Leiston & Framlingham Community News - March 2023

New fruit trees at Brights Orchard

On Tuesday 24th January, volunteers and Gorseland School Eco-Warriors helped the Community Orchard Working Group plant Phase 3A of the orchard, comprising of ten fruit trees made up of apples, medlars, quinces and damsons, all interesting varieties that you are unlikely to find in your local supermarket! Everyone did a great job of not only planting the trees but putting in plaques on stakes showing the variety, use, rootstock, picking time and

season of use for each tree. Mr Frank Bright was invited and came along to see the planting and meet everyone.

This phase has been paid for through three different sources. The trees were paid for by Martlesham Parish Council, and ground preparation, rabbit and deer protection netting and sundries by a grant from County Councillor Patti Mulcahy's Locality Budget. A grant from Martlesham Community Council paid for the plaques and stakes. All trees in the orchard

Woodbridge Town Council

Report from the Climate and Ecological Emergency committee

At this time of year, we are looking at the last opportunities for tree-planting before spring bursts into action. The Woodbridge tree warden and volunteers have tidied up and replenished the hedging planted last winter at the bottom of the Kingston fields. We thought we'd lost most of them during the heatwave of last summer, but many came back to life in autumn growth.

This coming summer, please consider sharing your water bottle's content with any saplings you see suffering. Our trees and re-wilding working party has requested of East Suffolk District Council that further areas of

have a plaque. A big thank you to everyone who helped with planting and finances. If you'd like to be involved in looking after the trees by helping water them, or would like any information about Brights Orchard, please contact us on: martleshaminbloom@gmail.

com

(members of Martlesham in Bloom are in the Working Group) or via Martlesham Parish Council by emailing: enquiries@ martleshamcouncil.org.uk or calling: 01473 612632.

roadside banks be allowed to re-wild. And (although it won't happen this year) we are developing a plan to "bring back trees to the avenues." We will be consulting with residents about replenishing avenues that have lost their signature roadside trees over the years. There are multiple international campaigns working towards a target to set aside 50% of the planet earth to go back to nature; as a best, and maybe only, way to slow the currently inexorable bio-diversity decline in this age known as the "The 6th great extinction". Given the remarkable procrastination international leadership have

demonstrated in meeting the global decline in living conditions, it's hard to imagine how the target of 30% by 2030 could possibly be met. OUR best efforts, locally however, WILL contribute to this vital effort. The tree warden reports that there will be surplus saplings leftover from planting projects this year; if YOU would like to plant a tree in your garden as your personal contribution then let us know (use email below) - this offer extends to people of both Woodbridge and Melton. Nature is indifferent to our human imposed parish boundaries!

Another working party is considering 'water harvesting

Woodbridge Riverside Trust

Peter Henry Clay (Pete): Pete Clay, a true and much valued friend, supporter and ex Director of Woodbridge Riverside Trust, sadly passed away in January.

Pete was instrumental in the formation of Woodbridge Riverside Trust (WRT). As a member of the Woodbridge and Melton River Action Group (WAMRAG), Pete, together with other colleagues envisioned and brought WRT into being in 2003. He was a Director from November 2008 until June 2020 when he resigned to concentrate his enormous energy and enthusiasm into the Sutton Hoo

D.C. Patrick

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Ships Company's construction of the replica of the great burial ship. However, even having resigned from the Trust, Pete was never far from the Longshed over the rest of his life and was always there to explain and help visitors understand both the ship build and also what WRT were doing, working many days as a volunteer steward. Woodbridge Riverside Trust have much to thank Pete for. He will be sorely missed. We extend our sympathy to Nancy and to all his family and friends.

"Follow the Ship" School education programme: Woodbridge Riverside Trust

and The Sutton Hoo Ship's Company work in partnership to offer schools an opportunity to visit The Longshed and participate in a range of 'handson' activities associated with the River Deben, our local heritage and ecology, and with the amazing project by the Sutton Hoo Ship's Company to build a reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo Burial Ship. The education programme is principally aimed at Key Stages two and three.

