In Touch
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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 6 • Issue No. 4 • MARCH 2016
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Stag and Hinds at Helmingham Hall by Barry Mark Pullen
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I went along to an e-safety workshop for parents at Jack’s school last week and I’m still shaking my head in horror. I’m relatively tech-savvy, or at least I though I was, but I’m not what they call a ‘digital native’, i.e. a person born or brought up in the age of digital technology and familiar with computers and the internet from an early age. In fact I can remember being introduced to a fax machine in my first year at university and being utterly amazed that we could send a sheet of paper from one side of the room to the other! Those of us who aren’t digital natives acknowledge the wonder of digital technology and most of us use it daily, some more effectively that others, but I don’t suppose I will ever truly appreciate how ‘normal’ it is for natives like Jack. That said it is my responsibility to protect him from the negative aspects of digital communication – such as the possibility that someone could be watching him through the webcam on my iPad using a remote access tool! How creepy is that? Taking what I’d learned at the e-safety session I went into Settings on the iPad and set all the appropriate restrictions. I also downloaded a child-friendly version of YouTube called YouTube Kids and a childfriendly browser. Jack hasn’t actually noticed the difference yet, but I know he’s not going to be bombarded with inappropriate content or accidentally follow links to sites which aren’t age appropriate. For now he’s safe, but kids being kids, I know he will challenge the boundaries and find ways to circumvent my efforts to control his digital adventures so I have to stay one step ahead at all times. Ironically there are some very useful websites you can visit to learn more about setting restrictions and understanding how young people use social media. The e-safety session ended with a question: “Would you abandon your children in central London unsupervised and unaccompanied?” If No is your answer, find out what you can do to protect them online.
In Touch
with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham
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
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NEWS WITNESHAM BROWNIES’ PLEA FOR HELP Are there any adults who might be prepared to help keep the Witnesham Brownie Pack running? We have already lost the Rainbows unit, not because of a shortage of girls but of a shortage of a few adult helpers. It would be a shame if the Brownies also had to close. At present we have an enthusiastic group of girls who meet in term
need y u! time at Witnesham School from 5.30-6.45pm. If you feel you could offer some time or would like to know more please contact Elizabeth, who would be delighted to hear from you, on 785567.
LOCAL FLORIST HOPING TO RAISE £4,000 FOR CHARITY Lucy Ransome of Barham has donned her running shoes and embarked on a challenging training programme in preparation for this year’s 26.2 mile London Marathon. This will be Lucy’s first marathon and she will join approximately 36,000 other runners as they pound the streets of London on April 24. Lucy hopes to raise around £4,000 for the NSPCC and the critical care unit at Ipswich Hospital, the latter being a personal motivation after one of her closest friends spent four weeks on the ward before unfortunately loosing her battle. Lucy said: “The support, care and courage of the staff was amazing and they were there 24 hours, seven days a week.” Lucy hopes to turn a huge negative into a positive and by raising funds she hopes to help others in a similar life threatening/life changing situation. As well as running her busy floristry business, Lucy Jane Flowers at Debenham, she is also working hard organising fundraising activities prior to the marathon. One of these is a Charity Family Night at Claydon Community Centre on March 19, 7-11pm.
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The evening will be great fun for all the family and will include a disco, ploughman’s supper and a raffle with some fantastic prizes generously donated by local businesses. The list of prizes include a mini cruise for two to Honfleur from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, afternoon tea at The Limes in Needham Market and a round of golf for four at Fynn Valley Golf Club, plus so many more fabulous prizes. Tickets for the event are £10, children £5. Tickets are available by contacting Lucy on 07885 909713 or 01728 860190. Raffle tickets are also available so please pop by the shop in Debenham or contact Lucy. Family Charity Night @ Claydon Community Centre Saturday 19th March 2015 – 7pm – 11pm Tickets: Adult £10 Child £5 (14 and under)
Includes: Ploughmans Supper, Padmans Disco, Quiz and Raffle with some fantastic prices including a Fred. Olsen Mini Cruise. Help Lucy Ransome raise her total of £4,000 for the London Marathon.
All funds go to:
Lucy has a JustGiving page if you would like to make a monetary donation in support: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lucyransome To keep up to date with Lucy’s fundraising events please see her Facebook page, Lucy Jane Flowers. We would like to wish Lucy the best of luck with her fundraising and we look forward to a celebratory photo with her medal on completion of the marathon.
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NEWS WITNESHAM & SWILLAND VILLAGE SHOW
TALITHA KOUM CENTRE UPDATE
We are starting to plan for this year’s village show and the new schedules will soon be available. It would be great if we could have as many entries as last year or even more.
TK presses on with the centre in Witnesham and we are delighted that work is about to start in earnest on our second building – the resource building. The picture here shows the building’s base with the accommodation block in the background progressing towards completion. Please get in touch with us if you’d like to know more. In the meantime, did you know that we have been running two support groups for women in Ipswich for the past year and a half? Women with any addiction meet weekly, safely finding support from others who share an addiction illness. At Women Together we
This year’s show will be on Saturday, July 9 at 2pm in Witnesham Village Hall.
