In Touch News with Martlesham – June 2018

In Touch

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with Martlesham Volume 8 • Issue No. 7 • JUNE 2018

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09/05/2018 16:33

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

Do you know what a non-Newtonian fluid is? My eight-year-old son has just explained it to me, and even demonstrated it using cornflour and water.

In case you are interested, a non-Newtonian fluid is one which changes under stress. It may become thicker and act like a solid (as Jack’s cornflour concoction did) or get more liquid (as ketchup does when you shake the bottle). Remove the stress and they will return to their earlier state.

I think most of us are non-Newtonian beings. Most of the time we’re relatively reasonable! We deal with life’s typical trials and tribulations without too much fuss. We know how to manage our moods, we recognise our triggers and we manage them. We may even have a release value we engage when it all becomes too much. I rely on Leonard Cohen and chocolate, perhaps it’s jogging or maybe baking.

Leonard had to work overtime yesterday! I take a cross country route to and from work and we all know how bendy our Suffolk roads are. As I approached a side road, I was overtaken by a car which came within a hair’s breadth of hitting an oncoming van head-on. I was forced to break hard to make space for the driver to pull back in (I’m still trying to find half the contents of my handbag). Thankfully the driver behind me had enough space to do the same. Two miles further along, the same car overtook two others in a 30mhp zone and again just missed an oncoming vehicle. Despite the driver’s haste I caught up with him again a few miles on and this time he pulled out at a junction and forced yet another shaken driver to slam on their brakes.

The driver was on my mind all evening. I hope he made it home safely, but if he carries on driving like this I dread to think what might happen. Now the weather has improved there are more cyclists, runners and even horses on the roads, and more children playing outdoors. Please, please bear this in mind when you drive on our twisty roads and take extra care around blind bends.

As yesterday’s example shows, the time savings for speeding are pretty minimal. The risks don’t bear thinking about.

In Touch

with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham

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MARTLESH AM VILLAGE FETE

Saturday, July 14 Welcome to our June update; only a few weeks to go until the big day!

Things are certainly taking shape; from a packed schedule of entertainments on the stage ranging from music to dance, to displays of activities carried out in Martlesham. There will also be plenty of games and activities to get involved in, so it promises to be a day of fun for all ages and interests.

We will have local crafts, artisan produce and artwork to admire, as well as purchase. Local charities and groups will have a big presence, giving all an opportunity to learn about their activities and support their work. There will also be the chance to win some exciting prizes!

A range of tasty snacks will be available in the church, along with the Runway Café and businesses in The Square; no-one will go hungry or lack the essential summer ice cream.

The day kicks off at 11am on the Green and continues until 4pm. With our vintage bus providing transport from ‘old Martlesham’, and the Green being in easy walking distance of houses on the Heath, the fete couldn’t be easier to get to. So, put Saturday, July 14 in your diary, and we look forward to seeing you there!

If you wish to contact us as a volunteer helper, a potential participant or for any other reason please contact us at: mvfete@gmail.com / 01473 612632 Alternatively visit Martlesham Parish Council website: http://martlesham.onesuffolk.net/welcome-to-martlesham-parish-council

MARTLESHAM HOLIDAY AT HOME 2018 It’s June and Martlesham Holiday at Home 2018 is taking place from Monday 11 to Sunday 17 June.

Holiday at Home is a holiday with a difference; a week of activities organised specially for the over 55s who live in Martlesham and the surrounding areas. An interesting programme has been arranged to include entertainments and outings, plus lots of tea and cake. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet others and you are welcome to come to just one event or as many as interest you.

It’s not too late to book; programmes and booking forms are available in the foyer of St Michael’s Church, the Runway Café or Duncan’s Martlesham Heath and at Martlesham Post Office, Blacktiles Lane, Martlesham.

Alternatively contact Hazel: 07896 728332

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JULY DEADLINE 10 JUNE 2018

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS CHRISTIAN AID WEEK MAY 2018 Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this year’s house-to-house collection, and many thanks to all the wonderful volunteer collectors who made this possible. We have been busy counting the contents of all the envelopes and will let you know the final total as soon as we can.

We are sorry if we were unable to deliver or collect in your road this year.

If you wish to make a donation, cheques can be sent directly to ‘Christian Aid FREEPOST’ (no stamp or postcode required) or you can donate online at: www.caweek.org Together we are helping to tackle the root causes which keep so many people trapped in poverty in the world today. On their behalf, thank you.

Martlesham Christian Aid Committee

MARKS & MANN EASTER EGG HUNT Marks & Mann’s Easter Egg Hunt on Martlesham Heath on March 31 raised £107 for Home-Start in Suffolk a local charity which aims to give children the best possible start in life. Home-Start supports parents to grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children, improve their health and wellbeing and widen their links locally.

Property Consultant Maddy Newman is pictured presenting the cheque to Charlotte from Home-Start.

BRIGHTWELL CHURCH FLOWER FESTIVAL Patronal Festival Weekend – Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 June Brightwell Church will be open for our flower festival on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday 24 from 10am to 5pm each day.

Refreshments will be available throughout each day. So why not call in to see the flowers and have a cup of tea and enjoy the cake, come hail, snow, rain or sun? You will be made most welcome. The weekend will finish with a Service of Songs of Praise on Sunday at 6.30pm.

PCC Secretary (Acting) Geoff Lambert brightwellchurch@btinternet.com / 01473 624130

RECONNECTING THE FOOTPATH BETWEEN MARTLESHAM CREEK AND WALDRINGFIELD The Natural England Coastal Access review is under way along the River Deben. Under consideration is the reinstating of the public coastal path between Martlesham Creek with Waldringfield. I have already had discussions with Natural England about this. I am holding a meeting at Martlesham Parish Rooms (behind Tesco, access via Felixstowe Road) on Tuesday, June 12 at 7.30pm where I shall give an update on progress so far. It will also be a chance for people who support the idea of completing this path to meet and discuss a way forward.

If you are in favour of this path then please come along. You can join my mailing list at: t.obrien24@yahoo.com Local walker and nature lover Thomas O’Brien

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STAR 50 – CELEBRATING ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, RUSHMERE ST ANDREW June 30 sees the 50th anniversary of the re-hallowing of St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere following the addition of its modern extension in 1968.

We are planning great celebrations, starting with walks of the parish boundary on June 20 and 21, and ending with a choral evensong on July 1.

Lots of events have been planned. The church will be open from 2-7pm daily between June 23 and June 30 for an exhibition about the church and parish, music and refreshments. Also on June 23, a new book on the parish and its churches will be launched, there will be bell-ringing, cream teas and a quiz in the evening.

On Sunday 24 Bishop Martin will preside at a special service and in the evening there is a concert by the Gyppeswyk Singers. On Saturday 30 there is a BBQ and children’s activities, and on Sunday, July 1 a choral evensong.

Everyone is warmly invited to come and visit this lovely church and join the celebrations!

For more information visit: www.rushmerestandrews.wordpress.com/events/celebrating-50-years

THE NEARLY FESTIVAL: JULY 28 & 29 The Nearly Festival is a unique two-day tribute band festival which gives local music lovers an affordable and alternative festival experience in or near their local community. Nearly Festival goers can expect a fun filled weekend with the world’s best tribute acts live on stage alongside a mostly free ‘Kidzone’, tasty street food market and a pub priced Pub in the Park.

Local organisers Danny Banthorpe from Rushmerere St Andrew and Andy Collins from Woodbridge have years of experience in local event management and production so have combined to create the Nearly Festival brand which has a family friendly ethos and targeted to all ages, not only with content but across the line up too.

Many decades have been covered across the Ipswich line-up with Rock, Pop, Ska, Reggae and Indie. Highlights will surely include an eight-piece Bruno Mars band on the Saturday night and the amazing Trenchtown Experience, another eight-piece band honouring the late great Bob Marley. Local lad Ed Sheeran has a few mimicking his talents now but the Nearly Festival brings the best one in the world, Jack Shepherd, The Ed Sheeran Experience. Jack has perfected the show down to the live looping and even has the same guitars (and the same tattoos).

The Nearly Festival launches at Trinity Park (aka The Suffolk Show ground) after two successful years at Holywells Park. The move to accommodate the growth of the event and to include camping (optional) and event parking.

