Leiston & Framlingham Community News - September 2023

Leiston & District Philatelic Society

A word from our Latitude competition winner!

We ran a competition in May and June across our social media accounts and website to win tickets to this years' Latitude festival. We had over 700 entries! Thank you to everyone who entered! The lucky winner was Leah Knee. She had an amazing time and sent us in this message:

"We had a great Latitude weekend! Our highlights were Pulp, Jarvis Cocker was absolutely fantastic! Along with Sophie Ellis Bexter, the Proclaimers and Ikarus. We also loved the comedy tent, in

particular Ed Gamble and Kerry Godliman. Another highlight was lake swimming and all the different stuff going on in the trailer park. We danced into the earlier hours at Massioke followed by Club De Fromage.

A great weekend, luckily not spoilt by the amount of rain on Saturday! Once again - thanks for tickets!" - Leah Knee

Make sure to keep an eye out on our social medias to see any other competitions we run in the future. You've got to be in it to win it!

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All creatures great and small

It was raining cats and dogs at Woodbridge Art Club on July 25th, when members gathered to draw animals using pastels.

On this occasion, club member Jane High demonstrated some techniques for using pastels to draw a dog, after which we all worked in pastels to depict a favourite pet or other animal.

Pastels are usually laid onto a coloured paper which helps the bright colours pop. They are rewarding medium to work with,

although they can be messy. This was just one of our regular informal meet-ups for the painters when we gather to share our hobby together. It is always a relaxed and sociable affair with tea and cake! Everyone is encouraging and supportive and beginners and experienced artists both have their place in this friendly club. Painters, potters, photographers and lace-makers meet on different days so there is something going on at the Club

The Society enjoyed a very successful Spring and Summer programme, culminating in an exhibition of rare and interesting stamps at the Long Shop Museum on June 21st (Suffolk Day). We are grateful to the Long Shop Organizing Committee for inviting the Society to exhibit , and for the use of the Garrett Room for the occasion.

The Autumn/Winter programme of events will commence on September 27th with a social and bourse evening, giving members a chance to meet up again after the summer break.

The October 25th meeting will see a talk and display (given by our Secretary, Andy Soutar) of the stamp history of the Island of St. Helena. Further talks, displays, quizzes, competitions and events with follow every month through Autumn and Winter until June 2024. There will be the usual auction of stamps and postal ephemera on November 22nd and this year's auction looks like being

the biggest yet, with many lots of considerable interest already accepted.

On December 13th, there will be a afternoon Christmas Social and quiz, with all members and their partners invited.

All Society events take place at the United Church Hall, High Street, Leiston on the 4th Wednesday of the month (except for the Christmas Social). New members are very welcome. Free parking is available in the Coop car park behind the Hall after 7pm for the evening meetings. January and February meetings will be in the afternoon, commencing at 2pm.

So, if you're just starting out, or a specialist stamp collector, you will be made most welcome, just come along to a meeting. Annual membership costs just £5! For further information about the Society and times and dates of meetings, call Alan Martin on 01728 832455 or email Andy Soutar on: andy.soutar@btinternet.com.

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days. You can find out more about us, including how to join the Club, at woodbridgeartclub.

org and everyone is welcome to visit our exhibition which is open every weekend. Rosie Evans

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Environment Secretary holds roundtable to drive forward improvements in River Deben

Thérèse Coffey (Environment Secretary) and Rebecca Pow (Water Minister) met with local community groups, environmental regulators, farming representatives, water company representatives and local councillors in Suffolk on August 10th to discuss actions to improve the River Deben.

The roundtable (chaired by the Secretary of State and the Water Minister) provided a forum for local partners to raise concerns and explore solutions to improve the health and sustainability of the river and to discuss delivery of the Plan for Water, which will bring increased investment, tougher enforcement and tighter regulation to the water sector.

Key areas of discussions included the designation of bathing sites in the area; pollution resulting from storm overflows, wastewater treatment and agriculture and water resources.

They also covered how these issues may be addressed through river catchment plans, targeting actions where they will deliver the greatest impact for water quality, flood management, and nature recovery. Ongoing work by Defra, the Environment Agency and partners to maintain and improve water quality along the river, and protect nationally significant saltmarsh habitats in the Deben Estuary was also discussed.

Action on the ground includes using farm visits, undertaken through the Catchment Sensitive Farming Initiative led by Natural England, to check compliance with all the relevant farming regulations. Government funding for the programme has increased to £30 million a year so that all farms across the UK can access advice and support. Guidance is also being offered to locals who are not connected to the mains

sewer on how to ensure that their systems are functional, legal and maintained properly.

Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said: "As someone who enjoys spending time by the River Deben, I share the passion for protecting and enhancing its waters shown by our partners today. One of the key parts of our Plan for Water is tailored long-term catchment plans with new funding for catchment groups. For this to succeed collaboration at a local level is vital so we can all work towards improving the water system together."

Water Minister, Rebecca Pow said: "It is clear the River Deben is a precious habitat for many in the community but it is under pressure. River water quality must improve and our new Plan for Water sets out how increased investment, tougher enforcement and tighter regulation is helping tackle every source of river pollution. At the Deben, I look forward to seeing greater collaboration from all parties locally as this is also vital if water quality is to improve."

The meeting is part of a series of local conversations to improve water quality and increase water supply at rivers across England. Roundtable attendees included representatives from local councils, Essex & Suffolk Rivers Trust, the NFU, Natural England, the River Deben Association and Anglian Water.

At the meeting, the Environment Secretary highlighted the importance of addressing individual river catchments in light of their own specific challenges and contexts, while maintaining a holistic approach to improving river health across the country.

It follows the recent announcement that a stretch of

the river at Waldringfield has achieved designated bathing water status the meeting also reflected on recent updates to the designated bathing water site guidance. The past decade has seen significant progress in improving bathing water quality at existing sites, thanks to robust regulation and strong investment, 93% of bathing waters in England met the highest standards of 'good' or 'excellent' in 2022, up from just 76% in 2010.

In April, the Government published its Plan for Water, marking a step-change in how our water system is managed.

As part of the Plan, government will improve delivery and coordination at a catchment level with tailored long-term catchment plans that cover all water bodies. Catchment plans will set out the key issues and priorities for action, including priorities identified in Local Nature Recovery Strategies. We have also increased the number of storm overflows monitored across the network to 91% from 7% in 2010. The actions in the Plan will deliver a safe, reliable, resilient supply of clean and plentiful water for our homes, businesses, for leisure and for wildlife that rely on it.

To hold water companies to account, the Government has set strict new targets for water companies designed to frontload action in particularly important areas, like bathing waters and protected sites. Our Storm Overflows Reduction Plan will also require the largest infrastructure programme in water company history, £56 billion capital investment over 25 years. The Water Minister will continue to engage with Anglian Water after the roundtable to drive further improvements in this area.

