Living in Suffolk Coastal - Issue 25 by Living in ...

ISSUE SUMMER 2016 ISSUEONE… 25 ... DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021

LIVING IN

SUFFOLK Christmas wish …throw save open our indies Local home owners… their doors Bean to zones?… bars … the roastery Child free meetprison the couple with the Parent Pod! Art house …last myyear?… beachJojo sanctuary Is grey just so Humes Brown on colours

YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

ON THE COVER

ISSUE SUMMER 2016 ISSUEONE… 25 ... DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021

LIVING IN

YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

GET INVOLVED? If you’ve got a heartwarming story to tell, an inspiring home to show off or a fabulous event you’re planning, we’d love to hear from you! Our copy deadline for our February/March issue is Tuesday, 26th January and it will be available from Friday, 5th February. l For advertising info and to tell us your stories, email info@livinginsuffolk.com

Gallery owner Caroline Wiseman’s Arthouse overlooking Aldeburgh beach (see pages 16 and 17). The metallic works – the dog and figure – are by talented sculptor Henry Piper, grandson of Aldeburgh’s acclaimed artist John Piper. For a guided artwork tour, call Caroline on 01728 452754. HAVE YOU GOT AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPH WE MIGHT LIKE? Send in a high-res version to us at info@livinginsuffolk.com

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

LIVING IN Editor: Angela Hagan 07930 184773, info@livinginsuffolk.com Designers: Craig Drever and Lewis Webb Writer: Abygail Fossett abygail@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. Living In … 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.

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

COASTAL NEWS

CAN YOU HELP ELLA?

lla Wolff and her family are hoping people might dig deep this Christmas to help raise funds for vital life-saving treatment. Ella, whose father and stepmum, Brian and Sharon, run Woodbridge’s popular Tea Hut, says she remains hopeful despite

everything she’s been through. After being diagnosed in October 2018 with ocular cancer and going on to have an eye removed and a prosthetic one fitted, she says she pretty much went “back to normal life” alongside fiance Calum. But in a routine scan last September, doctors gave her the grim news that the cancer had returned, this time in her liver. “I have hundreds of tumours,” she says. “They said it was ‘incurable’ and, if left untreated, I would have six months left to live. Being dealt this news at just 24 was seriously tough.” But there is hope, in the form of a treatment called Delcath, a liver-targeted chemotherapy, clinically trialled at Southampton Spire Hospital. It has seen tumours shrink in 50% of patients, and 30% saw their tumours remain the same. Sadly, amid the drama of Covid, the NHS has stopped its clinical trials of Delcath. And just one session costs £40,000 – Ella may need up to six. But thanks to the love and support of her close-knit family, including a GoFundMe campaign spearheaded by her auntie Charley Moore, and older sister Amii Thatcher, they have already funded two sessions for Ella. At the time of going to press, just over £104,000 had been raised towards the target of £240,000. “They have also been running raffles and all sorts of fundraising events and if anyone reading this has any other ideas, they would be truly welcomed,” says Ella,

SALVATION …

Local food bank organiser Major Alan Hill, flanked by volunteer Lesley (left) and his wife Tanya, who also helps

his Christmas Day, Major Alan Hill of the Salvation Army could be forgiven for spending some precious time with his family. For this will be his first one at home after 31 years dedicated service providing Christmas Day meals. For the last nine years of that, he’s been based at the Salvation Army Hall in

Woodbridge’s New Street, which is a lifeline for the increasing numbers of lonely, vulnerable or homeless people looking for company on the day. As his first Christmas at home looms, he says he’s been flat out organising the festive meal in his absence which, due to Covid, has taken a lot of organisation. “Because of social distancing, we need

who is hoping she can spend Christmas with her family this year, Covid permitting. “I’m really overwhelmed by the love and support shown for me. I remain positive and hopeful for the future.” 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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l If you can help this deserving young woman, donate at www.gofundme.com/ f/evtkm-ella039s-fight

Top left: Ella Wolff had an eye removed after a cancer diagnosis in 2018; it has returned in her liver and up to £240,000 is needed to treat it Above: With fiance Calum Smith

a 2m gap,” he says. “I could have only seated around 12 – 15 people in our hall in New Street. Whereas we can fit around 60 people in the bigger Woodbridge Community Hall, thanks to the council agreeing to help. If we get more bookings than planned, we would even look at offering two sittings on the day.” Alan has devoted his life to helping those less fortunate than himself; he also provides a vital food bank service. Lately, he says, thanks to Covid, he’s seen the need for food parcels increase fourfold. “To put it into perspective,” he says, “we used to make up around 30 food parcels a week, and now we have 120 people on our register. That means we are making up food parcels – all through voluntary donations – for 144 adults and 95 children in Woodbridge and the surrounding area.” He believes things are getting worse and he worries for the families who rely on food banks to survive. “We are seeing all sorts coming in, even professional people with mortgages who have lost their jobs. One lady we delivered a food parcel to, her toddler came to the door and looked at his mum and said: ‘Can we eat now?’ These are tough times for people.” l If you can help donate much-needed food, toys or funds to the Salvation Army, call Alan on 07562 007125. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

SHOP LOCAL

YOUR LOCAL NEEDS

YOU!

Living In … editor Angela Hagan on why this Christmas we need to support our independent shops and restaurants more than ever …

“

t has been heartwarming and humbling to see coastal businesses innovate and diversify to stay afloat in these strange and turbulent times. Indeed, talking to many, it’s astounding to witness the amount of blood, sweat and tears currently being poured into our local indies. And let’s face it, they are the very lifeline of our community. They need you to survive. When lockdown lifts, please think twice before you visit a national chain store – why not pop into your local independent instead? After all, these shops add richly add to our towns and villages. The Federation of Small Businesses reckons for every £1 you spend, 70p of that stays in the local economy. Some have even taken heroic risks to start new businesses from scratch (see our Business Bulletin on pages 18 and 19), rising like flames from the ashes of these crippling lockdowns. Others, like Southwold deli owner, James Scott, have learnt to diversify. “I’m just trying to get to grips with the whole online marketing,” he smiles cheerfully. You can read his incredible story on page 13. Others have been thwarted along the way. After a frenzy of activity launching the magnificent Happiness at Home store on Woodbridge’s Deben Wharf, owner Joannah Reynolds opened its doors on 4th November and enjoyed just one perfect day before the second lockdown forced it to close. As soon as she can open again, customers will experience a double whammy of joy as this beautiful store also features a ‘shop within a shop’ with the inclusion of Pippa Murphy Interior Design, makers of bespoke curtains, blinds and soft furnishings.

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

busy of late. Ugur says: “It has been a huge pressure and we are working harder for less money, but we have diversified and that’s what has kept us going. The motivation for me is my little bubble of staff who have been fantastic.” He makes the point that a lot of his fresh produce is now sourced from just a few footsteps away at the town’s Thursday Market on Market Hill, which he says has flourished. “We get our seasonal localgrown veg from the Newbourne Farm stall. To some extent, we have gone back to old values. And that isn’t a bad thing.” So please dig deep this season, ditch that Amazon order and instead go to the website of your favourite local shop. Many offer deliveries and, we guarantee, you will be putting the smile back onto the face of a very beleaguered local business owner.”

