Ipswich24 - July 2021

JULY 2021

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Bringing entertainment back to the coast As we write this, all seems set for a return to live theatre in Felixstowe from late July!

The café and restaurant at the theatre are now open seven days a week, 9am to 6pm, with extra space between tables, unparalleled sea views and plenty of both covered and uncovered outdoor seating. Preparations are underway to ensure that audiences have a safe and comfortable return too, with The Spa’s new airconditioning and filtration system now fully functional and lots of redecoration being carried out.

From June 24th, a run of West End smash hit Kinky Boots, brought to Felixstowe by the Dennis Lowe Theatre Company, will take centre stage. The multiple Tony-winning true story and score by Cyndi Lauper, based on Harvey Fierstein’s book are sure to give a great start the summer holiday season, with the run featuring performances from 24th to 27th June.

Then, on 17th July, Coldplace bring their totally authentic recreation of Coldplay to The Spa. With nearly 15 years of touring, over 600 shows, and festival performances alongside Razorlight, Ringo Starr, the Kaiser Chiefs and KT Tunstall, to name just a few, this band will not disappoint. The fun starts at 7.30pm.

Just over a week later, Suzie Lowe creates the Best of the West End, a fabulous ‘walk’ through just about every hit musical. With everything covered from Miss Saigon to Chicago, this tantalising show will have you dreaming of those West End nights throughout. Expect to hear songs from Hamilton, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Kinky Boots, Frozen, Les Misérables, Waitress,

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Dear Evan Hansen, Half a Sixpence, Anything Goes and many more! The show is Sunday 25th July at 6pm.

Lastly for July, fans of Little Mix will be delighted to see the return to Felixstowe of the Little Mix Experience whose four hugely talented girls pay tribute to the UK’s current top girl-band with breathtaking dance moves, replica costumes and some of the finest vocals in the UK. This is a high-energy show from beginning to end, packed with all of Little Mix’s greatest hits and it’s suitable for all ages! Featuring songs such as ‘DNA’, ‘Wings’, ‘Salute’, ‘Black Magic’, ‘Shout Out To My Ex’ and many, many more.

We should also mention that August gets off to a SMOOTH start at The Spa, with MJ Soul taking to the stage on Sunday 1st. Appearing with his eight piece band, this charismatic and lively Soul singer will be covering legends such as Luther Vandross, George Benson, Lionel Richie, The Drifters ... and also heading west, a long way west, inspired by Reggae greats like John Holt, Bob Marley, and many more!

Tickets for all theatre shows are available from the Spa Pavilion Box Office, which is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-4pm (01394 284962). You can also select your own seats and book online, 24 hours a day, at www.fxspa.co.uk • You can follow the Spa Pavilion on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest news and show updates. Alternatively, sign up to their email newsletter at www.fxspa.co.uk

INSIDE THIS MONTH JULY Farm Day Out:

Photography Competition:

Now we can begin to have a day out why not head to a local farm where you can enjoy the open fresh air while meeting some lovable farm animals.

Woodbridge’s Tide Mill is at the centre of an exciting prize competition.

5 Him & Me:

12 Organising an Event?:

As Lockdown comes to an end we will see an increase in activities.

If you are organising an event we want to know so we can include it in our Free Events Diary.

Send us an email to listings@ipswich24.co.uk

You know them from shows such as Strictly Come Dancing - Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice are heading to Ipswich with a great new show! We caught up with the pair to find out what makes them tick!

Tea, Cake and Wildlife: Head to RSPB Minsmere to experience some stunning countryside and wildlife as well as possibly the finest in cake

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Motors24:

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Do you realise the dangers of driving home from work? Plus a report shows an increase in electric car sales and we ask what car do you aspire to.

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Creating Constable exhibition A new exhibition at Christchurch Mansion’s Wolsey Art Gallery will explore the work of one of Suffolk’s most famous artists – John Constable. The research behind the exhibition has been supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and sponsored in part by Kerseys Solicitors.

The announcement comes 245 years since the renowned landscape painter’s birth on 11 June 1776.

2021 is a significant year for John Constable, as this year marks the 200th anniversary of The Hay Wain, one of his most famous works. It is also 200 years since the death of Suffolk artist George Frost, who was Constable’s early mentor.

To mark this significant bicentenary, the ‘Creating Constable’ exhibition will explore Constable’s artistic roots by revealing stories about Suffolk artists, family, friends, and early supporters who provided Constable with the foundations on which to build a career.

As well as works by John Constable, visitors will also be able to view pieces by other notable Suffolk artists, including Thomas Gainsborough, George Frost, John Dunthorne, Elizabeth Cobbold and Thomas Churchyard.

Today, Ipswich holds the largest collection of works by Frost in any public collection with over 300 drawings and paintings. This will be the first time in many years that these collections have been on display, and the first time that they have been digitised for online access, reaching a wider audience than ever before.

Key loans from the V&A collections will be included which show Ipswich in the 1800s, as well as artworks from the East Anglian Traditional Art Centre depicting the influence of Constable. Four new John Constable works recently acquired by the Ipswich Museums service will also be displayed for the first time. The recently discovered artworks were found in a scrapbook compiled by Constable’s relations, the Masons in Colchester, and include a portrait of his brother Abram and early landscapes.

Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council’s Museums Service Portfolio Holder, has said, “This exhibition will be a wonderful opportunity to highlight the Ipswich art collection and for the people of our town to see works by some of Suffolk’s most famous artists.”

The exhibition will open at Christchurch Mansion from 27th November 2021 to 24th April 2022.

CHRISTCHURCH MANSION, IPSWICH 26 JUNE - 24 OCTOBER 2021 EXPLORE THE POWER OF COMICS AND THE HERITAGE OF STORIES SEE THREE ICONIC COSTUMES FROM MARVEL STUDIOS' BLACK PANTHER DISCOVER STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE THROUGH THE MUSEUM COLLECTION ©MARVEL

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.POWEROFSTORIES.CO.UK

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Woodbridge Tide Mill Photo Comp Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum has announced the launch of The Woodbridge Tide Mill Photo Competition 2021, sponsored by Marshall Hatchick Solicitors.

The Mill is inviting amateur photographers to submit photographs on the theme of: “Woodbridge Tide Mill on the Deben”. There will be a 1st prize of £250 and a 2nd prize of £100. The winner will also get an A2 Acrylic print of their winning picture courtesy of Suffolk Digital

Printers. There will be a special prize of £100 for the best U16, sponsored

by The Arts Society Woodbridge.

Entries will close at Noon, Monday 6th September 2021. Winners will be announced on Friday 17th September 2021 The best photographs will feature in a high quality A4 calendar to be sold to raise funds for the Tide Mill Charity and due to go on sale on Friday 1st October 2021 for £9.50.

Budding David Baileys are asked to submit up to three landscape jpg file greater than 1MB online via the Tide Mill website. All photographs by non-prize winners that appear in the calendar will earn their creators a £25 voucher to spend in the Tide Mill shop.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of local judges: Eamonn McCabe – Award winning Photographer currently freelancing, photographing mainly

Music in the Park Woodbridge Library’s events programme re-opens in the open air on Saturday 31st July in Elmhurst Park.

Performing in the bandstand, local band East of the Sun will bring their varied repertoire of classic pop, rock, soul and country music.

During lockdown, the band has had to resort to keeping in tune by rehearsing in the bass player’s back garden.

What better testimonial can we have than the fact that the neighbours regularly burst into spontaneous applause?

Rachel Keveren is the voice of the band and is delighted at the prospect of singing again to a live audience. She has performed in a couple of pantos with the Deben Players and will shortly appear in Suffolk’s Mustard Theatre Company’s production of Wait Until Dark.

The guitarist is Chris Moore, a retired teacher with experience of playing in a country-duo, a blues band and a jazz big band. He is well-known locally having performed in The Crown and various Peninsula pubs. The bass player Greg Walsh founded East of the Sun a couple of years ago and is also well known for his handyman skills: he is a leading light of the Woodbridge Repair Cafe. Martin Minta is the band’s drummer - and he will play on a kit he bought as a 17 year old. Professionally he has been closely involved with trees and parks so he should be at home on the night.

This gig should be a really enjoyable re-start to the events programme organised by the Friends of Woodbridge Library (FOWL) so book the date and hope for good weather: Saturday 31st July at 6pm in Elmhurst Park. Tickets are free but must be obtained by visiting https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-in-the-park-tickets-156117296035. Please bring your own seating and refreshment and during the interval we will collect donations to the work of FOWL.

people in the arts for The Guardian but also other newspapers and magazines. Sarah Brown – Award winning Photographer and staff photographer for media group Archant Suffolk, John Carrington – Chair Woodbridge Tide Mill Trust, James Robbins – Sponsor Marshall Hatchick Solicitors’ representative, Jane Lynam – Sponsor The Arts Society Woodbridge representative, Sue Bale – Woodbridge Town Councillor and Áine Bethell - approaching the end of year 11 at Farlingaye High School and is a representative from Youth Voice Woodbridge.

John Carrington, Chair of the Woodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust commented, “I don’t know why we haven’t done this before.

The Mill must be one of the

most photographed buildings in Woodbridge and it seems logical that we encourage that with a competition. The fact that we can then raise some funds for the Charity by selling a calendar is a bonus. I would like to thank the headline sponsor Marshall Hatchick Solicitors as well as The Arts Society Woodbridge for encouraging young photographers with a prize and printers Suffolk Digital for adding an A2 print for the winner.”

• Those wishing to enter the competition should submit their entries at woodbridgetidemill.org.uk/photo-competition

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Sameday, Next day International Pallets & Parcels t: 01799 521013 m: 07711 225 680 e: stuart.vant@inxpress.com

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Summer UK SEACATIONS n A ‘Seacation’ is not something that was previously recognised in the world of travel but now we find ourselves looking for new experiences closer to home they are fast becoming the ideal solution for a getaway this Summer.

Some of the World’s leading Cruise inclusive from £389pp.

Lines and largest ships will be sailing MSC have a brand new ship in UK waters from July through to Virtousa just launched and state of September with a choice of cabins, the art ready to sail, with 7 nights fine dining, first class entertainment, onboard from £799pp. spa and fitness facilities.

Fred Olsen and Hurtigruten both Sailing out of Southampton will be sail out of Dover this summer for a Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth for a small ship experience, outstanding more refined, traditional experience service and interesting guest with 3 night breaks from £399pp in a speakers. balcony cabin.

For families then why not try the full P&O’s Britannia offers 3 night Disney cruise experience sailing out sailings with full board, inside cabins of Tilbury in September. from £249pp.

Ports of call may vary and some If you want to be all inclusive onShips will be scenic cruising only so board then Celebrity’s Silhoutte staying out at sea or cruising along includes all meals, drinks, gratuities the coastline, you may be able to and WIFI for their guests with 6 night spot them from our very own Suffolk breaks from £899pp in a cabin with Coast. verandah along with Princess who If you are a regular cruiser who have both Regal Princess and Sky cannot wait to get back on the high Princess offering 4 day breaks all seas or would like to try a cruise to

see if it suits you then these breaks really are ideal and suitable for couples or single travellers alike. At present only fully vaccinated guests will be permitted on-board with the exception of children on-board

Disney Cruises, covid19 testing will be required at check in.

Please contact Deben Travel by email: team@debentravel.co.uk or call their friendly team on 01394 615620 for further information.

Live Music: Country meets the 60s SGS Promotions presents ‘Country Meets 60s’ on Saturday 17th July with live music from the talented Spencer James from The Searchers and a special guest performance from Dave Anderson.

Nigel’s Birthday Bash Saturday 3rd July, 2021

Cash Revisited Johnny Cash Tribute with special guest Jim Reeves - starts 7pm (Doors Open 6pm)

Saturday 21st August, 2021

Black Steel Trio

All concert tickets £15 each

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Country meets 60s

Saturday 17th July, 2021

Spencer James (The Searchers)

with special guest Dave Anderson

with special guest

Theresa Coupland

for bookings & more information

Tel 01473 912626 or 07591 099519

Spencer James was the lead vocalist and guitarist with the sixties legends The Searchers for over 33 years. They have performed in just about every prestigious gig in the world including Wembley Stadium (with Sir Cliff Richard), National Indoor Arena (millennium New Year with Sir Cliff), London Palladium, Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Gardens, including tours of: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, U.S.A. Canada, The Falkland islands, Europe, Middle East, “Las Vegas” and so many more around the world Spencer James was also a member of the band called “FIRST CLASS” which gave Spencer his first big hit with a song called “Beach Baby” in 1974.

The Searchers retired in March 2019, which has brought Spencer to a decision to keep himself busy. Now Spencer is appearing for the first time in his own solo show, and also backed by excellent band 60’s Explosion, singing songs from his life with The Searchers and many other songs from his life over the years.

Dave Anderson has been very fortunate to work with many top acts over a long career in music, and is now available for solo gigs! He uses good quality tracks through an excellent sound system and plays lead and rhythm guitar to a high standard to enhance a pleasing, smooth vocal style.

Dave covers straight country music, plus a host of current line dance and classic songs, also classic 60s/70s songs and will tailor his show to a promoter’s needs!

He has recorded with and worked with many top names including Frank Ifield, Tammy Jones, The Fortunes, Spencer James etc., and toured extensively across the world including Majorca, Channel I., Holland, New Zealand etc.—and has been a member of top UK bands such as Campbells Country, Barbary Coast, Jon Derek & Country Fever, George Moody Band, Wishbone etc.

He currently works with other artists as a duo in addition to solo work. If you like to listen, dance and be entertained too, then Dave could be the right act for you!

‘Country Meets 60s’ will be at Great Blakenham Village Hall, Mill Lane IP6 0NJ on Saturday 17th July. For ticket booking and information telephone 01473 912626 or 07591 099519. For details of other SGS promotions concerts please see advertisement. All concert tickets cost just £15 each.

& HIMME! n Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice… HIM & ME!, Strictly THE best show as fan favourites team up….

