In Touch News with Copdock March 2019

In Touch

™ ™©©

with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook Volume 9 • Issue No. 4 • March 2019

Skiphire www.collins-skiphire.co.uk

For a fast, efficient & price friendly local service

01473 327596

orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk

St Peter’s, Copdock by NIgel Paul

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

1

2

In Touch online:

NEWS

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I hope you value the fact that we aim to produce a monthly magazine with a balance of advertising and editorial content, providing essential information about products and services we all require and supporting local business in doing so, while also providing relevant local news which enables residents to engage with the local community and keep in touch with local news and events. As editor I juggle this rather delicate balance very carefully and encourage readers to support the advertisers who enable Mansion House Publishing (MHP) to design, print and deliver the magazine every month and to support an enormous range of fundraising activities and charities.

You’ll find quite a few in this edition and I hope you can support the efforts of those who make them happen.

One which I’d like to highlight this month, and which we have made a commitment to support until the project has been completed, is The Blossom Appeal, a Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals charity set up to develop a £2.5 million Breast Centre at Ipswich Hospital. The new centre will bring all elements of breast care at Ipswich Hospital under one roof and provide an environment where patients can be imaged, biopsied where necessary, and see their clinician in one appointment without the need to get dressed and undressed several times. There will also be new dedicated clinics for men and young people.

We’ll provide regular updates, promote fundraising events and let you know how you can help. Right now they are looking for people to open their gardens in 2019. All types and size of garden are welcome. You choose when to open.

Simply ask visitors for a donation to view your garden and sell refreshments, plants or crafts to boost your fundraising. Register your garden at www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/opengardens or for more information contact: charity@esneft.nhs.uk / 0300 770 1369 To find out more about The Blossom Appeal please visit: www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/breast

InTouch

withBelstead,Bentley,Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook

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

01473 400380

Send editorial copy to: copdock@intouchnews.co.uk

Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Distribution Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Printing Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

01473 400379

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

We also publish In Touch with...

•B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge

In Touch with...

April DEADLINE 10 March 2019

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

CHILDREN’S NEARLY NEW SALE Saturday, March 9, 1.30-3pm Copdock & Washbrook Village Hall, Old London Road IP8 3JN Maternity Clothes, Baby Equipment, Clothes (aged 0-11 years) Toys, Books and Games 50p Entrance fee (children free) Do you have any baby/children’s items which you would like to sell?

You choose the price; 70% goes to you, 30% goes to our charity (+ £1 administration fee per seller) For more information or a free sellers pack please contact Lisa (01473 312248 / 07745 520564) or Jo (07484 256903)

GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN Be part of the Great British Spring Clean in Copdock & Washbrook on Saturday, March 30.

Our village has an ever-growing band of helpers who have had enough of other people’s rubbish, and are willing to donate their time to assist with clearing litter from our streets, verges and children’s playgrounds.

Please do support us on Saturday, March 30 between 10am and noon. We will meet at the Church Room in The Street where rubbish sacks, litter pickers and hi-vis vests will be available (bring your own gloves). Upon returning to the Church Room, sit a while to chat with other volunteers and enjoy our delicious refreshments.

For further information, contact Tina: 01473 730162

NEW ANGLE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE Entries have now been received for the fifth biennial New Angle Prize for Literature, awarded to celebrate and encourage excellence in the regional literature of East Anglia. The competition is organised by the Ipswich Institute and sponsored by Gotelee Solicitors and Scrutton Bland accountants. With a prize of £2,000 and £500 for the runner-up, the award is for recently published books of literary merit associated with or influenced by East Anglia.

The judges for 2019 are: Julia Blackburn: Poet and author of fiction and non-fiction, Her most recent book, Threads, won the East Anglian Book of the Year Award in 2015 and the 2017 New Angle Prize. Julia lives in Suffolk and sometimes in Italy.

Andrew Burton: Writer and teacher of playwriting and radio drama at University of Essex. Andrew has been on judging panels for playwriting and literature and also managed writer development programmes for Essex Book Festival.

Amanda Hodgkinson: An award winning, internationally bestselling novelist, journalist and lecturer. Her novel 22 Britannia Road won the Waterstone Award for best debut novel and the New Angle Prize EADT Readers Award in 2013. Amanda grew up on the Blackwater estuary in Essex and now lectures in creative writing at University of Suffolk.

Authors of the six short-listed books will attend a showcase bookreading event to be held at the Ipswich Institute on Wednesday, May 1 and prize-winners will be announced at a special awards dinner at Hintlesham Golf Club on Wednesday, July 3. Tickets for these events, which are open to non-members, are available from the Ipswich Institute. www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk / 01473 253992

3

NEWS COPDOCK & WASHBROOK TENNIS & BADMINTON CLUB ANNUAL VILLAGE QUIZ NIGHT Tuesday, March 12, 7.30pm at Copdock Village Hall You are invited to enter a team for the Annual Village Quiz Night.

Teams to consist of four players. The entry fee is £8 per team or £2 per person with payment being made on the night.

POPULAR PUB TURNS PINK FOR 2019 CHARITY LAUNCH

Questions will be on a variety of subjects.

The bar will be open for refreshments.

To enter a team, please notify Mike Watling by Monday, March 4 latest: mikewatling391@btinternet.com

BROOK INN CHARITY GOLF DAY Monday, April 8 at Seckford Golf Club, Seckford Hall Road, Great Bealings We are inviting teams of three players to take part in this year’s Brook Inn Charity Golf Day. All you have to do is organise a couple of your golfing friends to play with you.

The cost will be £126 per team (£42 per person) which will include coffee on arrival followed by 18 holes of golf and a two-course meal afterwards.

There will be a bacon roll or sausage bap available on the day at a reduced price of £2.50 each. Full details of the competition format, tee-off times and menu options will be announced later.

We will be holding a draw and all proceeds from the event will go to Copdock with Washbrook Church Heritage Trust for the upkeep of St Peter’s Church, Copdock.

To secure entry and to avoid disappointment, please email Andrew Burl confirming your attendance, along with the names of the players in your team: burlcharlottes@googlemail.com

DO YOU HAVE AN UP TO DATE WILL? Most of us are living longer and at present the over 65s make up 18 per cent of the population and this is due to increase to 24 per cent in 2036. As we live longer we need to be aware that most of us will require temporary or permanent care whether this is in our own home or in residential care.

Age Legal Services was established by Sacha Tiller in 2011 as she realised that making the important decision about planning for your later life is something that many of us keep putting off until an accident, injury or illness occurs.

As Sacha says: “Sometimes it’s heart breaking. I do a visit to discuss Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, but have to advise that it could be too late as I have concerns about their mental capacity. When you live with someone every day, sometimes you don’t see how quickly they can deteriorate.”

In later life we will all need to appoint someone we trust to manage our finances and healthcare needs. Over one million of us last year took out a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). A LPA enables us to ‘safely’ nominate a person/s we trust to make decisions for us ‘only’ when we are no longer able to.

Sacha works extensively in our community helping people to put their legal affairs in order. Having an up to date Last Will and Testament avoids costly probate fees, enables our estate to be distributed earlier and reduces the likelihood of a challenge or dispute amongst beneficiaries.

Saturday, January 26 saw the Wheatsheaf pub turn into a pink palace for the launch of The Blossom Appeal fundraising for 2019. The popular pub was decorated and lit in pink, members of the charity committee donned their Pink Ladies outfits, the guests all wore pink in some form, the raffle was pink themed and even the delicious buffet was pink themed.

Guests were grouped into teams, and the evening kicked off with a quiz (pink themed of course) and then moved onto games. Team members enjoyed games such as making the best outfit out of (pink) paper in two minutes; who could eat six pink wafers the quickest and then whistle; balloon model making – who could inflate a balloon the quickest and tie it while blindfolded; and the pièce de résistance – who could eat a bowl of pink Angel Delight the quickest without using hands!

The evening was full of fun and laughter and kicked the year’s fundraising off to a fantastic start by raising around £350.

ALL BEETROOT GROWERS! The Wheatsheaf is holding a Beetroot, Beer & Blues Festival on June 22 in aid of The Blossom Appeal. Blues bands are being booked. Beer is being ordered. That leaves the final component, beetroot.

We are looking for people to enter the beetroot contest. There will be a single variety category to be judged, and the seeds will be available at the Wheatsheaf for a charity donation. We will then have an open category for any variety, plus a novelty category.

Seeds should be available at the end of February, and hopefully after we have taken advice a comprehensive judging schedule will be available.

So get your seeds in early (by March), grow some beetroot and come along and have some fun in a good cause.

More details will be published in future editions, or contact The Wheatsheaf or Tim and Jan Hamstead in Bentley.

For a no-obligation discussion call Sacha on: 01206 820638

4

In Touch online:

WE SPECIALISE IN DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS, CALL FOR YOUR FREE CHECK UP

Mr Misty ‘The Window Doctor’ is a family run business that prides itself in exceptional customer care.

W e p r o m i s e e a s y s e r v i c e f r o m s t a r t t o fi n i s h .

DOES YOUR DOUBLE GLAZING STEAM UP? WE REPLACE JUST THE GLASS AND NOT THE FRAMES AT A FRACTION OFTHE COST FOR NEW WINDOWS PROBLEMS WE SOLVE ELIMINATE WINDOW CONDENSATION

SECONDARY GLAZING TO BLOCK OUT NOISE

BROKEN WINDOW PARTS

DOOR AND WINDOW LOCKS

BROKEN GLASS

FAULTY HINGES

FREE PHONE : 0800

25 45 111 FOR YOUR FREE CHECKUP

WWW.MRMISTY.CO.UK

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

5

mrs JENNIFER JONES – A LIFE WELL LIVED It is with great sadness that we record the death of Jennifer Jones on 31 January 2019.

