Living in Suffolk Coastal - Issue 34

gEt involvED …

If you’ve got a heartwarming or topical story to tell, an inspiring home or business to show off, or an event you’re planning, we’d love to hear from you!

The copy deadline for our winter edition, which hits the streets in December, is Friday, 18th November.

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

on our CovEr …

This striking image is of Silver Birches: acrylics on a piece of Suffolk oak by artist Simon Turner, depicting trees in the forest near Minsmere. It will form part of the Borderlands exhibition at Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings, which you can find out about on page 22.

Simon’s Insta is @simonturnersart

rEAD it onlinE At WWW.livinginSuFFolK.CoM

Did you know it’s less than £1 a day to advertise on our county-wide website? There you can browse all issues of the magazine as well as more features from around Suffolk.

LIVING IN

Editor: Angela Hagan 07930 184773, info@livinginsuffolk.com

Designers: Craig Drever and Lewis Webb

Writer: Charity Crewe charity@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…Suffolk Coastal 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.

COASTAL nEWS

FroM SErving CoFFEES to SCAling EvErESt!

The owner of Southwold’s superb ninedeli, James Scott, will this autumn embark on a three-week trek through the Nepal Himalayas to reach Everest Base Camp.

Starting his journey in the Khumbu region, James will trek through the stunning Gokyo Valley to Kala Patthar and Base Camp at over 5,500m.

Walking for up to eight hours a day, James, best known for his lunches and coffee in the deli he runs with partner Lisa Partridge, says he welcomes the challenge.

“Lisa was originally planning to undertake it but could not due to personal reasons, so I’m now in training,” says James, who is walking in memory of Lisa’s mum, Pat Brown, who died of breast cancer, aged just 53.

He is hoping to raise money for the Sole Bay Care Fund, a community charity that cares for patients by providing support and resources not routinely funded by the NHS or social services, such as supporting older people, and palliative and dementia care. His initial goal is to raise £1,000 in donations.

But James is no stranger to physical diversity, having served in the military and worked in Bosnia and Kosovo, and he’s also run the London Marathon.

“Though this is different,” he told Living In … “The altitude will be a new experience for me!

“As long as my mental attitude is right and my body holds up, which it should, I should be able to do it.”

We wish him all the very best.

l if you’d like to donate, search ‘James Scott Everest Base’ on www.gofundme.com

QuiCK gig

QtHEn oFF to “Put tHE Ki DS to BED!”

Ed Sheeran stunned shoppers in Ipswich recently with an impromptu gig during which he donated his guitar to a 10year-old boy – see our Instagram page to watch our video capturing the moment.

Better still, Ed, from Framlingham, brought joy and lightness to shoppers in these somewhat dark times, leaving townsfolk feeling jubilant.

One shop owner told Living In … : “There was a real buzz in the town, which flowed into the following day too – we welcomed more sales at what has been a worryingly quiet time. That boost is thanks to Ed!”

Crowds gathered very quickly at the Cornhill to watch the star as he performed hits such as ‘The A Team’ and ‘Sing’.

Shopper Julia Freeman said: “It was such an electric atmosphere, everyone was beaming in disbelief and his music was so uplifting.”

Fans cheered when Ed said: “I’ve played so many shows here and have such love for this place – I’m so happy to be back here.”

The down-to-earth singer, who grew up in Framlingham and still has a home there and is also a fan of Ipswich Town FC, asked the crowd not to surge forward and crush anyone when his gig was over.

“All that I ask is I don’t want this to be like a negative news story of someone gets hurt or whatever, so if everyone is super, super calm afterwards, I’m just gonna go to the car and go home and put my kids to bed, so have a fantastic day!”

Arthur Baggett, aged ten, was on his way to a guitar lesson when he heard Ed Sheeran was playing, and decided to abandon the lesson in favour of seeing the singer perform.

At the end of the gig, Sheeran offered him his guitar, signing it: ‘Arthur keep playing!’

l Watch the moment Ed decided to give Arthur his guitar on our instagram page @livinginsuffolkcoastal

Swapping meats for cleats: James Scott, who runs ninedeli in Southwold with partner Lisa Partridge, is undertaking a charity trek in the Himalayas

ON THE MAr KEt

SliCE oF HiStorY

We love this Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, dating from 1816, which enjoys a central yet tuckedaway position in Woodbridge.

Alexander House, situated just off Church Street and behind the Thoroughfare, was formerly used by Suffolk Seeds Stores for many years.

The property was reconverted to a house in 1986 by well-reputed local firm Ingram Smith. Somewhat of a landmark property when viewed from a distance, it is probably the tallest house in the town.

The views improve at each level and take in both of Woodbridge’s churches, the Shire Hall, the Tide Mill and the varied roofscape of the town, along with fantastic views over the River Deben and countryside beyond.

The house, which extends to approximately 2,500 sq ft, is arranged over four floors plus a basement, and is light and elegantly presented throughout.

The impressive first floor drawing room has deep sash windows, a 12ft high ceiling, gas fireplace and a fully glazed bay window which opens onto a delightful balcony.

Adjacent is a study accessed

through a ’secret door’, while on the ground floor, the substantial fullyfitted kitchen/breakfast room has an Aga, Georgian-style tiled floor and light granite work surfaces, beyond which is a sitting/dining room with full height French doors opening onto the sheltered and secluded part-walled courtyard garden. Across the second and third floors are the three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The master bedroom at the top of the property offers a large walkin wardrobe, formally the fourth bedroom, which could easily be reinstated if desired.

The accommodation also boasts a basement/workshop and separate ground floor cloakroom. There are so many elegant features including the circular staircase, sash windows, panelled doors, ornate ceiling cornices, high skirting and wrought iron window balconies.

Approached from Church Street via a right of way, the property has a garage and parking space within Stone Place. It has a guide price of £1,150,000.

l viewings by appointment with Jackson-Stops. Call 01473 218218.

grEEn DrEAM

This gorgeous and unique architect-designed house has come to market, causing a flurry of excitement among home buyers.

Located within a highly sought-after part of Woodbridge, this five-bedroom detached contemporary home was built in 2010 and later extended in 2014 to create a stunning ground floor master suite with sedum roof.

The open-plan kitchen living area with additional ground floor rooms is perfect for a growing family. Added green credentials of this one-off property include solar panels, rainwater harvesting and underfloor heating throughout.

Another perk is … there’s no chain!

l offers in excess of £1,200,000. on the market with Fine and County – call 01394 446007.

A

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Your latest local property news from around the region …

Bringing HoME tHE DougH!

What inspired your interest in food and cafes?

I grew up in a farmhouse near Cretingham, which my mum ran as a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. The kitchen was the hub of the house. While Mum was at the Aga cooking for up to ten people, my father ran a butcher and bakers in Woodbridge. What is now The Bakehouse was built by my father 41 years ago. Dad would come home with leftovers, and I’d go to school with trays of doughnuts.

Was your mother a good cook?

Well, it was the 1980s, so there were a lot of vol-au-vents and prawn cocktails. She was good, but as she got older, she’d had her fill of it. What stayed with me was the buzz of hospitality and chatting with the guests. That had a big impact on my choice of career.

Where did you work before you opened Honey + Harvey?

I was a partner in [seafood specialist]

Pinney’s for about ten years. I drove the wholesale side of it, which is why it’s now widely available. It was during my time at Pinney’s that I really got the bug

for good food; I believed passionately in the product. visited chefs and farm shops, and soon we were sending salmon all over the country. Jamie Oliver came and interviewed me at Pinney’s restaurant, The Butley Orford Oysterage, for an article he was writing.

During that time, I met my wife, Sarah, who’s an amazing cook. We have always loved cooking together for family and friends.

How did Honey + Harvey come about?

In 2010, I decided to move on from Pinney’s. A friend – who became my business partner – suggested I capitalise on the independent coffee shop boom by opening a place in Woodbridge. It allowed me to combine my love of coffee and good, local food. There was no actual Honey, it just sounded good. Sarah was pregnant at the time, and if we’d had a girl, she would have been called Honey. We didn’t, we had a wonderful son called Fraser!

Why did you leave Honey + Harvey?

It had expanded rapidly and morphed into something else. I’d been wanting to move in a different direction for a while. As a

business gets bigger, you can lose the connection with customers and that connection has always been really important to me.

What inspired Harvey & Co?

Carl Brennan, the head baker at Pump Street, wanted a new challenge and knew was keen to set up a bakery. When I heard The Cake Shop was leaving here [Bentwaters Parks], in the summer of 2021, it all fell into place. The conception of Harvey & Co was truly serendipitous. The bakers’ availability, the unit becoming vacant and the access to start-up funds all happened, pretty much, on the same day. It was meant to be!

