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with Martlesham Volume 8 • Issue No. 6 • MAY 2018
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’m sitting at my desk with aching limbs after an unexpectedly adventurous morning. At approximately 7.30am I heard by son shout “Oh my God” from the sitting room. I could tell it wasn’t a normal ‘I’ve just spilt my cereal on the sofa’ howl so I ran to him. I found him staring at what can only be described as a flash flood running through the garden. We both ran to the front door and sure enough it was there too, rushing down our neighbour’s drive, into our garage and garden, and a short time later, into my kitchen. I’ve often wondered how I would cope in an emergency situation and now I know. I shout very loudly! “We have an emergency down here,” I roared to Daniel as I grabbed my wellies and coat and went to investigate. When Daniel arrived on the scene I was waist deep in the ditch with a garden hoe, having assumed the culvert where it goes underground was blocked. On further anaylsis we realised the problem lay elsewhere and Daniel set off to find the source. I won’t go into the details here, but while others tried to fix the cause we set about trying to divert the flow away from the house and outbuildings using everything we could lay our hands on. Meanwhile Jack used every towel he could find (even the good ones we keep for guests!) to mop up in the kitchen. It was quite a team effort (practically a ‘meitheal’ as we might say in Ireland) and soon others, including neighbours, joined in and a pump was set up to divert water into the brook. I left them to it at this point (it was deadline day after all) but I’m not sure I want to go home tonight! Just imagine how many towel washes I’ll have to do? And grandma’s garden hoe is still firmly lodged in the ditch! Thank goodness better weather is predicated for next week and summer is on its way. And there’s still plenty of Easter chocolate in the cupboard! Perhaps the one positive I can focus on is the satisfaction of working together with others which I highly recommend. You’ll find many opportunities in the following pages.
NEWS
MARTLESH AM VILLAGE FETE
Saturday, July 14 Welcome to our latest update. In April we concentrated on the administrative side of things. We have been registering participants and confirming all the paperwork is in place for health and safety, insurance and so on. First aid has been arranged with the support of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, which we hope won’t be used if we get the health and safety right! Other aspects considered are dealing with lost children, baby changing, clearing up and waste disposal, toilet facilities and licensing requirements. Not the most interesting of topics, but essential for the smooth and safe running of the fete Make sure you keep the date free in your diary; we look forward to seeing you on the big day. If you wish to contact us as a volunteer helper, a potential participant or for any other reason please email mvfete@gmail.com or leave a message at Martlesham Parish Council: 01473 612632 Alternatively follow the tabs on the Martlesham Parish Council website: http://martlesham.onesuffolk.net/welcome-to-martlesham-parish-council
MARTLESHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Referendum, Thursday, May 24
In Touch
with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham
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The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
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Don’t miss your chance to vote; look out for your official polling cards with details of times and polling stations The Neighbourhood Plan gives Martlesham Parish (excluding Martlesham North) direct power to develop a vision for the neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of the local area. After an extensive period of consultation and outside examination the plan must now be approved by residents through a referendum A copy of the plan is available at: http://martleshamnp.onesuffolk.net A copy of the plan and full supporting documentation is available at: https://tinyurl.com/martnp If you need to see a paper copy please phone Martlesham Parish Council on 01473 612632 or visit The Runway Cafe next to St Michael’s Church.
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NEWS MARTLESHAM HOLIDAY AT HOME 2018 Martlesham Holiday at Home 2018 is taking place from Monday, June 11 to Sunday 17.. 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. Programmes and booking forms are now 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. For more information contact Hazel: 07896 728332
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SUFFOLK RESIDENTS Up to 100% funding is available to install first time central heating systems in Suffolk residents’ homes. This funding from National Grid’s Warm Homes Fund has been secured by Suffolk County Council and the district and borough councils to help more than 500 households in Suffolk over the next three years.
MARTLESHAM HEATH CONTROL TOWER MUSEUM Now open every Sunday afternoon from 2-5pm until October 28. Learn the story of this fascinating airfield from 1917 to 1963. Free entry – donations appreciated. Free parking. The museum is located at the rear of Parkers Place, off Eagle Way, Martlesham Heath IP5 3UZ. Special openings for school and club groups available by arrangement. For more information phone Ian (01473 611665) or Howard (01473 274300) or email: control.tower@mhas.org.uk
FREE TENNIS AT KESGRAVE TENNIS CLUB Did you know Kesgrave Tennis Club has some of the best tennis facilities in the county? The club is running numerous courses over the coming months and some of these are free to join. We have new courses starting soon for youth ages 13 to 18 years. We also have cardio sessions for girls which are proving popular.
In Suffolk there are still a large number of houses that do not have a central heating system with a boiler and radiators. Not only are cold homes are not just uncomfortable to live in, but they can also have a negative effect on health.
Kesgrave runs a full weekly coaching and social tennis programme for players of all abilities from five years through to adult improvers.
Residents are eligible if they own their property or are privately renting (i.e. not a council house or housing association property) and must not have an existing central heating system (a boiler and radiators). Eligibility criteria apply and may be linked to income. For more information see: www.greensuffolk.org/whf
If you would like to attend a club night for free just come along; play is usually from 7-10pm.