Having arrived in Copdock and Washbrook in 1969 with husband Peter and children Philippa and Huw, Jennifer soon became an integral part of village life and remained so for the nearly 50 years she lived there. As History Mistress at Amberfield she was a well liked, if rather terrifying teacher; one look from her could not only reduce a hall full of students to silence but also ensure all undone blazers were buttoned and all crooked school hats straightened. However, once girls got to know her the hard shell quickly cracked to reveal a soft centre and her colleagues and many ex pupils became dear friends for the rest of her life.

But it was in her community that she was able to indulge her many passions for village life. She was a chairwoman of the community council and was closely involved in organising many village events over the decades. She helped organise the Queen’s Silver Jubilee street party in 1977, was a founding member of The Brook Players, she was on the yearly village fete committee and was instrumental in helping to save Washbrook Church from becoming redundant to name but a few, all whilst holding down a full time teaching position and bringing up two children. She also supported Peter in his many parish and district council roles, always ready to offer her opinions (whether he wanted them or not). Though from differing ends of the political spectrum they made a formidable partnership in their desire to enrich the village in which they lived.

It could be said that it was on her retirement from teaching that she fulfilled her full potential as a historian. She joined the U3A, becoming the local chairwoman for a while, allowing her to indulge another of her great passions, the churches of Suffolk, as part of an intrepid band of ‘church crawlers’. She gave illustrated talks to groups across the county on many diverse subjects including Elizabeth Garratt Anderson and the Oberammergau passion play whilst also finding the time to embroider samplers of many people’s family trees in fine cross stich needlepoint. She was a keen member of the WI for a while, being particularly proud at helping to secure lottery funding for a WI photographic exhibition as well as being a member of the Ipswich Institute.

Her birthday parties became opportunities to raise money for charity and she was thrilled when her 80th birthday celebrations yielded over £300 for a children’s hospice. She instigated a memoir group, relishing reading other people’s memoirs as much as she did writing her own. She was the editor

JENNIFER JONES RIP Jennifer passed away on Janaury 31, only weeks after her husband Peter Jones had been laid to rest.

Amongst many other achievements, Jennifer will be remembered for the work she and Peter put into identifying those villagers who had fallen in the First World War. They spent many summer holidays touring France visiting the war cemeteries and following up clues. Perhaps her best epitaph is an article in the Ipswich Evening Star entitled Jennifer will never let us forget:

of the village directory and organised the village Christmas card, as well as regularly submitting copy to both the local newspapers and In Touch regarding events in the village and was a regular contributor to the letters pages of national and regional papers on a myriad of topics. As the Parish Recorder she was able to utilise her not inconsiderable photographic skills, always to be found with a camcorder, camera or latterly smart phone recording many of the landmark events in the village and collating an extensive archive of the changing landscape of Copdock and Washbrook over the last 100 plus years. She was the proud recipient of a Babergh District Council Achievement Award.

Between 2001 and 2003, accompanied by Peter, Jennifer visited and photographed graves and memorials in the Somme, Eiper and Arras areas as she created a lasting tribute to the many men from the North Samford Benefice who died in the great war, culminating in providing a tribute book to each of the parishes whose men had given their lives for their country.

This project then spurred her to create a lasting commemoration to the Copdock born First World War VC hero, William Henry Hewitt, and after a three and half year process driven by her unending determination, a memorial paving stone was dedicated in September 2017 in front of the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, members of William Hewitt’s family and 150 local people. It was to be her last great project for the village.

A life long learner, Jennifer approached everything she undertook with a sense of vigour, enthusiasm and directness. She was never afraid to voice her opinion and as she put it, ‘call a spade a shovel’, whilst the refrain of ‘well that’s just Jennifer’ was regularly heard around the village over the years.

Though strong in her opinions, she was always the first to admit when she was in the wrong.

She found the loss of her beloved sparring partner Peter in late 2018 very hard to take and was furious he had ‘left’ her before their ‘year of decades’ with them both being 90, being married for 60 years and having lived in the village for 50, but sadly it was not to be and just after her 90th birthday her time has come to rest in peace.

It was a long, full life, well lived and well embraced; a teaching career that spanned thirty years across Europe and the UK, children, grand children and a great grand child, all of whom she adored whilst also being a vital part of the fabric of a community she cared so deeply about.

Philippa and Huw would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for all the support Jennifer received following Peter’s death until her final stay in hospital and subsequently the very kind words of sympathy.

Jennifer was not only the village recorder and historian, but led the hedgerow survey and regularly produced a village directory providing a key list of companies and services within the village.

Jennifer was the guiding light as the village drew up plans for the commemoration of William Henry Hewitt VC. Perhaps the revamped village sign provides a lasting memory of two people who dedicated time to the village and villagers.

“THEY lost their lives in battle but their names will live on.

As Remembrance Day approaches, former history teacher Jennifer Jones says she is moved to tears when she recalls wording on the graves of the young men who lost their lives in the World War One atrocities.

Over the past year(s) Mrs Jones, from Copdock, researched burial sites of the Great War fallen from six Suffolk villages. The result was a booklet in tribute to the 74 dead, which she gave to each of the parishes before Remembrance Sunday.

“This really a way of recording World War One before anybody forgets,” said Mrs Jones. “There has been an enormous amount of revival in interest of World War One, mainly because of the national curriculum, but my generation really knew its effect on society.

“On Remembrance Day I remember the members of staff weeping around me because they were the women who lost their fiancés and weren’t going to marry because that generation of men were wiped out.”

6

This photo was taken at the end of the dedication in September 2017.

Her knowledge will be sadly missed in the village and the parish council send sincere condolences to her family.

Terry Corner, Chair Copdock & Washbrook Parish Council

In In Touch Touch online: online:

advertorial

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter.

A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed

double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems.

Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution‌ Just replace the glass!!

If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118.

We will send out our highly

experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee.

Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors.

Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Andy Kerridge and he services the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas.

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

7

Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle accident claims arising out of incidents at work, home, on the roads, on holiday or in a public place in the UK or abroad.

You will receive professional dedicated support throughout every part of your claim to help you recover the damages that you deserve.

Contact us

www.prettys.co.uk

01473 232121 enquiry@prettys.co.uk

In Touch online:

8 PR534 Personal Injury Advert (InTouch) v3.indd 2

09/05/2018 16:33

NEWS DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON

HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY

REPORT TO PARISHES: DODNASH WARD

GP Changes Dr Dineen will sadly be leaving the practice at the end of March. He has been with the practice for 43 years and during this time there have been many changes in the NHS. Dr Dineen has been an incredible support to us all and he will be missed by staff, patients and our wider community. We wish him a very long, happy and healthy retirement!

Firstly I must apologise for misleading you all with my announcement that the Draft Local Plan would be out for consultation soon. For a variety of reasons it will in fact not be out until after the local elections in May. However, there is time to comment on the Customer Access Strategy which I am sorry to say does not improve access to customer services for residents in our area. I did see an item in the press that suggested MPs and civil servants got out of London and looked at how the rest of the country perceived them.

Perhaps more in the way of roaming meetings and staff awareness days could be a consideration.

Disappointing news on the legal front concerning the East Bergholt JR, but when the financial press report falling construction confidence and demand one wonders if anything will actually happen. Perhaps Brexit will resolve it all!

On the highways front, Highways England have apologised for not making it clear that their replacement of the sign at the Four Sisters ‘in the new year’ meant the ‘new financial year’, not the calendar year so it will happen sometime from April onwards! I am still trying to persuade them that an ‘additional’ sign at or near the end of the distance markers is needed (to match the ones on the northbound carriageway), but they think it’s not needed as the northbound sign was to prevent lorries exiting for Hadleigh. Of course, southbound lorries are more intelligent, or that appears the opinion of Highways England!

Babergh also must agree a parking strategy, apparently on instruction by Suffolk County Council who will take over responsibility for enforcement from the police in the near future. This will, according to the papers, incur minimal costs, but as it necessitates adequate signage and street marking, I wonder how effective it will be. There is currently a large number of missing speed and road signs across the county which apparently SCC does not have the funds to replace. Outside Endeavour House there is permitted parking for one hour within the indicated box. Unfortunately, the white lines marking the box have all but vanished. There are also no double yellows, as it is a conservation area, but there are lines around the corner.

I’m not sure I would want to ‘conserve’ the Ipswich BC offices, Endeavour House, the court building and the retail park! Me thinks there is a lot more work to do that may be indicated. Within the strategy there are many good points and I hope that they will be implemented with consideration and consultation with the communities of the district and it goes without saying, at minimal cost!

From April 1 there will also be some changes to when and where the other doctors work. We will update our website and communications accordingly.

We will also be reallocating named GPs and will advise you if this changes.

At the same time, we welcome Dr James Moore-Smith and Dr Chris Rufford to the practice as permanent doctors. They are both familiar with the surgeries as they have been providing locum services for a while now and have been well received by patients.

GP and Staff Training Afternoons Our next training afternoons will be on Thursdays, March 14 and April 4. The practice will be open for patients to come in to collect/drop-off prescriptions and book appointments/make enquiries at reception. However, there will be no clinical staff on site and our telephone lines will be switched over to the out-of-hours service. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

My Stroke Guide Stroke can change your life in an instant, whether it’s happened to you or someone close to you. A free online support tool called My Stroke Guide is now available 24/7. The guide provides stroke survivors and carers with advice, information and more than 200 videos to help build their knowledge, skills and confidence to actively manage their stroke journey. This includes a dedicated section for family and friends which provides information on the impact of stroke and advice about supporting loved ones. For more information go to: www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/my-stroke-guide Practice Manager Julia Smith

BABBLINGS FROM THE BROOK From Charlie, Cat and baby Bear What a fantastic start to the year – the first two months of 2019 have been busy! So much so, that we have a couple of new faces behind the bar. Come and say hi to Megan and Sally who have joined the team at The Brook.

