LIVING IN ISSUE 2016 ISSUE ONE… FIVE …SUMMER EARLY SPRING 2017
WOODBRIDGE Colour codeowners… … sprucethrow up your kitchen season Local home open their this doors Greenfree with envy …meet one couple’s sustainable dream Pod! Child zones?… the couple with the Parent Good in last town … meet theHumes electroBrown swing on queen Is greytimes just so year?… Jojo colours
YOURBRAND FABULOUS YOUR NEW FREE HOMES & FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE LIFESTYLE
SPRING IN WOODBRIDGE
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pring is finally here and we are emerging from our winter hibernation, groggy-eyed and happy to embrace everything our amazing town has to offer. We have a bit of a green theme going on in this feature-packed issue. We caught up with Eamonn and Catherine O’Nolan who are building a gorgeous yet sustainable dream home in the town. They also test drove and reviewed an electric car for us (see page eight). Transition Woodbridge, which kindly grows fruit in public places for anyone to pick, reveals all on page 13 about the amazing quest to bring down carbon emissions and improve our local economy. And local builder Mark Crisp, from Chapel Properties, talks about his eco-friendly projects in the local area, starting on page 14. Talking of inspiring projects, over on page four, Angie Vale, whose company designs and hand-builds wonderful kitchens, gives us her expert tips on using colours in your kitchen. And fancy walking your way to health? Then meet town resident Lesley Krause, who has combined her Nordic walking skills with her thriving Airbnb business, on page seven. We’d like to say a big thank you to local historian Robert Simper who wrote a heartfelt piece all about his childhood memories of our amazing River Deben – see page 16. To echo one of our readers’ letters (page 34), we feel hugely lucky to live in such a beautiful town. And finally, we’re rather proud that a story in our winter issue has brought together town residents and hopefully kick-started the beginning of a new friendship. You can read all about it on page 11. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!
Angela & Lyn LIVING IN ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
WOODBRIDGE
Editors: Angela Hagan (T: 07930 184773) & Lyn Peters (T: 07909 544496) Designer and subeditor: Craig Drever Designer: Lewis Webb info@livinginwoodbridge.co.uk www.livinginwoodbridge.co.uk Due East Media Ltd: 39 Seckford Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4LY 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 us in this publication. Living In … Woodbridge 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.
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
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13 WHAT’S INSIDE 4 5 7 8 11 13 16 21 23 25 27 29 33 34
On-trend Colours For Your Kitchen Local News Walking the Nordic Way Life Off-grid Woodbridge Lives … Eat Your Way Round Town – For Free! “My Life on the River Deben” Movers and Shakers Music Events Guide Mindfulness for Teenagers Local Business News What’s on in Woody Dog About Town Your Letters
ON THE COVER
Farrow & Ball Small Spaces Blue Ground No 210M, St Giles Blue No. 280 and Var-do No.288 ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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Right: In this Arts and Crafts house, the blue island unit is intended to mirror the Suffolk sky
KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL A splash of colour can bring the heart of your home to life, says Angie Vale of Vale Designs, who explains the most tasteful ways to pull off the look Pictures by Blink2 Photography
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ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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hen you’re designing a kitchen from scratch or simply updating or refreshing an existing one, there are basics to consider. The walls and floors are the largest expanses of available colour surfaces, and will set the tone for the whole room. Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a colour for your walls is light: get to know your room through the subtle changes, as daylight moves to the gentle light of early evening. Is your kitchen south facing, filled with light, or is it darker and north facing? Both these situations need a different approach and can be hugely enhanced by clever paint choices. The size of your room is also important, and think about the mood you are trying to create. If you want a warm and cosy heart-of-the-home type kitchen, warm tones will make the room appear more snug. Whereas cool, bright tones will appear to enlarge the space and open up the area: great for the contemporary trend towards open-plan living. The kitchen floor is not to be underestimated when it comes to bringing colour into the room, whether we introduce it through
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tiles or the beautiful patina of aged floorboards, left natural or painted. A bold option is to choose from the stunning array of vinyl or rubber that come in a huge variety of colours, both neutral and bright. The painted kitchen is an enduring look because it is so versatile, achievable, and can be changed to suit our changing moods and tastes very easily. Cabinetry looks beautiful and full of character, with today’s heritage paint brands like Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Annie Sloan all offering rich, timeless colours inspired by the natural world. When you’re planning a painted kitchen, it’s important to discuss with your designer what you want the look to be. A distressed finish will soften any colour you choose, to bring a lovely weathered effect that works particularly well in coastal or country kitchens. To add character, and enhance the unfitted look, you can opt for different shades for freestanding furniture. One very on-trend idea is to use a striking colour for a central island unit. Be daring and choose deep pink, red or aubergine for a stunning effect. Paint can be used to transform existing wooden kitchen furniture;
chairs and tables look great in unmatched or contrasting colours, and if you have some tired, pine shelving why not be bold and give it a lick of paint? The great thing about paint is that it is a relatively cheap way to experiment: if you don’t like it, you can simply go over it in a different colour until you achieve the look you want! If the painted look is not your thing, there are exciting options with high-gloss units for a sleek, contemporary look. This design option looks great with bright, citrus-style colours, and works
“White looks stunning with the acid brights that are a key trend” best if the flooring and walls are kept neutral. White looks stunning with the acid brights that are a key trend for units right now. As with any strong colour, think about how it will work in your kitchen long after the trend has passed. Try a bright splashback or vivid tiles to introduce some colour if you are not quite brave enough to go all out on the units.” l Extract taken from Angie Vale’s blog at www.valedesigns.co.uk
WOODBRIDGE NEWS ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
STORE WARS!
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
SAVE OUR CLUB! Several blossoming roles are currently up for grabs on the committee of Woodbridge Horticultural Society. The club is on the lookout for six new members to join them in the running of the organisation, which has been going for a staggering 165 years. Treasurer Peter Horton fears that lack of interest and dwindling numbers might even put the club’s future in jeopardy. “I’m not sure people are so interested in gardening any more,” he says. “I fear another thing is that because we haven’t had younger people coming in, we are left with a rather aged membership. We need a minimum of six people for roles such as chairman and secretary.” He says he enjoyed the role of chairman himself 15 years ago, when membership stood at 250. “Last year we had 140 members, now I think we have probably got around 90,” says Peter. “We need young blood. We need people in their fifties. Better still, people
with ideas on what they want to do.” The group meets monthly, except in August, on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm at Woodbridge Community Hall behind Deben Pool in Station Road. “There’s lots going on,” says Peter. “We have an interesting programme of monthly lectures, as well as visits to gardens in this area and some further afield. And we have coffee mornings twice a year, plus a summer garden party.” If you are interested in a committee role or simply joining as a member, email Peter on peter.hore1@btopenworld.com. Or try Pam Pelling on pam.pelling@yahoo.co.uk
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Discount supermarket giant Aldi has submitted a formal planning application to build a new store in Martlesham. The proposed location is on unused land between Tenpin Bowling and the roundabout connecting the A12 to Gloster Road and Barrack Square. The application is due to go before Suffolk Coastal District Council’s planning committee in April. If approved, the store would create an estimated 50 jobs and bring stiff competition to near-by Tesco and the recently-expanded M&S. In a recent report, a spokesperson for Aldi said: “Our consultation last year highlighted that almost 90 per cent of local people would love Aldi to open in Martlesham Heath, to give them more shopping choice and easier access to Aldi’s high quality, low cost offers.” Meanwhile site clearance is currently underway in preparation for the new retail park being built on the land next to Tesco in Martlesham. The £8million project will see the development of a new Wickes home improvement store, as well as another, yet-to-be-announced retail outlet. A spokesman for property company LondonMetric, who acquired the site on Anson Road, confirmed that work is due to be completed in the last quarter of this year. A graphic of the new Wickes by LondonMetric
TV gardening presenter Tom Hart Dyke is giving a lecture to the group on Thursday, 13th April at 7.30pm at the community hall. Tickets cost £6 for members and £8 for non-members. Call Linda Weeks on 01473 737117 or send cheques to The Brambles, Manor Road, Clopton IP13 6SH.
