In Touch
For a fast, efficient & price friendly local service
Volume 6 • Issue No. 11 • SEPTEMBER 2019
01206 230053
™© ™©
with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary
Image by Ellie Cook
Skiphire www.collins-skiphire.co.uk
orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk
2
In Touch online:
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’ve just been home to see my family in Ireland and to spend some time on the farm with mum and dad. We had an influx of cousins which, despite the constant cooking, was a lot of fun. It was lovely to see all our children playing together, with the occasional squabble as I suspect there might have been when we were young. Back then, my cousin Eilish and I spent many long summers torturing my older brother with water balloons and nettles (don’t ask!). We even carved his name and the name of a certain girl on a roadside tree for all to see. Needless to say that didn’t go down very well, with either of them! Things have changed a lot since then and what struck me most this time was how quiet everywhere seemed to be. Our local town used to be a thriving metropolis (at least in my mind) but now it’s a bit downtrodden with a few too many boarded-up shops. A number of big employers have either closed down or moved elsewhere in recent years and where jobs go, people are forced to follow, in many cases moving abroad to Australia and Canada. I don’t know exactly when things started to slide so badly, but I’ve returned to Suffolk with renewed determination to support local producers, local manufacturers, local shops and bars and restaurants and local events. Without our support they simply can’t survive and thrive and ultimately we all lose out. We are forced to travel further to shop, we struggle to find employment close to home, our children leave to find jobs elsewhere and, as in my home town, a general lack of ‘vitality’ sets in which may be difficult to overcome.
NEWS USE IT OR LOSE IT! Suffolk County Council is withdrawing bus subsidies at the end of September. This means a number of services will disappear and Hadleigh, Raydon and East Bergholt will wave goodbye to the 796 and 94A. This comes on top of SCC withdrawing free bus passes for new students at East Bergholt High School from all directions in Babergh! Consequently, even more cars will enter our villages daily. There is a faint chance that there may be a last minute review where passenger numbers increase. Please look online at the timetables and ‘spread the word’. 796 Manningtree Station 6.25am, East Bergholt 6.33am, Raydon 6.41am, Hadleigh 6.50am Manningtree Station 18.35pm, East Bergholt 18.46pm, Raydon 18.51pm, Hadleigh 19.00pm
We may not know what the future holds, but we all have spending power and how and where we choose to spend our money will impact the local economy. Every penny we spend locally is an investment in our community, in our children’s future, in the look and feel of our towns and villages… I know I’d rather spend time in a bustling town or village with a mix of shops and cafes and restaurants, where activities are well attended, where people are confident about the future and where ‘community’, the natural outcome when residents and neighbours enjoy where they live, is strong.
Hadleigh 5.48am, Raydon 5.55am, East Bergholt Lambe School 6.05am, Station 6.14am
It’s in our hands to make it so and I’m proud to edit a series of magazines which celebrate community and enable local employers to share their wares. I also believe it’s important to know what’s happening in our local communities, to keep abreast of local developments and to know what’s what and who’s who. So make a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy.
All the times can be seen on the Lambe School Bus Timetable Noticeboard.
Hadleigh 6pm, Raydon 18.07pm, East Bergholt Lambe School 18.17pm, Station 18.26pm 94A Ipswich (Cattle Market) 17.55pm, East Bergholt Lambe School 18.35pm
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.
ADVERTISING
T: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk DISTRIBUTION
Tree Martin: 01473 400380 E: tree@intouchnews.co.uk PRINTING
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
Fri 20 September is the advertising and editorial deadline for the October edition
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
STOUR VALLEY ARTS & MUSIC CONCERT SERIES 2019-2020 Sunday 20 October, 4pm: Aurora Ensemble Wind Quintet St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt / £15 The Aurora Ensemble, a traditional wind quintet which also expands to work with piano and strings, as well as exploring the repertoire for wind octet, was formed in 1996. All members have worked regularly with some of the country’s leading orchestras and chamber ensembles. They are prize-winners at the European Chamber Music Competition and have broadcast for BBC Radio 3 as well as having performed at numerous festivals and at venues such as the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall. Tickets: svamtickets@btinternet.com / 01206 298426 / www.svam.org.uk The season continues with: Sunday 10 November, 4pm: Trio con Brio Copenhagen, St Mary’s Church. East Bergholt Sunday 24 Nov, 5pm: Talk by William Clegg QC, author of Under the Wig, Assembly Rooms, Dedham Sun 26 January, 4pm: Jamal Aliyev Cello & Maria Tarasewicz Piano, Constable Hall, East Bergholt Sunday 9 Febreuary, 4pm: Young Musicians Concert, Constable Hall, East Bergholt Sunday 8 March, 4pm: Carducci Quartet, St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Sunday 29 March, 4pm: Kammerphilharmonie Europa, St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt For more details visit www.svam.org.uk or collect a leaflet from Grier & Partners, East Bergholt.