Planning across the district is moving at an intermittent pace, with the council’s applications coming forward, but planning meetings being held approximately monthly and with small numbers of applications for consideration. Winter is a slow time for construction and with some 5,000+ existing approvals maybe there is little appetite for new applications.

We will be hosting the pub’s regular Open Mic music night on Thursday, March 7. February’s Open Mic night was fantastic, and the pub was packed again to listen to Graham and his band of musicians and several guest artistes.

Look out for future dates and come along and have an evening of music and fun at The Brook!

The final version of the budget is now up for consideration. The overall level of debt concerns me along with an emphasis on income generation rather than expenditure reduction to balance the books. Some of the forthcoming projects in Hadleigh and Sudbury have considerable financial demands, but with apparently limited returns.

We are also holding another of our popular Sunday Quiz Nights soon – date to be announced. As usual, there will be a prize for the winning team and a prize for the team that comes last. Entry is a modest £1 per person, so get a team together and come and exercise the grey matter.

Further funding for the investment company is also due for consideration at a time when the balance of risk to opportunity is becoming difficult to judge.

I would prefer a more cautious approach until the wider world is in a more predictable state. It is, after all, the public’s money!

The Boundary Commission has adjusted all the ward boundaries in Babergh District and the changes come into effect at the May 19 elections. The Dodnash ward is reduced in size to just cover the East Bergholt parish boundaries. The number of seats on the district council has been reduced from 43 to 32 and as a result there is one seat covering the new East Bergholt ward. I intend to put myself up for election for that seat.

Winter is not done yet so take care and keep an eye on your neighbours. We have dodged the snow up to now, but it has still been very cold so wrap up warm and take care.

Councillor John Hinton: john.hinton@babergh.gov.uk / 01206 298309

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

The daily specials board at The Brook has been heaped with praise from our diners, who sometimes cannot believe that all the dishes are gluten free.

In case you missed some of the tempting treats, we featured some scrummy dishes including Lemon battered Calamari, King Prawns with Chilli and Garlic, Lemon and Pepper Crispy Wings, Liver and Crispy Bacon with Fluffy Mash and Onion Gravy, Vegetarian Lasagne, a superb Veggie Stir-fry and for dessert, the chef’s own creamy Rice Pudding with coulis and strawberry jam, along with the Chocolate and Baileys Bread and Butter pudding which is now a firm favourite.

Don’t worry – we still have all the classic pub-grub standard menu dishes on offer and our delicious GF Sunday Roast with all the trimmings.

We hope to see you soon! www.thebrookinnwashbrook.co.uk www.facebook.com/thebrookinnwashbrook Instagram - thebrookinn_washbrook

9

NEWS

COPDOCK & WASHBROOK SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLANNING Road Infrastructure Update At last, the Ipswich Northern By-Pass is back on the agenda.

Fundamental to Copdock and Washbook’s future development, the A12 Copdock Interchange and the A14 is paramount. A major change was announced in January by Matthew Hick, Leader of Suffolk County Council.

The Upper Orwell Crossing which was never viable as part of an inner Ipswich A14 bypass has been cancelled.

The A14 is a National Strategic Highway that must have direct government funding. Enormous tax payer’s funding has already taken place: • The westerly junction (2016) at Catthorpe linked the A14/A1 and M6 has cost £191 million • The Huntingdon – Cambridge section being constructed, completion in 2020 will cost £1.5 billion It’s a very different story in Suffolk, particularly concerning all Ipswich A14 junctions. Aside from £4.5 million funded by Felixstowe Docks in 2012, since 1982 structural expenditure equals £0.

By 2020 over £1.7 billion will have been invested into the A14 to get heavy traffic from the Midlands to Felixstowe Docks. When the Orwell Bridge has to be closed for adverse weather or accidents – and these do happen – the Orwell Bridge becomes the ‘bridge to nowhere’. It creates chronic congestion when closed. In Copdock and Washbrook we can be almost marooned with diverted traffic using the Old London Road as the escape route – often at fast, sometimes breakneck speed.

We maintain that talk of anything other than an Ipswich Northern Bypass, principally funded by Highways England (as in Cambridgeshire), would result in wasted time that we do not have. Yet more surveys on any other scheme could waste further millions as occurred in Ipswich (£9 million).

A relief Northern Bypass and a new flyover junction at the Copdock Interchange (as it was originally planned in 1982) is the only practical answer. James Cartlidge has just secured some funding; please email him at james.cartlidge.mp@parliament.uk with your support for an Ipswich Northern Bypass. The more emails and letters he receives, the stronger his case with Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport: chris.grayling.mp@parliament.uk Colin Hinkins: colinhinkins@gmail.com

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, March 9, 9am-12.30pm.

Visit all your favourite market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items.

East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier.

If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

10

In Touch online:

NEWS COPDOCK & WASHBROOK PARISH PRECEPT 2019/2020 Along with colleagues in Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Constabulary and Babergh District Council, Copdock & Washbrook Parish Council reached the conclusion that we need to increase the parish precept this year. Having gone for more than 10 years without an increase we proposed an increase equivalent to 56p per month for a Band D property (10%). I recognise that increasing the price of anything after a period of no increase always brings an adverse reaction. I am sure the parish precept will be no different.

We were surprised to see it translated by Babergh District Council as an 11.14 per cent increase. The number of houses and amount of discount individual households may have agreed with the district council are the key influences. There are no new houses as yet in the village, but the discounts individuals may agree with the district council remains private between the two parties.

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Flu Vaccinations As of January 27, approximately 77 per cent of our patients aged over the age of 65 have been vaccinated against flu. This is the highest rate we have achieved for a number of years and we are ranked ninth out of 40 practices in Suffolk.

Although this is a good achievement, we want to do even better next flu season. This season we had four flu clinics, two at each site, after which patients could make appointments. This worked well, but please let us know if you have any ideas on how we can improve the system to make it as easier for our patients to receive a vaccination, bearing in mind we have in the region of 4,200 eligible patients. We’ll discuss these ideas with the PPG prior to planning next year’s flu clinics.

Staff Changes We have had a few staff changes recently. Dr McDonald and Dr Ola will sadly be leaving the practice in February, though are likely to continue to work for us occasionally when we need locum GPs. However, Dr Vincent Omorogbe joined the practice as a full-time GP Partner on January 1. Dr Vincent has worked at the practice in a locum capacity over the last two years. Dr Parikh has also become a GP Partner and now works full time at the practice. So with Dr Tetteh and Dr Victoria we now have four full-time GP Partners. We also have Dr Nasta and our two Nurse Practitioners, June and Sarah.

Moni, our pharmacist, left us in December but Vicky, a pharmacy technician, joined the practice in January and will undertake a similar role, answering many medication queries patients may have.

Although there is a national shortage of GPs, we are fortunate to have five permanent doctors supported by an excellent clinical team. Our aim is to minimise the need for locum doctors so we can improve continuity of care, which is one of the main points we have identified from patient feedback.

National GP Patient Survey Questionnaires A reminder to please complete and return your GP Patient Survey if you receive one. Feedback is really important to us. We have been working hard over the last couple of years to improve the service we offer and patient feedback is vital in understanding the progress we have made and which areas we need to focus on.

Training Days The practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Thursday, March 14; Thursday, April 4; Wednesday, May 22. On these afternoons the Capel St Mary building will be open to enable access to the pharmacy, but the practice reception will be closed. East Bergholt reception will be open. Please note that there will be no clinicians at either building after 1pm as they will be attending training off-site. 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.

It is difficult as the years pass to maintain the same precept. Inflationary forces and increasing demand to undertake tasks the district or county council had previously undertaken put increasing pressure on parish finances. Last year I took the unusual step of drawing attention to the increasing amount being spent on environmental matters.

The feedback we received acknowledged the improved look across the village. We continue to look closely at what we spend and what organisations we support.

The bowls club, cricket pavilion, tennis club, village hall, St Peter’s Church and the school are some of the beneficiaries.

Terry Corner, Chair Copdock & Washbrook Parish Council

NOTES FROM THE CASE Suffolk’s first Co-operative Pub! The weather isn’t improving just yet so why not join us next to the roaring wood burner for a cosy evening or lunchtime drink or light lunch and coffee? As always we have many of our popular events going on during March.

This month we are holding a Spanish Evening on Saturday, March 16.

The food will be prepared by our own very popular visiting chef, Esther.

You have just got enough time to practise your flamenco dancing and find a pair of castanets to play along with the music! Booking is essential. Please check our website or Facebook page for more details or ask at the bar.

Open Mic Night: Tuesday, March 5. Come along and listen to our local performers. If you wish to join in just bring your own instrument, PA is provided. The music starts around 7.30pm.

Games Evening: Saturday, March 9. As always, you are guaranteed a fun evening with lots of family board games plus a few more up to date ones. So dust off your general knowledge and games tactics and join us in what can be a rather noisy, but always good humoured evening!

Quiz Night: Saturday, March 30. Esther Brunning is now supplying our popular curry supper, which will be available from 6-8pm. The quiz starts at 8.30pm. Booking for the curry is essential. As always, the lucky winning team will receive beer vouchers and there is a wooden spoon for those not quite so lucky!

