In touch news with bramford – july 2017

In Touch

™© ™©

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Volume 7 • Issue No. 9 • JULY 2017

March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA

• FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll, Auto Enrolment,VAT, Self Assessment, and full accounting service • Personable and professional tailored support • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies

Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk

Image by Caroline Wolton

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

Ironically, in the background my yoga instructor was speaking about being a positive influence in the world and the following words struck me: a positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, actions and outcomes. In the context of recent events this seems more than a little frivolous, but in coming together to share a minute’s silence, or at an event such as One Love Manchester, isn’t that exactly what we are doing. When we come together to share our grief we find comfort in others and strength to carry on, and now more than ever we need to look out for each other.

We’re told our behaviour as adults has a direct impact on how our children behave. Is it possible that our behaviour can have a positive influence on the adults we interact with too? Is compassion contagious? Does the kindness of another change how we behave?

If we have it within us to influence the behaviour of others we have power and we can use this power to affect positive change. A kindness shown to a stranger today might change how they behave tomorrow, and so it goes.

BUG HOTEL OPENS ON THE MEADOWS 1st Bramford Beavers joined forces with Bramford Open Spaces to build a ‘Bug Hotel’ on the meadows near the railway bank. As part of an environmental project we are hoping for bugs and insects to make their homes in the hotel and we will monitor it closely for signs of habitation and are excited to see who visits. We are also participating in pond dipping and other exciting projects on the meadows. We encourage you all to come down and see what an amazing area it is and make discoveries for yourselves.

Beaver Leader Caroline Wolton

By Caroline Wolton

At the end of my weekly yoga class we spend about 15 minutes unwinding (sometimes literally). It’s meant as time to relax but this week I found myself imagining what I would say if my son had been caught up in one of the recent terrorist attacks. I tried in vain to dismiss the thought but silent tears were quickly sliding into my ears as I lay there counting down the minutes. There simply are no words. How does one cope with grief such as this while also dealing with the fact that your child’s life has been taken from them? All their hopes and their potential wiped out, all that energy and excitement and fun and love stolen from the world forever.

NEWS

It’s a tiny ripple in what appears to be a rather deep, dark ocean but together we are stronger.

Get your entries in!

In Touch

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham

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

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10 JULY 2017

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BRAMFORD FLOWER SHOW Let’s make it the best show yet.

Loraine Victory Hall Saturday, July 1, 3pm

Many thanks to everyone who supported the event at Somersham Playing Field on May 20. It went off better than we expected, especially judging by the number of extra beer runs that were necessary. We hope you all enjoyed it. We raised a fantastic £2,901.51. That will provide much needed funds for the community association to maintain the playing field facilities.

The comments we have had are encouraging and it looks like there is a desire to repeat the event. The only thing that threatens a repeat is not having enough volunteers for the planning team.

If you can help please contact Terry: wheelieenquiries@btinternet.com / 01473 831529 /07733 226898 Best wishes, The Wheelie Team 3

NEWS NEW ANGLE PRIZE ‘READERS’ CHOICE’ COMPETITION LAUNCHED The Ipswich Institute, with support from Suffolk Libraries, has launched a Readers’ Choice competition to run alongside the New Angle Prize for Literature. The New Angle Prize is awarded biennially for works of literary merit associated with or influenced by the region of East Anglia and is sponsored by Gotelee Solicitors and Scrutton Bland Financial Services.

A panel of judges will decide the overall prize winner and runner up – but the Reader’s Choice offers people a chance to vote for their own favourite out of the six which have been shortlisted.

Readers are able to vote for one title which they feel represents the best of the region’s literature from the past two years. The deadline for voting is Friday, August 18 and people can vote online at www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/NewAngleReadersChoice or via voting slips available from the Ipswich Institute at 15 Tavern Street, IP1 3AA. The six books include a biography – Julia Blackburn’s Threads, The Delicate Life of John Craske, a debut novel, Midwinter from Fiona Melrose, and Rosy Thornton’s collection of short stories, Sandlands. Also listed are Sarah Perry’s multi-award winning The Essex Serpent, Jill Dawson’s The Crime Writer and Julie Myerson’s The Stopped Heart.

Anyone voting can enter their name into a draw to win two free tickets for the new Angle Prize Awards Dinner on Wednesday September 6 at Hintlesham Golf Club at which the winners of the New Angle Prize Judges’ award and Suffolk Libraries Readers’ Choice award will be announced.

For more information about the New Angle Prize, visit: www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk/new-angle There will also be a special Shortlist Showcase event on Wednesday, June 28 where the shortlisted authors are invited to an evening of reading and conversation at the Ipswich Institute Reading Room in Tavern Street at 7pm. Tickets to the showcase are available from the Ipswich Institute: 01473 253992 / ibrary@ipswichinstitute.org.uk

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AN EVENING THAT GOES WITH A SWISH! Do you have clothes in your wardrobe that you have hardly worn – is it time for a sort out? Have no fear, the answer is here – a Swish in aid of St Elizabeth’s Hospice.

So what exactly is a Swish? It’s a great opportunity to swap your new or like-new clothes and accessories in a friendly, relaxed environment, while enjoying a glass of Prosecco – what could be better? You will be able to bring five items of clothing and two accessories on the night, but at the end of the evening anything left will be available to buy.

The Swish is taking place in the Boughton Room of Henley Community Centre on Friday, July 28 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7 which will include a glass of Prosecco or something non-alcoholic if you are driving. There will be a raffle and other stalls to browse. All proceeds and leftover clothes will be donated to St Elizabeth’s Hospice.

Tickets are limited so please contact Jemma Addicott on 01473 832646 to secure your place and receive more information about how you can get the most out of this opportunity.

MEMORY LANE CAFÉ A coffee morning will be held at The Brook Inn on Wednesday, July 5 to raise funds for Memory Lane Café. The café will be open on Tuesdays, commencing in early July, in The Rosary Club, Bramford Road, Ipswich. The café is open specifically for those living with dementia and their carers. We aim to provide a welcoming, relaxed and safe atmosphere, and provide a light lunch and various activities.

In Touch online:

Fri 30th June - Thurs 6th July

CHURCHILL (PG)

Fri 30th: 2.30 & 7.45, Sat 1st: 7.45 Sun 2nd & Mon 3rd: 2.30 Tue 4th - Thurs 6th: 2.30 & 7.45 Fri 23rd - Thurs 29th June

WONDER WOMAN (12A) Fri 23rd & Sat 24th: 7.45 Sun 25th & Mon 26th: 2.15 Tue 27th & Wed 28th: 7.45 Thurs 29th: 11.30am

BAYWATCH (15)

Fri 23rd - Sun 25th: 5.00, Mon 26th: 11.45am Tue 27th - Thurs 29th: 5.00

SNATCHED (15)

Fri 23rd & Sat 24th: 2.30 Tue 27th & Wed 28th: 2.30 Thurs 29th: 2.30 & 8.15

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (PG) Sat 24th & Sun 25th: 12.00

LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC

Monday 26th June at 7.30pm - Tickets £15.00

THE INDIANS

Monday 3rd July at 7.30pm - Tickets £15.00

SHAUN CUDDY EVENT CINEMA

World Class Theatre - Beamed to Stowmarket Thurs 20th July at 7.00pm - Tickets £12.50

Live from the National Theatre

ANGELS IN AMERICA PT. 1 (15) Sat 22nd at 7.00pm & Sun 23rd 3.00pm

Recorded Live at his 2017 Maastricht Concert

ANDRE RIEU

Thurs 27th July at 7.00pm - Tickets £12.50

MY COUSIN RACHEL (12A)

