In Touch News with East Bergholt March 2019

In Touch

™© ™©

with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary Volume 6 • Issue No. 5 • MARCH 2019

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NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

In Touch

with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary

Published by:

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

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: bergholt@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

ADVERTISING Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 DISTRIBUTION Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 PRINTING Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Dedham, East Bergholt, & Flatford is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

We also publish In Touch with...

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

In Touch with...

APRIL DEADLINE 20 MARCH 2019

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

DRINKING WATER BOTTLE REFILL SCHEME LAUNCHES IN EAST BERGHOLT An exciting Refill scheme has launched in East Bergholt which encourages participating cafes, pubs and other businesses to sign up to the free Refill app and put a sticker in their window alerting passers-by to the fact they’re welcome to fill up their bottle for free.

Award-winning cafe Oranges & Lemons, real ale pubs The Hare & Hounds and The Royal Oak (known locally as The Dickey), and The Place for Plants joined straight away – helping cut single-use plastic waste and litter in our beautiful countryside and beyond.

The average adult buys more than three plastic water bottles each week, a startling 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are bought across the UK each year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste ending up in our oceans.

City to Sea, a not-for-profit organisation headed by campaigner Natalie Fee, launched the award-winning Refill campaign in 2015. It’s estimated that the scheme, now being rolled out nationwide with support from Water UK and local water companies, will cut plastic bottle use by tens of millions each year, as well as substantially increasing the availability of high-quality drinking water.

East Bergholt Parish Council and East Bergholt Futures have joined forces to bring Refill to our area.

Graeme Woodcock (pictured), East Bergholt Parish Councillor and Refill Local Champion, said: “Following support from village businesses for our campaign to stop using plastic straws, I’m delighted that so many are on board to continue to tackle plastic waste by offering free tap water refills.

Now everyone knows our pubs and cafes are happy to refill our reusable water bottles for free, this is a really easy way we can cut down on our use of plastic. Thanks guys!”

Refill East Bergholt builds on the success of Refill around the UK, which now boasts a network of over 16,000 Refill Stations. Sarah, Refill Regional Coordinator says: “We know lots of businesses already offer this simple service, but find customers often feel embarrassed or cheeky for asking. By letting people know they can look for Refill stickers or posters and be confident they can refill for free where they find one, Refill East Bergholt is encouraging more people to take one small step away from relying on single use plastic bottles. It’s a really simple concept with a really big potential result.”

Sarah added: “It’s good business sense as well, as customers view businesses that provide free water refills more favourably and are more likely to return to them to make future purchases.”

Visit the Refill website at www.refill.org.uk to download the free Refill app and find out more about the Refill movement. If you’d like to sign up as a Refill Station, volunteer to help or would like more information, contact Jess at: refilleastbergholt@gmail.com

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.

For an application form for consideration by the trustees, contact Mrs Britt Evans at Rookery, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SF / 01206 298334.

The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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NEWS EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

DO YOU HAVE AN UP TO DATE WILL?

Thank you to Rob Steele The parish council would like thank Rob for his sterling hard work during his time as a parish councillor. His contribution to the parish council and the village has been greatly appreciated, especially with the Playing Fields Committee.

Most of us are living longer and at present the over 65s make up 18 per cent of the population and this is due to increase to 24 per cent in 2036.

As we live longer we need to be aware that most of us will require temporary or permanent care whether this is in our own home or in residential care.

Parish Council Vacancy 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. 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).

East Bergholt Litter Pick

Parish Councillor Graeme Woodcock with his small volunteer group organise a village spring clean each year. This will be the fourth year running.

The East Bergholt Litter Pick is registered with the Keep Britain Tidy website. The litter pick will be on Saturday, April 6 from 10am-1pm at the Lambe School.

Please contact Graeme for more details: 01206 395752 Parish Clerk Susan Clements East Bergholt Parish Council, c/o 29 Castle Road, Hadleigh IP7 6JP 01473 827791 or 07777 644868 (please leave a message) east.bergholtpc@btconnect.com

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

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

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

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

For a no-obligation discussion call Sacha: 01206 820638 www.agelegalservices.com

www.eastbergholt.org Platinum Sponsors

NEW ANGLE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE Entries have now been received for the fifth biennial New Angle Prize for Literature, awarded to celebrate and encourage excellence in the regional literature of East Anglia.

