In Touch News with Capel July 19

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CAPEL CAPERS Volume 9 • Issue No. 8 • JULY 2019

RESCHEDULED: CAPEL FUN DAY, SATURDAY 20TH JULY

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Mother Nature is having quite an impact on my life right now, mostly positive, but not entirely! I’m looking after grandma’s chickens for a few days while she’s away. It’s not difficult: put them in, let them out, give them some grain… job done. Except not this time! Last night one of them went missing and I found myself clucking around the garden for about an hour in torrential rain trying to find her. I can only imagine how ridiculous I looked but I most certainly wasn’t laughing. Of course I didn’t find her so spent a restless night wondering how to tell grandma that Blossom was done for.

When I went to let the others out this morning, there she was waiting for me in all her glory, perfectly dry, well-rested and seemingly happy. A bit too happy for my liking!

Meanwhile, back at home a mummy blackbird (I’ve called her Marilyn because she’s very beautiful) has taken up residence under the roof of our little outdoor lean-to, a place I like to sit with a book when the weather allows. She’s busily feeding four babies, constantly flying back and forth all day long. I must say I admire/envy her energy and it is a rather beautiful thing to see, but she’s making my garden a no-go area as every time I open the door she abandons her chicks and sits on the wall until I leave. I imagine she’s sitting there muttering “here she comes again… what is it this time… can’t she see I’m busy… what is she wearing?”. I end up feeling guilty for invading ‘her’ space so I retreat indoors and leave her to it. I haven’t even put the bins out this week because I’m afraid to scare her away. How would I cope with four baby blackbirds? Not very well I suspect.

I don’t suppose she and her babies will be there for very long and despite the inconvenience (and the mess, but let’s not go there right now) I’m glad we have given them a safe place to hatch. I do love living in the countryside.

Even those of us who live in Suffolk towns and villages are never far from a wide open space and a big sky view. We really are incredibly lucky and when better weather lands, as surely it must, I hope you have the opportunity and the means to get about to explore or simply admire our surroundings.

You may not have to go very far, unless your garden is out of bounds too!

NEWS

CAPEL ST MARY RECORDER Help to write tomorrow’s history today I have undertaken to be Capel St Mary’s Recorder. The aim is to collect, observe and record whatever is happening today in the parish. What is collected will be deposited in the Suffolk Record Office along with an annual report. The information will enable researchers in the future – 50 years, 100 years, perhaps centuries ahead – to read and learn about the many changes in our village and to write our history.

I will be recording parish and Babergh District Council decisions, church, community centre, association, school and village events, collecting Capel Capers, Capel Times and other publications, notices and leaflets and will approach groups, clubs, businesses and shops about their activities.

Please help to write Capel St Mary’s history today.

David Thompson 01473 314185 / davidf.thompson@btinternet.com

CAPEL CAPERS DELIVERY TEAM A deliverer is required in the Mowlands/Long Perry area of Capel.

Those interested can contact Norman Ward on 01473 310022.

In Touch with Capel St Mary Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: capel@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

ADVERTISING Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

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01473 400380 PRINTING Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Capel St Mary is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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Plus local group displays in the main ring, Crafts Stalls and much, much more!

AUGUST DEADLINE 10 JULY 2019 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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events@capelcommunityassociation.org

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NEWS CAPEL ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL Report from the meeting held on Monday, June 10 Present were Councillors Bishop, Cowgill, Dimond, Fenn, Matthews, Pearson, Rogers (Chairman), Thomas, D Thompson, P Thompson, Weaver, District Councillor Carpendale, Julie Lawes (Clerk) and three members of the public.

The parish council recommended approval for a planning application from Brook Farm, Days Road – erection of a two storey side extension.

Babergh Planning Enforcement is currently investigating the recent activity at the Transport Depot on London Road to ascertain what business is proposed to be operated from the site.

There has been no further progression of any development proposals within the village from Persimmon Homes or Scott Properties.

The next meeting of Capel St Mary Parish Council will be in the library on Monday, July 8. There is an open session at each meeting when members of the public may speak.

The actual minutes of the meeting are available for viewing at the parish council office at 27a The Street, Capel St Mary, which is open on Tuesdays from 10am-noon and between 1 and 3pm on Fridays.

The parish clerk can be contacted on 01473 314103 during these times.

An answerphone operates outside these hours and messages are picked up every day.

Alternatively contact can be made by email to: capel.parishclerk@btinternet.com www.capelstmary.onesuffolk.net

Julie Lawes

GET TO KNOW YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS CAROL PEARSON Where were you born? Gillingham in Kent.

2019 FLORAL DISPLAY The floral display is back for another year to brighten up the village centre with its beautiful vibrant colours. This display is only achievable through the generous sponsorships of local businesses and groups and we would like to thank the following people who have made this possible.

The White Horse Inn, Drayton Insurance, Capel Mushroom Farm, Capel Station Garage, Vellacott Farms, Capel & Little Wenham Bowls Club, The Orchard Players, Capel WI, Capel Garden Club, Capel Allotments Association, East of England Co-op, St Mary’s Church, Capel Community Church, Upstix Sales, Upstix Rentals, AT Physio, Bypass Nurseries, PLC Business, Friends of Capel Library, Capel Carpet Bowls, Premier Education Group, Orwell Housing, Beacon Coffee Shop, Robin’s Childcare, Capel Community Trust, Roland Tremaine, Capel Ladies Club, Romeo, Ausco Builders, Dean & Co and Capel Methodist Church.

We hope you all enjoy our summer of flowers. We are still accepting requests if you are interested in sponsoring this event. Please contact the parish clerk: 01473 314103 / capel.parishclerk@btinternet.com

How long have you lived in the village? Five years.

How long have you been a parish Councillor?

I am newly elected.

What made you want to become a parish councillor? I wanted to be involved in the village and to help make a difference and improve things for our community.

What do you like most about Capel St Mary? The friendly people, quality of life here and the open fields surrounding the village.

What changes, if any, would you like to see within the village? I would like to see the pavements and roads bought up to a good standard, also make people more aware of traffics speeds in the village.

What is / was your job? I have worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland in the city as an account manager, been the assistant bursar of the Royal Academy of Arts and also a lettings manager.

What are your interests or hobbies? I enjoy walking my dog, Baxter, gardening, floristry, up-cycling furniture, reading, entertaining, socialising, travelling and spending time with my family, especially my grandson.

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE CQC Inspection The practice was inspected by the CQC on 24 April. The inspection team were at the practice for the whole day and interviewed staff and patients. They inspected both Capel and East Bergholt sites and rated the practice as ‘Good’ overall. We were rated ‘Requires Improvement’ for responsiveness, though this was partly based on patient satisfaction figures from over a year ago, and ‘Good’ for safe, effective, caring, and well-led areas. This is an improvement on last year’s rating and the CQC acknowledged the hard work by staff to improve the service we offer. We are delighted with our rating and hope our plans for further improving the service over the coming year will result in an even higher rating when we are next inspected.

Appointment System Update Further to last month’s announcement, I can confirm that the practice will be implementing a new appointment system on 2 September. The new system will be a call back system which has been successfully implemented at many practices across Suffolk. Our medical receptionists will continue to take details from patients and will determine how they can best help them. This may include booking an appointment with a practice nurse or HCA, directing to a pharmacist, booking a minor illness appointment with a nurse practitioner, or liaising with a doctor on the patient’s behalf.

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Where a patient needs to talk to a doctor, they will be placed on the list of the doctor of their choice who will call them back within an agreed time slot.

They will discuss the patient’s problem with them and if necessary arrange for them to see them or another clinician the same day.

The system is an on-the-day only system. There will be no pre-bookable appointments. These will not be needed as patients will be able to speak to a doctor and see them the same day if necessary. The only exceptions to prebooking will be patients with medial conditions which require arrangements to be made for them to attend the practice.

