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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 6 • Issue No. 5 • APRIL 2016
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Image by Charmian Berry Fundraising concert in aid of the Osiligi Project in Kenya. An evening for all the family with members of the College’s jazz band and Prep School pupils also performing.
with East Anglia’s Premier Big Band
HORN FACTORY
Friday 22nd April 2016 7.30pm - 10pm at St Joseph’s College Senior School, Belstead Road Ipswich IP2 9DR Tickets £14 (£7 under 16’s) Including Food (Bread, Cheese & Chutney) Licensed Bar serving Beer, Wine & Soft Drinks
Book online @ www.redrosechain.com
Profits from this event will be donated to the St Joseph’s College Developing World Project, assisting their students to run a two-week summer school in Kenya.
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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 SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING Witnesham Village Hall Wednesday, April 20 at 7.30pm All residents of Swilland and Witnesham are invited to attend. Refreshments provided.
NEW ART COLLECTION AT CHRISTCHURCH MANSION
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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In Touch with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: westerfield@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
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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 Kesgrave & Rushmere is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
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Christchurch Mansion is playing host to a celebration of Leonard Squirrel’s long career and includes four recently acquired pictures of East Anglia. The collection is on display in the Wolsey Art Gallery until January 2017. Squirrell was born and grew up in Ipswich but lived and worked for the vast majority of his life in Witnesham where a blue plaque marks his home. At the age of 15 he started at Ipswich School of Art and went on to win a gold medal in the National Competition for Schools of Art with his set of drawings. He attended the Slade School of Art under Philip Wilson Steer and Professor Henry Tonks. In 1929 he took a job etching at Ipswich Art School and stayed until 1940. Watercolour and etching were his favourite media. He would create sketches outdoors, marking them with copious notes on colour, composition and lighting. These sketches then formed the basis to create finished pictures in his studio. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours and for 67 years with Ipswich Art Club. Squirrell was prolific in his output and was commissioned to illustrate books, produce railway carriage images and calendars for companies. He even produced two books, Landscape Painting in Pastel (1947) and Practice in Watercolour (1950). In 1978, Ipswich Art Club organised a major retrospective of Squirrell’s work in the Wolsey Art Gallery and he described Christchurch Mansion as an “elegant setting” for his work. This display highlights the range of Squirrell’s work and in all media. The Ipswich collection has up to 100 artworks by Squirrell and the first part of the display will be changed after six months to show a larger number of these pictures.
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 COASTAL BUSINESS & COMMUNITY AWARDS 2016 The businesses whose sponsorship enables the Suffolk Coastal Business & Community Awards to continue to go from strength to strength gathered at Kesgrave Hall to celebrate the launch of the 2016 awards. The awards recognise the contributions, initiatives and successes of businesses, groups and individuals within the Suffolk Coastal District over the past 18 months. This year’s awards categories cover teamwork, growth, services to the community and charities, environmental impact, customer service, health and wellbeing and tourism. The line-up of 2016 sponsors includes EDF Energy, EB Carpets, Melton Day Nursery, Places for People Leisure, The Local Strategic Partnership, The Suffolk Coast DMO, Ufford Park and Suffolk Coastal District Council. Anglia Radio’s Town 102 and The Beach Radio Stations are also supporting as 2016 media partners. The awards open for nominations on April 15 and close on June 30. The winners will be announced at a black tie awards dinner at Kesgrave Hall on September 15. Nicola Cannon, owner of Melton Day Nursery, said: “These awards give local businesses and groups the recognition and encouragement they deserve and we are very happy to be a part of that.” Tarnia Robertson, managing director of Ufford Park, said: “These awards are the perfect chance for us to acknowledge other local businesses and individuals within the local community and to give them the recognition they deserve. We are delighted to be part of them this year and we wish everyone entering the best of luck!” For more information visit: www.scbca.co.uk The full list of awards and sponsors is as follows: • New Business of the Year sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council • Business Growth Award sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council • Services to the Community (group) sponsored by EDF Energy • Services to the Community (individual) sponsored by Place for People • Innovation sponsored by the Local Strategic Partnership • Charity Champion sponsored by EB Carpets Felixstowe • People Development sponsored by Melton Day Nursery • Health and Wellbeing sponsored by Ufford Park • Encouraging Tourism sponsored by The Suffolk Coast DMO • Customer Focus • Great and Green Award • Team of the Year • Club of the Year
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ASHBOCKING NEWS I think it’s fair to say that it’s ‘good news week’ for Ashbocking. There is so much to tell folk about that I don’t really know where to start, but let’s start with the community land. We have bought and had delivered two picnic benches and a three-seater bench. These will be mounted and fixed on to concrete bases and positioned to take full advantage of the beautiful views over the farm land of Ashbocking. One of our parishioners has kindly volunteered to buy a commemorative bench and another will be buying a commemorative wild cherry tree. May I take this opportunity to thank them for their kind gesture and if anyone else would like to have a loved one remembered in this way, then please get in touch with me. The community orchard is now more than a seed of an idea. Trees have been purchased and we thank Richard Last and Crown Nurseries for their advice and help. We decided to go for tree varieties originating in Suffolk that should do well in our location. Our planting date is April 9 at 10am. Please come along with your spade and help make history, when Ashbocking will have its first community orchard. In years to come, people living in the parish will be able to share in the bounty of fruit that will surely result from our orchard. Hopefully, that will include some cider making too. If all goes well high vis signs will be erected this month, warning drivers of sharp bends around the area of Allotment Lane and Millfields. Of course, if one is driving at 30mph all is well, but those bends seem to take many by surprise as they attempt to drive them at 5060mph. Signs and new road markings can only inform and give warning. We hope the signs will help prevent these unnecessary accidents.
