In touch news with westerfield december 2017

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In Touch

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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 8 • Issue No. 1 • DECEMBER 2017

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR It has been a rather hectic month. I think the much overused term ‘rollercoaster ride’ might apply! My ability to cope when emotions are raw and tensions are high has been well and truly tested. I’m an organiser. I tend to dive in, determined to fix the problem, whatever it may be, by facing up to it. This often works, but when the problem is beyond fixing or not within my ability to fix I struggle to cope. Nobody likes to feel powerless, but there are times when we are all forced to place our trust in others whether we want to or not. How others respond can make this more or less tolerable, but don’t ever underestimate the power of a kind word or a smile. The ability to make others feel at ease is often referred to as ‘good bedside manner’, but in everyday life isn’t it just ‘being nice’? The festive season can be a time of great happiness, as I hope it is for you this year, but it’s also often stressful, frequently lonely and almost always exhausting. ‘Being nice’ may not change things significantly, but surely it can’t hurt. A smile when a weary shop assistant asks if you need a bag, stepping aside to make way for a buggy, holding a door open, ‘sincerely’ asking someone how they are and actually waiting for an answer, all simple acts which can turn a lousy day around. I’m no angel. I have grumpy days, days when I feel much sorrier for myself than I possibly could for anyone else, days when even my own son knows not to mess with me, but I’ve seen first-hand the astonishing effect a genuine act of kindness can have in even the most challenging circumstance and that’s who I want to be. I want to be the person who makes others feel better. Can I do it 365 days of the year? Possibly not, but I’m going to try and it starts now. Christmas is a lovely time for most of us and those of us who are in a good place this year can make it better for those who are less fortunate. Whether it’s a smile, a donation to a food bank, carol singing for charity, volunteering, visiting an elderly neighbour, taking someone out for coffee and a mince pie… simple acts, extraordinary effects. Happy Christmas from everyone at Mansion House Publishing and, in the words of Aunt Lucy in Paddington 2, remember “If you’re kind and polite, everything will come right”.

In Touch

with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham

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: westerfield@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.

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 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. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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JANUARY DEADLINE

1 DECEMBER 2017 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS CABARET NIGHT IS BACK! An evening of light music and entertainment will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 7.30pm at Witnesham Village Hall. Entry is free, but donations to Lighthouse Women’s Aid, our chosen charity this year, would be greatly appreciated. There will be a draw and prizes would be welcome. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Christmas is a time when we think of families less fortunate than ourselves who need a refuge from an abusive partner or family member. Lighthouse Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation based in Suffolk providing emotional support to women and their children experiencing domestic abuse in their personal or family relationships.

FYNN VALLEY DONATES £2,150 TO MAGPAS AIR AMBULANCE

Fynn Valley’s past Lady Captain, Sally Crosbie, had a memorable visit to Magpas Air Ambulance HQ in November when she presented them with a cheque for £2,150 raised during her captain’s year. Sally’s husband Bob (Club Captain at Fynn Valley) accompanied her, along with Jilly Tye (the new Lady Captain), Sharron Cozens (her vice-captain), Sally and Bob’s son Ben – whose accident prompted Sally’s choice of charity – and Ben’s wife, Sarah. It was Ben’s first visit to the base since his accident in August 2016, and he was able to speak to the pilot who flew him to Addenbrookes. The group were also able to sit in the helicopter and ask questions from one of the doctors on duty, all very informative and interesting. It is sobering to think that the money raised doesn’t cover even one day of the cost of running the helicopter (this is £3,320), but, of course, every little helps. The Crosbies are as a family obviously so grateful to Magpas for providing the critical care Ben needed before airlifting him to hospital, and pleased to report he is continuing to make a good recovery. Indeed he was roped in to man a hosepipe to clean the helicopter! Sally is also grateful to the members of the golf club who supported the charity throughout the year.

1ST WESTERFIELD SCOUTS Christmas Card Collections: Up to December 12 Each card costs only 25p regardless of size. To use this service place your cards and payment in the collection boxes. Please state the postcode wherever possible and keep cards and money together in a sealed bag or envelope. Deliveries will be made in the following districts: Ipswich postcodes IP1-IP5, Barham, Claydon, Great and Little Bealings, Great Blakenham, Felixstowe, Grundisburgh, Henley, Kesgrave, Kirton, Martlesham Heath, Pinewood, Playford, Rushmere, Tuddenham, Westerfield and Witnesham. Post boxes will be available in local schools, shops, pubs and public places. Further information available at: www.scoutspostipswich.org.uk

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NEWS ASHBOCKING NEWS Halloween night was quite special in Ashbocking this year. We’ve used the system for many years; if you’ve put a lit pumpkin outside your house, then you’re more than happy for the children to call by for ‘trick or treat’. This year the parents organised it all one stage further; a plan of the village houses was produced and via WhatsApp and noticeboards, everyone knew who was happy to have callers. And it all worked so well. At least 30 children with many parents, all dressed up appropriately, called by for ‘trick or treat’. All the children were polite with smiles and giggles. It was a joy to pass over sweets to them all. Not a trick in sight! Many thanks to the parents who organised and took part. Your children did you proud. The Remembrance Service at Ashbocking All Saints Church was attended by more than 40 parishioners and visitors. Thanks to Linda Ellis for decorating the church and lay preacher Mark Cresswell for taking the service. Our next major event will be the Church Bazaar, which will be over by the time you read this. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their making, cooking, giving, setting up, selling, laughing, meeting and helping. Special thanks and admiration to Linda Pollard for organising the whole thing and for bringing us to order at the many planning meetings we have all enjoyed. Always great ‘Pollard hospitality’. Finally, the parish council wishes all residents a Very Happy Christmas. Let’s spread goodwill and joy to each other. Liz Stegman

