In Touch News with East Bergholt February 2019

In Touch

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with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary Volume 6 • Issue No. 4 • february 2019

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NEWS

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My husband believes there are two kinds of people; those who see the positives in almost everything, and those who always see the negatives.

If opposites attract, we must be the perfect couple, so when Daniel played this song by Kacey Musgraves I’m pretty sure he was making a point.

It’s called Miserable.

Your heart’s as heavy as the stones you throw Can’t see the flowers for the weeds you grow You blow your bubbles just to watch ‘em burst For you it’s always bad to worse And you can’t win unless you lose You try to tell me you want happiness But you ain’t happy unless You’re miserable Your neighbor’s dirty laundry’s cleaner And the wolf at your door’s always meaner The sky’s still grey when the sun’s around But you can’t set sail if your anchor’s down And you can’t win unless you lose You try to tell me you want happiness But you ain’t happy unless You’re miserable I’m miserable Can’t liven up for the both of us We have enough for the whole of us If misery loves company Then I can’t keep you company no more He got me good! I don’t think I’m this miserable, but when life is going well, I live in dread of what’s bound to come, and it’s bound to be bad! I think it’s an inherited trait, but it’s not one I want to pass on. Is it possible to change?

I sure hope so because my New Year’s resolution is to prove Daniel wrong!

In Touch

DEDHAM PLAYERS Dedham Players presents a charming adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel Emma at Dedham Assembly Rooms from Wednesday 27 to Saturday, March 30 at 7.45pm.

Michael Bloom faithfully retells the comic and romantic adventures of the headstrong heroine Emma Woodhouse. Emma is smart, educated and the leading socialite of Highbury. Determined never to marry herself, Emma cannot resist acting as a matchmaker for any unmarried bachelor or young lady who comes into her life. The consequences of her well-meaning matchmaking unfold before the audience. The result is a charming comedy full of wonderful characters.

"A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.” Emma Woodhouse Tickets for this delightful comedy are available now from Shakespeare House Gallery, High Street, Dedham and from: www.dedhamplayers.org Book early as this show is bound to be highly popular.

YO HO! HEAVE TO MY HEARTIES Get your tickets for BATS 2019 Pantomime Off to Treasure Island by Lisa Butler will be presented at Brantham Village Hall from February 20-23 at 7.30pm, with a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 23.

This swashbuckling tale of two opposing crews is an original script especially written for BATS, which suits their long-established traditional style.

A mixed age cast of idle deckhands, glamorous principal boys and girls and two beautiful Dames, with singing, dancing, live music and typical jokes.

Come along and have some fun at half-term with all the family. Tickets (adults £9, children £6) are available from Bakes & Blossoms, Acacia Court, Brantham, and online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk

with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary

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

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MARCH DEADLINE

20 February 2019

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

Here we see Brantham Amateur Theatrical Society’s Sister Act cast celebrating with their trophy for ‘Best Musical’ awarded by North Essex Theatre Guild in 2018. This was produced by Tina Burns, directed by Pippa Revell and the musical director was John Hoskyns.

STOUR VALLEY ARTS & MUSIC Embraceable Ella featuring Joanna Eden and the Chris Ingham Trio Saturday, February 23, 7.30pm at Constable Hall, East Bergholt CO7 6TP Joanna Eden presents a ‘labour of love’ celebrating the music of her vocal hero Ella Fitzgerald. She is ccompanied by Chris Ingham on piano, Arnie Somogyi on bass and George Double on drums.

Tickets (£15 including light refreshments) are available from 01206 298426, from Grier & Partners, or using CC payment from TicketSource via: www.svam.org.uk

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NEWS EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL Judicial Review This matter was considered in court on October 31-November 1, 2018.

Unfortunately the case was lost. The parish council is in the process of exploring other potential options, if legally permissible.

Parish Clerk Surgery Would local residents find it helpful if the clerk had a monthly surgery in the village for an hour for face-to-face conversations and to help with queries?

Perhaps in the Tea Room in the centre of the village?

Thank you to Stephen Williams The parish council would like thank Stephen for his work during his time as a parish councillor. His contribution to the parish council and the village has been appreciated.

Parish of East Bergholt Notice is hereby given that a casual vacancy has arisen in the office of councillor for the parish council.

Appointments to the parish council are made every four years, and a new parish council is due to be formed on May 2, 2019. If there are more nominations for councillors than the number of seats available (13) then this will result in an election to appoint the new councillors.

In the meantime, any person interested in applying for co-option onto the existing council should contact the parish clerk, Susan Clements - contact details as below.

Susan Clements, Proper Officer, East Bergholt Parish Council, c/o 29 Castle Road, Hadleigh IP7 6JP / 01473 827791 / 07777 644868 (please leave a message) / east.bergholtpc@btconnect.com www.eastbergholt.org

NOTES FROM THE CASE If the Beast from the East strikes again this winter you will always find a warm and cosy welcome at The Case with lots to keep you entertained during the dark winter months. If you’re making it a dry January and February, do pop in as we have lots of alternatives to tempt you, including the very popular Adnams 0.5% Ghost Ship. As always we have a busy month ahead.

Open Mic Night on Tuesday, February 5: Come along and enjoy our local talented musicians. You might even feel like joining in yourself and, of course, all performers are very welcome. Bring your own instrument, PA provided.

Fun and Games Evenings on Saturday, February 9: With more old fashioned family board games. It can get rather noisy, but it’s all just good fun and there are always plenty of groups for you to join. If you have a favourite game, bring it along!

Quiz Night on Saturday, February 23: As usual a curry supper will be available from 6pm onwards, last sitting 8pm, quiz starts at 8.30pm. Booking for the curry is essential. If you would like to host a quiz, please contact Chris at cottage.garden@btinternet.com and we’ll add you to the rota.

Looking forward, we will be holding a Spanish evening on Saturday, March 16. Food will be prepared by Esther, our very popular visiting chef. So dust off your sombreros and practise your flamenco dancing! Booking is essential.

Please check the website or Facebook page for more details.

Believe it or not, on April 13 The Case will have been open as a community pub for five years and to mark this important occasion we are planning a celebratory weekend. We would love to hear from you any ideas you have for this, but would also like to receive copies of any photographs you may have taken during this period showing events or occasions held at the pub. Please email the chairman at: savethecasebentley@gmail.com As you know, our pub depends heavily on volunteers to keep it running. If you love the pub and want to see it continue to be successful, would you consider joining the team? No experience is necessary, nor is pulling pints as we have many other jobs that need doing. Let someone behind the bar know or leave a note with your name and contact details.

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

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DEATH CAFÉ The next peninsula Death Café will be on Sunday, March 3 in The Compasses, Main Road, Holbrook. We meet for an hour and a half from 10.30am. We are very grateful to The Compasses for allowing us to use their lounge where we are made very welcome with tea, coffee, fresh scones and muffins.

For more information about the Death Cafe please contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777 / jane.gould@btinternet.com

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Missed Appointments The high number of missed GP and nurse appointments nationally has recently been highlighted by the press. Unfortunately, our practice also suffers from this problem. Through December 2018 the number of missed appointments and the time wasted was as follows: Doctors: 12 missed appointments, 2.5 hours wasted Nurse Practitioners: 3 missed appointments, 40 minutes wasted Practice Nurses: 24 missed appointments, 6.5 hours wasted Health Care Assistants: 7 missed appointments, 1 hour wasted Phlebotomists: 10 missed appointments, 75 minutes wasted When an appointment is booked, patients receive a text message confirmation, so please ensure we have an up-to-date mobile number recorded for you. Patients will also generally receive a reminder text message the day before their appointment, though not in every case.

