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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 7 • Issue No. 10 • AUGUST 2017
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Walk with a Fork, see page 3
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR It hardly seems appropriate to write about anything other than the tragedy at Grenfell Tower which continues to dominate our news with new horrors exposed almost daily. It’s a shocking sight in print and on TV, but a friend who passed close to the blackened tower last week tells me the pictures don’t come close to capturing the awfulness of it. She found herself staring at it in disbelief as people walked by, heads bowed. The outcome of the official investigation won’t be known for at least a year, but thankfully action is being taken to prevent similar disasters elsewhere. We can only hope this work is completed before more lives are lost and send our condolences to those who lost family members, friends and neighbours at Grenfell Tower, and indeed all those who lost everything except the clothes they were wearing. When horrors such as this occur we tend to hold our loved ones a little closer and appreciate what we have a little more. Often our own problems seem a little less all-consuming, at least for a little while. It’s also a reminder to check that our own homes and those of vulnerable neighbours or elderly relatives have adequate fire protection and working smoke alarms. Did you know you’re four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works? Around half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents while two fires a day are started by candles and faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 6,000 fires in the home across the country every year. Take a moment today to inspect your home and then take any necessary action to protect it and those who live in it. You’ll find lots of information online and you may even be eligible for a Home Fire Risk Assessment or Home Fire Safety Check which you can book with your local fire and rescue service. You can also make enquiries on behalf of another person: Suffolk: 01473 260588 / Essex: 01376 576000
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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380
Send editorial copy to: blakenham@intouchnews.co.uk
Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk
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Distribution Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk
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Printing Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk
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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
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NEWS CELEBRATE THE VERY BEST OF SUFFOLK WITH FORKS AT THE READY It’s the perfect combination – beautiful Suffolk views and delicious local food and drink at Ormiston Families’ flagship event Walk with a Fork. Back for its fifth year, Walk with a Fork will be at Helmingham Hall on September 3. The beautiful 16th century hall and estate, on the outskirts of Ipswich, has recently been named as the Historic House Association’s garden of the year. The seven mile walk has been chosen by Lady Tollemache of Helmingham Hall who is also Ormiston Families’ president, and includes beautiful vistas, architecture and hidden valleys not usually seen by members of the public. After five years of support since the Suffolk Walk with a Fork began, Mackenzie-David Events will once again be sponsoring the event, along with Aspall, bringing some of the finest cuisine and cyder the local area has to offer. Mackenzie-David Events has been confirmed as the main lunch stop, providing venison koftas with coleslaw, salad and yoghurt which walkers can wash down with a refreshing Aspall cyder. The lunch stop will also feature home-grown musical entertainment to be confirmed later in the summer. On arrival, breakfast will be served by the tea rooms at Helmingham Hall, and the walk concludes with award winning Alder Tree Cream Ice. Other producers supporting the event include The Fish Hut, with some of Suffolk’s best fish and chips, James White Drinks, Suffolk Salami, Fairfield Farm Crisps and The Cheese & Pie Man. Gavin Lamb, relationship and events manager at Ormiston Families, said: “We’ve been so pleased with the success ‘Walk with a Fork’ has had over the years, and are especially looking forward to bringing the event back to Helmingham Hall this year. “The combination of the beautiful Suffolk countryside and delicious local food and drink make for a great day out, and all while raising vital funds which allow us to continue our work with children, young people and families across the East of England. “We are so grateful to Helmingham Hall for having us, our sponsors and all of our fantastic suppliers.” Tickets are £23 per person and children under five go free. Dogs are welcome. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www. ormiston-families.eventbrite.com If you are a local food or drink producer and would like to get involved, please contact Gavin: gavin.lamb@ormistonfamilies.org.uk / 01473 705034 Proceeds from Walk with a Fork will go towards Ormiston Families’ vision of a world in which every child will be loved, nurtured and valued. The charity’s work supporting children and young people is wide ranging, from mental health services, help to bridge the gap between home and school, to support for imprisonment, domestic abuse and much more. Tweet @ormistonfamily #WWAF
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SEPTEMBER DEADLINE 10 AUGUST 2017
is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
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NEWS BAYLHAM CHURCH SPONSORED CYCLE RIDE
SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP
The sponsored cycle ride will be held on September 9 this year. Last year we had a tremendous response and raised around £500. Or rather the cyclists did, plus a donation from a pair who would have cycled but went on their honeymoon instead. A good reason!
Would those same people be willing to do it again? Plus any other volunteers? For full details and sponsor forms please contact Wendy: 832885
The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416 OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm Saturdays: 9am-1pm
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities in August Coffee Morning Networking: Friday, August 4, 10am-noon at Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market
Networking Breakfast: Friday, August 18, 6.45am at The Bistro, Stonham Barns Please check the online events page for further details and to book: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk
FOUR COMMUNITIES ACTION GROUP The Four Communities Action Group (4CAG) was created in 2010 by members of the churches of Barham, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Henley. We aim to work together as four parishes to develop new activities and support networks and provide spiritual support and encouragement with a view to enhancing the lives of all members of the community. We currently have five organisations under our umbrella. Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club Meets at noon on the first Friday of each month at the Parish Rooms in Great Blakenham. Our August meeting will be a themed afternoon tea showcasing the home baking talents of our volunteers. In addition, we offer the chance to sit and chat with old friends, make new friends, play a game of bingo, win the raffle and have a bit of fun, all for just £4. For more information contact Mike: 07805 507497 The Book Club Places available for new members on the last Thursday in the month at The Crown at 10.30am. Just come along and join us for a light-hearted discussion on the book we’ve chosen to read. The Gipping Valley Art Society This small friendly group meets every Tuesday afternoon at Great Blakenham Parish Rooms. We take our own materials and have our own ‘projects’ for painting in various medias, including watercolour, acrylic, oils, pastels, pencils and ink. Membership is free but we pay a weekly subscription to cover room hire, refreshments and so on. If you are interested in joining our group please contact Ann on 01473 831031 or Margaret (treasurer) on 01473 830135. 4 Ever Young Men’s Club Meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10.30am at The Crown at Claydon. During the year, we welcome an occasional speaker, visit a local attraction or interest or spend time chatting about anything that interests us over a cup of coffee. We often stay at The Crown after the meeting for a ‘pie and a pint’. For more information, contact Mike on 07805 507497 or just pop in on the third Wednesday of the month. The Knitting Group Meets in the lounge at Alasdair Place on the first Thursday in the month from 10.30am-noon. We pay £1 towards refreshments. You can bring along any knitting you want but if you need ideas, we have plenty. At the moment some of us are knitting small teddy bears for the fire brigade to take to children involved in incidents or hats and scarves for the soup kitchen.
