D S MEAD
ALL BUILDING, CAVITY WALL & LOFT INSULATION WORK UNDERTAKEN
30 years experience
In Touch with Stowmarket
Tel: 01449 745769 Mob: 07803 173000
™©
& Stowupland
Vol. 19 • Issue No. 2 • NOVEMBER 2013
FREE to STOWMARKET & STOWUPLAND 50p where sold Volume 23 • Issue No. 5 •RESIDENTS FEBRUARY 2018
Cromer Pier by Scott Usher
we have
BUYERS & TENANTS looking in your area call us now on 01449 674941
email: stowmarket@parkyns.com
Estate Agents
If another agent is already instructed on a Sole Agency basis, the terms and conditions of those instructions must be considered to avoid the possible liability of paying two commissions.
MMAd_InTouch_Jan2018.ai 1 11/01/2018 14:11:10
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Fall in love this Valentines and find your dream home Stowmarket - 01449 867 590
8 Needham Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 2AW
www.marksandmann.co.uk
2
In Touch online:
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I simply can’t avoid writing about words and language this month as unusual words and phrases seem to be coming at me from all directions. I have just spent a week in Ireland where ‘press’ meaning ‘cupboard’ and ‘yoke’ meaning just about everything else, including people (as in “yer man with the féasóg is a right yoke”) are common parlance, but I’ve also just finished a book by Mike Smith from The Waterboys in which he writes about many of the Irish musicians and writers he has worked with. One is a poet from Co Galway called Tomas McKeown who had a habit of running his hand over his bald head and saying “once there used to be waves, now it’s all shore”. How lovely is that? On my desk I have a word calendar which I received from one of my lovely colleagues. It introduces a new word every day. Today it’s ‘palisade’, but my favourites so far have been ‘algid’ meaning cold and ‘wiseacre’ meaning one who pretends to knowledge or cleverness, otherwise known as a smart aleck. I think we all know a wiseacre or two! And just last night a wonderful clip about strange words the Irish use popped up on Facebook. ‘Haymes’ is one we all use to describe getting something wrong, as in ‘he made a haymes of it’, particularly used at hurling matches! Another I might use more frequently is ‘banjaxed’ meaning broken or in a bad way, as you might be after a ‘night on the lash’. ‘Me feiner’ literally translates as ‘me myself’. To be called a ‘me feiner’ is the ultimate insult, meaning you have no thought for anyone but yourself, commonly used to describe politicians in Ireland. I’ll leave you with a wonderful phrase I spotted on a poster at Dublin Airport: Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.
In Touch
with Stowmarket & Stowupland
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: stowmarket@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss. Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Whilst 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.
Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Distribution Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Printing Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk
01473 400379 © 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... is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... • NEW Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
NEWS
This year’s carnival will take place on July 14 and 15. The theme is Countries. If you’d like to get involved as a sponsor, stallholder or volunteer contact the committee at: info@stowmarketcarnivl.org.uk
CALLING ALL COMMUNITY GROUPS… Are you in need of a funding boost this year? Are you short of volunteers? Then we can help! Babergh Mid Suffolk District Council in partnership with Stowmarket Town Council is holding a free funding and volunteering event on February 13 from 10am at Cedars Park Community Centre, Stowmarket which includes lunch! The event will help community groups and voluntary organisations to access services and grants that they may not be aware of and also help with recruiting and retaining their volunteers. There will be speakers and workshops from Suffolk Pro Help, Babergh Mid Suffolk District Council, Stowmarket Town Council, Community Action Suffolk and Stowmarket Men’s Shed to name a few. For more information or to book a place at this free event please contact Josephine Beever: Josephine.Beever@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
HARRY POTTER BOOK NIGHT AT STOWMARKET LIBRARY The event on Thursday, February 1, will run from 5-7pm and will be part of the Bloomsbury/British Library Beasts among the Bookshelves theme for Harry Potter Book Night this year. There will be readings from the Harry Potter novels between 5 and 6pm (with extracts involving beasts!). This will be followed by various Harry Potter themed games and activities. The event is aimed at children aged between five and 12 years and will be free. This month’s cover image, the first in our ‘My Life in…’ series of images by local residents, was taken at Cromer Pier by Scott Usher using a fisheye lens. I think you’ll agree the effect is stunning. Thanks Scott.
In Touch with...
MARCH DEADLINE
10 FEBRUARY 2018 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
3
NEWS HOSPICE SHOP CELEBRATES TWENTY YEARS IN STOWMARKET On 19 January 1998 St Elizabeth Hospice proudly opened its charity shop in Stowmarket. Twenty years on and after one move of premises, the charity shop is going strong and is a well-known resource in the community. From its first opening the shop has been a popular feature on the high street for shoppers and has provided the perfect outlet for local people to get involved in the community through volunteering opportunities. One long term volunteer, Eileen Birch, is now a familiar face behind the counter. Eileen is very proud to volunteer for the hospice and still has her original letter from the hospice confirming her role at the shop. The success of the shop is very much due to the kindness of the local community who have continued to support it over the last two decades with donations of quality goods, the volunteers who give their time and the shoppers of Stowmarket who have loyally given it their business over the years. As well as fostering strong relationships with individuals, the shop has strong links with other businesses that often fundraise in support of the hospice. As a result of this incredible local support, the shop has recently been able to expand creating a full hobby room with a book section. St Elizabeth Hospice is very grateful to all those in the community who have helped make the shop a success, and hope that this support will continue for at least another two decades.
CHILTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Chilton Community Primary School has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. The inspection team visited the school on December 12 and 13 and the school secured a judgement of ‘Good’ in all five categories including: Effectiveness of Leadership and Management, Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment, Outcomes for Pupils and Early Years Provision. Highlights in the report include the comments that: “The quality of teaching, particularly in phonics, is effective. A high proportion of pupils are currently producing work of a high standard in reading, writing and mathematics.”
WE ARE LISTENING: A NEW COUNCIL FOR THE HEART OF SUFFOLK On Monday, December 11, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils launched a public engagement on the future of local government in the two districts. The engagement, which runs until Monday, February 5, asks residents and businesses in the districts, as well as other stakeholders, to comment on the proposals to dissolve both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and form a new, single council to cover the area in the heart of Suffolk. Responses will help shape the business case for such a change. Anyone wishing to comment can take part online via: www.babergh.gov.uk/onecouncil www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/onecouncil Further information on the proposals, and what they could mean for residents of Babergh and Mid Suffolk, are also available on the councils’ websites. The two councils have also commissioned an independent telephone pollm to be carried out by ComRes, which will contact a statistically robust sample of 4,000 residents, consisting of 2,000 residents in each district. ComRes will work to ensure that the feedback collected is balanced in terms of age, gender, geography, socio-economic grade and ethnicity, canvassing a representative sample of residents in Babergh and in Mid Suffolk. These engagement exercises come after meetings of both Babergh and Mid Suffolk’s cabinets, which resolved “to jointly conduct stakeholder, public and staff engagement”. All the engagement will help inform the business case which will be considered by councillors following the closing date in February. At that point councillors will debate the proposals, including the question of whether a local poll should also be held. Councillor Jennie Jenkins, Leader of Babergh District Council, said: “Since this idea was first discussed in 2011 a lot has changed: with councils in both the east and the west of Suffolk coming together, the local government landscape of Suffolk in 2017 would have been almost unrecognisable to us in 2011. We all need to make our residents’ council tax go further, and if creating a new council will allow us to do that we owe it to our residents to at least look into the idea. But we can’t do this alone, we need everyone to get involved, and let us know what they think, right across both districts. Only by doing this can we be sure our business case has all the detail we need to help us make the right decision.”
“The head teacher provides strong leadership, ably supported by the deputy, the leadership team and the governors. (They) have established a culture of high expectations. Staff and pupils rise well to this challenge, which is reflected throughout the work of the school.”
Councillor Nick Gowrley, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “With the financial challenge facing all of local government, business as usual is not an option. We need bold and innovative solutions to protect the services our residents need. Since 2011 we have saved £13million by working closely with Babergh, but with further reductions in central government funding we need to do more. The option of creating a new council is one idea, but we need help from everyone across the districts to put together this business case. We need the right information so we can make the right decision, and that is why we’re asking everyone to get involved and let us know their thoughts.”
Headteacher Ben Hemmings commented: “We are delighted with the outcome of the inspection. It reflects an incredible amount of hard work from the pupils, staff and governors, which, as the report states, has led to rapid school improvement. We are now delivering the high quality education which our pupils deserve. We unashamedly place pupil outcomes at the centre of what we do whilst maintaining a broad and balanced curriculum.
Wendy Manning recently lost her 9ct gold bracelet near Stowmarket Town Centre, around ASDA or in the area nearby.
“Good behaviour is evident throughout the school due to the consistent implementation of the school’s effective behaviour policy”
“The staff and students are responsible for implementing all of the changes that have taken place and I feel very privileged to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team. I would also like to personally thank the governors and parents for the support they have given me since my appointment.”
4
The bracelet has enormous sentimental value and Wendy would appreciate your help if you have found it or find it sometime in the future. It is similar in style to the curb chain pictured here.
You can contact Wendy at 01449 780292 or 07746 364321.
