In touch news with ebergholt – december 2017

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with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary Volume 5 • Issue No. 3 • DECEMBER 2017

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NEWS

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR It has been a rather hectic month. I think the much overused term ‘rollercoaster ride’ might apply! My ability to cope when emotions are raw and tensions are high has been well and truly tested. I’m an organiser. I tend to dive in, determined to fix the problem, whatever it may be, by facing up to it. This often works, but when the problem is beyond fixing or not within my ability to fix I struggle to cope. Nobody likes to feel powerless, but there are times when we are all forced to place our trust in others whether we want to or not. How others respond can make this more or less tolerable, but don’t ever underestimate the power of a kind word or a smile.

The ability to make others feel at ease is often referred to as ‘good bedside manner’, but in everyday life isn’t it just ‘being nice’? The festive season can be a time of great happiness, as I hope it is for you this year, but it’s also often stressful, frequently lonely and almost always exhausting. ‘Being nice’ may not change things significantly, but surely it can’t hurt. A smile when a weary shop assistant asks if you need a bag, stepping aside to make way for a buggy, holding a door open, ‘sincerely’ asking someone how they are and actually waiting for an answer, all simple acts which can turn a lousy day around.

I’m no angel. I have grumpy days, days when I feel much sorrier for myself than I possibly could for anyone else, days when even my own son knows not to mess with me, but I’ve seen first-hand the astonishing effect a genuine act of kindness can have in even the most challenging circumstance and that’s who I want to be. I want to be the person who makes others feel better. Can I do it 365 days of the year? Possibly not, but I’m going to try and it starts now.

Christmas is a lovely time for most of us and those of us who are in a good place this year can make it better for those who are less fortunate. Whether it’s a smile, a donation to a food bank, carol singing for charity, volunteering, visiting an elderly neighbour, taking someone out for coffee and a mince pie… simple acts, extraordinary effects.

Happy Christmas from everyone at Mansion House Publishing and, in the words of Aunt Lucy in Paddington 2, remember “If you’re kind and polite, everything will come right”.

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with Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary

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

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

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

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JANUARY DEADLINE

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A GOLDEN CELEBRATION FOR DEDHAM ARTS GROUP The beautiful interior of Dedham Parish Church provided a splendid setting for Dedham Arts Group’s 50th Anniversary Exhibition held in the last week of October in support of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). From the official opening by the group’s chair, Angella Horner FRSA (pictured), to the presentation of prizes by the guest of honour, Lady Ruggles-Brise DL, on the last day, there was a steady stream of visitors and a very special atmosphere. The whole exhibition was enhanced by the lovely floral displays with a golden theme provided by Helen Sims and her team of florists, each a work of art in themselves.

There was praise for the organisation of the exhibition and the diversity and high standard of artwork on view. Visitors were able to vote for their favourite painting from among those on display by Dedham Arts Group. The winner was Helen Morgans with her delightful painting entitled Sharing a Secret (pictured). Runners-up were Jan Corder with On the Water in second place and Pam Rees with The Path to the Beach in third. Helen received a prize and a magnificent trophy presented by Lady Ruggles-Brise.

During the exhibition, representatives from EACH were able to explain the work their charity does to support children with life threatening conditions and their families, at home, in hospital and at their three hospices in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The kindness and generosity displayed by visitors to the exhibition resulted in £2,500 being raised for EACH through the sale of artwork and tickets for the prize draw.

Dedham Arts Group is very grateful for the tremendous support they have received from all involved, including representatives of the church, Dedham Primary School and individuals and businesses in Dedham and the surrounding area, all of whom contributed so much to the success of the event. Indeed business was flourishing throughout the week in Dedham as a result of the crowds drawn to the exhibition.

With a rapidly growing membership, the future looks bright for the group, to be re-named Dedham Art Society from January 2018. For those interested, further information can be found at: www.dedhamartgroup.com The new website for Dedham Art Society is already up and running in preparation for the exciting changeover and can be found at: www.dedhamartsociety.co.uk

CHURCH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WORKER Part time – Dedham Parish, Essex We’re looking for a special person to help us reach out to the children and families in our parish. There’s great potential with a welcoming primary school and good support but not much yet in place so it’s a great opportunity if you like starting from scratch!

Salary: £8,500 for 14 hours each week.

For more information or an informal conversation please contact Rev Antony Wilson: antonywilson39@gmail.com / 01206 323919 www.dedham-and-ardleigh-parishes.org.uk

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NEWS DEDHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday, December 2, Dedham High Street, 3-6pm Christmas stalls, food, drink and a spectacular raffle

VOTES FOR SHELLEY CENTRE TO RECEIVE £25,000 FROM FREEMASONS The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding is to receive a £25,000 Community Award from the Freemasons following an unprecedented public vote.

The charity was one of six to be nominated by Freemasons in Suffolk, with local people voting to decide the level of their award. They were part of 178,801 people who voted across England and Wales.

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Annual Flu Clinics This year we held four flu clinics and generally this was a successful approach.

We were helped by members of the Patient Participation Group and had as many clinicians as possible available to vaccinate patients. Thank you to all patients who attended on one of the four days. These clinics are the most efficient way of vaccinating a large number of patients and the new arrangements enable us to keep the queues to a minimum.

At the time of writing we have vaccinated 2,389 adults and 261 children against flu, 141 adults against pneumonia and 233 adults against shingles.

We are also in the process of visiting all housebound patients to ensure they are vaccinated. This year is forecast to be a bad year for flu so if you have yet to be vaccinated, and have received a letter confirming you are eligible, please contact the surgery to arrange a vaccination with one of our nurses or health care assistant.

Over the four clinics we also collected for Inspire, a local charity supporting disadvantages children. We raised an incredible £1,044. On behalf of Inspire, thank you for your generosity. For more information about Inspire visit: www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk

The Community Awards are a major part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary celebrations. The Masonic Charitable Foundation is distributing three million pounds to 300 charities across the country, with the public vote deciding on the range of awards from £4,000 to £25,000.

Jan Derbyshire, chairman of The Shelley Centre said: “The grant of £25,000 which we have been awarded following the public vote is hugely important and we would like to express our heartfelt and grateful thanks to everybody who took the trouble to vote for us. This is an amazing amount of money which will make such a difference to our charity and enable the centre to get several much-needed maintenance projects underway so that we can continue to benefit the health of wellbeing of adults and children with disabilities through riding therapies. We are also very grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation for this opportunity and their generosity.”

The Masonic Charitable Foundation obtains all of its funding from Freemasons, their families and friends. It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of over £33m goes to charities that help people in communities across the country.

Neville Warnes, Provincial Grand Charity Steward in the Province of Suffolk said: “We are delighted so many people voted in Suffolk. The Shelley Centre was one of six charities nominated by local Freemasons and I know they will use their £25,000 grant to continue with their outstanding work.”

Syria Collections Dr Ayache is retiring at the end of December and has worked with charities since the conflict began to help Syrian refugees. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to take in donations of clothing and bedding. However, Dr Ayache would like to extend his sincere gratitude to all patients who have made a donation over the last few years. Your generosity has made a real difference.

Training days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday February 8. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGE? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOLUNTARY ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY? Why not train to become a Community First Responder in East Bergholt?