Our autumn term schools week saw 154 children visit us, and we are very grateful to the Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable

opportunities' across the Town Council estate. We can anticipate further, more frequent and more severe water shortages into the future and storing rainwater locally may enable us to keep our saplings hydrated. Yet another working party is considering possibilities for subsidising a local eBike hire scheme for the town; we should have further progress to report on this next month. There are exciting prospects ahead for changes in how we move around our hometown.

Councillor Martin Wilks, Chair, CEEc councillorwilks@ woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk

Development Fund 2022-23 for a generous grant towards the development and running costs of the programme.

We are also very pleased to report a generous grant for "Follow the Ship" from East Suffolk Council's Enabling Communities Budget Scheme, and would like to thank Cllr Kay Yule for her encouragement and support. We set aside several days each school term for "Follow the Ship", and welcome enquiries from schools.

Anniversary Open Days:

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In early April, we will be organizing some 'Open Days' to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Longshed lease. This will be a showcase for The Trust and an opportunity to find out more about how to work with us as a volunteer. Details will be available on the website www. woodbridgeriversidetrust.org and on Facebook soon.

Woodbridge Memory Café

The Memory Café (which is run jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Woodbridge and Woodbridge Deben and Woodbridge Inner Wheel) reconvened after the December break on January 25th. We were pleased to welcome a large attendance, including several new faces, for our usual mix of friendly chat, memorabilia, refreshments and entertainment. Our next session will be on Wednesday 22nd February and thereafter on the last Wednesday of every month except December. We meet at Woodbridge Football Club from 10:30am to 12pm and there is no charge.

We are pleased to announce that Gotelee Solicitors have offered financial support to the Memory Café, which will allow the clubs to use more of our funds to support many local, national and international charities. The Memory Café welcomes people with all forms of memory loss and their carers. For more information, please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon on 01394 386933.

Peter Henry Clay (Pete)

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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Marvellous medieval merriment at Leiston Film Theatre

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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.

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Under new ownership!

Garrett House is entering a new chapter, under new ownership.

The home is now a member of a small family-run company of individually managed care homes headed by CEO Ashley Magee. Exciting times are ahead, and a refurbishment programme is already underway. To start the programme, bedrooms are in the process of being systematically upgraded and a completely new laundry area with new machines and equipment is being installed.

The original care team headed by Karen Squirrell (Registered Manager) and Helen Osborne (Deputy Manager) is still in place so there will be no interruption to the excellent care afforded to all our residents. Day and night care departments have their own team leaders together with a very experienced medication manager Debbie Knights, always on hand to answer any queries or give assurance where required.

We continue to enjoy the support and expertise given to us by our local District Nurses,

further enhancing what we can offer existing and prospective new residents.

At Garrett House we place great importance on the wellbeing of our residents and strive to enable residents to maintain their interests and have opportunities to develop new ones. With a full time, activities co-ordinator, our wide range of activities and visiting entertainers can help sustain both physical and mental health. We have fabulous gardens which offer a tranquil environment to relax, explore and enjoy the good weather amongst the wildlife and nature that thrives in our gardens.

Mealtimes at Garrett House are an important and social event where meals are cooked fresh

using local ingredients in our No 5 rated kitchen and served in our dining room by a team of hospitality staff all under the guidance of our Head of Kitchen, Sarah Knights. We can cater for all types of diet and preferences and are proud of the food we produce. Any enquiries for care will be answered by the friendly voice of our administrator Lesley Mayhew. Lesley is also happy to take enquiries from prospective employees and workers. We have a range of bank positions available that will allow you the flexibility to choose when you work whilst also accruing holiday pay. Please telephone 01728 453249 or email enquiries@garretthouse.co.uk for more details.

- Spacious rooms with ensuite facilities and WiFi.

- Decorated and furnished to a high standard to give a cosy, homely and comfortable feel.

- Stunning spacious garden.

- Delicious and nutritious meals freshly prepared by our chefs to cater for all tastes and dietary requirements.

- Qualified, caring and friendly staff committed to enhancing the residents’ wellbeing.

01728 453 249 www.garretthouse.co.uk /GarrettHouseCareHome

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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, installing double glazing or replacing your old boiler with a new, more efficient model can make your home warmer, quieter and cheaper to heat. You'll also be able to enjoy your home more, with new features such as a home cinema or a landscaped garden that will give you the perfect space to relax and unwind.