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The NHS at 75

We have just celebrated 75 years of the NHS and a recent report issued by the Health Foundation projects that by 2040, nearly one in five will be living with health conditions such as dementia and cancer. This means there could be 9.1 million people living with a major health condition by 2040, a 37% rise in the latest data from 2019. It goes without saying that this will have a significant impact on our NHS.

As a practising NHS hospital doctor, I am proud to work in a health service that delivers patient care which is free at the point of need, but as the NHS looks towards the future, it simply must transform. With an ageing population and more people living with major health conditions, the time has come for a more ambitious debate on what the health and social care system needs in order to continue

to thrive and survive for the next 75 years, and beyond. I think most of us would agree that if we were designing a health service from scratch today, it would need to look very different from the current model. The report from the Health Foundation cites that a radical shift is required, with more focus on care in the community, rather than in hospitals. Caring for people with chronic illnesses requires more effective community-based care and that means better integration of health and social care services. Community care is all about supporting people to live the best lives possible - living independently for as long as is possible in their own homes. This means bringing together healthcare providers from across the NHS, community services, social prescribing and voluntary sector organisations. Delivering health and social

Wedding Dress Exhibition

Over 40 wedding dresses through the decades will be on display at a wedding dress exhibition being held in St. Mary's Church on September 9th, from 10:30am to 4pm and Sunday 10th from 10:30am to 3pm.

Refreshments will be available all day and light lunches available from between 12pm and 2pm. There will also

be a 'guess the weight of the cake' game, raffle and a weddingthemed quiz.

On Sunday 10th, there will be a Service in the Church. Admission to the exhibition is free, but donations are welcome, in aid of St. Mary's Church funds. Wedding flowers from a previous wedding (supplied by Victoria Uff, Worlingworth) will also be on display.

care in this way supports people to stay well and independent and enables health care teams to act more quickly to help those with preventable conditions. It supports those living with longterm conditions or multiple needs, by pooling resources to deliver care as quickly and effectively as possible. This approach is something which I wholeheartedly support. That's why I was especially delighted to have been asked to open the newly refurbished Michael Burke Centre on the Hartismere Hospital site on July 21st.

I truly believe that as patients, we'd all prefer to be treated in the comfort and dignity of our own homes or accessing local community health and social care services. With the Michael Burke Community Wellbeing Centre, we now have a tremendous asset and one which has a strong future in delivering truly integrated healthcare in Central Suffolk and across North Suffolk. As someone who believes in public service as I do, it's a great pleasure to see good things happening in Hartismere and I'm pleased to have played even a small part in making that happen and will continue to work for these outcomes across Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. The NHS has served this country well for 75 years. As it looks towards the future, it must transform. A focus on prevention and reform of commissioning is vital if the NHS is to continue to meet the needs of patients in the years ahead.

Let's celebrate our local food and environment!

Transition Woodbridge has produced its updated version of its 'Local Food and Drink' leaflet for 2023, a guide to food and drink producers, retailers and eateries around Woodbridge and Melton. You may already have a copy and, we hope, find it useful in your search for fresh, seasonal food produced to high environmental and welfare standards, supporting our local economy and jobs and grown just a few miles from where you live.

To create closer links with the producers, we've invited some of them to showcase their goods at our Harvest Fair in Whisstocks Place from 10am4pm on October 7th. We want to celebrate the harvest gathered in recent weeks in our part of Suffolk. Some of the best of our local food producers will be there, including High House Farm and Oak Tree Community Farm selling the fruit and vegetables grown in their orchards and farms, the Tidemill selling the flour stoneground in the nearby Mill from locally grown wheat,

Truly Traceable from Halesworth with their venison and game pies, Hullabaloo bakery, which uses Tidemill flour in some of its bread, with a range of delicious baked goods and Woodbridge Country Market with their garden produce, homemade cakes, jams and other preserves.

Transition Woodbridge also works to protect and enhance our environment, aims it shares with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Wildlife Group, Suffolk Bird Group and Churches Together who will be coming to the fair to show the valuable work they do and bring exciting activities for children. There will be live music, DJs and performers presented in collaboration with Woodbridge Festival of Art and Music. We look forward to seeing see you at Whisstocks Place on October 7th, and if you haven't found one of our Local Food and Drink leaflets yet, you'll be able to pick one up at our Transition Woodbridge stall. For more information, visit: www.transition woodbridge.org.uk

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Ensors Chartered Accountants welcomes their 18th Partner

Ensors Chartered Accountants is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Hewitson to the firm as Partner.

Mark's well-established career spans over 30 years in financial services, with his industry experience leading him to specialise in a blend of property, technology, and professional services.

Woodbridge School A Levels

Our A level results headlines are:

• Almost half (49%) of all grades achieved are A* to A.

• One third of students achieved AAA or better.

• More than half of students achieved an equivalent UCAS points score to AAB or better.

• 95% of students are already placed at their choices of university.

The breakdown below represents A level grades achieved at Woodbridge School this year (in terms of percentages):

• 21% A* (over 1 in 5)

• 49% A*to A

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• 70% A*to B

• 88% A* to C

Shona Norman (Head of School) said: "This is a superb achievement, especially given the many disruptions of the last few years in education and beyond.

I feel incredibly proud of our students and want to acknowledge the hard work and commitment that they have shown. I know that they will join me in expressing much gratitude to their teachers and tutors who have supported them throughout. On behalf of everyone at Woodbridge School, I wish the Class of 2023 every success and happiness as they embark upon their next chapter."

Karl Hayward-Bradley (Deputy Head Academic) said:

"I am very proud of our students for the way they have achieved Woodbridge School's best ever grades under these grading standards. They have done this whilst being role models to the younger students and contributing to the overall life of the School. With these being their first exposure to public exams, we know that our students are wellprepared for their next steps. I wish them all the very best."

Prior to joining Ensors, Mark held the role of Partner at two regional accountancy firms, working with owner-managers to support and develop their businesses through the use of digital accounting solutions.

Mark will be based in the firm's Saxmundham office, overseeing its day-to-day running with fellow Partner Carl Page, who

says: "We have admired Mark's commitment to his clients for many years and we are thrilled that he has decided to join the Ensors team. Mark's experience will be a real asset to the firm, and I'm looking forward to working closely with him to support our new and long-term clients."

Mark says: "I was delighted when I was offered the opportunity to join the leadership at Ensors. I take immense pride in the relationships that I have built over the years, becoming a trusted advisor to many business owners in East Anglia. Building strong and resilient relationships is a value that Ensors and I share, and their reputation is a testament to the principles they have nurtured over the years."

Woodbridge Town Council to repurpose

Tide Mill Way property

Woodbridge Town Council are the freehold owners of 15 Tide Mill Way, and have resolved not to offer our existing tenants, the Woodbridge Art Club, a new lease for the property when it expires on March 31st, 2024.

