In Touch with Claydon April 2020

In Touch

™© ™©

with Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton Rural Volume 10 • Issue No. 6 • APRIL 2020

Some listed events may be cancelled following publication so please check before travelling

Image by Jolanta Putnina

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In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I take this opportunity to express our hope that you and your loved ones are getting the support you need in light of current events.

There are many new initiatives and support networks forming every day which we will help publicise for as long as necessary. We will use social and digital media to support those which haven’t made it into this edition as well as to provide updates about cancelled events and any other information which our readers and advertisers will find useful.

We know this magazine is a valued source of social, political and commercial information and we are working on plans to support our customers, partners and readers in the coming weeks and months.

Many businesses are adapting to this challenging environment by changing their offer or by offering additional services, such as home deliveries or take-away services. We all know how important it is to support our local economy by shopping local and employing the services of local tradespeople/businesses, but it has never been quite so important.

Our sales manager and his team are working with our customers to overcome likely challenges, sharing ideas and expertise which will enable them to communicate with you throughout this crisis and help secure their place in the market going forward.

There are numerous ways in which we and our group partners (Grapevine, Boswell Office Supplies and Colourplan Print) intend to communicate with readers and customers. Please join or like us on the following platforms so we can stay in touch: Instagram: mansionhousepublishing / grapevinelive Twitter: @InTouchEast / @grapevinelive Facebook: Mansion House Publishing / Grapevine Live www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk / www.GrapevineLive.co.uk And don’t forget to download the GrapevineLive app.

Grá go Deo, Sharon and the In Touch team

It’s still possible to do so and we’ll be helping our customers to maintain contact with you using all available mediums (print, digital and social) throughout this ever-evolving scenario. Every decision we are making right now is considered and measured to ensure we are able to continue to support our customers; after all, it is they who enable us to publish 19 magazines every month and we will be a critical source of local information, a vital link within and beyond local communities, until this becomes a distant memory.

We have responded day by day to event cancellations but as many more are likely to be cancelled or postponed, please do check before you travel. We shall announce additional cancellations as we receive them so do stay in contact between now and the next deadline. And as new initiatives take shape, please let us know so we can help spread the word.

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP EDITOR: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@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.

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T: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

Tree Martin: 01473 400380 E: tree@intouchnews.co.uk PRINTING

ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 E: steve@colourplan.co.uk 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 Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

SURPRISE DONATION FOR 1 CLAYDON SCOUT GROUP ST

In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings •S hotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Tuesday 7 April

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the May edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

In late February Group Scout Leader Mark Pearson was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Hayley Roche of the Great Blakenham based construction firm Elliston Steady & Hawes.

Hayley explained that each month they agree to raise money for a local charity: “Each month our company has a charity dress down where we raise money for charitable organisations in the area. Scouts are a really important part of our communities and we see the good work that is done in developing young people’s skills for life.”

Mark added: “It was a total surprise to receive this email from Hayley explaining that £30 had been raised for the group. This comes at a great time for our group who are the most rapidly growing group in Suffolk and we can use this for new equipment for our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.”

If you’re interested in volunteering to help at 1st Claydon so we can expand further, please contact Mark at: markpearsonfreshfields@outlook.com And take a look at our website to see the activities we do with boys and girls aged 6-14. www.1stclaydonscoutg.onesuffolk.net

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NEWS GIPPING VALLEY COUNTY & BLAKENHAM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN FIELD

CLAYDON & WHITTON PARISH COUNCIL Annual Parish Meeting This is a chance for everyone in the parish to come together and discuss issues that are relevant to the community. This is not a parish council meeting, but is chaired and organised by the parish council. If you have any agenda items that you would like discussed, please contact the parish clerk or any councillor.

The meeting will take place at Claydon and Barham Village Hall on 27 April at 7.30pm. Please do attend if you can.

Lights on A14 roundabout As many of you are aware, these lights have been fixed and have broken again several times. Highways England have confirmed that there is an electrical fault with these lights that they are planning to fix and the parish council continues to report to Highways England when the lights are out. Highways England’s information line is 0300 123 5000.

Ipswich Transport Taskforce The taskforce to look at transport issues in Ipswich will be chaired by Dan Poulter and Tom Hunt. It is not yet clear which of us in Gipping Valley will be involved.

Streetlights to change to LED The county will invest £9.8m to convert all streetlights to LED. They will be dimmable by up to 50 percent to allow light to be adjusted to match the traffic volume. LEDs are much more efficient than other sources giving around 100 lumens per watt and use 15-20 percent of the energy of incandescent lamps.

Their output is also better directed.

Electricity for lighting cost £2.7m in 2019, 26 percent of the highways revenue budget and is increasing at eight percent per year. With dimming applied, there will be a return on investment within four years and carbon emissions will reduce by 60-80 percent.

The council is hoping to begin the conversion work in autumn 2020 and expects the project to be completed within two years

Ditches and flooding During the heavy rainfall of the last couple of months, most residents will have been aware of excess water on footpaths and fields. We have had some reports of ditches being used for disposal of waste materials that may cause harm to the water courses as well as increase the likelihood of flooding. We would like to remind residents of the importance of maintaining the drain of water away from footpaths, roads and properties by ensuring that ditches are not used for waste materials.

School transport policy implementation An internal review led by the chief fire officer of the implementation of its new school transport policy identified 19 failings. The report highlighted the following:

Grass Cutting in Claydon Suffolk County Council has published their grass cutting dates for the roads in Claydon for this summer. The grass is due to be cut around 8 June (weather dependent).

• The number of staff was insufficient to cope with the increased workload caused by the new opt-in policy.

Twitter If you are on Twitter, you can follow the parish council Twitter address @claywhitpc. The aim of the account is to share interesting information about the Claydon and Whitton area as well as news from the parish council.

Meetings Finance Committee: 20 April Planning Committee: 4 May Parish Council Meeting: 18 May All meetings will take place at Claydon and Barham Village Hall. An agenda can be obtained from the website, the noticeboards or by contacting the clerk three working days before the meeting.

www.claydonandbarham.onesuffolk.net

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• A staff restructure was undertaken during the policy roll out.

• Although the budget had been increased to cope with the increased work, recruitment was late.

• The policy was poorly communicated to parents and schools.

• The application and appeals processes were too complex.

• The wellbeing of parents and children suffered as a result of the poor implementation.

The scrutiny committee has agreed to review the policy itself before the end of 2020 to remove the anomalies around siblings transported to different schools, villages where the nearest school changes as you traverse from one end to the other and the fact that school admissions are still based on catchment areas while transport is based on distance.

Third Quarter Budget Forecast The forecast now shows an underspend of £3.4 million, a turnround on the last prediction of £0.2 million overspend. This reflects changes that occur as the end of year approaches and overestimates of likely spend are reduced.

Parish Clerk Charmaine Greenan can be contacted at: claywhit@btinternet.com / 07887 459989 / by post at 129 Poplar Hill, Stowmarket IP14 2AX

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• The policy was implemented at the same time as a new IT system which did not function as expected.

