In Touch News with Gt Blakenham – April 2017 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

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Cover by Nick Berry

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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 7 • Issue No. 6 • APRIL 2017

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR On a number of recent occasions I’ve been surprised by how people have reacted to fairly typical situations which would normally go relatively unnoticed or produce no more than a raised eyebrow. Just this morning I struggled to make room on a narrow road for a rather large car coming in the opposite direction. I pulled in as far as I could, trying not to go into the brook running alongside, but the other driver was incensed, waving his arms at me, his face ugly with anger. Thank goodness I couldn’t hear what he was saying. He got by a little slower than he obviously wanted, but I sat there for a moment in stunned silence. At the weekend I found myself queuing behind a man who gave a shop assistant a right telling off because she had given him the wrong change. He practically accused her of trying to steal 10p from him. I asked her if she was OK after he’d left and she shrugged it off as if it was a common occurrence, which I fear it might very well be.

NEWS SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE SITE – GREAT BLAKENHAM The Peel People’s Cup The Peel People’s Cup, part of the Chartered Institution of Waste Management Sustainability and Resource Awards, is awarded annually to the best operating team of a permitted waste facility. The cup was introduced to recognise the vital role an operating team plays in the successful running of a waste facility and on November 3 the team at Suffolk energy-from-waste facility won the cup. Some of the key criteria the judges were looking for were how the site is supervised, the way the operating team works and local acceptability. The site feels it is a huge honour to be recognised as an exceptional operating team and we are thrilled to have won the award.

We may all be feeling pressure just now not knowing how things will turn out (even the weather is disagreeable), but if we lose all self-restraint and can’t even treat those we meet in everyday life with respect I dread to think of the long-term impact. Thankfully we’re not there yet and I’ve had many more instances of people being helpful, kind, thoughtful and understanding in recent weeks (clearly evidenced in the pages of this magazine) than I’ve had of people being rude, judgemental and arrogant. Admittedly a little self-analysis may be necessary now and then, but I’m determined to offset rude drivers and hateful behaviour by doing the exact opposite. By making a little extra effort to be kind to each other, I’m convinced we can make the world a little bit more pleasant for everyone. A smile, a polite ‘good morning’, a wave when another driver makes way (and especially when they don’t!), may initially have little impact on how others behave, but it can’t hurt. Happy Easter from everyone at Mansion House Publishing

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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead

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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 Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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The operations manager and one of the shift managers accepted the award on behalf of the team at a ceremony held in London. Kitten rescue As part of the normal operations at site, bulky items are shredded before going through the energy from waste process. During one shredding session on an evening in January, a kitten was discovered among the waste. The operations staff came to her rescue! The animal was taken to the vet to be checked and subsequently has a home with SUEZ’s process engineer. Recruitment As part of the excellent succession planning put in place at the facility a number of employees have been successful in securing promotion at site. This has resulted in a couple of new recruits starting at the facility in the past few months. We welcomed a new operations technician and a senior operations technician, both of whom live locally and are currently undergoing a comprehensive induction. USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910

PLANNED ENVIRONMENT AGENCY WORKS AT BRAMFORD Environment Agency contractors will be operating their gate structure to its raised/open position at Bramford Lock on Monday, April 3. This will result in a lowering of the water level from Monday, April 3 to Thursday, April 6 on a stretch of the River Gipping from Rushbrook Mill down to Bramford Lock. Their contractors will be working in the river from Tuesday through to Thursday, surveying the structure and mechanisms of the gate to identify future works that may be required. The water level will be restored on Thursday, April 6. They need to complete this surveying work in early April in order to avoid the fish spawning season. For any queries please contact Rebecca Bromley at the Environment Agency on 02030 258474.

NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: MARCH 2017 Lake Lothing and Upper Orwell Bridges We scrutinised the two major bridge projects in Suffolk: a third crossing of Lake Lothing in Lowestoft and the crossing of the Upper Orwell in Ipswich are underway. They are each worth around £90 million so are substantial undertakings. The county is doing the initial planning and studies until they can appoint a construction firm for each on a design and build basis. Two strong teams are in place with project managers who have the right capabilities and experience. The management structure appears able to exercise firm control and respond speedily to issues as they arise. So, all looks well. We were told that funding is committed, some £73m from the government and £18m from local sources for each project. Critical milestones for Ipswich are the appointment of architects, the determining of the ground conditions, submission of the application to the Planning Inspectorate (this is a strategic infrastructure item / summer 2018), the examination by the inspector to a strict six month schedule, then a decision from the Secretary of State (winter 2019). Construction should start in spring 2020 and be complete by 2023. The objectives are to enable the re-development of the wet dock island, to be a catalyst for the regeneration of South Ipswich and to relieve congestion on the A14 Orwell Bridge. Highways: Roads in Ipswich Area County Highways are analysing transport issues in the Ipswich area. They are looking at the radial routes from the A14 to the town simulating the gains from route improvement and the upper Orwell crossing. Predictions cover the next 20 years. Plans for changes to the A14 junctions that feed the radial routes all show very good benefits for the costs involved, at least £6 yield from each £1 spent. This should see the Copdock, Whersted, Nacton and Seven Hills junctions improved by Highways England, but Whitehouse and Claydon might wait for the Northern Bypass proposals. If the proposed housing developments proceed in Gipping Valley improvements are necessary on a much shorter timescale. The developments must support a range of smaller but effective important improvements to limit congestion in Gipping Valley. 2016/17 Forecast Revenue and Capital Spending The forecast based on data at end December shows two substantial overspends: £2.5m in Corporate Resources due to a failure to find a home for some savings on contracts that was budgeted last year

and £6.8m in Corporate Parenting. This involves older children with increasingly complex needs and the increasing use of special guardianship orders. Lack of success in several attempts to provide additional in county capacity has finally come home to roost, but this is a service that must be done well. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities You will have seen press comments on the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission report on the service that provides support for those with special educational needs and disabilities. It does not make good reading, finding that the needs of many children in Suffolk were not effectively met. The complaints reported from parents unable to obtain the help their children need match the stories I get from Suffolk residents. The cabinet member responsible reports: “Prior to the inspection, we identified with the CCGs that significant improvements needed to be made, and a number of changes were introduced. We are beginning to see the positive impact of these changes and the report recognises the early steps to make improvements. That said, it is clear that there is still much more work to be done to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities can access the support they need, when they need it.” The county needs to see problems in its services and respond without waiting for external inspectors. Old Ipswich Road A plan for yellow lining to allow the parking issues in Old Ipswich Road to be controlled has been agreed with residents most effected and will be out for consultation shortly. It includes action to discourage parking that prevents buses getting to the raised disabled access curbs. Reed Lane I have agreed to finance edge marking to show drivers the margins of the road clearly and hopefully discourage the overrunning that causes the edge of the road to disintegrate. There is no certainty of success, but I think this is a technique worth a try. SnOasis May is now the likely date for submission of final details and a decision in August after a consultation period extended to recognise the complexity of the development and the demands that puts on parish councils. If you have queries please phone me on 01473 831306 (you will need to say your name and press #) or 07545 423808. You can also email me at: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk

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NEWS GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

LITTLE BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

As always, members of the public are very welcome to come along to council meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at the Parish Meeting Room, Mill Lane. We start promptly at 7pm – dates are listed on our website (see below) and on the parish council noticeboards around the village. There is a public forum at the beginning of each meeting. The purpose of this is to give members of the public, especially residents of Great Blakenham, the opportunity to raise concerns or ask questions about topics that are related to the work of the parish council.

