In Touch
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with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook
Volume 8 • Issue No. 3 • FEBRUARY 2018
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Horses in Pigeon Lane, Washbrook by Nigel Paul
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NEWS
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I simply can’t avoid writing about words and language this month as unusual words and phrases seem to be coming at me from all directions. I have just spent a week in Ireland where ‘press’ meaning ‘cupboard’ and ‘yoke’ meaning just about everything else, including people (as in “yer man with the féasóg is a right yoke”) are common parlance, but I’ve also just finished a book by Mike Smith from The Waterboys in which he writes about many of the Irish musicians and writers he has worked with. One is a poet from Co Galway called Tomas McKeown who had a habit of running his hand over his bald head and saying “once there used to be waves, now it’s all shore”. How lovely is that? On my desk I have a word calendar which I received from one of my lovely colleagues. It introduces a new word every day. Today it’s ‘palisade’, but my favourites so far have been ‘algid’ meaning cold and ‘wiseacre’ meaning one who pretends to knowledge or cleverness, otherwise known as a smart aleck. I think we all know a wiseacre or two! And just last night a wonderful clip about strange words the Irish use popped up on Facebook. ‘Haymes’ is one we all use to describe getting something wrong, as in ‘he made a haymes of it’, particularly used at hurling matches! Another I might use more frequently is ‘banjaxed’ meaning broken or in a bad way, as you might be after a ‘night on the lash’. ‘Me feiner’ literally translates as ‘me myself’. To be called a ‘me feiner’ is the ultimate insult, meaning you have no thought for anyone but yourself, commonly used to describe politicians in Ireland.
VILLAGE CAROL SINGERS Once more a good turnout of villagers, family and friends met up for the annual carol singing round the village. Luckily the weather had improved for us. It was great to have some children among the usual stalwarts. A welcome surprise was found at The Brook where we were treated to a warming drink that enabled us to resume our singing round the houses nearby. Finally, after three hours we were invited into David and Ruth Lincoln’s. I wish to thank all who supported us by singing, collecting, the very generous refreshments, and you all for contributing to the African Children’s Choir, the chosen charity for 2017, which amounted to £241.20. Muriel Pearsons
COPDOCK & WASHBROOK SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLANNING
I’ll leave you with a wonderful phrase I spotted on a poster at Dublin Airport: Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.
In Touch
with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook
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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The Meetings Begin In our last update, we said we would endeavour to meet Babergh’s Tom Barker (he addressed our Parish Consultation Meeting on November 2, 2017) and we duly made contact. However, things have changed somewhat. In speaking to Tom, Babergh’s Head of Economy, Planning and Sustainable Growth, he explained that meetings on this issue would now be directed to Robert Hobbs, ostensibly of Babergh District Council but actually employed by Ipswich Borough Council. In their 2016 Memorandum of Understanding with Babergh/Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal District Councils, Robert is Planning Policy Team Leader. For background information on Robert’s involvement visit: https://tinyurl.com/ycxyqo44 Yes, there is the advantage of a single overall focus point for development around Ipswich. However, concerns raised by Copdock & Washbrook parishioners at that November meeting over an ever closer envelopment by Ipswich, are now arguably reinforced. The meeting is planned for January 22 and we will have two group members and very encouragingly, two members of Copdock & Washbrook Parish Council who will join us for that meeting, planned for one hour. It will be a united front and given the scale of officialdom that we now face, it can only be viewed as very positive. Part of the discussion will include the Copdock and Washbrook Community’s 2016 Led Plan. The current strategic surrounding issues of road congestion and local services not being addressed will be raised. We will also emphasise the 152 local objections (with just 10 supporting votes) registered against the original Babergh Draft Development Plans. We have emailed Barry Gasper (barry.gasper@babergh.gov.uk), our only district councillor not compromised by an official planning position, to put our concerns to Babergh’s Planning Officers to ensure they take into account stated local opposition. We await a response to our email and in the meantime, feel it would be far more effective for all concerned parishioners to email him on issues that they wish Babergh to be made aware of. SCC Quarry at Brockley Woods Again, actively being pursued; at the time of writing we are trying to arrange an early February meeting with Matthew Hicks, SCC Cabinet member Waste and Minerals. More on that one next time. Colin Hinkins mail@colinhinkins.plus.com
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NEWS WE ARE LISTENING: HAVE YOUR SAY ON WHETHER TO CREATE A NEW COUNCIL
REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: FEBRUARY 2018
Babergh and Mid Suffolk residents have until Monday, February 5 to submit their comments on draft proposals to create a new council in the heart of Suffolk.
Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw
The engagement, which was launched on Monday, December 11, asks residents and businesses in both districts to comment on proposals to dissolve both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and form a new, single council to cover the area. Responses can be submitted online through a survey, directly via email to one.council@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk or in writing to the councils. All of the views submitted will help inform a detailed business case, which will be drafted and considered by councillors later in the year. Every response received will be anonymised and attached, in full, to the business case. An independent telephone survey of 4,000 residents is also being carried out by ComRes. This is a survey of a representative sample of residents in Babergh and Mid Suffolk by age, gender, geography, socio-economic grade and ethnicity. The anonymised results of this survey will be publicly available and will also inform the production of the business case. Councillor Nick Gowrley, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “We in Mid Suffolk have always worked hard to deliver the services our residents need, and with local government funding changing so radically over the coming years we need new and innovative ways to keep doing that. Our residents and businesses know best what support they need, and this is just the opportunity for them to tell us. With only three weeks left it’s time for everyone to take part.” Councillor John Ward, who became Leader of Babergh District Council in January 2018, said: “There has already been a lot of debate and publicity about these proposals, but much of that has focussed on whether there will be a local referendum. I have resolved that aspect by making clear my commitment to holding a local referendum once a business case is available for residents to consider. This current engagement offers the chance to have your say on the future of public services in our area and what is most important to you. How people respond to this engagement and what they say will shape the future of local government and I encourage everyone to take the time to let us know their thoughts over the next three weeks.” Additional information, including how to have your say online, is available at: www.babergh.gov.uk/the-council/onecouncil www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/the-council/onecouncil Anyone wishing to respond by post can send their responses to: One Council Engagement, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road Ipswich IP1 2BX
COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK ALLOTMENTS
Over indulged over the Christmas period? Fed up with being cooped up indoors watching dreary TV repeats? In need of some fresh air and light exercise? Why not take on an allotment? Fresh air, exercise and wonderfully healthy fruit and vegetables guaranteed. Copdock and Washbrook Allotment Group currently have a number of plots (full, three-quarter or half) for rent. Rates are very reasonable – currently £24 for a full plot. Tempted? Contact Anne Kell on 01473 730087.
