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with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market Volume 3 • Issue No. 6 • APRIL 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR In a month when many of us will celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday I will also be thinking about another wonderful lady who has had an incredible impact on those who have known and loved her, my husband’s Grandma Ida. Sadly she is no longer with us but I think of her often and invariably find myself smiling when I do. Ida wasn’t just a perfect grandma, she was the life and soul of the party. There are too many stories to recount here, but Daniel often talks about playing Sardines with his then 83-year-old grandma who deviously abandoned the search and hid herself away in the shower, patiently waiting for her grandchildren to realise the game had taken an unexpected turn! Ida was the first older person I ever developed a genuine relationship with and I can honestly say she changed me for the better. She stirred both my curiosity and my respect. Meeting someone who was born 70, 80 or 90 years ago can be fascinating if you take the time to get to know them. In doing so you too will come to appreciate the fact that age in itself is a mark of achievement! Just imagine how many challenges and changes an 80-year-old has encountered and overcome, how many moments of despair and possibly even heartbreak they may have endured.
NEWS CREETING ST MARY CHURCH ROOF FUNDRAISER Parishioners and friends of Creeting St Mary’s church are working hard to raise money for their much needed new roof and are planning a truly Grand Draw on April 23 at 7.30pm in the Diamond Jubilee Hall during a rather good cheese and wine evening. Tickets will be £10 a head. There are 40 wonderful prizes to be won including a weekend for two at The Brudenell Hotel in Aldeburgh, afternoon tea for two at Hintlesham Hall, a family ticket for a visit to Colchester Zoo, lunch for two at The Highway Man, a river cruise for two on the Orwell Lady, a John Lewis voucher for £50, a wooden case containing three bottles of Champagne and many more exciting items. Draw tickets are now on sale from many people in Creeting. For enquiries about the cheese and wine party, please contact Jenny Williams: 01449 720439
NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE 2016 Sunday, June 12 – our 15th year
The technological revolution is one of the most significant challenges my generation has encountered. Ida faced and overcame far more serious challenges and still had a twinkle in her eye at 90. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves now and again just how lucky we are (most of the time) and to acknowledge that a lack of interest in or respect for older people speaks volumes about our own character. Enjoy the celebrations and take a moment to consider how you might like to be treated when you ‘are old and grey and full of sleep’ (WB Yeats).
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Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market
In Touch with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market is 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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IN TOUCH WITH . . . • Hadleigh • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Bramford, Offton & Somersham • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton
A fantastic day out for all the family. Food, drink and ice cream available. Local groups and charity stalls. This year’s theme is Movie Madness, so come along and cheer on your favourite raft.
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 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.
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NEWS SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY Emissions We have been getting reports of ‘black smoke’, but would like to reassure local residents there is nothing sinister coming from our chimney – just the usual water vapour.
be no impact on local people or the environment. During normal operations our emissions are well below the limit and the Environment Agency, who monitor the site, have no concerns about emissions from our chimney.
A trick of the light can sometimes make this appear black, but if we were emitting anything we shouldn’t it would soon show up on our continuous monitoring system. To get black smoke, particulate levels would have to be high. In fact, they have been practically zero since we began operating.
Shut-down We are preparing for a routine shut-down which will take place between April 10-24 to allow for essential maintenance and cleaning. Work on the two lines will be staggered, so waste will continue to be processed throughout this period. There should be no impact on the local community.
Our emissions limits are set by the Environment Agency so that even if our emissions were right up to the limit all of the time there would
RIBA award We are delighted Gimshaw has been short-list-
FARM CHOOSES TO SUPPORT GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
ed for a Royal Institute of British Architects award for their design of this facility. A record 25 projects have been short-listed in this region and the winners will be announced on April 14. Suffolk Show SUEZ will be joining Suffolk County Council waste staff at this year’s Suffolk Show – see us there on June 1 and 2. www.sitatrust.org USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Evironment Agency: 0800 807060 SITA Trust: 01454 262910
MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLORS MIKE NORRIS & WENDY MARCHANT MID SUFFOLK NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS Six Mid Suffolk’s parishes – Debenham, Elmswell, Haughley (with part Harleston), Stowupland, Stradbroke and Thurston – are at the preparation stage (stage 2) and two – Mendlesham and Needham Market – are at the publishing stage (stage 3). Once adopted, Neighbourhood Plans become part of the Local Plan framework and are used for decision making purposes, but not until they are formally adopted. The Community Infrastructure Levy comes into force in Mid Suffolk on April 11 when parish or town councils with an adopted Neighbourhood Plan will receive a higher percentage.