Fri 30th - Sun 2nd: 5.00, Mon 3rd: 12.00 Tue 4th & Wed 5th: 5.00 Thurs 6th: 11.45am & 5.00

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (PG) Sat 1st: 10.30, Sun 2nd: 12.15

Fri 7th - Thurs 13th July

THE MUMMY (15)

Fri 7th: 2.30 & 7.30, Sun 9th 7.45 Mon 10th - Thurs 13th: 2.30 & 7.45

CHURCHILL (PG)

Fri 7th: 5.15, Sun 9th: 5.30 Mon 10th - Wed 12th: 5.15 Thurs 13th: 11.45am & 5.15

Fri 14th - Thurs 20th July

HAMPSTEAD (12A)

Fri 14th - Sun 16th: 2.30 Mon 17th - Wed 19th: 2.30 & 7.45 Thurs 20th: 2.30

THE HOUSE (15)

Fri 14th - Sun 16th: 7.45 Mon 17th - Wed 19th: 5.00 Thurs 20th: 12.00 & 4.45

WONDER WOMAN (12A)

Fri 14th: 5.00 Sat 15th & Sun 16th: 11.45am & 5.00

POCKET MONEY MOVIES

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

Live from the National Theatre

BEAUTY & THE BEAST (PG)

www.regalstowmarket.co.uk / 01449 612825

THE BOSS BABY (U)

ANGELS IN AMERICA PT. 2 (15) Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AY

24th & 25th June: 9.30am

Sat 8th July: 10.00am, Sat 15th & Sun 16th July: 10.00am

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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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: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning 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, etc.

After the last article which the SnOasis Parish Alliance placed in the June edition of In Touch, the remaining Reserved Matters were sent out for consultation – hundreds of documents, some of them highly technical and detailed. This has presented all the consultees with a huge challenge to study the documents and produce meaningful comments in the timescale.

By the time you read this article in July, the consultation period for comments on the Reserved Matters will have closed. Mid Suffolk District Council will now be processing all the responses that they have received from neighbours, specialist agencies and local councils.

For now, there is nothing further the SPA can do, but wait for MSDC’s decisions. However, the SPA will continue to take any opportunity to raise the concerns of residents in the area about this huge development.

BURSTALL FLOWER SHOW & FETE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 It’s nearing that time of year again, not that anyone could possibly forget! The first Saturday in August means it’s time for Burstall Show, now – incredibly – into its 64th consecutive year.

If you’ve been before it’ll already be in your diary, but if you haven’t, you have treats in store.

We take pride in the fact that this is a truly traditional village show and fete, so come along with your friends and family and enjoy refreshments, including legendary lunches (from noon), brilliant barbecues (from 1.30pm), tasty teas (from 3pm), inviting ices and super snacks.

The flower show marquee opens at 1pm and the fete starts at 2pm with entertainment from Hoxon Hundred Morris Dancers, Punch & Judy, a children’s entertainer and fun sideshows and games including target sports, tug of war, croquet, stocks, children’s fancy dress (Punch & Judy theme), face painting, bingo, bottle tombola, white elephant, quiz and a grand draw.

All of this takes place in or around Burstall Village Hall (IP8 3DR).

If you want to know more about the event, please contact either Ann Burchnall (secretary) on 01473 652262 or Keith Raby (chairman and master of ceremonies) on 07940 574593. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you on the day.

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

St Mary’s Church Plant Sale, May 13

With much pleasure I’m delighted to confirm this event in conjunction with the lunches, proved both BAR-CLAY MUSIC popular and hugely successful. The weather was MAKERS NEW PRODUCTION mostly kind apart from a lingering light shower which necessitated the unfurling of brollies. Fortunately, it was soon followed If you are interested in being part of Bar-Clay Music Makers’ next production, The Little Mermaid, please make a note of two important by bright, sunnier weather. diary dates. The read-through will take place on Wednesday, July 12 at Again, I remain heavily indebted to my good friend Barry Earthy for all his 7.30pm in Claydon and Barham Village Hall and auditions will be held in work with the transportation of my plants and his own to the venue. Now the village hall a week later on July 19 in two sessions: chorus at 6.30pm I’m a well-established octogenarian, he also did the major share of heavy and adults at 7.30pm. lifting and his help on the stall was most invaluable.

If you’re not sure about being part of the show (on stage, behind the Garden lovers are a most generous, friendly race as was demonstrated by scenes or front of house), why not come along to the read-through friends and neighbours dropping by with surplus plants from their own and find out more? Rehearsals start on September 6 for the panto at gardens: Olive and Herbert Godbold from their lovely idyllic surroundings, the end of January and everyone is welcome. It’s a great opportunity to Kirsty and Pat from Grove Farm Cottages, John and Stella, Eric Wolton and meet new people and be part of a lively and creative group. If you can’t Richard Steward. I am unable to identify those you had left plants earlier make the read-through but would like to ask any questions or register an interest (no commitment), please contact Vera Rogers: 01473 836972 / in the day, but rest assured all were much appreciated. vera.rogers1@btinternet.com We gratefully acknowledge all kind friends, villagers and passers-by who called in to make purchases from our considerable range. The income generated was £118.50 net, £18 pre-sales, £20 from a donor who wished to remain anonymous, leading to £156.50 gross. This amount was duly handed to the church treasurer.

In conclusion, Barry and I thank you all most sincerely for your generous support in helping to maintain this much-loved beautiful ancient building.

Dennis R Page

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

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ADVERTORIAL

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.

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!!!

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7

NEWS DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, SOMERSHAM Bought by the community, opened by the community and – temporarily – run by the community It’s all go at the pub! Since Easter, the doors have been opening on a limited, but regular basis and there’s been loads of work going on.

We’re open for drinks on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturday and Sunday from noon. Card payments are now accepted. If you haven’t already popped in, come along for a drink and a chat and to see work in progress. Check out times on the website, Facebook or blackboard outside the pub.

Until we have a permanent manager and chef in place – and a menu on offer – you’re more than welcome to order a take-away, or bring your own food to eat in the pub. And check out the pizza van that sets up in the car-park on Thursdays from 5-8pm to serve pub customers with freshly cooked-to-order Neapolitan pizzas.

To get the pub ready for opening, we appointed Maggie James as ‘fit for opening’ project manager. She recently completed the huge job, wading through the workload to get everything operational and legally compliant. We also appointed Kate Wright as interim manager – allowing the pub to open for drinks until permanent appointments are made and the whole place is ready to launch properly. She is doing a great job with the support of many wonderful volunteers, including one who has driven all the way from Kent to do his shift behind the bar!

We have always said that the aim is for the pub to be community owned and professionally run. To remain viable, rural pubs need to attract people from near and far. No-one will drive 20 miles just to have a drink in someone else’s local, but they may travel that far for interesting, beautifully-prepared, fresh food – and a drink and a warm welcome.

Once that is in place, we’ll have a proper launch and start asking you to spread the word!

THE WORKS Our cellar has been refurbished and all that remains to be done is to replace the cooling system, which is on its last legs. Good news – there’s an appetite for real ales! We’ve been selling a lot of beers from the Earl Soham Brewery and will be looking to rotate those with other beers from Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. The advantage of being a freehouse means we’re not tied to one brewery and can try out a whole range of fantastic local beers.

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE SITE Suffolk Show A wonderful few days were spent at Suffolk Show at the beginning of June. The theme of the Suffolk Waste Partnership tent was the ocean which was created by more than 900 fish made by children from schools across Suffolk, and an octopus made of recycled items.

