In Touch News with Elmswell October 2018 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

In Touch ™ ™ ©© ™©

with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,

Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit

Volume 2 • Issue No. 7 • OCTOBER 2018

Busy Day Ahead by Georgina May, see p3

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In Touch online: 07/09/2018 10:06

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

Every parent strives to raise optimistic, happy children and we do all sorts to give them the best start in life and to be there to support them when they need us, and possibly when they don’t. Of course they don’t always appreciate our efforts, but I like to remind Jack quite frequently (i.e. every morning as we walk to school) how fortunate he is and I’m slowly teaching him the value of money and the practice of saving for the things he wants (as opposed to getting everything immediately). In doing so I’ve come to realise how little self-restraint I have myself and admit it’s quite a few years since I’ve actually ‘saved’ to buy something I’ve spotted in a shop window. Nowadays I’m more likely to ‘stick’ it on a card, but the purchase is then laden with guilt and often hidden at the back the cupboard until I can pull it out and say “this old thing; I’ve had it for ages”!

WOOLPIT FESTIVAL EVENTS IN OCTOBER

I miss the ‘old’ days when finally getting your hands on the thing you desired was enormously satisfying, but it may be difficult to convince an eight-year-old growing up in today’s throwaway society. I’m also keen to impress on him how important it is to support local shops and local tradespeople. Local businesses, local retail outlets and local employers are the lifeblood of community. They rely on our support and it’s in our best interests to provide it. A vibrant local economy ensures we can buy the things we want when we want them, find people to provide services when we need them, find work experience and Saturday jobs for our teenagers, sponsors for local events and jobs closer to home, but also generates a sense of hopefulness, confidence and pride which benefits us all and stimulates further investment and growth.

Swing Machine has played at events including BBC Radio Suffolk’s Children in Need fundraising dance and Christmas concert, charity balls featuring TVs Strictly Come Dancing dancers and university balls. They have also played at the New Wolsey Theatre, The Quay Theatre, Ipswich Jazz Club and the Red Feather Club to name but a few. The band supports a number of charities including Cancer Research, St Elizabeth Hospice, EACH, Help for Heroes, Afghan Heroes, St John Ambulance and Children in Need.

I often write about how fortunate we are to live in this little corner of the world and have encouraged you to support local events, but as we gear up for winter and start to think about Christmas, take a look around your local ‘business’ community and I’m confident you won’t need to go very far to find everything you need. Every penny you spend with a local supplier or in a local shop is an investment in the future of your local economy and consequently in ‘community’ itself.

InTouch

with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,

Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit

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

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Send editorial copy to: elmswell@intouchnews.co.uk

Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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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 Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit 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 ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •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

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Saturday, October 27, 7.30pm at Woolpit Village Hall Swing Machine is an Ipswich based big band recreating the much loved sounds of the 30s, 40s and 50s. The band’s repertoire is firmly rooted in the Swing Era, delighting audiences with the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Ted Heath, Woodie Herman, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton, and they play for a wide variety of dances including Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Jive, Chacha-cha, Rumba, Tango, Samba and Salsa. As well as the instrumentalists, the band has two top class vocalists who perform as solo artists and as a duo, with songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Bublé, and Harry Connick Junior.

Sunday, October 28, 3pm at St. Mary’s Church, Woolpit The Churchgate Wind Octet and the Octave Choir will be providing a varied programme which will include two pieces marking the hundredth anniversary of the end of the First World War. Octave will sing a short piece by George Dyson who joined the Royal Fusiliers at the outbreak of war in 1914. He became grenadier officer of the 99th infantry brigade and wrote a pamphlet on grenade warfare. In 1916 he returned to England incapacitated by shell-shock, but went on to serve in the newly formed RAF, organising military bands. After leaving the service in 1920 he became professor of composition at the Royal College of Music and music master at Wellington College and later at Winchester. In 1938 he was appointed director of the RCM, the first former student to do so. The Churchgate Wind Octet will play a divertimento by Gordon Jacob, who enlisted in the Field Artillery and fought until his capture in 1917. He was one of only 60 men in his battalion of 800 to survive. As a POW he formed a small prison camp orchestra and arranged the music depending on the instruments available. After his release he studied piano and composition at the Royal College of Music. He taught at the RCM until his retirement in 1966. During this period he composed music for the 1951 Festival of Britain. The wind octet will open the concert, followed by the choir. After the interval the choir will open the second half, followed by the octet. Box Office: Struan, The Green, Woolpit IP30 9RQ / 01359 240866

STOWMARKET BELLS PROJECT Business as Usual and Unusual Advertising during the Great War, 1914-1918 Join us for a fun and informative illustrated talk on British advertising in wartime by Andrew McCarthy, author of The Huns Have Got My Gramophone; Advertisements from the Great War. The shockwave of war and huge shifts in society brought some businesses to their knees, while others rose to the challenges and were wonderfully inventive. Andrew will show how British firms large and small coped with the changes which the war had brought about by inventing new products and finding new ways to sell existing ones. The evening will be rounded off with a sausage and mash supper. All proceeds will go to the Stowmarket Bells Project. We hope you will join us at St Peter’s Church Hall, Stowmarket on Saturday, October 27 at 7pm. For tickets (£7) contact: 01449 612756 / stowmarketbellsproject@gmail.com This month’s cover image was submitted by Georgina May, an aspiring photojournalist from Ipswich. Enquiries to georgina.a.may@gmail.com or see more of her work on Facebook at Georgina May Photography!

NEWS DRINKSTONE REMEMBERS FIRST WORLD WAR HERO A Suffolk soldier who died 100 years ago on his way home from Italy to visit his family during the First World War has been remembered in Drinkstone, the village in which he lived and worked. Sapper William Edwards had been serving on the Italian Front with the 158th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers for almost a year, when he was granted home leave to Drinkstone to see his wife and two young daughters. He fell ill on a troop train en route and was taken to a military hospital in the Rhone district of France. A few days later, on 3 September 1918, he died from cerebral malaria probably contracted in the swampy areas of Italy where ‘he had been building bridges’. He was 38 years old. The story of William Edwards’ life, military career and death was told at a service and in a special exhibition on Sunday, September 9, which was attended by some of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and greatgreat-grandchildren.

Hoxne and in the 1911 census. William junior’s occupation was given as ‘bricklayer’. In June 1913 young William married ‘Flo’ Bland at Rattlesden Baptist Chapel whom, according to family tradition, he met when she came to work as a domestic servant in the Hoxne area. After their marriage, the couple moved into a cottage in Shop Lane off the Rattlesden Road, Drinkstone Green now known as Kopsey Cottage. The couple soon had two daughters, Kathleen (born March 1914) and Molly (born October 1915). This portrait of William and Flo is dated c. 1910 and published courtesy of Moira Reeve/John. William was conscripted into the armed forces under the terms of the second Military Service Act of May 1916 and was ‘deemed to have enlisted’; he officially ‘signed on’ in Bury St Edmunds on 1 December 1916. He was assigned to the Royal Engineers to take advantage of his skills as a builder. Over the next nine months he underwent initial training and service ‘at home’, stationed at Chattenden Barracks near Rochester, Kent. William was at home with Flo and the children in August 1917 on ‘embarkation leave’, as from September 3 Sapper Edwards was transferred to ‘C’ section, 158th Army Troops Company RE and sent on service overseas – in this case to the Italian front. After landing at Cherbourg on September 27, he travelled by train to Taranto in the far south of Italy as part of the joint Franco-British Italian Expeditionary Force (IEF).