Full training given By East of England Ambulance Service (Qualification also covers First Aid at Work) East Bergholt Coordinator Carol Moss 01206 298483 / carol-moss@uwclub.net

SURGERY ROTA We continue to provide this service for those who are unable to get to the surgery for appointments. There is a steady demand, indeed one week we carried out six calls. If you need to use the service do ask the receptionist when making your appointment.

We also welcome new volunteers to the scheme to join a team of about 20, but it goes without saying that more volunteers means less frequent call outs!

For details contact Chris on 01473 310992.

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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES, MID-SAMFORD WARD: NOVEMBER 2017 BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR SUE CARPENDALE Relocation to Endeavour House (EH) Further negotiations with staff are said to have progressed so that by mid-November all those affected by the closure of offices in Hadleigh and Needham Market should have moved into Endeavour House.

The drop-in centre at Sudbury Town Hall is up and running. All future council meetings are now to be held in Ipswich, i.e. out-of-district.

Merger and opposition ‘call-in’ at Babergh The simultaneous cabinet meeting, the source of much recent controversy, was held at EH on October 13 when they voted on the options for exploring Babergh and Mid Suffolk’s future relationship. They resolved: to provisionally endorse the approach of formally dissolving the two district councils and create a new, larger, district council; to jointly conduct stakeholder, public and staff engagement during autumn 2017; and subject to the outcome of that to draft a business case for the dissolution of BMSDCs and the creation of a new single district council.

By any measure, this has to be considered a key decision, and as such should have been flagged up in Cabinet’s Forward Decision Plan, and therefore subject to pre-scrutiny. In fact, it was bounced onto the agenda without prior notice. Despite cabinet’s arguments about the word ‘provisionally’, and the phrase ‘endorse the approach’ – which they claimed did not amount to a decision – Babergh opposition members

signed a call-in notice to the monitoring officer requesting that scrutiny committee cross-examine both the leader and the signatories of the callin. This was not about the pros or cons of a merger per se, but about the lack of transparent, constitutional process. Added to which, there was no intention to hold a further residents’ poll to see if the former 60/40 against opinion had changed.

Opposition parties also argued that only the merger option was being considered for consultation, which does constitute a decision, and that in the absence of a business case, the basis of the consultation could not be sound. In the 2011 referendum there were three substantial documents produced which set out the implications of a merger, with detailed financial analysis. The two administrations want to bring the dissolution and new council into effect at the 2019 election (after which there would have to be another boundary review.) Councillors at Mid Suffolk asked the CEO if they could call-in the decision and were told “no”. They were very annoyed to discover that Babergh’s request had been allowed while theirs had been refused.

Scrutiny committee resolved to ask cabinet to reconsider and to allow a debate to be held at full council. The next cabinet was scheduled for November 9. sue.carpendale@babergh.gov.uk

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR FENELLA SWAN Babergh Cabinet met on October 13 to debate merging with Mid Suffolk District Council to create one new larger district council. The councils and the financial climate have changed considerably since the 2011 referendum on merging and it is felt that it is time to look at the proposal again. The budget has been scrutinised and cut as much as possible and there is a case for delivering savings and retaining services by merging into one council. The cabinet voted to conduct a stakeholder, public and staff engagement including a telephone poll of 2,000 residents. Subject to the outcome of this public engagement a draft business case for the dissolution of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and the creation of a new single district council for the area could be considered by each council.

This cabinet decision was then called-in to Babergh’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee and, after considerable questioning and debate, it resolved that the decision should be referred back to cabinet for reconsideration with additional information to include a more detailed financial case and further information about the telephone poll. They also requested that cabinet refer the decision to a meeting of the full council for debate before cabinet makes its final decision.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme Babergh District Council has launched a consultation on changes to their Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which could see some working age people on low incomes pay just 5% of their bill. The changes also aim to make provision for the introduction of Universal Credit and align the current

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scheme with the Housing Benefit scheme which Babergh operate.

To take part in the consultation visit: www.babergh.gov.uk/council-tax/ council-tax-reduction-scheme-have-your-say The consultation runs from Tuesday, October 31 to November 27.

The current Council Tax Reduction Scheme – which replaced Council Tax Benefit in 2013 – includes a maximum discount of 91.5% for the least well off residents, requiring just 8.5% of the bill to be paid.

Over the last four years there have been a number of changes to Housing Benefit legislation, resulting in some residents seeing their circumstances being treated differently in application for support with Council Tax compared to Housing Benefit. The upcoming introduction of Universal Credit will also significantly change how residents receive financial support.

In light of this Babergh has unveiled proposals to change their Council Tax Reduction Scheme to reduce the burden of administration of the separate schemes, treat customers circumstances the same for Housing Benefit and CTR, support customers in receipt of Universal Credit and continue to support those customers most in need.

Following the consultation a report will be produced and submitted to Babergh’s Full Council Meeting in December, proposing the final changes come into effect on 1 April 2018. fenella.swan@babergh.gov.uk

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Babergh District Council

Babergh District Council

Waste and Recycling

Waste and Recycling Collection Calendar 2018

Christmas & New Year Bin Collection Schedule 2017-2018

Collection Calendar 2018 December 2017 Mo

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Please ensure your bins are presented by 6.30am on the day of collection

Refuse

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Usual Collection

Monday 25th December Tuesday 26th December Wednesday 27th December Thursday 28th December Friday 29th December Monday 1st January Tuesday 2nd January Wednesday 3rd January Thursday 4th January Friday 5th January Monday 8th January Tuesday 9th January Wednesday 10th January Thursday 11th January Friday 12th January

Revised Collection

Wednesday 27th December Thursday 28th December Friday 29th December Saturday 30th December Tuesday 2nd January Wednesday 3rd January Thursday 4th January Friday 5th January Saturday 6th January Monday 8th January Tuesday 9th January Wednesday 10th January Thursday 11th January Friday 12th January Saturday 13th January

Change 2 days later 2 days later 2 days later 2 days later 4 days later 2 days later 2 days later 2 days later 2 days later 3 days later 1 day later 1 day later 1 day later 1 day later 1 day later

There will be no brown bin collections over Christmas and New Year (between 25th December and 5th January) Please check www.babergh.gov.uk for further details From Monday 15th January normal waste and recycling collections resume.

Waste Helpline: 01449 778678

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Recycling collected this week Rubbish collected this week For Christmas and New Year weeks (25th Dec-13th Jan) Please refer to the Christmas & New Year schedule Bank Holiday Week - Everyone’s collection will be a day later all week. For Christmas and New Year weeks, please refer to the Christmas Schedule.

Visit Recycle Now

www.recyclenow.com to find your nearest recycling banks

Waste Helpline: 01449 778678

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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES: DODNASH WARD – NOVEMBER 2017 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON By now the council will have debated the issue of the proposed ‘merger’ of Babergh with Mid Suffolk District Councils. This council debate was forced upon the administration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Unfortunately, by playing with words and interpretations of the council’s constitution it is not a ‘decision’, just comments that will be considered by the executive in cabinet later!

True democracy in action! By the time the electorate have a real chance to comment on the proposals, I don’t consider a screwed (not a misprint) set of questions put to 2,000 individuals over the telephone by telemarketers as real consultation when there are 84,000 in Babergh, it will be both too late and subsequently voting out the individuals who made the decision will not change anything.

Remember there are likely to be fewer councillors next time thanks to the Boundary Commission review.

The move to Ipswich is due to be completed by the end of November.

