In touch news with martlesham feb183

In Touch

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Volume 8 • Issue No. 3 • FEBRUARY 2018

Become a Beanstalk Reading Hero, see page 22

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Fall in love this Valentines and find your dream home Martlesham Office: 01473 396 007 7 The Square, Martlesham Heath, IP5 3SL

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I simply can’t avoid writing about words and language this month as unusual words and phrases seem to be coming at me from all directions.

I have just spent a week in Ireland where ‘press’ meaning ‘cupboard’ and ‘yoke’ meaning just about everything else, including people (as in “yer man with the féasóg is a right yoke”) are common parlance, but I’ve also just finished a book by Mike Smith from The Waterboys in which he writes about many of the Irish musicians and writers he has worked with. One is a poet from Co Galway called Tomas McKeown who had a habit of running his hand over his bald head and saying “once there used to be waves, now it’s all shore”. How lovely is that?

On my desk I have a word calendar which I received from one of my lovely colleagues. It introduces a new word every day. Today it’s ‘palisade’, but my favourites so far have been ‘algid’ meaning cold and ‘wiseacre’ meaning one who pretends to knowledge or cleverness, otherwise known as a smart aleck. I think we all know a wiseacre or two!

And just last night a wonderful clip about strange words the Irish use popped up on Facebook. ‘Haymes’ is one we all use to describe getting something wrong, as in ‘he made a haymes of it’, particularly used at hurling matches! Another I might use more frequently is ‘banjaxed’ meaning broken or in a bad way, as you might be after a ‘night on the lash’.

‘Me feiner’ literally translates as ‘me myself’. To be called a ‘me feiner’ is the ultimate insult, meaning you have no thought for anyone but yourself, commonly used to describe politicians in Ireland.

I’ll leave you with a wonderful phrase I spotted on a poster at Dublin Airport: Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.

NEWS MARTLESHAM VILLAGE FETE

SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018 We are pleased to announce that a veteran bus from Ipswich Transport Museum will provide a shuttle service on the day, linking residents to Martlesham Heath Village Green and St Michael’s Church which will be the focal point of activities. This will ensure we have an ‘all Martlesham’ event and we can leave the car at home.

This facility is kindly being sponsored by the Martlesham Service Centre which provides complete automotive repair specialising in vehicle servicing, car repairs and MOT testing. Please show your gratitude by remembering them next time you need work doing on your car.

Activities in January concentrated on contacting groups who can provide music and entertainment. If you are a musician, music teacher, member of a group, choir or entertainer and would like to showcase your skills, please register your interest at mvfete@gmail.com and you will be contacted by one of our volunteers.

Remember the great opportunities the village fete will give us: • Community groups will be able to showcase activities, raise funds and generate more members

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

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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 Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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MARCH DEADLINE

• Local artists and craftspeople can display and sell their work • Charities will be able to publicise work, attract volunteers and raise funds • Businesses with local connections can exhibit and reach customers and thank them by sponsoring aspects of the event • Local groups of musicians or entertainers can have the opportunity to perform • An opportunity for all residents to volunteer and make the event a success So get involved now!

1ST MARTLESHAM SCOUT POST Many thanks to all those who sent their Christmas cards via Martlesham Scout Post. In total we handled 5,464 cards and have raised just under £800 for Scout funds. Across all the group’s this was a record year with 111,000 cards sent right across Ipswich and the surrounding areas.

Thanks to Duncan’s Butchers, the Black Tiles Post Office, the Runway Café and BT for all their help with looking after the boxes and to all who sent cards.

Simon Smith

MARTLESHAM HEATH CONTROL TOWER MUSEUM Behind Parkers Place, off Eagle Way, Martlesham Heath IP5 3UZ Half Term Opening: Friday, February 16, 1-5pm See our amazing artefacts and pictures, learn some fascinating stories and visit our bunker. Free easy parking, donations appreciated.

10 FEBRUARY 2018 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS PLEASE HELP GET CHINA HOME The local community’s help is desperately needed to help get China, a missing dog, home. Regular and recent sightings show that’s he’s surviving incredibly well in Martlesham, but Mel, his owner, needs to get him safe: “I really need everyone in the local area to know about China so that they can report any sightings, even if people aren’t sure as a lot of possibilities add up.”

With more information Team China (a group of local residents who are helping) can work out his routes, set up a place to start feeding him and then make a rescue attempt.

China went missing from Woodbridge and ran three miles at night after being spooked. He finally stopped running on a farm track in Martlesham, and this is where he’s surviving using his natural hunter skills as he’s a podenco (like a large whippet). He has been sighted many times in the Martlesham and Kesgrave areas, but could be travelling further afield in a circle around the area.

Mel says: “He is so very missed. Zander, his podenco brother, is waiting for him at home, but he’s very timid and now in ‘survival mode’ which means he sees all humans, even the humans he knows, as predators and he’ll avoid them as though he is part of the wildlife, just like a fox.”

It’s very important that people don’t approach him or call out to him as he may run into danger or, worse, leave the area.

The team have adopted the phrase Please Help Get China Home and ask the local community to report any sightings, check gardens and land regularly for any clues (dog poop or flattened grass which might indicate possible sleep/rest areas), and by spreading the word to anyone who lives or works in Martlesham and surrounding areas.

They have involved missing dog experts from around the country including tracker dogs and wildlife experts. Canine Capture UK (a voluntary group who help owners locate and trap their missing pooches) have helped in many captures including those that have made the national press such as Izzy who was missing in the Welsh mountains for eight months.

If you have any information please call Mel on 07817 776280 or visit: www.doglost.co.uk China also has his own Facebook page where you can leave a comment or send a message: Martlesham’s Missing Dog – ‘China’

JETTY LANE YOUTH AND ARTS CENTRE On the strength of the business plan and architect’s preliminary drawings Jetty Lane CiC presented to Suffolk County Council in December. SCC offered Jetty Lane a 125-year lease at peppercorn rent so that Jetty Lane Youth & Arts Centre can be built in Woodbridge with long-term security on the site of the previous Woodbridge Youth Centre. We will be creating a landmark and legacy for future generations.

So what is Jetty Lane? Jetty Lane is a community interest company (CiC). It has been set up to plan, build and run a bold, innovative and sustainable community building (also called Jetty Lane) to support the young people and arts in Woodbridge.

“This centre is much-needed: it replaces the demolished Woodbridge Youth Club which left many youth, arts and community groups homeless: Just42, Gateway, Company of 4 rehearsal space and many more. Subsequent development and gentrification in Woodbridge has added to the problem: space is so tight and expensive that these groups have literally found it impossible to find a permanent home within the town – with the exception of Just42, camped out in cabins on the site. We have been joined by other groups, such as 1st Woodbridge Scouts, wanting to relocate.

Struggling young artists will be able to rent small studios in the centre,” says County Councillor, and CiC Chair, Caroline Page.

“The CiC’s business plan demonstrates that the new centre will be feasible, affordable, financially sustainable and well-used. It will look lovely, and disturb not a single tree in the Avenue. It will be a legacy for future generations in Woodbridge.”

Modern, vibrant, inclusive and welcoming to all those in our community: the centre will be a centre for young people and artists to flourish.

The CiC is now looking for a confident bid writer as part of the team, who will be able to work alongside directors to raise the funds required. We are also looking for a fundraiser, to organise events and raise the profile of this project.

While we are immensely grateful to have been offered the financial services of the Seckford Foundation to help with issues such as payroll, we are also looking for someone with significant financial expertise to join us, either pro bono or at a reduced rate, to help steer us through the financial complexities that will lie ahead.

Other ways you can help: • Make a donation (cheques payable to Jetty Lane CiC) • Hold a fundraising event • Volunteer with us • Become a Friend • Spread the good news We’d love to hear from you: Chair Caroline Page: caroline.page@suffolk.gov.uk / 07545 423837 Project Manager Cordelia Richman: cordelia@jettylane.com / 07749 516448

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NEWS GORSELAND’S CHILDREN ARE OUTSTANDING On a snowy day close to Christmas when our children were excited by the snow and performing nativity shows to their families, Gorseland was visited by Ofsted. They paid close attention to everything the school does and they found the children’s experiences to be Outstanding.

