InTouch with Copdock May 2020

In Touch

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with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock & Washbrook and Tattingstone Volume 10 • Issue No. 6 • MAY 2020

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In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR KEEPING IN TOUCH Until it’s safe for our delivery teams to work again we have decided to publish online and have worked quickly to create a dedicated area on the website for each publication area.

We’re constantly adding new content and engaging with local, regional and national organisations to share often critical information and to support the local groups established in response to the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve also added a directory to make it easier to find the businesses which are still operating and available to take your call. www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk You may well be reading this online and if it’s your first visit to our website, you are very welcome.

If you have a printer and know someone who can’t access the online edition, you can download and print a PDF from the website. We have also left a small number of printed copies at key locations in the area, though I suspect they will disappear rather quickly.

Every aspect of life as we know it has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s impossible to know when we can expect ‘normal’ life to resume. Tragically many lives have been lost, including far too many NHS and healthcare staff to whom we owe an enormous debt, as we do to everyone who continues to work, in any capacity, on what is now referred to as the ‘front line’.

Many of us are working from home, fortunate to still have jobs while many others have lost theirs. Many local businesses have been forced to shut down temporarily (we hope) while others have adapted to meet a growing need for home deliveries or alternative services and products.

Through all this we have seen the emergence of an extraordinary sense of community responsibility with support networks or hubs forming almost overnight to ensure those is most need or self-isolating have access to essential supplies. In traditional Irish farming communities, a gathering such as this was known as a ‘meitheal’. Modern technology has enabled digital ‘meitheals’ to form and the sense of common good has never been as powerful as it is right now.

If you haven’t already signed up, you will probably find the following quite useful right now:

Of course, we’re also using the Mansion House Publishing Facebook Twitter and Instagram accounts to ensure information is shared quickly and widely. Do join or follow us if you can.

Instagram: mansionhousepublishing Twitter: @InTouchEast Facebook: Mansion House Publishing We’re also responding to increased demand for online advertising as companies seek out new ways to promote their business and to let customers know they are there for them now and always. If you want to know more about the advertising and e-marketing opportunities on offer, please contact our sales team on 01473 400380.

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP EDITOR: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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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, Bently, Copdock & Washbrook and Tattingstone is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

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

Sunday 10 May

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the June edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

Tattingstone Village Suffolk County Council Babergh District Council COVID-19 Information Centre Suffolk Home Deliveries

@mytattingstone @suffolkcc @BaberghDistrict @DHSCgovuk

They say participating in meaningful activities is a major contributor to our sense of wellbeing and Sew Scrubs must be the perfect example. Sewers, pattern printers, fabric cutters, fundraisers, sponsors, delivery volunteers and co-ordinators have come together to meet an indentified need and it looks like they are having a lot of fun in the process.

Others, including schools and businesses with the right skills and materials, have been making masks and face shields, sending food, posting messages and videos, helping with childcare and shopping, paying for parking... Even standing outside to applaud our key-workers at 8pm on Thursday evenings is a shared activity which certainly lifts the mood in our house, though I’m not sure Flip (our pet rabbit) would agree.

If you are looking for ways to help or donate, a quick visit to Facebook will provide plenty of opportunity but the one essential thing most of us must do is to stay at home and to maintain distance when you do go out. It’s not a lot to ask, particularly as we know it’s having the required effect.

Of course it’s also important to do some activity you enjoy and to keep life as normal as possible. I’ve been spending as much time as possible in the garden with Jack. It’s a small space but we’ve created a great number of, mostly football themed, challenges. Four weeks in and I still haven’t managed to get the ball in the bucket (‘top bins’) once. We also created our own crazy golf course using ‘stuff’ from the recycling bin and a chair leg as a putter.

We’ve only broken one window so far!

Staying informed is important too but I hope you’re not checking your phone every five minutes. I did this for the first two weeks or so and was so overwhelmed by anxiety and sadness I found myself crying uncontrollably (in a cupboard) at least once a day. Jack did wonder why my hay fever seemed to be worse than usual!

We must be hopeful. Knowledge of the virus and its effects improves day by day and the race is on to find a vaccine.

Stay strong. Take care of yourselves and of others.

Our very best wishes from everyone here at Mansion House Publishing

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

PULLING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils remain committed to working with partners to support the volunteers assembling to help protect our communities.

Both councils have today pledged to support parish and town councils and voluntary groups who we acknowledge will play a key role in empowering our communities to remain resilient during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The councils have established a new light touch grant scheme, with over £80,000 available through grants of up to £2,500, to provide financial assistance to other local community organisations assisting with the response to the pandemic.

This is in conjunction with new financial help from both councils, which already been made available, for major food banks within the districts in Stowmarket, Sudbury and Hadleigh, to support their vital work during the Covid-19 outbreak. The councils will also be working with partners to address any logistic needs the food banks may face.

This partnership work also extends to collating and sharing local intelligence, identifying existing support networks, and where gaps lie, enabling us to help those who need it most. Our Communities Team has been bolstered by the redeployment of council officers from other duties to support this work and there is scope to increase this further if required.

The councils are also part of the Collaborative Communities Board which is behind the creation of the new Suffolk-focused community support service, Home But Not Alone. The service sees willing volunteers and charities logging their details and offers of support on a phone app, matching them to people who need their help. This ensures that help can be given where it’s most needed, and can be in line with safeguarding policies. The Tribe Volunteer app is free to download on both Apple and Android.

Vulnerable residents who are without alternative support and need assistance with the delivery of groceries, medicines and other supplies should telephone freephone number 0800 876 6926. This is open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week, with staff from our two councils working through their weekends to support this service.

We have also put measures in place to help key workers. During the Covid-19 outbreak Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are suspending restrictions in our car parks to permit critical key workers to use council parking bays without time restriction or charges.

In addition to this, we recognise that key workers may need to selfisolate, so have worked with Suffolk’s Public Sector Partnership to help find short term accommodation for key workers who are unable to return home. Any key workers with an urgent need for this service should email: accommodation@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

EMERGENCY FUNDING POT AVAILABLE TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Community groups and organisations can now apply for immediate grants of up to £2,500 as part of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ response to COVID-19.

Over £80,000 is being made available to both new and existing groups in Babergh and Mid Suffolk who are playing a key role in protecting vulnerable residents and helping our communities remain resilient during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Grants of up to £2,500 can be applied for to cover increased costs incurred by groups as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), including general running costs, ongoing staff costs, volunteer expenses, utility bills and the purchasing of food or other consumables. Larger requests for funding will be considered under exceptional circumstances.

The Emerging Needs Grant has a straightforward application process, enabling our councils to respond quickly to help ease the challenges our residents are facing during the crisis. Community officers will continue to work closely with district councillors, towns and parishes and community groups to ensure financial support is available and directed to meet needs as they emerge within communities.

Cllr Derek Davis, Cabinet Member for Communities for Babergh District Council said: “We recognise that it’s more important than ever before to provide support to our residents who are experiencing difficulties. In response to this we have simplified our grants process, to make financial help available quickly and easily for those who need it most.”

Cllr Julie Flatman, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing for Mid Suffolk District Council said: “I am delighted that groups and organisations are pulling together to relieve the financial hardship of residents, or to assist the vulnerable who are self-isolating at home. This grant scheme will allow for their hard work to continue, providing comfort at this uncertain time.”

The Babergh and Mid Suffolk Communities Team, bolstered by the redeployment of other council officers, are currently identifying groups and organisations that could benefit from this funding.

For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/taqacw7

Cllr Julie Flatman, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing for Mid Suffolk District Council said: “It is incredibly heartening that in these challenging times we can work with partners across Suffolk to respond to an increased demand for community support as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. I am also delighted that we’ve been able to provide support for our district’s key workers.”

Cllr Derek Davis, Cabinet Member for Communities for Babergh District Council said: “It’s wonderful to see Babergh’s communities rallying together to look after one another. Unfortunately, while many have a genuine desire to help, we must be mindful of unscrupulous criminals fraudulently posing as good Samaritans. I would encourage all those wishing to help to use the Tribe Volunteer app, which I have already downloaded myself.”

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In Touch online:

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HOLBROOK & SHOTLEY PRACTICE We are continuing to run the best service we can for our patients and offering the majority of our appointments by telephone. We are bringing very few patients into the building and continue to allow patients to collect prescriptions between set times, as below.

• May Bank Holidays: We will be open as usual for these but may have reduced staffing levels so please bear with us.

• Blood Tests: Only urgent blood tests are being done currently such as INR. Please phone on the day needed so we can book you in with the nurse on site.

• Repeat Medications: Please allow us four to five days for processing as we have been very busy. We will endeavour to text you to advise when this is ready but cannot always do this.

•

Childhood Immunisations and Baby Checks: The midwife and health visitor are contacting patients and giving advice over the phone or organising for patients to come in when necessary. Parents should still bring their children for their immunisations and baby checks. Our usual six-week postnatal check will now be combined with the eight-week immunisations so you only need to attend once and will see both the nurse and doctor.

• Cervical Screening: If you receive a recall letter and are concerned, please ring reception and we will book a telephone appointment with the nurse who can advise you what to do.

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Online Facilities: If you are not already using our online facilities, please ring reception to register or download the NHS App. You can order repeat medications and use our online consultation facility for non-urgent queries. This is called eConsult and has a big blue banner on our home page. It is new to us so please bear with us in case we have teething problems.

•

Vulnerable Patient Letters: We are reviewing a list of patients who may be vulnerable and sending letters as appropriate in accordance with the very strict criteria. Patients who self-declared on the government website are also being reviewed and will be contacted only if they are considered at very high risk. The government is continuing to allow patients to self- declare, so if you have not yet done so and believe you are extremely vulnerable, please visit their website.

Our reports are updated each Tuesday and we will review your case after this.

• Our clinicians: In order to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our clinicians, we will only be seeing patients at our Shotley site now.

We have one doctor who will be seeing patients and others just triaging by telephone. Some of our nurses will be supporting the community team and visiting patients for dressings and blood tests etc. Our Clinical Care Practitioners will be visiting patients if the doctor thinks this is necessary.

• eConsult: We have been trialling the use of eConsult for patients with non-urgent queries and have now set up our protocol and tested this in practice with real cases. It seems to work well. If you would prefer to use this, please scroll towards the bottom of the home page on our website and look for the large blue box with the eConsult banner.

• Video Consultations: We are still experiencing some difficulty with these but hope to be able to offer them soon. Thank you to those patients who have helped us to test the system!

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Opening Times and Sites HOLBROOK Phone access only 08:00 – 17:00 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 08:00 – 13:00 Thursday and 08:00 – 18:30 Friday for urgent queries.

Repeat prescription medication can be collected from 08:00 – 11:00 Monday to Friday and 15:00 – 17:00 on Fridays. Additionally those over 70 can collect from 14:00 – 15:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

SHOTLEY Phone access only 08:00 – 18:30 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 – 13:00 Friday for urgent queries.

Repeat prescription medication can be collected from 08:00 – 11:00 Monday to Friday and 15:00 – 17:00 on Monday to Thursday. Additionally those over 70 can collect from 14:00 – 15:00 on Monday to Thursday.

How we are operating: Please note that our doors are closed and locked.

If attending to collect repeat medications please queue using the marked spacers to ensure social distancing. When you get to the front of the queue, you will be asked your name and we will collect your medication and bring it out to you in a basket. You should remain outside and at a distance to safeguard yourself and our staff. If you need to pay for medications, we will give you a slip with our bank details. Please pay as soon as you get home and use the invoice number we give you.