Already councillors are finding the slow and congested journey to Endeavour House a bind, one hour to do nine miles, and the public have even more disincentives to attend meetings due to parking charges and the congestion. Once again ‘true democracy’ in action!

The costs are just creeping into the public and councillors’ domain, with already £10,000 increase in staff expenses and with still no real idea of what will happen to the old buildings. Not a really strong basis for ‘financial savings’, perhaps just a way to bail out the county council who appear to have unlimited amounts of space for various organisations. Selling the old offices will provide a capital receipt which can be pilfered to support the expensive council costs, whereas staying put would always have retained a valuable and increasing in value asset.

Perhaps we should watch what is happening in Catalonia and see if we can pick up a few tips. Whitehall seems to have its own set of problems and little real idea of how to address them.

Planning still seems to be a problem, with a large turnover of staff and a number of vacancies, and then the Joint Draft Local Plan... well there is an exercise in wastepaper! Localism as intended by parliament, well it’s not in use anywhere locally. Builders are sitting on thousands of permissions, apparently waiting for prices to rise, and slamming in applications while the policies are misapplied. Just look at the profits declared by the big builders to the Stock Exchange. Persimmon did have the honesty to say that the large proportion of their marginal increase on last year’s sales was due to the government’s Help to Buy scheme. Ask what you like, the government will help and company profits will go up. The latest business policy. In the meantime the green and pleasant land we all love is rapidly being concreted over and the infrastructure, roads, rail, health, education brought to its knees. No one seems to have any idea where the jobs are! Perhaps the intention is to create the ‘Suffolk Retirement Village’, but will the health infrastructure stand the strain? According to process, the NHS when consulted, request monies for new medical space, but no medical staff to utilise it. That’s another story!

CHRISTMAS AT THE CASE – SUFFOLK’S FIRST CO-OPERATIVE PUB Seasonal Opening We very much hope to open every day over the holiday, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (see below), but this will depend on the availability of our wonderful volunteers, so please be understanding if we can’t be there to welcome you on every day.

A Traditional Christmas Lunch This will be on offer on December 3, 10 and 17 as an alternative to our popular Sunday meal. If you’re booking (and booking is vital) please say if you would like this. We regret we’re unable to cater for large groups, and if there are more than eight in your party, we will ask you to pre-order so we can give you the best possible service.

Open Mic Night Who knew there was so much talent in our community? We look forward to seeing you on the first Tuesday in the month as usual, December 5, from 8pm. The first Open Mic Night of 2018 will be on January 2. Newcomers especially welcome – PA system provided.

Carol Singing This has become a tradition at the pub, and this year is no exception. Come and raise your voices in the old favourites, lubricated by a glass of mulled wine on December 17 from 4pm.

Quiz and Curry Night The last quiz of 2017 will be on December 30, starting at 9pm. The first quiz of 2018 will be on January 27. If you’d like to host a quiz, speak to a member of the committee or leave a note behind the bar, you’ll be very welcome. Please note that the menu on quiz nights is a choice of two curries – the normal menu is not available for these occasions.

New Year’s Day The Case will be open on January 1 and will be serving bar meals so if you’ve been for a bracing walk on New Year’s Day, why not pop in and get warm.

Finally, a word of thanks…

Firstly to our customers and members, old and new. Without your support the Case wouldn’t be the thriving heart of the community that it has become.

As one satisfied customer wrote: “Keep the pub going! Love it, and it will continue.”

Secondly, we are so grateful to our staff and amazing band of volunteers. The pub wouldn’t have a chance without you and your unstinting efforts. For you, the festive season will be a time of hard work and commitment to make sure everyone has a good time.

A very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year to us all.

01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk

This is not really designed to spoil your Christmas, just to keep you informed. The council will not! On a separate subject, have you picked your favourite Christmas TV ad? A fortune is spent on them and it now appears to be a competition to see which one is the most popular.

My personal favourite is the M&S one with Paddington Bear. Perhaps it’s cheating a bit with the release of the latest film, but entertaining, informative and with a real Christmas message.

Have a Happy Christmas and a healthy and contented new year.

Councillor John Hinton john.hinton@babergh.gov.uk / 01206 298309

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT ARDLEIGH SURGERY As I write this article the run up to Christmas has well and truly begun. I have eaten my first mince pie (November 8) and already the Christmas ads are on the TV. In general practice Christmas coincides with one of the busiest times – with many colds, flu, viruses and tummy bugs circulating within the community. This is particularly unfortunate as it is a time when everyone wants to feel well – it is miserable to be ill when everyone else is enjoying themselves. There are a few simple steps you can take to do your best to remain fit and well.

• Make sure you have enough medication for the bank holiday period.

• Check that you have stocked your medicine cupboard with over the counter medication such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and indigestion medicine such as Gaviscon.

• Try not to sit around eating and drinking all the time – tempting though it is.

Use some of the time to take some walks in the fresh air. We are fortunate to live surrounded by some beautiful and easily accessible countryside.

• Take advantage of all the vaccinations available – we are coming to the end

of the flu vaccination period, but there are also pneumonia and shingles jabs available to eligible patients – please check with the surgery.

• Be particularly aware of good hygiene – keeping surfaces in the kitchen clean, cooking meat thoroughly and keeping cooked and uncooked food separately. Hand washing is always important, as it the proper disposal of used tissues!

Remember that although the surgery is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, dialling 111 will connect you to the out-of-hours service, from whom you can get advice. They can also arrange appointments at the out-of-hours centre. Accident and Emergency Departments at Ipswich and Colchester will also be open, but please use these only for emergencies.

Although you may have run out of time to lose weight or get fitter before Christmas, if you choose to make any of these things your New Year’s resolutions we can help you to achieve these goals including stopping smoking.

We wish you a new Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Practice Manager Stephanie Durrant

EAST BERGHOLT CINEMA Friday, December 1: La La Land (12A) Wednesday, December 20: Beauty and the Beast (PG13) Directed by Bill Condon, 2017 Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a live action re-telling of the animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs.

A love letter to the golden age of Hollywood and winner of multiple Oscars this year, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star in this smash-hit musical romance. The Oscar winning homage to the Hollywood musical comes to East Bergholt.

Starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

Friday, January 5, 2018: Dunkirk (12A)

Wednesday, January 17: My Cousin Rachel Directed by Roger Michell, 2017 A dark romance about a young Englishman who plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.

A wartime drama about the allied evacuation from northern France in 1940. A brilliant cast includes Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Styles and Tom Hardy. The Guardian has described it as “utterly immersive” while in The Telegraph it’s described as “heart hammering and heroically British” and in The Independent as “intensely dramatic and moving”. Don’t take their word for it – come and see it for yourself.

Assembly Rooms, Dedham, tickets £4, admission from 7pm, films begin at 7.30pm. Refreshments available before screenings and in the interval. Tickets from Shakespeare House Gallery or: www.dedhamfilms.co.uk

Tickets £4, £2 for 18 years and under. Available from the Fountain House Tea Room East Bergholt, phone 01206 299774 or on the door.

Contact: dedhamfilms@gmail.com

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All films in the Constable Hall on Gandish Road start at 8pm. Doors open at 7.30pm. Bar and refreshments available.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY Coming soon: 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 February production will be the musical spectacular Sister Act, a feelgood 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.

