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Volume • Issue No. • XXXXX 2017 Volume 7 •7Issue No. 1 •XDECEMBER 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’ve just been informed that Auntie Sarah will be visiting Suffolk on December 3 and as it’s the perfect opportunity to get Christmas presents to that side of the family (all 11 of them) I’m now on a deadline! Thank goodness there are many, many Christmas markets and festivals coming up. They are a particularly useful place to find locally produced gifts for out-oftowners. I’m definitely focused on finding handmade gifts this year, possibly inspired by the beautiful Christmas Tree decoration I received from a close friend last year. It was one of my favourite presents and I’m secretly hoping she gives me another this year. I have been dropping heavy hints since June or thereabouts so I’m quite hopeful. There are many good reasons to shop local at Christmas, not least the fact that your spending will boost the local economy, save or indeed generate jobs, support local entrepreneurs and create a more vibrant and engaged community. There’s also the social aspect, the fact that you are more likely to find quirky, one-off items, maybe even try before you buy and get a better deal or some advice. According to a new study, UK shoppers are predicted to spend £73 billion this Christmas, with online sales accelerating to unprecedented levels. Apparently convenience, price comparison and avoiding crowds and queues are three of the main reasons why online shopping is so popular, but don’t assume than ‘online’ and ‘local’ are entirely contradictory. Most of our local retailers sell online so you can take advantage of the benefits of online shopping and support local business at the same time.
NEWS COPDOCK & WASHBROOK CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday, December 3 In the Church Room from 10am Grand Draw Cakes & Pastries Jams & Preserves Books Christmas Gifts Refreshments & Mulled Wine Proceeds to St Peter’s Church, Copdock
For me, Christmas means cleaning the house from top to bottom (sad I know, but deeply embedded) and down ‘n’ dirty old style shopping with the crowds, the queues, the Christmas music, carol singers, hot chocolate, mince pies and a glass or two of mulled wine to soothe aching muscles. I can’t wait. On behalf of my colleagues here at Mansion House Publishing I wish you and yours a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
In Touch
with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook
In Touch with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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With the invaluable help of Tony and his dumper truck, a small team gathered on Swan Hill in Washbrook to litter pick on Sunday, November 6. With Tony moving along behind us at our speed, we were protected from cars who otherwise would whiz towards us, and no doubt into us on those dangerous bends. I’m chuffed that we cleared so much debris and at the same time saddened that people see fit to lob litter from their cars. The blue trainer has now gone; how many other locals were irritated by its presence? Karen Beaton
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD COPDOCK WITH WASHBROOK A group of six young adults from Copdock with Washbrook have worked very hard this autumn filling shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. They decided to set up an appeal to send these shoebox gifts to children abroad who have very little at Christmas. The group appealed to friends, family and village members for help in achieving their target of 25 boxes. Many thanks to everyone who helped with donations for the boxes, by giving small gifts to be included or money donations. Many shopping trips, followed by hours of sorting and packing, resulted in 37 boxes being filled to the brim with wonderful gifts and useful items. Shipping costs of £3 a box have also been covered. The group have also been invited to the Ipswich warehouse in late November, where they will be able to help pack a container with the shoeboxes to be sent abroad. Well done to Ellen Steensma, Ellen Girling, Robert Girling, Alex Hicks, Ben Steensma and Saffron Hicks.
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NEWS COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK CAROL SINGERS The Copdock and Washbrook Carol Singers will be coming round the village on Wednesday, December 21. We will meet at the Church Room at 6pm. If you enjoy singing you are welcome to join us; no age limit, but children must have an adult with them. This year we will be collecting for the African Children’s Choir who are building a school in Uganda. Your support is always appreciated. Muriel Pearsons
COUNCILLORS SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARDS On Tuesday, November 1, Babergh and Mid Suffolk members joined other representatives from across the UK to pay tribute to the best and most innovative councillors in the country. The councillors gathered in London for the LGiU’s Councillor Awards. This seventh annual awards scheme is the only national showcase honouring the hard work of councillors from across the country. The winners were selected by a judging panel made up of local government experts and councillors. One Babergh member and one Mid Suffolk member were shortlisted for awards out of more than 200 submissions: Councillor Jennie Jenkins, leader of Babergh District Council and member for Leavenheath, was shortlisted for the LGiU award for Leader of the Year and Councillor Gerard Brewster, Mid Suffolk District Council Portfolio Holder for Business Growth and Increased Productivity and member for Stowmarket (South), was shortlisted for the LGiU award for District Councillor of the Year. Sadly neither received the award for their category, but the evening offered a chance to meet with outstanding councillors from across the country and learn how other authorities are meeting the challenges all local government is facing. Councillor Jennie Jenkins said: “The LGiU puts us in touch with other councillors across the country and it was an honour to be shortlisted from such a vast pool of women and men working hard for their communities. A leader is only as good as their team and being on that list of seven was a testament to the dedication and talent of all the councillors and staff at Babergh who have worked so hard to keep delivering the services our communities need in a changing world.” Councillor Gerard Brewster said: “Being shortlisted for District Councillor of the Year was a great experience and I want to thank the LGiU for the work they put into the awards. This shows that we in Suffolk can lead the country in the way we deliver for our constituents and communities and I look forward to continuing to work hard, both for Stowmarket and for all of Mid Suffolk, over the coming years.”
SURGERY TRANSPORT SCHEME Writing pieces for In Touch produces results! This month we have welcomed two new members to our volunteer scheme as a result of seeing previous pieces in this magazine. Perhaps you have looked and wondered whether you could help. Well if you have a car, are free during daytime and prepared to help someone who cannot get to the surgery, then you would be welcomed. The scheme is getting busier and is likely to during the winter months. As the volunteer base grows so the frequency of callout per volunteer decreases. If you can help, contact Chris Yule: 310992 / chris.yule2@ tiscali.co.uk The scheme is administered by St Mary’s Anglican Church.
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THE COPWASH EYE Copdock & Washbrook Remembrance Sunday St Peter’s Church was full for the annual Remembrance Sunday Service led by Canon Chris Chapman. In a change from normal practice, the name of each Fallen was followed by the place of their burial or memorial. This brought home the wide area of loss, from Copdock churchyard and the Second World War cemetery in Ipswich though Gaza and El Alamein and as far as the Singapore Infirmary Mass Burial Memorial. As usual the Last Post and Reveille were superbly rendered from the balcony by Vince Steensna. There were two wreaths laid in church – one by Alan Aldous at the First World War Memorial and the other made by the youngsters during the service bearing the names of the Fallen. Outside Darren Barton placed the third wreath at the Second World War Memorial. There too, in the Garden of Remembrance established after the Second World War, young people and relatives planted Poppy Crosses in memory of those who died between 1939 and 1945. This was followed by the placing of a bunch of poppies on the grave of Ernest Harvey by his grandson. This month marks the centenary of the end of the first phase of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. There are 73,357 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Two of them, Charles Groves and Walter Pinner, were from Copdock and Washbrook and six others from the other five villages of our benefice. It is also just over 100 years since Copdock born William Henry Hewitt was wounded at the Butte de Warlencourt and invalided home to Tooting Hospital where he met Lily and got engaged. This was going to have direct impact on his brave action ten months later in September 1917 when, to quote his own words: “a stick bomb knocked out four teeth, breaking my nose, giving me a couple of black eyes... it made me damn mad. You see I had become engaged to be married before I came out this time, and when I felt my teeth and face I thought that’s spoilt my beauty. She won’t fall for me anymore. Well, this is the pay-off.” And how he ‘paid off’ we will see next year. Copdock & Washbrook Church Heritage Trust An excellent horseracing fundraising evening held in the village hall raised more than £1,300 for the trust, largely to be used on essential repairs to the east window. It was a great fun evening with a finale of tremendous hilarity. As usual the ladies of the village produced a superb supper of chilli con carne, chicken dishes and waist-enlarging puddings. The races were interposed by snippets of information about the window and its background. Many thanks from the organisers to all who participated and helped.
ALLOTMENT PLOTS AVAILABLE IN CAPEL Half plots are available now at £16 per annum plus membership. So if you live in or around Capel and fancy a go at ‘Growing Your Own’ please contact Dennis: 01473 310988 / sitemanager@capelallotments.co.uk
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NEWS BENTLEY PARISH COUNCIL
A PLEA FOR HOSPITALITY
Parish council meeting, Thursday, November 3 Apologies were received from one councillor and from County Councillor Gordon Jones who provided a written report. District Councillor John Hinton provided a verbal report regarding current proposed changes at Babergh District Council among other items.
A Russian friend who teaches English to adults in St Petersburg is planning to bring a group here next summer and I have the task of finding accommodation for them in local households. The dates are expected to be from around July 9/10 for two weeks. The request is for bed, breakfast, a packed lunch and an evening meal. They are coming in order to learn more about our country and culture, improve their English, and because they genuinely regard a visit to this country as ‘the trip of a lifetime’.
