Ipswich24 Magazine - September 2021

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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Soul/Funk legends Shakatak

Stellar line-up at Spa Pavilion this September It’ s non-stop entertainment at Felixstowe Spa Pavilion Theatre, this September!

W ith Dan W ood now in post as the new operations director and with further improvements to the building on the horiz on, this seaside theatre is going from strength to strength. N ow that Coronavirus restrictions have been eased, The Spa are k een to welcome back bigger audiences, whilst still k eeping some measures in place, for everyone’ s safety and peace of mind.

September k ick s off with soul/ funk legends Shak atak , on Saturday 1 1 th September! This band enj oy both high cult status and instant recognition as a household name. The six-piece line-up features the four original members: Bill Sharpe, J ill Saward, R oger O dell and George Anderson. Then, the next day, something completely different: The Glenn Miller O rchestra ( Sunday 1 2th September, 3pm) . Directed by R ay McVay, these talented musicians will swing you back in time with wartime chart toppers and 4 0’ s hits.

Saturday 1 8 th September sees The Drifters mak e their welcome return to F elixstowe! This legendary group have been inducted into the R ock & R oll of F ame, performed for the U S P resident, and are listed among the Greatest Artists of All Time by R olling Stone Magaz ine.

Also back by popular demand: ‘ T-R extasy’ , on F riday 24 th September. This phenomenally talented tribute band are endorsed by Bill L egend ( original T.R ex drummer) as “ the closest you’ re ever going to get to the real thing” .

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O n Saturday 25th, it’ s ‘ W illiam Hick s’ American F our Tops’ - the show j ampack ed with sweet soul music and Motown magic that leaves audiences chanting for more, following each outstanding performance. To complete an exciting triple-show week end, and brand new for 2021 , laugh along with ‘ P honey F ools and Horses’ , on Sunday 26 th. A brilliant homage, based on the TV show everybody loves-ly j ubbly!

O n W ednesday 29th September, ‘ Day At N ight’ celebrates Doris Day, featuring over 24 popular hits, interwoven with stories and anecdotes. Don’ t be misled by the title – This one is a 3pm matinee show! F inally, on Thursday 30th September, be enchanted by The R ussian N ational Ballet: ‘ Sleeping Beauty’ Tick ets for all theatre shows are available from the Spa P avilion Box O ffice, open Tuesday to Sunday, 1 1 am-4 pm ( 01 394 28 4 96 2) . Y ou can also select your own seats and book online, 24 / 7 , at www.fxspa.co.uk The café , bars & restaurant are open every day for the summer from 9am to 6 pm. Break fast is served 9am-1 1 .4 5am and main meals,1 2pm-5pm.

Also, food is always served for two hours before every performance, with reservation advised on 01 394 336 336 .

Y ou can follow the Spa P avilion on F acebook , I nstagram and Twitter for all the latest news and show updates. Alternatively, sign up to their email newsletter at www.fxspa.co.uk

SHOW ‘O U R B LU E H EA V EN ’

1 9 8 0 ’s SO UN DT RA CK

If you’re a Town Fan it’s UNMISSABLE .

INSIDE THIS MONTH SEPTEMBER THE BRAND NEW MUSICAL FROM PETER ROWE

If you’re not a football fan, come and join this musical celebration of a landmark moment in our town’s history.

If you’re a Norwich Fan – come anyway!

Arts:

As theatres re-open their doors we are pleased to be able to reintroduce our T IN G BRA CELE TH 4 E 0S A RY popular artsTHsection R E V N N I SW I C H P which this Amonth O F I N F. C ’S W P TO A CU includes information UEF N WI on a brand new Ipswich Town FC musical.

Wellbeing:

Events Diary

It’s back!! Your dayby-day guide to the month. From jumble sales to slimming classes, stage shows to fetes.

To get your event listed for FREE email us at listings@ipswich24.co.uk

box office: 01473 295900

This month we look at how Tech can help your health, plus there’s news on Lockdown Blues, hayfever and how memory bears are helping people.

39-43 Weddings:

17-19

WOLSEYTHEATRE.CO.UK

Are you planning your wedding? Then don’t miss our four page weddings special, helping you make the most of your big day.

Motors24:

In a brand new survey we discover what motorists dislike!

Plus why do so many people find buying a car so daunting?

44-45 ®

23-26

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Your Promise. Our Business.

Heritage Open Days:

Ipswich24 is published on the last Thursday of every month by Fizzwig Designs Ltd. Available Free from numerous outlets across Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Stowmarket and surrounding villages, including leading supermarkets, libraries etc.

If you wish to stock copies please contact us.

Enq uiries, Editorial and Advertising Contributions can be sent by: Email to: info@ipswich24.co.uk Mail to: Ipswich24, Fizzwig Designs Ltd, 12A Britannia Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 4PE Contributions by 5th of month preceding publication.

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Over two weekends you get the chance to visit and in most cases go inside places around town which are not normally open to the public.

Sameday, Next day International Pallets & Parcels t: 017 521013 m: 07711 225 80 e: st art ant in press co

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E X H I B I T I O N S N OW O P E N AT I P S W I C H M U S E U M S

IPSWICH ART GALLERY NOW OPEN UNTIL 10 OCTOBER 2021 This touring exhibition features fascinating objects such as a large inflatable Moon, scientific instruments, and actual Moon rock on loan from Bespoke Scientific.

FREE ADMISSION Visit ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/events for booking information

CHRISTCHURCH MANSION, IPSWICH NOW OPEN UNTIL 24 OCTOBER 2021 EXPLORE THE POWER OF COMICS AND THE HERITAGE OF STORIES SEE THREE ICONIC COSTUMES FROM MARVEL STUDIOS' BLACK PANTHER

©MARVEL

DISCOVER STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE THROUGH THE MUSEUM COLLECTION

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.POWEROFSTORIES.CO.UK

Heritage Open Days IPSWICH

Heritage Open Days, England’ s largest festival of history and culture, returns in September 2021. Thanks to support from players of People’ s Postcode Lottery, local people and visitors will be able to explore hidden places and try new experiences across the East of England.

F rom aviation history to post offices of the past, heritage bak ed goods to healing herbs, this year’ s programme has something for everyone and it’ s all free.

Many events will explore this year’ s theme, E dible E ngland, offering opportunities to learn about food production, celebrate local specialities and uncover the customs and quirk s around what we eat and drink .

Sarah Holloway, P rogramme Manager for Heritage O pen Days, said, “ W e’ re all interested in where we live but we don’ t necessarily k now the stories behind the buildings and spaces we walk past each day. O ur event organisers k eep finding creative ways to tell these tales and k eep them alive. “ HO Ds connects people through shared experiences and this year, that feels more important than ever. I t’ s also one of the reasons we chose E dible E ngland as our theme. F ood brings people together

and what we eat and drink is at the heart of much of our culture, our history, our communities, and our daily lives.”

Heritage O pen Days is coordinated and promoted nationally by the N ational Trust with support from players of P eople’ s P ostcode L ottery. E very single Heritage O pen Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission.

L aura Chow, Head of Charities at P eople’ s P ostcode L ottery, said, “ W e’ re delighted our players are able to continue to support Heritage O pen Days in 2021 . The festival has always been about bringing communities together, and this year we’ re particularly excited to see how this can be done through food and drink events. I t’ s certainly a tasty theme! ” E vent listings are available at www.heritageopendays.org.uk .

Search by location or use the map function to discover what else is happening in your local area.

To ensure that visitors are safe and that events can k eep to the latest government guidelines, all event details are subj ect to change. Visitors should re-check details on our website before confirming plans nearer the time.

Explore the places and spaces on your doorstep for free 10th-19th September 2021

Baylham House Farm Open All Week With the children heading back to school Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm might be a little q uieter at this time of year.

That j ust means the animals are even more pleased to see visitors and will try no end of trick s to charm their way into getting more food and attention.

Although the café is not fully open the children can still play whilst the adults enj oy a well-earned cup of tea and a cak e.

W ith pigs and piglets, goats and k ids, cows and sheep – the farm is a great place to entertain, educate and enthral.

Baylham House R are Breeds F arm is six miles north west of I pswich, off the B1 1 1 3 between Great Blak enham and N eedham Mark et.

This year they are again going to continue with their normal opening hours until at least the end of the O ctober half term, which means the farm is open every day from 1 0am until 5pm. W ith entry prices at £ 8 for adults, £ 7 for concessions, £ 4 for children ( aged 4 -1 6 ) and under four’ s free it would be difficult to find a more entertaining and better value attraction in Suffolk . Various family tick ets are also available.

• For more information visit the website at www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk or check out Facebook.

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A walk into the past Ipswich is steeped in history, but all too often we fly by much of it in our cars or in a mad rush to get to the office.

By far the best way to discover the town’ s fascinating past is by walk ing, and when this is in the company of one of I pswich’ s official tour guides you are bound to come away having learnt something of the people and buildings that have and continue to add to the town’ s rich heritage.

P ost Covid the walk ’ s started at I pswich’ s Tourist I nformation Centre,

but following it’ s closure they have relocated to the new Suffolk Archives building The Hold, situated at F ore Street near the U niversity building on the W aterfront.

The current season runs until the end of September and operate every Tuesday and Thursday, j ust meet at The Hold, cost is £ 4 per person and there’ s no need to pre-book . F ind out more at www.suffolk archives.co.uk / public-events-programme/ walk s.

What’s on at Stonham Barns Park in September Stonham Barns Park still has plenty to keep you busy even though summer is nearly over, and the kids are back at school.

There are some events on in the showground, barn, and theatre this month.

F irstly, get your dancing shoes on for a great week end of music and dancing at the BarnF est Country and I rish Music F estival from F riday 3rd to Sunday 5th. There will be a fabulous line up of country singers to entertain you and plenty of food and drink .

O n Monday 1 3th is Mid Suffolk Mondays a monthly Antiques, Vintage and R etro F air.

Sunday 1 9th come along to the American Car Show and see a massive range of American Cars, Truck s, Hot R oad and Bik es on display, listen to the R ock n R oll bands or bring your vehicle and enter the show n shine parade.

Then on F riday 24 th for one night only ‘ E lvis is back in the building’ in the shape of Andy O tley. Tick ets are limited so book now. O n 25th and 26 th

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(Some a 01449 711111 PARKING & N IO S MIS www.stonhambarns.co.uk FREE AD

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How to find us:

PETTAUGH ROAD, STONHAM ASPAL, SUFFOLK, IP14 6AT

Swedefest Truck Show is back again; a two day show that celebrates j ust two marques Scania and Volvo. Come and see the display of the best modern and classic truck s produced by both marquees.

E very Thursday evening everyone is welcome from two wheels to quads for the Stonham Barns Bik e N ights and every Sunday morning pick up a bargain at the popular Car Boot.

O ther activities and attractions onsite include the shopping village with many unique shops and business including village stores and deli, post office, garden centre and individual shops selling crystals, gifts, crafts, book s, j ewellery, clothes, furniture, toys, hair & beauty treatments, homewares, holidays, hot tubs, antiques, sweets and lots more. Bistro with fabulous home-cook ed food, fishing lak es for a relaxing day of fishing, golf park with 8 different golfing activities including Adventure Golf and disc golf, Teapot P ottery for paint your own, Teapot Tea R oom for a pot of tea and slice of cak e, and the Suffolk O wl Sanctuary with over 90 different birds of prey, Meerk ats and red squirrels.

F or the younger ones in your family there is Tumbledown Soft P lay Barn where they can run, j ump, climb and explore to their hearts content. A seasonal fairground, train rides and F R E E bouncy pillow.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, there are still certain CO VI D-1 9 measures in place for customers to mak e their own decisions. This is a ‘ dog friendly’ site and open seven days a week . W hether you visit for the day or stay in their holiday park for a holiday, you will find lots to k eep you busy.

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

Positive signs at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary Every year the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary welcomes a talented and experienced BSL interpreter to enrich the bird of prey experience for deaf and hearing impaired visitors.

This year, the special BSL signed event will tak e place on 4 th September, from 1 0am until 4 .30pm. O n this day, admission to the centre will be free to all deaf visitors and their support work ers, both individuals and groups. Those wishing to attend should email the sanctuary in advance at info@ owl-help.org.uk to receive their free tick ets.

These tick ets offer the opportunity to spend all day at the owl sanctuary enj oying over 8 0 beautiful and diverse birds of

The Drifters 2021 Tour is coming to Felixstowe The Drifters have announced their return to the stage with over 100 UK tour dates in 2021, performing all their classic hits from the last six decades. They’ re bringing their live for one night only at Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, on Saturday 18th September 2021.

The legendary group have previously been inducted into the R ock & R oll Hall of F ame, listed among the greatest artists of all time by R olling Stone magaz ine and have produced an incredible list of hits - including; Saturday N ight at theMovies, Come on O ver to My P lace, Stand By Me, U nder the Boardwalk and many, many more!

prey including owls, hawk s, eagles, vultures, cara caras, k estrels, red k ites and falcons within the spacious landscaped site.

There are two flying displays daily, at 1 1 .30am and 2.30pm ( with BSL signed commentary) during which the most iconic birds from the collection fly free ( and close! ) demonstrating their aerial sk ills and natural behaviours.

The nearby pretty W oodland W alk is also the location of the cheek y meerk at family and shy red squirrel colony. The meerk ats are fed twice daily at 1 1 .00a.m. and 2.00p.m., with an entertaining talk which will also be fully interpreted in BSL .

The centre has recently expanded to offer a new aviary area which is home to many native owl species and the maj estic golden eagles, Sk ye and F ynn.

Children can let off steam in the specially designated play area which

includes wheelchair accessible roundabout, double width slide to enable supported sliding, extra large swing and wheelchair height speak ing tubes! The new sand pit area is fully enclosed and features bench style seating and a surrounding boardwalk .

Alternatively, the central sensory garden with herb and butterfly friendly borders offers a pretty, shady area for rest and relaxation.

The site contains many picnic areas with socially distanced benches, many of which are wheelchair accessible. F lat, tarmac paths enable easy, comfortable movement around the aviaries for buggies and wheelchairs and hand sanitisers are located throughout the site.

• For further details or to obtain tickets for the free BSL interpreted event on 4th. September, please email info@owl-help.org.uk, phone 0345 680 7897 or refer to the website: www.owl-help.org.uk Reg. Charity 1086565

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary and NATURE CENTRE

at STONHAM BARNS PARK on the A1120

COVID-Secure

SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AND FASCINATING OWLS & OTHER BIRDS OF PREY IN SPECTACULAR FLYING DISPLAYS plus RED SQUIRRELS MEERKATS • SILVER FOXES • INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND • SOS SAFARI • FERRETS PICNIC AREAS

F ollowing the phenomenal success of their 6 5th anniversary tour, The Drifters will be back on the road with a line up hand-pick ed by Tina Treadwell herself - P resident of the Treadwell E ntertainment Group and owner of The Drifters name. Tina’ s father started the group with Clyde McP hatter and brought in several greats thereafter such as J ohnny Moore and Ben E K ing. Her mother F aye was later responsible for bringing the group to the U K and overseeing hits suchas More than a number and K issin’ in the back row. After the passing of her parents, it was down to Tina to continue the legacy of The Drifters name.Tina, who previously work ed for Disney as an executive producer and casting director, believes this current line-up is one of the best to date and look s forward to the upcoming concert tour. “ I am very excited that following our 6 5th anniversary year we have a new show for the fans who we invite to j oin us in celebrating this incredible and everlasting story of The Drifters.”

See The Drifters live at Spa P avilion, F elixstowe, on Saturday 1 8 th September 2021 .

• Tickets are available via Box Office at www.fxspa.co.uk or call 01394 284 962

OPEN DAILY from 10.00am Great Family Fun

K

MEER AT ASTLE

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary Stonham Barns Park, Stonham Aspal IP14 6AT

Includes S.O.S. Safari trail for youngsters ~ ADVANCE BOOKING www.owl-help.org.uk 03456 807 897 / opt. 3

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Care UK shortlisted in national catering awards Care UK has been shortlisted for two awards at this year’ s Public Sector Catering Awards which recognise and celebrate the very special teams and chefs working in various catering establishments around the country.

The F ood and Hotel Services team at Care U K are finalists in the Care Catering category. The award recognises those that have transformed all aspects of catering for residents and recognises Care U K in particular for its ‘ Dining with Dignity’ initiative.

F ood and Hotel Services Director, J on Bick nell, said, “ At Care U K we have revolutionised all aspects of catering for residents with one k ey factor in mind – choice. N o matter what type of diet a resident has, we strive to provide plenty of options for them to mak e sure they get all the enj oyment and nutrition they need. “ W e firmly believe that care home catering should rival that of highclass hotels and restaurants so our highly sk illed k itchen teams receive specialist training to create attractive, tasty, safe meal options for each and every resident. “ W e are also passionate about the wellbeing of our colleagues which is why we are ambassadors for the

global # F air K itchens movement, which supports a more inclusive, healthy culture in hospitality. W e believe our k itchens are supportive and innovative places to work , and we k now happy, sk illed colleagues deliver the very best for residents.

Being a chef in one of our care homes is an incredibly fulfilling experience and we are proud to have so many highly qualified people cook ing for residents.”

F urther recognition comes in the form of Care U K ’ s second shortlisting for R egional R oving Chef Andrew Mussett, who is a finalist for the Catering Manager Award. F rom coauthoring a selection of Care U K recipe book s for colleagues and relatives to use, to helping teams mak e continued improvements to ensure the food for residents is the best that it can be, Andrew’ s excellent leadership sk ills and flexible, creative approach mak e him a very worthy finalist.

O n speak ing about his shortlisting Andrew said, “ I am thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award.

I have been involved with many new ideas to improve catering for residents, including my recent proj ect on supporting equality, diversity and inclusivity. I am particularly proud of

the progress made here in bringing more understanding about ethnic and cultural events and festivals in our homes so that residents from different back grounds and cultures can enj oy more authentic meals. “ I am proud of all our chefs and will happily turn my hand to support and coach them in any way I can. I feel honoured to have been recognised in this way and I am k eeping my fingers crossed for the final.”

W inners of the P ublic Sector Catering Awards will be announced at the evening awards ceremony on Thursday 9th September 2021 .

Care U K is the first care provider to work with L ifetime Training to create a national Chef Academy- a designated training pack age for its chefs of all levels to achieve N VQ 2 and 3. I t is an excellent opportunity for team members to develop themselves and for Care U K to invest in the care chefs of the future. I f you’ re interested in a career with Care U K ’ s award-winning team, current opportunities are advertised on its careers portal. Although as J on added, “ W e are getting an enviable reputation as a great employer for chefs to develop their career so demand is usually high for any vacancies we have.”