We will be holding open days at East Bergholt and Capel on the afternoon of 18 July (venues TBC) where we will be able to explain the new system and answer any questions on either the appointment system or any other aspect of the practice.

In the meantime, information leaflets will be available in waiting rooms and on our website which explain the new system. We want to ensure the new system will improve access when we introduce it and value your feedback to enable us to finalise the details.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

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NEWS BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR SUE CARPENDALE CAPEL ST MARY WARD Babergh Administration Full Council met on 22 May and agreed the new working arrangements. There is no formal coalition, but there is a spread of representation across-council in Cabinet posts and committee chairs. There are two key stipulations: firstly, that a merger with Mid Suffolk is shelved, and secondly, that no further borrowing for investment in real estate beyond the £50m already agreed by the last council should be allowed. This particular borrowing and investment programme is solely to generate revenue to prop up the council’s budget.

Finances The council is increasingly reliant on business rates income and ‘incentivised’ funding such as the New Homes Bonus to support the council’s services’ budget. Since New Homes Bonus was introduced in 2011/12 the council has received in total £7.6m, most of which has been used to balance the budget.

In 2018/19 Suffolk was in a pilot scheme for retaining 100 per cent of business rates growth. Babergh benefited from an additional £1.370m of this to spend on growth initiatives. In Sudbury this includes Belle Vue, Hamilton Road and town centre development, the Delphi site and South Suffolk Business Area, and St Peter’s Church regeneration. In Hadleigh, the Angel Court Housing development will benefit.

The New Joint Local Plan This should be in the public domain when the draft is released ahead of the council meeting on 25 June. It is inevitable that there will be implications for Capel St Mary.

Support for Rough Sleepers Many private sector landlords are unwilling to house somebody who has been homeless and sleeping rough, as that person may have addiction, mental health or other complex needs and require support. Babergh is to set up a scheme with other councils to offer greater assurances and confidence to landlords to house these tenants. This follows a joint bid for £209,000 from the councils as part of the government’s plans to end rough sleeping by 2027.

Council Housing Survey Council tenants and leaseholders have been sent a survey asking them to rate the services they receive from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils as their landlord. Across the districts 7,000 households will have until 28 June to have their say on the housing services they receive from the councils. sue.carpendale@babergh.gov.uk

FALLS – THE IMPACT ON OLDER PEOPLE Having had two nasty falls myself in the last year, it has made me very aware of the impact falls can have on elderly people. Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for elderly people. Around a third of people aged 65+ and about half of people aged 80+ fall at least once a year. Falling can cause injury, distress, pain, loss of confidence or independence and occasionally death. There are also considerable financial costs associated with falls in terms of local health and care services, as a result of multiple A&E, inpatient stays and an increase in social care services provided.

You may be at risk of falling if you: • Get dizzy or light headed when you stand or turn • Have difficulty walking or rising form a low chair or bed • Have poor balance • Have fallen before • Take six or more medicines • Have a fear of falling • Suffer from depression or memory problems • Have poor eyesight or hearing • Have a cluttered or poorly lit home • Are not fit and well What can you do about it?

• Talk to your GP if you have had unexplained falls, feel dizzy or lightheaded, and feel at high risk of falling as many falls can be prevented However there are things you can do yourself to reduce the risk: • Keep active – walking, swimming, dancing, Pilates, and strength and balance exercises • Eat well and drink plenty of fluids – preferably water • Have your eyes tested annually and see your GP if you have hearing difficulties • Ask your GP or pharmacist for a medicines review if you are taking six or more medicines • Wear sensible shoes and keep your feet healthy • Check your home for hazards – clutter, loose wires or rugs, spillages, pets If you would like further advice and support please contact us.

Margaret (Parish Occupational Therapist) Caroline: 07588 706869 / Caroline@CapelParishNurses.org.uk Margaret: 07588 698284 / Margaret@CapelParishNurses.org.uk Rozy: Rozy@CapelParishNurses.org.uk www.CapelParishNurses.org.uk

YARD SALE IN AID OF NEW DAWN INDIA Refreshments and light lunches Saturday 13 July, 10am to 3pm

OPEN DAY & FUN DOG SHOW

10 Coombers, Capel St Mary

Sunday 28 July, noon-4pm

We would be very pleased to receive any items you are happy to donate.

These can be left in the porch at 10 Coombers.

Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare Sanctuary There will be stalls, gifts, games, pet items, BBQ, homemade cakes, ice cream, face painting and entertainment from Hadleigh Ukulele Group.

Prizes galore for all dog show classes including our special SESAW Dog of the Year category. Most important of all, please take time to meet our resident animals and those awaiting new homes.

Gate opens at noon and everyone is welcome at Idano, Stoke Road, Leavenheath CO6 4PP.

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT NOTES FROM THE CASE Suffolk’s first Co-operative Pub! This month we are again holding our Grand Village Garden Party. It will be held on Sunday 14 July, starting at 2.30pm. As before, we will be having live jazz music in the garden and this year we have also invited the East Suffolk Morris Men dancers to entertain you with some traditional Morris dancing and music. As always, we are grateful for offers of home-made cakes to sell, so if you have a ‘special’, will you make one for us?

Please email gill.redcotts@icloud.com to be added to our list of appreciated bakers. To enable us to cater for the correct numbers there are free tickets for the garden party in the pub and at Bentley Stores.

Also later this summer we are hoping to hold a Bentley Cake Bake Off so the garden party could be your chance to get in some practise and test your audience! More news about this will follow soon.

Our next Open Mic Night is on Tuesday 2 July. As always, the PA is provided.

Come and join in or just listen. The music starts around 7.30 pm. For more details contact Dave: 07885 963882 This month’s quiz will be on Saturday 27 July. Teams can be up to six, and winning teams receive drinks vouchers. Entrance is £2 per person. Quizzes start at 8.30pm. The money raised at our quiz nights will be donated to our charity of the year, FIND. Too hot to cook on a Sunday! Then why not book for Sunday lunch at The Case? Esther is ready to take the strain out of Sunday lunch with a wide range of dishes including a veggie option and children’s meals. Lunch is served between noon and 2.30pm. As it can now get very busy, it’s always advisable to call or check at the bar to make a reservation.

Lunch time snacks of sandwiches, ploughman’s and paninis are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between noon and 2pm. They are great value for money with sandwiches (including salad and crisps) from only £4.50 and ploughman’s at £6. If you are planning to eat and are a group of six or more, please book in advance.

01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk www.facebook.com/TheCaseBentley

THE ORCHARD PLAYERS PRESENT AN AMERICAN IN SUFFOLK

ACORN VILLAGE FUN & FRIENDLY DOG SHOW Saturday 27 July, 10am-3pm It’s back! Thanks to our wonderful sponsors and judges from Highcliff Veterinary Practice, the Acorn Village Dog Show & Family Day is back for its seventh year.

With some new faces to entertain the whole family, along with our favourite regulars, The Dog & Duck Show, there will be something for everyone. There’ll be live music, BBQ, cakes, ice-cream and lots of fun for all.

Follow the Acorn Village Fun & Friendly Dog Show Facebook page for regular updates!

The day is all about raising lots of funds to help adults with learning disabilities while having lots of fun with our favourite four legged-friends. Entrance is by donation.

Please remember – friendly and well behaved owners only!

Acorn Village, Clacton Road, Manningtree CO11 2NJ

ESSEX AND SUFFOLK QUILTERS QUILT SHOW Quilters’ passion is to buy large pieces of beautiful fabric – to collect a stash.

Next they cut them up into small pieces of various shapes and sew them back together again. That’s the patchwork! Finally, they layer up the new piece of fabric in a sandwich with a backing and a wadding and stitch through in a decorative way – the quilting! Of course, traditionally, quilters would recycle pre-used fabrics and some still work that way – recycling!