A WONDERFUL LIFE
An exhibition of art works by Hilli Thompson Hilli Thompson shares over five decades of her artistic life in an eclectic exhibition entitled A Wonderful Life at The Frame Workshop Gallery, 22 St Nicholas Street from Wednesday, March 30 to Saturday, April 23 (Monday-Saturday). The exhibition includes explorations in a wide range of media from embroidery, botanical illustration, print making, painting and, more recently, fused glass. A love of the natural world shines through the work supported as it is by a delight in gardening and the countryside. Hilli wears a different colour every day to celebrate the new dawn and these vibrant colours dominate in both the paintings and the fused glass.
SUFFOLK PHOENIX BRASS Suffolk Phoenix Brass is keen to welcome new players including visitors/students working in the area and currently has a number of vacancies, particularly for cornet players, and a number of good quality spare instruments available for loan. Many of the band have played brass instruments all their lives but several have returned to playing later in their life. Our younger members find it easy to fit us in around school/college and university commitments. The band has a yearly programme of events including appearances at fetes and park engagements, as well as charity concerts and rehearses at Museum Street Methodist Church in Black Horse Lane from 7pm every Tuesday (free parking). So, if you fancy joining us, we would love to meet you. For further details contact: Bob, 01473 438821 / Glenn, 01394 386584 www.suffolkphoenixbrass.co.uk
have 28 women on our books and 20 attending regularly over two meetings. For further information visit: www.talithakoum.org.uk
ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM WI Members and friends will be picking up litter in our three villages on Saturday, March 5 as our contribution towards the Clean for the Queen campaign to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday. Equipment needed for the litter collection will be on loan from the waste manager for Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Norse. We will host a group meeting on March 30 when friends from other WIs join us for a talk from a very entertaining local born author, Ruth
Dugdall. Her most recent novel is Humber Boy B. Come along to the March 9 meeting when Sophie Ayres will join us from our local End of a Rainbow store where you can browse for gifts, home decor, clothing, jewellery and accessories. Sophie will also tell us about nurturing beauty and massage treatments. Guests are welcome to join us at Witnesham Village Hall at 7.30pm.
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Ipswich and District Photographic Society (IDPS) is holding its annual exhibition of prints and projected images in the Council Chamber at Town Hall Galleries (Cornhill, Ipswich IP1 1DH) from March 1-12, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (closes at 4pm on Saturday 12). There will be a wide variety of photographs on display which have all been chosen by two external selectors. We are a well established, friendly club whose origins can be traced back to 1888. We have weekly meetings at Burlington Baptist Church Centre, London Road, Ipswich IP1 2EZ from September to May.
Seven Sisters 4 by David Robinson ARPS
Our programme includes monthly print and projected image competitions, illustrated talks by visiting photographers, days out and practical evenings which are great for anyone wanting help with their photography.
New members are always welcome and you can come along as a visitor (£5) for a particular evening if you wish to give us a try.
Our members range from complete beginners
to those with years of experience, so don’t be put off coming along to enjoy our programme of events.
We hope that you can come along to view our exhibition. For more information about our club, please visit: www.idps.org.uk
IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society (IDHTS) was established in 1963 by transport enthusiasts for followers of rail, road, air and water related subjects. Local and national speakers give presentations on their specialised subject at monthly meetings (usually held on the fourth Wednesday) held at the Salvation
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Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, 7 for 7.30pm. On Wednesday, March 23, Squadron Leader Ray Barrett (retired) will present an illustrated talk entitled Vulcan at War (Falklands War). For a modest entry charge (currently £3.50
including tea/coffee) visitors are very welcome to attend. An annual excursion is also arranged to a place of transport interest, this year to the Great Western Society premises at Didcot. For further details, please contact Mervyn Russen (01473 414746) or Martyn Hunt (01473 422145) or visit: www.idhts.co.uk
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NEWS LUNAR LADIES GROUP Come and join the Lunar Ladies, a new ladies social group meeting at The Moon and Mushroom in Swilland every two months on a Monday. Nikki will be opening exclusively for us at 7pm so it will be a No Men Zone! Enjoy a buffet and a great social. We promise you will meet lots of new people. A speaker will enlighten us all. Please do come along. Contact Gina Wilden: 01473 785577 / gina.wilden@btinternet.com
WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM When I told a friend who has lived many years in Woodbridge that I worked as a volunteer at Woodbridge Museum, he replied: “I didn’t know there was a museum in Woodbridge.” To put the record straight, there is a museum on Market Hill next to St Mary’s Church. It houses many exhibits relating to the history of Woodbridge, from pre-historic fossils found in this area to the present day. Many of the objects, particularly those referring to the First and Second World Wars, have been donated by members of the public so if you have any memorabilia which you think may be of interest you can contact either John Hampton on 01394 380910 or Bob Merrett on 01394 385572. The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday and on bank holidays from Saturday, March 26 until Sunday, October 30 and daily during the school summer holidays, 10am-4pm. Admission is £1 for adults and 30p for children. You can join the Friends of Woodbridge Museum for an annual fee of £5 and attend the monthly talks given by experts on people who have a connection with Woodbridge and places in the vicinity.
