In Touch
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with Melton, Rendlesham & Woodbridge Volume 7 • Issue No. 10 • FEBRUARY 2018
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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.
Melton In Touch with & Woodbridge Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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NEWS
JETTY LANE YOUTH AND ARTS CENTRE On the strength of the business plan and architect’s preliminary drawings Jetty Lane CiC presented to Suffolk County Council in December. SCC offered Jetty Lane a 125-year lease at peppercorn rent so that Jetty Lane Youth & Arts Centre can be built in Woodbridge with long-term security on the site of the previous Woodbridge Youth Centre. We will be creating a landmark and legacy for future generations. So what is Jetty Lane? Jetty Lane is a community interest company (CiC). It has been set up to plan, build and run a bold, innovative and sustainable community building (also called Jetty Lane) to support the young people and arts in Woodbridge. “This centre is much-needed: it replaces the demolished Woodbridge Youth Club which left many youth, arts and community groups homeless: Just42, Gateway, Company of 4 rehearsal space and many more. Subsequent development and gentrification in Woodbridge has added to the problem: space is so tight and expensive that these groups have literally found it impossible to find a permanent home within the town – with the exception of Just42, camped out in cabins on the site. We have been joined by other groups, such as 1st Woodbridge Scouts, wanting to relocate. Struggling young artists will be able to rent small studios in the centre,” says County Councillor, and CiC Chair, Caroline Page. “The CiC’s business plan demonstrates that the new centre will be feasible, affordable, financially sustainable and well-used. It will look lovely, and disturb not a single tree in the Avenue. It will be a legacy for future generations in Woodbridge.” Modern, vibrant, inclusive and welcoming to all those in our community: the centre will be a centre for young people and artists to flourish. The CiC is now looking for a confident bid writer as part of the team, who will be able to work alongside directors to raise the funds required. We are also looking for a fundraiser, to organise events and raise the profile of this project. While we are immensely grateful to have been offered the financial services of the Seckford Foundation to help with issues such as payroll, we are also looking for someone with significant financial expertise to join us, either pro bono or at a reduced rate, to help steer us through the financial complexities that will lie ahead. Other ways you can help: • Make a donation (cheques payable to Jetty Lane CiC) • Hold a fundraising event • Volunteer with us • Become a Friend • Spread the good news We’d love to hear from you: Chair Caroline Page caroline.page@suffolk.gov.uk / 07545 423837 Project Manager Cordelia Richman: cordelia@jettylane.com / 07749 516448
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NEWS A CLEAN APPROACH TO CHIMNEY SWEEPING
Members of Woodbridge WI and Transition Woodbridge, with the support of Woodbridge Town Council and Suffolk Norse, will be busy picking litter in and around Woodbridge as part of the Great British Spring Clean from Friday 2 to Sunday, March 4. It is essential people are aware that litter dropped on our streets will often find its way, through drains or by the wind, into our beautiful river and then the sea, leading to problems highlighted in Blue Planet. If you would like to help smarten up our town and help save our seas, please join one of our litter picking events that weekend. We shall be setting out to clean up along the A12 and in the town and welcome volunteers for morning or afternoon sessions. Equipment will be provided. For more details please contact: springcleanwoodbridge@gmail.com For more information please visit: http://transitionwoodbridge.onesuffolk.net
CHURCH RESIDENCY FOR THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII The six wives of Henry VIII have been on display in St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge in recent weeks, a mini exhibition organised by the Friends of St Mary’s. Painted by Woodbridge artist Claire Fried (pictured), the six panels are a vivid, highly original interpretation of Henry’s six wives and have attracted the attention of numerous visitors over the Christmas holidays. The exhibition is one of a number of events organised by the Friends of St Mary’s over the last 12 months. Others include a recital and an auction of promises which raised over £4,000 (shared with Macmillan Cancer Support), the Friends Annual Prom, raising over £600, and an Adnams wine tasting which raised over £700. The Friends of St Mary’s have raised over £100,000 towards the refurbishment of the church building since they were formed in 2012. In recent months the Friends have been able to hand over a cheque for £10,000 in support of work on St Mary’s North Porch, which was completed shortly before Christmas. Events planned for this year include a jazz concert by Joyspring on February 10 and an exhibition by the artist Christopher Newson which is due to be opened by Maggi Hambling on June 8. For further information on the work of the Friends and future events contact Nick Cottam: 01394 385384 / nick@nickcottam.com
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. Perhaps you have memory worries yourself or even a recent diagnosis and want someone to talk to. Maybe you have concerns about a loved one, or need support in your caring role. Perhaps it’s just information you are after, or a confidential chat with someone. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.
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GVK Chimney Sweeps and Services is a small family-run business based on the Shotley peninsular. Owner Gordon Pooley takes great pride in providing a reliable, friendly, clean and tidy service to all customers with the introduction of power sweeping technology. “Chimney cleaning has become quite high-tech in recent years,” explains Gordon. “Proper maintenance of your appliance is obviously a safety issue which we take very seriously, but we also recognise that it’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s home and we treat every home we visit with respect.” The company offers a CCTV inspection service if required at the time of sweeping or upon request, and a smoke evacuation test is carried out after every single sweep. Although based in Ipswich, GVK covers Essex and Norfolk. Gordon has completed the City & Guilds Accredited Programme of Competence in Chimney Sweeping and Advanced Fault Finding. If it’s time to schedule a chimney clean or if you simple want a quote or advice, give Gordon a call on 01473 787557 or 07830 512701 today.