This year the team at Alder Carr Farm are very pleased to support and raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a very worthy charity which gives life-changing opportunities for blind and partially sighted people of all ages. “Every year at Alder Carr we choose a local charity to work alongside and help raise awareness for and, of course, raise some much-needed funds,” said Barry Sheldrake, farm manager. The charity was chosen from a pool of charities with the most votes this year going to the guide dogs. Alder Carr Farm is a farm shop and the home of Alder Tree ice-cream. During the year, they will be organising lots of family fun days to help raise money for the local Stowmarket branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind. They are well under way with the organisation for this year’s Strawberry Fayre to be held on June 18, a fun-packed day with pony rides, tractor trailer rides, Zootastic petting zoo, a fun dog show and much more. As their main charity event, all the proceeds from this fayre will go to the guide dogs. Over the course of the year Alder Carr is hoping to raise over £3,000 for the guide dogs. “If we can manage this with the help of all our customers, it would be fantastic. We would be able to name a puppy that would start training the following year,” said Annette Attwood, organiser of the Strawberry Fayre. If you’d like to support this worthwhile charity, pop down to Alder Carr Farm Strawberry Fayre on Saturday, June 18, 10am-5pm.
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CLEAN FOR THE QUEEN Forty groups across Mid Suffolk and Babergh contacted the Public Realm team to confirm their spring litter pick, with more than 80% choosing the early March date. The Public Realm team provided them with litter pick-sticks, hi-vis waistcoats, black bags, volunteer guidance and a waste collection service. Locally in Needham Market Wendy supported the mayor and Needham in Bloom by litter picking in Lion Lane, together with others who litter picked in various places in Needham Market on Saturday, March 5. COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS In Needham Market the Internet Café has been chosen for an award, which will be presented at Wherstead Park on Thursday, April 21, together with the other awards across the district. However, the choice of date is unfortunate as this clashes with the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations, which in Needham Market will be a hog roast and cabaret. HILL HOUSE LANE PLANNING APPLICATION On Tuesday, March 15 the resumed hearing took place, together with an accompanied site visit by the Planning Inspector. We now await the Planning Inspector’s decision which she aims to have before April 11, when Mid Suffolk’s CIL comes into place, so we shouldn’t have too long to wait. Mike and Wendy attended this. NEEDHAM MARKET RAILWAY STATION During 2015 the passenger numbers at Needham Market grew by 1.2% from the previous year – up from 91,350 to 92,400 passengers. It is by far the best of the minor stations on the Cambridge line, the nearest rival being Elmswell falling back 7.8% to 74,300. There were several notable falls in usage: Ipswich -0.5%, Stowmarket -1.2%, Norwich -1.7%, but Bury St Edmunds grew by 3.0% and Ely by 4.7%. Mike Norris: mike.norris@midsuffolk,gov.uk / 01449 720871 Wendy Marchant: wendy.marchant@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720965
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NEWS REPORT FROM KEITH WELHAM District Councillor for Creeting St Peter and Stowupland Although outside the parish, residents of Creeting St Peter are concerned about the effects of any development of the Breheny site. There is not yet a date for the proposal to go before a planning committee meeting. The public inquiry into the refusal of permission for the development of 190 houses on land between Gipping Road and Church Road, Stowupland starts at 10am on Tuesday, April 26 and is likely to sit Tuesday to Friday for two weeks. It is open for the public to come along to listen to the arguments put forward by both sides. You can come along for part of a morning or part of an afternoon; there are frequent breaks in the proceedings so that you can come and go. You might like to come along for the first session on April 26 to hear what the programme for the inquiry will be. If this development were to go ahead, it will affect a wider area than just Stowupland. You don’t have to be a Stowupland resident to attend. There has been concern expressed to me by a number of tenants whose homes have not received solar (pv) panels. The initial contract for installations was due to be complete by December 31 but overran slightly. The
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reduction in the feed-in tariff – the payment for electricity fed into the National Grid – was less than anticipated and further installations may be considered in the future. One of the reasons for failure to complete all the planned installations was the lack of UK Power Network infrastructure; in some areas, unless cabling and transformers are upgraded, the infrastructure cannot take any more electricity fed in from separate properties. Also, some properties earmarked for solar panel installations require maintenance work to the roof (in some cases complete re-roofing) before they can be re-considered. The district council has agreed its budget for 2016/17 and has set a precept 1.9% higher than the current year. This will mean a total council tax bill of £1,529.50 for a band D property in Creeting St Peter, compared with £1,500.20 for 2015/16. Most of your council tax goes to the county council to pay for services that they provide, such as education, social care and highways. Your council tax bill will have details of how the money will be spent. Keith Welham: keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk
2016 HERO RIDE Is anyone interested in cycling to the Imperial War Museum for breakfast on July 3 as part of the 2016 Hero Ride? A group of us are leaving in the ‘wee small hours’ to be part of this Help for Heroes fundraiser. As things stand at the moment we have a van and driver to return with the bikes (no cycling back unless you want to!) and some of the team are organising a return coach. This is not a race but a social cycle with a few laughs chucked in along the way I’m sure, and regular grub stops to keep everyone fully fuelled. Please contact me if you fancy the idea. It’s a special year for me as its 25 years since I was involved in the first Gulf War so I know what a difference organisations like Help for Heroes make. Andy White: 01473 830135 / 07854 876722 / wandywhite216@aol.com
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • Coffee ‘n’ Cake networking Friday, April 1, 10am-noon Needham Market Community Centre You’d be “foolish” to miss it! • Networking Breakfast Friday, April 15, 6.45am Stowmarket Golf Club Book online at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk Coming in June, our latest in the Learn, Laugh and Loiter series will be all about taking care of your customers. Watch out for details. Sign up for our e-newsletter via the website for updates on all our activities.