• James Clear

• Andrew Mussett

• Jon Bicknell

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On the 4th and 5th October Seckford Hall in Suffolk will play host to the East Anglian Air Ambulance’ s annual gift fair. The gift fair is run by seven female volunteers all with a strong desire to support the vital and life saving work that the Air Ambulance does daily.

The gift fair was originally set up by local Suffolk resident E dwina Bushman in the 1 98 0’ s. E dwina saw the fair as an excellent opportunity to raise valuable funds for the charity, that in those days supported the St J ohn Ambulance service, at the same time as indulging in a favourite past-time -shopping!

As the fair is a member of the Charity F airs Association, it has a vibrant selection of stalls from which to choose. The committee carefully selects an eclectic, fun and stylish mix of goods for sale and many of the items are not available on the high street. W hile a few stall holders are local, the maj ority come from all over the country especially for this unique fair. The exhibitors pay a stall fee and donate a percentage of their profits to the charity. There is something for everyone from exquisitely perfumed candles, cashmere j umpers, F rench wine and food, beautiful I ndian printed dressing gowns, accessories for the home, funk y sock s, stunning silk flowers, j ewellery, unusual stationery, bridge accessories, cool belts, beautiful bedlinen, natural beauty products and much more.

The gift fair is a perfect opportunity to buy early Christmas presents, stock ing fillers for friends and family and a chance to spoil oneself too while also helping to support the great work of the E ast Anglian Air Ambulance. Visitors are encouraged to bring their friends for an enj oyable day of retail therapy in the historical setting of Seck ford Hall where refreshments are available throughout the day. There is also a great tombola with plenty of fantastic priz es to be won. Tick ets for the Tuesday of this very special gift fair are available on the door for a donation of £ 5.

All proceeds go to support the work of the E ast Anglian Air Ambulance do please come and support us!

F or updated information about this year’ s fair, please head to the Suffolk Gift fair on F acebook and I nstagram.

E ast Anglian Air Ambulance’ s annual gift fair will be open from 4 pm until 8 pm on Monday 4 th O ctober and 9am until 4 pm on Tuesday 5th O ctober.

East Ipswich Camera Club The East Ipswich Camera Club has been running for 38 years and is a friendly club whose members have a wide range of photographic experience and knowledge.

During the last year the Club have been meeting via Z oom. At last, on Tuesday 7 th September they will be returning to normal meetings at the Tower Hall, Broadlands W ay, R ushmere St Andrew I P 4 5SU ( close to the Bixley F arm Centre) .

Meetings are on the 1 st and 3rd Tuesday evenings ( see I pswich24 E vents Diary) of most months and the Club is always happy to welcome new members.

The programme leans heavily towards competitions within the Club, which encourages everyone to develop their photography sk ills.

During the year there are also lectures and discussion evenings to learn how to achieve better pictures, and some social events, which usually combine tak ing photographs at a specific location with perhaps a meal together afterwards.

Membership of E ast I pswich Camera Club is open to anyone aged 1 8 and over and currently costs £ 55.00 a year.

So, if you enj oy photography, why not call in and give them a look . Y ou can come along for a couple for visits, to see if you would lik e to j oin, for a guest fee of only £ 3.00 per evening. They are an easy-going bunch and you will be made to feel most welcome. There is plenty of free car park ing close to the Tower Hall.

• To find out more about the Club and dates of meetings please have a look at our website www.eastipswichcameraclub.co.uk

Get Crafty this Autumn

As we approach the Autumn you may be considering filling the evenings with a new hobby. Why not book onto one of Craftability’ s workshops where you can ‘ dabble’ in various techniq ues.

L ik e what you tried? They stock everything which is used during the work shop and, so now you k now what to do and where to buy the products from, so you can try more at home. P op into the shop and pick up a leaflet with details of these work shops which restart on September 2nd or check out the website. There is beading, cardmak ing, crochet, glass fusion, felting, scrapbook ing and many ‘ one-off’ Christmas proj ects from wreath mak ing to baubles and advent calendars to pictures. All excellent value for money with most materials and equipment provided.

Craftability have put together some k its suitable for all age ranges covering sewing, painting and decopatch. Again, all materials and instructions are included.

Don’ t forget they are stock ists of Humbrol paint, balsa and other types of wood and many different types of glue and varnish.

Craftability have a large selection of floristry supplies including oasis, plastic trays, bask ets, wreath bases, hemp, moss, ribbon and bows.

Do come in and see them … . you will be surprised at the number of products which that they sell.

This year’ s 3D floral display in Castle Park, Colchester has gone on public display today and features a 2.5ft elephant to celebrate Colchester’ s rich history.

A willow elephant tak es centre stage, woven by local artist J o Hammond, using locally sourced, hand harvested, sustainable willow.

J o first sk etched out her idea, before creating a clay model, which she used to ensure she was weaving the elephant in the right proportions.

I t was then planted with bamboo, verbena, rudbeck ia, canna, and begonia.

Three information boards celebrate the elephant connection to Colchester.

I ncluding E mperor Claudius marching through Camulodunum ( the Briton’ s name for Colchester) to receive the

submission of several British k ings, how J umbo water tower got its name and Colchester’ s more recent F ixing the L ink wayfinding trail from Colchester Station to the town centre.

The 3D flower display is located inside the Cowdray Gates of U pper Castle P ark and is available to view until early autumn.

Councillor Beverly O xford, Colchester Borough Council P ortfolio Holder for Communities, said, “ E lephants have played a big part in Colchester’ s history and it’ s wonderful to see this celebrated in the park this year. This stunning display will be enj oyed by thousands of visitors of all ages.”

• Visit www.colchester.gov.uk/ castlepark for further information about Castle Park.

High-Class Butchers and Poultry

for all your crafting needs Crafts, Gifts, Dolls Houses and Accessories 4 St. Lawrence Street, Ipswich IP1 1DN Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm

Tel: 01473 257550

www.craftability-ipswich.co.uk Email: sales@craftability-ipswich.co.uk

E. W. REVETT & SON

High Street, Wickham Market, Suffolk IP13 0RA

Telephone: 01728 746263 www.revett.co.uk

9

ONCE BITTEN….

TWICE SHY In recent years, we have seen and heard more in the news about people being bitten and injured, sometimes fatally, by dogs. But where does the law stand in terms of bringing a claim against the owner for personal injury and loss?

The Animals Act was introduced in a propensity to bite, or had a history of some form of aggression and 1 97 1 which outlined what the legal that the owner / k eeper should have requirements were to establish tak en sufficient steps to prevent responsibility against the owner / k eeper of a dog that had bitten and / that dog from causing harm by, for example, using a muz z le and or inj ured a person. k eeping the dog on a tight lead.

I f a dog is defined as being a So what should you do if you get member of a “ dangerous species” then in all lik elihood if that dog bites bitten / inj ured by a dog?

- Seek medical attention – even / inj ures someone, then fault will be the smallest of bites could become found and compensation should infected. then be awarded accordingly.

- Get the details of the owner / The maj ority of dog bite / inj ury incidents however relate to dogs k eeper of the dog ( name, address, and whether they have insurance that aren’ t deemed to be dangerous, – most people should have access so what does the law say that you to insurance either via a pet need to prove to establish fault? plan, home contents or buildings The k ey to succeeding with a claim insurance policy which will enable for personal inj ury arising out of a you to mak e a claim) . dog bite / inj ury incident is often to - Contact the police and report the prove that the owner / k eeper was incident. aware that the dog in question had

- Contact the Council or the local dog warden if the P olice haven’ t already done this.

- Get the details of any witnesses who may have seen the accident / may have k nowledge of the dog.

- R ecord the details of the incident - write down what happened, and tak e photos of your inj uries.

- K eep records of all expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your inj uries for example, loss of earnings, travel expenses and any medication costs.

By gathering all of the above documentation and information in particular about the incident and the dog / its history, when it comes to considering whether you have a

valid claim for compensation, you will be in a far better position.

Bringing claims for compensation as a result of these incidents involving dogs are complex and can be difficult to prove. The age old saying, “ There are no bad dogs, j ust bad owners” often turns out to be true.

I f you or someone you k now has been involved in a dog bite incident, or you have suffered inj ury as a result of any animal, it is always worth seek ing legal guidance to see whether you can obtain assistance to pursue your claim.

• For more information and advice please contact our Louise Plant at lplant@prettys.co.uk and on 01473 298293.

New way to report anti-social behaviour Ipswich residents are now able to report anti-social behaviour ( ASB) online, after Ipswich Borough Council launched a new online reporting form.

The online form, which can be accessed on the Council’ s website, will provide a single point of contact for all types of anti-social activity.

O nce a report is received, it will be reviewed and assigned to the team best equipped to deal with the issue, saving victims from having to speak to more than one person about their case.

Councillor Alasdair R oss, I pswich Borough Council’ s Community P rotection portfolio holder, said, “ E veryone has the right to live in an area where they feel safe and that’ s why we tak e anti-social behaviour seriously and are committed to preventing, and where possible, resolving cases in an effective manner. This new form will mak e it easier for residents to report instances to us as and when they happen.”

To report ASB online visit www.ipswich.gov.uk / R eportASB

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Animal cruelty on Social Media The RSPCA has revealed it received nearly 500 reports of animal cruelty on social media last year with the majority of incidents appearing on Facebook.

As part of the charity’ s Cancel O ut Cruelty campaign, the R SP CA is highlighting its concerns that more young people are being exposed to animal cruelty on social media.

The R SP CA calls on the Governments in E ngland and W ales to include animal welfare in education and believe that this could be the k ey in helping to prevent cruelty in the future by teaching the next generation an understanding and empathy for animals’ needs.

L ast year ( 2020) there were 4 31 reports of animal welfare incidents on social media more than double the number the previous year ( 1 57 ) . L ast year the charity logged an average 35 reports a month of animal welfare concerns on social media and worrying the charity is reporting an average of 37 a month for the first four months of this year. Most of the reports related to F acebook , followed by I nstagram and Snapchat.

David Allen, Head of P revention and E ducation at the R SP CA, said, “ Sadly, we have seen an increase in recent years in the number of incidents of animal cruelty being posted and shared on social media such as F acebook , I nstagram, Tik Tok and Snapchat. “ W e’ re very concerned that the use of social media has changed the landscape of abuse with videos of animal cruelty being shared for lik es and k udos with this sort of content normalising - and even mak ing light of - animal cruelty. “ W hat’ s even more worrying is the level of cruelty that can be seen in these videos, particularly as so many young people are being exposed to graphic footage of animals being beaten or k illed which they otherwise would never have seen.”

A recent survey of R SP CA’ s frontline officers revealed: 8 1 % think that more abuse is being caught on camera N early half ( 4 6 % ) think more cases are appearing on social media.

O ne in five officers said one of the main causes of cruelty to animals is people hurting animals to mak e themselves more popular on social media.

Some of the recent cruelty videos posted on social media include; A video of a magpie being thrown across the road on I nstagram in J une 2021 A woman captured k ick ing her dog on Tik Tok in March 2021 A teenager being filmed k ick ing a dog which was shared on W hatsApp in May 2021

Videos posted on I nstagram of cock erels being forced to fight in March 2021

The charity’ s Special O perations unit work s to trace these social media videos and - often with the police - will visit schools to speak to parents and teachers. The aim is to educate these children to ensure they understand that being cruel or causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is not funny and is wrong.

Dave added, “ W hile these videos of abuse are horrible and it’ s worrying that young people are being exposed to them the positive is that young people are equally appalled by this and report this to their teachers and parents and to us. “ This is one of the reasons we believe teaching animal welfare in schools is so important in stopping this trend and inspiring children and young people to have compassion and empathy for animals.”

The R SP CA has already reached out to 1 8 0,000 children and young people through its programmes such as Compassionate Class, the Great Debate, and its four education hubs across E ngland.

Dave added, “ Social platforms also have a responsibility to properly monitor and moderate content on their sites to ensure that action is tak en against those who post illegal activity, animal cruelty and graphic images, and pass on information to the relevant authorities to investigate whether a criminal offence has been commited.”

The R SP CA’ s rescue teams need support to stay out on the frontline as the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty.

To donate to the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign and help them continue to rescue animals in need, visit www.rspca.org.uk/stopcruelty.

CHIP n SNIP CAMPAIGN

Every Saturday in September 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th 10am-4pm Queens Street, Ipswich IP1 1SS

Any enquiries please call 0345 371 2069 select Option 4

www.ipswich.cats.org.uk

Do please come along and support us.

11

The dragons are coming to Ipswich Ipswich Waterfront is set to come alive with dragons on Saturday 18th September as local charity Fresh Start, new beginnings ( FSNB) brings its Dragon Boat race back to the town for the first time since the pandemic.

F SN B provides therapeutic services to children and young people under the age of 1 8 who have been victims of sexual abuse. Based in I pswich, the charity has therapy centres across N orfolk and Suffolk and helps around 200 young people and their family members in E ast Anglia every year.

The charity first held the dragon boat race in 201 8 , and it has since become one of its most successful fundraising events. Y esterday, charity trustee Mick P ark er and event supporter Mark Murphy of R adio Suffolk , took to the water on dragon boats k indly supplied by local company ‘ Dragon the Deben’ to launch this year’ s event.

Associated British P orts I pswich ( ABP ) , have permitted the race on the W aterfront, starting near the Cult Café / Bar, the event is open to teams of 1 0 paddlers who compete in three races with the winning teams battling it out in a grand final.

O nce again there is big demand for the event, with a number of local businesses already signing up.

Since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the charity’ s opportunities to fundraise have drastically reduced and it is calling on local communities and businesses to get involved and sign up for this one of a k ind event.

F SN B Managing Director, P atsy J ohnson-Cisse explains, “ W e’ re so excited to be welcoming our dragons back to I pswich this year. I t is such a fun day out for everyone involved and the impact it mak es on our services is j ust incredible. The last even raised £ 1 4 ,000, which is enough to enable us to provide therapeutic services to seven children that have been abused. The

impact this can mak e on them is indescribable, and it’ s so important that people who fundraise for us understand what a difference their efforts can mak e. “ Aside from being crucial to our income generation, it’ s also a brilliant way for companies to bring together staff for some fun team building and to compete against other local businesses. I ’ d lik e to thank everyone who has shown an interest so far and the Associated British P orts I pswich, who provide such fantastic support, and without which the event would not be possible. I really hope we can sell out and bring I pswich alive with colour, music and laughter as our dragons tak e to the water! ” P aul Ager, Divisional P ort Manager from ABP said, “ ABP welcomes the return of the Dragon Boat race this year, which is such a popular event for the local community and an important fundraising initiative for local charity, F SN B.” • Teams of 10 can enter the Dragon Boat race for £350. A drummer must also be supplied by each team. To enter, sign uponline at www.fsnb.beaconforms.com/form/89becd59. Information on Fresh Start new beginnings can be found at https://www.fsnb.org.uk/.

Friendship with Ipswich Oddfellows

This September, to celebrate Friendship Month, Ipswich Oddfellows is on a mission to bring friends back together and encourage new connections after months of social restrictions.

The local friendship group, based at 37 High Street, I pswich, will be hosting some taster events designed to mak e visitors feel welcome and demonstrate the benefits of j oining a local friendship group.

E vents include a bumper j igsaw sale ( 1 1 th) , a Thursday activity session, Scrabble ( 7 th) , F ish and Chip lunch ( 1 3th) and above all having fun!

W endy Atk ins, Social O rganiser said, “ W e’ re all about mak ing friends and helping people. W e’ ve spent much of the past 1 8 months ensuring our members have been supported emotionally and physically, but now’ s the time to mak e new friends, reconnect with old ones, and re-build social confidence that may have been lost. “ W e made a real effort during the pandemic to stay in touch with each other online. These online meet-ups gave many the connections they needed to stay mentally well. W e’ re continuing to do them, as we k now they mak e a real difference to people’ s happiness, especially those who struggle to get out and about, or who have to isolate.”

I pswich O ddfellows is a non-profit and mutual society. Annual membership ( from £ 25) to the O ddfellows also provides financial benefits and welfare support, with a dedicated care helpline and citiz ens advice team, volunteering opportunities, and a travel club.

To register an interest in attending an O ddfellows F riendship Month taster event, or to receive a free local events pack in the post, contact Branch Secretary L ynne W yatt on 01 4 7 3 251 8 6 7 or email lynne.wyatt@ oddfellows.co.uk A full list of events can be found at www.friendshipmonth.com, as well as details of how to attend an online open day and a competition to win one of six Spanish Tapas Hampers.

12

From The Royal Flying Corps to the Jet Age at Martlesham Heath The next meeting of the Alde V alley Suffolk Family History Group will be held online on Monday, 20th September at 7.30pm when they will host a speaker from Martlesham Aviation Museum.

The R oyal F lying Corps ( R F C) came into being on 1 3th March 1 91 2. Martlesham Heath Airfield was opened in J anuary 1 91 7 to become the premier national centre for the testing and evaluation of aircraft and armaments, only nine years after the first recorded flight of a heavier-than-air machine in Britain. That O ctober, the operations at Martlesham Heath were given the name “ The Aeroplane E xperimental U nit, R oyal F lying Corps” , and it has been described as “ The Cradle of British Aviation” .

O n 1 st April 1 91 8 , the R F C was merged with the R oyal N aval Air Service to become the R oyal Air F orce, the oldest independent air force in the world.

I n 1 936 , radar research and

development ( R & D) commenced at nearby Bawdsey Manor, and aircraft from Martlesham were available to assist when necessary, tak ing part in the first successful radar detection of ships from the air — and also fortuitously of other aircraft tak ing off from HMS Courageous.

Three days before the outbreak of the second world war, the E stablishment was moved away to W iltshire, and the station became part of 1 1 Group, which bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain.

Douglas Bader and Bob Stanford Tuck were separately stationed at Martlesham during 1 94 0.

I n the Spring of 1 94 3, the 356 th F ighter Group of the U nited States Army Air F orce arrived, to

Refurbished butchers ready for a Jolly future Innes Family Butchers, with Dave Innes, owner, at the helm would like to say thank you to their customers for the continued support while it has undergone its new change of ownership and refurbishments.

As a long time, member of the J olly Meat Company, Dave is excited to be serving the Hadleigh community and surrounding areas as I nnes F amily Butchers, improving its Health and Hygiene Certificate to a 5. W ith 1 4 years of experience, Dave is excited to bring modern ideas to the traditional butchery staples which will bring new items to the display while highlighting high welfare rare breeds and will add consistent variety to the selection in order to meet customer’ s needs to the highest standard.

A word from J immy Doherty: “ This shop is really exciting news, not only for the butchery industry but for traditional livestock breeds and that’ s something as P resident of the R are Breed Survival Trust I am passionate about. Sk ills to this industry lik e Dave’ s are as rare as the breeds now and it is important to k eep high street butchers going. Dave is leading the charge and k eeping the industry a float which should encourage customers from far and wide to give it a visit.”

