Places & Faces (Suffolk) March 2012

Places&Faces MARCH 2012 • Priceless

®

CHICAGO West End comes to Suffolk

Theatre • Food • Fashion • Homes & Interiors • Elite Properties

www.placesandfaces.co.uk ISSUE 14

The places and faces that make Suffolk great

made with spirit

Beautifully hand crafted, bespoke kitchens, cabinets & furniture Showroom & Parking: 497-499 Wherstead Road, Ipswich IP2 8LL (on the A137 just off the A14) Telephone: 01473 680091 • email: sales@orwellsfurniture.co.uk • www.orwellsfurniture.co.uk Aga Centre • Appliance Specialist • Stonemasons • Ironmongery • Paint Library

Introducing Kelly Hoppen Home We are delighted to announce as of February we will be one of five UK stockists of Kelly Hoppen Home (As seen on Channel 5’s “Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen”). A furniture range inspired by all the great vintage pieces Kelly has used over the years. Creating a capsule collection that could be incorporated into any home, allowing pieces to melt into the surroundings but at the same time stand out as a star piece.

Brightwell Interiors is East Anglia’s destination for Interior Design.

www.brightwellinteriors.com Brightwell Hall Farm, Brightwell, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 OBE e: info@brightwellinteriors.com t: 01473 611130 Open Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm & Saturday 10am - 4pm

FREELANDER 2 TD4 S FROM HAMMONDS

Only £1,128 Deposit followed by 35 payments of £375.99 per month All payments are subject to VAT are on a contract hire, non maintained and based on 10,000 miles per annum, with an excess mileage charge of 10.2ppm. Picture shown is a 2012 model Freelander 2 Td4 S with metallic, clear view pack, 18 inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and exterior pack priced at £25,080.

Hammond Land Rover Norwich Road, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8HX 01986 834700 www.hammondgroup.co.uk

OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE FREELANDER 2 RANGE IN MPG (L/100KM): URBAN 32.5 (8.7) – 39.8 (7.1) EXTRA URBAN 49.6 (5.7) – 53.3 (5.3) COMBINED 40.4 (7.0) – 47.1 (6.0) CO2 EMISSIONS: 185 – 158 G/KM. Finance promotion applies to new Freelander models first registered between 1st January and 31st March 2012.

Promotions are not available for used cars. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. We work with a number of creditors to provide finance to our customers, including Land Rover Finance.

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Adrian Rawlinson Managing Director

Editor’s letter

Lesley Rawlinson Director

Hello from the Editor

Alison Watson Account Manager

Managing Director: Adrian Rawlinson adrian@achievemoremedia.co.uk t: 01473 809932 m: 07718 149307 Director: Lesley Rawlinson lesley@achievemoremedia.co.uk t: 01473 809932 m: 07519 477583 Account Manager: Alison Watson alison@achievemoremedia.co.uk t: 01473 809932 m: 07546 485204 Editor: Anne Gould editor@achievemoremedia.co.uk m: 07411 701010 Senior Designer: Elliott Mowle B.A elliott@h2creativemedia.co.uk Printed by: Micropress, Fountian Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH Published by: Achieve More Media Ltd 21, Terry Gardens, Kesgrave, Suffolk, IP5 2EP www.achievemoremedia.co.uk

arch is the month when we get the light back into our lives and hopefully spring begins with the promise of warmer weather.

Suffolk always looks so fresh and green at this time of year and it’s simply a great time to get out and enjoy our beautiful county.

This month, Places&Faces, Suffolk’s most exclusive magazine talks to Bernie Nolan who is starring in West End show Chicago, which is on tour and visiting the Ipswich Regent.

It seems she’s probably as excited about coming to Suffolk as we all are about seeing her show, as she has fond memories of appearing in Ipswich before with her sisters and simply loves the countryside too.

This month we’ve also seen Suffolk as most of us have never seen it before – in the dark.

Acclaimed photographer and artist Bill Jackson has given us access to some of his special landscape pictures – all taken in the pitch black.

For those who’ve decided that this is the year to plant a kitchen garden and get a few chickens, with the aim of creating a more sustainable lifestyle we’ve been talking to people who know a thing or two about what you’ll be going through. Increasing numbers of people are becoming smallholders because they care passionately about where their food is coming from – and our interviews with three pioneers of this way of life are nothing short of inspiring.

Places&Faces is delivered only to individually selected homes, businesses and venues but we couldn’t do it without the help of our valued commercial partners – so if you saw them in here please let them know.

Anne Gould Anne Gould, Editor editor@achievemoremedia.co.uk

See all of our Social Photos at our website placesandfaces.co.uk

To subscribe either: Join us at twitter.com/ placesandfaces to get the breaking stories and keep up-to-date

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Copyright on all content is with Achieve More Media Limited.

Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times were correct at time of going to press and you are encouraged to contact the venue prior to making bookings. All expressions and opinions demonstrated within the publication, are those of the editor including contributors. Places&Faces® is a registered Trade Mark of H2 Creative Media Ltd used under license by Achieve More Media Ltd

12 issues for £st2ra4 ight delivered r to your doo

1. E-mail placesandfaces@achievemoremedia.co.uk with your name and contact details or 2. Send a cheque for £24 per subscription to Achieve More Media Ltd, 21 Terry Gardens, Kesgrave, Suffolk, IP5 2EP and enclose the delivery name address and postcode.

3. Visit www.placesandfaces.co.uk/magazine-subscribe Prices include postage and packaging. Personal details will be used for subscription purposes only.

Places&Faces®

5

ht or on o m w

N we

ab

ask for advice

www.angliafactors.co.uk

01473 610 192

DeDmeomo oCookoinkg0inag0ma-4mp-4mpm C f f f f e e NN d Dd eDce1c 1

hs po wo !ne r oo

visit us online

SaSta3t r3r etaeiltsails e rfodr d itesitfo besb e w w e e e e SS

Kitchens to suit both your home and your lifestyle.

Bespoke kitchensBATHROOMS manufactured created in Suffolk.

KITCHENS KITCHENS BATHROOMS andBEDROOMS BEDROOMS HOME HOME OFFICES

m

FA C TO RRSS

Ipswich IP5 3RD 34 Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath HOME HOME CINEMAS CINEMAS BESPOKE BESPOKE INTERIORS INTERIORS

Creative, imaginative, stylish

Saturday 10am-4pm Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

to the Next Level Taking Kitchen Design

come see us

Taking Taking Kitchen Kitchen Design to tothe the Next Next Level Level come comesee seeusus Monday MondaytotoFriday Friday9am-5pm 9am-5pm Saturday Saturday10am-4pm 10am-4pm

Creative, Creative,imaginative, imaginative, stylish stylish KITCHENS BATHROOMS BEDROOMS HOME OFFICES Bespoke Bespokekitchens kitchens manufactured manufactured and andcreated created inin Suffolk.

Suffolk.

HOME CINEMAS BESPOKE INTERIORS 34 34Gloster GlosterRoad, Road,Martlesham Martlesham Heath Heath

Kitchens Kitchenstotosuit suitboth bothyour yourhome homeand andyour yourlifestyle. lifestyle.

Ipswich IpswichIP5 IP53RD 3RD

www.angliafactors.co.uk www.angliafactors.co.uk

01473 01473 610 192 192

visit visit ususonline online

ask askfor for advice advice

N New ew ba nboatthro nowhoroom w pom sho open sh w en! owroo ! ro m om

FA C TO R S See we bsite fo r detail Sat 3rd s D Neff C ec 10am-4p ookin m

g Dem

o

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Contents

21 32 44

48 Features

24 26

Aldeburgh Music Club

28

Bill Jackson

32

Celebrating its 60th anniversary

Spa Pavilion

What does the future hold for seaside theatre entertainment?

The amazing art of night photography

Sustainable living Suffolk’s new smallholders

People

08 42

Bernie Nolan On returning to Suffolk in the national tour of Chicago

Jacqui Martin Chief Executive of Suffolk Family Carers

90

MY SUFFOLK Paul Milsom, Managing Director of Milsom Hotels

56 46

Short break A leisurely time at Ufford Park

Regulars

48

Food and Drink

13 14

Suffolk in Brief

56

Gardening

21

Mini Previews

Homes and Interiors

37

Fashion

61 67

44

PUB DOG WALK

80

MOTORING

News from around the county

What’s On Your diary dates for March

Jasmin Vardimon, Orford Jazz, Less Than Kind, Forever Young

Casual styles for this spring Big skies and wide horizons in this walk from the Sibton White Horse

Café 1885 at Snape Maltings, Local Produce and Food Galleries and a recipe from the Black Lion at Long Melford

Creating raised beds, caring for your lawn and planting bare root hedging

Looking at the latest kitchen gadgets

Property A selection of our county’s finest homes for sale

The Subaru Forester and the new Honda Civic reviewed

Places&Faces®

7

Places&FacesÂŽ | March 2012

CLASS ACT

International hit musical Chicago is coming to the Ipswich Regent as part of its national tour in early April. Anne Gould spoke to one of the stars from the show – singer and actress Bernie Nolan 8 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Celebrity Interview | Bernie Nolan

Stefan Booth as Billy Flynn

t’s the day before the new national tour of Chicago is about to make its debut and as one of the stars of the show Bernie Nolan has every right to feel a little bit of the jitters.

“Of course I’m nervous, I’m always nervous and doing a new show it’s only natural.

Nerves are a healthy thing – if you never ever felt like this, especially on the day before opening night, you shouldn’t be in this business.”

Taking a break between rehearsals to chat to Places&Faces however Bernie is clearly delighted to be taking Chicago on tour.

She’s actually so impressed and thrilled with the production and her fellow actors/ musicians that although she has only signed up for the first six months of the show, if the offer came in to do the latter end of the tour her name would be very promptly go down on the dotted line.

What’s clear from the outset is that Bernie is one of those amazingly resilient people who seek out the positives in life even if things aren’t going well.

“The glass is very definitely half full”, she says.

Coming to Suffolk on tour is something of a bonus she says, because she’s got a very dear friend who lives in Ipswich, who she doesn’t

Ali Bastian as Roxie Hart

I am 51 but I feel like I did in my 20s and I want to celebrate life. I am a very optimistic person and there’s so much I want to do still

get to see too often.

“She’s got a lovely apartment just up the hill from the theatre so I’m really looking forward to catching up with her again.

“I’ve been to Suffolk several times, I came there on tour of course with the Nolan Sisters but I also recall being in Blood Brothers some years ago too.

“The county has some beautiful countryside, it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s just a little bit too far for me to commute back to my home in Surrey every night so I’ll be in town for the whole week.”

Bernie prefers not to stay in hotels and one of the bonuses of playing in Ipswich is that 16 members of the cast have hired a big house,

“on the other side of Christchurch Park” .

“I’m so excited about the show too, I have always wanted to be in it and even when we’ve been working in rehearsal I just keep saying how lucky I am.”

She’s full of admiration too for her co-stars including Ali Bastian as Roxie Hart, Stefan Booth as Billy Flynn and Tupele Dorgu as Velma Kelly.

“I had no idea they could sing and dance so brilliantly, although I think my character Mama Morton has the two best songs in the show, “Class” and “When You’re Good To Mamma”.

“It’s not physically demanding for me as I don’t have to do any dancing and I don’t

Places&Faces®

9

Have you heard the buzz...

“My Neptune kitchen is my pride & joy.

The best in quality that I have ever seen.”

Glen, Scotland - July 2011

Design Centre Ltd. Barton Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7BE t: 01284 731025 e: sales@designcentreltd.co.uk

www.designcentreltd.co.uk HOME

THE DESIGN CENTRE ARE PROUD NEPTUNE PREMIER PARTNERS. PICTURED: PRICE OF SIMILAR SIZED SUFFOLK KITCHEN STARTS FROM £9,000, HARROGATE 170CM TABLE £795 WITH LONG ISLAND LINEN CHAIR & COVER £195 AND SUFFOLK SIDEBOARD £995.

FOR A FREE 192 PAGE BROCHURE PLEASE CONTACT THE DESIGN CENTRE.

BED R OOM

BAT H RO O M

GARDEN

neptune.co.uk

L I VI NG

D I NI NG

K IT CHEN

Celebrity Interview | Bernie Nolan

have to wear anything too revealing either – although they’ve made me a suit and a special pair of shoes for the tour.”

Certainly theatre audiences in Ipswich are in for a treat as Chicago, with six Tony, two Olivier, one Grammy, two Bafta and six Academy Awards, has been described as “The sharpest, slickest show on the block”.

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

The show in London, now at the Garrick Theatre, has just entered its fifteenth year and it currently also plays in New York and Spain as well as the West End. Bernie’s career has been long lived and varied. At the start she was probably best known as lead vocalist on many of The Nolans

to Operastar, loosing by just 0.2% of the votes to Darius Danesh.

Soon after it was revealed that Bernie was suffering from breast cancer and she vowed to beat it giving a series of positive interviews to support and inspire other sufferers.

She talked about her mastectomy and breast reconstruction openly and following recovery even appeared naked on stage in Calandar Girls – revealing the scars on her back for all to see.

Famous for her beautiful blonde locks she shaved her hair off when it started falling out in clumps and was happy to be photographed with a bald head – because that’s what happens, whether you are a star or not, when you undergo chemotherapy.

Luckily she says it’s grown back thick, sleek and lustrous as ever – although to begin with it was curly, “which was a shock”.

She’s also been photographed for the national papers recently in a bikini having lost over a stone in weight - which was gained she said because of the steroid treatment for cancer.

Losing the weight involved some dedicated gym work – the only trick now apparently is to keep it off and that involves not being tempted into post show suppers and parties.

For Bernie though this tour represents something else – it’s business as usual after recovering from breast cancer.

It’s an illness that has blighted her family before – she is one of six sisters and three of them - including Anne and Linda have had the disease.

“We are very lucky, we are survivors. We have got on with it and recovered. Life is too short to have regrets.

“I am 51 but I feel like I did in my 20s and I recordings. want to celebrate life. I am a very optimistic Together with her sisters she had hits such person and there’ s so much I want to do still. as “I’m in the Mood for Dancing”, “Don’t Make “Of course I want to spend as much time Waves”, “Attention to Me” & “Gotta Pull Myself with my daughter Erin and my husband as Together”. possible but like everyone else we have a The group sold millions of records mortgage to pay. worldwide, including Japan where they sold “Career-wise I’d love to be in Sunset over 9 million albums.

Boulevard and maybe do some more TV, Bernie went on to be a presenter on the either a sitcom/comedy or serious high BBC Saturday morning children’s show On drama. the Waterfront where her gift for comedy was “I am really happy doing a job I love so I am revealed. very lucky.”

She then went solo in the stage play The Devil Rides Out, joined the cast of Channel 4’s soap opera Brookside and appeared as more information: Sergeant Sheelagh Murphy in ITV’s long www.chicagotour.co.uk running police drama series The Bill.

Chicago is at the Ipswich Regent from In 2006 Bernie took part in the Channel 4’s April 2-7 series The Games, focusing on fund raising Box Office: 01473 433100 for Alzheimer’s and children’s charities and in www.ipswichregent.com early 2010 reached the final of ITV’s Popstar

Places&Faces®

11

Saturday 24 March, 7.30pm Jerwood DanceHouse

Sirens Health & Beauty Retreat 154a Hamilton Road Felixstowe 01394 282626 Sirens Revive Holiday Inn Ransomes Europark Ipswich 01473 273527

Enjoy an evening of masked mystery and glamour at the DanceEast Carnevale celebration. This enchanted evening will bring a flavour of Venice to the Ipswich waterfront, with fabulous entertainers, Italian street food, dancing and a professional casino.

At this evening like no other, you are guaranteed to be charmed by performances that include a ballroom extravaganza by dancers from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, spectacular acts from Circus Space and specially commissioned work from DanceEast’s very own Academy students.

Unique masks, individually designed by celebrities, will be auctioned on the night and there will be an opportunity to win some exceptional prizes at the casino and in the raffle.

Don’t miss this unique evening full of Italian elegance, flair and daring.

Tickets £50 each with tables of 10 available To book tickets call Maggie Powell on 01473 295230

Mothering Sunday

Treat your Mum to a be autiful gift from the stunning selection at Bo urne Garden Centre

Open: 9.00-18.00 Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 16.30 Sunday & Bank Holidays

garden centre

Peppers Lane . Wherstead Ipswich . IP9 2AB T: 01473 786617 www.bournegardencentre.co.uk

Places&Faces® | March 2012

News

Suffolk

Ipswich born Royal Ballet star Gary Avis scooped the 2011 Critic’s Circle National Dance Award in the Outstanding Male Performance (Classical) category at a recent ceremony in London. The awards are decided by the 60 members of the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle after an extensive round of nominations and voting. To be eligible, performances had to be given in the UK between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011.

The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, is seeking the most demanding guests in the country, to act as ‘hotel inspectors’ and test out its five new luxury self-catering lodges.

They actually want people to try and find fault with this glamorous accommodation, so that any teething troubles can be smoothed out prior to the opening. If you’d like to take up this challenge register at www. stokebynaylandlodges.com/hotel-inspector by 12th March 2012. A variety of guests will be selected at random after the closing date.

Ipswich High School for Girls is delighted that Year 11 pupil, Kitty McWhirter was selected to play for England U18 Hockey against Wales. The friendly matches, the first in a series of internationals, took place in Cardiff in February. Miss Sandie Lister, PE Teacher at Ipswich High and Olympic Bronze Medalist (Hockey) said “This is such a fantastic, well-deserved achievement for Kitty. It is made even more incredible by the fact that she still has two years left to play in this age group. Kitty has an outstanding natural goal scoring ability and a talent like hers is very rare to find.”

The British Larder Suffolk has been awarded Best Newcomer at the Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropub Awards 2012, coming 32nd overall across the UK beating off competition from entrants across the whole

of the country. Despite only having opened its doors 18 months ago, the British Larder Suffolk was whittled down to the shortlist and awarded overall Best Newcomer for its innovative food concept, involvement in food events, and its marketing prowess as well as presence within the nation’s food scene.

Were you in the local Women’s Land Army between 1942 and 1950? Leavenheath Women’s Land Army hostel , derelict for decades, is being sensitively renovated as part of exciting new developments of the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa resort.

In commemoration of the site’s war-time history, the former water tower will serve as a permanent tribute, displaying a variety of photographs and memorabilia from the period. The owners are looking to make contact with former Land Army girls who were billeted at Leavenheath during the Second World War, to discover their stories and memories and to invite them to visit as guests of honour during a special launch event in May. If you are a former Land Army girl, or have a friend or family member who was involved, please get in touch with Liz Ingle on 01206 265808 or email directorspa@stokebynayland.com.

Holiday Dogs, with the help of www. doghousesuffolk.co.uk is raising money for the Animal Health Trust to aid their investigations into Seasonal Canine Illness.

Unfortunately the recent walk scheduled for Sunday 5th February was cancelled due to the snow but has been re-scheduled for Sunday 4th March, meeting at Butley Corner Car Park for a walk around the ‘Daisy’s Walk’.

Registration is £5 with all proceeds going to the Animal Health Trust. To register your interest please contact Mary-Ann on 07840 871547 or visit www.holidaydogs.co.uk.

in brief Clarity Included is delighted to announce the appointment of Emma Pratt as Managing Director. Dan Jarrold, founder of Clarity Included said “I’m really delighted that I have found a business partner in Emma. She is a sound and award winning marketeer and her recent accolades and results for a leading law firm have shown us that she has what it takes to drive the business forward. As a partner and MD Emma’s focus will be to drive new clients and build the relationship with and delivery for existing clients.” www.clarityincluded.co.uk As Hopkins Homes continues to consolidate its position as the leading East Anglian independent new homes builder the company has increased the strength of their team with a further two new appointments.

Phillip Ashenden has been appointed as a Design Assistant to the Design, Planning & Technical team. Having studied Architecture at Oxford Brookes University, Phillip started his career in his father’s architectural practice before going on to work on behalf of English Heritage where he was involved in projects that included Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral and St Paul’s. Pretoria Lee joins the company as a Graduate Land Buyer from the Royal Agricultural College, attaining her degree in Property Agency and Marketing and where she also undertook extra modules in Planning and Corporate Finance.

February saw the opening of the new NSPCC Ipswich Service Centre in Crown Street, Ipswich. The President and Chairman of the East Suffolk Branch invited guests to celebrate the opening and hear a short talk about the centres valuable work. To see photographs of the event visit www.placesandfaces.co.uk/ NSPCC

Photographs Left to right: Members of the Women’s Land Army, Kitty McWhirter, Phillip Ashenden and Pretoria Lee

Places&Faces®

13

Places&Faces® | March 2012

what’s on March 3 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Showstopper! The Improvised Musical A brand new musical is created from scratch at each performance of this award-winning production, which has played sell out seasons in London’s West End and at the Edinburgh Festival Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org Burns Recital Hall, Royal Hospital School, 7.30pm Holbrook Music Society Organ Recital David Bell, former organist to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Tickets: £7 www.rhscommunity.co.uk The apex, Bury St Edmunds , 7.30pm Johnny Cash Roadshow Delivering all the hits including: The Ring of Fire, Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, Man In Black, One Piece at a Time, Sunday Morning Coming down, Hurt and many of the duets by Johnny and June including: Jackson, Darling Companion, It Ain’t Me Babe, making this the finest celebration of The Man in Black Tickets: £17 Box office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath , 10am - 4 pm Suffolk Orchid Society Annual Show Entry: £1 www.suffolkorchid.co.uk March 3 & 4 St Mary’s Church Woodbridge, 7.30pm on March 3, Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, 4pm on March 4 Prometheus Orchestra Mozart : Overture ‘La Clemenza di Tito’ Haydn: Cello concerto No 2 in D major Beethoven: Symphony No 3 ‘Eroica’ Edmond Fivet, conductor and Jeremy Hughes, cello Tickets £12 Box Office: 01728 687110 Email: boxoffice@aldeburgh.co.uk Or Woodbridge Violins: 01394 383150 Email: info@woodbridgeviolins.com

14 | placesandfaces.co.uk

March 4 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Absolutely Joanna Lumley One of the UK’s most loved actresses in conversation with Sir Jeremy Isaacs.

Post-show reception with Joanna Lumley £20 (limited capacity). Money raised from this fundraising event will help to support the Theatre Royal’s community and education programme Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

Ipswich Corn Exchange Ipswich Orchestral Society Annual Family Concert www.ipswichregent.com Box office: 01473 433100

Felixstowe, 10:30am Walk of Thoughts The sixth annual Walk of Thoughts for St Elizabeth Hospice covers a circular six-mile route and starts from the Clifflands Car Park, Cliff Road, and goes along the beach and the River Deben. Open to people of all ages and dogs are welcome.

Walkers can register in advance or on the day from 10am Registration is £7 for adults in advance or £8 on the day and £4 for under 16’s in advance or £5 on the day www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

March 5 to 10 Snape Maltings, 7pm

A Celebration of Schools’ Music This year is the 25th anniversary of the first Celebration, and the unique and longstanding partnership between Aldeburgh Music and Suffolk County Council.