Brace yourselves for THE best night out in 2021 when two of BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s best loved professional dancers team up for an unforgettable tour - Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice… HIM & ME! Joined by a world class cast of dancers and singers, Anton and Giovanni are coming together to put on the show to end all shows - the ultimate entertaining night out!

The Ballroom King and the Jive Master bring you HIM & ME! - a true dance extravaganza for all ages.

HIM & ME! is produced by Strictly Theatre Co. and directed by West End star Alan Burkitt.

Ipswich24 caught up with Anton and Giovanni ahead of their visit to the Ipswich Regent this July.

How did the idea come around to do a tour together?

G - I had an idea that I would love to do a tour with my idol!! I know Anton is such a busy man, so we have been back and forth for a couple of years. We finally got the dates to line up and we now get do the most phenomenal, beautiful and fun show touring around the country.

A - I can only agree, he says it so beautifully. I’m so fond of him.

What has it been like putting a tour together during a global pandemic?

A - It’s actually still been fun as we have had a load of great zoom calls putting it all together. In ‘normal’ times, there isn’t actually much time, so we have taken our time to put it together.

Alan, our director, has some brilliant ideas, and now the problem is ‘What do we leave out of the show?’ We cannot wait to get into the studio for rehearsals.

What have you both been doing through the lockdowns?

G - We have both been working out to give the people what they want!!!

(Anton laughs).

A - You look tremendous by the way!

What makes this tour different to all the others?

G - The fact that you have a legend on stage, and also, a rising star legend is something special!

A - A rising star legend? We should have called the show that!

G - Plus, we are very different in terms of dance styles…

A - And age!! It’s wonderful for me as I love his enthusiasm. So, in that respect, we are very similar.

He’s a wonderful person and I love spending time with him. He’s a wonderful dancer and an absolute stage presence. So, I cannot wait.

G - It’s going to be amazing.

Giovanni, what was the best advice Anton gave you when you started Strictly Come Dancing?

G - He said to always keep your feet on the ground. Everyone is replaceable, so enjoy, but stay grounded and don’t become a diva!

A - Then he didn’t do any of it!!!

G - Well, I didn’t speak English at the time, so I didn’t understand any of it!!

Anton, what has Giovanni been like to work with for all these years?

A - He has been the best, the loveliest. He loves the show Strictly Come Dancing and he understands the show is about his celebrity partner. He’s so generous to them and he gets the best out of them, which is why he has done so well over the years. Made so many finals… which I’m not jealous about at all!!!

G - Well you are almost there, you have made two finals!!

A - But I’ve had a few more goes at it than you!!

Anton, what English dish would you suggest Giovanni tries?

A - Something deep fried!!

G - I have tried bangers and the smash!

A - You mean ‘bangers and mash’?

G - Yes! And toad in the hole!

After nearly a year and a half with no live theatre, what will it feel like being back on a stage performing to your fans?

G - It will be amazing and special.

A - Just being in the room for the auditions has been great, so much energy, and so much talent. The cast are all excited.

Who would you pick as an ideal dance partner on Strictly for one another, and why?

G - I have a good one for you…

Mary Berry.

A - We would be the cherry on the cake!

G - I like what you did there!!

A - Who would I pick for Giovanni??

If it was a same sex partner… Luke Evans!! Or, I know who would be great… Holly Willoughby!!

G - I would love to dance with Holly Willoughby on the show. We would have so much fun and she would do amazing.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Ipswich!

A - We are looking forward enormously to performing in Ipswich!

G - Yes, we cannot wait! I hope you’re all ready for a fun evening.

A - See you very soon with our brand new show!

• Anton & Giovanni - Him and Me! Is at the Ipswich Regent Theatre on Wednesday 21st July 2021, at 7.30pm to book tickets visit www.antonandgiovanni.com or www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

JULY 2021 EVENTS

Thursday 1st – 7.30pm LUKE WRIGHT BALLAD SELLER ...............................................................................................

Friday 2nd – 7.30pm The Rob Palmer Trio ............................................................................................... ...............................................................................................

Thursday 15th – 7.30pm Poets Tribute to Frank Wood ...............................................................................................

Saturday 17th – 7.30pm Belinda Gillett & Kevin Pearce ...............................................................................................

Friday 23rd – 6pm James Hyland’s MAD HATTER ...............................................................................................

Sunday 25th – 7pm Music in Felixstowe – OOMPAH BAND ...............................................................................................

Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/two-sisters-arts-centre

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

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Women of Suffolk

At the July meeting of the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group Sarah Doig will present a talk called “Celebrating Suffolk women”, which is a pot-pourri of stories about the county’s famous and not so well-known women.

Suffolk artists, suffragettes, medical pioneers and writers all feature in this look at the fascinating lives of the county’s heroines.

Sarah Doig is an independent historical researcher and author.

She is also a popular speaker on local and general history. As well as having written for a number of local magazines, Sarah has had several books published by The History Press and Amberley Publishing.

These include “The A-Z of Curious Suffolk”, “The Little History of Suffolk” and “A-Z of Ipswich: Places, People, History”. Sarah is the current chair of the Friends of Suffolk Archives.

This Zoom based event on Monday, 19th July at 7.30pm is free to members, but is also available to non-members at a cost of £3. If you wish to ‘attend’ please register via the website https:// avsfhg.org.uk/events/book/ by Friday 16th July at the latest and you will be sent joining instructions.

However, at a cost of £6 for a full year’s membership, why not consider signing up with this growing band of family history enthusiasts now?

Reporting accidents in the workplace According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive, in 2019 – 2020, 1.6 million working people suffered from a work related illness, 111 workers were killed at work, 693,000 working people sustained an injury at work, and there were 65,427 injuries to employees that were reported to the Health and Safety Executive.

Although the workplace should offer a safe and comfortable environment to be in, it therefore appears that accidents or incidents in which injury and loss is sustained are unfortunately all too common.

Will reporting an accident impact upon my job?

However, whilst numerous accident and incidents that result in personal injury and loss in the workplace are all too common, claims for compensation as a result perhaps are not.

Employees will fail to either report the accident itself or to make a claim because of concerns that by doing so, this will impact upon their role or the business / company that they work for, and that it could in fact have an effect upon their job security in the short / long term.

This is not in fact the case at all.

Employers are legally required to take out an employer’s liability insurance policy so that if an accident or incident occurs in the workplace, employees can claim and receive compensation for their injuries under the terms of that policy.

Therefore, any claim being brought by an employee against their employer for a work related accident or incident resulting in personal injury and loss will more than likely be as against their employer’s insurance company as opposed to the employer themselves.

Whilst initially any claim for compensation will be notified to your employer, any correspondence regarding the matter will take place with your employer’s insurance company and / or their representatives, and therefore the claim should not have any impact upon your job and relationship with your employer.

What are the common types of workplace accident?

Injuries sustained in the workplace often arise out of the following scenarios: Accidents involving faulty equipment - Manual handling operations and lifting heavy objects - Slips, trips and falls - Exposure to dangerous substances or chemicals - Falls from heights such as ladders or scaffolding

- Accidents involving dangerous machinery - Psychiatric and associated injuries resulting from stress at work - Injury sustained as a result of an assault or harassment from a person at work So if I have suffered an accident in the workplace, what should I do?

- Seek medical attention – even if you feel ok, it is important to get checked over.

- Report the accident to the relevant person at the business or workplace.

- Make sure the details recorded in the accident/incident report form are correct.

- Take photographs of the accident location and get the details of any witnesses and their account of what happened.

- Keep records of all expenses that you have incurred as a result of the incident and injuries sustained.

If you have had an accident in the workplace or suffered injury as a result of an incident in the last three years, and you would like advice on the matter, please contact the team at Prettys on 01473 232121 or email Louise Plant at lplant@prettys.co.uk.

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What’s on at Stonham Barns Park in July Take a visit to Stonham Barns Park this month and see what there is to offer. This bustling family complex is situated on the A1120 tourist route at Stonham Aspal and is filled with an abundance of attractions and activities to suit all.

In the Showground during July there are fantastic shows and events. Firstly, from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th R&D Events bring you VW Beetle-Juiced Festival a weekend of awesome music, amazing cars, and fun for the whole family.

Then on Monday 12th if you have an interest in antiques, come along to the second Mid Suffolk Mondays, a Vintage and Collectable Fair.

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th enjoy a family friendly weekend of fun, fairies, and flowers at the Gone to Earth Festival, also traditional folk and medieval music, Morris and belly dancing, and plenty of food and drink.

On Sunday 25th Stonham Barns are proud to be hosting Carrot Town Garage American Car Show featuring anything American, as long as it has an engine. Also trade stands, autojumble, club stands, food/drink stands and live music.

Every Thursday evening everyone is welcome from two wheels to quads for the Stonham Barns Bike Nights and every Sunday morning pick up a bargain at the popular Car Boot.

Other activities and attractions onsite include the shopping village with many unique shops, Bistro with fabulous home-cooked food, fishing lakes for a relaxing day of fishing, golf park with eight different golfing activities including Adventure Golf, Teapot Pottery for paint your own, Teapot Tea Room for a pot of tea and slice of cake, and the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary with over 90 different birds of prey, Meerkats and red squirrels.

For the younger ones in your family there is Tumbledown Soft Play Barn where they can run, jump, climb and explore to their hearts content.

Seasonal fairground, train rides and FREE bouncy pillow.

With so much to do and see why not stay onsite, bring the family stay in your own tent, caravan, or motorhome, hire one of the fully furnished bell tents, a fully furnished static home or even purchase your very own holiday home.

There are correct safety procedures in place for Covid-19 and Stonham

Barns Park are members of the Visit England Good to Go Scheme ensuring they are doing their best to make you safe when you visit. Face coverings must be worn in the shops and attractions, strict social distancing and there are hand sanitizing stations widely available.

This is a ‘dog friendly’ site and open seven days a week, so whether you visit them for the day or stay in their holiday park for a holiday, you will find lots to keep you busy.

• For more information visit their website: www.stonhambarns.co.uk or their social media pages.

Fete & Dog Show Hollesley fete and fun dog show is back on Saturday 31st July with all the fun and entertainment you would expect from your local village fete.

The kid’s zone has lots of new games for everyone to enjoy along with face painting and entertainment from Hollesley School.

All the usual stalls, books, toys, Jigsaws, bric a brac, plants and sideshows, including smash the plate will be there for you to enjoy.

The Fete will include a display of model boats from the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club and a Car Boot sale. A delicious BBQ will be available from 12.30pm provided by the Shepherd and Dog Pub and of course there will be a beer tent, tea, coffee, squash, ice cream and cakes available all afternoon. Don’t forget to purchase your Raffle tickets for the chance to win many fantastic prizes. The Dog Show starts at 12.45pm with six fun classes and the Best in Show.

The proceeds from the day will be divided between various Village Groups and Projects.

A family run business based in the beautiful market town of Woodbridge, we are retailers of quality Sterling Silver, precious and semi precious Jewellery. gemstone Jeweller 53A The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1AH www.silversunjewellery.co.uk Telephone: 01394 382114 Email: Silversunjewellery@gmail.com Open: Monday - Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm Sundays – Please phone in advance

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Temperature rises at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary The summer weather is finally here and daily flying displays are in full swing at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary.

An exciting selection of birds has been trained over the spring months to provide a truly memorable experience for visitors to the centre. Amongst the birds which will be flying free….and VERY close…..during these breathtaking encounters are owls, falcons, vultures, hawks, eagles, caracaras and red kites.

Many birds now fly directly from their aviaries to the flying ground, creating an air of anticipation with their spectacular entrance. Please note that in extreme weather conditions (excessive heat, wind or rain) flying displays may be replaced with meet and greet sessions with the birds in a sheltered area.

Although they do not fly the birds in inclement weather, owls and other birds of prey are particularly adaptable to variations in temperature.

Rose and Jack, the hooded vultures are native to the African continent, so well able to deal with heat, whilst Loki the snowy owl and Taiga the great grey owl, from colder climes, are superbly insulated to fend off the cold. All birds are equipped with the physiology to regulate temperature and on very hot days they rely on several unique behaviours to help to keep them cool.

At the height of summer, visitors to the centre may notice some of the birds standing with open beaks, to assist with the cooling process. Birds do not have sweat glands, so cannot perspire to regulate temperature. Neither can they pant like dogs, so opening the beak wide and breathing rapidly is a quick way increase air flow around the body.

Rapid breaths move hot air across moist surfaces in the mouth, throat and lungs - this moisture then evaporates, expelling hot air from the body.

Spreading and puffing feathers and holding wings away from the body also help to reduce body temperature by allowing air to circulate close to the skin.

Bare skin patches on legs, feet and faces allow greater heat loss than the feathered areas of the body - even a fleshy eye ring can help to dissipate heat. Some birds can swell such fleshy patches to increase their surface area if it is necessary to cool off super quickly!

During the sanctuary’s flying displays, some birds will soar at higher altitudes than normal during hot spells, seeking out thermals that will lift them into higher, cooler air.

Visitors are able to cool off themselves, between flying displays with a visit to the shady Woodland Walk, home of the shy red squirrels and cheeky meerkat family (fed twice daily). In the centre of the site, the peaceful Sensory Garden also offers a leafy canopy with plenty of picnic space beneath. Wheelchair accessible tables are provided.

Hand sanitising stations and socially distanced flying display seating remain in place and visitors are politely asked to record their temperature and wear a face covering on entry. Throughout covid restrictions, advance, online booking has been necessary for all admissions to the centre. This will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future… Please follow the link from the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary website at owl-help.org.uk to book admission tickets.

To book admission tickets please follow the link from www.owl-help.org.uk 11

Kissy-Kiss-Kiss

Whether it’s a miniature donkey or a Shetland pony, if you enjoy being followed by a baby goat or dropping food onto the tongue in the everopen mouth of one of the cows, there is always something to see and do at Baylham House Farm.

Mouse and Mini Mouse are still wandering the farm causing chaos as they go. Dottie’s piglets are venturing forth onto the pathways where they’ll happily stop for a tickle and a tummy rub Throughout July the farm is open as usual to the public with beautiful riverside and lakeside walks, ever popular residents, such as Monty the alpaca and Wilma the Kune Kune pig, together with this year’s kids all competing for attention (and food!). Many people come for the day (and at the end of the day plenty of children still don’t want to leave, unless - of course - they can smuggle a kid home with them).

