In touch news with manningtree aug 2017 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

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with Brantham, Lawford Manningtree & Mistley Volume 7 • Issue No. 10 • AUGUST 2017

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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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NEWS LINK LINE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS On Saturday, September 23, Link Line Christian Ministries will celebrate 25 years of Christian witness in the area. Special activities will mark the occasion at the Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford. The day will commence with a morning reception, with light refreshments available from 10.30am. Supportive display material will form the backdrop coupled with sales and information stands. An anniversary lunch will be provided at noon (this must be pre-booked by telephoning Link Line Ministries on 01206 272064) and is open to all who may wish to attend. At 2pm a special Thanksgiving Service will be held at which the guest speaker will be Pastor D Owelkumo with supporting ministry. Link Line transport services will be operating and the event is open to the public. Transport can be arranged for elderly persons. We look forward to welcoming you.

OGILVIE HALL COMMITTEE VACANCY Ogilvie Hall is Lawford’s Village Hall and is run as a charity for the benefit of the local community. It is managed by the Ogilvie Hall Management Committee which consists of representatives from local community organisations that hire the premises and five community members from the local area. Meetings are held once every two months at Ogilvie Hall. The committee is currently looking for a community member to fill a vacancy. If you are interested in joining our committee please contact our secretary, Wendy Saint-James, for more information: wendy@stjames-consulting.com / 01206 394345

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NEWS CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE: JULY 2017 Patient Confidentiality The practice takes patient confidentiality very seriously, but our staff are often faced with situations where they are asked to compromise this confidentiality. I thought it would be useful remind patients of a few guidelines. Unless it is clearly in the patient’s best interest to do otherwise, we can only discuss patient information with someone other than the patient themselves if we have written consent from the patient. Even the fact that a patient has an appointment at the practice is confidential as they may not wish family or friends to know. We therefore cannot confirm that a patient has an appointment, discuss their medication or any other aspect of their care without their permission. It is acceptable for a patient to give verbal consent on the phone, and then pass the phone to a friend or relative to discuss their problem. It is also acceptable for someone to book an appointment for a patient, or cancel it, as this does not require us to divulge any information. Two specific problem situations are often encountered. First, elderly or disabled patients may have difficulty in communicating or lack mobility and need someone to act on their behalf. A letter of consent enabling practice staff to discuss issues on their behalf really helps. The letter could specify, for example, that just appointments and medication should be discussed, rather than specific details about conditions. The other situation is parents discussing their children’s records. This is not a straightforward area. When parents are separated or divorced they may still have parental responsibility and so be entitled to fully discuss their child’s health. For children under 16, parents do not have an automatic right to access their child’s record and discuss their medical issues. Here “Gillick competency” applies.

MANNINGTREE TOWN COUNCIL The minutes of Manningtree Town Council meetings are available on their website, on the two town noticeboards (one at the Co-op Fiveways store and one beside the library) and at the clerk's office by appointment: 01206 390285 www.manningtreetowncouncil.org.uk

Lawford Parish Council You can read council minutes on: www.essexinfo.net/lawford-parish-council the parish council noticeboards Minutes can be collected from the parish office by prior arrangement as the offices are not open to the public.

MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL The full unapproved minutes of the meetings are displayed at the noticeboards near to the bus stop at Rigby Avenue and also outside Mistley Post Office in the High Street. The approved minutes can be accessed online at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings Dates of next meetings (in the village hall) Planning Committee: Thursdays, August 10 and 31 at 7pm Full Council: Monday, August 14 at 7pm

In his judgment of the Gillick case in the House of Lords (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985), Lord Scarman commented generally on parents’ versus children’s rights as follows: “parental right yields to the child’s right to make his own decisions when he reaches a sufficient understanding and intelligence to be capable of making up his own mind on the matter requiring decision.” This means that we may decline to share children’s medical information with their parents if it is judged by a practice healthcare professional that it is not in their best interest to do so. Training Days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Thursday, September 7 and Wednesday, October 4. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day. Practice Manager Pete Keeble

FRIDAYS@THEHUB All-age drop-in every Friday from 10am-12.30pm (next-door to the Mogul restaurant). A warm welcome awaits visitors of all ages with toys available for young children. Enjoy a cup of for tea or coffee with biscuits and – above all – enjoy good company! Colchester Credit Union Collection Point operates as part of Fridays@TheHub every Friday morning from 10am-noon at a separate table to ensure confidentiality (see page 9).

JAMES CARTLIDGE, MP FOR SOUTH SUFFOLK I was very honoured to be appointed a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the ministerial team at the Department of Health. Distilled, the role of PPS is basically to act as a conduit between a government department and parliamentary colleagues. In practice this means that I will be supporting the health ministers in their day-to-day work by attending debates, statements and urgent questions, and also ensuring that they are aware of the feeling in the House of Commons and concerns individual MPs may have. If individual members are concerned about certain matters either locally or nationally, or would like assistance in gaining attention for a particular campaign, it is the role of the PPS to enable that communication. For regular watchers of the parliament channel – and I know there are some – the PPS usually sits behind the minister they are supporting and can often be seen scampering across the green benches to send or receive notes to and from departmental officials seated near the speaker’s chair. A PPS is an unpaid role, though intriguingly we

are classed as being on the government ‘payroll’. Commentators sometimes use the phrase ‘payroll vote’ which refers to all ministers, whips and PPSs who are in one way or another part of the government (as opposed to ‘backbenchers’). I am delighted to have been assigned to the Department of Health because there is almost no bigger issue than the future of healthcare in the UK. I am looking forward to getting more involved in this area and developing a greater understanding about the challenges faced by the fantastic staff in our NHS. Of course, I will continue to be the Member of Parliament of South Suffolk. I will still hold surgeries, stand up for local interests and work on my various projects and priorities. My first duty remains to represent you in parliament, but it’s exciting to have new challenges to go with that core responsibility. Please see page 11 for my contact details.

