Living in Suffolk Coastal - Issue 36

LIVING IN SUFFOLK

My proud moment ... with Joanna Lumley

Local home owners… throw open their doors

FREE

... PASS ME ON WHEN YOU HAVE READ

Child free zones?… meet the couple with the Parent Pod!

Art For Cure ... sculptures and more

Is grey just so last year?… Jojo Humes Brown on colours

YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

GET INVOLVED …

If you’ve got a heartwarming or topical story, an inspiring home or business to show off or an event you’re planning, do get in touch! The copy deadline for our April/May edition, which hits the streets in early April, is March 16th.

l For advertising information or if you’d like to submit any collaboration ideas, offers of a million pounds or stories for future issues, email us at: info@livinginsuffolk.com

ON OUR COVER …

We just love this painting entitled Daffodil Study by talented contemporary artist, Annie Rouse. She will be exhibiting at the paintings and ceramics exhibition, on April 29th, 30th and May 1st, alongside over 30 other artists, at Helmingham Hall. Read all about that and the incredible sculpture exhibtion on page 10.

LIVING IN

Editor: Angela Hagan

07930 184773, info@livinginsuffolk.com

Designer: Lewis Webb

Writers: Charity Crewe and Carl Stickley charity@livinginsuffolk.com, carl@livinginsuffolk.com www.livinginsuffolk.com

Due East Media Ltd: Soane House, 4 Soane Street, Ipswich IP4 2BG. Registered in England number 10242873

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editor, nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. LivingIn…SuffolkCoastal does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, without prior permission of Due East Media Ltd.

OPERA SINGER’S PAIN

Suffolk soprano Christina Johnston has told how she had no alternative but to opt for costly private medical treatment or risk losing her career.

Christina, who has sung all over Europe and far beyond, says; “I was admitted to Ipswich hospital last September with the most agonising pain I have ever experienced. I couldn’t stand - or be in any position without screaming in agony. They gave me morphine and sent me home as they thought it was gastritis even though I’d never had gastritis with such pain before. They sent me home with Gaviscon.”

But two months later, just before a big concert, the pain returned. Christina admits she could hardly walk or breathe despite her attempts to push on and ignore it for the sake of her work.

“I then collapsed the day before the concert and was rushed to hospital again - this time the thinking was that it was appendicitis. But it turned out, after many tests and hours of waiting (the NHS, unfortunately, are so busy) that I had a diseased gallbladder and sepsis had spread.

“They put me on antibiotics and I was in hospital for 10 days then sent home on a strict no-fat diet whilst the inflammation to my gallbladder went down.”

Christina was told she would have surgery by January.

“But they called me in January to tell me that it would be another three months at least on an ‘emergency’ waiting list. I couldn’t wait that long not just because if I don’t sing, I don’t pay the bills but also, I was losing so much weight I couldn’t sing or work anyway.”

It was actually two fans of the opera singer - Trudy Cameron and her sonwho heard about Christina’s plight and they set up a GoFundMe page.

They asked if I minded - I don’t really like asking for help or admitting I need it - but they thought it would be a good idea, so I agreed!’

Fans, friends and family dug deep to donate money towards the £10k gall bladder operation with the Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge. Unable to wait any longer, Christina underwent the surgery in early February. By then, her weight had plummeted to just six stones, due to the no-fat diet she’d been put on.

“It’s taking a while to get over the surgery,” says Christina. “I was so small my body didn’t react well to the operation at first. So, I was in hospital a bit longer than I’d hoped. I’m still very sore now and have to be careful”.

For Christina, the experience triggered harrowing memories of a family car accident which left her injured as a tot and

left her mother disabled. And then later she would go on to lose her beloved father when she was aged 11.

“I spent my childhood in hospital watching my mum have surgery after surgery, and this brought up lots of traumatic memories. My own experiences as a toddler of being put under anaesthetic and crying to my dad dressed in scrubs.

Before my operation recently I was shaking so much they had to sedate me before the anaesthetic. But they were very kind to me and the anaesthetist was amazing.”

At the time of going to print, the amount raised through GoFundMe stood at just over £4,600. Christina says she has just two weeks left to pay for her £10k operation.

“I can’t thank Trudy enough for all her support in setting up the GoFundMe. And for all the people who have donated; I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Christina says she has learnt a harsh lesson out of all this.

“I think I should have listened to my body sooner,” she added. “I tend to think things will just disappear but in future I need to be kinder to my body and listen to it more.”

l To donate, go to: www.gofund.me/cceff899

20A Market Hill, Woodbridge IP12 4LU

Christina Johnston was forced to make a difficult decision in order to save her livelihood …

“If I don’t sing, I don’t pay the bills”

ON THE MARKET

Your latest local property news from around the coastal region …

HISTORIC MARTLESHAM

We have driven past Martlesham House many times and wondered what lies behind its handsome exterior. Now we know, as this unlisted and substantial six-bed country house has come to market. Overlooking secure traditional gardens, it is understood to date from the 18th century. The original Suffolk Long House has been substantially altered and extended and today offers approaching 4000 sq ft of, well laid out, light and nicely proportioned accommodation. With lots of original features, including oak boarded floors and those all-important high ceilings, Martlesham House also offers a wide suntrap terrace outside which runs the length of the house. We love the impressive central dining hall with a gallery landing above.

Outside, beyond the parking courtyard is an impressive 63ft traditional timber framed barn, subdivided to provide general storage and an insulated office and store with the potential for conversion to a variety of annexe uses. There is a further 20ft workshop, woodshed and greenhouse. It also boasts a wonderful woodland meadow. And there is plenty of space for parking. In all, the property extends to about five acres. Guide Price: £1,350,000.

l Call Jackson-Stops on 01473 218218. Or email: ipswich@jackson-stops.co.uk

ROOM WITH A VIEW!

If it’s sea views you are looking for, this family home in Felixstowe’s sought-after Cliff Road will be hard to beat. With panoramic views to the front of the property, it’s no wonder the current owners have lived here for more than 20 years.

The interior has a harmonious, airy layout and offers five bedrooms.

You can’t beat the front balcony overlooking the sea and, for that added wow factor, it has an enclosed glazed sunroom offering an ideal place to sit and gaze whatever the weather.

The generous ground floor accommodation is ideal for entertaining and family living with a large kitchen and dining room which has been fitted with a range of units with co-ordinated worktops. A large central island makes a great space for everyday family life. The sitting room is situated to the front of the property making an ideal space to chill out in the evening, the conservatory at the rear also offers calming views over mature landscaped gardens. The property has plenty of off-road parking with space for multiple vehicles. We particularly like those dreamy bedrooms overlooking the sea - what a view!

Guide price: £1,100,000.

l For full details go to: www.fennwright.co.uk

ALL MY SISTERS AND ME!

It’s an emotional journey for the four sisters selling a beloved and historic family home which has been the beating heart of their community ....

The fire crackles in the cosy snug as Rosie Venn and her sister Claire Punter look through the wonderful old photos of Williams Stores in Grundisburgh. Overlooking the pretty village green and river, their home has remained a constant presence in the village having passed lovingly from family to family, generation to generation.

