In Touch News with Claydon January 2020

In Touch

™© ™©

with Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton Rural Volume 10 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2020

Fabulous Frosty Mornings by Sheila Sawers

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

I am utterly addicted to and obsessed by Leonard Cohen, so you can imagine how excited I was to discover a new album was to be released three years after his death. Thanks for the Dance has been arranged by Leonard’s son Adam and features various collaborators and previously unheard material. Every line is a masterpiece, all the more poignant because it was written and recorded when he was “Waiting for the miracle to come”. Death and dying have always been key themes of his work, but is it fair to refer to the man who said “The older I get, the surer I am that I’m not running the show” as ‘the grandfather of gloom’?

I go to one or other of his albums for inspiration, comfort, reassurance, hope and even humour. Tonight Will Be Fine always makes me smile: Sometimes I find I get to thinking of the past.

We swore to each other then that our love would surely last.

You kept right on loving, I went on a fast, Now I am too thin and your love is too vast.

And the ultimate love song must surely be If I Didn’t Have Your Love: If the sun would lose its light And we lived an endless night And there was nothing left That you could feel That’s how it would be My life would seem to me If I didn’t have your love To make it real I can’t imagine a world without music (it doesn’t have to be Leonard Cohen all the time), but for others it might be art or theatre, movies or even long walks in the countryside which provide the indefinable something which makes life better. Whatever it may be, I hope you find time and space to indulge in it this year. Maybe we can help you find it if you haven’t already!

And when you’re having a bad day…

“Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.”

Leonard Cohen

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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

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 • Shotley, 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 • Westerfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall

POPPY APPEAL 2019 I just wanted a say a huge thank you to everyone who helped collect or donated towards last year’s Poppy Appeal.

We raised a total of £2877.77 If you have some free time this year, we are looking for anyone who can help collect in the local area.

Please contact me on 01473 830976.

Area Organiser Sheila Harvey

BRAMFORD GUIDE & SCOUT HQ 100 CLUB Nearly 40 years ago Bramford Guides and Scouts took over the newly converted ‘Old School’ building in Bramford as their HQ and have met there ever since.

Recently we have been busy fundraising to completely refurbish our kitchen and toilets and we are pleased to say that the kitchen has now been completed – and it looks fabulous. Thanks are due to the fundraising team led by Sarah, to The KBB Centre for overseeing and doing most of the work, to Suffolk County Councillor John Field for a generous grant from his locality budget which paid for the electrical work, and to all the parents and friends who have given their financial support to the project.

Now we want to get the toilets done, including a disabled toilet, as soon as possible.

To help with fundraising we have launched a 100 Club which will run for the twelve months of 2020. We have made a good start with members, but we need a few more, so if you would like to help us, here are the details: Numbers will be £2 a month, so £24 for the whole year (to be paid in full before January 15). There will be a draw at the end of every month; prizes will be £50 for first, £30 for second and £20 for third (subject to us selling 100 numbers), with the other 50 per cent of the monthly income going towards the project.

If you are interested in buying a number or you have any queries, please email: sarah@kbbeastanglia.co.uk

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Friday 10 January Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the February edition

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NEWS PRIMARY HOMECARE RATED OUTSTANDING BY CQC The Care Quality Commission has recently inspected and rated Primary Homecare as an Outstanding Service.

CLAYDON AND WHITTON PARISH COUNCIL Bus Timetables Following both sets of changes to the buses in Barham and Claydon, the parish councils have printed some bus timetable leaflets that all residents will receive. The website also contains up to date bus timetables as well as updates from our transport representative.

Primary Homecare is a local home care agency which has been established for more than 17 years. It is owned and run by directors Mrs Prema Fairburn and her son David. It has strong family values, reflected in the fact that Prema’s other sons, Adrian and Jonathan, are also involved in the business and her nephew Alex heads up the IT department.

Cheryl Milldown, the registered manager, has been with the company since it started in 2003 and her passion for the people who use the service and for her staff shines through. The dedicated team of coordinators and carers share her enthusiasm to deliver an outstanding, quality service to enable local people to stay in their own homes, offering not only the usual personal care and support with meals and medication, but also re-enablement with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, respite, short or long term care, cleaning and gardening. Each package is flexibly tailored to meet individual needs both with service and time.