The council approved two planning applications, but recommended refusal on an amendment to a previous application at the junction with Bergholt Road for access and parking reasons. The matter of the closure of the post box on the old post office was raised by a member of the public and discussed further. The clerk had been given assurances by Royal Mail that a new box would be erected on the opposite verge of Station Road after clearances with Suffolk County Highways. The replacement should be in place in six weeks. The clerk had been assured that in the interim residents who could not get to a post box could give mail to their postmen. The council decided it would raise no objection to the removal of the village telephone box, noting that there was no record of it being used at all in the last 12 months. There was considerable discussion regarding possible traffic calming measures. There was concern that all were potentially expensive and would require designated funds from the precept. The council would continue to explore a possible fixed illuminated sign, or village gateway treatment. In view of very frequent speeders exceeding the limit in the village noted by Speedwatch, the council would contact the police to request mobile speed camera attendance or other uniformed officer speed checks. Councillors also discussed HGV road damage at Bergholt Road. Full draft minutes will be available on the PC website: www.bentleypc.onesuffolk.net The next parish council meeting is scheduled for 7.30pm on Thursday, December 1.
If you think you might be able to help in any way, please contact me for more details. Thank you. The Rev Tony Wilcox, 58 Sproughton Court, Sproughton IP8 3AJ 01473 461561 / tony.wilcox@caringhandsru.org
CONSTABLE COUNTRY PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP We were pleased to host another well received talk in early October at Capel Methodist Church. Consultant cardiologist Dr Nick Robinson talked about advances in heart surgery and how to prevent heart disease. As the nation gets heavier, blood pressure is also rising, increasing the risk of stroke and heart problems. With illustrations he showed that modern heart surgery is far less invasive and extremely effective, such as inserting stents to re-inflate collapsed blood vessels. He also talked about signs to look out for – including a feeling of indigestion after exercise. We asked those present at this talk, and at our previous talk on diabetes, to suggest future topics. Suggestions so far include: dementia, healthy living/weight loss, men’s health, women’s health (including dealing with menopause), kidney problems, mental health, dementia, stroke, asthma and CPR (resuscitation). If you have any other suggestions please either email us at constablecountryppg@gmail.com or use one of the PPG comment cards in the waiting rooms. We are alternating the venue for the talks between Capel St Mary and East Bergholt. Please look out for notices on future talks in village magazines, in the waiting rooms and on parish council noticeboards. Kathy Pollard, chair: 01473 311384
CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Flu, Pneumococcal and Shingles Vaccinations We held flu clinics at East Bergholt on October 11 and Capel on October 20. We vaccinated 2,137 patients over the two days which was higher than last year. Representatives from the Patient Participation Group helped to direct patients and both days went well with a steady flow through each afternoon. Thank you to all patients for making the day so successful and for your kind donations to Age UK and EACH. Patients who are eligible for free NHS flu or pneumococcal vaccinations but were unable to attend one of our flu days can now book an appointment at one of our weekly mini-clinics. Due to supply issues we were not able to vaccinate patients eligible for the pneumococcal vaccination at our first flu day, though we did have supplies for the second one at Capel. We now have ample supplies. Note that patients were informed by letter if they are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccination. The practice has written to patients who are eligible for shingles vaccinations. These can then be booked with one of our nurses. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) The practice implemented the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) in November. This is a national system which is now being rolled-out across Suffolk. The system will enable many prescriptions to be processed by
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the practice electronically. This will speed up the process and minimise errors. However, the practice has had to undertake extensive work to ensure that medication is recorded in a way consistent with the new system (e.g. medication must be stated as the number of tablets and not the number of packs of tablets). Inevitably there are likely to be teething problems so please check all repeat slips and medication you are dispensed to ensure it is correct and let the pharmacy or practice know immediately if you believe there is a problem. Please also note that you must nominate a pharmacy for your prescription to be processed electronically. You can inform the pharmacy or the practice, and change your nominated pharmacy at any time. Training Days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, February 9. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day. Practice Manager Pete Keeble
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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: DECEMBER 2016 Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw It’s been a while since I last reported here. Not that I’ve been doing nothing (quite the reverse), but much of it wouldn’t be very interesting or helpful to report. I attend the three parish councils every month and update regularly on Facebook (open group – please join). The one thing that has been constant in 2016 is change. Babergh is no exception to this, if in a less radical manner. We have appointed a new joint chief executive in Arthur Charvonia from Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Councils. He already has experience of operating over two councils. A qualified barrister with a useful background in relevant law, Arthur should be in position in the New Year. Both councils have voted to move our centre of operations to Endeavour House in Ipswich. The Independent and Lib Dem groups at Babergh argued extensively for both to use the Hadleigh offices but lost the vote. There will still be a physical presence within each district, but the thought was that this had financial and organisational benefits. Another strand of this thinking is in how people access our services in the 21st century. Fewer people than ever actually visit, most using the phone and increasingly the Internet. These public access issues are being addressed with a single local rate phone number and an improved website design. Importantly this is being configured for the mobile devices used by the vast majority of people, useable where there are low bandwidths or poor internet signals. For those who have no access, work is being done to make these methods more accessible to all. The website will be going live after Christmas, but a ‘beta’ version is up and running for trial purposes. Please take a look at this link: http:// tinyurl.com/h3wmy88. You’re invited to give feedback at the top right. It’s a beta version and may need patience initially. Still on the change theme, we will have voted by now whether to accept the devolution deal on offer to Suffolk/half of Norfolk, but not Norwich. This would give us an elected mayor for the combined authority with a basic budget of £25M a year. It doesn’t replace district or county but would carry out some strategic planning currently managed at Westminster. I have considerable reservations about how democratic this will be, composed of council leaders under the mayor, and with, what I see, as quite a limited budget. By comparison, Suffolk County Council spent £42M in August alone, a fairly typical monthly amount. The rushed process has seen a peculiar consultation process seemingly designed to produce, or accentuate, the ‘right’ answer. Governments too can change, sometimes within the same party, and future support for even this lacklustre version of devolution may be different. Many of the original architects are gone from government already. If it is passed by all councils you will be voting for the mayor in May 2017. I’m running out of my allotted space, so What Does a Councillor do? Part Two: Training and Committees will have to wait for the New Year. Restrain your excitement please.