I agreed to take a ten-year lease on the premises, and within a month, we went from nothing to a working bakery.

Are you busy?

We have about 65 wholesale customers, from Leo’s Deli in Fram to the Wilderness Reserve, as well as pubs, hotels and restaurants around Suffolk.

I am primarily a sales person, so I enjoy that side of things. It helps that we bake the best bread around. I lend a hand in

Makesapproximatelyeightpuffs

Sarah says: “This make-at-home spin on one of our most popular pastries works well with shop-bought pastry and makes a great light lunch or snack.”

ingrEDiEntS

n 3 leeks, trimmed and finely sliced

n 4–5 cubes frozen spinach, defrosted, liquid squeezed out

n 2 garlic cloves, minced

n 1/2 tsp caster sugar

n 3 tbsp olive oil

n 2 tbsp butter

n 200ml strong vegetable stock

n 1 bay leaf

n 1 tsp dried oregano

n Sea salt and black pepper

n 200g feta, crumbled

n 3 tbsp double cream (optional) n 1 pack puff pastry

n 1 beaten egg, for brushing

MEtHoD

opposite page: Sourdough (main picture) is a speciality at artisan bakery and cafe Harvey & Co, founded by Harvey Allen and his wife, Sarah this page: Customers at the Rendlesham business

enjoy freshly-made treats like leek, spinach and feta puffs (pictured above and recipe right)

the bakery too – Carl and I hand-moulded 250 baguettes this morning!

Do you have many people working with you?

We have six full-time staff. Carl, our head baker, and Harry, both from Pump Street. Lucy, who used to make the cakes at Honey + Harvey, is now a fully-fledged sourdough baker, and also deals with the wholesale side. My wife, Sarah, loves making cakes, and works with Lucy on product development. Sarah founded the lingerie shop Sweet Dreams, so is also a whizz at business strategy. Our two other bakers are Becky and Jamie. Finally, James can be found behind the wheel of our delivery van.

Your cafe opened at the bakery this August. What are your plans for it?

At the moment, there’s croissants and cake, as well as a variety of toasties. And, of course, coffee! I use Butterworth & Son, from Bury St Edmunds. Soon we’ll be offering proper lunch and breakfast, with everything from soups and pizza slices to madeleines straight from the oven. Seating has just been added inside,

and we are doing 20+ covers. There will soon be a window from the cafe into the bakery, which will allow diners to watch the bread being made. The hope is, it will become a destination cafe.

Who is your passing trade?

The office workers based at Bentwaters; cyclists and visitors to the Cold War museum; and it’s also a popular filming location, so there are often film crews here. We have a lot of local people too. It’s been very busy so far, and the whole family were involved over the summer. Our two daughters were making cakes and coffee, and Fraser served up toasties.

What’s the story behind the bright pink and black colour palette of Harvey & Co? We are on a former American airbase, so I went for a Las Vegas-inspired look. The dramatic black walls, combined with the pink benches, let people know we are here.

l Harvey & Co is at America House, Base Business Park, rendlesham iP12 2tZ. the cafe is open tuesday to Friday, 7.30am–2.30pm, and Saturday, 8am–1pm. Find out more at www.harveyandco.uk

1 Preheat oven to 190°C / 180°C fan.

2 In a large frying pan, sauté the leeks and sugar in the olive oil and butter for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly.

3 Stir in the garlic and spinach and fry for another minute. Add the stock, bay leaf, oregano and season. Cook for 10–15 minutes, until the leeks are tender.

4 Stir in the double cream (if using), remove the bay leaf and leave to cool.

5 Transfer the mixture to a bowl and combine with the feta.

6 Unroll the puff pastry and cut into rectangles 16cm long and 13cm wide.

7 Place 3 heaped tsp of the mixture down the centre of a rectangle, leaving a space at the top and bottom. Brush the egg wash along each side, and fold one side of the pastry over to meet the other to form a rectangular parcel. Gently push down with your fingers to seal the parcel and crimp around the three joined sides with a fork. Pierce the top of the parcel four times with the fork to allow steam to escape. Repeat with the other rectangles.

8 Arrange the puffs on a lined baking tray and brush the tops with egg wash.

9 Bake for 20–24 minutes, until golden brown.

lEEK, SPinACH AnD FEtA PuFFS

Harvey Allen, founder of Honey + Harvey, talks to Charity Crewe about his bakery and cafe, Harvey & Co, based at Bentwaters Parks in Rendlesham

can

All AB oA r D !

While sipping a cappuccino and tucking into homemade cake at the station in Campsea Ashe, it is easy to forget what a desultory spot this was just a few years ago. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the reopening of the Station House at Wickham Market station.

Five years ago, the only facility at the station was an unprepossessing bus shelter, that vaguely kept the rain away as you waited on the unadorned platform. Now, it has a busy cafe, a pretty garden with seating, four meeting rooms for hire, a take-a-book/leave-a-book trolley, two fabulous touchscreens for information about community activities and services, and a spacious and spotless toilet. The whole building – which lay empty and unused for years – has been beautifully restored and decorated. The Victorian platform canopy, that once sheltered travellers – but had long since gone – has been recreated, down to its decorative, cast iron spandrels.

This extraordinary addition to the area was the brainchild of Rosamund Webb, who has lived in Campsea Ashe for 26 years. Ros remembers the moment she had the idea: “I was driving past the station in 2011, and had this vision of looking down at the Station House, seeing all these people coming in and out, collecting information, and being able to disseminate it across the area,” she says. “Back then, some pockets of the community had no

access to the internet – it’s still very slow in places. I wanted to help provide access to services people wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access”

Ros also wanted to restore the station to its former glory. It was built in 1859, when the East Suffolk Railway opened. It was a hub of activity, a four-track railway surrounded by animal pens, a granary and goods sheds.

“It was a landmark building,” Ros explains. “The staff were revered as pillars of the community. We wanted to restore its sense of purpose, while giving it a contemporary use that answered the needs of a rural set-up.”

Once Ros planted the seed, other people became enthused. Michael Bond, the local county councillor at the time, was a big help. The Station House had been causing Suffolk County Council a headache. The council had bought the building in 2005, for access to rebuild the road bridge over the railway, but had no further use for it. When Ros approached the council, they were about to put it up for auction.

“I had no idea about this. We just came along at the right moment,” she says.

There were other elements of good fortune too. The Localism Act was introduced in 2011, shifting power away from central government and towards local people. It gave community groups the freedom to take on services that local authorities couldn’t maintain. Once Ros had the local council behind her, she felt the project could succeed.

A committee of volunteers was formed.

“We did a huge amount of research into community buildings, and had lots of discussions with the railway,” recalls Ros.

They conducted surveys to see what locals and businesses wanted, and embarked on a lot of fundraising. Ros had experience of fundraising from her time working as an arts administrator

After laying dormant for 11 years, Campsea Ashe Station House (this picture and top) reopened to the public in 2017. Rosamund Webb (above) spearheaded its loving restoration and manages the community hub it has been transformed into

for London Contemporary Dance Theatre, under Robin Howard CBE – the man who brought contemporary dance to the UK. She also worked for DanceEast – or Suffolk Dance, as it was then. Despite this, “in my naivety, I thought it would take a year and a half to raise the funds.”

In fact, it took five years of hard slog and determination to raise the more than £700,000 needed. The money came from a mixture of grants, donations and fundraising events.

There was a plus side to the slow progress: it meant they had breathing space to research everything from the history of the station to the best coffee roasters in Suffolk.

A mainstay of support has been Ros’s husband, Bob, also a founder trustee and secretary of the charitable organisation, who, since retiring from the NHS, volunteers at the Station House and makes a mean bacon roll at the cafe.

Bob is a history buff, and his research on the local railway was invaluable; it is reflected throughout the building, from the platform canopy – which was recreated with the help of old photos – to the names of the four meeting rooms that are for hire.

The Peto Room, for example, is named after Sir Samuel Morton Peto MP, one of the great railway entrepreneurs, who owned Somerleyton Hall, and The Thompson Suite is named after Francis Thompson, who designed the Station House. Thompson, who was born in Woodbridge, was a prolific pioneer of railway architecture. He not only designed all the station buildings from Melton to Halesworth, but many across the UK, Canada and the US.

A fine example of his work is the station complex at Derby, which includes the UK’s first locomotive roundhouse. He was also very likely the architect of the famous Roundhouse in Camden.

The Station House is run as a Charitable Community Benefit Society, and it certainly is a huge benefit to the community! The rooms are hired out for everything from Pilates to computer training (The Peto Room has seven computer workstations).