In Touch online:
March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA
• FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll, Auto Enrolment,VAT, Self Assessment, and full accounting service • Personable and professional tailored support • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies
Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
01449 770704
5
NEWS LOCAL JOURNALIST WINS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AWARD
STOWVOLUNTEERS SPRINGS INTO ACTION
Stowmarket-based freelance journalist Felicity Landon has won a major international award for her work in the maritime, transport and logistics press.
We all rely upon willing volunteers from time to time – to help us in our day to day lives, in running special interest groups, in pursuing sports and leisure activities and in handling matters that affect our local community. The StowVolunteers initiative seeks to encourage more people to participate in volunteering by helping local groups to attract volunteers and by helping to place volunteers in interesting roles.
Felicity, a maritime specialist, was named Innovation Journalist of the Year 2017 at the Seahorse Club Awards for an article examining blockchain technology published in Port Strategy magazine. The article, entitled The Digital Handover, considered how blockchain technology could turn accepted supply chain practice on its head. As well as looking at the opportunities, such as eliminating fraud, authenticating certificates, enhancing process flows, sharing data for collaborative planning and providing full traceability of products, the article reported on industry concerns, including security questions, software issues and the ‘what could possibly go wrong?’ attitude. The Seahorse Club is a networking group for public relations, marketing, advertising and journalism professionals working within the freight, passenger, shipping and logistics sectors. This year’s Seahorse Club Awards, presented in London, attracted more than 250 entries from journalists around the world. The awards recognise excellence in news and feature writing for journalists specialising in the maritime, transport and supply chain industries. Felicity was presented with her award by Nikos Spath, head of media and public relations at the international classification society DNV GL.
Stowmarket Town Council and Anglian Water are providing financial support towards StowVolunteers which will include free advertising and training to support the development of volunteering in the town. Currently, we are consulting local groups about their need for volunteers – we want to know what they do, what volunteers they are seeking and most importantly, how we can help them in the future? So, if you are interested and wish to find out more, please contact us: 01449 612060 / stowvolunteers@stowmarket.org You can also find us on Facebook.
STOWMARKET SHED BREWERS Are there people in the Stowmarket area who enjoy brewing their own beer, either from grain or beer kits, who would be willing to form a group in Stowmarket? As an idea, we could meet once a month and present a small sample of beer we have made to the group for tasting. We could learn so much from each other. We may be able to visit other people’s shed breweries or occasionally take a trip out to a local commercial brewer. If you think this is something which may interest you, please contact me on: alanpage52@gmail.com
DO YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO SPARE IN YOUR LOCAL EACH STOWMARKET SHOP? EACH’s clearance shop in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket is looking for people to help with all aspects of the shop’s operation, sorting, steaming and customer service, particularly on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, but welcome help on any day, with the shop opening Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The shop is a fun place to be, with the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills or use your existing ones. You can offer a shift of two-four hours per week or fortnight or offer more occasional support as and when you can. Whatever time you have to offer, we’d love to hear from you. To enquire about volunteer opportunities in our Stowmarket shop drop by to 31 Ipswich Street, contact shop manager Michelle Bainbridge on 01449 774586 or email: volunteerservices@each.org.uk For more information about EACH go to: www.each.org.uk The charity relies heavily on volunteers to run its shops, which collectively raise more than £700,000 towards the vital care and support EACH provides for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. For both families accessing care and those who have been bereaved, EACH is a lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time. The charity has to generate 75% of the money it needs to operate and relies on public support to continue its service.
6
In Touch online:
ADVERTORIAL
Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.
Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number
of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
7
NEWS ROTARY CLUBS OF STOWMARKET
Stowmarket Salvation Army would like to thank everyone who supported them over the recent Christmas period by donating a gift for children. We are also delighted to say you helped us raise £1,300 at our Young Persons Band Concert in November which was donated to the East Anglian Children’s Hospice and £2,100 at our Carols for All which was donated to Over the Rainbow Children’s Charity.
Rotary Clubs of Stowmarket raised £1,283 with their Christmas collection at Tesco Stowmarket with the street organ. Rotary would like to thank the generosity of all those who supported; the funds raised have supported many individuals and organisations throughout Stowmarket and district and include The Salvation Army, CAB and the Food Bank. Philip Jeffries, President Rotary Club of Stowmarket
CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY EVENTS IN STOWUPLAND The Beetle Club held their Christmas Party at the home of Cathy and Keith Welham. After lunch, several rounds of the Beetle Game were played, followed by tea and a raffle. Guests left with a goodie bag. The Community Events group arranged a party for residents at Steeple View. After several games of bingo, everyone enjoyed a festive tea and a raffle was held. Members of the group were then able to spend time chatting with residents. The Community Events group also organised a trip to Alder Carr Farm for residents of Jubilee Court for a festive afternoon tea. After a short crosscountry bus ride, guests sat down to tea or coffee and Christmas crackers, sandwiches and a variety of cakes. There was plenty of time for more tea and a chance to chat before the return bus journey.
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday, February 2, 10am-noon: Coffee and Breakfast Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday, February 16, 6.45am: Breakfast The Mix, 127 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket Please check the online events page for further details and to book: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk Don’t forget to check for updates about MSBE, our first ever business exhibition at The Mix on March 21: https://msbe.biz/the-event
images by allen blasdell
RemembRance Sunday in StowmaRket 2017 8
In Touch online:
NEWS SPORTING MEMORIES GROUPS – JOIN THE SQUAD AT SUFFOLK LIBRARIES IN 2018 Suffolk Libraries are teaming up with the Sporting Memories Network in the New Year to host Sporting Memories Groups in some of the county’s libraries.
Suffolk Libraries are also asking for helpers and volunteers to support these groups which are launching in February 2018. There will also be a special induction day providing full training for Sporting Memories helpers and volunteers on January 23 from 10am to 2pm at Quay Place (St Mary on the Quay) in Key Street, Ipswich. Richard Hunt, Sporting Memories Suffolk Project Manager, said: “Sport is a powerful medium for many people, providing memories of great games, sporting legends and marvellous victories, but also the friendships made and the sense of community that playing or watching sports brings. Talking about sporting events and cultures of the time helps to give people their identity back and reconnect them to the people and generations around them. We think that libraries are the perfect place to bring people together to form new groups in Suffolk and we hope people will come forward to find out more. We’re particularly keen to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer to help run the new groups.”
Sporting Memories Groups are for anyone over the age of 50 and are a great way of bringing people together, creating new friendships and enjoying a chance to revisit memories and share stories prompted by superb sporting images and memorabilia from local and national collections. Open to all, the sessions include games, quizzes and a fun activity, and welcome people living with dementia, depression and loneliness by bringing people together to talk about their memories of sport. The new Suffolk Libraries Sporting Memories groups are due to launch on Tuesday, February 6, at Ipswich County Library where local Suffolk sporting ambassadors will be invited to share some stories from their sporting past. As well as sharing memories, anyone can bring along their memorabilia or photographs as these are a great way of triggering people’s memories and starting conversations. 2018 marks 40 years since Ipswich Town won the FA cup so many people will have fond memories of the cup run from 1978. However, the project is not just about football and whether its speedway, local club cricket or visits to the Olympics or Paralympics, everyone is encouraged to share their sporting memory whether it’s taking part in sport when they were younger or witnessing an exciting sporting event. Anyone is welcome to come along to a session to find out more, whether it’s for themselves or a relative or friend. Suffolk Libraries is launching groups at Ipswich County Library, Stowmarket Library, Lowestoft Library, Hadleigh Library, Sudbury Library and Newmarket Library.
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
James Powell, Marketing and Communications Manager at Suffolk Libraries, added: “Suffolk Libraries are delighted to be working with Sporting Memories in 2018. Sport has touched all of our lives at some time, either at school, as an activity or in our leisure time. Using the Sporting Memories collections and resources are an excellent way to reconnect with those experiences, bring friends together and have fun.” Anyone interesting in helping to facilitate or support the new groups can find out more by contacting Richard Hunt, Suffolk Project Coordinator for the Sporting Memories Network: 07704 977322 / richard.hunt@sportingmemoriesnetwork.com Sporting Memories Groups will run weekly at the following libraries: • Ipswich Central Library – every Tuesday from February 6 (2-3.45pm) • Stowmarket Library – every Wednesday from February 7 (10.30am-12.15pm) • Hadleigh Library – every Friday from February 9 (2-3.45pm) For more information about the new groups visit: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/sportingmemories Sporting Memories is a national project rolling out in Suffolk, supported by Sport England and Suffolk’s Most Active County project, bringing together anyone over the age of 50 to talk about sport and their recollections of great sporting occasions using collections of photo’s, film and memorabilia to engage people in conversation, and positive reminiscence, also with an opportunity for some gentle activity. For more information visit: www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
9
NEWS
REPORT FROM KEITH WELHAM: JANUARY 2018 District Councillor for Stowupland Ward Planning – The Porch Application for 18 homes opposite Holy Trinity Church: This application was deferred, but it was a close call because the first two speakers urged refusal. The next two proposed and seconded deferment; this was agreed unanimously after much discussion, mostly around the lack of an appropriate highway safety scheme. Committee members said that they were very unhappy with SCC for agreeing the applicant’s highway amendments and with MSDC officers for not challenging them. The main problem is that SCC seem happy to narrow down the A1120 to make it safer for pedestrians to wait to cross, but the road will end up so narrow that anyone waiting to cross would be in danger of being hit by a wing mirror. Also, the sudden narrowing would force cyclists towards the middle of the road just where lorries are being pinched for space. Planning Officers seemed content to approve the application and leave it to SCC and the developer to sort out the details. I argued that they could not permit a development, albeit details of access with all matters reserved, when there was no certainty of a safe method of integrating the access into the highway infrastructure. The other problem around the revised layout is that, although Planning Department records show that consultation letters were printed on December 13, not a single resident had received a copy before the January 3 committee date, nor since. The closing date for comment was given as December 27. With staff holidays, Christmas post, etc., December 13 was too late anyway. The deferment is to allow the developer to come up with revised road safety measures and a safe method of crossing the A1120 and for MSDC to consult on the revised scheme. Planning – Bloor Phase 2: We are still waiting to hear from the Planning Office that the application for agreement to the detailed scheme has been submitted. The application for business units and three food outlets on land north of Mill Lane, Creeting St Peter: This site is adjacent to A1120 and approval was sought and granted for the access arrangements for the site, including an access direct from A1120 just south of the A14 roundabout. All other matters will be determined at the next stage.