My concern is that the underspend frequently come from a failure to recruit and that limits the cost-reducing, long-term preventative work that can be undertaken.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) CIL is collected from developers when they build new properties in Mid Suffolk to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with housing growth. This month the district council helped fund two primary school extensions. £645,593 CIL and £442,956 from SCC went to Bramford Primary School for an expansion of 105 places. Building work has commenced and will be complete

by September.

Claydon Primary School received £499,421 of CIL to add to £1,489,805 of S106 contributions and £205,644 from Suffolk County Council for its recent extension.

If you have any queries, please ring 07545 423808 or email: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk

In Touch online:

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NEWS BARHAM PARISH COUNCIL

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY

At the time of writing, the Mid Suffolk District Council Planning Officer for applications 1856/17 (land off Barham Church Lane) and DC/18/00961 (land off Ely Road) had informed the parish council that these applications have been rescheduled to go before the planning referrals committee on Tuesday 31 March. Barham will be represented at this meeting in order to give our objections.

Spring 2020 Shutdown The Suffolk energy-from-waste facility will be undergoing its first planned maintenance shutdown of the year between 23 April and 16 May. These shutdowns take place twice a year for essential cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the facility continues to run efficiently.

As you will all be aware by now, there is a lot of gas mains work currently being undertaken in both Barham and Claydon. With these works there is going to be the need to close some footpaths to ensure this work is carried out safely. Cadent have provided the parishes with the following information on the footpaths to be closed: • Footpath o/s 1-15 Ely Rd (Odds) • Footpath o/s 27-57 Thornhill Rd (Odds)

During the shutdown maintenance will be carried out inside the furnaces and boiler, and the chimneys are being repainted. The maintenance of each of our two furnaces will be staggered so that we can continue to accept waste throughout the shutdown period.

There will be an increased number of contractors on site during this period, but there should be no impact on the local community. If you have any concerns about the upcoming shutdown period, please contact us via the details provided below.

Tours of the facility We will be unable to host tours of the facility during the shutdown period because of the works on site. If you would like to arrange a visit for a group or attend an open day after the shutdown, please contact us via the details provided below.

• Footpath o/s 59-87 Thornhill Rd (Odds) • Footpath o/s 2-16 Exeter Rd (Evens) • Footpath from 7-25 Lancaster Way (Odds) to 70-60 Thornhill Rd (Evens) – School holidays • Footpath Side of 32-66 Edinburgh Gardens (Evens) – School holidays Barham Parish Council’s next meeting is a finance committee meeting on Monday 20 April at 7.30pm in Claydon & Barham Village Hall. The next full council meeting is on Monday 11 May. This meeting covers both the annual parish meeting and annual council meeting. The annual parish meeting will start at 7pm, followed by the annual council meeting at 7.45pm.

Future meeting dates and agendas are available online or can be viewed on the village noticeboards, which are located near the entrance of the Co-op and at Barham Green. If you would like a specific topic discussed as an agenda item, please email the parish clerk. The agendas have to be published at least three clear working days before the meeting date, therefore any items received after this would have to be added to the next full council meeting.

Parish Clerk Jo Culley 07958 402335 / barhampc@outlook.com www.claydonandbarham.onesuffolk.net

Adult visits are free of charge and available for up to ten people. School visits are available for class sizes of up to 30 pupils. All visits are available Monday to Friday and include a presentation about waste in Suffolk and the energyfrom-waste process, a guided tour of the facility and a chance to have a look round our interactive visitor centre.

We’re on Twitter Did you know that Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility is on social media?

For more frequent facility updates, fun facts and handy tips about rubbish, recycling, and food waste, follow us on Twitter: @suffolkefw If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact us: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS To book a visit: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01934 524013

HENLEY PARISH COUNCIL Improvements and repairs to the play area by the community centre are now complete. A large number of posts and rails have been replaced as they were reaching the end of their useful life, and more significantly, two soft-closing gates have been installed.

Play area maintenance is startlingly expensive. Obviously it’s a specialist job and stringent safety standards have to be met; the materials used have to be of the proper specification. The bill for this round of repairs was about £5,500 (plus VAT, which the parish council can reclaim). The cost was defrayed by generous grants from our district and county councillors who each put in £2,000 from their locality budgets.

One reason for keeping the play area in the best possible condition is to make it as attractive a facility as possible. If parents and carers dropping their children at Henley Primary School are under pressure to visit the play area as often as possible, there’s a better chance they will use the safe and convenient community centre car park rather than clogging up Pond End, Pearson’s Place and the Ashbocking Road.

Suffolk County Council Highways team have now completed installation of parking restriction yellow lines and signage on both sides of the road by the school. This is an enforceable no-parking zone. Visitors to the school are urged to respect this legal obligation and to use the community centre car park.

Junior traffic wardens at the school have already been heard loudly shaming their chauffeurs for illegal parking, and the school generally is in full support

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of the campaign to use the car park. The short walk to and from the school is safe and healthy; and looking out of the window this morning as I write, it isn’t even grey, cold and murky!

It’s not safe to park on Ashbocking Road outside the school and it’s now illegal as well; please encourage drivers not to move the parking problem to neighbouring streets but to take advantage of the car park – and enjoy the play area while they’re there!

The next scheduled parish council meeting is on Tuesday 12 May – which is also the annual parish meeting at which local organisations are encouraged to submit reports on their activities over the year. Please send reports to the clerk and use the opportunity to show off about your successes and to recruit more supporters.

You can find our privacy notice on the Henley website. If you have any questions about anything to do with the parish council, don’t hesitate to contact us.

If you are not on our village email list and would like to be, send a simple request to henleyparishcouncil@gmail.com or rodcaird@yahoo.co.uk and we will sort it out.

Don’t forget to keep an eye from time to time on our own website where we publish all sorts of useful (we hope!) information and contacts.

Parish Council Clerk Rod Caird: 07785 331217 www.henley.onesuffolk.net

In Touch online:

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Friday 3rd – Thursday 9th April ONWARD (U)

Fri 3rd: 4.30, Sat 4th: 1.00, Sun 5th: 4.30 Mon 6th – Thurs 9th: 1.00

MISBEHAVIOUR (12A)

Fri 3rd – Mon 6th: 7.00, Thurs 9th: 7.00

MILITARY WIVES (12A) Sat 4th: 4.00, Mon 6th: 4.00 Thurs 9th: 4.00

Friday 10th – Thursday 16th April

The Regal is now closed for our £3.6m redevelopment project and is planned to re-open in December 2020.