The café is still not open but there are plenty of places around the farm to enjoy your own picnic. Open all week, 10am until 5pm. For more details visit BaylhamFarm on Facebook, the website at www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk or phone 01473 830264.

12

Festival of Classic & Sports Cars Held in association with the Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club (SVEC). Over 7,000 people attended the 2019 festival.

Over 1000 vehicles attend, representing the last 10 decades of motoring history, including many from Britain’s motoring heyday – marques on display included Alvis, Bristol, Jensen, AC Riley, Armstong Sideley, Lea Francis, Crossley, BSA, Lagonda, Lanchester and Gordon Keeble. The oldest vehicle seen on display was a 1914 Ford Model T and the latest sports car models have included the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang’s as well as Ferraris’ and Porsche.

This amazing collection of vehicles is displayed against the backdrop of Helmingham Hall and its surrounding moat which sits in the middle of the ancient deer park.

As well as this impressive display of vehicles, the festival is also a lovely day out for the whole family with children’s activities, fairground stalls, over 40 craft and trade stalls, main ring entertainment, birds of prey and much more!

There will be an abundance of local food, drink and entertainment. Country music artists Jax & Co will be playing among other performers, plus Chocks Away will be dancing throughout the day showing off their skills in Jive, Swing and Lindy Hop. The 2019 event made a £5,600 donation for EACH – East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice’s The Treehouse Hospice – www.each.org.uk To control numbers for social distancing we have limited the number of tickets available. If these sell out we will not be able to offer tickets on the day. If the event is cancelled due to Covid-19, as always a full refund will be given.

Tickets can be purchased through the website at www.helmingham.com or on the gate on the day (if available). Please be aware that there are no card facilities on the gate on the day. Discount vouchers and Historic House memberships are not valid on event days.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome!

Mayor opens new farmyard themed play area The new play area at Ipswich’s Alexandra Park has been opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Riley.

The inclusive play area that is now located near the central path through the park, has a ‘farmyard’ theme complete with a tractor and haybarn. It has an impact absorbent surface to improve safety and features graphics to encourage imaginative play, swings, seesaws and springers, as well as a sensory and quiet play section. The toilets have also been redecorated with new lighting installed.

As part of the project, and the Council’s carbon reduction measures, an electric

Catering for all kinds of crafters and artists Although many crafters undertake their projects inside there are many types of crafting which can be completed whilst enjoying the garden. Cross stitching and tapestry is one of these.

Hannah Dale is renowned for her fun animal portraits with an ‘splattered’ ink background. ‘Bothy Threads’ have worked with this artist to reproduce some of her designs resulting in some fun, modern pictures that are a delight to stitch and appeal to a wide audience. At Craftability they have a selection of these and other new designs in stock.

With ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ now at an end on BBC TV why not be inspired by this series to turn your hand to sewing something for yourself? Craftability have a new selection of fabric in stock from poly cotton to cotton lawn and georgette to jersey. They also have an abundance of tools and accessories to aid with this.

Painting can also be enjoyed outside, and Craftability have a selection of oil, water colour and acrylic paints for the budding and established artists. They also carry a range of crafters acrylic, poster paint, powder paints, enamels, and glass paints for you to experiment with. For larger projects you can choose from acrylic and enamel spray paints.

So, what’s your excuse? Craftability’s friendly and helpful staff are waiting to serve you and advise on which products you need to set you off on your new crafting project.

Have a lovely summer!

point has been installed to prevent engine idling from traditional ice-cream vans.

The old play area will be fenced off while equipment is removed, and the area returned to grass. Where possible, equipment and railings will be recycled and used in other parks.

Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Riley, said, “Not everyone has access to outdoor space at home, which is why we are lucky in Ipswich to have so many parks and open spaces for families to visit.

“This play area will help give a new lease of life to the park and provide children with a vibrant space to take part in outdoor play. We cannot wait to see them get stuck in and explore the farmyard.”

Councillor Phil Smart, Portfolio Holder for Parks at Ipswich Borough Council, said, “We are thrilled to be able to open another new play area in Ipswich for children and families to enjoy.

“As with all our play areas, we choose a theme and use equipment alongside visual and sensory elements to help encourage imaginative play for all children.

“The installation of an electric point for concession vehicles and carts will make those hot summer days more refreshing for visitors, while ensuring that carbon emissions are kept low.”

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Fresh Start to events as charity unveils an

Afternoon Tea A Suffolk charity is launching details of its first fundraising event since lockdown, welcoming high-profile speakers to lead an afternoon tea, sharing their stories of surviving child sexual abuse.

Fresh Starts new beginnings, which provides the only therapeutic service for children and young people in Suffolk and Norfolk who have been victims of sexual abuse, has seen demand for its services soar over the past year. Now, in efforts to boost funds and extend its support to victims and families, it is opening ticket sales for the event which features presentations from Lennox Rodgers, Fahema Bassett and Fiona Broadfoot.

Lennox Rodgers is a former gang member and drug dealer involved in more than 20 armed robberies. He turned his life around and formed the charity Refocus, sharing his story of abuse and crime in efforts to support future generations.

Fahema Bassett is an emerging Tik Tok influencer who shares her story of being subjected to both physical and sexual abuse from a young age. She now has almost 60k followers on the platform.

Activist Fiona Broadfoot was forced into prostitution at the age of just 15 and has founded the ‘Build a Girl UK’ project, a survivor-led social enterprise working with young women at risk of, or experiencing, sexual exploitation.

The event, which will be held on Friday 9th July at Venue16 in Ipswich and hosted by Radio Suffolk’s Wayne Bavin, aims to raise funds for the charity which

has seen demand for its services surge.Offering therapeutic and support services for children up to the age of 18, and their families, Fresh Starts new beginnings is able to support just 200 children per year and has seen its waiting list rocket from 50 to 130 since the beginning of lockdown.

Managing Director Patsy Johnson said, “One of the most devastating impacts of lockdown has been the heightened risk to vulnerable children who lost their usual escape and support mechanisms. Nationally, calls for help from young people have risen, and locally we are seeing this trend with a growing waiting list which we currently do not have the resources to support.

“We hope this event will provide fascinating and moving insight into the impacts of abuse, by survivors who have gone on to help countless other young people. These adults are the voices of children all over the country who don’t feel safe in speaking out.

“We can’t disclose information about our children or share their stories, but we can hear from adults who have been victims of sexual abuse, so we can incite change and keep our young people safe.

“Our three presenters are incredible people with a deep desire to make a change and help others with shared experiences. At a time when our fundraising opportunities have been cut to the bare minimum, we hope this first physical event since lockdown will be a huge success in securing vital funds for our crucial services.

Tickets for the afternoon tea, which is sponsored by Goldstar Transport Ltd are available at a cost of £30 per person or £300 for a table of 10.

Local independent businesses will be offering shopping opportunities before and after the event.

• To book your tickets just email hannah@fsnb.org.uk.

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LATITUDE FESTIVAL

The award-winning festival returns to Henham Park in Suffolk from 22nd until 25th July. The popular family festival boasts a weekend of music, theatre, comedy, workshops and more. Latitude’s eclectic programme spans from main stage headline sets to stand-up comedy, and theatre productions from esteemed companies. Acts headlining this year include Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol and Bastille, with more to be announced! The festival also includes late night DJ sets, interactive art installations, families fun, dance, poetry, comedy and wellbeing activities. www.latitudefestival.com

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Summer at RSPB Minsmere Set in 2500 acres, RSPB Minsmere holds a mixture of habitats that provide a home for over 6200 recorded species of plants and animals. Where April and May see the return of avocets and other wading birds, June, July and August see the biggest emergence of insects and wildflowers.

Just a short walk from the visitor centre is the main hub of bird activity here at Minsmere where the icon of the RSPB – the avocet – can be found nesting and feeding in the shallow waters of the scrape. These striking black and

n Whether you’re looking for beautiful scenic walks or seeking out some of the UK’s most elusive wildlife, the Suffolk Coast is one of the best spots to be this summer. There isn’t a season that doesn’t offer something special at Minsmere, but with more hours of daylight and warm weather, summer is probably the best time to see the largest diversity of wildlife on the reserve.

whilst the border of tall reeds provides shelter for bearded tits and reed warblers.

Deeper into the reedbeds lurk the secretive bitterns, a master of camouflage whose booming call can be heard for miles around, but are often seen skulking in the shallow edges of pools or flying low and heavy with bellyfuls of fish over the footpaths.

Higher overhead marsh harriers swoop, spin and soar in sky-dancing displays. These large birds of prey were once on the verge of extinction 50 years ago, with only one breeding pair left in the whole country at Minsmere in 1971. Today more than 400 pairs can be found across the UK thanks to the conservation work of the RSPB and other organisations.

The woodlands offer quieter, shaded strolls to see a large variety of butterflies such as white admirals, silver-washed fritillaries and purple hairstreaks, as well as red deer, stoats and badgers.

white delicate birds with thin upturned beaks had been extinct in Britain for 100 years, until they were discovered at Minsmere and Havergate in 1947. The flooding of farmland as part of wartime coastal defences had created a foothold of prime breeding habitat for these birds to return, a happy accident that started what is now nearly 75 years of successful conservation. They share this space with rowdy black-headed gulls, common terns, geese and ducks, each in turn raising families,

what Minsmere has to offer, such as hire-aguide events each week, as well as evening nightjar walks, beginner’s plant, bird and insect courses and guided family walks, all available to book from our website.

Volunteer guides are on hand to point out some of the fantastic array of butterflies and birds around the trails, there’s no expectation that you have to be an expert in natural history!

One of the highlights of a summer visit has to be Digger Alley – a long patch of sandy footpath that holds a colony of bee wolves and pantaloon bees. These beautiful insects lead incredible short lives, but are some of the best pollinators for a host of wildflowers and it’s worth spending a few moments finding out more about them from the volunteers based there.

For those wanting to discover more we have bespoke experiences to the see the most of

No visit is complete without a visit to the café and gift shop. The café serves Minsmere’s famous cheese scones and breakfast rolls, as well as seasonal favourites, delicious puddings and cakes. You can also refresh yourself here with ice-creams, local soft drinks or hot teas and coffees.

The shop has a specialist telescope and binocular department with experts on hand to offer advice on the best equipment to suit your needs. There is a wide selection of bird care and feed products to take home for your garden wildlife, as well as the latest natural history books and souvenirs to remind you of your visit.

Minsmere has a long history of providing a wonderful place for wildlife to shelter, grow and thrive, and there’s always something new to discover, I suppose that’s why we love the place so much!

15

A third of Brits are planning to blow the budget on a holiday of a lifetime once restrictions are lifted - but want assurances about accommodation, flights and travel insurance.

Research of 2,000 adults found many can’t wait to go on holiday, but are feeling nervous about making bookings after recent months of uncertainty. And six in 10 don’t feel confident about hitting the book button on all aspects of a holiday without peace of mind from travel companies.

While one in six feel overwhelmed about choosing a location for their first trip in at least a year – and one in five are worried they’ll forget to book something important as they’re out of practice.

Nisreene Atassi, Sr. Director for Expedia, which commissioned the research as part of its Travel Companions Report, said, “The results have shown there will definitely be a different approach when booking holidays from now on.

“The desire to go on holiday seems as strong as ever - and the reaction from the public following the announcement of the ‘green list’ proves this.

We have seen an interest for travel destinations such as Israel and Iceland are three times higher

than the week before. Many are looking to escape the routine of everyday life – but it’s clear there’s also a need for more reassurance when it comes to making key decisions.”

It also emerged nearly half of Brits said they feel stressed at the thought of booking an overseas trip in the next 12 months. Nearly a third admitted they’re more overwhelmed booking a trip now than they were before the pandemic began – and one in five feel they require more of a helping hand when doing so.

Respondents will spend an average of eight hours on booking their next trip away identifying the location, getting the best prices and hitting book. It was important to 42 per cent they could make changes to their booking easily, while it was vital to 40 per cent to know everything about Covid-19 travel procedures.

Knowing they’ll have support when cancelling or amending their trip, being able to easily check policies on bookings and knowing costs up front were also essential to respondents. And Brits will be most happy to escape cleaning and household chores, cooking and sitting at a desk all day when going on holiday, according to the research via OnePoll.

While 31 per cent are looking forward to booking activities that offer a completely different

experience to their usual day-to-day routine.

When on a trip, travellers cite hotel staff, the travel agency and the front desk as the biggest helping hands when away – with 35 per cent grateful for such assistance on their last trip.

Food proved to be the biggest thrill for those planning their next trip, as 41 per cent said got them most excited.

Despite such enthusiasm, 29 per cent plan to travel domestically for at least another year – with the same number finding the idea of travel in a post-Covid world stressful.

Nisreene Atassi for Expedia, added, “Over the past year, we have found that customers want a trusted partner who is offering them a helping hand every step of the way, supporting them to ensure they get the most out of their trips.

“As travellers adjust to the new norms post-COVID, we must adjust as well, and this is just the first chapter in a journey to really deliver against our mission of being a brand that is there for travellers from start to finish.”

To feel more assured when booking your next trip, Expedia have created a Travel Advisory Tool, just visit https://www.expedia.co.uk/lp/b/travel-advisor

Brits set for mega holidays A family-friendly journey through history, all imagined in LEGO® bricks. From tiny recreations that could fit in your hand, to a 1.5m square medieval castle, these models will make you smile, make you think, and inspire you to build a better world.

Brick History inspired family activities and exhibition events throughout the summer holidays: l Tuesdays

and Saturdays: Make Suffolk out of LEGO® bricks

l Wednesdays: l Fridays:

Let’s Get Crafty

Creative workshops with Rock Paper Scissors

l Saturdays

throughout August: Cinema Club featuring The Lego Movie, The Lego Movie 2, The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie

The Hold is a new heritage centre on the waterfront in Ipswich, which is home to the Ipswich branch of Suffolk Archives.