To find out more call the Suffolk Warm Homes Healthy People service on 03456 037686 (local rate), complete the online enquiry form at www.greensuffolk.org/seaenquiry or email sea@eastsuffolk.gov.uk quoting the ‘Warm Homes Fund’.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK, MAY 13-19 So many people have to live out their lives in terrible conditions that we only see in the news from the comfort of our sofa. Christian Aid Week is seven amazing days of fundraising, prayer and action against global poverty. This year the week is focussing on the wonderful work of Christian Aid’s partners in Haiti who’ve been rebuilding homes there ever since many were destroyed in the terrible hurricanes of 2010. These disasterresistant homes have saved many lives since then, and now you can help them to build even more, helping them to weather the storms. You can find more information at: www.christianaid.org.uk/christian-aid-week When you receive your red envelope through your door and a volunteer calls to collect, please consider making a donation. If you are a taxpayer, filling in the Gift Aid slip will make your donation worth 25p in the pound more at no cost to you. Poverty is a scandal in the world of today, and those living in areas affected by natural disaster need all the support we can give. Please help during this Christian Aid Week. Thank you.
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Our Wednesday club night sees adult players of all abilities having both competitive and social matches against each other.
For more details of club membership visit the website or call Martin, our coach, on 07702 559412 with any questions. Our courts and clubhouse are behind the library and Tesco; we are tucked out of the way so do come and find us. We guarantee you will be impressed with the tennis facilities on your doorstep! www.kesgravetennisclub.org.uk
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
CLACTON RAILWAY CLUB MIDGE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY Tuesday, May 17, 2-5pm – Music by Rave On!
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NEWS JOHN KELSO’S DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT
MASQUERADE CHARITY BALL IN AID OF THE BLOSSOM APPEAL
MARTLESHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REFERENDUM DATE: MAY 24
The Ipswich Hospital Charity is excited to announce the Masquerade Charity Ball at The Venue at Kersey Mill on Friday, June 22 at 7pm in aid of The Blossom Appeal.
I have only one but very important issue to raise this month and it relates to the Martlesham Neighbourhood Plan. Thursday, May 24 is referendum day, when every elector in the Neighbourhood Plan area will have the opportunity to vote on this important issue. Please enter this date on your calendars or in your diaries. Voting will be taking place at the usual locations except for those living in the MA ward (old Martlesham). Unfortunately the building near the school in Blacktiles Lane is unavailable, so your polling station will be located at Martlesham Parish Council Room located on Felixstowe Road. The Neighbourhood Plan document and additional information is available to view at http://martleshamnp/onesuffolk.net or at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk. A hard copy will be available to view at Martlesham Parish Council office by prior arrangement; please contact 01473 612632. Polling cards should have, or, soon will be delivered to those eligible to vote. Please spare the time to cast your vote on Thursday, May 24. If you wish to discuss this or any other district council matter please contact me at: john.kelso@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk / 01473 631682
NORLAND NANNIES FOR FIDO! Animal legislation has been getting an overhaul and new regulations governing animal businesses will be enforced in 2018. Suffolk’s own Candace Rose, MD and founder for the Canine Creche Group, says: “It has been a long time coming. The new legislation for day care facilities will cover rules such as dog to staff ratios, as well as different areas for dogs based on age, size and energy levels. Enrichment activities are highly focused on and businesses can strive to attain higher standards and be rewarded for doing so.” Based near the Red Lion, Suffolk Canine Creche’s ethos has always been to deliver award winning service and standards and with 28 members of staff, their dog to staff ratio is enviable. The whole facility has CCTV which can be viewed by site visitors. Rose commented: “I have always tried to deliver a transparent service, one where owners can see exactly where their dogs are and the heightened levels of kind and gentle care they receive. This reinforces trust, turning a once draconian service into a 21st century facility which is visible to all.” What next for this exciting Suffolk based brand? “We have spent 18 months researching and developing Nana Creche, our in-home care services for dogs which includes dog walking, post-operative care and companion visits for our golden oldies. We have analysed where we feel service provision is lacking in this sector and given it a complete overhaul. We intend to deliver an elite service with our nanas setting the standard for excellence.”
This glamorous evening will include a night of live entertainment with a drinks reception and a three course meal with wine in a beautiful location. JS and The Lockerbillies, who have previously played at Glastonbury, will be our band for the night so get your dancing shoes on and get ready to rock ‘n’ roll! All money raised will go towards The Ipswich Hospital Charity, supporting The Blossom Appeal. Help us build a new £2.5million Breast Care Centre at Ipswich Hospital where every breast care patient can have the best possible experience when they come to hospital. The new centre will bring all elements of breast care at The 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. Your support can help patients like Jo: “There is a lot of getting up and down and walking to and from for imaging and treatment, and it’s a very impersonal space.” Former breast cancer patient Jo Whitelaw remembers the experience of visiting the hospital all too well, but the now 55-year-old also remembers the amazing care she received. She said: “The hospital was my security blanket. I got all the support and reassurance I could’ve asked for from the team. They were always there when I needed them.” Jo, from Great Blakenham, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 after discovering a lump in her breast. Initially she thought it was benign as she’d had others removed in the past, but it did turn out to be cancerous. When the lump was removed cancer cells were still found so Jo went on to have her breast removed and gruelling chemotherapy and drug treatment to fight the disease. She said: “It’s a very open and impersonal space. I remember when I first went to hospital I sat there and looked at all the people in the waiting room and felt very alone. The new centre could be more personal, but then there would be opportunities and spaces to talk if people wanted to.” Jo, married with two children, four grandchildren (and another on the way) has now been clear of cancer for five years. While the hospital team were Jo’s security blanket, she turned to the animals in her yard to relax. A keeper of horses, sheep and chickens, Jo credits them with helping her relax both during and since her cancer. Help us build a new Breast Centre at Ipswich Hospital while enjoying a glamorous night. To purchase tickets (£50) please visit www.ipswichhospitalcharity.co.uk or contact: 01473 702929 / charity@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk
With GPS tracking for walks, staff with DBS clearance fully trained and qualified in advanced first aid, every possible eventuality has been explored. The name came from the Peter Pan film, where ‘Nana’ was a loveable St Bernard who cared for the Darling children.
DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000
Nana Creche launches in May 2018 – think ‘Norland Nannies’ but simply for dogs. For more details call the Nana Creche team on: 01473 636151
email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com
To find out more visit: www.suffolkcaninecreche.co.uk
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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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Life | Land | Business
Whatever life brings we’re always here for you For your life, land and business, Barker Gotelee is here to help. Our friendly, local solicitors are on hand to advise you on a host of legal matters, including buying and selling property, family breakdown, making a will or developing your business. 41 Barrack Sq, Martlesham, Ipswich IP5 3RF Free parking
Visit barkergotelee.co.uk or call 01473 611211
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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL Martlesham Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Referendum Please vote on Thursday, May 24 We now have a referendum version of the Neighbourhood Plan. The plan has been prepared by volunteers in our community, following much consultation and an independent examination, to set out the community’s wishes for the parish of Martlesham up to 2031. We cannot thank the volunteers enough for all the hard work they have put into this. Please support them by voting on May 24. If approved by the electorate of Martlesham, the plan becomes part of the legal framework for determining planning applications in our NP area. The NP area covers the whole of Martlesham parish excluding Martlesham North ward, as parishioners expressed a wish to be part of the Woodbridge NP area so they will not be able to vote, and the land covered by the Adastral Park development, excluded by Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC). The referendum question will be as follows: “Do you want Suffolk Coastal District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Martlesham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” A positive vote at referendum is achieved if 50 per cent plus one of people voting, vote YES to the question above. Everyone will receive polling cards as in a normal election. The polling stations approved by SCDC are: • Kesgrave Roman Catholic Church, Main Road, Kesgrave IP5 2QP for Martlesham West ward voters • Martlesham Heath Pavilion, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3UY for Martlesham Heath voters • Martlesham Parish Council Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB for ‘old’ Martlesham voters (please note that this is a change to the Black Tiles Learning Centre which is no longer available).
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. Money to Play With – What Do You Want? Thank you to everyone who responded to this consultation for sports facilities in Martlesham. At the time of writing up to 200 responses and comments are being analysed and collated by SCDC so that the next steps can be decided. Early indications are that the trim trail has proved most popular. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Wednesday, May 2: Annual Parish Council Meeting Wednesday, May 9: Recreation & Amenities Committee Wednesday, May 23: Finance & General Purposes Committee Wednesday, June 6: Parish Council All meetings start at 7.30pm in the Parish Room on Felixstowe Road and are open to the public who are welcome to ask questions or make comments to the council during the adjournment. Contacting the council Clerk to Martlesham Parish Council, Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham, Woodbridge IP12 4PB / 01473 612632 / clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk For latest news and events visit: www.martlesham.onesuffolk.net Parish Office opening times: 9am-noon, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, but please book an appointment in advance.
If you cannot get out to vote, please request a postal vote. SCDC has advised us that electors are welcome to download their own forms from the Your Vote Matters website via the following link: www.yourvotematters.co.uk/ how-do-i-vote/voting-by-post Forms would need to be returned by May 9 to East Suffolk House, Riduna Park, Station Road Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1RT. Otherwise you can email elections.scdc@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or ring 01394 444422 to request a form through the post. 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
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ANNUAL PARISH SPRING CLEAN/LITTER PICK Saturday, May 12 Please meet at 10am in the Parish Room, Felixstowe Road. We normally clear litter until noon, but feel free to join in for as long or as little as you can. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Refreshments and equipment provided. All ages welcome.
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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH COUNTRY MARKET What’s real craft? It’s where you can trust the people behind the table are those who’ve actually made the lovely things on it. They are local, genuine, skilled, talented artists, painters, knitters, craftspeople, makers and bakers. They sew bags and bunting, do quilting and crochet-work, make peg bags like your gran used to have, knit children’s jumpers like your auntie used to knit. Carol makes one-off sun hats and scarves. Helen is our bead queen, making key-rings, pretty necklaces and delightful decorative coasters with tiny glass beads. William can turn wood, literally, into useful bowls, dibbers and musttouch wooden fruit, bee homes and other charming and unique items. Sarah is a talented artist who has her paintings of local scenes, dogs, horses, wildlife, cars and people made into cards that you won’t find anywhere else. We don’t sell mass-produced stuff imported from China; it’s all our own work. That’s why you can expect to find unique, one-off, hand-made things, from a perfectly suited gift for a friend or a treat for yourself. Support your local crafters and pop into Martlesham Heath Country Market on a Tuesday from 9-11.15, or the third Saturday of each month from 9am12.30pm at The Scout H/Q Kesgrave.