CLEANING FOR THE QUEEN Fourteen folk gave up some of their precious time to collect litter in the village as part of the Clean for the Queen project and her 90th birthday celebrations, meeting up with Swilland and Witnesham folk who were doing the same in their respective villages. The Ashbocking Crockery Barn Café had a busy afternoon when we all got together to boast about which village had the least litter! Have you tasted the café’s fruit flap-jack? Delicious! Members of Ashbocking congregation with
The Ashbocking team at the Installation of Bishop Mike of Dunwich their priest, the Reverend Catherine Beaumont (now known as the A team) were invited to take part in the service for the installation of the new Bishop of Dunwich, Bishop Mike Harrison, at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on February 27. It was recognised by the diocese that the congregation in Ashbocking is growing rapidly. (We blame Catherine!) On June 12 Bishop Mike will be taking the service at Ashbocking All Saints Church at 11am. All welcome. You read it here first. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY The annual parish meeting is on April 25 at 7.30pm. There will be many things to celebrate, but we have still to make observable progress with the speed limit at the crossroads and fast broadband in the village. But we do not give up. Be careful when driving along The Green through Ashbocking. Speed checks will be happening on a regular basis. You have been warned. FAMILY QUIZ NIGHT AT ASHBOCKING CHURCH We need a loo. We need a kitchenette. Then Ashbocking church will have everything. It already has an actively growing congregation, an amazing location, and always a warm welcome. We are really on the map. We want to use our church for Ashbocking, for the community, for worship and for fun. They all go together. So please help us to reach our goals. Please come to the Ashbocking Family Quiz Night on June 25 at 6pm. An award-winning local quiz master, a select raffle, food and a bar will all be on offer. You’ll have a good night because you will be part of your community. Friends and family welcome. To reserve a pew, contact John: johngordonpollard@gmail.com Liz Stegman
VACANT ALLOTMENT There is a vacant allotment plot in Coopers Close, Witnesham IP6 9ES. The cost for leasing this is £10 a year. Please contact the Swilland and Witnesham parish clerk if you would like to consider leasing this spare allotment plot and we can arrange a viewing. swill-witpc@outlook.com / 07719 176917
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NEWS 2016 HERO RIDE
QUEEN’S 90th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
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. Many thanks, Andy White 01473 830135 / 07854 876722 / wandywhite216@aol.com
Mike Hurrel’s GENTLEMEN OF JAZZ Traditional Jazz band Saturday, May 21, 3-7pm Church Paddock, Westerfield •‘Hep to Step’ dance demo •Bouncy Castle •Ice Creams Tickets: Adults £10 / Children (under 16) free Available from: Olive Miller 212316 / Val Byrne 251624 / Linda Rolph 211015 Any proceeds to charity ORGANISED BY WESTERFIELD EVENTS GROUP
DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Events take place in Witnesham Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Sewing classes: For information please contact Kim Shaw: 785678
Booking clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 785798
EVENTS IN APRIL
Parish clerk: Mr Steve Barron: swill-witpc@outlook.com / 07719 176917 WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Dance classes in term time from 3.30pm. Contact Kelly Fear: 07799 130967 Tuesdays • Post Office open at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Drop-in Cafe at Witnesham Baptist Church, 2-4pm. • Witnesham Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy: 785754 Thursdays • Post Office open at Baptist Church, 9am12.30pm • Carpet bowls, 2pm. Contact: 785754 • Tai Chi Classes for beginners (5.45pm) and the more experienced (7.30pm). A new beginners’ class started in February. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers meet in Witnesham Baptist Room, 9.15-11.15am. All are welcome. Contact Jean Pearson: 785478 • Pilates class, 10-11am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com
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Wednesday 13 • Friendship Club meets for chiropody (if desired), quiz, chat, draw and refreshments from 2pm. Open to all in our three villages for just £1. If you wish to just come for chiropody, offered by registered practitioner Jenny Cole at a very reasonable rate, please let me know in advance. Heather Cade, 785464. • WI meets for its Birthday Party and entertainment at 6.30pm (please note this different time). Contact Gill Dunstan for more WI details: 785638 Thursday 14 • Mobile Library visits The Green, Ashbocking 12.25pm • Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room at 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin: 785138 Wednesday 20 Swilland and Witnesham Annual Parish meeting, 7.30pm Thursday 21 • Mobile Library visits Witnesham at Weyland Road (9.50-10.20am), Swilland M&M (10.2510.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am) • Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm Monday 25 Ashbocking Parish Council meeting at SWT HQ, 8pm
FUTURE DATES Thursday, May 5: Election for Police and Crime Commissioner in Witnesham, 6am-11pm Monday, May 9: Ashbocking Annual Parish Meeting at SWT HQ, 7.30pm Saturday, May 14, 2.30pm: Songs and Scones – Entertainment by Village Voices. Donations to Christian Aid. Saturday, May 21: Messy Church in Witnesham June / date TBC: Event to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday at the Barley Mow Thursday, June 23: European Elections, 6am11pm Saturday, June 25: Witnesham Church Fete Saturday, July 9: Swilland and Witnesham Community Group’s Flower Show, 2pm Saturday, September 17: Ashbocking Produce, Arts and Craft Show When your organisation has a fixed date for its event please let me have details of it so that I can include it in future editions. This will help to avoid clashes of dates for village activities. Heather Cade: 785464 / heather.cade@btinternet.com
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OUT & ABOUT MIKE LEIGH AND TRIANON SHARE PETERLOO LINK
IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
On August 16, 1819 a crowd of 60,00080,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Field, Manchester. They were demanding a reform to parliamentary representation. Organised by the Manchester Patriotic Union, the rally was to be addressed by orator Henry Hunt, but shortly before the rally began the cavalry tried to disperse the crowd. In the resulting confusion it was estimated that 18 protestors were killed and a further 700 were injured in what became known as the Peterloo Massacre.
