Ipswich24 May 2015

MAY 2015

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The Suffolk Show 27th & 28th May

Visit us online at www.ipswich24.co.uk for more information and events 0515_ips24_may.indd 1

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travel

Are you seduced by India’s exotic Marigold Hotel scenes?

Saga tour of film locations includes luxury hotel stays to make Sonny Kapoor envious!

Follow in the footsteps of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’s actors on Saga’s new India the Exotic escorted tour through Rajasthan, where the filming took place.

Starry-eyed guests may not see their heart-throb Marigold actors but there will an opportunity to visit the Marigold hotel location, ‘The Viceroy Club’, flower markets and lakeside temples which featured in the film. Best of all, guests can relax in luxury heritage hotels that the Marigold’s proprietor Sonny Kapoor would envy!

This evocative tour begins with a flight to Delhi and an overnight stay at the Heritage Village & Spa Resort Manesar. Travel on to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and stay at Ramgarh Lodge, the elegant former hunting retreat of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

En route, jump into a jeep for a drive through the village of Shahpura.

Spend four nights in vibrant Jaipur; see marigold garlands in the bustling flower market where actor Dev Patel strolled in the perfumed air.

Marvel at the Amber Fort’s ornate interiors and the latticed fascia of Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds, before taking a rickshaw ride. There will also be plenty of free time so guests can take lunch in the 19th-century Kanota Castle – location of ‘The Viceroy Club’.

Travel to Deogarh, pausing for a break at the Phool Palace Hotel, a former royal retreat and another film site.

Next stop, the Deogarh Mahal, a former palace where guests stay for three nights. From here, board a train to ride through the Rajasthani countryside. Those who want to see more can also take a vintage car ride and visit the island fortress of Seeng Sagar for a campfire and evening barbecue.

Travel to Delwara, near Udaipur, for a four-night stay at the Devi Garh by Lebua, a former palace dating to the 18th century. See the majestic Jain temples of Ranakpur and the grand temple’s 1,444 pillars.

Explore the majestic City Palace, Rajhastan’s largest palace complex which towers over

Pichola Lake, and visit the magnificent 17th century Jagdish Temple. Later, take a walk through Chandpur where the Marigold market scenes were filmed.

The tour would not be complete without seeing the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel location, Ravla Khempur, deep in the countryside. Guests can enjoy lunch here to conclude this unique tour that captures all the rich history and dazzling colour of modern-day India with added Marigold magic!

14 nights from £2,499, departing London Heathrow to Dehli, from November 2015 to March 2016. Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, return flights and transfers, airport taxes, accommodation, most meals, porterage, tour manager, tourist visa, travel insurance and cancellation cover or a discount of £40 discount if passenger has own insurance cover.

Holiday extensions are available and include: Five night post-extension option at the Raddison Hotel Shimla in the lower ranges of the Himalayas.

Take a train ride on the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen and the Kalka Shatabadi express train, which transports guests back to Delhi for a final night at the Heritage Resort & Spa Manesar.

Extension price: £799.

• For more detail contact Deben Travel, Woodbridge on 01394 615620 or visit www.debentravel.com

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INSIDE THIS MONTH MAY Performance: Lots happening this Spring/Summer including a preview of the Pulse Festival.

Plus there’s news on two classic TV comedy brought to the stage.

At Home:

We have ideas for everything for your home or garden.... from a brand new kitchen to decoration, from plants for the garden or help doing the housework.

23-26 Suffolk Show

13-15 Springwatch:

Suffolk residents already appreciate the beauty of our county and now the whole nation will too as TV’s Springwatch programme returns to RSPB Minsmere for another season.

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Forget the General Election and head to Trinity Park for Suffolk’s biggest event of the year. Lots to see and do, so see our special preview of some of the things you should look out for.

Your Big Day.

Have you just got engaged, planning your wedding? There’s a brand new wedding fayre that will help you with all your wedding needs.

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4&5 19-21

LiveMusic24:

Ipswich24 is published on the last Thursday of every month by Fizzwig Designs.

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If you wish to stock copies please contact us.

Enquiries, Editorial and Advertising Contributions can be sent:

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Tel: 01473 351270

www.ipswich24.co.uk

A round-up of local music news, our day-by-day gig guide and the chance to win tickets to see Tom Odell at Thetford Forest.

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County’s Show is a welcome The general election is over, at least for another five years!

Now we can get on with life and what better way to start with a day out at the 184th Suffolk Show? The county’s biggest two day pop-up event brings the pleasures of living, relaxation and working in one of the most popular areas of the UK together on one massive 100 acre site.

In a recent survey, Visit England found that more than 70 percent of visitors to the county, flanked by its beautiful unspoiled coastline, made repeat visits.

Why? The Suffolk Show reveals the secrets in this high quality, family hands-on activity and entertainment extravaganza held during half-term week on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th May. Organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association, the Show has agriculture at its heart. While principally Suffolk is an arable county, the Show

maintains some of the highest levels of livestock entries from all over the country and attracts breed societies including the Red Poll Cattle who host their own competitions. The Grand Parade, held daily showcasing

all the winners in class proudly sporting colourful rosettes, is a rarely seen spectacle outside Shows that is not to be missed, if only to see how the young handlers are so adept at handling these wonderfully turned out animals.

Expect to see more than 2500 livestock and equine shown in a packed programme across nine showing rings. Among the 300 equine classes will be top international show jumping, many of the jumps in the major competitions

are over 5ft tall, qualifiers for both Olympia and Horse of the Year Show as well as the new Amateur Ridden Hunter classes which qualify for the Royal International Horse Show.

Sky TV will be on hand filming the International Stairway on Thursday.

The Show always has an impressive turnout of heavy horses representing most of the major breeds and is one of the few places to see so many in one place.

For the first time in the Show’s history there is horsepower of a different nature. Lancaster of Colchester will be bringing top marque vehicles an F12 California T Ferrari, a Bentley and Maserati which will be displayed in the new luxury lawn retail area near the bandstand adjacent to the new destination for the Art Show.

The Military Discovery Zone, with representation from military charities and recruiters, has a tethered hot air balloon to escape at least 100 feet off the ground to take in the scale of the Show from above. The 23 engineers host diggerland, a chance to climb

on and operate the arms of Bob Cat diggers, there’s also a Jackal fighting vehicle with open top platform, a flight swing used in parachute training to recreate the sensation of being under a parachute, a helicopter simulator, weaponry, rope climbing wall and the mighty Apache for visitors to peer into the cockpit. Weather permitting another Apache will be overhead at key times performing roll demonstrations.

Have a go at beating the military man in the underwater training dive tank at noughts and crosses – you’re on the dry side! Axis Tracks used on films such as Saving Private Ryan has just returned from a round the world filming trip and ELITE academy security training ex-military instructors will be demonstrating some softer self-defence moves.

Show director and Drinkstone farmer Bill Baker is keen to point out that agriculture is very much a modern career choice and is not just all about sitting on tractors, but embracing some world class developing technologies – drones, precision drilling and biosciences – as well as food development, marketing and green energies and the industry’s many allied industries.

Nothing demonstrates this better than the dedicated Farm Discovery Zone. It’s highly successful inaugural year last year saw families having a go at farming activities and caught the attention of HRH Prince Harry who visited the Show and helped make a pizza!

Here you can see and hear chicks noisily pecking their way out of their shells in a hatchery, and hold

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post election tonic! a new born duckling, watch calves milked robotically, an original steam tractor which replaced the Suffolk Punch, discover why rare breeds are so important, as well as sit in the cab of the latest agricultural machinery and have a family cook-up, in a move designed to link how the food on our tables is grown in the field. Agricultural machinery

manufacturer CLAAS’s new Adie the cow with its see-through stomach will demonstrate how an anaerobic digester works. The Suffolk Young Farmers host digger games, making a bale sculpture and a lot more antics that demonstrate farming is fun and “cool.” The colleges are also on hand to talk apprenticeships, courses and career opportunities, many on our doorstep.

Suffolk has an enviable reputation for food. The area has some amazing local growers and producers making inspirational foods and drinks or supplying quality raw ingredients to top brands and national supermarkets and high end delicatessens. The Show has many ways to enjoy it.

Adnams Food and Drink Experience is the place to try before you buy.

Tantalise your tastebuds with handmade chocolates, delicious pies and sausages including Heck

gluten free, as seen on TV’s The Fixer, to take home for supper; soft drinks, coffees and cordials as well as a new brassica, relishes, oils and preserves, gourmet chocolate brownies and lots more.

Relax to the music and sample delicious foods freshly prepared in the street food styled Greene King Eat Street. Here friends and family

can discover new and different flavours and sit together but all eat something different – a parent’s delight!

Suffolk Sport offers the chance to try out more than 30 different sports for free – and to work off lunchtime calories with fitness tests for the over 40s and a new treasure trail of activities for all the family’s to explore how they can all get off the sofa, away

of-the-art machinery to beautiful and inspirational flowers, outdoor clothing, great artwork, things for the home, the animals and the family, not to mention delicious food and drink.

You are literally spoilt for choice.

There’s top quality ring entertainment from the Devil’s Horsemen stuntmen, many who have worked on TVs Game of Thrones, War Horse and The Muppets movie and the film of Les Miserables. The Mascot Derby features representatives from the region’s attractions and businesses and there is entertainment in the Avenues from Covent Garden style street entertainers, the Jitterbug Dancers, mighty 8ft dancing Titan or, at children’s height, cute Sheridan

the talking sheepdog on a bicycle.

The real sheepdogs are working in the rings, keeping the ducks and turkeys under control.

Don’t miss live music on the trailer from Soul Kitchen on the first day as the sun goes down.

The Suffolk Show is held on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th May at Trinity Park, Ipswich.

Advanced discounted tickets are on sale now priced £6 for 15-18s, £21 for adults and £19 for seniors, £4 parking. For these and more information on all aspects of the two day event celebrating food, farming and all there is to see and do in Suffolk visit www.suffolkshow.co.uk.

Don’t forget under 15s can enter for free and you can bring your dog!

Follow on Twitter @suffolkshow and www.facebook/suffolkshow for all the latest news.

from the TV/ tablet and get fitter. As excitement builds for Suffolk’s Year of Cycling, stop by for details of on the Women’s Tour starting in Bury St Edmunds and travelling through the county in Mid June and the Men’s in September. Even if you’re not race standard, but just enjoy cycling for fitness, fun, or relaxation, or to raise money for charity, you can participate in cycling confidence and maintenance workshops.

If you love shopping, the Show is bigger, with a more diverse range, than any high street. Many items are only sold through the county shows and online, so here is the chance to snap up something different and even bespoke!

With acres of the Trinity Park site filled with more than 800 trade stands, many under white marquees, there is everything from the biggest state-

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Have a real life Springwatch wildlife encounter this May May time and the height of spring is nearly upon us and the birds and other wildlife know it. When the days get longer and warmer, nature really comes alive: grass snakes and adders wake-up from their winter sleep, bees and butterflies get busy pollinating the flowers, and migrating birds return from their winter homes thousands of miles to the south and start looking for a mate and somewhere to make a nest.

Nowhere can the spectacle of spring be better seen than on a nature reserve, and as if to prove the point, the BBC Springwatch trio of Chirs Packham, Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games will be returning to RSPB Minsmere this May, after visiting RSPB Bempton Cliffs over Easter, to bring more than our fair share of the sights, sounds and intimate lives of wildlife to us in our living rooms.

Last year they captivated us with footage of a young bittern taking its first steps outside its reedy nest; we fell in love with Grub - the world’s hungriest tawny owl chick; and there was drama when Audrey the avocet lost her nest to a ravenous badger.

• Adder by Ben Andrew (RSPB collection)

• The Springwatch Team, pic Jo Garbutt This year, Minsmere’s badgers have been fitted with radio tracking collars as part of a study looking at how and where the badgers are feeding on the reserve, and it is hoped that Audrey and her companions will safely rear their chicks on the scrape. But will Grub be back? Who will be the star of the show?

Minsmere will again be welcoming people to the reserve throughout the period Springwatch is on our televisions, from 25th May to 11th June. Visitors will be able to explore the reserve’s many habitats - from sandy heathland to broadleaf woodland, and watery reedbeds to coastal dunes - and see and hear the wildlife of Springwatch live.

MONDAY Bar open from 7pm 6pm – Zumba 7:30pm – Short Mat Bowls

TUESDAY SPECIAL EVENTS Friday 1st May

Live Music – Kings of Country

Tim Staff entertains with all the greats from Country Music.

Tickets £3 members, £5 for guests.

Doors open at 7pm.

Saturday 6th June

FAKE THAT The UK’s Number 1 Take That tribute act are gracing the stage for one night only.

Tickets £10 members. £12 for guests.

Doors open at 7pm.

Bar open from 7pm 4:45pm Karate (7-14yrs) 6pm – Karate (seniors) 7:30pm – Carpet Bowls

WEDNESDAY Bar open from 7pm Bingo – eyes down at 7:30pm Crib

THURSDAY

Children will have fun with the wild activities in the Discovery Centre and Wild Zone, and everyone will enjoy searching for adders on the Adder Trail, and getting unbeatable views of the birds and other wildlife from one • Avocet by David Tipling (RSPB collection) of the many hides. And after exploring the miles of trails and maybe even enjoying a paddle at the beach, you’ll be able to refresh yourselves with tea, cake and much more in the café.

