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Volume 8 • Issue No. 4 • FEBRUARY 2018
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I simply can’t avoid writing about words and language this month as unusual words and phrases seem to be coming at me from all directions. I have just spent a week in Ireland where ‘press’ meaning ‘cupboard’ and ‘yoke’ meaning just about everything else, including people (as in “yer man with the féasóg is a right yoke”) are common parlance, but I’ve also just finished a book by Mike Smith from The Waterboys in which he writes about many of the Irish musicians and writers he has worked with. One is a poet from Co Galway called Tomas McKeown who had a habit of running his hand over his bald head and saying “once there used to be waves, now it’s all shore”. How lovely is that? On my desk I have a word calendar which I received from one of my lovely colleagues. It introduces a new word every day. Today it’s ‘palisade’, but my favourites so far have been ‘algid’ meaning cold and ‘wiseacre’ meaning one who pretends to knowledge or cleverness, otherwise known as a smart aleck. I think we all know a wiseacre or two! And just last night a wonderful clip about strange words the Irish use popped up on Facebook. ‘Haymes’ is one we all use to describe getting something wrong, as in ‘he made a haymes of it’, particularly used at hurling matches! Another I might use more frequently is ‘banjaxed’ meaning broken or in a bad way, as you might be after a ‘night on the lash’. ‘Me feiner’ literally translates as ‘me myself’. To be called a ‘me feiner’ is the ultimate insult, meaning you have no thought for anyone but yourself, commonly used to describe politicians in Ireland. I’ll leave you with a wonderful phrase I spotted on a poster at Dublin Airport: Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.
In Touch
with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley
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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree, & Mistley is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with. . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... • NEW Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
NEWS WE ARE LISTENING: HAVE YOUR SAY ON WHETHER TO CREATE A NEW COUNCIL Babergh and Mid Suffolk residents have until Monday, February 5 to submit their comments on draft proposals to create a new council in the heart of Suffolk. The engagement, which was launched on Monday, December 11, asks residents and businesses in both districts to comment on proposals to dissolve both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and form a new, single council to cover the area. Responses can be submitted online through a survey, directly via email to one.council@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk or in writing to the councils. All of the views submitted will help inform a detailed business case, which will be drafted and considered by councillors later in the year. Every response received will be anonymised and attached, in full, to the business case. An independent telephone survey of 4,000 residents is also being carried out by ComRes. This is a survey of a representative sample of residents in Babergh and Mid Suffolk by age, gender, geography, socio-economic grade and ethnicity. The anonymised results of this survey will be publicly available and will also inform the production of the business case. Councillor Nick Gowrley, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “We in Mid Suffolk have always worked hard to deliver the services our residents need, and with local government funding changing so radically over the coming years we need new and innovative ways to keep doing that. Our residents and businesses know best what support they need, and this is just the opportunity for them to tell us. With only three weeks left it’s time for everyone to take part.” Councillor John Ward, who became Leader of Babergh District Council in January 2018, said: “There has already been a lot of debate and publicity about these proposals, but much of that has focussed on whether there will be a local referendum. I have resolved that aspect by making clear my commitment to holding a local referendum once a business case is available for residents to consider. This current engagement offers the chance to have your say on the future of public services in our area and what is most important to you. How people respond to this engagement and what they say will shape the future of local government and I encourage everyone to take the time to let us know their thoughts over the next three weeks.” Additional information, including how to have your say online, is available at: www.babergh.gov.uk/the-council/onecouncil www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/the-council/onecouncil Anyone wishing to respond by post can send their responses to: One Council Engagement, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road Ipswich IP1 2BX This month’s cover image of an early winter sunset at Cattawade by John Ridgley is the first in our ‘My Life in…’ series of images by local residents. I think you’ll agree John has captured a beautiful moment in time and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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NEWS 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 the parish council noticeboards and at: www.essexinfo.net/lawford-parish-council Minutes can be collected from the parish office by prior arrangement as the offices are not open to the public.
BRANTHAM PARISH COUNCIL The next meeting of Brantham Parish Council will take place on February 7 at Brantham Methodist Church. Come along to find out what your parish council is up to and to raise any questions/concerns. www.brantham.onesuffolk.net You can find out more about Brantham Parish Council on the Brantham Community website. The site includes copies of recent parish council meeting minutes, details of upcoming events and other items of local interest. The parish council meets on the first Wednesday of every month (except August) at 7.30pm. The public are welcome to attend. You can contact Brantham Parish Clerk at: 07702 490212 / clerk@branthamparishcouncil.co.uk You can also follow Brantham Parish Council on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BranthamParishCouncil Parish Clerk Surgeries Brantham Parish Clerk holds monthly surgery sessions at Bake and Blossoms café so that parishioners and others can meet her, ask questions, raise concerns or even just have a chat and a cake. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know your parish clerk and chat through all those local issues that have been bothering you! The dates of the next surgeries are Tuesdays, February 6 and March 6, 10am-11.30am.
MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL The full unapproved minutes of the meetings are displayed at the noticeboards near the bus stop at Rigby Avenue and also outside Mistley Post Office in the High Street.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH? Well, first of all… 4 fresh, boned and rolled turkeys 12 kilos of roast potatoes 5.5 kilos of fresh sprouts 5 kilos of fresh carrots 80 Pigs in Blankets 72 pork stuffing balls 4 jars of cranberry sauce 8 bottles of wine 4 litres of orange juice 4 kilos of Christmas Pudding 3 fresh trifles 4 litres of custard 2 litres of cream 6 dozen mince pies 6 packs of mints 70 Christmas Crackers …and then the vegetarian option, gravy granules, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, serviettes, paper tablecloths, candles, etc. etc. On December 13, after the first snow of the winter and many folk going down with winter ailments, we served well over 70 meals (one of which was home delivered). This year the event took place in St Mary’s & St Michael’s Church as the Church Hall is needing repairs, which meant that tables, chairs and other items needed to be moved up to the church. We are very grateful to Andrew Petts, who not only provided the transport for this on Tuesday, but spent all day with us on Wednesday, carving the turkeys with John Baker and then helping to serve and clear away afterwards. Without the help of a really loyal team of helpers (special thanks go to Chris Bowen and Sheila Large in the kitchen, Claire Scargill for roasting all the potatoes at home, Cathy Brien for providing the veggie alternative and Judith Hooks for providing trifles) who helped set up the church on Tuesday afternoon and served all the hot meals in record time, this event could not take place. And who can forget our special Christmas Elf, who took the money and led our carol singing afterwards – thank you, Dom! But, of course, the main constituent of the Christmas Community Lunch is those who come along – you! Thank you for continuing to support this event. This year we managed to serve the meal with a small profit of £15, which will be put into the fund which supports Tea & Support, the self-help group for the bereaved and those left living on their own (see page 10). All being well, we will hold our 12th Community Christmas Lunch next December and we look forward to welcoming you along.
