Brantham bugle dec:jan 2017 ol by Joanne King

ISSUE 130 // DEC/JAN 2017 // FREE

Also in this issue

Heartwatch More volunteers needed

Xmas Waste Timetable See page 9

The Brantham Bugle

Contents 5 From the Editor 8 Parish Council News 9 Christmas Waste Collection 11 Heartwatch 12 Bugle Letters & News 14 BGNS Community Cafe 15 Christmas in Kent 17 Constable Country Medical Practice 19 Good Neighbour Scheme 20 Report to parishes 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

22 Santa’s visit 24 The Future of Flying 26 Brooklands Primary School 27 Brantham Box Office & Christmas Family Party 29 Scout & Guide Group 30 St Michael’s Church

Cover picture courtesy of Apple Allen

32 Probus

Disclaimer

33 Holy Family Catholic Church

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.

35 Brantham Methodist Church 37 The Women’s Institute 39 BATS 41 U3A 42 Community Information 44 Poetry Corner 45 Local Transport 46 Community Information 49 Community Sport & Entertainment 50 Advertising Rates & Copy Guidelines

The Brantham

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Editorial

editor from the

Yes it’s that time of year again. Festivities, parties, family and friends are top of everyone’s agenda.

O and defibrillators it would seem! Following on from an item in News & Letters in the last edition, Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme are also looking into having another defib placed in Brantham to commemorate their founder - Fiona Mower. Additionally I have

been contacted by a resident of East End asking me to highlight that there is also one placed at the Butchers there. Don’t forget to look out for Santa coming round the village on the 17th & 18th December, I’m sure he and his helpers would appreciate a cheery wave and a large donation! I’m sure that the other organisations running lunches, fund raising events and concerts would also be grateful for your participation.

choose from - please do keep sending them in. So as another year draws to a close, I’d like to thank all of our volunteer deliverers; who are out in all weathers making sure you receive your copy of the Bugle - if you see them please thank them for all their hard work. Seasons Greetings to all.

Joanne King Volunteer Editor

We have another beautiful cover taken again by Allen, so many lovely pictures to The Brantham

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Parish Council News

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017

As I write, Christmas feels like it is only round the corner and my annual panic is really starting to set in now! As usual there will be a Christmas get-together after the forthcoming Parish Council meeting in December, please come along and enjoy a sausage roll and a glass of wine with us! But for now, here’s a quick update of some of the most recent Parish Council activity:

Precept 2017-18

The Finance Committee has been working on the Parish Council budget for the next financial year. As a result of this work the at its meeting in November the Parish Council agreed the budget for 2017-18 and this year the Parish Council will be requesting a precept of £44,125.00 from Babergh District Council. If you would like to find out more about how the Parish Council spends this money then please come along to any Finance Committee meeting on 8

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the 4th Wednesday of every month, 7.45pm at Brantham Village Hall.

Brantham Industrial site

Since the last issue of The Brantham Bugle the Parish Council has not yet received an update on the planning application, however as soon as we know anything we will let you know so please keep checking our website and FB page for more information. Otherwise, we await with interest to see what the New Year will bring.

New Parish Councillor

In October 2016 the Parish Council sadly said goodbye to our longserving Parish Councillor Melvin Amoss. Melvin has been an important member of the Parish Council for approximately 13 years and the Council will miss his quirky sense of humour, his local knowledge and his willingness to get involved. Melvin has been an integral member of the

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Village Hall Management Committee and has done lots of work to make sure that the hall is as well-run as it currently is – thanks so much Melvin! I am however, pleased to be able to let you know that the gap that Melvin has left will be very competently filled by Mark Aherne. Mark brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to the role and will be an excellent new recruit to the Parish Council team. For an opportunity to meet Mark then please do come along to the next Parish Council meeting in December which will include a post-meeting festive celebration.