The Kidzone takes a healthy approach this year with free activities, sports and a healthy kids bar with all soft drinks only 50p. Most bouncy attractions and interactions are free with a few paid for premium rides.

Local partnerships this year include Ipswich Town FC, David Lloyd Kids Club, Moo Music, Starz Dance Performance who will all feature.

The charity partner is St Elizabeth Hospice who will be in attendance throughout the festival too.

The event also runs in other impressive locations across East Anglia: Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich, Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds and Castle Park, Colchester.

Day or weekend tickets are available for all events. For more information and tickets visit: www.nearlyfestival.com

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OUTDOOR CINEMA WOODBRIDGE ELMHURST PARK Friday 20th July

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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL Martlesham Common Local Nature Reserve Open Day: Saturday, September 1 A free family event to promote the varied and important wildlife of this valuable heathland, with wildlife walks, fun activities, ‘wildlife homes’ building and more. Led by the Greenways Countryside Project. Parking at Martlesham Community Centre, Felixstowe Road, adjacent to the site. More information in following months.

Still Seeking a Parish Councillor • Are you over 18?

• Do you live within three miles of the parish or work in it?

• Are you on the Electoral Roll?

• Are you interested in helping to improve the quality of life of your community?

• Do you want to be involved in making important decisions in your community?

If you answer yes to these questions, your parish needs YOU! Martlesham Parish Council has many functions and powers which can affect the quality of life of your community. We look after open spaces, footpaths, play areas, bus shelters, litter and dog dirt bins. We organise practical working parties, respond to planning applications and consultations, liaise with the principal authorities to raise matters of local concern such as traffic issues and getting about Martlesham Retail Park, and work with local organisations.

Don’t worry – you don’t have to get involved in everything or be an expert.

If you think you could be a councillor, please contact the clerk for more information and also to check whether you are eligible. Please come along to a meeting and find out what we’re like – we’d love to meet you.

Martlesham Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Referendum We hope that many of you turned out to vote and thank you very much if you did. At the time of writing the referendum has not yet taken place so, if you are not yet aware of the result, please check our website.

Sports Fund Project (Money to Play With) Update Thank you to all those who replied to our questionnaire on what facilities you would like to see in Martlesham. There was good support for all the options we suggested but on the basis of the response received we are planning to try and provide a trim trail first as that was the most popular choice. We are not ruling out a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) or pump track as there are likely to be remaining funds, but the small working group feels that it can only manage one project at present. Anyone wishing to help us with our projects would be welcome to join us, particularly if they have skills in, or are an active user of, any of the facilities proposed.

The next steps for us now are to review and agree the proposed route of the trim trail and identify the exercise stations before we approach suppliers. We will need to gain agreement from landowners before we can proceed but we are hopeful that they will co-operate. Updates will be provided once we have made more progress on this. Meanwhile if you would like to help us please contact the clerk.

neighbours. Any problems with the bottle banks can be reported to Suffolk Coastal Norse via: customerservices@eastsuffolk.gov.uk / 01394 383789.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS: Wednesday, June 6: Parish Council Wednesday, June 13: Development Plans Committee Wednesday, July 4: 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 / clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk / 01473 612632 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.

CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS AT MARTLESHAM COUNCIL Michael Ian O’Brien Baker (known as Ian) celebrates 50 years as a parish councillor from May 1968 to May 2018.

At its Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday, May 25, Martlesham Parish Council presented an engraved clock to Ian as a token of appreciation of his work for the parish over 50 years. He also received a certificate from the Suffolk Association of Local Councils.

In 1968 Michael became a Martlesham Parish Councillor at the age of 25, a post he still carries out with distinction today. In 1971 he became council chairman at the tender age of 28 and served until 1979.

He has always taken a very active role on the council and he is closely associated with much that we see today. His highlights include: • Attending the opening of the BT Research Labs and having lunch with the Queen • The development of the A12 and a land swap maintaining the substantial Common that we have today • Involvement in the planning and development stages of Martlesham Heath and the growth of the integrated community we have today • Council agent for the purchase of Kronji’s Piece, land added to the Recreation Ground in Martlesham • Ian continues to undertake an active role on the council: • Always available to give advice and support on land maintenance and horticultural matters, from his vast stock of professional knowledge • Vast amount of background and historical knowledge which can inform current decision making

Use of Bottle Banks The bottle banks for recycling glass in Martlesham are:

• Play area inspector – Kronji’s Piece

• Martlesham Recreation Ground, The Street, Martlesham IP12 4RF

• Regular checks of the automatic barrier at the Community Hall car park

• Tesco, Anson Road, Martlesham Heath IP5 3RU

Ian has also made a wider contribution to society:

• The Square, Martlesham Heath IP5 3SL These bottle banks are well used, which is welcomed, but sometimes there are problems with broken glass and litter on the ground around them and noise disturbance at night for local residents. Please do not leave any litter behind you. Please do not leave bottles beside full banks as they will not necessarily be collected and can be a source of danger (especially near play equipment) and also attract anti-social behaviour. Each bin can be used for mixed glass so there is no need to distinguish between the colours; this is likely to prevent some banks being overfull while others have spare capacity.

Please restrict use of the banks to a sociable time of day to avoid disturbing

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• Site inspections of the Recreation Ground

• He contributed to the project which established Martlesham Community Hall and continues to be chairman of the Martlesham Community Hall Management Committee • He is a respected member of the local business community • For many years he has been very actively involved in the Company of Four theatre company • He is an active member of Woodbridge Deben Rotary Club Michael is pictured here with Parish Council Chairman Mike Irwin. He is wished many more fruitful years!

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING A well-attended meeting on April 25 learnt of the parish council’s work and support for the Martlesham community. Highlights of the work included: • Completing the Neighbourhood Plan and defining some of the problems which need tackling to improve the attractiveness of Martlesham such as traffic congestion in the retail areas • Recognising Martlesham Common as a Local Nature Reserve • Establishing a working group to bring us a village fete • Representing the views of residents to developers, including the site around Adastral Park • Dealing with anti-social behaviour in the community hall car park Cheques were presented to the following, representing groups that look after our environment and fellow residents: The Conservation Group, Saplings Nursery, The Greenways Project and Martlesham in Bloom.

Local organisations should check in the monthly magazines for details of when the next round of applications for grants opens in September.

Mr Ian O’Brien Baker was presented with a clock and certificate to mark his 50 years as a parish councillor (see page 6).

A full report of the parish council’s activities and finances will be published shortly in Martlesham Monthly. This will concentrate on the threefold role of the parish council, firstly providing facilities for residents including those for recreation and play, secondly representing the interests of residents in planning and consultation activities and thirdly supporting local organisations.

Meanwhile look on our website for details of council activities: http://martlesham.onesuffolk.net The chairman thanked all those who volunteer to assist the parish council and all the other organisations which make Martlesham such a great place in which to live.

The evening concluded with refreshments and an opportunity to mix with neighbours and the representatives of the groups which were given grants.

Mike Irwin, Martlesham Parish Council Chairman

MARTLESHAM HEATH HOUSEHOLDERS LTD General Data Protection Regulations No doubt you have been bombarded by many emails on this subject. MHHL has not been idle on these important regulations and you can read our Data Privacy Statement at: https://goo.gl/Voeqng I am pleased to report that Councilor Patricia O’Brien has generously awarded £2,000 to MHHL out of her locality budget to assist in the surfacing of two paths, these being between Heathfield to The Oaks and Lingside to Westland. This will help people wanting to walk or ride to Gorseland or Kesgrave Schools from the south of the village away from Eagle Way. Work will start in the next month or so and will be completed in time for the start of the new school year.

The football pitch opposite Gorseland School is no longer being maintained as a pitch and the broken fencing will be removed. We will be looking into the future use of this area.

There are still a small number of members who have not yet paid their membership fee. This is not acceptable, and we will be taking action to recover monies owed over the next few months. Your co-operation in paying the outstanding balance promptly would be appreciated. If you are in a rented accommodation would you kindly pass on any reminders onto the landlord(s) or their agent?

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

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A NEW BREAST CANCER UNIT AT IPSWICH HOSPITAL Towards the end of last year, Ipswich Hospital launched a new fundraising campaign, The Blossom Appeal, to build a new Breast Cancer Unit at Heath Road. In support of the campaign there will be a charity dance on Saturday, July 28 at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE. Doors will be open from 7pm.