I nnes F amily Butchers can be found at 1 01 High Street, Hadleigh and offers a warm welcome.

escort U SAAF E ighth Air F orce heavy bombers on daylight raids over E urope. R AF 56 Squadron remained to attack targets in F rance and the L ow Countries, as well as shipping in the N orth Sea, which made Martlesham Heath one of very few j oint Anglo-American airfields.

After the war it reverted once more to an R & D role, until that was relocated to the R oyal Aircraft E stablishment at F arnborough and Bedford. W ith the j et-engine era,

the concrete ends of the runway had been extended to avoid the tarmac melting. Then, from 1 958 to 1 96 1 , the “ Battle of Britain F light” was at the airfield — which was finally closed on 25th April 1 96 3.

This Z oom based event is free to members, but is also available to non-members at a cost of £ 3. I f you wish to ‘ attend’ please register via the website https:/ / avsfhg.org.uk / events/ book / and you will be sent j oining instructions.

• For more information see the website https://avsfhg.org.uk/events/ or phone Angela Skelcher on 01728 830949.

High Welfare Locally Sourced Meat Rare, Native and Traditional Breeds Free Home Delivery within 10 miles Wholesale supply to the trade Gift Vouchers available Eggs • Bread • Deli • Pies • Cake

— 101 High Street, Hadleigh IP7 5EJ

Tel: 01473 810119 13

The Roman Dead Exhibition Historian Dan Snow recently visited Colchester Castle’ s new exhibition Decoding The Roman Dead this week.

The visit comes as part of Colchester Museums’ exciting new partnership with Dan Snow’ s History Hit N etwork to showcase Colchester’ s rich heritage and history.

Dan Snow is a BAF TA award winning broadcaster, having made TV shows that have been watched by tens of millions of people worldwide.

Chart-topping daily podcast Dan Snows History Hit is U K ’ s number 1 history podcast. History Hit’ s Subscription Video O n Demand Channel brings viewers the stories that shaped the world, through hundreds of history documentaries, interviews and short films.

The Decoding The R oman Dead exhibition is now on display in Colchester Castle’ s Charles Grey R oom and is included in Castle admission. The exhibit investigates who were the first people that lived and died in R oman Britain’ s capital city. I t showcases the results of research conducted by archaeologists and specialists to ‘ decode’ the hidden stories of Colchester’ s residents during a time of invasion, construction, and dramatic change through examination of early burial remains from Colchester Museums’ collections.

I n a new episode of History Hit’ s The Ancients podcast, the team talk to Colchester Museums’ curators Glynn Davis and Carolina L ima to discuss the exhibition and the ground-break ing research behind it.

U nderstanding more about the lives of R oman Colchester’ s earliest inhabitants, has enabled the team to unlock the world of life and death almost 2,000 years ago.

L isten to the new The Ancients podcast about Decoding The R oman Dead here - History P odcasts | History Hit History Hit is the U K ’ s biggest digital history brand across podcasts, Video on Demand, social media and the web. Visit History Hit for more information and a free trial.

History Hit and Colchester Museums will continue to work together on exciting new future proj ects. E nsure you are following both on social media to be the first to find out news.

Work starts on exciting new public space Work has begun on an exciting new town centre public space, which is set to transform the area around the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

The Balk erne Gate public realm proj ect will create an inviting and welcoming entrance to the town centre and provide new opportunities for performance and open-air activities adj acent to the newly redeveloped Mercury Theatre.

The redesigned area will incorporate a highly accessible k erbless public realm, complete with new trees and seating, and is the precursor to the scheme’ s second phase, which will extend across a wider area to encompass the Colchester Arts Centre and J umbo.

The work is being financed from the same investment stream as the St. N icholas Square public realm proj ect, the accelerated Town Deal F und, which was awarded to W e Are Colchester last September.

I t is based on designs by award-winning Colchester architects, P urcell. L ocal building contractors, P helan Construction L td and Colchester Construction, will be undertak ing the work , which is being proj ect managed by Colchester Amphora Trading L td and Colchester Borough Homes on behalf of Colchester Borough Council.

Councillor Darius L aws, P ortfolio Holder for E conomy, Business & Heritage, said, “ I am both pleased and excited that work on the Balk erne Gate public realm proj ect has finally started and is set to create a really vibrant and attractive gateway into the Town Centre. “ The transformation of this vital public space builds on the excellent work already underway to mak e our town a more welcoming and accessible place for all and will substantially improve the local environment and help attract even more footfall to the area. “ W ith all the wider social, cultural and economic benefits this scheme will generate, the timing could not be better – helping to deliver a huge and much-needed boost to the Arts and Hospitality sectors as we begin to rebuild from the pandemic.”

Steve Mannix, E xecutive Director of The Mercury Theatre, added, “ W e are grateful to Colchester Borough Council for redesigning this area surrounding the Mercury. “ As we reopen and welcome visitors and audiences to our fully refurbished and transformed theatre, these extensive and vital changes will complement the fully accessible approaches we have made throughout the building and really revitalise the area; creating a welcoming and tranquil open space for our audiences and all visitors to the town.”

• More information on the public realm projects can be found at www.Colchester.gov.uk

HMS GANGES MUSEUM Shotley Marina, Shotley Gate, Ipswich IP9 1QJ

Our volunteers look forward to welcoming you to view our extensive collection of photographs and artefacts reflecting the life and heritage of Shotley’s Naval Training Establishment.

OPEN from GOOD FRIDAY then weekends and Bank Holidays until last Sunday in October 11.00am to 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Tel: 01473 788315 or 788723 Website: www.hmsgangesmuseum.com Facebook: The HMS Ganges Museum 14

Tide Mill gets grant to help visitors with special needs Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum has been awarded £ 1,041.50 by the East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund. The Grant will enable the Mill to improve accessibility for visitors with special educational needs and disabilities ( SEND) to experience the Tide Mill.

Before the pandemic the Mill got some 1 2,000 visitors a year, a number the Mill’ s Trustees aim to increase.

W oodbridge Tide Mill E ducation O fficer, Heather Sheehan explains, “ The support of the E ast of E ngland Co-op will help the Mill’ s Trustees to allow the widest possible number of people to learn about the Mill, it’ s history, what it does and how it does it. “ This generous Grant will enable us to do things such as create an accessible website – including access statements and sensory maps. I t will also allow us to develop and launch sensory support back pack s – to support young visitors with sensory needs with aids lik e ear defenders, a magnifying glass, fiddle toys, a museum trail, sunglasses, a torch, a feelings lanyard and a sensory museum map. “ W e also intend to use the Grant to develop a new themed museum trail, helping to create focus and structure, enabling the experience of the museum to be holistic and much more relaxed for families with SE N D children/ young people” .

Woodbridge Mind Body Spirit Festival It’ s time to get excited, first live event of the year - long awaited, Life Arts 21st annual Woodbridge Mind Body Spirit Festival is back!

W ith over 4 0 diverse, carefully selected stands, you will be spoilt for choice! W ith spiritual gifts, crystals, unique j ewellery, natural body products, psychics, mediums, healers and natural wellbeing therapists; our special L ife Arts event is set to be another great success!

O n offer throughout the week end are a wide array of work shops and demonstrations on subj ects as diverse as ‘ Astrology for beginners’ , ‘ CBD cannabis – what products work ’ , ‘ Connecting with crystals’ , the popular ‘ Mediumship demonstration’ and be sure to arrive in good time for the drumming work shops! The Buddha Cave is a must do – experience the healing calmness of the E mpowered Healing room and meditation space, open all week end.

J acob & J acs will be providing delicious home-made hot and cold food and amaz ing cak es, with vegetarian and vegan options.

L ive performances include vocals and guitar from guitar songwriter W ayne McHugh, R uth Anderson on the harp, original folk music from J ohn and J o Goodluck and African drums with W ooden R oots. N ew musicians this year are song writing duo Danny R and P aul Gillings, playing original folk / rock / blues – come and have a listen. So, sit down relax, soak up the unique atmosphere, sounds and energy from all these special people, brought together by L ife Arts and Chris Coz ens, who says ‘ W e guarantee to put a smile on your face and warm your heart or your money back ! ’ This event is wheelchair friendly too. Special price week end tick ets give access on both days.

L ife Arts 21 st annual W oodbridge Mind Body Spirit will be at The Community Hall, W oodbridge on Saturday 1 1 th and Sunday 1 2th September 2021 1 0am-5pm both days. Adults: £ 3.50 ( £ 5 for both days) , Concessions: £ 3.00 ( £ 4 for both days) , 1 6 and under F R E E .

• For further Information visit www.lifearts.co.uk

W oodbridge Tide Mill Charitable Trust Chair, J ohn Carrington adds, “ W e simply could not do this at this time without the support of E ast of E ngland Co-op. This grant will help us to change the lives of many young visitors. I t will help them to experience the Mill, it’ s history and how bread, the staple of life, was and is made. I t will help give them the support they need to learn and enj oy the process” . “ The Board of Trustees is determined to mak e the Mill available to the widest possible audience and is very grateful to the E ast of E ngland Co-op for its assistance with this Grant.”

15

Country Railway Gala

A celebration of how the Middy served its largely rural/ farming community for nearly 50 years with all the Middy attractions open including, of course, steam train rides in genuine V ictorian four-wheel coaches takes palce on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September.

Two traction engines, the Tivetshall O ld R am VintageTractor Club, hand ploughs, farm machinery, dump truck , electric tug, the J upiter fire engine and more displays and exhibits as the show builds up. There will also be news on the plans and progress on the Southwold R ailway re-opening on Halesworth to Southwold R ailway stand and the award winning restored F owler ‘ Shreddie’ , the Shredded W heat shunter will be running

over the week end. This great day out for all the family is open from 1 0.30am through to 5pm with trains running every 30 minutes from 1 1 am through to 3.30pm or 4 pm if demand requires.

Adults £ 1 0, Children aged 5 to 1 6 £ 5, Children under 5 free, E ssential Carer free with full paying visitor. Mid Suffolk L ight R ailway, Brock ford Station, W etheringsett, Suffolk I P 1 4 5P W

Brand-new play Our White Skoda Octavia is touring this Autumn!

Eastern Angles is excited to be bringing brand new theatre to audiences as it tours Our White Skoda Octavia from 6th October until 6th November.

W ritten by Shamser Sinha, this moving play shines a light on the struggles of contemporary life as one family j uggles bills, dreams and taxidriving schemes.

I n a small town in the E ast of E ngland, j ust before the credit crunch of 2007 , Amj ad decides to tak e up taxi-driving. His days tak e on the rhythm of a drum. But when money is tight and R abia’ s stifled ambitions hang heavy in the air, even the songs of J ohn Denver or the scent of a Chitral rose are not enough to mend the crack s.

Speak ing about his new play, writer Shamser Sinha said, “ P art of who we are is in other people, and part of us is in them. N o more so than with families and the places they live. I guess that was my inspiration.”

Spanning over a decade, O ur W hite Sk oda O ctavia follows the Afridi family as they try to remain optimistic in the face of relationship troubles, health difficulties and financial worries.

An atmospheric tabla drumscape accompanies them through to their story’ s bittersweet conclusion.

This new play was inspired by conversations with taxi-drivers and residents of P eterborough and I pswich held in 201 8 as part of an Arts Council

funded research proj ect. O n the development of the play since then, Creative P roducer K aren Goddard said, “ I t’ s been really fascinating to see how the story has evolved to include so many aspects of family life, it has a real mix of humour and poignancy in it which I hope people will enj oy.”

E astern Angles are delighted to be work ing in association with Derby Theatre and E ssex Cultural Diversity P roj ect to mak e this production a reality.

To find out more and book your tick ets visit www. easternangles.co.uk .

O ur W hite Sk oda O ctavia by Shamser Sinha Touring from 6 th O ctober – 6 th N ovember

Popular Yard Sale Returns On the 26th September the Hadleigh Community Yard sale is back from 9 am until 1pm.

Download a free map online or grab a paper one and visit the inside sales from the Ansell Centre in the Mark et P lace I P 7 5DL . Sellers will be happy to see you as you mak e your way around the lovely town of Hadleigh.

The sales are community wide so the choice is yours if you walk or drive.

The main carpark in Hadleigh is in Magdalen R oad I P 7 5AD but please be considerate to other road users and follow the law on park ing.

E ach official sale will have Clark es E vents blue balloons and an official number poster out so please support all sales. This year the event has been supported by Hadleigh Town Council so you k now it’ s an official town event. The fun starts at 9am so please be considerate and don’ t visit any sales before then. Y ou can also use the interactive sales map on the day j ust visit the website www.clark esevents.uk where you can also print a paper map too. So bring your pock et money and a few carrier bags its Y ard Sale time.

At the Sir John Mills Theatre, Gatacre Road, Ipswich Wed 6th - Sat 9th Oct – Sat Matinee 2pm Box Office 01473 211498 Then touring across East Anglia until Sat 6th Nov Full details at www.easternangles.co.uk 16

ARTS

From Eternity to Here with Level 42 Level 42 mark their fifth decade with massive UK ‘ From Eternity To Here’ 2021 Tour coming to Ipswich this Autumn.

F ormed in 1 97 9, L evel 4 2 and entered their fifth decade in 2020, planning to mark that with the ‘ F rom E ternity To Here’ tour, which of course had to be postponed. AE G P resents is delighted to announce that the band will now undertak e the rescheduled 24 -date U K tour in 2021 . R emaining tick ets are on sale via aegpresents.co.uk [ all tick ets purchased for postponed 2020 dates remain valid] .

The ‘ F rom E ternity To Here’ U K tour will see the band play the length and breadth of the country. After everything that they have achieved, and after this enforced lay off, they have no interest in slowing down. “ N o way! ” says bassist and frontman Mark K ing; “ Touring with the band this year has been about as much fun as I can remember having had on the road and, if you had ask ed me back in 1 98 0 if I thought we would be selling out theatres around the world when I was sixty years old, I probably would have laughed! R e-invention can be a wonderful thing! ” Mark K ing is a musician who has truly created a sound and style all of his own and is in constant demand, both from the fans and from his peers – he was a special guest on F oo F ighters’ Taylor Hawk ins’ record.

L evel 4 2 is a band with nothing to prove, but all the desire to continue their run at the top. To date the band and Mark have released 1 4 studio albums, seven live albums, the Sirens’ E P , and 6 compilation albums, had 1 8 top 4 0 singles, including the era-defining ‘ L essons in L ove’ , ‘ Something About Y ou’ , ‘ L eaving Me N ow’ , ‘ R unning in the F amily’ , and ‘ Hot W ater’ , sold out W embley Arena for a total of 21 nights and sold in excess of 30 million albums worldwide. I n short, they have proven to be one of the most successful British bands ever and, with the recent re-issues of the band’ s vast catalogue on U niversal Music, and the ‘ Collected’ series on CD and Vinyl, it is clear they continue to set the benchmark for British J az z F unk . The ‘ E ternity Tour DVD 201 8 ’ is available at www.level4 2.com The ‘ F rom E ternity To Here’ U K tour in 2021 is a chance for the band’ s fans to check in once again with a truly class act: L evel 4 2 continue to set the standard. Don’ t miss them.

• Level42 From Eternity To Here’ will be at the Ipswich Regent Theatre on 31st October. To book tickets contact the Box Office at www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

September at the Two Sisters Arts Centre Two Sisters opens the Autumn Season on September 1st with a busking night from some of Suffolk’ s most talented musicians – Lady J ’ s Musical Marvels emerge from the zoom platform for their first live performances since lockdown featuring Peter Optical, J evon, Tori Ramsey, J ane Tomsett, Bryony & Ben, Ed Talbot and Lady J herself – J ustine De Mierre.

Thursday 2nd sees the return of L ondon based band The R osina Hepburn Trio and on F riday 3rd the Two Sisters Arts Centre host W AMF est’ s opening night with Mama F unk .

O n F riday 1 0th it’ s F riday night j az z with local group J az z vibe, then on F riday 1 7 th tak e a musical j ourney through the 1 950’ s with The Story of Doo-W op.

Sunday 1 9th sees the return of popular singer/ songwriter P eter Hepworth, there’ s drama with J ames Hyland’ s tak e on L ewis • Peter Optical Carol’ s Classic Alice in W onderland on F riday 24 th. And on Sunday 26 th world famous soprano Christina J ohnston tak es the audience on a j ourney through the musical talents of Sondheim & L loyd- W ebber.

• Christina Johnston F inally, on Thursday 30th there’ s j az z from The U nity O rgan Trio to round off the month.

The Two Sisters Arts Centre are retaining their covid secure protocols for September to k eep audiences safe and secure – so seating will still be cabaret style book ing, temperatures will be tak en on entry, mask s will need to be worn while moving round the building and table service will continue.

17

ARTS

New musical celebrates The Town and the 80s Theatre lovers and football fans have much to look forward to this Autumn as the New Wolsey Theatre kicks off its autumn season with a new musical from Peter Rowe.

O pening on 1 6 th September, N ever L ost at Home tells the story of I pswich Town F ootball Club’ s U E F A cup win in 1 98 1 . I t can be regarded as a sequel to the 201 8 sell-out show O ur Blue Heaven, which audiences loved for its feel-good, community celebration vibe. N ever L ost at Home promises much of the same.

The 1 98 1 soundtrack will no doubt get audiences dancing in their seats as the actor-musicians work their magic to bring back that 1 98 0’ s feeling, with P eter P everley returning as Bobby R obson and Mark Murphy from BBC R adio Suffolk providing the match commentary. L ocal young people have recreated k ey match sequences on film and fan photos will feature in a montage at the end of the show. The N ew W olsey’ s commitment to

livestreaming its own productions means N ever L ost At Home and the rock ‘ n’ roll panto J ack and the Beanstalk will be livestreamed, enabling fans to j oin the fun from anywhere in the world.

quite believe what a transformation it is. The more they look , the more they find to be delighted about, from the little man abseiling down the stairs to the beautiful artwork that R eb has sourced and in some cases, created especially for us.”

W hen you visit the N ew W olsey Theatre this autumn, you’ ll find the magic begins long before you get to your seat. Decadent but environmentally friendly L E D lighting, lush fabrics and vibrant colours pop out from an industrial chic back drop reminiscent of the coolest L ondon venue. The exposed ductwork on the ceiling, warm wood-effect floor and distressed-metal box office provide the framing for designer R eb Capper’ s imaginative and playful set dressing.

R eb’ s company Steamboat Creative, based in F elixstowe, work ed closely with architect P hil W aind from W GP Architects to inj ect as much character as possible in to the 1 97 0’ s building.

Sue L awther-Brown, Head of Communications for N ew W olsey Theatre says, “ The most common reaction we’ ve had since opening this summer has been ‘ W ow! ’ P eople look around and can’ t

The new design is practical as well as enchanting.