But it’s the train passengers who consistently benefit from Ros’s vision.

Not only do we have a delightful place to wait for our train, but we are able to drink fabulous coffee and enjoy the wonderful cakes baked on site.

While the building had to close during lockdown, Ros and Bob continued with a takeaway service through a window onto the car park.

Now the team is working hard on encouraging people back into the Station House, to make full use of it again. We wish Ros and this committed team all the very best for the future!

l the Station House is on Station road. go to www.stationhousecampseaashe.co.uk

The railway station in Campsea Ashe has been called Wickham Market for decades, even though the town is some two-and-a-half miles away! Following disputes, the sign reads ‘Campsea Ashe’ (in small letters) ‘for Wickham Market’ (in large letters).

In a bid to stop confusing travellers, councillors and community leaders have called for the sign and all timetabling to be changed to read simply ‘Campsea Ashe’.

Four of the

House’s

players. Left to right: Ros; her husband, and the organisation’s secretary, Bob Webb; one of the trustee directors, Steve Yelland; and barista Lily Strehlow

The much-loved Station House at Campsea Ashe celebrates five years since its rebirth …

by Charity Crewe

DiD You KnoW?

meet the couple with Parent Pod! grey just last year?… Jojo Humes Brown colours LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

The 19th-century building in 2013 and now, its Victorian look modelled after that found in historical photographs Pictures of the restored building by Mike Cowling. All pictures © SHCC

Station

key

Fashion re:Boot

Interiors magazine editor Ciara Elliott caught the zeitgeist when she launched Fashion Re:Boot six years ago. As the world became increasingly aware of the need to reuse and recycle, Ciara’s high-end jumble sale took off.

The mother-of-two admits to being a clothesaholic. She cites the environmental impact of her fast fashion addiction as a big factor in her starting Fashion Re:Boot.

“I wanted to create a fancy car boot –without the cars – that would help fashion junkies like me shop more sustainably,” Ciara explains.

She came up with the idea with her friend, former fashion editor of The Sun, Erica Davies. Both women had helped with similar, one off, pre-loved fashion events. They wanted to scale things up for Fashion Re:Boot, and turn it into a bit of party.

They held the first one in Dedham, in 2016, gathering together a mixture of stallholders, including fashion bloggers, stylists and boutique owners. There was

a bar, food, funky tunes, mini manicures and specially designed tote bags, which were sponsored by Coes.

Ciara, who grew up in Dublin, never anticipated it would take off the way it did.

“I thought it would be a bit of fun, and didn’t see it being rolled out further than Suffolk”, she says. “It gathered momentum really quickly.”

She has never been short of sellers, and has about 30 at each event. As well as professional vintage clothes dealers, there are dozens of “people like me, who have over-shopped and are too lazy, or timepoor, to sell on eBay or Depop.” They are people who “enjoy a market environment, and want to chat to people, rather than sell on their computer.”

Regular stallholders include Sally Emslie of Manifesto Woman, who specialises in secondhand high street fashion and vintage gems, and Philippa Rudd of Matisa Market, who sells pre-loved designer womenswear and accessories. Singerturned-fashion designer Pearl Lowe has even taken part.

Fashion Re:Boot is also awash with fashion bloggers selling off sections of their wardrobe, including Claire Hall of Club Forty; the MotherShoppers, Gemma and Bertie, who are the stylists on Loose Women; and Paula Sutton from Hill House Vintage.

Ciara, who has edited numerous magazines and is a former fashion editor, is remarkably calm in the face of organising these events. When her Re:Boot partner, Erica, became too busy to help with the organisational side, Ciara had no worries about going it alone. She says regular ‘Rebooters’ became enthused by its potential, and have helped her host

events all over the country.

There have been Fashion Re:Boots as far afield as Cheltenham, Brighton and Nottingham. Ciara has held several in London, including two very successful ones in Spitalfields Market. Pre-pandemic, there were up to 30 Fashion Re:Boots happening a year.

Covid, unfortunately, put paid to the events for some time. Ciara also got a new job editing House and Home, an Irish interiors magazine, so even when gatherings were possible, she was too busy, working remotely, to fully reimmerse herself in Fashion Re:Boot. Another factor is money.

“For the time and effort involved, it’s not financially feasible to run it as more than a side hustle,” she explains. “It will now be a quarterly event and each one will be pretty select.”

Ciara, who lives in Manningtree, does it more for enjoyment than profit.

“I love creating these sustainable shopping events. They have a brilliant, community vibe.”

The next Fashion Re:Boot will be held in Woodbridge for the first time. It will be a daytime event at New Street Market. Anyone can take a stall by booking through the Eventbrite page mentioned below. It’s a fantastic way to declutter your wardrobe, while simultaneously buying pre-loved clothes to reboot your look!

l Fashion re:Boot will take place on Friday, 2nd December at new Street Market, 70 new Street, Woodbridge.

l Admission: £5. Cost for a stall: £30. l to book, go to: www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for ‘Fashion re:Boot’

l insta: @ciaraelliott and @fash_reboot

The ‘car boot sale for fashionistas’ is coming to Woodbridge for the first time. Charity Crewe meets Ciara Elliott, the successful magazine editor and Insta influencer behind this pre-loved clothes event …

Snag pre-loved wardrobe bargains at Fashion Re:Boot, organised by Ciara Elliott (pictured far left). The next one takes place in Woodbridge in December

FlYing HigH

The Lionesses’ victory in the Women’s Euro 2022 shone a long-overdue spotlight on female athletes. Here we meet up with the incredible sportswomen who are putting Suffolk on the map …

by Charity Crewe

Sarah, who grew up in Woodbridge, has won gold in the British National Skydiving Championships with her team ‘Chimera’, who beat the silver medallists by 40 points in total to be named the top four-way formation skydiving team in the country.

This month (October), the team, which trains regularly at Skydive Langar in Nottingham, will attend the World Skydiving Championships in Eloy, Arizona, where they will represent Great Britain.

Sarah says: “Skydiving is an incredibly rewarding sport for women to get involved with, and one of the few where all genders can compete on equal terms. We are very fortunate in the UK to have a wide range of inspirational women in the skydiving community, ranging from competitors to instructors to pilots. There is a lot of support available for new jumpers and our hope is that we can inspire some grassroots athletes to jump out of a plane for the first time.”

Her team comprises five members – Laura Hampton, James Woods, Sarah (who holds the position of ‘point’ in the team), Will Cooke and Pete Harries – with the four ‘performers’ holding on to each other to create shapes, or formations, and one ‘camera flyer’ responsible for capturing the skydive using a camera mounted to their helmet.

Skydiving in the UK has grown significantly in popularity in recent years, with many citing the socalled ‘experience economy’ and the lockdowns as the reason for people seeking a new, exhilarating challenge.

“It’s been an incredible journey and we are so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve,” adds Sarah.

Lucy is currently ranked 20 in the world. She holds numerous English and British junior championship titles, she was a European Junior Champion and World Junior bronze medallist. She made her Commonwealth Games debut this year.

She was first drawn to squash “because my two older brothers played, and I wanted to be like them. Being a sporty kid, I liked the running about and the athleticism squash required.”

Lucy recalls that there have been many wonderful moments in her squash career, but “the feeling I got when I was selected for the Commonwealth Games is unmatched. It was a dream come true, and no one can ever take away from me that I’m a Commonwealth athlete.”

A close second is “reaching the top 20 in the world. This was a special milestone, as it

had been a goal of mine for a while. Playing for the England Senior Team for the first time is up there too. It’s an honour to represent my country.”

Lucy says her ambition in squash is “to be the best in the world. I am motivated by the fear of not reaching my full potential. I want to see how good I can become. Squash is more than a job and a passion; it’s teaching me about myself all the time.

“No journey is ever just a trajectory forwards, but that’s why it’s unique and a challenge I love.”

Her plan for retirement is to “open a coffee shop called Lu’s Brews. I like the sound of this a lot!”

When she’s back home in Witnesham, she loves going to Honey + Harvey in Melton near Woodbridge. When she’s not out drinking coffee, she’ll be at Martlesham Leisure playing squash or watching boxing on TV.

This phenomenal basketball player from Ipswich has won ten national championships with Ipswich Basketball Club and represented England and GB at every age level, until taking up a basketball scholarship to Gonzaga University in the US. The two people behind her success, she says, are her dad and her coach at Ipswich, Nick Drane.

“Without their support and guidance, I wouldn’t be able to play at the level I do today,” she says.