The staff and governors are especially pleased with this report because it reflects the care and attention that is given to every child in our school.

Parents appreciate teachers treating each child as a unique individual, for example telling inspectors, ‘They seem to cater for the children’s individual needs making my child feel important and not just one of hundreds of children’.

The inspectors talk in glowing terms about every aspect of the school. Their main findings are: outstanding attainment and progress; excellent behaviour and personal care in the school and special unit; highly inclusive approaches to supporting children so pupils make very strong progress; leaders have led continuous improvement over the last four years including an innovative approach to professional development. Finally, parents are exceptionally positive about all aspects of the school.

Inspectors found that our children enjoy the opportunities that our well designed and broad curriculum offers. ‘Pupils love problem solving in mathematics and work well together to arrive at solutions.’

In lessons, they saw our pupils’ ‘passion for learning shining through.’ Around school, they found the children’s behaviour to be outstanding. Children are able to debate complex issues well and enjoy coming to school. ‘Pupils were keen to tell Inspectors that the school offers lots of activities to help pupils enjoy their learning and playtime together. Classrooms are exciting and vibrant, yet calm and purposeful.’

As the headteacher, I am so very grateful to our committed team of staff.

This Ofsted report publicly acknowledges their outstanding professional skill, care and passion that continues to make Gorseland a happy and fun place for each child to learn.

Mr Darron Jackson

ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE USED STAMPS APPEAL A very big thank-you to everyone who saved their used stamps over Christmas and posted them through my letterbox. I recently took a bulging car-boot-full of bags of stamps to the hospice. They will be sorted by volunteers and sold online to raise money, with any special stamps and albums being auctioned separately. Old British and foreign notes/coins can also be sold to raise funds.

Please continue to support the hospice throughout the year by posting used stamps and old British/foreign coins through my door.

Or if it’s more convenient they can be taken to our nearest library on Grange Farm or the new hospice shop on Gloster Road.

Thank you all and keep up the great work!

Bev Read, 15 Demesne Gardens, Martlesham Heath 01473 622721

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EAST ANGLIA ONE OFFSHORE WINDFARM PUBLIC INFORMATION DAYS The East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm developer, ScottishPower Renewables, is inviting local communities to attend a series of public information days in Suffolk to find out more about its upcoming programme of work to install cabling under railways, roads and rivers to connect the windfarm to the national grid.

In the early stages of planning the East Anglia ONE project, ScottishPower Renewables took the decision to connect the offshore windfarm to the national grid at Bramford using underground cables, rather than constructing pylons. Along the 37km route between Bawdsey and Bramford there are approximately 20 locations where Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is required for crossing under waterways and important infrastructure. HDD is an advanced drilling technique, which will help to minimise disruption and reduce environmental impacts.

Residents are invited to find out more about ScottishPower Renewables’ plans by attending public information days. One was held in January with two to follow in February: • Tuesday, February 13, 4-7.30pm Martlesham Heath Pavilion, The Drift, Martlesham Heath • Tuesday, February 20, 4-7.30pm Claydon & Barham Village Hall, 8 Norwich Road, Claydon IP6 0DF Joanna Young, Stakeholder Manager for ScottishPower Renewables, said: “East Anglia ONE is progressing well, with construction underway at the onshore substation in Bramford. To help connect the cables we have planned a Horizontal Directional Drilling programme of work.

“This involves innovative engineering practices and ensures that we won’t impact on train timetables and minimises road works. The largest drilling operation will allow us to install 700 metres of cable underneath the Deben.

We would welcome anyone who wants find out more to come and speak to our project team at the public information days.”

MARTLESHAM HEATH HOUSEHOLDERS LTD We are seeing an increase in fly tipping, which results in additional cost to MHHL for removal of the rubbish. If you see anyone fly tipping please report it immediately to the police.

We have repaired the gate into the Control Tower car park for the second time. It’s ok to make a mistake, but not to cause damage and not report it.

The gate posts are substantial so it would be impossible not to notice you have hit them.

We are preparing the notice to the AGM and you will receive it shortly. If you are not the house owner and are renting, please let us know who the agent is or the homeowner’s address so we can update our records.

There are still members who haven’t yet paid their membership fee and you will have received your second reminder by the time this is published. Your cooperation in paying the outstanding balance promptly would be appreciated.

If you are in a rented accommodation please pass these reminders onto the landlord(s) or their agent.

Gorse clearance will be taking place on the SSSI and also to the rear of Broomfield where it has got out of control. We have hired a rotary flail for this work and request that you keep clear of it while it is in operation.

Work will only commence once the temperature has dropped in order to protect wildlife.

The AGM will take place in the Pavilion on March 13, starting at 8pm. Note only paid up members are entitled to vote.

01473 612207 / mhh@martlesham.org.uk http://martleshamheathhouseholdersltd.onesuffolk.net

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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 MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL BECOME A COUNCILLOR A vacancy for a councillor exists in the Martlesham West ward, which can now be filled by co-option as no electors have called for a by-election.

This means that existing council members can appoint a new councillor at the meeting of the full council on February 7. You don’t have to live in the Martlesham West ward. This is your opportunity to help improve your community and lend your voice and life experiences to help protect your community in these challenging times. No matter what your background or employment status everyone has valuable views that count and would add to the community’s voice.

How much work will it be?

The more time and energy you put in the greater the rewards, but it is up to you how active you are. Every council is unique. We look after open spaces, footpaths, play areas, bus shelters and litter and dog waste bins, organise practical working parties, respond to planning applications and consultations and liaise with the principal authorities 2018/2019 Budget/Precept (Parish Council element of Council Tax) In January the council agreed a budget (planned expenditure) of £142,522 for the financial year 2018/19 which commences on 1 April 2018. Most of our income comes through the council tax (the precept). Therefore we are submitting a request to Suffolk Coastal District Council for £143,000 (precept for 2018/19) to cover the budget and to keep our general reserves at a reasonable level.

The parish council element of the council tax bill will increase from £59.18 to £62.41 per annum for a Band D equivalent property, so by £3.23 for the year 2018/19. The amount will vary according to your housing band.

The decision to increase the tax bill is not taken lightly. Ongoing proposals of housing and retail development within our parish increase the workload as we seek to respond to consultations and represent parishioners’ views with the planning authority. In recent years we have witnessed increased use of the open spaces, such as The Common and Recreation Ground, and the play areas we manage which means more expenditure to protect, maintain and enhance these facilities. The council continues to build earmarked reserves for projects on play and sport provision. Reduction in services from the principal authorities and police have also led to pressure on the council to plug the gaps, such as tackling anti-social behaviour at the community centre car park through the introduction of CCTV and an automatic barrier.

The current workload exceeds resources and so in the next financial year the council has budgeted for additional staff resource to help it meet the challenges it is facing.

Full details of the budget setting process and the council’s risk assessment on the level of general reserves are available in the minutes which are published on our website.

Website Changes Please be aware that on January 30 our website is being moved by Community Action Suffolk to a new upgraded system and it will have a new design. We hope there will be a trouble-free transition, but please bear with us if there are any teething problems.

Reporting Highways issues to Suffolk County Council (SCC) The parish council has received the following guidance from SCC on how to report highways issues: 1: Initial faults/repairs reporting The first point of contact for standard defect reports should be the Suffolk Highway reporting tool via https://tinyurl.com/za9cqa6 or over the telephone on 0345 606 6171. A log reference number will be given.

2: Follow up on a fault/repair report Please telephone the 0345 606 6171 number and have the log reference

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and local organisations. We continue to face major challenges regarding development in our parish.

You will be expected to attend regular decision-making meetings: the full council meets 10 times a year on the first Wednesday of all months (except August and December), and also to join at least one of our committees which meet usually at most six times a year.

Please look at our website to find out more.

Will I be paid?