The approved minutes can be accessed online at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings
Joy and John Baker
Dates of next meetings, all in the village hall Planning Committee: Thursdays, February 15 and March 8 & 29, 7pm Full Council: Monday, March 12, 7pm Finance Committee: Saturday, March 14, 10.30am
FRIDAY MORNING DROP-IN FOR ALL AGES WITH CREDIT UNION
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Every Friday morning at TheHub in Manningtree, 1 The Lane (next door to the Mogul). Open from 10am-12.30pm for drop-in with coffee, biscuits and a chat and from 10am-noon for Credit Union. Come and talk to our friendly volunteers who would love to talk with you and listen to you. If you cannot come to visit the Credit Union at TheHub on a Friday morning, you can call Colchester Credit Union on 01206 798823 or Dagmar on 07891 963005. If you join the Credit Union now you can secure a £25 voucher. All services at TheHub are offered by local churches.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT ACORN VILLAGE Are you looking for a new challenge in 2018? We’re looking for new volunteers to work in either the charity shops, sorting sheds, onsite at Acorn Village or at events to raise funds to help adults with learning disabilities.
REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: FEBRUARY 2018 Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw First of all, a Happy New Year. In December and January we debated the potential merger between Mid Suffolk and Babergh. I’m not going to give a blow-by-blow account. It was hard work and, at times, unpleasant. In December our leader Jennie Jenkins, faced with a motion to remove her as leader, resigned. The new leader, John Ward, stated in his pre-election address on January 4:
MANIFEST THEATRE
“In respect of merger, I accept we must have a more formal public consultation than the telephone poll. I am mindful of the motion that was passed on December 19 and that the will of this council is to have a referendum. I will be committed to holding one once we have a full business case to present to residents. There will also be a final debate and vote by the full council. If the evidence is there, residents and councillors will vote for it; if it isn’t then it will fail.”
A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, directed by Nigel Rowe
That concession was what the combined opposition had been working for since October.
Tuesday, February 20 to Saturday 24
The telephone poll and current consultation continue until February 5, but perhaps carry less weight. We are told that a merger cannot happen before 2019/20, but I’m aware that people change their minds.
Call 01206 394124, email info@acornvillages.com, pop into the shops to speak to the friendly volunteers or visit Acorn Village directly.
Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but sleepy Suffolk village Stratford St John. This terrific comedy packed with killer comic dialogue has a great story, with plenty of twists and turns. We all look forward to welcoming you to the theatre for a night of entertainment and laughs. Book online at www.manifesttheatre.co.uk/box_office.shtml or call: 07444 724271
So, does it really matter? What’s it about? Who benefits? As ever it comes down to money. Imagine your boss comes to you and says: “Times are hard. We’re cutting your pay, but you’ll be able to make it up with the new bonus schemes.” This is essentially where we’ve been since 2011. The government have progressively cut support for councils to the point where we’ve lost more than 35% of our income. The bonus schemes are less generous than they appeared. This may seem familiar to some. New Homes Bonus, based on us granting lots of planning permissions (I’m sure you’ve noticed that) is now lower, and for less time. It also needs the developers to build. They don’t necessarily want to. Why flood the market? The land value has increased massively, for a paper profit. Deposits and mortgages are not easy to come by and they’re not doing the building. We’re going to get a bigger share of Business Rates. Here, in a pilot project, that’s as much as 100%. But there are some wrinkles in that too. In a rural area, business rates are not that much. We don’t really get 100% and we don’t set them anyway. Finally, we’re allowed to borrow money, not to build council houses, but to go into investment in the property market. As they say, what could go wrong? We can borrow cheaper than most, and get the rents on shopping centres, industrial property and the like. The difference in the return and the cost will generate a revenue stream. Maybe there will be a capital value increase in the long term. Does this carry any risk? Who foots the final bill? Have a guess. One example is a £60 million industrial complex project in Stowmarket, Mid Suffolk. They borrow that and wait for the income. The two councils have some significant differences in their finances. The merger proposals suggest these match up well. Babergh, for example, are estimated to have higher expectations in New Homes Bonus in the future (all those permissions). Those receipts could be very useful in servicing any interest payments on these property adventures. One final thought for today. Mid Suffolk is traditionally a very Conservative stronghold. Babergh elects a wider range of representatives and usually reflects more variety of thought. A combined council would be safe Conservative territory for a very long time. The Central Government policies that have seen us lose income, make hasty moves, give lots of planning permissions, worry about our services, lose staff, and pretend to be a business have all come from the same party. Who benefits? As ever, I can be contacted as below, and I’ll be out and about on that old blue Claud Butler pushbike. Alastair McCraw 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (a joint open group)
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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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OUT & ABOUT I DON’T HAVE TO LIVE WITH TINNITUS ANYMORE “My tinnitus was starting to drive me mad,” says Christopher Gill, client of the award-winning Hearing Care Centre. “I had constant heard buzzing and droning and couldn’t sleep well. I would often wake up in the dead of night and think there was a car engine humming on my drive. My GP said there was nothing I could do about it and others said I just had to learn to live with it.’ After enduring the condition for over four years, Christopher finally took action when he read about the centre’s services for tinnitus sufferers. A hearing and tinnitus assessment revealed a mild level of hearing loss and he was fitted with a pair of Phonak Audéo B50 rechargeable hearing aids. He suspects some hearing damage was the result of clearing out concrete mixer trucks with pneumatic drills during his working life (“we didn’t think about ear protection in those days”). “I was a bit apprehensive about getting hearing aids. I always imagined big things on the ear that others could see. But my audiologist was very reassuring, saying the aids would also help reduce the effects of tinnitus, although this might take some time. I have persevered and worn the aids for up to 15 hours a day and the results have been unbelievably quick. I don’t notice the tinnitus anymore and I am sleeping so much better.” Christopher also finds his new, latest technology Phonak hearing aids to be very comfortable and discreet – “I put them in and forget about them” – and he enjoys the convenience of being fully rechargeable in just three hours. His wife has also noticed the difference, with the television volume down and him no longer saying “what?” all the time. She accompanied Christopher to his early consultations with the centre, which they both felt was beneficial for her to gain greater insight into his condition and treatment. “The Hearing Care Centre’s service has also been excellent from start to finish and we can’t find any fault,” says Christopher. “Their expertise and knowledge gave us confidence and the solutions have done what they said they would. I would encourage all those with tinnitus – you don’t have to put up with it, there is help out there.” At its upcoming Hearing Care Open Day in Manningtree on February 8, the centre will be introducing the very latest in hearing technology from Phonak and other leading manufacturers. It will also provide free tinnitus and hearing assessments to support Tinnitus Awareness Week (February 5-11). To book your free appointment, call 01206 760839 or visit: www.skeelshearing.co.uk
EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Table Top Sale at East Bergholt High School Sunday, February 25, 10am-noon Admission 50p Indoor ‘car boot’ sale, refreshments and free car park available For sellers: tables in advance £5 or £7.50 on the day Doors open 9am to set up Contact: 07802 810080
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SISTER ACT BY BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY Tuesday, February 13 to Saturday 17 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm A diva, a gang lord, a detective and a stage full of dancing nuns... After the recent success of Little Shop Of Horrors, here at BATS we’ve set ourselves another sensational challenge and we are excited to announce our next production is the musical spectacular Sister Act, a feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood. Already our cast are busy warming up their vocals and learning all their moves, while the construction crew and wardrobe team are busy beavering away behind the scenes. It’s definitely another exciting year and it’s going to be another fabulous feel-good evening for our audiences, so don’t forget to get your tickets. Tickets (adults £8 / children £6) are on sale from Bakes & Blossoms or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/branthamamateurtheatricalsociety Enquiry Line: 07891 974844
ROTARY CLUB OF MANNINGTREE STOUR VALLEY Manningtree Rotary has had another very successful year with our Santa collections. We were out with the sleigh touring the streets of Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford for 11 nights in the run up to Christmas. We also took Santa to Manningtree Christmas Fayre, Manningtree Market and the Co-op for static collections. As a result, we have raised more than £6,000 to distribute to local charities and good causes. The photograph shows Santa in his sleigh on one of the evening rounds. Rotary President Paul Leech said: “Once again we have been delighted with the response. Everyone loves to see Santa and the people of Manningtree have been very generous in their donations.” Rotary worldwide celebrates Rotary Awareness Week at the end of February and Manningtree Stour Valley Rotary Club has been very busy planting purple crocuses to heighten the awareness of the eradication of Polio in the world. Rotarian David Shearmur assisted by Bethany Chamberlin are tidying up the floral boat display by the entrance to the Co-op Supermarket in readiness for a colourful spring and a show of purple crocuses around the area. 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 on 01473 310076.
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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB
TEA & SUPPORT
We didn’t have a speaker meeting in January, but instead held our New Year Lunch for members, their spouses and Probus widows. This took place on Wednesday, January 17 at The Haywain in Little Bromley. Everyone much enjoyed the company and very good food and drink!
Tea & Support, the friendship and self-help group formed some five years ago for those who have been bereaved or are living alone, meets from 2-4pm on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month, normally in the Church Hall, New Road, Mistley (see below). These meetings usually consist of a talk or activity followed by an opportunity to chat over tea and home-made cake. Several times a year we have an outing to somewhere local for either lunch or afternoon tea. As our numbers have increased we have needed to hire transport for these outings. To cover our costs we now ask our members for a donation of £1 each per meeting attended.
On February 7 Dudley Chignall talks on Journey to Paradise and on February 21 David Whittle will present How the Victorians Developed Dovercourt. On March 7, Grant Elliot returns with The Life of Chic Murray and we hold our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 21. 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
MEETINGS THIS SPRING February 21: A talk and maybe some singing! March 21: Simple Flower Arranging April 18: Spring Outing for Afternoon Tea PLEASE NOTE: until work has been carried out on the ceiling of Mistley Church Hall, Tea & Support meetings will be held in St Mary & St Michael’s Church, New Road, Mistley. For further information please contact Joy or John Baker on 01206 391918 or for transport please call Paskell’s on 01206 396709. The 2018 Programme is available from Paskell’s in Manningtree, in St Mary & St Michael’s Church and in Bradfield Church.
CONSTABLE SINGERS Happy New Year to you all. This would be a good time to join our choir as we start on new songs for the coming season. We sing each Thursday at The Lambe School in East Bergholt and on the second Thursday of each month at The Congregational Church in East Bergholt starting at 7pm. No audition and words provided and the first session is free. Thereafter it’s £5 per session so come along and enjoy. For further details contact Mel (01206 298628) or Yvonne (01206 298428),
FORTY-SIXTH MANNINGTREE ART EXHIBITION The 46th Manningtree Art Exhibition will take place over the Easter weekend. Artists wishing to enter should request entry forms from Brian Cuthbertson: 01206 298635 / Brian@briancuth.plus.com
VILLAGE LINK CLUB At our January meeting, Colette Flude gave a talk on first aid in which she got us thinking about what to do if we found someone needing help. This starts with what to check for – consciousness, breathing, pulse, etc. – and how to get professional help. Most people knew the UK emergency number is 999, but few knew that the Europe wide 112 number also works in the UK. Colette then went on to demonstrate CPR and how to obtain and use the defibrillators being located in public access points should it be needed. The talk on February 14 in on the legendary TV programme Dad’s Army and will be followed by our annual members’ lunch at a local hostelry. Future talks: A History of Scarecrows, Pray Silence for ? and The History of Butley Priory. Meetings are held at 10am on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall. Following the speaker we have refreshments, when there is time for a chat with other members, and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Our first meeting for 2018 kicks off with a talk on hellebores by Mr Barry Gayton. It will be at the Ogilvie Hall, Lawford on Thursday, February 15 at 7.30pm. After all the grey days we have suffered lately it will be good to get together again and start to think of spring, and these beautiful flowers are definitely going to do that! Remember that at the first meeting the programme for the rest of the year will be available and subscriptions can be paid, but you are of course welcome to give it a try first. Looking forward to meeting you. Our quiz will be on Saturday, March 10 so if you need to hassle friends to join your team, now is the time to start.