She “doesn’t have a particular basketball dream; I would like to think I play to inspire those around me, girls who have been through adversity and want to find an outlet. I play to create memories, forge relationships, and learn lessons that you wouldn’t in your day-to-day life.

“After being through the process myself, I admire anyone who can wake up every day and put effort and time into the sport. I admire the women who lead the way, overcome stereotypes, and pave the way for the next generation to have a more positive experience.”

As for advice to aspiring sportswomen, 6ft 2in Esther says: “Work hard and be kind. I used to swim, and I remember my coach saying: ‘Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.’

This has stuck with me.

She says she loved growing up in Suffolk, particularly “going for walks under the Orwell Bridge and using Copleston Sports Centre.”

The Paralympian powerlifter from Suffolk claimed her first Commonwealth Games gold medal this year.

Despite standing at just 4ft 2in –she was born with a growth hormone deficiency – her PB in powerlifting is 102.5kg (this means she can lift 16st 2lb!) She achieved this extraordinary feat, and her second Paralympic bronze medal, in Rio in 2016.

Powerlifting is similar to weightlifting, but involves different movements.

Zoe, who started powerlifting at 14, says modestly: “When I was younger, I suppose I might have been slightly stronger than other people, but the main reason I got into the sport was because I tried it and found I enjoyed it, and my coach said I was pretty good at it.”

Her parents were a great support. “They took me to training and competitions, and generally encouraged me,” she recalls.

Zoe is a lightweight powerlifter, competing in both the under 45kg and under 41kg categories.

“I prefer the U45kg. When I have to go in the U41kg (or under 6st 4lb), I have to be very strict and cut out a lot of food.”

She trains “for about two hours, three times a week.”

After having her son, Duncan, who is three, she gave up her job in a children’s nursery.

“I don’t have time to juggle motherhood, training and a day job.”

She loves that her sport gives her the opportunity to “travel the world.” Her heart, though, remains in Suffolk.

“I’ve been living in East Bergholt since I was about 18 months old, and I am still living here now!”

In her spare time, she enjoys “shopping in Ipswich, visiting Christchurch Park, and watching Arsenal play.”

Sarah Ashworth

Suffolk squash star

lucy turmel

Esther little Zoe newson

meet the couple with Parent Pod! grey just last year?… Jojo Humes Brown colours LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Lucy Turmel from Witnesham ranks among the top 20 women’s squash players in the world

East Bergholt’s Zoe Newson is a para powerlifting gold medallist

Woodbridge’s Sarah Ashworth and her ‘Chimera’ teammates won gold at this summer’s British National Skydiving Championships

Picture by Pete Harries at Skydive langar

Brian Eno has worked at the epicentre of the music industry since bursting onto our screens (and turntables) in Roxy Music. His career has seen him team up with David Bowie, famously working on his acclaimed Low album, and collaborate with many more musical heavyweights such as David Byrne, Paul Simon and Coldplay.

Recently, Brian opened the fabulous Woodbridge Ambient Music Festival, organised by Jan Pulsford. He introduced the phenomenal musical talents of Tom Rogerson and Talvin Singh, who performed together at St Mary’s Church to an enthralled audience.

Brian spoke fondly of the strong influence that Woodbridge, once home to US personnel based at nearby RAF Bentwaters, had on him growing up …

“I spent 18 years here. My dad was the postman – in fact, his dad was the postman as well, and his dad was the postmaster; I come from a long line of communications workers!

And this place in the 50s and 60s, when I was here, was a very, very interesting little town. There were 4,000 English people and about 17,000 Americans within a five-mile radius, so we had something like, I would say, 11 or 12 coffee bars with jukeboxes which had exclusively American Southern R&B music. So it was an entirely different music world here than almost anywhere else in England.

And there were also lots of Cadillacs, which regularly got stuck on the Thoroughfare, causing huge traffic jams as they tried to turn narrow corners. It was an interesting place to grow up. My older sister married one of those airmen and went to live in Seattle, so it had quite an impact on me.

Growing up in Woodbridge, the RAF base at Bentwaters had a profound effect on Brian (left), who was back in town to introduce a performance including Talvin Singh (below)

“One summer afternoon in 2018, I sat with brothers Brian and Roger Eno on Lowestoft beach, eating Eccles cakes and ruminating over their Suffolk childhoods.

Having an 11-year age gap between them, they’d had different experiences.

Brian was brought up in a Catholic family, Roger in an agnostic one; Mum and Dad Eno having left the church over its ban of contraception.

Brian had lived in a council house, Roger, partially, lived in the house Brian bought his family with his “rock ‘n’ roll money”.

Brian had a family of postmen as role models (his dad, grandad and greatgrandad worked at Woodbridge post office). Roger had a pop star older brother to look up to, although he said they seldom talked about work.

Red Lion.’” They both giggled. Despite these differences, they grew up in the bordering towns of Woodbridge and Melton and enthusiastically share the area’s impact on their music.

Their conversation that day included fable and fact, and danced between subjects. Roger recalled some of the wild claims made about him online. “It said I had a ‘white goods’ collection in my garden … I don’t remember that …”

“You should make it true,” Brian laughed.

Roger said Suffolk had influenced both their sounds and Brian pointed to East Anglia’s open landscapes, beaches and skylines: “It’s so minimal and still relatively under-populated.”

He also remembered how no one would bat an eyelid when he turned up in Woodbridge during his ‘feathery’ costumed days.

Another Suffolk influence comes from the sonics of the county’s abundant churches. “It was once one of the wealthiest areas in the country, which is why there’s all these grand churches.”

As well as postmen, the Enos have a hereditary line in church music.

mood for more than three-and-a-half minutes. I was very clear that I liked staying in the same mood for hours on end if I could!

I remember I used to take walks towards Kyson Point, still a very nice walk I think, and I used to try to imagine what it would be like if you could make music that was like a painting. I was studying at Ipswich Art School and was very keen on the idea of things that stayed still – so that you, as [a] person, did the moving, in relation to them staying still. So I thought: I wonder if there could be music like that?

“Partly because if I asked Brian what he was doing he’d say something like: ‘I’m working with David Bowie’. And I’d reply: ‘Oh yeah, I just played a gig at The

Brian also noted the influence of a straightforward attitude that Suffolk people have. “You only ever get an answer to the question asked,” he observed, recalling an episode while he was working as a potato picker one summer holiday: “A car pulled up and the driver asked the farmer: ‘If I go straight on, will I get to Saxmundham?’. The farmer shifted in his tractor seat. You could see he was working something out. Eventually he said: ‘Yes! If you go straight on for about 24,000 miles you’ll get to Sax. But if you turn around you’ll be there in three.’”

Grandad, William Sebastian Eno (1883–1955), pictured, had a sideline fixing the local church organs – or, what Brian calls “Victorian mechanical synthesisers”.

l Brian and roger Eno’s collaborative album Mixing Colours, released in 2020, is still available. l Brian’s new studio album – his 22nd –ForEvErAnDEvErnoMorE, is out this month (october), via verve/uMC.

Eno worked with David Bowie on his Berlin Trilogy LPs in the 1970s, and they teamed up again in the mid-90s

[It] became very clear that you had to search out music if you wanted it – you couldn’t just switch on the radio and get something good automatically. What was playing on these jukeboxes was so much better than the English version of rock ‘n’ roll at that time, and it was here I started thinking about music for that reason.

Eventually, I ended up exchanging cassette tapes with other people who were into music, and finding that I liked tapes that didn’t change very much, where there was not much variety, which was unlike albums that were being released at that time. Albums always had this idea that there had to be variety, so you had a fast song and then a slow song, then fast, then slow – the assumption being that nobody would want to stay in the same

And I’d been listening, by the time I got to art college, to people like Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass and thinking there is music like that; this kind of music of intense repetition had that quality of staying in one place for a long time – but I thought it was all a bit too spectacular. I wanted it to stay in one place and not move too much.

So it was really here in Woodbridge that I started imagining this endless, rather still music. Then in the 70s, when I’d started making records, I came up with this idea of ambient music. Now when I say I came up with the idea … it wasn’t just me, it was an idea that was in the air. There were a lot of people starting to work in that musical area. I gave it the name. Always a good idea if you name something – people blame you for it forever!”

So anyway, I wanted to say … just how glad I am that ambient music has come back to Woodbridge.”

An ECClES CAKE WitH BriAn Eno!

By Ben osborne, DJ and founder of the Woodbridge Festival of Art and Music. this year is its 10th anniversary.

