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with Martlesham Volume 8 • Issue No. 4 • MARCH 2018
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Now don’t tell my boss, but on Tuesday mornings when I arrive at work before A Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4 has ended, I’m forced to sit in the car until it does. Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them. I particularly loved his interview with Eugenia Cheng on the mathematics of mathematics. Though it was never my strongest subject, I continue to love maths, desperate to understand and to find the right answer, though I seldom do. What’s extraordinary about many of the people featured on A Life Scientific is how often a childhood interest or passion has led to a fulfilling career and it’s clear that doing something you love is a wonderful privilege. I’ll be playing the podcasts to my son when he’s a little older because whatever he does in life I want it to be what makes him happy. You may have read about the letter a teacher in Singapore sent to parents the week before her students were to sit exams. Here’s a short extract: “I know you are all really anxious for your child to do well. But, please do remember, amongst the students who will be sitting for the exams there is an artist who doesn’t need to understand math, an entrepreneur who doesn’t care about history or English literature, a musician whose chemistry marks won’t matter. There’s an athlete whose physical fitness is more important than physics. If your child does get top marks, that’s great, but if he or she doesn’t please don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity. Tell them no matter what they score you love them and will not judge them. Please do this and when you do, watch your children conquer the world. One exam or a low mark won’t take that away. And please don’t think that doctors and engineers are the only happy people in the world.” I hope you have or have had the opportunity to do what you love and that you can inspire others to do likewise. Driving to work at 6am on a cold January morning is never easy, but it’s a whole lot easier if you’re looking forward to the day ahead.
NEWS
MARTLESH AM VILLAGE FETE SATURDAY, JULY 14 The amount of interest being shown in the fete is fantastic; we have musicians, artists, charities, youth groups and local organisations all lined up to participate, not forgetting the ice cream van of course. There is still room for others to join in, so if you haven’t yet been approached contact us at: mvfete@gmail.com We are also organising games and sports events for all ages and abilities to participate in. Start thinking about forming your family, group or street teams now; we aren’t telling you what sort of games yet, but you won’t want to miss out! Young people haven’t been forgotten as the stalls will include suitable entertainments and the sports and games will encourage them to take part. Youth organisations like the Scouts and Guides will also have an important presence on the day. If there are any groups or schools of budding musicians, dancers, athletes or martial arts practitioners which wish to put on a display please contact us at the email address above Remember the great opportunities the village fete will give us: • Community groups will be able to showcase activities, raise funds and generate more members • 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
In Touch
with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham
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.
• 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!
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IPSWICH GANG SHOW IS 80 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR Have you ever been a member of the show, on stage or behind the scenes? We are celebrating our 80 years with a dinner/dance at Trinity Park on Saturday, September 1 and would love to see anyone who has been connected to the show. For further details email: gangshow80@outlook.com
ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE USED STAMPS AND OLD COINS APPEAL A big thank you to everyone who continues to save their used stamps and old British and foreign coins throughout the year for me to take to the hospice. I recently received this message from their fundraising coordinator: “Our last financial year (April 2016 to March 2017) raised £4,080, but this financial year we have already raised £3,703! Thank you for your support as it makes a huge difference as it’s reliable income that we see continuing to come to us.” So you can see how important your contributions are. Even if you collect only a few stamps or old coins they really do make a difference when added together. Let’s see if we can beat last year’s £4,080! Bev Read, 15 Demesne Gardens, Martlesham Heath / 01473 622721
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NEWS REGISTER NOW FOR GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION People can now sign up to register an interest in joining Suffolk Coastal’s Garden Waste Collection Service. At its cabinet meeting in December 2017, Suffolk Coastal decided to introduce a charge for collecting garden waste from homes during the next financial year (2018/19). People in Suffolk Coastal will be given the option of paying an annual charge of £43 per garden waste bin (the equivalent of paying about £1.65 per fortnightly collection). This is a completely voluntary scheme, which people will have to opt to join (rather than residents automatically becoming part of the scheme). The first paid-for collections are scheduled to start from the beginning of May 2018, with local residents able to subscribe for the new service from March 1 and we will email them when the subscription service is live. In the meantime, people can register their interest by completing a simple online form. “The reality is that Suffolk Coastal District Council protected the ‘free’ collection of garden waste for as long as it could,” explained Councillor Carol Poulter, Suffolk Coastal’s Cabinet Member for the Green Environment. “In 2015, when most of the councils across Suffolk and Norfolk introduced charging, we decided to maintain the ‘free’ garden waste collection service and to bear the cost of reduced Recycling Performance Payment support, despite the financial pressures on the council. However, at the time, we did recognise that this is a discretionary service that we provide and we always said we would have to keep this decision under review.” Suffolk Coastal District Council is under increasing pressure financially, with dwindling support from central government. Next year (2018/19), we are faced with a budget gap of over £2.8 million. Providing the organic waste collection and composting service currently costs Suffolk Coastal over £1.2 million a year. This cost has been exacerbated by the £200,000 per year reduction in support for recycling organic waste previously provided by Suffolk County Council. The East Suffolk Business Plan identifies the need for us to become increasingly financially-self-sufficient in the future. “The key thing that people need to realise is that this is about us protecting local services and being able to keep Council Tax increases down to a minimum. Any funds raised from the garden waste collection service will be re-invested in providing services to local people and reducing our budget gap,” said Councillor Poulter. Later in the year, subscribers to the scheme will also be given the option of receiving a free, larger (240 litre) green bin for their garden waste (240 litres is the most common wheeled bin size, but the current brown organic waste bins in Suffolk Coastal are 140 litres). The new, larger green bins are expected to be delivered during the autumn (2018) to those residents who request one and have subscribed to the garden waste service.