If attending for an appointment, please ask at the time of booking where to come to and our receptionists or clinicians will advise you.

If you have seen the GP or they have prescribed medication over the phone, please allow two t0 three hours before collecting this and attend between the times stated above. They will give you guidance as to where to collect this from.

Thank you To all our patients who have been patient and to all who have stayed inside.

This has helped to minimise the spread of the virus and help us to continue to provide a service to you.

To all our good neighbour schemes who are helping to deliver medications and are collecting shopping and making contact with our vulnerable patients who are isolating. If you need details of your local scheme, please ring reception. If there is no local scheme, our nurses may be able to refer you to the NHS Volunteers for help but we will need to get some details from you.

To all those who have kindly given us biscuits and cakes, as well as those who have dropped a line by email or card to thank us for what we are doing.

We are all doing our best in difficult circumstances and your comments and gestures are very much appreciated.

To all our GPs and staff who have come in and covered for others. I am very proud to be part of such a wonderful team of people.

A final plea or two: Please do not attend the surgery for any reason if you have a new cough or a temperature. If you are unsure, it is safer not to attend. Please speak to our receptionists or clinicians for advice.

Follow the government advice – Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives

In In Touch Touch online: online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

MEET THE HEROES HELPING BABERGH THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS Communities across Babergh have rallied together in response to Covid-19, and now we want to recognise and support their extraordinary work.

Babergh District Council is saluting the army of community champions that have stepped forward to help their neighbours in need.

Despite facing their own challenges our community champions have stepped up to run errands, provide meals, be a source of companionship, and more.

The Glemsford Angels ‘didn’t want any resident to feel alone’ so have been regularly checking in with vulnerable people already known to them. The group also arranged for a letter offering help to be hand delivered to 1,700 residents in the village, resulting in further requests for assistance, which they have been able to fulfil.

Chairman Fiona Dinning-Cole said: “Wonderful kindness is taking place in our village. Sarah Meston is producing meals from the Black Lion Pub with help from Landlord Steve and working with Rev Patrick Prigg to support the vulnerable in the village who wouldn’t otherwise be getting hot meals. Well done all concerned and in particular ‘hooray’ to you Sarah.”

Lavenham’s Good Neighbour Scheme is another group providing a lifeline to Babergh villages. More than 100 volunteers came forward to help villagers who are isolating or alone with shopping, prescription collections and other requests Chair Doreen Twitchett said: “I have been involved with Good Neighbours since it launched in March 2014, so it was a natural progression to get all those in the village who volunteered at the beginning of this crisis, to join a scheme already proven to work. I want to thank all our volunteers who regularly go the extra mile to help.”

Getting food to those who need it most has also been a priority for Bildeston Coronavirus Support Group, who have set up a foodbank, taking self-referrals from local people who find themselves in need.

Founder and co-ordinator Shaun Moffat said: “We wanted to create a non-judgemental and strictly confidential facility to lighten the burden on individuals and families who are feeling the financial effects of this crisis. The lockdown has left many communities such as Bildeston at risk of being cut off, but fortunately we are a creative and resilient village.”

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On Wednesday 4 March, Maureen Clarke spoke about the plight of street orphans in India and at our AGM on 18 March, Dave Carman was voted in again as president and speaker secretary, Graeme Forsyth as secretary and Val Pretty as treasurer.

At the AGM it was agreed that in the light of the Coronavirus outbreak all club meetings would be cancelled for the next few months. We plan to meet again on 2 September when Jan Derbyshire will speak on the good work of The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding.

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, 10 for 10.30am. For further details please contact our president Dave Carman: 01255 880202

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These communities are not alone in their desire to help. More than 1,200 volunteers have already signed up to the Home, But Not Alone scheme, which was launched last month by the Suffolk Collaborative Communities Covid-19 Board. The initiative matches volunteers to callers of a helpline for our county’s most vulnerable, which is free to call on 0800 876 6926 and is staffed seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm.

This hotline is for people without family or a friendship network to support them, and who require emergency assistance with care needs (including food), loneliness, or connecting with community volunteers.

Although still in its early stages, the scheme has already proved to be a lifeline, with vulnerable residents receiving delivery of shopping and prescriptions from volunteers.

Babergh District Council is offering grants of up to £2,500 to support groups with increased costs incurred as a cost of coronavirus (COVID-19), including general running costs, ongoing staff costs, volunteer expenses, utility bills and purchasing of food or other consumables. Larger requests for funding will be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Now, in addition to offering financial support, and with so many different groups to recognise, the council is launching a #communitychampions social media campaign to encourage community groups to highlight what they are doing – making residents aware of what local help is available as well as generating further support and offers of volunteering. Taking part in the campaign couldn’t be easier, simply tag @BaberghDistrict in your social media posts so that these can be shared.

Cllr Derek Davis, Cabinet Member for Communities for Babergh District Council said: “During social distancing, we can remain united through kindness and looking out for one another. I’d like to thank communities in Babergh who have demonstrated immense strength and resilience at a time of national emergency. They are doing an amazing job and we want to recognise their efforts.

“We still need help to continue this invaluable support and I’d urge anyone wishing to volunteer, as well as any existing community groups, to register on the Tribe Volunteer app, which is available on both Apple and Android. This will enable our community team to identify where resource is and if there are any gaps in the system, ensuring we can help those who need it most.”

VILLAGE LINK CLUB MEETINGS Due to the Coronavirus outbreak all meetings have been cancelled. We will keep you informed when they will restart.

BELSTEAD VILLAGE HALL IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Community spirit is good and help is available for those who are self-isolating.

Dog walkers and walkers are keeping an eye out, so if you need anything, speak to them or contact the mobile numbers on the leaflet that you received.

This unprecedented situation will test our nerve and resolve, our patience, relationships and faith. However, we can all show the best of human nature at this very difficult time.

Marilyn Wosahlo

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

CAPEL LIBRARY Have you been keeping up with what we have been up to? Not just us but with Suffolk Libraries too?

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION In common with most clubs and associations, we have been forced to cancel our activities for the foreseeable future.

Consequently there will be no further meetings of ESNTA until September at the earliest. Details of future meetings will be given as soon as we have a clearer idea of developments.

SPECIALISTS IN THE BUSINESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS One of the things in life people value the most is having a roof over their head, and here at Next Generation Roofing we never underestimate the need that people have to feel safe and protected. This is why we put so much hard work into ensuring that we provide the most comprehensive roofing services Ipswich wide, as well as the surrounding areas of Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.

As a team of expert roofers, we only use the best quality materials in our work, but it isn’t only this that gives us such as excellent reputation, it’s our work ethic. No matter what amount of work is needed, we approach every job with the same care and attention to detail. All of our work is completed to the highest standard and we know that you’ll be happy with the result.

We quote for each job individually, based on your requirements, and offer a wide range of roofing products and services from minor repairs to replacements. We know that roofing doesn’t just stop at the actual roof, which is why we can provide fascias and guttering as well, all of the best quality, and we can help you chose something that will match the rest of your home.

Here at Next Generation Roofing Specialists our team of roofers are proud of our strong reputation for quality and reliable roofing services and take our work as seriously as you take your home.

We enjoy seeing our work finished to a high standard and look forward to your call.

Find out more by visiting: www.nextgeneration-roofing.co.uk

You will find loads of actives going on, from quizzes to Tot Rock and story times. Have a look at the following pages: Facebook: Capel St Mary Library and Suffolk Libraries UK Twitter: @CapelLibrary and @SuffolkLibrary Instagram: capellibrary and suffolklibraries YouTube: Suffolk Libraries UK Don’t forget if you have run out of books you can go to www.SuffolkLibraries. co.uk and download e-audio and eBooks as well as read magazines while streaming music or perhaps choose a film or documentary to watch, and it’s all free of charge. If you haven’t got a library card then you can sign up on that page as well.

Are you struggling to find out fact from fiction? The Suffolk Libraries website links to trusted sources including the NHS and Suffolk County Council.

In this ever-changing environment that we find ourselves in please do keep an eye on our webpages as well as our social media sites to see what’s happening with Suffolk Libraries.

Wishing you all the very best, Capel Library

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC As with most things, local football came to an abrupt halt on 16 March due to the Coronavirus pandemic when all matches were postponed until further notice. On 26 March the FA took the decision to end the season for clubs at our level. The First Team were fifth in the Senior Division when time was called. The ladies semi-final in the HomestoreUK Suffolk Women’s Cup was also postponed with no further news at this stage.

At this point we have no idea what comes next but we hope everyone, players, supporters, friends, neighbours and opponents, can stay safe for when some sort of normality returns.

Our 125th anniversary celebration has also been postponed. We will provide more information when the situation allows.

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 or Lee Partridge at bunter.partridge@googlemail.com.

Facebook: Ease Bergholt United Football Club Instagram: east_bergholt_united_fc

Suffolk Office: 01473 833446 / Essex Office: 01206 827454

Twitter: @EBUFC1

Mobile: 07896 787424 / enquiries@nextgeneration-roofing.co.uk

Steve Butcher (Secretary) / stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

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In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

BUSINESSES URGED TO ACCESS FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE Businesses in Babergh and Mid Suffolk are being urged to find out what financial support is available to them as well as seeking advice and guidance in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

More information about the range of business support available can be found on the Coronavirus Business Advice website: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-advice

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the government has announced a package of measures to help small and large businesses as well as the selfemployed who have been impacted by COVID-19.

For businesses looking for opportunities to innovate within their business, the government has outlined the support and grants available to help businesses grow, strengthen leadership and talent and adopt new technologies. Find out more on the Wider Business Support website: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/wider-business-support-from-government

The full range of financial packages and support measures can be found on the government’s business support website which includes FAQs and links to wider business support. There are also specialist funding opportunities available for organisations and individuals including from the Arts Council and Sport England.

Coronavirus Financial Support Both large and small businesses and the self-employed can access a range of support measures to help them through these unprecedented times caused

by COVID-19. These schemes include: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Business Rate Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Small Business Grant Funding Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Support for Businesses Paying Tax COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility Business Rates Holiday for Nurseries VAT Deferral Deferral of Self-Assessment Payment

More information about who is eligible, how to apply and when the support schemes are open for applications is available at: www.businesssupport.gov. uk/coronavirus-business-support Business Advice and FAQs The government has created a series of FAQs for businesses impacted by COVID-19. These are broken down into three main areas: • General Business Issues • Business Closures and Stay at Home Guidance • Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) There is also information on how to access support including: • • • • •

Business Support Helpline HMRC Helpline Find a Job service New Technology Challenge – funding available Directory of Business Representative Organisations

In Babergh and Mid Suffolk, there is help and guidance available from trained advisers at the New Anglia Growth Hub: www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk

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Small Business Grant Funding This week many small business owners will be receiving letters from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils about how to access the COVID-19 Business Grant Fund.

This is a cash grant of either £10,000 or £25,000 for businesses who are eligible for Small Business Rate Relief as well as businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Eligible businesses will be asked to submit their details through an online form for the grant to be processed. More information can be found on our COVID-19 Business Grant Fund webpage: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/business/business-rates/grant-funding-schemes Arts Council: Emergency Response Package The Arts Council is making £160m of funding available for both organisations and individuals during the coronavirus crisis. This is available to organisations who already receive Arts Council funding as well as those who are outside the regular funding streams. Freelancers and individuals can also apply for financial support. More information is available on the Arts Council website: www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19 Sport England: COVID-19 funding To help Sport England’s partners, clubs and community organisations cope with the short and long-term impact of the pandemic, an emergency fund of £195m has been made available to help organisations get through the crisis as well as for the recovery of sport and physical activity in the longer term.