HANDBELL CONCERT East Anglian Regional Handbell Team are celebrating their 10th anniversary season with a concert at Needham Market Community Centre on Saturday, May 7 at 7pm. Come and listen to over 165 handbells, from the lightest bell weighing around 200 grams (7oz) to the heaviest bell at about 8 kg (17lbs 10 oz) and also handchimes in an amazing
programme that will include Les Miserables, What a Wonderful World, Phantom of the Opera and music by Bach, Holst and ABBA.. The concert will also feature the trombone group Bones for You. Tickets are £10 on the door. Family tickets also available. For further information call 01234 823811 or visit: www.ear.hrgb.org.uk
THE REGAL IN APRIL An early Easter means we have a fantastic variety of films this month, from the animal world of Zootropolis to the end of the world in 10 Cloverfield Lane. We also have some great Event Cinema treats, with an encore performance of La Traviata on April 10 and Shakespeare Live! starring David Tennant, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen on April 23. Live on stage we have country music legend Anne Breen on April 18 and 60’s Explosion on April 24. Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice: Superhero adventure starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavil and Amy Adams
In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop must work together to uncover a conspiracy. Kung Fu Panda 3: Family animation voiced by Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman and Bryan Cranston Continuing his “legendary adventures of awesomeness”, Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats – one supernatural and the other a little closer to his home. Grimsby: Comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Rebel Wilson and Johnny Vegas A new assignment forces a top spy to team up with his long-lost football hooligan brother. The Finest Hours: Adventure starring Chris Pine, Holiday Granger, Casey Affleck and Ben Foster The Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of Cape Cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952. High-Rise: Thriller starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller and Luke Evans
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10 Cloverfield Lane: Thriller sttarring John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Bradley Cooper After getting in a car accident, a woman is held in a shelter by two men who claim the outside world is affected by a widespread chemical attack. Eddie the Eagle: Comedy drama starring Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton and Keith Allen The story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2: Comedy drama starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and Michael Constantine Set 20 years after the much loved original, a Portokalos family secret brings the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.
Fearing the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on Superman while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs. With Batman and Superman fighting each other, a new threat, Doomsday, is created by Lex Luthor. It’s up to Superman and Batman to set aside their differences along with Wonder Woman to stop Lex Luthor and Doomsday from destroying Metropolis. Zootropolis: Family animation voiced by Idris Elba, Jason Bateman and JK Simmons
commodities that modern life has to offer: swimming pools, its own school, a supermarket and high-speed elevators. But at the same time, the building is designed to isolate the occupants from the outside world, allowing for the possibility to create their own closed environment.
Rock the Kasbah: Comedy starring Bill Murray, Bruce Willis and Kate Hudson
A new high-rise seems to give its wellestablished tenants all the conveniences and
A down-on-his-luck music manager discovers a teenage girl with an extraordinary voice while on a music tour in Afghanistan and takes her to Kabul to compete on the popular television show, Afghan Star.
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The Creeting St Mary super stylish
returns to Creeting House Guest House on Friday 15th April at 7:30pm
Only 50 places available!
It’s back again and better than ever. Our new Swish Up is the perfect opportunity to smarten up your style while having a fun night out with friends, wine and canapés.
JUBILEE LADIES CHOIR FUNDRAISING CONCERT The parish church of St John The Baptist, Needham Market presents an evening of musical entertainment with The Jubilee Ladies Choir, conducted by Simon Welham and accompanied by Rebecca Welham, on Friday, May 6, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.50 and include light refreshments. There will also be a raffle. All proceeds to the roof repair fund. Tickets available on the door or from: 01449 720845
Raising funds in aid of
Bring along 5 special items plus accessories that you would be proud to hand on. Each item you bring entitles you to pick an item someone else has donated. ● Tickets £15 in advance (no tickets available on the door). ● Includes a glass of wine and canapés. ● All profits to British Red Cross Refugee Crisis Appeal and Breast Cancer Care. ●
HURSTLEA COURT BAZAAR Hurstlea Road, Needham Market, Ipswich IP6 8DE Saturday, May 28, 2-4pm There will be refreshments, a cake stall, tombola, bric-a-brac, jumble and a book stall.
