Brantham bugle a:m 2017 ol by Joanne King

ISSUE 132 // APR/MAY 2017 // FREE

Also in this issue

Bowls 22nd April new season

WI Table Top Sale 17th June in the Village Hall

For All Your Electrical Needs

01206 615569 OR 07595 387847 MARTIN@AMOSELECTRICAL.CO.UK WWW.AMOSELECTRICAL.CO.UK 4 Ipswich Road, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 1PB

The Brantham Bugle

Contents 5 From the Editor 8 Parish Council News 12 Bugle Letters & News 14 BGNS Community Cafe 15 Brantham Garage Sale 17 Constable Country Medical Practice 19 Good Neighbour Scheme 20 Report to parishes 22 Over 60’s 24 Robots for everyone The Editor: JOANNE KING 37 Cedar Close, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex. CO11 1TQ Telephone: 07526 118 663 Email: editor@branthambugle.co.uk The Printer: JUNIPER HOUSE OF PRINT Telephone: 01206 230884 Email: richard@jhprint.co.uk Cover picture courtesy of Sarah Keys Disclaimer This publication was produced by the Brantham Bugle. The production costs were met in full by the advertising the publication contains. The Brantham Bugle do not make any recommendations as to the fitness of the advertisers appearing in this publication to carry out their services and no recommendations should be deemed to have been made. This edition of the Brantham Bugle has been produced in good faith and we regret any errors, omissions/ misinterpretations that may have crept in. Artwork and or Plates originated for use in this publication remain the property of the Brantham Bugle and must not be reproduced without their written permission.

26 Scout & Guide Group 28 Brooklands Primary School 29 Brantham Bowls Club 30 Factory Regeneration 32 East Bergholt Congregational Church 34 St Michael’s Church 36 Probus 37 Holy Family Catholic Church 39 Brantham Methodist Church 41 The Women’s Institute 43 Patient Participation Group 45 U3A 48 Poetry Corner 49 Local Transport 50 Community Information 52 Brantham Box Office & Brantham Toddler Group 54 Advertising Rates & Copy Guidelines

The Brantham

Brantham Cricket Club are looking to build on their remarkable success in 2015. We are one of the most inexpensive clubs in the area to play for and prioritise enjoyment of the game.

Mother Earth

We welcome players of all abilities and experience levels Flower bed & border maintenance and are looking to bolster their Seasonal planting membership levels. Pot & basket arranging

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playing for Brantham on Saturdays, Sundays oravailable both, Regular weeding please contact Lee welcome Cooper on Enquiries 07756 544 133.

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Editorial

editor from the

Ooh this edition has been hard work, mostly because I’ve been working a lot and it’s meant I’ve had to burn the midnight oil to get it completed. My poor tired brain was reading through the copy and I thought that one of St Michael’s events was Family Service with Processco, I was quite tempted by it! (it’s with Procession by the way). I’ve also had an email discussion with (Volunteer!) Councillor McCraw about my title i.e. putting volunteer in front of it. He pointed out I should take the credit for the work I do. I said I did, but I also needed people to know that I don’t do this as a job (in fact my job isn’t in any way related to this).

Otherwise I get people expecting me to answer the phone at all times of the day (and night) and reply to emails instantly. I do aim to be professional in my responses but my family and business has to come first, so outside of copy deadline time I can be quite tardy with a response. Perhaps I can encourage more of you to be more obvious that the role you perform is voluntary? So talking about volunatary roles, you will see further on in the Bugle, that there is now a new team in charge of the Garage Sale - they are looking to see if there are any clashing dates in the village. Can you all check your diaries and let them know?

Lastly if you have any ideas of about things you would like to see in the Bugle please do let me know - I don’t have time to hunt out stories and pictures and need you guys to send them in. It would be lovely to hear more about local groups and events. I will try and include as much of it as I can and pictures of the village are always most welcome for the front cover (ideally portrait)

Joanne King Volunteer Editor

The Brantham

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Microsoft certified Refurbisher Call Michael Hockley on East Bergholt (01206) 298479 Refurbished Windows 10 systems that look like W7 Desktops Laptops supplied/ repaired/ upgraded Laser toner etc Speed up your system and remove those bugs! Email: birkfield@btinternetcom <=Avoid this call BCS

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Parish Council News

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS APRIL/MAY 2017

I have been enjoying the reappearance of Spring in Brantham so far this year. The beautiful daffodils planted by Brantham Cubs really have been brightening the sides of the A137 and it is wonderful to see so much of the village coming back to life after the winter. Long may it continue……

Brantham Industrial site

Please see the BRA Information on P.38 for an update on what is going on in this area.

