In touch news with gt blakenham Nov 17

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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 8 • Issue No.1 • NOVEMBER 2017

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01473 327596

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Being a parent is challenging enough but having a full-time job 40 minutes from home requires some manic juggling at times. I’m fortunate to work in a company which accommodates my occasionally frantic schedule with mid-afternoon parent consultations and Friday morning Harvest Festivals, not to mention the celebration assemblies and share sessions. Not everyone is so lucky, but like my lovely employers I believe in a give and take approach to most things and it appears to work. I’m happy to work in the evenings and at weekends in return for some flexibility on schooldays.

Strangely this seems to have backfired in one unexpected way. My son has concluded that his dad’s job is far more important than mine! Apparently I “just do words” while daddy “does important things like bringing us electricity” (he doesn’t!). So all my running and racing from one thing to another so my lovely son has a parent at all of his many, many school events means my job is less important in his eyes. I was livid. Jack quickly realised he’d upset me but struggled to understand why, which made me even angrier.

After I’d calmed down we talked about my job for some time and I believe he now appreciates the extra effort required in order to be there when daddy can’t be. But daddy didn’t get off lightly either and though his job doesn’t facilitate the same degree of flexibility as mine he has now promised to attend at least one school event each term.

However, this ‘incident’ forced me to consider how my behaviour may have contributed to Jack’s assumption. Perhaps trying to do it all is the wrong approach. After all if daddy is too exhausted after a day of doing important things to do the many, many invisible tasks which seem to have become my responsibility, maybe I should be too! Maybe doing less is the answer. Maybe I won’t put the bins out this week! Maybe I won’t do all the Christmas shopping this year! Maybe I’ll introduce a cleaning rota!

I’ll let you know how it works out!

In Touch

with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead

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

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

Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

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

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

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

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DECEMBER DEADLINE

10 NOVEMBER 2017 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS LIMEBURNERS RECRUIT SANTA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR BARKING PRE-SCHOOL The Limeburners truly is a pub at the heart of the local community and together customers and staff have raised amazing sums for charity, including £1,125 in 2016 which was donated to Stowmarket & District Cancer Group. Now the focus is on securing the future of Barking Pre-school, a non-profit making charity which provides early years education for both local families and those from surrounding villages. The pre-school is run by a committed and enthusiastic team of staff, who work hard to organise a wide variety of fun and educational activities to meet the individual needs of all children.

And what better way to support local families and this essential local facility than with the help of Santa who will visit the Limeburners on December 22 and 23 to raise money for Barking Pre-school.

Santa will visit on Friday, December 22 from noon-4pm with reindeer between 1 and 3pm, and again on Saturday 23 from noon-4pm with a Unipony.

Visits to Santa must be booked at £5 per child and will include a gift and sweets. This should be booked via the Limeburners Facebook page or by calling/visiting the pub. Children will be booked in one hour slots so 10 children per hour. The Limeburners very own house band will perform on Friday, December 22.

The Limeburners, Willisham Road, Offton IP8 4SF 01473 658318 / vixmac7icloud.com The Macmillan Coffee Morning held in Baylham Village Hall made over £700. Thanks to all who helped to raise this amount.

SCOUT CHRISTMAS POST 2017 Once again Scouts will be delivering your Christmas cards in and around Ipswich and surrounding villages for the bargain price of 25p per card.

They will deliver to any of the following areas: Ipswich IP1-IP5, Pinewood Estate, Felixstowe, Trimley Villages, Kirton, Martlesham Village, Grundisburgh, Bealings, Playford, Culpho, Bramford, Claydon, Barham, Blakenham, Sproughton, Henley, Witnesham and Tuddenham.

Cards can be dropped off in the boxes in the village from November 25 to December 12. You’ll find boxes at Freshfills Bakery, Choices, Bea’s Boutique, Claydon & Barham Community Centre, The Crown Inn, Barham Church and Claydon Primary School.

Any queries please contact: 01473 511388 / 07771 778003 Please help us and save yourself some cash at the same time. www.Ipswichscoutpost.co.uk

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help.

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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: OCTOBER 2017 Highways I have pointed out the chaos that the several sets of road works in our area are causing and asked the cabinet member to intervene.

Unfortunately, the county has limited control, but they do appear to accept major disruption. Hopefully by the time you read this the necessary but annoying work will be complete.

The Gt Blakenham Zebra No sooner had I given you the October date than it was delayed to mid-January due to the disruption that would have occurred if the work coincided with that at Hackney’s Corner.

Hackney’s Corner The work to change the junction shape should reduce accidents, but not I feel to the extent we need. Unfortunately, traffic lights were not considered necessary when the latest plans were agreed at the planning meeting in 2015. We will have to keep an eye on the safety record and may have to fight for improvements.

School Transport Policy The Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group ‘called-in’ the cabinet decision to consult on proposed changes to SCC’s school transport policy. The proposal was to reduce transport provision to the statutory minimum to the nearest school if it is more than two miles away and the child is under eight or three miles and under 16.

However, if a route to school is not safe to walk transport is provided from lesser distances.

We cited several problems with the cabinet report and argued that to go to public consultation without a comprehensive impact assessment was premature. We questioned the expected savings and stressed the need to fully research how changes might impact on educational attainment, increased car use, and school viability.

Scrutiny committee members considered that cabinet was not fully informed, decided that the process had flaws and by a vote of seven to five referred the decision back to cabinet. We believe we have achieved some progress as the cabinet member has responded: “There has been so much helpful discussion and debate over the past few weeks in relation to the future of school and post-16 travel.

Proposals for the next stage of the review of this important policy are currently being refined and will be taken to cabinet once we have carefully considered all the issues that have been raised so far.”

Minerals and Waste Plan A new plan identifying the various sites allocated for waste related activities and for mineral extraction has reached the preferred options consultation stage. It will be presented for your input at Claydon and Barham Village Hall on November 20 from 2-8pm. There are no disastrous surprises in our area.

ST PETER’S CHURCH, BAYLHAM Adrian Foley entered the Sponsored Cycle Ride on September 9 and raised £637.50. Half of this will be given to Baylham Church and half to the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust.

We would like to say a big thank you to Adrian for all his efforts and also to those who helped by sponsoring him.

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Joint Local Plan At SCC cabinet on October 10 a paper was presented on county cooperation in the planning process. It recognised the need for much more work with district councils.

I pressed cabinet members and senior officers to recognise the inadequacy of the resource currently dedicated to highways planning that is necessary. They said they would ensure it was adequate.

Boundary Review The Boundary Commission have made their first proposals for the Mid Suffolk ward boundary review. They would place Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham and Somersham in a single member ward. Bramford would stand alone and Gosbeck and Ashbocking would be added to the existing two-member Claydon & Barham ward. There is as usual a consultation under way if you want to put your views forward. My group proposed a larger three-member ward pulling together all the Gipping Valley area. The many common interests would then be better served.

Mid Suffolk Babergh Merger On October 13, the cabinets of Mid Suffolk and Babergh met simultaneously and co-located at Endeavour House to consider proposals to reduce costs by merging the councillor bodies. There are other proposals such as creating a unitary authority for Suffolk that require wider agreement, but to merge they just have to agree and get the Secretary of State’s consent. Of course there was a referendum on this subject that rejected the concept but the two Conservative groups appear determined to press ahead for a saving predicted to be £600k per year after initial redundancy costs. £60k of this is councillor allowances, the rest is hope.

We appear to be ignoring ‘the will of the people’ in this case, but my concern remains as ever that predicted economies are rarely delivered in practice. As to the possibility of reducing councillor numbers, there is currently one county councillor to cover the area of four district councillors: is a reduction possible without damaging your representation?

Fisons The district council have bid for government money to try to get development moving and preserve the listed buildings. We may at last see progress.