Firstly, we have three new noticeboards in the parish. The old noticeboards in the Beeches and Little Box Meadow have been replaced with smart new ones and we have a new third board on the B113 where it goes through the common. The parish council would like to express their gratitude to District Councillors John Field and Kevin Welsby who made a very generous grant from their locality budget to part fund the new boards. Also, thanks to Barry Palmer, one of our parish councillors, who kindly arranged the installation of all three boards free of charge.

Some of you have already attended our monthly meetings and participated in the public forum. Thank you to all the members of the public who have taken the time to come along and give us important feedback on what are the important issues for residents of the village. One topic that has frequently been raised at recent meetings is the amount of mud on the roads in the village. Flooding on the roads is also of concern. The parish council is working hard to help resolve these problems and are in regular communication with MSDC, Suffolk County Council, various companies within the village and our county and district councillors. There is some excellent news from Viridor – as a result of discussions with the parish council, they have agreed to increase the sweeping of their access road down to the B1113 Bramford Road. Also, they have offered the use of their wheel washer to another company on their site. However, the parish council is involved in many more things than just mud on the roads. We also manage a budget, are responsible for the allotments, arrange for the maintenance of the churchyard, decide where grit bins go, comment on planning applications, pay for litter to be picked up, decide on the parish council element of your council tax, pay for dog waste and rubbish bins to be emptied, manage the cemetery and much, much more. I’m sure you will agree that a lot of what a parish councillor does isn’t very glamorous, but it is essential to help keeping Great Blakenham running smoothly and delivering the services that residents want. We all want to be proud of our village and this is what the parish council is working to achieve. Do you think you could help us in this important process? We have two vacancies for councillors. As we all know, the village is expanding rapidly and this means that there are many challenges ahead, especially improving services in the village to provide for the growing population. If you’d like to get involved in this, why not become a parish councillor? If you would like to find out more, come along to our next meeting or contact Janet, our parish clerk: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk We post information on Facebook at @greatblakenhampc and Twitter @pcgtblakenham about the parish council and it’s work, but also items that are of interest locally, such as road closures, the allotments, SnOasis Reserved Matters and mud on the roads. If you want to leave us a message this way, please do so. You’ll find information about all the above and the work of the council, as well as copies of agendas and minutes of meetings on the council website. Speaking of the allotments, we have vacant plots waiting for new tenants. If you would like to take one on, please contact Janet: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk / 01473 833520 Thank you for reading this and for your interest in the work of your parish council. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on April 12 at 7pm in the parish meeting room. Chairman Steve Plume www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net

There is also news on the new play equipment for the playground behind the Beeches. The contract for funding has been signed and a whole new set of bright and modern play equipment has been ordered. As I write this, we are waiting for a spell of dry weather so that ground conditions are suitable for councillors to remove the old equipment from the play area. By the time you read this, we may have been able to get everything removed, apart from the swing. Once the area is clear, we will arrange for the equipment to be installed. The play area will be closed for about a week while the company is working. The existing swing will remain and will be repainted once the weather is warmer. The parish council has received complaints about bags of dog mess being left hanging from trees and bushes along paths in the village. Thank you for clearing up after your dog, but please use the bin that the council provides specifically for these bags. It is sited at the start of the footpath that goes around the back of the Beeches. The village hall on Valley Road is available for hire at very reasonable rates. If you would like to book it for an event or a party or would like further information, please contact Nathan Elvin: nathan.elvin@btinternet.com / 07913 586188 If you have any queries on the work of the parish council, please contact the clerk, Janet Gobey: littleblakenhampc@outlook.com / 01473 833520 Chairman Wally Binder www.littleblakenham.onesuffolk.net

FRENCH CONNECTION: SOMERSHAM/ CHALLAIN-LA-POTHERIE VILLAGE LINK Somersham is linked with Challain-laPotherie, a village similar to our own in the Loire Valley area of France. This year we welcome guests from Challain-la-Potherie over the weekend of May 25-28. Visitors stay with host families, giving us a great opportunity to get to know each other, to appreciate each other’s way of life and to pick up a bit of the language. We also spend lots of time together as a group when both English and French are spoken. Interested? Would you like to be a host? Or perhaps you’d like to be involved in other ways? Just want to know more? If so please contact one of the following: Gill Fordham, 831529; David Haughton, 831511; Janet Hodge, 832296; Pat Woolhouse, 831080

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities in April Friday, April 7, 10am-noon: Coffee Morning Networking At Needham Market Community Centre

Friday, April 21, 6.45am: Networking Breakfast At our new summer venue, The Bistro, Stonham Barns For further details and to book please visit: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk

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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing

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NEWS SnOasis PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA) In the autumn of last year, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16. Full details can be found on the Mid Suffolk District Council website at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning/snoasis It is important to be aware that this is not a renewal of the original planning approval for SnOasis, which remains in place. Reserved Matters cover the detail of such topics as design, appearance, transport, drainage, ecological mitigation and so forth. This means that your local council and residents are not being asked whether they want the development to go ahead. Instead, the developer will put forward their plans regarding, for example, the external appearance of the ski slope, and we will be asked for comments on that and similar matters. Claydon and Whitton, Barham, Bramford, Great Blakenham, Somersham and Little Blakenham Parish Councils and Needham Market Town Council, along with Nettlestead and Baylham Parish Meetings have now formally joined the Snoasis Parish Alliance, a group to work together to consider the details of the Snoasis Reserved Matters and to exert more influence than we can as individual organisations. Of course, individual councils will still be consulting with their residents and making their own responses to Mid Suffolk District Council, but we believe that sharing both expertise and the workload will benefit both councils and residents. We had been informed that further information on Reserved Matters was due be supplied by the developer at the end of February. The SPA contacted MSDC Planning at the beginning of March to see if this had happened and were informed that an update would be posted on MSDC’s website “in due course”. By the time you are reading this article, the update may have appeared, but if it hasn’t, please keep checking the SnOasis section on the MSDC website. The SPA is committed to working with Mid Suffolk District Council to obtain the information that is necessary for councils to be able to make informed and constructive comments, so as soon as the details arrive, the SPA will begin work to scrutinise them. It is also intended that existing expertise amongst the councils will be used to analyse and comment on the vast amount of very detailed (and sometimes very technical) information that we are expecting the developer to provide. Work has already begun to plan for this. However, the continuing lack of the required information means that this process cannot begin, a situation which the SPA is finding very frustrating. A delay in receiving information means that, yet again, there isn’t much new to report this month. When more detail on Reserved Matters is received and the SPA begins to work on its response, our webpage (hosted on the Great Blakenham Parish Council website) will be regularly updated: www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net/snoasis-parish-alliance/ For further information, please email Janet Gobey, the clerk to the SPA: snoasispa@icloud.com Chairman Snoasis Parish Alliance Steve Plume

CLAYDON & BARHAM WI PLANT SALE Saturday, April 22, 11am-2pm In Claydon Village Hall Ploughman’s available for £3.50 All welcome

SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP

A Community Shop for the local community, run by the local community The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416 OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm Saturdays: 8am-1pm During the winter the community shop has been happy to host the Tea and Chat afternoons when it has been a pleasure to meet up with everybody. With the warmer weather these have now finished and the Coffee Caravan will be continuing its summer service with tea, coffee, cake and information once a month on the green at Brook Way. Petrolheads will continue to meet in the shop through the summer. We’re looking forward to some nice warm weather in the coming months and our ice-cream cabinet is ready and waiting. As always, we aim to source produce locally and to this end we have the freshest local eggs, vegetables, bread, cakes, pies, and meats. Not only are locally produced foods delicious, they also save on travel miles, and we know all the producers personally and by name, not something that can be said for the larger shops and supermarkets. However it’s not always easy to anticipate customer needs when ordering fresh stock and we recommend using our regular ordering service to make sure you are not disappointed. Orders can be taken for bread, meat, cakes, et al so if you are want something regularly or for a special occasion please place an order. We also promote reuse and recycling and are always happy to receive reusable plastic carrier bags and egg boxes. Our best wishes go to the new community pub, the Duke of Marlborough, which will be open for all in the near future. Many congratulations to all who have worked so hard to achieve this magnificent outcome. Our community enterprises take a lot of work to start up and even more to keep going, but the benefit to the whole community outweighs every effort we’ve made along the way. We have a great community to live in, long may it continue. Remember also our share purchase option scheme which enables local people to buy £5 ordinary shares in Somersham & District Shop Community Interest Company (CIC) as a gesture of goodwill and support for the shop and to make it a truly community project. Unlike conventional shares there is not an annual dividend paid to shareholders as a CIC means that any profits generated will either be applied to develop the services of the shop or used for the benefit of the local community. Shares will only be transferred at par or £5 value, so there will be no tax liability and a proper share certificate will be issued for safe keeping. Contact Terry for details – it’s the support of the local community that sustains our community enterprises for the benefit of all. New volunteers are always welcome in the shop – even a couple of hours a month can make all the difference – and we would be very happy to see any students on holiday who might wish to gain a bit of work experience by volunteering. Our services include: orders taken for regular or one-off meat, bread, cakes, et al; the coffee corner with a chance for a relaxing chat; finding something new to read in the book exchange; dry-cleaning service, at present collected on Tuesday mornings; newspapers and magazines can be ordered for collection at the shop; delivery service for those with mobility problems The community shop is not only a good place to shop and find local produce or ot meet up with people you haven’t seen in ages, but also gives real heart to the local community. We look forward to seeing you. Management Team: Lucy Barrett, 831890; Terry Fordham, 831529; Jenny Hitchcock, 832060; Peter Jousiffe, Anne MacFadyen, 831288; Steve Woolhouse, 831080

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OUT & ABOUT FOUR COMMUNITIES ACTION GROUP The Four Communities Action Group (4CAG) was created in 2010 by members of the churches of Barham, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Henley, Age UK (Suffolk) and interested members of the wider community. We aim to work together as four parishes to develop new activities and support networks, especially for those in need, and to provide spiritual support and encouragement with a view to enhancing the lives of all members of the community. We currently have five organisations under our umbrella and would be interested in hearing from anyone who would like to be involved, either in our work or in the formation of a new group in the area looking for support. Please contact Rev Carl Melville – 01473 833542 / 4CAG@bigvax.co.uk – or drop in to any of our meetings to see us. Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club The Meet ’n’ Eat Lunch Club meet at noon the first Friday of each month at the Parish Rooms in Great Blakenham. Our regular meetings will continue throughout 2017, where for only £4 we serve a choice of soup, followed by homemade puddings and tea or coffee. In addition, we offer the chance to sit and chat with old friends, make new friends, play a game of bingo, win the raffle and have a bit of fun.

We are a small, friendly group who enjoy art. We take our own materials and have our own ‘projects’ for painting in various medias, including watercolour, acrylic, oils, pastels, pencils and ink. Membership is free but we pay a weekly subscription to attend. This pays for the room hire, refreshments and any items we need to purchase for exhibiting. During the summer months we occasionally go to scenic spots to paint outdoors, weather permitting! We hold a local exhibition once a year and also show our art at other exhibitions and attend small shows and galas. We are open to invitations to have a stand or stall at local events and can be contacted on the numbers shown below. If you are interested in joining our group we are now taking contact details as the group membership is almost full for the size of the room. Please contact Ann, our secretary, on 01473 831031 or Margaret, our treasurer, on 01473 830135. 4Ever Young Men’s Club The 4Ever Young Men’s Club meet at 10.30am on the third Wednesday of each month in the Crown at Claydon.

Following our recent inspection by Babergh and Mid-Suffolk District Council’s Food and Safety Team, we have been awarded a 5 star rating for Food Hygiene – something we’re very proud of.

We’re working hard to put together a timetable for 2017. Some good ideas came up at our last meeting which we’ll be trying to incorporate. We have highlighted two excellent looking museums which are open in the spring, and there is talk of one of our meetings taking place at one of the well-known breakfast establishments in the area.

If you need more information, please call Mike on 07805 507497 or just come along on the first Friday of the month with your friends. You will be very welcome.

Our visit to the Community Café in Claydon last month brought coffee and bacon rolls to our meeting – many thanks to Jill at the café for making us so welcome.

The Book Club Do you fancy reading something different to what you would usually choose? The Book Club has a few places left for new members on the last Thursday in the month at The Crown at 10.30am. Just come along and join us for a light-hearted discussion on the book we’ve chosen to read (we don’t go in for debating the author’s use of metaphors!) and perhaps the moral or social implications raised.

For more information, contact Mike Biddle on 07805 507497, or just turn up on the third Wednesday of the month, You will be very welcome.

The Gipping Valley Art Society We meet every Tuesday afternoon at Great Blakenham Parish Rooms.

The Knitting Group Do you enjoy knitting or want to learn how to? The Knitting Group meets from 10.30am-noon in the lounge at Alasdair Place on the first Thursday in the month. We pay £1 towards refreshments. You can bring along any knitting you want but if you need ideas, we have plenty. At the moment some of us are knitting small teddy bears for the fire brigade to take for children involved in incidents or hats and scarves for the soup kitchen.

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5

STOWMARKET ROCK CHOIR

Route 5 MIP/5A MIP/5B MIP/5C MIP/5D MIP/5E MIP/5F MIP/5G MIP/5H MIP/5I MIP/5J MIP/5K

Rock Choir is for everyone. It’s unique, exciting and special. If you enjoy singing with a group of likeminded people, then Rock Choir is for you.

Town/village Location Sproughton Church Lane Sproughton Wild Man Bramford St Mary’s Close Bramford Paper Mill Lane Great Blakenham, Chequers Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park Baylham Post Box Claydon Crown Claydon Edinburgh Gardens Barham Bacon Road Bramford Packard Place

Time 9.10-9.25am 9.30-9.45am 9.50-10.05am 10.10-10.25am 10.35-1055am 11-11.15am 11.25-11.45am 11.55am-1pm 2.05-2.20pm 2.25-3.50pm 4-4.30pm

2017 DATES: April 11, May 9, June 6, July 4, August 1, August 29,

We meet every Tuesday evening during term time at The Mix in Stowmarket and choir leader Josh Gernon will teach you to sing and perform some great songs like Don’t Stop Me Now, A Little Respect, Hold my Hand, Rather Be and lots more. There are no auditions – everyone is welcome and you cannot fail but to leave the sessions feeling happy and uplifted. Singing together and making such a great sound can make you feel fantastic and helps to lift your spirits. If interested why not try a free taster session? Come along to The Mix at 7.45pm on Tuesday evenings. We would love to see you. For full details please visit: www.rockchoir.com

September 26, October 24, November 21, December 19

CLAYDON & BARHAM WI OPEN EVENING FOR ALL

AFTERNOON TEA FUNDRAISER

Tuesday, April 11 at 7.15pm Jane Sago of Super Scrimpers fame will be making quick and easy suppers. Cost £2 per head to include sampling of food and refreshments. Please pay at door.

Horizon invites you to afternoon tea with music from The Carpenters from 2-4pm on Sunday, May 21 at Great Blakenham Village Hall to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance. Tickets are £8 which includes afternoon tea. For tickets contact Sarah (07496 041768) or Wendy (01473 832885).

Should you wish to attend, and so Jane knows how many to cater for, please contact one of the following: Barbara 832330; Linda 839948; Mary 830004.

www.horizon-ipswich.org

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB

GT BLAKENHAM 200 CLUB

The club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm from February to December. Members pay £2 a meeting to covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes.