FREE HEARING CHECKS Ten million people in the UK – one in six of us – have some degree of hearing loss. It’s surprisingly tricky to spot gradual hearing loss as our brains are very good at compensating, so we’re not even aware of how much we’ve lost until things are quite far advanced. The good news is that there are things you can do to about it. The bad news is that there are potentially serious consequences if you choose to ignore hearing loss, including an increased risk of dementia. Local hearing care specialists The Hearing Care Centre, offers award winning hearing care services from 25 centres across East Anglia. This year they are celebrating their 20th year in business and they hope to continue to raise awareness about the prevalence of hearing loss, its effect on everyday life and the potential dangers of leaving hearing loss untreated. Audiologist Karen Finch and her team will be holding free Hearing Care Centre Open Days at their local hearing clinic at Framfield Medical Centre between 9am and 5pm on Wednesday 14 and Thursday, February 15. During the event they will be providing free hearing assessments (usually £20), along with complimentary professional advice about your hearing test results and discussing possible solutions that could help improve your hearing. All services are available by appointment only. To book your appointment call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or for more information visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk
MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Following a very successful season of talks last year, Melton Local History Society’s 2018 season opens with a talk by Dr Nick Sign entitled The Home Front in Suffolk During 1914-1918. As we enter the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, Dr Sign, vice-chair of Suffolk Local History Council and the editor of Suffolk Review magazine, will be describing in his talk a different aspect of the conflict and its impact nearer home here in Suffolk. This will be fascinating insight into the Home Front during the Great War. Join us at Melton Primary School, Melton Road, Melton IP12 1PG on Wednesday, February 7 at 7.30pm.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT COUNCILLOR CAROLINE’S COLUMN
RESOLUTIONS RESOLVED
February 16 is China’s Spring Festival – the start of the Chinese New Year – and this year it is The Year of the Dog. As the Chinese calendar has a 12-year cycle before an animal makes a repeat appearance, the most recent past dog years are 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946 and 1934.
Following some New Year’s resolutions, two groups of volunteers have been assembled to begin work in the new community workshop inside the Longshed on the Woodbridge Waterfront development. One group will concentrate on making workbenches and cupboards to house all the tools and equipment, while the second group will begin to build a 22ft skiff for local people to take afloat on the river. The skiff will be of a modern construction using a special kit of parts purchased through the generosity of Suffolk Coastal District Council Enabling Communities Exemplar Programme assisting with its funding. As the construction progresses anyone, young or old, can observe the project with a view to becoming involved with subsequent skiff builds. This activity will be happening alongside the fitting out of the Longshed itself.
I was born in a ‘dog-year’ myself, so I have just checked up what I and my fellow cohort of canines are like. And it’s good, good news. Possibly unsurprisingly, we people born during The Year of the Dog are supposed to inherit some of the animal’s most appealing characteristics. No, not hiding your slippers, looking longingly at your plate or permanently wanting you to throw a tennis ball for us to catch. Rather, it seems that those born in The Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human or canine nature. We’re honest, friendly, faithful, loyal, smart, straightforward, supportive and have a strong sense of responsibility. Oh, and we have a great sense of humour. Just don’t let us near any lamp posts! However, it’s not all positive. I’m led to believe that if we ‘dogs’ are bitten, we bite back, harder than we were attacked. Cave Canem / Beware of the Dog. Of course, I find that very, very hard to believe. Unlike the European zodiac system, one’s status in the Chinese Zodiac is not as simple as being one of 12 types. This is because the 12 animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac are combined with five elements – metal, wood, water, fire and earth – to produce a 60-year cycle. You can worry about your blood type too, but not me – that’s one stage too far. Babies born in this Year of the Dog 2018 will be Earth Dogs – just like those born in the last full cycle in 1958, 60 years ago. Can I just add here that I am… er… quite unusually interested at this point? Luckily for my self-esteem, my research shows us Earth Dogs to be brilliant beasties: the cream of the crop. We tend to choose our career on the principle of serving others and throw heart and soul into it. We are loyal, just, diplomatic, practical and courageous. We are balanced decision makers in both victory and defeat. We are overachievers, but seldom burn out because we move slowly and methodically towards what we want to achieve. Recommended careers for ‘dogs’ include – believe it or not – politics (as well as health, academia and the law). All of which is great, and would make me feel over the moon (I would seem to be the right person in the right job), but guess what? Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946. He is a ‘dog’ too, a Fire Dog – intelligent, hardworking and sincere. OK, the whole thing is bunkum! Caroline Page
WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKETS Woodbridge Farmers’ Markets will be held on February 10 and 24, 9am12.30pm at Woodbridge Community Hall (behind the building works at Deben Pool). You can expect to find seasonal, locally grown vegetables such as leeks, potatoes, carrots, cavolo nero and purple sprouting broccoli from Newbourne Farm, apples from High House, chicken from Sutton Hoo, a variety of wild meat, bread from Artizan Ipswich, Syrian Falafel, preserves of various kinds from Quince Tree and cakes and quiches from Pinewood Catering. We now have vegan food available at every market and goat cheese, pork and prize winning venison pies from Truly Traceable at the second Saturday of every month. Admission is free and we have a friendly cafe at every market selling hot drinks and freshly prepared brunch.