Pictured left to right are Wendy Young (wife of grandson), Neil Donaghy (grandson), Jane Grantham (great-grandaughter), Jessica Grantham (great-great-grandaughter), Carole Donaghy (wife of grandson), Moira Reeve (grandaughter), David Young (grandson) and John Donaghy (grandson). Louise Bailey (great-grandaughter) and Nancy Bailey (greatgreat-grandaughter) also attended the church service but were not photographed. Photo by Robin Sharp. An exhibition detailing Sapper Edwards’ life and military service has been compiled on behalf of the Drinkstone War Memorial Institute (Village Hall) by Robin Sharp, the vice-chairman. He said: “We’ve been celebrating the lives of each of the 15 men listed on our Great War Memorial on the centenary of their death, and William Edwards is the 13th man to be remembered in this way. It was especially pleasing and moving to have so many of William’s descendants present to join with us in honouring his sacrifice, and to keep our solemn pledge ‘We will remember them’.” The exhibition is free to view and is on display at Drinkstone Village Hall, the official Drinkstone War Memorial, until October 5. Moira Reeve, one of William Edwards’ grandchildren who lives in Walsham-le-Willows, added: “Our grandfather has been an important part of our family life through the years, thanks to the memories passed on by our mother Molly, his younger daughter, and all the keep-sakes we have including his medals and photographs. To attend the church service and to have his story brought to life and made public was a proud moment for us all.” WILLIAM EDWARDS William Edwards was born in Halstead, Essex on 5 August 1880, the eldest of five children of domestic gardener William Edwards and his wife Elizabeth. Due to William senior’s search for work, the family moved to

Precise details of William’s role or experiences in Italy are not known, but according to the Royal Engineers official history, ‘C’ section was employed as ‘lines of communication’ troops, tasked with maintaining and repairing facilities, involving water supply, field defences, gun emplacements, light railways, etc. Interviewed in 2005, William’s daughter Molly said her father had been “building bridges”. An obstacle faced by soldiers working in a sub-tropical environment like Italy was the summer heat and, in certain marshy areas, the problem of mosquitoes. Apart from his initial training, it seems that William served his whole army career in Italy By August 1918, the Austro-Hungarian forces (against whom the allied forces were fighting) were being pushed back and Sapper Edwards was granted some leave. His daughter Molly said that “while coming home on leave, he contracted malaria and was taken off the train in France”. William’s medical record has survived and makes sad and poignant reading. He was admitted to hospital on 29 August 1918 and his notes read: “Quite well one week ago. Then felt hot. No temp on admission. 30.8.18 Temp 99°. Sleeps all along. Tongue very dry. 31.8.18 Temp normal. Pulse still rapid. No symptoms. 1.9.18 Pulse 104. Feels well. 2.9.18 Incontinence of urine. Does not eat. Complains of nothing, but speech thick. Temp 101°. Pulse 112. 3.9.18 Became unconscious this morning. Conjunctival reflex present. Conj. reflex disappears. Right knee jerk absent. Left sluggish. Profuse sweat. Lungs become oedematous. Coma. Death about 6pm. Cause of death was initially given as meningitis, but following a post-mortem the next day, this was revised to cerebral malaria and necrosis of the spleen.” A message reporting William’s death was sent to his wife Flo and young daughters Kathleen and Molly in Drinkstone Green on September 7. He was laid to rest in the St Germain-au-Mont-d’Or Communal Cemetery Extension. In October 1998, at the age of 83, Molly was finally able to pay her respects to her father when she was taken by her daughter Moira to visit his grave.

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NEWS COUNTY COUNCILLOR PENNY OTTON THEDWASTRE SOUTH DIVISION Including Thurston, Beyton, Hessett, Drinkstone, Felsham, Gedding, Rattlesden (also Onehouse, Buxhall, Harleston, Shelland and Gt Finborough) Staying Close scheme launched to support care leavers Suffolk County Council has been awarded funding by the Department of Education for a three-year pilot scheme to support young people leaving care in Suffolk. The Staying Close scheme was launched on Thursday, August 9. The aim of the scheme is to help young people from the age of 15 start planning for independent living with the assistance and support of residential care workers. This planning often only occurs close to the time a young person is due to move-out, causing unnecessary anxiety and distress. Early intervention and detailed planning from a younger age should help to alleviate this. Young people will also continue to receive emotional and practical support from their children’s home and residential workers after they have moved out and started living independently. Reduction in recycling rates harm Greenest County ambitions Recycling rates in Suffolk have dropped over the past four years, from 51 per cent in 2013 to just 47 per cent in 2017. Meanwhile, over 50 per cent of waste in Suffolk is incinerated – much higher than the national average of 38 per cent. Although incineration may be a better option than landfill, it is still less environmentally-friendly than other methods of waste disposal. Furthermore, there are concerns that the level of harmful particles released by incinerators could pose a serious threat to public health. As part of the Greenest County Partnership, the Suffolk Waste Partnership set a target of recycling at least 60 per cent of municipal waste by 2020. These latest figures suggest we are moving further away from this target. If Suffolk County Council truly wants Suffolk to be the ‘greenest county’, we need to start focusing on environmentally-friendly methods of waste disposal and ways to increase recycling levels in the county. Superfast Broadband Councillor Hicks has promised that 98 per cent of all premises will have superfast broadband by 2020. This is approximately 3,000 new premises to be connected. New process for providing disabled parking bays This is to be simplified. Civil Parking Enforcement SCC will be making sure all road markings and signs are fit for purpose this year. Thurston Library The Friends of the library have big plans to improve the children’s area so I am helping with the costs from my locality budget. On September 21, I will be presenting the certificates and ‘medals’ to all those children who have completed the Reading Challenge.

MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLOR RACHEL EBURNE HAUGHLEY & WETHERDEN WARD Locality Grants available Again this year, Mid Suffolk District Council has provided each district councillor with £6,250 in grant funding for local community groups to apply to. I have sent forms out to many community groups in my area and will be assessing all applications next month. If you would like to apply, please contact your local district councillor for a form. Applications can be made for anything required for your group or organisation and need to be accompanied by a letter explaining what is needed, why it is needed and how much money is requested. Grants can be made from £250 upwards. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Also on local funding sources, Mid Suffolk District Council has paid out the first amounts from the local fund for CIL. Any community group or parish council can apply to this for funding and amounts were awarded to Stowupland Village Hall Committee and Botesdale Health Centre amongst others. Funding rounds are six monthly, and the next round is from October 1-28. For more details and application forms, please visit www.midsuffolk.gov.uk and go to Planning then CIL. The relevant forms are on the ‘Spending CIL’ webpage. Mid Suffolk District Council Performance In the Quarter 1 performance report (to June 30), particular areas that are noted as needing improvement are housing repairs, households in B&B accommodation, calls abandoned (i.e callers give up waiting to be answered) at the call centre and missed bin collections. At the meeting where this was discussed I raised issues regarding support for Neighbourhood Plans, the lack of spending of the Disabled Adaptations budget and understanding what funding the Communities Team can help local groups obtain. I also raised the issue of monitoring how many homes are being built in order to ensure we do not lose our five-year housing land supply. Rachel Eburne: 01449 774647 / rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk http:/racheleburne.com

MUSIC QUIZ NIGHT Saturday, October 20, 7 for 7.30pm Norton Village Hall 4 Ixworth Road, Norton IP31 3LE £10 per head, teams of eight Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper / Licenced Bar Get your team organised and come along to Norton Village Hall for a great night out including prizes and a raffle in support of your local community centre. Book tickets in advance by emailing nortonvhbookings@gmail.com or calling Angela (07702 954299), Phil (07951 378230) or Richard (07530 912202) www.nortonvillagehall.com

