West Rainton and Leamside villages are extremely proud of the ‘Village Partnership’ which consists of a committee of representatives of every ‘group’ who meet every month in Arden House. The groups are as follows:
- West Rainton and Leamside Community Association
- St. Mary’s Church
- The Village Newsletter
- The History Group
- The Green Group
- West Rainton Primary School
- Mothers and Toddlers Group
- Pins and Needles
- The Youth Group
- Brownies and Rainbows
- The Parish Council
- Arden House
- West Rainton Football Club
- West Rainton & Leamside Playscheme
At a Partnership meeting, each group representative makes a report on progress and activities undertaken by their group. If any advice or assistance is needed, this is discussed collectively. Every member is a volunteer working towards the good of the villages! The following are among the services the Partnership provides to both villages :
- The restocking and maintenance cost of flower tubs
- The hosting, by rota, of the monthly (last Saturday of every month) Arts, Craft and Green market
- The funding of ‘The Village Show’, held every September, which is a celebration of all aspects of village life and an opportunity for all to participate in the different competitions
- The funding of the Village Newsletter which is published four times per year and delivered to every household in the two villages by volunteers
- At Christmas the Partnership groups take part in a themed exhibition to celebrate both Christmas and the work of their group in the village in St. Mary’s Church. In 2013 each group and some of the local businesses decorated a Christmas tree to represent their interests whilst 2014 saw the fantastic array of giant Christmas cards which depicted the good work of each group and also tied in with the church’s 150th birthday celebrations
The Village Partnership is a very important and essential link to village life in West Rainton and Leamside. The variety of services on offer is amazing and it is all done by dedicated and unselfish villagers.