JOHN KELSO’S DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT Update on the planning application for 2,000 houses adjacent to Adastral Park Most of youwill have already heard that the Suffolk Coastal Planning Committee held on January 15 decided unanimously to support the CEG planning application to build 2,000 houses adjacent to Adastral Park. You will not be surprised to hear that I am still opposed to the proposal as I believe it will result in traffic congestion problems for existing residents and users of the A12 as well as having a detrimental effect on the protected Deben estuary and its wildlife. It is envisaged that a more detailed application will be received by the council during the next 12 months. Suffolk Coastal Community Enabling Budget (CEB) Since the introduction of the CEB in 2013 over one million pounds has been donated to schemes within the district. If you are involved with any Martlesham organisation and are considering any new projects that are in need of some funding please visit www.eastsuffolk.gov. uk to see if your scheme meets the necessary requirements. If it does, please get in touch with me. Introduction of the brown bin collection charge The council has decided to introduce an annual voluntary charge of £43 to be introduced in April for the use and collection of the brown recycling bins. If you wish to continue using the brown bin scheme you will need to opt into it. Further information is to be provided by the council nearer the change date. Broadband Survey Suffolk Coastal is conducting a survey to establish broadband performance throughout the district. If you wish to take part please fill out the survey form at: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/community/ enabling-better-broadband-in-suffolk-coastal If you wish to discuss any of the above issues or any other district council matters please contact me at: 01473 631682 john.kelso@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
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.
Ipswich and District Kidney Association (IDKA) aims to help improve the lives of people suffering from kidney disease through providing items of equipment and welfare grants, and by organising social activities. IDKA can also direct patients to a variety of specialist support services in strict confidence. Don’t suffer in silence. IDKA was set up by and is run by people who understand what you are going through and are keen to help. Contact Doug Swayze, chair of IDKA – chair@idka.org.uk / 01449 612090 / 20 Bures Close, Stowmarket IP14 2PL – or vice-chair Les Talbott – 01473 635749.
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Our next meeting is on March 22 when Luke Potter, the new East Suffolk General Manager for the National Trust, will give us an insight into the current work and future plans of the trust for our area. This will be preceded by a short AGM. The talk on April 19 is by Veronica Bennett, a volunteer speaker for the National Trust, who will tell us about Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, popular for its architectural variety and beautiful garden and woods. 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
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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL Wanted – 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, organise practical working parties, respond to planning applications and consultations, liaise with the principal authorities to raise matters of local concern, and work with local organisations. 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! Money to Play With – What Do You Want? Martlesham Parish Council, Martlesham Heath Householders and Suffolk Coastal District Council are working together on a project for sports facilities in Martlesham. We have some funding available for use within Martlesham and following an earlier consultation and some initial research three possible proposals are being considered: a trim trail within Martlesham, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at the Recreation Ground, and a Bike Trails Pump Track at the Diamond Jubilee Bike Trails site. We believe we have enough to fund one or more of these projects and our decisions will be based on your responses. If response is good, other sources of funding may also be available to us so that we can provide more, so do let us know what you think by completing the survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/martlesham The closing date is Friday, April 6. If you’d like a paper copy, please contact the clerk as below. There is also information on our website. We’re hoping for an overwhelming response so we can be sure we are providing what you want. Designation of Martlesham Common as a Local Nature Reserve Martlesham Common is the parish’s first Local Nature Reserve. The new designation recognises the importance of the habitats and species on this remaining pocket of heathland that the parish council in partnership with the Greenways Project has been managing for wildlife. The site is a mosaic of woodland, acid grassland and expanding areas of heather which is a marvellous place for people to get close to and enjoy nature on their doorstep.
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Thanks go to Suffolk Coastal District Council’s legal department for transferring the legal power to the parish council, enabling it to go ahead with the designation which was done in liaison with Natural England. This new designation for the common will be celebrated later on this year at the site’s open day on Saturday, September 1. More details on the celebrations to come. Major development to the land south and east of Adastral Park – 2,000 new homes On January 15 Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Planning Committee unanimously granted planning permission for this development. Detailed planning applications will gradually come forward as each area of the site is developed. Discussions on traffic, health, education, recreation, etc. will be ongoing. The parish council is likely to be involved through a Community Liaison Working Group. For full information on the Adastral Park development visit: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk East Anglia ONE Windfarm – Important Message ScottishPower Renewables has asked us to draw your attention to a recent incident at one of their Horizontal Direct Drilling (HDD) sites. Two members of the public made their way on foot through the easement area, which is effectively a live construction site. They walked to the location of an HDD compound where they were met by security staff. HDD sites are hazardous to those not specifically trained in HDD techniques and therefore an unauthorised site visit is potentially very dangerous. Please keep away. MH100 nomination for Suffolk Coastal Business and Communities Awards The parish council nominated the MH100 committee for an award in the Great Idea category in recognition of the special event the team put together last year which celebrated 100 years of Martlesham Heath. They have been shortlisted and the winners will be announced at the awards dinner on March 15 at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Wednesday, March 7: Parish Council Wednesday, March 14: Recreation & Amenities Committee Wednesday, April 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.