Did you make a New Year resolution to get out and about, to begin something new, to become involved in an interesting project? Then maybe you should wander down to the Waterfront Square to see what might be going on in the Longshed. We can always use a bit more DIY-style assistance and there is also something else that you might be able to help us with. Do you have any unused tools cluttering your shed or your garage? Then this could be a good time to free up some space with a bit of spring cleaning. Resolve to de-clutter. Those tools could become really useful if they were recycled. You could arrange to donate them to us. If we find that we cannot use them in the Longshed we will pass them on to TWAM (Tools with a Mission) who will refurbish them and send them to people in Africa so that they can help themselves to break free from poverty. It will be a positive resolution all round. You could make a new beginning with us, and, for other people, and, for your shed or your garage. If you think that you could help in any way, go to our websites and send us a message so we can contact you to help you make a difference. Resolution resolved! www.WoodbridgeWaterfront.co.uk / www.WoodbridgeRiversideTrust.org
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on February 20 when Sheila Charrington will be talking about her current home, Layer Marney Tower near Colchester. Layer Marney is an incomplete palace built for Henry VIII’s Lord Privy Seal. Since then it has been owned by 11 different families, and Sheila will be explaining how successive generations have influenced how the building has been used. Sheila’s talk will include the Charrington’s family life at the tower and her vision for the future of the tower. On March 13 John Gandy will be highlighting the vast 12,500 book library at Blickling Hall. The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
Happy New Year from all our stallholders.
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ADVERTORIAL
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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!
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OUT & ABOUT RIVER DEBEN ASSOCIATION The UK’s saltmarsh is under threat; there are only 1,000 hectares left in Suffolk, with 40% of this being within the Deben estuary. The River Deben Association (RDA) invited local people to join with its members in a talk to hear more about the Deben’s saltmarshes. In her engaging and challenging presentation, Karen Thomas of the Water Management Alliance explained to an audience of over 100 why the loss of saltmarsh impacts on us all in Suffolk. Karen has been restoring and using dredgings to save marshes in East Anglia for 18 years, and she cares passionately about them. Saltmarsh captures pollutants and is a key landscape feature of the Deben. Saltmarsh provides a rich habitat for birds, insects and fish. It attracts tourists, fisher folk, bird watchers, walkers, sailors and rowers – which contribute to the local economy. Saltmarsh dissipates the wave energy which helps protect the estuary river walls. Karen showed two contrasting video clips: one of a saltmarsh eroded area, in which waves were hammering the river defences, while nearby it could be seen that the water’s power was reduced when it encountered healthy saltmarsh. Karen said it was no accident that in the 2013 surge, breaches occurred at Martlesham Creek and Levington, the areas where the saltmarsh had been lost in front of the defences. Saltmarsh absorbs carbon, and can capture it 55 times faster than rainforest, however saltmarsh represents only 2% of the world’s landscapes Perhaps we need to start preserving the ‘rainforest’ on our door-step. Saltmarsh is at risk from the following: • Wash from watercraft • Wind wave action • Changes in the position of the river channel • Crab hole damage in mature saltmarsh We need to know about saltmarsh to protect it. The RDA is among the local and national organisations researching how best to build up saltmarsh and restore it. Very little national/regional funding is available to protect saltmarsh. In Wales a charity using the ‘size of Wales’ slogan as its inspiration has raised £2million to save the equivalent size of rainforest. Perhaps we need to consider a similar scheme of personal contributions to secure our saltmarsh and protect the rare habitat that we are lucky to have on the Deben for ourselves and future generations. Find out more at: www.riverdeben.org
THE LIONS’ CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT With Christmas now behind us, we take a breath and enjoy a few social activities including a theatre trip and a trivia quiz before spring events get underway. Community activity isn’t neglected though, as we continue to support Quay Time which was launched in autumn 2017. Quay Time is a joint project with Woodbridge Quay Church. This community oriented project enables people to meet over tea (or coffee) and cakes to enjoy each other’s company and to organise further events and activities. These afternoons themselves may feature quizzes, board games or visiting speakers and offer an opportunity to arrange social activities throughout the year. Sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month in Woodbridge Quay Church, which is fully accessible. Transport can be provided for anyone who may otherwise have difficulty attending. Early participation has been encouraging and we look forward to welcoming new members. For details on Quay Time, please call Lion Stella Benton on 01728 561379. For more about the Lions and what we do, please call 0845 822 2820 for a no obligation chat or visit: www.woodbridgelions.org.uk
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COMPANY OF FOUR PRESENT CINDERELLA While you may think panto season is well and truly over, the Company of Four Musical Theatre Society are busy rehearsing and putting the final touches to their traditional family pantomime which is taking place at The Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge during February half term from Friday 9 to Saturday 17. With a 13 show run there is still time to grab those tickets – but don’t leave it too late as their panto always sells out, especially the matinees! This year the well renowned company present their latest version of a beautiful and classic fairy story. It’s the tale of Cinderella who works in the house of her overbearing stepmother and her larger-than-life twin stepsisters. With the help of her dear friend Buttons, she gets through each day in the town of Lower Uppingham, dreaming of a much better life. One day, Prince Charming comes to town accompanied by his friend Dandini and a couple of his entourage called Bitz and Bobz and, by a strange quirk of fate, they meet and instantly fall in love. But as with panto tradition the course of true love doesn’t run smoothly – the Prince forgets to ask for her name, Cinderella’s ticket to the ball suffers a misadventure and, despite the instructions of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella loses track of time when she gets there. Will everything turn out alright in the end? You’ll have to come along and find out. Cinderella opens on Friday, February 9 and runs through every day (apart from Monday 12) to February 17. Performance times are 7.30pm for the evening and 2.30pm matinees on Saturday, February 10 and Sunday 11, Wednesday 14, Friday 16 and Saturday 17. Tickets – adults £15, concession £13, child £10, family ticket (two adults and two children) £45 – are available by calling the Box Office: 01394 382174 Cinderella has something for everyone – music, laughter, fun and happiness – a fabulous treat for this half term.