Three bands have kindly agreed to perform through the evening from 7.30-11.30pm.

Tyler-Kemp (Jane & Roger), a very professional duo, will start the evening off; present time. Next will be Rave-On (Tony, John, Curtis and Keith) playing music from the late fifties through to the seventies, with their blend of vocal harmonies. The final band will be Rich Clifford & The Young Once, a five-piece band who will be producing authentic sounds of Cliff & The Shadows. There will also be a raffle during the evening.

For those who have not attended before, the club has a well-stocked bar with hot food available to purchase if required. The stage is set at one end of the dance hall with the large dance floor ideally situated with tables and seats set around it. So come along and have a great night out while supporting a really good cause. The club always welcomes new members.

Tickets cost £10 and can be obtained, in advance, by contacting Keith on 01473 624538.

MARTLESHAM HEATH COUNTRY MARKET Summer is a busy time for the Country Marketeers. Suffolk Show (May 31June 1) is a big one for us of course, with members from other Country Markets joining in to provide a cornucopia of crafts, baked goodies, herbs, flowers, other plants and garden produce and other delights. Come and find us; our cakes are the best value on site, so we are told. Some people have confessed to not taking them home!

After that we swing into June’s activities, with Rendlesham Village Show on June 9, our regular tables at Kesgrave monthly community market in the Scout Hall on June 16, and the coffee morning on Friday, June 15.

Oh, come on folks, enjoy the taste of summer! If you have a pollen allergy, did you know that the honey from local bees is believed to suppress your allergic response? A delicious experience awaits. Make afternoon tea a real treat with a jar or two from our selection of various jams and preserves. Adding one (or more) of our home-made chutneys to cold collations can tip a meal into the divine. Keep off the sun with one of Carol’s beautifully made gorgeous sun hats; there are even baby sizes for that minime look. Choose a new fabric hand-sewn bag, a baby quilt, funny bunting, original artists cards and pretty tiles, a barge painted flower vase, pretty beaded jewellery, knitwear ‘like granny used to make’, crochet delights, and ‘must touch’ wooden bowls, handmade by our talented local Country Marketeers, and all at keen prices.

If you miss the shows, there’s plenty to see every Tuesday morning from 9.15-11.15am in Martlesham Heath Pavilion.

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OUT & ABOUT

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB COFFEE MORNING

WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET At Woodbridge Community Hall from 9am-12.30pm on Saturdays, June 9 and 23.

Saturday, June 15, 10am-noon

We sell a range of fresh and hand-made produce, all from within 30 miles of Woodbridge and sold by people who really care about what they do.

In aid of the charity GDD (Global Development Delay in Children) Refreshments Available Various Stalls, raffle and cakes.

KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon): The following craft activities will take place during June.

Sunday 3: The sun is out and it’s time to go to the beach. Create a colourful paper plate fish.

Sunday 10: Sunday, June 17 is Father’s Day. Pop along and make a You’re The Coolest Dad card for next week.

Sunday 17: June 21 is the longest day. Design a sun and moon mosaic.

Sunday 24: This year the World Cup is being held in Russia. Pop along and join us as we make football crafts.

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

For more details or if you are interested in having a stall or would like to receive our regular bulletin to remind you about market dates, please contact Cordelia at: woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com

Thursday, June 21: Evening Book Group 7pm; currently reading The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.

If you are interested in joining any of the groups, please ring or speak to a member of staff.

Don’t have a Library Card? If you would like a library card, please call in and speak to a member of staff. You just need to bring in some form of ID which has your name and address on it. Children can also have a card from any age but need to be with their parent/guardian at the time of signing up.

IT Help Sessions: Are you having trouble getting to grips with a piece of technology? Or would you like help downloading e-books to your e-reader? A member of staff at the library still has spaces in their IT help sessions for June. Please phone up or speak to a member of staff about booking one of our half-hour slots.

• BabyBounce: songs and rhymes for babies – 10.30-11am

Volunteers Needed for Summer Reading Challenge: Are you interested in volunteering to help the staff at Kesgrave Library run this year’s Summer Reading Challenge? The theme this year is Mischief Makers. The challenge runs all through the summer holidays for primary school aged children.

If you are interested, please speak to a member of staff who will explain what the reading challenge entails and the process involved to become a volunteer.

Free Story Time Sessions – every Friday 9.45-10.15am including school holidays This session combines stories and rhymes. All welcome. Why not pop along?

Additional Opening Hours: After conducting an extensive consultation with our customers in April, Kesgrave Library’s opening hours will be increasing. From Monday, July 2, the library will be open every Monday morning from 9am-noon and every Friday afternoon from 2.30-6pm.

OTHER LIBRARY EVENTS FOR JUNE

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

Free BookStart Sessions – every Thursday including school holidays These are free activities for pre-school children and their parents or carers. Why not come along and join Abby every Thursday for songs, rhymes and stories?

• Tot Rock: action rhymes, songs and stories for toddlers, 9.45-10.15am

Lego Club Re-Launch Every Tuesday afternoon in term time from 3.45-4.45pm. We now have a volunteer who will lead this activity and each week will be a different theme (June 5 Boats, June 12 Spaceships, June 19 Castles, June 26 Animals). What will you design? Parents must stay with under eights.

Wednesdays, June 6 and 20: Knit and Natter from 2.30pm £1 donation with tea, coffee and biscuits provided. New members very welcome. You don’t need to knit, just pop along for a cup of tea and a natter.

Thursday, June 7: Afternoon Book Group 2.45pm; currently reading Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton.

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There is no entrance fee and we also have a friendly cafe selling brunch.

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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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia Please join our preliminary and beginners bands for Tea & Tunes at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL on Saturday, June 9 between 10am and noon. Both bands have been rehearsing hard for this event, so do come and support them. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. There will also be a cake stall, book stall and a raffle. This event was due to take place in March, but was postponed due to heavy snow. We’re (almost) certain this won’t be a problem in June!

You can catch the main band at Ipswich Music Day on July 1 and Martlesham Brass are looking forward to taking part in Martlesham Village Fete on July 14 (more details about this next month).

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.

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

GIPPESWYK SINGERS 2018 SUMMER CONCERT TOUR Gippeswyk Singers are excited to announce a summer concert tour to the West Country this June with concerts in Bath and Frome. They are performing a lovely programme of both a cappella and accompanied music conducted by Geoff Lavery, including the world premiere of choir member Brian Latchem’s ethereally beautiful An Abundance of Blessings written for choir, baritone and harp (Anna Wynne – harpist). Another highlight is Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass accompanied by Peter Willsher (piano).

A pre-tour concert will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere St Andrew IP5 1DJ on Sunday, June 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 – available on the door, in advance from any choir member or from: paulgalley@btinternet.com Gippeswyk Singers are a delightfully expressive and accomplished chamber choir under the musical direction of Geoff Lavery. Having formed the choir over 40 years ago, Geoff returned as their conductor six years ago, organising tours to Holland (2014) and Yorkshire (2016), and was the inspiration behind the huge success of their Snape Maltings debut last year (Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius), achieving a high standard of musical excellence with Beccles Choral Society and the Lambeth Orchestra. They will be back at Snape again in May 2019 to perform Verdi’s Requiem, this time with Phoenix Singers added to the chorus as well. From September 2018, Geoff will be the official musical director of all three choirs.

Bipolar UK (Ipswich) and Sound On Talking Newspaper (Ipswich & District) are the local charities that Gippeswyk Singers has chosen to support with their concerts this season.

Saturday, June 30, 9.30am-noon Deben and Gayfer Avenues Lots of bargains!

Come and support this local event.

For more information about future concerts visit: www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

Japzicnzics

Woolverstone Hall, Ipswich IP9 1AZ

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IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET We are looking forward to the second Suffolk Day on Thursday, June 21 and would like to invite you to a special tasting day as part of the celebrations.

Suffolk has a growing reputation as ‘The Foodie County’ so why not come and try some local flavours? Country markets are famous for their homemade preserves, traditionally made with real fruit. You will also find local honey from local bees.

Sunday 10 June 7-9pm

on a summer evening

Joanna Eden and her Band

£18

Tickets are available from the Mercury Theatre Colchester

01206 573948

Our cooks produce real cooking without added artificial preservatives: quiche, sausage rolls, meat pies and other individual meals. They bake genuinely homemade cookies, scones, flapjacks, bread, fruit pies, cakes and more. You can place orders in advance too for collection as you require.