The competition is organised by the Ipswich Institute and sponsored by Gotelee Solicitors and Scrutton Bland accountants. With a prize of £2,000 and £500 for the runner-up, the award is for recently published books of literary merit associated with or influenced

by East Anglia.

SAVE THE DATE - 11/4/19 - IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

THE COLCHESTER MEN’S HEALTH DAY Thursday 11th April, 10am - 4pm Weston Homes Community Stadium United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP Doors Open 9:30am In Partnership With:

The judges for 2019 are:

Oaks Hospital

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

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

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

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

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FREE MEN’S HEALTH CHECKS INFORMATION ON DEMENTIA AWARENESS & LUNG DISEASES NHS Health Checks NB.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Blood Pressure BMI

Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Physio & Sports Injury

NHS Health Checks are for men aged 40-74 and who are not already on treatment for a heart condition, blood pressure or high cholesterol, kidney disease or diabetes,or who have already had an NHS Health Check within the last 5 years.

Prostate Cancer Screening is for men aged 40 plus and strongly recommended for black African and Caribbean men and men with a family history of prostate cancer or breast cancer who are thus at considerably higher risk from prostate cancer.

You can pre-book an appointment online at: www.chaps.uk.com/events Or Contact: trish.binks@chaps.uk.com or phone: 07734 747854 Book your place from Monday 11th March Or just walk in after 2:00pm for an afternoon checkup

Oaks Hospital

Gold Sponsors

We are pleased to continue to offer FREE screening tests. However, they are a major expense for the charity.

To help offset this cost, we are inviting a donation of £10 and are most grateful for your support. You can make your donation through our JustGiving page or on the day when registering - CHAPS Committee. www.justgiving.com/chapsuk

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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES, MID-SAMFORD WARD: FEBRAURY 2019 BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR SUE CARPENDALE Online Portal for Residents and Businesses Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, along with Ipswich Borough Council have launched MyAccount, an online portal which provides residents and businesses with paperless bills, 24-hour account access and other services.

Users can sign up to MyAccount via the councils’ websites: • For Business Rates: www.Babergh.gov.uk/ndraccount • For Council Tax: www.Babergh.gov.uk/ctaccount You will need some basic bank information and your Babergh Council Tax account reference number and the key code, both from your last bill.

Public Database Nominated for an Award A Babergh and Mid Suffolk database that is the first of its kind in the country has been nominated for the prestigious Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Award for Planning Excellence 2019. The councils’ Exacom Database, which went live in December, has been shortlisted for the awards.

The database, which gives web-users access to data on developer contributions for development in Babergh and Mid Suffolk going back to 1974, is the first of its kind in the country with Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils designated pilot authorities by the software’s developer.

Details of all S106 and CIL payments are available on this database, and show how money has been allocated to parishes.

Parking Plan and Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) Parking enforcement in Suffolk has always been the responsibility of the police, but this is to be transferred to local councils. The plan will provide a ‘tool-kit’ for councils to investigate requests or to review the need for waiting, loading and parking controls. When the idea of CPE was considered some years ago, it was favoured by the coastal areas where parking was a problem. Babergh did not want to take on CPE in the district, and were told they would have to charge for all parking if CPE were to be introduced. That situation seems to have changed.

Requests to do something about parking in Suffolk have increased year on year along with the increase in vehicle ownership and use. There is much debate around the relationship between car parking and town and village centre prosperity. There are also issues with inappropriate parking, especially near tourist or local beauty spots, and conflicting demands for residents, visitors, shoppers, business and workers. These must be balanced against the adverse impact that unrestricted parking can have, leading to congestion, obstruction, pollution and spaces being occupied by the wrong users at the wrong time.

Up-coming May Local Elections The next edition of In Touch will appear in the pre-election period when our usual monthly reports will not be published. Thank you for reading them and for your comments. sue.carpendale@babergh.gov.uk

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR FENELLA SWAN Area Parking Plan The draft Joint Area Parking Plan, which does not include any proposals to increase car parking charges in Babergh, sets out eight parking policy objectives and what they are intended to achieve. They include proposals that will: • Establish a principle whereby parking will be allowed where possible and controlled where necessary • Utilise off-street parking places to assist with traffic management and support local communities • Set out how parking petitions and consultations will be managed • Establish standard on-street parking scheme operating hours, with scope for different timings where need is proven • Make clear the council’s position on parking on footpaths The policies will be used to guide councils’ decision making around parking.