But it's not just about comfort.

Home improvements can also add real value to your property. From a new kitchen or bathroom, to an extension or a loft conversion, there are many ways to increase the value of your home. This is 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

The Old Mission Hall Stunning detached property with separate annexe and large garage and office space set in approx a third of an acre £925,000

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We are a team of women (plus a floorplan man and a cockapoo called Banjo!) who understand that moving house is an emotional and stressful process.

• Our business is not just about property, it's about people.

• We are an independent estate agent with exceptional local knowledge. We are not looking to expand because this is our

area, and our area expertise and boutique approach to business is what we believe has resulted in our awards and consistent referrals from happy customers.

• Our business is about other people too, we donate to ClicSargeant, which is a children's cancer charity after every sale and a local charity on a monthly basis called Hour Community which

does fantastic work for the community of Framlingham were we are based.

Woodbridge Orchestral Society is in full rehearsal

Upcoming Orchestral Society concert

Woodbridge Orchestral Society has an upcoming concert at 7:30pm on Monday 27th March. It will be held at Woodbridge Methodist Church.

This will be their first public concert to be conducted by Jonathan Abbott. The programme

has an Eastern European theme featuring composers including: Smetana, Liszt, Janacek, Brahms and Enesco. Complementary refreshments will be served during the evening and there will be a closing collection of donations for the

repair of the octagon Church Roof.

More details can be found on the orchestra's website: www.woodbridgeorchestra.org. Alternatively, contact: helenm1960@btinternet.com or phone: 01394 411232.

Please send any editorial from your local groups, clubs and events for the paper to edit@micropress.co.uk

Focus on... Saxmundham

Saxmundham is a charming market town in the heart of Suffolk, with a rich history and a thriving community.

One of the many things that makes this town so special is the abundance of locally-owned shops and businesses. Shopping locally not only supports the local economy, but it also allows you to discover unique and one-of-akind products that you may not find elsewhere.

Supporting the local economy

When you shop at locallyowned businesses, your money stays in the community. These businesses are owned and operated by your friends and neighbours. By shopping locally, you also help to create jobs and strengthen the local economy.

Unique products

Local businesses often carry products that you won't find

at big chain stores. Whether you're looking for a special gift for a loved one or something to treat yourself, you're sure to find something special.

Environmental impact

Shopping locally can have a positive impact on the environment. When you purchase products from local businesses, they don't have to travel as far to reach you. This means that there is less transportation involved, which can help to reduce the carbon footprint of your purchases.

The Bell Hotel

The Bell Hotel has recently reopened following extensive refurbishment, and it is already being described by The Independent newspaper as one of the 'Hottest New Hotels in the UK'. It has also earned rave reviews from diners and guests.

Restaurant and Bar

The restaurant is at the heart of the action, where diners can order locally sourced dishes

including premium steaks and delicate, flavoursome fresh fish. Afterwards, guests can sit back and soak up the atmosphere with a glass of wine or cocktail in the contemporary, yet relaxed Coast Lounge and River Bar.

Hotel Rooms

Whether you're looking for a getaway for two, a family suite, or a base for business, the range of stylish and luxurious coastal themed rooms offers something for everyone. Expect luxury as standard and an amazing continental or cooked breakfast to start your day.

Special Events

The new owners of the hotel want to bring the local community and their guests an exciting and memorable experience - so they plan to host a variety of special events, including themed dinners and gin tastings throughout the year. Visit the website to find out more: www.thebellhotel saxmundham.co.uk

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Saxmundham Museum news

Another Successful Quiz Night for Saxmundham Museum: Almost 100 people gathered in Market Hall on Saturday

4th February, for the annual Saxmundham Museum Quiz Night. Several hundred pounds were raised for Museum funds and once again the team from TMS reigned supreme in a very close contest between all 16 teams.

Richard Crisp commented:

"We were thrilled with the support we received this year and would like to thank all those who attended and contributed so generously to the raffle. This is one of the Museum's key fundraising events of the year and the funds raised will help enormously to cover our recent maintenance costs , which include the acquisition of a new boiler and significant re-wiring on the building."

