Halesworth & Southwold Community News December 2022

Tel: 01986 872882 Email: mail@mgcservices.org www.halesworthplumbingandheating.com

Tel: 01986 872882 Email: mail@mgcservices.org www.halesworthplumbingandheating.com

Edgar Sewter Primary School

After the amazing success of our 'Win Christmas' raffle last year, where we raised over £2,000 for Edgar Sewter Primary to buy new Chromebooks…we are back this Christmas with another exciting raffle!

This year's raffle is 'Christmas Crackers', where you will be in with a chance of winning one of the prize hampers that we will be putting together using the wonderful donations received from generous local businesses.

There will be meal vouchers, Panto tickets, Christmas meat and food vouchers amongst many other fabulous prizes.

The money that we raise from this exciting raffle will go towards furnishing a wonderful new library for the children at Edgar Sewter Primary School. The school is incredibly

passionate about instilling a love of reading in each and every child and the new library will really help the school to fulfil this vision.

The raffle tickets are £2 each and you will be able to purchase them at Hetty's Little Copy Shop, Edwards and The Hideout. The PTA will also have a stall in St Mary's Church at the Halesworth light switch on, and also look out for us selling outside the Co-op and in the town at weekends. The winning tickets will be drawn on Friday 2nd December so get your tickets quick!

Thank you in advance for supporting this wonderful cause. If you would like to get in touch with the PTA please email: pta@edgarsewterprimary.co.uk.

Prize-winning night for Halesworth & District Museum

Buried treasure, and a crossgenerational community project, each helped Halesworth & District Museum scoop prizes at the recent Suffolk Museum of the Year awards.

The buried treasure was the Blythburgh coin, winner of the 'Object of the Year.' The precious artefact had lain in the Blythburgh soil for many hundreds of years before being discovered as part a hoard of Iron Age money, dating back around 2,000 years. The coin is smaller than a little fingernail, yet somehow its creator embellished both sides with vivid animal motifs and intricate patterns. Specialists at the British Museum have reported that no coin like it has been seen before in the UK.

Receiving the award on behalf of the museum, Curator Brian Howard said: "The Blythburgh coin is just one of several ancient and nationally significant artefacts discovered locally and displayed here at Halesworth & District Museum."

The second award (Working with Young People) recognised Halesworth & District Museum's commitment to engagement with local schools. But this prize-winning project also had its roots firmly in the area's history – in this case the Lincolne letters, a fascinating cache of 19th Century correspondence

between members of a prominent Halesworth family. Children from Edgar Sewter Primary School worked with Suffolk Artlink to explore some of the methods of communication used in those pre-internet days. They produced poetry, paintings and collages, and even had a go at old-fashioned letter writing using quill pens.

The project then skipped a generation or more, when the children wrote to and visited residents in Beech House Care Home, recommending their favourite exhibits at Halesworth & District Museum. The older generation replied, and they too visited the museum. The project got off to a grand finale with a joint tea party for the children and their Beech House correspondents.

One of the visitors from Beech House said: "I love it. It's good

for the children and for us to be able to see what life was like. And it's a brilliant idea, getting us all together to have tea."

One of the schoolchildren said: "Museums are important because you get to learn about the past and it helps you understand the future."

The awards were organised by the Association for Suffolk Museums and presented at The Hold in Ipswich. The host for the evening was Georgy Jamieson of BBC Radio Suffolk.

As well as winning two of the seven awards, Halesworth & District was also runner up in the Small Museum category.

Brian Howard commented: "We are actually the smallest of all the museums represented, and we are run completely by volunteers. So we are extremely pleased to receive two awards and be runner up in a third."

Brian Howard (Curator) receives 'Object of the Year' award

Pauline Wilcock (Chair) receives the 'Working with Young People' award

Cancer Research UK Halesworth branch

Hello everyone. We held our jumble sale on October 15th and the event was a great success. We raised an amazing £979.52. This is the most we have ever raised at a jumble sale! Thank you to everyone who donated jumble and bric-a-brac etc.

Thank you to Halesworth Coop who donated a magnificent Christmas-themed hamper for our raffle. The raffle raised £166 and was won by John from Dukes Drive.

Thank you to everyone who baked for our refreshments.

We have some good news, Jill (in the attached photo) is going to be our new book lady, selling books for us from her drive (weather permitting). Jill can be found at: 19 Dukes Drive so please go along and support her. The books and jigsaws have no fixed price just pop a donation in our collecting goblet. If you want to donate books or jigsaws that would be splendid.

Our next major fundraiser is our spectacular Christmas Fair on November 26th, from 10:30am-2pm in Holton Village Hall. We will have a variety of stalls including Debbie and Sue's Christmas gift-themed stall, cakes, tombola, accessories with a rail of brand new clothes, raffle, bric-a-brac etc. We're serving

light lunches from 11:30am and tea/coffee with a mince pie from 10:30am. We pride ourselves in offering good value with our meals giving generous portions and keeping the cost low so please come and stay for lunch.

We'd like to say thank you to the following businesses that are already sponsoring our Christmas Fair: The White Hart Halesworth, The Angel, The Huntsman and Hounds Spexhall, and a new sponsor this time Halesworth Golf Club for donating vouchers for our raffle, also Morrisons for a lovely wine and chocolate gift bag. If anyone would like to donate a raffle prize please contact me. Thank you to Cleveleys for once again generously sponsoring our lunches. We'll do proper thank you's to everyone in our next article.

We have to conclude with some very sad and heartbreaking news. We attended the funeral of our friend and committee member Colly on November 1st. Colly was a kind, gentle lady and a greatly valued and respected committee member. We will all miss her very much. We send our heartfelt sympathy to Paul and all the family.

Dawn Davis, Chair. 01986 873640

Halesworth Produce Market

2nd Saturday morning, every month

Local people, local produce, local crafts. Head down to the Rifle Hall and join local producers from your community.

Come along to purchase delicious, succulent meat from Cratfield Beef. Melt in your mouth lamb and venison from Bridge Farm Chediston and local delicious pork sausages or bacon. Artisan bread and flavourful bakes are created with care and devotion at The Penny Bun Bakehouse, and Pam's celebration cakes are beautifully decorated and prepared for special occasions or everyday dining.

Other contributors include locally grown produce and handcut flowers, marmalade, delicious fudge, crafts, bespoke handbags, accessories for our canine friends,

cards and stationery, candles and local Suffolk honey. Small businesses, bespoke produce and all prepared with care, in your local town.

It doesn't get better than that!

Neville and Georgie Greenwood

Congratulations on your Diamond wedding anniversary on December 8th. Lots of love from all the family xxx

Celebrations for Halesworth & District u3a

Halesworth u3a members are looking forward to their Christmas Social in The Cut Café on Tuesday 13th December. We will be entertained by dialect coach Charlie Haylock whilst enjoying festive refreshments. Charlie Haylock is one of Suffolk's leading entertainers; his one-man shows are legendary in the county and his books have all been best sellers. All u3a members are very welcome.

In October we had an informative and balanced presentation from Professor Lawrence Goldman, historian from St Peter's College, Oxford, on the history of slavery in the USA. We learned about the lives of slaves and about the industries and economies which were built around slave labour. Slave owners ranged from substantial cotton, sugar and other agricultural businesses to modest families who owned small numbers of slaves to work with them on their smallholdings. It was also fascinating to learn about how

some slaves escaped to a free life and how others found ways to revolt against their enforced labour. Looking with 21st century eyes it is so surprising to understand how political leaders, including American presidents and presumably religious leaders, were unquestioning of the morality of slavery for so long. We still see the repercussions of slavery and the slave trade today and society needs to continue to revisit this history to better understand the realities.