Litter picking 2017

At the last Parish Council meeting the Parish Council agreed that the next village litter pick will take place in partnership with Brantham WI on Saturday 20 May 2017, 10am – 12pm. It would be great if lots of you could volunteer on the day and help us to keep Brantham looking its absolute best. Please meet us at Acacia Court or at Brantham Village Hall on the day and you 8

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will be given an area to clean. I look forward to seeing you there!

Speed reduction measures

Following discussion at their last meeting, the Parish Council unanimously agreed that at this stage the costs of the installation of a pedestrian crossing on the A137 were prohibitive, and therefore this option would be put on hold for the time being. However, the Council is conscious that traffic and speeding along the A137 is an issue of concern for many local residents and therefore the Council has now agreed to consider other options for speed reduction in this area such as a Vehicle Activated sign. The Parish Council has set up a working group to take this issue forward and will be working with Suffolk County Council and the local Police over the coming months. Watch this space for updates!

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Brantham Box Office film nights

Film nights are back and raring to go after a short break in February. Doors open at 7pm, and the film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4 in advance from Bakes and Blossoms Café, or £4.50 on the door (£2 for under 16s). You can find out more about our forthcoming showings on our facebook page at: www. facebook.com/BranthamBoxOffice, or on the Brantham Community website.

Parish Council Contributions

Those of you who have attended a Parish Council meeting will know that the Council holds a pot of money for the purpose of making donations to groups or organisations who benefit the local community that need financial support. The Parish Council has a policy it uses to make decisions about these donations which is available on the

DAISY CHAIN HOME SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY CARE SERVICE Daisy Chain Home Support Ltd offers over thirty years experience supporting older people living in their homes. The aim of the service is to provide flexible support, to meet individual requirements. All staff are D.B.S checked (Disclosure and Barring Service) and are fully insured. Support includes: n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

Personal Care Shopping (with or without you) Companionship Escort to appointments Light housework Help with medication Help with paperwork/applications for benefits (i.e. Attendance Allowance etc.) Meal preparation Home security check calls Pet feeding/dog walking Sit-in service (giving carers free time) Prescription collection Laundry and ironing Trips out Providing assistance to access appropriate services Any other reasonable task will be considered

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Brantham Website. At the last Parish Council the Parish Council agreed the following contribution: March 2017: Brantham Bowls Club £100.00

by the last Brantham Garage Sale. The new defibrillator should be in place and helping to save lives in the village in the very near future.

If you are a member of a group/organization that benefits the community of Brantham, and you are in need of financial support then please get in touch with me by email or letter with details of your request.

I am continuing to hold my Parish Clerk Surgeries in Bakes and Blossoms Café at Acacia Court. This is your opportunity to meet me, ask questions or raise any concerns, it has been great to meet some of you and I look forward to meeting more of you in the future. The next surgery will be on Thursday 13 April 2017, 10am – 12pm.

New Defibrillator

The Parish Council recently received a request from the Good Neighbour Scheme for a contribution towards the purchase of a new defibrillator that will be placed on the wall outside Bakes and Blossoms Café. The new defibrillator will serve as a memorial to Fiona Mower, who was largely responsible for the set-up of the GNS scheme in Brantham. I am pleased to say that the Parish Council agreed to contribute to the cost of the defibrillator along with contributions from the GNS and funds raised 10

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Parish Clerk Surgeries

Planning and Finance Committee meetings

The Planning and Finance Committees meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Dates for the next meetings are: Wednesday 26 April 2017 and Wednesday 24 May 2016. Meetings start at 7.30pm at Brantham Village Hall and members of the public are welcome to attend. However, if no plans have been received during the month the Planning Committee will not meet so please check on the Parish Council

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notice board prior to the day of the meeting.

Parish Council Meetings

Parish Council meetings are normally held on the 1st Wednesday of every month starting at 7.30pm at Brantham Village Hall. The dates of the next meetings are Wednesday 05 April 2017 and the Annual Parish Council meeting will take place on Wednesday 03 May 2017. Finally, please remember that there is lots of information about Brantham and the Parish Council on the village website at www.onesuffolk. brantham.net and on our facebook page www. facebook.com/BranthamParishCouncil. If you would like to get in touch with me directly you can do so by emailing me on clerk@branthamparishcouncil.co.uk, write to me at 15 Palfrey Heights, Brantham, CO11 1SE or you can telephone me on 07702 490212. Regards,

Sarah Keys Parish Clerk

The Dedham Players'

Spring production

by Yasmina Reza

at Assembly Rooms, Dedham on 26th to 29th April This award winning clever black comedy set in present-day London resembles a verbal boxing match between two dissimilar couples who meet to rake over their children's playground brawl

Tickets ÂŁ8 from Shakespeare House Gallery High Street Dedham or online at www.dedhamplayers.org including enquires or Tel 03336663366 for tickets only (booking fee) PERFORMANCE 7.45pm. Price includes refreshments

Shawlers Veg Tattingstone

Once again we shall be selling our own seasonal produce from end April/early May until September. Asparagus, new potatoes, strawberries & raspberries. Open Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm During week produce for sale on table at front of house when available. Also pork for sale - chops, joints, sausages, burgers etc. as we have our own free range rare breed pigs.

