Brantham bugle j:j 2017 ol by Joanne King

ISSUE 133 // JUN/JUL 2017 // FREE

Also in this issue

Fun Run 21st July - application inside this edition

Teddy Bear Parachute Jump 24th June

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 11 East Bergholt Horticultural Society 12 Bugle Letters & News 14 BGNS Community Cafe 15 Brantham Leisure Centre 17 Report to parishes 18 Teddy Bear Parachute Jump 20 Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme 22 Over 60’s 24 Homo Sapiens The Editor:

26 Scout & Guide Group

JOANNE KING 37 Cedar Close, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex. CO11 1TQ Telephone: 07526 118 663 Email: editor@branthambugle.co.uk

27 Brantham Regeneration Area

The Printer:

30 Fun Run Application Form

JUNIPER HOUSE OF PRINT Telephone: 01206 230884 Email: richard@jhprint.co.uk

28 BATS - Bunkered 29 Obituary 32 Brooklands Primary School

Cover picture courtesy of Rev Steph

33 Brantham Bowls Club

Disclaimer

36 Swifts in Brantham

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.

38 St Michael’s Church

This edition of the Brantham Bugle has been produced in good faith and we regret any errors, omissions/ misinterpretations that may have crept in.

47 Patient Participation Group

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.

53 Local Transport

40 Probus & Frienship Lunch 41 Holy Family Catholic Church 43 Brantham Methodist Church 45 The Women’s Institute 52 Poetry Corner 54 Community Information 56 Brantham Box Office & Brantham Toddler Group 58 Advertising Rates & Copy Guidelines The Brantham

Piano Tutor

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.

WƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĨƵŶ͕ ĐƌĞĂƚŝǀĞ ĨŝůůĞĚ ůĞƐƐŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ďĞŐŝŶŶĞƌƐ ƚŽ ŝŶƚĞƌŵĞĚŝĂƚĞƐ

Ž ǇŽƵ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ůĞĂƌŶ ƉŝĂŶŽ Žƌ ŬĞǇďŽĂƌĚ͍ WĞƌŚĂƉƐ ǇŽƵ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƉůĂǇ ǇŽƵƌ ĨĂǀŽƵƌŝƚĞ ƐŽŶŐƐ ďǇ ǇŽƵƌ ĨĂǀŽƵƌŝƚĞ ďĂŶĚƐ ďƵƚ never had the opportunity or time to learn? Or maybe you’re looking to just learn the very basics of playing and don’t know ǁŚĞƌĞ ƚŽ ƐƚĂƌƚ͍ tĞůů ŝĨ ƚŚĞ ĂŶƐǁĞƌ ŝƐ z ^ ƚŽ ĂŶǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƋƵĞƐƚŝŽŶƐ ƚŚĞŶ ůŽŽŬ ŶŽ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ĂƐ / Ăŵ ŚĞƌĞ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ͊

Open Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm During week produce for sale on table at front of house when available.

dĞů͗ ϬϳϵϭϮϬϳϴϮϵϬ ŵĂŝů͗ ĂĚĂŵŽŶƉŝĂŶŽΛŚŽƚŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ tĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ĂĚĂŵŽŶƉŝĂŶŽ͘ĐŽŵ

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

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Editorial

editor from the

At last Summer is nearly here, I love the lighter evenings and spending more time outside. Blink and it will be school holiday time again, though not before exams need to be sat for many children. Good luck to those of you studying and all the parents supporting you! There is lots to keep everyone busy over the coming months. If running is your thing then how about taking part in the annual Brantham fun run, or take your teddy for some exercise by throwing them off the church roof! (Teddy Bear Parachute Jump at St Michael’s).

Something a little gentler? Then how about trying bowling or gentler still going along to the Good Neighbour Scheme monthly coffee morning at the leisure cente. For a really relaxing evening Brantham Box Office continues to show films every month at the Village Hall. There is a new interest piece for you too read this edition, about Swifts and John Gamlin continues to supply an interesting article for each edition. Do you have something that interests you and would like to write

something for the Bugle? Do get in touch if you’d like some guidance. Please don’t worry about layout and picture etc I can sort all that out. Thank you too those of you that have been sending in pictures for use for the cover and on the facebook page. It’s lovely to have a range to choose from. The higher the resolution you can send them the better. PS - the proof reader is on holiday, so you can play hunt the mistake!

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 JUNE/JULY 2017

It’s good to see lots of our “regulars” at Parish Council meetings each month, but for those of you who haven’t been able to get along to a meeting here is an update on what your Parish Council has been up to over the last few months:

to a member of the community or organisation that, in the opinion of the Parish Council has made a significant contribution towards improving the conditions of life of the community residing in Brantham and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Annual Parish Council Meeting:

At their Annual Parish Council meeting on 03 May the Parish Council unanimously decided that this year the Parish Cup should be awarded to Kay Eastwood the current transport organiser of Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme. Kay has been doing a fantastic job of coordi-

At the Annual Parish Council meeting which took place on 03 May, Mrs Liz Dunnett was re-elected as Chairperson and Mr Alastair McCraw was re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of Brantham Parish Council. The following committee chairpersons were also elected: Finance – Liz Dunnett, Planning – Paul Saward, Legal – Alastair McCraw, Recreation – Clare Phillips, Services – James Pearce, and Footpaths – Clare Phillips.