Museum gears up for April 1st opening: The Museum will open its door for the new season on April 1st. After undergoing some

major refurbishment over the winter months, the committee is hoping for a bumper season. The Museum will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am-1pm from 1st April-30th September and admission is free. For more details, visit: www.saxmundham museum.org.uk

The preview evening for "Friends" of Saxmundham Museum will be on Thursday 30th March, commencing at 7pm. This is an opportunity for "Friends" to see our 2023 displays. It's also the time to renew those annual subscriptions, which have again been frozen at just £15 per individual and £20 for family membership.

If you'd like to help our happy band of volunteers at Saxmundham Museum, please email: info@ saxmundahmmuseum.org.uk or alternatively drop a note through the Museum door at 49 High Street, Saxmundham.

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!

Friends

Transition Woodbridge

River clean

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

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

Woodbridge Cruising

Club

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.

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.

Bright

Winter walks

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

The Children's Society - 60 years on

Looking back over a box of old documents, I found the accounts records dating back to 1963 when our committee was first formed. The coffee mornings were the brainchild of Eleanor Richardson, wife of the local GP, Dr John as everyone knew him. They were still very much involved behind the scenes until they died. There were over 30 members in those days which included some prominent local people. It was interesting to read about activities in the early days and reports from Peter Neale, Area Appeals Organiser from The Children's Society at that time. There had been awareness raised about:

• Runaway children at risk on the streets.

• Children in trouble with the law.

• Disabled children with a voice.

• Refugee children facing exclusion.

• Children whose parents are drink and drug dependent.

• Travellers children.

• Young carers.

• County lines.

The format for our fundraising events changed little over the years, the main coffee morning in the Market Hall, Saxmundham taking most of the year to organise (starting with booking the hall for the following year on the day of the event) and was one of the highlights of Saxmundham's build up to Christmas.

We were always in awe of the generosity of people who worked so hard, who gave so much and came back year after year. Sadly, the pandemic put a stop to our long standing format, along with the passing years and the loss of so many from our group.

Framlingham Fellowship news

Our January meeting of the Fellowship with its celebrations of Burns Night was very enjoyable and energetic. Ron Smith and his team of dancers were able to demonstrate various Scottish dances and we were able to join in. The haggis was piped in and addressed, thanks to Richard Court for his bagpipe playing. Our thanks to everyone who provided the drinks, neaps, tatties and haggis and especially to Ron and his team.

Our next meeting on Thursday 16th March will include Chair Based Yoga with Imogen

Then, just when everyone is feeling so sad about the recent loss of our Treasurer, Canon John Tipping, over £5,000 came flooding in to support The Children's Society in his memory.

Aldeburgh, Friston, Aldringham, Knodishall and Snape Churches, the Dolphin Inn, Thorpeness, Pilgrims Together Carol Services, friends, neighbours and colleagues going back to his university days to name a few. There were donations from strangers who had been christened or married by John and who had travelled miles to pay their respects. He would have been thrilled but humbled that he had touched the hearts of so many.

Going forward, we will still do our best to raise money for The Children's Society but it will have to be within the scope of our aging years and ability. We hope that a new "thread" will emerge to carry on in some way. Circumstances may have changed our shape, but The Children's Society will continue as they have been doing for 140 years. They are a national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people facing abuse, exploitation and neglect. They support them through their most serious life challenges and campaign tirelessly for the big social changes that will improve the lives of those who need hope most.

If you'd like to support or learn more please feel free to contact me.

Thank you, Lorraine Lloyd 01728 768457 lorrainelloyd@uwclub.net www.childrenssociety.org.uk

RoastGressinghamduck leg Roast

As featured in Places & Faces Magazine. To subscribe to Places&Faces (THE luxury lifestyle magazine for Norfolk & Suffolk) delivered straight to your door, visit their website: www.placesandfaces.co.uk

Recipe by Gressingham Duck, www.gressinghamduck.co.uk

Ingredients: Serves 2 For the duck

• 2 Gressingham duck legs.

• 1 tin of cooked cannellini beans, drained.

• 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped.

• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped.

• 1 small sprig fresh rosemary, leaves picked.

• 100g unsalted butter.