So while you’re falling in love with the wildlife of Springwatch this year, don’t forget to get inspired and get out and find it for yourselves.

Plan your visit to Minsmere: www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere Find out about more events and activities at www.rspb.org.uk/events Find RSPB nature reserves near you: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves

Bar closed 3:30 to 10pm – Ballroom Dancing

FRIDAY Bar open from 7pm 4:45pm Karate (7-14yrs) 6pm – Karate (seniors)

SATURDAY Bar open 12-3pm and from 7pm

Church Lane, Claydon, Ipswich, SUNDAY Suffolk, IP6 0EG Bar open 12 noon -4:30pm 01473 831805 www.claydonandbarhamcommunitycentre.co.uk info@claydonandbarhamcommunitycentre.co.uk 6

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45th Annual Vehicle Run

Nearly 600 classic cars, motorcycles, lorries, buses and military vehicles will take part in the 45th annual Ipswich to Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run on Sunday 3rd May. The event is organised by volunteers at the Ipswich Transport Museum and is supported by R H Specialist Car Insurance, Galloway Coach Travel and Lavenham Press.

The event is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors to Ipswich and Felixstowe. Vehicles have to be over 30 years old to take part in the event, and include cars, commercials, buses and motorcycles. Ipswich Transport Museum’s 1939 Dennis Fire Engine ‘Nellie ‘ will be one of the stars of the event. Another unusual entrant is a 1950 Lister auto-truck. Seventy-one entrants pre-date 1939, and around 100 motorcycles will form part of the spectacle.

Hundreds of onlookers are expected to gather along the route to Felixstowe, which is free to watch in Ipswich, Felixstowe and en route. There will be a souvenir programme produced especially for the event available from event stewards.

Vehicles will depart for Felixstowe at 11.30am. The first vehicles are expected to line up on Felixstowe Promenade from around 12.15pm.

Rally organiser Peter Cansick, who has co-ordinated the run for the Ipswich Transport Museum, said, “The entrants and the public love this event - it’s been a fixture in the calendar for over 40 years and is of the most popular events in Ipswich and Felixstowe. It’s a tribute to all the volunteers who help in staging the event and vehicle owners who take part.”

Museum officials are hoping for good weather as the event is one of the busiest days of the year for Felixstowe’s sea front traders.

For more information about the Historic Run or the Transport Museum visit www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk

Looking for a unique venue for a special party?

Orwell Lady is available for private charter throughout the season of April to October. Over the years numerous events from 60th birthdays, to reunions, engagements parties as well as corporate gatherings have been hosted onboard.

The boat is ideally laid out to meet most needs with a spacious saloon, large windows, open upper deck, a licensed bar and large area for disco, live music, dancing and socialising.

The recommended caterers are all local, accustomed to working on the boat and offer a range of options from a simple buffet through to waitress service of freshly made canapés or an English Afternoon Tea. If the weather is unkind, 65 people can be comfortably entertained within the covered lower deck so this is the maximum number of passengers for charters (and for the majority of cruises with catering).

Orwell Lady is also regularly chartered by schools as a trip on the River Orwell provides the opportunity to support the National Curriculum particularly in the areas of history, science and geography.

If you are interested in chartering Orwell Lady or have a large group of people interested in any of Orwell Lady’s scheduled cruises please call to discuss with Liz on 07734 875887 or email charters@orwellrivercruises.co.uk.

May will be a busy month for Orwell River Cruises. The Orwell Lady Nights programme launches with Abba and the 70s disco on Saturday 30th May (at the time of writing there were only a few spaces left so don’t delay if this sounds like the night for you) and the public return cruises to Harwich Harbour, Pin Mill and Orwell Bridge will take place most Wednesdays and over each weekend.

Tickets available from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre in town (01473 258070, tourist@suffolkgov.uk) or CoffeeLink on the waterfront, Orwell Lady sails from Orwell Quay.

Sport is for everybody

Orwell Panthers is an athletic club for people with any kind of disability. It is an excellent way to make new friends whilst developing skills in running, jumping or throwing.

Wheelchair people are welcome as all events are adapted to the athlete. The club takes part in both local and national competitions with success. The Orwell Panthers are fully supervised by qualified coaches.

For more information contact Ann Negus on 01473 254050 or visit the website at www.orwellpanthers.co.uk

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The Hadleigh Show 2015 – Saturday 16th May Preparations for the 176th Hadleigh Show are well underway so put Saturday 16th May in your diary for a great family day out at Holbecks Park.

Hadleigh’s “Year of the Sheep” will be launched at the show so make sure you visit their marquee and keep an eye out for all things woolly, including I’m A Sheep Get me out of Here. “The Sheep Show” also returns, a humorous yet educational live stage show about sheep and wool with some surprisingly talented dancing sheep!

Ringside entertainment includes the Inch Perfect Motorcycle Trials Display team with their exhilarating action packed display of balance, skill and extreme bike control, the Young Farmers Tug-O-War and falconry displays. Following last year successful machinery demo, this year we will be showcasing Sugar Beet production where you will discover that a mouse doesn’t always have whiskers and a tail!

There will be cattle, sheep, goats and horses on show; over 160 trade stands; the Art Exhibition and Sale; Rural Crafts; a Flower Tent and the Education Tent featuring art from local schools. The Food Hall will showcase the very best of our local food and drink producers, tempting you to sample and buy.

Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.hadleighshow. co.uk; if booking before Friday 15th May, visitors can take advantage of the ‘Early-Bird Discount’, which reduces a Family Ticket (2 Adults with up to 3 Children) to just £24.00. Other Early Bird prices are:

Adult - £9 (£12 on day); Child 5-16 – £5 (£7 on day); Senior Citizen - £7 (£10 on day).

Parking is FREE; gates open at 8.00am.

Weird and Wonderful Wood Weird and Wonderful Wood is returning to Haughley Park in May. This fair is a celebration of many aspects of woodwork, showcasing the talents of specialist woodworkers, and described as “The most magical day ever – it was so inspiring and so much fun” Anna Morrell, Kent.

The now legendary fair attracts over our site will play host to a replica 46ft 8000 visitors from far and wide over Saxon Ship, a Shephards Hut and two days including people who return an amazing digery doo player from each year. There are always new Bosnia and a Wood Carver from things to see and at this year’s event Nigeria. As well as regular favourites

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at

STONHAM BARNS on the A1120

Open Daily 10 - 5 Great Family Fun! Reg. Charity 1086565

FLYING DISPLAYS DAILY WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL OWLS & BIRDS OF PREY plus RED SQUIRRELS CHIPMUNKS * MEERKAT ENCOUNTER SESSIONS NEW DISCOVERY CENTRE MINI-MAZE * PICNIC AREAS ADVENTURE FRAMES THE OWL BARN GIFT SHOP

JENNY’S ARK PET ZOO on May Day & Spring Bank Holiday Mondays including

which makes it one of the most exciting wood fairs of the year.

Over 120 artists and crafts people come from all over the country, travelling from distant places such as as Scotland, Cornwall and Wales. Demonstrations include carving and sculpture, fine furniture making, musical instrument making, displays by traditional fletchers and bowyers, chain saw carving, hurdle making, wood turning, pole lathe turning, labyrinth making, as well as traditional gypsy caravan displays.

There will be a working mobile sawmill, so if you want to bring your own tree, it can be cut for you!

Workshops, for both adults and children are free and include activities such as archery, den building, willow weaving, withy work, papermaking, gypsy flower making, pole lathe turning, scrap wood, clay, puppet making, jewellery making and tree climbing in nets.

If you have not been before, you will find it has a friendly and enthusiastic

atmosphere with something surprising for all the family. Also allow time to enjoy a wealth of excellent local food and drink (including local beers and cider) which you can enjoy while listening to music.

Weird and Wonderful Wood is a unique event which is never the same from year to year. There are new experiences every time, including many spontaneous happenings from street performers and acoustic musicians, but one aspect that never changes is the event’s very special atmosphere that sees people return year after year as so many really enjoy it.

Weird and Wonderful Wood 2015 takes place at Haughley Park, Wetherden, Nr Stowmarket on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May. For more information visit www.weirdandwonderfulwood.co.uk

K

MEER

AT ASTLE

Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal IP14 6AT Tel: 08456 807 897 www.suffolkowls.org.uk 8

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Gourmet gathering in town square The spring ‘What’s Tasty’ seasonal food market returns to Woodbridge’s Market Hill on Saturday 30th May, from 9.30am until 3.30pm, with its usual mix of street food, fresh local produce and some from farther afield - as well as cooking demonstrations on an open grill by talented local chefs.

Stallholders already confirmed include; Friday Street Farm Shop, Simpers of Suffolk, Stokes Sauces, Red Chilli Kitchen, Casa de l’Oli and Tikkatonic. This small sample

of attending businesses gives visitors locally grown asparagus and strawberries, seafood from the River Deben, locally made condiments, cooking sauces, oils and authentic Indian Street food.

Chefs Ugur Vata from The Galley and Luke Bailey from The Crown Woodbridge will be demonstrating how to cooked a variety of local food on the Roadii barbeque. Visitors can watch, ask questions and taste the spoils of the demo in this uniquely relaxed setting.

The What’s Tasty markets take place twice a year in Spring and Autumn.

They are organised by Choose Woodbridge as part of a calendar of free community events they put on each year in Woodbridge.

Chris Harrold, Chairman of Choose Woodbridge, said, “The producers love the chance to meet and talk to the customers and vice versa.

We are keen to see more visitors becoming familiar with the Market Hill – it’s a great spot and you’d be surprised how many people think Woodbridge starts and ends with the Thoroughfare. We need to show off all our assets: the River, the high street and Market Hill. This event brings together local produce from the river and nearby fields, local businesses and local people. It’s a great celebration of Woodbridge and all it represents.”

Jonathan Simper, Owner of Simpers of Suffolk, added, “We’re very keen to see more of this type of event. For people to be able to taste and try the various local foods is a great way to demonstrate the quality and flavour of the produce on our doorstep.

The hospitality businesses in Woodbridge are very supportive of local producers and have some very talented chefs. It’s great to see everyone getting together to encourage people to enjoy the delicious food grown and created in the area.”

• More information about this event and others taking place in Woodbridge over the coming months can be found at www.choosewoodbridge.co.uk.

It has been a beautiful and productive spring at Baylham At Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm the daffodils are blooming, the May is out, and the lambs are in the field, leaping and running around in gangs. The February piglets are now weaned and their mum, Louise, is enjoying a well-earned rest.

Ella’s piglets are off wandering round the farm exploring – and Meeny’s are sticking close to their mum. Two things you may not know about pigs.

First, that a pig is pregnant for three months, three weeks and three days.

Second, that pigs are the fastest growing mammals.

During May the Golden Guernsey and Pygmy goats will start to kid and then the trouble really starts. Every year the kids refuse to stay in their pens and think nothing of climbing on to visitors’ laps or even trying to cadge a ride in a pushchair!

While we all hope the weather will continue to get warmer - the sheep will be getting more hot and bothered. They will certainly be a lot happier after the Festival of the Naked Sheep takes place, on the 14th June. The Festival is all about sheep shearing, wool and the production of all things woollen.

Once the sheep have no need for their coat, it is sheared off and put it to good use.

For a day out in the lovely Suffolk countryside, getting up close and personal with some friendly animals, visit Baylham House Farm. Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 10am until 5pm. Visit the website for more details at www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk or phone 01473 830264.

Vintage and Makers Market The Snape Maltings Vintage & Makers Market takes place on Sunday 24th May from 10am to 4pm, bringing together 50 leading vintage traders, alongside designs, crafts and artworks created by local artisans.

Tim Clover of Deben Events, organisers of the market, says, “It’s great to be back in the fabulous setting of Snape Maltings as it’s the perfect backdrop to showcase some talented local craftspeople, makers

and artisans, alongside some cool vintage traders who really know their stuff.”

He adds, “The market will also be the perfect chance for some spring shopping, with some really unusual, interesting and one-off items for sale.”

The market will be packed with a wide range of vintage furniture, classic fashion, ceramics, kitchenalia and pieces for the garden, coupled with artworks, printed fabrics, unique homewares and jewellery.

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It’s Party Time at Glass & Craft!

Are you looking for a children’s party with a difference? Over at Glass & Craft, Kersey Mill, they can build a craft party package to suit any age.

There are currently two main options with their children’s craft parties, however your party can be tailored to meet your needs; Children’s Craft party Option 1 – Design your own The children design their own glass on paper first, the staff at Glass & Craft will then transfer the outline of the design to glass and while they are doing this the children can create a decopatch item or colour in a t-shirt. Once finished the decopatch or t-shirts the outlines of the glass designs will be dry and the children can then paint their glasses with their very own outlines on.

Children’s Craft party Option 2 – Themed Party The themed parties are the same as above but rather than the children designing their own glass you can choose a theme for the whole party for example a princess theme. Glass & Craft can then have the glass or ceramic mug pre-outlined with princess on (or whatever you would like) for the children to paint in. The decopatch or t-shirts can also match the theme of your choice.

The children’s craft parties last for approximately two hours and cost just £11.95 per child (min of 6). They also include extras such as unlimited drinks, helium balloons, a sweet cone for each child and invites can also be provide for you.

If you wish to include food Glass & Craft can also cater for this and a cold option is available for just £3.50 per child, or you can provide your own if you wish.