Parish Cup:

At the Annual Parish Council meeting each year the Peter Gammage Parish Cup is awarded 8

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nating the activities of the Good Neighbour Scheme for some time now, and regularly goes above and beyond to meet the needs of people in Brantham. The Parish Cup was presented to Kay at the Annual Parish Meeting on 09 May. Congratulations and thanks to Kay for all of her hard work.

Brantham Industrial site:

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

Brantham Box Office Film Nights:

The Brantham Film nights are continuing to run on the third Wednesday of every month. 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). On Wednesday 21 June 2017 Brantham Box

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

Registered Manager: Liz Tonks Registration No: 1-1505061772

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Office will be showing A Man Called Ove. An ill-tempered, isolated retiree spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife’s grave. Just as he is about to give up on life an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbours.

local residents. To try to address this issue the Council has recently set up a Speed Control Working Group who will be working with Suffolk County Council to install some speed control measures along this A137. Watch this space for further information!

Then, on Wednesday 19 July 2017 we will be showing A Streetcat Named Bob (cert. 12A). This feel-good film tells the true story of how James Bowen, a busker and recovering drug addict, had his life transformed when he met a stray ginger cat.

Parish Council Contributions:

If you would like to see these films on the big screen on your doorstep then please do come along and support this village venture. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information: www. facebook.com/BranthamBoxOffice

Parish Council Surgeries:

Speed Control Measures on A137:

The Parish Council knows that speeding along the A137 is an issue that concerns many 10

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Since the last edition of the Bugle the Parish Council has agreed the following donations to local groups: May 2017: Brantham Over 60s club (support for transport costs) - £200.00

My monthly Parish Council surgeries continue on the second Thursday of every month at Bakes and Blossoms Café, Acacia Court. It has been great to meet with many of you to discuss your concerns and comments. The next Parish Council surgeries will be held on: Wednesday 08 June and Wednesday 13 July, 10am – 12pm. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Planning and Finance Committee meetings:

The Planning and Finance Committees meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month Proposed dates for the next meetings are: Wednesday 28 June and Wednesday 26 July. 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.

House move:

Some of you may have noticed that my family and I will be moving house in the near future. I know that lots of you have asked me where I am going to, and I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that I will be staying in the village, and so it will continue to be easy for you to contact me should you need to. However, moving house is never simple, so I am not exactly sure when it will happen but

I anticipate that it will be before the next edition of the Bugle, so please keep an eye on the Parish Council Facebook page and Website for my new contact details.

Parish Council meetings are: Wednesdays 07 June and 05 July 2017.

Finally, please remember that there is lots of information about Brantham and the Parish Council Parish Council on the village website meetings: at www.onesuffolk. Parish Council meetings brantham.net and on are normally held on the our facebook page www. 1st Wednesday of every facebook.com/Branthammonth starting at 7.30pm ParishCouncil. If you at Brantham Village Hall. would like to get in touch The date of the next with me directly you can

Our next event is a coach trip to Hyde Hall on Saturday 5th August leaving at 8am from The Red Lion or The Kings Head in East Bergholt. If you would like to go please call Evie on 299981. ANNUAL SHOW – SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER!! If you would like to enter the Annual Show please have a look on the website for the Show Schedule. You do need to be a member (children’s en-

tries free) but at only £2 it shouldn’t break the bank! Remember if you only enter a couple of classes it’s a start and if one of those wins a prize you’ll be hooked!! Entries don’t close till 31st August. Tend to your flower beds and vegetable garden or allotments, dust off those paint brushes and dig out the sewing box! PLEASE don’t be shy!! Also don’t forget to encourage your children and/or grandchildren to enter too! Any

do so by emailing me on clerk@branthamparishcouncil.co.uk or write to me at 15 Palfrey Heights, Brantham, CO11 1SE or you can telephone me on 07702 490212. Regards, Sarah Keys Parish Clerk

Sarah Keys Parish Clerk

queries please call Louise on 298122. Don’t forget our Pumpkin Competition – call Graham 01206 299628 for an entry form to be in by the end of June. Remember to support the Store for most of your gardening needs at very competitive prices!! Behind the Robertsons Almshouses next to the church every Sunday from 9.30 till 10.30.

www.eastbergholthorticulturalsociety.onesuffolk.net email: ebhs@btinternet.com Please mention the

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Bugle News & Letters

BUGLE NEWS & LETTERS Fireworks Event 4th November 2017 Brantham Leisure Centre “Cry for Help!” The Firework committee is made up of a dedicated group of about 10 volunteers that do everything from build the fire to clear up and all the niceties in between to set the whole event up. We are looking for local people from the village to help out in the run up to the event, we have bi-monthly meetings from April to September then fortnightly from September to the day of the event – this year 4th November 2017.

Nenta train travel arrange special day out train trips to places of interest, you usually have to board the train at Ipswich However there is one trip this year to Bath, Bristol and Cardiff (Saturday 23rd Sept) where the train stops at Manningtree. If more people use the service we may get more trips starting here. More details and other trips can be found at www.nentatraintours.co.uk Robert Sibthorp

The event is extremely well run, but we are all getting a little older and therefore, need new people to help and bring new ideas to the committee. The event is run for village primarily, it has grown over the years to be one of the most successful firework displays in the area. If you would like to help or just find out more about us, our next meeting is on 29th June 2017 at 9pm at Brantham Leisure Centre please come along, or email me on darren@kemptonsmith.co.uk. Darren Smith Fireworks Committee Chairman

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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

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Thursday 27th July Thursday 31st August 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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Dear Villager Within your village is Brantham Leisure Centre a facility that is open to all to enjoy and use. We have within it the following activities and clubs that form the centre as it is today: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Brantham Athletic FC – Youth and Senior (male/female) Brantham Cricket Club Brantham Bowls Club Brantham Indoor Bowls Club (Monday night) Steff-fit – Keep Fit and Boot Camp Tennis Coach Probus Ladies Over 60’s Music band nights Quiz Nights Casino Nights Children’s Halloween & Christmas events And much more….