The production runs from Tuesday 13 to Saturday, February 17. Tickets (adults £8 / children £6) are on sale from December 1 from Bakes & Blossoms or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/branthamamateurtheatricalsociety

FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY Firstly, a big thank you to all those who took part in, and helped lay out and provide food for our quiz in October. Thanks too to all those who provided prizes for what turned out to be a monumental raffle! It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Secondly, a clarification, in our November report we mentioned that County Councillor Gordon Jones was unable to be at the book scheme presentation.

In fact he was unavoidably delayed, but did arrive before the end of the presentation.

Thirdly, a reminder that our film in December will be Hampstead, a Romance starring Diane Keaton in which an American widow finds love with a squatter on Hampstead Heath.

Our Hundred Club draw winners for October were Sue Carpendale £20, Alan Watts £10, Steve Lodge £10 and Sandra Bumphrey £5. In November the winners were Sarah Wilson £20, K Weston £10, Alan Butters £10 and Ann Hawes £5. Since November is a bonus month the November bonus winners were Hannah Clifford £20 and J W Row £20.

We also give notice of the annual general meeting of the Friends on Saturday, January 27 at 4pm in the library. We will have a vacancy for a new trustee, and there will be some minor changes to be made to the constitution to reflect the move to annual membership.

Enquiry line: 07891 974844

CONSTABLE SINGERS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME Friday, December 1: Charity event at Capel Bypass Nurseries, 5.15pm Saturday, December 9: East Bergholt, Congregational Church, 7pm Thursday, December 21: Hare and Hounds, East Bergholt, 7pm We will also be singing at Days Road, Capel on November 24 and Brantham Leisure Club on December 14, and at a charity event at Constable Hall on December 3.

Our concert in aid of MIND on October 28 was a great success. We raised approximately £600. Thank you to those who supported the event and to Fountain House Tea Room, Oranges and Lemons Cafe and Shop, Hare and Hounds Pub, Carriers Pub, Bypass Nurseries, Hearts Delight, Tesco and The Co-op for donating raffle prizes.

We rehearse each Thursday at Lambe School, East Bergholt and on the second Thursday of the month at The Congregational Church, East Bergholt at 7pm. No audition, no need to read music, words provided and the first session is free. Just come along and enjoy. For more details to join the choir, contact Mel (01206 298628) or Yvonne (01206 298428).

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, December 9, 9am-12.30pm.

Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which make ideal presents. Enjoy carol singing while you get inspired for that last minute Christmas present.

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

They helped us remember Dad at Christmas It’s the little things that count Here for you every hour of every day

01206 809761

for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY December sees cold days and early dark nights and the best way to spend them is to curl up with a good book by one of your favourite authors. Keep up to date with new releases by visiting www.suffolklibraries. co.uk and order and pick up at the nearest library of your choice. Don’t forget that you can also download an e-book to your computer, and download music too. If you would like something different to tax your brain then we have a good selection of jigsaw puzzles that you can borrow.

Please note that the library will be closed at the following times over Christmas: from 12.30pm on Christmas Eve and all day on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 27 and Monday, January 1.

CLUBS MEETING THIS MONTH Capel Library Book Group: Friday, December 15 at 2.30pm. Do come along and join in our little group and chat with the members about the latest book.

Open to all.

Baby Bounce: Meets Tuesdays, December 5 and 12 and then breaks up for Christmas. We will start again on January 9. Starts at 2pm and is open to all children under five with their parents/carers or grannies (and grandpas too).

Capel Creators: Meets on Saturday, December 23 at 10.30am. Come and create to the theme or your choice, 50p per child and includes a drink and a biscuit.

Minecraft Club: Sorry, but there will be no club during December. Re-starts on Sunday, January 14.

The staff wish all of our borrowers and users of library services a very Happy Christmas.

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

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Ted Wheatley presented Overland to India on November 1 and Dennis and Ann Kell presented Wildlife in the Falklands on November 15. Both presentations were much appreciated by our members.

On December 6 Paul Oliver presents his popular Christmas quiz and at the final meeting of the year on December 20 Barbara Faulkner will tell us about The Man in Red. We don’t have a speaker meeting in January, but instead have our New Year Lunch for members, their spouses and Probus widows. This will take place on Wednesday, January 17 at The Haywain, Bentley Road, Little Bromley CO11 2PL. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

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JANET DRAKE LAUNCHES MIND BODY MOMENT TO TEACH YOGALATESTM From Monday, December 4, Mind Body Moment will teach YogalatesTM in a course like structure, starting with a one-to-one assessment followed by an introductory course (six 90-minute classes – max six clients). On completion the client can join any of the general sessions (four 90-minute classes – max 10 clients).

Louise Solomon developed YogalatesTM over 20 years ago It is the original award winning exercise method integrating Pilates and Yoga, creating a system that develops core stability and strength, while enhancing stamina, flexibility and balance, and brings relaxation and wellbeing to mind and body, all with particular attention to safety, for all body types, during practice.

Janet Drake, the owner of Mind Body Moment, is ballet trained from eight years old, attending Elmhurst Ballet School between the ages 1118. After a short stint on the professional stage “life got in the way” of her dance teaching ambition until her 50s, when she started FunDancing (her dance fitness business).

Despite life’s detour, Janet attended many forms of daily fitness including Aerobics, Step, Body Pump, Yoga and Pilates. More recently, Janet wanted to discover more about Yoga and Pilates and how to safely improve strength, core stability and all the other good things that these two disciplines provide.

This is how she found YogalatesTM. A year of continual study including an intensive two-week practicum, Janet completed the Solomon YogalatesTM Method Teachers Training (September 2017) at 60.

“The safety of YogalatesTM, the constant discovery about my mind and body as I work through the vast array of exercises, poses, meditations and breathing techniques, is giving me a stronger, leaner and healthier body and mind. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with others” For more information, class bookings and prepayments please visit www.mindbodymoment.co.uk or contact Janet at: 07506 350455 / janet@mindbodymoment.co.uk

STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, November 8, event organiser Eve Regelous, who worked closely with Harrods, gave a behind the scenes glimpse of day-to-day life in this world famous company, including its history.

We don’t have a speaker meeting in December, but have our popular Christmas lunch at Constable Hall on Wednesday, December 6. This is always a popular event and so early booking is advised On Wednesday, January 10, we will be entertained by Ancestral Voices who will take us back to the festive season under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I using words, music and images, including instruments from the period. Many of today’s carols and Christmas traditions originate from the Medieval and Tudor eras. You will hear carols as you may have never heard them before!

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted.

We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December.

It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.

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SPORTS HALL

FOOTBALL

Available to hire for: • Badminton • Tennis • Basketball

• Football • Cricket • Birthday Parties

3G Pitch - 40 x 60 metres Available to Hire for 5-a-side, 7-a-side and juniors

ROLLER SKATING £3

FRIDAYS 7-8pm

GROUP FITNESS CLASSES BODYTONE Monday 6.00pm

H. I. I. T Friday 6.15pm

CIRCUITS Wednesday 7.30pm

BOOTCAMP Saturday 9.00am

TRIM IN THE GYM Thursday 10.00am Book Now by calling us today on 01206 299340 www.ssleisure.co.uk



...Leading the way to active living

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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OUT & ABOUT MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

ROTARY CLUB MANNINGTREE STOUR VALLEY

Our open Colour Competition in late October was very well supported and judged in a helpfully positive way by Roger Winter. Among over 60 entries, 11 achieved top marks, and it was pleasing to see that new members Colin Crittenden and Ann and John Laverock had all submitted winning entries.