WITNESHAM & SWILLAND BOXING DAY WALK This year’s annual Boxing Day walk will start from the Recreation Ground car park near the Barley Mow at 11am and take around one and a half hours. Everyone welcome (with dogs on leads), but please use appropriate footwear, especially if it gets wet. Looking forward to seeing you all. Jerry Hindle, 01473 785669

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ϳ͘ϯϬƉŵ Ăƚ ^ŚĞƉŚĞƌĚ ƌŝǀĞ ĂƉƚŝƐƚ ŚƵƌĐŚ >ĂďƵƌŶƵŵ ůŽƐĞ͕ WŝŶĞǁŽŽĚ͕ /ƉƐǁŝĐŚ /Wϯ ϴ^>

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Can you find the transport you require? This is the story we often hear. “I’m cosy in my room, legs up on the recliner, TV on and a cuppa beside me, but I’m feeling lonely and isolated. My life could be so much richer and happier if only I could get to the local coffee morning and chat with real live people. I worry so much about imposing on busy relatives to get me to my health appointments. I want to visit friends and wander at leisure round the local supermarket. I want some independence.” Here at BSEVC we can help with that transport. From Monday to Saturday we operate four easily accessible vehicles in Mid Suffolk, Ipswich and Kesgrave. Trips can be booked up to two weeks in advance, longer if it’s for a health appointment. We also provide a volunteer car service. We have a team of volunteer drivers who use their own cars to transport you from your home to wherever you need to go. If it’s a health appointment our driver will wait for you for up to two hours. Our services can be used by families, individuals, young people and older people. It is for almost everyone. For local groups and organisations we also have a 15 seater minibus which can be used for your outings. We also provide a fully qualified and experienced driver. Our minibus can also be used by schools and colleges for sports fixtures or day trips. To provide these services we rely on volunteer drivers, it’s a very rewarding thing to do and even a couple of hours a month can make such a difference to those who use our services. Drivers are needed to drive our minibus or small people carriers or our two standard cars and we provide training and induction sessions. If you have a few hours spare and want to find out more please give us a call, there are people in your community who really need your assistance to get from A to B. If you are interested in joining the team or if you wish to find out more about travelling with us please contact us: bookings@bsevc.co.uk / 01449 614271. We’d be very happy to talk through all the options with you and tell you a bit more about what we can do. www.bsevc.co.uk

GRUNDISBURGH TOY SERVICE This year we are supporting the work of Lighthouse Women’s Refuge at our Toy Service in Grundisburgh on December 3. Whichever village you live in, you are invited to join in this giving of a special Christmas gift by leaving your donation in your local church between December 1 and 5. Gift cards in £5 dominations are extremely useful, these can be from any local store such as Primark, The Works, WH Smith, Sports Direct, Mothercare and any supermarket. These are wonderful for last minute gifts for arrivals just before and in between Christmas and New Year.

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Other gifts for women could include toiletries, make-up, hair-care products, sweets, clothing/nightwear and accessories and for children toys, stationery, sweets, craft materials, nightwear and board games.

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Please can all gifts be donated unwrapped. Wrapping paper, gift tags and Sellotape are also extremely useful. No chemistry sets, gun/knife type toys, alcohol or ignitable items such as fireworks or candles.

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NEWS TALITHA KOUM HOPE CENTRE

COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING

We are delighted to announce that Talitha Koum Hope Centre is now CQC registered. We received very positive feedback from our inspector who commented that: “If we could clone what you have done here and show other providers how to do it, we would!”

Witnesham Baptist Church invites you to join us for Community Carol Singing at The Barley Mow on Tuesday, December 12 at 7pm.

The Hope Centre is a purpose built residential rehabilitation centre for women to recover from addiction. Situated in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk countryside, it offers 24/7 support from our all-female support staff as part of a three month personalised rehabilitation programme. If you or a friend or family member are looking for a safe supportive environment to recover from drug or alcohol addiction please do get in touch: 01473 852050 / emailadmissions@talithakoum.org.uk

THE BARLEY PLAYERS PRESENT THE 1851 GREAT EXHIBITION (OF WITNESHAM)

Talitha Koum also offers weekly community-based support groups in different locations across Ipswich. These provide a safe environment where women affected by addiction can share their thoughts and experiences and gradually build self-confidence and self-worth.

“When the local people realise that travelling to London could be a problem they decide to hold their own Great Exhibition with surprising results.”

If you would like to know more about the Women Together groups please contact Jenny: 07503 416576 / womentogether@talithakoum.org.uk Everyone is warmly invited to a carol service for Talitha Koum on Friday, December 15 at 7.30pm at Shepherd’s Drive Baptist Church, Laburnum Close, Pinewood, Ipswich IP3 8SL. For more information about the Talitha Koum project please visit: www.talithakoum.org.uk / Facebook

CHRISTMAS IN SWILLAND Swilland Christmas Draw The Christmas Draw is on Saturday, December 2 at 1pm at Witnesham Village Hall. A light lunch of homemade soup, filled rolls and mince pies will be available from noon. There will be cake, preserves, book and gift stalls. Tickets are now on sale. Please contact Ann Kent – 07765 666523 / davidandannkent@hotmail.co.uk – if you can help to sell some. We shall be pleased to receive gifts towards the prize list.