It’s 1942 and in a small Suffolk village, Lady Emily’s committee are eagerly planning to welcome the US Servicemen to the newly built airbase on the outskirts of the village. Local girls and best friends Jane and Charlotte quickly catch the eye of two American pilots and love begins to blossom. Little did they know that the events of the Second World War would soon change the lives of both the villagers and the pilots forever.

Quilting and patchwork is very popular and there is much interest locally. This was evident in May when approximately 1,500 people visited the Big Quilt Show at Blackthorpe Barn. We’re not expecting such numbers at our quilt show on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October at Ardleigh Village Hall, but our last one was very popular. We are Essex and Suffolk Quilters and we meet monthly to listen to talks from experts and to organise workshops to extend our skills. Our members are already working on pieces that will showcase their individual styles and talents, from traditional to modern quilts and smaller items, such as wall hangings and cushions.

Fast forward 10 years and across the Atlantic to New York City, Charlotte and Frank are worlds away from the tiny village where they first met. For Jane, painful memories mean she’s been stuck in the past, unable to move on. That is until a chance meeting in a New York bar turns Jane’s world upside down once again.

We will be raffling an award-winning quilt made by ESQ members. There are two other quilts – one made by a group member and one donated by The Fully Loaded Bobbin Group – and other prizes. All raffle proceeds will go to St Helena Hospice. There will be some trade stalls, a craft stall, a bag tombola and, of course, tea and lots of delicious home-made cakes! Not to be missed.

Set to the big band sounds and swing classics of the 1940s and 1950s, An American in Suffolk follows friendships, romances and relationships from sleepy Suffolk to the bright lights of NYC.

For further information contact Jean: 01206 385330

An American in Suffolk runs at Capel St Mary Community Centre from July 4-6 at 7.30pm. Call the box office for tickets: 07793 820215 Panto 2020: Red Riding Hood (9-11 January) We’re always looking to welcome new members to get involved – either on or backstage. To find out more, come along to our read-through and audition nights:

CAPEL IRISH SET DANCE GROUP Capel Irish Set Dance Group meets at St Mary’s Church Hall on the third Sunday of every month (except August and the second Sunday in December) from 2-5.30pm. We are a friendly group and it’s not necessary to have a partner. In fact you’re welcome to come along just to enjoy the music.

Read-through: Thursday 18 July, 7.30pm

Remaining Dates for 2019: July 21, September 15, October 20, November 17 and our Christmas Dance on December 8.

Audition Prep Night: Thursday 25 July, 7:30pm

Hille and Trevor Peartree, 01473 310146

Auditions: Sunday 28 July, 2pm

Chris and Marjorie Haste, 01473 311615

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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY To enable the Orchard Players to use the library for their summer performance, the library will be closed from 5pm on Friday 5 July and will re-open as usual on Saturday morning.

CONSTABLE SINGERS We will be singing at Great Bromley Cross Inn Community Pub on Thursday 18 July at 7pm and everyone is welcome.

We meet at The Lamb School in East Bergholt at 7pm on Thursdays, apart from the second Thursday when we meet at East Bergholt Congregational Church. We would like to have some new members. If you like singing there’s no audition and no need to read music as we sing along to backing tracks once we’ve mastered the tune. The first session is free and the words are provided.

For further information please contact Yvonne (01206 298428), Mel (01206 298628) or Paula (07799 248747).

If you would like for us to sing to your group, club or society, please contact Paula.

CLASH AVOIDER This diary has been introduced to help avoid date clashes in the village.

Every effort will made to keep this list up-to-date, but please be aware that sometimes dates may be cancelled, postponed or re-arranged at short notice. This diary is not intended to be an all-inclusive what’s on and will only highlight significant dates.

If you want to add an event please submit in the following format (date, event, venue and contact) to sharon@intouchnews.co.uk with Capel Event Diary in the subject line.

July 4-6: The Orchard Players present An American in Suffolk Friday, July 5, 2-4pm: NHS Big Tea Party, Capel Methodist Church. Contact Irene Carder: 01473 311414 Saturday, July 27: Capel Allotments Association Summer BBQ Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2: Playscheme at Capel St Mary Primary School. More details to follow soon.

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September: Capel Allotments Association Annual Flower & Produce Show Saturday, September 14, 10am-noon: Cake & Plant Sale & Coffee Morning at Capel Methodist Church. Contact Sally: 07875 366120 Saturday, September 21: Capel Health Fair at Capel Methodist Church, 10am-noon Contact Jill Sharp: 01473 311546

Get ready for the Summer Reading Challenge that starts towards the end of July. Come along and register at Capel Library so that you can join in the fun of reading six library books over the school holidays and receive lots of stickers and prizes. Keep an eye out in the library for the start date Volunteers Needed If you could spare a few hours to help hear the children talk, very excitedly, about their books, please pop in to the library and speak with a member of staff.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY BabyBounce: Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 & 23 July at 2pm Free sessions for under-fives. Do come along and join in with singing, shaking instruments and finger rhyme fun. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Capel Creators: Saturday 20 July, 10-30am-12-30pm For children of any age. Come along and see what fantastic models you can build with Lego! £1 charge includes a drink and a biscuit. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

Minecraft: Sundays 14 & 28 July, 10-30am-12.30pm Children of all ages welcome; those under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring with you your tablet or phone equipped with Minecraft Pocket Edition or Minecraft Windows 10 Edition. Try to remember to charge your device beforehand!

Capel Library Book Group: Friday 19 July from 2.30pm This adult group meets on the third Friday of each month. Come along, pick up the book they are currently reading and join in.

We have a great selection of books for sale which are perfect for holiday reads. Don’t forget we also sell book tokens and books of stamps.

OPENING TIMES Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Wednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday: 9.30am-12.30pm Friday: 2-5pm & 5.30-7.30pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Sunday: 10am-30pm

BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY

Saturday, October 5: Nearly New Sale at Copdock Village Hall. Contact Lisa: 07745 520564

Pop along to Brantham Village Hall to see our latest production of Out of Order by Ray Cooney which is playing from 4-6 July at 7.30pm.

Saturday, October 12: Scout Jumble Sale, 2-3.30pm. Contact Sandra: 07557 237501

This bedroom comedy sees a philandering politician, Richard Willey, trying to bumble his way out of a series of potentially embarrassing situations. After planning to spend the evening with Jane Worthington, one of the opposition’s secretaries, the evening descends into one unplanned disaster after another.

Saturday, October 12: The Orchard Players Quiz Night Sunday, October 13: Capel Allotments Association Autumn Work-In, 9am1pm Saturday, October 27: Capel Allotments Association – The Hut closes today for the winter

A farce full of mayhem, comical misunderstandings and many unwitting characters, who become more and more embroiled in the increasingly tangled tale of events.

Saturday, November 2: Capel Bonfire Night & Free Family Disco – Gates open at 6.45pm

Tickets (£8) are on sale from Bakes and Blossoms, Acacia Court, Brantham and online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk

Saturday, November 30, 10.30am-1pm: Christmas Fayre, Wenham View, Dove Close, IP9 2AW. Contact Stella Hyland: 01473 312162

All other enquiries to: 07891 974844 / 01206 396674 Please note this production is unsuitable for young children.

Saturday, December 7: St Mary’s Church Christmas Coffee Morning

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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LADIES CLUB

1ST CAPEL ST MARY SCOUT GROUP

Guided Walk around Manningtree It was a bright and breezy afternoon when we walked around Manningtree with Josie as our guide.

The Annual General Meeting of 1st Capel St Mary Scout Group was held on 11 June, when those attending heard reports of the varied activities of each of the sections over the past year, including the successful 50th birthday camp held at Vauxhall Farm last June.