HENLEY PLAYERS’ Wow! What a show! Superb entertainment! They exceeded themselves once again! Just some of the comments we received from our recent production of Snow White & Dwarf Club 7. Once again we sold out all three performances and were well supported by the local community and further afield. This truly was the biggest pantomime the Henley Players have managed in the past five years. Well done to the entire cast new and old, our backstage team who worked hard weeks before, the front of house crew and the ‘best five-piece live band’ in Henley. Finally, a special mention to our director Marina (her first attempt) and committee members. Our next planned production is our summer show, The Wizard of Oz, on June 4 at 2.30 and 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale in early March: henleyplayersboxoffice@gmail.com Our next pantomime dates are January 6 and 7, 2017. If interested in joining us, cast or back of house, please email: henleypanto2012@gmail.com
DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Events take place in Witnesham Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Thursday 3 Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin: 785138 March 4-6 National Clean for the Queen weekend Wednesday 9 WI meets at 7.30pm for a talk by Sophie Ayres from End of a Rainbow. For more details contact Gill Dunstan: 785638 Wednesday 16 Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council meeting, 7.30pm Thursday 17 • Mobile Library visits The Green, Ashbocking, 12.25pm • Village Voices meet Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm Monday 21 Ashbocking Parish Council meeting at SWT HQ, 8pm Thursday 24 Mobile Library visits Witnesham at Weyland Road (9.50-10.20am), Swilland M&M (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am)
Booking clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 785798 Parish clerk: Mr Steve Barron has taken up this position from Mrs Bailey: 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, 9am-12.30pm • 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, 9.1511.15am. All are welcome. Contact Jean Pearson: 785478 • Pilates class, 10-11am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Sewing classes: For information please contact Kim Shaw: 785678 IN MARCH Wednesday 2 Friendship Club (open to all) meets at 2pm for chiropody, chat and refreshments. Contact Heather Cade for details: 785464
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FUTURE DATES
Saturday, May 21: Messy Church in Witnesham June: Celebration event at the Barley Mow to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday Saturday, June 25: Witnesham Church Fete. Saturday, July 9: Swilland and Witnesham Community Group’s Flower Show Saturday, September 17: Ashbocking Produce, Arts and Craft Show Please let me have details of your organisation’s event when you have a fixed date I can include 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 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 Owen Williams: 01473 213234 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. • March 2: Ladybird Nurseries with Bob Booker • April 6: Westland Horticulture by David Coop Everyone is welcome. For further details contact: Barbara Bell, 01473 231411 / Michele Doick, 01473 252330 / 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: 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 / 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. • March 10: Musical Insights by Karl Lockwood • April 14: Claire from Bourne Nursery New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Kath Richards: 01473 217829 Pilates The 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 per class or £12 if staying for both classses. Suitable for all ages. If you are interested contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com
Please note 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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Find out more about East of England Co-op pre-payment funeral plans, or order a brochure, by visiting eastofengland.coop/funerals. Alternatively, you can contact your local funeral branch who can also arrange a home visit for you. Your local East of England Co-op funeral branches are: • 364 Foxhall Road, Ipswich 01473 728445 • 47 St Helens Street, Ipswich 01473 257242 • 283 Norwich Road, Ipswich 01473 232837 • 139 Main Road, Kesgrave 01473 860030 • 64 New Street, Woodbridge 01394 385456
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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL FLOWER CLUB
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION
We welcomed Alan Smith with a demonstration entitled Fun with Flowers on February 25 and are now looking forward to our next meeting on March 24 when we will be having an in-house hands-on evening lead by our chairman Janet Greengrass. This will be a friendly meeting and visitors are welcome to join us. The club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew. Our demonstration starts at 7.15pm but the doors open at 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales table and buy raffle tickets for the arrangements created in the demonstration. Yearly subscriptions, due at the AGM in April, are £37 and visitors are always welcome at £4 a meeting. For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com
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, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.15pm.