What better news could there be than this early Christmas present, the announcement of a new play by the Barley Players due to be performed in late April early May next year? In the meantime there is the little task of casting the production. There will therefore be a read-through in early January followed by auditions and casting to enable rehearsals to start by the middle of January. Auditions are open to all and we would welcome newcomers as well as our past performers to come along. Dates will be confirmed in the next issue of In Touch, but if you want early confirmation of the dates you can phone me before Christmas when all the dates should be known. Don’t forget we are also in search of backstage help including sound, lighting, make-up, stage building, costumes, sponsors and so on. So come on, take the plunge and get involved, you won’t regret it! Previous productions have included The Ghost of Witnesham Hall and Cripps, Cripps and Cripps Steve Henley: henleysteve@btinternet.com

ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND

Christmas Carol Evening: Friday, December 15 Starting at Gina Wilden’s house, 7 High Road (the last house on the right hand side of the road before the water tower) at 5.30pm when we get warmed up with mince pies, etc.

Grant applications are welcome from individuals and from groups. Application forms should be submitted to the address below by January 1. Grants will generally be of up to £150, e.g. towards the cost of instruments, music, music related equipment and musical activities.

We will be visiting all the houses as we did last year and collecting for a worthy charity or two. We plan to end up at the Moon and Mushroom to provide further harmony for pub revellers joining with the Ashbocking singers to jointly raise the roof.

For further information and application forms call 01473 625196, visit www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk or write to: The Roger David Burrows Music Fund, c/o The Burrows Family, 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3UG.

They helped us remember Dad at Christmas It’s the little things that count Here for you every hour of every day

01473 851731

for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals 6

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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!!!

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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING

WESTERFIELD CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS

Events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise.

Westerfield Bowls Club The club has more than 50 members who enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September. Our teams compete in local leagues as well as playing friendly games against other clubs. For further information contact Tony Baker: 01473 411347

Booking Clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 01473 785798 Parish Clerk: Mr Steve Barron, 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com It is always advisable to check with Anne to see if the village hall is available. The parish clerk or Anne will arrange between them to put notices on the notice boards. WEEKLY EVENTS

Village Coffee Mornings Coffee mornings are held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome.

Tuesdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm

Westerfield & District Gardening Club The gardening club meets at Westerfield Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month, starting at 7.15pm.

• Drop-in Café at Witnesham Baptist Church, 2-4pm

December 6: Christmas Arrangements/Decorations with Linda Harman

• Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Mr Peter Elmy: 785754

Everyone is welcome. For further details contact Barbara Bell (01473 231411), Michele Doick (01473 252330) or Barry Reeve (01473 251843).

Thursdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet Bowls from 2pm • Tai Chi Classes from 5.45pm. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers Group in Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.15-11.15am. Contact Mrs Jean Pearson: 785478 • Pilates Class, 10-11am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Regular Sewing Classes please contact Mrs Kim Shaw for details: 01473 785678 DECEMBER Saturday 2: Swilland Church Christmas Draw from noon, serving filled rolls and soup and mince pies. Various stalls. The draw takes place at 1pm. Cabaret night featuring Village Voices and other local talent. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. There will be a draw. Admission is free, but donations will be welcome in support of The Lighthouse Women’s Aid. Thursday 7: Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin: 785138 Saturday 9: Christmas Fayre organised by the Friends of Witnesham Nursing Home from 2.30-4pm at the home – includes stalls, a tombola, grand draw and light refreshments. Tuesday 12: Baptist Church members welcome other villagers to join in this community choir singing carols at the Barley Mow from 7pm. Wednesday 13: The WI holds its Christmas meeting with in-house entertainment, 7.30pm Sunday 17: Carol Service at Witnesham Baptist Church, 4pm Tuesday 19: Members of St Mary’s and Village Voices invite you to join them singing carols at Witnesham Nursing Home around 6pm, and at the Barley Mow from 8.15pm Thursday 21 Mobile Library visits The Green, Ashbocking, 12.15-12.35pm Village Voices meet Friday 22: St Mary’s Church Carol Service at 6.30pm Thursday 28: Mobile Library visits Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.5010.20am), the Moon & Mushroom, Swilland (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am)

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Beavers, Cubs & Scouts The 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the Village Hall as its headquarters the group consists of: Beaver Colony Thursday, 5.45-6.45pm Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Beaver Leader: Jenny Kent 01473 218501 / jennyk.kent1@gmail.com Cub Pack Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years. Cub Leader: Joan Gibson 01473 785510 / gibsonjoan785@gmail.com Scout Troop Friday, 6.50-9pm Boys and girls, 10½-14 years. Scout Leader: Peter Runnacles 01473 785298 / peter@runnacles.plus.com If your child is interested in joining us please use the contact form on our website from where your enquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate leader: www.westerfieldscouts.org.uk Westerfield WI Lively meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the village hall with different speakers on a variety of topics. The membership is 42 at present. December 14: Christmas Party New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates Classes in the village hall on Mondays from 10.30-11.45am. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Exercise class at Westerfield Village Hall on Tuesdays from 2.15-4pm and on Thursdays from 7.15-9pm. £12 per class, suitable for all ages. Contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Yoga Westerfield Village Hall on Thursdays from 9.40-11am. 80 minutes of yoga stretches, breathing practices and relaxation. British Wheel of Yoga qualified teacher. £48 for block of six (£9.50 drop-in). Contact Caroline Glason: caroline@still-yoga.co.uk / 01473 464204 / 07746 860380 Please note that there is now an online calendar to check availability of the village hall. For more information visit: www.westerfield-village.co.uk

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Christmas 2017 at Fynn Valley Golf Club

Christmas Lunches available daily throughout December two courses £16 three courses £19 groups welcome booking required

Christmas Party Nights limited places still available for our Party Nights three course meal and disco £34.50 enquire for details

Boxing Day Lunch three course meal £19.95 under 12s £10 booking required

New Year's Eve bubbles & canapes, four course meal & disco £59.95 booking required

Tel: 01473 785267 www.fynn-valley.co.uk

Stowe Veterinary Centre

Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre

Ipswich Veterinary Centre

The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery

The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery

54 Bury Road, Stowmarket

2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds

Scrivener Drive, Ipswich

Coddenham Road, Needham Market

Station Road, Elmswell

Tel: 01449 613 130

Tel: 01284 747 000

Tel: 01473 555 000

Tel: 01449 722 198

Tel: 01359 241 761

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OUT & ABOUT OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB

We meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of the month at Otley Village Hall, Chapel Road, Otley.