The proposed plan does not set out specific proposals for parking restrictions for specific areas, nor is it a blue-print to change current paid parking arrangements.

A consultation will be launched in February and run for six weeks.

New Affordable Housing for Hadleigh Babergh District Council’s Planning Committee has approved an application to turn the former Angel Court care home in Hadleigh into affordable housing.

The committee approved the application to demolish the existing buildings at the disused care home and construct 21 new dwellings, nine of which are intended for affordable rent and 12 of which will be available under shared ownership schemes.

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The approval of the application marks the first step to bring the empty site back into use after the former care home closed in August 2014 and will bring much needed affordable housing to the town. The scheme approved will provide: • Seven 1-bedroom flats for affordable rent • Seven 1-bedroom flats for shared ownership • Two 2-bedroom flats for affordable rent • Five 2-bedroom flats for shared ownership Community Infrastructure Levy In 2018 Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils passed £549,674.93 from developers to local infrastructure projects in their districts. The figure, available on the councils’ new online developer contributions database, follows over £279k paid in 2017, and over £377k in 2016. In total £1,207,029.06 has been paid out for community infrastructure over the last three years across the two districts.

The money, funding a variety of infrastructure from sports facilities to public transport, was collected from developers who have brought forward developments, both residential and commercial, in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Collected under the Community Infrastructure Levy, a set charge levied by the square meter of development, or by agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act, these contributions are used to offset the impact of more development in the district. fenella.swan@babergh.gov.uk

In Touch online:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Training Days The practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Thursday, March 14; Thursday, April 4; Wednesday, May 22. On these afternoons the Capel St Mary building will be open to enable access to the pharmacy, but the practice reception will be closed. East Bergholt reception will be open. Please note that there will be no clinicians at either building after 1pm as they will be attending training off-site. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

EAST BERGHOLT CANDIDATES URGENTLY REQUIRED Over the past five years, our village has been hugely successful in fighting Babergh’s aggressive development plans for 229 homes, along with another potential 700, turning us into an unsustainable town.

However vital, people feel there are many other pressing village matters that need resolving. In conversation these always seem to come down to ‘the parish council should be doing this or that’.

When I ask if they have raised the issue with the parish council, the defensive response is nearly always ‘they won’t listen’. When I suggest they should stand for election, the response is equally negative, based on an assumption that change is neither welcomed nor encouraged. Clearly, we have a deeply unhappy electorate.

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We really need to build on all the professional ability and the positive force within the village (especially our many groups and societies) to bring the village together in order to rejuvenate and regenerate our democratic core, creating a ‘can do’ parish council.

This year we have the opportunity to do so. The next election is on May 2 and right now there are two vacancies.

We really do need you to step forward as prospective candidates, perhaps one person from each group. We really need you to make it work the way you want and relieve those who have carried the burden for too long.

Please urgently apply to Mandy Smith or Donna Bridge at Babergh District Council on 01449 724684. Application forms must be submitted by April 3.

Roger Harden

In Touch online:

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

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

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

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

Babergh also must agree a parking strategy, apparently on instruction by Suffolk County Council who will take over responsibility for enforcement from the police in the near future. This will, according to the papers, incur minimal costs, but as it necessitates adequate signage and street marking, I wonder how effective it will be. There is currently a large number of missing speed and road signs across the county which apparently SCC does not have the funds to replace. Outside Endeavour House there is permitted parking for one hour within the indicated box. Unfortunately, the white lines marking the box have all but vanished. There are also no double yellows, as it is a conservation area, but there are lines around the corner. I am not sure I would want to ‘conserve’ the Ipswich BC offices, Endeavour House, the court building and the retail park! Me thinks there is a lot more work to do that may be indicated. Within the strategy there are many good points and I hope that they will be implemented with consideration and consultation with the communities of the district and it goes without saying, at minimal cost!

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

The final version of the budget is now up for consideration. The overall level of debt concerns me along with an emphasis on income generation rather than expenditure reduction to balance the books. Some of the forthcoming projects in Hadleigh and Sudbury have considerable financial demands, but with apparently limited returns. Further funding for the investment company is also due for consideration at a time when the balance of risk to opportunity is becoming difficult to judge. I would prefer a more cautious approach until the wider world is in a more predictable state. It is, after all, the public’s money!

