Halesworth & Southwold Community News - March 2023

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We are pleased to report that the transfer of assets was finally agreed at East Suffolk Council's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 7th February. We have reported on this proposed transfer and the negotiations over the span of several years but in case you missed it... The park, several open spaces, the public toilets and the London Road building will be transferred to Halesworth Town Council's

ownership. The legal process will now commence and the assets transferred during the course of this year. The Town Council is very grateful for the support from our District Councillors during this long process and for East Suffolk Council in concluding the agreement to transfer back many of the assets originally owned by the Halesworth Urban District Council prior to 1974.

Now the hard work will begin to improve all these assets for the benefit of residents and visitors to Halesworth.

If you are a regular visitor to the Market on Wednesday, you may have noticed that we have been sadly lacking a bread stall for some time. However, we are now very pleased to announce that Brown Bread Bakery are now a regular stall on Wednesdays, selling pastries cakes, croissants, pies and many other delights and of course an intriguing selection of breads, not just brown bread in case you were wondering. We also have a new lighting stall selling a variety of lighting solutions, led bulbs, etc.

Congratulations to

Halesworth for voting decisively in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan at the recent referendum, a full report can be found on a dedicated page in this month's edition (page 9). The Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to the preparation of this important, legal and historic document which is intended to protect so many aspects of our fabulous town for many generations to come, and a very special thanks to the Halesworth Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group who have devoted such an enormous effort, all voluntarily, often rarely appreciated, but always entirely dedicated to ensure its successful conclusion.

Barrowing the barriers away to the Council depot

What is the charity that runs the Green?

White Bridge looks less of a mess than in recent months, thanks to the Green volunteers who used their work-party to haul the small and pointless mobile barriers all out of the New Reach and barrow them back to the Suffolk County Council depot. We continue to work with the Council to get a timetable in place for replacement of the bridge. Funding is a key issue because the responsibility is to be shared between the Council and the local community and once we have design and costings clear we can begin to work on fundraising. As well as pursuing the Council for their design and costings the Green has also been working with local wellrespected builders to make sure we have a range of options. The Green has been run for more than 20 years as a simple charitable trust. We have

recently recruited new trustees and that has led us to review our governing structure. To give trustees and all volunteers more security about their possible liability and to give the land itself a more up-to-date protection as a charity, we are converting the trust into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, a CIO. This is a more modern version of the Trust Deed that has governed the charity to date. The Deed is on the website (details of website below) and will be replaced there by the new Constitution once that is all sorted out. The change will have no impact at all on anything you see from the outside. It may be that the very many local people who kindly support the Green by Standing Order will need to give permission for the transfer of their SOs, but there's nothing to do at the moment. We will be sure to be in touch with you

about this in due course. Do keep letting us know of any exciting sightings on the Green. Have a look at our lovely website millenniumgreen.halesworth. net which carries news and information, photos, wildlife records, history and geology. Contact the Green directly on thegreen@halesworth.net or (only in an emergency) on 07879 844143.

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In the January meeting, we had the great pleasure of welcoming David Elliot, who is CEO of the Albert Hall. Described as the "Nations Village Hall", it was during David's time that the building underwent its £70 million redevelopment. Vivid pictures of the vast underground works showed how the hall went from a Victorian structure to the modern concert hall that it is today. Capable of staging anything from the Royal British Legion festival of remembrance to Cirque Soleil, and from 37 events in its first year to todays 350 events, exhibitions, concerts and leading cultural happenings after eight years of work, and the Hall never closed! Fascinating!

Halesworth Milennium Green

Rifle Hall Trust reach fundraising target

The trustees of The Rifle Hall are pleased to announce that we have reached our fundraising target of £63,000 to completely refurbish the existing toilets and install a new, accessible toilet. Anybody who has used (or avoided using) the loos over recent years will know that this is a much-needed improvement.

We would like to thank the organisations who have helped make this possible: The National Lottery Community Fund, Halesworth Town Council, Suffolk County Council (locality fund), Heveningham Hall Country Fair Trust, The Co-op Community Fund, The Alfred Williams Charitable Trust and The Adnams Community Trust. We are aiming to have this work carried out in late spring/early summer.

Not content to sit back, we are now seeking funding from The Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Grant Fund to repair and restore the former kitchen as a secure storage area for tables, chairs, and other equipment. We hope this will improve the rather cluttered appearance of the hall and reduce 'bump and trip' hazards.

We don't know what the longterm future of the hall will be. We know it would cost over half a million pounds to put right the structural problems and replace the electrical wiring and, so far, we have not found any great enthusiasm for funding on this

Halesworth & District u3a and the speed of light

scale from the major donors. We also don't yet know how the continued existence of The Rifle Hall would 'fit' with the proposed new Community Centre for Halesworth. It certainly would not make sense for two public halls in the town to be 'competing' for the same users.

In the meantime (and while this uncertainty continues) the trustees are determined to try and deliver smaller improvements to make the hall a better place for our current users, and to attract new users who may never have considered it before. We are very grateful to our current users, some of whom have been coming to the hall for many years: Keep fit classes, Halesworth & District Gardeners Society, Halesworth Produce Market, Indoor curling, Ballroom dances, Tap dancing, Slimming World, Table Tennis, Election polling, Public exhibitions, Shortterm emergency shelter for local authority, Private event hirers. We are a very small group of 'hands on' trustees and we would welcome help from anybody who would like to get involved in running and improving the hall.

To find out more about The Rifle Hall, or about the current activities here, or to hire the hall for a new event/activity, please use the contact us page on our website: www.theriflehallhalesworth. onesuffolk.net

From trustees: Barbara, Kevin, Simon and Tony

On Tuesday March 21st, we will be hearing from Tony Flavin about "Time, and why we need it". We will be considering why time is so important to us and how we know how fast its running.

Tony will take us on a journey through the history of time and its uses; everything from navigation to mobile networks, and from clockwork to atomic clocks. Tony will help us to get to grips with leap-seconds and explain why the speed of light is far too slow!

The talk starts at 2:30pm at The Cut, Halesworth. There is no charge for u3a members to our talks at The Cut; friends and visitors will be very welcome for an entrance fee of £4. We look

forward to welcoming you and request that you book online or at the Box Office before the day.

If you are interested in joining the u3a please visit our website for more information or come along to our next Members Coffee Hour at The Cut - 11am on Friday 25th March.

At our meeting in January, we were entertained by Malcolm Knott with anecdotes, some amusing and others poignant, about his life as a lawyer. Malcolm was in turn a solicitor, a barrister, and a judge and during this varied career he worked on some notable cases. A sizeable audience had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the world of the law.

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Judging by the sight of children wriggling in their seats with excitement and the enthusiastic clapping of hands during the overture, the audience at a packed Leiston Film Theatre were certainly in the mood for an afternoon of pantomime pleasure, as local amateur dramatics troupe, Team B Productions, brought their version of Robin Hood to the stage between the 13th and 15th January.

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Sitting with the obligatory packet of chocolates, as families found their seats, I sat wondering how the group could possibly fill two hours in Sherwood Forest, but I needn't have worried, as we were taken on an adventure which moved along nicely, featuring some terrific set pieces too, catchy tunes, corny jokes and lots of audience participation - I've never seen people attempting cuckoo impressions before!

Once the Spirit of Sherwood (Mandy Baskett) had set the scene, belting out a rendition of Rockin' Robin, our brave hero, Robin Hood (Patrick Norman) soon took to the stage, introducing us to his band of 'merry folk' - as

Robin's gathering of chaotic characters included Little John (Marcus Ward), Alana Dale (Lisa Sharpstone) and Much the Miller's Son (Katy Bailey). Sausage lover, Dame Dolly Dumpling (Wayne Burns) and her son, Silly Willy Scarlett (Lauren Major) completed the gathering of forest friends.

And so the story commenced, as the larger than life Sheriff of Nottingham (Chris Newson) arrived with his side-kick Deadly Nightshade (Vici Hadfield), hatching several plots to entice Robin Hood out of the forest. There was a good chemistry between these two, as their doubleact antics enticed plenty of boo's from the audience.

Separating the scenes, the students from the Chloe Kinrade School of Dance danced their socks off, especially the tiny forest fairies, who filled the auditorium with the sound of 'ahh' as they appeared. They all had great energy, dazzling costumes and were clearly in their element.