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NEWS CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE Eighteen people from Mid Suffolk have just returned from Belarus where we spent a week delivering aid to various locations. Everyone agreed without doubt that “no words, photographs or videos can truly give you the real picture”. All who took part enjoyed the trip, although at times it was emotionally hard but still very rewarding. The group took part in a work experience activity where they joined a family in a remote village and worked alongside them for the day. In Minsk we visited the Children’s Cancer Hospital to deliver gifts to children and young adults, some of whom have returned for the second or third time. We presented the hospital with some much needed items such as wheelchairs, blood pressure monitors and oxygenating humidifiers so children who need extra oxygen following operations can remain with their parents rather than having to be moved to HDU units. Amongst the toys we gave out where many of the Mcdonald’s Happy Meal toys that we had received. These were an amazing success and we welcome these now on an ongoing basis.

and redecorated before reopening and our group helped the teachers and staff to carry out the various works needed as there would be an official inspection the following day. We also provided bright posters for the walls, a new wall mounted TV, helped with wallpapering, ironing, electrical works and sweeping the grounds. Sweeping the grounds is a thankless tasks done with very inadequate broomsticks, but must be done daily so none of the berries that fall from the trees are walked into the school. A great success wherever we went was the provision of reading glasses, just standard £1.99 ones but at one point there was almost a stampede to get them. Several individual families in very poor circumstances were visited with extra aid and in one instance with the help of a sponsor. The charity is helping to provide running water into an isolated home where a young mother lives on her own with four children as her husband is seriously ill in hospital and it is very likely he will not be returning home. We also had the privilege of being invited to attend the opening ceremony which takes place at the beginning of each new school year. This known as First Bell and is a very old tradition in Belarus where the pupils in their final year welcome the newcomers to the school. We donated stationary to the school and this was met with tremendous gratitude. When we also added an A3 laminator there were shouts of joy from some of the teachers!

Moving on to Stolin, we had a clothing party and BBQ for the families and children who the group would visit for their work experience. This not only helped the families with clothing but allowed them to get to know the people who would be with them the following day. We also visited another general hospital in the area of David Goradok. As there is no GP service in Belarus, children with illnesses we would usually treat at home are hospitalised in this type of facility Another day the group went to a boarding school for hearing impaired children. The school was closed for the summer break but was due to open. All the schools must be painted

Over the last two days of the trip everyone was able to visit with families of children who had been to the UK. Each small group visited at least four children and were met by the welcoming generosity of the Belarussian people. No one wanted dinner in the evening! Four children will travel to the UK for a group visit in December. The girls will be aged between nine and 12 years so we are very keen to receive donations of clothing to provide for them while they are here and to take home with them. Not only will the break be invaluable to their health, getting them away from the severe winter, but they will also get to experience Christmas in the UK. With grateful thanks to all who support us. Elizabeth Parker: 01449 760343

WILL A SHORT TERM HOLIDAY LETTING BREACH MY OWN LEASE? We have all heard about very short term holiday lettings – some that might be only for a few days – that are becoming more frequently encountered. This month I am considering whether or not renting or letting a property for even a few days, where the property is already leased from somebody else, could amount to a breach of that main lease. As you may know, a lease will contain lots of obligations on the tenant to do, or not do, various things. Two of the most common obligations are in relation to what the property may be used for and some degree of control over who can use it, and on what terms. If the lease provides for the use of, say, a flat for the occupation of one family only, it has been held that this means it can only be used as a private residence – so a short-term let even for a few days for holiday accommodation, could amount to a breach of the main lease.

A main long term lease will also usually set out requirements in relation to the transfer of that lease to another person (say on a sale) or for a subletting. These are requirements that are usually easily dealt with in a long lease of flat, and it may be the case that only the landlord needs to be told after the event in the case of a transfer of the lease. There are often more requirements in relation to a formal subletting. However, a very short term letting might not fall within those requirements – and it could be a mere licence, rather than a lease. As such, a very short letting may therefore be unauthorised by the terms of the main lease and therefore be a breach of that lease.

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT new FUNDING FOR SHOP FRONTS RESEARCH REVIEW As summer approaches its end and the warmer clothes are dragged out of the wardrobe, there is less opportunity to sit and relax in the sunshine, so recently I’ve had a little sit down to look at some latest research papers to see what new hot nuggets of information are out there. So first up we come to a common often seen complaint – knee osteoarthritis. This is where the cartilage that lines the bone ends and the bone just below the joint surface show more wear and tear than expected. It causes pain, inflammation, a stiff knee joint and tight and weak thigh muscles. Prevention of these long-term conditions is certainly much better than trying to find a cure and some recent research has shown that those with a fibre rich diet have a lower risk of developing the condition. The effect of ingesting a higher fibre diet was pretty impressive – it lowers the risk of osteoarthritis by somewhere between 30-61 per cent. So making that effort to consume more fruit and vegetables is certainly worth it – especially if you are carrying a few extra pounds as this also increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Filling up on the healthy stuff may not only reduce your risk of joint damage, but the fuller you are with good nutrients the less space there is for the less healthy cakes, biscuits and chocolate which will tend to add more weight on you! Talking of food and arthritis, there was nothing fishy about a research paper looking into how to curb rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body starts to attack its own joint lining leading to pain and inflammation in multiple joints. For those with the condition, eating two or more weekly portions of fish was linked with reduced swelling and tenderness in joints. In fact the more fish that was eaten the fewer the levels of disease activity. A great accompaniment to fish is rice, and a modified version of the stuff could help to ward off cancer. The modified rice is purple in colour, not coloured on purpose that way but due to a substance in it called anthocyanins. As well as looking very groovy, this rice can help protect humans from diabetes and cancer. This research roundup, which has been rather food focused, is going to finish with the Mediterranean diet. Previously well documented as helping with the cardiovascular system, it’s recently been revealed to help reduce the risk of frailty in older people. It’s primarily based on plant foods and research found that it helps maintain independence for longer. With cuts in social care provision which we are seeing at the moment, perhaps it’s time to cut out some of those burgers and fill up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts with a little seasoning of olive oil to help to keep you fit and active and in your own home for longer. Robert Grainger MSc MCSP HCPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist

Businesses in Mid Suffolk’s Market Towns are being invited to apply for funding to make improvements to their shop fronts and make their businesses more accessible under two new grant schemes launched in August. Businesses in Stowmarket, Needham Market, Eye and the surrounding villages can apply for grants to both make their buildings more attractive on the high street and help create a better experience for visitors. The improvements can be funded under Shop Front or Accessibility Fund grants, both of which are available to shop owners. The grants are being offered by Mid Suffolk District Council as part of its commitment to the prosperity of its market towns. This commitment has seen £350,000 allocated to fund the two new programmes to assist local businesses create a better experience for visitors. Grant will be awarded for a range of applications including new shop fronts, painting, lighting, cladding, shop front signage and new awnings, and for improvement works that will make buildings more accessible including widening of doorways, removal of steps, power assisted doors and training. Under the Shop Front grant, Mid Suffolk are offering funding to cover up to 75 per cent of the costs of shop front improvements worth £15,000. In additional, the Accessibility Fund grant can provide up to £5,000 to improve access to businesses. These schemes support changes to buildings that will make a significant difference to the local street scene, creating a more welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. The scheme is also open to owners of listed buildings, with council officers ready to help applicants with any necessary planning applications and other permissions needed to improve their shop front. This will make sure that important heritage assets can be upgraded in a sympathetic way. Councillor Julie Flatman, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Our communities have really excelled themselves in creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, from Needham Market’s Dementia Action Alliance to Stowmarket’s Community Luncheon Club. These grants will support our businesses in making the bricks and mortar of their shops as accessible and welcoming to shoppers as the people who run them.” Councillor Gerard Brewster, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “Our high streets are at the heart of the local economy, not only for residents who use them regularly but for visitors who travel from far and wide to see our historic towns and their attractions. This scheme provides businesses the chance to revitalise their shop fronts, keeping our high streets attractive, interesting and accessible making them good places to visit and enjoy.” For advice and more information regarding the scheme, shop owners can call 0300 1234000 or contact the team via Mid Suffolk Shop Front Grant Scheme, Economic Development Team, Mid Suffolk District Council, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX.