Among the regular top guns Ian Parker deserves a mention for gaining honours with all three of his pictures.

The Magic of Christmas Music Talented youngsters from local primary schools come together to perform Christmas carols and songs on Wednesday, December 6 at 1.45pm and again at 7pm in Mistley Parish Church.

In a memorable November evening we were pleased to again welcome distinguished local photographer Roger Hance.

Roger took us through his varied portfolio featuring, landscape, wildlife, portrait and action photography. With characteristic modesty he explained how it was all done using state of the art equipment and editing techniques.

Mayflower Cross Country Run and Walk 2018 Manningtree Rotary is delighted to announce the date for the 2018 Mayflower Cross Country Run and Walk. It will be on Sunday, May 27.

Registration is now open at: www.eventrac.co.uk/listed-races/mayflower

Admission by (free) ticket only, collection for local charities. For details please contact: 01206 395263

The route follows the beautiful Essex Way from Harwich to Manningtree through 13 miles of lovely Essex countryside. For walkers wanting a shorter route there is an alternative finish at Wrabness. Rotary organiser David Willis said: “The option of the run was added for the first time this year, and the runners loved it, so it is back by popular demand. We hope last year’s runners will bring all their friends.”

The Harness Maker shown here is an example of the mastery of digital technique that Roger has achieved. Five exposures are combined seamlessly to deal with this difficult lighting situation, yet still capture the authenticity and vivid detail as seen by visitors to the Blists Hill Victorian heritage site near Telford in Shropshire. A full portfolio can be seen at: www.rogerhancefrps.com

The photograph shows last year’s start at the Harwich Low Lighthouse.

FUTURE MEETINGS November 30: Weather to Photograph and What by Anne Miles FRPS December 14: Christmas Social Evening January 11: A colourful return visit by Barbie and Russell Lindsay

The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, December 12 at the Red Lion, South Street, Manningtree.

Some supplementary training evenings are also being held, enabling members, particularly those new to digital photography, to discuss and learn about photo techniques and skills.

We meet twice monthly on Thursday evenings until May 2018 at 7.30pm at the St John’s Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. New members are welcome to join (subscription £40) or may attend initially as a visitor (£3).

Please contact Margaret, our secretary, for details: 01206 396958 / madps@post.com www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk

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The Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley is a friendly club of men and women who meet every Thursday night at The Crown Hotel, Manningtree.

Our members work together to support local and international charities and do hands-on local projects while enjoying the fellowship of friends in the club. We also enjoy social events throughout the Rotary year. If you wish to know more about the club, please contact David Willis: 01473 310076

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP All those interested in poetry are invited to attend either to listen to the spoken word or to read poetry themselves. Some people will be reading their own poetry and some will choose to read the work of other poets.

There is no admission charge.

To keep up-to-date with the group, please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk

FOLK AT STRATFORD ST MARY East Anglian based duo, Silbury Hill, will be bringing their lively blend of folk rock music to the Black Horse Pub, Stratford St Mary on Friday, December 8.

Silbury Hill play a mix of songs by popular artists – from Sting and Crowded House, to Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull – as well as original songs from their own recordings and CDs. The concert starts at 8.30pm and entry is free.

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN December in the Garden

It’s always a bit sad to see the final leaves falling from the trees at this time of year, but looking on the positive side, it does make it easier to spot and identify the birds.

Why not place a bird book near your window, ready to look up any unusual visitors to your garden? Blackcaps and gold crests, for example, are more frequently found in gardens and at feeders than they used to be, and as they dart around it’s not always easy to see them clearly NIgel Blake (rspb-images.com) enough to hold the memory while we to go away and look them up. Taking a quick photo makes identification even easier. It doesn’t have to be worthy of an award, just a quick snap will often be enough to provide the detail for you to match with a picture in a book or online. The RSPB website (www.rspb.org.uk) has an excellent bird identifier tool that allows you to narrow down your search according to specific features.

BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS November has been a busy month of activities in school with parents coming in to share learning, open evenings for next year’s intake, singing and sporting events. The children have posed beautifully for their school photos – some of them for the first time, and some for their last time with us.

Our Under 7s had a football tournament earlier in November which was the first time they had represented their schools at a sporting event. They all did really well and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Some were even scouted by local football clubs!

One of our most popular garden birds, the robin, can be easily identified by sight by most people. But it’s also easy to pick out by sound at this time of year. Male robins are already marking out their territories for next breeding season and they stake their claims by singing out loudly and strongly. They’re loath to share their patch and can often be seen challenging rivals by standing tall, raising their heads to fully show off their red breasts and physically driving them away.

If you don’t already have one, now would be a good time to set up a feeding station in your garden. The birds will really appreciate your help, especially as the weather turns colder. Feeders need to be cleaned regularly to help to prevent the spread of diseases and a source of clean drinking water will also be useful. The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch will come round again towards the end of January, and by then you could have an established clientele to report on when you spend your hour watching and counting.

The last of our Green Christmas Weekends, to coincide with the National Trust’s Victorian Christmas events, is over December 2 and 3 from 10.30am to 3.30pm each day. So if you read this before then, do come along and join us. Our family activities will include preparing for a ‘Green Christmas’ with simple decorations and seasonal bird feeders, and our amazing volunteers will be running a craft and cake stall – very popular last year! We’ll also be toasting marshmallows and we’re hopeful that the green Mother Christmas will be calling in too, so why not have a relaxing visit to beautiful Flatford and come and join us? For full details of activities and future events visit: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford RSPB Visitor Experience Officer Sharon Barker

VILLAGE LINK CLUB Roger Fern presented a talk entitled A Year as Mayor of Ipswich at our November meeting. In this he showed some photos of the ceremonial articles the council owns and uses at mayoral functions. There are two maces, one of which precedes the mayor into the council chamber at council meetings and lays on the table before him/her throughout. There is also the mayor’s chain of office which is worn at all official functions. This contains a casting of the Ipswich coat of arms among other symbols and is quite heavy. Roger also showed photos of some of the events he has attended as mayor.

Christmas messages and carols will be presented by two of our club members on December 13. There will also be a small Christmas buffet in lieu of biscuits with our coffee. Please bring a small plate of food to share. Instead of our usual raffle please also bring a small wrapped gift as a tombola item.

The main raffle this month will be a hamper with hopefully one or two secondary prizes.

Future talks: First Aid and AED The Legendary Dad’s Army, 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.

Not to be outdone, pupils from Years 5 and 6 across the federation took part in a Tag Rugby competition at St Joseph’s School. We are particularly proud of the teamwork and support the children demonstrated towards each other.

Bentley pupils enjoyed a spooktacular Hallowe’en disco with a great deal of help from our fabulous parents who stayed to help out. Three of the mums even did face painting.

Pupils from Copdock laid crosses with names of the fallen at the new village memorial as part of our Remembrance Service. The whole of Bentley School walked to the War Memorial in Bentley and, joined by members of the British Legion, held a service there to commemorate those who fought to keep our country free.

We’ve had dress down days to raise money for BBC Children in Need and to kick start our Christmas festivities with decoration making. Some of the KS2 children have been working hard in the Christmas Cake Club and are nearing their masterpiece completion.