More information is available on the Sport England website: www.sportengland.org/news/195-million-package-help-sport-and-physicalactivity-through-coronavirus Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “These are incredibly difficult times for many businesses, and we urge large and small business owners as well as the self-employed to investigate and apply for the financial support available to them in order to see them through this challenging time caused by the coronavirus pandemic.”

Cllr Gerard Brewster, Mid Suffolk Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “There is a host of support and guidance available for all businesses and I would ask businesses to seek advice either from general business specialists such as the New Anglia Growth Hub, but also their own professional bodies who may have specific advice for these unprecedented times.”

For more information about Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ response to COVID-19, please visit: www.babergh.gov.uk or www.midsuffolk.gov.uk

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

SMALL BUSINESSES IN SUFFOLK URGED TO ACCESS £200M POT OF COVID-19 AID Eligible businesses across Suffolk are being urged to access grants of £10,000 or £25,000 to help them through COVID-19 crisis.

East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and West Suffolk Council.

The government has allocated over £213m to support qualifying businesses in Suffolk who are struggling because of restrictions in place to combat the Coronavirus.

Karen Chapman, from the Suffolk Growth Board representing all local authorities, commented; “The Small Business Grant Fund and Cash Grant for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses could provide an important lifeline during these unprecedented times. We urge all eligible businesses to take advantage of the financial support, advice and guidance that is available during this difficult period.”

There are over 15,000 eligible businesses across the county who can access one of two grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 to help with their ongoing business costs.

The Small Business Grant Fund is available to businesses that pay little or no business rates and currently receive small business rate relief (SBRR) and/or rural rate relief (RRR). In addition, there is a cash grant available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that have a property with a rateable value up to £51,000.

Businesses who meet the eligibility criteria are being contacted by their local authority to confirm eligibility and payment details and staff are working to get this information out to firms as quickly as they can. Businesses must follow the process outlined by their Local Authority for the payment to be made.

Business owners who have not yet been contacted and believe they are eligible for either of the grants should check their local council’s website for further details.

The grants will be administered by local authorities; Babergh District Council,

Further information on these two grants and all support available for businesses and the self-employed can be found on the government business support site: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support To contact your local council please visit: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/business/business-rates/grant-funding-schemes East Suffolk Council: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/business/covid-19-business-grant-funding Ipswich Borough Council:www.ipswich.gov.uk/businessratesgrant West Suffolk Council: www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/c19business Additional support is available at from trained advisers at the New Anglia Growth Hub: www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk

ELLISONS SOLICITORS ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH BLOCKS SOLICITORS Andrew, who specialises in corporate and commercial as well commercial property, is a trusted adviser to many long-established clients and also acts for a national lender in their security work. He has been listed in the Legal 500 being referenced as a key figure at Blocks and a highly experienced practitioner.

Tim Logan, Guy Longhurst and Seamus Clifford

Ellisons Solicitors is announcing a merger with Ipswich-based law firm, Blocks Solicitors. The merger, which came into effect on 1 April 2020, will see Ellisons expand its expertise in a range of service offerings as well as gaining a second office in the town.

The new office, which is located on Arcade Street, will carry a new name – Ellisons Solicitors incorporating Blocks.

Ellisons has been keen to expand its presence in Ipswich, particularly in the town centre, since establishing its successful base at Wherstead Park six years ago. Fundamental to its success is Ellisons’ commitment to delivering excellent and transparent customer service from start to finish; an ethos which is shared by Blocks.

Both Ipswich offices have existing business and personal service teams, specialising in a variety of areas including agriculture, wills, trust and probate, employment and HR, corporate and commercial, commercial property, dispute resolution and residential property.

Established in 1890, Blocks Solicitors is one of the leading law firms in Suffolk and will bring a high level of complementary expertise into the Ellisons ‘fold’. Current equity partners at Blocks, Andrew Fleming and Frances Barker, will continue as partners.

Meanwhile Frances specialises in employment law, handling both contentious and non-contentious employment issues for both employers and employees. Frances has experience in a wide variety of environments including a range of private businesses, the City of London, education, agriculture and local government. She has also been listed in the Legal 500 and has been referred to as a ‘highly-rated practitioner’.

Guy Longhurst, managing partner at Ellisons, said: “We are delighted to announce our merger with Blocks Solicitors. Merging with such a reputable firm perfectly reflects Ellisons’ ethos of traditional values with modern, innovative working, providing our clients with the highest possible standard of service. This is of course an extremely challenging time for everybody, but Ellisons has helped its clients and colleagues through various crises during its 250 year history, and now look forward to supporting the clients, colleagues and contacts of Blocks.”

Commenting on the merger, Andrew Fleming added: “There is a lot of synergy between Ellisons Solicitors and Blocks, and our service offerings and firm cultures are a near perfect match. I very much look forward to seeing what the future holds for Ellisons Solicitors incorporating Blocks, and its talented team.”

Ellisons offers a comprehensive range of services to both corporate and private clients, including commercial property, immigration, residential property, dispute resolution, wills, trust and probate, insurance litigation, employment and HR, corporate and commercial, financial advice, international services and many other areas listed at:

www.ellisonssolicitors.com

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS EBONY’S BLOG: LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE Extraordinary times indeed! The Shelley Centre is closed for the foreseeable future and there is no therapeutic work being carried out up here. We feel very sad. Knowing that all my readers are in the same situation makes me wonder what on earth to write that will give your spirits a lift.

Being British-made, I’ll start with the weather. Then again that’s a bit hard for me since I live in a closed and locked room. It’s not too bad because there’s only me and BABS; we don’t have to look after anybody else, we don’t need to entertain ourselves all day and we don’t quarrel. We just switch off. So I’m worrying about my vulnerable riders and their carers. Are their care packages holding up? What if the main carer falls sick? What do feisty teenage riders do when they can’t go out at all? Does everybody understand why he/she is in lock down?

Our live herd is oblivious to these questions of course, loving the warmth of the sun, the drying up of the mud and the sweet spring grass. Lyn, their mum, is having to ration all the smaller ponies lest they over indulge themselves.

Her team of able bodied riders is somehow managing to keep them all fit and healthy, ready for when our work can start up once more.

Luckily one of my riders, Rebecca Jackaman, passed her Gold level Horse Care test and was presented with her certificate by Sue Diggins just before we had to close. This is a big achievement and takes time and hard work to learn all the details required for a pass. Many congratulations Rebecca, I’m so proud of you.

One sad casualty from this virus has been the cancellation of a visit

by HRH The Princess Royal, who had kindly scheduled a visit to us in April.

Reluctantly, she, who never lets any body down, had to obey orders from the government this time. We were all so looking forward to her arrival: she would have been presenting certificates to those of our riders who have been with us for our 30 years. Naturally I was planning to show her what my riders can do, bet she would have loved that!

You will have heard that our fundraising activities have come to a grinding halt. We shall be feeling the pinch, just like all the other charities out there.

If any readers would like to support us with a little donation we should be immensely grateful. The centre plans to reopen as soon as we are allowed to, but meanwhile here’s hoping our family of riders and volunteers stays safe and well. God bless you all. www.shelleyrda.com / 01473 824172

SESAW: SUFFOLK & ESSEX SMALL ANIMAL WELFARE SESAW is currently closed but if you have an animal, or know of one, in urgent need please contact us. Ring 01787 210888 and leave your name and number and a brief description of the problem. The answer phone is regularly checked and we will ring you back.

#SaveLives

CRISIS? BUT WHICH CRISIS? So here we are in the middle of a crisis. But do we actually know which ‘crisis’ we are in the middle of?

Sure, there is the health tragedy of (to date) about 11,000 deaths of people of all ages dying unpleasantly of (or with) the COVID-19 virus.

These are all very painful individual losses for family and friends, and in no way be belittled.

The companion crisis is economic. This has been brewing for a much longer time than the virus crisis. Arguably decades, and given my business interests it is the more worrying of the two crisis.

This crisis, in my opinion, is one of bad money and bad government.

Essentially we have been mortgaging our future for our comfort today.

All Governments in all nations that are generally considered developed have, since certainly 1945 or thereabouts, been welded to a sort of punk Keynesian economic policy settlement which encourages credit expansion and consumption over thrift and production, all financed by gigantic quantities of Government and other debt (of course there is no such thing as ‘Government debt’ – it is our debt – the tax payers debt), and monetary expansion.

For various reasons we have got away with these bad policies for some time. Maybe until now. The forces of economics are unavoidable and bad policies will eventually fail. Most often the failure is triggered by some unforeseen event. An event that triggers a return to reality. Bad banking (including very bad central banking and financial regulatory bureaucracy) failed in 2008 and we have been kicking the can down the road since then. There has been no meaningful banking reform and government debt, certain classes of private debt and money have continued to expand, but it will not, cannot, do so for ever. Economics will not allow it, and as I said most commonly an event triggers the end game. Is the COVID-19 pandemic this event?

Our core business is advising on and administering client investment and pension portfolios. Do not let any ‘expert’ tell you that this activity requires at least one degree in the science of rocketry. It does not.

What it does require are common sense and a very cynical world view.

It’s not hugely difficult to provide a successful client investment experience. But what we - no one - can defend you from is ongoing Government and bureaucratic failure and their universal companion, the failure of bad money. There are things that can be done to mitigate those third party failures and we have had some modest success.

So, if you would like a no obligation, no holds barred chat please feel free to contact us; on Zoom, by email – advice@wfw.co.uk, and telephone 01473 231644 or if you call us first we can arrange Facetime or WhatsApp video calls. Our office is manned daily and our staff are working remotely.

Please note; cats cannot transmit COVID-19 to humans but could possibly carry the virus for a short time if someone with it has handled them. If someone in your household is displaying COVID-19 symptoms it is advisable not to let your cat out. Obviously for some cats this could be very stressful and they may need to go out if only for a short time. Unneutered cats should not be let out at all until they have been neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies. In all cases, after touching your cat, wash your hands.

Work goes on looking after the animals at the centre but fundraising activities are now suspended. If you are able to support SESAW animals by making a donation it would be greatly appreciated. Visit our website to donate via JustGiving or send a cheque made payable to SESAW. Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare, Stoke Road, Leavenheath CO6 4PP 01787 210888 / www.sesaw.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: Rev Annette Shannon / The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton, Ipswich IP8 3BQ / revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell / northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116 Dear Friends, I think I have written about liking this time of year before. I have a snapshot of the world when I look out into the garden. Today, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the garden is full of colour. Every day there is something new to look at. God’s wonderful world.

I saw a Brimstone Yellow butterfly and several fat bumblebees buzzing in the flowerbeds. There is such a lot to be thankful for and so much pleasure to be found in the small and the quiet all around us.

Then I think about the coronavirus which is affecting the world at the moment, with people becoming ill and some of them dying. I find it scary because we don’t really know that much about it and there is no cure for it as yet.

Are you like my husband and myself in the seventy plus category? I worry about those who need help. But we are being told to be self-isolate. It is important that we all pay attention to this guidance. We need to be aware of others and doing what we can, without putting them at risk, not thinking about ourselves all the time.