Winning tickets for January £25 108 Joanne Gilbert £15 84 Phil Harman £10 137 Paul Hunter £10 40 Russell Dawson £5 58 Julie Cook £5 218 Helen Staff

Our March workshop title, A Bit of Dancing, related to a quilt pattern called ‘square dance’ which we used to make either a cushion cover or a table mat. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures for you next month. Our programme for the rest of 2017 is: April 3: Wedding Season May 8: Stamping Techniques June 5: Guinness Book of Records July 3: Backgrounds August 7: Painting and decorating September 4: Boxed-up October 2: Kantha November 13: Mini Makes Month December 4: Christmas Party If all this sounds interesting there is currently room for new members so if you would like to join us please get in touch. Although the club is all ladies at present gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome, but I cannot accommodate children. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB The Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2- 4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House with its own parking area at the rear. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. At our first meeting in March we were pleased to welcome Ruth Fox and Robert Shepherd from Bramford . We hope they will become members in due course. At this meeting we had a visit from Annette Ellis from Stowmarket Tourist Office to give us an insight into the varied work they do. She tested our local knowledge with a quiz about Suffolk. We had a social afternoon led by Brenda for our second meeting of the month FUTURE DATES March 8: A visit by Annette Ellis from the Tourist Information Centre with a quiz about Suffolk March 22: Social afternoon with Brenda April 12: Social afternoon April 26: A return visit from Peter Banham with more sayings and the history of their meaning May 10: Social afternoon May 24: Behind the Bathroom Door by Liza Jones, looking at the history of items such a the toothbrush, toilet paper and deodorants June 14: Social afternoon with Brenda June 28: A visit by Hannah Barton from the Citizens Advice Bureau explaining the work they do and the services they provide to the community July 12: Social afternoon with Sandra July 26: Summer tea party with entertainment by one of our members, Dot Chapman, on her accordion

Winning tickets for February £25 92 Sylvia Brooks £15 256 Wendy Hooper £10 93 Pat Winfield £10 73 Marion Little £5 71 Robert Hubert £5 122 Danny Skeggs

Thank you to everyone who bought tickets for the 200 Club. Your contributions raise funds for repairs and preservation of St Mary’s Church. Tickets are £12 per year; you can join at any time and only pay for the months remaining in the year. If you would like to join, please phone me on 01473 830915.

COMMUNITY RESTORATION AT ORCHARD BARN OBee CIC progress review When we started in 2007 our primary objective was to provide environmentally sustainable indoor and outdoor facilities for community activities. Well, with input from more than 2,000 students and volunteers we’ve successfully brought a 17th century timber frame barn back from the brink of ruin and use it as a traditional carpentry workshop. The barn now has a lovely shingle roof, repaired walls and Painting by Chris Turland beaten earth floors. We even made the doors. However, some folks do say that the barn is still more of an ‘outdoor’ space. With this in mind we have a plan for a cosier indoor space that we hope to be able to tell you about soon. If you’d like to visit, volunteer or take part in a course, please contact 01473 658193 / sarah@orchardbarn.org.uk or visit: www.orchardbarn.org.uk OBee stands for Orchard Barn environmental education. CIC means we trade as a Community Interest Company. Our rural training centre is in an old orchard (hence the name) in the north-west corner of Ringshall. With some very exciting restoration plans in the ether, we’re looking forward to the next 10 years of community building.

CLAYDON & BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 26 years. We welcome parents, carers and grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five. Entry is just £1.50 a family. This month we meet on April 27 from 9.30-11.30am in Claydon and Barham Village Hall. Families can enjoy a craft activity where children can be creative and try out different materials to produce an individual masterpiece. Playdough and all sorts of toys that encourage children’s imaginative play and physical and social development are available. We also enjoy singing together and it’s a good opportunity for parents/carers to meet others with pre-school children or babies. There is also a prize draw for the children. A big thank you to everyone who purchased a quiz sheet; this year’s winners are the Musgrove Family. Well done to them. This month we wish happy birthday to Elliot, Rosie and Calliope.

As you can see we have quite a varied programme. New members are always welcome, but if you would just like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. For more information contact me on 01473 833788 or check our listing on Netmums.com.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

Michelle

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL It has been an extremely busy couple of months here at CPS with sporting events, music, World Book Day, a visit from an Olympic athlete and even penguins on the loose! The boy’s football team had a number of matches as they compete in three competitions. In the IPSSA Small Schools football league they have come up against The Oaks, Morland, St Johns, St Marys, Rosehill and Birchwood – winning two, drawing two and losing two. They have also competed in the Owain Richards Football Cup and made it through to the quarter final after fantastic results against The Oaks then Sprites, but came up against an extremely strong side in St Marks, who we wish all the best in the next round. Mr Wardrop also took a squad to Portman Road to take part in the EFL Kids’ Cup competition where, despite Storm Doris, they made it through to the quarter finals again after some great team performances. The girl’s football team have also been training hard over the autumn and spring term and are excited to start their league fixtures, so we wish them and the boys the best for their remaining fixtures. A Y4 Futsal squad and Y5 girl’s futsal squad took took part in the School Games fustal tournaments at Inspire Suffolk. Both squads thoroughly enjoyed taking part, in what was for many their first experience of competitive futsal matches. The children displayed a great attitude throughout, working hard as a team and displaying many of the skills they had been practising. Netball fixtures have continued as have Tag Rugby and Quicksticks competitions. We are extremely proud of the pupils who represent the school at sporting events and on behalf of all staff involved, we thank all the volunteers who help transport the children and for their general support throughout the events.

As part of their Antarctica and Africa topic this term, Years 1 and 2 had a Penguin Day where all pupils and staff came in dressed in black and white. The children had received a letter asking them to track an imaginary penguin and carry out various tasks. These included learning a dance inspired by Happy Feet, painting different species of penguins, packing an imaginary suitcase ready to go to Antarctica and much more. Also, linked to the African aspect of the topic children in Years 1 and 2 had an exciting experience as they took part in an African drumming session lead by Anna Mudeka. The children thoroughly enjoyed the morning as they learnt about the different types of drums, had a go at playing them and also dressed up in traditional African dress. Local Race Walking athlete Dominic King visited in March and completed a range of fitness activities with each class. During a whole school assembly he shared his knowledge and experience of being an Olympic athlete, as well as answering questions from the school council. The children thoroughly enjoyed it. As this was a sponsored event we would like to thank all parents, carers, family and friends for supporting pupils to raise sponsorship money to support sport in our school. On Thursday, March 2 we celebrated World Book Day with the children coming in dressed as their chosen book character and with the book. The children spent time talking about books they have read, the characters they were dressed as and authors who inspire them. Every class then had a surprise visitor at the end of the day to read them a story. We really appreciate the effort parents and carers made to support the day by buying and making some amazing outfits. As the sun begins to shine a little more, we have lots to look forward to as we move towards the summer term, more sport, Art Attack Day, visits including residentials, productions and performances, but no penguins! Deputy Headteacher L Collins