@suffolkarchives www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whatson 16

The Oddfellows is under starter’s orders!

After months of restrictions, lockdowns and friendship at online events, the Ipswich Oddfellows were finally able to get together and enjoy a friendship walk in beautiful Christchurch Park in May. Fifteen members braved the chilly and grey conditions to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. No shouts of “You’re on mute!” but instead “Oh, you’ve got legs!” as they met some people for the first time in reality. It was a great feeling of freedom.

The Oddfellows is all about friendship, and over the past year they have worked hard to keep in touch with their members to offer support as best they could. The online events have been varied and well attended.

Now their social programme is beginning to take shape and they look forward to meeting up in person once again with their regulars as well as welcoming new members. The Oddfellows will be walking again on 17th June at 10.30am, meeting inside the Soane Street gate of Christchurch Park. All welcome to join in a stroll.In July, they hope to reopen their meeting Hall in High Street for a variety of events including; chair-based exercise sessions, word games, a bring-your-own lunch, Busy Fingers crafts and a “pub-nite-in”. Of course, all events are COVID-secure and subject to government guidance.

If any reader would like more details of upcoming events and information about membership then please get in touch with Lynne, our Branch Secretary, email ipswich.branch@oddfellows.co.uk or phone 01473 251867 (leave a message during out of office hours)

You can also check out www.facebook.com/oddfellowsipswich or www.oddfellows.co.uk/events Established in 1810, the Oddfellows is one of the largest and oldest friendly societies in the UK, with 404,000 members across 115 Branches nationwide. they’re a non-profit mutual run by their members for their members, and they do their best to improve the quality of people’s lives through friendship, care and charity. It costs from £25 a year to join us as a member and become part of this friendly society.

Packed Programme as Institute re-opens Ipswich Institute has re-opened and is now welcoming back its members to the Library building and Pages Café.

With a choice of over 50, there really is something for every taste including a variety of arts sessions, language tasters, music, history, classics and photography all part of the programme.

Regular Tutors’ are offering taster sessions which include Philosophy, Architectural History, Guitar, Ukulele, Soft Metal working, and Yoga whilst guest speakers will include Suffolk accented raconteur, Charlie Haylock (talking about his role coaching Ralph Fiennes and other stars of the Sutton Hoo inspired movie “The Dig”) and Del White, founder of the Windrush Consortium (presenting on the arrival of the SS Windrush, in 1948 - with 492 passengers of Caribbean descent - and their subsequent contribution and legacy).

• Details of the programme, and becoming a member of the Institute, are available by telephoning 01473 253992 or emailing library@ipswichinstitute.org.uk

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17

Demand for lockdown pets sees RSPCA rehome more animals than ever before! n The RSPCA’s local Norfolk and Suffolk branch is celebrating after rehoming more animals than ever before, despite 2020 being such a tough year due to the Covid pandemic.

RSPCA Mid Norfolk & North Suffolk branch - also known as RSPCA Norwich and based in Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk - rehomed 615 animals in 2020, almost 12% more than 2019 when the team found homes for 550 animals.

The branch - which has no animal centre but uses a network of dedicated fosterers to care for animals until they’re rehomed found new homes for 399 cats, 46 rabbits, 44 birds, 41 dogs, 28 rats, 16 fish, 15 guinea pigs, nine ferrets, five gerbils, two donkeys, two goats, two leopard geckos, two bearded dragons, one hamster, one snake, one terrapin and one tortoise.

Anna Fehr-Foote, central services manager at the branch, said, “The team has done a fabulous job, especially considering everything that’s been going on.

“Despite the global pandemic and lockdown which hit all charities hard due to charity shop closures and fundraising event cancellations, we’ve managed to help and rehome more animals than ever before.

“We saw a huge surge in demand

for pets during lockdown as people found themselves at home with more time on their hands and as many sought companionship from animals. This meant we were able to find homes for many more animals while still ensuring we carried out rigorous checks to guarantee we matched the right pets to the right homes.”

Some of the lucky animals the team rehomed in 2020 include: - Amazon green parrot Bud, a 21-year-old who arrived at the branch in March very overweight, due to her love of crisps! It didn’t take long for the chatty bird, to shed the excess weight and find a new loving home; - Cat Holly arrived at the branch in 2018 as a stray. She went into long-term foster care and, after more than a year in RSPCA care, found a loving forever home during lockdown; - Seven geese, two goats and a dove were rescued by RSPCA inspectors from a house and came into the branch. While volunteers deal with very few farm animals,

they set about finding the menagerie the perfect new homes; - Just 24 hours after the country was plunged into its first lockdown, branch staff had their hands full when rescue cat Puma gave birth to four kittens. They were all rehomed to excited new families.

There are still animals looking for their forever homes so if you’d like to offer a pet a new home, please visit the branch website to Find Each Other: www.rspcanorwich. org.uk/adoption-and-rehoming/ animals-available-for-adoption.

The branch also continued its work trapping, neutering and releasing feral cats at sites around Norfolk, carrying out 63 neuters in total during 2020. The team also issued 2,554 neutering vouchers to help the owners of cats, dogs and rabbits get their pets neutered and avoid any unwanted litters; as well as

distributing 624 welfare vouchers to help struggling families pay for vet bills.

Chief Executive Greg Brown said, “I am very proud of the outstanding animal welfare results that we, as a branch, achieved in 2020. These were our best figures in many years, and all whilst we were in the grips of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The need for the RSPCA and the vital work that we undertake doesn't stop or slow down because of Covid-19, so we will continue to do our best for the animals and their owners in Norfolk and Suffolk.”

In 2021, the team at RSPCA Mid Norfolk & North Suffolk branch received an average of 342 calls a month. To help them continue to provide vital help for animals in need in the local area, visit www.rspcanorwich.org.uk/donate to make a donation.

Don’t cook your dog

The UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, the Kennel Club, is warning dog lovers of the dangers of leaving their pets in cars this summer, and has issued a set of simple tips to keep dogs safe in the heat.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said, “Every year the Kennel Club hears of dogs being literally cooked to death inside hot cars, and the chance of this happening increases dramatically during a heatwave.

“In common with many animals, dogs are extremely sensitive to heat, more so than humans, and even on a mildly warm day they can quickly overheat, even with the car windows open and water available, as temperatures can quickly heat up to around 50 degrees Celsius, and this is accelerated dramatically on scorching days.

“Dogs dying in hot cars is completely avoidable and it just is not worth the risk to leave a dog in a car, for any amount of time.”

The Kennel Club has issued the following advice to keep dogs safe during the Summer months: • Always provide access to fresh, cool water and shade, preferably in a well-ventilated area • Don’t expose your dogs to unnecessary heat – consider walking them early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day and take cool water with you on your walk • Plan your days carefully and never leave a dog unattended in a car or tied up outside. Search for dog friendly places that are part of the Kennel Club’s Be Dog Friendly campaign and will allow dogs inside, at www.dogfriendly.co.uk.

• Never let your dog take part in unnecessary exertion in hot weather, or stand in exposed sunlight for extended lengths of time.

• Be aware of the signs of overheating in dogs, which include panting, disorientation, excessive thirst, dark gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, losing consciousness.

• Never pass by a dog if you see one suffering in a car. Whether it be in a supermarket car park or at the pub, make sure you let someone in authority know and if in doubt call the police on 101 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

What to do if your dog overheats: • Contact the vet immediately • Move the dog out of the heat • Offer the dog cool, rather than cold, water for small drinks if the dog is still conscious • If possible, fan the dog with cool air • Wrap in cool, damp towels or spray with cool, not cold, water. Pay particular attention to the head.

• Cool the dog’s tongue by dabbing with a cold, damp cloth www.thekennelclub.org.uk

18

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The new 900 Plus service (that’s 900MBPS for both upload and download speeds) costs £40 per month and comes with free activation (usually £29.99) along with a price for life guarantee. The set-up is really easy too with a friendly and helpful team on hand to walk you through the entire process to ensure your new full fibre service is installed with minimal fuss.

Zen recently topped the Which? broadband survey 2021. On revealing the results, the Which? article stated, “Only one provider stood out in this year’s survey – Zen Internet took top spot and was the only company to receive four stars in every category.”

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No more nasty shocks As consumers we have become accustomed to how the telecoms sector operates – entice you in with an attractive offer, then boom… price rise after price rise. They are even written into the contract small print so you can no longer withdraw penalty free if the price changes mid contract. Before you know it, you’re paying the earth for average service.

Zen has taken a different approach going against the industry grain because as a company, it doesn’t think that’s fair, so simply doesn’t do it. The longer you stay with Zen, the better value your package

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And it’s just another great reason to choose Zen.

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Better broadband with a price for life Ipswich – the price of your package will never increase with Zen. Unlock the latest gigabit-speed broadband with the Zen Price for Life.

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19

£40,000 — the true spend on tech for Brits The typical adult will spend around £40,000 on tech during their lifetime, according to a study. This will include 21 mobile phones, 16 games consoles and 16 laptops or computers – along with more than 1,000 batteries and 126 charging cables.

They’ll also possess a total 13 TVs, 16 tablets and 13 cameras – not forgetting 21 pairs of headphones and 16 sets of speakers.

However, the research commissioned by musicMagpie found almost a fifth of adults will simply bin their tech once they’ve finished with it – even if the device is still in working order. And more than a third of the 2,000 adults polled will hang on to their old gadgets because they ‘don’t know what else to do with them.’

It also emerged the average adult could currently make £2,094.77 from trading in the tech in their home, based on the average value musicMagpie will pay customers when they sell technology items.

Liam Howley, from musicMagpie, said, “Our research has shown that people will own a staggering amount of tech during their lifetime, much of which will currently be dormant in households, as people don’t know what to do with it after it’s no longer in use. But it’s wasteful to just leave them tucked away in drawers, and not environmentally friendly to dump them in a bin. By trading in used tech, people can not only make extra cash for themselves, but will ensure their tech is refurbished for the next person to use.”

The study also found those polled will own 16 PC monitors, 21 smartwatches and 16 MP3 players during their lifetime. And during a typical year they will spend almost £309 on the latest gadgets and gizmos, with another £25.22 a month spent on contracts for devices such as mobile phones.

But while three in five claim they ‘couldn’t live’ without their beloved tech, more than a fifth said they tend to replace their old devices because they have become dated. More than two thirds usually purchase new gadgets because their old one has stopped working.

It also emerged that when it comes to dumping the products they no longer use, 42 per cent aren’t sure about how to recycle tech and dispose of it responsibly. But nearly three quarters have never heard of the term ‘e-waste’ – a term to describe discarded electrical items – despite 74 per cent admitting they contribute to this. And while 79 per cent recycle whatever

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20

they can of plastics, just 44 per cent have recycled electronics.

A quarter have actually made money from recycling old gadgets by selling them on to be recycled or refurbished.

But hanging onto the old gadgets could result in lost money as data shows the value of a new iPhone can depreciate by up to £290 a year and Samsung models by up to £293.

The study also found that despite 59 per cent of those polled recognising the importance of recycling electronics to help care for the environment, 32 per cent are more likely to replace a damaged gadget.

In comparison, the musicMagpie study,carried out through OnePoll, found just 23 per cent attempt to fix the item. Knowing the positive impact refurbished tech can have on the planet, 55 per cent would happily purchase more re-purposed gadgets than they already do.

To trade in unused tech visit www.musicmagpie.co.uk/

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n Rapid growth of home broadband has changed all of our lives and has had a transformative impact on the entertainment we consume. Netflix, which started life as a home DVD rental company, realised that with speeds continuing to get faster they could empower people to stream directly onto their screens.

Now, Netflix is an industry giant. By the end of 2020, it had a total of 200 million subscribers, enormous revenue numbers and more than 500 new TV shows and movies preparing to launch.

Also known as ‘Over The Top’ services, PWC predicts a surge in revenues in the space - from $46.4 billion in 2019 to $86.8 billion in 2024.

In parallel, global data consumption is also predicted to rise significantly in that period, from 1.9 quadrillion megabytes to 4.9 quadrillion megabytes.

This explosive growth wouldn’t be possible without robust broadband infrastructure, which is why CityFibre is working to bring full fibre

technology to towns and cities across the UK, including across the East of England region.

Full fibre networks, unlike many of the copperbased ‘fibre broadband’ services available, use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the connection point. This gives users speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for upload and download, near limitless bandwidth and connectivity users can depend on.

These networks won’t just make streaming TV and movies easier. According to a report, the UK video games market generated £7 billion in 2020, driven by increased use due to the pandemic. Of that, some £4.55 billion was spent on software and a staggering 85% was on digital rather than physical boxed games.

That goes some way to understanding Sony’s decision to launch two versions of its next-gen PlayStation 5 console, one with a disc drive and one without. With the latter, that means games must be downloaded via the internet – and with games getting bigger, that puts enormous strain on digital infrastructure, unless you have gigabitspeeds powered by full fibre.

Of course, it’s not just within the home that full fibre can make a colossal difference. With events back on the horizon, organisers are looking to grab attention in an increasingly competitive landscape and full fibre has a part to play in that.

One example is a partnership between Vodafone and Wasps rugby club, where they used 5G – underpinned by full fibre - to transform the fan experience at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry (which benefits from a connection to CityFibre’s network).

For fans in #5Gamechanger seats, they were able to use a smartphone to livestream footage from 360° cameras around the pitch and enjoy an augmented reality experience at half-time.

And further innovations are underway, like the 5G Festival project in Brighton which aims to stream live music gigs to audiences across the globe by integrating 5G into venues in the city.

Again, none of these experiences would be possible without full fibre. With technology driving so much change in the entertainment landscape, it’s vital that the East of England has a digital infrastructure which supports the innovations we know are coming – and the ones we’re yet to discover.

To find out more about CityFibre and our work across the East of England and to register your interest in services, www.cityfibre.com/ip24.

21

athome LIFESTYLE INTERIORS EXTERIORS GARDENS

Novelty teapot maker helps special day Heritage and novelty teapot maker Carters of Suffolk - suppliers to famous global stores and venues - has been invited to help with fundraising in the run up to the first NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Celebration Day (5 July).