For more information on children’s craft parties please contact Glass & Craft on 01473 517 404 or visit www.glassandcraft.co.uk

Middy at War

‘Middy in the War Years’ is the big event of the Mid Suffolk Light Railway’s calendar when, in addition to the railway attractions, there is a full programme of displays and re-enactments including visiting ‘soldiers, sailors and airmen’ with all their kit and vehicles and maybe even a major historical figure or two.

And for added atmosphere, on Sunday 3rd May, there will be a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’ s Spitfire.

This year’s event will see an expanded range of displays including military encampments, battle scenes and displays dedicated to how people lived their lives back on the home front.

As well as unlimited rides on trains pulled by one or other of two steam locomotives on duty, refreshments will be available from the well-stocked café and real ale bar and, of course the Museum and shop will also be open.

Once again the neighbouring 34th Bomb Group Museum will also be open over the weekend with lots of historic artefacts on display.

Middy (Mid Suffolk Light Railway) in the War Years takes place at Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket, on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May. For full details of this very popular event visit www.middyatwar.co.uk

Pirates Needed

Ahoy me hearties, St Elizabeth Hospice is on the lookout for pirates to join their crew for the Midnight Walk on Saturday 16th May 2015.

Men and women can choose to walk or run one of three new and improved routes which all start and finish at Ipswich Town Football Club; the five mile, eight mile, or the more challenging half marathon.

Gavin Lamb, event organiser, said, “The Midnight Walk is fast approaching and we’re all getting really excited for the biggest and best night of the year!

“We’ve already got over 1,200 people signed up and that number is going up all the time – so sign your crew up now.”

Pirate fancy dress is optional, but if you do want to dress up, then head to your nearest St Elizabeth Hospice shop where you can get your hands on an array of pirate fancy-dress all for £5 and under.

If you don’t want to take part in the event, but still want to be involved, why not volunteer on the night and join the Cap’ains Crew! Without volunteers, the Hospice’s biggest fundraising event of the year wouldn’t be possible, so could you spare an evening to help your local Hospice?

To find out more, or to sign up for the Midnight Walk for just £15 per person, visit www.midnightwalkipswich.co.uk or call 01473 707043.

All participants are asked to raise sponsorship, and all money raised will help the Hospice to provide vital care and support to patients and their families.

St Elizabeth Hospice costs millions of pounds a year to run and relies on donations, gifts in Wills and fundraising events like the Midnight Walk to meet the majority of these costs.

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From Suffolk to the Trenches

A Town lecture entitled From Suffolk to the Trenches by Louise Miller will be at the Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich on Thursday 14th May 2015 from 1.00pm until 1.50pm.

After she was seriously wounded in 1916, Flora Sandes became a household name during WW1 for her exploits in the Serbian Army. She rose rapidly through the ranks, was mentioned twice in dispatches and was awarded the Star of Karadorde for bravery under fire. She remains the only woman known to have gone into battle as an enlisted Soldier during the War. Louise Miller examines why, of all the millions of Allied women who undertook some form of war work, only Flora was able to become a soldier. For the answer, Louise looks at both Flora’s upbringing in Suffolk and the extraordinary set of circumstances that arose in Serbia during the War, which led to British women flocking there in their hundreds.

Tea and biscuits are available. The kettle will be on the hob at 12.30pm.

Although admission is free, a retiring collection of £2.00 will be appreciated. This is to defray expenses incurred in hosting the series.

• More details can be obtained from secretary@ipswich-arts.org.uk www.ipswich-arts.org.uk or Telephone 01473 836973

Talk will focus on Abbey’s history On Monday 18th May the historian Sheila Harrison will present an illustrated talk to the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group on the history of Leiston Abbey.

Sunday lunch on Sailing Barge Victor

Summer is now approaching fast and, after a long winter painting and sprucing up Victor, she will be ready to welcome guests with a range of upgraded scheduled cruises.

New this year are Sunday Lunch Cruise’s with locally sourced meats and the usual trimmings or a delicious vegetarian option. What better way to spend a Sunday than sailing down past Pin Mill with lunch on the way? Or try Victor’s upgraded Cream Tea Cruise which now include sandwiches?

As always, Victor not only has regular schedule of cruises to suit individuals and small parties but the sailing barge is also available for private charter for larger parties, family celebrations or business events.

And of course the River Orwell and River Stour remain amongst the most beautiful rivers in the UK on which to experience the timeless pleasure of sailing on Victor.

For further information and all bookings, please contact Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St Stephen’s Street, Ipswich on 01473 258070 or email tourist@ipswich.gov.uk Visit www.sbvictor.co.uk to download the 2015 sailing cruise schedules

From its foundation in 1184 when it was sited on an island at Minsmere, through its move inland to Leiston in 1363, up to its closure on 21st August 1536 as part of Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. The speaker will describe the life of the Abbey and incidents in its history, which are recorded in original documents.

Sheila Harrison read History at Somerville College, Oxford, and during her career was a lecturer at a college of further and higher education and a tutor for the Open University. Since coming to live in Suffolk she has researched the history of Butley Priory and Leiston Abbey and has made a study of the diaries of the 18th century Norfolk parson James Woodforde. She gives talks on all of these subjects to historical societies, the U3A, Women’s Institutes and other groups across Suffolk.

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm at the Leiston Community Centre, King George’s Avenue, IP16 4JX (between the Crown pub and the fire station).

Visitors are very welcome, £2.50 including tea/coffee and biscuits.

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only child change a light bulb?

He stands there and waits for the world to revolve around him.

Flying Solo This month we saw something called National Siblings Day. I am not entirely sure what the day is for – it’s a safe bet that if you have brothers or sisters, you probably know about it. I can only think that it serves as a reminder to cherish ones family in a vain attempt to extract some money out of us whilst doing so.

I have a certain envy for those of you who have a brother, sister or both. There are a number of myths surrounding only children and as one I wish to clarify certain assumptions: We are special. Our parents were of the opinion that they simply could not do any better than the one child they already had.

We were the centre of attention and when we weren’t we made sure we were again.

Sharing does not come naturally to us. If you want something, ask. Don’t assume that we think about you.

We did not have a snooty ‘teacher’s pet’ sister that made all of our achievements seem trivial. When we did something it was always the best thing any child in the world had ever done.

We are not spoilt. We earned everything we received with meticulous and intelligent manipulation of our parents.

On a more serious note there is nothing I would like more than an older sister. The downsides of being an only child are many and varied. Football, cricket, tennis, squash, cycling and especially hide and seek, are utter rubbish when played by yourself. The most depressing game in the world is patience – a game designed for one.

When your best buddy is an Action Man you know that loneliness is a problem.

This is why we turn into independent thinkers with a certain determination and idea of life. After all… how does an

All Mod Cons In a fit of mad peak my wife and I decided to take three days holiday. Not since 2008 have we been so rash and carefree. So we took a trip to Brighton. I chose this location because, as a Mod, I wanted to see where it all happened – and yes I did find ‘that’ alley that is featured in Quadrophenia.

What did surprise me was the Brighton of today. I expected a version of the seaside town I grew up in. I was way off. It is a fantastic place. Incredible architecture for mile upon mile, clean streets, friendly people, a village in the sea and the rewards of investment everywhere. It was that last bit that puzzled me. My town, Yarmouth, has had fishing, tourism and oil as big industries – and yet it has managed to turn itself into a place you avoid.

Brighton has only had tourism and the visit of a Prince, but the place is swimming in money.

I am sure there are lessons that all towns can learn from Brighton. Invest

heavily, wisely and ‘for the people’. It is really not that difficult.

Swiss Army Telephone After being badgered and laughed at by my children I finally caved in and bought a new phone. I am amazed by what it can do. I’ll be further amazed if I ever make use of a tenth of it. Phone makers are still pretty stupid however.

This new thing has a heart rate monitor, but not the sense to ring an ambulance if you develop arrhythmia whilst playing with it.

I had to smile when the section on ‘Making A Phone Call’ was barely mentioned and tucked away at the end of the manual.

Has everyone forgotten what a phone is actually for?

Back On Days Delighted to be back on weekday radio. The new show is midday till two Monday to Friday. This means that, with the Saturday show, I now work over thirteen hours a week. And they say nurses have it tough.

See you in June…

Young people battle the elements to create wildlife haven A group of inspired young people took to the streets of Ipswich in April to raise funds to create a community garden by Ipswich Waterfront.

Team 23, from the charity Inspire Suffolk, stood in Tavern Street, outside the former Great White Horse Hotel and entertained the passing shoppers with music and song raising £72 over the lunchtime period. The group are taking in The Prince’s Trust 12-week Team programme, delivered by Inspire Suffolk, which helps unemployed young people gain the skills and confidence they need to find a job.

The money raised was added to £132 they had raised the previous week from a bake sale and car wash. And a £100 was also generously donated by Barclays after the group presented to staff at the bank and explained about the Community project they hoped to undertake, giving them £204 in total.

Tim Clark, Team Leader for Ipswich explained, “The money they raised has helped Team 23 to start a community garden on the derelict land next door to the Lord Nelson public house on Fore Street, near the Ipswich Waterfront.”

The group decided to begin to overhaul this piece of land, after a site visit and agreed plans with Suffolk County Council. In just seven days and cold biting winds the young people have created a haven for wildlife with a mix of flowers and vegetables. It is hoped the garden will be visited and cared for in the future

by the local community and includes a cane frame for runner beans, trenches for wildflowers, and carrots which have been planted by donated seeds.

Student Gussie Stafford spoke of his experience so far with the Team Programme, “When I found out about The Prince’s Trust Team Programme run by Inspire Suffolk I thought it sounded like a really good opportunity for me as I’d gain another qualification at the end of it.” Gussie found out about Team after leaving sixth form. “I was feeling a little lost not really knowing what to do after I’d left school but now, after just six weeks on this programme, I want to hopefully go into music and radio. I have my own radio show for Felixstowe Community Radio on Saturdays from 3pm until 5pm. We asked Gussie, who also provided the vocals for their day of busking, which bit of Team she’s enjoyed the most to date. “Definitely the week’s residential at Lambourne End. You meet people who are just like you and by the end of the week you are a really strong team, who’ve really connected. I’m amazed what we’ve managed to achieve so far.” Gussie concluded.

Tim Clark explains the hopes for the gardens future, “The team used up-cycled tyres to grow various plants and vegetables. The central part of the land has been cleared and there are plans to clear the front and rear areas in the near future. We are working with other organisations to continue with the garden and we hope that other local volunteers and charities will add additional weight to this programme carrying forward the work our team has started.”

Since 2008 Inspire Suffolk, a local, independent charity, has worked with The Prince’s Trust to provide a 12 week personal development programme ‘Team’ where the young people learn the importance of team work, gain work experience placements, learn CV writing and interview skills techniques and also decide as a group to improve their local community and fundraise to achieve the monies necessary to complete these community projects.

The 12-week Team Programmes are run by Inspire Suffolk and The Princes Trust regularly in Lowestoft, Ipswich, Sudbury and Stowmarket. If you know of a young person aged between 16 and 25 who is currently unemployed and not in education or training get them to get in touch either by emailing andyc@inspiresuffolk.org.uk or by calling Andy Crump the Education Delivery Manager for Inspire Suffolk on 0845 1369 333 for more details.

The courses are completely free of charge and aim to lead Suffolk’s young people onto brighter more fulfilling futures. www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people get the skills and confidence to change their lives. Three in four young people helped

by The Trust move into work, training or education. For more information about The Prince’s Trust visit www.princes-trust.org.uk

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DanceEast offer evening of spectacular dance Presented twice nightly to an intimate audience of just 60, this evening of dance promises a rare and spectacular experience.

At the Jerwood DanceHouse for one night only on Friday 15th May, Theo Clinkard’s brand new double bill, Of Land And Tongue, delivers a truly visceral dance experience in an intimate setting, a 60 seat capacity, where live music and breath taking dance combine.

Following his inaugural company work Ordinary Courage, choreographer, performer and designer, Theo Clinkard returns with Of Land And Tongue. This double bill, which his sevenstrong company premiered in June 2014, is conceived for unusual and atmospheric spaces such as warehouses, village halls, school gyms and galleries as well as conventional theatres, like the Jerwood DanceHouse.

Clinkard uses the iconic cliffs of his hometown as a point of departure in Chalk, his stark and poetic duet with composer James Keane that starts off the evening. Through a series of physical and aural explorations, they encourage us to observe the space between that which is unfamiliar and that which we recognise deeply within ourselves.

Through eloquent dance, vivid imagery, conversation and song, an accumulation of untranslatable words from other cultures are brought to life to visceral, compelling and occasionally hilarious effect. Of Land And Tongue is a dance of odd sensations and unnameable experiences performed by an exceptional cast

and set to live music, that invites audiences to consider the shifting relations between that which is experienced and that which can be articulated.

Set to live music by James Keane and presented twice nightly to an intimate audience, this evening of work promises a rare and spectacular experience; from nuanced performances that capitalise on the intimacy of the setting, to visceral physicality that rips across the floor at the audiences feet.

• Of Land and Tongue will be at DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse, Foundry Lane, Ipswich, on Friday 15th May at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. To book tickets contact the Box Office on 01473 295230 or visit www.danceeast.co.uk

Bury St Edmunds Festival offers eclectic blend Now in it’s 30th Year The Bury St Edmunds Festival takes place from Friday 15th until Sunday 24th May and with an inspirational programme of entertainment mixing old and new there is something on offer to suit all tastes.