REPORT TO PARISHES: DODNASH WARD DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON I have been away charging my batteries and now that I have been back for a few days I feel like I’ve never been away. Council has appointed a new chief executive. I’m not sure when he officially starts, information is difficult to extract sometimes, but having introduced myself to him as the ‘chief troublemaker’ I think he will be a breath of fresh air. Having worked with joined councils (Waveny and Suffolk Coastal) he knows the challenges. Moves are afoot to introduce a cabinet model system to council. This will leave the majority with little to do unless information dissemination improves. There are some glaring holes in the initial information and I am seeking clarification. I am a firm believer in involving as many people in the process as possible – after all, we represent you, the electorate, not some party, personal interest or ego. The challenges to the Brexit vote show that the electorate matter not a jot to some, as long as their own interests are protected. Planning continues to be a nightmare. What should have clarified development in Neighbourhood Plan villages seems to have created more confusion for some at Babergh. Emails are already flying around and hopefully the will of the people in East Bergholt will prevail. 144 Moores Lane is back in the frame after the parish solicitors pointed out some case law to Babergh who effectively said ‘oh yes’. The committee will again look at the application and deliberate taking proper account of all the policies. Other applications continue to rumble on. Babergh’s own monitoring report indicates that of the target for new homes agreed in their core strategy, the villages have completed 75% of the total with only five out of 15 years gone. It’s the ‘towns’ that are holding back the development of new homes, not the ‘villages’ as often intimated. By the time you read this, the devolution debate will have been held again and some will hope that it is at long last dead. It appears to be a cross between a chimera and Lazarus. I will update you next month. Highways England are talking of upgrades to the A12. Having promised two years ago to resurface and repair the slip-roads within a year, I for one will not be holding my breath. Anyone trying to access the route in either direction at any of the junctions from the Essex border to Capel will know it’s getting hairier by the day. If we get the harsh winter some are forecasting, Lord help us! Looking at last months comments, it appears not much has changed. Conference season did not help, so let’s see what the spring brings in the shape of county council elections. They certainly need a shake-up if the papers are to be believed. Enjoy the dark autumn nights and keep safe when out and about. I wish you a Happy Christmas and a healthy and safe New Year. Councillor John Hinton John.hinton@babergh.gov.uk
I’d like to mention the useful recycling leaflet that’s been delivered to us all. Suffolk has an excellent record in recycling, but there are a few changes (again) and some useful tips on how to improve it even further. Please read it or keep it by, not in, your bin. Campaign page with video at: http://tinyurl.com/ja7xsrx I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Keep an eye out for those who will not be able to enjoy the festive period for whatever reason. As a final Christmas present here’s a link to the festive bin collection schedule: http://tinyurl.com/gmoenpv As always, if anything concerns you please contact me via the methods below – or just say hello sometime. I’m on a Blue Claud Butler bicycle, usually with yellow winter cycling jacket. alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk / 07812 564188 Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (an open group)
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NEWS NOTES FROM THE CASE Suffolk’s first Co-operative Pub! As the temperature drops we’re starting to think about Christmas, and where better to get into the mood than the Case with its cosy atmosphere and wood-burning stove. See the website for opening hours over the festive season. Our festive menu is available from December 7 – bookings are filling up so don’t delay. See the website for menu details. Our Senior Citizens’ Lunch will be held on Wednesday, December 14. The pub will open from noon, with food served from 12.30pm. On offer is a main course from the festive menu, followed by a mince pie and coffee or tea for £9.95. This will be accompanied by carol singing from Bentley schoolchildren. Booking is essential. If you would like to come but have difficulty with transport, please contact Yolande on 01473 805575 or casepub@outlook.com and we will arrange a lift. If you’re still not feeling properly Christmassy, come and sing carols at the pub on December 18 from 4-6pm. Guaranteed to get you in the mood. There isnt a quiz in December, but our regular programme will recommence on January 28. Come and pit your wits against our guest quiz-setter and win drinks tokens. Food served till 8pm, quiz starts at 9pm. Volunteers Still thinking about volunteering? Some of our current volunteers have recorded their experiences for you to read at www.thecasepubbentley. co.uk/volunteering. We’d love to welcome you to the team. Pop into the pub and have a chat to Yolande or one of the volunteers. And finally, many congratulations to the Save The Duke team, who have just agreed the purchase of The Duke of Marlborough at Somersham. This will be Suffolk’s second co-operative pub, and we are pleased and proud to have provided advice and assistance to the team over the past year. Well done to all involved. All at the Case wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
LOCALISATION OR GLOBALISATION Having been in local business for over 30 years, we have witnessed (in our opinion) a huge change in people’s buying habits and our local community has suffered because of it. We now consider where our hard earned pound goes when we spend it and are gravely concerned about the amount whisked away into large international corporations, resulting in money possibly leaving the country and more frighteningly, we continue to hear stories of little or less tax being paid. We firmly believe that in order to help put the ‘GREAT’ back into Great Britain (that’s you and I), we should perhaps consider spending more of our hard earned pound wherever possible within the local community and allow it to prosper more, encouraging more local employment, paying more local tax and spending more locally. Do we really know how much of our pound stays in the community or even in this country when we spend it? Do we care? Please help small local business to help the local community to prosper. Whenever possible we try to use local services, employ local people and spend our money locally, knowing that sometimes we may pay a little more. Nic & Zsa-Zsa, Badger Fuels Ltd / 01473 558854 YOUR LOCAL HEATING OIL SUPPLIER, BASED IN BRAMFORD
01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk
HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoons will be on Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, February 9 when we will be shut from 1pm. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999. Flu clinics If you didn’t manage to get to one of our flu clinics and you are eligible for a free flu vaccination, we will be running catch-up clinics so please ring reception for an appointment. Eligible patients will be either over 65 or have received a letter from the practice. Please note that we are unable to vaccinate you unless you are eligible and you should attend a pharmacy for this if required. Thank you to those patients who were patient with us while we had to work manually at one of our Shotley flu days due to IT issues. Christmas and New Year opening times We will be closed for the Christmas bank holidays on Monday, December 26 and Tuesday, December 27 as well as the New Year’s Day bank holiday on Monday, January 2. Otherwise we will be open as usual including Christmas and New Year’s Eve for pre-booked appointments. From December 19 to January 6 appointments will be available on the day. Please do not put your prescription request in early over the Christmas holidays and allow us at least three full working days before calling to
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collect your medications. Fully funded heating systems At least four of our patients are now benefitting from fully funded heating systems supplied by the Warm Homes, Healthy People project that we have been promoting. There are still funds available so if you would like to take advantage, please contact 03456 037686. Conditions apply. Don’t be a DNA The number of patients not attending for appointments is on the increase and this is putting pressure on our appointment system. Many of these patients are booking on the same day so it would be appreciated if you can let us know if you can’t make your appointment so it can be offered to someone else. Did you know you can self-refer to One Life Suffolk for weight loss, smoking cessation, health walks? Visit www.onelifesuffolk.co.uk or ring 01473 718193. Why not join the walk on Friday, January 6, starting at Pin Mill? Meet at 10.50am at the car park. This is a Grade 5 walk of three miles and should take approximately 90 minutes. For other walks, visit the website or pick up a brochure from the practice. Practice Manager Julia Smith
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM As we look forward to Christmas 2016 and the New Year 2017, I have a few wise words which I hope you will take the time to read. We all know how stressful and expensive Christmas shopping is and that children and friends look forward to receiving gifts from us. Don’t let theirs and your Christmas be ruined by opportunist thieves who stumble across open doors and windows, cars or sheds, to find neatly wrapped Christmas presents. If you go out make sure your house is secure, lights have been left on and valuables are out of sight. Cars on driveways should be locked and any valuables put in the boot. Why make it easy for someone else to enjoy your hard work and money? Use timer switches at home to give the impression of someone being in now that the nights are darker sooner. Try not to leave presents wrapped and visible from a window. The less incentive there is, the lower the risk you have of a break in to your property. If you are considering making expensive electrical purchases, consider marking them with a security pen and photographing their serial numbers for your records.
COPDOCK WITH WASHBROOK MORNING MARKET 10-11am on the first Saturday of each month in the Church Room on The Street. Bric-a-brac and freshly made cakes and sausage rolls.
TATTINGSTONE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FETE
www.immobilise.com is a free property registration service and a very powerful tool in the fight against crime. We would encourage you to register your valuable and identifiable possessions on this website. Please remember to include make, model and serial numbers where possible. It may be this winter that we experience snow flurries as well as ice cold temperatures. Make sure that you are prepared for this if using your car on the roads. Make sure your fluids are topped up, think about a blanket or warm clothes in the boot in case you get caught in a road closure. It is also worth having your tyres checked by a garage to ensure they are legal and safe to use on the roads. Decent tyres can be lifesavers, and bad ones could cost you your licence. Many people get caught out by sudden changes in road conditions; be prepared to drive slower and plan well ahead for your journey.
Tuesday, December 20 in Tattingstone Village Hall, 3.20pm With games, a tombola and raffle, refreshments, face painting and Father Christmas will be making an appearance. Everyone is welcome to come along and raise much needed funds for the school. If you would like more information please email: ptasecretary@tattingstoneprimaryschool.co.uk
Suffolk Police will again be taking a zero tolerance approach to alcohol fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour this Christmas. Please drink sensibly when out, have designated drivers; you will not want to be the person who is arrested on Christmas Eve and has to spend the following day in police custody. Remember you can now follow the Safer Neighbourhood Team at Hadleigh on Twitter @HadleighPolice. Finally, from all officers and staff at Hadleigh Police Station we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year. Until next month, PCSO 3173 Julia Bignell, Hadleigh SNT, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk For emergency calls 999 / non-emergency calls 101
BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY BATS members are getting excited! Tickets for Little Shop of Horrors at Brantham Village Hall from February 14-19 at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 19, are going on sale during December. We all enjoy a musical and this is one of exceptional quality, written by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. A spoof science fiction about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a vicious, raunchy plant. With catchy songs, music provided by a live band, romance and an introduction to life on the backstreets, BATS aim to present a colourful, dazzling show with dancing and puppetry to bring the story to life. This scintillating show is suitable for all the family. Directed by John Hoskyns and Pippa Revell. Tickets (£8 / children £6) can be purchased online from www.ticketsource. co.uk or from Bakes and Blossoms, Acacia Court, Brantham (9.30am2pm). Enquiries to 07891 974844 (text or voicemail). There’s still time to help backstage; contact Angie on 01206 396674.
