In touch news with manningtree mar18

In Touch

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with Brantham, Lawford Manningtree & Mistley Volume 8 • Issue No. 5 • MARCH 2018

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Explore endless possibilities at Re Stour Vintage (page 3) Image by Steven Harrison Brown

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NEWS

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Now don’t tell my boss, but on Tuesday mornings when I arrive at work before A Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4 has ended, I’m forced to sit in the car until it does. Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them.

I particularly loved his interview with Eugenia Cheng on the mathematics of mathematics. Though it was never my strongest subject, I continue to love maths, desperate to understand and to find the right answer, though I seldom do.

What’s extraordinary about many of the people featured on A Life Scientific is how often a childhood interest or passion has led to a fulfilling career and it’s clear that doing something you love is a wonderful privilege. I’ll be playing the podcasts to my son when he’s a little older because whatever he does in life I want it to be what makes him happy.

You may have read about the letter a teacher in Singapore sent to parents the week before her students were to sit exams. Here’s a short extract: “I know you are all really anxious for your child to do well. But, please do remember, amongst the students who will be sitting for the exams there is an artist who doesn’t need to understand math, an entrepreneur who doesn’t care about history or English literature, a musician whose chemistry marks won’t matter. There’s an athlete whose physical fitness is more important than physics. If your child does get top marks, that’s great, but if he or she doesn’t please don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity. Tell them no matter what they score you love them and will not judge them. Please do this and when you do, watch your children conquer the world. One exam or a low mark won’t take that away. And please don’t think that doctors and engineers are the only happy people in the world.”

I hope you have or have had the opportunity to do what you love and that you can inspire others to do likewise. Driving to work at 6am on a cold January morning is never easy, but it’s a whole lot easier if you’re looking forward to the day ahead.

In Touch

with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley

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

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

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• 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

RE STOUR VINTAGE Continues its colourfully upbeat direction Not just about antiques or nostalgia, the store at 28 High Street, Manningtree experiments with an ebb and flow of ideas near and far, past and future, while putting the present through its paces.

What entertains us all today? What intrigues some of us for tomorrow? Who’s imagination is mingling with others to go the distance, break the mould?

Over two floors, various talented traders and makers bring together their different visions. Unusual furniture and artefacts, practical skills, upcycling, reclamation, and chance collectable finds combine to challenge the ordinary shopping experience.

Upstairs, a range of vintage garments mix it up intriguingly with high street classics or designer pieces. From capsule wardrobes to luxuriant experimenting, the customising of ‘old’ with ‘new’ conjures up endless possibilities. A passion for creating fresh looks by resurrecting the fabrics and tailoring of bygone times tunes into the re-cycling and re-valuing of tailoring’s frequently neglected heritage of quality.

Discovery and re-invention lies at the core of the Crumpled4Now brand. Its message of ‘break it and make it your own’ is especially attractive to fashion students and enthusiasts actively dressing-up for personal expressions of originality and enjoyment.

Re Stour’s arty angles on individualistic interiors, gardens, clothing and gifts are stylishly helping to develop the town’s newly invigorated reputation for leisurely R&R. Together with a developing vintage street market, Manningtree, married up by the Stour with magical Mistley, is London’s new lifestyle away-day destination, attracting free spirits harbouring a flare for something special…

You’ll fine Re Stour at 28 High Street, Manningtree CO11 1AJ (next to the wholefood shop).

The front cover features Rachel wearing a fur vintage coat and here we see her wearing a 1970’s purple velvet zip-up playsuit, a 1980’s look dress with earrings, a charm-bracelet and ring shoes and a 1960’s look skirt with a fur shawl and long PVC boots. Photos by Steven Harrison Brown (see page 25), stylist Sapphire Morris.

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APRIL DEADLINE 10 MARCH 2018

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree

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NEWS THE MANNINGTREE VINTAGE & COLLECTABLES MARKET Following on from last year’s success, Manningtree’s Vintage & Collectables brocante style street market is back with a bang this year!

The market has grown to double the size with up to 50 traders in South Street and inside The Masonic Hall, opposite Manningtree’s very popular local, The Red Lion.

“Last year was a toe in the water for Manningtree,” said Mel Winning who has a reclaim business (Nice Anubis) in Manningtree and is part of Manningtree Business Chamber.

“It was fantastic to see the town come alive with people enjoying our great traders, there’s something for everyone and now we have an inside space there will be more variety with some reclaim artists joining the crew. You can feel the history of what was a vibrant bustling medieval market town come to life with a great atmosphere of people having fun browsing, chatting, visiting the café’s and walking their dogs.”

Last year we had so much fun with our Star of the Market competition where our chosen pooch was featured on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Visitors can also visit our vintage shop, Re Stour, with a great range of vintage clothes and furniture and new to the High Street is Mad Cow Productions, a vintage retro and reclaim shop owned by Leigh Deamer who sells to designers and customers looking to stock London’s funky style for homes, restaurants and bars, right on the trend of reclaim artists.

The unusual is the trademark of quirky Manningtree, an Aladdin’s cave of vintage and collectables. Essex certainly has more than it’s fair share of collectable treasures.

The market will take place every first Saturday in the month, starting on May 5 with the last one on October 6.

FIRE SAFETY IN SAFE HANDS Firewise Safety Solutions Ltd is based in Lawford.

Owners Fraser Warren, Andrew Spiers and Lewis Black take pride in offering a high standard fire protection service to business and homes in Essex and Suffolk.

Having gained 16 years in our local fire service, as well as long term experience in building design and construction, we can offer a wealth of knowledge to protect your property and meet current fire safety regulations.

With the tragedy of fire often hitting the headline news, it’s important for everyone to take note of how vulnerable we all are, and on how we can all protect ourselves against fire and smoke.

Fire can cost lives so for your business to keep within the fire safety law or to protect your family within the home, it’s time to be Firewise. So for smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, or fire extinguisher renewals give us a call on 01206 395195 or 07967 250795/07967 635731. www.firewisesafetysolutions.com

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REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: MARCH 2018 Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw Brantham Rail Maintenance Yard There’s been some recent speculation about the above and it looks like it’s justified. Our MP, James Cartlidge, believed it to be in periland and, to his credit, sought meetings with the involved parties to try to find solutions. For that reason, I’ve tried to remain positive (and quiet) while these discussions have gone on. He has also had a meeting with the Transport Secretary, who has promised to investigate further. Abellio Greater Anglia state the issues to be resolved as follows; preparation of the site, train access, commercial terms with St Francis Group and (significantly it appears) the impact on the Manningtree Level Crossing. That last brings Network Rail firmly into matters.

The Manningtree Crossing has been a thorn in all our sides for a very long time, so this won’t be a surprise. There will be a meeting in early March between Suffolk CC, Essex CC, Babergh District Council, Tendring DC, Network Rail, Greater Anglia and the Department of Transport. Harriet and I, as your ward members at Babergh, will also be there. I’m not looking to pre-judge, but I do believe that a total solution of the crossing problems will take a lot of time, money, and political will and involve a lot of inconvenience.

Will a solution for the Maintenance Yard be found in time for the new fleet of trains in early 2019? It seems highly doubtful. Abellio maintain that final decisions have not been made yet, either for Brantham or elsewhere.

This is an incredibly disappointing situation. I know that Babergh, Harriet and myself, Brantham Parish Council and, most importantly, Brantham itself have been wholly supportive. If there have been any failings in due diligence they rest elsewhere. This, however, is not yet the time for pointing fingers, if solutions can still be found. I’ll keep you all posted through the Facebook group below, at meetings and whenever I see any of you who want to know more. The site itself must have some potential or it would never have been considered.

Suffolk Coast and Heaths ANOB Boundary Review We all know that we live in a beautiful area. Now we have the chance to state that, and importantly, to protect it. The AONB could receive a significant extension in the near future. A public consultation on the boundary review is on now and runs until Friday, April 20.

As well as including land across the Stour estuary the proposed extension skirts around the east side of Brantham, including Decoy Pond, the Millennium Wood (Pattles Fen), the south side of Church Lane and further adds the Samford Valley between here and Stutton and Tattingstone and further sweeps into Dodnash as well. You can find full details of the review at: https://tinyurl.com/y73hgv85 A map, online response and a fact sheet are all available there. I urge you to respond to preserve as much as we can.

There is more to tell you, but I’ll have to refer you to the Facebook group or local news websites like www.shotleypeninsulanewsandfeatures.com.

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)

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree

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NEWS CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Capel building refurbishment Over the past few months the practice has been planning to refurbish the Capel building. We have applied for financial support from NHS England and this has now been approved, so we are now finalising plans.

Essentially, we will be replacing the current front doors with automated doors and completely refurbishing the two doctors’ rooms and the nurse treatment room. We will also take the opportunity to redecorate.