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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: AUGUST 2017 Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw PLANNING AGAIN I started off this month writing a general guide to the planning process, and that was just the first item. It turned into a small but useful essay. I’ve put that to one side for now, but expect to use it. I’ve already shared a very good summary of the current position from Derek Davis in the Facebook group below. Please have a look. We are also currently revising our Local Plan to resolve some previous flaws and bring ourselves up to date in Planning Policy. In Brantham, the Rail Maintenance Yard has been granted permission. Along with the parish council, and almost everybody, I’m very hopeful for this project and what it will mean for regeneration and employment. I’m in touch with site management and we’ll work together to keep impacts to a minimum. Work has also started on the land opposite the top of Birch Drive, by Windy Ridge. Gipping Construction has visited neighbours and completion is expected in 2018. The triangle by the path will be landscaped and the path improved. The Parish Council voted that the name of the single street serving these houses should be Poppy Field. That seems acceptable to the developer, and it will also commemorate the men of the village killed between 1914 and 1918 at the right moment. I also understand poppies will be planted. In Tattingstone, the corner of The Heath and Station Road has approval for 13 units, a full eight to be affordable. Visibility questions have been answered to Highways satisfaction and I know that there are residents of the village who will welcome the possibility of being able to remain there. On a slightly larger scale, Stutton has serious concern, not to say opposition, to 34 houses at Church Lane. Although that’s a lower density than might be expected, there are problems with access, traffic and safety. The AONB is

another large consideration against. There are positives to this application however in affordable housing that may help the future diversity of the community. The applicant also made strenuous efforts to pre-consult with the village. But the access issues deal with safety and common sense. I’ve asked for a site visit to be made by any planning committee. MOVE TO IPSWICH Meetings seem to be being scheduled for Endeavour House in September, so that’s an indicator. But you know what moving house is like! Literally this is a work in progress. PRE-APPLICATION PLANNING ADVICE Babergh will now charge for this previously free service, in line with other authorities. It’s worth considering and can be tailored to need. It does not imply that approval will be given, and it never did. Details, as they say, on application. BABERGH ELECTORAL REVIEW Currently under consultation till August 14, I feel it lacks some basic information. We drop from 43 to 31 councillors and the wards will change. The Boundary Commission do this stuff all the time. We don’t. Each councillor will, on average, represent 2,388 electors (previously 1,600). I’m working on this in spare time and will put up a list of the principles and expected electorates, but it’s an open ended jigsaw puzzle. There will be a later consultation in October on draft recommendations. That may be more useful. As ever, I can be contacted as below, or look for me on the Blue Claud Butler bicycle, now in shorts and the odd coloured cycling shirt. alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk / 07812 564188 Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (an open group)

CELEBRATING WITH OUR PARTNER TOWN Erhard Wagner. Two days of morning workshops provided interesting talks from regional political representatives to the European and State parliaments and also from the President of Europeade. MDFPA president Denis Baldry contributed to these conversations. He reflected on the establishment of the partnership in 1971 and the history of the Frankenberg-MDFPA links, giving some highlights, for example the exchange visits made by pupils of local schools over many years. He celebrated the ongoing strengths of friendships made between families and of shared participation, most notably between Stour Choral Society and the Kantorei. Looking to the future he questioned how the partnerships might remain relevant and now reach out to younger generations.

Representatives of Frankenberg and the five partner towns

In mid-June five members of the Manningtree and District Frankenberg Partnership Association (MDFPA) travelled to Frankenberg, Germany to join in the celebrations to mark 50 years of partnership links. The towns of Brou, France and Seekirchen am Wallersee in Austria were Frankenberg’s first partners. MDFPA became a partner in 1971. Frankenberg Saxony, formerly in East Germany, was partnered in 1990, soon after the unification of Germany and more recently Bytów in Poland linked up in 2008. Representatives of the five towns were present. Together with the partnership celebrations, the town held a ‘mini-Europeade’ to officially launch preparations for Europeade 2019 at which Frankenberg will host an expected 6,500 visitors from across Europe. Europeade is the largest festival of European folk culture, held in a different European country each year (www.europeade.eu). Celebrations began with a formal welcome reception, with greetings from the town mayor, Herr Rüdiger Hess and the president of the partnerships, Herr

Over the weekend, folk dancing (as in ’mini- Europeade’) took place in the town’s main shopping area with contributions coming both from local groups and others from as far afield as Bytów – a coach journey of some 550 miles. The variety of the dances, the splendour of the traditional costumes and the sheer enjoyment of all who contributed provided a great spectacle. Europeade, Frankenberg 2019, will be buzzing! A celebration dinner was held on the Friday evening with several formal speeches, presentations made to the partner towns marking the 50 year celebrations, and with musical interludes from the very good Frankenberg Town Band. An excellent buffet meal was much enjoyed as were the warmth, the welcome and the friendships shared and renewed. On the Saturday evening a street party atmosphere was created and 500 balloons tagged with people’s expressions of hope for the future of Europe were released into a brisk south-easterly breeze. Food and drink was readily available. An Ecumenical Service on the Sunday morning, with a beautifully simple and entirely appropriate and inclusive address, was the perfect conclusion to a highly enjoyable and successful visit. If you have memories of your involvement in partnership events or would now be interested in learning more about MDFPA please contact me: denis@baldrys.org MDFPA President Denis Baldry

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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT COLCHESTER CREDIT UNION Safe savings and affordable loans available locally: • Supported by Tendring District Council and Colchester Borough Council • Collection Point in Manningtree at TheHub (next-door to the Mogul restaurant) • Open every Friday morning from 10am-noon in the informal setting of an all-age drop-in, operating from a separate table, respecting savers’ confidentiality While Credit Unions are still relatively rare in this area, they are much more widespread in Australia, the United States, Ireland and the North of England. Credit Unions are regulated like banks and savings are completely safe and easily accessible. Anyone who can’t visit a collection point can arrange access by phone or email and use direct debits for saving. Credit Unions are for: • Anyone who wants a loan (available to regular savers after 13 weeks’ membership) • Anyone who just wants to save Deposits in Credit Union accounts have a positive impact on local communities: • They provide loans at reasonable rates to people who might otherwise not get a loan or be driven to doorstep lenders • Most loans are spent within the community for decorating or improving the home, for car repairs, for school uniforms etc. • Credit Unions only use ethical investments for their funds On average Colchester Credit Union grants three loans per month. The amounts lent vary greatly from £50 to well over £1,000. Note: loans are available to regular savers after 13 weeks’ membership and the amount loaned depends on the amount saved. I have just returned from Mistley Railway Bridge which carries so many daily commuters and visitors to and from our village only to find that some irresponsible dog owner had allowed their dog to drop its load in the middle of the pedestrian footpath. This is very disappointing in this day and age and is extremely upsetting for people on their way to a train or on their way home to stand on this mess and carry it around on their soles.