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Join us for a day of fun! Saturday 31st March The Northern Green, Martlesham Heath
EGG HUNT £1.50 Per Child
Find the Golden Egg and win a family bowling experience at Tenpin! All monies raised will be donated to the local charity Homestart Please bring your basket The Hunt begins at 12:00pm
Martlesham: 01473 396007
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SAVOUR
EVERY MOMENT
OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-12 noon): The following craft activities will take place during March. • Sunday 4: Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday. Why not pop along and make a special owl card? Please bring a small photograph of yourself to complete this craft. • Sunday 11: Saturday, March 17 is St Patrick’s Day. To celebrate we are making a Shamrock Man! • Sunday 18: Today is Paddington and Friend’s Day and we are making 3D Paddington Bears with a suitcase for his marmalade sandwiches • Sunday 25: Next Sunday is Easter Day. Create an Easter egg and chick card for someone special. 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 including all School Holidays: 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, 10.30am-11am Free Story Time Sessions, every Friday 9.45-10.15am: This session combines stories and rhymes. All welcome. Why not pop along? OTHER LIBRARY EVENTS FOR MARCH Lego Club: Every Tuesday afternoon in term time, 3.45-4.45pm, with a different theme each week. What will you design? Parents must stay with under eights. Knit and Natter: Wednesdays 7 & 21 from 2.30pm. £1 donation, 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. Thursday 1: Afternoon Book Group, 2.45pm; currently reading Flawed by Cecelia Ahern. Thursday 22: Evening Book Group, 7pm; currently reading Together by Julie Cohen. Thursday 22: Baking Club, 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 We are holding an event on Sunday, March 18 and are looking for donations of good condition soft toys for our children’s tombola stall. Please speak to a member of staff if you are able to donate anything to us – thank you. Sunday, March 18, 10am-noon Paddington and Friends Morning Why not pop along and meet the Book Start Bear? Bring your own teddy or Paddington Bear to join in the fun. There will be a free Paddington craft, find the secret word, refreshments and bear biscuits, a raffle, a cuddly toy tombola as well as the results of our Draw Paddington competition. You may even come across a marmalade sandwich or two! During this event we will also be officially opening our newly refurbished comfy corner. This was made possible by a grant from Rushmere Parish Council and local firm Anglia Research.
With our delicious frozen meals and desserts, you’ve more time to enjoy the things you love. For your free brochure visit wiltshirefarmfoods.com or call 01371 876970
Maggie Lusher, Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave Tel: 01473 626103
OVER 300 DELICIOUS DISHES
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IT Help Sessions: Saturday, March 24, 10am-1pm: Are you having trouble getting to grips with a piece of technology? Or would you like help downloading eBooks to your e-reader? 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 and computers, or need some general guidance using the internet. Please phone up and speak to a member of staff about booking you one of our half-hour slots.
www.suffolklibraries.co.uk Wednesday: 2.30-6pm Friday: 9am-noon Sunday: 10am-3pm
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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM COUNTRY MARKET Seville orange marmalade – and so much more… I saw some of those lumpy unattractive beasts in my local farm shop yesterday. Who would think that they can be turned into my favourite breakfast treat with the expert skills of our local artisan cooks? If you grew up in a house where marmalades were brewed, like me, you might smell that warm delicious orangey syrupy aroma in your imagination already. Mmm, our clever kitchen wizards have jars of yummy jam and marmalades and every other kind of preserve you can imagine at our local country markets, so don’t miss out! Forget the mass-produced gloop, get your spreads from the Country Market, just like mother used to make. Meet us at Martlesham Pavilion every Tuesday between 9 and 11.15am for a warm welcome. If there’s something you want and we don’t have it, we’ll always try to make one or source one for you, if it’s in our power. We stock cakes and cookies, quiches and sweets, delicious dainties, gluten-free or other diet-compliant tasty treats or staples – always a nice idea for a gift or treat. Remember that we have professionally trained craftspeople and that you can find one-off, hand-made crafts and delightful treen (small wooden objects), lovely cards, warm and fleecy gloves and scarves for every size, fine beaded jewellery and key-rings: Come and see for yourself – #notontheHighStreet. NEWS: we are also supplying the Boardwalk Café, Rendlesham, which opened in December and is establishing itself as a nice place to visit with a great atmosphere. It’s open from 9am-11pm on Walnut Tree Avenue, Rendlesham IP12 2GG. STOP PRESS! We need more bakers and makers! If you’d like to find out more, enjoy the satisfaction of using your skills to make a little extra money and join our friendly market on the other side of the table, come along to meet us or phone Margaret Gayfer on 01473 623849 to find out more.
Martlesham Brass Making music fun in East Anglia
FOLK ON A BOAT FINALE The final concert in the winter Folk on a Boat series aboard the Sailing Barge Victor is on Friday, March 16 when Silbury Hill will be performing live. The duo will be bringing their lively blend of folk rock to the Victor with a mix of original material from their own CDs, as well as a good helping of covers from artists such as Crowded House, Jethro Tull and Focus to ensure the curtain comes down on the series with a swing! Doors, and Victor’s well stocked bar, open at 7pm and the music is from 8pm. Tickets for the concert, which cost £15 per person and include the Victor’s legendary hot, hearty, buffet supper, are available from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre (01473 258070 / tourist@ipswich.gov.uk) or online from: www.ipswichregent.com
THE MASQUE PLAYERS The Masque Players will be performing The Weekend by Michael Palin at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre from March 21-24. Stephen and Virginia Febble are facing a weekend welcoming their daughter, boring son-in-law and precocious granddaughter together with dog. However, Stephen is not quite so welcoming and becomes very difficult much to Virginia’s dismay. The weekend slides into argumentative chaos, particularly over the Saturday dinner party with neighbours and an uninvited guest. The mood changes when Stephen realises it’s time to open up to Virginia about his past. This play takes a look at family values and is funny and thought provoking with a darker side. The production runs from Wednesday, March 21 to Saturday 24. Curtain at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm. Tickets are all £9 each and can be reserved by calling 01473 725633.