Manningtree is the smallest town in England, and is well known for its swans on the River Stour – which marks the border between the counties of Essex and Suffolk. As it flows past Manningtree it is tidal and is popular with both sailors and fishermen.

Much of the town’s wealth in Elizabethan times came from the cloth trade, and some of the weavers’ cottages are still standing. For two centuries Manningtree and Mistley were important brewing centres and ports, and you can still see the old warehouses next to the quay – although they have now been converted into modern apartments.

In the 17th century, Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General, condemned two or three hundred local women to death. They were bound and thrown into the river; if they sank they were declared innocent, but if they floated it meant they were guilty! Those pronounced witches were then hung and burned at the stake, many of them on The Green just behind the High Street!

We stopped to look at Mistley Towers, part of a church designed by the architect Robert Adam in 1776 which was later demolished. We passed the Mistley Swan statue in its pond, all that’s left of the grandiose plans to turn Mistley into a salt water spa town to rival Brighton in the 18th century.

Manningtree has a lot of history attached to it and our walk on a bright and breezy May afternoon has inspired some of us to find out more. Thanks to Josie, our Blue Badge Guide, for a very interesting afternoon.

Report and photos by Sue Maynard Summer Social

The theme for this year’s summer social was, appropriately enough, Europe, and our members had all made the effort to produce plates of food for the buffet with distinct continental connections.

Flags and bunting were strewn across the tables, and there was a rather tricky European Quiz, which our chairliady, Rose Chiverton, had devised. She even managed to ask some of the questions in various European languages. The quiz was won by Di Barker who received her prize of Belgian chocolates. The tasty food and lively chatter made for a very jolly evening.

SUFFOLK BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT (SBS) ‘Easing loss through group support’ Recently bereaved or experiencing a delayed reaction?

Are you in need of help and support?

Why not join a small group sharing bereavement issues?

Groups are led by an experienced facilitator creating a warm, safe environment in which to explore the many aspects of loss.

Groups are held in Hadleigh (afternoon) and Capel S Mary (evening) and are free to Suffolk residents For more details or to reserve a place contact Patrick or Margaret: sbsg246@gmail.com / 07469 201337 / 01206 299832 www.suffolkbereavement.org.uk

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All those who have continued to support the group were thanked for their contributions, and presentations were made to the Beaver, Cub and Scout of the Year. The meeting was followed by coffee, cakes and a barbecue.

For the coming year, we would welcome more members to our executive committee, which is concerned with the running of the group. We are particularly in need of a secretary to take the minutes of the executive meetings. These are held around five times a year and are very informal.

If you are interested in being involved and would like to find out more, please contact Gill Williams: 07837 154947 / scouts.enquiry@gmail.com

STOUR VALLEY PROBUS CLUB On Wednesday 5 June, Norman Jacobs brought back memories of Light Entertainment from the 1920s to the 1950s. Two weeks later on 19 June, Cathy Shelbourne presented In the Wake of the Mayflower. Both were much enjoyed by members.

On 3 July, Peter Jones will talk about The Martello Towers of Essex and on 17 July Liz Barringer will talk about the work of The Leonard Cheshire Homes.

We don’t hold meetings in August and our speaker on 4 September is Mervyn Linford introducing us to the river from Cattawade Bridge to Ha’Penny Pier. Ted Wheatley will return on 18 September with a talk entitled Speakers’ Corner.

Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday 10 July Paul Stancliffe, Media Manager of The British Trust for Ornithology, will talk to us on bird migration. He will explain what we know and what we don’t know and how the BTO is using the very latest technology to uncover the mysteries of bird migration. We will follow cuckoos, nightingales and swifts as they undertake amazing journeys to and from their wintering grounds.

Our meeting on August 14 is a member’s only event and will be held at the Venture Centre, Lawford CO11 2JE at the normal time. Further information will be given at the July meeting.

The theme of our meeting on September 11 is Great Composers of Film Music. Steve Johnson, a film enthusiast, will recall the history of music in film from the beginnings of sound, with emphasis on specific composers who have made significant contributions to music in film.

Each month The Coffee Grinders meet at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SD from 10am to noon. This meeting especially welcomes new members and gives all members the opportunity to meet the activity group leaders and the committee while enjoying a cup of coffee. The next meeting is on Friday 26 July.

We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month.

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OUT & ABOUT VILLAGE HALL DIARY, JULY 2019 Sunday 30 June-Sunday 7 July Orchard Players Summer Show, Hall

Sunday 21 Trampoline Club, 9.30am-noon, Hall

Tuesday 2 Beacon Coffee Shop, 9am-12.30pm, Vine Lounge

Monday 22 Trust Meeting, 7.30-10.30pm, Library Dancing, 4-10pm, Hall

Monday 8 Parish Council Meeting, 7.30-10pm, Library Dancing, 4-10pm, Hall Tuesday 9 Beacon Coffee Shop, 9am-12.30pm, Vine Lounge Carpet Bowls, 1.30-5pm, Hall Ballroom (all levels), 8.15-9.15pm, Hall Bereavement Counselling, 6-8pm, Library Wednesday 10 Carpet Bowls, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall Flower Arranging, 6.30-10.30pm, Library Thursday 11 Coffee Shop, 10am-noon, Hall Orchard Players, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall Women’s Institute, 7-10pm, Library Friday 12 Strength & Balance Class, 10.30-11.30am, Hall Dementia Café, 10am-noon, Library Saturday 13 Dog Training, 9.30-11.30am, Hall Sunday 14 Trampoline Club, 9.30am-noon Monday 15 Dancing, 4-10pm, Hall Association Meeting, 8-10.30pm, Library Tuesday 16 Beacon Coffee Shop, 9am-12.30pm, Vine Lounge Carpet Bowls, 1.30-5pm, Hall Community Cinema, 7.30-10.30pm, Library

Tuesday 23 Beacon Coffee Shop, 9am-12.30pm, Vine Lounge Carpet Bowls, 1.30-5pm, Hall Bereavement Counselling, 6-8pm, Library Wednesday 24 Carpet Bowls, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall Thursday 25 Coffee Shop, 10am-noon, Hall Orchard Players, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall Friday 26 Strength & Balance Class, 10.30-11.30am, Hall Dementia Café, 10am-noon, Library Saturday 27 Dog Training, 9.30-11.30am, Hall Monday 29 Dancing, 4-10pm, Hall Tuesday 30 Beacon Coffee Shop, 9am-12.30pm, Vine Lounge Carpet Bowls, 1.30-5pm, Hall Wednesday 31 Carpet Bowls, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall

CONTACT NUMBERS Village Bar: 01473 311766 Events and Hiring: Carolyn Love 07732 025676 / bookings@capelcommunitytrust.org

Friday 19 Strength & Balance Class, 10.30-11.30am, Hall

FUNCTION ROOMS FOR HIRE Are you organising a birthday, anniversary, wedding, engagement, christening, children’s party, celebration, social event, business meeting or just want a get together with family and friends? Why not book the community centre, Vine Lounge, Library or stage where we can offer rooms for 20 people up to 200 at very competitive rates. Rooms are available during the daytime or evenings. Facilities include a fully licensed bar, kitchen, tables and chairs, with prices starting from as little as £12 per hour for the library and £17 per hour for the hall. The Vine Lounge is £90 for an evening. All enquires to Carolyn.

Saturday 20 Dog Training, 9.30-11.30am, Hall World War Wrestling Event, 6.30-9pm, Hall Capel Fun Day

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE Do you want to celebrate the life of someone you loved who has passed away? You can hire the Vine Lounge in the community centre most days of the week for just £75. For more information please contact Carolyn.