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday, October 5, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday, October 19, 6.45am: Breakfast Back at our ‘winter’ venue, The Mix in Stowmarket Book online at: https://stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET CHORALE Stowmarket Chorale have returned to their weekly rehearsals under the baton of their new music director, Tom Appleton. Tom’s vibrant approach has got the members excited about their forthcoming performance of Handel’s Messiah at St Peter and St Mary’s Church on Saturday, November 3 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 and available on the door or from: www.stowmarketchorale.org.uk We hope to flex our brains with a fundraising quiz night and supper to be held at Combs Church Hall on Saturday, October 27, 7.30pm start. Teams of six, licensed bar available. Tickets are £14 and available from committee members or: tickets@stowmarketchorale.org.uk Messiah Singing Day – August 2018 Handel’s Messiah, with its joyful centrepiece, the Hallelujah Chorus, is about the most popular classical piece in the choral repertoire. So it’s not surprising that, not having sung it for many years, Stowmarket Chorale has chosen it for its concert on November 3 this year – the first concert to be conducted by its newly appointed music director Tom Appleton. And, as they are currently seeking to attract new singers to their ranks, both men and women, it seemed a good idea to choose it also for an open singing day at Woolpit Village Hall on August 18 to give all local singers an opportunity to see what Tom is like to sing with. They were not disappointed. Some 75 singers turned up on the day and enjoyed exploring Tom’s beautiful interpretation of several choruses from the famous oratorio and experiencing his engaging teaching style and sense of humour. They also learned some handy singing techniques, as Tom is not only an experienced choral director but also a former singer half hour with the world-famous Monteverdi Choir. Learning a full-length oratorio from scratch in a single day was not the aim, so most of the day was spent on carefully crafting a few of the choruses to a pleasing standard. However, Tom then thought it would be fun to give a flavour of the whole story so, in the final half hour of the day he took the choir for an accelerated romp through the whole of the rest of the oratorio. He skipped several of the middle bits of some of the long pieces and just touched on a few others including singing snatches of most of the solo pieces himself, revealing his own beautiful tenor voice but also sometimes breaking into a rapid falsetto, to the great laughter of the singers. They finished with a triumphant (and properly done) Hallelujah Chorus, ending, to great applause, within seconds of the published finish time.

WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM By the time you read this the museum will have closed for the 2018 season, and if you visited we hope you found it an interesting and rewarding experience. At the time of writing we have welcomed over 350 visitors. Some are local people, some come from other parts of the UK and each year we also have a few from overseas. Sweden, the Netherlands and Latvia are amongst the different countries mentioned in our visitors’ book for 2018. People also have varied reasons for visiting the museum. Some are very specific and maybe want to find out about an ancestor who lived in Woolpit or worked at the brickworks. We also have some visitors with a special interest in the legend of the Green Children. Others are on holiday in the area and have seen our website, some see the board outside and are just curious, and others have recently moved to Woolpit and come in to find out more about the village that is now their home. We also have one or two visitors who comment; “I’ve lived in the area for years and always meant to come in. Now I’ve finally made it!” Our displays are changed each year so even if you have visited recently there will be new things to see in 2019. Since 2014 we have been marking the centenary of the First World War and looking at the lives of the 25 men from Woolpit who died in the conflict. November of this year marks the centenary of the Armistice and the cessation of hostilities, but the peace treaty wasn’t signed until the summer of 1919 and most of the men who served and survived the war were not discharged until 1919 or 1920. Thus, one of our new displays will be called After the War and will look at how the village came to terms with the loss of 25 men, how those who returned were integrated back into the community, and at the celebrations held in July 1919 to mark the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and if you have any ideas for displays or would like to join our team we will be pleased to welcome you. Contact details are in the Woolpit Village Diary and on our website: www.woolpit.org/museum Finally, this summer we were delighted to receive an award of £500 from the East of England Co-op Community Token Scheme and many thanks to all those who voted for us. The money will be put to good use and will include purchasing some more archival storage boxes.

SODS PRESENTS DICK WHITTINGTON Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 December

It left the participants glowing with achievement and with smiles on their faces as they left the building. Several new singers expressed interest in joining the Chorale as a result of having enjoyed the experience. Further singers are still welcome to apply to sing with the Chorale – there is no audition. The fee to participate in Messiah is £50 which will entitle the singer to attend all the rehearsals (Wednesday evenings in Stowmarket) and to sing in the concert with well-known professional soloists and orchestral players. The concert is to be held in Stowmarket’s beautiful parish church at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 3. Singers are also welcome to join the Chorale as full members and enjoy the whole season, including at least a further three concerts plus a friendly and varied series of social events. Membership enquiries to Mary Payne: secretary@stowmarketchorale.org.uk www.stowmarketchorale.org.uk Pictures by Matt Clarke of Ipswich and District Photographic Society / matt.j.clarke@icloud.com

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Weekday evenings at 7.30pm / Saturday and Sunday at noon and 5pm Meet Dick Whittington (Lauren Bunce) and Tommy (Sammy Finn), his friendly cat. They have started their journey to London to look for the streets paved with gold. They are looking forward to seeing you along the way in December! Following on from last year’s panto success, SODS have decided to add a Tuesday night performance to their pantomime week. And this will also be included in the early bird offer along with the Wednesday performance. Early bird tickets are all £10. Regular tickets will be £14 for adults, £12 concessions. Tickets are now available at: 01449 612825 / www.regalstowmarket.co.uk Photograph by Carrie Chadwick.

OUT & ABOUT JOANNA BRINGS A GLIMPSE OF PARADISE TO DRINKSTONE Drinkstone’s Hut Theatre has pulled off something of a coup in booking renowned singer/songwriter Joanna Eden to appear at Drinkstone Village Hall on Saturday, October 20 in her show Embraceable Ella. Backed by the Chris Ingham Trio, Joanna performs many of the much-loved songs made famous by the late Ella Fitzgerald. Time Out describes her as “the UK’s answer Diana Krall and Norah Jones”. Joanna also teaches music and singing and one of her former pupils was multi Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith. Joanna is no slouch herself in stage and radio performance, appearing regularly on BBC national and local radio stations and at such prestigious venues as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza on the Park and The Stables, founded by Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth. Joanna’s appearance in Drinkstone is sandwiched between gigs at the Royal Albert Hall, the Canterbury Festival and Ipswich Jazz Club. Her latest album, Truth Tree, is due to be released on October 19, just the day before the Drinkstone visit. Tickets for Embraceable Ella are £15 each, with a complimentary glass of Prosecco (or non-alcoholic alternative) on arrival. The bar opens at 7pm, with the concert due to begin at 7.30pm. Information and box office: 01449 737101