And you’d be hard-pressed to find an item the store hasn’t sold in over a century of trading. From forks - “if I had a penny for every person who comes in doing the ‘four candles’ routine, I’d be rich,” laughs Rosie - through to loose biscuits, oil heaters, jams, Indian clothing, colour TVs even knicker elastic, it’s stocked it all. More latterly the coffee shop, run mostly by Rosie since 2017, serves up delicious home-made cakes and sausages rolls and is the setting

for quite a few local group meet ups.

The Williams family have been custodians of this Grade 2 seven-bed gem since taking it over in 1968. As well as the store and café, The Gables features a wealth of original features including large inglenook fireplaces, original oak floors, a games room. It stands in 1.5 acres of mature gardens with the pretty River Fynn flowing through it. The original centre of the house dates back to the 16th century and is completed by a large Victorian extension.

Ray and Joyce Williams and their four daughters Claire, Julie, Diana and Rosie, enjoyed a magical time here. Rosie and Claire recall a Swallows and Amazons-style upbringing where the girls’ would explore their surrounding countryside, ride ponies and splash in the exquisite river in their grounds..

“We had such a lovely childhood, there was such freedom,” smiles Rosie. “There was always someone here - we had some real characters in the village coming into the shop. We were so lucky having all this space to enjoy. We used to have campfires up the garden. All our friends would come here to play with us, probably because we had so much space. We’ve got a small ornate pond in the garden which was about 6ft long - I remember my dad once put chlorine in it so we could all swim in it!”

Four beautiful girls must have been a blessing as well as a bit of a headache for their parents Ray and Joyce as they worked tirelessly during some challenging times.

“When Rosie, the youngest, was born in the village they called; ‘it’s another girl’ and we all groaned!” laughs Claire, the eldest of the sisters. Rosie recalls legendary parties where many would turn out (with the odd merry reveller even falling into the river!)

From the power cuts, strikes and extreme weather of the 1970s, the boom of the 1980s through to the economic uncertainty of the 1990s, their father Ray was a dab hand at business and always seemed to be slightly ahead of the curve. He built a thriving business; not bad for someone who came from a council house in Waldringfield.

“During the heavy snow of the 1970s people would be in here buying batteries and coal and everything else because they couldn’t get out of the village basically!” recalls Rosie. “Then the 1980s came and Dad started to do video hire so we’d have this snug room in the back filled with films and lots of people would come in to hire them, it was very busy.”

By then Ray had branched out into TV rentals and would deliver them all over the county. “He was doing phenomenally well,” says Rosie. “He’d go out most mornings delivering or repairing TVs. He was incredibly enterprising. Even when he was ill in the

late 1990s (sadly he died in 2003 aged 77) he’d just booked himself on to a satellite TV course so he was looking ahead at the next opportunity.”

Meanwhile Joyce, a deputy headteacher at Waldringfield who’d turned down a headship at Little Glemham to help run the business, was busy with their growing family.

The place is a shrine to a bygone era; a different world where the pace of life was so much slower and, some might say, easier.

Now the house is on the market for sale with Exquisite Home and the family are sure prospective buyers will lay down some very happy memories there too.

Rosie says: “It is emotional selling such a significant happy family home but it’s the right time too - it needs a family to breathe new life into it again.”

The property is bursting with opportunities. “Some people say they’d open up a glampsite here, others would run it as an Airbnb or turn it into a much bigger café,” adds Rosie. “There is the space and scope to do so much, the potential is limitless. We know whoever takes it on will be so happy here, just as we were.”

l The property is on the market for offers in excess of £900,000. To arrange a viewing, call Exquisite Home on 03455 651681. Go to: www.exquisitehome.co.uk

Read all about the history of the house, overleaf ...

Opp page, top left: The snug used to be home to video rentals

Opp page, middle: Rosie and Claire today; Bottom left: The Gables

This page, top left; Williams Stores overlooks The Green

This page, bottom left: Sisterhood L-R, Julie, Claire, Diana and Rosie

This page, above; the coffee shop is a hit with locals

This page, middle: Inglenook fireplaces are a feature

“There is the space and scope to do so much; the potential is limitless” Rosie Venn

A BRIEF HISTORY, BY ROSIE VENN

“The Gables was built in c.1535 and was thought to be one of the original manor houses in the village and possibly even the original rectory. It has 17th century additions and then the shop front added in the late 1860’s and a further extension in 1903.

The first known shopkeeper was a Mr Edward Braham, who was born in Eyke. It was a grocery and drapery shop – selling most essential items and more and was the main shop in the village! According to the 1841 census, he ran the shop with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two daughters, Ann and Ellen.

The Brahams continued to run the shop employing 17 year-old John Last as an apprentice shopkeeper and 20 year-old Charlotte Smith as house servant. We still have the maid alarm system in the house – produced by Martin & Newby of Ipswich.

By 1881, the census showed Arthur J Savage, aged 30, and his brother, aged eight, were living at the shop (but not owning it yet). They were joined by an assistant, John Spicer Stanard, and his housekeeper wife Elizabeth and their children, Charles and Henry.

Arthur purchased the shop for £525 in November 1887. An early photograph of the shop shows the Post Office on the right-hand side before the second extension was added. You can see Arthur Savage’s name proudly written at the front. He died in 1923 aged 72 and his wife, Mary, continued to run the shop with her family. Their daughter, Muriel became a schoolteacher and married Harrold Lingley in 1925. Mary Savage died in 1934, leaving Muriel and Harold to run the shop.

Muriel ran the Post Office side of the business then employed a Miss Wakeling whose parents owned a furniture removal company in Ipswich. Miss Wakeling took charge of that and the haberdashery and it was still known as Savages

The telephone exchange was also situated in the shop during the 1900s though we don’t know too much more about this.

Muriel died in 1952 so the Post Office was then moved to Rose Hill in the village (it is now run as the Grundisburgh Dog Deli). Harold Lingley, who employed several people from the village - some of whom are still resident today - died in 1967. The Savage family had

owned the shop for 70 years. On their gravestones at the back of St Mary’s church, Harold’s gravestone reads: ‘his thoughts were for others’ and on Muriel’s; ‘a kind and gracious lady.’

The Gables was sold to the Nicholls family in 1962 who continued with the grocery and haberdashery business, selling ham which was sliced along with cheese, butter etc. They employed one full-time member of staff – Beryl Paternoster. I remember going into the shop as a tot and it seemed huge and I can still picture Mrs Nicholls with her swept back wavy dark hair and bright red lipstick –she was a lovely lady and probably held the business together.

There were grass tennis courts in the grounds but this land was sold off by the Nicholls’ as three building plots – two of the plots were built on and one was left.

Our Dad had been at Colchester Tech studying radio technology in his teens, then in the Royal Navy serving in Australia and Japan. After the war he joined the Eastern Electricity board (department for TV and radio) at Finborough Hall. When that closed he took the bold step of starting up his own business in Grundisburgh and rented the shop space at Commerce House in 1956 which was owned by Harold Lingley of Savage Stores. Our dad used to walk down to the stores to pay Mr Lingley the rent money - he’d dream of one day buying it. Dad and mum managed to buy Commerce House with the shop in 1961 and also owned a laundrette in Ipswich (which was sadly broken into frequently) and eventually was sold and they concentrated on the television, radio and cycle shop and became an authorised Hoover dealer as well.