Our gardeners have fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, plants and cut flowers and our crafters make unique items in their own homes too.

To find out more about Suffolk Day, go to: www.suffolkday.co.uk You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page – Ipswich Country Market – and at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk Country Markets also have a national website: www.country-markets.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 and home baked refreshments. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit. The people of Suffolk are known for their warmth and hospitality and we hope to offer you a warm Suffolk welcome soon!

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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OUT & ABOUT DANCE FOLKUS RETURNS TO IT’S ROOTS IN JUNE We had an enjoyable (and mostly experimental) evening in May trying to dance a French mazurka, bourrée, gavotte or polka. Our June dance will return to our roots in English social and barn dancing. As usual we will meet at Woodbridge Community Centre on the first Friday, which is June 1, starting at 7.30pm.

The band will be Dance Folkus Come All Ye band led by Harbour Lights. Our caller will be Mary-Jane Tyrrell, a local Suffolk caller who has already appeared at the club in one of our song spots but this month she will be teaching us the dances.

Felix Stowaways will be singing in our song spot. They are a shanty band from Felixstowe who are residents at Walton Half Moon Folk and Roots Club. They have also performed at a number of local maritime and shanty festivals.

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 contact Rob on 01473 610951. Visitors to Woodbridge and new first-time dancers are always very welcome to attend.

MIDNIGHT ROAD CHARITY NIGHT A charity night in aid of the Disability Advice Service (East Suffolk) will be held on Saturday, June 30 at Wickham Market Village Hall.

The event will feature live music with the return of the band Midnight Road.

Tickets are £5 and all ticket sales will go to this fantastic local charity.

Tickets are available from Chris on 07412 108020, or via the Midnight Road Facebook page.

The Disability Advice Service is one of over a hundred independent advice centres in the UK offering free, confidential and impartial advice to disabled people and their carers. Find out more at: www.daseastsuffolk.org.uk

JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S EVENING Friends of Woolverstone are delighted that Joanna Eden and her band have agreed to perform their Great Jazz Diva’s concert at the Hayworth Theatre, Woolverstone Hall, Woolverstone on Sunday, June 10 at 7pm.

This concert has been put together especially for this evening and will feature music made great by Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billy Holiday and many others. Joanna is well known to many of you already from sell-out concerts at all the major jazz venues including the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Club in Soho, London.

Ipswich High School has generously agreed that people attending the concert can bring a picnic to be enjoyed on the lawns while admiring the stunning views of the River Orwell. Or perhaps they might to just wish to have a glass of bubbly before the concert.

The grounds will be open from 4.30pm and the concert begins at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased from the Mercury Theatre, Colchester: 01206 573948 / www.experiencetickets.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT ORGANIC PILATES AND FEEL GOOD FOOD The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm is a community farm just outside Ipswich. This summer it’s organising something a little different! Readers may know that the farm uses organic growing methods to produce food for weekly veg boxes. It also offers people the opportunity to help grow the food too (if they wish to).

Well, the farm is now going a step further. It’s teamed up with local Yoga and Pilates instructor Manon Palmieri to offer an event called Organic Pilates & Feel Good Food on Saturday, June 30 from 10am-4pm. Yes, it’s a madeup name and a little tongue-in-cheek, but the message highlights the links between organically-grown food, healthy eating, regular exercise (such as Pilates) and feeling good. And these themes have been woven together into a unique summer event.

What’s on offer: • A morning Pilates session (beginners welcome) with gentle stretches and strengthening exercises • A tour of the Oak Tree Farm with Ryan, our head grower, and the opportunity to learn about organic food-growing • Lunch at the farm that will include seasonal farm produce • A visit to the cut flower garden, rare breed pigs and chickens – a chance to spend time in the beautiful green space of the farm, with its abundant wildlife and birdsong • A relaxation session to round-off what the organisers hope will be a fabulously refreshing, recharging and nourishing day The Oak Tree’s Organic Pilates & Feel Good Food event is a day for taking time out from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s a chance to enjoy healthy exercise, nourishing food, like-minded company, fresh air and some time in a peaceful natural environment.

The cost is £40 and places are limited so it’s advisable to book early. More details can be found at www.the-oak-tree.co.uk or by contacting Sue at: hello@the-oak-tree.co.uk

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, June 11: Behind the Counter – Ipswich Shops in their Heyday by Roger Kennell Roger explores the shopping experience in Ipswich in the 20th century, concentrating especially on the two major department stores – Footman Pretty and Frederic Corder. Mention will also be made of some other long established and remembered shops including Edwards, Grimwade’s, Croydon’s, Masons and Ancient House among others.

All meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

GIANT QUIZ NIGHT RETURNS FOR 2018 Regarded as one of the region’s biggest trivia events, local family run hearing specialists, The Hearing Care Centre announces the return of their Charity Quiz Night.

The event, which is the company’s fifteenth quiz fundraiser, is being held on Sunday, June 3 at Greshams on Tuddenham Road. Teams can include between four and six members and entry is only £5.

Thanks to generous support from local businesses, there are cash prizes to be won for the top five teams, as well as a giant prize draw. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Hearing Care Centre’s chosen charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Karen Finch, managing director at The Hearing Care Centre, is a specialist in looking after patients with hearing difficulties. She said: “Hearing dogs give many deaf people confidence, independence and companionship. The wonderful support we have received from the local community and our patients at our previous quizzes has been astonishing. We are excited to make this our biggest event to date, helping us celebrate our 20th year of business in style. Join us for a great evening in aid of an excellent cause.”

With an expected attendance of well over 200 people, organisers are advising interested teams to book early to avoid disappointment. To book a place call 01473 230330 or visit: hearingcarecentre.co.uk/tickets Local businesses are also being sought, with opportunities for sponsoring each of the quiz rounds for a nominal donation. Please contact the organisers for further details.

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Wednesday, June 6: Novelist Ross Raisin Ross Raisin is a novelist originally from Yorkshire, with a degree in English from King’s College London and a postgraduate degree in Creative Writing from Goldsmiths. His latest novel, A Natural, dives into the heart of a professional football club: the pressure, the loneliness, the threat of scandal, the fragility of the body and the struggle to conform, both on and off the pitch.

Join us at Ipswich Institute Reading Room, 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA. Doors open at 7pm, event starts 7.30pm. Members £4, non-members £8, students free with ID. To avoid disappointment on the door seats can be reserved by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk Payment required on arrival at the event preferably by cash (no cards accepted). Tickets for reserved seats need to be collected by 7.15pm. Pop-up bookshop courtesy of Woodbridge Emporium.

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Friday, June 1: Anthony Preston presents A Joy of Flying and a few Errors of Judgment Anthony Preston’s rescheduled talk tells of the 65 years he’s held a pilot’s licence since started flying with Stan Ward at Nacton in 1954. He flew in RAF piston Provost and Vampire 1956-58, then light aircraft in Central and East Africa in the 1960s. He taught aerobatics and competed at intermediate level in Stampe. He was employed by Singer Link-Miles in flight simulation and was expedition secretary for Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s Transglobe Expedition from 1977-83. In 1994 he became general manager of the Popular Flying Association, today instructing on micro. His many adventures will be revealed!

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

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

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB We are coming to the end of the season with just two meetings planned for June. On June 7 Tina Oldfield will give a talk entitled Why did Four Old People Trek to Everest? and our AGM will be held on June 21.

We will have a break during the summer and recommence on September 13 when Mr Phelen will tell us about the history of St Audrey’s Hospital, Melton.

Please note this date in your diary: Our Annual Coffee Morning in aid of our chosen charity is on Saturday, June 16. This year we are raising money for GDD (Global Development Delay in Children).

The coffee morning will be held at 14 Gayfer Avenue, Kesgrave from 10amnoon. Coffee and cakes will be available and there will be a raffle, tombola and various stalls. Do come along and support this worthwhile cause.

All ladies are very welcome at our meetings which are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.15pm in the Richards Room. To find out more contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768

MARTLESHAM BRIDGE GROUP Would you like to play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere?

We are looking to increase our membership. Although not affiliated with the English Bridge Union we do abide by all the laws and standards associated with the playing of the game.