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

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

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

Bespoke pastel drawings by Heather Clarke

Dog Portrait Artist 01473 730141 or 07783 541931

heather@clarke-illustration.co.uk £5 from each commission will be donated to the Blue Cross

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OUT & ABOUT NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR FOR STOUR CHORAL SOCIETY Stour Choral Society is pleased to welcome Susie Hyman as our new music director. Susie is well-known as a singer, and works widely as a vocal coach and music teacher, both on an individual basis and in schools. She has been closely associated with the society for many years as voice coach and recently has directed our joint summer concerts with local schoolchildren.

We look forward to continuing to develop our contribution to the musical life of Stour Valley and Tendring Peninsula under Susie’s direction.

Our spring concert will take place on Saturday, March 30 at 2.30pm in Mistley Church, when the choir will perform Stabat Mater by Antonín Dvořák.

His first composition of a religious nature, Dvořák composed this piece at a time of great personal sadness and it is widely regarded as one of the most movingly beautiful settings of this meditation on the events of Easter.

Tickets (£12, under-18s free) are available from 01206 392820, at Howells Hardware Store, High Street, Manningtree or from choir members. We look forward to seeing you in the audience!

Stour Choral Society welcomes new members. If you are interested in finding out more about us please visit our website or contact Margaret on 01206 619084. www.stourchoralsociety.co.uk

JANE AUSTEN'S

EMMA

DEDHAM PLAYERS PRESENTS

ADAPTED BY MICHAEL BLOOM

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

Rautio Piano Trio by Graham Brandon

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

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

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

Generously supported by Grier and Partners, East Bergholt.

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

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 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

THE MANIFEST THEATRE On Friday 5 and Saturday, April 6, The Manifest Theatre is hosting charity variety nights in aid of Mid & North Essex Mind with songs, music, sketches and comedy.

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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Tickets for members are just £7 plus an additional £2 annual membership fee for non-members. The Box Office is now open: 07444 724271 / www.manifesttheatre.co.uk Come and enjoy an evening of entertainment while supporting this worthwhile charity.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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OUT & ABOUT 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!

EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION QUIZ NIGHT East Bergholt High School Friday, March 29 at 7.30pm Bar opens at 7pm serving alcohol and soft drinks

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.

Tickets cost £5 per person (teams of eight) including nibbles

We look forward to seeing you.

Please pre-book teams: 07776 291445 / pta@ebhigh.org.uk Over 18s only unless accompanied by an adult

STOUR VALLEY U3A

EAST BERGHOLT CINEMA

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

Friday, March 1: BlacKkKlansman (15) This is a funny film set against the disturbing background of 1970’s America and the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. Ron Stallworth is the first AfricanAmerican member of Colorado Springs Police Department who decides to infiltrate the local chapter of the KKK. The film is based on a true story. Made by the great director, Spike Lee, this is also a sharp, angry assault on modern American society.

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

On April 10 the popular speaker Mark Mitchels will talk to us on The Genius of Charles Dickens. Dickens rose to become a great novelist by sheer talent and determination. He worked a self-imposed schedule that never relaxed and in the end he probably brought about his early death.

But the novels survive, to be rediscovered by each generation. What sort of man was he?

His genius is astonishing and this talk uses biography and extracts from his books to re-create the man and his achievements.

Member’s Quiz Night On Wednesday, March 20 our first member’s quiz night is scheduled to take place at 7pm in The Constable Hall. Bring your own drinks and nibbles and partake in a team of six for just £2 each. Help will be given to form a team on the night. Please register before March 12 by contacting June Escott: 01206 231707 / jescott@btinternet.com Each month The Coffee Grinders meet at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SD from 10am to noon. This meeting especially welcomes new members and gives all members the opportunity to meet the activity group leaders and the committee while enjoying a cup of coffee. The next meeting is on Friday, March 22.

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a. org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted.

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.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

Friday, April 5: Bohemian Rhapsody (12A) The story of Queen and the band's legendary lead singer, Freddie Mercury. The film won the best film award at the Golden Globes and its star, Rami Malek, puts in a remarkable turn as Mercury. Plenty of music, drama and a celebration of great musicianship.

Friday, May 3: Peterloo (12A) In 1819 a cavalry charge on a peaceful protest at St Peter's Field in Manchester resulted in the Peterloo Massacre. This is the magnificent film of what happened on that day.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SPRING JUMBLE SALE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Clear the Clutter – Bag a Bargain!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY As I grew older I found that I wanted to know more about my family history.