We also host the annual village Fireworks event in November and the annual village Fun run event in July. The facility has an excellent function room upstairs with its own bar which is free to Hire to all village occupations (T&C’s apply). Main bar area downstairs open during normal licensing hours as well as the club kitchen serving regular food – especially Friday night meal deal nights. The facility is staffed by local people and is for local people….the Directors run it as a Community Interest Company and take no financial reimbursement from it, all monies are fed back in to the centre. If you are interested in looking at it, using it or being a member then call us on 01206 392506 or pop in and see our excellent facility, it is after all your village Leisure Centre to use.

Darren Smith Chief Executive Officer

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REPORT TO PARISHES, Alton Ward: 2016-1017 Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have seen significant decisions made this year. The effects of these may not all be apparent for some time to come. Devolution, initially just Suffolk, imploded when some Norfolk Councils rejected the final bid. The Government offer was withdrawn. Another try is possible, but there may not be much appetite left. We will be adopting a Cabinet model from 2017-18. Many principal decisions will be made by a Cabinet of appointed members, frequently without reference to Committees or the Full Council. Councillors will have the option to ‘call in’ certain decisions before they go into effect, with restrictions to avoid ‘time wasting’. The aim is to make decision making faster and more efficient. Our Scrutiny Committee are expected to see an increased role, although it is unclear as to how this will work in practice.

Planning and Regulatory Committees are unaffected by this. We’ve asked the Boundary Commission to review ward boundaries, and number of councillors, to even up representation. So far, the Council ‘agreed’ a suggested figure of 31 to replace the current 43 (a 28% cut) as a starting point. Fewer of us making any decisions, we won’t need so many. Representing a larger number of people, there will be less to do apparently. Oh, Brave New World! A public consultation over proposed ward boundaries will take place after the first round of proposals. The final changes would take place for the 2019 elections. ‘Public Access’. In a far reaching decision, both Councils will be leaving their offices at Hadleigh and Needham Market around the autumn and moving to Endeavour House in Ipswich, thus outside our own area. There may be some

teething problems? The public will have face to face access to services, in Ipswich itself and at offices in Sudbury and Stowmarket. A major part of this strategy is the way people are expected to access Council Services in future, by phone and the internet. The new websites are up and running and can be used on all platforms. (Feedback is encouraged.) Babergh’s address is now www.babergh.gov. uk . There are also more ways to pay for services online and a single phone number. 0300 123 4000 can be used for all departments between 8.30 and 5pm on weekdays. (0300 calls are included in all networks free minutes packages, or cost the same as 01 or 02). Those headquarters become the initial basis of our property portfolios. To replace long term reductions of the Governments Revenue Support Grant we find we have to generate new revenue streams by The Brantham

TEDDY BEAR 1st Prize PARACHUTE £50 CHALLENGE 2nd Prize Saturday 24 June 2017 from 9:30am St Michael’s Church Brantham Sponsorship forms are available in the church 18

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investing in property. It is believed this will produce a significant return to shore up the finances. To that end both councils have set up a Capital Investment Fund Company with up to £50 million of borrowing permission. (50% owned by each council) New Homes Bonus has fallen well short of estimates so far (we need that money!) and has had new restrictions applied to it. Further, a Judicial Review of an East Bergholt planning decision has upset the Councils Core Strategy Policies. We can no longer demonstrate a ‘Five Year Housing Supply’. In that event, we are required to apply a ‘presumption in favour of development’ and are expected to grant such applications.... even overriding local plans, and

Report to parishes contd..... possibly neighbourhood you would expect will plans too. There are even continue, even if they fewer planning certainties aren’t noticeable. for now. As to my own role, I Your Council Tax for continue to deal with indi2017-18 is about 2.9% vidual queries, concerns, up on last year. Baberghs worries or problems and increase was 3.4% or £5 can always be contacted a year, the maximum on 07812 564188 or at allowable, so that we alastair.mccraw@babergh. could achieve a balanced gov.uk . to help where I budget. That forms about can. I’m also quite active 10% of your total Council and vocal in Committee, Tax Bill. Council and working The Greater Anglia groups at Babergh. Thank planning application you for your time and for a Rail Maintenance attention. Questions are Yard is yet to be decided, welcome and should be but I have established a positively encouraged. liason link to keep you all informed of progress alastair.mccraw@ through the Parish babergh.gov.uk Council. 07812 564188 Much of the day to day business continues as you would expect. Bins are emptied, licensing carries on, all the essential every day functions that

Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (an open group)

Brantham WI invite you to a Table Top Sale at Brantham Village Hall 17th June from 9am to 12 noon. Lovely Prizes on the Tombola Refreshments available The Brantham

