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with Melton, Rendlesham & Woodbridge Volume 7 • Issue No. 11 • MARCH 2018
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Now don’t tell my boss, but on Tuesday mornings when I arrive at work before A Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4 has ended, I’m forced to sit in the car until it does. Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them. I particularly loved his interview with Eugenia Cheng on the mathematics of mathematics. Though it was never my strongest subject, I continue to love maths, desperate to understand and to find the right answer, though I seldom do. What’s extraordinary about many of the people featured on A Life Scientific is how often a childhood interest or passion has led to a fulfilling career and it’s clear that doing something you love is a wonderful privilege. I’ll be playing the podcasts to my son when he’s a little older because whatever he does in life I want it to be what makes him happy. You may have read about the letter a teacher in Singapore sent to parents the week before her students were to sit exams. Here’s a short extract: “I know you are all really anxious for your child to do well. But, please do remember, amongst the students who will be sitting for the exams there is an artist who doesn’t need to understand math, an entrepreneur who doesn’t care about history or English literature, a musician whose chemistry marks won’t matter. There’s an athlete whose physical fitness is more important than physics. If your child does get top marks, that’s great, but if he or she doesn’t please don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity. Tell them no matter what they score you love them and will not judge them. Please do this and when you do, watch your children conquer the world. One exam or a low mark won’t take that away. And please don’t think that doctors and engineers are the only happy people in the world.” I hope you have or have had the opportunity to do what you love and that you can inspire others to do likewise. Driving to work at 6am on a cold January morning is never easy, but it’s a whole lot easier if you’re looking forward to the day ahead.
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
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
TRANSITION WOODBRIDGE TREE PLANTING AT PETERHOUSE CRESCENT Having heard about our tree planting activities and our scattered community orchard, Suffolk Coastal approached Transition Woodbridge last summer to plant some trees to replace the Canadian Maple lost at the new Deben Leisure Centre development due to planning permission. We were really thrilled that they contacted us as we have lots of places we would like to plant trees in Woodbridge and Melton, but as a small community group we lack the funds and man power to plant the trees, put up protective cages and also water and maintain them for several years – which is integral to their survival. Suffolk Coastal kindly given us the money we needed to organise this project and to plant five trees on Peterhouse Crescent. Back in the summer we sent a leaflet around to all the local residents asking them if they would be interested in growing trees on the green and if so, what trees they would like. The answer was absolutely yes and apples and pears were the most popular. The trees planted are all root stock and are a mixture of sturdy eaters and cookers. They are all ‘earlies’, so hopefully any tempted little fingers early in the harvest season will be rewarded with lovely juicy fruit! We were also really pleased that Kyson Primary School was excited about the idea and gave it their full support. On Saturday, January 27, 29 people turned out in the wet, cold and pretty miserable weather! But despite that, the effort made was fantastic and the 12 children, all from Kyson Primary (including Alfred and Maya who are pictured on the front cover and Summer and Ottilie pictured here) were brilliant. They got stuck in, did most of the digging and really helped out the Transition crew. They learnt not only valuable skills of how to plant a tree but also did some great team work, were fantastic at listening to instructions and were very muddy at the end of it. I hope they were all rewarded with a nice hot chocolate when they got home! Transition Woodbridge are currently putting together a watering rota for the spring and summer for the next three years. Each tree needs 10 litres of water every week. If anyone would like to help us water, or join in watering any of our other trees (Melton Riverside, Bury Hill, Beresford Drive or Morley Avenue) please do email: ttwoodbridge@gmail.com We are incredibly grateful to all our helpers and we look forward to planting more trees soon! www.transitionwoodbridge.onesuffolk.net Pictures by Laura Hack at Suffolk Coastal
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NEWS
IN TOUCH WITH JON MANSFIELD A MAN WITH A PASSION FOR TENNIS Jon Mansfield’s love affair with tennis began as a boy, knocking the ball back and forth with his best friend in his back garden in Knutsford, Cheshire. And over 30 years later, he’s still at it, rarely off court in his role as head coach at Woodbridge Tennis Club. “I was born in Norwich, moved to Nottingham, Northern Ireland, then Knutsford where we would play tennis in the street or my back garden with ‘jumpers for goalposts’!” Like countless other sport-minded youngsters growing up in the late-80s and early-90s, the American tennis stars of the day held a particular allure. “I remember watching John McEnroe at Wimbledon on TV and loved it. Later, I loved Andre Agassi with his day-glo kit.” This combination of character and scrappy determination soon inspired the young would-be player to take the game more seriously, eventually leading to a career on court playing and coaching. “I thought Agassi’s attitude and on-court style were fascinating. He was also often the underdog as he was usually up against ‘Pistol’ Pete Sampras.” Following a move to Woodbridge, Jon’s involvement with the town’s club came about via a friend. “I started coaching at Woodbridge in July 2003 when I was asked by head coach and close friend James Yates if I would be interested in taking a position at the club.” He jumped at the chance, and soon became a familiar face, racquet in hand, encouraging players of all ages, come rain or shine throughout the year. “I learned a lot on the job in addition to taking my LTA Level 3 coaching qualification, which was taken over a six-month period. As an LTA licensed coach, in order to maintain my qualification and coaching licence, I complete at least 15 hours of Continuous Professional Development every year.” Today, the 45-year-old lives with his wife and two children in the nearby village of Bredfield, and still relishes coaching players of all ages and abilities. So, does he believe anyone can play tennis? “My mission is to get as many people as I can to pick up a tennis racket and take an interest in tennis. In my opinion anyone can learn to play tennis as long as the appropriate equipment is used. If you’d never been skiing before you wouldn’t go to the steepest run first, and it’s the same with tennis. Adults who’ve never played before will find a softer, slower ball much easier to learn with.” Put in the practice and you’ll get the rewards. “It’s the best game in the world! It’s great fun to play, whether you’re playing singles or doubles. It’s not an easy game to master, so you’re always learning how to improve.” He believes Woodbridge Tennis Club is the perfect environment for anyone to get involved, get better, get fit and have fun. “The club offers loads of opportunities for playing social tennis for all abilities, which is a great way to meet new people. We also have lots of match tennis and coaching for everyone.” One face that soon becomes familiar to new members is Jon’s. And when he’s not on court, as a self-employed coach there’s always plenty to do. “Answering phone calls, emails, messages, organising events and competitions, playing for the club’s first team – I rarely get bored!” With that, he’s soon heading back to the court – there’s nowhere else he’d rather be. “To be involved in tennis for my job is my best achievement!” To find out more about half-price membership for new adult members, visit: www.woodbridgetennis.org By Richard Ginger
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SLIMMING WORLD RELAUNCH Lisa Roberts is very excited to be relaunching the Woodbridge Town Football Club Slimming World group on Thursday, March 8 at 9.30 and 11.30am. Lisa’s own life has changed completely since joining Slimming World as a member herself two years ago. Like so many people, she was very unhappy with her own weight which was affecting her confidence, causing depression and also giving pain in her joints. She embraced the Slimming World plan and lost three stone to achieve her target in 25 weeks! Her confidence returned, her smile came back and her joints no longer hurt, in fact she could wear high heels again! Slimming World touched Lisa’s life so much, she wanted to give back to others, and help them too. Lisa became a Slimming World Consultant in May 2017, launching her first group in Martlesham on Saturday mornings. Within weeks, she knew this role was meant for her. Her passion is helping members lose weight, gain confidence, giving support, and enabling them to change their lives. She says there is really is no better reward you can get than watching people’s smiles come back and their confidence grow. Having discovered her deep passion in this role led her to leave her 20-year managerial career in London during September 2017 so she could devote her time to helping others. In just 10 months, Lisa now runs Martlesham on Saturdays, Wickham Market on Mondays (as a relief consultant), Woodbridge Town Football Club on Tuesdays and now Woodbridge Town Football Club on Thursdays. She is helping approximately 350 members every week, but knows there are more people out there who are unhappy with their weight. Sixty-three per cent of the population are overweight, but Slimming World only reaches one per cent of them. Lisa really wants to reach more! So if you love food, but still want to lose weight, then Slimming World is absolutely for you. Please join Lisa on Thursday, March 8 to start, or restart your own journey; she is ready to help you achieve your dream weight.