R educed seating downstairs enhanced with clever, flexible bespok e items, means less congestion when ordering food and drink from the re-vamped café bar, especially at peak times.

1980

’s SO UN DT RA CK

THE BRAND NEW MUSICAL FROM PETER ROWE

FO LLO W U P TO TH E S M A S H

H IT S H O W ‘O U R B LU E H E AV E N ’

E nthusiastic new team members are happy to deliver food upstairs, where Steamboat’ s design continues to delight with up-cycled furniture and re-purposed theatre props in abundance.

There’ s no doubt that the N ew W olsey Theatre has risen from the flames of Covid lik e a phoenix with new feathers.

W hether you come to see a show, or j ust come for coffee, walk ing through the door will transport you to a playful, happy place where anything is possible.

Party like it’s 1981!

If you’re a Town Fan it’s UNMISSABLE .

If you’re not a football fan, come and join this musical celebration of a landmark moment in our town’s history.

If you’re a Norwich Fan – come anyway!

WOLSEYTHEATRE.CO.UK

box office: 01473 295900 CELE

BRA

TING

H 4 0T T H E E R S A RY V H NI

IC AN PSW O F I N F. C ’S TOW C U P A UEF N WI

18

ARTS

Ipswich Regent is ‘Good To Go’ for it’s upcoming Autumn season Ipswich Borough Council’ s Regent Theatre has acq uired V isit England’ s ‘ We’ re Good to Go’ status ahead of its jam-packed Autumn season of shows. ‘ W e’ re Good To Go’ is the official U K mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has work ed hard to follow government and industry CO VI D-1 9 guidelines, including carrying out a CO VI D-1 9 risk assessment and putting processes in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

The measures that have been put in place by the theatre include: E nhanced cleaning in all public areas Audiences strongly encouraged to wear mask s in all public areas Contactless payments are available at all our bars N HS Test & Trace Q R Codes available to scan on arrival Hand sanitising stations located across the venue I mprovements to the building’ s air ventilation system Customers with CO VI D symptoms / positive test / self-isolation are advised to not attend the venue.

The R egent Theatre is currently

getting ready to open for its 2021 Autumn season with acts coming the Theatre including: music from N ick Cave & W arren E llis, F isherman’ s F riends, The W aterboys, Collabro, Billy O cean, Amy McDonald, J ools Holland, and BBC’ s Sound of the 6 0’ s with Tony Black burn; comedy from Chris R amsey, R oss N oble, J ohn Bishop, R hod Gilbert, Mo Gilligan and J oel Dommett; and evenings with R ob Brydon, E ngelbert Humperdinck , Sir R anulph F iennes, and N igella L awson.

Cllr Sarah Barber, I pswich Borough Council’ s P ortfolio Holder for the Town Centre, said, “ I am delighted that the R egent Theatre has been awarded this mark of confidence by Visit E ngland as it prepares to open to the public for its Autumn season – its first full season of shows since 201 9! “ Since we reopened for the first show in J uly, I ’ ve been pleased to hear the responses from audience members who are happy with the measures we have put in place to

k eep audiences safe so they can enj oy their visit without worry. “ W ith so much to choose from this season, we hope to see you at a show very soon.”

The theatre is look ing forward to announcing more details about its Christmas pantomime very soon. F or more information, and to mak e sure you are added to their email and distribution lists, visit www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

Saturday 4th September, 2021

Nadine Somers 7.30pm - (Doors open 6.30pm)

Are you looking for Design & Print Services?

• Advertising Leaflets/Flyers • Business Cards • Letterheads

Telephone:

Ticket s £6 eac h

Saturday 2nd October, 2021

s Ticket h £8 eac

Ian Hyland & His Band

7.30pm - (Doors open 6.30pm)

Please book tickets in advance, for bookings & more information

Tel 01473 912626 or 07591 099519

01473 351270 www.fizzwigdesigns.co.uk 19

Visually impaired children supplied with tech to aid development Guide Dogs has committed to supplying more than 3,500 visually impaired children with free iPads and iPhones after research revealed the damage caused to their personal development by a lack of access to technology An in-depth study saw the charity interview 1 7 0 parents and guardians of children aged under 1 2 who had a vision impairment. More than a quarter ( 28 per cent) said their child has been bullied - with eight per cent saying their child is doing badly at school. And 8 0 per cent felt their child’ s vision impairment made it a difficult or even impossible to form friendships. O verall, 28 per cent of children were described as not happy, while 4 0 per cent had little or no confidence.

O ne of the k ey tak e outs from the interviews were tools lik e iP ads and smartphones could vastly improve children’ s happiness, by providing a sense of normality, confidence, and independence. The technology can also foster sensory and stimulating learning styles which, for many children with visual impairment, is the most effective and impactful way of learning. But technology availability for children with vision impairment is a weak ness in mainstream schools.

J ust half of parents and guardians of children at mainstream schools surveyed felt their school used the latest technology to help children with vision impairment - compared to 6 7 per cent of those at a specialist school. And while 35 per

cent of parents and guardians had accessed technology grants, 37 per cent would lik e to but were unable.

As a result of the study, Guide Dogs is launching ‘ Tech for All’ , where the charity will provide assistive technology to all children with vision

impairment aged 3-1 8 in U K . I t is hoped the scheme will help 3,500 in the first six months and potentially 1 0,000 by the end of 2022 if the pilot is successful.

K amsi Agbedo, a nine-year-old from E ast L ondon, who has ocular albinism, a condition which reduces the colouring ( pigmentation) of the iris, and the retina, was previously given an iP ad

by Guide Dogs through a special grant by the

charity. Her mum, E remina, said, “ K amsi is really into technology and we have a family laptop, but it’ s quite functional. She could only really use it when I was sitting with her and she would have to ask me to do lots of the actions for her. She really wanted an iP ad but I couldn’ t afford to get her one. W e applied for a grant from Guide Dogs, with a supporting letter from her visual impairment teacher. W e didn’ t realise all the different ways an iP ad could help her until we had it. She’ s quick ly learnt how to use the technology herself. “ The iP ad is really user friendly and she can navigate between screens herself, she’ s learnt to use passwords, and can enlarge text and images to a siz e that work s for her. There are the obvious education benefits, lik e reading e-book s, but it’ s mostly about her being able to play and have fun – which is really important for all children.”

K amsi now has access to the internet and has been researching albinism, which has helped her learn about her condition and enable her to discuss it with her mum, improving her communication sk ills and k nowledge. She also uses F aceTime to k eep in touch with her grandma, dad, and uncle.

Her three-year-old sister, N nenna, has the same condition and she will also eventually receive an iP ad from Guide Dogs as part of Tech for All. P ete O sborne, director of operations, Guide Dogs, said, “ Technology is a great enabler and grants children a sense of normality, confidence and independence both socially and academically.”

To find out more please visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/techforall

Full service, full coverage, full fibre We believe the full version is always better.

That’s why the digital network we’re building in Ipswich is 100% full fibre.

Find out more cityfibre.com/IP24

20

—

Advertorial —

How we can work together to tackle the digital divide?

With lots of everyday services moving online, from healthcare to shopping, access to technology is becoming vital to our day to day lives. But some in society face major challenges when trying to access the world online.

I n the U K it’ s estimated that 1 6 .3 million adults lack core digital sk ills, and 1 .9 million homes have no access to the internet – meaning there is a whole section of society which needs support to ensure they can access the opportunities presented by the digital world.

The digital divide has always existed but has become more evident in the last year as the Covid-1 9 pandemic forced big parts of our lives - including work , school, and socialising - to move online. As a result of this, now, more than ever, work is being done to tack le the issue. I n order to bridge the divide, people need access to three k ey things: equipment, connectivity, and sk ills.

Currently, charities up and down the country are work ing to ensure everyone has access to

technology. CityF ibre has work ed to support this, partnering with charities including The Hive, a digital library which loans equipment to those that need it, and Donate Digital, which upgrades and redistributes donated equipment.

A device is j ust the beginning – a reliable internet connection is vital to accessing online services.

CityF ibre is investing up to £ 4 billion to bring the best connectivity - F ull F ibre - within reach of up to eight million homes, 8 00,000 businesses and 4 00,000 public sector sites.

W ork ing with councils and housing associations across the U K , including here in I pswich our whole town approach ensures that everyone has the same opportunity to access the network .

W e are also work ing to ensure that people have the sk ills and confidence to use technology.

CityF ibre has supported various charities across the U K who work with the over 55s to help them develop the sk ills they need to get online. W e are also supporting the next generation, work ing with coding work shops to help young people and their families develop technology sk ills.

O ur F ull F ibre network s also support the development of sk ills, as a reliable and fast connection ensures that people have a good experience online, encouraging them to explore technology and mak e full use of the opportunities it brings.

W hile the last year has made the digital divide more obvious than ever, it has also acted as a catalyst with more people work ing to tack le the problem both locally and nationally. There is still a lot to be done but work ing together we can all mak e a difference.

O ur investment into community-wide F ull F ibre network s is an important step in getting more people online, but there is lots we can do as individuals too. Don’ t throw out your old technology - donate it to charity; and if you see someone struggling, support them to get online.

This will mak e sure that as we move into a new, more digital world, no-one gets left behind.

To find out more or register an interest in the service go to www.cityfibre.com/ip24

21

Every Wednesday

Gentle seated exercise, with Lucy a fully-trained and friendly tutor. £5 Ipswich Oddfellows 37 High St, Ipswich at 11.30am. Contact 01473 251867

Every Thursday

Kurling and Boccia. Ipswich Oddfellows 37 High St Ipswich, 10.30am, £2.50. 01473 251867

Every Saturday

Mannings Weekend Market, Mannings, Felixstowe Seafront, 10-4pm.

HMS Ganges Museum every weekend until end of October, 11am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Free entry & parking. Shotley Marina, Shotley Gate. www.hmsgangesmuseum.com Suffolk Heritage Aviation Group, open every Sunday until October 11am-4pm. Foxhall Rd, Kesgrave.

Every Sunday

MHAS Control Tower Museum Open every Sunday 2-5pm until end of October. www.mhas.org.uk HMS Ganges Museum every weekend until end of October, 11am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm), Free entry & parking. Shotley Marina, Shotley Gate. www.hmsgangesmuseum.com

Until Wed 22nd Sept

Power of Stories, From folklore to fake news, people have told stories for thousands of years. Three iconic costumes from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther will be woven into a patchwork of storytelling traditions Christchurch Mansion.

Until Mon 27th Sept

Brick History - family friendly journey through famous historical moments, all imagined in LEGO bricks.

Adults £5; Children & Cons £4; Family (2 adults + 2 children) £14. The Hold, Fore St, Ipswich. Book tickets www.suffolkarchives.co.uk

Until Sat 30th Oct

Sun 5th Sept

Handmade Craft Fair, iao Guide Dogs, Felixstowe Leisure Centre, Sea Rd, Felixstowe, 10-4pm

Tues 7th Sept

East Ipswich Camera Club meet at The Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich, IP4 5SU. Meetings 7.30-10pm. New members are always welcome. More info www.eastipswichcameraclub.co.uk Anglia Business Exhibition. Region’s most prestigious B2B event. Trinity Park Conference Centre, 10am-5pm.

See www.angliabusinessexhibition.com to pre-book Guided Walk: Northern Highlights. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp, booking not essential. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-events-programme/ walks/ or http://Ipswichtourguides.org.uk/ Scrabble and other board games, Ipswich Oddfellows, 37 High St, Ipswich, £2 at 2pm. 01473 251867

Thurs 9th Sept

Guided Walk: Come Over Stoke. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold, £4pp, booking not essential. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-events-programme/ walks/ or http://Ipswichtourguides.org.uk

Fri 10th Sept

Friday Night Jazz with Jazzvibe, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley, 7.30pm. Book 01394 279613

Sat 11th-Sun 12th Sept

Life Arts 21st Annual Woodbridge Mind Body Spirit, Community Hall, Woodbridge on - 10am-5pm both days. Adults: £3.50 (£5 for both days), Concessions: £3.00 (£4 for both days), 16 and under FREE. For further Information visit www.lifearts.co.uk

Sat 11th Sept

Bumper Sale of Jigsaws. Ipswich Oddfellows, 37 High St, Ipswich from 11am. 01473 251867

Afterness, 10 renowned artists respond to Orford Ness with new sculpture, drawing, poetry, audio and more. In collaboration with the National Trust. For more information www.artangel.org.uk/project/afterness/

Sun 12th Sept

Lady J’s Musical Marvels, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley St Mary, 7.30pm. Book 01394 279613 Roadmap to Net Zero - a Zero Carbon Tour. The Hold, Fore St, Ipswich, www.planetmark.com Talk: Heraldry, fascinating insight into this little known topic by Peter Durrell of Suffolk Heraldry Soc. At The Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Rd, Ipswich from 7.30pm. £2 members, non members £2.50

Heritage Open Days, some of Suffolk’s top architectural treasures will be open up to the public for FREE over two weekends. See www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Wed 1st Sept

Thurs 2nd Sept

The Rosina Hepburn Trio, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley St Mary, 7.30pm. Book 01394 279613 Guided Walk: Waterfront at War. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp, booking not essential. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-events-programme/ walks/ http://Ipswichtourguides.org.uk/

Fri 3rd-Sun 5th Sept

The Maverick Festival, the UK’s first and finest Americana music festival, set at Easton Farm Park, www.maverickfestival.co.uk.

Fri 3rd Sept

WAMFest - Women in Arts & Music Launch Party at Two Sisters Arts Centre, Trimley with Big Mama Funk. For more information go to www.wamfestfelixstowe.art

Sat 4th Sept

WAMFest - Women in Arts & Music a day of literature, art and music to suit all tastes at The Orwell Hotel and The Triangle. Felixstowe. For more information go to www.wamfestfelixstowe.art tickets available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/WAMFest 22

The Glenn Miller Orchestera conducted by Ray McVay, Felixstowe Spa, 3pm, www. spapavilion.uk

Sat 11th - Mon 20th Sept Sat 11th Sept

Shakatak - The 40th Anniversary Tour. Felixstowe Spa, 7.30pm, www. spapavilion.uk

Tues 14th Sept

Guided Walk: Exceptional Listed Buildings. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp, booking not essential. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-eventsprogramme/walks/ http://Ipswichtourguides.org.uk/

Thurs 16th Sept-Sat 9th Oct

Never Lost at Home, follow up to Our Blue Heaven, this brand new musical features a soundtrack of 1980’s hits played live. Options of watching via streaming in your own home or in person at The New Wolsey, for more information www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Thurs 16th Sept

Guided Walk: Waterfront West. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp, booking not essential. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-events-programme/ walks/ or www.Ipswichtourguides.org.uk/

Fri 17th Sept

John Lydon – I could be wrong, former Sex Pistol talks about his life - www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk The Story of Doo-Wop, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley St Mary, 7.30pm. Box office 01394 279613

EVENTS

guide

Sat 18th Sept

Stowmarket Modern School Reunion, for pupils who commenced between 1963-65, 7.30-11.30pm at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket. Tickets £10 07789 168430.

The Drifters 2021 Tour. Classic hits from the last six decades, Felixstowe Spa, 7.30pm, www. spapavilion.uk

Sun 19th Sept

What’s It All About? – John Courtenay, Ipswich-born comedian and musician Jon Courtenay is the first ever Golden Buzzer act to win Britain’s Got Talent. www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk Singer-Songwriter Peter Hepworth, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley St Mary, 7.30pm. Box office 01394 279613

Mon 20th Sept

Online Talk, “Martlesham Heath - from The Royal Flying Corps to The Jet Age” organised by the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group at 7.30pm. Members free others £3. Pre-register at https://avsfhg.org.uk/events/ book/ or for more info call Angela Skelcher on 01728 830949.

Tues 21st Sept

Guided Walk: Westside Story. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp, booking not essential. www. suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-events-programme/walks/ http://Ipswichtourguides.org.uk/

Wed 22nd Sept

Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Stowmarket “A Triple Celebration”. 16 yrs of the Stomarket group, 60 years of the Trust and First Meeting for more than a Year!

Refreshments and Quiz. Admission £2.50. Stowupland Village Hall, 7.30pm. 01449 676471

Thurs 23rd Sept

Guided Walk: Docklands East. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp, booking not essential. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/public-events-programme/walks/

Fri 24th Sept

T-Rextasy - The Greatest Hits Tour. Felixstowe Spa, 8pm, www.spapavilion.uk

Fri 24th Sept

James Hyland’s Mad Hatters Tea Party, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley, 7.30pm. 01394 279613

Sat 25th Sept

The American Four Tops Show. Felixstowe Spa, 7.30pm, www. spapavilion.uk

Sun 26th Sept

Christina Johnston - Musicals Medley, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley St Mary, 7.30pm. Box office 01394 279613

Tues 28th Sept

Guided Walk: Heart of Ipswich. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/ public-events-programme/walks/

Thurs 30th Sept

Guided Walk: Story of the Waterfront. Meet 2.15pm at Suffolk Archives, The Hold (near to the University on the Waterfront), £4pp. www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/ public-events-programme/walks/ Jetsam Ukulele Band, Woodbridge Library, 7.30pm-9pm Jazz with the Unity Organ Trio, Two Sisters Arts Centre, High Rd, Trimley St Mary, 7.30pm. Book 01394 279613

*Submissions listed subject to space availability.

Have your Event or Gig Listed Free!!* Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: 12A Britannia Road, Ipswich IP4 4PE

2021

Weddings

Planning a wedding now more labour-intensive than ever!

A survey of 2,000 married Brits found two in five think the process of bringing the elements of a wedding together is now more time-consuming than it would have been 20 years ago. And 39 per cent said organising their wedding felt like taking on a second job.

It also emerged the average couple will dedicate more than nine hours to the laborious task of whittling down the guest list. Six hours will be dedicated to picking the perfect flower arrangement for the venue, and 11 hours will be spent traipsing from bridal shop to bridal shop to try on dresses.

And a further eight hours will be spent researching and speaking to caterers who might be suitable for the big day, and nine hours deciding where to go for the honeymoon.

A spokesperson for Virgin Holidays, which commissioned the study, added, “Pulling all the threads of a wedding together can feel like an impossible task, and it’s no wonder brides- and grooms-to be to feel daunted by the prospect.’’

When asked to think about the aspects of the wedding they started to worry about earliest in the process, most married Brits tackled securing the venue first. The wedding dress, the rings and sending out the invites were also key priorities which married Brits tried to sort sharpish. Arranging the party favours, hair and make-up and decorations were the tasks most likely to be left until the last minute.

Finalising the guest list was considered the most stressful aspect of the process followed by finding the perfect wedding dress and organising the catering. And 88 per cent said they took an active role in organising their wedding. The average couple start making arrangements nearly nine months before they take those fateful steps down the aisle, the OnePoll study found.