Hi! I’m Selina, and I’m the Hospitality & Events Coordinator at The Mix in Stowmarket. We’re a youth charity with a global vision and a local heart; we exist to empower and enable young people to change their world and ours. All of our commercial activity at The Mix directly funds our youth work – be it a lunch in our café or a logo produced by our in-house design agency BRIX Brand & Creative. I head up Book a Space – a brand new venture. We have a wonderful venue in the heart of Stowmarket with meeting rooms to hire from just £7.50 an hour. We have a variety of rooms available for one-to-one sessions through to large event spaces accommodating more than 100 people, and everything in between. We also host children’s birthday parties and are able to provide catering and party themes.
10
Cash Reserves: Members have been made aware of a massive underspend by MSDC in the six months from April to September 2017. During that period, the underspend was around £1,000,000 which, when added to previous years’ underspends, gives a total of around £10,000,000. Much of this is due to a high level of staff vacancies which have not been filled, resulting in work not carried out and a continued reduction in the quality of some services. Budget Issues: MSDC cabinet has agreed a budget for 2018/19, based on a council tax increase of 0.5% which equates to an increase of 81p per annum for a Band D property. Details will be considered further at the February cabinet meeting. Council House Rents: MSDC has to implement the mandatory decrease of 1% in council house rents, equivalent to an average rent reduction of £0.83 a week, as required by the Welfare Reform and Work Act. Merger with Babergh: Following the October BDC and MSDC cabinet meetings which approved consultation on a merger, a group of Babergh Councillors called-in the decision; this was debated by the BDC Scrutiny Committee and the decision was referred back and BDC cabinet gave the green light to the consultation. However, this sparked a motion of no confidence in the council leader and a demand for a referendum for Babergh residents. Their leader resigned just before the meeting so the motion was not put. The new leader, having spoken strongly against a referendum, has been forced to agree. The MSDC leader has said that MSDC will proceed without a referendum. This is totally unfair on the residents of MSDC. Meanwhile the telephone poll has continued in Mid Suffolk, but not in Babergh. I have been contacted by some residents who had taken part in the telephone poll and they expressed the concern that the questions are loaded and there is no opportunity for the resident to give an alternative view. Expect the pressure to build for a public vote for MSDC residents also. Boundary Review: Nothing more has been heard so we wait to hear the outcome of the commission’s deliberations. Keith Welham Keith.Welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk
Cabbages & Kings, our fantastic onsite coffee shop, is open to the public Monday to Saturday. Come and try it out! They are also available for external events catering. 100% of the profits from room hire, catering and design at The Mix goes towards supporting local young people in the community and their families. By booking with us, you’re changing a young person’s life for the better. You can also now book our rooms online – visit www.bookaspace.org to see availability, view the rooms and make a booking. I look forward to helping you in any way that I can, please feel free to get in touch if you are interested in any of our services. hello@bookaspace.org / 01449 745130
In Touch online:
NEWS / OUT & ABOUT CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE & CHARITY SHOP On December 29 we were up at 4.30am to get ready to take the children to the airport for their journey home. Unfortunately the flight was a really early one and we had to make allowances for the weather conditions and possible delays on the roads. While all of the children were obviously looking forward to seeing their families again, there were a few tears at the airports as we said goodbye to one of the best groups of children we have had visiting us. There was nothing other than lots of fun and great enjoyment during the month, both for the visiting children and the families who hosted them. The children enjoyed everything, no matter how small and each new experience was greeted with appreciation and delight. These children came from some of the poorest families and I am sure we have given them memories that will last a lifetime. We are now looking towards the summer group visit and would appeal to anyone interested in supporting our work to think about us now rather than waiting until the summer as we have to make our preparations a soon as possible in advance of the children’s arrival. The children will be with us for four weeks from July 1 to 29. Children will be aged between eight and 10. We are asking for donations of good quality second-hand clothing for the summer group for age range seven to 11 years. The children arrive with only the clothes they are wearing so both summer and winter clothes are appreciated. For further information about our program or to donate clothes for the children please email or call me and I will be happy to provide further details. We also have a very active presence on Facebook both for our visiting children’s activities and for our charity shop based in Needham Market. For those of you who have friends and families who may be interested in hosting but are not local to Stowmarket, we do have links covering the areas of Cambridge and Norfolk and we would be happy to provide details of the local contacts for these areas and indeed any other area in the UK where we have representation.
THE REGAL IN FEBRUARY We are now well into the 2018 movie awards season, kicking off last month with the black dresses worn at the Golden Globes. We’ve got the BAFTAs on February 18 and the Oscars are held at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on March 4. We are pleased to be showing most of the big awards contenders at the Regal this month, with The Shape of Water, I Tonya and Lady Bird still to look forward to in March. Darkest Hour: historic drama starring Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Nominated for nine BAFTA Awards, during the early days of the Second World War, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds. Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri: drama starring Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell. Nominated for nine BAFTA Awards, a mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder when they fail to catch the culprit. The Post: drama starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Sarah Paulson. Nominated for six Golden Globes, a cover-up that spanned four US Presidents pushed the country’s first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Molly’s Game: drama starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner. Nominated for two Golden Globes, the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympicclass skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target. Hostiles: western starring Rosamund Pike and Christian Bale. In 1892, a legendary Army captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory. Phantom Thread: drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps. Nominated for four BAFTA Awards, set in 1950’s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover. Downsizing: comedy starring Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz and Kristin Wiig. Nominated for one Golden Globe, a social satire in which a man realises he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splendour. Early Man: animated family comedy voiced by Tom Hiddleston, Timothy Spall and Eddie Redmayne. New from Aardman, the makers of Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth, tells the story of Dug, along with sidekick Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth and his Bronze Age City to save their home.
Here we see the children when they arrived in Minsk airport. When they landed I got a phone call from Tanya, our interpreter, who put her phone on hands free and all the children shouted out loud, “we miss you all, come and see us in Belarus”. We are very aware that there are now more charitable causes than ever all needing support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports us, you may think you only do a little but without you we could not survive.
Coco: animated family adventure voiced by Anthony Gonzalez and Benjamin Bratt. Nominated for two Golden Globes, from the makers of Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo. Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. On February 22 we have a recorded live screening of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from the National Theatre, starring Jack O’Connell and Sienna Miller.
Link Chair Elizabeth Parker, 01449 760343 www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
11
Phoenix Counselling Practice professionals you can trust
Are you in pain? Chiropractic may help with many problems including lower back pain, neck pain and related headaches as well as arm and leg pain.
STOWMARKET CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CLINIC
We match clients to one of our qualified and experienced counsellors to provide the kind of counselling needed.
ALLERGY THERAPIST at StowHealth (Violet Hill) Testing for food, environmental and chemical sensitivities – as well as vitamin and mineral deficiences which can cause unpleasant symptoms and illnesses.
For an appointment contact Helen Parsons Dip Allergy Therapy, Food Studies Cert.Ed, B.I.A.E.T.
Tel: 01531 670746
Fees are negotiable according to income and we also offer a low cost counselling service. To talk to a counsellor or make an appointment please call
Tel: 01449 675974 or visit our website www.phoenix-counsellingpractice.com
12
Michael T E Bailey Doctor of Chiropractic Registered with the General Chiropractic Council
7 Stowupland Rd Stowmarket IP14 5AG
Tel/Fax 01449 612620 www.michaelbailey.net
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT PAIN AS A PROTECTOR
During a recent marathon a fellow runner told me at mile 19 that I was inadvertently pacing her to her ideal time. She said that she didn’t think that she could keep the pace going for the remaining seven miles due to pain. So I asked what was the pain – was it a specific injury or just the fatigue feeling? She said it was the latter and that she wasn’t injured. To help her finish I mentioned a few things about exercise induced fatigue pain. The brain generates the feelings of fatigue initially when we are exercising. It’s not the muscles telling us there is a problem; it’s the brain trying to save something in reserve. That makes sense in new situations, or back to our days in the jungle when you never knew what might jump out. However, if you are doing an activity or sport you have done before and you know where the end is, this pain to limit your performance may not be the best strategy by the brain.