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First of all, a Happy New Year. In December and January we debated the potential merger between Mid Suffolk and Babergh. I’m not going to give a blow-by-blow account. It was hard work and, at times, unpleasant. In December our leader Jennie Jenkins, faced with a motion to remove her as leader, resigned. The new leader, John Ward, stated in his pre-election address on January 4: “In respect of merger, I accept we must have a more formal public consultation than the telephone poll. I am mindful of the motion that was passed on December 19 and that the will of this council is to have a referendum. I will be committed to holding one once we have a full business case to present to residents. There will also be a final debate and vote by the full council. If the evidence is there, residents and councillors will vote for it; if it isn’t then it will fail.” That concession was what the combined opposition had been working for since October. The telephone poll and current consultation continue until February 5, but perhaps carry less weight. We are told that a merger cannot happen before 2019/20, but I’m aware that people change their minds. So, does it really matter? What’s it about? Who benefits? As ever it comes down to money. Imagine your boss comes to you and says: “Times are hard. We’re cutting your pay, but you’ll be able to make it up with the new bonus schemes.” This is essentially where we’ve been since 2011. The government have progressively cut support for councils to the point where we’ve lost more than 35% of our income. The bonus schemes are less generous than they appeared. This may seem familiar to some. New Homes Bonus, based on us granting lots of planning permissions (I’m sure you’ve noticed that) is now lower, and for less time. It also needs the developers to build. They don’t necessarily want to. Why flood the market? The land value has increased massively, for a paper profit. Deposits and mortgages are not easy to come by and they’re not doing the building. We’re going to get a bigger share of Business Rates. Here, in a pilot project, that’s as much as 100%. But there are some wrinkles in that too. In a rural area, business rates are not that much. We don’t really get 100% and we don’t set them anyway. Finally, we’re allowed to borrow money, not to build council houses, but to go into investment in the property market. As they say, what could go wrong? We can borrow cheaper than most, and get the rents on shopping centres, industrial property and the like. The difference in the return and the cost will generate a revenue stream. Maybe there will be a capital value increase in the long term. Does this carry any risk? Who foots the final bill? Have a guess. One example is a £60 million industrial complex project in Stowmarket, Mid Suffolk. They borrow that and wait for the income. The two councils have some significant differences in their finances. The merger proposals suggest these match up well. Babergh, for example, are estimated to have higher expectations in New Homes Bonus in the future (all those permissions). Those receipts could be very useful in servicing any interest payments on these property adventures. One final thought for today. Mid Suffolk is traditionally a very Conservative stronghold. Babergh elects a wider range of representatives and usually reflects more variety of thought. A combined council would be safe Conservative territory for a very long time. The Central Government policies that have seen us lose income, make hasty moves, give lots of planning permissions, worry about our services, lose staff, and pretend to be a business have all come from the same party. Who benefits? As ever, I can be contacted as below, and I’ll be out and about on that old blue Claud Butler pushbike. Alastair McCraw 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (a joint open group)
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NEWS COPWASH NEWS CHRISTMAS IN COPDOCK & WASHBROOK As usual St Peter’s church was packed for the three main Christmas events –the Nativity Play, the Carol Service and the Midnight Service and again, as usual, the church was most beautifully decorated by the volunteer flower arrangers – our thanks to them all. FEBRUARY FIRST WORLD WAR FALLEN This is a thankful month - no man from the North Samford Benefice fell in February 1918 – a matter of rejoicing one supposes in all the six villages. March will be far less happy COPDOCK & WASHBROOK STREET NAMES (a follow on) About a year ago the village recorder started to explain the background of the village street names – the first three were: The Avenue, Elm Lane and Copdock Church Lane. Now to three more recent roads. 1: PHEASANT RISE The naming of this is much more recent, but with an interesting story. When the top of Fincham’s Field between the A12, Mill Lane and The Street was sold for housing the developers didn’t seem to know the old name and decided to call it Pheasant Rise. The parish council raised no objection as it was well-known that a pair of pheasants was often seen there. However, the then District Councillor, Mrs Ruth Moore, decided the name was too similar to those on the Chantry estate and persuaded the district council to accept her alternative – Pleasant Hill. When this became known there was somewhat of an outcry – some of the future residents had already ordered their headed stationery and others wondered why and how a village decision could be overturned. An intrigued maverick member of the community contacted the developers who contacted the BBC and the press. Consequently the children at the village school were seen on camera saying they had put food out for the pheasants regularly and had named them Hengist and Horsa.
3: MARVENS This time when there was a development of land north of Chapel Lane, local historian and village recorder Richard Pipe (pictured here at the tree planting ceremony) was consulted. From his vast knowledge of the families of Copdock and Washbrook he suggested the name Marven. The Marvens were a moderately wealthy Copdock family who owned buildings and land in Copdock Street in the 18th century. In 1741 John Marven left “eight dwelling houses with adjacent buildings and land and a wheelwright’s shop, continuous or near one another, abutting on the common highway leading from Ipswich to London” (now The Street). Some of these cottages had been used to house the paupers of Copdock before the building of Tattingstone Workhouse in 1764. For more details of the Marven family look at Richard Pipe’s books on the parish history, now, thanks to George Nicholson, available to read on ‘Footpath’ section of the C/W website. COPDOCK & WASHBROOK 1856
While researching the street names in the village I came across an interesting map from the Ordnance Survey of 1856.
The district council climbed down under the pressure of publicity and the name Pheasant Rise was restored. Intrigued by the arcane mechanisms of parish and district councils the ‘maverick’ decided to get involved in local affairs and in time became chairman of Babergh from 1999 to 2001. He always puts his interesting stint in local government down to those two pheasants.
A SIGHT RARELY TO BE SEEN – TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN MILL LANE!
2: PEARSONS WAY This name was accepted far more easily as the development was on the plot of land off the Street that had been for many years the small holding of the Pearsons family who, of course, still live opposite.
HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoon will be on Thursday, February 8 and Wednesday, March 7 when we will be shut from 1pm. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999. Zero Tolerance The vast majority of our patients appreciate the fact that we endeavour to provide the best possible service to them. However, we have had an increased number of incidents lately where patients have been rude or verbally abusive to our staff and doctors either on the phone or in person. This is not acceptable. Patients who continually disregard our zero tolerance policy will be written to and de-registered if this behaviour continues. Receptionists / Care Navigators Receptionists across Suffolk are being trained as Care Navigators. They will make sure you get help from the right person at the right time – right away. To do this, at some point in the future, you will be asked why you are calling so that they can arrange the right care or support for you. They have been trained to keep information confidential and provide a safe service. It may
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be that instead of an appointment with the doctor, they provide you with information on services within our community that could help you or by giving you advice over the phone, all of which could save you a visit to the practice. Please be reassured that if you need to see a doctor, you will still be able to. Thank You Thank you for all the lovely chocolates, cakes and other goodies that were given to staff and doctors over the festive season. We are all very appreciative of this and it’s great to know that we are providing a good service. We always try our hardest to be the best we can and are grateful for your appreciation. We are also grateful for donations made to our surgery fund in 2017, which totalled just under £2,400. From this we have managed to purchase two patient chairs, some steps for the couches, two spirometers and four new blood pressure machines to loan out to patients. We have also paid for a number of the waiting room chairs to be recovered. Thank you to all who have contributed. Practice Manager Julia Smith
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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
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!
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NEWS DOCTORS SURGERY ROTA MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR Suffolk is chosen as one of only 10 pilot areas to retain 100% of business rates The amount of money allocated to each local authority in England for the next financial year was announced on January 4 by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid. As part of the announcement, Suffolk County Council has been named as one of the pilot areas for a new government scheme to retain 100% of business rates from council tax in 2018/19. In future, business rates will be an even greater income stream for all local authorities and this is an opportunity for Suffolk to influence how it will operate in a two-tier system. Until more information is released from the department for communities and Local Government it’s impossible to say exactly how much additional income this could generate into the Suffolk system. Fully funded first-time central heating systems for Suffolk residents Suffolk’s local authorities are now able to provide fully funded central heating systems (subject to survey and conditions) to 514 fuel poor households across Suffolk over the next three years. Around four million UK households are in fuel poverty, unable to affordably heat their home to the temperature needed to stay warm and healthy. As well as being on low incomes many of these households are also faced with the additional burden of relying on heating systems that are inefficient and expensive to run. The local authorities working together as the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership has been successful in securing funding from the first round of the Warm Homes Fund for a project worth £4.3million. The Suffolk project is being managed by the county council, administered by Suffolk Warm Homes Healthy People based at Suffolk Coastal District Council and supported with further funding from Babergh, Mid-Suffolk, Forest Heath and Waveney District Councils plus Ipswich and St Edmundsbury Borough Councils. Alongside the first-time heating system, households will also be able to benefit from new insulation measures to make the homes more energy efficient as well as grants from the Suffolk Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Appeal where eligible. The new £150m fund was established by National Grid using part of the proceeds from the sale of the company’s majority stake in its gas distribution business. It will fund the installation of affordable heating solutions in fuel poor households which don’t use mains gas as their primary source of heat. Regards and best wishes, Christopher Hudson
We apologise for the fact that this is temporarily suspended because we were advised that all our volunteers are obliged to take a DBS check. This is currently being done and we hope to resume normal service in the very near future. Chris Yule
BABBLINGS FROM THE BROOK A cosy and warm welcome awaits you at The Brook Inn during cold, dark February, whether it’s to enjoy a meal and a pint or to join us for some of our special offers and events. During the day we are offering two meals from our selected menu for £11, or two courses for the same price. On Monday evenings we will have our winter warmer deal – stews and hotpots at £9.50 which are also gluten free. For the trivia-minded we’ll be having our first Quiz Night of the year on Sunday, February 11 when local John Day will be posing the questions. Three days later and romance will be in the air with our special Valentine’s Day offer – a special three-course set menu for £22.50 with a free glass of fizz on arrival. If you like Indian cuisine and fancy a free tot of local rum to wash it down, come to our Curry Night on Thursday, February 22. As well as great curry choices, including the usual GF and vegetarian options, you’ll be able to taste some Pier Rum – a special reserve rum, sales of which are raising money for Shotley Pier renovation. If it goes down well you can buy a bottle on the night from pier fundraisers knowing that you’re doing your bit for a worthy local cause. Even if you don’t fancy eating on February 22 and are interested in some rum, come along anyway because the pier volunteers will be on hand for tastings and plenty of bottles to sell as well as information on the pier development. The curry is priced at £12 a head with bookings made directly to The Brook Inn. And finally, do join us for a coffee and chat at our Brook Coffee Mornings which are held fortnightly on a Wednesday between 10am and 11am. This month, they will take place on February 14 and 28. We supply the coffee and our volunteers provide tasty cakes with money raised for a nominated charity. In 2017 our coffee mornings raised more than £1,700 for local charities such as Bumblebees and The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding, as well as Diabetes UK and EACH. We would like to thank our lovely pub staff for giving this event their support. Do join us – see you at The Brook!
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE
FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY
Many thanks to everyone who supported the raffle held at Replay’s Christmas Party at Capel Village Hall on December 16. A total of £200, included a donation of £35, was raised which and this was passed on to the hospice. The tribute fund for my father Patrick Read now stands at £22,155 as at December 14, 2017, a fantastic amount that has been raised in his memory and has been used to help provide exceptional care to patients and their families for the past 21 years. Many thanks to everyone who has supported this worthwhile cause. Thanks also to everyone who has left stamps, foreign coins, etc. at my house or the doctors surgery.
First things first, it is my privilege to take over the chair from Chris Yule and I would like to take the opportunity of thanking Chris for all his hard work over the last few years.