When I finally found the time to start researching it, I was amazed to discover how large my family is. This led me to also find and contact relatives that I did not know I had and I was also very proud to learn that a great uncle had been awarded the MBE. I have been using Ancestry for my research and as this is available to use via Suffolk Libraries, I am now providing assistance in using it and starting your own family tree research. So if you are interested come along to the library and book a spot. These sessions will be incorporated into my one-to-one computer training, which is free and held on Tuesday mornings.

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

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

Trevor Stevenson

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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

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Every Friday - Flat iron Friday 2 Flat iron steaks and 2 house drinks £20.00

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

The club aims to bring communities together and we have over the years attracted members from many villages, men and women of various ages. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am to noon.

I would like to welcome back any former members and to see new members from all local villages at our meetings, either as visitors or members in readiness for our 25th celebration.

Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262

DEDHAM FOOTPATH GROUP Enjoy walking, meeting new people?

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

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

MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY We were entertained by two of our own members on January 10 with presentations on their own brand of photography which ranged from boxing and how to photograph for newspaper submissions, to photographing seascapes, planes, bikes and automobiles!

January 24 was an interactive evening learning about composition beyond the thirds with Alan Sarsby. The Open Mono competition was well supported with many high standard entries, including Evening Rays by Sallie Oakley pictured here.

This month we have an interclub competition with the Harwich & Dovercourt Camera Club on March 7 and a talk on creative techniques with a camera and software on March 14. The subject for our next competition on March 28 is People at Work.

HAVE YOU ENTERED YET? The Mayflower cross-country run and walk will be held on Sunday, May 26.

The route follows the stunning scenery of the Essex Way from Harwich to Manningtree. For runners, this is a half marathon with chip timing. Walkers have the option of finishing at Wrabness, a distance of approximately eight miles.

Start the day with free train travel from Manningtree station to Harwich courtesy of Greater Anglia, and at the end a free bus service will transport you back to the station or pick you up from wherever you have chosen to finish. St John’s Ambulance service will be in attendance and the route is well marshalled with plenty of water stations.

This is a great race for runners of all abilities who will start at 9.30am and is also a great day out for all the family with walkers starting at 9.35am. Dogs are welcome too!

Entry details can be found at www.eventrac.co.uk/listed-races/mayflower or contact the organiser at: rotarydemon@gmail.com / 07704 559057 Alternatively you can register on the day at Harwich Low lighthouse.

The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley with proceeds going to charity.

STOUR VALLEY LADIES PROBUS CLUB Stour Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at The Haywain, Bentley Road, Little Bromley at 10am on the first and third Thursday in each month.

The first meeting in the month includes lunch and the second is a coffee morning. At each meeting there is a general interest speaker.

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.

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

Meetings are held twice monthly on Thursday evenings (second and fourth of the month) 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 visitors.

Please contact our secretary for details: 01206 393751 / madps@post.com www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk

DEDHAM PLAYERS Dedham Players adaptation of Jane Emma at Dedham Wednesday 27 to 7.45pm.

presents a charming Austen's beloved novel Assembly Rooms from Saturday, March 30 at

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 wellmeaning 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 Don't miss out! Tickets for this delightful comedy are available now from Shakespeare House Gallery, High Street, Dedham and from: www.dedhamplayers.org

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS HADLEIGH CHORAL SOCIETY TO PRESENT ST JOHN PASSION Hadleigh Choral Society is pleased to announce the details of their upcoming spring concert, St John Passion by J.S. Bach. This choral work will be performed in the original German text at St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh on Saturday, April 6 at 7.30pm, and will feature professional soloists along with the Colchester Symphony Orchestra, John Cooper on harpsichord and David Butcher on organ. Christopher Phelps will conduct this musical retelling of the story of Christ’s arrest, trial and crucifixion, in what promises to be a memorable evening full of wonderful music-making.

Tickets are £14 (free admission for under-25s) and will be available at www.hadleighchoralsociety.org.uk, from members of the choir, or at The Idler bookshop in Hadleigh. For more information contact: 01473 823791

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SPORT EAST BERGHOLT BOWLS CLUB

MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB

The carpet bowls team are currently sitting in fourth position in the league, only five points behind the leaders, Bealings, so with only two months of the season left, a close finish looks on the cards for achieving those two promotion places.

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.