STOWMARKET CHORALE Stowmarket Chorale, together with children from three local schools – Rougham Primary, Great Finborough Primary and South Lee School, Bury St Edmunds – will perform Zimbe! Come sing the songs of Africa!, accompanied by the composer Alexander L’Estrange and his jazz quintet at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday, March 18 at 4pm. This performance is a celebration of African music combining traditional songs with jazz, Western choral and pop influences, and sung with enthusiasm and fun by adult four-part chorus and unison children’s choir. Conducted by Leslie Olive and following on from last year’s performance of Ahoy!, this is the second collaboration between Stowmarket Chorale, the three schools and and Alexander L’Estrange. Stowmarket Chorale together with children from South Lee School and with baritone and soprano soloists will also perform Mass of the Children by John Rutter, a setting of the Latin Missa brevis. Accompanied on the piano by William Baldry, the piece is sung in Latin within the framework of a complete day from waking to sleeping, with other English poetic texts appearing as if they were events in the day. Tickets (£15/£6) are available from: www.theapex.co.uk / 02184 758000
Sometimes it’s important to realise the difference between hurt and harm. The fatigue pain this runner was feeling was not major damage, but a brain trying to protect the whole system. She had run marathons before so it wasn’t a new situation and she knew exactly where the finish line was. Having explained this to her, that the fatigue starts as a brain process rather than her body being in trouble, that the pain was hurt not harm, and she could continue her pace without causing injury, she kept the pace going and ran four minutes quicker than her previous years time. After the finish line she said with a huge grin that the words I told her were really powerful, kept her going and allowed her to run her new personal best marathon time. It’s important to remember that pain is not an enemy, thinking of it as such often holds us back from achieving what we can do. Pain is a biological process that is there to protect us in emergencies, help advise when we have overdone things or need to take a break or move position. It’s part of what makes us who we are. It’s better to think of pain as a protector; by doing so it can alter how we behave as a result. So you could think of positive thoughts like ‘you can be sore but safe’, ‘your hurts won’t harm you’ and ‘know pain, know gain’. Metaphors are a lot more powerful than people think. Using negative metaphors such as ‘its like a knife in there’, muttered internally probably many more times than externally to others can have a profound effect over time on people. After time people can ‘become’ the metaphor and change their behavior as a result and reduce the positive outcome they could achieve. It’s not easy to change your concepts and make a shift in your mindset, but it can be really powerful if you can start to take a more positive effect with your metaphor use. Whether just suffering that acute pain of getting through a sporting event, or managing a long-term condition with pain, a change to positive language might just be able to bring about a positive change in your pain. Robert Grainger MSc MCSP HCPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist
STOWMARKET CONCERT BAND A really busy autumn season led to a fantastic Christmas season for the band, with 15 bookings shared between our main band and our training band. A particular highlight was the fantastic sell-out concert at URC Stowmarket, presented by our MD Rob Pattison, 35 main band musicians and our brilliant training band. With around 300 in the hall it was a great evening of varied music, including a heart-warming performance from our friends at Stowmarket Target Club. Thank you to our audience, supporters and players, and huge thanks to Jeffries of Bacton and to our numerous town councillors for their attendance and continued support, including Stowmarket Town Mayor Councillor Dave Muller. 2018 is warming up for us already. Please keep April 21 free in your calendars for our next SCB concert at the URC alongside Abbot’s Hall Primary School students. This event is 100 per cent in aid of local charity Possibilities which works tirelessly to help some of the world’s most vulnerable children in Uganda. We have numerous other events lining themselves up across the year. First up we have 22 entries by our training band members in their next round of ABRSM exams in February. For our full 2018 concert calendar and further updates as dates are published visit our Facebook page or: www.StowmarketConcertBand.org.uk Happy New Year from us all.
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
13
EVERYONE jumps
TO SAVE
ÂŁ35 JOIN NOW *
To claim your discount simply visit everyoneactive.com/save35
Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre 01449 674980
Everyone Active manages these facilities in partnership with Mid Suffolk District Council.
*GB 16+. No joining fee (normally ÂŁ35) when you join before 18/02/2018. UK bank account holders only. Direct debit (must pay 1 month in advance, this will be used to cover your final month). Must cancel by 20th of the month in order for the DD payment to stop on the 1st of the following month. Participating centres only. See www.everyoneactive.com/save35 for full terms.
10254_Intouch Stowmarket_Jan Fit Advert.indd 1
14
08/01/2018 09:17
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT BOYS BRIGADE BAND 2017 was a successful year with the band having a very full programme of events throughout Suffolk and with member numbers growing as well. Together with our friends in Sudbury we took part in a number of events, Stowmarket Carnival being one where most of their members paraded with us.
SIMPLY BRASS EMBARKING ON WHAT SHOULD BE AN EXCITING 2018
Our calendar for 2018 is already filling with many return events and this year we hope that our many talented young players will be on parade as well with us. To join and be part of our ever-growing band please come to our hall in Combs Lane on a Thursday evening from 7pm or contact any band member for details. A knowledge of music is not essential as training will be given. We look forward to meeting you and you are sure of a great time. Wishing all our friends and event organisers a healthy and prosperous 2018. Michael Ward
ART SHOW AND SALE The United Reform Church Ipswich Street, Stowmarket Thursday, February 15 and Friday 16 Thursday 10am-5pm / Friday 10am-2pm Admission £1, Under 16s accompanied by an adult free EXCLUSIVE CHEESE AND WINE PREVIEW EVENING Wednesday, February 14 from 7.30pm Tickets (£5) available by request from: artshow2018@stowlions.org.uk / 08458 335114
THE JUBILEE LADIES CHOIR ‘If you want to make your heart sing join a choir’ After our Christmas meal, the ladies at my table got around to talking about the benefits of being in a choir. Lots of points were made such as ‘we get the opportunity to sing different types of music and to be around others who share our interest in music’, but the word used most of all was friendship. We are a very friendly group, so why not think about joining our choir. You are welcome to come along to a couple of rehearsals and join in or just listen before making up your mind. We meet on Tuesday evenings at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket from 7.30-9.30pm in term time. Please contact our chairman Di Balaam on 01449 736374 in the first instance. By the time you read this our spring term will have started and we’ll be choosing our programme for the coming year. We enjoy sharing our music and would love to do more performances. If you would like the choir to sing at an event, please contact Norma Bolton on 01449 740439. You can also follow the choir on Facebook, where you can see photographs and listen to rehearsal and concert tracks.
TABLE TOP SALE Saturday, February 24, 9.30am-12.30pm St Peter’s Hall, Stowmarket Refreshments served New and used items for sale
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
A belated Happy New Year from everyone at Simply Brass Stowmarket. Following on from an extremely busy and successful Christmas we’ve started work on a selection of new pieces ready for 2018. We’re also very pleased to announce that we’ve managed to increase space at our rehearsal venue allowing us to find new and improved ways to develop the playing skills of all members. One piece of very good news we’d like to share is money we collected for charity over Christmas. During our gala Christmas concert with Mid Suffolk Brass, we received donations for the lovely refreshments made by our parents. All of that money, together with 100 per cent of the money Simply collected while playing carols outside Tesco on a very cold Sunday morning was split between our two nominated charities – Fresh Starts, New Beginnings and Teenage Cancer Trust. We’re very proud to say we managed to donate £130 to each of these very worthy causes. We’re already getting bookings for events from February right the way through to December so please contact us soon if you’d like us to entertain at your event. If you’d like to book the band, or are interested in joining Suffolk’s leading independent youth brass band please contact us at simplybrassstowmarket@gmail.com, find us on Facebook or via: www.simplybrassstowmarket.org.uk
INDOOR BOOT SALE The first indoor boot sale of the year in St Peter’s Hall, Stowmarket will be on Saturday, February 2, 9am-noon. This will be a great chance to sell any unwanted Christmas presents and those things you have cleared out when tidying up after the holidays. Homemade refreshments are served all morning so come along and have some cake and a cuppa with your friends and family. Tables are £5 each and can be booked by phoning 01449 678623. In aid of The Parish Church 3Rs Project of Restoration, Renovation and Reordering.
STOWMARKET SALVATION ARMY OVER-60s Would you like to make new friends? Enjoy a varied selection of speakers, quizzes and outings? Stowmarket Salvation Army Over-60s are looking for new members on a Tuesday afternoon at 2pm, held at the Salvation Army Hall on Violet Hill Road. It’s open to everyone over 60; you don’t have to be a member of the Salvation Army to join. We have talks as far-ranging as The History of East Anglia to Turkish Weddings, musical events where you can either just listen or sing along and helpful information on how to recycle and get the best energy deals . It’s only £1 a week and you get coffee/tea and a biscuit. If you would like more information just call: 01449 614133
15
OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET WI
STOWMARKET LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
In December members enjoyed a Christmas party and a pantomime inspired by Snow White performed by the committee. We started the New Year in January with our own Antiques Road Show valuation with Oliver Miller from Bishop and Miller Auctioneers.
Monday, February 19: Suffolk Archaeology (sites in and around Stowmarket)
If your New Year resolution is to make new friends, get out more or become part of a community group, why not come and join us at Stowmarket WI? You can come to two meetings free of charge to see if you like what we offer before joining.
www.stowmarket-History.co.uk
We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the Scout Hall, Milton Road South, Stowmarket and have an interesting programme of speakers for 2018. We also have outings, a craft group, book group and walking group. Our next meeting on February 8 will by Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover with Mike Holton, a book restorer. You can be sure of a warm welcome. For further information please visit our Facebook page.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION Our meeting on December 20 was our Christmas dinner at the Legion. Hazel gave the exhortation, silent tribute and grace. The meal was very enjoyable and we thank Kelly and her team. The committee all donated an item to a hamper which was won by Brenda from Haughley. Other prizes were also donated. We were entertained by a member’s husband and his friend. Hazel has been in hospital recently and we all wish her a speedy recovery.