As a reminder, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays we offer a delicious range of light lunchtime meals, including sandwiches, soups and Ploughman’s, all prepared in house and available from noon to 2pm.

We will be serving hot chocolate and bacon butties to all those gardeners who decide to join us for our Big Garden Spring Clean. If you would like to join us just bring a trowel and a pair of secateurs. We will be getting out the gardening tools on Saturday, March 23 from 10amnoon (weather permitting). Please contact us so we can cater for the correct numbers: savethecasebentley@gmail.com Lastly, we are now getting quite excited about our fifth anniversary celebrations in April, but would still like to hear from anyone who may have photographs of events that have taken place at The Case during the last five years.

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

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

11

Exciting NEW Winter 2020/21 Collection is COMING SOON! Make sure you get the pick of the bunch from the new collection including Iona’s maiden winter voyage and ADVANCE REGISTER your interest

Nicola

Annie

Pre-registration opens for all holidays Mon 11 March 8am until Thu 14 March 2019 8pm Iona booking open exclusively for Peninsular Club members* Fri 15 March 8am until Sun 17 March 2019 4pm Iona winter 2020/21 holidays on General Sale Mon 18 March 8am All holidays open exclusively for Peninsular Club members* Tue 19 March 8am until Wed 20 March 2019 8pm All ex UK cruises to/from Southampton (excl. World Cruise and The Grand Tour) and Dubai & Arabian Gulf fly-cruise on General Sale Thu 21 March 8am All Caribbean fly-cruise, The World Cruise, Classic Southern Hemisphere Journeys, Exotic fly cruises & Aurora’s Grand Tour Departure on General Sale Fri 22 March 8am *Peninsular Club Members - Caribbean, Baltic and Ligurian Only

Our cruise specialists will contact you with more information just before 11th March to check you are still interested before pre-registering with P&O Cruises for you and booking your holiday on the release date.

ANY CUSTOMER WHO BOOKS VIA ADVANCE REGISTRATION WITH FRED. OLSEN TRAVEL WILL ALSO RECEIVE £50 PER BOOKING SHOPPING VOUCHER**

Fred. Olsen Travel in store at

20 Norwich Road

Ipswich IP1 2NH

)01473 242676 12In Touch Full Page MAR 2019.indd

2

Susanne

Sophie

I C ITI ON NE O N A W M E 2 IN R 0 G AR 20 SO IE O S N !

KEY DATES for P&O Cruises winter 2020/21 holidays

G FREE PARKIN available Behind COES sium street just off Gymna

**Applies to any qualifying booking of 5 nights or more with 2 adults sharing a cabin. Cannot be combined with any other Fred. Olsen Travel offer. Shopping voucher presented when final balance payment made.

for your peace of mind 094 4

ABTA No. K1587

travelwithfredolsen.co.uk In Touch online:

15/02/2019 12:50:03

News / OUT & ABOUT REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: MARCH 2019 BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR ALASTAIR MCCRAW END OF TERM There’s a funny atmosphere within the council right now. As we approach the end of the four-year term of office we seem to be tying up some outstanding items of business, deferring others until May and onward, and quietly gearing up for the May election. The principal piece of business is the budget. By the time this sees print, the budget will have been voted upon. We’re looking forward here, with a three-year time frame included in our preparations.

So, we have a balanced budget for this year, what looks like the potential for a substantial deficit next year and an improving situation the year after.

The problem is that our reserves are almost completely used. Our Housing Revenue Account is somewhat healthier and there are real prospects of the council building some more homes. The removal of the borrowing cap, long asked for by all authorities and the Local Government Association, opens up a lot more possibilities.

A PLANNING STORY THAT YOU COULD EASILY MISS The National Audit Office (NAO) has confirmed what many of us (the LGA, all the Babergh opposition and {very loudly!} the communities) have been saying for years. The government’s housing policies are seriously flawed. They don’t even deliver what they’re supposed to. They’ve created a free-for-all, a false market in planning permissions without serious regard to methods of calculation, provision of infrastructure and supply of affordable homes. This is why so many of you have had cause to complain about planning decisions, appeals and local policies. They all derive from a failed national approach, tying local authorities’ hands.

Ironically, after a White Paper, the NPPF (National Planning Policy) was revised last year. It was a missed opportunity that didn’t contain any of the sensible suggestions from that White Paper.

The NAO don’t make criticism lightly and operate independently of government. This was reported in the media, but probably drowned out by ‘other matters’. I’ve linked on Facebook to the BBC story, but here I’m including a link to the National Audit Office web page. The summary is manageable at only eight pages rather than the 52 of the full report. In NAO code, what I read from this is ‘what a bunch of shockers!’: https://tinyurl.com/y5kqeh3c COUNCIL TAX I’d hoped that the total Council Tax increase might be between three and four per cent, but it looks like a chunky 4.7 per cent now. Babergh are the collecting

council. We’re proposing a £5 increase at Band D (3.25%). The next two years are planned at three per cent. Suffolk County Council propose 2.99% plus one per cent for Adult Social Care, so four per cent really. The Police and Crime Commissioner is getting 12.7%, after last year’s 6.8% increase. We are promised a ‘step change’, which would be very nice. Parish councils generally increase their small precepts by about two per cent. Of your total Council Tax bill, about 75 per cent will go to SCC, 12-13 per cent to the PCC, 10 per cent to Babergh and two to three per cent to parish councils. In weekly terms that’s about £1 a week for a parish, £3 a week for district, £4 a week for PCC and £24 a week for SCC. Those are all rough figures at Band D, but it’s a useful way to remember.

OTHER THINGS Babergh may be winding down a bit, but I’m just winding up right now. Alton (and Brantham) may be the only ward in the country which includes two AONBs. A recent, and broadly attended, meeting, Planning in a Designated Landscape, was very useful. It’s also currently very relevant.

We (always) have some strategies out for consultation. Our Community Engagement Strategy describes how we should do that. Our Parking Plan is likely to follow soon. It’s a toolkit identifying all the problems and some possible approaches to dealing with them. However, any action will depend on Westminster granting us the powers for Civil Parking Enforcement. We’re just getting ready right now.

Babergh & Mid Suffolk councillors have been issued another toolkit recently.

This was on the active recommendation of both Overview and Scrutiny Committees. It gives the members contact points and websites to help our constituents in the areas of Safeguarding, PREVENT, Hate Crime, County Lines (a big subject I will return to), Domestic Abuse and Support, and Sexual Abuse. It should be something we hope never to have to use.

The blue Claud Butler needs a service, but I’ve found a rusty spare. If you’d like more regular updates, you could consider joining the Facebook group.

At times it must be repetitious, but it is immediate. Any suggestions for the required name change soon?

Alastair McCraw 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (a joint open group)

BENTLEY COMMUNITY SHOP: Best Possible Service With the winter weather we are pleased to be able to offer a wide range of products within walking distance so there’s no need to drive anywhere for all those essentials. Many of our products are price marked and our buyers try to make sure we have good prices. In fact, people comment on how reasonable we are and how we have such an amazing range of around 1,500 different products at any time.

The new opening hours are appreciated by our customers and our volunteers who are also enjoying the new access using the newly resurfaced car park with clearly marked bays. Parking is right next to the shop and, as the sign says, we also have ‘Cycle and Horse Parking’!

Our new fruit and vegetable chiller is proving to be an excellent way to show what we have to sell and to keep it in the best condition possible due to temperature controls. With sliding doors, access is easy and the lighting shows all the products very well. You cannot miss our new chiller as you enter the shop!

A reminder that our opening times in 2019 are 9am-5pm on weekdays and 9am-noon at weekends.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

There aren’t many shops around where you can ride your horse or pony right up to the front door to do your shopping.

Our contactless card system has been especially useful to our customers since Christmas as we don’t have a minimum spend.

If you can spare a few hours a week to help us, please contact us at: 01473 310182 / info@bentleystores.co.uk

13

NEWS / OUt & About 2019 TATTINGSTONE FETE AND FUN DOG SHOW

PENINSULAR PIX What do Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott have in common?

Answer: they all scored 90 per cent with Rotten Tomatoes.

Pen Pix is showing the third remake of A Star is Born. Judy Garland and James Mason were in the first one of course and Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in the second, but now we have the definitive version of that wonderful film.

You’ll probably remember the storyline from the first version you saw (if you watched it when it came out in the 1937 version, tell me the secret of longevity), or even the second one from 1954 (which is within my life range believe it or not).

The story: a young, handsome musician helps a beautiful singer find fame as his own career spirals downwards in a haze of alcoholism.

What can I say? It’s a classic. It’s a legend. If you miss it, you’ll probably regret it for the rest of your days, and if you’re my age you won’t see the next remake with Deborah Stiletto and Alex Scarborough, because those future wannabes ain’t even born yet! www.peninsularpix.co.uk

This year’s Tattingstone Fete and Fun Dog Show is being held a week earlier than usual, on Saturday, August 31 between 11.30am and 4pm.

There will be a raffle, stalls, local produce, attractions, games, a tea tent, a barbecue and a beer tent. Free parking.

And don’t forget to bring your pooch; prizes to be won.

More details to follow.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION Ipswich & District PS stages its 2019 Annual Exhibition in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cornhill Ipswich IP1 1DH from Tuesday 5 to Saturday, March 16, 10am-5pm each day (closed Sundays and Monday, March 11 and at 4pm on Saturday 16). Entrance is free and visitors are very welcome. There will be prize draw for visitors to win a framed image of their choice.