Separately, we are also looking at options for improving the waiting area.

We anticipate work will take place through March and as soon as we have exact dates we will inform patents via notices in the waiting room and on our website. Although we will aim to keep disruption to a minimum, we will need to close up to two of our clinical rooms at any one time for a short period. During this time we will therefore give priority appointments to patients who are unable to travel to East Bergholt and would appreciate all patients being as flexible and understanding as possible while the work is taking place.

We aim to complete the work by mid-April when we will have a building which is easier to access physically, safer, easier to clean and offers a much improved environment for our staff to work in and our patients to visit.

Tips to help the practice operate efficiently In order to ensure we help you in the most efficient way, please help us by following the guidelines below: Tell the receptionist the nature of your problem. They can ensure you see the right clinician (GP, Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurse, HCA) and you may not need to come into the practice if it can be dealt with over the telephone. If you need to see a doctor, they will be aware of your problem before you see them which helps them prepare for your consultation. Of course, if your problem is personal and you would rather not disclose it, then that is fine.

When you see a doctor, provide as much information you can about the problem. Details which may not seem important may be relevant and assist to doctor in diagnosing and treating your problem.

If you have more than one problem to discuss, please ask for a double appointment so the doctor has sufficient time and other patients are not delayed.

If you need to see a nurse for wound care or an injection, or a phlebotomist, please ensure you wear suitable clothing and remove outer clothing prior to entering the clinic room. This will help our staff to keep to time.

Training Days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Wednesday, March 7; Wednesday, April 25; Thursday, May 24 On these afternoons the Capel St Mary building will be open to enable access to the pharmacy, but the practice reception will be closed. East Bergholt reception will be open. Please note that there will not be any clinicians at either building after 1pm as they will be attending training off-site. 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

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CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG) The Patient Participation Group meets on a regular monthly basis. All minutes are available on the practice website and there should be paper copies available in the waiting rooms.

We discuss items we receive from the comment cards at our meetings and we thank you for filling those in. These are available in both waiting rooms. If you add your contact details we can get back to your directly. You can also contact us via email at: constablecountryppg@gmail.com Programme of talks for 2018 We are currently planning a series of talks on a variety of health topics suggested at our previous talks on diabetes, heart problems and men’s health. If you have any other topics you would like to suggest please get in touch via either of the methods above. Childhood ailments are the subject of the next planned talk.

Patient Research Project We are currently working with the University of East Anglia to carry out research on patient views in the practice. Thanks in particular to Dr Frank Wells, the vice-chair of the PPG, for his determination to find a local university willing to take this on.

Managing NHS Pressures Pressure continues to increase on all NHS services as the age profile of the country increases. Receptionists in the practice have been on Care Navigator training, which helps them to direct patients to the most relevant clinician, as well as to local support services. So there may be times, for example, when they suggest you see a nurse practitioner, rather than a doctor.

PPG Cluster Meetings We attend meetings with PPG groups from other practices to discuss what we’re all doing and to hear presentations from local organisations and the East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group. At a recent meeting representatives from OneLife Suffolk spoke about the importance of improving patients’ lifestyles, concentrating on regular exercise, stopping smoking and reducing weight. This could be the subject of a future talk organised by the PPG. Your views welcome.

Patient Transport Capel St Mary, East Bergholt and surrounding villages Unfortunately the patient transport scheme has had to be suspended until all volunteers have completed a DBS check. This is a routine check which has to be done for a variety of jobs where people have one-to-one contact with the public, including children. It checks whether someone has a criminal record, for example. Taxi drivers have to go through this and, although our drivers are volunteers, it’s been thought best that they undergo this screening.

Capel Surgery Refurbishment The refurbishment of the Capel surgery will be starting soon, so please bear with us while improvements are made.

Toys return to the waiting rooms After a long period of discussion we at last have agreement that toys will be available in the waiting rooms. They will be regularly cleaned to avoid infection risk.

Kathy Pollard, Chair Constable Country Patient Participation Group www.constablecountrymedicalpractice.co.uk

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ADVERTORIAL

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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number

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!

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

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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

MAKING TAX DIGITAL – IS YOUR BUSINESS READY?

BRANTHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Research for HMRC has found that as many as 70% of businesses are unaware of the forthcoming roll-out of Making Tax Digital. Making Tax Digital is HMRC’s overhaul of the administration of the UK tax system which phases in compulsory digital reporting for businesses. The first phase for this will affect VAT registered businesses whose turnover is above the VAT registration threshold (currently £85,00) from April 2019. “That’s a year away,” you say, but now is the perfect time to consider what action you need to take.

The next meeting of Brantham Parish Council will take place on March 7 at Brantham Methodist Church. Come along to find out what your parish council is up to and to raise any questions/concerns.

For VAT reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2019, businesses will be required to record VAT transactions digitally with all submissions to HMRC being made using third party software.

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 earliest Making Tax Digital will come into place for income tax and corporation tax is April 2020.

www.manningtreetowncouncil.org.uk

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, March 6 and April 3, 10am-11.30am.

One way to ensure that your business will meet the new requirements is by using cloud-based accounting software. There are several cloud-based options available including Xero and Quickbooks and they can revolutionise the way you run your business and finances.

The best time to make a switch is at the start of your business’ financial year.

So, assuming your VAT returns are in line with your financial year, the latest transition date for your business is for your financial year starting between 6 April 2018 and 1 April 2019. Although for accounting periods just started or starting before 6 April 2018, why put it off? After all, as previously stated, cloud accounting can revolutionise the way you run your business, saving you precious time on administration.

J Enoch Accountancy can help you make the switch seamlessly, from choosing software, getting you set up, providing training and ongoing support.

If you would like further information or guidance please contact Julie Enoch: 07960 989704 Julie Enoch ACA

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.

The approved minutes can be accessed online at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings Dates of next meetings, all in the village hall Thursdays March 8 and 29, 7pm: Planning Committee Monday, March 12, 7pm: Full Council Saturday, March 24, 10.30am: Finance Committee

LAWFORD PARISH COUNCIL In addition to the regular monthly meetings of Lawford Parish Council, this year at the Venture Centre 2000, the Annual Meeting is on Monday, March 26 (see p9). This will also include a special event where we are inviting local clubs and societies to have a table to promote themselves.

It’s a chance for residents to take up a new hobby, or to discover new talents.

If your organisation would like a table at this special event, please contact the parish clerk – 01206 395898 / lawfordpc@btconnect.com – to receive a booking form. As spaces will be limited, why not book today?

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MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL INVITES YOU TO JOIN OUR BIG LITTER PICK-UP

Saturday, March 17, 10-11.30am Please meet at 9.45am at Mistley Village Hall, Shrubland Road Equipment will be provided, but please wear sensible shoes and gloves All welcome, including children and dogs (accompanied by an adult) Refreshments and cakes will be provided afterwards Please contact the parish clerk if you have any questions: 01206 395696 / mistleypc@btinternet.com

In Touch online:

Tel: 01255 871469 Mob: 07960 989704 julieenoch@jenochaccountancy.co.uk

We are passionate about finances and providing excellent customer service Our services include:

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Our website is under construction. In the mean time, you can find us on Facebook @ j enoch accountancy

YOU ARE INVITED TO:

LAWFORD PARISH COUNCIL’S ANNUAL MEETING AND LOCAL CLUBS & SOCIETIES PROMOTION EVENT MONDAY 26TH MARCH 2018

STALLS FROM 6.30PM - FORMAL MEETING 7.30PM FOLLOWED BY REFRESHMENTS AND ANOTHER CHANCE TO VIEW EXHIBITORS STALLS

VENTURE CENTRE 2000 BROMLEY ROAD, LAWFORD, CO11 2JE A chance to meet your Parish Council & find out what they have been doing during the 2017/18 financial year.

Local clubs & societies will be there. Time for a new hobby?

Come and find out more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE PARISH CLERK Tel: 01206395898 or email: lawfordpc@btconnect.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree

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OUT & ABOUT ACORN VILLAGE Are you up to the challenge?

We’re looking for people or teams who want to challenge themselves and raise funds for adults with learning disabilities. Whether it’s training for the Great East Swim like two of our staff members, jumping out of a plane, giving up takeaways for a month, a team challenge at work or even donating one hours pay.

Come and see us at your local charity, Acorn Village, Mistley to find out how your hard earned money will be used.

EAST BERGHOLT DRAMATIC SOCIETY Presenting the hilarious farce Don’t Get Your Vicars in a Twist

by Ann Gawthorpe and Lesley Bown at The Constable Hall, East Bergholt from April 19-21 at 7.30pm.

Desperate to find the funds to pay for his daughter’s wedding, churchwarden George seizes the opportunity to rent out the vicarage for a Murder Mystery Weekend while waiting for a new vicar to be appointed.