“it was in Woodbridge i started imagining this endless, rather still music”

Pictures of David Bowie and

Ben o sborne by John Ferguson

WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL

Established in 1587, Woodbridge School is an independent coeducational day and boarding School for ages four to 18 – set in the town of Woodbridge. Comprising a Pre-prep, Prep and Senior School, Woodbridge delivers an education that shapes itself around each student, ensuring they become everything they are meant to be. It offers parents and students a clear vision and values, which guide dynamic, respectful, high-

achieving students to not only find their path but to fulfil their potential.

in and outside of the classroom at Woodbridge

With a curriculum that delivers a perfect balance of life skills, creative challenges and academic excellence, students can expect an exceptional relationship with teachers throughout School; working together to ensure every opportunity is given and taken to develop as individuals,

personally and academically.

Woodbridge students have access not only to an excellent education but to a wealth of pastoral care, co-curricular activities, societies and sport. From learning hockey with a double Olympian, forest school and engineering at our Prep or experimenting for fun in science club, there is something for every student.

A comprehensive system of bus routes

With a number of minibus services operating daily throughout the local region, Woodbridge School offers a comprehensive system of bus routes reaching across Suffolk as well as Essex. Our aim is to be flexible with services and includes destinations such as Layer Breton, Colchester, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds, Aldeburgh and Lowestoft, to name just a few.

Boarding options

For those living further afield, the School offers full and weekly boarding options. Boarders form a vital part of the community at Woodbridge School, with everyone supporting and learning from one another.

Our boarding house is co-educational and provides a true home from home for students on either a full or weekly boarding basis.

l www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk

BREATHING LIFE INTO YOUR HOME

Renovations can be overwhelming, but if you hire the right contractor, they can be much less stressful. It can be difficult to choose one you’re happy with, and while it’s understandable that cost is a big consideration, choosing the cheapest contractor won’t always pay off in the long run.

A contractor who has the necessary expertise, shows passion for quality construction and cares about the work they do are also important factors. Speaking to a selection of contractors directly, asking to gain feedback from their previous clients and viewing their current projects, is a great way to gauge whether they are a good fit for your project.

SBC Services is a full service building contractor based in Rendlesham that specialises in period property renovation and timber frame construction. It also covers all aspects of general building and construction including extensions, full property renovations and new builds.

Examples of its recent work include the renovation of a late 16th/early 17th century Grade ll listed farmhouse located on the outskirts of Framlingham.

The owners of this historic building had a dream to restore it to its former glory. There wasn’t much of the property that didn’t get touched during the renovation process but the key areas of concern were sole plate and timber repairs throughout,

restoration of the floors on the ground floor, and new kitchen and bathroom upgrades. Lime wash and linseed oil emulsion was used throughout to give the property a truly traditional feel and provide a sympathetic finish to this historical building.

New cast iron radiators also complement the home’s authentic feel.

Another recently completed project, on the outskirts of Woodbridge, involved the renovation and extension of an existing studio attached to a period cottage. The owners wanted a more modern feel to contrast with the existing building.

This was achieved using burnt Accoya cladding and aluminium windows and doors. The dormer extension to the rear of the property with Juliette balcony makes the most of the beautiful views out to the Suffolk coast and beyond.

SBC Services also looked at cost engineering with the client and achieved a considerable saving by replacing the originally desired zinc roofing with a single-ply membrane with standing seam. It gave the look that was desired, at a fraction of the cost.

The exterior of the property was finished with acid-etched steel soffits and Lindab aluminium guttering. The interior was decorated to a crisp, white finish with Amtico flooring. Altogether completing the modern look the clients desired.

l to discuss your upcoming project or for more information about SBC Services, get in touch on 01394 822944. Alternatively check out the website and social media channels for updates on current projects: l www.sbcservices.co.uk l www.instagram.com/suffolkbuildingconstruction

Thinking of doing a major renovation project?

Want to update your period property? Read on …

The building contractor recently renovated a Framlingham farmhouse, focusing on areas including the bathroom (this picture), kitchen improvements (top) and flooring (middle)

SBC Services’ stylish modernisation of a Woodbridge property

Christmas traditions at Snape Maltings

A HEARTWARMING DISH!

DuCK Bourguignon Serves four

As the nights draw in, nothing is more comforting than a rich meaty dish, such as this fabulous duck bourguignon. This is best made the day before so the duck legs can marinate overnight, but will still be delicious on the day if you are short of time.

n 6 rashers streaky bacon cut into 1cm pieces widthways

n 1 onion, peeled and diced n 2 sticks celery, trimmed and chopped into 1cm pieces n 1 large carrot, peeled and diced n 10 chestnut mushrooms, sliced n 5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped n 1 bottle good red wine (750ml) n 200g plain flour, seasoned with salt n 100g butter n 10 peeled silverskin onions n 8 sprigs thyme, leaves only, chopped n 400ml chicken stock

MEtHoD

1 Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large, deep-sided pot on a medium heat and fry off the bacon for 2–3 minutes until crispy. Remove and

place onto kitchen paper.

2 Add the celery, onion, carrot, mushroom and garlic to the pan and gently fry off for 5 minutes. Add the wine, bring to the boil, and simmer for 10 minutes.

3 If cooking a day ahead, allow to cool then add the bacon. Steep the duck legs in the marinade and refrigerate overnight. When you are ready to cook, remove the duck legs from the wine and pat with kitchen paper.

If making immediately, add the bacon now.

4 Preheat oven to 160°C / 140°C fan.

5 Season the flour and dredge the duck legs through it, knocking off any excess.

6 Bring the wine marinade up to the boil, turn down the heat and reduce the liquid for 30 minutes. Take off the heat.

7 Pour 1 tbsp oil into a pan on a medium heat and brown the duck legs on each side.

8 Gently place the legs into the mixture. Add in the chicken stock, silverskin onions and thyme, and stir in the butter.

9 Bring to the boil, cover, and place in the oven for 11/2 hours until the duck is tender.

10 Season. Serve with mash and greens.

The foodies’ page with news from your local area …

The first thing that hits you is the decor, which is a perfect blend of kitsch meets elegance. La Cueva has clearly been put together like a great cocktail – with equal parts passion, style and pizazz! Two floors of plush leather seating, oozing with pastel blossoms and foliage (we loved the tree in the middle of the room, stretching upwards), cool intimate lighting, hand-painted art and plenty of surprises.

You can enjoy your meal in a contemporary dining environment with open view kitchen or opt for the more intimate seating upstairs.

as Lemon, Honey and Mustard Salmon, Devon Crab, and King Prawns in Cocktail Sauce, all served alongside wonderful homemade bread. Every dish was incredible, with all ingredients locally sourced and organic where possible.

all around the world including champagnes and prosecco, also serves lunch, including a popular set menu, as well as a Sunday menu. Their roasts are very reasonably-priced too.

“It’s been a lonely time for everyone during the pandemic and we would love to welcome local people along to our first event since the easing of lockdowns. We will be repeating our coffee morning on the last Friday of every month at the same time.”

This place is exactly what Ipswich needs – great service and the food is off the scale and, yet, it’s not too stuffy. Indeed, the bosses at La Cueva have hit the right note by introducing musicians, jazz artists, singers and DJs to celebrate the weekend into the early hours.

We started things off with one of La Cueva’s legendary cocktails, complete with smoke and presented like a work of art, while we perused the evening menu.

The restaurant is billed as offering internationally-inspired food, and it certainly lived up to all that was promised. We grazed from a tempting mix of tapas-style starters and mains and dined like kings on mouthwatering Beef Croquettes, Panko-Fried Chilli Prawns, Roasted Vegetable Arancini, Oriental Duck Rolls, Pan-Fried Scallops, Grilled Halloumi, and a fresh Fish (sharing) Platter brimming with delights such

Vegans often (and rightly so) lament that many restaurants add plant-based dishes to their menus as a kind of afterthought. Not so at La Cueva. Our vegan companion ordered the delightful La Cueva Salad and a Tomato and Vegan Cheese Bruschetta followed by Chips Sans Fish. After polishing off a Warm Chocolate Brownie and a Sticky Toffee Pudding, she declared it the best vegan food she’d eaten in a long while.

By the time we met talented head chef, James Penn, we were singing his praises! It came as no surprise that James has worked at The Savoy in Limerick, among many other prestigious establishments. His wife makes the unforgettable breads for La Cueva and her desserts finished our meal beautifully. We ordered a spectacular selection including the Orange Cheesecake, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Classic Tiramisu, Warm Chocolate Brownie, and a Trio of Ice Creams and Sorbet served in a brandy snap basket. Each one of these was lovingly handmade.

The feather-light pastry on the Baked Lemon Meringue Tart (served with Raspberry Coulis) produced an exquisite melt-in-themouth moment.