Nearly 300 prints and 250 digital images (on wide screen TV) will be on display covering a wide range of genres including monochrome and colour, landscape, pictorial, creative, record, photojournalism, sport, record, portraiture and natural history. In all some 40 members of the society will have their work exhibited.

IDPS has an impressive collection of silverware to be presented for the best image in each of the genres. The trophies and awards will be presented by the Worshipful the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Riley at the society’s annual awards dinner at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club. This will include the Mayor’s Cup for the image selected personally by the mayor as the Best in Exhibition at a preview on Tuesday, March 5 at 3.30pm.

IDPS continues to be one of the largest photographic societies in East Anglia and one of the leading photographic clubs in the country. The society meets at Burlington Baptist Church Centre, London Road, Ipswich IP1 2EZ. Meetings are on Mondays at 7.30pm. For further information visit www.idps.org.uk and for membership enquiries email: membership@idps.org.uk The IDPS programme includes lectures, competitions and practical meetings including evenings when new members can get help and advice.

IDPS particularly welcomes new members whatever their photographic experience.

EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION QUIZ NIGHT East Bergholt High School Friday, March 29 at 7.30pm Bar opens at 7pm serving alcohol and soft drinks Tickets cost £5 per person (teams of eight) including nibbles Please pre-book teams: 07776 291445 / pta@ebhigh.org.uk Over 18s only unless accompanied by an adult

14

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

15

16

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY

CAPEL LIBRARY

As I grew older I found that I wanted to know more about my family history.

When I finally found the time to start researching it, I was amazed to discover how large my family is. This led me to also find and contact relatives that I did not know I had and I was also very proud to learn that a great uncle had been awarded the MBE.

We are often asked for book recommendations. “What do you read” they ask? We all have differing tastes; sometimes we just need a simple novel to help us relax, at other times a real thriller to get our teeth into. Sometimes we just go by the picture on the front cover. Here are a few suggestions to help you choose your next book:

I have been using Ancestry for my research and as this is available to use via Suffolk Libraries, I am now providing assistance in using it and starting your own family tree research. So if you are interested come along to the library and book a spot. These sessions will be incorporated into my one-to-one computer training, which is free and held on Tuesday mornings.

• Lee Child – with the main character Jack Reacher

Our next film, Hurricane, will be screened on Tuesday, March 19 at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). Tickets are on sale at the library. The film “tells the story of the Polish fliers who found themselves fighting for the freedom of their own country in foreign skies. Seen through the eyes of Jan Zumbach, fighter ace and adventurer, it tells how the Poles, driven across Europe by the German war machine, finally made their last stand. Flying Hurricanes for the RAF over Britain, they became a key component in the legend of The Few. Up against the might of the Luftwaffe they hoped that, by saving Great Britain from Nazi invasion, they were keeping the dream of a free Poland alive. In the lethal melee above England in that summer of 1940, they fought with a tenacity and skill that earned them the admiration of the whole British nation.

The dogfights against superior planes cost some of the men their lives. The constant strain of gladiatorial combat took away the sanity of others. But, as Zumbach discovers as the war stutters to a close, becoming the best in the RAF is a hollow victory for the Poles. This powerful and gripping WWII RAF story is directed by David Blair (The Messenger, Away, Accused) and includes an impressive ensemble cast including Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) and Milo Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge).”

• Nicci French – character Frieda Kline – start reading with Blue Monday • Martin Walker – Bruno, Chief of Police • M C Beaton – Hamish Macbeth • Anything written by Santa Montefiore, Rebecca Shaw and Emily Brightwell We hope this gives you some new choices that you might not have read before. You can also give the staff any recommendations. Take a look at the catalogue and order in for pick-up at the library of your choice.

CLUBS MEETING THIS MONTH Baby Bounce: Tuesdays 5, 12, 19 and 26, starting at 2pm. Suitable for all children under five with their parents/carers. No charge.

Come along and join in with the singing of nursery rhymes, hand action songs and the shaking of instruments.

Capel Creators: Saturday 30 between 10.30am and 12.30pm. A charge of £1 per child includes a drink and a biscuit. Under eights must be accompanied by an adult. Theme to be announced on the day.

Minecraft: Sundays 10 and 24 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

No charge; under eights must be accompanied by an adult.

Library Book Group: Friday 15 at 2.30pm. Come and share the latest book read by the group and offer some suggestion for the next one. New members always welcome.

Trevor Stevenson

RANSOMES & RAPIER ANNUAL REUNION Sunday, March 31 at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE All ex-employees, families and friends are welcomed from 12.30 to 5pm.

Come and see fascinating artefacts, documents and videos and meet up with old friends at a really enjoyable event.

See what new stories and pictures have surfaced.

Food and drinks will be available to buy at very reasonable cost.

Admission is only £2.50.

For more information contact: 07910 659219 / derek@dclarke.me.uk

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

2019: 27 March, 24 April, 22 May, 19 June, 17 July, 14 August, 11 September, 9 October, 6 November, 4 December

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

• Robert Galbraith – (aka J K Rowling) character Cormoran Strike

RETIREMENT: JENNY HICKLEY After more than 20 years of working within Suffolk Libraries, I have decided to retire. My last working day will be March 29. I have very much enjoyed my working life within the library where I have met and worked with some wonderful people. I am hoping to do more travelling with Phil, my husband, and having taken on a second allotment will be there weeding and enjoying the fruits of our labours. We recently welcomed grandchild number three, Alexander Robert, who lives in London with his mum and dad so we will be up and down the A12 to Wimbledon every so often as well as helping Liz and Steve with Jack and Mia. Say hello when you see me out walking or in the library when I come in to choose my books. Bye for now, Jenny OPENING TIMES Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Wednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday: 9.30am-12.30pm Friday: 2-5pm & 5.30-7.30pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Sunday: 10am-3pm Contact: 01473 311699

Join us for a cuppa As Jenny has mentioned, she will sadly be leaving the library service after nearly 21 years. The library staff and customers would like to thank her and let her know she will be missed. Please join for a cuppa at Capel Library at 2pm on March 29 and wish her well in all she gets up to.

17

OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY ARTS & MUSIC Sunday, March 10: Rautio Piano Trio & Robin Ashwell, Viola 4pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt CO7 6TG

SPRING JUMBLE SALE Clear the Clutter – Bag a Bargain!

Saturday, April 6 from 2pm at Bentley Village Hall If you have anything you wish to donate, please bring it along to the hall from 9am on the day or telephone Pam (01473 310283) or Aimée (01473 311311) who will arrange to collect it from you.

Rautio Piano Trio by Graham Brandon

Programme: Mozart, Piano Quartet in G minor K478 Mahler, Quartet Movement in A minor Brahms, Piano Quartet no 1 in G minor op 25 The Trio is an award-winning and critically acclaimed ensemble. They have performed in major UK venues and in France, Austria, Germany, and Israel. The piano quartet is completed by Robin Ashwell, well-known as the Sacconi Quartet’s viola player.

This concert is held in memory of the late Mrs Sheila Grove-White and is supported by a generous legacy.

Sunday, March 24: Quartet 4pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Programme: Mozart, Quartet in B flat K 458 The Hunt Mendelssohn, Quartet no 2 in E minor op 44 Dvorak, Quartet in G major op 105 Winners of the St Martin’s Chamber Music Competition 2017, the Manchester-based Zelkova Quartet has established a reputation as one of the UK’s up-and-coming string quartets, praised for performing “with a remarkable zeal and intensity” (Edinburgh Fringe, Herald Scotland 2015).

Generously supported by Grier and Partners, East Bergholt.

Tickets for each concert are £15 for non-members via: www.svam.org.uk / svamtickets@btinternet.com / 01206 298426

BUMPER BOOK SALE AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH Saturday, March 23, 10am-3pm / Free admission Hundreds of children’s books only 10p each Refreshments to include bacon butties and homemade cakes

EASTER BRIC-A-BRAC SALE 1st Sproughton Brownies are holding our annual Easter Bric-a-Brac Sale on Saturday, March 23 in Sproughton Church Hall from 2-4pm. This year’s sale is in aid of Save the Children, H.O.P.S and Brownie funds. Please come along, support us and grab yourself a bargain. Admission is free! Stalls include white elephant, toys, books, clothes, next-to-new, cakes, a draw, tombolas, games and refreshments.

18

If you would like to come to our sale, the hall will be open from 2pm with tea and coffee available.

We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support.

BELSTEAD VILLAGE MONTHLY MARKETS A market takes place in Belstead Village Hall from 10am-1pm on the first Saturday of every month (from April 6) to raise vital funds to support refurbishment of the kitchen and ladies toilet.

With an extensive range of tables, a raffle and refreshments, the market is the perfect place to meet with friends for a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake while supporting this essential local amenity.

You can also support our chosen charity at a table laden with homemade goodies for sale.

If you can sew, make or create and would like to hire a table (£10), please contact: 07981 335859 / market@belsteadvillage.co.uk

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on March 19 when Nick Collinson, general manager for East Suffolk National Trust, will talk about the National Trust properties in East Suffolk. He will be placing particular emphasis on Sutton Hoo where major changes across the site have transformed the way in which the stories of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time are presented to the public. The meeting will be preceded by a short AGM. On April 16 an ambassador from Trinity House will talk about the lighthouses around our coast.

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

DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com In Touch online:

Building it right Thinking about…

• Building an extension?

• Making internal alterations? e.g. removal of walls • Converting your garage?

• Creating an annexe?

Fu ll, p a rt-tim e a n d s e s s io n a l c a re fo r c h ild re n a g e d 3 m o n th s to 11 ye a rs .

Your council can help.

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, we have a dedicated, independent and impartial team with over 100 years combined specialist knowledge in the construction industry.