If you cannot make an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so it can be made available to other patients. There is nothing more frustrating than our clinicians preparing for a patient consultation or procedure only for them not to turn up. If you are going to be late then let us know and we will try to accommodate you, though it may not be possible if it will result in other patients being delayed.

Community Connector Bus If you sometimes you wake up and think ‘more of the same’ and wish for something different and interesting to happen in your life, or if one of life’s many challenges has been thrown at you recently and you don’t know where to turn for advice, or if you need to take greater care of your health and wellbeing or be more active physically or socially, or if you find yourself alone because of bereavement or other circumstances… then the Community Connector scheme could be for you!

The Community Connector Bus will be visiting the practice at East Bergholt between 10am and 2pm on Wednesday, February 6, Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 27.

The scheme will connect you to others for support and advice on matters such as debt, benefits, housing, health and fitness, walking, cycling, dance, volunteering, social activities, clubs, arts and much more. This initiative is supported by Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Family Carers. No appointment is necessary, just turn up!

National GP Patient Survey Questionnaires You may receive a survey from Ipsos MORI over the next couple of months requesting feedback on the how the practice has performed. If you receive one, please complete and return it. Feedback is really important to us. We have been working hard over the last couple of years to improve the service we offer and patient feedback is vital in understanding the progress we have made and which areas we need to focus on.

Training Days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Wednesday, February 13 and Thursday, March 14. On these afternoons the Capel St Mary building will be open to enable access to the pharmacy but the practice reception will be closed. East Bergholt reception will be open. Please note that there will be no clinicians at either building after 1pm as they will be attending training off-site. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

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NEWS LAWFORD SURGERY Currently accepting new patients from Brantham and East Bergholt; please pick up a registration form from reception.

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON REPORT TO PARISHES: DODNASH WARD May I first offer my very best wishes for the New Year.

Our Practice We strive to the highest quality in medical care. We have a diabetic nurse specialist and doctors with a special interest in heart disease and diabetes.

We also offer heart tracing (ECGs) blood tests and warfarin monitoring and we offer minor surgery.

With all the confusion at Westminster over Brexit, it’s a wonder that anything elsewhere in government gets done but somehow they seem to find the time to poke about in the realms of local government with particular attention to housing! (How much is ‘leadership’ campaigning and how much is actual need is debatable!)

Doctor’s Appointments Two thirds of our doctor’s appointments can be booked in advance and one third can be booked on the day if a more urgent appointment is necessary.

Every day we offer an evening surgery and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays we offer late appointments with the last appointment at 7pm.

Planning is supposed to be a ‘local’ issue, so that locally elected representatives can influence what happens in their local area! Let’s face it, they should know best what is desirable and what is not, or do they? Central government always thinks it knows best like any dominant parent, so housing targets are nationally set rather than reflecting the local need, although there is always a report or consultant who can prove otherwise! What always seems to be forgotten is the infrastructure to go with the housing targets.

Appointments can be booked by ringing the surgery on 01206 392617 or you can speak to reception to organise patient access which allows you to book appointments online. Please note that this is only for patients aged over 17 years.

If for any reason you are unable to attend your appointment please let us know as soon as possible so that another patient is able to take the slot.

Nurse’s Appointments Nurse’s appointments are for 15 minutes and we have a nurse in surgery Monday to Friday from approximately 9am until 6pm.

Staff Chris Tuck, our health care assistant, retired last month and will be greatly missed by all staff and patients alike. We welcome our new HCA, Louise, who has clinics Monday to Friday mornings inclusive. We also welcome Katie, our new practice nurse, who has clinics on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays alongside Nurse Gina.

Dispensary We have a dispensary which dispenses for patients who live over a mile away from a pharmacy. If not applicable to this category, prescriptions can be sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice. In the dispensary we have a pharmacy technician who runs medication usage clinics, so if you have any queries regarding your medication an appointment can be made to discuss.

Fundraising Over Christmas, Lawford Surgery participated in Elf Day to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society, a foundation close to most people’s hearts. Thanks to generous donations from our patients we raised a total of £61.

If I sound cynical it’s because the new Draft Local Plan is out for consultation.

The original version had so many comments and then the changes of the NPPF came along, so the revision has taken longer than anticipated, delaying the new version until nearer the local elections.

Now there is another twist. Babergh will see the number of councillors reduced from 45 to 32 so there will be several new faces even without an election! But they will have to operate on something started by the previous council. The same applies to the budget, agreed and set in February to be implemented by a new set of councillors, with one would hope, new and representative views on what is important to the area. No one said the system was logical or fair, so we will need to take a firm grip of the budget, Local Plan, investment strategy, etc. as soon as the new council is in place to insure that it is properly reflective of the views of the electorate. No waiting over two years as with Brexit to mess it about. What will be needed is clear and swift action; after all it’s the money from our residents’ pockets that is at stake!

The move to Endeavour House was supposed to save lots of money, but so far the only obvious outcome is poor access to council services by residents unless utilising a computer (and then it relies on someone getting back to you). Cost savings are difficult to pin down, as are the savings supposedly achieved by joining up the two council workforces into one team. The current ‘Cabinet’ system of governance suits the largest group, but makes any ideas, constructive or not, from elsewhere in the council virtually impossible to implement. Not what I call representative democracy, but then May will bring an opportunity for change!

I will try and represent the views of all of the residents of Dodnash ward up until the elections, but if anyone has any comments or questions please do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime let’s hope that the legal system is more representative of local wishes than perhaps elected officials outside of the ward.

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

DOCTORS SURGERY TRANSPORT ROTA Do you have a car and some spare time? The transport rota provides transport from home to the surgery and back for patients in Capel, Copdock, Wenham and Bentley. It has been set up in conjunction with the patient group and the surgery with a clearly understood set of guidelines to ensure that volunteers and patients are properly protected.

We currently have vacancies on the rota for driver volunteers, and obviously the more volunteers we have, so the frequency of callout reduces. Most volunteers may do one or more trips in a month. We will arrange for any necessary checks to be carried out.

Given the lack of public transport, the scheme has enabled many frail patients who cannot drive to get to their appointments, as well as reducing the number of surgery callouts. If you feel you can help with this valuable work please contact Chris Yule on 01473 310992.

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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES, MID-SAMFORD WARD: JANUARY 2019 BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR SUE CARPENDALE Draft Budget for 2019/20 and Four-Year Outlook Cabinet are recommending a budget based on an increase of £5, or 3.15 per cent, in Babergh’s portion of the overall Council Tax bill. Other increases in county, police and parish precepts are expected to follow. They also want to borrow a further £25M to be invested in CIFCO, bringing the total borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) to £50M for Babergh.

This is intended to generate income via the difference in Babergh’s borrowing interest rate from the PWLB and the rate levied on loans forward to CIFCO. There is some concern and controversy about how and where these loans are invested, especially given the current uncertainty in areas of the economy, but the rationale is about the revenue to the council not the value of each investment. Pressures on council finances are considerable and worsening.