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 I do have Twitter @JohnFieldjd and Facebook /fieldjd accounts and my website is at: www.johnfield.suffolk.libdems.org

BAYLHAM QUIZ NIGHT AND FISH AND CHIP SUPPER There will be another popular Quiz Night and Fish and Chip Supper on Saturday, November 11 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Please order by Tuesday, November 7. Tickets are £8 inclusive of supper and are available from Wendy: 01473 830615

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Fri 17th - Thurs 23rd Nov

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (12A) Fri 17th & Sat 18th: 2.30 & 7.45 Sun 19th & Mon 20th: 2.30 Tue 21st - Thurs 23rd: 5.00 Fri 27th Oct - Thurs 2nd Nov

THE SNOWMAN (15)

Fri 27th - Sun 29th: 7.30 Mon 30th - Wed 1st: 2.15 & 7.30 Thurs 2nd: 2.15 & 5.00

HAPPY DEATH DAY

(15)

Fri 17th & Sat 18th: 5.00, Tue 21st: 7.45 Wed 22nd & Thurs 23rd: 12.15

THE DEATH OF STALIN (15)

Mon 20th: 12.15, Tue 21st: 2.30 Wed 22nd & Thurs 23rd: 2.30 & 7.45

THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US (12A) MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE (U) Fri 27th - Wed 1st: 5.00 Thurs 2nd: 12.00 & 7.45

Sat 18th & Sun 19th: 12.15

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (PG) Fri 27th - Sun 29th: 12.15 & 2.30

Fri 3rd - Thurs 9th Nov

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (12A) Fri 3rd - Wed 8th: 2.30 & 7.45 Thurs 9th: 12.00 & 5.00

GEOSTORM

LIVE ON STAGE Saturday 11th November at 2pm - Tickets £9 The RBL & Stowmarket Town Council present

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

THE CAROLE KING & JAMES TAYLOR STORY Monday 20th November at 7.30pm - Tickets £15.00

Fri 3rd - Wed 8th: 5.00, Thurs 9th: 2.30 Sat 4th & Sun 5th: 12.15

Wed 6th - Fri 8th Dec: 7.30, Sat 9th & Sun 10th Dec: 12.00 & 5.00

Sunday 19th November at 7.30pm - Tickets £12.50 & £14

(12A)

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE

SNOW WHITE PANTOMIME - TICKETS NOW ON SALE

(PG)

Fri 10th - Thurs 16th Nov

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (12A) Fri 10th: 2.30 & 7.45, Sat 11th: 9.45am & 7.45 Sun 12th - Wed 15th: 2.30 & 7.45 Thurs 16th: 1.15 & 4.15

THOR: RAGNAROK (12A)

A night of country music with

STEPHEN SMYTH

Friday 24th November at 2.00pm - Tickets £10 & £12

An afternoon of festive nostalgia

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Friday 1st December at 7.30pm - Tickets £12

Fat Old Dad present music, festive fun & laughter

ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS TIME

Fri 10th & Sat 11th: 5.00 Sun 12th: 11.45am & 5.00 Mon 13th - Wed 15th: 5.00, Thurs 16th: 10.45am GREAT FAMILY FILMS, KIDS £2.50, ADULTS FREE!* World Class Theatre - Beamed to Stowmarket

POCKET MONEY MOVIES

THE EMOJI MOVIE

(U) National Theatre Live presents the Stephen Sondheim musical Fri 27th - Sun 29th Oct: 9.45am, Sat 4th & Sun 5th: 9.45am

Thurs 16th November at 7pm - Tickets £12.50

FOLLIES

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

CARS 3 (U)

Sun 12th: 9.30am, Sat 18th & Sun 19th: 10.00am *1x free adult per paying child. Under 10’s must be accompanied.

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NEWS GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

LITTLE BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

I am pleased to be able to give you an update on the pedestrian crossing on Stowmarket Road. Construction will start on January 15 and last for four weeks. As part of the works, the street lights around the new crossing will be replaced with energy efficient LED lights. The bus shelter on the Chalk Hill Lane side of the road will be moved a few yards further down the road and the slip lane for drivers turning into Chalk Hill Lane will be removed so that the pavement there can be widened. Your council has suggested some other possible improvements to Suffolk County Council Highways and we are waiting to see if these can be implemented.

Your parish council will continue to press for the many much needed infrastructure improvements in the village.

You may have noticed a tree on the side of the road by the village hall that has suffered from a lot of die back and is not in very good condition.

We have found out that it is the responsibility of the district council and arranged for them to come out and inspect it. As a result, the district council are arranging for the dead areas to be removed. Once that has been done, it will be monitored regularly to see if it recovers or continues to deteriorate. If it does deteriorate, felling will be considered.

The village hall on Valley Road is available for hire at very reasonable rates. There is an outside area which could be useful for games if you are planning a party for lots of energetic children. The hall has plenty of parking and a kitchen area. 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

Meanwhile, the council has agreed to purchase a defibrillator. The Village Hall Management Committee has kindly agreed that it will be sited on the wall at the front of the village hall.

Unfortunately there is still no news on a longer term solution to the lack of a secure lease for the allotments. As I write this, we are still awaiting a further one-year licence.

If you have any queries on the work of the parish council, please contact the clerk, Janet Gobey: littleblakenhampc@outlook.com / 01473 833520 Please remember that members of the public can come along to any of our meetings to raise issues and ask questions. Meetings take place on the third Tuesday, every other month – November 21, January 16, March 20 and May 15 which is the annual meeting of the council. All meetings start at 7.30pm in the village hall.

We are aware that the gates on the cemetery are difficult to open and we are considering making changes to resolve this long term. Our plan is to replace the gates with metal ones that will be lighter and easier to open and close We are always looking for local businesses that can tender for work.

If you own or are employed by a property maintenance company or building firm, please feel free to contact the clerk so we can put you on our contractor list and approach you for quotes when the occasion arises.

Chairman Wally Binder

BAYLHAM VILLAGE HALL

We like to listen to the residents in our parish; if you have any suggestions for improvements that can be considered for the benefit of the parish, we want to hear from you. Either pop along to a meeting or email our clerk.

Following recent renovations, Baylham Village Hall is available for hire for parties, meetings, and leisure activities. Small car park available.

For bookings and prices, please contact Wendy: 01473 830615

Finally, we have received complaints about bags of dog waste being left at the bottom of Mill Lane. Please be a responsible dog owner and bag it, then bin it. There is a dog waste bin a few yards up Mill Lane and your council pays for it to be emptied weekly, so there is no excuse for not using it.

Monthly parish council meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Parish Room. The next meeting is on November 8.

Parish Clerk: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk / 07508 830777 Facebook: @greatblakenhampc Twitter: @pcgtblakenham www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net Thank you for reading this and for your interest in the work of your parish council.

Chairman Steve Plume

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Regular networking opportunities for November 2017 Friday, November 3, 10am-noon: Coffee Morning Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday, November 17, 6.45am: Networking Breakfast The Mix, Stowmarket For further details and to book visit: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk At the time of writing, places at the first Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition on 21 March 2018 were close to sold out, but you can register on the reserve list at: www.msbe.biz/exhibit

Bumper Christmas Local Veg Boxes Enjoy local fresh veg delivered to your door with your Christmas dinner this year! may vary  Potatoes 4kg  Leeks 500g  Cauliflower Contents and are subject to  Parsnips 1.5kg  Mushrooms 200g  Red Cabbage availability.  Carrots 1.5kg  Sprout stalk  Swede  Onions 750g Based in Claydon

Only £20!

Please order by Monday 4th December.

We provide products and services that create opportunities for people with disabilities and/or disadvantages to succeed in work, learning and life.

01473 831224 www.growingplacessuffolk.co.uk 6

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ADVERTORIAL

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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number

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

a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

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GET READY FOR

CHRISTMAS

• RARE BREEDS • PETS PADDOCK • TRACTOR-TRAILER RIDES • PLAY AREA • CAFE • MUSEUM • GIFT SHOP

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR 2nd & 3rd DECEMBER BOOK TO EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

WREATH WORKSHOP 9th DECEMBER

www.suffolkpunchtrust.org

SE OUR W E E FOR D BSITE ETAILS & TIM ES

Woodbridge Walk, Hollesley, Suffolk, IP12 3JR Tel: 01394 411327 Email: info@suffolkpunchtrust.org Reg. Charity No. 1100596

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NEWS 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: 9am-1pm Products change with the seasons and now we are looking forward to having winter warmers and Christmas stock. Come along and see what you can get to put in the store-cupboard in case bad weather catches up with us, and also some interesting Christmas goods.