3
NEWS / OUT & ABOUT CONSTABLE COUNTRY PRACTICE Appointment System Update The practice will be implementing a new appointment system on September 2. The two open days we held in July were a great success and we have updated our appointment system leaflet to answer queries raised by patients. Please visit our website or pick up a leaflet for more information. Please note that there will be no pre-bookable appointments. If you need to speak to a doctor you can request them to call you the same day. If you need to be seen (about a third of all cases) the doctor will arrange for you to be seen the same day. Patients can request a call back from a doctor online from 7am, or phone the practice or call in to request one via a receptionist. It helps if you tell the receptionist the nature of your problem as it may be more appropriate for you to speak to our pharmacy technician or another member of our clinical team. They can also inform the doctor if your need is urgent. The new system will be more convenient for many patients as they won’t have to physically come to the practice. Having no pre-bookable appointments means there’s no need to call the practice at 8am, though if you think the doctor may wish to see you in person please call in the morning. You will usually be able to choose which doctor you would prefer to call you back. You can also submit an online consultation request via our eConsult service.
BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON Having just had our ‘summer’, I doubt we will be rapidly anticipating ‘winter’! Don’t we love to talk about the weather, but unfortunately we do little to learn from the past and to anticipate the future. Take the changes in bus subsidies from the county council. New developments in some villages will now be able to watch the bus drive past, but it will not stop, thus making a car an essential item. We complain about the heat, but all the record temperatures are in urban areas. I marvel at quoted record temperatures at Heathrow; with its hectares of concrete and heat gushing jet engines, I’m surprised it ever gets cold. Here in the ‘countryside’ we appear to be trying to catch Heathrow up by concreting over the fields and erecting houses so that rainfall can run off more quickly. Although the sustainable urban drainage systems are supposed to control the flow, it ultimately must end up in rivers or reservoirs so that we in turn can use it. I must admit that our current rainfall has been limited and it’s been sometime since the water meadows in the Stour Valley were under water. However, forward thinking on infrastructure, and that includes electricity, gas, water, doctors, schools and libraries, as well as jobs, seems to come last, if it’s considered at all.
National Patient Survey The results of the national survey were published last month and we are delighted that overall patient satisfaction is up 16 per cent to 79 per cent and ease of getting though on the phone is up 22 per cent to 64 per cent. The number of patients finding our receptionists helpful was 94 per cent, and 75 per cent of patients describe their experience of making an appointment as good (up 20 per cent). Patients having confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they last spoke to was 95 per cent, and 96 per cent felt their needs were met during their last appointment.
Consultation on the Babergh Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan is open and I urge all concerned with the quality of our environment to look at it and comment where appropriate before the deadline. I appreciate it’s a ‘summer holiday’ consultation period, but is was extended a little in case anyone manged to avoid the chaos at the airports! A similar consultation is in progress on the Ipswich Northern Bypass which will help the traffic problems on the A14, but by the time they have built enough extra houses to justify the project the bypass will be full before any diverted traffic reaches it. Mind you, we have until 2027 before it’s likely to start!
Thank you to all patients who completed the survey. We value feedback and are delighted that the service we offer has improved significantly. However, we are always looking to further improve our service and value all feedback made directly to the practice or via our Patient Participation Group.
Enjoy the autumn weather.
Flu Clinics As last year, patients over 65 will be administered a different flu vaccine to those under 65. Unfortunately, there have again been delays in manufacture which means that delivery of the vaccine for under 65s is staged. This complicates the vaccination programme and we will therefore implement a similar system to last year. We will hold a number of flu clinics and will send personalised letters to every eligible patient inviting them to attend on specific dates. These letters will be sent through September and October. Please attend on the earliest date possible when you receive a letter. Please don’t attend a flu clinic if you don’t receive a letter as we may not have taken delivery of the vaccine you require. If you haven’t received a letter by the end of October and you are over 65 or believe you are eligible for a free vaccination because of your medical condition, please contact the practice.
Councillor John Hinton, East Bergholt Ward
THE ORCHARD PLAYERS Quiz Night: Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm at Capel St Mary Community Centre
Tickets £10 including supper (vegetarian option available on request). To register your team please contact Hazel: 07917 582709 / hazelhole54@gmail.com
Practice Manager Pete Keeble
BOOK SALE AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH An end of year book sale is happening at Manningtree Methodist Church in South Street on Saturday 2 November between 10am and 3pm. Once again most hardbacks will be priced at £1 with paperbacks at 50p. All children’s books are 10p each Crispy Bob and his bacon rolls will be available together with tea, coffee and a selection of cakes.
Panto 2020 – Red Riding Hood Our panto is cast and rehearsals will soon be underway! Tickets for performances on Thursday 9, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 January 2020 go on sale soon so keep an eye out for our box office details! We’re always looking to welcome new people to the group and are especially looking for help backstage and for people to join our technical crew. If you, or anyone you know, is keen to get involved, pop along to Capel St Mary Community Centre from 7.30pm on a Thursday, get in touch via our Facebook page, or email us on: info@theorchardplayers.com
A warm and friendly welcome awaits everyone as admission is free.
4
In Touch online:
advertorial
Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed
double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution… Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly
experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee.
Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Andy Kerridge and he services the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
A custom pastel portrait of your best friend!
Prices from £95.00
Heather Clarke
Dog Portrait Artist 01473 730141 or 07783 541931 heather@clarke-illustration.co.uk £5 from each commission is donated to the Blue Cross
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
5
NEWS / OUT & ABOUT NOTES FROM THE CASE Suffolk’s first co-operative pub! Hopefully the good weather of July and August is continuing and our lovely garden is being used to it fullest. Although the days are starting to get shorter, we’re not quite counting down to Christmas yet, but plans are being discussed for the big day. In between time though, we still have a lot going on at The Case! Macmillan Coffee Morning On Saturday 28 September we will be holding our second Macmillan Coffee Morning. We are hoping to repeat the wonderful success we had last year (despite the awful weather) and perhaps raise even more money for this important national charity. Coffee (and tea) will be served from 10am to noon (or until we run out of cake!). There will also be a raffle. Donations of (preferably) homemade cakes will be gratefully received. Please check the website closer to the date for more details.