Orchard Cottage Stutton Lane, Tattingstone IP9 2NZ 01473 327614

CONSTABLE SINGERS NEW MEMBERS WELCOME . Would you like to come and join us ? We meet on a Thursday at the Lambe School at 7pm apart from 2nd Thursday when we meet at Holton Village Hall. No Audition, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to read music as we sing along to c.d backing tracks. Words provided for popular and songs from the musicals and it is just an evening of fun and enjoyment. singing is a well known as a distressing activity. We occasionally sing at sheltered and care homes also hope to have a charity concert later in the year. Contact Yvonne 01206298428 or Mel 01206298628 for further details. Please mention the

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Bugle News & Letters

BUGLE NEWS & LETTERS Would it be possible please to say thank you via the Bugle to different people in the village. Firstly , On Wednesday 15 Feb @ 6.45pm I was in our front garden looking for a key we had obviously dropped earlier, in the dark shining my torch in the hopes of finding it. I saw a man with a walking stick look as he passed our driveway on his way to the Co-op store. On his way back he asked if he could help me. He then spotted the key and I of course thanked him. I am so grateful for his help and would, through the Bugle, like to publicly thank him, as all he would say was he was local and glad to help. Secondly, A big thank you to Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme. Kay, Vic and the team have helped us on numerous visits to Ipswich Hospital and the Doctors in Manningtree. Also with odd jobs that we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to do ourselves. We are so grateful to them for all the help and support they have given us so willingly and we feel lucky and privileged to have such lovely volunteers in our Village. THANK YOU TO ALL. Whilst I say thank you to those above I would also like to say thank you to you Joanne and how much we appreciate the work that you and the people who deliver the Bugle to us do. We always look forward to reading it as it so full of information and local news. Please keep it coming. Kind Regards,

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We all know that the NHS is struggling and while staff are doing their best many things can go wrong. The appointments/ admin section at Ipswich hospital appears to be falling apart and in the last year a member of my family has had four wasted trips to the hospital because three appointments were made with the wrong department and the fourth was not on the computer system. A similar experience has happened to two friends. A complaint has been made to management but also PALS are trying to help to sort out this mess. Last year I got in touch with Colchester PALS and I have to say they were brilliant and my problem was sorted out within two days. You can email them online, telephone them or write to them. There is also an office in ipswich hospital located in south finance suite opposite Boxford ward. Email pals.service@ipswichhospital.nhs. uk Telephone Monday to Friday 0900-1600 01473 704781 extension 6781 or 0800 328 7624 or write to PALS [S617] Ipswich Hospital, Heath Rd, Ipswich IP4 5PD Sue Grant

Mr & Mrs Schofield, 2 Sycamore Way 12

Dear Editor, I wondered if residents of Brantham are aware of the service offered by the Patient Advice and Liason Service [PALS] at hospitals. If you have a complaint or problem it is worth getting in touch with PALS to see if they can help.

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TO ADVERTISE YOUR COMPANY OR EVENT IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE BUGLE CONTACT JOANNE KING:

Email: editor@branthambugle.co.uk

Unit 2, Causeway End, Station Road, Lawford, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2LH Give us a call on 01206 391117

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Thursday 27th April Thursday 25th May 10am to 12 noon Brantham Leisure Centre Meet up with friends for coffee, cake and a chat! For transport 0754 135 9036 14

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Yvonne & Ronnie have been doing such a great job organising the Brantham garage sale for many years. They have supported St. Elizabeth Hospice as well as local small charities. Last year was their last sale, they decided to retire and have kindly offered to pass the baton to Nepal Children’s Trust; our locally run charity that offers support for the poor and abandoned children of Nepal. We will be organising the garage sale this year, and hopefully many more to come. We aim to continue Yvonne & Ronnie’s good work and donate half the proceeds to St. Elizabeth Hospice, the other half will go to the Nepal Children’s Trust. We have two provisional dates (the 9th & 16th September) and are welcoming feedback from anybody that might know of other local events that we may want to avoid clashing with. Please contact us on:

Margaret Woods: 0786754684, Maya Watling: 07508430671 maggie.woods@janjerltd.com , mayawatling@hotmail.com

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Constable Country Medical Practice Demand Over Public Holidays Demand over Christmas and New Year was very high and we experienced a backlog in processing prescriptions for a couple of days immediately after the New Year. Pharmacies are also very busy over public holidays. We are sorry if patients experienced delays in receiving their medication. In order to minimise delays over the Easter period, please submit requests for repeat medication well in advance. Repeat medication can be requested online if you have a SystemOne online account. Please contact the reception team if you would like to register for an account.