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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY The weather has turned colder and the days are definitely drawing in so why don’t we just curl up on the sofa, under a warm woolly blanket and read? Sounds ideal! What! No book to read or no woolly blanket? Well, the library offers you both. We have lots of knitting and craft books and of course plenty of reading material. Or perhaps you might want to listen to a storybook. We have a good range on offer and of course you can order anything from the online catalogue. Browse and select to pick up from a library of your choice. DVDs are also available to hire on a weekly basis. Thank you for your support of the local library – may we wish you a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. ADVANCE NOTICES We shall be closed for the Christmas break on December 25, 26 and 27, re-opening with normal hours on Wednesday 28. We will also be closed on Sunday, January 1. Please use the book drop letterbox for any returns made on these dates; the books will be dealt with by staff upon re-opening. We also notify of closures in January to enable our friends the Orchard Players to prepare for their pantomime. The library will be closed from 5pm on Friday 13 and from 12.30pm on Saturday 14. Again please use the book drop letterbox for returns. Don’t forget that we first and second class stamps and also book tokens. CLUBS FOR DECEMBER Baby Bounce: Tuesdays 6 and 13 at 2pm Book Club: Friday 16 at 2.30pm Minecraft: Sundays 4 and 18, 10.30am-12.30pm Do ask the staff for details of our clubs and we will endeavour to answer your questions. NEW: We now offer an iPad lending service. Conditions apply, but do ask for further details. We have an IT whizz offering help on an appointment basis on Tuesday mornings. Again do ask for further details.
FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY
New Year dates for your diaries Our next Creative Arts East showing is The Car Man on January 26, doors open at 1.30 for screening to start at 1.45pm.
As we approach the end of the year, why not make a New Year’s resolution to join the friends (it only costs £1) and to enrol in the 100 Club? This all goes to support the work being done to maintain our local library. As we read of local libraries in other counties being closed in council cuts, our own library is expanding its role in the community. We now have iPads available to borrow (must be booked but the friends may add to their number depending on demand) and a popular Minecraft club. To the uninitiated, this is a very popular online game and the library runs regular sessions for youngsters to play it together.
The Friends of Capel Library AGM is on January 28 at 4pm. Further details will be published in the January edition. OPENING HOURS Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Wednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday: 9.30am-12.30pm Friday: 2-5pm & 5.30-7.30pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Sunday: 10am-3pm Tel: 01473 311699
IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 15 Route 15 Town/village Location Time MIP/15A Washbrook Pearson’s Way 9.50-10.40 MIP/15B Washbrook Brook Inn Car Park 10.45-11.15 MIP/15C Washbrook Fenn View 11.20-11.40 MIP/15D Burstall Telephone Kiosk 11.50-12.15 MIP/15E Elmsett Rose and Crown 12.40-13.05 MIP/15F Whatfield Wheatfields 14.05-14.50 MIP/15G Hintlesham Timperleys 15.05-16.00 DATES: December 7, January 4, February 1
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The November winners of our monthly draw were: Di Barker (£15), Sue Edwards (£5) and Pauline Wyman (£5).
Watch out too for the cinema presentations. We plan to get a community cinema up and running in the New Year, but it will depend on your support. The library service in Suffolk is run by Suffolk Libraries and as we go to print we have learned that Sarah Wilson, our current chair, has been co-opted onto the management board. This will give Capel a voice at the table where decisions are made about the future shape of libraries in Suffolk.
CAPEL SINGERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT Capel Singers Christmas Concert will take place in St Mary’s Church on Tuesday, December 13. As many know, this makes a great start to the Christmas season with a mix of carols telling the Christmas story and a selection of readings drawn from far and wide. Some real favourites, some humorous, and some that make you think a bit. The concert will be at 7.30pm, followed (as always) by seasonal refreshments.
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Remembering together this Christmas For over a decade, the East of England Co-op Funeral Services have brought people together at Christmas to celebrate and remember the lives of those close to them, who are no longer with us.
Carol Concert
This December, they will be hosting a number of carol concerts across the region, as well as collecting messages and memories to place on special ‘Trees to Remember’ at their funeral branches, raising money for local hospices. Andrew Dawes, Head of the East of England Co-op Funeral Services, said: “Having been supporting generations of local families for over 90 years, we understand that Christmas can be particularly difficult for those who have lost someone dear to them.
Thursday 8th December 2016 7pm, Ipswich Town Football Club The Sir Bobby Robson Suite, Portman Road, Ipswich Free Admission
“Tree to Remember is an important part of the ongoing support services we offer bereaved families in the local community. Our trees have collected thousands of memories of those who left a special mark on our lives. This Christmas we invite you to share your own message or memory, and look forward to welcoming you to one of our carol concerts or services.” The very first East of England Co-op funeral branch opened back in 1925 and there are now around 50 branches across the region. As a local, independent business they only operate in the Eastern region and are owned directly by their members.
Led by
Tina Hayward Featuring Love to Sing Community Choir Ipswich & Norwich Co-op Band
Because they are the local Co-op for the East of England, they work hard to support the community by helping local groups and initiatives as well as partnering with good causes and charities. This Christmas the East of England Co-op will be hosting a carol concert on Thursday 8th December at 7pm at the Bobby Robson suite at Ipswich Town Football Club. All are welcome to attend, with performances from the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op Band and the Love to Sing Community Choir. To book your place call 01473 257242.
Join us to remember loved ones this Christmas To book your place call
01473 257242
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OUT & ABOUT PEN PIX LAUNCH PIXMAX After 11 years of showing great films to even greater audiences, Pen Pix are having to renew their screen due to wear and tear. It is being replaced with an even bigger screen so that you can all enjoy the films in bigger, better, high definition Blu-ray. We like to call it PixMax. We have always said that Pen Pix is non-profit making and any profit made goes back into your enjoyment, and that is what we do. The first film to be shown on the PixMax big screen will be the delightful Eddie the Eagle. Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael ‘Eddie’ Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. The Radio Times critic said that: “Eddie the Eagle is a captivating, crowd pleasing success”. This is our Christmas film – the movie has the snow and Pen Pix will provide the atmosphere with our annual mulled wine and mince pies. We leave it to you, our audience, to provide the Christmas cheer. Eddie the Eagle is showing in Tattingstone Village Hall on December 1, doors open at 7.30pm with the film starting at 8pm. Tickets are £4.50 on the door or you can buy them in advance from our usual outlets: The Wheatsheaf, The White Horse, The Case is Altered, Bentley Community Shop, Stutton Community Shop, Lloyd on 01473 326882, or Rosi on 01473 328315.
Come along and experience our new PixMax showing of Eddie the Eagle and join in with the Christmas celebration. Why go to the cinema when you can see a great movie for as little as £4, have a glass of wine and a great social night? See you there on December 1. Ben Connor
ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, December 10, 9am-12.30pm. Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying. Enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, mulled wine and mince pies. New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777
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OUT & ABOUT TRIANON ON SCREEN 2017 Gallop into the New Year from the Court of Camelot to a café in Casablanca with Trianon Music Group for Trianon on Screen 2017. Trianon is delighted that Denis King, the Ivor Novello award winning composer of the Black Beauty theme, Galloping Home, will be attending their first concert of the new season at the Corn Exchange. Denis, who is now based in Suffolk, will participate in a Q&A session starting at 6.30pm, so this will be a unique opportunity to discover more about the life and career of a local celebrity. The themes of royalty, heroes and love will be explored with music from The Madness of King George, The King and I, The Lion in Winter, Immortal Beloved and Dangerous Moonlight. Movie maestro Ennio Morricone will also feature, with extracts from his Golden Globe and BAFTA awardwinning soundtrack to The Mission. The movie mix will also feature favourites from Glenn Miller, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Mary Poppins. Join Trianon for a ‘supercalifragilistic’ evening on Saturday, January 7 at 7.30pm. To book call 01394 283170 / 07876 787029 or visit: www.ipswichregent.com www.tmg.org.uk
IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, December 7, 7 for 7.30pm: Steam Locos on East Anglian Metals, an illustrated talk by Peter Groom Wednesday, January 25, 7 for 7.30pm: The Railways of Durango and Germany, an illustrated talk by Graham Austin We meet at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich – entrance via rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee. Details from: 01473 414746/422145 www.idhts.co.uk
STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On November 2 John Stark introduced us to the Mid Suffolk Light Railway and on Wednesday 16 a representative from Homestead Senior Care spoke to us about senior fraud. Both informative meetings were much enjoyed by our members. December meetings December 7: Entertains, Robin Finch December 21: Christmas Quiz with Paul Oliver We are also holding our popular Christmas Lunch at The Venture Centre, Lawford on Sunday, December 11. Our only January meeting will be on Wednesday 18 when Dr J Knight will talk on the life and works of Sir John Betjeman CBE, an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who’s Who as a “poet and hack”. He was Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death in 1984. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665
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TEA & COMPANY Monday, December 12 at Wenham View, Dove Close All welcome to come along from 2.30pm £1.50 for tea/coffee, homemade cakes and raffle Supported by The Capel Ladies Spend an evening with novelist Janet Davey who will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute (15 Tavern Street, IP1 3AA) on Wednesday, December 9 as part of Suffolk Book League’s 2016 programme of events. Janet’s first novel, English Correspondence, was longlisted for the Orange Prize, and her latest, Another Mother’s Son, considers the challenges of modern day parenthood in close detail and has been described as “a mesmerizing take on a mother’s dread of the empty nest”. Doors open at 7pm with the event starting at 7.30pm. Entrance is £4 for members of Suffolk Book League and £8 for non-members. Students are free on production of a valid student card. Tickets can be paid for on the door or if you want to book in advance please email: enquire@sbl.org.uk Suffolk Book League, a quite unique organisation, provides what is essentially a year-long literary festival. For further information visit: www.sbl.org.uk
CAPEL COUNTRYSIDE CLUB Robert Maidstone presented a fascinating illustrated talk on woodlands at our November meeting, explaning how to identify trees by their bark and seeds and sharing some exellent photos of the diversse beetles, insects, butterflies and moths that live in them. Robert concluded by saying that climate change is affecting wildlife in this country. Jennifer Jones will be making and displaying church stained glass at our next meeting on Tuesday, December 13. You are very welcome to join us in the lounge at Capel Methodist Church at 7.30pm and for refreshments afterwards.