Meetings are held at 7.30pm at The Salvation Army Hall; members £1, non-members £3. For further details contact Jeannette Baldry: 01449 675271
BACTON & COTTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Tuesday, February 20, 7.30pm, Bacton Village Hall: How We Used To Go – The Evolution of Sanitation! Our old friend Tony Redman will describe the rise of sanitation from the bucket thrown into the street to the family three seater (or more) to the ‘water closet’ (WC) and the products of Thomas Crapper. Members £2, non-members £3.
STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday, February 4: 5 mile walk beside Martlesham Creek. Park and meet at Walk Farm Wood car park, opposite Martlesham Community Centre on Felixstowe Road, reached from A12 by Martlesham branch of Tesco at 10am / GR TM 249461. Leader: 01449 672168 Sunday, February 11: 5.5 mile walk around Wetheringsett and Brockford. Meet by Wetheringsett War Memorial and park nearby at 10am / GR TM 126659. Leader: 07896 622192
Lynda Farr
Sunday, February 18: 11 mile walk to Aspall, Winston and Kenton. Park and meet at Debenham Community Centre at 10am / GR TM 166631. Please bring picnic. Leader: 01379 783658
STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Sunday, February 25: 5 mile circular walk in the Shotley area. Park and meet at Shotley Village Hall at 10am / GR TM 235350. Leader: 07736 573243
Wishing all our members a very Happy New Year.
Wednesday, February 7: Unusual Gravestones in Suffolk by Robert Halliday Robert visited us in 2016 to talk about haunted Suffolk. The talk went down so well that we have invited him back this time to talk about some of the more unusual memorials and gravestones he has found in the county’s churchyards and cemeteries. Wednesday, March 7: We Will Remember Them: The Lives and Deaths of British Men who Fought in the First World War by Sarah Doig Since 2014 we have been commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Sarah Doig will look at the war from an East Anglian perspective – how men were recruited and served, the effect on rural communities back home as well as life in the trenches, a Suffolk VC, the first poppy day appeal and local war memorials. There will be a display about the First World War servicemen named on Stowupland War Memorial. Wednesday, April 4: Must Farm – Britain’s Pompeii by Alex Fisher from Suffolk Archaeology Suffolk Archaeology is an independent archaeological company based in Needham Market. Alex Fisher is their outreach officer. He will tell us about the work of Suffolk Archaeology and also look at the Must Farm dig, a Bronze Age settlement in the fens which was destroyed by fire, causing it to collapse into a river channel, preserving the contents in situ. We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall (IP14 4BQ) where there is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members. For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386
16
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION STOWMARKET BRANCH On Wednesday, December 13, and in the presence of the High Sheriff of Suffolk Geoffrey Probert, shipmates from Stowmarket RNA were honoured to present a donation of £357 to HMS Ganges Museum in Shotley. The museum is dedicated to the 160,000 boys who went through the gates of HMS Ganges as boys and marched out as men, from its inception as a Royal Navy Training Establishment in 1905 to its closure in 1976. The donation was possible due to the kind generosity shown by shipmates and guests at Stowmarket RNA’s Trafalgar Night Dinner in October, when a raffle and games were held to raise money for the museum which relies on such donations to remain open. Geoffrey Probert was present at the museum to recognise the hard work of a number the museum’s volunteers, who give up their time to help open the museum every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from 11am to 5pm from Easter until the end of October each year. Pictured left to right are High Sheriff of Suffolk Geoffrey Probert, Stowmarket RNA Chair Olga Anderson, Chairman HMS Ganges Museum Derek Davis and Stowmarket RNA Standard Bearer Gary Dade.
In Touch online:
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
17
18
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT IN STITCHES CRAFT CLUB In Stitches Craft Club has been running for 25 years. It began as a cross stitch group, but as time has moved on it has widened its field to include a wide range of different crafts. In addition to stitching, you’ll find us knitting, working projects using felt, card making, using fabric and embroidery. During the year we have various classes, speakers, table sales and social chatting. There are also projects were we make things for charities. Past years have seen us knitting hats for seamen, cushion hearts for breast cancer patients and fiddle mats and muffs for people suffering from dementia to name just a few. Our charity this year is Comfort Squares for premature babies and their mothers. Two knitted squares, one for baby and one for mother. Each are put next to the skin and every few hours are swopped from mother to baby. The scent from each person is transferred and it has been found this helps the baby progress. Come and join us. We meet at Hillside Community Centre every other Tuesday from 7.30-9.30pm. For more information contact Jean on 01449 400222. We look forward to seeing you.
RSPCA SUFFOLK EAST AND IPSWICH BRANCH On behalf of my fellow trustees and myself I should like to thank the East of England Co-op, whose headquarters are at Wherstead, for allowing the RSPCA Suffolk East and Ipswich Branch to carry out collections at several of their superstores this year. We are grateful to businesses that come forward to help us as we are an independent and mainly self-funding branch of the RSPCA. As a separately registered charity, our work helping animals in need in our local area is not paid for by the government or the national lottery. It costs us more than £450,000 every year just to maintain our animal centre at Martlesham, our veterinary clinic in Ipswich and our veterinary voucher schemes. As well as our own fundraising, we rely heavily on the generosity and support of the local community. If you happen to see our volunteer collectors at a Co-op store, please place a generous donation in their tin. Ian Hendry
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Accompanied by Nigel Rea, Chris Carne gave an instructional talk about how to approach audio visual presentations on November 13. Chris showed us several of his own presentations to illustrate his points. We will hopefully be able to put his advice to good use when we have our AV competition later in the year. Harold Mousley judged our Open 2 competition on November 27 with his usual wit and humour. It was a very good night. Unfortunately our wildlife competition on December 11 had to be cancelled due to the very bad weather conditions. It has been re-scheduled for February 26 and fortunately the same judge is available on that night. Let’s hope the weather is OK! Club member Glenda Taylor gave us a wonderful picture show of her travels through the Americas. It was quite eye opening to follow her seven-and-ahalf month trip. NEXT MEETINGS Monday, February 12: Open 3 competition to be judged by Howard King Monday, February 26: Wildlife competition to be judged by Mike Lloyd New members are always very welcome; all you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Mondays of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us? www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
STRONG BODIES STAY YOUNG Every Friday at 1.30pm there is an exercise class at Red Gables, Ipswich Road, Stowmarket which is aimed at men and women (45 plus) who would like to improve their overall strength, become better co-ordinated and supple as well as maintaining postural stability. Sessions are varied; we do circuits, mat work and use free weights. We are a friendly group and always finish with a cuppa and a chat. If you would like to discuss the class in more detail contact: 01787 211822 / 07840 689995
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES – CHANGES IN APRIL 2018 It has been the case for some time now that when a property is let or sold, then in general terms – as there are some exceptions – it is a legal requirement that an Energy Performance Certificate (or EPC) must be in place. The rules apply to both domestic and commercial premises. From April of this year, an additional requirement will be imposed. I imagine as part of an overall drive for energy efficiency, a minimum energy efficiency requirement will mean that a landlord is no longer able to grant a tenancy for a property which has an EPC rating of F or G. If you have seen an EPC, you will have noted that the property in question is ‘graded’ according to its energy efficiency with a grade of A to G being awarded, with A being most efficient, and G being least efficient. This new requirement will also apply to the extension or renewal of a tenancy to an existing tenant – including where a fixed term tenancy finishes, and a periodic tenancy then arises automatically. This means that nothing need change practically, but the requirement not to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G will arise automatically.
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
A landlord will then need to decide what to do. Making improvements to a property to raise the EPC to the minimum level of E are of course perfectly possible, but will involve expense on the part of the landlord. There are some exemptions, but there is requirement that any exemption be registered. These exemptions include where the property is substandard, despite works being carried out – meaning where a landlord has completed all of the relevant works; or where wall insulation is not appropriate for certain property types. Furthermore, there may be an exemption if third-party consent is needed to carry out works – provided a reasonable effort has been made to obtain it, or if a property is devalued. A further exemption may apply if the landlord is unable to obtain funding to cover the cost of making the necessary improvements. This particularly refers to not being able to obtain funding from a statutory source, such as the Green Deal, or some other government funding.
Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk
19
www.linnetproperty.co.uk
Happy New Year from Linnet Property
Selling & Letting houses Since 2013
Opening new doors in 2018 We’ll find the right door for you With unrivalled local knowledge and a passion for helping our customers create homes, you can be sure that you are in safe hands for your new start to 2018.
Register with us today to find your new home Call our friendly team on 01284 723332 Turning houses into homes
20
Or email info@linnetproperty.co.uk Crescent House, 28 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Suolk, IP33 1UZ
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT NEWS FROM RED GABLES
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB We had a quiet time over the Christmas period after a hectic runup to the festive season. Members enjoyed a Christmas Party at the John Peel Centre and a Christmas Evening at the Hub. With the risk of bad weather we decided to have a three-week break this year. Hopefully the weather will be good when we recommence with a disco provided by Jane and Julian. This should make a good start to the year.