We welcome players of all ability.

We meet on Wednesday evenings from 7-10pm at The Martlesham Pavillion by the green.

Please do come and join us. For further information please contact Mrs Joyce Marshall: 01473 727539

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, Ipswich IP3 8TH. We also have monthly clubs, walks, meals out, darts, crafts, theatre trips, outing and visits.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Friday, June 8: Memories of a Career in Teaching by Ted Wheatley Friday, July 13: The Baron, the Policeman and the Mayor (an Ipswich Riot) by Linda Sexton For information contact Sue (01473 414746) or Cynthia (01473 726068).

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OUT & ABOUT CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall from 7.30-10pm.

Thursday, June 28: A variety of different crafts with Emma There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members.

New members are always welcome. For details contact Emma: 01787 373850

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE At our AGM in May, we were very pleased to present a cheque for £1,000 to John Wilkinson of the Woolverstone Project.

The project, based at Alton Water, provides opportunities for people with any kind of disability to learn to sail. It operates all year round, and in the summer also has a base on the Orwell at Woolverstone.

Still on a sailing theme, but very different, our club members were invited to the Seafarers’ Mission at Felixstowe to hear about travelling the world as a passenger on a container ship. Speaker Peter Hesketh spent four months on container ships and gave us a fascinating insight into the world of shipping.

He was presented with a cheque for the Seamen’s Mission, for which some of our members regularly contribute hand knitted hats and blankets.

WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB May was a busy month for Woodbridge & District Lions Club. On Bank Holiday Monday we worked alongside other local clubs to help out at the annual Woodbridge Horse Show held at Trinity Park.

Quay Time, our joint project with the Woodbridge Quay Church, has its open session on Wednesday, May 16 and continues on the third Wednesday of each month. This is a community oriented project set up to enable people to meet over tea, coffee and cakes to enjoy each other’s company.

Our popular Art Show and Sale returned to the Salvation Army Hall on Saturday, May 19 with works of art generously donated by the art clubs of Rushmere and Kesgrave on show and for sale.

On Sunday, May 20 we helped to marshall the annual Woodbridge Shufflers road race around the town.

Attention now turns to the major summer event, Woodbridge Regatta Day coming up on Sunday, June 17.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

GOT ANY OLD TOOLS? During the week June 16-24, Woodbridge Rotary are organising a series of collection points for people to bring their old tools or haberdashery items as part of the celebrations around Suffolk Day on June 21. Everything you donate will be donated to Tools with a Mission (TWAM), a Christian charity sending tools across the world for livelihood creation.

COLLECTION POINTS Houchalls Building Yard, Grundisburgh Road, Woodbridge IP12 4HG Notcutts Garden Centre, Cumberland Street, Woodbridge IP12 4AF Wyevale Garden Centre, Grundisburgh Road, Woodbridge IP13 6HX

BLOSSOM APPEAL VISIT On Friday, April 13, Woodbridge Rotary Club had a very interesting talk by Laura Dolan and Liz Ashford about The Blossom Appeal for Ipswich Hospital.

Laura is Liz Ashford’s daughter. Laura, who has recently had treatment for breast cancer, has raised over £2,500 with the help of her family and friends, The Blossom Buddiess.

As part of their fundraising efforts The Blossom Buddies will be taking part in a 120-metre high descent on a zip wire from the top of the maternity building at Ipswich Hospital mid-afternoon on Saturday, May 26.

Laura explained how disjointed the facility for breast cancer treatment is at Ipswich Hospital. The idea is to give every breast care patient the best possible experience when they come to hospital. That’s why they are planning to build a £2.5m modern Breast Care Centre where stateof-the-art care can be delivered to all patients.

The new centre will bring all elements of breast care at Ipswich Hospital under one roof and provide an environment where patients can be imaged, biopsied where necessary and see their clinician in one appointment without the need to get dressed and undressed several times. There will also be new dedicated clinics for men and young people. Their aim is for the care given to Suffolk patients to be among the very best.

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OUT & ABOUT DEBEN ROTARY COMMUNITY AWARD The Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben was pleased to present Birchwood School with our 2017/18 Community Service award.

Receiving the award and a cheque for £150 on behalf of the school, Steve Cloke and Sarah Alexander explained how the school’s teaching policy encouraged pupils to become engaged in environmental matters.

Among other things they grow vegetables and raise chickens and sell their eggs. We were particularly impressed by how they engage the wider community by getting parents and relatives involved.

A reminder to all golfers that our annual charity golf day takes place on Thursday, July 19 at St Audry’s Golf Club. Teams of four will compete for the Marie Hunt Shield and individual and team prizes. Entry is £20 per golfer and further details can be obtained from Rotarian Simon Smith on 01473 612410 or you can download an entry form: www.debenrotary.org.uk

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Our annual charter dinner celebrating the launch of our club in 1952 was held in May. The early minutes are intriguing.

The members recruited give an interesting insight into the status of Ipswich women in business and the professions. One early success was persuading local coal merchants to change their delivery systems to meet the needs of poorer women. Internationally the main concern was the plight of people displaced in Europe by the war. Maybe the issues keep changing, but our purpose doesn’t. At least we don’t have to wear hats at meetings now!

May was the start of a new club year. We want to raise our own awareness of the lives of different groups of women in Ipswich. As a start a speaker from the Street Pastors will discuss her experiences with us on June 13. We’d be very happy if you would like to join us.

In contrast we have booked a stall at Sproughton Village Fete on June 24. We shall be raising money for our new regional project, the Pelandaba Orphans’ Project in Zimbabwe. It was started by one visitor shocked to see orphan children out on the streets because they had nobody to pay their school fees.

So she did something about it.

Our club is particularly pleased to be contributing in a small way to a country which has had so many troubles. A few years ago we had a close link with Soroptimists in Harare and we partnered with the club in Ipswich Australia to fund the training of two African teachers. More history!

If you are interested in coming to hear our speaker on June 13, please contact Joyce, our secretary, for more information and directions: 01394 615659

On April 4 we celebrated the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of our national association with a lecture given by John Benjamin, who has appeared many times on The Antiques Roadshow. Entitled A History of Jewellery from Elizabeth 1st to Elizabeth Taylor, he described the various styles that were popular throughout the period. We were regally entertained by a consummate professional who gave an outstanding performance.

The title of our lecture on June 6, to be given by Dr Matt Lodder, will be The Untold History of Tattooing, when we shall receive an insight into a fascinating and unusual subject about which most of us know very little.

We shall be taking our usual summer break after the June lecture, but why not join us when our new season starts in September 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

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN We at U3A in East Suffolk hope this summer will be good for you.

Many groups slow down for the warmer weather and, as always, grandparents are greatly in demand during the school holidays. We hope whatever your personal plans are for the next few months you can make a note in your diaries to visit our annual open day in September. Although our four campuses won’t have talks in July and August, details for the future will be in the new 2018/19 handbook and of course on our website. If you don’t have internet access our secretary can answer any questions you may have by telephoning 03001 233913.

FORTHCOMING CAMPUS TALK

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP, DIABETES UK Our next meeting is on Thursday, June 14 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich, IP3 8TH from 7-9pm. Acknowledging Diabetes Awareness Week, our guest speaker will be Bridget Turner, Director of Policy Campaigns and Improvement at Diabetes UK. 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)

Monday, June 11: U3A Annual General Meeting at Kesgrave Community Centre. Members only.

Friday, June 15, 10.30am at Woodbridge Community Hall IP12 4AU: Whatever Happened to the Magna Carta? by Martyn Hargraves – why was it agreed and what relevance does it have in today’s world?

Refreshments available from 10am.

ADVANCE NOTICE Friday, September 7: Annual Open Day at Kesgrave Community Centre, 10.30am-12.30pm. Refreshments available. All welcome to attend to see what our groups will be offering for the coming year.

Have a wonderful summer whatever you have planned. www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk

www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM There will be floral hanging baskets in The Square for the summer and several containers of summer bedding plants in The Square as well as outside Martlesham Post Office and outside the Community Hall.

We are very grateful to the following who have already given a donation towards the cost of the baskets and containers: RDP Accountants, Dummett Copp LLP, Duncan’s Butchery and Bakery, Martlesham Heath Surgery, Anglia Care Trust, Martlesham Heath Dental Practice, Martlesham Community Hall Management Committee, Martlesham Monthly, The Saplings and Martlesham Community Council.