We aim to source produce locally and to this end we have freshest local eggs, vegetables, bread, cakes, pies, and we are always looking to try other local products. Not only are locally produced foods delicious, they also save on travel miles. We promote reuse and recycling in the shop and are always happy to receive reusable plastic carrier bags and egg boxes. Our community shop is not only a place to purchase everyday goods that we need at home, although, of course, this is the main aim, but it is also a meeting place and a centre for our local community.

The Macmillan Coffee Morning organised by Lucy was well-supported, with many people coming along to be part of what was billed as the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. All the visitors enjoyed this occasion to share each other’s company and the delicious home-made cakes which were brought along to go with the coffee. A big thanks to all who made the cakes and the coffee, donated raffle prizes and supported the event which raised £324.64 for Macmillan Cancer Support, a worthwhile sum for a worthwhile cause.

Our regular Tea and Chat meetings in Coffee Corner are from 2-4pm on the last Wednesday in the month during the winter, so come along for tea and cakes and a chat during the colder months of the year.

Golden Link is every other Tuesday afternoon and Petrolheads is the first Wednesday of each month. Anne and Lucy are also kindly organising a mince pie and coffee morning to take place on Wednesday, December 13, a chance for a pre-Christmas get-together.

We welcome a new member to the management team – Natasha Leach is to join this very able team who do so well in the important role of organising the shop. Thanks Natasha – it’s good to have you on board.

We want everyone to benefit from the shop, so if you would like help with your shopping please get in touch with a member of our management team (listed below) and don’t forget that the dry cleaners pick up on Tuesday mornings and return the following Tuesday. For a book to read in the winter evenings, the book exchange is an excellent way to find a new read, and the village diary is waiting to be filled with events over the coming weeks – take a look and see what is happening locally.

Not only a good place to shop and find local produce, meet up with people you haven’t seen in ages, but it also gives real heart to the local community.

Come along to see what’s happening if you haven’t already, and new volunteers are always welcome – even a couple of hours a month can make all the difference.

And look out for the calendars!

Management Team: Lucy Barrett – 831890; Sue Browne – 831321; Terry Fordham – 831529 Peter Jousiffe; Natasha Leach; Anne MacFadyen – 831288 Steve Woolhouse – 831080

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH ROOM COMMITTEE SECRETARY Great Blakenham Parish Room Committee are currently looking for a secretary. This position involves taking minutes at meetings, agenda preparation and some basic administration tasks.

You would be required to attend approximately six meetings per year which are held in the evening at the Parish Room.

A small honorarium is available for this position.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mrs Wendy Hooper: wendydhooper@gmail.com

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5 Town/village MIP/5A Sproughton MIP/5B Sproughton MIP/5C Bramford MIP/5D Bramford MIP/5E Great Blakenham MIP/5F Great Blakenham

MIP/5G Baylham MIP/5H Claydon MIP/5I Claydon MIP/5J Barham MIP/5K Bramford

Location Church Lane Wild Man St Mary’s Close Paper Mill Lane Chequers Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park Post Box Crown Edinburgh Gardens Bacon Road 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: November 21, December 19 Please note that Mobile Library Route 13 stops off at the Sorrel Horse in Barham from 11-11.10am on the following dates: November 3, December 1 & 29

CLAYDON & BARHAM CHURCH

GRAND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR In aid of the Church Fabric Fund Saturday, November 18 from 2pm at Claydon High School Hall Lucky Admission – Adults 20p Stalls with bargains galore including cakes, handicraft, tombola, raffles, pickles, jams, sweets, next-to-new household and toys, white elephant, books and jewellery Enjoy a glass of mulled wine or a cup of tea Be there to meet Father Christmas Quality gifts for only £1.50 For further details and offers of help: 01473 833014 / 01473 784535

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NEWS GREAT BLAKENHAM VILLAGE HALL & RECREATION GROUND Chairman’s Report from AGM 2017 First, an apology for the lateness of this annual meeting. As you may know, as we all get older time seems to go much faster, and things slip by. Before I knew it, the months had passed and we were into August.

are a few behind the scenes people who do a job just to help the village hall, jobs that wouldn’t necessarily get done. They include Michael Beckett for the grass cutting and Gavin Whitehouse for updating the village hall Facebook page.

Last year has been and gone and within a blink of an eye we will be once again be celebrating New Year in the hall with as many villagers as possible. The second staging of the event was once again a huge success.

Although we increased the entry price and restructured the entry criteria, we found ourselves having to turn last minute ticket requests away once more.

In this report, it seems all I have said seems to be doom and gloom, but that’s not meant to be the case at all. The hall and grounds are a fantastic amenity and, as I have been told, although I still hardly believe it, the village has grown by 80% in recent years. You all should be using the hall/ grounds. So, if you hear of someone looking for a value for money venue for a party, wedding, club or other, please tell them to look here.

I often find myself as chairman thinking what would Derek do or think?

The hall and grounds are very demanding and the monthly meetings can sometimes seem pointless, but are nevertheless essential.

One last thing, and I find it hard to believe that I’m bringing this up yet again, dog fouling! I find it unbelievable that this is still an issue. Let’s all try and ensure it’s not a subject on next year’s report!

During 2016/17 there was a lot of talk of doing this and that with sometimes very little actually being achieved. This was not necessarily a lack on the committee’s part. Finances, along with the ability to move forward and getting a quick agreement is. Projects that had been talked about and not moved forward included a pre-school, a new hall ceiling, changing room extension and a new lawn mower, among others. All cost money and if we can get funding or grants some may be achievable this way.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Tickets will be available to purchase during December. Look out for the leaflet which will be coming through your door shortly.

The last 18 months has seen a massive decline in use of the hall, mainly due to Saturday night bookings where the bar was used to maximise profit. The bookings secretary, quite rightly so, has been taking almost any bookings to bring some money in and get the hall used.

As we can all see, the hall is getting very tired and the only form of income is with it being used. As we all know the main reason for the hall and grounds is for the village of Gt Blakenham and the committee continues to support any club or activity within the village or who promote the name of Gt Blakenham.

The 16/17 football season brought its challenges. Having four teams playing here was demanding, or was it just the clubs being that?

Continued use by the bowls club, sports club, motorcycle and cycle speedway club is always good to see, although like most active clubs they can have their ups and downs.

Many thank-yous have to go to the people on the committee, but there

MAMMOTH BOOK SALE Saturday, November 18, 10.30am-1pm at Bramford Church Room with paperbacks from only 20p!

There are hundreds of books to chose from, don’t miss the opportunity to pick up a bargain. Come and have a browse, there’s something for everyone.

Stewart McGinty, Friends of Bramford Church

If you wish to hire our popular hall in the coming months please contact the bookings secretary on 01473 830312 as early as possible to avoid disappointment. We also have availability around the weekly run events, plus currently we have Friday evenings available.

We continue to hold regular weekly events at the hall: Every Monday evening – Keep Fit and Carpet Bowls Every Tuesday evening – Badminton Every Wednesday morning – Parent and Toddler Session Every Wednesday evening – Kick-boxing Every Thursday evening – Bowls Every third Saturday every month – Country and Western Dancing If you require further information on any of the above sessions please get in touch. We also have a conference room available for hire – please see our website or Facebook page for further details. Please direct all enquiries to our bookings secretary: halladmingbvh@btconnect.com / 01473 830312 Follow us on Facebook and check out our website, which are updated weekly. If you wish to advertise something on our website or Facebook page please email: halladmingbvh@btconnect.com www.gbvh.co.uk

CLAYDON & BARHAM WI Pat welcomed Angie and Lorna to our last WI meeting. We do hope that they enjoyed themselves and look forward to seeing them again next month.

We had a most enjoyable evening with Jill and Jenny making Christmas cards with green, gold, red and silver ribbon. The end results were striking.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH CURT N ROD

Members made their choices for Christmas lunch at Claydon Country House on December 5.