In keeping with the theme, SUEZ had a rowing machine to challenge members of the public to row 20 strokes as fast as they could. There was a leader’s board and the fastest rower did 20 strokes in 20 seconds! This year the aim was to remind people to put their rubbish in the right place so it doesn’t end up in the wrong place and damage the environment.

A fantastic group of volunteers are helping revamp the pub with new colour, new lighting and some new furniture – including built-in banquette seating and snug areas. Below we see volunteers from BT who came to help paint the pub along with committee members Maggie James and Mike Shelmerdine.

We look forward to welcoming clubs, businesses and community groups to use our cosy back room. Please get in touch if you have a group needing a regular daytime or evening venue room – or are looking for somewhere for a one-off event.

Many people have also been giving their time to smarten up the grounds, get flowers and bushes planted and make the place look loved – and worth visiting! Of course, the pub sign will be replaced.

Work is progressing and everything will soon be about the Duke of Marlborough rather than ‘Save the Duke’. The lion’s share of the saving has been done. That’s down to the brilliant people who had faith and put their hands in their pockets to invest. Those who have supported with fundraising and volunteering have also played a crucial role. Huge thanks to everyone who has played a part.

Of course, even with its new look and re-launch, the pub will still massively need the support of the community, not just as customers, but also as financial backers.

If you would like to become a shareholder (and get 30% tax relief through the government’s EIS scheme) please contact Keith McKeown on 07817 418942.

Any questions or comments, please contact me at: marlboroughsomersham@gmail.com / 07789 691434 We look forward to seeing you soon!

James Batchelor-Wylam and the committee

Gumtree. If your electrical item is broken you can recycle it at your local recycling centre.

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

Recycle your electrical items Here at the Energy from Waste facility we only take the rubbish that’s left over after recycling. Electrical items mustn’t go in your black bin, they can be reused or recycled.

If your electrical item is still working, you can take it to a local charity shop or to the reuse bay at your local recycling centre. You can also find a new home for these items online via sites like Freecycle, Preloved and 8

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BRAMFORD SOCIAL CLUB (Formerly known as Bramford RBL Club)

Entertainment for July 71-73 The Street, Bramford IP8 4DX Tel: 01473 745198

Sat 1

The Dolly Show, Dolly ParTon TribuTe Thurs 6 Quiz nighT Sat 8 ralPh Meyer & alan waDe Thurs 13 bingo Sat 15 anDre Wed 19 ClairvoyanT nighT wiTh STePhanie Carr Thurs 20 Quiz nighT Sat 22 DiSCo nighT Wed 26 KaraoKe Thurs 27 bingo Sat 29 The CurveS Every Sunday night Bingo at 8pm

As well as a snooker room and pretty outside seating area we now have hot drinks available at the bar, so come and join us for coffee or beer.

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9

NEWS SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM In the light of the recent tragic attacks in Manchester and London, I thought it might be worth taking a different theme this month and talking about terrorism.

While Suffolk is a relatively low-risk county for terrorist incidents, we should not be complacent, and all Suffolk Police Officers are trained in line with the government’s ‘PREVENT’ strategy, which you can view online at: www.gov.uk (search ‘prevent’).

Up and down the country, the police and security services rely on information which is passed to us by ordinary members of the public – we rely on you to be our eyes and ears.

What is Radicalisation?

People are not born ‘terrorists’. They go through a process to either become a terrorist or support extremist causes in other ways. This can happen to anyone, which makes spotting it difficult, but what we do know is that people are far more likely to be radicalised if they are vulnerable.

Those who are most vulnerable are (but not limited to): • Younger people from age 13 upwards • Those experiencing an identity or personal crisis • Individuals with feelings of unmet aspirations or a sense of injustice • People with a need for adventure or excitement • Those with a pre-existing conviction that their religion or culture is under threat • Individuals who feel socially isolated and, possibly, are suffering from depression • Those who have a history of criminal behaviour What are the signs that someone may be at risk of radicalisation?

• Being overly secretive about their online viewing – this being one of the core ways in which ISIS is known to communicate.

• Displaying feelings of isolation or expressions of an ‘us and them’ mentality – a sign of the sense of social isolation.

• Becoming more argumentative or domineering in their viewpoints, being quick to condemn those who disagree and ignoring views that contradict their own.

• Questioning their faith or identity.

• Downloading or promotion extremist content.

• Social isolation – losing interest in activities they used to enjoy, distancing themselves from friends and social groups.

• Altered appearance – change in style of dress and/or appearance.

• Abnormal routines, travel patterns or aspirations.

What can YOU do if you are worried about someone being radicalised?

The simple answer is – TELL US! ANTI-TERRORIST HOTLINE: 0800 789 321

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Spend an evening with Andrew Cowan, awardwinning novelist and academic.

Andrew is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. He is the author of five novels, the latest being Worthless Men, as well a creative writing handbook, The Art of Writing Fiction. He will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute Reading Room (15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA) on Thursday, July 13 as part of Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events.

Doors open at 7pm with the event starting at 7.30pm. General admission is £8 (members £4). Students free with ID. Tickets to be paid for on the door. Reservations can be made by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk 10

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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: JUNE 2017 The parliamentary election produced a major shock and many of us involved, and quite a few journalists, are busy viewing it through the lenses of our own beliefs. Was it the desire to see an end to austerity, the proposals on winter fuel allowances, NHS funding, social care funding, the dementia tax or student fees that drove the change in views as the campaign progressed? We could all add a number of other possibilities, but the answer is unique to each voter, as it should be.

There may well be changes to the local government context produced by the result. I would hope that the relentless pressure on county budgets will be less severe and that we move towards a ‘soft Brexit’.

County Budget Outturn The overall county council income was £496.4m against a start of year estimate of £492.4m. Expenditure on services of £497.2m was higher than the start of year estimate of £496.7m by some £0.5m. At the year start it was assumed that £4.3m would be taken from reserves but in the final analysis £8.2m was added. If this addition to reserves is added as a spend then there was a £9m overspend. To achieve this outcome, substantial savings of £34.4m were made by managing demand.

In Adult and Community Services, care purchasing was overspent by £2.1m, but family carers underspent by £1.4m. In Children and Young People, increased complexity of need drove up the cost of care placements, causing £5m of an overall £7.3m overspend. Next year’s budget has been increased as it is vital to meet these young people’s needs. However, a number of plans to reduce cost are underway.

County Council Structure There were proposals to change the political structure of the council back to a committee system where more councillors are involved in decisions, but that has been dismissed. The current leader and cabinet system will be retained. However, it is intended to set up a number of cabinet committees able to consider and make recommendations on the functions of the council. These would have members of all parties in the same ratio as the council but just how many committees is not yet determined.

This will, we hope, reduce the tendency for decisions from within an administration bubble with few views from the wider community.

My County Council Activities We have set up a Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group. This allows us to re-gain the research assistant who was so useful, helping

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us ensure we understood issues fully and that any proposals we made were thoroughly analysed and costed. The group will allow us to examine administration proposals from a wider set of perspectives and skills.

I will continue on the Scrutiny committee and our first task will be training for new councillors. On June 29 we are looking at the council’s transformation programmes.

Local Issues I am following up on the issues I mentioned last month, but the contact points in the new Highways Integrated Teams are still not yet defined.

District Council After a minor re-organisation of the Liberal Democrat. Group for the new financial year, I am now involved with Scrutiny and remain on one of the two planning committees.

Scrutiny will be looking at revised plans for the Housing Revenue Account where the government instruction to reduce rents by 1% per year for four years and right-to- buy sales bring a possible issue with the limit placed on the council’s borrowing. The sums involved are not major, but must be addressed by reducing spend or raising income. I will let you know what we discover.