ADAM THORPE SHORTLISTED FOR HIGH SHERIFF AWARD Twenty-two-year-old Adam Thorpe, the youngest director at Jetty Lane Youth & Arts Centre CiC and also leader of 1st Woodbridge Scouts, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Suffolk High Sheriff’s award for Young Volunteer of the Year. “We’re so pleased for Adam,” said Woodbridge County Councillor Caroline Page, also chair of Jetty Lane CiC. “It is no more than he deserves. He has worked his socks off this last year.” Jetty Youth CiC is a project designed to address sustainably the currently unmet needs of many disparate groups in Woodbridge (and its environs), with particular emphasis on young people and the arts. Two youth charities will be permanently housed at the centre, while many of the other users are charities or community groups. The CiC itself is a not-for-profit organisation which is working purely for the benefit of the community. It has recently been fortunate to secure from Suffolk County Council the promise of a 125year lease at peppercorn rent on the land where the previous youth centre stood. The CiC is now fundraising. All inquiries or offers of help to: Chair Caroline Page: caroline.page@suffolk.gov.uk / 07545 423837 Project Manager Cordelia Richman: cordelia@jettylane.com / 07749 516448
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT COUNCILLOR CAROLINE’S COLUMN One of the lovely things about being a Woodbridge parent is that our children are generally able to walk to school. The distances are not large, there’s company, it provides not only exercise but a space between the often conflicting worlds of school and home. It’s environmentally friendly. It keeps cars off the road. What’s not to like? However, schools these days are big. Thousands of children from all over Suffolk live in the rural hinterlands. The catchment for Farlingaye covers – I believe – something like 400 square miles. Free school transport is a contentious subject in Suffolk at the moment. I hear older people saying things like “Why are parents driving?” and “Why don’t children cycle/walk/catch the bus like I did when I was a kid?”. Of course, one of the reasons is that almost everyone has a car: many families have two, three, even four. And with car ownership comes car reliance. This makes roads – particularly rural roads – less safe for pedestrians and cyclists than they were 50 years ago. And reliance on the car has seen off many local bus routes (more after Suffolk County Council’s latest cuts come into force). You can’t have your cake and eat it! And then, rural schools are much thinner on the ground than they were 50 years back. When buses were plentiful and petrol cheap, successive governments closed down untold numbers of village schools in the name of efficiency. We have an additional problem, that the concept of ‘parental choice’ in schooling has been introduced as a matter of political principle. This has a deeply destructive effect on transport, on schools, on the very idea of education as parents rush to enrol their children in whichever school got the best league table results in any given year; totally understandable, deeply unscientific and adding to the burden on our roads. Be clear, Suffolk already only provides free transport to those children who meet very strict criteria. If children are eight plus they are only entitled to free transport if they live over three miles from their catchment or transport priority school (for under-eights it’s over two miles). The only exceptions to this come with issues like safety, special needs or exceptional circumstances. Parental choice in the school they attend plays no part in eligibility for free transport. If you want to send your child to a high league, outstanding school over the other side of the county, it’s your lookout. What Suffolk is now trying to do is reduce their statutory responsibility so that they will only provide free transport to eligible children to the ‘nearest’ school (which will still have to be more than three/two miles away). This will limit choice in many places. It will also put more cars on the roads because many rural roads are simply not safe for child cyclists in the morning and evening. These cars will end up clogging the residential roads round our schools. Free school transport is nationally legislated. Yet the law is made in London where few students live three miles from a school and where all children and young people get free and freely available transport funded by the public purse. Why should our Suffolk young people get less? Caroline Page
IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY We have two meetings in March. On Wednesday 7 we have a visit from the Colchester society who will display and talk on subjects that I am sure will entertain us all. Visiting societies are always interesting as you never know what you will see or hear. On Wednesday 21 we have a member’s competition, where members can display up to 10 pages of material of their choice. This usually provides us with a splendid evening as the displays are very diverse and often very unusual. Future dates for your diary April 4: Society Auction April 14: Society Stamp Fair Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, 7 for 7.30pm, visitors welcome. For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904
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EAST SUFFOLK TRAVELLERS’ ASSOCIATION The East Suffolk Travellers’ Association (ESTA), an independent voluntary association for train and bus users in Eastern Suffolk, has just published its annual passenger survey of both bus and train passengers in the area. Both members and the general public were asked to complete a series of detailed questions, and then to add any suggestions or comments of their own. Copies of the report have been passed to the various transport providers at senior level as well as to local and national government representatives, so that they are all aware of local issues and can adjust their own policies to take these into account. Bus users travel more for ‘leisure’ purposes while the majority of train passengers are on ‘business’ journeys that include commuting to work. Users of the various bus services are frequently unhappy at the passenger facilities such as shelters, seats, timetables and lack of late-running information provided at bus stops. ESTA is already currently discussing these aspects with the authorities, especially given many stops can be in isolated areas, particularly in dark winter evenings. ESTA Chairman Trevor Garrod commented: “Ideally every rail station and bus stop should at least have a sign, timetable board, shelter and seat. Nowadays people have also come to expect real-time information at busier locations. Yet 41% of the bus stops surveyed lacked one or more of these four basic facilities.” Almost half of journeys made in ESTA’s survey were to destinations beyond Ipswich, but only 58% of trains surveyed ran exactly on time. Keeping to published timetables is also important to rail users and will be even more so when some of the new trains running direct from Lowestoft via Ipswich to London Liverpool Street come into service at the end of next year. These trains will have to keep their times to ‘slot in’ between the Norwich/ London services. On both bus and rail the survey shows general satisfaction with the on-board conditions of travel, but train toilets need tweaking-up and passengers were quite concerned that some more attention needs to be paid to the checking of fares to prevent dodgers taking advantage of full trains on morning services. Suggestions were also made on improving bus/train connections and improved through-ticketing in order to encourage the use of public transport. Local authorities will be interested to see 17% of train-passengers used a car to reach the station, approximately 200,000 commutes to or from ESTA stations! On the other hand, many members welcomed the improved bus/ train connections on offer at Saxmundham compared to last year.
WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM AFTERNOON TALKS The 2018 series of afternoon talks arranged by the Friends of Woodbridge Museum was given by Roy Tricker, always an entertaining speaker. His subject was Comical Parsons of the Past. Roy lamented the passing of the truly eccentric parsons, but despite this gave us accounts of many characters ranging from the hunting parsons of the past, and the strange to the rogues. The next talk at Woodbridge Community Hall on March 16 is on The History of Ransomes; from Old Foundry Road to part of a Global Organisation. Please note that this meeting will start at 2.15pm, a little earlier than usual. Future talks April 20: The Medieval Port of Gosford May 18: The History of Paycocke’s There are still places on the next Museum Day School on Saturday, March 17. The topic this time is Revolution, Riots and Reform, Britain 1815-1832. This will be held again at St Mary’s House, Market Hill, from 9.30am-4.30pm. For further information on talks or the day school please contact: 01394 385572
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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Woodbridge Library will be closed on Good Friday, March 30. Book Group: Meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm. On March 1 we will be discussing short stories by William Trevor. Please come along if you have read any of these and would like to join in the discussion. March 2-30: ArtLib Exhibition of work by New Horizons Club’s Art Group (see below) From Saturday, March 3: Sale of withdrawn non-fiction library books. All proceeds go to Woodbridge Library. Mondays, March 5, 12 & 19, 11.15am-12.45pm: Mindfulness and Meditation. Sessions are run on a drop-in basis, £10 per session. Enquiries to: debrawoodbridge@gmail.com / 01394 450066 Saturday, March 10, 10.15-11.45am: Habits and Addictions by Mia Philips. We will explore how easily habits and addictions can drop away once we know how and from where our experience of life is created. This simple, insight based understanding enables you to see that you are not your habit or addiction and you have everything you need to be free of it for good. £5 on the door. Saturday, March 17, 9-11am: Caroline Page, County Councillor for Woodbridge, will be holding her surgery at the library. Saturday, March 17, 7.30pm: Quiz Night presented by the Friends of Woodbridge Library. Bring friends and family for a brain-teasing and fun evening. Maximum six per team, £4 per person (payable on the night). Please pre-register your team name at Woodbridge Library or contact: 01394 446510 / woodbridge.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk Wednesday, March 20, 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. Tuesday, March 27, 12.30-1.15pm: Friends of Woodbridge Library Lunchtime Concert with guitatrist Ian Kelleher. Ian’s programme will include music from Brazil, France and Spain.
SNAP (Support & Advice Project): A SNAP support worker will be available every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10am-noon for advice on housing related issues, budgeting and benefit changes. Woodbridge Novelists: Meets fortnightly on Wednesday mornings. This is a reciprocal critiquing group for novel-writers who are working towards publication. For more details and contact information please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/woodbridgenovelists/home Writers’ Workshop: Meets once a month on Tuesdays at 5.30pm. Interested? Please email jeannie@butterwicks.com to open doors to creative writing. 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 Drawing Group: Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 10am Arts and Crafts Group: Second Wednesday of the month at 10am Play Reading: Third Thursday of the month at 2pm. Come to listen or join in for an afternoon of light-hearted drama, comedy or mystery. 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. For more information contact nigel@foden.me.uk / 07740 173091 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.
Free computer help and advice: Contact the library to book a session.
Every Friday • 10.30-11am: Bookstart Story and Rhyme Time Stories and more for young children accompanied by an adult.
Citizens Advice Bureau & Flagship: Every Tuesday, 10am-noon
Kid’s Club Craft Activities: Every Sunday, 10.30am-noon
NEW HORIZONS CLUB
town in order to reach the treasure first. Treasure hunts usually prove very competitive and volunteers have to be on their toes to keep up with the demand for the next clue. We are also looking forward to the first outing of the year. On April 5 the plan is to go for lunch at the Ferry Golf Club in Felixstowe, followed by a visit to the Spa Pavilion to enjoy The Good Old Music Hall Days.