SPECTACULAR OXBLOOD MOLLY AT DANCE FOLKUS Our first dance of 2018 in January was a great success. A lively crowd of all age groups were there for a bit of New Year exercise. We were also treated to an excellent song set from local duo Holly Johnston and Sarah Wil. Our next dance is on Friday, February 2 at Woodbridge Community Hall starting at 7.30pm. The caller, Shirley Harry, is another local favourite and she will run through a good variety of dances. Half the fun of a barn dance is making mistakes and our dancers certainly know how to do that! But with our friendly crowd, there is always someone happy to point you in the right direction. In February, we have a dance spot from Oxblood Molly Dancers who hail from around Halesworth. Dressed in their red and black kit they make a spectacular sight. The dance band will be led by Harbour Lights. We welcome musicians to come along and join in with our Come All Ye Band. In January, we had a couple of new players so now would be a good time to get up courage and join us. Why not dance for a while and play for a while? All instruments welcomed. Discounted tickets can be booked by emailing Dancefolkus@aol.com (no payment in advance) or you can simply come along on the night (£6). Students or children are half price. If you need further information give Rob a call on 01473 610951.
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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY February 1-28: ArtLib Exhibition of Work by Textile Art Group Suffolk (TAGS Book Group: meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm. On February 1 we will be discussing The Tidal Zone by Sarah Moss. Please come along if you have read this title and would like to join in the discussion. Friday, February 2, 7.30-9pm: Transition Woodbridge and Greenprint Forum present Sky Ocean Rescue’s documentary A Plastic Tide. Over eight million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean each year, killing sea life. Now new evidence says it’s entering our food chain with unknown health effects. Free film though donations are welcome. From Saturday, February 3: Sale of donated audio visual items, DVDs and CDs. Come and pick up a bargain. All proceeds go to the Friends of Woodbridge Library. Mondays, February, 5, 19 and 26, 11.15am-12.45pm: Mindfulness and Meditation. Learn to relax and unwind, to combat stress, anxiety and worry through the practices of mindfulness and meditation. Sessions are run on a drop-in basis. £10 per session. All very welcome. Enquiries: 01394 450066 / debrawoodbridge@gmail.com / www.harnessinghappiness.co.uk Tuesday, February 6, 10-11.30am: Visit by the Woodbridge & District Safer Neighbourhood Team. Come along to the mobile police surgery and talk to members of the local Safer Neighbourhood Team about any concerns you have. They will also be happy to give advice on crime reduction. Saturday, February 10, 10.15-11.45am: How To Love Your Life, a talk by Mia Philips. Continuing our regular talks at Woodbridge Library on the second Saturday of the month, Suffolk Coastal Three Principles Community welcomes you to February’s discussion. By exploring how our experience of life is created, moment by moment, we will discover how to let worry, anxiety and judgement fall away, to make room for love, peace and contentment. This simple, insight based understanding has no techniques – there is nothing to do or learn. Simply come along and listen, question and explore with us and enjoy a reconnection to your own infinite and innate wellbeing. £5 on the door. For more details go to: www.miaphilips.com Friday, February 16, 7.30pm: Woodbridge Library presents An Evening With The Burkitt Family. This family band hailing from the Bawdsey Peninsula offers a beguiling mix of contemporary and traditional acoustic music, featuring tight vocal harmonies and beautifully played arrangements of well chosen songs. Tickets: £8 adults, £4 students/children. Tickets to be bought in advance at the library counter. All donations to support the Friends of Woodbridge Library. Saturday, February 17, 9-11am: Caroline Page, County Councillor for Woodbridge, will be holding her surgery at the library. Woodbridge Novelists: meets fortnightly on Wednesday mornings. A reciprocal critiquing group for novel-writers who are working towards publication. For more details visit: https://sites.google.com/site/woodbridgenovelists/home Free computer help and advice: Contact the library to book a session or to find out more.