Curt n Rod will be playing at Claydon Community Centre on New Year’s Eve. “Having played there for their Valentine’s Dance, we can confirm the club has a very warm and friendly atmosphere and non-members are very welcome,” says Keith. “There is a very well stocked bar and a dance floor situated between the band and the seating area. There is parking adjacent to the club.”

Our next walk is on Friday, November 3, with lunch at The Sorrel Horse.

Apart from munchies, food will not be available on New Year’s Eve, but members and guests can bring their own. Tickets are £12.50 for members and £13.50 for non-members. For tickets and information please contact Keith: 01473 624538

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Book club is on November 13 at the community centre and our next meeting on November 14 is our annual meeting followed by games.

Should anyone wish to get in touch, please contact Barbara on 01473 832330. It will be lovely to hear from you.

We took part in making scarecrows for the Harvest Festival weekend, and happily came first!

In Touch online:

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Welcome to this month’s SNT article. The Babergh area has recently seen an increase in theft of lead from rooftops – although this is commonly associated with church roofs it has also been reported on residential properties.

Installing lead flashing is a standard step for most homeowners, especially when expanding your house with a conservatory or an extension. Flashing covers gaps in roof material and forms an impervious barrier to prevent intrusion from rain and weather.

While there are many materials produced for flashing use, lead offers the most durability and lasts for many years. Unfortunately, lead flashing is prone to being stolen due to the high value of scrap metal, which makes it appealing to thieves.

Many homeowners don’t even realise their flashing has been stolen until a rainy day comes and water enters their home – potentially causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

TIPS FOR SECURING YOUR PROPERTY Remove all means of access to your roof Criminals often get onto your roof via a wheelie bin, gate or ladder that is near your garage. Secure ladders out of view and try to store your bins in a garage or storage area. If you must leave them out, locate them a short distance from your walls – meaning you may hear the bin being dragged towards your roof.

Prevent unwanted vehicle access Metal thieves often rely on a vehicle to remove the metal from the scene. These generally take the form of trucks and vans, so try to limit access your driveway – either with a gate or possibly a bollard Install CCTV and lighting Although this tip is more applicable to commercial premises such as schools and churches, you can get a relatively cheap home CCTV system installed, considering a spotlight or anti-theft light will help deter attempts.

Paint your flashing with anti-climb paint Homeowners can purchase anti-climb paint from almost any DIY store and paint it on your flashing to deter theft. However, you must ensure the paint is only on objects at least two metres from the ground and you legally have to install a sign warning that your property has anti-climb paint.

Consider replacing lead flashing with non-leaded material While lead is the superior material in terms of longevity, it may be worth replacing your flashing with non-leaded materials. There are brands available that are lighter than lead, safer to handle and also have little to no scrap value. These lead-free solutions may not be as durable, but can be more than suitable for most uses around chimneys, roof lights and solar panels.

DNA-identification While this may not apply to smaller homes, if you own a larger house and the value of your lead justifies it, perhaps consider painting your flashing with a microdot, chemical or DNA marking system. These methods help police identify the culprits of theft and help secure convictions.

Finally if you see anything suspicious or want to report anything to police they can be contacted as follows: Phone: 101 (to report any non-urgent incident) Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk (non-urgent, should you wish to contact local officers) In an emergency always phone: 999

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB This club is open to anyone living not just in Great Blakenham, but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet every Monday (other than bank holidays) in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite The Chequers) on Stowmarket Road from 2-4pm. There is plenty of parking space, the building is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.

Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Alternatively, if you would just like to come and bring your own project to work on, enjoy our company and make new friends without doing the workshops the charge is £1.50 per meeting. Members take it in turns to make the tea.

Our workshop for October was Kantha, a style of stitching which originated in Bengal and was used to make bedding from saris. Our afternoon started with a short history and a simple heart pattern followed by a choice of pattern (an elephant, a cat, flowers or birds) for subsequent pieces.

It’s Mini Makes on November 13 and our AGM and the last meeting of the year will take place on November 27 as members have decided they would like to go out for a Christmas meal this year. This will be on December 4 at The Chequers, kindly organised by Shirley Biggs.

The club year starts again on February 5 and the 2018 programme will appear in the January edition of In Touch.

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.

Unfortunately I cannot accommodate children.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

POP CHORUS CONCERT At Somersham Church on Saturday, December 2, 7.30pm.

Tickets (£7.50 including light refreshment) are available from Christine (01473 830710) or Heather (01473 830068) with 10 per cent of profits going to St Elizabeth Hospice.

SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT Somersham Village Hall Saturday, November 11, 8pm-midnight Live Music from Unit 99 Disco by Sonic / Licensed Bar Fish/Sausage and Chips (included in ticket price, gluten-free available) Raffle Prizes £10 per ticket / free entry for children under 16 (additional children’s meal @ £2.50 must be ordered and paid for when purchasing ticket) Tickets available from Somersham Village Shop All proceeds to the upkeep and maintenance of the playing field and pavilion

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OUT & ABOUT CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AT LITTLE BLAKENHAM VILLAGE HALL Free entry on Saturday, November 25, 2-4pm

CRIB DISPLAY AT LITTLE BLAKENHAM CHURCH Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, 11am-4pm On Sunday 26 a Christingle Service will follow at 4.30pm.

Entry is free, but all donations will be gratefully accepted in aid of Little Blakenham Church.

BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS – THE VOYAGE BEGINS Rehearsals for Linzi Hall’s imaginative and lively take on the tale of The Little Mermaid are off to a swimming start! The new panto features all the traditional ingredients you would expect: magic potions and spells (good and bad), a shipwreck, mermaids (of course), goodies, baddies, love, singing and dancing. And that’s before you add in the spectacular costumes and ingenious sets.

Tickets go on sale at the beginning of December so make a note of the show dates: January 19/20 and 26/27, 2018. You won’t want to miss this exciting and ambitious production. For more details, email: vera.rogers1@btinternet.com

SOMERSHAM CHURCH

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Saturday, November 25, 10am-5pm Sunday, November 26, 11am-5pm Refreshments, free admission/parking, disabled access.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Somersham Village Hall, Saturday, November 25, 2-4pm.

Free parking, free admission and disabled access.

GREAT BLAKENHAM 200 CLUB Winning tickets for September £25 240 Joyce Hyde £15 62 Gail £10 21 Joan Scales £10 180 Don Anderson £5 254 Marion Little £5 96 Colin Shackleton Winning tickets for October £25 299 Mr Self £15 70 Clive Crane £10 225 Joyce Bumpstead £10 9 Betty Edrupt £5 167 Shirley Rice £5 33 Wendy Dix

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE SITE SUEZ Communities Trust The Suez Communities Trust provides funding to projects that improve community life and the natural environment. It distributes money donated by SUEZ recycling and recover UK, although it is independent and has its own board which decides which projects to support.

Funding is available for projects within a three-mile radius of the Suffolk energy-from-waste site and applications can be made online. If you know a project that could be deserving of the funding please visit: www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk Come and have a look around The Suffolk energy-form-waste facility is holding a series of open days in November which include a tour of the facility and time to explore our visitor centre. There is space on the following days: Monday, November 27, 6-8pm / Thursday, November 30, 2-4pm There are 20 spaces on each day and you must pre-book. To book please email suffolkefw@sita.com.uk and we will confirm your place by email.

If you would like to come but cannot make these dates, you can email us to register your interest and we will let you know when the next open days are planned.

Any questions?

If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility on 01473 839149.

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS To book a visit: 01473 836821 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50’s CLUB The 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 Great Blakenham Parish Rooms 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 Rooms is the building with a green door more or less opposite The Chequers. There is plenty of parking space, the building is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.

During September we had a social afternoon led by Sandra and then our AGM followed by a couple of quizzes and a few games of bingo. The club continues to prosper and our programme for 2018 will follow in due course.

Our programme up to the end of the year is: November 8: Beetle Drive with Jean November 22: Social afternoon with a visit by the Rural Coffee Caravan December 13: Christmas Meal at The Chequers We have quite a varied programme and 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.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690 clourfence ad march2016 WIP_Layout 1 03/03/2016 09:25 Page 1

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STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB The new season got off to a good start on September 11 with many old members and several potential members turning up. It was good to see so many new faces in addition to the familiar ones.