Thursday, April 28, 7.30pm: The World of the Heir Hunter – A Lifetime Challenge by Maurice Clarke
Maurice will talk about what a heir hunter/ probate researcher is and where they fit into the world of intestacy, i.e. where a person dies without a will and with no obvious Tickets (£9.50, concessions £8.50, students next of kin. Maurice founded the Heir As a native of Manchester and Salford, Mike and U16s £5) can be purchased from: Trianon Hunters Association in 2009 to help people Leigh was drawn to the story and work will start 01394 283170 / 07876 787029; Ipswich Tourist become heir hunters and it has grown in 2017 to shoot his new film, Peterloo. Former Information Centre; www.ipswichregent.com / into a vast international organisation. He edits a monthly newsletter and helped Trianon president Sir Malcolm Arnold composed 01473 433100 found The Federation of Probate and his Overture Peterloo for the TUC’s centenary in 1968. The piece will be performed in Trianon’s Tikets purchased from Ipswich Entertainments will Asset Researchers Ltd (www.fpar.org.uk), spring concert, entitled The Presidential Suite, be subject to an additional £1 a ticket booking fee. a non-profit organisation concerned with standards and professionalism within the which takes place at Ipswich Corn Exchange on For further details visit: www.tmg.org.uk probate industry. April 16 at 7.30pm. Trianon will also perform You can also follow Trianon on Twitter its current president John Rutter’s Mass of the @MusicTrianon We meet at The Co-Op Education Centre, 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW. The pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Street and the car park entrance is on On Wednesday, April 27 Neil Marshall will An annual excursion is also arranged to a place of Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is present an illustrated talk entitled The New transport interest, this year to the Great Western £3 for society members and £3.50 for nonBrighton Belle at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Society premises at Didcot. members who are warmly welcomed. Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, 7 for 7.30pm. For further details, please contact Mervyn For more information contact Howard Visitors are welcome to attend (£3.50 including Russen (01473 414746) or Martyn Hunt (01473 King: 01473 274300 tea/coffee). 422145) or visit: www.idhts.co.uk Children with the choir of St Albans Catholic High School, pictured, as well as music by Tchaikovsky, Dukas and Vaughan Williams.
WESTERFIELD CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS Westerfield Bowls Club The club has more than 50 members who enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September. Our teams compete in local leagues as well as playing friendly games against other clubs. For further information contact Tony Baker: 01473 411347 Village coffee mornings Coffee mornings are held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome. Westerfield & District Gardening Club The gardening club meets at Westerfield Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month, starting at 7.15pm. • April 6: Westland Horticulture with David Coop • May 4: Trimley Herbs with Chris and Paul Everyone is welcome. For further details contact Barbara Bell (01473 231411), Michele Doick (01473 252330) or Barry Reeve (01473 251 843). Beavers, Cubs and Scouts The 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the village hall as its headquarters the group consists of:
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Beaver Colony Thursday, 5.45-6.45pm Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Beaver Leader: Jenny Kent, 01473 435711 / jennyk.kent@ntlworld.com Cub Pack Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years. Cub Leader: Joan Gibson, 01473 785510 / joan_gibson785@yahoo.co.uk Scout Troop Friday, 6.50-9pm Boys and girls, 10½-14 years. Scout Leader: Peter Runnacles 01473 785298 Email:peter@runnacles.plus.com If your child is interested in joining us please use the contact form on our website from where your enquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate leader: www.westerfieldscouts.org.uk Westerfield WI Lively meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the village hall with different speakers on a variety of topics. The membership is 42 at present.