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IPSWICH MUSIC DAY S U N D A Y 1 J U LY 2 0 1 8
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OUT & ABOUT MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Those dark December days seem a long way away, celebrated with our own Christmas Social complete with seasonal jollity and memorable party pieces by our very own stars of stage and screen. All made possible by Frank, Sue and helpers, for which society members are most grateful. Towards the end of our first half season Tim Stott has hosted three useful informal training sessions. Although aimed at newcomers, they have been well attended by a good cross section of members, all interested in broadening their appreciation of the hobby. We discovered, for instance recently, that modern digital cameras have two ‘curtains’ that control the flash function! The winter period did provide a brief opportunity to air some seasonal frosty and indeed snowy pictures on the members Facebook page, where we are pleased that Rachael Scott hosts an informal monthly challenge. Here is Richard Woolven’s entry for the recent Sunrise or Sunset collection.
STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, January 10, we were entertained by Ancestral Voices who took us back to the festive season under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I using words, music and images, including instruments from the period. In fact many of today’s carols and Christmas traditions originated in the Medieval and Tudor eras. We heard carols as we’ve never have heard them before! On February 14 Robert Burridge will speak on Scott, Amundsen & the Race to the South Pole. He will concentrate on their personalities, their leadership styles, the equipment they used and their epic achievements in the face of huge difficulties. The Life and Times of Sir Alfred Munnings is the subject on March 14. Marcia Whiting, Curatorial Associate at The Munning’s Museum will give an illustrated presentation exploring his life and wide ranging subject matter, including portraits, landscapes and rural scenes as well as the horse paintings for which he is so well known. We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December. It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.
MANNINGTREE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP The speaker in November was the naturalist Alex Bass. He spoke to a packed hall on the wildlife along the Stour from Flatford to the mouth of the estuary at Harwich.
Nine further meetings comprise the second half of our programme and will include a number of visiting speakers, competitions and also a practical studio evening. February 8: Audio Visual and How to Do It with Keith Leedham FRPS February 22: ‘People’ Competition (prints only) / Judge Mike Cowling ARPS We meet twice monthly on Thursday evenings until May 2018 at 7.30pm at the St John’s Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. New members are welcome to join (subscription £40) or may attend initially as a visitor (£3). For details please contact our secretary, Margaret: 01206 396958 / madps@post.com
Concentrating mainly on winter visiting birds, he asked the audience to identify the various species on the many photographs he showed us. The winter plumage of some species is very different to the summer plumage. He showed us pictures of the summer plumage of some winter visitors which drew gasps of amazement. Alex’s enthusiasm for his subject sparked the audience’s interest and his imitations of various bird calls drew spontaneous applause. It was a very enjoyable evening. On Wednesday, January 31, cordwainer Peter Ward will present a talk on the history of shoes at 7.45pm in the Methodist Church Hall. Everybody welcome as usual; members free, visitors £3 2018 is Manningtree Local History Group’s 30th anniversary.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY A Happy New Year to all! Our first lecture of 2018 will be on Wednesday, February 7, when Barry Venning presents a talk entitled Giles: His Life, Times and Cartoons. On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates. Here we see Acheloos, a detail of Roman Mosaic from Zeugma. 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. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 13 at the Red Lion, South Street, Manningtree. All those interested in poetry are invited to attend either to listen to the spoken word or to read poetry themselves. Some people will be reading their own poetry and some will choose to read the work of other poets. There is no admission charge. To keep up-to-date with this poetry group, please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk
WINTER AT FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN Sun shining? Crisp chill in the air? If you feel like a bit of fresh air, or somewhere to give the kids a run for an hour or two, why not visit Flatford Wildlife Garden? We’re open for two Snowdrop Weekends in February on 17/18 and 24/25. The garden is full of drifts of lovely snowdrops to enjoy at this time of year. We’ll also have potted snowdrops for sale, and seasonal advice on wildlife gardening for you to take home. After a bracing stroll in the garden or along the river, repair to the National Trust tea room for a well-earned cuppa and to warm up! Park at the National Trust car park at Flatford (£4 per day). The garden at Flatford is designed to inspire people to help wildlife in their own gardens. Many people don’t realise that they could very easily be helping conserve local wildlife by thinking differently about their gardens. For creatures like honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and many birds, gardens can allow them to travel across the landscape with access to food and shelter, which is vital to their survival. Gardens are no less important for creatures without wings – many gardens offer ideal habitat for hedgehogs, provided that the gardens are all connected. Surprisingly, hedgehogs need to travel up to two miles per night in order to find sufficient food, and therefore they not only need to be able to get into your garden, but also into your neighbours’ gardens from there. Once they’re in, apart from being charming in their own right, they will munch on your slugs and snails! Here are some ideas to transform your winter garden into a mininature reserve: Safe and warm in winter Don’t cut back the summer’s growth come autumn, but be patient and leave the summer’s bounty until spring. The dead plant material and autumn leaves will create an insulating blanket over the soil’s surface, creating a warm, dry haven for many small creatures hibernating away the winter months. You may then be lucky enough to have songthrushes and other hungry insect eaters rummaging in the leaf litter, searching for insect food in the depths of the winter. You can then have a satisfying tidy-up in early spring, once the worst of the winter is over. So mulch more Mulch your borders – choose something with an organic origin – homemade compost, well-rotted woodchips or bark chippings. This mulch not only nourishes the soil and plants, but also provides a source of food for soil invertebrates. Healthy populations of earthworms and other invertebrates have real benefits for the soil, and hence the plants, but will also provide food for a long list of carnivorous garden friends, such as hedgehogs, all the amphibians, song thrushes, blackbirds, robins, and many more. Winter hibernation sites Train a dense evergreen up your walls or fences, it will provide a safe haven for birds to nest, or butterflies to hibernate in winter. The five common garden butterflies, namely the comma, the small tortoiseshell, brimstone, peacock, and increasingly the red admiral, all overwinter by hibernating as adult butterflies, and need somewhere dry and insulated to shelter. In many cases, a thick evergreen climber such as ivy up against a fence or wall, provides an ideal hibernating place. For more information visit: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford Shirley Sampson
MANNINGTREE HIGH SCHOOL The school held its annual charity week at the end of December when the entire school community came together to raise a staggering £6,128 with more money still coming in. The money was raised in a variety of ways including raffles, cake stalls, sweet shops and competitions such as Manningtree’s Got Talent. Assistant Headteacher Mr Farrow said: “It was an amazing week. To raise such a huge amount of money for charity each year is brilliant, particularly as all the activities took place during lunchtime and break. The students have been so inventive this year and should be very proud for their efforts.”