Health Fair – Saturday 21 September You are invited to come along to the free Capel Health Fair anytime between 10am and noon on Saturday 21 September in Capel Methodist Church. As we go to press the following have been confirmed: • Special Kids Zone – Learn CPR, how to use a de-fib and what to do for choking on a baby and an adult dummy. Also a health visitor looking at healthy packed lunches for kids and community dental services. • Physiotherapists from AT Physio – get some free advice for those niggles you keep ignoring and a physical MOT • Sun protection advice from a dermatologist
Our monthly quiz will also be held on Saturday 28 September. As always, teams can be up to six, and winning teams receive drink vouchers. Entrance is £2 per person and the quiz will start at 8.30pm. The new raffle for FIND, our charity of the year, is now well-established and is helping us to boost the amount we are raising for this very worthy local organisation.
• PT (personal trainer) Darren Baker from DBPT – willing to put children/young people and adults (whether mega fit, or just starting out) through their paces • A well-being zone to de-stress (upstairs) • Fire safety advice in the home
The monthly Open Mic night continues as usual on the first Tuesday of the month, September 3. Come and join in or just listen to some very talented local musicians. The music starts around 8.30pm. For more details please contact Dave: 07885 963882
• Suffolk Family Carers
Advanced Notice Due to the Bentley Fireworks being held on Saturday 26 October, our October Quiz Night will be held on Saturday 2 November. The November quiz will be held, as normal, on the last Saturday of the month, November 30.
• Independent Age
• Ipswich Diabetes Support • British Red Cross • Parkinson’s UK • Inspire counselling • Dementia Together
As always Jane’s midweek light lunches are available from Wednesday to Friday (noon-2pm), as are Esther’s Best Sunday Lunches (noon-2.30pm). Booking for Sunday lunch is always advisable. If you are a group of six or more it is also advisable to book in advance for a midweek lunch to avoid long waiting times. Our menus are available on the website and Facebook page.
• Suffolk Bereavement Support
01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk
There’s something for all the family to do and learn, so pop in and give your health a boost.
www.facebook.com/TheCaseBentley
• Our Capel Parish Nurse, Occupational Therapist and Mental Health Occupational Therapist • Information on all that goes on in Capel to keep you active and healthy – mind, body and soul – plus free healthy refreshments
For more information, please contact Jill Sharp (311546) or see the Capel Parish Nurses Facebook page for updates.
BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY We are holding an information morning for our upcoming production of Anything Goes on Sunday 22 September from 10am-noon at Brantham Village Hall. The morning will be an informal chance for you to meet the team, hear some of the music and find out about the show, as well as the production and BATS in general. We welcome interest from prospective actors, technicians, stage crew and front-of house personnel. If you are interested in any of the above and can offer any particular skill, please come along to find out more. BATS is a welcoming group that has fun both on and off stage. All ages very much welcomed. The show runs from 16-22 February. Auditions at Brantham Village Hall Adults: Tuesday 24 & Thursday 26 September, 7.30-10pm Children: Sunday 29 September, 10am-noon For further audition information visit: www.batsonline.co.uk
6
STOUR CHORAL SOCIETY Stour Choral Society begins its new year on Monday 9 September with a social evening at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church Hall, South Street, Manningtree. We are looking forward to another successful year of music-making with our music director, Susie Hyman. We have three concerts planned for the year, the first on November 30 at Mistley Church when we will perform the Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams and part of the Christmas Oratorio by J S Bach. Our spring concert on March 28 will be Handel’s Messiah and at the end of June we will sing with local schoolchildren. We look forward to welcoming anyone who would like to sing with us. There are no auditions and help is available if your music-reading skills are not good. In common with many choirs nowadays, we especially welcome people who can sing tenor or bass parts! To find out more just come along on Monday 9 September or contact Margaret Baldry: 01206 619084 / secretary@stourchoralsociety.co.uk
In Touch online:
IPSWICH MR MISTY.pdf
1
06/04/2019
09:08
WE SPECIALISE IN DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS, CALL FOR YOUR FREE CHECK UP
IPSWICH
Mr Mis t y ‘The W in dow D oct or ’ is a f a mil y r u n bu s in ess t ha t pr ides it s el f in ex cept ion a l cu s t omer ca r e. W e pr omis e ea s y s er vice f r om s t a r t t o finis h. DOES YOUR DOUBLE GLAZING STEAM UP? WE REPLACE JUST THE GLASS AND NOT THE FRAMES AT A FRACTION OFTHE COST FOR NEW WINDOWS
C
M
P R O B L E M S WE S O L V E
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
ELIMINATE WINDOW CONDESATION
SECONDARY GLAZING TO BLOCK OUT NOISE
BROKEN WINDOW PARTS
LOCKS
BROKEN GLASS
FAULTY HINGES
K
COMMON SUMMER TIME PROBLEM
LAWN MOWER STONE CHIPS & BROKEN GLASS
FREE PHONE : 0800 25 45 111 FOR YOUR FREE CHECKUP WWW.MRMISTY.CO.UK
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
7
8
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY What a busy summer it has been with the Reading Challenge; at the time of writing, we had 116 children signed up. A massive thank you to all our volunteers, without your help we would never have been able to manage. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Tot Rock: Every Thursday from 9.30-10.15am. Nursery rhymes and storytime for the under fives Capel Creators: Saturday 28 September, 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: Sundays 8 and 22 September, 10.30am-12.30pm. Children of all ages welcome; those under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring with you your tablet or phone equipped with Minecraft Pocket Edition or Minecraft Windows 10 Edition. Try to remember to charge your device beforehand! Reading Challenge Presentation: Sunday 15 September from 1.30pm. All finishers are invited to come along and collect their medal and certificate. Capel Library Book Group: Friday 20 September. 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. Don’t forget we also sell book tokens and books of stamps. Don’t forget to check out our jigsaw swap trolley. OPENING TIMES Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9.30am-12.30pm and 2-5.30pm Wednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday: 9.30am-12.30pm Friday: 2-5pm and 5.30-7.30pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Sunday: 10am-3pm