The restaurant, which offers a well-curated range of wines from

If you do one thing this autumn, head to La Cueva – you will savour every moment!

l to book at table at la Cueva, which is located at 13 St nicholas Street, ipswich iP1 1tH, go online to www.lacuevarestaurant.co.uk

left: The stone and floral decor forms part of the unique dining experience at La Cueva in Ipswich top: It’s two-forone on cocktails, Monday through Thursday till 7pm Above: Every one of the artfully presented dishes we tasted was truly sublime

1975 WinE BAr & grAZE

If you haven’t yet been into Woodbridge’s uber cool new wine bar and gourmet grazing platter concept, you are in for a real treat! Founded by Clare Swann (pictured) back in the spring, she wanted to bring people back together after Covid to enjoy socialising again. She also wanted to create memorable moments “and little pockets of magic” via spontaneous entertainment and pop-up events.

She has certainly managed to succeed in all she set out to do, including upholding the sustainability values of her business – using eco-friendly products, minimising food waste, and recycling packaging –and paying her staff above minimum wage. The bar also supports two local charities: Suffolk Mind and JDRF, which funds research into curing, treating and preventing type one diabetes. All in all, this superb business deserves a whole lot of love!

l 1975 is located at 14 gobbitts Yard, Woodbridge iP12 1DD. Find out more at www.1975winebar.com

lA CuEvA: A rEviEW

What’s new in your lively local arts scene?

Living In … has the latest ...

We are excited about this exhibition of three incredible artists – Juju Vail, Kim Croysdill and Simon Turner –who will be showing their work at Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings, from Friday, 14th to Wednesday, 19th October.

Canadian-born Juju lives in a beautiful mill on the River Yare near Norwich. She completed an MA in Textiles at Central St. Martins in 1994 and lived in London for 30 years. Her work for this exhibition (one piece is pictured above) is a response to living, looking and swimming in the waters surrounding her home, and summers spent in a cabin on a lake in Canada. Kim takes inspiration from her other job as a planting designer and the gardens she creates across Suffolk. And Simon tells us he leads a double life flitting between Hackney and Yoxford. His day job is teaching Design in a school, but the holidays and weekends give him time to develop his art. For this exhibition, he will be showing his lovely paintings and furniture along with ceramics made in Yoxford and woven work made in Hackney.

l Find them all on insta: @jujuvail @kim_c_design and @simonturnersart

livES intErior

Homely inspiration from around the coastal region …

SnAPE MAltingS

The leaves are falling, the nights drawing in. There’s nothing better than snuggling down with a mug of cocoa and a good book in front of a roaring fire this autumn. We adore this George Extra-Large Sofa with a sumptuous selection of velvet cushions – if it’s comfort you are after, you need look no further.

l the sofa is £1850, available from Snape Maltings. Check it out in store or online at www.shop.snapemaltings.co.uk

The Merchant’s Table in Woodbridge sells a range of elegant, hand-thrown candlesticks by Emily Mitchell. The detailed pieces have a powerful sense of character and conjure a nostalgic quality of historical ceramics.

Each unique candlestick is thrown in red terracotta, before a white tin glaze is applied and delicate patterns painted in cobalt blue.

Emily Mitchell is a ceramicist producing hand-built and handthrown ceramics from her studio in Norwich. Her work takes inspiration from early English Delftware ceramics.

l Check them out at the Merchant’s table, 10 Church Street, Woodbridge iP12 1DH. Find them at @the_merchants_table

Framlingham Castle plays host to a spectacular event this autumn. Noise of Art has teamed up with Framlingham Town Council for the new environmentally-friendly fireworks at this magical structure (referenced in Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle On The Hill’).

The creative, fun and inclusive event on Friday, 4th November will feature audiovisual light art projections, and music from DJ (and arts practitioner) Ben Osborne.

Spectators will be dazzled by some incredible visuals courtesy of some of the UK’s leading club light art projectionists, including Jim Horsfield (who has worked with Beardyman, Phil Hartnol of Orbital, and Fatboy Slim), Your Mum, PrickImage and Janice Oliver. There will be an early evening show at 5.30pm geared towards families, and a later one starting at 8pm. Tickets have been kept at an accessible price for this amazing event.

There will be interactive projections and under 18s who entered a recent competition to create images for the event may get to see them projected on the castle walls.

l For tickets, go to www.framlingham.com/events

roYAl BAllEt in Your living rooM

If (like us!) you rarely have time to take a trip to London to the Royal Opera House, now you can view its world-class performances online, via your mobile, laptop, computer or Smart TV. This brand new streaming service already offers 45 stunning works from The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera’s rich archives, with new titles being added every month.

l go to www.roh.org.uk/stream

The Woodbridge Festival returns with its Fish Friendly Fireworks to warm your hearts! Following its September run of town-wide weekend of events the festival, now in its tenth year, returns with its eco fireworks, music and art competition, projecting arty images onto the town’s iconic Tide Mill on Saturday, 5th November.

l Find out more at www.woodbridgefestival.com

FiSH-FriEnDlY FirEWorKS!

ECo FirEWorKS At HiStoriC CAStlE

BorDErlAnDS ExHiBition

EMilY MitCHEll

DogS ABout toWn! “

My name is Isla, I’m a two-year-old sprockerpoo from Woodbridge, and this is my swimming partner Inca, a Labrador. This is us holding paws and enjoying a break together in the sunshine after a swim in the river at Snape. It took us a bit of time to get used to each other but we bonded over splashing around – our favourite thing is to rush in and out of the water!

Inca is 18 months old and lives in London but she was born in Woodbridge (one of 11 pups) and comes home regularly with her mum and dad to visit me and my family. I was bred locally on an alpaca farm and live with my family in Woodbridge. I also love meeting up with my littermate / sister Edie, who lives with pals down the road – we have fun digging, playfighting and going sailing together on the boat our human dads share. Life is bliss.”

l Have you got a dog and would like to give him or her their 15 minutes of fame? Email us at info@livinginsuffolk.com including your best photos of them.

left to right: Pupils at Framlingham College take part in a number of sustainability projects; the prep school Eco Committee; beehives were introduced to the campus this summer

A GREENER EDUCATION

There is no doubt as to the importance of widespread environmental awareness and education regarding our climate crisis. Framlingham College has a strong focus on a greener education, equipping and empowering pupils to lead a concerted bid to save our planet.

The Senior School Responsible Schools Project (RSP) Student Committee promotes environmental improvements and energysaving practices across the college.

Initiatives led by cohorts of young activists include events such as Green Jumper Day and the annual House Energy- Saving Competition, while other climate campaigners have recently focused their efforts on the reduction of

the college’s food waste.

Equally, increasing biodiversity in the grounds at both the senior and prep schools is a key theme, and Framlingham College now has its own beehives, an idea born by a Year 9 pupil’s desire to enhance the school’s environmental credentials in a unique but essential way.

At the prep school, proud eco-warriors have been recognised for their environmental passion and drive by being awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with distinction. The initiative commended Eco Committee members on their “monumental” impacts, including food waste action resulting in about 1,900kg less food waste per year, 2,000 batteries recycled, 400 trees planted,

increased wellbeing and less litter. Commenting on the concerted efforts taken to bring the environmental agenda to the forefront of college life, Principal Louise North says: “The ability of our pupils to become environmental change-makers is something we strongly advocate for. We see a bright future for so many of our eco-activists in taking up the challenge of convincing others, both at our own school and beyond, about the importance of conserving and protecting our planet and adopting more sustainable lifestyles.”

l Find out more about an education at Framlingham College by booking onto one of its upcoming open days at www.framlinghamcollege.co.uk

Woodbridge's New Independent Vet Practice

Founded on ideals, not compromises.

The Woodbr dge Vets is a modern & independent veter nary practice owned and run by Kyle Eadie MRCVS and Laurie Barrow MRCVS. We prov de a boutique experience for pet owners who want a tradit onal one on one relationship with their vet, along with access to the very best treatments and pet hea thcare We’re passionate about delivering a better Veterinary Experience for our customers Traditiona and Modern m ght sound like they’re as compatib e as cats and dogs but it’s this winning comb nation of our traditional “small practice values” and modern “everything e se ” 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

Riduna Park, Melton, IP12 1QT 01394 802803

A airedproblem … with Christchurch Solicitors

Dear Christchurch Solicitors,

My elderly neighbour has only one remaining relative – an estranged niece who lives in Australia – and has just been taken into hospital from her sheltered housing block of flats. She was suffering with dehydration, as well as other health issues.

It turns out this privately-run block, while offering wardencontrolled alarms in each home, doesn’t offer any medical help or social care beyond calling a GP or dialling 999. I’ve known my neighbour for several years and she is a delightful lady, but I was shocked when I realised there is no one but me ensuring she has enough to eat and drink every day.