Developments The Greenhouse project has found the funding it needs and will, I am told, be going ahead during the summer. The initial plans are for a southern greenhouse of reduced but still large size and no movement on the northern structure until commercial success is established.

Now that the parish group have the full documentation, preparation of the parish response to the SnOasis Reserved Matters application is progressing. The proposal to replace the railway station with a bus link via Needham Market is a cause for concern. Just what will the impact on road traffic and congestion be?

The planning application for land at Church Lane in Barham has been validated and the parish council is arranging a public meeting to allow issues to be explored and local opinion to be determined.

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 Twitter @JohnFieldjd / Facebook: fieldjd accounts www.johnfield.suffolk.libdems.org

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OUT & ABOUT CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE AND CHARITY SHOP

BLUE CROSS OPEN DAY AND FUN DOG SHOW

As the date of the group arrival becomes imminent we would like to say a very big thank you to all of our supporters who have helped to make this year’s visit possible. Many people have dropped donations into our charity shop but not left their details so I have been unable to write personally to thank you. If you prefer to remain anonymous then of course we respect this, but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge how grateful we are for your contributions.

Our open day and fun dog show will take place on Saturday, July 29 at the animal rehoming centre on Bourne Hill, Wherstead IP2 8NQ between 11am and 4pm.

The charity shop provides a great focal point for us and helps to raise awareness for our work. Although we have links across the country we are not a national chain of shops. All staff are volunteers, we do not pay for any management. We really do need people who are able to offer a few hours a week to help out covering for holidays and sickness. Each session is only three hours so if you think you could be available to help with ‘spot cover’ we would love to hear from you. No experience is necessary and you’re never on your own. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming.

Building on the success of our first open day last year, we are making the event even larger this year with a fun dog show, dog agility and fun scurry, stalls, refreshments, animal units open for viewing, kid’s activities, live music and a raffle.

Entry by way of a monetary donation. For more information, contact the centre on 0300 777 1480 / suffolk@bluecross.org.uk or visit our Facebook page: @bluecrosssuffolk

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5

We give as much support as possible to the children, their families at home and also the host families who take the children into their homes for the whole month. The donations and support we receive from our local community form a great part of this support. Yes, the main purpose of the children’s visit is for health recuperation, but how brilliant is it that we can also give them memories to take home that will last them a lifetime.

Route 5

Town/village

Location

Time

MIP/5A

Sproughton

Church Lane

9.10-9.25am

MIP/5B

Sproughton

Wild Man

9.30-9.45am

MIP/5C

Bramford

St Mary’s Close

9.50-10.05am

MIP/5D

Bramford

Paper Mill Lane

10.10-10.25am

MIP/5E

Great Blakenham, Chequers

10.35-1055am

Most of the children who come in the group will ever leave Belarus again.

Occasionally a child may receive an invitation for a private visit, but with the increasing costs of air fares and visas the number of these invitations become less each year.

MIP/5F

Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park

11-11.15am

MIP/5G

Baylham

Post Box

11.25-11.45am

MIP/5H

Claydon

Crown

11.55am-1pm

MIP/5I

Claydon

Edinburgh Gardens 2.05-2.20pm

MIP/5J

Barham

Bacon Road

2.25-3.50pm

MIP/5K

Bramford

Packard Place

4-4.30pm

We are always happy to continue to receive donations of clothing for the children throughout the year. Any age is appreciated as we provide clothing to the children when they come here and also to their siblings at home plus other children who, for various reasons, are unable to be included in the program.

On August 27 I will travel with 20 people, many of whom have never been before on a goodwill mission, to Belarus. We are busy collecting things to take with to give to the families we will visit and one of the most valued items, which are also light to carry, are vegetable seeds. If you have any left over from your own use this year or would just like to donate some for this trip, they would be really appreciated. It is quite something to see how the parents’ faces light up when we give them such a simple gift.

2017 DATES: July 4, August 1, August 29, September 26, October 24, November 21, December 19

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET

With our grateful thanks as always, Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / 07771 550868 www.ccllmidsuffok.org.uk

The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, July 8, 9am-12.30pm.

Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying.

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

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

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

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777 12

In Touch online:

You’re invited to make an appointment at our Wherstead Park office to discuss:

Powers of Attorney Probate

Wills Court of Protection

Our out of town Ipswich location is very convinient for parking and has great disabled access. Contact us for an appointment at your convenience: enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ

01473 556 900

Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336

Sproughton C of E Primary School

Saturday 8th July 2017 11am – 3pm

Come and join the fun!

Grand Prize Draw Assault Course Bouncy Slide Tombola Penalty Shoot Out Pimms Tent BBQ Cream Teas Dance Troupe at 12pm Fire Engine Plant and Trade Stalls Face Painting And Lots More!

Please come and support your local school.

We are raising money for outdoor play equipment.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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OUT & ABOUT BRAMFORD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP This will be the last meeting of our present season when Elizabeth Serpell will tell us about the Ipswich Friars. This is not a talk about fish and chip shops but the many friars who had religious houses in Ipswich in past centuries. We had black friars, white friars and grey friars, some of whom are remembered in local place names today.

The talk will be in the Church Room, Ship Lane on Thursday, July 20 starting at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome £3.

There are lots of interesting articles and photos on our website: www.bramfordhistorygroup.org.uk

BRAMFORD WI This month’s outdoor meeting will be held on the picnic site by the river on Monday, July 10, starting at the earlier time of 7pm. Nigel Howard from Bramford Open Spaces will be there to tell us about the work that has been done to improve the site and encourage wildlife. There will be no competition. Bring a picnic!

ST MARY’S CHURCH GATHERING Every third Tuesday in the month, 2.30-4pm, in the Church Room.

Do come and join us; we will be very pleased to see you.

If transport is required please contact Janet: 741331

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired business gentlemen. The primary objective is to provide fellowship between members and to share similar interests in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

We meet monthly at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects. In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us.

If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: probus174@gmail.com / 01473 274898

If wet, we will meet in the Loraine Victory Hall.

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet for the first three weeks in July (Monday group 7.309.30pm, Wednesday group 10am-noon). The school summer holiday then means we don’t meet again until the new school year in September.

Hopefully details of the starting date will be in the August edition of this magazine. Have a good summer.

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SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Our next meeting is on Monday, July 10 at 7.30pm when Susie Davis from Katie’s Garden Centre will be our speaker. Our meetings are held in Offton & Willisham Village Hall and new members and guests are always welcome.

For any further information please contact: 01473 830600/254941

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT BRAMFORD CRAFT & CHATTER GROUP

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB

Our two mornings this month are Tuesdays, July 11 and 25. We’ll be in the Parish Room from 9.30am-noon as usual. Visitors are welcome to come in for a chat, to play Scrabble or to do something crafty. We just ask for £2 per person to pay for the hire of the room. Hope to see you then.

The club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham. 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.

SOMERSHAM WI We are all enjoying the lovely warm weather of late and reminisced over our holiday snaps for our travel photography competition at our June meeting where Jenny Gibbs spoke on Turkish silks and pashminas. Check out our Facebook page to see some of the entries: www.facebook.com/SomershamWI We have enjoyed a range of speakers over the last few months so we have booked a lesson for our meeting on July 10 – a crochet lesson. We had so many members asking for this as a topic for our meetings, how could we refuse? We have a summer break in August and return on September 11 with the enticingly titled Everything Stops for Tea. Eve Regelous is a local speaker who will speak about proper afternoon tea. She has also agreed to judge our second competition of the year – the cookery competition.