2023 will be our 20th anniversary and we look forward to another years' programme of interesting talks open to both members and non-members. The u3a talks take place at The Cut on the third Tuesday of the month starting at 2:30pm. Non-members are welcome on payment of £4 to The Cut Box Office. Our full programme will be published on our website, on Facebook and on posters around the town. We send seasons greetings to all our members past and present.

All weather track's 10th anniversary celebration

note of Sunday 21st May 2023 –what for? not the Coronation, that's earlier in the month. Not WinterLight! that happens in February. No... it's the Green's All Weather Track 10th Anniversary Celebration. We will be officially unveiling the signage of the Track to be known as Woolnough Way for Richard Woolnough who sparked off the Track project and the creation of the Green itself, and Judith Woolnough who made sure that everything to do with the setting up and running of the Green and the Track ran smoothly and properly. There will also be a community competition in 2023 – there just might be prizes. People who were in Halesworth in 2013 will remember the festive opening of the Track, and ten years on we will be celebrating with a Dress Up Your Wheels event. Every sort of wheel with every age of person has been seen on the Track since it opened from racing bikes to balancers, scooters both mobility and leg-propelled, tricycles, wheelchairs and even a hoover … so be thinking about

your chosen wheels.

The work-party volunteers have done a terrific job this year in getting the hay in off the meadows in spite of the difficulty of not being able to get mowing equipment over White Bridge, but thanks to help from our good neighbour Henry Cliff that has all been managed beautifully. And we are delighted to be welcoming two new Trustees, to help with the less-visible part of the work involved in keeping the Green going.

Last but not least, the latest on White Bridge: we're working hard with SCC to cost the various options and make sure that the new bridge will meet the needs of all the users. Posters will go up again along the Green, and in social media, when there is definite news to report, so look out for News No. 3.

millenniumgreen.halesworth. net carries news of past and future events, photos, wildlife records, history and geology. Contact the Green directly on thegreen@halesworth.net or (only in an emergency) on 07879 844143.

Financial focus on... The benefits of outsourcing payroll

function of payroll, ensuring your employees are paid correctly and on-time, is vital to the smooth running of any business. Payroll processing has become increasingly complex in recent years, with the introduction of auto-enrolment pension obligations, the option to payroll benefits, and several court rulings which significantly impact the calculations for holiday pay & entitlements. In the current tax year alone, we have had two in-year changes to National Insurance rates & limits.

Outsourcing this function to a payroll bureau can have significant benefits.

You will gain access to qualified professionals who will be aware of the latest developments and upcoming changes, ensuring your payroll calculations are complete and accurate. The responsibility for payroll processing within small businesses often falls to those who are self-taught creating the potential for key changes to be overlooked, or legislation to be mis-interpreted.

Continuity within a small business, ensuring the payroll

is run on time regardless of sickness or annual leave can be tricky; outsourcing to a dedicated team gives you the flexibility and resilience to ensure your employees are still paid on time, and the necessary RTI submissions to HMRC are made on time.

Maintaining payroll software and ensuring this is regularly updated can be costly. In some cases the savings here alone can make payroll outsourcing an option worth exploring. You may also gain access to services not easily available for individual businesses, such as the provision of secure e-payslips to your employees.

Data security is as important as ever and the costs of getting it wrong, both in financial implications and lost confidence of your employees, can be significant. Outsourcing to a payroll bureau who are experienced in maintaining the highest levels of data security, whilst regularly exchanging data with employers & employees alike, means your data is in safe hands. The level of support provided by a payroll bureau

can be tailored to suit the needs of the business, for example you may wish to keep responsibility for making payments to your employees in-house, whilst delegating other aspects.

Ultimately outsourcing payroll can free up valuable time & resources so you can focus on your core business operations, whilst knowing your payroll function is in the hands of professionals.

Ensors provides a full payroll bureau from its office in Saxmundham, as well as its other offices across Suffolk & Cambridgeshire, supporting a wide variety of clients. If you feel your business could benefit from an outsourced payroll solution, do get in touch for a discussion about the services Ensors offer, and how we can help.

By Liz Lockwood, 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.

Hoppa news: Winter is coming

Here we are at the end of another "interesting" year and everyone at Halesworth Area.

Community Transport would like to thank our sponsors, supporters and our very supportive passengers. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Our three buses have been busy throughout 2022, with regular services around Halesworth, Holton and Chediston; along with many community hires to a very wide range of events and locations.

The community hires are an important part of financing the regular services and they help to keep the buses on the road.

Those interested in hiring one of the buses should contact the office on 01986 875900, preferably before 12pm to explore the options.

Over Christmas and New Year, the buses will be running as normal except for Monday 26th and 27th, which are Bank Holidays and Monday 2nd January 2023, which is also a Bank Holiday.

If you're worried about coming out in the cold you can rest assured, we do all we can to keep the buses warm, and the friendly chat of fellow passengers will help to lift the spirits. So do join us if you can get to the local shops, Cutlers Hill or to visit friends.

We hope you have a very happy festive holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2023.

Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund

Thank You

Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund would like to thank Halesworth Town Council for their recent very generous donation of £5,000 towards our charity. This money will be used to benefit carers of people living with dementia in the Halesworth District. We would also like to thank all those families that have given us donation this year in lieu of flowers from their loved one's funerals.

Memory Café

The venue of our very successful Memory Café has been changed to the Day Centre next to the Volunteer Centre in London Rd, Halesworth. It takes place every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm – 3:30pm. Anyone caring for a family member or friend who has memory problems is very welcome to attend. Please come along and enjoy an afternoon of social chat, reminiscence activities and tea, coffee, and cake. You will be made very welcome. If you would like to know more, please contact Teresa on 01986 875641.

Singing with Friends

We are very pleased to announce that our very popular singing group has been asked to perform in a special All Access Carol Service to be held in St Mary's Church, Halesworth, on 22nd December. The group meets every other Wednesday at Holton Village Hall from 2pm –3:30pm. For more information, please call Teresa on 01986 875641.

Seated Music and Movement.

Our dance-based music and movement class is growing in popularity. The group is held at Holton Village Hall every Monday morning from 11am

to 12:15pm. Please come and join and us, have fun and keep fit. It's a great way to start the week. For more information, please contact Teresa on 01986 875641.

Film Matinee

Our next film will be on January 18th. Doors open at 1:45pm for a 2pm start.

By popular request our film matinee will be "Mrs Harris goes to Paris", a humorously heart-warming tale about a London housecleaner, Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), who thinks her lonely life might turn round if she can become the owner of a Christian Dior gown. This uplifting story tells how an ordinary woman becomes an extraordinary inspiration by daring to follow her dreams.

Local author Bryan Samain has written a novelette called The Waveney Boys about a couple of London lads who join up and decide to make the most of their situation by becoming officers in the fictitious Royal Waveney Rifles. This and delightful and unusual story recounts their adventures and experiences. The book costs a mere £5 and will be on sale before the film show. Bryan has very kindly asked that all proceeds be donated to HDCF. 100+ Club

We now have 86 people signed up and are looking forward to the first draw, to take place on Monday 13th November. The winners will be listed in the next edition of the Community News. If you would like a number please contact Anna on 01986 872207.