In the last eight years, savings of just over £5M have been made, but over the next four years, there are significant concerns over a potentially large budget gap.

Central Government have now reduced their rate support grant to local councils to zero, increasingly ‘incentivising’ local authorities to deliver local growth to make up the deficit and to act more commercially. Babergh’s proposed budget for next year amounts to £9,744M. Main funding sources are: £5,214M from Council Tax, £2,694M from business rates, £1,417M from earmarked reserves and £866K from New Homes Bonus. Since NHB was introduced in 2011/12, Babergh has received £8.5M in total.

Management of Council-owned Trees Cabinet is recommending a set of principles for management of the thousands of trees in its ownership. Sudbury alone has a stock of 2,350 consisting of 40 different species. To date, decisions on tree management have been primarily about safety. Resources are needed to deal with the increasing incidence of storm damage, and could enable more planting, with a range of trees for public enjoyment, wildlife habitat and landscape amenity. There is a general presumption against removal or pruning of trees which are healthy, and there is no intention to complete work where there is no legal ‘nuisance’ or for the disruption of television, satellite or radio reception. This could well vex a few people!

Communities Strategy A draft for consultation should shortly be sent to key stakeholders for comments by March 1. It will be promoted to residents via social media.

The concern is to ensure communities that: are strong and healthy; are built on a balanced and targeted range of services and support; and are equally accessible to all our residents and to future generations. Communities that work! There are many examples of communities which have taken on responsibilities from other public bodies, e.g. parks and play areas, new affordable housing, community library services and recycling centres. sue.carpendale@babergh.gov.uk

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR FENELLA SWAN Extension of Serco Contract At their January meeting, the Cabinet will be recommending the extension of the Joint Household Waste Collection Contract with Serco (which expires in April 2021) for a further seven year period. Four options were discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December and it was agreed that extending the current contract with Serco offers good value to Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and has a lower cost than any other option.

Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and Four-Year Outlook Cabinet will be considering key aspects of the 2019/20 HRA Budget, including council house rent levels. The Babergh HRA Business Plan presents a positive financial picture over the longer term (a thirty-year period as required under the self-financing regime), but there are short to medium term challenges.

However, several announcements made during 2018/19 will alleviate some of these. The Welfare Reform and Work Act requirement for all social landlords to reduce their rents by one per cent each year will cease in March and rents can then be increased by CPI (currently 2.6 per cent) plus one per cent for five years from 2020/21. The High Value Assets Levy on councils is no longer to be introduced. The removal of the HRA Debt Cap from October 2018 means that local authorities can borrow to fund new homes without worrying about breaching this cap.

A balanced budget has been achieved for 2019/20 by reducing both revenue and capital budgets. A fundamental review of the housing service has been

undertaken during 2018/19 to identify savings, efficiencies and income generation opportunities that will achieve a sustainable business plan into the future.

Homelessness Prevention Fund Policy Cabinet will be recommending the adoption of a Homelessness Prevention Fund Policy. The policy sets out how Babergh will use a proportion of funding received through the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant to give interest free loans to people at risk of homelessness. The maximum loan that would be considered would be £3,000 and would be repayable by instalment. Funds would be paid directly to lettings agents, landlords and mortgage companies and not directly to a customer. Loans could be used to secure a privately rented property, including a deposit, rent in advance and application fees to agents as well as other payments which are reasonable and would prevent homelessness for at least six months. Applicants would have to sign a loan agreement and plan to repay the loan ideally within 36 months but a maximum of 60 months.

Paperless Council Tax Bills Residents can now sign up via the Babergh website for paperless billing and 24-hour access to Council Tax bills online. Babergh have a new online portal which is free to sign up to, easy to use and gives instant access to your account where you can view bills and update information. fenella.swan@babergh.gov.uk

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OUT AND ABOUT EAST BERGHOLT CINEMA Friday, February 1: The Wife (15) Joan Castleman has spent 40 years sacrificing her own talent, dreams and ambitions to support her charismatic husband and his stellar literary career.

On the eve of Joe’s Nobel Prize for Literature, Joan reaches a turning point. Based on the bestselling book by Meg Wolitzer, The Wife is a poignant, funny and emotional journey, a celebration of womanhood, self-discovery and liberation starring Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce.

Friday, March 1: BlacKkKlansman, (15) This is a brilliant film from director Spike Lee. You would think the plot was incredible, except that it is based on the true story of police officer Ron Stallworth, the first African American recruit to the Colorado Springs Police Department who infiltrates the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. Set in the 1970s, it's funky, funny and fierce. Starring John David Washington (Denzil's son) and Adam Driver.

"This rollicking KKK comedy nails every target in sight" The Telegraph "BlacKkKlansman is a furious, funny, blunt and a brilliant confrontation with the truth" The New York Times All films start at 8pm. Tickets (£4 / £2 for ages 18 and under) are available at the Fountain House Tearoom in East Bergholt, on the door or phone 01206 299774 to reserve tickets. Bar open with ice creams at the interval.

FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY Here we are, a month into the New Year and it’s interesting to see how those resolutions are doing. I gave up making them years ago as I nearly always gave up. How about you? One of my friends actually managed to last an hour and a quarter before having an epic fail.

It was nice to see so many of you at our AGM on Saturday, January 26. During last year our fundraising activities allowed us to replace the reception area, all of the rotating shelving, children’s equipment and many other pieces of equipment used in the daily running of the library. We are currently in the process of buying new soft furnishing and agreeing an action plan for this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our team of dedicated trustees and volunteers for all of their hard work and support.

Our popular Community Cinema goes from strength to strength and is held in Capel Library on the third Tuesday of every month. Films are selected by the audience, so if there is one you would like to see please let us know. The next film, Adrift, will be screened on Tuesday, February 19 at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). Tickets are now on sale at the library.

The film is the true story of Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp who couldn’t anticipate that they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope of rescue, Tami must now find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved.

On Wednesday, February 20, we will be holding a Build a Bird/Bug Box event in association with Ipswich Wildlife. This supervised event will take place in hourly sessions from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Tickets for the event are limited and are currently available from the library.

We are also in the early stage of planning a Beetle Drive which is pencilled in for April/May; watch this space for further details.

Finally, a quick reminder that membership renewals for the Friends Group and The 100 Club are now due. If you haven’t renewed yet or wish to become a member please collect an application form in the library.

Trevor Stevenson

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EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION INDOOR CAR BOOT SALE East Bergholt High School Sunday, February 24, 10am-noon Admission 50p / Refreshments Available Free Car Park Tables £5 in advance, £7.50 on the day Doors open 9am to set up ( 07776 291445

CAPEL LIBRARY February! What a beautiful time of the spring calendar. Snowdrop, crocus and early daffodils are out and the catkins have been showing on the trees since the middle of January. Spring is a time of invigoration. Some use the time wisely in pouring over seed catalogues and new garden furniture ready for the summer. We have a huge range of gardening books on the shelf and in the catalogue ready for your perusal to make those changes to your outside space at home.

Missed the latest blockbuster at the cinema? Then look out for new DVD releases from the library; a current poster is on the doorway for you to look at. Don’t forget that the Friends of Capel library also runs a cinema club every third Tuesday; come along and enjoy the film of the audience choice.