High Demand and Storm Doris Storm Doris caused major disruption across Suffolk on Thursday 23rd February. The East Bergholt surgery lost power for over 4 hours. We relocated clinicians to Capel and diverted or rearranged patients who had appointments at East Bergholt. The

loss of power meant that we lost access to patient records, our phone system for both sites went down, vaccines in our fridges went over their permissible temperature range, and we had to close the East Bergholt premises at about 16:45 as it was too dark to work safely. Many patients were affected by the disruption, not only on the day but also for the following week or so when appointments were rescheduled and whilst vaccines were unavailable due to the loss of power to our fridges. Thank you to all patients affected for your understanding. The last significant power loss at East Bergholt was in 2013, though outages do occur on a regular basis, usually for just a few minutes. Following a full review of events we have decided to purchase an emergency generator and necessary cabling to ensure that in the event of future significant power failures at the East Bergholt or

Capel premises, we are able to continue to keep our phone system operational and attend to patients who need urgent care. Hopefully these events will be few and far between.

Training Days Just a reminder that in 2017 the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: 26th April (Wed) 18th May (Thurs) On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.

Pete Keeble Practice Manager

The Brantham

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Good Neighbour Scheme

Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme Hi everybody, now we are well into 2017 and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a busy few months already, we have helped out with some quick fix maintenance around the home as well as transporting many residents to the doctors and hospitals. In January and February we had our usual monthly Coffee Mornings (last Thursday of every month) which was well attended and as always a nice friendly atmosphere to all who come along. As usual when we get together at the Leisure Centre each month if you feel you need some company then come along meet some new and old friends as you will always be more than welcome, there are no membership fees just a coffee or tea and a chat. If you need a lift to get there just give us a ring and we will drive you there free of charge. January and February our volunteers completed some 201 requests for transport, maintenance and other tasks. Well done volunteers on behalf of Brantham thank you for your continued help and support. Some coming events will be shopping and lunch trips during the day on the following dates:- Friday 5th May, Friday 14th July, Friday 8th September, Friday 6th October, 15th December, just watch this space or look for the times at the coffee mornings. This year we will be taking two supper trips in the evening, one on Wednesday 7th June and the other one on Wednesday 2nd of August. At last the daffodils are out, and that is thanks to the Brantham Cubs planting

the bulbs each year, they always bring colour along the verges of the A137 and make the village more welcoming to all visitors and residents alike. Thanks to all your donations and the small profit made at every coffee morning along with the sponsored walk we held in 2016, we have had enough now to contribute towards another village defibrillator that we are hoping to install very shortly outside Bakes and Blossoms. Our contribution has also been added to money raised by the garage sale team and from the Parish Council who have also agreed to fund the ongoing maintenance of the equipment after installation. The equipment will also have a plaque mounted above it, in loving memory of Fiona Mower our founder volunteer who made all this possible, and Carla Dawson loving daughter of Ronnie Dawson who was the inspiration for the Start of The Brantham Garage Sales. Sadly however, some of our friends didnt make it through the last winter, these were Len Tate, Marjory Begg and Molly Aldous, they will all be sadly missed as they supported and advised us and made us laugh on many occasions, we loved them and we will miss them dearly.

Regards Kay Eastwood, Transport Coordinator Vic Saunders, Secretary

Call: 0754 135 9036 19

REPORT TO PARISHES, Alton Ward: April 2016 Babergh District Councillor Alastair BRANTHAM MAINTENANCE DEPOT

Last month I was able to tell you about the plans for a Greater Anglia Maintenance Depot at the Brantham Industrial Site. This will be the biggest piece of Industrial Investment in Babergh’s entire history as an authority. (From 1973, I think). Brantham Parish Council hosted a presentation from Greater Anglia at the Village Hall on the 7th March. Taylor Woodrow, the contractor for the construction phase, and the current landowners St Francis Group were also in attendance for a wide ranging Question and Answer session. Subjects covered included Planning considerations; impact on the housing requirement; traffic flows; noise, light and other environmental impacts (both for humans and birdlife); timescales; the likelihood of improvements to Manningtree crossing; employment and apprenticeship impacts and treatment of footpaths and the peninsula. I hope to post more information on social media. GA 20

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have also set up an email address for feedback and queries on this project. brantham@greateranglia. co.uk There will be a planning application for the Yard construction itself and that means a consultation period, in due course, with responses to Babergh District Council. It’s important to note that this meeting was to engage with us as a community and entirely separate from that planning process. It was also held at the earliest opportunity after agreement had been reached between all financial parties involved. I’ve actively encouraged these sorts of discussions in nearly all planning matters, small and large. Early discussion and mutual consideration can avoid (or at least reduce) a lot of the pain and trouble associated with planning. The meeting finished with a light hearted discussion about whether this yard should be labelled

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Brantham or Cattawade. The Manningtree references in the press are part of the ‘curse’ of our postal address. I’ll just add that the site is on the Brantham Regeneration Area.