Four homemade scones are all that is needed to enter, my mouth is watering already (they will obviously all need eating of course).

If you have never been to one of our WI meetings, this is literally the perfect taster session!

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and costs just £3 for guests. Everyone is welcome.

Members can find information on the competitions and forthcoming speakers on our noticeboard in the village hall, in their quarterly newsletter or on our Facebook page.

SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZEN’S CLUB Further to my message last month, I had some falls and spent last week in hospital. I am now home with daily visits by carers and hope to be back at the club before you read these notes.

I thank Olive Matthews, our club secretary, and committee members for arranging a visit by Ann Day to talk on Armchair Walks in Ipswich on July 5 and some outings not yet confirmed.

The Parish Room is the building with the green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House. The parking area is at the rear and the building is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair.

At our first meeting in May we had a social afternoon where our literary skills were called upon. Members divided into pairs and each pair was given a slip of paper with three random words from which they had to compose a short story in 50 words or under in a short period of time. As an example the words Travel, Blossom and Riot became: She stood outside the travel agents and gazed at the window display feasting her eyes on the riot of colour. She had always wanted to visit Japan and see the cherry blossoms. “It’s now or never,” she thought as she pushed the door open.

Perhaps other clubs may wish to use this idea at a meeting.

At our second meeting in June, Liza Jones presented a talk and slideshow entitled Behind the Bathroom Door. This was a mix of history and memory jogging and enjoyed by everyone. The Romans originally brought bathing to England, but when they left so did the habit of bathing for some 200 years. We have no doubt all learned about bedpans being thrown into the street and the smells that pervaded our towns and cities in earlier centuries. It was not until after the Second World War that indoor toilets and bathrooms become the ‘norm’ and many of our members reminisced about growing up with outside lavatories and the tin bath tub once a week for all the family. Liza also talked about soaps and other toiletries and the early days of their production, items that we take for granted nowadays. On a more reflective note it is a fact that more people in India have access to a mobile phone than have access to a toilet.

Our programme up to our summer break is: July 12: Social afternoon with Sandra July 26: Summer tea party with entertainment by one of our members, Dot Chapman, on her accordion

See you soon,

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.

John Bates

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

We stopped to look at our favourite view It’s the little things that make a funeral special Here for you every hour of every day

01473 858517

www.eastofengland.coop/funerals for your local funeral director

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL

pressure shows they have something special. Good schools offer their pupils good choices and encouragement in the curriculum, including sport, the arts and music and for golf to be a part of this mix at more and more schools is very exciting for the Golf Foundation team.”

On Tuesday, July 4, Year 6 parents/carers are invited to an induction evening to meet staff, hear about how they can be involved with the school and to discuss any concerns. Year 6 students will attend an induction day on July 5 where they will enjoy lessons, be introduced to some of their teachers and make new friends in their form groups. Year 7 is a special year for the young people who join us and we want to make sure they are happy, confident and prepared for this next exciting stage of their education.

As another incredibly busy academic year nears its end, there is just time to catch up on what has been happening and what we can look forward to in the last few weeks of term.

Year 11 students have now left school and while it is sad to see them go, I am very proud of their successes and achievements, both personal and academic, over the last five years. I wish them all the very best for the future.

On June 1, Claydon, East Bergholt and Hadleigh High Schools joined together to form a multi-academy trust – The South Suffolk Learning Trust. The three strong schools will be working together to share best practice within the partnership as well as supporting other schools in Suffolk. The South Suffolk Learning Trust (led by an experienced board of local trustees) intends to grow and support the learning of Suffolk youngsters aged between three and 19 and add positively to improving life chances of Suffolk children through effective collaboration. Myself and the other headteachers, Colin Turner and Caroline Gibson, are delighted to be formalising partnerships across schools and enabling an even wider number of children to reach their full potential.

On May 24, four of our talented music students were invited to perform at a prestigious award ceremony at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey.

As a large group of our PE students watched the professional golfers, including Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Danny Willett swinging their clubs on the course, our musical quartet were playing some swing, rock and jazz to a 200 strong audience who were there celebrate 10 different winning projects who took to the stage to receive their award trophies.

The awards celebrate the special volunteers and professionals who give up so much of their time and energy to support young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, as they learn the sport.

Brendon Pyle, chief executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “Our work as a charity is all about helping young people to enjoy all the benefits of playing golf. The band from Claydon High performed so well last year and we were delighted to welcome the school back. To perform under this

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While we look forward to Year 6 students joining us, our Year 10 students are busy preparing to spend the penultimate week of term on work experience placements. Students have organised their own approved placements, ranging from vets, hairdressers, travel agents, banks and preschools to TT Games in Maidenhead and First Impressions in Newcastle!

A good work experience placement can provide a valuable insight into a different environment, helping students to clarify career aspirations so they can think about what they want to do and the qualifications they will potentially need. It can open doors and also provide concrete evidence of interest in a particular career to both university admissions officers and future employers. We wish all Year 10s the best of luck for an enjoyable week.

The arts faculty has been particularly busy this term. As I write, staff are preparing for the GCSE Art, Textiles and Design Technology Exhibition on June 20, showcasing some incredible artistic talent. Practice is underway for field and track events ahead of sports day and drama and music rooms are buzzing with the sound of students rehearsing for the upcoming Claydon Spotlights show at the end of June. We look forward to updating you with more news of this in the next edition.

Students have enjoyed trips to Ipswich Town Football Club and the University of Suffolk for careers and taster days. Science students have visited Sizewell B and a group of Year 7 students took part in the regional finals of the Bloodhound Rocket Race at RAF Honington. The Bloodhound Project is a national competition which invites every UK school to use micro:bit technology to produce and race foam model cars.

We still have many events, such as the Community Tea Party, Praise Tea Party, Year 5 Arts Festival and Sports Award Evening to look forward to before we break up. The PTA has also organised a quiz night on July 6, 7-9pm at the school. Your support at these events is greatly appreciated.

For more information, please contact Rebecca: 07814 016805 / becca48@ntlworld.com If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please telephone my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term.

Headteacher Mrs S Skinner

In Touch online:

SPORT BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB BRAMFORD BOWLS CLUB

Greetings guff lovers!

The season is well under way and the leagues are now a third of the way through. At the time of going to press there isn’t a great deal to celebrate but our ‘stars’ at the moment are the team in the Stowmarket League who are Top of Division 2. Also our men are second in the BE Men’s Triples league.

After the election hoo-hah has finally died down it’s important to let you know this is a politics free zone.

Mention should also be made of our Mixed Fours team who are currently third and we are second in the Samford Afternoon League. Very well done everybody for that ray of sunshine!

We played the Junior Cup against Sproughton which was a hard fought affair, and unfortunately for us Sproughton came out the winners by 65 shots to 91. The ladies played the first round of the Top Team county competition on May 30 against Lowestoft Rail at Lowestoft.

The day didn’t start too well as we lost the two-wood and four-wood singles. However, the Fours’ rink of Linda Fairs, Jean Hughes, Ruby Rudge and Stella Utteridge were comfortably in charge and won their rink, as did the Triples rink of Ann Thaine, Jean Taylor and Rachelle Barber.

The Pair’s rink of Joyce Thompson and Mary Saunders were well down but despite a spirited comeback finished up losing their rink. This was a total of two rinks won to three lost. Although we were disappointed to lose, we can look back on our very good record with pride.

Our men played the first round of the Millennium Trophy at home against a team from Ipswich & District BC. Steve Zarkos gave us a good start by winning the two wood singles 17-8.

Unfortunately Jason Smith couldn’t repeat this success and lost 15-21 to a very good opponent.

