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Volume 7 • Issue No. 2 • DECEMBER 2019
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Merry Christmas
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
NEWS
I’m going to return to a previous subject this month because it’s constantly on my mind. Every time I drive, every time I walk down a busy street or stand in a queue, and very occasionally at home, I’m struck by how impatient we have become. Almost everyone (and I include myself here) is so terribly busy, we seem to live our lives at a rate of knots. It’s utterly exhausting, but also brings less attractive qualities – such as insensitivity and selfishness – to the fore. This morning I witnessed three incidents of poor behaviour – one by a driver outside my son’s school, the second at the Co-op where a terribly important person huffed and puffed in obvious annoyance behind a lady who was struggling to find the correct coins to pay for her coffee, and the third at a pedestrian crossing when not one but two drivers ignored the couple waiting to cross. Not major incidents I know, and I don’t intend to draw major conclusions based on one bad morning, but am I the only one who thinks we have become a little less caring of others in our day-to-day lives? Often it’s the little things which make the difference, a polite wave when a driver gives way, a smile and a thank-you to a shop assistant, holding a shop or office door open, being a little kinder to a driver who may be unfamiliar with the road or just not as quick to react… My granddad was known to say, “Please and thank you will take you around the world”. It’s not entirely realistic, but the connotation is clear. Christmas can be a hectic time and the extra stress and expense may create additional frustrations when we’re out and about, but let’s resist the urge to snap back. What’s five minutes either way? You’ll get there in the end and do it without getting stressed or upsetting someone along the way. Kindness is a quality we all need to embrace a little bit more and it’s entirely free to give. Perhaps my granddad wasn’t so far off the mark after all. And on that note, my colleagues and I here at Mansion House Publishing wish you and yours the very best for the Christmas Season and the New Year.
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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ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 E: steve@colourplan.co.uk 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 East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the In Touch series of magazines.
In Touch Titles • S towmarket & 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
Wed 11 December is the advertising and editorial deadline for the January edition
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IT COMPANY SIGNS SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH FOOTBALL CLUB SMY IT Services, based just outside of Ipswich, has donated money to East Bergholt Football Club for the sponsorship package over the next two years. The club’s three senior teams, featuring more than 80 players, have been bought brand new SMY IT branded training tops and home football kits. Jonathan Smy, managing director of SMY IT Services, said: “We are absolutely delighted to provide this support to East Bergholt Football Club. It’s important to us to work with our community and East Bergholt Football Club is an integral part of that local community. We wish the club the best of luck throughout the 2019/20 season.” East Bergholt Football Club, which is based at Gandish Road, has three men’s senior teams as well as three ladies’ sides, five junior teams and one mini football session for children aged four to six. Martin Peck, chairman of East Bergholt Football Club, said: “We are thrilled to have SMY IT Services sign on as the main club sponsor for our senior teams here at East Bergholt. Running a non-league football club can be a struggle so we are extremely grateful for the support of SMY IT and our other sponsors for their support. It is great to have locally-based businesses wanting to support our club and their generosity will make a huge difference to us. Our players have been wearing their new home kit with pride.” SMY IT is a high-quality IT support, cloud and consultancy provider which offers a range of services to businesses who rely on computer and phone systems. It offers bespoke computing services to companies nationwide. For more information: www.smyservices.com / 01473 557203
APPEAL FOR NEW FIRST RESPONDERS Currently there are seven active Heartwatch First Responders covering East Bergholt, East End, Holton St Mary, Brantham and Bentley, round the clock, seven days a week. Three are over 60 and, although not planning to, may wish to retire at some point. This standard of service, which has been in operation for 18 years (Bergholt was the first village in Suffolk to get going), will not be possible with the four remaining responders who also go to work. We must repeat: we urgently need more Community First Responders (CFR) team members. It’s not difficult to become a CFR. You would be trained over a period of three weekends (we would pay out of pocket expenses) and partnered with more experienced CFRs until you feel confident to go solo. You would be an integral part of a huge team which includes every paramedic, the East Anglian Operations desk medical team and equally important: You would be supported by others in the local team who co-ordinate the monthly schedules, service defibrillators and provide day-to-day help. You would be able decide how you wish to allocate your time throughout the month and it could be anything from a couple of hours to as many hours as you wish. It is up to local residents to decide if they value this service enough to volunteer. With new volunteers the time on CFR duty becomes easier to manage. It is well worth the effort. Heartwatch Committee
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NEWS CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Appointment System and GP+ Generally, feedback from patients on the new appointment system has been very positive. Many haven’t needed to visit the practice to resolve their medical issue, which has enabled our doctors to spend more time with patients who need to be seen in person. However, the practice has limited capacity and we need to make full use of other services available to us. GP+ is an out-of-hours service offering GP, Nurse Practitioner and Practice Nurse appointments during weekday evenings and at weekends. The service operates form Ipswich and Stowmarket and typically GP appointments are 15 minutes rather than the usual 10.
ARDLEIGH & DEDHAM SURGERY We are coming up to the busy Christmas period where many of us will be meeting up with groups of friends and relations. This increases the risk of flu and pneumonia transmission so make sure your vaccines are up to date. The surgeries and dispensary will be closed for the three bank holidays only (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). The last date for ordering repeat medication to be collected before the Christmas break will be December 19; please don’t over order as this will not be necessary. Please note, from February our dispensary will open at 9am on Wednesdays to enable dispensing staff to complete weekly stock checks. Opening times for the rest of the week remain unchanged.
Our receptionists can book appointments with GP+, which may be more convenient if you work during the day, and will help relieve pressure on our busy practice. Our doctors may also offer you an appointment with GP+ if they feel you need to be seen in person.
Try not to book routine reviews over the Christmas period (unless your normal working hours make these the only times you are available!). NHS 111 services will be available on the bank holidays so if you have a serious illness requiring advice please call them.