Our team can help guide you through that all-important alteration to your home, whilst ensuring you meet mandatory Building Regulations at a time to suit you.

Fo re s t S c h o o l

Ofs te d Re g is te re d

Gra n t

Fu n d in g Te le p h o n e : 01473 310767 Ag e 2, 3 a n d in fo @ro b in s c h ild c a re .c o .u k 4 ye a rs www.ro b in s c h ild c a re .c o .u k Th e S t r e e t , C a p e l S t Ma r y 30 Ho u rs Ip s w i c h , S u f f o l k Gra n t IP 9 2 E G Fu n d in g

Want more info or a quote? Speak to one of the team at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/building-control/ or www.babergh.gov.uk/building-control/

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

19

OUT & ABOUT COPDOCK & WASHBROOK WI In January we thoroughly enjoyed a visit from Pip Wright talking about the transportation of Suffolk criminals to Australia and then Tasmania in the late 1700s. The talk was fascinating and he had stories and reports about people from Copdock and the surrounding villages who were transported as criminals, sometimes for life, for something as meagre as stealing a loaf of bread to feed their families. It was very enlightening and he really brought these people to life. The stories, mixed with songs about those times, made for a really enjoyable evening.

We are currently preparing to celebrate our centenary year and have some events planned to mark this milestone. We have just enjoyed a coffee morning held at the home of one of our members and are looking forward to an open meeting with entertainment and refreshments and a centenary dinner for all our members.

There are many good reasons to join the WI in Copdock and Washbrook.

We enjoy a wide variety of interests and some wonderful outings. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with all aspects of what we do, or you can just come for companionship and to listen to some interesting and engaging speakers. We support various campaigns, attempt to learn new skills and hopefully enhance some of those we already have. All visitors and new members will be warmly welcomed. If you want to join us you can come to three meetings as a visitor to see what we get up to before deciding if you would like to become a member.

We meet at Copdock Village Hall on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding August). Please arrive around 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

1st CAPEL ST MARY BROWNIES Please support our fundraising morning at Capel St Mary Methodist Church on Saturday, March 9 with half the proceeds going to New Dawn India. Doors are open from 9.30-11.30am.

All are welcome, free entry. Refreshments available along with cake and plant stalls, games, crafts, name the teddy, sweet making, arty fun, a bits + bobs stall and much more!

Please contact Heather (01473 310083) if you have things you may be able to help with or donate for us to sell on the day. We look forward to seeing you.

VILLAGE LINK The Mystery of Going Underground is the title of the talk at our meeting on March 13 in Tattingstone Village Hall at 10am.

The club aims to bring communities together and we have over the years attracted members from many villages, men and women of various ages.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am to noon. I would like to welcome back any former members and to see new members from all local villages at our meetings, either as visitors or members in readiness for our 25th celebration.

Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club which meets on the first Monday of the month (except for bank holidays when it’s the following Monday). Saturday workshops (10am4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms.

Monday, March 4: Clock (Debbie) Monday, April 1: Easter Table Decoration (Anita & Mary) Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

20

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB We held our New Year Lunch at the popular Haywain in Little Bromley on February 6 when our spouses and Probus widows joined us for what was an enjoyable event and a tasty meal. On February 20 Brian Wilcox introduced us to New Ways of Working, which, though mostly retired, members still found most interesting.

Brian Wills will present a lecture of particular local interest on Wednesday, March 6 when he speaks about Constable and his Paintings. Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 20 and on April 3 Chris Parfitt will introduce us to Bhutan, Land of The Thunder Dragon and David Ablewhite will return to present The Horrible Hanoverians.

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

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

STOUR VALLEY U3A An Afternoon with Joyce Grenfell by Gillian Grinham was the subject of our meeting on February 13. Gillian is an author, former teacher and a director of plays and musicals. She performed a series of monologues and songs from Joyce’s repertoire, interspersed with details of her much loved entertainer’s life.

Toni Neobard and Kate Broad, family historians and authors, will present For Better or Far Worse on March 13. This will be a light-hearted look at marriage and relationships through the eyes of Victorians. What happened if they didn’t marry and what if you did but were not happy with your choice? It will be a glimpse at bizarre goings-on showing wedded bliss wasn’t always so!

On April 10 the popular speaker Mark Mitchels will talk to us on The Genius of Charles Dickens. Dickens rose to become a great novelist by sheer talent and determination. He worked a self-imposed schedule that never relaxed and in the end he probably brought about his early death. But the novels survive, to be rediscovered by each generation. What sort of man was he? His genius is astonishing and this talk uses biography and extracts from his books to re-create the man and his achievements.

Member’s Quiz Night On Wednesday, March 20 our first member’s quiz night is scheduled to take place at 7pm in The Constable Hall. Bring your own drinks and nibbles and partake in a team of six for just £2 each. Help will be given to form a team on the night. Please register before March 12 by contacting June Escott: 01206 231707 / jescott@btinternet.com

KNIT ‘N’ STITCH / crafting afternoon If you can sew, knit or crochet, or like to make or create in any other medium and fancy working alongside others with a creative streak, come along to our new club. Bring your own project or get inspiration to start a new one.

We meet at Belstead Village Hall every Tuesday afternoon from 1.30-3.30pm.

Refreshments available. For more information contact Diane: 07981 335859

CAMEO I forgot to mention in my last report that David Cobbold very kindly brought his double bass to our December get-together to join in with Jane and Julie’s music. He was an excellent addition and we are hoping that he will play for us again.

Our January meeting was well attended. We will be joined by Tina from the Coffee Caravan at our March get-together. She is going to bring items for a craft session which everyone is welcome to join.

The aim of Belstead CAMEO (Come and Meet Every One) is to provide an opportunity for residents to meet each other for tea, coffee, refreshments and chat on a drop-in basis.

The club is not-for-profit and there is no charge, but a small donation towards refreshments is much appreciated. Non-residents are very welcome at a charge of £1.

Belstead is a friendly village and we want to increase this community spirit, on both personal and business levels. We aim to promote all types of local interests and have notice boards showing events, along with information on businesses and charities. You would be amazed at the wealth of talent and scope of business in our small village! It’s always good to know that somebody in the village has recommended the businesses whose cards and information we display.

We meet at Belstead Village Hall on the second Monday of the month (excluding July and August) between 2.30pm and 4pm. Our next couple of get-togethers are March 11 and April 8.

Sandra Howard

ALTON BELLES After some lively and interesting discussions on the six resolutions put forward for WI members to vote on in 2019 the votes were as follows: Resolution 1: Improving Plant Biosecurity in the UK – 1 vote Resolution 2: Trees – Improving the Natural Landscape – no votes Resolution 3: Pelvic Floor Education – 1 vote Resolution 4: Suffering in Silence; why we need to end the taboo around menstrual health – 4 votes Resolution 5: A Call against the Decline in Local Bus Services – 4 votes

Each month The Coffee Grinders meet at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SD from 10am to noon. This meeting especially welcomes new members and gives all members the opportunity to meet the activity group leaders and the committee while enjoying a cup of coffee. The next meeting is on Friday, March 22.

Resolution 6: Don’t Fear the Smear – 4 votes

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. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted.

In February we have a taste of ballroom dancing and in March we will learn about Macmillan Cancer Support. We have a very varied programme of events for 2019. If you are particularly interested in any of the subjects, do come and join us. We always welcome visitors, and there is always time for a cup of tea, a piece of cake and a chat.

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

If you want to hear more about how you could get involved in our vibrant and forward-looking WI, but feel nervous about coming along just contact either Tamzin (328670) or Jane (327865) and we will make sure you are looked after.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

The numbers now go to national headquarters and once the votes from all over the country have been compiled, resolutions will go forward for discussion at the national AGM in June.

21

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS DEDHAM FOOTPATH GROUP Enjoy walking, meeting new people?

Then why not come along to walks organised by Dedham Footpath Group. We walk four to five miles on the first Sunday morning of each month. On Sunday, March 3 we will meet at Manningtree Co-op car park at 10.30am for a four to five mile walk through fields, returning via the river.

Dedham Footpath Group welcomes all walkers and those with well-behaved dogs, kept on leads at all times, are welcome to join us. For more information email: DedhamFG@gmail.com

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY

COPDOCK & WASHBROOK ALLOTMENTS Over indulged over the Christmas period?

Fed up with being cooped up indoors watching dreary TV repeats?

In need of some fresh air and light exercise?

Why not take on an allotment?

Fresh air, exercise and wonderfully healthy fruit and vegetables guaranteed.

Copdock and Washbrook Allotment Group currently have a number of plots (full, three-quarter or half) for rent. Rates are very reasonable – currently £24 for a full plot.

If you’re tempted contact Rich: 07547 324439 / copdockandwashbrookallotments@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 28: Zeppelin Raids Over East Anglia by Ian Mclachlan Wednesday, April 24: The Steam Tug by Janet Hall We meet at 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park. visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments.

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

BELSTEAD GARDEN CLUB Wednesday, March 20, 7.15 for 7.30pm: Let’s Get Ready for Spring with Mickfield Hostas Join our friendly club and enjoy excellent speakers. We meet in Belstead Village Hall where all are welcome. For details contact Marilyn Wosahlo: 01473 730479

ROBIN’S NEWS Baby Bears Baby Bears have been busy engaging in activities relating to Chinese New Year. They have been exploring the texture of noodles through sensory play, creating some lovely cherry blossom fans with bingo dabbers and making pig-shaped cupcakes for Year of the Pig. This next month we are planning to reintroduce our outdoor sleeping area and the Baby Bears will be sleeping to the sounds of nature and breathing in all that lovely fresh air.