With lots of saving and hard work their dream eventually came true and they bought The Gables with Savage Stores in 1968 – our mum had given up her teaching career having decided to join Dad in the business. They moved everything down the road in cars with much-needed help from lovely residents in the village. I remember Mrs Goodwin, who lived next door at Folly Cottage, would have us round for Sunday lunch and baths as we had no hot water! We had no central heating then either but had fireplaces in lots of the rooms and paraffin heaters in others. Our Mum, who continued to work in the shop right up to her death in January 2017, once told me that on arrival at the house she just burst into tears and wondered what they’d done!

It was, of course, the best move they made.”

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MUM!

worked extremely hard to provide for us. My mum is two parents wrapped into one. She is loving, a shoulder to lean on and sets an example to all single parents out there.

I have two daughters of my own now and my mum helps me with childcare enabling me to work part-time. She puts in so much effort (we joke about how her house has become a toddlers’ haven) and my girls just adore her.

turned up ladened with fruit, medicine, magazines and toys … She is a fantastic mum with a heart of gold. I couldn’t wish for anyone better. Her story is heart-breaking, but her courage and fight to carry on is the most admirable quality she has.

At the age of 38 my mum became widowed when my dad died in a freak accident in Southwoldthey’d been together since she was 11 and he was 12. With three children to raise under the age of 13, she made it her priority to put her children before herself. She immediately found workholding down 12 cleaning jobs and

I will never forget her coming to my aid after I gave birth for the second time when my daughter wouldn’t latch during feeding. She turned up at 4am at my house to help me!

My mum now cares part-time for my grandmother who is 92 this year, so her spare time is limited, yet when both my girls suffered from Strep A last week, she

*A bouquet of flowers is winging its way to the lovely Lou from all at LivingIn… Suffolk Coastal magazine. And touched by Lou’s story, the owner of Gallery Thea in Southwold, which produces these fab Forget-Me-Not Mum mugs as well as a whole host of ceramic homeware and gifts, has kindly reserved this wonderful mug as a gift for Lou to pick up from the shop at 3 Hurren Terrace, Southwold, IP18 6AX.

l To order a gift for your mum on Mothering Sunday - March 19thgo to: www.gallerythea.co.uk

We asked readers to nominate loved ones for a special Mother’s Day mention this year. Leah Smith sent these lovely words about her mum, Reydon resident, Lou Claydon …

ART FOR CURE IS BACK!

Art for Cure kicks off another spectacular programme of events this year with a fabulous Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition at Helmingham Hall next month, April 28th, which runs until September 17th. Featuring over 50 national sculptures in Helmingham’s award-winning gardens, designed by Chelsea Gold medal winner Xa Tollemache, it also includes a three-day collection of contemporary paintings and ceramics inside the historic interior of the Hall (usually inaccessible to the general public). This unique curation of sculpture features muchloved hanging, mesh wire sculptures by favourites’ such as David Begbie and seated figures by Rachel Ducker or the deeply expressive figures of Carol Peace and Beatrice Hoffman. It also includes Suffolk-based

Paul Richardson’s Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Show sculpture, including ‘Fallen Leaves.’ Visitors are in for a real treat with the favoured bronzed stags, hares and dogs by Tanya Russell and Andrew Kay; authentic against the backdrop of the spectacular deer park. And contemporary ceramicist, Emma Fenelon, presents her intriguing terracotta towers which work just as well indoors as they do outdoors. The paintings and ceramics exhibition, runs on April 29th, 30th and May 1st, features a new collection from over 30 artists including eminent figurative painter, Henrietta Dubrey. Artist Penny Madden, wife of Marigold Hotel film director, John Madden, will launch a new theme of botanical works while Kate Giles expresses her intimate interpretations of the rural East Anglian landscape. Plus many more artists exhibiting.

l For further details, visit: www.artforcure.org.uk

MOVERS SHAKERS&

Suffolk-based

Tell us about your radio comedy starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allum?

I wanted to write about the older woman because of how appallingly they’re presented on screen or radio - mostly as dementia sufferers or grandmas who can’t use technology or bitchy wives - sometimes just really unpleasant, whingey, snappy women. They’re not warm, loved and admired in the way they should be. And they’re nothing like the funny, sexy women I’d grown up with. I had a bee in my bonnet about this for some time and my husband Gavin said; ‘just write it!’ Really, I wrote it for Joanna as we all want to grow older like her! I asked who’d she’d like to play her husband in it and she suggested Roger Allam as all her friends wanted him to be their husband! I said; ‘so do I!’ Roger was perfect because he has that seductive, world-weary voice that commands your attention

Why don’t we see many stronger older women on TV or radio … It’s an ageist thing. Older women are not presented as a joyous group of people. They are presented as throwbacks. I have written a piece in the past asking why diversity doesn’t seem to include the older woman.

Now airing its fourth series, it’s been an enormous hit with Radio 4 listeners! If you read the BBC duty log of people’s comments, you hear this tsunami of passion for it; people saying things like; ‘please don’t ever end this programme’. It’s an aspirational show; it’s about how you would love your marriage to be after a long time. The characters have all the usual arguments and health worries like the rest of us. They’ve been through the mill, they’ve separated, lived apart and had various side shows going on. Ultimately, they decided to stay together and have got huge value in their relationship.

What was it like seeing Joanna Lumley and Roger Allum perform your script?

I know showing off is unfashionable, but was incredibly proud - everything worked on it, I have a wonderful producer Clare who gets it. Jo and Roger took the script and just ran with it. Watching them perform; they’re so flirty and funny with each other. They’re two of the best voices in radio and TV. Jo is just gorgeous. The only thing I’d say is - never have your photo taken with her!

And now you’ve published the book of your first and second scripts from the series?

Yes, it was published in November and is available from local bookshops in Suffolk! Some might still have signed copies of it …

How do you like living on the Suffolk coast?

It’s a very creative place, with many cultural events and festivals and has attracted actors, writers and musicians, from Benjamin Britten and Charles Rennie Mackintosh to Richard Curtis and Ed Sheeran. We call it ‘media gulch’!

I have an English Setter dog, called Jagger because he was born the day the Rolling Stones played Glastonbury! We moved to Suffolk back in 2013 because, as

writers, we can live anywhere. We live close to our daughter Lucy and family and as I walk down to the beach to swim each morning at sunrise, I feel I’m truly living in paradise.

l The fourth series of Conversations From A Long Marriage is airing on BBC Radio 4 until March 22. The book of the scripts is available at local bookshops as well as online at Amazon. Readings from Jan’s book will be performed at INK Festival in Halesworth - April 13-16th.