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From left to right: interior of Happiness at Home; Ugur serving up some sausage rolls; Pippa Murphy and Joannah Reynolds; The Galley restaurant, Woodbridge

“To some extent, we have gone back to old values” UGUR VATA, OWNER OF THE GALLEY

Sarah Hicks of Tilley and Grace, which sells exquisite yet affordable clothes and accessories throughout the coast, says the firm has used the latest lockdown to work on the launch of an easy-to-use website (www.tilleyandgrace.co.uk) with fab new features and more product available online than ever before. “It’s especially important now Christmas is around the corner,” she says. “It’s not been easy but we have adapted quickly to the ever-changing situation and our staff have been brilliant.” Ugur Vata, owner of The Galley restaurant in Woodbridge cleverly transformed his front window into a serving hatch and operates a fabulous takeout and delivery service. The Window at The Galley (www.galley.uk.com) has been very

17 CHURCH STREET, WOODBRIDGE, SUFFOLK IP12 1DS +44 (0)7702 877081 www.vanil.co.uk Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am–5.30pm Late night shopping Thursdays in December, 10.30am–7pm

COFFEE BREAK! Hollesley Bay Prison is training offenders to roast coffee and become baristas in a groundbreaking rehabilitation scheme … Pictures by John Ferguson

Above: Head of Residence, Chris Doughty, enjoying a cuppa at the in-house cafe, Lansbury’s Top right: Open for business! Lansbury’s is run by residents of HMP Hollesley, for the residents Above right: Every month the guys produce a different blend Bottom right: Marsh Barns cafe, run by inmates and supplied by the prison roastery

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

n a green and peaceful area of Suffolk, where countryside meets coastline, lies a bustling prison roastery which is churning out surprisingly fine blends of coffee. It supplies its newly-built on-site cafe, Lansbury’s, which has been a huge success for those working there as well as delighted residents who are now able to recreate a little slice of life on the outside. The roastery is now busy making monthly blends for people to buy, as well as supplying a second cafe based next door to the prison. Marsh Barn is a newly refurbished converted barn overlooking a tranquil RSPB nature reserve, which has just opened to the public and is sure to do a roaring trade. The roastery’s workforce is manned, almost entirely, by residents of Hollesley Prison, under the skilful eye of the pioneering Nigel Seaman. This former prison officer and army veteran set up Combat2Coffee, which has already rolled out a similar and highly successful model for ex-veterans. This latest venture has been such a hit, he is now in talks to bring more roasteries to prisons throughout the UK (see overleaf) as well as opening a radical new coffee shop in Ipswich town centre manned by ex-offenders. HMP & Young Offenders Hollesley Bay recently opened its doors to Living In … so we could meet its staff and residents who have worked tirelessly on this novel idea. Head of Residence, Chris Doughty, talks passionately about the transformative effect this unique scheme has had on the men residing at Hollesley’s prison. Chris says: “It’s all happened so fast really. I had the idea in March, talked to Nigel and (prison Governor) Garry about it, and before I knew it, we’re up and

running with two cafes and a roastery, which is incredible considering we’ve had to contend with all the restraints of the spring lockdown.” At the time of our visit, he was mindful to point out that, due to strict protocols, there’d been no cases of Covid in the prison – home to more than 485 male residents including young offenders. “At the moment, the on-site coffee shop, Lansbury’s, is operating a takeaway service only due to the restrictions, but it was great seeing the guys ordering their coffees and chatting away outside over a cuppa,” he says. “It’s brought groups of people together who might not have ordinarily mixed in the past. It’s a huge success.” Unlike its neighbour, HMP Warren Hill, Hollesley Bay is a category D, or an ‘open’ prison, which means it’s the last pit stop before civvy street for many of its residents. There are no bars or barbed wire fences here. Prisoners are not locked in, though Covid has put paid to much of their freedom of movement just lately. Set up as a low category prison in the 1930s, with parts of its building dating back to the 1880s, its current Governor, Garry Newnes, who took up the post last year, is determined to stay true to its roots steeped in rehabilitation and second chances. He says: “If people criticise us about our ethos, I always say that at some point the men in prison are going to be your next-door neighbour. Our job is to help make them the best they can be. If not, all you do is feed that cycle of reoffending. “The loss of liberty and daily contact with friends and family is, in itself, punishment enough. “For some people it will work; 95% of residents find it very supportive. But, yes, it might not work for all. We do have absconders from time to time and unfortunately that ends up as negative news. “But our job is, and has always been, to turn people out better than when they got here. And this project gets to the very heart of that message.” He’s not wrong there. On the day we went in, it was a frenzy of activity. The excitement around the roastery and coffee shop was palpable. Garry, Chris, Nigel and the team were awarding eight proud residents with their Level 2 barista certificates – an

intensive three-week course taught to them by expert barista and outside trainer, Esther Gibbs. Esther tells us that it was her first time in a prison but she soon realised it was like nothing she could have predicted. “In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect when I first got here, my mum was a bit worried!” she smiles. “But any fears were allayed when I met the guys. They were really into it and have done brilliantly. I have taught this same course in a London college and the pass rate was much lower than in here! “So this has been a really big achievement for all concerned. Everybody has learnt so much, myself included.” These guys can now roast a very decent blend of coffee (see overleaf for how to buy it) and they have acquired many other skills which may well boost their future employability. “It’s not just about the coffee … this is giving us hope,” says Michael (name changed), who is nearing the end of a life sentence. “The fact that we are being trusted, given responsibilities – like, in my case, handling money – and serving the general public, makes you feel very supported. It’s really helped my confidence. I will be released soon and this has given me a future to focus on.” Indeed, Michael will soon be running a coffee shop in Ipswich (for which the lease has just been signed), manned and run by ex-offenders. Governor Garry says: “Open prisons are at the forefront of reducing re-offending and encouraging men to leave prison and lead a law-abiding life upon release.” He says Hollesley encourages the men in three key areas to ensure they don’t end up back in prison. “So there’s family contact and support, accommodation and employment,” he says. “As many prisons do, ours works incredibly hard in all these areas to support its residents. “Since my arrival at Hollesley Bay in March last year, we have doubled the number of our men working in the local community, and released men with a greater sense of personal pride and worth, qualifications, paid employment on release and a skill set to offer a future employer.” Garry and Chris go back a long way with Combat2Coffee’s Nigel Seaman, their paths having crossed in the prison service in the past. “He’d begun a community interest company supporting veterans in the community, many of whom were suffering with mental health problems through their time in the armed forces,” says Garry. “He had a unique mobile coffee horse box and van that went out into the community as a hub, offering muchneeded support to veterans. I invited him into the prison for our Remembrance Day service last year, and he served coffee to some of our men to stimulate ideas on how we could work together and maybe form a joint venture to support release-planning and reducing reoffending for men at Hollesley Bay.” As with all great ideas, it has evolved, some could say percolated even, into something far greater than they’d ever hoped for. “This is the ‘holy grail’ of reducing reoffending, rehabilitating men, and helping them lead lawabiding lives upon release,” says Garry. “I want to make Hollesley Bay a stepping stone for men to reintegrate successfully into society and you cannot do that by taking a prison and simply just removing the fence around the outside. Removal of physical barriers is not enough. Hollesley Bay has been here in a few differing forms since the 1800s

“It’s not just about the coffee … this is giving us hope and a future” MICHAEL, SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE

Top: The view from Marsh Barns; the prison is next door to an RSPB site Above left: Residents labelling up the coffee Above: Inmates queuing up for their morning brew Left: Busy day at the roastery Bottom left: Hollesley Prison Governor, Garry Newnes

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

and Robert Johnson, who was the first Director of the then-Colonial College, was an advocate of rehabilitation. Cyril Joyce was the first Governor of Hollesley Bay when it became a prison in 1938 and he, too, was focused on rehabilitation. As the 22nd Governor of Hollesley Bay, it is my responsibility to continue that journey.” There’s no doubt about it, coffee shops are a growth industry and you can’t help feeling that this is a great idea for all concerned. “Lansbury’s is named after George Lansbury, who was a rehabilitation reformist,” says Garry. “He was great friends with Joseph Fells, who bought the land that Hollesley Bay sits on from the London Commission, before it became a prison. We enjoy our local history at Hollesley Bay and it’s important that those links are not forgotten and should be celebrated and remembered.” Future plans include opening a farm shop close to Marsh Barn, that will sell produce cultivated by the men working in Hollesley’s greenhouses while gaining horticulture qualifications. “As this develops, we will publicise what we are doing and we would welcome local support and visitors when we open,” adds Garry. l If you would like to subscribe to the prison roastery coffee, it’s £7.95 a month and in return you will receive a blend of the month. For more details, go to www. combat2coffeecic.subscriby.shop

NIGEL’S STORY ….