Flu Vaccinations We held four flu clinics through September and October and vaccinated 2,035 over-65s and 448 under-65 eligible patients. This is a great achievement, but we need to vaccinate as many eligible patients as possible. We have plenty of appointments available so just ring the practice to book your vaccination. Please note we can only vaccinate patients we have sent a letter to. We are unable to vaccinate children who would normally be vaccinated via the school programme unless they have a health condition and we have sent them a letter.
May we remind those of you fortunate enough to be planning holidays abroad that you need to complete a Travel Form (available on our website or from the surgeries). The completed form should be returned to us at least six weeks before you plan to travel so that we can provide all vaccinations needed.
We also raised well over £1,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice at our flu clinics, so thank you all for your generosity. Training Days Please note that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Wednesday 11 December and Thursday 6 February. On these afternoons the Capel St Mary building will be open to enable access to the pharmacy, but 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. Our phone lines will be closed for the afternoon. If you need medical assistance please contact 111. If your need is urgent then please dial 999 or attend your local A&E. Practice Manager Pete Keeble
For those of you staying at home, cases of Lyme’s disease in the UK are increasing; there were over 8,000 cases in 2019. Lyme’s disease is caused by bacteria spread through the mouth of ticks, most prevalent in long grass and woodland/forested areas. It can cause serious long-term health problems, so if you find a tick on your skin, or think you were bitten, make an urgent appointment with one of the nurses. A blood test can confirm the disease. For further information go to: www.lymediseaseuk.com Patient Participation Group We are hoping to reinvigorate this when our new practice manager starts at the end of November. If you are willing to join and can spare an evening every month or so, we would love to hear from you. We would like to make the group more representative of our patient profiles, so young people and those with young families would be very welcome. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON May I first wish you Season’s Greetings and the very best for 2020. I hope the new decade brings you health, happiness and prosperity. There has been a lot of talk recently about the NHS and its failings/ successes depending on your viewpoint. Let me first say that through first-hand experience I have nothing but praise for the staff and overall care, that in my wife’s case, Ipswich Hospital provides. From the First Responder from Dedham to the ambulance crew from Saxmundham, the Emergency Room staff, the Intensive Care Team and ward staff, they were efficient, caring and professional and we should be proud of them all. Where is the “but” I hear you say? Well the first two teams in my case should give you a clue – I live in East Bergholt! Secondly, despite the wonderful staff and care, there was no doubt that resources were stretched and they were short on staff, beds and materials. A long discussion with an ICU Consultant resulted in a remarkable degree of consensus. Building more homes for more people puts pressure on all our infrastructure, from roads to schools, jobs and health care, whether
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it be GP surgeries or hospitals and, above all, after care. New builds at Ipswich have a level of ‘expansion’ built into them but the new builds are few and far between, and have you tried to park at Ipswich Hospital? We need to consider more than just housing when we embark on ambitious schemes and think of all the other aspects that are likely to be involved. Three times in the past week the Orwell Bridge has been closed, once due to high winds, what the other two were for is to me a mystery, but it highlights just one aspect of our creaking infrastructure, after, of course, the hospitals. Whatever the result of the General Election, what we need in my simple opinion is a lot more common sense from Westminster and more of what they can do for the public rather than what the public can do for them, fewer grand gestures and more joined up thinking. Once again, Season’s Greetings and all the best for 2020. Councillor John Hinton, East Bergholt Ward
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM
THE ORCHARD PLAYERS 2020 PANTO
Hello everyone, Now that we officially in the winter months can we remind everyone to take a few minutes to check their vehicles to ensure all lights are working as well as tyres being correctly inflated with plenty of tread. Also carry a blanket, torch and emergency equipment in case of bad weather.
Red Riding Hood, January 9-11 at Capel St Mary Community Centre Not many things can upset the villagers of Fermley on the Fiddle – that is except werewolves and politicians! This Panto season, join us as we tell the story of the most famous Red Hood around. Can the Woodcutter outwit the Wolf? Will Red get to Granny in time? Or will the evil Baroness hoodwink them all? You’re in for a howling experience!
Suffolk continues to experience fraud with members of the public being asked to send money or transfer money from bank accounts. Please remember your bank or police will never phone you and ask you for your full PIN or password, or send someone to your home to collect cash, PINS, cards or cheque books. Please report any fraud to: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Tickets (£8/£6) for performances on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January at 7.30pm, and at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 11 are now on sale. Box Office Number: 07793 820215
Suffolk Police are recruiting again at the moment. Do you fancy a job where every day is different? Walk a new path and join Suffolk Police as a constable. Please look at our website for further information. Finally, after 28 years PC Porter is retiring from Suffolk Constabulary. Your point of contact will continue to be PC Sarah George. PC Porter would just like to thank everyone for making her career a happy one. She has enjoyed her latest role at Hadleigh Police Station. If your group or club would like a police visit, please contact PC George to arrange. Perhaps you would like a personal safety talk or an informal chat over a coffee. Please email Sarah at: sarah.george2@suffolk.pnn.police.uk You can report non urgent crimes online via: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us
ESSEX POLICE CHOIR IN CONCERT Essex Police Choir will be performing at Manningtree Methodist Church on Saturday 7 December at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6 and available from either Maggie on 07867 546484 or on the door on the night.
You can also call the police on 101 to report crimes and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. In an emergency always call 999.
A raffle for East Anglian Children’s Hospice will also be held on the night.
Kindest regards, PC Sarah George and PC Diane Porter
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OUT & ABOUT EAST BERGHOLT CINEMA The Constable Hall, Gandish Road East Bergholt CO7 6TP All films start at 8pm. Please note we cannot open the doors to the hall until 7.45pm, but the Benneworth Bar will be open from 7.30pm. The bar and refreshments, including locally made ice-creams, are also available in the interval. Friday 6 December: Yesterday (12A) 113 minutes Come and enjoy this romantic comedy set in Suffolk. Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle, the film features a whole host of Suffolk locations such as Halesworth High Street, Shingle Street, Latitude Festival, Lowestoft and Dunwich. After a freak accident during a worldwide blackout, struggling musician Jack Malik wakes to discover that he is the only person in the world to remember The Beatles. Using this newfound benefit to his advantage, Jack begins plagiarising the work of the legendary band to launch his career to superstardom.