THOROUGHFARE NEWS Plans are in store for the premises vacated by the East of England Co-op after its move to the Turban Centre. The listed building on the Thoroughfare, empty since last October, could be divided into two new retail units, with the floors above converted into residential flats. A planning statement, prepared by building design consultants David Clarke & Associates for the East of England Co-operative Society, states the ground floor could comprise a 242sq m unit that uses the existing entrance and shopfront, and a smaller unit with new shopfront and
entrance at the back of the building. It also states plans to build four flats – three with access via a new entrance on New Street. Alterations would enhance the rear area significantly as well as repairing the vacant first floor area to the front of the building. The statement, submitted to Suffolk Coastal District Council, reads: “The opportunity therefore exists to help restore and protect the internal fabric of the building whilst also providing highly sustainable town centre residential accommodation.” ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
ON THE MARKET WITH 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
YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
VALE FARM, STEBBINGS LANE, HOLLESLEY GUIDE PRICE: £1,950,000 This discretely situated farmhouse is set in 10 stunning acres. A rural escape that’s surrounded by nature.
4,500 SQ FT OF PRIMARY ACCOMMODATION
● Imposing detached property ● Seven stunning bedrooms, each
with an individual en suite ● Two-bed annexe accommodation with own kitchen and bathroom ● Outbuildings include a double garage, workshop and plant room ● Tranquil pond and rose garden ● Secluded setting with a stunning outlook from every window
The five reception rooms include an orangery-style conservatory and two light-filled sitting rooms, while the generously proportioned kitchen/breakfast room offers more than enough living space for even the largest of families.
A SPACIOUS HOME IN MAGNIFICENT GROUNDS The gardens are a haven for a wide range of wildlife. Kingfishers, deer and birdlife enjoy the large ponds. At the rear are areas for growing vegetables, four greenhouses, and an orchard. There’s also a stunning outside dining area with fountain.
LOCAL INTERESTS ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
POLES APART
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
YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
One happy Woodbridge resident on how her love of Nordic walking has turned her life around …
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hree years ago, during a holiday to Spain, Lesley Krause couldn’t help but notice how fit her fellow tourists looked. “They were all walking around with these poles and many of them were my age and much older and looked amazing,” she says. “As soon as I got home I ordered some poles off Amazon!” In fact Lesley had ordered quite the wrong thing and after attempting to teach herself the art of Nordic walking, she realised she needed to get trained properly. “I’m keen on people learning the technique from the start as it can take ten times longer if you’ve learnt the wrong way, as I found out!” But it didn’t deter Lesley, who went on to become a fully trained instructor, and has built a thriving business out of it – even offering walking holidays from her lovely home on Bredfield Road as featured on online booking site Airbnb. Nordic walking, she says, is a specific fitness technique and is not to be confused with trekking and hill walking. It uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience, and is the fastest growing fitness activity in the world. “It’s unique in that it provides benefits for everybody from those with medical problems to the super fit,” she says. “Whatever your age, fitness level, or goals Nordic Walking is appropriate, effective, and enjoyable. Some people say it’s pilates on sticks because of all the stretching, it extends your body,” In fact she says it uses 90 per cent of
your muscles and burns more calories than normal walking which can help with weight loss. It also increases bone density, improves posture, boosts your immune system and helps to reduce cholesterol. Lesley, who was widowed 17 years ago, says it can also alleviate stress and anxiety as well as increase your range of movement.
“If you’d have told me then that I’d be feeling like this now, I wouldn’t have believed you” “I’m much stronger than I’ve ever been,” she smiles. “In the past I suffered problems with my leg and saw many physios and osteopaths. If you’d have told me then that I’d be feeling like this now, I wouldn’t have believed you.” She offers group sessions for all ages locally in Woodbridge and the surrounding area as well as one-to-one instruction. “I’ve made so many friends from it,” she says. “We all have a great chat as we walk, it’s very sociable. And the health benefits are incredible. I’ve just taken on a lady in her late seventies, who’s got Parkinsons, and she’s amazing! As soon as she’s got the poles she stops shaking and it’s given her the confidence to do more.” The next four week group Nordic Walk classes starts in April and they meet every Saturday for an hour’s walk. Four lessons cost £40 including the use of poles.
Top left: Thanks to Airbnb, Lesley runs a thriving business from her Bredfield Road home Above: Lesley in her gear Below: The walking group meets every week
l For details of Lesley’s Airbnb or her walking holidays go to www.airbnb.co.uk or www.suffolkstriders.co.uk ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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OUTSIDE THE BOX
Meet the environmentally-minded couple who are building a sustainable future for themselves
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This page, left to right: The pair plan to charge an electric car using the solar panels on their roof; Their newly extended living room overlooks the good-sized garden ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
amonn and Catherine O’Nolan’s family home in Woodbridge is a testament to their admirable green credentials. The property recently underwent a major refurbishment, not least to accommodate the seven children they have between them (she has three, he has four). Originally a four-bed house with one family bathroom, there are now five big double bedrooms, a huge en suite and a light-filled kitchen-diner. And everything was conceived with sustainability in mind. “The first step was to ensure we insulated the house properly with 150ml-thick solid block insulation,” says Eamonn, a Green Party councillor at Woodbridge Town Council. “For about the cost of a year’s heating bill, we were able to reduce our heat loss dramatically. That quickly translates into savings, and we reckon our annual bill is down by 20 per cent or more. “Then we asked Linda Grave at East Green Energy to install solar panels on our south-facing roof. It was a no-brainer, really. Even if we were justifying it on the tariff rebate alone, installing the panels would be a worthwhile investment. But we plan to go further, and really use the free power that the sun delivers.” Eamonn and Catherine, who split their time between Woodbridge and off-grid summers on a boat in Vancouver, chose durable double-glazed uPVC Pilkington K glass for their lovely grey windows. “Compared to aluminium frames, uPVC
actually has lower thermal conductivity,” explains Eamonn. They married last year, having met eight years ago. Faced with the dilemma of whether to move to a larger home to accommodate their frequently-visiting children, they instead decided to stay in Catherine’s house, and to extend and remodel it. They managed the project themselves, using local architect Scott Mortimer and a blend of local and London builders. The result is a spacious and very comfortable home, which easily copes with their dynamic needs. Their next step is to ditch the family car, having recently completed a test drive of a Nissan Leaf all-electric car.