RANSOMES & RAPIER ANNUAL REUNION
Please join our preliminary and beginners bands on Saturday, March 3 for Tea & Tunes at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL, between 10am and noon. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. There will also be a cake and book stalls and a raffle. Everyone is welcome at our AGM on Friday, March 9 at 7.30pm, also at St Michael’s Church Centre. We will be reviewing the past year and electing our new committee. 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
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Sunday, March 4 at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE. Ex-employees, families and friends welcomed from 12.30-5pm. Come and see fascinating artefacts, documents and videos. Meet up with old friends at a really enjoyable event. See what new stories and pictures have surfaced. Food and drinks available at very reasonable cost. Admission only £2 per person. For more information call Elizabeth: 01206 734581
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OUT & ABOUT GIPPESWYK SINGERS PRESENT BACH’S ST JOHN PASSION Gippeswyk Singers are delighted to present St John Passion by JS Bach on Good Friday, March 30 in partnership with Music in Felixstowe, conducted by Geoff Lavery. Gippeswyk Singers will be joined by four professional young soloists and the Classic Chamber Orchestra, consisting of the finest musicians in East Anglia, for this very poetic portrayal of the crucifixion story. The St John Passion is an expressive and dramatic oratorio which takes us through the fiercely sorrowful events of Good Friday with all its darkness and despair. However, it is also a deeply reflective and optimistic piece. Bach’s music becomes infused with light and hope as it leads us with great beauty to the promise of the redeeming love of the Resurrection. The soloists are Sarah Gallop – soprano, Chloe Pardoe – mezzo, William Searle - tenor (Evangelist), Michael Collins – bass (Christ) and Brian Latchem – bass (Pilate). Gippeswyk Singers are an accomplished and expressive chamber choir based in Ipswich, who have performed regularly for over 40 years throughout East Anglia as well as concert tours further afield. Musical director Geoff Lavery conducted their 2017 Snape Maltings debut in a sellout performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius. Together with Beccles Choral Society and the Lambeth Orchestra, the concert received rapturous reviews. The performance takes place at St John’s Church, Felixstowe IP11 7PW at 7.30pm with conductor Geoff Lavery giving a pre-concert talk at 7.10pm. Tickets are available from choir members, from Stillwater Books in Felixstowe, 01394 670633 and paulgalley@btinternet.com. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment! This season Gippeswyk Singers are supporting the following local charities: Bipolar UK (Ipswich) and Sound On Talking Newspaper (Ipswich & District). www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk
SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY MALE VOICE CHOIR
Four choirs join in harmony to celebrate 50 years and support EACH. April 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir. To celebrate this very special anniversary they will be joined for a charity concert by the Essex Police Choir, the Hertfordshire Constabulary Choir and the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir. The concert in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices is on Saturday, April 14 at St John The Baptist Church, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich, commencing at 7.30pm. Choir secretary Stephen Wade said: “Choir members are all looking forward to this concert. We are delighted that Rachel Sloane has agreed to be our compere and very grateful to Jeffries of Bacton for sponsoring this event. It’s going to be a wonderful evening of music making with more than 100 singers participating.” Tickets are now on sale. Tickets purchased before the day cost £8 each. Subject to availability tickets costing £10 each can be purchased on the door. For further information and to order tickets contact: 01449 672600
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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH REMEMBERS COLLABORATIVE COMMEMORATION To mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, music, dance, poetry and animation combine to create an immersive, thought-provoking and moving performance at Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday, March 17. Ipswich Choral Society in collaboration with creative groups from Ipswich and across the region, will remember the town’s part during that conflict with a very special event, Ipswich Remembers, learning about personal stories of Ipswich people, at home and on the front line. Choreographer Mary Davies, with dancers drawn from performing companies supported by DanceEast and community groups from across Ipswich, will bring these stories to life with music specially commissioned from composer Huw Morgan. The Suffolk Poetry Society and historians from Ipswich Choral Society will recreate the news and people’s experiences amongst songs from the war years. Throughout the performance, animated images depicting Ipswich life during wartime will be shown. The performance concludes with Eternal Light: A Requiem by Howard Goodall (composer of TV themes for QI, The Vicar of Dibley and more), which weaves the Requiem texts with moving and beautiful poetry. Joining Ipswich Choral Society and their Music Director Robin Walker will be soprano Gwendolen Martin and tenor Tom Randle. Tickets are available from the Corn Exchange box office, 01473 433100 and online at: www.ipswichcornexchange.com
IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET March 5-11 is British Pie Week. Apparently 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month and 79% of people say they are willing to pay more for a homemade one, so why not come along to our market on Thursday, March 8 and try one of ours? Our pork pies contain locally reared pork with sausage meat, bacon and homemade pork stock! We also have steak & kidney pie, cottage pie, fish pie and Cornish pasties! Fruit pies are also available. All our pastry is made from scratch and we never use artificial additives. We are more than happy to tell you what’s in our food; in fact we are proud to do so! You can ask us what’s in our recipes, whether you want to check for food allergens or know how something is made. All items can be ordered in advance at the market so that you never need to be disappointed or without your favourite food. We also have a full range of crafts on offer, all created by members of our cooperative and locally made in their own homes. You can buy a traditionally made item using skills that hark back to an era when we all had time to make our own, be it sewing, knitting, bead or paper craft work. You can keep up to date with 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, home baked refreshments and free tea or coffee on your first visit.
www.ipswichchoralsociety.org The image provided courtesy of Matthew Clarke, Ipswich and District Photographic Society, shows Robin Walker and Mary Davies with Ipswich Choral Society members and dancers from the community cast.
MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Friday, March 2: Then and Now – A Life of Flying by Anthony Preston Anthony Preston has held a pilot’s licence for over 60 years, including FAA CPL. He started flying with Stan Ward at Nacton in 1954, going to piston Provost and Vampires in the RAF 1956-58. Anthony regularly flew around Central and East Africa in light aircraft in 1960s. He taught aerobatics, competing 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 1977-83. In 1994 he was made general manager of the Popular Flying Association, and today instructs on microlights as chief flying instructor at Beccles Airfield. 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 on either of the above call Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.mhas.org.uk
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DANCE FOLKUS Our dance on March 2 is very much a family affair. Will Hall, our caller, is a well-known festival caller from Oxfordshire. He has worked with many famous bands such as Peeping Tom, Geckoes and Cock & Bull Band. He has built himself a great reputation. From the age of seven he lived in Suffolk and so many local people may recognise his name. His first Suffolk booking was in 1981 at the Black Hut in Bawdsey with Syzewell Gap. We look forward to some great dances. To make it a family affair the song spot for the evening is a duo featuring Will’s sister Mary Dickinson along with her husband Steve. They are the organisers of Everyman Folk Club which meets on the fourth Friday each month at the Riverside Centre in Stratford St Andrew. Mary has a great voice and Steve is an excellent guitar player. They re-launched the popular Everyman Folk Club in 1996 and book guests from all over the country. Steve Dickinson is also a concertina and aeola maker using the original Wheatstone designs. The dance band will be led by local ceilidh band Harbour Lights with additional musicians making up the Dance Folkus Come All Ye Band. 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. Telephone Rob on 01473 610951 if you need further information. New band musicians and dancers are very welcome.