New Horizons, the club for older people in the Woodbridge area, has been able to purchase some new games due to a very generous grant from District Councillor Caroline Page. Funding from her Locality Budget has enabled us to buy a floor basketball set and a bean bag target game, together with a music quiz and musical bingo. These have proved very popular and we are very grateful to Caroline for her continued support of the club. This month, members also enjoyed attempting a Japanese style flower arrangement using twisted willow, catkins and ferns. They produced some attractive and cheerful displays to brighten their homes during these dull winter days. We also enjoyed a slide show on Chile by Chris Parfitt entitled The Long Thin Country. Later this month we are having an Easter Treasure Hunt where teams of members race to solve clues which lead them around a road map of a local
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New Horizons meets twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am2.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, 11 Market Hill, Woodbridge IP12 4LP. People over the age of 55 who live in Woodbridge and the surrounding villages are invited to join us for companionship as well as a range of activities including art, crafts, entertainment and slide shows. Refreshments and a two course home-cooked meal are also included in the cost of £8 per session. Transport is available for a small additional fee. Don’t forget to pop into Woodbridge Library to see a display of paintings from our art group from March 2-30. For more information about New Horizons contact Brenda: 07514 364752 / newhorizons912@gmail.com
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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY Under the baton of Andrew Leach at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, the 120-voice Woodbridge Choral Society will perform Giuseppe Verdi’s popular and mighty Requiem on Saturday, April 7 at 7.30pm. The choir will be accompanied by the Kingfisher Sinfonia, led by Beth Spendlove. The soprano soloist will be Sarah-Jane Brandon, the 2009 winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award. She was a member of the Young Singers project at the Salzburg Festival in 2011, and has sung with numerous leading opera companies around the world, including Glyndebourne and the English National Opera. Suffolk resident Zoe Todd will be the mezzo-soprano soloist. A graduate of St John’s College, Oxford and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, she has had numerous appearances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and has a large repertoire in both modern and classical opera. Ms Todd serves as a singing teacher at Ipswich High School. Paul Smy will be the tenor soloist. He began his musical career at King’s College Cambridge and continued his studies with John Runge. In 1992, he co-founded the Mikrokosmos in Paris, and launched his solo singing career there, singing major works such as the Bach B Minor Mass and Britten’s St Nicolas. In 1998 he returned to the UK, and in the ensuing years has sung lead roles in numerous works in the choral repertoire. Born in 1988, Morgan Pearse is established as an especially exciting young baritone. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium and University and then the Royal College of Music’s International Opera School, where he won the prestigious Lies Askonas Prize. He won the Cesti competition in 2016. Mr Pearse has sung as a soloist with leading opera companies in Europe, New Zealand and the United States. In 2013, he won the Gold Medal at the Royal Overseas League Competition. “We are very pleased to be performing again in the Snape Maltings Concert Hall,” said Colin Palmer, chair of Woodbridge Choral Society. “Our history of singing in that wonderful auditorium began with the Verdi Requiem a decade ago, and we are looking forward to doing it there again this year.” Tickets are available from society treasurer Richard Lyon: 01473 620775 / treasurer@woodbridgechoralsociety.org Tickets can also be purchased from choir members and from Snape Maltings Box Office: 01728 687110
LIONS’ CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT Quay Time, our joint project with Woodbridge Quay Church, is really taking off. Fourteen participants at the recent Wednesday afternoon session were busy making cards, playing carpet bowls and board games. A visiting speaker has been booked for a future event. A number of participants have been in touch to say how much they enjoy the lively atmosphere and conversation – even if they prefer to simply sit and listen. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes are available at these afternoons, held on the third Wednesday each month at the Quay Church. Transport can be arranged for anyone who may otherwise have difficulty attending. As Quay Time grows and its participants take on its management, it will shortly have its own website – watch out for more details. Our programme of activities for the spring is filling up rapidly. We shall be assisting at Woodbridge Horse Show on Monday, May 7, our popular Art Show & Sale will return to the Salvation Army Hall on Saturday, May 19, and planning is already well underway for Woodbridge Regatta on Sunday, June 17, with our spectacular Duck Dive featured once again. Watch out for details of our mini car boot sale – just six pitches available on a site opposite Deben Pool. The social side isn’t neglected with visits planned for March and April and a lunch to mark the handover to new club officers on June 26. Peter See
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DANCE FOLKUS Our dance on March 2 is very much a family affair. Will Hall, our caller, is a well-known festival caller from Oxfordshire. He has worked with many famous bands such as Peeping Tom, Geckoes and Cock & Bull Band. He has built himself a great reputation. From the age of seven he lived in Suffolk and so many local people may recognise his name. His first Suffolk booking was in 1981 at the Black Hut in Bawdsey with Syzewell Gap. We look forward to some great dances. To make it a family affair the song spot for the evening is a duo featuring Will’s sister Mary Dickinson along with her husband Steve. They are the organisers of Everyman Folk Club which meets on the fourth Friday each month at the Riverside Centre in Stratford St Andrew. Mary has a great voice and Steve is an excellent guitar player. They re-launched the popular Everyman Folk Club in 1996 and book guests from all over the country. Steve Dickinson is also a concertina and aeola maker using the original Wheatstone designs. The dance band will be led by local ceilidh band Harbour Lights with additional musicians making up the Dance Folkus Come All Ye Band. Discounted tickets can be booked by emailing dancefolkus@aol.com (no payment in advance) or you can simply come along on the night (£6). Students or children are half price. Telephone Rob on 01473 610951 if you need further information. New band musicians and dancers are very welcome.
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 March 22 when Luke Potter, the new East Suffolk General Manager for the National Trust, will give us an insight into the current work and future plans of the trust for our area. This will be preceded by a short AGM. The talk on April 19 is by Veronica Bennett, a volunteer speaker for the National Trust, who will tell us about Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, popular for its architectural variety and beautiful garden and woods. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
RANSOMES & RAPIER ANNUAL REUNION
Sunday, March 4 at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE. Ex-employees, families and friends welcomed from 12.30-5pm. Come and see fascinating artefacts, documents and videos. Meet up with old friends at a really enjoyable event. See what new stories and pictures have surfaced. Food and drinks available at very reasonable cost. Admission only £2 per person. For more information call Elizabeth: 01206 734581
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OUT & ABOUT EVENTS AT ST MARY’S CHURCH
WOODBRIDGE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY
Wednesdays, February 21 and 28, March 7 and 14, 7.30pm: God and Politics, a Lent course led by Bishop Tim Stevens CBE
Presents a programme of light classical music at Woodbridge Methodist Church on Monday, March 26 at 7.30pm.
In uncertain and often confusing times, how are we as Christians to develop habits of wise reflection if we are to engage faithfully and prayerfully with the big issues of our day? What are the key commitments of our faith that connect with those big issues, and how are we to learn what sort of questions to ask when applying our Christian values to the great challenges of today? In this series of talks and discussions, Bishop Tim will explore questions, including: What does the Bible say about God’s action in politics and history? What can we learn from outstanding Christian leaders? How can the Church enter the public domain and what is our responsibility in this? What does the Cross have to teach us about the cost of public discipleship? Saturday, April 21, 7.30pm: Stephen Savage Piano Recital in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society With a distinguished career as a soloist, playing in Australia, America and the Far East, Stephen Savage now teaches at The Royal Northern College of Music, as well as continuing to give recitals. Stephen will be giving a concert of works by Beethoven and Mozart at St Mary’s Church. As he has generously agreed to waive a fee, the entire proceeds from the event will be to support The Alzheimer’s Society in its important work in East Anglia and elsewhere. This concert by an outstanding pianist in an acoustically and architecturally splendid venue is expected to be well supported and you are therefore urged to obtain tickets at £10 each from Woodbridge Violins who have kindly agreed to act as box office. They are located in Market Square and have requested that we point out that they are not able to handle phone bookings or credit card payments so cash only please.
