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Volume 8 • Issue No. 7 • MAY 2018
Image by Charmian Berry
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NEWS
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’m sitting at my desk with aching limbs after an unexpectedly adventurous morning. At approximately 7.30am I heard by son shout “Oh my God” from the sitting room. I could tell it wasn’t a normal ‘I’ve just spilt my cereal on the sofa’ howl so I ran to him. I found him staring at what can only be described as a flash flood running through the garden. We both ran to the front door and sure enough it was there too, rushing down our neighbour’s drive, into our garage and garden, and a short time later, into my kitchen. I’ve often wondered how I would cope in an emergency situation and now I know. I shout very loudly! “We have an emergency down here,” I roared to Daniel as I grabbed my wellies and coat and went to investigate. When Daniel arrived on the scene I was waist deep in the ditch with a garden hoe, having assumed the culvert where it goes underground was blocked. On further anaylsis we realised the problem lay elsewhere and Daniel set off to find the source. I won’t go into the details here, but while others tried to fix the cause we set about trying to divert the flow away from the house and outbuildings using everything we could lay our hands on. Meanwhile Jack used every towel he could find (even the good ones we keep for guests!) to mop up in the kitchen. It was quite a team effort (practically a ‘meitheal’ as we might say in Ireland) and soon others, including neighbours, joined in and a pump was set up to divert water into the brook.
10th SPROUGHTON BEER FESTIVAL Weekend of May 12/13 at Sproughton Tithe Barn This year is our 10th festival. It is on the calendar of festivals for the dedicated beer enthusiasts and has received plaudits from many CAMRA members. It is brought to you by Sproughton Parish Council. The weekend events include: • Family disco with barbecue and festival bar – Friday night from 7pm, entry by ticket available from Sproughton School, Community Shop or Sue Frankis (01473 463852) • Beer Festival opens at noon on Saturday and closes at 10.30pm on Sunday. Thirty local real ales and a selection of ciders, wines and soft drinks. Food available throughout the weekend. Festival glasses for sale. • Live music on Saturday evening • Pub quiz in Tithe Barn at 7pm on Sunday We look forward to seeing you there. Simon Curl and Sue Frankis
I left them to it at this point (it was deadline day after all) but I’m not sure I want to go home tonight! Just imagine how many towel washes I’ll have to do? And grandma’s garden hoe is still firmly lodged in the ditch! Thank goodness better weather is predicated for next week and summer is on its way. And there’s still plenty of Easter chocolate in the cupboard! Perhaps the one positive I can focus on is the satisfaction of working together with others which I highly recommend. You’ll find many opportunities in the following pages.
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Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sproughton@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
ADVERTISING Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 DISTRIBUTION Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk
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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Burstall & Sproughton is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
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SPROUGHTON VILLAGE FETE – SUNDAY, JUNE 24 By the time you’re reading this, our fete will be only eight weeks away. Seems hard to imagine! This year, we have made some changes to our attractions: • Pony rides will replace the bouncy castle • There’s an exciting street dance display in the grand ring But the regular and popular attractions will also be there: ♦ Fun Dog Show ♦ Kids v Parents Football ♦ Tug-o-War ♦ Ice Cream ♦ Beer Tent ♦ Live Band ♦ Barbecue ♦ Teas and Cakes ♦ Stalls Our draw tickets go on sale at the beginning of May, so please pop down to the community shop and buy a few. The draw is a principal source of income for us and the prizes will be similar to last year, so please support us! A reminder to any local organisations/charities that you can book a stall for free to promote your cause and make a few pounds for your funds. Local businesses can book a stall for a very modest fee. Call 07578 552324 for details. We look forward to seeing you there from noon-4pm.
CALLING ALL LOCAL ARTISTS The Lions Club of Ipswich will again be hosting their annual art show at the Tithe Barn this May and the club is now taking entries from local artists who wish to exhibit their work. Artists can show up to six pieces of their work, which must be ready to hang. The Lions Club take a small commission from any pieces that are sold over the weekend, which will go towards the Lion President’s Charity Appeal. This year the club is supporting Fresh Start – New Beginnings, a local charity who help children and families who have been victims of sexual abuse. So whatever medium you use to create your artwork, you will be welcomed to exhibit your pieces. The show is open to the public from Saturday, May 26 until Monday, May 28, from 10am until 5pm on the Saturday and Sunday and 10am until 4pm on the Monday, with entry being just £1. For more information about the show or to exhibit your work, please contact Lion Terry Hunt: 01473 747600
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NEWS VANDALS STRIKE IN DAYLIGHT ON SPROUGHTON MILLENNIUM GREEN
SNIFF IT OUT: THEY ‘NOSE’ ALL ABOUT IT! Dogs have an incredible sense of smell; they can smell things 10,000 to 100,000 times greater than humans can. They sniff the environment around them and their brains can assess and store enormous amounts of information by using their sensitive noses. Dogs really enjoy doing this as it mentally stretches their brain, tiring them in a pleasant way and fulfilling their strong desire to work. At Ipswich Canine Creche, and all the sites in our Canine Creche Group brand, our canines love to play scent based games where they use their superior sense of smell. We have daily scent work where favourite toys and treats are hidden around the creche and the dogs get to seek them out. Hide-and-seek or find-it are always popular activities.
Sometime between 1.30 and 4pm on Thursday, April 5, in broad daylight, vandals struck our fence and kissing gate on Sproughton Millennium Green. There will be a considerable cost for repairing the damage in a year where we are already committed to over £3,500 for tree work on the green. The matter has been reported to the police. If anybody has any information that may help apprehend the culprit(s), please call me on 07578 552324 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111. Witnesses report seeing youths on a mini motorbike elsewhere on the river footpath near the green on that day. Did you see them? Do you know any of them? Can you help? Please help us reduce costly and senseless vandalism on the green. Ken Seager
SPROUGHTON FAMILY DISCO
Claire Holmes, director at Ipswich Canine Creche, says: “We often take three cups or flower pots and pop a treat underneath one. We then mix them up and let the dogs tell us which one has the treat underneath, a hugely popular game and one that every pooch owner can play at home in the garden or in the lounge on a wet weather day.” A simple game of hide-and-seek is a great way to enrich your dog’s day; you are approaching this as a game, but you are also honing your dog’s scent work abilities as they seek you out, and it can also aid their recall skills. At Ipswich Canine Creche our ethos is to work with dogs natural traits and to ensure that every dog is subject to a vast variety of stimulating activities, exercising the body and the mind and completely relieving boredom. Visitors commonly comment on the fact that the dogs aren’t constantly barking like they do in a kennel. Clearly the dogs don’t even think about barking, they simply don’t get time as their day is filled with entertainment. Dogs require a level of enrichment and training them in scent work via games simply keeps training fun and your dog delights in gaining new skills that are based on their natural abilities. Canine Creche Group has partnered with a new training provider and one of the scent work workshops we have developed will be rolled out to all our sites over the coming months.