VILLAGE LINK CLUB Carolyn Leigh Belcher presented a talk on creative storywriting at our November meeting. She explained her approach to storywriting and read out a few sections from some of her books as examples. Having written her first book, she then found how difficult it was to find a publisher. She had almost given up hope when one contacted her at the eleventh hour. Even then some modifications were required before her story could go to print. Harry and Sue Parsons will present a talk entitled Nothing Like a Dame when we meet on Dceember 14. Future talks: Dedham, Lavenham and the Cloth Trade; Chaplin of the Methodist Homes; Wolves, Dogs and Us; Easter Parade; The Building of Bury Tower. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall at 10am. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
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Available from... Copdock Mill, Old London Road, Copdock, IP8 3LA
01473 731117 Mon - Sat: 8am - 6pm, Sun: 10am - 4pm
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OUT & ABOUT COPDOCK & WASHBROOK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE We held a taster lunch in October with the theme of Autumn Splendour, which had a varied and tasty menu and good company – a very pleasant time. In November we ran our own craft day and our regional group is also holding a craft day which several of our members are attending. In December we get into the Christmas spirit as we are hosting our regional group’s Christmas Carol Concert in Copdock church, and also running a trip to Redhouse Christmas Barn with lunch beforehand. Our speaker in October was Dennis Kell who spoke to us on the subject of bats. Dennis is a very keen wildlife watcher and has been involved in Suffolk Bat Group since the 1980s. His enthusiasm and knowledge is infectious; he told us about the 17 species of bats in Britain, the wide variances in bats worldwide and how the bat population is a good indicator of the wildlife position in general. There are many good reasons to join the WI. We enjoy a wide variety of interests and outings, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the campaigns supported by the WI, to learn new skills, improve existing skills or just come along to the meetings for companionship and interesting speakers. You can come to three meetings as a visitor to see what goes on before deciding if you would like to join. All visitors and new members will be warmly welcomed. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding August) at the village hall. The next meeting on December 20 will be our Christmas social evening. Normal meetings will start again on January 17. Please arrive around 7.15 for a 7.30pm start. Sandra Howard
STOUR VALLEY U3A
NEW YEAR FESTIVAL + HOOTENANNY Following the huge success of the recent Saints Beer Festival and Oktoberfest events, Beer & Co is hosting the first Ipswich Winter Beer & Wine Festival in the run-up to the New Year at St Peters by the Waterfront. It has been a whirlwind start for company owners Greg Cooper and Marc Titford and they have plenty more lined-up for the future to interest beer and live music fans. Greg says: “We set about creating unique and exciting festivals, events that we would want to attend ourselves, and have stuck by this principal. The support and feedback we have received has been amazing. It has given us confidence to create more and we are really excited by our forthcoming New Year Festival and Hootenanny events.” From noon on December 30 and 31, Saints Beer & Wine Festival will have a range of cask ales, beer, wine and cider, street food stalls and open mic sessions presented by West End Music. Entry is only £2.50. Saints Hootenanny will be hosted by Stephen ‘Foz’ Foster, with live music from Suffolk’s most talented, including GrapevineLIVE Introduces. With Saints Festival food and drink available throughout, guests are promised the best night out ever. Tickets are only £25 with multi-buy offers available. For more information and tickets visit: www.beerandco.uk
CRAFTERS UNLIMITED Meeting on the first Monday in Wherstead Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. Monday, December 5: Party & Gift Boxes (Committee) Monday, January 9: Washi Tape (Debbie) Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available. Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534 / Janet 01473 689681
Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty may be contacted. On Wednesday, November 9, Adrian Wright FRGS presented a talk entitled Earth on Fire. Hawaiian larva oozes continuously while Krakatoa and Vesuvius have been dormant for decades – sometimes centuries – between cataclysmic events. This illustrative talk examined volcanic variety, exploring reasons for such diversity. While we don’t have a speaker meeting in December our popular Christmas Lunch will take place on Wednesday, December 7 in The Constable Hall. On Wednesday, January 11, Dr Geoffrey Kay, former lecturer at Norwich School of Art and Anglia Ruskin University, will speak on Drugs, Sex & Death – the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In the mid-19th century a group of young artists began to sign their work with the initials PRB. For a short time gallery visitors baffled. What was it that united these artists and how did they determine the course of British art for the next 50 years? We meet at The Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December.
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OUT & ABOUT BELSTEAD GARDEN CLUB Belstead Garden Club is now one year old and has been a great success. An interesting and varied programme was put together covering Greenthumb lawn care, herbs, bulbs, winter plants, hanging baskets and garden design to name a few. Visits were popular too. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month in Belstead Village Hall at 7.30pm. Annual subscription is only £12 each or £20 per couple. We have a treat in store for our December meeting. Well-known florist Alan Smith will be demonstrating Christmas flowers for the home and all will be raffled at the end of the meeting. This will be held on a different day to our usual Wednesday and instead is on Thursday, December 8 at 7.30pm. If you would like to see what our friendly garden club is all about, please come along and enjoy meeting likeminded people who all share a love of gardens and gardening. You will be made very welcome and, who knows, you may wish to join at the end of the evening. Members, please note change of date: Thursday, December 8, 7.30pm
RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN AND STOUR ESTUARY SPEND SOME TIME WITH NATURE The gates of RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden have closed now until next Easter, except for a few special weekends. The last of our Green Christmas Weekends, to coincide with the National Trust’s Tudor Christmas events, is December 3 and 4, 10.30am-3.30pm each day. Do come along and join us. In line with our ‘green’ theme, there will be a woven willow Christmas tree, festive bird feeders and simple willow decorations to make, an RSPB volunteers’ craft stall to browse and some jolly wassailing in our tiny orchard. We’re also hoping for a visit from the Green Mother Christmas. Flatford Wildlife Garden has established a tradition of opening up for The Big Garden Birdwatch weekend at the end of January and for two special Snowdrop Weekends in February, and we plan to continue with these events, so do keep an eye on our website for further details nearer the time: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford
BENTLEY CEVC AND COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS As ever, it has been a busy month in the federation. Parents from both schools attended a phonics workshop run by the federation’s literacy lead, Mrs Robinson. It was a really useful exercise and helped parents to understand how phonics are taught in school, how to support children at home and to what level different year groups are expected to work at. We were ever so pleased with the turnout; the commitment and support that our parents give to the children has a huge impact on the children’s learning and achievement. Another cross federation event that has taken place was the Kingswood residential trip. Pupils from Years 5 and 6 from both schools spent five days at this amazing and exciting outdoor pursuits centre, taking part in fantastic activities such as high wire, go-karting, archery and raft building in a jam packed week. Despite on occasions being a little wet and chilly, the children had a wonderful time and discovered they could do more than they ever thought possible. At Copdock, Foxes class have been studying Mexico, in particular The Day of the Dead. A fun afternoon was enjoyed making fajitas which certainly smelt delicious. The children were interested to learn about the Mayan people. While some of the world population were living in caves Mayan people were writing, using numbers and counting. At Bentley the children have been looking closely at the First World War. We had a visit from a First World War captain (one of the dads, Mr Barker, in disguise), who came in to speak to the children about how it felt to fight in the war, the conditions in the trenches and the emotions felt by soldiers as they went ‘over the top’. Pupils have made their own poppies and have been learning about why we use them as a symbol for remembrance.
As Christmas approaches, it’s sometimes a relief to get away from all the preparations and out into the fresh air to slow the pace down and spend some time with nature. Have you visited Stour Wood lately? There’s ample car parking at the entrance on the B1352 and a footpath map can be downloaded from: www.rspb.org.uk/stourestuary
Wolves class have been learning about Hinduism and making their own models of the Hindu God, Ganesh. They used plaster of Paris and bright spray paints to create beautiful, vibrant models. The children found out lots about Hinduism and created some detailed pieces of written work about their research.