LEISTON & DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY We are a friendly club with more than 40 members living between Southwold and Felixstowe. We meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month from September to June at the United Church in Leiston, 7.15 for 7.30pm. Membership is £5 per year (50p for juniors). Roger Swindells is our guest speaker on March 28. He will be showing material on KLM Flights to and from the East Indies 1924-1939. Details of the club are available from the secretary, Andy Soutar: 01394 460901 / andy.soutar@btinternet.com
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Tickets £7 (includes light refreshments) from Helen Lewis (01394 411232), Anne Stevenson (01394 385728) or at the door. Proceeds for the work of the church.
A PLASTIC TIDE Transition Woodbridge and the Greenprint Forum were once again astounded by the turn out to watch A Plastic Tide on Friday, February 2. More than 90 people filled with passion and itching to do something about the plastic tide we see locally attended the screening at the Salvation Army Hall. Hosted for free by Transition Woodbridge, with support from the Greenprint Forum, A Plastic Tide explains the significance of the increase in single-use plastics and micro-plastics found in our rivers, seas and oceans. Single-use plastics are those which are thrown out within a year of production, many used only for seconds (straws, plastic bags, cotton buds, baby wipes – yes these are made of plastic!). Many of these, we are informed, end up in our rivers and oceans through drains on our streets. The litter we drop gets washed into the drains, overflows into our local rivers and is washed out to sea, where over many years it breaks down into micro-plastics, tiny bits of plastic that never go away. They are less than 5mm and are eaten by plankton, fish, birds, turtles and now, we are just starting to understand, by us! A Plastic Tide, although quite shocking at times, is also inspirational. It introduces us to people determined to make a change in attitudes to singleuse plastic and determined to clean up the mess we are in – not just for wildlife’s benefit but for our own and for the next generation. From the turn out on the evening and the discussions after the film, it seems Woodbridge is ready to make the change. After the film, inspirational talks were given from local shop owners who have been wise to the issue and are selling plastic-free-products. Jules Button from Woodbridge Emporium and an expert on tea, informed us about the benefits of loose-leaf tea drinking compared to tea bags which contain plastic – both within the bags themselves and in the glue that is used to seal them. Tea drinkers may want to go and talk to Jules and try out loose-leaf tea. Claire Hindmarch, owner of Rainbow Apothecary, knowledgeably informed us about the micro-plastics found in many cosmetics, particularly exfoliants and even toothpaste. She has a wonderful range of plastic free cosmetics, soaps, shampoos and also washing-up liquid and again is well worth a visit to find out more. Poppy’s Pantry, Melton, also displayed a whole range of plastic free household goods and can help anyone on a mission to de-plastic their home. Carol Steptoe then informed us of an event that we can all get active with, The Great British Spring Clean. Please see page 3 for details. If anyone would like to watch the film, it is available for free on YouTube! A Plastic Tide makes it clear that it is time for a paradigm shift. The audience made it clear they were ready to make it happen in Woodbridge. Let’s do it! For more information, please do get in touch: ttwoodbridge@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @transitionWDB www.transitionwoodbridge.onesuffolk.net
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OUT & ABOUT SING YOUR HEART OUT
WOODBRIDGE ART CLUB “I’d love to join a choir, but it’s hopeless, I can’t sing!”
Have you ever said that? If so, then there’s a treat in store for you. By popular demand, St Mary’s Church is throwing its doors wide open for another Choir Open Day. You’ll be very welcome to join with St Mary’s Choir and sing, whatever your ability. Planned for Saturday, April 28, the rehearsals will begin in church at 10am, accompanied by a brass ensemble and the organ. The day will conclude at 4pm with a performance, free for anyone to attend.
On January 31, John Roberts from Top Floor Studio selected the 13 pictures to make up the art club’s celebratory calendar for 2019. There were around 60 entries to choose from, many of extremely high quality. Pictures were chosen for their representation of the seasons, their relevance to Woodbridge and to the artwork the club produces as well as being good art. It will be a really attractive and original calendar which will be on sale at the club from Easter and throughout the summer. One of the winning paintings, Autumn Pheasants by Cathy Woodhead, is pictured.
“There’s nothing that beats the thrill of performing a major piece,” comments St Mary’s organist Andrew Clarke, “It’s partly biological, but there’s also this community thing which is about being with people and singing your heart out.” And we will be singing some terrific choral music: I was Glad (Parry), Zadok the Priest (Handel), The Heavens are Telling (Haydn), Te Deum in B Flat (Stanford), Nunc Dimittis (Burgon), The Old Hundredth (Vaughan Williams) and more.
Our 50th summer exhibition will open on Good Friday, March 30, then every weekend and Bank Holiday Monday until the end of September at the club gallery on Tide Mill Way. Opening hours are 10am-5pm.
No charge will be made for the day. Please bring a packed lunch. Soup, hot drinks and light refreshments will be provided in St Mary’s Church Centre during the day. Please also bring your own copies of the music, if you have them, but there will be a few available to borrow on the day if not.
We are very fortunate to have Colin de la Rue coming to talk to us about his home and local landmark, Melton Hall. The hall stands near the site of an earlier building dating back to the 16th century, when Richard Wood, youngest son of the Earl of Halifax, founded a branch of the family in Suffolk.
Enquiries to Andrew Clarke (01394 410449) or Bob Pegnall (01394 386822). It would help us with our preparations if you would email bobpegnall@bartonroad.co.uk to indicate your likely attendance.
WOODBRIDGE PROBUS Ian Read, our speaker last month, took us through the 100-year history of Martlesham Heath, from its inception in 1917 as an RFC Airfield, until its closure in 1973 when the Americans had departed, through to the building of the new village and Adastral Park. All is not lost though as member Jeffry Franklin told us a piece of the main runway is part of his garden! Our speaker on March 5 is Marcia Whiting, a curatorial associate from the Munnings Art Museum at Dedham who will present a talk on the life and art of Sir Alfred Munnings, a wide ranging presentation including his portraits, landscapes, rural scenes and horse paintings for which he was so well known. You are most welcome to come along as a guest and see if you like what we do. For club details including a schedule of speakers please visit: www.woodbridgeprobus.org.uk Our photograph this month shows a seaplane at Felixstowe with a Bristol Scout on top of the wing. When airborne, the Scout took off and landed at Martlesham. It is believed to be one of the first planes to land at the new field. The exercise was part of on-going experiments that led to the introduction of the first aircraft carrier.