The children are now preparing songs and learning scripts for their Christmas productions which will soon be upon us.

We currently have two small, friendly cockerels at Bentley School in need of good homes. They are well handled (they have no choice having been picked up by children every day of their lives) and gentle natured and are free to good homes. They are a small breed with beautiful feathery feet. If you think you could give one of our lovely chooks a place to call their own, please call the school on 01473 310253.

For more news and up-to-date information about the schools, please visit: www.copdock.suffolk.sch.uk

Roger Felgate, 01473 311684

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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SPORT EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB ROBIN’S CHILDCARE The First Team had a much better month, unbeaten in the League with the only defeat a narrow one on penalties in the Suffolk Senior Cup at Bramford.

They ended the month with a victory over reigning champions Henley Athletic which should lift spirits considerably.

The Reserves got their show back on the road in October with three victories in four to take them up to fourth in the League A and back in contention.

The A Team have found life difficult and picked up only one point in the month as they search for a successful formula.

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team: Senior Division Sat, Nov 25: Ransomes Sports (A) Sat, Dec 2: Westerfield Utd (H) Sat, Dec 9: Crane Sports (A) Sat, Dec 16: Felixstowe Harpers Utd (H) Sat, Dec 23: Henley Athletic (A) Sat, Dec 30: Capel Plough (H) Sat. Jan 6: Bob Coleman Cup R3 Reserves: League A Sat, Nov 25: Old Newton Res (H) Sat, Dec 9: Achilles Res (H) Sat, Dec 16: Bramford Utd Res (A) Sat, Dec 23: Henley Athletic Res (H) Sat, Dec 30: Wenhaston Utd Res (A) A Team: League B Sat, Dec 2: Haughley Utd Res (A) Sat, Dec 9: Coplestonians A (A) Sat, Dec 16: Trimley Athletic Res (A) Sat, Dec 23: Cedar Park Res (H) Sat, Dec 30: Benhall St Mary Res (A) Fixtures subject to change. Please refer to the fixtures website and chose the appropriate competition to confirm.

Race Night: This will now be held in January. Details will be in the January edition.

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 or 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

MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB October 100 Club Winners 1: Paul Hutton (18) £105 2: John Manning (57) £50 3: Neil Grover (80) The ground has been ‘put to bed’, a key piece of work which is vital to maintain the quality of the playing surface.

Coming Up: End of season function New players are always welcome, please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com Mistley CC is a community club with strong traditions. Please come along and give us a look sometime.

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Baby Bears We have been exploring how different materials and textures such as toothbrushes, cotton buds and cardboard tubes can create varying patterns in paint. We made some amazing firework patterns using these methods. The Bears have been learning new rhymes for World Nursery Rhyme Week and have created lovely artwork based around each rhyme. Creating lots of artwork and displaying it around our room often sparks up conversations between the children and adults, helping to develop their communication and observational skills.

Toddling Tigers It’s been busy here with the Toddling Tigers looking at Halloween, Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day. We used our senses to explore pumpkins, using our hands and feet to feel and remove the insides and our sense of smell. We have had an exciting time using lots of glitter to create wonderful firework pictures and a variety of materials to help stick the glitter including coloured glue, paint on dish brushes and shower puffs. Our Remembrance Day crafts included making paper plate poppies, using our scissor skills to cut out and stick a selection of poppies and making red playdough to shape and create our own poppies. Our fabulous artwork is proudly displayed around our room.

Gruffalos November has been a very busy month in the Gruffalo room, starting with bonfire celebrations and finishing with rehearsals for our annual nativity play. In between the children have been celebrating World Nursery Rhyme Week. During this week we learnt a new nursery rhyme each day and joined in with different activities based around each rhyme. As well as a couple of favourites (Wind the Bobbin Up and Hickory Dickory Dock) we learnt Bobby Shafto, Lavender’s Blue and Old King Cole. It was lovely to hear the children singing the new rhymes they had learnt. Now it’s on to Christmas…

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.

CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB The club is running 15 sides, including 11 youth teams, this season, making it one of the largest in South Suffolk. Games featuring girls and boys are played at the playing field on Saturday and Sunday mornings under the watchful eyes of our qualified coaches.

Suffolk County FA run courses for coaches which include first aid training and issue what is known as a Level 1 Certificate for those who pass as well as a Children’s Welfare Certificate. All our coaches seem to enjoy teaching the youngsters.

At the other end of the scale is our Veteran side which features players over 35 years old. They recently beat Stowupland 7-0 with goals from John Chinnery (3), Matt Chinnery (2), Chris Stewart, and a 30-yard special from midfield dynamo Ross Dorward. December 10 sees them play Whitton United at home in the league cup.

Our Sunday morning team drew 3-3 with the Fat Cat Public House in the league cup, going out on penalties with the club’s oldest player, David Cubbins, now in his middle fifties, still showing the younger members how to do it, Meanwhile our Saturday Reserves lost 4-1 to Kesgrave Kestrels with Alex Parry getting our goal.

Our Saturday First Team have now been in the Senior Division of the Suffolk and Ipswich League for 20 years and won three games in October to move up to sixth in the league table. They beat Ransome Sports 4-1 with Nick Middlebrook scoring twice, Bramford United 2-1 thanks to a last minute winner from leading scorer Stephen Morrison and Haughley United 1-0 with Daniel Alderson getting the goal. Home games in December are Coplestonians on December 9 and Leiston St Margaret’s on December 23.

Finally, a Happy Christmas to all our players, officials and supporters. Some people like new clothes or maybe some chocolates for Christmas, but I like to be different as I hope to have a replacement hip fitted by then which will be a great relief.

Bob The Ploughman

In Touch online:

Full, part-time and sessional care for children aged 3 months to 11 years.

Forest School Te l e p h o n e : 01473 310767

Ofsted Registered

info@robinschildcare.co.uk www.robinschildcare.co.uk The Street, Capel St Mary Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2JE

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

Grant Funding 2, 3 and 4 year

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®

The Shop Shop Road Little Bromley Manningtree CO11 2PZ

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Open to the public Mon - Fri 8.30 - 4.15 01206 396167 www.harlequin-uk.com

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS EAST BERGHOLT BOWLS CLUB The carpet bowls team have had a tough baptism back in the Winter League 2nd Division with four defeats in four matches. The only points have come from the two home matches, but with more practice sessions now underway, better results are soon forthcoming we hope.

In the Drawn Pairs club competition held recently, the winners were Linda Bestow and Vic Saunders, who defeated Peter Dent and Robbie Goodchild in the final.

The annual Snooker Club v Bowls Club challenge was held in early November with games of snooker, pool and cribbage being played.

This year’s winners were the Snooker Club. Fifty pounds was raised and donated to East Bergholt Heartwatch.

Melvyn Powell melpowell46@gmail.com

ST HELENA HOSPICE CHRISTMAS TREE-CYCLE 2018 If you are planning to buy a real Christmas tree this year, but you’re unsure what to do with it when it’s time to take the decorations down, St Helena Hospice can help.

Working in partnership with Colchester Borough Council, the hospice, which supports local people living with life-limiting illness, is again offering a recycling service for supporters with real Christmas trees.

On Saturday, January 6 a team of volunteers will collect trees from homes in postcode areas CO1 to CO9. This year the scheme will also include CO13, thanks to support from Parkers Garden Company, Frinton.