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A Community Shop for the local community, run by the local community
There was a lovely buzz and chatter coming from the community shop in July when we celebrated our fifth anniversary. The shop was filled with customers and volunteers who had joined us for a cup of coffee and piece of cake as our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all who have supported the shop since its opening. New customers also joined with us, saying what a wonderful shop and community we have here. Thanks to all our volunteers who helped with the Image by Gavin Hodge coffee/tea making and washing up, and to all the volunteers and customers who came along to make it such a happy event. Our anniversary raffle hamper was won by Mary C, who is both a customer and volunteer at the shop. Five years since the shop opened – where has that time gone? But within those years the shop has become an important part of the community and with the help of all we can be celebrating in another five years to make it a full decade. As you can see, we are most proud to have had our community shop working so well over the past five years. It has proved to be not only a superb asset selling everyday goods and groceries, much of it locally sourced, but also a great meeting place and social venue. We are also pleased to report that the finances of the shop are well-ordered and on an even keel. It is, of course, all down to our very much appreciated volunteers and customers. Our volunteers do so much more than work in the shop. Thanks to all the unsung volunteers who do various jobs that need doing without praise or recognition. Also to the management team who organise the daily running of the shop and make it appear all so easy. It takes many people to keep the community shop such an active, lively, and well-stocked facility for our locality – so just a little time to say a huge great ‘THANK YOU’ to all those committed people who do so much for our community, and also to the customers without whose support it could not happen. We currently have a vacancy on the management team, so if you think you have any ideas or expertise which could enable the shop to continue and improve you would be very welcome to join. Please contact Terry if you think you would like to become a management team member and he will give you any information you require. You may have noticed a different opening time on Saturday mornings – we’re now open from 9am until 1pm, so a chance to have a lie-in if needed. But as usual, we always have fresh local goods in the shop – bread, cakes, meat, vegetables, pies, eggs as well as household items. Our other regular services are: dry cleaning collection, coffee corner, book exchange, newspapers and magazines to be ordered for collection at the shop, a delivery service for those with mobility problems. So come on in, if you haven’t already, a warm welcome awaits. Management Team: Lucy Barrett – 831890; Terry Fordham – 831529; Peter Jousiffe; Anne MacFadyen – 831288; Steve Woolhouse – 831080
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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT John Field’s Report to Gipping Valley: July 2017 County Council Structure The cabinet committees I reported last month will have 12 members, including the cabinet member for the subject concerned, plus seven other Conservatives, two from the Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group and two Labour councillors. Regrettably, the administration intends to hold the meetings in private. We believe they should be public; we spend your money and you should be able to witness the decision making. The main Scrutiny committee, where I remain vice-chair, will continue along with Health Scrutiny. The current intention is for Education Scrutiny, an area where Suffolk is falling short, to be dissolved with its work shared by the main Scrutiny committee and the Cabinet Committees. Scrutiny We examined the county’s 10 Transformation programmes. The conclusion was that the less complex projects, like the incinerator, had delivered. Complex projects like ‘Supporting Lives Connecting Communities’ were difficult to measure and manage. No surprises there! A corporate programme management office has been set up to provide a more commercial approach and oversight across the organisation. We then held a workshop to help new members focus and to make an initial stab at a work plan. The committee should receive regular updates from the county council’s quarterly performance report and will scrutinise: • the county council’s contracts for home care • the Adult and Communities Services Transformation Programme, Supporting Lives Connecting Communities • the planning of infrastructure to support growth, focusing on the Suffolk Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Framework • the roll-out of broadband in Suffolk • the overspend in Children’s Services including what is being done to control costs and how well are services meeting the needs of children. Procurement and Social Value Scrutiny recommended a policy to encourage the inclusion of social value as an element of the procurement process. This has now been produced, five years after enabling legislation was passed. We hope this will, among other things, allow the value of local business involvement in contracts and local recruitment to be formally recognised. The Cabinet’s New Priorities A new set of priorities has been produced to form a top level guide to decision-making for the new administration. It extols past performance as you would expect and sets out many ambitions that most would
agree to. The determination to reduce costs and to ‘manage demand’ leads to a fear that even more vulnerable people will not get the services they need and that the relentless focus on saving will harm growth. District Council Local Plan The processes around the new Local Plan are moving forward and councillors have had presentations on the determination of the ‘Objectively Assessed Need’ for 452 new houses per year until 2036. This assessment considers the impact of population growth, commuting patterns, and other factors. Today I received the initial draft of the consultation version of the new Local Plan which will be available for your input around the end of August. It will take two years to complete. The maps attached show the selection of the sites offered by landowners that officers believe could be developed. They would deliver considerable more housing than is necessary so will not all be required. This document is vital to establish that the district has a valid plan with allocated development sites that give a five-year land supply. We can then grant planning permissions based on the plan not just for any sustainable proposal developers make. Gipping Valley Perspective Our closeness to Ipswich and jobs makes this a logical area to expand and people need houses, but as we all know the ability of the infrastructure to accommodate the expansion proposed is a major concern that must be addressed. Road safety and congestion are major concerns as are school capacities. County Highways has considered the cumulative effect of developments in other villages and I must ensure they do the same here. School planning is already underway, but not for the total numbers of dwellings in the plan draft. We need the numbers reduced or a change of direction. Current development proposals Some of you will have attended the meeting that Barham held to consider the planning application for 350 houses on land at Church Lane in Barham and the application for 310 houses on the Old Norwich Road in Whitton Rural. As I explained, I am keeping an open mind so that I can take part in the planning meeting at Mid-Suffolk and make a judgement based on the evidence. If you have queries please phone me on 01473 831306 (you will need to say your name and press #) or 07545 423808. You can also email me at: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk I do have Twitter @JohnFieldjd and Facebook /fieldjd accounts and my website is at: www.johnfield.suffolk.libdems.org
SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE SITE Suffolk’s Apprentice of the Year Jonathan Cross, the apprentice electrical engineer at Suffolk EfW, was awarded Electrical Apprentice of the Year by TTE. TTE specialise in training and development. Since completing his apprenticeship Jonathan has started a new role as control and instrumentation technician here on site. Well done Jonathan. Come and have a look around The Suffolk Energy from Waste facility is holding a series of open days in August which include a tour of the facility and time to explore our visitor centre. There is still space on the following days: Tuesday, August 1, 2-4pm / Thursday, August 10, 6-8pm
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There are 20 spaces on each day and you must pre book. To book please email c.davies@suez.com and we will confirm your place by email. If you would like to come to an open day, but cannot make these dates, you can email us to register your interest and we will let you know when the next open days are planned. If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility on 01473 839149. Other useful contacts: To book a visit: 01473 836821 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910
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NEWS GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
SnOasis PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA)
Your parish council wants to hear your views on the village and what we can do to improve it. So how can you get in touch with us and let us know what you think?
