play and Chat in the Lea school hall 9.00 - 10.30 Friday mornings.

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LEA VILLAGE HALL 
Hello all. Last call out for the quiz to be held at the hall for village hall funds, Friday November 29th. Doors open 7.00 for 7.30pm, tables of up to 8 people, £5.00 per person. There will be a licensed bar, please bring your own snacks and nibbles. If you haven’t already, please call Detail on PDF copy on home page  to book a table.
We have a new user group at the hall, a yoga class, and Alex the instructor explains below what is on offer. It’s so nice to see new groups using the hall and I wish Alex well. Her contact number is Detail on PDF copy on home page . “Hello there, my name is Aleksandra Woodland. After attending a local class and enjoying the benefits of yoga for 15 years, I decided to practice my passion as an instructor. I have now finished my 200 YTT Alliance certified course. My new class is at Lea village hall on Mondays, from 10am -11.00am. The class is suitable for all ages and abilities.  Thank you, Alex” 

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ANGELA’S FIRST EXPERIENCE OF YOGA.
On the recommendation of our neighbour, I went along with my husband to Alex’s yoga class at the village hall. I have never done any yoga in my long life and I felt it was time I helped my creaking joints and stiff muscles to loosen up a bit. So this local class almost on my doorstep is perfect!  I was pleased to find that Alex encouraged us to take up each yoga position to our own level, not to overstretch or cause ourselves any pain, so there was no embarrassment in being a beginner. 
Alex also explained that everyone has their own natural level of flexibility, so that even some experienced yogis (Google tells me that is the word for someone who practices yoga!) can’t manage all of the full yoga positions.  So, all in all, I was pleased with what I had achieved and at the end of the session both my husband and I felt as though we had had a good work out that both stretched and strengthened our muscles but was relaxing at the same time! We plan to keep going to these Monday morning sessions – a great way to start the week! 
The first session was free and after that each session is £8. You can just turn up, or call Alex on the number above.    

   

LEA VILLAGE HALL 100 CLUB SEPTEMBER DRAW
£100 special twice-yearly prize goes to Ben Savidge
£25 - 1st prize to L Williams
£10 - 2nd prize to D Brice
£5 - 3rd prize to N Meredith

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LEA CAFÉ FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 10AM AT THE VILLAGE HALL
Thank you so much to Lee for contributing her beautiful, knitted items to the sale table this month - there are just a few left now, including some gorgeous little dogs if you want to grab one.  Dee also joined us with her handmade jewellery.  Several of you asked if she could come again before Christmas, so she has agreed to come in November and asked me to let you know this time you can pay by card if you wish.  
Due to the generosity of those who never fail to bake and bring each month, we always have plenty of delicious home-made cake to enjoy.  We have decided to start a cake rota from January, so if you live in The Lea and would be happy to bake and provide cake/biscuits now and again, please let me know to add you to the rota.  
This month marks 7 years since Lea Cafe first started and the ethos remains exactly the same:  A warm, friendly, monthly get-together for absolutely everyone who lives in the village of Lea.  There is no charge for entry or coffee and cake, all we ask is that if you know of anyone who maybe doesn't get out so much, you offer to bring them along with you - or contact me if a lift is needed.    
Gill Davis: Detail on PDF copy on home page 

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LEA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
The LRA is holding a New Year’s Eve party in the village hall – all Lea villagers are invited to this family friendly party.  Doors open at 6.30 for a 7pm start. There will be a fun filled evening for all ages. Tickets are only £5 for adults, £2 for children and they are on sale at the village hall on 2 separate dates – please see the poster for all the details.  