Are you looking for a new club to join? Do you see yourself as a performing arts enthusiast? Are you aged between 7 & 18? Junior BATS and Teen BATS are looking for actors and actresses. Come along to Brantham Village Hall every Friday where you will have the opportunity to learn to act, sing and write. All abilities welcome. Contact: BATS.JandT@gmail.com Junior Bats: 7-8.30pm every Friday (excluding school holidays), ages 7-11 years Teen Bats: 8.30-10pm every Friday (excluding school holidays), ages 11-18 years
Friday 3 January: Rocketman (15) 121 minutes Rocketman is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John, “a heart-racing, toe-tapping, all-glitter-cannons-blazing triumph” (Daily Telegraph). Buy tickets (£5/£2.50) in advance at the Fountain House Tearoom, East Bergholt, reserve tickets until 7.45pm on the night by calling Noelleen on 01206 299774, or buy on the door. Find out more at: www.eastbergholtcinema.co.uk
MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Nik Szymanek recently gave a fascinating talk on astrophotography, illustrated with amazing images of the moon, stars, planets and our milky way. It was interesting to learn how stars change and evolve, however the distances from earth were difficult to comprehend. Nik has travelled extensively in this field and some images were taken from observatories in the Canary Islands and Hawaii. He explained how he achieved his images through his observatory in his garden and gave tips on how we could try astrophotography with and without using a telescope. We had two competition evenings in October. The first, open colour prints, attracted 51 entries. Mark Rivers was awarded first and second place with The End is Nigh and Working the Land (pictured). Jill Sullivan was awarded third place for Daisy White. The second competition, open colour and black and white PDIs, attracted more than 70 very high standard entries, the winning images can be viewed online.
At the recent North Essex Theatre Guild Awards, BATS were honoured to receive the award for Best Costume for Off to Treasure Island. A very well done to all involved. Look out for our next production, Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, playing from February 16-22. www.batsonline.co.uk
CONSTABLE SINGERS Dove Close Community Housing, Capel: Friday 29 November, 7pm Christmas Songs Charity Bazaar, Constable Hall, East Bergholt: Sunday 1 December, 12.30pm Christmas Songs Bypass Nurseries, Capel Charity Evening: Friday 6 December, 6.30pm Christmas Songs Pensioners Lunch, Constable Hall, East Bergholt: Sunday 8 December, 2pm Christmas Songs
On December 5 we have a programme change and now have a talk on macro digital photography by Roger Hance. Our Christmas social will be on December 12
The Grange, East Bergholt: Friday 20 December, 6.30pm Christmas Songs
Meetings are held on the second, fourth and fifth Thursdays of the month between September and May at 7.30pm at the St Johns Ambulance Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. New members are welcome to join us or may attend initially as a visitor. Please contact our secretary for details: 01206 393751 / madps@post.com
We welcome anyone to join us at our weekly sessions held at The Lambe School in East Bergholt on Thursday from 7pm (apart from the second Thursday when we rehearse at The Congregational Church). There’s no audition, the first session is free and the words are provided as we sing along to backing tracks once we’ve learnt the song. We sing for enjoyment!
www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk
For further information contact Mel: 01206 298628
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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY
NOTES FROM THE CASE
Book tokens are sold in the library and they make great Christmas presents, especially if you need to post. We can even sell you the stamps.
Christmas really feels as if it’s approaching us very quickly now and here at The Case we are certainly getting ready for it. We will be open right through the holiday, as follows:
The Friends of Capel Library will be holding their AGM on Saturday 25 January at 4pm in Capel Library. Please come along to find out what we got up to in 2019 and what’s planned for 2020.
Christmas Eve: noon-2.30pm & 7-11.30pm
The library will close on Friday 10 January at 5pm and at 12.30pm on Saturday 11 January. This is to accommodate the Orchard Players pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood. We will be open as usual in the morning of Saturday 11 January.
Christmas Day: noon-2pm & 7-10pm
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
New Year’s Day: Normal hours
Tot Rock: Every Thursday, 9.30-10.15am; nursery rhymes and story time for the under fives
We will be gathering in the pub on Sunday 22 December for our annual carol singing. Singing begins around 5pm, so come along and give your Christmas a traditional start.
Capel Creators: Saturday 21 December, 10.30am-12.30pm, for children and adults of any age. Come along and see what fantastic models you can build with Lego! The £1 charge includes a drink and a biscuit. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Minecraft: This club doesn’t run through December Scrabble Club: Every Friday, 2.30-4.30pm, all abilities welcome, game boards are provided. Capel Library Book Group: The group doesn’t meet in December. The next get-together will be Friday 17 January. This adult group meets on the third Friday of each month in the library from 2.30pm. Come along, pick up the book they are currently reading and join in. We have a great selection of books for sale, which are perfect for holiday reads. 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 Tel: 01473 311699
STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB
Boxing Day: Normal hours New Year’s Eve: 7pm-late
Our very popular Open Mic Night is on Tuesday 3 December. Music starts around 8.30pm; for more details contact Dave on 07885 963882. On Saturday 7 December, Brooke Telling, one of our regular performers and a star in the making, will be playing at The Case to celebrate the release of her first CD. The music begins at 8.30pm. Our December Games Evenings will be on Saturday 14 from around 7.30pm. If you haven’t been, they’re very informal and always a lot of fun – just come along and join in. The December quiz will be on Saturday 28, starting at 8.30pm. As always, teams can be up to six members, entry is £2. All profits from this and the raffle will be donated to our charity of the year, FIND. To help blow away the winter blues, on Saturday 18 January we will have The Tea Ladies to entertain you. They will be performing their eclectic mixture of Elvis to heavy rock, via a dash of reggae, played in their own unmistakeable style. By the way, they aren’t ladies and they rarely drink tea! The music starts at 8.30pm. Please note, Jane, our mid-week cook, will be taking a well-deserved break over the holiday period and the kitchen will be closed from Monday 23 December, reopening for light lunches on Wednesday 8 January. Also Esther will be taking a break so Sunday lunches will not be available on Sunday 29 December and Sunday 5 January but she will be back on Sunday 12 January. And finally, we would like to give a huge thank you to the team of 15+ volunteers who gave our garden its autumn tidy up. As before, after all their hard work they were rewarded with very welcome hot bacon rolls and coffee. We will be doing it again in the spring, so if you would like to join in please ask at the pub. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at The Case!