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Launch Day: Thursday 2nd April 1917 (15) Thurs 2nd: 2.00

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01449 612825

Regal on the Road is at the John Peel Centre, Church Walk, IP14 1ET

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TROLLS WORLD TOUR (U) Fri 10th – Thurs 16th: 1.45 & 4.15

MY SPY (12A)

Fri 10th – Thurs 16th: 7.00

No films from 17th to 26th April to allow for the staging of Half a Sixpence

Monday 27th – Thursday 30th April MILITARY WIVES (12A) Mon 27th & Tues 28th: 1.00 Wed 29th: 7.15, Thurs 30th: 1.00

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT CLAYDON & BARHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE Sunday 5 April, 10am-noon: Table-top Sale in aid of Breast Cancer Care Tables are available for a donation of £10, to be booked and paid for in advance. Please contact Laura Payne on 07428 745342 or Facebook or email: martin_la@live.com If you don’t wish to run a table, we are taking donations of items for sale and for the raffle. If you would like us to collect any donations please contact Laura, or drop the items off at the community centre marked for the Breast Cancer Care event.

Saturday 11 April, 10am-2pm: Easter Family Craft Fayre Presented by The Bus Shelter Ipswich with craft stalls, games, good quality pre-loved items and the Easter Bunny!

Saturday 25 April, 7.30-11.30pm: Karaoke with PADMAN Tickets are only £3 and available from the community centre or Sylvan Padmore.

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) The community centre is proud to present a VE Day event on Bank Holiday Friday 8 May from 7.30pm. When VE Day dawns on May 8 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe. Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end. Millions of people took to the streets to celebrate peace, mourn the loss of their loved ones and to hope for peace in the future.

To commemorate this important date we invite you all to come together with us to remember and reflect on the enormous sacrifice made by so many.

Please let us know if you plan to attend and, if possible, bring some food to share and a raffle prize. The evening will have a street party theme with music and laughter and an opportunity to sing-a-long with friends and neighbours.

Entry is free but tickets (available from the community centre) are required for numbers. Message us on Facebook. We look forward to seeing you and sharing this very special moment in history.

If you like singing, dancing and acting you need to come to Whikidz!, a musical drama group for KS2 children.

We are a free club running after school on Mondays until 4.30pm at The Ascension Church, Larchcroft Road, Ipswich IP1 6AN. To find out more contact Becky 07956 788069 / whikidz1@gmail.com

CLAYDON & BARHAM VILLAGE HALL Dates for April Wednesday 1

Gipping School of Dance

5.15-8.30pm

Thursday 2

Silver Surfers Slimming World

11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 3

Gipping School of Dance

3.45-6pm

Saturday 4

Private Hire

9am-1pm

Sunday 5

Private Hire

9am-2pm

Mondays at 10am: Beginners’ Pilates Classes £9 per class when booked as a block or £11 pay as you go. Contact Kerry: 07854 979512 / info@keep-well.uk

Thursday 9

Sunshine Service Silver Surfers Slimming World

10am-noon 11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Mondays 6-6.45pm (term time): HIIT Booked online: www.bookwhen.com/abicise

Saturday 11

Private Hire

9am-1pm

Thursday 16

Silver Surfers Slimming World

11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Saturday 18

Private Hire

9am-1pm

Monday 20

Barham PC Meeting Claydon PC meeting

7-10pm 7.15-9.15pm

Wednesday 22

BMM AGM

7.30-10pm

Thursday 23

Young Families Silver Surfers Slimming World

9.30-11.30am 11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

REGULAR CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES

Claydon Karate Club Claydon Karate Club celebrates 33 years this month and is running beginners’ classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. Karate is making its debut at the Tokyo Summer Olympics and with its increased profile classes are likely to become extremely popular.

Martial arts can help you to defend and protect yourself but there are a great many of associated health and fitness benefits such as losing weight by burning calories and toning muscle, increasing stamina or improving posture and self-confidence, or improving mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Juniors (6-15years): 5-6pm / Seniors (15+): 6-7pm For more information or to book: 07771 583727 / thomasg33@hotmail.co.uk Thursday 6-7.30pm: Pendrill Dance freestyle dance class. Come along to learn freestyle, lyrical and commercial routines to current chart music.

We also do fitness, flexibility, Acro and freestyle practise for those who want to be a part of our competition squad. Enquiries to Abby: 07772 44987 Every Friday: Poker. Pop in at 8pm to chat with the organisers or message Chris (07909 524034) or Kevin (07932 769362).

The bar is open for the following weekly sessions: Monday 7-10pm: throughout the Short Mat Bowls Season Tuesday 7pm-midnight: Ladies darts, indoor carpet bowls, league pool Wednesday 7-11.30pm: Crib, Bingo and league pool Friday 7pm-12.30am: Money Box played at approximately 10pm Saturday 7pm-1am Sunday noon-4.30pm: Meat Draw at approximately 1.30pm

Friday 24 Moo Music 10am-noon Monday 27

Claydon PC APM

7.15-9.15pm

Thursday 30

Silver Surfers Slimming World

11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Please visit the Claydon and Barham website and use the online booking process. Follow the notes on the bookings page. If you have a problem please contact us via: cbvillagehall@btinternet.com / 01473 836972

Follow us on Instagram to keep up with all your local news: @mansionhousepublishing

01473 831805 / claydonandbcc@gmail.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

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OUT & ABOUT THE 2020 SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL Have you ever crafted in the wild, enjoyed baking over a campfire or foraged for a cream tea? If not, then this year’s Suffolk Walking Festival is for you!

NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE 2020 We are very excited to announce that this year’s raft race will be at Needham Lake on Sunday 28 June. The theme for 2020 is Back to the 80s.

Now is the time to start getting a team together and to put your entry in. Maybe you fancy designing a tribute to a classic band from that decade, styling yourselves in some incredible revived fashions or recreating an iconic film or TV show. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Come on down and boogie back to the 1980s with us!

Full information for entrants and anyone wishing to hold a stall (plus some great pictures from years gone by) can be found on our Facebook page and at: www.needhamraftraceblog.wordpress.com If you can’t find what you need, please contact us on 07534 948935 (Dan) or 07966 552295 (Jean).

The 13th Suffolk Walking Festival launches on Saturday 9 May with over 120 guided walks and countryside events over three weeks across the county.

This year also sees plenty of brand new events including Castle on the Hill celebrating Ed Sheeran’s favourite castle, a fun photography scavenger hunt in Orford and a spooky day head hunting in Ipswich.

The event finishes at the end of half-term week withplenty of family-friendly activities. Here are just a few events to whet your appetite.

A sell-out every year is Walk n’ Water, a short walk and boat trip along the River Stour in Sudbury with a free hot drink at the end. RSPB Minsmere is one of the most special places in Suffolk, famous around the world for its wildlife. Surprising Spring Wildlife shows off the site, introducing you to some of its iconic species. Another icon of Suffolk is Orford Ness and Walk with a Shepherd and a Sheepdog is a guided walk by Kite, the sheepdog who manages the island’s very own herd of sheep. It’s a very fun walk and a joy to watch Kite in action.

Campfire Make and Bake at Thornham Walks brushes up your whittling skills before making damper bread over an open fire in the woods. Family Wild Crafts at Brandon Country Park lets you get crafty in the woods as you collect natural materials such as sticks, leaves and rushes to make, and then keep, your creations. And The Nasty Normans at Clare Country Park is a fun take on the history of the Norman Conquests with an actor narrating the story as you’ve never heard before!