 

LEA LUNCH CLUB
The Lea Lunch Club won’t be meeting in November as the Christmas lunch falls early on Wednesday 11th December. We have a great event planned and look forward to welcoming everyone to kickstart the season’s festivities. If you haven’t already reserved your place, please call Nicky for details Detail on PDF copy on home page 

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STEAM-UP & OPEN DAY - A HUGE THANK YOU
For only the second time in the event’s 40 year history, the Alan Keef Ltd Steam-Up & Open Day had to be cancelled due to the incessant rain flooding the parking field. We would like to thank everyone that had offered their time to volunteer for the event, or the many that had promised to bake for us - we couldn’t do it without you. A special thank you must also go to those that offered their land for us to move the parking to. Whilst a suitable and safe alternative couldn’t be found, the heroic, last-minute efforts that everyone went to in order to try and make the event possible was truly appreciated. 
Patrick Keef

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LEA GARDEN ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION
With Autumn now in full swing, would you like to think about growing some of your own produce?
Why not join us at Lea Garden Allotments, a small group of gardeners committed to "growing their own" and enjoying the fresh air, open space and like-minded company.
There are a couple of plots still vacant which are cleared and ready to start, either as a whole plot or split for a half plot, depending on your needs and time available.   
If you have a few hours to spare every week and enjoy gardening but don't have the space to grow much at home, why not come and have a chat.
Contact Dawn or Graham for more details, or to arrange a visit and view the available plots. Email   leaallotments@gmail.com or phone or text Dawn Detail on PDF copy on home page 

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LEA FRIDAY PAINTERS
Meet each Friday, 9.00am– 12.00pm in the village hall. All abilities are welcome. Contact Di Brice Detail on PDF copy on home page 

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THE LEA PARISH COUNCIL
For Parish council information use the council website at www.theleaparishcouncil.gov.uk and the Clerk can be contacted via clerk@theleaparishcouncil.gov.uk The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 6th November at 7pm in Lea Village Hall.
Parish Clerk: Once again at the time of writing the Lea Parish Council is without a Clerk. At the last minute before his selection interview the candidate tested positive for COVID! If all goes to plan Lea Parish Council will have a fully qualified Clerk by the time that you read this report!
Flooding: Sadly, several Squires Meadow properties next to the A40 suffered from serious flooding on 20th September and subsequent days. Lea Parish Councillors and other residents quickly turned out to issue sandbags to those affected. The emergency supply kept by the parish council was soon exhausted and emergency steps were taken to replenish the supply. The sandbags were originally kept due to village centre flooding that took place prior to the very successful Lea Flood Alleviation scheme, but following the scheme the decision was taken to continue to hold stocks - just in case of future need! Since the recent flooding a technician from Herefordshire Council has been on-site studying the situation, with a view to identifying what can be done to minimise the risk of future flooding, and the adjacent farmer has assisted by careful ploughing to minimise water runoff from the field.
PCSO: At the September council meeting local PCSO Claire Denton indicated that it would be advisable to delay consideration of setting up a Community Speed Watch until after the introduction of the planned S106 funded Traffic Calming initiative. She also advised that the Street Watch initiative is currently not operational.
Footpaths: A problem related to lack of maintenance of the footpath leading uphill from the traffic lights in the village has been dealt with and this important route is usable once again.
Financial Hardship: A parish council initiative to make up to £5,000 available to relieve anticipated hardship for vulnerable residents this winter has been agreed with details to be decided later.
Drainage: The Parish Council has applied for Local Drainage Grant funds to deal with a number of drainage issues around the village. It is hoped that the application will receive a positive result in due course.
Potholes: The best way to draw attention to potholes and get something done about them is to use www.fixmystreet.com Enter a nearby postcode or street name and a map of the area will be displayed, which allows you to pinpoint where the problem is. Enter details of the problem, preferably with a photograph. This information will be forwarded to the council on your behalf.
Dog Fouling: The message as ever is – ‘Pick up dog poo and take it home for disposal, or use the public waste bins located around the village’. Unfortunately, a few people do not do this! Recently dog poo has been found left on the ground right next to a public waste bin! This antisocial behaviour is most unwelcome, unnecessary and illegal - a hefty fine could follow!