For this season we have the usual five ‘open’ competitions as well as wildlife, portrait and audio visual (AV) competitions. We have three speakers giving talks on landscape, high speed photography and a travelogue entitled Overland through East Africa and the Americas. We also have club nights and an end of season photoshoot.

On September 25 we held our cracked lens competition, which was a great success. This competition is for the best PDI (projected digital image) on the night and is judged by the members. Well done to Geoff Walker who won with Leopard.

Monday, November 13: Instructional talk about AV by Chris Carne and Nigel Rea Monday, November 27: Open Competition (2) to be judged by Harold Mousley LRPS AFIAP New members are always very welcome; all you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras.

Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Mondays of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us? www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net

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OUT & ABOUT SHARPEN UP YOUR SKILLS AT ORCHARD BARN

DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, SOMERSHAM

We all know that old tools cut best when they have a good edge on them, but do we really know how to sharpen them?

As part of our ‘Old Tools are Best’ project we are offering a free tool sharpening surgery. Bring along a blunt chisel, old style saw or hand scythe and we’ll show you how to sharpen it. No need to book.

Just turn up at Orchard Barn, Bildeston Road, Ringshall IP14 2LY between noon and 3pm on Saturday, November 25 and learn some new (yet very old) skills and give that tool a new lease of life. This is old school stuff. Hand tools only please.

Come and raise a glass with us. Whether it’s filled with beer, champagne, wine, spirits or a soft drink, there will be a warm welcome for you at the Duke of Marlborough. Bring your friends or family, invite your neighbours, encourage your workmates or come along alone: we’ll be happy to see you.

Don’t know where Orchard Barn is yet? Find us on Google Maps.

Interested in volunteering? Check us out at: www.orchardbarn.org.uk/volunteers

Christmas bookings have opened! Prices are being confirmed as this goes to print, but the three-course menu is likely to be around £20 a head.

It will be available from the evening of Wednesday, November 29 right through until Saturday, December 23:

Yes. We really do use two-person saws.

Wednesdays – evening only Thursdays – lunchtime and evening Fridays – lunchtime and evening Saturdays – lunchtime and evening

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Mr John Chennell will present a demonstration entitled In Festive Mood when we next meet on Wednesday, November 22 at Needham Market Community Centre. Doors open at 7pm and there will be stalls selling plants, cakes, handbags, scarves, jewellery and items for the chairman’s charity, Arthritis Research UK. Tickets are £7 for members and £10 for visitors; for tickets contact Denise Shaw on 01449 737833.

On November 1, the club is holding a fashion show at the United Reform Church in Stowmarket in conjunction with M&Co who will remain open after the show and ticket holders will get a 10% discount on any purchases made that evening. Tickets are £7 and can be obtained from Di Balaam on 01449 736374.

ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE GREAT GARDEN TRAIL 2018 If you have a garden, no matter what the size, that you’d like to open to the public to support the hospice, please contact fundraising@ stelizabethhospice.org.uk or call 01473 723600.

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Lunches are from noon to 2pm, dinners are from 6pm, with the latest starting time at 8.30pm.

On Christmas Day the pub will be open from 11am-3pm for drinks.

We’re looking at a ticketed event for New Year’s Eve – watch this space for further info!

What about Sundays? Well, we’ll be open for lunch as usual and look forward to seeing you. Check out what’s on offer food-wise as we’re planning an alternative to the traditional festive menu.

The buying and re-opening of the Duke of Marlborough has been a monumental community effort. This beautiful 15th century pub has been redecorated, is being run by a professional manager and chef, is serving delicious, fresh food, and is ready to welcome you. Join us in celebrating the achievement.

Please help spread the word – particularly if you know companies or organisations who might book their get-togethers in this lovely environment. Most importantly, make sure you’re here to raise a glass to over 500 years of past hospitality and to future years of good food, drink and company. Cheers!

St Elizabeth Hospice is seeking beautiful gardens for its 2018 Great Garden Trail.

For further information, or to sign up online visit: stelizabethhospice.org.uk/greatgardentrail

In November, the pub is open and serving food and drinks at the normal times. Keep your eyes peeled for menu information on the chalk board outside the pub, on Facebook or on the website. Contact Kevin to reserve a table: on 01473 831283 / kevin@thedukeofmarlborough.com

Looking for ideas for an unusual Christmas, birthday or anniversary present for someone very special? Did you know you can buy shares in the pub for other people (who are over 18)? It’s a £250 minimum holding per person. If they already own shares, you can add to those at £50 per share. For further information please contact Keith McKeown: 07817 418942 / keithmckeown8@gmail.com

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54 Bury Road, Stowmarket

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Tel: 01449 613 130

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Tel: 01449 722 198

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OUT & ABOUT FOUR COMMUNITIES ACTION GROUP Created in 2010 by members of the churches of Barham, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Henley, we aim to work together to develop activities and support networks and 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.

Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club Meets at noon on the first Friday of each month at Great Blakenham Parish Rooms. This month’s meeting is just before Guy Fawkes on Friday, November 3. We’re not allowed fireworks in the Parish Rooms, but we might offer a dash of chilli in the soup to hot things up! In addition to lunch 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, all for just £4. Just pop in or contact Mike for more information: 07805 507497

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The Book Club Meets at The Crown at 10.30am on the last Thursday in the month. Join us for a light-hearted discussion on the book we’ve chosen to read.

Gipping Valley Art Society Meets every Tuesday afternoon at Great Blakenham Parish Rooms.

Membership is free, but we pay a weekly subscription to cover room hire, refreshments and so on. We hold a local exhibition of our work once a year and also show our art at other exhibitions and attend small shows and galas. The next opportunity to see our work is at Claydon & Barham Community Centre on November 18. For more information contact Ann (01473 831031) or Margaret (01473 830135).

4 Ever Young Men’s Club Meets at The Crown at 10.30am on the third Wednesday of each month.

Just pop in or contact Mike for more information: 07805 507497 The Knitting Group Meets in the lounge at Alasdair Place on the first Thursday in the month from 10.30am-noon. 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 and hats and scarves for the soup kitchen.

SUFFOLK CRAFT SOCIETY’S CHRISTMAS SHOW You’ll find Suffolk Craft Society in a new venue this Christmas; The Studio Barn at Suffolk Food Hall, with work also on display in the main shopping area from November 16 to December 17.

The Suffolk Craft Society was established in 1970 and has a well-deserved reputation for high quality craft work and exhibitions in Suffolk. With their shared values of supporting local high quality producers the Suffolk Food Hall looks to be a very fitting new venue for the Suffolk Craft Society.

The Christmas exhibition in the Studio Barn will be manned by society members, so you can enjoy the benefits of buying locally made designer crafts by speaking to the makers about their working processes or perhaps even commission a unique creation. Buyers can choose from an unequalled range of hand crafted and designed items, made by the very best Suffolk based crafts people, with something for every budget.

Opening hours will be Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-4.30pm.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

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ON THE GRAPEVINE TALITHA KOUM CENTRE NOW OPEN

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ZĞĨƌĞƐŚŵĞŶƚƐ Θ ZĂĨĨůĞ &ƌĞĞ ŶƚƌLJ ĂŬĞƐ WůĂLJ ŐĂŵĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŝnjĞƐ DĞĞƚ &ĂƚŚĞƌ ŚƌŝƐƚŵĂƐ Children’s craft stalls— things to make and do to take home.

We are delighted to announce that Talitha Koum Hope Centre is now open and ready to welcome women who have recently been through detox to come to us for recovery and rehabilitation.

The Hope Centre has therapeutic relational community living at its heart and as a centre of excellence and compassion expects to be CQC registered at any moment. We combine group and one to one therapeutic work with life skills coaching such as computing, animal husbandry, gardening, art and music, budgeting, CV writing and interviewing skills.