2017 has been a busy year for us. For many people December is only about Christmas, but we have been hard at work in the garden despite the cold. We had a visit from Inspire Suffolk which as part of a Princes Trust project brought a group of young people along to help sort out the spinney that we manage. Over a couple of hard working days they cleared many areas and helped to redefine the footpath and seating areas. We are very grateful to them for all their hard work. On the shortest day of the year we had a planting day when hundreds of plants, shrubs and trees were put into the ground. This is part of the long term arboretum project to manage the garden. Volunteers from Garden Project braved the cold and were rewarded by a visit from the mayor and his wife who have been keen supporters of this project. Mid Suffolk Voluntary Organisations Forum, the organisation which runs Red Gables, held its AGM on December 14 which was attended by many of our funders and supporters. Manager Martyn Burnside gave an overview of the progress through the year and a view of things to come. Many of the groups that meet in the Redwoods building held Christmas parties. The lunch club musicians were joined by the Stowmarket Strummers who played carols and encouraged people to join in with the singing while the volunteers worked hard to provide a superb lunch for all. Funding News We would like to thank Councillor Lesley Mayes for her continued support. Lesley has given £250 of her locality budget to our Dementia Music Café to help them to purchase some new instruments that can be used by all who come along to this group. If you would like to help Red Gables Wellbeing Hub here is a reminder of a very easy way you can support the work that we do. If you shop online, whether it is for groceries, electrical items, insurance or even holidays this is a simple way to raise extra money for us that won’t cost you a penny! Working with Easyfundraising, the UK’s number one charity cashback site, there are over 3,100 shops and sites where you can collect free donations for Red Gables. These include Amazon, John Lewis, eBay, Argos and Sainsbury’s. Follow this link to find out more and to sign-up for free and collect donations to help our work with people living in and around Stowmarket: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/redgables Assistant Manager Robert Horn
THINKING OF VOLUNTEERING? At Red Gables Volunteer Drop-in, we have many varied volunteering roles with local charities. For more information contact Sue on 01449 673947 (Tuesdays only) or email: sue.redgables@gmail.com Facebook.com/volunteerredgables
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
The following week members will be able to make bird boxes to take home ready for the birds to use in the spring. We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub in Crown Street. We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome. If you would like further information, please contact us on 01449 672123 or just come along on a Monday evening.
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB On Tuesday, January 2, a meeting of retired professional and businesspersons took place at the Royal British Legion Club in Stowmarket. At the meeting, members were enlightened on the work of CAMRA by a ‘spirited and sober’ talk from Nigel Smith. Our proposed programme for 2018 is as follows with a few dates to be confirmed: February 6 The Island of Iona by The Rev Chris Woods March 6 Jason Salisbury on Farmhouse Cheese March 16 Spring Lunch at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket April 3 AGM plus Alex Fisher on The Must Farm Dig May 1 John Sayers on 30 Years as a Coach Driver May 8 Trip to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum, Norfolk June 5 Jeanette Baldry on The Servants of Abbots Hall June 8 Summer Lunch at Needham Market Community Centre, TBC July 3 Roy Laverick on Trans-Siberian and Beyond July 10 Day trip to Chartwell (home of Winston Churchill) August 7 Open Meeting & Update on the Air Ambulance September 4 TBC October 2 Roger Kennel on Ipswich behind the Counter October 8 Five day trip to the Durham Area (details TBC) October Autumn Lunch (date/venue TBC) November 6 Graham Higgins on Magistrates December 4 TBC December Christmas Lunch at Needham Market Community Centre Non-members who are prepared to provide a 45-60 minute presentation on their hobby, business, society, club or project, should contact us using the details below. Annual membership will be £15 in April 2018. All trips are costed out to breakeven and a good deal is negotiated by a member of the committee. New members are very welcome and encouraged. Please contact David Robson (daviderobson@gmail.com) or any other member for details. Our monthly meetings are held at the RBL Club on Tavern Street, Stowmarket from 10.30am-noon.
21
OUT & ABOUT / ON THE GRAPEVINE STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Adele Kent from Norwich presents a demonstration entitled I’ve Got a Little List at Woolpit Village Hall IP30 9QX on Wednesday, February 28 at 7.30pm. Visitors £6. Come and enjoy and perhaps win one of Adele’s designs in the raffle.
NEW RURAL CRAFT COURSES AT ORCHARD BARN New craft courses are planned over the coming months at Orchard Barn near Battisford as the centre’s handmade craft room takes shape. As a tree and wood orientated enterprise it was decided to make a start with a spoon carving course on Saturday, March 10. What better way to spend some time than learning new skills carving small pieces of greenwood into beautiful and functional spoons? Much of the greenwood is sourced from Orchard Barn’s own orchard, so with apple pruning coming up the bigger pieces will be saved for carving. The smaller sticks are greatly enjoyed by one of volunteer’s pet rabbits and the rest are chomped up and converted into compost for the vegetable garden. Upcycling, repurposing and recycling are central to everything that Orchard Barn does. If you are interested in spoon carving, restorative orchard tree pruning or compost making please have a look at our courses by visiting: www.orchardbarn.org.uk/calender If you’re interested in volunteering and helping develop the rural craft course programme please email: sarah@orchardbarn.org.uk.
STOWMARKET SUGAR CRAFT CLUB Our January meeting was well attended considering it was January and the weather more conducive to staying indoors in the warm and dry. Glenda, our chairlady, did a demonstration of wiring sugar flowers into sprays. This included advice on how to select the correct gauge of wires to use when making various sugar flowers and the different methods that can be used initially to make the flowers. She then went on to wire up some of the most popular spray shapes – a crescent, a shower, a hogarth curve and a conical posy. With lots of questions from the members the evening went well. For some this was all very new, while others had probably seen it all before but agreed it was good to have a reminder. Macarons is the subject of our meeting on February 12. Unfortunately, the speaker we had booked isn’t able to make it, but we are so fortunate that two of our members, Robert and Jean, have offered to step in and do the demonstration for us. Jean’s macarons are legendary in the club so we’re all looking forward to seeing how they are made and appreciate that this is no small undertaking on their part. If you would like to come along for the evening you will be very welcome. We meet at St Mary’s Church Hall, Wolsey Road, Stowmarket at 7.30pm.
22
STOWMARKET WILDLIFE GROUP – SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST Wednesday, February 28, 7.30pm: Knowing Your Place – Wildlife in a Tiny Suffolk Hamlet by Jeremy Mynot Local naturalist John Mynot persuaded the inhabitants of the tiny Suffolk coastal hamlet of Shingle Street to support a biodiversity survey of the flora and fauna of the place to demonstrate its conservation importance. The results surprised everyone and he has since written a short popular account for general readers which attracted both national and local attention For further information or to book places on walks and visits contact John Thompson: 01449 676471 / swtstowmarket@gmail.com
BURY ST EDMUNDS AND STOWMARKET CATS PROTECTION This month we are looking for a home for Bear, a sweet little chap who is only 10 months old and has come into care as he didn’t get on with the young child in the household. Bear is a little worried about new experiences, but once he gets over that he is a very loving cat who wants to have fuss and attention. He would like a home that doesn’t have any dogs, but possibly another cat and with a family with children over five years or adults only. Bear is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. If you would like to know more about Bear or any of the cats in our care please ring Marina on 01449 674584. For more information visit our Facebook page or: www.cats.org.uk/bury-st-edmunds If your cat hasn’t been neutered and your circumstances mean that you need financial help towards the cost please ring Margaret on 01284 851055 and leave a message. In addition to raising £1,780 at Needham Market Christmas Fayre, £306 was raised at Needham Market Street Fayre. Thank-you to everyone who helped us raise so much money in many different ways. Our supply of tombola prizes is low so if you do have anything suitable such as cuddly toys or unwanted gifts please ring 01449 720003 to arrange collection or take along to any of our fundraising events during the year. Thank you for your continuing support.