PLANT HERITAGE SUFFOLK GROUP At 2.30pm on Saturday, March 19, Fergus Garrett of Great Dixter will present a talk entitled Succession Planting in the Mixed Border at Stowupland Village Hall, IP14 4BQ. Admission is by ticket only (members £5 / guests £10) available from Maggie Thorpe: 01787 211346 The plant stall will include rare and unusual plants. Refreshments are available for purchase following the talk. www.suffolkplantheritage.com
Our next meeting is on March 22 when Luke Potter, the new East Suffolk general manager for the National Trust, will give us an insight into the current work and future plans of the trust for our area. This will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £2. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, contact membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
WICKHAM MARKET FLOWER CLUB Our golden anniversary celebrations will take place on Thursday, April 28 at Wickham Market Primary School. Members were delighted to learn that for them it would be a free event. All our fundraising over the last year has made this possible. Guests/visitors tickets will be £12. More about this nearer the time. Needless to say it will definitely be an extravaganza evening in true Wickham Market Flower Club style – excellent company, venue, food and speaker. Book the date in your diary now. The Back to Basics workshops are going really well. Those taking part are gaining confidence and enjoying learning correct procedures. This shows in the number of entries for the practice piece this month which was to arrange a spring design without using floral foam. The winner was Betty-Ann Gael. The single stem competition was won by Jenny Moore. Val Green was the winner of the word search competition in the last newsletter and she was presented with a gift voucher. Our speaker hardly needed any introduction as it was his 18th visit. Alan Smith is a wonderful all round entertainer/demonstrator. His witty banter and skilful, quick ability make beautiful arrangements come to life before your eyes. New members are always welcome. The first visit is free. Contact June Allum for more information: 01394 384803
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB We are open to anyone over 50 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 a 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’s fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS March 9: Social Afternoon
March 23: Lewis Tyler of the River Gipping Trust will give a presentation entitled Rebuilding History – Baylham Lock and Sluice
IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Which country has the largest percentage of people online – Germany, UK or USA? We do, with 89.9%. At what age can you have a social media profile – 10, 13 or 16? It’s 10. Just two of the questions put to us by our recent speaker, Janet Humphries, on the subject of child sexual exploitation and the dangers of the internet. As parents, grandparents and professionals we realised that we just don’t know enough about the risks and pressures encountered by young people, the criminal nature of some common practices or even simple facts like the age restrictions for different activities. Janet recommended Googling CEOP, Child Exploitation and Online Protection. Strangely enough we have recently been discussing another way in which digital technology impacts on us. What is the role of clubs like ours in a world of constant, instant communication? Joining a group, meeting with people doesn’t seem much in fashion. We do use social media and other technologies to make life easier but we get a buzz from working on a project together. Our voice is more powerful if we campaign together for something we care about. Above all we make real friendships and enjoy each other’s company. Our quiz team has just been in action and we are planning a theatre visit soon. So if you would like to know more please call Jackie: 01473 659314
April 13: Social afternoon including the occasional series A Walk Down Memory Lane
ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND
April 27: Peter Banham will lead an interactive talk on old sayings and their meanings
Have you ever been to an auction? Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt? If you do then put this date in your diary. On Thursday, March 17 at 7.30pm, The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents an evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS talking about the life and work of an auctioneer in St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath. Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes, including Bargain Hunt and Flog It. There will be light refreshments, admission is £5. Further details from: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk
May 11: Social afternoon May 25: Mrs Jane Paley with a light-hearted talk entitled What Do You Know About Tea? Visitors and new members are always welcome so do come and join us. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
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Trusted by local families since 1925 364 Foxhall Road Ipswich 01473 728445 47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837 139 Main Road Kesgrave 01473 860030 64 New Street Woodbridge 01394 385456
The East of England Co-op has been your local funeral service for 90 years. We are not part of the national Co-operative Funeralcare chain based in Manchester.
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SCHOOLS / SPORTS THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY The children have had a brilliant start to the New Year by looking at all things opposite. Night and Day, Clean and Dirty, Big and Small. Combine this with lots of outdoor play with tape measures, keyboards, magnifying glasses, building blocks, dinosaurs in green sand and the learning just flows from them. The social aspect of helping each other as all ages work together is a valuable lesson for all. Chinese New Year has seen us celebrating the Year of the Monkey. Mixing colours to experi-
ment with the results, a Chinese Takeaway as part of the ‘role play’ area, fortune cookies to try as well as trying our hand at eating noodles with chop sticks! We have celebrated Shrove Tuesday with pancakes to eat and play-dough shaped into pancakes to flip in our frying pans, even taking them outside to race. We have focused on the days of the week learning a new song to the tune of The Adams Family which has really caught on and has us all humming and singing along. We even recorded our
faces on small discs that are in the cloakroom for parents to press and hear us. These complement the running photo frame of our activities during the day giving parents an insight into who their children play with and what activities they have been up to. Miss Pamela continues to take dance sessions on Wednesdays and Agnes takes a small group for French on Thursdays. To arrange a visit please call 01473 890950. www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com
Monday – please come and join in the fun. The children at Otley Under Fives have been out and about in the village witnessing the changes around them as spring arrives: snowdrops, daffodils, even some blossom on the trees. They continue to bank miles towards their target of walking the distance from Otley to Legoland, Windsor. The new covered sandpit in the garden has been a welcome addition to the fantastic outdoor space where the children love to play whatever the weather.