At the recent inspection, CQC found that clients were being provided with safe, responsive, caring, effective and well-led provision. The report showed that Primary Homecare is very well lead and extremely responsive, has robust quality systems in place and all the staff are passionate and committed to giving the highest standard of care.

Operations manager Julie Mills said that staff morale has always been high at Primary Homecare but gaining a Highly Commended award at Suffolk Care and getting rated Outstanding by CQC has put the icing on the cake!

BARHAM PARISH COUNCIL As we start the first report for 2020, Barham Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to wish all its residents a Happy New Year.

At the time this report goes to print, we are unable to provide residents with an update on the following planning applications as we are unaware of Mid Suffolk District Council’s timetable for discussing them: DC/18/00861 – Ely Road & 1856/17 Barham Church Lane The next council meeting is a finance committee meeting only on Monday 13 January at 7.30pm in Claydon and Barham Village Hall. The next full parish council meeting is on Monday 2 February at 7.30pm, also in Claydon and Barham Village Hall.

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

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New Tree Warden The parish council is very pleased to welcome Mr John Last as the new tree warden. He is currently getting up to speed with this important community role and can be contacted through the parish clerk.

Street Lights on Junction 52 Roundabout These street lights fall under the remit of Highways England and the parish council first reported them back in October. The status of the fault was upgraded in November and it is hoped that these will be fixed by the time you read this article.

The next parish council meeting is on January 13 and the next planning meeting is on January 20. Both meetings will take place at the SALC offices, Unit 11a, Hill View Business Park, Old Ipswich Road, Claydon IP6 0AJ. An agenda can be posted online and on the noticeboards, or is available by contacting the clerk three working days before the meeting.

All meeting dates until the end of March 2021 can also be found on the website.

The parish clerk, Charmaine Greenan, can be contacted on: 07887 459989 / claywhit@btinternet.com / by post at 129 Poplar Hill, Stowmarket IP14 2AX www.claydonandbarham.onesuffolk.net

HENLEY PARISH COUNCIL The first parish council meeting of the new year will be held in the community centre on Monday 13 January at 7.30pm. All are very welcome to attend. The annual decision on grants for local organisations will be on the agenda.

Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 gives parish councils the power to make small donations to local groups which are working to benefit residents of the village. In the past, donations have been for amounts in the range of £100 to £200; the current year’s budget sets aside a total of £1,200 to be spent on grants.

Any group which would like to apply for a grant should contact the clerk before January 12 with details of the purpose of the application. The grants are intended for support of a specific project rather than just general running costs, and it must be possible to see how the money will directly benefit Henley residents. Organisations will be expected to report back to the parish council with details of how the money was spent.

The parish council reserves the right to make grants to groups which have not specifically applied, and is not obliged to spend the full budgeted amount of £1,200.

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

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

And 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

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NEWS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR BUS AND TRAIN INFORMATION

GIPPING VALLEY COUNTY & BLAKENHAM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN FIELD

First Ipswich Red Service 88 & Simonds Services 113/114 • Tuesday 24 December: normal service • Christmas Day and Boxing Day: no service • Friday 27 – Tuesday 31: normal service • New Year’s Day: no service • Thursday 2 January: normal service resumes

Scrutiny We had a presentation of the county’s Transformation programmes and the basis for the budget on December 19 and will scrutinise the proposals on January 7. By then it will be difficult, if not impossible to make alterations.

However, we must understand just which groups of people will benefit or suffer from the changes proposed and try to achieve improvements.

Ipswich Buses (Enquiries 0800 919390) As above except that services will finish at about 18.30 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and the Saturday timetable will apply from December 27-31.

Any benefit from the promises being made during the election period would not feed through for some time, but the officers are not expecting any substantial changes immediately. Should we leave the EU, budgets will probably, in time, be cut to match a reduced GDP but that is for another year.

Greater Anglia Train Services (Enquiries 0345 6007245) Norwich – Ipswich – London Liverpool Street Main Line This year major track work is taking place at Colchester Station.