The Pair’s rink of David Thompson and Peter Rudge were well up at the start, but unfortunately lost 16-26. The Triples rink of Christian Barber, Roy Prentice and John Parnell were always behind and finished up 14-20. The Fours rink of Mike O’Shea, John Sharman and Andy Roberts were having a close encounter but finished up losing 19-21. Unfortunately the fixture was lost one rink to four.

Some of our ladies were chosen to play for Suffolk in the Johns Trophy national competition against Leicestershire on June 3, namely Rachelle Barber, Janet Paternoster, Mary Saunders, Jean Taylor and Stella Utteridge. A very tight game ensued and with four ends to go Suffolk were three shots up. However, our opponents pulled their socks up, gave a big push and finished up the winners by 100 shots to 111. Steve Zarkos was also selected to play for the county in the men’s Adams Trophy national competition.

The weather has been very changeable of late as can be seen from a recent ladies BE County Fours’ competition. From the photograph you will see that Jean Taylor became the Michelin Man when the strong wind got into her coat and she nearly did a Mary Poppins and sailed away!

Mary Saunders

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

The men’s team have got off to a strong and stable start in the summer league winning their opening two fixtures, even with the handicap of myself coming out of retirement to play in one of them. I partnered Graham and it must have felt to him like it was a coalition of chaos at times, especially when he was forced to cover me for a lot of shots, the many not the few in fact.

News from Carl Douglas, our new coach who is really getting things moving at the club (except Graham’s hand towards his wallet when he is in the bar): Following on from the recent success of our first Great British Tennis Weekend, we have decided to host a further Great British Tennis Weekend event on Sunday, July 23, 10.30am-3pm.

Please come along and try out our facilities for free, including our ball machine which has proved to be popular in the past, and taster coaching sessions. Light refreshments will be available and a barbecue will be held after the event.

We look forward to seeing both prospective new members and existing members on the day. Any questions beforehand please ask via grahamcbramford@btinternet.com or check out: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub In addition, please look out for the membership offer that will be available on the day and you can also sign up on the day to one of our junior summer camps or register your interest to become a team player.

This looks like being a really good event. Let’s hope the weather holds up for it. I was going to attend but the club felt it might put people off if they saw me play. Apparently if they laugh too much they can’t concentrate on what the coach is telling them.

Just time for a very quick joke of the month: A man walks into a chemist and asks for a bar of soap, “Do you want it scented?” asked the chemist. “No it’s ok, I’ll take it with me,” said the man.

More hilarity next month, Mick Russ

SPROUGHTON BOWLS CLUB By the time you read this the season will be well past half way through. Hopefully we will have maintained the successes of the early weeks with most of our teams at or near the top of their respective divisions. Most players will also now be turning their attention to the various club competitions, more details about them in the next issue. Competition draws, results and league details can be found at: www.sproughtonbowlsclub.com County competition also plays a large part in the bowls calendar and Sproughton Bowls Club are proud to have three of our members playing county representative bowls for Suffolk; Ann Craigie in the EBF Vase team, Julie Spice in the BE Johns Trophy team and Adrian Beecroft in the BE Middleton Cup team. Congratulations and good luck to all.

Finally for this month, John Thompson is looking to fill one or two places which have become unavoidably vacant on our Tour to Weymouth (August 30 to September 7). If you fancy a seaside holiday with optional bowls and excursions, please let John know as soon as possible or email the club at: sproughtonbowlsclub@outlook.com 17

SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE BRAMFORD UNITED The last match of the 2016/17 season on Saturday, May 6, was a First Team home match against Capel Plough which we won with two second half goals. The first goal was an own goal scored by ex-Bramford player Ben Baldwin on the hour mark. Ten minutes later Dale Munson wrapped up the match with a fine angled shot to see us run out 2-0 winners which saw the First Team finish in fourth position.

The same evening saw our annual presentation night in the clubhouse. We thank Paul Waspe and Nick Booth for the superb barbecue, and also thanks to Julie Parker and Muriel Waspe for the buffet. Awards were presented to the following players: Reserve Team Leading Goal Scorers: Paul Barber and Thomas Padmore Assistant Manager’s Player: Lloyd Downes Manager’s Player: Oli Brett Players’ Player: Adie Roper First Team Leading Goal Scorer: Harry Evans Supporters’ Player: Reece Booth Manager’s Player: Harry Evans Reserve team manager David Downes (pictured right) and assistant manager David Steele received framed reserve team shirts.

With the season only just finished, pre-season friendlies have already been arranged.

First Team Tuesday, July 18: Home to Woodbridge Town, 6.30pm Saturday, July 22: Home to Wickham Market, 2.30pm Saturday, July 29: Away to Wivenhoe Town, 3pm Saturday, August 5: Away to Barham Athletic, 2.30pm Saturday, August 12: Away to Bacton United, 2.30pm Reserves Saturday, August 5: Away to Coddenham, 2.30pm Brammie

SPROUGHTON SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB Summer training starts at 2.30pm on Saturday, June 24 on the playing field, Church Lane, Sproughton.

Any interested lads (16+) who would like to join us will be welcome. For further information contact me – 01473 747017 / georginastudd@aol.com – or just come along.

G Studd, secretary

A DEATH AT WATERLOO Recent research has found the record of a Bramford man who was at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. At the stated age of 15, William Death, enlisted in the 1st (Kings) Dragoon Guards on the 5 March 1805. At the time the Dragoons would have been stationed in Ipswich. The war with Napoleon had started just two years before and the Battle of Trafalgar was yet to come later in this year that William made the journey to Ipswich and take the Kings Shilling.

A boy soldier Although his age was stated as 15, other records indicate that William was actually 17. It seems that the army records followed a convention at the time of rounding down ages to the nearest multiple of five. This was used extensively (but not always consistently) in the 1841 Census.

Promotion Dragoons were originally a mounted infantry but evolved into a light cavalry unit so William would have been trained in horsemanship as well as the skills of an infantryman.

From 4 March 1805 William served as a Private in the Regiment, but classed as ‘underage’. On entering the army, many young boys were trained as musicians, buglers and drummers. Three years later he continues as Private, now presumably eligible for active service, and was promoted to the rank of Trumpeter on 25 July 1813. This promotion may have reflected the skills he learned as a boy soldier. Trumpeters and drummers were given enhanced pay in recognition of the extra skills and the important duties they had to perform on the battlefield.

In battle Trumpet or bugle calls were a vital command system in battles at this time. Shouting and screaming men and horses, the explosions of guns, cannon shells and small arms made verbal communication impossible.

The smoke from black powder meant visibility was down to that of a thick fog. The incredible danger from musket balls, sabres, cannon balls and kicking horses made full attention vital. Only the sound of the trumpet was able to communicate between cavalry squadrons, each of which had a trumpeter.

There were over 40 different bugle calls used in the field, all to command horses. Formations were controlled by calls known to the cavalrymen and made easier to remember by the addition of words in songbooks.It was in this role that William travelled with his regiment to Flanders to join Wellington’s army in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.

A Waterloo Man The 1st Kings Dragoons played a significant part in the battle and sustained heavy losses, but William, fortunately, was among the survivors. In 1816 the Prince Regent conferred the Waterloo Medal for all those who took part in the battle.

Voluntary demotion After the defeat of Napoleon, the British army was scaled down and William faced being discharged. To avoid this he resigned his rank of Trumpeter on 25 August 1821 and reverted to Private. However, he regained his rank on 10 May 1826.