Unfortunately for George, a new female vicar is appointed to the parish before this Murder Mystery can take place. He is delighted though when the new vicar, Caroline, announces that she is attending a college reunion.

However, events take a turn for the worse when Bishop Herbert rings to announce that he is coming to visit his new incumbent today.

Chaos ensues as half of Dickie’s cast fail to make an appearance and the remainder including a bishop and a female vicar, spend most of their time either fighting with each other, getting drunk, or both. This is even before we meet the guests!

Come along to this fast-moving farce full of fun, frolics and lots of doors!

Tickets are £6 in advance and available from 01473 311553 or 07803 475750.

BRANTHAM ANNUAL GARAGE SALE 2018 Saturday, June 16, 9.30am-3pm Open garages throughout the village. Come and browse through a treasure trove of household items needing a new home, all at bargain prices. Look for the balloons and signs throughout Brantham on the A137.

STOUR CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT IN MISTLEY Stour Choral Society would like to welcome you to their next concert in Mistley Parish Church on Saturday, March 17 at 7.30pm.

The programme comprises two well-known works by Handel – The Dettingen Te Deum and Acis and Galatea.

Handel (as composer of The Music to the Chapel Royal) was commissioned

by King George II in June 1743 to write the Te Deum as a thanksgiving for victory over the French. It was the last time a British Monarch personally led his troops into battle. This piece is very much in the style of Handel’s Messiah written two years earlier.

Originally a one-act masque from 1718, Handel adapted Acis and Galatea twice (in 1732 as a three-act serenata and again in 1739 to a two-act little opera). The last is the form in which it is commonly heard today. It contains music which, while written by Handel, was never added by him. It has been adapted and arranged many times, most notably by Mozart. It was written as a ‘courtly entertainment’ about the simplicity of rural life and contains a significant amount of wit and parody.

Join us for this evening of entertainment; tickets are £10 (under 18s free) from: society members; Howells Hardware Shop, High Street, Manningtree; Jenny Edmunds on 01255 886260; at the door. www.stourchoralsociety.co.uk

STOUR VALLEY ARTS & MUSIC Young Musicians’ Concert 2018: Sunday, March 4, 4pm at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP A welcome return of our popular concert showcasing some of the many talented young musicians in our area. The concert will be followed by a delicious afternoon tea.

Tickets are £6 including refreshments. Proceeds will go towards SVAM’s education projects.

Sacconi Quartet with Clarinet, Michael Collins: Sunday, March 18, 4pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt CO7 6TG Programme Glazunov: Oriental Reverie op14 Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A K581 Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor op 115 Tickets are £14. Generously sponsored by Martin and Alicia Herbert.

The village hall will host a table top sale with WI refreshments, handicrafts, preserves and plants and much more. There will be a BBQ, a tombola and an ice cream van.

Tickets: 01206 298426 / svamtickets@btinternet.com / www.svam.org.uk Tickets can also be bought from Grier & Partners, East Bergholt

Make a day of it, grab a bargain and help St Elizabeth Hospice and Nepal Children’s Trust.

BUMPER BOOK SALE AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH

For more information contact: Maya Watling: 07508 430671 / mayawatling@hotmail.com Margaret Woods: 07867 546484 / maggie1woods@googlemail.com Louise Madley: 07792 236414 / louloumadley@btinternet.com

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Saturday, April 28, 10am-3pm Bacon rolls, fresh homemade cakes and tea and coffee, all at £1 each

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OUT & ABOUT MANIFEST MOVIES

TEA & SUPPORT

Films are shown on our big screen which fills the stage, high definition and cinema quality sound, comfortable theatre seating. The projectionist is Nigel Lister.

Tea & Support, the friendship and self-help group formed some five years ago for those who have been bereaved or are living alone, meets on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month from 2-4pm, 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 homemade 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.

Friday, March 16: Dunkirk, a 2017 war film written, directed, and produced

by Christopher Nolan. Dunkirk portrays the evacuation from three perspectives: land, sea, and air. It has little dialogue, as Nolan sought instead to create suspense from cinematography and music. Filming began in May 2016 in Dunkirk and ended that September in Los Angeles, when post-production began. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shot the film on IMAX 65 mm and 65 mm large-format film stock. Dunkirk has extensive practical effects, and employed thousands of extras as well as historic boats from the evacuation, and period aeroplanes.

Doors open at 7pm, bar available. Seating will commence from 7.30pm with the film starting at 7.45pm. Entrance will be by £5 ticket only on the night plus £2 for non-members (£2 annual membership). The bar will be available after the film showing until 10.30pm.

MANIFEST THEATRE PLAYS, PINTS AND POT LUCK! A chance for members to join our reading of Perfect Days, a romantic comedy

by Liz Lochhead. This play is about a 39-year-old Glaswegian hairdresser who desperately wants to have a child. It was first performed on 7 August 1998 at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The play is set in a ‘large and very stylish Merchant City Loft in Glasgow’ belonging to Barbs Marshall, a celebrity hairdresser. She is successful, has her own show on local TV, a nice apartment in a trendy part of the city, but she is 39 years old and almost deafened by the ticking of her biological clock.

To make matters worse, her mother is a nag, her best friend is holding out on her and her ex-husband Davie has a new 22-year-old girlfriend. Then she meets 26-year-old Grant, who seems more than ready to oblige. But the complications are by no means over.

If you would like to enjoy this play, then join us as we lift this text off the page and bring it to life. The reading will take place at the theatre on Friday, March 23, starting at 7pm. The bar will be open and please bring a buffet style dish to contribute to a pot luck supper.

We are hoping to make play readings a regular event so do come along and if you have any suggestions on material for the future they will be gratefully received. For any further information contact Sarah McCarthy: 01206 395649

Meetings this springtime 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 at Bradfield Church.

BRANTHAM BOX OFFICE Film Night Wednesdays at Brantham Village Hall Doors open at 7, film starts at 7.30pm Wednesday, March 21 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS Tickets cost £4 in advance from Bakes and Blossoms café, £4.50 on the door, £2 for under 16s Refreshments available on the night Facebook.com/BranthamBoxOffice

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND Our box office will be open at the theatre on Saturdays, March 17 and 24 from 10.30am-noon so you can come along and book your tickets for the variety show celebrating 40th years at The Manifest Theatre which will run from Tuesday, May 8 to Saturday 12.

2 Oxford Road, Manningtree, Essex CO11 1BP / 01206 391309 For more information please visit: www.manifesttheatre.co.uk / Facebook / Twitter

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OUT & ABOUT CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL CHORISTERS

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

MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Canterbury Cathedral Choristers present a concert in St Michael’s Church, Woolverstone on Wednesday, June 27 at 7pm. Tickets are £12.50 including summer refreshments.

For more information and to secure your tickets contact Chris Hodgkinson: 07764 285928 / jchodgkinson@gmail.com All proceeds to St Michaels Church Woolverstone and the Choir House Choristers Social Fund.

EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION QUIZ NIGHT East Bergholt High School on Friday, March 23 at 7.30pm Teams of eight, tickets £5 per person including nibbles Bar serving alcoholic and soft drinks / opens at 7pm Please pre-book teams on: 07776 291445 Over 18s only unless accompanied by an adult

Inevitably there are times when unexpected cancellations can play havoc with a pre-arranged programme but, as always, necessity is the mother of invention. We were pleased that our former chairman, Harold Mousley, filled in with a talk about his experiences judging competitions in other clubs, including useful hints and tips at our January evening.

Our open mono competition in January was enthusiastically supported with a very large number of entries, ably examined by returning judge Howard King.

Howard’s incisive and helpful comments make the event more of a ‘tutorial’ than an actual competition. The improving standard of work shown is evident in the increasing number of top scoring entries including submissions from new members Ann and John Laverock. Entries may be viewed on the society website.

In February George Fossey, chairman of Harwich & Dovercourt Camera Club, kindly obliged, at short notice, with a talk about the successful worldwide business he has developed under the name of Artphoto Studio, operating in Colchester and principally based on his specialism of garden photography.

Using colourful and delicate shots, as shown here, George, with careful post processing, is able to create the kind of large ethereal and atmospheric murals that grace the lobbies and bedrooms of Hotels throughout the world. We sat in awe as George modestly referred to substantial production runs of images great and small that have been supplied to both the leisure and retail sectors by this local business run

by George and his son Chris.

FUTURE MEETINGS March 8: Studio Evening hosted by George Fossey March 22: Wildlife & Nature Competition / Judge: Peter Espley March 29: Action, Water and Luck with Don Thompson We meet twice monthly on Thursday evenings until May 2018 at 7.30pm at 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 www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, March 10, 9am-12.30pm.

Come and pick up a bargain for Mother’s Day. Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying.

East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier.