The Council understands the disappointment of the club's members. However, Woodbridge is a town in which social problems have increased significantly in recent years. The Cost-of-Living crisis has increased pressure on local families and voluntary organisations. In addition, recent spending cuts at County level have removed youth clubs and mother/toddler services from the town. The Town Council has resolved to use the buildings at our disposal to try to alleviate some of these pressures, and to facilitate the replacement of some of these services. We consider that tackling the serious social issues which exist within the town is a very high priority for this Council, and we have had discussions with East Suffolk Council and other organisations which could coexist in the building.

As part of the development of a strategic plan for the new Civic Term, the Council (newly appointed in May) has reviewed its estate for future use. We want to obtain best value in meeting the needs of the community as a whole. At a time when local voluntary and charitable organisations are struggling for venues in which to meet and to attract members in order to remain

viable, the Council consider that the opportunity provided by the natural break of the lease allows us to consider making the property more available for community use. The unfortunate relocation of a local scout group to Rock Barracks and the disappointing closure of the Caterpillar Children's Centre, are two examples of important services for which there is no provision in the town, and for which demand is still growing.

On top of all of this, the building at Tide Mill Way is in need of extensive renovation, which includes a new roof. It is anticipated that by using the property as a Community Facility rather than to house a private club that grant funding or Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding can be raised to repair the building.

Mayor Eamonn O'Nolan said: "The Council is of course working closely with the Art Club to assist them in finding a new home, and we will meet with them again early in September. We have spoken to other organisations managing properties on our behalf in the hope the club can continue to flourish and grow from a new venue in the town." For further enquires please contact the Town Clerk, Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge, IP12 4LP or email: townclerk@ woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk.

Creating family history and photo books

The Fromus Centre in Saxmundham was the venue of a most interesting and challenging talk to the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group in July. Our speaker was a group member, Jane Evans, who spoke about making a photo book about your family history. She and fellow member (Maggie Strutt) had brought along several examples, showing their own family stories using family photographs and documents. You may think "I can't do that!" But you can with practice, using a selection of computer programmes. I've made only one family history book (so far). It's a book containing photographs of my two children throughout their childhood with added photographs of my husband and myself, plus our parents and their aunts, uncles and cousins.

I bought two identical copies so that my son and daughter can remember their early years and their grandparents (all sadly

Charity Bingo Night

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deceased now). Hopefully, they will share them with their own children.

Before I made this book, I had made books of some of my holidays. It took time to learn how to use the programme but in time, I conquered it and now have several. The very first one I made featured my trip to the Galapagos Islands showing the incredible birds and animals I saw there. You need to have a look at various programmes and manufacturers. 'Family Tree Maker', 'Ancestry', and 'Bonus Print' are some of those to try.

Jane was able to show us on her laptop how to make a book. If you don't feel you can write about the pictures straightaway, you could purchase a recording device for less that £30 from a well-known online retailer, or there is a free app which you can use called 'Otter.AI'. This records your voice, transcribes your words and saves them in a document. If you don't feel very confident, you could ask for help from a younger relative (I find my grandsons very good for this), or ask if any pupil at the local school is looking for a project to help with. Failing that, you could advertise for help in a family history magazine or seek help from a local family history society.

If you don't possess a scanner, 'Snappy Snaps' will scan photographs for you. You can also take photographs of the required photographs using a digital camera or mobile phone. However, if you decide a photo book is beyond you, Amazon has a product called 'Family

Focus on... Debenham

Debenham, with its name originating from the old English meaning 'village in the deep valley', is a very pretty and quintessentially English village.

The long high street with plenty of independent boutique shops and businesses is at the centre of the village and is a lovely place to spend the day shopping, browsing and relaxing.

It's not a surprise to learn, that due to its charm, Debenham was

History Book' which enables the recording of eight generations, with Book 2 enabling the next two generations to be added (10 in all). The National Archives also has a book available called 'My Family History' in which ten generations can be recorded.

But you're going to produce a photo book. That needs some thought. What is the focus going to be? Not just a collection of photographs. Is it going to be about an individual? A life story?

Multiple people's stories? Just one family? A specific topic? A period of time? What a lot of choices! It's so much better if the book tells a story, not just a list of facts. Stories not facts, so much more interesting to the reader. Once you've decided your subject you are ready to begin.

Jane demonstrated the making of a book, going through the various stages, the size, landscape or portrait, the choosing of and position of the photographs, deciding on your scripts. The beauty of the programmes is that you can play as much as you like without any payment.

Once you are happy with the look and content of the book you then proceed to order and pay for it. Some time ago, one of my cousins (a member of the group) said that in time to come, photo albums may get discarded but photobooks, so much smaller and neater, would probably be retained.

Seven non-members as well as members attended the talk, which gives an idea of the interest in this subject.

Pat Carter

Hospice's Suffolk Dog Day 2023 to be full of family fun!

There are only a few days to go until St. Elizabeth Hospice's Suffolk Dog Day is held this September. Sponsored by Gladwells Pet & Country Store and Skinners, Suffolk Dog Day will be taking place on September 10th, at Helmingham Hall, from 10am5pm.

James Fox-Golding (Events and Challenges Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice) said: "We cannot wait to host this year's Suffolk Dog Day at Helmingham Hall this September. We really look forward to welcoming hospice supporters, the local community and their four-legged companions to this family fun event, full of doggy-themed activities which are sure to bring smiles to faces and get plenty of tails wagging."

Suffolk Dog Day 2023 will feature a range of fun more than 20 dog classes, dog agility and scurry activities, as well as over 50 stalls full of doggy goodies, Crufts' style competitions, children's entertainment and plenty of food and drink stalls for attendees to enjoy. As well as this, tickets include free access

to Helmingham Hall Gardens.

Cynthia Longstaff (who is receiving support from St. Elizabeth Hospice) said: "I have been a dog owner in the past and we still have dogs in the family, they are fantastic companions. St. Elizabeth Hospice is so important and it is great the community gives brilliant support and fundraising to the charity and I really hope everyone enjoys Suffolk Dog Day."

Tickets can be purchased on:

egister.enthuse.com/ps/event/ SuffolkDogDay2023. All funds raised by the event will go towards the work of St. Elizabeth Hospice, which every year delivers specialist palliative care to more than 3,000 people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families, throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Find out more on: www. stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ suffolkdogday

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declared a conservation area over 50 years ago. Surrounded by the stunning Suffolk countryside and meadows, the village is continues to attract holiday-makers and day-trippers all year round.

Though it is an historic place in the heart of rural Suffolk, Debenham benefits from all the modern facilities you would hope and expect to find these days so it is small wonder it is such a popular place to live for those lucky enough to call it home.

If you find yourself with some spare time, why not make plans to take a trip over to Debenham, have a stroll around the village, stop for a bit of refreshment in one of the cafés or local pubs and come and see what this brilliant village is all about!