ARDLEIGH WEA Meeting at Great Bromley Village Hall, Parsons Hill, Great Bromley, Colchester CO7 7JA Shakespeare’s Women by Ron Marks 10 ninety-minute sessions from 26 September to 28 November An exploration of some of the extraordinary and powerful female characters Shakespeare invented for boys and men to act: companions, lovers, mothers, daughters, viragos at war, victims of jealousy, agents of destruction and angels of redemption! We speculate about Shakespeare’s life, including political and religious factors as well as his marital and other relationships, in so far as light may be cast on the way he presents his female roles, and consider how the all-male world of the theatre companies affected their construction and presentation. We shall discuss some of the non-dramatic poetry to see if these too shed illumination, and proceed to study some roles fairly briefly, others in more depth, covering the most significant from the comedies, histories, tragedies and romances, discussing Shakespeare’s ‘empowerment’ of his women. How much justification is there for the suggestion that Shakespeare’s women, at least, are the deadlier of the species? The course fee (Ref: C2226658) is £57.75. As from this term you have to book online at www.wea.org.uk/find-course or by phoning 0300 303 3464 at least a week before the course begins. If you have any problems booking please contact John Terry (details below). We have to get around 17 people attending to make the course viable. If this number is not attained before the course begins it is likely to be cancelled and any money paid will be returned. CONTACTS John Terry (Chairman): 01206 397101 / 07566 880504 / john@terrys.org.uk Judy Owens (Secretary): 01206 257429 / 07557 090094 / judyowens379@gmail.com
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
WEA SEEKING VOLUNTEERS IN LAWFORD WEA Lawford is seeking volunteers and is excited about the course planned for this autumn. The WEA is UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education in England and Scotland. For more than 20 years WEA courses have been held in the Methodist Church Hall, Manningtree. In October author and aviation historian Ian McLachlan will be delivering his popular course: The Friendly Invasion – the US Army Air Force in East Anglia. In this course students will explore the combat history, cultural impact and legacy of the American presence during the Second World War. The course will cover some of the sensitive issues surrounding the arrival of the USAAF – race relations, romance and crime. WEA courses are taught by professional tutors and are friendly and welcoming; they rely on the support of their community and their volunteers. WEA Lawford currently has opportunities for new volunteers. Roles include serving as an officer on the committee (which includes selecting future courses that will suit the needs of the community) to unlocking the hall for classes, liaising with the tutor or making the tea. There is something for everyone! To enrol on the course please be quick – Ian’s course at Colchester branch has already sold out. Go to www.wea.org.uk and enrol online or telephone 0300 303 3464 to book a place. Please quote course ID C2226691. Fees are £53.90 for seven weeks. Places are free for anyone on income related benefits including pension guarantee credit. More information is available on our website or by calling the booking line above. Anyone willing to volunteer their time to support the WEA please contact the regional office: 01223 417320 / eastern@wea.org.uk Senior Area Education Manager Sarah Moore
STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Our speaker on September 4 is Mervyn Linford who will introduce us to the river from Cattawade Bridge to Ha’Penny Pier. Ted Wheatley will return on September 18 with a talk entitled Speakers’ Corner. On October 2 David Prynn will talk of China, Past and Present and two weeks later on October 16 Cherry Mullins will present Confessions of a Tour Manager. Andy Malcolm will talk about the good work undertaken by The Fishermen’s Mission on November 6 and on November 20 Sara Waterston of local Hunnable Funeral Directors will talk on The Humourist Side of Funerals. 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
MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, September 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
9
OUT & ABOUT
STOUR VALLEY U3A On August 14 we welcomed Terry Waite with a talk entitled Survival in Solitude. As a former hostage negotiator and hostage himself, he spoke of his experiences working for the release of innocent people across the world and he described his own experiences in captivity in Beirut.
The theme of our meeting on September 11 is Great Composers of Film Music. Steve Johnson, a film enthusiast, will recall the history of music in film from the beginnings of sound, with emphasis on specific composers who have made significant contributions to music in film. Jenny Gibbs will talk to us on An Englishwoman’s Life in Rural Turkey on Wednesday 9 October. Her stories capture a simple, serene, pastoral way of life in a Turkish mountain village unchanged for centuries, from the day she first arrived there 25 years ago to today. On November 13 Magistrate Graham Higgins will talk of Tales From The Bench. He will look at our legal heritage, particularly the part played by Suffolk. He will relate how the role of magistrates and local events have played a part in this history and will bring us up to date with an opportunity to decide how a defendant should be sentenced by briefly outlining a case. He will also include some of his unusual experiences on the bench.