• • • •

• •

Tuesday 24 December: normal service finishing at about 22.00 Christmas Day and Boxing Day: no service Friday 27 December: reduced hourly service not stopping at Colchester Saturday 28 – Tuesday 31: reduced hourly service involving possible change of train at Colchester.

New Years Day: Bus replacement from Ipswich to Marks Tey Thursday 2 January: normal service resumes

Local train services in Suffolk and Norfolk Other than early finishes at about 22.00 on 24 and 31 December, and no service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the normal timetable applies including New Year’s Day. I wish an enjoyable Christmas and positive New Year to all, especially if you are travelling!

Barry Moore, Claydon and Whitton Parish Council Transport Representative

2019/20 Budget Monitoring: Quarter Two We now expect the main county budget to be overspent by £0.2m at the year end and the dedicated schools grant budget by £6.3m, tiny percentages of the total.

The main areas of budget pressure are still within Adult and Community Services, Children and Young People and Growth, Highways and Infrastructure.

Civil parking enforcement across Suffolk The police are responsible for parking enforcement across Suffolk, except within Ipswich Borough Council. The police lack resources so legislation to allow all districts to be responsible for their own areas is with parliament.

This is at last moving ahead and will be finished by end January. The MidSuffolk and Babergh area will be covered by West Suffolk and Ipswich Borough Councils.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan Published Suffolk County Council has a new Rights of Way Improvement Plan. It focuses on managing and improving green access infrastructure, promoting green access and developing healthy and sustainable communities. Sustainable travel choices and the health benefits of walking and cycling are encouraged.

A digital map of the county’s footpaths and bridleways will be created and a new system to prioritise maintenance of highly used routes.

Review of School Transport Policy Confirmed Councillor Mary Evans has apologised to families affected by the new School Transport Policy and has confirmed that there will be a review. However, it is likely that this will only focus on the implementation of the new policy, rather than the inherent problems with the policy itself.

There has been a large increase in transport appeals: 141 from 1 July to 18 October, compared to an average of just 21 for the same period in previous years. Over 70 per cent of these have been decided in favour of parents.

MSDC Environment and Climate Change Working Group Our second meeting was on biodiversity and the need to preserve and enhance habitats if we are to get anywhere with halting the rapid decline in many species. We asked that planning policies in the new local plan be adjusted to ensure developers preserve and enhance habitat.

Happy New Year!

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

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 will reconvene on January 8, weather permitting of course, for a social afternoon. On January 22 Jean will be organising a beetle drive.

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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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

CLAYDON AND BARHAM VILLAGE HALL

By the time you read this, the new year will be upon us, so I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe 2020.

DATES FOR JANUARY

PC Diane Porter has now retired and I am continuing the role as Community Engagement Officer and Link Officer for Hadleigh and those Babergh and Mid Suffolk Villages that surround it. I will be assisted where needed by three Ipswich-based PSCOs who will help where they can.

As I write in early December there has been a spate of overnight burglaries to outbuildings at properties in the areas of Aldham, Elmsett and Nedging.

Please ensure your outbuildings are secure and items of value are not left on display. This has also been true of vehicles with tools on board, not only causing costly vehicle repairs but also loss of earning until tools can be replaced.

A great way to keep in touch with what’s going on in your area is to sign up to Police Connect. This is a free messaging service which gives you the latest policing news for your area. This can be delivered by email, text or telephone. If you would be interested in this free service please visit: www.suffolk.police.uk/services/police-connect

Thursday 2

Slimming World

5.30 & 7.30pm

Sunday 5

Bar-clay Music Makers

1.30-5.30pm

Wednesday 8 Bar-clay Music Makers

6.30-10pm

Thursday 9

Sunshine Service Silver Surfers Slimming World

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

Friday 10

Moo Music Gipping School of Dance

10am-1pm 3.45-6pm

Sunday 12

Bar-clay Music Makers

1.30-5.30pm

Monday 13

Barham PC Finance Meeting

7-10pm

Tuesday 14

Women’s Institute

7-10pm

Wednesday 15 Bar-clay Music Makers

6.30-10pm

Thursday 16

Silver Surfers Slimming World

11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 17

Moo Music Gipping School of Dance

10am-1pm 3.45-6pm

Please remember that on these dark evenings, and with homes in darkness for longer, it’s more obvious when someone is not at home. Please consider PIR lighting outside your property which may alert a neighbour if you’re not home and someone enters within the perimeter of your property. Also consider leaving a light on, maybe on a timer. Again, please hide away those lovely presents which may have arrived into the house over Christmas.