Brantham Box Office film nights

The Brantham Film nights are continuing to run on the third Wednesday of every month and many of you have been along to enjoy the cinema experience on your doorstep! Doors open at 7pm, and the film starts at 7.30pm.

Christmas & New Year

Waste & Recycling Collection Schedule 2016/17

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

Recycling

Refuse

Recycling

Please ensure your bins are presented by 06:30am on the day of collection. Usual Collection

Revised Collection

Change

Monday 19 December

No change

Tuesday 20 December

No change

Wednesday 21 December

No change

Thursday 22 December

No change

Friday 23 December

No change

Monday 26 December

Tuesday 27 December

1 day late

Tuesday 27 December

Wednesday 28 December

1 day late

Wednesday 28 December

Thursday 29 December

1 day late

Thursday 29 December

Friday 30 December

1 day late

Friday 30 December

Saturday 31 December

1 day late

Monday 2 January

Tuesday 3 January

1 day late

Tuesday 3 January

Wednesday 4 January

1 day late

Wednesday 4 January

Thursday 5 January

1 day late

Thursday 5 January

Friday 6 January

1 day late

Friday 6 January

Saturday 7 January

1 day late

There will be no brown bin collections over Christmas and New Year (between 26th December and 6th January) Please check www.babergh.gov.uk for further details From Monday 9th January normal waste and recycling collections resume

Waste Helpline: 01449 778678 Please mention the

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Tickets cost £4 in advance from Bakes and Blossoms Café, or £4.50 on the door (£2 for under 16s). On Wednesday 21 December we will be showing THE LEGENDARY MISS SAIGON. The epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with American GI Chris – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. The special gala finale also features appearances by the original cast including Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga. If you are interested in helping to organise the film nights we would love to have you on board. You can contact me by phone on 07702 490212 or email clerk@branthamparishcouncil.co.uk, or catch me at one of the film nights to discuss how you can help.

Parish Clerk Surgeries 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 10

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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 Wednesday 14 December 2016. The first Parish Clerk surgery in the New Year will take place on Wednesday 11 January 2017. I look forward to seeing you.

Planning and Finance Committee meetings The Planning and Finance Committees meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Due to the Christmas period there will not be a meeting in December, and therefore the next Planning and Finance Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 25 January 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 notice board prior to the day of the meeting.

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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 date of the next meetings are Wednesday 07 December 2016 and Wednesday 04 January 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. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Regards,

Sarah Keys Parish Clerk

Thank you to all who attended our Coffee Morning and Introduction to First Aid in the Benneworth Lounge in September. It was good to see so many people there. As it was so successful we are planning to hold another Coffee Morning in February, this time jointly with the Royal British Legion. The focus will be on Dementia Awareness with a session run by ‘Dementia Friends Champions’ who are funded by the Alzheimer’s Society to promote better understanding of dementia, how to relate to those who live with dementia and to dispel some of the misconcep-

tions about the condition. It could be very useful for many people living in and around East Bergholt. The date and venue will be given in January’s edition. On a more general note, please note that the Community First Responders can ONLY respond at the request of The East Anglian Ambulance Service. The only way to get the responder on call to help is to call 999 or 111, please do not try and contact responders on their private numbers. As we come to the end of a very busy year we want to thank you for all the

support you have given throughout the year. Your contributions help us to keep the team going and to make sure the Community Defibrillators are maintained and ready for use at all times. We do still need more responders so, if you enjoy helping people and are looking for local volunteer work, please give us a ring to find out more on 01206 298692. All that is left is to wish you and your families and friends a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and 2017.