The Festival combines top international performers with opportunities for local people to get involved.

Festival Manager Nick Wells has looked back to the Festival’s origins as a weekend of ‘Words and Music’ for this year’s theme; bringing together exciting pairings of words, music, film, dance, art and juggling that will surprise and delight audiences.

Based at the award-winning Apex concert hall, Festival events will also take place at a range of atmospheric venues including the Theatre Royal, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, St Mary’s Church, Unitarian Meeting House, The Hunter Club, Abbeygate Cinema, and Smiths Row. The Festival will open with night of hot Cuban grooves with acclaimed violinist Omar Puente and his band to get everyone up and dancing at the Apex.

Bury Bach Choir will put on a rare performance of Britten’s huge War Requiem together with the North London Chorus, St Edmundsbury Cathedral Boys Choir and two orchestras. Festival favourites Queen of Swing Clare Teal with her Mini Big Band and Black Dyke Band recently crowned national brass band champions for the 23rd time.

Composer Jocelyn Pook back in her home town with her ensemble to perform her award-winning film scores and music, including a piece using answerphone messages.

Plus films, theatre, folk, opera and much more…

The 2015 Festival brochure is widely available or can be viewed online on the Festival website at www.buryfestival.co.uk, follow the Festival on Twitter @buryfestival Tickets for all Festival events are available at the Festival Box Office in the Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds. Book online at www.buryfestival.co.uk, call 01284 758000 or email bookings@theapex.co.uk Concert goers can order pre-performance light meals at the Apex Bar, while the Apex café is open all day for drinks and snacks.

ROBERT CLA RK

PROMISES O F H A P P I N E FRI 1 MAY | 7 .30PM SS THEO CLINKARD

OF LAND AND TONGUE FRI 15 MAY | 6.30 & 8.30PM 13

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• Police Cops

Returning for its 15th year, PULSE is a ten day festival that offers a bright and inspiring snapshot of contemporary theatre with established and emerging artists both local and those from further afield.

Opening PULSE are Britain’s hottest young acrobats, the all-male trio Barely Methodical Troupe with Bromance, described as “a jawdropping magnificent show” by The Stage. The performance won a Total Theatre Award at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival and is a witty and inventive mix of flawlessly-timed acrobatics, shoulder-high balances and a stunning routine inside a spinning metal wheel. Completing the double bill is Idle Motion’s That is All You Need to Know, a fantastic piece of visual theatre that tells the story of Bletchley Park and the untold secrets of the remarkable men and women, such as Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman, who cracked the enigma code during WWII.

PULSE wouldn’t be PULSE without a chance to catch an early glimpse of ideas that artists are working on right now. Among the artists sharing work in progress on Scratch Day (30th May) are Christopher Brett Baily and Kazuko Hohki.

This year for the first time Latitude Festival joins Mayfest (Bristol), Watch Out (The Junction, Cambridge), Sprint Festival (Camden People’s Theatre, London) and PULSE to offer the Spring Festivals Commission. This year’s chosen piece of work is Action Hero’s Wrecking Ball which will be performed as a work-in-progress at PULSE on Saturday 30th. Wrecking Ball generates a conversation about consent, authorship and putting words in other people’s mouths, and is about what it really means to say ‘yes’.

The Children and Young People’s Day features workshops and performances including Kid Carpet and the Noisy Neighbours and Bookstory.

For the first time this year, there will be an evening of work created by young people consisting of a double bill featuring A+E performed by students from East 15 acting school and the New Wolsey Theatre’s Young Associate Artists present Births, Deaths and Marriages.

New this year, PULSE features a day of programming focused on deaf and disabled artists and audiences. A day of performance and provocation, aimed at inspiring theatre-makers to think and act differently around disability and inclusion, Ramps On The Moon (5th June) will include talks and performances from Fingersmiths and Sue Maclaine among others. This year, working with Agent for Change Jamie Beddard, PULSE aims to increase the number of deaf and disabled audiences by offering more accessible performances and programming more work with disabled performers.

Other highlights of PULSE 2015 include Inua Ellams The Spalding Suite which is inspired by the UK’s basketball sub-culture and mixes live beatboxing, hip-hop, music, moves and poetry, Chris Goode’s STAND examines what makes people elect to take a stand for what they believe in and Greyscale Theatre Company’s War Is Boring/War Is Fun was written 24 years ago during a civil war by a teenage girl. Half of it was written while living on one side of the conflict, and the other half while on the other.

• Show Off

Suitcase Prize Day (29th May) began at PULSE 2013 as a way of encouraging theatre makers to think about making and touring work in a more environmentally and economically sustainable way, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint that touring theatre leaves behind it. It returns for the 3rd time this year with ten shows competing to be named best show that can be toured on public transport.

The festival will also end each day with free music in the New Wolsey bar to entice in non theatre going audiences and create a sense of community amongst the companies, artists and audiences and generally create a buzz around the festival and the work.

Ed and Paul of China Plate, the festival’s cocurators, said, “For 10 days, the New Wolsey will be bursting at the seams with bold and beautiful shows from some of the most innovative and exciting theatre makers working in the UK. It’s hard to pull out highlights in such a strong programme but this year’s opening double-bill is a great night out featuring two Total Theatre Award winning companies: Barely Methodical’s hugely energetic circus piece Bromance and Idle Motion’s stunning That Is All You Need to Know, which lifts the lid on events at Bletchley Park during WWII. Also look out for Every Brilliant Thing and Wot No Fish, uplifting tear jerkers both, I, Malvolio from UK theatre legend Tim Crouch (a must for anyone thinking of bringing teenage children), and you won’t see anything else like This Is How We Die from Chris Brett-Bailey - described by one critic as more of a rite of passage than a show!”

• The PULSE Festival 2015 runs from Thursday 28th May until Saturday 6th June. For more information about PULSE and to book tickets visit www.pulseipswich.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01473 295900.

• Kid Carpet

• Women’s Hour

• Wrecking Ball

• Eggs Collective

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It’s Showtime! – Jazz Hands and Much More It’s Showtime! Is a glitzy song and dance show, with some comedy thrown in for good measure. There will be songs from some of the all time favourites, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Kiss me Kate, Cabaret and of course Les Miserables. But also there will be some rock ‘n’ roll from All Shook Up and the youth will be featuring songs from Buggy and much much more.

“It’s not what we include in the show, it’s what we have to leave out which is the difficult part!” said the director of the next Stage Door Theatre Company production, Claire Hopkins. “It’s been really difficult because we have so much to choose from but I believe we have got a good mix of favourites.”

The show is a real family affair too as Claire’s daughter Danii is in charge of choreography. “It’s fair to say we do talk about the show a lot at home.” said Claire. “With Jo King as our MD and Norman Lloyd as producer we have a great team on board to deliver what we hope will be fabulous show” It’s Showtime! will be performed at Kesgrave Community Centre Twelve Acre Approach Kesgrave on 29th and 30th May at 7.45pm with 2.30pm matinee on 30th May. Tickets are all priced at £9 from New Wolsey Box Office, phone 01473 295900 or online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

“Listen very carefully, I will say this only once” Based on the hugely successful British television series which ran for seven seasons, Allo Allo is an uproarious comedy which relates the adventures of a hapless café owner, Rene, in occupied France during WW2.

Rene and his wife, Edith, have stashed a priceless portrait stolen

by Major-General von Klinkerhoffen.

They have hidden it inside a sausage in their cellar where two British airmen are hiding. Rene is also hiding the painting on behalf of a Gestapo office, Herr Flick, which happens to be a forgery and is also inside a sausage.

Will Edith find out that Rene is having an affair with his waitress Yvette? Will Yvette find out that he is also having an affair with his other waitress, Mimi? Will Lieutenant

Gruber stop asking Rene to go for a drive in his tank and can Officer Crabtree’s French get any worse?

Join the Deben Players as they bring to life the wonderful world of Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft.

Allo Allo is at the Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge School from Wednesday 13th May until Saturday 16th May, nightly at 7.30pm.

• Book your tickets online at www.debenplayers.net or call the Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

40th anniversary of Fawlty Towers Two Rivers Theatre Company are marking the 40th anniversary of the classic BBC TV sitcom ‘Fawlty Towers’ by staging three episodes at The Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich this May. Director Mark Watts has chosen ‘The Builders’, ‘The Hotel Inspectors’ and ‘The Germans’ to make an evening of laughter and timeless entertainment.

“The thing about ‘Fawlty Towers’ is each episode was written as a stand alone piece” said Mark “There were only 12 made and each one is a perfect half hour of comedy and farce. They weren’t written for the theatre but they adapt to the stage beautifully.”

David Turner has taken on the part of Basil Fawlty, a daunting task for any actor but one he relishes, “It’s such a challenge to play him and not just because he’s on stage for pretty much the whole time,” said David “The situations Basil gets himself into are absurd yet we believe in them because the characters are all so real.”

The cast also includes Caryn Skinner as Sybil Fawlty, Paul Murthwaite as Manuel and Emma Adams as Polly, along with many other cameos for the Two Rivers Company.

“It’s a big cast, which is lovely as so many of our members wanted to be involved,” said Mark “ Even though it was first broadcast in 1975, lots of people remember ‘Fawlty Towers’ with fondness, it’s great to bring back it to life again.”

Fawlty Towers is being performed from Wednesday 13th until Saturday 16th May 2015 at the Sir John Mills Theatre, Gatacre Road, Ipswich. Tickets priced £9 or £8 for concessions available from the Box Office, 10am – 2pm Monday to Friday 01473 211498 or online at www.easternangles.co.uk 15

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Have your Event Listed Free!!

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: Suite 9, 85 Dales Rd, Ipswich IP1 4JR

Every Sunday

Lions Club of Ipswich Car Boot Sale, Portman Road Car Park, Ipswich (Weather permitting), Gates open 8am, Pitch fees - car £5.00, Car & Trailer £10.00, small van (Escort size) £5.00, large van (transit size) £10.00 all payable on entry, Refreshments and toilets on site, Other details visit www.lionsclubofipswich.org.uk The Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum open, rear of Parkers Place, off Eagle Way, Martlesham Heath IP5 3UX, 2pm to 5pm, Admission is free, donations are appreciated, Parking is easy and free.

Ballroom and Latin Class, 22 Bond Street, Ipswich, 7pm – 8pm, 07736 306519 Giant Sunday Market, Mannings Amusements, Felixstowe, from 9am

Every Monday

Badminton, Handford Hall School, Gatacre Rd, Ipswich, 7.15pm - 9.30pm, experienced players and beginners always very welcome, for a free taster session or more information please contact Adrian 01473 464920 Ballroom and Latin Class, Goals Centre, Suffolk New College, Grimwade Street, Ipswich, IP4 1LT, 6.30pm 7.30pm, 01473 251323, 07736306519 Yoga, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich, 10am - 11am, £3.30 per session, New members welcome, For further information contact: 01473 727796.

Pilates, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich, 1.45pm - 2.45 pm, £5 per class, New members welcome, for further details contact: 07773 456078.

Suffolk Promenaders Square Dance Club, Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich, 7.30pm – 10pm, Only £2.50, tea and coffee provided, contact 01473 422663 or 01473 415785 for further details Badminton, Suffolk New Academy Sports Centre, Birkfield Drive, Ipswich, 6pm - 7pm, Beginners and experienced players welcome, Come along for your free first session or call/text Gill 07706 044861 or Peter 07802 173041 for more information.

Every Tuesday H H H H H H H H H H H H H H French conversation and debate groups at Arlington’s café with native French speaker.

Friendly, fun, informal, informative, structured. Intermediate level : 10am.

Beginners : 11am. Advanced level debate group : 8pm. Contact Lucille on 07982 135 181 orellevenn@btinternet.com.

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Ipswich Croquet Club, Fynn Valley Golf Club, Witnesham, 6pm, Beginners always very welcome, For a free taster session contact 01394-671642 or fran@franrousham.plus.com Table Tennis. All standards and ages 7.30pm to 9pm, Lindsey Village Hall (next to the church), Lindsey (near Hadleigh), IP7 6PP, £2, further information 07768 828362

Ballroom and Latin class, Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, 7pm - 8pm, 01473 729271 Art Group, Castle Hill Community Centre, Highfield Road, Ipswich, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, all welcome, for details phone 07443 630072 New Beginners Latin and American Dance Classes, Methodist Church Hall, Seaton Rd, Felixstowe, 7 - 8pm Co-op Ladies Choir meet at The Co-op Education Centre from 2.15pm to 3.30pm, performing a variety of music including chart hits, musicals and classical.

To join, call Lynn Scannell 01473 710820 Martlesham Heath Country Market, The Pavilion, The Square, Martlesham Heath, 9am, home-made, homegrown, and home-crafted items for sale.

For further information Tel 01473 623849 or www.martleshammarket.co.uk

Every Wednesday

Ipswich Croquet Club, Fynn Valley Golf Club, Witnesham, 2pm, Beginners always very welcome.

For a free taster session contact 01394 671642 or fran@franrousham.plus.com Ballroom and Latin Classes, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich, 7pm – 8pm, £3, new members welcome, for more information call 01473 729271 Tea Dance, Ipswich School of Dancing, Bond Street, Ipswich, 2pm - 4pm, tea and biscuits included, Voices Together, award winning female singing group, Whitehouse Baptist Church, Waterford Road, Ipswich, 7.30pm - 9pm. Friendly rehearsals. No auditions, Easy listening music, Interested? Call Kath 01473 652351

Every Thursday

Art Group, Harkstead Village Hall, Harkstead, 10am – 12pm, all welcolme, 01473 787633 Ipswich Croquet Club, Fynn Valley Golf Club, Witnesham, 6pm, Beginners always very welcome.