Martlesham Brass Making music fun in East Anglia Our next concert is on Saturday, May 19 at 7pm in St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL, when we are delighted to welcome Paul Duffy, former principal soprano cornet player with the Black Dyke Band. Tickets are £3.50 from 2nd Stop Kesgrave, 07544 962205 or www.martleshambrass.co.uk. Martlesham Brass would like to thank John Kelso for his recent donation from his Enabling Communities Budget towards the cost of two new cornets. 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
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, May 11: Resolutions and Bag Beetle Friday, June 8: Memories of a Career in Teaching by Ted Wheatley For more information contact Sue (414746) or Cynthia (726068).
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HARD OF HEARING GROUP An independent social group for people with any type of hearing loss. Partners and hearing dogs welcome. Our group meets from 10.30am to noon on the first Thursday of the month at Martlesham Pavilion. We charge £4 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 severe 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? For more information please contact Steph Moon: 07741 310480 / steph.moon@hhas.org.uk
MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Friday, May 4: Annual Society Meeting A review of the past successful year which included major participation in the Martlesham Heath Airfield and Village Centenary Celebrations, large audiences at our meetings and record-breaking visitor numbers at the Control Tower Museum. We then look forward to the future. Meeting to be followed by vintage society film clips, some going back many years. 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
IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET Ipswich Country Market is part of a wider network of about 300 Country Markets across England, Wales and the Channel Islands which have been selling homemade baked goods, preserves, garden-grown fruit and vegetables, plants and handmade crafts for more than 90 years! Our producers pride themselves on keeping traditional home cooking, home growing and hand crafted items alive and this month we are 34 years young! You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page – Ipswich Country Market – or our website: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk Country Markets also have a national website at: 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 a warm welcome and home baked refreshments too. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit so come and see what you’ve been missing! PLEASE NOTE: There is no market on Thursday, May 31 as we will be at the Suffolk Show with other markets from East Suffolk. Do come and say hello if you are there! We will be near the WI tent, close to the Foxhall Road entrance. You can buy our baking, preserves and crafts and we will happily hold your items so that you don’t have to carry them around the show all day.
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AKENHAM CARPENTRY & JOINERY Fitted kitchens, bedrooms, offices, windows, doors, staircases etc in any timber • Kitchen fitting service available on your own units • All interior and exterior carpentry • Competitive rates
NO VAT
Mobile: 07790 370030 Email: dalewatts@btinternet.com
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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY NEWS Sunday Crafts (10am-noon): The following craft activities will take place during May. • Sunday 6: It was Star Wars Day on Friday, May 4. Why not pop along and make a 3D Darth Vader with light saber? • Sunday 13: It’s the Royal Wedding on Saturday, May 19. Create your own crown to wear during the ceremony. • Sunday 20: Have you read Norman the Slug with a Silly Shell? Design a silly shell for your own slug collage. • Sunday 27: It’s spring and the bumble bees are buzzing around all the flowers in your garden. Make a bumble bee hat to wear as you fly home. 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 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 • BabyBounce: songs and rhymes for babies, 10.30-11am 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 MAY 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 (May 1 Dinosaurs; May 8 Vehicles; May 15 Farms; May 22 Houses). What will you design? Parents must stay with under eights. Wednesdays, May 2 and 16: 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, May 3: Afternoon Book Group 2.45pm; currently reading Perfect by Cecelia Ahern. Thursday, May 24: Evening Book Group 7pm; currently reading Found You by Lisa Jewell. If you are interested in joining any of the groups, please ring or speak to a member of staff. Kesgrave Library Community Group AGM: Wednesday, May 9, 7pm If you are interested in joining the group or would like to be a friend to the library, why not pop along to our AGM and find out all about the group and what it has achieved in the last year? Everyone is welcome. 100 Club: Our community group’s 100 Club is now starting its second year. For just £1 per month, you could enter and have a chance of winning a cash prize, plus knowing you are supporting your local library. 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 May. Please phone up or speak to a member of staff about booking one of our half-hour slots. Maggie Lusher, Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave Tel: 01473 626103
FRENCH ‘BAL’ WITH BOF AT DANCE FOLKUS There is an adventurous twist to the next regular monthly dance organised by Dance Folkus at Woodbridge Community Hall on Friday, May 4 starting at 7.30pm. Instead of featuring English folk/barn dancing we will be organising a French ‘Bal’. It’s a chance for all participants to try dances such as a Bourrée, Mazurka, Polka from Central France or a Gavotte or Rond de Saint Vincent from Brittany. All are welcome, from novices upwards. Our guest band is the well-known local French dance specialists, Bof! This four-piece band plays hurdy-gurdy, diatonic accordion, French bagpipes, guitar, bass, flute, saxophone and recorder. They produce a great sound with lots of variety in their performance. The unusual hurdy-gurdy and French bagpipes alone are worth listening to even if you can’t dance. So, why not bring your own drinks and relax with those French tunes and dances in the background? Our song spot is taken by father and son duo Chris and Tom King. They both play the guitar and have played and sung at local folk clubs and festivals. Recently they have performed as solo artistes, so it’s great to see them playing together at this special evening. Discounted tickets can be booked by emailing Dancefolkus@aol.com (no payment in advance) or you can simply come along on the night (£7). Students or children are less than half price. If you need further information give Rob a call on: 01473 610951
NEW SEASON OF GUIDED WALKS The new season of guided walks led by Ipswich Tourist Guides and highlighting over 1,500 years of the town’s long and important history recommence this month. Walks take place every Tuesday and Thursday from May to the end of September, commencing at the Tourist Information Centre, St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Lane at 2.15pm. Each walk lasts for approximately 90 minutes and will cover a variety of themes including architecture (Ipswich has over 600 listed buildings), medieval churches and priories, the waterfront and the town’s important maritime history, plus famous people connected with the town including the artist Thomas Gainsborough, Admiral Lord Nelson, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Wolsey. As well as Tuesdays and Thursdays there are some evening and weekend walks. There is no need to book on regular public walks and the cost is just £4 per person. The first walk of the season on Tuesday, May 1 is entitled An Ipswich Almanac and will explore some of the key (and some quirky!) events and happenings that have taken place through Ipswich’s history – from the granting of a Royal Charter to the opening of the new town hall, and from the introduction of rudimentary Tudor street lighting to the excitement caused by some determined suffragettes.