As the Sheriff did his upmost to get the upper hand, the 'merry folk' were always one step ahead. This included an ingenious shopping routine, where Friar Tuck (also played by Marcus Ward) was sent in disguise to scupper the Sheriff's scheme. This, of course, left the Sheriff no other option than to kidnap Maid Marian (Grace Clutterbuck), taking her to the castle on the hill, and setting the scene for a grand rescue mission in the second half.

With ice creams out of the way, we were all ready to head to the castle and this is where the fun really began. The route involved most of the 'merry folk' having to climb a cliff, swim across a lake and journey through a haunted wood, but Robin and Little John were able to gallop ahead on their hilarious horses - and they did exactly that, their projected route taking them at speed via local roads to Framlingham Castlevery clever and made even funnier by the fact that these two couldn't talk after all that galloping!

The 'merry folk', of course, rescued Marian, banished the Sheriff from Sherwood and returned to the forest, just in time

for a finale rendition of Sweet Caroline, with the words changed to Sweet Marian!

There is clearly a great camaraderie between the cast, which enables them to poke fun at their show and each other, much to the amusement of the audience. Even the ever brilliant musical director, Tom Horton, was involved in the fun, as was the sound man! The slapstick jokes, visual gags and props all contributed to another perfect production from script writers Wayne Burns and Stephen Ginger. The cheers and applause during the bows cemented the appreciation of everyone attending this hugely popular annual event and the queues of customers purchasing their tickets for next year's production of Aladdin (12th-14th Jan 2024) as I left, was compliment enough. It's a busy year for Team B, as they are also presenting another Pantomime for grown-ups, Sleeping Booty, in September and having checked the website, these performances are already virtually sold out! Luckily, I have my ticket. Bravo to everyone involved!

Tim Mayhew.

Wayne

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With a population of just over 800 people, Laxfield is a small, charming and quiet place, but don't let its size fool you; it is steeped in history and boasts a variety of attractions for both locals and visitors.

The village's history dates back to the Saxon period, and it has retained many of its historic buildings, including the Church of All Saints, which dates back to the 14th century. The church is a popular spot for visitors, and it has an interesting history. The tower was struck by lightning in the 17th century, and the resulting fire destroyed much of the church. It was later rebuilt and has remained a fixture of the village ever since.

Laxfield also has a rich agricultural history, and there are many farms in the surrounding area that still produce crops such as potatoes and barley. The village itself is home to a range of businesses, including a post office, a convenience store, and a couple of pubs.

One of Laxfield's main attractions is the Low House pub, which is one of the oldest and most historic in the region.

The pub has been in operation for over 700 years and has a fascinating history. It was used as a meeting place by the Lollards, a religious movement in the 14th and 15th centuries that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The pub is also known for its extensive collection of beer mats, which has been featured in several publications.

In addition to its historic buildings and attractions, Laxfield is also surrounded by beautiful countryside, which makes it a popular destination for walkers and hikers. The village is located on the edge of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is a protected area that includes over 150 square miles of coastline and countryside.

One of the best ways to

explore the local area is by following one of the many walking trails that start in Laxfield. The Laxfield Circular Walk is a popular option that takes you through the village and the surrounding countryside.

If you're interested in history, the village is also home to the Laxfield and District Museum, which is located in the village hall. The museum has a fascinating collection of artifacts and documents that tell the story of the village and its people, including agricultural tools, photographs, and old maps.

Laxfield is a beautiful and historic village that is well worth a visit. Whether you're interested in history, walking, or just enjoying a quiet pint in a traditional pub, Laxfield has something for everyone. Its location in the heart of the Suffolk countryside also makes it a great base for exploring the local area and discovering all the hidden gems that this part of England has to offer.

HALESWORTH SAYS YES!

It’s

TURNOUT

ICHAMELEON

Thank you to everyone who came to see the Neighbourhood Plan and talk to the Plan Group and Town Councillors. It was brilliant to see so many of you. 315 people visited us over days.

It has taken five years. Five years of meetings, consultations, response writing, Zoom events, a walkabout and public events at the school in 2018, church in 2021 and IChameleon in 2023. But on Thursday 2nd February 2023, the Halesworth Neighbourhood Plan was finally voted-in by what the Beccles and Bungay Journal described as an: “overwhelming majority”.

WHY HAVE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?

A Neighbourhood Plan ensures that we all have a voice in the planning decisions that affect our Town. The original Neighbourhood Plan Group came together because there were concerns about new building in the town and the Town Council saw an opportunity for Halesworth to have more of a say in how Halesworth develops

in the future.

So now we do have some influence. You can still see our Plan on the Halesworth Town Council website and you will see what we have recommended. Everything in the Plan is based on the thoughts and ideas that you came up during five years of consultation.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?

Well, we hope that there is something for everyone. Whether it is protecting some of our green spaces for future generations, focusing on play areas, improving road ways, focusing on economic development and ensuring fine buildings are listed as heritage assets. We have ensured that East Suffolk Council will have to reference our Plan in any planning decisions that they make, protecting some of the fine views as you drive into town, ensuring that any new buildings respect our heritage. We

also want to make the most of some of the treasures that we have, ensuring better signage so people coming to the Town for the first time can see them: the ancient Market Place, Thoroughfare, the Millennium Green and Town Park and our brilliant Museum.

And remember, having a Neighbourhood Plan brings extra money from any new development, money that can bring positive change so that we can improve and enhance some of the things we love about this town.

WHAT WILL OUR PLAN ACTUALLY DO?

Our Plan highlights key Policies that East Suffolk Council and any new developers have to reference when applying for planning permission. It also ensures that things that you love about the Town are protected for the futures. So in our Plan, we give what is, in effect, ‘greenbelt’ status to our Park and Millennium Green

But our Plan also does so much more. It identifies key opportunities for our Town that

YOUNG PEOPLE

Consistently, in all our consultations, you have shared your concerns that there are not enough facilities for young people in our Town. Some of you have worried that Halesworth will just become a place for the over 65s. Some of you have turned that on its head and said you want the Town to be a place that welcomes and support young families.

There is now a group supported by Halesworth Town Council and involving children and young people, looking at how we can provide more for children of all ages, whether it be improving existing facilities or creating new ones.

Halesworth Town Council has committed to explore and achieve. For example, we want to see our Market Place thriving once again. Now we know that this has been controversial for some of you but remember that the ideas in our Plan are ideas. No changes will be made without your voices being heard.

It is very exciting to see the Town Council already supporting some new ideas and initiatives.

TOWN WAYFINDING & SIGNAGE

The Town Council is already looking at ways to improve signage and create information points for visitors. Events and consultations have already taken place and more are planned.

HOW WE VOTED

YES - 738

NO - 136

OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...

In the five years that we have been researching and consulting about our plan, some views have changed. At the beginning of our consultations, there was lots of discussion about the local economy but not so much about a second supermarket. At our IChameleon Open Days it became clear that now people have very passionate opinions about the need for a second market, both for and against and where it should be. This issue, so long discussed, is

SO WHAT CAN I DO?

Be involved: Any new ideas and initiatives can only work if we all get together to make them happen. So join a working group or attend a meeting. You can contact the Town Council about the opportunities for you to be involved.

Make your voice heard: So when there is a consultation – make sure you respond. The Town Council holds Parish Meetings, so attend, share your views and ideas.

THANK YOU

bound to be something we will all be talking about for some time to come.

And some things have not changed. People are still very concerned about the ability of our GP Surgery and other health services to cope with an increasing population. And though this issue is outside the scope of a Neighbourhood Plan, all our consultations send a clear message that people want local health services to improve.

Play an active part in our Town’s future: If you have something to say and you want to make changes happen, think about applying to become a Town Councillor. You can find out how to do this by looking on the Town Council’s website. If you don’t use the internet, telephone the Council on 01986 8754517.

Thank you to members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group, past and present. Thank you to Halesworth Town Council for its support. Thanks to Nick Rees, Town Clerk and Special Thanks to Philippa Welby, Assistant Town Clerk and Neighbourhood Plan Group Administrator.

AND FINALLY...

Thank you. Huge thanks to the individuals, businesses and community groups who have shared your thoughts and ideas. You have given us so much of your time and we have listened, even though our views on some aspects have sometimes differed. No new plans of significance for the Town can take

place without consultation first, so please stay interested keep listening and please keep talking.

This is Halesworth Neighbourhood Plan Group signing out… Thank you for an amazing ride.

your plan, it’s your town, it’s your future and you have had your say. The Halesworth Neighbourhood Plan has been voted in by a significant majority. Turnout was very good, showing just how much people care about our town and our future.