The festival kicks off at Clare Country Park on Saturday 9 May and runs for three weeks until 31 May. See the full programme and purchase tickets at: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE 2020 The annual Raft Race, we’re sure you’ll agree, is an exciting day out for the whole family.

There’re games and raffles, and raising awareness, groups making money in the spirit of fairness.

But let’s not forget what the day’s also about, We need lots of entries as well as people to shout.

Get a team of four, grab some of your ‘mateys’, dress you and your raft and ‘Step Back to the 80s’ There’s House Music, Dance, New Wave and Hip Hop, Thriller and Live Aid, and don’t forget Pop. Karate Kid’s Flashdance, Chucky’s Fatal Attraction, Top Guns Rocky and Rambo Die Hard to get action.

Log on to our website or find us on Facebook, the date, time and rules are there if you look.

Fancy Dress judging at 1.30 on June 28, races start prompt at 2, we’ll see you there soon.

If you can’t make a raft, sit down and ‘chillax’, come down to Needham Lake, cos Frankie says ‘Relax’.

Debbie Cadman

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BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS BMM’s production of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood in January was a great success, with sell-out audiences at each of the six performances.

Thank you to everyone who came along; we really appreciate all the support you give the group.

We are now thinking about January 2021. Suggestions for our next panto will be considered at the AGM on Wednesday 22 April at 7.30pm in Claydon and Barham Village Hall.

Do come along if you would like to find out more about our future plans – your views are welcome. For more details email Vera Rogers: vera.rogers1@btinternet.com

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9TH TO 31ST MAY THE SUFFOLK

WALKING

FESTIVAL 2020

OVER 120WALKS AND EVENTS www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5 Town/village 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F 5G 5H 5I 5J 5K

Location

Time

Sproughton Church Lane 9.10-9.25am Sproughton Wild Man 9.30-9.45am Bramford St Mary’s Close 9.50-10.05am Bramford Paper Mill Lane 10.10-10.25am Great Blakenham Chequers 10.35-10.55am Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park 11-11.15am Baylham Post Box 11.25-11.45am Claydon Crown 11.55am-1pm Claydon, Edinburgh Gardens 2.05-2.20pm Barham Bacon Road 2.25-3.50pm Bramford Packard Place 4-4.30pm

2020: 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 30 June, 28 July, 25 August, 22 September, 20 October, 17 November, 15 December

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 13 Route 13 Town/village 13A 13B 13C 13D 13E 13F 13G 13H 13I 13J 13K 13L 13M

Location

Crowfield Lay by Coddenham Haysel House Barham Sorrel Horse Creeting St Mary Whissels Farm Creeting St Mary Village Hall Creeting St Peter The Lane Earl Stonham Village Hall Little Stonham Church Little Stonham Magpie Inn Mickfield Church, Debenham Road Stonham Aspal, Walnut Tree Meadow Pettaugh Old Bull Henley Garage

Time 9.25-09.45am 9.55-10.50am 11-11.10am 11.20-11.30am 11.35-11.45am 11.55am-12.10pm 12.20-12.50pm 2-2.10pm 2.15-2.25pm 2.30-2.45pm 2.55-3.30pm 3.35-3.55pm 4.05-4.30pm

2020: 17 April, 15 May, 12 June, 10 July, 7 August, 4 September, 2 October, 30 October, 27 November, no visit in December

HENLEY SENIOR CITIZENS Firstly, Christine (Tommy), apologies for the error in our last report where you were classed as a ‘male’. This occurred in the editing and printing and we are very sorry.

At the last two meetings we welcomed back two of our former members and two new ladies who we hope will continue to join us.

We are always looking for new members. You don’t have to live in Henley and we meet every two weeks from 2-4pm in the Lounge Bar at the community centre. We would particularly like to encourage ‘younger seniors’, male and female, to join us as we realise that although we are all still active and very friendly, unfortunately we are becoming an ‘aged club’.

Apologies from me too Tommy, Sharon (editor)

BELSTEAD VILLAGE MONTHLY MARKETS A market takes place in Belstead Village Hall from 9.30am-12.30pm on the first Saturday of every month from March till December to raise vital funds to support the upkeep of the village hall.

With an extensive range of tables, a raffle and refreshments, the market is the perfect place to meet with friends for a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake while supporting this essential local amenity. You can also support our chosen charity at a table laden with homemade goodies for sale.

If you can sew, make or create and would like to hire a table (£10) please contact: 07981 335859 / market@belsteadvillage.co.uk Belstead Village Hall, Grove Hill, Belstead IP8 3LU

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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM CINEMA HENLEY WI Lowland rescue and hi jinks at the annual meeting Led by Sarah Dennison, members of Suffolk Lowland Rescue team joined us at Henley Community Centre on February 20. This was a thrillingly interesting talk about the work they do at the behest of the police alongside the other emergency services and Suffolk Accident Rescue Service in cases of missing persons. The dedication and enthusiasm of the team shone through the presentation and their professionalism belies the fact that they are entirely funded by donations.

Early in March members of Henley WI attended the Suffolk East Federation Annual Meeting at Trinity Park. This is always a highlight of the local WI calendar and this year’s event was a particularly entertaining one, with talks about the new Carlton Marshes Suffolk Wildlife Reserve near Lowestoft, the life of women in the armed forces and a brilliant talk by Paralympian Danny Crates. Henley member Pam Neesam was presented with a lovely planter as thanks for serving for many years on the SEFWI Combined Arts Committee.

Crafts and produce from Country Markets was on sale in the barn and donations could be made to the Associated Country Women of the World, the largest organisation of its type in the world, which funds self-help projects for women around the globe. It was also an opportunity for friends from different WIs to catch up with one another.

Several of the organisers of the Sleep Out Suffolk camping event, the first event of its type to take place in Suffolk, scheduled for June 2020, met over the lunchbreak and found out that most of us are not very good at taking a group selfie, but we giggled a lot trying!

Prospective members of any age interested in finding out more about the WI are welcome at our meetings and light refreshments are included at a cost of £4 for visitors. We meet at Henley Community Centre at 7.30pm.

BRAMFORD ART GROUP We are currently looking for more people to join our group which meets every Wednesday from 9.30am to noon in Loraine Hall, Ship Lane, Bramford.

For further information contact Ann Woolnough: 01473 743794

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB Open to anyone of that age living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area, we meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 2-4pm. The £2 attendance fee includes the raffle and refreshments, and £1 extra when we have a game of bingo.

We had a very enjoyable visit at one of our February meetings from a volunteer of the National Trust who gave a presentation about Ickworth and the nearby village of Horringer during the First World War. A lot of research had been undertaken by a group of volunteers and they were able to piece together things like the number of indoor and outdoor staff who had been employed on the estate and the difference it made when they went to France. It proved a most interesting afternoon.

Our meetings in April are: April 8: An Easter themed afternoon including a yellow raffle April 22: A social afternoon New members are always welcome so if you would like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

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April brings Downton Abbey (PG) and I can’t wait to see this one and all those beautiful costumes. The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England will unleash scandal, romance and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance. Hopefully it will live up to its 94 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes film review website.