FAMILY FUN & FRIENDLY DOG SHOW AT ACORN VILLAGE Acorn Village is holding its fundraising Family Fun & Friendly Dog Show on Saturday, August 5, 10am-3pm. We have the wonderful Highcliff Veterinary Practice judging once again, HRC All Stars Cheerleading, classic cars, family and pet portraits, bouncy castles by Island Inflatables and more. The coffee shop, charity shop, furniture and charity sheds will all be open too. Come and support your local charity and help raise funds for adults with learning disabilities while having a great day out. If you would like to help us with this event and volunteer please contact us: info@acornvillages.com

BRANTHAM 2017 ANNUAL GARAGE SALE Saturday, September 16, 9.30am-4.30pm Open garages selling items throughout the village. Look for the balloons and signs throughout Brantham, on the A137 Table top sale at the village hall, also refreshments, handcrafts, preserves, tombola, ice cream and much more. We need a £5 minimum donation to book your garage or village hall table. For more details please contact Maya, Louise or Maggie. If you like to help in any way either on or before the day, or wish to donate items for sale or for the tombola, please call Maya or Maggie. Proceeds will go to St Elizabeth Hospice (Carla Dawson’s Tribute Fund) and Nepal Children’s Trust which supports children in Nepal. Maya: mayawatling@hotmail.com / 07508 430671 Louise: Louloumadley@btinternet.com / 07792 236414 Maggie: maggie1woods@googlemail.com / 07867 546484 Facebook: Brantham Garage Sale

While taking the initiative to clean up someone else’s mess, I then notice that something else is becoming a common occurrence. Some who are considerate to pick up the poo in their poo bag then throw it on the side of the road by the electrical sub-station or leave it on the wall down School Lane. This too I find grossly inconsiderate and if I find out who is undertaking this practice I shall report you to the relevant authorities who will issue a significant fine. Take it home with you!

EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CAR BOOT SALE East Bergholt High School September 17, 9.30am-noon Admission 50p Refreshments available Free car park

Pitches In advance: Cars £5, with trailers £7, domestic vans £10 On the day: £1 extra No traders

Colin G

Gates open 8.30am for sellers ( 07776 291445

After the service we enjoyed her favourite ice cream It’s the little things that make a funeral special www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree

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OUT & ABOUT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION MANNINGTREE AND DISTRICT We raised more than £200 at the coffee morning at Foundry Court in June. All proceeds will go towards the branch welfare fund to help local ex-servicemen and women. Many thanks to all who supported the event.

MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH BOOK SALE

Please remember to put the 11am service at Manningtree Memorial for VJ Day on Sunday, August 13 in your diaries.

Saturday, September 30, 10am-3pm This is the last sale we are holding this year with more than 2,000 titles for your perusal. So pop along on September 30 and buy quality books at bargain prices, then stay a while and enjoy a bowl of homemade soup, a slice of cake or just a hot drink.

MANNINGTREE CHESS CLUB Manningtree Chess Club has in recent years grown significantly in terms of both members and playing strength. As a result the club enjoyed a highly successful season in the Suffolk League. The first team managed the double, winning both the Division 1 title and the Suffolk Cup, while the second team won the third division title without losing a single match. The second team also won the Suffolk Plate and the Under 145 Cup. There were also some notable individual successes with Phil Hutchings winning the Division 1 Player of the Year trophy and John McAllister scoring the highest number of points in the Suffolk League.

WEA – WORKER’S EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

The new chess season starts in September and for the first time ever Manningtree will be fielding a team in each of the three divisions of the Suffolk League.

All over the country the WEA organises many series of talks and lectures on a wide range of topics by excellent speakers and tutors at a very reasonable cost. These take place locally and may be in a morning, afternoon or evening.

The club meets at the Methodist Church Hall on South Street at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings from the beginning of September to the end of April. New players are always welcome.

Lawford WEA meets in the Methodist Church Hall on Monday afternoons at 2.30pm and this autumn David Prynn will give a series of illustrated talks on China’s dramatic history, starting on October 9. For full details contact Mrs Joyce Wrobel: 01206 547405

For further information please visit the club website or contact Carl (01206 391051), John (01206 391628) or Jim (01473 310561).

Brantham WEA meets on Tuesday evenings at Brantham Leisure Centre (Catterwade) with an AGM on September 26 at 7pm and a series by Alexander Bass entitled The Wild Habitats of East Anglia starting on October 3. Alexander will explore a range of wildlife habitats and reserves in East Anglia including heathland, woodland and estuary. Full details from Mrs Penny Hines: 01206 396376 New members are very welcome to any of these talks; put the dates in your diary and just come along.

WOOF, WOOF – WOOLVERSTONE MONTHLY MORNING MARKET St Michael’s Monthly Morning Market in August is going to be a special one with our four legged friends being made especially welcome. The market is in Woolverstone Church, just off the main road through the village; opening hours are 9am-noon and the August market is on Saturday, August 12. As well as the regular stalls with local fruit and veg from Tattingstone, cakes, pastries, Anchor Bread, meat from East End Butchers, trees plants and shrubs, local crafts, cards, quilting, coffee and tea, bacon and Woolverstone banger butties, we will have a chance for dog owners to show us their dog’s party tricks, everyone will be a winner with a prize of a doggie treat if they are allowed one! For more information or to book a stall please email Jane Gould: jane.gould@ btinternet.com / 01473 780777 And if that isn’t enough for your pets there is a Pet Service the next day at 11am for them to “Woof” an alleluia or two!

www.manningtreechess.info

1334 (MANNINGTREE) SQUADRON Congratulations to Cadets Lenga Dermaut, Robert Girling, Edward Goodchild and Samuel Moore who are now fully fledged Air Cadets after being enrolled by our Squadron Padre Claire Scargill. It was also a big night for Claire as The Rev Canon R J Tuck (Ron) welcomed her into the Corps after her induction. We look forward to Claire being part of our Squadron staff.

MANNINGTREE FREE FIT CLUB Open to anyone looking to lead a healthy active lifestyle Every Wednesday evening from 7-8pm at Mistley Village Hall, Shrubland Road, Mistley CO11 1HS. Contact: Bridie 07403 316735 / Tanya 07920 76245

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, August 8 at the Red Lion, South Street, Manningtree. All those interested in poetry are invited to attend to listen to the spoken word or to read poetry themselves. Some people will read their own poetry and some will choose to read the work of other poets. There is no charge for admission. To keep up-to-date with this group, please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT SONGS FROM THE MUSICALS Make a Wish Foundation invites you to Songs from the Musicals at the Manifest Theatre on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August (performances start at 7.30pm). With songs from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and many more favourites you will be transported to the West End. Make a Wish grants magical wishes to children fighting life-threatening conditions. Creating precious memories for the young person and family in a time when they need them most – no matter what the future may hold. All funds raised by the concert will be going directly to the charity. If you wish to experience the local talent on offer while helping your community make a difference to children who deserve a break from the monotonous routine of hospital appointments and treatment then come along to show your support to a worthwhile charity while enjoying solos, duets and medleys from musicals old and new. Tickets are £6 for members and £8 for non-members. Call the box office on 07444 724271 or book online via: www.manifesttheatre.co.uk