• April 14: Claire from Bourne Nursery • May 12: Birthday party New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Kath Richards: 01473 217829 Pilates Classes are in the village hall on Mondays from 10.45-11.45am and noon-1pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. £6.50 in advance/£7.50 drop-in. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Exercise Class at Westerfield Village Hall on Thursdays, 7.15-8.05pm for beginners and 8.10-9pm for improvers. Cost £6.50 a class or £12 if staying for both classses. Suitable for all ages. If you are interested please contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Please note that there is now an online calendar to check availability of the village hall: For more information visit: www.westerfield-village.co.uk
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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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OUT & ABOUT
CLEAN FOR THE QUEEN CAMPAIGN ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM WI Seventeen WI members gathered on Saturday, March 5 armed with gloves, grabbers and bags to do our duty litter picking on behalf of the National Clean for the Queen campaign. We consider our villages to be fairly free from litter as local people pick up on a regular basis when out walking; nevertheless we collected 15 full black bags. Villagers from Ashbocking rallied to the cause finding many more bags of discarded items. All participants found the task rewarding and were really fascinated with the variety of items discarded by the roadside. Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council had arranged for the pavements through Witnesham to be cleared of many years’ overgrowth, making more room for pedestrians. We can now consider our villages clean for the Queen. Happy 90th birthday your Majesty. Back to our monthly meeting, we will celebrate our birthday in April with entertainment by Joyce Kimber. We start earlier, at 6.30pm, on Wednesday, April 13 in Witnesham Village Hall. New people are welcome to come along and give us a try.
DIABETES UK IPSWICH SUPPORT GROUP The next open meeting is on Thursday, April 14 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. Instead of having a speaker, we are going to have a quiz night on knowing your diabetes. This is nothing special, just some fun, but there will be some interesting answers. This is a free event and there is no charge.
The group is a social gathering of people who have Type1 or Type2 diabetes, but anyone interested in diabetes can attend. Refreshments will be available free of charge and there will be a draw to raise funds for the group. For further information please contact our vice-chairman Peter: 07799 607951
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LUNAR LADIES GROUP Lunar Ladies is a new ladies social group which meets at The Moon and Mushroom in Swilland on a Monday every two months from 7pm. Enjoy a buffet and a great social. We promise you will meet lots of new people. On Monday, April 4 guest speaker Kate Viscardi will present a history of measurements in a talk entitled Bakers Dozen and Country Miles. Please do come along. Contact Gina Wilden: 01473 785577 / gina.wilden@btinternet.com
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SPORT GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB The Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area behind the hall. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. Our meetings for the next few months April 13: Social Afternoon including an
occasional series A Walk down Memory Lane April 27: Peter Banham will lead his interactive talk on Old Sayings and their Meanings May 11: Social afternoon May 25: Mrs Jane Paley with her lighthearted talk What do you know about tea? June 8: To be confirmed June 22: To be confirmed July 13: Mrs Pauline Walker on The History of the Co-Op Juniors Theatre Company July 27: Our last meeting before our summer break. Social afternoon including quiz time with Brenda Cooper.
ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE DEVELOPING WORLD PROJECTS 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.
We would be pleased to welcome anyone who would like to come to one of the talks. There is no obligation to become a member. So do come and join us. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
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.
Henley Community Centre Friday 3rd June 7:30pm Saturday 4th June 2:30pm & 7:30pm
01473833226
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION Our next meeting is on April 19 when Veronica Bennett, a volunteer speaker for the National Trust, will be telling us about Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. Begun in the early 17th century, Felbrigg surprises and delights visitors with its architectural variety, wonderful rooms and beautiful garden and woods. We look forward to another of Veronica’s fascinating and insightful talks. May 17 sees the return of one of our regular speakers, Peter Lawrence, with a talk entitled From the Krays to the Crown. Peter is an exLondon policeman and this promises to be a fascinating insight into crime from the 1960s through to the 1980s. As a member of, or a volunteer for, the National
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Trust, you can get more out of your membership by joining the East Suffolk National Trust Association which meets (September to May) at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre (Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF) at 7.15pm. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome for a £2 entrance fee. National Trust members/volunteers can join the association for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). For more information contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761. Visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
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. HORN FACTORY FUNDRAISING CONCERT 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 For further details or to make a donation to enable the purchase of practical equipment from local Kenyan sources for these worthy children please contact Martin Hine: M.hine@stjos.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS 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 her 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.
THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY The children are continuing to explore opposites this term by using cardboard boxes to fit inside one another – and how many children fit into a big cardboard box! We have also decorated boxes, turning them into treasure chests, jewellery boxes, houses for ‘small worlds’ – the list is endless. The children get so creative using paint, glue and craft materials to make it their own.
With an entry fee of just £1, there will be the usual vast array of plants including perennials, shrubs and vegetable plants to delight gardeners and stalls with produce, cakes and fruit to delight everyone. In aid of Great and Little Bealings Churches, the sale has become a major event in the annual Bealings calendar. There will be a raffle with great prizes and refreshments will be served all morning.