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What's on at Halesworth Library in the run-up to Christmas?

It's that time of the year again! And there is plenty of festive fun to be had at Halesworth Library, from Christmas markets to hand bell workshops to crafting homemade tree decorations.

As part of Suffolk Libraries' warm banks initiative, we are now offering free hot drinks at the library as well as vouchers for free meals in local cafés, in addition to our kindness racks of free warm clothes (we continue to welcome donations).

We are also working hard with East Suffolk Council and other authorities to provide our borrowers with as much information as possible regarding available support and services to help them through the costof-living crisis. We hope people in the community will feel especially welcome and want

to spend some extra time at the Library during December, particularly if they are struggling to heat their homes. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and join in with one of our regular activities or craft sessions or sit down with a book or the day's papers and enjoy the yuletide atmosphere.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CRAFT ACTIVITIES:

FAMILY FESTIVE CRAFTS (Saturday 17th December 10am-12pm) Bring your kids to help make decorations for the library Christmas tree. We will be painting salt dough baubles, cutting out snowflakes and jazzing up pinecones. See your decorations hung up on our tree

kindly donated by the Friends of Halesworth Library.

FAMILY FESTIVE CRAFTS II (Wednesday December 21st, 10am-12pm)

One more chance to stop by the library and make some decorations with the kids. We would love to display their painted baubles or decorated pinecones on our tree throughout the Christmas period.

DECEMBER EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE FRIENDS OF HALESWORTH LIBRARY:

CHRISTMAS FAIR (Saturday November 26th, 10am-2pm)

The popular Christmas Fair run by the Friends of Halesworth Library is back. Stalls will offer a range of items perfect for Christmas presents, including some good-as-new books, and "vintage" articles. Regulars will know that the Friends lay on some great bargains. At the fair, the Friends will also open their Christmas raffle which always has a range of vouchers from local businesses, food, drink and other Christmas themed items. We will have over twenty good prizes. Raffle numbers will be on sale until the draw at 2pm on Saturday 17th December. You can pop into the library during opening times to buy your "lucky" numbers. Two for £1! The Friends rely on Christmas sales to continue their excellent work making the library such a welcoming place so please do come out and support.

Board Games Café (Monday December 5th, 2pm-4:30pm)

188897

The Friends' Sociable Sundays will continue to run every fortnight. Come along on December 4th or 18th, and then after the break on January 15th and 29th. Drop in between 10:30am and 12:30pm 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 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 10am-11.30am. 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.

Homework Club

On Wednesday and Friday afternoons, 3:30pm-5pm, we reserve the gallery as a space for kids to get their homework done.

In the afternoons, the library is a quiet and productive space with plenty of books and digital resources to assist in homework assignments. Snacks and drinks kindly donated by local shops are free to those attending.

Knit & Natter: Craft & Chatter

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 (Fortnightly, 10:30am12:30pm)

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 2pm4pm.

Time Out

There is 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 10am3pm.

Barclays Bank Drop-in Weekly drop-in session from 09:30am-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 are 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.

Halesworth Repair Café

Last Monday in the month, 2pm-4pm: Bring along an old garment or item for repair, learn some useful mending skills and talk to the friendly repair team. Admission free but donations towards costs and refreshments appreciated.

Further details available from the library. We look forward to seeing you!

Email us at: halesworth.library@ suffolklibraries.co.uk or 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: friendsofhalesworth library@gmail.com or by phoning the library.

Lions Club news

Father Christmas news

We are delighted to say that Santa and his sleigh will be putting in an appearance outside the Co-op this coming festive season. Thanks to the great kindness of the Co-op management Santa and his helpers will be there every Saturday throughout December, up to and on Christmas Eve. We would love to see you there, and Santa and friends will be there from 10am onwards.

100 Club Draw

MacMillan Coffee Morning

We would like to thank all our family and friends who supported our MacMillan Coffee Morning at our home on 30th September.

We raised a magnificent sum of £500 for MacMillan Cancer Support. Without you all, we couldn't have done it. Such a brilliant effort from everyone who made cakes etc and gave us raffle prizes and bought tickets

and to all who helped us set up as the weather forecast was awful but we were lucky it held off until later in the day. Well done to all.

We also had a 'guess the teddies name' competition. He's 43 years old and is named George. A little girl guessed his name, she will look after him very well!

Thank you again to everyone.

Olly, Linda and family xx

The winners in the October draw were: £20 C. Ward; £10 J. Bonner and £5 R. Leeming. J.Wood

Community Choir

Halesworth Community Choir is joining forces with Village Voices from Hoxne to present two performances of "A Seasonal Box of Delights", a concert of songs and readings.

On Saturday 10th December we will be at The Hub in Huntingfield at 7pm, where the Huntingfield Arms will provide a bar.

Framlingham

Beccles Choral Society

Beccles Choral Society will be presenting their famous fun, family Christmas concert in St. Michael's Church, Beccles at 4:30pm on Sunday 11th December.

The choir will be joined by the Waveney Concert Band and mince pies and mulled wine will be served in the interval. A great way to kick off the festive season, there will be carols, Christmas songs and laughs galore. Do come and join in!

Tickets are available from Cheryl Coutts by emailing cherylcoutts468@btinternet.com or from Beccles Books.

Poppy's Cabin

Welcome to Poppy's Cabin, a relaxing hideaway in Halesworth that offers an array of complementary therapies such as massage, homeopathy and private yoga sessions.

Poppy (owner of Poppy's Cabin) has been training for the last 10 years, qualifying in various therapies and beauty treatments. Poppy's journey started when she went to University in 2012 to study 'BSc International Spa Management', and in 2015 she graduated with a First Class Honours degree. Here Poppy also trained and worked within the on-site spa offering treatments (massages, hot stones, pregnancy therapies, body scrubs, facials).

Poppy then continued her training in beauty treatments (manicure/pedicure, waxing, spray tanning), and furthered her training in becoming a Reiki practitioner, yoga teacher, and obtained unique training in oncology therapies which are suitable for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Poppy's latest achievement was completing a four year homeopathy course at the Homeopathic College of East Anglia (Norwich). She qualified in August this year, and would

like to thank those who supported her during this time. Poppy is pleased to now be offering homeopathy with appointments in person or online.

Treatments available at Poppy's Cabin: Massages (Swedish, deep tissue, sports, pregnancy and hot stone), oncology therapies, Reiki, private yoga sessions (online), facials and homeopathy.

Caedmon at Christmas

Caedmon at Christmas will be hosted by Wrentham Chapel on Wednesday December 14th at 7pm.

This is a seasonal celebration of music, word, and song, performed by some of the audience on a 'bring and share'

basis. The programme will include time to chat whilst enjoying wine, fruit juice and a light festive buffet. This is a free event with a retiring collection for Christian Aid. Details from Sue Hardy 07771 882738.

Halesworth Volunteers

How can it be November already? The year really is speeding past us and it means I may be mentioning the Christmas word...

Did you know that Halesworth Volunteers has an exciting programme of trips out and afternoon teas planned for the run up to Christmas? We have planned a special Christmas Tea at the Pear Tree Centre, trips out to the shops and hopefully a tea at the Coop too. To find out more, please call us on 875600.

Welcome Wednesday at St. Mary's Church: Every Wednesday, St. Mary's Church, Halesworth lay on morning coffee, a really lovely occasion where you can meet up with old friends and make some new ones.