Martlesham Common – Wildlife Survey of Flora and Fauna Now is good time to visit Martlesham Common and see what birds and other flora and fauna are there. 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 last year and 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.

Martlesham Common is the area of land between the A12, Mill Heath, Felixstowe Road and Tesco and is designated as Local Nature Reserve.

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.

For further information on the above or any Martlesham in Bloom activity, please contact our secretary, J Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196 / martleshaminbloom@gmail.com

A TASTE OF FLOWER ARRANGING Have you ever wished you could produce a beautiful flower arrangement from the gift of flowers you have just been given, or maybe purchased for yourself?

Perhaps you would like to make a gift for a friend or loved one. Maybe you have been asked to arrange flowers in Church but don’t have the confidence to say yes.

Deben Flower Club is offering you the opportunity to learn the wonderful skill of flower arranging at our free workshop on Saturday, June 30 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. This will be a fun and relaxed day, no experience is needed and our expert tutor will guide you step by step throughout the day. All you will need to do is bring along your flowers and containers. Floral foam and other sundries will be available to purchase on the day. Tea and coffee will be available but you will need to bring a packed lunch.

The class will run from 10.30am to approximately 3pm. Booking is essential, full instructions and list of required flowers will be sent when you book your place.

We hope this unique offer will then inspire you to join Deben Flower Club and learn more. The club meets in Kirton Church Hall on the second Tuesday of each month (except August) at 7.30pm Visitors are always welcome to come along and see what we do.

If you are interested in booking a place or would like more information, please contact Wendy: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP One early April morning, our young Nature Watchers braved the cold and damp to discover what creatures had been caught in our small mammal traps. These traps had been placed discretely around the woods the night before, giving a chance for the creatures to find the tasty nibbles inside – and inadvertently get themselves shut in!

Helped by the older Nature Explorers, the animals were carefully emptied from the traps, weighed and identified as male or female.

Four male and one female woodmice, and one male bank vole were caught. In addition, the children were mesmerised by two harvest mice that had been brought along by Duncan.

The main volunteer work of the month was to build a dead hedge using as posts the branches from the storm damaged felled tree that had been cut up the month before. The hedge was filled in with all the fallen twigs and branches that had been blown down over the winter, so giving the woods a bit of tidy up. The weather has also taken its toll on the woodland paths, with several areas becoming extremely muddy after rainfall. We plan to restart our laying of chippings on these worst areas, and hope that the regular visitors to the woods will bear with us, as the chippings take a few weeks to ‘bed in’. Many thanks to Elite Tree Services for donating the chippings.

DATES FOR THE DIARY Volunteer Work Morning (all ages) Sunday, June 17, 10am-noon Meet at the Education Area.

Tools, training and light refreshments provided.

All ages welcome - no need to book.

Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds) Saturday, July 21, 9-11am Please book a place via our email below.

Annual Glow Worm Survey and Bat Walk Friday, June 29. All welcome. Meet at the Control Tower at 9.15pm, finish around 10.30pm, bring warm clothes and a torch. Subject to weather.

Nature Watch Club (5-11 year olds) Dates TBA New volunteers of all ages and abilities are always welcome. No experience needed. For further information, please contact us at 01473 612632 / pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com, visit pwcg. onesuffolk.net or join our members’ Facebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting.

Chairman Stephen Corley

MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS Our website has been revamped; take a look at: www.mandkplayschools.co.uk Thank you so much to Kesgrave High School sixth form students and their teachers who have helped us, the end result looks amazing!

Please come and join us at our Summer Fair on Saturday, June 30 from 1-4pm at the Millennium Field, Kesgrave. We will have a bouncy castle sponsored by Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, a BBQ, cakes, ice creams and refreshments, mini golf, lots of pocket money games, plus our raffle sponsored by Haart. Come and find out all about us and have a great afternoon.

Milsoms Kesgrave kindly donated afternoon tea for two as a competition prize for liking and sharing our Facebook page. The winner was randomly picked on May 19; we hope you enjoyed it!

At Kesgrave Playschool our sponsored Welly Walk was a great success. You raised a fantastic £377 which will help us purchase new toys and replace some of our older resources. Thank you! The warmer weather allowed the children to engage in lots of water play, developing physical skills. A lollipop shop was created which supported maths and social interaction. The children have been gardening, sowing young plants to sell at our summer funday.

If you’re looking for a playschool for your child in September, come and take a look at Kesgrave on one of our sessions or contact 07746 907060 to arrange an appointment. We are based at the Millennium Jubilee Hall. Our Facebook page (Martlesham and Kesgrave Playschool) offers lots of photographs and reviews and enables you to message any questions.

At Martlesham Playschool the children have been learning about tadpoles this half term, looking after them and watching them grow. We have also introduced our sound of the week to prepare our school-leavers and encourage all ages to explore and learn different sounds. We have improved our mud kitchen area via paving half of the area; this has been beneficial for the children as they can play freely whatever the weather.

Thank you to all parents for supporting our sponsored bounce, we have raised a fantastic £386. We were very pleased to come second in the Tesco Bags for Life scheme; we will be putting the money to good use enhancing our garden area and providing the children with lots of exciting new resources. We would like to say a huge thank you to Tesco for their support.

We can offer you term time or all year round spaces. Spaces are available from September for 15 and 30 hours of funded childcare, two year funded and nonfunded sessions. Call Martlesham on 01473 625986, or visit our Facebook page (as above) or our new website for more details

HEDGEHOG NURSERY AT GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL How is it already the summer term? The year has flown by and we are already planning sports day and transition events.

This half term we have been exploring the lifecycles of frogs and butterflies, linking to our minibeast topic. We have all enjoyed watching tadpoles grow and change into small frogs; a huge thank you to Mrs Catchpole for setting this up for us. We have also had five hungry caterpillars in nursery to observe too. The children eagerly waited for them to change into butterflies, but were sad to say goodbye to them.

We decided to move on to dinosaurs next as we had a number of children showing a keen interest in making dinosaurs using various resources. The children brought in books from home, were fascinated by our frozen dinosaur eggs, measured footprints and lots more!

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

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SCHOOLS / SPORT THE SAPLINGS

WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB

It seems summer has finally arrived and the children are loving it, spending lots of time outside with lots of sheltered areas and water play to cool them down.

We have lots of fun things to learn this half term including learning about life cycle of frogs and butterflies and continuing to learn about insects that help us.

The season started with our traditional opening drive and this year the weather was kind to us. The first wood was due to be bowled by Mayor Clare Perkins, but due to her busy schedule she could not attend so the deputy mayor and next year’s mayor elect, David Mortimer, got the season underway with a very competently delivered first wood. David proved to be an excellent second choice as he was able to demonstrate not only his skill at bowls, but his ability with a photographic drone, which soared above the club grounds giving an excellent view of the proceedings.

We have welcomed lots of new starters to our pre-school room, including children who have transferred from our baby room. Some of our pre schoolers will be leaving us at the end of the summer term. These Rising 5 children will be very busy, spending sessions with their new reception teachers and classes at their new school as well as here at The Saplings. They will be practising skills to help them when they start ‘BIG’ school and we will be holding a graduation ceremony to celebrate their time at The Saplings.

The baby room have also welcomed lots of new faces and all of the little ones have settled in very well. They are also enjoying the weather with time outside as well as lots of sensory play and activities inside.

The children who attend our after-school club love getting outside and playing with water and sand after a busy structured day at school. However, they also enjoy some quieter activities such as drawing and playing educational games on tablets we recently purchased.

We are always happy to welcome new faces to breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs and are happy for people to visit us at any time. Just contact us on the details below and we can arrange a convenient time. We are now taking bookings for the summer holiday ahead.

By the time you read this we will have held our open day. Once again the weather was kind to us and more than two dozen people came through our famous green door to try their hand at the sport. All were met with a cheerful smile and coach Viv Sheppard, ably assisted by club members, soon had them all on the green where various degrees of skill were displayed. The picture shows just some of the early arrivals.