Several children have been using the computer and we have purchased some new programmes made especially for this age group. Giving the children an opportunity to use the keyboard to match animals to their habitat, fitting shapes to colours and using a paint programme – the chance to print off and take home is particularly popular. Alongside this there are always pens, crayons and stencils to extend the learning for those moving onto school in the autumn term.
A very special offer has come in and will be raffled separately – a flight experience in a small light aeroplane, a Piper PA28 Warrior, which will be piloted by a qualified pilot.
The better weather has meant more access to our garden where the mud kitchen proves ever popular with cakes being mixed and put in the wooden oven and then taken out and mixed again!
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BEALINGS ANNUAL PLANT SALE Saturday, April 23, 10am-noon – Bealings Village Hall, IP13 6LJ
The flight will last about an hour and transport to the airport is included. This would make a wonderful present for someone special – or for yourself! We look forward to seeing all our regular supporters as well as welcoming new ones.
We have recently celebrated World Book Day when the children and staff came dressed up to Nursery. Lots of princesses, a Gruffalo, a monkey, a cowboy, Snow White, Wendy from Peter Pan and others could be seen moving around the building!
The children’s playground at the back of the hall is ideal for the children to let off steam and you will find good parking facilities
At the end of term we are holding an Easter egg hunt in the garden for all the families and siblings which will be a fun event and no doubt lots of smiles – albeit chocolaty! Come and see us at Helmingham – we are nearer than you think.
Further information from: 01473 735565
01473 890950 / www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com
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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OTLEY UNDER 5s “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” I Can Read with my Eyes Shut, Dr Seuss Last month saw all sorts of characters from children’s books come to pre-school for World Book Day: Peter Pan, Captain James Hook, Zog and Funnybones to name just a few. Everyone had a great day sharing favourite stories and carrying out role plays as their chosen characters. The children have been busy making crafts for Mother’s Day and Easter. A day of theme activities was organised to celebrate Chinese New Year. Parents were greeted at pick-up by an enormous Chinese-style dragon made out of boxes, paper, paint and eight little people hiding within – it looked fantastic. Our annual Easter egg hunt was held in the grounds of Otley Primary School – needless to say the Easter bunny had been busy, much to the children’s delight. An Usbourne book sale was also held to raise funds for the setting. This month a lot of the children will find out which school they will be attending in September. We continue to help prepare them for the transition, making marks in the outdoor sandpit, learning shapes and working with colours at the colour sorting station. If you would like to come and visit us please get in touch on 07789 468853, visit our Facebook page or: www.otleyunderfives.co.uk
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BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Greetings guff lovers. Now that the referendum mudslinging is in full swing, to the extent where we are almost afraid to shout “Out!” when Nick serves, I can reassure you all that this load of guff is an EU referendum free zone, so feel free to look ‘in‘ without trepidation (this may be trickier than I thought). We will seek to persuade the present committee to remain in post at the club’s AGM, and persuade new members to leave the comfort of their sofa and join us on the courts. We are a small village club offering three courts (two floodlit), and we regularly compete in all local leagues. We also hold club sessions for those who want to play social tennis. These are on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings throughout the spring/summer. Any new members will be welcome − of any standard − you cannot be worse than yours truly. If you are at all curious please contact the treasurer on 464598 or log on to: www.bramfordtennisclub.onesuffolk.net On the winter league front there are mixed fortunes for our pairs as Nick and Graham require another win to ensure that they stay ‘in’ the division, whereas Graham’s sons Matt and Adam have no fears of falling ‘out’ of the league, having attained a greater points tally than their father. Finally, we sadly lost one of our honorary members this week when Corrinne had to have her beloved Labrador Boycie put down. For many years he was a familiar sight at club sessions, spectating while his owner was playing. Even when old and arthritic he was faster around the court and retrieved tennis balls better than myself and had more hair than many players of a similar age. No doubt he is still chasing tennis balls somewhere up there. I know what will cheer you all up, it’s joke of the month: A father collects his son from school and asks him what he has done today. “Well they gave out the parts for the school play today and I got the part of a man who has been married for 20 years,” said the son. “Congratulations son,” said the father, “keep it up and perhaps next year they will give you a speaking part.” I won’t ask you to vote on that one, more guff next month. Mick Russ