The vegetable garden is being made ready for 2016’s harvest. A new focus is supporting the children in learning how to self dress, equipping them with the life skills they will need when they start ‘big school’ in September. Socks are proving particularly tricky. For more information about Otley Under Fives, to arrange a visit and a free trial session or to talk to a member of the team please call 07789 468853, visit our Facebook page or: www.otleyunderfives.co.uk
OTLEY UNDER FIVES “If I were the Easter Bunny I’d fill my Easter basket with lots of chocolate eggs and hide them all over the meadow for everyone to find.” If I Were the Easter Bunny by Louise Gardner Easter is fast approaching – much to the children’s delight with talk of chocolate eggs and the Easter Bunny. They will join Class One at Otley Primary School for an Easter craft get together later this month. In addition, friends and parents of Otley Under Fives are hosting an Easter egg hunt in the grounds of Otley Primary School on Easter
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
IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL The growing popularity of the six-a-side Indoor Series tournament is causing the organisers a few headaches trying to fit all the matches into the available time, but it’s a problem they are delighted to have. Once again this month the seven top teams from around Suffolk met to do battle in Division 1, and news of the high standard of competition has now spread to Norfolk as this time we were joined by strong National League opponents from Norwich and Diss. For once the Ravens were a little below par and we managed only one win from four games, but we were not too disappointed at being beaten by some excellent teams and we took away some valuable lessons learned. Later in Division 2 we were delighted to be able to enter two teams and thus give some tournament experience to several of our developing players. Ravens III acquitted themselves particularly well, a win in the final game would have made us overall winners but we lost a close and exciting game 20-17 to the winners Stingers I. Why not give volleyball a try yourself? It’s a lively team sport, it will help with your fitness and coordination, and it’s a lot more fun than going to the gym! Ipswich Ravens hold club practise sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. We are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone – male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 11 upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, visit www.ipswichravens.org.uk or call/text: 07508 351875
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BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Greetings guff lovers. The storms that have been battering us recently have also been having an effect on the fixture lists of the winter league pairs. Only last week Nick and Graham’s match versus Matt and Adam fell foul of the conditions, the gale force wind forcing an abandonment after just one set had been played (though Nick’s serve was helped by the strong headwind, as it kept 10% of his serves in the court... a tenfold increase!). Naturally there was disappointment among the spectators, not least those with a video camera hoping to get an easy £250 from You’ve Been Framed, but Nick was sanguine about it as he has suffered from wind affected matches before – though not since we banned him from eating curry the night before a game. The winds of change are blowing through the committee as the AGM hoves into view. It’s on March 20 at noon in the sports pavilion and all club members and members of the public are welcome to attend. There will be the usual rush of hot air followed by gales of laughter and the usual chill wind of realisation as we clamp the leg irons on the volunteers. Many thanks to all the outgoing members for their time and efforts and a warm welcome to the new suckers, sorry successors. There are no other ill winds to report on the injury front this month, apart from Graham suffering a minor head wound incurred when bending to pick up a 50p piece he had dropped – it hit him on the back of the head! Clive had a nasty reoccurrence of his heart rate going through the roof, however he soon recovered when Lorna found the emergency corkscrew to replace the one he had just snapped. Apparently she keeps one in a small red box on the wall with a window that you have to break in an emergency. Corrinne is on the road to recovery (literally) as she is back on her bike complete with small scarf over her tee shirt now that the wind chill is getting up. Just time for joke of the month while you are still awake: A man gets a Chinese takeaway and upon getting home starts to unpack the containers from the carrier bag. He notices that the lid of one of the boxes is slightly open and he is alarmed to see a small pair of eyes looking out at him. Hurriedly he slams the lid down and phones the takeaway to complain. After describing what has happened the owner laughs and says: “Don’t worry, that’s your Peking Duck!” I don’t expect to get blown away with laughter at that one. More guff next month, Mick Russ