INK Festival 13th-16th April

The INK Festival 2023 will take place 13th-16th April (and April 17th which is an exclusive free day for students) in Halesworth, Suffolk. We have expanded into the town to create many original performance spaces where we will be performing more than 50 short new plays, selected this year from hundreds of submissions from new as well as experienced writers.

What is unique about INK, is that we produce all the plays performed.

Chosen from annual submissions and INK workshops, each play is read at least five times before a shortlist is formed, from which directors select the plays they wish to direct. We cast the plays from auditions in Suffolk and London and each year bring together a team of more than 60 professional theatre practitioners of actors, directors, stage crew and technical staff to enable The INK Festival.

This year, we had several submission categories including: The Environment, Multimedia, Radio Comedy, Musicals,

Physical Theatre and more, producing a wide variety of relevant and thought-provoking plays.

As well as more than 50 short plays, there will be an exciting line-up of comedy, radio, art, poetry, music, children's programmes, fascinating talks, workshops, short new films and much more.

As ever, we're delighted to have a number of plays from some very special supporters including: Anthony Horowitz, Kate and Greg Mosse, Louis de Bernieres, Richard Francis and Lise Mayer. There will be special guest appearances from Alexei Sayle, Kevin Clifton, Jan Etherington, David Morrissey, Jan Ravens, Luke Wright and Radio Active in a thrilling line-up of talks and performances.

Sunday Funday on Sunday 16th April will see additional and exciting street performances and activities for everyone - Performed along The Thoroughfare and Market Square in the centre of Halesworth. www.inkfestival.org

HOOKER HOUSE

Wenhaston Flower Club

On February 2nd, a gathering of the club members met at the Huntsman and Hounds for our post Christmas meal. We have to thank Ian and his staff for the lovely food and for looking after us so well. Everyone had a lovely time with plenty of lively chatter as everyone caught up with each other. Our next meeting is in our usual venue, Wenhaston Village Hall on Tuesday 7th March at 7:30pm. We are very fortunate that Jenny Baker will be back with us giving a demonstration entitled: "Going for Gold - The

Chelsea experience."

Shelia has very kindly agreed to continue doing the sales table.

The sale of items from the table helps to fund the Christmas party we have in December in the village hall. Sheila has requested that items like plants (if not sold), could you please take them back home with you.

If you have any suitable items that you would be happy to donate for our raffles, especially on workshop evenings, they would be gratefully received.

Good news! The price for our meetings will stay the same

this year even though the cost of flowers and demonstrator fees have increased.

We don't have an annual membership fee. We want it to be as affordable as possible for everyone so it's just £5 on the night which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. To all our old members please encourage any friends to join us and to anyone new who might be thinking about it, please come and see us. Everyone is made very welcome. For more information, please contact Jackie Chenery 01502 478401.

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Catching up at our monthly coffee morning. Enjoying a drink together on a summer's evening. Local talent on display at our annual art show.

News from Walpole and Cookley

The villages of Walpole and Cookley have been kept busy with a number of events over the last year. As well as commemorating the Platinum Jubilee with the lighting of a beacon and tree planting on the village green, other highlights have been our monthly coffee mornings, Gig on the Field, the introduction of pub nights and our annual art show. We are also fortunate enough to grow our own willows. Villagers have participated in coppicing under the professional guidance of

Diane Robinson who has also offered willow weaving sessions.

We have also been actively fundraising for the last couple of years to provide some new play equipment for the play area. After canvassing the views of young people in the villages, we opted for a log pile climber with monkey bars. We hope this equipment will be installed within the next couple of months.

During 2022, St. Mary's Church, Walpole re-opened and is now enjoying monthly services.

The Parochial Church Council has

been active in organising a series of fundraising events which have been both social and community focused. We are now looking forward to forthcoming events which include the following:

• Village Quiz Night: Friday 17th March

• Coronation Tea Party: Sunday 7th May

• Walpole May Merriment: Saturday 27th/Sunday 28th May

If you interested in any of the above events, please contact Kate Rous on 01986 784506 for further information.

We are now open to non-members, please visit us. We offer a welcoming experience for all, with beautiful views over the golf course and common. Pop in for a coffee, a few drinks or a meal from our extensive menu. We have a wide range of meal options from light snacks, Sunday roasts and more formal meals.

For more information or to make a booking, please telephone 01986 892337 (Extension 3) or email: catering@bungaygc.co.uk

Mother's Day is a special occasion that celebrates the love, dedication and sacrifice of mothers all around the world. It's a time to show appreciation to our mums and thank them for all they do for us. East Anglia is a great place to celebrate Mother's Day, with its stunning scenery, vibrant culture, and wide range of activities and events. One of the best ways to celebrate Mother's Day is to take a relaxing stroll along the county's beautiful coastline. From the famous beaches of Southwold to the quieter stretches of coastline around Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, Suffolk's coast offers a range of spectacular scenery to enjoy. Move inland and explore the lovely river Waveney and surrounding meadows. You can pack a picnic lunch, find a peaceful spot and simply enjoy the beauty of the surrounding environment.

If your mum loves art and culture, then our corner of the world has plenty to offer. There's no shortage of museums, galleries and arts venues. The region is also known for its rich history, with many museums and historic sites to explore, such as the Sutton Hoo Burial Ground and the Framlingham Castle.

For mums who are foodies, we have an abundance of local produce to tantalize the taste buds. The region is famous for its fresh seafood, as well as its delicious locallyproduced cheese, jams, and chutneys. There are many fantastic restaurants and cafes throughout the region, offering a range of cuisines and dining experiences. From Michelinstarred restaurants to traditional British pubs, and of course fabulous afternoon tea! There is something to suit every taste. If your mum is a nature lover, then you are never short of outdoor activities to enjoy.

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The region boasts some of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country, such as the RSPB Minsmere Reserve, the Norfolk Boards and the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. These reserves offer an array of opportunities for bird watching, walking, cycling, and other outdoor activities.

For a more indulgent way to celebrate Mother's Day, why not book a spa day for your mum?

Suffolk has many beauticians, spas and wellness centres that offer a range of treatments and services to help you and your mum relax and unwind. From massage and beauty treatments to yoga and meditation classes, there is something to suit every

preference. Why not make a night of it and book a stay in one of the lovely hotels we have in our region. Finally, you could consider treating your mum to a special gift or experience. There are lots of independent shops and boutiques throughout Suffolk that offer unique and thoughtful gifts for mums, such as handmade jewellery, artisan chocolates, and local craft items. Whether your mum loves the great outdoors, enjoys art and culture, or simply wants to relax and be pampered, Suffolk has something to offer. So why not plan a special day for your mum this Mother's Day, and show her how much she means to you!

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Home Improvements...

Why now is the time to give your house a makeover Winter is almost behind us and the longer, brighter, warmer days are on the way! It's time to think about sprucing up your home and giving it the much-needed facelift it deserves. Whether you're looking to add value to your property, create a more comfortable living space, or simply give your home a fresh look, home improvements are the way to go.

One of the biggest benefits of home improvements is the increased comfort they can bring. Upgrading your insulation,

especially important if you're thinking of selling in the near future.

Of course, there are many different factors to consider when it comes to home improvements, from the cost and the amount of time involved to the impact on your daily life. But with careful planning and the right professionals, you can make sure

that your home improvements go smoothly and give you the results you're looking for.

So, what are you waiting for?

Get inspired and start planning your home improvement project today. Whether you want to create a cosy home cinema or a stylish new kitchen, now is the time to give your home the makeover it deserves.

Malcolm’s Gardening Services

• Hedge & Grass Cutting • Tree Pruning • Patio Cleaning • General Garden Maintenance 07872 635087

Boundary Solutions

Daniel

We offer a complete electrical installation and maintenance service in domestic, commercial and industrial environments.

We are an approved Ozev Government accredited installer of EV charge points. We have been installing EV charge points since 2013. We also provide a 24 hour call out service including EV charge point installations, solar PV energy & battery storage installations.

01502 575516

07788 279784

www.aldridgeenergy.co.uk paul@aldridgeenergy.co.uk

Have a look at our services adverts throughout the paper for more local businesses and tradespeople to help with all your home improvement needs

This page is about winter support in the local area. This page of information is funded by the Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and villages Community Partnership.

Ease the Squeeze is East Suffolk Council’s response to the rising cost of living. There are different projects and support available for those in need.

If you need help, please call 0333 016 2000, email: col@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or scan this QR code on your phone for the referral form.