The bowls club is made up of two major sections, carpet bowls and outdoor lawn bowls. Carpet bowls is played in the East Bergholt Sports Centre on Wednesday evenings from 7-10pm. The club is a member of the Suffolk Carpet Bowls Association and plays in Division 3 of the Winter League East from October to the end of March. Roll-ups take place every Wednesday evening all year round. Please come along and have a bowl.

Outdoor bowling is played on the green at Gandish Road from mid-April until the end of September. The club plays in various leagues on weekday evenings and Wednesday afternoons. Roll-ups take place on most Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons and many inter club competitions take place throughout the season.

The club will be holding open mornings on Saturdays throughout the season to give newcomers the opportunity of having a bowl with the help and encouragement of existing members. The first two are Saturday, May 18 and Saturday, June 15 at 11am. No equipment required apart from flat-soled shoes. Newcomers are welcome at these mornings or on roll-up sessions.

Several members also bowl at indoor bowl centres, such as Harwich, Felixstowe and Stowmarket, as well as friendly matches with clubs like Walton & West Mersea. These matches are normally played through the winter months.

The club also run several social events and organises club tours in this country or abroad. We are a very friendly club and new members are always very welcome at all times.

For more information please contact our secretary, Melvyn Powell: melpowell46@gmail.com

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

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

At the AGM the captains for 2019 were appointed as follows: Club Captains: Bruce Leeke and Matt Bibby 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 continues as follows: • Juniors, 8 weeks (from Feb 15) at Manningtree Sports Centre, 7.30-8.30pm • Seniors from Wed, Feb 27 at Royal Hospital School, 8.15-9.30pm UPCOMING FIXTURES SATURDAY CRICKET 1st Team – Two Counties Div 1 Sat, April 20: Witham (A) Sat, April 27: Coggeshall (H) 2nd Team – Two Counties Div 3 Sat, April 20: Abberton (H) Sat, April 27: Long Melford (A) 3rd Team – Two Counties Div 9 East Sat, April 27: Copdock & OIs III (H) SUNDAY & MIDWEEK CRICKET Two Counties Sunday League Sun, April 21: Abberton (H) Sun, April 28: Ardleigh (A) January 2019 100 Club Winners 1: Richard Williamson (41) £115 2: Christine Goff (24) £55 3: John Goff (10) £50 New players are always welcome, with practice sessions held on week nights throughout the season, preceded by indoor nets in the spring.

Please feel free to contact us via email at mistleycc@btinernet.com or visit: www.mistleycricketclub.org.uk

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

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

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

Check the local websites for club fixtures.

BOB THE PLOUGHMAN www.capelploughfc.co.uk

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS DEDHAM AND ARDLEIGH PARISHES EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC

SERVICES AND EVENTS FOR MARCH

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

Sunday, March 3 8am 9.30am 11am 5pm

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

Sunday, March 10 8am 9.30am

Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh Holy Communion (CW), Dedham

Sunday, March 17 8am 9.30am 11am 3pm

Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham Matins, Dedham Parish Eucharist, Ardleigh Sunday@3, Ardleigh

Sunday, March 24 8am 9.30am 5pm

Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh Morning Praise, Dedham Revive@5, Dedham

Sunday, March 31 9.30am 11am

Mothering Sunday, Dedham Mothering Sunday, Ardleigh

Sunday, April 7 8am 9.30am 11am 5pm

Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham Morning Praise, Dedham Morning Prayer, Ardleigh Evensong, Ardleigh

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

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

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team – Senior Division Sat, Feb 23: Bramford Utd (A) Sat, Mar 2: Westerfield Utd (H) Sat, Mar 9: Trimley Red Devils (A) Sat, Mar 16: Westerfield Utd (A) Sat, Mar 23: Achilles (H) Sat, April 6: Capel Plough (A) Reserves – League A Sat, Feb 23: Bramford Utd Res (H) Sat, Mar 2: Framlingham Town Res (A) Sat, Mar 9: Westerfield Utd Res (A) Sat, Mar 16: Wenhaston Utd Res (A) Sat, Mar 23: Bacton Utd 89 Res (A) Sat, Mar 30: Mendlesham Res (H) Sat, April 6: Achilles Res (A) A Team – League C Sat, Mar 2: Kesgrave Kestrels Res (A) Sat, Mar 9: Sporting 87 A (A) Sat, Mar 23: Grundisburgh Res (A) Sat, Mar 30: Framlingham Town A (A) Fixtures are subject to change. Please refer to the fixtures website to confirm: 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 at: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com The darts competition night was held on January 5 and was a very successful event. The results were as follows: Singles: Ben McGrath (£75) beat Jamie Greig (£25)

Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham Rise N Shine, Dedham Morning Prayer & Baptism (CW), Ardleigh Evensong, Dedham

Wednesday, March 6 6pm Ash Wednesday Communion, Dedham

BCP – Book of Common Prayer / CW – Common Worship Weekly Midweek Services Tuesday Morning Prayer at Dedham at 10.30am Thursday Evening Prayer at Ardleigh at 5pm Alpha 2019: Every Tuesday, 12.30-2pm or 7-9pm at the Duchy Barn.