Always think ‘security’.

Sunday 19

Bar-clay Music Makers

1.30-10pm

Monday 20

Bar-clay Music Makers

6.30-10.30pm

You can report non-urgent crimes online: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us

Tuesday 21

Table Tennis

7.15-10.30pm

Call the police on 101 to report non-urgent crimes and concerns which do not require an emergency response. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Wednesday 22 Bar-clay Music Makers

6.30-10pm

Thursday 23

Silver Surfers Slimming World

11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 24

Moo Music 10am-1pm Gipping School of Dance 3.45-6pm Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood 7.30-10pm

Saturday 25

Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood 2.30-5pm Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood 7.30-10pm

Tuesday 28

Table Tennis

Happy New Year once again, PC 287 Sarah George

7.15-10.30pm

Wednesday 29 Bar-clay Music Makers

6.30-10pm

Thursday 30

Silver Surfers Slimming World

11.30am-2pm 5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 31

Moo Music 10am-1pm Gipping School of Dance 3.45-6pm Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood 7.30-10pm

Sat 1 February Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood 2.30-5pm

Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood 7.30-10pm 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 Geoff: cbvillagehall@btinternet.com / 01473 836972

HENLEY SENIOR CITIZENS The penultimate event of the year was our hamper and chocolate tombola stall at Henley Christmas Fayre. Thanks to all our members for their donations, and those outside the ‘club’ who were kind enough to donate chocolate, for making it such a fantastic stall with more than 200 items. We are most grateful as the result has boasted our funds for another year. The hamper and the three bottles of spirit were all won by people in the village. The packet of gingerbread mixture was won by a gentleman from Ipswich.

On Sunday 8 December we enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch cooked once again by our famous Henley Chefs. I’m sure it gets better every year.

Also thanks to Doreen, Barbara and Anita for giving up their day to be our waitresses. We were entertained by a group from Pop Chorus which was really enjoyable. We were all given song sheets and willingly joined in the singing of popular songs and Christmas carols.

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OUT & ABOUT

HENLEY MOTHERS’ UNION December brought us together for two meetings, the first at Jenny’s house where she had made a super lunch for us all. Elaine led the worship where the prayers were for those who suffer from prejudice, poverty and violence.

Clare had us all laughing as she talked to us about her motorbike trip in Mongolia. The pictures gave us a real feel of the challenges they endured and the most wonderful scenery they experienced.

The River Gipping Trust has now applied for full planning permission for a new footbridge across the River Gipping just upstream of Baylham. With approved planning permission, the trust can apply for funding to pay for the bridge.

Our second meeting found us eating again (we do a lot of eating!). Jane was our host and we all brought contributions for our meal. What a feast, what a delight to share together with friends. The evening also included worship, a fun activity, and a raffle/collection for gifts to be given out at the soup kitchen. Each parcel contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, a bar of chocolate and much love from the MU.

This new bridge, which will sit on top of existing 230-year-old brick abutments, will restore the footpath at Baylham to its original position along the river’s towpath. The primary objective is to improve the walking experience of those that use the Gipping Way. Through most of November the current footpath, alongside the railway line, was underwater and not passable without Wellington boots. The new path over the bridge will not be so susceptible to flooding.

During the year we have enjoyed the hospitality, worship, refreshments, fellowship and leadership of so many of our members. Without these lovely volunteers we could not meet, so it is truly appreciated by us all.

Our volunteer workforce meets up every Wednesday at 9am, normally at Pipps Ford or Baylham, and we welcome new volunteers and members (a work party of volunteers is pictured cleaning up at Baylham).

If you would like to visit one of our meetings at any time please contact Clare: 01473 832808

Further details can be found online where you can download a membership application form. Full membership is just £10 per year.

A new year, time to plan, some things old and familiar, some new and different; we look forward to 2020 and all it brings for our MU group.

Restoration Manager Ian Petchey restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk

Alex Pratt

www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk / Facebook: The River Gipping Trust

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY

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.