Councillors cannot be paid and do not receive any allowances, but they may claim reasonable expenses.

What do I do next?

Please contact the clerk for more information and also to check whether you are eligible to become a councillor. Please come along to a meeting and find out what we’re like – we encourage everyone to do this before standing as a councillor. number to hand. That way the operator can track progress on the case.

3: If no resolution, contact your county councillor: Martlesham Ward: Patricia O’Brien 01394 448228 / 07999 481369 / 07545 423789 patricia.obrien@suffolk.gov.uk Martlesham North Ward: Caroline Page 07545 423837 / caroline.page@suffolk.gov.uk Martlesham West Ward Robert Whiting: 07714 598155 / robert.whiting@suffolk.gov.uk Stuart Lawson: 07590 627683 / 07463 256476 / stuart.lawson@suffolk.gov.uk Major development to the land south and east of Adastral Park (2,000 new homes) At the time of writing, the long awaited decision on the Adastral Park development is due to take place on January 15 at an all-day meeting of Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Planning Committee. The council has continued to have concerns that the plans for traffic management are not robust enough to cope with the increased traffic that will be generated from the development. No doubt the result will have been published in the press when you read this, but you can also check the SCDC website for updates: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk Planning Update Evans Cycles and Topps Tiles (moving from Beardmore Park) wish to occupythe two units adjacent to Wickes.

Forthcoming Meetings • Wednesday, February 7: Parish Council • Wednesday, February 14: Development Plans Committee • Wednesday, February 28: Finance & General Purposes Committee • Wednesday, March 7: Parish Council All meetings start at 7.30pm in the Parish Room on Felixstowe Road and are open to the public who are welcome to ask questions or make comments to the council during the adjournment.

Contacting the council Clerk to Martlesham Parish Council, Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham, Woodbridge IP12 4PB / 01473 612632 / clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk For latest news and events visit: www.martlesham.onesuffolk.net Parish Office Opening Times: 9am-noon, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, but please book an appointment in advance.

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH COUNTRY MARKET

RIVER DEBEN ASSOCIATION

“February fill-dyke” they say: before the rain sets in, buy your Valentine a card, a pretty hand-made beaded gift or a totally tangible wooden bowl or a yummy cake or crunchy savoury or a pot of home-made juicy jam or a useful bag or knitted scarf or gorgeous gloves. There’s bound to be something your Valentine would value at Martlesham Heath Country Market.

The UK’s saltmarsh is under threat; there are only 1,000 hectares left in Suffolk, with 40% of this being within the Deben estuary.

Never mind the calendar, come along and say hello. We’re at the Pavilion every Tuesday from 9-11.15am with our home-baked hand-made and locally grown goodies, whether you want to treat yourself or get a gift for a friend. Mass-produced it isn’t. Everything we sell has been produced by your neighbours – their skills, their time and their talents. Prices are keen without being cheap; there’s extra value for free because you can meet the makers.

What’s in your cake? You won’t find a list of long-named chemical ingredients, just wholesome sensible flour butter and sugar and eggs and milk, just like your grandmother would make. Remember our clever cooks can make gluten-free and vegan and meet other special dietary desires: come and chat to them to find out what they can do for you.

Is that enough to make you come and find out more about Martlesham Heath Country Market? Don’t miss it; see you there!

The River Deben Association (RDA) invited local people to join with its members in a talk to hear more about the Deben’s saltmarshes. In her engaging and challenging presentation, Karen Thomas of the Water Management Alliance explained to an audience of over 100 why the loss of saltmarsh impacts on us all in Suffolk. Karen has been restoring and using dredgings to save marshes in East Anglia for 18 years, and she cares passionately about them.

Saltmarsh captures pollutants and is a key landscape feature of the Deben.

Saltmarsh provides a rich habitat for birds, insects and fish. It attracts tourists, fisher folk, bird watchers, walkers, sailors and rowers – which contribute to the local economy.

Saltmarsh dissipates the wave energy which helps protect the estuary river walls. Karen showed two contrasting video clips: one of a saltmarsh eroded area, in which waves were hammering the river defences, while nearby it could be seen that the water’s power was reduced when it encountered healthy saltmarsh. Karen said it was no accident that in the 2013 surge, breaches occurred at Martlesham Creek and Levington, the areas where the saltmarsh had been lost in front of the defences.

Saltmarsh absorbs carbon, and can capture it 55 times faster than rainforest, however saltmarsh represents only 2% of the world’s landscapes Perhaps we need to start preserving the ‘rainforest’ on our door-step.

Saltmarsh is at risk from the following:

Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to our Christmas carolling collections. The grand total raised was £2,086.55 which will be divided between our three chosen charities - FIND (Families in Need), Ipswich Holiday Help for Children and SERV Suffolk & Cambridgeshire.

• • • •

On Saturday, February 24 at 7pm the main band will be performing in a concert at Waldringfield Baptist Church, Newbourne Road Waldringfield.

Admission is free, but there will be a retiring collection for FIND (Families in Need).

We need to know about saltmarsh to protect it. The RDA is among the local and national organisations researching how best to build up saltmarsh and restore it.

On Saturday, March 3 please join our preliminary and beginners bands for Tea & Tunes at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath between 10am and noon. Admission to this event is free and refreshments will be available.

There will also be a cake stall and a raffle.

We would love to hear from new players, young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to come and have a go! If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument and would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below.

Wash from watercraft Wind wave action Changes in the position of the river channel Crab hole damage in mature saltmarsh

Very little national/regional funding is available to protect saltmarsh. In Wales a charity using the ‘size of Wales’ slogan as its inspiration has raised £2million to save the equivalent size of rainforest. Perhaps we need to consider a similar scheme of personal contributions to secure our saltmarsh and protect the rare habitat that we are lucky to have on the Deben for ourselves and future generations.

Find out more at: www.riverdeben.org

Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKETS Woodbridge Farmers’ Markets will be held on February 10 and 24, 9am12.30pm at Woodbridge Community Hall (behind the building works at Deben Pool).

You can expect to find seasonal, locally grown vegetables such as leeks, potatoes, carrots, cavolo nero and purple sprouting broccoli from Newbourne Farm, apples from High House, chicken from Sutton Hoo, a variety of wild meat, bread from Artizan Ipswich, Syrian Falafel, preserves of various kinds from Quince Tree and cakes and quiches from Pinewood Catering.

We now have vegan food available at every market and goat cheese, pork and prize winning venison pies from Truly Traceable at the second Saturday of every month.

Admission is free and we have a friendly cafe at every market selling hot drinks and freshly prepared brunch.

Happy New Year from all our stallholders.

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OUT & ABOUT SPECTACULAR OXBLOOD MOLLY AT DANCE FOLKUS Our first dance of 2018 in January was a great success. A lively crowd of all age groups were there for a bit of New Year exercise. We were also treated to an excellent song set from local duo Holly Johnston and Sarah Wil. Our next dance is on Friday, February 2 at Woodbridge Community Hall starting at 7.30pm. The caller, Shirley Harry, is another local favourite and she will run through a good variety of dances. Half the fun of a barn dance is making mistakes and our dancers certainly know how to do that! But with our friendly crowd, there is always someone happy to point you in the right direction.

In February, we have a dance spot from Oxblood Molly Dancers who hail from around Halesworth. Dressed in their red and black kit they make a spectacular sight. The dance band will be led by Harbour Lights.

We welcome musicians to come along and join in with our Come All Ye Band. In January, we had a couple of new players so now would be a good time to get up courage and join us. Why not dance for a while and play for a while? All instruments welcomed.

Discounted tickets can be booked by emailing Dancefolkus@aol.com (no payment in advance) or you can simply come along on the night (£6).

Students or children are half price. If you need further information give Rob a call on 01473 610951.

MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET February at Country Market means new Seville orange marmalade. Our cooks also have many other unusual varieties of marmalade, jams and pickles to tempt you with that are not available in the shops and all have been made locally in their own homes with no added artificial ingredients.