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RSPCA Open Day and Fun Dog Show

Martlesham Heath Aviation Society monthly meeting

On September 1st at 7:30pm, we welcome Chris Turland who will present an illustrated talk about the Flying Flea and other strange (and sometimes downright dangerous) aircraft that have taken to the air over the decades.

Some were probably designed and built in garages and small workshops, and should have stayed there!

A few probably made it to the Armament and Aircraft Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Martlesham Heath before being roundly rejected.

All our Martlesham Heath Aviation Society meetings take place at Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, IP12 4PB. Entry is £3 for members

and £5 for non-members, who are always welcome. You can join the Society on the night, if you wish. It takes place from 7:30pm to 10pm. Just arrive early and park behind the largest hall, which is adjacent to the Felixstowe Road, Martlesham Heath.

For more information, call Howard King on 01473 274300 or email: howard.king1@outlook.com.

Common Ground Theatre's autumn tour…

Perfect for those spooky October evenings!

This year, Suffolk-based Common Ground Theatre (run by Pat Whymark and Julian Harries) offers a Gothic murder mystery set in "Belle Epoque" Paris, with live music in the cabaret style of the period.

A series of strange happenings have the authorities baffled. Several men have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, with no connection between them other than that they were last seen in the vicinity of the notorious Pigalle district. With no leads,

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the police ask retired detective, Jean Tellier to take one last case. Sensing danger around every street corner, in every dimly lit café, in every dark doorway, Tellier begins by interviewing the proprietors and staff of the local bars and nightclubs, including the notorious Hellgate Club. The tour kicks off at The Headgate Theatre, Colchester on September 29th, and tours all over Essex and Suffolk until October 29th. For tour details and bookings, go to: www.commongroundtc.co.uk

Financial focus on...

Living the freelance dream

If you work as a contractor and have your own company, or you are considering taking the plunge, it is vital to understand the off-payroll working (or "IR35") rules and how they impact your tax position.

The tax treatment of freelance contractors continues to be a hot topic and there have been several high-profile cases in recent years, some involving celebrities.

What is off-payroll working?

Many freelancers choose to operate through their own limited company (a so-called personal service company or "PSC") instead of working directly for clients. There are possible

Income Tax, NIC and cash flow advantages to operating in this way, rather than working for the client as an employee. The client also stands to gain by not incurring employer NICs.

When the government introduced the IR35 rules over 20 years ago, it was amid concerns that PSCs were (in many cases) being used to disguise the fact that individuals were effectively working as employees of their clients while enjoying the tax advantages available to genuine self-employed contractors.

Am I caught by IR35 and what are the consequences?

In essence, the off-payroll working/IR35 rules are simple.

You need to ask one question: "If I was engaged directly by

Stunning final social at Sibton Church

The RSPCA Open Day and Fun Dog Show will be happening on Sunday September 3rd from 11:30am-3:30pm at the RSPCA Animal Centre, 2 Mill Lane, Martlesham, IP12 4PD. Entrance fee is £1 for adults and 50p for children under 12. No admittance to unaccompanied children under 14.

There is parking available at the Community Centre and disabled parking only at the Animal Centre.

In addition to our friendly fun dog show, we will be having an RSPCA tombola, raffle and games, RSPCA branded goods, pet accessories and bric-abrac stalls. Craft stalls include animal-themed novelties, soaps, chutneys and jams, pyrography and watercolour art.

Ben & Arlo's Pet Bakery will be offering handmade natural dog and cat treats. Hedgehog rescue and Animals Asia will also be there. We'll be offering refreshments and a BBQ.

Dog Show timetable:

• 1pm: 'Crossbreed with Character'.

• 1:15pm: 'Happiest Hound'.

• 1:30pm: 'Young at Heart' (dogs aged 8+ years).

• 1:45pm: 'Second Chance' (any rescue dog).

• 2pm: 'Fabulous Female'.

• 2:15pm: 'Marvellous Male'.

• 2:30pm: 'Kids & K9s' (young handlers up to 14 years old).

• 2:45pm: 'Best in Show'.

All times are approximate and subject to change.

Registration is from 12 noon.

The Deben Players present 'Crushing Grapes'

Come and join us at La Petite Chapelle, a vineyard in Southwest France. The sun is shining, the grapes are ripening, and we're all set for an amusing week chez Jim and Maggie Hudson, the vineyard owners, who rent out their home every year to holidaymakers, or squatters as Jim fondly refers to them.

Judging is from 1pm.

Prices are ₤2.50 per class or three classes for ₤6 (per dog).

First, second and third place prizes and 'Best in Show' prize are sponsored by Skinner's Pet Food at Stradbroke.

All proceeds will go to the RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch to help animals in need in the local area. For more information, please email Mary Taylor on: mary.taylor@rspcasuffolkcentral.org.uk.

The last of the season's social events will be on October 14th. Enjoy your vintage favourites at a 50's and 60's gig with 'Del & Jeremy & Stephen', a popular tribute band. They perform between 7pm-10pm at St. Peter's Church, Sibton (IP17 2NB). It will be the final fling of the season. Tickets will be on sale before the event from The Weavers Tea Room and Peasenhall General Store priced at £10, also online through Eventbrite. (www. eventbrite.co.uk). There will be a licensed bar selling beers, soft drinks and wine. Food will be by Cheryl's Suffolk Catering. The evening is organized by the Friends of St. Peter's Church, Sibton.

Summer sailing at Deben Yacht Club

was not such a great idea. Next to arrive are Ellie and Rob, a couple of honeymooners, who are staying in the annexe next door to the house. Opposites attract but are they really a perfect match?

my client and my company did not exist, would I be treated as an employee?" If the answer is 'yes', then you fall within the IR35 rules, which will broadly ensure that you end up paying the same amount of tax and NICs as you would as an employee.

Unfortunately, establishing whether you'd be treated as an employee or self-employed can be very difficult. A host of factors need to be considered, making this a notoriously grey area where it pays to seek expert advice. HMRC also provide an online Check Employment Status for Tax tool, often referred to as 'CEST'.

At worst, you could be caught by IR35, so you face the same tax liability as an employee, but with none of the legal rights of an employee, including entitlements to holiday and sick pay.

What has changed recently?

The latest rule-change in 2021 put the onus on medium and large private sector businesses to determine the IR35 status of contractors they engage with. Many larger businesses err on the side of caution to ensure they are compliant, which can produce unfair outcomes for genuine contractors.

Under the short-lived Liz Truss government, plans were afoot to reverse the 2021 rule changes (and earlier changes aimed at the public sector) but for now it

appears they are here to stay.

What are the takeaways?

Always examine your IR35 status critically and take professional advice where needed to ensure that your income is taxed correctly. It is also essential to review the position as your circumstances change. If you need any guidance on this topic, please do get in touch with us.