A choice of circular trails lead through the trees to stunning views over the estuary, where many winter migrant birds have now arrived to feed on the mudflats and roost on the saltmarsh. If the tide is right, you may see the Brent geese who’ve flown in from their Arctic breeding grounds and a host of other waders and ducks. Keep your eyes on the sky for flocks of dunlin wheeling over the water, their white underwings shining and twinkling in the sunlight as they twist and turn en masse. A wonderful sight, and right on our doorstep – aren’t we lucky? The river is home to good numbers of teal at the moment too, the male dabbling ducks with their strikingly distinctive broad green eye-patches, and both sexes showing bright green wing patches in flight.
All the Year 4 pupils across the federation took part in an uplifting music event at The Royal Hospital School. Led by Dominic Peckham, our pupils joined hundreds from other schools in a day of music and fun. We were very proud of how our pupils engaged and their performance at the end of the day was pretty amazing when you consider they only had one day to put it all together. We used the school minibus for transport to the event; buying a minibus for the federation has meant a huge increase in the trips and visits we can go on and saved the school and parents alike a large amount of money as we need to hire fewer coaches.
The woods themselves are an oasis of peace and calm at this time of the year. Find the time to rustle through the leaves or swoosh through some puddles in your wellies and take in the sound of the breeze through the branches and the song of the robin. Your blood pressure will thank you for it.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Copdock Mill for their sponsorship of the minibus; they donate a quantity of diesel every month that has a significant impact on the usefulness of the bus. We very much appreciate their on-going generosity.
If you have some spare time available and would be interested in volunteering with us at the RSPB locally, do get in touch for information about the range of roles available: 01206 391153 / stourestuary@rspb.org.uk Visitor Experience Officer Sharon Barker
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Finally, the Christmas Fayres this year are as follows: Copdock: Friday, December 9, 3.30-5.30pm in the village hall Bentley: Friday, December 16, 3.15-5pm in the school hall If you can, please do come along and grab yourself a Christmas bargain.
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Christmas at Ellisons
We are closed from 5.30pm on Friday 23rd December 2016 until
Monday 2nd January 2017 We re-open on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 at 9am Ipswich Office Appointments at your convenience enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com 01473 556 900 Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336
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SCHOOLS TATTINGSTONE CEVC SCHOOL Well, what a busy first half of the autumn term we had and this next half term looks to be as busy. The Ducklings and Puffin children are to visit Tesco where, as part of the Farm to Fork scheme, they’ll have a tour of the store, look behind the scenes, taste fruit and cheese and visit the bakery among other activities. They are also visiting Jimmy’s Farm for a day of educational activities. Ducklings now have a lovely new mud kitchen, which all the children love to use. Thank you to Mr Cooper for all his hard work. The Puffins have been learning how to tell the time, using adverbs in their writing and are learning about the world around us in geography. They started by looking at the seven continents and then moved onto learning about France. The children loved the thought that people eat snails. In Kingfishers and Grebes the sound of French can be heard. The children in Kingfishers are learning how to greet each other. In Grebes they are taking what they already know and using it in their English, maths and history lessons. In English they have been writing about their favourite holiday places, and in maths they have been writing sentences involving fractions. In history they used their knowledge to write propaganda posters. On our open day we had children and their parents visiting from a wide area. Thank you to the staff, children and adults who help to make our school a friendly and welcoming place to visit. Our Harvest Festival Service took place in Tattingstone Church and it was lovely to see so many parents and friends there to celebrate this wonderful time of year. The children were busy filling shoeboxes over half term for the Samaritans Purse Christmas shoebox appeal and have also been involved in football and tag rugby tournaments in recent weeks. Well done to Grebes who took part in the Co-Space competition at BT Adastral Park. Our school managed to come third. The Junior Road Safety Officers are organising a Bright Day to encourage children to think about their personal safety in the darker months, including a visit from the local PCSO. Dates for your diary Christingle: Friday, December 2, 2.45pm Nativity to the Community in the village hall: Friday, December 16, 2pm Nativity Service at Tattingstone Church: Tuesday, December 20, 2pm Christmas Fair: Tuesday, December 20, 3.15pm (see page 13) Easter to the Community: Wednesday, March 29, 2pm Rebecca Wallis, Governor
ROBIN’S CHILDCARE Baby Bears The Baby Bears have made the most of autumn by exploring the colours and textures which it brings. They have been finding and collecting an assortment of leaves in our garden and listening to the crunching sounds they make in their hands. They have also had a great time making cookies and creating new colours when practising their mixing skills. Toddling Tigers We started the month celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. We created our own coloured rangolis which are now on display. Tigers have also been taking part in World Nursery Rhyme Week, splashing in puddles for Doctor Foster, making our own Baa Baa Black Sheep and much more. Gruffalos As you read, we are practicing for our nativity play which we present to the parents. We love singing the songs. Over the last month we have celebrated Diwali and World Nursery Rhyme Week, learning new songs and enjoying some old favourites. We also explored the changing seasons, supported by Nick Butterworth stories, our favourite author. The animals in the stories joined us in our outdoor sessions, teaching us about hibernation, the environment in which they live and how to have fun outdoors. Throughout December we will be celebrating all things Christmas, including Christmas traditions. If you would like information about Robin’s Childcare, please contact Vicki on 01473 310767, visit www.robinschildcare.co.uk or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK PRE-SCHOOL To finish the term we’re going to see The Three Little Pigs at New Wolsey Studio. This gives the children a great opportunity to see one of their favourite traditional tales acted out in an exciting way and provides us with the opportunity to extend and support their learning, love of language and enhance life and story experiences. We have had our outdoor space updated. There is a new pathway for using wheeled toys or for roller-skating round at after-school club and a gravelled area for water play and construction vehicles. There are new raised beds which we will use for planting flowers, vegetables and scented herbs. A new fence has completed the project, providing storage for equipment and enhancing the safety and security of our garden. We are also holding a traditional Christmas Party which children and parents attend. If you would like more details or wish to join us please contact: 01473 731047
IPSWICH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS ANNOUNCES NEW FINANCIAL AWARD Ipswich High School for Girls has announced a brand new financial award to enable the brightest and best from state-funded schools to enter its unique Sixth Form. The Elliston Award is a financial award worth up to 50% of the Ipswich High School fees throughout the Sixth Form for strong applicants from statefunded schools. The school is fully committed to enabling the best and the brightest to enter the IHS Sixth Form and guarantee that at least one of these awards will be given to any suitable applicant from each state-funded school in Essex or Suffolk. All applicants must meet the following criteria: • Be predicted/have achieved 7 A*-C grades (or 6 to 9 in the new marking scheme) in their GCSE subjects • Have a letter of recommendation from their current school • Be studying for GCSEs in a state school in Essex or Suffolk • Be motivated and have the potential to succeed
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Ipswich High School for Girls is the only independent girls’ school in Suffolk and one of the leading schools in our region. As one of 26 schools in the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), IHS is fully committed to the value of girls only education. We are committed to providing financial assistance to talented, motivated girls, whose families are not in a position to pay full school fees. We extend this provision even further in the Sixth Form to allow as many girls as possible to benefit from this transformative phase of education and our coach routes mean that our Sixth Form is accessible to girls across this region. The application deadline is January 30, 2017. For more details, visit www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk/Elliston or contact: Admissions@ihs.gdst.net
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SCHOOLS / SPORT CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL
BELSTEAD CARPET BOWLS CLUB
The children are all getting into the festive spirit with lots of activities going on. They are enjoying lots of Christmas themed activities as well as practising their singing and talking for their Christmas Nativity. They are all getting really excited for December 25 and looking forward to a well-earned break.
We are now well into our winter league programme which started with an 8-2 win at home to Stutton. This was the good news of the night with the not-so-good news that Celia and David Cobbold, two of our founder members, had decided to retire from the game. At the midway point we made a presentation to them as a thank-you for all their work over the years. We wish them well and hope to see them at matches in the future.
Our Christmas Nativity is taking place on Wednesday, December 7 and the children will be able to have lots of fun at their Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 16 from 4-6pm.
The second of our games was one of the best results we had ever achieved, certainly it surpassed all our other visits to Tuddenham as we finished with another 8-2 win.
A big thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 12; a great time was had by all. Also, a bit thank you to everyone who helped organise such a great event.
Next was a visit to Chelmondiston and after reaching the halfway point all square we moved ahead and we were far enough ahead to take an 8-2 win as the ninth end finished. However, on the last two ends on each mat we dropped a combined total of 12 shots to hand our hosts an 8-2 win. If the Tuddenham game was one of best, these two ends were the worst we have ever had.