Open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham, but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in Great Blakenham Parish Room. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle.

Monday, December 4: Christmas Gardening Quiz with our patron, Matthew Tanton Brown Compare gardening notes over tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome; join up or just come along. Admission is £1.50 for members and £4 for non-members. Annual membership is £10. To find out more, contact Alan Trevelyan (01473 890563), Emma Coomber (07814 112860) or Isabel Lincoln (01473 890826).

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, December 13: Memories of Steam Caught on Canvas, illustrated talk by Wrenford Thatcher We meet at 7pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via the rear car park. Visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments. Details from Martyn (01473 422145) or Peter (01394 420490)

On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. For our second meeting at the end of October we had a talk on the origins, superstitions and customs of Halloween and how it is celebrated today together with suitable orange and green cakes! In November we had a social afternoon with a beetle drive led by Jean and a visit from the Rural Coffee Caravan. ur final get together for the year will be our Christmas Lunch at The Chequers on December 13. The club continues to prosper and our programme for 2018 will follow in due course. New members are always welcome, but if you would just like to come along in the New Year and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

www.idhts.co.uk

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY We will have a general and family history quiz when we meet on Thursday, December 14 (earlier in the month than normal). Bring along your favourite family history photo; we will sort out teams or groups when you get there. We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB The club is open to anyone living not just in Great Blakenham, but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet every Monday other than bank holidays in Great Blakenham Parish Room from 2-4pm from February to December. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area at the rear. The building is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Alternatively, if you would just like to come and bring your own project to work on, enjoy our company and make new friends without doing the workshops the charge is £1.50 per meeting. Members take it in turns to make the tea.

We had an amazing display from one of our members on November 1 about stamps that were issued after the fall of the USSR when there was inflation and new states being created. It was a really good display of material that many of us hadn’t seen before.

We had some mini-makes for November, the first being a knitted vintage flower broach which was knitted in red with black centres for Remembrance Day. Our second mini-make was a lavender bag made from a hessian strip with lace on it and a lavender ribbon bow. Our AGM was held early on the last meeting in November as we are out for Christmas lunch on December 4. We reviewed another busy year of makes and looked at next year’s programme which will be included in the January edition.

We have only one meeting this month on Wednesday, December 6, when we are having our first afternoon meeting at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Hall IP5 1JF. Sarah Brooks, a stamp dealer, will talk about the trade and also bring some of her stock so that we can purchase if we wish. The meeting starts at 1pm.

If you have been interested in our reports over the past year and think it all sounds interesting, there is currently room for new members. If you would like to join us please get in touch. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children.

For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND PLOT Featuring a full moon, the Barley Mow again hosted the village fireworks display on November 5. Les had again arranged an onsite barbecue so it was an exciting night for kids and adults alike.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE HOODED LANCE

The display was up to the normal high standard and kept the village tradition going for another year. The normal collection was made and although I have no details I hope that everyone who was there was generous in supporting this village event and that the collection covered the costs. Thanks should be recorded to Les and the staff of the Barley Mow and to Kevin Bosworth for managing the event. Steve Henley, Village Recorder and Historian

CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP There will be a wreath-making workshop with Margaret Knights of Rose Cottage Flowers on Tuesday, December 12, from 7-10pm at Otley Village Hall. The cost is £25 to include refreshments and materials as detailed below. There are only 15 places available, so book now! Call Sandra on 01473 610264. Materials supplied: a 12” plastic backed, soaked oasis wreath ring / conifer and ivy / dried oranges, cones and cinnamon sticks and ribbon. All of the above will make a beautiful traditional type of door wreath, or a ring for a hurricane lamp and candle table centre. Please bring your own secateurs, apron, specs and lazy Susan if you have one (or something turntable style). If you wish to bring alternative greenery (eucalyptus, box, yew, etc.) please do. Likewise your own baubles, ribbon, etc. Pinterest is a good source of inspiration. The finished size will be about 16-20 inches and will last past Twelfth Night, with either a spray or the elements to water it. February is a popular time to take it down!

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm. There is no meeting in December; instead members are looking forward to the Christmas mystery tour and lunch. Some may have guessed where we will be, time will tell if they are right. For more information contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@ gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk The next meeting is on January 16 when Mark Mitchels will be discussing the role Samuel Pepys played in establishing the Royal Navy.