Wedding Memories and Afternoon Tea Saturday 6 June at St Mary’s Church, Burstall FROM THE REGISTERS Weddings Tashuna Brown & Brian McLellan – Belstead Although we hope our services and events will go ahead in May, it is subject to government advice and may be cancelled due to the coronavirus. We really appreciate your understanding during this difficult time and wish you all health and blessings.

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

Holy Communion Holy Communion Praise and Worship Morning Prayer Holy Communion Family@Church

Sunday 10 May 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone

Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evening Prayer

Sunday 17 May 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 10am Bentley 11am Sproughton

Holy Communion Simply Sunday Family@Church Morning Prayer Holy Communion

Thursday 21 May: Ascension 7.30pm Belstead

Benefice Service

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

Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Worship Holy Communion

North Samford Baby and Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am at Sproughton Church Hall on Mondays in term time.

Suggested donation £2 per family. Leaders: The Rev Annette Shannon (01473 807674) / Doreen (01473 311122)

Sunday 31 May 11am Tattingstone

Pentecost Service with Two Rivers Benefice

Copdock Plant Sale Saturday 16 May in the Church Room, 9am-noon

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

When we think about Jesus, who did he associate with? He helped the poor and the sick. He was there for others.

I am lucky because my son has been helping with my shopping and my daughter turned up yesterday and delivered loo roll, tissues as well as some flowers. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Of course, I am writing this in March for the May magazine. Hopefully by then we will know more about the virus.

Even with all the worries and fears we have there is so much to thank God for. We are not alone. Jesus is here with us; walking with us even when we are not aware of his presence. He is waiting for us to talk to him, pray to him, to tell him all our worries and importantly to listen to him. If we don’t sit quietly and listen how will we ever hear him?

At the moment my husband and son are out in the garden and I have had an hour of peace and quiet, thinking time, listening time. There is somewhere else I go to for peace and quiet – God’s house. I live opposite the church so I have no excuse of not going to sit quietly. A quick walk across the road and I am surrounded by the love and prayer from all those who have used the church before me.

Having said that, being out in the garden always brings me close to God, aware of the gifts God has given us, but it leaves me with a question – what am I doing to say thank you, to help others and to bring others close to him?

In love and prayer, Gwen Runnacles Reader St Mary’s Church, Burstall

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Pentecost Sunday 31 May, 11am at The Wheatsheaf Pub in Tattingstone, in partnership with Two Rivers Benefice. Join us for worship, music and refreshments.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

DEMENTIA TOGETHER FREE HELPLINE: 08081 688 000 The helpline will continue to be available seven days a week for continuous support throughout this difficult time.

Dementia Together Navigators will also be able to complete a detailed assessment over the phone offering support, education and a listening ear to you throughout this difficult time.

Dementia Together was commissioned in 2017 by both Suffolk County Council and the East and West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The service was set up as a single point of contact for people living with dementia and their families. The service aims to ensure that people receive the right information and support at the right time.

People do not need to have a diagnosis to access the service. Anyone concerned about their memory or their relatives, friends or neighbours can contact the Dementia Together helpline. The helpline operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and also weekends and bank holidays from 10am to 4pm.

Dementia Together is continuing to offer as full a service as possible at this very difficult time. The helpline remains operational seven days a week from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

The service also consists of navigators who work in communities across Suffolk. During normal service navigators visit people in their own homes and help them to access support in their local communities. During the coronavirus crisis home visits are no longer taking place. Navigators are working from home and telephone and/or online video calls are offered instead.

Navigators continue to keep in contact with service users, providing information and offering extensive emotional support at this time.

Service users are being linked to local community networks which are offering help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and welfare calls. The current lockdown is having a huge impact on people living with dementia and their family carers. Community groups and day services which had provided an invaluable lifeline are now closed. The helpline is also receiving lots of calls from families who live far away and are concerned about elderly relatives.

Dementia Together will continue to deliver as much support as possible to people living with dementia and their families throughout this time of unprecedented crisis.

There are very particular difficulties that are being experienced by people living with dementia and their families at this time. For example, people living with dementia may not be able to retain new information and thus forget they have been told that we are in the midst of this crisis. Constantly trying to explain the current situation to someone living with dementia can cause stress not only for the person living with dementia, but also their family carers.

Service users are encouraged to take steps to look after their own health and well-being at this time. Keeping in contact with friends and families

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through telephone, FaceTime or Skype is important. Many calls into the Dementia Together helpline are for information on ways in which families can ensure that the person living with dementia is kept active mentally stimulated.

The Dementia Together helpline and navigators are giving lots of information on meaningful and creative activities such as reminiscence, music, dance, exercise, games, baking and many other activities that people can try. Watching films together can help too and trying to maintain a routine can be reassuring for someone living with dementia.

Current government guidelines are that people can go out for one walk a day as long as they keep a safe distance from others. Great for those fortunate to live in the countryside, however even in towns people can still get out into their gardens, perhaps for a walk around the garden, gardening, planting seeds, bird watching or simply enjoying the outdoors. We had a caller into the helpline who the navigator talked to as they were having a picnic in their garden summerhouse. The helpline have lots of information and ideas about activities that people can try at home.

Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, however many younger people under 65 also develop dementia. In Suffolk we have a Younger Person’s Dementia Network specifically for people under 65 and their families.

This group normally meets around the county monthly on Sundays. Up until recently they have enjoyed taking part in various activities including foot golf, ceramic painting, visits to Museum of East Anglian Life and a visit from Bert’s Amazing Creatures. New and innovative and fun ways are being sought to continue with the network. Members will be taking part in a quiz through zoom.

For further information and support please contact the Dementia Together helpline on 08081 688 000 or email: SRYC.DementiaTogether@ nhs.net USEFUL LINKS Pathways Care Farm: https://tinyurl.com/rzcmsg3 BBC Reminiscence: https://tinyurl.com/s53xdgt Bird Watching: https://tinyurl.com/qr3bazv Exercises to do at home: https://tinyurl.com/vwqgf6x https://tinyurl.com/tmw87k8 Music in Our Bones: https://tinyurl.com/u3tj9kg Lead Navigator Judith Goldsmith

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD THING DOWN! What do you do when the one thing you promote, the one thing you live for, disappears overnight?

between friends watching the performance and using messaging apps. I even had someone drink a virtual pint I’d left unattended.”

The team at Grapevine magazine live for live music, theatre and dance. When we all went into lockdown, not only did our raison d’être vanish, but along with it the livelihood of the musicians, lighting engineers, sound engineers, roadies, front of house staff, box office assistants and ushers, not to mention the future of the venues themselves.

More organised musicians have arranged regular slots to ensure a regular audience. Some are even doing online collaborations with their fellow band members. Some decide to go online when the mood takes them, which makes it a little difficult to add to a forward looking calendar. How these gigs make it to the internet varies depending on the tools available and the strength of the broadband link but some are available to watch afterwards so you can catch up.

Generally speaking musicians are tech savvy – you’d be surprised how many sound engineers moonlight as web designers. It wasn’t long before they invented the virtual gig, and Grapevine became the home of the Virtual Gig Guide.

In no way are these virtual gigs a substitute for the real thing but they help us keep in touch with the artists we would normally see each weekend. Such is the abundance of these live virtual gigs that choosing who to watch and when is bordering on an art form.

Grapevine’s Tony Bell says: “It became very obvious that everyone wanted to gig at 8pm on Saturday night so I’ve advised performers to spread their gigs out if they want to get seen. What I found particularly surreal at one gig, which was ‘attended’ by many friends, was the banter that took place

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

Musicians all across the country have been spring cleaning their living rooms, kitchens and sheds so that their homes look neat and tidy when you tune in. Although one musician, who will remain nameless, broadcast from his loo… perhaps he was after the reverb effect from the tiling. Who knows!

Ingenious as we humans are, none of what we are doing in the virtual world can hold a candle to a live gig. We can’t do that so for now check out GrapevineLIVE, the home of The Virtual Gig Guide. www.grapevinelive.co.uk/virtual-gig-guide

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Coronavirus in Suffolk Update

#Covid19Suffolk

For more information, visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus 18

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

SUFFOLK SCOUTS ANNOUNCE THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL MOOT FOR 2021

Suffolk Scouts have announced an exciting event taking place in Suffolk in August 2021. Their first Suffolk International Moot (SIM) is open to Scouts and Guides everywhere and will be taking place at Ipswich’s Trinity Park.

The theme of Go Higher, Faster, Further captures the essence of the event, which is to create opportunities for adventure, learning and gaining #skillsforlife, a fundamental principle of the Scouting movement.

Held over six days from August 26-31 2021, the event offers a range of exciting activities including many water activities on the beautiful River Deben. These include rafting, open canoes, kayaks and even stand-up paddleboards for the really adventurous. There will also be a range of vertigo inducing activities like abseiling, crate stacking and aerial runway.

Scouts and Guides attending can also choose from a number of creative activities including backwoods cooking, a craft tent and whittling. There will also be activities covering self-awareness and community, and a range of social activities to do during the evenings. A full list of activities can be found on the SIM website: www.suffolkmoot.com

County Commissioner Mark Pearson commented: “We are delighted to announce our very first Suffolk International Moot (SIM). SIM will bring together up to 2,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the UK and the world to take part in our widest range of activities yet. Whilst this is our first international event, Suffolk Scouts have delivered a number of successful Moots in past years helped along by an army of volunteers providing support to our Scouts and Guides. We will also be holding a cub day for younger members. At the moment we have a number of vacancies for volunteers with details on our SIM website.”

Booking for the event has now opened with an early bird offer available.

Mark commented further: “In these uncertain times I think it’s important to have something to look forward to. SIM represents incredible value for money and this is a great opportunity for all those keen to get something in the diary for summer 2021 by taking advantage of these early offers.”

DON'T QUIT

by John Greenleaf Whittier When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns As every one of us sometimes learns And many a failure comes about When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell just how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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#LoveNHS #ColourForOurCarers @milliemarotta 20

© Millie Marotta Ltd In Touch online:

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LOVE NHS INITIATIVE FROM BESTSELLING UNLIMITED TITLES AVAILABLE FOR ILLUSTRATOR MILLIE MAROTTA VIRTUAL BOOK GROUPS Suffolk Libraries is promoting its collections of unlimited use eBooks which would be ideal for anyone thinking of setting up virtual book groups.

Most library eBooks work like physical books in that individual copies can only be borrowed one at a time. Suffolk Libraries now has two new collections of 25 eBook titles with unlimited copies available for loan via the Overdrive service.

This means they can be borrowed by anyone with no waiting times and are ideal for book groups. There is a collection for adults and one for children and young adults.

Photo by Gareth Davies Photography

Bestselling colouring book illustrator Millie Marotta, author of Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom, has launched an initiative to get the nation colouring in to show appreciation for our NHS. Colouring has surged in popularity in recent years and many health professionals and organisations, including the NHS, have promoted colouring as a way to beat stress and anxiety.

In this time of crisis, many of us are feeling anxious. The Love NHS initiative offers a way to de-stress through the mindful activity of colouring in while celebrating our heroes working in the National Health Service.

Millie has kindly allowed us to provide the Love NHS illustration here but it’s also available as a download that can be printed at home: bit.ly/mmlovenhs Once coloured, the illustration can be posted on social media, put up in the window, used as a flag or be sent to a loved one.

Millie Marotta is a freelance illustrator working in her studio by the sea in a little corner of West Wales.

