In Touch
™ ™ ©© ™©
with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,
Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit Volume 2 • Issue No. 1 • APRIL 2018
Out on a Limb, by Paula Irvine
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Some years ago I was invited to take part in a ‘Grumpy Women’ segment on Radio Suffolk. Each guest was asked to choose one topic, a task I set about with relish. When I met my fellow grumpy women in the green room before the show we chatted about how difficult it had been to choose. I was embarrassed to discover that while they had struggled to find a topic, I had struggled to select from a rather long list. I’d chosen people who eat from noisy packaging at the theatre or in the cinema, but the shortlist had included people who interrupt all the time, rude drivers who don’t acknowledge when you give way, the pseudoscience used to sell skin creams and cosmetics (just what is a free radical?), people who spit in the street… When I told my husband about the green room conversation he howled with laughter, until he noticed my silence. “Well you’re hardly surprised are you,” he said. “I’ve never known anyone who gets so easily annoyed about small things.” I’m sure you can imagine how that conversation went, but I’m making no apology for my grumpiness, though I prefer to see it as sensitivity! Of course this conversation took place at least 10 years ago and I think I’ve become a nicer person since I started working at In Touch. It’s impossible to be angry and judgemental when I’m constantly reminded of the good in people. Every month I hear from people who are raising funds for charity, organising local events (a significant and often thankless undertaking), setting up or leading support groups, promoting social opportunities for people who are otherwise isolated… the list goes on. We are so fortunate to live in a society where people care, where they look out for each other and give their time to make local communities stronger. The least the rest of us can do is turn up. Of course locally owned businesses are the beating heart of every strong local community, often supporting local causes, investing in the local economy and creating local jobs. Support each other and together we can look forward to a ‘grump free’ future!
In Touch
with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,
Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: elmswell@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk
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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 Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
NEWS 2018 WOOLPIT FESTIVAL: JUNE 15-24 Woolpit Festival 2018 Launch Day is Saturday, April 21 at Woolpit Institute with tickets on sale from 10am-1.30pm. It’s also an opportunity to find out more. Friends of the Festival will have advance booking preferences prior to this. 2018 marks the 43rd year of the Woolpit Festival. Once again we invite audiences to enjoy a variety of events at our wonderful village hall and beautiful church. On Friday, June 15 the festival begins with a folk evening with the Georgia Shackleton Trio and Sound Tradition. Both have become firm favourites at folk events in this country and Europe. They are followed on Saturday by a blues evening with Keno Kings and Back Porch, compered by Stephen Foster of BBC Radio Suffolk. On Sunday 17 the Churchgate Sinfonia Strings will be playing a concert of English music, including works by Elgar, Parry and Britten. On the following Friday, June 22, former BBC foreign affairs correspondent Martin Bell and Terry Waite, humanitarian and hostage negotiator, will be joining us for an evening of conversation about their eventful careers. This will be the first time they have appeared together at the same event. Then on the Saturday 23 Dixie Mix will perform an evening of Dixieland Jazz. Their eclectic style ranges from the classic New Orleans sound of Buddy Bolden to the jump-jive of Lois Prima. In 2014 the band was invited to join Rod Stewart’s UK tour as the audience warm up band. On the final day of the festival, Sunday 24, we are delighted to welcome the young and exciting pianist Clare Hammond. Acclaimed by the Daily Telegraph as a pianist of “amazing power and panache”, Clare has performed at many European festivals and throughout the UK, including Bury St Edmunds in 2017. This year’s line-up of events will include some stomping jazz, classical music from a string orchestra and a talented pianist, a mix of traditional and lively modern folk music, a blues evening hosted by a BBC radio presenter, and an audience with two well-known personalities. There should be something for everyone! For more information please contact the box office – 01359 240866 / info@woolpit-festival.com – or visit: www.woolpit-festival.com The Winter Concert scheduled for March 3 had to be cancelled due to the snow so we hope you will join us for…
A SPRING CONCERT Presented by The Hut Theatre Come and be entertained by your talented friends and neighbours Drinkstone Village Hall Saturday, April 7 at 7.30pm Adults £5 / Children £3 BYOD and Glasses ALL WELCOME In aid of the Drinkstone Village Hall Stage Fund
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MAY DEADLINE 20 APRIL 2018
is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
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NEWS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS SUMMER AT HOPS HOPS Mid Suffolk is a small local charity providing activity clubs for children and young people with severe physical, sensory, behavioural and learning disabilities. The children and young people are supported in play by teenage volunteers recruited from local high schools in the Mid Suffolk area. Volunteers give up their time during school holidays and weekend. We are now recruiting volunteers for the summer of 2018.
children were busy getting muddy and messy at the outdoor mud kitchens. This visit and discussion on the day resulted in Alan from the Men’s Shed making a sensory busy board. The children have been delighted with his creation (as shown in the picture).
HOPS (Holiday Opportunity Play Scheme) have recently gone through a refurbishment process, kindly supported by the young professionals of PPG. Part of the refurbishment work was clearing the very overgrown back garden at our base over in Thorndon to make way for mud kitchens kindly made by Stowmarket Meadlands Men’s Shed (SMMS).
This sensory board full of switches, bells, springs and strings has bought imaginations to life. Some fantastic roles play has been going on with captains of ships sailing the seas, traveling through time in a Tardis, and being in control of space rockets at NASA.
Once installation was complete representatives from SMMS visited HOPS to see the children and young people enjoying activities. A number of the
For more information about HOPS, volunteering or getting involved visit www.midsuffolkhops.org.uk or find us on Facebook: HOPSmidsuffolk
Our grateful thanks go to both organisations that have supported HOPS.
CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE
WENT COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained to respond to emergency calls in their local area through the 999 system in conjunction with the East of England Ambulance Service. They are dispatched to deal with emergencies prior to the arrival of an ambulance. CFRs are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance and normally arrive first as they are nearer, and can provide early interventions in those first crucial minutes of an emergency. Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment. CFRs attend life-threatening medical emergencies such as cardiac arrests, diabetic emergencies, allergic reactions and patient with chest pain or breathing difficulties. We are recruiting Community First Responders for Elmswell and the surrounding areas to expand the hours of coverage for our local communities and to provide a faster response. Ideally you would be able to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per month, but not necessarily all in one go. You need to: • be physically fit and aged between 18-70 • agree to a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). This was previously known as criminal records bureau disclosure or CRB. • have a sympathetic and caring nature • agree to undertake training • have a full driving licence and access to a roadworthy car We meet at Woolpit Health Centre once a month for regular training and updates. We are supported by a local GP and two local senior paramedics. If you would like to receive more details please contact Merv Smith: 07909 006496 / wentcfr@gmail.com
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I went to Belarus earlier than usual this year to meet the group of children who will be coming to us this summer. I travelled just before the ‘Beast from the East’ hit our area, but rather than missing all the cold weather I found myself in temperatures up to minus 22! Many of the homes I visited were unbearably hot as the heating is state controlled and to avoid pipes freezing it is kept at a constant high. I met with many of the children who had been to the UK on previous visits and delivered letters and gifts from their host families. The children are so happy that they are still remembered and as soon as I get to their school they all come running out to greet me. I also spent some time with several English classes as they all look forward to being able to practise speaking with a ‘real’ English person. We were due to bring a group of 14 children this year, but just before leaving I was introduced to a child I simply could not leave behind. She is eight years old, but incredibly small for her age and having had a mother who was an alcoholic for the duration of the pregnancy suffers with both learning and physical disabilities together with poor health. Yet despite this she remains a happy and smiling child who will really benefit from time spent in the UK. At the end of August there will be a group trip to Belarus and many people from this area will be joining us. This is a project based trip and we will be visiting many families, helping where possible using our pooled resources and skills. We will also be visiting the Children’s Cancer Hospital in Minsk and several social shelters which are a cross between an orphanage and a foster home. We will be taking as many clothes as possible for the children we will encounter so together with the need for clothing for our group arriving in July we really are making a major appeal to everyone to donate clothing for children aged three to 16 years, especially in the six to 11 years range as this should cover the majority of the children we will see or who will be visiting us. All contributions are greatly appreciated and can be dropped in to our charity shop in Needham Market or I am happy to arrange collection. Also required are basic medicines and for each child we try to collect the following items: Lemsip, decongestant capsules or drops, vapour rub, menthol nasal sticks, Immodium (or similar), menthol crystals, Sudacrem cream, oil of cloves or similar, digital thermometers, cold sore cream, Iglue mouth ulcer cream, Paracetamol or Ibuprofen tablets. So little can mean so very much. Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / 07771 550868
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Woolpit Nurseries_Bury Golf Club_200x138mm_PRINT.pdf 1 15/12/2016 10:02:38
OPEN Mon-Sat 9 till 5 & Sunday 10 till 4
01359 240370
If you’re looking to be spoilt for choice when it comes to your garden then come and see us The majority of our bedding plants are grown here at Woolpit Nurseries. We grow 90% of our plants on site so we are able to focus on producing only the finest quality products.
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We are specialists in hanging baskets with over 2000 produced every spring. We offer a large range of plants including seasonal bedding, a range of structural Italian plants, structural shrubs, small trees & ‘instant gardens’ with ready-to-go pre-planted hanging baskets and containers. Ever expanding, we also offer a wide range of gardening products including stoneware, pots & baskets, plus fertilizers, plant foods and grit and a variety of composts. With a qualified horticulturist on site we are able to provide professional & friendly advice to gardeners in need.
www.woolpitnurseries.co.uk
Old Stowmarket Road, Woolpit, Suffolk, IP30 9QS
www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell
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NEWS COUNTY COUNCILLOR PENNY OTTON THEDWASTRE SOUTH DIVISION Including Thurston, Beyton, Hessett, Drinkstone, Felsham, Gedding, Rattlesden (also Onehouse, Buxhall, Harleston, Shelland and Gt Finborough) Obviously, the big storey was the Beast from the East! I’m sure there have been numerous problems with the snow and road closures. Hopefully most will now be cleared, however there will be a backlog for any works that had been scheduled. The flooding in Beyton, we thought had been resolved, but will need further work done. Concerns over accountability and transparency of Suffolk Public Sector Leaders Board The Suffolk Public Sector Leaders Board (SPSLB) is made up of council leaders and chief executives from across Suffolk, as well as the PCC, chief fire officer and representatives from Suffolk’s Clinical Commissioning Groups. The SPSLB controls a large pot of money, made up of £7.447m from the Suffolk business rates pool and £3.23m of central government funding received as part of the Transformation Challenge Award. At the end of January, we met with the interim chief executive at Suffolk County Council to query why there is so little accountability within the SPSLB. I have been informed that, based on our queries, the SPSLB will be reconsidering its governance arrangements. I will keep you informed of any further updates. Next phase of the Raising the Bar strategy The cabinet has approved the Raising the Bar 2018-20 strategy. This is the third phase of the programme, which began in 2012 and is focused on improving educational standards throughout Suffolk. The new strategy will focus on three priorities: • Exceptional leadership and governance across the education sector • Excellence in teaching and learning, driven by system led improvement and innovation • The best opportunities for every child and young person Raising The Bar Awards: once again there will be an awards ceremony at Trinity Park on July 10 to celebrate success in education. Nominations can be made via www.rtbawards.com or by emailing: rtbawards@suffolk.gov.uk New drone technology for managing blue light service incidents. On February 15 it was announced that emergency services across Suffolk would have access to two small unmanned surveillance aircrafts. The technology, commonly referred to as drones, has been developed and funded by Suffolk Resilience Forum for use across the county. As part of a multi-agency Air Support Unit, the drones will be used by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue and Norfolk & Suffolk 4x4 Response. The drones will provide a range of aerial surveillance options to support these emergency services and voluntary organisations. Rough Sleepers I’ve asked the chief fire officer if the manned fire stations in Bury and Ipswich could be used as emergency shelters when the temperature drops below zero. He has agreed to investigate this. This is done in other counties. penny.otton@suffolk.gov.uk
MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLOR RACHEL EBURNE HAUGHLEY & WETHERDEN WARD Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) When a house is built in our area, the developer has to pay a levy to the district council of £115 per square metre – so approximately £11,500 for an average sized 100 square metre three-bedroom home. This money is collected by Mid Suffolk and then re-distributed as follows: 5% kept for admin charges and 15% goes to the parish (or 25% if they have a Neighbourhood Plan) and the remainder goes towards infrastructure. Via the 15% share of CIL, a parish may receive in excess of £3,000 from a couple of homes being built there (provided they are not self-built or affordable homes which are exempt). With larger developments, much more funding is available for the parish. In addition, Mid Suffolk has recently agreed that of the remainder going towards infrastructure, 20% is for strategic, district-wide infrastructure but 80% is for local infrastructure in the area where development is occurring. Parishes, and other relevant organisations, can ‘bid’ for funds from this local infrastructure fund. There will be two bidding rounds per year in May and October. This new source of funding will be very important to our villages and we need to ensure we can get the best from it. For more details go to Planning, then CIL at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk New Electoral Ward Boundaries The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has proposed new district council ward boundaries, also reducing the number of councillors from 40 to 34. This affects all wards in Mid Suffolk and is supposed to ensure each councillor represents roughly the same number of people and that there are good community links within each ward. For example, if approved, Haughley and Wetherden will become a ward of Haughley, Wetherden, Old Newton, Gipping and Stowupland with two district councillors. Elmswell will be in a ward with Woolpit (but not Norton or Tostock), also with two district councillors, and Thurston will be in a ward with Beyton, Norton, Tostock and Stowlangtoft, (but not Hessett), again with two district councillors. The proposals are out for consultation until April 30 – see http:// www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/mid-suffolk or look at Mid Suffolk’s website – and anyone can comment. The outcome of the consultation will be advised in August and new elections held in May 2019. Rachel Eburne
01449 774647 / rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk http:/racheleburne.com
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday, April 6, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday, April 20, 6.45am: Breakfast – NEW VENUE Finborough Hall, Great Finborough, Stowmarket IP14 3EF To book online follow the link at: https://stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events
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OUT & ABOUT WOOLPIT DRAMA CLUB
2018 WOOLPIT STEAM RALLY
Enjoy a taste of comedy with Woolpit Drama Club’s next production, the sparkling musical revue Comedy Tonight.
The 2018 Woolpit Steam Rally will be taking place over the weekend of June 2 and 3 at Warren Farm, Wetherden IP14 3JX by kind permission of R & P Baker. This follows on from the hugely successful 30th anniversary show last year which saw £19,800 donated to local charities and community groups.
A cavalcade of laughter, song, dancing and sauciness, it offers everything you need for a joyous evening of frivolous entertainment! Songs from the shows will be interspersed with comic sketches, drawing on classic favourites, mixed with a more topical satirical glance at the world today.
What makes Woolpit Steam different from many other shows is the organisers desire to present to the public historic and rare machinery not normally seen on display. This encourages the true enthusiast to travel from all parts of the country, but equally captures the imagination of the casual visitor.
Performances will take place on April 12, 13 and 14 in Woolpit Village Hall. To book online, visit: www.wegottickets.com Woolpit Drama Club welcomes new members, either as performers or backstage staff. We are very friendly and always have a laugh at rehearsals. If you don’t want to be in the spotlight, you might want to get involved with set design, costume or lighting. Backstage staff pay a reduced membership fee. If you would like to join the drama club or become a friend, email: wooldramclub@gmail.com
WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM Open from 2-4.30pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from Easter until the end of September, and Wednesday afternoons in August from 1-3.30pm
Woolpit Steam is probably best known for its selection of rare and unusual veteran tractors and this year is no exception with around 20 pre-1930 tractors anticipated. This is also to be complemented by a one off gathering of very early commercial vehicles and an expanded display of steam engines. A further 70 tractors up to 1965 will also be on show, and over 80 stationary engines driving an array of mills, pumps and other machinery together with a wood sawing display will all add to the atmosphere of a bygone age. Vintage cars, motorcycles, commercial and military vehicles are all represented and a number of models and displays will provide something of interest for everybody. If you are looking for a gift or that elusive spare part then there are over 50 craft, trade and auto jumble stalls to tempt you. There is also hot and cold food, a licensed bar and ice creams. A traditional fun fair including electric yachts, dodgems and side stalls, together with Punch & Judy and a full ring programme on both days will help keep the family entertained. Gates are open from 9am to 5pm on both days. Admission is £5 for adults on Saturday / £6 on Sunday, and children £2 on either day. Car parking is free and the show is easily accessible from Junction 47a on the A14 eastbound, or Junction 49 west bound. For further information contact David Seeley on 01449 737443 (after 7.30pm) or via: www.woolpit-steam.org.uk