Tithe Barn, Lower Street, Sproughton Friday, May 11, 7-10pm (Beer Festival Eve) Festival bar, soft drinks, barbecue, tuck shop, Riches Roadshow Entry by ticket: adults and children 50p Tickets available from: Sproughton Parish Council, 24 Church Crescent, Sproughton Brought to you with the help of many and Sproughton Parish Council
LENT LUNCHES Thank you so much to everyone who supported in any way the six Lent Soup Lunches which through your generosity raised £285. A cheque has been sent to World Vision, an international Christian charity working continuously in many places, but also among the first to respond with practical help in emergencies. Rosie Wilcox
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For more information, speak with Ipswich Canine Creche or visit: www.ipswichcaninecreche.co.uk
BELSTEAD VILLAGE MONTHLY MARKETS A market is set to take place in Belstead Village Hall from 9am-noon on the first Saturday of every month to raise vital funds to support refurbishment of the kitchen and ladies toilet. With an extensive range of tables, a raffle and refreshments, the market is the perfect place to meet with friends for a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake while supporting this essential local amenity. You can also support Macmillan who will have a table laden with homemade goodies for sale. If you can sew, make or create and would like to hire a table (£10) please contact: 07981 335859 / market@belsteadvillage.co.uk
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NEWS MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR Suffolk Highways goes to war on potholes Suffolk Highways has declared war on the potholes which are opening up on the county’s roads following one of the worst winters in recent years. Since the start of 2018, Suffolk Highways has received in excess of 11,000 customer reports, which compares with approximately 6,000 reports in the same period last year. This demonstrates the impact the bad weather Suffolk has experienced since November has had on the county’s road surface. Suffolk Highways has put in place the following measures with immediate effect to help cope with the demand: • Deploying additional gangs to undertake pothole and road repairs across the county. • Switching to a different temporary material to repair emergency potholes which, although slightly more expensive, provides a longer-lasting repair in damp conditions. • Considering whether ‘making safe’ (through organising traffic management and temporary road closures) is required in advance of making extensive repairs. • Bringing in extra resource to undertake larger-scale patching works as part of a planned programme for dealing with sites on which traffic management or road closures have been arranged or areas where small-scale repairs will not sufficiently address the road deterioration. • Moving internal resources from other teams to support the inspection of customer reports, particularly from staff with previous experience of dealing with customer reports and inspections. This extra push to repair the high volume of potholes in the county is being assisted by the extra £21million funding which has been borrowed to resurface a quarter of all roads managed by Suffolk Highways by 2021. Funding for transport schemes to bring forward housing The government has announced that Suffolk County Council’s bids to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) have successfully got through to the next stage. This is an important step forward for the bids which have been supported by Ipswich Borough Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council. It means that the schemes have been considered attractive enough to be shortlisted and will subsequently undergo further development work. The £5 billion Housing Infrastructure fund (HIF) forms part of a comprehensive
programme to enable the government to fulfil its commitment to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s. The HIF aims to support the development of infrastructure which will enable the development of new homes. In Suffolk’s case the HIF would be used to construct enabling road infrastructure in Bury St Edmunds and to the east of Ipswich. The council’s bids are for: • £15 million: East Ipswich junction and capacity improvements on or near to the A12 corridor between A14 and A1214. • £12 million: Improvements to A14 Junctions 43 and 44 near Bury St Edmunds. The next stage will require the councils to work with government officials to further develop the bid and a final decision on the bid is expected later in 2018. Suffolk Waste Partnership awarded £10,000 to help tackle blight of litter Suffolk Waste Partnership have been awarded £10,000 from the government’s Litter Innovation Fund to run innovative local projects aimed at reducing litter. Suffolk Waste Partnership’s member authorities are responsible for clearing litter from public land and highways, with the cost of removing litter from Suffolk’s major A-roads the A14, A12 and A11 standing at £300,000 per year. The Suffolk Waste Partnership’s project will: • Work with businesses such as drive-throughs, service stations, garages and logistics firms to seek their support in promoting responsible attitudes to litter disposal. • Trial new style litter bins at key layby locations and improve labelling and signage of litter bins along the A11, A12 and A14 in Suffolk. • Trial new remote monitoring technology to help councils coordinate litter bin emptying more efficiently and effectively. • Ensure that any person taken to court and convicted for a littering offence anywhere in Suffolk is named and shamed publicly. • Run an awareness campaign to remind residents and visitors alike about the issues and the consequences of littering. • Educate residents and businesses about how to prevent their waste inadvertently escaping their control and ending up as litter. Regards and best wishes, Christopher Hudson
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM The weather is finally getting warmer so it’s time to get out into your gardens. There are small changes that can be made outside your house to make it more secure. For example having shingle put down instead of block paving or slabs will deter unwanted visitors because of the noise it makes on approach to your house. Making sure your fences and hedges around the perimeter are all secure and that repairs have been done after the winter. Perhaps having CCTV installed or a security light put up. All will keep your home more secure.
Finally, we have received a number of reports of vehicles being broken into. Please do not leave any valuable items on display, including sat navs, even if your vehicle is parked on the driveway. Take them indoors or lock them away in the boot. And keep your keys safe. If you require further crime prevention advice please do not hesitate to call 101 and ask to speak to a member of the Safer Neighbourhood Team. And remember to call the police on 999 in an emergency and 101 in a non-emergency.
Make sure you put your garden furniture and garden tools away at the end of the day, preferably in a locked shed. You could also have a shed alarm fitted for added security.
Have a great month,
Try marking your property with a UV marker pen which is only visible using a UV light.