STOWMARKET ARTISAN MARKET Many thanks to all our customers who supported us in September. It was great to see so many new and familiar faces. Our next market is on Saturday, October 6 when we will have 19 stalls. This month will see the welcome return of the Folding Fairy, Karen’s Up-cycling and Objet d’Art, Gemma’s Curiosities and Lisa’s Crochet. St Elizabeth’s Hospice stall, selling all manner of craft paraphernalia, was a great success in September and will be back this month. In addition Jackie Collins will be selling and taking orders for Christmas swags, wreaths and all manner of floral arrangements with profits in aid of Papworth Hospital and Nana’s Pastry will be taking orders for her home-made Christmas puddings. Our artisans are working on their Christmas stock and you will be sure to find some unique gifts in the run-up to Christmas. Forthcoming markets are on November 3 and December 1. We are located at the Scout Centre, Milton Road North (just past the library). Doors open around 10am and close at 1.30pm. Admission is free and refreshments are available. For further details contact: suedelf@btinternet.com Facebook: Stowmarket Artisan Market

HAUGHLEY HOOFERS NORTH WEST MORRIS DANCERS Why not have a go at something different? It’s free! Free eight-week course starting on September 30. Come along to the first taster session and have a go. No experience needed and no obligation. Our practise sessions are on Sunday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm at Haughley Village Hall. To find out more contact Sue: 01449 766747 www.haughleyhoofers.org.uk / Facebook: Haughley Hoofers

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OUT & ABOUT THE REGAL IN OCTOBER Autumn is in full swing, but the falling of the leaves is almost always accompanied by the release of some really good films and this year is no exception! King of Thieves: thriller starring Michael Caine, Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Ray Winstone and Jim Broadbent. A famous thief in his younger years, 77-year-old widower Brian Reader pulls together a band of misfit criminals to plot an unprecedented burglary at the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit. The thieves, all in their 60s and 70s, employ their old-school thieving skills to plan the heist over the Easter holiday weekend. Swimming with Men: comedy starring Rob Brydon, Daniel Mays and Jane Horrocks. Back by popular demand, a man who is suffering a mid-life crisis finds new meaning in his life as part of an all-male, middle-aged, amateur synchronised swimming team. The Equalizer 2: action thriller starring Denzel Washington, Melissa Leo and Bill Pullman. Robert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?

CIDER AND SONG FESTIVAL An exciting new era for the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket will be ushered in with the inaugural Cider and Song Festival launching on October 20. The Cider and Song Festival will include the unveiling of the first tree to be planted in a brand new orchard at the museum, with 67 new trees and a new animal and crops area to open in spring 2019 as part of the museum’s brand new heritage farm. The festival will feature a range of specialist craft ciders and apple juices as well as apple experts from Orchards East and the Suffolk Traditional Orchards Group on hand to identify apples, show a range of different varieties and answer questions. There will be a limited number of spots for a preview of the ciders and tasting experience on the evening of October 19. Music is provided by the Rogue Shanty Buoys (pictured) – a shanty crew from Lowestoft – Suffolk’s own Quay Street Whalers and the Company of Horham Old School – a collective of singers, players and dancers. With song workshops from the Rogue Shanty Buoys (pictured) and melodeon and jig-doll workshops provided by the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, there will be lots to see and do for all ages.

The Happytime Murders: comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks and Maya Rudolph. When the puppet cast of a ‘90s children’s TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.

The Saturday is packed with family activities, including a show from the Nutmeg Puppet Theatre, have-a-go archery and apple-based craft activities and stories. There’s lots for children to enjoy and get involved with. You can even make your own juice to take home – bring your own apples and Maynard House will juice them for you!

Johnny English Strikes Again: comedy starring Rowan Atkinson, Olga Kurylenko and Emma Thomson. After a cyber-attack reveals the identity of all of the active undercover agents in Britain, Johnny English is forced to come out of retirement to find the mastermind hacker.

UK Apple Day was created as a celebration of the diversity of heritage fruit varieties available and the ones we are in danger of losing. It aims to raise awareness of food heritage and to help us better understand where our fruit comes from, something which the museum’s ambitious Heritage Farm project will continue to do, providing an educational resource for the community and beyond.

Smallfoot: family animation voiced by Channing Tatum, Zendaya, James Corden and Danny DeVito. Just in time for the half term school holidays. A Yeti is convinced that the elusive creatures known as ‘humans’ really do exist and goes in search for them!

Tickets will be available soon, with entry to the evening concerts just £5 and the daytime events free with standard museum entry. For further details visit: www.eastanglianlife.org.uk

The House with a Clock in its Walls: adventure starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett. A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.

STOWMARKET RAMBLERS

Venom: adventure starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams and Woody Harrelson. Reporter Eddie Brock develops superpowers after becoming a host to an alien parasite.

Sunday, October 7: 5 mile walk around Kentwell Downs and Long Melford. Park and meet at free car park opposite Melford Hall at 10am / GR. TL 865462. Leader: 07919 350170

They Shall Not Grow Old: live streamed to the Regal. For one night only, on the centenary of the end of the First World War, Academy Award-winner Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) presents the world premiere of an extraordinary new work showing the Great War as you have never seen it before, followed by a live Q&A.

Sunday, October 14: 5.5 mile walk in the Hintlesham area. Park and meet at Hintlesham Village Community Centre at 10am / GR. TM 087434. Leader: 07539 536673

On October 8 we’re looking forward to welcoming Shawn Cuddy back to the Regal for an evening of country music.

Sunday, October 28: 6 mile walk in the Needham area. Park and meet on far side of Needham Lake (not the toilet side) at 10.30am / GR. TM 095548. Leader: 01449 403069

For more information visit: www.regalstowmarket.co.uk

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Sunday, October 21: 6.1 mile walk to Gosbeck. Park and meet at Coddenham Community Centre at 10am / GR. TM 134546. Leader: 01449 672168

OUT & ABOUT ELMSWELL HISTORY GROUP

WETHERDEN HISTORY GROUP

Our 2018-19 season began on September 2 with a display of our group’s extensive researches into Elmswell’s First World War Aerodrome at the village’s autumn fayre, ElmsFest, when lots of interest was shown. Many thanks to all our helpers and visitors. Then on September 13 we very much enjoyed Mark Mitchels’s interesting and entertaining talk on the rather eccentric 19th-century Woodbridge poet and writer, Edward Fitzgerald, and his social circle of intellectual friends he called ‘The Wits’.

Saturday, October 6: Wetherden Folk For our annual event this year we have been delving into our archives for photographs and images of the people who have lived and worked in Wetherden, have been part of the various clubs and activities and have served on the various committees – those who have been part of the life of the village.