Tess, Martin and Sally are the first to arrive. The holiday was booked to celebrate Sally's silver wedding anniversary but a couple of weeks ago her husband, Barry, text her to say the marriage was over. Sally has decided the holiday must go ahead anyway. Tess and Martin are beginning to realise that this

Throw in Claude the French handyman, a visit from Maggie's unpleasant relatives, a couple of wine tasters who could change Maggie and Jim's fortunes and Barry the wayward husband turning up unannounced, and the scene is set for an entertaining week.

Nibbles are included in the ticket price and there is a bar available.

www.debenplayers.net/tickets À bientôt!

The summer months are a great time to introduce people to sailing. 'Discover Sailing Day' in July went very smoothly thanks to organisation by Thomas Yeung and a team of volunteers. There were lots of smiling faces from the more than 60 participants who took the opportunity to get out on the water. We are fortunate to have a great team of RYA accredited sailing instructors led by Steve Scholey. In August, they ran a successful dinghy sailing course which included both adults and youngsters.

On the final day of the course, Steve reported: "We were out in a whole range of weather but the trainees came back smiling". Steve himself demonstrated capsize practice in a downpour and got properly soaked. It has been the same story throughout the last month with the weather being against our sailors, however the sun has come out again in mid-

August, so there at hopes for good weather for our Regatta. At Deben Yacht Club, we enjoy being part of the water sports community in Woodbridge and this year has seen joint events with the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts and the Deben Cherub fleet. In August, the Woodbridge Coastal Rowing Club held a social evening at the Club. On a lovely sunny evening, their members were able to take turns rowing one of their skiffs and then enjoy a 'bring a dish' meal on the veranda. Up and coming sailing events in September include a down river flotilla and the popular Sullivan Cup which sees dinghies sail as far as the mouth of the river. The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning is on September 29th from 10am to 12pm. This is open to everyone. You do not have to be a member. Come for coffee, tea and delicious homemade cakes in return for a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Dan Waring and Martyn Wildney (pictured

below),

LLP

Ensors Accountants

Please note: 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 Ensors Accountants LLP for any actions taken without seeking appropriate professional advice.

Upcoming talks at Woodbridge Museum

The Friends of Woodbridge museum resume their monthly Friday talks in the Woodbridge Community Hall in September. All talks begin at 2:30pm.

'Ipswich Public Transport History' by Dave Carson

September 8th: A digital presentation of Ipswich's public transport history from the town's horse trams (1880-1903), electric trams (1903-1926), trolleybuses (1923-1963) and their replacement by diesel buses (1950-1964).

'Antarctic Sketchbook' by Claudia Myatt

November 10th: In December 2021, Claudia spent five weeks travelling to South Georgia and Antarctica as an Artist in Residence for Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute. In this talk, she'll share her sketchbooks and adventures as a guest of the Royal Navy on board icebreaker HMS Protector.

'The Worlingworth Feast Painting' by Geoffrey Robinson

Dan Waring

'From malt to music' by David Edwards

October 13th: An illustrated history of Newson Garrett's Snape Maltings, and how it came to become one of the world's leading cultural centres through the vision of Suffolk composer Benjamin Britten and his partner, tenor Peter Pears.

Martyn Wildney

December 8th: In 1810, King George III was celebrating his Golden Jubilee. In Worlingworth, the parishioners, encouraged by Lord Henniker, the principal landowner, held a magnificent feast to commemorate the Golden Jubilee. Henniker commissioned an artist or artists to record the event on canvas. That painting hangs in the nave of the church

today and this talk explains the history and the relevance of the event to the nationwide celebrations.

News from the museum:

Whilst carrying out an inventory of the artefacts held by Woodbridge Museum, we have come across the pictured notice dated 1872 which we thought might be of interest.

The surveyors referred to in the notice are names we regularly come across as they were all involved in Woodbridge life. The notice was printed by J. Loder, again another well-known Woodbridge gentleman. Those were the days! Imagine what would happen if the highways authority issued such instructions now!

Bright Stars

Free activity sheets for pre-school aged children

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 children to enjoy doing with their family and/or carers, instead of meeting in St. Michaels Church Centre, Martlesham Heath.

The activity sheets usually include a story, song and a craft

September music at the library

or game about a theme or story from the Bible. 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 phone number below. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you'd like further information, please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows on: 01473 625196.

Deben Rotary decorates anchor for local art trail

The Woodbridge Memory Café (a joint initiative of the Rotary Clubs of Woodbridge and Woodbridge Deben and Woodbridge Inner Wheel) were pleased to be invited to submit a decorated anchor as part of the Anchors Aweigh! Art trail. The trail is a Noise of Art project and feeds into the Woodbridge Festival of Arts

and Music on September 1st and 2nd.

The anchors (12 in total) are being displayed throughout August in various shops and businesses in the town before the Festival at Elmhurst Park.

The art trail project was created by Woodbridge based artist Alice Stallard and funded by East Suffolk Council.

The Autumn programme of events organised by the FOWL begins in September with a focus on folk!

First up, is an evening with 'The Cabin Band', based around Saxmundham and making their first visit to Woodbridge Library.

Vocalist and guitarist Inga McNamara and guitarist Phil Reed will pair up on September 21st at 7:30pm to perform their entrancing style of Americana and folk, all of which are their own compositions. The band came together a couple of years ago, have recently released a debut EP of their own songs, have broadcast

on BBC Suffolk and Norfolk and played at local festivals. Tickets are £8 and can be purchased from the Library by calling 01394 330855 or in person.

The very popular series of free lunchtime music events begin again with a recital by the 'TrickerLilley Duo'. Dave Tricker on guitar and mandolin and Steve Lilley on ukulele and bouzouki have recently joined forces again after a gap of a quarter of a century. For Dave, this is a nostalgic return to the building which once housed his primary school and which still displays the separate entrances for boys and girls! The Duo sing

an engaging mixture of folk songs and Americana and their performance will be on September 26th from 12:45pm to 1:30pm in the Library's Meeting Room. Their set will include songs by the Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot who died earlier this year.

FOWL is delighted to report that its project to raise funds for the refurbishment of the Children's Library has been successful and the £20,000 target has been reached. We'll report more about this when the work is complete but in the meantime, we say thank you to everyone who contributed.

News from Woodbridge Riverside Trust

The Talk Collection

The second in this new series of stimulating and varied talks, had the intriguing title 'My Life as a Forensic Scientist'. It captured the attention of a large and appreciative audience in the Longshed in August. David Pryor has had a fascinating career at Scotland Yard and in the Home Office, where he was involved in many high-profile cases.