Good Neighbour Scheme

Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme Yet another successful couple of months, as we have completed 111 requests from our residents since the beginning of April, mainly for transport, this is thanks to our ever dedicated team of volunteer’s who offer their free time to get our residents to their destination on time. Along with the daily requests we also had time to take twelve people on Friday 5th May by bus to Hadleigh, where it was a stroll up the high street with the ladies before starting shopping in Morrison’s, following that shopping experience we all met up at lunch time and had a nice bite to eat. Before heading away, a mandatory look around QD store then back to the bus and home via the country side. Our next excursions are listed below and any resident wanting to come along please give us a ring. You may have noticed a rather large box appear on the front of Bakes and Blossoms in Birch Drive with a black sack over the front, this will soon be the villages latest defibrillator which was part funded by The Garage Sale, The Parish Council and from donations given to the Good Neighbour Scheme and its proceeds from the monthly coffee morning, so thanks to all who supported us. The box should come into service from the 29th May so watch that space. In spite of our boundless efforts there are still residents living on their own in our village, if you are feeling low or lonely and would like a chat with someone, give us a call on 07541 359036. You can be assured 20

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your call will be private and confidential. The next dates for your diaries are as follows: 29th June 1.00-3.00pm Afternoon Tea at Brantham Leisure Centre 27th July 10.00am-12noon Coffee Mornings at Brantham Leisure Centre 7th June Harbour Lights at Walton for supper 14th July Shopping trip - destination unknown. 2nd August Waldringfield “The Maybush” for a supper evening. 31st August 10.00am-12noon Coffee Morning at Brantham Leisure Centre As you can see a lot is going on so come along and introduce another friend from the village we will always offer a warm welcome, see you all soon.

Kay Eastwood, Transport Coordinator Vic Saunders, Secretary

Call: 0754 135 9036

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Brantham Over 60’s The secretary reporting (for this issue only) to explain why the mention of our Annual General meeting (28th March) in the May “In Touch Magazine” was so brief and ‘anonimous’. Well,its because the reporter and chairlady, are one and the same and very unassuming, but sixteen years service on committee (the last three as chairlady) is worthy of note and, though resigning from these duties, she continues as an active member of the club and News Reporter and we thank you Shirley Halliday for this and past “jobs well done”. Continuing news from AGM:- The rest of Officers and committee were returned with two newly elected members, Norma Rhoods and Joan Bulford. The new chairlady, Joyce Alden, being elected at the committee meeting on 4th April. 11th April. “Hypnosis for the seven ages 22

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of man”- an unusual topic for us, but Dr. Nic Cooper’s talk and account of his dealing with patients from 7-95 years of age, suffering from Phobias, anxiety, pre-op stress, depression etc., proved so interesting, that discussion with members continued well into refreshment time.

18th April - Bingo preceded by a Fish and Chip lunch. 25th April Members had another ‘blooming’ try at flower arranging, with some really pleasing results. The winner being our newest member Marijka Madder. 4th May Committee meeting which from now on will be held bi-monthly on the first Tuesday in the month.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY June 13th Fish and chip lunch at 1pm, followed by Bingo 20th Discovering my gift as a Medium By Judith Burl 27th Strawberry Cream Tea July 11th Floral Delights- Arrangements by Pat South 18th Quiz preceded by Roast Lunch 25th Ladies’ Day at Ascot with Barbara Faulkner August 15th Annual Fundraiser with Ploughman’s lunch at 1pm and at 2-30pm Bring and buy and cake stalls plus Bingo from 1pm

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9th May We are always pleased to support the Guide Dog training scheme, and enjoyed the talk by Marjorie Cullen, accompanied by her husband David and trainee puppy QUABA, a lovable cream Labrador Retriever cross, hearing about the various aspects of training from the age of 7-15 months with puppy walkers, then on to the London Training School (housed in very special kennels) until ready to start their useful working life.

16 May Roast Lunch followed by a Quiz. 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

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All tree work undertaken Crown reduction and shaping Crown lifting and thinning Pruning and pollarding Felling, sectional dismantling

Specialising in big trees in delicate situations

info@dedhamvaletreesurgery.co.uk www.dedhamvaletreesurgery.co.uk

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John Gamlin

HOMO SAPIENS - WISE MEN? I’ve recently read a volume entitled Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind, but this is not a straightforward story of human development from early days to the present. It’s more an attempt to understand how homo sapiens came to believe in God, created kingdoms, employed science, faced the agricultural and industrial revolutions and a consideration how it all may end. The whole is a mix of history and analysis of the path we are taking; a story of how we emerged from the higher primates to what we are today and maybe tomorrow. The book finishes with a discussion of human weaknesses, how we manage our technological and political power and whether the lives we pursue make us happier than our forefathers. It’s a work of sufficient importance to qualify for BBC radio time and a four-page review in a Sunday broadsheet. The author is Yuval Harari, an Israeli academic and a vegan who meditates two hours a day. As is well 24

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known, sapiens emerged when we became more intelligent than other creatures of the forest, a process he describes as the cognitive revolution. This took place, he believes, when early man developed language and was able to pass on skills to future generations. The next revolution came when we gave up hunter-gathering for a settled agricultural existence devoted to the domestication of plants and animals. This turned out to be a mixed blessing, for although it led to greater food security it was achieved at the expense of a wide variety of edible sources and the “enslavement” of farm animals. Scientific discovery and the unlocking of fossil fuels led to the 18th century industrial revolution, a change which through its various phases continues to this today. Western industrialisation could not have developed without imperialism and capitalism: the first to secure resources and the second to provide financial capital. Again, the many benefits of industrialisation have come with considerable cost: popula-

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tion pressure, the loss of wildlife, global warming and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is when Harari raises a number of searching questions on the current state of affairs. For example, recognising that today most humans share the same set of geopolitical structures, economic assumptions, laws and attitude to science, will we ultimately live within one cultural entity? Or consider these - what is the overriding moral issue that haunts us, or how can we better learn to distinguish between fiction and reality so that we recognise the difference between what we believe to be the case from what actually is? Important questions to be sure, for as we now have the power to destroy the environment upon which we depend, it is essential that answers are found. Whether or not we effectively become one nation, our future rests upon recognising each other as brothers and guardians of the planet upon which we live.