Costa Coffee Book Sale: Costa Coffee on The Thoroughfare now have a book shelf selling donated fiction. All titles are 50p, and 100% of the money raised goes to support Woodbridge Library. Drink coffee while supporting your local library. Meeting room and display boards available for hire • Community, charity, private groups: £10 per hour • Commercial, statutory groups: £15 per hour • Display boards: £10 per week • Staffed table display in the main library: £10 per half day SNAP (Support & Advice Project): Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10am-noon for advice on all housing related issues, rent payments, arrears, budgeting and benefit changes. Citizens Advice Bureau: Every Tuesday, 10am-noon Writers’ Workshop: Meets once a month on Tuesdays at 5.30pm. Interested? To open doors to creative writing please email: jeannie@butterwicks.com Creative Writing for All: Meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm. For more details contact: jeannie@butterwicks.com Knitting Club: Every Friday at 2pm. For all types of knitters, expert to beginner, come and share your knowledge or pick up some tips. Arts and Crafts Group: Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10am. Enables older people and their carers to take part in activities such as collage, card making, printing and modelling. Play Reading: Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm. Come to listen or join in for an afternoon of light-hearted drama, comedy or mystery. All welcome. Games Club: Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm. Now includes dominoes. Improve your vocabulary and exercise your mind muscles with Scrabble or practise strategy or balance with dominoes. Woodbridge Area Gamers: Meets on the second Saturday of each month from 1-5pm in the library Meeting Room. This group plays modern strategy board games (Carcassonne, Powergrid, Caylus, 7 Wonders, Hey! That’s My Fish, Blokus and many more). For more information contact 07740 173091 / nigel@foden.me.uk / or visit: www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/1150 ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN Every Wednesday • 10.30-10.50am: Bookstart Baby Bounce – soothing songs and gentle nursery rhymes for babies and their grown-ups. • 11.15-11.45am: Bookstart Tot Rock Rhyme and Rhythm – music, songs and action rhymes for toddlers with their parents and carers. Every Friday • 10.30-11am: Bookstart Story and Rhyme Time Stories and more for young children accompanied by an adult. Every Sunday, 10.30am-noon: Kid’s Club Craft Activities February 4 & 18: Colouring in sheets and puzzle sheets will be provided February 11 & 25: Come and join our volunteer to make something to take home
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OUT & ABOUT FANCY TAKING YOUR VOICE ON A SINGING SAFARI IN 2018?
WOODBRIDGE CAMERA CLUB On December 19, members celebrated Christmas with a very enjoyable dinner at the Riverside Restaurant in Woodbridge. The evening included a Christmas card competition judged by Stuart Saunders, proprietor of the restaurant, which was won by Robin Garrod. Second place was awarded to Trevor Boyd and third to Richard Brown. Many thanks to the staff at the Riverside for looking after us so well, and particularly to Stuart for officiating and kindly donating prizes for the winner and runners-up. Stuart is seen presenting Robin with his prize. February 20: Print Competition – Autumn and Winter / Judge: Peter Espley We meet at Woodbridge Quay Church at 7.30pm. Guests are always welcome. Members £2, guests £5. For more information please visit: www.woodbridgecameraclub.co.uk
Do you love to sing, but don’t want too much commitment? Then take your voice on a Singing Safari – an imaginary journey across the globe to collect exotic songs from cultures where singing comes as naturally as speaking. Build a brand new choir from scratch over six Thursday evenings to perform for one night only in Woodbridge on Saturday, March 24. Everyone is welcome whether you’ve only ever sung in the bath or are a regular choir member. There are no auditions, no sheet music and no solo singing. Local choirmaster Chris Rowbury will have you rolling in the aisles with his anarchic brand of humour and raising the rafters with wonderful harmonies. Chris teaches all the songs by ear and in glorious harmony without an instrument or backing track in sight. The Singing Safari sets off on Thursday, February 15 at 7.30pm at Woodbridge Methodist Church. The group will then share the songs they’ve learnt in a performance on Saturday, March 24 at St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge where they will be joined by the vocal ensemble Scunsulata from Norfolk. There will be a small charge of £35 for the whole series of workshops, final rehearsal and performance. You can try out the first rehearsal free to see if you like it before paying for the six sessions.
WOODBRIDGE ART CLUB It’s 2018 already and Woodbridge Art Club will be 50 years old in March, just in time for the start of the summer exhibition at Easter. It is also the 50th summer exhibition as the first one was held in August 1968, just for the month, and having no premises to display their paintings in they hung them on the railings at the railway station. It was so popular with the public that they asked for it to be a regular event! And so it became, but over the years it has gradually expanded to cover all the summer weekends from Easter till the end of September. To celebrate our anniversary we will be producing a calendar of members’ paintings which will be on sale at the club from Easter. You can do your Christmas shopping really early! There will no doubt be other celebratory events – we will keep you informed.