For a free taster session contact 01394 671642 or fran@franrousham.plus.com Sequence Dancing, Martlesham Community Hall, 7.30pm - 9.45pm, £3.00 per person, new members welcome, further information contact 01473 729424 Carpet Bowls, Nacton Village Hall, 7.30pm and have a go, First 3 visits free, then £2 per evening if you like us and want to stay. A sociable and fun evening.

Just turn up!

Badminton, Handford Hall School, Gatacre Rd, Ipswich, 7.15pm - 9.30pm, experienced players and beginners always welcome. More information contact Adrian 01473 464920 Carpet Bowls, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich, 2pm – 4.15pm, £2.80 includes tea & Biscuits, for further information telephone 01473 725274, Coffee and Chat: informal coffee morning with activities, 10am – 12pm, All Saints Church Hall Blenheim Road, Ipswich

EVENTS

guide

Woodbridge Country Market, Woodbridge Community Hall, next to Deben Pool, 10am - 11.15am, Local Home Produced Food, Plants, Vegetables and Hand made crafts for sale, Comfortable tea room to meet your friends, Open to all Free Entry.

Ipswich Country Market, Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Douncy Lane, Ipswich, 10.15am - 11.30am, Lots of home baked and handcrafted items available as well as Gluten free produces and local honey. Seasonal fruit and vegetables hand picked the day before. Free parking and tea and coffee refreshments available.

Every Friday

Country Market, Trades and Labour Club, High Road West, Felixstowe, 10am – 11am, Preserves, eggs, garden produce and crafts, 01394 272003, www.country-markets.co.uk Carpet Bowls, Sidegate Lane Community Centre Ipswich, 2pm - 5pm, £2.50, per session, New Members very welcome, for more details contact Tony Crane on 01473 410740

Every Saturday

Strictly Fun, Ipswich School of Dancing, Bond Street, Ipswich, 6pm – 7pm, learn cha cha and waltz like your favourite Strictly Celebrities, 01473 251323 Children’s Cheerleading Classes, Inspire Suffolk, Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, 9am, £2 per child, Contact 07825 498730

Fri 1st May

Swing Machine, Jazz by the Waterfront, St Peter’s by the Waterfront, Ipswich, 7.45pm Martlesham Heath Aviation Society Monthly Meeting, Main Hall, Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Old Felixstowe Road (behind Tesco), Martlesham Heath, 7.30pm, Free Entry, the Society’s Annual General Meeting, This will be followed by a Selection of unusual Video Films some rare. See the Society website: www.mhas.org.uk or call: H King on 01473 274300 for more information

Sat 2nd May

Dance, Trimley St Martin Memorial Hall, Ballroom, Latinand Sequence. £10 per couple, refreshments. Tel 01394 282285 School Band and Jazz Band Concert, The Assembly Hall, Royal Hospital School, Ipswich, 7.30pm, Tickets from Ipswich Regent Box Office 01473 433100 Craft & Gift Fair, St Peter’s by the Water Front, Ipswich, 10am – 4pm

Sun 3rd May - Mon 4th May

Middy in the War Years, Military vehicles, displays, steam trains and a spirtfire flypast. Brockford Sation, Wetheringsett. Tel 01449 766899. www.middyatwar.co.uk.

Ipswich24 cannot be held responsible for cancellation of events, if in doubt contact the venue before travelling. More events can be found at www.ipswich24.co.uk

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Have your Event Listed Free!!

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: Suite 9, 85 Dales Rd, Ipswich IP1 4JR Sun 3rd May

Tue 12th May

Ipswich Mayday Festival, Alexandra Park, Ipswich, from 12pm

Ipswich and District Historical Transport Society Meeting, Ascension Hall, Larchcroft Road, Ipswich, presentation on the 617 Squadron and the Dambusters Raid by Robert Owen (617 Historian), 7.30pm, 01473 42214

Mon 4th May

Thu 14th May

Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run, Over 500 vehicles gathering in Christchurch Park, Ipswich in the morning, and starting to depart for Felixstowe at 11.30am, On display on Felixstowe Promenade in the afternoon.

Art & Craft Show, Mendlesham Street Fair, Old Station Road, Mendlesham, 10.30am, £2.50

Tue 5th May

Lunchtime Concert, St Mary Le Tower, Ipswich, 1.10pm – 1.55pm, www.stmarytower.org.uk

Wed 6th May

Orwell Decorative and Fine Arts Society Monthly Meeting, Tower Hall, Rushmere St Andrew, 2pm, Illustrated Talk: ‘ Thomas Gainsborough’ by Mark Bills, Non-members welcome £5 donation asked

Fri 8th May – Sat 16th May

Shattered, Red Rose Chain, A new play exploring e-safety and cyber bullying. Written and directed by Joanna Carrick. To book tickets contact 01473 603388

Sat 9th May - Sun 31st May Suffolk Walking Festival, www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

Sat 9th May

Concert, School Chapel, Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, East of England Organ Day – A Parisian Extravaganza! All day event, culminating with an organ recital by Olivier Latry at 5pm, Tickets from Ipswich Regent Box Office 01473 433100 Jumble Sale, Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, IP14 2BD, 2pm – 3.30pm, admission 20p Orford Food Market, St Bartholomew’s Church, Orford, 9.30am – 2.30pm

Sun 10th May

Over and Under Day, Includes a guided tour of Ipswich Transport Museum, transfer to Ipswich waterfront by bus, and a trip on the sailing barge “Victor”, Pre-booking only at Ipswich Tourist Information Centre on 01473 258070 Royce’s Charity Fun Day, Ipswich Y M Rugby Club, The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, 2pm, Bouncy Castle, Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, Guest Apperarance from Olaf, Raffles, cakes, Mini Quiz with cash prize, plus much more. In aid of St Elizabeth’s Hospice.

Great British Dog Walk, Ickworth Park, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Both walks start at 11am, check in and registration from 10am, two walk routes to choose from – 3k and 7k. Plus lots of other activities including craft stalls, games for the family and demonstrations by the fabulous Hearing Dogs display team. Ticket costs include entry to Ickworth’s beautiful park. All walkers will get a pair of their very own doggy ears at the start of the walk, plus a marvellous goody bag containing lots of goodies at the finish, Adult £10; children under 14 yrs £5.00, In aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, www.greatbritishdogwalk.org

Lunchtime Concert, St Mary Le Tower, Ipswich, 1.10pm – 1.55pm, www.stmarytower.org.uk

Guest Lecture, UCS Auditorium, The Waterfront Building, 01473 42214, 5.30pm, The Public Life of Climate Change by Professor Mike Hulme, to book or for more information email theucsacademy@ucs.ac.uk

Sat 16th May – Sun 17th May

EVENTS

guide

Thu 21st May

Ipswich Branch, Suffolk Family History Society Monthly Meeting, The Red Cross Hall, Chevallier Street, Ipswich, 7.30pm, A brief Branch A.G.M. followed by “Looking at Ipswich - The Paintings and Story of Arthur Kemp”, Admission £2 per person for Society members, £2.50 per person for non - members, who are also warmly welcomed - you can join the Society at the meeting if you wish, Tickets are not required - just turn up and pay on the door.

Fri 22nd May – Mon 25th May

Art Show, Tithe Barn, Sproughton, Preview night on Friday, tickets £6 by calling 01473 747600, show open Saturday – Monday 10am – 5pm, £1 entry, all proceeds to Lion’s Club of Ipswich Presidents Charities

Beer Festival, Sproughton Tithe Barn, IP8 3AA, 12pm – 11pm, Featuring beer, cider and local larger from over 25 local and regional brewers, live music Saturday evening, pub quiz 7pm Sunday, food available all weekend, Free Entry

Sat 23rd May – Mon 25th May

Sat 16th May

FREE volleyball with Ipswich Ravens, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 2pm - 4pm, Beginners or experienced, adults and juniors age 9 upwards. Call or text Steve 07584 636669

Hadleigh Show, Holbecks Park, Hadleigh, Open from 8am, last entry 4.30pm, www.hadleighshow.co.uk Ceilidhs on the Move with Ducking and Diving, The Village Hall, Clopton, Nr Woodbridge, IP13 6QN, 7pm, Adults £8, Youths £4, U 10s Free- Family £20, 01394 383329 Wolsey Orchestra, Corn Exchange, Ipswich. Holst Somerset Rhapsody, Elgar Cello Concerto - soloist Olivia Da Costa, Prokofiev Symphony No.5, 7.30pm.

Tickets £13, £10 (concessions), students free. Box Office: 01473 433100 FREE Volleyball with Ipswich Ravens, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 2pm - 4pm, Beginners or experienced, adults and juniors age 9 upwards. Call or text Steve 07584 636669 Midnight Walk, Starts Ipswich Town Football club, in aid of St Elizabeth’s Hospice. To register your place visit www.midnightwalkipswich.co.uk Concert, Friends Meeting House, Fonnereau Rd, Ipswich, IP1 3JH, 7.30pm, tickets £6, Ipswich Amnesty Concert featuring Cornerhouse Trio and klezmer group Street Café, 01473 257649, www.amnestyipswich.org.uk Concert, The Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, 7.30pm, Ipswich Choral Society Presents “Voyaging”, www.ipswichchoralsociety.org

Sun 17th May

Wedding Fayre, Kesgrave Community & Conference Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, 11am – 3pm – see page 18 Evening of Variety, Woodbridge Community Hall, 7.30pm, Ted Loss – Rustic Humour, Dennis Maisey, Colneis Singers, Versatile Vocalist Gill Nicholls, Geneva Downes, Diana Minter, Veronica White, music with Natasha Free Duo, Tickets £7 in advance, £8 on the door, 01473719761, in aid of Orwell Mencap.

Tue 19th May

Lunchtime Concert, St Mary Le Tower, Ipswich, 1.10pm – 1.55pm, www.stmarytower.org.uk

Peninsula Craft Group Spring Show, The Shipwreck, Shotley, 10am – 5pm, Free Entry, Free Parking

Sat 23rd May

Sun 24th May

Spring Plant Fair, Helmigham Hall, Stowmarket, IP14 6EF, 10am - 4pm, £7 included entry into Helmingham Hall’s gardens

Mon 25th May

Craft Fayre, Fynn Valley Golf Club, Near Ipswich, 10am – 3pm, Free Goody bag for the first 100 through the door, £1 entry (free after 1pm) – to be donated to L’Arche, which offers support to people living with a learning disability who live as a community in a shared house.

Tue 26th May

Lunchtime Concert, St Mary Le Tower, Ipswich, 1.10pm – 1.55pm, www.stmarytower.org.uk

Wed 27th May – Thu 28th

Suffolk Show, Trinity Park, Ipswich, www.suffolkshow. co.uk - see pages 4 & 5

Sat 30th May

Pre-Loved & Nearly New Table Top Sale, The St Raphael Club, 26 High Field Road (Off Norwich Road), Ipswich, IP1 6DA, 1pm - 3pm, Refreshments Available, Free Lunches, Book & Plant Sale, Church Room, Bramford, 11.30am – 2pm, FREE volleyball with Ipswich Ravens, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 2pm - 4pm, Beginners or experienced, adults and juniors age 9 upwards. Call or text Steve 07584 636669 Abba and the 70s Disco, Orwell Lady River Cruise, book tickets from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, 01473 258070 or CoffeeLink (on the Waterfront), www.orwellrivercruises.com

Copy Deadline for June issue: Friday 8th May

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk – Please put “Listings” in subject title 17

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Your Big Day Have you just got engaged? Planning a wedding?

Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre (KWMCC) are launching their first Wedding Fayre, which takes place on Sunday 17th May from 11.00am until 3pm at their wonderful venue in Kesgrave.

Having seen an increase in weddings being held at the venue makes it the perfect place for local wedding suppliers to offer their expertise and advice all in one place.

With over 30 wedding experts exhibiting, you will be able to talk to florists, bespoke caterers, the photographers who can capture those special moments just for you and everyone else that you could possibly need to help plan and organise your special day.

just want to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything, there is no better place to be than the Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre on Sunday 17th May. For more information about forthcoming events at KWMCC or to make an appointment to view the venue

There are also special wedding packages available that are unique to KWMCC and will be offered to those brides-to-be that book the venue for their special day.

The Wedding Fayre will also be supporting Age UK Suffolk and Clic Sargent with a raffle and representatives from the organisations on hand, to discuss the possibility for charity donations as an alternative wedding gift.

So whether you are looking for inspiration for your wedding day or

• Venue Design • Floral Arrangements • Balloon Art • Chair Covers • Buffet Catering • Chocolate Fountains • Popcorn Machine

NEW FOR 2015 • Vintage Candy Cart & Sweetie Tree Please contact us for a CD Brochure & Free Consultation

01394 200134 or 07889 822570 letsparty@btinternet.com www.letsparty-online.co.uk Follow us on Facebook

for your wedding, business or private function, please contact Business and Events Coordinator, Jo Barker by email at jo@kwmcc.co.uk For further information on all activities, events or to book a function room at KWMCC, please contact the centre on 01473 612648 or visit the website at www.kwmcc.co.uk

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ashtonjayne@ashtonjaynebridal.com 18

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www.ashtonjaynebridal.com

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Win tickets to see Tom in Forest gig Tom Odell has announced that he will be performing at Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk this Summer. The exceptionally talented artist is the first act to announce multiple dates as part of Forestry Commission’s Forest Live which will see him perform in seven spectacular woodland venues across England.