“We almost never connect to the grid” “We were bowled over,” says Catherine. “Not only did it make sense from a green perspective, we were amazed at how nice the vehicle is. We worked out its 124-mile range can easily meet 90 per cent of our annual mileage needs. In addition to that, the power from our solar panels can be used to recharge it, and so reduce our outgoings dramatically. Nissan will even lend us a petrol car for a fortnight every year, which is really useful for holidays. The next big installation in their home looks like being be a Tesla Powerwall in the garage – a large battery to store the output created from the solar panels during the day. “Then we could power the house in the evening without using the grid at
LOCAL HOMES ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
DOES IT GET THE GREEN LIGHT? Eamonn reviews the all-electric Nissan Leaf, lent to him by Glyn Hopkin in Ipswich all,” says Eamonn. “It makes sense for us to have one of those together with an electric car. At the moment we’re not using the vast amount of energy that comes off the roof ourselves, so it goes back to the grid. It would be better to use it to power the car and really make big savings. Someone we know heats their swimming pool that way, which is an example of just how much power can be generated on a reasonably bright day.” The couple learned about off-grid living on their boat in Canada. Built in 1930, they bought Content in 2011, and she is a very mobile summer base – they cover about 2000 miles each summer. Previous owners used a diesel generator to charge batteries, and run the fridge and freezer, but that was replaced in 2012 by three large solar panels on the cabin roof. “We rarely come into harbour and almost never connect to the grid,” says Eamonn. “The individual elements of a sustainable lifestyle are finally beginning to join up. Solar is now, and always will be, cheaper than any other power source, and battery technology that allows off-grid living in suburbia is both available and affordable.” But it isn’t all about numbers and geeky tech. Ultimately Catherine and Eamonn have created a lovely, warm home for their family, and for years to come they will be reaping the many benefits that come from thinking outside the box.
See page 13 for news on the town’s edible orchards, part of Transition Woodbridge’s drive to improve the local environment.
Above: Catherine, Eamonn and their dog Luna in the impressively insulated kitchen-diner Pictures by John Ferguson
“A new Nissan Leaf would set you back about £22,000, but there are plenty of second-hand ones available at around the £10,000 mark. It’s great as a second family car and dealers are offering loads of discounts at the moment. Driving the car, I was transported into a silent world: electric vehicles don’t make any noise, and it’s very weird to start with! But once I got rolling, I was sold. There’s tons of power available, which allowed me to drive pretty much the same as in my current car, which is a diesel with a range of 625 miles. We drove the Leaf extensively around Woodbridge, up to Southwold, over to Bury, and in and out of Ipswich. Like most people, I was previously only vaguely aware of the electric vehicle market. At one end, the 24kWh Leaf is a tried and tested car, with a range of 124 miles (the newer version with a 30kWh battery can go for 155 miles before needing to be charged). At the other, the Tesla is a great solution with a 300-mile range, but its six-figure price tag puts it out of reach of the ordinary motorist.”
ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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WOODBRIDGE LIVES ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
CHAPEL STREET
CONNECTIONS
Above: L–R, Clio, Barbara’s daughter Rosemary, Jon, Barbara, Sam and Rex the dog Right: Barbara (middle) chats to Clio and Jon Middle: The garden in past days Far right: Our original article
A story in Living In … Woodbridge has brought together the former occupants of a house with its current owners
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arbara Girling couldn’t believe her eyes when she read the winter issue of this magazine and saw her old Chapel Street home featured in it. Especially now it’s run as The Art Retreat by artist Samantha Barnes. The little cottage, which dates back to Napoleonic times and stands in the grounds of the home of musicians Jon Morton and Clio Gould, is very different nowadays to what it was like back then. Barbara, who still lives in the town, wrote to us at Living In … Woodbridge and told how she and her late husband John bought the cottage in 1954. Jon and Clio
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
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recently invited her to their house to see how it had changed. “The £600 we paid for it was a massive amount of money in the Fifties,” says Barbara on an emotional visit to her old home with daughter, Rosemary. Barbara says the couple raised a family in the house painted “sunshine yellow” and spent 35 glorious years there, becoming well known across town for their homegrown vegetables, flowers and freshly laid eggs from their 100 chickens. Clio happily adds: “Barbara’s an inspiration. Over a cup of tea we’ve made a new, very special friend.” LOCAL HOMES ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
Opposite page: Clio, Jon and Rex the lurcher in their kitchen Main picture: The couple in front of The Art Retreat, with Sam all set to paint This page, clockwise from top: Sam loving the new mobile space; a creative workshop underway; light floods into the basement living room from above
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
YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
THE ARTIST IN OUR GARDEN! Acclaimed musicians Clio and Jonathan have turned their Chapel Street home into a creative retreat in more ways than one …
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aking the plunge to decamp from their frenetic north London lifestyle, violinists Clio Gould and Jonathan Morton have never looked back since moving to Woodbridge. Both enjoy high profile musical careers; until recently Clio was leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jonathan is the artistic director and leader of the Scottish Ensemble, and they both undertake a host of freelance commissions across the globe. But the couple were keen to draw a clear line between home and work life. “We first encountered the area when we used to come to Snape to perform,” says Jonathan. “Once the children were born we’d come for holidays in Aldeburgh, and so Suffolk made sense to us.” Clio smiles. “We were in danger of only staying in the one postcode! The children were six and three at the time and we saw a window of opportunity to do something completely different.” Five years on, and while life is still busy,
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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
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it’s also more balanced, with an emphasis on enjoying their surroundings and an outdoor lifestyle. “When we’re home now it feels very restful and settled,” says Clio. “It’s quite hard to chill on a day off with all of Camden happening around you.” Clio and Jon’s beautifully light home is a perfect example of laid-back living. Jonathan says: “Having viewed the house, we were keen to get some professional advice. We quickly Googled local architects and came across Mullins Dowse. “Their ideas further developed the thoughts we were mentally drawing up, and they were fantastic to work with.” Renovations included reworking the house to accommodate a new kitchen, plus, in the basement, a living space. “What really makes this space work is that we removed a major part of the floor above to let the light flood in below,” explains Jonathan. “The whole project took a year to plan, and a further seven months for everything to be complete, but it has
transformed the house completely.” The little house at the bottom of the garden was especially appealing to the couple, not least because it has brought a further splash of creativity to their lives. “It’s said the house dates back to the Napoleonic Wars,” Clio says. “We like the story but I don’t think much remains of the original structure. Either way, we absolutely love the building. It was the main house on the plot before ours was built. We didn’t know what to do with it at first – I just had a feeling the right use would come up.” And that’s what happened one day while Clio was out walking their lovely dog, Rex. “It was one of those wonderful things,” smiles Clio. “When you meet someone and something great happens. I bumped into local artist Samantha Barnes and her dog, Barney. Our dogs got on, our kids got on and we just bonded. It was only when Sam later said that she needed some space for her art that I knew we’d found the right use. And The Art Retreat was born! Sam
has helped to transform an empty building into such a happy and positive space. “I love seeing our dogs playing, and children trooping down the garden to do something fun and life enhancing. I think it’s a great example of one those things that just happens in Suffolk, and of the community spirit here.”
“I love seeing our dogs playing, and children trooping down the garden to do something life enhancing.” The latest addition to The Art Retreat is a fantastic, upcycled touring caravan. “It was an eBay purchase we collected from the Lake District,” says Clio. “We have given it a total overhaul, and it gives us some great flexible space for family holidays and for Sam, or other artists, to ‘go on tour’.” While it may be 40 years old, it looks like 2017 will be busy for the vintage mobile Art Retreat. There’s even talk of it heading to Latitude, so watch this space.