www.suffolklibraries.co.uk
A free leaflet with full details of all guided walks for 2018 is available from the Tourist Information Centre.
NORMAL 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
If you can’t make the regular public walks, or if you would like a private tour for your own club, society or group of friends, you can arrange this for a time to suit you. Contact Ipswich Tourist Information Centre (01473 258070 / tourist@ipswich.gov.uk) for details.
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OUT & ABOUT IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN
MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY
We at U3A in East Suffolk are at that time of year yet again when changes are afoot and plans are being made for the 2018-19 handbook and campus programmes for the next 12 months. Although there doesn’t seem to be much news at present, I can assure you the committee are beavering away behind scenes to ensure plenty of action coming your way. To whet your appetite, talks on subjects as varied as Colchester Zoo, Kingdom Isambard Brunel and helicopter flying could be advertised before too long. Details will of course eventually be in the new handbook and on our website. If you don’t have internet access our secretary can answer any questions you may have by telephoning 03001 233913.
Monday, June 11: Behind the Counter – Ipswich Shops in their Heyday by Roger Kennell
FORTHCOMING CAMPUS TALKS Thursday, May 10, 2pm at Saxmundham Market Hall IP17 1AF: Music Hall Memories by Bryan Thurlow – a pocket history of the Music Hall with songs and monologues. Refreshments follow.
DEBEN ROTARY NEWS
Monday, May 21, 2pm at Kesgrave Community Centre IP5 1JF: It’s a Grave Business by Peter Driver – a look at the history and development of tombs, gravestones and church memorials. Refreshments follow. Monday, June 11: U3A Annual General Meeting at Kesgrave Community Centre Friday, June 15, 10.30am at Woodbridge Community Hall IP12 4AU: Whatever Happened to the Magna Carter? by Martyn Hargraves – why was it agreed and what relevance does it have in today’s world? Refreshments available from 10am. 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
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on May 15 when Peter Lawrence will be speaking on the stately homes of England. For several hundreds of years these homes have become a central feature of cultural life in England. Peter will be looking at some of these homes and show how individually they reflect the wealth and power of their owners.
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.
Members of the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben were pleased to be able to assist Transition Woodbridge with their recent spring clean litter pick. The club looks forward to continuing to assist Transition with their projects. A reminder to all that the Memory Cafe, run in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Woodbridge and Inner Wheel, takes place at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of every month from 10.30 to noon. The cafe is open to people living with dementia and their carers. It is free to attend and hot drinks and homemade cakes are provided. In March we were entertained by the Kesgrave Singers and in April the ukulele band What No Cake will be performing. If you would like more information about the Memory Cafe or about the activities of Rotary in general please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Wednesday, May 2: Image and History: Art at the Landsdowne Club, stories of intrigue and passion by Pamela Campbell-Johnston Why not join us and enjoy good company and an interesting talk? 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.
The May meeting is the last before our summer break. We meet again on September 18 when Andrew Wiltshire will be looking at the secret code used by Beatrix Potter to record her secret thoughts and observations, and the work carried out by one man to find the key to this code.
For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
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.
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.
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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CRAFTERS UNLIMITED
This month we meet on Thursday, May 24 when Emma will lead an activity. There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members. New members are always welcome. For more details contact Emma: 01787 373850
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OUT & ABOUT SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, May 24, at 7.15pm: Following our brief Annual Group Meeting, Suffolk based professional archive researcher and genealogist Vivienne Aldous will present Interpreting Parish Records. Genealogists tend to take parish registers for granted as valuable sources of information for finding our ancestors. Do we always get the most out of them? Do they always tell the truth? Why were they actually made at all? Why did the format change at particular times, and how can this help family history research? This talk shows how a deeper knowledge of parish registers can add context, understanding (and sometimes extra information) to the bare bones of the entries of baptisms, marriages and deaths of our ancestors, helping us discover richer family histories. A reminder that not all the answers are on the Internet! 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 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk
WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB In March several Lions joined the Great British Spring Clean and collected rubbish along the A12. This month we will join with other clubs to help out at Woodbridge Horse Show on May 7 and the Woodbridge Shufflers road race on May 20. On Saturday, May 19 we will be holding another Art Show and Sale at the Salvation Hall just off the Thoroughfare. We will have a huge selection of excellent paintings by local artists to view or buy at very reasonable prices. Entry is free with tea, coffee and cakes available, so come along and have a look.
