MID-JULY 2020
Tributes Paid to Former Mayor, Jeff Chantrell TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth and long-serving Bagworth councillor who has died at the age of 92. Councillor Jeff Chantrell, who lived in Thornton, served as a Labour councillor for Bagworth ward for 17 years from 1974 to 1991 and was Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth twice, from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1987 to 1988. He was keenly involved in town twinning, particularly the town’s link with Herford, not only whilst Mayor but also in recent years. He was also a former Bagworth Parish Councillor. Borough Councillor for Markfield, Stanton and Field Head Andy Furlong paid tribute to the former Mayor. He said: ‘I first encountered Jeff when I moved to the borough over thirty years ago. He was a decent man who both cared for and understood the community he represented. ‘He supported my parliamentary campaigns in 1997 and 2001 introducing me to many people in Thornton and Bagworth, it was clear from the outset that he was well-regarded and he gave me some sound advice. The Labour party in Bosworth is grateful for Jeff ’s public service and sends its condolences to his family.’ Deputy Leader of the Council, David Bill served alongside Councillor Chantrell in the 1970s and 1980s. He added: ‘Jeff was a founder member of the Borough Council. ‘He was a calming and steadying influence at a time of great turmoil following the bringing together of the old urban and rural areas. He was well respected by everyone. My condolences to his family.’
Farewell to the minister IT IS WITH sadness that we have to bid farewell to our minister Rev. Steve Clark and his wife Sue. Steve became minister to Trinity Methodist Church Markfield in September, 2012 and has been responsible for three churches during that time. Glenfield Methodist church, New Parks Methodist church and ourselves here at Markfield. We have enjoyed a wonderful fellowship within the church and some growth, not just in numbers but in faith also. Steve has humbly and with sincere commitment unfolded the Gospel message so that we all have benefited from hearing it. He and Sue have put their heart and soul into their involvement in all three churches and we shall greatly miss them. Because of the unusual time we are living through, ‘COVID-19’, there has not been a service in the church building since March, so we have not had the pleasure of Steve leading our worship there. Whether we are able to hold a farewell service at the end of July is not yet clear. However, technology has taken a new role during the lockdown and provided ways to communicate as a church and be together and hear the message. We are indebted to Steve for his ministry here with us and we all wish him and Sue the very best in their move back to Doncaster for his retirement.
Ian Lay
Letter
Praise for Markfield’s Community Park I’M WRITING to say how valuable the new Markfield Park has proven during recent months of the Coronavirus Lockdown. For those of us who needed to get some exercise each day, the park has been a perfect place to go for a stroll ... followed by a sit down on one of the seats! It has also enabled some family members who live apart to ‘meet’ in a socially distanced way, in pleasant surroundings. So, a big thank you to the local councillors who came up with idea of the park and made it happen. It has been a great success and we appreciate it!
Yvonne Harrison and friends at Mayflower Court, Markfield.
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