The day will be an annual day of thanks and remembrance.

Carters of Suffolk, based at Stonham Barns Park in Suffolk, has produced high quality handmade British ceramics since 1978 bringing joy and happiness to people everywhere.

This was particularly true during the Covid-19 pandemic which saw teapot sales ‘boom’ as people spent more time at home, drinking more tea and starting teapot collections to style their interior home makeovers.

Three bespoke Carters of Suffolk teapots have been designed, produced and donated to support this worthy event organised by royal event pageant master Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR. In addition, a collection of teapot figurines depicting members of the healthcare and emergency

services sectors has been produced to commemorate the skilled and tireless work of these dedicated people, who worked throughout the time the virus swept the UK. The teapot figurines pay tribute to the work of doctors, nurses, police and firefighters. A percentage of money from the sale of these collectable teapots is being passed onto two key charities, NHS Charities Together and the National Care Home Association, for the welfare of its workers.

Explains owner Mark Gillam, “Life has changed for everyone this year, and we can confirm that people are paying more attention to some of the more simple pleasures of life like enjoying afternoon tea; and using beautiful ceramics to embellish their homes.

“We look forward to a long and happy association with this event supplying hand-crafted teapots to mark the occasion and to bring recognition to those who went ‘above and beyond’ for which we are all eternally grateful.”

Said Stonham Barns Park Owner Alan Forward, “We are delighted to be supporting the NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Celebration Day and will be joining the nation’s 1pm toast to these heroes with a ‘tea party’ at Carters of Suffolk ‘Teapot Tearoom’. To the NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

The first NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day will feature a series of events involving every aspect of society and raising money for two excellent causes – NHS Charities Together, which supports 250 hospitals and their charitable trusts, and the National Care Association, representing 1.6 million workers caring for some of society’s frailest citizens. The events will include a two-minute silence at 11.00am for those workers who died during the pandemic followed by a lunchtime toast, street and village garden parties and an afternoon tea to celebrate the work of those who worked throughout the most challenging months. Captain Sir Thomas Moore will also be remembered for his heroic fundraising spirit. n The Carters of Suffolk Teapot Pottery is the world’s best-known UK manufacturer specialising in making novel and creatively designed teapots for over 40 years. The manufacturing processes, highly dependent on skilled labour, have changed little since the 18th century. Each teapot takes about a week to produce. The teapots are made in small quantities to make them highly collectable. The gold details are produced using real gold and the silver colouring is ‘platinum’. The pottery’s most popular teapot designs include, Classic Book Collections, the Aga Range, the Baking Range, Figurines, the Animal range and the Classic Car and Locomotive Collections.

For more information visit Carters of Suffolk at www.cartersofsuffolk.com 22

AT HOME

Kitchen sink dramas British kitchens are home to more than three billion arguments a year, 165 million children’s tantrums – and will see 138 million secrets revealed.

A study of 2,000 adults revealed that across the UK, a massive 524 million decisions will be made in the room each year – including 83 million ‘lifechanging’ choices, along with a number of marriage proposals.

The room, which 57 per cent agreed was the heart of the home, will also witness almost 28 million dishes burned beyond recognition each year, setting the smoke alarm off 166 million times. And over the course of the lockdowns, kitchens have become even busier, being turned into a hair salon (31 per cent), classroom (11 per cent), home office (15 per cent) and a backdrop for video calls (22 per cent). Almost four in 10 adults have had a big heart-to-heart in the room while almost one in 20 have even got engaged.

The study also found the average adult will spend just over two hours a day in their kitchen – the equivalent of 32 full days a year. As a result, 51 per cent said it is important that their kitchen reflects their personality and lifestyle.

TV favourite and perfectionist Prue Leith CBE, who is the ambassador for Omega Kitchens, which commissioned the research, said, “On the surface it is easy to think the kitchen’s only function is related to all things food, but we know that for many it is so much more than that.

“In a lot of households, it really is the heart of the home, and somewhere we spend a huge amount of our time, especially over recent months. As a result, it has to deal with the comings and goings of daily life, be functional for preparing food, fit into the design and colour scheme of the home and many also feel it should fit in with their individual personality and lifestyle.

“It’s also the site of some pretty important life changing decisions, from deciding to have a baby through to moving house or buying a new car. We think that makes it the most important room in any home.”

The study found the typical kitchen will be home to 112 arguments a year, with the majority of those about the washing up or loading the dishwasher.

On top of this, it will also be the location for six children’s tantrums, five revelations laid bare and 19 decisions annually. A further three big life decisions will be made, including deciding to move to a new house (35 per cent), quitting a job (26 per cent) and having a child (20 per cent). And more than 24 roast dinners will be cooked each year, although one dish will be completely ruined.

Top 10 li fe decisio ns to make in the kitch en 1. To buy a ne

make sure it also reflects your w car personality and looks exactly how 2. To mov you want as well. And, whilst we e house know the majority have more 3. To buy a pet simple colour walls in the home, 4. To quit the kitchen cabinets are a great a job 5. To add way to introduce a splash of a home e xtension colour into the room. Kitchens 6. To mov e in togethe don’t have to just be one colour, r 7. To hav there are so many options, and e a child at Omega people can choose 8. To get a new tatt from 22 door colours, 12 oo 9 . To get m cabinet colours and 19 door arried styles, giving more than 400 10. To reti re options in total.” *All national figures are based on 27,600,000 households in the UK

Three in 10 have had a romantic moment in the kitchen, with almost one in twenty (four per cent) using it as a first date location while six per cent have had a first kiss in the room.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 57 per cent have spent more time than ever in their kitchen recently, with 60 per cent now more likely to redecorate or change it as a result. Perhaps, unsurprisingly since only 11 per cent said they currently have their ‘forever kitchen’.

The size of the room (34 per cent) is the top thing people would like to update, followed by the storage space (33 per cent), style of the cabinets (29 per cent), worktops (27 per cent) and colour scheme (26 per cent). And of the typical British kitchen, 62 per cent have either white or grey kitchen walls – with just 1 per cent opting for a more daring purple wall colour.

Colour loving Prue, who has had Omega Kitchens for 25 years, added, “I am well-known for my love of colour and using colour in your kitchen can

23

AT HOME

Burgled while at home!

New research from Churchill Home Insurance reveals that last year saw more than 280,000 burglaries reported to police forces across the UK – an average of 768 burglaries every day.

There were an estimated 100,000 fewer burglaries in 2020 than in 2019 due to so many people at home because of the pandemic, a fall of 27 per cent.

Despite this fall in burglaries, Churchill calculates a total of £926 million in home insurance claims were made throughout the year – an average of £2.5 million worth of possessions stolen every day.

To monitor burglary rates and attitudes towards burglary amongst households across the country, Churchill Home Insurance is launching its Churchill Burglary Barometer, a quarterly tracker investigating how rates of burglary and perceptions of risk change. The new barometer will monitor police and claims data, along with consumer attitudes and opinions, to track changes in how burglary is affecting the UK, highlighting differences in both criminal and homeowner behaviours to help make households across the UK safer.

While the number of burglaries fell last year, it remains a major concern for households, with 16 million adults across the UK (31 per cent) describing themselves as worried about their property being burgled.

However, people also believe that the biggest contributing factors to burglary are largely avoidable. More than 60 per cent believe leaving doors and windows open or unlocked is a leading factor to a break in (61per cent), closely followed keeping expensive items visible through windows or doors (53 per cent).

Despite being fearful of burglary, one in six (18 per cent), some nine million people, admit that their property isn’t well-protected against burglary, with two thirds of these (six million) saying they’re concerned their home will

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be burgled. Of the 17.4 million people who say they aren’t worried about burglary, half (49 per cent) believe that they are well-protected against break ins, showing that with the right protection also comes peace of mind for most. However, 1.6 million people admitted they were neither worried by nor protected against burglary.

When asked about the security measures in their own home, those who fear burglary and don’t believe they are well-protected appear to be safer than they thought, with a greater proportion (94 per cent) having some form of security measures in place than those who are not worried but feel they are well-protected (85 per cent). The most common safety features included double locks, automatic light sensors, door chains and burglar alarms.

Steven Williams, Head of Churchill home insurance, said, “With lockdown restrictions easing we are all going to be out of our homes more often from now on. As we’ve seen from the latest data, burglary rates are down from last year but still remain high considering the amount of time we have all been spending at home. With more than six million Britons admitting to living in fear of burglary while not having fully protected themselves, we’re launching our Burglary Barometer to raise awareness of the crime, the real risk levels and the easy steps people can take to help prevent a break-in.”

Churchill has provided the following tips to help people make their homes as safe as possible against the threat of burglary: Do the basics well: It may sound simple, but sometimes an unlocked door or open window can be the only invitation a burglar needs to break into a home.

Always make sure you lock all doors and windows at night or before going out, and ensure that all easily accessible, high value items such as wallets, phones and laptops are kept out of sight Make life hard for burglars: As well as installing security measures like cameras and alarms, also consider other items that may be useful for breaking and entering, such as ladders or hammers. Large hedges, fences or trees can also give burglars the cover they need to carry out their actions undetected.

Take steps when you go away: Before you go on holiday, cancel any papers or milk you might have delivered and install timers which switch lights or radios on automatically. This will make it harder for potential burglars to identify that a house is unoccupied.

Look out for your neighbours: Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate around the UK and anyone can get involved. They are set up to allow local people to help the police cut crime and are led by volunteer co-ordinators who get everyone together to discuss how they can make their area a safer place to live.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best: Sometimes being the victim of a burglary can be attributed to nothing but bad luck. If the worst does happen, knowing that you have an up-to-date, comprehensive home insurance policy that will replace any items stolen or damaged in a burglary can help put your mind at rest.

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AT HOME

Plans to restore 16th Century Waterfront building

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Ipswich Borough Council is due to appoint a main contractor for the refurbishment and restoration of 4 College Street, a 16th century Grade 2 listed building that the Council acquired in 2016 and which needs extensive work.

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Planning permission and listed building consent were obtained for these works. After agreeing on the contractor, work is expect to start in July 2021.

This timber-framed and plastered house with a cross-wing at the west end was damaged by fire in 1992 and has been vacant since 1981. It was originally a merchant’s house.

Cllr David Ellesmere, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council says, “Ipswich Borough Council is committed to maintaining our great range of historic buildings in the town and we are also ensuring these are in use. In addition, we are investing wisely in property to generate a return for the council.

“I’m pleased that we are set to achieve all three of these aims with our awarding of a contract to refurbish and restore 4 College Street, a Grade II listed, 16th Century timber-framed building at the Waterfront.

These works are expected to start next month and be completed

by January 2022. This will enable us to take this historic cottage off Ipswich’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ Register. We will then seek a suitable tenant for the building.”

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AT HOME The 2021 summer bucket list has been revealed - and includes having a barbecue, a holiday and watching a football match in a pub beer garden.

The study of 2,000 adults found that after a year of lockdowns and social distancing, more than half are playing ‘catch up’ after Covid put a stop to many plans over the last 12 months.

Nearly two thirds (60 per cent) named summer as their favourite season, with barbecues and picnics both featuring in the top three activities on people’s bucket list.

Three in 10 adults want to paddle in the sea this summer, while 35 per cent are keen to go on a road trip.

A third (32 per cent) want to watch the sunrise, 43 per cent want to go on a family holiday and 34 per cent are hoping to enjoy afternoon tea.

Others want to go hiking in the hills (23 per cent), host a garden party (23 per cent) and enjoy a beer at the beach (22 per cent).

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Summer bucket list Emma Beale, head of product innovation and own brand for Waitrose, which commissioned the research, said, “It feels we have a year’s worth of plans to catch up on this summer.

“With barbecues and picnics topping the list of activities it seems to be the simple pleasures in life we’ve missed out on the most. We’re seeing this demand reflected on Waitrose.com too, where searches for picnics and picnic food are up more than three-fold. So, we know people are already seeking out summer food to enjoy while meeting with their loved ones, no matter what they have planned.”

The study also found 55 per cent have had to miss out on special events and life milestones over the last year due to the pandemic.

Four in 10 have missed celebrating a milestone birthday while three in 10 were unable to mark their anniversary as planned. A further one in five adults even had to reschedule their weddings.

Now, as restrictions ease and the weather improves, 49 per cent are planning to catch up on these missed events, leaving 69 per cent feeling positive about their 2021 summer plans.

TOP 15 THINGS ON THE SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Barbecues are at the top of the list, with burgers (51 per cent), sausages (50 per cent), chicken (42 per cent) and steak (29 per cent) the top food choices. Adults will also be tucking into hot dogs, kebabs, onions, corn and potatoes on a barbecue. But 59 per cent believe the most quintessential summer flavour is strawberries and cream.

Three in 10 also associate Pimm’s and fish and chips with the season, followed by beer and Eton mess as top summer essentials.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found the weather, longer days and going on holiday make summer the most popular season.

1. Have a barbecue 2. Take a family holiday 3. Have a picnic in the park 4. Paddle in the sea 5. Go on a road trip 6. Have an outside afternoon tea 7. Sunbathe in the back garden 8. Go to the cinema 9. Watch the sunset / sunrise 10. Visit cities all over the UK 11. Pick strawberries 12. Wind the windows down on a hot day 13. Hike in the hills 14. Host a garden party 15. Have beers on the beach

AT HOME

Switch ‘mains’ to ‘rains’ The RHS and Cranfield University are calling on the UK’s gardeners to swap mains water for rainwater as they launch a new online tool that calculates the potential saving from adopting different water efficient practices on their plots.

As much as 205 billion litres of water per year – enough to fill one billion water butts – is thought to be used by homeowners outside every year with a large proportion of this attributed to gardens. While plants are known to be beneficial for health, wellbeing and the environment, making small changes can not only help save water but reduce surface runoff and flood risk, promote heathier soils that store more carbon, and create stronger, more climate-resilient gardens.

The greatest saving is thought to come from not irrigating lawns during dry spells. If just one in ten households with average sized gardens pledged not to use a hosepipe or sprinkler system on their lawns the amount of water saved would fill as many as 383 million baths. Even simple ideas like deploying drip trays to catch drainage water from pots and tubs could make a difference with a saving of more than 3.3 million baths of water each year.