BLESSING OF THE SHEPHERDS During the year our enthusiastic band of knitters have been producing shepherds for the Christmas Services. You are warmly invited to a service where their handiwork will be offered to God in a short service of blessing on the 14th December at 9.30. You are very welcome whether you have knitted or not! Afterwards do stay on and have refreshments at our regular Winter Warmer Welcome. Please mention the

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Bugle News & Letters

BUGLE NEWS & LETTERS There have been increasing instances of thoughtless dog owners allowing their pets to foul the churchyard and not cleaning up after them. We understand that anyone can be caught short, but that is no excuse for not dealing with the problem. It is something that causes particular pain in a churchyard. There is a dog litter bin very conveniently situated in Rectory Lane. Rev Steph Brantham Fireworks Committee would like to thank all those that attended this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. It was another spectacular event put on by a dedicated group of volunteers, yet again we received plaudits from all parts of the village, none more so important than that from the founder of the event who sent a lovely if somewhat colourful text saying how great the event was. These sorts of events do not happen by chance, we spend up to 6 months prior to the day organising everything from the catering, the fire, the security, the helpers, the fireworks and the legal side of it too. I am in the privileged position of fronting the committee, however, I have a great group of people assisting me in the persons of Richard and Adele Candy, Trevor and Alison Townes, Micky Pleasants, Darren Baldwin, Louise Madley, Terry and 12

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Kim Faulkes, Dan Allen, Phil Lawler & Brantham Scouts. Plus I also need to thank the helpers who turned up on the Friday morning to assist the building of the fire, which contained 900 pallets. Finally we would like to thank Brantham Leisure Centre for the use of the centre, Brantham Parish Council for the use of the playing field, our neighbours for their patience and understanding and once again all our generous sponsors, helpers and committee. Next year the event will be even better and will be held on the 4th November 2017. If I have missed any thanks to someone I apologise but thank all those that help in no matter how small or large a way. Darren Smith, Chairman Brantham Fireworks Committee The Brantham Churchyard A gentle reminder that written permission must be sought from the Rector before any work is done on a grave, or a monument. We are bound by regulation in this. Recently extensive work has been done on a grave on the Rectory Lane side of St Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church, including infilling with white gravel which is no longer permitted. Please note that fencing around a grave is also not allowed. Please come and talk to me if you have any concerns. Rev Steph 392646

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Thursday 26th January Thursday 23rd February 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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1940 CHRISTMAS IN KENT Are these the Christmas memories that last, Of good embedded in the memory past. From a child some eighty years have gone, Expecting nothing as the feast moves on. The world at war; amid such scarce resources, Meant rewards were only good for Forces. And yet the festive table groaned with pig undeclared,* Fed and nurtured and with the people shared. Allotment vegetables; results of Victory dig, Roast potatos embellish the unfortunate pig. Plum pudding saved through Ration books collective, Silver threepennies embedded at the cook’s directive. Complete surprise; a box from overseas, From my Father who does his best to please. Feverishly unpacking; like Pandora and the box, So much excitement the distant memory blocks. But first the heavenly smell within the orange box, Whenever I smell an orange, back my memories flock. Dried fruits within, dried apricots and nuts, Dried milk and chocolate, Mum says in God and Dad we trust. The benisons given; such delighted faces, Labels that, to us, are unknown places. Such peace abounds; the thoughts and thanks are given, With hope that soon an end to war is striven. Dad – Sergeant Stan Rawlings Royal Engineers ‘30- ‘36 ;’ 39-’45. Mum-Kathleen Rawlings,Housewife, holder of the fastest run to the Anderson shelter, (after the Home Guard of course).

Keith Rawlings ’16

*pig unknown to Ministry of Food.

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Constable Country Medical Practice Flu, Pneumococcal and Shingles Vaccinations

We held Flu clinics at East Bergholt on 11th October and Capel on 20th October. We vaccinated over 2,137 patients over the two days which was higher than last year. Representatives from the Patient Participation Group helped to direct patients and generally both days went well with a steady flow through each afternoon. Thank you to all patients for making the day so successful and for your kind donations to Age UK and EACH. Patients who are eligible for free NHS flu or pneumococcal vaccinations but were unable to attend one of our flu days can now book an appointment at one of our weekly mini clinics. Due to supply issues we were not able to vaccinate patients eligible for the pneumococcal vaccination at our first flu day, though we did have supplies for the second one at Capel. We have now have ample supplies. Note that patients were informed by letter if they are eligible the

pneumococcal vaccination. In November the practice will be writing to patients who are eligible for shingles vaccinations. These can then be booked with one of our nurses.

Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

During November the practice will be implementing the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). This is a national system which is now being rolled-out across Suffolk. The system will enable many prescriptions to be processed by the practice electronically. This will speed up the process and minimise errors. However, the practice has had to undertake extensive work to ensure that medication is recorded in a way consistent with the new system (e.g. medication must be stated as the number of tablets and not the number of packs of tablets). Inevitably there are likely to be teething problems so please check all repeat slips and medication you are dispensed to ensure it

is correct and let the pharmacy or practice know immediately if you believe there is a problem. Please also note that you must nominate a pharmacy for your prescription to be processed electronically. You can inform the pharmacy or the practice, and change your nominated pharmacy at any time.

Training Days

Just a reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: 14th December 2016 (Wed) 9th February 2017 (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

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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

Good Neighbour Scheme

Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme Hi folks, I thought I would address you all in this way as the news has been full of the American Presidential elections and it must be contagious, the Good Neighbour Scheme volunteers have come up “TRUMPS” ourselves this month, excuse the pun! as the scheme has scored some 179 tasks in October and November and we hope this has made a big difference to the residents in our community. The activities we are planning in the next few months include our usual monthly coffee mornings at Brantham Leisure Centre, which will be on January 26th and February 23rd 2017. Please note that due to our Xmas meal on the 8th December we will not be running a café in December. However we did run a shopping excursion to Tiptree in November where we took two mini buses to Perrywoods Nursery to see their xmas decorations and some even visited Santa! We understand that he took notes from some of our residents to bring good wishes for Brantham on Christmas Eve?. We have just approached the Parish Council with a proposal to remember our founder member Fiona Mower who sadly passed away in March 2015, this would be for the Scheme to contribute to a further Defibrillator, position and location yet to be confirmed, however somewhere in the centre of the village for ease of access to trained individuals in resuscitation, with a commemorative plaque mounted adjacent to the device remembering Fiona and her valued contribution to our village. We will keep you updated on the fundraising,

and anyone that has some good ideas for the location and position of the equipment please let me know, these will be indicated in future publications of the Bugle. As a quick reminder of our services and our contact telephone number these are as follows:Transport for residents to the Doctors, Dentist, Clinics or Hospital appts. Organise trips out for the day. A Natter and a Chatter over the phone. Collect shopping for those who can’t easily get out, or take you shopping and collect prescriptions or pensions. Information about help or benefits are available or signpost you in the right direction and help fill out forms. One-off house or garden tidy, including some more specialist tasks if we can assist such as mending the fence or the garden gate. Help with pets if residents are incapacitated or in hospital. To contact us for services or to become a volunteer, please call Please have a great Christmas and hope to see you all and any newcomers at our monthly café in the new year.

Regards Vic Saunders (Secretary)

Call: 0754 135 9036 The Brantham

REPORT TO PARISHES, Alton Ward: December 2016 CHANGES

(Apologies to D. Bowie) It’s been a while since I last reported here. Not that I’ve been doing nothing (quite the reverse) but much of it wouldn’t be very interesting or helpful to report. I attend the three Parish Councils every month and update regularly on Facebook (Open Group: please join). The one thing that has been constant in 2016 is change. Babergh is no exception to this, if in a less radical manner. We have appointed a new Joint Chief Executive in Arthur Charvonia, from Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Councils. He already has experience of operating over two councils. A qualified barrister with a useful background in relevant law, Arthur should be in position in the New Year.