MANNINGTREE ROTARY CLUB THANKS LOCAL LADIES At the start of our new presidential year in July 2018, Manningtree Rotary Club Community Team decided to support Against Breast Cancer. The charity runs a bra collection scheme which enables them to raise vital funds for breast cancer research and also to support small businesses in African countries where bras remain too expensive to produce locally. Our target was to fill 20 bags by June 2019, but with your help we actually managed to collect 29. So ladies, a big thank-you for your support and also thank you to Manningtree Co-Op who let us use their store as a collection point. Community members Rob Sharrorr (left) and Roger Griffiths are pictured with their wonderful haul!
MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
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 27 September.
MANNINGTREE STOUR VALLEY ROTARY CLUB The club welcomed new club president, Rotarian Sue Clark at the annual handover night, this year held at Boxted Vineyard. The evening included the appointment or re-appointment of the club’s officers, a tour of the vineyard and a meal. Sue has been an active Rotarian for many years, coming to this area from Watford and has been a president in her previous club. Professionally she has held high positions in the retail trade with much experience. The club looks forward to a successful year serving the community. Rotarian Pauline Dean, a local resident in Lawford and a member of Colchester Rotary Breakfast Club, has now been inducted as District Governor of Rotary District 1240 which covers all of Essex and into Hertfordshire. The role means being the head of the over 50 clubs in the county and visiting all of them in her year of office. Preparation for this role is mainly carried out in the USA and is a prestige appointment for both her club and the area. We wish her well in the year ahead.
10
Our summer break continues and at the time of writing we are still looking forward to the barbecue which had to be postponed due to the weather. The marathon results are in and the overall winner was David Garnham with a total of 87 points. One of his winning images in the Deterioration category is show here. Second was Harvey Perkins with 83 points and joint third were Sandra Crittenden and Hasje Mousley, both with 80 points. Well done to all! We look forward to next year’s marathon! The Facebook challenge continues and recent winners of the ‘letter m’ challenge were Peter Cannons and Ian Parker. The current challenge is ‘summer’ so we look forward to seeing some inspirational images taken in the recent hot spell! The new season commences on September 10 with an open competition of images taken within a 10 mile radius of Manningtree to be judged by club members. Further details of the new programme can be found online. 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 www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk
In Touch online:
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
11
Party Pieces Martin Huggett and Oliver King present: An entertaining miscellany of music by various composers including Mozart, Bizet, Brahms, a few surprises and: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Saturday 28th September 2019. 6:30 for 7:00 (drinks and canapés 6.30 - 6.55) At St Mary the Virgin Church, East Bergholt, Suffolk CO7 6TA. Tickets & enquiries £12 (advance booking to facilitate catering) £14 (at the door) Contact: Rev Steph 01206 392646 Email: revstephvdt@googlemail.com Fiona Trott 01206 298205 Proceeds to the roof restoration.
12
In Touch online:
SCHOOLS / SPORT ROBIN’S NEWS Baby Bears The Baby Bears have welcoming some new friends; we look forward to getting to know the new babies and to finding out what they are interested in. In the process leading up to a new baby starting at Robin’s, we offer settling in or trial sessions. This involves the parents or carers coming in for an hour with their child, where they sit with the child’s key person to discuss the child’s routine, likes, interests, allergies, etc. This is also a great opportunity for the child to become familiar with the room, their key person and other children, as well as for the parents/carers to get to know the key person and ask any questions they may have prior to their child starting. We then offer an hour trial where the child is dropped off; this allows them a short period of time to get used to being away from their parents/carers and for them to become more familiar with the adults and the room before they stay for a full session. Toddling Tigers
We started the summer holidays with a visit from Zoolab. The Toddling Tigers had the opportunity to pet and hold a variety of different creatures, ranging from rats to tarantulas. They were intrigued by the animals, with squeals of excitement and lots of laughter. The children were able to experience something unique and thrilling, which they shared with our holiday club children. Gruffalos As you read we are preparing for our Gruffalos to return. It seems a long time ago that we wished our grown-up Gruffalos goodbye at our graduation ceremony. It was a wonderful way to say goodbye. The gifts, cards and very kind words where truly overwhelming and very much appreciated. September sees us returning to Forest School with our new cohort, where we are looking forward to watching them flourish in the wonderful outdoors. Here’s to fun, learning and laughter ahead! If you would like further information about our nursery, pre-school, Forest School, out of school or holiday clubs, please contact Emma Deakin: 01473 310768 / info@robinschildcare.co.uk
BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS How quickly September has come around again! With the start of the new school year we welcome some new faces to our schools. Our Reception classes are eager to begin their schooling having had some fun at the induction sessions in the summer term. We also welcome Mrs Collins to Copdock who will be teaching Woodpeckers. Initially she will work with Mr Collins (no relation) who has often been a supply teacher for us. We already have a busy diary with a trip to the theatre planned, an exciting activity week and some outdoor learning around the river at Flatford. This promises to be a stimulating start to the term, which will hopefully set us all up for another amazing year of learning. We would like to take this opportunity to invite members of our community to Copdock Primary School on Friday 27 September for our annual Macmillan Coffee Afternoon. Please join us for refreshments and entertainment by the children, all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Keep an eye out around the village for posters for more details. For more news and up-to-date information about our schools, please visit: www.bentleycopdock.co.uk
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