Did you know that cakes can be ordered and made for any occasion? How about Valentine’s Day? To order you can visit us during opening hours or you can telephone Janet Pearse, our market manager, on 01473 725263. Or perhaps you could buy a red tasty jam as a treat for your loved one? Why not try a different jam for Pancake Day, maybe some of our local honey would make a tempting topping too?

If you would like to join us as a member of our cooperative we would love to hear from you. Maybe you have dug your vegetable plot but don’t know what you will do with your surplus crop? Have you started a new craft or hobby and need an outlet for it? Do you enjoy cooking and would like to get together with like-minded people and find an appreciative audience for your bakes? Why not call Janet or come along and just chat to the producers?

You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page (Ipswich Country Market) or at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane IP4 3PB. There is plenty of free parking, a warm welcome and home baked refreshments too. The first Thursday of the month is always bacon rolls and on the other Thursdays we offer scones or cakes so that you can ‘try before you buy’. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit so come and see what we can tempt you with.

GUIDED WALKS WITH AFTERNOON TEA The series of Afternoon Tea Guided Walks arranged by Ipswich Tourist Guides continues throughout February.

The walks, each with a special theme, explore a different aspect of Ipswich’s history and heritage and finish in one of the town’s independent tea rooms for a welcome cuppa and a piece of cake. The walks in February include:

Friday, February 2: The Lost Airfield of Elmswell by Peter McGee and Graham Mack from Elmswell Airfield History Group Using recent archaeological work and detailed archival research, the story of how a small Suffolk field became a melting pot of Empire, helping build the world’s first integrated air defence system. The airfield had all but disappeared until this work unearthed it again. A glimpse from the cockpit of primitive biplanes of the era, explaining the terrible cost paid by some young men seeking to be military aviators.

Wednesday 7: Happy Birthday Mr Dickens – exploring Ipswich’s connections with Charles Dickens

We meet from 7.30-10pm at Martlesham Community Centre on Felixstowe Road. Entry is £3 for members and £4 for non-members.

Thursday 22: William Leggett’s Legacy – explore the sites of bygone Ipswich painted by the acclaimed Ipswich-born artist

To find out more on either of the above call Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.mhas.org.uk

Tickets cost £8 per person, which includes the refreshments, and may be purchased from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre (call 01473 258070 for more information or pick up a free leaflet) or at: www.ipswichregent.com

Friday 16: Wolsey’s Angels – hear about Ipswich’s most famous son, Thomas Wolsey, his rise to power and fall from grace

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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) The following winter craft activities will take place during February.

• Sunday 4: Do you believe in unicorns? Make a unicorn out of lolly sticks to take home.

• Sunday 11: February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Pop along and make a valentine snail.

• Sunday 18: February 16 is Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dog. Using a plastic cup, create your own dog.

• Sunday 25: February 27 is National Polar Bear Day. Make a 3D polar bear out of a cardboard tube.

Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights. There’s no need to book – just turn up and have a go.

Free BookStart Sessions every Thursday (no session on Thursday, February 15) These are free activities for pre-school children and their parents or carers.

Why not come along and join Maggie every Thursday for songs, rhymes and stories?

• Tot Rock: action rhymes, songs and stories for toddlers, 9.45-10.15am • BabyBounce: songs and rhymes for babies, 10.30-11am Free Story Time Sessions every Friday, 9.45-10.15am (No session Friday, February 16) This session combines stories and rhymes. Why not pop along?

OTHER LIBRARY EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY Lego Club: every Tuesday afternoon in term time from 3.45-4.45pm. Each week will be a different theme. What will you design? Parents must stay with under 8s.

Knit and Natter: Wednesdays 14 and 28 from 2.30pm. Just £1 to include tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Now every other week; new members very welcome. You don’t need to knit, just pop along for a natter.

Afternoon Book Group: Thursday, February 1, 2.45pm. Currently reading Flawed by Cecelia Ahern.

Evening Book Group: Thursday, February 22, 7pm. Currently reading Dissolution by C J Sansom.

Baking Club: Thursday, February 22, 7pm. Just £2. If you enjoy baking, why not pop along?

If you are interested in joining any of the groups, please ring or speak to a member of staff Volunteer Needed: We are still looking for a volunteer to help us run Lego Club. Ideal if currently enrolled on Duke of Edinburgh. Please speak to staff if interested.

Used Stamps/Coins – Can you help? To help raise funds for St Elizabeth’s Hospice. Just bring them along and hand in to staff – it’s as easy as that!

100 Club: Our community group has launched a 100 Club to help with fundraising and over 70 people have already signed up. For just £1 per month you could enter and have a chance of winning a cash prize in addition to knowing you are supporting your local library.

IT Help Sessions: Saturday, February 24, 10.30am-1pm Are you having trouble getting to grips with a new piece of technology?

A member of staff at the library will be offering help sessions to all customers who would like some support using their iPads, smart phones, tablets, e-books, computers, or need some general guidance using the internet.

If you would like some help with your technology, please phone up and speak to a member of staff about booking you one of our half-hour slots.

Maggie Lusher, Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave.

Tel: 01473 626103 www.suffolklibraries.co.uk OPENING TIMES Tuesday: 9am-noon, 2.30-5pm Wednesday: 2.30-6pm Thursday: 2.30-8pm Friday: 9am-noon Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 10am-3pm

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EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on February 20 when Sheila Charrington will be talking about her current home, Layer Marney Tower near Colchester. Layer Marney is an incomplete palace built for Henry VIII’s Lord Privy Seal. Since then it has been owned by 11 different families, and Sheila will be explaining how successive generations have influenced how the building has been used.

Sheila’s talk will include the Charrington’s family life at the tower and her vision for the future of the tower.

On March 13 John Gandy will be highlighting the vast 12,500 book library at Blickling Hall. The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, February 12: Ipswich War Memorial Project by Andrew Beal The project to record and identify over 2,000 people on Ipswich War Memorial who died during the First and Second World Wars and up to 2007, was started in 2014. The aim was to create a database for families to discover more about their ancestors who made the ultimate sacrifice. The talk features unseen family pictures and stories; please do bring any relevant images that you may have.

All meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

SPEAK EASY AT MARTLESHAM Improving your public speaking and communication skills, leads to better selfconfidence, which leads to better leadership skills.

Speak Easy at Martlesham is your local speakers’ club. Our meetings are good fun and worthwhile. Like the BBC, we aim to inform, educate and entertain.

Speak Easy is a Toastmasters International club (www.toastmasters.org).

TI has over 90 years of experience worldwide of the best ways for us all to develop our public speaking, confidence and leadership potential. There are leadership projects and opportunities, as well as speaking projects, within its educational ’tracks’. The tracks are supported by books and other materials that guide and challenge you. You’ll have the support of your fellow members, helping you to develop your speaking in a safe and encouraging environment.

It’s always up to you how far and how fast you progress.

Our meetings are structured to include impromptu speaking, formal speaking and evaluation. Evaluation is a vital part of how Toastmasters’ clubs operate.

When you evaluate someone else speaking you not only help them develop, you also – through empathy and understanding – improve your own speaking.

It’s very cost effective way to learn as well!

For further details or queries please call our VP Membership on 07968 372563 or select ‘Contact Us’ from the main menu at: www.speak-easy.org.uk If you just want turn up at any club meeting, that’s fine. We meet every Thursday fortnight at the Richards Room in Martlesham (alongside Felixstowe Road, behind the Tesco superstore). Select ‘Club Calendar’ on the website main menu for meeting dates, information and directions. We look forward to meeting you!

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OUT & ABOUT THE LIONS’ CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT With Christmas now behind us, we take a breath and enjoy a few social activities including a theatre trip and a trivia quiz before spring events get underway. Community activity isn’t neglected though, as we continue to support Quay Time which was launched in autumn 2017.

Quay Time is a joint project with Woodbridge Quay Church. This community oriented project enables people to meet over tea (or coffee) and cakes to enjoy each other’s company and to organise further events and activities. These afternoons themselves may feature quizzes, board games or visiting speakers and offer an opportunity to arrange social activities throughout the year. Sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month in Woodbridge Quay Church, which is fully accessible. Transport can be provided for anyone who may otherwise have difficulty attending. Early participation has been encouraging and we look forward to welcoming new members.