Wednesday 17 Carpet Bowls, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall Thursday 18 Coffee Shop, 10am-noon, Hall Orchard Players, 6.30-10.30pm, Hall Capel Ladies, 7-7.30pm, Library Bingo, 7.30-10.30pm, Vine Lounge

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OUT & ABOUT CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club which meets on the first Monday of the month (except for bank holidays when it’s the following Monday). Saturday workshops (10am4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms. Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

Monday, July 1: Quilled Swan (Jill) Monday, August 5: Embroidered Felt Bird (Debbie) Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, July 9 at the Red Lion, South Street, Manningtree.

All those interested in poetry are invited to attend either to listen to the spoken word or to read poetry themselves. Some people will be reading their own poetry and some will choose to read the work of other poets. There is no admission charge.

To keep up-to-date please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk

WEDNESDAY BRIDGE GROUP MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Our current season concluded in May with a very well-attended annual general meeting.

Chairman Frank Pearson reflected on the progress the society had made over the last eight years and referred to the work undertaken by the officers and committee, thanking them for their contributions in the past year, especially those standing down on this occasion. He extended an invitation to members to take up some of the vacancies that were now arising. By general consensus, Frank and Wendy agreed to continue for another year as chairman and treasurer respectively.

Competition results were reviewed and prizes awarded to members achieving the highest cumulative number of points gained over the five competitions held during the year.

PRINT WINNERS Joint 1st: Mark Rivers & Dave Edwards – 206 points 2nd: Ian Parker – 199 points 3rd: Hasje Mousley – 196 The overall winner shield, which was new this year and donated by Dave Edwards, was presented to Mark Rivers.

PDI WINNERS 1st: Ann Laverock – 182 points 2nd: Mark Rivers – 181 points 3rd: Ian Parker – 180 points Congratulations to all our winners!

There was positive general discussion about next season's programme which has been planned to incorporate more competitions together with a variety of interesting speakers.

Future Meetings There is no formal programme between June and September, but various summer events are planned and at the time of writing we are looking forward to the first of these – our photography marathon on 15 June. A summer barbecue is planned for July, and the Facebook challenge continues with a new subject set by Rachel every two weeks which is designed to stretch our photography skills and imagination. The subject for a recent Facebook challenge was Something Old. The winning image (shown above) was Old Knobbly by Sharon Smith.

Time to start a new hobby? If you know the basics of bridge and would like to play regularly in a social environment, come along to the Lambe School Wednesday Bridge Group. We meet up in Lambe School, East Bergholt at 7.30pm every Wednesday. A regular partner is not essential as we ensure everyone who turns up gets a partner for the evening.

If you would like to know more, phone Nigel Clover on 01206 323422.

CAPEL ST MARY GARDEN CLUB Plants that can Hurt and Kill Barry Gayton of Desert World Plants presented a fascinating illustrated talk entitled Painful and Poisonous Plants to 18 members of Capel St Mary Garden Club on 23 May. Barry said that he hoped that members would not be alarmed to learn that so many of our plants are poisonous. The average garden contains up to 30.

Every aconite, which includes clematis, hellebores, buttercups and marigolds, all plants we love, is poisonous. Aquilega contains alkaloids and just five ingested seeds are fatal. Snowdrops are poisonous and primulas contain a substance beneath the leaves that can cause dermatitis.

Creeping myrtle, associated with graveyards, can cause gastro enteritis and diarrhoea. Crunch the seeds of a yew tree and die.

Painful plants include the thorns of blackberry which are like little hooks. Of the 513 different holly varieties, most are prickly. Monkey puzzle trees produce very stiff spines on their needles.

The stinging nettle was, years ago, used to cure arthritis and where nettles are prolific the soil is very fertile. Asparagus Springii, a favourite of the Victorians, is vicious. Being caught in a cascade will result in being clawed as if by a cat.

Barry’s advice is always wear gloves when gardening, especially when pruning roses. Hands should be washed after handling any plant. Rose thorns are the worst as they contain bacteria and are filthy. Cactus spines are the cleanest. All drugs come from plants: poppies produce opioids, willow gives us aspirin and foxgloves give us digoxin.

Report by Programme Secretary Penny Thompson

The new season commences on 10 September with an open competition of images taken within a 10-mile radius of Manningtree to be judged by club members.

We now have our summer break and will resume on 26 September with a talk by Melanie Collins of Mickfield Hostas entitled Don’t Blame the Slugs. We are always happy to welcome new members; £8 a year or £2.50 to attend as a visitor. Please contact me with any queries.

01206 393751 / madps@post.com

Chairman Edwina Cox: 01473 311121

www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION

BBQ: Saturday, July 27 Real ale, a wine bar, games, quiz, treasure hunt and racing pigs.

Tickets available now.

GUIDE TO GARDENING IN JULY Hoe weekly to stop weed seeds germinating. Cut down and spray uncultivated areas. Scatter slug pellets. Water plants. Top-dress containers.

Feed weekly. If going on holiday arrange for a friend to water plants. Tell them to pick all sweet peas, courgettes, French and runner beans as these will stop producing if left on the plant. Stock up with charcoal for those impromptu barbecues.

Veg Plot Plant brassicas, leeks and second early potatoes for Christmas, earth up when frosts kill tops. Sow salad crops, parsley, French beans and carrots.

Pinch out shoots on tomatoes, tie in plants. Feed weekly. Spray potatoes and outdoor tomatoes to protect against potato blight. Lift shallots when foliage dies back. Thin seeds sown in June.

Fruit Check for insects and spray. Protect fruit and plants from bird or butterfly attacks with netting. Pick soft fruit and tie in new shoots. Tidy strawberries by removing and burning old leaves, runners and straw.

Apply feed at 2oz per sq. yd. Dig up three-year-old stock and destroy.

Create a new bed on well-mannered ground now for a good crop next year.

Greenhouse Ventilate, provide shade and maintain humidity. Water daily. Take softwood and semi-ripe cuttings. Insert into sandy compost. Control insects. Tie tomato, cucumber, pepper and aubergine plants to their supports. Feed weekly when fruits begin to swell with tomato feed.

Hand pollinate female flower on melons. Keep main stem dry. Sow peas

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(mangetout and sugar snap) in guttering, water and slide into a shallow trench outside when 3cm tall.

Flowers Remove old heads to keep them flowering. Tie in sweet peas. Feed roses after first flush of flowers. Stake tall herbaceous plants. Mulch borders.

Lawns Mow weekly. Apply a granular feed or lawn weed killer.

ALLOTMENT NEWS Summer BBQ Real Ale £1.50, wine £1 from The Scarecrow Tavern. For members and their guests only. Join us from 5.30pm at the Pound Lane allotments site on Saturday, July 27. Join in the games, quiz, treasure hunt, pig racing and Best Dressed Table (colours) competition or just sit back and relax. A three course meal (plus cheese board) will be served from around 7.30pm.

Tickets at £9.50 are available from The Hut (info@capelallotments.co.uk) or from Graham: 01473 311059 / text 07709 263335 Use the bar or bring your own drinks. Free tea and coffee all night from our pop-up kitchen. Limited seating so please bring your own. The sample menu is now on our website. Tickets are going fast so book now if you would like to join us.

The Photography Trophy Subjects for 2019: A Suffolk Sky, A Single Flower, Colourful Vegetables, A Suffolk Beach, A Picture of Your Choice.

The Bonfire Reopening on 5 August. Please keep materials on your plot.

For a more extensive version of this report and exclusive bar prices visit: www.capelallotments.co.uk

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Contactless payments are welcome in all of our vehicles

Fixed-fare from Capel to Ipswich Town Centre – £12.50* *One pick-up/one drop only - see website for details

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OH I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE

The Blossom Appeal team warmly invite you to join them on the morning of Sunday 7 July in Felixstowe to take part in Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s annual Walk for Wards event. Walk for Wards is a 10k or 5km walk, run or jog along Felixstowe’s picturesque and varied seafront.