Thank you to all 27 of you who came along in February. With your kind donations for cakes we managed to raise £30 for Suffolk Artlink.

If you would like to help support the cinema by donating raffle prizes, baking cakes, displaying a poster, helping set up and clear the chairs, or maybe your company would like to sponsor us, we would love to hear from you.

It’s useful to have an idea of numbers in advance so let us know via Facebook or email if you plan to attend. While we can get more chairs out we would hate to run out of cake!

Facebook: Greatblakenhamcinema E: greatblakenhamcinema@outlook.com

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES GROUPS Knitting Group Meets at Alasdair Place on the first Thursday of the month from 10.30am to noon. The group has been knitting blankets, jackets and hats for the premature baby unit at Ipswich Hospital and 100 knitted chicks have been sent to St Francis Hospice. Their knitting needles are always busy for good causes. If anyone has any wool they no longer require and would like to donate it to the group it will be gratefully accepted at any of the meetings.

Meet & Eat Lunch Club Meets at Great Blakenham Parish Room at noon on the first Friday of the month. A two-course lunch is served at a cost of £4, with optional raffle. This group is very popular with new members attending and meeting new friends.

If you would like to attend but requires a lift, any of the following will be pleased to offer: Wendy – 846642; Ann – 831031; Pauline – 830723; Dorothy – 830906.

Walk & Talk Group Sue Edwards has kindly taken over the group from The Rev Carl. The group will continue to meet on the second Thursday of the month and will walk around local paths and bridleways and further afield. If you would like details of the April walk, please text Sue: 07745 839309 Book Club Meets on the last Thursday of the month at 10.30am in The Crown (Hungry Horse) for an interesting discussion on the chosen book.

Gipping Valley Art Society Meets every Tuesday afternoon from 1-4pm in Great Blakenham Parish Room. This month we are looking forward to a demonstration by Tony Osler, a local watercolour artist. If anyone is interested in joining the group please contact Ann (831031) or Margaret (830135).

If anyone is interested in joining any of the groups please go along to one of the meetings or phone the relevant numbers for more details.

BRAMFORD TREFOIL GUILD We will meet in the Guide and Scout Headquarters, Ship Lane, on Monday 6 April at 2pm when Mick Lowe will tell us all about protecting our properties from fire.

If you would like to hear more about fire safety, or just wish to enjoy our company, you are very welcome to come along.

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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB BRAMFORD WI This next month is going to be an interesting one. As the second Monday comes on Easter Monday, it has been decided that we won’t meet that evening.

We are hosting the Millbrook group at the Loraine Victory Hall on Wednesday 29 April. For catering purposes we need to know in advance if you plan to attend. The subject of the evening is When Buffalo Bill came to Suffolk.

Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area, we meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room every Monday from 2-4pm. The cost is £2 per week to include workshop materials, raffle prizes and refreshments.

Our Forever Flowerz workshop in March involved decorating an MDF frame and a small plaque, incorporating flowers made from a kit as decoration. Our photo shows some of the finished items and, as you will see, no two are alike.

There is to be a Home for Tea gathering at the home of Beryl Sims on Tuesday 7 April, 10am-noon.

All the WI information and magazines will be available.

HENLEY MOTHERS’ UNION Our recent evening meeting was thought-provoking and very appropriate as we go through Lent using the Diocese Environmental Lent Challenge. Richard Stainer brought to life some of the issues facing Ethiopian families from his visit with Christian Aid. Hearing how the change in the climate is affecting the water table level, causing more frequent droughts and devastating erosion when the rain comes. He relayed to us their feelings that the developed countries care only to prosper at the determent to others through climate change. It was good to see how the water storage tanks that had been built were benefitting the villages.

Projects such as introducing better cooking stoves to enable more efficient cooking (with less smoke) is giving women the opportunity to have an income.

On average a woman would have been spending 24 hours a week collecting wood to enable her to cook for her family. Could you imagine walking and carrying wood for such a huge part of the week just to cook a hot meal? Our thanks go to Cathy for hosting the evening, her creative ‘creation’ worship and refreshments.

The cake sale on 3 March brought in the wonderful result of £121.15, which is brilliant. Thank you to everyone who baked, bought, delivered, donated, set-up and helped.

The Lady Day & Commissioning Service takes place at St Andrew’s Rushmere on 25 March. I am writing this during uncertain times when planning something doesn’t necessarily mean it will go ahead, but I am still looking forward to it and hope to attend. With God’s guidance may we be able to help and support one another, take care of our neighbours and keep in contact with friends and family further afield.

Alex Pratt

ORWELL PROBUS CLUB We meet for lunch at Ipswich Sports Club on Henley Road on the second Thursday of each month and usually a speaker entertains us afterwards.

Probus clubs provide an opportunity for active retired or semi-retired gentlemen to attend regular meetings and enjoy the camaraderie of likeminded people who appreciate similar interests. We have social events, outings and holidays which, of course, include spouses, partners and friends.

If you think Orwell Probus Club could be for you, please contact Chris Flint, for further details: 01473 226996 / mailto@1878.me.uk

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April 6 Birds, Butterflies and Flowers May 4 Have a go at Bargello June 1 Prick and Stitch for Men July 6 The Vintage Look August 3 Sewing/Paper Mash-Up September 7 Wobble Wobble October 5 Christmas Tableware November 2 Christmas Card Medley December 7 AGM With the recent influx of new members we are at capacity with 25 members so I cannot currently accommodate anyone else. However, I will happily place your name on a waiting list if you are interested in joining.

For further information please get in touch with Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

RIVER GIPPING TRUST We have been granted planning permission for the new footbridge across the River Gipping just above Baylham. This now means we can embark on a £25,000 fundraising appeal to purchase the bridge components and install it with our own volunteer workforce. The bridge will sit on top of existing 230-year-old brick abutments, be two metres wide and of hard wood construction.

When complete, it will mean that people who regularly walk the Gipping Trail will avoid a two kilometre detour away from the river. The old footpath alongside the railway line is often impassable in the winter due to flooding and overgrown with weeds in summer.

Over the last few weeks volunteers have been clearing up fallen trees and removing river flow restrictions after the floods between Needham Market and Baylham, and collecting litter alongside the river that has often been washed down with the high river levels and fast flowing water. In one day we picked up over a dozen footballs! Where do they all come from?

Our AGM is on Friday 22 May in Needham Market Community Centre at 7.30pm. We are hoping Dan Porter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, will be our guest speaker. All are welcome, refreshments available.

Trust volunteers continue to meet up every Wednesday either at Pipps Ford or Baylham, and we would very much welcome new volunteers and members.

For more information on volunteering or joining, please email me at: ian@rivergippingtrust.org Restoration Manager Ian Petchey

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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our talks cover a broad spectrum of art and are delivered within a relaxed and welcoming environment. If you would like to know more, please come and meet us. We are always happy to welcome new people.