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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FOR SWILLAND AND ASHBOCKING SUNDAY SERVICES March 6 Swilland, Holy Communion, 9.30am March 20 Swilland, Family Service, 11am March 27 Swilland, Holy Communion, 9.30am Ashbocking, Family Service, 11am WHAT’S ON March 1 • Craft and Coffee at Shrubbery Farm, Hasketon, 10am-noon • Lent Course, St Felix, Rendlesham, 7.30-9pm March 2 Swapshop, Grundisburgh Parish Room, 10am March 6 Traidcraft Big Brew, Grundisburgh Church, 10am March 7 Otley and District Gardening Club, Otley Village Hall with guest speaker, 7.30pm March 8 Lent Course at St Felix, Rendlesham, 7.30-9pm March 10 Tiddlywinks Toddler and Pre-School Group, Upper Room Grundisburgh, 2.30pm March 11 Second Fridays Group, Hasketon Victory Hall, 7.15pm March 13 Marriage Preparation, Grundisburgh, 2-4pm March 14 • Knit and Stitch, Burgh Schoolroom 10.30am12.30pm. All welcome. Details: 01473 735544 • Benefice Prayer Group, Upper Room, 5pm March 15 Lent Course at St Felix, Rendlesham, 7.30-9pm March 16 Deanery Synod considers the refugee crisis and the Christian response March 17 Social Bridge, Burgh Schoolroom, 7.15pm. All levels, tuition available: 01473 735544 March 19 Burgh School Room Coffee Morning March 21 Monday House Group, 7.30pm March 22-23 Experience Easter: Grundisburgh School visiting Grundisburgh Church March 24 • Tiddlywinks Toddler and Pre-School Group, Upper Room Grundisburgh, 2.30pm • Hasketon Community Lunch, 12.15pm • Wedding of Dale Moyze and Clair Jones, Otley, 1pm March 26 Grundisburgh Renewal of Marriage vows
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ACTS OF KINDNESS Easter is almost as early as it possibly can be this year and with daffodils, primroses and snowdrops all out together in January quite what Easter flowers will be, or whether we will easily be able to make posies for Mothering Sunday, is a bit of a mystery at the moment. Easter in the northern hemisphere is frequently associated with spring and spring flowers – new life springing out of cold dark earth – and they are wonderful symbols for us to enjoy and reflect upon, but they are just that, symbols. They point us towards the meaning of Easter, the mystery of the transformation of what seemed the end, into a new beginning; the turning of what seemed like a triumph of evil into the victory of love. The Easter story tells us of the lives of Jesus’ followers – stories of lives where sorrow is turned into celebration, doubt to faith, questions to answers, confusion to confidence, darkness to light. I am writing this letter before even Lent has begun – still in the season of Epiphany, a season of Christ making himself known in people’s lives, revealing himself and God to the people entrusted into his care. Epiphany and Easter go hand in hand. As Christ revealed himself, so each of us is called to live
SIGNPOSTS This month we are signposting Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation Centre for Action and Contemplation. These thought provoking meditations can be delivered each day to you online. Richard Rohr’s meditations this year invite us to discover, experience, and participate in the foundation of our existence – love. Throughout the year, Fr Richard’s meditations follow the thread of love through many of his classic teachings in one-two week segments. Read previous meditations and view a video introduction at cac.org/category/dailymeditations/ SACRED SPACE During Lent this year we are offering the opportunity of silence and space in which to contemplate, reflect and pray, each Friday between 2-3pm. There will be no spoken prayers or preaching, but resources for you to use at your own pace in your own way. You can come for the hour or 10 minutes – as long or as short a time as you like – all we ask is that you come and go in silence. March 4, Ashbocking; March 11, Hasketon; March 18, Burgh 5 Ts OF MISSION The Deanery Lent course this year will be held at St Felix in Rendlesham – a warm church,
“the risen life”, living out Christ’s love for the world, in all that we are, all that we do and all that we say. When you read this at the beginning of March, there will still be several weeks of Lent left. One of the challenges this Lent is to use the 40 days to show 40 acts of kindness. Do something each and every day that reveals something of our faith, in service to the world that God loved so much that he sent his only son. It may be that you are taking part in Christian Aid’s challenge to count your blessings or another similar project, but by doing something each and every day which demonstrates something of God and his love for the world we anticipate Easter and the great saving work of Jesus and his call to each of us, not just to take up our cross and follow him, but to live his risen life. Across the benefice this year we have several opportunities for you to explore your faith. There is Sacred Space on a Friday afternoon and on Maundy Thursday you can join us for a Poetry Eucharist at Clopton Church. There is the Deanery Lent Course too on Tuesday evenings at Rendlesham. Offering a lift to someone would count as one of your 40 acts of kindness. A very Happy Easter to you all The Rev Clare Sanders with toilets and easy level access – on Tuesday evenings from 7.30-9pm. The theme is the 5 Ts of Mission – these are recognised across the world by all the major church denominations as descriptors of our mission in the world as members of the church and followers of Christ. The remaining three dates are: Tuesday, March 1: The Rev Canon Paul Daltry TEND – respond to human need by loving service Tuesday, March 8: The Very Rev Keith Jones TEACH – teach, baptise and nurture new believers Tuesday, March 15: The Rev Canon Clare Sanders TRANSFORM – seek to transform unjust structures of society GOING DEEPER HOMEGROUP We have moved to Manor Farm across the road on the Green, at Ashbocking, 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, 10am-noon. For more details call Jan or Jon Bates: 01473 892605 HASKETON’S TOPIC FOR LENT: What is the point of prayer? Wendy invites you to discuss and learn about