Halesworth Volunteers is working with Rev Gini and the team to organise a community lunch in the Church. Our first lunch was absolutely Souper, nearly 50 people came for soup, sarnies and some lovely cake. Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible. Our next lunch will be on Wednesday 30th November. Call us to find out more.

The Community Larder: Thank you once again for all the generous gifts and donations we have received over the last couple of months. It was lovely to receive gifts from Edgar Sewter School, all with beautifully designed labels written by the children. They really meant a lot to us all.

As Christmas approaches, your gifts and donations will be particularly welcome but it is also a lovely opportunity for you to see what the Larder is all about. We are planning to be open on Christmas Eve and then on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th December. We will tell you more next issue.

The Community Larder is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10am11:30am. Everybody is welcome.

Gifts for Caryl: As I mentioned last month, we are relaunching our 'Gifts for Caryl' Scheme. Caryl absolutely loved Christmas and used to give us all beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts. Last year, we received over 100 gifts in Caryl's memory to share among our Larder visitors. If you'd like to give a 'Gift for Caryl, please just drop something in to the Halesworth Volunteers Office.

All we ask is that you let us know if it's for a child or adult, girl or boy. Thank you.

More thank yous: Huge thanks to Rosedales for an amazing bingo night. Faith, Kingsley and the team did an amazing job and a fabulous time was had by all. We were blown away by the fact that the night raised over £600 for Halesworth Volunteers.

And thank has to go to the wonderful golfers at Halesworth Golf Club, led by Rob Sherington. We were so grateful to be nominated as one of their Charities. We attended a riotous Race Night and even won a race. It was a great evening, with good food, fine company and Rob doing a brilliant job as ringmaster!

AGM: Our AGM will take place on December 1st at Halesworth Day Centre at 7:30pm. You are very welcome to attend.

Nigel's Quiz: Nigel's fabulous quiz takes place at the White Hart on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. But just to let you know that the December Quiz will be on the 28th, a week later than usual. Huge thanks to Nigel and Vicky for making the quiz happen.

'Teddy, Bishopstone Station's Bear' by Sandra Gordon

Having taken a course in creative writing at The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham, I've enjoyed writing numerous short stories, and I'm also a member of the Horsham Writers Circle.

So why did I write this particular story? I have a friend who lives in Bishopstone near Seaford on the south coast. She's been involved for a number of years in the renovation of the railway station. It's a real labour of love of this wonderful Grade II listed building in the art deco style.

She was the founding member of Friends of Bishopstone Station (FOBS) and last year they were finally able to gain access to the old parcel office which had been locked and abandoned for many years. They intend to restore this room and turn it into a community hub.

They pulled up the wooden shutters to reveal 'a hoard of vintage junk' including 1970s car parts, a fishing rod, rowing oars, British Rail advertising posters, wooden water skis, a 1980s skateboard and last but not least, a slightly scruffy looking teddy bear. The photo of the bear appeared in the local newspaper and was shared with me by Barbara, my friend and founder of FOBS, that inspired me to write Teddy, Bishopstone Station's Bear and the fictitious adventures he

had with Ian - my fictitious name for the little boy who had owned him all those years ago. Ultimately, I was determined to have the book published and to raise much-needed funds for the continued restoration of Bishopstone Station (this link will take you to the Crowdfunder page for Bishopstone Station which successfully raised £5,190 towards its restoration fund in just 28 days!)

After the parcel office was opened, a feature about the station was covered by BBC South East Today, news channel, and also The Argus, newspaper. The real owner of teddy (Guy Wright) read about what had been discovered at the parcel office inside the station and came forward to claim his teddy bear (nicknamed Fobsy by the FOBS) and some of the other items.

He and his family were delighted with the fictitious story I'd written about teddy. Although very sadly Guy (who had been diagnosed with cancer) died at the beginning of 2022. Guy's family have seen and given their blessings to my story, which is essentially based around a boy and his bear being reunited after more than 30 to 40 years apart.

Nottingham Teddy Repairs played a big part in Guy's true story and their involvement is

Bungay Camera Club

'Panels' competition report

Bungay Camera Club held a new competition format at the last club meeting in October.

Members were invited to enter a panel of three images that had a connecting theme or subject. Also known as a triptych of images, the theme of the panels was open to club members and they could choose to enter colour and/or mono panels.

Mr Rob Howarth, LRPS, from Kessingland, was the judge for the evening. Mr Howarth (a member of Lowestoft Photography Club and The Beyond Group) gave positive and helpful critiques on the panels entered. He also commented on the high quality and variety of images on show as well as the overall standard of presentation.

The evening was well attended

by club members who enjoyed this first trial run of a stand alone panels competition.

Club members gaining first and second placings were: Colour panels scoring 20 points: 'Tools' by Victor Schwangerg. Scoring 19 points: 'Underwater Models' by Bob Taylor. '3 Flowers' by Rosie Pickering. 'Natures Designs' by Sue Grief.

Mono panels scoring 20 points: 'Whitby Abby' by Andy Wilson. Scoring 19 points: 'Duxford Spitfires' by Jeery Keeble. 'Wreck' by David Penrose. 'Fisherman's Hut' by Ken Warne. '3 Sticks' by Victor Schwanberg. To find out more about Bungay Camera Club and to view the gallery of images, visit: bungaycameraclub.co.uk.

included in my story, you'll have to read it to find out about their generosity and kindness.

All monies raised from the sale of the book are to be shared between FOBS and The Brain Tumour Charity. I do hope you enjoy reading the fictitious adventures and escapades of Ian and his teddy.

You can follow the author on Instagram (click on the embedded link to follow Teddy's news). Sandra's first book, 'Teddy, Bishopstone Station's Bear' was published on 12th September 2022 by Author's Pen. The book has a RRP of £6.99 and can be ordered from high street and online booksellers using the following ISBN numbers:

Print book: 978-1-8383436-4-4 E-book: 978-1-8383436-5-1

Harleston Choral Society

Harleston Choral Society (your local non-auditioning friendly community choir) would like to wish all our supporters a very happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful new year.

Our Spring Term begins on January 9th, 2023 and we'd love you to come and sing with us on a Monday evening, when we practice from 7:30pm-9:30pm in The London Road Church in Harleston, under the direction of our Music Director, Justin Bindley, and our accompanist Karen Smith.

We'll be rehearsing for our Summer Concert on July 1st next year, singing Haydn Stabat Mater and Mozart Opera Choruses, Arias and Ensembles. For further information about HCS, please visit our website www.harlestonchoralsoc.org. uk or contact our Chair, Stella Brownsea, on heidihouse@ btinternet.com or John Awty on 07477 919987.

Keeping connected through the winter months

The benefits of social connection are well publicised, but easy for us to take for granted when the winter sets in, when it's easier to stay at home and hide away until the spring appears. However, for many people, the reality of this is very different and the need for quite simply "someone to chat to" can easily be forgotten.

The Communities Together East Anglia team believe passionately that social connection is critical to keeping well and have made it their mission to ensure that everyone should always have someone to talk to in their community. But what does community mean?

They believe that a community is a place or space where you feel safe and connected - it could be your street, your workplace, your town, a social group - the list

Anglia is endless because everyone is different. By understanding who your community is, the charity can help people to become better connected, helping with accessing the support that is needed, in a timely, safe and understanding way.