It was after hitting the lowest ebb of his life that ex-veteran Nigel Seaman had that lightbulb moment. After serving with the army for 12 years and being medically retired from his subsequent career as a prison officer, Nigel was burnt out, suffering from depression, anxiety and crippling flashbacks from an incident in the armed forces. “It was a very difficult time,” recalls Nigel, who recently had part of his leg amputated following an injury sustained in the forces. “I had counselling with an organisation called Combat Stress and thanks to all their support and intervention was eventually diagnosed with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” After completing a life-changing six-week trauma course, Nigel was referred to Help 4 Heroes for ongoing support in the community. He owes these groups for being the “backbone” of his recovery and it was through their encouragement that he launched Combat2Coffee. He says he just wanted to give back, though his idea has mushroomed beyond belief. “It provides purposeful rehabilitation, veteran outreach and a training course to recovering veterans and their families to give back to the support network that saved my own life. In terms of rehabilitation, it can go streets further.” Having succeeded with veterans, he extended the idea to prisoners, teaming up with HMP Hollesley Bay helping to launch the roastery, barista courses and on-site cafes. Nigel is now excited about the new coffee shop set to open in the centre of Ipswich and manned entirely by residents of Hollesley Bay and ex-veterans. Nigel’s passion to help rehabilitate these men is commendable, given all he has been through himself. “As a prison officer I met one of the Hollesley residents when he was a juvenile prisoner. I knew he’d end up back inside as an adult. He’s just passed his barista course and it’s given him a whole new outlook. I keep saying there’s so much potential for him and the others to do this on the outside. We are investing in these guys and it’s very rewarding to watch them grow.” l For further information, go to www.combat2coffee.co.uk

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A NEW YEAR – A BRAND NEW YOU! Transformative times at Lara Pepper’s amazing pilates, nutrition and massage studio …

pened in October of this year, Lara Pepper’s dynamic new studio is a haven for good health. Practising from Melton near Woodbridge, this remarkable young woman and her team offer a whole host of treatments to transform one’s health and wellbeing. And no one knows better than Lara how important it is to give yourself some much-needed ‘you time’ – you can’t really put a price on it. Struck down at a young age by a rare autoimmune disease, which caused muscle weakness and fatigue, Lara embarked on a journey to transform her life in more ways than one. “As yet, there is no cure for what I’ve got, which is what got me into health, nutrition and fitness in the first place,” she smiles. “At my worst I couldn’t eat or swallow; it was very draining and I had to be on high doses of medication.” Lara wanted to complement her conventional medical treatment and make real-life changes so she’d never suffer so badly again. Out went the exhausting commuter job in the City and Lara is now a qualified personal trainer, pilates instructor, sports massage therapist and nutritional therapist. Lockdown permitting, she teaches her pilates classes to small numbers at her newly-renovated and airy studio, based just near Woodbridge. She reckons pilates can benefit pretty much anyone. “You take from it what you put in,” she says. “For example, I have elderly clients

Top: Local health guru Lara at her new studio in Melton Middle: There are two qualified sports massage therapists on-site Bottom: The pilates studio is both spacious and tranquil. Both group classes and one-to-one sessions are available, as are online packages

whose main aim is to improve balance and coordination. Whereas my younger clients use it to complement their other exercise. It can help in specific areas too. Like I have some golfers who want to improve their swing. “I teach smaller numbers in my classes. I want to keep it feeling like a high-quality service where people are getting a good amount of tuition. We have two aims: preventative care through maintaining muscle strength and natural movement, and moving correct muscle groups. Some people, for example, just want to walk properly, and others might have back and shoulder issues they want to address or they might be recovering from injury. “Pilates is gentle and it enables people to become more body aware.” In terms of nutrition, Lara says the only thing you have to bring to the table is the will and commitment to change. “I’m aware there’s a real emotional link to food for most people,” she says. “But I want to spread some positivity that you can really support your body. You may not be able to cure things, but it is possible to feel so much better than you could imagine. I know, because I did it.” She now offers a range of nutritional packages to clients, including holistic general packages, or specific packages tailored to your aims, such as weight loss, sports specific, or autoimmune condition specific. These packages include a mixture of consultations and/or personalised exercise programmes. If clients have an injury or are in need of a deep tissue massage, look no further than Lara and her colleague, Craig May, a sports massage therapist currently studying for an MA in osteopathy. They offer a range of soft tissue and sports massage techniques to help remedy any muscular concerns. “Injury aside, these massages are also suitable for those just looking for a more deeply pressured massage,” says Lara. “We focus on the manipulation of soft tissue to benefit and relieve areas of stress, tension or muscle imbalances.” Now more than ever, Lara firmly believes we should all be making more time for ourselves. “People sometimes view it as being selfish to focus on themselves,” she says. “But it’s never been more important.” l To book an appointment, or buy gift vouchers, go to www.larapepper.com or call 07974 142240. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

Southwold deli owner James Scott tells Living In … his incredible life story …

refugee camps in Sarajevo and Kosovo, helping with aunching a new business in anything from building makeshift latrines to being the middle of a global a shoulder for people to cry on. “Having had my own pandemic is not for the past experiences, I could relate to the refugees but, fainthearted. But James Scott, still, it was a hard thing to witness.” who just four months ago opened Back in August, James, who previously ran Southwold’s new ninedeli, offering a Southwold’s Prandium cafe on the High Street, range of artisan foods and gifts, is decided to take a chance and open up his deli and gift no stranger to hardship. He’s come a long way since the 16-year-old boy who shop at 9 Pinkneys Lane. Offering a range of lovely coffees as well as sandwiches, cakes, takeaway lunches slept rough on the streets of London for six months in and artisan gifts, he says business is going well. the early 1980s. “I’d left home in Northamptonshire “One thing I’ve learnt is how important it is to be as I wasn’t happy,” recalls James. “I arrived in London able to diversify and adapt, even at the turn of a with £83 in my pocket and I knew no one. For a while, everyone I came into contact with just took advantage sixpence,” says James, who claims high rent was behind the closure of the Prandium cafe. “If it doesn’t of my age and naivety.” work, try something else. I knew after the cafe closed He landed himself a cleaning job for a hotel but I wanted to carry on creating lovely quickly realised his bosses had little food, especially as I love all the witty intention of paying him for working “I’d walk from banter with my customers. gruelling 18-hour shifts. After “At heart, I’m a showman; I love an challenging the management, he Charing Cross to audience!” His humour, he says, is what found himself out on the streets. Kilburn just to get gets him through the good and the bad “You just think you’ll survive,” he says. “But you don’t.” Very quickly a jam sandwich” times. Nowadays he’s building an army of things started to unravel as he loyal customers. His dressed Cromer struggled to learn the unforgiving Crab and Southwold Seafood platters are amazing laws of the streets. and, when the market opens up again, he will also “I remember someone saying I was going to get offer catering for events – even marquee hire eaten alive. The rough sleepers all had their patches “It took me years to get over all I’ve been through. and it was hard going. When I thought I was at my I dragged it around with me until my 30s and then lowest and that things couldn’t get any worse, they I decided to let it go and move on. I have since done did,” he says. a lot of self-healing. I am a survivor and I always look Despite all the hardship, he scraped by. on the optimistic side. There are people out there who “I learnt that I could walk from Charing Cross to have had far worse lives then me. Kilburn just to get a jam sandwich. Or you could go “I’m now looking forward to Christmas, if it happens. to St Martin-in-the Fields church in Trafalgar Square My New Year’s resolution? Carry on laughing, bring joy for extra clothes and a wash. What was shocking and, if needs be, buy more masks!” was how quickly my life and situation had become trapped in this vicious circle. You couldn’t get a job l ninedeli, 9 Pinkneys Lane, Southwold. because you didn’t have an address… Call 07746 638299 or go to www.ninedeli.co.uk “Eventually I was lucky enough that someone took me in and got me off the streets. I then got a job From left to right: James as a child; street life: James and could focus, thankfully, on getting my life back in London; with two friends at the camp in Chegrane, on track.” Macedonia; one of the child refugees he met; his newly James went on to enjoy a military career, serving in opened ninedeli in Southwold; his fish platter is a hit the Royal Corp of Signals, and later worked in tough with customers