Safer Neighbourhood Team, Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD
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PCSO 3048 Denise Ford
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ADVERTORIAL
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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number
of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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NEWS SPROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING Wednesday, May 16 Tithe Barn, Lower Street, Sproughton at 7.30PM We look forward to seeing you there Sproughton Parish Council Chairman Simon Curl AGENDA • Welcome by the chairman of the parish council • To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the parish meeting held on May 3 • Matters arising from the minutes • Annual report of the council • To receive reports from district county councillors • To receive reports from community groups • To receive the parish council accounts for the year ended March 31, 2018 • To receive the Reading Room & Caretakers House Charity Accounts and the Sproughton Almshouse and Relief in Need Charity Accounts • Matters raised by parishioners Clerk: Mrs S Frankis, 24 Church Crescent, Sproughton IP8 3BJ 01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk www.sproughton.onesuffolk.net
JAMES CARTLIDGE, MP FOR SOUTH SUFFOLK
THE GRAND
TEDDY BEAR PARACHUTE! PART OF THE FUN DAY CELEBRATIONS
Saturday 7thJuly
at Bramford Church STARTS 2:30PM
Just £1 to enter on the day Bring your Teddy Bear with his parachute you’ve made at home Certificates for taking part Monies raised go to Bramford Church
2018 BRAMFORD
FUN DAY 8
There is no doubt in my mind that recent weeks have seen an acceleration in what might be termed ‘speculative applications’ for permission to build new homes in Babergh. I have had emails from constituents worried about applications in Belstead, Capel St Mary, Long Melford, Stutton, Elmsett, Chelmondiston and my own village of Assington. The reason is that our district of Babergh is deemed not to have a ‘five year land supply’, i.e. is not building enough homes. As such, while Babergh is still the planning authority, it has to give more weight to national planning policy than local priorities. This in turn attracts developers thinking that even if their application is rejected by Babergh, they have more chance on appeal. In fact, the average number of new homes built in Babergh in the last five years is 213. In every year since 2001 prior to the last five years we built more than 213 homes a year, at an average of just under 300, including 537 in 2002. Of course, many constituents have rightly argued to me that while our build-out rate is low, the number of permissions granted is far higher. I understand in Babergh there are around 2,000 permissions awaiting development to start compared to fewer than 200 where it is underway. It understandably irks those communities who go through the pain barrier of seeing controversial permissions granted, only for nothing to happen; and many have said, ‘James, they shouldn’t allow this latest application until the others have started’. A fair point. In my view, nationally we need to urgently find a way to get builders building – in the Housing Secretary’s recent statement I proposed financial penalties on developers who fail to deliver on their permissions. Locally, communities concerned about development need to bring forward a Neighbourhood Plan that allocates sites for development at a sustainable level, giving greater certainty to communities, and – crucially – more control over where exactly in their back yard housing is sited. I wholeheartedly oppose unsustainable development, particularly in the countryside. But I do believe we can find a better way forward than the current mad dash for plots that may never be built. I hold regular advice surgeries offering help and support to local people. Please see page 2 for my contact details.
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NEWS SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY SHOP: Something for everyone We are pleased to welcome new volunteer Jackie Palmer and new director Jill Sharley. At the risk of repeating the obvious, we have to say that the success of our community shop is entirely dependant upon the goodwill of volunteers who are happy to give three hours a week to a very worthwhile cause. No volunteers, no shop! It’s a simple formula. As a volunteer, I am constantly surprised at the variety of items on our shelves. Of course you expect to find bread and cakes, vegetables, milk, meat, the daily requirements of most households. I like to tell customers new to Sproughton Shop that we stock just about a thousand lines varying from a bottle of Bollinger at £40.83 (or, a little cheaper, a bottle of Lanson Brut at £35) to a variety of Haribo sweets at a penny a piece.
A recent customer, supervised by his Nan, bought 29 items from the sweets selection and still had change from his 50p coin. There are over a 100 different products from Shire, a Norfolk company, ranging from a large bag of popcorn to rare spices, most at £1. From Suffolk companies we have honey, pickles and chutneys, meat pies and sausage rolls, fruit drinks, jams and eggs. Have you seen the size of the jumbo eggs? The hens must be enormous! Rather unusual for such small premises, we have paper for your printer, shoe laces, mousetraps, balls of string, playing cards, medicines, shoe polish, even crabbing lines and buckets ready for summer trips to Felixstowe. Did you know that we have a dry-cleaning service? Items are collected from and returned to the shop and the volunteer on duty phones the customer when the items are ready. There is a stand showing a wide variety of greetings cards, and we can sell you the stamps to put on the envelopes. Just inside the door, there is a selection of over 100 paperbacks for sale at 50p each or to exchange at no cost. Look out for the occasional specialities. Seville oranges quickly sold out. At any time now, we expect asparagus and pink rhubarb. The new 9am opening time seems to suit just about everyone, volunteers and customers. Takings have not suffered!
CONTINENTAL PIE IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAYBE Hurray! Hurray! It’s the merry month of May – the bridge, the keystone to the rest of the year in terms of the season fast approaching – summer! However, not knowing for certain which way the weather wizard waves his wand next, it ‘May’ be a blizzard or it ‘May’ be a sub-tropical dust storm! I therefore dub it the month of ‘Maybe’ and hope for the best. And although it ‘may’ be a bit early, local berries, Suffolk treasures in their own right, should be on their way to being full and ripe and pickable, no doubt about it. From field and farm they will hearken to us like the Sirens of Ulysses to ‘come, pick-your-own’, so on with our best berrypicking gear to forage this bounteous county. If you do manage to make it home with even a good handful (having nibbled the rest on the way home), a simple and delightful dessert (pudding) to serve anytime, particularly after Sunday lunch when no one wants to cook anyway, is this old recipe adapted from a trendy California health farm in the 1050s, Continental Pie. It can be eaten anytime, anywhere and any season – definitely Maybe! Enjoy! Have a prepared 8” pastry shell ready for filling.