If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

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OUT & ABOUT MANNINGTREE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP STOUR VALLEY U3A The proposed speaker in January was unable to give his talk on the history of shoes. At the last moment Peter Gant replaced him with a talk on the River Stour, from the source to the sea.

The Stour starts its life as a spring in a ditch in Wratting Common in Cambridgeshire. Just over 80 miles later, and much bigger, the river discharges into the North Sea at Harwich. Peter traced the course of the Stour to the sea with items of interest about the towns and villages along the route. His talk encompassed mills, lime burning, brick making, the Stour Valley Railway, maltings, artists, locks and the Stour Navigation Society.

As is usual with Peter’s talks, this one was wonderfully illustrated using postcards, paintings and drawings, old photos and Peter’s own photographs.

Our speaker on March 28 will be our chairman Philip Cunningham who will present Manningtree and the Peasant’s Revolt, a story of royalty, power, injustice and bloody murder. Told from the perspective of a group from Manningtree who took part in the major events of the revolt, and who met the young King Richard II at Mile End, the story follows them on their journey.

We meet at the Methodist Church on South Street, 7.30pm for 7.45pm; members free, visitors £3. Everybody welcome as usual. There will be a very brief AGM before the talk.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB In February Dudley Chignall presented Journey to Paradise and David Whittle presented 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.

On April 4 Bob Milne will talk on The Assignation of the Italian Barber and Oliver Paul from Suffolk Food Hall, voted the best local food venue in the UK and Ireland in the Countryside Alliance Awards (Rural Oscars), will present Food and Farming Heritage on April 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

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates.

On Wednesday, April 4, John Benjamin, familiar to all those who watch The Antiques Roadshow, will give a talk to mark the Golden Jubilee of NADFAS. A History of Jewellery from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor is a lecture close to one given in early 1969 which looked at the evolution of design in jewellery.

We will see beautiful things.

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.

Robert Burridge presented a talk entitled Scott, Amundsen & the Race to the South Pole on February 14.

He concentrated on their personalities, their leadership styles and the equipment they used to show their characters 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 Munnings Art 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.

On April 11, in a talk entitled GM Crops – Where are we now?, Professor Wendy Harwood will cover what the technology is, how it has developed from the first GM crops, how the new technology of gene editing fits in, the current situation worldwide and what’s in the pipeline. Roger Kennell will present William Pretty – A Suffolk Family & Corset Manufacturer on May 9.

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

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

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

BRANTHAM OVER SIXTIES CLUB If you are free on Tuesday afternoons, why not give us a try? We have interesting speakers, lunches, a quiz or bingo after which there is always time for a cuppa and a chat.

For instance, on January 30, Brian and Ethel Murphy entertained us with memories of their trip to India’s Golden Triangle. The wonderful buildings, mosques, palaces and forts, all with their intricate carvings, including the Taj Mahal, were an awe inspiring sight, as was the wonderful wildlife including tigers and antelopes.

The programme for March and April March 13 Hidden Bhutan by Chris Parfitt March 20 Roast Lunch at 1pm followed by a quiz March 27 Annual General Meeting April 3 Committee Meeting April 10 RAF Special Duties by Brian Russell April 17 Games Afternoon (Darts, Scrabble, Dominoes, etc.)

or please bring your own fish and chip lunch at 1pm April 24 Fabric Flowers by Georgette Vale Meetings are every Tuesday (bar the first one in the month) from 2.30-4.30pm in Brantham Leisure Centre. Visitors and new members always very welcome. Transport can be arranged for members.

For more details contact Jean Lace: 01206 396242

For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY LADIES PROBUS CLUB Stour Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at Brantham Leisure Centre at 10am on the first and third Thursday in the month. The first meeting in the month includes lunch and the second is for coffee. At every meeting there is a general interest speaker.

The aim of our club is to encourage interest and fellowship among our members, all of whom are retired and have a lively and informed outlook on life.

New members are welcome and anyone interested in attending a coffee morning should contact our president, Doreen Gant: 01206 399049 / deegant@tiscali.co.uk

VILLAGE LINK CLUB The History of Scarecrows is the subject of our talk on March 14. Future talks will be 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

LIONS CLUB OF CLACTON-ON-SEA Lions Clubs are a voluntary charity fundraising organisation that serves the local community, nationally and internationally. Although based in Clacton, the Lions Club of Clacton-on-Sea serves the entire area of North East Essex, the Tendring Peninsular, which includes Manningtree and surrounding villages. We raise much needed funds for various charitable groups and individuals through our pig race nights and we also recycle spectacles, mobile phones, printer cartridges and hearing aids. The Lions re-cycling bin can be found at Piper & Priem Optometrists in Manningtree High Street and is one of 27 around the district.

Our infamous Message in a Bottle can be found at several doctor surgeries.

These are for anyone who has a life threatening illness (diabetes, blood pressure, etc.) who require constant medical attention, or even those who are vulnerable and living on their own. The bottles contain important information such as medication and contacts should an emergency occur and therefore should be regularly updated. It is better to have and not need than not and wish you had.

Members have also supported local food banks within the Tendring area.

Manningtree has now been added to the list.

For more information about Lions work within the community please contact: secretary@clactonlions.co.uk A poster by a Manningtree High School student could find its way to being displayed at the United Nations building in New York. The school was one of four selected to represent the Clacton-on-Sea Lions Club in a competition organised by the Lions Clubs Organisation.

Mia Reed’s (13) depiction of The Future of Peace was chosen not only to be the best in the Lions Clubs East Anglian Region, but went on to be selected as the most outstanding entry from the UK. Mr Smalley, the school’s head of art, will be presented with the winning shield. Mia herself was presented with a £150 Amazon voucher through winning the various stages of the competition.

Is the first time that EA Lions have had a representation go through to compete in the world phase of the contest. Well done Mia.

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LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY March looks like being the busiest month of the year for LDHS, starting with our fundraising quiz (emphasis on fun) on Saturday, March 10 at 7.30pm (see below). You can have your brain exercised while enjoying the company of your team.

The monthly meeting will be on March 15 when Barbara Faulkner will present a talk entitled I’m a Dingle Dangle Scarecrow.

That will bring us up to the spring show, which will be on Saturday, March 24. Lots could happen before then, but hopefully we will be welcoming lots of visitors to the display of spring flowers, floral art, cookery, handicrafts, photographs and the usual stalls. It makes an interesting afternoon out (doors open at 2pm) and you will be assured of a warm welcome, with refreshments available too. Hoping to see you there.

Lawford & District Horticultural Society Saturday, March 10 Ogilvie Hall, Lawford, 7.30pm start £5 per person, bring your own drink/nibbles.

Tables of up to eight people. To book contact Liz: 01206 393580

FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN – SPRING IS ROUND THE CORNER! One of the most intriguing aspects of wildlife gardening that we have learned over the last few years is how we can help our wildlife get through the winter.

Some of it is quite unexpected. For instance, did you know that many frogs while away the winter in a state of torpor, deep in the mud at the bottom of ponds? Or that in bumblebee and wasp colonies, the only ones to actually survive the winter are the new generation of young queen bees or wasps, which hibernate after mating.

If the weather is sunny and mild then it could well be that some bumblebees will emerge to seek for nectar among the first flowers of spring. At Flatford Wildlife Garden we make sure that throughout the winter we have some plants that are in flower.

After winter slumber, the garden will open in time for Easter on March 30.

Why not come along to the RSPB garden to see the changes we have made – from a whole new range of wood sculptures up to and including the all new Sisters Garden? Those of you who have visited before will know that a corner of the garden was taken up with an old derelict bungalow previously home to a tea shop run by the Richardson sisters for many years. They bequeathed the site to the RSPB and after much thought and planning we have converted this to a new feature for the garden. A key aspect of the work is provision of a rainwater harvesting system and a large pond. This will cover 25 square metres (the site previously occupied by a now-demolished bungalow near the garden’s attractive visitor centre barn).

“It has been designed for wildlife, with a pond-dipping platform so that children can have first-hand experience of pond life,” says our head gardener, Shirley Sampson. “That will be inspirational for them – so many children really love pond-dipping if they are given a chance to do it.” It is anticipated that this activity, the development of which is of course dependant on the speed at which Mother Nature progresses, will commence during summer 2018.

Come and see what we have done and bring the family this Easter. We will be open daily from March 30 and presenting our Easter theme of supporting sparrows as part of the RSPB #wildthings initiative. There will also be plants for sale, as well as plant supports woven from willow grown in the garden, and our unique wildlife cards designed by two of our volunteers.

Do come along and enjoy the first signs of spring. No entry charge to the garden. Car park free for National Trust members, £4 for others. Please check our website periodically for more details: www.rspb.org.uk

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SCHOOLS / SPORT MANNINGTREE HIGH SCHOOL Since the Christmas break a number of Manningtree High School students have been rehearsing for the school production of Arabian Nights. One-hundred-and-thirty-five students from local primary schools came to see the first show, a matinee performance on Wednesday, February 7. There were also three evening performances.