• 1 hispi cabbage, cut in half, core removed.

• 1 lemon, cut in half.

• 100ml vegetable oil. For the salsa verde

• 1 small bunch of flat leaf parsley, leaves picked and roughly chopped.

Wickham Market Flower Club

Report for meeting dated Thursday 26th January 2023.

June welcomed everyone to the meeting, wishing us all a happy new year and saying, how pleased she was to see us all as we are all guilty of feeling a bit reluctant to leave our cosy homes on these dark and cold evenings. As usual she made us aware of the fire exits.

Notices: Tickets for our open meeting on Thursday April 27th are available to purchase now. £5 for members and £10 for guests.

Please contact Sue Cotton to order on 07786 942450. The demonstrator is going to be our special friend Barbara Collins, Flora Bouquet. There will be stalls, refreshments and a raffle. Our March workshop is on Thursday 23rd. A requirements list is available from myself if you're wanting to attend. The cost will be £1. To cover materials being supplied by the tutor. Usual club meeting place and time. The Chairman's charity this year is going to be our own club. With the vast increases in charges for demonstrators, flowers, fuel, hall hire etc, we need to think of ways to cover these charges. All

www.gressinghamduck.co.uk

with hispi cabbage, white bean purée & salsa verde

• 1 small bunch basil, leaves picked and roughly chopped.

• 2 anchovy fillets, roughly chopped.

• 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped.

• 100ml red wine vinegar.

• 1 tbsp small capers, drained and roughly chopped.

• 100ml olive oil.

Method:

- Pre-heat your oven to 180°c or 160°c fan, gas mark 4.

- Pat the duck legs dry and season with salt and pepper.

- Place the duck legs on a baking tray, skin side up, and roast for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

- While the duck is roasting combine all the salsa verde ingredients and set aside.

- Place a pan on medium heat with half of the vegetable oil and sweat off the onion, garlic and rosemary until the onion has softened, try not to colour.

- Add in the beans and cook for a further 2 to 3 minutes. If you feel the mixture is drying out add a touch of water.

- Remove from the heat and stir

those present voted on this and agreed that it was a good idea. We have plans for another fashion show along with "Inspirations" and a quiz night later in the year. The winner of the novice practice piece was Jane Addison, and the winner of the advanced class was Mandy Pryke. We then welcomed Sheila Pipe from Calendars Florist in Framlingham. Sheila was a bubbly speaker who while doing her floral arrangements, talked to us of her training at Otley College some 30 years ago, her grandfather who was a regimental gardener with a NO weeds policy. Sheila says her own garden is more pleasantly messy, and she has a very different attitude to weeds. She took over Calendar's Florist shop some 14 years ago and always tries her hardest to support the more natural way with her arrangements although this is not always possible. The use of recycled ribbons and brown paper as opposed to polythene, and also chicken wire as a supportive base. Its not always possible of course but using any kind of natural material if able has to be a good thing.

Sheila did five different arrangements for us. A beautiful hand-tied arrangement with Astrantia, Veronica, Mini Gerbera and Snapdragons. A base of wood was decorated with small containers and filled with spring flowers. Each in a different container. So simple yet amazingly effective. Another arrangement in a bowl with chicken wire containing Eucalyptus, Lysanthes, Alstroemeria, Black Calla Lilys, Monucella, and sweet avalanche peach coloured roses. At the end when Sheila had finished her demonstration, we were delighted to see such a variation of styles colours and containers. Totally beautiful and a most entertaining evening.

Our next meeting is on Thursday February 23rd when the demonstrator will be Pat Barton "Where in the World". Wickham Market Village Hall, IP13 0HE. Your first visit is FREE so do come along and bring a friend. Meetings start at 7pm with doors opening at 6:30pm. Refreshments served followed by the raffle there is also a sales table.

Mandy Pryke

in the butter and a squeeze of lemon.

- Carefully transfer the mix into a blender and blitz until smooth.

- Season to taste and add a little water if too thick. Transfer back to the original pan.

- Place another pan on a medium heat with the remaining vegetable oil and lay all the cabbage in, cut side down, season with salt and pepper.

- When it starts to char to a dark colour (but not burnt), turn on to the other cut side until this also colours.