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The Swish Up Creeting House Guest House Friday 15th April 7.30pm: Wine and canapés 8pm: Swish Up
Book now: advanced booking essential For tickets and info, call: Jacqui on 01449 721713 Holly on 01449 711806 Lisa on 01449 720061
SPRING PLANT SALE, Coffee Morning & Open Church Saturday, May 14, 10am-noon at Creeting St Peter Church IP6 8QJ. Further information: 01449 722271
STOWMARKET MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION
CHARITY SHOPPING DAY Wednesday, April 27, 10am-2pm Chamberlin Hall, Chamberlin Close, Bildeston IP7 7EZ Lots of lovely things for ladies of all ages. Everyone welcome! HotFooted shoes and sandals, ladies clothes, jewellery, accessories and lots more... The hall is well signed from the village. Ample free parking. £3 entrance to CANCER RESEARCH UK (£2 after 1pm). It’s full steam ahead for Stowmarket Railway Club’s annual Model Railway Exhibition on Sunday, April 24 at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket, 10.30am-5pm. This popular event, the largest in the area, is a high point in the railway enthusiasts’ calendar which attracts exhibitors and visitors from far and wide. The exhibition has an excellent reputation for the high quality of its exhibits. This year there will be 12 layouts on view in a variety of scales, including Oldshaw (EM), Georgemas Junction (OO), Hadderton (N), Tirencester (OO), Bastoogne Rue De Clervaux (HO), Norfolk Coke & Tar Company (O), Rolvenden War & Peace (OO), Yellow Ridge Mine (1:24), Knights Yard (1:16), Garden Railway (G), Watford High Street Station (OO), Bishops Lane Brewery (O). There will also be plentiful trade stands where models, books, tools and equipment will be on sale. In addition, refreshments will be available, there is wheelchair access and free parking. Admission: adults £4, concessions £3, children £2. For further details telephone 01449 771360 or visit: www.stowrailclub.org.uk
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Refreshments available. www.facebook.com/charityshoppingday
FROCKS AND FLOWERS A DISPLAY OF DRESSES AND FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS St Mary’s Church, Woolpit Saturday, April 9, 10am-5pm Sunday, April 10, 10am-5.30pm, followed by Songs of Praise Refreshments available throughout the weekend. Admission £2.50 / children under 12 free. ALL PROCEEDS IN AID OF ST MARY’S CHURCH
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OUT & ABOUT ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE DEVELOPING WORLD PROJECTS
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB
St Joseph’s College’s Developing World Projects continue to flourish. The college has established an ongoing partnership with Osiligi Obaya School in Kenya, a school for the most needy children living in the Maasai. Each summer staff and students visit the school so that over a sustained period of time the college family can follow the development of the children, the school and its community.
The Ray Giffin Tankard for Wildlife was judged by Phil Chatfield on February 8. Members really stepped up for this competition and this made it difficult for the judge to find a winner. However, Geoff Walker won with his fabulous picture entitled Butt Out – two antelopes butting each other.
This summer five sixth form students will spend two weeks running a summer school for these children accompanied by staff from the college. Every child attends. Not only because the learning activities are fabulous, but also because each child receives a midmorning meal of porridge and tea, as well as a wholesome lunch. It is likely that this will be their only solid meal of the day. In addition, the school needs culturally relevant learning resources: English, mathematics and science equipment, teachers’ resources, thinking activities and games, art and design materials; musical instruments; consumerables (pens/paper, etc) and construction equipment. Dr Hine, head of the prep school at St Joseph’s College, also works regularly with Osiligi’s headteacher and all the school’s teaching staff on their school development plan. This is really taking shape and a new set of locally sourced reading books will be in situ in the coming weeks.
On February 22 Roger Hance gave a very informative and interesting talk entitled Speed and Action. His fabulous photographs were of athletics, white water canoeing, Brands Hatch superbikes, motocross, rugby, boxing and other sports. He gave us lots of tips regarding camera settings and places where these activities take place. He also told us the best places to stand and the best angles to capture. I think we all learnt a lot. Next meetings April 11: Colin Stubly Shield for portraiture and the audio visual trophy. Judge Vic Hainsworth. April 25: Open Competition (5) incorporating the Len Backhouse Trophy for the best PDI on the night and the Cyril and Mary Hall Salver for the best print on the night. Judge George Buxton. New members are always very welcome at the club. All you need is a camera and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Mondays of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there. www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
CHIlDREN’S CHARITY MORNING Saturday, April 23 at Stowmarket URC Hall, Ipswich Street, 10am-1pm
HORN FACTORY FUNDRAISING CONCERT
Pre-loved children’s clothes, books and toys, cake and sweet stalls, tombola and raffle, face-painting, tea and coffee, plus other stalls and games.