The guest speaker on 4 March was Shawn Kholucy who beautifully illustrated what motivated the architect and designer R R Ashbee. We next meet on Wednesday 1 April when Jennifer Toynbee-Holmes will talk about The Holland Park Circle, Victorian painters, sculptors and architects living in Holland Park. Jennifer, an experienced guide at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, had a long-standing career as a television producer/director making documentaries and factual programmes for BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU on the first Wednesday of most months. Meetings begin at 2pm and last about an hour, with refreshments available from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have available space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 so please contact Wendy Robbins in advance to check if there is available space: 01394 823807 For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

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IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY The meeting scheduled for Wednesday 22 April has been cancelled. Please visit the website or see next month’s edition of In Touch for an update.

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

SOMERSHAM & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Claire Muckleston from Bourne Garden Centre will be our guest speaker on Monday 6 April.

We meet at Offton and Willisham Village Hall at 7.30pm.

If you would like to come along, we would be pleased to see you.

For further information please call 01473 254941/830600.

Christine Barrell

@InTouchEast

BOSWELL OFFICE SUPPLIES – WE KNOW OUR BUSINESS AND YOURS In a global marketplace isn’t it good to know there’s a local supplier with a long history which has not only survived in an increasingly competitive industry, but has secured its place as a preferred supplier based on quality of service and value for money.

Boswell Office Supplies has a long history and still operates out of Ipswich as part of Mansion House Group. Led by Jon Emerson (pictured left), the current team of four has nigh on 100 years of industry insight and knowledge which customers can access.

“Knowledge is everything in this industry,” explains Jon. “Because we know our product range intimately we can quickly identify what our customers need and provide solutions when a specific need exists.

For example, we don’t just deliver office furniture – we can put it together too!”

In fact the very term ‘office supplies’ is somewhat inadequate to describe what Boswell can offer. Of course they provide every variation of every office product you can envision, from paperclips to chairs, but the product range has expanded in recent years to include furniture, shredders, print consumables, first aid kits, arts and crafts supplies, clothing, computer software, cleaning materials and equipment, even catering supplies.

If it’s something you need in your office, village hall, community centre, sports club or school, you’ll probably find it at Bowell Office Supplies.

“We relish the opportunity to find the best products for customers,” says Jon who runs the office with Mark (pictured right). “Not many people understand our passion for office products. In fact we talk in code a lot of the time, using reference numbers we’ve stored in our memories over many years. ”

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

Jon and Mark are always available to take calls but more and more customers order online, a simple process once an account has been set up. It’s easy to find specific products on the website where special offers are regularly highlighted.

As part of Mansion House Group, which also includes Mansion House Publishing, Colourplan Print and Musical Marketing, Boswell can provide a range of additional add-on services including a full print service, advertising in any one of several regular publications and a range of online/social media marketing options.

“We are stronger and more competitive as a group,” explains Jon. “Many of our customers come to us for a mix of products or services, knowing we have their best interests at heart but also because it’s easier, quicker and cheaper to deal with a single supplier. Many Colourplan Print customers have become Boswell customers and vice versa. Trust is key to our success and the fact that Andy, our main delivery driver, and Nick, our field sales operative, are well-liked and knowledgeable doesn’t hurt either.”

So whether you need a regular supply of essential products, clothing or office furniture for new staff, first aid kits for staff on the move or any one of the thousands of products Jon and this team can source on your behalf, check out the website or give the office a call if you have a specific enquiry.

“Buy locally, use our local knowledge and get your office supplies delivered right into your office or school,” says Jon. “We are good at what we do because we love what we do. For us it’s personal and that’s why so many of our customers have been with us for many years. We look forward to working with you too.” www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk 01473 212000 / officesupplies@boswell.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB 1 NEEDHAM MARKET & BARKING GUIDES ST

Would you like to join our group and make new friends?

We meet every Tuesday night in Needham Market. The girls’ favourite club night activities include cooking, crafts and games. At other times, we go camping, have outings and take part in the Remembrance Parade. In 2020, we have plans to go to Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth and have a three-day camp at Eaton Vale, Norwich booked for July.

This month’s meeting is on Wednesday 22 April at Woolpit Village Hall at 7.30pm. Why not come along and learn how to do something new as four of our talented members show how to make stunning arrangements in four different designs?

We welcome visitors and new members to every meeting. Annual membership is £30 but if you just want to see what we do, visitors pay just £6 per meeting. We look forward to seeing you there.

“Going to guides every week is really fun. I especially enjoy doing crafts there.

I also enjoy going to camps and meeting up with the other girls as they are all really nice.” Poppy Going to guides is a great way for people aged 10-14 to spend time with their friends. Our current members include girls at Bosmere, Stowmarket HS, Stowupland HS, Claydon HS and Debenham HS. If you and your friends are about to go to different high schools, then this is a great way to spend time together.

Girlguiding opens up lots of opportunities. The badge work covers topics such as food and drink, communication and life skills. Our camping activities include water sports, grass sledging and climbing. In Needham, we also have rainbows and brownies units for younger members. All the contact details are below.

Guides (10-14): Samantha Rowland: 07725 018909 / sldrdog@hotmail.co.uk Brownies (7-10): Carly Otton: carly.otton@gmail.com Rainbows (5-7): Kirstie-Lou Cole: 07712 445954 / kirstie1989@hotmail.co.uk

IPSWICH 102 – 40,000 LISTENERS CAN’T BE WRONG Local commercial radio has changed significantly in recent years. National networks have emerged and programmes are beamed in from afar on what were previously local frequencies, but Ipswich is bucking the trend.

When in summer 2018 the regulator (OFCOM) awarded the local Ipswich licence to Ipswich 102 (to take over from the existing operator) work started within days to create the local radio station Ipswich deserved.

Paul Morris (formerly of SGR, Heart and Town) was appointed station manager and began to assemble a team of presenters, journalists and commercial staff, along with finding a suitable location to base a radio station. Inside two months Ipswich 102 had launched programmes on DAB digital radio and then in October they also began broadcasting on FM. The vision behind Ipswich 102 is simple – great music and information for the community, from the community and with the community. All programmes are broadcast from Ipswich, with a mix of new and experienced staff. Indeed two legends from the days of Radio Orwell – Nigel Rennie and Patrick Eade (pictured) – present Solid Gold Sunday on the station every weekend.

Ipswich 102 supports local organisations and charities, working with St Elizabeth Hospice, Inspire Suffolk and Fresh Start, New Beginnings in their first year, and in 2020 you’ll see them at the Midnight Walk, Ipswich Music Day and many other local events.

Reaction from listeners and advertisers has been overwhelmingly positive and with nearly 40,000 people tuning in every week Ipswich 102 is proving that proper local radio is still liked and much loved in Suffolk.

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CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB Our February 100 Club draw took place on 2 March. The winners were: 1: Brian Amass (46) 2: Pat Gibson (13) 3: Steven Bean (16) Thanks to your support, £18.50 was donated to the pre-school. Half of all money given for the 100 club goes to the pre-school and the other half is paid out in winnings. Membership is just £1 a month. You don’t need to have a child at the pre-school to be a member. Membership forms are available from the office or by email.