Through the winter months, this is going to be even more important, particularly for our older population who can find it even more challenging through the winter months to make and keep those connections, so here are some ways that may help:

Later Life Community

Connect: A single point of access telephone support service, open 7 days a week with a real person at the end of the phone.

The Connect team (Mandy, Tracy and Jane) can help with anything and everything to do with later life - as well as being

here, simply to chat - so call on 01284 334516 (between 10am2pm, 365 days a year!)

BeAFriend: Countywide later life befriending servicebuilding friendship and support through a supported volunteer network of "friends" through telephone, digital, penpal and face-to-face contact.

Online: A digital integration support service for people aged 55+. Living in a digital world can be daunting for many and Communities Together East Anglia have a great suite of support available to help you to get online safely (if you want to), with training, social groups and top tips.

Engage: Community is key. The charity run a range of community groups including Community Cuppa, Pop Up Chinwags, Memory Cafes,

Tea and Tech and Carer Natter groups. All of these and more are running in the Ipswich area, so check out the event listings or get in touch to find out more about what's going on in your community.

Suffolk Carers Matter: A family carer support service for all adult age carers. If you're struggling to find information or advice about how to support your caring role then this is the service for you.

Community Transport: A door to door transport service for those who for whatever reason, cannot access mainstream transport to get from A to B.

For all of this and more, call Communities Together East Anglia on 01449 707030 or email info@communities together-ea.org

'Fisherman's Hut' by Ken Warne

Communities Together East

Author profile: Sandra Gordon

'Duxford Spitfires' by Jerry Keeble

Celebrating Karen's marathon success

The owner of a popular Suffolk restaurant and a former Halesworth town councillor has raised nearly £3,000 for the Pear Tree Fund after lacing up her running shoes and taking on the London Marathon.

Karen Prime (of Edwards Restaurant) presented a cheque for £2,761 to staff from the charity last week. It comes after she completed the 26.2 mile challenge on October 2nd in four hours, 47 minutes.

Karen plans to keep her fundraising page open for a further month in the hope of increasing the total raised to £3,000.

She said: "I choose the Pear Tree Fund as my charity of choice for 2022 because it has not only helped family members but also close friends and several of my customers.

It's a great asset to the community as they not only look after the whole family

during an illness, but also after a bereavement and beyond.

Halesworth is a very special place with a very strong community that looks out for each other and the Pear Tree Centre is a great place to help assist and help carry on caring for people in the community."

The money Karen has raised will help the Pear Tree Fund to support people who have been bereaved or have life-changing illnesses or long-term physical or mental health conditions, as well as their families or carers.

This includes providing a wide range of services such as information and support to help understand diagnosis, counselling, bereavement support and complementary treatments.

The charity also offers social welfare advice, including benefits and support with finances, as well as support for families, children and young carers.

Kevin Vaughan, Chief

Executive, said: "We are hugely grateful to Karen for choosing to support our charity and completing this phenomenal challenge. She should be incredibly proud of her achievement."

To sponsor Karen, visit: www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ karen-prime.

(L to R): Seva Newick (PT Centre Manager), Karen Prime, Dinah Morley (PT Fund Chair) and Nikki Sawkins (PT Fund Trustee). Photo credit: Sarah Patchett.

Friends of Halesworth Community Health and Care

Because of the exceptional summer we've just had, work is well under way on the office section of the new day care centre. The old extension has been demolished and the foundations laid and the outside and inside walls have been built for the new extension that will ultimately house Halesworth Volunteers.

The roof of the office block is being done as you read this. Once this is on, work can begin on the inside even if this glorious Indian summer does not continue. It's still our intention to have solar panels fitted to the roof, however, we have found that at this time, it's difficult to even get engineers to the site, let alone giving quotes! But we will not be deterred and continue to actively pursue this goal.

On October 27th, the Trustees invited the Trustees of the

Halesworth Volunteers for an inspection of the site and to also consider various aspects of the use of the offices which will affect their working life.

The Trustees of FHCHC are looking forward to when work on the interior of the day care centre can begin. We did not envisage there was so much practical planning required.

Above is a photo of the newly constructed office block and we know from their comments when visiting the site that they just can't wait to move in!

We're holding our AGM on Monday 28th November at 7:30pm, at Halesworth Day Centre, Waveney Local Office, London Road, Halesworth.

If you're interested in finding out more, or getting involved please do come along, we will have plans of the new project on display. Everyone welcome.

'Ease The Squeeze' money roadshow

This special roadshow was organised by East Suffolk Council (ESC). It was set up in St. Mary's Church, Halesworth so my husband and I went along to see if there was anything that could benefit us. We asked plenty of questions and picked up numerous information leaflets.

In Halesworth, we're very lucky to have a volunteer group (Halesworth Volunteers) who offer lots of help covering loneliness, community car service, community larder, hopping and much more. They're open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm and you can call them on 01986 875600.

ESC's inclusion team leaflet 'Ease the Squeeze' offers plenty

of advice for residents struggling with the cost of living, you can contact the team on 0333 016 2000. Suffolk County Council's Fire & Rescue Service can advise on home safety (making sure you have a smoke alarm) and that it works.

The roadshow also signposted many other organisations that are here to help and offer advice:

• Connected Communities Suffolk: 01673 835477.

• Disability Advice North East Suffolk: 01502 511333.

• Citizens Advice East Suffolk: 01502 518510 also has drop in centres at Saxmundham, Leiston and Framlingham.

• Stop Loan Sharks: 0300 555

Wenhaston Flower Club

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our November meeting. It's one of the highlights of our year, Roger's Christmas workshop. This year, Roger showed us how to make a star using twigs like Sycamore and Willow and then decorating it with seasonal foliage like Ivy, Holly and a few Fir cones. Jean (our founder member) thanked Roger for continuing to do our Christmas workshop.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 6th December in Wenhaston Village Hall at 7:30pm. This will be our Christmas Party. Please bring a sharing plate of food (savouries e.g. sausage rolls, pork pies, scotch eggs, crisps, etc or some sweet things, mince pies, cake etc).

We also have a Secret Santa, so please bring a present to pop into Santa's bag (no more than £5). Drinks will be supplied by the club. There's no meeting fee

for this event, it's a free evening and friends and family are very welcome. We are very pleased to welcome Jenny Baker who will be giving a demonstration with a Christmas theme before the party. We look forward to welcoming our friends old or new to this special evening.

For more information, please contact Jackie Chenery on 01502 478401.

2222.

• Flagship Homes/Newtide Homes: 0808 168 4555.

• Free debt advice available from

Cap Debt Help: 0800 328 0006.

• Cassius offer useful technology support at home or when leaving hospital: 0800 917 1109.

Report compiled by Halesworth resident, Janet Huckle.

A CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS LAMENT

I am sure I shall never see, So vile a thing as a plastic tree. It has no charm, it has no grace, It is an utter waste of space.

It has no character, I fear It is a carbon copy every year. So awful, I’m sure you’ve cussed it Until the day you gladly bust it.

No environmental need it serves, depleting the earth of oil reserves. It never grows naturally on farms, No birds have rested in its arms.

From its factory, pollution passes Real trees use up greenhouse gasses. And when at last it’s had its day, It is still a pain to throw away.

You can’t recycle it, nor chip it, But can only bin and tip it. And yet on top of all this racket, It even costs a tidy packet.