Friday, April 22 at St Joseph’s College, Belstead Road IP2 9DR If you would like to support the staff and the fabulous-five St Joseph’s College students who will be travelling to the Maasai during summer 2016, please join with the incredible Horn Factory Band (featuring Steve Stone from Mansion House Publishing!) in concert at St Joseph’s College on Friday, April 22, 7.30-10pm. For tickets (£14 / under 16s £7 – including nibbles) please visit: www.redrosechain.com
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A jumble sale will be held at Stowupland Village Hall on Saturday, April 9 at 2pm. In addition to jumble there will also be a cake stall, a draw, bric-a-brac and a tombola. Admission is 20p and teas will be served. Proceeds to Stowupland Chapel. Please come and support us.
Please help us to raise money for Sport Relief who do so much for children in need. For more information, or if you have items you could donate, please email: jofsparkes@gmail.com
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OUT & ABOUT NEEDHAM MARKET SOCIETY
SODS’ SOMETHING TO HIDE
Tuesday, April 26: The Workings of the Blakenham Incinerator by Paul Leighton Most of us will have seen the recently built incinerator at Blakenham with its rather striking industrial architecture. Paul Leighton will explain the role of the incinerator in dealing with the rubbish we all produce in an ecologically sound way, explain how it works, the extensive measures taken to ensure that nothing escapes that could damage the environment, and what is done with the energy that would otherwise be wasted. All talks start at 7.30pm in the Burton Room, at Needham Market Community Centre. Members free, guests £2.
IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB International Women’s Day on March 8 is very important to us. This year members got involved in four different events. On the previous Saturday a group of us met in Cambridge with Soroptimists from clubs throughout our region. After the morning together we all went off to the festival organised by Women of the World (WOW). Some very high powered speakers led a session entitled Seen But Not Heard. We women have to stand up for ourselves in the workplace. On March 8 itself some of us were similarly inspired at an evening organised by the Suffolk Feminist Society at University Campus Suffolk. For one member March 8 meant the quarterly meeting of CAAA, Coastal Action Against Abuse, the domestic violence forum on which she represents us. This is a community link which we value enormously. The forum brings together people from the wide range of agencies working in Suffolk Coastal to support victims of domestic abuse. By exchanging information they have a good overview of what is being done, develop collaborative links and identify gaps. Still nothing could really compare with the Women’s Group party at Suffolk Refugee Support. We look forward to our invitation each year – it’s all colour, music, laughter and wonderful foods. This time there were 28 nationalities represented and nobody will forget the sight of the Albanian ladies in their elaborate costumes dancing the Gay Gordons! If you would like to know more about Soroptimism please call Jackie on 01473 659314 or visit: www.soroptimistinternational.onesuffolk.net
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Karen Holt (Angie Welham-Hagan), Howard Holt (Jon Wray) and Julie Grant (Jo Chadwick) in Something to Hide, photo by Peter Hawkes
Are you a fan of Midsomer Murders, Inspector Morse, Columbo or Agatha Christie murder mysteries? If you enjoy television detectives then you’ll love Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society’s spring play, Something To Hide, live on stage. Written by Leslie Sands, whose work includes episodes of Z Cars and Van Der Valk, it’s a gripping murder mystery set in a converted toll house in a small Essex village. It’s the part-time home of successful novelist Howard Holt and his wife Karen, who is also his
publisher. Late one night, Karen arrives home in her car unexpectedly and accidentally runs over Howard’s mistress. When a detective arrives, investigating what seem to be unrelated matters, it triggers an increase in tension that builds to an almost unbearable pitch. The show runs at Stowmarket’s Regal Theatre from Wednesday, May 18 to Saturday 21 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are on sale now from: 01449 612825 / www.regalstowmarket.co.uk
A CELEBRATION OF PATCHWORK IN EAST ANGLIA Blackthorpe Barn near Bury St Edmunds will be the venue of a stunning exhibition of work by patchworkers and quilters from across Suffolk and Essex, celebrating the best of their region between Saturday, April 30 and Monday, May, 2. The big exhibition also features work from quilters throughout East Anglia as well as an exhibition from the Quilters’ Guild of the
British Isles’ Miniature Group, work by Young Quilters and displays from a large number of affiliated groups. “We want to celebrate the fantastic work done by quilters in our region,” said Helen Vivian, Quilters’ Guild co-ordinator in Suffolk and Essex. “Blackthorpe is a stunning venue and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors and showing them what we as a region are capable of.” There will be a range of workshops and demonstrations over the three days as well as a large number of traders. Refreshments will also be available. Entrance is £5 adults, children free. For more details contact Helen Vivian on 01621 784950 or visit: www.region-8.quiltersguild.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT /SCHOOLS PLANT HERITAGE SUFFOLK GROUP Plant Heritage Suffolk Group warmly invites you to a talk entitled A Cornucopia of Fruit and Vegetables Grown Within the Walled Gardens at West Dean Gardens, West Sussex by Sarah Wain. Sarah has gardened in Australia and England for 40 years. She has worked as gardens supervisor at West Dean Gardens with husband Jim Buckland since 1991. The talk will take place on Saturday, April 23 at 2.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ. There will be a plant stall including rare and unusual plants. Delicious refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission: free to members, £5 entrance fee for non-members. New members and non-members are most welcome. No need to book. www.suffolkplantheritage.com
OLD NEWTON OPEN GARDENS Old Newton Open Gardens will be on Sunday, June 12, forming part of the village’s festivities to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Many and varied gardens around the village will be open and there will be refreshments served in two of them. A scarecrow competition will have a royal theme. Please make a note of this in your diaries.