Alpha Holy Spirit Day: Saturday, March 2, 9.30am-2pm at the Assembly Rooms Dedham Lunch Club: Monday, March 4, 12.30pm at Essex Rose Tea Rooms, Dedham Lent Quiet Morning: Wednesday, March 6, 10am-12.30pm at Dedham Church Men’s Breakfast: Saturday, March 9, 9am at The Vicarage Ardleigh Friendship Group: Tuesdays, March 12 & 26, 10am-noon at Ardleigh Church Mission Bake Sale: Saturday, March 16, 10am at Duchy Barn, Dedham www.dedham-and-ardleigh-parishes.org.uk

Doubles: Ross Copper & Aaron Chinnery (£50 each) beat Jonny McGrath & Alvin McMasters It is anticipated that the darts tournament will become a regular event and will be open to all, so darts players, keep an eye for the next event.

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

Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

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DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com In Touch online:

Building it right Thinking about…

• Building an extension?

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

• Creating an annexe?

Your council can help.

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

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

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

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CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Peter Raj 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR MARCH Sunday 3 9am

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

Tuesday 5 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 10 1st Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 12 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 17 2nd Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 19 St Joseph, Spouse of Bvm, Solemnity 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 24 3rd Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 26 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 31 4th Sunday of Lent 9am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet by the front door.

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

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 Our Worship Services are held on the second Saturday monthly.

To see how one is doing in the battle, the first question to ask is: “Do I pray for people? For everyone, concretely, those whom I like and those I don’t like, for those who are friends and those who are not?” The second thing to check, he said, is how often do “I feel inside me sentiments of jealousy, envy, and I start wanting to wish something bad would happen to him or her -- that is a signal that you do not love. Stop there. Don’t let those feelings grow. They are dangerous.” Finally, he said, the most common sign “that I don’t love my neighbour and so cannot say I love God is gossip. Get this clearly into your heart and your head: if I gossip, I do not love God because gossip destroys people.”

Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday, February 24 at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £158 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday, March 24. 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. The next one will be on Thursday, March 28.

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

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.

KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus

Thursday, March 14 from 6pm: Visit our stand at the Annual Lawford Parish Council Public Meeting at Ogilvie Hall.

COME AND WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS WITH US – ALL ARE WELCOME

Friday, March 15, 10am-noon: New Meeting Point Event at The Venture Centre (Ivell Suite), Bromley Road, Lawford. Transport available from Colchester & Manningtree District.

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.

Sunday, March 17: 3pm Songs of Praise at Fingringhoe Methodist Thursday, March 28, 2pm: Six Monthly Meeting at The Ogilvie Hall.

Ministries News The new programme of Cafe/Oasis events at the Ogilvie opened with a large attendance of supporters from a wide area on February 9. Our Pastoral Team has been busy with hospital and home visits.

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

The 2019 schedule of mini bus Fellowship Tours commences on Wednesday, April 24. Now is the time to secure your copy and to make your reservation(s) by contacting Andy Baker on 07812 582754 (office hours) or the Link Line office (also for Pastoral Measures) on 01206 22064.

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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 www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk RAMBLING RECTOR It was good to be able to spend time with couples who are planning to get married in churches ranging from here to Shotley. The Deanery Wedding Preparation Day was one of my (few) bright ideas and has been immeasurably improved since my first effort all those years ago. Attended this year by 28 couples and a baby (it’s never too soon to learn!) we covered important topics such as the importance of making a will, whether it’s healthy to do absolutely everything together, what sex means, the vows that we make to each other and the choices that we can make in the wedding service.

Many years ago one young man cheerfully told his mother-in-law that he was going to ‘Wedding School’ and was pleasantly surprised to be able to report afterwards that he had enjoyed it and learnt something. Fashions come and ago. This year for the first time we mentioned that fancy dress themes are best left to the reception, and that drones are not permitted either in or near the church no matter how persuasive the photographer may be!