In the autumn of last year, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16.
Firstly, there is a public forum at the beginning of each meeting. The purpose of this is to give members of the public, especially residents of Great Blakenham, the opportunity to raise concerns or ask questions about topics that are related to the work of the parish council. If you would like to raise an issue for councillors to consider, please contact the clerk: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk / 07508 830777
For details visit: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning
We regularly post information about the parish council and its work on our Facebook page (@greatblakenhampc) and on Twitter (@ pcgtblakenham), but also items that are of interest locally such as road closures, the allotments, mud on the roads and local events. If you want to leave us a message this way, please do so. You’ll find information about all the above and the work of the council, as well as copies of agendas and minutes of meetings, at: www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net SnOasis Reserved Matters are now being considered by MSDC. Parish councillors have had to work very hard to study all the hundreds of documents and make comments on the impact of the proposals on the village. The comments of Great Blakenham Parish Council were combined with those from the other councils affected to form the Snoasis Parish Alliance Comments document. This document is available to view at: www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net/snoasis-parish-alliance. By the time you read this, the council’s wooden noticeboard on Masons Drive will have been replaced by a new low maintenance one. Unfortunately, the old wooden board had been damaged by rain and was no longer fit for purpose. The council has three noticeboards – on Masons Drive, outside the Parish Room and at the bus stop at Jack Brands. If you represent a local organisation or are organising a local event and would like your publicity material displayed on our boards, please contact the clerk (details above). The Allotments Unfortunately there is no news yet on a longer term solution to the lack of a secure lease. The council has made an offer to the landowner to open negotiations about a possible purchase of the allotment land by the council. We have now spoken to the landowner and will be maintaining this contact while the Reserved Matters for the development are going through the planning process. The council is all too aware that there are still problems with flooding on the roads in the village. Please continue to report this and other road problems to Suffolk County Council Highways as every report will help them to realise the seriousness of these issues to our community: www. suffolk.gov.uk Finally, we have vacancies for councillors. If you would like to know more about the important and varied work that the council does, please contact the clerk for further information. As you can see from the above information, the council is involved in all sorts of areas of life in the village. Thank you for reading this and for your interest in the work of your parish council. We do not meet during August because so many people are on holiday. If you are on holiday this month we hope you have a good holiday and pleasant weather. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 13 at 7pm in the Parish Meeting Room. In the meantime, if you want to discuss anything with the council, please contact us via the clerk (details above). Chairman Steve Plume
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It is important to be aware that this is not a renewal of the original planning approval for SnOasis, which remains in place. Reserved Matters cover the detail of such topics as design, appearance, transport, drainage, ecological mitigation, etc. The period for consultation on the remaining Reserved Matters has now closed. There were hundreds of documents, some of them highly technical and detailed. Members of the SPA worked very hard in a short time scale to scrutinise the documents and make constructive comments, reflecting the concerns, questions and requirements of local residents. The SPA would particularly like to thank those residents who gave up their time to work alongside SPA members on some of the more technical aspects of the application. The results of all this hard work were summarised in a document that was submitted to MSDC as the comments from the SPA and all its member parishes, giving the comments extra weight because they come from a significant number of local communities, representing several thousand residents. The SPA member parishes are Baylham, Barham, Bramford, Claydon and Whitton, Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham, Needham Market, Nettlestead and Somersham. The document is available to view on the Great Blakenham parish council website: http://greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net/snoasis-parish-alliance Although the consultation period is over, the SPA will continue to take any opportunity to raise the concerns of residents in the area about this huge development. To this end, the SPA is seeking a meeting with MSDC planning to discuss, among other things, our submission and the way forward with the developer’s plans after the Reserved Matters process is finished. For example, the developer has put forward a variety of possible finishing materials for exterior of the ski slope, but has not specified which one will actually be used. There are a number of similar important issues where members have noted that insufficient detail has been supplied and the SPA will be trying to establish how such issues will be handled. For further information, please email SPA clerak Janet Gobey: snoasispa@icloud.com Steve Plume, Chairman SnOasis Parish Alliance
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. Perhaps you have memory worries yourself or even a recent diagnosis and want someone to talk to. Maybe you have concerns about a loved one, or need support in your caring role. Perhaps it’s just information you are after, or a confidential chat with someone. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM
£10 PER MILE BY KEN SNOW
Hello Readers, I expect like us here at the station you have experienced the very hot and sticky weather over the last few weeks and are constantly trying to get fresh cool air into your homes. Please can I remind you to make sure that that all doors and windows are securely locked when you leave your house and don’t offer any temptation to opportunist burglars? Over recent weeks several areas have been targeted by thieves who have broken into properties via patio doors, only for the owners of the houses to come back to find untidy searches have been made and personal valuable items have been stolen. Do not make life easy for the burglars.
Ken Snow, who gave us a talk on Shackleton, is about to give us another one describing his charity walk. He calls it £10 Per Mile. It will be held on Thursday, August 17, in Baylham Village Hall at starting at 7.30pm.