SEE FOR YOURSELF
The Art Retreat, in the garden of 44 Chapel Street, hosts a Christmas pop-up shop on Friday, 9th December, 5–9pm and Saturday the 10th, 10am–5pm. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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17 CHURCH STREET, WOODBRIDGE, SUFFOLK, IP12 1DS +44 (0)7702 877081 www.vanil.co.uk Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am–5.30pm
green ISSUES ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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HARVEST FOR THE WORLD Green thinker Charlie Zakss on the group who are giving Woodbridge residents plenty of food for thought …
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ransition Woodbridge, in our own small way, is working towards having a low carbon footprint, strengthening the local economy, improving our local environment and involving the local community. In the last four years, the group, of which I am secretary, has been creating a scattered community orchard around Woodbridge and Melton for the benefit of people and wildlife. We have also been planting flowers for pollinators. Thanks to our joint venture with the local Women’s Institute and Woodbridge In Bloom, we have been creating edible gardens in Woodbridge, including outside the Turban Centre and the library. And our permaculture education days at a local forest garden have been very popular. The community-led group is involved with harvesting surplus fruit and reducing food waste too. It benefits the Families In Need Ipswich food bank, the Salvation Army, and lunch clubs for older people. In between projects, we publicly show films that encourage environmentally-friendly lifestyles. We are very proud of our tree planting. Now St Andrew’s church in Melton has two apple trees, the Melton riverside has 15 fruit trees, Bury Hill has four, Morley Avenue has three, and Beresford Drive has five, with various fruiting shrubs and bulbs around them as well. As the trees grow, they will be of use to wildlife and, better still, the public will be able to enjoy the fruit. Our edible gardens have allowed
us to plant vegetables that anyone can pick and use. Children especially love picking peas! We also hope it will encourage people to grow their own food at home. As the community fruit tree harvesting project has now been running for four years, we have saved many thousands of pounds of fruit from falling to the ground and rotting, which would have been such a waste of precious food! Picking unwanted fruit, making something yummy, and sharing it with those who need it is a win-win situation! And we have developed lovely relationships with local food banks and churches running lunch clubs on low budgets, and met some really inspirational people. Other ongoing projects include litter picking, an array of workshops and topical film nights.
Clockwise from top left: Transition Woodbridge helps wildlife; the orchard will yield free fruit; greens up for grabs; a joint effort outside Woodbridge Library courtesy of Woodbridge In Bloom, Woodbridge WI, and Transition Woodbridge
“We have saved many thousands of pounds of fruit from falling to the ground and rotting” Creating all of these wonderful community programmes has been very satisfying and we’ve made lots of friends, and learned and passed on valuable skills. We are so grateful to people who have donated money and supported us. And we are keen for new members to join our group and get stuck in. We hold monthly meetings in a local pub and are open to everyone, and any ideas. l Call 07834 589543, find Transition Woodbridge on Facebook, or check out www.transitionwoodbridge. onesuffolk.net ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE Living In … Woodbridge talks to local visionary Mark Crisp on why Chapel Properties continues to go from strength to strength …
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ith four new house builds in Woodbridge, a new five-bed property taking shape in Thorpeness, plus a range of forthcoming extensions and renovations across the region, it’s a very busy time for Chapel Properties. And that’s not to forget the eco-friendly new build in Hollesley that’s currently in the pipeline. Mark Crisp, director of Chapel Properties says: “We’ve also moved location. We were previously based in Chapel Street, but it was time to spread our wings. We’re now at Quay Point, just in the station car park, with lots of great visibility and parking.” In its fourth year of trading, Chapel Properties has found its niche. “We employ more than 30 qualified tradesmen and craftsmen full-time, and have access to other specialist contractors, many of whom I’ve worked with for 20 years or more. We pride ourselves on using local suppliers and contractors whenever possible. That means we’re completely geared up to have teams see a project through from start to completion. “Projects are always completed 100 per cent before leaving the site. Our clients are never left with a six-page snagging list.” Mark believes that if you’re looking to
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invest in building your own home, you should be able to employ a company that genuinely understands your vision, and employs craftsmen that aren’t perpetually disappearing and who will take pride in the finished article. “It sounds like a very simple point, but communication is critical to a successful project,” he continues. “Doing a job well isn’t rocket science. If you can’t get hold of your project manager or myself, why would you consider us the right guys for the task? Having an office in the heart of town means clients can get in touch very easily. Intuition also plays a role. I’ve turned
down lucrative projects that didn’t feel right, and never regretted my decision.” With most work coming through recommendations, Chapel Properties’ customers are always happy to open their doors to others to show the quality of work first-hand, and give an honest account of the building process. Increasingly, enquiries are being received from potential clients who are looking to incorporate sustainable technologies into their new build homes. “Last year we built three houses using eco-friendly SIPs: structural insulated panels,” says Mark. “They have high
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Clockwise from far left: A newly built four-bed house in Aldeburgh; Chapel Properties created this stunning home and courtyard garden; property under construction in Woodbridge; the firm’s office at Quay Point; a dream kitchen
“Investing in home improvements or an extension is surely a sound decision” insulation properties, and can be cut and shaped to any design, so they are great if you’re looking to create a bespoke home. And from delivery, we can have the frame erected in just two weeks. “We’re currently installing the latest in air source heat pump technology in a house in town. Heat is absorbed from the outside air, then released into radiators and underfloor heating systems, as well as being transferred to the hot water supply. “While the homeowners are keeping an electricity supply as a backup, they don’t feel the need to reinstall the gas supply. “Another couple looking to build their dream home in Hollesley are taking things one step further and we’re currently talking through plans to create a totally eco-friendly property.” As Woodbridge continues to be sought after as a place to live and house prices continue to rise, homeowners are increasingly looking at innovative ways to improve and extend existing properties. Mark adds: “In the current climate, investing in home improvements or an extension is surely a sound decision.” l To find out more, call 01394 610526 or go to www.chapelproperties.co.uk ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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THE DEBEN remembered Ramsholt historian Robert Simper on his beloved river and its inhabitants, who helped shape his early life Pictures by Lilian, Pearl and Robert Simper
Above: Robert, aged 15, in 1953 This picture: Grade II listed Ramsholt church from across the beautiful water
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n the summers of my childhood, I used to help the River Deben’s old boatman Arthur Hunt who, during World War I, had lost a lung. He was the bosun on a ship that had been torpedoed in the Adriatic, and had taken a party of Indian seamen into the hold to stop the ensuing leak. Several of them died of the fumes, so although it cost him a lung, Arthur was lucky to have survived. He had to leave his life at sea and came home to Suffolk where he made a living as a yacht skipper. By the time I met him in 1948, he couldn’t do much physical work and was very glad for me to row him around the Deben at Ramsholt and do the heavy work of lifting moorings. In the winter he would sit in the cabin
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of the yacht Genesta, making nets by hand for the Aldeburgh fishermen. It was dark down there but the tilley lantern used to hiss away giving off warmth and light. Arthur’s hands worked quickly and he was glad of my company to while away the time. He was delighted when I asked him about his first days at sea during the Edwardian period. Sitting in that cabin, I lived vicariously through Arthur’s memories, such as when he brought coal from the north of England to Woodbridge, and the time he became skipper of the barge Dover Castle and took hay to London. One day he asked me to go on a trip up to Woodbridge. The Ferry Dock near the station was completely empty; not a single
craft was there. We moored up alongside the shed where Frank Knights and Philip Gouch were doing their boat repairs, and could hear them hammering away Arthur’s arrival quickly became a major event locally and several people turned up for a chat. The renowned rigger of Claude Whisstock’s yard, Ted Marsh, came around the corner and the yarns started at once! The river filled up, at least in conversation, with sailing barges – and the lost port of Woodbridge came back to life. They laughed about some of the old skippers who had been mean and hard to young boys away from home for the first time. Not long after that, my friend Jonathan Fenton borrowed a sailing dinghy and we made our first trip alone up the river. It was
WOODBRIDGE LIVES ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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a heavy clinker boat with a standing lugsail, just right for two boys learning to sail. As there were only about 20 boats at Ramsholt, the Woodbridge waterside seemed very busy in comparison. We passed Eversons boatyard, then run by the Everson brothers, who were silently working away in their big wooden shed, that even then looked as if it might well collapse in a gale. The two Everson sisters lived in an old shed beside the yard but I don’t think they had anything to do with running the place. They looked after their cats and chattered to passersby, until the 1953 floods swept the shed away – an incident they were lucky to survive.