Last month’s museum article mentioned some additions that we have made to our display about men who fought in the First World War and survived the conflict. This display also includes some details about what life was like back in Woolpit during the war years, based mainly on extracts from the Woolpit School Log Book. This was kept by Mr Harry Buckley, the headteacher from the early 1890s until 1924. Staff shortages and concern about attendance figures are two dominant themes, but museum visitors often comment on how much emphasis is also given to gardening. Entries such as, “We were unable to go out for gardening owing to heavy hail and rain storms” and “A beautiful day so we have taken two double sessions of gardening,” occur quite frequently. An entry for 1916 records how Mr Buckley himself went to fetch manure for the garden as labour shortages prevented it being delivered to the school, and in 1917 he is pleased to write that “Rev Page kindly offered a piece of ground in the church yard for growing potatoes and vegetables”. Of course, gardening featured on the curriculum of a lot of village schools at this time, but Mr Buckley does seem to have been especially keen and school inspections commend him for his enthusiasm and expertise in the subject. An article, published in the Bury Free Press of Saturday, April 7, 1917, describes how an area at the school of 17 square poles was divided into six plots and worked intensively by the pupils. Vegetables and fruit were grown following a definite system of rotation and the produce was sold to local greengrocers. The pupils not only did the physical work involved but also had to keep accounts of receipts and expenses and record the profitability of each crop. Figures quoted by the newspaper show onions, spring cabbages and peas yielded the most profit in 1916. We can only wonder whether the hardworking pupils ever tasted the fruits of their labours! So, if you would like to find out more about Woolpit during the war years then why not pay us a visit soon? More details are available at: www.woolpit.org/museum
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OUT & ABOUT HAUGHLEY PARK GARDENS & BLUEBELL WOODS
DRINKSTONE ANNUAL SALE TRAIL 2018
The gardens and bluebell woods at Haughley Park, near Wetherden, IP14 3JY, are open once again this year on Sunday, April 29 and Sunday, May 6 from 2-5.30pm to help raise funds for St Mary’s Church, Wetherden. To enjoy the gardens and the six acres of bluebell woods, entry for adults is £4 per person while entry for accompanied children under 16 years is free.
Households all around the village open up their garages to sell a wide range of items. Others prefer to sell their wares from a table top in the village hall, where you will also find delicious home-made cakes, mouth-watering refreshments and toilet facilities.
After walking in the gardens and woods you can relax in the barn with a cup of tea or coffee and your choice from the selection of homemade cakes on offer. Some cold drinks will also be available. The church relies on members and friends to volunteer to make cakes and to be on duty in the barn or at the gate. Without them the event could not happen.
Saturday, May 5, 9.30am-2.30pm
It is always a fun day which regularly attracts visitors from near and far so please do come along and enjoy the fresh air of our sleepy Suffolk village at the same time as bagging some bargains! Free admission – maps on sale. Stalls, refreshments and toilets at the village hall. Access to hall for the disabled and for disabled toilet. In aid of DWMI Reg. Charity: 304876
St Mary’s Church, Wetherden, Parochial Church Council is also very grateful to Robert Williams and his family for allowing us, as they have done for a number of years now, to use the grounds and barn on these occasions to raise valuable funds to help keep our Grade I listed church in good order.
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB HAUGHLEY VILLAGE FETE Saturday, June 9, noon-4pm Book a stall for £15 Contact: acsargent48@gmail.com All proceeds to Haughley Royal British Legion
THE HISTORY OF SPOKEN ENGLISH
The April meeting is a members’ workshop. New members and visitors are always welcome; why not come along and see what we do? Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in Woolpit Village Hall IP30 9QX. For further details contact chairman Vicki Hease: 01449 770900
STOWMARKET STROKE SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, June 6
Come and join us at our 10th Anniversary Celebration with coffee and home-made cakes at the United Reform Church Hall, Stowmarket on Saturday, May 19 from 10am to 12.30pm.
7pm for 7.30pm start
Everyone welcome.
Haughley Village Hall, The Folly, Haughley, IP14 3NS
Our group meets weekly to support local people of all ages who have had a stroke.
Presented by Charlie Haylock
Tickets £4 or £5 on the night Light refreshments included Tickets available from: Yvonne: yvonne@hannan.f2s.com / text 07531 774438 Heather in Haughley Post Office Pat in The Secondhand Shop, 49 Old Street, Haughley
For further information please contact Mrs Anne Helliwell: 01449 673237
“Together we can conquer stroke”
ORGANISED BY HAUGHLEY WI
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ADVERTORIAL
BUILDBASE TRULY IS COMMUNITY BASED Buildbase is one of the UK’s fastest growing builder’s merchants. Stowmarket Buildbase opened in 2017, employs 10 people and has two delivery lorries covering the Stowmarket area. With branches up and down the country, the success of Buildbase has been built on understanding the needs of the trade professional and has developed specifically to meet those demands with massive stocks, top quality products, competitive pricing, reliable delivery, specialist staff and exceptional customer service. Stowmarket Branch Manager Ian Bell is especially proud of his branches customer service reputation: “Our product range is extensive and Buildbase is generally regarded as the go-to supplier for everything from bricks and timber to sand and landscaping products, not forgetting Hirebase Stowmarket for plant and tool hire. Our customers tell us it’s our friendly, professional service from a team of industry experts which keeps them coming back again and again.”
On Friday, April 20, Stowmarket Buildbase host An Evening with Roy & Debbie Hudd at 7.30pm with tickets (£10/£8 concessions) available from The Regal in Stowmarket. Buildbase fund the evening so every penny taken will be split between Cancer Research UK and Stowmarket ASD Saturday Clubs. “This fundraising activity is very important to us as we are committed to giving back to the community which supports our business,” explains Will Merry the Sales Development Manager based at Stowmarket. “I have only recently joined the team here and although we are a national brand our commitment to the local community is strong and everyone in the branch gets involved.”