The week long event brings together about 1500 pupils of all ages and abilities from 50 schools to perform every kind of music imaginable. To celebrate this significant anniversary Pete Letanka has created a special Finale piece for the end of each evening’s performance Tickets: £7 Box office: 01728 687110 www.aldeburgh.co.uk

March 7 to 10 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, 7.45pm (7.00pm on March 6 and 2.30pm matinee on the 8th) Oedipussy An outrageous no-holds-barred subversion of the quintessential Greek tragedy - a tale of forbidden lust, violent murder, how to become your own step-father and the ultimate dysfunctional family Suitable for audiences 14+ Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk www.spymonkey.co.uk

March 8 Snape Maltings, Jerwood Kiln Studio, 6pm Open Session: Toward the Sea Michael Chance counter-tenor, Lester Simpson singer, James Boyd guitar.

This Open Session includes the world premiere of a new work by Joseph Phibbs

What’s On

GILMAN-EARLE DESIGN Garden Design And Landscaping

for counter-tenor and guitar, preliminary sketches from Jonathan Dove, Alasdair Nicholson, Tarik O’Regan and Anthony Powers, poetry by Irene Noel Baker and new songs from folk singer and songwriter Lester Simpson Tickets: £6 Box office: 01728 687110 www.aldeburgh.co.uk

March 8 & 9 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár Opera della Luna returns with a new production of Lehár’s classic operetta The Merry Widow. In a sparkling new English translation, with live orchestra, this imaginative staging captures the glamour and decadence of turn of the century Paris while infusing the production with Opera della Luna’s trademark wit. ‘Ensemble playing at its best’, London Evening Standard Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org March 9 to 11 Aldeburgh Literary Festival Talks by Craig Brown, Roddy Doyle, William Fiennes, Claire Tomalin and Kathryn Hughes More details: 01728 452389 www.aldeburghbookshop.co.uk

March 10 St Bartholomew’s Church, Orford, 7.30pm Elis Pehkonen: Home From The Sea Joanna Lee: Merman. Haydn: Salve Regina and Missa Brevis.

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus and Salzburg Symphony. Jeremy Huw Willliams baritone, Aldeburgh Music Club Choir, Prometheus Orchestra, Edmond Fivet conductor Ticket: £15 Box Office: 01728 687110 www.aldeburghmusicclub.org.uk or Friend’s Garage, Orford Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds An audience with Tim Brooke Taylor in conversation with Chris Serle Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7pm The Household Troops Band The Salvation Army in Bury St Edmunds is celebrating its 125th anniversary, and to celebrate this occasion we are proud to present The Household Troops Band of The Salvation Army, under the direction of Bandmaster Carl Saunders Tickets: £9 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Gilman-Earle Design is a trading style of Natures Bridge Ltd. Registered in England and Wales.

Registered Office: 52 Edwin Avenue, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1JS. Vat Num

Places&Faces® | March 2012 St Edmundsbury Cathedral, 7.30pm Elgar’s The Kingdom Stowmarket Chorale performs this glorious work with soloists Julie Roberts (Soprano), Mae Heydorn (Alto), David Webb (Tenor), Richard Strivens (Bass) and the Mid Suffolk Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Leslie Olive. With support from The Elgar Society.

Tickets: £10 to £20 (Schoolchildren free) Box office: 01449 737783 and Balaam’s Music 01284 766933 www.stowmarketchorale.org

March 11 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, 7.45pm Terry Dash Music presents A Tribute to The Swing Legends with Matthew Ford and his Big Band www.terrydash.co.uk Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

March 13 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Lesley Garret: an Evening of Song and Merriment Accompanied by Ian Farrington, Lesley will sing a few of her favourite numbers – some classical, all popular. She’ll tell us why good music, of all sorts, means so much to her,

with a story or two along the way. Laughter is guaranteed. The evening is introduced by Sir Jeremy Isaacs Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.30pm Paul Daniels - Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Join Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee for a show full of magic, comedy and amazement Tickets: £15 - £21 Box office: 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

March 13 to 17 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich Forever Young (See mini preview) Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

March 14 to 16 Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.30pm Over the Rainbow A compelling award-winning musical starring Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks) as Eva Cassidy following her life through dramatic scenes and stunning live renditions of her music Tickets: £11.50 - £18.50 Box office: 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk March 16 Winfield Barns, 7.30pm Beverley Craven Best known for her 1991 hits Promise Me and Holding On and multi-million selling debut album, Beverley is back on the road with a ‘stripped down and laid bare’ duo line-up, featuring her superlative saxophone player Tickets: £19.50 Box office: 01379 384505 www.wingfieldbarns.com

March 16 & 17 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Equus Inspired by a true story, Shaffer’s unique psychological thriller explores the complex relationships between worship, myth and sexuality. In a Hampshire stable, a

NURSERY & JUNIOR SCHOOL OPEN MORNING Wednesday 29th February, 10am - 12pm We are delighted to invite prospective students and parents to visit Saint Felix School and Nursery to meet our staff and pupils.

“Wherever our children are learning, be it in the traditional indoor classroom or the outdoor classroom, parents can be sure that Saint Felix pupils are always in their element.” Julia Campbell, Head of the Junior School

SAINT FELIX PUPILS LEARN FOR LIFE

for more information call 01502 722175 or email melissa@stfelix.co.uk www.stfelix.co.uk

What’s On youth blinds six horses with a metal spike.

Convicted of this appalling crime, seventeenyear-old Alan Strang is sent to a secure psychiatric hospital. Martin Dysart, the child psychiatrist assigned to him, begins to probe Alan’s past in an attempt to understand his motives Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich, 7.30pm Jasmin Vardimon Company, Justitia (See mini preview) Box office: 01473 295230 Tickets: £14 (£7 concessions) www.danceeast.co.uk

March 17 St. Bartholomew’s Church, Orford, 7.30pm An Evening of Light Jazz with the Janet Seidel Trio (See mini preview) Tickets: £10 Box Office: 01394 450276 Email: orfordjazz@wellassociates.co.uk

rockin’ solos – whether you’re a complete beginner or advanced, this session will help improve your playing and get the best out of this deceptively humble instrument. Steve is a musician with a world-wide reputation, who has played with acts from Larry Adler, Chris Difford (Squeeze) and Screaming Lord Sutch to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and recorded over 70 albums Tickets: £25 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm Suffolk Sinfonia Local soloist Birgitta Kenyon plays Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with London conductor Robert Hodge. Programme includes: Gershwin: Girl Crazy Overture, Walking The Dog & Rhapsody in Blue, Barber: Adagio for Strings & Dvorak: Symphony No 8 in G Tickets: £10 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 12noon - 4pm Harmonica Workshop with Steve Lockwood Play blues rhythms, cool country wails, pitch bend all the way down and jam along with

Royal Hospital School Chapel, 7.30pm Holbrook Music Society Charity Gala Concert - Band, Chapel Choir, Orchestra and instrumental soloists of The

Royal Hospital School Tickets: £7 www.rhscommunity.co.uk

Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.30pm Fascinating Aïda: The Cheap Flights Tour Continuing their smash-hit, sell-out tour, three times Olivier Award nominated and now a global internet sensation, Fascinating Aïda are still Britain’s best comedy cabaret trio Tickets: £20 - £25 Box office: 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

March 18 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Author, Author!

Claire Tomalin & Michael Frayn.

Two of Britain’s most notable writers discuss their work, their lives together, and the similarities and differences between fiction and non-fiction Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, 7.45pm The Vocal Ensemble of Africa Six singers from six countries combine multiple influences to create music of

Don

ay er’s d h t o et M ’t Forg

Places&Faces® | March 2012 astounding power Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm Kerry Ellis Suffolk girl Kerry has been wowing West End and Broadway audiences for the last ten years, with lead roles in My Fair Lady, We Will Rock You, Les Misérables, Wicked and Oliver!. This is a special one-off charity gig to raise money for the new John Peel Centre for Creative Arts in Stowmarket. Support from The Voice Squad.

Tickets: £25 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Snape Maltings, Britten Studio, 4pm Open Session Aldeburgh Music’s youth group in action.

Led by Artistic Director, Pete Letanka, the un-auditioned group made up of thirty local 14–18 year olds will showcase their unique sound, infectious energy and own vocal creations Tickets: £6 Box office: 01728 687110 www.aldeburgh.co.uk

March 19 The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm Tord Gustavsen Ensemble Renowned Norwegian pianist Tord together with some of the most intriguing players on the vibrant and eclectic Scandinavian jazz scene Tickets: £16 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

March 19 to 24 Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.30pm (Matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm) Less Than Kind,

by Terence Rattigan (See mini preview) Tickets: £10.50 to £22.50 Box office: 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

March 20 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, 7pm The Games An ‘undiscovered’ Greek comedy incorporating sporting equipment with a thousand uses, an original musical score, clown, shadow puppetry and scenes of simulated nudity!

Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk www.spiketheatre.com

Do you enjoy

SINGING EVER THOUGHT OF JOINING A CHOIR WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE IT TRY

Go on, try a session with

Aldeburgh Music Club • No audition needed • All voices welcomed • Next concert – Verdi Requiem at Snape Maltings For more information web aldeburghmusicclub.org.uk phone David 01728 638793 email@aldeburghmusicclub.org.uk

A l d e b u r g h M u s i c Club founded by Benjamin Britten in 1952 60

YEARS

OF

MUSIC

MAKING

A l d e b u r g h M u s i c C l u b i s a R e g i s t e r e d C h a r i t y N o 10 0 0 9 9 0

DIRECTED & CHOREOGRAPHED

BY JASMIN VARD IMON Theatrically staged on a large revolving set, fiercely athletic and intricately detailed, Justitia delivers a generous mix of energetic dance, a sharp script and an exhilarating soundtrack.

Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich

Friday 16 & Saturday 17 March 7.30pm Box Office 01473 295230 www.danceeast.co.uk

What’s On March 21 & 22 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, 7.45pm Ensemble presents: Souvenir d’Anne Frank The stories of Anne told though songs and the music of Colin Decio’s richly evocative piano trio (piano, violin and cello) in a unique and fascinating music and theatre fusion Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk www.ensemble-online.com

March 20 to 24 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds The Hound of the Baskervilles One of the greatest stories of the 20th century and its macabre appeal has made it the most popular of the Sherlock Holmes adventures. Oldham Coliseum and Imitating the Dog collaborate to fuse different theatrical traditions to create a dark and sinister world of the most popular of the Sherlock Holmes adventures Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

March 21 Ipswich Regent Charlie Simpson Tickets: £13.50

March 23 & 24 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists March 23 Adaptation of Robert Tressell’s famous novel The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 8pm about the struggle for survival in stagnating Cara Dillon Edwardian England brought to life by two Hailing from Dungiven in Co Derry, Cara hugely talented performers using comedy Dillon´s rare talent, gentle charm and natural routines, entertaining songs and live music personality combine with a mesmerising gift from the Music Hall and uplifting hymns from to relate a great story through song, and have the Chapel sung in graceful harmony helped establish her as one of the world’s Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk leading exponents of traditional Irish music www.townsendproductions.org.uk Tickets: £18

Box Office: 01284 758000 Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.45pm www.theapex.co.uk Mercury Studio Theatre

Callas by Jean-Yves Picq March 23 & 25 A sensitive and candid portrayal of the Snape Maltings, Britten Studio, Friday 23 at legendary opera singer, Maria Callas, based 8pm; repeated on Sunday 25 at 4pm exclusively on her authentic interviews Belcea Quartet: Beethoven Cycle Tickets: £11 Beethoven Quartet Op.18 No.1 in F; Quartet Box office: 01206 573948 Op.59 No.3 in C; Quartet Op.132 in A minor The third in the Belcea’s bold year-long www.mercurytheatre.co.uk project to perform and record all Beethoven March 24 quartets The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7pm Tickets: £18 to £24 Bury Bach Choir: Handel’s Messiah Box office: 01728 687110 Tickets: £10 to £21 www.aldeburgh.co.uk Box Office: 01284 758000

www.theapex.co.uk Box office: 01473 433100 www.ipswichregent.com

“I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” Pablo Casals

M SU ARK Feb ITE OETING rua PE ry 2 NS HO 012 ME Ap OP ril 2 EN 012 S

Park View is a state of the art, luxurious care home overlooking the magnificent gardens and grounds of Chantry Park near Ipswich.

Our philosophy is quite simple; to provide the very highest standard of care and quality of life to each person at Park View.

Park View Care Home provides residential, nursing and specialist dementia care to elderly ladies and gentlemen, this full complement of services means that elderly residents changing needs can be met throughout their stay with us.

To truly appreciate the high standards in care, accommodation and lifestyle, visit our Marketing Suite from February 2012.

If you are interested in finding out more about Park View Care Home, please contact Angie Ryan by Freephone 0808 139 6020 Park View Care Home 1 Chantry Close, Ipswich IP2 OQR

PARK VIEW CARE HOME 1 Chantry Close, Ipswich IP2 OQR • State of the Art Development • Residential, Nursing & Dementia Care • Individualised Care Plans • Short & Long Term Care • Activities, Hobbies and Clubs • Cinema Room • Specialist Care Design Features

Email enquiries@parkviewcarehome.co.uk www.parkviewcarehome.co.uk

• Hospitality Services • Private Dining • Wi-Fi • Beautiful Accommodation Throughout • Stunning Landscaped Gardens

Freephone 0808 139 6020

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich, 7.30pm Carnevale An evening of masked mystery and glamour at the Dance East Carnevale celebration, bring the flavour of Venice to Ipswich Waterfront. Featuring a ballroom extravaganza by BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, acts from Circus Space and specially commissioned work from Dance East’s Academy students Tickets: £50 with tables of 10 available To book call: Maggie Powell 01473 295230

March 25 Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Bury St Edmunds Concert Club Musicians from Ipswich School Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

Outstanding Dance Company (2009). For their return visit to Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, the Company is delighted to present a mixed bill of premieres from the latest in British choreographic talent: Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Jonathan Watkins (The Royal Ballet) and Martin Lawrance (creator Pendulum for Ballet Black, 2009). They will also debut Storyville, a dark tale of love, corruption and survival set in the nightclubs of 1900s New Orleans, by renowned choreographer, Christopher Hampson Box office: 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org

March 29 to 31 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 7.45pm New Wolsey Associate Company, GECKO, present Missing Directed by Amit Lahav This disturbing and beautiful David Lynch style Alice in Wonderland fantasy will turn your imagination upside down and inside out!

Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk www.geckotheatre.com

fun way with the wheel spun 3 to 4 times and the quartet playing the pieces chosen by the wheel Tickets: £16 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

March 30 & 31 Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.45pm (Matinee Sat 2.45pm) Mercury Studio Theatre This is a Chair and Heart’s Desire

by Caryl Churchill Local Glass Horse Theatre Company presents a Caryl Churchill double bill Tickets: £7.50 Box office: 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

March 31 The Olde Coach House, Diss St. Michael’s, Framlingham, 7.30pm 10am - 4pm “An Easter Offering” Charity Open Garden A concert by the Suffolk Singers on behalf of Open Garden, over two acres of Daffodils Friends of St. Michael’s running down to the banks of the River Tickets: £8 (under 14’s free) Waveney. Tombola, Cake stall, Craft Stalls, Contact: 01728 621082 or 01728 746441 Charity stalls, Teas, Cakes, Refreshments. In

aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance, Big C, and RSPB Minsmere Prostate Cancer. Sorry no dogs Boats depart at 9 am, 10 am, 12 pm and 1 pm The Olde Coach House, (4 hours each) The Street, Brockdish, Diss, IP21 4JY Mercury Theatre Colchester, 7.30pm (Matinee Havergate’s hares Sat 2.30pm) Havergate is a great place to watch brown Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile with Thorpeness Shang-Hi hares, especially in spring. Join us on a trip to Hotel and Golf Club With over 30 amazingly multi-talented and this special island in search of these fantastic An opportunity for personal achievement! skilled performers, this marvellous two hour mammals. Will you be lucky enough to see Whether you do one, three or six miles - as extravaganza combines acrobatics, modern them boxing? There will be a good variety of a family team, with your mates or against dance, martial arts, original music and migrant wading birds, late departing ducks, the clock you’ll have a fantastic time. Run or many other traditional and modern Chinese barn owls, little egrets and much more to see. stroll past Aldeburgh’s Historic Moot Hall, the elements within a fantastic adventure story This event also takes place on April 1 and 2 unique House in the Clouds and the stunning Tickets: £15 to £21 Members £12, non-members £15 coastline Box office: 01206 573948 www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere To reserve your place visit: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk www.sportrelief.com

March 27 The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 8pm Count Arthur Strong Showbiz legend and raconteur, returns to the stage to remind us just what we’ve been missing since his heyday at the very top of the entertainment business Tickets: £15 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

March 30 The apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm March 29 & 30 Unbuttoned: Brodsky Quartet Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the quartet Ballet Black has devised a ‘Wheel of 4Tunes’ comprising Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black has garnered 40 of their favourite quartets and short praise from all quarters, with recent accolades pieces. Throughout the evening, the including the Dance Europe Award for programme will be chosen in an informal and 20 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Do you have an event you would like us to list?

Please email details to editor@achievemoremedia.co.uk.

Please note, inclusion in listings cannot be guaranteed.

To advertise your event call 01473 809932

Mini Preview

Jasmin Vardimon Company, Justitia Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich - March 16 and 17 auded by the critics this is a sharp-edged piece of physical dance theatre performed on a revolving set.

Justitia delves into the depths of the justice system, inviting the audience on an investigative journey as it unravels the multiple truths concealed behind a gripping crime story.

In a film-like replay of events, the audience witnesses the action from different perspectives – at the crime scene, in the court house, inside an intimate group therapy room – revealing new realities as a series of secrets unfold.

A verdict must be reached – was it murder, manslaughter or self-defence?

Fiercely athletic and intricately detailed, this production delivers a generous mix of energetic dance, a sharp script and an exhilarating soundtrack.

March 16 and 17 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £14 and £7 concessions Box office: 01473 295230 www.danceast.co.uk

Less Than Kind

Mercury Theatre, Colchester – March 19 to 24 ritten in 1944 this is the first ever staging of Terence Rattigan’s “lost” wartime play, Less Than Kind.

Originally titled Love In Idleness, it makes a fitting tribute to the dramatist’s centenary.

It’s set in London, 1944. The war is reaching its climax on the beaches of Normandy and a senior minister has problems, not just in

supplying the front line with tanks, but also on the home front.

He has been having a passionate and illicit affair with an attractive war widow, but now her son, who had been evacuated as a child to Canada for the duration, returns as a very left-wing teenager.

Learning of the affair, the youth explodes, railing against the minister’s “immorality”

and exploitation of his mother. A sparkling comedy of manners and a psychosexual drama, Less Than Kind has astounded critics.

The play stars familiar faces -James Wilby who is best known for roles in Maurice (for which he received the Venice Film Festival’s Best Actor award with co-star Hugh Grant), A Handful of Dust, Howards End, Gosford Park and numerous TV roles, most recently alongside Billie Piper in Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Sara Crowe, one of the most recognisable faces on British TV, is also appearing.

She’s perhaps best known as the first bride in Four Weddings and a Funeral, performed in numerous comedy and drama series’ and as the star of the Philadelphia adverts that ran for over a decade.

They are joined in the cast by David Osmond (The History Boys at the National Theatre), Caroline Head, Katie Evans and Michelle Morris.

Tickets: £10.50 - £22.50 Box Office: 01206 573948 www.mercurytheatre.co.uk.

Places&Faces®

21

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Janet Seidel Trio St Bartholomew’s Church , Orford - March 17 ot on the heels of a performance at Ronnie Scott’s Janet Seidel, known as Australia’s first lady of jazz, will be performing in Orford Church.

Smooth, sophisticated and stylish, the Janet Seidel Trio have a uniquely warm and natural approach to sound that comes as a breath of fresh air wherever they go.

Janet has been compared favourably to iconic artists including Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Julie London and Blossom Dearie.

The trio uses the renowned Nat King Cole line up (piano/vocals, jazz guitar and double bass) and the extensive repertoire ranges from jazz standards, ballads, Latin, French Chanson, through to the more quirky depending on the setting.

Roger Hipwell, organiser of Orford’s Picnic Jazz, which is now in it’s tenth year said this concert has come about at short notice through social media.

“I was Tweeting about our event this summer and someone mentioned that Janet was staying in Suffolk and would like to perform at a church.

“As Orford Church has strong musical connections with the World Premiere of Britten’s Noyes Fludde being staged here as well as many other high class musical events I suggested she performed here.

“It’s a bit of a coup for Orford Jazz and Janet may even return for our tenth anniversary picnic too.”

Tickets £10 Email: orfordjazz@wellassociates.co.uk Box Office: 01394 450276

Forever Young New Wolsey, Ipswich - March 13 to 17 ith a soundtrack that includes Nirvana, Aqua, Bob Dylan and Gloria Gayner this song drama became an instant hit from its first UK performance.

This geriatric comedy is based on a concept that the actors are all playing themselves in 2050 when the New Wolsey is no longer a theatre, but a retirement home for its actors.

Now senior rebels with a cause, once left unsupervised their care plans go out of the window and suddenly old age has no barriers.

The show’s popularity comes at a time when retirement, old age, care, health, wealth and wellbeing is headline news with 23% of the population projected to be over 65yrs by 2034, with the oldest old, those aged 85yrs and over, set to be the fastest population increase.

Originally conceived ten years ago, in German, as a low budget song drama for Hamburg’s Thalia Theatre it was brought to the UK last year by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Giles Croft.

22 | placesandfaces.co.uk

It’s been an incredible success with audiences feeling a renewed zest for life and fully equipped to grow old disgracefully.

Packed with humour, slapstick, friendship, sensitivity, laughter and songs, Forever Young is the antidote to senility, challenging

perceptions of old age, not without dignity and a smattering of irreverence.

Tickets: from £8.50 / Matinee flat rate: £10 Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

OUR ELECTRICAL DIVISION IS EXPANDING Green Energy, the eastern regions leading renewable energy company now offers electrical inspection and testing as well as a full range of professional electrical

Showroom Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am - 5.00pm Sat 8.30am - 4.30pm

services from minor electrical works to complete house re-wiring projects.

Telephone:

Our dedicated team also have extensive

01394 272888

experience installing and servicing the latest energy efficient Solar Thermal and Biomass Boilers.

For all your electrical requirements, please contact us for a free no obligation quote.

Green Energy Felixstowe, 14-16 Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7HD

www.greenenergyfelixstowe.co.uk

APPROVED CONTRACTOR

SOLAR HEATING | HEAT PUMPS | UNDERFLOOR HEATING | WOOD BURNERS

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Aldeburgh’s Diamond

Celebration

It’s a club like no other – it’s open to all and yet the Aldeburgh Music Club can boast a membership that reads like a Who’s Who of 20th century musicians.

Anne Gould finds out more or those of us living in Suffolk Aldeburgh is as much about posh fish and chips, stunning seascapes and bracing walks along the beach as it is about classical music and art.

From the outside and across the world though it’s seen as an extraordinary place, a pinnacle of high culture amid the wild open marshlands of the east coast.

Its international reputation rests much with the genius of Benjamin Britten but his legacy with the Aldeburgh Festival has so enriched the town and surrounding area that today art, poetry and literature flourish too.