The adult collection includes a Tale for the Time being by Ruth Ozeki, How not to Be a Boy by Robert Webb and Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The collection for younger readers includes The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson, A Dog’s Life by Ann M Martin and It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is also currently available as an unlimited eBook and eAudiobook and there is also a collection of eBook classics with multiple copies available.

There are also some unlimited use eAudiobooks available via the Borrowbox service. These include Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald and Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans.

Some of our libraries are already setting up their own online book groups or discussions via their Facebook pages. The Reading Agency also provides lots of tips and information for anyone of thinking of setting up their own: www. readingagency.org.uk/resources/4327

A pioneer in the global colouring movement, Millie had been an illustrator long before she inked her first book. Millie’s intricate illustrations are inspired by a love of wildlife and fascination with the natural world. In 2015, Millie’s debut title Animal Kingdom (published by Batsford) spent a record 22 weeks as the official paperback non-fiction No.1. Since then she has published several colouring books and stationery products, which have been translated into over 30 languages. #LoveNHS

#ColourForOurCarers

@milliemarotta

IMAGINE THAT BOOK DROP Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity are thrilled to announce that Imagine That, a leading independent children’s publisher based in Woodbridge, have chosen us as their 2020 charity of the year. They are specifically fundraising for The Children’s Appeal at Ipswich Hospital.

Their programme of events for the year include book drops, wear yellow to work day and, when safe to do so, they will continue storytelling on the wards and have a bucket collection at Ipswich Town Football Club.

Recently the children’s department received many boxes of books for children of all ages who are isolating on the ward to read and enjoy.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HOME, BUT NOT ALONE A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Called Home, But Not Alone, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.

AN UPDATE FROM EAST ANGLIA’S CHILDREN’S HOSPICES (EACH) As of Tuesday 7 April What we are all facing is unprecedented. We know this is a very challenging and uncertain time for everyone. For EACH the financial impact is overwhelming.

With our shops closed and the vast majority of our supporters’ fundraising activities and our own events cancelled or postponed, our loss of income is expected to be around £1,800,000 in any 12-week block.

At the time of writing, we are hopeful there will be additional funding support from the government, but this alone will not be enough and we will still need help to bridge our income gap.

It is essential we all work together to slow down the spread of the coronavirus and shield the most vulnerable, which includes the children and young people who use our services. This has meant we have suspended our planned care activities in the hospices, such as short breaks and wellbeing therapies, wellbeing groups and events, face-to-face counselling, care of the child’s body after they have died as well as our Help at Home volunteering service.

At the moment our focus is on providing end-of-life care and bereavement support, working closely with the NHS to provide capacity to care for the sickest children and responding to urgent requests for care and support as best we can.

However, we need to be able to start offering our services in full as soon as it is safe to do so. We need the help of the public to make that happen.

We are not alone. Nearly every children’s hospice in the UK is in the same position. Unlike hospitals, we all rely on the generosity of our donors to fund our services. Last year just 13 percent of our income came from statutory sources.

Some good news we have had during this period is that all three of our hospices were rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission following inspections in January.

We are only able to provide outstanding care because of outstanding backing from the public and we are calling on our supporters to continue helping us where they can.

The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support.

As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with government social distancing guidelines.

Download the free app, called Tribe Volunteer, from Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is Freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board.

Chrissie Geeson, the board chair, said: “In these challenging times, it has been incredibly heartening to have so many people volunteer to help others. In villages and towns across Suffolk, people have taken it upon themselves to mobilise a small army of volunteers to do what they can for people in need.

“The support service will encompass this work but will bring structure and routine to these offers of help. This is just the start of this new service, so we expect the number of offers and requests to grow.

People who want to help, or need help, should let us know and we will do the rest.

“It is testament to the hard work of all Suffolk organisations and sectors that we are able to offer this invaluable help.”

The telephone line is not a general information line for COVID-19 queries, but those in need can seek information on support with care needs, loneliness and to connect with community support.

This is a new service and will adapte to demand over the coming weeks. People are still being urged to check www.gov.uk for the latest guidance on a wide range of issues and changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

We were delighted our emergency fundraising appeal received over £40,000 in the first six days. It has been heart-warming to see what people have been doing to help us at a time of such great challenge and difficulty for all, and we have been really impressed with people’s creativity to get fundraising activities done at home. Examples include a family riding from Land’s End to John o’ Groats on a cycling machine, a brother and sister running a marathon in their garden and a couple growing sunflowers for 12 weeks.

Together we can make sure that vital care and support is still available for the children, young people and their families who need us, during and beyond this challenging and uncertain time.

You can support us now by donating to our emergency appeal at: www. justgiving.com/campaign/each-covid19 Or visit www.each.org.uk/get-involved for more ideas about how to do your own fundraising. Our fundraising teams are working hard from home and would love to hear from you.

Thank you.

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In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

PRETTYS COVID ASSIST Help is at hand for local businesses that need legal advice as a result of the devastating Covid 19 outbreak.

Prettys solicitors in Ipswich are offering up to an hour of free consultation without obligation to assist and support local businesses.

With an 80 strong team Prettys have served the local community since they were founded in 1906.

As a recognised leader in commercial law and personal law they work regionally, nationally and internationally.

Prettys’ business experts are inviting local businesses to get in touch for free specialist advice with their lawyers who specialise in corporate and commercial, property, employment, commercial disputes and have first-hand experience of advising on all aspects of business in which difficulties have arisen because of the Covid 19 outbreak.

Whether a business has a question about business contracts, restructuring, employment matters or disputes that have arisen because of the pandemic this is the chance to obtain free legal advice.

This offer is extended throughout April and May. To reserve a consultation please email covidassist@prettys.co.uk or visit www.prettyscovidassist.co.uk and complete the application form.

To ensure that an appointment is booked with the right specialist you will need to provide your name, the nature of your concern, name of your business, business location, and of course your contact details.

e ctiv a e B

Relax

When we’re together it feels better Rest

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HELPFUL LINKS FOR FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS The team at Home-Start in Suffolk are dedicated to supporting the families and volunteers they work with and alongside other local charities working across the county they have been looking at a variety of ways to help us all navigate through this difficult and uncertain time following the outbreak of COVID-19.

This is just a small selection of their ideas, including ways to stay in touch and prevent loneliness, ideas to help you stay calm, educational links for children, creative ideas for keeping occupied, ways to keep fit whilst in isolation, simple recipes and much more.

You’ll find much at www.homestartinsuffolk.org/supportforfamilies which is updated daily.

COMMUNICATION Physical social distancing during COVID-19 is recommended but we all need human contact and here are some ways we can work together to support each other – preventing your family, friends, neighbours and communities feeling the effects of loneliness and total isolation from human interaction.

Whether you are tech savvy or not communication is key. From a simple telephone conversation to a video chat we can all stay in touch to avoid that feeling of being alone and isolated.

It’s Good To Talk You could post notes through to your neighbours. You may have spoken to each other over years or acknowledged each other in passing but telephone number exchange may not have been a priority at the time. Here’s a sample postcard you could use that several charities are sharing at the moment to exchange contact numbers.

Hello!

If you are self-isolating, I can help.

My name is I live locally at

Facebook Messenger also has the facility for you to video call your friends and family. You’ll even find instructional videos on YouTube.

Write a letter!

Try writing letters or sending handmade cards. Those family members you cannot see or visit will be delighted to receive a special note from you.

ACTIVITIES FOR YOU Look out for fun ways to get together with other people and do things, you could even start something yourself. It could be as simple as starting a book club with a handful of neighbours which meets online or over the phone (there are free online resources available: Project Gutenberg has a library of over 60,000 free eBooks, Kindle have an app you can use on any device and there are a few free titles available along with the option of Kindle Unlimited giving you access to 1000s of titles for a monthly fee. Audible offers a free 30-day trial for audio-books and have a variety of titles available for free including some children’s books too), join a singing group or take exercise classes online that are being organised for free.

Learn a new skill and complete an online course There are a huge number of free online courses that you could take on the Open University, a great way to broaden your horizons and keep busy during your time at home.

Why not take up a new hobby?

Try your hand at something new… knitting, art, photography, sign language, learn a new language… Search the internet if you have something in mind.

There are many options available.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING Keep fit and active indoors even though the gym is closed or your walking or running group has had to suspend activities. If you have a Smart TV and Broadband you can access apps on there to practise a new daily exercise.

How about a form of yoga that suits you? Think about ways to keep fit during isolation.

Try the home fitness workout videos from NHS Fitness Studio: www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio

My phone number is If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help with: Picking up shopping

Posting mail

A friendly phone call

Urgent supplies

Just call or text me and I’ll do my best to help you (for free!)

Coronavirus is contagious. Please take every precaution to ensure you are spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your hands regularly. Items should be left on your doorstep. # V i r a l K i n d n e s s

Sharing Information Consider setting up a community or friends phone tree to communicate via landline. Coordinate phone treeself-isolating, which includes a handful of your friends If ayou are I can help. and neighbours. These are a useful way of passing messages around small social networks but could be vital social contact for those stuck at home in My name is the weeks ahead.

Hello!

I live locally at A 10-minute check-in or friendly chat can make all the difference to help people feel less isolated. You’ll find a downloadable version here: My phone number is https://tinyurl.com/tqmh6fb If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help with: Virtual Visiting If you love the idea of video calls there are a number Picking up shopping Posting mail of options available to you for this, the easiest being WhatsApp. A free app you can use on your A friendly phone call to your Wi-FiUrgent supplies mobile phone which connects or mobile data to communicate.

Alternatively you could use ZOOM, there are a number offree!) options available Just call or text me and I’ll do my best to help you (for including FaceTime and Skype and a new app called HouseParty which allows you to group chat andPlease play games together too. to ensure you are Coronavirus is contagious. take every precaution spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your

24 hands regularly. Items should be left on your doorstep.

#ViralKindness

Take your pick from 24 instructor-led videos across aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, and Pilates and yoga categories.

The Body Coach Joe Wicks has been hosting daily PE classes for children but adults can join in too! Check out his YouTube channel. Alternatively there are number of fitness videos online that can accessed through social media, YouTube and other online services.

Tips on staying calm Stress and anxiety can stop the immune system from working so well, meaning we are more susceptible to catching any bugs or viruses, so it is essential now to be doing as much as possible to release stress. By remaining calm, we are more able to respond to developing situations more objectively rather than getting lost in a spiral of panic, fear and catastrophising thoughts.

Helen Wyre of Advance Hypnotherapy has uploaded some helpful videos to her Facebook page: Helen Wyer Advance Hypnotherapy The 30 day Coping Calendar on page 25 suggests 30 actions to look after ourselves as we face this global crisis together. Action for Happiness helps people take action for a happier and more caring world and their website offers ideas for taking care of ourselves and others: www.actionforhappiness.org Self-isolation posters could be useful to display to potential visitors and couriers of how exposure to Covid-19 could be detrimental to your health, and advising where to leave deliveries at your property. Chronically Awesome Tribe has produced a set of free downloads which you can access at: www.chronicallyawesome.org.uk

In Touch online:

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

SUFFOLK LIBRARIES GOES ONLINE AND INTERACTIVE TO KEEP PEOPLE STIMULATED AND ENTERTAINED

Although library buildings across the country are currently closed, Suffolk Libraries is making sure that people stuck at home can still get access to books, music, films as well as new interactive streamed sessions.