Thursday, October 11: The First Railway to Ipswich & Beyond, an illustrated talk by Mervyn Russen Mervyn will tell us of the building of the railway to Ipswich and on to Bury St Edmunds in the 1840s. Also, how the unique tunnel was constructed through Ipswich Stoke Hill, station details and architecture, and the fascinating history of local railways through to the present day. Our December tickets (£3 or £5) will be for sale. Thursday, November 8: History of Fisons, an illustrated talk by Kelvin Dakin Kelvin’s talk will inform us of this famous factory in Bramford, on land first developed in the mid-1800s, and now a Grade 2-listed warehouse, said to be Suffolk’s largest listed building. It was once home to a thriving company and workforce in the heart of the county, and is an icon of Suffolk’s industrial past. December tickets will be for sale. Thursday, December 13: The True Story of Hereward the Wake of Ely Told in words and music by folk group The Penland Phezants, and will include mention of local king and martyr, St Edmund. As always, our December meeting is by advance-purchased ticket only, so do buy your ticket at our October or November meetings or ring 01359 242601 for tickets and more details. The ticket includes light seasonal refreshments. New members are always warmly welcomed at our meetings – just come along to Wesley Hall on the second Thursday of each month for our prompt start at 7.30pm. You don’t need to become a member to attend, although it is financially advantageous to do so if you plan to attend more than half of our meetings per year, the subjects of which are publicised in this newsletter as well as on village noticeboards, at the library and in shop windows. We meet at Wesley Hall, School Road, Elmswell IP30 9EE which is a five minute walk from Elmswell Railway Station and where there is ample free on-site parking and disabled access. Members £2, non-members/visitors £4. www.elmswell-history.org.uk / 01359 242601 REMINDER Bury’s First World War Art Trail has been created to commemorate the centenary of the ending of the First World War. It features 18 superb pieces of First World War related art created by local artists, which are on display across the town centre until Armistice Day, November 11. See our noticeboard in Wesley Hall, pick up a leaflet from Bury Tourist Information Centres (Cathedral and Apex), or visit: www.ourburystedmunds.com/ww1trail

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB Stowmarket & District Monday Club has resumed activities after a short summer break. We started the new season with a dance with music provided by Yesterday. This is a very popular group with our members and we are always sure of an enjoyable evening. We look forward now to a treasure hunt and a ‘What Is It?’ evening when members puzzle to recognise some unusual and old items. We have also planned a karaoke evening and Darren will be conducting one of his quizzes to test the brains again. This is always very popular, even if we don’t know all the answers. Guy-making will be another activity and we will soon start thinking about the decorations for our Christmas tree in the church. We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub in Crown Street, Stowmarket. We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome. If you would like further information, please contact us on 01449 672123 or just come along on a Monday evening.

The event will take place in the village hall (IP14 3JS) from 1.30-4.30pm and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new. We eagerly anticipate seeing any photographs or mementoes you may have of village life and sharing your memories. There are gaps in our archive and there will be people not yet included in our collection! We can copy your photographs and return them to you on the day. We don’t charge for entry although we are grateful for any donations people wish to make. Refreshments will be available for which there is a small charge. For more information, please contact Pat Tuffin: 01359 240396 / tuffinswetherden@tiscali.co.uk

STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Wednesday, October 3: The Victorian Way of Death by Darren Dordoy This is a collection of interesting facts about churchyards and cemeteries, great deaths and funeral etiquette and traditions. It looks at how the Victorians influenced changes and traditions that are familiar to us today. A light-hearted insight into a subject still hidden behind closed curtains. Wednesday, November 7: A History of Advertising by Stuart Bowell The history of advertising goes back to ancient civilisations, but in Europe in the Middle Ages, shopkeepers displayed pictures of their wares and criers would shout about where stalls could be found. Advertising proliferated in the 19th century, based on newspapers and magazines, and again with the new technologies of the 20th century. There will be a fundraising treasure hunt (with a map and stickers) at this meeting. We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ where there is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members. For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386

POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA/GIANT CELL ARTERITIS SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting of the Polymyalgia Rheumatica/Giant Cell Arteritis East Anglia Support Group will be Thursday, October 11 at Needham Market Community Centre (IP6 8BB). The hall will be open at 10.30am for refreshments and meeting others who experience the same problems as you. The speaker will be Dr Max Yates, Clinical Lecturer at the University of East Anglian Medical School who will talk about the history of PMR and GCA, developments in treatment and future research. We look forward to hearing from him and would encourage as many of you who suffer from these conditions to join us. Membership of the organisation is not required to attend. For further information please contact: pmrgcaeachair@btinternet.com

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS HAUGHLEY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Vice-chairman: Mr Tim Hart I write on behalf of the branch committee and ask that you please find the time to attend our AGM on October 2 at 7.45pm at the Scout Hut. The branch has been through some unstable periods over the last 10 months and we want to get back to stability and direction. Therefore I ask that you make a point of attending and voting. The harsh reality is without you the branch is non-existent and this could become a reality. Without us where would local veterans turn too? Without us who would maintain the war memorial? Without us who would ensure the fallen are remembered? With us, it is being achieved and let’s keep it going! Were you at the September meeting? Good wasn’t it! We would like to thank Sandra, Graham and, most importantly, Opal, Graham’s guide dog who enjoyed all the attention. It was a fantastic talk. Thank you! Our annual BBQ went very well with 10 teams entering. Well done to The Optimists who all walked away with a bottle of wine! The amount raised will be shared shortly. The unveiling of Haughley’s Remembrance Poppies will take place on October 27 from 1-4pm. There will be tea and cakes available and Royal British Legion poppy related items for sale. Ashley Sargent DATES FOR YOUR DIARY October 2: Branch AGM, 7.45pm sharp at The Scout Hut October 27: Unveiling of Haughley’s Remembrance Poppies, 1-4pm at the church November 11: Armistice Day – 100 years since the guns fell silent. More details to follow. To view our latest newsletter and calendar of events visit: www.britishlegion.org/branches/Haughley

STOWMARKET BRIDGE CLUB With two games still to play the Stowmarket team are currently mid-table in the Suffolk County Bridge Association Summer ‘Teams of Eight’ League (Division 1). A win by the narrowest of margins against Bury was followed by a loss by the same margin to Ipswich and Kesgrave Diamonds. The result of the third match was a comfortable win against Stansfield and the fourth a good win against the Abbeygate (Bury St Edmunds) club. The remaining games are against two very strong clubs and since the league positions depend on the total number of points scored rather than the number of wins, much can change by the end of the season. On Friday, September 7 the club entered a national simultaneous pairs competition in aid of Bridge Education. Out of 97 pairs nationally, Stowmarket had four pairs in the top fifteen. David Willson and Kevin Fletcher were fifth nationally, John and Caro Hunt were eighth, Simon Riley and Norman Less were eleventh and Andy Billinge and Sekhar Pillai were fourteenth.

BURY ST EDMUNDS AND STOWMARKET CATS PROTECTION This month we are hoping to re-home Mia, a very sweet little cat. She is just over nine years old and will need ongoing treatment for a skin condition which is controlled by medication our branch will pay for. Mia is very affectionate and loves to be fussed and to play with her peacock feather, but is not a lap cat at the moment. We are looking for a quiet home for her as an only pet where she can get lots of love and understanding of her needs. Mia is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped If you are interested in giving a home to Mia or another cat in our care please ring 01449 674584. More information can found on our website and our Facebook page. If your cat hasn’t been neutered and your circumstances mean that you need financial help towards the cost please ring Margaret on 01284 851055 and leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Thank you for leaving food and cat items in our collecting baskets in Needham Market Post Office and Cedarwood Vets and special thanks to the management in both locations for their support. Your kindness is much appreciated. FORTHCOMING EVENTS October 20: Jumble Sale at Stowmarket Community Centre, 2-4pm October 21: Craft Fayre at Needham Market Community Centre 10am-4pm www.cats.org.uk/bury-st-edmunds

WOOLPIT ARC HOLIDAY CLUB Our Holiday Club is open for children aged two-11 years. We offer a variety of fun activities to suit all ages and have our own garden with sand and water, grass area, mud kitchen, pulley and pump. We have access to the playground and field at Woolpit Primary Academy. We love cooking, crafts, outdoor activities, den making, music, scooters, trikes, football and more. We also have iPads, movies and an interactive whiteboard for your enjoyment. All activities are optional and there is plenty of time for free play too. October Half Term Holiday: Monday 22 to Friday 26 October, 8am-6pm each day 01359 245868 / admin.woolpitarc@timicomail.co.uk / www.woolpitarc.org

Stowmarket Bridge Club welcomes visitors and new members. For times of play and venue visit: www.bridgewebs.stowmarket.co.uk Need a partner? Phone Arthur Winchester at: 01449 612105

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Our next meeting is on Wednesday, October 24 and will be our AGM and annual competition, the title for which is Christmas is Coming. We look forward to seeing you there.