Local phone numbers:

Bungay Community Support: 0300 365 2995

Bungay Library: 01986 892 748

Beccles Library: 01502 442 820

Waveney Food Bank:

Vouchers: 0808 208 2138

General Information: 07484 349739

Citizens Advice: 01502 518 510 (between 9:30am-2:30pm, Monday to Friday)

Halesworth Library: 01986 875095

OTHER SUPPORT AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth & Villages Community Partnership is keen to try and signpost and raise awareness of different things happening in the local area. These activities and groups have numerous benefits and are really friendly. They are also often free! We are working to try and promote as much as possible so you feel more connected to what is happening locally.

BECCLES LIBRARY - FREE ENTRY

• LEGO CLUB: Sundays 10:30am-11:30am.

• TABLE TENNIS: Wednesdays & Sundays 2pm-3:30pm.

• WARM SPACES: Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays 9:30am-12pm

• STAY & PLAY GROUP: For parents and under 5s: Wednesdays 10am-11am.

• TOP TIME CRAFT & CHATTER: 4th Thursday of the month 2pm-3pm.

• MUSIC MAKERS: Songs and movement for children: Fridays 10am-11am.

• HOGLETS CRAFT CLUB: For children 3+: Saturdays 10:30am-11:30am.

• TOP TIME OPEN HOUSE BINGO: 3rd Thursday of the month 2pm-3pm.

• PROUD PAGES: Alternate Fridays (3rd & 17th March) 4:30pm-6pm.

• FAMILY STORYTELLING: Saturdays 3:30pm-4:30pm.

BUNGAY LIBRARY - FREE ENTRY

• SATURDAY CRAFT CLUB: Saturdays 10:30am-11:30am.

• SCRABBLE CLUB: Mondays 10am-12pm.

• STAY & PLAY GROUP: For parents and under 5s: Tuesday 9am-10am.

• AFTER SCHOOL CLUB: For primary school children: Thursdays 3:30pm-4:40pm.

• SATURDAY LEGO CLUB: Alternate Saturdays (25th Feb & 11th March) 10:30am11:30am.

HALESWORTH LIBRARY - FREE ENTRY

• BARCLAYS DROP-IN ADVICE SESSION: Wednesdays 9:30am-4:30pm.

• TIME OUT: Social group for older people: Wednesdays 10am-11:30am.

• FAMILY FUN TIME: Sundays 11am-12:30pm.

• WORDPLAY SINGING & RHYMES SESSION: Tuesdays 10am-11:30am.

• EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL CUSTOMER DROP-IN: Tuesdays 10am-4pm.

• KNIT & NATTER: 1st Tuesday & 3rd Thursday of the month: 2pm-4pm.

• SOCIABLE SUNDAYS: Alternate Sundays (26th Feb & 12th March) 10:30am12:30pm.

• THE REPAIR CAFÉ: 4th Monday of the month (27th Feb) 2pm-4pm.

• BOARD GAMES CAFÉ: 1st Monday of the month (6th March) 2pm-4:30pm.

FREE SLIPPER SWAP

Are your slippers looking worse for wear? Then swap them for some new ones – for FREE! Comfortable, warm slippers prevent falls and injuries. Just provide your old ones and we’ll exchange them for a brand new pair. Available for older people living in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth & surrounding villages, subject to availability of slipper sizes while stocks last.

To register your interest or for further information, please contact: communities@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or call 01502 523119

Beccles Warm Rooms:

Bungay Winter Support:

Halesworth Warm Rooms:

Halesworth:

Halesworth Day Centre (London Road, IP19 8LW) 9am-3pm Thursday and Friday.

Halesworth Library (Bridge St, IP19 8AD) 9am-1pm

Monday, 9am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 10am-3pm Sunday - 01986 875095.

Westhall:

Westhall Community Pub (The Racehorse, Mill Common, IP19 8RD) 11am-2pm Thursday, 11am-3pm Friday and 11am-5pm Saturday - 01502 575665.

Wissett:

Wissett Plough (8 The Street, IP19 0JE) 10:30am-4:30pm Thursday and 12pm-4:30pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 01986 873047.

Upcoming exhibition of Capstick, McCabe, Garner and Read

Four established artists from across Suffolk have joined forces for this exhibition, which is showing at Merlina Arts, Earsham Mill from Thursday 30th March, ending on Easter Monday.

Diana Capstick is a neurodiverse artist who works across a range of media and visual languages, including sculpture, drawing and painting. Some of her artworks can be described as expressive commentary inspired by current affairs and contain hidden messages that may not be obvious to the viewer. Much of her work is abstract, based on the environment and the natural world.

Ruth McCabe paints in watercolour, acrylic, oils and collage. She invites the onlooker to relate to what they see, through what they feel and through imagination. Her watercolour work has been received with enthusiasm as innovative and pushing boundaries. There is depth and power in both the oils and watercolours and much to be discovered over time.

Norma Read is a painter of still life, landscapes, people, and animals working mainly in oils and pastel. She is known for her distinctive use of colour and texture and her sensitive capture

of character in portraits. She often finds humour in her subjects and enjoys drawing this out in her popular style.

Hilary Garner usually works in oils and acrylic, but also pastel and pen and ink. She paints still life, landscapes and portraits of people and animals. Whatever the subject or medium, Hilary uses bold brush strokes with thick paint and an enhanced colour palette to create an expressive painting in what has become her signature style.

The exhibition is on at Merlina Arts, Earsham Mill, NR35 2TQ from Thursday 30th March and ends on Monday 10th April.

The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday and Easter Monday 10:30am to 4pm. Do pop along to the preview to enjoy the show with a glass of wine on Thursday 30th March, 4pm to 8pm.

Halesworth Slimming World

Meet our newest target weight member, Anne, who is now an amazing three stone six pounds lighter!

Anne and her husband have relocated to Suffolk from Yorkshire, both wanting to explore our lovely countryside. Anne knew that having gained more weight during the pandemic, this would hold her back from getting the most out of their move. Thankfully, reading a Slimming World magazine, prompted her to join one of our Halesworth groups in May 2022. She soon discovered that she could eat normal, familyfriendly food, never feel hungry and without having to weigh, measure or count a single calorie! All this and lose weight too!

Reaching her target in January was a dream come true and Anne credits much of her success to the support she receives each week in group. She now has a new confidence to enjoy life to the full, including having much more energy to play with her granddaughter, joining in with walks (including the uphill parts too) and working on their

allotment. Clothes shopping, previously dreaded, is now enjoyable and Anne is looking forward to a spring/summer of new experiences!

If Anne's story has inspired you, join us at the Rifle Hall, Halesworth, every Tuesday, 9:30am, 5:30pm and 7pm. Our Halesworth groups have got off to a flying start for 2023. Already a fantastic 35 ½ stones lighter, with three other members reaching their personal target weight too!

Please contact Bev for more information and details of special offers, including how you could get 12 week's worth of slimming absolutely FREE with One Life Suffolk/Slimming World partnership! I look forward to supporting you, Bev 07912 849995

PRODUCE MARKET

SATURDAY 11th MARCH

The Rifle Hall, Halesworth, IP19 8LR 2nd SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH 9AM-1PM

For stall enquiries, please contact Pam on 01986 781382

Anne before and after

Dee's Den Charity Shop

Raising money for The Pear Tree Fund

Can I say a very special thank you to Dot Booley for holding her Christmas Coffee morning for the Pear Tree Fund at Holton Village Hall before Christmas. It was so lovely to see so many people there. Also, we were all treated to a fun evening recently when Dot, her family and friends held another Race Night, raising £1,620 for the Pear Tree. Thank you to all those that supported the event and made it another successful fun evening.

Bargains continue at Dee's Den with lovely winter warm clothes for men and women of all ages, children, and babies too, all at affordable prices. Shoes and boots, handbags, belts and other accessories. A children's rail, which (when the weather allows) will be outside with the £1 rail (our weekly rail of discounted adult clothes) always a bargain to be had here! We're very aware that things are tough, and every penny needs to stretch that little bit further, we are all thinking of you all with our prices.

Our amazing volunteers have been sorting your generous donations and displaying a wide range of products to buy. Every

penny you spend in the shop goes into the fund to provide care and support to our local population (after running costs). We will be running another tombola at Easter, so any suitable donations would be most welcome. Thank you Sue and Debbie for helping with this. Also, thank you to Mrs Hurren who checks the pieces of our jigsaw puzzles for us!