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SCHOOLS / SPORT BROOKLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL Two teachers at Brooklands will be starting their Forest School training next term. Delivered over eight intense training days, once fully trained they will lead Forest School sessions across the school. Our Early Years children have already enjoyed several sessions at our new site, making their own mini fires with matches and preparing delicious hot chocolate on their camp fires. Our children learn so much from their forest adventures and we are extremely fortunate as a school to be able to offer this amazing learning experience that will always be part of their school memories. Brooklands has just purchased seven visualizers for use in each classroom. This exciting new equipment can also be used as a camera in hand-held mode and will enable teachers to display children’s work quickly and easily with the others in class, enabling feedback on learning and sharing good examples and demonstrating improvements. We have also ordered 15 more iPads to support cross curricular learning, bringing our total across the school to more than 45. Alexandra Marshall, Director of Engagement at Women in Sport, describes how influential women (mums, sisters, friends and teachers) are in the lives of our young girls in encouraging them to become more active. We are seeing this in a small way at Brooklands with increasing numbers of girls joining our football clubs. Having our football club led by an amazing female role model in Haz is quite unusual and often sparks comment when attending tournaments. The power of having a female coach helps to break down barriers and dispel myths about what a footballer, cricketer or sports person looks like. Many of you will have noticed the building work taking place next to the school in and around the bungalow. I am delighted to see this building being given a new and exciting lease of life as the home to Brooklands Young Explorers (BYE). Suffolk County Council has signed over the building to BYE for pre-school provision. Graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in October 2016, the pre-school will continue to use Brooklands’ grounds to support their children’s transition into school making the most of our fabulous woodland, library, hall and outdoor space. Britain’s Olympic success might be seen as a hard act to follow for the Ipswichtrained Paralympic Ryan Crouch, but Brooklands is rising to the challenge. Ryan inspired our children in the summer term when he shared with us his own sporting successes including competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. More recently, Ryan has been involved in the Invictus Games supporting servicemen and women. We are delighted to welcome Ryan to team Brooklands to support us at lunch times. Headteacher Christine Davy
MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB December 2017 100 Club Winners 1: Matt Bibby (1) £110 2: Stuart Dove (83) £50 3: William McMillan (54) £50
BRANTHAM FOOTBALL CLUB Brantham Athletic is a local football club who run a senior section, junior section, Sunday and Ladies teams. Our home ground is The Leisure Centre, New Village, Brantham. The men’s senior section runs three teams on a Saturday, with the 1st Team in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier League (Step 5 of the Football National Pyramid), the highest level of football in the immediate area outside of the professional game. The Reserves are in the Essex and Suffolk Border Premier League while the A Team are in Division 2 of the same league. We also run an Under 18 team also playing in the Thurlow Nunn youth league. The 1st Team are currently in fourth place and through to the quarter final of the league cup and in the last 16 of the Suffolk Premier Cup, Suffolk’s most prestigious cup competition. The Reserves are through to the Suffolk County cup quarter final and the A Team lie mid table of the second division of the Border League, with the Under 18 mid table in the east division of the Thurlow Nunn youth league. There is also a thriving junior section with ages ranging from under sevens to under 16s. Our Sunday teams play their matches on Sunday mornings at the leisure centre while our ladies team play on Sunday afternoons at the centre, and they were last season cup winners, finishing second for the second year as league runners-up. The 1st Team play their home matches at the leisure centre, kick-off 3pm on a Saturday and 7.45pm on a weekday evening. The A Team play at Raydon. The Under 18s play on a weekday evening, 7.45pm kick-off. Forthcoming home matches are will be publicised on the website and on Twitter. Because of the league the 1st Team and Under 18s play in, there is an entrance fee to watch these games. For the 1st Team its £7 adults and £3 concessions and children under 16. For Under 18 games its £3 and £1. There is a friendly atmosphere at all the matches and there is always a friendly welcome to anyone attending a home match, so if you would like to see a good standard of football come and support your local team. The Centre Bar is open during all senior games and the kitchen during 1st Team and youth football on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Any young or old players wishing to join a friendly, exciting, fun football club should contact the club via the details below or email our football club secretary There is a clubhouse at the leisure centre where food and drinks can be obtained. The leisure centre is also home to a lot of other activities including fireworks display, a fun run, 5-a-sides, bowls, cricket plus many other social events. There is a website for more information. Plus the leisure centre has an excellent private function room with its own self contained bar for hire out for a multitude of events such as wedding receptions, birthday parties, children’s events, conferences and meetings. Just contact the centre on 01206 392506. Fixtures for February
The information coming from the League, and supported by Wisden, is that overseas players are unlikely to feature in the Two Counties League in 2018. That will be a disappointment to many.
1st Team – Home Matches at Brantham Leisure Centre Tuesday, February 6, 7.45pm: League Cup v Coggeshall Town Saturday, February 10, 3pm: League v Histon Tuesday, February 13, 7.45pm: Suffolk Premier Cup v Bury Town
Mistley Cricket Club start their indoor nets for juniors and seniors on the following dates:
Reserves – Home Matches None scheduled
• Juniors start on Friday, February 2 at Manningtree Sports Centre, 7.30-8.30pm. Ages catered for are from seven-17 year olds. Cost £2.
A-Team Saturday, February 3, 2pm: Cup v Connaught Red Star at Raydon Playing Fields
• Men’s and women’s nets start on Wednesday, February 21 from 8.159.30pm at the Royal Hospital School. The club has plenty of cricket to suit all abilities, if you are new to the area and would like to join or know more about us then please contact us: mistleycc@btinternet.com
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SPORT EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB December was very much an up and down month for the First Team. They started positively with victory over Westerfield, the third win on the bounce. There was also a five goal success over Felixstowe Harpers, but that was sandwiched between two five goal reversals at Cranes and Henley and the team completed 2017 with a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of near neighbours Capel. However, 2018 started well. The Green Boys were pitched against the favourites for the League title in the eyes of many, Achilles, in Round 3 of the Bob Coleman Cup. An easy home victory was predicted, but the team put in a very gutsy performance to edge an exciting, end to end, game 4-3 after extra time. They will play Sporting 87 in Round 4. The Reserves were also a little inconsistent with one win and two draws, with one of the draws having an amazing 7-7 scoreline. The A Team improved their results rather recording one victory and two draws. UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team / Senior Division Sat, Jan 27: Sporting 87 Bob Coleman Cup R4 (H) Sat Feb 3: Grundisburgh (H) Sat, Feb 24: Haughley Utd (H) Sat, Mar 3: AFC Hoxne (A) Reserves / League A Sat, Jan 27: Ipswich Athletic Res (A) Sat, Feb 10: Framlingham Town Res (A) Sat, Feb 17: Sporting 87 Res (H) Sat, Feb 24: AFC Hoxne Res (A) A Team / League B Sat, Jan 27: Wickham Market Res (H) Sat, Feb 10: Cedars Park Res (H) Sat, Feb 24: Claydon Res (H) Sat, Mar 3: Stowupland Falcons (H) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm, please refer to the fixtures website and chose the appropriate competition: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Race Night: This will now be held towards the end of February. Again this is an open event, please email for details. We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners and boards on matchdays are all potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime.
CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB Many years ago the club held an annual married against single game at the playing field on Boxing Day morning before retiring to the Plough Pub for some much needed refreshments where we were looked after by Ivor and Jill and a good time was had by all. We now play a charity game on Christmas Eve and this year a game took place between a Capel Plough 11 and a team from the Darius Laws Institute from Colchester. £150 was raised which will be put towards the cost of some new goalposts for the under seven team we are going to start. The football rattle that my uncle in Manchester used to take to Old Trafford in the 1950s made an appearance at the game on Christmas Eve. It went down well with the players, but not with First Team manager Nathan Burrell’s hound dog which jumped about five feet in the air every time the rattle was used! Nathan told me that his dog had just about settled down when the fireworks started going off on New Year’s Eve! These rattles were banned by the Football Association in the early 1960s after a few spectators forgot to duck and got hit on the head with them. Three league wins out of four for our Saturday First Team in December saw the side move up to fourth in the Senior Division, four points behind the leaders with two games in hand. A 3-1 win at Grundisburgh with goals from Daniel Alderson, Harry Parkes and a Sean Gunn penalty was followed by a 4-2 defeat against Coplestonians with Shaun Webb scoring both goals. The team then beat Leiston St Margarets 4-2 thanks to goals from Dan Alderson, Shaun Webb, Ant Jackson and a penalty from Kieran Lawler, before a crowd of over 120 spectators watched the lads win the local derby at East Bergholt by 3-2 with goals from Daniel Alderson, Nick Middlebrook and Shaun Webb on December 30. Please check the SIL website for our next home games. The Reserves beat Ufford 5-1 with goals from Matt Noble, Jake Debenham and a hat trick from Alex Parry before losing 3-1 against Ransome Sports with Daniel Hudson-Smith our scorer. Oliver Blew played well in midfield while Oliver Miller did well in defence. Finally, our Sunday side beat Amboed United 7-0 with goals from Adam Moore, Bill Boosey, Oliver Miller, Stirling Mayes and a hat trick from Kaium Abdul. Next month should include a report from our Veteran side who had a couple of games called off in December. Bob The Ploughman
Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
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CHURCH NEWS Manningtree benefice An all-age Anglican Church, meeting in St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield and St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley. One of the things that define us as human beings is our use of language. The words we speak to each other – and the words we choose not to say – have the power to change minds, hearts, and lives. Of course, there are plenty of mundane words too: the shopping list, the conversations about household chores or work, the brief hello we share in the street with someone we know, but even these words can be significant. Saying hello to someone who is lonely can be a powerful way to challenge that loneliness. The words we use define us, and this includes the words we use, or don’t use, in prayer. I believe that God wants each of us to spend time talking with him, but even if you don’t believe this, the act of slowing down, giving thanks for what we have and thinking through our choices and decisions is a powerful one. I’d like to encourage you all to spend a little time this month in contemplation and reflection – even if you don’t believe in God. And if you do believe, can I encourage you to pray? Find a quiet space and a few moments – it doesn’t have to be long, and it doesn’t have to be a sacred space – and simply speak to God. Jesus’s first followers once asked him to teach them how to pray. He didn’t give them a long lecture, or a theological discussion: he simply taught them an easy to remember prayer. You probably know it, and it may be that this is the best way for you to pray now if you’re struggling: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Rev Dom Turner SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY 2018 Sunday, February 4 10.30am: Joint Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm: Evening Prayer at Bradfield Sunday, February 11 10.30am: Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield 10.30am: Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm: Evening Prayer at Mistley Wednesday, February 14 7.30pm: Ash Wednesday Service at Bradfield Sunday, February 18 10.15am: Family Worship with Treasure Seekers at Bradfield Methodist 10.30am: Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley 6pm: Quiet Communion at Bradfield Sunday, February 25 8am: Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley 10.30am: Café Church with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield 10.30am: Morning Prayer 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 Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Dom Turner 01206 391218 / 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 Church Office: Available at least 10am-1pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 07436 398801 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.facebook.com/ManningtreeBenefice
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CHURCH NEWS ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAWFORD Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Simon Heron, 01206 392659 LOVING GOD – LIVING LIFE Services for February 2018 Sunday 4 8am Holy Communion BCP 10.30am Holy Communion Sunday 11 8am 10.30am 6.30pm
Holy Communion BCP Family Service Evensong
Wednesday 14: Ash Wednesday 7.30pm Holy Communion Sunday 18 8am 10.30am 6.30pm
Sunday 25 8am 10.30am
Holy Communion BCP Holy Communion Cafe Church Holy Communion BCP Morning Worship
Lent Course: starting Wednesday, February 21 at 7.30pm This six part study course based on the film The Way stars Martin Sheen as a bereaved father who joins with a group of pilgrims walking the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. As it follows their journey of inner transformation, the course examines biblical accounts and images of salvation – past, present and future – and addresses the questions: What are we saved from? What are we saved for? Who can be saved? What do we have to do to be saved? How are we saved? Flower Arrangers Lunch Saturday, February 17 at Ogilvie Hall, noon for 12.30pm. Tickets £10 for a two-course meal and a glass of wine or juice. Tickets available from Ann Morsley: 393075 Regular Groups House Groups: Daytime and evening Lunch Club: First Tuesday of the month Solo Club: Third Monday of the month Pastoral Care: Upon request Art Club: Fortnightly on Thursday evenings Handbells: Every Monday Ladies in Friendship Together: Fourth Monday of the month Edward Bear: Parents, grandparents, carers with babies and toddlers, Monday mornings from 9.30am in term time Messy Church: Every half term, parents and children together Choir: Friday Practice Sunday School and Extreme: Sunday mornings during service Details from the rectory (01206 392659) or at: www.lawfordchurch.co.uk