ASPECTS NSUMING DING O -C E IM WED MOST T NISING A OF ORGAng dress – 1 1 h 1 7 m

Though one in five wish they had more time to get their big day absolutely right.

Yvonne Bakouris, who has been a wedding planner at Virgin Holidays for 20 years, said, “Pinterest and Instagram have changed the wedding planning process immensely – and made destination weddings seem much more appealing for the average person.

e weddi 2m P ick ing th list – 9h 1 the guest 01 m Deciding 9h – n oo e honeym m Book ing th 06 g– 8 h the caterin – 7 h 52m Arranging n io at accommod e th g in Choos 59m travel – 6 m Arranging 8 m 55m e venue – P ick ing th – 6 m 05m e flowers P ick ing th

“Twenty years ago having a destination wedding was fairly unusual, but now 14 per cent of British weddings are held abroad.

“That is both a blessing and a curse for us in the industry – people are going onto these sites and social media looking for ideas for weddings, and seeing larger, bolder, more challenging events.

“The challenge is ensuring you find a wedding that’s right for you.

‘’Not everyone wants the perfect fairytale wedding at Walt Disney World where budget is no barrier – most are happy with an intimate affair at a local wedding spot.”

The Virgin Holidays spokesperson added, ‘’While it’s unsurprising to hear the majority of couples wade in with the arrangements, hiring a third party can be a simple way to keep those doubts and worries in check throughout the process.”

The Shire Hall Woodbridge

Located in the heart of Woodbridge and surrounded by traditional inns and restaurants the magnificent 16th Century Shire Hall provides the perfect setting for a Civil Ceremony.

Make your grand entrance via the steps into the airy Council Chamber which can hold up to 60 people. Step free access for those with limited mobility can be organised whilst public Wi-Fi and a stereo system are available for those who require it.

For further information please contact us on

01394 383599

Email the Town Clerk on townclerk@woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk or visit our website, www.woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk.

The Shire Hall is open to the public between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday should you wish to view the Council Chamber. It is advisable to telephone and make an appointment prior to making a visit.

23

Happy Ever Ufford…

Essential Wedding Tips

Weddings can be a stressful event as things may happen on the day that are completely out of your control but with enough preparation and support from your friends and relatives it can be the most memorable and joyous event you’ll remember for a long time to come. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind to ensure that your special day goes as smoothly as possible: 1. Be aware of time: at the start of your day time moves slower than normal (“It’s only 10am, I’ve been up hours”), but once you’re an hour away from the start of proceedings time goes into overdrive; and make sure you take time out to be together during the day – it will be over before you realise.

2. Allow plenty of time for marks from bra straps and socks to fade before your big day.

Securing your dream venue can determine so much to the rest of your Wedding Day, from how many people you can invite, to the style and location setting for photographs, so it’s no wonder it is the main priority for most couples.

At Ufford Park Woodbridge, they believe that there is something for everyone; there are not many venues that include views across 120 acres of historic Suffolk parkland, as well as having their own hairdressers and beauty therapists onsite to help with your pre-wedding preparations!

Whether you are looking for somewhere to host your full wedding celebrations, just the reception, or perhaps you are getting married abroad and would like to arrange a reception party, with a wide range of wedding packages available, tailored to suit all your needs, Ufford Park can help to make your day extra special for you and your guests.

Ufford Park are able to cater between 12 and 190 wedding guests, with further guests able to be invited to the evening reception.

3. If you’re getting ready in a hotel, make sure you have a pair of scissors for cutting the tags off new items.

4. Leave plenty of time for doing up the dress if it has lacing at the back.

It looks easy in the shop when they show you how to do it, but on the day it can add to the stress levels if you’re short of time!

5. Have an emergency kit: (sewing kit for the groom to repair his trousers?), scissors, hair grips, rubber bands, plasters etc. Make sure that the groom has cuff links if his shirt needs them.

6. Plan the day and then hand over the detail to someone else. If necessary, hire a professional wedding coordinator for the day so that you don’t have to worry about anything. And if things don’t go to plan, don’t worry, your guests will probably not even notice.

7. Don’t ask your photographer for too many posed family shots as you will get tired/bored/fidgety and miss the chance to be with your guests – and prevent your photographer from getting those special informal images.

For more information and pricing on holding your wedding day at Ufford Park 2021 08 Ipswich24 Spa Weddings.qxp_135mm h x 93mm w 13/08/2021or 15:50 P Woodbridge, please contact their Wedding Team on weddings@uffordpark.co.uk 8. Ladies hats: make sure that there is an understanding that hats will call 01394 383555 ext.300.

or won’t be worn during the wedding breakfast; and if not that there is somewhere for them to be kept; photographers, incidentally, prefer it without hats!

Happy Ever Ufford

9. Timing: a one and a half hour interval between the start of the reception and the wedding breakfast is usually good; this will allow plenty of time to mingle with guests as well as for photographing the couple and the family shots. But see next point.

10. Receiving lines: the irony here is that if you have a lot of guests and want to make sure that you meet all of them, then a receiving line will do that for you, but will also take a considerable time (an hour for 125 guests at a recent wedding). It may be better to wander around the tables between courses.

11. If you have guests joining you later in the day, designate someone to meet and greet – nothing worse than turning up to a party in full swing and not knowing where to go, or what to do if the speeches are still going on because things are running late.

12. Confetti: if there’s going to be confetti thrown, get the ushers to organise a couple of lines. If it is just handed out to the guests without a plan, they will eventually wander up to you and throw some – usually against the wind!

13. The weather: a nice day is a great bonus – but if it rains, just smile and enjoy. And as far as photographs are concerned, if you want to go outside, make sure that it’s the photographer that gets wet, not you!

A warm welcome and fantastic views await you.

Perfect for intimate or larger weddings.

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14. A lipstick tip from makeup artists: to avoid leaving some of it on your glass, wet the lip of the glass before bringing it to your lips – how you do this is up to you!

And remember, this checklist is only a guide. It’s you who will be living out the day with your friends and family. Do your best to prepare as much as you can beforehand and when the big day finally arrives relax in the knowledge that you’ve done everything possible to make it a success. After all the hard work is done, your job is now to have fun and enjoy each memorable moment that happens on your wedding day.

Richard Galloway

24

— Advertorial —

Wedding Shows are back!

J ust in time for The Suffolk Wedding Show’ s 15th Birthday celebrations!

Who would have thought back in March 2019, that the hopes and dreams of so many couples would be put on hold for nearly two years? Weddings are not just about the dress and flowers, for some, it could mean living together for the first time, starting a family, and making life changing decisions, all of which have been delayed.

It was also the first time in 13 years that The Suffolk Wedding Show was unable to open its doors, this had a big impact on the couples who usually attend, but also the exhibitors who

showcase with them every year. The wedding and event industry really was at a standstill, so it is with great excitement that the doors can open once again, just in time for their 15th birthday.

The team at The Suffolk Wedding Shows have worked hard to ensure that this show will be the best yet, with over 60 local weddings suppliers and lots of unexpected additions this year.

Suffolk Marquees will once again have a full-size marquee on display, and the team at Wherstead Park will be on hand to showcase their venue and answer any questions you may have.

Organisers are also very aware that some people may still be a little nervous attending events, so they have worked with Wherstead Park to ensure the safety of their visitors.

This includes guaranteed entry only with time slot ticket, sanitiser stations and a one-way system.

The next The Suffolk Wedding Show is on Sunday 3rd October 2021 from 10.30am-3pm at Wherstead Park, Ipswich IP9 2BJ

The

Suffolk

Wedding

Should you wish to attend, please register at www.thesuffolkweddingshow.co.uk for your ticket. If you are an exhibitors looking to show with The Suffolk Wedding Show, please email them at info@suffolkevents.co.uk The Suffolk Wedding Show looks forward to welcoming you all soon

FREE ENTRY!

Sunday 3rd October 10.30am-3.00pm

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Weddings and Honeymoons

Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations: Maldives Mauritius Thailand Caribbean I slands I taly

by Deben Travel

Planning a wedding can be stressful and many couples now decide to tie the knot overseas at Deben Travel they can help you chose the perfect destination from the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Italian Lakes, Greek islands, Turkey, Indian Ocean or on-board a Cruise Ship? The wedding can be just for the Bride and Groom, or for as many guests as you care to invite and will be tailored to suit your requirements.

Deben Travel will also guide you through the legalities of getting married abroad and make sure all your documentation is processed in a timely manner which should make for a smooth start to married life.

Honeymoons are the perfect time to unwind after the wedding and at Deben Travel they offer a complimentary ‘Honeymoon Gift Fund’ service. They will supply you with small cards to place in your wedding invitations, inviting guests to donate to your honeymoon as way of a wedding gift.

This is a lovely way for your close friends and family to help contribute to your trip, perhaps enabling you to upgrade certain elements such as your flights or hotel room or even add memorable excursions - making your experience even more special.

Deben Travel are there to help so email: team@debentravel.co.uk, call 01394 615620 or pop in for a chat at Deben Travel, The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge.

The Savvy Wedding Planner & so much more!

As we all know the past 18 months have been challenging, especially for those planning a wedding (and all of us who love working in the wedding industry!)

The Savvy Wedding Planner made the most of the time to add even more value and help even more couples after qualifying as a Celebrant.

After training with the Federation of

Professional Celebrants the enquiries are flooding in with bookings being taken for last minute celebrations as well as people planning into next year and beyond.

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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With the years of wedding planning experience already in place, adding Celebrancy is the perfect addition, especially with so many people now being able to have their big celebrations with all their family and friends.

The process for planning the wedding including the ceremony gives the complete package.

Katherine at The Savvy Wedding Planner really gets to know each couple with a fun, thoughtful questionnaire for the Bride and Groom to fill in and help her really get to know them and develop a ceremony that will reflect their personalities and tell their stories within the ceremony.

It can be as close to a traditional ceremony as you’d like or completely opposite. With a Celebrant ceremony anything goes... Any theme, any outfits, any readings and I’m more than happy to dress up to fit the theme!

In addition to this Katherine has also qualified as a Reiki practitioner and she is soon to be an Accredited NLP practitioner to help you feel the best you can be for your big day.

Reiki uses energy healing to help you

feel calm and release any blockages.

NLP helps manage the mind, helping you overcome anxiety and any fears around your wedding day.

Katherine would love to hear from you and find out about your wonderful wedding ideas or help you find something that would be ideal for you if you’re stuck for ideas.

“Get in touch for a completely no obligation chat to find out if we would be a perfect match.” Says Katherine, “I have so much to offer and really am passionate about helping people plan for their special day, taking the stress away.

“Life’s too short to worry, so let someone else take the worry away so you can enjoy your special day.

“I will help you feel the best you can be for your big day and beyond” For more information about how The Savvy Wedding Planner, Wellness Coach and Celebrant can help you to create your perfect wedding day visit www.savvyweddingplanner.co.uk Insta @savvyweddingwellnesscoach Facebook @savvyweddingplanner

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WIN: Top Crime drama on DVD ONE OF TV ’ s best loved French detectives J ulien Baptiste, played by the inimitable Tché ky Karyo, returns for the highly anticipated second and final series of Baptiste and is joined by the fantastic Fiona Shaw.

Following its run on BBC One, Baptiste Series Two gets its DV D release this Summer courtesy of Acorn Media International.

Mak ing waves with the hugely successful drama The Missing Series 1 & 2 J ulien Baptiste went solo in his own show Baptiste from the same creators/ writers Harry and J ack W illiams. The gripping six-part crime drama garnered critical acclaim and now both series will be available as Baptiste Series 1 and 2 Box Set alongside Baptiste Series Two on DVD from 23 August 2021 .

The second series j oins J ulien Baptiste as a changed man, following a devastating personal tragedy, his life will never be the same again. Having pushed his wife Celia ( Anastasia Hille – K eeping F aith) away, he is look ing for anything to distract him from his pain, whether it’ s alcohol or an all consuming new investigation… when news reaches him that Ambassador E mma Chambers’ ( F iona Shaw – K illing E ve) whole family has disappeared without trace, he wastes no time in offering his help, k nowing that this could be the case he needs.

Travelling to the scene of the crime, he embroils himself in this huge undertak ing, and E mma quick ly realises that she needs J ulien as much as he needs the case. E ven though he’ s no longer on the force he is the only person that can really help with his experience and capacity for understanding human nature.

I t becomes apparent that this isn’ t a clear-cut missing persons investigation and soon J ulien and E mma are suck ed into a dangerous world of terrorism, politics and extremism. As J ulien tries to escape his own struggles, will he pay the ultimate price to help find E mma’ s family?

Also starring Ace Bhatti ( L ine of Duty) and BAF TA rising star winner Conrad K han ( County L ines) .

It’s The Real Thing!

Multi-million selling soul band The Real Thing are ready to give their much loved disco-inspired hits a new lease of life at The Apex in September.

F eaturing the group’ s two original vocalists Chris Amoo and Dave Smith, along with their five-piece band, The R eal Thing deliver a funk y show with a strong retro flavour, mixing the band’ s classic songs with contemporary grooves.

R eal Thing recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with a Greatest Hits Album containing their million-selling N o.1 s ‘ Y ou To Me Are E verything’ ‘ Can’ t Get By W ithout Y ou’ and ‘ F eel The F orce’ , plus a lost song recorded in 1 97 6 but never released, ‘ Someone O ught to write a song about you’ . “ The song has the hallmark s of Gold and Denne’ s earlier hits for The R eal Thing: bright, j oyous, and groovy.” Soulhouse.

The half-century celebrations also saw the release of a new movie ‘ E verything’ , which chronicles how the ‘ other four lads from L iverpool’ found international stardom in the 1 97 0s as Britain’ s first million-selling soul and funk band. Against a back drop of social and political turmoil, The R eal Thing were the first all-black British group to hit N o.1 in the pop charts. Alongside setting dancefloors alight, the group composed the anthemic ‘ Children of the Ghetto’ – the first ever song to address the plight of black people in the U K . The band’ s massive success was also been tempered with personal tragedy, when Dave Amoo’ s passed away in 201 8 .

The R eal Thing will perform their N o.1 hits and other great songs such as ‘ Y ou’ ll N ever K now W hat Y ou’ re Missing’ , ‘ W henever Y ou W ant My L ove’ and ‘ L ove’ s Such a W onderful Thing’ . Chris Amoo explained, “ There’ s always going to be a sense of nostalgia about our music. I t’ s the sound-track to so many people’ s lives and that will never die.”

E nj oy an evening of R eal Thing hits and many other soul and funk classics at The Apex on Saturday 1 1 th September at 7 .30pm. R ing the Box O ffice on 01 28 4 7 58 000 or see the website www.theapex.co.uk for details.

PRIZE COMP —

COMPETITION —

I pswich24 has got three copies of Baptiste Series 2 on DVD to give away to luck y readers. To be in with a chance of winning this amaz ing priz e all you need to do is send your answer to the following question along with your name, address and contact telephone number to I pswich24 , 1 2A Britannia R oad, I pswich, I P 4 4 P E or you can enter online at www.ipwich24 .co.uk The closing date for entries is Thursday 30th September 2021 .

Q. What is the name of the Ambassador that Baptiste is helping in his latest investigation?

exciting new job opportunities Fizzwig Designs, publishers of Ipswich24 Magazine currently have openings for two members of staff at their Ipswich-based office.

TELESALES REPRESENTATIVE Self-motivated and driven telesales person required.

Must have previous B2B sales experience.

TELESALES APPRENTICE A great opportunity with a company with an award-winning record of training apprentices.

To apply for either of the above positions email your current CV to: wendy@ipswich24.co.uk 27

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All work G uaranteed • N o Deposits 1 4 Day cooling off period W e have a reliable, honest and highly skilled team of roofers, which enables us to offer you one of the most professional and cost effective services throughout the local area.

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IBC consults on Local Plan for the final time The final stage of the Local Plan process is underway and Ipswich Borough Council is inviting residents, businesses and developers to have their say on some proposed modifications to the draft Plan.

The L ocal P lan, which is aligned with those of neighbouring councils, sets out how development will tak e place in I pswich over the next 1 6 years.

F ollowing a public examination hearing that saw independent I nspectors examine I pswich’ s planning blueprint, the Council were advised to mak e a series of modifications to mak e the P lan legally compliant and sound.

Before the P lan can be approved the Council need to consult on these modifications.

The consultation will run until 23rd September 2021 and you can have your say online: www.ipswich.gov.uk / mainmodifications.

Councillor Carole J ones, I pswich Borough Council’ s planning portfolio holder, said, “ O nce approved, this plan will help guide the sustainable growth of I pswich - something that affects us all – this final phase of consultation is a k ey step in the process of getting the plan adopted.”

A study of 2,000 consumers found more than a fifth are under the assumption that everything they buy in store is been made in the UK. But millions have no idea that the ingredients in many supermark et items – such as tea bags and mayonnaise – are often sourced outside of the country. O ther items people believe are always produced on home soil include beef, yoghurts and cereal.

in the food they buy, such as eggs, are coming from.”

The study also found seven in 1 0 shoppers would lik e to think they are supporting British farmers when they buy from local supermark ets. And despite 4 0 per cent claiming they are confident they k now where food products in supermark ets come from, 8 3 per cent would lik e to see clearer labelling on items regarding where ingredients have been sourced. Similarly, 7 7 per cent would lik e to k now more about where processed food comes from.

The research, commissioned by British L ion E ggs, found seven in 1 0 also believe there is no need to import food which can be produced on home soil. This is because they believe it results in unneeded food miles ( 6 6 per cent) , that we may as well use our own products ( 6 1 per cent) , and that it could impact the freshness of food ( 53 per cent) .

As a result, shoppers would lik e to see a stop to eggs ( 4 7 per cent) , milk ( 4 6 per cent) and meat ( 4 4 per cent) being imported to the country to ensure the use of homegrown produce. And 59 per cent said British products should be used in supermark et food over those not produced in the U K .

A spok esman for British L ion E ggs said, “ I t’ s worrying how many people simply assume items sold in U K supermark ets are produced in the U K . This often isn’ t the case and many processed food items such as quiche, mayonnaise and custard are made with imported eggs – an ingredient we can easily access in the U K .

I t also emerged people generally think importing food mak es the final product more expensive ( 34 per cent) , less flavoursome ( 21 per cent) and not as healthy ( 1 9 per cent) . A further 4 7 per cent also worry about the safety of foods bought in supermark ets if it’ s not been completely sourced and produced in the U K . And two thirds of those polled via O neP oll believe food produced in Britain is held to a higher standard then food sourced from other countries.