Headteacher Mrs Morris saw the final performance on Thursday, February 8 and said: “There was an incredible amount of talent on display, it was entertaining and inspiring. Well done to all the students who took part and a big thank you to Mr Silburn and Miss Scott from our drama department for putting together such an amazing show.”

MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB January 100 Club Winners 1: Paul Hutton (18) £110 2: Christine Goff (24) £50 3: Richard Tuck (9) £50 The AGM was held and the main appointments were as follows: Chairman Jack Jiggens Secretary Robin Mills Treasurer Andy Birch Danny Goff 1st XI Captain Gareth Stevens 2nd XI Captain Richard Mills 3rd XI Captain Sun NECL Captain Tim Scott Sun TC Captain Tim Hills Club Captains Bruce Leeke and Matt Bibby Mistley Cricket Club starts their indoor nets for juniors and seniors on the following dates: • Juniors start Friday, February 2 at Manningtree Sports Centre, 7.30-8.30pm.

Ages catered for are from seven-17 year olds. Cost £2.

• Men’s and women’s nets start on Wednesday, February 21, 8.15pm-9.30pm 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 on: mistleycc@btinternet.com Mistley CC is a community club with strong traditions. Please come along and give us a look sometime.

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC January was a disappointing month for the 1st Team. It started well with Bob Coleman Cup victory at Achilles, but then injuries set in and the remaining three games in the month all ended in defeat, latterly disappointingly going out of the Bob Coleman Cup to Division One Sporting 87.

The Reserves started the year slowly, but ended it with victories in the Travel Plus Tours Cup and League A. The A Team’s struggles continued.

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team/ Senior Division Sat, Feb 24: Haughley Utd (H) Sat, Mar 3: AFC Hoxne (A Sat, Mar 10: Colpestonians (H) Sat, Mar 17: Ransomes Sports (H) Sat, Mar 24: Benhall St Mary (A) Mon, Apr 2: Capel Plough (A) Reserves / League A Sat, Feb 24: Framlingham Town Res TPT Cup (A) Sat, Mar 10: Old Newton Res (A) Sat, Mar 17: Sporting 87 Res (H) Sat, Mar 31: AFC Hoxne Res (A) A Team / League B Sat, Feb 24: Claydon Res (H) Sat, Mar 3: Stowupland Falcons Res (H) Sat, Mar 10: Stonham Aspal Res (A) Sat, Mar 17: Wickham Market Res (A) Sat, Mar 24: Claydon Res (A) Fixtures are subject to change. Please refer to the fixtures website to confirm: https://tinyurl.com/yb9x9ejp.

It has been decided to put the race night on hold for the time being.

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.

Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB A few seasons ago our club started a side for players over the age of 35, known as the Veterans, who play their games on Sunday afternoons.

Our present team are in a league with five other sides and are currently second in the table under the expert leadership of Stephen King. They recently lost the top of the table game against Barham 4-3 after leading 3-1 with our goals scored by Sean Kilbourne, Glen Crisp and Chris Stewart, while Whitton United knocked them out of the league cup 4-1.

Our Sunday morning team has been involved in some high scoring games beating Rushmere Diamonds 9-2 in the League Cup, then winning 6-5 away to Real Orford with four goals from Abdul Kaium and two from Joe Bigmore.

Our Saturday Reserves are third in the Inter C League after beating Halesworth Town Reserves at home 7-0 with Harry Franklin and Matt Noble both scoring hat tricks before winning 2-1 away against Ransome Sports. It’s good to see several teenagers from the village playing in this team and they seem to enjoy their football.

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Our Saturday 1st Team are playing their twentieth consecutive season in the Senior League and are in fifth place after a goalless draw away to Felixstowe Harpers before also drawing 1-1 at home to Crane Sports, a game which was played in front of 75 spectators, our highest of the season so far. Nick Middlebrook scored our goal with an excellent free kick. Wins against Old Newton 1-0 thanks to an Andy Wilshaw free kick and 6-3 against Westerfield United saw the team reach the quarterfinals of the Bob Coleman Cup where they were due to play Crane Sports on February 17. Our local derby at home to East Bergholt is on March 31.

Finally, after complaints from residents in the Friars the police have informed the club that fines will be issued to any motorists who park on pathways or in front of private driveways during games at the Playing Field.

BOB THE PLOUGHMAN

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SPORT LAWFORD FOOTBALL CLUB Tiki-taka football and large open spaces clearly play to the strengths of Lawford’s U13s. Having just missed out on the B League by a single place at the end of last season they have had an incredible start to this one. Apart from the first game of the season where they conceded three goals in a 15-3 victory, they have not conceded a single additional goal in the league so far, while amassing 61 in the ‘goals for’ column. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, the team also progressed to the fourth round of the Essex Cup, beating teams many places above them in higher leagues along the way, including Tiptree Jobserve Reds, Rowhedge Juniors and winning an away game to Pegasus Youth in the Southend league. Their run only came to end when they were drawn against an Eastern Junior Alliance team, Witham Town.

BRANTHAM FOOTBALL CLUB Brantham Athletic is a local football club running a senior section, junior section, Sunday and Ladies teams. Our home ground is The Leisure Centre, New Village, Brantham.

January has been a pretty successful one for our three teams with most of the matches won. The 1st Team played four matches in January, winning three and losing one. They did get to second in the league table, but an unfortunate loss at home saw them drop to third. They have reached the semi-finals in the League Cup after a penalty shoot-out and have another quarter-final to play in February so hopefully they will progress.

The Reserves are through to the Suffolk County Cup quarter-final and won all their matches in January to consolidate their place in mid-table. The A Team had a mixed January, winning two and losing two and unfortunately losing a cup quarter-final, but still sitting in mid-table.

In total this season the team have amassed 91 goals, with 10 players all getting on the score sheet. Most pleasing is the way the team have started to really play for each other. They often make unselfish runs and passes, while all over the pitch playing some very attractive football. After virtually every match the opposition coaches compliment the team on their football, but perhaps more importantly often comment what a nice bunch of lads they are. Long may it continue.

There is also a thriving junior section with ages ranging from under-seven to under-16. Our Sunday teams play their matches on Sunday mornings at the leisure centre while our ladies team play on Sunday afternoons at the centre.

U12 Reds player Mykie Perkins is currently undergoing treatment for Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of bone cancer in children. To support Mykie and his family through this terrible time, the club came together on Saturday, November 4, holding a penalty shoot-out and cake sale.

Despite the weather all teams from U7s-U15s were represented and many of the parents also participated (with varying success).

The generosity shown was breathtaking with nearly £1,200 raised.

An amazing effort from everyone involved.

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 it’s £7 for 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

The Ladies team ended 2017 placed sixth in the league but have three games in hand over the league leaders. Earlier in the season the ladies beat Hatfield Peveral, who currently top the table, 6-1 making for a very interesting second half of the season. Once again, the ladies have entered the FA People’s Cup which kicks off in February.

This is a national five-a-side competition which Lawford reached the semi-final of last year. Good luck for this year’s competition.

A special mention for Daisy Canny, ladies striker and captain. Daisy collected and donated more than 185 Christmas gifts for the children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and delivered them all herself.

The quiz night held in early December was a great success with teams drawn from across the First team, the Reserves and the Vets.

To get into the festive spirit most teams proudly displayed Christmas jumpers and there was a good atmosphere from the beginning to the end of the evening. Congratulations to John Watkins, Stuart Cullum, Lloyd Bellett, Bert Rand, Mark Carey (Curly), and Gary Brigden from the Vets who were winners. Such wise and ancient minds! All in all, a very enjoyable evening. A big thank you to Paul Bowers for organising the event.

Next year the club will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Founded in 1949, Lawford Lads moved to the current ground at School Lane in 1967. Lawford Juniors was formed in 1979 and merged with the Lads in 2015 to form Lawford Football Club. We plan to create a photographic history of the club through the last seven decades, but we need your help! Do you have or know of any photographs featuring either the senior or junior section in years gone, or perhaps know someone who does? If you can help please contact Nick Anderson: njfanderson@gmail.com If you are interested in playing football for Lawford FC or supporting the club in any way, please visit our website for further information: www.lawfordfc.co.uk

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The 1st Team play their home matches at the leisure centre, kick-off 3pm on Saturdays and 7.45pm on weekday evenings. The A Team play at Raydon.

The under-18s play on weekday evenings, 7.45pm kick-off.

Forthcoming home matches will be publicised on the website and on Twitter.

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 which is available to hire for a multitude of events such as wedding receptions, birthday parties, children’s events, conferences and meetings. Just contact the centre on 01206 392506.