“The river filled up with sailing barges – and the lost port of Woodbridge came back to life” After the barge trade to Woodbridge finished, the Ferry Dock and the Tide Mill Quay started to fill up with houseboats. Frank Knights was fresh out of the Royal Navy, having been on the Dunkirk rescue mission, and had started repairing boats in the Coal Shed at the end of the Ferry Dock. Since 1926, Claude Whisstock had been building prestige yachts in his boatyard. That area had originally been a marshy swamp between the Ferry Dock quay and warehouse, and the lane down to the Tide Mill. Claude’s first workshop had been on stilts until they filled in the marsh. Jonathan and I passed the Tide Mill, then on its last legs and looking battered and dirty, but still being used for grinding corn
THE BOATMAN This page from top: The Tide Mill used to be clad in brown corrugated iron; Arthur Hunt with Robert Simper and his cousin Linda Garrard, tanning nets at Ramsholt Dock, 1952; Arthur on the gaff cutter Sea Fever, 1957
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commercially. The building was clad in brown painted corrugated iron, put on by Ted Marsh and the other Woodbridge pilots, when work was trailing off soon after World War I. It did not increase the mill’s aesthetic appeal, but it saved the wooden building from rotting away. Then we boarded the abandoned Dover Castle, but her decks were too bad to walk on. She had been there for more than 20 years and everything of any value or interest had been looted. Around the bend by the Tide Mill pond was Robertsons Lime Kiln Yard. We sailed as far as the Sun Wharf and then, being well out of our home waters, returned back to a mooring off Ramsholt Hard. I became aware that there was plenty more to explore in the future. Much later I got up to Melton Dock, where three World War II ‘Little Ships’ had appeared as houseboats. Even in the Victorian period there had been a few people, usually down on their luck, living in old boats. But the wartime shortage of housing triggered an expansion of the number of houseboats in the upper reaches of the Deben. Time marches on whether we want it to or not. I was at college in 1957 when I got a sad letter from my mother saying Arthur Hunt had died. He had been fine when I last saw him, but his remaining lung had finally given out. I remember going for a walk along a quiet country road and feeling that the whole world was empty. My link with the Edwardian River Deben had gone.” ● You can buy Robert’s books on marine heritage from www.robertsimper.co.uk ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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GARDENERS’ DELIGHT! If you’re looking for an affordable plant fix this spring, head to Suffolk Plant Centre, Pettistree
J
ust less than a year ago, Suffolk Plant Centre opened its doors to the public, and an exciting new chapter began for this historic nursery site. Co-run by Bella Blakeney and Harriet Lawton, their vision for the new Suffolk Plant Centre has always been to create a plant lovers’ paradise. Their energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Hitting the local gardening scene like a wave of fresh air, Suffolk Plant Centre stands apart from the local competition. It’s somewhere people can easily access a fabulous range of quality plants at wonderfully affordable prices. From the exotic to the everyday, it has quickly established itself as the go-to place for beautiful plants in the Woodbridge area. “We know how much our customers love their gardens,” says Harriet. “We are totally plant-focused here and our customers love it! “It was wonderful last year watching customers arrive, perhaps for the first time, seeing their eyes smile and widen like children in a sweet shop, as they took in all the colour, choice and astonishing value. ‘It’s so exciting,’ they would say. ‘I just love it, I come here for my plant fix!’” Staff at the plant centre are friendly and helpful, and both Harriet and Bella are on hand to ensure customers receive the personal attention they require. “It’s
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been so fun getting to know everyone,” smiles Harriet. “We have regulars dropping in to see us for a chat and a giggle as well as checking out all our latest arrivals. “Coming to Suffolk Plant Centre is a uniquely pleasurable experience and, even better, soon we’ll have coffee and cake to share under the olives too!” Harriet has worked in horticulture for many years, recently branching out into planting design and advice. “We understand that gardens are many things to many people,” she says. For some they’re nostalgic and sentimental, for others the focus is fashion and theme-oriented. Sometimes the requirements are more practical. “Whatever it is about your garden that excites you, whatever you need, bring us your ideas and we’ll find the right plants for you.” Bella’s love of gardening began as a child and has accompanied her all her life. She has now married her passion for sustainability with her marketing, photography and design background and found the perfect match. Between the plant centre and her allotment, she
“We’re proud that much of our stock is grown on site, keeping us supplied with the freshest, healthiest plants at the most competitive prices” BELLA BLAKENEY, SUFFOLK PLANT CENTRE
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Clockwise from top left: Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’; Astonishing topiary; Daffodil ‘Tête à Tête’; Most of Suffolk Plant Centre's stock is grown in a massive glasshouse on site; Left to right, the ever-helpful Harriet and Bella; Camellia japonica ‘Black Lace’; Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ Pictures by Bella Blakeney
has an endless supply of inspiration. “Check out our Facebook page if you’re in the neighbourhood!” she says. “Many of our customers know the nursery where we’re based, from years gone by. We’re proud that much of our stock is grown on site, keeping us supplied with the freshest, healthiest plants at the most competitive prices. Great value doesn’t compromise great quality. We have plenty of perennials we’ve grown, to keep your gardens buzzing with year-round colour at an unbeatable £1.99 each, or three for £5. And for rose lovers we have three for £10 to keep you in blooms all summer. “If it’s something a little more exotic you fancy, we also have buyers who travel around Europe selecting the very best specimens for us. Any day now we’re expecting our first delivery this year of gorgeous Italian topiary, citrus trees, bays, figs and more wonderful old olives. So whether your taste is sophisticated or simple, our goal is to bring the most beautiful plants within your price range. “It will soon be bedding and basket season, and we have stock arriving every day to brighten even the smallest spaces with a welcome splash of colour.” l Suffolk Plant Centre, on Main Road in Pettistree, is open 9am–5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9am–4pm on Sunday. See www.suffolkplantcentre.co.uk ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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Woodbridge’s very own Sophie Tott, better known as Tallulah Goodtimes, is an international electro swing DJ, producer and singer, who’s known for her high-energy live performances Great stage name – what inspired it? Thanks! Bugsy Malone. Tallulah’s my favourite character – I love her sass. And I thought Goodtimes described my mission well. What did you do before becoming a musican and performer? There is no before really, only things that I’ve done alongside DJing, writing songs and curating arts events. I have been
fascinated by music since I was tiny, mixing since I was aged 14, had my first paid gig at 17, and have DJed regularly since then. Along the way, I studied graphic design and design management, and began a career in the latter in London before realising that music was what I wanted to do full-time. So I quit that path, got myself a job at Blackmarket Records and learned all I could about the London scene, music and labels. I started teaching at a music school in Hoxton and from that came an amazing time DJing in London and internationally, plus radio shows, events and music production. When did you move to Woodbridge, and why? I’ll have been here seven years in July. It felt like it had a good vibe – lots to do for families, a choice of places to eat and drink, and great schools. I also appreciate its proximity to both London and the coast, and its position on the beautiful Deben. What makes Woodbridge special? So much! Number one: community. There are so many inspiring people
who create and support awesome things, in one place. From music and the arts to amazing locally-produced food, it almost has it all. During the summer particularly, living here feels like being on holiday every single day.