COUNCIL TAX 2017/18

Your Council Tax Bills have been issued and you’ll be aware that these three parishes see a 2.9% increase. SCC have put all their increase into the Social Care precept. That’s obviously a hot subject at the moment and understandably receiving attention. So County goes up by 3%, Police and Crime by 2% and Babergh by the most allowed to us, £5 for the year in Band D, which works out at 3.4%. You can look on that as 10p a week if you like. With reducing Government support, achieving a balanced budget at all was a bit of a miracle. The bottom line at Band D for Alton is between £1550 and £1565, the differences being in the Parish Precepts. County account for 76% of that, PCC for 11%, District (Babergh) for

10% and the Parishes are a bargain at around 3%. If it’s any consolation, the average overall Council Tax increase in England this year is 4% ARTHUR RANSOME’S EAST COAST I loved Ransomes books (from Swallows and Amazons to the East Anglian based stories)

as a kid. His own mysterious history in Russia adds another fascinating element. My thanks to Derek Davis at Berners Ward, a prime mover in the Shotley Tourist Action Group for drawing my attention to events taking place in the Peninsula this year, starting on May 13th with Guided Walks and a Celebration at Pin

Mill. Here’s a Facebook link . https://tinyurl.com/ hzdvkcx As ever, I can be contacted as below, or look for me on the Blue Claud Butler bicycle, still with the yellow winter cycling jacket until it warms up a bit.

alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk 07812 564188 Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (an open group)

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Brantham Over 60’s Worth noting that in January and February we had some interesting speakers. On the 17th January, Colin Hopper showed some very clever paper sculptures that he had produced and demonstrated to members how easy it is to do. On 24th lunch by Sue, delicious as usual, followed by a quiz. 31st, Chris Parfitt told us about his adventures in South Africa accompanied by a wonderful film. In February, the woolly hat brigade had a knit- in, in preparation for the visit of Sister Marian Davey(, the Stella Maris Port Chaplain) later in the month. On her visit, she gave us her usual, full of humour chat, about the goings-on on board the many ships that come into our ports of Felixstowe, Harwich etc. Some very funny, some very sad. The seafarers appreciate the 22

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warm hats when at sea, and Sister Marian soon whisked them away. It was her last visit as she is retiring soon. On March 14 th, Georgette Vale showed us the many patchwork quilts that she has made. Each one with a story worked in it. Very intricate, patient work with tiny pieces of fabric stitched together. Each

quilt with a label and each pattern with a name. Meetings are on Tuesday afternoons 2.30-4.30, at the Brantham Leisure Centre. Visitors are always welcome, and new members even more welcome. For more details contact Mrs. Jean Lace on 01206 396242

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY April 11 th “ Hypnosis for the Seven Ages of Man” 18 th Beetle Drive 25 th “ Have a blooming try” ( members’ participation). May 9 th Guide Dog Training. With Marjorie Cullen 18 th Quiz, preceded by a roast pork lunch ( other dishes available) 23 rd “When Pirates Ruled the Waves”. by Richard Walker 30 th Games afternoon with Scrabble, Dominoes, Darts and Whist

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John Gamlin

Robots For Everyone We cannot escape it - the rapidly growing world of information technology, artificial intelligence and robotics. Articles, press releases and advertising crowd upon us proclaiming the wonderful things that we will be able to do or experience as a result of this fast moving development. We read of driverless vehicles, goods delivered by drones, the ‘internet of things’ in our homes and artificial intelligence which surpasses the human mind. What was once the stuff of science fiction is fast becoming a reality. We value our computers for purchasing goods on line and retrieving knowledge at the press of a few buttons, but being without a deep understanding of how it all works, see it in terms of “data in, data out”, that is as a “black box” without a clue what happens in between. As with all technologies, there are both good and bad outcomes. Amongst the good we may list