We have a wide assortment of bric-a-brac and kitchenware lots of glassware, including a 50p 'bargain basket'. We also have linen, books to suit everyone - five books for £1 in the 'book bargain basket'. Lots of children's book too. Lovely jams, and marmalades (available much of the time). Thank you Ann and Jenny.

Please note the Dee's Den shop winter opening times are now Monday to Saturday mornings from 10am to 1pm. We will be extending our opening hours after Easter.

We continue to accept most donations any day now, but ask that if you have a lot of bags and boxes, please could you continue to use Mondays and Thursdays 10am to 1pm, as we have additional staff on duty.

Everything needs to be clean and saleable. Just a reminder, we don't accept used electrical items, only new boxed items. We really value the continued support of this local charity by the community, providing much needed care to many.

We provide additional care for those registered with Cutlers Hill Surgery, enabling people to be cared for at home at end of life, so people can die at home if this is their wish. The Pear Tree Centre (next door to Cutlers Hill Surgery) continues to provide a variety of services, advice and support for the people living in East and North Suffolk and South Norfolk, who have a progressive, life changing or long term condition; also, where their families can seek help and support too. Phone the centre manager Seva and her team on 01986 899655. They are there to help you. You can find Dee's Den in Steeple End, opposite the church. For more information, contact Volunteer Manager Nikki on: 07733 668221. Please DO NOT leave bags or goods at the door when we are closed. Thank you, Nikki.

Welcome to Halesworth Library

The bulbs are coming up everywhere and things are sprouting up at Halesworth Library too!

This month sees our annual fundraising initiative Suffolk Libraries Day. In aid of this, we'll be holding a book and cake sale at the library on March 10th and 11th to raise money to support the wonderful library service in Suffolk. We welcome donations of good quality secondhand books that we can sell to raise money. The Friends of Halesworth Library are also hosting their second author talk of the year alongside their regular activities, so there's lots to keep you entertained as we march on into spring.

Suffolk Libraries Day:

Book and Cake Sale - Friday 10th and Sunday 11th March from 9am-5pm. Good quality secondhand books from the libraries of our discerning northeast Suffolk readers, homemade cakes and free tea and coffee all day. Come down and find yourself your next great read, nibble on some cake and help support Suffolk Libraries.

March events organised by The Friends of Halesworth Library:

• March Book Talk with

Abbie Clements (Thursday 16th March at 2:30pm). The Friends of Halesworth Library's second book talk of the year.

Abbie Clements of Halesworth Bookshop will be joining us this time around to talk about the life of an independent bookseller and her much-loved bookshop in Halesworth. Further details to be announced, keep an eye out in the library and online for promotional materials.

• Board Games Café (Monday 6th March from 2pm-4:30pm). There are lots of games to choose from (both old favourites and ones you may not have seen before) at the Board Games Café. Tea and cake and a guaranteed fun afternoon. No need for any previous skills. £1 suggested donation.

• Sociable Sundays (Sunday 12th and 26th March from 10:30am-12:30pm). Drop in to enjoy a hot drink and cake, and a chat with others. A pleasant way to spend an hour or two and to make new friends. No

Beccles Food & Drink Festival returns for 2023!

need to book, just turn up. £1 suggested donation.

Regular activities at the library:

• Wordplay: Come along to our Wordplay sessions for babies, toddlers, parents, and carers on Tuesday mornings from 10am11:30am. Young and old can make new friends and enjoy music and games together.

• Family Fun Time: Are you looking for something to do with the children at the weekend? Look no further than our Family Fun Time sessions, Sundays from 11am-12:30pm. All are welcome to drop in for board games, craft activities, Lego, and stories.

• Knit & Natter, Craft & Chatter: For those looking to improve their knitting and crafting, we host a friendly and inclusive group for all who enjoy making and socialising.

The group meets upstairs at the library every first and third Tuesday from 2pm-4pm.

• Time Out: There's lots to enjoy at our Time Out sessions on Wednesday mornings and it is a good place to meet new people. Join us for crafts, chat, and free refreshments 10am-11:30am.

• Council Advice Clinic: The East Suffolk Council Advice

Clinic is held in the library on Tuesdays from 10am-3pm.

• Barclays Bank Drop-in: Weekly drop-in session from 9:30am-4:30pm every Wednesday, where they offer help with money management, financial help, business support and home loans. Additional Barclays Digital Eagles sessions held monthly, keep an eye out in the library for more information.

• IT Help: Did you know that the library offers one-to-one IT help? Whether you're considering a smartphone, wanting to know more about apps or simply learning how to do more digitally, ask at the library. Tuition is £15 an hour. All proceeds are donated to library funds. Further details available from the library. We look forward to seeing you! Email us at: halesworth.library@ suffolklibraries.co.ukor phone us on 01986 875095. To join the Friends of Halesworth Library, you will need to complete a membership form, which can be obtained preferably by emailing: friendsofhalesworthlibrary@ gmail.com or by phoning the library.

Halesworth and District Gardening Society

The club goes from strength to strength with over 40 people attending our February meeting where we enjoyed an interesting talk on composting from the Organic Gardening charity. We are always very happy to welcome new people with an interest in gardeningespecially people on their own.

Thursday 9th March see's the welcome return of Dr Ian Bedford to the Halesworth and District Gardeners' Society at the Riffle Hall, London Road, Halesworth.

Global warming and climate change are affecting natural eco systems. This includes those in the UK, despite around 35% of its land mass being protected within National Parks and

A great and affordable day out for both foodies and families is on offer with the return of Beccles Food and Drink Festival. The free-to-attend event is scheduled for Saturday 27th May, and the 60 stalls invited are set to offer an incredible range of the finest artisan food and drink produce from the local area and wider East Anglia.

Among the selection of produce will be cheese, wine, charcuterie, olives, gin, rum, beer, game and oriental pies, macarons and fudge, while world street food to tantalise the taste buds include wild boar burgers, Hawaiian poke bowls and chicken satay.

Based in the centre of the vibrant market town around New Market, Sheepgate, and in and around St. Michael's Church,

the Festival runs from 10am till 4pm and will also include music and children's entertainment.

A new feature this year will be the Local Flavours mobile cookery theatre, generously sponsored by the Visitor Economy Network Initiative project, offering budding chefs and bakers culinary inspiration from local chefs and students of East Coast College in Lowestoft.

A free Park & Ride shuttle service will run throughout the event from Beccles Quay, where additional parking will be available to supplement the ample town centre car parks.

Now in it's eighth year, the event is a firm favourite on the calendar with both visitors and traders, and usually attracts large crowds throughout the day. Two

weeks of Fringe events leading up to the event are also planned, involving a wide range of food and drink themed activities, menu specials, tours and talks.

The Festival's aims include showcasing and celebrating the wonderful food and drink produced in the area, bringing visitors to the town, boosting footfall in the local shops and hospitality venues in the town centre, and promoting the area as a food and drink destination.

Updates to the Festival will be posted on: www.becclesfoodfestival.co.uk as well as on Facebook and Twitter at regular intervals.

Nature reserves. Many projects are running that aim to connect these protected areas so that wildlife within them don't suffer geographic isolation. Ian will be talking about how we can all use our gardens as valuable stepping stones for the wildlife to move between protected nature reserves.

Ian has appeared on Gardener's World, Horizon, BBC Breakfast and BBC Gardeners Question Time and even Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule when "Killer Slugs Returned to Norwich!"

Doors open 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start. All welcome entry just £2 for non-members.

Further information available on our Facebook page and our notice board outside Coopers.

Mr & Mrs Olive's stall in New Market.

Image credit: Dominic's Photography

Halesworth Community Choir

Halesworth Community

Choir's ongoing fortnightly rehearsals continue on March 12th and 26th, from 10:30am12:30pm at The Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth.

We welcome new members. No experience is necessary and the first taster session is free. For details about the choir, email: halesworth.community. choir@gmail.com

Blyth Valley Parkinson's Support Group

In January, we held our first meeting in our new home, Holton and Blyford Village Hall. We had outgrown the space at The Pear Tree Centre with a growing number of people attending our meetings. Everyone agreed it proved to be a good move providing us with more space and flexibility.

In February, we will hear a about some of the treasures and artifacts found in the Halesworth area and in March, we are going

to learn about the varied help and advice available from the Pear Tree Centre and how the fire brigade can help make homes safer. We look forward to welcoming you to our meetings if you or a partner/carer has Parkinson's disease. You can be sure of a warm welcome, help and support. For further information please contact either Gail (01986 872283) or Margaret (01502 478502).

