Welcome to readers of the New York Times!  You'll find some photos of St. Michael & All Angels' Church in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire and photos of Edmondthorpe events.

Wymondham and Edmondthorpe Civic Society (WECS) is a voluntary organisation, formed in 2004, which seeks to promote high standards of planning, conservation and regeneration for the benefit of our communities near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England.

This includes:

• Lobbying to protect and enhance the conservation area and reviewing planning applications
• Acting for watchdogs for local heritage, including archaeology and historic and listed buildings
• Increasing the capacity of the community for local action, helped by forging close links with other local organisations and individuals
• Affiliation to the Civic Trust, a national organisation concerned with enhancing the quality of life while safeguarding the heritage and character of our towns and villages

Our objectives:

• To promote high standards of planning and architecture in, or affecting, Wymondham or Edmondthorpe
• To promote interest in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Wymondham and Edmondthorpe
• To secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in Wymondham and Edmondthorpe

WECS maintains a close working relationship with the Parish Council, Wymondham Village Hall Committee, St Peter's Church and St Peter's C of E (aided) Primary School and liaises with them on matters affecting the communities of Wymondham & Edmondthorpe.  Plans within Wymondham & Edmondthorpe submitted to Melton Borough Council are reviewed by WECS.

WECS' projects and activities include a Village Plan; recording oral history from people who have lived in the area for many years; forming a collection of items of local interest; walks and talks; competitions; and bringing performers and speakers to the area.  We have already been successful in obtaining grants but seek to build on the local support given so far.

Open meetings take place fortnightly on Wednesday evenings, commencing at 7:30pm, generally at the Berkeley Arms, Wymondham.  Details are published in the Wymondham-Edmondthorpe Journal, along with notification of our other events.  At the time of writing, the next meetings are scheduled for 14th and 28th May.  WECS welcomes new members and opportunities to liaise with other local organisations.  So, if you are interested, take a look at our constitution and come and join us!

The Spring Walk from Edmondthorpe to Cribb's Meadow is scheduled for Sunday, 8th June — further details to follow.  This will tie in with the talk given by Phil Whiteoak on 30th April about The Wymondham Fight — the first International Prize Fight, which was held at Thistleton Gap near Wymondham in 1811.

Centre Screen presentations are now being promoted along with our Centre Stage events:  the next is the Oscar and multi award winning Little Miss Sunshine, showing at Wymondham Village Hall on Thursday 22nd May at 7:30pm (prompt start).  Tickets are £3 full price and £2 concessions from 01572 787 247 or 07792 756 511 or on the door.  Our first screening was Atonement, the BAFTA 2008 winner for Best Film.

Our most recent Centre Stage event was a performance by The Cosmic Sausages (top street performers and the ultimate party band) on 30th March, 2008 at Wymondham Village Hall.  Here are a photo and some video clips, taken on the evening.

Past events have included a concert by Alistair Anderson and Martin Simpson, at Wymondham Village Hall, on 13th December, 2007.  Martin Simpson appeared on Later...with Jools Holland the following night and went on to win awards for Best Album and Best Original Song at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 2008.

The New Rope String Band gave an uproariously funny performance for us at Wymondham Village Hall, on 31st May, 2007.

John Kirkpatrick performed a Christmas extravaganza of traditional English carols and music for us on a variety of squeeze-boxes, at Wymondham Village Hall on 20th December, 2006.

Hank Wangford & Reg Meuross brought their No Hall Too Small tour to us for the culmination of the Wymondham May Festival on 6th May 2006. 

For each event there has been keen interest as soon as details were published, with many of the tickets being bought by people from outside the immediate area.

The annual litterpick is held in March or April each year, continuing Malcolm and Mary Owen's example of "don't just sit there" and "many hands make light work".

The Society's first AGM took place on 25th January 2005, with interested groups from the villages displaying exhibits of their activities.  We have a page of photos taken on the evening.

The 2007 AGM was on Shrove Tuesday, 20th February, so we took the opportunity to serve pancakes to our visitors.

The 2008 AGM, again on 20th February, was followed by a Presentation of Artefacts from the archaeological survey of the Space Foods site by CamArc.  This was well attended, with plenty of time for discussion.

 
This page is located at http://wecs.le14.co.uk  (Note: no "www.")