Woodbridge Farmers’ Market is now a CIC We have some exciting news! Since April 6 Woodbridge Farmers’ Market is being run as a social enterprise. We are now registered at Companies House as a Community Interest Company (CIC). The market will continue to run at Woodbridge Community Hall on two Saturday mornings per month, generally the second and fourth Saturdays, as it has done since 1999. We attract stallholders from within a 30-mile radius of Woodbridge and all have grown, baked, reared, preserved, roasted or made the produce they are selling or are closely associated with the people who do. This gives the market a specific, and we would say special, identity. We currently have between 11 and 17 regular stallholders at every market as well as a very friendly cafe where people can buy brunch, chat to others or read the paper. Registering as a CIC gives the market legal status and also means that our charitable aims have been officially recognised. We provide an alternative to out-of-town supermarkets, we champion locally produced food, our stalls are genuinely affordable and we offer stalls to people who may otherwise be excluded from doing so. I’ve been running the market for two years now and am delighted that in that time it has survived and grown stronger. I have now been joined by Emma Greenhouse who will be running the market with me from now on. Together we intend to attract more customers and stallholders and make the market more resilient. We’ll keep you updated on progress! To join our mailing list and receive email updates before each market, please contact: woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com Cordelia Richman
MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB
As with all the money we raise during the year, the large majority is spent on needy causes in Woodbridge and surrounding areas. All donations are discussed and voted on at our monthly meetings.
There are two meetings planned for May. On May 10 David Empson will give a talk entitled What did Grandma and Grandpa do in the Great War?, and on May 24 Frances Sparrow will tell us about the Black Death.
We are starting to prepare for the Big Duck Dive which takes place at the end of Regatta Day on Sunday, June 17. We will be out and about before then selling ducks so that at the end of Regatta Day three people will go away with lovely prizes.
Looking ahead to next month, Tina Oldfield will give a talk entitled Why Did Four Old People Trek to Everest? on June 7.
On the social front, we have just had a fantastic trip around the new waste disposal plant at Great Blackenham. Our next visit is to Seizewell and then in June we will have our hand-over lunch when the new president will be installed.
Our annual coffee morning is provisionally planned for Saturday, June 16 to raise money for Global Development Delay. There will be coffee and cakes, a raffle, tombola and the usual stalls. Fingers crossed for a sunny morning! All ladies are very welcome to attend our meetings. They are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Richards Room. To find out more contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768
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
Wildlife Survey of Flora and Fauna It’s now spring and a good time to visit Martlesham Common Local Nature Reserve and see what birds and other flora and fauna are there. Spring visitors such as nightingales, chiffchaff or willow warblers should be about, as well as resident species being more visible and singing. The many wild flowers and other plants will also be growing and hopefully some will be flowering and there may be an early butterfly to see. Whatever you see on the common we would be interested to know as part of the ongoing survey; 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 now designated as a Local Nature Reserve as well 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. Bulb Planting We hope that you enjoyed the splendid display of daffodils throughout the parish; these have all been planted over the years by Martlesham in Bloom and other volunteers. This last winter we planted containers of bulbs that have provided colourful displays in The Square and in front of the community hall. If you would like to help in any way or for further information please contact our secretary, J Maureen Burrows: martleshaminbloom@gmail.com / 01473 625196
PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP
By D Sweeting
MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM
A small bunch of hardy volunteers ventured out in mid-March into the snow and cold of the ‘Mini-beast from the East’ to clear a tree that had been felled following storm damage earlier in the year. The branches were cut into posts that will be used for dead-hedging planned for elsewhere in the woods.
Our AGM was held on Monday, April 9 when the existing committee members were all re-elected. Well done to the worthy winner of the Nature Explorers Award, Sam Cork, in recognition of his contribution to conservation in the Parish of Martlesham. Sam was presented with The Powling Cup to hold temporarily, and also received an engraved glass plaque, certificate and wildlife book all to keep. The meeting was rounded off with a very interesting talk about the bats of Suffolk by Duncan Sweeting. At last, the weather is finally warming up and spring flowers such as daffodils, violets and primroses are flowering, along with tree blossom to add colour to the recent mainly monochrome woodland landscape. We hope you can visit to enjoy the woods at this delightful time of the year. DATES FOR THE DIARY Volunteer Work Morning (all ages): Saturday, May 19, 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, May 19, 9-11am Please book a place via our email below. New volunteers of all ages and abilities are always welcome. No experience needed. For further information, please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@ gmail.com, phone 01473 612632, visit pwcg.onesuffolk.net or join our members’ Facebook group by messaging Duncan Sweeting. Chairman Stephen Corley
21st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday, May 10, 7.30pm The Parish Room, Felixstowe Road IP12 4PB Hear about our achievements so far and our plans for the coming year. We will present the results of the Martlesham Common Wildlife Survey so far and discuss how you can get involved. Everybody is welcome. The Parish Room is fully accessible and there is adjacent free parking.