While installing water butts are an obvious way to save mains water, swapping hard landscaping for permeable paving can also help reduce runoff meaning that the soil is better able to absorb and store water. Likewise mulching new plants can limit evaporation resulting in them needing to be watered less often.

Felixstowe Artisan & Producers Market

A new fantastic market coming to the beach in 2021! This Artisan and Producers Market will be located outside (but still under a large roof!) next to the brand new Beach Street at Manning’s, right on the sea front in Felixstowe!

The combination of this unique market as well as the exciting stalls at Beach Street will make this a great day in Felixstowe. The markets will be showcasing a whole range of local food, drink and crafts as well as some street food to complement the existing food offering at Beach Street. Stalls include local craft ale from Old Felixstowe Brewery, hot salt beef bagels from Biegel or Bagel, handmade pies from Compleat, artisan spirits from Sunfire as well as delicious fudge from Woodland Bakery and Chilli sauces from the East Coast Chilli Company plus many many more! The Felixstowe Artisan & Producers Market takes place on Saturday 31st July at Manning’s Amusements, Sea Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 2DN

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Despite the UK experiencing a wet May, the Environment Agency has warned if the UK does nothing to reduce its demand on mains water there will not be enough to meet demand by 2050.

Gardeners can learn more about reducing water use in gardens and pledge the actions they will take this year via www.mains2rains.uk with the total sum of these pledges set to be revealed at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September.

Janet Manning, RHS water scientist, says, “Water is not often talked about as part of the climate and biodiversity crisis, but it’s where we will begin to feel the effects first and where we as gardeners can make a difference.

“We know that plants need water to survive but it’s often not as much as thought, as wasted water often disappears underground. By helping your soil to better capture and retain rainfall for your plants to use during dry periods you can reduce your overall use and benefit from a garden that will better withstand more frequent dry spells.”

In 2019 the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), in collaboration with Cranfield University, recruited the UK’s first garden water scientist to deliver a Water Roadmap for the organisation which aims to capture, reduce, reuse and recycle water across RHS gardens, plants centres and events. This will be published in September and expand on existing water policies in place at its shows, gardens and plant centres to reduce reliance on mains water and expand its reservoir stores.

• For more information on the RHS’ water research visit: www.rhs.org. uk/science/gardening-in-a-changing-world/water-use-in-gardens

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AT HOME

Everyday Life Predictions Connected underground greenhouses to grow food, robots to look after pets and children, and drones to call people in for meals - this is everyday life in 20 years, according to experts.

A new report predicts that click and deliver homes – where houses will be designed from the comfort of your sofa and craned onto site will be a normality.

Each family member will also be able to personalise artwork and views from windows using smart glasses while workers will see video calls replaced with hologram versions of their colleagues sat next to them.

As well as improvements to home technology and connected living, the report also predicts big changes to food, healthcare and wellbeing – with the likes of smart home ecosystems and tech-enabled care.

Architect Piers Taylor created the Homes of the Future: Connectivity & Communities report with Vodafone, alongside the Royal Institute of Architects’ first Vice President for Research, Flora Samuels and leading tech analyst at CCS Insight, Ben Woods.

Piers Taylor said, “Overnight, and quicker than any other change in history, we have radically altered what we do in our domestic spaces following the outbreak of the pandemic.

“Looking ahead into the next 20 years, we can expect to see vast differences not only in the way our houses look and feel, but in the way we are connected through our homes, with everything we do being assisted by digital technology.”

will also fly around homes to keep an eye on children, pass messages to people and monitor the temperature and air quality.

Light switches will become a thing of the past as fixtures, furniture, lighting and heating will automatically and intelligently adapt to the household’s preferences. Tech-enabled care will see sensors in the floor notify carers if someone has taken a fall.

It comes after research commissioned by Vodafone of 1,000 homeowners and 1,000 renters saw four in 10 claim lockdown changed their housing requirements, with 48 per cent wanting more outdoor space. Another 21 per cent are frustrated by a lack of space indoors and 68 per cent feel it is important to use all corners of their home. Almost nine in 10 (85 per cent) Brits also said that strong broadband in all corners of their home is crucial, with connectivity set to become an important factor in the future of homes.

This could also see home broadband speeds increasing up to 10 gigabits per second in the next 20 years. The research also revealed 11 per cent have regretted making what they thought would be an improvement to their home, according to the OnePoll figures.

Of these, 40 per cent built an extension they later realised was a waste of money, and 41 per cent regretted knocking down a wall to create an openplan space.

The report predicts pet robots will keep our furry friends company by entertaining and even feeding them when owners are not at home. Drones

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AT HOME

1 in 4 would transfer ALL of their money to a scammer A recent survey conducted by KIS Finance has revealed worrying statistics regarding safe account scams.

The survey asked 2,000 participants whether they know what a safe account scam is and, more importantly, whether they think they would fall for it and transfer their money to a scammer.

Over a quarter (25.7%) of people said that they would transfer all of their money to a so-called ‘safe account’. This is if they received a phone call from someone (that they believed to be a police officer, or a bank representative) telling them that their bank account has been accessed by scammers and their money is at risk of being stolen.

This figure rises sharply in the 25-34 age category with 47% of this group stating that they would willingly transfer their money to a ‘safe account’ if they received one of these calls.

Why are safe account scams such a huge problem?

As the value of these scams can be so substantial for the scammers conducting them, the number of cases is continuing to grow.

According to Santander, the number of reported safe account scams rose by 53% in 2019 (the latest data available) compared to the previous year. The average amount lost per case was a staggering £5,634.

In safe account scams the fraudsters cold-call their victims and pose as either a bank representative or as a police officer.

If they’re posing as a police officer, they will usually tell the victim that their bank account has been accessed by scammers. If they’re posing as a bank representative, they may give the same reason or claim that an employee in the branch has been stealing money from customers. Either way, they frighten their victims into believing that their money is at high risk of being stolen

and the only way to prevent it is by transferring everything they have to a so-called ‘safe account’.

They will tell the victim that the account has been set up in their name and that they’ll have full access to it once they’ve transferred the money over. However, it is actually a bank account controlled by the scammers and once the money has been transferred it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get it back.

Holly Andrews, Managing Director at KIS Finance and personal finance expert says, “Safe account scams can see victims losing their life’s savings in the space of minutes, having a detrimental effect on those who fall for it – both financially and emotionally. These scammers are smart – they know exactly how to manipulate the conversation and gain their victims’ trust.

“For example, they will usually ask ‘security questions’ at the beginning of the call in order to gain information such as security codes, log-in details, and bank balances. If the customer later becomes suspicious then they use this information to prove their legitimacy, relying on the customer forgetting that they gave them this information in the first place.

“They will also spoof the phone number so even if someone was to check, their bank’s genuine fraud number and the number that’s calling them will match.

“The number of people who have said that they would willingly make the transfer if they received one of these calls is extremely worrying, especially in the younger age groups where the percentages are significantly higher. It sends a clear message of the work that still needs to be done on fraud awareness

across the finance and banking sectors. It also leads to the question of whether fraud education should be introduced at school level, and/ or when young adults open up their own bank accounts for the first time.

“It’s so easy these days for anyone to open up a current account online with banks like Monzo and Starling making the process so simple and without the need to speak to a single person. More and more young adults are opting for these types of banks

and very little or no information is given on the risks of fraud and how to identify the different types of scams. This is definitely an area where more fraud education can be introduced to prevent people from being targeted further down the line.

“Scammers are continuously developing their tactics and techniques to stay one step ahead, so the only way to protect customers is to teach them how to identify these scams.”

Tips for customers on how to identify and protect themselves from safe account scams - The most important thing to remember is that your bank will never call you out of the blue and they will never ask for any personal information, bank details, log-in details, security codes, or for you to transfer any money over the phone.

- If you receive a phone call from anyone claiming to be from your bank asking you for any details or to transfer money, you should hang up immediately and report it. Do not call them back on the same number, use the phone number on the back of your bank card.

- The scammers will be very pushy, and potentially threatening if you don’t do what they say. They will stress how urgent the situation is and will persuade you to stay on the call (rather than allowing you to hang up and phone them back). A genuine bank would never do this.

- Stick to your gut instincts – if it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

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AT HOME

Free tree packs for schools and communities Whether planting for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to help tackle climate change, or to improve local areas around the country, the Woodland Trust’s popular free tree pack scheme is now open for applications.

Schools and community groups across the East of England are now able to apply for the first 1 million trees, and into 2022 there are over three million trees in total available via free tree packs.

Packs are sent out twice a year with November packs now available for order.

The Woodland Trust is delighted to be a leading delivery partner of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) and is offering free trees as an amazing opportunity to help many thousands of schools and communities to plant trees to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis and the first million trees will be despatched in November during the planting season.

The Trust welcomes applications from all types of community groups and people do not have to be part of a formal long-standing group, they just need to have a group name decided before they apply.

The packs, all generously funded by corporate partners, are available in a range of themes; year-long colour, a wild harvest, or a haven for wildlife.

Another contains hardy species which tolerate exposed sites and dry areas or where water collects easily, there is even a working wood mix which could provide wood fuel or willow for weaving.

The packs also come in a range of sizes; 15 (perfect for urban areas and which can be split between neighbours where necessary), 30 (which will create a six-metre hedgerow or a tennis court-sized copse), 105 (enough to cover an area as big as four tennis courts) or 420 (to cover an area the size of a football pitch) and most can create fantastic hedgerows.

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The The Woodland Trust ask that trees are planted on publicly accessible land where possible, with the landowner’s permission, and that groups commit to caring for those trees as they establish and grow. Since 2004 the scheme has helped thousands of groups plant millions of trees and there is support for experienced and first- time tree planters! In Spring this year over 400,000 free trees were sent to keen planters across the country.

Senior project lead for the Woodland Trust Vicki Baddeley said, “We’re always amazed by the appetite schools and communities have for tree planting. It is such a wonderful thing to do. It is a positive, life-affirming and life-changing action that people can take to mark momentous occasions like The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to help tackle the climate and nature crises, or to make their local areas a bit greener. We find that once people have planted one tree, they usually want to do more.

“All the trees planted have a host of different benefits working hard to lock up carbon, improve soils and water, reduce the flow of flooding, provide shade and shelter, create havens for wildlife and a places to enjoy.”

Woodland Trust tree packs are generously funded by lead partners Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Bank, OVO Energy, DFS Furniture, players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Joules, Bank of Scotland and Sofology.

Packs contain a mix of UK sourced and grown native broadleaf species such as hazel, rowan, hawthorn, common oak, silver birch, wild cherry, elder, dogwood and holly.

To order free trees visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees before 25th August and they’ll be delivered in November 2021.

All trees are UK and Ireland Sourced-and-Grown (UKISG). Responsible tree procurement is central to developing resilient woodlands. The Woodland Trust currently ship to England, Scotland, Wales and all UK islands apart from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

What’s in your ‘Odds and Ends’ drawer?

AT HOME

The average Brit’s ‘bits and bobs drawer’ contains six batteries, three phone chargers, five ‘unspecified’ cables – and four takeaway menus.

It’s also home to four mysterious keys with no known lock, six pens and pencils, and five instruction manuals. Research of 2,000 adults found 55 per cent keep their ‘drawer of stuff’ in the kitchen, while a quarter have theirs in the front room. And despite 25 per cent frequently scrabbling through for some long-lost item, only 14 per cent always find what they need. However, eight in 10 believe it is a vital part of the household.

Richard Totis from Energizer, which commissioned the research, said, “The much-loved bits and bobs drawer is clearly a much-used space. With its usual position in the kitchen – often referred to as the heart of the home – the ‘bits and bobs drawer’ is in a way the engine room of that heart. Most people put a huge premium on their drawer space in the kitchen, so having a whole drawer dedicated to old coins, batteries and leaflets is a lot of real estate to give up.”

Other items most commonly found in the odds-and-ends drawers include random screwdrivers, different types of tape, matches, old receipts and lint rollers.

One in five Brits have even had so much overspill from their ‘main’ junk drawer they’ve had to press two others around the house into service. And another 20 per cent have been told off due to the state of their beloved drawer of junk, according to the OnePoll figures. But 52 per cent of respondents confess to finding a good old rummage through their drawer ‘therapeutic’.

While 39 per cent confess to being quite territorial over the drawer and its contents. The top reason for something to make its way into the hallowed bits and bobs drawer is simply because ‘it might come in handy someday’.

And one in 10 adults find themselves rooting around in it every single day looking for some vital item. Each search takes an average of two minutes and 10 seconds to sift through the average 43 different bits each drawer contains.

Richard Totis from Energizer, added: “For the ‘keeper of the drawer’, it’s a bit of an organised chaos kind of thing in there. They know that the tiny screwdriver, BBQ skewers or safety pin is in there somewhere – it’s just underneath everything else. But woe betide anyone who comes across the drawer and tries to do the household a favour by ‘organising’ it – as this can lead to even more confusion!”

TOP 30 ITEMS FOUND IN BRITS’ BITS AND BOBS DRAWERS 17. Adaptors 1. Pens/Pencils 2. Batteries 18. Keys to locks you no longer 3. Sticky tape use/have 4. Measuring tape 19. Lighters 5. Scissors 20. Takeaway menus 6. Blu tack 21. Matches 7. Superglue 22. Cable ties 8. Paper clips 23. Coins 9. Screwdriver 24. Receipts 10. Torch 25. Leaflets 11. Phone chargers 26. Sunglasses 12. Unspecified wires and cables 27. Padlocks 13. Safety pins 28. Hand sanitizer 14. Spare keys 29. Lint roller 15. Envelopes 30. Screen wipes 16. Instruction manuals

Bread Lovers

Bread-loving Brits bite into more than 63 billion slices every year, according to research.

That equates to the average person including bread in nine meals per week – or enjoying 900 slices each year. A huge 92 per cent of people depend on the humble sandwich up to seven times a week, while a trusty round of toast is the go-to breakfast for 87 per cent. And as summer approaches and picnics in the park become ever present, average sandwich consumption is expected to grow by almost 40 per cent.