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CHURCH NEWS WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH different aspects of prayer in comfortable and accessible surroundings. We’ll consider, for instance, the point of prayer, the difference between confession and praise, petition, thanksgiving and creative ways of praying. Wednesdays, March 2, 9 and 16, 10.3011.45am, in The Snug at The Turk’s Head or Thursdays, March 3, 10 and 17, 7.30-8.45pm, at Fernlea, Boulge Road. All are most welcome. The Rev Wendy Gourlay, 01728 685335 / rev.gourlay@gmail.com 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; 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. Session 1: April 11 Biblical Topic – The NT SMALL book of James Session 2: April 25 Biblical Topic – The Bible’s Journey – From Scrolls to Codex Session 3: May 9 Biblical Topic – Jesus according to John Session 4: May 23 Biblical Topic – Three Jewish Philosophies Session 5: 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 BBC: Bible Book Club A small group – those of faith, agnostics, and atheists – interested in the historical context of Christian literature. We meet in Grundisburgh on the third Tuesday of just four months each year. Our next meeting is on March 22 at 10.30am when we will discuss The Last Week by Marcus J Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Why not get a copy and start reading now? We would be very pleased to have you come along. If you would like to join us please contact: paulwiffen222@btinternet.com / 01473 738474 FANCY A COFFEE? Ashbocking: Friday, March 4 at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, 10.30am-noon Clopton: Wednesday, March 16 at the village hall, 10am-noon Grundisburgh: Wednesday, March 2, 10.15-11.30am, and Saturday, March 5, (Fairtrade Coffee Morning) 10.30am-noon, at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms Hasketon: Tuesday, March 1 at Shrubbery Farm, 10am-noon Otley: Thursday, March 24 at the home of Russell Ling of Grange House, 10am-noon.
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In recent weeks Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby suggested that the date of Easter should be fixed and thus the same every year. While I can understand some benefits of this – it gives schools fixed term dates, everyone will be sure of the holiday dates – I’m not convinced of the validity of having a fixed date. In one context it is a fixed date – on the 15th of Jewish month Nissan as prescribed by God in Exodus 12; Numbers 9. Nissan is the first month of the Jewish year and in the secular calendar it is March to April. The reason it fluctuates against our calendar is how the Jewish calendar is calculated with regards to the full moon as I understand it. However it is calculated, our Easter is the time when Christians remember and celebrate the death (crucifixion) of Jesus Christ (son of God) and then his resurrection. A pivotal time of year because without Jesus’ death and resurrection we would not be able to be in a correct relationship with God. As this historically happened at the Passover festival the symbolism in the communion and Jesus being the sacrificial Lamb of God is clear (well it is to Christians). So I think Easter should stay ‘fixed’ to the time of Passover even though it moves between late March and middle of April. Interestingly this year it doesn’t coincide with Passover as the 15th of Nissan 2016 is April 22. I have not worked out why! We begin our thoughts and celebrations on Palm Sunday, March 20 followed by Maundy Thursday Communion (Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples) on March 24 at 6.30pm; Good Friday Service on March 25, 10.30am (remembering Jesus’ crucifixion) and Resurrection Day celebrations on Sunday, March 27 at 11am. Of course all are welcome at any or all these services. Pastor Andrew
We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday. Sunday, March 6 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Croft Sunday, March 13 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Croft Sunday, March 20 Palm Sunday with Team Ministry Maundy Thursday: March 24, 6.30pm Communion and simple meal Good Friday: March 25, 10.30am Service with Pastor Andrew Croft Easter Sunday: March 27, 10.45am Service with Pastor Andrew Croft EVENTS Mondays, March 7 and 14: Learning about Baptism, 7.30pm 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. Varied Church activity evening, 7.30pm (not Tuesday, March 22) – all welcome Every Friday Babies and Toddlers group, 9.15-11.15am (not Good Friday, March 25). Contact Jean: 01473 785478 Monday, March 7: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, noon-2pm. Delicious lunch and good company. Contact Karen: 01473 251787 Wednesday, March 9: Prayer Fellowship, 2pm Thursdays, March 3 and 17: Centrepoint, 10.30am No Bible Study in March The church is open for prayer and listening every Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am-5pm or at other times. Please contact Pastor Andrew. The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory. Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482 Secretary: Anne Camp, 3 Acre Close, Witnesham IP6 9EU / 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk
THOUGHTS FROM ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, MARTLESHAM Christians look forward to Easter with mixed emotions of sorrow and hope. Sorrow, because Good Friday will always remind us of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, bearing our sins so that we might be forgiven. But hope too! Because His body did not remain in the grave and go to corruption, but was raised in triumph. The Lord God Almighty, saluting Jesus in this way to show that the work of salvation had been completed. “I cannot believe in resurrection from the dead!” you say, “Let us just accept that Jesus was a wonderful role model and an excellent teacher.”