SCOUTS JET OFF FOR ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
Unit 18 Iceni and Unit 19 Teagulls, both from Suffolk left on 20 July to fly off to the World Scout Jamboree in North America. The Scouts from Suffolk joined 5,000 others from across the UK, and 40,000 more from nearly every country in the world, for two weeks of activities and skills development, while, best of all, making new friends at one of the most truly international events on the planet. The UK Scouts flew to New York for 24 hours in the Big Apple. The city was taken over by the Scouts getting to know each other, seeing the sights and learning to navigate the big city, before they travelled to the Jamboree site in wild and wonderful West Virginia. The World Scout Jamboree includes opportunities for Scouts to learn new skills with other young people from across the globe. They will experience high adventure in a community of new residents from nearly every country in the world. Ollie Smith, Unit 19 Leader, said: “I can’t believe we are actually here about to jump on the plane, the airport is full of Scouts. I have been counting down the days until we leave and finished packing two weeks ago. The people I am going with have become my closest friends and I can’t wait to make friends with Scouts from all over the world! We have skills to share food to taste. It’s going to be awesome.” As well as being a fantastic opportunity for young people, the event is an amazing chance for adult volunteers such as me to take part in activities and learn new skills that they can use in other aspects of their life. Groups from Wolsey District include 26th and 32nd Ipswich and Castle Hill Cobras. Mark Pearson
EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC Preparations continue for the new season with healthy numbers attending pre-season training, including a number of juniors looking to make the step up. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners and boards on matchdays are all potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. 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 at: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com This upcoming season is the 125th anniversary of the club and there will be special events to mark this momentous achievement. We are looking to get in touch with as many former players and officials as possible. Please let us have your details by replying to the secretary or on our Facebook page. The FIFA tournament will be repeated and is open to all-comers so keep an eye out for the next one. It is also anticipated that the darts tournament will become a regular event and will be open to all, so darts players, look out for the next event. We are always on the lookout for people who can help the club as committee members, either on the playing side or just in the background. Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
13
A warm welcome guaranteed Bentley Road, Little Bromley, CO11 2PL www.thehaywain.co.uk | 01206 390004
BREAKFAST |LUNCH | DINNER | FUNCTION ROOM HIRE Enjoy a meal or drink in the pub, our garden, private dining room or use our large function room
Flat Iron Friday
Breakfast & Brunch
Saturdays and Sundays Two flat iron steaks and two house drinks - £20 Join us for coffee, breakfast waffles Pudding Night, Pub Tapas and Curry or a full English or try our vegan Night - Coming Soon! breakfast!
Planning a Party?
Our function room is free to hire and an ideal space for weddings, birthday parties , christenings , wakes, Christmas parties and much more...
Open Wed - Fri - 12.00pm - 3.00pm - 6.00pm - 11.00pm Saturday - 9.30am - 11.00pm | Sunday - 9.30am - 6.00pm
10% off lunch menu - Wednesday - Saturday Just show this promotion when you arrive
.AC LEISU RE.C O
si ti ng W W W rs hi p off er s Jo in no w by vi rr en t m em be an d se e ou r cu
14
M
In Touch online:
SPORT / CHURCH NEWS MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB
DEDHAM AND ARDLEIGH PARISHES
Men’s & Ladies Cricket Results have continued to be somewhat inconsistent for the First and Second Team, but the Third Team has won their last four games. The Sunday sides have continued their good form and the ladies have been very impressive as usual.
Services and Events for September 2019
PERFORMANCES OF NOTE 1st XI Khalipha Cele: 55 v Coggeshall / 58 v Haverhill Graeme Butcher: 73 v Ipswich Ashley Uren: 73 v Ipswich 2nd XI Hector Scott-Lyon: 74 v Abberton / 73 v Long Melford / 59 v Haverhill / 71 v Copdock & OIs Charlie Hawthorn: 5-46 v Abberton Danny Goff: 4-38 v Long Melford Mark Vickers: 4-32 v Long Melford 3rd XI Ollie Martin: 4-28 v IES Will Bailey: 100 v Ipswich Andrew Butcher: 123 v Ipswich Harrison Rogers: 6-19 v Boxted Matt Goff: 50 not out v Boxed Harry Fifield: 4-29 , Boxted
Sunday, September 1 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 9.30am Rise ’n’ Shine, Dedham 11am Morning Prayer (CW), Ardleigh 5pm Evensong, Dedham Sunday, September 8 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh 9.30am Holy Communion (CW), Dedham Sunday, September 15 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 9.30am Matins, Dedham 11am Parish Eucharist, Ardleigh 3pm Sunday@3, Ardleigh Sunday, September 22 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh 9.30am Morning Praise, Dedham 5pm Revive@5, Dedham Sunday, September 29 11am Harvest Joint Service, Dedham 5pm Songs of Praise for Harvest, Dedham
Sunday NECL Khalipha Cele: 146 not out v Wivenhoe / 52 v Col & EE (T20) Danny Goff: 87 v Elmstead (T20) James Scott: 77 v Halstead / 79 not out v Halstead
Sunday, October 6 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 9.30am Rise ‘n’ Shine, Dedham 11am Harvest Morning Prayer, Ardleigh 5pm Evensong, Dedham
Sunday TC Rajiv Shandilya: 56 not out v Brightlingsea Sam Burkitt: 82 v Great Bromley Giles Lennox: 63 v Abberton
BCP – Book of Common Prayer / CW – Common Worship
Ladies Imogen Sidhu: 72 not out v Felixstowe & Cor (T20) Candy Cornelius: 93 not out v Felixstowe & Cor (T20) / 102 not out v Saffron Walden (T20) Sadly, it’s the end of summer, and the end of the 2019 cricket season too. 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 For upcoming fixtures visit: https://mistleycc.wixsite.com/2017 July 2019 100 Club Winners 1: Peter Spencer (50) £120 2: Peter French (45) £60 3: Amarjeet Mehmi (77) £50
Weekly Midweek Services Tuesday Morning Prayer at Dedham at 10.30am Thursday Evening Prayer at Ardleigh at 5pm Men’s Breakfast: Saturdays, August 31 & October 5, 9am at The Vicarage Dedham Lunch Club: Monday, September 2, 12.30pm at Essex Rose Tea Rooms Ardleigh Friendship Group: Tuesdays, September 10 & 24 at Ardleigh Church, 10am-noon Mission Bake Sale: Saturday, September 21, 10am at Dedham Church Dedham Flower Festival: Friday 27 to Monday 30 September (see p12) Sunday Night Skeptics at the Sun Inn: come and discuss faith and reason over a drink on Sunday, September 29 from 8pm.