Not forgetting either the Aldeburgh Music Club – an organisation originally set up because, unbelievably, outside the summer months, music in the town was scarce.

This year the club is celebrating its 60th 24 | placesandfaces.co.uk

anniversary and in tribute to its founding father has for the first time commissioned a new piece of choral work – the world premiere of which is to be performed in one of Britten’s favourite venues, St Bartholomew’s Church, Orford.

Chairman David Smith explained it’s called Merman, is based on the legend of Orford and has been written by a talented young Suffolk composer, Joanna Lee, who was brought up in Beccles but now teaches at The Perse School in Cambridge.

“It’s for a full four-part chorus with accompaniment by piano and percussion”, he said.

The concert, on March 10 will also include another world premiere of a work by Suffolkbased composer Elis Pehkonen called Home from the Sea.

“It’s going to be very exciting to perform these pieces and there’s already been interest from futher afield too.”

Today the club is a choir with 100 members mainly from Aldeburgh, Snape, Halesworth and Orford although people travel from as far afield as Colchester.

It’s a non-profit making charity supported by 114 patrons, has three concerts a year and is open as anyone who wants to sing is welcome.

Interestingly among the singers there are even some of the original members who joined at the start in 1952, he said.

“Aldeburgh Music Club first started when Benjamin Britten called in to shop at the pharmacist, owned by John Stevens.

“Mr Stevens, who was himself a talented musician suggested they set up a club

Aldeburgh Music Club

Photograph left: Musical Director Edmond Fivet

We are a charity and we want to help local schools so through Joanna’s commission the club has been able to extend its work because after the festival in the summer there wasn’t any music.”

The first meeting was hosted by Britten and Peter Pears, at their home, Crag House, and it was agreed that they’d meet monthly and numbers would be restricted to 35 people.

Membership was by invitation only and there were three groups of musicians recorders, singers and strings.

Britten and Pears were active members of the group although they didn’t participate in their professional capacity choosing to play recorder or viola instead.

Then in September of that first year Imogen Holst came to live in the town – by October 26 she was conducting a version of Purcell’s Timon of Athens and remained a member of the club until her death in 1984.

There’s even a photographic record of her

conducting recorder players and singers for the Aldeburgh Festival in the late 50s for a Music on the Meare concert where all the performers are in boats!

It’s recorded that composer Francis Poulenc came to see this concert but was very miserable clutching the side of one of the punts. He couldn’t swim and was afraid of falling in.

Over the years of course the club has changed. It’s now a choir under the guidance of musical director Edmond Fivet former Principal of the Welsh College of Music and Drama, professional musicians accompany the group for its three annual concerts and since 1995 the group has performed at the magnificent concert hall in Snape Maltings.

David explained it has other aims too.

“We are a charity and we want to help local

schools so through Joanna’s commission the club has been able to extend its work.

This year she has spent time with AS level music students at Thomas Mills School in Framlingham for instance.”

Thanks to the Britten Pears Foundation this work is going to continue next year.

Also next year, it being Britten’s centenary, there are plans to commission another piece of work this time from Joseph Phibbs who was brought up in Ipswich and he has agreed to go into another school. more information: Tickets: £15 From: Aldeburgh Music Box Office (01728 687110) www.onesuffolk.co.uk/aldeburghmusicclub

Places&Faces®

25

Places&Faces® | March 2012

FINAL CURTAIN CALL?

Traditionally a trip to the seaside has been as much about going to a show as buckets and spades and ice-creams. Following a threat to close the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe Anne Gould looks at the future of theatre and entertainment on our coast e’ve seen pubs go into community ownership, village shops too and it looks like there’s every chance that it’s going to be an option for some parts of the entertainment industry aswell.

It’s just weeks since the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft opened as a theatre trust rather than a venue supported by a grant from the local authority, and there’s every possibility that this time next year the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe could be reinvented as a charitable trust too - as a running cost subsidy of £250,000 from Suffolk Coastal 26 | placesandfaces.co.uk

District Council is being withdrawn as a cost cutting measure.

Local councillors, campaigners and amateur groups headed by Lisa Hardy, who have already helped secure a stay of execution on the closure date, are already working on a plan along these lines and are hoping to put in a bid when the time comes.

But finding a different business model that will pay the running costs and £3million of refurbishments over the next 20 years isn’t going to necessarily be easy.

At the moment a charitable trust, that involves the wider community, is being

looked at as an option because it can reduce costs.

But says Lisa, who is also the Vice Chairman and Production Manager of Stage Door, there may of course also be others who want to make a bid for the Spa and run it as a straight commercial venture.

“Whatever happens, the threat of closure has brought together a community of users including amateur groups from Felixstowe, Woodbridge and Ipswich and made us realise we don’t want to lose the Spa. “Even if someone else bids and is successful we’ll form a robust “Friends” group to help

Community

Whatever happens, the threat of closure has brought together a community of users including amateur groups from Felixstowe, Woodbridge and Ipswich and made us realise we don’t want to lose the Spa. Even if someone else bids and is successful we’ll form a robust “Friends” group to help fundraise in whatever way we can. fundraise in whatever way we can.”

Already her committee had spoken to other successful community ventures including the Beccles Lido - to see how they’d approached their various projects.

“We know money needs to be spent on the building but we’re looking at alternative ways of bringing in revenue.

“We’d want to make a feature of the restaurant for instance and perhaps open the downstairs parlour in the summer.”

In the meantime they are seeking business and finance experts who are willing to join their committee and help them fill in some gaps in their expertise.

As Marina Theatre Trust manager, Martin Halliday says, it’s still early days for his new venture but he’s worked hard over the years at building up an audience and is lucky enough to have a residency with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and been able to get West End shows like Dreamboats and Petticoats which sold 6,000 seats.

Like the Spa, he said they had to find a solution when the financial support from the

offer everything an old fashioned cinema would, an organ that rises up from the floor, usherettes selling ice creams and a commissionaire on the door.

The manager gives a speech before the film, at the end everyone has to stand for the National Anthem and people are even made to wait outside for the doors to open, come rain or shine.

“We also open for weddings or private parties but in general a lot of our members come for the social element rather than the film.”

It’s quirky, unusual and small - so little wonder films sell out very quickly.

Tim Rowen-Robinson, the chairman of Aldeburgh Cinema, said it’s hard work but council dried up and he as manager decided their cinema was very much part of the to turn the theatre into a trust. community.

He explained that places like the Marina “We have a very strong cinema club Theatre Trust and the Spa Pavilion were in support group and a shareholders group a different situation to other and larger live that is not greedy. We are a not for profit entertainment venues in Suffolk because of company. their size, ability to attract big names and/or “We also have a local population where if have the benefit of Arts Council funding and we need investment we can go out and ask supportive groups of patrons and friends. for help.

Aldeburgh understands that it needs “I wouldn’t want to see venues like the to support its cinema.”

Spa disappear. It sounds like there’s a lot “Of course we also have to be prepared of energy among the group in Felixstowe to look at every possible route to keep the though and I’d be more than happy to talk to cinema doing well. ” anyone about what’s involved in setting up Keeping the programme fresh is important, a trust.” he says, so in addition to film there are live Elsewhere on the coast smaller towns have digital video screenings of opera and theatre been able to sustain thriving independent from the Metropolitan and National Theatre. cinemas but they too have an element of There’s also a documentary film festival and community involvement. a children’s festival too.

At Southwold for instance The Electric Aldeburgh Cinema has been in existence Picture Palace, designed and run by architect since 1919 and has always been independent.

John Bennett is tiny, just 70 seats, but it’s run “It’s very very important to be close to the as a film club, which offers some economies. community and listen to what they want,” he Oliver Densham, an architect who is says. also Assistant Front of House, says they

Photographs From left to right: Aldeburgh Cinema, Marina Theatre- Lowestoft, Electric Picture Palace – Southwold

Places&Faces®

27

Places&Faces速 | March 2012

THE

DARK SIDE

Anyone who has spent much time around professional photographers will know they are always grumbling about the light. Bill Jackson, however, prefers to take many of his pictures in the pitch black! Anne Gould finds out more 28 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Art | Bill Jackson

Above: Photographer Bill Jackson Left: The Night Ferry

t’s been18 months since celebrated photographer and artist Bill Jackson and his family upped sticks from their base in London and set up home in north Suffolk.

Yet his studio, out in the countryside on the outskirts of Halesworth looks as though it’s been there for years.

The interior is rich with nooks and crannies hiding treasures from collections that have been picked up over the years from junk shops, the beach in fact all sorts of places.

A multitude of old cameras are on display as well as sepia photographs of long dead Victorians staring back stiffly into a future they could never imagine.

There’s a collection of bones including skulls of sheep and unidentified creatures of all sizes too and from the roof hang a bunch of photographic accreditation passes - the only one I can read says Bill Jackson, The Who! >>

Places&Faces®

29

Places&Faces® | March 2012

At the far end in front of his desk is the working part of his studio - his camera, a hybrid Hasselblad takes centre-stage and then on the wall behind an amazing wall size black and white print of some grain silos that appear to have been hung from a giant coat hanger.

“I’m not a photographer in the way many people are photographers,” he says.

So what sort of a photographer is he?

Modestly, he admits that he’s probably an artist.

Certainly there’s nothing run of the mill about his pictures - there are a whole series of barns, silos and odd buildings from Suffolk in one collection. There’s also Cabinet of Curiosities said by the FT Weekend to be, “One of the highlights of the London Art Fair.”

And there’s another that feature Suffolk like you’ve never seen it before - by night.

It’s one of his specialties - going out to take a photograph in total darkness and waiting

30 | placesandfaces.co.uk

to see what happens.

“I go out at about 10pm until about 2 or 3 in the morning. I stand in almost total darkness for about 30 minutes for each shot.

“I never know what I’ve got until I come home and look at it on the computer. The success rate is about 30 per cent and you might only use about 5 per cent of the shots in the end.”

What he finds are pictures that dazzle with streaks across the wide-open skies that look as if Suffolk is being rained on by a meteor storm.

Strange glows and mists light up familiar buildings and landscapes and it’s all very surreal - almost reminiscent of the haunting cinematography of Peter Greenaway’s Drowning By Numbers, which was actually shot in much the same area.

Bill says what his pictures actually reveal are stars in the sky - they look like a stellar show simply because the earth moves while

I never know what I’ve got until I come home and look at it on the computer. The success rate is about 30 per cent

Art | Bill Jackson

Far Left: Night of the Silos 1 left: Night of the Riggers 1 Above: The Night Tower

the shot is taking place.

The illumination of the land, apparently, is caused by planes flying over, ships sailing past and so on.

“It gets very cold standing still in the dark for so long. It can also be quite dangerous, I have to go and do a rekkie beforehand so I know exactly where to park the car and where to set up the camera.”

Not every shot works but those that do are being sold not just in the UK but are very popular in the USA too.

While Bill might be a relative newcomer to Suffolk his renown is worldwide - he is the first photographer as far as records show, to receive three Royal Photographic Society International Print Awards.

His work has been hung in many exhibitions world wide including The National Portrait Gallery, The Photographers Gallery (London), The Brno Museum, Prague and the Museum Of Contemporary Arts in

Argentina. His work is also in many private and public collections.

Bill’s work has been at the cutting edge since his graduation from Coventry School of Art and Birmingham University.

Not only has he taught photography, film and multi media in various UK art schools he has always worked as an artist.

In 1986 he moved away from film-based materials to explore ideas in video and electronic media and was one of the first of the British photographers at the time to do so.

That work was shown at the National Museum of Photography in Bradford in 1991, as part of a symposium on the future of photography in the digital age, hosted by Colin Ford, Zelda Cheatle and Paul Hill.

Moving to Suffolk though has allowed him to return to his roots not just with pictures but also through high quality specialist photographic printing.

In January he had three exhibitions to print - his own at the London Art Fair, which featured the great names of 20th century art, Judy Goldhill’s who has a home in Thorpeness and specialises in photographing nuclear power stations and another for Richard Denyer who was exhibiting in Norwich.

It’s quite clear he’s fallen in love with the county - not just for the big skies which he feels gives you the perspective to look further but because Suffolk has an edge, apparently.

“It’s got soul, there are farms here that are still working. It’s real. To me it’s God’s Own County.” more information: www.billjackson.biz

Places&Faces®

31

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Seeking the

Good Life

Nothing tastes better than freshly picked veggies from your back garden but how good would it be to raise your own animals too? Anne Gould meets some of Suffolk’s “new” smallholders irst of all there was a rush on allotments, then there was keeping chickens in the back garden – now we are seeing people doing the whole hog with self-sufficiency.

It’s a bit like The Good Life all over again but today it’s not just a hobby as many people have serious concerns about the provenance of their food.

They want to know how the animals they are eating have been raised and slaughtered, Adrian Melrose – Rosery Farm, GREAT Bealings here can’t be many pig farmers in Suffolk, in the UK and possibly even the world that are also vegan.

South African born Adrian Melrose, who has made his family home in Suffolk says there’s a perfectly logical explanation.

It’s not that he doesn’t like meat, it’s that it doesn’t like him!

He explains, “My wife was born with poor eyesight and has to wear glasses and I was born with a body metabolism where I need to be vegan.”

But it hasn’t stopped him from being a complete enthusiast about pig rearing – his first litter of home-reared pigs has just been slaughtered and he’s even more thrilled that half the meat has been sold to people living within a two-mile radius of Rosery Farm.

The rest he says will be marketed through Suffolk Providore, although doubtless some will remain at home as his wife and two daughters don’t share his diet.

Adrian, a web innovator, businessman and accountant moved to Suffolk permanently about a year ago, although they previously rented the 16th century Rosery Farmhouse as a weekend cottage for a number of years.

“When it came on the market, along with 32 | placesandfaces.co.uk

they want to know whether the fruit and vegetables have been sprayed with pesticides and fertilisers and of course there are the issues of seasonality and food miles.

So while a growing number of traditional farmers are seeking new markets and ways to diversify, there’s also a growing number of smallholders eager to seek out traditional ways of feeding their families.

The Suffolk Smallholders Society, with more than 340 members offers advice,

training events and has an annual show.

It’s open to everyone who is interested in self-sufficiency and sustainability from those who like grow tomatoes on a windowsill to farmers with acres and acres to tend.

For those who might feel inspired to join their ranks Places&Faces has spoken to three smallholders to find out more about the reality down on the farm.

Suffolk People

125 acres of land, it was the opportunity of a lifetime and as we were sitting tenants it had to be offered to us first.”

Already they’ve done a lot of work on the farm, creating fencing, setting up a kitchen garden, stabling and of course there are the chickens and pigs too.

“We started off with three Norfolk Black pigs not understanding just how steep our learning curve would be.”

For example there was the day he was sitting at the theatre in London and the phone went to be told his pigs had escaped and were in a neighbour’s garden.

“Then we took the first one to the abbatoir and instantly had to decide whether we wanted it butchered for chops or bacon.

“It turned out too that we might have overfed it because it was quite fatty. We now know rare breed pigs can be quite fatty compared to commercial pork for various reasons. I am assured though that the meat itself was delicious.

“The second lot of pigs we got were Tamworths – they are still friendly but don’t have such a high fat content.”

Having bred the pigs they ended up with large litters of 14 and 12, which they kept

and it’s one of these litters that have recently been slaughtered.

While Adrian is obviously thrilled to be raising pigs with high standards of welfare he says it’s an expensive business - he buys in high quality feed, which currently costs £700 a month.

“Over time I hope it will pay for itself but we need the livery stables and horses to break even.”

Having said that it offers a lifestyle he wouldn’t swap.

wanted it straight away.”

Not surprisingly they started off with chillies – which are the base for all sorts of sauces, dressings and jams they produced that are now sold not just in Fortnum and Mason but in selected branches of Asda and Tesco as well.

There’s also a restaurant on site, which

sells bistro food, a delicatessan/farmshop, a smokehouse and of course the farm is open to visitors too.

Everything, well apart from the pigs, has a South American theme simply because that’s where chillies originally came from.

“We are looking at ways to use the Alpaca’s fleeces maybe making them into rugs. Plans

Adrian and Denise Nuttall, Chilli Farm, Mendlesham own on the farm in Suffolk – you’d probably expect to find some chickens, maybe a few sheep and probably pigs too.

Not at the Chilli Farm though where there’s a distinctly exotic theme with animals and fish that you may not have even heard of let alone seen before.

There are large inquisitive birds called Rhea – known as the South American ostrich – which apparently lay eggs that take 45 minutes or more to soft boil and weigh a kilo or more.

According to owner Adrian Nuttall they can also produce very lean, low fat red meat, which is much lauded by health and fitness enthusiasts, particularly in the USA. There’s a herd of shaggy coated chocolate, coffee and caramel coloured alpacas, a tank of Tilapia fish in one of the greenhouses and some rather splendid looking Araucana chickens – a South American breed – which produce very tasty blue eggs.

But the latest additions to the menagerie are perhaps more recognizable – a herd of Gloucester Old Spot pigs.

Keeping up with all these animals, especially during the recent cold spell is quite an undertaking, but one which Adrian and Denise wouldn’t dream of swapping.

They moved to their 11 acre farm in 2005 from France, where Adrian had been working on a year-long project at the UN. “Previously we’d lived near Diss and had turned what had been a hobby growing chillies on a window sill into a small business.

“When we returned to the UK we decided to have a smallholding and originally wanted to live on the south coast but it was too expensive.”

“Then we found this farm and knew we

Places&Faces®

33

Places&Faces® | March 2012

for the Rheas are just to breed them at the moment.”

Although the pigs are obviously very English, pork is apparently popular and eaten in South America too. The Old Spots are also not too different to the sort of pigs bred there either.

Tim Freathy. Rookery Farm, Depden

Adrian says their next project, when the weather gets better, is converting a field at the back of their house into a vegetable, herb and fruit garden.

Taking on the farm has been very much a learning process too. “When our first pigs went to be slaughtered for instance the

ploughed a new field to supply more for their new farm shop.

“We have a small flock of Llan Wenog t all started off, says Tim, with his sheep – they are a hardy breed, easy to passion for food.

“I love local food, I am obsessed with manage and fairly docile. “ In the past we’ve also brought in pigs as food miles and at the time we were weaners but later this year we’ll probably living in Cambridge growing food in our garden and allotment and we wanted to find start breeding our own, maybe Oxford Sandys or Gloucester Old Spots.” somewhere we could do more.”

Their chickens are a mixture of rare breeds So six years ago Tim and his partner Mark Leadbetter sold their home in Cambridge to producing blue, chocolate brown and pale brown eggs – a far cry from the uniformity of seek a different life in the countryside. the supermarket.

“We moved to Rookery Farm in 2005 They also have turkeys in season – Norfolk because of our growing concern about the Blacks and Cambridge Bronzes, which have way in which much of our food was grown proved popular too. and produced commercially, with profit But, says Tim, up until last year they were margins driving the bottom line instead of running the six-acre farm as a bit of hobby quality, taste and animal welfare.” because they both still had full time jobs in It’s a six acre plot, he explained and the Cambridge. land has been farmed continually at least “I was made redundant then and felt it since the early 1500s when the house was was a perfect time to see if I could make the built as part of the Ickworth estate. Tim said they’d had to do a lot of work – planting an smallholding work for us as a business.” orchard with Suffolk apples and other fruits So in addition to his new Depden Farm where they’ve had a lot of success with Shop and café he’s started training courses peaches in particular. to help people learn the skills of running a They also grow vegetables and have just smallholding.

34 | placesandfaces.co.uk

butcher told me I had been too kind to them and the meat was surrounded with a three inch layer of fat on the outside because we’d overfed them “The meat tasted wonderful though.”

For more information: www.chillicompany.com

When we started out we really would have liked someone to mentor us and tell us what we should and shouldn’t do. These courses exist now but they are all in the south and west, there’s nothing like this in the eastern region.

“When we started out we really would have liked someone to mentor us and tell us what we should and shouldn’t do.

“These courses exist now but they are all in the south and west, there’s nothing like this in the eastern region.

“Our first Smallholding and Sustainable Living Skills course was just before Christmas and it was really popular with people coming from London as well as across East Anglia.”

Up and coming courses include shepherding, managing chickens and thatching.

For more information: www.depden.com

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

NFU Mutual in Ipswich, serving the rural community NFU Mutual in Ipswich first opened NFU doors Mutual on in Ipswich first opened its 15th March 1922,its doors on 15th March 1922, following following the establishment of the the establishment of the national national organisation 1910.weSo, organisation in 1910. So, in locally, are locally, we are only just 90 years old!to only just 90 years old! We are proud We areclients proudthat to retain clients that retain have held unbroken have held unbroken insurance insurance business relationships, with us, that gorelationships, back over 50with yearsus, - not business thata badback recommendation for client go over 75 years - notlongevity! a bad recommendation for client longevity!

Nationally NFU Mutual has been serving theNFU needs of thehas rural community Nationally Mutual been serving for over one hundred years. In 1910 the needs of the rural community for seven Warwickshire farmers founded over one hundred years. In 1910 seven the mutual insurance company as an Warwickshire farmers founded the incentive for fellow farmers to join the mutual insurance company as an newly-formed farmers’ union. incentive for fellow farmers to join the In the early days, the seven founding newly-formed farmers' union. farmers did all the work themselves, and as business increased, staff were In the earlyand days,thethebusiness seven founding employed became farmers did all the work themselves, and established. as business increased, staff were employed and development the business over became During its the established. last century, NFU Mutual’s products

moved with the times, as tractors countryside changedand dramatically. replaced horses life in With the increasing numbers of people moving countryside changed dramatically.

With toincreasing the countryside, expertise in rural numbers its of people moving to matters has made it a natural choice of the countryside, its expertise in rural insurer for many people. matters has made it a natural choice of insurer for many people.

As a true Mutual Company, we run our business benefitCompany, you as awe customer, As a truetoMutual do not rather than shareholders.

It means we’re have shareholders and this enables us to free to focus on providing excellent value reward our policyholders through our for money, outstanding service and re‘Mutual Bonus’ scheme. This is NFU warding your loyalty with a Mutual Bonus Mutual's way of enabling loyal customers – a special discount we currently offer to share in the benefits of its mutual our customers just for staying with NFU status by giving a discount off general Mutual. insurance renewal premiums.

We can also provide advice on We can also provide advice on pensions, pensions, savings and investments. Paul savings and investments. Paul Willis is Willis is your local Financial Consultant your local Financial Consultant in Ipswich. in Ipswich.

Living locally and working for Living locally and working for NFU Mutual for over 8 years, the PaulNFU has over 8 years, has a lotthat of aMutual lot of for experience and Paul appreciates experience and appreciates that everyone is different, we understand everyone is different, we so understand what’s important to you, you can what’s important to you, so you make sound financial decisions,can formake your sound financial decisions, for your family have moved with the times, as family and your future. We’re also one During development over life theinlast future. With-Profits We’re also one of thein tractors its replaced horses and the ofand theyour strongest insurers century, NFU Mutual's products have strongest With-Profits insurers in the UK,

with our investment managers at head the UK, with our investment managers at office in Stratford managing funds in head office in Stratford managing funds excess of £13 billion. in excess of £12 billion.