MINI MUSIC MAKERS Does your toddler enjoy music and singing?
If the answer is yes then why not join our small and friendly group at The Ark in Needham Market? We meet every Friday morning during term time from 9.4510.45am. Each session is designed to be a fun introduction to music for children of pre-school age. We have themed weeks with songs about animals, shapes, colours and many more and have a wonderful selection of instruments for them to try including chime bars, lummi sticks and ethnic instruments. If you are interested in joining us please contact Helen on 01449 722991. We have some spaces at the moment and each session costs just £2.
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NEEDHAM IN BLOOM Our AGM took place on February 27 and a new committee was elected. We say goodbye and bon voyage to our treasurer, Eric Cross, who is moving to Australia this year. We will shortly begin tidying the planting areas in the town and thinking about the summer planting of the High Street containers. On Saturday, March 5 a group of five hardy Bloomers had a litter pick as part of the Clean for the Queen campaign, and four bin bags were filled with rubbish, which included many plastic bags of dog poo.
Our event for this summer will be a competition for the best floral display in the High Street. This may include containers, window boxes and, where practical and safe, hanging baskets. The old town council hanging baskets are available for use, so if anyone would like one, please contact the clerk. The next meeting will be held at the community centre on Saturday, April 9 at 10am. New members will be welcomed, so if you would like to help keep your town looking good, please just turn up or contact Vera on 723424.
NEEDHAM & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A committee was elected in February, and we are now planning meetings and trips for 2017. Back to this year and members were treated to a highly informative and entertaining talk on bugs and their control or otherwise by Ian Bedford from John Innes Institute. We learned about familiar pests and friendly bugs, and some foreign invaders, which are becoming a problem, in particular the Spanish Slug, which is huge and virtually indestructible. At the next meeting on April 7, Sarah Cook talks
about Cedric Morris Irises. May 5 is a social evening, which will feature plants, games and some rather nice cakes. Meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the community centre. We have varied, interesting and entertaining speakers, refreshments and a bring and buy plant stall. We also organise coach trips and evening visits to local places of interest. If you are interested, just turn up at one of the meetings or visit: www.nmdhs.onesuffolk.net
CREETING PRIMARY SCHOOL We are saying ‘goodbye’ to one of our long-serving teaching assistants this Easter as Mrs Denise Crozier has decided to spend more time enjoying the outdoors and being with her family. She will be greatly missed, especially for her vast knowledge of gardening and wildlife, and her wide expertise in early literacy and Key Stage 2 Maths and Science. The children have really enjoyed their Mucky Mondays with Mrs Crozier. We wish her all the best as she leaves us. Our progress towards our Golden Mile target in walking and running is amazing. So far we have travelled 4,142 miles and have 3,100 more miles to go before we reach Rio in time for the Olympic Games. The children’s fitness levels have definitely improved and they are definitely more alert in lessons. We have taken part in hockey, swimming and gymnastics tournaments. Well done Lucas, who scored a total of nine goals in hockey. Members of the Chess Club have been
competing in the Delancey Chess Challenge 2016 and eight of them have qualified for the Megafinals to be held at Woodbridge School in May. Earlier this term 16 children spent three days in London, visiting among other things our MP, Dr Dan Poulter, at the Houses of Parliament; the beautiful Hindu Temple at Neasden; and the engine rooms at Tower Bridge. We also spent an afternoon at the Mitchell Brook Primary School in Brent, making friends with
pupils there and comparing life in the city with our lives in the countryside. Next term will be Mrs Spall’s final one as she is retiring from being headteacher. The governors have appointed Mrs Christine Friar as her successor and she will take up the post in September. There are lots of exciting things planned for the term ahead including a project all about Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she celebrates her 90th birthday.