CLUBS MEETING THIS MONTH Baby Bounce: Tuesdays 5, 12 and 26 at 2pm for some instrument shaking and singing of nursery rhymes. Suitable for all children under-five and their parent/carers. No meeting on February 19 due to school half term holiday.

No charge for this event.

Capel Creators: Saturday 16 between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Come along and show your creative side with Lego and Duplo bricks. Suitable for all children; children under eight must be accompanied by their parent/carer. A charge of £1 per child includes a drink and a biscuit.

Minecraft: Sundays 10 and 24 between 10.30am and 12.30pm. No charge; children under eight to be accompanied by parent/carer.

Capel Library Book Group: Friday 15 at 2pm. Come along and join in the discussions of the latest book and recommend one to the group to enjoy and discuss another time.

Build a Bird or Bug Box: Wednesday, February 20 in conjunction with Ipswich Wildlife. There are three sessions available at a cost of £6.50 per child including refreshments. Limited numbers so buy your tickets early.

Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Call into the library for further details.

OPENING TIMES Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Wednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday: 9.30am-12.30pm Friday: 2-5pm & 5.30-7.30pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Sunday: 10am-3pm Contact: 01473 311699

DEDHAM WATERCOLOUR GROUP Dedham Watercolour Group is now back and up and running in the refurbished Duchy Barn in Dedham village centre. Classes take place on Monday from 10.30am to 12.30pm. All welcome, whatever your ability or experience. Sessions are £2 which includes refreshments.

In Touch online:

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A warm welcome guaranteed Bentley Road, Little Bromley, CO11 2PL www.thehaywain.co.uk | 01206 390004

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10% off lunch menu - Wednesday - Saturday Just show this promotion when you arrive

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OUT & ABOUT BUMPER BOOK SALE AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH Saturday, March 23, 10am-3pm / Free admission

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

Pick up a Valentine’s present for that special person and visit all your favourite market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items.

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

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

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

Refreshments to include bacon butties and homemade cakes

FOLK NIGHT AT METHODIST CHURCH HALL Manningtree Methodist Church Hall is the venue for a Folk Night on Friday, March 1 at 7pm. Tickets available on the door.

MURDER MYSTERY THE CASE OF THE NAKED GARDENER An entertaining murder mystery is brought to the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE by The Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley Radio Broadcasting. This is the team that, a few years ago, brought you 50 Shades of Grain (a cereal killing). You can be assured of laughs and mystery.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, January 9 Sally Dearman presented Woman Can Fly, the story of one women’s journey from jumping out of a landing window, then out of planes, to becoming a civil pilot and the first women through the RAF’s fastjet flying trains system.

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

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

The event takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 9 and costs £18 which includes a fish and chip supper. A cash bar is available (own drinks prohibited). Tickets can be obtained from David Willis at rotarydemon@sky.com or Sue Clark at petersueclark@btinternet.com.

JANE AUSTEN'S

EMMA

DEDHAM PLAYERS PRESENTS

ADAPTED BY MICHAEL BLOOM

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

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

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted.

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

WED 27TH TO SAT 30TH MARCH 2019 DEDHAM ASSEMBLY ROOMS, 7.45PM TICKETS £10 WWW.DEDHAMPLAYERS.ORG OR SHAKESPEARE HOUSE GALLERY WITH PERMISSION FROM SAMUEL FRENCH

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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB

STOUR VALLEY LADIES PROBUS CLUB

John Hammond explained the skill of will writing at our meeting on January 16, a most interesting subject for all those retired!

We hold our New Year Lunch at the popular Haywain in Little Bromley on February 6 when our spouses and Probus widows will join us.

Stour Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at The Haywain, Bentley Road, Little Bromley at 10am on the first and third Thursday in each month, except August. The first meeting in the month includes lunch and the second is a coffee morning. At each meeting there is a general interest speaker.

Brian Wilcox will introduce New Ways of Working on February 20 and Brian Wills will present a lecture of particular local interest when he speaks about Constable and his Paintings on March 6. Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 20.

The aim of our club is to encourage interest and fellowship among our members, all of whom are retired and have a lively and informed outlook on life.

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.

New members are welcome and anyone interested in attending a coffee morning should contact our president, Jill Nicholls: 01206 393680

WEDNESDAY BRIDGE GROUP IN EAST BERGHOLT

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

The start of a new year, time to start a new hobby?

EMBROIDERY GUILD, COLCHESTER BRANCH

We meet up in Lambe School, East Bergholt at 7.30pm each Wednesday. A regular partner is not essential as we ensure everyone who turns up gets a partner for the evening. If you would like to know more contact Nigel Clover: 01206 323422

Great news for creative youngsters aged 6-16

Do you know the basics of Bridge and would like to play regularly in a social environment? Then how about coming along to Lambe School for Wednesday Bridge Group?

The Young Embroiderers (known as YETS) are moving to Colchester and will be meeting at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Church Street, Colchester CO1 1NF. Our meetings are on the third Saturday of each month from 10am-12.30pm.

ROTARY CLUB OF MANNINGTREE STOUR VALLEY

Come and join us and have fun learning about the numerous techniques of textile art and embroidery. You will have opportunity to make beautiful pieces of work which you will always treasure.

To mark Rotary Awareness Week will be out in force with a clean-up day in Manningtree Town and area.

All of our volunteer helpers have been DBS checked and get a lot of pleasure in passing on their knowledge, skills and techniques to you, the next generation, who will enliven the future art scene.

For more information about YETS or the Colchester Branch please contact Linda Watts: 01206 392348 / lindawatts1@sky.com We look forward to hearing from you or your parents.

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

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

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

DEDHAM FOOTPATH GROUP Enjoy walking, meeting new people?

Then why not come along to walks organised by the Dedham Footpath Group?

We walk four to five miles on the first Sunday morning of each month from various locations. On Sunday, February 3 we will meet at 10.30am at Wivenhoe village centre car park, CO7 9AZ for a morning walk.

The group welcomes all walkers and those with well-behaved dogs, kept on leads at all times, are welcome to join us.

For more information email: DedhamFG@gmail.com

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On Saturday, January 19, in conjunction with Bradfield Parish Church, we held a very successful and well supported concert in aid of the parish church and rotary charities which was performed by Elm Tree Music. The programme covered a wide range of both vocal and instrumental music.

MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY The subject of our competition on December 6 was Dereliction and Decay which produced some very interesting images, one of which, Natural Reclamation by Harold Mousley, is pictured. Our last get together of 2018 was the annual Christmas social which was enjoyed by a good number of members and their partners. Winning competition images can be viewed on our website.

The next competition is Open Mono and will be held on January 31. Our February meetings are talks on Lightroom and Photoshop with Kenneth Payne on February 14, and Underwater and other Wildlife Photography with Dave Smith on February 28.

Meetings are held twice monthly (on the second and fourth Thursdays) at 7.30pm at the St Johns Ambulance Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. A number of informal ‘Rookie Club’ evenings are also arranged where members can refresh their skills and share experiences.