1st LAWFORD SCOUT GROUP As we get into the summer holidays all sections of 1st Lawford Scout Group have been busy preparing for camps and sleepovers. The Beavers are hosting a joint sleepover with the Stanway Colony at the Venture Centre 2000 in July and once again the Cubs are off to Hallowtrees in Ipswich for their annual camp. Activities planned this summer include stack climbing, grass sledging and rifle shooting, but we’ve managed to include a new activity which should appeal to most – sausage making! Our new district commissioner is going to join them for a roast dinner too. The Scouts are off to Norfolk and with 20 young people now in the section, organisation is going to be challenging, not to mention the many and varied activities when they get there. Of course, regular activities of camp fire cooking, archery, first aid updates and trail following/map reading have all been going on, but camps and sleepovers are still the highlights, and not just for the youngsters. The group continues to grow with every section now almost full. Leaders are always happy to accommodate young people for taster sessions, but please contact first as we can’t always guarantee they won’t be away from the Venture Centre. As part of the Scouting programme young people are always encouraged to become more independent and broaden their experiences so when they turn 14 they leave 1st Lawford Scouts and join the Colchester District Explorer Unit. This is the largest Explorer section in the county and a very varied programme is followed. Currently there are more than 80 young people taking part in various levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which is now an integrated part of the Scout award scheme. They regularly undertake expeditions in Thetford Forest and the Brecon Beacons and as their meetings take place on one of three week nights other demands such as school work can usually be accommodated. For many years the group has chosen to raise money for a charity and this year it has chosen the Sick Children’s Trust at Addenbrookes Hospital. The charity cares for the families of babies and children who are in hospital, providing accommodation and support, sometimes for many months. Fundraising has included a quiz night, a barn dance and a sponsored walk. Further events are planned for later in the year. If you, or anyone you know, would like to become involved with either 1st Lawford Scout Group or the Colchester District Explorers we are always willing to answer any questions. With the growing numbers of girls in the each of the sections, additional female help is always welcome, either on an occasional basis or as a regular helper. For more information about anything Scouting related, please contact Group Scout Leader Mark Jones: 01206 396055 / markj5@aol.com

EAST SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND SHOTLEY PENINSULA BRANCH We support people on the peninsula with visual impairment which includes having a monthly social meeting on the last Wednesday afternoon of every month at Stutton Community Centre. As usual with events like this, we rely on volunteer drivers who can spare two hours once a month, either staying for the meetings or just dropping off passengers, returning later to take them home. If you feel able to help, especially in the Brantham area, please contact Barbara Mcdonald: 01473 328907

PRESIDENTS HANDOVER AT MANNINGTREE ROTARY CLUB Manningtree Rotary met for a special evening on Thursday, June 29 at East Anglia Railway Museum in the atmospheric Victorian buildings of Chappel Station, Wakes Colne. The occasion was the handover from outgoing president Colin Daines to Paul Leech ready for the new Rotary year starting on July 1. Paul and Colin are pictured in the station’s signal box. Rotarians and guests were treated to a guided tour of the museum, which has some unique exhibits from the vintage days of steam. This was followed by drinks served in the station’s own pub and a buffet supper in the Goods Shed. The formal handover then took place. Paul thanked Colin for his very successful year as president and said: “Rotary’s theme this year is ‘Making a Difference’ and we look forward to another year of making a difference in our community.” The Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley is a friendly club of men and women who meet every Thursday night at The Crown Hotel, Manningtree. Our members work together to support local and international charities, and do hands-on local projects while enjoying the fellowship of friends in the club. We also enjoy social events throughout the Rotary year. If you wish to know more about the club, please contact David Willis: 01473 310076 Manningtree Rotary Club is still collecting glasses on behalf of Vision Aid. Did you know that 13million children worldwide can’t see properly simply because they need an eye test or glasses? If you have glasses you no longer need then donate them to us and help fund these tests and glasses they so desperately need. We are being supported by Manningtree East of England Co-Op (Riverside Avenue East) where there is a collection box in the entrance lobby. Thank you for your continuing support.

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY We are on our summer break now and are looking forward to our next season. It starts with Mark Hill, who is often on the Antiques Roadshow, giving us an introduction to mid-century modern and includes talks on Sir Edward Lutyens, glassware, Giles jewellery and much more. So why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months, starting again on September 6. Meeting last about an hour and start at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces, so please contact Wendy Robbins before the day on 01394 823807 to check for available space. For latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, July 12 Dr Stephen Ashworth, senior lecturer at UEA, talked on kitchen chemistry. Stephen presented an interesting science show using readily available materials to illustrate some of the principles of chemistry. Acids, bases, catalysts and indicators are all part of this exploration of some of the chemicals that are all around us. We don’t have a speaker meeting in August, but our popular summer dinner takes place once again at the Constable Hall on August 4. Our speaker on September 13 is David Whittle, vice-chairman of the Harwich Society, whose presentation is entitled I Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside. Being a Woman Racing Driver & Racing at Le Mans is the subject of our talk by Celia Stevens on October 11. Celia will talk of her experience of racing historic cars three times at Le Mans Classic, once at Nuremburg and all over the UK. And she’s still racing! Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted. We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On July 5 Lewis Tyler presented Daddy, What is TV? and on Wednesday, July 19 we held our summer lunch to which we invited our spouses and Probus widows. This year we moved to The Haywain and the occasion was enjoyed by all. We don’t hold a meeting in August and return after our break on Wednesday, September 6 when Tom Williams presents Everyone Has a Book in Them, followed on Wednesday, September 20 by Philip Roberts with a talk entitled The Mary Rose. On Wednesday, October 4 Roy Wood will tell us how to enjoy a healthy retirement and David Ablewhite returns with a talk about the royal family on Wednesday, October 18. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

FAMILY SUMMER DAYS AT RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN Well, it’s August already and the summer’s flying by. The swifts are on their way back to Africa, but we can still enjoy the sight of swallows and martins wheeling above us at Flatford Wildlife Garden.