The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am-3.30pm during term time. Children can start from the age of two until they go to Reception. Session fees are £9.60 and we offer a lunchclub (noon12.30pm) for £1.60. We are happy to accept childcare vouchers and we offer two-year funded places for any eligible children. We also run a holiday club in the Easter and summer holidays for two to eight year olds. For further information contact the administrator, Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk
CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB The Saturday First team are mid-table in the Senior League with nine points from their first seven games, having drawn three of their last four games after winning the first two. However, the season has been dominated by serious injuries to key players, with the worst injury suffered by new defender Craig Parry who broke his leg playing at Leiston St Margarets with the game being abandoned after just seven minutes. Craig will not play again this season and everyone at the club wishes him a full recovery. Michael Sneddon, another new signing, damaged ankle ligaments while Adam Rawthorn fractured his elbow playing five-a-side and these injuries along with holidays, suspensions and working commitments means that the First team have been under-strength for quite a few games. They reached the last 16 of the Suffolk Senior Cup after beating Kirkley Reserves 3-1 with goals from Stephen Morrison and a brace from Shaun Webb, and played Stowmarket Town in the next round on November 19 (report next month). The Reserves drew 2-2 with Claydon thanks to goals from Alex Parry and Gideon Spencer, then beat East Bergholt A 1-0 with Parry on the scoresheet again. However, defeats against Henley (5-0) and Bramford United (2-1) left them third from bottom in their league. Oliver Blew has been playing well in midfield with Gideon Spencer putting in some good performances in defence. The Sunday morning team beat Wells Hall Wanderers from Sudbury 3-1 in the Suffolk Shield with goals from Abdul Kaium (2) and Bill Boosey, then lost 2-1 to Queens FC to leave them mid-table while our Sunday Veteran side reached the next round of the County Cup after beating Ipswich Parks 3-1, then lost 3-0 against Ipswich Valley Rangers. There are youth games on the field most Saturday mornings with our nine qualified youth managers enjoying running the sides and the youngsters enjoying their football, which is what it’s all about. I would like to wish all our players, officials and supporters a Happy Christmas. You can check the posters at the club or visit the websites to find out when our teams play at home. BOB THE PLOUGHMAN
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This was followed by a visit to Sproughton and by now the wheels had come adrift and we lost 7-3. To finish this report a home match against Barking resulted in another defeat so I think we can safely say that our defence of last year’s title has already finished.
EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB It was a reasonable month for the First Team, registering two victories, one draw and one defeat and maintaining a mid-table position. The Reserves slipped back a little, suffering two defeats to go along with one win and one draw, but are still well placed in League A. The A Team had a tough October in the B League. Having won their first match, they failed to gain any further points and are now in a mid-table position. You may well have noticed that our dug outs at Gandish Road are now looking much better. We are very grateful to G&C Softwoods for supplying the materials to make this possible. A reminder for all spectators. Kick off times have reverted to 2pm now that the clocks have gone back. They return to 2.30pm at the end of January. UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team Senior Division Sat, Nov 26 Achilles (A) Sat, Dec 3 Henley Athletic (H) Sat, Dec 10 Ransomes Sports (A) Tue, Dec 27 Capel Plough (A) Mon, Jan 2 Coplestonians (H) Sat, Jan 7 Witnesham Wasps Bob Coleman Cup R3 (A) Reserves League A Sat, Nov 26 Sat, Dec 3 Sat, Dec 10 Sat, Dec 17
Achilles Res (H) Old Newton Utd Res (A) AFC Hoxne Res (H) Ipswich Athletic Res (A)
A Team League B Sat, Nov 26 Sat, Dec 3 Sat, Dec 10 Sat, Dec 17 Sat, Jan 7
Coplestonians A (A) Trimley Athletic Res (H) Trimley Red Devils Res (A) Henley Athletic Res (H) Bacton United ’89 Res (A)
Fixtures subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 We are always looking for people who can help the club as a committee member, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays all offer potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. Steve Butcher, secretary: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
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SPORT TATTINGSTONE CARPET BOWLS CLUB A couple of months ago when I joined Tattingstone Carpet Bowls Club, I harped on about how friendly the club is. Well I didn’t appreciate just how friendly. I didn’t reliase how much they do for charity, with events such as the Headway Charity Bowls Competition, sponsored by Doug Wade Insurance, which has raised £8,736 over 20 years. Also the Cynthia Page Memorial Competition with Bentley Carpet Bowls which had raised £6,000 for Papworth Cardiac Unit Trust Fund. How good is that? I’m so glad to be part of this fantastic club. Now, back to the game itself. As we go to print we have won away games against Stratford St Mary and Hadleigh, but must now learn to win some of our home games. Wednesday is our club night. If you fancy a go, come along to Tattingstone Village Hall at 7.30pm and we will greet you with open arms. We are all now looking forward to our Christmas Lunch at the Ipswich Hotel (the old Cameo). What a lovely get-together that’s going to be. Tony Coward
BENTLEY BOWLS CLUB The green has been top dressed and seeded and is now closed for the season. We shall start again in April/May 2107. A note for your new diaries and calendars: we shall be having our quiz on Saturday, May 6 in Bentley Village Hall at 7.30pm with teams of up to six people. A reminder will be given later. Do think about giving bowls a try; we are a small, friendly club and play our games on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 6.45pm. Contact our secretary, Lillian Calvert: 01473 311756
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BENTLEY CARPET BOWLS
Annual Club Doubles On Tuesday, November 25, we held our annual Club Doubles competition. Seven pairs took part, each playing four games. After some very good bowling the trophy was won by Sandra Ford and Veronica Howe and the runners-up were Moira Alexander and Adrian Mills. Congratulations to the winners and runners-up. A big thank you must go to Lillian Calvert who organised and ran the evening so professionally. Suffolk Triples On Sunday, November 6, Margaret Blackmore, David Howe and Veronica Howe represented Bentley Carpet Bowls in the Suffolk Triples competition at Needham Market. Twenty-five teams entered the competition and were divided into seven groups of five. Bentley drew with Barking B to finish top of Group 1. The winners of each group went through to the first round. Bentley took three on the first end against Lavenham and maintained a lead throughout the game to win 6-3. This meant they progressed to the quarter finals and played against Cockfield who ran out 12-3 winners. The overall winners on the day were Barking A who won against Cockfield B. Congratulations to the Bentley team who put up a very spirited performance. Jill Mills
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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: The Rev Annette Shannon, The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell
northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07713863023 Dear Friends December is probably my busiest month of the year. I enjoy getting ready for Christmas, but I know some of my friends hate it. I love the preparation work, all the special services and the mass of social events. I look forward to the children’s nativities, delight in the community spirit, particularly the anticipation at the midnight service, and even welcome the challenge of completing the jobs at home ahead of the big day. I am excited by the sight of Christmas decorations, the carols, the tastes, the smells, the sounds, the sights and the feelings of Christmas. My special joy this year will be sharing Christmas with our first grandchild, Isaac. It’s a time for sharing and joyfulness tinged only by the shadows of empty seats of people no longer able to gather with us and help us to celebrate. We often hear predictions about the decline of organised religion, but at Christmas pews and chairs get filled. More than a million people attended a Church of England Christmas Service last year. In the six small churches in this benefice the numbers of attendees doubled, if not trebled from a normal Sunday congregation. And we suddenly saw the church as it actually could be. The energy was wonderful. I think people who come to these services are genuinely happy to be back in church and that some even promise themselves that they will come back again more regularly in the New Year. But by the time it gets round to that other things are in their minds. What brings people into church at Christmas? In many ways it is probably a cultural thing with singing carols as much part of Christmas as mince pies and Christmas trees. There is also perhaps a sense of belonging originating from the familiar nativity story and other Bible passages. But I also think that there is a sense of wonder deep in all of us, even in those who don’t believe. Ambivalence towards the Christmas story becomes a reflection of a spectrum of belief, rather than people simply being believers and non-believers. It is also true that many of our parishioners have a real relationship with their local church even if they don’t regularly attend or profess to a faith. The lack of regular attendance is sad because it means there is very limited opportunity for a framework of discussion around faith, but it is a matter of some rejoicing that people still want that touchstone – they want to come back, even if it’s only temporary at Christmas. Whatever brings people to church at this season I am delighted and hope that we can all enjoy a warm atmosphere, the awesome architecture, vibrant singing and a sense of belonging… after all the Christmas story is all about gathering as a family and of welcome. Dear God, please bless this Christmas season with peace, joy, and love. May the happiness of Baby Jesus’ coming be felt in every home. Amen With love and prayers The Rev Annette Wishing all our parishioners a peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year Blessings from North Samford Benefice www.facebook.com/northsamfordbenefice Sproughton Christmas Fayre: Sunday, December 11 in Tithe Barn from noon Copdock Christmas Fayre: Saturday, December 3 in the Church Room from 10am Grand Draw, cakes and pastries, jams and preserves, books, Christmas gifts, decorations, refreshments and mulled wine. Proceeds to St Peter’s Church, Copdock.