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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FOR SWILLAND AND ASHBOCKING TALKING ABOUT MY GENERATION If you remember My Generation as a song lyric you were probably a teenager in the 1960s, or possibly a dedicated follower of fashion in popular music. If you are a reader of the Bible you may have recognised the Old Testament interest in ancestry and in the idea that we exist in our own time. It was said of King David that he ‘had served God’s purpose in his own generation’ (Acts 13; 36). One of our responsibilities, the responsibility of every generation, is to pass on our hopes, our wisdom and our experience to our children and our children’s children. If you are a grandparent, or even a great grandparent, this may come easily to you. You will have learnt to answer the question, ‘what was it like in the old days?’ In each generation God looks for those who will faithfully represent his message of hope and the joy that comes to those who come close to God. Most of us are from humble origins while a few Christians were literally born to great privilege. Whatever your origins you have a responsibility to share what you believe with others. Like many in my 60s generation I have taken little interest in royalty but last December, after lunch on Christmas Day, I was impressed by the Queen’s Christmas message. I know the Queen is the supreme governor of the Church of England but she also talks with personal experience and hope. The clarity of her faith is a strong message to following generations. The Queen cannot have always enjoyed the speculation and public interest a gossip hungry media subjects her to but she has always responded to individuals with personal interest and grace. This month on April 21 the Queen is 90 years old. No, we have not missed the celebrations. You have time to bake your cakes and plan the street party as the Queen and Prince Phillip officially celebrate the occasion on the weekend of June 10-12. At her coronation the Queen told my parents and their generation that: “I have been and remain very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for His steadfast love. I have indeed seen His faithfulness.” In a Christmas broadcast 50 years later Queen Elizabeth told a new generation: ‘I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad… I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.” Happy Birthday to Her Majesty and thank you for serving God’s purpose in our generation. Bill Herbert SUNDAY SERVICES April 3: Swilland, Holy Communion, 9.30am April 10: Ashbocking, Family Service, 11am April 17: Swilland, Family Service, 11am
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WHAT’S ON April 6 • Swapshop, Grundisburgh Parish Room, 10.1511.30am • Burgh Soup Lunch, noon-1.30pm April 9 Grundisburgh Blessing of Marriage April 10 Ashbocking APCM after 11am service in church April 11 • Knit and Stitch Burgh Schoolroom, 10.30am12.30pm. All welcome. Details: 01473 735544 • Benefice Prayer Group meets in Grundisburgh Upper Room, 5pm April 14 Grundisburgh Church Tiddlywinks for preschool children, 2.30pm April 16 • Ashbocking and Swilland Away Day at Otley Hall, 10am-4pm • Burgh visiting bell ringers April 17 • Burgh APCM following 9.30am service • Boulge and Swilland APCMs following the 11am service April 21 Social Bridge, Burgh Schoolroom, 7.15pm. All levels, tuition available: 01473 735544 April 23 • Grundisburgh hosts the Deanery Elders for an INSET morning • Wedding at Grundisburgh of Justin and Susan • Sausage Supper and Beetle Drive, Burgh Schoolroom, £7.50, 7pm April 24 • Grundisburgh APCM following 11am service with elections to follow afterwards • Clopton APCM following 11am service with elections to follow afterwards • Otley APCM following 6.30pm service with elections to follow afterwards
her cello. Please let Katherine Smith know if you wish to come: 01473 735579 GOING DEEPER HOMEGROUP We have moved to Manor Farm where we have plenty of room to welcome any newcomers. We study the Bible, pray, and encourage each other to ‘go deeper’ in our faith in Jesus together. We meet every first and third Wednesday, 10amnoon. For more details call Jan or Jon Bates: 01473 892605 MONDAY HOUSE GROUP, GRUNDISBURGH We meet next at 7.30pm on April 11, May 9 and June 13, looking at the NOOMA series of short films that explore our world from a perspective of Jesus. An invitation to search, question and join the discussion. Contact Robert: 01473 735775 BEYOND ALPHA – spring 2016 What do we really know about these Bible topics…? Held at Grundisburgh Church (coffee area), 10.30am-noon on Mondays, April 11 and 25, May 9 and 23 and June 6 The meetings will be facilitated by The Rev Wendy Gourlay. Tea and coffee will be available and a warm welcome to all. A small charge of £1 a session covers costs. April 11: Biblical Topic – The NT SMALL book of James April 25: Biblical Topic – The Bible’s Journey – From Scrolls to Codex May 9: Biblical Topic – Jesus according to John May 23: Biblical Topic – Three Jewish Philosophies June 6: Biblical Topic – Sell your possessions and give to the poor Haven’t been along yet, why ever not? Join us this spring. Contact Paul: 01473 738474 / paulwiffen222@btinternet.com
SIGNPOSTS This month we are signposting Christian Aid Week, May 15-21. Find out more at: www.Caweek.org
LETTER FROM THE RECTOR Last year we experimented in some of our churches at incorporating our APCM into the body of our worship as part of a service. It seems right to give thanks to God as part of our worship for all that has happened and for all who served the church and community in 2015, and to seek God’s blessing on all that lies ahead, to pray for those to be elected to office and to reaffirm our commitment as the people of God to be his ministers – witnessing to the love of God through all that we do as individuals and as the Body of Christ.
