No 44: November 2013
Published by Rothay House, Eastrea.
Eastre Eastrea a Village News
DOUBLE-DECKER AS TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF DRIVER RUSSELL STOKES Mr John Stokes leads the funeral cortège of his father Mr Russell Stokes from the Eastrea Centre where the wake was held. Russell, who lived in Victory Avenue, was born in 1922 and was well known to local residents as a Morley bus-driver. Later he was active with Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We wanted all the mourners to travel in a double-decker bus,” says John. “It seemed a fitting tribute to a much liked local driver.”
NEW COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS FOR THE EASTREA VILLAGE HALL TRUST Chairman and the Minutes Last month’s lively public Secretary; Noreen Smith, meeting appointed a new artist; James Hayes of Petercommittee. borough City Council and also With the Eastrea Centre Jonathan Groves, the Area already running successfully Manager of Cooperative Fuand with a long list of future neral Homes. bookings the Chairman of the The committee have now Trustees said it was time to elected Jonathan as the new hand over and other Trustees Chairman. In his daytime post — including Gareth Prentice and Tina Arnold — stood New Trust Chairman he is responsible for budgets down after years of service. Mr Jonathan Groves and staffing and has had experience of the voluntary sector The residents appointed are by serving on the committee of the Janus Nicola Brooks of Daisy Chain florists; Theatre in Peterborough handling both Brian and Jan Ford, the outgoing
marketing and publicity. The Trust elected James Hayes as Vice-chairman. James chaired the Scaldgate Club and works with disabled people for Peterborough City Council having gained much experience of local government. The new committee are asking Trustees Pete and Gill Sennett to remain in post for the present to ensure continuity, though both planned to stand down. New volunteers are Pete and Jenny Hale. Pete is working with former trustee Al Green on managing the hall, and Jenny is taking over the organisation of our bookings. Others who have agreed to advise are Eastrea-born Anthony Nottingham who will help with musical events while successful caterer Sue Parnell will help organise the kitchen. Sue has already arranged for the community service team to come and weed the front of the hall. Nicola has organised our Christmas Gift and Pamper Fayre for 24 November. “We have over thirty stalls booked,” she says, “and an exclusive studio for people to be pampered — from beauty treatments to holistic therapy.” There will also be live and recorded music and our cash bar will be open till late.
THE BIRTH of the Eastrea Village Hall Committee has recently re-emerged in the faded pages from this exercise book. On the evening of Wednesday 10 January 1945 the first committee was convened. Annie Tinkler (News No. 39) said she’d donate a plot of land for the building. World War II was still under way and singer Rod Stewart was born on the very same day ...