Several libraries have already been recording and streaming live singing and rhyme sessions for young children, as well as running craft and Lego activities to enjoy at home. These videos have already been enjoyed and shared thousands of times. Quizzes and virtual book groups are also being introduced as Suffolk Libraries explores different ways to keep people entertained. Full details of these new sessions can be found at: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk (go to ‘online and streamed events’) Suffolk Libraries is also promoting its extensive eLibrary which provides free access to around 60,000 titles including eBooks, eAudiobooks, online newspapers, magazines, music, films and educational courses. There is plenty of content for families too with books on how to make crafts, eAudiobooks for children and Kanopy Kids which offers free streaming of programmes and movies.

Extra content is being added to cope with the significant increase in demand with around a 200 percent increase in people using the eLibrary and streaming services over the past week. Visits to the Suffolk Libraries eLibrary webpages increased from nearly 2,000 to over 9,000 in just one week at the end of March.

If you’ve not already signed up to use this service you can do so online at: suffolklibraries.co.uk/elibrary Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said: “It’s a very challenging time for everyone at the moment and with library buildings closed we’re doing everything we can to provide content, information and entertainment. We’re working on plans to keep in contact with regular customers who might be isolated but we’re delighted that so many of our wonderful staff have risen to the challenge to run online activities which will hopefully make a difference to people across the county.”

Home Library Service volunteers have also been encouraged to stay in touch with their customers too.

Suffolk Libraries is also helping to promote Suffolk’s new Home, but not alone scheme. People can call 0800 876 6926 for information or support during the current crisis.

Wash your hands of coronavirus scams!

Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams.

Be aware of people offering or selling:

Protect yourself and others:

Virus testing kits - these are only offered by NHS.

Don’t be rushed into making a decision. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently no vaccine or cure.

Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information.

Overpriced or fake goods to protect yourself from coronavirus such as anti-bacterial products.

Shopping or medication collection services.

Home cleaning services.

Don’t assume everyone is genuine. It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money up front. If someone attempts to pressurise you into accepting a service they are unlikely to be genuine. Check with family and friends before accepting offers of help if you are unsure.

Be a good friend, help to protect your family, friends and neighbours from scams.

Read it.

Share it.

Prevent it. #Coronavirus #ScamAware

Contact For advice on scams call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 11 33 To report a scam call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 Contact your bank if you think you have been scammed.

To learn more about the different types of scams visit www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk 26

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

RADIO TIMES

A short story by Derek Curry “Fantastic,” Ginger said, staring enviously at my radio, “can I hold it?”

I held it tighter against my chest. “No you can’t,” I said, “you’ll only drop it, or move the dial and lose the station.”

“No I won’t,” he insisted. “Go on, I just want a closer look. Is it brand new?”

“Of course it’s new.” I sighed and handed my beloved radio over as if it were a precious jewel - which of course it was, to me.

Prostate Cancer Awareness & Screening With Coronavirus swirling about us, all of a sudden there is an opportunity forced upon us to stop and think about what CHAPS has been doing and what the charity should be doing when this crisis abates.

Over the last few years CHAPS has continued to stage men’s health events across Essex and Suffolk, screening particularly for undiagnosed heart disease, diabetes, aortic aneurysms, skin cancer and prostate cancer (PCa).

We always detect unsuspected disease and our efforts are much appreciated by our attendees. CHAPS could of course carry on exactly the same once things return to normal but would this still represent the best use of our resources? We think not.

The area of clinical activity that has increased most for the charity has been screening for prostate cancer. This increase has been seen by other charities working in the same field and most likely reflects publicity given to stars such as Messrs Fry, Turnbull, and Stewart reporting their personal experiences, together with reports on the increasing prevalence of the disease – over 12,000 UK PCa deaths per year which now exceeds deaths from breast cancer.

Consequently we are running bespoke PCa screening events for an increasing number of organisations such as the Freemasons, Rotary and the Lions as well as major commercial infrastructure companies right across the UK. Whilst increased publicity is certainly helpful, there remains an alarming lack of knowledge amongst many, if not most, UK men about their prostate gland in general and awareness of PCa in particular. This is compounded by lack of a medical consensus on screening and only patchy provision of the simple PSA screening blood test by GPs. In many other western counties evidence built up over the last 30 years is now clearly demonstrating the benefit of properly organised PCa screening programmes that can halve a man’s risk of dying from this most unpleasant cancer. A consensus of international experts recommends that all men should start screening with PSA in their 40s especially men at high risk. These are: Men in their 40s with an initial PSA >1.0ng/ml or in their 50’s with a PSA > 2.0ng/ml.

Black men or mixed race men of African or Caribbean descent who carry a one in four lifetime risk of developing PCa. Men with a family history of PCa or breast cancer on the mother’s side where the risk rises rapidly with every affected family member.

Ginger slipped it into his shirt pocket, trying it for size. “So how do you turn it on then?” he asked, pulling it back out and fiddling with the dial.

“That’s it,” I said furiously, “now you’ve lost the station.” I snatched it back. “It took me nearly two months to save up for it and you treat it like a toy! It’s a Dansette RT66 for goodness sake, not some Hong Kong rubbish.”

We glared at each other but I couldn’t stay angry with Ginger for long. We’d been friends since our secondary school days and now, in 1962, we were teenagers and, at sixteen, we’d been holding down jobs for nearly a year.

“Look,” I said, “this is the on/off switch and volume, and this,” I turned the larger dial carefully until a voice sounded from the little speaker, “is where you tune it in.”

But something wasn’t quite right. It was only four o’clock and Alan Freeman should have been introducing Pick of the Pops after Movie Go-Round had ended, like on every Sunday. I was looking forward to listening to Ray Charles singing I Can’t Stop Loving You again.

What was coming out of the radio was some sort of news, which shouldn’t have been on until ten thirty. And the news didn’t sound right either; it was normally read by some posh man, but the voice was a woman’s and she didn’t sound particularly posh, just sort of normal.

Ginger and I glanced at each other in puzzlement and concentrated on what was being said: “Here is a summary of the news on Sunday June the 14th 2020. The Health Secretary announced earlier today that there would be a further easing of the self-isolating restrictions next week. In his statement he thanked the public for following government guidelines and staying at least two metres from other people for the last several weeks, saying that the self-discipline exhibited by U.K. citizens was what was defeating Covid-19, but that the discipline must continue.

“With the end of panic buying, retail outlets are now able to open at preCoronavirus times, with the usual restrictions on supermarkets’ Sunday opening. It is anticipated that there will continue to be a high demand for ‘click and collect’ in the future.

“The government expects continuing flare ups of the epidemic in some regions of the U.K., but the Health Secretary has assured the public that the NHS is ready and able to cope with any further emergencies while work on a vaccine continues.”

Remember, the NHS’s Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme entitles men over 50 to a PSA test. All GPs have been sent the programme so don’t be put off; it is your entitlement. Early detection of PCa leads almost always to cure whereas late detection once the cancer has spread ends eventually in death. Currently 51 percent of UK men diagnosed with PCa are diagnosed with advanced disease and in nearly one in five it has already spread widely to other parts of the body.

The radio reception was fading so I turned the Dansette in various directions to try to improve it. As the volume dropped I turned it up and made tiny changes to the tuning but eventually the woman’s voice evaporated completely into the rushing sound of static.

The future role of CHAPS Charity will be determined by where we judge the greatest need to be. At present it is to achieve a substantial reduction in our unacceptable death rate from prostate cancer.

“I dunno,” I said. “Perhaps it was some sort of radio play. Anyway, it didn’t make any sense. What’s ‘self-isolating’ and who is Covid-19 when he’s at home? Perhaps it’s science fiction like in The Eagle or a Captain Marvel film.”

Whilst future screening events are postponed due to Coronavirus, keep in touch via our website or contact us directly by email to info@chaps.uk.com or phone 07873 541505, particularly if you would like more information on prostate cancer.

“Nah,” Ginger said, “I reckon there’s something wrong with that cheap old radio you bought.”

www.chaps.uk.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

One more small adjustment and suddenly there was Alan Freeman introducing Pick of the Pops.

“What was that all about?” Ginger demanded.

I punched him playfully on the arm. “Jealously will get you no-where,” I said.

“Come on, never mind Coronavirus, let’s go and see if my mum’s got any Corona Dandelion and Burdock pop in the cupboard.”

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

FIVE KEY AREAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW TO SURVIVE THE CRISIS? These are unprecedented times and things are changing quickly with a lot of people suffering. One thing’s for sure, there will be an end to this.

As part of the ActionCOACH community I am in contact with 1300 Business Coaches globally and 220 in the UK. Which allows us to help businesses with the best strategies quickly.

For a fuller list of the steps your business needs to take now register for one of our webinars.

See www.actioncoach.co.uk/nikgray under events for details.

Leadership Whether you have hundreds of employees or you are working solo you need to be the leader. You need to be clear on the vision for the business to create that direction. Communicate regularly – with your team daily whether they are working or not, let them know what is going on. People worry when they don’t know, keep them informed.

Customers’ too, tell them how you’re changing, how you’re making things safe or what you’ve got planned for the future.

Watch less news. It will have a negative impact on you and your thoughts.

Stick to one daily update then turn it off. You need to be the most positive person in the room. Celebrate wins and communicate good news with everybody.

Finances Firstly complete a cashflow forecast these can be done simply, if you’re not sure, ask your accountant or call me. Look at your expenditure ask yourself what can be stopped or postpone? Speak with your suppliers ask them how they can help you. Predict the next 90 days income what’s the worst case what’s best case. What do you need to survive?

Can you take advantage of the 80% furlough scheme for your staff?

Check .gov website for what you are entitled to on grants and where you can apply for the business disruption loan. Even if you don’t use it.

It’s interest free for 12 months so you can pay it back if you don’t use it.

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What next?

How are you changing? How can you ‘pivot’ to change your direction?

When the gyms closed down one gym rented its static bikes out to members to use at home and continued to run classes virtually.

Just like communication, marketing is important right now. Yes, your message will have to change, people’s needs and buying habits have changed. So, you change with them. What do they need now? How can you help them? If you have a solution to their problem and you are helping them then you should be selling to them right now, it’s the right thing to do.

Plan Most businesses fail because they haven’t got a plan. It’s easy to put off planning and working ‘on’ the business, because it’s thinking time and thinking is difficult. We’d rather do something we know how to do, like working ‘in’ the business. As a leader people look to you for direction.

You get that confidence and direction from planning. Reflect on what’s worked and what’s not. What do you need to focus on for the next 90 days? Break it down into small tasks or actions which when combined will have a big impact. If you need help join our free 90 day planning sessions online.

Reach out Finally, reach out. Everyone is in the same boat so reach out to others for help. A business coach or an accountant. We are giving away free webinars and free oneto-one sessions with business owners during this period to make sure everybody gets through this.

Follow this link and have a chat: https://calendly.com/nikgray

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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People in every community will face the challenges of Covid-19 in some way – from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell.

Think of others, consider your actions & be kind

As self-isolation sel increases, we need to ďŹ nd new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Sha phone numbers Share and stay in touch.

Connect and reach out to your neighbours

Keep up to date, share information and be a positive part of your local community conversations.

Make the most of local online groups

Diierent groups in our communities are at increased risk and isol social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages.

There are things you can do like volunteering for local support services or donating to ban to help. food banks

Support vulnerable or isolated people

Support anyone a who may be anxious about Covid-19. Sign post them to the correct advice from Public Health England and encourage people to foll follow the correct hygiene practices.