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VILLAGE LINK CLUB At our June meeting a representative of the Hearing Care Centre gave an informative talk about how the ear works to allow us to hear sounds, why hearing loss occurs as we get older and why nothing can be done surgically to improve matters. Our speaker then went on to explain how hearing aids work and the different types available. Costs vary from a few hundred pounds for a basic hearing aid which amplifies all sound to the latest digital ones costing several thousand which can individually adjust the level of narrow frequency bands. Some can even be controlled by the wearer via an app on their mobile phone. Janet Dann will present a talk entitled Suffolk Chapter & Verse at our meeting on August 9. This will be followed by a fish and chip lunch for club members. Future talks this year will be: Elderly Drivers, Jewel of the Canaries, A year as Mayor of Ipswich, Christmas Special Message and Carols, First Aid & AED with a demonstration, Dad’s Army, The History of Scarecrows, Pray Silence for ? and The History of Butley Priory. Meetings are held at 10am on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. We normally hold a members’ lunch after the August and February meetings. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 14

Generally our garden birds are rather quiet and a little more difficult to spot at this time of year. They’re going through their annual moult and as they renew their feathers they can’t fly with their usual speed and agility. This leaves them more vulnerable to predators so they tend to lay low for a while. They still appreciate a regular food source though, so do keep the feeders and water topped up even if their presence isn’t quite so obvious in your garden. Did you know that bumble bees have smelly feet? Or that sparrows have an extra bone in their tongues? Or that the silver birch is known as the ‘Lady of the Forest’? All will become clear if you come along to the garden during weekdays in August as we continue our programme of family activities. These are the themes we have planned for the following weeks, commencing with the Monday dates: July 31: What’s so special about trees? August 7: We haven’t forgotten the birds! August 14: The humble bumble bee August 21: What’s so special about trees? August 28: Round up of the holiday activities We will be offering a selection of theme-related activities each weekday, so there’s bound to be something that your children will enjoy. There is a small charge per child that covers all the activities on offer that day, with a discount for members, or free on that occasion for those who join the RSPB on that day. For more details visit: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford If you have some spare time available and would be interested in volunteering with the RSPB locally, do get in touch for information about the range of roles available: 01206 391153 / shirley.sampson@rspb.org.uk Visitor Experience Officer Sharon Barker

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Opening Times Mon – Thu 9am - 9:15pm Friday 9am - 8:30pm Sat – Sun 9am - 12:30pm

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

MANNINGTREE HIGH SCHOOL

Our evening visit to the sweetpea fields at Kings Seeds in Kelvedon turned out well. It was a lovely evening to be outside among the amazing tangle of mixed sweetpeas, all in flower and smelling wonderful. Also we were able to walk among the rows of different varieties that they were growing to bulk up their seed supply for next season. Peter Miller, who has spent most of his life working for the family firm, certainly knows all about the processes that are needed to get that seed ready for us to buy. He was able to show us all the machines and describe their uses from sifting to polishing to packing. This month we will be welcoming back Toni Spurgin with a talk entitled Show Flower Arranging. This will be on Thursday, August 17 in Ogilvie Hall, Lawford and will hopefully give people ideas and confidence to enter our autumn show on September 2. If you would like to come along or need to know what the categories are in the show please phone me on 01206 393580 or the show secretary on 01206 394546. Hope to see you there. Elizabeth Thurlow

ST HELENA HOME CARE SERVICE

St Helena Hospice is pleased to share its new St Helena Home Care Service which provides person-centred care to help people to live as independently, comfortably and securely as possible. The service includes assisting people with personal care tasks such as washing and dressing, and maintaining a hygienic environment by ensuring cleanliness of certain rooms. With the launch of the new service, the hospice is now looking to recruit passionate care workers to expand the team. It is essential that all applicants can drive, have access to a vehicle and have an NVQ qualification in Health and Social Care or have at least six months proven experience of care work. “It is a privilege to work for St Helena Home Care; since starting work I have been given the opportunity to further my qualifications within my hours of work and have been supported by the team and other staff at the hospice. The team is friendly and we receive good rates of pay compared to some care agencies,” said Angie Gaught, a care worker with St Helena Home Care. If you’re interested in finding out more about the role please contact 01206 913240 or come to one of the open days – 1-4pm and 6-8pm on August 14 and September 28 at St Helena Hospice Education Centre, Myland Hall, CO4 9JU.

THE 36th SUFFOLK CHURCHES RIDE AND STRIDE Saturday, September 9, 9am-5pm The 36th Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride (organised by Suffolk Historic Churches Trust) takes place on Saturday, September 9 and St Michael’s Brantham will be open to welcome visitors whether walkers or cyclists. This is a wonderful way of exploring our beautiful county and some of its historic buildings while raising funds for your nominated church or chapel. If you would like to participate and nominate St Michael’s Brantham to receive half of the sponsorship raised, or for more information, please contact Julie Fermor on 01206 618243 or visit: www.shct.org.uk/ride-and-stride 16

Students have taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh awards for the first time in school history. Youngsters from Years 9, 10 and 11 took on the challenge which culminated in an expedition at Rendlesham Forest in Suffolk. They have now gained bronze awards after the event on June 24 and 25 which saw some students don green alien costumes in theme with the rumour of an alien landing at the site in the 80s. Mrs Champion, the Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator, said: “Manningtree High School embarked on a new adventure of the Duke of Edinburgh kind. The group embraced the award enthusiastically, with students racing to get their service and skills sections completed in preparation for their final challenge—the expedition. It wasn’t difficult to spot the groups from Manningtree as one group sported green aliens attached to their rucksacks and another sported a 1940’s style headscarf. They proved themselves worthy of their bronze award.”

ABRACADABRA MUSIC – PLACES FOR THIS SEPTEMBER An Abracadabra Music class is great fun with visual as well as musical interest, puppets and props, music to sing and dance along with, a giant parachute and a huge choice of percussion instruments to ‘jam’ along with. All children respond to music in different ways, some will want to get up and dance to the rhythm and others prefer to watch, listen and then sing the songs at home – either is fine. Abracadabra Music is about increasing confidence, making friends and, above all, having fun. Parents and carers are encouraged to actively join in with singing and dancing as the more involved they are, the more confident their children will be and the more fun will be had by all. Abracadabra Music is a great first introduction to a structured group activity and the perfect place for new parents (and babies) to make those allimportant first friendships. Extract from a recent review on Netmums: “I cannot recommend this group enough. Rebecca is a fantastic leader and really gets the children and carers/parents involved. Each week there is something different for them to experience, from a new song to a wonderful new puppet). It’s the highlight of my child’s week and I dread the holiday periods when it’s not on! I’ve made new friends too and subsequent play dates for my child. It’s very informal and everyone mingles with each other which is very refreshing.” Meeting on Tuesdays from 10am at Pump Farm, Little Bentley CO7 8SH, term time only. To find out more and to book your place, visit: www.suffolkkidsparties.co.uk