For those who fancy a bonkers, surreal and hilarious alternative to panto, head for Common Ground Theatre Company’s touring production of Sherlock Holmes and The Hooded Lance, which runs from December 15 to January 13, and visits The Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge (15/16), John Peel Centre, Stowmarket (18-20), St Mary’s Hall, Walton (28-30), Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh (Jan 1-3), Corn Hall, Diss (Jan 4), Headgate Theatre, Colchester (Jan 5/6) and Wolsey Studio, Ipswich (Jan 8-13). The show is the latest concoction from “those magicians of Christmas entertainment” (as Andrew Clark described them in the EADT) Pat Whymark and Julian Harries, best known for their hugely successful Christmas shows for Eastern Angles Theatre Company (including last year’s smash hit, Stoat Hall) and for their own company, Common Ground. Holmes and Watson faces their stiffest challenge yet, in the shape of the Hooded Lance, their newest and deadliest adversary, who is hell bent on spoiling everyone’s Christmas and being really annoying! Can our intrepid duo save the festive season from the clutches of this dastardly demon. Can they cook his goose, or will he crush their baubles and make prize turkeys of them?” Julian dons the famous deerstalker yet again, and is joined by the fabulous Dick Mainwaring (Dr Watson) and the incomparable Joe Leat, for a classic Christmas mystery with all the Common Ground trimmings – sparkling wit, ingenious staging, hilarious songs, and surreal flights of festive fancy. For more information, go to: www.commongroundtc.co.uk

WITNESHAM AREA PRE-SCHOOL Everyone is very excited about Christmas drawing near. We already have our tree up and decorated as you can see. We have all sorts of Christmas crafts planned for this month. We are looking forward to sharing a hearty Christmas dinner with parents and children and there may even be a surprise visit from Santa! We will also be holding a Christmas raffle to raise funds for the pre-school. If you would like to buy a ticket please call the number below. We are a friendly, relaxed, rural pre-school and we were recently rate ‘good’ in all areas by Ofsted. We accept children with 30 or 15 hours funding as well as fee paying children. Please note that the government cutoff date for applying for 30 hours free in January is December 31. Our fees are £3.60 per hour. Next term we are looking at increasing our opening hours to 8am-3pm Monday-Friday if there is demand from parents. If you would like to know more please get in touch on 01473 784934 or visit: www.witnesham-preschool.co.uk

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SCHOOLS / SPORT THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY, HELMINGHAM

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB

The children have finished looking at autumn, concluding with Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Rather a thin month news wise this time (please leave the room whoever said “what’s new?”). The Winter League progresses with no weather breaks yet to date, and Nick and Graham have recorded two victories, a notable season already!

They rolled conkers in paint to make glowing spiders, used golf tees to hammer into pumpkins – a very good way to perfect their hand to eye co-ordination – as well as making yummy pumpkin pie, performed our Rocket Song with actions and noises and made rockets from recycled materials. The lovely weather we have had means we have been playing in tents and making dens at nursery, a super way for the children to be in a secure small space with their friends. Lots of chatter can be heard from the tepee, which brings a smile to the adults as they eavesdrop on wonderful conversations ranging from “dragons flying now” to “mine’s a white wardrobe with pink doors”. With winter now upon us we are using our arctic animals to great effect, aometimes with ice cubes and at other times we put shaving foam to simulate the snow. The children love this type of sensory interaction, using their hands to make patterns and squeezing foam between their fingers. The musical instruments are out every day and we are practising heartily all the tunes and songs for our nativity performance at the end of term. Rehearsals are well underway, costumes being fitted, cards and gifts being made. This all forms a rich part of nursery life this month. A traditional nativity with the children all dressed in character and providing some humour as things don’t always go to plan, ever popular with parents, families and friends, and held in the local Framsden Baptist Church. Next month we will let you know how it all went. Our final Christmas event is our Christmas party at the Coach House, Helmingham Hall where we hope to see Santa and his reindeer. You can contact us on 01473 890950 or visit: www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com / Facebook: OSHN Helmingham

STONHAM ASPAL C OF E VA PRIMARY SCHOOL Since the last newsletter 38 children went on our school residential visit to Marchants Hill PGL. Everyone had a great time and really rose to the challenges of trying out new things and being more independent. While this was happening, back at school Classes 4, 5 and 6 combined together and enjoyed a themed week based around Mary Poppins. This half-term Classes 3 and 4 are using the topic theme of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In our celebration assembly the children shared the amazing hats they had produced for their half-term homework. There were some extremely creative hats; well done to one and all for the hard work that went into creating them. Class 3 also shared some wonderful elephants that they had made using the Indus Civilisation for their inspiration. The children explained the role of the elephant to the Indus people. Classes 1 and 2 are busy finding out about their local area as their topic this half-term is ‘Where we Live’. The school as a whole has Peace as our Christian Value this half-term and as a community we are currently thinking about Remembrance through assembly time, poppy collections and class based activities. Headteacher Mrs Sharon Waldron

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Greetings guff lovers!

The Floodlit League team have played some games and I’m sure that they will get around to emailing me their results any month soon! The tennis club will have held their quiz night by the time your budgie is sitting on this and no doubt the Mastermind quiz scouts will have been impressed enough to offer me a place on the famous TV show... carrying the chair on set. I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas and leave you the best Christmas present ever, a joke of the month. A man rushes into a busy pub and says to another man drinking at the bar: “George! I have just seen a man drive away in your new Jaguar.” George said: “Oh my God, did you get a good look at him so that we can get a description for the police?” The man said: “Sorry it was all too far away, but luckily I took down the registration number!” Let’s hope things pick up in the New Year, Mick Russ