With recent terrorist attacks around the country, Suffolk Police would ask you to be vigilant. If you have any suspicions or see or hear anything, please call us and report it. High profile events, festivals and concerts are being particularly heavily presenced by uniformed and armed police officers and dogs. The safety of the public is paramount and Suffolk Police, together with other forces want to make these events enjoyable for all. As we enter the six week school holidays, Hadleigh SNT would like to ask all parents to make sure they know where their children are, what they are doing, who they are out with and also please remind them to respect our open parks and play areas. Pick up rubbish and bottles and be wary of the fact that little children also want to enjoy the play areas in our towns and villages and do not want to hear loud swearing and abusive comments. Everyone should be able to enjoy the summer days. A quick safety warning – the temptation to cool ourselves down in water throughout these long hot summer days is of course on everyone’s mind. Please take care. Our rivers, streams, mill pools and reservoirs might look very welcoming, but also carry hidden harm. Often dangers such as rubbish, metal and natural weeds are hidden under the surface, and tides can be dangerous. We would strongly urge you to think before you dive in. Hadleigh SNT will be out and about throughout the summer at various events including school and village fetes, as well as community engagements in some of our villages. Please take this opportunity to come and meet the team. We will advertise these events as much as possible so please follow us on Twitter (details below). Also if you have any other questions, issues or concerns for the team, please do not hesitate to contact us on any of the following ways. Until next time, please have a safe and enjoyable summer from us all at Hadleigh Police Station. Twitter: @HadleighPolice Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Emergency: 999 Non-emergency: 101 PCSO 3173 Julia Bignell, Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD
IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5 MIP/5A MIP/5B MIP/5C MIP/5D MIP/5E MIP/5F MIP/5G MIP/5H MIP/5I MIP/5J MIP/5K
Town/village Location Sproughton Church Lane Sproughton Wild Man Bramford St Mary’s Close Bramford Paper Mill Lane Great Blakenham, Chequers Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park Baylham Post Box Claydon Crown Claydon Edinburgh Gardens Barham Bacon Road Bramford Packard Place
Time 9.10-9.25am 9.30-9.45am 9.50-10.05am 10.10-10.25am 10.35-1055am 11-11.15am 11.25-11.45am 11.55am-1pm 2.05-2.20pm 2.25-3.50pm 4-4.30pm
2017 DATES: August 1, August 29, September 26, October 24, November 21, December 19
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Tickets are £8 to include wine and nibbles. Contact Wendy (01473 832885) or Ann (01473 830316).
MURDER ON AIR
Back by popular demand, Needham Market Entertainment Company presents another fun filled murder mystery evening. Performances of Murder on Air by locally grown authors Sharon Hulm and Ruth Coomber will take place at Needham Market Community Centre on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September at 7.30pm. Tickets (£10 including a light supper) are available from Elton House Newsagents and 01449 723171. The bar will be open and there will be a raffle in aid of our two local charities for this year, Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline and St John the Baptist Church Roof Repair Fund.
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER FIFTIES CLUB Open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham, but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House with its own parking area. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. At our first meeting in June we had a social afternoon when Brenda set us some fiendish quizzes. At our second meeting we welcomed Carol Eagles from The Citizens Advice Bureau to give a presentation of their work. It was not appreciated that this is a charity and considerably staffed by volunteers, including a practising solicitor who gives time each month. One of the many ways they help people is in advice on utilities and getting the best deal from all the many on offer. If you would like help in finding the best deal and do not have any idea where to start, go along to their office in Stowmarket or give them a ring to make an appointment and they will be very pleased to help. We are on a summer break in August and will recommence with our AGM on Wednesday, September 13. We have quite a varied programme and new members are always welcome. If you would just like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB The club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm from February to December. Members pay £2 per meeting and this covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Unfortunately at the time of writing we have not had our July workshop which was postponed for a couple of weeks so I will write about this next month
1st CLAYDON SCOUTS HOLD THE FRONT PAGE! Recently, the Scouts of 1st Claydon were given a talk on how In Touch magazine is compiled. They learned all about printing, editing and designing In Touch. The evening took place at 1st Claydon Scouts’ HQ. The Scouts were also set a task to spot deliberate errors on various pages of the magazine such as misplaced adverts, typos and inconsistencies, a role that the editor of the magazine is responsible for checking. We were pleased that Sharon Jenkins, In Touch’s editor, came in person to run the evening to which we are very appreciative.
2017 PROGRAMME August 7: Painting and Decorating September 4: Boxed Up October 2: Kantha November 13: Mini Makes Month December 4: Christmas Party If all this sounds interesting there is currently room for new members so if you would like to join us please get in touch. Although the club is all ladies at present gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I cannot accommodate children. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
MP DR DAN POULTER REPORTS BACK
1ST CLAYDON SCOUT GROUP FETE The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts at 1st Claydon worked to put together publicity and stalls for a fete which was held on Friday, July 7. The event was well attended and included a barbeque, a cake stall and pop and candy floss stalls. There was also the opportunity to throw wet sponges at the leaders and executive, a cash prize draw and a shoot the football competition. The group raised more than £450. Well done to all the girls and boys who put this together and Helen Staff for organising. Assistant Group Scout Leader Mark Pearson
Undoubtedly, the best part of my week is coming home to Suffolk on a Thursday evening and leaving behind all of the stresses and pressures of a week in Parliament, not to mention the congestion of London behind. Returning home to Suffolk makes me really appreciate all that is special about this county – its rural character, great sense of community spirit and vibrant market towns. Indeed only a few weeks ago, I was delighted to come together with my fellow Parliamentary colleagues from Suffolk to celebrate the first ever Suffolk Day. With such a vibrant, growing economy, and outstanding transport links, it’s no wonder that so many major businesses and small rural startups are choosing to make Suffolk their home. However, I am becoming increasingly concerned about some of the inappropriately large planning applications that are being submitted to our local council planning committees. One of the reasons that so many of us choose to live in Suffolk is because of its rural heritage and our beautiful countryside, and whilst we would all agree that we need an appropriate level of small scale development and affordable homes to help support young families to continue to live and work in Suffolk, none of us wants to see our countryside destroyed by inappropriate over-development. Planning is, of course, a local matter decided by our local councils and when deciding planning policy, where there should be new businesses and homes, it’s important that our local councils take an evidence based approach, and always prioritise brownfield sites over building on the countryside. That is why it is so important for our local councils to make sure they have a local development framework and land supply plan in place, to discourage inappropriate development. I will continue to work closely with our local councillors to ensure that we protect the rural nature and integrity of Suffolk’s towns and villages and will always stand up for the best interests of local residents in fighting inappropriate planning applications. For more information, please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com
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Fri 18th - Thurs 24th August
CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS Fri 18th - Thurs 24th: 2.30
(U)
THE NUT JOB 2 (PG) Fri 28th July - Thurs 3rd Aug
DESPICABLE ME 3 (U)
Fri 28th - Thurs 3rd: 12.15 SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING (12A) Fri 28th - Thurs 3rd: 2.30 & 7.30
THE BEGUILED (15)
Fri 28th - Thurs 3rd: 5.15
Fri 4th - Thurs 10th August
DUNKIRK (12A)
Fri 4th - Thurs 10th: 2.30 & 7.30
CARS 3
(PG)
Fri 4th - Thurs 10th: 12.00
DESPICABLE ME 3
(12A)
Fri 4th - Thurs 10th: 5.00
Fri 11th - Thurs 17th August
Fri 18th - Thurs 24th: 12.00 & 5.00
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (12A) Fri 18th - Thurs 24th: 7.30 Movies at the Museum OUTDOOR CINEMA
Fri 18th August - MARY POPPINS (U) Sat 19th August - DIRTY DANCING (15)
Adults £4.00, Under 15’s £1.00
Tickets on sale now from the Regal Box Office
Gates open from 6pm, film from 8.30pm Museum of East Anglian Life, IP14 1DL
POCKET MONEY MOVIES
GREAT FAMILY FILMS, KIDS £2.50, ADULTS FREE!*
SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (U)
Fri 28th - Sun 30th: 9.30am, Wed 2nd: 9.30am Fri 4th - Sun 6th: 9.30am, Wed 9th: 9.30am
PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CINEMA EXPERIENCE (PG)
THE NUT JOB 2: NUTTY BY NATURE (PG)
Fri 11th - Sun 13th: 10.00am , Wed 16th: 10.00am
DUNKIRK
Fri 18th - Sat 20th: 9.45am, Wed 23rd: 9.45am
Fri 11th - Thurs 17th: 12.00 & 2.30 (12A)
Fri 11th - Thurs 17th: 5.15
WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (12A) Fri 11th - Thurs 17th: 7.45
www.regalstowmarket.co.uk / 01449 612825 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AY
A DOGS PURPOSE (PG)
*1x free adult per paying child. Under 10’s must be accompanied.