HOME FIXTURES FOR MARCH 1st Team at Brantham Leisure Centre Saturday, March 3, 3pm: League v Great Yarnmouth Saturday, March 10, 3pm: League v Wroxham Saturday, March 24, 3pm: Saffron Walden Reserves: See Twitter feed A-Team at Brantham Leisure Centre Friday, March 30, 7.30pm: Cup v Newfield Red Star www.branthamathleticfc.co.uk

MISTLEY & MANNINGTREE BOWLS CLUB OPEN DAYS Discover the pleasure of playing bowls at Mistley & Manningtree Bowls Club Open Days on Saturdays, April 28 and May 5 and 12, 10am-4pm.

The only requirement is to wear flat shoes or trainers. Bowls can be provided.

For further information contact Stephen Langridge: 01206 395083

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ON THE GRAPEVINE REDISCOVERING THE NEOLITHIC MONUMENT IN TYE FIELD LAWFORD In Neolithic times the Lawford Lads of the day constructed a monument in what is now Tye Field, just behind the football pitches off School Lane. For nearly 4,000 years the circular mound they created stood proud, left alone and respected. Technology then gave modern farmers the ability to plough it level. In doing so they struck a mass of flints and archaeologists were brought in to rescue and make sense of what remained. They came back several times and were able to date the monument to the late Neolithic period, but the mystery was why it had been built here and what it was used for.

One thing was clear, it had always been intended to stand out and make a statement in the landscape. Neolithic people were very in touch with the land on which they depended. While looking over the magical springs that fed down into Wignall Brook, and the fertile Stour River Valley beyond, it was no co-incidence they picked out the highest point on the Tendring peninsula. So the southern aspect was just as important and from the slight ridge, the views look back down the plateau sloping away towards Gt Bromley and miles beyond. As the first farmers they were adept at clearing any woodland in the way, though due to the poor soils it may have been fairly bare scrubland.

Neolithic monuments are very rare in this part of the country. First impressions from aerial photographs suggested a ring ditch, but it was clearly constructed by a series of connected pits of up to two metres in depth and up to eight metres wide. These could have been dug over a period of time, with people coming back each year to add more, or perhaps bury or rebury items such as polished stones, axe heads, pots or the remains of ancestors as part of some communal activity. There are also two entrances which suggest a ‘Henge’ or a ‘causewayed’ enclosure. It is big, with an internal diameter of some 21 metres, plus the pits both sides, making it about 37 metres overall.

One problem for our Lawford ancestors was the lack of any local stone to build with. The first excavation in the early 1960s identified the remains of a circle of large post holes set one-two metres apart and 20 metres in diameter.

Twenty-four holes were left on the southern inside of the ditch, creating an enclosed, ceremonial space, possibly using some wooden lintels as well. This may have been built before the ditches, at the same time or afterwards, we just don’t know.

Attitudes towards the dead changed during the Neolithic period and the archaeologists discovered in the middle a large round burnt area, some seven metres wide and containing ash, suggesting use for cremation or communal feasting. The building of a large mound of earth several feet high may have come later, suggesting burial of the dead or cremated remains, none of which survived in the local sandy soils. If a burial ‘barrow’ it might have been surrounded by some internal banking in place of the posts. Given nearby

later Bronze Age Barrows, it may be some transitionary form of monument or simply have no national comparator of similar date.

The excavations discovered one of the largest collections of ‘Grooved’ pottery found in the East of England. This was hand made using local clay, possibly made up in coils as you might have done at school, but more expertly polished and finished. Some earlier ‘plain’ Neolithic bowl pieces were also found but the bulk was 700 pieces of intricately Grooved pottery, suggesting the site was four to five thousand years old, the same period as Stone Henge.

Some of this pottery was unusually red in colour, most common were parts of flat based jars. These had been highly decorated, even on the insides, with a variety of patterns such as triangles and chevrons, made using cords, combs and fingernails. This style (Rinyo-Clacton) originated in the Orkneys before spreading across the whole of the country. The patterns could have been designed as statements about the location and local landscape. Often larger vessels, the pots could have a communal, ritual purpose as well as domestic use and are often found at Henge sites in association with timber circles. The pottery may have been deliberately broken and deposited with offerings of meat and flint work. Much had been damaged by modern ploughing.

A small amount of animal bone was found, demonstrating even then a local taste for beef and pork, which may have been specially bred for ritual purposes. There were nearly 2,000 pieces of flint, the main material of the time for tools, utensils and weapons. The source was mainly pebbles found in the local gravels, rather than larger flint nodules mined elsewhere. As well as arrow heads they found blades of all sizes and a range of scrapers of different shapes used to skin animals, etc. Again such combined deposits are typical of Neolithic Henge monuments. A small number of flint ‘microliths’ from the Mesolithic period were also found, so the site could have been used for thousands of years before the Neolithic people started building.

In 1959 Felix Erith from Ardleigh first dated the site and he thought the Henge was part of a much wider ceremonial complex. Other likely spots that could be linked have since been identified in aerial images. These include a ‘Cursus’ feature at nearby Parrington Farm, a very large enclosure next door at Glanfields and two possible Barrows to the south on Riddlesdale and Lawford Hall farms. We should be looking for more features within the immediate vicinity, especially any in line of sight. These could just be pits or postholes, set out in the landscape as part of a wider monument or astrological complex. Even now it is an ideal spot to witness the winter solstice, a pre-occupation of the first native farmers.

Given its national significance the site was added to the list of scheduled ancient monuments to protect it and its landscape. Surrounded by later Bronze Age rings and barrows, the excavators also found Iron Age pottery.

With the Roman road just to the south and the Roman settlement and burial enclosure at Dale Hall, we can see a unique history of human activity in the Lawford area, starting at the monument in Tye Field, which we should preserve as our own unique Henge complex, as significant as any other.

Philip Cunningham Manningtree Museum and Local History Group

SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL The 11th Suffolk Walking Festival launches on Saturday, May 12 and is going to be the largest festival to date with over 120 events spread across three weeks.

The Suffolk Walking Festival has come a long way in its 11 years. From small beginnings the event has grown and grown to encompass the entire county with a wide variety of imaginative and creative walks. This year also sees the introduction of the first ever Fringe Festival, a series of activities that are designed to get you close to nature in the very heart of Suffolk’s countryside.

The Walking Festival explores every corner of Suffolk, revealing hidden secrets and special gems, from the impressive estate of Helmingham Park to scenes that inspired Constable and a dragon on a hillside! This year you can

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experience the dawn chorus with bird watching experts, identify wild flowers at Sizewell Belts, and listen out for the earie churring of a Nightjar. Learn all about England’s Silk Capital, visit the Home of Horseracing, and get to grips with the Horrible History of Ipswich! We have Nordic walking, health walks and mindfullness walks.

The Lions Charity even has a Mutt Strutt around Alton Water for two and four legged walkers – there really is something for everyone!

The festival launches in the impressive surroundings of St Peter’s Hall, home to the world famous St Peter’s Brewery. Tickets to attend the launch and all of the 125 events are available from March. Copies of the festival brochure are available in your local library and Tourist Information Centre.

For more information visit: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

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ON THE GRAPEVINE IPSWICH AND DISTRICT KIDNEY ASSOCIATION Ipswich and District Kidney Association – more usually referred to as IDKA – is a registered charity set up about 25 years ago by a group of patients who wanted to give something back to the hospital that had made such a difference to their lives and also to help newly diagnosed patients come to terms with their situation. Our aim is still to help improve the lives of people suffering from kidney disease and we try to achieve this through providing items of equipment not available through the NHS, providing entertainment systems and heaters to make time on dialysis more bearable and by providing welfare grants where financial hardship is as a direct result of kidney disease. Les Talbott, vice-chair of IDKA, is pictured presenting a cheque for £5,998 to Dr Richard Smith, renal consultant at Ipswich Hospital, to fund a research programme at a local level for dialysing patients in conjunction with the renal unit at the University of Suffolk. IDKA also organises social activities and our AGM has developed into a spectacular family fun day.

Local Kidney Patients Associations similar to IDKA formed all over the country and from these grew the National Kidney Federation which promotes best practice in renal medicine and treatment at a national level, getting involved directly with the government and the NHS. The NKF also provides support and advice services and IDKA works closely with them and similar national organisations to stay abreast of current developments. Membership of IDKA automatically provides membership to the NKF and access to their publications.

IDKA realises that kidney disease has far-reaching effects, not only on the patient but on their carers and family too and sometimes it is difficult to know where to turn. Many people are reluctant to ask for help or think that they are in some way ‘beyond’ help. Rest assured that is never the case so please contact us.