“Diversity doesn’t seem to include the older woman”

Pictures by: Lucy J Toms

Above: The A-team - Jacqui Mayne, Julia Scowsill and Nick Crocker - setting up Art For Cure at Helmingham Hall

Right: Sculpture by Carol Peace

BUSINESS BULLETIN

priorities, but their public image is left to look, dare I say, a bit faded!”

This is why he’s now offering the first six Suffolk businesses to get in touch, a chance to work with him for six months for an introductory price.

“You’ll get six months of branding photography for the price of just one of my usual complete packages … you get to

SHOWSTOPPERS!

If you run your own business, marketing should be one of your top three concerns, so says award-winning photographer John Ferguson.

And he should know a thing or two having snapped some of the world’s wealthiest business owners over the years - from Rupert Murdoch and Lord Rothermere to the emerging movers and shakers of today.

“Without proper marketing, no-one will see what it is you have to offer or what services you produce to help your clients”, says John, who offers photographic packages to liven up branding. “The wealthy clients I have shot invest in photography and branding very early on in their journey”.

John, who worked in Fleet Street shooting high profile celebrities such as David Bowie, Muhammad Ali and Naomi Campbell to name but a few, says he often meets business owners who seem a bit lost in the wilderness when it comes to marketing.

“Some haven’t changed the photos on their websites for years! They insist they have lots of other

LIVING IN BLISS

Your pullout and keep guide to all things wedding …

work with me for one hour per month, each time producing a great set of images which can be used for all your online marketing alongside any printed media needs”.

John says these shoots are a warm introduction to commercial branding photography, helping to raise visibility whilst establishing a brand’s ethos.

SUFFOLK’S NEW WINE SCHOOL IS HEAVEN SENT!

An accountant and local priest from Ipswich is counting his blessings with the launch of his new wine school.

John Irwin, who is an avid wine enthusiast, is launching Suffolk Local Wine School to host regular in-person wine tastings and courses to those keen to learn more about wine.

Upcoming events include a Taste of Italy Food and Wine Pairing on March 9th, and an Introduction to Wine on April 11th. John will also be organising a World of Wine course starting on April 11th with eight wine tasting evenings taking customers on an informal and fun journey of wines.

Initially, all events will take place at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club, with prices starting from £35. They can be seen at: www. localwineschool.com/ suffolk/events/

When John is not accounting and tasting wine, he is a priest at St Thomas the Apostle and Martyr in Ipswich, and is also a season ticket holder at Portman Road.

“If you quote LivingInSuffolkCoastal magazine when enquiring about this offer, you’ll get one extra month of photography for free”, he adds. “But hurry, as these spots will go fast and I can only accommodate six businesses. I look forward to working with you!”

l Visit: www.johnfergusonphotography. uk/showstopper-offer

l Suffolk Local Wine School, Ipswich and Suffolk Club, Archdeacon House, 11 Northgate Street, Ipswich, IP1 3BX. Visit: www.localwineschool. com/suffolk Follow on Facebook/ Insta: @Suffolklocalwineschool

Local home owners… throw open their doors

Child free zones?… meet the couple with the Parent Pod! Is grey just so last year?… Jojo Humes Brown on colours

Surrounded by traditional inns, restaurants and historic buildings, the magnificent 16th Century Shire Hall is a truly romantic setting to say, “I do” at your wedding or civil ceremony. Built in 1575 by Thomas Seckford this iconic building has been a focal point in the town for over 400 years and proudly stands proud in the centre of Market Hill. Displaying its iconic 17th Century Flemish gabling and grand stone capping, with an elegant long iron staircase either side of the large impressive arched doors, the Shire Hall is the perfect venue for photographs and creating those unforgettable memories.

Inside the airy Council Chamber, with its magnificent architectural columns, it can comfortably hold up to 64 people. The Shire Hall has step-free access for those with limited mobility and public Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth sound system for those who require it. A wedding car can be parked off road at the back of the Shire Hall for the bridal couple to use, with one other space for a vehicle for those relatives or friends with limited mobility.

l For more details, email: secretary@woodbridgesuffolk.gov.uk or call: 01394 383599

l The Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP124LP.

Photos by Hayley Denston Photography. VisitL www.hayleydenston.co.uk

The historic Shire Hall in the heart of Woodbridge offers the perfect setting …

All the latest business news from around the coastal region …

Photographer John Ferguson

Photo by Bob Foyles

BEAUTIFUL HAIR BY GEMMA

“Congratulations! You’ve got engaged and you’re planning your big day, venue, photographer, dress, guest list … but what about your hair and makeup?

How you feel on the morning of your wedding day can make all the difference to how you feel about the rest of the day.

If you want a calm and organised morning then hiring a ‘glam squad’ should definitely be included in your budget.

So how does a bridal hairdresser differ from a regular one?

Speaking as a qualified hairdresser myself it’s all in the prep; whilst I’m certain some hairdressers can offer excellent updos, most will not have the time or may not even be prepared to get up as early as required to begin that all-important

preparation. And if you want a style to last, especially with our wonderful unpredictable weather, this part of the job is essential!

If you come to me for a trial this is where we will ultimately decide on your overall look.

I will try to get to know you so I can establish what styles make you feel comfortable, look at the dress and decide what will complement the neckline and detailing. I can also advise on accessories or flowers and discuss bridesmaids looks. Also at the trial, we will draw up a schedule for your morning taking into consideration the photographer’s needs and make-up artist. This helps you to organise your bridal party so little ones don’t need to arrive quite so earlyallowing you more time to relax and be pampered.

I like to include ‘tweaking time’ too; I’ll stay until you are in your dress, and on many occasions help with flowers and

ARRIVE IN

STYLE …

Reynold Beardsley of Suffolk Wedding Car Hire on steering brides towards their big occasion …

“Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life. Driving a bride to their wedding carries a massive responsibility and is a skill which is only borne out of experience. A beautifully presented, punctual vehicle and courteous, compassionate driver is vital. Suffolk Wedding Car Hire provides professional wedding transport throughout Suffolk and East Anglia. We understand how difficult it is to plan a wedding, at any time, so we are on hand to discuss your requirements and ultimately provide a calm sanctuary to whisk you to your BIG DAY. Nothing is too much effort from the moment we arrive to collect you, until the moment you alight from your car in preparation for the main event.

PUNCTUALITY IS KING

An immaculately washed and polished car. A well-presented suited chaffeur, beautiful ribbons, blankets, umbrellas and water are standard. Our intention is to provide support with your planning and offer flexibility in

pinning - whatever is needed. ‘Tweak time’ is especially important - that last curl may have dropped, that piece of hair might have worked it’s way loose whilst getting dressed - for putting it all back into place once the photographer takes over and you are happy with everything. That’s when I’ll leave.