You will take in views of the port, admire the beach huts and enjoy the vista across to Bawdsey along the way.

Walk together, take in the sea air and do something amazing to raise funds for The Blossom Appeal.

It’s suitable for all the family and is wheelchair/pushchair friendly. You can even bring the dog!

To take part, register in advance online or on the day at the View Point Café, nr Languard Fort.

We look forward to seeing you there. www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/walk-for-wards

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ON THE GRAPEVINE FUNDRAISER SWIMS TO FRANCE AND BACK WITHOUT GOING ANYWHERE NEAR THE SEA Kirstie Boxall wisely decided not to go anywhere near the chilly North Sea for her epic swimming challenge. Instead she swapped being covered in lanolin for the comfort of the land and headed to Ufford Park swimming pool to complete her quest. She swam 38 miles in 35 consecutive days which is the equivalent of swimming across the English Channel to France and back again.

Kirstie’s challenge was not without cause. Two years ago she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This is an uncommon form of breast cancer and is typically more difficult to treat. Kirstie bravely endured ten months of intensive treatment, taking part in a clinical trial which included seven cycles of chemotherapy over five months. The intensive treatment amounted to 15 sessions of which 12 were weekly.

During this time she also developed neutropenic sepsis (which she luckily recovered from), had two operations and 24 sessions of radiotherapy.

Despite all the turmoil of her treatment, she remained positive and cheerful, always thinking that there was someone in a far worse situation than herself. Thankfully she was given the all clear when her treatment finally finished in January 2018. Once off the rollercoaster the realisation set in and Kirstie, like so many cancer patients, found coming to terms with everything very difficult and daunting. Getting back in touch with the real world and moving on with her life after months of hospital visits which had become the norm was tough.

To kick start the process she joined the HOPE (Helping Overcome Problems Effectively) course so she could understand and process what she had been through. It helped immensely and gave her the building blocks to move forward. As part of the course her first goal was to get back in the pool which was something which she had previously taken for granted, but was a huge step in this instance.

Kirstie explains: “I have been swimming to overcome the ‘fallout’ from the after-effects of my treatment from triple negative breast cancer. By doing this I hope to encourage other people in a similar position and to raise money for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s Blossom Appeal. The Blossom Appeal aims to help raise £2.5 million to build a new breast care centre at Ipswich Hospital. Taking on the challenge was my way of saying thank you to everyone who looked after me and it was wonderful to have a sense of purpose again whilst proving to myself that I could do it!

England. So that’s what I did and in doing so earned myself the nickname of ‘The Forest Gump of Swimming’!

“As I was swimming the return leg my operation date was confirmed which meant I once again had to up my daily distance. I just made it and not sooner had I washed up on our shores I was off to the hospital once more. Recovering from the surgery took time and it’s only now I am able to reflect on what I accomplished.

“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the donations and I have had such amazing support from so many, such as the invaluable team at the John Le Vay Cancer Support Centre at Ipswich Hospital. They have been instrumental in putting me and my family back on our feet.

“Huge thanks also goes to all the departments at both Ipswich and Colchester hospitals that treated me. I feel very privileged to have received the care and expertise that I have and continue to do so. The NHS is truly an amazing service.

“In saying that, I would also like to help raise the profile of triple negative breast cancer. By being able to be part of the clinical trial of the ‘Partner Study’, I hope that it helps in some way to find a cure for this uncommon type of breast cancer. I felt very lucky to be part of the trial and although it was a particularly gruelling treatment, I met some wonderful people who are very special to me. It is also a perfect example of one of the benefits to come out of Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals merging. I had a leg in each camp, so to speak and received treatment and expertise from both locations.

“And last, but by no means least, thank you to you for taking the time to read this and if you are able to donate even the smallest amount to The Blossom Appeal and my crazy challenge, I would be very grateful as it all adds up.”

“Feeling like I have over the last two years, I never thought that I would be in a position to be able to do this. Although it was a struggle, I had this hair brained idea in my head since last November as I wanted to give something back and I needed a goal.

“I was back in the pool as soon as I was able following the end of my treatment and I haven’t looked back since. I have been determined to get my movement back, overcome the fatigue and pain and push myself to become strong in mind and body.

“Originally I was going to swim 19 miles over a month, bearing in mind that I was still recovering. However, with a provisional date looming for my third and hopefully final operation, I had to squeeze it in to only 17 days and increase my daily distance to at least 138 lengths (1.29 miles) of the pool each day and even 172 lengths on one day!

“Whilst swimming along I had the crazy thought that as I had reached France in my mind, the only reasonable thing was to swim back to

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So far Kirstie has raised a spectacular £3,090 for The Blossom Appeal. If you would like to support her, you can do so at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kirstie-boxall-was-mclaren Kirstie is pictured with members of the breast care team, from the left Evangelos Mallidis (breast consultant), Julie Calcluth (breast care nurse), Kirstie Boxall (centre), Caroline Mortimer (breast consultant) and Sarah Gill (breast care secretary).

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / SCHOOLS EBONY’S BLOG: LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE

20 YEARS OF FOREST THEATRE MAGIC In July, rehearsals begin for Red Rose Chain’s most ambitious summer season yet as the company celebrate the 20th anniversary of its open-air spectacular, Theatre in the Forest, with their fresh take on Romeo & Juliet.

Starting out in 1999 as a one-night event held in the depths of Rendlesham forest, Theatre in the Forest has exploded into the region’s largest outdoor theatre event, beloved by tens of thousands of audience members and regarded by The Stage as ‘Regents Park for the East’.

Every summer, families, fans and first-timers all venture together into the event’s woodland home at Jimmy’s Farm to experience Shakespeare as they’ve never seen it before thanks to the vision of Artistic Director Joanna Carrick who specialises in making the magic of Shakespeare accessible and fun for all-ages while staying true to the original text.

Joanna plans to make this summer the biggest and best yet, adding: “At a time when our young people are starting to make their voices heard about climate change and injustice, this play – which challenges the wisdom of our elders and promotes peace and tolerance between warring factions is extremely apt and appropriate. Whether you are new to the story or have seen it many times, there are always great truths in this play as well as passion, hilarity tragedy and love. Our extraordinary cast are going to take the show by storm with a back drop of 1960’s mods and rockers rebels. I can’t wait!”

On 24 August, the final Saturday of the run, the company are also throwing a big birthday bash before the show begins to celebrate with all the audience members. Free to ticket holders, the party includes birthday cake and lemonade for everybody, plus all the musical hits of the 1960s and the chance to come dressed up as a Mighty Mod (from House Montague) or a Raucous Rocker (from House Capulet).

The location of Jimmy’s Farm offers audience members the chance to explore the wildlife park during the day, and eat in the award-winning restaurant on the evenings pre-theatre dinners are available, or dine al fresco and bring your own picnic (and camping chairs) for that extra festival feel.

When they’re not putting their stamp on Shakespeare, Red Rose Chain have an exciting programme of events and community work going on all year round inside their studio theatre venue, The Avenue, located just a few minutes’ walk from Ipswich Train Station. The Avenue is quickly becoming a hot-spot comedy and live music venue for the town, giving Suffolk audiences the chance to see big names like Henning Wehn and Mark Thomas in a much more intimate and cosy space.

Whatever your plans this summer, make Theatre in the Forest your must-see holiday adventure this July/August. There has never been a better time to discover what all the fuss is about!

Romeo & Juliet runs at Jimmy’s Farm from 31 July to 25 August.