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Mix together the following: 150-200g thick bio-yogurt 250-300g cream cheese 3 Tbsp honey 5ml vanilla Whip until smooth and creamy, then pour into the pastry shell and refrigerate. Top with the cleaned berries, mixed with a little juice or mashed berries and a little honey if desired to sweeten. If serving right away, you may wish to put the fruit in the pastry shell first, then top with the yogurt-cream cheese mixture, and decorate with a few berries on top. It’s a nice surprise when cutting it open. Refrigerate quickly, though, to avoid a soggy bottom. If you can’t wait to get your berries, Sproughton Community Shop stocks locally grown produce in season. It also stocks many of the other items you need, with a friendly face and a little something for everyone. Mary Bright Basan Questions or comments? Email me at: mbb.101@hotmail.com
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NEWS SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY Spring Shutdown The facility is undergoing routine inspections, cleaning and maintenance between April 15 and May 14. This takes place twice a year to ensure the structural integrity and longevity of the facility. During this planned shutdown, the turbine and generator, which use the steam produced by the heat from the energy-from-waste process to generate electricity, are undergoing a minor service. The superheaters in the boiler are also in the process of being replaced in part. As usual during shutdowns, there are contractors on site to carry out the inspections and maintenance, but there should be no impact to the local community. Want more Suffolk energy-from-waste facility news? You can now sign up for our twice-yearly e-newsletter. The e-newsletter is packed full of news, from how much waste we have processed to visitors we have welcomed on site. If you would like to receive these then sign up at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/suffolkefwnewsletter Paper copies of the newsletter are available on request by contacting: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw@sita.co.uk If you would like to keep in touch more regularly, Suffolk energy-from-waste is now tweeting site updates and tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle your waste. Follow us on Twitter: @suffolkefw A busy year for our visitor centre We regularly host visits from Suffolk schools and community groups, offering the opportunity to tour the facility and explore the information and activities in our purpose built visitor centre. So far in 2018 we have welcomed 567 visitors through the doors, including 11 school groups, and we are fully booked until August. If you are interested in arranging a visit, please get in touch using the contact details below. If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility on 01473 839149. OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS To book a visit: 01473 836821 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910
CHANGES OVER THE YEARS Over the years, Sproughton has grown in population but its acreage has decreased. According to the Kirby Directory, in 1829 there were 506 inhabitants, but in 1844 there were 585 and in 1874 the number had increased again to 617, all living within the same 2,393 acres. Despite its growing population, the acreage of the parish decreased as early as 1887 when All Saints Ipswich Ecclesiastical Parish was consolidated from the parishes of St Matthews, St Margret, Bramford, Whitton and Sproughton. Thus Boss Hall, one of Sproughton’s Manors, went into the town. The monument for Elizabeth Bull, one of Boss Hall owners, is in Sproughton Church. In 1894, a portion of the parish went to St Mary, Stoke Parish and to save the beautiful Chantry Park with its fine specimen trees from being developed for housing, Lord Woodbridge bought it and made a generous gift of it to the Borough of Ipswich in 1928. In 1934 and 1952, Ipswich extended its boundaries, taking more farm land to the east and south of Chantry Park to house its burgeoning population. The population of Sproughton was then 840 and the acreage for 1979 was down to 1,996.
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SnOasis PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA) In the autumn of 2016, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16. Full details can be found at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning It is important to be aware that this is not a renewal of the original planning approval for SnOasis, which remains in place. Reserved Matters cover the detail of such topics as design, appearance, transport, drainage and ecological mitigation. Our questions and comments about Reserved Matters were summarised in a document which was submitted to MSDC in the summer as the comments from the SPA and all its member parishes, giving the comments extra weight because they come from a significant number of local communities, representing over 11,000 registered voters. The SPA member parishes are Baylham, Barham, Bramford, Claydon and Whitton, Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham, Needham Market, Nettlestead and Somersham. The SPA recently held a meeting with representatives from SnOasis and their planning consultants to discuss our concerns and queries about Reserved Matters. They have agreed to respond to each individual comment or query made by the SPA in our Reserved Matters consultation response. This information will be published on the Great Blakenham Parish Council website once it is available. The SPA took the opportunity to raise the concerns felt by residents over the length of time this application has taken and the lack of certainty about what will be happening to the site. We suggested that the developer should run an open event for the public to see what the latest plans and timescales are, as well as being able to ask questions and discuss their concerns. All concerned felt that this was a good idea and the developer has agreed to it. There is no date as yet, but when one is fixed, we will be publicising it widely so that anyone who will be affected by the development will have the opportunity to come along. There is still no date planned for the application to be considered by the Planning Committee and there are still several major issues where information is still required or where the technical experts have not yet made their comments. These include wildlife and the environment and transport to the site. Major concerns remain over drainage and the management of water run-off. The SPA has been able to obtain expertise on this point which was reflected in the detailed scrutiny that was given to this area in our comments. We are encouraged that BMSDC Planning are also determined that any possible development on the site will not lead to flooding and other problems for local communities. The SPA were pleased that the developer is at last willing to enter into dialogue with us. Throughout this long drawn out process, the SPA has made the point that the concerns of the many residents who will be affected by this development should be seen as the highest priority. We have, and will continue to, use every opportunity to press for the best result for our community. For further information, please email SPA clerk Janet Gobey: snoasispa@icloud.com SnOasis Parish Alliance Chairman Steve Plume
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NEWS SPROUGHTON MILLENNIUM GREEN TRUST Readers will already know that we’ve been spending a lot of money recently on making the willows along the riverbank safer. The work is being done is three phases. Last year the most urgent work saw six mature trees felled at a cost of around £2,500, met largely by local grants (details below). This year and next, a further £3,800 needs to be spent to complete the safety work and make the trees more manageable. These are significant sums for a small local charity to find – we get no money for funding from any source other than donations and our own fundraising events. I am delighted to say that Suffolk Rural Fund has granted us £1,000 towards the costs of the outstanding work. This will go some way towards meeting the bills. We are very grateful to Suffolk Community Foundation for their generosity, and I am personally grateful to Ros Lavington for suggesting the fund as a potential donor. So still a long way to go, but we’ll get there with your help. Please support our fundraising events, sign up to our 100+ Club for £1 a month with a chance of winning a £40 cash prize, or you can donate straight to us. Please call me on 07578 552324 for details if you would like to help keep our green in public ownership. Ken Seager CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING I am delighted to say we are at last getting on top of the problems caused by the willow trees along the riverbank. Reported as an intention last year, we have since engaged Vertas to provide us with a detailed assessment of the willows along the bank. Each has now been identified by a specific number on a plan, and a professional assessment made of the tree’s overall health and any risks posed by it. The outcome is hardly a surprise: many of the trees have become unstable because of their height and the spread of their branches, some so much so that some had to be felled. The urgent felling necessary for safety purposes was carried out in the late summer last year. Six mature trees were felled at a total cost of £2,500. The wood, cut into manageable chunks or chipped, was made available to local residents free of charge and, as I write this, very little is left now on the green itself. The cost of the phase one works has been met through generous grants from local people and organisations (see later). An application has just been made to Suffolk Rural Fund for a grant to cover the cost of the outstanding tree works in 2018 and 2019 – estimated at a further £3,200. Fingers remain crossed at this point: we don’t know at the time of writing whether or not we’ve been successful. In October I think it was, a large water main burst under the green, cutting off the water supply to many homes in the village. Anglian Water repaired the main quickly, but access to the site and the repair work required the destruction of a long section of hedgerow along Sproughton Road and some trees. I was kept well informed by Anglian Water throughout, and once the works were completed, Anglian Water paid the cost of planting