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better diagnosis of disease or tools which enable our children to learn more effectively. With iPhones we are never far away from friends, the internet or the ability to take a ‘selfie’ with whoever takes our fancy. On the bad is the very high incidence of cybercrime and loss of personal privacy. We fear that robots will ultimately displace humans and render millions without meaningful employment. We believe that artificial intelligence and the hardware which goes with it may not only conduct future wars, but be in control of the nuclear button. Perhaps the greatest concern is that all we may have left to do is watch TV, play games and live without real meaning or purpose. However ‘intelligent’ these things may become, what we must not forget is that they will never be more than machines we have made. They will never know the warmth of human love or the comfort of being held by another. No child will appear from a ‘female’ robot nor can they die as we do, from

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disease or old age. They will never have that vast store of memory and experiences from which we are able to draw when faced with new situations. Comfort may be secured if we can press the OFF button when the situation demands, or find some place of escape where ‘tech’ (as we have come to call it) is not able to intrude, but that will not control the vested interests of politicians and manufacturers who see it as a the solution to the world’s financial problems. Whatever the case, some way must be found to control the monopoly of knowledge and influence held by companies such as Facebook and Microsoft who write the algorithms and set the ethical standards. Their founders have also accumulate great wealth - which could be more equitably spread with hefty taxation providing some of the promised “universal basic wage” whilst robots do the work. But is this really the kind of world we will be happy with? I wonder.

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1st Brantham Scout & Guide Group Whilst celebrating their 80th birthday within the village, Brantham Scout and Guide group have begun working on raising the money for their regeneration project of the hut, for their members. This involves fundraising. One such leader has chosen to raise money by dying her hair neon purple. A wonderful way to show support for the local community in this endeavour and a very entertaining one as well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure many have

commented on it. We would like to thank the community for all their support, now and in the coming months. Additionally, a big thanks to Mobile Hairdresser Michelle for performing the task of bleaching and dying the hair for free.

Jessica Spence

1st Brantham Scout & Guide Group Beavers Rainbows Lin: 01255 871059 Beverley:branthamrainbows@outlook.com Cubs 1st Brownies Ruth: 01206 393076 Ruth: 07932 636343 Scouts 2nd Brownies Charlie:01255 487252 Sue: 01206 395101 Guides Debbie: 01206 299586

District Explorers and Senior Sections

Wolsey District Explorers Cattawade ES Unit Roger: 01206 395285 catt-explorers@outlook.com 26

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Babergh Samford Senior Section Flatford Senior Section Heather : 07709 526993 flatfordseniorsection@hotmail.com

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FRESTON PET DOG TRAINING

Puppy Foundation, and Pet Obedience Classes for all breeds at Freston Village Hall, IP9 1AH Kennel Club Good Citizens

121, Home visits and

Behaviour Consultation Keyna Mullany BSc(Hons) MAPDT

Tel: 07599 794734 Email:kmmdogtrainer@gmail.com

www.frestonpetdogtraining.co.uk Have a happy dog to be proud of! The Brantham

sions@suffolk.gov.uk or call 0345 600 0981.

It is tremendously satisfying to see so many parents choosing Brooklands for our new intake in September. Parents of children offered a place to join us will have the opportunity to join us for an information session in May. In the information session we will be introducing parents to the school in a little more detail as well as providing advice and guidance on how to support your child over the coming months leading up to them joining us. Do you know of families moving into the area who would like to come to us? We currently have a limited number of places in Year 1, Year 3 and Year 6. For information on how they can apply for their child to join Brooklands during the school year (in-year applications) please contact School Admissions at admis28

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Every year we rely on the support of our amazing parents, their commitment, time and energy to help us raise funds and provide support in many ways. What we are able to achieve together, is what makes Brooklands special. To mark Chinese New Year children took part in a variety of activities including: Chinese Lion dancing, learning Mandarin and playing Chinese musical instruments. This event was funded by Brooklands Friends and Family. Brooklands takes pride in celebrating diversity in its many forms. Valuing diversity and recognising differences is an important part of our children’s education and as part of this our Year 5 and Year 6 children enjoyed finding out more about being a Hindu from a visitor to the school. During the visit our children learnt how to play the conch, how to wear a sari and all about the Hindu God of Wisdom, Ganesha.

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Everyone feels ‘The Dip’ from time to time and our children have been learning about the importance of not giving up and persevering when they are learning a new skill. I imagine that most Headteachers want their school to feel warm, welcoming and calm places where their children are happy and purposeful in their learning and we try hard to achieve this but ultimately, achieving this takes a special attitude. An attitude that permeates throughout a school community. From our cook encouraging us all to remember please and thank you as she serves our lunches to our Lunchtime staff encouraging our children to say sorry. Small things perhaps, but it is this shared attitude of kindness, appreciation and respect at Brooklands that contributes to the frequent comments made to me from visitors who say that our children ‘were respectful, attentive and a real credit to the school’ and ‘one of the best schools they have visited’.