Toddling Tigers The children have been listening to There’s a Tiger in the Garden and using their creative skills to make a lovely wall display of Nora and the tiger. They have also made their own tiger masks with paper plates and butterflies using wet wipes and bingo dabbers. The children are learning how to talk about what they can see in a book and some can even recall the story in their play and relate their pictures back to the story.

The Toddling Tigers loved taking part in the Bird Watch Week and together we made nest cakes, bird feeders, binoculars, tree pictures and nest boxes for the birds. We have enjoyed listening to the different sounds of the birds singing and chirping. Our handmade binoculars made spotting the birds so much fun.

Gruffalos Over recent weeks the Gruffalos have been involved in a spot of ‘Twitching’ (bird watching). They have created their own spaces to sit quietly and see which birds they could spot. This created many wonderful conversations and sharing of knowledge amongst the Gruffalos. They didn’t always manage to keep quiet, especially when an enormous flock of seagulls arrived on the field! They have created their own binoculars and explored the differences between our garden birds. We were also fortunate to have a snowy preschool day, so we were straight out to explore the wonders of snow and ice.

As it doesn’t happen often we made sure we made the most of it!

If you would like to enquire about our nursery or pre-school please contact Emma Deakin: 01473 310767

22

BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS February has been a busy month in our schools. We have celebrated Safer Internet Day with assemblies and information around staying safe online. This has also been shared with our families so they can help us. If you would like to look at some of the information, you will find it on our website under the safeguarding section.

We have had visitors into school from the New Wolsey Theatre to put on a performance for us. Four pupils from across the Federation spent the day in London at the beginning of February taking part in the Great Rainbow Vegan Bake-Off final. They had won a place in the final and were invited to compete against other winners from around the country. They had an awesome day, producing a fabulous cake and we are proud to announce were voted worthy winners in the primary category. Well done to all of you.

We have been running gymnastics as our after-school club throughout the first half of this spring term with a view to some competitions coming up later in the term. The second half is focussing on cross-country running in the light of up and coming events. There have also been basketball festivals which we enjoyed being a part of.

During February a farmer visited us with his tractor. He helped us to understand more about the agricultural environment we live in and to prepare us for our visit in April to the annual Farm & Country Fair at Trinity Park.

Not to be outdone by the pupils, parents and friends of Copdock Primary took part in the PTA Quiz Night just before half term. A close battle took place again between some eager teams. At the end of the day, the children were the winners as the efforts of the PTA were rewarded by raising funds for the school.

Coming up this month we are looking forward to some sporting events including gymnastics, quicksticks and cross-country. We’ll also be working our brains with a spelling bee and an able maths day. Parents will be invited in for parent consultations on March 26 and 28.

Both schools are participating in the Lego tokens promotion run by Archant.

If you are reading the East Anglian Daily Times or the Ipswich Star between February 9 and May 5, please cut out and collect the Lego tokens. These can be sent into either school to help us reach our target of at least 1,000 tokens per school! Thank you in advance.

We currently have some vacancies on our Federation governing body. If you know of anyone with particular strengths in finance or HR who might be interested in joining our team, please encourage them to contact either school office for more information.

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

In Touch online:

BE YOUR OWN BOSS START YOUR BUSINESS WITH MENTA FREE BUSINESS TRAINING START RIGHT WORKSHOPS

Do you want to be your own boss or have you started a business in the past 12 months and are based in Suffolk or Norfolk?

MENTA’s three, free ‘Start Right’ workshops are designed to be fun and informative.

You’ll find out about legal structures, business plans, successful marketing, bookkeeping and tax.

With multiple dates and workshop locations, book your free training soon and ‘Start Right’.

Start Right is funded by

Book online at www.menta.org.uk or call 01284 760206 mentabusiness

mentabusiness

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

mentabusiness

23

SPORT / On the Grapevine BENTLEY BOWLS CLUB

Capel Plough Football Club

The new season will soon be upon us and the green will open towards the end of April. Our first game on April 29 is at home against Bealings Blue.

With just two months of the football season remaining, the Saturday First team were in sixth place in the Senior Division at the time of writing, having completing a league double over Grundisburgh with scores of 4-1 and 2-0.

A heavy 4-0 defeat by leaders Henley Athletic was followed by draws against Westerfield United (1-1) and Benhall St Mary (2-2). The side have been in the top six most of the season, but like a lot of clubs in local football nowadays they have been hit by players leaving the club for a number of different reasons with manager Nathan Burrell having to field a different team every week. Not the same as when I played the game as they say! Leading scorers are skipper Shaun Webb with ten goals and Danny Garrard with eight.

A reminder for your new diaries: our quiz this year is on Saturday, May 4 in the village hall at 7.30pm.

Lillian Calvert: 01473 311756

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED fc The new year started in a very positive way for the 1st Team as they recorded a three-nil Home victory against Bramford Utd. Their mixed form returned however as they then lost at Crane Sports, were involved in a remarkable comeback from three-nil down to draw with bottom of the table Grundisburgh, before producing their performance of the season to end the month by winning three-two at high flying Henley Athletic.

The first game in February was another defeat to Cranes to leave the team in a lower mid-table position in the Senior League.

The Reserves were high scoring but inconsistent in January with a fourall away draw, a home defeat and a five goal home win, but then started February with a remarkable fifteen goal home victory. The team now sit right in the middle of the Intermediate A table.

Our young Reserve side beat Coplestonians A team 7-0 after an excellent performance which included a brace from Charlie Read. A 2-0 defeat against Haughley United was followed by a 2-0 win away to Leiston St Margarets with Jack Reddinton scoring one and Oliver Miller getting the other. Dan Leggett has been playing well in midfield and could be the next youngster from the Reserves pushing for a First team place.

The A Team’s fine form slipped a little as they started 2019 with two wins and one defeat before drawing with league leaders Ransomes Sports Reserves in the first match in February. They are now in a group of three clubs on twentyone points chasing the second promotion spot.

The Sunday team lost 3-1 to Rosary Reserves in the Junior Cup with Joe Bigmore getting the goal, but bounced back to beat Boleyn F C 8-0 in the league which included a Bigmore hat trick and two goals from Adam Moore.

Meanwhile our over 35 Veteran side beat Romeo Done 2-1 in the league with both goals from star man Ross Dorward before losing 3-0 in the league cup to Coplestonians.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Check the local websites for club fixtures.

1st Team – Senior Division Sat, Feb 23: Bramford Utd (A) Sat, Mar 2: Westerfield Utd (H) Sat, Mar 9: Trimley Red Devils (A) Sat, Mar 16: Westerfield Utd (A) Sat, Mar 23: Achilles (H) Sat, April 6: Capel Plough (A)

BOB THE PLOUGHMAN

EBONY’S BLOG LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE

Fixtures are subject to change. Please refer to the fixtures website to confirm: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069

Who out of my readership thinks they would like to run a marathon?

None of my mates in the herd would do such a thing, but I gather humans can train themselves up to go the distance. We have been fortunate to get two runners in the London Marathon on April 28 this year, and training is in full swing. Both men would love to be sponsored for their efforts. Adam Bensusan has to raise the entry fee himself, and once that target is reached he can donate all the rest of the money he raises to us! Yeah, thanks mate. I hope you get lots of support. The first leg in Adam’s fundraising trail is a quiz night on March 2. All the details are on our website so please have a look and join him on the night.

LADIES AND JUNIORS We are looking for new teams, boys or girls, of any age group to join us as we look for the club to grow. If you are interested please contact David George at: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com

We had a bit of a rocky start to the term with some freezing temperatures, but two new child riders joined us and they are doing well. My photo shows a Thursday morning ride enjoying a bit of outdoor air and sunlight, but you can tell from the clothing that it was cold!

The darts competition night was held on January 5 and was a very successful event. The results were as follows: Singles: Ben McGrath (£75) beat Jamie Greig (£25) Doubles: Ross Copper & Aaron Chinnery (£50 each) beat Jonny McGrath & Alvin McMasters

The winter mud is still a nuisance. Our gateways are a quagmire, but the herd just carries on regardless. Do they long for spring, I wonder? I’m told scientists discovered that bees are mathematicians; perhaps our horses and ponies secretly keep a calendar in their heads and are ticking off the days till the grass begins to grow again.

It is anticipated that the darts tournament will become a regular event and will be open to all, so darts players, keep an eye for the next event.

If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you.

I hope everyone enjoyed their half term break and that we all have a very productive second half to the spring term with scores of successes for our riders. They are a brave and courageous bunch of people, and we love being here for them all.

Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

01473 824172 / www.rda-east.org.uk/shelley.html

Reserves – League A Sat, Feb 23: Bramford Utd Res (H) Sat, Mar 2: Framlingham Town Res (A) Sat, Mar 9: Westerfield Utd Res (A) Sat, Mar 16: Wenhaston Utd Res (A) Sat, Mar 23: Bacton Utd 89 Res (A) Sat, Mar 30: Mendlesham Res (H) Sat, April 6: Achilles Res (A) A Team – League C Sat, Mar 2: Kesgrave Kestrels Res (A) Sat, Mar 9: Sporting 87 A (A) Sat, Mar 23: Grundisburgh Res (A) Sat, Mar 30: Framlingham Town A (A)

24

In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB

Parish Priest: Fr Peter Raj 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR MARCH Sunday 3 9am

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

Tuesday 5 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass

those I don’t like, for those who are friends and those who are not?”