For details on Quay Time, please call Lion Stella Benton on 01728 561379.

For more about the Lions and what we do, please call 0845 822 2820 for a no obligation chat or visit: www.woodbridgelions.org.uk

SUCCESSFUL FESTIVE SEASON FOR DEBEN ROTARY December was once again a busy time for the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben. It began with our annual Carol Concert at Woodbridge School where a capacity crowd were entertained

by Martlesham Brass Band and the Woodbridge School Chamber Choir, and readings from Rotarian Tom Griffin. Later in the month Santa’s sleigh was out on the roads of Martlesham Heath and also made its annual appearance in the Thoroughfare, supported once again by the carol singers of Woodbridge Choral Society. In all these events raised nearly £3,000 which will enable the club to support a range of local, national and international charities. As ever our thanks go to all those who helped to make these events possible, especially to the people of Woodbridge and district for their generous support.

The Memory Cafe resumed in January. As ever the meetings are at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of the month from 10.30am-noon. If you would like any further information about the Memory Cafe or any of the activities of Deben Rotary please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933

MARTLESHAM HARD OF HEARING GROUP An independent social group for people with any type of hearing loss.

Partners and hearing dogs welcome.

Our group meets on the first Thursday of the month at Martlesham Pavilion, 10.30am-noon. We charge £3.50 per session and frequently have a speaker. Last year we had everything from a local historian speaking to us about Prettys corset making in Ipswich to running a bed and breakfast in Colchester, as well as a lady who told us about her trip to Iceland (the country not the shop!).

We always have time to chat over coffee/tea and biscuits. We are very sociable and always welcome new people to the group. The pavilion has an excellent hearing loop and a lady voluntarily text types so even people with the most sever hearing loss don’t feel left out, something lots of people with hearing loss suffer. There is also free parking.

Why not give us a try – we would love to see you?

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

WOODBRIDGE ROTARY CLUB We were delighted to see so many people at the 66th Open Air Carol Service held in Woodbridge. The weather was kind and Market Hill was filled with families, friends, residents and visitors to Woodbridge. Quite a few people remarked that they had visited the event as children and were now carrying on that tradition by bringing their families.

Father Christmas arrived in a fire engine, causing great excitement among the children. There was quite a queue of children who went to meet him, and lots of sweets were given out to them.

Woodbridge Rotary Club held a bucket collection in support of Macmillan – Supporting Young People in Suffolk. We are thrilled that thanks to the amazing generosity of those who donated on the evening we raised £1,126 which we believe is the largest amount raised at this event to date.

Since 2000 a total of over £278,000 has been raised by Woodbridge Rotary Club members. This is a huge amount of money to be raised via various events and collections. There are some events which are virtually permanent fixtures in the local calendar. Amongst these are the charity golf days, the cycle rides, the walks, the open-air carol service, jazz concert and bottle stalls – none of which would be successful without the efforts of the members and the generous help and support of the public in and around the Woodbridge area.

The money is donated to many causes, both local and abroad. During the last year alone, money has been donated to the Alzheimer’s Society, the Blood Runners (SERV), Macmillan Cancer Support, Bike Active, End Polio Now, the Banyan Tree, the Shelter Box scheme, Medicine without Borders (alongside the Pink Lady in Woodbridge) and Dictionaries for Schools, a diverse group of charities, groups and initiatives.

The club also has ongoing commitments to help several local groups and projects with both time and money, for example the Memory Café, RYLA and Just 42. Small local community grants are sometimes available. Members have input into which charities and groups receive funding and put forward fundraising ideas for consideration.

This may all sound like really hard work and no fun at all. This could not be further from the truth. Along the way members share the fellowship and enjoyment of working as a team, trying different activities, meeting new people, working with charities, schools and many other groups.

Regular lunch meetings (Fridays) at The Bull Inn in Woodbridge along with a monthly evening meeting give lots of opportunities for socialising, enjoying lunches and dinners together and becoming part of a group that cares about their members.

We are always looking for new members. If you would like to find out more, either to become a Rotarian or a Friend of Rotary, please contact Jeff Dunn: 01473 213877 / enquiries.woodbridgerotary@gmail.com www.woodbridgerotary.org.uk

WOOLLY WONDERS We were delighted to be featured on the front cover of Martlesham Monthly last month.

Hopefully this will have inspired more of the knitters amongst you to join us when you can on Thursday mornings in 2018.

You’ll find us at The Runway Café next to St Michael’s Church Centre between 10am and noon. We look forward to seeing you.

For more details contact Rachel: 01473 610437

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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY A Happy New Year to all!

Our first lecture of 2018 will be on Wednesday, February 7, when Barry Venning presents a talk entitled Giles: His Life, Times and Cartoons.

On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates. Here we see Acheloos, a detail of Roman Mosaic from Zeugma.

Why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces.

Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.

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

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, February 22 at 7.15pm: Insanity & Family History, a special talk by nationally known genealogist, historian and author Kathy Chater Often surrounded with shame, guilt and secrecy, this subject of insanity was – and maybe still is – a taboo subject for some families. The talk covers how insanity and mental illness were regarded in the past and how sufferers from insanity were treated, both by the medical establishment and by society in general. This will give family historians clues about possible sufferers from mental illness in their ancestry, the records there are still around and where to look for them.

We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG.Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE

For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

Inner Wheel ended 2017 on a festive note with a Christmas lunch held at the Riverside; crackers were pulled, wine was imbibed and £65 was raised for charity in lieu of exchanging Christmas cards.

KESGRAVE WI

Now a new year has begun and at our January meeting we were joined by District Chairman Gillian Smith. Gillian’s chosen charity is CHICKS, which was founded in 1992 to provide free respite breaks for children aged eight-15 years who are living in poverty or suffering abuse. They may also be referred if they are acting as a carer or have suffered bereavement. The charity has retreats in Devon and Cornwall where children stay for five days, enjoying a variety of activities including music, art, badminton, table tennis and trips out to the moors or the seaside. There is home-cooked food and always a listening ear when needed. CHICKS gives children a chance to be carefree and simply be children.

Gillian was presented with a gift pack of Tide Mill flour and a recipe book; she is pictured with Club President Deirdre Griffin.

ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT We will be holding our annual quiz night on Friday, March 9 at Woodbridge Community Hall at 7.30pm. Teams of four-six people are invited at a cost of £6 per person; please bring your own food and drink. For more information or to register a team please call Deirdre Griffin: 01473 612049

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB Our first meeting of 2018 was well attended and we were delighted to welcome two new members. Paula Baker gave an interesting talk on hedgehog conservation.

There are two meetings planned for February. On February 1 Dr Heather will talk about the highlights of her trip to New Zealand and her experiences of flying in an Auster light aircraft.

Then on February 15 we will hold our annual Bring and Buy sale in aid of our chosen charity.

Looking further ahead, on 1 March 1 Max Pemberton will give a talk entitled Cruising down the Irrawadi River in Burma.

After our usual formal start our January meeting took on a slightly more relaxed air. Business matters were quickly dealt with – the Annual Suffolk East WI meeting at Trinity Park on Tuesday, March 6 where the main speaker will be Graham Walton, father of the famous sextuplets from the 80s. The Suffolk Show competition schedule was discussed with plans starting to form for the various entries. All our social activities (walking, bowls, craft and Scrabble) all resume after the Christmas break.

Coffee was then served before we all settled down for our now traditional January meeting activity – Bag Beetle – organised by the committee. Besides being great fun Bag Beetle is an ideal way for all members to get to know each other as you are constantly changing opponents! A small prize is awarded to the person with the highest number of points.

If anyone was passing the community centre and looked in the window I’m not quite sure what they would think. Imagine 50 ladies of all ages, heads down rolling the dice, frantically squealing with delight when they roll a ‘6’ to start them off! It was a fun filled evening enjoyed by all. It’s a lovely way to start the New Year, light hearted, time to catch up on the past month’s happenings or just talk to some new members.