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL I would like to start by congratulating the talented group of 36 students who performed in Celebration of Schools’ Music 2017 at the world famous concert hall at Snape Maltings on Tuesday, March 7. This event is the result of a long-standing partnership between Snape Maltings Learning and Inclusion (Aldeburgh Music) and Suffolk County Music Service and gives students of all ages an opportunity to come together to enjoy and participate in music. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of this event. Our school choir performed three songs composed by Claydon GCSE music students Matt, Eleanor and Ben, as well as taking part in a collective group piece with other schools. All our students, including those who accompanied the choir, worked fantastically hard to give an amazing performance on the night and were an absolute credit to the school. During the February half-term holiday, a group of students travelled to Austria for our bi-annual ski trip. Students travelled by coach and ferry to the beautiful town of Obertauern. The seven-day trip included daily ski lessons with friendly instructors who soon had students traversing the slopes with confidence. Evenings were spent relaxing and taking part in activities, including bowling, a quiz night, a disco and a night skiing session. My thanks go to the staff for giving up their time and the students for their impeccable behaviour. On February 24 and 25, 100 Year 11 students travelled to the Mersea Outdoor Centre in Essex to take part in a GCSE Bootcamp. This overnight stay included intense revision in English and mathematics, mixed in with some outdoor activities before learning revision strategies and how to prepare for exams. We were pleased that Storm Doris had departed a few days before and despite some windy weather, it was good fun. The revision process

should now start in earnest as the countdown to their exams begin. We were delighted to welcome TV presenter and journalist Bill Turnbull to the school on Wednesday, March 1. As part of the Speakers for Schools initiative, Bill spoke to Year 10 students about his life and career, giving them an insight into his own personal journey. He was a very engaging speaker and students really responded to him, with one commenting: “He was absolutely inspiring, interesting and hilarious.” Another student said: “It was interesting to hear about his life story and to see a side of him that we don’t see on the news.” As I write this article, we still have so much to look forward to including our annual fun run, an art exhibition featuring work from our feeder primary school students alongside Years 7-9, a music recital by Year 10 students, giving them an opportunity to perform their GCSE pieces to an audience, and BBC School Report Day. On March 16, our school reporters from Years 7-10 will be joined by guest visitors from NCS (National Citizens Service), Future Female Society, Volunteering Matters and The Teapot Project for the annual BBC School Report Day. This year takes on the theme of mental health with our own focus on ‘making a difference in your local community’. Students will give up timetabled lessons to interview our guests and produce articles that will shed more light on these important issues and provide information that can be shared around school and beyond. If you would like to visit the school to see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Thursday, April 25. Please telephone my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, to book a place: 01473 836110 Headteacher Mrs S Skinner

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SCHOOLS / SPORT CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB

February prize-winners were: Peter Keeble (No. 69): £15.90 Emma Cummings (No. 17): £7.95 Brenda Bugg (No. 44): £2.65

Greetings guff lovers, I am still reeling from the news of the rise in beer duty in the recent budget, meaning that I will have to hastily revise my training regime and attempt the almost impossible task of getting Graham to buy a beer.

New members are welcome at any time. Entry is just £1 per month and the draw takes place on the last Friday of each month from September through to July. The more entries we get the greater the prize money and all money raised is used to enhance the lives of our children within the pre-school.

The last time I managed this feat he was shocked to discover that the Groat has not been legal tender since the 1500s (which is the last time he bought a round), but even he had to concede that times change. To underline this fact, Graham’s sons Matt and Adam are still hoping to garner enough points to finish above Nick and Graham in the Winter League table. I suspect that the old guard may have the last word though, as they will finish third providing they win their final two matches of the season.

For an entry form please contact Nadine Harrison: 01473 831857 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL What a fun filled spring term all of our pre-school children have had. There were lots of activities going on, including making Valentine’s Day cards, Mother’s Day cards, dressing up for World Book Day and Easter crafts. The children really enjoyed their Easter Eggstravaganza at the end of term, and the Easter bonnets the children had made were very creative. At the end of the term the children were all very excited about their Easter break and the fact that the Easter Bunny may have brought them some chocolate to eat. We are hoping that everyone will be fully rested and ready to greet the summer term when we open again on Wednesday, April 19. We are also very excited as some of the pre-school children will be going on our organised coach trip to Easton Farm Park on Thursday, April 27. Let’s hope it’s a sunny day. We are really sorry to say goodbye to our fantastic deputy manager and SENCo, Emma Cummings. We wish her well for the future and look forward to welcoming a new deputy in the near future. Don’t forget to get your applications in now for places in September 2017. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am-3.30pm during term time. Children can start from the age of two until they go to reception. Session fees are £9.60 and we offer a lunch club (noon12.30pm) for £1.60. We are happy to accept Childcare Vouchers and we offer two-year funded places for any eligible children. We also run a holiday club in the Easter and summer holidays for ages two to eight – further information can be obtained by contacting the administrator. If you would like any more information regarding any of the above events or just to find out more about Claydon Pre-school please contact administrator Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk

GIPPING VALLEY BOWLS CLUB We will soon be commencing our warm-up programme for the start of the new season. The green opens officially on Monday, April 17. With this in mind, we will be holding a taster session on Saturday, April 22 from 10am-1.30pm for anybody who might be interested in taking up a new sport. Even experienced bowlers are welcome. Our current bowlers will be on hand to help anybody who is interested; just come along and bring some flat shoes. Our green is on the B1113 at Gt Blakenham, opposite the end of Chapel Lane. Parking is available. If you require further information please contact our secretary, Rita Adams: 01473 830845

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

The floodlit team seem to be mid table but as no up-to-date tables are to hand I can’t confirm this until next month. By the time this is sitting at the bottom of the budgie’s cage the AGM will have been and gone and a new committee will (hopefully) be in place (with luck no coercion will be required). The club will be participating in the Great British Tennis Weekend on May 14 from 10.30-3pm. This is an opportunity for the club to show prospective members the facilities, which we hope will include some exciting news about a new coaching facility. For more news visit: www. clubspark.lta.org.uk/OpenDays (search under Bramford) Talking of coaches reminds me that Nick got himself a new coach the other week after hearing that all the top players have their own personal coach. However he had to sell it when it failed the MOT. Joke of the Month A man goes to doctor to try and lose some weight. The doc tells him to eat normally for two days and then skip a day, eat normally for two days and skip a day and so on and come back in a week when he should have lost five pounds. A week later he returns and the doctor is astonished to discover the man has lost 20 pounds. “That’s great,” said the man, “but I’ll never keep this up.” The doctor asks if it is the hunger that is getting to him and the man replies: “No, not the hunger – it’s all that skipping!” More guff next month, Mick Russ

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Our winter socials are going well. January 20 was extremely successful thanks to the Stowmarket Strummers ukulele band who were warmly applauded. February saw our annual Big Quiz which was keenly contested as usual with Hunkydory the winners. Homemade soup and mixed fruit crumble provided by Pat Goodrum was very well received. Non-members are always welcome at our socials. See contact details below. The outdoor season is fast approaching and our dedicated green team are now hard at work ensuring the green is in the best possible condition. The opening drive will be on Saturday, April 22 (or Sunday, April 23 if weather conditions are too bad on the Saturday) starting at 2pm. Our first outdoor social will be the Friends and Family Barbecue on Sunday, May 14, starting at 2pm. There will be a President’s Day competition again this year as well club competitions. The dates will be published later. MEET AND GREET DAYS Based at Crowley Park, NMBC is calling all you non-bowlers to attend our Meet and Greet days on Saturdays, April 22 and 29 at 10.30am. Please come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Bowls and basic instruction will be provided and if you just want to watch and chat that’s fine. Although bowls is an ideal sport for the active older person, remember ‘YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO BOWL’. Contact: Pat Hadden 01743 831308 / Alistair Bailie 01449 720759

dŚĞ ůĂǇĚŽŶ 'ƌŽƵƉ ŽĨ ŚƵƌĐŚĞƐ

^ĞƌǀŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƉĂƌŝƐŚĞƐ ŽĨ ůĂǇĚŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĂƌŚĂŵ͕ ,ĞŶůĞǇ ĂŶĚ 'ƌĞĂƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ

ĂƐƚĞƌ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ǀĞŶƚƐ ϮϬϭϳ DŽƚŚĞƌŝŶŐ ^ƵŶĚĂǇ – ϮϲƚŚ DĂƌĐŚ ϭϬĂŵ ϭϬĂŵ ϭϭĂŵ