WOOLLY WONDERS A recent report in the The Telegraph stated: “Prescribing knitting could save the NHS millions of pounds, a new report suggests, because it can lower blood pressure, reduce depression and slow the onset of dementia.” seen recently in Why not give it a go? You can find us every Thursday at The Runway Café next to St Michael’s Church from 10amnoon. You don’t have to come regularly, but whenever you do you’ll find a friendly welcome and a fine cup of coffee or tea. “As a skilled and creative occupation, knitting has a therapeutic potential. There is an enormous amount of research showing that knitting has physical and mental health benefits.”
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INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE Having had to cancel our March meeting due to snow, we were glad to get together again in April when we enjoyed a most informative talk by Martin Tickler on wildlife conservation, in particular the brown hare. Brown hares were brought here by the Romans to be hunted for sport. With the introduction of pesticides and changing farming practices leading to a loss of diversity, hare numbers declined. Research was undertaken by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, tracking and spotting hares, which found they were present in greater numbers on farms which grew a variety of crops. The policy of set-aside, or leaving some land fallow, was good for wildlife, but when this was stopped other ways needed to be found to conserve the wildlife. The trust introduced the idea of leaving field margins uncultivated to preserve the natural habitats. Wildlife conservation is an important and ongoing issue which the trust continues to research and promote. In March we held our annual quiz night which was well attended and very successful, raising in excess of £900 for the Woolverstone Project, our president’s chosen charity. The Woolverstone Project provides sailing opportunities and tuition for those with disabilities with sailing throughout the year at Alton Water and during the summer months at Woolverstone on the River Orwell. Volunteers are on hand to take the sailors out on the water, help the sailors in and out of the dinghies and to provide refreshments during the sessions. The Woolverstone Project has been providing sailing opportunities for 20 years and with the help of our volunteers and sponsors we continue to run these sessions. For more about Inner Wheel, visit: www.woodbridgeinnerwheel.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS DEBEN FLOWER CLUB Our May meeting welcomes a very talented demonstrator, Gill Mc Gregor from Waltham Cross Herts. Gill has written several books on the use of plant material and is an exciting demonstrator. The title of her demonstration is Floral Fantasy. The meeting takes place in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU on Tuesday, May 8 at 7.30pm. Visitors (£4) are always assured of a warm welcome so why not join us for a fun and entertaining evening with this wellknown demonstrator? The beautiful floral designs will be raffled at the end of the evening and coffee and biscuits will be served.
DON’T FORGET OUR QUIZ NIGHT Deben Flower Club will be holding another one of their now very popular quiz nights on Saturday, May 12 in Kirton Church Hall, 7 for 7.30pm. Once again this will be a light-hearted fun evening and will include a ploughman’s supper. Why not join in the fun and bring along a team of six? If you don’t have six people for your team you may be asked to share a table with other club members. Tickets must be purchased in advance (£8 each including supper). Please bring your own drinks and glasses. For further information and tickets contact: 01394 411422 / wa@sandlings.co.uk
ORWELL FLOWER CLUB For our meeting on March 22 we held an Easter workshop tutored by Ann Marjorum. This was instead of a demonstrator and was very successful. The April meeting will be our Annual General Meeting, followed by an illustrated talk on Buckingham Palace by David Morton from Norfolk. Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month (except in August and December) at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Demonstrations start at 7.15pm, but the doors are opened by 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales tables and buy raffle tickets for the arrangements created in the demonstrations.
MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS Kesgrave Playschool We can’t believe that we’re well into the summer term already! School places have been allocated so we will be supporting our older children in their transition to their various schools this term, enjoying classroom role play and providing school uniform for dressing up. We will also encourage lots of selfhelp with dressing, putting on coats and shoes and PE sessions. As if that wasn’t enough, the children will be hands on in the garden, planting fruits/vegetables and observing the changes in our pond to the frog spawn. This will lead on to our next topic of life cycles of frogs and butterflies. If you are looking for a playschool setting on Grange Farm with an outlook onto fields and woodlands, please get in touch or pop in and take a look. We are at the Millennium Jubilee Hall. Call us on 07746 907060 or see us on Facebook and find out our opening times and session availability for 15 or 30 hours funded childcare as well as non-funded sessions. We have spaces for two year olds who meet the eligibility criteria for funded sessions from September. Martlesham Playschool We were busy at the end of last term as the children took part in our sponsored bounce. We would like to thank all parents and carers for their generous sponsorship money to enhance our outside area. The children were busy planting bulbs and decorating pots for Mother’s Day and also made Easter cards and baskets and had lots of fun on an Easter egg hunt in the garden. This term the children will be learning about growth and how things change over time. We are planting vegetables for the children to care for and observe over time. This will allow the children to take on responsibility and learn about where our food comes from. As technology is such a big part of day to day life we are going to be giving the children the opportunity to have monitored access to their own kindle. This is to enhance their ICT skills and develop their future learning. We can offer you term time or all-year round spaces. Spaces are available from September for 15 and 30 hours of funded childcare and non-funded sessions. Eligible for two-year-old funded sessions? Call Martlesham on 01473 625986 or visit our Facebook page for more details.