Whether the problem is financial, medical, emotional or whatever, if we are not in a position to deal with it ourselves we have access to a variety of specialists who will be able to so please do not suffer in silence. Although we do know a great many very clever people, none of them are clairvoyant so they will not be able to help you unless you make them aware. All contact will be treated in the strictest confidence, but if you are still unsure and would prefer first contact to be with someone anonymously over the telephone please contact The British Kidney Patient Association on 01420 541424. The BKPA operates an excellent advocacy service and their regional officer pays frequent visits to Ipswich.

In cases where someone is suffering hardship as a direct result of kidney disease, IDKA may be able to provide a welfare grant. As with other organisations who provide similar services we are obliged to ask a few questions so we can demonstrate that we are using our resources correctly and in-line with Charity Commission guidelines, but personal information is never shared with anyone else and is always treated in the strictest confidence. If you, or someone you know, is suffering hardship under these circumstances please contact us or speak to one of the renal nurses. Similarly, if you are aware of a problem with the care provided for kidney patients please contact us and we will investigate whether anything can be done to improve the situation.

IDKA is run on behalf of its members by a dedicated committee of volunteers who are keen to hear from patients, including home dialysis patients. We are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to support out fundraising events, such as our forthcoming quiz night at Kesgrave Social Club on Friday, May 4.

Please contact Doug Swayze, chair of IDKA – chair@idka.org.uk / 01449 612090 / 20 Bures Close, Stowmarket IP14 2PL – or vice-chair Les Talbott – 01473 635749.

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DON’T BECOME THE VICTIM OF A TELEPHONE SCAM We take regular reports from members of the public who have fallen victim to various scams and cons which start off with a phone call or an email. Unfortunately, some victims are defrauded of large amounts of money – sometimes their entire life savings.

Over the years we have heard of various tricks and ruses, as the fraudsters come up with increasingly convincing ways to gain the confidence of their victims. Sometimes victims are contacted by someone purporting to be from the fraud department associated to their bank and makes claims that their account/s are being targeted by rogue bank employees. They also claim that such ‘rogue employees’ are currently being internally investigated, but to safeguard the victim’s money they need to transfer their savings out of their account into an apparent ‘safe’ account.

The fraudulent callers will apply a time pressure and the need to supposedly keep secret the transfers out of the account.

The victim is either asked to make instant transfers online or to go to their local branch to carry out the necessary transfers.

During the phone call the victim is guided on the mobile phone as to what they should and should not say to others, especially bank staff.

DC Joanne Smith from Safeguarding and Investigations said: “The fraudulent caller will sound very convincing, and claims to know the banks procedures and even information about the victims account to gain their trust. The fraudulent caller may also build the trust over a couple of days before asking to make the transfers, as well as providing genuine telephone numbers and passwords that will correspond to the legitimate Bank / Building Society. Some fraudsters have the ability to mask their telephone number so what appears on the caller display conveys the impression it is a genuine phone number.”

Residents should remember the following: Your bank or the police will never ask you to withdraw money or purchase items. Your bank or the police will never ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details out. If the victim has any concerns about what the caller is asking then they should end the call and report to their branch and or fraud department Never download any software suggested by caller.

Do not rush into complying with the scammer’s demands/requests.

If you receive such a call leave the landline for at least five minutes to make an outside call. Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ring tones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number. Use a friend or neighbour’s telephone instead.

Friends, family, carers and neighbours are asked to spread the word to ensure everyone is aware of this scam and what they should do.

You can report incidents of fraud to Action Fraud by calling 03001 232040 or using their online reporting tool: www.actionfraud.police.uk

You can also sign up to the Trading Standards weekly email alert on rogues and scams targeting Suffolk: www.suffolk.gov.uk/JoinTheFight Until next month, if you any queries or questions please contact Hadleigh SNT at Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD / hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk EMERGENCY: CALL 999 NON-EMERGENCY: CALL 101 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @HadleighPolice POLICE CONNECT: suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect

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CHURCH NEWS

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB

Parish Priest: Father Christopher Smith 01473 684963 / 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ

easy to put ourselves in another person’s shoes, especially those very different from us, and this can cause us to have doubts and fears.

We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk

“These fears are legitimate, based on doubts that are fully comprehensible from a human point of view. Having doubts and fears is not a sin. The sin is to allow these fears to determine our responses, to limit our choices, to compromise respect and generosity, to feed hostility and rejection,” he continued. “The sin is to refuse to encounter the other, to encounter the different, to encounter the neighbour, when this is in fact a privileged opportunity to encounter the Lord.”

SERVICES FOR MARCH 2018 Sunday 4 9am

3rd Sunday OF Lent Mass

Tuesday 6 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Sunday 11 9am

4th Sunday OF Lent Mass

Tuesday 13 9.20am 10am

Eucharistic Adoration Mass

Sunday 18 9am

5th Sunday OF Lent Mass

Tuesday 20 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Sunday 25 9am

Palm Sunday of The Passion of The Lord Mass

Tuesday 27 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 Pope Francis recently said that while it is normal to be afraid of the unknown, we can’t let this direct how we respond to newcomers in our midst, who should be treated with respect and generosity. It’s not

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Events & Diary Date The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, February 18 when three lucky winners shared a record £151. The next draw takes place on Sunday, March 18. 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 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 church maintenance and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, March 29.

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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CURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM SERVICES IN MARCH Friday March 2 3pm Women’s World Day of Prayer Ecumenical Service,

East Bergholt Congregational Church Sunday, March 4 8am 11am 4pm

BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion, Brantham Family@Church and High Tea, East Bergholt

Wednesday, March 7 9.30am BCP Communion, East Bergholt Sunday, March 11: Mothering Sunday 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Mothering Sunday Family Service

and Baptism of Rory Blemings, East Bergholt 11am Mothering Sunday Family Service, Brantham Sunday, March 18 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Benefice Communion, East Bergholt Sunday, March 25 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Palm Sunday with Procession, East Bergholt 11am Palm Sunday with Procession, Brantham Monday, March 26 7.30pm Holy Week Meditative Service, Brantham Tuesday, March 27 7.30pm Holy Week Musical Meditation, East Bergholt Wednesday, March 28 9.30am Holy Week BCP Communion, East Bergholt Thursday, March 29 9.30am EB Primary Church Assembly, East Bergholt 7pm Maundy Thursday Communion,

Readings & Stripping of the Altar, East Bergholt Friday, March 30 10am Family Service, Brantham 2pm A Reading of the Passion, East Bergholt Saturday, March 31 7pm Easter Vigil and Lighting of the Fire, Brantham Easter Sunday, April 1 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Communion, Brantham 4pm Family@Church and High Tea, East Bergholt

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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.

RAMBLING RECTOR The first time I heard about the Camino Santiago de Compestela was about 20 years ago when a colleague in SA completed part of the pilgrimage to Santiago where the remains of St James the Apostle of Jesus are believed to be buried. She showed us photos of beautiful small villages and humming cheeses.

Last year, spurred on by showing my Bible Study Group the film The Way directed by Emilio Estevez and with Martin Sheen (his father) in the main part, I started researching the Camino for myself. Loads of pilgrims have written books on the subject. They range from deeply thoughtful reflections on the route, geography, politics and people met along the road to useless daily diaries charting the development of blisters (with photos) and inane comments on ‘nice’ places and ‘sweet’ people.

Pilgrimage was a recognised religious activity in the Middle Ages. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales relate the experiences of a fascinating group of pilgrims who for their own various reasons found themselves together on pilgrimage and in awkward and hilarious situations. Today pilgrimage is regaining popularity.

There are many reasons for walking the Way, not all religious. One book I read led me to the writer’s other immensely long walks across America (The Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Way). Keith Foskett is not religious, but had the insight to call his book The Journey in Between.

He recognised that arriving at the destination is not the important thing (though praiseworthy), it is your experiences along the way that make you into the person you are.

That is a very good description of the Christian life. Sometimes we journey alone, sometimes we have company, but always we are part of humanity on a journey, searching for meaning. As we interact with one another we grow and develop other insights. During Lent Christians begin again their journey to the cross. It is a time of reflection and prayer and looking about to see the needs of the world.

I am now on sabbatical and my family have suggested that we should walk part of the Camino together. It won’t happen this year because my three months of sabbatical are already rather full. It is meant to be a time of rest, spiritual reflection and a project. Joop has said I really need six months to cram in everything I had thought of doing! Santiago? Next year!

Rev Steph Rev Steph is on sabbatical doing some writing and will be unable to respond to any messages until after June 1. If any need should arise, the churchwardens or verger will be able to help you.

East Bergholt: Fiona Trott 01206 298205 / Liz Digby 01473 312281 / Rodney Brundell 01206 298607 Brantham: Jane Pavitt 01473 328512 / Ken Stuttaford 01206 394446 www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk

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CHURCH NEWS KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus Meeting at Old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree FIRST LOVE? BEST LOVE? I wonder if you remember the story about the players of Linlithgow RFC trying to get to the Six Nations opener in Cardiff? Their coach broke down on the side of the M4 with a burst tyre and it looked like they were going to miss the game. The Welsh public came to the rescue and got them all to the game on time. One fan who’d done this trip a few times commented that he’d never been in the ground so early for a game!