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1st Brantham Scout & Guide Group

The summer term is here, for the members of Guiding and Scouting. And what a term it will be. There is camping and Archery. Horse Riding and pack holidays. It seems to be non-stop. Now the nicer weather has arrived all our packs and sections are set to make the most of it with action packed programmes of outside activities.

https://www.facebook.com/1st brantham scout & guide group

Julie Price

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

ƌĂŶƚŚĂŵ ZĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŽŶ ƌĞĂ ϱͬϭͬϮϬϭϳ

ƌĂŶƚŚĂŵ WĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵŶĐŝů

/ƐƐƵĞ Ϯ

Latest News

ĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŽ ĞĐŽǇ WŽŶĚ ǀŝĂ &ĂĐƚŽƌǇ >ĂŶĞ DĂŶǇ ŽĨ ǇŽƵ ǁŚŽ ǁĂůŬ ŝŶ ƌĂŶƚŚĂŵ ǁŝůů ŚĂǀĞ ŶŽƚŝĐĞĚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ůĂŶĚŽǁŶĞƌ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƌĂŶƚŚĂŵ ZĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŽŶ ƌĞĂ ŚĂǀĞ ƌĞĐĞŶƚůǇ ďůŽĐŬĞĚ ŽĨĨ ƚŚĞ ĐĂƌ ƉĂƌŬ ŶĞĂƌ ƚŽ ĞĐŽǇ ƉŽŶĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽŵĞ ƉŝůĞƐ ŽĨ ƌƵďďůĞ͘

ƌĞƐŽůƵƚŝŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ŝƐ ĚĞƐŝƌĂďůĞ͖ ŚŽǁĞǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ĂƌƌĂŶŐĞŵĞŶƚƐ ŵĞĂŶ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽŽƚƉĂƚŚ ƚŚĂƚ ƌƵŶƐ ĨƌŽŵ ĞĐŽǇ WŽŶĚ ƚŽ &ĂĐƚŽƌǇ >ĂŶĞ ŚĂƐ ŶŽǁ ďĞĞŶ ďůŽĐŬĞĚ ŽĨĨ͘ dŚĞ WĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŝƐ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ^&' ĂŶĚ ^ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ Ă ŵĞĂŶƐ ŽĨ ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ ĨŽŽƚƉĂƚŚ ŝƐ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ĂůůŽǁŝŶŐ ŝŶĂƉƉƌŽƉƌŝĂƚĞ ƵƐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚŝƐ ĂƌĞĂ͘

dŚŝƐ ǁŽƌŬ ŚĂƐ ŚĞůƉĞĚ ƚŽ ƐƚŽƉ ƚŚŝƐ ĂƌĞĂ ďĞŝŶŐ ƵƐĞĚ ŝŶĂƉƉƌŽƉƌŝĂƚĞůǇ ;ƉĂƌƚŝĐƵůĂƌůǇ ĂƐ Ă ƚĞŵƉŽƌĂƌǇ ĐĂŵƉ ĨŽƌ ƚƌĂǀĞůĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĂůƐŽ ĨŽƌ ĚƌŝǀĞƌƐ ǁŝƐŚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƉƌĂĐƚŝĐĞ ƐŬŝĚĚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƵŶƐĂĨĞ ĚƌŝǀŝŶŐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĐĂƌ ƉĂƌŬ͘Ϳ

/Ĩ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ĂŶǇ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚŝƐ͕ Žƌ ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ĨŝŶĚ ŽƵƚ ŚŽǁ ƚŚĞ WĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ǁŝůů ǁŽƌŬ ƚŽ ƌĞƐŽůǀĞ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ƚŚĞŶ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŵĞ ĂůŽŶŐ ƚŽ Ă WĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŵĞĞƚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĨŝŶĚ ŽƵƚ ŵŽƌĞ͘

ŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ďŽƚŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ƌĂŝƐĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ WĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŽŶ Ă ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ŽĐĐĂƐŝŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƉŽůŝĐĞ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽŵĞ ŝŶĐŝĚĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ůŽĐĂƚŝŽŶ͘

UPDATE 

tŽƌŬ ŝƐ ĐŽŶƚŝŶƵŝŶŐ ŽŶ ƐŝƚĞ ĂŶĚ ŝƚ ŝƐ ĂŶƚŝĐŝƉĂƚĞĚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ůĂŶĚŽǁŶĞƌ ǁŝůů ďĞŐŝŶ ǁŽƌŬ ƚŽ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ǀŝĂ &ĂĐƚŽƌǇ >ĂŶĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ĐǇĐůĞͲǁĂǇƐ ůĂƚĞƌ ƚŚŝƐ ǇĞĂƌ͘ dŚĞ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƉƉůŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ZĂŝů ĞƉŽƚ ŝƐ ůŝŬĞůǇ ƚŽ ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ ďǇ ĂďĞƌŐŚ District Council’s Planning ŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞ ŝŶ :ƵŶĞ ϮϬϭϳ ƐŽ ǁĂƚĐŚ ƚŚŝƐ ƐƉĂĐĞ ĨŽƌ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ŽŶ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚƐ͘