If you haven’t reviewed your finances in If you reviewed your finances the lasthaven’t 12 months – it’s probably time inyou theshould. last 12 Your months – it’s probably time personal circumstances you should.

Your personal circumstances may have changed and it’s important to may have and it’s plans important make sure changed that your financial keep topace make sure that your financial plans with your lifestyle. Also during keep pacethere with are yourquite lifestyle. during 2012/13 a fewAlso legislation 2012/13 there are quite a few legislation changes within the financial services changes within the financial services industry that you may not be aware of, industry that you may not be aware of, which may affect you and your family. which may affect you and your family.

At our Wherstead based office we aim to At our Wherstead based office we aim offer a first class, local, professional to offer a first class, local, professional service to our farming clients, private service to our farming clients, private individuals and commercial businesses individuals and commercial businesses that weinsure. insure.Our Ourdesire desireisis to to create create aa that we lasting relationship with our customers. lasting relationship with our customers.

Wecare carepassionately passionatelyabout aboutwhat what we we do We do and how we do it. and how we do it.

Contact onon Contactusustoday today 01473 688466 to see 01473 688466 to see what you. whatwe wecan candodoforfor you.

ISAs from NFU Mutual.

City traders, yes.

City slickers, no.

We believe the best way to make your money grow is to take a long-term view and that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Some might call that cautious, but our results speak for themselves.

If you haven’t invested with NFU Mutual, why not start with an ISA. Call NFU Mutual in Ipswich on 01473 688466.

INSURANCE PENSIONS INVESTMENTS

We do right by you

Things you should know. If you are looking to invest for 5 years or more, you can put up to £10,680 in a stock market investment ISA before 6th April 2012. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Stocks and shares ISAs can go up and down in value and you could get back less than you invest. Charges apply.

NFU Mutual Financial Consultants advise on NFU Mutual products and services and in special circumstances those of other providers.

Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

Not just a children’s shop…

Stocking adult and children’s clothing from Seasalt and fabulous children’s clothing labels and toy brands such as Fer Follet, Toby tiger, Sugar Pink, Taggies Comfort Blankets and Toys, Ben Sherman, Mellissa and Doug toys, Cath Kidston

17 The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1AA t. 01394 387794 14 Bridge Street, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9DG t. 01728 720017 www.pandorasboxofwoodbridge.co.uk

New season collections arriving daily . New sales area now open

01394 610211 www.carmaboutique.co.uk Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm 33a St. Peters Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1XF | Tel: 01473 225666 www.mariannaboutique.co.uk

45A Thoroughfare Woodbridge . Suffolk IP12 1AH

Fashion

KEEP IT CASUAL Detailed smock, Samphire Clothes & Accessories, Snape Maltings

Whether you’re on the school run, popping to the shops or just having a day for you it doesn’t mean you have to abandon your sense of style.

Good jeans along with an array of other comfortable, wearable, everyday garments should be the stock basics of any flexible wardrobe and here are some great new spring casuals that do just the trick Asui from Denmark silk and wool scarves £79 | Marianna

Smock shirts cut with elegant styled cardigan, Samphire Clothes & Accessories, Snape Maltings J Brand cigarette leg jeans £205 | Marianna

Stills crinkle rose silk blouse £115 | Carma Boutique

Places&Faces®

37

Country Ware for all outdoor pursuits

Houseb . 9-11 High Street . Newmarket . Suffolk . CB8 8LX edAberdeen re A Telephone 01638 666320 . www.marthav.co.uk

East Suffolk’s Largest Saddlery

Grange Farm Barn • Hasketon • Woodbrige • Suffolk

Tel: 01473 738237

Fashion

Joseph floral print “Gemma” top £235 | Marianna

Kristensen Du Nord silk and cashmere cream top £395 | Marianna

Blue Willis cotton jacket £189 | Blue Bay

Mustard shirt and scarf Samphire Clothes & Accessories, Snape Maltings

Model 1: Puffa Gilet £59.95, Ralph Lauren Trousers £170, Hunter Wellies £79.

Model 2: Puffa Jacket £89.95, French Connection Jeans £60, Hunter Wellies £79.

Model 3: Puffa Gilet £69.95, Tommy Hilfiger Jeans £90. Coes, Ipswich

STOCKISTS Blue Bay, 40 Market Hill, Woodbridge T: (01394) 610325 Carma Boutique, 45a Thoroughfare, Woodbridge www.carmaboutique.co.uk T: (01394) 610211 Coes, 20 – 28 Norwich Road, Ipswich www.coes.co.uk T: (01473) 256061 Marianna, 33a St Peter’s Street, Ipswich www.mariannaboutique.co.uk T: (01473) 225666 Samphire Clothes & Accessories, Snape Maltings www.snapemaltings.co.uk T: (01728) 688303

Places&Faces®

39

Places&Faces速 | March 2012

The future looks

stylish

40 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Business Profile | Peter Gerber Eyecare Opticians

Practice manager David Hunter guides a customer through lens selection.

Optical style consultant Sue Clark begins a frame styling consultation advising a client on how to choose the best frames.

Peter carries out an eye test using the OCT scanner which enables a 3D view of the eye.

he name of Peter Gerber has been synonymous with quality eye care in Suffolk for over 30 years, initially at his practice in Tacket Street, Ipswich and in more recent years at the EyeCare Opticians on Norwich Road. Places & Faces visited Peter recently to look at how cutting edge technology combined with exceptional customer care and a bespoke frame styling service ensures that his clients receive a truly unique and tailored twenty first century service When should someone get their eyes tested and why is it important?

It is said that eyes are the window to the soul. That may be a romantic notion but they are certainly the window to someone’s overall health. A regular eye check, as well as obviously checking that your eyes are working effectively, can highlight issues such as Glaucoma, diabetes and high blood pressure to name a few. These might otherwise go undetected. As with all health issues, the earlier you detect a problem, the better the chances of finding a solution.

Ideally, you should have your eyes tested at least every two years unless otherwise advised. Changes to the quality of eye sight can be sudden or gradual so if you find that that are having to hold things further away to read them, or have to move in to a ‘better light’ to see clearly, it is certainly worth getting a check-up.

Does it hurt?

No. Eye tests are non-invasive so there really is nothing to worry about. We do understand however that some people are nervous therefore myself and my colleagues make sure that we fully explain everything we are doing and “hold our clients hands” through the whole process.

What does an eye test involve and how long does it take?

Eye tests have moved on a long way from covering one eye with your hand and reading from a chart. We have invested in the latest

technology and we were one of the first opticians in the UK to use the OCT scanner which allows us to take 3D scans of the retina, or ‘back of the eye’ leading to unsurpassed vision assessment. We offer two initial levels of examination .The first standard assessment takes around 30 minutes. In addition to this you can choose to have the enhanced examination which includes the 3D scan and takes around 45 minutes. Both options are of the highest clinical excellence.

Is it expensive?

Our standard private eye test is £30, free to under 16’s and over 60’s, and the enhanced to include the 3D scan is just £25 extra.

You mention under 16’s. Is it important that children have their eyes tested?

Children should have their sight tested as early as possible as it is sometimes possible to correct certain eye problems if caught and diagnosed early enough. Should you find that your child does indeed need spectacles, we have a wide range of fashionable and affordable frames available for all ages, including sports eyewear.

What is a frame style consultant?

Choosing a pair of glasses is a very personal decision and like most things in life, good advice from a skilled professional can make the process less daunting and more satisfying.

We have recently been joined by Sue Clark, both a qualified optician and an optical style consultant, who has a wealth of experience advising patients, including celebrities, with their eye wear choice. She has also trained her peers within the optical industry and can offer invaluable advice when choosing frames from budget through to designer.

Sue takes hair colour, face shape and proportions into consideration before advising on the most suitable pair of spectacles. This is a complimentary consultation and even includes computer images allowing you to see for yourself how different styles look.

Do lens qualities vary?

Absolutely. The lenses are the business end of a pair of glasses and their quality will have a big impact on how effective the spectacles are for the wearer, especially when it comes to multifocal prescriptions. We are proud to use Rodenstock lenses as their superior quality makes a significant difference, due to their outstanding performance. In addition to our spectacles, we also offer a full contact lens service. Our dispensing opticians will discuss your lifestyle requirements in a full and thorough consultation and will advise on the best lenses to suit. Each pair is tailor made for every client, ensuring they receive the optimum lenses possible.

Why did you re-locate to Norwich Road?

Our premises on Norwich Road are perfect for us and our clients. We have ample free parking at the rear of the building and the internal layout allows us to have separate areas for the frame consultancy service, as well as plenty of room to display our extensive range of frames. We are now available by appointment until 7pm on Tuesday evenings, making it more convenient for those tied to office hours.

341 Norwich Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 4HA (01473) 240400 www.eyecareopticians.co.uk

Places&Faces®

41

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Caring for 25 years

When Jacqui Martin first applied for a research post that was jointly funded by Suffolk County Council and with Suffolk Health little did she imagine that she’d end up as chief executive of a ground-breaking charity. Anne Gould talks to her about Suffolk Family Carers here’s a passion and total dedication that burns in Jacqui Martin’s eyes when she talks about the plight of family carers.

“We estimate there are 98,000 people in Suffolk, that’s one in six, who are caring for someone, some of these people are old but some are very young – even children.”

These people are often isolated, some suffer ill health because of their role, a proportion become depressed, many have had to give up work and suffer financially not just now but in the long term and others have their future cut short simply because they are looking after someone they love.

“It’s often not something they chose to do but when a parent, a partner or even a child 42 | placesandfaces.co.uk

is in need what else do you do?”

“They might suddenly be faced with a long-term illness, a disability, have an accident, a stroke or suffer from a mental illness,” she says.

Currently Suffolk Family Carers helps or is in contact with 14,000 family carers but Jacqui knows this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“For instance we estimate that there are about 4,500 children and young people aged between eight and 16 who are family carers but we only see about 10 per cent of them.

“Then there are countless other family members who help and care because they have to. For instance we have just started helping a 93-year-old who is looking after a partner aged 88.

“And we also reach out to more people than both social services and the health service combined.”

The fact that Suffolk Family Carers, her charity based in Claydon with its 62 employees and 96 volunteers, exists at all is due to the foresight of Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Health, as it was 25 years ago.

“I applied for a research job to look at the needs of family carers in Suffolk. I had just returned from New Zealand and didn’t have any of the qualifications they wanted for the job.

“I remember being asked at the interview about it and I said that with a background in sales and marketing and criminal law what I knew about was asking questions.”

Suffolk Family Carers

we also reach out to more people than both social services and the health service combined

Patron Ruthie Henshall with supporter Claire Muckleston of Bourne Garden Centre at their recent fundraising event

Appointing Jacqui was probably the best thing they did because with a fellow researcher she quickly started to identify need and money to meet that need by “investigating every nook and cranny”.

It became clear that after a while the best way forward was with an independent charity and Suffolk Family Carers was born.

“I never imagined I’d be doing this sort of work, let alone be doing the same sort of job for 25 years,” she says.

Today her influence and expertise has also given a wider voice to the issues involved – she now also Chairs the Family Carers Partnership Board, Co-Chairs the Family Carers Leadership Board for the Region and is involved nationally with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

She lobbies politicians to get a better deal for the unseen army of family carers she represents and works with business too.

There is a huge need to educate statutory bodies and employers about family carers and she is currently setting out a Family Carers Employment Policy to help people stay in work.

Many family carers, she explained, refused to tell employers about their extra commitments, especially in these economic times, for fear that they might lose their job or be refused promotion.

“It might be that all they need is to make five or six telephone calls a day or take time off to take a child with special needs to the hospital.

“I know from my experience here that you really do get your money’s worth from these

individuals they certainly do not abuse this right.”

It’s also fear, she believes, that stops young adults and children from seeking help – many are frightened about being taken into care.

This rarely happens; Jacqui has only seen this happen twice in her career.

Some even put their future prospects on hold to look after parents.

“We believe every young person has a right to pursue their education and we will work with schools and other services to make it happen.”

Recently Suffolk Family Carers has helped a young woman go to university by providing more support at home so she could study.

It was what she wanted and what her mother wanted too but without intervention from the charity it wouldn’t have happened.

Other ways that they help is by providing advocacy and support so family carers can have some sort of independence and have a break, may be to go to WI or attend a club.

The charity also runs special outreach projects for the community, mental health and of course for young carers.

Of course like many other charities, they’ve had to face a cut in funding in recent times £870,000 to be precise.

“I do not think the Government gave a lot of thought to making cuts in our sector and I find that really frustrating.

“If the family carers in this county were not doing this work what would be the cost?

“Sometimes the people who make the policies, either at national or local level do not realise the impact of their decisions.

“They might cut a bus route but if that means a family carer cannot get to a doctor because they cannot afford a car and their health deteriorates that could have a much bigger or disasterous impact.

“There is nothing legal that says that family carers have to do this work. They never expected that this is what they’d end up doing but they have no choice. Many keep going through sheer tenacity.”

The result in funding cuts is that Jacqui and her team have to work even harder to find solutions through fundraising.

Obviously it’s a tough market especially when national charities can mount huge campaigns and generate a lot of publicity, which ends up with a lot of money going out of the county.

Luckily, she says their patron Ruthie Henshall is incredibly supportive and does much to help in their cause.

Local business including Bourne Garden Centre and Suffolk Food Hall have helped a great deal too.

“This year we’ve got a lot of fund-raising events organized – including a 25k sponsored walk along Felixstowe seafront and we always welcome ideas.”

It’s an incredibly absorbing role and if she was working in the private sector doubtless would reap much increased financial rewards.

But, as Jacqui explained that’s not why she does it. “I’m passionate about it and get real satisfaction from it, but it’s only possible with the magnificent team that I have and a great Board of Trustees.”

Little wonder Jacqui finds it hard to switch off – she does so by going sailing with her husband Bob and is a member of Shotley Point Yacht Club. In her spare time she also likes writing and it currently working on a romantic novel. She also enjoys being groom at times for her God daughter Charlene. more information: enquiries@suffolkfamilycarers.org Information and Guidance Line T: 0844 225 3099 www.suffolk-carers.org.uk

Places&Faces®

43

Places&Faces® | March 2012

PUB WALKS

with Darcy

Sponsored by

www.christchurchvets.co.uk

This month’s walk pub walk with Darcy offers fantastic views of open Suffolk countryside and starts at the award winning White Horse Inn in the village of Sibton which can be found 2 miles from Yoxford, just off the A1120 egular readers of Darcy’s pub walks may have gathered that I like spending time looking at Ordinance Survey maps as I scout our beautiful county for new and interesting routes that ideally start and end at a dog friendly Public House. I find them fascinating as I mentally try to relate the flat map to the reality of the topography and the subsequent views to be enjoyed.

I know my love of maps doesn’t necessarily make me a bad man but I do accept that it is a passion that is of minority interest and perhaps one that I shouldn’t inflict on fellow diners at dinner parties. However, as I have your attention, I thought I would share a principle that can generally lead to an enjoyable route should you fancy devising a few new walks of your own. That principle is: Less is more.

At first glance of the map there seems little of notable interest on this walk as it passes through fields and quiet country lanes skirting the edges of the villages of Sibton and Peasenhall, it is however this simplicity that is its joy and charm and is certainly one of our favourite walks.

A few years ago the great and the good came up with a marketing slogan for Suffolk as the county of ‘big skies and wide horizons’ and if they needed a route to demonstrate the concept this would be a good place to begin.

From its start the walk quickly reaches open fields with uninterrupted views followed by interesting diversions into wooded glades. The latter stages of the walk pass over arable land and although generally of easy terrain it is best tackled with a good pair of stout shoes/boots especially if it is likely that the ground will be wet.

3

5

Vale Farm

Lodge Farm

Remains of Abbey Sibton Abbey

2

4

Nursery School 13

Pease nhall

Sibton

12 Hencoop Wood

6

11

Woodlands

7

44 | placesandfaces.co.uk

1

Cape Horn

Gales Farm 8

9

Wood 10 Farm

Dog Walk

THE WALK Distance: Approx 5 miles Time: Approx. 2 ½ hours depending on your pace Terrain: Mainly flat with stretches on minor roads Stops: The Sibton White Horse Ordinance Survey Map: Explorer 231 Start point OS reference: 357 702

Sibton White Horse Inn

As always please keep your dog under close control and follow any advisory signs.

For a printable version of this and previous walks go to placesandfaces.co.uk/dog-walks 1. From the White Horse turn right and follow the foot path (FP) sign almost immediately on your left crossing a small wooden plank bridge. Cross over 2nd bridge and turn left. Follow path to the right by the ‘ranch fencing’ then into the open field until you meet the road.

2. Turn right at the road and after approx. 150 yds take the footpath on the left. Follow path to the left where indicated by the ‘official path diversion’ sign and continue straight ahead until you reach a concrete slab bridge on your left.

3. Turn left at the bridge. Follow path directly ahead passing through two wooden gates keeping the property to your right.

After the 2nd gate turn right, pass through another gate and then turn immediately left onto the track. Follow this track to the road.

4. At road turn right and walk along road for 450yds. Turn left at FP sign into wooded area.

5. Follow the path through the trees, as you emerge keep left along the edge of the field. The path then heads left through a hedge. Pass through and turn right towards the road. Cross the road and take FP opposite. Follow path ahead eventually emerging by a bungalow and T junction.

6. Follow road directly ahead (signposted Bruisyard and Cransford) After approx. 5 minutes you will pass a property on your right called ‘Woodlands’ and then a small road bridge.

7. After the bridge take the FP sign on your left and follow the track.

8. Just before the track turns left, toward the pink house, the path continues straight ahead marked through an arable field. At the end of this first field cross a small wooden bridge. Follow the next field to its end and then pass through the gap (slightly to the right) emerging into another field containing hop frames.

Walk down the centre of the structures until you reach the road.

9. At the road turn right and walk for approx. 75yds until you reach a junction. Turn left following the signpost to Sibton.

10. After approx. 100yds turn left at the FP sign opposite the house on the right.

11. Follow the path until you reach the hedge at the bottom. Pass through the gap to the left and turn immediately right. The path follows the right edge of the fields passing to the left of wooded areas shown on the map as Cape Horn and Hencoop Wood.

12. As you approach the end of Hencoop Wood pass a hedge and turn left keeping to the left of a brick and tin barn aiming for a small wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and follow path to the road.

13. At the road turn left and then take the road on the right just after the Sibton Nursery School. Keeping to the right this road leads you back to the Sibton White Horse Words and Photographs: Adrian Rawlinson

For a small pub, finding the blend between pub and restaurant isn’t always easy, but Neil and Gill Mason seem to have it just right. A foodie heaven in its own right where muddy boots and dirty paws are most welcome in the bar too.

Lunch and dinner is served everyday with light lunches and a fixed price set lunch menu (2 course £12, 3 course £15) available from midday. A la carte is also available at lunchtime and from 6.30 in the evening.

Daily chef’s specials and Sunday roasts are available too.

The Good Pub Guide Suffolk Dining Pub of the Year 2012

Halesworth Road . Sibton .

Suffolk . IP17 2JJ Tel: 01728 660337 e-mail: info@sibtonwhitehorseinn.co.uk

www.sibtonwhitehorseinn.co.uk

Places&Faces® | March 2012

RELAX AT LEISURE

Some hotels are just for couples, others only suit families or groups of like-minded enthusiasts, but as Lesley Rawlinson discovered on her recent visit, Ufford Park is a destination with something for everyone

fford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Spa & Golf is a family owned and run Hotel with a prized location in the Deben Valley at Melton, just outside Woodbridge, it’s not surprising that it is described for visitors as the gateway to Suffolk’s Heritage Coast. Better still it’s just a 15 minute drive from home for me and therefore a doorstep treat for many Places & Faces readers.

A hotel of scale, Ufford Park boasts 87 ensuite rooms graded as Standard, Superior or Premier (the latter complete with separate shower and spa bath) and our ‘Superior’ room was a welcoming combination of 46 | placesandfaces.co.uk

well-equipped design and comfortable well thought out touches. Satellite TV, trouser press and tea and coffee making facilities (that include the rarely provided but much valued proper tea-pot) are all standard and details such as the hairdryer adjacent to the mirror (it still amazes me how many hotel rooms don’t have a plug within reach of a mirror!) and a decent space to sit other than on the bed were appreciated.

The building itself is two storey and snakes along the edge of its 18 hole par 71 golf course. Making the most of this drawn out design many of the rooms overlook the course in 120 acres of stunning Suffolk

parkland. Our room not only overlooked the course but also had a balcony and the views were just glorious.

We had organised a leisure break; golf for the guys, spa for the girls and some lovely food and drink along the way. I realise it’s clichéd but frankly it’s exactly what suited us!

The spa of course welcomes gentlemen and ladies may choose to play golf but we had decided to stick with the more traditional approach.

With tee-time and Thermal Spa booked for the following morning we decided to ease in to our break with a visit to the health club.

The deck-level swimming pool, sauna, steam

Short Break | Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

room and hot tub are all available to hotel guests until 9pm so there was plenty of time to unwind before our evening meal.

The hotel restaurant ‘the park’ is a cleverly designed space which seems to morph to suit the time of day. Passing it earlier, the area seemed light and airy with more great views to the golf course and a very accessible feel, but with the soft lights of evening it became distinctly more intimate. We had enjoyed predinner drinks in the Sports Bar, family friendly complete with pool table and Sky sports (a quieter bar area and lounge beyond this were also options as well as a separate quiet lounge with traditional games) and a good bar menu with stock favourites such as chilli, steaks, pasta or fish and chips but decided that on this occasion we fancied the more sophisticated restaurant offerings. The menu

was doubled by the ‘Specials of the Day’ and I must particularly mention the lamb shank with honey, rosemary and red wine – really delicious.

Following a remarkably good night’s sleep in the vast and comfortable bed we woke to again appreciate the tremendous view from our room. My only regret was that, as we were visiting in January, breakfast on the balcony wasn’t an option so following a self-service style meal in the restaurant, complete with broad choices of fruits, pastries and ‘build-your-own’ cooked breakfast, the chaps headed out for golf and we ladies made our way to the Thermal Spa for our ‘Fire & Ice Experience’.

The description from the brochure invited us to an experience ‘based on the ancient ritual of bathing: the body is treated using

a series of heat and cooling experiences.

It guides your body through a sensory journey with the ultimate aim of inducing deep relaxation’. Our favourite of these was probably the hydro-pool with different waterjet stations to massage and manipulate the major muscle groups, easing away tension and stress, but closely followed by the Mineral Grotto with its soothing, steamy aromas.

Once relaxed the body should then be at its peak for appreciating a more individual treatment but, as we were enjoying time together, my friend and I opted for a Mud Serail Bath – perfect for taking with a friend or partner. After the application of healing volcanic muds, chalks and salts to your body you enjoy a herbal steam bath in a private chamber before the integral rain shower completes the treatment. As a result our skin felt revived and we had certainly benefitted from the calm and sensory nature of the treatment. Leisure breaks at Ufford Park can be built to suit. We opted to break for lunch, relaxing in our robes in The Sanctuary, later returning to the pool and Spa for even more rest and relaxation.