We follow the 12-step programme as the core of our interventions. We also provide post-treatment care. We continue to retain contact with and support women once they have left the Hope Centre, aiding them with housing, employment and social support.

The facilities at the Hope Centre are purpose built and brand new. Set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside it is an ideal place for reflection and self-discovery. This centre is exclusively for women – one of only seven in the country. We have a team of warm and enthusiastic female support staff who offer 24/7 care.

It has taken us many years and a lot of hard work to come to this point and we have a lot of people to thank in the local community and further afield. In particular, this month we would like to thank the organisers and participants of the golf day at Rushmere Golf Club that raised more than £5,000.

If you or a friend or family member are looking for a safe and welcoming place to recover from addiction please get in touch with Jenny, our friendly centre manager, on 01473 852050 or visit our website or Facebook page for more information. www.talithakoum.org.uk

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.

For full details visit: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning It’s 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 and ecological mitigation.

Our questions and comments about Reserved Matters were summarised in a document which was submitted to MSDC as the comments from the SPA and all its member parishes, giving the comments extra weight because they come from a significant number of local communities, representing over 11,000 registered voters. The SPA member parishes are Baylham, Barham, Bramford, Claydon and Whitton, Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham, Needham Market, Nettlestead and Somersham.

The document is available to view on the Great Blakenham Parish Council website: www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net/snoasis-parish-alliance You may have seen the recent statements in the media made by the developer stating that SnOasis Reserved Matters would be considered by the district council in September. The SPA would like to make it clear that Reserved Matters were not considered in September and, as a significant amount of information is still outstanding, there is no date for the district council meeting to look at this.

The SPA remains ready to work with the district council on Reserved Matters. However,, owing to the failure of the developer to provide the requested information, we are unable to make any progress and there is nothing else that I am able to report at the time I write this.

For further information, please email SPA clerk, Janet Gobey: snoasispa@icloud.com Chairman SnOasis Parish Alliance Steve Plume

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / SCHOOLS WOLSEY’S ANGELS ARE IN IPSWICH On loan from the V&A, the bronze angels that Cardinal Wolsey commissioned to adorn his tomb, along with many of Ipswich Museums’ rarely displayed Tudor objects, will be on show in Christchurch Mansion until 11 March 2018 Walking with the Angels To complement the exhibition the Ipswich tourist guides are offering guided walks around the town visiting the sites particularly associated with Ipswich’s most famous forefather. The cost is £4 per person with a minimum charge of £40. Parties are limited to 20 people per guide.

To book contact the TIC; 01473 258070 / tourist@ipswich.gov.uk Wolsey and his Angels If walking is a problem you may like a guide to visit your venue to give an illustrated talk about Thomas Wolsey, his birth place and the exhibition.

To make a booking contact the TIC as above and the charge will be £50.

MP DR DAN POULTER REPORTS BACK Since 2010, I have been working closely with my fellow MPs and Suffolk County Council to deliver better broadband for Suffolk. We have worked hard to secure around £30 million of Government funding, specifically to improve services in Suffolk and I am pleased to say that many more homes and businesses are already benefitting.

Spending most of my working week in London, it’s easy to take for granted the speed of accessing emails and online services, but returning home to Suffolk very quickly reminds me of the disparity in service and the need to ensure that rural areas are able to connect as quickly and efficiently as their more urban counterparts.

Access to the internet and mobile technology is no longer simply for emailing or online gaming – it is essential infrastructure which we all rely upon. It enables and drives growth in our vibrant Suffolk economy, as well as providing access for our young people researching their studies and achieving their academic and career aspirations. With our public services constantly evolving, fast and reliable broadband is essential for accessing services such as ordering a repeat prescription or paying our council tax.

In our day to day lives, we use the internet for online banking, grocery shopping and so much more. Living in rural communities, it is so easy for people to feel isolated and cut off as we approach the longer days of winter – access to mobile and broadband services helps to keep our communities connected.

Last year, I chaired Suffolk’s first ever broadband summit meeting and was heartened by the commitment around the table to make sure that Suffolk keeps moving forward with mobile and broadband connectivity.

Working together with the county council I remain confident that we will achieve 100% coverage here in Suffolk and coupled with the government’s commitment to deliver its Universal Service Obligation, each and every home and business will be guaranteed to achieve speeds of at least 10 mbps by 2020. We’re not there yet, and for those of us still waiting to be connected, I fully appreciate how frustrating the wait can be but with new and emerging technologies advancing constantly, I am confident that this goal will be achieved.

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Wow, to think the first half term is over and we are now in the second half with Halloween, fireworks and, dare I say it, Christmas!

The children have been doing lots of activities around Halloween and fireworks and are now looking forward to Christmas crafts and preparing for their nativity on December 13 at Barham Church.

We also had our Halloween dress-up week the first week after half term. There is also a stay and play session for parents and carers coming up at the end of November – giving them the opportunity to see what goes on during the normal sessions.

Now we are open all year round we will have some spaces in the school holidays for children aged two to five years old. If you are interested in sending your child please contact the administration assistant, details below, for more info and a booking form.

Don’t forget that the government has introduced an additional 15 hours funding for working parents of three and four year olds. This means that parents who both earn the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage (£115.20) or more per week and less that £100,000 per year (or just one carer if a single parent) will be eligible to claim up to 30 hours of funding. You can register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible and also register for the Government Childcare Vouchers Scheme. If you are using the 30 hours you must provide a code to us with your national insurance number in order to be eligible.

If you would like an application form or any further information please contact administration assistant Lisa Read: admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk / 01473 831648 Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB September prize-winners No. 64 Sue Chisnall No. 59 Beverley Fenn No. 15 Phil Harman

£10.80 £5.40 £1.80

New members are welcome at any time. Entry is just £1 a 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.

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

Early next year, I am hosting a further broadband summit meeting to review the great progress that’s been made and to bring everyone together once more to push for innovative solutions for those in hard to reach areas. We all recognise that there remains a way to go in ensuring that every home, school, business and GP surgery in Suffolk can access better broadband services and that’s why I will continue to fight for more money to deliver the better broadband services that you deserve.

For more information, please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

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SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL

CLAYDON & BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES A Mothers’ Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 26 years, we welcome mums, dads, carers and grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five.

Entry is just £1.50 per family.

This month we meet from 9.30-11.30am in Claydon and Barham Village Hall on November 2, 16 and 30.

At our regular sessions we welcome anyone with babies or children under five for imaginative play, singing and lots of fun. Families can enjoy craft activities 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. For parents/carers it’s a good opportunity to meet others with pre-school children or babies. There is also a prize draw for the children.

This month we would like to wish a happy birthday to Seth, James and Faith.

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.

Michelle

Could you volunteer to listen to children read in school?

Why not become a

Schoolreader?

Who are we?

On Friday, October 13, children’s author Stewart Ross visited Claydon High School to talk to Years 7 and 8 about his writing as he launches his latest book, The Salvation Project, the exciting finale to The Soterion Mission. With more than 250 published titles to his credit, Stewart is one of Britain’s most popular and versatile writers. Students were given the opportunity to meet the author in person and purchase a copy of his latest book. As an experienced speaker, Stewart engaged very well with his young audience and it was lovely to see so many enthused and interested faces and lots of questions being asked.

Claydon High School regularly invites authors to the school to give presentations and hold workshops for different year groups. These visits prove to be extremely rewarding for all involved and are a great way to enthuse students about reading and writing. Author visits benefit the school by enabling students and teachers to interact with the author of a book that they have read, to learn more about the creative process and to gain insights into the world of writing and publishing. These school visits also provide authors with direct reader contact and a chance to hear questions, to learn what moments in their books resonate with readers, and to even field suggestions for intriguing ideas for sequels and future books.

In other areas of the school, the PE department has had an eventful start to the term with football and netball fixtures, table tennis, golf and cross country competitions and a swimming gala. Year 10 GCSE PE students also had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills when they ran a successful Year 6 Sports Morning for more than 100 students from our feeder primary schools. A range of activities was on offer, including table tennis, badminton, netball and fitness and rowing challenges. Our Year 10 leaders made the sessions really fun and competitive and were a credit to the school.