New members are welcome to join us or may attend initially as a visitor. Please contact our secretary for details on 01206 393751 / madps@post.co www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk

In Touch online:

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

Fo re s t S c h o o l

Ofs te d Re g is te re d

Gra n t

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

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS DEDHAM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Our speaker evenings resume again after the winter break, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month in the Assembly Rooms, High Street, Dedham at 7.30pm. Our first evening of 2019 is on February 6 with local gardener Phil Bland talking on Care and Pruning of Fruit Trees for the Amateur Gardener. On March 6 we welcome Susie Davis from Katie's Garden in Woodbridge, who will be talking on A Year around the Nursery.

All welcome; members free, guests £2. For further event information call 01206 322565 or for additional details about the society visit: www.dedhamgardening.wordpress.com

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 12 at the Red Lion, South Street, Manningtree.

All those interested in poetry are invited to attend either to listen to the spoken word or to read poetry themselves. Some people will be reading their own poetry and some will choose to read the work of other poets. There is no admission charge.

To keep up-to-date please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk

VILLAGE LINK Wednesday, February 13, 10am in Tattingstone Village Hall: Acorn Village – History to Present Day The club aims are to bring communities together and we have over the years attracted members from many villages, men and women of various ages. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month 10am to noon. I would like to welcome back any former members and to see new members from all local villages at our meetings, either as visitors or members in readiness for our 25th celebration.

Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262

Baby Bears We welcomed the babies back after Christmas by creating some lovely New Year firework pictures using cut tubes dipped in paint and glue and glitter!

We have also been exploring lots of textures, smells and tastes, have made cupcakes, played in a tray of oats, painted pictures using our hands and loved getting involved with one another.

Toddling Tigers The Tigers (or should I say barn animals?) took part in their first nativity in December. They dressed up as pigs, cows, sheep, horses and donkeys dancing and singing to our nativity songs for the parents and families to enjoy! They are still singing some of the songs in January as they are so catchy!

Recently the Tigers have been reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They have tried a variety of fruit and vegetables that the caterpillar ate in the story such as watermelons, oranges and pears. Together they made a very big caterpillar paper chain to decorate our cosy corner and made lots of messy crafts such as fingerprint caterpillars.

Gruffalos We are all well and truly back in the swing of things in the Gruffalo room! We are continuing with our Forest School sessions, which give us a great opportunity to explore wintertime using all of our senses.

Before Christmas we had a wonderful visit to Blackbrook House care home in Dedham. The children performed our nativity play to the residents and were met with much enthusiasm and big smiles. The children were amazing, singing beautifully and demonstrating their fantastic behaviour. We were incredibly proud of them all. Many thanks also go to our wonderful parents who supported us and made this trip happen. We are looking forward to making more trips to the care home this year and watching the bonds between the children and the residents develop and grow.

For nursery care, pre-school, before and after school care or our holiday club activities please contact us: 01473 310767 / info@robinschildcare.co.uk

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BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS What a start to the new year! Our feet barely touched the ground after the Christmas break, before we were straight back into exciting learning opportunities and visits out. Our first adventure was to the New Wolsey Theatre to see the rock and roll panto, Cinderella. We took every child from both schools, which was no small logistical feat! We thoroughly enjoyed our ice lollies in the interval and the children were enthralled by the hilarious performance. Our huge thanks go to the PTAs of both schools who kindly donated half the money towards the cost of the whole trip, thereby making it much more affordable for parents.

Thank you.

All the children in Years 2-4 across both schools resumed their weekly swimming lessons this term. This is the second year that we have been able to secure the booking for the beautiful, warm and clean First Strokes pool. We have the whole pool to ourselves for a whole afternoon, allowing us to provide swimming lessons for so many of our children.

Some of the children from Adders and Foxes classes took part in a morning of first aid training designed specifically for children of that age.

The children all agreed that they learnt some really valuable lessons and that it had been time well spent. Events like this are just part of all the life skills we teach our children in the federation, so they leave us as confident and responsible young people.

Coming up this term, we are focussing a great deal on Internet Safety and Science Week. We have lots of lessons and activities planned around helping our young people to keep themselves safe online. Children and parents alike will be invited to explore what threats are out there and how to prevent becoming a victim. Science Week is our other focus, with a whole week of hands-on interactive events planned, culminating in a final day of celebration of scientific learning at Copdock Village Hall. STEM is hugely popular with our pupils; who knows, the next great scientific discovery could come from one of our children.

Other events we are looking forward to include the Spelling Bee Competition at East Bergholt High School and basketball competitions for children in different age groups.

As ever, if you would like to volunteer in either of our schools, or if you are a parent who would like the opportunity to come and have a look round, please do contact us on: Bentley: 01473 310253 / admin@bentley.suffolk.sch.uk Copdock: 01473 730337/ admin@copdock.suffolk.sch.uk

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sport

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB December 2018 was not a good month for the 1st Team. There were some decent performances, but a combination of poor finishing and sloppy goals conceded meant that they went through the month with only three points from one win. However, 2019 started well with a 3-0 home victory over Bramford Utd. Just two matches in the month for the Reserves. They won the League game to keep them in a very solid mid-table position, but unfortunately exited the Travel Plus Tours Cup. They began the new year with a high scoring 4-4 draw.

A clean sweep of three victories in December has left the A Team well placed in Intermediate C where just one point separates the top five sides in the table. A home victory in the opening match of 2019 kept the team well in the promotion mix.

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team: Senior Division Sat, Jan 26: Henley Athletic (A) Sat, Feb 2: Crane Sports (H) Sat, Feb 16: Wenhaston Utd (H) Sat, Feb 23: Bramford Utd (A) Sat, Mar 2: Westerfield Utd (H)

The Saturday First team had a mixed December with two wins and two defeats and at the time of writing these notes are fifth in the senior division of the Suffolk and Ipswich league. A 5-2 defeat against Haughley United with Danny Garrard getting both our goals was followed by a 1-0 win against Trimley Red Devils with Garrard on the score sheet again.

A 2-0 loss against Coplestonians was followed by a 3-1 win at Bramford United thanks to goals from Daniel Alderson, Shaun Webb and a superb free kick in the last minute from Garrard. The club hopes for a top six finish in what is our 21st consecutive year in the senior division. We have always given teenagers from the Reserves a chance in the First team with Harry Golding the latest player to pull on a First team shirt and he looks a good prospect.

No games for our Reserves in December who suffered from a couple of call-offs while our Sunday morning team beat Ipswich Rangers 2-1 thanks to goals from Charlie Reid and Richard Farnham with Adam Rawthorn having an excellent game up front.

Our Over-35 team known as the Veterans drew 2-2 with Achilles with goals from Robin Wain and Glen Crisp with Patrick Tynan playing well in defence and Archie Arnold controlling the mid-field.

Finally, plans for a new clubhouse that were recently put on display have certainly got people talking and it remains to be seen if it goes ahead.

Reserves: League A Sat, Jan 26: Sporting 87 Res (H) Sat, Feb 2: Henley Athletic Res (A) Sat, Feb 9: Trimley Red Devils Res (H) Sat, Feb 23: Bramford Utd Res (H) Sat, Mar 2: Framlingham Town Res (A)

With 19 teams the club has got a lot bigger in recent seasons and villages a lot smaller than Capel St Mary have better facilities than we have. An all-weather five-a-side pitch is part of the plans which would make a nice change from the muddy conditions that we are use to. Watch this space!