My husband and his golfing buddy reported that their game of golf was extremely enjoyable, despite his lack of practice of late! The course has a good selection of short technical and longer holes. Laid out around a 5 acre conservation area water comes into play on 12 of the holes and I’m assured that the ‘risk verses reward debate’ makes Ufford Park a course particularly popular with more discerning gofers.

Relaxing family break, romantic week-end or leisure break with friends Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa has enough choice for everyone.

For more information contact: Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa Yarmouth Road, Melton Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1QW T: 0844 847 9467 www.uffordpark.co.uk

Places&Faces®

47

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Eating on high at

Snape mALTINGS

There are lots of reasons why living in Suffolk is very special – and for many people Snape Maltings is at or near the top of that list. Anne Gould eats at its newest restaurant, Café 1885 ood intentions or not you can’t visit Snape Maltings and not be tempted to linger.

You might have stopped by for a concert, visited one of its excellent farmers markets, wanted to browse in the gallery or one of the shops.

Or of course you may be combining your visit with a walk across the stunning marshland towards Iken or Aldeburgh.

At some point, especially at the weekend when eating patterns are inevitably out of kilter, you’ll feel peckish.

Of course for many years there’s been a pub, The Plough and Sail on the site and The Granary tearoom too but there’s now Café 1885, which has been open for almost a year

48 | placesandfaces.co.uk

and offers something quite different.

Set up high on a mezzanine above the stunning homewares shop it feels very much like a private quiet space – great for meeting friends or enjoying a quiet lunch with the family.

In fact it’s got such a nice feel, it’s casual and relaxed but offers good quality food at reasonable prices, that this was actually my third visit to Café 1885.

So while most reviews are done on a single sitting this one has the benefit of previous experience and from someone who’s already a bit of a fan.

The Café gets its name from the age of the building – the Maltings dates back to 1846 but the Café building went up in 1885 – and

there’s a hand engraved date plaque can been on the frontage that corroborates this.

One of the nice things about the menu, especially for supporters of Snape’s farmers markets, is that food from local producers are featured on the menu – which it says, “Changes regularly thanks to the farms and fishermen of our Coast”.

For weekenders or those that love full English breakfast, Brunch, complete with pain au chocolat, Eggs Benedict and smoked bacon sandwich, is available all day from 10am.

Lunch, available from noon offers an interesting selection and daily specials and the option to eat either a full cooked meal or something special that is perhaps a little

Dining Review | Café 1885

In fact it’s got such a nice feel, it’s casual and relaxed but offers good quality food at reasonable prices, that this was actually my third visit to Café 1885

lighter – proper soup, a beautiful seasonal salad – or smoked mackerel pate, a favourite of mine.

It makes choosing very difficult – and I dithered between salmon en croute and smoked haddock chowder, roast chicken breast with polenta and Jerusalem artichoke, black pudding, quail egg and pine nut salad.

There was also chargrilled steak ciabatta, Dingley Dell pork chop and filo parcels with ratatouille.

My friend’s Morston mussels with white wine and parsley cream sauce, came served with a hunk of granary bread and were apparently quite a treat.

I meanwhile went for the Café 1885 Ploughman’s, which includes Lincolnshire poacher cheese, half a Scotch egg, apple chutney, celery, grapes, pickles and bread.

It turned out to something of a visual feast, arriving on a wooden platter in a portion size that was probably enough for two.

As a meal it was faultless, the quality ingredients spoke for themselves but

particular praise must go to the Scotch egg for being perfectly cooked – the yolk being a rich ochre in colour, soft and just set.

The courgettes, lightly pickled with turmeric were excellent and the apple chutney was also in a league of its own.

For desserts, there is vanilla cheesecakes, lemon meringue pie, carrot or chocolate cake and of course ice cream.

We decided to share some carrot cake – which was recommended by the waitress – a good choice it turned out, for being light, notw overly sweet or over laden with masses of cream cheese icing.

Of course if you don’t want to do lunch – afternoon tea seems to be very much the fashionable meal of choice these days and Café 1885 offers something special here.

Served from 2.30pm and at £10.95 a person you are given the works – a three tier cake stand is served on your table with a freshly baked fruit scone, miniature pastries and triangle sandwiches.

So if you are looking for an outing for

Mothering Sunday or Easter………

As you might expect it’s not just the food that’s been given the Snape seal of approval – all the drinks served in the café have been carefully scrutinised and approved for quality too.

There are a selection of roasted bean coffees available – cappuccino, latte, Americano, espresso and mocha; all made with 100 per cent Arabica beans.

Even here there’s a local connection – thanks to The Suffolk Coffee Company – which selects green coffee beans from across the world but does its roasting in Peasenhall.

The wines and beers too have been through a careful selection process and include Adnams beer, Aspall Cider and all the wines are available to buy by the glass and if you want to take some home from The Food Hall as well.

Café 1885 is open from 10am – 5pm daily. www.snapemaltings.co.uk

Places&Faces®

49

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Wine

Brimming over with Bordeaux Rob Chase

very year since 1987, we at Adnams Wine Merchants host what has become one of the most exclusive and extensive claret tasting events of the year. Around eighteen of the country’s leading wine merchants and journalists (including, this year, no fewer than six Masters of Wine) arrive from all over the UK, chancing their luck to the vagaries of the east Suffolk branch line, taxis, and/or the A12. There have been some notable late arrivals but despite logistical hiccups, the third Wednesday in January generally bears witness to a full house of eminent palates - possibly the finest assembly of olfactory greatness ever to gather under one roof. On the most recent occasion, the roof belonged to The Swan Hotel, whose porters will have washed up around 500 glasses, slooshed out umpteen spittoons, replenished table cloths, water jugs and biscuits and, by the end of the week, will have removed hundreds of empty bottles. It’s heaven for cork and label-collectors.

In order to allow everyone time to get to Southwold, tasting activities are scheduled to start (is there a vinous equivalent to a kick-off, I wonder) after lunch on the Wednesday, giving me plenty of time to pull the corks on the first eighty-four bottles. As we have just half-a-day’s worth of sipping and spitting, there is only time enough for seven ‘flights’ or line-ups. Each flight consists of twelve wines, and we hit the road running with five ‘junior’ St Emilion flights, followed by two of Pomerol.

50 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Scores are taken after each, comments noted, views aired and then it’s on to the next selection.

The assembled and exhausted palates, with their tannin-stained black teeth, tongues and lips (resembling more a vampire convention than a tasting marathon), repair promptly to the nearest bar, where locals seem to take this motley group of Vincent Price lookalikes in their stride. The annual fix of Adnams’ ales is a must, and the discovery this year of Spindrift and Sole Star was something of a revelation.

Children in a sweet shop springs to mind, but as the chef clatters platters impatiently in the background, pints are abandoned and we head to the dining room for supper, where begins possibly the greatest treat of all. Each evening our guests bring one or two of their own ‘special’ bottles to the table, and we now have the rare privilege of drinking some of the most remarkable and venerable wines that can be mustered from the depths of their respective cellars, invariably including ancient First Growth clarets and Burgundian Grand Cru antiquities.

Thursday, and we swill and swirl our way through a flight of Haut-Médoc, two of Pauillac, one of First Growths (plus wannabe Firsts) and one flight of top wines from the Right Bank, such as Pétrus, Cheval Blanc and Ausone. A much-needed 40 minute break follows, to sooth our fired-up palates with a sensational fish chowder and green salad, courtesy of The Swan kitchen. Some of the party manage to get a glimpse of the North Sea, before reconvening and tackling a further six flights of St Julien, Margaux, St Estèphe and Pessac-Léognan. Play is finally suspended at 6.50 pm as the assembled palates rebel; the 2008 vintage (we taste the vintage which is four years old every year), showed a combination of tannin and acidity which proved too great a barrier to continue further. Never mind, after a delicious supper,

Each evening our guests bring one or two of their own ‘special’ bottles to the table, and we now have the rare privilege of drinking some of the most remarkable and venerable wines that can be mustered from the depths of their respective cellars featuring some great Burgundies, followed by a few hours restorative sleep, we resume our tasting positions on Friday morning, polish off the last flight of reds, and wind up with two flights of dry white Bordeaux and two of Sauternes and Barsac. Palates shot, teeth screaming but mission accomplished!

Our scores and comments (good and bad) will eventually be fed back to the châteaux whence came these 300-odd bottles, while merchants and scribblers alike - having tasted such a comprehensive cross-section, are now better informed to discuss lucidly the pros and cons of Bordeaux 2008.

Thirty-six hours later and my colleague and I are heading to Montpellier where over five hundred growers of organic wines, from thirteen countries, await the pleasure of our palates for a three day tasting fest of the ‘green’, the good and bio–dynamic greats.

Oh, joy – and all in the name of keeping the customer not just satisfied – but inspired and in delicious wines.

Local Produce Gallery

Coddenham food store

At the heart of Coddenham you will find our beautiful village food store where we pride ourselves in sourcing the best of local products. As well as everyday staples you will find such gems as Suffolk Gold and Suffolk Blue Cheese, Suffolk pate, local meats, breads and beers. The perfect choice to top up fresh food locally or just a place pop for a coffee. We look forward to welcoming you.

Yoxford Post Office Deli-Café

Shortlisted for the EADT Good Food Awards, Yoxford’s café-deli (the home of the Sole Bay Cheese Co.) makes the best espresso and cappucino for miles and tasty simple food using fantastic local ingredients cooked to order. In France they’d call it a café-sans-tabac. We call it the heart of the village. Stop for coffee, breakfast, lunch or tea, use our free wi-fi connection, meet friends or just post a letter. You don’t even have to live here.

Open: Monday to Friday 7.30am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 6pm Address: School Road, Coddenham, Suffolk IP6 9PR

Open: Monday-Saturday 9am - 5:30pm.

(Post Office closes at 1pm on Weds and Sat).

Address: High Street, A1120, Yoxford W: www.solebaycheese.co.uk

T: 01449 760227

T: 01728 668520

THE ARTISAN SMOKEHOUSE

GRANGE FARM SHOP

An Award winning smokehouse owned by husband and wife team Tim and Gill Matthews. They pride themselves on using ethically sourced ingredients, prioritising local British producers. Their products are traditionally dry cured, using no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, then lightly smoked over Maple wood. Products are made to order, ensuring excellent quality and freshness, and include; smoked beef fillet, hot and cold smoked salmon, duck, salami, cheeses, oils, dried mushrooms and garlic.

Award winning farm shop offering a wonderful selection of local produce, including locally reared meats, smoked fish, bread, cakes, biscuits, preserves, fruit juices and cordials, dairy produce, ice cream, olives, dried fruits, nuts and cereals, groceries, fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables and home grown apples in season. Also available is a large selection of plants, baskets and beautiful hampers. We offer weekly food tastings, fruit and vegetable specials and a loyalty card scheme. Easter gifts now available.

Maximus fish shop

The Wightman family have been fishing the Suffolk coast since at least 1890. Now this family business uses generations of fishing knowledge to bring line caught fish ashore every day the weather permits. Using years of industry contacts to bring the best high quality fish from low impact day boats all over the country to customers in their Friday Street shop & at farmers markets. Choose from wet fish, smoked fish & shellfish changing with the seasons.

Open: Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.00pm Address: Unit 1, Friday Street Farm Shop, Farnham, Saxmundham, IP17 1JX E: chriswightman01@btinternet.com M: 07980 000284

T: 01728 603854 Chilli Farm Smokehouse & Deli

It’s all change this season with the ‘new’ Smokehouse & Deli. The existing chilli products are on sale along with delicious deli produce, handmade savoury tarts, a range of delicious cheeses, smoked meats and lots of gourmet accompaniments.

The Bistro has a new menu too, incorporating much of the delicious produce available from the deli.

Open: Order anytime, either online, by phone or email. Please call us for FREE DELIVERY to Suffolk Coastal Area, on orders over £15.

E: info@artisansmokehouse.co.uk W: www.artisansmokehouse.co.uk

Open: Monday - Saturday 8.30 - 5pm Sunday 10 - 4pm Address: Grundisburgh Road (B1079), Hasketon, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 6HN E: grangefarmshop@aol.com

Open: Monday - Sunday 10 - 4pm (closed on Tuesdays) Address: Norwich Road (A140), Mendlesham, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5NQ E: info@chillicompany.com W: www.chillicompany.com

T: 01394 270609

T: 01473 735610

T: 01449 766677

Places&Faces®

51

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Arlingtons

the fox

The Angel

Imagine a chocolate box style village pub, beaming with pinkness, beautiful tranquil gardens and flowers around the door. Add a loyal and friendly clientele and great food and you’ll wish you had discovered us sooner. Fine locally sourced food is offered seven days a week, all day at weekends and this is complimented by an ever changing range of guest ales and wines. Food offers are available throughout the week. See our website for details

We don’t go for anything as fancy as a “Mission Statement” or “Food Policy”, rather we aim to source the best local ingredients from the excellent producers on our doorstep, prepare great tasty food, with daily specials here on the premises, and sell it you at a reasonable price.

We are equally proud of our drinks offering with 6 real ales, draught ciders & lagers, and East Anglia’s widest range of spirits, with over 70 gins you can experience something truly unique.

Open: Monday to Sunday 8am to 10pm Address: 13 Museum Street, Ipswich.

Suffolk. IP1 1HE E: enquiries@arlingtonsbrasserie.co.uk W: www.arlingtonsbrasserie.com

Open: Monday - Saturday 11.00am 11.00pm. Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30pm Food served 7 days a week Address: The Street, Newbourne, Woodbridge IP12 4NY E: fox@debeninns.co.uk W: www.debeninns.co.uk

Open: 12-3 & 5-close Mon-Fri & we are open all day at weekends Address: Theatre Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4NE (Just off the Market Hill) E: mail@theangelwoodbridge.co.uk W: www.theangelwoodbridge.co.uk

T: 01473 230293

T: 01473 736307

T: 01394 383808

Buzzing brasserie style restaurant with café bar set within the building converted from the Arlingtons Ballroom. The perfect venue to catch up with friends, talk business, celebrate special occasions.

French style menu served in typical informal Brasserie manner offering a large selection of freshly prepared Suffolk reared meat dishes and vegetarian choices as well as fish & shellfish from sustainable sources. Plus takeaway deli, breakfast from 8am, light meals and homemade cakes throughout the day.

The fountain

Located in the lovely old village of Tuddenham St Martin, 3 miles north of Ipswich, informal bistro style restaurant set in an oldie worldy 16th century country pub with, great food, great service and great value. We can cater for any parties from 2 to 45 people. The menu comprises of a full A La Carte menu and a set 2 or 3 course menu. For reservations please call 01473 785377 or email fountainpub@btconnect.com

the maybush

Recently beautifully refurbished The Maybush Inn sits on the banks of the Deben in Waldringfield. The busy riverside pub and restaurant affords panoramic views across the river and beyond. The Maybush has become famous for its excellent food offering with a wide range and varied menu including local game, meats and fresh seafood. Vegetarian options and children’s menu available.

Food offers are available throughout the week – See our website for details.

The admirals head

Set in pretty Little Bealings, The Admiral’s Head has been a pub for more than 200 years and retains its beautiful Georgian features. The menu includes Italian specialities courtesy of chef Rosario DeAngelo, as well as traditional favourites.

Book now for our special Mother’s Day set menu and treat your Mum to a lovely Sunday lunch. As always, three cask ales on tap and a great list of Old and New World wines.

Open: Monday to Friday 12pm - 2pm & 6pm to 9pm. Saturday 12pm - 2pm & 6pm - 9.30pm Sunday 12pm to 3pm Closed Evening Address: The Street, Tuddenham St. Martin, IP6 9BT E: fountainpub@btconnect.com W: www.tuddenhamfountain.co.uk

Open: Monday- Saturday 11.00am 11.00pm. Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30pm Food served 7 days a week Address: Cliff Road, Waldringfield, Woodbridge, SuffolkIP12 4QL E: maybush@debeninns.co.uk W: www.debeninns.co.uk

Open: All day Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday lunch time Address: Sandy Lane, Little Bealings, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 6LW E: theadmiralshead@btinternet.com W: www.theadmiralshead.com

T: 01473 785377

T: 01473 736215

T: 01473 625912

52 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Food Gallery

The Arboretum at Fynn Valley

THE PEACOCK INN

Satis house

The Arboretum in Ipswich’s High Street has a well deserved reputation for providing outstanding food using the freshest local produce. Owner Head Chef Ben Taylor has now expanded his thriving operation into our Club. With delicious food and exciting new menus, served either in the cosy refurbished Courtyard Bar or spacious Restaurant, the Arboretum at Fynn Valley is the perfect place to bring family and friends for a meal. Full details can be found on our website.

Open: Open lunch and evening except closed all day Monday and Sunday evenings Address: Fynn Valley Golf Club, Witnesham, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9JA E: restaurant@fynn-valley.co.uk W: www.fynn-valley.co.uk

A beautiful 14th century half-timbered inn with cosy open fires offering a selection of local ales including Mauldons, Greene King and Adnams. We’re perfectly positioned for touring, walking and cycling in the beautiful surrounding countryside and have four comfortable bedrooms all with an elegant country air, recently awarded 3 Rosettes Silver.

Our menu changes every month offering quality food at reasonable prices. Don’t miss the Sunday roast menu with our famous leek sauce! Dogs welcome.

Open: Tuesday - Saturday: 12 noon to 3pm - 6pm to 11pm.

Sunday: 12 noon to 6pm Address: 37 The Street, Chelsworth, Suffolk, IP7 7HU E: wilcri@aol.com W: www.thepeacockchelsworth.com

Satis House is a Grade II listed Georgian property offering a two rosette modern British restaurant that prides itself on sourcing local seasonal produce. Set in three acres of beautiful parkland you can choose to stay, eat or drink enjoying a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. With modern conveniences in 18th Century splendour, the hotel accommodation includes tastefully furnished bedrooms with some featuring four poster-beds and antique bathrooms.

T: 01473 785202

T: 01449 743952

T: 01728 668418

sutton plough

The ship

Open: Daily for Dinner: 6.30pm till 11.00pm Address: Main Road A12, Yoxford, Nr. Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3EX E: enquiries@satishouse.co.uk W: www.satishouse.co.uk

The Coach & Horses

The Coach & Horses located just outside of Woodbridge, has extremely good access to the A12 with ample parking.

Originally a staging inn or coach house, it’s historical role is equally well served today providing great family food. We offer a great combination of quality, value and atmosphere that the Deben Inns are renowned for.

Under new ownership The Sutton Plough has an exciting new menu using properly sourced local ingredients offering excellent value quality food in a relaxed country environment. Whether eating with us or having a quiet drink lounging on our leather sofas you will find the Plough a welcoming and comfortable venue. The Sutton Plough is family and dog friendly and is just 10 minutes from Woodbridge. For full details and menus see our website.

Once a haunt of smugglers The Ship is now one of the most popular inns on the Suffolk coast. Recently awarded our first rosette by the AA we believe there is a whole world between gastro food and the much maligned pub food of old.

We understand local produce and have a passion for the area. Our fish and chips are famous and our menu changes to reflect the best of every season.

Open: Food served Monday – Saturday 12 – 2.30pm 6 - 9pm. Sunday lunch 12 - 4pm Address: Sutton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3DU E: info@thesuttonplough.co.uk W: www.thesuttonplough.co.uk

Open: Monday- Saturday 11.00am 11.00pm. Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30pm Food served 7 days a week.

Address: Dunwich, Suffolk IP17 3DT E: info@shipatdunwich.co.uk W: www.shipatdunwich.co.uk

Open: Mon- Sat 11.00am until 11.00pm Sunday 12.00 noon till 10.30pm Food served 7 days a week.

Address: Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1PD E: coachandhorses@debeninns.co.uk W: www.debeninns.co.uk

T: 01394 411785

T: 01728 648219

T: 01394 384851

Places&Faces®

53

Places&Faces® | March 2012

LOIN

FROM THE

LION

This month Places & Faces brings you a muntjac deer loin recipe from Murdo Alex Macritchie of the Black Lion in Long Melford urdo Alex Macritchie, who was born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis in the Scottish Hebrides, began his career in the Army where he trained as a chef at the Army School of Catering in Aldershot.

After serving for five years he went to work in various fine dining restaurants in throughout Essex, Suffolk and Scotland, eventually taking up the role of Chef/Patron of the award winning Sulair Restaurant on the Isle of Lewis.

Heading back ‘down south’ Murdo Alex took over as Head Chef of The Wellhouse Hotel in Cornwall, one of only four restaurants in the county at the time to hold the prestigious three AA Rosettes award – the others being Rick Stein and the now 2 Michelin starred Restaurant, Nathan Outlaw.

54 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Recipe | Black Lion

From Cornwall he found himself back in the east of England where his career had taken off. Since taking over as head chef at the Black Lion Hotel in Long Melford, Murdo Alex and his team have achieved 2 AA Rosettes within their first 12 months as well as opening The Georgian Room, a 16 cover fine dining restaurant within the hotel.

The Black Lion now offers a more casual dining experience as well as something a bit special. This deer recipe might look complicated but it is quite simple to prepare and would be a great dish for a dinner party, it sums up the ethos of the food at the Black Lion, quality ingredient’s treated sympathetically.

Muntjac Deer Loin, Black Pudding, Beetroot & Goats Cheese Panna-Cotta (Serves 2) INGREDIENTS 2 Muntjac loins ( Instead of Muntjac you could use 2 venison fillets) 4 Slices of Cured Ham 100g Soft black pudding 500g Baby beetroot 4 Sprigs of thyme Rapeseed oil Maldon sea salt 250g Goats cheese 135 Milk 135 Double cream 2g Agar (available in all supermarkets) 500ml Good quality veal stock 500ml Good quality game stock 1 Teaspoon of tamarind (optional)

This deer recipe might look complicated but it is quite simple to prepare and would be a great dish for a dinner party

METHOD

4. Place the venison loins in a pan of just simmering water and cook for six minutes.

1.Place the baby beetroot in an ovenproof Once cooked remove the loins from the cling tray with 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil, a film and place in a hot frying pan with a little good pinch of Maldon salt and the sprigs of rapeseed oil, sear and colour the ham all thyme, cover with foil and roast at 180oC for over, remove from the pan and rest in a warm 35 minutes until tender. place. Reduce the two stocks together with the tamarind to the desired consistency then 2. Bone out the loins from the deer saddle pass through a sieve into another pan and (ask your butcher to do this if you are unsure) keep warm. and cut each loin into two pieces giving you a total of four portions. Place a sheet of cling 5. To serve place the black pudding and film on the table and line with four sheets of the goats cheese panna-cotta in the oven the cured ham. Place one loin on top of the at 180oC for 5 minutes. Sautee the baby ham and then wrap around the loin using beetroot in a pan with a little rapeseed oil the cling film and tie the cling film off at both and seasoning for 5 minutes also. Place the ends creating a sausage like shape. Repeat black pudding on the plate, cut each of deer the process with the other three loins. Place loins into 3 and place on top of the black in the fridge until needed. pudding, scatter the beetroot around the deer, cut the goats cheese panna-cotta into 3. Next make the goats cheese panna-cotta squares and place on the plate the pour on by heating the milk and cream together, the sauce. then add the goats cheese and the agar and cook on a low heat for 5 minutes, constantly In the picture I have served the Deer with Violet stirring the whole time. Pass through a sieve potato gnocchi, a nice creamy mash will suffice. into a plastic container and refrigerate.