We are a charity, so there is no charge to either schools or volunteers.

At the end of October, Year 11 students visited the Suffolk Skills Show at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Students were able to visit stands, gather information and talk to employers and representatives from many different local businesses and industries, ranging from farming and agriculture, engineering and construction to law, finance and HM forces.

The Suffolk Skills Show is the largest employer-led skills and careers event in the area and featured more than 100 exhibitors with in excess of 5,000 visitors expected for 2017.

Join us - you can make a real difference to a child’s life!

Finally, as I write this article, WOW Week is nearly upon us and I look forward to sharing all of the wonderful activities our students will have experienced in December’s edition. Please watch this space.

To find out more, please telephone 01234 924 111 or visit our website, www.schoolreaders.org

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Wednesday, November 29. Please telephone my PA, Mrs J Saunders on 01473 836110 to book a place.

We provide volunteers to give one-to-one reading practice to children in their primary schools.

No qualifications are necessary to be a volunteer, just a good command of English and a bit of spare time each week. Schoolreaders will match you to an appropriate local school. Volunteers say the experience is incredibly rewarding.

Registered Charity: 1159157 P0003

On Wednesday, September 27 we welcomed more than 500 prospective parents/carers and their children to our school for our annual open evening. Following a short presentation, visitors were able to tour the school and experience our fantastic resources and facilities. Staff and students were on hand to showcase their work and visitors took part in various activities including the English department’s Punctuation Face Challenge, combustible Jelly Babies in Science, interactive maths activities, including gas powered rockets, French and Spanish food tasting in Languages and much, much more. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 200 Claydon High School student helpers who helped to make the evening such a success. Much of the feedback I received from visitors commented on how helpful, friendly and polite our students were.

www.schoolreaders.org

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

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In Touch online:

SCHOOLS / SPORTS CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL

CLAYDON FC

It has been an exciting month as the children have settled back into school life, becoming more familiar with their new teachers and learning environments and beginning to flourish.

Our Year 6 pupils had an amazing time on their recent residential trip to Hilltop Outdoor Centre where they stayed for four days and three nights. This is something we have done for a number of years now as it is an amazing experience for the children and has numerous benefits for them personally as well as academically. It really helps to build their confidence, resilience, risk taking and team work skills, all of which then benefits them in their learning back at school, as well as their selfbelief. The children took part in a number of activities including archery, mountain biking, bushcraft, big zipper, high ropes, assault course, night time activities and much, much more. We always look forward to having the children back at school and hearing about their exciting adventures.

Sport plays a big part at CPS and numerous lunchtime and after school clubs have already started including basketball, football, hockey, netball and running. It is great to see so many of our children participating so enthusiastically in sports. We also recently participated in the IPSSA Under 9 football tournament where a group of Year 4 boys were selected to represent the school. The boys were all a credit to the school as they played with determination and encouraged each other throughout. They played five games, winning two, drawing two and losing just one. We were all extremely proud of them.

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Whoosh! What was that? That was the summer, gone, but not forgotten (unlike the hundreds of tennis balls lost from Nicks wayward serves).

Interest now moves onto the winter leagues (floodlit and Sunday morning), which will have started by the time you are using this to line the bottom of the budgie’s cage.

Well, the season has well and truly begun and as the clocks move to changing for winter for another seasonal change, the teams at Claydon will have nearly reached a quarter of the way through the season!

The facilities are looking great and the pitches are looking superb at Blue Circle, and not too bad at Claydon recreation ground where our Under 16 Dragons and Under 14s are currently plying their trade.

A quick edit on my last post in which I thanked those brilliant folk around the village who have contributed to the improvements, and an additional thanks to Keith Flatt for the Claydon Badges on the new dugouts. Keith is a long time barbecue chef at the youth end of season presentation day and a loyal supporter.

We are gathering our team photos for the new season and it is with pleasure we have one of the current First team squad who are sponsored

by Haxley and Ruffles Roofing Contractors. Apologies as they are not the prettiest, but they seem to be on a winning streak.

NEW MULTI-FUNCTION PRIVATE GYM IN GREAT BLAKENHAM Hello from Kickstart Gym! It’s been a busy few months here – hard to believe we have been open for over three months already. For those of you who haven’t heard about us, we are a new multi-function private gym in Great Blakenham, designed for personal training, Muay Thai boxing and physiotherapy. Our Muay Thai classes have been growing rapidly recently, so welcome to all the new faces.

The first fixture round threw up a local derby match when Nick and Graham as Bramford 1 played Matt and Adam (Graham’s sons) playing as Bramford 2. It proved to be another win for the elders as they won three sets to love gaining three points (one for each set won). Nick claimed the win was down to tactics, but I fail to see how a tiny plastic case of mints can make a difference, unless he was scattering them on the opponents’ court to make them slip. No floodlit or other winter results in as yet, but on the bright side, no defeats to write about either.

We had an influx of new students from our five-week Muay Thai beginner’s course, which was such a success we will be holding another one in the coming months. Since opening we have started holding sessions six days a week, so there is plenty to choose from now. We have seen some great results from our personal training gym recently and with Christmas closing in fast we have plenty of pre-holiday season training plans on the go to make room for all the festive food.

The tennis club quiz is on Friday, November 17 at the Sports Pavilion on Fraser Road, 7.30pm for 8pm start. Teams of four adults, £2 a head. To book a table contact Clive Jones on 01473 464589 or simply turn up.

There will be a bar and a raffle. Proceeds for the tennis club.

Our latest news has been the opening of our on-site physiotherapy clinic, which has had some fantastic feedback already. We would like to welcome Michelle to the gym, joining us as our lead physiotherapist. She has got off to a flying start fixing up all our Muay Thai boxers. She has also come on board as one of our personal trainers, which means she can aid people all the way through their recovery. All in all, we are very excited to see how things go here at Kickstart and would like to keep everyone posted on our progress as we move further into our first year.

The coaching sessions are still proceeding, contact Carl on carl.douglas@talk21.com for details of times and prices. These have been very well supported and have proved to be a welcome addition to our facilities.

More guff next month.

Mick Russ

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

If you want more information on personal training, Muay Thai boxing sessions or physiotherapy, contact us on 01473 805426 or find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kickstartgymsuffolk

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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 Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Carl Melville 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmail.com Services in November Barham Church – every Sunday at 10am Henley Church – every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church – every Sunday at 11am

Baptisms September 17: Jesse-James Langford Harvest: A big thank you to all the groups and everyone who contributed to our Harvest celebrations. The scarecrows were wonderful and certainly made people stop and stare and then come and visit! Harvest gifts have been distributed to the Soup Kitchen, Women’s’ Refuge and FIND.

Sunday, November 5 – All Saints’ Sunday 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, November 12 – Remembrance Sunday 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am All Age Remembrance Barham Church 10am All Age Remembrance Henley Church 10.45am All Age Remembrance Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, November 19 – 2nd before Advent 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am family@barham Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, November 26 – Christ the King 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Café Church Henley Church 11am Elevenses@GB Gt Blakenham Church 6.30pm Blessings Service Henley Church Sunday, December 3 – Advent Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 11am family@blakenham 4pm Advent Carol Service

Barham Church Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham 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 NOVEMBER: SEASON OF REMEMBRANCE This month is the month of remembering with All Souls’ and All Souls’ Day, November 5 and Remembrance Sunday. See above for all our services.

Our minds remember the past, our eyes look forward to the future.

Refreshments available at all our services. All welcome.

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Sunday’s Cool: Meets on the second and third Sunday of every month in Great Blakenham Parish Room from 10.30am (November 12 and 19, December 10 and 17). Under 5s should be accompanied by an adult.

Older children can be left unattended. Stories, games, songs and loads of fun! It’s free – no need to book! Contact Irene for more information: 01449 676567 Families@4.30: A group for families with stories, crafts and food. The next meeting is on Sunday, November 26 at Barham Church and has an Advent theme. For catering purposes please let Roger know if you can come: 01473 831079 Christmas Services: Please see the separate notice about Advent and Christmas Services, including Carol Services and Children’s Services. For other services see: www.claydonchurches.com Crib Festival: This year we’re holding a Crib Festival at Gt Blakenham Church from December 1-3, 10am-4pm daily. There will be displays of different crib scenes from various village groups. Refreshments served in the Parish Rooms. Services on Sunday, December 3 will be at 11am and 4pm.