“We understand the industry and work closely with our customers to ensure they meet their deadlines, within budget. Our team can advise and help select appropriate products and our delivery service is efficient and prompt. Time is money as they say!” You may be surprised to know that Ian and his team at Stowmarket Buildbase won a national award in 2016 for fundraising activities and has raised in excess of £16,000 for charity in the last five years. The business is currently partnered with Cancer Research UK and hopes to raise £100,000 towards their work. Stowmarket Buildbase is also supporting the work of Stowmarket ASD Saturday Clubs for youngsters with autism and regularly hires the Regal Cinema to show up-to-date films with the proceeds from ticket sales and the raffle donated to the two charities.
PICTURE: By Tony Bell
OUR NEW JOINERY SHOWROOM IS NOW OPEN BUILDBASE STOWMARKET Pop in today for quality windows, doors and stairs from big credible brands, with expert advice from Ian and his Stowmarket team.
VISIT: Stowmarket Business Park, Stowmarket, IP14 2ED CALL: 01449 778444 EMAIL: stowmarket@buildbase.co.uk
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HAYWARDS SOLICITORS
FOR ALL YOUR FAMILY’S LEGAL NEEDS We offer Fixed Fees at Competitive Rates
Telephone: (01449) 613631
email: enquiries@haywards-solicitors.co.uk www.haywards-solicitors.co.uk @HaywardsLaw on Twitter Free car park available for use by clients 7 - 9 TAVERN STREET STOWMARKET IP14 1PJ
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OUT & ABOUT Quiz Night
MENDLESHAM STREET FAYRE
Friday, May 18, 7 for 7.30pm
On Bank Holiday, Monday, May 7 the village of Mendlesham will be holding its 38th annual street fayre. The fayre will start at noon with the procession led by Mendlesham Street Fayre Princess Lexi Brundell (10) and her attendants Ella-Sophia Lambert (9) and Bella Rosier (10), accompanied by Stowmarket Boys Brigade Band.
Woolpit Christian Fellowship, White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ In support of Rohingya Refugees from Myanmar Teams of six, £5 per person, includes coffee and desserts. To book contact: Phil Sparkes: 240502 / Margaret Cook: 240565
STOWMARKET ARTISAN MARKET Saturday, April 7 will be our first market of the season. Our members have been busy over the winter creating lots of lovely new stock. There will be 15 stalls selling jewellery, book art, cards and artwork, up-cycled lamps and crafts, textiles, woodcraft, knitted novelties and a new venture for us, Nana’s Pastry selling steak and ale pies, sausage rolls, quiches, pasties and fruit tarts, so there will be plenty for everyone. As usual the Scout Fundraising Committee will be serving tea/coffee and home-made cake for £1, so do drop in and have a coffee and peruse our stalls. We are located at the Scout Centre, Milton Road North (near the library) and doors open at 10am. There is plenty of accessible parking outside the main door. Sue Delf: suedelf@btinternet.com Facebook: Stowmarket Artisan Market
STRIKE AT FORDS DAGENHAM PLANT This was one of the headlines you would have seen in 1968 when one small group of machinists went on strike for equal pay with male employees working on similar tasks. These brave ladies were taking on the British Government and The Ford Parent Company in the USA. However, as Ford in the UK had just launched their new Cortina range and the strikers produced Contina seats, this was an embarrassing and potentially very expensive disruption. Industrial relations in the UK were not good at this time so Ford (USA) put pressure on the government to stop the strike or they would move the whole Dagenham production facility to the continent. Hardly a likely story line for a musical? However, Made in Dagenham has been performed in the West End, been turned into a film and continues to attract large audiences with its strong story line, and its true! SODS, your local drama group, will be bringing Made in Dagenham to Stowmarket’s Regal Theatre from Wednesday 9 to Saturday, May 12 at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm performance on Saturday 12. Tickets are now available from the Regal box office: 01449 768825
NORDIC WALKING TASTER SESSION Are you looking for a safe and effective workout that is fun, sociable and brings speedy results? Give Nordic Walking a try. Everyone knows that walking is good for you and we are constantly being told to ditch the car to travel by foot, take the stairs instead of the lift, park further away from the shops, etc... Nordic Walking is an enhancement of ordinary walking – it makes something we learn to do as babies twice as effective! It is a specific fitness technique that can be done by anyone, anywhere, and is not to be confused with trekking, hill walking or trail running Kevin Marshall and Sara Mortimer of Positive Steps Fitness and Wellbeing are accredited Nordic Walking Instructors with Nordic Walking UK and are running a taster session in Needham Market on May 14. The 45-minute taster will help you understand just how beneficial Nordic walking can be and how it is far more than just walking with poles. If you have any questions or would like to book the taster session please email info@positivestepspt.co.uk telephone Kevin on 07955 495016 or visit: https://positivestepspt.co.uk/nordic-walking
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Old Market Street will be closed to traffic and full of stalls selling crafts, bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery and tickets for our grand draw. Throughout the afternoon there will be live music on stage from the The Emmatones, Suffolk School of Samba with dancers, dancing from East Suffolk Morris Men, clog dancing from the Haughley Hoofers and the Tricky Twister to entertain the children. Visit Wings Elite Birds of Prey, the craft fayre in the community hall and the famous armoury in St Mary’s Church. This year The Mix in Stowmarket will be bringing their portable skate park for you to try with instruction for children and adults. You will find plenty of refreshments including a hog roast, hot dogs, teas, sandwiches and cakes, all provided by village charities. Not forgetting the bygone farm machinery. Entry is by £3 programme for adults with under-16s free and a free car park. To book a space in the street contact Angela on 01473 766483 (no food outlets needed). The event is run by Mendlesham Community Council and the money raised each year goes to help support village charities, the school and the community.