But ‘resurrection’ is happening around us in so many ways all the time. We wake from sleep after the darkness and quietness of the night to a fresh day – that’s a kind of resurrection. When flowers open their leaves to the sunshine of a new day, it’s another kind of resurrection. A new baby is born into the world, full of promise and potential. What a joyful resurrection that is! The most spectacular of all is springtime. Nature awakens from the cold and darkness of winter. Flowers bloom, blossom colour our trees and dawns greet us with warmth and light, lifting our spirits. So the scriptures tell us: “God raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him in the place of honour at His right hand!” Let’s join the celebration. John Mellen
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The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”
Giving up being indifferent Easter is early this year and thanks to the mild winter (so far) so are the spring flowers which have been blooming for a long time. Daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses are all bringing colour to the garden and we wonder how many will be left for the Mothering Sunday posies. It all seems a bit topsy-turvy. When you read this we will be well into Lent. Many of you will have given up something for Lent - chocolate, alcohol or other goodies. So it may seem topsy-turvy to hear that Pope Francis has said there is no need to do so and that we should consider other ways of preparing for Easter. The early Christian mystic John Chrysostom said, “No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh
With these words in mind the Pope issued a call to give up indifference – indifference to others and indifference to God. By giving up indifference to others during Lent we can be compassionate to the needs and concerns of people less fortunate than us in our world. By spending time reading the Bible and in prayer we give up indifference to God as we listen to His call on our lives. As a Benefice we are offering several opportunities to listen to God throughout Lent and Holy Week. We hope that you may find the time take part in all or some of them. Paul is sending out daily emails with Bible readings and reflections on the theme of ‘God’s mercy’.
6th March Mothering Sunday
13th March Fifth Sunday of Lent
20th March Palm Sunday
through Holy Week to the pain of the cross on Good Friday. And then we will be ready to celebrate the joy of Easter Day. When we fast from indifference, we can begin to feast on love. Lent is the perfect time to learn how to love again – to love Jesus and to love our neighbours. What have you given up for Lent? If you want to change your body, perhaps crisps and chocolate is the way to go. But if you want to change your heart, a different fast is needed. It may be harder but it will help us experience a love that can make us whole and set us free. Now that is worth fasting for! Catherine
There are weekly Lent groups exploring the theme of ‘Home, Belonging and Identity’. Eliezer Wiesel, holocaust survivor
During Holy Week we come together to worship as we go from the clamour and excitement of Palm Sunday and journey
CHURCH SERVICES March—April Day / Date
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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 for the most up-to-date information at www.wtandw.org.uk
St Mary’s Witnesham
St Mary Magdalene Westerfield
9.30am Family Communion
10am All-Age Worship
9.30am Family Communion
9.30am Family Service
10am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion 11am Family Service
9.30am Morning Worship
10am Family Communion
11am Morning Worship
Holy Week Services each evening Monday-Thursday, daytime Friday—full details on website www.wtandw.org.uk 27th March Easter Day
3rd April Easter 2
10th April Easter 3
17th April Easter 4
24th April Easter 5
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9.30am Easter Family Communion 9.30am Family Communion (followed by Annual Meeting)
10am Easter Family Communion 10am All-Age Worship
9.30am Family Service
10am Family Communion
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
8am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Worship
10am Family Communion (followed by Annual Meeting)
11am Easter Family Communion 9.30am Family Communion (followed by Annual Meeting) (no 8am Communion this month)
11am Family Service 11am Family Communion
11am Morning Worship
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The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
Church Diary—March...
Who’s Who:
Mothers’ Union—meet on Thursday 3rd March for our Lenten Holy Communion service in the church followed by tea in the church room (contact Ann Bennett 785685) Benefice Youth Group—Wednesdays 9th and 23rd March, 6pm (contact Julia 785497) Village Voices—rehearsals on Thursdays 3rd, 17th and 31st March at 7.30pm in the back room of Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine 785138) Kingdom Kids—meeting on 20th March (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:
It’s official!
Catherine was formally licensed as Assistant Priest (to be known as Associate Priest) to the Benefice at a joint benefice service at Witnesham Church on 17th January. Archdeacon Ian thanked Alan and Catherine for the work they do voluntarily in the Benefice and in his sermon encouraged all the church to continue to work together in God’s mission. At the end of the service and on behalf of the benefice, Churchwarden Jim Punton presented Catherine with a Visiting Stole for use at hospital and home Communion.
Catherine was ordained deacon in 2010, made a priest in 2011 and completed her three years as a curate in July 2013. An administrative slip-up meant that a change of licence was overlooked but Catherine now has her new licence and has been formally installed as Assistant Priest; a role she has actually undertaken for 21/2 years.
“Home, Belonging and Identity” is the title of our Lent discussions this year. Groups meet weekly from Monday 15th February for 5 weeks 1.30pm in Westerfield Church Room (led by Catherine) and again at 7.30pm the same day at 2 Chapel Cottages Witnesham (led by Julia)
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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
The sessions stand alone and work as a whole so don’t worry if you can’t get to them all.
If you were on the emailing list for Advent, you will be receiving a daily Lent email from Paul. If you’re not on the list, sign up by emailing Paul@wtandw.org.uk. www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield
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