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Funded and non-funded sessions are available for children aged two-four years from 8.45am-2.45pm. For more details contact: 01359 232736 / thenortonps@yahoo.co.uk Halloween Disco: Friday, October 26, 5-7pm Entrance by ticket only; children £3, adults £1. Refreshments, fun and games, glitter tattoos and a carved pumpkin competition. Everyone is welcome. To book call: 01359 232736

SPORT JAMES O’Doherty – ELMSWELL CHAMPION GOLFER 2018 James O’Doherty crowned a great season of golf when he won the much coveted Elmswell Golf Championship at Stowmarket Golf Club on Friday, September 21. James had already won the Stowmarket Club Championship earlier in the summer, but his 36 points in really challenging conditions on Friday 21 may have even surpassed that performance. With five birdies, James had a brilliant round leaving his nearest competitors – previous winners Irene Overman, Dave Bicknell and Ian Hay – four points adrift with 32 points each. James also won the men’s longest drive on the fifth, finishing on the fairway level with the poplar approximately 350 yards from the tee. The Elmswell Championship has been an annual event for 18 years and this year the event was generously sponsored by The Elmswell Fox. The competition is only open to golfers living within the Elmswell boundaries or previous winners who have moved away. The event was organised superbly by ‘Little’ Dave Overman with the best turnout for many years, with 31 players and 41 attending the presentation dinner. In keeping with tradition, 2017 Champion Stuart Harland (pictured left) presented the trophy to the new Elmswell Champion Golfer for 2018.

STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB On Sunday, September 9 we held the annual finals day, the culmination of months of knock-out matches catering for every club player from the relatively new to those regularly in the teams. Here’s a summary of the results: U10 Boys: Zetong Sun beat Samuel Bolton, 11-9, 11-8 U10 Girls: Verity Staines beat Hannah Colgan, 10-6, 11-13, 11-9 U12 Girls: Jessica Staines beat Verity Staines, 6-1, 6-3 U14 Girls: Jessica Staines beat Isabella Brady, 6-2, 6-2 U16 Boys: Peter Jardine beat Ciaron Bradley, 6-1, 6-0 U16 Girls: Jessica Staines beat Daisy Ellis, 6-3, 6-1 U18 Boys: Tom Garrod beat Theo Ellis, 6-3, 7-6 Men’s Singles: Matt Staines beat Dale Watling, 6-0, 6-3 Ladies Singles: Margaret Brown beat Sarah Legg, 6-2, 6-1 Men’s Doubles: Matt Staines & Tim Mills beat Hugh Brundish & Jamie Ruegg (w/o) Ladies Doubles: Mary Watson & Linda Whipp beat Fiona Tricker & Moira Wands, 6-0, 6-0 Senior Drawn Mixed Doubles: Margaret Moyes & Hugh Brundish beat Maggy Tabley & Paddy Lea, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 Drawn Mixed Doubles: David Stamp & Mary Watson beat Hugh Brundish & Carol Clements, 4-3 (retired) Mixed Doubles: Mary Watson & Hugh Brundish beat Margaret & Robert Brown, 6-1, 6-2 Men’s Plate Singles: Jamie Ruegg beat Bing Zhu (w/o) It was a superb day with perfect sunny weather for nearly all the matches. Well done to all who participated on the day and to all those who entered each event. See you on court! Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS ELMSWELL BOWLS CLUB Sadly our league season has now ended and below you can see our final results and league positions. Every year bowlers say “where has the time gone” and that is so true again this year. But we have enjoyed this season more so because of the drier and warmer climes experienced week after week. Our in-house competition results will be shown in November’s edition of In Touch. We just have a few roll-up occasions to go before we close the green for another year. It has been an emotional, traumatic and invigorating season for our members at Stowupland, but we have overcome any doubts and secured our future here for years to come and well done to those who have put aside many valuable personal hours to ensure we achieved this. Here’s to our future! Looking ahead to 2019, we are contemplating holding an open day early in the season in the hope that there could be interest out there for anyone to try their skills at bowling, be it novices of 11 years or older, through to seasoned bowlers. Details will be given closer to the time. Of course, the club is always available at any time to receive an enquiry and all newcomers would be made most welcome. David Begg: davidgbegg@gmail.com RESULTS Monday – Stowmarket League Division 3 August 6 Earl Stonham Won 82-66 (Points 6-1) Finished in third position. Tuesday afternoon – Stowmarket League Division 2 August 14 Gipping Valley Lost 33-34 (2-5) August 17 Old Newton Lost 24-42 (0-7) August 20 Bacton Lost 35-38 (2-5) Finished eighth and likely to be relegated. Wednesday – Stowmarket Triples League August 1 Gipping Valley Lost 51-83 (0.5-6.5) August 8 St Botolphs Lost 62-72 (1-6) August 13 Needham Market Lost 55-82 (0-7) August 15 Haughley Lost 52-80 (1-6) August 22 Wortham Won 81-56 (6-1) Finished sixth after a poor run of results in August.

STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB Stowmarket 1st XI cricket team have achieved a third successive promotion in the Two Counties league. At the time of writing, a final win will secure the championship of Division IV. The success has been based on a combination of outstanding individual performances and team effort, the Chilton Fields playing surface having produced excellent cricket all year. We want to build on our success. We encourage players of all ages and abilities. Please consult our website or email Clive Witherly for further details: wigg51@btinternet.com

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ST ANDREW’S NORTON & ST ANDREW’S TOSTOCK Part of the Benefice of Pakenham, Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, Hunston & Stowlangtoft Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Katherine Valentine 01359 235095 / katherine@kavalentine.plus.com Our beautiful and ancient churches are both open daily for visitors and for private prayer. Sunday, October 7 8am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 9.30 for 10am

family@church at Pakenham

Sunday, October 14 9.30am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Tostock 6pm Evensong, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday, October 21 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Norton 6pm Evening Prayer & Praise, St Andrew’s Tostock Sunday, October 28 9.30am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 11am 6pm

Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Toctock Deanery Thanksgiving, St Andrew’s Norton

Deanery Thanksgiving Service with Archdeacon David Jenkins Sunday, October 28, 6pm This service is to give thanks for all the hard work that has gone on in the past three years in re-organising the benefices of Stanton, Badwell & Walsham, and our own benefice of Pakenham, Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, Hunston & Stowlangtoft, and the appointment of all the Priests-in-Charge in these benefices as Rectors. All are welcome to this Deanery Celebration and to share in some special refreshments afterwards. Countryside Church at The Croft, Tostock Monday, October 15: 10am Songs of Praise An informal service of prayer and praise for everyone is held at The Croft every month. Come and sing your favourite hymns, chat with friends and enjoy the refreshments. St Mary’s, Pakenham on Sunday, October 7. 9.30 for 10am: Harvest Breakfasty refreshments available from 9.30am and stay for a delicious Harvest Brunch afterwards! This service on the first Sunday of every month is run by the whole benefice and is the opportunity for all our villages and families to join together in worship and get to know each other. Look out for the invitation coming through your door!