Halesworth WI news

Our members listened to an interesting and informative talk on SARS (the Suffolk Accident and Rescue Service). Situated as we are in the triangle of Norwich, Ipswich and the Gorleston James Paget Hospital, we are aware of the distance to travel to seek medical help. Therefore, we're very grateful for the emergency services that SARS supply. The helicopters, doctors, paramedics and staff with their specialist

training and skills that can come out to our rescue should we need it. The time they give up for annual unpaid refresher training and the tremendous costs of keeping this service running with the specialist vehicles, £70,000 each, equipment helicopters and staff to maintain them. Worth every penny and pound of course! We made plans for spring with our visit to our Suffolk East Federation AGM in March at Trinity Park and a birthday meal in May.

Halesworth Volunteers remember Andy Nichols

Andy Nichols

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Andy Nichols at the end of last month.

Andy was a much loved volunteer driver. Andy started driving for us in 2010, and quickly fitted into the team. His kind and caring nature mixed with his good sense of humour ensured he was very popular with his many regular passengers, transporting people to medical appointments, shopping and social visits. Andy was a true Suffolk gentleman, with a true Suffolk accent, and newcomers to the town would often struggle to make out exactly what he was saying along with his marvellous Suffolk phrases! Andy always enjoyed a laugh and a joke with everyone and always had a smile despite his often poor health.

Andy will be greatly missed by us all and we are thinking of Sylvia, David, Paul and family at this incredibly sad time.

Our Welcome Wednesday soup lunches in partnership St. Mary's Church are a regular date in the diary on the last Wednesday of the month from 12:30pm-2:30pm.

Come along and join us for delicious hot soup, sandwiches and cakes in St. Mary's Church. This month it will be Wednesday 22nd February. Everyone very welcome.

Coffee & Catch up in partnership with Wellbeing are the first Tuesday of the month, with our next meet up being Tuesday 7th March 12pm-2pm in the events bar at Chinny's.

Tina Perry (Waveney Leaf Coordinator) is offering a wellbeing walk in Halesworth on the same day, starting at 10am. Meeting at the Millennium Green (IP19 8RT) at the basketball court. This will be a leisurely stroll through the park which will take around an hour. Taking some time out in nature is extremely beneficial for our wellbeing, to be in the moment and mindful of the sights, sounds and smells around us, this is a relaxing space to meet others and chat along the way. Remember to wrap up warm and embrace the winter weather. Our fun quiz nights continue at the White Hart on the third Wednesday of the month. Thanks to Vicky and her team at the White Hart and to Nigel our quiz master. So far, this has raised in excess of £500 for Halesworth Volunteers. Thanks to everyone who regularly comes along to support us each month. Our next quiz is Wednesday 15th March starting at 8pm.

Mindful Mondays are starting on Monday 27th February at the Suffolk New College, Harrisons Lane, from 10am-1pm. These free sessions are bringing isolated members of the community together in a warm and safe space for arts and crafts, advice and guidance about the cost of living crisis and companionship, a light lunch will be included. If you'd like more information, please call Sherry Storer on 01473 382778 or email: sherrystorer@suffolk.ac.uk.

“Thank you Rosedale, your support and guidance made this difficult time a little more bearable.”

Our much missed driver Andy Nichols with Karen Kerridge. Image credit: M Harper.

Saving Holton Pits as an open space

What started as a campaign to retain footpaths, became a far more ambitious campaign to save Holton Pits as a much needed open space.

When CEMEX put Holton Pits up for sale in August 2022, there was a deal of uncertainty, rumour and anger within the local community. In response (and within a week) a group of over 100 people had formed an unconstituted community group (Holton Pits Preservation Group) to try to prevent the site being sold and developed in a manner that will threaten the fragile biodiversity, and restrict access for the local community, who have been using it for many decades for their recreation and wellbeing.

As of a February 14th, we're a Community Interest Company. In other words, we've moved from being a loose unconstituted body into a formal and legally responsible organisation.

Our ACV (Assett of Community Value) that prevented CEMEX (the current owners) from selling for six months, is set to expire in May. We have

Ensors Accountants LLP

three months to raise the funds to buy it. Now we are constituted we can start to raise funds. As we process an application for a bank account, we will have a holding company who will accept our funds meanwhile. This news is hot off the press - We will let you know the details as soon as we can.

At a public meeting before Christmas, local people pledged over £40,000. This together with a local business underwriting a further £100,000 (which must be paid back) means we have to find a further £60,000. Can we do it?

Only CEMEX can decide who it's sold to, and in the worst case, the site would be fenced off and our every day access ended.

The northern section of this 20-acre site is a geological SSSI, whilst the southern section is a County Wildlife Site. The agricultural field to the north of the site has recently been purchased, with the owner intending to create a wildlife corridor from Kaliwoods Woodland in Holton, down to the Pits and then on to the Blyth Valley. This exciting opportunity

Martlesham Heath Aviation Society

is now in jeopardy.

Amazing testimonies described how precious the pits are to peoples well being. Many said it saved their sanity during lockdown.

Remember "Plant a Tree in 73"? The children of Holton did that at the pits, and one, Angela returns each year to see how hers and others have grown. It's a place to meet people, exchange: I appreciate the acquaintances it has afforded me, the tranquillity and safety compared to the local roads and pathways.

Waveney Wildlife Audit: The acid grassland is lichen-rich and has some notable species,This site has excellent connectivity to other green spaces in the area via woodlands to the west, tree-lined track to the north and arable land further north east and south. Biodiversity: Song thrush, slow worms, kingfishers, swan mussels, a mass of fungi, turtle doves, fish of course, Holton Parish Council and East Suffolk have been very supportive, but are by their nature, slow to act. kaliwood.wordpress.com/pitstop/

The way in which incorporated businesses are taxed is changing

Currently, unincorporated businesses can choose an annual reporting date and draw up accounts to that date every year. The profits from those accounts are taxed depending on the tax year in which the final day of the year falls. For example, Mrs Smith draws up accounts to 31st December each year, her profits for the year to December 2022 will be taxed on the 2022/23 return.

From 2023/24, HMRC are changing these fundamental rules so that unincorporated businesses must instead report profits relating specifically to the tax year running 6th April to the following 5th April (or 1st April to 31st March).

This was previously scheduled to coincide with the introduction of MTD for Income Tax, but whilst MTD has been delayed for at least

Lunchtime music in March

On Friday 3rd February from 7:30pm to 10pm, Richard Gibson will present a talk entitled: "Thorpe Abbotts Airfield, the 100th Bomb Group and the Munster Raid." Richard (who has been involved with the 100th Bomb Group Museum since 1978) has amassed a huge amount of information and stories, about this south Norfolk airfield and the brave men based there. Society Meetings takes place at: Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, IP12 4PB. Entry costs £3 for society members and £4 for non-members, who are also

welcomed. You can pay on the door on arrival. No need to prebook, just turn up early!

For more information, contact Howard by calling 01473 274300, emailing: howard.king1@ outlook.com or visit: www.mhas. org.uk.

Unusually for us (as the first Friday in April is Good Friday), we have two meetings in March. Our Friday 31st March meeting by Mike Pugh Davis is entitled: "Aircraft versus U-Boats" and it's all about the epic struggle between the RAF and later also with the US Army Air Force against German and Italian aircraft, as the enemy tried to starve us into submission... and very nearly succeeded.

The series of lunchtime concerts at Woodbridge Library continues in March with a performance from the Shingle Street Folk Band.

The band is a group of four local singers who have been entertaining audiences in the Suffolk Coastal area for the past five years. They are all experienced choral singers as well as enjoying singing and playing folk music. Their repertoire ranges from the traditional to the modern, songs from both sea and land and from these islands to more distant shores.

They will perform on Tuesday 21st March in the Library from

Upcoming talks with Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

the sea.

Monday 20th March at 2:30pm: "What happened to Grandad etc (Member's Talks II)" both on Zoom and in person.

We had talks scheduled by four "Janets" in December, but unfortunately the bitterly cold snap caused one to fall over that day, and another was unable to drive in on the slippery roads. However, those "two Janets" can now present their talks to us as promised.

free to Members and at £3 for visitors - acknowledgement comprises outline instructions, with information on how to connect on the day emailed to you around an hour before the talk. In-person attendees can just turn up at £1 for members and £3 for visitors, and with free tea/ biscuits.