Our speaker on December 4 is Simon Gallop with The Unknown Constable Country and we end the year with our popular annual Christmas quiz. It’s rumoured that there are some valuable prizes to be won on this occasion!
01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk/whats-on
We will not meet on January 1 so our first meeting of 2020 will be on Wednesday 15 January when fellow member Michael Hole will present a talk entitled First and Second World War Prisoner of War Camps. On February 5 Carole Wheatley will enlighten us on Internment in Guernsey during the Second World War and on February 19 Colin Hopper will present The Story of London Bridge.
VILLAGE LINK
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 speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202
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www.facebook.com/TheCaseBentley
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11 December at 10am in Tattingstone Village Hall when Barbara Faulkner will present a humorous talk on The Man in Red. Our aim is to bring communities together and over the years we have attracted members from many villages, men and women of various ages. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am to noon. I would like to welcome back former members and to see new members from all local villages, either as visitors or members. If you wish to take part in our Christmas tombola please bring a small wrapped present to include. Also bring a small plate of food to share with refreshments. Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS STOUR VALLEY U3A We don’t hold a speaker meeting in December but instead a Christmas lunch and this year it’s being held on Wednesday 11 December at the Ipswich Best Western Hotel, Copdock IP8 3JD. This is always a very popular event so an early reservation is advised. On January 8 Chris Parfitt, a retired teacher, will enlighten us on The Mysteries of Easter Island. Chris will present an illustrated talk in which he will look at life on this remote island today and explore its unique history revolving mainly around the famous statues and some of the theories surrounding them. Tracy from the Giggly Pig Co will talk on The Life & Times of an Essex Bad Girl on Wednesday 12 February. Just how did she manage to change the direction of her life into being a pig farmer and successful sausage producer? 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. 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 31 January.
Many residents of East Bergholt and the surrounding communities may not be aware that regular pickleball sessions are held throughout the week at East Bergholt Sports Centre and Hintlesham Community Hall. Pickleball was created in America in 1965 and is possibly best described as a mixture of tennis and badminton. It is hoped to expand local interest in the sport, therefore this is an invitation to anyone over 16 to come along and give it a go! As the club structure develops it is planned to introduce a junior section, thereby making the game available to all ages. Anyone interested should visit: www.southsuffolkpickleball.co.uk or www.facebook.com/groups/sspball Or contact: hello@southsuffolkpickleball.co.uk / 07747 618615
ROBIN’S NEWS
DEDHAM WEA The Dedham branch of the Worker’s Educational Association (WEA) invites people to enrol on their next course entitled The Golden Age of TV Drama. The course is held at the Munnings Museum in Dedham and comprises of 10 weekly sessions from 10.30am-noon, running from January 8 to March 18 with a half term break on February 19. The course tutor is David Read, and the course description is as follows: Was there ever a Golden Age of TV drama? The course will look at some of the seminal productions of the 60s ,70s and 80s that established the reputation of original TV drama as a new art form. The course will explore the influence of key writers such as Dennis Potter, David Mercer and John Hopkins and pioneering directors such as Ken Loach, Peter Watkins and Edgar Reitz, and will consider the impact their productions had on the public in the age before multi-channel TV. Each week will look at an individual play or series in terms of its stylistic techniques and innovations, its themes and its wider influences on the development of TV drama. The cost of the course is £57.75, but there may be some reductions for those on certain state benefits. You can enrolment online (www.wea. org.uk) or by telephoning 0300 303 3464, but it’s important to quote the course reference number C2226621. If telephoning it is possible to pay by cheque to the local branch. Further information or advice contact: 01206 322565 / colinbiggins869@btinternet.com
MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 10 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 with the group, please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk
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Baby Bears Although the wintery weather is approaching, we are still making the most of our outdoor environment. Our outdoor sleeping area is still open to those who wish for their children to sleep outdoors. We provide children with fleecy sleepsuits, sleeping bags and warm fleecy blankets. There will be days where it’s just too cold, windy or rainy for this to be appropriate, but for the most part we will be sleeping outdoors. Through researching sleeping outdoors, it’s believed in many sources that sleeping outdoors, rather than in a room with other children and the heating on, the risk of the spread of germs, colds and illness is reduced. It is suggested by activeforlife.com that spending time in enclosed spaces can contribute to the spread of germs. Toddling Tigers The Tigers have been developing their turn-taking skills recently using the wishing well in the garden. We have demonstrated to the children how to use the handle safely in order to raise and lower the bucket. The children then used mathematical language to discuss the direction of the bucket and the handle. The children also were able to exercise the cognitive development in the brain ‘crossing the midline’ through circular gross motor motion of turning the handle. Gruffalos We are continuing along our curious journey with lots of exciting things planned to ignite their curious sides. The children will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of authentic resources throughout December. It will be completely led by the children’s own creative ideas and inspiration. They may wish to use the Curious Christmas resources in playdough or water. They may choose to paint or glue them. They may choose to use them in a way we as adults could never imagine! There is no right or wrong way to be curious and investigate, the most important thing is that the children are allowed the time and space to do this in a way that sparks their own interest and learning style. We hope you all have a happy and curious Christmas! Meerkats With the evenings becoming darker earlier, it’s an opportunity for the Meerkats at after school club to make the most of the darkness by exploring the great outside by torch light. The Meerkats love to go outside all year round and have also enjoyed various cooking activities; these have been a great success and we have some fantastic wintery recipes planned to look forward to. If you would like further information about Robin’s Childcare, please contact Emma: 01473 310767 / info@robinschildcare.co.uk