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MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY THE HISTORY AND FAMILIES OF MELTON HALL
Colin will be outlining the history of the hall and its extensive grounds, together with the families who called it home, including the Wood family who lived in the properties for nearly 400 years. This will be a fascinating illustrated talk covering Colin’s extensive research combining local, house, family and social history. We hope you will join us at Melton Primary School on Wednesday, March 7, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Members free, visitors £3. For further information email: mlhs.sec@aol.com
A WHOLE WORLD OF SONG For each of the last seven years, choirmaster Chris Rowbury has conjured a choir from scratch in just six rehearsals. For the first time ever he is bringing this singing project to Woodbridge. Chris has taken a bunch of local singers on a virtual Singing Safari to gather songs from all around the world. The group have polished these songs and are now ready for a performance at St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge on Saturday, March 24. Special guests Scunsulata from Norfolk will be joining the Singing Safari group. The two vocal ensembles will present a concert of exquisite and enchanting harmony singing to revive the spirits. This promises to be an evening of singing to stir the soul and warm the heart. Tickets are now on sale. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £6 (under 16s £3). Buy online at www.chrisrowbury.com or by phoning Chris on 01394 610486. Some tickets may be available on the door. Retiring collection in aid of WaterAid. For more information visit: www.chrisrowbury.com
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OUT & ABOUT INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE In January the club held a cheese and wine afternoon at Grove Court Residential Home, at which the conversation flowed as well as the wine (or tea if preferred) and a most enjoyable afternoon was had by both residents and club members. At our February meeting we were treated to a very amusing talk by Christine Beedle entitled Essex Scrubber. Christine founded a cleaning company in the late 1970s. Her first contract was to clean the offices in the Willis Faber building in Ipswich; this contract was held for over 20 years, and the company went from strength to strength, with Christine achieving an award for Business Woman of the Year. This was later followed by an MBE for services to the cleaning industry – a chance to check out cleaning standards at Buckingham Palace! To encourage staff to stay, social events were held as well as a competition for Cleaner of the Year. Since selling the business, Christine has written two books entitled The Essex Scrubber from which 50% of the profits are donated to local charities through the Rotary organisation. Our next event will be the quiz night on Friday, March 9; for information please contact Deirdre Griffin on 01473 612049.
U3A HOPES MARCH WILL BRING SUNSHINE The U3A outdoor groups haven’t all been hiding indoors during the earlier colder months of 2018. The walkers and gardeners have been busy. The architecture and church visiting groups have still been out and about and this month I know at least one of the petanque groups will be tidying up their piste and getting ready for the new season. March and April have some really great talks planned so members and visitors will have plenty to interest them. Even if you have been hibernating during the winter (and I don’t blame you), please get ready to help us celebrate our 30th anniversary later this year. All details plus how to become a member are available online. If you don’t have internet access our secretary can answer any questions you may have by telephoning 03001 233913. CAMPUS TALKS Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall Thursday, April 5, 10.30am: The Fall and Rise of Ermintrude, one of the oldest buses still certified to carry fare-paying passengers, by Tony Buckland. Market Hall, Saxmundham Thursday, March 8, 2pm: Plants with Mettle by Professor Alan Baker, the world of super plants that can colonise soils contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Thursday, April 12, 2pm: An Introduction to Gemstones by Jason Middleton Kesgrave Community Centre Monday, March 26, 2pm: Travels of a Botanical Artist by Reinhild Raistrick, a talk on painting rare and endangered flowers in the wild by an awardwinning artist. Please remember that visitors are welcome at one of our talks before becoming U3A members. Campus co-ordinators will be glad to give you joining details on the day. www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk
CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall from 7.30-10pm. Our next meeting is on Thursday, March 22.
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates. On Wednesday, April 4, John Benjamin, familiar to all those who watch The Antiques Roadshow, will give a talk to mark the Golden Jubilee of NADFAS. A History of Jewellery from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor is a lecture close to one given in early 1969 which looked at the evolution of design in jewellery. We will see beautiful things. Why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
SUFFOLK TAI CHI ACADEMY A community and philanthropic group which has successfully established 16 classes in Melton, Ufford, Witnesham, Eyke, Kesgrave, Henley, Saxmundham, Southwold and Woodbridge over the last five years. Last year we raised £6,000 for charity which was divided between East Anglian Air Ambulance, Macmillan Nurses, St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich Epilepsy Support, Bumble Bee Children, Deaf Action Aid, Fromus Centre, Woodbridge Community Hall, Burness Rooms, Kesgrave Scouts, Ipswich Housing Action, Suffolk Young Carers and the Salvation Army. Recently there has been a lot of publicity in the media about the advantages of practising Tai Chi. Some of our instructors have over 20 years’ experience in this form. Now, due to local demand, we are starting a new beginner’s class at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, March 8, 1.15-2.15pm. The maximum class size has to be limited to 30 students so you are advised to reserve a place. Comfortable clothing and flat shoes are all that’s needed, together with a willingness to learn a system that will benefit students for the rest of their life. None of our classes are rushed, learning Tai Chi is a gentle process. Absolute beginners will notice beneficial results while learning. For more details contact Dawn and Ray Norris: 01394 383076 / suffolktaichi@gmail.com / www.suffolktaichiacademy.uk
BAWDSEY BIRD CLUB ANNUAL ILLUSTRATED TALK Gateway to the Broads: Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Carlton Marshes This year’s public illustrated talk will be given by Alex Jessop and takes place in Sutton Memorial Hall, Old Post Office Lane, Sutton, Nr Woodbridge IP12 3JQ on Saturday, March 24 at 7.30pm. Alex is a development officer with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, based at Carlton Marshes and will give us an insight into the continuing work and successes to date of this imaginative and important project. Alex explains: “Suffolk Wildlife Trust has the chance to buy and restore 384 acres of land for wildlife in the Broads National Park. The land links up three nature reserves that are home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife. In every way, the scale of the opportunity Suffolk Wildlife Trust has now to buy the land flanking our Broadland nature reserve is unprecedented.”