Linda Morrison, Hospice Rep for Capel St Mary
SISTER ACT BY BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY Tuesday, February 13 to Saturday 17 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm A diva, a gang lord, a detective and a stage full of dancing nuns... After the recent success of Little Shop Of Horrors, here at BATS we’ve set ourselves another sensational challenge and we are excited to announce our next production is the musical spectacular Sister Act, a feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood. Already our cast are busy warming up their vocals and learning all their moves, while the construction crew and wardrobe team are busy beavering away behind the scenes. It’s definitely another exciting year and it’s going to be another fabulous feel-good evening for our audiences, so don’t forget to get your tickets. Tickets (adults £8 / children £6) are on sale from Bakes & Blossoms or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk branthamamateurtheatricalsociety
Now back to business, how are your New Year resolutions going? My guess is that you’ve given up some already. Well why not make a new one to visit the library at least once a month. Suffolk Libraries have bucked the national trend for closures, but we cannot take this for granted in these use it or lose it times. The library is a central hub for the community and is used by young and old alike and everyone in-between. It’s not just about books, but is also a place to meet and take part in regularly organised events, such as our successful cinema nights where the audience have recently enjoyed films such as Churchill and Dunkirk. Did you get a tablet PC for Christmas and are not sure what to do with it? Well why not book into one of our popular computer classes to learn how to make the most of it? While you’re making that resolution, why not become a member of the ‘Friends’ to help us continue improving facilities provided at the library? Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, our new reception area will have been installed and we will already be well underway with our plans for 2018. Lastly, we have vacancies for two new trustees, so if you can spare a couple of hours a month, why not join our dedicated team? If you are interested please contact us at the library. Trevor Stevenson
GUIDED WALKS WITH AFTERNOON TEA The series of Afternoon Tea Guided Walks arranged by Ipswich Tourist Guides continues throughout February. The walks, each with a special theme, explore a different aspect of Ipswich’s history and heritage and finish in one of the town’s independent tea rooms for a welcome cuppa and a piece of cake. The walks in February include: Wednesday 7: Happy Birthday Mr Dickens – exploring Ipswich’s connections with Charles Dickens Friday 16: Wolsey’s Angels – hear about Ipswich’s most famous son, Thomas Wolsey, his rise to power and fall from grace Thursday 22: William Leggett’s Legacy – explore the sites of bygone Ipswich painted by the acclaimed Ipswich-born artist Tickets cost £8 per person, which includes the refreshments, and may be purchased from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre (call 01473 258070 for more information or pick up a free leaflet) or at: www.ipswichregent.com
Enquiry Line: 07891 974844
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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY
NOTES FROM THE CASE
I have just seen some new snowdrops and winter aconites springing up from the ground. I think that spring is the best season of all because it shows new growth coming through after long hard winter months. My thoughts now turn to re-designing the garden and moving shrubs and bushes. The library has lots of books on garden design, allotment and garden planting ideas so if you too feel inspired then check out the catalogue to help you in your gardening needs. The catalogue can be accessed online (www.suffolklibraries.co.uk) using your library number and PIN code. You can then select a library of your choice to pick books up from. Don’t forget that you can return any Suffolk library books to anywhere in the county so if you have been to Felixstowe for the day you can return them to Capel. In many instances the book will then stay on Capel’s shelves for someone else to read and enjoy.
Suffolk’s first Co-operative Pub
CLUBS MEETING THIS MONTH Baby Bounce: Tuesdays 6, 20 and 27 at 2pm. No meeting during half term week (Tuesday 13). Do come along and join in with singing and action rhymes and have some fun with other children. Suitable for Under 5s, no charge. Minecraft: Sundays 11 and 25 from 10.30am-12.30pm. Under 8s to be accompanied by an adult. No charge. Library Book Group: Friday 16 at 2.30pm. Come along and share the latest book with the group and help choose the next read. Open to all adults who enjoy reading. Recent books read and comments shared are: Conclave by Robert Harris, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Beekeeper’s Daughter by Santa Montefiore. Everybody’s taste in books is different and we may not like some but really enjoy others. No charge. Capel Creators: This club meets on Saturday mornings from 10.30am12.30pm. You can come for the whole duration or just drop in. There is a charge of 50p which covers refreshments; creating can be thirsty work. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Dates for the coming year are: Feb 17, Mar 31, Apr 28, May 26, June 23, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 29, Oct 27, Nov 24 and Dec 22. Themes will be announced on the day but may include creatures, gardens and wearable Lego. Do come along and see what you can create.
FUN AND GAMES AT THE CASE! New for 2018 – Games Evenings: Saturday, February 10 Come and join a team to play some good old-fashioned board games with like-minded friends and neighbours and perhaps make new friends. Make an occasion of it by booking for a set meal at the special price of £6.50. Food served 6.30-7.30pm, games start at 8pm. If there’s enough demand, we plan to make this a regular mid-monthly event. See you there! Monthly Quiz: Saturday, February 24 Our monthly quizzes continue on Saturday, February 24. Curry served as usual from 6-8pm. If you’d like to guest-host a quiz, tell one of our bar volunteers or drop an email to Chris at cottage.garden@btinternet.com and we’ll put you on the rota. Open Mic Evening: Tuesday, February 6 The next Open Mic evening will be on Tuesday, February 6. All performers welcome – bring your instrument, PA provided. You’ll get a warm welcome! New Year, New Challenge Our community pub depends heavily on volunteers to keep it running. If you love the pub and want to see it continue to be successful, would you consider joining our team? You don’t have to pull pints (though that is the most popular job) – you could wait at table, wash up, clean, provide support in the kitchen… No experience is necessary: most of us had none when we started. Let someone behind the bar know or leave a note at the pub with your name and email address or phone number. We’d love to hear from you. And if you’re a shareholder (there are over 200 of you out there) you might consider joining the management committee and having a say in how the pub is run. 01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk
Libby, the One-Tap Reading App Thousands of eBooks and audiobooks for every reader. Borrow instantly for free on any device. Step 1: Download the Libby app Step 2: Find your library Step 3: Enter your library card and enjoy. Do you need help with your iPad, laptop or Android? Then make an appointment with Trevor on a Tuesday morning. He will give one-toone advice for one hour, free of charge. Pop into the library to make your appointment now. We also have iPads available for loan. Gentle reminder: please bring your library card with you on each visit. Thank you. OPENING TIMES Monday: closed Tuesday: 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Wednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday: 9.30am-12.30pm Friday: 2-5pm & 5.30-7.30pm Saturday: 9am-3pm Sunday: 10am-3pm Contact: 01473 311699
EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Table Top Sale at East Bergholt High School Sunday, February 25, 10am-noon Admission 50p Indoor ‘car boot’ sale, refreshments and free car park available For sellers: tables in advance £5 or £7.50 on the day Doors open 9am to set up Contact: 07802 810080
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OUT & ABOUT BENTLEY WI
TEA & COMPANY
Wood carving was the subject of our October meeting. Mrs Winter told us how after her family had finished university she became a mature art student learning wood carving. She brought some of her tools for us to look at and described how to use them. We admired the pieces of work she had brought with her and photos from some of her many commissions.