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a new hedge and trees in the affected area. Public utilities are often derided for their service, but in this instance all I can say is that they could not have been more helpful. For a long time, directors have been trying to establish a relationship with Gipping Angling Preservation Society (GAPS) who own the fishing rights along the riverbank on the green. Those efforts now seem to be bearing fruit. We have reached an agreement with GAPS to enable the green to be used for car parking on organised match days, to save their members having to park off site and carry their equipment across the road and onto the green. In return, GAPS have agreed to provide some extra help with the annual spring clear up. The early signs are very encouraging that the trial agreement will become more permanent, and I must commend GAPS officials for their care and consideration when using the green in this way. The village fete and village fireworks held on the green in this last year were very successful, both for once enjoying decent weather. It is lovely to see the green being used for community events like these – it must have been what the original founders envisaged during all their hard work turning a dream into a reality. We are very lucky as a community to have an asset like the green on our doorstep and we must do all we can to ensure it remains in public ownership and free to use for all. Managing the green, keeping it pleasant and safe to use, costs more money each year. Without the support of our community through our monthly 100+Club, fundraising events, donors like the late Rita Davies, Sproughton Community Shop, Sproughton Fete and Sproughton Fireworks we simply could not get by. Thank you to everybody who has made some contribution this year to our funds, however you may have done it. Take a walk on the green one fine spring morning soon and say to yourself: “I helped make this happen!”. Finally, I must thank a few special people for their personal help, hard work and support this last year. Carrying out work ourselves on the green saves labour costs. To Paul, Jack, Roger, Terry, David, Vic, Emma, John, Neil, Ralph and Tess, a big thank you for all you do to help us keep the green safe and pleasant and keep costs down. To my fellow directors of Sproughton Millennium Green Ltd, thank you for your support and encouragement again for another year. I must especially mention John Webb here, who steps down as treasurer after I don’t know how many years. John has been a faithful and loyal companion of Sproughton Millennium Green for a long time, and has always undertaken the treasurer’s duties with integrity, diligence and good humour. Not only that, he is a constant presence at every event we hold and has missed hardly a meeting in all the years I have known him. I am delighted that for the time being John will continue to be part of our team in a different capacity. Look up ‘irreplaceable’ in the dictionary and you’re sure to see John Webb as one of the definitions! Thank you, John. I really appreciate your hard work, loyalty and friendship. Ken Seager
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET STROKE SUPPORT GROUP
THOMAS KING MEMORIAL GOLF DAY AT HINTLESHAM GOLF CLUB
Come and join us at our 10th Anniversary Celebration with coffee and homemade cakes at the United Reform Church Hall, Stowmarket on Saturday, May 19 from 10am to 12.30pm. Everyone welcome. Our group meets weekly to support local people of all ages who have had a stroke. For further information please contact Mrs Anne Helliwell: 01449 673237 “Together we can conquer stroke”
CHATTISHAM MIDSUMMER OPEN GARDENS Sunday, June 17, 11am-5.30pm A great family day out with 12+ gardens open in this friendly village. Enjoy visiting a wide range of types and ages of gardens including formal, natural and aquatic features. Attractions include plant sales, cakes, lunches and cream teas. Family competition. Admission £4, accompanied children under-14 free. Tickets on the day from car park or any open garden. All proceeds to Chattisham Church Restoration. Three miles west of Ipswich, one mile south of the A1071 at Hintlesham / Sat Nav ref: IP8 3QE. Further information: 01473 652359 / r.d.chase@uwclub.net www.hintleshamandchattisham.onesuffolk
SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Thursday, May 3: Words and Women Words and Women are a literary agency based in Norfolk, supporting and promoting female writers living and working in the East of England. They set up in 2011 and in the last seven years they have published books, distributed £30,000 in prize money and commissions as well as organising a myriad of events around the East of England. They have decided to put the project on hold and this event will be the last for the time being. For more information visit: http://wordsandwomennorwich.blogspot.co.uk Join us at Ipswich Institute Reading Room, 15 Tavern Street Ipswich IP1 3AA. Doors open at 7pm and the event starts at 7.30pm. Members £4, nonmembers £8, students free with ID. To avoid disappointment on the door seats can be reserved by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk Payment required on arrival, preferably by cash (no cards accepted). Tickets for reserved seats need to be collected by 7.15pm. Pop-up bookshop courtesy of Woodbridge Emporium.
Keen golfers in the Hintlesham and Ipswich area are invited to play in the Thomas King Memorial Golf Day at Hintlesham Golf Club on Sunday, June 10. Jack and Larissa King are organising their second golf day event to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) who supports families who have children in hospitals far away from home. Jack and Larissa’s son Thomas was born with a heart condition and rushed to Evelina Hospital in Central London. He was looked after for six weeks until he sadly passed away from his condition. They continue raising money for RMHC after raising almost £4,800 at last year’s event. The charity allows families to stay free of charge in a house which has 59 rooms, kitchens and other essential facilities and support networks to enable families to live near their children who are being cared for in intensive care units in such hospitals. The golf day is £45 per player which includes 18 Holes at Hintlesham Golf Club and a meal following your golf round. Competitions on the day include individual prizes for first, second and third including an engraved claret jug for the winner to keep for a year. There will be team prizes and individual prizes for nearest the pins, longest drives and holes in one (TBC) and a raffle on the day. Jack and Larissa are also looking for hole sponsors with good exposure on the day and through their Facebook event page, and prize donations to help them raise money for this important but relatively little known charity. If you would like to participate or support the day through sponsorship or donations please contact: Jack King 07971 210690 / Larissa King 07707 785868 / thomas_kingfundraising@hotmail.com Facebook: Thomas Kings Memorial Page
IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5
We meet at Quaker Meeting House, 39 Fonnereau Road, Ipswich IP1 3JH. Quaker Quest will be from 7-9pm with refreshments available from 6.30pm. Everybody welcome.
Route 5 MIP/5A MIP/5B MIP/5C MIP/5D MIP/5E MIP/5F MIP/5G MIP/5H MIP/5I MIP/5J MIP/5K
For more information contact Virginia Marshall: ipswichquakers.org.uk / 01394 383006
2018 DATES: May 8, June 5, July 3 & 31, August 28, September 25, October 23, November 20, December 18
QUAKER QUEST An opportunity to explore some important issues with Quakers on four evenings in June. June 6: Faith June 20: Prayer
June 13: Jesus June 27: Sin
There will be two short introductions to each subject, followed by large and small group discussion.