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL The new indoor season is now well under way. The Ravens entered two

teams in the monthly Suffolk Indoor 6-a-side tournament held at Northgate School. We continued our emphasis on developing our juniors and ladies in particular. Our first team which entered Division 1 included four of our most promising U18 boys, making it easily the youngest team ever to play in Division 1, although the choice was somewhat forced upon us as our regular captain had developed manful. The boys performed admirably with a win against Ipswich 2nds and narrow defeats in two of the other three games, finishing in a very admirable sixth place out of eight. Our coach Andrew Whitefield said: “All-in-all it was a positive performance form the young Ravens team who were playing a new tactical rotation system for the first time in competition. They will be keen to build on this and convert the early narrow losses into victories in the coming tournaments.” Meanwhile our improving ladies team started well in Division 2 with wins against two other ladies teams, Fil Suffolk Smashers and Stow Aces. We then had a narrow defeat against Diss Asters (mixed) and lost in the playoff for third/fourth place against University of Suffolk (also mixed). If you have ever thought about giving volleyball a try, now is a great time to give it a go. It’s a fast and exciting sport, it’s perfect to help build fitness, and being non-contact it is largely free from injuries. Why not get ahead of the game – start now and work off the Christmas pounds before you’ve even put them on! At Ravens we are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 13 upwards. Qualified coaches run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness. We meet every Saturday from 2-4pm and most Tuesdays from 7-9pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

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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

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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FOR SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Advent is a very special time of year for me, but it easily gets taken up with busyness – subsumed under the general heading ‘Getting Ready for Christmas’! One year I was in Vienna for Advent Sunday. On the Saturday night before I wondered why people travelling into the city on the tram were carrying their Advent wreaths. I found out as I entered into a crypt below one of the big city churches. There was a string quartet playing for a very special service of blessing the wreaths and their accompanying candles, with the accompanying prayer that Advent would be a treasured time, a time of reflection, of preparation. In the WWW era, a time of Waiting, Watching and Wondering. When we are busy, busy, busy, it is more important than ever to find some time to stop. In the secular world, the term ‘mindfulness’ has entered in, but the Christian world has known the reality and essential quality of mindfulness for centuries under the names of prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, and has gifted us seasons of the year in which to rejoice in the opportunity. Each week in Advent when we light candles on our Advent ring, our attention is drawn to a person, or people, who have given us windows into God and his purpose for this world and we are invited to reflect on what can we learn from them, about God, about ourselves and what it means to live a Christian life in the world today. We are invited to wait, watch and wonder. I have found the poetry of Stephen Cherry, helpful to me as I wait, watch and wonder. Stephen is the Dean of Kings College Cambridge, a place synonymous with Christmas for people across the world, as they tune into The Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. Stephen’s poetry is always very rooted in everyday things, but moves you to a deeper place, so I share his reflection for December 2 called Advent Wreath. As I hang a wreath on my door, or blend evergreens at the feet of candles I wonder…. I wonder about circles and straight lines. I wonder about eternity and time. I wonder, though this sounds grand, about the purpose of my life. Am I basically on a journey, going from here to there? Am I on a circular tour, repeating experiences again and again? Am I ascending, Like the elegant flame at the candle’s head, or descending like molten wax.

CAROL SERVICES Boulge: December 15, 7pm Otley: December 16, 6pm Swilland: December 17, 11am Ashbocking: December 17, 4pm Hasketon: December 17, 5.30pm Grundisburgh: December 17, 7pm Burgh: December 23, 6pm Clopton: December 24, 6pm CRIB SERVICES Hasketon: December 24, 3pm Grundisburgh: December 24, 4.30pm The Nativity, Warrens Barn, Otley: December 24, 4.30pm. The donkeys Rosie and Molly and Joanna the sheep will also be playing a part. It would be lovely if the children wanted to come along dressed as a shepherd or an angel to help us tell the Christmas Story. MIDNIGHT MASS: Grundisburgh, 11.30pm CHRISTMAS MORNING 9.30am: Holy Communion in Swilland and Hasketon 11am: BCP Holy Communion in Boulge and Family Communion in Burgh and Otley – bring a present to show us WHAT’S ON ACROSS THE CARLFORD BENEFICE Dec 1: UPBEAT Christmas Concert, Grundisburgh Church, 7.30pm Tickets £8: 01473 735853 / 07834 984591 for more information Dec 4: Beyond Belief, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.30am-noon Dec 7: Tabletalk, Little Red House, Hasketon, noon. Enjoy homemade soup with conversation around current topics of interest. Dec 9: Otley Christmas Draw, 10.30am for coffee and cakes, draw will begin at 11am. Tickets available from magazine distributors or Ruth Farnhill. Everyone welcome. Dec 10: Grundisburgh Sunday Club, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.45am Dec 14: Otley School Carol Service Dec 14: Grundisburgh School Carol Service in church, 6pm CARLFORD SOCIAL GROUPS Baby Café: December 5, Grundisburgh, 9am Craft and Coffee: December 5, Hasketon, 10am Hobbies Group: December 6, Clopton, 10am Swapshop: December 6, Grundisburgh, 10.15am Tiddlywinks: December 14, Grundisburgh, 2.30pm

The years go forward As I hang my wreath on the door, and blend evergreens at the feet of candles, I learn this: my priority is humility.

CARLFORD PRAYER AND STUDY GROUPS Ashbocking House Group: December 6 & 13 at the home of John and Linda Pollard of Hawthorns, Ashbocking, 7.30pm. For further information: 01473 890836 Going Deeper: December 6 at Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am. For more details: 01473 892605 Grundisburgh Prayer Group: December 11, Grundisburgh, 5pm Monday House Group: December 11 at the home of Malcolm and Sandra Green, Grundisburgh, 7.30pm

May this Advent be for you, a time in which to wait and watch and wonder, to travel and arrive at Christmas, not frazzled and frantic, but open to receive the gift of Christ anew and to know him alive and at work within you.