The Singing Safari is open to anyone from 16 to 80. No experience is required as all songs will be taught by ear in the traditional way. Let’s get Woodbridge singing – the more the merrier! Chris Rowbury has 30 years’ experience as a patient, charismatic teacher with a relaxed style laced with plenty of humour. Based in Woodbridge, he founded local community choir The OK Chorale in 2011. Chris will get you singing in wonderful harmony in a matter of minutes. For more information contact Chris on 01394 610486 or visit: www.chrisrowbury.com
SUCCESSFUL FESTIVE SEASON FOR DEBEN ROTARY December was once again a busy time for the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben. It began with our annual Carol Concert at Woodbridge School where a capacity crowd were entertained by Martlesham Brass Band and the Woodbridge School Chamber Choir, and readings from Rotarian Tom Griffin. Later in the month Santa’s sleigh was out on the roads of Martlesham Heath and also made its annual appearance in the Thoroughfare, supported once again by the carol singers of Woodbridge Choral Society. In all these events raised nearly £3,000 which will enable the club to support a range of local, national and international charities. As ever our thanks go to all those who helped to make these events possible, especially to the people of Woodbridge and district for their generous support. The Memory Cafe resumed in January. Meetings are held at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of the month from 10.30am-noon. If you would like further information about the Memory Cafe or any of the activities of Deben Rotary please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933
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OUT & ABOUT NEW HORIZONS New Horizons, the club for older people in the area, got off to a great start this year with one of their favourite entertainment duos, Past Times. The song selection from the 50s and 60s had everyone tapping their toes and many up and dancing. The art group is preparing for their exhibition in Woodbridge Library. A selection of their paintings will be on display throughout March. What could be better on a cold February day than a hot, freshly cooked meal? Come and along and join us for lunch as well as activities and companionship. After arriving to a welcoming cup (or two!) of coffee or tea with biscuits, many of the members join in with activities such as art, scrabble, dominos or a game of cards. Some just enjoy a good chat; alternatively they might chose to read the newspapers or a magazine. Several appreciate the opportunity to ask volunteer shoppers to purchase something they need – or maybe they just fancy a treat! For more information about any aspect of the club or to arrange a trial visit, please phone 07514 364752 and speak to one of our leaders. Alternatively, you can email us at: newhorizons912@gmail.com
WOODBRIDGE PROBUS Ray Hooper was confirmed as 2018 chairman and Tom Zabel as vice-chair at our AGM on January 8. Outgoing chair Roger Seager described his year as great fun and remains as treasurer. Ray introduced us to the new website where you will find information on future lunches, speakers and contacts, and a map to our home at Seckford Golf Club. On February 5 Ian Read will present a talk entitled Martlesham Heath, 100 Ground Breaking Years. Ian will talk about its inception as an RFC airfield in 1917, then as an RAF R&D establishment until the outbreak of the Second World War when it became an operational RAF and USAAF airbase, eventually closing in 1963. The GPO moved their R&D to what is now BT Adastral Park in the late 1960s and Martlesham Heath ‘new village’ was developed in the 1970s/80s. The talk will be a fascinating trip through history. Semi-retired or retired? Come and join us as a guest for the meeting and if you like us, remain as a member. Our photograph shows member Rod Satchwell on a recent trip to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford in front of a Catalina, an aircraft he flew on a regular basis during the Second World War. www.probuswoodbridge.org.uk
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY A Happy New Year to all! Our first lecture of 2018 will be on Wednesday, February 7, when Barry Venning presents a talk entitled Giles: His Life, Times and Cartoons. On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates. Why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
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WOODBRIDGE ROTARY CLUB We were delighted to see so many people at the 66th Open Air Carol Service held in Woodbridge. The weather was kind and Market Hill was filled with families, friends, residents and visitors to Woodbridge. Quite a few people remarked that they had visited the event as children and were now carrying on that tradition by bringing their families. Father Christmas arrived in a fire engine, causing great excitement among the children. There was quite a queue of children who went to meet him, and lots of sweets were given out to them. Woodbridge Rotary Club held a bucket collection in support of Macmillan – Supporting Young People in Suffolk. We are thrilled that thanks to the amazing generosity of those who donated on the evening we raised £1,126 which we believe is the largest amount raised at this event to date. Since 2000 a total of over £278,000 has been raised by Woodbridge Rotary Club members. This is a huge amount of money to be raised via various events and collections. There are some events which are virtually permanent fixtures in the local calendar. Amongst these are the charity golf days, the cycle rides, the walks, the open-air carol service, jazz concert and bottle stalls – none of which would be successful without the efforts of the members and the generous help and support of the public in and around the Woodbridge area. The money is donated to many causes, both local and abroad. During the last year alone, money has been donated to the Alzheimer’s Society, the Blood Runners (SERV), Macmillan Cancer Support, Bike Active, End Polio Now, the Banyan Tree, the Shelter Box scheme, Medicine without Borders (alongside the Pink Lady in Woodbridge) and Dictionaries for Schools, a diverse group of charities, groups and initiatives. The club also has ongoing commitments to help several local groups and projects with both time and money, for example the Memory Café, RYLA and Just 42. Small local community grants are sometimes available. Members have input into which charities and groups receive funding and put forward fundraising ideas for consideration. This may all sound like really hard work and no fun at all. This could not be further from the truth. Along the way members share the fellowship and enjoyment of working as a team, trying different activities, meeting new people, working with charities, schools and many other groups. Regular lunch meetings (Fridays) at The Bull Inn in Woodbridge along with a monthly evening meeting give lots of opportunities for socialising, enjoying lunches and dinners together and becoming part of a group that cares about their members. We are always looking for new members. If you would like to find out more, either to become a Rotarian or a Friend of Rotary, please contact Jeff Dunn: 01473 213877 / enquiries.woodbridgerotary@gmail.com www.woodbridgerotary.org.uk