Thank you to all those lovely people who continue to support us. We are very grateful.

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL Spring is now upon us and it’s good to see so many students taking advantage of lunchtime and after-school clubs as well as the many trips, visits and activities on offer.

Experiencing live theatre is vital in the study of drama and a key component for those students who go on to study it at GCSE as it aids their understanding of a wide variety of skills and performance styles. We have three theatre trips planned, including Year 10 and 11 English students visiting the Globe to see Macbeth. This will be a valuable addition to students’ studies in their English lessons too as it will coincide with our Year 11 curriculum.

We have had three maths competition events this month as well as a visit by students from the Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria Alixar on the return leg of our Spanish exchange programme. We will update you further with the results of these activities in the next edition.

Time is flying by and we are nearly into the Easter holidays with only one more term left in this academic year. Our Year 11 students are revising hard for the final stage of their journey at Claydon High School.

As we move towards lighter evenings, please note that the path which runs between Claydon High School and Claydon Primary School is not a public right of way and is only to be used by students and parents/carers at specific times of the day. No part of the school site should be accessed by local members of the community at any point during the week or over weekends. In particular, when Gipping Valley Archery Club use the site on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, ‘no access’ signs are posted but I have been advised that these have been ignored and I need to stress the need to follow all of the signage on the school site.

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Tuesday 5 May. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, to book a place: 01473 836110 Headteacher Maéve Taylor

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SCHOOLS / SPORT CLAYDON AND BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES

CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL NURSERY

Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 29 years. We welcome mums, dads, carers and grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five.

Entry is just £1.50 per family and it’s a great opportunity to meet others with pre-school children or babies. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there. There is also a prize draw for the children.

Are you the parent/carer of a child born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017?

If so, you may wish to consider applying for places in our nursery for September 2020.

We will meet at Claydon and Barham Village Hall from 9.30-11.30am on April 23. Why not come along and join in the fun?

For many years, Claydon Primary School has had its own nursery class and from September 2019 we expanded our provision to open for full days.

This has enabled us to fulfil a local need for nursery provision and we can take more children for their 15-hour provision and also offer families the opportunity to take advantage of the 30-hour funding with children being able to attend for full days.

For more information contact me on 01473 833788.

Application forms are available from the school; the closing date is 1 May.

Michelle

Watch out for more information about the opportunity to visit our nursery later in the school year.

This month we would like to wish a happy birthday to Oliver.

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL I can’t believe that we approaching the end of the spring term already, but we are all really grateful to have the lighter nights to look forward to. We have enjoyed seeing all the lovely costumes that the children wore for our World Book Day dress-up week. We will also be holding a Stay and Play week for parents/carers to come in and spend an hour playing with their child.

Our annual fundraising quiz and curry night sold out and we raised a fantastic £1,400. This money provides a trip to Jimmy’s Farm as well as new resources.

The children are all very excited about our planned trip to Easton Farm Park on Thursday 7 May. They will have the opportunity to travel by coach and have lots of things to do and animals to see while they are there.

Stay and Play was well supported once again, providing a great opportunity for parents and carers to see their child learning through play.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Chocolate Bingo Night in February, and especially to Claydon & Barham Community Centre for donating free use of the hall. We raised just over £580 which will be used to help revamp our garden.

We are busy enhancing our outside area by providing lots of ‘loose parts’ to encourage imagination and creativity. We have also planted seeds in the garden, been on egg hunts, had cooking and craft activities and visited the local church to learn about Easter.

Easter Eggstravaganza – Thursday 2 April from 3pm Everyone is welcome with free admission. There will be some stalls, an Easter Hunt, refreshments, songs and the pre-school children will be doing their homemade bonnet parade. Come along if you can, we would love to see you.

Don’t forget to book spaces for the Easter and summer holidays. From the Easter holidays we will be able to take children until the end of Year 1 for school holidays so book your spaces now, subject to availability. If you would like to book any days during the holidays, please contact the administration assistant for more details.

We can take children who are entitled to 30 hours funding. Simply register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible. You must receive your code the term before you want to use the hours.

If you would like an application form or any further information please contact Lisa Read: Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ / 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL

We currently have limited afternoon spaces available. Applications for September can be downloaded from our website and must be filled in as soon as possible to ensure you get the sessions you require. Please feel welcome to visit us at Henley Community Centre during opening hours so you can see the children play.

We accept eligible 30-hour funded children; these codes need to be in place the term before they are needed. The pre-school is registered with Tax-Free Childcare (for every £8 a parent pays into their childcare service account, they will pay in £2). Children can join us from the age of two and we accept government funded and fee paying children. We are open term time only from 9am-3pm.

We have a well-supported Facebook page where you will find lots of additional information and see what the children have been doing. It’s also another way to contact the setting directly.

For further information please call 07979 468467 during session time (9am-3pm) or email our manager, Bridget Wyatt: enquiries@henleypreschool.com Bridget, Sarah and Kerry

SOMERSHAM CHILDREN’S TENNIS RESTARTS Children’s tennis begins on Monday 20 April with ages 4-7 playing from 5-5.45pm and ages seven plus from 5.45-6.30pm.

All welcome at £2.50 per session. Enquiries to Mrs Pearson on 01473 831436.

The courts are in the back corner of Somersham Playing Field, Main Road, Lower Somersham, Ipswich IP8 4PD.

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS TALES FROM THE 19TH HOLE Our first outing of 2020 was a trip to Ufford Park Golf Club, the course playing remarkably well despite the recent storms and seemingly constant rain since last autumn. While dry, the challenge was a very strong wind; although adding good distance when blowing at our backs, it made for some very long holes when facing the bluster. The temperature got chillier as the day wore on and by the end of the round a warm clubhouse was greatly welcomed.

Recently retired Steve Brock confessed that he hadn’t been practising his golf as much as he’d planned. Instead he’d discovered the joys of daytime TV; not so much This Morning or Loose Women, but more so a channel showing movies from yesteryear. One film from the 1950s he’d stumbled upon was A Day to Remember which is set in Boulogne. Although the story was nothing to write home about, he confirmed that the scenery we witness on our annual golf tours has changed little in 70 years.

Mike had recently sustained a rib injury and was unsure how much of the round he would be able to manage. However, he played through the pain barrier and completed the full 18 holes. His patience was wearing towards the latter stages and he couldn’t appreciate the joys of the picturesque mini waterfall feature that has replaced the overgrown scrub on the 16th hole. This natural automated ball cleaner was no consolation, although he did manage to chip and putt to secure a par. Darryn Nunn did even better with a birdie two and narrowly missed out on a hole-in-one by all accounts. This eventful hole also saw Steve clear the large pond between tee and green, but unluckily hit a marker post, projecting his ball straight back into the drink.