“Living here feels like being on holiday every single day” If you could have one wish granted for the town, what would it be? That a train or two would run between the 8.39am and 10.18am so us working parents could get into London after the school run! Tell us a secret about yourself? I’m trained as an exercise to music instructor, and in nutrition for weight management. And I’m also a demon parallel parker! ● Electro swing blends intoxicating vintage sounds with contemporary beats and bass. For upcoming gigs, bookings and further information, go to www.tallulahgoodtimes.com Pictures by Jerry Tye and Terry Mendoza ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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IT’S A
FAMILY AFFAIR Local home owners… throw open their doors
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We caught up with Pooley Removals and discovered there’s much more to the business than its distinctive blue vans
T
he go-to company for many when it comes to moving home, Pooley Removals & Storage has been busier than ever since relocating to 30,000 sq ft of office and warehouse space at Bentwaters in 2014. The team has also been developing its storage facilities there. “We like to keep busy, and no two days are the same,” smiles director Jenny Monk, whose father Peter bought the business eight years ago, after leaving his role as deputy leader of Suffolk County Council. “Pooley’s great reputation meant we had big shoes to fill, so we were delighted when Robin and Jackie Pooley were happy to stay on and be members of our team, working on a part-time basis. Robin is now our removals surveyor, and he knows everything there is to know about expertly moving clients and their treasured possessions. “Dad owns the company, but I’m responsible for it on a day-to-day basis with my partner, Wayne Hockley, who is warehouse manager. With Robin and Jackie still actively involved we really are a family business and that’s what our clients like.” Always trading as Pooley Removals & Storage, the additional warehouse space has enabled Jenny to focus more on that side of the business. “We store household belongings for people in rented accommodation, going abroad, or undertaking major renovations. We also hold items involved in home insurance claims.” All carefully packed, with no two items touching, a full inventory is undertaken, ensuring objects are returned in their original condition. New to Pooley’s is commercial storage. Jenny explains: “Ease of access to our warehouse, and the expert knowledge of our team, is proving very attractive to commercial operators with larger items that require short- or long-term storage.
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Currently we’re working with several companies, including one importer looking to store space-needy items that require a quick turnaround, and another with factory equipment that is currently surplus to requirements.” Always flexible, Pooley’s can quote for commercial storage on a per pallet basis, or per square foot of space required. Jenny is also in the process of refreshing the company’s livery. “We’re known for our big pale blue vans, but felt it was time for a more contemporary image. So as our 15-tonne trucks get replaced, the new ones will be dark blue, and our smaller vans will be white. But we’re keeping our logo just the way it’s always been – in Robin Pooley’s handwriting. Changing that would definitely have been a step too far.” Having worked there for 18 years, there’s nothing office manager Sharon Thurston doesn’t know about the removals business. “Moving home is very stressful, and my job is all about eliminating some of that anxiety. We’re happy to pencil in jobs before contracts have been exchanged, even though we know dates and timings can change, and we never ask for deposits when entering a job in the diary.
From the top: Pooley’s professional personnel, Wayne, Sharon, Jenny, Peter Jackie and Robin; the company’s specialist vehicles head out all around the UK and Europe; a massive 30,000 sq ft of warehouse space is suitable for both commercial and personal items
“Moving home is very stressful, and my job is all about eliminating some of that anxiety” SHARON THURSTON, OFFICE MANAGER “Our customers are so loyal, often using us time and again – wherever they may be. One client now lives in Cornwall, but over the years we’ve moved her eight times, including from one Cornish house to another. She just won’t use anyone else.” Jenny adds: “We always make it right for customers on the day, and that’s what sets us apart.” l For a quote, call 01394 460498 or visit www.pooleyremovals.com
MUSIC EVENTS GUIDE ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
WOODBRIDGE VIBE …
Hurrah! Spring has finally sprung and it’s time to fill our hearts and ears with the sound of music from venues around the local area. Please get in touch at info@livinginwoodbridge.co.uk with any other events and we’ll feature them on our Facebook page. Local home owners… throw open their doors
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25TH MARCH: Tune-Up with DJs David Freeland (pictured) and Ben Horner at The Old Mariner, 7.30pm 25TH MARCH: Tallulah Goodtimes and The Frolics return to The Angel for Electro Swing & Gin, 9pm 28TH MARCH: Troika – semi-acoustic three-piece band at The Angel, 8.30pm
14–16TH APRIL: Marco Spina marks the launch of the forthcoming Spring-Fest with his Silent Disco at The Kings Head and other venues. For more details, go to www.eurobeatradio.net. 15TH APRIL: Tony Moorcroft’s Easter Marathon Festival charity night with a stellar line-up of Ben Horner, David Freeland, Peter Hepworth, Jesse Quin, Marco Spina and James Wade. The Tea Hut, 7.30pm
DJ David Freeland
Picture by John Ferguson
1ST APRIL: OK Chorale concert at St Mary’s Church. Tickets £6 from chris@chrisrowbury.com or on the door. Profits to WaterAid. Starts at 7.30pm 8TH APRIL: Biscuit Brothers gig at The Old Mariner, 8.30pm
16TH APRIL: The Melting Pot – funk, soul and Latin rhythms. The Anchor, 6pm. Also takes place on 30th April.
9TH APRIL: Woodbridge Choral Society celebrate kings and queens. Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 6.30pm
22ND APRIL: Tune-Up with Ben Horner and David Freeland hitting the decks. The Old Mariner, 7.30pm
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28TH APRIL: Food evening at The Tea Hut complete with licensed bar – pre-booking is required. Call 01394 384538. 28TH APRIL: Beer & Gin Festival featuring David Freeland. The Turks Head, 7.30pm 28TH APRIL: 80s & 90s Disco at Ufford Park Hotel, 7.30pm. Pre-booking required. 29TH APRIL: Ben Osborne’s Psychedelic Shack. The Tea Hut, 7pm 19TH MAY: Home-Start Snowflake Ball. Tickets for the charity event at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall available on 01473 621104. 26–29TH MAY: Spring-Fest launches The King’s River Summer of Music at multiple venues across four days, with many bands, DJs and acts. Watch this space! 29TH MAY: Street Food Sundays return featuring David Freeland. The Table, 6pm
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Concerned that your children are finding it tough going in the modern world? Annemarie Bealing explains how mindfulness can greatly improve the mental wellbeing of teenagers Pictures by John Ferguson
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W
hether you believe our teenagers have never had it better, or that they are stressed and pressurised, the evidence strongly suggests that rates of self-harm, anxiety and depression are now at unprecedented levels among young people. With the constant pressure of living in the social media spotlight, along with the ever-present threats of cyberbullying, warped self-image and public failure, the ups and downs of teenage life have become intense. Given the increasing focus on the mental wellbeing of teenagers, it’s shocking to hear that 10 years is the average time between young people with mental health difficulties first becoming unwell, and first getting help. A staggering one in 10 children between the ages of five and 16 has a mental health problem, and many continue to have mental health problems into adulthood. With the current pressures on the NHS, schools are recognising the vital role they can play, and many are introducing wellbeing measures, in addition to governmental plans to install Youth Mental Health First Aiders in every secondary school. But responsibility for the wellness of young people doesn’t rest solely with schools. There are measures parents can take to help children overcome these issues, and cope better with life’s challenges. Recognised as a way of providing coping strategies, building resilience and self-confidence, and allowing them to enjoy being a teenager, mindfulness encourages children to be aware of their thoughts and feelings, as well as the associated physical symptoms. It allows youngsters to develop the ability to be still, and provides a time to reflect on, rather than react to, strong emotions. It can build confidence, reduce stress and improve self-esteem, as well as boost performance academically and in extracurricular activities. The Mindfulness in Schools Project has developed a programme that is designed by teachers specifically for teenagers. Students learn to train
their brain to be ‘in the present moment’, whatever that may be, good or bad. It means learning to be non-judgmental, just accepting what is happening right now, and to be aware when the mind starts to chatter away, especially if that is in a negative or self-critical way. Those who practise it regularly, talk of experiencing an inner calm – a sense of wholeness and peace. If this sounds like psychobabble to you, bear in mind there is proof that mindfulness works. At the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the mindfulness course focuses on performance, but also the high levels of inner criticism that students can feel. Sportspeople such as Novak Djokovic, Jonny Wilkinson and the LA Lakers basketball team have all used mindfulness to help them reach peak sporting performance. There is something in mindfulness to benefit everyone. As a teacher of both adult and teenager mindfulness courses, I’m impressed by the way in which young people embrace the practice, and even more impressive are the results that can then be achieved.