“ I t’ s clear people are k een to support British when it comes to doing their food shop and are even willing to pay almost a fifth more to do so. The research highlights a gap in information for consumers and say labelling should be clearer, so people k now where the ingredients

British L ion E gg’ s spok esman added, “ British shoppers should have the right to choose foods made with eggs that meet the highest food safety standards, whether that’ s an egg sandwich, or scotch eggs, and be told clearly where the eggs come from.”

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AT HOME

Local company specialises in top quality workmanship for your home Wood Worx Carpentry & Kitchens are fully certified carpenters that specialise in garden studios and kitchen renovations.

The company is locally based in Ipswich but operates across the East of England.

F or those who work from home, garden studios that can be used as an office have become a great way to k eep home and work life separate.

These studios give a professional environment to fulfil work ing commitments whilst never going further than the end of the garden.

I f utilising the space in your garden sounds lik e a good idea then W ood W orx Carpentry & K itchens

can help, they will guide you through the whole process, mak ing your dream of a garden office a reality.

"David, Andy and his team have recently completed our new kitchen fit out and we are over the moon with the result.

We wouldn't hesitate in recommending Wood Worx Carpentry & Kitchens to anyone." – Ian Turner, Braintree W ith a wealth of experience and passion for the work they do, David and his team will listen to your ideas and ensure you are fully involved in the design process. Y our garden room is then built to your specific requirements and can include, electric, internet connections and plumbing. F ully insulated, plastered and decorated builds come as standard.

W ood W orx Carpentry and k itchens supply CAD designs for all their studio/ offices with real wood, Hardi plank or composite cladding and U P VC windows and doors.

The buildings have many uses; from studios and offices to home gyms, games rooms or year round ‘ summer houses’ .

L arger buildings with k itchens and bathrooms can be supplied, if required, once planning has been granted. These spaces are ideal for older children, creating extra living space or even for

someone with land that’ s look ing for an extra income by way of rentals or an air B& B. The garden is not the only area that W ood W orx Carpentry and K itchens can improve, for many the k itchen is the heart of the home and they will ensure yours is high spec, modern, ergonomic and tailored to your needs.

Alternatively, they can install a k itchen you have already purchased with all work carried out to the highest standards and attention to detail being their trademark . Being a registered installer for two of the biggest k itchen suppliers, they can also help you source the k itchen you desire.

"David and his team recently built an outside office for us. Professional at all times, high quality materials and a perfect finish all at an incredibly reasonable price!

Highly recommend Wood Worx for any carpentry work." – Karina Wood I f you are wanting to extend your existing k itchen, they can remove walls and install R SJ ' s, offering a full service which is managed by David to ensure the proj ect runs smoothly.

Being BI K BBI registered which is the U K governing body for k itchen installers, we only use N I CE I C electricians and Gas Safe installers. So if its k itchens, home offices or full renovations, you can trust them to carry out work to the highest of standards.

• For more information about how Wood Worx can create your ideal space, whether in the garden or in the home, please visit their Facebook page @woodworxcarpentryandkitchens or telephone David on 07545 576655.

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Larger buildings with kitchens and bathrooms can be supplied, if required, once planning has been granted. These spaces are ideal for older children, creating extra living space or even for someone with land that’s looking for an extra income by way of rentals or an airBnB.

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AT HOME

Ask Alexa!

Nationwide Building Society has teamed up with Amazon to provide the pioneering new service after the Covid pandemic caused a surge in people leaving London for a new life in a q uieter part of the UK. I t comes after a survey commissioned by the lender revealed three in 1 0 struggled to find information about which area to move to, with 7 1 per cent wanting to get recommendations or advice from local residents when buying a home.

The technology is being piloted in Bristol, where it will be voiced by 20 locals from across the city who will share their personal experiences and recommendations.

P rospective movers will have to say “ Hey Google, talk to N ationwide L ocal Voices” or “ Alexa, open N ationwide L ocal Voices” . After following instructions, for each of the 20 neighbours of Bristol featured in the trial, they will be able to hear about the culture, community and place from someone living in that area. I f successful, it is hoped it will be rolled out nationally following the pilot.

consider moving to an area of the country they’ ve never even visited.

Among homeowner’ s priorities when look ing for a place to move to were having friendly neighbours, access to the city centre and how much traffic passes through the road.

N ationwide has launched a F uture of Home www.nationwidemediacentre. co.uk / future-of-society/ future-of-home report look ing at how the pandemic has impacted housing aspirations and situations, including how many people are relocating to other parts of the U K as a result of homework ing.

TOP 20 THINGS HOMEBUYERS WOULD ASK LOCKA RESIDENTS: 1 . I s it a quiet or loud area?

1 1 . W hat day is bin collection?

2. How high are the crime rates?

1 2. W hat are the park s lik e?

3. W hat are the residents typically lik e?

1 3. W hat is the council lik e if you need to report something / solve an issue?

Anna Bentham, of N ationwide Building Society, said, “ As part of our ongoing focus on helping people into homes, we want to do all we can to ensure people feel connected to where they live, supporting the communities they’ re a part of and feel confident to mak e the leap to purchasing a new home.

4 . W hat is traffic lik e?

“ I t’ s always nerve-rack ing moving to a new area and not k nowing much about it, so it’ s important to do as much research as possible beforehand.

7 . W here is the nearest supermark et?

“ There’ s no one who k nows an area better than those who live and work there and can give first-hand advice. “ The survey showed a quarter of people have moved or considering moving during the pandemic, so it’ s more important than ever for people to feel confident and connected to their new hometown.”

The study of 2,000 homeowners also found the top things they’ d lik e to ask before moving somewhere new were how loud or quiet it is how high crime rates are and what the other residents are lik e.

Another one in four want to k now where the nearest supermark et is, 22 per cent are interested in the schools’ reputations and 1 4 per cent are k een to find out if it’ s a dog-friendly area.

Despite 36 per cent ask ing estate agents for advice, three in 1 0 wish they’ d been able to speak to residents of the area they were moving to instead.

Almost two thirds wanted recommendations from those who already live there because they have experience of actually living in the area, while a quarter didn’ t think they would get trustworthy advice from their estate agent.

More than half feel current residents would be more honest as 4 3 per cent said they’ re not trying to sell the area and 37 per cent lik e that they’ ll k now the hidden gems. Similarly, four in five believe no one k nows an area as well as those who live there. O f those polled via O neP oll, 57 per cent have moved to an area of the country outside of their hometown.

W hen doing so they researched the new destination by searching online, look ing at local news sites and ask ing in shops and eateries.

More than a third visited their new future home for a daytrip before moving and 20 per cent even enj oyed a ‘ staycation’ . But three in 1 0 have or would

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5. W hat is the public transport lik e?

6 . W hat is park ing lik e e.g. is it easy to find a space?

8 . W here are the best places for a walk ?

9. W hat are the schools lik e?

1 0. I s there much litter dropping e.g. is it a clean or dirty area?

1 4 . W hat’ s the best / quick est way into the town centre?

1 5. How have house prices changed in recent years?

1 6 . I s the area child-friendly?

1 7 . I s the area dog-friendly?

1 8 . W hat’ s the best tak eaway nearby?

1 9. W here is the nearest bank ?

20. I s there a local window cleaner?

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AT HOME

Hospice’s new remembrance event for 2021 St Elizabeth Hospice has announced the launch of its new remembrance event, Daisy Day, to celebrate the lives of loved ones across the region.

Tak ing place on Sunday 5th September between 1 0am-1 2pm in the grounds of W herstead P ark , Daisy Day will provide the community an opportunity to come together to remember loved ones.

The free event will see hundreds of bespok e, handmade daisies displayed at W herstead P ark to form a breathtak ing scene, with each daisy featuring a photo, inscription or poem in tribute to a friend or relative who has passed away.

Sponsored by SE H F rench Construction, Daisy Day will also include a live performance from professional harpist Caroline Hall and refreshments provided by E ast of E ngland Co-op F uneral Services.

P auline Donk in, Head of I ndividual Giving and Supporter Care at St E liz abeth Hospice, said, “ Daisy Day will be a wonderful opportunity to pause and to celebrate the lives of special people no longer with us, while we j oin together with the community in the stunning back drop of W herstead P ark . “ W e encourage all who wish to mak e a dedication Daisy to do so and j oin with us in remembering the lives of those most dear to us. By purchasing a daisy you will also be helping to raise funds for St E liz abeth Hospice and enabling the hospice to continue to developing its services in order to help more people and their families who need its vital care.”

32

This year is the first time the hospice will host Daisy Day as it replaces the previous memorial event, Sunflower Memories. Due to the increasing popularity of Sunflower Memories, the hospice team took the decision to create a more accessible event, held outside of the hospice.

O pen to all, even if they had no previous connection to the hospice, Daisy Day also offers friends and families the opportunity to purchase more unique and k eepsak e items to help remember their loved ones.

All the daisies feature a covering layer so their accompanying photo and inscription is protected and can be k ept outdoors with their stems also having space to enclose a private message to a loved one, as a special tribute.

Simon Girling, Director at SE H F rench Construction, added, “ I t is important to support local charities which provide a vital service to so many people.

The hospice provides amaz ing care to patients and families of people living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses. “ E veryone understands the specialist role St E liz abeth Hospice plays in our community and this made becoming a corporate sponsor an easy decision and one we will forever be proud of.”

E ach Daisy Dedication has a suggested donation of £ 35, a sum equivalent to the hospice providing 1 4 bereavement support pack s to help families through the loss of a loved one.

To register for free tickets or to make a Daisy Dedication visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/event/daisy-day/.

AT HOME

Is now the time to upgrade your tech?

Gadget-loving Brits are most likely to upgrade their phone every two to three years, their games console every five years and their car every six to 10 years, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 adults examined how we k eep up with technology as it develops at an increasingly rapid pace. The k ettle is most lik ely to be upgraded every five years, while we typically k eep our car for between six and ten years - the same period we run a lawnmower for. And Brits get a lot of use out of their white goods, most lik ely upgrading their washing machine, fridge, and freez er once every six to 1 0 years. Almost a third ( 31 per cent) said it is important for them to have the most up-to-date gadgets and electrical devices.

More than half ( 55 per cent) have gone from a flatscreen to a smart TV, 51 per cent have ditched DVDs in favour of streaming and 37 per cent are now using a smart speak er over a traditional radio.

Away from the living room, smart appliances are also becoming increasingly popular - with 1 4 per cent of respondents recently upgrading to a smart fridge/ freez er and 1 6 per cent now owning a smart washing machine. But while 52 per cent of those surveyed get frustrated when they use slow and dated appliances, 6 6 per cent don’ t k now how old their existing gas and electricity meters are. There are now more than 23 million smart meters installed across the country, but in some homes, energy meters could be nearing 4 0 Y E AR S O L D.

As the public moves towards a future of smart appliances and electric cars, powered by clean energy, Mr Motivator has teamed up with sports heroes Greg R utherford, N icola Adams, and K elly Smith to create a hilarious video highlighting how smart meters can help get Britain ‘ energy fit’ .

Gold medal-winning O lympian Greg R utherford j umped on a penny farthing and then a sleek road bik e to show how cycling has developed while boxing star N icola Adams donned 1 97 0s tennis gear before using modern court equipment to illustrate improvements in rack et sports.

Mr Motivator said, “ I get so much j oy empowering people to get up and be more active - this has been my life mission. “ O ne important lesson I have learnt is that you need the right mindset and equipment to get to the very top of your game, and that applies j ust as much to our energy system as to top sports people. E xpecting our outdated energy system to meet Britain’ s growing needs is lik e trying to win a race on a penny farthing or play a grand slam with a wooden rack et. O ne thing people can do to help, without even getting off their sofa, is to get a smart meter installed.”

Greg R utherford added, “ I was used to overcoming challenges in my career, so when Mr Motivator ask ed me to come down for a series of ‘ energy fit’ challenges I thought, ‘ piece of cak e’ . But the task s he set me using outdated equipment showed me that you can’ t get peak performance unless you have the latest technology. The same goes for our national energy system - so if you don’ t have a smart meter yet, do the right thing and contact your energy supplier to get one installed.”

The research also found sustainability is an important factor for consumers, with 59 per cent wanting the most energy efficient gadgets possible.

To mak e sure Britain enj oys a cleaner future, the nation requires a maj or upgrade to its energy infrastructure.

R obert Cheesewright, Director at Smart E nergy GB, said, “ The world moves on, so we’ re all used to upgrading things lik e our car, mobile phone or television. N ow we all need to do our bit to help get Britain E nergy F it for the F uture, and getting a smart meter is one easy upgrade we can mak e to help our energy system be top of its game. Smart meters help modernise the energy system and mean that in the future it can better support the things millions of Brits are look ing forward to, lik e cheaper, clean, renewable energy and electric vehicles.”

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33

AT HOME

A nation of subscribers The UK remains a nation of ‘ Super Subscribers’ , with Brits spending £ 620 per year on subscriptions – up 12 per cent, from £ 552 just 12 months ago.

R esearch of 2,000 adults found digital and ‘ deliver to door’ is now such an integral part of Brits’ daily lives that eight in 1 0 U K households are signed up to at least one subscription service – up 1 6 per cent year-on-year.

E ntertainment platforms such as music and film streaming services remain the firm favourite, with food or meal boxes, technology and beauty/ grooming services following in popularity.

As a result, the ‘ subscription economy’ is now worth an estimated £ 395m; an increase of 23 per cent in the last 1 2 months alone, according to the research from Barclaycard P ayments, which processes nearly half of the nation’ s credit and debit card transactions.

W hile increasingly profitable for retailers, shoppers are mak ing savings too as nearly half ( 4 8 per cent) of those signed up to subscriptions say they save money as a result, averaging £ 290 per year.

The savings are also felt elsewhere, with 4 5 per cent claiming their subscriptions discourage them from buying products unnecessarily.

Marc P ettican, president of Barclaycard P ayments, said, “ W hether it’ s entertainment, meal boxes, beauty products, or even musical instruments, subscriptions have become a consumer staple in British life. W hile lock down certainly provided a catalyst for their growth, our data shows the popularity of digital and directto-door sign-up services is here to stay. “ The convenience, personal touch and value for money subscriptions provide means they have longevity, especially as we adj ust to life and new routines as result of the pandemic. As the subscription economy continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how the range of sign-up products and services retailers offer in this way expands too.”

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The study also explored some of the more novel offerings Brits are signing-up to, which include deliveries of cheese ( eight per cent) , musical instruments ( eight per cent) and underwear ( seven per cent) .

Although nearly half ( 4 5 per cent) of Brits relied on the convenience of subscriptions during lock down, the trend look s to be here to stay with 4 0 per cent planning to sign-up to more services even though restrictions have eased.

Half ( 50 per cent) find subscriptions actually help them to k eep their finances organised, and 55 per cent value the time saved thank s to regular deliveries.

F our in 1 0 ( 4 3 per cent) would buy a loved-one a subscription service for Christmas or a birthday, with 36 per cent already planning to utilise them as part of their gift shopping going forward.

Marc P ettican added, “ Despite accelerating during lock down, the convenience and value for money that subscriptions offer gives them longevity, and we expect to see Brits continuing to increasingly bespok e offerings, such as cheese or gourmet restaurant meal k its, in the future.”

Brits are most likely to take our subscri ptions for products in the follow ing areas:

• E ntertainment platfor ms • F ood/ meal boxes • Technology • Beauty or grooming

• Book s/ literature

• F lowers/ gardening • Health • P ets • R estaurant meal k its • Alcohol

Flooring Trends

AT HOME

As the uncertain mood continues throughout 2021, so has the realisation that a comfortable and soothing home is an important element in our health and wellbeing.

This has meant that our desire for home improvement and caring more for our surroundings, has continued to influence consumer spend. Harvey Maria has identified the following flooring trends emerging over the last few months and believe that these may reflect the different ways in which many of us are now leading our lives, as well as the need for a more nurturing interior.

V intage Pattern

Collections inspired by mid-1 9th century encaustic floor tiles are extremely popular again this year and look set to dominate into Autumn / W inter. The N orthmore collection reinterprets these stylish and prestigious Victorian floor tiles to create a collection that stands up to the demands of modern home life - form, function, warmth, durability and acoustics. I ncreasingly, we are seeing our customers are creating unique areas using heritage patterns combined with rustic wood effects. This type of z oning and defining of areas is k nown as Brok en-plan living and describes the clever use of a space, which still retains the spacious feeling of being open-plan, but distinct z ones are created by using different floor finishes, pattern and semi-permanent partitions, such as book cases and screens. This creates both functional spaces and cosy nook s, such as dining areas, home office corners, pantry areas or a family play space. Seen here is a dining area using N orthmore Sable Black with N atural P lank Cove.

Classic Check

Decorating in black and white instantly creates a stylish and elegant aesthetic to both period buildings and contemporary homes. Harvey Maria has seen this classic chequerboard floor design trending in recent months, as well as their more recent patterns that create the same look . The timeless check floor has been given a glow up in recent years, by introducing subtle patterns and heritage colours and these designs are also having a moment! F eatured here is Check Shadow designed in collaboration with N eisha Crosland and Heritage Colours Squares L inen W hite with Stove Black .

Natural Rustic

P atterns and textures inspired by nature bring us a sense of wellbeing and closeness to the outside world. Both our L attice and P attern collections designed by British artist Dee Hardwick e encapsulate this mood beautifully.

J ust as our obsession with houseplants is not fading, neither is our desire to bring other natural elements into our homes.

Herringbone

Harvey Maria is still seeing growth in their P arquet and Hurst Herringbone collections. These shorter plank s laid in a Herringbone pattern are seriously stylish right now and have moved out of the k itchen / diner into all areas of the house! Harvey Maria predicts that these designs will continue to be a growing trend throughout 2022.

Harvey Maria has been creating unique luxury vinyl tiles for over 25 years. All designs are incredibly durable and easy to maintain, providing a waterproof and slip resistant finish. Their floors work beautifully in busy homes & demanding commercial spaces alike. To order samples & for more details please visit harveymaria.com

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AT HOME

Mask recycling scheme extended

An instore scheme to help wilko customers recycle their masks has proved so successful that the home and garden retailer will extend it by another three months.

The scheme, which allows shoppers to drop off used, disposable face mask s so that they can be recycled will now be in place until the end of September 2021 . This extension follows an initial three month pilot and will see the service remain in place at the original 1 50 participating stores. wilk o estimates that a huge 4 00,000 mask s could be recycled via the scheme. This equates to a giant 96 6 k g of single use plastic. Those wishing to tak e part need to simply visit their nearest, participating wilk o store as part of their usual shopping trip and safely drop their used single use face mask s into the special collection bin.

O nce full, these bins are then tak en away by recycling specialists R eW ork ed, who together with Metrisk L td, Scan2R ecycle are partnering with wilk o in the scheme – which was the first of its k ind on the U K high street.