But despite Brits being bonkers for bread, the research of 2,000 adults found 60 per cent wish the food item was healthier and had more nutritional benefits.

The study was commissioned by gut wellness bakery brand, Genius, to mark the launch of its new Gut Lovin’ range.

Kizzy Beckett, from Genius, said, “We know that the last year has made people more aware of their health. Many consumers are on the lookout for simple swaps that help them feel great, full of energy and give them the confidence they are doing something really positive for their overall wellbeing.”

The study also found that, perhaps unsurprisingly, Covid has had an impact on how Brits shop and eat, with 27 per cent becoming more conscious of the foods they eat. And two thirds (61 per cent) have been actively seeking out easy, healthy swaps when doing their weekly shop.

When it comes to consumption across the UK, those in Wales eat bread a whopping 16 times per week and rely on toast for breakfast more than anywhere else in the nation.

London dwellers are most likely to pack their picnic baskets full of sarnies this summer, predicting their sandwich consumption will increase by 54 per cent over the next few months.

The new range from www.geniusfood.com has active cultures to promote good gut health - which can boost immunity, improve mood and help the body absorb more nutrients.

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wellbeing

Amanda Elias, beauty expert and founder of Bravura London wants to offer her top tips for a skin-friendly Summer.

1: The first thing you want to think about is sun protection; the sun is the main cause of premature ageing which can leave your skin dull, dry, wrinkled and with hyperpigmentation (brown spots).

Protect all exposed skin with a broad spectrum SPF (protects against both UVA & UVB) of at least 30, preferably a mineral SPF which acts as a sunblock to instantly block the sun’s rays. Look for a product that’s waterproof and don’t forget your lips, ears and the back of your neck. Re-apply frequently.

2: You may know about cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising your face but do you spend as much TLC on your body? Ensure you exfoliate at least twice a week and if possible, slather yourself daily (after your shower) in your favourite body lotion.

3: Do you find your skin flushes when you get hot? Keep a refreshing water spray or toner spray at hand to spritz your face and neck when you feel yourself overheating

4: Avoid wearing perfumes on your skin; when the sun hits the areas of skin that contain perfumes it can cause irritation. Fragrance your hair by spraying your hairbrush then brush through your locks, every time you swish your hair you’ll be surrounded by a beautiful fragrance.

5: Sun and lip gloss aren’t a good combination, remember the days of people baking in the sun covered in baby oil? Same thing. Get yourself a good lip balm that contains an SPF, you can get plenty that have colour or line your lips with a lip pencil then top with a clear SPF balm.

7: Don’t forget to hydrate yourself, to keep your body functioning properly and to aid in the removal of toxins from our body it needs to be well hydrated so be sure to drink two to three litres of liquid (sadly this doesn’t include dehydrating substances such as cocktails and coffee) per day. www.bravuralondon.com

6: Parched skin after too much alcohol and sun? Intensely nourish your skin with an oil such as jojoba oil, this non-comedogenic (won’t block your pores) oil is more of a wax and is close to your skin’s natural oil. For sun burnt skin, help the healing process with pure aloe vera gel and apply three to four times a day.

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WELLBEING

Keep your body happy and hydrated with these 8 foods We all know that keeping hydrated is vital for good health; every cell, tissue and organ needs water. If you’re struggling to reach your recommended (by the NHS) six to eight glasses of water a day, combine drinking water with eating your way to boosted hydration.

We’ve spoken with our experts on why it is so important to keep hydrated, and the top foods to up our body’s water levels…

How can you tell if you’re dehydrated?

“Symptoms of dehydration can include headaches, dry skin, irritability, lack of concentration and dizziness amongst others. The best way of checking your hydration levels is to look at your urine. Aim for it to be as clear as possible – dark urine is a clue that you might be dehydrated,” explains Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com, the online shopping destination for health & wellbeing Not a fan of the taste of water? Get fruity with it!

If you find water a bit tasteless and unappealing, so struggle to drink the recommended amount, try adding fruit! “You can infuse water with cucumber, lemon, mint, strawberries or blueberries overnight for refreshing flavoured water,” Lily Soutter, nutritionist and weight loss expert at lilysoutternutrition. com.

Shona shares her top 8 hydrating foods…

Cucumber – Cucumbers are one of the top hydrating foods. They are thought to be composed of a massive 96% water. They are therefore great to eat to keep our water levels up. Try adding them to juices, or snacking on them. In the summer consider a delicious cold cucumber soup.

Watermelon – The name is a bit of a give away!

Watermelon is made up of 92% water. It is also a good source of lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant. Add a slice of watermelon to your glass of water to add flavour, and then eat the watermelon when you’re finished!

Celery – Celery has water content of 94%. In addition, they are exceptionally low in calories – a mere 6 calories per stalk.

They are also high in fibre and Vitamins A, C and K. Snack on these throughout the day and remember that they can easily be added to foods such as soups and stews.

Pineapples – Treat yourself to a pineapple. Pineapples contain 87% water. They are delicious and also help our digestive system, as they contain a digestive enzyme called Bromelain. Try making your own pineapple ice-lollies for a tasty and refreshing source of water.

Lettuce – Lettuce is exceptionally high in water (approx. 96%).

Nutritionists tend not to recommend lettuce too often, as there is very little nutritional content. It however great to add bulk to a meal and of course add to your water intake!

Grapefruit – Grapefruits are composed of 91% water. They are also often eaten to help with weight management. A word of caution though if you are on any prescription medication, as grapefruits can interfere with them so check with your healthcare provider first.

Tomatoes – Tomatoes contain about 94% water. They also contain a rich concentration of lycopene. Remember that tomatoes are one of the very few foods, which are even better for you when they’re cooked! Add them to stews and soups and have cooked tomatoes on wholegrain toast as a great snack.

Blueberries - Blueberries along with most berries are composed of approximately 85% water.

Blueberries are one of our superfoods, due to their high antioxidant content, so are a great fruit to snack on. Pop them into the water when you’re making ice cubes for a healthy and pretty option!

Survey finds 60% of adults who joined gyms are ditching them A study of 1,000 adults found three quarters of people who exercised from home during the pandemic have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The average person typically worked I wasn’t trying to do too much at out four times per week, compared once and I could take my time. I’m to one quarter who didn’t work out so much stronger now and it’s only at all pre-lockdown. A further 31 per getting easier working out. cent of respondents stepped up “I’ve been using Jonple for my their exercise considerably over the weight loss journey for four months past year. and I have lost 20lb. My energy The most common reason for levels improved massively with exercising was to stay fit, followed having a more stable healthy diet, by boosting mental health, losing my mental health got so much better weight, toning up, and improving and I’m sleeping easier.” endurance, according to health and The study also found more than half wellbeing app Jonple. of those polled said they have taken Among those who got into a fitness more care with what they eat.The regime is Kayleigh Schofield, a top method of exercise was walking, mother-of-three. Kayleigh, who followed by running outdoor, weight shares updates on Instagram as training, online exercise classes, @thepinkmama, said, “I’ve never yoga and cycling outdoors. During really been into fitness and I had the pandemic, the average person three large babies which really has spent £153 on exercising damaged my back, leading to spinal products. The most common surgery. I didn’t want to work out at product purchased according to all and due to Covid restrictions I the research via OnePoll was had no access to physio. new trainers, followed by weights, “Fitness was a no-go at first, but working out mat, exercise bike and Jonple made it so easy for me. The skipping rope. And the hard work fitness test made my personal work has paid off, with almost two thirds outs more relaxed and to my pace.

(63 per cent) saying they were

proud of their fitness achievements during the pandemic.

Andrew Jones, CEO of Jonple, said, “It’s great to see so many people have enjoyed exercising during lockdown, whether it’s to get fit, stay fit or to help with their mental health. The efforts from the likes of Kayleigh are an inspiration, and it is fantastic to see their hard work and dedication paying off.”

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WELLBEING

99 Problems and a Bad Back is One:

UK Cities Suffering with the Worst Back Pain

Are you suffering from bad back pain? If yes, it’s more than likely that you’ve ventured onto the web to find out what’s caused your back pain and how you can alleviate it. New research into these searches, conducted by OTTY Sleep, reveals our biggest back pain queries and where in the UK people suffer the most from a bad back.

The data comes just two months most likely to feel the effect of spinal after it was announced a number aches and back-busting agony. of patients are still waiting upwards The study found that people in of a year for help for chronic back Belfast were the most likely to suffer pain. Understandably, the pandemic from back pain. For every 100,000 has put more pressure on NHS people in the Northern Irish capital, services than ever, so it’s important 742 people searched for a back to understand how our back pain pain-related term every month. is being caused and how we can Of the back pain search terms, alleviate the pain. people in Belfast were most likely Here, we explore the cities with the to search for ‘back pain middle’, biggest back-breaking problems, perhaps indicating where the main how these issues may have been issue with their back pain lies. caused, and how you can help Belfast was followed by Newcastle alleviate the pain and treat the upon Tyne and Glasgow as the next problem. most back pain suffering cities. They Back-breaking Belfast searched for back pain related terms The research compared Google 27 per cent and 20 per cent more searches across the 20 most than the average city respectively. populated cities in the UK. Each People in Newcastle sought out city was probed for how often they ‘exercises for lower back pain’ while searched for back pain-related Glaswegians searched for ‘back terms. In total, 116 search terms stretches’ over any other back pain were analysed for their search related terms. frequency, identifying our biggest The causes of back pain back-breaking problems, our Searches for back pain-related growing pains, and which city was terms increased in 14 of the top 20

34

n Beth Riley

most populated cities in the UK. So, what are the causes of back pain?

And is there a reason why these city people are feeling more back pain?

We can’t always identify the root cause of back pain. Most back pain is categorised as “non-specific”, meaning that the cause isn’t obvious.

However, most pain will originate from the joints, bones, or soft tissue around the spine. For the purpose of identifying causes of back pain, we’ll stay away from broken bones and infections — the cause is fairly obvious in those cases.

Non-specific back pain can vary based on our position, will often feel worse when we’re moving, and can appear suddenly or gradually. The most common causes of this type of back pain include: - Poor posture - Lifting something awkwardly - A minor injury, such as a sprain or strain - Feelings of stress or fatigue But why do some cities experience worse back pain than others? And what’s changed in the past year to cause this?

As stated, our health and lifestyle are linked to our back pain. Exercise and quality sleep are therefore integral for alleviating back pain.

Interestingly, previous OTTY research has found that Belfast has more trouble sleeping than other major UK cities. This mirrors Belfast as the UK city with the most back pain. Could then our sleep quality be linked to our back pain?

In the past year, feelings of fatigue have also increased. Spurred on by the stress of the pandemic and the effects of COVID-19 and its longterm symptoms, muscle tiredness is becoming a concern for many who have suffered from the virus.

The study shows that Leicester increased their searches for back pain related terms by 37 per cent in the past year, more than any other city. Therefore, the pandemic may have also contributed to a back pain epidemic in the UK. Not to fear, most back pain is reversible and can be easily treated.

Putting the pain to rest As your back pain can be related to your health and lifestyle, it’s important to tackle these issues head-on to alleviate your spinal sores. In essence, fixing back pain lies in ensuring you’re well-rested and that your back has the strength to do all the activities you want to do in the day.

Exercise We know that you probably won’t feel like it when you’re in pain, but exercise is very important when treating back pain. You should aim to exercise at least three times a week. This can be as simple as a brisk walk for thirty minutes. Over time, you’ll be building strength in your spine.

Idleness allows the muscles around the spine and in the back to become weak. In turn, this means that your spine is less supported, and it becomes more difficult to hold your body in good posture, further leading to more pain.

Quality rest Poor sleep and fatigue can also contribute to back pain. It’s important that we get the rest we need; otherwise, our muscles do not have time to repair and strengthen.

This begins with ensuring you’re getting around seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

An uncomfortable bed may also be contributing to your sleep and back pain issues. A hybrid mattress is recommended for supporting your body during sleep, spreading out pressure and conforming to your body and sleeping position. This allows your muscles to fully rest and repair at night.

General health While sleep and exercise can go a long way to alleviate and treat your back pain, of course, our general health must improve to help with back pain.

Research has shown that current smokers have a higher occurrence of back pain than former or nonsmokers. Meanwhile, our body weight can contribute to back pain.

One pound of weight gain can cause four pounds of pressure on your spine.

If you’re looking to help your back pain, quitting smoking and losing weight should be a priority.

Back pain can be a huge issue for many people who suffer this problem. Of course, not all back pain can be cured by exercise and quality sleep. Seeing your GP may be the best option for some people.

However, getting yourself out for a walk, finding a new mattress, and living a healthier lifestyle is a good place to start.

WELLBEING

Hospice Memory Tree 10th Anniversary For the last decade many Suffolk families have made a poignant tribute to a loved one through making a dedication to St Elizabeth Hospice’s Memory Tree.

Created from a hand carved bronze trunk and branches, solid brass, aluminum and copper leaves with decorative cast bronze rocks, the Memory Tree has become a popular focal point at St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.

The tree can hold 500 dedicated name on its leaves and rocks, and since 2011 it has held over 1,000 names, and raised almost £300,000.

Located beside the hospice’s Reflections space, a tranquil place which is available to patients, families and staff for quiet thought, the Memory Tree’s leaves and rocks are engraved with the names of loved ones who have died, symbolising the precious memories of the community and those who have been cared for by the hospice.

One person whose name and dedication is remembered on the Memory Tree, is Mel Mayhew, who received care from St Elizabeth Hospice before his death, aged 64 in January 2019.

Mel’s son, Tom Mayhew, explained, “While dad was cared for by the hospice, he spoke about how eye catching the Memory Tree was.

“He was very close with his colleagues at Flagship Homes and they were keen to give back to the hospice after seeing the care dad had received and we decided dedicating a leaf on the Memory Tree would be a good way of doing this”.

“As well as the Memory Tree, we have also joined the hospice’s annual Suffolk Remembers memorial event, both of which have been special ways to join with the hospice to remember dad and keep his memory alive.”