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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB 2018 has begun with some extremely interesting talks and a bringand-buy sale to raise money for charity. This year our proceeds are for Global Development Delay. This is a condition which affects the normal development of children and the great-granddaughter of one of our members is affected. We have three meetings planned for March. On March 1 Max Pemberton will tell us about his cruise down the Irrawadi River in Burma. Then on March 15 Paul Norris will bring his search and rescue dog and describe how they find missing persons. Finally, on March 29 Brian Russell will give a talk entitled Amusing Anecdotes of an After Dinner Speaker. Looking ahead, on April 12 Sheila Dix will tell us about her working life as a shepherdess. Meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings in the Richards Room at 7.15pm. To find out more contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768
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?
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. Our next meeting is on Thursday, March 22. There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members. New members are always welcome. For more details contact: Jill 01473 713534 / Emma 01787 373850
IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, March 28: The Southwold Railway Past, Present & Future, an illustrated talk by John Ridgeway 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. Details from Martyn (01473 422145) or Peter (01394 420490). www.idhts.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE WI Peter Blemings, our February speaker, presented a talk entitled The Bartlett – The Past 100 Years. Peter had worked for the developer who transformed the old Bartlett into the luxury apartments of today. Peter gave us a brief history of how the Bartlett came to be with money donated by a local doctor and how it came to be built on the site of the old Bath Hotel which was burnt down by the Suffragettes. Peter’s talk contained several photos of the old Bartlett – inside and out – plus ones showing the luxury interior of the new apartments of today. He explained how many of the original features of the Bartlett had been encompassed into the modern design – tiles in the wards and corridors, the shape of rooms, ornate ceilings, plus outside structures. During coffee Peter judged the monthly competition, a photo of Felixstowe during the past 100 years. Enid Castle was first with a delightful black and white photo of Felixstowe in all its glory with June Green claiming second and third with other photos that brought back memories of by-gone times. Monica Collins, our president, then continued with the business part of the evening. Several members will be attending the East Suffolk Annual WI meeting at Trinity Park on Tuesday, March 6. The day has a full programme with a variety of visiting speakers – the main one being Gary Walton, father of the sextuplets born in the 1980s, who will enlighten us to what it has been like to live with seven women! As usual we have a full programme of social activities – walking, Scrabble, bowls and a craft group. Anne Larter gave provisional details of a day out at Clacton for some retail therapy followed by a matinee performance of the summer show at the Westcliffe Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea in early August. Nacton WI had invited Kesgrave members to join them for their village lunch on Saturday, March 3, noon-2pm. Our March meeting is a ‘hands-on’ craft evening with Sue Webb from Martlesham WI. All the materials required to make the various Easter related items will be provided. Our next meeting is at Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, 7.15pm on Thursday, March 1. Visitors are very welcome to join us. If you require information please call the secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415.
IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY We have two meetings in March. On Wednesday 7 we have a visit from the Colchester society who will display and talk on subjects that I am sure will entertain us all. Visiting societies are always interesting as you never know what you will see or hear. On Wednesday 21 we have a member’s competition, where members can display up to 10 pages of material of their choice. This usually provides us with a splendid evening as the displays are very diverse and often very unusual. Future dates for your diary April 4: Society Auction April 14: Society Stamp Fair Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, 7 for 7.30pm, visitors welcome. For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904
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U3A HOPES MARCH WILL BRING SUNSHINE The U3A outdoor groups haven’t all been hiding indoors during the earlier colder months of 2018. The walkers and gardeners have been busy. The architecture and church visiting groups have still been out and about and this month I know at least one of the petanque groups will be tidying up their piste and getting ready for the new season. March and April have some really great talks planned so members and visitors will have plenty to interest them. Even if you have been hibernating during the winter (and I don’t blame you), please get ready to help us celebrate our 30th anniversary later this year. All details plus how to become a member are available online. If you don’t have internet access our secretary can answer any questions you may have by telephoning 03001 233913. CAMPUS TALKS Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall Thursday, April 5, 10.30am: The Fall and Rise of Ermintrude, one of the oldest buses still certified to carry fare-paying passengers, by Tony Buckland. Market Hall, Saxmundham Thursday, March 8, 2pm: Plants with Mettle by Professor Alan Baker, the world of super plants that can colonise soils contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Thursday, April 12, 2pm: An Introduction to Gemstones by Jason Middleton Kesgrave Community Centre Monday, March 26, 2pm: Travels of a Botanical Artist by Reinhild Raistrick, a talk on painting rare and endangered flowers in the wild by an awardwinning artist. 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. www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk
IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, March 22, 7.15pm: Joy Bounds presents A Song of their Own – The Fight for Votes by Women in and around Ipswich In 1918 about half of the country’s women were able to vote for the first time. Joy tells of the long campaign by women for this basic right, the forms of protest used, and particularly what local women did to support the cause. A story of courage and determination. Did one of your family get involved in this campaign? Local suffragette Constance Andrews is pictured surrounded by her supporters and bystanders on her release from Ipswich Prison in 1911. 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. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates. On Wednesday, April 4, John Benjamin, familiar to all those who watch The Antiques Roadshow, will give a talk to mark the Golden Jubilee of NADFAS. A History of Jewellery from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor is a lecture close to one given in early 1969 which looked at the evolution of design in jewellery. We will see beautiful things. Why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
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, March 9: Trek for Life (Everest Base Camp) by Tina Oldfield Friday, April 13: Fused Glass Demo by Alison Mayston Friday, May 11: Resolutions and Bag Beetle 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 more information contact Sue (01473 414746) or Cynthia (01473 726068).