Mask s collected via the scheme are brok en down into raw fibres which can be sustainably refashioned into products ranging from other safety materials for businesses, to building materials and even quality, durable public space furniture.

W hile mask s are no longer a legal requirement, wilk o is still recommending face coverings for team members and customers in busy indoor spaces. The family retailer seek s to respect individual choices while providing a sustainable solution to single-use mask disposal.

The Covid-1 9 crisis overall has seen a huge increase in the use of disposable face mask s.

W hile the government has encouraged Brits to dispose of face mask s via general waste bins, there has been an ever-increasing volume of P P E being discarded in public spaces – meaning there are often greater levels of litter nationwide in areas such as park s, beaches and high streets; impacting the life and leisure time of local communities, endangering wildlife and ultimately harming the health of the planet.

Disposable face mak es are made from polypropylene fabric - a type of plastic. An estimated 8 M tonnes of general plastic waste already ends up in the world’ s oceans every year, and the impact of the pandemic will only increase those figures if P P E litter continues to increase. wilk o and its partners for this scheme hope by continuing to provide an easy way to safely dispose of used P P E , they can help mak e it easier for families to reduce litter in the community with a little win that mak es a world of difference.

J erome Saint Marc, CE O at wilk o, said, “ W e k now that our customers care about the environment and this scheme has proved again to us j ust how much. W e’ re so delighted that it’ s been this much of a success and that our customers and team members are helping to reduce litter in their communities, our partners are helping to recycle the waste and that we’ re able to bring it all together in our stores. I t’ s a little win that truly mak es a world of difference.”

• For more information on disposable mask recycling at wilko and the 150 stores that are taking part, please visit https://www.wilko.com/face-mask-recycling.

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AT HOME

Get that leaky roof fixed now With wettest few months recorded for this Summer you may have found that your roof is not performing as you may want it to. You may have noticed it’ s looking tird and worn, or it may have even spung a leak? !

Here’ s where E astern Counties Home improvements L td can help. They are a registered installer of the Sarnafil R oof Assured roofing system. A unique 1 ply membrane with a 4 0 year plus life expectancy and all installations carry a 1 5 year manufacturer’ s material guarantee. Sarnafil products were first developed in Switz erland in 1 958 , primarily for use on commercial and industrial buildings. Designed to cope with temperatures ranging from -30° C to 1 20° C and to withstand all weather conditions.

Ipswich Borough Council consults on park byelaws Ipswich Borough Council is inviting residents to have their say on proposed new park byelaws that will see more of Ipswich’ s parks and open spaces protected.

The proposed byelaws, which are based on the model byelaws provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and L ocal Government ( MHCL G) , will help local people understand what activities and behaviours can or cannot be undertak en in park s and open spaces, so everyone can enj oy them.

W hatever your flat roofing requirement Sarnafil R oof Assured will provide you with a solution that look s good and provides lasting performance, with minimum maintenance required.

Sarnafil flat roofing provides perfect roofing solution for homes and extensions, conservatories, balconies and terraces, dormers, porches and garages. Available in a range of colours, the weather resistant hard wearing membrane provides value for money and can improve the thermal efficiency of your home.

F ascia, soffit and guttering play a very important part in the mak e up of your home, and k eeping your fascia and soffits look ing pristine can be both time consuming and expensive.

That’ s where E astern Counties Home improvements L td can help with their range of P VC-u fascias, soffits.

I nstalling P VC-u F ascias, Soffits and Guttering not only saves time and money on maintenance but also adds crisp clear sight lines to enhance the look of any home as well as eliminating leak ing, rusty gutters - a cause of damp.

E astern Counties Home improvements L td can install roofline products to houses, bungalows and flats, using the E asi Dec scaffolding system which complies with work ing at height regulations and ensures the installation is carried out in complete safety. Choose a similar look to your existing or go for something totally different, the choice as always is yours, • For more information contact Eastern Counties Home improvements Ltd for a free no obligation quotation 01473 206299/01206 252393 or visit www.ec-homeimprovements.co.uk/

The current byelaws were made in 1 98 3 and now only include one quarter of I pswich park s and open spaces. R eplacing them will see more locations protected and more activities regulated, addressing a variety of visitor concerns including anti-social behaviour, the environment and wildlife.

Before the proposed byelaws can be sent to the MHCL G for approval, the Council need to consult with residents, businesses and visitors.

The consultation will run for six week s and tak e place from Tuesday 3rd August to Monday 1 3th September.

Councillor P hil Smart, I pswich Borough Council’ s E nvironment portfolio holder, said, “ W e want our cherished park s and open spaces to be enj oyed by everyone and protected in to the future. To do that we need up to date byelaws that include all our park s and open spaces and regulate a wider range of activities that can impact on visitors and local wildlife. These are your park s and your byelaws, so we urge you to have your say and help protect them.”

• You can view the proposed byelaws and have your say at www.ipswich.gov.uk/ParkByelaws

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AT HOME

Portal Woodlands Conservation Group As I write, the P ortal W oodlands Conservation Group is mak ing final preparations for its first post-lock down volunteer work morning. O f course coronavirus is still very much with us so we will be continuing with precautions to help stop the spread. But at least it will be fantastic to be back in the great outdoors and work ing together in relative normality.

W e have had a few wildlife reports of interest. Muntj ac dear have been seen around dusk and several grass snak es in the pond area. W e were particularly pleased that great crested newt have been found in the pond, confirming their continued annual return for breeding.

Butterfly species seen have included speck led wood, large white, small white red admiral, gatek eeper and meadow brown.

O ur September work morning is Saturday 1 8 th from 1 0am until N oon, meet at the E ducation Area.

N ew volunteers of all ages and abilities are always welcome. N o experience needed.

F or further information, please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@ gmail.com, phone: 01 4 7 3 6 1 26 32 or visit our website: pwcg. onesuffolk .net or j oin our members’ F acebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting.

Stephen Corley, Chairman

Suffolk farm to become a wildlife haven When the pandemic put a stop to Bill Mayne’ s usual winter sports, he took to planting trees.

Bill, who owns the 1 00-acre Burgh House F arm in W oodbridge, Suffolk , wasn’ t j ust prompted to do so by a lack of snow though. The removal of the Single F arm P ayment ( SF P ) and other post-Brexit changes were something of a catalyst.

The farm comprises 35 acres of beautiful water meadows and thick hedges. Around 7 0 acres of arable were acquired when he bought the property in 2006 , ten acres of which were put down to grass as part of Higher L evel Stewardship.

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Bill said, “ The farm is relatively small, and I ’ m retired now and don’ t mak e a living from it. I have an agreement with a neighbouring farmer that he tak es the arable crop while I tak e the Single F arm P ayment but with Brexit and the removal of that payment I thought it was the perfect time to rethink what it is we want to achieve from the land. I t’ s basically j ust a cabbage patch so I decided to tak e the farm down a more environmentally-friendly route.”

As Bill has a graz ing agreement with a young couple who are building a bigger herd of L imousine cross beef cattle ( he used to have his own herd of red poll cattle but sold them a few years ago) , he decided to move towards grassland and create some native woodlands.

After signing up to the W oodland Trust’ s flagship woodland creation scheme MO R E woods, which is currently open for applications, he planted hedgerows to break up two large fields into five or six smaller ones. He also planted 2.5ha of native broadleaf woodland in two block s and drilled grasses such as millet that will attract birds and small mammals.

Bill said, “ The hope is that as the trees mature and start to produce a canopy we will have fantastic habitat for wildlife. I n ten years we will have a wonderfully rich habitat, not j ust of woods but of marvellous thick hedges that will connect them. I ’ m really hopeful it will be a big boost for wildlife. “ I think with the changes to agricultural policy and stewardship schemes and the loss of the SF P more farms will be look ing to see what’ s best for them, look ing to improve returns while doing more for wildlife at the same time. P lanting trees and hedges is a simple but effective way to do that and I think we will certainly be look ing to do more of the same.”

W oodland Trust outreach adviser P aul W oodgate said, “ Bill has created a wonderful site that will bring him some crack ing benefits. The trees hedges will fight climate change by lock ing up carbon, they’ ll enrich the soil, provide shade, shelter and browse for his cattle and a fantastic habitat for wildlife. “ W e hope his experience encourages other landowners to plant trees.

I t’ s such a fantastic way to tack le the climate and nature crises.”

The W oodland Trust’ s MO R E woods scheme is open to anyone wanting to plant woodland of at least 500 trees on at least half a hectare of land. The charity can visit the site, help design the woodland, create a bespok e species mix, supply the agreed trees and protection, and Brick & Block Work, cover up to 7 5% of costs as well Garden Walls, Bespoke as arrange for contractors to plant Brickwork, Courtyards the trees. Applications are now open and Brickwork Solutions. for the N ovember 2021 -March 2022 + Garden Maintenance planting season.

MO R E woods is funded by L loyds Westleton Rd, Bank and Bank of Scotland as part Saxmundham IP17 3BS of a broader commitment to plant 07881 376314 one million trees a year over the next decade. oelwatson w aol.co.uk • For more information visit wgarden-landscaping.squarespace.com www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant

J.W. Garden & Landscaping

Using tech to check calories A study of 2,000 adults found more than a q uarter are actively logging their intake on a phone app. And one in five also admitted they check every product they buy for the calorie information.

N early a third refuse to eat any high calorie foods - opting to prioritise low calorie foods, whether healthy or unhealthy, while 4 5 per cent will exercise if they think they’ ve eaten too many.

But 52 per cent never look at labels for fats, and nearly six in 1 0 don’ t consider whether the food they choose contains vitamins and minerals which might benefit them.

N utritionist Amanda W illiams and CE O of Cytoplan, which commissioned the research ahead of launching a new N utrition Gap Guide [ www.cytoplan. co.uk / nutrition-gap] for healthcare professionals, said, “ W hile the research has shown there is certainly an appetite for k eeping an eye on calories, there’ s so much more to maintaining a healthy diet. W hile people count calories in a bid to achieve a healthier lifestyle, it also shows little understanding of the importance of nutrients.

P erhaps more focus here could mak e all the difference to us feeling and actually being healthier both in the short-term and long-term. “ N ot all calories are created equal and it’ s important to mak e sure that if striving to meet a calorie goal each day, we don’ t sacrifice nutrient-dense foods.

A diet full of nutritious foods is more beneficial than a diet rich in processed foods that might be low in calories but may not offer vital vitamins and minerals to support overall health.”

The study also found half of Brits have been more sedentary in the last year or so due to maj or lifestyle changes - and estimates they eat more than 2,000 calories a day. But they believe they only burn around 1 ,8 00, with the ‘ N utrition Gap’ research showing that a sedentary lifestyle is considered the top reason for the deficiency in our nutrition levels.

I t also emerged adults count calories in their bid to lose weight, k eep an eye on their intak e or to play a part in their meal choices each day. Half of respondents count their calories, with 31 per cent roughly logging them in their head rather than using an app - while 1 4 per cent write them down on paper. Three quarters claim to check nutritional content of products, but it’ s mainly sugars, fats and salt that capture the most attention, with vitamins and minerals at the bottom of the list.

Despite this, 26 per cent thought having your ‘ five a day’ was j ust a saying to encourage you to eat healthily. N early half aren’ t sure – or don’ t – eat their five a day, though 6 3 per cent believe their diet is well balanced according to the survey via O neP oll.

Delving into the minerals Brits see as essential to their diets; iron, calcium and potassium were seen as the most important. But despite Selenium being k nown for its important role in the health of the immune system, only a third believed it was important to their health.

W hen shown 1 1 minerals needed for optimal health, almost one in 1 0 believed none were important, while more than a third didn’ t k now how to measure the amount of vitamins or minerals in their diet.

W ithout the optimal levels of vitamins and minerals, the U K population could be experiencing a shortfall in their nutrition, which is referred to as The N utrition Gap. N utritionist and CE O of Cytoplan, Amanda W illiams added, “ L ots of people are regularly counting calories through various apps and programmes in the belief they are adopting a healthy approach to diet and nutrition. W hile it’ s sometimes beneficial to understand your calorie intak e, it is j ust, or maybe more, important to look at the levels of vitamins and minerals that our food may contain too. Sub-optimal intak e of essential nutrients and poor digestive health is link ed to many of the prevailing degenerative diseases of our generation. W e’ ve created the N utrition Gap Guide [ www.cytoplan. co.uk / nutrition-gap] to arm healthcare professionals with the k nowledge to help focus clients and patients’ attention on their nutrient intak e for long term preventative health care as well as short term in a bid to improve the nation’ s health.”

WELLBEING

Fitology Studio group exercise fitness classes

A brand new Group Exercise Fitness Studio which opened in May 2021 offers 30+ classes a week - Fitness – Dance and Wellbeing classes either on a monthly subscription or PAYG option E mma has been in the F itness I ndustry for nearly 20 years and has now launched her own F itness Studio. O ut of the challenging situation of the Covid P andemic, She developed online Z oom classes throughout lock down from her Dining R oom when everything shut down and she had no work , to k eep her members fit mentally and physically, giving routine in lock down and k eeping the connection between I nstructor and Members and community that Group E xercise Classes creates Classes on the F itology Studio timetable include Clubbercise, P ilates, Z umba, W arfare Combat, L BT, Y oga Stretch, Cardio Core, HI I T, Bodysculpt, Dance Musical and more classes being added to the timetable from September.

E mma has assembled a team of F itness I nstructors giving variety on the timetable and providing a vast range of k nowledge and years of experience to deal with individuals fitness needs, inj uries, mobility issues and the return for many back to fitness after some ‘ time out’ in the lock down period.

Group E xercise F itness Classes creates a community, a fitness routine, motivation, and time goes really quick ly! E xercises can be adapted to the members needs and work ing in a small group environment – provides that individual attention and friendship and F itology still offer Z oom classes too if you are still work ing from home, childcare commitments, location and convenience – so lots of options to work out E veryone is welcome at F itology Studio – no fitness or age limits and options for all – E mma’ s motto is… “ I j ust want to k eep everyone fit and healthy to be able to do everything in their daily life with ease.”

Sign up to the website for all updates and information www.fitologystudio.co.uk , email info@ fitologystudio.co.uk or social media F acebook : fitologystudio, I nstagram : fitologystudio9a O r telephone E mma on 07 7 8 6 6 56 208 . F itology Studio I P 3 9F F

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WELLBEING

Material memory bears Bereavement can take many forms when a loved one passes away and one of the ways St Elizabeth Hospice helps people through this difficult time is with their Material Memories service.

During the last three years many Suffolk families have made a poignant tribute to a loved one through St E liz abeth Hospice’ s Material Memories.

Created by Sue Marshall, of Made W ith L ove, Material Memories are handcrafted k eepsak e bears made from the clothes of loved ones. All the bears are fully lined and hand stitched and can be made from almost any material, with Sue using her sewing talent to create a unique bear that is personal and serves as special reminder of loved ones no longer with us.

This summer has seen the milestone 250th Material Memory Bear being created by Sue for Abigail and Avril R ead in memory of their aunt and sister, Sonia Mortimer. “ Having our memory bears is so special to us, as it means we can k eep Sonia’ s memory alive,” explained Abigail. “ Sue is so creative and her eye for detail is amaz ing and she has helped us create a memory which will last a lifetime.”

Abigail and Avril decided to have three bears made in memory of Sonia, with one sitting in Abigail’ s bedroom and the other in Avril’ s, while the third bear has made the long trip to be with Sonia’ s sister in California.

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 St Elizabeth Ca Care Agency services: Call the Care Agency office on 01473 707900 or email homecare@stelizcare.co.uk 40

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.

Avril added, “ W e have sent one of the bears to live with Sonia’ s sister, J udy.

I t’ s a complete surprise for her and we have also included a short letter written from the bear ask ing ‘ W ill you let me stay with you? ’ . I k now this will mean the world to J udy and serve as a special way for her to remember Sonia.”

W hile being a unique way to remember Sonia, their Material Memory bears have also them to show their gratitude to the St E liz abeth Hospice staff who cared for Sonia before her death aged 8 1 at the hospice in J uly 2020, after being diagnosed with leuk aemia, with all funds raised by Material Memories going to the independent Suffolk charity. “ The hospice is such a warm place, full of love and care and all the staff gave great support to my uncle and Sonia,” said Abigail. “ They gave her care she would never have been able to have otherwise and k nowing someone was with her at all times brings comfort to us as a family.”

As well as being the 250th Material Memory bear, Avril and Abigail’ s bears are also the first to feature a wedding dress included in the design and materials of the bears.

W ith all three bears having elements of Abigail’ s wedding dress included in them, particularly special to both Abigail and Avril as Sonia attended both their weddings. O ne of the bears includes material from her wedding dress on the tummy, while the others feature daisies on their paws made from the Avril’ s wedding dress, serving as poignant reminders of these special days they shared as a family.

Both Abigail and Avril’ s wedding dresses were also made by Avril’ s mum, Muriel W arne, so the memory bears tak e on an even greater meaning through paying tribute to her memory as well.

All the bears have been made from Sue’ s sewing studio at her home. W hile Sue also runs a number of craft activities for the hospice.

R eflecting on the 250th Material Memory bear, Sue said, “ The 250th bear was really exciting as it was the first time a bear had been made from a wedding dress. I was really pleased with the result and the beautiful lace panel made the bear look so special. “ Mak ing the bears has become a source of enj oyment and the chance to use my creative sk ills. The best part is when I turn the face out and there he is look ing at me. The look on the recipients’ faces when the bears are presented to them is amaz ing. All in all a very pleasurable pastime for me.”

To find out more about St E liz abeth Hospice’ s Material Memories visit www. steliz abethhospice.org.uk / support-us/ mak e-a-donation/ donate-in-memory/ material-memories/ .

St E liz abeth 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.

WELLBEING

Updating your bathroom?

AHM Installations takes the hassle out of finding the right tradespeople.

W hen you’ re updating your bathroom, naturally the style of shower, basin and tiles are important. But there may be structural work needed too – AHM I nstallations can do it all.

F or example, you could create a bigger bathroom by removing a wall or create a new ensuite bathroom by adding a wall. I f you wanted a more powerful shower the electric cables could need updating. A floor might need tak ing up to examine the pipework underneath.

A good installations company doesn’ t shy away from this type of work because it ensures that your bathroom is safe; that it meets regulations

and that it work s for you. The last thing you want in your bathroom is dodgy electrics!

The Booth family called AHM I nstallations for advice as their father, who uses a wheelchair, was struggling to access the bathroom easily and safely. They wanted to have their downstairs study and toilet k nock ed together to form one large wetroom. This may sound lik e a j ob for a builder, but AHM have all the sk ills and experience you need. “ W e created a completely new space from scratch” , said Charles W eek s, Bathroom Surveyor at AHM. “ The dividing wall was k nock ed down, a new ceiling was put in and a new extractor fan was installed. The fuse board, which was previously situated in the study, was moved out into the hallway – a complex electrical j ob. L ight switches were moved and a shaving sock et was added, all to mak e the room easier for Mr Booth to use.”