Born and bred in Suffolk, Mel was a familiar face in the local community through his involvement with local theatre companies, working backstage, and helping to run local rugby and football teams in his younger years.

After a short period of ill health, Mel was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2018 and came under the care of St Elizabeth Hospice after previously receiving treatment at Ipswich Hospital.

“It all happened very quickly and after receiving the difficult news that dad’s condition was terminal, he was determined to remain as positive as ever and decided to have chemo therapy to prolong his time as much as possible.

Unfortunately, after receiving his initial course of chemo, the doctors said it wasn’t effective and moved him to palliative care,” said Tom. “We had a really good family Christmas together but on Boxing Day dad started to feel very unwell. Before we took him into hospital, they mentioned the support the hospice would be able to provide us, which dad was keen to receive as he had a trust and affection for the hospice after his sister Angela had been cared for there before she passed away.

“Going to the hospice was always his first choice and St Elizabeth staff made him feel comfortable and gave him peace of mind. The support of nurses also meant we as a family could focus on being there for dad, as we knew his medical care and comfort was being take care of.

“Even small gestures like offering to help us trim his beard made a big difference to us and dad, who took pride in his appearance”.

Having worked at Flagship Homes in Ipswich for many years, Mel was a popular member of the team and as well as making a donation to Mel’s dedication on the Memory Tree, his former colleagues have continued to support St Elizabeth Hospice through fundraising for such events as the hospice’s annual Midnight Walk.

St Elizabeth Care Agency is a Domiciliary Care Agency which offers a range of services to support people living in their own homes. a Visits can be arranged for any adult needing help or support and can include short visit welfare/medication checks, personal care visits to meet individual needs, day support, sitting in, sleep-in, waking nights.

To find out more about Care Agency services: St Elizabeth Ca Call the Care Agency office on 01473 707900 or email homecare@stelizcare.co.uk

Rosalie Sheppard, Housing Officer at Flagship Homes, said, “Mel was so kind and caring with such a witty (sometimes cheeky) side. He lit up the room when he came in and we all shared so many laughs with him.

“For me personally, it was Mel’s intellect that stood him out from the crowd, he was so well educated and there was nothing he didn’t know. I know it’s a cliché but Mel really was a ‘one in a million’ and we still talk about him all of the time, sharing funny stories of moments we had with him.

“We decided to support the St Elizabeth Hospice because this is where Mel spent his final days. Mel had to wait for a bed to become available to him but as soon as one did and he has settled in, the care and support he received was exceptional. The staff St Elizabeth Hospice staff were truly wonderful in ensuring that, the end-of-life care Mel received was delivered with kindness and compassion.

“To have a place within your community, where people can go to be cared for, where you can visit your loved one easily and patients and visitors alike are cared for with kindness and compassion, is a gift and something to be celebrated.”

To make a dedication to St Elizabeth Hospice’s Memory Tree visit www. stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/donate-in-memory/ memory-tree/ St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in east Suffolk living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. The hospice’s work is centered on an individual’s needs whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

To find out more information about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 723600 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.

If you would like to find out about working for us Please call the office or email gemma.clover@stelizcare.co.uk

Full and Part-time positions currently available All profits p made from the agency are gifted to ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE.

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Battery Electric Vehicle sales charge ahead The number of battery electric vehicles (‘BEVs’) in private hands in the UK rose by nearly 30,000 in the 12 months to September 2020, an increase of 53% on the year before, with more than a third of these (36%) in London and the South East of England, RAC analysis of the latest official Government data shows.

The increases mean that almost exactly half of all BEVs in the UK – 86,130 vehicles – were licensed by private individuals as of the end of the third quarter of 2020, with the remainder of 86,387 vehicles licensed by companies. This is a one-and-a-half fold (150%) increase compared to a year earlier, a clear indication of the rising popularity of electric vehicles among companies and something that is vital for the future health of the second-hand EV market.

Four of the top 10 local authority areas with the greatest number of privately licensed BEVs are in London, with Barnet having the most (1,235 vehicles). Wiltshire has the second highest number (1,075 vehicles), followed

by Westminster (919 vehicles), Cornwall (899 vehicles) and Camden (781 vehicles). Conversely, the smallest numbers of privately run BEVs, aside from those on some island communities and the square mile that is the City of London, are to be found in South Wales – in Merthyr Tydfil (21 vehicles) and Blaenau Gwent (27 vehicles).

When it comes to the areas seeing the fastest growth in privately registered battery electric vehicles, the top two authorities are in London – Barking

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and Dagenham, and Waltham Forest – both of which have seen numbers double in the space of 12 months (from 52 in 2019 to 112 in 2020, and 89 to 179 respectively). Growth outside the capital is spread widely, with parts of Derbyshire, Cumbria, south west Wales and Sussex all recording significant increases, albeit starting from small bases.

At the other end of the scale, growth of battery electric vehicles was slowest in parts of Northern Ireland including Armagh (up just eight vehicles, from 134 to 142), Gateshead and Sunderland in the north east of England and on the Orkney Islands. Only the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall, recorded a drop in licensed BEVs between 2019 and 2020, down from 28 to 25.

Overall, 87.3% of all battery electric vehicles licensed by private individuals were in England as of September 2020, almost unchanged (up 0.3%) compared to a year earlier. Scotland has the next biggest proportion (8.2%, up from 8.1%) followed by Wales (3.0%, down from 3.1%) and Northern Ireland (1.4%, down from 1.8%).** RAC data insight spokesman Rod Dennis said, “While starting from very small beginnings when you consider there are around 32m cars licensed for use in the entire United Kingdom, the growth in pure electric vehicles is extremely promising. There is a long way to go, not least as only half of these vehicles are in private hands, compared to nine-in-10 of all cars, but it’s clear that the numbers are only going one way.

“The biggest annual rise in the numbers of vehicles are among those licensed by companies, which suggests the clear tax benefits given to company car drivers are beginning to stoke demand. It’s vital this continues, as in many cases the new company vehicles of today will be the ones appearing on the second-hand consumer market in three or more years from now.

“The figures also highlight the locations where drivers are most likely to see these cleanest cars – increasingly sporting green number plates – either being driven or parked up and charging.

“It’s important that the environmental and financial benefits afforded by the switch to electric cars are shared by drivers right across the country. Our analysis shows the extent to which the south and east of England currently dominate when it comes to the numbers that are currently in private hands, with London leading when it comes to the fastest growth in electric vehicles – something we’ve noticed when it comes to the volume of EV breakdowns our patrols have attended. Indeed, two of the three council areas that recorded a doubling in the numbers of vehicles between 2019 and 2020 were London boroughs, with the capital also having some of the highest concentrations of BEVs anywhere in the country.

“It’s also certainly the case that the numbers only tell part of the story.

Cornwall and Wiltshire, for example, while having some of the highest numbers of BEVs are also two of the largest counties by area, so in reality there will be far fewer electric cars seen on the roads in these counties right now compared to other urban locations.

“Recent RAC research shows a growing number of UK drivers are planning on switching to an electric vehicle next time they change their cars – up from 3% in 2018 to 9% in 2020. But despite this, most (78%) still think that pure electric cars are too expensive compared to conventionally fuelled vehicles, prompting around half (53%) to say they’d like to see VAT on new electric cars either being cut or abolished entirely.

“The RAC is leading the way when it comes to supporting drivers in the switch to electric vehicles. An ever-increasing number of our patrol vans have built-in emergency mobile charging systems capable of giving an outof-charge electric car enough power to be driven a short distance home or to a working chargepoint, while our All-Wheels-Up recovery system allows our patrols to safely rescue electric cars with no need for a flatbed.”

The RAC estimates that as of January 2021, there are now in the region of 213,000 battery electric vehicles in the UK, with more than 100,000 of these registered last year alone.

• For more info on the RAC’s services for drivers of electric vehicles, visit www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/electric-car-breakdown-cover.

Motorists aspire to happy medium in their driving life Choice of cars and the number of new drivers and cars on the road is accelerating, analysis for Direct Line Motor Insurance shows.

The top 10 selling cars now only mould on aspirations – they dream of driving luxury vehicles such as account for around 26 per cent of the BMW 8 series or Mercedes S all vehicles on the roads compared with 29 per cent five years ago.

Class even though they are most Around 575,000 new drivers are likely to drive small cars, such as a hitting the UK’s roads every year Renault Clio.

Analysis of official data found with the number of cars rising by 2.4 attitudes to car ownership varied million in five years.

But medium-sized cars such as for different life stages. It revealed the VW Golf, Ford Focus or Audi what the key indicators are for people either buying their first car or A3 are the vehicles motorists on changing their vehicle. the whole are most likely to drive or aspire to have. A quarter (25 per The data also shows getting a cent) of motorists drive this size of driving licence and owning a car car and believe they are the most is becoming more popular – the percentage of the British adult appropriate for their age group, while 15 per cent aspire to driving population with a full licence was them. Just nine per cent wish to 76.5 per cent before lockdowns compared with 73.3 per cent in drive SUVs and eight per cent want 20142. The percentage of undera sports car. The under-25s and 25s with licences increased to 36.7 motorists aged 45 to 54 break the

Dangers of driving home from work

Most road traffic accidents happen on the drive home from work. ew research from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) reveals exactly which characteristics of the working day have implications for road safety and why.

According to Dr Rebecca Hewett from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), Dr Michael Clinton, Prof. Neil Conway and Dr Damian Poulter, when people have to use their willpower at work – for example by resisting distractions or regulating their emotions – they often have less willpower to use later in the day. The researchers examined the implications of this depleted willpower beyond the work day to explain how these stressors spill over to non-work time.

They carried out two studies. In the first, 55 working adults in the UK, who regularly commuted on the same journey, completed a survey twice a day for 10 days (adding up to 499 days of data altogether) at the end of work and after they drove home. The researchers also collected data on their driving behaviour through telematics, a box plugged into their car which monitored driving speed, relative to the speed limit. This allowed the researchers to monitor how many seconds they exceeded the speed limit on their drive home.

In the second study, 133 other working adults completed two surveys on a single working day – after work and after they drove home. In this survey, they self-reported their driving behaviour.

Two stress-related characteristics predicted speeding on the way home: - On days when people needed to resist many distractions at work, they were more likely to speed. This was because they paid less attention during their drive home.

- On days when people needed to control their impulses during work – for example by not showing their frustrations or annoyances – they were more likely to speed. This is because they were ‘sensation seeking’ (taking risks) while driving, which only happened on days when they were in a bad mood on the drive home.

These findings highlight the ethical responsibility that organisations have to reduce these kinds of stressors during work. It’s not only important for employee well-being, but also has an impact on other drivers, family members, cyclists, healthcare workers, the economy, and society in general.

It is a critical safety concern.

The paper has been published in Journal of Management under the title Lost Control Driving Home: A Dual-Pathway Model of Self-Control Work Demands and Commuter Driving.

per cent from 35.3 per cent over the same period while the percentage of 25 to 34-year-olds with licences rose 3.6 per cent to 73.6 per cent.

With many drivers unable to take their test and secure a driver’s licence in 2020, it was a challenge for many, but the trajectory of those who want one has continued to increase over time.

The life event that is most likely to drive someone to buy a new car is inevitably passing their driving test with 26 per cent saying that was their reason to buy. However, 16 per cent said starting a new job was their reason for buying, ahead of 11 per cent who bought because they started a family or after moving to a new area (also 11 per cent).

Expanding their family was the reason for buying a car for eight per cent of people.

Lorraine Price, head of motor insurance at Direct Line, commented, “The COVID-19 lockdowns and continued restrictions have inevitably put a slowdown, and on some occasions

stop, in driving tests recently, but the trend of the past five years has been more drivers taking to the roads with more cars.

“Understanding what motivates people to buy cars and what they aspire to own is important for any organisation involved in the motor industry and it is interesting that people in general don’t hanker after luxury cars and sports cars while preferring to stick with mediumsized vehicles.

“Of course, not everyone is the same and there is no one size fits all answer. It is normal to have different views among different age groups with a wide range of reasons for buying and owning cars. Despite restrictions making getting a driver’s licence difficult this past year, it is clear to see many still have a desire to drive and own their own car.”

Direct Line’s research found the main reason people buy cars and change cars is that their previous one was too old and unreliable, although substantial numbers swap cars because they fancy a change.

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n FORD'S FOCUS

with Daniel Ford

The things I have missed During this last year and a half everyone has had things which they have missed, whether it be going to the pub, or the cinema or even going for a night out clubbing we have all realised just how important certain things are to us. For me the thing that I have missed has been being able to attend live sporting events and so this month’s article is a homage to the wonder that is watching live sport in the flesh.

One of the best things about live sport occurs before the event even starts. Not much can match the excitement of when your tickets come through a few weeks before the event as you look at your seat number and try and work out how good a view you will have. On the day of the event regardless of how far you have to travel the journey to the game is always filled with excitement, whether it be other fans driving past with flags out of their windows or the increasing buzz as you walk nearer and nearer to the stadium. Then comes the thrill of the team news being released, which players have made the side? In your expert opinion why has the manager got it horribly wrong?

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When the stadium comes into view my heart never fails to do a little flutter, it is hard not to think about the classic games that have taken place their in the past, I always feel a real sense of history and magnitude. Once inside the stadium you climb up the steps (sometimes it feels like there are hundreds) until you emerge out to see the scene in its full glory, the gladiators on the pitch with their thousands of fans roaring from the stands. No matter what the sport, the moment when the players or teams emerge to take battle is one of pure theatre.

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Spectating the match itself is just a remarkable experience, for the duration you and the crowd around you share a common goal of cheering your team to victory. Extraordinary things happen that would never occur in other situations, you make friends with people without every finding out their name, the only time you see them is for a weekly chat about the sport you love. Incredibly, it is highly likely that scenes will occur where you are hugging and high fiving these strangers in a moment of pure exultancy and joy.

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For me watching live sport is one of the greatest experiences in the world and with Ipswich Town season ticket sales going through the roof, I can’t wait to be back!

You can write to Daniel Ford – daniel@ipswich24.co.uk

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