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WATCHDOG SEEKS VIEWS ON DIABETIC FOOT CARE SERVICES IN SUFFOLK Healthwatch Suffolk is working with a leading Consultant Physician of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Diabetic Centre to explore local experiences of using diabetic foot care services in Suffolk. Good foot care is essential for people living with diabetes because it can prevent complications caused by high blood glucose levels including damage to nerves and blood vessels. In fact, active foot disease is a leading cause of amputation in the UK. That is why Healthwatch is keen to explore whether people at high risk of developing foot disease in Suffolk are receiving appropriate care. It is interested in your experiences about the full range of services that may care for your feet and this includes those accessed in GP practices, hospitals and in the community. Andy Yacoub, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Suffolk, said: “Our aim is to ensure that these essential services are shaped by the experiences of people using them. This survey will help us to independently check that patients are receiving the right messages to help them manage their condition and that there is fair and appropriate access to foot care services across the county. If you have diabetes or know someone that does, please take part. It only takes a moment and your views could make a positive difference to care in Suffolk.” To take part, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/suffolkdiabetes You can also contact Healthwatch Suffolk on 01449 703949 or by email to info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk to request a hard copy survey. This survey will close on April 30, 2016.
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SPORT NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB We are fast approaching the outdoor season and look forward to bowling on our newly rejuvenated green at Crowley Park. The schedule for the season is as follows. We start with the club spring clean on Friday, April 8 at 9.30am. Everybody is welcome, the more the merrier. The opening drive is on Saturday, April 16 at 2pm, Sunday 17 if too wet, and the first league matches are the week beginning Monday, April 25. For the first time this year we are holding meet and greet days on Saturday, April 23 and 30 at 10am. These will enable anyone interested in joining
NMBC the opportunity to talk to members over a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits as well as trying out bowling under the supervision of qualified coaches – bowls will be provided. The club provides opportunities for social bowling for those who do not wish to bowl in league matches. Our annual home friendly with Dovercourt is on Sunday, May 8 with the away match on Sunday, July 17. Our family and friends barbeque is on Saturday, May 14 at 2pm so bring your family and friends. This is open to non members. Contact Pat Hadden (01743 831308) or Alistair Bailie (01449 720759).
STOWMARKERS JUNIOR NETBALL CLUB Stowmarkers Junior Netball Club are busy preparing for a High 5 Tournament taking place in June. This tournament is open to all netball clubs in Suffolk and takes place on a Saturday at the club’s summer venue, the outside courts at Needham Market Community Centre. High 5 is open to under 11s and up to two boys can participate in each team. The only requirement for each club is to bring along somebody who can umpire. On the day there will be refreshments available to purchase and a tombola as Stowmarkers would like to raise some money for their club for next year’s Disney Netball festival. Further information on this High 5 event can be found on the club’s website as the date is just being finalised. The club is very different from other clubs as they are really focused on team spirit and encourage boys and girls to play this sport as well as providing opportunities for the players to learn to umpire and coach. If you are interested in joining a club then this is the one to choose, all the players are lovely and the club adheres to a strict anti-bullying policy so you can be sure that your daughter or son enjoys playing this wonderful game. Back to the tournament, Stowmarkers would love a local company to sponsor this event so they can purchase medals for participants.
In return Stowmarkers can put company banners up on the courts and mention the company on their website and Facebook page. If you are a local company and would be interested in helping the juniors please contact Louise Symons via: www.stowmarkers-netball-club.co.uk
SCORPION MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY A great turnout of students (more than 100) took part in the first interclub sparring tournaments of 2016. Everyone demonstrated superb fighting skills with control and fantastic sportsmanship. Each of our kickboxers had two fights, one in our club boxing ring and the other on the mats. For several of our members these were their first ever sparring fights and these all count towards their grades (belts). Scorpion instructors, coaches and masters also took part, demonstrating that the best form of leadership is that by example. Medals supplied by Starmark Sports of Stowmarket were presented to all who took part. We teach and offer training in MMA (mixed martial arts), kickboxing, muay thai and universal karate and run classes throughout the week. We also offer one-to-one and small group training specialising in self defence or fitness based. During the year we will be holding coloured belt and black belt gradings, seminars with
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invited masters and grandmasters, fun runs, sparring tournaments, fundraising events, special workshops and lots more.
found on our websites and Facebook pages.