New players are always welcome; for more information please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com
www.dedham-and-ardleigh-parishes.org.uk
Order your fully-branded 2020 calendars, diaries, wall planners, weekly planners and desk pads now and get ahead! Generic products also available.
MansionHouseGroup MansionHousePublishing MansionHousePublishing
ColourplanPrint ColourplanPrint
MusicalMarketing MusicalMarketing
BoswellOfficeSupplies BoswellOfficeSupplies
Order early to avoid disappointment. Contact MansionHousePublishing today 01473 400380 / advertising@intouchnews.co.uk www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
15
CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn 01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com
long ago, to remember them especially in a simple service at St Michael’s, Brantham at 3.30pm on Saturday 2 November.
www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk
There will be three ways for remembering. A bowl will be placed at the back of both St Mary’s and St Michael’s from Saturday 19 October and removed on Saturday 2 November. Please write the names of those you remember before God on the paper provided and place the paper in the bowl. The names of those for whom we have conducted services in the last year will be read out from our records so you don’t need to write these down unless you wish to. During the All Souls’ Service at St Michael’s, Brantham the bowl with all the names will be brought up and placed gently on the altar at the beginning of the service. These names will not be read out; they will be silently offered to God.
RAMBLING RECTOR Listening to the news yesterday was painful. Yet another mass shooting in America, then last night two Americans going at it hammer and tongs in a ‘discussion’ on the subject, one a Trump and NRA supporter, the other obviously not. The tone of the debate was such that I was glad it was on the radio because if they had been face to face violence seemed inevitable. Not prepared to listen, utter determination that I am right and you are wrong with no areas of grey in between. There is always the possibility that there is another way of looking at a situation that we haven’t considered before. Looking back on events in my own life with a safe distance of 40 years, there are things I wish I had done differently. Wisdom, they say, comes with age. One of the worst things I ever saw at a school sports day was a child who dropped the baton in the relay handover. His team lost. Mother came rushing onto the field. Oh good, I thought. She is coming to comfort her son. Not a bit of it. She picked up the baton and hit him over the head with it. I wonder to this day what became of that child.
Secondly, there will be an opportunity to light a candle during the service. A lit candle is a symbol both of God’s presence with us and of our prayers offered to him.
Jesus had a good way of dealing with people who disagreed with him. He ate with them. Before we partake of the bread and the wine at the Eucharist, there is always the opportunity to make peace with someone we have fallen out with. It is an important moment and to be taken seriously. If Christians can’t make peace with one another, what hope is there for the world!
Do remember that parking at St Michael’s is difficult as we have no parking area, so allow plenty of time to be able to park calmly and walk to the church.
Rev Steph SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER Sunday 1: Trinity 11 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Benefice Communion, East Bergholt 4pm Family@church, East Bergholt
Thirdly, the names of those on our records who have died during the last year will be read aloud. Please accept this invitation to the All Souls’ Service, a special time of remembering. You don’t need to reply to this invitation, and anyone who wishes to come is most welcome on the day. We are praying for you.
Rev Steph First Aid Training: Michael Mann, a registered and qualified instructor with Nuco Training Ltd, will deliver a one-off six-hour training session at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt from 2pm on November 16. Cost £30. Anyone interested please contact Liz Digby on 01473 312281 to book or for further details.