Find all of the related paperwork for the BRA Planning Application on the Babergh District Council website at:#

ŚƚƚƉ͗ͬͬǁǁǁ͘ďĂďĞƌŐŚ͘ŐŽǀ͘ƵŬͬďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐͬĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐͲĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚͬďĂďĞƌŐŚͲ ƌĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŽŶͲĂƌĞĂƐͬďƌĂŶƚŚĂŵͲƌĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŽŶͲĂƌĞĂͬ Žƌ ůŽŐ ŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ǀŝůůĂŐĞ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ďƌĂŶƚŚĂŵ͘ŽŶĞƐƵĨĨŽůŬ͘ŶĞƚͬŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂůͲƐŝƚĞͲƵƉĚĂƚĞƐ

The Brantham

BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY THE HILARIOUS COMEDY BY

LYNN BRITTNEY

7.30 pm

WEDS 7 , FRI 9TH & SAT 10TH JUNE TH

Tickets Â£7

from Bakes & Blossoms, Acacia Court, Brantham & www.ticketsource.co.uk For details call 01206 396674 / 07891974844

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Obituary Marjorie Jean Begg 6-11-1927 to 17-01-2017 Marjorie was born in Newcastle upon Tyne - a true Geordie ! She went to school in Newcastle until she was evacuated with the school to Kendal for four years. Her first job was as a typist with Paramount Films then moved to London and North Eastern Railways in Newcastle. She married her husband George,who was a Merchant Navy engineer in 1955.He later worked

for Trinity House at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and in 1968 he was transferred to Harwich.After touring the area they eventually bought a newly built house on Birch Drive in Brantham,where they made many friends. Unfortunately George had a bad stroke and Marjorie looked after him for over 20 years until he died in 1995.Marjorie had two hip replacements before George died but never regained good mobility however her good neighbours and many friends were always there when she needed help and took her for shopping

trips,coffee mornings and Doctors appointments etc. Marjorie became ill in 2014 and was receiving treatment in Newcastle. On the 17th of January while staying with her Sister Shirley,Marjorie suddenly deteriorated and was rushed to Hospital where she passed away that night.I would like to thank all my Sisters friends and neighbours for their kindness and many sympathy cards received at this sad time Shirley Holmes

Hospice’s big, bubbly event is back for 2017 After last year’s success, St Elizabeth Hospice is bringing back it’s highly popular family event, Bubble Rush, this August. Bubble Rush is a fun-filled, foamy 5k walk or run that will see people of all ages getting covered in colourful bubbles this summer in aid of the local charity. On Sunday 13 August, hundreds of people will run, walk, dance or skip around a 5km route at Christchurch Park. The route will feature four ‘bubble stations’ which each have different coloured bubble cannons, covering you in safe, frothy foam! “Bubble Rush is an ideal event to take part in with your family, friends or co-workers as it’s fantastically frothy and fun for people of all ages – whether you’re six or sixty!” All the money raised from St Elizabeth Hospice’s event will go towards improving life for people living with a progressive illness such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure. To sign up to be part of the fantastic frothy fun, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/bubblerush or call 01473 723600. Please mention the

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T H

ANNIVERSARY

2007-2017

1st Female 35 or over 1st ,2nd and 3rd Male 1st Male 40 or over 1st Male and 1st Female Brantham resident

1st Female 12-14 yrs

1st Male 11 or under

1st Male 12-14 yrs

1st Male and 1st Female Brantham resident

RACE LICENCE NUMBER 2017-26988

Attached to running club

(For the safety of competitors, cars for Junior runners will only be allowed to exit the car park between 7:30 and 7:45 or then only after the last senior runner has finished).

• Free Car Parking

• First aid

• Refreshments

• Showers & toilets

• Changing rooms

Available facilities include:

Unattached to running club

1st ,2nd and 3rd Female

1st Female 11 or under

Entry Fees (please tick)

Senior Race

Junior Race

Trophies will be awarded as below:

Junior race runners must be 14 years or under and Senior race entrants must be 15 years or over.

Visit www.runbritain.com/races and search “Brantham” to enter online.

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE

Junior race starts at 7:00 pm • Senior race starts at 7:30 pm

Brantham Leisure Centre, New Village, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 1RZ

Friday July 21st 2017

& Junior Fun Run

Brantham 5 Mile

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£3.00

Junior Race

Janet Webb: 01206 398027 or Phil Wainwright: 07721 591748

Any queries should be directed to

Numbers to be collected on the night of the event.

Date of Birth:

and post to address below. Janet Webb, 12 Hardy Close, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 1RQ

Signature:

Details of any relevant medical conditions:

Email:

Telephone:

Address:

Surname:

Closing date for pre-entry 15th July 2017.

Postcode:

Female

Signature of Parent or Guardian for runners under 18:

Yes

Brantham Resident:

Sex: Male

(Please ensure details are entered accurately and clearly).