I don’t know whether the large turnout was due to the effect of our offer to new members, a £20 waiver on the first year’s fees or the presence of the sunshine. However, if you couldn’t get to open day and are interested in bowls and bowling, do get in touch with us via our website or our Facebook pages and take advantage of this cut price offer. www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk

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

For more information, please contact us at news@thesaplings.org.uk / 01473 614753, visit www.thesaplings.org.uk or see us on Facebook.

SUMMER TERM AT BRIGHT STARS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times from 10.30am to noon at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Youngsters from birth to five years old, would you like a fun start to your week this summer term?

If so, 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 adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon.

This term so far has included hearing stories, making a mirror to see ourselves in, singing songs with lots of actions and enjoying playing 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 dates in the summer term are (please note revised dates): June 11 & 25 and July 9.

For further information please contact Sonya & Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

IPSWICH RAVENS OUTDOOR SESSIONS Volleyball is loads of fun and a very friendly game. It’s the only high-energy, no-contact mixed team sport you can play indoors and outdoors – whatever your ability. It’s energetic enough to help with your fitness, but without placing high demands on your body, and good teamwork is important as well as individual skill.

This summer is the perfect time to give volleyball a go and find out why it is one of the top three most-played sports in the world. Ipswich Ravens will be holding outdoor sessions at Copleston School (entrance off Foxhall Road) every Saturday from noon-2pm. In addition to our normal grass courts we will provide the opportunity to play beach volleyball on the sand court.

These sessions are open to everyone age 14+ and cost £2 for adults, £1 for juniors. We are happy to accommodate people who want to play either competitively or just at a recreational level. All sessions are organised by qualified coaches who also give some playing advice to each individual if needed.

So why not go along and take a look? If you like what you see please introduce yourself and you will be very welcome to participate in a session under no obligation. Wear your normal outdoor sports kit, and it’s a good idea to bring water, sun cream and cheap sunglasses – also insect spray if you are prone to being nibbled.

To find out more, visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

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ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb

SUFFOLK OPEN STUDIOS LAUNCHES 2018 DIRECTORY

Sheila from Sproughton writes: “I am a single lady aged 65, with a large property worth almost £700,000. I have minimal savings and I struggle to make ends meet as I only have a state pension. I need more income and I am worried that my daughter will inherit a big Inheritance Tax bill on my property after I die. Is there any way I can reduce the tax liability while being able to free up some of the money tied up in my house for me to enjoy as additional income now?”

Free directory lists details of more than 100 artists taking part in popular visual arts programme across Suffolk.

Yes, it is possible to put together a strategy that would significantly reduce the Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability on your estate, and at the same time, would provide you with a sizeable chunk of capital to invest, which will produce additional tax efficient income for you on a monthly or annual basis ongoing.

Artists’ studios are open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm over the first four weekends in June. Not all artists are open every weekend, so it is important that visitors check dates beforehand, either in the directory or online at: www.suffolkopenstudios.org / Facebook @suffolkopenstudios

The strategy I would suggest would be to apply for an equity release mortgage on your main residence and to invest the resulting sum into a specialist offshore Inheritance Tax plan, called a Discounted Gift Trust. By effecting equity release, you will be able to ‘free up’ some of the significant value tied up in your house and put this to much better use in providing additional income for you to enjoy now and ongoing. You will also reduce the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes, as the loan and accrued interest will create a debt on your estate, which will be paid off from the proceeds of the sale of your house on your death. It is important that you understand and accept that the value of your estate will be reduced by the outstanding equity release mortgage.

The directory lists participating artists alphabetically and by region. This year, it includes cross-referenced maps, making it easy for visitors to identify studios nearby and plan their visit.

By investing the equity release proceeds into a Discounted Gift Trust, you will reduce the Inheritance Tax liability on your estate by way of a discount on day one, and if you live for seven years after setting up the trust, then the capital and any growth on that capital will be outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes. The trust will be written in trust to your daughter so that she receives the proceeds on your death. That means she will have the money to pay any remaining tax liability on your estate, although the combination of the new main residence relief and your existing IHT Nil Rate Band, would probably mean that the remainder of your estate would not be subject to any IHT. Based upon your age, an equity release mortgage should produce a capital sum of around 20 per cent of the property value, which would release £140,000. If you then invest this sum into a Discounted Gift Trust, you could take tax efficient income withdrawals of up to five per cent per annum, which would produce £7,000 a year or around £583 a month in extra income for you to enjoy now and ongoing. As your need for income is critical, I believe the reduction in the value of your estate by the outstanding equity release mortgage is completely justified, providing you and your daughter are comfortable with that.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser. Send your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham IP6 8JP, email them to nick@plumbfs.co.uk, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301.

Nick’s answers to reader questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require specific financial advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial meeting to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Suffolk Open Studios have announced the launch of their 2018 Artists’ Directory, containing details of the artists and galleries taking part in this year’s programme.

The directory lists all the artists and galleries who will be opening their studios to the public as part of Suffolk Open Studios 2018, giving visitors a unique opportunity to take a look “behind the scenes” and see them in action.

Each artist’s listing gives details of which weekends they will be open together with contact details, a brief profile, examples of their work and directions to their studios.

To assist visitors travelling from further afield, some artists have organised themselves into ‘hubs’, allowing the public to see work from a number of participants in a single location. Others have organised ‘trails’, where visitors can pick up a leaflet from one member studio directing them to other member studios nearby. Full details of all hubs and trails appear in the directory.

The directory also gives dates and details of members’ exhibitions, as well as venues for the popular ‘Art About Town’ events. Gallery members are also listed, where visitors will find exhibitions of work by many artists, printmakers and photographers.

The 2018 Directory is available free of charge now from libraries, tourist offices, galleries, shops and pubs throughout Suffolk. Visitors can also download a free copy from the Suffolk Open Studios website.

This year, Suffolk Open Studios is supporting Suffolk Artlink, a participatory arts charity which develops and delivers inclusive arts programmes in communities that bring skills, support networks, confidence and joy to people in the East. For more details visit: www.suffolkartlink.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM AFTERNOON TALKS The April talk for the Friends of Woodbridge Museum was on The Medieval Port of Gosford by Peter Wain. Little is know of the port which was situated somewhere in the Bawdsey area. Peter led us through his detailed research which brought the port back into existence for us. Not only was the talk of historical interest, but also showed people how fascinating the process of historical research can be.

Following the success of the last year’s garden party, the friends are holding another on Saturday, June 23.

For further information on the above please contact: 01394 385572

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CHURCH NEWS NEW CHARITY TO TAKE OVER MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE Royal Voluntary Service is ending its Meals on Wheels service in Suffolk and a local charity, Aspect Living Foundation, is taking over the meal delivery service.

Following a review of its Meals on Wheels service, Royal Voluntary Service has taken the difficult decision to end the service. This is because over the past 10 years the number of services the charity runs across the country has reduced dramatically. With so few left, it has become harder for it to sustain the handful of services remaining as much of the infrastructure we used to rely on to support Meals on Wheels has depleted.

Sam Ward, Director of Commissioned Services at Royal Voluntary Service said: “We have delivered Meals on Wheels in Suffolk for the past 10 years and very much regret having to end the service. The well-being of the older people in Suffolk is our priority and we have been working with the local authority and other partners to find potential alternatives to allow them to receive a service in the future. We are delighted that Aspect Living Foundation, a local charity, will be taking over the service from the beginning of May 2018. We will be working with them to ensure a smooth transition and we wish them every success in delivering the new service.

“Our volunteers and staff have worked tremendously hard at the service for many years and we know that their efforts have been hugely appreciated.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they have done.”

Tess Aristodemou, Chief Executive at Aspect Living Foundation said: “Having worked with Royal Voluntary Service and the Meals on Wheels team it quickly became apparent how vital this service is to the elderly and venerable people around Suffolk, so together with a robust panel of local trustees with the same passion and commitment for this service we have established the new charity, Aspect Living Foundation.”

“Meals on Wheels is not just a service, to many it’s a lifeline. The amazing team of delivery drivers not only deliver a nutritious meal they complete a ‘health and wellbeing’ check which on many occasions has alerted next of kin or the emergency services to any potential issues.We are delighted to be able to continue the amazing work that Royal Voluntary Service have provided over the years and expand the service in the aim to help as many people as we can to stay independent in their own homes” To find out more about the Meals on Wheels service please contact the Aspect Living team: 07753 174040 / enquires@aspectliving.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group invite you get out into the local countryside with a couple of wildlife themed evening events to enjoy during June 2018.