I’m here to make sure you enjoy your day after a relaxing, pampered morning, safe in the knowledge that you look gorgeous with a hairstyle ready to last long into the evening!”

l Call: 07894 097444. Or visit: www.beautifulhairbygemma.co.uk

SILVER SUN JEWELLERY

This gem nestling in the heart of Woodbridge - on the town’s Thoroughfare - is your first stop when it comes to silver wedding bands. From uniquely-designed jewellery to a beautiful collection of stock pieces, Silver Sun Jewellery is a family-owned and operated business specialising in unique sterling silver as well as precious and semi-precious gemstones. It first opened its doors in 2012, later moving in town to a prime location in 2018. “You will find a wide range of different and unique jewellery items,” says Matt Aldridge. “We feature hand-crafted designs as well as designer pieces. Whether you’re looking for something special for a loved one or if you just want to spoil yourself, we are here to help you.”

l Silver Sun Jewellery, 53a Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AH. Call: 01394 382114

helping to create wonderful memories of one of the most special days of your life.

We pride ourselves on our integrityoffering transparency to our cherished customers. We struggled to find this with other wedding car hire websites as some turn out to not be wedding car hire companies but, in fact, lead-generation businesses.

We like to think we stand out above other wedding car firms. We offer honest information on the availability of our vehicles and the entire service we provide. This isn’t a large corporation running a massive fleet of vehicles and obsessed with making profits.

We are a small, nurturing, family-owned business providing the best quality wedding car hire service in this part of the country. There are no misleading photos on our site. What you see is what you get.”

l Call: 07920 022622 or email: info@suffolkweddingcarhire.co.uk For further details, visit: www.suffolkweddingcarhire.co.uk

BLISSFULLY BESPOKE, FROM B’S KITCHEN

B’s Kitchen began when a love of baking for friends and family resulted in requests from friends to make their wedding cakes, followed by friends of friends, and as word spread it has now become a burgeoning business.

Wedding cakes are a real labour of love for owner Beth Browes who specialises in bespoke buttercream cakes perfect for rustic Suffolk weddings. Beth feels incredibly lucky to spend her days making cakes for the some of the most important days in her customers lives and treats this as a real privilege.

Based in the village of Grundisburgh, near Woodbridge, and offering wedding deliveries throughout Suffolk, Beth is passionate about creating uniquely beautiful cakes to celebrate each couple and their vision for their special day, often drawing inspiration from nature with

seasonal flowers both fresh, dried and edible. Each cake is designed specifically for the couple and the occasion, one of a kind and unique.

Offering an ever-expanding range of flavours (of which the Lemon, White Chocolate and Raspberry is always a favourite!) Beth is never shy of a challenge and loves to receive requests and ideas from prospective customers to be incorporated in their designs.

l Beth can be contacted via her website: www.bakedatbskitchen.com or on Insta: @bs.k1tchen

Awaken Images

© Awaken Images

Alex Rose Photography

INTERIOR LIVES

THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

Getting married can feel a bit nervewracking but for Rachel Barbier she need not have worried …

Sometimes when I look at the photos of our wedding I want to cry as it was such a perfect day. I’d been a bit worried as a couple of friends had been forced to postpone their weddings multiple times due to Covid. Also, my partner Garreth’s grandad had been poorly, and we were hoping like mad he’d be well enough to go. All my hopes were answered though!

first met Garreth in 2018 when we worked together at the Port of Felixstowe. In all honesty, being in my 40s and having never met the right person, I never thought it would happen!

Garreth is half-American, as his late father served in the USAF at

Bentwaters, so on July 4th, 2021, we went to London to celebrate Independence Day. Whilst we were at the top of the London Eye, he proposed!

We got married a year later at Helmingham Hall on June 11th, 2022. We chose to hold the wedding there as we’d fallen in love with the place after visiting its gardens. We married in St Mary’s Church on the edge of the estate which is beautiful inside. It was a traditional English wedding and even the weather was perfect - not too hot and not too cold!

URN36_aboutfram_issue21_SilverSunJewellery_QP.ai 1 01/04/2019 09:57:07

But the best thing for us was that Garreth’s grandad, who is in his late eighties, was able to attend. Garreth lost his father quite a while ago, so it meant so much to him to have his beloved grandad there; it was very emotional.

SILVER SUN JEWELLERY

A family run business based in the beautiful market town of Woodbridge, we are retailers of quality Sterling Silver, precious & semi precious gem stone Jewellery

Having come recently out of the pandemic, our guests were delighted to be able to see each other again after such a difficult time. Reg from Suffolk Wedding Cars (see overleaf) drove me and my dad there and I can’t say enough how lovely and attentive he was; a real gentleman - very friendly yet mindful that this was a special time with my dad. And the car was just stunning.

The wedding breakfast and reception were held in the Coach House which is situated to the side of the main house on the estate. Our guests were bowled over by it all - the landscape, the deer, the setting - all just incredible. I have to say Suffolk did us proud that day.

We flew out to America the next day for our honeymoon which included a lovely additional reception in Ohio where we saw Garreth’s side of the family.

We couldn’t have wished for anything better!

Homely inspiration from around the coastal region …

ORFORD OAK AND BLYTHBURGH ASH

These beautiful, versatile pieces available online and instore from The Merchant’s Table, are crafted by Jim Parsons using a variety of traditional techniques almost all involving hand tools. Made from wood sourced locally and painted by Jim, they work equally well as stools or as side tables. The seat / top of each one is carved from an ancient oak tree from Orford. Jim creates a decorative carved detail around each edge, which is painted and then painted over and rubbed to reveal the contrasting or complementary colour beneath. The ash legs are from coppiced woodlands near Blythburgh.

l The Merchant’s Table, 10 Church St, Woodbridge IP12 1DH. Visit: www.themerchantstable.co.uk

A TRUE STATEMENT …

According to the experts at The Burgess Group, many people are bowled over by these sleek steel-look windows and doors, above. And we couldn’t agree more. With their art deco twist, they add style, warmth and value (in more ways than one) to your home. Their slim sightlines not only offer a contemporary charm but also security, durability and a great thermal performance. l For more information call: 01394 386666. Or visit: www.burgess-group.com

53A The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge

Telephone: 01394 382114

Email: Silversunjewellery@gmail.com

Open: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am (ish) – 5:00pm (ish)

Sundays: Please phone in advance

The head chef at the Crown at Woodbridge is causing quite a storm locally, so we decided to see what all the fuss was about. Sci Daniels’ brand new menus are hitting the spot for fellow foodies throughout the region. Every dish has its own

told us all about how they cure the salmon in-house. For mains, our vegan companion ordered the Roasted Root Veg Curry which was superb and busting with exotic flavours - it features a rich cauliflower and coconut sauce, coriander, poppadums, dairy free garlic and fennel raita as well as a veg bhaji. Great for those who have dietary requirements. If you wish, you can add on a meat option too. It would have been churlish not to order the legendary Royale with Cheese - their signature dish. Some could say the jewel in The Crown! This features a beef, bone

teensy bit of room left to try the unforgettable Waffle Bread and Butter Pudding which was voted one of the best tasted! It’s well worth a visit to sample Sci’s scintillating dishes. He changes the menu with the seasons so not all these dishes featured are guaranteed to be on there now, but what we can say with certainty is … you will not be disappointed!

l To book a table at the Crown at Woodbridge, Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AD, go to: www.thecrownatwoodbridge.co.uk Or call: 01394 384242

unique story to tell, with stunning photo-ready looks and rich flavours. Serving up scrumptious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and afternoon teas, Sci’s dishes clearly come from a place of love. For starters we chose I Squid You Not - a firm favourite since its introduction onto the menu towards the end of last year. Sci and his team keep customers on their toes by regularly changing the use of squid ink to artistically decorate the plate. We also ordered the aptly named Fabulous Fungi Terrine - a plant-based black pudding and sweet potato bread which was simply mouthwatering. The House Cured Salmon is another huge hit - Sci

marrow and truffle patty inside a charcoal brioche with red onion chutney, truffle mayonnaise and sustainable chips with ‘roast dinner’ salt. This is the king of burgers. As it was a cold evening we also plumped for the Braised Beef with red cabbage, beer gravy and bone marrow mash – a wholesome bowl of food which warms the soul.