“It’s shocking to hear that 10 years is the average time between young people with mental health difficulties first becoming unwell and first getting help. “ At school, children perform better and are less phased by stress. The value of mindfulness for today’s teens is clear – it can help them perform better in exams, reduce anxiety, stress and pressure in their lives, and improve concentration. Once they’ve seen the benefits of digital detox, stillness and a mindful approach, they commonly embrace it with openness and enthusiasm. For children and parents alike, mindfulness offers a simple, drug-free way of navigating the tricky path of adolescence.” l Annemarie runs adult and teen courses in Woodbridge and Ipswich. Email amb@rightnowworks.co.uk, call 07850 029257, or search for ‘Rightnow Works’ on Facebook.
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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
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DRAGON SLAYER
CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES! It’s all change at the Fire Station Coffee Roasters in Woodbridge. Not only has it appointed a wonderful new general manager in the form of Jacqui Grimsey – but it’s expanding too! Jacqui (pictured) tells us: “You will now be able to see that outside we have beautiful new tables and chairs made
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by Richard Ginger from Salvation Furniture, and that we have as much seating outside as we will inside! “We’ve also added a striking new awning, heater and lights, so you can sip coffee outside all year round. I bought nice blankets to snuggle in too.” For more information, go to www.firestationcoffee.co.uk
We’ve all heard of Dragons’ Den, the hit BBC Two show where entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a panel of successful business people. Theo Paphitis, a former star of the programme has taken this concept and turned it to social media, where small firms can pitch for a chance to win a highly acclaimed Small Business Sunday award. The town’s own Darrell
Smith from Archway Carpets in Church Street has recently collected the gong, having been chosen by Theo himself for the shop’s excellent work. In February, Darrell (shown above with Theo) attended the annual Small Business Sunday event in Birmingham to be presented with the shop’s award. It’s great to see a small family business in Woodbridge being nationally recognised!
LURVE YOUR LOCAL LURVILL’S A popular Welsh soft drink first made in 1896 has been resurrected by Woodbridge’s Dave Steward. Having stumbled across the story of Lurvill’s Delight, originally produced between 1896 and 1910, Dave was keen to use his background in the spirit and drinks industry to revitalise this natural botanical soda. Created by twin brothers from the Rhondda Valley, profits made from the drink were used to pay for 150 coal miners and their families to emigrate to the United States. It ceased production in 1910 due to a shortage of dock leaves in the local area. With Dave’s help it’s being made once more in Wales,
using local spring water, and bottled at source. Containing only natural ingredients including rhubarb, nettles, dock leaves and juniper berry extract, it’s refreshingly free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and added sugar. Even better, it’s dry, low in calories and gently sparkling, making it the perfect soft drink for adults. Having previously been MD of the company distributing Bushmills, Jose Cuervo and The Kraken Rum, there’s not much Dave doesn’t know about the drinks industry. “The Lurvill’s Delight story really appealed to me, and it tastes delicious too,” he explains. “Having moved to Suffolk 11 years ago, I’ve
always wanted to establish a business locally and Lurvill’s seemed the perfect product to launch here. “We’ve recently recruited a local brand ambassador, Charles Cowles, to help introduce it across the area, and already it’s being stocked at the Fire Station, The Cooks Shed, The Angel, and The Froize in Chillesford.” This botanical delight has an added connection to Suffolk. “It was great to find the expertise we needed to recreate the original recipe at Omega Ingredients in Great Blakenham,” adds Dave. News of Lurvill’s Delight is spreading, so watch this space for updates on stockists locally and further afield. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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Enduringly beautiful windows and doors
Showrooms Notcutts Garden Centre Ipswich Road Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 4AF Tel. 01394 386666 8 Fornham Business Court Hall Farm Bury Drift Fornham St Martin Suffolk IP31 1SL Tel. 01284 760222 The Old Forge 53 High Street Ingatestone Essex CM4 0AwT Tel. 01277 350950
burgess-group.com
Pop up to our showroom in Notcutts Garden Centre and discover our award winning windows and doors.
HE
We sell pies4th & pasties, cakesof&every bakes,month cheese, 2nd and Saturday eggs, Woodbridge various meats, fruit & veg, tea & coffee, Community Hall jams, pickles, marmalade & fudge. We also have 9am - 12.30pm a friendly cafe. We are local, ethical & real! We are inviting applications to become 9am–12.30pm, Woodbridge Community Hall, our first ever Artist in Residence. every second & fourth Saturday. Closing date 20th August 2016. Contact Cordelia for details on at To join our mailing list, contact Cordelia woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com
EVENTS
ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
Ace it this spring
From Wednesday, 26th April onwards Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to get back into the game, Tennis Xpress will get you started quickly. It’s a new course where you learn to serve, rally and score in just six weeks. “Using a slower tennis ball makes it easier and more fun to learn,” explains coach Jon Mansfield (pictured above). “If you’ve ever thought about taking up tennis, why not join me and give it a go?” The course runs from 1.30–3.00pm every Wednesday from April 26th at Woodbridge Tennis Club. There’s an introductory rate of £40 for six sessions, which would normally cost £60. www.woodbridgetennis.org 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
Saturday, 13th May to Sunday, 4th June This year’s Suffolk Walking Festival will mark the 10th anniversary of the event, and there are more than 100 guided walks on offer during its three-week duration. With family walks, challenge walks, and routes of all lengths, there’s no excuse not to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Events close by include a walk behind the scenes at Jimmy’s Farm, and a stroll at Alton Water (pictured above) with optional birdwatching. Tickets are available now from www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk
OUT
Picture by John Richardson
These boots are made for walking
AND ABOUT! There’s no better way to take in the air than on these fun activities around the local area
Clubs together
Saturday, 1st April Woodbridge On Show is a free event showcasing the town’s clubs, voluntary groups and organisations. At the community hall on Station Road, behind Deben Pool, you will have the chance to meet local branches of national charities, sports clubs, special interest groups, religious organisations and health clubs, to see what they’re up to or even join as members. The event starts at 9.30am, and people can drop in throughout the day to have a chat with representatives from each of the
Celebrating local volunta ry
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groups at their respective stalls. The mayor of Woodbridge, councillor Stephen Attwell, says he’s hoping the event will be well attended as the plan is to grow it further in the future. Stephen says: “It’s important that our voluntary groups and activities flourish in the town. It’s good for the health of residents to be involved and meet regularly with others with similar interests.” Woodbridge Town Council will produce a free booklet with information about clubs and activities. www.woodbridgesuffolk.gov.uk
community activity
Eggstraordinary times Friday, 14th to Monday, 17th April If history is your thing, there’s a chance to combine learning about the incredible story of Sutton Hoo with an Easter egg hunt. The trail takes you through the atmospheric woods and past the burial mounds, with clues along the way to help you claim a chocolate treat at the end. Admission is from 11am–4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo Saturday, 15th April Head to Elmhurst Park in Woodbridge between 10am and midday for an annual Easter egg hunt organised by Choose Woodbridge. www.choosewoodbridge.co.uk Sunday, 16th April If you pop into Snape Maltings visitor centre from 11am until 4pm, you can pick up a trail map and go in search of eggs carefully concealed around the maltings. It’s part of a host of Easter weekend activities, and you can find out more at www.snapemaltings.co.uk
Check websites for full details and admission prices. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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TRADING PLACES! L
ocal solicitors Gotelee have moved offices from 19 Church Street in Woodbridge to modern offices at the Riverside - 6 Quay Point. Gotelee Solicitors were at 19 Church Street after merging with Margary + Miller in April 2016. The office has gone from strength to strength and is headed up by Commercial Property Partner, Oliver Ray. Oliver says; “This is a very exciting move for us. The new office is much more accessible for all our clients, with ample parking and plenty of space for us to continue to
ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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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
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grow. We are all thrilled about the new move” CEO Alistair Lang says; “The move took place on the 15th February. It’s a nice modern office with plenty of space to grow with the added benefit of great views over the water! Client parking is much easier in the car park near the Adnams shop and the train station is a stone’s throw away” Gotelee Solicitors offers the full range of legal services at any of their offices in Woodbridge, Melton, Ipswich, Felixstowe and Hadleigh and have a strong client
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
Left: An artist’s impression of the building branded Above: Their eye-catching logo
promise to deliver an excellent and reliable service. In the last year the firm has doubled its head count and has positioned itself as the place to go in Suffolk for all your legal services. In a survey of East Anglian solicitors, the Legal 500 guide to the top legal firms in the UK reported that; “Clients say that services are on a par with London… and that the firm has an excellent reputation”. Gotelee’s client testimonials demonstrate how highly their clients value the service they provide such as; “Very helpful and prompt” and; “I thank you for your kindness, prompt attention in dealing with my wishes.”