Thurs 31st August at 7.00pm - Tickets £12.50
Live from the Young Vic, starring the Olivier Award winning Billie Piper
YERMA
(15)
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SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL As you read this article, we are all busy enjoying the summer holidays. However, the last few weeks of term were filled with activities and events with many taking advantage of the lovely weather.
Personality of the Year. The winner of this special award was nominated and voted for by students in a secret ballot. It was a lovely evening celebrating so many individual and team sporting achievements across the year. The dedication, commitment and passion that these students have for their chosen sports make their families and the school very proud. The afternoon of July 17 saw the school’s annual Headteacher’s Praise Tea Party which is held to celebrate those students who have been awarded four or more Headteacher Awards on their school reports and who have 100% attendance throughout the year. I am delighted that a huge number of students were eligible for invitations.
On the evenings of June 27/28, we hosted our Claydon Spotlights show. Talented students across all year groups performed in a variety of acts ranging from music and dance to comedy and scooting. All the acts were fantastic and I would like to thank parents and carers for their support with auditions and rehearsals. It was great to see so much hard work and effort rewarded with great performances. Well done! On Thursday, July 7, 145 Year 6 students joined us for an induction day in preparation for the start of high school in September. Despite a few anxious faces in the morning, students soon settled into their activities, taking part in specially designed English, French and science lessons throughout the day. By break time it was clear to see that many had made new friends and are excited to be joining our warm and friendly school. Staff involved in the day were extremely impressed with the positive attitudes and enthusiasm shown by all students and we look forward to them joining us in the autumn. Year 5 students from our feeder primary school also joined us on Tuesday, July 11 for an arts festival. Students were split into groups and took part in drama, dance, music and art based activities all designed around the theme of The Sea. We still have a few places available for students starting high school in September; please contact assistant headteacher Mr C Sim. On July 12, the PE department hosted its annual Sports Award Evening. Celebrations got off to a brilliant start with certificates awarded to students in Years 7-10 for Endeavour, Excellence and Team Sports with the awards culminating in a trophy for Claydon High School’s Sports
Several students have had the opportunity to experience the magic of the live theatre this half-term. Years 7 and 8 spent a warm evening in Christchurch Park watching an open-air performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which Year 7 are currently studying in their English curriculum. Years 9 and 10 GCSE drama students travelled to London on July 6 to watch The Woman in Black and The Play That Goes Wrong and a small group of students who excelled in a recent Readathon, raising money for charity, and our Word Warriors were rewarded with a trip to London to see Matilda. In other areas of the school we have had a Year 9 and 10 business and food technology trip to Hollow Trees Farm to learn more about career choices in agriculture and allied industries as well as sustainability and food processes. Year 9 students took part in an enterprise language day, creating a food or drink product to launch in a French or Spanish speaking country. Year 9 art and textiles students visited Cambridge Botanical Gardens. Year 10 experienced a taster day at Suffolk One Sixth Form College. The PE department held its most successful sports day ever, with 10 school records being broken, and Year 10 students experienced the exciting world of work on their work experience placement. I have been offered an exciting opportunity in the next academic year to undertake two terms work for our multi-academy trust. Therefore, I am delighted to inform you that Maeve Taylor will be our headteacher from September to Easter, with me undertaking an executive head role at the school. Please do contact her if you have any questions about the school or would like to visit. I would like take this opportunity to thank colleagues who will be leaving Claydon High School for pastures new come September and welcome new teachers who will be joining us for what I hope is another very successful year. If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please telephone my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term. Headteacher Mrs S Skinner
After the service we enjoyed her favourite ice cream It’s the little things that make a funeral special 12
Here for you every hour of every day
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for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals In Touch online:
A GREAT DAY OUT FOR THE FAMILY • RARE BREEDS • PETS PADDOCK • TRACTOR-TRAILER RIDES • PLAY AREA • CAFE • MUSEUM • GIFT SHOP
NEW FOR 2017 • Children stay dry in our brand new All Weather Play Area • Meet our new Foal, Colony Dorothy AUGUST EVENTS • Children’s Discovery Wednesday’s August • Family Horse & Dog Show 20th August • Wind in the Willows 4th August • Something Suffolk Fair 27th- 28th August SE
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Woodbridge Walk, Hollesley, Suffolk, IP12 3JR Tel: 01394 411327 Email: info@suffolkpunchtrust.org Reg. Charity No. 1100596
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SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL As the end of the school year draws nearer our pupils have been extremely busy with productions, musical performances, sporting events, visits, new clubs and many, many visits. During the recent election the children got to learn and all about democracy and how important it is to vote. As well as learning about the history of voting through assemblies and activities in class, the school council decided that to help everyone understand the importance of voting we needed something meaningful for them to vote on. It was decided that our pupils would vote on what the reward would be for the winning team this term; a sports afternoon, arts and craft afternoon or a film afternoon. A polling station was set up and all children in the school had the opportunity to vote. The school council then carefully counted the votes – they were very strict on ‘split votes’ – and revealed to the school that with 144 votes the winning team this term will enjoy a film afternoon as their reward. Having to vote on something that is meaningful to them helped the children understand how important it is to use your right to vote, and how democracy actually works. Sport has been a huge part of life at CPS this year with children participating in a wide range of sporting events and competitions. This past month we have competed in swimming rounders, cricket and Quadkids events. All children selected for the various events did a fantastic job representing the school. 100% effort, resilience and determination was clear for all to see, but what is always so evident is how well they support each other and work together. We are extremely proud of them all. In addition to these events, Year 3 had the pleasure of coach Gareth from Stowmarket Rugby Club coming in to lead their PE lessons. For many of our children it was a completely new sport (50 Things – Number 30: Learn a New Sport), but they all really enjoyed it and we look forward to Gareth returning next year. This term has seen the introduction of two brand new clubs – Construction Club and Globetrotters. At Construction Club the children had the opportunity to make and build things using Knex, Lego, Wedo