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

L Y VDIiN n o i t c a r st ckley By Carl Sti

ust before Lockdown 2: The Return, The Riverside in Woodbridge managed to squeeze in a diverse evening of poetry and music to raise vital dosh for The Riverside and the Save Our Venues campaign. Headlining act, Aruba Red (pictured above), played a sensational set, bossing the stage and getting people out of their seats. Aruba is the nom de rock of Suffolk-raised singer Natascha Bruce, daughter of the late great Jack Bruce (he of supergroup Cream). Taking her stage name from a female pirate, she delivered a mesmeric mixture of alt-soul and trip-hop, in a highly charged performance. It’s been a long time since this writer has seen that electric connection between audience and performer. Lockdown has certainly robbed us of what was once such a simple pleasure – the communal experience of being lost in music. CHEER UP Local musician Charlie Law (pictured) performs as Misery Gutz and faces the problems of most artists nowadays. “Lockdown has changed everything,” he tells me. “I’ve been creating stuff for fans online, but monetising it is difficult.” Charlie currently has a fantastic song on YouTube called Covid 19, which captures the madness in a wry folk style. “I try to pour any negative energy I’m feeling into my music,” he says. “If I’m feeling lonely, putting my heart and soul into singing a song can make me feel warm and fuzzy again. Creating songs is what I really love to do and there’s been no lack of inspiration this year!” Indeed, Charlie has written a whole album during lockdown called Cheer Up, but the old business model of putting it online expecting to recuperate cash from future live shows, has, for now, gone. One day ‘lockdown’ will just be the Word of the Year 2020. When live events properly recommence, the healing power of music, whether enormo-gig or singalong down the pub, will reconnect us all in a way that we should cherish and appreciate. And, more importantly, the artists who create it. We owe them.

BRIAN ENO, ANOTHER GREEN WORLD, 1975 Eno’s catalogue, as artist and producer, is beyond eclectic. Plus, he was born in Woodbridge and raised in Suffolk. Local boy! His membership of Roxy Music alone secures him legendary status. Heck, former bandmate Bryan Ferry has milked that teat for 50 years now. Eno left Roxy after two albums. He said he found himself onstage at a sold-out gig, with a number one album in the charts, and realised he was thinking about how he was going to get his laundry done before the next gig. Hmm, time to leave. This album is the halfway point between his earlier ‘rock’ outings and his ambient future. Bits of it sound like David Bowie’s Low album, which Eno helped produce. Helping out are people like John Cale, Phil Collins and Robert Fripp, but it’s mainly Brian solo, noodling and multi-layering. Only five of the tunes have vocals, most of which are whimsical lyrics. Apparently, he used his famous Oblique Strategies a lot – instructions printed on cards that were used to help stimulate creative ideas. They said things like: “Everyone play the chord of D” or “Everybody swap instruments”. The potential for mess was huge, but in Brian’s hands they produced results. It is the original chill-out album, a gorgeous jewel of a thing that still sounds, to me, like The Future ...

STRICTLY ELVIS A company called Strictly Elvis, based in Ipswich, contacted me after reading my column in the last issue. Who knew that Suffolk is home to the UK’s biggest operator of Elvis holidays and events? It was founded in 1972. Neil Cameron is Head Rocker and he tells me that although lockdown has curtailed events and trips to Memphis and Germany, he’s used the time to tidy up the office! Rest assured though, events for 2021 are being planned, so get ready to dust off those blue suede shoes. And Neil is more than welcome to send yours truly on a press trip. It’s a tough job … l Check ‘em out at www.strictlyelvis.net l Got a musical story or event? Email carl@livinginsuffolk.com ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

Aldeburgh gallery owner Caroline Wiseman on the home that has helped her to find meaning, even since losing her partner … t was in the 1600s that eminent judge Sir Edward Coke declared a man’s home was his fortress and castle. In the case of former barrister and art gallery owner Caroline Wiseman, this has never been more fitting. Her tranquil home and art gallery in Aldeburgh has been a safe port in stormy waters. Her pretty pastel blue-coloured house (known as the Arthouse), on the town’s Crag Path, overlooks the beach lookout she dubs her “tiny art temple by the sea.” This mid-century tower, which once served as a lookout to spot ships in trouble, and its adjoining fisherman boathouse, is a big player in the art world.

“Francis would want me to be forward thinking and busy” And now Caroline is marking the lookout’s 10th anniversary with a very special online exhibition. It features works by major artists, each of whom have previously held week-long residences across the three floors of the dainty gallery, and been captivated by the bleak beauty of the shoreline. “It includes names such as BP Portrait Award-holder Tai-Shan Schierenberg (whose Wave 2 is pictured opposite), Tessa Newcomb, Roger Hardy, Amy Stephens and Professor Chris Orr,” she smiles. “Andrew Marr’s paintings from his Time collection ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

are also here at the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout.” Indeed, she tells us that the radio and TV presenter is quite a serious contender in the art world, and her walls are adorned with his incredible work. Caroline’s passion for her home and gallery is infectious. She says the lookout is steeped in history, and was used for 30 years by Laurens van der Post, a close friend of Prince Charles and author of classics such as A Far Off Place and the books that were adapted into the film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence. When Caroline and her partner, Francis Carnworth, a former deputy director of the Tate, took the property on, she recalls it as “wind-bashed and untouched.” They pretty much stayed true to its original feel, ensuring they preserved its landmark metal staircase. “It’s a place where artists, poets and thinkers from all over the world can come for a week’s residency,” says Caroline. “We ask them to respond to the setting in innovative ways, with dance, film, sculpture or poetry.” She also welcomed them into her home, until Covid put paid to things more recently. Past residences include another BP prize winner, Clara Drummond, the Turner Prize nominee Alison Wilding, and Royal Academicians Eileen Cooper, Sir Peter Blake and sculptor Nigel Hall with each one culminating in a show. Caroline and Francis originally moved from south London, where in 1988 she’d founded the Caroline Wiseman Modern

and Contemporary, dealing in paintings, drawings, sculpture and original prints by major British and international artists. When they sold their London home to buy their Aldeburgh residence, they knew there was no going back. “We took a gamble when we moved here but it’s paid off,” says Caroline. “It’s a place that inspires you to be creative and ambitious.” Her home has become even more of a haven since she sadly lost Francis over the summer – he’d suffered a serious brain injury following a fall he’d had back in 2014. “He slipped over a rug, we think, in the bathroom one morning a few days before Christmas 2014 and hit his head on the

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

AT HOME

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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Clockwise from opposite, top left: The Arthouse kitchen and exterior; Tai-Shan Schierenberg’s Wave 2; room with a view; BBC host Andrew Marr’s art; Caroline Wiseman with her late partner, Francis Carnworth; her book; relaxed dining

bidet,” she says.“Francis was never quite the same after that.” Without doubt, he had lived a rich, fulfilling and colourful life. A scholarship at Eton led him to Trinity College in Cambridge and then he followed his father into merchant banking, at Barings. Francis went on to work at the Tate and the Heritage Lottery Fund among others. In his voluntary role as chairman for the Blue Plaques, Caroline says he unveiled something like 97 blue plaques in London over a decade. “He was tireless,” she says. “Although his death back in June was expected, I miss him, of course. But he would want me to be forward thinking and busy, which I am! I’m not good at dwelling on the past, I have

lots of exciting plans for the future.” Her home has always been a riot of colour and intellectual debate. She says they were often entertaining and her fabulous Aga in her light and airy kitchen (pictured opposite, top left) has catered for many summer evenings with leading thinkers of the day. It was the couple’s precious beach walks in which they’d try to make sense of “our existence in the in-between of time and timelessness” that partly inspired her subsequent book, A Timeless Moment (pictured above left). This rather beautiful coffee table book, full of photographs of her lovely home and family (Caroline has grown-up triplet sons), chronicles an ongoing search for meaning in artistic

creativity and the common ground between art, religion and science. Caroline says she was first drawn to Aldeburgh by its cultural essence, and her exhibitions reflect her quest to make sense of the creative world. After living in New York and London, it seems she found her perfect place right here on this glorious stretch of Suffolk coastline. l The 10th anniversary exhibition of the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout and Arthouse is on Caroline’s online viewing room. Go to www.carolinewiseman.com/exhibition/ 10th-anniversary You can call Caroline on 01728 452754 to discuss or reserve works, or to order her book, A Timeless Moment. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