Christmas Bazaar: Claydon and Barham’s popular Christmas Bazaar takes place on November 18 from 2pm at Claydon High School. Get there early for the bargains.

Holy Conversations: for those new to church who want to explore spirituality and faith further. We meet on the first Tuesday (November 7 and December 5) of each month at The Rectory, Back Lane, Claydon from 7pm. All welcome.

OTHER SERVICES AND EVENTS Tuesday, November 7 Holy Conversations, The Rectory, 7-9pm Friday, November 10 Alasdair Place Service, 2.30pm Sunday, November 12 Remembrance Sunday

Continued over...

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CHURCH NEWS CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN THE CLAYDON GROUP OF CHURCHES

Saturday, November 18 Christmas Bazaar, Claydon High School Wednesday, November 29 St Peter’s Court Service, 2.30pm December 1-3: Christmas Crib Festival, Gt Blakenham Church, 10am-3pm

Serving the parishes of Claydon and Barham, Henley and Great Blakenham Saturday, November 18, 2pm: Christmas Bazaar, Claydon High School Saturday, December 2, 7.30pm: Christmas Cabaret, Barham Church

Saturday, December 9: Christmas Fayre, Gt Blakenham Parish Room, 12-2pm

December 1-3, 10am-4pm: Crib Festival, Gt Blakenham Church Church open, refreshments served in the Parish Room

Tuesday, December 12: Carol Service, St Peter’s, Claydon, 7pm.

Sunday, December 3: Advent Sunday 10am-4pm: Gt Blakenham church open, refreshments served 4pm: Advent Carol Service, Gt Blakenham Church

Wednesday, December 13: Pre-school Nativity, Barham Church, 4.15pm Letter from the Vicar

Saturday, December 9, 10am-noon: Christmas Fayre, Gt Blakenham Parish Room

Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder treason plot.

Tuesday, December 12, 7pm: Carol Service at St Peter’s Church, Claydon (Please walk if possible)

I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot! This familiar poem has been recited on November 5 since 1605 when the plot to blow up King James 1 was uncovered and stopped. It was, perhaps, the biggest terrorist plot before September 11. I think, with the amount of terror we’ve seen this year alone, we’ve more reason to celebrate November 5 as a day of freedom.

It is a day of remembrance as well. In fact, November is full of times to remember. We remember those who have died on All Souls’ Day and we remember the Saints on All Saints’ Day, as well as Remembrance Sunday when we commemorate those who gave their lives in the many wars the world has faced.

As we call to mind those we love, those who gave their lives for peace and those we no longer see, we look forward to the future. God promises a world where there will be no more pain or suffering, no more terror or death. We are all on a journey of making that promise a reality and remembrance is a time to do just that.

Why don’t you come and remember with us?

Saturday, December 16 10am-1pm: Vestry Café, Henley Church 7pm: Advent Prayer Evening, Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, December 17 3pm: Carol Service, Barham Church 5pm: Carol Service, Gt Blakenham Church 7pm: Carol Service, Henley Church Sunday, December 24: Christmas Eve No 8am, 10am or 11am morning services 3pm: Service of Light, Barham Church 4pm: Christingle Service, Gt Blakenham Church 5pm: Crib Service, Henley Church 11.30pm: Midnight Mass, Barham Church 11.30pm: Midnight Mass, Gt Blakenham Church Monday, December 25: Christmas Day 10am: Christmas Day Service, Henley Church No services at Gt Blakenham or Barham

www.claydonchurches.com

Sunday, December 31: New Year’s Eve 10am: New Year’s Eve Celebrations, Henley Church. An informal all age service to unwind after Christmas!

Find us on Facebook and Twitter by searching The Claydon Group of Churches.

For more services visit www.claydonchurches.com or contact The Rev Carl Melville: 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmail.com

The Rev Carl Melville: carlmelville@hotmail.com

eBay POLICY BROKEN In my rush to make a purchase on eBay in October, I broke an eBay rule without realising it. I didn’t know that sending contact details in a message to another eBay’er was not allowed. I thought I had sent the message only to discover it hadn’t sent half an hour later. So I quickly retyped the message not seeing the warnings that I was breaking the rule. I tried several times before seeing the message: “We temporarily restricted your account from sending messages”.

I was somewhat frustrated having been cut off from sending messages and I wanted to know why and for how long I was ‘temporarily restricted’.

Once I knew what I had done wrong I connected to a live chat with an eBay advisor, who thanked me for my honesty and was very helpful. The information I received though was not what I wanted to hear. I would have to wait seven days before having my restriction lifted. I could do nothing about it but wait the seven days for eBay to lift the restriction.

The good news is I can now send messages again.

I had been brought up in a Christian home and it was only when I began to read my Bible that I became more fully aware of my sin against God and as a result being cut off from God. As I read further I began to understand more of what Jesus had done by dying on the cross and being raised to life again to pay the price for sin. There was nothing I could do

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

but simply turn to God, be honest about my life and put my trust in Jesus for forgiveness.

I like eBay and I want to get back to getting good deals. Knowing who and what God is like, I am thankful for His offer of forgiveness and restored friendship through Jesus and that is good news. If you would like to know more, we meet on Wednesday mornings for tea/coffee, cake and chat along with a game or two from 10am-noon. We also meet Sunday morning or you can contact me to arrange a coffee and chat.

WEEKLY EVENTS Monday fortnightly: Little Owls Toddler Group, 10am-noon Tuesday: Weekly Prayer Meeting, 7.30-8.30pm Wednesday: Coffee Morning, 10am-noon. All welcome.

Thursday: Home Group, 10-11.45am Friday: Children’s Club (primary school age), 6.30-7.30pm Sunday Morning Service: 10.45am-noon For more information contact Michael: admin@blakenhambaptist.org.uk 01473 839785 www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk

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CHURCH NEWS

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 10.30-11.30am*: Morning Worship with Holy Communion every second Sunday of month 10.30-11.30am: Lighthouse Club for children – term time only 4-6pm: Families @ 4 – informal get-together once a month with afternoon tea provided – come and go as you please (see diary) Monday 2-3pm: Bible Study – an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss every third Monday of month.

7.30-9.30pm: Computer Club – term time only Tuesday 2-3pm*: Network/MWiB – our ladies meeting, although gentlemen are always welcome (second and fourth Tuesdays of month from October-April) Wednesday 10am-noon: Computer Club – term time only 7.30-8.30pm: Prayers and Laying on of Hands for Healing – second Wednesday of month Thursday 3-3.30pm*: United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields – first Thursday of month

Stowmarket and District Flower Club presents ...

Saturday 10-11am: Coffee Morning – third Saturday of month at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see diary) *tea and coffee served afterwards DIARY FOR NOVEMBER Thursday 2: United Service at Cherryfields, 3pm Sunday 5:

Morning Worship, The Rev T Brookes, Holy Communion, 10.30am

Wednesday 8: Prayers and Laying on of Hands for Healing, 7.30pm Sunday 12: Remembrance Sunday – Morning Worship at St Mary’s Parish Church, 10.30am

open meeting with

”John Chennell ”

in thE

festive mood Needham Market Community Centre IP6 8BB

Wednesday 22 November starting 7.30pm Tuesday 14: Network/MWiB, East Anglian Air Ambulance, 2pm Saturday 18: Coffee Morning at Cherryfields, 10am Sunday 19:

Morning Worship, Mrs D Sawyer, 10.30am

Monday 20: Bible Study, 2pm Sunday 26:

Morning Worship, Prof D Welbourn, 10.30am Families @ 4, The Rev D Grimshaw, 4-6pm

Tuesday 28: Network/MWiB, pre-Christmas outing, 2pm

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doors open at 7.00pm tickets includes light refeshments £7 members £10 visitors for tickets contact Denise Shaw 01449 737833

In Touch online:

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

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