FANCY A COFFEE? Ashbocking: Friday 1 at the home of Sharon Chenery of 1 Nelson Close, Ashbocking, 10am-noon

A very Happy Christmas to you all and best wishes for 2018, with thanks and gratitude for all you have done in Christ’s name throughout this past year. The Rev Clare Sanders SERVICES THROUGHOUT DECEMBER Sunday, December 3: Holy Communion, Swilland, 9.30am Monday, December 25: Holy Communion, Swilland, 9.30am

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Burgh: Saturday 9 at Burgh Church Schoolroom, 10.30-noon Clopton: Wednesday 20 at the village hall, 10am-noon Grundisburgh: Saturday 2 from 10.30am-11.45am and Wednesday 6 from 10.15-11.30am, both at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms Otley: Thursday 14 at the home of Geoff and Anne Robinson of Southview, Chapel Road, 10am See page 6 for Christmas Events in Swilland and page 4 for Grundisburgh Toy Service.

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CHURCH NEWS CHARITY DONATIONS 63 Gurdon Road, Grundisburgh IP13 6XA is a donation drop-off point for two charities.

homes and refugee/homeless charities within the UK and around the world.

Operation Orphan collects warm coats, jumpers, trousers, hats, gloves, scarves and blankets for vulnerable children age three-16 in Eastern Europe and the UK.

Donations can be left in the front porch at any time, or contact Victoria on 01473 735926 to arrange local collection.

Woolies for the World collects knitted and crocheted items including clothes, hats, gloves and scarves (all sizes from premature baby to adult), blankets (or six-inch squares/64-inch strips), twiddle items for people living with dementia and toys/pencil cases. All donations are distributed to a variety of children’s centres, care

WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482 Secretary: Anne Camp, 3 Acre Close, Witnesham / 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday. Sunday, December 3: Morning Service – Pastor Andrew including Holy Communion Sunday, December 10: Mr P Rivett Sunday, December 17: All-Age Family Service Sunday, December 17: Carols by Candlelight followed by tea, 4pm Sunday, December 24: Pastor Andrew Monday, December 25: Pastor Andrew preceded by carols outside, 10.30am Sunday, December 31: The Rev John Riddell We welcome all families to our Family Time Together on Sundays at 9.30am. Family Time Together on Sunday, December 17 will be a Family Service at 11am. REGULAR EVENTS Tuesdays: • Drop-in Café, 2-4pm. Everyone is welcome to call in for tea and friendship. Combine a visit to the post office with a cup of tea. • Varied Church Open House – topical discussion group, 7.30pm Fridays: Babies and Toddlers Group, 9.15-11.15am. Contact Jean: 01473 785478 Monday, December 4: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, 12.30-2pm. Light lunch and good company. Contact Karen: 01473 251787 Tuesday, December 12: Community Carol Singing at The Barley Mow Wednesday, December 13: Prayer Fellowship at 2pm Saturday, December 16: Babies and Toddlers Christmas Party

Just like the census that each household fills in, although it is so much easier for us. No trudging on foot or at best on a donkey some 120 miles, and that while Mary is nine months pregnant. Then when they do arrive at the family town there is nowhere to stay; bad planning or what? So the only place to bed down for the night is with the animals in an outhouse. Then to cap it all, in the middle of the night labour starts. Where’s the midwife, where is anyone to help? Mary gives birth and Jesus is born; after the difficult journey, the poor accommodation and the pain of labour there is incredible joy. Their son is born; well not ‘their son’, Mary’s son but not Joseph’s because this child is God’s son. Relief and joy the child is healthy, mum is ok, let’s rest. Then suddenly a group of shepherds arrive to wake the family just to have a peek at the baby. More joy and celebration as they have seen the one to be called Emanuel, the Messiah so long awaited by the Israelites. The shepherds go back through the town to the hills singing and telling everyone what they knew of this baby. How is your Christmas going to be this year? Planning going OK or panic starting to appear? Anxious about how much you are going to spend? Anxious about whether you are going to be able to buy anything, including food? In our communities and local area there will certainly be those who are not looking forward to Christmas; those who struggle weekly to have enough resources to buy food and rely on donations from others – mainly FIND food bank. Maybe this year we can all stand back a bit from the commercialisation of this season, get it back into perspective that the reason for the holiday is to celebrate a birthday. To celebrate with the person whose birthday it is. He doesn’t ask for any presents, just our love towards Him and our willingness to follow Him every day of every year.

The church is open for prayer and listening every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am-5pm. At other times please contact Pastor Andrew.

I invite you to join in this celebration with us at one or all of the following:

The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory.

Tuesday 1

Community Carol Singing at the Barley Mow from 7pm

Sunday 17

Family Worship, 11am

Sunday 17

Carols by Candlelight followed by festive food, 4pm

Sunday 24

Christmas Eve Worship, 11am

Monday 25

Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration for all the family with Carol Singing outside before the service, 10.30am

In the church we have a collection box for FIND and welcome any donations of non-perishable food to help families in need locally. Christmas is coming – did you know? Preparations in full swing, excitement building up and the pressure beginning to weigh you down? Oh the ups and downs of Christmas. It certainly was for Joseph and Mary on that first Christmas – you know the days when Joseph and Mary were summoned to their family town to be counted so that the Roman authorities knew how many people there were.

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It would be lovely to see you, Pastor Andrew

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In Touch with WTW

The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham

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A specially designed Christmas invitation card will go through every door in our villages giving full details of what’s going on in your local church. Why not come along to something over the build-up to the big day and on the day and help make Christmas really special this year? You can be assured of a great welcome and there will be mulled wine (and spiced apple juice) and seasonal nibbles to eat after the carol services too.