Our next meeting is at Kesgrave Community Centre at 7.15pm on Thursday, February 1 when Peter Blemings presents a talk entitled Bartlett – The Last 100 Years. Visitors are very welcome to join us.

If you require any information please call the secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, February 28: Lost Railways of Suffolk, an illustrated talk by Nathan Dodd

Meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.15pm in the Richards Room.

We meet at 7pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via the rear car park. Visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments.

For more information and to find out how to join this friendly group contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768

Details from Martyn (01473 422145) or Peter (01394 420490) www.idhts.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT INTRODUCING SUFFOLK CRAFTED People want more space for all sorts of reasons.

Moving house is one option, but it can cost £15,000 to do it, on top of the extra £30-40,000 you would pay for the extra space. Building an extension is another option, but by far the cheapest option is to have a garden room built. There are other advantages to having a space separate from the main house: it’s quieter, so you can concentrate or relax properly; it’s soundproofed from the main house if you (or your children) want to make noise; there is much less disruption while it’s being built; it makes an attractive feature to enhance your garden.

I built one in my own garden several years ago and it has served many functions. At various times it has been an office, reading room, a place to sit with friends and have a drink and occasionally a guest room. On top of all that it’s a nice feature of the garden set in the trees. The key to it all has been that it was solidly built from the start, with four inch thick cavity wall insulation, a solid roof, double glazing and heating, so it can be used all year round.

Suffolk Crafted is a new venture for me, but it is also the culmination of everything which has led up to this point in my life. I have always loved designing and making things in wood. I was brought up on a farm and so was taught to work with my hands from an early age by my father (he’s still going strong at 92). The garden room I built for my family was the inspiration for this venture, as well as others I have worked on since.

Every Suffolk Crafted build is unique; I work with each customer to create plans for exactly what they need: traditional cottage style, contemporary or arched pod. I am even planning to make shepherd’s huts later this year. I am very enthusiastic and confident about what I make. I am also a perfectionist in everything I do, which means I tend to over-build so it will last, rather than cut corners to save money. It won’t make me a millionaire, but I will leave my customers with the keys to a properly craftsman-built garden room which will last as long as their house.

All Suffolk Crafted garden rooms are built on site rather than prefabricated in a factory. This makes for a solid construction and cuts down on the need for expensive factory space and lorries. I don’t want Suffolk Crafted to grow large; it’s more important to me to have hands-on control of every project.

Because of this I can keep my prices at least 20% cheaper than even the prefab manufacturers. Suffolk people buy locally, they appreciate honest, quality products and they appreciate value for money. That we can deliver!

Chris Lupton

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB BORING! The Representation of the People Act 1918 doesn’t sound like anything to get excited about, but it is. At our February meeting we shall be celebrating the granting of the vote to at least certain categories of women. We shall obviously remember among other local women the Suffolk sisters, Millicent Fawcett, the leader of the Suffragists, and Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, both of whom were heavily involved in the long battle for the vote, as were their friends and families. Elizabeth also served as Mayor of Aldeburgh, the first woman in the country to hold that position, so we are particularly pleased that our speaker for the evening will be the current Mayor of Ipswich, Sarah Barber.

During this centenary year, we might take ourselves off to Arlingtons Brasserie to celebrate the local women who joined in the fight for the vote. Just an excuse for self-indulgence? Never! Although Soroptimists are known to enjoy good food in good company.

We are nearing the end of our club year so in our meeting on March 14 we shall be reviewing a busy 12 months and looking ahead to the future.

If you would like to join us at our meeting on February 14 you would be very welcome. Please contact Joyce (01394 615659) or Jackie (01473 659314) for more information and directions.

HOW IS 2018 GOING FOR YOU? Did you make a resolution to join U3A or, if already a member, to try a new subject by getting fitter with a walking or gardening group? The weather has been rather changeable so you might have decided on a music or reading group or to play Mah Jong or Scrabble. Whatever you are up to we hope you will be able to attend a monthly talk in one of our campuses and help us celebrate our 30th anniversary later this year. All details plus how to become a member are available at: www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk If you don’t have internet access our secretary can answer any questions you may have: 03001 233913 FORTHCOMING TALKS Thursday, February 8, 2pm at Saxmundham Market Hall: Chocolate by Tony Diamond. Amazing facts, myths and ignorance surrounding chocolate. Sadly no free samples!

Monday, February 26, 2pm at Kesgrave Community Centre: The Icklingham Treasure by John Browning. An account of the theft of first century temple bronzes and the speaker’s fight for their return.

Thursday, March 1, 10.30am at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall: The Life and Films of Sophia Loren by Simon Frampton Thursday, March 8, 2pm at Saxmundham Market Hall: Plants with Mettle by Professor Alan Baker Please remember that visitors are welcome at one of our talks before becoming U3A members. Campus co-ordinators will be glad to give you joining details on the day.

SUFFOLK ORCHID SOCIETY Suffolk Orchid Society will be holding its spring show on Saturday, March 10 at St Michael’s Church Centre (near Douglas Bader Public House), Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL, between 10am and 4pm.

In addition to a magnificent display of our members’ orchids there will be first class orchids for sale, re-potting demonstrations and advice on the cultivation of orchids including solving problems that may be encountered in their care.

Refreshments, including light lunches, will be available during the day.

Admission £1.

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY We have now completed our first two afternoon meetings, one in December when we had a dealer come to tell us about being a stamp dealer, after which we had a couple of hours looking and buying material that we wanted. It was a great start to the festive season. The January meeting was a workshop on ways to write up and display our collections. We also had tips on what judges look for in competitions.

We are back to evening meetings now and on February 7 we have a member’s display evening when we can try out the skills e picked up in the January workshop. On February 21 Ron How will present a talk entitled From my Collections which I am sure will be very interesting. In addition to these meetings we have a coach trip to Stampex in London on February 14; there are still seats available on the coach should anyone be interested.

Membership gives access to all the talks and displays and also to a circulating packet that allows you to buy material from other members and vendors from your own home.

Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, 7 for 7.30pm, visitors welcome. For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904

MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP In December, the Nature Watch Club – assisted by the Nature Explorers – crafted reindeer out of pre-cut pieces of wood, pine cones and sticks found in the woodlands. The children from Nature Watch used drills and secateurs to make dowels for the legs and neck as well as to prune the antlers and drill a hole for the tail. Pine cones were fitted for ears, eyes were drawn on and Rudolph was then finished off with a red pom-pom nose!

While the Nature Watch group were enjoying the festive fun, the Working Party volunteers spent their morning clearing the main path of fallen debris and overgrown vegetation. This needs to be done regularly as nature would very quickly take over causing the paths to eventually disappear. Scraping off the dead leaves using shovels and brooms at least produced some muchneeded warmth on a cold day. After their exertions, the Working Party joined with the Nature Explorers in decorating the area of woodland surrounding Katie’s tree with tinsel and a small herd of reindeer, whilst setting up a festive food and drink buffet accompanied by some lovely Christmas carols. Thanks to the group volunteers who contributed such a wonderful spread that was enjoyed by all.

Bulb planting We were hoping to plant more bulbs in roadside verges for this spring, but unfortunately were unable to do so.

Instead we will be providing containers in The Square filled with spring flowering bulbs.

As the New Year rolls on, with a hint of spring in the air, we welcome you to join us for the opportunity to get some fresh air, exercise and help the local community at one of our working parties.

Martlesham Common – Wildlife Survey of Flora and Fauna Now it is winter it’s a good time to visit Martlesham Common and see what birds and other flora and fauna are there, possibly some winter visitors (eg.

Fieldfares, Redwings) as well as resident species. If there is snow the tracks of many birds or mammals may be visible.

Volunteer Work Mornings (all ages) Sunday, February 18, 10am-noon & Saturday, March 17, 10am-noon Meet at the Education Areal tools, training and light refreshments provided.