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Well hasn’t this school year gone quickly. It is hard to believe that the summer holidays are already here. This term was very busy for both staff and children. We said hello to two new members of staff – Emily McKenna and Elise Jay – who have settled in very well with the existing team. The children have enjoyed lots of fun activities including their sports day and summer party. A big thank you to everyone who came to our summer fete to help support the pre-school. We have said goodbye to some of our children who are moving on to Reception and Nursery and wish them well as they move on with their education – we will miss them. From September 2017 we will be opening for 51 weeks of the year, not including bank holidays, and from 8am to 4pm. Due to the year round hours and the introduction of the additional 15 hours funding for three and four year old parents who work, we are proving very popular from September. As we will be open throughout each of the school holidays we will have the option to take children up to five years old for additional sessions during these weeks, subject to availability. Please contact the administration assistant for more details. Don’t forget that from September 2017 the government is introducing an additional 15 hours funding for working parents of three and four year olds. This means that parents who both earn the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage (£115.20 per week) or more per week and
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or other materials – and even using their computing skills to make them move. At Globetrotters Club (pictured) the children got to learn more about the world we live in through fun and creative activities. These have included papier-mached balloons decorated to represent planet Earth, making rivers out of tin foil and investigating what effects river flow and even making cakes inspired by volcanoes, rivers and the earth. Finally, our Reception gardening club have had a successful harvest as they actually got to enjoy the fruits of their labour last week. Eating their homemade carrots for their snack… Yummy! Over the last month many of our pupils have been ticking off more of our 50 Things to Do Before You Leave Claydon Primary School: perform to an audience, learn to play a musical instrument, visit different places of worship, visit an art gallery or museum and go pond dipping. Lots more has been happening, including: Years 3 and 4 visiting Colchester Castle as part of their Roman topic; Years 1 and 2 visiting Felixstowe to conclude their seaside topic; Year 6’s visit to Crucial Crew; a Punch and Judy show for Key Stage 1; an amazing Year 5 and 6 production of Hoodwinked; visitors in school to discuss their faiths and religious beliefs; Year 6 pupils getting their writing published in a mini-saga book (pictured); Years 3 and 4 building a Roman museum in school; sports days across the whole school; Nursery visiting Alder Carr Farm; Year 5 trip to Ipswich Museum to find out more about the Ancient Egyptians; Year 6 field trip to Flatford Mill; and much more. It has been a fantastic year at CPS. We look forward to welcoming new pupils in September and say farewell and good luck to our Year 6s as they move on to high school. Also, on behalf of all the staff a huge thank you to all parents, carers, family, friends and members of the community for their continued to support. We look forward to seeing you all again in September after a well-earned break for all. Happy holidays, Deputy Headteacher Louis Collins less that £100,000 per year (or just one carer if a single parent) will be eligible to claim up to 30 hours of funding. You can register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible and also register for the government Childcare Vouchers Scheme. If you would like an application form or any further information please contact administration assistant Lisa Read: Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk / 01473 831648
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB June prize winners No 18 Nadine Harrison No 61 Cara Lee No 19 Jo Bean
£15.60 £7.80 £2.60
New members are welcome at any time. Entry is just £1 a month and the draw takes place on the last Friday of each month from September through to July. The more entries we get the greater the prize money and all money raised is used to enhance the lives of our children within the pre-school. For an entry form please contact Nadine Harrison: 01473 831857 / treasurer@claydonpreschool.co.uk
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SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Well hasn’t this school year gone quickly. It is hard to believe that the summer holidays are already here. This term was very busy for both staff and children. We said hello to two new members of staff – Emily McKenna and Elise Jay – who have settled in very well with the existing team. The children have enjoyed lots of fun activities including their sports day and summer party. A big thank you to everyone who came to our summer fete to help support the pre-school.
September. As we will be open throughout each of the school holidays we will have the option to take children up to five years old for additional sessions during these weeks, subject to availability. Please contact the administration assistant for more details.
We have said goodbye to some of our children who are moving on to Reception and Nursery and wish them well as they move on with their education – we will miss them.
Don’t forget that from September 2017 the government is introducing an additional 15 hours funding for working parents of three and four year olds. This means that parents who both earn the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage (£115.20 per week) or more per week and less that £100,000 per year (or just one carer if a single parent) will be eligible to claim up to 30 hours of funding. You can register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible and also register for the government Childcare Vouchers Scheme.
From September 2017 we will be opening for 51 weeks of the year, not including bank holidays, and from 8am to 4pm. Due to the year round hours and the introduction of the additional 15 hours funding for three and four year old parents who work, we are proving very popular from
If you would like an application form or any further information please contact administration assistant Lisa Read: Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk / 01473 831648
BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB
BRAMFORD METHODIST CHURCH
Greetings guff lovers. In the midst of glorious weather at the time of writing, I am watching Wimbledon and marvelling that this thing of beauty is the same sport that I have struggled to play for more years than I care to remember (let’s just say that when I started all matches were in black and white – including mine). The participants have the same sort of equipment and clothing as me, but seem to be able to get the ball in the court (and there is hardly any swearing or racket throwing). Nevertheless I think that my games are much more entertaining, certainly judging by the amount of laughter. A group of lads were on the playing field the other day when I was walking my dog. As I approached I heard one of them say: “Oh look, it’s that clown coming”. I laughed to myself as I walked past, because my dog’s name isn’t Clown, it’s Bonzo!