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Town/village Location Time Sproughton Church Lane 9.10-9.25am Sproughton Wild Man 9.30-9.45am Bramford St Mary’s Close 9.50-10.05am Bramford Paper Mill Lane 10.10-10.25am Great Blakenham, Chequers 10.35-1055am Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park 11-11.15am Baylham Post Box 11.25-11.45am Claydon Crown 11.55am-1pm Claydon Edinburgh Gardens 2.05-2.20pm Barham Bacon Road 2.25-3.50pm Bramford Packard Place 4-4.30pm
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OUT & ABOUT SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB
COUNTRY RAMBLES
By the time you read this we will have held our 2018 AGM and elected a new committee. I hope we shall see some new faces with some new ideas. Details of the committee will be published in next month’s magazine.
As it began to rain when we met at the church on March 11, we decided to go to The Shed and see what goods were for sale. Afterwards we enjoyed some refreshments.
Regards to all, John Bates
As the weather was good for the Tuesday ramble, we went to Bridge Wood and enjoyed the views across the River Orwell. The trees were just beginning to come into leaf.
GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding areas, the club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) from 2-4pm. The building is fully accessible. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. If you prefer to bring your own project the charge is £1.50. We received a very nice letter of thanks from the neonatal unit at Ipswich Hospital for the bonding squares we made so were pleased with our efforts. As promised last month, a picture of the completed projects from our oriental themed workshop in March is shown above. For our Take a Piece of Card workshop in April, members set about constructing a 3D card and paper decorated watering can. A picture of the completed projects will follow next month Our remaining programme for 2018 May 14: Layers for the Lads June 4: Bag Ladies July 2: Felting August 6: It’s a Jungle out There September 3: No Tune on this Accordion October 1: Christmas Stockings November 5: Christmas Card Making December 3: AGM and Christmas Party If you think this all sounds interesting there is currently room for new members so please get in touch if you would like to join us. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children. Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690
BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB In May, the Wednesday group (10am-noon) will meet every Wednesday except May 30, which is part of the Spring Bank Holiday. The Monday group (7.30-9.30pm) will meet only on May 14 because of the same holiday. The club is there to help members get the most out of their computers. Broadband and refreshments available. Membership for the year is £1, plus £3 per two-hour session. Meetings occur in the upstairs room at the rear of Bramford Methodist Church.
We found that the river had eroded the banks along the path going toward Orwell Bridge, but the authorities had made another on the edge of the field. We took the path by Pond Hall Farm from where we turned back to the wood and the car park. Weather permitting, we hope to meet at the church on Sunday, May 13 at 2pm, and on Tuesday, May 22 at 10am. At the time of going to print, the destinations for the walks have not been decided. D Bradbury
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired business gentlemen. The primary objective is to provide fellowship between members and to share similar interests in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We meet monthly at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects. In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us. If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: 01473 274898 / probus174@gmail.com
2018 WOOLPIT STEAM RALLY The 2018 Woolpit Steam Rally will be taking place over the weekend of June 2 and 3 at Warren Farm, Wetherden IP14 3JX by kind permission of R & P Baker. This follows on from the hugely successful 30th anniversary show last year which saw £19,800 donated to local charities and community groups. What makes Woolpit Steam different from many other shows is the organisers desire to present to the public historic and rare machinery not normally seen on display. This encourages the true enthusiast to travel from all parts of the country, but equally captures the imagination of the casual visitor. Woolpit Steam is probably best known for its selection of rare and unusual veteran tractors and this year is no exception with around 20 pre-1930 tractors anticipated. This is also to be complemented by a one off gathering of very early commercial vehicles and an expanded display of steam engines.
BENTLEY TODDLER GROUP FUNDRAISING JUMBLE SALE Saturday, May 12 from 2pm at Bentley Village Hall If you have anything you wish to donate, please bring it along to the hall from 9am on the day or contact Pam (01473 310283) or Aimée (01473 311311) who will arrange to collect it from you. If you would like to come to our sale, the hall will be open from 2pm. Tea and coffee will also be available. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support.
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If you are looking for a gift or that elusive spare part then there are over 50 craft, trade and auto jumble stalls to tempt you. There is also hot and cold food, a licensed bar and ice creams. A traditional fun fair including electric yachts, dodgems and side stalls, together with Punch & Judy and a full ring programme on both days will help keep the family entertained. Gates are open from 9am to 5pm on both days and admission is adults £5 on Saturday / £6 on Sunday, and children £2 on either day. Car parking is free and the show is easily accessible from Junction 47a on the A14 eastbound, or Junction 49 west bound. For further information contact David Seeley on 01449 737443 (after 7.30pm) or via: www.woolpit-steam.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on May 15 when Peter Lawrence will be speaking on the stately homes of England. For several hundreds of years these homes have become a central feature of cultural life in England. Peter will be looking at some of these homes and show how individually they reflect the wealth and power of their owners. The May meeting is the last before our summer break. We meet again on September 18 when Andrew Wiltshire will be looking at the secret code used by Beatrix Potter to record her secret thoughts and observations, and the work carried out by one man to find the key to this code. 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).
SUFFOLK TREFOIL GUILD Were you ever a member of Girlguiding anywhere in the world? It could have been as a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide, Ranger or Senior Section, or even a leader. For those who feel they can no longer run a unit, but would still like to hear what is going on in the world of Guiding, then why not join the Trefoil Guild? There are many groups in Suffolk towns and villages, but if you feel you aren’t able to get to these groups for meetings, you may be interested in Suffolk Lones. They meet occasionally somewhere in Suffolk for a walk, pub lunch or a get-together. We have members in Beccles, Cavendish, Kedington, Holbrook, East Bergholt, Sproughton, Capel St Mary, Thorpeness, Tattingstone, Wenhaston, Lavenham and Bromeswell and would always welcome you into this group. To show your interest and receive more details of what we do email Charlotte Fitzgerald at: charlottefitzgerald15@gmail.com This year the Trefoil Guild are celebrating 75 years since they were formed so lots of celebrations are taking place throughout Suffolk. Do come and join us.
SPROUGHTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL Sproughton CE School rounded off a busy term with an Easter Parade, judged my members of the local community whom the school has developed links with over the year. These were the winners!
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
Goodbye! We have said goodbye to a longstanding and much loved member of our school team. Mrs Judith Burton, our school bursar, has retired after 27 years of service to Sproughton CE School. We think that she has seen around 405 individual pupils through the school over that time, and many, many parents.