Released in June 2013, Tom Odell’s debut album ‘Long Way Down’ shot straight to number one. He heard the news whilst performing on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury that year. Described by The Telegraph as “utterly compelling”, singles from the album including ‘Can’t Pretend’, ‘Hold Me’ and the gargantuan ‘Another Love’ illustrate a song-writing maturity beyond his years. This has resulted in his achieving the ultimate industry accolade of ‘Songwriter of the Year’ at the 2014 Ivor Novello Awards as well as previously winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award for 2013. Following a succession of sold out headline tours and with ‘Long Way Down’ being certified gold, a packed summer of festival appearances in 2014 included V Festival, Isle of Wight and a show supporting one of his idols Neil Young at Hyde Park. Chosen to perform the soundtrack to this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, the 24-year-old has added his spine-tingling vocals to a cover of John Lennon’s classic ‘Real Love’, generating millions of YouTube views. Tom is currently in the studio recording his new album.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 14 year history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors.

With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Commenting on his forest gig, Tom Odell said, “This will be a whole new experience for me. I can’t wait to bring my live show to the woods and I hope to see you there.”

Tom Odell with special guests, Rae Morris, and The Beach will be at Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk on Sunday 5th July.

Tickets cost £34.50 (plus £3.45 booking fee) and are available from the Forestry Commission Box Office 03000 680400 or buy online: forestry.gov.uk/music.

PRIZ E COM P

— COMPETITION — Ipswich24 has got a pair of Tickets to see Tom Odell at Thetford Forest in July to give away to one lucky winner. To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize just send your answer to the following question, along with your name, address and a contact telephone number to: Tom Odell Competition, Ipswich24, Suite 9, 85 Dales Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JR or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk.

Q. What was Tom Odell’s debut album called?

Take a Chance On ABBA MANIA… and you won’t be disappointed!

The world’s number one touring ABBA tribute concert returns to the Ipswich Regent on Saturday 9th May. ABBA MANIA formed in 1999 and the show has been selling out theatres and concert halls internationally ever since. This show has toured the world in its quest to bring the music of the Swedish ‘Supergroup’ to their millions of fans, old and new!

ABBA dominated the charts for nearly ten years and enjoyed nine UK number 1 hits. ABBA’s timeless songs were written to be enjoyed live and ABBA MANIA gives you exactly that. Two hours of uplifting, dance inducing and sometimes heart-breaking songs. ABBA MANIA is not only for life long, die hard ABBA fans but also for the new generation of fans too.

If you’re looking for an excuse to party, reminisce or simply be entertained by the best music ever, then call the Ipswich Regent Box Office on 01473 433100 or visit www.ipswichregent.com 19

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Have your Event Listed Free!!

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: Suite 9, 85 Dales Rd, Ipswich IP1 4JR • Colourblind Hedgehogs

• Glamtastics

Fri 1st May

COLOURBLIND HEDGEHOGS, The Grapes, Bury St Edmunds NOT QUITE QUO, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 5pm

Sun 10th May

ANNIKA RANDS, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm FOXY ROCK, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave,

Mon 11th May

Sat 2nd May

BONESHAKERS, Bridgeward Social Club, Ipswich PAT JAMES, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave, KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

BARDS OF THE HEATH, Sorrel Horse, Shottisham, 8.30pm • The Martells

Sun 3rd May

BONESHAKERS, Kings Head, Hadleigh, 3pm KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe, 3pm MJ SOUL, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Mon 4th May

JADE MAYJEAN, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

GIGguide • Jade Mayjean

Thu 21st May

TERRY LEE TRAVIS, Olives Bar, Orwell Crossing, A14 East, Nacton

Fri 22nd May

THE REASON, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 5pm WORDS & MUSIC, The Bull Hotel, Woodbridge

Sat 23rd May

INFRARED, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave, WORDS & MUSIC, Owl & Pussycat, Felixstowe

Sun 24th May

Thu 14th May

THE MARTELLS, Olives Bar, Orwell Crossing, A14 East, Nacton

Fri 15th May

CHARLIE LAW & THE CABINEERS, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 5pm FOXY ROCK, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave, WORDS & MUSIC, The Alex, Felixstowe

Sun 25th May

UNDERCOVER SHADOWS, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

ARE WE THERE YET? Olives Bar, Orwell Crossing, A14 East, Nacton

COLOURBLIND HEDGEHOGS, The White Horse, Leiston BARNEY & THE RUBBLES, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

Fri 8th May – Sun 10th May

Sat 16th May

Sat 30th May

Sun 17th May

Sun 31st May

Thu 7th May

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, Hallowtree Scout Camp, Ipswich, www.orwellbluegrass.co.uk

Sat 9th May

GLAMTASTICS, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave,

COLOURBLIND HEDGEHOGS, The Falcon, Walton, Felixstowe KEVIN B, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave, ALAN BEAKS, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Thu 28th May

THE DIE HARDS, Olives Bar, Orwell Crossing, A14 East, Nacton ABBA & 70s DISCO, Orwell Lady River Cruise. Book 01473 258070 or CoffeeLink on the Waterfront JOE FRYD, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 12pm

ADVERTISE YOUR GIG HERE FREE!!!!

DEADLINE FOR JUNE. GIG LISTINGS FRIDAY 8th MAY Email: Gigs@ipswich24.co.uk

Ipswich24 cannot be held responsible for cancellation of events. If in doubt please check with venue before travelling 20

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Get The Blues at The Apex!

Otis Grand knows the Blues, from down-home Texas or Rockin’ R&B, to West Coast Jump and the classic sounds of 60s Chicago blues.

His reputation for being one of the most authentic exponents of electric blues guitar is well documented, and further cemented by BB King declaring, ‘Otis plays like I used to when I was young’.

For most, if not for all blues musicians, there can be no greater endorsement than that!

Otis Grand has been playing blues guitar since the age of 13. He says, “I grew up listening to the Black radio stations in the Oakland Bay Area. On vinyl, I never listened to anyone but BB King, Albert King and Robert Johnson for a very long time… I have preserved the deep blue’s roots of my playing style, which now goes with me in whatever musical journey I am attempting.”

Otis has 15 albums, with recent, critically acclaimed ‘Hipster Blues’ voted the top Blues release in the USA, Canada, UK, France, Spain and Holland.

Otis has won more awards and

German Choir to perform in Ipswich and Felixstowe

During May, local music group Trianon will be hosting a visit from the St Johannis Choir, who are based in Luckenwalde in Germany.

The visit will include concerts in Ipswich and Felixtowe where both groups will perform gospel songs, spirituals and contemporary music. The connection with Germany reaches back to the 1960s and 1970s when Trianon Music Group made several visits to Detmold and the connection with the choir has been maintained ever since.

The Johannis Choir comes from the protestant congregation of St John’s Church in Luckerwalde, a town formerly in the Democratic Republic of Germany and located south of Berlin. Their church dates back to C1300 and the choir takes its name from the church. Starting with a small number of singers, the choir has grown and now performs a wide range of music from traditional and modern gospel to pop ballads. Part of their year is devoted to preparing and performing Baroque music.

The groups will perform together in three concerts, which are all free of charge with a retiring collection.

Thursday 14th May 2015, 7.30pm Bethesda Baptist, St Margaret’s Plain, Ipswich IP4 2BB Friday 15th May 2015, 11am, Trinity Methodist Church, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7AN Coffee morning concert lasting 50 minutes by the St Johannis Choir Saturday 16th May 2015, 7.30pm All Saints Church, Sproughton, Near Ipswich IP8 3BD • For further details visit www.tmg.org.uk. You can follow Trianon on Twitter @MusicTrianon. Trianon is a Registered Charity and a member of Ipswich Arts Association.

nominations than any of his contemporary blues artists including ‘Best UK Blues Guitarist Award’ for seven years running, three times ‘Best Blues Guitarist in Europe’. Guitarist Magazine voted him one of the ‘Top 50 Blues Guitarist of all Time’, and also one of the ‘Top 10 Guitarists ever in the UK’.

The future of the blues is in good hands!

• The gig will be at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 3rd May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15. Call the Box Office on 01284 758000, or visit www.theapex.co.uk for more information, or to book your tickets.

Ipswich Amnesty Group announce a new concert Ipswich Amnesty group has announced a new concert to take place on Saturday 16th May at the Friends Meeting House in Ipswich, 39 Fonnereau Road, Ipswich IP1 3JH at 7.30pm The concert features two Ipswich-based musical groups, the Cornerhouse Trio and klezmer group, Street Cafe.

Paul, Rachel and Mahesh are the Cornerhouse Trio – a completely acoustic combination of guitar, cello and double bass that makes a great woody sound, ideally suited to a mix of music inspired by many things but especially ‘50s pop and show tunes, tango, gypsy jazz and low light German cabaret songs. There’s no chance of this trio being too loud but there’s a guaranteed toe-tapping groove and a great selection of tunes.

Street Cafe plays klezmer – authentic Jewish wedding music from Eastern Europe. It’s joyous and infectious, made for celebrations, dancing and sometimes to emulate the sound of prayer. Think gypsy music meets the synagogue as you hear laughter and sobs in the tunes. The group plays instruments generally used in the klezmer revival: Vicky on violin, Diana on clarinet, Julia on cello, Beverley on vibes and occasionally dulcimer, similar to traditional roving bands of musicians.

Concert tickets cost £6 and are available from Mike Medhurst on 01473 257649 or medhurst.michael@yahoo.co.uk Amnesty is a movement of ordinary people around the world standing up for human rights wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.

For further information visit www.amnestyipswich.org.uk or follow @AmnestyIpswich.

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The Tractor Boy Column I do try and write about some of the perhaps lesser known sports in this column, and once again I would be surprised if many of you have heard of white water river kayaking and canoeing. To be honest neither had I until at about two in the morning when my delightful mother shouted at the top of her voice she had got us tickets to see the Olympic event at Leigh Valley. Typical of our family, as organised as we are, the event was the next day. So a couple of hours later bright eyed and bushy tailed we set off to watch a sport none of us had a Scooby Doo about!

Now I know what you’re thinking, weren’t the Olympics two years ago? Yes admittedly, however looking through my previous articles I realised I had never recounted this event and I feel it is one that shaped my view on sport so here you are…

After a fairly long drive we arrived at what apparently was our car park for the day (an airfield in the middle of nowhere) and after waiting for what seemed like forever a bus arrived to take us to our destination.

Pulling up outside the centre the first thing that struck me was the sheer volume of people, perhaps rather naively I had presume that as canoeing and kayaking were not the most well-known of the Olympic sports the amount of spectators would perhaps be slightly underwhelming. After an hour and a half queue

Suffolk’s youngest sports pundit

just to get in, it is fair to say I realised this was not the case. When entering the arena itself I was immediately hit by the great variety of kaleidoscopic colours that met my eyes, seemingly every nation competing had their own group of fans ready to raw them to success all dressed in their national colours.

Below, the water churned ferociously frothing and writhing about like a trapped animal straining to be free, spread around the course were a variety of gates that the competitors had to navigate their way through to avoid penalisation. Now all we needed was some action.

The morning heats passed without much to excite the crowd, although in the C2 competition both British pairs made their way into the final qualifying first and last respectively which perked everyone up a bit. In the women’s kayak the crowd were far more muted as the Brits were not featured in the event. On to the finals…

The decibel levels rose as the first British pair that had only just qualified for the final lined up at the start line, could a first canoe or kayak medal at these Olympics be on the cards? Surreptitiously the noise levels increased again as the British pair travelled down the course without incurring any penalties, unfortunately my families lack of knowledge came back to bite us

here as we had no idea whether the time was any good, considering they had qualified last could it really be good enough to win a medal? Three pairs later however, and with all of us on are feet clapping and cheering as yet another pair failed to match the time and a medal guaranteed, we realised that yes their time was good enough to win a medal. Then the moment that made my day, a Hungarian pairing apparently renowned for being top quality canoeists were tearing down the course seemingly on their way to take first place. Suddenly a stray paddle struck a gate incurring a penalty that meant that the Brits would stay ahead, the great sportsman that we are, loud cheers rang around the stadium and the entire British team including a coach stood on a bridge over the water punched the air at the failure of the Hungarian pair. Yes I was cheering too! A gold medal guaranteed the first for us at Leigh Valley and I was there! In case you’re interested the other British team were not quite quick enough a gained a silver medal; so incredibly the pair that qualified last of Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott came out victorious.

That’s what I love about sport, you just can’t write the script sometimes!

Sound financial advice for Savers and Investors Savers and investors have new financial planning opportunities following this year’s Budget, in which the chancellor changed the rules for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) as well as reducing restrictions on taking pension benefits.

A key change is the increase in the subscription had been restricted to annual ISA allowance by more than £5,940 – has also been removed. a quarter, from £11,880 to £15,000 The new rules of the ‘nicer ISA’, as it per adult. The old distinction between has been dubbed, mean that couples Stocks and Shares ISAs and Cash will now be able to shelter up to ISAs – where the maximum annual £30,000 a year from taxes by using

both their annual ISA allowances – a significant sum and one that, invested wisely, can be a key component of long-term financial planning.