- Squeeze the juice of the remaining half lemon over the cabbage.

- Transfer to a baking tray and place in the oven for the last 10 to 15 minutes of the duck cooking time.

- When you are ready to serve, gently re-heat the bean purée and divide onto two plates.

- Place the hispi cabbage and roasted duck leg on top with the salsa verde served in a separate ramekin. Any juices from the cabbage tray can be poured over the duck.

Hayward, the meeting on April 19th will include Vivia Bamford "What can the library do for you" and for 20th May, a talk from David from Garnetts Gardens and he will be bringing along plants. Our meetings are open to all include refreshments and we look forward to seeing new faces, meetings start at 2:30pm in The Westbury Centre, Fairfield Road, Framlingham. For further information please email: framlingham-suffolk@sja.org.uk We look forward to welcoming our speakers to our meetings in 2023.

Saxmundham Library news

• QUIZ NIGHT in Saxmundham Library on Friday 10th March 6:30pm for 7pm start.

Celebrating Suffolk Libraries Day and raising funds for Suffolk Libraries. Book your team in at the library, £5 per person (payable by cash or card), maximum of six per team.

Bring your own drinks, glasses and snacks (why not bring a cheeseboard and bubbly). Prizes to be won and cash raffle.

Suffolk Libraries Day is our annual fundraising event, celebrating the important work our libraries do for communities across Suffolk. Help us raise money with our online author interviews, live music performances and more! To find out more, go to: www. suffolklibraries.co.uk/whats-on/ annual-events/suffolk-librariesday

• BOOK GROUP FOR

CHILDREN: Sax Bookworms runs on the first Tuesday each month from 4pm-5pm. Please pop in and collect the current book or just turn up at the next meeting on March 7th. Parents/ carers will need to stay with children age eight and under. It's fun for adults too, why not join in with your children!

• AFTER SCHOOL ART SESSIONS: Wiggly Wednesdays: Every Wednesday after school 3:30pm to 5:15pm. All materials provided and run by The Art Station. Donations welcome. No sessions during school holidays.

• DEMENTIA GROUP: Monthly group running on the 3rd Friday of each month 11am12:30pm. Time to chat, play board games, colour, puzzles, music for any age, living with any form of dementia, carers, family and friends. 17th February, 17th March, 21st April and 19th May.

• BRING YOUR OWN ART & CRAFT every Wednesday 10am-12pm: Join like-minded individuals to work on your project and have a good chat over tea/coffee. Suggested donation £1 per person, per week.

• PRIDE & PERIODS: Free menstrual products available. Periods aren't shameful. Our Pride & Periods scheme is here to tackle period poverty and help anyone who needs free menstrual products, no questions asked. You can request tampons and pads for all flows and preferences, as well as maternity

and bladder weakness pads by completing a simple, discreet form in the library (on the small table as you enter the library) and handing it to a member of staff. While exact matches and amounts can't be guaranteed, we will do our best to provide you with what you request, or something similar. Donations of full, unopened items welcome. For further information: www. suffolklibraries.co.uk/visit/inthe-library/pride-and-periods

• NHS HEARING & MAINTENANCE SERVICE in the library on the 3rd Wednesday of each month 1pm-3pm. Please pre-book your hearing aid repair, or batteries replacement and collection by calling 01473 286060. 15th February, 15th March, 19th April and 17th May.

• THE FRIDAY READERS

BOOK GROUP on the last Friday of each month at 1:30pm (31st March, 28th April, 26th May). Currently reading 'Before The Coffee Gets Cold' by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. A friendly book group, new readers welcome at every session, just turn up. Suggested donation £1 per person per week and donations pot for refreshments.

• SAX WRITING GROUP: Creative writing group, every fortnight for all abilities and genres, bring a pen and paper. Wednesday 8th and 22nd March, 1pm-2:30pm. Suggested donation £1 per person, per week and donations pot for refreshments.

• FAMILY HISTORY: Sessions on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 2:30pm-4:30pm. Volunteer Jane Evans is experienced in family history research and happy to help you learn how to find those hardto-find family details and DNA testing. 14th March, 11th April. Suggested donation £1 per person, per week and donations pot for refreshments.