Monday, February 19 at Wenham View, Dove Close All welcome to come along from 2.30pm £1.50 for tea/coffee and homemade cakes Raffle
Our speaker for November was unable to come, so member Janice Lee stepped in with about 15 minutes notice. She gave a very interesting talk about her career as strategic lead, education and learning for the local authority.
IPSWICH mOBILE lIBRARY ROUTE 15 Route 15 MIP/15A MIP/15B MIP/15C MIP/15D MIP/15E MIP/15F MIP/15G
Town/village Washbrook Washbrook Washbrook Burstall Elmsett Whatfield Hintlesham
Location Pearson’s Way Brook Inn Car Park Fenn View Telephone Kiosk Rose and Crown Wheatfields Timperleys
Time 9.50-10.40 10.45-11.15 11.20-11.40 11.50-12.15 12.40-13.05 14.05-14.50 15.05-16.00
DATES: February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 12, October 10, November 7, December 5
COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK WI Our December speaker was entertainer Joyce Kimber. Joyce has a very entertaining programme of songs and stories which she has gathered during her long career on both stage and TV. She also undertook an opera course at the Royal Academy of Music in London leaving with a diploma in singing and teaching. She gave us an excellent rendering of songs from over the years with words on a large screen and we were all encouraged to join in. There were many seasonal anecdotes and finally we joined in a rendering of Twelve Days of Christmas, which was an excellent end to an enjoyable hour. There are many good reasons to join the WI. We enjoy a wide variety of interests and outings, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the campaigns supported by the WI, to learn new skills, improve existing skills or just come along to the meetings for companionship and interesting speakers. You can come to three meetings as a visitor to see what goes on before deciding if you would like to join. All visitors and new members will be warmly welcomed. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding August) at the village hall. Please arrive around 7.15 for a 7.30pm start.
or
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In December we enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Stutton Kings Head and a group carol service at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt, followed by light refreshments. Our speaker for December was Jane Sago who gave a demonstration of Christmas cooking, making puff pastry bites, little mince pie cakes, crisp bread crudités and two dips. We all enjoyed sampling her cooking at the end of the meeting. Come along to our open meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 7.30pm at Bentley Village Hall. Horry Parson will be giving a talk on building Bury Cathedral Tower.
CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club which meets on the first Monday of the month (except for bank holidays when it’s the following Monday). Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms. Monday, February 5: Assorted Paper Craft (Jill) Coming soon: a demonstration and talk by Louise Harwood Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available. Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534
BELSTEAD VILLAGE MONTHLY MARKETS Held in the village hall on the first Saturday of each month, staring on Saturday, April 7, 9am-noon. Tables are £10. If you can sew, make or crate and would like to hire a table please contact: market@belsteadvillage.co.uk / 07981 335859 Fundraising event for Belstead Village Hall.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS VILLAGE LINK CLUB
KNIT ‘N’ STITCH
At our January meeting, Colette Flude gave a talk on first aid in which she got us thinking about what to do if we found someone needing help. This starts with what to check for – consciousness, breathing, pulse, etc. – and how to get professional help. Most people knew the UK emergency number is 999, but few knew that the Europe wide 112 number also works in the UK. Colette then went on to demonstrate CPR and how to obtain and use the defibrillators being located in public access points should it be needed.
If you can sew, knit or crochet, come along to our new club. Bring your own project or get inspiration to start a new one.
The talk on February 14 in on the legendary TV programme Dad’s Army and will be followed by our annual members’ lunch at a local hostelry. Future talks: A History of Scarecrows, Pray Silence for ? and The History of Butley Priory. Meetings are held at 10am on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall. Following the speaker we have refreshments, when there is time for a chat with other members, and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
CAMEO In December Brian Mann joined us for our Christmas meeting and performed a set of well-known songs, mainly from the 50s and 60s, and requests. The weather was freezing, with snow and rain so only 14 of us managed to brave the conditions, but it was a lovely afternoon and Brian had all of us singing along and jigging around! The mulled wine warmed us a little too. The aim of Belstead CAMEO (Come and Meet Every One) is to provide an opportunity for residents to meet each other for tea, coffee, refreshments and chat on a drop-in basis. The club is notfor-profit and there is no charge, but a small donation towards refreshments is much appreciated. Non-residents are very welcome at a charge of £1. Belstead is a friendly village and we want to increase this community spirit, both on personal and business levels. We aim to promote all types of local interests and have noticeboards showing events, along with information on businesses and charities. You would be amazed at the wealth of talent and scope of business in our small village! It’s always good to know if somebody in the village has recommended the businesses whose cards and information we display. We meet at Belstead Village Hall on the second Monday of the month (excluding July and August) between 2.30 and 4.30pm and our next get-together is on February 12. Sandra Howard
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We will meet at Belstead Village Hall on Tuesday, March 6 from 1-3pm. Refreshments available. For more information contact Diane: 07981 335859
ROBIN’S NEWS Baby Bears We are very excited about all the new activities and adventures planned for this year. We are currently focusing on the winter season and exploring natural elements such as the ice and frost by touching and talking about the colours and textures. Our morning walks on the frosty field has given us lots of ‘listen to’ opportunities such as our feet crunching on the grass, the wind in the trees and birds tweeting. The warmth of indoors allows us to compare temperatures and we often enjoy warm water play, adding new and exciting objects into the water trays such as stones, shells and different sized boats to keep our imaginations and senses engaged. This month we have noticed the ever-growing interest in small world sets and role play such as shopkeepers. We encourage the Baby Bears to be active with this type of play to encourage speech and relationship building skills. During all activities and tasks, we often ask stimulating questions such as “how does this feel?” or “can you smell this?”. Doing this encourages the Baby Bears to think a little more about what they are doing Toddling Tigers Tigers have been using their senses to explore the wonder of paint through sight, smell and touch. Each day a new element has been added to paint, for example printing using stickle bricks, Lego and play dough cutters, colour mixing using fingertips or hands. Adding a few drops of lemon, orange or mint essence to the paint really makes it come alive! How high can you jump? The Tigers have had a bouncing good time on our new mini indoor trampoline. Using their maths skills and counting, the Tigers have been putting their turn taking skills to work, not to mention exercising their brain development through body coordination and movement control. Gruffalos The Gruffalos started the New Year with a new topic, Healthy Me. They decided that being healthy means ‘eating broccoli’. We have tasted different fruits and even used fruits to paint with. We have made vegetable soup and tasted our delicious cooking; it was yummy! We have explored other ways to keep us healthy such as cleaning our teeth, washing our hands and exercising. We have also been very observant spotting birds in the garden as a part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. If you would like information about Robin’s Childcare please contact us on 01473 310767, visit www.robinschildcare.co.uk or follow us on Twitter/Facebook.