Wednesday 29 January: Through the Eye of the Camera – First World War Photography, an illustrated talk by Vicky Gunnell

In November we made Christmas Tree banners as our contribution to the tree festival in the church and had our last meeting and AGM on December 2.

We meet at 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park, visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments.

The club will reconvene on February 3 and our programme for 2020 is:

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

Our next meeting is on January 21 when Chris Parfitt will be giving an illustrated talk on Hidden Bhutan, focusing on the eastern area and the less visited valleys. Chris has travelled extensively around the world and has built up a collection of interesting and informative talks. This promises to be no exception, especially as this area is one of his favourites.

On February 18 Brian Dyes, a founder member and past chairman of Ipswich Transport Museum, will be giving a talk about the museum.

We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members and volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

February 3 March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 July 6 August 3 September 7 October 5 November 2 December 7

A Little Light Reading Forever Flowerz Birds, Butterflies and Flowers Have a go at Bargello Prick and Stitch for Men The Vintage Look Sewing/Paper Mash-Up Wobble Wobble Christmas Tableware Christmas Card Medley AGM

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

GREAT BLAKENHAM CINEMA As requested, we start the New Year with Yesterday (12a) on January 26.

Featuring music by The Beatles and with some scenes filmed in Suffolk, it should be a very good way to kick off 2020. The charity receiving funds raised from the cake sale will be Over The Rainbow Children’s Charity which supports families with children who are living with a serious illness or disability.

On February 23 we bring you Mrs Lowry & Son (PG) with Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall, and on March 29 we will celebrate our first anniversary with Bohemian Rhapsody (12a), the story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid. A warm welcome awaits you at Great Blakenham Village Hall, Mill Lane, Great Blakenham IP6 0NJ. Doors open at 2pm for a 2.30pm start.

If you have any film suggestions, or if your charity wishes to run the cake sale to raise funds, get in touch via Facebook or contact Becky at: greatblakenhamcinema@outlook.com / 07852 472082

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SILVER SURFERS

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL

Struggling to get to grips with your new phone? Worried about online transactions or in need of help transferring your photos? Just want to find out how to book appointments online?

It gives me great pleasure to share with you the events, activities and news in school, particularly as the month of December is always full of festivities and celebrations.

These are just a few of the things we cover at our Silver Surfers club. We meet Thursday lunchtimes in Claydon and Barham Village Hall.

At the end of November a group of language students visited the province of Seville in Spain to take part in a week-long exchange trip. Students took part in organised group activities during the day, staying with their host families each evening and over the weekend. This was a fantastic opportunity, allowing students to soak up the culture, practise the language and experience the wider world, developing key life skills. We look forward to the return exchange when the Spanish students visit us in March.

We are a self-help group and have equipment that you can borrow if you don’t have your own.

We have a small charge of £3 a session which goes to pay the cost of hiring the hall and refreshments.

Call in one Thursday to find out what goes on. Or if you want to know more, please contact John: 01473 830084

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Join us on the last Wednesday every month (excluding July & August) for a three-course lunch followed by an interesting speaker and a prize raffle. On the second Wednesday we meet for coffee and a chat.

In July and August, and at Christmas, our wives, partners and friends are invited to join us. They also accompany us to theatres, shows, musicals and trips to places of interest in East Anglia and beyond.

Why not come and meet other gentlemen, all retired or semi-retired and from a wide range of careers, interests and backgrounds?

Our objective is to provide fellowship for members and their families.

Prospective new members are always welcome and there is no requirement to have belonged to any other organisation previously.

If you wish to join us, as a guest initially, or require further details, please contact our secretary, Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130 / secretary.ipswichprobus@gmail.com

Our former Year 11 students who left us in the summer, returned to Claydon High School on Tuesday 3 December for a presentation evening where they were awarded with their GCSE certificates and special subject achievement awards, recognising individual commitment and progress. We are all extremely proud of all aspects of their success and achievement and wish them all the very best for whatever the future brings.

Families, friends, governors, teachers and students were treated to a festive evening of music on December 17 at the school’s Christmas Concert. The evening featured a fusion of musical theatre alongside some more traditional performances and involved more than 40 students across all year groups. The dedication, commitment and hard work from students and staff was certainly evident and my thanks and congratulations go to all involved.