Three monarchs Every Waterloo man was credited with two years extra service and so it was on 2 September 1836 that William had completed 30 years and 183 days in the army. However, he continued to serve for 67 more days until 8 November 1836 when he was finally discharged. By this time he had served under three monarchs; George III, George IV and William IV. He was discharged for ‘disability’ attributed to his service in the army. He was awarded an army pension – in effect becoming a ‘Chelsea Pensioner’ – and lived until 1863.

To learn more about William and the history of Bramford visit: www.bramfordhistorygroup.org.uk

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In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser, Nick Plumb

If you are looking for fun and adventure this summer, Suffolk museums have got you and your family covered! Throughout the school summer holidays, museums across the county will offer a jam-packed line-up of exciting events, activities and workshops for the whole family to enjoy together. From arts and crafts to archeological digs, science workshops, amazing collections and discovery trails galore there’s something for everyone to enjoy in museums this summer.

This year, summer visitors are being asked to do the important job of helping to choose Suffolk’s most family friendly museum and there’s certainly lots of events and activities on offer to help you make your choice. Highlights include the range of family fun days, including Steam Railway Days at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum or swing dancing and spitfires at the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum. Budding scientists can take part in hands-on experiments at The Long Shop Museum’s Workshop Wednesdays or take part in the museum’s all new Summer Discovery Club, a creative arts and crafts club for children aged seven-12. Or unleash your inner archaeologist and unearth real finds at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village or discover what life was like during Medieval times at Dunwich Museum’s Family Discovery Days.

Arts and crafts can be found at Gainsborough’s House, where you can design your own fancy dress costume, or at the Pirate Takeover workshops in Moyse’s Hall. The popular Mud, Bugs and Baking sessions also return to the Museum of East Anglian Life where craft enthusiasts can also get involved in Make and Take fabric workshops, including a chance to create part of a giant caterpillar out of a traditional Suffolk Puff! Ipswich Museums will host a Summer of Sound inspired by the iconic Clangers, featuring music workshops, craft activities and storytelling sessions. Along with all this, there are loads of games, quizzes, discovery trails and fun, interactive collections at museums throughout the county.

Most museums and activities are either low-cost or absolutely free. Many sites offer free parking and refreshments or a chance to unwind with a family picnic in the sun. You can download your free Summer in Suffolk Museums event program at www. suffolkmuseums.org or to keep up to date with all the latest information and family-friendly event news, follow us at: Facebook.com/summerinsuffolkmuseums

Simon from Needham Market asks: “In order to reduce the value of our estate for inheritance tax purposes, my wife and I intended to gift our main residence to our son. We would like to be allowed to continue to live in the house for the remainder of our days under a formal agreement with our son. After we have both died, he would be able to move into the house or sell it. However, a friend tells us that this would not save inheritance tax. Is that right and if so, why?”

Like many people at your stage of life, your main residence is free of mortgage and thus forms a major part of your joint estate. Many people who have substantial property assets believe that to reduce the potential inheritance tax liability on their estate, they can gift their house to their children during their lifetimes but stay living in the house and pay a so-called ‘peppercorn’ rent. There is a common misconception that after seven years have elapsed, the house would then no longer form part of their estate.

However, if you gift part or all of your main residence to your children and you still continue to live in the house rent free, or by paying a ‘peppercorn’ rent, then HMRC would almost certainly deem the transfer to be a Gift with Reservation (of Benefit) or GROB. In effect, this means that although you made a gift of the house to your son, you continued to enjoy the benefit of living there.

On this basis the gift would not be recognised and in the event of your deaths, the full value of the house at the date of death would be still included in your estate for calculating the inheritance tax payable on your estate.

Your only option would be to either move out after making the gift, or pay the normal market rate of rent for the property to your son ongoing. Gifting the house without continuing to live in it would of course not be practical, as you would need to find somewhere else to live anyway.

Harry from Woodbridge asks: “I recently applied for an insurance policy to cover funeral expenses so that my family would not be out of pocket if I died. I have received a letter from the insurance company telling me that the premium has been increased from £25 per month to £43 per month on medical grounds. My bank has refused to tell me why. How can I find out?”

In reality Harold, your bank is not hiding anything from you. They simply cannot tell you why you have been rated as medical information is confidential and your bank are not told the reasons for the rating by the insurance company. The bank act as an agent of the insurance company and your personal and medical information is not shared with them.

The insurance company can only discuss this with you personally or with your doctor, if you signed an authority form.

Give the insurance company a call to ask why you have been rated. If they will not discuss their decision over the phone, write to their chief underwriter. They must reply to your written request for information.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services of Baylham in Suffolk. The information within this column is provided only as a general guide and does not constitute personal financial advice.

If you would like to take advantage of a complimentary meeting to talk over your options for your own investments or financial planning you can contact Nick by email at nick@plumbfs.co.uk or by calling the office on 01473 830301.

Plumb Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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ON THE GRAPEVINE DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK I was honoured to be returned as Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich on June 8 and especially delighted to be given the added bonus of an increased majority. I would like to thank everyone for the confidence that they have shown in me and for the tremendous support for which I am enormously appreciative.

During the election campaign, my team and I visited every part of the constituency on at least one occasion – from Palgrave and Metfield in the North, Kesgrave and North Ipswich in the South, Wickham Market in the East, Cotton in the West, Hoxne, Debenham, Eye, Framlingham and many more in between. I was in North Ipswich nearly every day and was very pleased that the election period allowed me to give my undivided attention to residents, while also giving me the opportunity to listen to people’s views and have numerous conversations which will help me to better represent you over the next five years.

I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me during the last Parliament as well as during the weeks of the General Election campaign itself and, of course, my thanks go to everyone who voted for me in the General Election. I am also enormously grateful for the hundreds of messages of support and encouragement that I have received. I shall be replying to all of them now that the election is over.

In the months and years ahead, my priority will always be to represent the people of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich to the very best of my ability. I shall be fulfilling my promises to support our NHS throughout the constituency, to protect Suffolk’s countryside and to work with county council colleagues to improve broadband coverage and mobile phone reception in our county.

It is an enormous honour and privilege to be elected to represent the residents of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich again in Parliament and I shall do my utmost to fulfil the trust that has been placed in me and continue to work hard and do my best for all my constituents.

For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION LAUNCHED TO CAPTURE THE SOUNDS OF SUFFOLK Take a moment to imagine if you couldn’t hear the birds singing, your friends talking in the pub or your favourite song playing on the radio.

This is reality for many people who experience hearing loss and a major new photographic competition is being launched by one of Suffolk’s bestknown businesses to raise awareness about the importance of hearing.

Titled Sounds of Suffolk, the competition is being launched as part of Deaf Awareness Week, a national initiative also aimed at highlighting hearing impairment. Award-winning hearing care specialist, The Hearing Care Centre, is inviting amateur and professional photographers from across the county to enter the competition with pictures which demonstrate the incredible sounds that can be found in and around our beautiful county and may not otherwise be heard by those with hearing loss.

“It could be the sea crashing against the shore at Southwold, birds singing at Minsmere, the bells chiming at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral or screaming thrill seekers on a ride at Pleasurewood Hills,” says Managing Director Karen Finch. “In fact any picture which depicts the sounds of the county in a powerful way. People with good hearing often don’t realise the impact even mild hearing loss has on the enjoyment of ordinary things around us – we want our competition and the campaign to draw attention to some of the sounds that hard-of-hearing people cannot hear.”

Karen explained: “It can take years for some people to decide to do something about their hearing loss. It’s estimated that there over 119,000 people in Suffolk who experience hearing loss, yet so many have yet to do anything about it. We want to get the message across that they really are missing out on life and can do something about it.”