The second thing to check, he said, is how often do “I feel inside me sentiments of jealousy, envy, and I start wanting to wish something bad would happen to him or her -- that is a signal that you do not love. Stop there. Don’t let those feelings grow. They are dangerous.” Finally, he said, the most common sign “that I don’t love my neighbour and so cannot say I love God is gossip. Get this clearly into your heart and your head: if I gossip, I do not love God because gossip destroys people.”

Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday, February 24 at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £158 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday, March 24.

Sunday 10 1st Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 12 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass

The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, 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 online at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk

Sunday 17 2nd Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 19 St Joseph, Spouse of Bvm, Solemnity 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 24 3rd Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 26 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass

Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv & Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30amnoon. We are raising funds for a new carpet for the parish room and all are very welcome to join us. The next one is on Thursday, March 28.

Supporting our Local Hospice All parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas, and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice.

Sunday 31 4th Sunday of Lent 9am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet by the front door.

Catholic Commentary Pope Francis recently offered a checklist for Catholics to keep track of how they measure up to the biblical caution “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar.” Preaching on the passage from the First Letter of John, the Pope said that the devil is defeated by Christians loving their brothers and sisters.

To see how one is doing in the battle, the first question to ask is: “Do I pray for people? For everyone, concretely, those whom I like and

The Sick & Homebound Please let Fr Peter know of anyone who is ill at home or homebound so that they can receive appropriate pastoral care.

If you or someone you know is going into Ipswich Hospital and would like the ministrations of the church while there please inform Fr Peter or leave a message on Deacon Clive’s answerphone on 01206 396319.

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.

Looking after you and your family...

Our private client team offers individuals a high level of personal service, tailored to your needs, ensuring you have peace of mind.

Wills and Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate Disputes

Probate and Estates Court of Protection Financial Planning

Contact us today to make an appointment: enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com www.ellisonssolicitors.com

01473 556900 Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ

Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

25

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 / 07904 972116 Friends, As we head into spring many of us are looking in pleasant expectation at the new buds on the trees, the insects starting to wake and looking forward to migrant birds arriving on their Northward journeys. Many of us do what we can locally to help our wildlife, such as setting aside areas of the garden to grow wild, installing bird and bee nesting boxes and avoiding the use of toxic chemicals and plastics.

It is hard for us all, not only Christians, to see the destructive affect that man’s activities have both locally and globally, and evidence increasingly suggests that if we don’t change our behaviour very soon the destructive effects of climate change may become irreversible. The recent news of the mass deaths of half the population of spectacled flying foxes in Australia (thought due to sustained high temperatures) is only one of many dramatic warning signs.

We don’t have to look far in the Bible to find analogies. Noah foresaw the flood and prepared accordingly, perhaps despite the mockery of his neighbours. Moses led his people away from persecution and plagues that beset Egypt. Great cities and temples were torn down without warning.

Famine and pestilence were common.

Humanity has coped with catastrophes in the past, but usually on more local scales, and the planet is now much more densely populated. When we look to our elected leaders it’s hard to see what they are doing to help as they are preoccupied with other apparently more immediate issues. We don’t seem to be good at seeing the bigger picture and planning ahead together.

God has given us free will, but this allows us to engage in harmful and destructive activities as well as helpful and beneficial ones. I realise that as an individual living in a developed country I am as much at fault as everyone else for our current predicament. However it still seems appropriate to stand back and reflect on our responsibilities to ourselves, our families, our friends and our communities while enjoying the spring.

I pray that God will guide us and may he continue to be with us all in peace and joy, Tattingstone Churchwarden Simon Harley North Samford Churches Baby and Toddler Group: 9.30-11.30am at Sproughton Church Hall on Mondays in term time.

DixielandJazz Concert at Burstall Village Hall: Saturday, March 16 at 7.30pm.

Includes a two-course supper. Tickets £12 from Gillian: 07985 558014 Death Café: Thursday, March 21 at Burstall Village Hall, 2-4pm FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals Graham Steward – Copdock Richard French – Belstead Jennifer Jones – Copdock MARCH Friday 1 Saturday 2 Wednesday 6 Thursday 7 Thursday 7 Saturday 9 Saturday 16 Wednesday 20 Wednesday 20 Thursday 21 Thursday 21 Saturday 23 Monday 25

26

Burstall Women’s World Day of Prayer Copdock Morning Market, 10am Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am Burstall Jazz Music Concert Tattingstone PCC Copdock Home Communions, 10am Ministry Meeting, 7.30pm Death Café, Burstall Village Hall, 2-4pm Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm Belstead APCM

APRIL Monday 1 Wednesday 3 Thursday 4 Thursday 4 Thursday 4 Saturday 6 Wednesday 10 Thursday 11 Saturday 13 Wednesday 17 Tuesday 23 Wednesday 24 Saturday 27

Bentley APCM Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Sproughton APCM Copdock Monthly Market, 10am Burstall APCM Copdock Approval of Accounts Sproughton Morning Market, 10am Copdock Home Communions Copdock APCM Tattingstone APCM Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm

SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Sunday, March 3 8am Copdock 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Family@Church

Ash Wednesday, March 6 7.30pm Sproughton Holy Communion Sunday, March 10 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone

Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evening Prayer

Sunday, March 17 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

Holy Communion Simply Sunday Family Service Family@Church Holy Communion

Sunday, March 24 8am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Belstead 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone

Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Morning Celebration Holy Communion Holy Communion

Sunday March 31 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

Mothering Sunday Mothering Sunday Mothering Sunday Mothering Sunday Mothering Sunday

Please submit church letters and copy for the April edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by March 4: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER/S REQUIRED We are looking for a volunteer/s to take delivery of the monthly In Touch magazines and sort for distribution to our volunteer deliverers.

Volunteers are also required to take over delivery (nine copies) down the Avenue and the delivery round for part of London Road, from the Elm Lane lay-by to Tom Cat Farm.

Please contact Dianne/Dave on 01473 730700 or Ruth Lincoln on 01473 730430 for further information. Please remember that without our volunteers, distribution of this magazine would not be possible.

In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS CAPEL & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES PLANNING FOR… I began my working life as an engineer almost 50 years ago, first with Dunlop in Coventry and then with a local authority. In 1977 I was working as a newly chartered engineer on the planned M1 – A1 link road in Northamptonshire, now the A14. Our design year was 1991 and one of my tasks was to predict the volume of traffic on this completely new road. The original brief we were given was for a largely single carriageway with only a few grade separated junctions. My traffic predictions showed it need to be dual carriageway with every junction grade separated (i.e. through traffic going on a flyover or underpass – only joining and leaving traffic going to the roundabout).

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

I left engineering to train for the ministry and then went to serve in Zimbabwe.

In the meanwhile the road was completed in 1991 as planned, my section dualled and all junctions grade separated, except the beginning and end. I returned from Africa in 1992. In that year I travelled the full length of the A14 to pick up some friends from the port of Harwich. I also went back into my office and found my colleagues had just checked back to the report I had signed off in 1977 and compared the current traffic flows with my predicted ones. I was told they were amazingly close. For its first 15 years the A14 has largely coped with the traffic, but the growth of traffic and, in particular, the container port of Felixstowe shows the road under strain.

As soon as I have completed this article, I am off on a two-day course to plan for retirement. If I live to my parent’s age, I could have over 30 years of retirement (the current lifetime of the road I helped plan). Will my retirement feel the strains that the road is under, will finances be enough to keep a roof over my head, what about my health and wellbeing, what about family and friends, what are those things that I most enjoy? Will it be the time of my life? Will I be busier in retirement than I have been working? Where do I live?

I have no roots anywhere, and family are north, south and west, hundreds of miles apart. Where does God want me? God still has a plan for my life and I want to be in a place where he can use me. Lots of questions that I need to think about and plan for. But I’ve been here before, each time a move has come and each time lots of questions, but also a peace. God has it in hand. I learn contentment where he places me, as the Psalmist says “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places… I keep my eyes always on the Lord, with him, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:6-8 The Rev Andrew Sankey Minister at Capel & Holbrook Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary Ipswich IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

AT CAPEL METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 3

Sunday 10 Sunday 17 Saturday 23 Sunday 24

Sunday 31

10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 3.30pm 10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am

Worship with Mr Rod Stone Prayer Worship arranged locally Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham Messy Church Worship and Communion with Rev Sankey United Prayer at St Mary’s Worship with Mr Richard Spencer

AT HOLBROOK METHODIST What’s on in March (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Tea and Chat (HCT): Mondays between 2.30 & 4pm Home Groups: Second and fourth Tuesdays at 7.30pm Saturday 2 Sunday 3 Sunday 10

Sunday 17

Friday 22 Sunday 24

Sunday 31

Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

10-11.30am Coffee Morning 10am Worship with Mrs Jane Paterson 10am Worship and Communion with Rev Grimshaw 6.30pm Lent Group (HCT) with Rev Andrew Sankey 10am Family Friendly Worship with Mrs Alicia Holmes 6.30pm Lent Group (HCT) 3.30pm Messy Church (HCT) 10am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham 6.30pm Lent Group (HCT) with Rev Andrew Sankey 10am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey

Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in March.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

27

CHARITY GALA CONCERT

SATURDAY 30 MARCH, 7PM

FEATURING THE CHAPEL CHOIR | CHAMBER CHOIR | SHOW CHOIR | CONCERT BAND | BIG BAND | ORCHESTRA | READE STRING ENSEMBLE Conductors: William Saunders and Edward Allen with guest appearances from Christina Johnston (soprano) and Jessica Martin (actress)

Full: £10 | Conc: £7 | U18: FREE 01206 573948 | experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic All proceeds raised will go to the Suffolk Community Foundation.

CHAPEL, ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH, IP9 2RX Kindly sponsored by MansionHousePublishing