Enjoy!

The Green, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9DN

t. 01787 312356

www.blacklionhotel.net

Places&Faces® | March 2012

STAND

BY YOUR

BEDS Darren Mellor on the benefits of raising the game in the garden aised beds are definitely the ‘in’ thing to have at the moment, but don’t just let the current fad persuade you.

The benefits offered are manifold; added height reduces kneeling down, back ache, and generally improves the gardening experience. To construct deep beds correctly, however, takes a lot of hard work and can be quite expensive in terms of materials, but once completed they are easy to maintain and should last for many years to come and, when installed correctly, look stunning, creating a beautiful focal point.

Considering that last year was the year of bio-diversity, and that most people like to see something different in a garden, I would urge you to think out of the box if you can and look to recycle the likes of an old galvanised water tank or even a butler sink!

You will be amazed at what you can find at a reclamation, auction, or salvage yard, and for not many pennies.

Old railway sleepers have always proved popular and are great for general landscaping, but, due to many containing high levels of arsenic, I wouldn’t recommend their use. Pressure treated timber sleepers can be sourced new, as too can ready-made do it yourself kits.

Another great idea is to use scaffold planks, or any similar solid but shabby looking

56 | placesandfaces.co.uk

shuttering which can be built to different heights, and then covered with willow panels raised above the bed, thus creating shelter for fledgling plants.

Your bed can be any length or shape but it is suggested that it shouldn’t be more than 4 feet wide at any point, to allow ease of access from any side. I would recommend starting with 4 feet square beds. Should you want a longer bed, why not try splitting it with paths in-between? It will make maintenance so much easier and is more pleasing on the eye.

When planting your raised beds you will also find that weeds are suppressed due to the close planting, but weeding will still be required, which should be done by hand. This does take longer than the conventional use of a hoe but psychologically, deep beds are easier to keep in order as you can work on one bed at a time rather than coping with a whole plot.

Remember that not all vegetables are ideal for raised beds, and for some vegetables you will probably need to select varieties that are suitable for close spacing. This condensed way of gardening will yield more per square foot but, taking in to account the space taken up by paths, you should have a similar yield to a conventional plot of the same overall size but with all the benefits mentioned above, and a real wow factor.

Gardening

Places&Faces速

57

RogeR gladwell landscaping

MAKE YOUR GARDEN AN EXTENSION OF YOUR HOME

A PLACE TO RELAX AND ENJOY

Award Winning Landscape Designer

www.rogergladwell.co.uk 01728 638372

Gardening

The Secret to a Lovely Lawn

any of us forget about our lawns from the end of autumn to the first warm day of spring and are then disappointed when they are not green and lush later in the season when we want to enjoy being outside. Here are some tips to enable you to get the very best from your lawn this year.

Check now for moss, bare patches and surface water on the grass. Moss thrives when the mower has been set too low and the lawn surface is scalped; cutting too short weakens the grass plant and allows moss to colonise. Moss also likes shady conditions so cutting back trees and shrubs that have grown too tall and are creating shade will help to discourage it.

The best way to get rid of moss is to scarify the lawn. This is not the same operation as raking which will only remove some of the surface matter. After scarifying the lawn will look somewhat muddy and bare but it will quickly recover once the growing season starts. All debris from scarifying must be raked off the lawn and removed. If conditions are very dry in the spring you will need to water the lawn to encourage a good recovery.

Surface moss is easy to recognise but it may be that your lawn has developed a thick layer of sub-surface thatch that is invisible from above. This naturally occurs when leaves and debris collect at soil level.

As it becomes thicker it prevents moisture, oxygen and nutrients from penetrating to the grass roots. This can be so bad that a lawn can develop Dry Patch, even after prolonged rainfall. These bare patches can actually repel water causing the grass to die off.

The answer to Dry Patch and compaction is to hollow tine aerate the lawn, taking out thousands of cores to allow water, oxygen and nutrients through to the roots. For small lawns with Dry Patch forking all over the bare area and applying a solution of 1 part washing up liquid to 12 parts water will effectively rehydrate.

Bare patches that refuse to regrow may indicate that Leather Jackets (cranefly larvae) or Chafer Grubs (cockchafer beetle larvae) are feeding on the grass root. These can be eradicated with an application of insecticide.

Good practice in lawn care • Never cut your lawn lower than 1”, this will prevent ‘scalping’, hamper moss from thriving and help conserve moisture in dry periods. During hot, dry weather raise cutting height to 1.5” – 2” • Make sure your mower is serviced and the blade sharpened before the mowing season starts.

• Aim to cut the lawn at least weekly, taking a small amount off the tip of the grass each time encourages good healthy growth • Keep off the lawn when it is very wet or frosty • Don’t wait for your lawn to become dry and brown before you water. Always water in the evening after the sun has gone down to prevent evaporation and wastage.

By Mary Mitson-Woods, Green Thumb www.greenthumb.co.uk

BARE ROOT ESSENTIALS

arch is really the last chance to plant your bare rooted stock, the season can carry on to as late as mid April but for truly successful transplanting, now is the time to start planting your hedge.

You obviously want to give your plants the best start in their new environment so taking the time to prepare the soil is a crucial. Remove any unwanted weed or grass growth from the area, if you do not wish to use herbicides then preparing the ground by hand would be best unless you have a rotavator. If you have heavy, compacted or clay soil it’s important to dig thoroughly to ensure the plants have good drainage, if you are in any doubt about the soil fertility then incorporating a good peat free compost would be a beneficial with some fish blood and bone.

Transplants are usually planted three to a metre for a single row hedge or five to a metre in a double staggered row, this provides a dense ‘people proof’ hedge. Cut back any damaged roots with a sharp knife or secateurs, take a spade and make a slit in the ground, the full length of the spade, moving it back and forth making a small crevice, place the plant in the crevice up to it’s original planting depth, marked by the soil before it was lifted out of the ground.

Use your heels to close the soil in around it making sure that you do not bury the stem in the process.

If you have a problem with rabbits then it is essential to protect your plants choosing from a number of products designed for the job. Spirals tend to be the most common for hedge plants and shrub shelters for the more bushy species; they come in several different

sizes so it’s always best to ask for advice to get it right.

Mulching suppresses the unwanted weed growth and retains moisture, both key elements to achieve a well established hedge. Use either well rotted manure or bark, both will do the same job but the compost and manure will also act as a fertiliser and slowly get pulled into the ground. Bark will last a lot longer but will not have the same fertilising effect. The mulch should be placed a good foot either side of the plant and two to three inches deep.

To encourage good healthy growth of your hedge, watering is essential. Installing a simple drip tape irrigation system is very economical and makes watering your nice new hedge a simple task.

By Jon Rose, Botanica www.botanica.org.uk

Places&Faces®

59

M0699-East Suffolk-Ad-96x134-31jan12.pdf

1

Wednesday01/000002/2012

15:19

Wide selection of English Provenance, English Grown Bare Root Fruit, Trees and Hedging with everything you will need for planting. All in one place. www.botanica.org.uk . Campsea Ashe, Wickham Market, IP13 0PZ . 01728 747113

Homes and Interiors

GADGET INSPECTOR Contrived to help us with even the most trivial of day to day tasks there’s a kitchen gadget for most imaginable jobs. Whether it’s brewing the perfect cup of coffee, or simply peeling your garlic, gadgets have also evolved to become part of the home accessory brigade bringing style, colour and even fun into your kitchen The daily staple for so many of us it’s great to bake your own bread at home especially for that ‘fresh bake’ aroma. This Kenwood Breadmaker has got some great functions such as a rapid bake and a handy keep warm function plus a 15 hour time delay if needed and a 58 minute rapid bake programme so you could wake up to fresh bread or whip some up to an impromptu lunch Kenwood Breadmaker £69.99 | Glasswells

With all that lovely bread around there’s bound to be a little left to toast! The Delonghi four slice toaster cleverly mixes futuristic and retro design elements and is available in a choice of five colours. It’s also fully variable so you can crisp your toast as you like it and you can operate two slots independently of the others. Delonghi Toaster £74.99 | Glasswells Add some Jubilee patriotism to your kitchen with this toughened glass multi-functional Union Jack Work-top Saver. With non-slip rubber feet, the board provides a hygienic, odour and stain-resistant work surface for all types of food preparation Union Jack Worktop Saver £15.75 | Glasswells

But it’s not all about the Queen - ‘The King’ Worktop Saver features a distinctive design recreating an uncanny likeness to Elvis entirely from whole and chopped fruit and vegetables! The King Worktop Saver £12.99 | Glasswells

This clever and compact herb chopper comprises a non-slip chopping board and doublebladed cutter in one.

Simply remove the cutter, chop and then safely store the blade back into the compartment Herb chopper £18.99 Glasswells

Places&Faces®

61

Making your House a Home...

Beautiful timber windows and doors from traditional to contemporary designs

Transform your home with our stunning ranges of timber windows and doors.

Meeting the highest expectation, our engineered timber frames are designed to set new standards both functionally and aesthetically. From classic box sash to stunning contemporary options, each window or door totally bespoke in virtually any colour or stain finish, completely to meet your individual needs.

Windows and doors as practical as they are beautiful.

come and see us...

Full installation service. Free design

Woodbridge Interiors

Tel: 01394 386390 Kitchen and Bathroom showroom Smithfield, Melton Road, Melton, nr. Woodbridge www.woodbridgeinteriors.co.uk

8 Fornham Business Court Hall Farm Bury Drift Fornham St Martin Suffolk IP31 1SL 01284 760 222

countrysidetimberwindows.com

The Old Forge 53 High Street (at rear) Ingatestone Essex CM4 0AT 01277 350 950

countryside W I N D O W S | D O O R S | G LA S S H O U S E S

Traditional & Contemporary Handmade Rugs and Carpets

• Extensive showroom with stunning traditional and contemporary rugs, runners and room size carpets • Expert advice on colour, style, wearing quality and care • Home consultations • Specialists in room size carpets

Restoration Workshops on site Restoration, conservation and cleaning of hand-made Oriental and European carpets and rugs, specialising in both modern and antique rugs.

www.persiancarpetstudio.co.uk Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5.30pm 01787 882214 The Old White Hart, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 9HX Customer Parking

Homes and Interiors

Become a complete kitchen Goddess (or God for that matter) with this embodiment of kitchen wizardry with chic, stunning design values. The Kenwood Food Mixer really is a piece of art in the kitchen. It’s also dishwasher safe with numerous functions and attachments.

Kenwood Food Mixer £349.99 | Glasswells

This clever device uses Halogen and Infra-Red technology combined with a fan to cook food quickly whilst retaining all the moisture that is typically lost during standard oven cooking. It’s great for roasting, baking, steaming, toasting, reheating, defrosting and frying but most importantly it offers a healthier way to cook, as fat just drains away. Even better it also has a self-cleaning system!

Judge JEA30 Halogen Oven £39.99, | Elmers Hardware

Many hands make light work – and this striking salad bowl has its own unique pair of handlike salad servers integrated on either side of the bowl, blending smoothly into the contours of the design. A fun, practical and colourful solution for indoor and outdoor entertaining.

Add a professional finish to crème brulee with a cook’s Blow Torch. The Master Class Professional has a chrome effect non-slip sure grip metal body, piezo trigger ignition, safety lock, detachable stand and a large refillable cylinder and the safety adjustable anti-flare flame works at all angles. It’s also manufactured to British Standards and gives up to 60 minutes use between refills.

Salad Bowl £29.99 | Glasswells

Kitchen Craft Master Class Professional Cooks Blow Torch £15.99 Elmers Hardware

Simple things can be so pleasing! This spoon is cleverly designed with an integrated rest improving hygiene and minimising mess it’s also heat resistant and dishwasher safe Elevate Spoon £8 House & Garden Shop, Snape Maltings

Who says functional can’t be fun? This pestle and mortar is both simple and sturdy and provides not one, but two receptacles for grinding. The main bowl is large enough for crushing and grinding larger quantities or several ingredients at once. The lid, when inverted, provides a neat hand-held mortar - ideal for grinding smaller quantities of herbs or spices.

Pestle & Mortar £29.99 | Glasswells

Places&Faces®

63

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Get real espresso coffee in minutes. The Stellar Espresso maker has built in milk frother with “Vari-steam” control, a warming area to preheat cups a self-cleansing brewing chamber and self-priming pressure pump - producing a constant pressure of 15 bar Stellar Espresso Maker £79.99 | Elmers Hardware

Hot Water – in an instant Instant Hot Water taps are the stylish, convenient and timesaving alternative to a kettle making life easier with no waiting around for water to boil. With a multitude of uses you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one!

By using downward pressure and a ‘rocking’ motion, this stylish garlic press crushes cloves quickly and evenly Stainless steel garlic press £16 | House & Garden Shop, Snape Maltings

Zip HydroTap: boiling and chilled filtered water instantly. Available from Orwells Furniture Quooker Boliing Water Tap. Available from Anglia Factors

This pizza wheel has an integrated blade guard and can be used to divide up pizzas, sandwiches or pastries effortlessly Pizza Wheel £12 | House & Garden Shop, Snape Maltings

STOCKISTS Anglia Factors, 44 Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath www.angliafactors.co.uk T: 01473 610192 • Elmers Hardware, 59 – 61 Edmonton Road, Kesgrave www.elmershardware.co.uk T: 01473 623381 • Glasswells, Ranelagh Road, Ipswich or Newmarket Road Bury St Edmunds www.glasswells.co.uk T: 01473 253164 • House & Garden, Snape Maltings, Snape, Nr Aldeburgh www.snapemaltings.co.uk T: 01728 688303 • Orwells Furniture, 497-499 Wherstead Road, Ipswich www.orwellsfurniture.co.uk T: 01473 680091 64 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Auctions & Antiques

A Chance to Remember wonder how many of you remember a very special antique dealer who occupied prominent premises for many years on the Market Hill in Woodbridge?

Neals He was a great character who tragically died at a relatively young age and in doing so not only left a huge hole in his family’s life but also in the salerooms around the country. It is highly likely he left a lasting mark on members of the RNLI as well as they came to his rescue all too frequently while he pursued his love of windsurfing off Shingle Street.

Simon Carter was his name and I can still visualise the oval logo which adorned his letter heading giving it a sense of style which was echoed by his wonderfully legible handwriting.

To say Simon had an encyclopaedic

JamesNeal

knowledge of the art world is probably an understatement. There was almost nothing you could ask him about a picture without receiving a reasoned answer, full of detail. He also had an uncanny knack of spotting the exact location of a landscape or seascape, particularly in relation to local scenes.

During his time in business he would attract a variety of ‘runners’ within the trade.

Those who had bought items, perhaps speculatively, in the hope Simon would approve of their purchases and give them a profit.

Many were the times when I would leave my office late on a Friday and see the familiar vehicles of those hoping to have scratched a living by the end of their working week by offloading their stock for an element of profit or exchanging pictures so that they would tap into a different market.

It was a chance meeting with Simon’s son-in-law which brought back all these memories. He was in Woodbridge on his way to an overdue visit to a hairdresser and he stopped to have a chat. The result of his visit

to the one with the scissors and a comb will no doubt have further enhanced his good looks before he appears on our television screens over the next week or so!

Returning to Simon and his huge breadth of knowledge, it has to be remembered he also dealt in interesting and unusual furniture and objets d’art as well as pictures of all varieties. In the latter years of his working life he enjoyed the company of his lovely daughter whose presence and efficiency no doubt helped to keep him slightly more on the straight and narrow.

Another member of his team, Colin Scott, has continued his highly successful and skilled restoration and framing service in his own name, while one of Simon’s frame restorers, who is very well known to the writer of this column, has moved on to other and equally skilful pursuits!

How the world in general, and the local antiques scene in particular, misses someone with the character, knowledge and integrity which Simon so obviously possessed.

Looking for a new special carpet? xu Cam ry ar Vin o yl T iles

British wool & British made!

Twist pile carpet 80% wool with 20% nylon. Various qualities available.

Lu

Bri tis

>>

hW oo l

Suffolk Carpet Weavers give you unrivalled choice

>>

Camaro flooring is a collection of authentic, creative and practical floor coverings made with you and your home firmly in mind.

Developed in conjunction with a team of commissioned artists and experienced product designers each item is based on the natural allure and beauty of wood, stone, slate and marble.

GO GREEN

We now stock Mohawk SmartStrand carpet made using PET (polyethylene terephthalate) that is 100% extruded from recycled plastic bottles. Soft to the touch, tough wearing and practical they offer our customers an opportunity to contribute to world sustainability.

PLUS!

• Save 40% on end of production run carpets • Save up to 50% on last season’s colours & designs • Save up to 60% on discontinued designs

Established since 1988 the team at Suffolk Carpet Weavers have over 60 years combined knowledge and experience. We pride ourselves on offering exemplary service and completing projects on time.

As bespoke manufacturers and retailers of domestic and commercial carpets and rugs we can offer you any colour in any size and design, even for small quantities. In addition to our bespoke carpets we have everything you will find on the high street but without the high street prices.

Suffolk Carpet Weavers Limited Unit 5 Bridge Business Park Top Street, Martlesham IP12 4RB

T: (01394) 610202 E: sales@suffolkcarpetweavers.co.uk www.suffolkcarpetweavers.co.uk

Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 1pm

Legal

Challenging Wills; A Growing Trend?

R E N E W A B L E S

ould your Will stand up to challenge? Wills are increasingly coming under attack on three fronts.

Firstly, someone not happy about being omitted from a Will may argue that the person who made it lacked mental capacity. The criteria here are stringent but, if your Will could be controversial, it is worth demonstrating that you have mental capacity.

Secondly, certain categories of people can mount a challenge using a 35 year old law if they can Ashton KCJ Solicitors show that the Will has left them with insufficient financial provision. This includes a spouse, former spouses, children, and anyone the deceased was helping to maintain financially immediately before his or her death. This route often has to be taken where an unmarried cohabitee dies without a Will, as the partner will not automatically inherit anything.

Thirdly, disappointed beneficiaries argue that they were led to expect particular property from the deceased. In one case, a farmer’s nephew brought a successful claim on this basis because he had been living with the farmer before his death and working unpaid on the understanding he would inherit the farm.

To put this into context, imagine a family retail business. A year before he dies, the father has a row with his eldest son and cuts him out of his Will. Even though the son has worked for many years in the business, his younger brother inherits everything.

The father could have protected his position by explaining in his Will why he had disinherited one son or by communicating those reasons to the son. This would not prevent the Will being challenged, but may make it harder for the disgruntled son to succeed. The father should also have demonstrated he had mental capacity when he signed the Will by getting a doctor or solicitor to act as a witness.

The son may be able to show the Will has not made sufficient financial provision for him. He could also argue that he put in his hard work on the understanding that he would inherit a share of the business.

Whether you are seeking to make your Will as watertight as possible, or want to challenge a Will that you believe to be unfair, this is an issue where you need a specialist on your side.

LukeHibbert

For further information or to arrange your free no obligation survey & quotation please call‌

Elegance & Beauty

Luke Hibbert Partner Ashton KCJ Email: luke.hibbert@ashtonkcj.co.uk Tel: 01284 762331 www.ashtonkcj.co.uk This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. We would advise you to seek professional advice before acting on this information.

Ashton KCJ is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Recognised Body number 45826) and by the Financial Services Authority.

Property

Places&Faces

速

elite

property

70 Designer Style

INSIDE: 68

Jackson-Stops & Staff

69 Neals

76 Victorian Splendour

71

Morton Smith & Girling

72

Fine & Country

74

Castle Estates

75

Fenn Wright

77

ECR Properties

78

Clarke & Simpson

78

Jennie Jones

79

Gobbitt & Kirby

79 On the Orwell

Places&Faces速

67

Last year over 50% of our buyers came from London, the Home Counties or abroad. Suffolk attracts national buyers.

JACKSON-STOPS & STAFF ARE NATIONAL AGENTS

Playford - Nr Ipswich

Guide £1,500,000

Enjoying spectacular panoramic views over the picturesque countryside of the Fynn Valley, an immaculately presented new house, finished to the highest of standards.

2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. First floor galleried study landing, 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Cartlodge. Range of stables. Gardens & meadows.

In all, about 11 acres.

Nr Framlingham

New Guide £1,250,000

An historic Grade II Listed manor house in a rural setting at the end of a long drive, amidst mature garden & grounds. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms/shower rooms. Swimming pool. Former granary barn with conversion potential. In all, about 3 acres.

East Bergholt

Guide £1,050,000

A substantial Edwardian house set in delightfully mature gardens, with a large coach house range & garage. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 6 bedrooms, family bathroom, en-suite bathroom & en-suite shower room. Stabling & garaging.

In all, about 1 acre.

Nr Ipswich

Guide £850,000

With spectacular panoramic views straight down the Orwell Estuary, as well as Ipswich’s iconic Orwell Bridge, a Grade II listed 17th century farmhouse with 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room. 5 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. Range of domestic stores. Sheltered gardens. 2 acre paddock. In all, about 2.75 acres.

National Agents, Local Knowledge.

Thinking of selling in 2012? Contact Jonathan Penn or Tim Dansie 01473 218218 Ipswich 01473 218218 ipswich@jackson-stops.co.uk

www.jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices covering the UK London office: 17c Curzon Street W1J 5HU

Places & Faces February 2012 Issue.qxd

14/02/2012

09:40

Page 1

01394 382263 enquiries@nsf.co.uk www.nsf.co.uk

26 CHURCH STREET WOODBRIDGE SUFFOLK IP12 1DP

WOODBRIDGE - A BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED DETACHED PERIOD TOWN HOUSE OF GREAT CHARACTER

The property has been thoughtfully and sympathetically restored to create an individual home offering a great deal of character. Approached by a pillared porch and front door, with a semi-circular fanlight above, the accommodation is well arranged and finished to a high standard. It comprises Hall, Drawing Room, Sitting Room, Dining Room, Cloakroom, Cellar, Kitchen-Breakfast Room with bespoke Ashford & Brooks fittings. On the first floor there are four Bedrooms and a generous sized Bathroom. Outside, the garden is beautifully planned and planted and incorporates a watering system.

Add in a Garage and space to park and you have the perfect combination. Offers around £635,000

A SINGLE STOREY PROPERTY SET IN MATURE SURROUNDINGS AND IN ABOUT 1 ACRE sts

An individual detached single storey property situated on the Woodbridge-Martlesham border. In the same ownership since it was originally built in 1971, the property has since been adapted and now provides Hall, Cloakroom, Sitting Room, Dining Room, Study, Refitted Kitchen, Utility Room, 4/5 Bedrooms, one en suite and a family Bathroom. Double Garage and Mature Garden. Guide Price £685,000

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Property

Wynneys Hall Facts Location: Dennington Price: £895,000 Agent: Clarke & Simpson

Rural living; designer style here are modern homes and modern homes but Wynneys Hall near Dennington is a breed apart.