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FunDancing Classes Brantham Leisure Centre (Upper Room)

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SCHOOLS / SPORT BROOKLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL Brooklands is extremely lucky to have so many sporting ambassadors in the school including Marie Hunting who plays netball for Ipswich Storm, experienced marathon runners Pippa Wake and Megan Glazin and a former regional level badminton player in Lily Loveday. We are also soon to be joined by Brantham team footballer Charlie Goddard and Harry Legg who is a keen cricketer. Meanwhile Tam Harvey is recovering from her recent, impressive 100 kilometre charity cycle ride. Pretty inspiring stuff, so much so I too have been inspired to take to two wheels, but for now, mine remain firmly fixed to the floor as I spin frantically at the back of the class hoping to one day make it to the front row with the super fit athletic types! Megan Glazin has been recognised by the local authority as a key practitioner. This is a significant professional achievement and means that teachers in many more schools will be sign posted to come and learn from Megan’s teaching practice. I am thrilled to announce that Brooklands has been named as a finalist in the Raising the Bar Award 2017, recognised in the category of Innovator of the Year for our pioneering approach to recruitment and selection. We will be joined by our three new teachers Charlie Goddard, Harry Legg and Rhian Brighton in September.

Brooklands is proud to display our John Muir Award in our entrance. Our Year 5 children also recently received certificates for their environment work at our forest site including learning about coppicing, designing and installing new boundary posts, using pyrography decoration (wood burning) and a range of camp fire techniques. We will be introducing learning to play a musical instrument in Key Stage 1. Next year our Year 1 children will learn to play the ocarina. We are pleased to be able to provide all our children with an ocarina to play and take home to practice learning their tunes. 88% of children in Year 1 achieved the expected standard in the phonics screening check. This is above last years national figure of 81%. Children start learning phonics (the relationships between letters and sounds) in Early Years using the Read Write Inc. programme. Do you know of families moving into the area who would like to come to us? We currently have a limited number of places in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 for September. For information on how they can apply for their child to join Brooklands during the school year (in-year applications) please contact school admissions: admissions@suffolk.gov.uk / 0345 600 0981 Headteacher Christine Davy

MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB June 100 Club Winners 1: £105 Peter French (44) 2: £50 Donna Mills (36) 3: £50 Stuart Barwood (67) Fortunes improved generally for the club with the 1st Team recording back to back wins along with a tie and one defeat. They remain in the lower reaches of a very topsy-turvy Division 1 however. The 2nd Team won four on the bounce to take them well into the top half of the Division 3 table and the 3rd Team also achieved a 100% period with two victories which puts them in the top three in Division 9 East. The NECL side on Sunday have performed well, with some very good performances which have featured in the League Performance of the Week, but the Two Counties Sunday side has struggled against strong opposition. The Ladies have been in great form. In the Friday League, the side and skipper Candy Cornelius is the leading run scorer in the division. In the T20 Division A the team top the table with a 57 point cushion with four games to go. Candy is leading scorer in this division too. CRICKET WEEK: Monday, August 14 to Friday 18 A week of cricket at New Road, with lunches available on Tuesday and Friday. Monday: Juniors, commencing at 1pm Tuesday: Ipswich Greyhounds 11.30am start Wednesday: Two Counties O/50s and 60s 1.30pm start Thursday: Ladies, start TBC Friday: v MCC 11.30am start SATURDAY CRICKET 1st Team: Two Counties Div 1 Sat, Jul 22: Hadleigh (H) Sat, Jul 29: Woolpit (A) Sat, Aug 5: Haverhill (H) Sat, Aug 12: Frinton II (A) Sat, Aug 19: Witham (H) Sat, Aug 26: Elmstead (H) Sat, Sept 2: Wivenhoe (A)

2nd Team: Two Counties Div 3 Sat, Jul 22: Sudbury II (A) Sat, Jul 29: Woolpit II (H) Sat, Aug 5: Exning (A) Sat, Aug 12: Haverhill II (H) Sat, Aug 19: Tuddenham (A) Sat, Aug 26: Bury St Edmunds II (A) Sat, Sept 2: Brockley (H) 3rd Team: Two Counties Div 9 EAST Sat, Jul 22: Kesgrave II (A) Sat, Jul 29: Yoxford II (H) Sat, Aug 5: St Margarets II (A) Sat, Aug 12: Stradbroke (H) Sat, Aug 19: Felixstowe & Corinthians III (A) Sat, Aug 26: Woodbridge II (A) Sat, Sept 2: DBSL (H) SUNDAY AND MIDWEEK CRICKET NECL and National Village Competition Sun, Jul 23: Colchester & E Essex (A) Thu, Jul 27: Colchester & E Essex (T20) (A) Sun, Jul 30: Elmstead (A) Sun, Aug 6: Wivenhoe (A) Sun, Aug 13: Colchester & E Essex (H) Mon, Aug 28: T20 Finals Day (TBC) Sunday Div Team: Two Counties Sunday Div Sun, Jul 30: Brightlingsea (H) Sun, Aug 6: Abberton (H) Sun, Aug 20: Wivenhoe (H) Sun, Aug 27: Frinton (A) Sun, Sep 3: Brightlingsea (A) Ladies Two Counties Sun, Jul 23: Bury St Edmunds T20 (H) Tue, Aug 1: Copdock T20 (A) Sun, Aug 6: Bury St Edmunds T20 (A) Thu, Aug 24: Moreton (Friendly) (H) New players are always welcome, please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com

CATHOLIC MASSES Sunday at 8.50am in St Mary’s (Anglican) Church, The Street, Ardleigh

Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford and Ardleigh is served by the Parish of St John Payne, Greenstead, Colchester. The Parish Priest is Father Jon Ravensdale: 01206 870460 / sjpchurch@btinternet.com

Wednesday at 9.45am in St Mary and St Michael’s, Mistley, preceded by Morning Prayer

Also resident in the parish are: Father Michael Rear (01206 392695) and Father Mathias Odigbo.