The Hearing Care Centre, has 24 centres across Suffolk / Norfolk, is putting up a top prize of £250 for the best picture, followed by £100 for second place and an annual subscription to Suffolk Magazine for third place.

The closing date is Sunday, July 30. For full information about the competition and the entry details, visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/soundsofsuffolk

CELEBRATE THE HEROES IN YOUR COMMUNITY Nominations are now open for the Community Action Suffolk Awards 2017 (supported by Birketts Solicitors) which recognise the volunteers, communities and young people making an impact on the lives of people in Suffolk.

Eight awards will be presented to individuals and organisations in Suffolk, from Village Hall or Community Building of the Year to the Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering award.

If you know of someone, or an organisation making a real difference, you have until Friday, July 21 to make your nomination via the CAS website: www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/awards Freckenham Village Hall, near Mildenhall, won the 2016 Village Hall or Community Building of the Year award. Jane Leitch, secretary to the trustees at the hall, said: “It is so lovely to be recognised for the hard work and occasional sleepless nights! The hall will be 20 years old in 2017 and we have come a long way from just having a mother & toddler group or the occasional bingo session, lunch or outing to the seaside!”

The hall committee consists of a dedicated group of enthusiastic volunteers who ensure an inclusive, active programme of events including farmers markets, film nights, exercise classes and live entertainment.

They work hard to make the building more sustainable, having installed solar panels and upgraded the lighting system to save energy, and with plans to install a more energy efficient heating system.

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Judith Gunion won an award in 2016 for her volunteering achievements, giving her time to many local, national and international events. Judith said: “I can’t believe I’m stood here inspiring others, when only a few years ago I was just one of 270,000 people who applied to be a London 2012 Gamesmaker. Volunteering is a fantastic way of learning that you can push your boundaries. You will learn from it, grow from it and in time you will pass on those skills to others. So take the first step. Start small and then let the world be your oyster”.

The eight CAS Awards are: • The Anne Dunford OBE award for Youth Participation • The Roddy Macleod award for Youth Club of the Year • The Andrew Towers award for Young Person of the Year • The Colonel Probert award for Community Initiative • The Ian Campbell MBE award for Individual Initiative • The Village Hall / Community Building award (supported by CAS Insurance Services) • Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering (supported by My CharityGuard) • Event Organiser of the Year (supported by Larking Gowen) Awards will be presented at CAS’s Annual Celebration event on September 26 at the Museum of East Anglian Life. For more information and to make your nominations visit: www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/awards In Touch online:

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.

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 Saturday 10-11am: Coffee Morning, either at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see diary below for location) on third Saturday of month.

Sunday 10.30-11.30am*: Morning Worship with Holy Communion every second Sunday of month

*tea and coffee served afterwards

10.30-11.30am: Lighthouse Club for children – term time only

Sunday 2: 10.30am, All-Age Worship, Mr C Finbow

4-6pm: Families@4, an informal get-together with tea provided, come and go as you please, not a service but our minister usually joins us. Once a month, please check diary.

DIARY FOR JULY Thursday 6: 3pm, United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 9: 10.30am, Morning Worship with The Rev D Grimshaw, Holy Communion

Monday 2-3pm: Bible Study – an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss, every third Monday of month.

Tuesday 11: 2-3pm, Network/MWiB, Christmas Customs and Other Celebrations by Jenny Gibbs

7.30-9.30pm: Computer Club, term time only

Saturday 15: 10-11am, Coffee Morning at the Methodist Church

Tuesday 2-3pm*: Network/MWiB – our ladies meeting, although gentlemen are always welcome. The second and fourth Tuesdays from October-April and the second Tuesday from May-September.

Sunday 16: 10.30am, Morning Worship with Mr R Theobald

Wednesday 10am-noon: Computer Club, term time only

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Wednesday 12: 7.30pm, Prayers and Laying On of Hands for Healing

Monday 17: 2pm, Bible Study Sunday 23: 10.30am, Morning Worship with Mr H Chicken / 4-6pm, Families@4 with The Rev D Grimshaw Sunday 30: 10.30am, Morning Worship with Mr B Nichols

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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

and trying to make sense of them in the services. We try to reflect the theme in the hymns and prayers as well as in what we say from the pulpit.

Assistant Curate: The Rev Julian Fennel, 01473 833250

People often ask whether we re-use sermons, but in fact although the readings stay in the three year cycle, we find that things in the community and in the church change so that the readings say something different to us each time.

www.stmarybramford.co.uk Please check porch notices for any changes Wednesday, 9.30am: Quiet Reflective Communion Service SERVICES IN JULY July 2 Trinity 3 10am Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing, Bramford 6pm Evening Prayer BCP, Baylham July 6 3pm

United Service at Cherryfields

July 9 8am 10am 5pm

Trinity 4 Holy Communion, Bramford Parish Communion, Nettlestead 5 O’clock Service, Church Room

July 11 11am Communion from Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre July 12 7.30 pm Healing Service, Methodist Church July 16 Trinity 5 10am Holy Communion, Bramford 10am Holy Communion, Baylham July 18 2.30pm The Gathering, Church Room July 24 10am Coffee Morning, Church Room July 23 Trinity 6 8am Parish Communion, Bramford 10am Family Service, Church Room July 30 Trinity 7 10am Group Communion, new family Communion Service, Bramford Please check porch notices for any changes.

Dear Friends, The summer is now well and truly set in, and in a church sense we are settling into the long lazy trinity season, a time when we allow our faith to bed in and explore the life and ministry of Jesus and how it affects us.

This year we are focusing on the gospel of Matthew, which is the first book we find in the New Testament. The readings are chosen for us in a three year cycle, and each week the gospel reading is put together with a reading from the Old Testament and from one of the letters at the end of the Bible. If you wish to follow them, we publish the cycle each month alongside our services.

In general, these readings follow the gospel through and this means that we travel with Jesus and the disciples through the three years of his ministry, until we get to the end of November when we look towards Advent and Christmas, which is the start of the church year. I have grown to really appreciate the rhythm of the church year and the way it flavours our services, and enjoy the challenge of taking the readings we are given 22

Before I sign off, just a quick note to remind you that to accommodate holidays, we traditionally change the pattern of services during August.

This year will be no exception, so please look at the service rota carefully.

Blessings, Jenny CHURCH EVENTS The plant sale and lunches in May proved a great success, raising well over £350. Thanks to everyone who helped, both on the stalls and in the kitchen, and to Dennis and Barry for the plant stall and all who donated plants for the sale.

Coming up this month – the fete – and we need helpers not only to set up but also to pack stuff away at the end. All welcome.

PARISH REGISTERS Baptisms May 28: Isabelle Palmer, Bramford May she grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Weddings May 26: Leighanna Maskell and Jay Howes, Bramford May they grow in their love for each other.

Funerals June 8: Desni Dawn Turner, Bramford June 12: Silvia Harvey, Bramford We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church June 20: In memory of Bill Sparrow If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week.

Cleaning Rota: H and P Hart Flower Rota: July 8, wedding; July 22 and 29, V Mather Lectionary 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.

July 2 Gen. 22: 1-14

Trinity 3 Romans 6:12-end,

Green Matt. 10:40-end

July 9 Gen. 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Trinity 4 Romans 7:15-25a

Green Matt. 11:16-19, 25-30

July 16 Gen. 25: 19-34

Trinity 5 Romans 8: 1-11

Green Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23

July 23 Gen. 28:10-19a

Trinity 6 Romans 8:12-25

Green Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

July 27

Genesis 29:15-28

Trinity 7 Romans 8:26-39

Green Matt. 13:31-33, 44-52

In Touch online:

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