BUSINESS BULLETIN Latest success stories in the local area

A work in progress

l www.botanicalforrest.co.uk

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

‘ContaIn r’ is a new artists’ initiative proposed by Emily Richardson (artist filmmaker), Alice Andrea-Ewing (sculptor) and May Cornet (conceptual artist), each of whom are experienced in participatory arts and socially engaged practice. The project proposes transforming the two containers gifted to Jetty Lane near Kingston Playing Field in Woodbridge into a headquarters for the provision of high quality inclusive arts facilities within the community. Each of the spaces will have a distinct purpose: one a gallery, the other a workshop space. The gallery will be used to showcase artwork from the community, both professional and non-professional. The workshop space will be used for delivering and filming art workshops, which will be shared online. ContaIn r will also serve as a ‘collection point’ for free/low-cost materials and packs for people to complete the activities at home. The project intends to create a varied and engaging monthly program. Takeover sessions, as part of the programming for ContaIn r, will also allow for collaboration with artists working in the area, including those recognised nationally and internationally. The ContaIn r gallery proposes to use the striking round windows as frames for displaying artworks that will be viewed from the outside. e

l Go to www.kingsleyhealthcare.co.uk

After 20 years of commuting to a London law firm as an associate director, Clare Forrest felt she needed to make some changes to her life. “I felt a strong pull to Suffolk, where I am originally from,” explains Clare, who has launched a stunning range of gorgeously scented candle and wax melts through Botanical Forrest. “And I was looking for a way to contribute to people’s emotional wellbeing – so many of us associate burning candles with calm and relaxation.” Clare’s candles come in many varieties (we’re particularly excited about her festive orange, nutmeg and cinnamon), and are also entirely vegan, plastic-free and come in recyclable packaging. The perfect gesture of goodwill this Christmas!

It was a chilly, grey day in Suffolk, but the residents of two popular coastal care homes warmed to a sightseeing tour of Florence on a balmy Italian afternoon. They savoured the famous cathedral, the landmark Ponte Vecchio and all the city’s Renaissance art riches – all without leaving the comfort of their armchairs! Kingsley Healthcare founders, Daya and Sumi Thayan, had been inspired by the city’s art treasures and history on a recent trip to the capital of Tuscany. While there, they persuaded their licensed tour guide, Fadi Bassil, to share the experience with the residents of their care homes in a series of virtual tours using Zoom. Residents at Woodbridge Lodge in Burkitt Road, and Allonsfield House in Campsea Ashe, enjoyed the first lecture, which brought back happy holiday memories. At Allonsfield House, the photographs and Google Earth images brought gasps of amazement and comments about “the lovely views and lovely buildings”. And residents Beth Fairbairn and Lila Ballard reminisced about wonderful trips they’d made to Florence years ago. Such is the success of the initiative, more virtual tours will be rolled out to Kingsley’s homes across the country.

CONTAIN YOURSELF! e

AN ITALIAN AFFAIR

MELTING MOMENTS

l See www.jettylane.org

PRESS GANG’S XMAS HELPER! Whatever happens this Christmas, it’s good to know that Press Gang Laundry Services is there to lighten the load. “Usually our customers like to get all their party dresses cleaned and ready in time for the festive season,” says owner, Amelia Kelly. This friendly Suffolk company can pick up your laundry direct from your front door on a Tuesday and have it washed and/or pressed and returned on Friday of the same week. Or if you’re within a 15-mile radius of its Hadleigh base, it offers a 24-hour turnaround. Its

fabulous wet clean service, a non-toxic eco version of dry cleaning, is great for cashmere garments and suits too. l Call now on 01473 558448. Or go to www.pressganglaundry.com

JEWELS OF THE SEA Like many of us, Ruth Lyne has always been drawn to the sea. After upping sticks from the Midlands, she’s managed to turn this love into a whole new business venture, creating delicate and beautiful pieces of jewellery inspired by the sea, from her studio in Woodbridge. “I use coastal colours and textures in my work,” says Ruth who is new to Suffolk, as is her business, Seascape Jewellery. “They remind me of days by the sea and the feeling of the waves lapping at the shore.” Ruth creates her own glass ‘jewels’ by hand, from deep and vibrant shades to gentle, beachy tones. Each one is fired in her kiln until “the heat allows the layers of colour to flow together and create something unique.” You can admire Ruth’s pendants, earrings and necklaces on her online shop, and even contact her about making something entirely new, just for you. Welcome to our lovely region, Ruth! l www.seascapejewellery.com

COME DANCE WITH ME … December usually means it’s time for a tea dance in the Britten Studio at Snape Maltings. This year, it’s not possible to bring people together in a physical venue, so instead, Britten Pears Arts – the organisation that runs Snape Maltings and The Red House in Aldeburgh – is planning a virtual event, taking place on Tuesday, December 8th at 2pm. An hour-long video, featuring a tea dance band and dancers from Glasshouse Dance, presented by workshop leader Rob Gildon, will guide participants through the dances. The team will have plenty of helpful suggestions for people of all ages and

NURTURING THE SPIRIT “As a yoga teacher, spring lockdown was such a frustrating time,” recalls Woodbridge resident, Emma Khangaroot. “I knew that yoga was exactly what people needed to cope with all this extra stress – I just needed a way to reach people!” Never one to give in, Emma started delivering virtual yoga classes through the magic of Zoom,

abilities, from dance steps to rhythms, to tapping on a tea cup with a spoon! The aim is to bring joy, fun and a sense of community, and is aimed at everyone from care home residents to people who want to join a group of people enjoying themselves. l Sign up at www.snapemaltings. co.uk/virtual-tea-dance

and they have proved to be a hit! “My children’s classes have been really popular; the Halloween workshop was fully booked within two days!” Emma says. “But until the new year, I’ll be concentrating on the adults with Spirit Yoga.” These sessions work towards achieving calmness and tranquillity, nurturing the spirit in these unsure times and finding an outlet for tension – something we could all do with! Emma agrees: “We all have stresses, especially now – it’s just about having the right tools to manage it.” l Send Emma a message to book a place. Instagram: emmakyoga_ Facebook: Emmakyoga Email: emma@emmakyoga.co.uk

FOOD FOR THOUGHT We are knee-deep in people telling us we simply must try the culinary delights of Jeongun Creagh, who works out of her Bromeswell home, making traditional Korean food. She started Korean Kitchen last year, encouraged by friends who were bowled over by her homemade kimchi. This is a traditional Korean side dish of fermented veg, such as napa cabbage and radish, alongside garlic, chilli and more, and is excellent for your gut health. After supplying local delis, Jeong-un decided to diversify, offering a takeout service for her mouthwatering Korean food. With trademark dishes such as spicy chicken popcorn, spicy pork bulgogi and her spicy king oyster mushrooms, it’s no wonder she’s booked up in advance. “I’m not a trained chef, I just love cooking and entertaining family and friends,” smiles the mum-of-three, who was filmed over summer with Kate Humble for a Channel 5 programme about Britain’s scenic coastal walks. Something tells us we’re going to be seeing a lot more of this amazing cook. For more information or to get in touch, visit www.koreankitchen.co.uk l Also new to Woodbridge is The Boathouse, which has just opened despite the lockdown, wowing its customers with a fab array of gourmet burgers (meat and vegan) and hotdogs. Owners Emma and Alex Cole long dreamt of opening The Boathouse and tell us the beautiful location, on the waterside on Tide Mill Way, should attract a lot of custom once lockdown has lifted. “Our takeaway menu is slightly different from what it will be when we officially open, but can still give customers a taste of what we’re about,” says Emma. You can call 01394 385200 or go to www.theboathousewoodbridge.co.uk l Another must is the Plant Cafe in Woodbridge, run by Gemma Dempsey-Gray (pictured here with husband Kelvin). It started life in Ipswich then opened its doors on Woodbridge’s Thoroughfare six weeks ago. Vegans have been delighted to be able to pick up some nourishing home-cooked plant-based food from this friendly cafe. If you haven’t yet tried their vegan kebabs quite frankly, you haven’t lived! “We can’t wait to open our doors again,” Gemma tells us. To order a takeaway, call 07798 738918 or find it on Facebook or Insta. ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