Girls’ Night
Which colours suit your skin tone? Wendy Long
Friday, April 20, 7.30pm Woolpit Christian Fellowship
White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ
For more information call Jan on 240502 13
OUT & ABOUT ELMSWELL HISTORY GROUP
STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Thursday, April 12: The Suffolk Clothier in Henry VII’s Time An illustrated talk by Nick Amor
Wednesday, April 4: Must Farm – Britain’s Pompeii by Alex Fisher from Suffolk Archaeology
Nick is chairman of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology & History and an honorary fellow of the University of East Anglia. He has lectured and written several books on Suffolk’s wool trade, so is very well placed to tell us all about this important and historic regional industry.
Suffolk Archaeology is an independent archaeological company based in Needham Market. Alex Fisher is their outreach officer. He will tell us about the work of Suffolk Archaeology and also look at the Must Farm dig, a Bronze Age Settlement in the fens which was destroyed by fire, causing it to collapse into a river channel, preserving the contents in situ.
Thursday, May 10: Nadine’s Story in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) An illustrated talk by Joan Munden
Wednesday, May 2: Haughley Castle by Edward Martin
‘Nadine’ was the code name for Joan’s cousin who served in the Second World War’s SOE. This organisation set up by Winston Churchill in the early 1940s to ‘set Europe ablaze’, and whose main task was to link up with the resistance movements to undermine the Germans in the countries they had occupied. In May and June, we shall also be selling tickets for our summer outing on Saturday, July 7, a guided tour of Hadleigh Guildhall and St Mary’s Church – more details next month. We meet at Wesley Hall, School Road, Elmswell IP30 9EE at 7.30pm. Ample free on-site parking, disabled access and just five minutes’ walk from Elmswell Railway Station; members £2, non-members/visitors £4. www.elmswell-history.org.uk / 01359 242601
HAUGHLEY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH ALL WHO SERVE Wow, isn’t this year flying by already?! As I write the clocks are soon to go forward so summer isn’t too far away – we hope. It seems we don’t have seasons any longer, only weather. Talking about the weather, we hope June 9 will be warm with no rain. Did you hear that Mr Weatherman? June 9 is when we are holding the village fete from noon until 4pm. There will be various stalls and displays from local groups such as Little Stars, a majorette troupe from Stowmarket, and Kuk Sol Wan of Stowmarket, with lots still to add. If you are a village organisation and you haven’t heard from Ash about having a stall, please do get in touch on 07958 961724 for more information. Even if you aren’t a village organisation, but have a craft stall or something similar we would love to hear from you. Clive Mee will present a talk on the last flight over Frankfurt at the April meeting and please note that our meeting on May 1 will be held at Whetherden and Haughley Scout Hut at 7.45pm. Roy’s monthly thought: “Smile, laugh, be happy and people will worry about what you have got that they haven’t.”
The motte and bailey of the 11th-century Haughley Castle is still a big landscape feature in the village. The motte rises behind the church and the inner bailey is now the village duck pond. Edward Martin, a former county archaeologist, is an author and speaker on wide ranging areas of Suffolk’s history. Wednesday, June 6: AGM and Ipswich Suffragettes by Joy Bounds This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act which granted women (over 30) the right to vote for the first time. Joy will look at the long campaign which led to this in Suffolk and especially Ipswich women who were involved. She has covered the subject of Ipswich suffragettes in her book A Song of their Own. We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall (IP14 4BQ) where there is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members. For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386
DRINKSTONE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Wednesday, April 18, 7.30pm at Drinkstone Village Hall The Work of the National Trust Archaeologists with Angus Wainwright Visitors £4, refreshments included. All welcome.
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB Stowmarket & District Monday Club recently enjoyed an evening of music supplied by Slightly Soiled. This was mostly country & western and very good fun. This was followed by an evening of cake decorating. Small cakes were made by Thelma, one of our helpers, and the members enjoyed putting icing and lots of other decorations on top, ready to be taken home and enjoyed later. Due to the bad weather, we had to cancel the club for one evening, but we enjoyed a jigsaw treasure hunt the next week. We now look forward to an evening of bingo and another to make Easter Cards.
To view our latest newsletter or our full calendar of events visit: www.britishlegion.org/branches/Haughley
We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub in Crown Street. We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome.
STOWMARKET RAMBLERS
If you would like further information, please contact us on 01449 672123 or just come along on a Monday evening.
Sunday, April 8: 5 mile walk around Bradfield St George and Little Welnetham. Park and meet at Bradfield St George church car park at 10.30am / GR: TL 907599. Leader: 01449 612093 Sunday, April 15: 6 mile circular walk around Botesdale. Park on street in Botesdale and meet at the war memorial at 10.30am / GR: TM 048758. Leader: 07905 282420 Sunday, April 22: 5 mile walk around Stanstead and Glemsford. Park at Stanstead church car park or nearby in the street and meet at the church car park at 10am / GR: TL 843493. Leader: 07795 420512 Sunday, April 29: 8.5 mile brisk walk to Alton Water. Park and meet at Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead at 9.30am / GR: TM 167409. Leader: 01449 672168
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POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA/GIANT CELL ARTERITIS SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting of the Polymyalgia Rheumatica/Giant Cell Arteritis East Anglia Support Group will be on Thursday, April 26 at Needham Market Community Centre IP6 8BB. The hall will be open at 10.30am for refreshments and meeting others who experience the same problems as you. There will be a short AGM at 11am which will be followed by our speaker, Sue Vould, a physiotherapist from Ipswich Hospital Rheumatology Department specialising in the problems of PMR. We look forward to seeing you there.