All ages welcome; no need to book.

Whatever you see on the common we would be interested to know as part of the ongoing survey of its flora and fauna. This survey has been under way since March and already the results so far show that Martlesham Common has a wide diversity of flora and fauna and is therefore an important place for wildlife as well as being an attractive and interesting area for residents.

Nature Watch Club (5-11 year olds): To be Confirmed

Martlesham Common is the area of land between the A12, Mill Heath, Felixstowe Road and Tesco and is designated as a County Wildlife Site.

If you or anyone you know is interested in helping with this survey by recording what you see when you visit the area, which can be daily, weekly, monthly or whenever you are walking across the Common, or would like to let us know what you have already seen, please contact the secretary below.

Thank you to all those who have been involved so far and sent us records of what they have seen.

If you would like to help in any way or for further information please contact J Maureen Burrows: martleshaminbloom@gmail.com / 01473 625196

BROKE HALL WI We would be pleased to meet any new ladies who would like to come and see what we do and maybe join in. We meet at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) on the second Friday of the month at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road IP3 8TH. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Friday, February 9: Thomas Cavendish – A Suffolk Buccaneer by Cathy Shelbourne Friday, March 9: Trek for Life (Everest Base Camp) by Tina Oldfield Friday, April 13: Fused Glass Demo by Alison Mayston For more information contact Sue (414746) or Cynthia (726068).

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds): Saturday, March 17, 9-11am

New volunteers of all ages and abilities are always welcome. No experience needed. For further information please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@ gmail.com, phone 01473 612632 or visit pwcg.onesuffolk.net or join our members’ Facebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting.

Nature Explorer and Young Volunteer Sam Cork

GOOD NEIGHBOURS Are there people living in your community who would benefit from a Good Neighbour? A Good Neighbour Scheme is a group of people who help others in their community. This could be by giving a lift, checking a smoke alarm, changing a light bulb, fixing a tap, tidying a garden, or perhaps befriending someone who is lonely or new to the village. It is run by a group of local residents who want to help their neighbours enjoy a better quality of life.

Each scheme is operated via a phone (normally a mobile) which is held in turn by a core group of volunteers. A duty period is usually one week but can be negotiated between members of the volunteer team. Anyone who needs help can call the number and speak to the duty officer, who will locate a suitable volunteer.

Would you like to be involved with setting up or volunteering for a scheme?

Are you already involved with a similar scheme and would like some support and to be part of a network?

Community Action Suffolk can support you in setting up a scheme, we can provide you with all the advice and guidance you will need.

Please contact Good Neighbour Scheme Development Officer Sally Connick: 01473 345359 / 07884 563370 sally.connick@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS DEBEN FLOWER CLUB IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP, DIABETES UK Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 8 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH from 7-9pm. Our guest speaker will be Norma Howell from the charity Medical Detection Dogs.

This is a social gathering for people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to have the opportunity to talk to those in a similar situation and receive support. Family and friends are most welcome to join us too.

Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee.

For further information please contact: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com / 07547 513730 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL The seasonal weather and illness caused last month’s indoor six-a-side competition at Northgate School to be scaled down, there was no Division 2 competition and just six teams entered Division 1 including Ravens men. We were able to continue our policy of providing opportunities to our junior boys to compete at adult level, with two under-15s in the team, and once again we were very pleased with the outcome.

We finished second in the initial pool phase with a good win and a narrow defeat against the two Ipswich teams. This meant we qualified for the final group. Here we lost for the second time to the overall winners Ipswich II, but we became the first team all season to score a win against Lakenheath.

Later in the month our ladies were in action again in the second match in the new Suffolk Ladies six-a-side league. League leaders Stow Aces played host for this triangular match against Ravens Ladies and for the first time a Sudbury-based team, the Fil-Suffolk Smashers.

As well as producing an excellent standard of volleyball the match created some exciting games and a surprising result, with Stow Aces narrowly losing the deciding third set in each of their games. In the third game Ravens had a comfortable win against the Smashers, and the net result was that we have now moved to the top of the table with two of the four match days completed. So we still have everything to play for!

Current standings in the Ladies League table: P W L SF SA PF PA PTS Ipswich Ravens 4 3 1 6 3 186 178 10 Stow Aces 4 2 2 6 4 216 162 8 Fil Suffolk 2 1 1 2 3 88 110 4 SCC Seagulls 2 0 2 0 4 60 100 2 If you have ever thought about giving volleyball a try, now is a great time to give it a go. It’s a fast and exciting sport, it’s perfect to help build fitness, and being non-contact it is largely free from injuries. At Ravens we are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone, male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 13 upwards.

Qualified coaches run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness. We meet every Saturday from 2-4pm and most Tuesdays from 7-9pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere.

If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

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The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 13 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. The evening will take the form of a demonstration by club members. This will be an informal event with members and visitors having the opportunity to move around the hall and ask questions of those producing the arrangements.

Tea and coffee will be available and there will be stalls selling cakes, chocolates and edible goodies and flower arranging sundries. There will also be a raffle of the flower arrangements.

Visitors (£4) are always assured of a warm welcome. If you would like further information please call: 01394 411422

MARTLESHAM PLAYSCHOOL Happy New Year! A great time was had by all at the Christmas shows and parties – thank you to our parents and families for your continued support.

We raised around £350 from all our Christmas fundraising events – cards, hamper raffles, Christmas star sales. A big welcome to our new friends who joined us this term, we are looking forward to getting to know you! We also welcome two new members of staff – Jasmine and Sarah – and wish them every success in their new roles with us.

Martlesham Playschool is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative. Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to local community projects. Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout January and February. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop. Look out for our name and please vote for us!

We have some limited spaces still available at Martlesham Playschool; please feel free to pop along and take a look at what fun we get up to, or contact us for a chat about how we can offer 15 or 30 hours funded childcare in term time and now all year round as well.

Martlesham Playschool: Gorseland School, Deben Avenue, Martlesham IP5 3QR / 01473 625986 / mplayschool@btinternet.com Kesgrave Playschool: Millennium Jubilee Hall, Millennium Way, Kesgrave IP5 2EN / 07746 907060 / mplayschool@btinternet.com

BRIGHT STARS FUN ACTIVITY SESSIONS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children (0-5) from 10.30am-noon on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. If you would you like a fun start to your week, come along to Bright Stars with your parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers. These mornings are free and usually involve singing, games, making crafts to take home and telling stories from the Bible for the first half hour. We then have refreshments when the adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon.

During January we each decorated our own star and a picture of the wise men which we then took on a journey round the room while we sang. We also enjoyed making lots of noise with percussion instruments!

You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings; just turn up, no need to let us know in advance. We look forward to seeing you.

The remaining spring term dates are: February 26 and March 12 and 26 If you would like further information please contact: Sonya & Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196

In Touch online:

SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS THE SAPLINGS Pre-schoolers will be exploring the theme of Antartica, cold weather and animals that live in this climate and also creating a tree showing people who are special to them.

Seedlings Baby Room Our littlest learners will be having lots of fun exploring the sounds and colours of spring and planting in the garden. We will be celebrating Chinese New Year, Year of the Dog, in the week commencing February 5.

We are now taking bookings for our February Half Term Holiday Club (February 12-16), where our Holiday Clubbers can enjoy cooking, crafting activities and much more.

We currently have limited vacancies in all our rooms, including spaces for funded two and three-year olds (15 and 30 hours). Please contact us as soon as possible, our waiting list is open. Don’t forget your child’s funded sessions can be used across our opening hours and ‘stretched’ across holiday club too.

The Saplings is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for children aged three months to 11 years. We offer term-time and year-round care, with a baby room, pre-school, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club sessions and a walking bus to Birchwood Primary School.

For further information on all our term-time sessions, or holiday club bookings, please contact our friendly team of dedicated and experienced staff : 01473 614753 / news@thesaplings.org.uk

BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WOULD WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD These words are a quote from Mahatma Ghandi, a remarkable person who lived his mantra. I’m often asked where God is in the world when we hear continually depressing news of disasters, murders, breakdown of relationships and breakdown of community. Well, perhaps we could look to ourselves for part of that answer. St Paul, when he wrote to the people of Corinth, reminded them that the Spirit of God lives in us, so what we do reflects God in the world.