BRANTHAM BOWLS CLUB New Season Opening Drive Saturday 22nd April 2017 at 2.00pm New Players and Members all welcome SATURDAY MORNING CLUB 10am till 12 noon Everyone very welcome - beginners, new players, members, any age. Only flat shoes or trainers required. First date Saturday 29th April then every Saturday morning until September. When we reflect back on our days in school it is hard to imagine how much technology would transform our lives. Technology affects how we shop, socialise, connect, play, and most importantly learn and with its increasing presence in our lives it only makes sense to maximise the use of technology in the classroom. Here at Brooklands, following our intensive investment in technology across the school in recent years, we are transforming how our

children learn. I have been thrilled by the creativity and imagination of our Starfish in creating their animations using Scratch. Our Pufferfish have been using our new iPads to make videos whilst our Narwhals have been using the Garageband app to compose their own music tracks. Most notably, we are also harnessing technology to involve you more in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on in school through ClassDojo. Who would have thought a generation ago, that we would be sharing the excitePlease mention the

ment with our Sea Turtles as they eagerly anticipated the hatching of their clutch of duck eggs? Sainsburyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are offering shoppers the opportunity to collect Active Kids vouchers until 2nd May 2017. Ask your family and friends to donate their vouchers to Brooklands to help us get new sports and cooking equipment. Best wishes

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Brantham Regeneration Area 3/1/2017

Brantham Parish Council

Issue 1

Latest News

Greater Anglia Rail Depot to come to Brantham

Greater Anglia train company recently unveiled plans for a brand new state-‐of-‐the-‐art train maintenance depot on the Brantham Regeneration Area.

Covering 22 acres of the north side of the existing railway, the depot will be fully electrified. In addition, a new wheel lathe will be installed, to provide another location on the Greater Anglia network where train wheel repairs can be carried out.

The new depot will be used for stabling and light maintenance of about 20 of the brand new trains due to arrive in East Anglia from 2019. Once open, at least 30 people will work at the depot. It will include 13 tracks where trains can be parked overnight for cleaning and toilet maintenance. Two further tracks will be undercover in a 300-‐metre shed, with full under-‐ train inspection pits and cranes for maintenance.

More than 100 village residents attended a public meeting on 7th March 2017 to hear a presentation from Greater Anglia about the proposals and to raise any questions or concerns. The site is due to be cleared in March and building should begin in the summer

Find all of the related paperwork for the BRA Planning Application on the Babergh District Website: www.babergh.gov.uk/planning-‐and-‐ building/planning/brantham-‐regeneration-‐area/ or log on to the village website: http://www.brantham.onesuffolk.net/industrial-‐site-‐updates/ 30

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Update • • • At a recent progress meeting with the Parish Council, Andy Plant from SFG gave the following update on progress at BRA: SFG are currently working on satisfying the conditions outlined in the Planning Permission received from Babergh District Council; It is anticipated that work on demolition and remediation will begin in April 2017, and is likely to last until July 2017; Conditions for infrastructure are anticipated to be discharged by June 2017 and work on the peninsula should begin in April 2017. Site working hours will be between 8am – 6pm during the week and 8am – 1pm on a Saturday. Work has begun on the Section 238 and 38 agreements (off-‐site works) which will include Factory Lane and the cycle way to Manningtree. The design and approval stage should take approximately 9 months and therefore work is likely to start in 2018.

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St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Preschool The Institute Rectory Lane Brantham CO11 1PZ Tel: 01206 391472 Ofsted Reg: EY449792

Brooklands Young Explorers Brooklands School Palfrey Heights Brantham CO11 1RX Tel: 07892 877743 Ofsted Reg: EY368548

East Bergholt Young Explorers Cherry Blossom Centre Hadleigh Road East Bergholt CO7 6QT Tel: 01206 298442 Ofsted Reg: EY494296

email: hayleyaherne@hotmail.co.uk Stutton Young Explorers Holbrook Road Stutton Ipswich IP9 2RY Tel: 01473 328090 Ofsted Reg: EY543367

Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am, 51 weeks a year

Caring for children from 3 months to 11 years across 4 sites

East Bergholt Congregational Church

EAST BERGHOLT & DISTRICT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Cemetery Lane, East Bergholt SHARING THE LOVE OF JESUS SUNDAY SERVICES AT 10.30a.m. Usually Led By Pastor Maralyn HOLY COMMUNION 2nd SUNDAY IN THE MONTH Please let the Pastor know if you would like a home visit or communion at home. Each Thursday COFFEE 9.30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11.30am. All welcome to come along and make new friends. Other Services: April 23rd Anniversary Service 3.00pm May 14th Communion with Patrick Baxter April 30th Led by Ted Wheatley May 21st Joint Service at Brantham Methodist Church Time: 11.00a.m. 22nd April 7.00p.m. Concert with Constable Singers, Please reserve your seat with John Jeffreys. 13th April 7.00pm Agape Supper This year we are celebrating the 160th Anniversary of our Church Building together with the refurbishment which has taken place over the last year. This Congregational Church was built in 1856/7 but it is known that an independent chapel meeting has been held in East Bergholt since 1672. With legalisa-

tion of freedom to worship in 1689, the congregation was free to call Ministers and worship openly. This church, with its Congregational tradition, serves the areas of Brantham, Cattawade, Lawford, Little Bromley, Dedham, Stratford St. Mary, Holton St. Mary, and Bentley.