LIONS’ CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT Quay Time, our joint project with Woodbridge Quay Church, is really taking off. Fourteen participants at the recent Wednesday afternoon session were busy making cards, playing carpet bowls and board games. A visiting speaker has been booked for a future event. A number of participants have been in touch to say how much they enjoy the lively atmosphere and conversation – even if they prefer to simply sit and listen. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes are available at these afternoons, held on the third Wednesday each month at the Quay Church. Transport can be arranged for anyone who may otherwise have difficulty attending. As Quay Time grows and its participants take on its management, it will shortly have its own website – watch out for more details. Our programme of activities for the spring is filling up rapidly. We shall be assisting at Woodbridge Horse Show on Monday, May 7, our popular Art Show & Sale will return to the Salvation Army Hall on Saturday, May 19, and planning is already well underway for Woodbridge Regatta on Sunday, June 17, with our spectacular Duck Dive featured once again. Watch out for details of our mini car boot sale – just six pitches available on a site opposite Deben Pool. The social side isn’t neglected with visits planned for March and April and a lunch to mark the handover to new club officers on June 26. Peter See
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WOOLLY WONDERS It looks as though we’re going to be very busy this year. We’ve already delivered hats for premature babies to the neonatal unit. Having had a visit from the retail events co-ordinator from St Elizabeth Hospice, we’ll be knitting anything that can be sold to boost their funds, such as farm animals for Hadleigh Show, seaside creatures for Aldeburgh Carnival and flowers for festival goers. If you fancy joining us we’ll be at The Runway Café every Thursday from 10am-noon. Do drop in for a spot of social knitting.
INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE In January the club held a cheese and wine afternoon at Grove Court Residential Home, at which the conversation flowed as well as the wine (or tea if preferred) and a most enjoyable afternoon was had by both residents and club members. At our February meeting we were treated to a very amusing talk by Christine Beedle entitled Essex Scrubber. Christine founded a cleaning company in the late 1970s. Her first contract was to clean the offices in the Willis Faber building in Ipswich; this contract was held for over 20 years, and the company went from strength to strength, with Christine achieving an award for Business Woman of the Year. This was later followed by an MBE for services to the cleaning industry – a chance to check out cleaning standards at Buckingham Palace! To encourage staff to stay, social events were held as well as a competition for Cleaner of the Year. Since selling the business, Christine has written two books entitled The Essex Scrubber from which 50% of the profits are donated to local charities through the Rotary organisation. Our next event will be the quiz night on Friday, March 9; for information please contact Deirdre Griffin on 01473 612049.
MARTLESHAM COMMON – WILDLIFE SURVEY OF FLORA AND FAUNA Now is a good time to visit Martlesham Common and see what birds and other flora and fauna are there, possibly still some winter visitors (e.g. Fieldfares, Redwings) and maybe some early spring visitors, as well as resident species; if there is snow the tracks of many birds or mammals may be visible. 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 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 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
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS BAWDSEY BIRD CLUB ANNUAL ILLUSTRATED TALK Gateway to the Broads: Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Carlton Marshes This year’s public illustrated talk will be given by Alex Jessop and takes place in Sutton Memorial Hall, Old Post Office Lane, Sutton, Nr Woodbridge IP12 3JQ on Saturday, March 24 at 7.30pm. Alex is a development officer with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, based at Carlton Marshes and will give us an insight into the continuing work and successes to date of this imaginative and important project. Alex explains: “Suffolk Wildlife Trust has the chance to buy and restore 384 acres of land for wildlife in the Broads National Park. The land links up three nature reserves that are home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife. In every way, the scale of the opportunity Suffolk Wildlife Trust has now to buy the land flanking our Broadland nature reserve is unprecedented.” Alex’s stunning photographs and amazing enthusiasm for nature conservation will enhance what promises to be an evening not to be missed, so why not join us? Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be available during the interval. Admission is £3, £1.50 for under 18s, and there is ample free parking. For directions and information contact: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422
PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP During January’s meeting of the group the Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds) learnt about the management of trees in the woodland, how they are graded according to their risk to users of the woodland, and what can be done to ensure that vital habitats for wildlife remain while not posing a danger to the tracks through the woods. The trees in the wood are regularly surveyed for any that need attention and after this most recent inspection, it was the job of the Nature Explorers to help with the recommendations of the survey. This involved cutting back branches and felling trees that threatened to fall on the paths. The working party focussed their efforts on widening a narrow section of the old perimeter track that now forms the main path through the woodland, clearing it of mud, fallen leaves, brambles and overhanging branches to allow easier access for cyclists and walkers alike. DATES FOR THE DIARY Volunteer Work Morning Saturday, March 17, 10am-noon Meet at the Education Area Tools, training and light refreshments provided All ages welcome; no need to book
ORWELL FLOWER CLUB We started our spring meetings in January with a return visit from Helen Bird from Marks Tye with her demonstration entitled As the Days Lengthen. This was enjoyed by all who attended. We are looking forward to our next meeting on February 22 when local demonstrator Alan Smith presents Winter Creations, and on March 22 we will be having an Easter workshop tutored by Ann Marjorum. Visitors are welcome to all the meetings mentioned. The club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Our demonstrations start at 7.15pm, but the doors open by 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales table and to buy raffle tickets for the arrangement created in the demonstration. Yearly subscriptions are due at the AGM in April; they are £40 and visitors are always welcome at £5 per meeting. For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com
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.
THE SAPLINGS What is your favourite book? This month our pre-schoolers will enjoy dressing up as a favourite story character as we celebrate World Book Day on March 1. Pre-schoolers will also be celebrating mums (and nans) during our Mum’s Stay & Play week in the week commencing March 12. Our littlest learners will be busy exploring sounds, colours, textures and planting in our baby room, The Seedlings. Our Easter Afternnon Tea will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 1-3pm at The Saplings. Please join us for a fun afternoon of Easter craft activities, games and our popular Easter egg tombola.
Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds) Saturday, March 17, 9-11am Please book a place via our email below
We are now taking bookings for our Easter Holiday Club (April 3-13), where our holiday clubbers can enjoy Easter-themed cooking, crafting activities and more!
Nature Watch Club (5-11 year olds) 2018 dates to be confirmed
The Saplings is open Monday-Friday from 7.30am-6pm for children ages three months to 11 years. We currently have limited spaces available in the babyroom and pre-school. We offer a baby room (three months-two years), pre-school (two-five years), breakfast club, after school club and holiday club sessions (ages two-11) and a walking bus to Birchwood Primary School. For more information, please contact our friendly team of dedicated and experienced staff – 01473 614753 / news@thesaplings.org.uk – or visit: www.thesaplings.org.uk
New volunteers of all ages and abilities are always welcome. No experience needed. For further information, please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@ gmail.com / 01473 612632, visit www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net or join our members’ Facebook group by messaging Duncan Sweeting. Nature Explorer and Young Volunteer George Pennick
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SCHOOLS / SPORT BRIGHT STARS FUN ACTIVITY SESSIONS
MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS Wow, what an exciting start to the year! At Martlesham we have been exploring and learning about the local community, creating cards, letters and parcels to post in our post box, shopping with real food and making tasty soup. We have had a special visit where the children were able to learn about and try out brass instruments. Later this month we shall be getting bouncy with our sponsored bounce! We are focused on making sure your children get the best start in life educationally as well as developing those all important social skills that create and drive future success. As a team we continue to broaden experiences and value the input of family, friends and our committee members. We are positive that the future will bring further growth to the playschool and to your children, so please come along to our open mornings at Martlesham on Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 22, both 9.30-11.30am, to have a look around. We will have craft activities for the children and cake decorating. You will have the opportunity to meet our dedicated staff who will be on hand to answer any questions. Please come and join us, light refreshments available. This month Kesgrave Playschool has seen opportunities for observing the change in season. We have looked closely at plants and flowers starting to grow, we have explored the local woodlands and listened to the sounds around us. Within the playschool garden our bulbs planted last autumn have sprung into life and we have looked closely at the different parts of daffodils and crocus, creating some lovely pictures. This has led to looking at how the children grow and the differences between us all, comparing baby photographs to what we look like now, creating self-portraits and portraits of each other. Towards the end of the month the children will be taking part in a sponsored Easter Welly Walk and hunting for Peppa Pig and friends. We would like to welcome parents and children looking for a playschool place to our open day at Kesgrave on Tuesday, March 20, 10-11.30am. Pop along and see what fun we get up to. We have a few very limited spaces available at both Kesgrave and Martlesham Playschools; join us at our open days or contact us for a chat about how we can offer 15 or 30 hours funded childcare over both settings, with year round spaces at Martlesham. 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 Facebook: Martlesham and Kesgrave Playschools
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. 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 March 12 and 26. If you would like further information please contact: Sonya & Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL This month we are very proud to report that we hosted the first ever open indoor volleyball tournament for junior girls to be held in Suffolk, which attracted two teams from as far away as Cambridge. The tournament is the idea of our junior coach Joao-Paulo Santos, having the goal to develop and raise the standard of girls’ volleyball by providing a competition open to clubs throughout East Anglia. We intend to repeat the tournament each month of the indoor season, and we have already received additional interest in the next month’s tournament from clubs in Norwich, Tendring and Boswells School in Essex. Our own girls section started about a year ago. The girls have applied themselves very well in training and as a result they have grown in ability and number. As a result we were able to enter three of our own teams in the foura-side tournament which the girls named Ravens, Eagles and Panthers. The highlight of the event for us was an excellent win by the Eagles in the pool phase against an experienced Cambridge B team, helping them to overall first place in the round robin. Eagles were placed first due to having a better record in the games between the teams tied on three wins. The top three teams then went on to play in a final group, where the Cambridge teams had their revenge and the Eagles finished overall third. A very satisfactory outcome to an enjoyable tournament and the girls can’t wait for next month’s episode! So for once the adults took second stage, as we entered two teams as usual in the monthly six-a-side tournament held at Northgate School. In Division 1 our men’s team won both of our initial pool games against Stowmarket II and Ipswich II, putting us through to the final group where we lost to Ipswich I and the very strong Lakenheath to finish third overall. Meanwhile our ladies team showed how much it has improved recently, along with the help of new players we have attracted in recent months. We achieved our best ever result in Division 2, finishing top of our initial pool phase with wins against Bury Juniors, Seagulls and Fil-Suffolk Smashers. We therefore qualified for the final playoff, where we were beaten into overall second place by the mixed m/f team Diss Asters. 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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SCHOOLS / SPORT HEDGEHOG NURSERY AT GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
KESGRAVE, NORTHGATE & ASSOCIATED KARATE CLUBS
We would like to say a huge thank you to our families from other cultures who supported our learning recently, which included Polish, French, Pakistani and Chinese cultures. The children tasted delicious foods, made models using recycled materials, heard stories in different languages, located places on maps and we even had some mums come in to talk to us about their cultures and share photographs with us. Traditional Stories is our current topic and we will be encouraging children to learn different tales and act them out. We will also be taking part in World Book Day celebrations where children can share their favourite stories from home. 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