Minister: The Rev Derek Grimshaw 01473 805486 / dkgrimshaw@msn.com
Nothing daft happening with the men’s team who are going so well they haven’t called on my services again, even though I have phoned Graham every night to see if there are any call-offs. He must have a fault on his line though, as it sounds like the phone has been answered, but when I speak it cuts off and I just get the dialling tone. The coaching sessions seem to be a great success and the club has gained several family memberships as a result. The weather has helped and having some sessions for starters and improves means that we may see Nick get some much needed coaching with his serve. It would certainly help his finances as it costs him a tin of balls every time he serves with most of them ending up in the Gipping. I am not having a joke of the month this time out of respect for a very good friend of mine who recently passed away as a result of a tragic accident. He was assistant brewer at Adnams where, during his duties, he tripped on a gantry, fell into a huge vat of Ghost Ship (other brews are available) and unfortunately drowned. When his wife was informed of his passing she was at a loss to understand how he could possibly drown, because he was a lifeguard at his local swimming pool. The manager told her that two men nearby had successfully managed to pull him out to safety twice, but both times he fought them off and jumped back in! More guff next month, Mick Russ
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Steward: Ms R Palmer, 01473 831117 Please feel free to contact either of us with any queries. Baptisms, marriages and funerals by arrangement with the minister, who will also arrange Holy Communion for the housebound. Sunday Morning Worship with Holy Communion: Every second Sunday of month, 10.30-11.30am* Lighthouse Club for Children: 10.30-11.30am (term time only) Families @ 4: Informal get-together from 4-6pm once a month with tea provided – come and go as you please – not a service but our minister usually joins us Monday Bible Study: an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss, 2-3pm every third Monday of month Computer Club: 7.30-9.30pm (term time only) Tuesday Network/MWiB: our ladies meeting (although gentlemen are always welcome), 2-3pm* on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from October-April and the second Tuesday from May-September Wednesday Computer Club: 10am-noon (term time only) Prayers and Laying on of Hands for Healing: 7.30-8.30pm on the second Wednesday of month Thursday United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields, 3-3.30pm* on the first Thursday of month Saturday Coffee Morning: 10-11am either at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see diary below for location) on the third Saturday of month *Tea and coffee served afterwards DIARY FOR AUGUST Thursday 3: United Service at Cherryfields, The Rev Y Haye, 3pm Sunday 6: Morning Worship, Prof D Welbourn, 10.30am Thursday 10: Network/MWiB, 3-5pm. We give you a warm welcome to our Annual Cream Teas held at Cherryfields. Homemade cakes and preserves for sale, plus various small stalls. Sunday 13: Morning Worship, The Rev T Brookes, Holy Communion, 10.30am Sunday 20: Morning Worship, The Rev Dr A Palmer, 10.30am Sunday 27: Morning Worship, The Rev D Keeble, 10.30am
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CHURCH NEWS FOLLOWING THE CaR IN FRONT Coming home from Stansted Airport last week we saw signs that the road ahead was closed with diversion signs. It was some way before the road was actually closed and once the cars in front, as well as me, had made that discovery the sign read “Please find an alternative route”. What was the alternative route? A quick decision to follow the cars in front was made with the hope that they would: a) know where they were going or: b) be heading in the direction we wanted to go. Thankfully all worked out well and we got back onto the A12 and made our way home. It was more wishful thinking on my part for a good outcome, but we can be certain of eternal life. Jesus knew where He had come from and where He was going. There were some who wanted to follow Jesus, but it meant taking an ‘alternative route’, putting Him first and letting Him take the lead in their lives, living His way instead of living for themselves. There were those who turned to God from following idols, got rid of
everything associated with that and lived for Him through Jesus. It is still the same today. WEEKLY EVENTS Tuesday: Weekly Prayer Meeting, 9.30-10.30am Wednesday: Home Group, 10-11.45am Thursday: Home Group, 7.45-9.30pm Friday: Children’s Club (primary school age), 6.30-7.30pm Sunday Morning Service: 10.45am-noon We’ll be having a cream tea followed by well-known hymns on Sunday, July 2 at 4pm. For more information contact: info@blakenhambaptist.org.uk / 01449 720357 www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk
ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Wednesday, 9.30am: Quiet Reflective Communion Service Thursday, August 3 3pm United Service at Cherryfields Sunday, August 6: Trinity 8 / Transfiguration 8am Parish Communion, Bramford 10am Holy Communion with Picnic for Lammastide, Lt Blakenham Sunday, August 13: Trinity 9 8am Holy Communion, Bramford 10am Parish Communion, Nettlestead Sunday, August 20: Trinity 10 8am Holy Communion Bramford 10am Parish Communion Baylham Sunday, August 27: Trinity 11 10am Parish Communion Bramford Please check porch notices for any changes. Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar 01473 748914 / Stmarybramford@aol.com Assistant Curate: The Rev Julian Fennel, 01473 833250 www.stmarybramford.co.uk Dear Friends, First I would like to thank everybody who took part in the wonderful Bramford Fun Day this year. I am sure that we saw more people than ever before, and certainly at time of writing we have made a little over £2,300 for church funds. Thank you everybody for your hard work – it was lovely to see the other stalls, and so many of you helping. Get thinking though; we need to start thinking about the next fete in January so while it’s fresh in your minds, if you have any great ideas for stalls or attractions, do let us know. August is the time when we cut down a little on our church services, and our 5pm service and fourth Sunday service take a bit of a rest. This is so that we can return raring and ready to go in September, so watch this space! We are really pleased with the way these new family services are taking off and are hoping to introduce a new family friendly Communion Service for occasional use as part of that series. Please read your service schedule carefully this month; there should be a service you can attend, but it may not be at the usual time or place. One of the most exciting things we are hoping to introduce over the next few months is a new community project we have called The Tabitha Project. This was suggested by one of our 5pm Service families, and it will enable our 5pm Service regulars to reach out into the community to help others. In September we are going to launch an appeal and tell you more about The Tabitha Project, who is involved and who we are setting out to help. As always we will be asking for donations to tie in with our harvest services and we will be involving the school. Finally, I have been asked to make a plea for folk to man our churches, and