Once again students surpassed expectations for the ninth year running and created an amazing range of Christmas hampers which were donated to a local charity, The Chapman Centre, part of IHAG (Ipswich Housing Action Group) who provide relief for people in the community suffering from extreme financial poverty or homelessness. I am always impressed with the special effort our students make and would like to thank parents and carers for their help and contributions from home.

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 28 January. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders on 01473 836110 to book a place.

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

SOMERSHAM & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL

The club has had another successful year with a varied programme going from conservatory plants and drought gardening to the unknown Constable Country. We also had a very good plant sale in May and two outdoor visits in May and July.

Happy New Year to you all from everyone at Claydon Pre-school. Thank you to all the children and parents who gave us Christmas cards and presents.

We hope that all the children had a lovely break and got lots of lovely things for Christmas.

The new year starts with a visit from the popular Chris Parfitt who will be giving an illustrated talk on Five Gardens of Cornwall. This will take place in Offton and Willisham Village Hall on Monday 13 January at 7.30pm. New members are welcome. For further information please call: 01473 254941/830600

We are all looking forward to the start of the new spring term and to doing some winter craft.

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Our first meeting of 2020 will be on Wednesday 29 January at 12.15pm and will be a lunchtime workshop with homemade soup being served and a workshop given by Pat South entitled Not a Flower in Sight.

The meeting will be held at Woolpit Village Hall and visitors and new members will be very welcome.

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At the time of writing the children are all working hard learning their songs and Makaton ready to show off at our Christmas Nativity on Monday 16 December at Barham Church. We will also be having our Christmas party at Claydon & Barham Community Centre on Saturday 21 December. Fingers crossed Father Christmas will pop along – despite his busy schedule!

As we are now open all year (except bank holidays and the Christmas period) and can take children up to five years old for additional sessions during the school holiday weeks, subject to availability. If you would like to book 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.

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

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SCHOOLS / SPORT CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB Our November 100 Club draw took place on 26 November. The winners were: 1: Jo Bean (11) 2: Karin Nash (28) 3: Jade Prentice (33) Thanks to your support there was a donation of £21 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.

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL Our Annual Quiz and Curry Night is on Friday 7 February. Tickets, which are £10, are now on sale and include curry and a dessert. This is a very popular event so be sure to get your ticket early by calling 07770 417080.

Happy New Year to everyone. We welcome everyone back on Tuesday 7 January, ready to start the spring term.

We are a small, rural, friendly setting based at Henley Community Centre.

We pride ourselves on the high ratio of staff to children, providing maximum care and learning for the children. All our staff are highly trained and continue regular training to build their knowledge further. We provide an extensive range of resources and activities to suit all ages and abilities, ensuring all levels of development and play within the EYFS are explored. Parents play the most important role in children’s lives so we work closely together to ensure we work in partnership. We also hold stay and play sessions each term that are very well supported by parents/carers.

We currently have limited morning spaces available, but afternoon sessions are available. We accept eligible 30 hour funded children. These codes need to be in place the term before they are needed. 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 that provides lots of information and you can 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

CLAYDON & BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 28 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.

Our Christmas party was a huge success; a big thank you to Father Christmas who came along to distribute gifts to the children. Our ladies raffle went very well, as always, raising more funds for the group. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a fantastic success.

This month we meet at Claydon and Barham Village Hall on 16 and 30 January from 9.30-11.30am and we would like to wish a happy birthday to Elliot.

For more information contact me on 01473 833788.

Michelle

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STONHAM ASPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL Goodness me, so much has happened in the last few weeks and there is so much more to come before the end of the term.

Class 5 Greek Day Class 5 had an excellent day immersing themselves in all things Greek. They looked amazing; thank you for all the work that went into their costumes.

Thank you too to the Class 5 staff for organising this day and the PTA for funding this event for the children.

Samaritans Purse Appeal Thank you for supporting this appeal; we contributed more than 20 shoeboxes from our school.

Children in Need An amazing total of £200.51 was raised by our non-uniform day on Friday 15 November. Thank you very much for supporting this wonderful cause.