The ‘Nearest the Pin’ 10th was a tough challenge with the wind blowing against and sideways. Only one ball finished on the green all day, with Tim Clarke showing great skill to win the prize. Brian Shaw won the longest drive with a similarly directional wind requiring equal dexterity to keep the ball on the fairway.

Despite the best individual score of the day Tim could only help teammates Grahame and Paul into second place with 61 points, even after adjustments were made to reflect their disadvantage of being a smaller team than others.

Brian, Darryn, Scott and Steve won on 71 points.

For the record, individual scores where: Tim 29, Brian 27, Steve 26, Scott 25, Paul C and Shaun 24, Keith 22, Peter 21, Grahame, Mike 18 and Darryn 15.

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Indoor bowling at the Meadlands is now coming to an end and once again Needham Market BC has provided more bowlers than any other club. Thanks go to all the captains of the teams for their work in providing competition for our bowlers.

The opening drive will be on Sunday 19 April at 2pm (refreshment is an American tea) and Stowmarket League matches start on Monday 20 April.

Last year was a good year and I hope you all enjoy your bowling again this year.

Last year we played our club pairs and triples competitions over the season rather than having finals days. This year we are going back to having final days and as well as pairs and triples, Brian Locksmith is running a singles competition. Please add your names to the list if you are interested in playing.

The winter socials have now finished and dates for summer events have yet to be decided. There will be emails from Pat Hadden as well as further In Touch articles with details.

The green is looking really good thanks as usual to the hard work of the green team. You will notice that the edges have been raised and a new support installed to prevent bowls rolling down the slope and into the ditch. This and improvements to the clubhouse, which is ongoing, have been made thanks to a grant from the club and institute, so thanks go to their committee.

WHO MOVED THE STONE? While I was down at the church recently I had a visit from a couple of gas engineers. They were in the process of finding out what was causing low gas pressure as residents in the area had reported the issue. They needed to locate where the problem was and to do so they were investigating who was being affected. The church was unaffected and so that enabled the engineers to further narrow down where the fault was. It wasn’t long after their visit that traffic lights were set up so work could commence to make the necessary repairs.

Three days after the death of Jesus it was reported by the women who had gone to the tomb that the stone had been rolled away and the body wasn’t there. That an angel had told them, “He is not here, He has risen, just as He said”. Peter and John ran to investigate what they had been told. They found it just as the women had said and believed.

While the women told what they had seen to the disciples, the guards filed their report to the religious leaders in the city. They had been given the task of guarding the tomb as those in authority were told that Jesus had said, “After three days I will rise again”. The guards were given a large sum of money and instructed to say that the disciples had stolen the body during the night while they were asleep.

Here we have two reports saying the same thing; that the body of Jesus is no longer in the tomb. The difference is how the body came to be missing. Had the disciples stolen the body at night while the guards slept? If so the guards would be in serious danger of losing not only their jobs, but also their lives. Or had Jesus indeed risen from the dead as He said He would and as the angels told the women?

The report has been filed that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. Will you, like the gas engineers, begin to investigate the report and do whatever is necessary to find out the truth of the matter?

WEEKLY EVENTS Monday Fortnightly: Little Owls Toddler Group, 10am-noon Tuesday: Weekly Prayer Meeting, 7.30-8.30pm Wednesday: Coffee Morning, 10am-noon; all welcome Thursday: Home Group, 10-11.45am Friday: Children’s Club (primary school age), 6.30-7.30pm Sunday Morning Service: 10.45am-noon For more information contact Michael: 01473 839785 / admin@blakenhambaptist.org.uk www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk

Meet and greet days will be held on May 2 and 9 at 10.30am. Anyone who would like to try bowling can just turn up, talk to members and enjoy tea/ coffee and a biscuit. Bowls will be provided. It really is a sport for all ages but is especially suited to the older active person.

To discuss any aspect of NMBC, contact either Alistair Bailie (01449 720759) or Pat Hadden (01473 831308).

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

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CHURCH NEWS THE CLAYDON GROUP OF CHURCHES The Church of England in Claydon and Barham, Henley and Great Blakenham We offer you a warm welcome to all our events and services.

For enquiries about baptisms, weddings and funerals contact: The Rev Cathy Austin (01473 830100) or The Rev Diane Williams, Rural Dean (01449 720316) Services in April Henley Church: every Sunday at 9.30am Barham Church: every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church: every Sunday at 11am Sunday 5 April: Palm Sunday 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion 10am Morning Worship 11am family@blakenham 4.30pm families@4.30

Barham Church Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Barham Church

HOLY WEEK SERVICES Monday 6 April: Holy Monday 10am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church 9pm Compline Gt Blakenham Church Tuesday 7 April: Holy Tuesday 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 7.30pm Stations of the Cross Barham Church 9pm Compline Barham Church Wednesday 8 April: Holy Wednesday 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 9pm Compline Henley Church Thursday 9 April: Maundy Thursday 6pm Agape Meal 8pm Holy Communion and Vigil

GB Parish Room Gt Blakenham Church

Friday 10 April: Good Friday 9.30am Children’s Workshop 10am Children’s Workshop 3pm Hour at the Cross 7pm Words, Wonder, Worship

Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Henley Church

Saturday 11 April: Holy Saturday 8pm Easter Vigil

Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday 12 April: Easter Day 9.30am All-Age Holy Communion 10am All-Age Holy Communion 11am All-Age Holy Communion

Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday 19 April: 2nd Sunday of Easter 10am Benefice Service Henley Church

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Sunday 26 April: 3rd Sunday of Easter 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Café Church Henley Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church 6.30pm Evensong Henley Church Sunday 3 May: 4th Sunday of Easter 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Holy Communion Henley Church 10am Morning Worship Barham Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church 4.30pm families@4.30 Barham Church Further services can be found at: www.claydonchurches.com NEWS families@4.30: Our congregation for families and young people, meeting on the first Sunday of the month at Barham Church. The next session is on Sunday 5 April when the theme will be Easter. Please help us with planning and catering by emailing rogercolthorpe@aol.com with numbers and any special dietary requirements. In March we had 24 children plus adults. All are welcome!

Community Activities Groups: See page 13 Great Blakenham Easter Fayre: Saturday 4 April, 10am-noon at Gt Blakenham Parish Room. Crafts, art, cakes, raffle, tombola and more. This is combined with the coffee morning this month.

Visiting: If you or anyone you know would like a visit from a member of our pastoral team, please get in touch. This might be at home or in hospital.

OTHER EVENTS April 10: Good Friday at Barham with children’s workshops and hot cross buns for all.

April 25: St George’s Event, 7pm at Gt Blakenham Parish Room April 27: Monthly Meet-up, 10am at Henley Vestry June 27: Barham Hall Band Concert; tickets now on sale at the early purchase discount price of £12 each from 5 Phillipps Road, Barham.

HALL BOOKINGS Barham Church Hall: Zoe Groom – 831804 Gt Blakenham Parish Room: Reg Barton – 839958 Henley Church Vestry: Margaret Gerrard – 831463 Find us on Facebook and Twitter by searching ‘The Claydon Group of Churches’. www.claydonchurches.com

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