DEBEN FLOWER CLUB The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 13 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. The evening will take the form of a demonstration by club members. This will be an informal event with members and visitors having the opportunity to move around the hall and ask questions of those producing the arrangements. Tea and coffee will be available and there will be stalls selling cakes, chocolates and edible goodies and flower arranging sundries. There will also be a raffle of the flower arrangements. Visitors (£4) are always assured of a warm welcome. If you would like further information please call: 01394 411422
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OUT & ABOUT INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE Inner Wheel ended 2017 on a festive note with a Christmas lunch held at the Riverside; crackers were pulled, wine was imbibed and £65 was raised for charity in lieu of exchanging Christmas cards. Now a new year has begun and at our January meeting we were joined by District Chairman Gillian Smith. Gillian’s chosen charity is CHICKS, which was founded in 1992 to provide free respite breaks for children aged eight-15 years who are living in poverty or suffering abuse. They may also be referred if they are acting as a carer or have suffered bereavement. The charity has retreats in Devon and Cornwall where children stay for five days, enjoying a variety of activities including music, art, badminton, table tennis and trips out to the moors or the seaside. There is home-cooked food and always a listening ear when needed. CHICKS gives children a chance to be carefree and simply be children. Gillian was presented with a gift pack of Tide Mill flour and a recipe book; she is pictured with Club President Deirdre Griffin. ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT We will be holding our annual quiz night on Friday, March 9 at Woodbridge Community Hall at 7.30pm. Teams of four-six people are invited at a cost of £6 per person; please bring your own food and drink. For more information or to register a team please call Deirdre Griffin: 01473 612049
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST, WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP BRITISH WILD FLOWERS Our British wild flowers and conserving them will take centre stage when Anne and Dennis Kell give a talk on the subject at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, February 22 at 7.30pm. The talk has been organised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group and chairman Phil Smith said: “This promises to be a fascinating evening and everyone is welcome to attend.” Admission is £3 for adults, with children under 16 free. Light refreshments will be available and a raffle will be held. For more information please contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com EVENTS AT FOXBURROW FARM Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Melton near Woodbridge IP12 1NA Tuesday, February 13, 1.30-3.30pm Family Afternoon: Pancakes, Pancakes / Children £4, adults free Wednesday, February 14, 1-3pm Family Afternoon: Nest Box Building /£6 per box Thursday, February 16, 1-3pm Young Wardens: Living Willow / Ages 11-16 / £5
1ST RENDLESHAM SCOUT GROUP End of term activities As part of their end of term activities the Scouts have been out and about having plenty of fun. First they had the opportunity to try out cardboard caving where 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts had constructed a huge cave system (including ladders, strobe and fairy lights, fans and even a smoke machine) in the loft of their Scout HQ out of cardboard boxes, pallets and scrap timber. They had fantastic fun exploring the maze of tunnels and climbing up, over, round and through this amazing construction. Their next meeting took the Scouts on a visit to the dry ski slope in Ipswich to try out the Ringo’s! These are giant inflatable rubber rings with a flat sledge like base on the bottom on which the Scouts could launch themselves down the ski slope either alone or in a chain. After burning off plenty of energy on the slopes they then had the chance to refuel with hot chocolate and cake in the Lodge where they were also awarded with the badges they had earned in the last term. The final end of term treat for our oldest Scouts was to join 5th Woodbridge Explorers with a trip to Jump Street Trampoline Park in Colchester where they enjoyed seeing new Explorers being invested by leaders Craig and Jane while both bouncing on trampolines (not sure this would have happened in BadenPowell’s day!). They then spent the rest of the morning trying out all of the fantastic trampoline activities on offer, having fun and enjoying themselves at the end of a busy scouting term. WinterCamp Our next major event is WinterCamp which is being held at Gilwell Park Scout Centre. It’s an activity camp held right in the middle of winter and approximately 4,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the UK will be attending along with many from the local area. 1st Rendlesham, 5th Woodbridge, 1st Leiston and 1st Otley will all be in attendance and hopefully keeping warm. Activities on offer include 4x4 off road driving, abseiling, archery, axe throwing, bushcraft, cinema, climbing, crafts, disco, dodgems, high ropes, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, outdoor quasar, go karts, quad bikes, shooting, white water rafting, wide games, zip wires and many, many more. We look forward to reporting how it went next month. Membership We currently have spaces for Cubs (8-10 years); both Beavers (6-8 years) and Scouts (10-14 years) currently have waiting lists, but we are always happy to hear from any child interested in joining any section of the troop. So please don’t hesitate to contact us via our website, on Facebook or via Acting Group Scout Leader Keith Gleen: 07944 297184 / info@rendleshamscouts.org.uk
Friday, February 16, 10am-2pm Activity Day: The Enchanted Wood / Ages 6-12 / £7
www.rendleshamscouts.org.uk
Tuesday, February 20, 10am-2pm Activity Day for Home Educated Children: Alive and Deadly /Ages 6-12 / £7
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP, DIABETES UK
www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org / 01473 890089
MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, February 12: Ipswich War Memorial Project by Andrew Beal The project to record and identify over 2,000 people on Ipswich War Memorial who died during the First and Second World Wars and up to 2007, was started in 2014. The aim was to create a database for families to discover more about their ancestors who made the ultimate sacrifice. The talk features unseen family pictures and stories; please do bring any relevant images that you may have. All meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.