Share accurate information and advice

5 things you can do to make a positive diierence in your community

Community Action Response: Covid-19

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

KEEPING PEOPLE CONNECTED ActivLives is a small, grassroots charity which has been working in Ipswich and across Suffolk for 13 years, supporting and motivating people to improve their own health and well-being; keeping people connected with their communities to reduce social isolation and loneliness and providing access to learning, training and volunteering opportunities to enable people to gain skills and employment.

ActivLives normally provides a wide range of face to face activities and support including, community gardening, Men in Shed projects, singing and physical / sport activities such as walking football, Boccia, New Age Kurling, seated and standing OTAGO exercise, health walks and social activity. We also have specialist hubs for people living with dementia and their carers and for carers and former carers. These activities bring people together to enable them to meet and make new friends, build support networks in the community, volunteer and learn and share skills.

Unfortunately, we have had to close all our activities because of Coronavirus which has had a great impact on the organisation. However, we are a very flexible and resilient organisation with very passionate and dedicated staff and key volunteers who are currently keeping an eye on our gardens and exploring different ways so that we can keep in touch and support our members and volunteers while they are self-isolating at home.

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For those who have access to the internet we will, over the coming weeks, be posting a variety of videos that might interest not only our members, but also the general public who may not know about our organisation. We will have general information to support people through the lock down.

There are videos showing how to keep moving with seated and standing exercise for people to do safely at home with our lovely Step by Step instructor Jo. There are singing videos on our Facebook page with Gina, our amazing music facilitator who leads our community singing groups.

There are two quizzes each week, gardening videos will be coming from the ActivGardens team and a reminiscence arts project is being planned.

For those members and volunteers who cannot access the internet we are keeping in touch by phone and helping in whatever way we can.

That may be doing some shopping, collecting prescriptions, just having a weekly chat on the phone or setting up WhatsApp groups so members from our different groups can keep connected while the sessions are closed.

We hope that people who haven’t heard of us or don’t currently use our services across Suffolk will enjoy following our home page, joining in with our videos or finding the information we post useful during these unprecedented times. www.activlives.org.uk Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

DON’T BECOME A VICTIM CRIMINALS ARE USING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO SCAM THE PUBLIC Law enforcement, government and private sectors partners are working together to encourage members of the public to be more vigilant against fraud, particularly about sharing their financial and personal information, as criminals seek to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.

Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud*.

Your bank or the police will NEVER ask you to transfer money or move it to a safe account.

Criminals are targeting people looking to buy medical supplies online, sending emails offering fake medical support and scamming people who may be vulnerable or increasingly isolated at home. These frauds try to lure you in with offers that look too good to be true, such as high return investments and ‘healthcare opportunities’, or make appeals for you to support bogus charities or those who are ill.

Reports from the public have already included online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, and other products, which have never arrived and a number of cases have been identified where fake testing kits have been offered for sale.

Criminals are also using government branding to try to trick people, including reports of using HMRC branding to make spurious offers of financial support through unsolicited emails, phone calls and text messages.

This situation is likely to continue, with criminals looking to exploit further consequences of the pandemic, such as exploiting financial concerns to ask for upfront fees for bogus loans, offering high-return investment scams, or targeting pensions.

Huge increases in the number of people working remotely mean that significantly more people will be vulnerable to computer service fraud where criminals will try and convince you to provide access to your computer or divulge your logon details and passwords. It is also anticipated that there will be a surge in phishing scams or calls claiming to be from government departments offering grants, tax rebates, or compensation.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

Please see below for more information on the most common COVID-19 frauds and the steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Online Shopping and Auction Fraud More people may fall victim to #onlineshopping fraud as they self-isolate due to #COVID19. You are a victim of online shopping fraud if you buy goods from an online seller that never arrive.

Computer Software Service Fraud As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may capitalise on slow networks and IT problems, to commit computer software service fraud. Be wary of cold calls or unsolicited emails offering you help with your device or to fix a problem Lender Loan Fraud People may be worrying about their finances during the #COVID19 outbreak. Lender loan fraudsters will use the opportunity to: • approve your application for a fast loan regardless of your credit history • ask you to pay an upfront fee • take your payment and never provide the loan Pension Liberation Fraud and Investment Fraud Fraudsters could try to take advantage of the financial uncertainty surrounding #COVID19 by offering people sham investment opportunities.

If you get a cold call or unsolicited email offering you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Mandate Fraud As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may try to get you to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, to divert funds to their bank account, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to.

Phishing A number of #COVID19 related phishing emails have been reported to Action Fraud. These emails attempt to trick you into opening malicious attachments which could lead to fraudsters stealing your personal information, logins, passwords, or banking details.

As of March 26, the government has only sent one text message to the public regarding new rules about staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Any others claiming to be from UK Government are false.

“Criminals are able to use spoofing technology to send texts and emails impersonating organisations that you know and trust. We would remind anyone who receives an unexpected text or email asking for personal or financial details not click on the links or attachments, and don’t respond to any messages that ask for your personal or financial details.”

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

SARABAND SNAPS UP IAN MAITLAND THRILLER spine 22 mm

IAIN MAITLAND

Indie publisher Saraband has signed Felixstowe-based mental health author Iain Maitland for a thriller about unsolved murders of LGBTQ+ victims.

MURDERS 1981-

The Scribbler will be published under Saraband’s crime, mystery and noir fiction imprint Contraband on 12 May.

They thought the killer was long gone...

IAIN

MAITLAND “Brilliantly creepy.”

BARBARA NADEL

In The Scribbler, newly qualified DC Carrie and her much more experienced colleague DI Gayther are the unlikely pairing tasked with investigating a series of cold cases, specifically unsolved murders of LGBTQ+ victims. “Back in the Eighties, these had not been considered a priority for police resources,” Saraband said.

“But times have changed and so has the whole matter of how policing is done.

Gayther may trust his old-style hunches, but DC Carrie favours technologydriven, algorithm-based methods.”

Hunt said: “Iain Maitland has a dark, original and chilling imagination and an uncanny ability to write disturbed characters whilst wrong-footing the reader along the way. He finds brilliant stories in the neglected corners of crime and punishment and keeps us uncomfortably glued to the pages as the tension escalates.”

Maitland is the author of the thriller Sweet William (2017) and Mr Todd’s Reckoning (2019), both published by Saraband, as well as two non-fiction books on mental health: Dear Michael, Love Dad (2016, Hodder & Stoughton) and Out of the Madhouse (2018, Jessica Kingsley Publishers).

An ambassador for Stem4, the teenage mental health charity, he also speaks on mental health issues in the workplace.

AN EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT FROM THE SCRIBBLER Newly qualified Detective Constable Georgia Carrie walked slowly up the steps of the temporary portacabin office to the side of the main police station building, balancing two full mugs of tea, one in each hand. She stopped to read the sign, ‘DI Gayther, Cold Cases’ and the handwritten scrawl above it, ‘LGBTQ+’. She put the mugs down on the top step to open the door and then paused for a moment, thinking what she might say.

“When was this…?

She opened the door. Picked up the mugs. Stepped inside. The older man, in his battered grey suit and brown loafers, looked up as the young woman put the mugs of tea on the desk. One on his side, the other on hers. He smiled briefly and nodded his thanks. She went to say her opening words, “Good to see you again, sir”, but as she did so, he turned the papers he was reading round so they were facing her on the desk. Old man in a hurry, she thought.

“He is described as white British and would now be in his fifties.”

“Read this, Carrie,” he said abruptly, pushing two sheets of A4 paper across towards her.

She took the sheets and sat down at the desk and began reading the first one. He picked up his mug of tea and swung round on his chair, his back to her, looking out of the window towards the back of the main building and what looked like a building site. The police station was being renovated. Ladders, pots and paints and stacked-up scaffolding seemed to fill the whole space. It was a mess. He hated mess.

“Still At Large,” she read the front page headline of the local newspaper out loud, “The Scribbler.”

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“Two years ago. Thirtieth anniversary of the first killing,” he replied. He gestured towards the two sheets and she carried on reading without speaking.

“Police are still searching for The Scribbler, the serial killer who murdered six people in Norfolk between 1988 and 1990.”

“The first victim was Donald Worthington, a 53-year-old abattoir supervisor.”

“The second victim was 42-year-old office clerk Andrew Marven.”

“The other four victims, middle-aged men from the Norwich area, were found dead in the summer and autumn of 1990.”

“Police believe The Scribbler may have killed twelve men in total.”

She wasn’t sure who to ask about first, but this was one of an endless stream of cold cases they’d be looking at over the coming days, so she decided to come straight to the point.

“And so … ” she said, “why are we looking at this case again now? First of all?”

“Because he’s back, Carrie. The Scribbler is back.”

Iain Maitland

In Touch online:

Use your calendar to record your daily kindness acts.

month Monday

year Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Congratulations

Saturday

Being kind sends a powerful message about our connections to each other and the world around us.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

Sunday

The British Red Cross Society, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949), Scotland (SC037738) and Isle of Man (0752). Illustrations: Š Sara Chew/BRC. BRC18-303

The power of kindness calendar

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Photo courtesy: www.suffolkyoga.com

We all know physical activity is essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing and never has this been more important than during these difficult times of social distancing and isolation.

Here at In Touch, we are delighted to have joined forces with Public Health Suffolk and the Most Active County Partnership as a partner for the recently launched, Keep Moving Suffolk campaign.

Over the coming weeks and months there will be information, advice and useful links on the Keep Moving Suffolk website www.keepmovingsuffolk.com to help you, your family and local community to get active and stay active during these challenging times.

The website, has a range of resources, tips, tutorials and information to support you to exercise outside and inside the home, as well as resources specifically for older people and for children. It also includes information on taking care of mental health and where to get advice if people have long-term health conditions.

We would love to hear how you’re keeping active so why not film and post a 10-15 second clip of you and/or your family being active with the message – “Keep Moving Suffolk” on social media and use the hashtags #keepmovingsuffolk and #StayInWorkOut.

Dr Craig Sheridan, a practising doctor and sport and exercise medicine specialist working on the frontline at Ipswich Hospital in the fight against the pandemic, has been involved in helping to get the Keep Moving Suffolk resource off the ground: “During this difficult time it is important for us all to stay mentally and physically healthy.

“Exercise is an important way to improve mental wellbeing and is recognised to be positive in managing depression in older adults as well as improving sleep, feelings of fatigue and quality of life. Improvements in our cardiorespiratory health can happen within a few weeks of commencing regular, moderate intensity exercise and regular physical activity reduces the risks and complications of many diseases and infection.”

Dr Sheridan added: “for those who are currently free from Covid-19 symptoms, there are clear benefits to starting or continuing to exercise whilst in social isolation.

“It is important to note that strenuous exercise is not advisable for those with symptoms of infection, particularly with a fever.”

www.keepmovingsuffolk.com @keepmovingsuffolk 34

@keepmovingsuffolk

@Most_Active In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

BRAIN TEASERS FOR CHILDREN (AND ADULTS) RIDDLES It’s time to get your thinking caps on. You’ll find the answers on page 38 but no peeking!

1: What’s bright orange with green on top and sounds like a parrot?

2: What’s really easy to get into, and hard to get out of?

FIND THE WORDS Including two letter words, there are 250 words hidden in ‘Chocolate Ice Cream’.

‘Ceramic’ is one to get you started but you may want to get the entire family involved!

3: What word contains 26 letters, but only has three syllables?

4: A girl fell off a 20-foot ladder. She wasn’t hurt. Why? 5: What has lots of eyes, but can’t see?

Say the colour of each word!

6: I am often following you and copying your every move.