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Meeting at Old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree NEW YEAR NEW YOU? Did you have a ‘New Year New You’ moment? Has it lasted? I caught the flu, I have no idea if was the Aussie variant or not but it felt as tough as they come. It wasn’t a new me, but an old and sick me at New Year and for at least a week! I long for my ‘New Year New Me’ moment – perhaps by the time you read this it will have arrived! Enough of me! Did you receive a Fitbit (other devices are available) for Christmas and you’re still ahead of the step count? You signed up for that diet club or gym and you’ve been every week? You bought a new sofa or maybe a car? I know the adverts don’t use the slogan New Year New You anymore, but that is what they are saying. How long does it is ever last? We began our year transfixed by the transformation that Jesus Christ has achieved and still achieves daily in people’s lives. These transformations are amazing. Over Christmas one of our members shared how his whole Christmas changed when he met Jesus. He used to spend the time off work chasing the latest high and the ‘hottest’ company, but these things never satisfied. The end result was always wanting more. Now he has something that truly satisfies, a transformed life where all that he does, however small, matters and has eternal significance. This is what God has always offered to men and women, boys and girls. If you heard Handel’s Christmas Oratorio, Messiah, this year then you heard the book of the Bible we are studying, Isaiah. This prophecy was written thousands of years ago and the promises were fulfilled by Jesus and are still true today. Want to be transformed by meeting Jesus? Come and join us at any our Sunday services. You will receive a warm welcome, the worship will be passionate and we love to talk about our Saviour Jesus. We meet at 10.30am and again in the evening at 6.30pm. Services last between 60 and 90 minutes and refreshments follow the morning service. The Meeting Place Ever fancied a trip to Burma? Steve and Ann Todd were able to do that and will be speaking about their experiences, the history of that country and so much more. If you would like to join us, the talk starts at 3pm on February 6 and will be followed by further conversations and a splendid tea. For all meetings in February please check out our new website or call Pastor Gaius on 01206 393745. www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk
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CHURCH NEWS MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB Minister: The Rev Tom Osborne, 01206 396654 Sunday Services at 10.15am: we welcome visiting and outside preachers February 4: The Rev Tom Osborne with Holy Communion February 11: Mr Robert Taylor February 18: Mrs Maggie Whittle February 25: Mr David Bavister Holy Communion Services: please check dates and times on the noticeboard outside the church Welcome Wednesday, 2.30pm: Bible Study on Wednesday 7, a quiz on Wednesday 14, Peter Gant with a talk on Manningtree on Wednesday 21 and Holy Communion on Wednesday 28. Treasurer: Mr Gordon King Church Bookings: David Shearmur, 01206 395263
ALSO MEETING ON OUR PREMISES Monday Workers Education Association, nine lectures in autumn and spring, 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 Manningtree Methodist Church celebrates the start of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Service at 7.30pm followed each Wednesday with a series of Lent meetings led by The Rev Tom Osborne, also at 7.30pm.
HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB
Parish Priest: Father Christopher Smith 01473 684963 / 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY 2018 Sunday 4 9am
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass
Tuesday 6 9.30am 10am
Morning Prayer Mass
Sunday 11 9am
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass
Tuesday 13 9.20am 10am
Eucharistic Adoration Mass
Wednesday 14 Ash Wednesday See church newsletter/website for mass times Sunday 18 9am
1st Sunday of Lent Mass
Tuesday 20 9.30am 10am
Morning Prayer Mass
Sunday 25 9am
2nd Sunday of Lent Mass
Tuesday 28 9.30am 10am
Morning Prayer Mass
The weekly newsletter with weekly mass times is always displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door. Catholic Commentary Older Catholics may remember ‘the penny Catechism’ a simple and concise booklet of Catholic belief in question and answer form. Following the General Council of the Church 1962-65 (Vatican II) it was necessary for the Catechism to be updated and presented in a new way. The result was a 600 page volume cross referenced to other documents with a
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comprehensive index. It was published in October 1992 and so has been in use for 25 years. There is a shorter, compendium version and many booklets on the Catechism, including ones for young people, particularly one called Youcat. The point to make is the Catechism is a wonderful resource for Catholics and others who want to know what Church teaching actually is on any number of interesting and important topics of Christian belief and understanding. Events & Diary Date The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, January 21 when three lucky winners shared a record £151. The next draw takes place on Sunday, February 25. The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or online at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv & Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am to noon. We are raising funds for church maintenance and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, February 22. The local community together with others from St Mark’s in Ipswich enjoyed a very festive Epiphany celebration meal at the Claydon Best Western Hotel in January. We also joined with other Christians for the annual Unity Service on the last Sunday in January at St Mary’s, East Bergholt. Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas, and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice. Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Father Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital. Please contact him (01473 726701) if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services. All are very welcome at Holy Family, Brantham All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services, it is not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic faith are always welcome. Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.
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CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn 01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com
The diocese has given me leave to rest, enjoy spiritual refreshment and work on a project. The spiritual refreshment will be at Sheldon, the Society of Mary and Martha near Exeter where I will be for three weeks. They specialise in ministry to clergy and church workers.
www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk Sunday, January 28 8am BCP Communion 11am Benefice Communion and Candle Procession 3pm Ecumenical Service for Week of Christian Unity
East Bergholt Brantham East Bergholt
Sunday, February 4 8am BCP Communion 10am Benefice Communion 4pm Family@Church followed by High Tea
The rest will take place around the project which will involve researching and writing Elijah: Issues of Faith, Justice and Politics, a resource for Key Stage 3 Belief and Ethics. I also hope to write The Adventures of Coco the Guide Dog or The Coco Capers which a kind friend is going to illustrate.
East Bergholt East Bergholt East Bergholt
During my absence the ministry team and other clergy will officiate at services and I am very grateful to them all. There will be two benefice services a month and these will be advertised in the usual way.
Wednesday, February 7 9.30am BCP Communion (Healing)
East Bergholt
Sunday, February 11 8am BCP Communion 10am Communion 11am Family Service
Requests for funerals, wedding bookings and baptisms will be escalated to the wardens and ministry team as appropriate and funerals will be taken by colleagues.