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OUT & ABOUT DO YOU NEED A SPRING IN YOUR STEP?
Now the better weather is arriving, a lot of people are getting out and enjoying it by walking, running and cycling around the countryside. For some that increased activity is going to cause a few aches and pains. From foot and heel pain, to shin, knee, hip and back pain. Tissue gets injured and irritated when we put more load through it than it is happy to tolerate. That can be from a one off big incident like a hockey stick being wrapped around our calf or from a fall. Alternatively we can damage tissue by putting just slightly more stress through it than it likes. This type of overload often doesn’t cause pain straight away, but builds up slowly over time and eventually we break down. It’s quite common for this to happen due to the setup of our feet, which we inherit. Hundreds of years ago when we walked around barefoot and over soft muddy ground anomalies with our foot setup didn’t matter, we would merely sink into the soft ground and away we would move. Now we have concrete and tarmac to walk over which is so firm, we don’t get away with the little foot anomalies that we used to and we don’t absorb force so well. Although around 70% of the population has non-ideal foot setup it doesn’t mean that over two-thirds of us need to do something about it. Some people are able to compensate and their body finds a way around the issues. For some they might not put sufficient load through the tissues to cause problems if they are more sedentary. There is a group though who do get injured, and their body needs some help to improve the way it functions. These people require orthoses, which are inserts which replace the current insert in a shoe and improve the way their foot functions. There are many different ways to make orthoses; different materials, different corrections, half, three quarter or full length ones. Some are very cheap and can be brought from shops; some just offer some extra cushioning, while the top range ones are custom made out of flexible carbon that lasts a long time. Others are prefabricated and a therapist puts on the required correction. Sadly, some people try orthoses and it doesn’t work for them. Often rather than an orthotic not being correct for the patient, sometimes the correction wasn’t in the ideal place, not enough, or the arch was too high in the device shifting the problem elsewhere; one pain was resolved but another created. Although an off-the-shelf shop brought insole may seem the quick and easy way to help you, there is no substitute for a thorough assessment. After one you can be given information on all the different types of insoles and then you can make an informed choice. It might be that you just need a cheap temporary device while you work on muscle strength mobility. In other cases it might be that you need more assistance and that a cheap pre-made device might be a false economy for you as it could give you more issues rather than resolve a problem. If you are suffering from upping your activity don’t continue to walk into further trouble, spring into the diary of a healthcare professional and get tailored advice on how to tackle the issue. Robert Grainger MSc MCSP HCPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist
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OUT & ABOUT / CHURCH NEWS STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB A new (to us anyway) judge, Howard King, visited the club on February 12 to judge our Open 3 Competition. He gave constructive, useful comments and only gave good marks for good pictures. We would welcome him back again as he enjoyed joining in with our banter. On February we welcomed Mike Lloyd back to judge our wildlife competition. He gave a very knowledgeable critique of both the wildlife subject matter and the photography. First was Kittiwake Feeding its Chick by Roy Fidler (pictured), second was Lackford Robin by Keith Hyland and third was Courting Puffins again by Roy Fidler. Well done to both of you. NEXT MEETINGS Monday, April 9: Colin Stubly Shield for Portraiture and the Audio Visual Salver – both to be judged by John Wrigley Monday, April 23: AGM/Club Night Monday, May 14: Lecture 4: Landscape by Justin Minns New members are always very welcome at the club. All you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket, IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Mondays of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us?
PAKENHAM WATER MILL Another season started at your local historic, picturesque water mill on March 31. Do come and visit this special mill which is the last working water mill in Suffolk and owned by the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust. We depend on public support and it is a little gem right on your doorstep. The mill is administered and maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers. Tours of the mill are available at weekends and on Thursdays (when you can usually see the mill in action, producing fine wholemeal, rye and spelt flour). The tearoom is open for coffee and cakes, light lunches or afternoon tea, using scones with a high proportion of mill flour and other local produce. Our website gives details of all opening times. Private tours are available for groups (minimum 15) followed by refreshments on afternoons or evenings when the mill is not open to the public. We would be happy to hear from any groups, including art or photography groups that would enjoy the special surroundings of the mill. We can also cater for private parties at lunchtime or on evenings when the mill is closed to the public. For updates please like our Facebook page or visit: www.pakenhamwatermill.org.uk Please come as a visitor, but why not also think about becoming a volunteer?
WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ
For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
We are a group of ordinary people who want to worship and praise God, thank Him for all His love and seek to share His love with others in our daily lives. We invite you to join us in any of the church’s activities – you will be very welcome. For further information please visit: www.woolpitroomfellowship.org
ST ANDREW’S NORTON & ST ANDREW’S TOSTOCK
Sundays: 10-11am followed by coffee & biscuits Monday Meet: 2.30-3.30pm including coffee & biscuits
Part of the Benefice of Pakenham, Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, Hunston & Stowlangtoft Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Katherine Valentine 01359 235095 / katherine@kavalentine.plus.com Our beautiful and ancient churches are both open daily for visitors and for private prayer. Sunday, April 1 / Easter Day 6.30am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 9.30am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Tostock 11am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday, April 8 9.30am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Tostock 6pm Evensong, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday, April 15 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Norton 6pm Evening Prayer & Praise, St Andrew’s Tostock Sunday, April 22 9.30am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday, April 29 10am Benefice Communion, St Andrew’s Norton Countryside Church at The Croft, Tostock Monday, April 16: 10am Songs of Praise An informal service of prayer and praise for everyone is held at The Croft every month. Come and sing your favourite hymns, chat with friends and enjoy the refreshments. Wednesday, April 18, 10.30am-noon: Norton Coffee Morning We are kicking off our coffee mornings for the summer at Highfields, Ixworth Road, the home of Helen Allum. Come and enjoy a coffee/tea with old friends and make some new ones too! All welcome.