MOVERS & SHAKERS Actress and director Julia Sowerbutts is also artistic director of INK and the INK Festival – East Anglia’s highly acclaimed new short play festival

How long have you lived in Suffolk? I first came in the early 1980s, straight from drama school, to work at Southwold Summer Theatre in what was called ‘weekly rep’ – when you act in a different play every week. My mother, who came to visit me often, fell in love with the area and moved to Walberswick. So I holidayed there from then on. In 2002, we moved from London to live in Walberswick permanently. I still live there along with various ‘Covid-returnedhome’ offspring … and a mad dog! What do you love most about it? The big, open skies and the feeling of space. If you could have one wish granted for this region, what would it be? I would love INK to create an arts festival that gives the Edinburgh Festival a run for its money! The knock-on effects from this would be tremendous for the region. How will you spend Christmas? Christmas, for the past two years, has been unexpectedly different. Young family members suddenly fell ill – and this was pre-Covid. I hope this year that no one spends Christmas Day by a hospital bed and we can all be together in Walberswick. The village has wonderful traditional events. Swimming in the sea on Christmas morning. A carol service that gives King’s a run for its money! Singing on the village green and carols in the pub on Christmas Eve. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Fingers crossed some of that can take place this year. Tell us about your role as Artistic Director of INK Festival. Actually, I am artistic Director of INK, a charity and theatre company based in Halesworth. The INK Festival, the UK’s largest producer of short new plays, is just one aspect of what INK does. INK is also actively engaged in outreach work, which I find extremely rewarding. There are

Top: Julia Sowerbutts is artist director of INK, a Suffolk-based theatre company Above: Julia (centre) with associate directors, Jane Zarins and James Christopher Right: Actors and crew at INK Festival 2019 Opposite page: Through the Pen to Performance Project, Julia and INK have helped hundreds of young writers ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

pockets of deprivation within our rural and coastal communities affecting young and older alike. So a lot of the year is spent working in schools, prisons and care homes running workshops and youth groups to help and encourage anyone to write, whatever their age or experience. It’s not been easy lately … Recent lockdowns have exacerbated problems of social isolation for many older and vulnerable residents, so INK has been running online scriptwriting workshops for them. We have also just completed a successful fundraising campaign for literacy courses for teenagers, so we can send INK scriptwriters and actors into schools to inspire them to write plays. We aim to give these youngsters a voice and the confidence to use it. I also read mountains of scripts, appoint directors and technicians, audition actors, source venues and spend hours applying for funding. My laptop and I are joined at the hip! But I am not alone – I am just one part of a great team! What plans do you have for INK next year? We have tried to be very innovative during Covid-19, and the first thing we did after our festival was cancelled and lockdown was introduced, was to link with BBC Radio Suffolk. They have been airing, four times a week since April, our new One-Minute Monologues and Two-Minute Duologues, many submitted by first time writers, which was exciting. The short scripts were recorded by actors fresh out of drama school alongside seasoned professionals such as Juliet Stevenson, David Morrissey and Miranda Hart. Hopefully this partnership will continue in 2021. We plan to continue with all our community programmes in the new year including an online radio course for U12s, workshops for teenagers and for over 60s, and INK’s Pen to Performance schools’ project. We will be part of the wonderful

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

LOCAL LIVES

Alde Valley Festival, with original radio shorts about Suffolk Punch horses. In May, we will tour air museums with a new play about Joe Kennedy Jr., who died over Blythburgh, during WW2. We have also commissioned a new play about county lines, which will tour schools. And of course, there’s the seventh INK Festival: different format, new venues, over 40 new plays, comedians, poets, Kids’ Play-In-A-Day and lots more. We hope to be the first big Live event since lockdown. Please save the dates, Thursday, April 8th to Sunday, 11th.

“I am not alone – I am just one part of a great team!”

As an actress, what’s been your greatest achievement and why? I’m not sure I achieved anything particularly great. I was part of a group who went to Northern Ireland in the midst of The Troubles and entertained the troops, including at Portadown and Bessbrook. It was too dangerous to travel by road so we were flown everywhere by helicopter. I survived a yearlong run in the West End. It sounds glamorous but it could be a hard slog! Perhaps I am most proud of starring opposite Denis Lawson in a musical that became the hit of the town. There were queues forming around the theatre each night. It wasn’t a hit because of me – Denis was fabulous. I remember Mel Gibson in the audience! But I had such a hard time during the run, for numerous

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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reasons, and I am proud I kept going and never let anyone down. Can you tell us any secrets about yourself? I went to UEA to study for an MA. In hindsight it was amazing and changed my life. But during my whole time there I was absolutely terrified every single day – for two years! During Zoom meetings, of which I have loads, I paint my fingernails! It’s the only time I have to let them dry. But please don’t tell anyone on the INK team. l For more information about INK, go to www.inkfestival.org

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Contact Steve on 07799 777049, email andrews66@btinternet.com or visit the website at steveandrewsdogtrainer.com

Creating aa landmark landmark and and legacy legacy for Creating for future future generations generations

Jetty Lane has two individual, lockable artists’ studios available to rent in Woodbridge. With good natural light in an inspiring location close to the River Deben, railway station and municipal parking. Preference Goodbye will be given to. emerging professionals and 2020. Hello 2021. those with a connection to East Suffolk. What a strange year it’s20ft been! If we’ve learnt one Size: x 16ft thing it’s that COMMUNITY is important and, funnily Price: To cover our running costs enough, that’s what Jetty Lane is all about. Postcode: IP12 4BA We’re a Date Community, Arts & Youth centre due to available: 02/11/20 - 03/05/21 open in Woodbridge in 2022. We’ve Organisation: Jetty Laneraised CIO £250,00 so far, but we need £3.5 MILLION. Website: www.jettylane.org info@jettylane.org BackContact: the building of Jetty Lane! 01394 383128 Donate online at www.jettylane.org

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

PETS

“My name is Luna and I’m an eight-yearold borzoi – otherwise known as a Russian wolfhound. I live in Woodbridge with fellow borzoi, Woody, pictured here in the Christmas hat. He’s the mad one. He’s three years old and frankly, he can be a bit of a pest. If he’s not running off chasing squirrels, he’s trying to catch muntjac – he seriously thinks he’s in with a chance! Our human tells people that, despite our elegant gait, we are actually a bit on the lazy side and I, for one, am never happier than when we’re having a nap. This Christmas Day, we plan to get as much turkey and sausages out of our humans as we can. Otherwise, it’s a day on the sofa for us and if anyone wants a seat in front of the box, they’ll have to fit around us!” 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

DOG ABOUT TOWN

l Have you got a dog deserving of 15 minutes of fame? Send details and your best photos to info@livinginsuffolk.com

A girl’s T best friend!

hey say we are a nation of dog lovers, and certainly Suffolk Coastal is a popular haunt for our furry friends. But for 12-year-old Lilia Rose, her life was, until very recently, consumed by a crippling and very real fear of all dogs. That is, until dog trainer Steve Andrews came to the rescue. Lilia’s mum, Wendy, explains: “She became more and more afraid of dogs as the years went by, which was odd as she’d never been hurt by one. “At its worst, if she saw a dog on the way to meet her friends at the playing field, she would either be late as she’d have to walk another way, or sometimes she would just come home.” Wendy, from Woodbridge, was out jogging one day when she spotted Steve,

Cured of her fear of dogs: Lilia, 12, with, left to right, Rufus, Billy and Ruga

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whose training ground for dogs is on River Wall. “In desperation, I stopped him and asked if he had any advice. He very kindly offered to meet up with Lilia free of charge with his dogs, Billy and Ruga, and his parents’ dog, Rufus. I honestly thought Lilia would never agree to it. I managed to get her to the first session but when she clapped eyes on Ruga, she looked terrified!” But thanks to Steve’s guidance, Lilia completed several sessions in which she eventually helped to groom and walk the dogs. She’s now enjoying life without her crippling fear. “I can’t thank Steve enough, he was just brilliant,” smiles Wendy. “Lilia now says she wants a puppy!”