On Friday, June 22 at 8.30pm there will be a Stag Beetle Hunt in Fen Meadow, Woodbridge. This event has been organised in partnership with the Friends of Fen Meadow. If coming by car, park in Portland Crescent and walk along the cemetery fence to the Fen Meadow gate. There is no need to book for this event, but for further information telephone: 01394 382969 / 387433 Then on the evening of Friday, June 29 at 9.15pm, the group will be visiting Blaxhall Heath and Common, hoping to see and hear nightjars. Phil Smith, chair of the SWT Woodbridge Group said: “As darkness falls we will wander across the heath, looking and listening for signs of the nightjar. This fascinating bird is a summer visitor to this reserve and I hope we will be lucky enough to catch sight of the bird. The walk should also give the chance to see glow worms.”

The Blaxhall Heath walk starts from the Sandgalls car park (TM 382559) and will last for approximately one hour. Participants are advised to use insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. It is not necessary to book for this walk but for further information telephone: 01473 625630 / 01394 411237 Admission to both events is free, with donations to Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed. Further information is also available by emailing: swtwoodbridge@outlook.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

VOLUNTEER WITH SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY Special Sergeant David Bones joined Suffolk’s Special Constabulary in May 2009. He is currently based at Framlingham and carries out duties with Leiston Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) and Halesworth Response Team. Duties can consist of anything from carrying out weekend public order patrols, assisting with speed enforcement, plain clothes patrols to targeting specific issues and assisting on drug warrants.

David started considering the Special Constabulary when he returned to the UK after working for a decade overseas as an engineer.

“I said considered because it did take some time to reconcile performing the challenging role of a police officer with no remuneration other than expenses,” said David. “With the passing of time, I decided that like most members of the public, I would like to see far more police on the streets, but didn’t particularly want to pay more in taxes to achieve this. The solution – to give time rather than pay higher taxes, and it’s a situation that I am quite happy with.”

David works around 20 to 30 hours per month spread over three or four duties. He usually commits a couple of weeks in advance meaning both his family and police colleagues know when he will be on duty.

David said: “Many of the situations you will find yourself in demand a very quick assessment of an often difficult or volatile situation, so problem solving and decision making skills while under pressure cannot fail to be considerably enhanced. Many corporate organisations spend thousands sending their employees on so-called team-building or problem solving courses, when they could in fact have the real thing for free courtesy of their local constabulary.

“In 2011 I was given the chance to undertake the three week police standard driving course. It was a superb course and I have always considered it a form of reward for the hours I put in and feel very privileged indeed to have been offered it.”

David believes that having ‘special constable’ on a CV could be seen as an advantage by any future employer considering you. It can almost be considered as a unique qualification in its own right and may well set any candidate apart from the rest.

“However, it cannot be underestimated as I think it is probably among the most complicated and demanding volunteering roles you could choose and needs an appropriate level of commitment,” said David. “When the public encounter you, they expect you to perform the role of a properly trained officer and nothing less.

“One thing I didn’t expect over time was to be welcomed as a genuinely valued member of my local SNT by the entire team and not just an outsider. Though it may sound a little cliché, I now feel immensely proud to serve as a special constable.”

If you would like further information about how to become a special constable, or to attend one of our Information events, please visit www.suffolk.pnn.police.uk/joinus or contact us at: specialsandvolunteers@suffolk.pnn.police.uk / 01473 613589 If you feel that becoming a special constable is not for you, have you considered our Police Support Volunteer Scheme? For more information about this, contact us using the details above.

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED… Our open subject PDI competition on April 24 was won by Ossie Kettle with his image Chevy 48. Congratulations to Ossie and thanks to Brian Carlick LRPS for judging and giving us his helpful comments on the 56 entries from members. Joint second place went to Barry Cross for Selfie and Richard Ford for Red Admiral.

It’s yours! Longshed activities burst into action recently following the signing of the long-term lease on April 4 for its use. The huge volume of the community shed generates an immediate sense of awe and our volunteers had to hit the ground running in order to seal the concrete floor to protect it from the wear of forthcoming activities. Woodbridge Riverside Trust wanted to throw open the Longshed as soon as possible to let Woodbridge people appreciate the valuable covered space that the development has delivered. With a gracious speech by our Mayor Clare Perkins, the Longshed was officially opened on April 21 for anyone to enter, wander and wonder. Volunteers were on hand to try to outline some of the activities and possibilities that will now become achievable.

Of special interest was the magnificent full-size illustration of the AngloSaxon ship suspended along one wall indicating why the Longshed needs to be called …well …long! A gleaming rowing skiff (picture by S Simpson) had been brought down from Blakeney to illustrate the final appearance of the kits that were displayed around it. Hundreds of people called in, fascinated by the working speed of axeman Mal Lee as he shaped timber into ship components, illustrating the authentic methods that must be used on the actual ship construction.

It is interesting to speculate that if, 1,400 years ago the Anglo-Saxons had buried a 50ft long ship, our shed might be only half as long. The shed together with the Waterfront Square will make possible a whole host of exciting, interesting activities in a secure, traffic-free location with the wonderful backdrop of the river. The first of these was Clare Perkins’ innovative Spirit of Beowulf event, May 4-7.

The Longshed has already attracted some special visitors. Sae Wylfing, the 45ft Anglo-Saxon longboat, returned into the shed for maintenance after its visit to Trinity Park for the schools event on April 19. Thousands of children enjoyed some hands-on querning of corn to make flour, hand weaving, explanations of herbal medicine and making cheese from milk, which are just a few of the activities that can accompany the longboat.

A party of Maritime Archaeology students and their lecturers from Southampton University came to see the location of the ship-build. They used the ship banner drawing to test the feasibility of the rowing positions.

They were accompanied by their special guest Valerie Fenwick, a very highly qualified and experienced archaeologist who was one of the people involved in excavating and recording the actual ship’s impression. Talks relating to Anglo-Saxon ship construction were given to the Woodbridge Society and to U3A in April. The next talk is to the Mendlesham History Group on May 16.

Many hand tools have been donated to equip the Longshed’s workshop area by generous readers of this paper and one of the first tasks that the tools will be put to, is the construction of the 22ft skiffs for use by people from within our community who wish to become involved.

June 19: Visit to Top Floor Studio for printing demonstration in two groups, alternating with practical session at Quay Church meeting room on single flash photography. ​July 17: Print competition Water / Judge: Andy Wilson LRPS We meet in the meeting room at Woodbridge Quay Church at 7.30pm.

Guests are always welcome. Members £2, guests £5.

For more information please visit: www.woodbridgecameraclub.co.uk

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: SPACE TO THINK I’ve recently returned from a visit to the grandchildren in Germany. As they are all now at school or nursery we managed to have a couple of days out being tourists. We visited a small village, Schlulsee, in the mountains, not the first visit but it does have a couple of good coffee shops and some very interesting little shops with unique Black Forest craftsmanship.

One of our favourite places is the church. It’s a catholic church and very modern with a fascinating exhibition of Stations of the Cross created from metal. Each sculpture is set in a steel ball which is nearly a meter diameter with a wide slit so that you can see what’s inside. Each shows stages of the crucifixion but each also has a focus on a world issue – a reason why we need the forgiveness which comes from Jesus’ sacrifice. One shows poverty, another war, another alcoholism and another prostitution – and so they go on.

As I couldn’t understand the explanations (they were in German) I was left to interpret each sculpture myself. And it was the empty one – the empty tomb – which made the greatest impression on me. Instead of the edges of the slit being carefully cut away, these were jagged as if there had been an explosion inside. Perhaps that’s how we should see the resurrection of Jesus; an explosion which overcame death, a dramatic release of good energy with the capacity to destroy all that is wrong in the world. I wonder how we can use that energy positively in the world in which we live.

Rev Margaret Rittman Martlesham with Brightwell

… and there’s more As the weather improves and the activities increase, our outreach clicks into gear. The Sae Wylfing team will be going to the Suffolk Show on May 3031. Don’t miss out; you can come with us, helping us to spread the message about the increasing activity on the Woodbridge Waterfront that is so much at the heart of our community.

For further information and fuller reports please visit: www.woodbridgewaterfront.co.uk www.woodbridgeriversidetrust.org

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