ISAs are very straightforward to operate. There is no need to declare investments held in them in Self Assessment tax returns, nor is there any further tax on income or on profits when the funds are withdrawn.

Of course, ISAs do not offer any protection against Inheritance Tax; planning for that must be done separately.

A further advantage is that there is no minimum period for which ISAs must be held to earn their favourable tax status. The funds within them can be used for any purpose, from paying school fees to covering the cost of care for elderly parents, as well as building up a portfolio for retirement.

That makes the ISA a flexible tool for use in medium and long-term financial planning objectives.

Being able to save more than two and a half times as much cash in an ISA now may sound tempting as it provides confidence that there will remain £1,000 to withdraw for every £1,000 deposited. In reality, however, the returns on cash savings are currently not sufficient even to protect the value of the investment from being eroded by inflation: inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index was 1.5% in May but only just over 50% of ISAs which are wholly invested in cash offer an interest rate above that.

The history of stock market returns also strongly suggests that cash savings are unlikely to produce the highest returns over the medium to long term. For example, according to more than a century’s analysis of investment returns, shares did better than cash on 75% of all five-year periods between 1899 and the end of 2014. That suggests that ISAs invested in shares tracking a broad measure of the market would have beaten ISAs invested in cash in three

out of four periods, if they were held for a five-year term.

Parents considering how to invest Junior ISAs – for which the maximum annual limit rose from £3,840 to £4,000 on 1st July – might be interested in even longer-term performance.

Where investments were held for 18 consecutive years since 1899, shares beat deposits 99% of the time.

This reflects the fact that, while share prices can be volatile in the short term, over the medium to long term they usually make progress.

One of the basic rules of investment is that building a diversified portfolio, whether geographically, by type of asset or by strategy, helps to iron out the peaks and troughs and produce smoother returns. The increase in the ISA allowance should make it easier to invest across a range of asset types each year.

Because there are no restrictions on the age at which ISA withdrawals are made – you can take 100% of these funds whenever you like – they can provide a flexible addition to pensions for retirement funding. For many investors, a combination of both will meet long-term financial planning objectives.

The Budget also proposed removing important restrictions, which are expected to take effect from April 2015, on how people spend their retirement funds. Under the proposed changes, everyone aged 55 or more with a defined contribution pension – which includes all personal plans, including SIPPs, and rising numbers of occupational schemes in the private sector – should be allowed to withdraw as much as they like from these.

If you would like to discuss any aspects above or have any other financial needs that you may have like alternatives to bank/building society returns then Adam Glencastle at Glencastle Financial Services Limited looks forward to hearing from you. www.glencastle.co.uk

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Spring Plant Fair at Helmingham Hall The annual Spring Plant Fair, organised

by Suffolk Plant Heritage in partnership with Helmingham Hall will be held in the beautiful grounds of Helmingham Hall on Sunday 24th May from 10am until 4pm.

A plant of the lovely ‘perennial wallflower’, Erysimum ‘Ruston Royal’, will be given free to the first 800 visitors to claim them. As a plant conservation charity, Suffolk Plant Heritage encourage the distribution of rare garden plants, and with only one entry in The Plantfinder, E. ‘Ruston Royal’ deserves a wider audience.

A wide range of unusual and popular plants will be available to purchase from over 50 nurseries, local National Plant Collections and the Suffolk Plant Heritage propagation group, which will be selling rare plants, some not offered for sale elsewhere.

The Garden Marquee will host Gardening Workshops, including ‘Climbers – what where

and when’ ‘Growing Vegetables in Containers’ and ‘Seasonal Propagation’ The Plant Doctors will be available to offer advice on any gardening topic, to identify your mystery plants and plant problems.

Visitors to The Plant Fayre can also browse among a wide range of exhibitors offering everything from hand tools to soap and garden furniture to sun hats.

The Plant Fair gives the whole family a full day out with live music, a dance tent, home made teas and lunches as well as a range of food stalls.

Visitors can enjoy the Grade 1 listed gardens of Helmingham Hall, with walled kitchen garden, herbaceous borders, roses and ancient deer park.

Tours of the gardens with Lady Tollemache, tickets £10 each, are bookable from the Helmingham Estate Office by calling 01473 890799 Entry to the Plant Fair and Helmingham Hall Gardens is £7.00 per adult. Children are free.

Give your home a fresh new look without breaking the bank Believe it or not Spring is here and you may be thinking about giving your home a fresh look. This doesn’t have to mean an expensive decoration project, you can easily achieve a fantastic new look just by making a few changes to your room by introducing some new artwork and accessories.

The next decision is where to go to find what you need? If you don’t want your room to end up looking the same as your neighbours then avoid the big chain stores and try somewhere a little more individual.

If you haven’t already visited Delvaux in Felixstowe now is the time. Step inside and you will find a fantastic range of beautiful items that will enhance your home. At Delvaux the stock is constantly changing, so that there is always something new to catch your eye.

You may be looking for a colourful canvas or some amazing tile art to brighten up your wall, a stunning mirror can add light or an unusual piece of handmade glass will really stand out.

Maybe you have a little corner that just needs that special sculpture or piece of bronze to finish the room off, Delvaux really has a great range to choose from so what are you waiting for?

Delvaux is open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm, and can be found at 116 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe. (opposite Prezzo)

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KBB help Katie get her perfect kitchen Katie Price from Ipswich looked everywhere for her dream kitchen, but couldn’t find it until she went to The KBB Centre.

“I had a really clear vision of what I wanted,” says Katie, “I was after a kitchen with integrated handles but not in gloss.”

After asking at a lot of different kitchen places she spoke with Roger Peck of KBB. It was like serendipity as the company had just started working with a new supplier who produced exactly what Katie was looking for. “Roger listened to what I wanted and then he made it happen,” continued Katie.

Her new kitchen is an open plan, painted, kitchen/diner with a contemporary style. It has useful additions like large drawers under the hob and bins in the cupboard. This ensures that there is less clutter and fewer objects on the work surface, which gives a simple, modern look. “It’s also much easier to clean!” said Katie.

Katie cannot praise the team at The KBB Centre enough, “They were absolutely fantastic, knowledgeable and helpful.”

For more information on how the team at KBB can help you to create your dream kitchen you can visit their showroom at 85 Dales Road, Ipswich, telephone them on 01473 806461 or visit www.kbbeastanglia.co.uk

Local Interior Designer to Hold Workshops Jill Santini, interior designer from Abode Mode, is setting up hands-on interior design workshops in local villages.

These workshops are designed to empower people to create inspired rooms in their own homes.

These workshops will vary in topics. The first workshop is Confidence In Colour and will focuses on how to put colours together in people’s homes and making individuals comfortable with their colour choices.

The workshops are interactive sessions filled with information and fun hands-on activities. These tasks are designed to improve attendees ability and confidence in using colour in their own homes. The sessions are small in number and encourage group work, exchanging ideas, and socialising.

Workshops: 8th May 2015 Brantham Village Hall, 12.30pm -2.30pm 18th May 2015 Constable Hall, East Bergholt, 10am - 12pm £20 includes cake and coffee Spaces limited. Booking essential.

Contact Jill 07767448062 jill@abode-mode.com 24

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KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • BEDROOMS • HOME OFFICE

KBB THE

CENTRE

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Large Showroom, 85 Dales Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 4JR

Tel. 01473 806 461 www.kbbeastanglia.co.uk 14/04/2015 14:40

Open Gardens

Which cleaning sins might YOU be guilty of?

New research just out, commissioned by cleaning equipment company Karcher, asked 2,000 people juggling a full time job with household chores what cleaning tasks they often skip. The results have unearthed the top 40 ‘cleaning sins’ of people in Britain.

Britain’s Top 40 Cleaning Sins

The garden at Larks’ Hill, Clopton Road, Tuddenham St. Martin will again open in 2015 on behalf of the National Gardens Scheme. There will only be two opportunities for the general public to visit – on Saturday 9th May and Saturday 11th July, both between 1.30pm and 5.00pm. The admission charge is £5 for an adult but all children are free. There is plenty of parking and lovely refreshments.

The garden, which has gradually been developed over many years, is about eight acres in area and embraces formal arrangements, orchard, streams, and woodland. There is also a modern castle keep! It is a hilly, some say quirky, garden but it is a beautiful and interesting site overlooking the gentle Fynn Valley and the village church and houses beyond.

There is plenty of seating throughout the garden. The owners like to sit and look, and many of the visitors do too. By first creating garden rooms to break up an otherwise big and open site, and then link them sympathetically creating a garden of contemplation. Sitting, looking, thinking and being is the uniting theme of this beautiful garden which more and more people have come to appreciate.

1. Food stains from splattering 2. Finger marks on the mirror 3. Leaving dust on the skirting board and on the bannister 4. Toothpaste stains on the sink 5. Leaving expired food in the fridge 6. Letting dust gather on the shelves 7. Dust piling on the TV 8. Stacks of washing up in the sink 9. Coffee ring stains on the worktop or coffee table 10. Leaving hair in the plughole 11. Leaving exploded food in the microwave 12. Leaving splashes on the kitchen hob 13. Only changing your sheets once a month 14. Not wiping down the kitchen hob and its buttons 15. Letting limescale build up in your kettle 16. Not vacuuming the stairs 17. Leaving dirty washing lying about 18. Over-flowing bins 19. Food rotting in the fridge 20. Not sweeping the floor when food has fallen onto it 21. Not wiping the surfaces after you have cooked 22. Overgrown garden full of weeds 23. Storing lots of items on the stairs that have yet to be taken upstairs 24. Dog or cat hair all over the sofa 25. Giving your chopping boards a quick wipe instead of soaking them 26. Not rinsing out the sink/bath after you’ve shaved 27. Mouldy mugs 28. Letting dirt gather on the carpet 29. Letting limescale build up on your shower glass door 30. Not washing your bath mat 31. Leaving the rubbish bags by the door because they are yet to be taken out 32. Mouldy tea bags left stacked up on the side 33. Washing your towels once a month 34. Leaving stains on the carpet 35. Not covering up meat in the fridge 36. Re-using dirty trays 37. Mould in the microwave 38. Full tray of cat litter 39. Not bathing the dog 40. Not washing your tea towels

Sue Hall runs domestic cleaning agency Maid2Clean (Suffolk) and says “I am guilty of many of the items on the list which is why I have always had a cleaner – not that I would expect her to tackle No 39 but I wouldn’t be without that weekly help– especially having three dogs!”

• So if you need help with your housework, call Maid2Clean free from your mobile on 0330 010 6388.

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wellbeing

Wendy Cook reviews Bodychef

Help with eating your way to a better and healthier weight Everyone wants to have a trim looking figure, but when it comes to healthy eating and diets, most of us can’t be bothered with the faff of weighing and measuring ingredients. And, with most of us leading busy lives, do you really want to be cooking a separate meal for yourself when cooking for your family?

That’s where Bodychef could help. Bodychef claim to be the freshest and most convenient way to lose weight. They say that their food is of the highest quality, and that their nutritionally balanced meals are freshly prepared, cooked, packed in a hamper and then delivered direct to your door twice a week.

So, is Bodychef all what it promises to be, or is it just another fad. Ipswich24’s Wendy decided to give the diet a go to see just how nice the food was and, of cause, to see if the weight loss claims were true.

“Firstly I was really impressed with the Bodychef website - www.bodychef.com It’s very easy to use with several different plans to follow. Once you have chosen your plan you can then go through and mark all the foods that you don’t like or can’t eat so that they will not be included in your meals.

You then sit back and wait for your hamper to arrive.

I was very exciting to receive my first hamper, it

was very well packaged and contained lots of little tubs and bags, all with my name on, containing everything that I would need for all of my meals.

If it’s convenience you’re after, here Bodychef tick a lot of boxes as the only thing you need to add to the food is your milk.

After my initial excitement, I soon realised that my first meal would be a dinner of poached salmon fillets and egg mayonnaise – a little unusual I thought, however this maybe down to the fact that I’m a bit of a fussy eater and so excluded quite a few items when setting up my account.

The food for the rest of the week was lovely though and I enjoyed evening meals of Soy Glazed Chicken, Asian Meatballs and Creamy Chicken with Asparagus. The lunches were nice too and, with everyday being something different I always had something to look forward too.

There is a little bit of cooking involved with the Bodychef plans, although everything is prepared you do still have to cook you veg, rice or pasta and I found that the instructions were not always easy to follow. I had to look up on the internet how to cook quinoa for example.

Overall Bodychef do deliver what they promise, healthy fresh food that is tailored to your own weight loss needs, and yes you do get everything you require for the week, the meals are very

tasty and I ended up eating foods I would never normally buy. I didn’t once feel hungry or that I was missing out – I have a really sweet tooth!

So, the big question…Did I lose weight? Well yes, I did a healthy 1.5lb, which I think is quite good.

However I don’t think I would use Bodychef as a long-term plan. It’s great as a kick-start, maybe for a month. And the plans are a great way to educate yourself about foods and portion control.

However there is still some cooking involved so it’s not for someone that wants to really cut corners and just use their microwave.

Overall my impression of Bodychef is a positive one and well worth a look if you’re someone that wants an easy way to diet and weight loss, however if you have the time you could quite easily replicate the plan yourself with careful shopping and good food choices.”