Poppy Appeal Also incredible is the amount raised for the British Legion Poppy Appeal. The school raised £177.31 with an overall total of £562.60 from the district. Thank you very much for supporting this very important and worthwhile appeal.

The children also marked this by holding a minute’s silence in memory of those who have suffered or lost their lives in conflict.

Book Fair The book fair was extremely popular this year with £764 worth of items being purchased. This enabled each class to have £50 worth of books to add to their class book collections. Thank you very much.

Rugby Tournament On Wednesday 13 November, Mrs Corsie and Mr Gunner took a team from Years 5 and 6 to the High Suffolk Rugby Tournament. The entire team played extremely well and won their part of the tournament. Huge congratulations to all the team.

Headteacher Mrs Sharon Waldron

CLAYDON & DISTRICT BADMINTON CLUB Feeling full and ever so slightly guilty about the amount you have eaten over the festive season? Why not get back into badminton right here on your doorstep at Claydon High School?

Claydon & District Badminton Club is a social badminton club which meets on Monday nights from 7-9pm during school term time in Claydon High School Sports Hall. Although we are a popular club, we have some space and you would be very welcome.

As we have to pay for use of the hall, our fees are ever so slightly higher than if you booked a court for four people at a local sports centre, but you don’t have to find three other people to play with and you get to play with a mixture of talents (each game a different group). As variety is the spice of life, come and spice up your life.

This term starts again on Monday 13 January so please do come along to meet us and have a few games, not just that night but any Monday night during school term.

For more information contact C&DBC chairman Dik Langan – 01473 831692 / claydonbadders@gmail.com – or visit: www.claydonbadminton@wordpress.com

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS

TALES FROM THE 19th HOLE After a few absent years, we returned to Woodbridge Golf Club on a frosty November morning for our penultimate event of 2019. It was a rare day when the rain, which had been hitting the region for weeks on end, had subsided and but for a half hour of light precipitation forecast to hit about an hour into the round, 14 golfers anticipated a bright, autumnal round.

Over bacon rolls, yours truly was taken to task by Scott following a previous article. He contended that reports of his round at Hardelot was ‘fake news’ and an apology will be made later in this article in true tabloid style!

The course was very challenging and most players found it difficult to post a competitive score on the front nine, most averaging around 10 points, with only Brian with 16 standing out from the pack. The predicted showery spell arrived on cue, but turned out to be far heavier and longer than anticipated, resulting, for only the second time in HOGS history as far as I recall, in some players walking in after nine holes. Shaun and Peter were duly shamed when the rest finally walked in, basked in bright sunshine, and volunteered to pay additional fines into the pot as recompense for their indiscretion.

Most scored better on the back nine, helped by their equipment drying out no doubt, Grahame with 16 points and Terry 18. Brian went from strength to strength however with a further 20 points, which saw him crowned the day’s champion. This was particularly remarkable as he had forgotten to pack his waterproofs and umbrella.

Terry won the NP and Steve Brock the longest drive – not one of the big hitters in our society but more accurate than many, keeping his ball on the fairway. Mike Mann had proposed that a 50p fine should be levied for each lost ball – the unforgiving heavy gorse made retrieval difficult to the wayward golfer and the society’s chosen charity benefited to the overall tune of £21.

Our final event of the year will be at Fynn Valley on 27 December for our Christmas Bash.

The HOGS press officer wishes to correct a false statement made in the previous issue and notes that it was his own ball that landed in the pond off the first tee at the start of the 2019 French Tour. Scott’s did not follow suit; his first shot having less pace than an asthmatic sloth finished short of the pond and his second being lost in the woods beyond the pond. I am pleased to make this correction.

Individual scores were: Brian 36, Terry A 30, Grahame 27, Simon 25, Steve and Tim 24, Paul C 22, Keith 21, Scott 20, Mike 19, Nick 16, Darryn 14, Peter and Shaun DQ.

LEAP YEAR Julius Caesar first introduced leap years more than 2,000 years ago. Leap years occur mostly every four years, but every 100 years we skip a leap year unless the year is divisible by 400.