Yet you can never touch me or catch me. What am I? 7: Grandpa went out for a walk and it started to rain. He didn’t

bring an umbrella or a hat. His clothes got soaked, but not a hair

on his head was wet. How is this possible?

8: I add lots of flavour and have many layers, but if you get to

close I’ll make you cry. What am I? 9: What has legs, but doesn’t walk?

10: You see me once in June, twice in November, but not at all

in May. What am I? Use the Egyptian alphabet to write your name or share it with your best friend and use it to write coded messages!

Parents you could use this to create clues for a treasure hunt.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

35

Rural Coffee Caravan is one of many charities which has transformed its service in response to current need. Their website is a great source of information and ideas and they have

36 In Touch online: created this flyer which you can tape to a bin, pop in milk bottle, give to a supermarket worker or in fact any key worker. You can download it direct from: www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

HERE TOGETHER: TODAY & TOMORROW St Elizabeth Hospice launches urgent appeal for support While preparing to cope with the impact of Coronavirus on its end of life care and bereavement services over the coming weeks, St Elizabeth Hospice has launched an urgent appeal to the public to support their local hospice in light of all fundraising events being postponed and all 31 retail shops closing.

The clinical staff at St Elizabeth are working in partnership with the NHS and partners at speed to significantly expand our services both in the community and at the hospice in response to Coronavirus, whilst continuing to care for patients with non-Covid end of life and palliative care needs.

A new rapid response co-ordination centre has been created in the past week to cope with the expected increase in demand for clinical advice and end of life care in the community, doubling the capacity of the hospice’s existing OneCall telephone advice helpline.

Last year, the hospice cared for over 3,000 Suffolk patients and their families at a cost of £10.5m, of which 75% was raised by the community through the shops and local fundraising – income-generating activities which are now impossible due to social distancing and self-isolation.

Chief Executive Ru Watkins has called on the local community to support the hospice’s new Here Together appeal to highlight the role of St Elizabeth at the clinical frontline of the current pandemic and to make sure that its end of life care can continue unaffected when the crisis is over: “Every family who has come into contact with our consultants, doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers over the years knows how dedicated they are to our local community. We are still here with our patients delivering the care they need today so ask everyone to support our efforts together.”

With all fundraising events postponed or cancelled, many supporters are looking for alternative ways to support the hospice. As local supporter Wendy Goddard says: “St Elizabeth Hospice was there for me and my family when my daughter Zoe sadly passed away and their support was outstanding. Last month I was due to hold a charity night for 300 people to raise funds to support the hospice but sadly this has had to be postponed. I would ask you to do what you can in this time of need to support our local hospice together.”

The Here Together appeal is being launched across the hospice’s social media platforms to raise awareness of St Elizabeth’s frontline role in continuing to care for some of Suffolk’s most vulnerable patients throughout the pandemic and our shared commitment as a community to protecting its vital services today and tomorrow.

#SaveLives

COMMUNITY ACTION SUFFOLK SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITIES & ORGANISATIONS DURING COVID-19 As we all make our way through these uncertain times, Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is continuing to support organisations and volunteers to deliver vital services in communities. Not only are organisations across Suffolk continuing their usual services wherever possible, but there is also an incredible rise in activity with many organisations changing and adding to their offer to meet the huge rise in demand. Alongside this, the surge in people wanting to do whatever they can, however big or small, to care for others is truly heart-warming.

CAS has been involved in supporting a whole range of groups and ‘movements’ to promote themselves and encourage others to follow suit in recent weeks.

Many of these spring from individuals who simply want to show they care to those in close proximity to them, from ‘Backyard Buddies’ and ‘Tear down the Fence’ initiatives, to groups of residents setting up ‘Emergency Response’ schemes akin to Good Neighbour Schemes. It is important to ensure that this is done in a supported and safe manner so CAS has produced a suite of new resources and guides to help with this which can be found on the website (details below).

In addition to work with local groups and organisations, CAS is also supporting various campaigns to recruit and support volunteers. The Suffolk Collaborative Communities Board, made up of key strategic partners from across the county including CAS, has recently launched the Tribe Volunteer app specifically to recruit volunteers during the pandemic in Suffolk alongside an accompanying telephone helpline for those in need of support. Volunteer Suffolk, the county’s volunteer brokerage portal for organisations that need volunteers is also still going strong.

If you would like to volunteer during Covid-19, or need to recruit volunteers for your organisation, click ‘I want to Volunteer’ on the homepage of the CAS website for more information on both these portals.

Suffolk’s business and voluntary sector community are also being encouraged to come together as part of a county-wide campaign to help more organisations deliver their important work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteering Matters and Community Action Suffolk are collectively calling for charities, groups and social enterprises to let them know of their specific ‘need’ at this critical time, and for business leaders to step forward with help in areas such as planning, IT, legal advice, logistics and media relations. Businesses are encouraged to list how they would like to help. They can do so by completing the survey at: www.volunteeringmatters. org.uk/what-we-do/support-us/working-together While all this is going on, CAS still has another ‘day job’ to do – to continue supporting the already established voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Suffolk to stay operational, safe, well governed and as financially resilient as they can. We are continuously lobbying national government with the support of national partners to make provision for those on the ground carrying out activities. We cannot emphasise enough how important these groups and organisations are at this time and you too can help by showing your support on social media using #EveryDayCounts.

Or call the hospice on: 01473 723600

This is a challenging time for every Suffolk resident, but at CAS we never cease to be amazed by the dedication, commitment and kindness that Suffolk residents show on a daily basis, and we are so proud to be able to help our voluntary, community and social enterprise sector play their part. Stay safe, support each other, and keep going Suffolk, you are all incredible!

To find out how to get involved or fundraise for us, please contact your hospice community fundraiser, Fiona Gin: fiona.ginn@stelizabethhospice.org.uk / 07740 405764

For more information on anything Community Action Suffolk is doing, or to contact us, visit www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk or follow @CASuffolk on Twitter.

To donate to the appeal, visit the hospice Just Giving appeal page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/SEHCoronavirusAppeal

Hannah Reid, Director of Innovation & Business Development

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

ALMOST LOST IN TRANSLATION A short story by Beryl P. Brown The flea market was rammed. Mid-morning sun blazed on the hordes of people forging paths to the stalls and traders. Some attempted to worm deeper into the market, certain that better bargains were to be had in the further reaches. Tourists, too hot, too overcome by the tide of humanity that, good-natured though it was, seemed a threat, pushed their way to the exit and their tour buses.

lucky rabbit bag would be lost forever.

This was my favourite place; I made sure I was here every Sunday morning. I loved the crush, the noise, the smell – not, as someone who had never been to a Parisian flea market would assume, predominantly garlic, but a mixture of perfume, exotic oils, street food and coffee.

My words seemed to flow through the crowd like a Mexican Wave as the message was passed on. I held my breath and squinted into the sunlight, but the white hair reached the place where the road dipped again and the man disappeared.

There has to be an exception to every rule and, as I was soaking up the ambience, a man caught my elbow and breathed the reek of garlic into my face. I swung away, ducking behind a large German tourist shouting into his phone and smelling of suntan oil. The German apologised as his shoulder knocked into my bag. I lifted a hand in response and pushed on towards the stall that sold the best coffee in Paris.

I was swept along, tears stinging, I didn’t care where I ended up.

I was sipping my espresso when I noticed a man hovering at the edge of the crowd letting people flow past him. This was odd; no one gave way here. It was the garlic breath man, I remembered him not just for his breath, but because of the white hair that hung down to his shoulders.

I drained the little cup, thanked the stallholder in my appalling French – I really should take lessons – and slipped into the crowd. Glancing behind me, I saw the white haired man scanning around. I slid quickly in front of a pair of tall teenage boys before dodging around an elegant French woman enveloped in a cloud of Chanel.

I walked on for several minutes, weaving my way through until the sound of a tolling church bell let me know that I was about halfway along the road that was completely taken over by the market every Sunday.

The crowd had thinned for a second and, relaxing, I was enjoying the space when something thudded into my back. I was thrust forward and felt my bag being ripped from my hand.

‘NO,’ I yelled, staggering to keep my balance. I raised my head in time to see the white haired man elbowing through the crowd, the straps of my rabbit bag clutched in his fist.

I couldn’t lose that bag; it was my most important possession. The red rabbit appliqued to the flap was my good luck charm and it went everywhere with me.

‘Thief,’ I yelled.

Stupid, I told myself, as a few people looked at me curiously.

‘Voleur.’ I screamed.

People turned, I could see the man’s head above the crowd but he was disappearing fast.

To my eternal embarrassment, I then shouted. ‘Le homme avec le cheveaux blanc est un voleur.’

I’d got attention. People scanned around but then shrugged and stared at me.

What was the matter with them?

The man was vanishing into the crowd when it struck me that I’d said the thief was a man with white horses! Why hadn’t I learned French properly? My

The crowd ahead was thick now but, beyond the church, the road rose slightly and I could just spot the white hair in the far distance.

That subway scene in Crocodile Dundee came back to me, and I screamed, ‘Le sac avec le lapin rouge.’

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. Miraculously, my bag was being passed back through the people.

When it reached me, I hugged it to my chest and shouted, ‘Merci mes amis.’

As soon as I could, I fought my way aside and found an alleyway where I could escape and have privacy to check my bag.

I unzipped it. It was packed with wallets, purses and mobile phones. I lifted out a wallet and opened it. Stuffed with Euros. The picture of the big German tourist grinned at me from its plastic window.

A leather purse wafted expensive perfume as I flipped through the plastic cards.

Two of the mobiles had macho cases – the type teenage lads carried. They’d have learnt a hard lesson about hanging on to their belongings in a crowd.

At the end of the alleyway I threw the empty wallets, purses and phone cases into a waste bin and swung the bag over my shoulder. The lucky rabbit had done its job, but I’d need to think hard about next Sunday. The robber nearly robbed; I could be losing my touch. passed on. I held my breath and squinted into the sunlight, but the white hair reached the place where the road dipped again and the man disappeared.

I was swept along, tears stinging, I didn’t care where I ended up.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. Miraculously, my bag was being passed back through the people.

When it reached me, I hugged it to my chest and shouted, ‘Merci mes amis.’

As soon as I could, I fought my way aside and found an alleyway where I could escape and have privacy to check my bag.

I unzipped it. It was packed with wallets, purses and mobile phones. I lifted out a wallet and opened it. Stuffed with Euros. The picture of the big German tourist grinned at me from its plastic window.

A leather purse wafted expensive perfume as I flipped through the plastic cards. Two of the mobiles had macho cases – the type teenage lads carried.

They’d have learnt a hard lesson about hanging on to their belongings in a crowd.

At the end of the alleyway I threw the empty wallets, purses and phone cases into a waste bin and swung the bag over my shoulder. The lucky rabbit had done its job, but I’d need to think hard about next Sunday. The robber nearly robbed; I could be losing my touch.

Beryl P. Brown lives in Manningtree. Many of her short stories have been published and frequently enjoy competition success.

Her debut novel, May’s Boys: a boy wants a mother, a woman wants a son… was published in February and is available in print and e-format from booksellers and online suppliers.

For further details detrails visit: www.berylpbrown.uk

Answers to the riddles on page 35 1: Carrot; 2: Trouble; 3: Alphabet; 4: She fell off the bottom step; 5: A potato; 6: My shadow; 7: Grandpa was bald; 8: An onion; 9: A table; 10: The letter ‘e’

38

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