There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members.
Alex’s stunning photographs and amazing enthusiasm for nature conservation will enhance what promises to be an evening not to be missed, so why not join us? Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be available during the interval.
New members are always welcome. For more details contact: Jill 01473 713534 / Emma 01787 373850
Admission is £3, £1.50 for under 18s, and there is ample free parking. For directions and information contact: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422
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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE FLOWER CLUB Our vice-chairman Deborah Hutton welcomed everyone to our first meeting for 2018. After giving out notices and reminders, she introduced our speaker for the afternoon, Ian Le Gros from Hyde Hall. Ian first started working for the hall’s original owners in 1992 before it was bequeathed to the RHS and he is now the head of site at Hyde Hall. Ian began his talk by showing some of the early maps of the hall and pictures of the original rose gardens. He then explained how he had been involved in many of the garden projects, including the Millennium Avenue, Queen Mother’s Garden and the courtyard gardens. Ian ended the talk with slides and information about the last two years, where there has been ongoing work on an extension of the visitor centre, restaurant and a teaching centre. Our president Peggy Albertini then gave a vote of thanks for such an interesting talk. Members enjoyed tea and cakes.
WOODBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST, WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP MARCH HARES COME TO WOODBRIDGE March hares come to Woodbridge when Sue Alderman gives a talk on hares at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, March 15 at 7.30pm. This talk has been organised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Woodbridge Wildlife Group and chairman Phil Smith said: “The hare is a shy creature, but at this time of year they are more visible – and it is always thrilling to see them racing across our Suffolk fields. It is going to be very interesting to find out more about them and this promises to be a fascinating evening.” All are welcome at this talk. Admission is £3 for adults with under-16s free. There will be a raffle and light refreshments during the evening. For more information please contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com
1ST RENDLESHAM SCOUT GROUP
Members met on Thursday, February 8 for the AGM in Woodbridge Community Hall. The treasurer reported a successful financial year and the retiring chairman was thanked for her contribution to the society. Kaye Yule, the new chairman, was welcomed by the members. Jim Marshall and Sarah Cook (pictured here with Kaye Yule) led a lively question and answer session in which members and guests had the chance to learn more about all aspects of horticulture. There were inevitably questions for Jim about carnations as he is the holder of the national collection. Sarah holds the national collection of irises which have been in the news lately, particularly in connection with varieties bred by the painter Cedric Morris. She particularly recommended the new hybrid irises from Canada to go alongside Reticulata George and Reticulata Harmony, both of which bloom at this time of year. Jim’s enthusiasm for vegetables was infectious; he explained how to use containers effectively to produce near year-round vegetables from a small space. He particularly stressed the need to use fresh compost and urged members to ask garden centres how old a growing medium is before making a purchase. The answer should be it is less than six months old. Questions about trees and hedges highlighted Jim’s preference for bare rooted plants which ideally should be planted in October and November, adding homemade leaf mould or mycorrhizal inoculant to the square planting hole. His preferred hedging is hazel which is easy to manage and provides pea sticks and bean poles for the garden. The prize winning question of the afternoon was from Peggy Albertini about the health of her privet hedge. The next meeting is at 2.30pm on Thursday, March 8 when Nick Nicholson, a well-known Suffolk garden designer, will present a talk entitled Recent Developments in Garden Design Thinking. He has qualifications from the RHS and from the English Gardening School, Chelsea. There will be a raffle, and the competition will be ‘a written list of plants for an 18” container, tub, or basket’. Refreshments served at the end.
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sixteen Scouts and three intrepid leaders travelled to Gilwell Park, home of the Scout movement, to join thousands of other Scouts and Explorers for Wintercamp, a weekend of fun and adventure on a Glastonbury-esque scale. After travelling down on Friday with 1st Otley, 1st Leiston, 1st Capel St Mary and 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts there was a distinctly Suffolk feel in what started out as an empty field. However, we were soon lost in a sea of tents, surrounded by Scout groups from all over the UK. No sooner had the Scouts arrived and pitched their tents than the evening began with a bang, funfair rides, a disco that could be heard for miles and numerous opportunities to eat, socialise and explore the site. On Saturday camp got into full swing with more than 50 action-packed activities for the Scouts to try, from quad bikes, abseiling, mini tank driving, archery, air rifles, laser clay pigeon, indoor quasar, outdoor quasar, argocats, rodeo bull, axe throwing, bushcraft, backwoods cooking, white water rafting, 4x4 off-roading and caving to climbing, fairground and zipwires. In the evening the entertainment continued with the disco, campfire and cinema for the Scouts and an opportunity for the grown-ups to get in on the fun with ‘Leaders ONLY hour’ on the activities! Sunday morning gave the Scouts a last chance to squeeze in their final few activities before striking camp and heading for home. A fantastic weekend was had by both Scouts and leaders. This was the first Wintercamp for Rendlesham Scouts; I think it’s safe to say it won’t be their last. Next stop for the Scouts could hardly be more different; camping in north London and taking on the mighty 12-hour Monopoly Run round central London, visiting Park Lane, Mayfair, Oxford Street, the stations, utilities and no doubt ‘winning second prize in a beauty contest’ and collecting £10 while hopefully avoiding being sent to jail and missing out on their £200 for passing go. 1st Rendlesham Scout Group is currently made up of three sections – Beavers (6-8 years), Cubs (8-10) and Scouts (10-14) – but is soon to also have an Explorers Unit for ages 14-18. Any young people interested in joining any section, or adults wishing to volunteer should contact us either via our website/Facebook page or email: info@rendleshamscouts.org.uk www.rendleshamscouts.org.uk
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SCHOOLS / SPORT FARLINGAYE PARTNERS WITH GOETHE-INSTITUT Farlingaye High School has become a new partner school with the Goethe-Institut. There was a launch at Farlingaye on January 25, delivered by the German Embassy, the Goethe-Institut London as well as by the school itself. Speeches were followed by a reception, and the German rapper Chefket performed and gave a concert and workshop for students of German. The initiative ‘Schools: Partners for the Future’ (PASCH) is a worldwide network of more than 1,800 schools with a particular connection to Germany. The Goethe-Institut fosters around 500 PASCH schools in the national education systems of more than 100 countries. All these schools have a special focus on German and German culture. Central themes include ‘Widening horizons through multilingualism’ and ‘a common approach to future problems as an international learning community’. Farlingaye is located in an area that has so far not had many opportunities for students of German to strengthen their bond with Germany and the German culture. The new partnership will complement the existing partner school network in the United Kingdom. Mrs Green, Head of KS3 German, said: “Here at Farlingaye we are very excited about being a part of the PASCH initiative. Students, who study German at Farlingaye will be able to benefit from a range of fantastic opportunities, such as scholarships, workshops and global projects. This will complement their learning of German in the classroom and help bring the language alive.” Katya Bathgate, a sixth form student from Farlingaye, said: “My sister and I are so proud that we could be a part of the celebration of Farlingaye becoming a partner school for the future. We found the speeches made by representatives of the Goethe Institut and the German Embassy very interesting: there are so many opportunities for students learning German. It is such an important subject to continue with and it opens up so many doors when looking for jobs or work experience in the future. Farlingaye Headteacher Dr Sievewright said: “At Farlingaye we know that to be open to the influence of others is to be open to learning and to the development of self. We very much look forward to engaging with the Goethe Institute and with other partner schools to develop our understanding and appreciation of German culture, and to spread and accelerate the use of the German language within the Farlingaye community.” PASCH co-ordinator Kathrin Marshall-Lauber, Dr Georgia Herlt – Deputy Director, Goethe Institut London, Andy Craig – Head of German at Farlingaye, Dr Susanne Frahne – German Embassy and Karl Pfeiffer – Director of Educational Links, Goethe Institut are pictured here (photo by Mark Witter Photography).
