Village Facilities

RESUME OF THIS SECTION

1. Village Hall
2. Playing Fields
3. The Graveyard
4. Allotments
5. Preacher's Stone
6. The Bridge
7. Bog Lane
8. Play Park
9. Village Directory

Village Hall

The Village Hall is run by an elected Village Hall Committee and is independent of the Council. The Chairman is Mrs Gil Garner and the Parish Council appoints a member to the committee, currently Ralph Clingan.

Planning permission for the rebuild of the Hall has been granted and it is now the Council's top priority, for which Mr Brian Frodsham is the elected Chairman of the Steering Party. New plans are displayed in the Hall.

The Village Hall is situated on Melton Road at the eastern side of the village. It comprises a central hall, a kitchen, a bar and drink storage area, toilets and storage.
The Hall houses the a weekly dance class, the weekly meeting of the Art Club as well as other social and paying events including the WI, MU, Brownies, dancing, taekwondo and others.

The Meetings of the Parish Council normally take place here.

Bookings for private events may be made through: Mrs Rita Meade 01664 424696.

Obviously, a rebuild of the magnitude proposed, will cause disruption, probably forcing a six month closure. This is an obstacle to the normal life of all of us, but it is essential for our long-term plans.

Playing Fields (including Basketball Area)

There are two playing areas in the village, one on the Brook, the other beside the Village Hall. Children of 11+ years old should use the Village Hall pitch and the basketball goal. The basketball goal and court have a tarmac surface and a single goal. Only children, who are under 11, should play on the play park. Older children are welcome to use the benches near the play park area but not to play games or use the play equipment such as swings.
The basketball posts have recently been checked by the English Outdoor Basket Ball Association, the net replaced and have been approved for another two years.

The tidiness of the play areas is the responsibility of us all, especially the young people who mainly use this facility.

Plans are in hand to improve the facilities for younger children with the addition of other play items.

Graveyard

There are two graveyards surrounding the Church, neither is the responsibility of the Parish Council,one to the north of the Church, the other to the south. The Parish Council defrays part of the cost of the open graveyard while the PCC pays for the rest. Charnwood Council is responsible for the older graveyard, which is now closed for burials, except for families with existing plots.
There are also two small seated areas for contemplation or reflection.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) and not the Parish Council, is responsible for the Church Graveyard.

Allotments

There are a number of allotments, just by the 40mpg sign as one arrives in the village from the direction of Melton. These plots belong to a private landlord and are not part of the Parish facilities. For further details, apply at the Allotments during "digging hours". The Parish Plan group are investigating if more allotments may required.

The Preacher's Stone

This stone is reputed to be the stone used by John Wesley when preaching the word of God to the inhabitants of Rearsby in the 18th Century. It is only tradition, but there are records confirming Wesley was active in the area and the legend could be true.
In June 2002, to commemorate HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee, the Parish Council re-positioned the Stone from the verge where it had been for more than 20 years. It was dedicated by the Vicar, the Methodist minister and a by the Chaplain from Ratcliffe College. All present then took part in an ecumenical service in the Parish Church.

The Seven-arched Bridge

Each one of the parishioners claims the Bridge for itself, so prominent a landmark is it. The cover of "Rearsby Scene", the road signs when approaching from Melton, the School and the Friends of Rearsby Church all use it in some way as their badge/logo.
The present Bridge replaced a planked ford in the 18th Century and was erected by and on behalf of the parish in 1714 when Robert Harrison was Constable. The cost of this work was £11-2s-2d that is £11.22p in today's actual money but tens of thousands of pounds in terms of buying power.
Harrison is commemorated by a barely discernible stone tablet on the fourth arch from the Church, upstream side of the bridge.
The Bridge was paid for by a levy of 8d (4p) on each inhabitant. Today, the Council precept could not possibly bear so comparatively high an expenditure; roads and bridges now maintained by the County Council.
The Bridge was repaired in 2000 thanks to a grant from English Heritage. In Spring 2005 the bridge was excavated and the pillars exposed to show part of the seventh Arch.

(Historical note: Although sometimes referred to, the bridge was never a pack-horse bridge).

Bog Lane

This is a green corridor on the Leicestershire Round crossing the Conker Field and passing the Convent. It leads to and from the small ford north of Manor Farm. Walkers are asked to help to maintain the character of this tranquil place, which is a haven for wild life.
The Sisters of St Joseph of peace have generously improved access to Bog Lane and have replaced the stile with a kissing gate, allowing villagers passage to and from the Conker Field. The status of the route has been confirmed as that of a "footpath" but currently there is a dispute about its exact position.

The Children's Playpark

View of the equipment in the Play park. We have plans to provide more facilities over the next couple of years for the primary age children.

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Village Directory

Here are four quick guides to facilities and services around Rearsby:
Clubs and Groups - what's on during the week at the Village Hall and surrounding villages
Local Businesses - Some of businesses around Rearsby and the surrounding villages*
Delivery Services - Local delivery services available
Village Life - A short guide to local facilities and events

* Inclusion in these guides does not constitute any endorsement of a product or service