For more details and to book: www.redrosechain.com/theatre-in-the-forest / 01473 603388

Double hoorays for the team of employees from Zurich in Ipswich who chose us as their firm’s charity day for 2019. They arrived in force on 24 May and worked from dawn till dusk on the land and many of the maintenance jobs. Look at the photo of this amazing team. Not only have they given us the physical help we are always crying out for, they have been sponsored most generously by their firm to do so. The centre was looking perfect, just like the National Stud at Newmarket when they finished!

When the grass grows again and the weeds creep back, we shall be longing to have some help from someone else. Our regular maintenance volunteers need a boost: some extra bods willing to come over and work here for a couple of hours a week, mending things, mowing, watering and sweeping.

All our lovely volunteers need to take time off for family things from time to time so the more people on the maintenance team, the merrier. Can you consider joining us?

Our Shelley Show brings June to a close and the results will soon be up on the website for you to see. However much the riders achieve for themselves, and we are very proud that they do, they couldn’t really do it without help from Jo Public in the form of volunteers. I have heard that we need more helpers for the Tuesday rides, a pony leader for the Thursday morning boys’ ride at 10am, and two more side walkers for our Thursday ladies at 11am, and again for the Thursday afternoon to support the special needs children who come from their school during lunchtime. A very clever lady called Margaret will allocate help where it’s most needed if you just contact her to say when you could commit to working here.

After all the rain of the last month, here’s to everyone enjoying a bit of sun and blue sky as the school holidays loom for our school age riders. To those riders not governed by school term dates, we apologise that we’ll be closed for August, and hope you find a way to take exercise without us! Keep moving and come back safely when we open up again in September. www.shelleyrda.com / 01473 824172

BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS This is always a busy term in schools and 2019 is no exception! As we launch into our last month of this academic year, we welcome next year’s new starters for some induction mornings and in July they get to stay for lunch too. We also prepare to say farewell to our Year 6 pupils who will be making their way to high school from September.

Just recently we have enjoyed the QuadKids events held at Northgate and Kwik Cricket at St Josephs College. Our Year 4 pupils have joined together for a sleepover in the school hall, and Bentley Year 5s have completed their Bikeability. We’ve participated in the WCET festival and learnt vital safety skills at Crucial Crew.

Coming up we have a visit to Minsmere Nature Reserve, a Big Bang event and many joint events with the high school. As we begin to think about saying goodbye to our Year 6s, they have an induction day at their new high schools and a day out at Pleasurewood Hills to celebrate the time they have spent with us.

Both schools are holding Summer Fayres organised by each PTA – at Bentley on 12 July and at Copdock on 19 July. We’d love to see you there.

For more news and up to date information about our schools, please visit: www.bentleycopdock.co.uk

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SCHOOLS / SPORT CAPEL ST MARY BOWLS CLUB

Baby Bears Nursery rhymes are a big part of our day in the baby room. We have group time before lunch and dinner where we take it in turns to choose a spoon with a picture of a nursery rhyme. We join in with singing the rhyme and the actions so it’s a great social opportunity for all involved. This part of our day is enjoyed by all and because of this we planned a whole week of focused activities and crafts relating to nursery rhymes and singing. During the week we sang while dancing with materials and bubbles. We also used paint, crayons and glue to create different pictures relating to the different rhymes.

Toddling Tigers During half term week we saw the Gruffalos joining the Toddling Tigers. They were very active, spending time building towers, making obstacle courses and helping the Tigers to experiment with engineering skills. We had a barbecue tea for all the children, which was an amazing adventure for all the children and staff.

Gruffalos We are heading into our last few weeks with the Gruffalos before the summer holidays. We have created a school classroom that the children have named ‘Gruffalo School’. In this area the children get to experience some of the things that happen at school, such as taking the register. There is uniform for the children to try on and photo books of different schools to look at. The children have loved role playing ‘school’ and being the teacher is a favourite!

If you would like further information about our nursery, pre-school, forest school, out of school club or holiday club, please give Emma Deakin a call on 01473 310768 or drop us an email at: info@robinschildcare.co.uk

Our social programme is well underway now, and full reports of our events, fixtures and results can be found on our website. Sunday 12 May saw eighteen members compete for the Grunbaum Trophy in memory of late member and former secretary Colin Grunbaum.

The weather was fine and dry and it was a lovely afternoon. The format was three-wood triples and one team emerged as the unbeaten winners: Jim Ross, Russell Aubin and Val Vertigans. The photo shows our president, George Wiseman, presenting the trophy, as well as bottles of wine donated by Colin’s widow Beryl. The afternoon was rounded off by a lovely tea. Thanks to John and Elaine Wright for organising the event, and to all ladies who donated food for the tea. The pairs tournament on 26 May was unfortunately cancelled due to too few entrants.

In the leagues, well done to our Kestrels squad who top Division D in the triples leagues, and our Kites who sit top of Division B in the two-wood league. Other squads have mixed results but it’s still early in the season.

If you’ve never played bowls and want to give it a go, you’d be joining a very successful village club. We always give a warm welcome to new, or potential new members. Just call club secretary Les Bryant to discuss: 01473 311717 IMPORTANT DATES July 7: Presidents Day/Burman Bowl July 20: Ferrari Cup August 3: Annual BBQ Jack High www.capelstmarybowls@onesuffolk.net

CAPEL ST MARY PRIMARY SCHOOL We have had an exciting start to the second half of the summer term. Right at the beginning of term the children enjoyed two fantastic art days. The theme was recycling and the children had an enjoyable couple of days making new displays (such as the one pictured here) for the front of the school out of recycled materials.

During the first week back we also said goodbye and good luck to Father Jim. Cannon Jim Pendorf has been with us as the local parish priest for six years and it was with a heavy heart that we wished him well on his new adventures as he leaves the village.

Some of the children in Year 6 also took part in the Kate Greenaway book award at East Bergholt High School and produced a fantastic presentation all about You’re Safe With Me by Chitara Soundar and Poonam Mistry.

The children in Years 5 and 6, Unit Three have also begun work on their end of term production, The Wizard of Oz, and I am looking forward to seeing this at the beginning of July.

EAST BERGHOLT FOOTBALL CLUB The players are taking a well-earned break from football but will be returning to pre-season training on July 1.

The secretary was pleased to receive the trophy for the Senior Sportsmanship Award for the second successive season. The club will be looking to add some silverware for playing achievements too next season.

Sponsorship We are looking for new kits for all three teams for next season. This is a great opportunity to support a local organisation and publicise your venture. There are a number of options available and anyone interested is invited to make contact with the secretary in the first instance.

Ladies and Juniors The ladies had a very successful season. They won the league and the Knockout Cup in the Suffolk League for the second year running and should be moving up to the Eastern Region league next season. Well done to all the players and to coaches Darren and Dale.

The school council are preparing events to concentrate the children’s minds on the environment and using resources sensibly. The theme of Reuse, Recycle and Reduce will be our bywords throughout this coming term.

We are looking for new teams, boys or girls, of any age group to come and join us as we look for the club to grow. Also ladies who would like to join are welcome. If you are interested please contact David George at: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com

In common with other schools, we are looking forward to sports days and the other events that come at this time of year. We have our fingers crossed for good weather!

Of course, we are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether on the playing side or just in the background.

Please contact me if you’d like to know more.

Headteacher Sean Cornish

Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/capelcapers

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CHURCH NEWS CAPEL COMMUNITY CHURCH THE POWER OF PRAYER How often do you talk to your friends? Pretty often, I expect. But how often do you talk to your real friends about things that really matter to you? Not quite so often, I reckon. And do you have any friend with whom you’ll share absolutely anything? Maybe not. Now I’m reminded of a hymn I learned about 70 years ago (!): “What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer.” And for me, Jesus is as good a friend as I could have.