Saturday at 6.30pm in St Mary and St Michael’s (Anglican) Church, New Road, Mistley CO11 1ER

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CHURCH NEWS BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES Meeting at Old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree Real Confidence! Haven’t some of our great sportsmen and women shown us that in the last few weeks? Jo Konta and Andy Murray at Wimbledon, the Lions Rugby Tour and Joe Root’s first test as England captain – they have shown us confidence in themselves, in their team mates and in their coaches and support staff. But is confidence in other people enough? Doesn’t your heart crave answers to questions like why am I here? Where did people come from? Are we really just an accident of evolution? Wouldn’t you like to be confident about these things too? The Bible claims for itself to be the Word of God our creator, who knows us better than ourselves and wants to have a quality relationship with us. That’s quite a claim; but when you think about it, we need something certain that comes from ‘outside’ ourselves don’t we? Our politicians, scientists and celebrities certainly don’t have all the answers. There is very little that is certain here or that gives us confidence! No human being or human creation does. So why not join us to investigate the claims of the Bible? We are continuing our sermon series based on Psalm 119; an ancient, carefully crafted, poetic presentation of the claim that the Bible is the way to find and know what God would have us do. King David (1040-970 BC) claimed that by studying the Word of God that “… the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart [would] be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer”. Wouldn’t you like to have confidence like that? Everyone is welcome at our Sunday services with lively worship and fantastic fellowship at 10.30am and again in the evening at 6.30pm. Services last between 60 and 90 minutes and refreshments follow the morning service. KEY NOTES FOR AUGUST Monday Madness! (Youth Work) and Home Groups (Bible Study & Prayer) take a pause for August. Prayer Meeting: Tuesdays 8 & 22, 7.45pm Seaside Rock Holiday Bible Club: August 7-11 for KS1 & 2 Do your children need an activity week during the long summer break? Why not send them to our Holiday Bible Club? It’s fun, there are plenty of activities and it’s a great way to make new friends. All based around the life of Peter whose story is recorded in the Bible. Running from August 8-12 at Highfields Primary School, 9am-12.30pm each day. For information call Ruth Cross: 395808 For the latest information on these or any of our activities call Pastor Gaius on 01206 393745 or visit: www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk

ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAWFORD Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Simon Heron, 01206 392659 August Services Sunday, August 6 8am Holy Communion BCP 10am Holy Communion Sunday, August 13 8am Holy Communion BCP 10am Family Service No Evening Service Sunday, August 20 8am Holy Communion BCP 10am Holy Communion No Evening Service Sunday, August 27 8am Holy Communion BCP 10am Morning Worship

AT BRANTHAM METHODIST Sunday 6 11am Sunday 13 11am Sunday 20 11pm Sunday 27 11am

Worship – Local Arrangement Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols United Service as East Bergholt Congregational Church Worship with Mr Colin Westren

AT CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST Sunday 6 10.30am Worship with Rev J David Thompson Sunday 13 10.30am Worship and Communion with Rev Chris Hill Sunday 20 10.30am Worship with Rev Yvonne Haye Sunday 27 10.30am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey 7.30pm United Prayer at St Mary’s

MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB Minister: The Rev Crawford Logan, 01255 423640 Sunday Services: 10.15am each Sunday – we welcome visiting and outside preachers. Holy Communion Services: please check dates and times on the noticeboard outside the church. Bible Study: first Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm in the Committee Room with Holy Communion at 2.30pm on the fourth Wednesday. Activities with tea/coffee on the second and third Wednesdays. Also meeting on our premises: Monday Workers Education Association, autumn and spring, nine lectures, 2.30pm Stour Choral Society (Sept-June), 7.30pm Tuesday Women’s Guild, 7.15pm Wednesday Gentle Fitness Class, 9.15am Art Painting Group, 10am-noon Manningtree & District Chess Club, 7.30pm Museum & History Group (bi-monthly), 7.30pm Treasurer: Mr Gordon King Church Bookings: David Shearmur, 01206 395263 The Rev Tom Osborne (pictured) with his wife Lorna and their daughter Neve will be moving into their new home in Elmdale Close, Mistley in August to take up his new appointment as Methodist Minister of Manningtree and Superintendent Minister of the Tendring Circuit. Tom has lived in over 16 addresses in a little short of 40 years, including Nigeria, and is looking forward to settling in the Manningtree area where he has traced his great, great grandfather’s name on the Mistley War Memorial. Tom and his family are at present serving in Cornwall. We shall welcome Tom and his family and The Rev Christine Preece, probationer minister serving in the circuit, at a welcome service in Manningtree Methodist Church on Saturday, September 2 at 3pm, followed by refreshments. A warm welcome is extended to all the churches in the area and the community to share in this service. The preacher at this event will be The Rev David Chapman, chairman of the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire Methodist District.

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CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR AUGUST Sunday 6 The Transfiguration of The Lord 9am Mass Tuesday 8 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 13 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 15 The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 20 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 22 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 27 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 29 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door.

Catholic Commentary A good shepherd knows when to step down from his church and leave completely, Pope Francis has said. In his recent sermon during mass at the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis said good shepherds realise they are “not the centre of history”. He added: “Whether it’s large history or small history, I am not the centre, I am a servant.” “All shepherds have to step down. There comes a moment where the Lord says ‘go to another place, come here, go there, come to me.’ And it’s one of the steps that a shepherd must take; be prepared to step down in the correct way, not still hanging on to his position. The shepherd who doesn’t learn how to do this because he still has some links with his sheep that are not good, links that are not purified by the Cross of Jesus.” Pope Francis commented in 2014 on the possibility of retirement, telling a press conference that Benedict XVI had “opened the door” to popes choosing to retire. “I will do what the Lord tells me to do. Pray and try to follow God’s will. Benedict XVI no longer had the strength and honestly, as a man of faith, humble as he is, he took this decision,” Pope Francis said. Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday, July 30 when three lucky winners shared £147. The next draw takes place on Sunday, August 20. The club, set up to raise much needed funds to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month, a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for the Parish Room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next coffee morning is on Thursday, August 31.