For puddings we opted for Hoodbucks - so-named after one of the kitchen staff blended with a well-known coffee chain! This is a dessert to behold; a white chocolate and coffee ice cream pie accompanied by myriad flavours which represent the different times of the year. There was a

BASILLLLL!!

For an unforgettable lunch and a barrel of laughs into the bargain, the Faulty Towers Dining Experience Dinner is heading to the Boardwalk Restaurant on Southwold Pier on Saturday, March 18th.

The two-hour interactive show includes a three-course lunch and complimentary glass of fizz on arrival. The perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

l For tickets and further details, go to: www.southwoldpier.co.uk

The foodies page with news from your local area …

THE CROWN AT WOODBRIDGE: A REVIEW

Top Left; Sci Daniels, head chef at the Crown at Woodbridge, Left; Relish Hoodbucks is a pud to be proud of Above; The Royale with Cheese, a speciality burger.

Photo by Matt Finch

loose leaf teas and

chocolate. Artisan foods, takeaway

LESSONS IN LIFE

What’s new in your lively local arts scene? Angela Hagan has the lowdown

WHISPERS IN THE SHINGLE

Author Bridget M. Beauchamp, who spent her childhood in Thorpeness, has released an historical romance novel set in Suffolk and based on local stories of smuggling and intrigue.

Bridget says she was inspired by the “lonely shingle beaches” and the smuggling activities of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

“As a child of a single parent”, she says, “I could appreciate the struggle of the working classes to make ends meet and the temptation to benefit from the ‘free trade’ so prevalent around the coasts of England in those hard times. As with highwaymen and pirates, there is always a certain romance around these clandestine figures and smugglers were no exception. Many young men would be tempted by the illicit trade and the huge profits to be made, when poverty was crushing and life was an uphill battle against starvation and unemployment.”

l Released on 28th February 28th, Whispers In The Shingle retails at £8.99.

GILLES PETERSON AT SNAPE

The master of forward-thinking underground music returns to Snape Maltings on Saturday 18 March from 7pm until midnight.

Throughout his career Gilles Peterson has promoted new frontiers of hip-hop, jazz and electronic music. Alongside supporting acts, he will revolutionise the Britten Studio into a dance floor so revellers can shake off the winter blues as we head into spring.

Britten Pears Arts presents this Snape Session in association with First Light Festival.

Tickets to the event at Snape Maltings in Snape, IP17 1SP cost £28. Age requirement: 18+

l For more details, go to: www.brittenpearsarts.org

STILL MOMENTS

Suffolk-based photographer Claire Sargent, who is currently studying her Masters with Falmouth University online, has a fabulous new exhibition coming to Artspace in the Thoroughfare, Woodbridge from March 30th to April 5th.

l For details, go to: www.artw.co.uk

INKTERIORS

Artist Samantha Barnes will be staging a weekend sale of drawing and ceramic samples with her wonderful new collection of homeware drawings, known as ‘Inkteriors’.

Sam’s studio is a quirky, secret-garden space in the centre of Woodbridge which, this summer plays host to a series of art lunches, drawing workshops, and other pop-up events.

Next month (March) Sam is inviting all to come along and see her studio, view her new works and maybe even take home an art bargain or two.

“My studio has been a labour of love over the past few years”, she smiles. “We have gathered, added, found and recycled our way into making it our own secret paradise - finally, we now get to share it with others”.

The event will be held on March 25th and 26th from 10am - 5pm at The Garden Studio, Cemetery Lane, Woodbridge, IP12 4FB l Further details can be found at   www.samanthabarnes.com or   info@samanthabarnes.co.uk

CONDUCTOR’S FIRST …

Woodbridge Orchestral Society will be presenting a concert at 7.30pm on 27th March at the Woodbridge Methodist Church in St John’s Street.

This will be their first public concert to be conducted by Jonathan Abbott. The programme has an Eastern European theme featuring composers including: Smetana, Liszt, Janacek, Brahms and Enesco. Complementary refreshments will be served during the evening. There will be a closing collection of donations for the repair of the octagon church roof.

l Find more details on the orchestra’s website at: www.woodbridgeorchestra.org/ Alternatively email: h elenm1960@btinternet.com or call: 01394 411232.

Kate Mosse is a novelist, playwright, nonfiction writer, feminist campaigner and founder of the Women’s Prize. She shares her home with her husband, her mother-inlaw (92) and West Highland terrier (18), and has two children and one grandchild. Kate has written a short play which will be performed at this year’s INK Festival in Halesworth.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNT IN LIFE?

“That it’s better to try and fail than never to try at all. It’s very easy to become set in our ways, to keep doing the same thing day in and day out. How much better to seize every new opportunity when it comes along and give it a go! I’ve been lucky - I was able to make a career doing the thing that I love - writing books and plays - and be with my family, too. I’m a carer, so my time is not entirely my own, but have plenty of support. So, at the tender age of 61, I’m about to embark on a brand-new career as a performer, taking my one-woman show Warrior Queens (based on my book Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries: How

Women Also Built the World) on tour from Stafford to Suffolk, Bristol to Brecon. It’s nerve-racking and a little bit daunting, but I’m excited to have a new challenge. It’s how I’ve lived throughout my whole career – when a chance to do something has come my way, I’ve tried to give it my best shot. Sometimes I’ve succeeded – setting up the Women’s Prize, becoming a novelist, pivoting into being a playwright – and other times things haven’t worked out (too many times to mention), but I have never regretted trying. In the end, it’s important not to let other people define how you feel about yourself, or what you’ve done. Rather, as my beloved and much-missed mother used to

“We’re all still here, we’ve all got things to say”

say, start every day hopefully. It’s not always easy and, as women grow older, we become invisible, but this only makes it even more important that we keep raising our voices and fighting for what we believe in and deserve.

It’s another reason I’m delighted to have a play at the INK festival this year with an older woman as the central character. We’re all still here, we’ve all got things to say. So, in Beckett’s famous words: ‘Try again. Fail again. Never mind. Fail better.’ Just keeping on going, keep on trying new things and, most of all, enjoy yourself – not only the big things, but all the little triumphs that make life worth living.”

l INK Festival runs from April 13 – 16 April in Halesworth. For more details, go to: www.inkfestival.org

l For further information on Kate’s one-woman show Warrior Queens, which runs until April 12, visit: www.katemosse.co.uk.events

Photo by Ruth Crafer

FASHIONISTA!