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family law, criminal law, business law, medical negligence or personal injury – our Woodbridge office can help you. l Our costs are clear and you won’t have any surprises so to make an appointment please give us a call on 01394 382777 or email info@gotelee.co.uk or you can find out more on www.gotelee.co.uk Gotelee Solicitors, 6 Quay Point, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4AL
WHO GOTELEE ARE AND WHAT THEY DO If you don’t already know of Gotelee, they were formerly Gotelee & Goldsmith until they rebranded in 2008. The firm was established in 1880 and has a reputation for its professional and personal approach to clients and their work. This approach is based on a longstanding commitment to the highest levels of courtesy and customer service, set out in Gotelee’s Client Promise. As a full service law firm, Gotelee can cater for all of your legal needs, whether you need help as a private individual, for your family or as a business. All of the lawyers at Gotelee specialise in a particular legal discipline, and so whatever your issue, the team at Gotelee Solicitors will always be able to help you. At the Woodbridge office, Oliver Ray specialises in Commercial Property. Kristie Svoboda and Laura Veal undertake residential conveyancing work. But whatever your legal needs – whether it’s employment law, dispute resolution, Wills and probate, powers of attorney,
“It’s a nice modern office with plenty of space to grow with the added benefit of great views over the water!” CEO Alistair Lang
ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
DOG
petS
ABOUT TOWN 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
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“I’m called Spud and my mum Kate (pictured) will tell you I’m probably one of the luckiest dogs in town. “She and my dad looked long and hard for a rough-coated Jack Russell before finding me. They were led to believe they were buying me from a breeder but were shocked to discover I was one of many pups, crammed 12 to a cage, being sold in a London pet shop. I was limp from being drugged and Mum says the second they laid eyes on me they were committed. “They brought me home and I was poorly for 12 weeks. For a while it was touch and go and then, suddenly, I turned a corner. That was three years ago. Now they say I’m a little bruiser. I love walking in Woodbridge and I go with Mum for early morning runs around the river – I’m pretty much game for anything!”
Left: Spud with his owner Kate on Kingston Playing Field Pictures by John Ferguson
PUPPY S L VE!
Picture by Adrian Green
Local dog trainer Steve shares his top canine tips …
teve Andrews can often be spotted around town, imparting his wisdom to clients and their dogs. A successful dog show career – Steve was a Crufts Class winner the first time he attended – led him to start his own dog training business, working dogs on obedience training and behaviour modification. Often working on vets’ referrals, Steve is also a member of the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals).
IF YOU’RE THINKING OF GETTING A PUPPY, STEVE SAYS: l Always pick a breed that is correct for you – your home, family and lifestyle. l Really do your homework and study a breed before you make any commitments. A dog is not all about looks and temperament is key. l Find a reputable breeder – check out websites like www.champdogs.co.uk and the Kennel Club’s accredited breeders list. l If you’re buying a puppy, make sure you bring it home at eight weeks and not before, as those early weeks are
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best spent learning from both Mum and siblings. Keep a puppy’s environment calm. While everyone is excited about the new arrival, don’t let family or friends overwhelm them. If you have the space, crate train your puppy. Not only does this keep them safe, it can assist with toilet training and help ease separation anxiety. Socialise your puppy. This doesn’t mean they need to meet every dog or be stroked by everyone. It’s all about existing in different environments, so they feel comfortable wherever they are. Always feed a premium quality dog food to ensure good health. When it comes to obedience, teach the foundations – Sit, Down, Stay and Place and Re-call. More commands can come as your puppy grows.
l Don’t rush to let your puppy off the
leash too early. I always recommend using a 10m training line and training them to come back to you using high value food and toys.
“Training your dog is not an option, it’s your obligation. Don’t start training your dog once he starts causing problems – it’s how to prevent problems from starting.” ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016
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
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LETTERS... FROM YOU If you’ve got something funny, interesting or topical to tell us, please drop us a line at info@livinginwoodbridge.co.uk
“Top class journalistic skills” Living In Woodbridge is a magazine that combines top class journalistic skills with a genuine passion for the area. Here’s proof that local news in print form can not only survive in the digital age, it can thrive. S. Pullinger
“Middle class ghetto” The house prices in town are getting ridiculous. I know that demand outweighs supply but prices are now so high, it’s in danger of turning the town into a middle class ghetto. How are the younger generation expected to get onto the housing ladder especially when we see one-bed houses coming onto the market at more than £400, 000? I despair for them.
“How lucky are we?” There’s hardly a day that goes by when I’m out walking around the River Deben and a passerby says to me or I remark to them; ‘how lucky are we?’ In an uncertain world, where the headlines continually pound us with bad news, I feel like I’ve won the postcode lottery when it comes to Woodbridge. Our beautiful town just seems to get better and better and I’m very thankful for that.
P. Taylor Woodbridge
Mrs Williams Woodbridge
MARSHALL London 020 7935 3272
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Woodbridge 01394 388411
Saxmundham Aldeburgh 01728 602323 01728 453595
We supply specialist legal care to both business and private clients in the following areas:-
Commercial Residential Litigation Family Employment Estate Planning Wills Inheritance Tax Powers of Attorney Probate
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enquiries@marshallhatchick.co.uk www.marshallhatchick.co.uk
At Woodbridge Lodge our emphasis is on creating a relaxing ‘home from home’
Visitors fall in love with Woodbridge Lodge which simply oozes character and elegance. The home’s large garden is a delight in all seasons and provides a wonderful venue for outdoor events including our annual fete which is a highlight of the calendar for local families. The person centred care we provide respects our residents as individuals with a unique life history and their own tastes, preferences and interests. Our staff positively encourage and support people to carry on doing the things they have always loved whatever their passion may be.
We provide the following key services, Residential care
Dementia care
Call us today on 01394 648 573 or visit www.woodbridgelodge.care
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We’re a forward-thinking building services company that understands your vision for your property, and has the practical skills and innovative approach to bring it to life.
Based in Woodbridge, we work for domestic and commercial clients across Suffolk and beyond. Whether you’re keen to enhance or entirely refurbish your home, our dedicated, 50-strong team will work with you throughout your project to ensure you’re delighted with the results. Our experienced, professional and friendly team cares about your building project as much as you do.
Call us today to get started
01394 780045 www.samueldavidconstruction.co.uk