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of course to ride in the church’s annual cycle ride day on September 9. Each of our parish churches has a rep organising the rota. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore our fabulous Suffolk churches, and to find even the most secluded ones open, and to raise a little money for a good cause. Blessings, Jenny A Big Thank You The fete held on the first Saturday in July was a great success. I must thank everyone who was involved, all the people who helped to set up, all those who manned the stalls and those who helped clear up. But most of all to Caroline Wolton whose energy and drive made it happen. Stewart McGinty PARISH REGISTERS Baptisms June 25: Johanna Wilmara Felgate, Bramford May she grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Weddings July 8: Michael Wellum and Sophie Mayes, Bramford July 15: Matthew Bell and Samanta Chaitoo, Baylham May they grow in their love for each other. Funerals July 12: Terry Gillott, Ipswich Crematorium July 13: Edith Harriet Turner, Ipswich Crematorium July 17: Ralph Bugg, Ipswich Crematorium We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers. Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church August 15: In memory of Maria Whight If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week. Cleaning Rota: C Thacker and S McGinty Flower Rota: August 4/5 – Weddings; August 12 and 19 – H. Hart; August 26 – Wedding Lectionary Bible readings for our Sunday Worship are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It’s good to share the reading of scripture with Christians – both Catholic and Protestant – across the world. August 3 Trinity 8 Genesis 32:22-31 Romans 9:1-5 August 13 Trinity 9 Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28 Romans 10:5-15 August 20 Trinity 10 Genesis 45: 1-15 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 August 27 Trinity 11 Exodus 1:2-8, 10 Romans 12: 1-8
Green Matthew 14:13-21 Green Matthew 15:21-28 Green Matthew 15:21-28 Green Matthew 16: 13-20
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CHURCH NEWS THE CLAYDON GROUP OF CHURCHES The Church of England in Claydon and Barham, Henley and Great Blakenham We offer you a warm welcome to all our events and services. For enquiries about baptisms, weddings and funerals contact: Priest-in-Charge Rev Carl Melville, Claydon Rectory 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmaill.com www.claydonchurches.com SERVICES IN AUGUST Barham Church – every Sunday at 10am Henley Church – every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church – every Sunday at 11am Sunday, August 6: Transfiguration 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, August 13: Trinity 9 and St Mary 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am J-Team 30th Anniversary Barham Church 10am family@henley Henley Church 11am Patronal Service Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, August 20: Trinity 10 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am family@barham Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, August 27: Trinity 11 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Café Church Henley Church 11am Elevenses@GB Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, September 3 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church JESUS GOES TO THE BEACH! Find out what he got up to… August 6, Gt Blakenham Church, 11am August 13, Henley Church, 10am August 20, Barham Church, 10am Refreshments available; all welcome! Further services can be found on our website. Hall bookings Barham Church Hall: Zoe Groom, 831804 Gt Blakenham Parish Room: Paul Corbett, 830201 Henley Church Vestry: Margaret Gerrard, 831463 Funerals June 27: Geoffrey Day June 28: Gordon Harris Weddings July 1: Marion Self and Kevin Peters July 22: Karen Grimsey and Neil Flewitt July 29: Clare Hart and Karl Wilkinson Baptisms June 4: Caroline Ray (adult) Sunday’s Cool: A traditional Sunday School takes place at Gt Blakenham for any children within Henley, Claydon, Barham and
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GB. It will run on the second and third Sundays (August 13 & 20 / September 10 & 17) from 10.30am in Gt Blakenham Parish Room. Under 5s should be accompanied by an adult. Older children can be left unattended. Stories, games, songs and loads of fun! It’s free and there’s no need to book. Contact Irene for more information; 01449 676567 Barham Hall Picnic Band Concert: The return of this event to the calendar after a year’s break was clearly welcomed with all tickets selling out two months prior to the event. We had a great evening’s entertainment provided by Essential Sounds Big Band supported by the excellent local vocal trio The Three Chordettes to provide three hours of more-or-less non-stop music. Visitors were clearly enjoying good food and good company in the stunning setting of Barham Hall thanks to the generous hospitality of Mr and Mrs Burrows. The event raised a record of more than £4,000 for Barham Church Fabric Fund. This is likely to be put to good use in the near future as we await the report from the church’s five yearly inspection. J-Team – Thirty Years On: Our 10am worship at Barham on August 13 will take on a different form as we celebrate 30 continuous years of our J-Team holiday club. If you or your children have attended J-Team anytime in the past 30 years please come and join us. At the time of writing, this year’s J-Team running from August 9-11 is filling up. The groups for seven year olds and over are rapidly nearing capacity, but there is still plenty of space in the group for five and six year olds so there may still be space when you receive this magazine. (Please ring 831079 to check). Harvest Festival: Taking place in all our churches over the weekend of September 23/24. Our churches will be open the whole weekend with displays and events. The theme at Great Blakenham will be scarecrows, so if you would like to make a scarecrow or to help others make theirs, please let us know. The weekend will end at 6pm on the Sunday with a special service at Barham Church where we will be joined by the Cathedral Choir. All welcome. Other Services and Events Saturday, August 12 Gt Blakenham Church Quiz Night, 7pm Saturday, August 19 Vestry Café, Henley Church, 10.30am Saturday, September 9 Ride and Stride: all churches Coffee Morning, Gt Blakenham Parish Room, 10am-noon Sunday, September 24 Harvest with Cathedral Choir, Barham Saturday, September 30 Gt Blakenham Barn Dance, Claydon Community Centre, 7pm LETTER FROM THE VICAR I love the holiday season – even though I usually take my holiday during school term time. Somehow, August seems so much more relaxed than most other months. It’s a bit of a turning point too – children leaving schools and looking forward to starting new ones, families taking holidays to refresh and so on. Holiday season is there for us to rest a little and to be a bit more relaxed than usual. Jesus knew what this meant too! He would often escape to a quiet place just to reflect, pray and be alone. The Jewish faith is built around its special holiday seasons, likewise so is Christianity. August is a time for resting, relaxing and holidays. Our family services in August will be focused on the holiday season and looking at what Jesus got up to when he went to the beach. Why not come along? You may be about to start a new school, a new job or be moving on from a particular time in your life. Whatever it may be, why not join one of the Claydon Group of Churches over the holiday season? Have a great summer! The Rev Carl Melville
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