SECOND FRIDAYS You are very welcome to join us for a ploughman’s supper at Hasketon Victory Hall, April 8, 7.15pm − £5 each. A bit of a double act from Hattie Bennett and
The APCM also gives the opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves, what is God calling me to do within the life of the church? It may be to serve as a churchwarden or member of the PCC, to deliver magazines, to host one of our
April 25 Hasketon APCM and shared supper, 7pm April 28 • Hasketon Community Lunch, 12.15pm • Grundisburgh Church Tiddlywinks for preschool children, 2.30pm
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regular coffee mornings, to join one of our house groups, to help with church cleaning or perhaps to think about training as an Elder. There are so many opportunities, please think about what you could offer. The details of each of this year’s APCMs are listed under What’s On – please come and join in our services of thanksgiving to God for all that he gives us and for all we are able to offer back to him. Clare Sanders MEN’S GROUP The next meeting is on Monday, April 25 at the Moon and Mushroom, Swilland, 6.30pm. Please contact Brian Williams for numbers wanting supper: 01473 785726 or bfwdent@btinternet.com Any male member of the locality who reads this is welcome to come along and join us. The speaker for this men’s group meeting is none other than our founder chairman David Papworth. The title of his talk is Pig Tales! David has passed an epoch professionally promulgating pig purchase, pig procreation, pig provision, pig preening, pig prudence, and pig put down. Passing the apex of his profession, he poses, poised to possibly placidly, probably patiently and perhaps passionately, proclaim populous porky pies in the promise of a postperformance, pulled pork picnic or optional picked preference. WANTED Hasketon is in need of approximately six spare psalters with music. If your church has some please would you be kind enough to contact Katherine Smith: 01473 735579 / daisyrlsmith@yahoo.co.uk FANCY A COFFEE? Ashbocking: Friday, April 1 at the home of Catherine Beaumont of Otley Hall, 10.30amnoon Clopton: Wednesday, April 20 at the village hall, 10am-noon Grundisburgh: Saturday, April 2, 10.30amnoon, and then Wednesday, April 6, 10.1511.30am at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms Hasketon: Tuesday, April 5 at Shrubbery Farm, Hasketon, 10am-noon Otley: Thursday, April 28 at the home of Karin and Brian Upson, 16 Spring Park, Otley, 10amnoon Swilland: Saturday, April 2 at the home of Gill and Anthony Reidy, 1 Church Lane, Swilland, 10-11.30am
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WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH In a couple of months we will be given the opportunity to vote on whether we should stay in or come out of the European Union. The decision made will affect the future of us all, whichever way it goes, and so it’s important that we consider the facts and vote when the time comes. Often the difficulty is trying to work out what the facts are is that both sides only give partial facts and lots of possibilities. We then either not bother or simply go with the flow of others around us. Often I think that we assume that some decisions we make only affect us as the decision maker. I think the reality is much wider than that because our decisions affect our actions that in turn then affect those we interact with. Every decision we make affects our tomorrows and future. For some the Easter celebration is simply having time off work, spending time with family and enjoying chocolate. For Christians the celebration includes commemoration as we remember the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Reflecting again on the fact that Jesus gave
his life for us, so that we can be made ‘right’ with God and go on having a relationship with him (God/Jesus). A lot of people say they believe in God and have a faith because that is the way they were brought up to think. We live in a Christian environment/country. As pastor/preacher I want to challenge people to look beyond that view and really look at who this Jesus was (is), why he was crucified and that he rose again from the dead. To look at the facts, yes I mean facts, within scripture and then decide what to do; to reject or accept; to live for self or live for and with Christ. There is a cost to following Jesus which is different for each of us, but a cost worth paying. Deciding to accept Jesus and live for him will affect our attitudes and actions and so will also affect those around us. The time to vote to stay in or leave the EU is June 23, the time to decide about Jesus is today as who knows about tomorrow. Pastor Andrew
We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday. Sunday, April 3 Morning Worship with Mr Robert Foster Sunday, April 10 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Sunday, April 17 Morning Worship with Team Ministry Sunday, April 24 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew
EVENTS Every Tuesday Drop-in Café, 2-4pm. Everyone is welcome to call in for tea, cakes and friendship. Combine a visit to the post office with a cup of tea.
Monday, April 4: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, noon-2pm. Delicious lunch and good company. Contact Karen: 01473 251787 Wednesday, April 13: Prayer Fellowship, 2pm Thursdays, April 7 and 21: Centrepoint, 10.30am Wednesday, April 27: Bible Study, 2pm The church is open for prayer and listening every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am5pm or at other times. Please contact Pastor Andrew. The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory.
Varied Church Open House, 7.30pm
Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482
Every Friday Babies and Toddlers, 9.15-11.15am Contact Jean: 01473 785478
Secretary: Anne Camp, 3 Acre Close, Witnesham IP6 9EU / 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk
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In Touch with WTW Reading the Bible on your own can be a slog Some people set themselves the task of reading the Bible from cover to cover. Few finish it because although it’s a collection of 66 books, it’s hard to read them in the way you might tackle a novel. It’s wise to follow a study guide that helps you understand the text and co-relate the various parts—in other words, read it in related chunks. There are lots of “helps” out there such as reading plans that take the slog out of reading what is an amazing book. Keith, a member of the benefice ministry team, recommends at least the use of a Bible commentary to help us understand and interpret the Bible. He writes.
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
‘Way back in the dark ages, when I was a lad at school (not so long after the days of good queen Boadicea), the school syllabus included “RE”. We weren’t taught a lot, just left to read Bibles in class. I think it may have been possible to do an O-Level in the subject, but I never heard of anyone doing that.
events and personalities that are only hinted at. The purpose of midrash was to resolve problems in the interpretation of difficult passages of the text of the Hebrew Bible. Along with pesher, midrash reflects the knowledge and wisdom of the early Jewish scholars. This material can be extremely valuable for Bible students.’