A Team: League C Sat, Feb 2: Ransomes Sports Res (H) Sat, Feb 16: Grundisburgh Res (H) Sat, Mar 2: Kesgarve Kestrels Res (A)

MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB

Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm please refer to the fixtures website: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Ladies and Juniors We are looking for new teams, boys or girls, of any age group to join us as we look for the club to grow. If you are interested please contact David George: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com Steve Butcher (Secretary): stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

Bob the Ploughman

Men’s & Ladies Cricket The club is delighted to announce that it has secured the services of Khalipha Cele from Kwazulu Natal as their overseas player coach for 2019. Khalipha will (subject to successful Visa application) arrive at the club in April and will be actively involved in playing for the club and coaching at all levels.

At the AGM the club captains for 2019, Bruce Leeke and Matt Bibby, were appointed.

Saturdays 1st Team: Graeme Butcher 2nd Team: Gareth Stevens 3rd Team: Andrew Butcher The club is very appreciative of the great job that the retiring Danny Goff and Richard Mills have done for the 1st and 3rd Teams respectively.

Sundays NECL: Tim Scott Two Counties: George Hutton Ladies: Candy Cornelius Our winter training starts as follows: Juniors for eight weeks at Manningtree Sports Centre, starting on Friday, February 15, 7.30- 8.30pm.

Seniors start on Wednesday, February 27 at Royal Hospital School, 8.159.30pm.

For more information contact us.

December 100 Club Winners 1: Carole Mills (64) £115 2: Hubert Ward (29) £55 3: Paul Lawrence (16) £50 New players are always welcome; for more information please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com

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ON THE GRAPEVINE EBONY’S BLOG: Life at The Shelley Centre

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

We were very proud to have been featured across the front page of Hadleigh Community News in January, so everyone will know what a special year this is for the Shelley Centre and the RDA as a whole.

By way of an introduction, I am Police Constable 710 Michael Small and I have recently taken up the post of Community Engagement Officer for the Ipswich West and Hadleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team. I have been a police officer in Suffolk for 26 years and have worked in a number of areas of Suffolk including Leiston and Ipswich, both as a response officer, roads policing officer and a community 'beat' officer. I have most recently been a trainer at our training school, teaching new student police officers. I am really looking forward to the opportunity of returning to community policing in my new role.

The RDA is in effect a federation of some 500 small independent groups, such as The Shelley Centre, and currently supports over 26,500 adults and children by providing riding, carriage driving and vaulting each year. Our president, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, is a great supporter of RDA, championing our work as a national charity and keeping us in the public eye.

In September 1979 Hadleigh RDA Group started at Frog Hall in Hadleigh so we could celebrate 40 years of being your local RDA branch, but when Mike and Jane Crow generously rented us land in Shelley we moved. The purpose-built Shelley Centre opened for business in 1989, so that’s the anniversary we shall be celebrating this year.

Please, if you have a spare morning or afternoon each week of the school term, do come and work here! Every new volunteer enables us to move somebody up the waiting list for the therapy we provide. Many of our riders require three volunteers to support them, either leading their pony or walking beside them to give them security and help.

Expert training is provided, and it’s very rewarding work.

Babs and I live indoors and get used as much as the outdoor herd, but we still need volunteers to participate in our sessions, so if you want to keep warm and dry, apply within.

My photo shows Bob being cuddled by Lindsay, one of our able-bodied riders who helps keep the horses fit. He’s a lucky fellow. All the horses and ponies look for stimulation from these able-bodied team members; a horse’s working day means many circuits of our arena in the lessons, so they much look forward to being taken out in the countryside whenever possible. www.rda-east.org.uk/shelley.html / 01473 824172

WILL YOU OPEN YOUR GARDEN IN 2019?

Help us to raise £2.5m to build a new breast care centre at Ipswich Hospital. We are looking for people to open their gardens in 2019 to raise money for the Blossom Appeal. Our vision is for every breast care patient to have the best possible experience when they come to Ipswich Hospital.

All types and size of garden are very welcome. You choose when to open. Simply ask visitors for a donation to view your garden. Sell refreshments, plants or crafts to boost your fundraising.

To help us to blossom, register your garden at: www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/opengardens Or for more information contact: charity@esneft.nhs.uk / 0300 770 1369

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

I work as part of a committed team of Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers on the Safer Neighbourhood Team. Our remit is to react to issues in the community with a problem solving approach to policing. We work closely with our partner agencies, responding to reports of crime and anti-social behaviour with the aim of making your areas a safer place to live and work for the whole community.

In order for us to achieve our goals, we rely on our communities to inform us of the issues in their areas that are a cause for concern. I aim to engage with your through traditional methods of patrolling your area and attending public events and forums as well as providing you with updates on social media and through our constabulary website. You can do this by following us on Facebook @IpswichWestPolice and on Twitter @HadleighPolice.

In addition to our social media posts we are promoting Police Connect.

This is a free messenger service for those who do not use social media, which means you can receive texts messages or emails with up-todate information about policing in your area. You can register online at www.suffolk.police.uk/services/police-connect or request a form from us via: CEOlowestoft@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Since the start of the New Year, I have been looking at crime trends in the rural areas around Suffolk. There have recently been a number of domestic burglaries. Please be vigilant with your home security as some of these offences have occurred where properties have been left insecure. A typical crime of this nature now involves criminals taking car keys from within a dwelling and then stealing vehicles from a driveway or garage. Avoid leaving keys hanging near to access points such as letterboxes or cat flaps where they can be easily accessed by the offender.

Another alarming crime trend involves something known as a ‘distraction’ or ‘artifice burglary’. This usually involves the perpetrator pretending to be someone of authority such as a police officer of someone from a service industry. They convince the occupant to allow them access to the property and then either steal items from inside or deceive the occupier into giving them money. Please be extra vigilant in relation to this type of crime and support elderly or vulnerable people in your community who may be more trusting of this type of caller at their door.

Our Suffolk police website has advice on preventing these and other crimes through our First Principle scheme. Please visit our website and go to the ‘Advice’ section.

If you have any quires or questions please contact Hadleigh SNT at Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD Hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Emergency: Call 999 Non-Emergency: Call 101 Follow us on Twitter@ HadleighPolice Police Connect: Suffolk.police.uk/police connect

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ON THE GRAPEVINE

PRESENTS SURGE BY JAYNE LINDILL Horizon Theatre presents an evening of local entertainment with welcome drinks, acoustic music and original drama Surge, a play written to mark the 65th anniversary of the East Coast Floods.

East Coast, January 31, 2018. A huge storm is brewing. Forecasters are predicting conditions not seen since the catastrophic night of January 31, 1953, when a storm surge and floods killed more than 300 people and made thousands homeless.

Steve Drury, born in the middle of that tempestuous night 65 years ago, is facing his own crisis. As his wife, Annie, organises a party to celebrate his milestone birthday and his retirement, he’s trying to come to terms with a future without the job that he loves and which has defined his very existence. But the real cause of his anxiety is his older sister, Maggie. Rendered mute by the trauma of that terrible night in 1953, she’s deeply disturbed by the arrival of this new storm. It arouses memories and emotions that have been submerged for a lifetime, and threatens to split open the past, revealing long held secrets and unleashing feelings of guilt, grief and loss with devastating consequences.