Age on Race Day:

PARTICIPANT DETAILS 

BRANTHAM FUN RUN

Please make cheques payable to:

A signed entry form is considered acceptance of these conditions.

I accept that neither the sponsors, organisers or any race officials will be liable for any injury, loss or action claim (howsoever occasioned) resulting from this event.

Details not given above or that are not clear may result in ineligibility for receiving trophies.

£3.00

£5.00

Entries received on the day: Juniors £5.00 Seniors £10.00 No entries after 6.45pm.

Name of Running Club:

£7.00

Senior Race

Please enter me for the Brantham fun run. I declare that I agree to abide by their advertised rules. I agree not to run with prior knowledge of injury or illness and I understand that using an MP3 First Name: player or headphones will lead to disqualification.

DECLARATION 

ENTRY FORM 

Brooklands Community Primary School community and will keep you updated on progress as we go.

I still remember taking my first class as if it were yesterday. The names and excited faces looking back at me. Moving into their twenties now, but they will always be in my memories. My love for teaching is as strong now as ever and my role has evolved into not just nurturing a single class, but supporting and nurturing a whole school in a multitude of ways whilst also developing talented teachers and leaders of the future. Brooklands’ leadership team and governing body have been working closely with the Local Authority’s Infra-Structure team and architects to plan for the future expansion of the school. In response to the proposed housing development we are planning for the needs of the school and the 32

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Throughout the next few weeks our children will be ticking things on their ‘50 things to do before you leave Brooklands’ list. Along with growing beans and potatoes they will be enjoying their crops in a few weeks’ time and celebrating the chance to tick off ‘eating something they have grown’. Our Pufferfish have been learning how to ride their bicycles and be safe as part of Bikeability, whilst our Narwhals and Pufferfish will also be visiting the Wolsey Theatre to take part in drama workshops. Meanwhile, live music will be ringing out at our Brooklands Friends and Family Summer music event and our Sea turtles will be heading off ‘to the beach’ when they visit Wrabness. The summer term is a great time and promises many new experiences for all our children. It is wonderful to see that once again we have been inundated with applications to join the

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school in September. 30 children will be joining us in the Autumn, taught by Megan Glazin. At Brooklands we use the services of a range of outside agencies to support our children with additional needs. A number of these are funded through our school budget including play therapists, speech and language therapists and educational psychologists. This ensures regular interventions for our children and provides guidance for our teachers on supporting each child’s needs. Our inspirational sports coaches have also been supporting our children with football, handball and rugby. Following in the footsteps of our friendly rival matches against Highfields Primary School watched by many of you, our Year 5 and 6 children have recently taken part in a cross country event with the Royal Hospital School. 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 2, 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 admissions@ suffolk.gov.uk or call 0345 600 0981. We are very fortunate here at Brooklands to have an allotment in the school

grounds in which our children love to grow their own crops. The children have started to prepare their beds for planting and Year 2 children have chosen to plant runner beans, baby carrots and cress this week.

teachers who have a record of school improvement behind them. We are delighted that Pippa will be providing school-toschool support and sharing her expertise with us.

Pippa Wake (our Year 6 teacher) has recently been recruited as a Specialist Leader in Education (SLE). SLE are outstanding

Best wishes

Christine Davy Headteacher

BRANTHAM BOWLS CLUB New Village, Brantham

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. All equipment provided. Tuition given.

Further details please phone 01473 827447

SR MOWERS UNIT 11 BRANTHAM MILL CO11 1QT

Established 1993

SERVICING / REPAIRS TO MOST TYPES OF PETROL LAWNMOWERS AND GARDEN MACHINERY AT COMPETITIVE RATES, COLLECTION AVAILABLE. TEL: 07925 120777 FOR A PROMPT AND COURTEOUS SERVICE. Please mention the

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St Michael’s Church Annual Teddy Bear Parachute Jump This year’s annual Teddy Bear Parachute Jump in aid of St Michael’s Church Brantham (CO11 1PZ) will take place on Saturday 24 June 2017 in the church grounds. Registration for Teddy Bear parachutists will open at 9:30am on the day with the first jump taking place at 9:45am. The event, sponsored by Colchester and Clacton Solicitors Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) since the first Teddies jumped, has the brave Teddy Bears, sporting parachutes designed and made by their owners, launching from the top of the church tower. Their descent to earth is timed, with the winner being the Bear who remains airborne the longest. Ideally, trainers will have made parachutes for their brave

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Bears before arriving to jump but there will be a stall at the event for last minute parachute manufacture if needed! It costs just £2 for a Teddy Bear to jump, and there are prizes of £50, £30 and £20 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively for the brave Bears and their owners. Repeat jumps are just £1, and if you have raised sponsorship for your Teddy in aid of the church your Bear can jump for free. Sponsorship forms can be collected from the back of the church. Refreshments will be on sale, so do please come along and support the church and the Teddies on the day. The winning Bear in 2016 was ‘Greg’ with a flight time of 34.06 seconds,

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closely followed by ‘Bed Bug’ in second place with 31.41 and a last minute entry ‘White Bear’ flying into third place with a time of 28.50. Pictured with the Winners and their Bears from 2016 are Thompson Smith and Puxon Director Sharon Auton (third from right), Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn (second from right) and Nicola Crisell (far right) from the TSP Business Development team. Sharon said “We are really pleased to be able to support the Teddy Bear parachute jump again this year. It’s a great event and would urge you all to come along on the day and support Rev Steph and the Church.”