Wednesday 4 9.30am BCP, East Bergholt Sunday 8: Trinity 12 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Family Service, Brantham Sunday 15: Trinity 13 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion and Baptism of Jason Williams, East Bergholt 11am Informal Service, Brantham Saturday 21 1pm Wedding of Troy Francis and Becky Hodgetts, East Bergholt Sunday 22: Trinity 14 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Choral Matins, East Bergholt 11am Communion, Brantham Sunday 29: Trinity 15 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 11am Patronal Festival Benefice Communion, Brantham with guest preacher Dean Joe Hawes 3pm Ecumenical Harvest Festival, Congregational Church 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. INVITATION TO A SERVICE OF MEMORIES At the beginning of November, the church celebrates All Saints’ and the next day All Souls’, the commemoration of the Faithful Departed. There will be an opportunity for anyone who has lost someone they love either recently or
16
In Touch online:
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
17
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 SEPTEMBER Sunday 1 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 3 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 8 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 10 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 1 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 17 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 22 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 24 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 29 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass CATHOLIC COMMENTARY The excluded, especially migrants and refugees, are the ones who ultimately pay the price for humanity’s greed, Pope Francis said recently.
He warned: “Today’s world is increasingly becoming more elitist and cruel toward the excluded. Those who pay the price are always the little ones, the poor, the most vulnerable, who are prevented from sitting at the table and are left with the crumbs of the banquet.” The message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees offered reflections, insights and resources for the promotion of pastoral activities. Reflecting on the theme: “It’s not just about migrants; it’s about not excluding anyone,” the Pope lamented the exploitation of natural and human resources in developing countries “for the benefit of a few privileged markets”. He also called out countries that foment war through arms sales while closing their doors to innocent men, women and children escaping violence. “Wars only affect some regions of the world,” Pope Francis said, “yet weapons of war are produced and sold in other regions, which then refuse to accept the refugees produced by these conflicts.” Pope Francis concluded that the church must take the initiative and seek “those who have fallen away”. The Catholic Church should “stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast whom we ourselves as a society are excluding,” he explained. “Real development is fruitful and inclusive, oriented toward the future.” EVENTS AND DIARY DATES The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday 25 August at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a record £165 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday 22 September 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: website 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 event will be on Thursday 26 September.
The weekly newsletter, with all the parish mass times, is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door of the church.
KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
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 Running from 18 September, 7pm at the Venture Centre 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
18
Un-denominational / Meeting at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street, and the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford Providing Christian witness and pastoral ministry to the Tendring peninsula for over 28 years Programme for September Due to holidays some regular events have been cancelled for this month. Cafe/Oasis Event: Recommences on Saturday 12 October Link Line Meeting Point: Recommences on Friday 18 October Sunday 15 September: Fellowship Support Songs of Praise – Fingringhoe Methodist Chapel, 3pm Monday 23 September: Link Line holiday departure to Eastbourne For pastoral visitation, further information and transport requirements contact us on 01206 272064 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk or visit: www.linklinecmnortheastessex.co.uk
In Touch online:
CHURCH NEWS BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES Grains of Sand I’ve just returned from a four-day break on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. We went to Rhossili with a lovely three mile stretch of sandy beach and I wondered how many grains of sand were there. I Googled it when I got back and one estimate is that in all the sandy beaches and desert areas on the planet there are 7x1018 grains of sand (for non-mathematicians that is seven with 18 zeros after it – a very big number). I have been to dark sky areas in the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District and you can look up and see the millions of stars. The Hubble Telescope can see even more that the naked eye – one estimate is that there are 7x1022 (i.e. seven with 22 zeros after it). What a huge universe we live in – the mind can scarcely conceive it.
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
What do these figures do for you? From the walk along to Worms Head at Rhossili we looked down at the people on the beach and they looked no bigger than insects. King David, a king in Palestine 2,500 years ago, looked at the amazing universe as he saw it and asked in a song he wrote “What are humans that God should think of them?”. If we find it difficult to grasp these numbers, let’s go the other way. Water contains molecules of H20. If you were to count the number of molecules in 10 drops of water you would get a number equal to all the stars in the universe. If you were to count the number of atoms in an average human body there would 100,000 times the number of stars in the universe (7v1027). King David indicated that God knows the exact number, not the estimates that we grasp after. In a healthy body the bone marrow releases 2.5 million new red blood cells every second into the blood stream. No wonder David said “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” and it led him to worship God. Dr Philip Bland served with The Leprosy Mission in India where performing surgery for people suffering from Leprosy. He too quoted David in describing the human body as “fearfully and wonderfully made by God”. The vastness and the intimate details all point to a wonderful God who created us in his image. The scale is too great for us to fully comprehend. Doctors, scientists, mathematicians and astro-physicists all give us a greater understanding of the amazing world and the amazing human body, and I praise and thank God for all the insights they bring, but I am just thankful that he knows everything about me and still loves me and wants to work in and with me and with all who will acknowledge him. The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist Church 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT BRANTHAM METHODIST The Rev Ian Gardner, Minister at Brantham Methodist ian.gardner@methodist.org.uk / 01473 411507 Sunday 1 Sunday 8 Sunday 15 Sunday 22 Sunday 29
11am 2.30pm 11am 11am 3pm
Communion with Rev Ian Gardner Harvest with Rev Ian Gardner Worship arranged locally Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols United at East Bergholt Congregational
AT CAPEL METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 1
10.30am
Worship with Rev Bev Barclay
6.30pm
Prayer
Sunday 8
10.30am
Worship with Mrs Linda Pepper
Sunday 15 10.30am
Worship with Mr Alan Cutting
Saturday 21 10am-noon Health Fair Sunday 22 10.30am
Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey
United Prayer at Methodist
7.30pm
Saturday 28 3.30pm
Messy Church
Sunday 29 10.30am
Harvest Worship with Mrs Emily Hannah
www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt
19