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SCHOOLS / SPORT BENTLEY CEVC & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS Jingle bells! Yes it is that time of year already! Plans are already well underway for the festive season. Both schools are having their Christmas Fayres on the same date this year. On Friday 13 December we warmly invite everyone from our local and school communities to join us from 3.15-5pm for a chance to share the Christmas cheer and bag yourself a few bargain gifts! This term has been a busy one with lots of trips out and some special visitors. Bentley had a visit from two police officers who came to talk to them about what the police do, how and when to contact them and how to keep yourself safe. There was much excitement when a police car rocked up on to the playground and you can only imagine the joy on the children’s faces as they set off the sirens and blue flashing lights! We would like to thank Suffolk Police for their time and support. Hedgehogs and Woodpeckers were treated to a dramatic morning of learning by the East Anglian Faith Alliance and Open the Tent team who performed ‘story stations’ telling the story of Diwali in a super creative and interactive way. The children and staff couldn’t sing the group’s praises highly enough, and all had a great learning experience. Both schools have held successful open days and evenings for prospective parents. If you were hoping to come along, but couldn’t make it, please do get in touch with the schools; we would be more than happy to give you the guided tour. Bentley CEVC Primary School: 01473 310253 / admin@bentley.suffolk.sch.uk Copdock Primary School: 01473 730337 / admin@bentley.suffolk.sch.uk
LAWFORD FOOTBALL CLUB Lawford Ladies Seeking New Players The ladies team at Lawford Football Club is looking for new players aged sixteen and over to join their team. Based at School Lane in Lawford, this friendly local woman’s football team is well established with a record of success. The team benefits from excellent facilities at School Lane, including a modern clubhouse and award winning pitches. Training on Thursday between 7-8pm is led by highly motivated FA qualified coaches. Matches are played on Sunday. If you’re interested in getting involved and joining a very friendly and welcoming bunch of players, please contact Si Collinson (07843 559218), Aaron Finch (07852 329404) or Lloyd Bellett: (shelley.bellett@btinternet.com).
MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB The club is delighted that Clubmark status has been renewed. This is an important accreditation as it’s the universally acknowledged cross sport accreditation scheme for community sports clubs. It stands for higher standards of welfare, equity, coaching and management in community sports clubs, making sure the nation’s sports club infrastructure is safer, stronger and more successful. October 2019 100 Club Winners 1: Keith Garwood (22) £120 2: Amarjeet Mehmi (77) £60 3: Stuart Barwood (67) £50 For anyone new to the area, you will always be welcome at New Road, either as a player or spectator. For more information please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com The club runs three Saturday and two Sunday sides at men’s adult level. The 1st Team will play in the Two Counties Division One, the 2nd Team in Division 3 and the 3rd Team in either Division Eight or Nine, depending on the final structure of the league in 2020. So there is cricket available for all levels.
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EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC The 1st Team have continued their high scoring form with one 7-0 and two 4-1 victories sandwiching an extra time exit in the Morrison Freight Cup. The Reserves have also been amongst the goals, scoring five in advancing to the next round of the Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup, seven in a victory and four on two occasions, one draw and one defeat, in the League. The A Team didn’t have any wins in October, but the young team have acquitted themselves well. UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team: Senior Division 23 Nov: Westerfield Utd (H) 30 Nov: Henley Athletic (A) 14 Dec: Achilles (H) 21 Dec: Trimley Red Devils (A) 28 Dec: Bourne Vale Utd (H) Reserves: League A 23 Nov: Haughley Utd Res (A) 30 Nov: AFC Kesgrave Res (H) 7 Dec: Old Newton Res (H) 14 Dec: Coplestonians Res (A) 21 Dec: Trimley Red Devils Res (H) A Team: League C 23 Nov: Hundon Res (A) 30 Nov: Wickham Market Res (A) 7 Dec: Leiston St Margarets Res (A) 21 Dec: Stowupland Falcons Res (A) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Sponsorship We would like to thank our sponsors for this season: Smy IT Specialists, JAK, Riverside Taxis Manningtree, Marquis, Bergholt Travel, G & C Timber & Joinery Ltd, Primus and Kitchen Worktops Online. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. 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. Also ladies who would like to join are welcome. If you are interested please contact David George: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com Events The darts tournament will be held in January 2020. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for details. The FIFA tournament will be repeated and is open to all-comers so keep an eye out for the next one. This upcoming season is the 125th anniversary of the club, there will be special events to mark this momentous achievement. We want to get in touch with as many former players and officials as possible. Please let us have your details by contacting our secretary or on our Facebook page. Keep in touch for details, but keep Easter Sunday 2020 free. Follow us on: Facebook: East Bergholt United Football Club Instagram: east_bergholt_united_fc Twitter: @EBUFC1 Steve Butcher (secretary): stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
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St Mary the Virgin, East Bergholt Sunday 15th December 2019 at 3.00pm A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with
THE CHOIR OF ST MARY’S and
ST MARY’S BRASS followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies bring a small torch just in case!
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OUT & ABOUT / CHURCH NEWS
EBONY’S BLOG: Life at The Shelley Centre
Meeting at Old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree
So now the weather starts to disrupt the programme of rides and our riders can’t always be sure they will get up on a pony and enjoy an outdoor lesson. That’s where I can help; on really wet days each rider can have 10 minutes on my back, practising skills that might not be possible on a live horse. The best thing I help with is rising trot. Looks easy? Ha, you just try that little uplift of your bottom while keeping yourself sitting tall, and balanced, and in rhythm with my body as I emulate the trot for you! At least if the rider clutches tightly on the reins by mistake, I won’t slow down or get confused. My mouth is pretty tough so the rider is forgiven. It’s also good fun teaching this skill; there are often squeals of laughter from my room as the bouncing continues.