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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

Edward Jackson

Swifts in Brantham nest sites) for a few weeks when they raise their young. Birds that have bred together before return to exactly the same site they used previously. First-time breeders are usually two or three years old before they pair up and search for their own new nest site.

If you read this in June or July, our Brantham Swifts will be well into their nesting cycle. In early May they returned from their wintering areas in southern Africa. You may see them flying in their ‘screaming parties’, as groups whizz over the rooftops calling to each other - one of the special sounds of summer. These amazing birds - with their near-dark plumage and long, curved wings - are perfectly adapted to life on the wing. They’re in the air for most of their lives, feeding, sleeping and generally cruising at heights up to 3,000 metres! They’re only on ‘solid ground’ (at their 36

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Swifts are almost entirely dependent on holes and crevices in buildings for these nesting sites. Typically they use spaces under the eaves of older houses, churches and other buildings. People are often unaware they have nesting Swifts in their homes – the birds fly in and out so fast and are remarkably clean too. But this reliance on our buildings has spelt real trouble for them. In the past 25 years we’ve lost almost half of the UK’s Swifts, including ours here in Suffolk. This is mainly due to the disappearance of nest sites as older buildings are demolished or - often inadvertently – as building repairs and improvements made at roof-height seal off

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their nest holes. However, the good news is that Swifts take successfully to nest boxes attached to the outside of an existing building or put into new buildings. You can use the ‘Suffolk Swift Survey’ to submit records of screaming parties, known nest sites in buildings and new nest box sites too: http://www.suffolkbis. org.uk/swift However, please don’t log ‘normal’ sightings of Swifts flying overhead, as we’re looking for clear evidence of breeding. We don’t yet know where most of our Brantham Swifts nest, so please do look out for them. And if you and your family and friends would like to know more about Swifts, join me for a free illustrated talk in Brantham Village Hall at 7pm on Tuesday 11 July. Thanks and enjoy a Swift-filled summer!

The Last Month After success in the pre-season friendlies both 1st (Div1) and 2nd (Div3) XIs lost their opening fixtures in the Two Counties League. However for the 1st XI the visit of hitherto top of the table Woolpit

saw a dramatic change in fortunes. A massive score of 342, with 96 from James Scott and 146 from skipper Danny Goff, proved far too many for the visitors with Bruce Leeke taking five wickets to give Mistley a sensational victory by 205 runs. Both the 2s, at Woolpit, and 3s, at Yoxford, also won to make it a great day and on top of that the Ladies won two games over the same

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weekend too. The club also progressed to the NVC Regional SF by first overcoming Woodham Mortimer (with James Scott recording a century) and bypassing Round 2 as a result of Stock’s concession. Coming Up : Plenty of cricket, thick and fast. And hopefully some sun!

www.mistley.play-cricket.com their parts and showed a growing experience at expressing themselves into their roles.

Junior BATS Recently, we presented two acts of the play ‘Evacuees’. It was interesting for the cast to perform a play which added so much meaning to the World War 2 history that the children study at school. Part of the play shows a group of evacuees bedding down for their first night away from home on the village hall floor. Later, two children run away after being kept in a stables as they were considered too dirty to live in the ‘big house’. As the cast was large, we had help from four young people from TeenBATS and one young actor, Ryan Maslen. The children had worked hard learning

Our next venture will be into a Roald Dahl play, ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’. There will be some vacancies in September and I ask you to get in touch with me by email if you are interested for your child to join. We have a current Safeguarding Policy and all leaders have a chaperone’s licence. Angie Heath heathangie225@yahoo.com 07891974844 TeenBATS Roberta Lambert 07962 979352 (from Year 7) From Year 7, TeenBATS enjoy challenging drama skills. A group in which many start out as Junior BATS and also perform in our shows. TeenBATS hope to be taking part in the October Play Festival.

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St Michael’s Church The election season has only just begun and already I will be very glad never to hear the words “strong and stable” or “rigged economy “ever again! The tone of debates has sadly been strident and to my mind, rude. For the first time in many years I am undecided how to vote. To me the importance of a strong opposition cannot be overstated. A government without checks and balances is a dangerous animal. When our rulers lose contact with us the people and stop listening we are all threatened. In a pastoral letter, our Archbishops have raised concerns about the NHS, housing and poverty. They encourage voters to remember Britain’s Christian history and heritage as well as a concern for future generations and God’s creation as they make their decisions. At a time when political differences may be felt more intensely than ever, the Archbishops insist that Christians’ “first obligation” during the election and beyond is to pray for those standing for office. 38

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But Christians also have a duty to play an active part in the process, they add. Following divisions of recent years, they call for reconciliation drawing on shared British values based on cohesion, courage and stability. The letter also calls for space for faith in political debate and says politicians must be free to speak openly about their own beliefs and convictions and treated fairly for doing so. They call for a generous and hospitable welcome to refugees and migrants but also warn against being “deaf to the legitimate concerns” about the scale of migration into

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some communities. They also single out the importance of standing up for those suffering persecution on grounds of faith around the world. Faith, they argue, has a unique role to play in preventing extremism and religiously motivated violence. “Contemporary politics needs to re-evaluate the importance of religious belief.” May God grant us all wisdom as we go to the polls, and protect us from evil.

Rev Steph

SERVICES AT ST MICHAEL’S UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED MAY Sun 28 Easter 7

10.00

Benefice Choral Matins

JUNE Sun 4