So this advice, I give for free, GET YOURSELF A REAL TREE!

If you would like to commemorate a loved one in our 'In Memoriam' section, please email us: edit@micropress. co.uk

BALDWIN, Eileen Nancy

Ruth and Ian (together with their families) would like to thank everyone who attended Eileen's funeral service at Waveney Memorial Park and Crematorium on Monday 14th November either in person or online.

Thank you too, for the many cards, flowers and messages of condolence received and for all the donations to the British Heart Foundation gifted in her memory. Eileen was much loved and will always be remembered.

GRAY, Ina Ethel Elizabeth

Friends and associates joined the family in Wenhaston Methodist Chapel on October 31st, 2022 for a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the life of Mrs Ina Ethel Elizabeth Gray who passed away peacefully on October 14th in the James Paget Hospital aged 91 years.

Entry music was 'The Lord's My Shepherd' and the opening hymn was 'How Great Thou Art'. The Service was conducted by The Reverend Martin Keenan who welcomed the congregation. The Reverend Robert Soanes read Psalm 23 followed by a Tribute and Prayer and the hymn 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'. The Reading from St John's Gospel chapter 14: verses 1-6 was by Linda Gray (daughter-in-law).

Eulogies were given by David and Christopher Gray (sons) who said that their mother was born in Acton, West London and lived there for two years before moving to Cranford, Middlesex. She was educated at the Green School for Girls in Isleworth where she received secondary education. As a member of the Baptist Church she remembered being baptised by total immersion at the age of 13.

She started work at Barclays Bank in Hounslow and when the family moved to Wenhaston she was 18 and transferred to the Halesworth branch. She became a member of Wenhaston Stone Methodist Chapel where

she met Hubert Gray. They married and moved into Hall Farm, Wenhaston. Her father died shortly after their move to Wenhaston. Ina left the bank and much of her life revolved around activities on the farm including driving the tractor, caring for the poultry and for a time providing bed and breakfast for visitors.

She had a staunch Christian faith and carried out a number of roles including local preacher, pianist and organist, Sunday school teacher, class leader (a pastoral role, helping to look after some of the members at the Chapel), flower arranger and more latterly, a worship leader. She was an active member of the Women's Fellowship and regularly gave lifts to others to get them to chapel. She was very active in the community of Wenhaston. Her community roles included being a School Governor, Playgroup Helper, Wenhaston Charity Administrator, a member of The Young Wives Club, The Mother's Union (the only union that never went on strike), The WI, the Over Sixties and the Phoenix Club. She was a very well known and respected member of the community of Wenhaston. Even in her later years, as she became more incapacitated and entered residential care at Beech House, Halesworth in 2020, she continued being a good friend to people through her letter writing and particularly her telephone ministry.

After the hymn 'Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace' a reading of 'Footprints' was given by Emma Bartlett (grand-daughter). The Reverend Martin Keenan gave the Address and Prayers followed by the hymn 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah'. The Commendation and Benediction were followed by Exit Music with Vera Lynn singing 'We'll Meet Again'. She leaves two sons, two grand-daughters, one grandson, two great-grandsons and two great grand-daughters.

Family mourners: David Gray, son (also representing Lisa Gray, daughter-in-law and Owen Gray grandson), Christopher Gray, son, Linda Gray, daughter-in-law, Emma Bartlett, granddaughter (also representing Annabelle Bartlett, granddaughter and Harry Bartlett, grandson) and

George Bartlett, Michelle Wright, granddaughter and Paul Wright, Hayden Wright, grandson, Isobel Wright, grandaughter, Shirley Gray, niece (also reprenting Mel Gray, great-niece and Kathryn Gray, great-great-niece), Henry Dunicliff, nephew and Marion Dunicliff, Alison Farrow, greatniece (also representing Bethany Farrow, great-great-niece and Harry Taylor, and Sopie Farrow, great-great-niece and Luke Dillinger), Pauline Stopps, niece (also representing Helen Wood, niece, Dai Wood, nephew, Louise Wood, great-niece and Tom Wood, great-nephew, Sarah Ray, great-niece, Sam Ray, greatgreat-nephew and Charlotte Ray, great-great-niece, James Bower, great-nephew, Huda Bower, great-niece and Haley Bower, great-great-niece) and Nigel Stopps, Robert Neaves, nephew and Karen Neaves, niece, Tanya Neaves, niece, Leonie Neaves, great-niece (also representing Gary Neaves, nephew, Mila Payne, great-great-niece, and Grayson Payne, great-greatnephew) and James Marrotto.

Other attendees included: David Baker (also representing Iris Baker), Revd Pam and John Bayliss, Margaret Bloomfield (also representing Margaret Goldstone and Jean Spindler), David and Julie Collett, Tracey Cumby and Richard Shaw, Ann Edwards, Lorraine Elphick, Ellie McGee, Gordon and Maureen Frary, Alan and Diana Furness, Andrew and Lynda Gillingwater, Dilys Grimwade, Margaret Gooderham, George and Doreen Howes, Norman Hatcher (also representing Heather Phillips), Mary Hunt, Revd Martin and Aine Keenan, Revd Iain McKillop, Paul Montgomery, Hannah Pretty, J.M. Roberts, Trevor Stammers (also representing Julie Stammers), Susan Thurston, Andrew and Louise Taylor, Heather Vincent, Gwen and Simon Woolner, Revd Robert and Jeanette Soanes, Anne Woods, Susan Woods, Ted Woods and Emma Bailey.

The burial took place in Wenhaston Cemetery and there were family flowers. Donations in memory of Ina are invited and may be sent to: Action For Children, 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford, WD18 8AG.

Derek Newby.

HALLS, Geoffrey

A former local farmer and Church worker, Mr Geoffrey Halls passed away peacefully on the 20th of September 2022 in his 98th year.

He was born at Leek in Staffordshire and wanted to farm from an early age. He attended Rodbaston Agricultural College in the late 1930's before working on the Home Farm at Ingestre near Stafford where he met his wife Christina.

After renting a farm nearby, they came to Suffolk in 1959 and took on a farm at Wissett. After a short spell considering emigrating to Australia, they bought a farm at Spexhall and became closely involved with fundraising for the group of Churches that included Wissett and Rumburgh, where they remained until they retired and moved to Foxhill in Wenhaston. Here, they became very involved with Thorington Church. It was then that Geoff took up bell ringing and began a close interest in birdwatching.

Christina had a massive stroke in 2004 and they moved to Derbyshire to access appropriate care. She died in 2016 but he remained in his own cottage until recently. He was the ninth generation of the Halls family to be Church Wardens, maintaining close links with the local Churches to the end.

His funeral service took place at St. Oswald's Church in Ashbourne, and he left three children, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Derek Newby.

STANNARD, John

Left us on December 1st, 2017.

So sadly missed and remembered with love, Heather xx. Forever in our thoughts, Tony and Anthea xx

Flick & Son expands with two new strings to its bow

Flick & Son Coast and Country has expanded its business offering, which are natural fits to be able to continue offering the very best in our customer journey. Firstly, we have Flick & Son Coast and Country Auctions, Headed up by Richard Brown. Richard has been with Flick & Son for over 15 years and shares the views of Paul and Sabrina that Coast and Country Auctions are a natural fit for Flick & Son, as this is what built the foundations of where we find ourselves today, back in 1833.