Tradition or Truth? Christmas is full of traditions, some of them fun and some of them downright weird. The UK website ‘holidayextras.co.uk’, lists their top 10 alternative ideas for Christmas including naked saunas in Finland in memory of the ancestors and ‘Bad Santa’ in Austria “in search of badly-behaved children”. But my favourite is the Ukraine’s tradition of decorating their trees with imitations of the spider’s web, shimmering with dew. The tradition goes back to a folktale about a poor widow who couldn’t afford other decorations and the house spiders took pity on the family and spun beautiful webs all over the tree. In other cultures, the spider’s web is a sign of neglect, of something that has been left to rot or is past usefulness, broken, dead. Something that in our lives is often picked up and taken outside, the spider, becomes in this tradition the provider of beauty and joy.
In addition to this session with me, a cancelled outdoor ride gives time for revision of the horsemanship skills needed to pass grades and earn certificates. RDA is committed to helping each rider to gain knowledge and understanding of the horse world, and to reinforcing the learning that school pupils receive through the national curriculum. Having a riding lesson during school hours will complement a person’s learning journey.
And that is like the truth behind the Christmas story. A baby, a little boy, born to an unmarried mother and who society considered an outcast, yet He was born to be King. However, the truth about this baby is just amazing. The evidence of history is overwhelming in explaining that this baby was promised a long time before; had been watched for and expected by the Jewish people, He was their Messiah. Many had lived lives in anticipation of God sending Him to the world; for some it had become tradition, but for others it was a real live faith, a powerful hope.
This is also the season of mud, as any horse owner will know. Our live horses live out, nicely rugged-up against the wet, but their field gates become well ploughed up by their hooves, and in fetching them in or leading them out, our volunteers have to wade through the quagmire. Its not fun, but ‘all in a good cause’ as we say. Luckily I don’t have mud in my room, and we can switch on the heater in the worst of weather.
Many live in faith today and for them it is the truth of Christmas that is far more important that the traditions. Yes, we will still sing carols and give presents; and get some too we hope! We will probably share a big meal together and listen to our favourite music and watch some TV. But for many of us the most important tradition we have is reading the truth! We will open our Bibles and spend some time studying the eyewitness accounts of that baby. We will investigate carefully. We will expect to hear God Himself remind us of something we have forgotten and teach us something new. This year we are looking at the account of Jesus’ birth written by Luke and we expect to hear Mary’s song of joy as she visits her relative Elizabeth; we will hear about the smelly shepherds and their angelic visitors and we will read again the accounts of those who met Jesus and whose lives were changed. So what about you? Will this Christmas be just another traipsing through the old traditions? Maybe you’ve realised they don’t really offer anything and you’re planning to change some of them to see if you can have a better Christmas. There is one cast-iron guaranteed way to really enjoy Christmas this year and that is to get at the truth. Join us any Sunday in Advent at Trinity and share the joy and wonder as we read again the history, the truth of this event we celebrate. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been to church for a while, or ever before, as we will do everything we can to make you welcome. Indeed our 5pm evening service is just for you!
Christmas will soon be celebrated around the world, whatever the local climate may be. I think we are lucky that it happens during our winter when darkness descends early and there is every excuse for candlelight. Once again, our carol service will begin in the yard with riders and their families gathered in. We shall have prayers read by some of the riders, music, mulled wine and mince pies.
On December 1 we take our evening service, Advent Carols, into the Ironside Walk Ballroom at the earlier time of 4.30pm. On December 22 we have a Family Nativity (10.30am) and Carols by Candlelight (5pm). Services last between 60 and 90 minutes and refreshments follow. www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk / 01206 393745
As darkness falls the Shetland ponies lead the large Shelly family down the hill to the lane and along the lantern lit route to Shelley Church. Each pony is represented by a candle, carried by one of their riders, who place it on the altar for a blessing. It’s the perfect way to remember our connection with a far away, much more primitive stable being mentioned all over the planet at this time of year. No doubt, our volunteers will be having their Christmas party too. I shall pick up the gossip afterwards, but not be there myself of course. I hope all my readers have an enjoyable festival and keep well and happy throughout this busy time. See you in the new year! www.shelleyrda.com / 01473 824172
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CHURCH NEWS
KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave his only son. That if we believed in him he gives us life. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. If you need to talk to someone about any needs please contact us and we will do all we can to help. ALPHA! Course A non-denominational church teaching the love of Jesus’s Gospel. Sunday Service: 11am-12.30pm The Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE Contact David: 07787 572977 / davidrhule@icloud.com www.keytoloveministries.com
LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Un-denominational – Evangelical, meeting in Lawford at the Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street CO11 2JG (unless otherwise stated) Saturdays (second in month) sees our popular Cafe/Oasis Coffee Morning from 9.30-11.45am. This is followed by our Divine Worship Service which is conducted by our pastor with supporting ministry. No meeting in December. Our Cafe/Oasis event on 12 October was blessed with a large attendance in spite of the rain. It was a joy to welcome newcomers, and some who had travelled from a distance. Fridays (third in month) at The Venture Centre on Bromley Road is our monthly Meeting Point for Bible Study, fellowship, praise and news/mission up-dates, 10am-noon. This month we meet on 18 December.
BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES Seeing for Myself Have you ever been told something and passed the information on to others and then discovered it was untrue? It can be a bit embarrassing and we may protest, “Well that’s what I was told”. We may even go so far as to name the person who told us. A girl bought up in the centre of England far from the coast, was walking with her boyfriend’s family near the sea. There was a lot of stringy seaweed and he told her that there must be a string factory around the headland and what she was seeing was the offcuts thrown in the sea. At first she believed him and enquired more, expressing disgust that a factory could discharge its waste into the sea. Before she had a chance to go to the shoreline and examine the ‘string’ herself, she realised that it was a joke that she had fallen for. I grew up in a Christian household. I was told the stories of Jesus, I went to Sunday School and loved my Sunday School teacher. I loved the stories and many people around me believed the stories. A few knocks to my simple faith came and I began to wonder whether it was a joke, stories just made up. My brother told me about a group of young people meeting in the Potteries which had grown from four to 150 young people in four years. I went along and for these young people the stories were vividly true – not just in the historic case of in Jesus’s time, but God was speaking to them personally. A girl younger than me got up at the end of the meeting and said anyone can come and meet Jesus. I realised then that I knew lots about Jesus, but I didn’t ‘know’ Jesus. Like I know a lot about the Queen, but I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me. That evening, I ‘came’ to Jesus, discovered he knew my name and everything about me – including the wrong things I had done, and despite that, he still loved me and I could talk with him. Two thousand years ago on the hillside outside Bethlehem shepherds were told of the birth of a baby, born to be the Saviour. It could have been a joke, a fantastic laser light display with sound effects, but they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see if it’s true for ourselves”. They hurried off and found the baby and all the detail was exactly as they had been told. As they returned to their sheep, they told everyone what they had heard and seen. I still love introducing people to Jesus. I would love for to see for yourself. You can’t rely on my faith, Jesus knows you and he wants you to know him. Jesus came into our world 2,000 years ago in the flesh, now he comes by his Spirit and you can know him. Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist Church 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary, Ipswich IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 BRANTHAM METHODIST
For New Year services and events please see the special leaflet or visit: www.linklinecmnortheastessex.co.uk
Rev Ian Gardner, Minister at Brantham Methodist 34 Medway Road, Ipswich IP3 0QH ian.gardner@methodist.org.uk / 01473 411507
We warmly welcome people of all ages.