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SCHOOLS
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Hard to believe we are nearly half way through the first half of spring term. The children have been enjoying their time again with lots of crafts and managing to get outside to play as well, even if they have been wrapped up well to do it! As we are now open throughout each of the school holidays we will have the option to take children up to five years old for additional sessions during these weeks, subject to availability. The next bookings are for February half term (Monday 12 to Friday 16) and the Easter Holidays (Tuesday 3 to Monday, April 16 inclusive). Please contact the administration assistant for more details. Don’t forget that from September 2017 the government are introducing 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 per week) 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 your 30 hour code (given once registered) to use and your National Insurance Number. Once we have checked these details you can book sessions (subject to availability) for the following term. If you would like an application form or any further information please contact administration assistant Lisa Read: Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ / 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk
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BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS 2018 is set to be another exciting year for the federation of Bentley and Copdock Primary Schools, with a host of activities planned including a trip to London where a number of our older pupils will be performing in this year’s Voice in a Million event, singing live at the O2 Arena. We are ever so thrilled that we were able to secure places at this huge occasion and are already practicing the songs ready for the big day in March. Keep an eye on the website for reports and photos. We’d like to say a massive thank you to all those families at each of our schools as well as friends and local community members who came along to our Christmas Fayres; overall, between the two schools, a grand total of just under £2,000 was raised. Thank you all so much. Last term the children had a fab fun day focussing on the sport of lacrosse. Following on from the success and enjoyment of that day, Key Stage 2 children are taking part in a lacrosse club after school. Who knows, we may even find the next lacrosse champion! Parents from both schools will be taking part in a free grammar workshop, helping to explain how grammar is taught across the federation and how children can be supported at home. The English Leader, Mrs Robinson, will be holding the workshop and we look forward to welcoming lots of parents, carers and other family members to the event. Just to whet your appetite: What’s the difference between a cat and a comma? One has claws at the end of its paws and the other is a pause and the end of a clause. At Bentley, some of the children have been learning to play the ukulele, drums or guitar. At the end of the term we were treated to performances both at school and other occasions and local events. We are so impressed with how far the children have come in their playing and look forward to more performances soon. At Copdock the children are busily fundraising for a new additional learning space. Each child is being given some money to ‘grow’ as part of an enterprise scheme to help with the project. We are looking forward to seeing what innovative business plans the children come up with – watch this space! If you have any questions about the schools or are a prospective parent and would like to arrange a time to visit, please do get in touch. Bentley: 01473 310253 / admin@bentley.suffolk.sch.uk Copdock: 01473 730337 / admin@copdock.suffolk.sch.uk
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SPORTS TATTINGSTONE CARPET BOWL CLUB
EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
January wasn’t too clever a month for us. Me and my mouth, cackling on about how we had charged our batteries with loads of dining out. Well did that backfire! Our first game in the new month and I was telling Bealings to be on their toes! They were in fact on their toes, as they whooped us 2-8 on our own carpets. Ouch! We also had a re-arranged game with Polstead BC. They too came to our venue and took us apart, us losing 2-8 again. Another ouch! But hey ho, we finished off the month with a visit from Shotley and wham bang thank you mam we won 10-0. That win might take us off the bottom of the league. I did say might!
December was very much an up and down month for the First Team. They started positively with victory over Westerfield, the third win on the bounce. There was also a five goal success over Felixstowe Harpers, but that was sandwiched between two five goal reversals at Cranes and Henley and the team completed 2017 with a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of near neighbours Capel.
Tony Coward
BELSTEAD CARPET BOWLS CLUB We finished the year with a home game against Nayland and after some good bowling we finished with a 10-0 win which meant that the first half of the season had gone very well for us. However, it was to be a very different story in the New Year as a visit to Barking found several players off their game and we were well beaten 10-0. This result was a big disappointment, but to play a club of their ability you need everyone on top form. If the result of the Barking game was bad the following week at Claydon was a disaster; apart from one game which we lost by one shot on the last end we came home well beaten again by a 10-0 margin.
CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB Many years ago the club held an annual married against single game at the playing field on Boxing Day morning before retiring to the Plough Pub for some much needed refreshments where we were looked after by Ivor and Jill and a good time was had by all. We now play a charity game on Christmas Eve and this year a game took place between a Capel Plough 11 and a team from the Darius Laws Institute from Colchester. £150 was raised which will be put towards the cost of some new goalposts for the under seven team we are going to start. The football rattle that my uncle in Manchester used to take to Old Trafford in the 1950s made an appearance at the game on Christmas Eve. It went down well with the players, but not with First Team manager Nathan Burrell’s hound dog which jumped about five feet in the air every time the rattle was used! Nathan told me that his dog had just about settled down when the fireworks started going off on New Year’s Eve! These rattles were banned by the Football Association in the early 1960s after a few spectators forgot to duck and got hit on the head with them. Three league wins out of four for our Saturday First Team in December saw the side move up to fourth in the Senior Division, four points behind the leaders with two games in hand. A 3-1 win at Grundisburgh with goals from Daniel Alderson, Harry Parkes and a Sean Gunn penalty was followed by a 4-2 defeat against Coplestonians with Shaun Webb scoring both goals. The team then beat Leiston St Margarets 4-2 thanks to goals from Dan Alderson, Shaun Webb, Ant Jackson and a penalty from Kieran Lawler, before a crowd of over 120 spectators watched the lads win the local derby at East Bergholt by 3-2 with goals from Daniel Alderson, Nick Middlebrook and Shaun Webb on December 30.