MENDLESHAM STREET FAYRE On Bank Holiday, Monday, May 7 the village of Mendlesham will be holding its 38th annual Street Fayre. The fayre will start at noon with a procession of May Princess and the May Queen accompanied by Stowmarket Boys Brigade Band. Old Market Street will be closed to traffic and full of stalls selling crafts, bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery and tickets for our grand draw. Throughout the afternoon there will be live music on stage from the The Emmatones, Suffolk School of Samba with dancers, dancing from East Suffolk Morris Men, clog dancing from the Haughley Hoofers and the Tricky Twister to entertain the children.
The school held a goodbye tea party where Judith was guest of honour. We thank Judith for all her dedication to the school over the years and wish her well in her new adventures.
Visit Wings Elite Birds of Prey and the craft fayre in the community hall and the famous armoury in St Mary’s Church will be open. This year The Mix in Stowmarket will be bringing their portable skate park for you to try with instruction for children and adults. You will find plenty of refreshments including a hog roast, hot dogs, teas, sandwiches and cakes, all provided by village charities. Not forgetting the bygone farm machinery.
New play equipment Due to the outstanding fundraising efforts of Sproughton Church of England Primary School’s Parents Association, along with donations from local villagers Ros and Simon Lavington and a locality grant awarded by local councillor Christopher Hudson, our pupils have their long-awaited and wished-for outdoor adventurous play equipment.
Entry is by £3 programme for adults with under-16s free and a free car park. To book a space in the street contact Angela on 01473 766483 (no food outlets needed).
It has already transformed outdoor play at the school and will hopefully provide many years of outdoor fun. Many thanks to everyone in the community who has supported the Parents’ Association fundraising events by donating, baking cakes, buying raffle tickets and running stalls, from all the children and staff.
The event is run by Mendlesham Community Council and the money raised each year goes to help support village charities, the school and the community.
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Headteacher Mrs Cashen
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SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE SPROUGHTON TENNIS CLUB MASQUERADE CHARITY BALL IN AID OF THE BLOSSOM APPEAL The Ipswich Hospital Charity is excited to announce the Masquerade Charity Ball at The Venue at Kersey Mill on Friday, June 22 at 7pm in aid of The Blossom Appeal. This glamorous evening will include a night of live entertainment with a drinks reception and a three course meal with wine in a beautiful location. JS and The Lockerbillies, who have previously played at Glastonbury, will be our band for the night so get your dancing shoes on and get ready to rock ‘n’ roll!
Our new junior coaching sessions started on Thursday, April 19 with three age groups: 4-8-year-olds: 3.50-4.20pm 8-11-year-olds: 4.20-5.05pm 11+ year-olds: 5.05-6pm You’ll find us at Sproughton Playing Field on Church Lane – all playing levels welcomed, from beginners to superstars. Brand new members will receive half price membership for the first year. For adults, club nights started on Monday, April 16 at 7pm and also Thursday, April 19 at 7pm; as with the juniors, new members pay half price for the first year.
All money raised will go towards The Ipswich Hospital Charity, supporting The Blossom Appeal. Help us build a new £2.5million Breast Care Centre at Ipswich Hospital where every breast care patient can have the best possible experience when they come to hospital. The new centre will bring all elements of breast care at The Ipswich Hospital under one roof and provide an environment where patients can be imaged, biopsied where necessary, and see their clinician in one appointment without the need to get dressed and undressed several times. There will also be new dedicated clinics for men and young people.
For further information please ring John Tallent on 01473 402307 or visit: www.sproughtontennis.co.uk We have a Play Tennis Day for all standards, young and old, on Sunday, May 13 from 2pm. Anyone who would like to come and have a try is welcome to pop in.
Your support can help patients like Jo: “There is a lot of getting up and down and walking to and from for imaging and treatment, and it’s a very impersonal space.” Former breast cancer patient Jo Whitelaw remembers the experience of visiting the hospital all too well, but the now 55-yearold also remembers the amazing care she received. She said: “The hospital was my security blanket. I got all the support and reassurance I could’ve asked for from the team. They were always there when I needed them.” Jo, from Great Blakenham, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 after discovering a lump in her breast. Initially she thought it was benign as she’d had others removed in the past, but it did turn out to be cancerous. When the lump was removed cancer cells were still found so Jo went on to have her breast removed and gruelling chemotherapy and drug treatment to fight the disease. She said: “It’s a very open and impersonal space. I remember when I first went to hospital I sat there and looked at all the people in the waiting room and felt very alone. The new centre could be more personal, but then there would be opportunities and spaces to talk if people wanted to.” Jo, married with two children, four grandchildren (and another on the way) has now been clear of cancer for five years. While the hospital team were Jo’s security blanket, she turned to the animals in her yard to relax. A keeper of horses, sheep and chickens, Jo credits them with helping her relax both during and since her cancer. Help us build a new Breast Centre at Ipswich Hospital while enjoying a glamorous night. To purchase tickets (£50) please visit www.ipswichhospitalcharity. co.uk or contact: 01473 702929 / charity@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk
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CHURCH NEWS VILLAGE CONTACTS LIST
Details for organisations and activities in Sproughton
SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Power for faith and life Even though there is good evidence for the death and resurrection of Jesus, without his Holy Spirit applying these saving events to our personal life they remain purely of historical interest. Jesus did not leave us solely with his teaching and example, but he released to us his Holy Spirit who brings new life to our tired and damaged lives. The Christian therefore is not like a car with a self-contained power source, but rather like an electric motor that must be connected to an outside current for its power.
Allotments
Sue Frankis (clerk)
01473 463852
Almshouses (Cooper Trust)
Ken Sheppard
01473 743122
Badminton Club
June Jackaman Jean Mardon
01473 745246 01473 461568
Burial Ground
Sue Frankis (clerk)
01473 463852
Bowls Club Chairman
David Biggs
01473 748848
Brownies
Debra Last
01473 741773
Carpet Bowls Club
Bob Jones
01473 744093
Children’s Play Area
Sue Frankis (clerk)
01473 463852
Church Hall Booking
Jill Quadling
01473 464336
Community Shop
Rosalind Lavington
01473 747768
Craft Group
Julie Hodges
01473 226004
Football Club
Mrs G Studd
01473 747017
Footpath Warden
Sue Frankis (clerk)
01473 463852
Jigsaw Pre-school
Rosemary Laflin
01473 745716
Somersham Wheelie Fun Day: Saturday, May 12, 10am-11pm The programme will include classic cars and motor bikes, performance race cars, 4x4 response team, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, model car driving, Wheelie games, stalls, food, bar and music. Our contribution is a stall for the local family charity FIND and our guests the Suffolk branch of the Christian Motorcycle Association. Do come along and have a browse.