DŽƚŚĞƌŝŶŐ ^ƵŶĚĂǇ &ĂŵŝůǇ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ DŽƚŚĞƌŝŶŐ ^ƵŶĚĂǇ &ĂŵŝůǇ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ DŽƚŚĞƌŝŶŐ ^ƵŶĚĂǇ &ĂŵŝůǇ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ

,ĞŶůĞǇ ŚƵƌĐŚ ĂƌŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ 'ƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ

WĂůŵ ^ƵŶĚĂǇ – ϵƚŚ Ɖƌŝů ϭϬĂŵ ϭϬĂŵ ϭϭĂŵ

ĨĂŵŝůǇΛŚĞŶůĞǇ ,ĞŶůĞǇ ŚƵƌĐŚ ,ŽůǇ ŽŵŵƵŶŝŽŶ ĂƌŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ ,ŽůǇ ŽŵŵƵŶŝŽŶ 'ƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ

DĂƵŶĚǇ dŚƵƌƐĚĂǇ – ϭϯƚŚ Ɖƌŝů ϲƉŵ ϴƉŵͲůĂƚĞ

ŐĂƉĞ DĞĂů 'ƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ WĂƌŝƐŚ ZŽŽŵ ,ŽůǇ ŽŵŵƵŶŝŽŶ 'ƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ

'ŽŽĚ &ƌŝĚĂǇ – ϭϰƚŚ Ɖƌŝů ϵ͘ϯϬĂŵ ϭϬĂŵ ϳƉŵ

Children’s Workshops Children’s Workshops ĂŶĚůĞůŝƚ ZĞĨůĞĐƚŝŽŶƐ

,ŽůǇ ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂǇ – ϭϱƚŚ Ɖƌŝů ϳƉŵ

ĂƐƚĞƌ sŝŐŝů ǁŝƚŚ &ŝƌĞ

ĂƐƚĞƌ ĂǇ – ϭϲƚŚ Ɖƌŝů ϭϬĂŵ ϭϬĂŵ ϭϭĂŵ

ĂƐƚĞƌ ŽŵŵƵŶŝŽŶ ĂƐƚĞƌ ŽŵŵƵŶŝŽŶ ĂƐƚĞƌ ŽŵŵƵŶŝŽŶ

,ĞŶůĞǇ ŚƵƌĐŚ ĂƌŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ ,ĞŶůĞǇ ŚƵƌĐŚ 'ƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ

ĂƌŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ ,ĞŶůĞǇ ŚƵƌĐŚ 'ƚ ůĂŬĞŶŚĂŵ ŚƵƌĐŚ

ĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ ĂƐƚĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ ƵƐ͊ ǁǁǁ͘ĐůĂǇĚŽŶĐŚƵƌĐŚĞƐ͘ĐŽŵ Fri 7th - Thurs 13th April

THE BOSS BABY (U) Fri 7th - 13th: 12.00 & 5.00

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (PG) Fri 24th - Thurs 30th March

KONG: SKULL ISLAND (12A)

Fri 7th - Thurs 13th: 2.15 & 7.15

Fri 14th - Thurs 20th April

THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (12A)

Fri 14th & Sat 15th: 5.00 Sun 16th & Mon 17th: 7.30 Tue 18th & Wed 19th: 2.30 & 7.30 JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (15) Fri 24th & Sat 25th: 5.00, Thurs 30th: 11.30am Thurs 20th: 2.15 Fri 24th & Sat 25th: 11.30am & 7.45 Sun 26th: 4.45, Mon 27th - Thurs 30th: 7.45

MOONLIGHT (15)

GET OUT (15)

HACKSAW RIDGE (15)

THE BOSS BABY (U)

Mon 27th - Thurs 30th: 5.00

Tue 28th & Thurs 30th: 2.30 Fri 24th - Mon 27th: 2.30

Fri 14th & Sat 15th: 12.00 Sun 16th & Mon 17th: 12.00 & 5.15 Tue 18th & Wed 19th: 5.15, Thurs 20th: 4.45

Sun 26th: 12.15

Fri 14th - Mon 17th: 2.15

I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (U) THE KING & I (1956) (U) Wed 29th: 11.30am

Fri 31st March - Thurs 6th April

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (PG) Fri 31st - Wed 5th: 11.45am & 5.00 Thurs 6th: 1.15 & 4.00

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (PG)

POCKET MONEY MOVIES

GREAT FAMILY FILMS, KIDS £2.50, ADULTS FREE!*

BALLERINA (U)

THE BOSS BABY (U)

Sat 25th & Sun 26th March: 9.30am Sat 1st & Sun 2nd: 9.30am, Wed 5th: 9.30am

LOGAN (15)

Fri 7th - Sun 9th: 9.30am, Wed 12th: 9.30am

Sat 1st - Wed 5th: 2.30, Thurs 6th: 10.45am

Fri 31st - Wed 5th: 7.45 NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE - EVENT CINEMA World Class Theatre - Beamed to Stowmarket Thursday 6th April at 7.00pm - Tickets £12.50 Tasmin Greig stars in

TWELFTH NIGHT

MONSTER TRUCKS (PG) MOANA (U)

Fri 14th - Sun 16th: 9.45am

*1x free adult per paying child. Under 10’s must be accompanied.

LIVE ON STAGE Monday 24th April - Tickets £15.00

Thursday 20th April at 7.00pm - Tickets £12.50

Country Music with SHAUN LOUGHREY

ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD

www.regalstowmarket.co.uk / 01449 612825 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AY

Daniel Radcliffe stars in

Fri 14th & Sat 15th: 7.30 Thurs 20th: 11.45am

See website for show information & to buy tickets

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS SOMERSHAM TENNIS CLUB CHILDREN’S TENNIS RESTARTS APRIL 20 We are again being supported by the Lawn Tennis Association for our children’s clubs with Toby as our coach. Ages four-five up eight years old will play from 5.30-6.15pm and over eights from 6.15-7pm. These ages are only a rough guide as it depends on the individual child’s ability as to which group they belong in. The tennis courts are in the far corner of the playing field, opposite the phone box on the main road. A car park is available at the Princes Gardens entrance. The cost is £2.50 per child per session. New children welcome. For further details contact Mrs PA Pearson: 16 Princes Gardens, Lower Somersham IP8 4PF / 01473 831436

CLAYDON FC Presentation Day 2017 This season’s presentation day will be on Sunday, May 7 from 11am at Blue Circle and the executive committee will shortly be sending the start time for each age group to managers and posting them onto social media. We look forward to another superb day of activities for both players and parents. There will be a bar and barbecue along with numerous football related games for the players. Groundsman of the Year – Tony Adams

In the competition open to clubs in the county who play at Step 7 and below, Tony Adams was voted the winner by the panel of judges who visited the grounds during February. Tony, who has been groundsman at Touchline SIL Division One leaders Claydon for the past 18 months, said: “I am shocked. It is a great honour for the club and everyone associated with it. I am totally amazed and it just proves that something you enjoy doing and work hard at is very fulfilling.” Tony’s prize is £200 for Claydon to spend on ground care equipment courtesy of sponsors Ransomes Jacobsen. Ipswich-based Ransomes Jacobsen, one of the world’s largest suppliers of grounds care equipment, sponsored the competition for this first time this season, doubling the prize money on offer. Under 7s introduction session As with previous years, Claydon FC will be running an Under 7s introduction session at Blue Circle, and this year it will be on Sunday, May 7 from 9.30-10.30am. If you are under seven years of age on September 6, 2017 and want to learn to play football in a superb environment with award winning facilities, please get in touch. While players have a free coaching session parents can have a tour of the club’s facilities and ask any questions of the team. For more information or to pre-book a place please contact: events@claydon-fc.co.uk / 07903 398460 U11 Tigers sponsorship deal The U11 Tigers are pleased to welcome COMTEC Direct as our sponsor for the next two years and the players, parents, managers and club officials would like to express their gratitude at your support for the players. COMTEC stocks a comprehensive range of networking products from structured and fibre optic cabling through to data racks and servers which are available for next day delivery.