MANNINGTREE BENEFICE Welcome to Manningtree Benefice, an all-age Anglican Church, meeting in St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield, and St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley, where we have a new vicar. By the time you read this The Rev Dom Turner will have been installed and licensed in the Benefice. As Dom says: “Hello from your new vicar! My family and I are really looking forward to moving back to North Essex, and by the time you read this I will have been officially welcomed as the new vicar. It’s such a privilege to be able to live and work among you all, and I can’t wait to get to know you, and to begin to feel part of the communities of Mistley, Manningtree, and Bradfield. I grew up in Colchester and have spent most of my life living in this area. Debbie, my wife, is originally from Suffolk, and my children were both born in Colchester General. So you can imagine that, in many ways, our move to the Benefice feels like we’re coming home. We can’t wait to meet you, and are all looking forward to many happy years in the Benefice, where I know that God is already at work and where many good things are still to come. With love and every blessing, Dom, Debbie and Turner kids.” In Bradfield this month we’re also going to be marking the centenary of Squadron Commander Edwin Dunning’s death. Edwin Dunning was a pilot in the First World War and was the first pilot to land an aircraft on a moving ship. There will be a service at Bradfield on August 7 at 3pm to which everyone is invited. Please don’t forget to check the website and publications in and around the churches for more information and events. If you’d like to get regular updates, please email the office (see below) to request the weekly email. SERVICES FOR AUGUST Sunday, August 6 10.30am Joint Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm Evening Prayer at Bradfield Sunday, August 13 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley

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10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield 6pm Evening Prayer at Mistley Sunday, August 20 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield 6pm Quiet Communion at Bradfield Sunday, August 27 8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley 10.30am Morning Prayer at Bradfield 10.30am Café Church with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley Treasure Seekers is our children’s programme for ages 3+ All services are at St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley (CO11 1ER) or St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield (CO11 2US) unless otherwise stated CONTACT INFORMATION At the time of writing, we don’t yet have a phone number for The Rev Dom Turner so if you have any urgent need to contact us, please continue to contact The Rev John Brien or The Rev Claire Scargill. Dom does already have an email address, so if you’d like to contact him, please do. For all other enquiries to do with services, events, activities, resources and buildings in the benefice, including enquiries about weddings, baptisms and funerals, please contact the church office. Church Office: available at least 10am-1pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 07436 398801 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Dom Turner: phone TBC / dom@manningtreebenefice.co.uk Associate Minister: The Rev John Brien 01206 397549 / brienfamily@btinternet.com Curate: The Rev Claire Scargill 01206 395417 / revclairescargill@gmail.com www.manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.facebook.com/ManningtreeBenefice

CHURCH NEWS LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Un-denominational / meeting at the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE (unless otherwise stated)

KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Sunday Service: 3pm

Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus COME AND JOIN US IN OUR NEW FELLOWSHIP – EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Saturday, August 5: Special Link Line Café/Oasis MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning, 9.30-11.45am at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street

Hear the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with our lively worship and service. Refreshments served afterwards.

Sunday, August 6: Special Outreach Service with Supporting Ministry Monday August 14: Community Shopping Excursion. Details from: 01206 272064

Every Sunday morning at 11am in The Ivell Suite at Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE.

Friday, August 18: Link Line Ministries Prayer Meeting, 10am at the Venture Centre

If you or someone you know needs prayer for anything, please contact us.

Sunday, August 20: Fellowship Service with Holy Communion, conducted by our Pastor

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

Tuesday August 20: Community Day Excursion to Lee Valley for a river cruise and fish and chip lunch. To book contact: 01206 512994 For pastoral visits, further information and enquiries contact us on: 01206 272064 / 01255 714544 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk We warmly welcome people of all ages.

BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn 01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk AUGUST SERVICES Sunday 6: Trinity 7 8am BCP Communion, EB 10am Benefice Communion and Baptism of Toby Crowther and Edward Fletcher, EB Sunday 13: Trinity 8 8am BCP Communion, EB 11am Benefice Communion, B Sunday 20: Trinity 9 8am BCP Communion, EB 10am Benefice Communion and Baptism of Jack Jaye, EB Saturday 26 Noon Wedding of Natalie Bury and Martin Howlett, EB Sunday 27: Trinity 10 8am BCP Communion, EB 11am Benefice Communion and Thanksgiving for Theodore Turner, B 1.30pm Wedding of Lisa Smith and Graham Stiff, B SEPTEMBER Saturday 2 1.30pm Wedding of Katy Muldowney and Chi Cheung, EB Sunday 3: Trinity 12 8am BCP Communion (Healing), EB 10am Benefice Communion (Healing), EB Wednesday 6 9.30am BCP Communion, EB EB East Bergholt / B Brantham Check the website for details. There is a BCP Communion every Sunday at 8am and Choral Matins is usually on the fourth Sunday (except in August and September). During the summer holidays the main service alternates between churches. This service schedule may change without prior notice if needed. THE ALPHA COURSE An opportunity to informally explore the meaning of life and think about the basics of the Christian Faith through talks and discussions. The course begins at 9.30am on September 12 at 52 Richardsons Road. Please let Rev Steph know if you would like to register. MOVING ON The bishop has decided that Matthew (Rev Dr Matthew Ling), our curate, will complete his curacy in the Ipswich Hospital Chaplaincy. This means that

from September Rev Matthew will be with us only two Sundays per month and from January one Sunday per month until Easter. He will not take part in any midweek events and will only officiate at funerals by mutual agreement. We will miss him very much indeed and wish him and Rev Claire well as they explore God’s plans for them in the future. RAMBLING RECTOR I’m counting down the days now until my leave, trying not to be daunted by the monster list of things that must be done before it starts. As I write Wimbledon is in full swing, and the couple of matches I have watched have ended in exuberant celebrations ranging from loud roars to lying prostrate sobbing into the grass and the removal of items of clothing which are tossed into the crowd. One player tossed a towel to a particular young fan which was intercepted by an older man (not realising what was happening) who won the spirited tug of war that resulted. Celebrations don’t always end the way that was intended, or even hoped for. Since my husband’s health scares four years ago we, more than ever, believe in celebrating life. Taking time to acknowledge the gift and give thanks seems very important now. The family reunion that will take place during my leave involves a dearly loved niece’s 40th birthday (she has completed aggressive treatment for breast cancer and with a three-year-old son every extra day is precious). Her younger sister is getting married (I am privileged to be taking part in the service) and my brother’s 70th birthday has crept up on us (where has his hair gone?). Joop and I have been married 40 years in December (he says he is the one who deserves the medal and I think he’s right). There truly is much to celebrate. I have noticed that we as a nation are tending to complain more. This can be a good thing if it results in improved standards, but if it becomes a frame of mind, it is unhelpful in all sorts of ways and leaves people feeling depressed and anxious. Christians are called to be people of hope, not serial moaners! While I have no desire to roar or sob into the grass or to remove items of clothing or throw things to anyone, I do want to thank God for what has gone before and ask for grace for what is to come. That could be our prayer for Rev Matthew too. We are very sorry that he is leaving us, though not totally yet. We have all benefited from his ministry amongst us and wish him and Rev Claire all the best as they explore their future calling. Rev Steph Thank you so much to all the Brave Bears who jumped from the St Michael’s Tower. We raised more than £1,000 and money is still coming in! Details of all fundraising events will be posted on the ‘Bergholt Bulletin’ Facebook group page (search ‘Bergholt Bulletin’ on Facebook to join). Fiona Trott

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