It’s easy to see the problems of the whole world and feel the issues are too big for us to do anything about, but perhaps our little drop in the ocean can make a big difference even for one person.

Eileen Butler, who died on Christmas Eve, was a good example of how one person can make a difference. She had a vision for building up the community and spiritual atmosphere of Martlesham and set about raising money for a church/community centre on the Heath.

The result is St Michael’s, which is used for so many community and church events, with the more recent addition of a local coffee shop, The Runway Café.

One person had the vision, others caught the vision, the result was a community working together on a project which improved quality of life for hundreds, not just for the present but for future generations as well.

What change would you like to see in the world??

The Rev Margaret Rittman, Martlesham with Brightwell

HEDGEHOG NURSERY AT GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL To begin the New Year we thought about what we are good at. The children said “building castles, making dinosaurs, running fast, drawing flowers, brushing teeth and getting dressed…” to name a few. We then talked about things that are tricky and we would like to be better at. The children said “writing my name, putting my socks on, cutting things out, drawing people, climbing and building.” We will support the children to work towards achieving these targets as they are important to them.

We have learnt about hibernation and what this means. We have read some stories about animals that hibernate and thought about how we could support animals in our forest school. The children made ‘homes’ for animals and are eager to see if any animals find shelter in them.

We are going to be celebrating Chinese New Year and comparing it to how we might have celebrated. We will be tasting foods, making lanterns, dancing and setting up a Chinese restaurant.

Nursery Lead Teacher Mrs J Florey Hedgehog Nursery is open Monday-Friday from 7.30am-6pm for three and four year olds.

If you would like more information please contact the school office on 01473 623790 or visit: www.gorseland.net

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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ON THE GRAPEVINE BECOME A BEANSTALK READING HERO IN 2018

LOCAL FOOD GROWING SCHEME SEEKS NEW MEMBERS!

Could you help transform the prospects for a child through the power of books and stories?

The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm is located in Rushmere St Andrew. You might have seen us featured on BBC TV’s Countryfile and Escape to the Country last year!

Local literacy charity Beanstalk has launched a new campaign for 2018 to highlight the extraordinary difference members of the community in Suffolk can make by volunteering in primary schools to support children who struggle with reading. The work Beanstalk’s ‘reading heroes’ carry out will improve the lives of children that need extra help to prevent them from falling behind at school and to bring enjoyment into reading.

We offer something quite unique – a Community Shared Agriculture scheme. This is a partnership between farmers and the local community.

People can come up to the farm, help with the food-growing and enjoy some of the harvest. Community Shared Agriculture schemes originally developed in the USA and Japan, and the Oak Tree was one of the first schemes to set up in the UK.

For over 40 years Beanstalk has recruited, trained and supported reading helpers in primary schools to provide one-to-one support where it is crucially needed. Many children in Suffolk still leave primary school not having met the expected standards of reading which can lead to all sorts of problems in later life.

By working with children who have either fallen behind with their reading, lack confidence, or struggle with their fluency or comprehension, Beanstalk’s reading helpers can make a significant difference to their future prospects.

Their one-to-one sessions twice a week with the children they support will help them progress while also helping to encourage reading enjoyment. In 2016-2017 Beanstalk reading helpers supported approximately 840 children in the East of England with their reading.

“Beanstalk reading helpers really are local heroes within our communities and do so much more than just read. They develop confidence, self-esteem and very importantly help make reading fun and enjoyable. We regularly hear from volunteers who have had ‘breakthrough’ moments with a child because they found a particular book, poem or story which captivated that child’s interests. These moments are often the turning point for a child and happen as a result of regular and consistent reading opportunities,” explains Jo Burns, Area Manager for Beanstalk East of England.

Fraser Simpson has been a Beanstalk reading helper in the area for four years: “Firstly and very quickly after I started with Beanstalk I learnt that working with children is fun. I then realised that I got as much out of the sessions as the children. More recently I have learnt that the Beanstalk sessions have helped make a real difference to children’s performance in the classroom and at home.

“I would recommend anyone to consider volunteering. If you enjoyed reading bedtime stories it is very likely you would enjoy helping children find joy in reading and language. It is not teaching in a formal sense and it is not just about reading. If you enjoy playing Scrabble or doing crosswords, these are great activities to introduce children to, have fun with and develop their language.

“I would say as a Beanstalk volunteer you are going on a voyage of discovery with children to find what it is that they really enjoy amongst literature, poetry, word games, crosswords etc. The eventual rewards of finding you are regularly beaten at ‘Hangman’ or having a child ask to take their book home so they can continue reading, are immeasurable.”

Once trained by Beanstalk, reading helpers on the Beanstalk Reading 321 programme work with three children at a local primary school and spend 30 minutes with each child twice a week, during term-time, for at least one academic year. Each session is meant to be relaxed, informal and fun.

By having this one-to-one time with each child the reading helper can help tailor resources to the child’s interests and develop reading skills in a fun and engaging way.

If you would like to become a Beanstalk reading hero in 2018 and would like to help children in your community reach their full potential please:

When we think about where our food comes from, we might automatically say “it comes from the supermarket”. But where does the supermarket get its food from? Much of the food we eat is grown overseas or in far flung locations across the U.K. Much of it is also laden with chemicals and by the time it reaches us it has spent time in transit, being shipped or flown or transported by lorry. So, it’s not exactly super-fresh when it ends up on our dinner plate.

By contrast, Oak Tree Farm grows food in an environmentally-sustainable way without the use of artificial chemicals. We grow all the food ourselves so we know exactly where and how it is grown. There are few/zero food miles involved and we can be eating food harvested fresh from the field just two hours ago!

We’re a bit like a shared allotment. But instead of everyone having their own separate growing areas, we grow food together in a shared area of around two acres. And, unlike a regular allotment where you may need to put in 12 hours work a week, you only need to work an hour or two every week with our scheme. The other great bonus is that when you want to go on holiday you don’t need to panic about who will water your crops and keep them weeded because we have our two paid growers and a community of people to help with this! Our scheme is all about re-connecting with food and sharing the work and the rewards.

We have a limited area of land and operate through a membership system.

We have some membership places available at the moment and are looking for new members to join us for 2018-2019. Are you interested? As a member you would receive a vegetable box each week which is an equal share of everything harvested at the farm. You would also have the opportunity to buy chickens’ eggs from our free range chickens, as well as rare breed beef, cut flowers and soft fruit (in season).

We offer three membership options: Full Membership, Reduced Hours Membership and Armchair Membership. The costs and work hours vary between the different categories with Armchair Members doing no work at all and Full Members contributing up to two hours a week on average in the spring and summer.

I’ll leave you with a quote from one of our members, Rebecca: “If someone had asked me what Community Supported Agriculture meant a few months’ ago, I would have had very little idea what they were talking about. However, my time at Oak Tree Farm has been a revelation and has allowed me to carve out my own piece of the countryside that has improved my well-being no end.

“I first signed up to the project in late 2016. The prospect is simple: in return for a small monetary contribution each week, I am one of several people to take a community share of the farm, including a regular supply of freshly grown produce. I can choose which hours I spend working on the farm – generally a Saturday morning – and which tasks I take on.

“The fresh vegetables are a bonus; what I really love about the farm is that I can earmark time for me to enjoy the beauty of the countryside at a location just outside Ipswich. It gives me time to think and reflect in an environment which is very different from my professional working life. It is also an opportunity to connect with other members of the project. We have become a close-knit family, doing tasks together and enjoying the sense of community that this entails.”

Call: 0845 450 0307

Rebecca really does enjoy a slice of the Good Life down on the farm! If you would like more information about the Oak Tree Farm please visit: www.the-oak-tree.co.uk

Email: info@beanstalkcharity.org.uk

Sue Hall

Visit: www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk

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