However, 2018 started well. The Green Boys were pitched against the favourites for the League title in the eyes of many, Achilles, in Round 3 of the Bob Coleman Cup. An easy home victory was predicted, but the team put in a very gutsy performance to edge an exciting, end to end, game 4-3 after extra time. They will play Sporting 87 in Round 4. The Reserves were also a little inconsistent with one win and two draws, with one of the draws having an amazing 7-7 scoreline. The A Team improved their results rather, recording one victory and two draws. UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team / Senior Division Sat, Jan 27: Sporting 87 Bob Coleman Cup R4 (H) Sat Feb 3: Grundisburgh (H) Sat, Feb 24: Haughley Utd (H) Sat, Mar 3: AFC Hoxne (A) Reserves / League A Sat, Jan 27: Ipswich Athletic Res (A) Sat, Feb 10: Framlingham Town Res (A) Sat, Feb 17: Sporting 87 Res (H) Sat, Feb 24: AFC Hoxne Res (A) A Team / League B Sat, Jan 27: Wickham Market Res (H) Sat, Feb 10: Cedars Park Res (H) Sat, Feb 24: Claydon Res (H) Sat, Mar 3: Stowupland Falcons (H) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm, please refer to the fixtures website and chose the appropriate competition: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Race Night: This will now be held towards the end of February. Again this is an open event, please email for details. We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners and boards on matchdays are all potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime. Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
Please check the SIL website for our next home games. The Reserves beat Ufford 5-1 with goals from Matt Noble, Jake Debenham and a hat trick from Alex Parry before losing 3-1 against Ransome Sports with Daniel Hudson-Smith our scorer. Oliver Blew played well in midfield while Oliver Miller did well in defence. Finally, our Sunday side beat Amboed United 7-0 with goals from Adam Moore, Bill Boosey, Oliver Miller, Stirling Mayes and a hat trick from Kaium Abdul. Next month should include a report from our Veteran side who had a couple of games called off in December. Bob The Ploughman
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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook, and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116 Friends, You were not expecting, in February, to read a piece which is chiefly about Christmas. My excuse is that the lessons, like the meaning, of Christmas are for every day. It was decided that, in Sproughton, we would run the Posada. Posada – Spanish for ‘lodging place’ or ‘inn’– is an old tradition in which young people dressed as Mary and Joseph travel from house to house asking for a room for the night in the days leading up to Christmas. In countries such as Mexico and Guatemala it was generally a nine-day event imagining the couple looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem. In recent years, the tradition has come to Britain, and often become an Advent-long tour, re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Here, knitted woollen figures of Joseph, Mary and a donkey would be taken, each day of Advent, from one ‘posada’ to another around the village, arriving at church on Christmas Eve in time for the afternoon Nativity Service. We just needed to find 23 households willing to host the figures for a night. There was also quite a bit of knitting to do as somewhere along the line a promise was made that every host would be given a little knitted sheep as a memento. Mary, Joseph and the donkey thus visited 22 households and Sproughton School, appeared in the Community Shop, attended a children’s party at the Wild Man, and duly ended their journey in church. They carried with them a notebook, in which hosts were invited – but not obliged – to write any comments, reflections, thoughts that had come to their minds, or been offered by others, in the course of Mary and Joseph’s visit. Most did. Some added photographs and drawings. People found that this little group were ‘a joy to have in our home’, providing ‘an oasis of calm’ and ‘a beacon of hope’, a reminder of ‘how precious each child is’. Keeping ‘a peaceful watch’, they spoke silently of ‘innocence, trust, simplicity and love’, provoking ‘contemplation’, ‘wonder’, ‘expectation, hope and joy’ and much thought, and inspiring ‘gratitude for our blessings’, and ‘a reminder of others’ needs’. All this, remarked one person, seemed ‘quite an achievement considering that these are knitted figures!’ Ah, but perhaps it has something to do with whom they represent. Mary and Joseph were ordinary people, but unexpectedly, God chose to enter their home and make it His, though only with their obedient welcome. He came into the ordinary, to transform it. He still does. Welcoming God into your home, or into your life, does not necessarily make for an easy time, but it does mean that peace, hope, joy, wonder, love, gratitude and so on become normal. You may have to wait another 10 months to take part in Posada, but you don’t have to wait at all to welcome the Son of God into heart and home. “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee”. Tony Wilcox North Samford Churches Baby and Toddler Group Monday morning in term time at Sproughton Church Hall, 9.30-11.30am. Toys, interactive story, songs, drinks and healthy snack. Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers welcome with a parent, grandparent or carer. Suggested donation £2 per family. Leader: The Rev Annette Shannon, 01473 807674 Lent Soup Lunches: February 15 is the first of six lunches on Thursdays at Sproughton Church Hall at noon Women’s World Day of Prayer: Burstall Church on Friday, March 2, 7pm
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CHURCH NEWS FROM THE REGISTERS
SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE
Funerals Arthur Reason, Tattingstone
FEBRUARY 4 8am Copdock Holy Communion 9.30am Burstall Holy Communion 10am Bentley Family Service 10am Copdock Morning Prayer 10am Tattingstone Holy Communion 11am Sproughton Holy Communion
FEBRUARY 1 Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am 3 Copdock Morning Market, 10am Benefice Wedding Preparation Day, Bentley Village Hall, 10am 4 Bentley Candlemas 7 Joint PCC meeting at Sproughton School, 7.30pm Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Mothers Prayers 10 Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am 12 Bentley PCC and Adoption of Accounts Comfort Corner, Sproughton Church Hall, 1.30pm 14 Bentley Mothers Prayers 15 First of Six Lent Soup Lunches on Thursdays at noon, Sproughton Church Hall 17 Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm 20 Copdock PCC and Adoption of Accounts, 7.30pm 21 Burstall PCC and Adoption of Accounts Copdock Home Communions, 10am Burstall Lent Course, 2.30pm Bentley Lent Course, 7.30pm 24 Burstall Coffee Morning and Cake Sale, 10am 28 Burstall Lent Course, 2.30pm Bentley Lent Course, 7.30pm Bentley Mothers Prayers Tattingstone PCC meeting MARCH 1 2 3 7 10 13 14 18 20 21 24 28
Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Burstall Women’s World Day of Prayer, 7pm Copdock Morning Market, 10am Burstall Lent Course, 2.30pm Bentley Lent Course, 7.30pm Bentley Mothers Prayers Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am Ministry Meeting Sproughton Church Hall, noon Burstall Lent Course, 2.30pm Bentley Lent Course, 7.30pm Bentley Mothers Prayers Bentley Approval of Accounts Belstead APCM Burstall Lent Course, 2.30pm Bentley Lent Course, 7.30pm Bentley Mothers Prayers Tattingstone PCC Copdock Home Communions, 10am Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm Bentley Mothers Prayers
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FEBRUARY 11 9.30am 9.30am 10am 10am 6pm
Sproughton Burstall Copdock Bentley Tattingstone
Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evensong
FEBRUARY 14 7.30pm
Ash Wednesday Tattingstone
Holy Communion
FEBRUARY 18 9.30am Burstall Holy Communion 10am Copdock Simply Sunday 10am Bentley Family Service 11am Sproughton Holy Communion 6am Tattingstone Holy Communion FEBRUARY 25 8am 9.30am 10am 10am 10am 3pm 11am
Sproughton Burstall Bentley Copdock Belstead Tattingstone Sproughton
Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Celebration Family & Friends Family & Friends
MARCH 2 7pm
Friday Burstall
Women’s World Day of Prayer
MARCH 4 8am Copdock Holy Communion 9.30am Burstall Holy Communion 10am Bentley Family Service 10am Copdock Morning Prayer 10am Tattingstone Holy Communion 11am Sproughton Holy Communion MARCH 1 9.30am 9.30am 10am 10am 6pm
Sproughton Burstall Copdock Bentley Tattingstone
Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evensong
Please submit church letters and copy for the March edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by February 4: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com
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CHURCH NEWS CAPEL & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES MISTAKES Have you ever made a mistake? I think we must all answer yes! Have you ever tried to cover up a mistake and pretend it never happened, or at least that it wasn’t you? Again many of us may say yes. At the age of nine, while on school library duty, I randomly used the library rubber stamp all over one of the library registers. My form teacher asked the class who had done it. No one else had seen me, so I kept quiet. The whole class was assigned an after school detention. Late in the day I owned up and was marched off to the headmaster’s office. I was aware of my teacher’s sadness that it had taken me so long to own up – I had let him down. Standing outside my headteacher’s office waiting for him to deal with me, I had time to reflect. It had taken the threat of punishing innocent others to get me to admit my mistake. How I regretted not owning up sooner. I see now that it was my conscience that at last prompted me not to allow 30 other children to suffer a punishment for my mistake. I don’t remember whether I had much of a punishment, but I knew the relief of admitting my mistake. I suspect the headteacher and teacher recognised the embarrassment and humiliation of a late confession was enough and that I did have a conscience. Conscience is that inner sense that tells us whether what we are doing, or plan to do, is right or wrong. Conscience is something inside that bothers you when nothing outside does. A guilty conscience never thinks itself safe. To have a good conscience is to know serenity and that you are living up to your own standards. Yet our consciences can be ignored, and if repeatedly ignored, it can remain silent during the most evil acts, and can even be so distorted that it justifies them. King David (a great king of Israel 3,000 years ago) lusted after a married woman, committed adultery and then had her husband murdered in battle. As King, he thought he could get away with it, but a prophet challenged him, his conscience was re-awakened and David describes the feeling of shame, embarrassment and failure to live to his standards. When he admitted his mistake, his sin, when he stopped trying to hide his guilt, he felt a huge burden lifted. God forgave and removed the guilt (he still had to live with the consequences of his sin). He knew God was doing an amazing thing in his life and he asked God to create in him a pure heart, for his relationship with God to be restored and his conscience sustained so he wouldn’t repeat the mistakes. (The story is found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12 and Psalms 32 and 51)
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It is still tempting sometimes to try to brush mistakes under the carpet and not acknowledge them. David’s and my experience speak of the transformation and freedom we enjoy when we admit our wrongdoing. The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Brantham & Capel Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 FEBRUARY SERVICES AT CAPEL METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the minister for details Sunday 4 Sunday 11 Sunday 18 Sunday 25
10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm
Worship with Rev Pauline Bailey Prayer Worship with Mr Eddie Vass Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with Mr Glyn Jones Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey United Prayer Time at Methodist
AT HOLBROOK METHODIST (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Tea and Chat (HCT): Mondays, 2.30-4pm Home Groups: First and third Tuesdays at 7.30pm and Thursdays at 2pm (ring for venue) Saturday 3 10-11.30am Coffee Morning Sunday 4 10am Communion with Rev Michael Allen Sunday 11 10am Worship with Mr Roger Fern Sunday 18 10am Family Friendly Worship and Baptism with Rev Sankey 6.30pm Musical Evening with Male Voice Choir Friday 23 3.30pm Messy Church (HCT) Sunday 25 10am Worship with Mr Paul Howes 6.30pm First session of the Lent course I, Daniel Blake Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in November. For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live (HCT) contact Alicia Holmes: ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478
The next Messy Church is on Saturday, February 24, 3.30-5.30pm, at Capel St Mary Methodist Church. Messy Church is a way of being church particularly suited to families of all ages. We have an hour of craft activities with a Bible theme, games and challenging activities, followed by a short celebration including songs, drama, DVD clips and an interactive story. We then finish with a meal together. Messy Church takes place in more than 30 countries worldwide. There are more than 2,000 running in the UK. To find out more about Messy Church visit: www.messychurch.org.uk Who can come? All age families, but kids you must bring at least one adult. If you haven’t been before, talk to someone who has and I’m sure they’ll tell you it’s great fun and you must come. No need to book, just turn up. Hope to see lots of you there. For more information please contact Maggie Boswell: 01473 310766 / Maggie3@btinternet.com Sue France: 01473 310034 / sue.france4@btinternet.com
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