Jayne Lindill, who was born and brought up in Suffolk and now lives in Felixstowe, wrote the play as an original piece of drama for Horizon to perform at Ferry Fest Felixstowe 2018. It received great acclaim, and the company is now touring the play to towns and villages in February, at the time of year when the floods devastated the Suffolk coast.

The evening starts at 7.15pm with welcome drinks and acoustic music performed by cast members, and an exhibition about the floods compiled by Jean Macpherson and Bev Boyce, Felixstowe residents who are writing a book to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the floods.

Jean and Bev are interested to hear from people who have memories and information about the floods. The play starts at 7.45pm and lasts approximately 80 minutes.

Performance Schedule February 7: Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club February 8: Shotley Village Hall February 13: Ansell Centre, Hadleigh February 14: Waldringfield Village Hall February 15: Church Hall, Lower Road, Sproughton Tickets £5 on the door or contact: 07864 084423 / jaynelindill2@btinternet.com

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On the Grapevine / CHURCH NEWS AN EXCITING NEW VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY Do you enjoy talking to people and have a passion for helping older people in your community?

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Here at Age UK Suffolk, we believe it’s important that older people in Suffolk know how and where to access all of the help and information that is available to them.

We are trying to reach more of the people who need our help by raising awareness of the services we provide. To help us do this, we are recruiting a network of community links volunteers – people who are willing to become links within their community.

Age UK Suffolk provides many services, including telephone befriending, aimed at older people who are lonely or isolated. We also have our information and benefits advice line for people who have questions about the challenges of ageing, but may not know where to turn.

Your role as a community links volunteer will be to share information about Age UK Suffolk with older people, their families, carers and local groups, and also to feed back to us the wants and needs of older people in your neighbourhood in order to help us to improve our services.

Unfortunately, many of the people who most need our help are unaware that help is available to them, and don’t come to us until there is a crisis.

By being there for people earlier, we can help to prevent a crisis with support completing benefit applications, home adaptations, a diagnosis of dementia, or just simply someone to talk to.

If you have a few hours a week to spare, enjoy talking to people and are passionate about improving the lives of older people in your community, please get in touch with Lucy Evans: 01473 298684 / 07525 817984 community.links@ageuksuffolk.org

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

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

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

Tuesday 5 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 10 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 12 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 17 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 19 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 24 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 26 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet by the front door.

Catholic Commentary In a recent address the Pope said: “The service of fraternal voluntary work is a choice that makes one free and open to the needs of the other; to the demands of justice, to the defence of life, and to the protection of creation, with a tender and special attention to the sick and especially the elderly, who are a treasure of wisdom!” He emphasized: “I encourage you to continue your mission with passion, seeking all the possible and

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constructive forms for reawakening public opinion to the need to commit oneself to the common good, in support of the weak and the poor. There is a need for people who persevere, who face difficulties with a spirit of unity and always place the ultimate goal, service to others, at the basis of everything. Doing so, you will continue to be a point of reference and an example for all.”

Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday, January 27 at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £159 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday, February 24 at Holy Family, Brantham. The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or online at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv & Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for a new carpet for the parish room and all are very welcome to join us. There will be no December event and the next one will be on Thursday, February 28.

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

The Sick & Homebound Please let Fr Peter know of anyone who is ill at home or homebound so that they can receive appropriate pastoral care. If you or someone you know is going into Ipswich Hospital and would like the ministrations of the church while there please inform Fr Peter or leave a message on Deacon Clive’s answerphone on 01206 396319.

All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services; it’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic faith are always welcome.

Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.

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On the grapevine / CHURCH NEWS THE SECRET ART FAIR The Secret Art Fair comes to The Minories in Colchester for the weekend of March 1-3, offering curious people a chance to discover unique contemporary art. This intriguing and exciting art fair will be the go-to event for discovering a refined selection of professional contemporary artists showing work including original paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and fine art prints. The curator, Iona Hodgson, is working hard to make sure all participating artists show work that is both striking and beautiful.

All the work displayed will be available to buy directly from the artists and there promises to be something for everyone’s taste and purse.

If you are interested in discovering art or are looking for something special for your home, then don’t miss this opportunity and make sure you get to The Secret Art Fair early.

The organisers chose The Minories as it is a renowned art gallery and cultural space with a 60-year history in delivering art exhibitions and events as well as having an established and loyal following and being located in Colchester’s established Cultural Quarter next to First Site Gallery and the newly opened Curzon Cinema.

The Secret Art Fair offers selected artists from across the UK exhibition space to promote and sell their work directly. As well as access to the established venue and a curious and keen audience, artists will benefit from the promotion associated with the fair and associated marketing and press campaign.

Minories Art Gallery, 74 High Street, Colchester CO1 1UE

DEDHAM AND ARDLEIGH PARISHES Sunday, February 3 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 9.30am Rise N Shine, Dedham 11am Morning Worship (CW), Ardleigh 5pm Evensong (BCP), Dedham Sunday, February 10 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh 9.30am Holy Communion (CW), Dedham 6pm Service led by Ardleigh Christians Together Methodist Church, Ardleigh Sunday, February 17 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 9.30am Matins, Dedham 11am Parish Eucharist, Ardleigh 3pm Sunday@3, Ardleigh Sunday, February 24 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh 9.30am Morning Praise, Dedham 5pm Revive@5, Dedham Weekly Midweek Services Tuesday Morning Prayer at Dedham at 10.30am Thursday Evening Prayer at Ardleigh at 5pm Dedham Lunch Club: Monday, February 4, 12.30pm at Essex Rose Tea Rooms, Dedham. Book your place and quote ‘Dedham Lunch Club’ for discount.

Men’s Breakfast: Saturday, February 2, 9am at The Vicarage.

LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES For the truth of God’s Word and the Light of The Gospel Un-denominational/meeting at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street, Lawford CO11 2JE (unless otherwise stated) Our Worship Services are held on the second Saturday monthly in addition to other events.

Saturday, February 9 From 9.30am: Cafe/Oasis Coffee Morning & Sales Event 11.15am: Praise & Worship Service & Ministries Up-date Transport is available from Colchester & Maningtree District Friday, February 15 at The Venture Centre, Bromley Road 10am: New Prayer, Praise & Meeting Point Transport available from Colchester & Manningtree District Sunday, February 17: Supportive Outreach Fingringhoe Methodist Chapel, 3pm Songs of Praise Thursday, February 21: Community Support Great Horkesley Friendship Club Ministry News We thank all the many friends and supporters throughout the area who sent Christmas greetings during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. It’s a great encouragement to be aware of such widespread support. There was a large gathering for our annual Carol Service on December 8. Our guest speaker was Mr Stephen Spurgeon of Ipswich. This event also incorporated our annual Vehicle Support Gift Day and we thank all who supported this to the extent of £593.90. During the Over the christmas period we carried out a door-to-door leaflet distribution in parts of Lawford, and maintained our regular visits to patients in hospital or care homes in the area, Tours & Holidays Our new schedule of mini bus day excursions will be published shortly. Our new group catering schedule will also be available from February 1.