CEO Paul Gray comments: "Our great company thrives on family values and the great Flick name, it just seems the right thing to do, to re-launch this service, that has been missing from the business for some years. Coast and Country Auctions will be online and covering residential, land and commercial throughout Suffolk and Norfolk. Richard is

the perfect person to be heading this up for us with his vast knowledge. This role will run alongside Richard's role as Head of Residential for Flick & Son".

For more info, please email onlineauctions@ flickandson.co.uk

We're excited to say we are also launching Flick & Son Coast and Country Flooring, headed up by James Hannigan which seemed like another natural move for the brand. With Almost 500 let and managed properties and with over 250 sales annually we have a huge demand for people looking for this service. Like everything else at Flick & Son it was vital that we have the experience in each of our sectors to be able to offer the very best in service, quality, and customer journey. James has over 30 years' experience in the flooring industry and with his team he will be available to

offer everything from carpets, Karndean and vinyl to other designer flooring. Flick & Son Coast and Country Flooring also offers that all important carpet and wet room (Altro flooring) clean before you market your home should you need it.

Paul Gray continues "this has been on my mind for a few years now. We have so many customers asking us for recommendations for fitting and cleaning that I thought if we could find the right professional, experienced person then we would do it. James has recently relocated to Suffolk and has been running his own flooring company for 30 years. James and his team share our values on giving a great customer journey and delivering the very best service". For your free estimate, please email: flooring@flickandson.co.uk or call 01728 603232.

Harleston Young Farmers charity tractor and classic car run

The Harleston Young Farmers are proud to invite you to our tractor and classic car run on Sunday 18th December. Entry for vehicles involved is £20 and £10 for a passenger which includes a bacon roll on arrival. Arrival is from 9am with the run starting around 10am, on return there is a BBQ and raffle. Refreshments will be available throughout.

Address is Grove Farm, Vicarage Lane, Mettingham, Bungay, NR35 1TE. All proceeds will be donated to Prostate Cancer UK, a charity very close to a lot of our members hearts,

alongside raising money to help fund important research we also aim to raise awareness. Prostate cancer affects one in eight men. Here is an idea of what the money can do: £1 could pay to scan a section of prostate cancer tissue, which scientists can use to understand how to prevent prostate cancer from coming back and why the disease develops. £100 could cover one man's travel cost to participate in a clinical trial - contributing to the important final steps in bringing a new treatment to men. £2,000 could allow researchers to buy

a drug which has already been developed for another disease, which can be tested in men with prostate cancer as a potential new treatment

Please contact Jazz: jl.utting@ hotmail.com if you would like to donate to the raffle.

Presentation of the Ossie Kettle trophy

Members of Woodbridge Camera Club paid tribute to their late Member Ossie with a competition in his honour.

His distinctive style of manipulated monochrome was the theme. His widow Pat Kettle and family members were invited and presented the Club Trophy to the winner.

The 47 entries were judged by Mike Lloyd on their photographic merit and interpretation of Ossie's style.

The winner was 'Artist in Charcoal' by Robin Garrod. The runners up were 'Canal Side' by John Pollard, 'Keeping Safe' by Christine Brown, 'Geoffrey's Bench' by Debbie Waters and 'Garlic Stall' by Robin Garrod.

Members will be enjoying a Christmas meal in December and are looking forward to an interesting programme in the new year. Membership and programme details can be found on our website: www.woodbridge cameraclub.co.uk

Bright Stars

Would you like to receive our activity packs for pre-school aged children?

Bright Stars used to run free, fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children with their parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers at St Michael's Church Centre, Martlesham Heath.

Due to various circumstances, we are currently

sending out free activity sheets by email/post on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month during term time, for the children to enjoy doing with their family/ carers.

The activity sheets usually include a story, song and a craft or game about a theme or story

Library

Free lunchtime music

Woodbridge Library hosts free lunchtime music sessions. In January, our performers will be a much-loved local duo of Sylvia Fairley and Val Shelley who will be making their post-Covid comeback.

from the Bible.

During the autumn term, we heard about the parable of the farmer growing wheat seeds from Mark's Gospel and thanked God for everything that makes plants grow.

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. We look forward to hearing from you. Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas from Bright Stars. If you would like further information, please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows 01473 625196.

Blyth Valley Parkinson's Support Group

the Library so it will be good to have them back.

New eco bonfire nights in Framlingham and Woodbridge attract hundreds

Two new environmentally friendly events attracted over 1,500 people over the weekend. Described as a " Magical Masterpiece" in one TV news report, the light art and music events took place at Framlingham Castle and Woodbridge Tide Mill. With final audience figures expected to be higher, the events also saw over 200 artworks submitted by local communities in open call art competitions.

Instead of traditional fireworks, the events featured light art and music, with music (ranging from classical music to disco and jungle) performed by Ben Osborne and Loula Yorke, and visuals by Janice Oliver, Jim Horsfield, Prickimage and Your Mum.

The events offer a more eco alternative to traditional firework displays and bonfires; which release particles into the atmosphere, create large

amounts of CO2, disturb wildlife and livestock, distress pets and kill fish.

The events received positive coverage and Framlingham's Light and Sound event was broadcast live by ITV Anglia News on Friday night.

ITV reporter, Raveena Ghattaura, said: "The Castle on the hill has tonight transformed into a magical masterpiece", while town councillor Marion Hine said it was "absolutely brilliant". ITV news anchor Becky Jago said "it looks absolutely stunning" and, while surounded by an expanding gaggle of happy young people, Raveena Ghattaura went on to report the event was "a great hit with the little ones."

"We're delighted by the positive responses we've received for the start of what are hopefully uplifting events for the area," says Ben Osborne, creative producer of the events.

"It speaks volumes about the creativity of people here that so many grabbed the opportunity to take part. The quality of artwork from Framlingham and the many groups that Woodbridge artist Alice Stallard inspired was amazing. We can't wait to involve even more people in next year's activities. We hope by offering these events we give local communities a fun, inclusive and more sustainable event to go to. Unlike stand and watch events, the sound and light events encourage people to get involved, whether that's creating new art or taking part by having a dance - 'clubbing in the castle', as we coined it on Friday night. There are many traditional fireworks events people can go to if they want to, but it's good that people can have an eco choice."

The events were supported by Arts Council England, Framlingham Town Council and East Suffolk Council.

Sylvia is a poet as well as a musician and has entertained audiences in Woodbridge with her witty and perceptive verse. On this occasion, it will be her flute playing that will delight the ear. Val Shelley enjoyed a fascinating and notable career as a pianist and nowadays keeps the congregations of St. Andrew's Church, Melton in tune! Together Sylvia and Val began the tradition several years ago of free lunchtime recitals in

Joined by a friend or two, they will perform on January 17th at 12:45pm in the Library Meeting Room. Performances last about 45 minutes and there is no charge for entry. Donations to the work of the Friends of Woodbridge Library will be welcome. Do join us.

We welcomed a neurological nurse to our October meeting and were updated about consultations and news, and members were able to discuss any problems or worries with her individually.

The next meeting is on Thursday 10th November at 10:30am at The Pear Tree Centre when Rev Pam Bayliss will speak about the Waveney Food Bank, and accept any donations that members have brought, followed by Sophie who will take a seated

music and movement class. The Christmas meal will be at the Wangford Plough on Thursday 8th December and anyone wishing to attend needs to let Margaret or Gail know by the November meeting please. We welcome new members to our meetings and are a friendly, welcoming group who try to support and encourage those with Parkinson's and their partners.