12:45pm to 1:30pm. Attendance is free of charge, although donations to the work of the Friends of Woodbridge Library (FOWL) will be welcome. FOWL is currently saving up to help the library refurbish its tremendously popular children's area. The Band's members are Stephen Harding (guitar), Peter Taylor (mandolin), Jane Burn (violin and accordion) and Christine Pearce (percussion and dulcimer). Recent performances include the Aldeburgh Carnival, Sutton Hoo and the Leiston Long Shop. They promise us delightful music and beautifully blended harmonies. Do join us!

two years, basis period reform is set to go ahead.

To facilitate this, businesses have two options: Change their accounting year end to the tax year end or retain their current accounting date and apportion figures from two sets of accounting years into one tax return.

Going back to Mrs Smith, changing her accounting year would mean drawing up accounts for the period January-23 to March-24, a 15-month period, to be reported on, and taxed in, the 2023/24 tax year. Clearly this would result in a higher tax liability than the usual 12-month period.

If the taxpayer has any Overlap Profits (these arise at the commencement of a trade where accounts are drawn up to a date other than the end of a tax year and can result in an element of profits being taxed twice), these can be deducted from profits in the transitional year.

In addition, taxpayers have the option to spread any additional transitional profits over five tax years. For example, if Mrs Smith generates steady profits of £20,000 per year, a 15-month period to March-24 would create £25,000 of profits. If she

has £1,000 of overlap profits, the excess taxable profit is now £4,000. Spreading this over five years would mean an additional £800 taxed in the years 2023/24 to 2027/28.

However, businesses won't always have full control over their reporting date, which may be fixed for a variety of reasons, and will have to apportion figures each year. If actual figures for the second accounting year are not available before the tax return submission deadline, provisional figures can be submitted and amended the following year. This does however create a significant delay before the taxpayer can finalise their tax affairs and be sure of their tax liabilities.

Forward planning and an awareness of how this might affect your business is key, to ensure you are fully aware of any potential additional tax liabilities.

By Liz Lockwood (pictured), Manager, Ensors Accountants LLP

This information is given by way of general guidance only, and no action should be taken based solely on the information contained herein. No liability is accepted by the firm for any actions taken without seeking appropriate professional advice.

Janet B has been compiling a historical record of the Middleton-cum-Fordley farms from the early 1800s. She thinks that you will be surprised as to how much she has collected from many sources. Not all will be revealed.

Janet H: "What happened to Grandad?" Janet's husband's Grandfather disappeared from the family in the 1920s never to be seen again. He worked as a clerk, and she knew that he was a talented musician and artist. She will show how she tried to find him.

This hybrid talk (over Zoom and physical) will be at our new venue, Saxmundham's Fromus Centre. Attendees over Zoom should register at: https://avsfhg. org.uk/events/book/ (after the February talk has taken place on February 20th, but before 5pm on Friday 17th March),

Our January talk was on January 16th titled: The Turbulent History of Dunwich Heath - Richard Symes. Our January talk was amazing in several ways. We all looked forward to this talk by Richard Symes and so did a lot of other people. The Fromus Centre meeting room was fuller than we've ever seen or expected. Possibly because of interest in Dunwich Heath, and the status of Richard who has researched Dunwich Heath for years.

Richard showed an 1826 hand-painted map of Dunwich showing various features, The German Ocean (the North Sea) including the origin of Dunwich Heath and the Common over hundreds of years from the 1700s. He found a document showing that the Dunwich Town Trust sold permits for the grazing of animals and walking. Gorse and bracken were gathered to keep people warm. The map also shows just how much of the coastline has been taken by

Mallard Fencing

In 1827, Coastguard cottages were built in an attempt to deal with the big smuggling gangs that worked the area due to a tax on imported goods. The gangs worked with as many as 60-80 horses, with carts, unloading and taking goods all over the country from wrecked trading ships. Officers of the Realm were massively outnumbered. John Harvey ran The Hadley Gang around Sizewell and Dunwich. Harvey was caught and sent to Australia for two years and when he came back he bought his freedom for a hatful of gold.

The Coastguard Cottages were painted white showing clearly where help for wrecked ships might come from. As a cottage was decommissioned it was painted black. One occupant, Richard Clark (a Quaker with a wife and five children) was called to fight in the Crimean War. As a Quaker he refused to fight and was imprisoned on a prison hulk. His case was pleaded in the House of Commons by John Bright MP and he was released.

At the time of the industrial revolution, many ships were bringing iron and coal down the east coast from the north of England and many foundered in the area. A Southwold auctioneer (James Maggs) kept a record of the goods and ships which

he auctioned. A WWI map of Dunwich and the surrounding area, from Historic Environment Records, shows the sites of shipwrecks all the way along the east coast. A German map shows how they were using submarines to lay mines on the route of ships bringing iron and coal down the east coast from the north of England and many foundered or hit mines. At the end of the war, mines were dragged out of the sea on the end of a rope. After World War II, 30,000 mines were found from Pakefield all the way down the coast. During WWII, concrete blocks were installed along the beach areas (many are still there to this day) and land was flooded to deter possible landings. Germans did attempt to land in Dorset, Shingle Street and Dunwich. Fearing invasion, a whole series of linked radar stations and heavy gun emplacements were set up along the coast so that planes coming from the sea could be detected and destroyed. In 1960 when the National Trust took over unexploded ordnance was still being found.

Books recommended by Richard Symes:

• "A Very Dangerous Locality" by Robert Liddiard and David Sims

• "Hitler's Invasion of East Anglia 1940" by Martin W Bowman.

Supply and Installation of a range of fencing. We also offer a verity of landscaping services. Based in Saxmundham serving all surrounding areas. Free quotation and professional advice. Tel. 07858 912558

Supply and installation of a range of fencing. We also offer a variety of landscaping services. Based in Saxmundham serving all surrounding areas.

Holton Pits Preservation Group

Children planting Holton Pits trees in 1973. We would be very interested to know who these children are and if anyone can identify them now!

Transition Woodbridge

Come and join the Great British Spring Clean!

17th March - 2nd April

We live in such a beautiful part of Suffolk and it is, relatively, rubbish free. That doesn't happen by accident. There is a hidden army of superheroes that keep it that way and I'd like to tell you about some of them.

Did you know that one Sunday of every month (usually last Sunday but, this month, on 19th March) Jason Alexander organises a Rubbish Walk in Woodbridge? Walkers meet at 10am at the Tea Hut and walk along the river or through town collecting rubbish. You can find out more at www.rubbishwalks.

co.uk. There's a monthly Litter

Pick in Melton too, organised by Peter James. The Melton Wombles meet at 10am at Honey and Harvey. The March date will be posted on www.nextdoor.

co.uk/g/bsr3qyopt and on the Woodbridge and Melton Local People Facebook page. Both groups are really friendly and new members are always welcome.

During the year, there are River Cleans organised by

Transition Woodbridge (www. transitionwoodbridge.org.uk), the Sea Scouts (www.deben. suffolkscouts.org.uk/groups/5thwoodbridge-sea-scouts), the River Deben Association (www. riverdeben.org) and other organisations. Last summer, we collected dozens of bags of rubbish along the river bank and pulled plastic bottles, traffic cones, old tyres and huge chunks of polystyrene out of the river. Local businesses are doing their bit too. Several businesses around town have five minute litter pick stations. They include: McColls in Melton, The Deben Café on HMS Vale, The Wild Strawberry Café, Woodbridge Library, The Pavilion on Kingston Playfield Fields, The Tea Hut and The Whistlestop Café. The five minute litter pick stations were set up by Transition Woodbridge with funding from the AONB. Anyone can borrow the litter pickers and buckets to collect rubbish and put it in a nearby council litter bin. And don't forget the refuse

collectors and recycling centre workers from East Suffolk Norse, who collect our wheelie bins and empty the town litter bins each week. Where would we be without them?

So I'd like to say thank you to the hidden army of superheroes, who keep our town and countryside clean and tidy. Why not come and join them for the Great British Spring Clean?

You could take part in a community litter pick with the Melton Wombles, join Jason's Rubbish Walkers on 19th March or spare a few minutes for a five minute litter pick when you next stop for a coffee.

You can do your bit to reduce rubbish too. Simple things make a big difference: Use a refillable water bottle; Take a keep-cup for your morning coffee and a shopping bag when you go to town (keep some in your car so you are never without one); and, smokers, please put out your cigarette ends and then put them in a bin, not on the floor.

Coastal Accessible Transport Service

Urgent appeal for volunteers

Could you spare a few hours a week to help others in your community? Do you enjoy driving and meeting new people?

Coastal Accessible Transport Service (CATS) has been helping the local community for over 25 years, providing a community car service to help residents attend medical appointments including Ipswich Hospital, shopping or socialising.