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MONDAY MEET You are very welcome to join us from 2.30-3.30pm at Woolpit Christian Fellowship for a friendly, informal and relaxed gettogether. We start with an interesting talk, then break for tea, followed by an encouraging talk from the Bible. For more information call Margaret (240565) or Phil and Jan (240502). Also see Colour by Wendy on page 13.
ELMSWELL BAPTIST CHURCH Activities and services in April Monday, April 9: Ladies Friendship meet at 7.45pm for a talk by Martyn Taylor entitled The Tunnels under Bury St Edmunds. Contact Margaret on 01359 241541 if you would like to join the ladies. Thursday, April 12: Food and Friends Lunch at noon. Contact Jackie on 01359 245918 if you would like to join us. Our services in April will be led by: Sunday, April 1 The Congregation; we each take a small part in the service by reading a passage from the Bible, offering a mini-sermon or choosing a hymn Sunday, April 8 Stephen Spurgeon Sunday, April 15 Rev Barbara Challis Sunday, April 22 Stephen Spurgeon Sunday, April 29 Rev Richard Edwards Sunday, May 6 Kevin Moore For any more information about our church and our activities please contact Tony – 01359 241541 / cockant2@btinternet.com – or visit: www.elmswellbaptist.org.uk We are a small friendly group at Elmswell Baptist Church who offer a genuinely warm and friendly welcome to anyone wishing to join us at any of our services or activities.
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CHURCH NEWS Breakfast Church 3rd Sunday of the month
9am at St John’s, Elmswell
ST JOHN’S CHURCH, ELMSWELL What’s the best news you’ve ever heard? Was it surprising? Did it change the way you think? Or was it something you wanted to be true but didn’t dare hope? At St John’s Elmswell, we aim to share and celebrate the best news of all. This news focuses on Jesus and the events of Easter. Why not come and discover more? We offer a range of popular Sunday services. You can learn more about the different styles of worship we offer, the communion service times and the child-friendly activities on our website. If you would like to find out more about the best news ever, why not try coming along to Christianity Explored. It’s a relaxed and informal way of providing space and time to think about the big questions of life. In a small group, over seven sessions, you can find out more about the life of the person at the heart of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ. A new group will be starting in June – details will appear on our website or from Peter, our rector. Throughout the week we run a variety of other small groups that meet together on a weekly or fortnightly basis. The small group setting is the best place to develop deeper friendships with other church members and to get that sense of belonging to something special. Our small groups form a central part of church life, health and growth. Each group has its own distinct style – some meet during the day and some during the evening, some have a crèche option, some are centred around drinking coffee! Our small groups also include an opportunity to hear something from God as the Bible is opened up and encourage us to think how we can serve by helping out in our churches and community. Belonging to a small group is not only enjoyable, but is also key if we wish to enjoy the genuine Christian community (mutual support, encouragement, discipleship and outreach) that is in line with the New Testament vision of church. Looking back over the last month, March dealt Elmswell some pretty crazy weather. However, we are pleased that many of the events at
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St John’s went ahead as planned. The ‘cinema at church’ was a success and the popcorn stall was especially popular with the children. Our Mothering Sunday celebration was also very enjoyable as we thanked God for mums and thought about the even greater love God has for us, his children. Everyone is welcome at St John’s. If you’d like to know about our church, or to enquire about getting married or having your baby christened, please get in touch: The Rev Peter Goodridge: 01359 240512 / elmswellrector@gmail.com Interested? Give us a call or pop along to one of our services this month. Sunday, April 1: Easter Sunday 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Easter Family Communion Sunday, April 8 10.30am Morning Service Sunday, April 15 9.30am Breakfast Church (breakfast from 9am) 11am Holy Communion Sunday, April 22 10.30am Holy Communion Sunday, April 29 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Morning Service with Annual Meeting Sunday, May 6 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Morning Prayer plus Communion www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk / Facebook
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CHURCH NEWS NORTON SALVATION ARMY Woolpit Road, Norton IP31 3LU Captains Andrew and Jackie Jarrold: norton@salvationarmy.org.uk / 01359 240787/231770 (hall) REGULAR ACTIVITIES Sunday Worship: 11am & 6pm
Band Practice: Thursdays, 8pm Songster Practice: Tuesdays, 7.45pm (fortnightly) Craft Night: Third Friday, 7-9pm Informal crafting for all abilities www.nortonsalvationarmy.co.uk Facebook: Norton Salvation Army
Family Service & Breakfast: First Sunday in month at 10.45am – relaxed, informal family worship with refreshments. Tea and Toast Community Fellowship: Monday and Wednesday at 8.45am. All welcome. Toddlesong: Mondays, 9.30-11.30am (term time only) Music, refreshments, play for toddlers (and parents and carers!) 610 Club: Tuesdays, 6-7pm (term time only) Games, fun, craft and much more for ages six-10ish CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Lunches: Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm Everyone welcome! Enjoy fellowship over a meal. Bible Study: Tuesdays, 7.45pm fortnightly Enjoy God’s word in a relaxed way either at SA Hall or 37 Blackbourne Road, Elmswell
Local serviceS guide
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Tel: 01449 675974 or visit our website www.phoenix-counsellingpractice.com
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