Last month churches throughout the country were giving a lot of thought to prayer and what it actually means. The project that they were all supporting was called Thy Kingdom Come, which is the third line of the prayer best known as The Lord’s Prayer. It’s a prayer that Jesus himself taught (see St Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 6, verses 9 to 13) and Christians throughout the country were praying that life as God wanted it could really return to Earth. In practical terms, at Capel Community Church we held a half-hour prayer meeting each morning and evening for the 11 days that the project ran, particularly praying that more and more people would accept Jesus as their friend and become Christians. There is no doubt in the minds of those of us who managed to make many of the meetings that praying together increased the effectiveness of what we were doing.

Praying is all about talking to God and most people might think that just means asking God to do something that really needs doing, especially at a time of crisis. Well, God certainly hears our prayers and invariably answers them, sometimes immediately, sometimes after quite a long time. But there is more to it than just asking for something to be done; for a start, it always seems polite to thank someone for something they have done or given and my own prayers always start with thanking God for something He has done for me. Then there is a love element involved, too: how many of your friends do you really love? Jesus is a friend who I love and so do other Christians.

In our worship sessions during our Sunday services at our church we sing a lot about the love Jesus has for us and I’m sure that happens at the other churches in our village – indeed throughout the country and even the world.

Thinking about it, talking to a friend who we really love means a lot to us, doesn’t it? And that is what prayer is all about. Try it some time!

Frank Wells

CAPEL METHODIST CHURCH OVERFLOWING JOY I’ve just had a weekend with my brother and our wives, going through family photos and letters. We have only just touched the surface of all the material we have between us and our sisters going back to the late 1800s. There were fascinating letters from India from my Aunty Rose to her mother and family in Colchester, and letters from my mother (before she was married) when she first went out to India in 1935. She describes in great detail the journey, the life, the experience, learning Tamil and the language exams. She describes a meal she was invited to by nurses and doctors in the hospital on the mission compound. They came and dressed her in a sari, put a garland of flowers around her neck, escorted her to the room where they shared the meal, laid out on banana leaves and shared in real Indian hospitality and customs.

She embraced Indian life to the full, bubbling over with enthusiasm at the wonder of it all. She had a degree in geography and botany and delighted in the creation around her. However, there were also hardships, health problems, abandoned children, a lack of water and coping with the heat, but what comes through the letters is overflowing joy in life.

My mum had known grief. On her seventh birthday, her eldest brother was killed on the Battle of the Somme. At university in Reading in 1930 the man she had expected to marry died of galloping tuberculosis. Their dreams of missionary work and having family were dashed.

So she accepted that God was calling her as a single missionary to serve in India where her elder sister had already been for many years. Her children would be the Indian children she would teach.

One morning she was woken early and asked if she would adopt an abandoned girl. With permissions granted, she and her Indian colleague, Jane Moses, adopted Anbu (Tamil for love). After five years she was due home on furlough, but didn’t feel it was right to bring an Indian girl to Britain in 1940 with the war in Europe starting and so Anbu remained with Jane, with my mother expected to return to India in 12 months.

Because of the war, there were no passages for women and it was over five years before she returned, now married to my dad and with a child of her own, Ruth. But that’s another exciting and emotional story to tell for another occasion.

A warm welcome awaits you at our Messy Church annual BBQ on Saturday 20 July from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Capel Methodist Church.

This will be a fun time for all the family with a mixture of games and challenges along with some creative craft along the lines of looking after God’s world by recycling and other things we can do. And of course BBQ food!

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist Church 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 JULY SERVICES

We will then take a break during August, but will be back on September 28 and then every fourth Saturday of the month unless otherwise announced. To find out more visit www.messychurch.org.uk

Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 7

10.30am Worship with Rev Chris Hill 6.30pm Prayer

Who can come?

All age families. Kids, you must bring at least one adult.

Sunday 14

10.30am Worship with Mr Steve Wyncoll

Saturday 20

3.30pm

If you haven’t been before, why not give us a try? You’ll have lots of fun. No need to book just turn up.

Sunday 21

10.30am Worship with Mr Jim Ross

For more information please contact: Maggie Boswell: 01473 310766 / Maggie3@btinternet.com Sue France: 01473 310034 / sue.france4@btinternet.com

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We sometimes talk about people’s view of life – the optimists – a glass half full, the pessimists – a glass half empty. With my mother, despite the grief, the heartaches and the difficulties it was always a glass overflowing with joy. Is your glass overflowing? Let me know!

Sunday 28 10.30am

6.15pm

7.30pm

Messy Church BBQ Worship and Communion with Rev Pauline Bailey Music & Song – Christian Country & Gospel at Chelmondiston United Prayer at St Mary’s

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CHURCH NEWS CHRISTIANS IN CAPEL The members of all the churches foster a closer fellowship and understanding between the respective Christian communities in Capel St Mary. They endeavour to co-ordinate common interests and where practical share common resources to meet specific needs.

For times and details of Sunday services, Alpha and Home/Life Groups, please contact one of the following:

The Catholic Church Father Peter Raj St Mark’s Church, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich / 01473 684963 Capel Community Church David Owen, 18 Bushey Close, Capel www.capelcommunitychurch.org.uk 01473 310454 / 07752 921135

THE RECTORY TELEPHONE NUMBER As Father Jim and Sharon have used their personal BT telephone number during their 70 months in the rectory, this will be discontinued from June 12. All telephone enquiries and messages should be made via the churchwarden, Mel Sutcliffe on 01473 310967.

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

The Parish Church, St Mary the Virgin The Rev Canon Jim Pendorf: The Rectory, Days Road, Capel 01473 312225 / 07973 265037

The Methodist Church The Rev Andrew Sankey 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary www.capelmethodistchurch.org.uk 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 INTER-CHURCH MIDWEEK ACTIVITIES The following church groups welcome new members.

TREKKERS For ages 7-11, meets on Thursdays at the Methodist Church from 3.45 to 5.15pm during school term time. Contact Margaret Sankey: 01473 311178 YOUTH GROUPS AT THE METHODIST CHURCH Life Group: Wednesdays, 7.30-9pm / Year 10+ Junior Life Group: Thursdays 7-8.30pm / Years 7-9 Junction Club: Fridays, 7-9pm for School Years 7-9 Contact Caitlan Mower: 07465 414870 PARENTS AND TODDLERS • Tuesday – 9-11.30am, Capel Community Church, Days Road Contact Margaret Beard: 01473 311219 • Wednesday – 9-11.30am, Busy Bees, Methodist Church Contact Maggie Boswell: 01473 310766 • Wednesday – 10am-noon, Twins & Multiples Group at CCC Contact Chris Matthews: 01473 311368 SENIOR CITIZENS’ LUNCH CLUBS • First Monday, Capel Community Church, 01473 311368 • Third Tuesday, St Mary’s Church Hall, 01473 310583 • Last Thursday, Methodist Church, 01473 310635 NETWORK FELLOWSHIP Third Tuesday, from 2.30pm, Methodist Church. Anyone welcome to attend.

Contact Judy Steward: 01473 310799 BEACON COFFEE SHOP EVERY TUESDAY 9am-12.30pm, in the Vine Lounge, Capel Village Hall

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

AEROBICS AT CAPEL METHODIST CHURCH Fridays from 10.50-11.50am, Young at Heart (slower paced).

Contact Jill Sharp, 01473 311546 PILATES • Tuesdays – 7pm and 8.10pm, Capel Methodist Church • Fridays – 8.30am and 9.40am, Capel Methodist Church

Dry Carpet Cleaning

Contact Jill Sharp, 01473 311546

Professional Local Service

R.O.M.E.O. Lunch for Men at Wenham View, Dove Close off Days Road Third Thursday at 12.15pm. Book with Peter Ellis: 01473 310096. Also Coffee Drop-in from 10am on the first Wednesday at Dove Close.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/capelcapers

For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

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