It’s an amazingly light and airy with reception rooms that only dreams are made of.

There are also six bedrooms, more than 31 acres of land, outbuildings and it gets better - the property has been built to be high spec environmentally too.

Wynneys Hall was designed to create a spacious but manageable family house that was good for entertaining, was easy to maintain and with low running costs.

It was completed in 2010 using the very best of materials including marble floors, a limestone lined fireplace, underfloor heating, Roca bathrooms and cloakroom fittings and a designer ceiling hung open fire in the dining hall.

70 | placesandfaces.co.uk

The house is arranged around a spacious, sun trap central courtyard, with the huge kitchen/dining hall as the heart of the house.

Inside there’s nearly 4,500 square feet of space and the rooms are large including the entrance hall, a 22’ drawing room, 45’ kitchen/dining hall with vaulted ceiling and galleried landing, office/ study, family room, wine store, utility and boot room, cloakroom and mechanics and plant room on the ground floor.

On the first floor there is a 22’ master bedroom with en-suite wet room and dressing room, four further bedrooms and two family bathrooms, whilst on the second floor is a 26’ bedroom or ‘dormitory’ with large storage cupboard, which has the infrastructure in place for a fourth shower room.

The house is environmentally conscious

and uses renewable energy with a state of the art ground source heat pump system which provides free hot water and heating throughout.

The house has also been technologically future-proofed with Category 6 cabling fitted throughout. It also has wiring for speakers and TVs within the key rooms, with all cabling leading back to the central mechanics and plant room.

Outside there is a double cartlodge with store, over which is a games room. This has the potential to offer additional guest accommodation, subject to the necessary consents, and includes the infrastructure for an additional bathroom. There is also a barn incorporating an additional double garage and stabling together with the gardens and grounds extending to, in all, approximately 3.4 acres.

Professional Agents || Property PropertyManagement Management ProfessionalEstate Estate Agents Agents | | Letting Letting Agents Auctioneers Mortgage Advice Advice Auctioneers || Independent Independent Mortgage Please property market marketvaluation valuation Pleasecontact contactus us for for aa free free and and confidential confidential property

Wattisham Green ChristchurchGreen Park £425,000 £1,250,000

A handsome detached detached Victorian Victorianfamily familyhouse housewith withthird third Experience the exceptional.

An inspiring residential of an acre (sts) set set in in aa pretty prettyvillage villagelocation. location.The The development creating the epitome of easy, stylish, modern classically styled accommodation includes 2 reception styled accommodation includes 2 reception living with an exclusive address close to the romance and rooms, snug, study, study, kitchen, kitchen,44bedrooms, bedrooms,bathroom bathroomand and serenity of Christchurch Park. With 6 bedrooms, 6 en suites, shower Outside, secluded mainly lawn gardens room.

Outside, secluded mainly lawn gardens landscaped gardens, alfresco entertaining area & triple garage. with fruit andtown driveway. trees and driveway.

A short walk to the centre.

Offton Monks Eleigh £495,000 £405,000

A Georgian village village house house with withequestrian equestrianfacilities facilitiesand and A classically styled detached cottage set in an enviable countryside views set in about 11acre ofof wonderful countryside views set in about acre position overlooking the village green at Monks Eleigh. The garden (sts).

The includes 55bedrooms, 3 garden (sts).

The accommodation accommodation includes bedrooms, stylish and sophisticated accommodation includes 3 bedrooms,3 reception rooms, kitchen, two cloakrooms and bathroom. reception rooms,room, kitchen, two cloakrooms bathroom. double reception kitchen/breakfast room,and utility room, Outside, beautiful formal gardens, stable block, Outside, beautiful formal gardens, stable block, fenced bathroom & en suite shower room. Outside, gardens,fenced garage paddocks & paddocks & outbuildings. outbuildings. and parking.

Lavenham about 4 miles, Hadleigh 6 miles.

Bildeston Hadleigh £455,000 £455,000 £450,000

A fine fine Tudor Tudor family residence with extensive living A family residence withhouse extensive livingspace, space, An interesting high street Tudor town with large outbuilding ready for refurbishment and gardens of large outbuilding ready for refurbishment and gardens of accommodation over 3The floors, garden, and a large about 1/4 acre (sts). stylish andparking characterful about 1/4 acre The stylish and (characterful outbuilding with(sts). development potential stpp ). The house has accommodation includes 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, accommodation includes 5 bedrooms, reception 5 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, loft rooms,3kitchen and rooms, shower study, bathroom and en suite shower room. Outside, room. bathroom and en suite shower room. Outside, study, pretty walled gardens and outbuilding/garaging. pretty walled gardens and outbuilding/garaging.

One Market Place, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 5DL t. 01473 828121 One Market Place, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 5DL t. 01473 828121 e. enquiries@mortonsmithandgirling.co.uk w. mortonsmithandgirling.co.uk e. enquiries@mortonsmithandgirling.co.uk w. mortonsmithandgirling.co.uk

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Agent Profile | Fine & Country Lettings

AIMING HIGH AT

FINE & COUNTRY LETTINGS

ine & Country residential lettings and property management’s centralised accounts and administration department has recently relocated to larger premises on the first & second floors of 4 Great Colman Street, Ipswich above the offices of Fine & Country Ipswich residential sales office.

Mark Halls MRICS, Director of Fine & Country, said “Our lettings department complements our residential sales departments, offering a first class service to discerning landlords of prestige and quality properties throughout Suffolk and North Essex through our branch offices in Woodbridge, Ipswich and Needham Market.”

Ashley Halls, Director, heads up the Fine & Country lettings and property management department. She said “Since our launch in 72 | placesandfaces.co.uk

2008 we are delighted that the lettings & property management department has steadily grown from strength to strength.

We endeavour to provide an outstanding personalised management service, and often go the extra mile, which is appreciated by our landlords and has resulted in significant growth of our business by client recommendation. We are looking forward to continued growth and expansion over the coming years.”

Outside of work Ashley is also aiming high, having reached the summit of Kilimanjaro in October 2010, raising in excess of £10,000 for Macmillan cancer support, she is currently preparing to head for the Himalayas. Ashley said “It is a daunting prospect, however with determination and the same positive ‘can

do’ attitude that we apply to our business, hopefully I will succeed in reaching Everest base camp as planned on April 6th.”

Ipswich (01473) 289700 Needham Market (01449) 723500 Woodbridge (01394) 446007 Photograph: The Fine & Country team.

Left to right Sonya Weir, Meggie Hedges, Richard Jaques, Jacqui Balson, Ashley Halls, Sue Thorley, Michael Willis-Betts, Mark Halls, Beth Cook.

NETWORK OF 300 INDEPENDENT OFFICES REPRESENTING PROPERTIES LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

WOODBRIDGE

Guide Price £695,000

In a sought after area on the eastern side of Woodbridge, Lavender House enjoys an enviable, secluded position with larger than average gardens for the area and ample parking. Accommodation is well appointed and in good decorative order. Four reception rooms, large Aga kitchen/dining room and five bedrooms with master en-suite.

Apply Woodbridge office.

NACTON

Guide Price: £495,000

A delightful detached bungalow offering spacious accommodation, pleasantly set along a private access road within this popular village. Comprising: entrance, living room, dining room, kitchen, utility, large loft space, 4 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. Beautifully landscaped gardens, parking, double garage, workshop & the plot extends to 1/3 of an acre (sts).

Apply Ipswich office

BACTON

Guide Price £595,000

A Grade II listed timber framed house comprising: kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, three reception rooms, office/garden room, four first floor bedrooms and two family bathrooms.

Set in three quarters of an acre (sts) with a range of outbuildings, including studio/ summerhouse, double cart lodge and two sheds. Off-road parking for several cars.

Apply Needham office

87a High Street, Needham Market Suffolk IP6 8DG Telephone 01449 723500 E: needham@fineandcountry.com

EYKE, NR WOODBRIDGE

Guide Price £360,000

Unique 2/3 bedroom period property in tranquil location in open countryside. Beautiful open rural views towards Rendlesham Forest. Gardens of approximately a quarter of one acre (sts). Exposed beams, two woodburners. Galley kitchen, living room, hall, bathroom, dining room/bedroom 3, two 1st floor bedrooms, outbuildings/garages. Woodbridge approx 5 mins’ drive. Apply Woodbridge office.

NORTH IPSWICH

Guide Price: £650,000

A handsome luxuriously appointed modern family home set within an exclusive area of the town near Christchurch Park. Comprising: entrance, drawing room, dining room, study, garden room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, cloaks, 5 bedrooms, 2 with playrooms, dressing room, 1 en-suite & 2 bathrooms. Landscaped gardens, feature fireplace with chimney superb for barbeques, parking & garage. Apply Ipswich office

NAUGHTON

Guide Price £575,000

A Grade II listed traditional Suffolk farmhouse comprising: two stunning reception rooms, farmhouse kitchen, utility room and cloakroom. Four bedrooms, family bathroom and a further attic room/bedroom on the second floor. Approximately quarter of an acre (sts) and adjacent to the property is an orchard with pond in approximately three quarters of an acre (sts). Apply Needham office

28 Church Street, Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1DH Telephone 01394 446007 E: woodbridge@fineandcountry.com

4 Great Colman Street, Ipswich Suffolk IP4 2AD Telephone 01473 289700 E: ipswich@fineandcountry.com

Castle Estates

IKEN Guide £180,000 Stunning river views, great walks, access to a small beach. Boot room, open plan living room, kitchen, shower room, double bedroom, terrace and parking.

ORFORD Guide £182,500 Spacious split level apartment in the heart of the village. Hall, study/bed 2, landing, cloaks, open plan living room, kitchen, master bedroom & en-suite. Garage and parking.

ORFORD Guide £380,000 Recently renovated detached house. Large hall, kitchen, utility, cloaks, sitting room, dining room, three beds, family bathroom, gardens, studio, double garage and parking.

ORFORD Guide £300,000 Immaculate furnished period cottage. Bedroom, luxurious bathroom, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloaks, garden, outbuilding and summerhouse.

Market Hill, Orford IP12 2LH

01394 450100

property@castle-estates.uk.com

Property experts since

Buttermarket | Ipswich

01473 232 700 CHRISTCHURCH PARK

NORTH IPSWICH

WOOLVERSTONE

An older style detached family home which now requires modernisation but offers huge potential for a growing family. Entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility area, 4 bedrooms, bathroom, 65 ft. garden, garage & parking.

A deceptively spacious four bedroom house with sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, master bedroom with en-suite, cloakroom, bathroom, large rear garden, garage and parking. The property is situated in a sought-after location on the Shotley Peninsula.

£345,000

£445,000

KIRTON

A substantial individual seven bedroom home offering nicely appointed family accommodation on three floors; cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, en-suite, family bathroom, grounds approaching half an acre, twin garages and ample parking. The property also features many exposed beams.

£699,950

A charming Grade II listed 19th Century detached house with mid-18th Century origins, having undergone a sympathetic programme of restoration.

The property consists of 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room which has been fitted out by Orwell Pine, cloakroom, utility room, store rooms. There is off road parking and a double garage which has a studio/office space above.

£470,000

fennwright.co.uk/signature

Specialists in the sale of town, village and country houses | Experts in equestrian property

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Property

Westerfield Road Facts Location: Westerfield Road, Ipswich Price: £725,000 Agent: Fenn Wright

Victorian

Splendour ituated in one of the most favourable locations in Ipswich this Victorian property boasts everything you’d seek in a period town house.

It’s has every modern luxury, is beautifully appointed, has got ample room for bringing up a family and of course there are those views.

Overlooking 85 acres of the magnificent and highly lauded Christchurch Park is an outlook that surely is to be envied.

It’s also just a 10-minute stroll to the town centre and even the railway station is within reasonable walking distance.

Inside the property is spacious and wellproportioned as you’d expect of a home from Victorian era but it also boasts period features including deep sash windows, high ceilings, cornicing, ceiling rose, and cast-iron Victorian fireplaces.

Set out over three floors with the added 76 | placesandfaces.co.uk

luxury of a basement, this family home includes a wonderful kitchen / breakfast room / family room that runs across the rear of the house.

There are also six bedrooms a large playroom, three reception rooms and two bathrooms.

From the front there’s an impressive entrance hall with stairs to the first floor and access to the cellar which has been divided into three rooms.

On either side of the hall is an impressive drawing room with a full height bay window and the dining room which has a cast-iron fireplace.

The stunning kitchen/breakfast room/ family room has a range of hand-painted units, a Butler sink, Rosieres’ cooker range and adjacent granite worktops. Off the kitchen is a small utility room.

Upstairs the master bedroom has a bay

window overlooking Christchurch Park, a walk-in dressing room and en-suite shower room.

There are two further bedrooms, one overlooking the park and the second overlooking the rear and a spacious bathroom.

On the second floor there are two good sized bedrooms with views to the rear, a further bedroom overlooking the park and a fabulous sitting room / play room with some stunning views across the park.

The property is set back from Westerfield Road and is approached by a shared driveway which runs around to the front of the property and down the side to a detached garage.

There is also a small rear garden, principally laid to lawn with flower and shrub borders and a paved patio to the rear of the house.

Hasketon Guide Price £1,300,000

Debenham Guide Prices from £465,000

Kettleburgh Guide Price £642,000

Bruisyard Guide Price £750,000

A Grade II Listed Victorian family house with four reception rooms, six bedrooms and an extensive range of outbuildings and land extending, in all, to 15½ acres, just outside Woodbridge. Ref: 4584

A period cottage with 6 acres, in a standalone position. 3 reception rooms, kitchen. 3 bedrooms and store rooms. 16 run cattery with workroom. Stables.

Ref: P4587

Four contemporary highly specified new homes offering well laid out family accommodation, each with four bedrooms, in this well served and picturesque village.

Ref: P4610

A stunning contemporary four bedroom barn conversion, offering luxurious living space within grounds extending to an acre.

Ref: P4592

Clarke and Simpson, Well Close Square, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9DU

ORFORD GUIDE PRICE

£450,000

An elegant 19th Century located at the very heart of Orford with south facing garden. Entrance and inner hall, 2 reception, study, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom, large outbuilding. Would benefit from general updating.

ALDEBURGH £295,000

A 19th century mid terraced cottage with sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, lobby/utility, bathroom, 2/3 beds, large garden. Walk to beach.

WESTLETON

T: 01728 724200

SAXMUNDHAM £245,000

Aldeburgh 01728 454622

RENDHAM £625,000

£495,000

An enchanting three bedroom detached cottage with a contemporary extension creating a unique blend of modern architectural flair and original period features.

Reception hall, cloaks, 4 reception, kitchen, garden studio, garage and garden.

A modern four bedroom detached family house, 3 reception, conservatory, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 en suites, tandem garage

www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk

RENDHAM £475,000

A 4 bed individual detached modern house.

Large plot of half acre, 3 reception, kitchen/ breakfast, utility en suite, double garage

Saxmundham 01728 605511 www.jennie-jones.com

A unique property, formerly a Victorian school, with three ground and two first floor bedrooms. The property has retained many architectural features and offers scope for further enhancement and development.

MIDDLETON £365,000

Spacious 3 bed bungalow in large plot, sitting room, conservatory, kitchen and dining room, en suite, workshop and double garage.

Southwold 01502 722065

SUDBOURNE £180,000

Detached period cottage, exposed beams, 2 reception, 2 beds, kitchen, bathroom, garden.

Would benefit from some modernisation..

Property

SPLENDID SECLUSION ON THE ORWELL

Orwell Park Gardens Facts Location: Nacton Price: £1,000,000 Joint Sales Agents: Gobbitt & Kirby and Jackson-Stops & Staff et in one of the most beautiful and secluded river locations in Suffolk, Orwell Park Gardens is a unique and very special property.

Approached via a long private drive, which sweeps by picturesque lakes it’s surrounded by impressive walled gardens and grounds of about 3 ¼ acres, originally the kitchen gardens and nurseries of the neighbouring Orwell Park estate. It has four/five bedrooms, three reception rooms, three bathrooms with

GOBBITT & KIRBY

showers, kitchen/breakfast room, multipurpose annexe, garden stores, wine cellar, triple garaging, heated swimming pool, formal gardens, Victorian peach and apricot fruit house, meadows and lakes.

The property also has a modern security system. It was converted in the 1990s and offers flexible accommodation, with further potential for extension.

Beyond the garden is an acre of paddock enclosed by high red brick mellow walls,

which includes an area of kitchen garden benefiting from private rear access.

What makes it so special though is that it’s beautifully tucked away in a sheltered and secluded valley on the edge of Nacton, which has excellent access to the A14 and Ipswich and Suffolk Yacht Harbour, which is two miles away.

Woodbridge t: 01394 380330

Framlingham t: 01728 622330

www.gkl.co.uk £475,000

MELTON

£425,000

EYKE

An individual & well designed 3 bedroom detached single storey dwelling, offering flexible accommodation & located in a convenient tucked away private position. Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, conservatory, double garage plus multiple parking.

WOODBRIDGE

£350,000

Located on a select & quality small private development this luxurious four bedroom detached property provides a high specification fitted kitchen, dining room, utility room, sitting room, downstairs WC, ensuite to master & family bathroom.

MELTON

£169,950

Overlooking Ufford Golf Course offering great potential for re-styling & potential loft conversion (stp). Comprising of a sitting room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom & two bedrooms, offstreet parking, courtyard garden, plus wooded back drop.

Redlands provides a rare opportunity to acquire a most individual 3 bedroom property that offers a very comfortable lifestyle, combined with Mediterranean styling, the property is then further enhanced by a detached annexe.

WOODBRIDGE

£695 pcm

TO LET 1930’s semi-detached house with views of the River Deben.

Comprising: sitting/dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, conservatory, three bedrooms and bathroom.

Benefits include double glazing, GCH, garage, off street parking, and attractive mature garden.

SUTTON

£650 pcm

TO LET Recently updated Farm Estate House in country location.

Comprising: hallway, cloakroom, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, three double bedrooms and bathroom. Benefits include: garage, parking, gardens, workshop, oil heating and double glazing.

Places&Faces® | March 2012

Motoring | Subaru Forester

POWERFUL

PERFORMER

Subaru’s latest Forester SUV adds diesel power to give it outstanding range and performance, says David Wakefield ooking for an all wheel drive vehicle with great versatility and able to handle most adverse road conditions?

Then why not consider Subaru.

There’s a very good reason for thinking along these lines. Since 1972 Subaru has refused to stray from its mantra that the only way to drive is to position engine and drive train in a straight line, delivering power to all four wheels. In other words, all wheel drive is what Subaru does!

It’s a policy that has stood the company in good stead, and nowhere is proof more evident than with the Impreza saloon’s outstanding successes on the world rallying circuit.

Those same qualities (but not the blistering speed!) can be transferred to sport utilities like the Forester, and this popular car, in its latest form, also embraces the new Subaru Boxer diesel engine in its range.

This new 2.0-litre unit boasts improved fuel economy (from 47.9mpg combined), lower emissions (from 155g/km), and smoother power delivery.

The diesel features a range of significant improvements to deliver impressive fuel 80 | placesandfaces.co.uk

economy (better by 7.2 per cent), enhanced torque, low emissions and high levels of refinement. It also offers one of the longest ranges of any SUV, at more than 625 miles (1,000km) between fuel stops. Few competitors can match the new Forester 2.0D X’s combined 47.9mpg and its ultra-low 155g/km of CO2. This means the annual Road Fund Licence is just £165.

The new diesel sits alongside the frugal 2.0 litre petrol engine, now in its third generation, which delivers highly competitive fuel economy, CO2 emissions and performance. As with its diesel counterpart, the four-cylinder, horizontally opposed Boxer engine also offers outstanding refinement and throttle response, and contributes to the Forester’s exceptional handling thanks to its light weight and low centre of gravity.

The petrol manual Forester’s top speed is 114mph with a 0-60mph time of 10.6 seconds (diesel figures are 115.5mph and 10.3 sec, respectively) plus low centre of gravity coupled with symmetrical all-wheel drive which provides superb handling and agility.

Unbeatable standard equipment includes

self-levelling rear suspension, alloy wheels, cruise control, climate control air-con and radio/CD player Diesel range starts at £23,070; the petrol range from £21,370, both on the road prices.

Based on the Impreza platform, the Forester features multi-link rear suspension, fuel-saving electric power steering, standard Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control, selflevelling rear suspension, engine efficiency improvements and (where selected from the options list) a revised automatic transmission offering ‘normal’, ‘sports’ and ‘manual’ modes.

The diesel Forester range comprises three models with their own specific trim levels – the 2.0D X is £23,070, the 2.0D XC costs £25,070 and the 2.0D XS NavPlus starts at £29,070 (all prices on-the-road).

Customers who prefer petrol power have a choice of two models – the Forester 2.0X and 2.0XS, costing £21,370 and £25,370, respectively, in manual form. Automatic transmission versions add a £1,000 premium.

For further details contact: Hammond Subaru T: 01986 834747

A LINE-UP TO SET THE HEART RACING.

JAGUAR XJ

JAGUAR XK

JAGUAR XF

STARTING AT

STARTING AT

STARTING AT

>> £55,515

>> £65,000

>> £29,950

The acclaimed XJ, award-winning XF and incomparable XK make an impressive line-up.

The closer you get, the better they look. Sumptuous craftsmanship and impressive standard specifications make ownership a tempting proposition, with on road prices starting at just £29,950 for the XF 2.2 litre Diesel SE. Contact us today to book a test drive.

>>

MARSHALL.IPSWICH.JAGUAR.CO.UK

0844 243 5642

MARSHALL JAGUAR IPSWICH WEST END ROAD, IPSWICH IP1 2DZ 0844 243 5642 WWW.MARSHALL.IPSWICH.JAGUAR.CO.UK

OFFICIAL FUEL ECONOMY FIGURES FOR JAGUAR RANGE IN MPG (L/100KM): URBAN 14.9 (18.9) – 42.8 (6.6); EXTRA URBAN 32.4 (8.7) – 58.9 (4.8); COMBINED 22.5 (12.5) – 52.3 (5.4). CO2 EMISSIONS 292 – 149 G/KM.

®

3

CHOOSE OFFERS ON YOUR NEW CR-V, JAZZ OR INSIGHT

2

4 YEARS SERVICING

4

TH

YEAR EXTENDED GUARANTEE

UP TO 3 YEARS ROAD TAX*

OFFERS CHOOSE ON YOUR NEW CR-Z

0% APR

£300 INSURANCE CONTRIBUTION

REPRESENTATIVE

®

3

CHOOSE OFFERS ON YOUR NEW CR-V, JAZZ OR INSIGHT

2

4 YEARS SERVICING

4TH YEAR EXTENDED GUARANTEE

UP TO 3 YEARS ROAD TAX*

OFFERS CHOOSE ON YOUR NEW CR-Z

0% APR

£300 INSURANCE CONTRIBUTION

REPRESENTATIVE

YOUR HONDA, YOUR WAY. JOHN BANKS HONDA

JOHN BANKS HONDA

JOHN BANKS HONDA

Honda House, Felixstowe Road, Nacton, Ipswich IP10 0DE Call 08430 224094 www.ipswich-honda.co.uk

444 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB5 8JL 08430 224133 www.cambridge-honda.co.uk

Kempson Way, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7AR 08430 223313 www.johnbanks-honda.co.uk

YOUR HONDA, YOUR WAY.