we are not judgemental and all are welcome at our meetings. The Congregational tradition is alive and well, although many people think that all the congregations became members of the URC back in the 1970s. In fact, those who wanted to remain as Congregationalists did so.

The worship is informal,

Contacts: Pastor Maralyn Bambridge, 35 Birch Drive Brantham. 01206393022 Secretary: John Jeffreys Telephone: 01206 298737

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East Bergholt Football Club The Last Month February ended on a disappointing note for the First Team with defeat at Bramford, which was probably something of a hangover from their Bob Coleman Cup exit on the previous Saturday. Fortune certainly did not favour them as they went out at the Quarter Final Stage in Extra Time at the hands of high flying Achilles. They do however still occupy a mid-table position in the Senior

Division. The Reserves have maintained Third place in League A but they went one better than the First Team in their cup competition by advancing to the Semi Finals of the Goals of Ipswich Cup. They meet Benhall reserves in the Semi Finals. Fixtures website - http://fulltime. thefa.com/Index. do?league=4358069

We are always on the lookout for people who can help the club as a committee member, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime.

Steve Butcher (Secretary) (stevebutcher55@btinternet.com) part of the fun-filled, family-friendly Bubble Rush on Sunday 13 August at Christchurch Park, Ipswich or the hospiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship event, the Midnight Walk on Saturday 20 May. St Elizabeth Hospice has a range of different events and challenges taking place to raise vital funds this summer. There is something for everyone in 2017, whether you want to be

This year the hospice is also offering a range of adrenaline-fuelled challenges, from braving a 10,000ft jump with fellow hospice supporters at our Parachute Party at Beccles Airfield on Saturday 15 July, to taking on the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Please mention the

highest freefall abseil off the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the world famous Olympic Park. Find out more about the range of events and challenges you can be part of in 2017 at www. stelizabethhospice. org.uk/events, call 01473 723600 or email fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

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St Michael’s Church Some characters were instantly recognisable. Mary Poppins, I presume. (Met any dancing penguins recently?) Red and white striped shirts and a bobble hat meant I had found Wally at last. Tigger led the prayers, sensibly refraining from jumping whilst doing it and Goldilocks looked very glamorous, all that rest had done her good. Professor McGonagall was making sure that students kept in line. The one that Coco liked most was Roald Dahl’s character Danny who was carrying a stuffed pheasant. Coco thinks that all stuffed toys are hers. (Walking through a garden centre displaying stuffed toys is a challenge. I may yet be had up for shoplifting) She doesn’t damage them at all merely carries them protectively in her mouth. She quivered as the pheasant approached her and was all attention when it squawked! World Book Day at school is great fun. You never know what is going to happen next. In the events leading up to that first Easter day the disciples must 34

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Rambling Rector

Benefice Website: www.eastbergholtchurch.co.uk or www.ConstableCountryChurches.co.uk

have had that feeling too, but without the sense of fun. The atmosphere was tense. Jesus kept saying puzzling things like “Remember me” and Judas was behaving strangely. During Lent we take every opportunity to remember and reflect. In our services there is a moment when we bring symbols to the front of the church and place them at or on the Lenten cross which finally, on Easter Sunday, is decorated with flowers. On this day particularly we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the one who died for us so that we may live. I have struggled for years with the concept of God sending his son to die, it seems a barbaric

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sort of thing to do. It was a wonderful breakthrough to realise that Jesus chose to die for me. He wasn’t forced to do it. That makes all the difference in the world. Believing as I do that Jesus is God, this means that God’s love for me is so great that he sacrificed himself for me. And for you. The resurrection of Jesus is a fact attested in history and proclaimed by witnesses throughout the world. He is alive! That means that God is knowable. May you know him this Easter. And who knows what will happen next?!

Rev Steph

SERVICES AT ST MICHAEL’S UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED APRIL Sun 2

Benefice

10:00

Benefice Communion with Healing

09:30

BCP Communion

Palm Sunday 11:00

Wed 5 Sun 9

Family Service with Procession

Mon 10 Holy Week