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A TIME OF TESTING, CHALLENGE OR CHANGE Lent is the period of time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Many people use this 40-day period as a time of reflection or sacrifice to contemplate Jesus and his life in the run up to Easter. Others may use the period to give up things that they feel they like too much, such as desserts, chocolate or alcohol. A friend of mine has used this period of Lent as a second chance to reinstate a failed New Year’s resolution. He had resolved at the start of the year to practice the guitar more each day. He writes: “This quickly fell by the wayside but I have resolved for Lent to practice diligently for one hour each day and have so far been successful. It’s perhaps easier to see the goal through at Lent because you know it’s only for 40 days. I’m hopeful that at the end of the 40 days I’ll see such benefits that I’ll wish to keep it up”. Throughout the Bible the number 40 often pops up and it always seems to reflect a time of testing, challenge or change. It rained nonstop during the flood for 40 days. Moses was a shepherd for 40 years and then led Israel for 40 years. He was on Mount Sinai for 40 days when he received the 10 commandments. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land, Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days until David came to defeat him. Jesus fasted and was tested for 40 days in the desert, and then there were 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension. I’m not suggesting there’s anything mysterious about the number 40 in the Bible, but whenever it’s specifically mentioned it does always seem to be a time of testing, challenge or change. Why not take 40 days to look into what the Bible claims about Jesus? All of the gospel accounts tell us who He was, what He did and why He came. The good news that we read in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) can be read in 40 days taking only two or three minutes a day. Be surprised by what you read about the man who literally split history in half. “I turned my heart to know, and to search out and seek wisdom and the scheme of things…” Ecclesiastes 7: 25 WEEKLY EVENTS Tuesday: Weekly Prayer Meeting, 9.30-10.30am Wednesday: Home Group, 10-11.45am Thursday: Home Group, 7.45-9.30pm Friday: Children’s Club (primary school age), 6.30-7.30pm Sunday Morning Service: 10.45am-noon For more information contact: info@blakenhambaptist.org.uk / 01449 720357 www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk

CHURCH NEWS THE CLAYDON GROUP OF CHURCHES The Church of England in Claydon and Barham, Henley and Great Blakenham We offer you a warm welcome to all our events and services. For enquiries about baptisms, weddings and funerals contact The Rev Carl Melville or visit: www.claydonchurches.com Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Carl Melville, Claydon Rectory 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmail.com Services in April Barham Church – every Sunday at 10am Henley Church – every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church – every Sunday at 11am EVERY WEDNESDAY IN LENT Compline (Evening Service) is said at Henley Church every Wednesday at 9pm Sunday, April 2 – Lent 5 8am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 10am Quiet Communion 11am family@blakenham

Barham Church Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday, April 9 – Palm Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 10am family@henley 11am Holy Communion

Barham Church Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday, April 16 – Easter Day 10am Easter Day Service 10am Easter Day Service 11am Easter Day Service

Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday, April 23 – Easter 2 8am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 10am Café Church 11am Elevenses@GB 6.30pm Evensong

Barham Church Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham Church Henley Church

Sunday, April 30 – Easter 3 10am Joint Holy Communion There will be no other services today. Sunday, May 7 – Easter 4 8am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 10am Quiet Communion 11am family@blakenham

Henley Church

Barham Church Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham Church

Further services can be found on our website. Hall Bookings Barham Church Hall: Zoe Groom, 831804 Gt Blakenham Parish Room: Paul Corbett, 830201 Henley Church Vestry: Margaret Gerrard, 831463

Family and All Age Services Our All Age Worship is suitable for families, couples and individuals of any age. There is an engaging activity, hymns and songs and plenty of fun and fellowship. Come along in April when we’ll be thinking about transformation. family@blakenham: Sunday, April 2 (every first Sunday), 11am. Come early for refreshments. family@henley: Sunday, April 9 (every second Sunday), 10am family@barham: Sunday, April 16 (every third Sunday), 10am, followed by bacon butties. Baptisms February 26: Greyson McGovern-Dacunha Funerals March 1: Gavin Gardiner NEWS Holy Week 2017: There are too many services and activities over Holy Week to mention them all here. For more details see page 17 or visit our website. Lent Appeal: This year we’re supporting the diocese of Kagera, our link diocese in Africa. If you’d like to donate, please contact us. You can find out more about the appeal at www.cofesuffolk.org//world-mission/kagera Elevenses@GB: A new style of church taking place on the fourth Sunday of every month (April 23) in the Parish Room, Gt Blakenham at 11am. Come along for a more relaxed service. Café Church: At Henley Church – come early for a seat. Come along and be part of it on the fourth Sunday of every month (April 23) at 10am. There’ll be breakfast treats and refreshments. Easter Fayre at GB Parish Room: Saturday, April 8, 10am-noon. Tombola, cake stall, crafts, raffle, refreshments and books for sale. Good Friday Workshops: At Barham Church, 10am, or Henley Church, 9.30am. Children of all ages will be most welcome to join us for our annual Good Friday morning of crafts, stories and fun, followed by hot cross buns for all. Please contact Rev Jenny (830205) or Rev Cathy (830100) for details. Renewal of Vows: There will be a big renewal of vows service at Gt Blakenham on Sunday, May 28 at 4pm, with all your favourite wedding hymns. If you’d like to renew your vows, please contact The Rev Carl: 833542 Wedding Festival, May 27-29: If you still have your wedding dress and would like us to display it, please get in touch with us. The main event will be a wedding fair on Monday, May 29 in the church, Chequers Freehouse and parish hall. All are welcome. Fete and Flowers, Saturday, June 10: This year’s fete will be held at Barham Church with a weekend-long flower festival in the church alongside it. The fete will be at 2pm on the Saturday. We shall be hoping to organise transport from the village so put the date in your diary and watch out for further detail. Continued over...

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CHURCH NEWS Gt Blakenham Fete: Saturday, June 24, 10am-noon in the Parish Room and garden. Fun games, refreshments, tombola and raffle. Open air picnic band concert: As soon as last month’s In Touch magazine hit the doormats, requests for tickets for this popular event started to come in. We are not trying to cause panic buying, but please don’t leave it too late before you book yours. It would be great to sell most of the 450 tickets to local people and their families and make it another real community event. The music will be led by Essential Sounds, an 18-piece big band, and The Three Chordettes, a female vocalist trio. Early discount tickets are available for just £11 each by sending a cheque made payable to Claydon and Barham PCC to 5 Phillipps Road, Barham IP6 0AZ with a stamped self-addressed envelope. OTHER SERVICES AND EVENTS Saturday, April 8: Easter Fayre, Gt Blakenham, 10am-non Thursday, April 13: Maundy Thursday (see page 14) Friday, April 14: Good Friday Holy Communion at Alasdair Place, 2.30pm (see page 14). Saturday, April 15: Holy Saturday, 7pm at GB Church Sunday, April 16: Easter Day Sunday, April 23: GB St George’s theme Elevenses Service, 11am Wednesday, April 26: Holy Communion at St Peter’s Court, 2.30pm Thursday, April 27: Henley Church APCM Friday, May 5: Gt Blakenham Church Quiz Night May 27-29: Wedding Festival, Gt Blakenham Saturday, June 10: Claydon and Barham Fete, Barham Church Saturday, June 24: Gt Blakenham Fete, Parish Room, 10am-noon Saturday, July 8: Open Air Picnic Band Concert, Evening Saturday, July 15: Gt Blakenham Doggy Day, 11am-3pm LETTER FROM THE VICAR I love April, mainly because it’s my birthday month, but also because Easter tends to fall in April and I love Easter. If you’ve given something up for Lent, Easter is usually the time you can once again indulge. Most people give up chocolate, or at least try to, which is why the Easter egg companies get so much business come Easter time.