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Both councils have voted to move our centre of operations to Endeavour House in Ipswich. The Independent and Lib Dems Groups at Babergh argued extensively for both to use the Hadleigh offices but lost the vote. There will still be a physical presence within each district, but the thought was that this had financial and organisational benefits. Another strand of this thinking is in how people access our services in the 21st Century. Fewer people than ever actually visit, most using the phone and increasingly the Internet. These Public Access issues are being addressed with a single local rate phone number and an improved website design. Importantly this is being configured for the mobile devices that the vast majority of people have, apparently. Useable where there are low band-

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widths or poor internet signals. For those that have no access, work is being done to make these methods more accessible to all,the website will be going live after Christmas, but a ‘beta’ version is up and running for trial purposes. Please take a look at this link: http:// tinyurl.com/h3wmy88 You’re invited to give feedback at the top right. It’s a beta version and may need patience initially. Still on the change theme, we will have voted by now whether to accept the Devolution deal on offer to Suffolk/half of Norfolk, but not Norwich. (Long Story!) This would give us an elected Mayor for the Combined Authoritywith a basic budget of £25M a year. It doesn’t replace District or County but would carry out some strategic planning currently managed at

Westminster. I have considerable reservations about how democratic this will be, composed of Council leaders under the Mayor, and with, what I see, as quite a limited budget. By comparison, Suffolk County Council spent £42M in August alone, a fairly typical monthly amount. The rushed process has seen a peculiar consultation process seemingly designed to produce, or accentuate, the ‘right’ answer. Governments too can change, sometimes within the same party, and future support for even this lacklustre version of Devolution may be different. Many of the original architects are gone

from Government already. If it is passed by all councils you will be voting for the Mayor in May 2017. I’m running out of my allotted space, so ‘What Does a Councillor do? Part Two: Training and Committees’ will have to wait for the New Year. Restrain your excitement please. I’d like to mention the useful Recycling leaflet that’s been delivered to us all. Suffolk has an excellent record in recycling, but there are a few changes (again) and some useful tips on how to improve it even further. Please read it or keep it by, not in, your bin. Campaign page with video at http://tinyurl.com/

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ja7xsrx This should see print before Christmas, so may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year? Keep an eye out for those who will not be able to enjoy the festive period for whatever reason. As a final Christmas present here’s a link to the Festive Bin Collection days. http:// tinyurl.com/gmoenpv As always, if anything concerns you please contact me via the methods below (or just say hello sometime! Blue Claud Butler bicycle, usually with yellow winter cycling jacket.) Or I may be around singing Carols with the Brantham Choir before Christmas.

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Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December at around 4.00pm I will be coming to see all the good little boys and girls of Brantham There will be a door to door collection with all money being donated to charity Contact: Trot Ward 07809 564818 Phil Wainwright 07721 591748

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John Gamlin

THE FUTURE OF FLYING IN BRITAIN Four years ago I wrote a Bugle article on David Cameron’s announcement of a Commission of Enquiry into future airport expansion in the South. The Commission’s decision of a third runway at Heathrow raised cries of rage from many quarters, but nevertheless was recently endorsed by the government. However, this is not the end of the story. Over the last four years many critical articles and research papers have been written on the subject, we are post Brexit and Zak Goldsmith, the MP who advised me on the subject has resigned his seat and membership of the Conservative Party over the issue. Gatwick Airport management has bought full page advertisements in the daily press and there is anger from many local residents on the grounds of noise, air pollution and the destruction of about 750 homes. More capacity is needed, we are told, to generate

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“jobs and growth”. The jobs thing always appears when infrastructural project are mooted, but if the thing is not right as far as benefit is concerned we might as well put these workers to digging holes and filling them in again. On growth there is evidence to suggest that a third runway will contribute little and the so-called “boost to the economy” is a mere £60bn over the 60-year life expectancy of the project. Recent research has revealed that whilst some 60% or so of us take no long-haul flights another 15% are responsible for about 70% of them, presenting a clear case for grading airport tax reflecting the number of flights taken. Another study has suggested a greater return will come if Gatwick is chosen, but we have to ask why London at all? If we really wish to deliver a “Northern Powerhouse” we should be looking at Manchester or Leeds. Whatever the case, it is the environmental issue that should ultimately