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CHRISTMAS SERVICES Bentley Christingle with a visit from Father Christmas, December 4, 10am Copdock Nativity, December 11 at 10am in St Peter’s Church Belstead Carols, December 18, 6pm Copdock Carols, December 18, 6pm Tattingstone Carols, December 18, 6pm Sproughton Carols, December 18, 6.30pm Bentley Nine Lessons and Carols, December 18, 10am Burstall Carols, December 18, 4.30pm Sproughton Nativity, December 24, 3pm Bentley Crib Service, December 24, 3pm Tattingstone Crib and Christingle Service, December 24, 4pm Copdock Midnight Mass, 11.30pm Sproughton Midnight Mass, 11.30pm Tattingstone Midnight Mass, 11.30pm FROM THE REGISTERS Baptisms Crystal Whiting-Woodhouse, Sproughton George Blackwell, Copdock Weddings Alfred Taylor and Sophie Tibbitts, Belstead Burial of Ashes David Prangle, Bentley Terence Rose, Copdock Keith Marston, Tattingstone DIARY DATES DECEMBER 1 Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am 3 Copdock Christmas Market, 10am-12.30pm Tattingstone Morning Market, 10am-noon 4 Bentley Christingle, 10am 6 Ministry meeting, 7.30pm 7 Bentley Home Communions, 10am 10 Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am 11 Sproughton Christmas Fayre, Tithe Barn, noon Burstall Christingle, 9.30am Copdock Nativity, 10am 15 Bentley Mulled Wine and Carols, 7.30pm 18 Burstall Carols, 4.30pm Sproughton Carol Service, 6.30pm Tattingstone Carol Service, 6pm Belstead Carol Service, 6pm Copdock Carol Service, 6pm Bentley Carol Service, 10am 19 Sproughton Christmas Experience, 9.15am 24 Sproughton Nativity, 3pm Bentley Crib Service, 3pm Tattingstone Carols and Crib Service, 4pm JANUARY 4 Bentley Home Communions, 10am 5 Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Epiphany School Service, Sproughton 14 Benefice planning meeting, Burstall Village Hall, 8.30am 18 Copdock Home Communions, 10am 25 Burstall Approval of Accounts 28 Wedding Preparation Day, 9.45am-3pm Continued Over... Sproughton Burns Night, 7pm
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CHURCH NEWS SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE December 4 8am 9.30am 10am 10am 10am 11am December 11 Noon 9.30am 10am 10am 6pm December 18 10am 10am 10am 11am 4.30pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 6.30pm
Copdock Burstall Bentley Copdock Tattingstone Sproughton
Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion
Sproughton Burstall Copdock Bentley Tattingstone
Christmas Fayre Christingle Nativity Holy Communion Evensong
Belstead Copdock Bentley Sproughton Burstall Belstead Copdock Tattingstone Sproughton
Holy Communion Simply Sunday Carol Service Holy Communion Carols Carols Carols Carols Carols
December 24: Christmas Eve 3pm Bentley 3pm Sproughton 4pm Tattingstone 11.30pm Copdock 11.30pm Sproughton 11.30pm Tattingstone December 25: Christmas Day 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 11am Sproughton January 1 10am Belstead January 8 9.15am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone
Crib Service Nativity Christingle and Crib Service Midnight Mass Midnight Mass Midnight Mass Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Benefice Service Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evensong
Church letters and copy for the January edition by December 4 please to Hayley Purnell: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com
HOLBROOK AND CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES WHO, ME? At the beginning of 2016 who would have thought we would have Prime Minister Teresa May, Chancellor Phillip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and President-elect Donald Trump by the end of the year? On Radio 4’s The Now Show, Steve Punt asked the question: “Is it just me that finds it confusing that we have Hammond and May in charge of the country? It makes me worried that Clarkson might be in there somewhere!” Any one of those suggestions earlier this year would have evoked the surprised response “Who, them?”. So many surprising things happening during this year. Of the four I’ve listed, three were positioning themselves for these post and Boris was probably the only one who might have been surprised when the call came and asked the question himself “Who, me?”. Have you ever been asked to do something amazing and answered “Who, me?”. We are so surprised that we are asked. Sometimes we may try to make excuses for not doing it, other times we might relish the challenge. If being chosen for this amazing thing involves making some sacrifice, again we might not be so willing. Mary was asked to do an amazing thing, to be the mother of Jesus. Her first response “Who, me?”. Then I guess she thought about the consequences, what her fiancé would say or do, and her parents – the potential for shame was enormous. Mary’s parents and Joseph may have asked the question with surprise “Who, Mary?”. But her response was: “I am willing, let it happen as you have said.” Then her parents accepted it, her fiancé married her. Mary was changed as she made herself available to God. The story of Mary calls for a similar response from us. We will hear the stories of the birth of Jesus again in this coming month. We love the story, we’ll enjoy the carols, but actually Jesus wants us to be part of his team, Team Jesus. As the old joke says, Jesus, a carpenter’s son, is looking for joiners! He wants us to be part of his team and I hear you say with surprise “Who, me?”. Jesus responds “Yes, you!”. If you want to discover more of what that means, please drop me a line (email or post), text or ring, or join us at one of our services and make yourself known. Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Holbrook and Capel Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT HOLBROOK METHODIST What’s on in December (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Monday, 2.30-4pm: Tea and Chat (HCT)
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Thursday 1 1.30pm Wreath Making (repeated at 7.30pm) Friday 2 9am Tiddlers / 10am Family Live 3.30pm Christmas Messy Church (HCT) Saturday 3 10am Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of DOM’s FUND Festive food and drinks, gift stalls Sunday 4 10am Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey Tuesday 6 7.30pm Conversations Meeting – informal time to discuss Christian issues Wednesday 7 11am-4pm Christmas Knit In / chat including festive lunch Thursday 8 2pm Fellowship Meeting at 16 Ipswich Road, Holbrook Sunday 11 10am Worship with Dr Liz Cope 6.15pm At Chelmondiston with Rev Julian Pursehouse Friday 16 9am Tiddlers / 10am Family Live Sunday 18 10am Family Friendly Worship with Mrs Alicia Holmes 4.30pm Carols at The Swan (HCT) Wednesday 21 7pm Carol Service Thursday 22 2pm Fellowship Meeting at 16 Ipswich Road, Holbrook Sunday 25 10.30am Christmas Day Worship with Mrs Sylvia McLean Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in December. AT CAPEL METHODIST Sunday 4 10.30am 6.30pm Sunday 11 10.30am 6.15pm Sunday 18 10.30am 6.30pm Saturday 24 7pm Sunday 25 9.30am
Worship with Mr Peter Davidson Prayer Worship led by a Home Group At Chelmondiston with Rev Julian Pursehouse All Age Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Carol Service with Rev Andrew Sankey Community Carols in the Precinct Christmas Day Worship with Miss Emma Bowyer
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CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ Tel: 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information, please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk The weekly newsletter is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door of the church. Services for December Sunday 4 9am
2nd Sunday of Advent Mass
Tuesday 6 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 11 9am
3rd Sunday of Advent Mass
Tuesday 13 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 18 9am
4th Sunday of Advent Mass Children’s Liturgy
Tuesday 20 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Saturday 24 5.30pm 8pm
Christmas Eve St Joseph’s College, Ipswich IP2 9DR Holy Family, Brantham
Sunday 25 Christmas Day 9am Mass Holy Family, Brantham 11am Mass, St Mark’s, Ipswich Tuesday 27 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Catholic Commentary The quest for Christian Unity received a boost from the recent meeting in Rome when Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury met for talks at which 19 pairs of bishops from the two communions were charged to return to their countries and promote more joint prayer, joint proclamation of the Gospel and joint works, especially charitable
activity and for justice. The meeting marked the 50th anniversary of the beginning of formal Anglican-Roman Catholic ecumenical efforts. While doctrinal differences still exist there is much common ground for more co-operation. The Catholic Church has welcomed the government’s proposal to remove the 50 percent cap on faith-based admissions for free schools and academies. This will enable Catholic schools to meet the current parental demand for thousands of new Catholic school places across the country. Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, November 20 when three lucky winners shared £139. The next draw takes place on Sunday, December 18. The club has grown from strength-to-strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Our Christmas Hamper Raffle will be drawn on Sunday, December 11 and tickets are now on sale. Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for the Parish Room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, December 29. The parish are planning an Epiphany lunch on Thursday, January 5 at The Ipswich Hotel (formerly The Cameo), Old London Road, Copdock IP8 3JD. This lunch will follow 11.30am mass at St Mark’s. Further details will be published in the weekly newsletter. Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps and to place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Fr Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital (01473 726701). Please contact him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services. All are very welcome at Holy Family, Brantham All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services. It’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic Faith are always welcome. Please contact the Presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.
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classes also in: - Brantham - East Bergholt - Hadleigh - Nayland, & - Stratford St Mary
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janet@fundancing.co.uk www.fundancing.co.uk FunDancing.Suffolk FunDancing
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