CHURCH NEWS Breakfast Church 3rd Sunday of the month

9am at St John’s, Elmswell

ST JOHN’S CHURCH, ELMSWELL Hello from St Johns! Recently, you might have heard people talking about Messy Church, but what exactly is it? Messy Church takes place about once a month at St John’s. It’s not limited to Elmswell; you’ll find Messy Church in towns, cities and villages all around the world! It’s all-age. It’s fun. It typically includes songs, jokes, games, crafts, storytelling and eating food together. Every time is different and there’s always a chance to enjoy or learn something new. It’s a way of celebrating God and being together in a way that is much more informal than a traditional church service. Will I get messy? That’s up to you! There are always several Bible-themed crafts available and always refreshments, so if you’re happy to get gluey fingers and jam-covered smiles, you’ll fit right in. Am I too old, or too young, for Messy Church? No, not at all! Messy Church is for everybody, not just children. Adults are welcome to enjoy a chat over tea or coffee and a slice of cake in the café while the craft activities take place. Or why not join in the mess with the rest of us? There is ample pushchair/wheelchair parking. Please note children do need to be accompanied by an adult. During the songs, we often have actions and instruments for those who want to get into it or make a joyful noise. If that doesn’t appeal, just listen and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some time to reflect on whatever matters to you. When can I join in? The Next Messy Church is on Friday, October 26, 10.30am12.30pm (includes light lunch). We hope to also have a Messy Church after school on Friday, November 16 and at the end of the year, we will be celebrating Christmas Eve in our usual way with Messy Nativity (formerly I Can’t Wait for Christmas) on Monday, December 24 at 3.30pm. What else is coming up at St John’s? We have a selection of traditional and familiar services taking place at St John’s. All the details of our Sunday services are shown below and why not come along to one of our other upcoming events?

Saturday, October 6, 7pm: Variety and Spice – an evening of music, comedy, poetry, and refreshments. We suggest a donation of £7 per adult on the night and children are free. There will be refreshments served and lots of laughs! Friday, October12, 11am-1pm: Ladies Lunch Macmillan Coffee Morning in Wesley Hall with cakes, a raffle and bring-and-buy. Please support this excellent cause if you can. Saturday, October 13, 10am: Ladies Brunch and Beads. Join Alison to hear about how she is helping women in Africa sell their hand-made beads and bracelets in Suffolk. There will be delicious refreshments and a chance to purchase some jewellery, so please bring your purse. Saturday, November 3, 3pm: Time to Remember Service. A reflective service to remember those loved ones we have lost. Saturday, November 24, 2pm: St John’s Christmas Fair at the Blackbourne. This brilliant annual event is a fun few hours for all the family. Sunday, December 16, 6.30pm: Carols by Candlelight. This traditional Christmas service remains a firm favourite in Elmswell and around the world. SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday, October 7 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Holy Communion Sunday, October 14 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Service with a speaker from Tearfund Sunday, October 21 9.30am Breakfast Church (from 9am) 11am Holy Communion Sunday, October 28 10.30am Holy Communion Sunday, November 4 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Morning Prayer with Communion St John’s continues to be a popular location for weddings, baptisms and funerals. If you are arranging one, we would love to hear from you. God Bless. If you’d like to know about our church, please get in touch or visit: www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk / Facebook The Rev Peter Goodridge 01359 240512 / elmswellrector@gmail.com

ELMSWELL BAPTIST CHURCH Ashfield Road, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HG Our programme of activities and services continue throughout October. Monday, October 1: Ladies Friendship Group meets at the church at 7.45pm to hear a talk given by Andy Malcolm on the activities of the Fishermen’s Mission. Open to any ladies interested in hearing this talk – you don’t have to be a member of our fellowship to come along and there are no membership or entry fees. Just ring Margaret on 01359 241541. Thursday, October 11: Food and Friends Lunch for older folk at noon at the church. To book a place contact Jackie on 01359 245918. Transport can be arranged if needed. For a nominal donation we provide a home cooked three-course meal with tea or coffee before and after the meal. If you live in Elmswell or nearby and are seeking company for an hour or two, why not join us? Again, no pressure to join us for worship, but we guarantee a warm and friendly welcome. Saturday, October 13 (not the 23 as I reported last month): Harvest Barn

Dance at the Chamberlain Hall, Blackbourne Centre Elmswell. Tickets (adults £10 / under-18s £5) include dancing to Clutching at Straws, a picnic style supper and unlimited soft drinks. Contact Tony: 01359 241541 / text 07784 095225 / cockant2@btinternet.com On October 21 we will be celebrating the wedding of two members of our fellowship, Cathy and Colin, at our church. It will be an exciting day and we wish them well. Our services in October will be led by: Sunday, October 7: Stephen Spurgeon (includes Communion) Sunday, October 14: Stephen Spurgeon (All-Age Service) Sunday, October 21: Rev Barbara Challis Sunday, October 28: Stephen Horrex As always, we extend a warm and friendly welcome to anyone wishing to join us for any of our activities or services. For further information contact Tony (details above) or visit: www.elmswellbaptist.org.uk.

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CHURCH NEWS

Local serviceS guide

WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ We are a group of ordinary people who want to worship and praise God, thank Him for all His love and seek to share His love with others in our daily lives. We invite you to join us in any of the church’s activities – you will be very welcome. For further information please visit: www.woolpitroomfellowship.org Sundays: 10-11am followed by coffee & biscuits Monday Meet

You are very welcome to join us from 2.30-3.30pm at Woolpit Christian Fellowship for a friendly, informal and relaxed get-together. We start with an interesting talk, then break for tea, followed by an encouraging talk from the Bible.

Friday, October 19, 7.30pm: Girls’ Night – Card Making with Santina Friday, November 9, 7.30pm: Come and Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Armistice. On Active Service for Christ with special guest speaker Brigadier Dobbie, Grandson of Lieutenant General Sir William Dobbie of First World War fame. Free admission, coffee and desserts. For more information about any of the events above please contact Margaret on 01359 240565 or Phil and Jan: woolpitroomfellowship@gmail.com / 01359 240502

NORTON SALVATION ARMY Woolpit Road, Norton IP31 3LU Captains Andrew and Jackie Jarrold norton@salvationarmy.org.uk 01359 240787/231770 (hall) REGULAR ACTIVITIES Sunday Worship: 11am & 6pm Family Service & Breakfast: First Sunday in month at 10.45am – relaxed, informal family worship with refreshments. Tea and Toast Community Fellowship: Monday and Wednesday at 8.45am. All welcome. Toddlesong: Mondays, 9.30-11.30am (term time only) Music, refreshments, play for toddlers (and parents and carers!) 610 Club: Tuesdays, 6-7pm (term time only) Games, fun, craft and much more for ages six-10ish CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Lunches: Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm. Everyone welcome! Enjoy fellowship over a meal. Bible Study: Tuesdays, 7.45pm fortnightly Enjoy God’s word in a relaxed way either at the SA Hall or 37 Blackbourne Road, Elmswell Band Practice: Thursdays, 8pm Songster Practice: Tuesdays, 7.45pm (fortnightly) Craft Night: Third Friday, 7-9pm Informal crafting for all abilities www.nortonsalvationarmy.co.uk Facebook: Norton Salvation Army

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Phoenix Counselling Practice professionals you can trust We match clients to one of our qualified and experienced counsellors to provide the kind of counselling needed. Fees are negotiable according to income and we also offer a low cost counselling service. To talk to a counsellor or make an appointment please call

Tel: 01449 675974 or visit our website www.phoenix-counsellingpractice.com

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