The family are delighted with their new wetroom, “ AHM is an absolutely wonderful company – we couldn' t recommend it more. I t' s made such a difference to Dad and to all of us. Amaz ing designers and the men who fitted it were wonderful, polite and patient.”

AHM often have j obs that require structural work . “ W e frequently have to do electrical work to ensure our bathrooms meet regulations,” said Terry F iller, technical surveyor at AHM. “ I f you want to upgrade or move your shower, you need to mak e sure all of your electrics are up to date before you do anything else. “ And we have another j ob happening at the moment where someone is having their garage converted into a bathroom.”

AHM tak e the hassle out of organising the tradespeople you need to complete the j ob. All our fitters are members of BI K BBI which means they are DBS check ed, fully insured and continually monitored.

AHM I nstallations is a family-run firm installing safe, affordable bathrooms for people with limited mobility. Call us on 01 4 7 3 206 91 8 to discuss your needs.

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How lockdown alters our moods Seven in 10 young people think the most difficult part of lockdown is having less contact with friends, reveals new research by the University of Cologne.

The study, conducted by P rofessor Clemens K roneberg and his research team, found that school pupils suffer from limited face-toface contact with their friends. The researchers surveyed j ust under 6 00 children aged around 1 4 or 1 5 from schools in Germany with a 20-minute questionnaire about their everyday school life and leisure activities.

I n addition, about half of the students received eight miniquestionnaires on their daily mood and activities sent to their smartphones over a period of four week s during lock down. The student surveyed perceived the restrictions in leisure as significantly worse than independent learning in home schooling or everyday family life during school closures. “ During days on which they left home or had face-to-face contact

with friends, young people were more lik ely to report being happy and excited and less lik ely to be sad, depressed, lonely, and bored. “ I n contrast, online contact only – the most common interaction in the second lock down – did not improve their mood. According to our results, parents can hope for better tempered children when they attend daily face-to-face classes,” says P rofessor K roneberg.

F urthermore, the study revealed that on average, girls found the restrictions more stressful than boys and were more lik ely to report being sad, depressed, lonely, or worried.

F or this reason, the researchers believe that online learning should not replace face-to-face learning as the limited contact with friends will have a detrimental effect on their mental health.

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WELLBEING

Planning for your later life Research, conducted following the worst of the financial impact of the pandemic, has revealed shocking statistics around Brits’ understanding of the planning req uired for later life. As Britons face a later retirement age, increasing living costs and a potential future recession following the impact of Covid-19 , the response to the survey has identified a greater need for financial education, in all ages across society.

The research, conducted by Saffron Building Society, as part of its ‘ I t’ s more than money’ campaign, surveyed 2,000 Brits of various ages to get a snapshot of the financial wellbeing of society – look ing specifically at the planning for later life, prior to and post-retirement. Considering various later-life situations, some of the findings were quite a surprise.

O ne-third of Brits researched admitted to not k nowing that age in which they are expected to retire, according to U K government data. This k ey milestone is important to ensure concrete decisions can be made when considering savings, investments, and pension contributions. W ith only one in five feeling confident they will have enough equity to survive when the end of their work ing life arrives, a quarter admit that they don’ t have any savings goals or future plans that will provide enough financial security for retirement.

J ohn P enberthy-Smith, Chief Commercial O fficer at Saffron Building Society, who commissioned the survey comments, “ The pandemic may have exasperated it, but we have k nown for some time that Brit’ s understanding of the importance of later-life planning has always been very low.

W e have faced increases in the cost of living for decades with income finding it hard to stay with the trend, leading to many finding it difficult to save. The k nock -on effect of a drop in savings,

especially in lower-income couples and families, then leads to less consideration for later-life financial planning which is very evident from the responses to our survey. L ife’ s milestones, such as owning our first home, provide some financial security for the future, but there is evidently still a k nowledge gap – in all age groups – about the importance of planning for the future.”

L ater-life planning is not j ust about having enough money for retirement but setting plans and wishes for life’ s emergencies so that family and loved ones k now your wishes around how your finances are managed when you die. As part of the study, the society found that half of Brits ( across all age groups) did not understand the need for a will and testament, and over half ( 56 % ) did not understand the phrase ‘ P ower of Attorney’ . W ith one in five having never discussed their financial future with their family or loved ones, there is a real issue that should they die, their wishes will not be understood or actioned.

J ohn continues, “ A big part of growing older is look ing forward to retirement. The ability to enj oy retirement is k nowing all your duck s are in a row and that you can live comfortably with the income of your pension, savings, investments, and any additional income.

However, from what we already k now and what we have learned from the insight from the

Top tips for hayfever relief Qualified nutritional therapist and naturopath Caroline Peyton of Peyton Principles shares some simple tips to ease hayfever symptoms this summer and also for the summer seasons to come. Peyton has clinics in Wiltshire, the Cotswolds and online.

The number of hay fever sufferers is at an all-time high in the U K with around 25 per cent of the population suffering with mild to moderate symptoms during the summer.

And, if you are one of them you may have noticed you are suffering more.

Symptoms are worse for many people possibly due to a reduced immune tolerance as a result of prolonged lock downs.

Here are some easy ways to support yourself through the season: 1. Add ginger and turmeric foods to your diet as they help to inhibit the inflammatory compounds that cause the respiratory airways to swell.

2. Grate ginger into a glass of lemon water or into a smoothie or stir-fry. I t adds a real z ing to your food.

3. Mak e a cooling turmeric tea with a plant milk , turmeric and a pinch of black pepper and a teaspoon of coconut oil ( as both aid absorption of the active ingredient curcumin) . Heat together then allow to cool.

4. Y ou can support your body to calm its inflammatory response by avoiding ( or significantly reducing) sugar, simple carbohydrates, processed foods, seed oils and stimulants ( tea, coffee, alcohol) .

5. I n their place aim to eat a natural wholefood diet with complex carbohydrates ( lik e brown rice) , nuts, seeds, pulses and vegetables together with three portions of oily fish every week ( salmon, sardines, mack erel) .

research, is that individuals and couples could be facing a more stressful retirement. P lanning for later life should start from your first j ob, and your first work place pension and be continually managed through all aspects of life. Buying a home, having children, and moving j obs are all stressful but important pillars in life, and will all affect how we finance our life in old age.

So, understanding, reviewing, and continually educating ourselves around our financial future will ensure our retirement is stress-free, and those around us k now our wishes should life throw up a curveball.”

W ith over three quarters ( 7 6 % ) of those surveyed feel that independent financial advice would not be right for them as they don’ t earn enough, and 6 0% admitting they may not be able to plan for retirement without financial advice, J ohn says there are other options. “ I ndependent financial advice doesn’ t have to cost the earth, and plenty you can get for free from your current bank or building society. As part of our ‘ I t’ s more than money’ campaign, Saffron has launched free financial wellbeing calls with our experienced team and are work ing with partners to provide support in estate planning, wills, pension, investments and so much more to ensure our members have access to everything they need to plan for the retirement that they have earned and deserve. N o matter what age, your planning needs to start now.”

• To find out more about the It’s More than Money campaign with Saffron Building Society, or to find exclusive financial wellbeing tips, visit www.saffronbs.co.uk.

The Foxhall Centre, Lavender Trust is Welcoming New Members We are delighted to now be able to welcome new members to the centre.

We are a friendly centre providing day services for older people including those living with dementia and/or other specialist needs.

We pride ourselves in providing a safe and person centred environment where our members always come first and are respected for their individuality. Our caring staff will warmly welcome you and provide the appropriate level of personalised care, support and encouragement to ensure you have an enjoyable day.

There is a choice of daily activities which are both fun and stimulating and the cause of much laughter within the centre. Our aim is to ensure our members go home happy and relaxed having had a fun time; a nutritional two course lunch and a good old natter with their friends. Members can even have their hair and feet done by our hairdresser and chiropodist by appointment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK A TASTER DAY Phone: 01473 272038 E-mail: admin@foxhall-centre.org.uk visit our Website: www.foxhall-centre.org.uk Registered Charity 1171154

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VW grows it’s billboard!

V olkswagen has GROWN its latest advertising billboard - a one-of-a-kind ‘ living’ screen which captures carbon dioxide and is powered by sun and wind.

The 1 2 by three metre board has been covered in a number of different types of moss, revealing the outline of the new all-electric I D.4 SU V. I t has gone on display on P rince Street in Manchester to celebrate the arrival of the car giant’ s first electric SU V. The billboard has been fitted with solar panels along with four mini wind turbines, which will power the L E D bulbs that outline the I D.4 . I t took about 1 6 0 hours to produce the billboard, and a further eight hours to assemble it on site.

The moss was mounted on boards with a fine mesh fitted over the top to k eep it in place, and will be periodically watered over the next four week s.

Sarah Cox, head of mark eting at Volk swagen, said, “ Volk swagen is committed to delivering a range of net carbon-neutral cars to mark et and

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we’ re delighted the I D.4 is now available in the U K . W e thought a fun way to highlight the car’ s green credentials was to create a unique advertising board powered by wind and solar energy, that not only has a powerful image but is net carbon-neutral too.”

The I D.4 , which has a range of up to 323 miles between charges and has j ust been crowned W orld Car of the Y ear, follows the I D.3 as the first in a series of new electric cars which are built and delivered net carbon-neutral.

U K cars are built in Z wick au, Germany, a production plant powered by renewable energy, with many third parties in the supply chain also using green energy.

W here carbon emissions are unavoidable, for example during shipping, these are compensated by supporting internationally recognised climate protection proj ects such as the restoration of forests in Borneo, I ndonesia.

W hen on the road in the U K , customers can k eep their I D.4 carbon-neutral by charging it for free at more than 350 Tesco stores across the U K as part of Volk swagen’ s partnership with the supermark et and P od P oint.

The living and growing billboard will be live for four week s and follows the car brand’ s ‘ pollution-eating’ murals which heralded the arrival of the I D.3 last year.

Many find buying a car daunting

Despite buying 10 million new and used cars every year, 60 per cent of Brits see their motor as nothing more than a ‘ white good’ to get them from A to B. Almost half of the 2,000 adults polled found the car buying process complicated, while 51 per cent said it was intimidating. And 6 1 per cent think buying a car could be a lot more straightforward than it currently is.

More than half of female respondents found the car buying process intimidating, with this number falling to 4 5 per cent among males. And it’ s car buyers in the capital who are most intimidated, with two thirds ( 6 5 per cent) admitting they found it a difficult experience, according to the research by Motorpoint www.motorpoint.co.uk , which specialises in low mileage, nearly new cars.

Mark Carpenter, CE O at Motorpoint, said: “ After property, the car is one of the public’ s biggest purchases and it is vital that the buying process is made as simple and straightforward as possible. “ N ot everyone has a deep understanding of the ins and outs of a car, or even any interest in them, so it is important they trust the person they are dealing with and that the experience is as transparent and stress-free as possible.”

The study also found the most important requirements for motorists are price, reliability, fuel efficiency, low mileage, and overall condition.

W hen it comes to the car buying process, it is all about having salespeople who don’ t pressure and provide a straightforward buying process - as well as a long warranty and the chance to part exchange your old car.

The biggest concern for motorists, according to the survey via O neP oll, is paying over the odds. Half of the respondents also said they don’ t k now whether to haggle when buying a car.

As a result of the concerns, more than a third admitted they would lik e to go through the car buying process without speak ing to anyone and doing it all online. And 31 per cent would prefer if a friend or relative bought the car on their behalf. But despite many finding the overall process a bit daunting, 7 6 per cent said ‘ new car day’ is an exciting experience.

Mark Carpenter, added, “ Car buying should be a fun experience, where customers are confident they are going to drive out of a showroom in their perfect car – or have their dream vehicle delivered to their door. But our research had some really shock ing findings. Getting your first car should be an exciting experience but 8 1 per cent of 1 8 to 24 year-olds said they found it intimidating. “ W e want to mak e the process easier, which is why you can buy online or in a showroom, the price is the price and if you do see something cheaper we’ ll happily match it and also provide a money back guarantee.”

Survey discovers the dislikes of motorists Millions of motorists dread driving on the motorway, travelling in the dark and simply turning right at a roundabout.

A study of 2,000 drivers found one in 1 0 dislik es or hates driving, with having to change lanes, reversing around a corner, and country roads also mak ing them feel uncomfortable.

Driving in snowy conditions ( 4 2 per cent) is most lik ely to mak e drivers nervous, followed by navigating a new town or city ( 32 per cent) and roads with lots of lanes ( 30 per cent) . Driving in the dark ( 27 per cent) and wet and rainy conditions ( 25 per cent) completed the top five most uncomfortable scenarios on the road. N early one in 1 0 even admitted to being nervous when it comes to turning right at a roundabout while one in 20 fear three point turns.

But the research also revealed

24 per cent of drivers feel less confident now than they before the pandemic as a result of driving less over the last 1 8 months, with 1 6 per cent going as far as to say they have ‘ forgotten’ how to drive.

The stats emerged in a study by flexible car insurance firm Cuvva, which has partnered with Y ouTube sensation DGN Driving School to launch a competition offering rusty drivers the chance to win a free refresher driving lesson.

Cuvva spok esperson and CE O , F reddy Macnamara, said, “ O ur research reveals there are many nervous drivers across the U K , with L ondoners and those from N orwich indexing most highly.”

The study also found 29 per cent of drivers try to avoid travelling

time on the road. And even 22 per cent, who considered themselves to be confident drivers before the pandemic, now feel a little rusty behind the wheel. As a result, 1 5 per cent think it took them ‘ week s’ to get back up to speed once they started driving again following the lock downs.

The study, carried out via O neP oll, also revealed 38 per cent wish they were a more confident driver.

Cuvva CE O F reddy Macnamara added, “ W e’ re k een to help drivers improve their confidence on the road by better understanding their driving behaviour. “ Cuvva’ s new insights feature in the app helps motorists understand how they drive with a unique driving score to help them improve their driving and feel more confident on the road.”

outside of their local area to stay away from unfamiliar roads. And a quarter are reluctant to give other people lifts – even if they are going to the same destination - due to their nerves. N early one in five would tak e a longer route to avoid busy areas ( 1 8 per cent) while 1 6 per cent would go further than needed to stay away from motorways.

O thers would plan their j ourney to avoid having to parallel park ( 1 2 per cent) , dual carriageways ( seven per cent) and roundabouts ( seven per cent) . Almost a fifth of drivers are also nervous about the prospect of long-distance j ourneys as the nation prepares for a summer of staycations, with 21 per cent even planning their break around the length of the drive. But the study found 36 per cent think their driving has generally worsened over the last 1 8 months as they have spent less

Top 25 things drivers feel most uncomfortable doing: 1 . Driving in snowy conditions 2. Driving in a new town or city 3. R oads where there are lots of lanes and you need to be in the right one 4 . Driving in the dark 5. Driving in wet and rainy conditions 6 . L orries 7 . O vertak ing cyclists 8 . Areas where there is lots of traffic 9. Motorways

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FORD'S FOCUS

with Daniel Ford The Tok yo O lympics really should have been a disaster. F or starters they took place in a country where the pandemic was so rife that during the opening ceremony protestors could be heard outside the stadium rallying against the holding of these historic games in these uncertain times. Another result of the pandemic was that these games were held in empty stadiums, the fear was that this would have a similar effect as it has on other sporting events which have become lifeless and dull without spectators.

Against all odds though these games still managed to capture the hearts of people around the globe, therefore this month’ s article focuses on the stories which made these games so special.

U ndoubtedly one of the things these games will be remembered for is the break through made in terms of removing the stigma attached to mental health among athletes. The brave decision of Simone Biles to withdraw from multiple individual events as well as the all-round final proved the catalyst for other athletes to open up about their own concerns, thereby opening up a wider conversation about the wellbeing of athletes. O ther athletes such as Adam P eaty made public their decision to tak e a break from high level competition in order to raise awareness about the need for athletes to have time away from the spotlight. W e can only hope that this corridor of communication between players and the media and fans continues to flourish in the future.

Another wonderful thing about these O lympics was the spirit which athletes competed with. P erhaps my overriding memory of the games will be when high j umpers Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz E ssa Barshim made the decision to share the gold medal instead of engaging in a sudden death play-off which would have seen j ust one of them crowned the O lympic champion. The moment when they realised they were both O lympic champions was something truly beautiful especially given the various inj uries that both of them had suffered.

And finally, what made these O lympics great is that Britain excelled ourselves yet again. My favourite gold medal was undoubtedly that won by J ason K enny in the K eirin, by his standard up until that point his games had been disappointing but in this event he made a heroic early break for home and fought off all his competitors. Despite this being his seventh ( yes seventh) O lympic gold, this one was perhaps the most special, reflected by his sheer bewilderment in the post-race interview where he struggled to get his head round what he had j ust accomplished.

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

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I P SW I CH24 CO MP E TI TI O N R U L E S & CO N DI TI O N S: The editor’ s decision will always be final. N o competition entry will be entered into. I pswich24 cannot be held responsible for cancellation of events ( in the event of cancellation no transfer will be offered or cash alternative) . W e cannot be held responsible for failure of entries not arriving by deadline.

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Are you having trouble setting up or operating your TV / Audio or DVD? Has your equipment stopped working?

Does your TV need a re-tune?

New Domestic Appliances and TV Products Supplied

Help is at hand – Call Toby Hicks 01449 741056 / 07968 686035

P.T. Carpentry & Property Maintenance

Indoor and Outdoor Quality Craftsmanship Doors, Skirting Boards Laminate Flooring, Fitted Kitchens, Wardrobes & Cupboards Decking, Fencing, Pergolas, Sheds - New or Repair

General and Bespoke slab manufacturer and supplier

Free Estimates

Tel: 07599 018700

paultemp50@gmail.com www.facebook.com/PT-Carpentry

Stone Street, Crowfield, Ipswich, IP6 9SZ

01473 741358

47

Vacancies available

Live well with Abbeyfield Serenus Court, Silent Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1EN Serenus court provides a safe and secure environment for its residents in which they can continue to live as independently as possible, with assistance and support from staff and an on call warden system when required.

We are very much part of the local life with regular support from community groups and volunteers. Serenus court is ideally situated, in that it is a mere stones throw from the busy town centre and bus station which provides public transport to most Suffolk destinations.

Featuring: • Guest facilities

• Wonderful outdoors

• Conservatory

• Peace of mind

• Wheelchair accessible • Activities

For more information about Serenus Court, call us on 01473 289 458 or email ipswich@abbeyfield.com

www.abbeyfield.com Registered in England and Wales, Company 574816, Charity 200719, RSH No. H1046