East Bergholt East Bergholt Brantham
Wednesday, February 14 9.30am Communion and Imposition of Ashes 7.30pm Communion and Imposition of Ashes
East Bergholt Brantham
Sunday, February 18 8am BCP Communion 10am Communion 11am Communion and Baptism of India Lawson
East Bergholt East Bergholt Brantham
Sunday, February 25 8am BCP Communion 10am Choral Matins 11am Informal Service
East Bergholt East Bergholt Brantham
Friday, March 2 3pm Ecumenical Service at the Congregational Church
East Bergholt
Sunday, March 4 8am BCP Communion 11am Benefice Communion 4pm Family@Church and High Tea
East Bergholt Brantham East Bergholt
Check the website for details. In East Bergholt there is a BCP Communion every Sunday at 8am and Choral Matins is usually on the fourth Sunday. This service schedule may change without prior notice if needed. SABBATICAL (Extended Study Leave) I am going on extended study leave for three months beginning on March 1 and will return to work on June 1. During this period I will not be leading any services or be involved in ministry within the benefice. My out of office reply and voice mail will refer any queries to the wardens.
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Thank you to Joop who will be holding the fort at the Rectory during my absences. Rev Steph Parking at St Michael’s The rector and wardens of St Michael’s wish to thank Sarah and Peter Watson at Brantham Place for making their paddock available for church parking over many years. This has been a really useful facility as Church Lane can become terribly congested, and there has been a real concern that emergency vehicles could have a problem accessing the area. However, recently, during the bad weather the paddock was damaged by cars becoming stuck in the snow and ice and our voluntary car park attendants feel that they are now unable to manage the parking. The wardens and I, after much consideration, have decided that we can no longer make use of the paddock for parking because of the damage caused and our difficulty in managing the parking. We remain very grateful to the Watsons for their kindness over the years, but realise that the church needs to find its own solution. We are planning to apply to use the part of the churchyard along Rectory Lane where there are no obvious graves as a demarcated parking area for about 20 cars. This facility will have an entrance and an exit and will be monitored when in use. It will not be open to the public outside of service times. Until the relevant permissions are given, if they are, we ask for your patience and care in parking in Church Lane. Wedding couples and baptism families are advised to arrange for their guests to arrive by coach or to share cars. Parking in Rectory Lane is for residents only. If anyone knows who has bought the ground opposite the Institute we would like to hear from you as a parking area in that field would solve many problems! The Rev Steph
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CHURCH NEWS WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER The service for the Women’s World Day of Prayer is being held at St Mary’s Church, Lawford on Friday, March 2 at 10.30am. This year it has been prepared by the women of Surinam in South America. This is an interdenominational service and everyone is welcome.
CATHOLIC MASSES Saturday at 6.30pm, St Mary & St Michael’s (Anglican) Church, Mistley Sunday at 8.50am in St Mary’s (Anglican) Church, Ardleigh Wednesday at 9.45am in St Mary and St Michael’s, preceded by Morning Prayer Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Ardleigh is served by the Parish of St John Payne, Greenstead, Colchester. The Parish Priest is Father Jon Ravensdale: sjpchurch@btinternet.com / 01206 870460 Also resident in the parish are Father Michael Rear (01206 392695) and Father Mathias Odigbo.
KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus COME AND JOIN US IN OUR NEW FELLOWSHIP – EVERYONE IS WELCOME Hear the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with our lively worship and service. Refreshments served afterwards. Every Sunday morning at 11am in The Ivell Suite at Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE. If you or someone you know needs prayer for anything, please contact us. David and Rosie Rhule 07787 572977 / 01206 397533 info@thekeytolove ministries.co.uk www.thekeytoloveministries.co.uk
BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES MISTAKES Have you ever made a mistake? I think we must all answer yes! Have you ever tried to cover up a mistake and pretend it never happened, or at least that it wasn’t you? Again many of us may say yes. At the age of nine, while on school library duty, I randomly used the library rubber stamp all over one of the library registers. My form teacher asked the class who had done it. No one else had seen me, so I kept quiet. The whole class was assigned an after school detention. Late in the day I owned up and was marched off to the headmaster’s office. I was aware of my teacher’s sadness that it had taken me so long to own up – I had let him down. Standing outside my headteacher’s office waiting for him to deal with me, I had time to reflect. It had taken the threat of punishing innocent others to get me to admit my mistake. How I regretted not owning up sooner. I see now that it was my conscience that at last prompted me not to allow 30 other children to suffer a punishment for my mistake. I don’t remember whether I had much of a punishment, but I knew the relief of admitting my mistake. I suspect the headteacher and teacher recognised the embarrassment and humiliation of a late confession was enough and that I did have a conscience. Conscience is that inner sense that tells us whether what we are doing, or plan to do, is right or wrong. Conscience is something inside that bothers you when nothing outside does. A guilty conscience never thinks itself safe. To have a good conscience is to know serenity and that you are living up to your own standards. Yet our consciences can be ignored, and if repeatedly ignored, it can remain silent during the most evil acts, and can even be so distorted that it justifies them. King David (a great king of Israel 3,000 years ago) lusted after a married woman, committed adultery and then had her husband murdered in battle. As King, he thought he could get away with it, but a prophet challenged him, his conscience was re-awakened and David describes the feeling of shame, embarrassment and failure to live to his standards. When he admitted his mistake, his sin, when he stopped trying to hide his guilt, he felt a huge burden lifted. God forgave and removed the guilt (he still had to live with the consequences of his sin). He knew God was doing an amazing thing in his life and he asked God to create in him a pure heart, for his relationship with God to be restored and his conscience sustained so he wouldn’t repeat the mistakes. (The story is found in 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12 and Psalms 32 and 51) It is still tempting sometimes to try to brush mistakes under the carpet and not acknowledge them. David’s and my experience speak of the transformation and freedom we enjoy when we admit our wrongdoing. The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Brantham & Capel Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 FEBRUARY SERVICES AT BRANTHAM METHODIST Sunday 4 11am Worship with Mr Martin Ellis Sunday 11 11am Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 18 11am United Service at East Bergholt Sunday 25 11am Worship with Mr Colin Westren AT CAPEL METHODIST Home Groups on various days and times – contact the minister for details Sunday 4 Sunday 11 Sunday 18 Sunday 25
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10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm
Worship with Rev Pauline Bailey Prayer Worship with Mr Eddie Vass Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with Mr Glyn Jones Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey United Prayer Time at Methodist
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