Sunday 1
NEWS Our pastoral visitation programme continues to be a source of comfort, fellowship and assurance as we maintain our contacts with folk at home or in hospital.
Sunday 8
2.30pm Christmas Songs of Praise
Sunday 15
11am
Worship with Mr William Glasse
Sunday 22
11am
Worship with Dr Liz Cope
Sunday 29
11am
Worship with Mr Roger Fern
Our coach holiday to Eastbourne in September proved to be a time of much blessing. We welcomed newcomers from the Tendring district. The services of King’s Coaches and accompanying trained stewards all contributed to a very happy event. For pastoral visits and further information on our work and witness, please contact us at: 01206 272064 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk
DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com 18
11am
Communion with Rev Ian Gardner
AT CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 1
10.30am Worship with Mr Victor Jack 6.30pm Prayer
Sunday 8
10.30am Worship with Mr Tom Boswell
Sunday 15
10.30am All-age Christmas Celebration 6.30pm Carol Service with Rev Andrew Sankey
Sunday 22 10.30am Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey 4-5pm Cakes and Carols – for all ages Christmas Day 9.30am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 29
10.30am Worship with Mr Roger Hulford
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CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Fr Paul Vincent, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 / www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR DECEMBER
The weekly newsletter, with all the parish mass times, is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door of the church.
Sunday 1 1st Sunday of Advent 9am Mass Tuesday 3 9.30am 10am
CATHOLIC COMMENTARY Coincidental with this issue of In Touch, we begin the Season of Advent, the period of preparation for Christmas. The preparations are intended to be spiritual as well as material and often include a penitential service, or for some, individual confession. The Nativity of Christ is followed in early January by the Epiphany (the coming of the Magi-the three Kings-to acknowledge and worship him) and the Baptism. Eastern Orthodox Christians tend to make more of these two feasts than do Western Christians and see the celebrations, taken together, as but one revelation of God incarnate in Jesus Christ.
Morning Prayer Mass
Sunday 8 2nd Sunday of Advent 9am Mass Tuesday 10 9.20am 10am
Eucharistic Adoration Mass
Sunday 15 9am
3rd Sunday of Advent Mass
Tuesday 17 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 22 9am 11am
4th Sunday of Advent Mass, Holy Family, Brantham CO11 1TB Mass, St Mark’s, Ipswich IP2 0QQ
Tuesday 24 Christmas Eve: The Nativity of The Lord 5.30pm Mass, St Mark’s, Ipswich IP2 0QQ 8pm Mass, Holy Family, Brantham CO11 1TB Wednesday 25, Christmas Day 9am Mass, Holy Family, Brantham CO11 1TB 11am Mass, St Mark’s, Ipswich IP2 0QQ Sunday 29 9am
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Mass
Tuesday 31 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass
Bishop Alan Hopes installed Fr Paul Vincent as our parish priest on Sunday 6 October. Fr Paul has now been joined in Ipswich by his fellow Carmelite priest, Fr Benny, with the prospect of a third member arriving from India next year. In the Catholic Church each religious order has a distinctive charism, the spirit of contemplation in the case of the Carmelites. Of course action has to follow prayer, but a model of Christian community is significant in itself. The Carmelite charism can also be followed by lay people in their own lives, in the family, in their work or professions. EVENTS AND DIARY DATES The 100 Club draw took place on November 17 at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £166 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday 15 December 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 at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am to noon. We are raising funds for the new carpet in the Parish Room and all are very welcome to join us. The next coffee morning is on Thursday 30 January.