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. You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings; just turn up, no need to let us know in advance. We look forward to seeing you. The remaining spring term dates are March 12 and 26. If you would like further information please contact: Sonya & Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL This month we are very proud to report that we hosted the first ever open indoor volleyball tournament for junior girls to be held in Suffolk, which attracted two teams from as far away as Cambridge. The tournament is the idea of our junior coach Joao-Paulo Santos, having the goal to develop and raise the standard of girls’ volleyball by providing a competition open to clubs throughout East Anglia. We intend to repeat the tournament each month of the indoor season, and we have already received additional interest in the next month’s tournament from clubs in Norwich, Tendring and Boswells School in Essex. Our own girls section started about a year ago. The girls have applied themselves very well in training and as a result they have grown in ability and number. As a result we were able to enter three of our own teams in the foura-side tournament which the girls named Ravens, Eagles and Panthers. The highlight of the event for us was an excellent win by the Eagles in the pool phase against an experienced Cambridge B team, helping them to overall first place in the round robin. Eagles were placed first due to having a better record in the games between the teams tied on three wins. The top three teams then went on to play in a final group, where the Cambridge teams had their revenge and the Eagles finished overall third. A very satisfactory outcome to an enjoyable tournament and the girls can’t wait for next month’s episode! So for once the adults took second stage, as we entered two teams as usual in the monthly six-a-side tournament held at Northgate School. In Division 1 our men’s team won both of our initial pool games against Stowmarket II and Ipswich II, putting us through to the final group where we lost to Ipswich I and the very strong Lakenheath to finish third overall. Meanwhile our ladies team showed how much it has improved recently, along with the help of new players we have attracted in recent months. We achieved our best ever result in Division 2, finishing top of our initial pool phase with wins against Bury Juniors, Seagulls and Fil-Suffolk Smashers. We therefore qualified for the final playoff, where we were beaten into overall second place by the mixed m/f team Diss Asters. If you have ever thought about giving volleyball a try, now is a great time to give it a go. It’s a fast and exciting sport, it’s perfect to help build fitness, and being non-contact it is largely free from injuries. At Ravens we are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone, male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 13 upwards. Qualified coaches run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness. We meet every Saturday from 2-4pm and most Tuesdays from 7-9pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk
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SPORT WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB
Bram van der Have was given the trip as a birthday present so if you are tempted you’d better start dropping hints, although I can’t reveal how old you will have to be. The ship services all the navigation marks around the UK coast as well as Gibraltar. In theory you can choose which section you want to see, but it is a working boat and adverse weather or emergencies can cause the schedule to be altered at short notice. In Bram’s case he got his chosen leg which was from Southampton to Dover. Six handsomely appointed cabins accommodate a total of 12 people who are fed and watered (and wined) to a high standard by their own exclusive chef and crew. They have their own dining room which again is luxuriously appointed and generally have the run of the ship. Being a sailor Bram was interested in the workings of the vessel and spent quite a lot of time on the bridge. This was a good vantage point not only for watching the precision of the navigation required to keep the ship on station, but also to see the procedure employed for lifting, repairing and cleaning the buoys and other navigational aids. It was clearly birthday and Christmas rolled into one for Bram and his enthusiasm rubbed off on a full audience who posed a wide range of questions. His one note of caution was that the ship is quite an old lady and might well be replaced within the next few years and there is no guarantee that a new ship would offer the same facilities. Organiser Neil Brooks has blazed some interesting trails for the winter walks this year, but being winter they have sometimes been muddy and despite wearing boots one or two walkers have fallen foul of the conditions! However the sun shines on the righteous and this godly bunch have also enjoyed some splendid winter sunshine, especially when discovering the spooky, pollarded oaks and the shepherd’s cottage at Staverton Thicks. These fortnightly walks are a popular part of the club’s winter programme and regularly attract numbers in excess of 30 to explore the nearby countryside. It has been an unprecedentedly sad month for the club with the death of several longstanding members. They will be missed, but hopefully the club can provide some support and comradeship to those left behind.
DEBEN YACHT CLUB January saw quite a few members out on a lovely walk from Framlingham which ended with some very good food and drink at The Crown. We also had Nick Mason from Suffolk Wildlife Trust hold an interesting talk at the clubhouse about the wildlife on the River Deben. The club was absolutely full, which was great and shows how much people care about this important habitat. In March there are some safety boat refresher sessions to get everyone ready for the season and racing starts on March 18 with the Tune-up Series. Looking a little further ahead to April, the improvers dinghy sailing course starts on April 14 and runs on Saturday or Sunday for four weekends. Straight after that the beginners’ course starts and runs for four Sundays. If you would like to learn to sail, why don’t you sign up? For more information about the courses please contact John Prevett: ryatcprincipal@debenyachtclub.co.uk
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A few weeks ago Carl Lumbers gave us a talk on the workings of Trinity House in which he mentioned the Trinity House vessel Patricia, which he said took passengers on some of its working trips. Well sure enough, one of our members had been on such a voyage and he recently gave a talk to the club on his experience.