Good Neighbours Are there people living in your community who would benefit from a Good Neighbour? A Good Neighbour Scheme is a group of people who help others in their community. This could be by giving a lift, checking a smoke alarm, changing a light bulb, fixing a tap, tidying a garden, or perhaps befriending someone who is lonely or new to the village. It is run by a group of local residents who want to help their neighbours enjoy a better quality of life. Each scheme is operated via a phone (normally a mobile) which is held in turn by a core group of volunteers. A duty period is usually one week but can be negotiated between members of the volunteer team. Anyone who needs help can call the number and speak to the duty officer, who will locate a suitable volunteer. Would you like to be involved with setting up or volunteering for a scheme? Are you already involved with a similar scheme and would like some support and to be part of a network? Community Action Suffolk can support you in setting up a scheme, we can provide you with all the advice and guidance you will need. Please contact Good Neighbour Scheme Development Officer Sally Connick: 01473 345359 / 07884 563370 / sally.connick@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
In Touch online:
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
23
24
In Touch online:
ON THE GRAPEVINE / SPORT QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb Tony from Woolpit asks: “What is a multi-fund investment and how does it work? Do they cost more in fees and charges? And can I have a multifund stocks and shares ISA?” Several investment companies now adopt a multifund or multi-manager approach, where investors can access a huge range of funds from some of the very best fund managers available, all within the one investment holding. In this way, you can diversify your portfolio across several different funds and fund managers, which reduces investment risk and provides the opportunity for flexibility. Fund choice can be changed at any time by effecting a switch within the investment wrapper. Also, unlike a surrender with one investment manager and re-investment into another, a switch within a multi-fund investment from one fund to another within the same wrapper will not necessarily trigger a tax charge. This means that the investment can be constantly tailored to suit an investor’s needs for income or growth at any time. Like all unit trust and OEIC investments, most multi-funds have an annual management charge that applies to the overall fund and there can also be charges made by the individual funds held within the multi-fund wrapper. These charges will vary according to the funds selected. However, with many multi-manager investment companies, the charges that would be applied if you invested directly with the companies concerned are significantly discounted. The total combined charges of a multi-fund investment can definitely be higher than those of a single fund held with one manager. However, you don’t pick a multi-fund investment because they have the lowest charges, but because they offer a wider fund choice and variety of investments held. So, in reality, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The obvious advantages of this multi-manager or multi-fund approach is a wider spread of investment assets and reduction of risk and volatility, but there is also a lot to be said for simplifying administration. If you have a multifund investment spread across ten funds, you still only get one statement every six months – not ten statements. And yes, you can invest into a multifund using an ISA, a Bond, a Unit trust or an OEIC wrapper. Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser. Send your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, or email them to nick@plumbfs.co.uk, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s answers to reader questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require specific advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial meeting to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
JIGSAW PRE-SCHOOL AT NEEDHAM MARKET Are you looking for childcare? At Jigsaw Pre-School (Sproughton) in Needham Market, we offer term time care and education for children aged two years to school age. If you would like more information about our setting or to enquire about available sessions please contact Laura: 01449 722717 / info@jigsawsproughton.org.uk The Drift, School Street, Needham Market, Ipswich IP6 8BB
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
MINI MUSIC MAKERS During last term we had sessions about colours and animals and also had a fundraising session for Children in Need. We finished the autumn term with our Christmas party and had a visit from Father Christmas who bought all the children a present. The new term has begun and there will be more sessions with shapes, lummy sticks and numbers for the children to enjoy. At Mini Music Makers our fun and friendly themed classes promote language development, co-ordination and social skills for all children aged 0-5 years. We have a few spaces at the moment so contact Helen on 01449 722991 to join us at The Ark in Needham Market on Friday afternoons during term time from 1.20-2.20pm. Sessions cost just £2 per week.
STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB Following successive promotions, we want to continue our success in 2018. We welcome adult and junior players of all ages and abilities. Adult indoor nets will take place at Ipswich School from 8-10pm on February 11 and 25 and March 11 and 25. The junior section programme will begin in April; dates will be released soon. For further information, please contact Clive Witherly: 01359 240019 / wigg51@btinternet.com For regular news items and match reports visit: www.stowmarketcc.co.uk
STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB Let’s talk about injuries. Or shall we avoid the topic? No, we can’t because injury affects all of us at various stages of our lives and in different forms. I see many players arriving at the courts and leaping straight onto the baseline to start hitting at pretty much full speed. The damage and pain is often not felt at the time, but huge problems can be experienced later on when the body has cooled down and rested. Equally, most players can benefit from a little bit of corrective input from a coach or physio to address issues with their technique and movement, balance and posture. Fixing the cause of the problem can save a lot of time, discomfort and frustration later on. Even the professionals have problems with injury. Lately we have seen many of the world’s best players having to amend their schedule in order to manage injury, Federer and Nadal being the most obvious examples, but with the Australian Open in our minds we’ve seen Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic absent through injury. Kei Nishikori and Stan Warinka are also suffering with long term problems and our top woman, Johanna Konta, is also having to trim her schedule due to injury. The general consensus of opinion is that these players are having to work so hard, so frequently and at such a high level that even these ‘superhuman’ athletes are struggling to cope. Tennis is certainly a different game compared to what it was even 20 years ago. Players are bigger, more muscular, heavier, faster, stronger and with the use of modern style and grips putting far greater loads on their bodies. How this will be resolved remains to be seen. Lots of other budding ‘superhuman’ athletes have been enjoying the new disco tennis session at the club. Designed to get non-players into a club for the first time, the focus is on fun, fabulous music (of course) movement and chasing dozens of balls to get you working. Players are free to work at a pace that is comfortable for them and it’s a great way to burn a few calories and start shedding that naughty Christmas tummy. If you come along as a brand new face then you get the session for free! If you’d like any more information about the coaching programme then drop me a line and we’ll get you started. See you on court! Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com
25
SPORT NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB STOWMARKET HEAD SUPPORTS ROOKERY BOWLING CLUB’S NEW YOUNG BOWLERS ERA Rookery Bowling Club is set to introduce a new era of junior bowls supported by Stowmarket High School. Back in 2005/6, Rookery Bowling Club started a junior bowling group consisting of players from Stowmarket High School. The players were Andrew and Stephen Pulford, Joseph Cross, Jack Pugh, Bramwell Cross, Caitlin and Aiden Riches, Ben Parrish, Hogan Cobbold, Lauren Finbow, Abbi and Beth Manser amongst others. They were initially coached by Ann Hawkins, Dorothy Pryke and Mark Royal who also set up a junior’s bowls tournament in 2007 which was attended by 2006 World Singles Champion Billy Jackson and the current World No2 Greg Harlow who is pictured here with the juniors. These juniors went on to play successfully as a team and individually with many going on to win county and national championships. Abbi Manser, winner of the Women’s National Bowls England Under 25 Singles, is pictured here. This new 2018 junior section will follow the 2006/11 pattern with visits to the school, bowling introduction, equipment, taster sessions, coaching, competitions and an open day. It will be designed for the junior bowler who just wants to have fun and also expanded to help the bowler with designs on being the next national champion. Stowmarket High School Headmaster Mr Dave Lee-Allan (pictured) said: “We are very proud of the achievements of our students, particularly in such a niche sport. However, we can take no credit for their success as this is totally down to the hard work of the students and Rookery Bowls Club. We are happy to promote the taster sessions in the future to our students and invite Rookery Bowls Club to attend some of our assemblies to speak to pupils.” Mark Royal said: “Our 2006/11 young bowlers were very enthusiastic, hardworking and talented and deserved all they achieved. Our new 2018 juniors will have a fun time with us and I am sure will be just as successful” Mark is pictured getting a sendoff for this month’s Potters World Bowls Tournament. Also in the spring, Rookery Bowling Club will be starting activities to encourage new bowlers both young and old to come and join them. If you would like to join a thriving club with lots going on, contact our secretary Shirley Plummer – 01449 774064 / secretary@rookerybowls.club – or visit: www.rookerybowls.club
26
After a very successful outdoor season, many our bowlers are enjoying indoor bowling at the Meadlands. Any member wanting information about indoor bowling can contact me, David Hindley, on 01449 613144. I would also like to say that not only have we achieved success on the green this year, but that the atmosphere in the club and the camaraderie between teams and bowlers has been excellent which makes for a welcoming and very happy bowls club. The green was successfully put to bed and the green team will be busy throughout the close season ensuring it will be in good condition for the 2018 season. The team has been reinforced, but can always use extra help. Anyone interested in joining the green team should contact Alastair Bailie on 01449 720759. Our winter social events got off to a good start with carpet bowling on our not quite perfect carpet! The competition was won by Shirley Eaton with runners-up Rita Robertson and Charlie Lawson just one point behind. Thanks to everyone who took part. By the time you read this we will have had our Christmas social with fun and games for all. Our social on January 19 will see the return of the Stowmarket Strummers ukulele band with games between sets. February 23 will be the ‘Big Quiz’ which is getting to be a very competitive event, but always played in good spirit. The date and content of the March event is still to be decided. Although bowls is an ideal sport for the active older person remember: ‘YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO BOWL’. Contacts: Pat Hadden 01473 831308 / Alistair Bailie 01449 720759
STOWMARKET SWIMMING CLUB FROM NO FRILLS TO OLYMPIC GRANDEUR Stowmarket Swimming Club hosted its club championships in November and the final meet of 2017 was the ‘no frills’. Over these two galas the club had 37 qualifiers for the county championship which will be held at Crown Pools, Ipswich during February.
The club (pictured with with Head Coach Sylvia Harrison) then had the opportunity of attending a long course competition hosted by Waltham Forest whose home pool is the coveted 50m Olympic pool at Stratford. The competitors from Stowmarket rose to the long course challenge and 10 individuals secured a clutch of medals.
Trophies were awarded for top scoring boys and girls in each age group; both Calvin Coe (pictured) in the 16yrs/over and Sophie Lander (pictured) in the 12yrs categories were worthy recipients of the awards. Many of our swimmers had never raced in a 50m pool before and their performances were a credit to them all. The club had a great time and really enjoyed the opportunity of swimming at this amazing venue.
In Touch online:
SPORT / CHURCH NEWS SCORPION ACADEMY A fantastic start to the year with a superb turnout of students training in universal karate or taekwondo, kickboxing and Muay Thai. 2018 is the 28th year since the academy started and also Head Coach Mark JR Trent’s 40th anniversary since starting training in the martial arts. Since 1990 many thousands of children and adults have trained and many have achieved the unique level of blackbelt and also kickboxing champions. The AMAWW (Association of Martial Arts Worldwide) awarded Andy Lewis with Master of the Year Hall of Fame and Mark JR Trent with Grandmaster of the Year Hall of Fame awards. This is a big honour and is great recognition for all of the hard work. Mark is pictured with Grandmaster Roy Kilner (8th dan blackbelt and UFKKWA honorary president) Senior Master Andy Lewis (5th dan blackbelt and UFKKWA vice-president).