Some drivers dropped stranded fans off in Cardiff and went back for more!

What made them do this? The love of the game? Not all of them were rugby fans! Was it some love of fellow Celts? Linlithgow Rugby Football Club have issued an open letter that says, “this confirms my love for the Wales [sic] connection with Scotland.”

Love is a powerful motivation isn’t it? Our preaching on Sunday mornings in March, leading up to Easter, will be dealing with what happens when we forget our first love. And how we can get it back! True love, the deepest and the best love is found in Jesus. He showed us just how much both He and His Father, God our Creator, have for us when He died on the Cross and rose again.

Come and experience the best love with us at any of 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.

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@thekeytoloveministries.co.uk www.keytoloveministries.com

LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Un-denominational / meeting at The Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE and the Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street, Lawford CO11 2JG (unless otherwise stated).

Saturday Service: 11am

The Meeting Place Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day are the same day this year and Easter Sunday is also April Fool’s Day; weird! Our monthly meeting for older folks will consider the weird and wonderful facts about Lent and Easter. If you would like to join us then the talk starts at 3pm on March 6 and will be followed by further conversations and a splendid tea. If you need a lift please give us a call.

Saturday, March 10 at the Ogilvie Hall: Our popular monthly Café/ Oasis Coffee Morning event, 9.30-10.45am; Praise and Worship Service, 11am-noon

For all meetings in March please check out our new website or call Pastor Gaius on 01206 393745.

For pastoral visits and further information, contact: 01206 272064 / 01255 714544

www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk

We warmly welcome people of all ages.

Tuesday, March 13: Outreach Ministry Burrsville Christian Fellowship, Clacton-on-Sea Friday, March 23: Prayer Meeting at Lawford Venture Centre, 10am

MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB Minister: The Rev Tom Osborne, 01206 396654 Sunday Worship Services: 10.15am each Sunday in March plus Holy Communion on March 11 Maundy Thursday, March 29, 7.30pm: Tenebrae Service led by The Rev Alec Potter Good Friday, March 30: 10.30am Welcome Wednesday, 2.30pm: Bible Study on the first Wednesday, activities with tea and coffee on the second the third and Holy Communion on the fourth.

Exploring Faith through Art: The five week Lent Course continues each Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in Manningtree Methodist Church Hall led

by The Rev Tom Osborne, also repeated each Thursday morning at 10am in Bradfield Parish Church.

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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 The 46th Annual Art Exhibition and Sale opens in the Methodist Halls from 2-5pm on March 30, and also March 31 and April 1 and 2 from 10am-5pm.

The event includes displays, stalls and refreshments.

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CHURCH NEWS

Shimmy, Shake, Wiggle & Giggle Dance Fitness

FunDancing Classes

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.

Wed

10am 7pm

Nayland Village Hall Boxford Village Hall

Thu

10am 7pm

St Mary’s Church Capel St Mary

Fri

10am

The Institute Stratford St Mary

spaces are limited to reserve yours

Call Janet on 07506 350 455

janet@fundancing.co.uk www.fundancing.co.uk

FunDancing.Suffolk FunDancing

Mind Body Moment teaching the safe & personalised Solomon Yogalates™Method to adults of any age, gender & ability Start with a Welcome 121 (1 client) Then join Mind Body Moment Classes

www.mindbodymoment.co.uk Capel St Mary East Bergholt, & Raydon 07506 350 455 janet@mindbodymoment.co.uk

The Parish Priest is Father Jon Ravensdale: 01206 870460 / sjpchurch@btinternet.com Also resident in the parish are Father Michael Rear (01206 392695) and Father Mathias Odigbo.

ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAWFORD Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Simon Heron, 01206 392659 LOVING GOD – LIVING LIFE Services for March 2018 Sunday 4 8am 10.30am

Hoy Communion BCP Holy Communion

Sunday 11 8am 10.30am 6.30pm

Holy Communion BCP Family Service Evensong

Sunday 18 8am 10.30am 6.30pm

Holy Communion BCP Holy Communion Cafe Church

Sunday 25 8am 10.30am

Holy Communion BCP Morning Worship

Thursday 29 7.30pm

Maundy Thursday Holy Communion

Friday 30 Good Friday 2pm An Hour at the Cross Sunday, April 1 6am 8am 10.30am

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service Holy Communion BCP Family Communion

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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CHURCH NEWS 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.

As I write this, we’re coming into the season of Lent. This is a time which many people used to give something up – often something unhealthy or unproductive. You might be thinking about giving up chocolate, or alcohol, or television. I once heard someone call Lent the second-chance for broken New Year’s resolutions, and for a lot of people that’s how this season feels.

That’s not a bad thing, of course. It’s never a bad idea to look at our lives, to assess what we’re doing and reflect on it, and to seek to stop doing things which are unhealthy or unhelpful for us. But Lent is more than this, too: it’s not just a season for us to focus on our own failings, but rather for us to focus again on God and what he’s done for us through Jesus. It’s not just a time of letting things go, although it can be that, but also a time of preparation and expectation. During this time, Christians look forward to Easter; anticipating the death, resurrection and lifting up of Jesus. This forty day season reminds us of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness before he began his public ministry: a time of reflection, temptation, and preparation.

So can I encourage you during this season not just to look for those things which are unhealthy and unhelpful in your lives, but also to look for those areas which are positive, and in which God might be seeking to do more?

Even if you don’t believe in God, it’s a good thing to focus not just on those areas we need to take under control, but also the ways in which our lives are moving in positive directions. I believe that as we do this, we will see God more clearly at work in all aspects of our lives.

The Rev Dom Turner

Sunday, March 18 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley 6pm Quiet Communion at Bradfield Wednesday, March 21 4.15pm Messy Church at Mistley Norman School Sunday, March 25: Palm Sunday 8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley 10.30am Café Church with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 10.30am Morning Prayer at Bradfield Thursday, March 29 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Communion Service at Mistley Friday, March 30: Good Friday TBC Walk of Witness 2pm Good Friday Service at Bradfield *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

SERVICES FOR MARCH 2018 Sunday, March 4 10.30am: Joint Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm: Evening Prayer at Bradfield Sunday, March 11: Mothering Sunday 10.30am: Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield 10.30am: Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm: Evening Prayer at Mistley

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

BRANTHAM & CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES MAKING SENSE OF LIFE Can you imagine a blind man, in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn’t there? For some the study of philosophy, the meaning of life, being and existence can be a bit like that dark room and not much hope. Many people feel as hopeless as that about their search for God. A social worker visited a sick boy in the back streets of Lagos and found some books on the table beside his bed. They were a Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, the Koran, a copy of the Watchtower, a book by Karl Marx and another with the title How to Stop Worrying! A quest for the meaning of life down so many avenues is a very confusing business.

Life itself can often throw things at us that cause that quest for meaning of life to be broken or be affirmed and enriched. A dear Christian sister, Sally Laws (known to many readers), who taught religious education and was herself a Christian with a profound faith in God, has recently died after 21 years of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite the pain, the suffering and the frustration she had a confidence in God and that God would provide the strength she needed for each day. She radiated love, joy and peace. There could be no doubting her faith in God, or that God had chosen her to be his child and to bear fruit in the midst of suffering. We will be celebrating her life and faith on March 5. As I was reflecting on Sally’s life yesterday with others, I came across this quote: “The greatest thing about heaven is being with the Lord”. We know that’s where Sally is.

What makes that difference? The Christian faith is not about people blindly groping for God, but more about God seeking for individuals, because he loves them and wants them to know and love him. An agnostic journalist, broadcaster and satirist who had been trying to run away from God but

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came to faith late in life said: “I’ve never wanted a God, or feared a God or felt under any necessity to invent one. Fortunately, I’ve been driven to the conclusion that God wants me.”

And why did God want him? Why does God want you? The answer is not because of anything in you, but solely because of His love for you. That’s humbling yet so clear. We love because he first loved us.

If your quest for meaning in life is hitting the buffers, or you are struggling to make sense of life, do get in touch.

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 BRANTHAM SERVICES Sunday 4 11am Sunday 11 11am Sunday 18 11am Sunday 25 11am

Worship with Prof David Welbourn Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham Communion with Rev Tony Brookes Worship with Mr Harry Chicken

CAPEL SERVICES Home Groups on various days and times – contact the minister for details Sunday 4

Sunday 11 Sunday 18 Sunday 25

10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm

Worship with Mrs Carole Almond Prayer Local Arrangement - Worship Worship with Rev Chris Hill All Age Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey United Prayer Time St Mary’s

In Touch online:

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