Your latest fashion news from coastal Suffolk … with ‘Styled By Katya’

While we’re waiting for spring to properly arrive, why not focus on life’s small pleasures to lift your mood?

A good book, candles, a nice cup of your favourite tea – all these things can brighten up your day. A touch of makeup and a well put together outfit can give you confidence and make you feel good about yourself, even on the dreariest of days. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to splash out on new clothes – you can always shop your own wardrobe, and if necessary, pick up a couple of key pieces in your local stores – taking advantage of the end-of-season sales and charity shop gems.

STYLING IN STYLE

I do believe in a strong connection between the way we look and how we feel. If we ask ourselves, when do we look our best, the answer will usually be … when we feel happy, content and fulfilled. At the same time, when we look in the mirror and like what we see, we carry ourselves differently, and we feel better, too.

When we look good, we feel more confident, powerful and brave.

Throughout my career in the beauty industry, I’ve worked with many different women. I’ve always enjoyed it when at the end of a session, whether it was just a haircut or a full makeover, my clients look at themselves in the mirror and smile that familiar smile which says they like themselves. And it means a lot! Smiling prompts our brains to release endorphins, so when you feel attractive and good about yourself, you’re also more likely to

DOG ABOUT

My humans say I’m full of energy. I love being out on the river path and meeting all the other local doggies; we live overlooking a park so I have a busy social life!

One of my favourite pastimes is eating titbits left over from a BBQ; it makes me drool just thinking about it. As you read this, I might even be sitting obediently under my humans’ baby’s high chair - waiting for scraps!

be happy.

We recently held an impromptu styling session at the HUG shop in Woodbridge. Our customer (pictured here in before and after shots) was looking for casual, yet elegant outfit ideas as well as a new hairstyle. We opted for a sage green jumpsuit for her and a maxi dress with an abstract monochrome print, paired with an oversized blazer. As for hair, our customer wanted to get rid of dry ends and create an easy to style look, so we went for a short-layered bob which is great for fine hair and creates beautiful volume. We also added a few caramel highlights to soften the contrast between her dark natural hair and first greys. For makeup, a warm palette was used to complement the natural skin tone. The result: a very happy customer! We also really enjoyed the whole thing, so we decided to make these personal pamper sessions a regular event. Styling makeovers are a great way to try new things and to create a beautiful and unique look by finding the silhouettes and colour schemes that work best for your body type and skin tone.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our styling sessions, either for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one, please feel free to pop into our Woodbridge shop – we always love a chat!

l Katya Bagdasariants, of HUG Lifestyle, has over 20 years’ experience in the beauty and fashion industry in both hair and makeup. She’s also a keen photographer and loves bringing all those skills together to help her clients look their absolute best. Visit: www.huglifestyle.com Or find them on Insta: @styled_by_katya and @ huglifestyle

STYLIST’S FINDS …

We don’t need a fortune to look fabulous. It’s all about imagination and playing with shapes and materials and having fun. Fusion is the key. My special finds for this edition are these gorgeous pair of leather high heels (left) from the St Elizabeth Hospice Charity shop. Their classic shape allows you to dress them up or down with jeans, tee and a blazer or an elegant suit or dress. I paired them with this sublime orange scarf and sage clutch bag - both from No. 10 Market Hill in Woodbridge (@10markethill).

My name is Basil and I live in Woodbridge with my humans who love taking me paddleboarding with them. They got me from a place called Wiltshire, close to Stonehenge ... us fox terriers are very hard to come by. This month I celebrate my sixth birthday and I can’t wait as know my humans will make a big fuss of me (just look at what I got for my last birthday!) I am a very lucky boy indeed.

My family are lucky to have a boat in the Tide Mill, so usually we motor down to Methersgate or Waldringfield and then step out onto the kayak or paddleboard and off we go! They don’t have to worry about me jumping overboard - they know I’m not a massive fan of swimming!

If you see me out there sometime, give me a wave!

Woodbridge's New Independent Vet Practice

l Have you got a dog who would like his or hers 15 minute of fame? Email your best photos to: info@livinginsuffolk.com

Founded on ideals, not compromises.

The Woodbridge Vets is a modern & independent veterinary practice owned and run by Kyle Eadie MRCVS and Laurie Barrow MRCVS. We provide a boutique experience for pet owners who want a traditional one-on-one relationship with their vet, along with access to the very best treatments and pet healthcare. We’re passionate about delivering a better Veterinary Experience for our customers. Traditional and Modern might sound like they’re as compatible as cats and dogs – but it’s this winning combination of our traditional “small practice values” and modern “everything else” that makes The Woodbridge Vets unique.

Register Now

Registration is now open. To ensure a high quality service we are limiting the number of places available, so register now to avoid missing out.

www.thewoodbridgevets.com

By Carl Stickley

VINYL Distraction

2023. How’s it going so far? Fifty years ago, we had strikes, three-day weeks, an oil crisis, we joined the EEC, Glam Rock ruled the airwaves, Roger Moore was James Bond, Liverpool won the League and Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ was released. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic masterpiece, it will be performed live at the Ipswich Regent on March 3rd, conducted and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator, Robin Smith.

But if that’s a bit too gentle and you’re looking to kick out the jams, alternatively that day you could catch Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs at The Baths in Ipswich. Failing that, why not try the deliciously deranged Earth Mother F*ckers + Rad Pitt at the Music Room (on February 25) which is down by the docks for added gnarliness …

TEENAGE KICKS SO HARD TO BEAT …

This year sees the 10th anniversary of The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket. Younger reader, John Peel was the coolest uncle you never had (and a massive Liverpool fan). His legendary Radio 1 show opened the ears and hearts of thousands of kids dissatisfied with the mainstream. He championed the weird, arcane and authentic; embodying the punk ethos of people getting out there and doing it for themselves. Hundreds of bands owe their first break to Peelie, not least The Fall, or ‘The Mighty Fall’ as he lovingly called them. He was a one-man internet plugging you into a world of Otherness. He became the longest serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJ’s broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his untimely death in 2004.

Peel and his family lived in Great Finborough, a small village

PINK FLOYD, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, 1973

This year also sees the 50th anniversary of this multiplatinum classic. I first heard it as a 10-year-old at the home of some groovy friends of my parents.

Hearing the clocks - in stereo! - on Time stopped me in my tracks. This wasn’t Slade or T.Rex.

The album has become part of the culture. Sonically, it still sounds fantastic, which is incredible really as they were using the tools of the day. They created a clean, digital-like sheen with analogue tape.

Roger Waters wrote the lyrics. Lines like; “quiet desperation is the English way” and “ no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun”. It’s poetry, Jim, but not as we know it. Despite the obvious Britishness of the band they spoke to universal truths and emotions. Great Gig in The Sky is a wordless and spine-tingling ode to death. Money still nails rampant capitalism with that bass line. Us And Them and Breathe infused with deep-sigh melancholy. Everything about this album is an immense cultural and timeless achievement. Hell, even my 82-year-old mum likes it.

near Stowmarket, for over 30 years - his wife Sheila still lives in the family home. She is patron of the creative arts centre, now in its tenth year and named in Peel’s honour, it reflects his supportive and community-minded values. Its run by volunteers and offers a richly diverse programme of events featuring live music, poetry, vinyl evenings and theatre. It brings affordable fun to the Shire at a much-needed time.

Peel understood music was a great uniting force and power for good. A good tune will set you free. At his funeral, songs as diverse as Roy Harper’s When An Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease and The Undertones Teenage Kicks were played. Indeed, his headstone reads; ‘Teenage Kicks So Hard To Beat’. He is greatly missed.

l Visit: www.johnpeelcentre.com

l Got a story or musical event you’d like to promote?

Write to: carl@livinginsuffolk.com

TRAVELLER’S

REST!

GO … TO THE JURASSIC COAST!

Here in Suffolk, we take for granted our vast dramatic skies and gentle landscape punctuated by picture box villages. But for those looking for something different the Jurassic Coast is well worth a visit. Just as Suffolk is flat, the Jurassic Coastline is rugged, with its breathtaking cliffs and landforms and, of course, it’s bountiful fossils. No wonder it’s been awarded World Heritage status. The historic coastal town of Lyme Regis, nestling in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lies at the point where West Dorset and East Devon coastlines meet - right at the very heart of the Jurassic Coast. Lyme’s fascinating history stretches back to the 8th century. It is also the birthplace of Mary Anning, one of history’s most important fossil collectors and palaeontologists.

Lyme Regis Cottage is a hidden gem in a soughtafter part of the town. With its enchanted courtyard garden and wonderful sea views, this characterful three-bedroom cottage is the ideal base to explore

If you love art why not grab your paint brushes and book onto the first ever Toad Hall Artist Retreat, running from April 24th-27th.

Situated in Wangford, near Walberswick, in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, it’s the perfect backdrop to inspire your creativity and even learn a few new tips and tricks.

Hosted by established artist Richard Kitson (see his wonderful work pictured here), this three-day workshop will take guests through an array

from. And the owners are offering LivingIn … readers a 10% discount if they book it between now and the end of summer.

As owner Lee, tells us: “The cottage is set in the heart of Lyme so you’re always close to the beach and the legendary Cobb wall, plus all the amazing restaurants, shops and walks”.

l To book your stay at Lyme Regis Cottage quote ‘LivingInSuffolkCoastal’. Go to: www.lymebayholiday.com

of exercises and techniques from sketches to oil paintings, as well as one-to-one support and guidance.

Toad Hall Lodges is home to five beautiful timber lodges, outdoor fire pits, a wellness and yoga studio, sauna, and wonderful outdoor cooking and lounge areait’s a blissful escape to embrace nature and the perfect place to paint undisturbed.

l For further details, contact Gavin Crossland on 07989 559861 or email him on: gavin@toadhall.life

Visit: www.toadhall.life

Holidays often beg the question … should I stay or should I go? But look no further, help is at hand …

… AT AN ART RETREAT IN SUFFOLK!

AND ABOUT! OUT

Top tips for fun things to do in Suffolk

…

by

Charity Crewe

Brian & Roger Eno Live at the Acropolis

The Riverside Cinema, Quayside, Woodbridge at (7.30pm)

Empire Ipswich, 1 Buttermarket Shopping Centre, Ipswich (8pm)

Abbeygate Cinema, 4 Hatter Street, Bury St Edmunds (6pm)

Light Cinema, 17 Bridge St, Thetford (7.30pm)

All showings on Thursday, 2nd March

Catch Brian Eno, Woodbridge’s most famous son, in a rare, live gig at the cinema. The father of ambient music and his brother, Roger, performed live together for the first time at a concert at the Acropolis in August 2021.

The film of this performance, which includes music from the brothers’ Mixing Colours album and Brian’s Foreverandnevernomore album, is to premiere in cinemas across the UK on the evening of Thursday, 2nd March.

• Visit: www.cinemalive.com/ event/brianandrogereno

Lovesong

Fisher Theatre, Bungay - Thursday, 16th March –Friday, 17th March

Laxfield Village Hall - Saturday, 18th March, then Diss, Halesworth and Wingfield

RoughCast Theatre Company, the highly skilled local theatre troupe, is touring Suffolk with a production of Lovesong by Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, Suffragette, The Split). This poignant drama, from 2011, follows the ups and downs of a 40-year marriage. It is told from two moments in a couple’s lives - as young lovers in their twenties and as elderly companions. Only the stoniest hearted will fail to be moved.

• Adult tickets £12, students £6

• All performances start 7.30pm

• For further details and booking visit, www.roughcast.co.uk; 01379 586745

Suffolk Singers Vocal Workshop: Getting a handle on Handel Framlingham College Chapel, Framlingham College

Sunday, 19th February, 9.30am to 5pm

Claire Weston, Music Director of the Suffolk Singers choir, is holding a day-long workshop in Framlingham to pass on her wisdom to both experienced and novice singers. Claire - a former ENO principle, who taught Ed Sheeran to sing, and is now head of singing at Woodbridge School – will lead the session, accompanied by the Suffolk Singers choir. As well as learning vocal technique, you will be given, “an amazing spread of cakes”. If you are more interested in listening than participating, the choir has two exciting concerts coming up.

Lunchtime concert at St Mary’s Church, Bury St Edmunds at 1pm on Saturday, 1st April

Evening Concert at Holy Trinity, Blythburgh on Saturday, 27th May

• Price for the vocal workshop is £22.50, free for students aged 18 years or under

• Details and application form available on, www.suffolksingers.co.uk, or ring or email Peter Lamb, 01728 638897; 07970062366; peterlamb54@googlemail.com

The Beggar’s Opera Britten Studio, Snape Maltings, Snape, Sunday, 12th March, 6pm Jubilee Opera, the Suffolk-based charity that gives young people the chance to work with professionals on top-notch productions, returns to Snape with a new adaptation of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. This 18th-century ballad opera, populated by bawdy lowlife characters, stars Angela Tait and Malachy King. John Andrews conducts. • Tickets cost £12, £6 for under 16s • Book at www.brittenpearsarts.org

How To Research Your Family History

The Hold, 131 Fore Street, Ipswich Sunday, 5th March, 2pm - 4pm; Thursday, 25th May, 7pm - 9pm

Are you curious about your forebears, but aren’t sure how to track them down? You can discover how to do this by signing up to, How to Research your Family History, one of several history workshops at The Hold, home to Suffolk Archives. During the session, an archivist will show you how to delve into your family’s past. If you are new to The Hold, you will be impressed. It’s a far cry from a musty old record office, indeed, it’s a fabulous new heritage centre, a stone’s throw from the Ipswich Waterfront, that was completed in 2020. It has a café, a stylish shop, an exhibition area and an airy research library.

• Price: £15

• Details, www.suffolkarchives.co.uk

• To book, www.ticketsource.co.uk/ whats-on/ipswich/suffolk-archivesat-the-hold

Hannah Parnell of Parnell Photo