For more information about Bodychef and the many options available visit www.bodychef.com or call 0800 783 7083

Hayfever and Allergic Rhinitis by Jules Button Hayfever is a common problem usually encountered in the spring and early summer. It is also known as Allergic Rhinitis – allergies to airborne substances which lead to inflammation in the lining of the nose, throat and eyes. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the UK suffer with Allergic Rhinitis and it is increasing yearly.

About Hayfever

Hayfever is a seasonal allergic reaction to pollen from grasses, weeds or trees, carried in the air. An allergic reaction happens when your body’s immune system reacts to an allergen because it mistakes it for a harmful invader, such as a virus. Hayfever occurs when your immune system overreacts to pollen allergens, which are normally harmless to most people. This reaction triggers the release of chemicals from certain cells in your nose, throat and eyes. One of these chemicals is histamine, which sets off the symptoms of hayfever.

Symptoms of Hayfever

• Sneezing • Blocked or runny nose (rhinitis) • Itchy eyes, nose, throat and roof of your mouth • Headaches caused by a stuffy nose • Dry Cough • Irritability and poor sleep • Asthma can also be triggered or made worse during the pollen season.

If you have hayfever symptoms all year round, you may also be allergic to house dust mites, pet hair and moulds. This is called perennial allergic rhinitis.

Hayfever treatments

• Antihistamines in tablet or nasal sprays. These are available from your doctor. Some may be obtained, without a prescription, from your local pharmacy • Steroids or other anti-inflammatory medicines • Nasal sprays and eye drops for irritated eyes – these help to soothe the tissues, helping to wash away pollen • Decongestants – these can be useful in relieving stuffy noses • Herbal and homeopathic medicines.

- There are many natural remedies available and some work really well. Its best to ask your Herbalist, Naturopath or Independent Health Store advisor to recommend a suitable product for your needs.

Ways to help yourself reduce symptoms

One of the obvious ways to prevent hayfever is to either avoid, or reduce the amount of pollen one comes across.

In general, pollen counts peak at midmorning and early evening on dry days.

Sunny weather means more pollen and counts are higher on a windless day.

• Avoid coming into contact with pollen by steering clear of fields and parks (lots of grass), or sitting next to a bunch of cut flowers • Keeping your windows shut when pollen count is high, especially bedroom windows • Drive with your windows shut. If your car has air-conditioning, use it • If you have been outdoors, shower and change into clean clothes as soon as you get indoors • Wear wrap-around glasses to protect your eyes, even on a dull day

• Do not dry washing outside – pollen may get trapped in the fibres of clothes and bed linen • Finally, keep an eye on pollen counts using weather reports. There are also several Free Pollen Count Apps to download.

The Pollen Count The pollen count is the average number of pollen grains in one cubic metre of air over 24 hours. There are pollen counts for grass, tree and weed pollen and fungal spores. Weekly pollen forecasts predict how high the pollen count will be.

Don’t suffer in silence – If Hayfever is a problem to you speak to your doctor or Natural Health Practitioner.

Health & Peace to you all – Jules

For more information about this article, Naturopathic advice or Allergy Testing contact Jules Button (BSc, MSc) Email: jules@rainbowapothecary.co.uk Web: www.rainbowapothecary.co.uk or call 01394 386777 or pop into Rainbow Apothecary 6E Church Street Woodbridge IP12 1DH

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wellbeing

In conversation with fitness guru Kay Fletcher Kay Fletcher launched Kay Fletcher Fitness in the Spring of 2014 and her fitness classes have been going from strength to strength since. of exercise at every class so, if you are a little out of Having previously been a franchisee for Rosemary practise you will be made to feel really comfortable Conley for over six and a half years, Kay has a during the workout. wealth of experience and knowledge to help her members reach their weight loss goals.

Is there a minimum amount of weight you need Kay has two other instructors who work alongside to lose to join one of your classes? her in the business, her niece Kelly and one of her Kay: If you have seven pound or more to lose in members Kate who lost weight at the classes and weight then we can help. Over the years we have then trained to be an instructor. Kay, Kelly and Kate helped people lose up to 12 stone. are all nutritionally trained and have their Exercise Do members have to attend the same class to Music qualification so you know you are in safe every week? hands when you join one of their classes.

Kay: No – we have a choice of classes Monday Ipswich24 caught up with Kay to find out what goes morning through to Thursday evening and you can on at her classes and why they are so popular with attend any class that fits in with your work/home her members. schedule So why should people join one of your classes?

Do members have to pay if they don’t attend Kay: At Kay Fletcher Fitness we work with our class? members to help them achieve their goals by Kay: No – you have a choice of payment options offering sensible nutritional advice and guidelines and we do not charge you if you are unable to on their ideal weight. We have so much to offer attend due to holiday/sickness etc and the good news is there are no annual fees or hidden charges and you do not have to commit for What style of exercise do you offer? a set period of time.

Kay: In addition to our standard Cardio/aerobic and Zumba classes we also offer short courses in HiiT So why are you different to other weight loss (High Intensity Interval training), Kettebell workout, Classes?

Indoor and Outdoor Bootcamp and Fitness Pilates.

Kay: We not only offer you a confidential weigh-in, and a short nutritional talk but we offer 45 minutes Can members attend more than one class per exercise at all our classes. week if they wish?

Kay: Yes – we would only weigh you once a Are the classes for Women only? week but would encourage you to come along to Kay: No – Although there are more women who extra classes for the exercise only and this is at a attend we do have several men who come along reduced fee and we currently have two men who have got to their goal weight and still come along for exercise.

Do you get many people attend class on their own?

What if a person hasn’t exercised before?

Kay: Yes – so many of our members have joined Kay: Don’t worry we cater for all ages, sizes and a class on their own but they have quickly made abilities. We can offer low, medium and high levels

MONDAY Pinewood Community Hall Laburnum Close IP8 3SL 9.15 – 10.30 am (Cardio Workout) Greshams Sports & Social Club Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, IP4 3QJ 6:15 – 7:30 pm (Cardio Workout) TUESDAY Greshams Sports & Social Club Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, IP4 3QJ 9:30 – 10:45 am (Cardio Workout) Kesgrave High School Main Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP5 2PB 5:45 – 7:15 pm (Cardio Workout) 7:15 – 8:30 pm (Cardio Workout) Suffolk One Scrivener Drive, Ipswich IP8 3SU 7:00 - 8:15pm (Cardio Workout)

WEDNESDAY Tower Hall, 5 Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich, IP4 5SU 09:15 – 10:30 am (Cardio Workout) 10:30 – 11:45 am (Zumba®) Greshams Sports & Social Club Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, IP4 3QJ 5:45 – 7:15 pm (Cardio Workout) 7:15 – 8:30 pm (Cardio Workout)

friends within the group. We always try to make everyone feel comfortable because we understand it is very hard taking the first step and we go out of our way to welcome new members and introduce them to other people within the class.

Can you still attend classes once you have got to your ideal weight?

Kay: Yes - We have many members who still regularly attend our classes who have hit their personal goal and who now have a healthy BMI. We would encourage them to weigh at least once a month and most come along because they enjoy the exercise, talks and meeting up with friends they have made in the classes.

Do you offer exercise only for those people who do not need to lose weight?

Kay: Yes – we have several members who come along for exercise only and also many of our weight loss members have friends who come along to support them who do not need to lose weight.

How much does it cost to join a class?

Kay: There is no joining fee at Kay Fletcher Fitness and our class prices start from as little as £5.88 per week if you pay by standing order each month and our weekly class fee starts from £6.25 per week and are inclusive of a confidential weigh in, nutritional advice and 45 minutes of exercise So how do I join?

Kay: Either give me a call on 01473 613397 or email at kay@kayfletcherfitness.com and we can book your first class.

• For more information about Kay Fletcher Fitness and the classes available you can visit the website www.kayfletcherfitness.com or give Kay a call on 01473 613397.

THURSDAY Kesgrave Community Centre Twelve Acre Approach, Bell Lane, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP5 1JF 9:30 – 10:45 am (Cardio Workout) Kesgrave High School Main Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP5 2PB 6:30 – 7:45 pm (Zumba®) St. Albans Catholic High School Digby Rd, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 3NJ 6.45 – 8.00 pm (Cardio Workout)

Fitness Pilates

Thursday 23rd - April - Thursday 14th May 11.00 - 11.45 at Kesgrave Community Centre (Sports Hall) Suitable for all levels including beginners Call to book a place at 1 or all 4 sessions

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wellbeing

A great achievement by Looking good and feel great staff and volunteers at with luxurious hair extensions Ipswich Hospital Nick Hulme, Chief Executive of Ipswich Hospital, has welcomed a report by the Care Quality Commission, the independent inspector of hospitals, which has given the hospital an overall rating as ‘good’ putting it in the top 30% of hospitals nationwide.

Mr Hulme said, “We welcome this highly detailed report which finds much to praise about both the staff of the hospital and the care which is given to patients in all of the services inspected. It is a testament to each and every one of the team here in the hospital, including our staff and volunteers, that we have been rated outstanding for urgent and emergency care, and achieved a good overall rating. The report’s recommendations are extremely helpful in taking us forward for the future.

Werdna Hair Care products Ltd are importers of 100% Remy Virgin Human Hair Extensions. The locally based company prides itself on offering the best quality premium hair extensions giving their customers superior quality that looks good for longer.

Every woman wants to look and feel great and at Werdna Hair they believe that their products will help you achieve the look you wish to create.

There are many different shades, including natural/dyed colours, lengths and styles to choose from. The extensive range includes micro loops, wefts, i-tip and much more.

Each hair strand is individually bound together with a technique that creates a strong bond that prevents the hair extensions from shedding. All the cuticles of the hair extensions all flow in the correct direction meaning these hair extensions are the most natural on the market and if looked after correctly a set of Wernda’s Remy Hair extensions can last anything up to eight months.

At Werdna their hair has been carefully selected for the best results, there is no mixing in of other fibres, just naturally silky soft real human hair.

“Our inspection took place in early January, which was the busiest week of the year for us, so it is with a great sense of pride that we share the inspectors report today. The report shows that the quality of care given to children and young people is of a high standard but there is work to do in implementing recent new national guidance as soon as possible.”

Mark Cubbon, portfolio director at the NHS Trust Development Authority, said, “Staff at the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust have worked very hard to deliver high quality care and this is an excellent result for them as well as local patients and residents, who can expect to receive good care at their hospital. We are delighted that the Trust’s strong clinical leadership and innovative approaches to providing responsive and supportive care to patients have been recognised and commended. We will support the Trust as they continue to progress further improvements and sustain delivery of excellent services and care for patients, for the long-term future.”

All hospitals inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are rated as Outstanding, Good, Requiring Improvement or Inadequate. As well as an overall rating, hospitals are scored in eight individual areas – urgent and emergency care (A&E), medical care, surgery, critical care, maternity and gynaecology, end of life care, outpatients and diagnostic imaging and services for children and young people.

Ipswich Hospital has been rated as good in six areas, outstanding in one (emergency care) and requiring improvement in one (services for children and young people). Actions are already underway to make improvements in the areas identified by inspectors, which include improving the service for children with complex needs and clearly defining a critical care pathway for them. The inspectors added that services for children and young people are “caring and compassionate” with “positive feedback from the majority of children and parents.”

The emergency team, which boast some of the shortest waiting times in the country, has been praised for striving to improve quality care, for listening and taking time to explain care to patients and for its motivational managers.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said, “Patient feedback during our inspection was positive and staff were praised for their caring and compassionate nature. All departments were clearly working very hard to achieve positive patient outcomes and we were particularly impressed by some of the innovative approaches being taken.”

• The full report will be uploaded here www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RGQ

And, as Werdna hair extensions are made from top quality natural hair, once your extensions have been attached to your head you can style it just as you would your own hair. You can curl, straighten, blow dry and even dye if you wish.

So why choose Werdna Hair Care products Ltd? All of their hair extensions have a healthy look, movement and a gorgeous flow. Plus, the company have a wide range of colours, lengths and styles on offer all of which are non-shedding, non-tangling, so you don’t need to worry about getting that ‘stiff’ look like you do with other hair extensions in the marketplace.

At Werdna Hair Care products Ltd they have the perfect look for you!

Werdna Hair Care products Ltd sell to the consumer, retailer and wholesalers.

For more information about the many different extensions on offer visit www.werdnahaircareproducts.com or telephone 01473 439020/745122.

100% Premium Virgin Remy Human Hair

W Werdna Hair • Superior Quality Hair that looks good for longer • Many styles, lengths and shades available • Micro loop, Wefts, I-tip, plus many more • Hair extensions that look as perfect as your own natural hair

www.werdnahaircareproducts.com

Call for information 01473 439020/745122 — Hair Today, Better Tomorrow — 29

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Covering Ipswich, Felixstowe, Woodbridge and local areas.

Contact 01473 211217 or 07803 601085 for enquiries.

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IPSWICH24 COMPETITION RULES & CONDITIONS: The editor’s decision will always be final. No competition entry will be entered into. Ipswich24 cannot be held responsible for cancellation of events (in the event of cancellation no transfer will be offered or cash alternative). We cannot be held responsible for failure of entries not arriving by deadline. There is no cash alternative to any prize. If you send entries for several competitions in one envelope, each competition must be on a separate postcard with the answer and your details, including a contact telephone number (failure to do this will result in your entry not being included). Ipswich24 reserve the right to pass on competition entry details to third parties, If you do not wish you details to be passed on please state so on your entry.

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