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determine the future of flying, both here and in the rest of the world. If we are to meet our temperature rise commitments under the Climate Change Act and the 2015 Paris Agreement we should be looking for ways to reduce flying, not increase it. There is no chance that modern aircraft will run on anything other than kerosene, that less volatile form of petrol used in aviation, so like everything else using fossil fuels, flying should play a part. To meet these agreements we need to cut back our fossil fuel use by at least 80%, an enormous heave which must be realised within the next ten to twenty years. Mankind has been very clever in enabling everyone to travel far faster than the natural limits of walking or horse riding, so the message is that unless they can be maintained using renewables most of them will have to go. Yes, Britain’s contribution is very small compared with countries like China or the United States, but that is no reason not to play our part.

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A VARIETY OF PIANOS AVAILABLE AT VARIOUS MONTHLY RATES A GREAT WAY TO TRY A QUALITY PIANO BEFORE YOU BUY Established since 1988 and Fully Qualified Covering the Brantham area for 25 years

01255 670780

www.mpgpianos.com See my pianos at:

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children’s faces as they bounce through the school doors every day, eager to learn and try new things.

Over the last few weeks I have shown several parents and children who hope to join Brooklands in September 2017, around the school. One of the many pleasures I have in doing this is in seeing their surprise and delight at all the things we are doing at Brooklands. It can be easy to take what we do for granted or see it as common place and not fully appreciate all the wonderful things we are doing for our children here. Fresh eyes remind us just how unique and special our children’s experiences are here at Brooklands. We are often going above and beyond what is offered in other schools and this is reflected in the progress that our children make. Our school results also support this, with our Key Stage 1 and 2 children outperforming other schools and seeing the visible delight on our 26

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I will be holding an information evening for parents of children due to start school in September 2017 on Wednesday 23rd November at 6.00pm. If anyone wishes to attend please don’t hesitate to contact the school for details. Brooklands recently received congratulations from the Department for Education for our Key Stage 2 results. Tim Coulson, Regional Schools Commissioner wrote ‘I was very pleased to see the school’s provisional Key Stage 2 results for this Summer. Everyone is aware of the higher demands of the tests than in previous years and it was impressive how well and quickly your staff have adapted and taught children to the standards required.’ Our children have been learning about the impor-

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tance of perseverance and not giving up. Our children are learning that not being able to do something first time doesn’t mean that with hard work and determination they won’t be able to do it one day. Talking of trying new things and practicing, our Sea Otters have begun learning the guitar and are enjoying weekly sessions delivered by the Suffolk County Music Service. Brooklands is working hard to achieve a new quality mark (Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark). This aims to provide a framework of support and understanding in order to further develop our practice and help all our learners with dyslexia.

Christine Davy Headteacher

The Brantham

Brantham Box Office Presents Film night Wednesdays at Brantham Village Hall (doors open at 7pm, film starts at 7.30pm) Wednesday 21st December 2016 MISS SAIGON This is the spectacular, sell-out 25th Anniversary Gala Performance of this acclaimed new production of the global stage sensation. The Telegraph called it “the most thrilling, soaring and emotionally stirring musical with magnificent performances”. The epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with American GI Chris – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. The special gala finale also features appearances by the original cast including Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga. Tickets cost £4 in advance from Bakes and Blossom café, £4.50 on the door, £2 for under 16s

Relaxed and Friendly Mondays During Term Time 09:30 - 11:30 Brantham Village Hall

£1.50 per family including a well earned cuppa for grown ups and a healthy snack for the kids. Come and join us and meet other local mummies, daddies, grandparents & carers. Every third Monday of the month we are joined by the Hadleigh Health Visitors for your local Baby Clinic. Contact Charlotte on 07858 891217 for more information 28