CONTACT DETAILS Group Catering Services: 07812 582754 (office hours only) Mini Bus Fellowship Tours: 01206 272064 (Monday-Friday) Soldiers & Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association Representative: 01255 504050 Special Pastoral Measures (including hospital transport and home visitation): 01206 272064

KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus COME AND WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS WITH US – ALL ARE WELCOME Hear the teaching of our saviour and King, lively praise and worship every Sunday at 11am at the Ivell Suite at The Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 1AH. Do you need someone to listen or in need of prayer?

Please contact David and Rosie: 01206 615228 / 07787 572977 info@thekeytoloveministries.co.uk www.keytoloveministries.com

Ardleigh Friendship Group: Tuesdays, February 12 & 26, 10am-noon at Ardleigh Church.

Alpha 2019: Every Tuesday, 12.30-2pm or 7-9pm at the Duchy Barn. www.dedham-and-ardleigh-parishes.org.uk

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CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT AND BRANTHAM Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn 01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com

10am 11am

Communion, East Bergholt Informal Service, Brantham

www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk

Sunday 24 8am 10am 11am

2nd Sunday Before Lent BCP Communion, East Bergholt Choral Matins, East Bergholt Communion, Brantham

Friday, March 1 3pm

Women’s World Day of Prayer Ecumenical Service, Brantham Everyone is welcome. The service this year has been prepared by the women of Slovenia.

Sunday 5 8am 11am 4pm

Sunday Next Before Lent BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion, Brantham Family@Church, East Bergholt

RAMBLING RECTOR As I write, Andy Murray is contemplating his future without competitive tennis because of severe pain brought about by his dedication to the game he loves. Members of Parliament (both men and women) have been subjected to horrific abuse, not only online, but in their faces as they exercise their democratic right to express their opinions and represent the people who elected them. Family discussions on Brexit have become battlefields. People in the villages I serve are feeling extremely unsettled by rumours of housing developments threatening to overwhelm us all, and are unhappily watching our glorious countryside change into cement blocks and lorry race tracks as the rumours become reality.

Change has always produced reactions ranging from joy, or mild irritation to spitting fury and violence. No one likes change. It is much more comfortable to stay the way we are. We know what to expect then.

Even the residents of the women’s refuge I used to help at in SA very often went back to their abusive partners because they couldn’t face the uncertainty of change. Better the devil you know, they said.

I deplore the steady disempowerment of parish councils and the way local views are ridden over roughshod by district and country councils, not to mention the government, and the way big business seems to be able to buy anything and find loopholes in the law to force through what they want. I also deplore the unsettling way in which we now disagree with one another. The cackling and howling in parliament debates reminds me of midnight activity in a SA game reserve. Radio discussions have become a test of who can shout the loudest. A conflict long ago between two small people in our household produced the immortal explanation, “It all started when he hit me back”.

LENT During Lent each person in the congregation will be given a pottery shell to carry with them as they journey towards Easter. This is the traditional sign of the pilgrim. A shell is used by many priests to scoop up the water during the sacrament of baptism. When our small group of pilgrims walks the Camino in May we will find the route is marked by shells. Check the website for details.

There is a BCP Communion every Sunday in East Bergholt at 8am.

Choral Matins is on the fourth Sunday in East Bergholt.

I have always maintained that we can disagree fundamentally and still be friends. That we can disagree fundamentally without needing to call one another names, or snipe in closed Facebook groups behind someone’s back without bothering to take the more difficult route and have a face to face conversation to get the proper facts before doubting someone’s motives. SA taught me that even the most painful disagreement can be resolved provided we are willing to admit that we can be wrong, and be willing to see the face of God in the other.

Instead of biting holes in one another, let’s join together in urging the powers that be to provide the sort of housing we do need, starter homes, scaling down homes and genuinely affordable homes. And what about a care home so that our elderly parishioners don’t have to move out of the village they have lived in all their lives to find the residential care that they need?

)DPLO\#&KXUFK

Rev Steph FEBRUARY 2019 Sunday 3 8am 10am 4pm

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Candlemas BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion with Procession, East Bergholt Family@Church, East Bergholt

Wednesday 6 9.30am

BCP Communion, East Bergholt

Sunday 10 8am 10am

4th Sunday Before Lent BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion with Bishop Mike Harrison, East Bergholt

Sunday 17 8am

3rd Sunday Before Lent BCP Communion, East Bergholt

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In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES A HOPE AND PEACE FILLED YEAR How was 2018, and how was Christmas for you? I hope many of you will have had a good time with family and friends. For some of you, there may have been difficulties, loved ones or yourself seriously ill – normal Christmas plans didn’t work out. For some there was family tension being together longer than you normally are. For some there would have been an empty space at the table, through death or ill health or breakdown in relationships.

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

Living together is often not easy. Before we moved into Suffolk, we lived in a community house in Norfolk with six to ten other people.

We learnt much about ourselves as we reacted well and badly with other community members. Relationships had to be worked at, not necessarily to bring unity, but to live peaceably with one another.

Our nation and local communities are also places where disagreements are bound to happen. The Brexit debate has divided families, communities, political parties, churches. Sometimes that results in offensive language and name calling of people who think differently from us. There are many other things that cause division among people, including priorities, theology, lifestyle, language, etc.

Think of the situations in which you have been in conflict with others.

What language did you use? What attitude did you have to the other person(s)? Did you get aggressive? Did you call (offensive) names, face to face or behind their backs? Did you listen to the other point of view?

There was an interesting series of programs on Radio 4 last year trying to help people understand other points of view better. One side would listen to their opponent’s argument and then feed it back to them in their own words. Then they would reverse roles. Trying to argue the opposite case to the one you hold. You have to listen and understand, rather than just marshaling your own arguments.

The Archbishop of Canterbury invited us to approach this new year in a “spirit of openness towards each other” choosing to see ourselves “as neighbours, as fellow citizens, as communities each with something to contribute”. With the struggles and divisions of recent years it won’t be easy. It will involve commitment to one another in the variety of communities that we are part of. May we play our part in having a hope and peace filled year.

The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist Church 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 FEBRUARY SERVICES AT BRANTHAM The Rev Ian Gardner, Minister at Brantham Methodist 34 Medway Road, Ipswich IP3 0QH ian.gardner@methodist.org.uk / 01473 411507 Sunday 3 Sunday 10 Sunday 17 Sunday 24

11am 11am 10.30am 11am

Communion with Rev Ian Gardner Worship with Mrs Maggie Finbow East Bergholt Congregational Church Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols

FEBRUARY SERVICES AT CAPEL Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 3 10.30am

6.30pm Sunday 10 10.30am Sunday 17 10.30am Saturday 23 3.30pm Sunday 24 10.30am

6.30pm

Worship with Rev Andrew Docherty Prayer Worship with Mr Matthew Forsyth Communion with Rev Pauline Bailey Messy Church Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey United Prayer at the Community Church

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O SING JOYFULLY!

©Paul Hurst

RHS CHAPEL CHOIR AND NORWICH CATHEDRAL CHOIR

CONDUCTORS: ASHLEY GROTE & WILLIAM SAUNDERS ORGAN: DAVID DUNNETT & DAVID PICKTHALL

SATURDAY 9 MARCH, 7PM PRE-CONCERT DRINKS FROM 6.30PM

SCHOOL CHAPEL, ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH IP9 2RX

Full: £10 | Conc: £7 | U18: FREE Available from experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic 01206 573948 SPONSORED BY MR & MRS A K SAUNDERS