Christmas Tree-Cycle is a practical way for local people to help the hospice continue to provide support to families and patients. The hospice welcomes a suggested donation of £7.50 per tree.

Sarah Wilson, Corporate Relationships Manager at St Helena Hospice, said: “We’re really pleased to have the support from Colchester Borough Council again this year to provide the collection. We are also thankful to Parkers Garden Company in Frinton for supporting the collection in the CO13 area.

The help from Parkers means we are able to collect in a wider area offering the service to more of our supporters. Last year we raised an incredible £12,000 and we hope to raise even more this year. The collection relies solely on volunteers and van owners to support the collection itself.”

To register for the collection please visit www.sthelenahospice.org.uk/ treecollect18 or call the fundraising team on 01206 931468. Anyone able to provide a van, or help with collecting trees on January 6 should use the same number or email: swilson@sthelenahospice.org.uk

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HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR DECEMBER 2017 Sunday 3: 1st Sunday of Advent 9am Mass Tuesday 5 9.30am Morning Prayer 10a Mass Sunday 10: 2nd Sunday of Advent 9am

Mass Tuesday 12 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 17: 3rd Sunday of Advent 9am Mass Tuesday 19 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 24: 4th Sunday of Advent 9am Mass 5.30pm Mass at St Mark’s, Ipswich 8pm Mass at Holy Family Monday 25: Christmas Day 9am Holy Family 11am St Mark’s, Ipswich Tuesday 26 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door.

Events & Diary Date The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday, November 26 when three lucky winners shared a record £150. The next draw takes place on Sunday, December 17. The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds to decorate the church and all are very welcome to join us. The next coffee morning is on Thursday, December 28.

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In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn 01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com

examine their lives in the light of Scripture and prepare for the coming of the King. He has to come quickly or we won’t be ready to eat our Easter eggs!

www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk

A birthday gift one year enabled us to go to a posh hotel and spend one night.

It was the beginning of November and the dining room was swaying to the sound of Christmas carols. I pitied the staff who would surely crack after the 522nd time of hearing Jingle Bells. This enforced jollity can grate. What if you don’t feel like celebrating? What if you won’t be with lots of jovial family around a laden table? What if the chair opposite you is empty this year?

What if your debts are such that your turkey is a tin of baked beans from the foodbank? What if you struggle to smile at all because the pain in your legs is all consuming? What is Christmas then if not an irrelevance?

Thursday, November 30 9.30am Discover Advent in the Church East Bergholt Sunday, December 3: Advent 8am BCP Communion East Bergholt 10am Benefice Communion and blessing of Stephne van der Toorn’s Anniversary East Bergholt 4pm Family@Church East Bergholt Monday 4 10.30am BYE Nativity Rehearsal

Brantham

Tuesday 5 11am Young Wives Advent Carols

East Bergholt

Thursday 7 9am Christingle at EBPS 10am EBYE Nativity

East Bergholt East Bergholt

Friday 8

11am Toddlers Christmas Party

East Bergholt

Sunday 10: Advent 2 8am BCP Communion East Bergholt 10am EBYE Nativity Family Service East Bergholt 11am Communion and baptism of George and Evelyn Game Brantham Monday 11 10.30am BYE Nativity

Brantham

Tuesday 12 6.30pm EB High School Carol Service

East Bergholt

Wednesday 13 2pm WI Carol Service

East Bergholt

Sunday 17: Advent 3 8am BCP Communion 11am BYE Nativity Family Service 3pm Carols by Candlelight

East Bergholt Brantham East Bergholt

Monday 18 2pm Brooklands Christmas Assembly

Brantham

Tuesday 19 9.30am EBPS Christmas Church Assembly

East Bergholt

Thursday 21 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight

Brantham

Sunday 24: Christmas Eve 8am BCP Communion 3pm Christingle 3pm Children’s Candlelight Service 5pm Children’s Candlelight Service 11pm Midnight Mass (note earlier time) 11.30pm Midnight Mass

East Bergholt Brantham East Bergholt East Bergholt East Bergholt Brantham

Monday 25: Christmas Day 9.30am Communion in both churches Sunday 31: Christmas 1 10am BCP Communion (Said Service), East Bergholt Check the website for details. There is a BCP Communion every Sunday at 8am and Choral Matins 2018 is on January 21 and thereafter on the fourth Sundays but not in March or August. This service schedule may change without prior notice if needed.

RAMBLING RECTOR Have you noticed how Christmas comes earlier each year? Garden centres have been displaying fairy lights, sparkling tinsel and dashing Santas since October. No time now for the thoughtful season of Advent, where believers

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Thankfully, I have had time to look carefully at the faces of those I love because I can no longer see them. Remembering faces and names used to be my strong point, now Petunia becomes Humphrey and Uncertainty. Some things I see, but they are not what I thought they were, and not where I thought they were. I walk into things and don’t greet people because I don’t know they’re there. I feel vulnerable all the time, and dependent.

What is there to celebrate in this life of mine that has become filled with darkness? Christmas won’t change the darkness for me, no matter how many times we light a Christingle. Light blinds me further, confusing what little sight I have.

Ah, but wait a moment. The night I was told by that consultant with the bedside manner of a warthog that I was going blind, the Psalm set for Evening Prayer was Psalm 18 and I read vs 28-29: “You O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” I understood this to mean that he would be with me even in the darkest of places.

Thank you God, I thought. You are speaking to me. And he has kept his promise. He has been with me down the years of operations and disappointments, frustration and embarrassment. I walked into a barrier in the London underground. I knew it was there, but it was there sooner than I thought! Bystanders assumed I was drunk. That was when I finally admitted I needed a cane. My sense of humour has remained intact. It is no bad thing to be vulnerable. It gives others the confidence to share their failures. It is not the end of the world to be dependent. It gives people the opportunity to perform random acts of kindness.

Since Coco the guide dog came into my life my confidence in moving about has increased. She never forgets a place. At the Retreat Centre she led me down the long corridor and unerringly stopped at our bedroom door. When we were considering a major change in our life I said to God “I feel like I am walking in the dark” and he replied in the words of Isaiah 50:10: “Let him who walks in the dark and has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” And I do and I have. With Coco’s help I have learnt even more of what it means to trust God. After all, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). I take the harness and lead in my left hand, and feel the movement as she confidently guides me along the street, avoiding illegally parked cars and lurking wheelie bins. All I need to do is listen to the guidance of the harness and follow. We have a relationship. That’s what God asks of us too. Listen and follow. He opens the eyes of our heart as our relationship with him develops.

We don’t need to see the Christmas lights. God is with us. Always. Even when we can’t see him. That’s the message of the incarnation. The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.

A Blessed Christmas to you all.

The Rev Steph DAMAGE TO CHURCHES Please help protect our beautiful churches by reporting any suspicious activity to the police. Dial 999. There has been a spate of lead theft and criminal damage in the Diocese and locally.

Continued over...

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CHURCH NEWS DISCOVER ADVENT On November 30 East Bergholt Primary School Key Stage 2 will be coming into St Mary’s East Bergholt to learn the meaning of Advent. They will visit stations around the church and by hearing more of the stories of Mary, the shepherds, the angels and Joseph will be encouraged to wonder how we can all prepare to meet the King. The stations will be left in the church so that visitors can also discover this for themselves. During Advent the main service of the day begins with a fanfare to announce the coming of the King.

IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENT The Carols by Candlelight service at St Mary’s East Bergholt will be on Sunday, December 17 at 3pm. Mince pies and mulled wine will be served after the service. Please note that the St Mary’s (East Bergholt) Christmas Eve Mass will begin at 10pm this year instead of 11.30pm as in previous years.

The usual 3pm and 5pm family services are unchanged. Because Christmas Eve is a Sunday this year there will also be an 8am BCP communion on the Sunday morning. The only service on Christmas Day is a shortened communion at 9.30am.

BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES COMMUNICATION We love receiving Christmas letters and cards, particularly from people in former places where we have lived, or from friends we have made all over the world. Several people send ‘round robins’ – a letter with family and personal news of things the family have been doing, including births, new relationships, work and study. It’s a catch up on the news often of the last 12 months. These days it’s a slow way of communicating – I could put everyone on a social media account and I could update my status, give information and news and as soon as it’s posted everyone on my contact list can know. But it is still great to have a year’s short digest of our friends’ activities.

Another way of communicating is by visiting family and friends, again an activity often increased around Christmas time. This was what God did 2,000 years ago. What could be more meaningful than the birth of a baby, growing into boyhood and manhood, sharing love and compassion, knowing loneliness and hatred, suffering pain and agony and in the end, death?

Martin Luther (who initiated the reformation in Europe 500 years ago) wrote: “He ate, drank, slept, walked: was weary, sorrowful, rejoicing; he wept and laughed; he knew hunger and thirst and sweat; he talked, he worked, he prayed… so that there was no difference between him and other people, save only this, that he was God and had no sin”.

God communicated with us through a person, Jesus. In the New Testament we have a short digest of those three years of active ministry that I go back to time and time again to grow in my understanding of him and of God, because Jesus shows me what God is like. God’s communication is not just historic, this ‘round robin’ is the Bible. More than that, he is open for instant messaging,

FAMILY@CHURCH The third Family@church took place on Sunday, November 4 at 4pm.

The theme was Remembering and the children sowed some poppy seeds to take home. We talked about All Souls’ and All Saints’, Guy Fawkes (Remember, remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot!) and Remembrance Sunday, and all the associated symbols. Some of the children had written their own remembrance prayers which were said gathered around a sandtray of tea lights and they also helped act in a drama about Jesus’s friend Lazarus.

We played the Memory game (for those of a certain age this would have been one of the games played at birthday parties). The items on the tray for memorising were all to do with remembering and memories. Then in ‘honour’ of the day, the children walked around the church outside with sparklers before sharing a wonderful spread in the West End. The children sang the special Grace with actions which is being used each month before tucking into sandwiches, sausage rolls, cake, fruit and much more!

Thank you to everyone who is supporting this new venture!

The next family@church will take place on Sunday, December 3 at 4pm.

If you know anyone who would like to come, please bring them along, and if you would like to take part and be involved in the service, please contact Liz Digby or Fiona Trott: liz.digby@btopenworld.com / fiona.trott13@gmail.com

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I can talk with him, sharing my concerns, hopes and fears and discover a variety of ways in which he answers prayer, sometimes “yes”, sometimes “no”, sometimes “wait”, sometimes an opportunity I had not been expecting presents itself. If you want this instant messaging with God, try it for yourself or get in touch with me and I’ll help you to connect.

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Brantham & Capel Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 DECEMBER SERVICES AT BRANTHAM METHODIST 2.30pm Sunday 3 Sunday 10 11am Sunday 17 11am Sunday 24 11am Sunday 31 11am

Carols with Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols Worship with Mrs Ruth Loggie No Service Worship arranged locally

CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the minister for details Sunday 3 10.30am Worship with Jim Ross 6.30pm Prayer Sunday 10 10.30am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham 6.30pm Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 17 10.30am Worship – Christmas All-age Celebration 6.30pm Carol Service Sunday 24 10.30am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey

7pm Christmas Eve Carols, Shopping Precinct Monday 24 9.30am Christmas Day Worship with

Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 31 10.30am Worship with Rev Chris Jowett

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/eastbergholt

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CHURCH NEWS LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES DEDHAM AND ARDLEIGH PARISHES

Un-denominational / meeting at the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2E (unless otherwise stated)

Services and Events for December 2017

Sunday Services: 3pm

Sunday, December 3 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 11am Morning Worship (CW), Ardleigh 5pm Evensong (BCP), Dedham

Saturday, December 2 at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street: Café/Oasis Christmas Party and free buffet lunch, 10.30am-3.30pm. Tea or coffee on arrival and various stalls, everyone welcome. Lunch must be pre-booked: 01206 272064)

Sunday, December 10 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh 9.30am Rise ‘n’ Shine, Dedham 11am Holy Communion (CW), Dedham Sunday, December 17 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Dedham 6pm Carol Service, Ardleigh 6pm Carol Service, Dedham Thursday, December 21 5.30pm Christmas Carols for Businesses, Dedham Sunday, December 24: Christmas Eve 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh 3.30pm Crib Service, Dedham 5.30pm Crib Service, Dedham 5.30pm Crib & Christingle Service, Ardleigh 11pm Midnight Mass, Dedham 11.30pm Midnight Mass, Ardleigh Christmas Day 8am 10am

Holy Communion (BCP), Ardleigh Family Communion, Dedham

Sunday, December 31 11am Joint Family Worship, Dedham BCP – Book of Common Prayer / CW – Common Worship Weekly Midweek Services Tuesday Morning Prayer at Dedham at 10.30am Thursday Evening Prayer at Ardleigh at 5pm – Advent Meditations Dedham Christmas Tree Festival Saturday & Sunday, December 2 & 3 Dedham Christmas Market Saturday, December 2, Dedham High Street, 3-6pm. Christmas stalls, food, drink and a spectacular raffle

Sunday, December 10: Special All-Age Advent Carol Service Wednesday, December 13: Minibus Fellowship Outing to Braintree and Freeport. To book, call as above or: 01206 512994 Friday, December 15: Link Line Monthly Prayer Meeting, 10am at the Irwell Suite (Venture Centre) Monday, December 18: Minibus Fellowship Christmas Shopping Trip (choice of stores). To book: 01206 272064 Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): No Sunday Service Next service: Sunday, January 7 – New Year All-Age Service For pastoral visits, and further information contact: 01206 272064 / 01255 714544 We warmly welcome people of all ages.

KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus COME AND JOIN US IN OUR NEW FELLOWSHIP – EVERYONE IS WELCOME Hear the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with our lively worship and service. Refreshments served afterwards.

Every Sunday morning at 11am in The Ivell Suite at Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE. If you or someone you know needs prayer for anything, please contact us.

David and Rosie Rhule 07787 572977 / 01206 397533 info@thekeytolove ministries.co.uk www.thekeytoloveministries.co.uk

www.dedham-and-ardleigh-parishes.org.uk

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In Touch online:

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CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA! MUSIC OF JOHN RUTTER (RHS PATRON OF MUSIC)

SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER, 7PM PRE-CONCERT DRINKS FROM 6.30PM

CHAPEL, ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH IP9 2RX

Holbrook Choral Society | Royal Hospital School Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir | The Reade Ensemble | William Saunders, Conductor | Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, Organ Celebrity Narrator: Frazer Hines

Full: £12 | Conc: £10 | U18: FREE Available from experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic | 01206 573948 Sponsored by Mansion House Publishing