OVERCOMING THE FEAR, BY STEVE ANDREWS … “To build a solid foundation with Lilia, I had to work at a pace that she was comfortable with. Once this was achieved, her trust in me, and the boys, grew every week. This kind of work can only be successfully achieved if you have truly stable, confident and well-trained dogs to help. I think Billy, Ruga and Rufus have enjoyed the process as much as Lilia has! Each week I applied a little more pressure to Lilia, giving her something new to do with the dogs, from feeding and grooming to obedience and throwing a ball for them. She’s given 100% in every session and, for that, I’m so proud of her.” l You can contact Steve Andrews on 07799 777049. Or go to www.steveandrewsdogtrainer.com ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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Carols with Churches Together, Kingston Playing Field, Woodbridge

Monday, 21st December The church doors might not be open at the moment, but there’s still plenty of Christmas spirit around! Churches Together of Woodbridge and Melton is holding a socially-distanced carol service in the open air of Kingston Playing Field. Pre-recorded carols from local churches will be shown on a large screen, with members singing their hearts out in their own unique style – some will even be signing! With words shown onscreen, feel free to sing along from behind your mask. Come early, and you can join in with the Family Trail to Find Baby Jesus – follow a trail of stations around the field to hear the Nativity story brought to life by different storytellers. The trail starts at 6pm and the carols at 6.30pm. Let’s make this a festive end to a topsy-turvy year! Keep an eye on the website, www.ctwm.org.uk

OUT

AND ABOUT! Our top tips for things to do in Suffolk this winter … By Abygail Fossett

Be A Star Wednesday, 16th – Monday, 28th December St Elizabeth Hospice invites you to take part in two new virtual fundraising events over the festive period. Following the postponement of its Christmas Day Dip 2020, due to Covid-19, the fundraising team have created two virtual activities: Santa’s Stride ‘n’ Ride, and the Ice Bucket Challenge, for supporters to enjoy. The funds raised by these sponsored activities will contribute to the hospice’s ‘Be a Star’ Christmas appeal. It’s a campaign that will provide vital care over the Christmas period for hundreds of people living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses, across East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, and their families too. Sign up now at www. stelizabeth hospice.org. uk/beastar

Cerebral Palsy Virtual Challenge Series

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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Tuesday, 15th December – Friday, 15th January It is nearly time for the final step of the Cerebral Palsy Virtual Challenge participant Challenge Ryan Seyler Series. It’s a fun sporting event for people with cerebral palsy and associated impairments and their families – the perfect opportunity to let a competitive streak run loose! Participants are sent a progress record form (by post or email) to be returned after completing the challenge at home – with the promise of a medal as a reward! The theme of this challenge is numbers. For example, how many football kick-ups can you complete? Or dribbles? Tennis ball keepyuppies? Set yourself a target – the possibilities are endless! To take part, it’s £10 for members of Cerebral Palsy Sport and £12.50 for non-members. www.cpsport.org/events

Helmingham Hall Illuminated Garden Trail, Stowmarket

4th December – 10th January, Wednesday to Sunday As far as we’re concerned, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Helmingham Hall Garden Trail to rouse the festive spirit – and 2020 is no different! At Helmingham, you can enjoy a magical meander through the house’s spectacular grounds, which will be adorned with light displays fit to take your breath away! Little ones will be entranced by the twinkling fairies who live in the woods, while big ones can enjoy a steaming cup of mulled wine around the roaring firepit – and there will be s’mores for all! Wrap up warm and make the most of these dark winter nights – just be sure to book ahead! www.helmingham.com/whats-on

Picture by Beckie Egan Photography

EVENTS

Picture courtesy of English Heritage

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

Christmas Adventure Quest, Framlingham Castle

Saturday, 26th December – Sunday, 3rd January We wonder what it would be like to spend Christmas at a castle… would there be a bout of festive jousting? Would we quaff mead in a grand hall? At Framlingham Castle, we might just find out. This year (subject to the Covid situation) it is running its annual adventure quest, a festive romp through history for the whole

family in the otherwise quiet time between Christmas and New Year. Through the magic of QR codes, you’ll discover the lost secrets and forgotten stories of the castle, in the very place it all happened. Whatever draws you to the castle, be it the fascinating history or the lure of a steaming hot chocolate (or mulled wine!), Framlingham Castle is set on delivering a very merry Christmas. The event runs from 10am – 4pm. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/framlingham-castle ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

LOCAL HISTORY

The war just outside Ipswich By Neil McGlone

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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Filmmaker Tim Curtis (middle) with the subjects of a new documentary, Taff Gillingham (left) and Kevin Smith

he First World War may have been fought over 100 years ago but in rural Suffolk, on the outskirts of Ipswich, the battles and tedium of trench warfare are still being played out. For nearly 20 years, a farm in Akenham has been a Mecca for filmmakers wanting to recreate realistic war scenes for their films, television dramas, documentaries, music videos and adverts.

Millions of cinemagoers and TV viewers around the world have watched First World War stories of death, destruction, stoicism and heartbreak unfold before their very eyes, in scenes that have been filmed here. High profile productions such as Downton Abbey, Journey’s End, Private Peaceful and the famous Sainsbury’s ‘Christmas truce’ television advert have

filmed defining scenes at this custombuilt and atmospheric network of First World War trenches, along with other productions as diverse as Blue Peter and The Great British Bake Off. Suffolk filmmaker Tim Curtis (Life on the Deben, Stanley’s War) has joined forces with Neil McGlone, from The Riverside in Woodbridge, to produce a documentary film about the trenches facility in Suffolk. The War Just Outside Ipswich features interviews with the location’s creators and owners, Taff Gillingham and Kevin Smith of the company Khaki Devil, about how the system came about and the filming that has taken place here over the last 17 years. Anecdotes about famous films, actors and war stories help give the viewer a unique glimpse of life behind the scenes. The script was written by another Suffolk resident, Jonathan Ruffle, the creator of the BBC Radio 4 drama series Tommies. The film is being made to help support local cinemas in Suffolk during the pandemic and is being given to them free of charge. Covid-19 has impacted the film industry and brought film production at the trenches almost to a halt, but it is hoped this valuable Suffolk filmmaking resource will survive. l The War Just Outside Ipswich will receive its premiere at The Riverside in Woodbridge on Friday, December 4th, before touring other cinemas in the region.

SUFFOLK COASTAL CROSSWORD 1

10 11

Crossword kindly supplied by Peter Turner

20 21

ANSWERS WILL BE PRINTED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE ANSWERS FOR CROSSWORD IN ISSUE 24. ACROSS: 1 WATER CLOCK 4 MARY 8 PETER PAN 9 CAPTAIN’S 10 FELIXSTOWE 11 FRANCE 12 SHINGLE 16 FRAMLINGHAM TOWN FC 17 SNAPE 18 CHILLESFORD DOWN: 2 ROBIN 3 BALE 5 BRITTEN 6 THURSDAY 7 DUNWICH 11 FROST 13 GILL 14 WICKED 15 GREEN ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

ACROSS 1 Uffa’s enclosure (6) 4 Boat insurance claim agent (8) 9 Maybe hostel for rowers to use (6) 10 Parish containing Henham Park (8) 12 Shrinking party? (4) 13 & 24A A main attraction in Woodbridge that leaves the main at Felixstowe Ferry (5,5) 14 One might need Nike to find this village (4) 17 Possible billet for Punches or punchers (9,3) 20 Adjective applied by some for many homes in Woodbridge (12) 23 Snack that often comes with pitch (4) 24 See 13 Across

25 The best one of these is found in paid earnings (4) 28 Fishing hamlet with an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ and maybe soon a ‘C’ (8) 29 Where learners and mounts keep dry (6) 30 Elastic band sounds the same as fresh snow (8) 31 Perhaps this village is molten (6) DOWN 1We hear the green are loose (8) 2 Ill float could be made fleet (8) 3 Phragmites australis found by 13 Across (4) 5 Noble accommodations (7,5) 6 Victims of omelette production (4) 7Groups of erect sheaves (6)