Yearly subscriptions of £40 were due on March 31. Visitors are always welcome at £5 per meeting.
Finally, we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us in the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme in stores during January and February. We have been very lucky in being awarded £2,000. Thank you to Tesco. We shall post some photos of our lovely new resources on our Facebook page and on our new website (coming soon).
For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com.
Martlesham Playschool: Martlesham Playschool, Deben Avenue, Martlesham IP5 3QR / 01473 625986
THE SAPLINGS Spring has finally arrived and the sun has finally started to shine! As this is such a lovely time of year we will be doing lots of exploring and making the most of being outside. We will be having fun making spring related crafts and planting. The children will get to take part in some nature walks and exploring our mud kitchen.
Kesgrave Playschool: Millennium Jubilee Hall, Millennium Way, Kesgrave IP5 2EN / 07746 907060 Facebook: Martlesham and Kesgrave Playschools
This theme will run through the baby room, pre-school and after school club so all of the children coming to us will be able to enjoy the activities. We have limited spaces in all our rooms and funded (15 and 30 hours) two and three year olds can use their funded sessions throughout our opening hours and ‘stretch’ funding across holiday club. 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 preschool, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club 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.
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SCHOOLS / SPORT SUMMER TERM AT BRIGHT STARS
DEBEN YACHT CLUB
Fun activity sessions from 10.30am-noon for pre-school aged children on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. 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. Last term, we heard the Easter story, made our own palm tree and Easter garden and sang and played percussion instruments – making lots of noise! 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 summer term 2018 session dates are (please note revised dates): May 14, June 11 & 25 and July 9. For further information please contact Sonya & Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
BIRCHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL QUIZ NIGHT Birchwood Primary School PTFA invites you to a quiz night to raise funds for new school reading books to enhance our pupils learning. Friday, May 11, 7 for 7.30pm start at Birchwood Primary School £5 per person – teams of up to six people Bring your own drink and nibbles Please email ptfa@birchwood.suffolk.sch.uk to book a table and purchase tickets in advance of the event. Donations for the raffle welcome.
WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB As I write this, winter prepares for yet a further sting in its tail, so it’s difficult to imagine that the bowls season is just a week or two away. It’s even more difficult to imagine the sun on your back as you launch the woods down the green and hear them jostle for a place near the ever elusive jack. Yet this is the picture I have in mind when starting the first of this season’s articles about our club.
Unfortunately, the first race day of the season got cancelled due to the weather, but the next two weekends got a good turn out and the Tune-up Series has now been completed and won by Simon Shaw (fast handicap) and David Hayhow (slow handicap). We will now move on to the Spring Points racing wise and there will be a couple each of lazy sailing sessions and flotillas in May. There are also a couple of cup races and some training planned and we are hoping for a big crowd to come and Try Sailing on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, 10am-12.30pm, when our experienced members will be taking people out for a sail on the lovely river here at Woodbridge. This is part of RYA Push the Boat Out initiative that runs through all of May this year. There will be coffee, tea and cakes and it’s open for everyone so put on some soft soled shoes you don’t mind getting wet, bring a towel and a change of clothes just in case and come and see how much fun sailing is. Buoyancy aids will be provided. We have two charity coffee mornings in May. The first is on Thursday 3 to raise money for the Woolverstone Project. This charity provides sailing opportunities and tuition for those with various physical and sensory disabilities as well as those with behavioural problems. They operate a fleet of specially designed access dinghies and challenger trimarans on Alton Water where they sail throughout the year and two larger boats on the nearby River Orwell where they sail during the summer months. Wheelchair access is provided to the craft at both centres where RYA qualified instructors are assisted by some of their many volunteers to provide sailing opportunities at various levels to those who would otherwise be denied the joys of small boat sailing. The second coffee morning is for Woodbridge Riding for the Disabled on Saturday, May 26. They teach riding and carriage driving to disabled children and adults regardless of what their disability might be and have been doing this for over 30 years. The benefits to all who ride or drive with them are huge. It provides them with valuable therapeutic exercise, an opportunity to develop their social skills and a chance to build relationships with the horses and ponies. They run sessions five days per week, ably supported by a team of volunteers and they have just moved to new premises in Clopton. Coffee mornings are from 10am-noon and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the view!
OPEN DAY Like many other organisations, Woodbridge Bowls Club has a certain leakage of membership each season as players leave for other jobs or go to live in other parts. To combat this shrinkage we are ever looking for new members to come and join us. To this end we are offering new members £20 off the first year’s membership, so why not come and have a look at us on our open day? This will take place at the club, which is behind Elmhurst Park, on Saturday, May 5 between 10am and 1pm. Come along for a cup of tea or coffee and some free tuition by qualified instructors. Please wear flat shoes so as not to damage the green. You will learn new skills, meet new people, have some gentle exercise and may fall in love with this traditional game. This’s what I did some four years ago and have loved every minute since. Don’t take my word for it, come along and see for yourselves. For further information visit www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk or find us on Facebook.
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