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1st Brantham Scout & Guide Group

Beavers 20th Birthday 1st Brantham Beavers Scouts began in the Autumn Term, 1996. To begin with we met with the Rainbows, and had both Beaver and Rainbow Leaders. This arrangement worked very well, until the Scout Association devised a new programme, which meant Beavers could earn badges. We then decided that we would need to separate as our programme requirements were so different. The Beaver Scout Colony has twelve Beavers and in the last few years we have been able to accept girl Beavers as well. We are supported by Young Leaders, working for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and they are useful members of the team. This term we celebrated our 20th Birthday by having a Celebration at the Scout and Guide Hut. We invited leaders past and present, and parents of the current Beavers. The Beavers gave a presentation, showing how Beavers has changed in the last 20 years. They served drinks, and cakes they had made, to the visitors. We also had a cake with 20 candles, which were blown out by all. The final excitement for the Beavers was that they were the first Brantham Beavers to go on a Sleepover. A wonderful time was had by all – and even some sleep!!

Leader Contact Details Rainbows & Guides Debbie 299586 1st Brownies Ruth 07932 636343 2nd Brownies Sue 395101 Beavers Lin 01255 871059 Cub Scouts Ruth 393076 Scouts Charlie 01255 487252

Contact Hayley Hunt 07775 962963

Children’s entertainer, raffle, face Painting, disco, fabulous raffle and a visit from Father Christmas with every child getting a gift.

£10 per family 2 adults up to 3 children

Proceeds to Meningitis Now

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St Michael’s Church Our son in law was trying on his Santa outfit before they fly to SA to celebrate Christmas with his family for the first time since he and Ingrid were married. “Ho! Ho! Ho!” he boomed from behind the enormous beard. “Is there a little boy called Callum here? I am looking forward to seeing in in SA at Christmas. Bye, Callum!” Callum got up on his knees to watch the red clad figure vanish and then called “Bye, Dad!” He wasn’t fooled. Behind that costume there was a person he knows, loves and trusts and who knows him and loves him more than he can understand. I confess to being more than usually impatient this year with the efforts of commerce to ensnare us into a false celebration of Christmas. The first advert arrived on my desk in June! And the cards depicted were full of cheerful robins in the snow, cheerful Santa apparently navigating tiny chimneys with ease, equally cheerful donkey bearing glamorous Mary, smug angels belting out a hearty refrain, and snowmen with noses a (non-creepy) clown 30

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

Rambling Rector would be proud of. You really can’t hide the fact that the first Christmas involved not a single robin or snowman, and the Bible doesn’t mention a donkey either. And I very much doubt that Mary at the end of her pregnancy completing an unwanted journey forced on her by an interfering government was looking as glamorous as portrayed. Angels there were but not smug - jubilant certainly. “Gloria in Excelsis” they sang in close harmony impressing the shepherds who were notoriously hard to impress. The adverts peddle the line that this is Happy Family Time and show pictures of smiling

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families around the table with glorious food laid out before them. They don’t show the Great Turkey Disaster, or the moment when Dad decides that he has heard Great Uncle Harry’s story about what happened in Timbuktu once too often. In a world where refugees are fleeing their homes in their millions in Africa and the Middle East and are now on our doorstep, where interfering governments serve their own interests and not the people they govern, where natural disasters too often reflect the damage we do to our environment and where misguided men and women convince themselves

that it is fine to inflict unimaginable horror on others in the name of their perversion of religion; how much we need the true Christmas. The true story of Christmas is about a

Saviour who came to be with us to share the joy and pain of our world and to help us understand that in spite of everything there is someone who knows and loves us more than we can understand. Family time especially at

Christmas? By all means. But it should be special every day as we seek to serve and love one another in the same way that Jesus served and loves us. May you see Him unexpectedly this Christmas.

SERVICES AT ST MICHAELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED DECEMBER Sun 4

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