With talk number three on September 10th, we're back when Paul Mortimer will be speaking about 'Remaking Sutton Hoo'. The talk will be about things that have been learnt from recreating the items from Mound One at Sutton Hoo. These include the shield, the sword, the Stone, the gold and garnet cloisonné jewellery and the helmet. Tickets

Woodbridge Flower Club

Our August meeting this year was a workshop organised by Amanda, one of our committee members.

Everyone was given a hessian container, five pink roses and various greenery. At the end of the session, it was amazing to see all the variations considering we had all been given more or less the same material to work with.

are available on Eventbrite (www. eventbrite.com/o/woodbridgeriverside-trust-67116559063), at the shop or on the door. For more information, please visit: www.woodbridgeriversidetrust. org/wrt-talks-collection.

Sae Wylfing

The beautiful Sae Wylfing, half-size replica of the Sutton Hoo ship, has been undergoing repair work to make her watertight. It will be good to see her restored to good health again soon.

Volunteers

The Riverside Trust has a fantastic team of volunteers who help on a daily basis in roles such as manning the shop, explaining what's on offer from the Trust and showing visitors round the exhibitions in the gallery. In

FIREWOOD FIREWOOD Barn Stored

particular, telling the story of the magnificent King's River Tapestry panels on show there. On a Saturday in July, Nancy Clay hosted an afternoon tea party for volunteers in her gorgeous garden. If you'd like to be part of this great team, please email: info@woodbridgeriversidetrust. org for more information.

Education

As part of its mission to provide educational support to local schools and the community and expanding on the successful Follow the Ship programme, the Trust is looking into ways of providing further opportunities and activities both for children and adults. Watch this space... Woodbridge Riverside Trust is a member of the Woodbridge Historic Riverside group.

After a short break, we then had the opportunity to make a table posy using small flowers and pieces of hydrangea.

Amanda was thanked for

all her work on setting up and providing the materials, which must have taken hours of preparation beforehand. After admiring each other's handiwork, we had time to chat, have tea, and cake and then several lucky members won prizes at the raffle. Our next meeting will be at Martlesham Village Hall on September 6th. Our demonstrator will be Moira Neville and the meeting will start at 2pm. Guests and visitors are always very welcome.

MOORE’S YARD, BENHALL, SAXMUNDHAM Tel: 01728 604615 www.offroadrovers.co.uk

Email: info@offroadrovers.com

Email: info@offroadrovers.com

Friends of Woodbridge Library (FOWL)

Suffolk's biggest food festival returns!

A stellar line-up of chefs and Suffolk food and drink producers to descend on Snape Maltings, plus a host of exciting new additions to the annual celebration of Suffolk's culinary scene.

The 2023 Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival returns this September for two days devoted to celebrating the inspiring, diverse and ever-growing Suffolk food and drink scene. Now in its 18th year, the festival proudly showcases the multitude of homegrown producers Suffolk has to offer, as well as honouring the county's culinary and agricultural heritage.

In the picturesque riverside setting of Snape Maltings, renowned chefs will host masterclasses, there will be food demonstrations over two stages and the grounds will be filled with more than 140 stalls from Suffolk's big-name producers, as well as rising stars of the local food and drink producing industry.

Exciting new additions to the festival for 2023 include:

• Award-winning Suffolk chocolatiers Pump Street Chocolate will be taking over the Hoffmann Building, with talks and chocolate tastings every hour, on the hour. The

beloved small-batch, beanto-bar chocolate brand will give visitors an insight into the chocolate-making process and a chance to sample their celebrated chocolate bars, hot drinking chocolate and softserve chocolate ice-cream.

• The Family Area is now bigger than ever, with kids' cookery classes (including fish classes from chef CJ Jackson aka Fish Boss) and demonstrations for budding chefs; tractors and agricultural equipment to explore; and a new free festival workbook for under 16s featuring recipes, a producer trail and more.

• Aldeburgh's prestigious restaurant The Suffolk will be hosting a barbecue in their brand-new festival eatery along the quay.

• The buzzing street food area returns, with more vendors than ever before. A new cocktail bar from Suffolk cocktail company Niche has been added to the mix of mouth-watering offerings for visitors across the weekend.

Festival Main Stage:

• Thomasina Miers: Co-founder of Wahaca restaurants, food pioneer, chef, writer, and honorary Festival Patron.

• Pierre Koffmann: Internationally acclaimed chef.

• Jeremy Lee: British chef and chef proprietor at Quo Vadis London. He has previously been head chef at the Blueprint Café for 18 years and is a regular face on TV cookery shows.

• Cyrus Todiwala OBE: Of acclaimed Indian restaurant Café Spice Namasté

• Dave Wall: Chef Patron at Suffolk's The Unruly Pig named best gastropub in the UK in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs in 2022.

• George Pell: Director of The Suffolk in Aldeburgh and L'Escargot in London.

• Nicola Hordern: Awardwinning head chef at Southwold's The Canteen

A selection of incredible local chefs will also be showcased through the weekend.

2023 also sees the return of the 'Passion For Seafood' stage which focuses on Suffolk's thriving industry of seafood caught, prepared and sold on the East Coast. The stage will include live

Saturday 23rd September - 9:30am to 5pm

Sunday 24th September - 9:30am to 4pm £10 (in advance) £12 (on the day)

Under 16s go free.

Snape Maltings, Snape, Suffolk IP17 1SP @Aldeburghfood

more informal than before. No booking is required, they will be every hour, on the hour, free to all visitors.

The 2023 line-up of Masterclasses (which require separate booking and payment) includes an Adnams cocktail class, kimchi-making with Jeongun Creagh of Korean Kitchen

Rebecca Bishop (Co-Founder of Two Magpies Bakery) on doughmaking, Pump Street Chocolate, "Fish Boss" chef CJ Jackson, and TV chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE of acclaimed Indian restaurant Café

Spice Namasté

Over 140 producers of food and drink businesses from Suffolk will be exhibiting at the Festival this year, offering everything from fresh, organic vegetables, locally-produced honey, award-winning drinks from a range of East Coast breweries and distilleries, handcrafted chocolates, celebrated Suffolk cheeses and bread, plus so much more. The Festival prides itself

can discover and support the abundance of established and emerging businesses who are producing innovative and original food and beverages throughout the region. Vegan and restricteddiet foods will feature throughout the festival offerings.

Lady Caroline Cranbrook (President of Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival) said: "The Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival is now well established as one of the very best in the country, famous for the quality, quantity and variety of its locally-produced food and drink, its friendliness, and for the beauty of Snape Maltings where it is held. It has proved to be a highly successful and very enjoyable way of introducing visitors to Suffolk's wonderful food and drink, to the people who produce it and to the land from where it comes." For further information and to book tickets, please visit: www.aldeburghfood anddrink.co.uk

The Deben Players present 'Crushing Grapes'

Come and join us at La Petite Chapelle, a vineyard in Southwest France. The sun is shining, the grapes are ripening, and we're all set for an amusing week chez Jim and Maggie Hudson, the vineyard owners, who rent out their home every year to holidaymakers, or squatters as Jim fondly refers to

International Freight Forwarders Customs Clearance Agents Warehousing and Transport

Are pleased to support The Deben Players production of ‘Crushing

them.