“Leap years are needed to keep our modern day Gregorian calendar in alignment with the Earth’s revolutions around the Sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242189 days – or 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds – to circle once around the sun. This is called a tropical year, and is measured from the March equinox. However, the Gregorian calendar has only 365 days in a year, so if we didn’t add a leap day on February 29 nearly every four years, we would lose almost six hours off our calendar every year.

After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by around 24 days!” www.timeanddate.com/date/leapyear.html For those born on 29 February, estimated at around five million, this year will be an opportunity to celebrate their birthdays on the exact date. Those wishing to follow the tradition of women being allowed to propose marriage, to balance things out, will have something to look forward to. In some areas a woman could propose for the entire leap year. In some European countries tradition dictates that should a man refuse they would have to give 12 pairs of gloves.

Who would have thought that the time it takes the Earth to circle once around the Sun could have created such opportunities! Yet each time the Earth completes one rotation around its axis we have what we know as a ‘day’. Each day provides us with countless opportunities. So as we go into this leap year, will we take the opportunities afforded to us each day to thank God for who He is and what He has done for us through His Son Jesus? For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.

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

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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 Carl Melville, Claydon Rectory 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmail.com Letter from the Rector New Year celebrations always bring New Year resolutions and promises! As soon as we’ve made them, we tend to break them!

We make promises and resolutions all the time. We promise ourselves all sorts of things. We make promises to our children and to our friends. Our politicians made all sorts of promises up until the election – many of which won’t come into fruition, though some will!

Jesus made promises too. The difference between us and God is that God always keeps his promises. God’s promise to us is of love. Jesus promised that he would be with us always, till the end of the age. That is a promise he has never broken. He has always been there with us, through thick and thin, good times and bad.

Maybe this year you can make real promises and resolutions. Maybe this year is a time to act on promises already made – maybe at a marriage, a baptism or some other event. Why not start by acknowledging God’s promise of love?

The Rev Carl SERVICES IN JANUARY Henley Church: every Sunday at 9.30am Barham Church: every Sunday at 10am Great Blakenham Church: every Sunday at 11am Sunday 5 January – Epiphany 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

Sunday 12 January – Baptism of Christ 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am family@henley Henley Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church Sunday 19 January – Epiphany 2 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Holy Communion Henley Church 10am Morning Worship Barham Church 11am Morning Worship Gt Blakenham Church Sunday 26 January – Epiphany 3 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Café Church Henley Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church 4pm Evensong Henley Church

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Sunday 2 February – Candlemas 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Holy Communion Henley Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church NEWS families@4.30: Our new congregation for families and young people, meeting on the first Sunday of the month at Barham Church. The next one is on January 5 when we will be thinking about Epiphany and the three wise men! We have loads of fun so why not come along and join us? It helps us if you book in advance with The Rev Carl or Roger Colthorpe (see contacts). All welcome!

Shared Lunch: Bring food to a bring-and-share lunch after the morning service at Barham Church on Sunday 5 January.

Holy Conversations (Home Group): Restarts this month and takes place at the rectory on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. All welcome for Bible study and reflection.

Four Communities Activities Groups: The groups continue to thrive, including Meet ‘n’ Eat which meets every first Friday of the month at Gt Blakenham Parish Room from noon-2pm, and the Walk ‘n’ Talk group which meets on the second Thursday of the month.

Great Blakenham Coffee Morning: Second Saturday in the Parish Room, 10am to noon, restarting on January 11. All welcome. Bacon and sausage butties available!

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

FUTURE DATES 2020 Sun 5 January

Epiphany Bring-and-Share Lunch at Barham Church families@4.30 at Barham Church

Sat 11 January

Coffee Morning, Gt Blakenham Parish Room, 10am-noon

Sat 18 January

Gt Blakenham Quiz, Parish Room, 6.30 for 7pm

Sun 2 February

families@4.30 at Barham Church

Tues 25 February Pancake Evening, GB Parish Room Wed 26 February Ash Wednesday Further dates can be found at: www.claydonchurches.com Social Media: Find us on Facebook and Twitter by searching The Claydon Group of Churches.

HALL BOOKINGS Barham Church Hall: Zoe Groom, 831804 Gt Blakenham Parish Room: Reg Barton, 839958 Henley Church Vestry: Margaret Gerrard, 831463

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