All new members joining will receive one month free and details about the Scorpion Academy and the UFKKA worldwide association can be
www.ufkka.org.uk / www.scorpionacademy.co.uk
For further details please contact Mark JR Trent: 07708 644162 / scorpionacademy@live.co.uk
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CHURCH NEWS NEEDHAM MARKET EVANGELICAL CHURCH
CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET
SPECIAL DATES IN APRIL
Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am, including creche and Sunday Club
Tuesday, April 19: Missionary Meeting Visit of Sandor Kelemen from Romania. Sandor is the pastor of a church in the town of Targu Mures which is a medical and university centre. The meeting starts at 7.30pm. Tuesday, April 26: Missionary Meeting Visit of Paul Davies representing the Albanian Evangelical Mission, 7.30pm. REGULAR MEETINGS Sunday Services: 10.30am and 6.30pm Bible Study and Prayer meeting: Tuesdays at 7.30pm
Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev John Boardman (Methodist): 01787 372738
Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: Monday 9.30-11am (term time) For mums and toddlers, 12 months to four years. Contact Hannah: 07969 482360 Scrabble Club: Monday 2-4pm New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Women’s Fellowship: Second Wednesday 2.303.30pm. Contact Linda Hills: 01449 721258 Christians Together Ecumenical Group: Thursday, 10am. Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon Always with a selection of cakes for sale.
All very welcome.
OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS
For further information, if you require transport, or you would like a home visit, please contact Peter: 01394 271645 / 07570 558072 w/ peterkinley60@gmail.com
Weight Watchers: Monday, 7-9pm Karate: Wednesdays – juniors 6.30-7.30pm / adults 7.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm / Brownies: 6.30-7.30pm (term time) Self defence: Thursday, 8-10pm Samurai training: Fridays, 7-9pm
www.needhamchurch.org.uk Hall lettings: 07851 742847 Church contact: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575
Phoenix Counselling Practice professionals you can trust We match clients to one of our qualified and experienced counsellors to provide the kind of counselling needed. Fees are negotiable according to income and we also offer a low cost counselling service. To talk to a counsellor or make an appointment please call
Tel: 01449 675974 or visit our website www.phoenix-counsellingpractice.com
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www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk
Because of deadlines I’m actually writing this early in March. I’m looking forward to the Easter celebrations at the end of the month but am slightly perturbed by weather forecasters speculating about a ‘White Easter’. By the time you read this we will know if they were correct with that prediction. It can be a risky business predicting what will happen in the future, particularly without the weather forecaster’s scientific knowledge and equipment. For those of us who are football supporters we hardly dare to predict the forthcoming end of season – and that’s equally true whether our team is Needham, Ipswich or Norwich. I’m sure we all started the 201516 season with a spring in our step and hope in our hearts, each of us hoping that this season would be ’the one’ and that by the end of April promotion or a high league place would be ours for the taking. We shall see... Prediction, forecast, calculation or guesswork – whatever we use to try to glimpse the future, none of us knows what even tomorrow will bring. We’ve all had days when we climb back into our beds at night and think “What a day! I hadn’t expected all that to happen.” Yet even as our heads hit the pillow we know with certainty that the sun will rise in the morning and that tomorrow will indeed be another day. So, whatever the weather, and wherever your team finishes I hope you can look forward as the poet Robert Browning did in this poem: “The year’s at the spring And day’s at the morn; Morning’s at seven; The hillside’s dew-pearled; The lark’s on the wing; The snail’s on the thorn; God’s in His Heaven; All’s right with the world!” The Reverend Mary Playford
HOME WORSHIP We had a very interesting talk about the Seafarers Mission by The Rev Robert Hinsley on March 7. They have 200 Seafarers’ Centres in 50 countries around the world. These centres have a library, internet and telephone facilities, a cafe, a bar, and a very welcome atmosphere for seafarers while they are in port. The Seafarers’ Chaplains are always welcomed on board ship. Should a seafarer be injured or ill while in port, and taken to hospital, and their ship has to sail, the Seafarers Mission will arrange for somewhere for them to be cared for until they are back to full health. The Seafarers Mission tries to achieve better working conditions for the seafarers − some ships from other countries don’t have a very good safety record. One thing the Seafarers Mission does appreciate is woolly hats which can be worn under safety helmets, as it can be very cold working out at sea. So if you are good at knitting woolly hats this would be a good place to send them.
The Seafarers Mission is a Christian organisation and relies on charitable giving. The majority of seafarers are Muslim, but the Seafarers Mission helps all of those who need it. We sang the hymn For those in peril on the Sea and read of St Paul’s ship wreck in the Acts of the Apostles. Next month Josephine Lea, who attends Our Lady’s, Stowmarket, will be coming to lead Home Worship. She is a town councillor, and this year Mayor of Needham Market. Her chosen charities are the Food Bank and Suffolk Family Carers. All welcome to Home Worship, which always meets on the first Monday morning of the month at 10am at 137 High Street, Needham Market. After the worship, we have tea, coffee, biscuits and a friendly chat. Wendy Marchant
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