Fuel consumption figures for Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 23.2 - 61.4 (12.2 - 4.6), Extra Urban 40.4 - 67.3 (7.0 - 4.2), Combined 32.5 - 64.2 (8.7 - 4.4). CO2 emissions: 201 – 101 g/km.

JOHN BANKS HONDA

JOHN BANKS HONDA

JOHN BANKS HONDA

Models shown: Jazz 1.4 ES Manual in Azure Blue Metallic at £13,935, CR-V 2.0 ES Manual in Urban Titanium Metallic at £24,235, Insight IMA EX in Spectrum White Pearl at £21,435, and CR-Z IMA Sport in Crystal Black Pearl at £19,175. Terms and Conditions: Honda Felixstowe Road, 444 Kempson Moreton Offers valid on new retailHouse, CR-V, Jazz (including Jazz Hybrid), 11YM Insight and CR-Z models orderedNewmarket from 16 December 2011Road, to 31 MarchCambridge, 2012 and registered by 30 June 2012.

Offers applicableWay, at participating Dealers andHall, are at the Promoter’s absolute discretion.

Servicing: Four years complimentary servicing or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, and includes a maximum of four services. servicing covers the manufacturer’s scheduled servicing only.Suffolk 4th Year Extended Guarantee: Nacton, Ipswich IP10 0DE Cambridgeshire CB5 Complimentary 8JL Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7ARAdditional coverage extends the original Standard Warranty to 4 years / 120,000 miles (whichever occurs first), and will Guarantee the vehicle is free from material and manufacturing defects (mechanical and electrical items only, excludes items which can be expected to wear). Road Tax: Call 08430 224094 08430 224133 08430 223313 *Jazz/11YM Insight/CR-Z - monetary amount equivalent to the cost of Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) for the first three years of the vehicle’s life will be paid at time of purchase at the prevailing rates of First Year and Subsequent Year VED. CR-V - monetary amount equivalent to the cost of Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) for the first year of the vehicle’s life will be paid at time of purchase at the prevailing rate. Insurance contribution: Monetary amount of £300 will be paid at time of purchase as a contribution to insurance costs. www.ipswich-honda.co.uk www.cambridge-honda.co.uk www.johnbanks-honda.co.uk Honda Hire Purchase (HP): Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe PLC, 470 London Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8QY. LOVE HEARTS ®, © SWIZZELS MATLOW LTD.

Fuel consumption figures for Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 23.2 - 61.4 (12.2 - 4.6), Extra Urban 40.4 - 67.3 (7.0 - 4.2), Combined 32.5 - 64.2 (8.7 - 4.4). CO2 emissions: 201 – 101 g/km.

Models shown: Jazz 1.4 ES Manual in Azure Blue Metallic at £13,935, CR-V 2.0 ES Manual in Urban Titanium Metallic at £24,235, Insight IMA EX in Spectrum White Pearl at £21,435, and CR-Z IMA Sport in Crystal Black Pearl at £19,175. Terms and Conditions: Offers valid on new retail CR-V, Jazz (including Jazz Hybrid), 11YM Insight and CR-Z models ordered from 16 December 2011 to 31 March 2012 and registered by 30 June 2012. Offers applicable at participating Dealers and are at the Promoter’s absolute discretion.

Servicing: Four years complimentary servicing or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, and includes a maximum of four services. Complimentary servicing covers the manufacturer’s scheduled servicing only. 4th Year Extended Guarantee: Additional coverage extends the original Standard Warranty to 4 years / 120,000 miles (whichever occurs first), and will Guarantee the vehicle is free from material and manufacturing defects (mechanical and electrical items only, excludes items which can be expected to wear). Road Tax: *Jazz/11YM Insight/CR-Z - monetary amount equivalent to the cost of Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) for the first three years of the vehicle’s life will be paid at time of purchase at the prevailing rates of First Year and Subsequent Year VED. CR-V - monetary amount equivalent to the cost ofEst Road Tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) for the first year of the vehicle’s life will be paid at time of purchase at the prevailing rate. Insurance contribution: Monetary amount of £300 will be paid at time of purchase as a contribution to insurance costs.

1974 Est 1974 Honda Hire Purchase (HP): Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe PLC, 470 London Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8QY. LOVE HEARTS ®, © SWIZZELS MATLOW LTD.

GROUP

SERVICE | REPAIR | TYRES | PARTS

GROUP Est 1974

Kempson Way Felixstowe Road Moreton Hall Nacton Bury St EdmundsGROUP Ipswich IP32 7AR IP10 0DE

08430 22 41 69

08430 22 41 66

www.johnbanks.co.uk

444 Newmarket Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB58JL

08430 22 41 66

NE3TOP 3%26)#% 3(/0

/NE3T P 3%26)#% 3(/0

Motoring | Honda Civic

A fine reception for the Civic Honda’s popular Civic has now launched in its latest form.

David Wakefield looks at a British-built marque famed for its quality and reliability he new Swindon built Honda Civic was unveiled last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and with the usual value for money prices and new standard equipment across the range, order books are filling up.

Prices range from £16,495 for the entry level 1.4 litre 100PS i-VTEC SE model to £26,595 for the top of the range 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT – both on the road prices. The Civic will also be available in its familiar SE, ES, EX and EX GT trim levels, all offering excellent equipment as standard. There is a choice of three modern, powerful and fuel-efficient engines – 1.4 and 1.8 i-VTEC petrol and 2.2 i-DTEC diesel.

All models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. However, the 1.8-litre petrol can be specified with a five-

speed automatic gearbox for an additional £1,385. New standard equipment across the range, new to the Civic, includes Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) 5-inch dashboard screen which displays relevant driving details such as mpg, the idle stop status and climate and audio settings.

Other new additions include a rear wiper, daytime running lights and a headlight-off timer that maintains illumination for 15 seconds after the car is locked. In addition, every new Civic comes with Idle Stop fuel-

saving technology (manual transmission only) and an ECON switch for the first time.

The ECON switch is already found in the Insight and Jazz Hybrid, and activating it tells the car’s management system to adopt specific settings to improve fuel consumption. It does so without affecting overall safety levels or the general usability of the car.

For further details contact: John Banks Honda T: 08430 22 41 66

THE VOLVO XC60

Yours

With 3 years servicing for £300*

It's reassuring to know exactly how much things are going to cost, isn't it? That's why we're offering 3 years servicing for just £300 when you buy a new Volvo XC60. Leaving you safe in the knowledge that your servicing costs are taken care of. So there won't be any nasty surprises for you or your wallet – another reason why the Volvo XC60 is designed around you.

M.R.King & Sons 46 Quay Street Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8EY 01986 874464

www.mrking.co.uk Fuel consumption for the Volvo XC60 range in mpg (l/100 km): Urban 18.6 (15.2) – 43.5 (6.5), Extra Urban 34.9 (8.1) – 57.7 (4.9), Combined 26.4 (10.7) – 50.4 (5.6). CO2 Emissions 249 – 149 g/km. *The service offer is only applicable to Volvo XC90, XC60, S60, V60 vehicles ordered in the customer's name on or after the 1st October 2011 up to and including 31st December 2011. The retail service is for 3 years or 54,000 miles (whichever occurs first) and includes 3 services at a one-off cost to the customer of £300 inc VAT (£250.00 +VAT). The services must be carried out at a Volvo Authorised Repairer by Volvo Approved Technicians. Where the work is carried out outside the UK, the customer must pay for work and retain receipts for reimbursement by VCUK. The retail offer is only available for purchase at any time up to 1 month after registration, as long as the vehicle meets the appropriate conditions. Subject to additional terms and conditions, and excludes fleet operators and Business users. Retail customers only. See Volvocars.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

Faces@Places

The BALE Awards

The BALE Awards Trinity Park was the venue for the 2011 Champion of Champions Suffolk Agricultural Association BALE Awards presentation luncheon sponsored

by Ashton KCJ. The awards celebrate diversification of agricultural land use and The Reid Rooms beat off competition from winners of the past ten years to be crowned the Champion of Champions.

Jonathan & Clare Simper

John Taylor, Jonathan Long

Simon Pott, Lord Deben

Laura Rous, Paul Daws

Jeanette Dennis, Rachel Carrington, David & Christine Hill

Ian Webster, Kevin Bix, Richard Prentice

Derek Scott, President of the SAA presenting with Jonathan Long, Partner & Head of Agriculture & Estates, Ashton KCJ The BALE award winner’s cup to Martin Ritchie of The Reid Rooms.

84 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Elizabeth Dunn, Robert & Sally Bendall

Sue Allington, Anthony Holliday

Derek and Jonathan presenting the award for Best Green Enterprise, to Sarah and David Robertson of the Valley Farm Equestrian Leisure Centre.

To view more photos from this event go to

Seckford Theatre

PlacesandFaces.co.uk

Seckford Theatre 60 invited guests enjoyed a pre-show celebratory dinner to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Seckford Theatre at Woodbridge School, before joining a capacity audience for the final and impressive performance by the school’s students of Guys & Dolls.

Jason & Leanne King

Joan & Edward Colthorpe, Jane Cole

Fiona & Andrew Bull

Sheridan & David Steen

James & Carolyn Leese

Gill & Neil Garnham

Claire & Dan Barr

Sarah & Graham Watson

Gary Avis, Nina Finbow, Tim Holder

Rob & Hannah Buckland

Jonathan & Felicity Ripman

Stephen Cole, Alan Ayres

Places&FacesÂŽ

85

Faces@Places

Suffolk Agricultural Association AGM

Suffolk Agricultural Association AGM More than 100 people attended The Suffolk Agricultural Association’s Annual General Meeting held at Trinity Park, Ipswich. At the AGM, Lord Deben was elected as Suffolk Show President for 2012.

Loudon Greenlees, Lord Deben

Michael Bunbury, Robert Rous

Jill Girling, Rachel Carrington, Jane Hyde

Mark Donsworth, David Nicholls

86 | placesandfaces.co.uk

Bee Kemball, William Kendall

Chris Bushby, James Buckle

David Barker, Margaret Scott, John Thurlow

Malcolm Robb, John Taylor, Sam Fairs

Sally Bendall, Nicola Currie, Petrina Miles

George Paul, Derek Scott

William Wrinch, Geoffrey Mayhew

To view more photos from this event go to

PlacesandFaces.co.uk

Mike Warner, Angie Ashby-Hoare, James Blyth

Malcolm Robb, Simon Blackburn

David Nunn, Tory Lugsden

John Whyman, Nick Bird

Stephen Miles, Stephanie Renouf

John Cousins, Roy Goodwin

Peter Mortimer, Roy Barker, Bill Baker

Ann Woodward, David Nunn

John Thurlow, Alastair Anderson

Nick Brown, Mike Hollingsworth, Mike Adlam

Rupert Eley, Andrew Norman-Butler

James Thurlow, John Wall

Places&Faces速

87

Faces@Places

Cooper BMW

Cooper BMW BMW, Official Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, held an open day at Cooper BMW Ipswich as part of their Ultimate Performance event to coincide with the launch of the new 3 Series.

Amanda & Michael Dale

Steven Mortimer, John Mortimer

Yiannis Tsangaris, George Tsangaris

Mike Reynolds

88 placesandfaces.co.uk

Mark Goldsmith, Michael Buckle

Julia & Tony Smith

Jeff Van-Antwerpen

Malcolm Butler, Luke Scannell

Richard & Rosalind Nimmo

Louise Lucas, Kristi Good

Simon Reeves, Jackie Ripley

David Nickolls, Karen Sorflaten

Directory

Homes & Gardens

Hair Dressing

JOHN OLIVERS

Homes & Gardens

HAIRDRESSING GROUP

AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSERS

Hot Tubs

Haircutting

by Goldwell GoldwellColour ColourTechnicians Technicians Haircuttingand and Colour Colour by Perming, Keratin Keratin Hair Perming, Hair Smoothing SmoothingTreatment Treatment Weddings & Weddings & Special SpecialOccasions Occasions

Stockists of • KMS • Redken • GHD • Tigi

Ph

Tiles & Wood floors

• Redken • GHD •StTigi Stockists of KMS IPSWICH - 6-8 Gt Colman

including pre loved tubs

01473 214 244

IPSWICH - 6-8 Gt Colman St WOODBRIDGE - 3-5 Gobbitts Yard INTERNET Next Generation 01473 214 244 01394 387 048

BOOKINGS

COMING SOON 01473 287 402 Solid Steel Rose Arches, Gates 15 Fore St The Granary, www.johnolivers.com 01473 363INTERNET BOOKINGS The Retreat, 15 St & Gazebos on Display orFore286 COMING SOON Darsham, WOODBRIDGE - 3-5 Gobbitts Yard 01473 286 363 Suffolk, Custom made to order 01394 387 048 IP17 3PL, Next Generation The Retreat, 01473 287 402

www.johnolivers.com

www.justtileswoodbridge.com

www.crosswaysofellingham.co.uk TEL: 01508 518400. 99 Yarmouth Road, Ellingham, Bungay

Tel: 01728 668 700 www.smokeandfire.co.uk

Jewellers

Fine Jewellery & Workshops Watches & Accessories

Aspens copy instructions

Please see business card scan in drop box for colour scheme and possible background design if you can recreate it?

Domestic and Contract wewe lovelovyoue you herereeFlooring r rSpecialists WWh Where we love your do! under asasyouus chlove much do! hayour you ch as you asr asmu feet! ir as mu hairhaiYou’ll CopyA:

Marchyou is the Plus everything needgreat to keep your Fine Paints Bed Month! hot tubBarretts well maintained from our full & Paper Fantastic offers and reductions range of chemicals and accessories. throughout the Beds and Bedroom in association with

Deckworld Furniture departments Heritageprices Luxury English comfort, affordable

“The “TheIndependent Independentfamily familyrun runhome home furnishingstore storeininthe theheart heartof ofWoodbridge” Woodbridge” furnishing

21 Mill Road, Newbourne, Suffolk, 40 Thoroughfare . Woodbridge . Suffolk . IP12 1AL 384300 (01473) 736551 IP12• 01394 4NP, Telephone:

www.barretts.co.uk • sales@barretts.co.uk www.deckworld.co.uk

Fine Jewellery & Workshops Watches & Accessories

Image in drop box

Logo: (in font as shown)

Aspens Jewellers

Square Framlingham Well .Close Square .FramlinghamSt Church24 Street Woodbridge E24 WellBCloseCARPETS & 5FLOORINGS Suffolk . IP12 1DH 246 – 248 High Street Walton, Felixstowe IP11 9DS 01728 01394 389666 723999 01728 723999 Tel 01394 282538 Fax 01394 272157 Address

5 Church Street . Woodbridge . Suffolk . IP12 1DH 01394 389666

E-mail: info@ebcarpetsandfloorings.co.uk

Photography

Motors

Energy Efficient Hot Tubs

New Range

Whatever your requirements Deckworld will be happy to find the perfect hot tub for you as well supplying everything you need to keep it well maintained from our full range of chemicals and accessories.

Free delivery within 50 miles and a free chemical starter pack with all hot tubs purchased.

Deckworld 21 Mill Road, Newbourne, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP12 4NP, Telephone: (01473) 736551 www.deckworld.co.uk

the Tile Studio For all your natural stone & DERRICK ceramic tiling needs WELLS Independent

Tubs from

£2,495

www.abbotsbridge.com Tel 01284 828081 A134 at Bradfield Combust

HOT TUBS FROM YOUR LOCAL IPSWICH SUPPLIER

Mo

Specialist in Mercedes-Benz service, sales & repair

Spur End Wilford Bridge Rd Melton Woodbridge 01394 610528

The Woodlands, Badley, Needham Market, Suffolk

Deckworld (Ipswich) are pleased to announce the arrival of a new range of Clearwater Spa hot tubs. Utilising the latest Esmart technology you can now relax safe in the knowledge that you have chosen one of the most energy efficient and environmentally sound spas in the world.

We aim to make your experience at Ellen Ross a memorable one your satisfaction is our goal, our professional team of stylists are on hand to cut colour and style your hair to your needs.

Tel: 01449 774222 E-mail: service@derrick-wells.com

Printing Printing

Do you have a book to self-publish?

We can help you turn your idea into a reality

Gipping Press Ltd

www.gippingpress.co.uk Tel: 01449 721599 enquiries@gippingpress.co.uk

® Places&Faces Places&Faces

Leisure

Stuart Clay Traps Ltd Country Sports Fishing &

P

P

Clothing Supplies

An extensive range of fishing Professional photography tackle and baits always in stock.

by James Fletcher

3a & 3b Wilford Road, Stunning images with Bridge impeccable service Woodbridge, TMelton, 01394 274463 M 07951Suffolk 835508 T (01394) 385567 www.james-fletcher.com www.stuartsgunsandtackle.co.uk

a p c

88 (01 em

To advertise your business

Suffolk’s most exclusive most magazine delivered to exclusive county mag individually selected elite homes, businesses and call809932, 01473we’ll 809932.

We’ll venues. To advertise call (01473) be happy to help and advise you to help and advise 85

Places&Faces® | March 2012

My Suffolk | Paul Milsom

Paul Milsom, is the Managing Director of Milsom Hotels, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Anne Gould spoke to him about his life in Suffolk hat are your connections to Suffolk?

Well I live in Stratford St Andrew, as physically close to the Suffolk border as you can get and I’m lucky to have one of the most amazing views of the county too. I overlook the River Stour and Constable Country, from my office.

I was born in the house I live in now but was brought up in Flatford Road in East Bergholt, so I’m a Suffolk boy at heart.

Have you got a favourite place in the county?

My two boys attend Orwell Park and I’ve spent a lot of time watching them play sport there. It’s such a wonderful environment for a school.

Watching my eldest son open the bowling for the school, with the views of the River Orwell behind, has to be the best place to watch cricket in Suffolk.

But I’ve also followed my son playing on sports fields round the county and there are some other great places too – at Framlingham you overlook the castle.

Otherwise, this winter I’ve been shooting on the Deben and that’s a wonderful part of the world.

My brother is a very big sailor and he has got his boat at Woolverstone and sailing down the River Orwell is a very special pleasure.

You get out into the estuary and see Harwich and Felixstowe – it’s some of the best sailing in the country but you have to keep your wits about you because of shallow water.

The rivers and the big skies make Suffolk what it is.

Where do you like to walk?

My favourite walk is here in Constable country, along the riverbank to Dedham and 90 | placesandfaces.co.uk

then to Flatford is terrific and it changes with the seasons.

I tend not to walk with my children though as they want something more active like rugby, football, tennis and swimming.

Apart from your own restaurants where do you eat out?

It’s really important that I eat at my own restaurants but also to go further afield as well. The Crown at Woodbridge is good and so is the Bildeston Crown and the Crown at Nayland. The good thing about this part of the world is that there is a range of different restaurants, which means more people are prepared to drive to this area to dine.

If you were showing newcomers to Suffolk where would you go?

To Southwold and that bit of the coast and have a pint of Adnams in the Crown and of course to Walberswick. Suffolk also has some excellent golf courses so if my visitor was a golfer we could go to Purdis in Ipswich or Woodbridge. Felixstowe Ferry is excellent or we might go to Aldeburgh as well.

I’d also take them to Bury St Edmunds – I’ve got to know that area a bit better recently – the shopping is particularly good there.

This year we got involved with a charity auction for Sir Bobby Robson at The Apex and that’s a fantastic new venue.

Greene King or Adnams?

Greene King – if I go to a pub and they serve both I’d always choose their IPA. Have you got any hobbies?

I am a massive supporter of Ipswich Town.

I’ve had a season ticket since I was a little boy – although it’s quite difficult being an Ipswich supporter at the moment.

From March to October I like to play golf and take part in a corporate events and of course shooting in the winter.

As a family we love surfing but

unfortunately there aren’t any waves in Suffolk and we also like to ski.

Which charities do you support?

Back at the Sir Bobby Robson ball at the Apex there was an auction with Ipswich Town to play a match on the main pitch at Portman Road.

I put in a bid and was lucky enough to win it with Mick Mills to manage my team.

I persuaded my friend – John Wheeler, who used to sit with us at Portman Road when we were kids, to bid online for the other team and so we’ve now got a match on May 27 at the end of the season.

It’s really exciting, we’ve each got eight former Ipswich players on our teams – I’ve got Matt Holland, Mark Venus, Russell Osmond, James Scowcroft, Jason Dozzell and John McGreer already confirmed with two more in the pipeline.

The rest of the team is going to be made up with rolling subs and hopefully I’m going to be one of the players.

I’m having to go running to try to get fit for the event and we’ve had trials among our staff for the other subs.

More than 24 people turned up one evening to be considered and luckily we’re the home team so will be playing in blue and white. Ipswich Town is helping us with that.

On the day itself we hope to be able to sell tickets with all proceeds donated to the Sir Bobby Robson donation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer too.

At half time we are also organising some entertainment and there might be some kind of farmers market there too.

We’ll probably finish with a penalty shootout. It’s going to be a really special day.

If anyone wants to buy tickets in advance please check www.milsomhotels.com

WOW! We supply an extensive range of ceramic, porcelain, glass and natural stone wall and floor tiles including ranges from Fired Earth and Porcelanosa. Our showroom has a comprehensive display with the majority of products being exclusive in our region.

To complement the quality of our tiles we have the wonderful Roca and Laufen sanitaryware on display along with the very stylish Bisque radiators.

36-38 Woodbridge Road Rushmere St Andrew Ipswich Suffolk IP5 1BH T: 01473 617050 F: 01473 239090 E: info@foxwoodceramics.co.uk

the new bMw 3 series saloon

Cooper Ipswich

the Ultimate Driving Machine

Lean vs Mean.

With outstanding efficiency and unrivalled driving dynamics it’s no wonder the new BMW 3 Series Saloon is known as ‘The Athlete On The Road’. The new turbocharged engine on the 320d Efficient Dynamics delivers impressive statistics with 68.9^ mpg and 163 hp giving it both the endurance of a marathon runner and the power of a sprinter. Meaning it really does leave the competition behind. To book a test drive*, call us on 0845 1256950 or visit www.cooperipswichbmw.co.uk

the new bMw 3 serIes saLOOn. jOy wIns.

Cooper Ipswich

667 Norwich Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 6JZ 0845 1256950 www.cooperbmwipswich.co.uk Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW 3 Series Saloon range: Urban 25.4-56.5mpg (11.1-5.0l/100km).

Extra Urban 46.3-80.7mpg (6.1-3.5l/100km). Combined 35.8-68.9mpg (7.9-4.1l/100km). CO2 emissions 186-109g/km.

BMW EfficientDynamics reduces BMW emissions without compromising performance developments and is standard across the model range. The new BMW 3 Series Saloon range £24,880 on the road. On the road cash price is based on manufacturer’s recommended retail price and includes 3 year BMW Dealer Warranty, BMW Emergency Service, 12 months road fund licence, vehicle first registration fees, delivery, number plates and VAT. *Test drive subject to status and availability. ^Combined mpg.