8 Posh word for he/ she who is last to disembark (6) 11 Ship’s fitness certificate (4,2,6) 15 If one has these, then 12 Across does not apply (5) 16 Scarce at Shingle Street, abundant at Lowestoft (5) 18 Children and animals are expected to be (8) 19 Aquatic mammal unwelcome in the Deben (8) 21 These meetings are abbreviated trials for saints (6) 22 Yacht attire of yesteryear, mostly (6) 26 Aquatic bird welcome in the Deben (4) 27 If you can’t find one of these you like in Woodbridge – give up! (4)

A POCKET FULL OF POSIES … “

Living In… writer Abygail Fossett delves into the records and discovers a tale of 20th century plague that was closer to home than she thought …

e all know a thing or two about living through a pandemic, though I, for one, wish we didn’t. Readers might not know, however, that here in East Suffolk, we’ve done it before, and far more recently than the rest of the country at that. In the middle ages, there was no more terrifying disease than the Black Death, which swept across the globe, claiming hundreds of millions of lives. If you caught the disease, you were almost certain to meet a grisly end; the Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio describes ‘swellings, either on the groin or under the armpits … waxed to the bigness of a common apple.’ Thankfully, England remained virtually plague-free after the 1600s – except for a few, brief years when East Suffolk residents witnessed several sudden and mysterious deaths … On September 14th, 1910, local GP Dr Carey was called to Freston, where a Mr Chapman lived with his wife and four stepchildren. Nine-year-old Annie had been vomiting and was running a dangerously high temperature. Within a few days, Annie, her mother, Mr Chapman and a neighbour had all presented the same symptoms and died shortly thereafter. Dr Carey was uneasy – the symptoms suggested plague, but surely that disease was long gone? He contacted his colleague, Dr Brown, a physician from Ipswich, who extracted samples of blood and fluid from the patients and sent them to a colleague for analysis. Within days, a telegram arrived with the stark message: ‘Isolate all contacts.’ The advice was taken seriously: funerals were held in the open air, with attendees disinfecting their clothes afterwards and, sadly, the remaining children of Mrs Chapman were isolated at Tattingstone workhouse. The local authorities began, quickly and quietly, to investigate other suspicious deaths in the area. To their horror, 10 people had died of plague since 1906, in Shotley, Chelmondiston and also Trimley St Martin. My jaw dropped when I read this last case, as the Rouse family had lived just a stone’s throw away from where I was sitting – in the same house where I’d played, through family friends, many times as a child. Back in the day it was a farmworker’s cottage, cramped and overcrowded. I knew the street where they lived so well; I could clearly see Honora Rouse, the eldest child, running up the lane between the fields, screaming for the doctor. Mrs Rouse died three

days before Christmas; within weeks, three of her five children had died too. Their illness was so swift and merciless that their doctor speculated they may well have been poisoned, prompting an inquest. Honora bravely spoke before the coroner, describing curious ‘knots’ that her family developed on their necks and thighs – classic symptoms of Black Death. After this, came two further outbreaks: 1911, when a local sailor fell sick after shooting a rabbit; and in 1918, when two neighbours in Erwarton died within a week, both attended, again, by Dr Carey. At this point, the disease vanished as abruptly as it arrived. I found a medical report praising Dr Carey and Dr Brown in particular for their ‘imagination and clinical acumen.’ So ended the plague’s reign of terror, in England at least. With typical Suffolk resilience, residents followed advice and remained level-headed, refusing to allow the plague to take over their county and their lives. We’ve done it once – we’ll do it again!” From top to bottom: Trimley St Martin circa 1890; a group outside St Martin’s Church, Trimley circa 1909; our writer Abygail had played in one of the houses affected; mass burials in the 1600s; early examination of a ‘pestilential’ body

THE PLAGUE IN SUFFOLK, BY LOCAL HISTORIAN PIP WRIGHT “Up until 1666, the ‘pestilence’ as it was known, had been a regular visitor to these shores, with epidemics occurring every 20–30 years. In 1665/66, Ipswich alone suffered over a thousand plague deaths. At that time, the town was considerably smaller and many had fled, so this was a substantial proportion of the population. For the plague to take hold, it required warm temperatures (bubonic plague is really a tropical disease) and the presence of the right kind of rat (the black rat, Rattus rattus) carrying the right kind of flea, infected with the plague bacterium. In the early 20th century, cases were few in number and only produced a handful of secondary infections (track and trace was successful and not an ‘app’ in sight). The cases were later believed to have originated from a point along the Orwell known as Butterman’s Bay near Chelmondiston where large grain ships moored and lightened their load before heading for Ipswich Docks. Possibly the disease had by then lost some of its potency, though the local doctors’ speed and persistence undoubtedly helped restrict what could have become a major outbreak.” l For more information on Pip’s work, go to www.pipwright.com

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

LOCAL COMMUNITY

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

Mindful

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Moments Woodbridge School has launched two heartwarming projects to help its local community through these trying times …

oodbridge School’s innovative Mindful Moments campaign is proving a real hit for offering much-welcomed support and advice to children and parents, as well the wider community. As part of its #Woodbridge4Woodbridge programme, it’s making a range of videos publicly available on its YouTube channel and across social media – featuring simple-to-follow mindfulness techniques, such as breathing and reflection. The aim is to promote health and wellbeing during lockdown. Nicola Mitchell, Head of Woodbridge School Prep, tells Living In …: “The ability to be calm and ‘in the present moment’ is such an important life skill, and we want to share how our mindfulness practices at Woodbridge School Prep may be able to help many more people, as we all tackle the challenges of the second lockdown we are facing this year. “From reception and throughout the school, mindfulness is embedded into our curriculum to support the wellbeing of both children and staff. We also know that parents have benefitted from the workshops they have attended. We hope that, by sharing our regular Mindful Moments videos, the wider Woodbridge community may also benefit during this difficult time.”

“It trains us to respond skilfully to whatever is happening right now” NICOLA MITCHELL, HEAD OF WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL PREP

Mindfulness, as taught at Woodbridge School Prep, for pupils aged between four and 11, is about “learning to direct our attention to our experience as it unfolds, moment by moment, with open-minded curiosity and acceptance. Rather than worrying about what has happened, or might happen, it trains us to respond skilfully to whatever is happening right now, in the present moment.” The project helps to boost happiness, keep you calmer and more fulfilled, as well as help with communication, concentration, sleep, stress and it even supports performance, such as with music and sport. The school has also launched a new charitable Christmas campaign to support Home-Start in Suffolk and promote mental wellbeing. In the run-up to Christmas, the aim of pupils and staff at Woodbridge School – from both the Senior and Prep Schools – is to cover as many miles as possible over a two-week period to raise vital funds through sponsorship for local community charity, Home-Start ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

in Suffolk. Every member of the Woodbridge School community, including pupils, teachers and staff across both sites, is being encouraged to set their own challenging distance goal, and will be asking their friends and family to sponsor them. The #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge is the brainchild of Melissa Shanahan, history teacher and deputy head of Lower School at Woodbridge School. “Home-Start will be working tirelessly over the next few weeks,” she says, “to ensure that no local family goes without food or presents this Christmas, and we are proud to be able to support them in their vital community efforts.” Ali Watson, fundraising and marketing manager at Home-Start in Suffolk, says: “The coronavirus has had a huge impact on Suffolk families, and we have seen many families who have never experienced difficulties in the past, struggle in a number of ways, particularly with financial hardship and isolation. We appreciate everything that Woodbridge School is doing on our behalf and we wish it all the very best with the #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge.” The school has been working with Home-Start for some years. It is the county’s largest family support charity, with the vision that every child in Suffolk is given the best start in life because of the love, support and guidance they receive from their parents, guardians or the people performing the role of their parents. See www.homestartinsuffolk.org/families l To view Woodbridge School Prep’s Mindful Moments videos, visit the YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ user/woodbridgeschool. For further information on Woodbridge School or to donate funds for the above, visit www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk

Above: Prep pupils practise mindfulness with bubbles Below: The school was founded in 1577 Pictures courtesy of Woodbridge School

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