Margaret Bloomfield 01502 478502

Mallard Fencing

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

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

Free quotation and professional advice.

Tel. 07858 912558

Friends of Woodbridge

Woodbridge Camera Club

Bramfield, Ringsfield and Brampton Primary Schools activities

At Brampton we have been observing seasonal changes. Some of the children started a discussion about what will happen in the winter months and talked about snow and frost. This led us to think about our local wildlife and how we can help different animals get enough food in the colder months. We decided it would be nice to make some ecofriendly bird feeders. The children made a feeder from whole apples and cocktail sticks and then added some raisins. They also made a feeder by coating a pine cone in seeds. Finally, the children then enjoyed finding places around our school grounds to hang them so the birds have food over the winter.

At Ringsfield we have been joining in with the whole school to think about keeping our community safe. Our Junior Road Safety Officers asked the children to have a go at making a poster to remind all drivers of the safe speed outside our school. We had some wonderful posters encouraging '20 is plenty!' Ann, who is a Road Safety Officer Educator from Suffolk County Council has been working with the school to develop the children's

understanding of road safety. She was very impressed when she saw the wonderful posters.

We have also been thinking about wildlife and how animals need help with the cold winter months approaching. We made some bird feeders using a pumpkin we had explored for harvest. The children added chopped apples and seeds and decided to add some berries they found in our hedges. This led to a discussion about being careful when eating wild fruit and berries as some are only for the animals. The children then hung the feeders in our nature garden so the birds have somewhere quiet to feed.

At Bramfield, Oak Class have been getting involved with all the various gardening jobs that need doing at this time of year. We have been busy raking up all the leaves in our outdoor area, which is great for our physical development as well as encouraging us to work as a team. The leaves will be taken to our composting area and used next year as leaf mould which adds vital nutrients back into the soil. Also this month we have been readying our green area for bulb planting. We are learning that gardens can

be a haven for pollinating insects, and that we can play an important role in halting and even reversing insect declines if enough of us make our green spaces insect friendly. We are hoping to give pollinating insects a head-start next spring by planting lots of different flower bulbs including

snowdrops, which provide honeybees a welcome mid-winter snack on warmer days.

Brampton: Making apple and cocktail stick birdfeeders Ringsfield: Making pumpkin birdfeeders

Bramfield: Gardening together

Ringsfield: Road Safety Awareness

An update from Dr Dan Poulter MP

Whilst I am pleased that we are now moving forward with our new Prime Minister, during these recent weeks and months, it has been more important than ever for me to focus on the issues which matter to us locally here in Suffolk. That's why I was delighted to recently welcome to Parliament a delegation of farmers and food producers from Fram Farmers.

Following a tour of Parliament, I was pleased to host a meeting with Fram Farmers where I heard first-hand about the challenges facing Suffolk's farmers and food producers. Although it's fair to say that the discussions focused generally on agricultural policy and potential changes on the horizon, more detailed conversations were also had around the financial challenges affecting farmers and food producers, and indeed all businesses here in Suffolk, including the rising cost of fertiliser as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising

Framlingham Flower Club

In October, we welcomed Lorraine Thompson who completed wonderful arrangements of flowers which members won in the raffle. Tea and biscuits were served at the close of the meeting.

In December, we do not have a meeting but we will be at the Christmas Fair and Christmas Tree Festival being held into St. Michael Church in Framlingham where we hope to see all our members and friends.

We wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing them in the New Year!

costs of energy and fuel.

We are all proud of Suffolk's farmers who produce food which is locally sourced to the highest standards. I have always believed in the importance of UK farmers having a fair and level playing field with farmers from other countries, especially in areas like animal welfare standards, food labelling and quality of grain entering the food chain. In all of these areas, our own farmers are world class.

Whilst I regularly visit farms and food producers across Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, it was great to also be able to welcome some of them to Parliament. It is vital that our Government policies are fit for purpose and it's important to hear the impact that any changes will have on the ground for our local food producers.

I will always do my very best to support Suffolk's farmers and food producers and I will continue to speak with Ministers to make sure that their voices

are heard in Parliament. The effects of the ongoing Avian Influenza outbreak Suffolk are of significant concern and this is why I have been pressing Government Ministers to better support this important sector. It is essential that the Government continue to consider the impact that these issues have on our farmers, food producers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.

Agriculture, food and drink remain central to our local economy with more than one in seven jobs in Suffolk having some link to food production.

We really are incredibly lucky to have such wonderful farmers and food producers on our doorstep and in the run up to Christmas, like you, I will be supporting them by buying local produce and gifts.

As always, if you have any issues which I can help with at one of my local advice bureaus, please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office via www.drdanielpoulter.com

Leiston Film Theatre reaches a new stage!

Live entertainment at Leiston's iconic Film Theatre (LFT) is to benefit from a series of major stage improvements, designed to enhance the shows for audiences and ease the effort of producing performances at the venue.

The upgrades include new stage safety flooring and automated stage tracking and have been made possible, thanks to a grant from Suffolk County Councillor T.J. Haworth-Culf, investment by Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council and match funding from the LFT Support Club.

The new stage safety flooring has been kindly sponsored at a cost of £1,968 by T.J. HaworthCulf, who recognises the efforts of everyone involved in keeping

Suffolk's oldest cinema going. "As a regular visitor to LFT, I'm only too aware of the endeavours that the management, Town Council and Support Club make, to ensure that the venue not only provides an excellent all-round experience, but has initiative to constantly improve that experience further." she said.

The new automated stage tracking has cost £21,350 and has been funded by Leistoncum-Sizewell Town Council, with match funding from the LFT Support Club. The new system will enable scenery to be easily raised and lowered via a series of electronic winches. Previously, these tracks had to be raised manually and could be

extremely heavy and problematic.

Lesley Hill (Chairman of the LFT Support Club) is pleased that the club have been able to offer financial support and said: "The club is delighted that Councillor Haworth-Culf and Leiston Town Council have supported this phase of our 'behind the scenes' project which was launched in 2015."

The LFT Support Club was formed in 1992 and have raised in excess of £122,000 to provide financial assistance towards the many improvements made at the venue. The club has recently celebrated it's 30th anniversary and their grand draw raised an impressive £802. The club currently has 265 members, with membership costing £6 per year.

For further details about the club and membership details, please visit the club's website at: www. leistonfilmtheatresupport.club, or pick up a membership form from the LFT box office.

The club is always looking for committee members and helpers.

If you'd like to learn more, please contact Lesley Hill (Chairman, LFT Support Club) on 01728 830514. For further details about what's on at LFT, visit: www. leistonfilmtheatre.co.uk, or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Christmas Sparkle at Deben

Flower Club

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 13th December in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton, IP10 0PU at 7:30pm when our demonstrator will be David Thomson.

"Christmas Sparkle" is the title of our demonstration and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit. David is an accomplished demonstrator who will give us lots of tips and ideas for our Christmas decorations.

Visitors are always welcome. £6. Tea coffee and biscuits will be available after the demonstration and David's arrangements will be raffled. If you require further information, please email: wa@sandlings.co.uk or telephone Sandy on 07910 463158.

MATILDA

Members of the LFT Support Club, Suffolk County Councillor T.J. Haworth-Culf and LFT Manager Wayne Burns, in front of the stage during the recent improvements. Photo credit: Becky Nichols.