Millennium Green Trust
Ken Seager 01473 741410 07578 552324 / keseager@sky.com
You are welcome to join our regular meetings of worship and fellowship.
Toddler Group
Annette Shannon
01473 807674
Parish Council
Sue Frankis (clerk)
01473 463852
Parish Council Chairman
Simon Curl
01473 747114
Sunday 10-10.30am: Prayer and Share 10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion on the first Sunday) 11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service
Parochial Church Council
Jan Hart (sec)
01473 740434
PFMC
Damian Lavington
01473 809512
Lunch Club
David Barnes
07901 602021
Quilters
Julie Hodges
01473 226004
Ramblers
Doreen Bradbury
01473 210008
The Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost in place of the physical Jesus was marked by the signs of his presence and power to save. That saving power of the Spirit is still present today, turning people to faith in Jesus and transforming people to be more like Him. The Christian Church marks the Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost this year on Sunday, May 20. You are very welcome to come and join us.
Refreshments are served between meetings; come when you can and leave when you want. Weekdays at the Chapel Lunch and Listen: Thursday, May 3, noon Friends and Neighbours: Monday, May 21, 7.45pm
Reading Room and Caretaker’s Gwen Moore House Charity
01473 740629
CONTACTS Pastor Mark Newcombe 01473 831940 / 07958 830103 m.newcombe940@btinternet.com
Senior Citizens Club
John Bates
01473 743476
Edwin Mayhew: 01473 658100
Sports & Social Club
Mrs G Studd
01473 747017
Baptist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Somersham IP8 4QE
Sproughton CEVC Primary School
Sharon Cashen (head)
01473 742182
Facebook: somershambaptistchurchsuffolk
Suffolk Guides
June Webb
01473 742778
Tennis Club
John Tallent
01473 402307
Tithe Barn Bookings
Sue Frankis
01473 463852
Tower Captain (church bells)
Ralph Earey
01473 743812
Tree Warden
Sue Frankis (clerk)
01473 463852
Village History Recorder
Doreen Bradbury
01473 210008
CHURCH FLOWER DECORATING We shall be pleased to receive more help with flower decorating at Sproughton Church. This is relaxing work; some people might like to do the flowers for an anniversary, a birthday or some other family event. There is a list in the church porch for names or if you wish, please contact the undersigned or the churchwarden. Doreen Bradbury, 01473 210008
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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116 Dear Friends, While wondering what to write about, the word ‘snowdrops’ came to mind. At the beginning of March a bank in the garden was full of snowdrops and looked beautiful. They signal the start of a new year and life seems to be full of hope and love. Snowdrops always help me to think about my faith and God’s love for us all. They are there all the time, although for most of the year their bulbs are growing and developing in the soil, or in my bank. God loves us all, always has and always will. Although at times we forget, become too occupied with other things until we are sent reminders. One of those for me are snowdrops which show their flowers in the cold weather sometimes in the snow, when not much else is flowering. They are there for all those who care to look. God’s love is there shining through everything for all to see. God’s creation is wonderful. They also remind me I don’t have to be like any of the big and ‘blowsy’ flowers like peonies or very sweet smelling as a rose. We are all different but God’s love shines through us all even when we do our best to stop it. God wants us to be ourselves, as he made us but importantly no one is more important than the other. Another thing about the snowdrop is that if you want to appreciate their full beauty, unless you pick one, you have to get down and hold up their heads up to see them properly and to be able to appreciate their magnificence. And if you want to find out more about God’s love through Christ you need to search and explore God’s word and to discuss and listen to other people’s points of view as we have been doing in the Lent groups. Now who would have thought so much could be written about one small, seemingly insignificant flower! This letter came about earlier this year when I was walking in the garden with my son looking at the snowdrops which were hiding in the flower beds and I heard myself say, ‘I could write a talk about them.’ When I got the email from Hayley asking me to write this month’s letter the thought immediately came to mind was my talk with Stephen. I believe the expression is ‘hoisted with one’s own petard’. God is always there, with us, loving us and helping us to be aware of his love in action, reminding us we can’t always be dormant. We need time to grow and develop like the bulbs but we also need to shine, and show his love for others in what we say and do. In love and prayer, Gwen Runnacles North Samford Churches Baby and Toddler Group Monday morning in term time at Sproughton Church Hall, 9.30-11.30am. Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers welcome with a parent, grandparent or carer. Suggested donation £2 per family. Leader: The Rev Annette Shannon: 01473 807674 PENTECOST SERVICES Sunday, May 20, 9.30am-1pm, Stutton School: A Dramatisation of ACTS There will also be a service at Bentley Church at 10am BELSTEAD PLANT SALE: Saturday, June 2, 2pm in Belstead Village Hall ELY CATHEDRAL FLOWER FESTIVAL Saturday, June 23. Coach leaves Bentley Village Hall at 9.45am. The cost per person is £29 including coach and entrance. To book or for more details contact Sandra: 01473 310383, FROM THE REGISTERS Weddings Laura Baker and Karl Daniels – Belstead Katy Vint and Ross Dowsine – Copdock
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MAY Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Saturday 5 Wednesday 9 Saturday 12 Tuesday 15 Wednesday 16 Wednesday 23 Wednesday 30
Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Mother’s Prayers Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Copdock Morning Market, 10am Bentley Mother’s Prayers Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am Churchwardens Meeting, Sproughton Church Hall, 10am Ministry Meeting, 7.30pm Bentley Mother’s Prayers Copdock Home Communions, 10am Bentley Mother’s Prayers Bentley Mother’s Prayers
JUNE Saturday 2 Wednesday 6 Thursday 7 Saturday 9 Wednesday 13 Wednesday 20 Saturday 23 Wednesday 27
Belstead Plant Sale in the village hall, 2pm Copdock Morning Market, 10am Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Mother’s Prayers Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am Burstall Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12.30pm Joint PCC at Sproughton School, 7.30pm Bentley Mother’s Prayers Bentley Mother’s Prayers Copdock Home Communions, 10am Ely Cathedral Flower Festival (see above) Bentley Mother’s Prayers
SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Sunday, May 6 8am Copdock 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion
Thursday, May 10: Ascension Day 7.30pm Belstead Benefice Communion Sunday, Nay 13 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone
Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evensong
Sunday, May 20: Pentecost 9.30am Stutton School
Dramatisation of ACTS
Sunday, May 27 8am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 10am Belstead 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Worship Family & Friends Family & Friends
Sunday, June 3 8am Copdock 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion
Church letters and copy for the June edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by May 4 please: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com
In Touch online:
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