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Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 8 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH from 7-9pm. Our guest speaker will be Norma Howell from the charity Medical Detection Dogs. This is a social gathering for people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to have the opportunity to talk to those in a similar situation and receive support. Family and friends are most welcome to join us too. Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee. For further information please contact: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com / 07547 513730 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org
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SCHOOLS / SPORT MARTLESHAM PLAYSCHOOL
WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB
Happy New Year! A great time was had by all at the Christmas shows and parties – thank you to our parents and families for your continued support. We raised around £350 from all our Christmas fundraising events – cards, hamper raffles, Christmas star sales. A big welcome to our new friends who joined us this term, we are looking forward to getting to know you! We also welcome two new members of staff – Jasmine and Sarah – and wish them every success in their new roles with us.
‘Knot a lot’ pretty well sums up what Des Pawson has been doing since he was seven years old. A book on knots given to him for a Christmas present sparked a passion which has subsequently taken him round the world lecturing and tying and has culminated in the award of an MBE.
Martlesham Playschool is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative. Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to local community projects. Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout January and February. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop. Look out for our name and please vote for us! We have some limited spaces still available at Martlesham Playschool; please feel free to pop along and take a look at what fun we get up to, or contact us for a chat about how we can offer 15 or 30 hours funded childcare in term time and now all year round as well. Martlesham Playschool: Gorseland School, Deben Avenue, Martlesham IP5 3QR / 01473 625986 / mplayschool@btinternet.com Kesgrave Playschool: Millennium Jubilee Hall, Millennium Way, Kesgrave IP5 2EN / 07746 907060 / mplayschool@btinternet.com
BRIGHT STARS FUN ACTIVITY SESSIONS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children (0-5) from 10.30am-noon on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. If you would you like a fun start to your week, come along to Bright Stars with your parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers. These mornings are free and usually involve singing, games, making crafts to take home and telling stories from the Bible for the first half hour. We then have refreshments when the adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon. During January we each decorated our own star and a picture of the wise men which we then took on a journey round the room while we sang. We also enjoyed making lots of noise with percussion instruments! You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings; just turn up, no need to let us know in advance. We look forward to seeing you.
In a talk to the club in early December, Des opened our eyes to the world of knots and the wide range of purposes to which they are put. Your average ‘yachties’ know about warps and sheets and halyards and painters, even if they don’t know why the same old bits of thick string have different names, but this barely scratches the surface and Des, all the while wearing his characteristic red beret, took us on a journey through time. As well as splicing and repairing the ships ropes and rigging, the early sailors used knots to make mats, belts, shoes and even to mend pipes. These skills were passes from generation to generation until sail gradually gave way to sail and they began to fall out of use. The lack of written instruction has meant a lot of time consuming research for Des, but has resulted in him becoming a world authority on ropework and the founder of The International Guild of Knot Tyers. Peter King thanked Des on behalf of an enthusiastic audience. The commodore’s Christmas Party was full to capacity and as usual members were treated to a superb meal prepared by the catering team, a tomato quiche followed by beef casserole with a choice of desserts topped by miniature Christmas pudding covers knitted by Ruth Mezits, and a glass of port. And we wonder why Father Christmas has such a round figure! Entertainment followed when members of local choirs got together to sing a version of the Wassailing carol revised by Daphne Warwick to reflect the effort put into the club by its many members through various committees and working parties during the year. A light hearted touch which was well received. New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be complete without wild celebrations and so another party, this time with dancing to music of yesteryear provided by Chris Baird’s disco. You couldn’t sit still, the dance floor was packed, artificial hips were greased and participants well oiled, inhibitions were thrown out the window and we bopped. There was a splendid buffet and despite stocks getting dangerously low, a plentiful supply at the bar. It was amazing that so many weathered the storm to take part in the ‘survivors walk’ on New Year’s Day. Perhaps it was the lure of soup and crusty bread, but more than 40 people took part.
If you would like further information please contact:
And through all of this the fortnightly Wednesday suppers have continued to give those with an insatiable thirst a chance for some mid-week slaking. But we are now into 2018 with the prospect of boat maintenance and antifouling ahead before we can get down to our real purpose of sailing the seas! Happy New Year to all.
Sonya & Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
For information about the club please visit: www.woodbridgecruisingclub.org
The remaining spring term dates are: February 26 and March 12 and 26
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