MARTLESHAM OUTDOOR BOWLS Another season will soon be upon us with our Opening Drive taking place on April 21. The green is in very good condition thanks to the dedicated team of members who have worked throughout the year to get it ready. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us! Work has gone on over the winter months to install our own electricity supply to the clubhouse and renew the pipes supplying the water. We have only been able to do this with the support of Councillor Chris Blundell with grants from his Enabling Communities Budget, from Suffolk Coastal’s Exemplar Grant and from Councillor Patricia O’Brien from Suffolk County Council. The electricity is up and running, but there is a slight delay with the completion of the water supply as we are still waiting on the water board to chlorinate the pipe before completion can take place. We are an active club playing in four different leagues as well as playing friendly matches with other clubs. We have rollups and social bowling during the week and on a Saturday, where there is opportunity to get to know other members in a friendly, relaxed setting, learn the game and practise bowling skills. For those who are not sure where the bowls club is, we are situated in the Recreation Ground which is located in The Street, Martlesham. The address and a map can be found at: www.martleshambowlsclub.com We welcome new members with or without experience of bowls so if you are interested, information can be found on our website or you can contact the secretary: 01473 622598 / mary.drake@talktalk.net
DEBEN YACHT CLUB January saw quite a few members out on a lovely walk from Framlingham which ended with some very good food and drink at The Crown. We also had Nick Mason from Suffolk Wildlife Trust hold an interesting talk at the clubhouse about the wildlife on the River Deben. The club was absolutely full, which was great and shows how much people care about this important habitat. In March there are some safety boat refresher sessions to get everyone ready for the season and racing starts on March 18 with the Tune-up Series. Looking a little further ahead to April, the improvers dinghy sailing course starts on April 14 and runs on Saturday or Sunday for four weekends. Straight after that the beginners’ course starts and runs for four Sundays. If you would like to learn to sail, why don’t you sign up? For more information about the courses please contact John Prevett: ryatcprincipal@debenyachtclub.co.uk
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Kesgrave, Northgate and Associated Karate Clubs had their annual presentation evening on January 6, which was, as always, a fantastic night! This is an opportunity for the club to come together and acknowledge the hard work put in by club members. Award winners are listed below. Northgate Student of the Month: Dylan Barnes Most Improved: Lewis Martin Best Beginner: Alayna Flower Northgate Red Dragons Student of the Year: Ava Nurse Most Improved: Miriam Scott Best Beginner: Finn Anderson Hurst Kesgrave – main class Student of the Year: Riagan Huq Most Improved: Eva Palmer Best Beginner: Rhys Hope Kesgrave Red Dragons Student of the Year: Holly Betthell Most Improved: Dalton Gifford Best Beginner: John Said Pair Kata Award: Alana Finch and Sofia Standring Team Kata Awards: Amelia Clow, Sophie Swann and Jessica Etherington Individual Kata Award: Lilly Melton Kumite Competitor of the Year: Georgina Lawson Overall Kumite Competitor of the Year: Ruby Hunt The Northgate & Associated Karate Clubs Outstanding Student of the Year 2017 was Lauren Berry. In January, Tayler Evans and Ruby Hunt competed at the EKF KYU Grade National Championships in Leicester. Both fought really well but no medals this time. The club travelled to the Hamburg Open Karate Championships on February 2 where teams from all over Europe were in attendance. Lauren Berry took home a bronze medal for her performance in individual kata. Well done to all the competitors! There are several competitions coming up in both the UK and in Poland over the next few months so hopefully we will have news of more club achievements in next month’s article. After the huge success of the last one, the club is holding a second race night on Saturday, March 3 at Greshams. All family and friends are welcome. It’s a great way to help support these amazing young athletes and their families with the costs of entering competitions as all the money raised will be going into club funds. If you would like to (or know of anyone that would like to) sponsor a race, please contact admin@northgate-karate.co.uk or Nickie Witmore for more information.
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CHURCH NEWS / ON THE GRAPEVINE
For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes – not that you won or lost – but how you played the Game. Alumnus Football by Grantland Rice I like winning. When I am playing games, I play to win. In some ways I am too competitive, and have to reign in the desire to win. But I can cope if I don’t win. I remember playing family board games as a child and seeing the board upturned, the playing pieces scattered, just because one of my siblings had lost. But the enjoyment of games is not just in the winning – it’s the social aspect, the chat, the strategy and so on – that also make games fun. Grantland Rice in the poem Alumnus Football is talking about life in the context of a game. How we have to keep going when we are not winning. How in the end it is not the winning or losing, but how we played. So how can we live well? How can we end our ‘game’ and say that we played well. Perhaps the words from the Bible from the book of proverbs might be of use. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. (Proverbs 3:5-6). I hope that your games are enjoyable, your life guided well and that God will show you the right way. The Rev Toby Tate – toby@martleshamcofe.org.uk
LITTLE RED DRESSES FOR AFRICA After reading about the charity in Lion magazine, Geoffrey Middup, a member of Felixstowe Lions, has become a ‘gofer’ for Little Red Dresses for Africa (LDFA), an international organisation where people across the world make dresses out of pillowslips for children in Africa. Geoffrey was struck by the simplicity and ingenuity of the programme and is now doing what he can to help and promote the charity locally. Little Dresses for Africa was founded in 2008 by Rachel O’Neill to provide relief to vulnerable children throughout the continent of Africa and beyond. Volunteers join together to make little dresses out of pillowcases or other simple patterns. To date more than eight million garments have been distributed to 84 countries. Garments made locally are sent to the UK ambassador for LDFA, who happens to live in Essex, where they are checked and sent abroad when sufficient funds accrue. They are then delivered directly to the children. Geoffrey, who is in his eighties, says getting involved with the charity has been life changing. He says: “I love seeing the delighted look on the children’s faces when they wear their new clothes. As LDFA says ‘we’re not just sending dresses, we’re sending hope’, so next time you’re thinking of throwing away a pillowslip space a thought for its potential.” There are a number of ways in which you can support LDFA. Start by spreading the word or by passing on the pillowcase pattern. Perhaps you can donate new or gently used pillowcases or sewing materials, or maybe you’d like to start a sewing group making little dresses or britches for boys. For more information, including patterns and sewing information, and to see many, many delighted faces, go to: www.littledressesforafrica.org
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