“We were not given any guidance on the meaning, context, or significance of the texts we were reading. It was very much the “postmodern” concept of “there is nothing but the text”. Commentaries were not mentioned, and there was no encouragement to use one or to study the background to the text.
But for us lesser mortals, there is a vast amount of knowledge, research, and wisdom available which can illustrate the background and context of the Bible. One of the most useable, comprehensive, and helpful single books is “Peake’s Commentary”, recommends Keith. He goes on to say, ‘There are of course many other excellent commentaries on offer. “Seek and ye shall find!’
“More recently, I was privileged to be part of a small group studying the texts under the guidance of the then diocesan Canon Theologian, Revd Chris Burdon, who introduced us to the Jewish concepts of pesher and midrash. “Pesher” is a Hebrew word (meaning "interpretation" in the sense of "solution") and “midrash” is a way to interpret biblical stories that fills in gaps in the biblical narrative about
CHURCH SERVICES April-May Day / Date 3rd April Easter 2
10th April Easter 3
17th April Easter 4
24th April Easter 5
1st May Easter 6
8th May Easter 7
15th May Pentecost
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St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin
This information was correct at the time of going to press (early last month) occasionally it can be necessary to make changes—please cross reference with our website
St Mary’s Witnesham
St Mary Magdalene Westerfield
9.30am Family Communion (followed by Annual Meeting)
10am All-Age Worship
9.30am Family Service
10am Family Communion
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
11am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Worship
10am Family Communion (followed by Annual Meeting)
11am Morning Worship
9.30am Family Communion
10am All-Age Worship
11am Family Communion
9.30am Family Service
10am Family Communion
11am Family Service
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
11am Family Communion
10am Family Communion
11am Morning Worship
Joint service at Westerfield
11am Special service to commemorate HM The
22nd May
8am Holy Communion
Trinity Sunday
9.30am Morning Worship
29th May
Joint service at Westerfield
11am Family Communion (followed by Annual Meeting) (no 8am Communion this month)
11am Family Service
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The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
Church Diary—April...
Who’s Who:
Mothers’ Union—meet on Thursday 7th April for Lunch at ‘Acer Cottage’, Witnesham (12.30pm for 1pm start) (contact Ann Bennett 785685) Benefice Youth Group—Wednesdays 13th and 27th April, 6pm (contact Julia 785497) Village Voices—rehearsals on Thursdays 14th and 21st April at 7.30pm in the back room of Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine 785138) Kingdom Kids—meeting on 24th April (contact Gill Thorley 890821) Tuesdays—said Evening Prayer at Witnesham Church—weekly at 6pm Wednesdays—said Morning Prayer at Westerfield Church—weekly at 9.30am (Holy Communion on first week of month)
MINISTRY TEAM:
Fetes this Year Tuddenham Church Saturday 11th June Witnesham Church Saturday 25th June Westerfield Scouts Sunday 26th June
Witnesham Village Voices
Songs &Scones Saturday 14th May—2.30pm Witnesham Village Hall Afternoon tea and entertainment from Witnesham’s Village Voices
Westerfield Church Saturday 13th August
In aid of...
Celebrating HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday There’s going to be a lot of celebrating going on this Summer as we mark a remarkable lady’s birthday. For many of us, this is the only reigning monarch we have ever known and she is, of course, the Head of the Church of England. As a Benefice, we’ll be thanking God for her example of service in church at 11am on Sunday 29th May at Westerfield Church and following that with a “bring & share” lunch in the Paddock. We’ll also be giving away copies of this beautiful sixty-four page book called “The Servant Queen and the King she Serves” which uses the Queen’s own words to draw out the central role of her trust in Jesus Christ
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PARISH PRIEST: REV’D ALAN FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904 e: Alan@wtandw.org.uk ASSOCIATE PRIEST: Rev’d Catherine Forsdike t: 01473 252904 e: Catherine@wtandw.org.uk To enquire about Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, telephone or email Alan & Catherine Forsdike. READERS: Paul Laughlin
01473 785138 Paul@wtandw.org.uk
Keith Jillings
01473 784552 Keith@wtandw.org.uk
Carol Rivett
01473 717404 Carol@wtandw.org.uk
ELDER Julia Farmer
01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk
CHURCHWARDENS: Tuddenham 01473 785296
Jim Punton Jim@wtandw.org.uk
Tuddenham 01473 785272
Monica Pipe Monica@wtandw.org.uk
Westerfield 01473 230188
Judy Northfield Judy@wtandw.org.uk
Westerfield 01473 251207
Loelia Brow Loelia@wtandw.org.uk
Witnesham 01473 785673
Derek Austin Derek@wtandw.org.uk
KINGDOM KIDS—WITNESHAM Gill Thorley 01473 890821
Gill@wtandw.org.uk
BENEFICE YOUTH GROUP Julia Farmer
01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk
Advance Dates : Messy Church Messy Church is open to all children accompanied by parents or grandparents or carers. No charge - includes a light meal.
Saturday 21st May and Saturday 15th October
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