BRAMFORD METHODIST CHURCH Minister: The Rev Derek Grimshaw 01473 805486 / dkgrimshaw@msn.com Steward: Ms R Palmer, 01473 831117 Please feel free to contact either of us with any queries. Baptisms, marriages and funerals by arrangement with the minister, who will also arrange Holy Communion for the housebound. Sunday • Morning Worship with Holy Communion every second Sunday of month, 10.30-11.30am* • Lighthouse Club for children – term time only, 10.30-11.30am Monday • Bible Study, an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss, every third Monday of month, 2-3pm • Computer Club – term time only, 7.30-9.30pm Tuesday • Network/MWiB, our ladies meeting, although gentlemen are always welcome – second and fourth Tuesdays of month from October-April and second Tuesday from May-September, 2-3pm* Wednesday • Computer Club – term time only, 10am-noon • Prayers and Laying of Hands for Healing – second Wednesday of month, 7.30-8.30pm Thursday • United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields – first Thursday of month, 3-3.30pm* Saturday • Coffee Morning – either at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see diary below for location) on the third Saturday of month, 10-11am Sunday • Families@4, an informal get-together with tea provided, come and go as you please – not a service but our minister usually joins us, 4-6pm (once a month – please check diary) *Tea and coffee served afterwards APRIL DIARY Sunday 2: Morning Worship, The Rev C Jowett, 10.30am Thursday 6: United Service at Cherryfields, 3pm

Giving up something for Lent is meant to help prepare us to celebrate Easter more fully. In giving things up, we’re meant to become better people – kinder, more generous, create more time to spend with others or with God. So, this year, I challenge you not to return to whatever it is you gave up. See how long you can ‘cope’ without it. If giving things up for 40 days makes us kinder and more generous, let’s see what giving something up for longer can do.

Sunday 9: Morning Worship, Major M Smith, Palm Sunday, 10.30am

Lent prepares us for a massive transformation – Easter. In Lent we have no flowers in church, at Easter it is packed with flowers and colour again. During Lent we don’t say the word ‘alleluia’ in church, at Easter we over use it. Lent is stark and difficult for some, but Easter’s happiness and joy transforms us. In Lent we ask questions about God and at Easter we simply celebrate that God loves us.

Thursday 13: Holy Week Service at St Mary’s, 7.30pm

Why not join us this Easter and help us celebrate? By the way, I’m giving up birthdays after this one!

Sunday 23: Morning Worship, Mrs R Logan, 10.30am

The Rev Carl Melville www.claydonchurches.com

Monday 10: Holy Week Service at the Methodist Church, 7.30pm Tuesday 11: Network/MWiB, Mrs Jackie Howes – Thoughts for Holy Week, 2-3pm Holy Week Service at St Mary’s, 7.30pm Wednesday 12: Holy Week Service at the Methodist Church including Prayers for Healing, 7.30pm Friday, 14: Holy Week Service. This year our Good Friday Walk of Witness will be from St Mary’s to the Methodist Church, 10am Sunday 16: Morning Worship, The Rev D Grimshaw, Easter Sunday Holy Communion, 10.30am Saturday 22: Coffee Morning at Cherryfields, 10-11am Tuesday 25: Network/MWiB, The Friends of the Deaf – Mrs Pearl Kerridge and Friend, 2-3pm Sunday 30: Morning Worship, Mr R Theobald, 10.30am Families@4, 4-6pm

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CHURCH NEWS

ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar 01473 748914 / stmarybramford@aol.com

needed, but the fact is that it happened away from observers, in the quiet of the tomb.

Assistant Curate: The Rev Julian Fennel, 01473 833250

The witness accounts we have are from those who were considered to be unreliable. In fact all we can say is that whatever it was that happened was so stunning that it sparked off a wave of faith which is still rolling around the world and inspiring people today.

www.stmarybramford.co.uk Wednesday, 9.30am: Quiet Reflective Communion Service SERVICES IN APRIL April 2 / Lent 5 10am Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing 6pm Evening Prayer April 5 9.30am 1pm 7.30pm

Communion Wedding Lent Group – Week 5

April 6 3pm

United Service at Cherryfields

Bramford Baylham Vicarage Bramford Vicarage

April 9 / Palm Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am Parish Communion 5pm Five o’clock Service

Bramford Nettlestead Bramford

April 10 7pm

Evening Service

Methodist Church

April 11 7pm

Evening Service

St Mary’s Bramford

April 12 9.30am 7pm

Communion Evening Service

Vicarage Methodist Church

April 13 / Maundy Thursday 7pm Communion for Maundy Thursday including stripping of the altars and vigil at St Mary’s, Bramford April 14 / Good Friday 10am Procession of Witness and Meditation with the Methodist Church starting at St Mary’s, Bramford 2pm Last Hour at the Cross St Mary’s, Bramford

You will see from our service schedule that we have a full week of events as we follow the story pretty much in real time. It’s worth dipping in and out of the week, the highlights will be the lovely Maundy Thursday Communion Service with its vigil afterwards, the Walk of Witness and reflection on Good Friday, and of course Easter Sunday. Little Blakenham church is also holding a spring flower festival in the church, with a New Fire Service on Holy Saturday evening. In the week after Easter, we will be celebrating Easter with the school, who will have been on holiday for the two weeks before the festival, do come and join us. Blessings, Jenny EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY Here is a list of some events that we are planning during the year. April 22: Coffee Morning May 13: Plant Sale and Lunches July 1: Village Fete PARISH REGISTERS Funerals March 13: Janet Jackaman March 14: Mick Buttery We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers. Cleaning Rota: V Mather and K Orvis Flower Rota: Lent Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church April 7: In memory of Jim Thacker on his birthday April 15: In memory of Hazel Gibson on her birthday April 19: In memory of Margaret Heasley on her birthday

April 16 / Easter Sunday 10am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion

Bramford Baylham

If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week.

April 18 2.30pm

Church Room

L ectionary Bible Readings for our Sunday Worship are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to share the reading of scripture with Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, across the world.

The Gathering

April 22 10am-noon Coffee Morning

Church Room

April 23 / Easter 2 8am Holy Communion 10am Fourth Sunday Service 10am Morning Prayer

Bramford Church Room Nettlestead

April 30 / Easter 3 10am Joint Parish Communion Please check porch notices for any changes.

Bramford

Dear friends Easter is the major Christian festival of the year, celebrating the stunning events surrounding Passover something like 2,000 years ago. I am often asked what actual proof we have of the resurrection, but in fact, all we have is the wonderful accounts in the gospels. It would be tempting to think that if it happened today then we would have all the proof we

April 2 Ezek 37:1-14

Fifth Sunday of Lent Rom 8:6-11

Purple John 11:1-45

April 9 Isaiah 50:4-9a

Palm Sunday Phil 2:5-11

Red Matt 26:14-27

April 14 Isaiah 52:13-53

Good Friday Heb 4:14-16 John 18:1-19

April 16 Acts 10:34-43

Easter Day Col 3:1-4

White or Gold John 20:1-18

April 23 Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Easter 1 Exod 14:10-end

White 1 Pet 1:1-9

April 30 Acts 2: 14a, 36-41

Easter 2 1 Peter1: 17-23

White Luke 24: 13-35

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