The Church of England has launched a nationwide campaign to advertise the coming of Christmas called “God with Us”.

"The constant refrain of Christmas, in carols and readings, is that God is with us. In whatever situations you find yourself this Christmas, God is with you - you need only turn to him and ask to know his presence".

You’ll see the logo appearing all over the place. Video adverts will be broadcast that tell the story of people's journeys to church at Christmas and what Christmas means to them.

Justin Welby

CHURCH SERVICES December—January Day / Date Sun 3rd December Advent Sunday

9.30am Family Communion

Sun 10th December Advent 2

9.30am All-age Worship

Sun 17th December Advent 3

6.30pm Candlelit Carol Service

Fri 22nd December

Sun 24th December Advent 4 / Christmas Eve

Monday 25th Dec Christmas Day Sun 31st December First Sunday of Christmas Sun 7th January ’18 Baptism of Christ

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St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin

—3.30pm Children’s Christmas Celebration 11.30pm “Midnight Communion” 9.30am Christmas Family Service with shortened Communion no services

9.30am Family Communion

Full details of all our events and services are in the table below and on our website. [wtandw.org.uk] We wish you a blessed Christmas but remember, for the church, Christmas starts on 25th December! On Sunday 31st December (the first Sunday of Christmas) all three of our villages join together with Witnesham Baptist Church to welcome the New Year in a special service at Westerfield Church starting at 11am. This information was correct at the time of going to press (early last month) occasionally it can be necessary to make changes—please cross reference with our website for the most up-to-date information at www.wtandw.org.uk

St Mary’s Witnesham 10am Morning Worship 10.45am Family Communion 10am Advent All-Age Worship 6.30pm Carol Service

10am Family Communion

10am Christmas Family Service with shortened Communion no services

10am Morning Worship

St Mary Magdalene’s Westerfield 11am Family Communion 8am Holy Communion 11am All-age Worship 3.30pm Carol Service —-

no services

11am Christmas Family Service with shortened Communion 11am Joint Service to greet the New Year 11am Family Communion

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In Touch with WTW

The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham

Church Diary—December 2017

Who’s Who:

Mothers’ Union—Thursday 7th December when we have our Annual Christmas Readings and Carols followed a Christmas Afternoon Tea. Visitors most welcome. (contact Ann Bennett 785685).

MINISTRY TEAM:

Benefice Youth Group—Wednesday 13th December 6pm (contact Julia 785497)

ASSOCIATE PRIEST:

Village Voices—rehearse on Thursdays 7th and 21st December, 7.30pm in the back room of Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine 785138) Kingdom Kids—will meet for the special Advent AllͲAge Worship service on Sunday 17th December (contact Gill Thorley 890821) Wednesday Prayers—said Morning Prayer in Westerfield Church Room each week at 9.30am (Holy Communion is said on the first week of each month except January and August) Village Voices will be leading Carol Singing in Witnesham on Tuesday 19th December 6pm-ish at the Nursing Home and from 8.15pm at the Moon & Mushroom

Results of Annual Church Gift Days Westerfield: Sat 23rd September £2,945 representing 47 donations

...and of course at the Carol Service on Friday 22nd Dec at 6.30pm in the church followed by mulled wine, hot spiced apple juice and nibbles

Witnesham: Sat 7th October £1,505 including £92 from the Bring & Buy Stall representing 32 donations a large increase on last year. Tuddenham: Sat 28th October £2,940.50 (including £205.50 from the Bring & Buy Stall pictured below) representing 52 donations

Our churches rely on local donations since (contrary to popular belief) they receive no financial support from the national church. Between the three, they need to raise over £65,000 a year to maintain the buildings and the church’s presence in our villages. Thank you for your support.

Advent Quiet Day Thursday 14th December Witnesham Church 10am-3pm A time of quiet reflection on the meaning and purpose of Advent led by Revd Catherine

PARISH PRIEST: REV’D ALAN FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904 e: Alan@wtandw.org.uk Rev’d Catherine Forsdike t: 01473 252904 e: Catherine@wtandw.org.uk To enquire about Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, telephone or email Rev’ds Alan & Catherine Forsdike.

READERS: Paul Laughlin

01473 785138 Paul@wtandw.org.uk

Carol Rivett

01473 717404 Carol@wtandw.org.uk

ELDER Julia Farmer

01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk

CHURCHWARDENS: Tuddenham 01473 785296

Jim Punton Jim@wtandw.org.uk

Tuddenham 01473 784545

Monica Pipe Monica@wtandw.org.uk

Westerfield 01473 230188

Judy Northfield Judy@wtandw.org.uk

Witnesham 01473 785673

Derek Austin Derek@wtandw.org.uk

KINGDOM KIDS—WITNESHAM Gill Thorley 01473 890821

Gill@wtandw.org.uk

BENEFICE YOUTH GROUP Julia Farmer

01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk

bring your own lunch; hot drinks available all day

Witnesham Village Voices

Cabaret Concert Saturday 2nd December from 7.30pm Witnesham Village Hall In aid of ‘Lighthouse’ (one of the Ipswich Mayor's charities). Admission free : donations welcome There will be a raffle—prizes for which would also be welcomed. Bring your own drink and nibbles.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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Church Floodlighting Sponsorship Would you like to sponsor the floodlights to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or special event or to remember a loved one? At Westerfield sponsorship is just £7.50 for a week. Ring Judy on 230188 or email Judy@wtandw.org.uk Sponsorship at Tuddenham is £5 for a weekend Ring Jim on 785296 or email Jim@wtandw.org.uk

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