We talked about courtesy on the day, that arriving late for your wedding is very rude, not only to the groom and the best man who is trying to keep him calm, but to all the guests, the priest, the choir, the bell ringers and the Verger. Last year we reserved the right to charge a fee for any late arrivals and everyone was splendidly punctual!

‘Think carefully’ is my advice to couples considering including a beloved pet in the ceremony. It can be very sweet, but did you see the footage of the snowy white owl who brought in the rings in a graceful swoop over the congregation, before attacking the best man about the head, leaving him sprawled on the floor?

Just as preparation for a wedding takes many hours of careful thought, planning and discussion, so preparing for Easter requires much care too.

Anglicans don’t like to rush into Easter. (They don’t like to rush into anything if it comes to that. Look how long we have been discussing sexuality and still we are no further forward, leaving faithful Christians bewildered and hurt.)

The period of Lent if prayerfully completed can immensely increase our appreciation of Easter. Various groups will be meeting during the Lenten season to pray and think about the Lord’s Prayer in a Pilgrim booklet written

by Bishop Stephen Croft. Every person attending our services from Ash Wednesday, will receive a pottery shell specially made by Jane Pavitt which you can carry in your pocket until Easter Sunday to remind you that all our journeys are influenced by the cross of Christ whether we acknowledge him or not.

ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 On Shrove Tuesday traditionally people cleared their pantries of all extravagant food, combining the bits and pieces with pancakes. The fast

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of Lent begins the next day, when communicants receive the mark of the cross in the ashes made from the previous year’s palm crosses, a sign of penitence and humility. Our services this year are in St Mary’s at 9.30am on Ash Wednesday and at 7.30pm in St Michael’s Brantham. Imposition of ashes is always optional. Penitence and humility are not!

Rev Steph SERVICES IN MARCH Friday, March 1: Women’s World Day of Prayer 3pm Ecumenical Service, Brantham Everyone is welcome. This year’s service has been prepared by the women of Slovenia.

Sunday 5: Sunday Next Before Lent 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 11am Benefice Communion, Brantham 4pm Family@Church, East Bergholt Wednesday 6: Ash Wednesday 9.30am Imposition of Ashes and HC, East Bergholt 7.30pm Imposition of Ashes and HC, Brantham Sunday 10: Lent 1 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Service of the Word, Brantham Sunday 17: Lent 2 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Informal Service, Brantham Sunday 24: Lent 3 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Choral Matins, East Bergholt 11am Communion, Brantham Sunday 31: Lent 4 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Family Service, East Bergholt 11am Family Service, Brantham There is a BCP Communion every Sunday in East Bergholt at 8am.

Choral Matins is on the fourth Sunday in East Bergholt.

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.

In Touch online:

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

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

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

In the meanwhile the road was completed in 1991 as planned, my section dualled and all junctions grade separated, except the beginning and end.

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

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

I have no roots anywhere, and family are north, south and west, hundreds of miles apart. Where does God want me? God still has a plan for my life and I want to be in a place where he can use me. Lots of questions that I need to think about and plan for. But I’ve been here before, each time a move has come and each time lots of questions, but also a peace. God has it in hand. I learn contentment where he places me, as the Psalmist says “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places… I keep my eyes always on the Lord, with him, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:6-8 The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary Ipswich IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CAPEL METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 3

10.30am Worship with Mr Rod Stone 6.30pm Prayer

Sunday 10 10.30am Worship arranged locally Sunday 17

10.30am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham

Saturday 23 3.30pm Messy Church Sunday 24

10.30am Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey 6.30pm United Prayer at St Mary’s

Sunday 31

10.30am Worship with Mr Richard Spencer

AT BRANTHAM METHODIST The Rev Ian Gardner, Minister at Brantham Methodist 34 Medway Road, Ipswich IP3 0QH ian.gardner@methodist.org.uk / 01473 411507 Sunday 3

11am

Worship and Communion with Rev Ian Gardner

Sunday 10

11am

Worship with Mr Roger Theobald

Sunday 17

10.30am Worship arranged locally

Sunday 24

11pm

Worship with Mrs Ruth Loggie

Sunday 31

11am

Worship with Mr Paul Walker

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CHARITY GALA CONCERT

SATURDAY 30 MARCH, 7PM

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

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

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