Tess, Martin and Sally are the first to arrive. The holiday was booked to celebrate Sally's silver wedding anniversary but a couple of weeks ago her husband, Barry, text her to say the marriage was over. Sally has decided the holiday must go ahead anyway. Tess and Martin are beginning to realise that this was not such a great idea. Next to arrive are Ellie and Rob, a couple of honeymooners, who are staying in the annexe next door to the house. Opposites attract but are they really a perfect match?

Throw in Claude the French handyman, a visit from Maggie's unpleasant relatives, a couple of wine tasters who could change Maggie and Jim's fortunes and Barry the wayward husband turning up unannounced, and the scene is set for an entertaining week.

Nibbles are included in the ticket price and there is a bar available.

www.debenplayers.net/tickets

À bientôt!

The Aldeburgh Phoenix Club

If you're reading this, then it's a safe bet that you have heard of The Aldeburgh Festival - a world renowned event that has brought together music and culture since 1948. What you may be less aware of, is the festival's history and something called the Aldeburgh Festival Club. This was also founded in 1948 to provide somewhere for Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears to meet with the performers and guests of that first festival. It became an established part of the Aldeburgh social scene, developing into a social and dining club with a guest speaker that met weekly at The White Lion, The Wentworth Hotel and the Britten Pears Gallery. Over time, the close association

between the Aldeburgh Festival and the Festival Club diminished and eventually, the number of members dropped to a point where changes had to be made. In 2014, the Aldeburgh Phoenix Club rose from the dying embers of the Festival Club. The name was changed but the core purpose remains the same; a convivial evening where people can meet, dine and listen to a variety of interesting speakers. Events take place fortnightly in a range of venues, including: The Wentworth Hotel, The Old Generator Station, Leiston Abbey and St. Peter and St. Paul's Church hall. The 2023/24 season marks the club's 75th anniversary and promises to be as entertaining and informative as those that have gone before. The wide range of topics covered by guest speakers includes the Cullinan diamond (as seen at King Charles's recent coronation), the London Bonnevilles, HM custom's

Mills Grammar School Association

Summer Reunion

September 9th: Mills

Grammar School Association

Summer Reunion and AGM at Thomas Mills High School, Saxtead Road, Framlingham, from 2pm to 5pm. All old girls and boys are welcome. Traditional 'Mills Tea' is provided.

and border force along with an evening with the Aldeburgh vet and an insight into the workings of 'Riding for the Disabled' and 'Big Kid Foundation' charities, to name but a few.

So, when the excitement of the Aldeburgh Festival and the summer months have once again faded, and you're wondering how to spend the winter months that lie ahead, why not come and join us at the Aldeburgh Phoenix Club? A warm welcome awaits you on a cold night, along with a tasty two course meal and a stimulating evening spent with interesting company and informative speakers. There's no need to wait for June to access culture and fun in Aldeburgh, come and join us at the Phoenix Club every 2nd and 4th Thursday from October to April.

For further information, please contact the Membership Secretary, Mary Erwin on: mary1erwin@hotmail.com or call 07983 239530.

Leiston Rainbows sale

Leiston Rainbows are having a sale on October 7th, from 10am to 12pm at the Leiston Guide Hut to raise funds for Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue.

We hope you'll be able to come and support us. We'd be most grateful for donations of items to sell, including books, toys, puzzles games and general

Update from Leiston Town Bowls Club

Suddenly the weather changes from lovely June to very wet July, hardly considered flat green bowls weather.

After three county games weekends, things became quieter, the progress of new players being monitored by the selectors to try to maintain genuine challenges for league points with the balance of introducing the new members.

The new bowlers are setting a welcome pace proving their skills on the green but needing to acquire the range of building heads, being versatile playing in all three positions.

News from Wickham Market Flower Club

Unfortunately, our wonderful Chairman June was feeling too poorly to join us for our July meeting. We all wished her a speedy recovery and missed her cheerful happy smile leading the meeting. However, we were just as chuffed to have our Vice Chairman Geraldine take on the position and she most ably gave out the notices etc.

person. Contact Geraldine on 01728 746697 to order.

bric-a-brac, but no clothes or shoes please.

The Rainbows and Brownies will be selling hand-made items and teas and coffees will be available.

We will be happy to collect items, so please contact Linda on 01728 831077 for more information. We look forward to seeing you!

The older generation are providing the guidance of building of heads, an very important skill needed to "skip" blocks.

The new 2024 season will its hoped prove that organising set blocks will result in better points in the leagues.

It has been a great season as we build from low numbers up to a club more a tune to the facilities we provide.

Costing £4,000/£5,000 a year,

its great having had good weather for the county games and our tournament, raising over £1,500 towards our costs.

The club is deeply indebted to Ann and her catering team, all volunteers only the odd bowler, baking, providing and then presenting their wares to visitors to raise our funds.

The influx of new male and female bowlers will hopefully add to her catering team.

So far this year, Leiston sits 6th in the Saxmundham League with two wins from eight matches; eighth in the Bob Wright League with six wins from 14 matches, and seventh in the Woodbridge and District League with four wins from 11 matches. However, league positions don't tell the true story, Leiston Town Bowls Club is back on the up, roll on season 2024.

Date to remember: Open Pairs competition Thursday September 7th, all welcome. Contact Richard 07890 9572093. Ditcher.

The importance of shopping locally

It's no secret that at Community News, we love our high streets and are proud to champion the many fantastic local businesses you will find when you have a wander around our towns and villages. The high street is the backbone or our local economy and plays a vital role in our sense of community.

The Community News has been celebrating our local businesses for more than 50 years and we won't stop! With changing trends, our independent, artisan, boutique retailers, producers and suppliers need our support as much as ever.

There are many great reasons to leave your car at home and shop

locally, here are just a few:

• Support the local economy. For every £1 spent at a local independent business, research shows that between 50p-70p comes back into the local economy.

• Create jobs. Small local businesses provide vital employment opportunities locally and often pay more than national chains.

• Independent means interesting and individual. Buying from a small business means you are buying stock that has been hand-selected by the owner and is often made locally.

• Online isn't always better... or cheaper! Shop around and

always ask at your local store, you may be surprised by what they are able to offer. You can also see, feel, try on and test whatever it is that you are buying.

• Make a day of it. If you fancy a break from the shopping, stop off in some of the superb cafés, pubs and restaurants that our towns have to offer.

• Support friends and family.

The chances are you will know, or even be related to business owners in your town.