We desperately need new volunteers to help us deliver this

Bright Stars

vital service to people who no longer can drive or do not have access to a vehicle. As a volunteer for CATS, you decide when you are able to help us, it can be as little as once a month or every week the choice is yours, all mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile. Training and DBS will be provided. All help is greatly appreciated by CATS and our passengers. For more information, please contact Lynn on 01728 830516.

Would you like to receive our free activity sheets for preschool aged children?

Due to various circumstances, at the moment we are sending out free activity sheets by email and/or post on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month during term time, for the children to enjoy doing with their family and/or carers, instead of meeting in St. Michael's Church Centre, Martlesham Heath.

The activity sheets usually include a story, song and a craft or game about a theme or story from the Bible. During a recent session, we heard how God wanted to make the world a lovely place, so He made the sun to warm us, and in the night, He made the moon and stars to shine in the dark sky. The activity sheet was to colour

in a sun and moon on the page, then roll it into a cylinder so you could have them standing up in your house.

If you have or look after a child/children of pre-school age and would like to receive our sheets, please give us a call on the telephone number below. We look forward to hearing from you. If you'd like further information, please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows on 01473 625196.

Winter walks

Woodbridge Cruising Club

As spring approaches, members are looking forward to getting their boats in the water. Meanwhile, on-shore social activities are still highly enjoyable.

The regular Thursday walks are always popular, and have included strolls around picturesque Middleton, through Westleton Heath, over Duffer's bridge and glorious woods with a welcome lunch at The Bell. Shottisham is always a popular walk and this was led by Neil. Future walks are planned to include Felixstowe Hydrocycle, a fascinating look at this scheme where water is sourced from Kingsfleet.

For the monthly Sunday talks, club members heard an informative talk from the National Coastwatch Institution. There is a station at Felixstowe, and the volunteers perform a vital

function in keeping people safe at sea and along the UK coast. Future talks include the Felixstowe Ferry Master, about the river Deben, and members talking about their cruises to Marseille and the Shetlands.

The Burn's Night supper was sold out, and members enjoyed the traditional haggis, addressed by Neil. The Beetle drive was great fun, and the wine tasting was a very convivial evening. Club members are looking forward to the annual cruise meeting, when Cruise Captain Andy and cruise leaders present details of the summer cruises. The club website www. woodbridgecruisingclub.org has full details and new members are welcome, whether you currently own (or have owned) a motorboat or yacht, or have an interested in all things nautical.

River clean

PLANNING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

NFU Mutual Suffolk Coastal in Halesworth are giving you the opportunity to find out the answers to some of your financial questions with their Financial Adviser, Stacy Roan.

Stacy has been a Financial Adviser for 18 years and will be available for selected surgery days, where you are welcome to make an appointment to discuss your financial plans.

NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. We’ll explain the advice services and the charges. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Ltd.

Stacy says ‘The sooner you start getting expert advice about your financial goals, the sooner you are likely to reach them, I’m here to share NFU Mutual’s wealth of knowledge, answer your questions and help to create the right financial plan for your needs.’

These will take place every second Wednesday of the month, starting on the 8th March 2023. To book an appointment call 01986 872388

Bramfield, Ringsfield and Brampton Primary Schools activities

Ringsfield and Brampton

We said goodbye to Reverend Phil after around eight years of him supporting our schools. We have enjoyed weekly collective worships with him and have especially looked forward to him bringing his guitar to sing with us. The Reception children have loved the actions that accompany the songs! He has also delivered special services at the church for our families, including Harvest, Easter and end of year celebrations.

Reverend Phil has also been a governor, so we are very grateful for all of his support in making our schools such a special place for the children to learn. We presented Reverend Phil with cards and pictures and gave him leaving gifts to help him remember us. Ringsfield gave him a new guitar strap with paw prints as he has a lovely dog called Lily and Brampton gave him an engraved cross with the words

Approved by NFU Mutual 30/01/2023

M T Savage, N E Kenyon & Z C Muggleton is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). And an introducer to NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited, a member of the NFU Mutual group of companies.

'thank you for inspiring us'.

Reverend Phil has lived in the vicarage next to Ringsfield school during his time with us and he has said he will miss hearing the children playing and enjoying school. We will miss him very much too and wish him lots of luck and happiness as he moves on to support other very lucky children. Bramfield

This month, the children at Bramfield were extremely privileged to have a visit from environmental artist Jayne Ivimey. Jayne heard about our involvement in the Big Schools Birdwatch from her great-niece, who is a pupil in the reception class, and offered to come and share her interest in birds with us.

Birds are a passion of Jayne's and she has been working for over 10 years on a project to raise awareness about the growing number of British birds in danger of extinction. The children were

very interested in the process of Jayne's work which includes observational sketches and feather collecting. Jayne showed us how to sculpt our own clay birds and the children were so focused as they moulded and pushed and smoothed the clay with their fingers. It was a wonderful experience and I'm sure the children will treasure their hand-made birds for years to come.

Aldeburgh and District Flower Club

192646

784244

Fax: 01986 784646

Tel: 01986 784244 (Option 1)

email: kwclarkesorder@gmail.com

Our next meeting will be held on March 21st at 2:30pm at Aldeburgh Church Hall with a demonstration by David Wright from Norwich entitled: "20/20 A Vision".

LOW ROAD, BRAMFIELD

Email: sharmangary4@gmail.com

'Our FamOus barbecue packs' £39.99

'Our FamOus barbecue packs' £39.99

WINTER WARMER PACK 1: £37.99

Casserole packs for those cold evenings

There will be refreshments and a chance to win one of David's designs , visitors are welcome for a £5 admission fee. For more information contact Roger on: roger.woolnough1 @btinternet.com

4lb Flavoured Ribs

4lb Flavoured Ribs

4lb Flavoured Chicken

x2 1lb minced beef, x2 1lb diced beef, x2 1lb diced pork, x2 1lb sausages, x2 1lb minced pork

4lb Flavoured Chicken

4lb Sausages

4lb Sausages

10 Beef Burgers

WINTER WARMER PACK 2: £40.99

10 Beef Burgers

5 Pork and Apple Burgers

5 Pork and Apple Burgers

Slow roast joint pack x2 1kg shoulder of pork, x2 1kg shoulder of lamb, x2 1kg brisket slow roast

Small Barbecue Packs

Small Barbecue Packs

£9.99

£9.99

WINTER WARMER PACK 3: £43.99

Martlesham Brass Making music fun in East Anglia

All barbecue meat available loose including...

All barbecue meat available loose including...

Fresh Flavoured Ribs, Chicken & Burgers

1kg shoulder pork joint, 1kg shoulder of lamb joint, 1kg brisket, slow roast, x2 1lb mince, x1 1lb diced beef, x1 1lb sausages

Fresh Flavoured Ribs, Chicken & Burgers

Also Salads, Pickles and Sauces

Also Salads, Pickles and Sauces

24 HOURS NOTICE APPRECIATED

Traditionally reared local beef lamb pork and poultry

Traditionally-reared local beef, lamb, pork and poultry, home-cooked hams and home-cured gammons

OPENING HOURS

Mon-Fri 7am-5pm & Sat 7am-1pm

Martlesham Brass are looking forward to the spring and summer when they have several concerts and events planned. Including a Spring concert on May 13th, and 'Tea & Tunes' on June 10th. There will be more details next month.

If you feel you would like to learn to play a brass instrument (or if you already play and would be interested in joining us) please email: join@martleshambrass. co.uk. Please note, we operate a waiting list for new members.

Brampton children with Reverend Phil

Ringsfield children with Reverend Phil

Clay sculpturing at Bramfield

193463

FEATURED PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

This property launched on 26th January. Vendor has found.

A spacious three bedroom detached house with off road parking, garden and integral garage. Sat within a quiet location with a wooded backdrop with a small stream. An idyllic country retreat, with the perfect slice of village life, this detached house is one not to be missed!

This property launched on 24th January and is chain free.

A two bedroom detached bungalow with a good sized garden, off road parking and close to Halesworth town centre. Close to Halesworth town centre, this bungalow offers scope and potential to extend (stp) and put your own stamp on it!

Lodge Farm, Rumburgh OIEO £950,000 Detached | 3 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | Freehold

with water and power, perfect for conversion to holiday lets (stp).

The property is situated in a desirable village location surrounded by open farm land.

Hill View, Bell Green, Cratfield OIEO £450,000