• CITIZENS ADVICE: Dropin sessions every Wednesday in the library 10am-12pm for you to drop in with your queries. Whatever your problem, Citizens Advice are here.

• EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL: Drop-in sessions every Wednesday in the library 10am-4pm. Call in for help with council tax, benefits, environment, housing, leisure, planning, waste etc.

• BABY BOUNCE/TOT ROCK on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-10am. Free sessions for parent/carer and baby/toddler with gentle songs and rhymes. Donations appreciated to support Saxmundham Library, refreshments available. No sessions during school holidays.

• TOPTIME: Every Thursday 10am-12pm (talks start at 10:15am). A session for adults to chat over coffee and enjoy a different activity each week, £1 per person, includes refreshments. Talks, authors, crafts, games and so much more.

• WARM ROOM & WARM

RAIL: Saxmundham Library is a 'Warm Room' when it is open. A warm and safe space for people to sit, work, study, chat, play games, colour or do jigsaws over the colder winter months. Hot drinks and biscuits are available. When the Library is closed on Monday and Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm, At The Crossroads, High Street, Saxmundham (Café/bookshop run by St. Johns Church) will be running a warm room with free refreshments too. IP17GNS (our wonderful Good Neighbour Scheme) holds a warm rail with coats, hats, scarves and gloves for people to take what they need or donate items onto the rail. It is available 24/7 to the rear of The Town House, Station Approach (Old Police Station). Our opening hours are:

- Monday: Closed

- Tuesday: 9:30am-5.30pm

- Wednesday: 9:30am-5.30pm

- Thursday: Closed

- Friday: 9:30am-5.30pm

- Saturday: 10am-1pm

- Sunday: 10am-3pm

• MEETING ROOM HIRE: We have a meeting room to hire that will seat 10-12 people at a cost of £8 per hour for community, charity or private bookings, or £12 per hour for commercial and statutory bookings. If the meeting room is available when you are in the library, and you require a space for private study, it can be used and charged at £4 per hour. Please email or speak to a member of staff.

• Lego, colouring sheets, board games and jigsaws always available to use in the library. If you can't find them, please ask a member of staff. Jigsaws can also be taken home to do and we are happy to receive board game and jigsaw donations.

Framlingham and Saxmundham

Cats Protection

Could you 'Challenge Yourself For Cats'?

Cats Protection (CP) has a huge range of ideas for people to get involved in something challenging whilst raising vital fund to help cats and kittens in need. These events include national events such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge; a Thames River Path Challenge or the South Coast Challenge through to more exotic ideas including an Alps Trek or a Jungle Trek in Sumatra! You can also choose to tailor your own trek or challenge and CP will support you, every step of the way. You can also choose to support a branch or adoption centre of your choice to benefit from your efforts. Find out more at:

www.cats.org.uk/trekforcats

We were delighted to find that a supporter of our branch (Janey Hunt) has taken up a challenge and is going to run the London Marathon on 23rd April, 2023 and all her fundraising is being dedicated to Framlingham and Saxmundham CP. One of her fundraising idea has been compiling a sponsored playlist for every long training run on a Sunday; people pay £1 a song and she says she will run to anything (Birdy Song, Aga Doo and Baby

Shark accepted or will cost much much more!) Janey then uploads them to Spotify and plays them as she runs. She says it helps distract her from the running! You can find out more about Janey and how to sponsor her wonderful effort at: 2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse. com/pf/janey-hunt.

Cat looking for a home:

This handsome, mature gent is Felix who is about 15 years old. Felix is a lovely chap who is looking for a retirement home to rest his paws. He enjoys a fuss and cuddles and likes to have his daily grooming session to keep his coat in a tangle-free condition. Felix is looking for a quiet home with occasional access to a safe outdoor space. If you could offer Felix his ideal home, please contact us to find out more. See our website: www.cats. org.uk/framandsax, email: enquiries@framandsax.cats. org.uk, or call 01728 723499 for more information about adopting cats in our care, how to become a member of the branch, event dates, neutering, cat-care leaflets, how to become a volunteer fundraiser or fosterer, make a donation and other ways you can support us. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Could you give lovely Felix the forever home he needs?