By shopping locally, you are supporting them and their suppliers. Local retailers are more inclined to source local produce and use local suppliers

so the businesses you buy from my well in turn buy from your family and friends. Please do visit, take a look around and don't be afraid to ask for help and advice. If what you want is not in store, the business owners will often be able to order it in or point you in the direction of a local shop where you might be able to find just what you are looking for.

Our tip: Plan your day and arrange to have a lunch break in one of the many eateries, or make your first break a quick stop for coffee and cake and end the day with a glass of something cold and refreshing in your favourite local pub.

Recap:

• Keep more money going around the local economy.

• Get the best possible customer service.

• Benefit from sales and promotions.

• Enjoy the help and advice of business owners.

• Find unique items not available in larger stores.

• Help your community thrive for years to come.

Members found a list of reminder dates on their chairs. This listed all happenings which would need attention before we meet again in September. (No meeting in August).

Helen Bird (our demonstrator for the evening) gave us a most delightful time of 'Any which Way', stunning arrangements in a magnificent bright show of colours and flowers. She used a Jardinière base rescued from a skip, a glass marbled pot, a fantastic wooden terrarium, and other stunning containers. We watched her do a Hogarth Curve that was really first class.

Members were enthralled with all the bright cheerful arrangements on the stage at the end. Some lucky members won these in the raffle. How lucky they were.

Competition results:

• Novice: Marilyn Abbott

• Advanced: Jan Richardson

• The Specimen flower: Won by Jenny Sheppard. Well done ladies!

Members were advised to get their orders in for The Flower Arranger magazine. The price of £16 for four copies was a good bargain and would make a lovely gift for your favourite

September 28th is our AGM. We have an interesting demonstration of Tai Chi during the evening. Please could you bring along a plate of snacks. The draw will take place for the subscription raffle. We still would love some more committee members to join us. For more information, please contact June on 01394 384803. Meetings are held at Notcutts Garden Centre Café. Most enjoyable.

The November Open Meeting is on Thursday 26th where the demonstrator is going to be Jacqui Arnold. There will be a raffle, Christmas sales table, craft table, mince pies and nonalcoholic punch or fruit juice. Christmassy items can be brought to this meeting to go on the stall. Tickets are £5 (members), £10 (guests) and are available from Sue on: 07786 942450. Payment with order please.

We have a quiz booked for October 6th: Six to a team, £3 per person. Bring along your own nibbles and drinks. For more information, contact Jan on: 01728 746132.

We also have a group workshop planned for October 30th. For more information regarding cost and requirements, please contact Lindi Carrington on: 01394 384595.

See what a fun time we have at Wickham Market Flower Club! If you'd like to join us or need further information, please contact June Allum on: 01394 384803.

Mandy Pryke

Wildlife at Woodbridge Camera Club

Members enjoyed fierce competition with a wildlife print competition last month.

A

Many of these images will be entered into our Annual Exhibition at the Longshed on Woodbridge Waterfront. Details of our program and membership can be found on: www.woodbridge cameraclub.co.uk

Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

Maps for family historians

In June, Alan Ruston gave the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group a fascinating talk on 'Maps for family historians', to an audience of around 35, including many who joined us via Zoom.

Alan started with a picture of the Mappa Mundi, which dates from about 1300 and hangs in Hereford Cathedral. This is a religious map and centres on Jerusalem, with Christ depicted at the top.

Before maps as we know them, there were no maps of the countryside. To find their way, travellers would hire a local guide or visit a hostelry, which would display a map of the area, showing how to get to the next town. From about 1610, Sir John Speed began to create maps/plans of towns. He was the first person to include the hundred boundaries. He created maps for about 50 towns. There were many different maps for London and the few other major cities from 1300. Maps began to be created for a variety of reasons:

• Estate maps: Created on behalf of landowners who wanted to know what land they owned.

• Enclosure Maps: 18 century maps created to show the division of land between the landowner and the villagers.

• Tithe Maps: 19th century

The Friends of St Michael's Church, Framlingham

maps created for the clergy to understand which farms etc were beholden to submit their tithe. Alan said it was important to consider why a certain map was made. For example, the earliest national maps were surveys of drains and sewers.

Europe was far ahead of us in creating maps, using the triangulation process. We began to produce them in this country in the 18th century, which led to the creation of county maps. We are all familiar with the Ordnance Survey maps. This was a series of maps created for the government from 1801 in preparation for the expected invasion by Napoleon. Today, few people buy maps, as there are so many electronic alternatives available, but they became very popular from the mid 19th century, due to the movement of people because of the growth of the railways.

In 1855, an Act of Parliament decreed that all street names and the naming of streets were to be managed by the local councils. This began to regularise the names of streets and eventually created postal areas. Valuation maps were produced during WWI to levy tax on estates. Alan produced an excellent handout, which was circulated to the members.

Angela Skelcher & Janette Robinson

The Friends of St. Michael's Church, Framlingham present 'An evening with Tobias Capwell - The Scoliotic Knight: Encounters with Richard 111' on September 22nd at 7:30pm in the Castle Community Rooms, Church Street, Framlingham.

Toby is an author, speaker, curator and internationally renowned expert on medieval and

Renaissance arms and armour. He acted as historical adviser on the film 'The Lost King' and rode in the reburial procession of Richard 111 following the amazing discovery of the King in a Leicester car park. Entry on the door is £10 per person (£8 for Friends of St. Michael's Church members) to include a welcome glass of wine and posh nibbles!

Framlingham Fellowship news

Our June meeting was a visit to Parham Airfield Museum, a place very much worth a visit. Guides expertly told us about some of the exhibits and the history of the base.

The 390th Bomb Group Memorial Air Museum pays tribute to the 740 servicemen killed or missing in action from the airfield and the further 754 who were taken as prisoners of war. On the site, there's also the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation, which provides an insight into "Britain's Secret Army".

We were able to climb the control tower and take in the views of the Suffolk Countryside and imagine what it was like there during war time and go down to the secret underground bunker. Our very grateful thanks to everyone who made our visit so special and of course the tea and cake at the end.

On a lovely sunny day in

July, we had our coach outing to Bury St. Edmunds, and enjoyed the gardens, Cathedral and the shopping experience. Our thanks to Thompsons Coaches and Stuart.

The September meeting on September 20th will include a talk from RSPB Minsmere. Our meeting on October 19th will include a talk from Sophie Green on 'The Girls of Little America - American women in East Anglia during WWII'. Our November 16th meeting will be Sheila from Callendar's Florist with a demonstration. Our meetings are open to all include refreshments. 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.

double win for Christine Brown, who took first and second places. Judge Wayne Davey DPAGB BPE3* awarded first place to her image 'Fuelling Up', and second to

'Fuelling Up' by Christine Brown

' Along for the Ride'. Third place went to Benjamin Miller for 'What You Looking at', and there were two highly commended entries, 'A Pround Serengeti Cheetah' and 'Yellow Hammer with Lunch for it's Young', both by Steve Stammers.