DEDHAM AND ARDLEIGH PARISHES SERVICES AND EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2019 Sunday, December 1 8am Holy Communion, Dedham 9.30am Rise ‘n’ Shine, Dedham 11am Morning Prayer, Ardleigh 5pm Evensong, Dedham Sunday, December 8 8am Holy Communion, Ardleigh 9.30am Holy Communion, Dedham Sunday, December 15 8am Holy Communion, Dedham 11am Eucharist, Ardleigh 3pm Sunday@3, Ardleigh 6pm Carol Service, Dedham 6pm Carol Service, Ardleigh Sunday, December 22 8am Holy Communion, Ardleigh 9.30am Morning Praise, Dedham Christmas Eve 3.30pm Crib Service, Dedham 4pm Christingle & Crib Service, Ardleigh 5.30pm Crib Service, Dedham
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11pm 11pm
Midnight Mass, Ardleigh Midnight Mass, Dedham
Christmas Day 8am Holy Communion, Ardleigh 10am Family Communion, Dedham Sunday 29 December 11am Joint Morning Prayer & Baptism, Ardleigh Weekly Midweek Services Tuesday Morning Prayer at Dedham at 10.30am Thursday Evening Prayer at Ardleigh at 5pm Sunday Night Skeptics at the Sun Inn: Sunday, December 1, 8pm Dedham Lunch Club: Monday, December 2, 12.30pm at Essex Rose Tea Rooms Men’s Breakfast: Saturday, December 7, 9am at The Vicarage Ardleigh Friendship Group: Every second and fourth Tuesday, 10am-noon at Ardleigh Methodist Church Dedham Christmas Market: Saturday 7 December from 3-6pm, Tree Festival from 7-12 December Jonathan Aitken: Speaking at Dedham Church on Sunday 8 December at 5pm www.dedham-and-ardleigh-parishes.org.uk
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CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn 01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk RAMBLING RECTOR Follow the Star In the rush of Christmas we forget that the events we celebrate in two days took place over more than nine months. The Angel Gabriel visited both Mary and then Joseph. (On Christmas Eve we will be thinking more about Joseph as we complete our knitted nativity sets begun so many years ago with flocks of sheep). There was a pause while Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth who was already far advanced in her pregnancy. She was to be the mother of John the Baptist whose prophetic task was to “prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight”. As we know all too well, an election looms for months and when it comes, it affects everyone. Joseph and Mary were no different. They had to make a journey to register, no quick trip for them to the village hall to put their cross on a ballot paper. Rather a journey of 70 miles with Mary heavily pregnant. The inns were so full of people living politics, there was no room for this couple in the inn. No welcome in their own country except that offered by a kindly publican run off his feet. They belonged by heritage, but wern’t really accepted. “Where do you come from? You don’t really belong here.” The shepherds saw the angels and heard the singing. The magi travelled immense distances with hope in their hearts as the star moved ahead of them. The lowly in society and the strangers, they saw, heard and followed. To them God revealed not only his glory but his Son as well. Life changing – that’s what Christmas should be. What will be different about this Christmas for you? Don’t slip into the political vacuum or become submerged in glitter, Christmas cards and sherry! Perhaps you are feeling too sad this Christmas to want to celebrate. The Blue Christmas Service at 2.30pm on 7 December might be just what you need, a quiet reflective service with some carols, readings and the lighting of candles. Christmas is political. It was then, and is now. We forget that Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus became migrants, forced to flee from a murderous tyrant who sought only power. It is very important that you vote. Ask yourself which party will most efficiently look after the orphan, the widow and the stranger. Which party will seek to lead us back into being a compassionate society that values the truth and respects the dignity of every person, where name calling and aggression are not the first option. Take some time to listen to God before you vote. You might be surprised by what you hear. The Rev Steph This year’s Big Christmas Card will support Ipswich Night Shelter and in collaboration with the Mothers’ Union we are asking for donations of travel sized toiletries instead of cash donations. You’ll find a container in the Lady Chapel of each church where you can place your donations. SERVICES IN DECEMBER Sunday 1: Advent 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Benefice Communion (Healing), East Bergholt 4pm Family@Church, East Bergholt Monday 2, 10.30am: BYE Nativity Rehearsal, Brantham
Sunday 8: Advent 2 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am EBYE Nativity Family Service, East Bergholt 11am Communion, Brantham Monday 9, 10.30am: BYE Nativity, Brantham Friday 13, 11.30am: Toddler Party, East Bergholt Sunday 15: Advent 3 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 11am BYE Nativity Family Service, Brantham 3pm Carols by Candlelight, East Bergholt Monday 16, 9.30am: High School Rehearsals all day, East Bergholt Tuesday 17 9.30am 6pm
High School Rehearsals all day, East Bergholt High School Carol Service, East Bergholt
Thursday 19 9.30am 2pm 6.30pm
EBPS Christmas Assembly, East Bergholt Brooklands Church Assembly, Brantham Carols by Candlelight, Brantham (see p25)
Saturday 21: Wedding 1pm Wedding of Matt Jay and Chloe McMasters, Brantham Sunday 22: Advent 4 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Communion, Brantham December 24: Christmas Eve 3pm Christingle, Brantham 3pm Children’s Candlelit Service, East Bergholt 5pm Children’s Candlelit Service, East Bergholt 10pm Nearly Midnight Mass, East Bergholt 11.30pm Midnight Mass, Brantham December 25: Christmas Day 9.30am Christmas Communion, East Bergholt 9.30am Christmas Communion, Brantham December 29: Christmas 1 10am Benefice BCP Communion, East Bergholt Check the website for details. There is a BCP Communion every Sunday in East Bergholt at 8am and Choral Matins on the fourth Sunday, but not in August or December. Foodbank Collections St Mary’s and St Michael’s Churches are collecting tinned ham and salmon and Christmassy items such as mince pies, Christmas cake, Christmas puddings (small and large), custard, chocolate biscuits, selection boxes for kiddies and boxes of chocolates for festive hampers for Manningtree Foodbank. There will be collection containers in both church porches until 15 December. Blue Christmas Service A quiet Christmas Service for those who are struggling at this time of year. Whether you are far from home, missing a loved one or dealing with personal difficulties, you are warmly invited to join us for this service of contemplation, gentle carols and prayer on Saturday 7 December at 2.30pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt. Refreshments will be served after the service.
Thursday 5 10am EBYE Nativity for parents, East Bergholt 10am OTB Brooklands 2.50pm Christingle at EBPS, East Bergholt PS
Lettice Dykes Foundation Trust For East Bergholt Applications are invited from students and pupils in East Bergholt younger than 25 for small grants to help towards their education or maintenance while studying. Contact the clerk, Mrs Britt Evans, at Rookery, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SF / 01206 298334 for an application form for consideration by the trustees.
Saturday 7, 2.30pm: Blue Christmas (short) Carol Service, East Bergholt
The Rev Steph
Wednesday 4, 9.30am: BCP Communion, East Bergholt
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BREAKFAST |LUNCH | DINNER | FUNCTION ROOM HIRE Celebrate Christmas at The Haywain Enjoy a meal in front of our fire in the pub, in our private dining room or our large function room Perfect for Christmas parties!
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December Events 6th - Christmas Quiz 19th - Christmas Carols Check our social media and website for a list of events and Christmas specials!
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BRITISH ARMY BAND, COLCHESTER AND THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL
SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY, 7PM
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