The manager at her block isn’t exactly helpful and keeps telling my friend: “We don’t offer care services here,” and has threatened to call in social services if no one else can organise her moving into a care home. I’m not equipped to deal with my friend’s health problems, but I really want to make sure she is cared for and comfortable. What can I do to help?

Sadly, this is all too common a problem. We are an ageing population, so we can’t stress enough how important it is that people think carefully about these issues. When one is looking to buy a place in private sheltered housing, it is vitally important to check what the policy is when, and if, a resident becomes incapacitated.

So, what to do for your friend?

It is very kind that you want to help her. The question is, how much do you want to help? Would you be willing, for example, to make important medical or financial decisions on her behalf?

If she gave her consent, then a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) might be the best option, as this would give you legal authority to help. Firstly, we’d advise you and her to try to make contact with the niece and discuss it with her as, being the lady’s only surviving relative, the niece might want to help.

An LPA is a way of giving someone you trust, known as your ‘attorney’, the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf should you, as the ‘donor’, lose mental capacity or if you no longer want to make decisions for yourself.

There are two types of LPA – a Health and Welfare LPA and a Property and Finance LPA. Your friend might decide she wants to nominate you as her Health and Welfare attorney, and her niece as her Property and Finance attorney. So it’s very important to find out her exact wishes.

In this instance, and if her niece does not want to get involved, it would probably be most helpful for you to act as attorney for both. Your friend’s medical needs are clearly changing, and she could well end up in a vulnerable position which could leave social services taking matters into their own hands. As we all know, Covid has left many services stretched to the limit. If you were acting as her Health and Welfare attorney and her Property and Finance Attorney, you could help arrange the sale of her

sheltered housing flat to finance a suitable care home package for her, as she clearly can’t stay where she is.

Here at Christchurch Solicitors, one of our Partners has an extensive background in nursing, and we all have a lot of experience in this area. We pride ourselves on being a compassionate team and are happy to offer home visits.

If you feel that the above is too much responsibility, and her niece feels the same, then a solicitor can be appointed as an attorney too. We look after our clients as we would our own relatives and would be happy to take over this lady’s affairs –but it sounds like you would make an ideal attorney. It is important to remember that a Lasting Power of Attorney ceases when the donor dies.”

Julie Ferguson

Soane House, 4 Soane Street, ipswich iP4 2Bg Call 01473 355 160 visit www.christchurchlaw.co.uk

vinYl Distraction

By Carl Stickley

PAtti SMitH, HorSES, 1975

I got my brother to use his pocket money to buy this in WH Smith, Andover, Hants.

I’d seen Patti do ‘Gloria’ on The Old Grey Whistle Test

The nights are drawing in. A new prime minister struggles to lead us to the sunny uplands. To take your mind off expected high energy bills, here’s some live music to keep warm to...

Ipswich Regent has Steve Hackett for proggers, David Essex for your mum, The Proclaimers for everyone. The Smokehouse in Ipswich has Porridge Radio for indie kids and Ural Thomas & The Pain for old skool soul. Stowmarket’s John Peel Centre has some choice choonage too. And freak out with the new Bowie film, Moonage Daydream. Let all the children boogie!

Put tHE nEEDlE on tHE rECorD

Carers First is a charity run by a lovely man called Terry. I met Terry at a CD and vinyl fair he arranges in Felixstowe and elsewhere. Terry’s wife is poorly and, through his fairs, he’s raised awareness and over £4,000 towards helping carers and the work they do. The venue for this fair is opposite both Grooveyard Records and Onion Vinyl, so I gorged on vinyl that day.

Things we learned. CDs are making a comeback. Apparently young people, without a record player, want something physical –and CDs are a cheap option. Heavy metal in particular seems to fly off the shelf. So, if you have CDs that you don’t play any more, take them to a dealer along with your vinyl albums. They’ll give you a decent price and save you the bother of trying to offload them. Rein in expectations though. Just because your vinyl is old, doesn’t mean it’s worth millions. Dealers would rather sell 100 albums at £10 than one at £1,000. It’s about turnover and what’s currently popular. Those young folks who do have a turntable want copies of classic albums and don’t care about nerdy record-collecting minutiae – they just want a physical copy.

I also met my new Vinyl Guru there – Colin Baker. After 35 years at the Post Office, Colin, an engineer by trade, started making Sonic Grooves Record Cleaners. On a revolving arm, the vinyl is dipped into cleaning fluid and all the dust and grime is ultrasonically lifted out of the grooves. The needle sits better, and hiss and pops are largely removed. That’s my gift for Christmas sorted. Speaking of Crimbo, Terry has fairs on Friday, 2nd and Saturday, 3rd December at Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Felixstowe. Give the gift of vinyl (not ‘vinyls’!) this year ..

BEAt tHAt

It was 40 years before I saw the clip again – thank you YouTube. Search it out. She’s utterly cool, compelling, convincing, raw, brilliant.

Wimmin in rawk. Before punk, there was nobody like Patti Smith, nor since really. Just the cover photo by a thenunknown Robert Mapplethorpe (her ex-boyfriend) lets you know, this is … different. Poetry was Patti’s thing, and a rock band was the easiest way to get it out there. She grew up on Kerouac and the Beats, even sitting at Allen Ginsberg’s dying bedside.

Anyway. This album. This album. If you’ve never heard it, you’re in for a treat. It’s from 1975 and I defy you to name anything else from then (or now) that sounds like it. Sure, it’s word-heavy in parts and can be, er, intense. It’s not Carole King MOR. And if you don’t like it, Patti don’t care. This is her art her words, what she wanted to do with her life, so she went out and did it. She ain’t no phoney.

At the same record fair, I bumped into Twink, a proper 1960s psychedelic legend. He drummed with Tomorrow, Pink Fairies and Hawkwind, among others, and met the likes of Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and Syd Barrett. Twink’s own albums are slowly being reissued under his careful eye and he regularly attends record fairs in our parish. Beyond all that, he’s just a lovely human being.

At Felixstowe Record Fair, Carl met both Colin Baker, demonstrating his Sonic Grooves Record Cleaners, and much-loved drummer, Twink

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOx!

Interior design is an expensive option for most people. But Rebecca Brooker, owner and founder of Little White Box, offers an interior design service which enables anyone to achieve a high-end look, but at high street prices … with her expertise thrown in for free.

This refreshing way of working is so popular that Rebecca has just opened her third store in Aldeburgh – the others are in Woodbridge and Lavenham – selling a stylish curated range of homewares and items for the outdoors, personally selected by Rebecca.

The Little White Box story began when she was working as a junior designer in London. “I was unappreciated and stuck on the career ladder – I knew I could do it better under my own steam,” she says. “That’s really what drives anyone to set up their own business isn’t it – confidence that you can break the mould and offer

something different and better?”

After setting up Little White Box in 2009, Rebecca quickly earned a reputation as a superb interior designer, taking on commissions for high-end and historic properties at homes and overseas. As her success grew, she was ambitious to expand and bring her offerings to the high street, so she opened dedicated stores in the most beautiful towns in the region.

“I want to be on a par with all the best brands in the wonderful towns where we have opened stores, so that everyone can buy our curated collection of furniture, lighting, accessories, flowers and outdoor items. People can also buy direct from our website.

“My aim has always been to make interior design affordable and accessible, and this is even more relevant today as we all tighten our belts to save, or spend, more wisely. I don’t charge for my interior

design services, so for a commission this makes the whole process so much more affordable. The high-end clients want great value – no one wants to pay more than they need to. We source from a wide range of suppliers all over the world, which means our customers have the best choice. Our bias is towards neutral shades for texture and colour, and many items are unique – made by local artisans from sustainable materials. Our stores will be bursting with Christmas decorations and accessories.”

Rebecca has tapped into the mood of today by offering people the beautiful designs they want, at realistic high street prices. Little White Box is a success story that is sure to get even bigger!

l visit little White Box in Aldeburgh, Woodbridge and lavenham, or go to www.little-white-box.com or instagram.

Lovely Lisbon

The term ‘people-watching’ must have been coined in Lisbon. This colourful, bohemian beach cidade offers something for everyone.

We enjoyed a long weekend in ‘the city of seven hills’ back in July and, despite temperatures hitting the late 30s, we left vowing to return for a much longer break.

Lisbon is best enjoyed via electric bike or a walking tour as well as taking in the views from elevated miradouros (lookout points). The architecture alone is a joy to behold with highlights such as Lisbon Cathedral; the historical neighbourhoods of Baixa, Alfama and Chiado; the Belem Tower; and the Monastery of St. Jerome.