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, STOWMARKET With Christmas and the New Year just a distant memory our thoughts are turning to the most important time in the church calendar, Easter. The period before Easter is known as Lent. The 40 days leading up to Easter was traditionally a time of fasting. However, before Lent commences we have Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, the traditional feast day ahead of Ash Wednesday. From 7pm on Shrove Tuesday, February 13 we will be holding our popular pancake evening in our main hall in Ipswich Street. You are invited to feast on traditional pancakes and enjoy a selection of quizzes, all for a donation to church funds. You will be made very welcome, so come and see what’s on at URC or look at our website and noticeboards.
In 2004 Mark started the UFKKWA (Universal Freestyle Karate Kickboxing Worldwide Association). Currently we have 212 martial arts organisations in over 30 countries. The UFKKWA recognises all martial arts and unlike most associations membership is totally free with no hidden charges anywhere. We have a full calendar of events running throughout the year which includes our three coloured belt exams, two blackbelt gradings, interclub tournaments, kids Nerf gun Sundays, weekend training camp, free ladies self-defence training, international tae kwon do and karate championships, charity fundraising and social events. Scorpion Academy teaches a variety of martial arts with each one offering something unique. Universal Karate: a mix of Japanese, British and Korean martial arts. Throws and takedowns, weapons training, pressure points and nerve strikes, patterns/kata, sparring and grappling, realistic self-defence and fitness. Kickboxing: offers superb fitness and core training, pad work and lots of sparring. You can compete in interclub tournaments, fight on big shows or just train for the love of it. Muay Thai: the national sport of Thailand. High level fitness and strength training, fighting using your hands, feet, knees and elbows, learn modern and old style Muay Thai.
Old Newton
TUESDAY LUNCH A hot two course lunch and good company Tuesday, February 6, 12.15-1.30pm Everyone welcome – no need to book – just turn up hungry!
SHROVE TUESDAY Soup and Pancake Lunch Tuesday, February 13, 12.15-1.30pm All welcome. How many pancakes can you eat?
Scorpion Self-Defence: we run self-protection for individuals, small groups, clubs, schools and businesses. Learn simple to use but highly effective techniques that actually work should the need ever arise. For further information about any of our classes please call Mark JR Trent on 07708 644162 or email: scorpionacademy@live.co.uk We are pleased to offer one month free to all new members joining.
Wednesday, February 14 Service of Ashing at 6.30pm Do come and join us.
www.ufkkwa.webs.com
Dad always gave her roses. With their help, today was no different Here for you every hour of every day Meredith Greengrass, 15 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket
01449 798023
or visit www.eastofengland.coop/funerals www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
27
CHURCH NEWS THE SALVATION ARMY Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket
All welcome to our Messy Church Service on Sunday, February 4
Sunday, February 4 Wednesday, February 7 Sunday, February 11 Sunday, February 18 Sunday, February 25 Sunday, March 4 Wednesday, March 7 Sunday, March 11 Sunday, March 16
11am & 5.30pm Services 7.30pm Live Lounge at Costa 11am Service 4pm Messy Church 11am & 5.30pm Anniversary Celebrations led by Majors Andrea and Mark Sawyer 11am Service 4pm Café Church 11am & 5.30pm Services Live Lounge at Costa, 7.30pm 11am Service / Mothering Sunday 4pm Messy Church 11am & 5.30pm Services
WEEKLY EVENTS
This month’s theme is Giving and Receiving Love and we are making heart shaped biscuits, a card for someone special and a heart shaped banner to hang in church.
Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Fridays Saturdays
If this sounds like fun, come along and join us. The service starts at 11am with tea/coffee and bacon rolls served from 10.45am.
We have interesting and varied activities during the week, and well attended Sunday Services. For more information, please ring Jenny: 01449 614133
First Steps Parent & Toddler Group, 9.30-11.30am CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other), 10am Over Sixties Club, 2pm Kidz Club (ages five plus), 5.45pm Live Lounge at Costa Coffee, 7.30pm (first Wed) Café at The Rec, 7-9.30pm Coffee Morning, 10am-noon
CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev Rita Carr (Methodist): 01449 612619 Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am (including crèche and Sunday Club) Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: For mums and babies up to four years, Monday from 9.30-11.15am in term time. Contact Hannah: 07969 482360 Scrabble Club: Monday from 2-4pm. New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm. Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Christians Together Ecumenical Group: Thursday at 10am, Room 4 Christchurch (term time). Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon, always with a selection of cakes for sale. OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Monday, 7-9pm Moosical Fun for your Little One: Sing, dance and play for 0-5s, Tuesday morning from 9.15am-noon in term time. Osteo Stretch & Exercise: Tuesday, 12.30-1.30pm Karate: Tuesday, 6.30-8.30pm Karate: Wednesdays, 5.30-7.30pm (term time) Karate: Friday, 6.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday, 6.30-7pm (term time) Exercise Classes: Friday, 9-11am HALL LETTINGS: There are spaces available for hire. To arrange a visit to view or for further information ring: 07851 742847 CHURCH CONTACT: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk February can be a funny old month – far enough from Christmas and the New Year for the excess pounds and resolutions to have vanished – yet the
28
mornings are still dark, the temperatures prone to plummeting and there’s always the threat/promise (delete as applicable) of snow. The church calendar this year places Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent – that period of ‘preparation’ for Easter) on February 14 – a date perhaps more commonly known as St Valentine’s Day. This could be a confusing time for those who intend to mark both, particularly anyone who intends to give up chocolate for Lent and who also receives confectionery from their true love! Yet, there’s a link between these two events, and that is love. ‘Love is all around’ as the song says. I’ve always been a fan of Wet Wet Wet – that’s the pop group, not the weather – and I like the sentiment of the lyrics: ‘I feel it in my fingers; I feel it in my toes, the love that’s all around me, and so the feeling grows.’ Love is everywhere; it is all consuming and has the potential for growth. So if you are fortunate enough to receive a Valentine’s Card I hope that the loving relationship grows between you and your beloved. And if you are someone for whom Lent is important, then I hope that you will discover the love of God in a new and deeper way as you journey through those 40 days – a way that may however, also involve chocolate in April! To quote another of my favourite musical groups: ‘All you need is love, love is all you need’ Blessings to you and those you love, The Rev Mary Playford A FESTIVAL THANK YOU We hope you found time to pop in to Christchurch Christmas Festival, and to find all the sheep in the High Street Sheep Trail; there was such a lot going on in that first week of December. Thank you to everyone who supported our festival in any way, by knitting stars for the Knitivity Star, creating a Bible story display or visiting and enjoying our refreshments. We enjoyed meeting you and you helped us to raise over £700 for Christchurch and the charities we support.
In Touch online:
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
KITCHEN SALE 25% off for a limited period
UP TO 16 PASSENGERS TRANSPORTED TO
AIRPORTS HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS SEAPORTS
22 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY LICENSED & CRB CHECKED.
FOR A FRIENDLY AND RELIABLE LOCAL SERVICE TELEPHONE: 01449 780359 24 HOUR ANSWERPHONE SERVICE ADVANCED BOOKINGS ONLY
COTTON CARRIAGES
Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning
Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation
call John Burch: 07870 347486
Tel: 01449 721441
To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
29
ELECTRICAL Tel/Fax: 01449 612537 Your local electrical service contractor for expert advice
• Rewiring • New Installation • Testing and Repair Work • Supplier of Electrical Equipment Unit 5, Glebe Farm, Onehouse, Stowmarket
John Bull motors ltd Petrol and diesel MOT Testing Servicing, repairs & diagnostics
Unit 7B, Charles Ind. Estate, Stowmarket
Tel: 01449 774150 Fax: 01449 675898 johnbullmotors@btconnect.com
MID-SUFFOLK FENCING
SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY TIMBER FENCING
SUPPLY • ERECT • REPAIR
TIMBER & STEEL GATES DECKING PATIOS WOODEN BRIDGES FREE ESTIMATES 31 Alexander Drive, Needham Market IP6 8XG
www.midsuffolkfencing.co.uk
YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT
GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work
For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505
To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380
30
In Touch online:
Suffolk Foot Health
S J Wallace Builders Ltd
Calluses Corns Verrucas Ingrowing Nails Fungal Infections Athlete’s Foot Nail Trimming Diabetic Foot Care
Specialising in Extensions, Kitchens & General Building
Jane Robinson MCFHP MAFHP
Est. 1987
Residential and Commercial Visit our website at
HOME VISITS
www.sjwallacebuilders.co.uk Tel: 01449 672997 Mobile: 07788 560482
Mobile: 07916 143618
FREE ESTIMATES
SAXON MONUMENTAL CRAFT Best quality memorials, pet stones and marble for fireplaces Contact Sally Nice on: 01284 754512 / 01284 735797 07799 376105 (mobile) sallynice@hotmail.co.uk 55 St Andrews Street North, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1TZ
STOWE SCHOOL OF DANCE RAD Ballet, ISTD Ballet,
ISTD Modern, ISTD Tap For enquiries please contact
Fiona Drew on 01449 616623.
RAD TeAching DiplomA, AiSTD
To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380
www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
31