To see a lot in a short time – and sample the incredible food on offer – you could hop on a Segway for a guided tasting tour.

Your guide will lead you to the best pasteis de nata (custard tarts) in the city, along with other local specialties. If one of the many versions of Portuguese bacalhau (dried, salted cod) doesn’t win you over, Lisbon offers a great variety of fresh seafood and a legendary international restaurant scene.

The highlight of our trip was a meal at the highly popular Cervejaria Ribadouro Seafood and Beerhouse, based on the bustling Avenida da Liberdade. This 70year-old restaurant is a must if you visit the city. It offers the very freshest seafood caught on local shores on a daily basis –it was no surprise the place was packed out every evening.

We stayed at the Heritage Avenida

Liberdade Hotel. This elegant hotel, in a prime position in the city, turned out to be the jewel in the crown of our magnificent weekend.

Along with the gorgeous, high-ceilinged bedrooms and much-appreciated air conditioning, we also loved that there was a never-ending supply of freshly baked pasteis de nata to greet us every day in the lounge! Piled high to welcome guests, and free of charge, they accompanied a range of home-baked snacks as well as fresh coffees, hot chocolate, teas and various soft drinks. This little touch was a giant

gesture when you’re parched and hungry after a busy day of sightseeing. Add to that the friendly front-of-house staff –nothing was ever too much trouble –and our group soon voted it one of the best hotels any of us had ever stayed in, such was its charm.

If you love museums, this is the city for you. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian and the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga offer incredible collections from all around the world.

If you visit Lisbon, be sure to sample some Portuguese wines, which range from Vinho Verde, a light, refreshing white, to the country’s signature fortified wine, better known as port.

Romantics can book a mesmerising sunset cruise on the Tagus River or even experience the musical tradition of dinner and a show at a local fado club.

Popular day trips from Lisbon include the UNESCO site-listed Sintra, a former royal retreat topped by a pastel-coloured castle, and the resort village of Cascais. Lisbon’s central location makes for easy access to Northern Portugal’s Douro Valley and Porto, or to the seaside resorts of the Algarve.

What a find Lisbon is – it offers the weather of Madrid but all the culture of Paris or Rome. We’ll be back!

l to book a room at this lovely hotel, go to www.lisbonheritagehotels.com l to start planning your holiday, visit www.visitlisboa.com

meet the couple with Parent Pod! grey just last year?… Jojo Humes Brown colours LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Bursting with sunshine, history and old-world charm, we fell in love with Portugal’s cosmopolitan capital …

From top: A view of the Ponte 25 Abril Bridge; Lisbon’s Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel; Parque Eduardo VII; there are six tram routes in the city

Pictures of bridge, park and tram © v isit l isboa

Slow living Market town Hall, orford

A celebration of contemporary craft returns to Orford on the weekend 5th –6th November.

Predominantly

East Anglian experts will explain traditional techniques behind the likes of glass making, wood turning, knitting, jewellery making, leather craft and chocolate tempering. There will be hands-on workshops too. To book a place on ‘Forage Styling’ or ‘Interior Design for Kids’, email kay@kinshipcreativedc.co.uk. To join ‘Willow Weaving for Basketry’, email femke.lemmens@gmail.com

aNd abOUt! out

Top tips for fun things to do in Suffolk … by

on the Same Page Book Club

ottie and the Bea, 10a Market Hill, Framlingham Wednesday, 12th october and Wednesday, 16th november, 6.30pm–7.30pm

There’s a fabulous new book, toy and craft shop in the market square in Framlingham. Julia Dyer, who set up her award-winning shop, Ottie and the Bea, in Blackheath in 2010, was keen to move out of London, and so opened a second branch here in Suffolk. She sells a selection of books for all ages, brilliantly imaginative toys, and also runs children’s drawing courses and a book club from the shop.

On The Same Page Book Club is for children aged 11 to 14, and is hosted by Elizabeth Swan, a teacher and “devoted reader of YA fiction.” The ticket price includes a copy of the featured book to read in advance, and a drink and biscuits for all attendees.

l tickets are £15 each and can be booked at www.ottieandthebea.com – look under ‘Events’ l Email shop@ottieandthebea.com if you would like to apply for a subsidised space.

Adam Kay: this is going to Hurt … More regent theatre, ipswich Sunday, 23rd october

The doctor-turned-comedian Adam Kay is back on tour with a show of stories from his forthcoming book, Undoctored: The Story of a Medic Who Ran Out of Patients

His warts-and-all memoir, This is Going to Hurt, about his time as an under-slept, overworked doctor on an NHS maternity ward, was recently made into a BBC series, starring Ben Wishaw as Adam. Expect gallows humour and funny songs.

l Book tickets at www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

little Fort of Horrors: Blackbeard’s Bloody revenge landguard Fort, view Point road, Felixstowe

Friday, 28th october – Saturday 29th october, 7pm – 10.30pm

If being scared stiff is your idea of fun, head to Landguard Fort, the 18th century coastal fortification, for some Halloween frights. Scream your heart out as pirate king Blackbeard and his crew of cutthroats take revenge on anyone brave enough to visit.

The walk-through experience starts at Felixstowe Museum, then continues on to the fort, through a series of rooms and tunnels. As you explore the notoriously haunted building, expect jump scares and impressive spooky effects.

l Entry is via a timed ticket. to book, visit www.landguard.com (no admittance to anyone under 14 years of age).

Brandeston Guide price £750,000

This delightful four bedroom bungalow is situated in the idyllic rural village of Brandeston, approximately 4 miles from the popular market town of Framlingham. The mature grounds of approximately one acre have been beautifully maintained and include an orchard with a variety of fruit trees, a sweeping driveway, double garage and further outbuilding/workshop.

Worlingworth

Guide

An impressive new build home, built to a high specification with contemporary open plan living. To the ground floor is the spacious kitchen/dining/living area, two bedrooms, a shower room and bathroom, whilst to the first floor is the master bedroom with ensuite and balcony with views over the garden and adjoining countryside. Completing the first floor accommodation is a study/fourth bedroom.

launch of gathered from gardens, with tessa newcomb

White House Farm, great glemham

Saturday, 22nd october, 11am–4pm

Exhibition launches at the GalloperSands gallery, at Jason GathorneHardy’s farm in Great Glemham, are always magical events. The opening of Suffolk artist Tessa Newcomb’s new show, Gathered from Gardens, will be no exception. On arrival you will be offered an autumn cordial and treated to a talk by Tessa, whose new flower paintings were inspired by her recent residency at White House Farm. Lunch, a “feast of farm and garden produce,” will be

laid on, but donations are welcome!

l to book a place at the launch, email enquiries @gallopersands.co.uk

l the exhibition runs from Saturday, 22nd october to Wednesday, 30th november, 10am–5pm, Friday to Sunday. l visit www.galloper-sands.co.uk for further details.

Woodbridge

This four bedroom, three storey townhouse is centrally located in Woodbridge within easy walking distance of both the town centre and River Deben. Downstairs, the open plan accommodation is spacious with French doors leading out to a south facing terrace with a modern kitchen/dining room,

A charming two bedroom, three storey property dating back to the 1800’s, in the centre of Woodbridge. The well presented accommodation includes a sitting room with inset log burner and a dining room which opens to the kitchen. The attractive paved courtyard garden has a historic curved red brick boundary wall and is stocked with many perennial plants, raised vegetable beds and a vine covered pergola.

Thinking of selling?

Charity Crewe

Comic Tim FitzHigham

Slow Living Market organisers Joanna, Jess, Deborah and Fiona fennwright.co.uk

Sharon Barry Fin Whittaker

Peter Ruddy Rachel Hamilton

Natasha Everett Jamie Devereux

WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL PREP

A co-educational independent day and boarding school for students aged from 4 to 18

Providing children of primary school age with a warm, stimulating environment, instilling them with a love of learning and a sense of fun, children develop new skills and confidence at Woodbridge School Prep as they learn and understand the fundamentals across a broad range of core subjects.

Offering a wide variety of stimulating subjects, including engineering, drama, food technology, forest school and music, the children are encouraged to challenge themselves, build resilience and learn from their mistakes, through our core values: to ‘try their best’ and ‘be kind’.

Various Open Days are held throughout the year where you can visit and explore the School, experience our wonderful facilities, learn more about our approach and talk with staff as well as our Head of Woodbridge School Prep, Nicola Mitchell. We also welcome you to contact us and make an appointment to visit the School at any other time on 01394 382673 or prepheadpa@woodbridgeschool.org.uk.

www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk