In touch with woodbridge – october 2017

In Touch

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with Melton & Woodbridge

Volume 7 • Issue No. 6 • OCTOBER 2017

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Sean Woodard from Deben Yacht Club (p22) image by Simon McIlaine

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Gosh life is a juggling act sometimes. I find myself running from one responsibility to the other at such a ferocious pace these days I wish I didn’t need to sleep and could use those hours to catch up instead.

Add something extra to the mix, such as making an Iron Age costume for school, sewing on Beaver badges, ordering a guitar case which has no chance of arriving on time, feeding the neighbour’s chickens while they are away... well I don’t know which way to turn. But I cope, perhaps not to everyone’s satisfaction, least of all my own, and treasure the moments when I can hit the pause button, take a deep breath and just stop.

Everything we do to relax has involved some degree of work or stress for someone else, whether it’s watching a movie (consider how many hours of planning and effort go into making a 10 second clip of a movie like Moana) or going to the football (imagine the paperwork required to run an Under 8 football team), but when I snuggle up on the sofa or sit on the side of the pitch with a nice cup of tea I really don’t care.

It’s my turn to escape. I’m ashamed to admit I’m equally selfish when it comes to many local events. Of course I want them to happen, but I want to enjoy the experience without any of the responsibility. Thank goodness there are others who are far less selfish than I. Presumably they find other ways to escape, but as you read through this month’s edition consider those who do make things happen, who open village halls, who schedule speakers, who organise fundraising events, who make the calls, send the emails, get the quotes, who cajole and harangue others to help, who take the minutes, boil the kettles, buy the biscuits, put up the posters, complete the funding applications...

These are the people who provide moments of escape and fun and togetherness for the rest of us to enjoy. One day soon I will raise my hand and get more involved, but right now I need to make a torque!

In Touch

with Melton & Woodbridge

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NEWS JOIN CONSULTATION TO MAKE WOODBRIDGE THOROUGHFARE BETTER Come to Woodbridge Library from September 25 to October 1 and help decide the best way forward for Woodbridge’s Thoroughfare.

The Thoroughfare – Woodbridge’s vibrant retail heart – has had increasing problems with traffic and parking in recent years.

Residents, visitors, shoppers and traders have all expressed concern.

“The underlying problem is that both access and parking is governed by a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) that’s decades out of date and no longer fit for purpose,” explains Woodbridge County Councillor Caroline Page.

“It no longer reflects the needs and usage of people in the Thoroughfare. However, everyone has different needs, concerns and priorities. As a result, the issue has been going round in circles for years.

To break this deadlock I brought together a group that represented all major players – clearly the only way to find a workable solution to these problems was by working together. And after 10 months of discussion and evidence-taking, we have managed to come up with three options.”

The group is cross-party, involving Woodbridge councillors at county, district and town level, as well as local police, traders, residents and representatives from Suffolk County Council’s Highway team.

“All the ideas are based around a simple, easy-to-understand sign which is what the current TRO doesn’t allow for – but there are three different versions. We’ll be showing these options, explaining the benefits and drawbacks of each – and asking for you to help us decide.”

If you are unable to attend at the library you will be able to see and comment on the consultation documents online from September 25 at: http://carolinepage.blog.suffolk.libdems.org Pictured above (l-r) are members of Thoroughfare Working Group by the current impossibly complicated sign: Jill Barratt (Choose Woodbridge, retailer); Rick Chapman (Choose Woodbridge, retailer, resident); Graeme Hawkes (SNT); Rick Chapman (Choose Woodbridge, retailer, resident); Emma Greenhouse (disabled resident); Caroline Page (County Councillor); Julian Royle (resident); Geoff Holdcroft (Town and District councillor). Absent: Eamonn O’Nolan (Town Councillor), Tony Buckingham (SCC Highways).

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NEWS WOODBRIDGE RIVERSIDE TRUST

This is a recent picture of Woodbridge Waterfront taken from the river

by Bryan Knibbs and illustrating the new development on Woodbridge Waterfront. We have become so accustomed to looking at artists’ impressions that it is refreshing to see an actual picture of the actual place, and how similar it is to the artwork. While there may have been some delays resulting in the Maritime Woodbridge event being moved to next year, progress is still being made on the site and the hand-over won’t be too far away now.

Following the success of The Kings River production, exploratory talks are just beginning about a different but exciting Anglo-Saxon themed production in May next year. Sutton Hoo is now promoting increased community activities with talks and their Rowathon which was advertised using on-the-water pictures of a Deben Rowing Club team afloat in our Sae Wylfing.

For more information visit: www.WoodbridgeWaterfront.co.uk

MR WOODBRIDGE RUGBY HAS A DIAMOND TIME AT CLUB

Mike Lubbock, who founded Woodbridge Rugby Club nearly 50 years ago, celebrated 60 years of marriage to his wife Jill with a party for 50 at the club on Sunday, August 13.

Mike was scrum-half for Leicester Tigers between 1955-60 and played for them 95 times including matches against Romania and the Barbarians.

He became the club’s first captain, then coach and latterly spent 24 years as president. He is now Honorary Life President.

It was fitting that he celebrated 60 glorious years with Jill at the home of his other passion – Woodbridge Rugby Club.

ABF STREET COLLECTION ABF – The Soldier’s Charity – wishes to thank the people of Woodbridge for their kindness and generosity shown during the collection for the charity held on September 6 which raised the splendid sum of £651.45. This money will be used to help the rising number of army families, Second World War veterans, widows, children, the disabled and those effected by recent the current military operations. The funds raised in Woodbridge will, therefore, do a great deal of good in relieving their distress.

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NEW ROOF AT SUTTON MEMORIAL HALL Residents of Sutton are celebrating the completion of a project to replace the ageing asbestos roof on the village Memorial Hall.

The hall was built in 1948 by local residents on land donated to the parish by the local landowners, the Paul family. The building was constructed with the usual materials available at that time, namely reinforced concrete frame with block walls and an asbestos roof. Succeeding generations of residents have upgraded the hall over the years by adding a side hall and kitchen, insulation, double glazing and heating. Most recently, the kitchen was refurbished.

However, during recent heavy rainfalls, it was apparent that the roof was beginning to leak and needed replacing. The Memorial Hall committee immediately commenced raising funds to enable this to take place. By spring of this year, with the help of an Exemplar Programme Grant from Suffolk Coastal District Council, an allocation from the Locality Budget of District Councillor Christine Block, and a grant from the Awards for All Big Lottery Fund, sufficient funds were available for the work to take place.

The contract was awarded to J C Services (Anglia) Ltd., who worked with the committee to find a vacant slot in the hall bookings for the work to be carried out. They, in turn, had to choose two dry days within that period to remove the old roof and replace it with new composite sheets. This was successfully done over the weekend of July 1/2.

The completion of this project ensures that the facilities available to the local community within the hall for weddings, parties, friendship lunches, quiz nights and other activities are protected for the foreseeable future.

Sutton Memorial Hall Committee are very grateful to everyone who has made this project possible.

BBC FILMING AT WOODBRIDGE ANTIQUES CENTRE We were really pleased to welcome the Antiques Roadtrip team to Woodbridge Antiques Centre again recently. This was their fourth visit to us and this time we got to meet the lovely Catherine Southon.

Catherine, from Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers Ltd in Kent, is competing against Fine Art and Antiques Expert Raj Bisram during the latest series which is scheduled to air on the BBC in January next year.

Each show features two competing antiques experts travelling across the UK buying and selling bygone items.

They were in Suffolk filming one of the many legs of their journey. The programme focuses on the beauty of the countryside and places of interest as well as the beauty of the pieces they are looking at. As there are so many lovely antique shops and centres to visit in the area, set among such picturesque surroundings, a trail around Suffolk would be a wonderful day out for any antiques or collectables enthusiast.

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OUT & ABOUT COUNCILLOR CAROLINE’S COLUMN Recently I’ve been thinking about what makes a community, what makes people ‘belong’? Is it the people who live in a place? Is it the buildings? Is it shared history? What is it that makes us feel we have a bond?

COMMON GROUND THEATRE PRESENT THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP

This summer Zoopla identified Woodbridge as the country’s fourth fastest growing property hotspot. Once terms like these are used about a town it begins to impinge upon the meaning of the word ‘community’.

Our medieval streets are increasingly full of skips and cars as labourers’ cottages became high-end residences, second homes – even holiday lets, serving no residential use whatsoever. Every week, I talk to families who’ve lived in Woodbridge not only for all their lives but for generations before. One elderly visitor to my surgery could list all the addresses where his family had lived, back to his great-great-grandparents who (like mine) had lived in the Thoroughfare in the 1840s.

Young Woodbridge men called Adams, Broome, Carter, Crowe, Dean, Felgate, Ford, Holderness, Huggins, Robinson, Spall and Wells fell at Paschendaele, 100 years ago this summer and autumn, just as my greatuncle Bertie did. People with everyday names, names we know.

And the familiar names we see on the war memorials, the names of those who died in two world wars are familiar because people with these names live here still. Many of those who died had lived in Seckford Street and Angel Lane in the days before they became exclusive housing. These days they are increasingly the people whose children and grandchildren are excluded from their hometown; the people who can’t even afford to downsize in the town they grew up in.

Property and prosperity can go together, bringing new money and fresh enthusiasm to the town. However Woodbridge needs more: it needs to remember and provide for all those we rely on so heavily every day. We need to provide for people with practical skills and expertise as well as those with large incomes. Just as we need our shops and shopkeepers, Woodbridge needs retained fire fighters, care workers, teachers. It needs nurses, police and paramedics. It needs the vibrancy brought by young families, the enthusiasm and energy of young people. And it needs them to live here, not to commute in.

Looking forward, Woodbridge doesn’t need more high-end housing. It absolutely does need housing at social rent (that’s 65% of market rental value) for all the people we rely on and who can’t afford to live here.

What Woodbridge really needs is joined-up planning and the commitment by planners and officials to re-provide housing at social rents, not affordable housing (80% of an increasingly unaffordable market rate) – housing for young families, housing for ‘downsizers’, housing for disabled people, for those in caring professions and those starting off in life. This will ensure that our community remains a living, breathing town.

Councillor Caroline Page

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Suffolk-based Common Ground Theatre Company will be touring East Anglia in October and November with a riotous, theatrically inventive adaptation of Dickens’ masterpiece, with original music by Pat Whymark and featuring Julian Harries as (among others) Nell’s grandfather, Samson Brass and Mrs Jarley.

Common Ground’s work was recently described by Libby Purves, in Suffolk Magazine, as “wonderfully inventive and creative”, and Andrew Clarke, writing in the EADT, said of their adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo: “It takes real skill to take a sturdy piece of classic literature and turn it into one of the most imaginative shows of the year.”

The story follows ‘Little’ Nell Trent, who lives with her devoted grandfather in his London shop, a magical place filled from wall to wall with dust-laden treasures. He keeps his nocturnal gambling a secret, but becomes deeply in debt to the villainous loan shark Quilp. When he gambles away what little money they have, The Old Curiosity Shop is seized by Quilp as payment and Nell and her grandfather are forced to flee London. On the run, and with Quilp on their trail, the pair fall in with a succession of colourful characters, some friendly, some ominous. Over time, she becomes the parent and he the child, a burden which starts to take its toll on her.

The novel was a sensation when it was serialised in 1840-41. The excitement at the release of the last installment has been compared to the publishing of the last Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was so popular that New York readers stormed the wharf when the ship bearing the final instalment arrived in 1841.

Julian Harries (pictured) and Pat Whymark are the creative team behind Stoat Hall, The Mystery of St Finnigan’s Elbow and many more Eastern Angles Christmas shows. As an actor Julian has appeared in Eastenders, Detectorists, Spies of Warsaw, Doctors, and has just completed the recent UK and international tour of Dirty Dancing, playing Dr Jake Houseman.

The tour runs from October 25 to November 25. For performance dates and venues, go to www.commongroundtc.co.uk or call 07807 341364.

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM TALKS Woodbridge Museum Talks begin their new season on October 20 when in a talk entitled The Coaching Age, Stewart Bowell will tell about the comfort and discomforts, the pleasures and pains of travelling in the Georgian Age. On November 17 the talk will be given by Clifford Smith, past planning officer and Suffolk County Council chief executive. He will tell us why planning was fun in his talk entitled Woodbridge Centre of the World, 1965-2015.

All talks are in Woodbridge Community Hall at 2.30pm. Entry for Friends of the Museum is £2.50 and visitors £3.50.

The next day school is on Saturday, October 21, when Dr Sean Lang continues his look at the Napoleonic Wars: France’s Bid for Global Power. Early booking is advised as these sessions have proved very popular. The cost for the day is £25.

A special fundraising event in support of the move to the new museum premises will be held in the community hall on Saturday, December 2 when there will be a Gilbert and Sullivan concert, tickets £10. For further information for this and all events contact Anne Merrett: 01394 385572

DRACULA COMES TO WOODBRIDGE In late October, just in time for Hallowe’en, Woodbridge Library will play host to a dramatic performance of Dracula. Bram Stoker’s classic gothic-horror novel – the greatest novel there is about vampirism – will be brought to life in a one-man performance by actor James Hornsby.

James has created a dramatised version of the novel as his fourth one-man play. The performance will take place in the library on Friday, October 27 at 7.30pm and it will bring to life a cast of well-known characters including Jonathan Harker, his beautiful fiancée Mina, Professor Adam van Helsing, the crazed bug-eating Renfield and, of course, the demonic Transylvanian Count himself.

James Hornsby, a professional actor with more than 30 years experience, entranced a sell-out Woodbridge Library audience in February with his dramatisation of Dickens’ Great Expectations. This promises to be an equally enthralling evening (although not suitable for children under 12).

Tickets are £10 from the library; full-time students half price. Ring 01394 446510 or call in at the library to book your place.

VOICES OF PASSION FROM EAST & WEST The Meljon Singers directed by Janette Ruocco are joined by cellist Chris Slatter at St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge on Saturday, October 14 in Voices of Passion, a richly conceived programme of music from the western and eastern choral traditions.

Already known from their previous concerts in Westleton, the Meljon Singers are looking forward to performing again for a Suffolk audience.

Since moving permanently to the county, their musical director has formed a productive partnership with Chris Slatter, well known in the area for his performances with ensembles such as the Kingfisher Sinfonietta and the Scintillo String Quartet. Together, voices and cello combine to present an exhilarating and unusual musical event.

Meljon has built a reputation for imaginative programming, bringing to the fore music often overlooked by the less adventurous. Among works from the English repertoire, Edmund Rubbra’s Mass in Honorem Sancti Dominici is a case in point, featured alongside Stanford’s enchanting Three Motets and two works exploring the distinctive sound world of Benjamin Britten. Chris Slatter joins the singers for A Farewell to Arms, Richard Rodney Bennett’s moving memorial to those lost in war.

Chris will also be performing the virtuosi cello part in Svyati, a profoundly moving example of John Tavener’s affinity with the musical traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church. A cappella works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and lesser known 20th century masters such as Sviridov and Grechaninov further demonstrate the rich flowering of Russian sacred music.

Tickets for the concert are available at £10 in advance from the box office on 01394 548107 or 07892 939126, online at www.ticket source.co.uk/ meljon and from Woodbridge Violins, 26 Market Hill, Woodbridge.

For more information, please visit: www.meljon.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKETS

Woodbridge Farmers’ Markets will be held on Saturdays, October 14 and 28, 9am-12.30pm. If you can navigate your way around the boarded up Deben Pool you will find that the community hall is still open! We are starting to have lovely autumnal produce as well as eggs, goat’s cheese, falafel, cakes, wild meat, chicken, pies, pickles, jams and preserves and a new bread stall. We also have a friendly cafe serving home made brunch, tea and coffee.

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Chair-based exercise classes Aimed at older people or those recovering from illness or injury, these weekly Thursday classes are led by Tai Chi and Qigong teacher Roy Wadland (Union of Tai Chi). No booking required. Please contact the library for dates of classes and more information.

October 1-31: ArtLib – Paintings by Chinwe Roy The artist Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy painted the African landscapes of her childhood and the sunsets in Suffolk. Her work included oils, etchings, monotypes and pastels. She was commissioned for a portrait of the Queen to mark her golden jubilee in 2002 and was made an MBE in 2009.

Tuesday 3 and Mondays 9, 16, 23 & 30 October, 11.15am-12.45pm: Mindfulness and Meditation. Sessions run on a drop-in basis. Enquiries to: debrawoodbridge@gmail.com / 01394 450066 Book Group: meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm. On October 5 we will be discussing The Dinner by Herman Koch. Please come along if you have read this title and would like to join in the discussion.

From Saturday, October 7: Sale of donated fiction titles Saturday, October 14, 10am-4pm: Waveney Authors Group: Open Day October 16-18: Display by the Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society Friday, October 20, 12.45-1.30pm: Friends of Woodbridge Library Lunchtime Concert with Dave Tricker, a local singer and instrumentalist.

The performance will include songs (some of his own) and tunes played on the mandolin. Free entry but donations for the Friends of Woodbridge Library gratefully received.

Saturday, October 21, 9-11am: Caroline Page, County Councillor for Woodbridge, will be holding her surgery at the library.

Wednesday, October 25, 2.30pm: Blue Cross Pet Care Talk Friday, October 27, 7.30pm: James Hornsby presents Bram Stoker’s Dracula (see page 10) Woodbridge Novelists: meets fortnightly on Wednesday mornings A reciprocal critiquing group for novel-writers who are working towards publication. For more details and contact information please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/woodbridgenovelists/home Costa Coffee Book Sale Costa Coffee on The Thoroughfare now have a book shelf selling donated fiction. All titles are 50p, and 100% of the money raised goes to support Woodbridge Library. Drink coffee while supporting your local library.

Meeting room and display boards available for hire • Community, charity, private groups: £10 per hour • Commercial, statutory groups: £15 per hour • Display boards: £10 per week • Staffed table display in the main library: £10 per half day

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Free computer help and advice Contact the library to book a session or to find out more.

SNAP (Support & Advice Project) Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10am-noon for advice on all housing related issues, rent payments, arrears, budgeting and benefit changes.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Every Tuesday, 10am-noon Writers’ Workshop Meets once a month on Tuesdays at 5.30pm. Interested? To open doors to creative writing please email: jeannie@butterwicks.com Creative Writing for All Meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm. For more details contact: jeannie@butterwicks.com Knitting Club Every Friday at 2pm. For all types of knitters, expert to beginner, come and share your knowledge or pick up some tips.

Arts and Crafts Group Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10am. Enables older people and their carers to take part in activities such as collage, card making, printing and modelling.

Play Reading Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm. Come to listen or join in for an afternoon of light-hearted drama, comedy or mystery.

All welcome.

Games Club Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm. Now includes dominoes. Improve your vocabulary and exercise your mind muscles with Scrabble or practise strategy or balance with dominoes.

Woodbridge Area Gamers Meets on the second Saturday of each month from 1-5pm in the library Meeting Room. This group plays modern strategy board games (Carcassonne, Powergrid, Caylus, 7 Wonders, Hey! That’s My Fish, Blokus and many more). For more information contact nigel@foden.me.uk / 07740 173091 or visit: www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/1150 ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN Every Wednesday 10.30-10.50am: Bookstart Baby Bounce – soothing songs and gentle nursery rhymes for babies and their grown-ups.

11.15-11.45am: Bookstart Tot Rock Rhyme and Rhythm – music, songs and action rhymes for toddlers with their parents and carers.

Every Friday 10.30-11am: Bookstart Story and Rhyme Time Stories and more for young children accompanied by an adult.

Every Sunday, 10.30am-noon: Kid’s Club Craft Activities

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE ART CLUB Another summer exhibition came to a close at the end of September.

It seems no time since it opened.

As of next year the club will be 50 years old I was prompted to look through the archives to see how things had changed.

The first summer exhibition took place in August 1971 and as the club had no permanent premises the paintings were hung on the railings alongside the railway station! You couldn’t do that now with all the cars parked there, but in those days Woodbridge Station still had a faintly rural air.

We will be doing something to celebrate the anniversary next year, but in the meantime we will be opening every November weekend from 10am4pm so if you are stuck for presents you may find something there.

You could also buy copies of the winning cards in our postcard painting competition to send to friends. You won’t find anything like them in the shops. We look forward to seeing you in November and again next year.

FOLK COMES TO BEALINGS An evening of music, featuring some of the area’s popular folk/ acoustic music artists is taking place at Bealings Village Hall on Saturday, November 11.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Holly Johnson will be playing with her collaborator, flautist and keyboard player Sarah Wil, and they will be sharing the bill with folk-rock duo Silbury Hill, providing a varied, entertaining and eclectic mix of musical styles.

Holly and Sarah delight and charm their audience with songs of love and loss, and stories from the everyday experience. Their recordings include the acclaimed CD East Anglian Girl and their recent EP The Dolls House.

Silbury Hill have been carving a reputation at gigs and festivals with a lively set of original folk rock played on a variety of instruments including flute, guitar and mandolin. They have produced three CDs to date, with much of their original songs inspired by their East Anglian roots.

Tickets for the Bealings concert are £6 which includes a welcome drink on arrival. Tickets are available from Sally on 07707 269712 or from the artists themselves. They may also be purchased via: www.silburyhill.net (there is a 10% admin fee for tickets bought online).

The concert starts at 7.30pm. There will be a licensed bar and food available. Further information from: 07707 269712 / 07887 918869

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOODBRIDGE 2017.

Charity no 219279

POPPY PARADE ON SATURDAY MORNING 28 OCTOBER, Form up outside RBL Club At 11.20hrs.

FRIDAY MORNING 10 NOVEMBER ON MARKET HILL WITH WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL CHILDREN, Form up outside Shire Hall at 10.30hrs.

WOODBRIDGE CEMETERY PARADE ON SATURDAY MORNING 11 NOVEMBER. Be outside Cemetery Lane gates at 10.30hrs.

WOODBRIDGE MEMORIAL PARADE & SERVICE SUNDAY MORNING 12 NOVEMBER ON MARKET HILL. Form up by fire station At 10.20hrs.

Contact STEVE branch secretary, for more details on 07926099533 or email woodbridgesecretary1.rbl@gmail.com

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OUT & ABOUT ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE Cindy Dickerson and Paul Skinner from The Blood Runners recently attended a lunch meeting, bringing along one of their motorbikes which was a source of great interest. The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SERV (Service by Emergency Response Volunteers) – known more locally as The Blood Runners – started in 2010 so is a relatively new charity. They have seven volunteers available every night to transport mainly blood, plasma and baby milk to wherever it is needed in the two counties. Sometimes they need to transport items from or to other counties and then the countrywide network of volunteers swings into action and forms a relay to get the vital supplies to wherever they are needed.

Woodbridge Rotary Club had held a bottle stall at Woodbridge Regatta on July 16 to raise money for The Blood Runners charity and we were delighted to be able to present a cheque for £563 thanks to the kind generosity of the people and visitors to Woodbridge.

On August 26, Woodbridge Rotary Club and Mandy Hearle (The Pink Lady) ran a joint event in Woodbridge which raised money for MSF (Medicins Sans Frontieres). People were invited to build a sculpture in the shape of the Rotary logo using old round pounds. £550 in old pounds were collected on the day which will be increased to around £650 with Gift Aid. Thank you to all who entered into the spirit of this unique fundraiser.

Woodbridge Rotary Club meets at The Bull Inn in Woodbridge most Friday lunchtimes with a visit elsewhere one Thursday evening per month.

We are a group of people who enjoy fellowship while fundraising and supporting the local community (and abroad) where and when we can.

This year we have supported The Blood Runners, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Alzheimer’s Society (see below) by holding a bottle stall at Woodbridge Regatta, running a jazz night, arranging local walks, holding a charity golf day, arranging a cycle ride, helping at Aldeburgh Carnival, supplying Father Christmas and his Elves at Notcutts and running the Carol Service in Woodbridge. Events, ideas and charities supported often follow on directly from members’ own interests and hobbies.

Along the way we gain friendships and meet interesting people. Visits out have included film nights at the Riverside in Woodbridge, looking round a Martello Tower, visiting Sizewell and playing bowls at Hollesley.

We are always looking for new members. If you would like to find out more – either to become a Rotarian or a Friend of Rotary – please contact us in confidence via: enquiries.woodbridgerotary@gmail.com FORTHCOMING EVENTS October 15: Cycle Ride of around 22/25 miles – start and finish at Butley Village Hall. Refreshments will be available thanks to Woodbridge Inner Wheel. The main charity to be supported is BikeActive, a charity based at Alton Water which provides cycling opportunities for adults with a wide range of disabilities, along with other charities supported by Woodbridge Rotary Club.

November 18: Father Christmas will visit Wyevale Garden Centre, Woodbridge November/December: Father Christmas at Notcutts, Woodbridge November 24: Presentation of monies raised from Cycle Ride to BikeActive December: Woodbridge Christmas Carol Service in support of Macmillan Supporting Young People in Suffolk

LIONS’ CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT Dreams of summer holidays are fast fading and autumn is upon us. The Lions’ Club of Woodbridge & District looks forward to a busy time, with the annual Martlesham Heath 10k, 5k and Fun Run on Sunday, October 8. This year’s event is part of the Suffolk Grand Prix and we are hoping for a record entry as runners aim for a personal best in this late season race over a fast, flat course. It’s a great event for spectators as the four lap 10k offers a chance to see the race leadership unfold.

The Pavilion Cafe with its renowned homemade cakes will once again be open for business. Races start from 10am from The Green at Martlesham Heath.

Hard on the heels of the race we have an art show and sale on Saturday, October 14 in the Salvation Army Hall, New Street, just off the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge. Local art clubs have generously donated a number of original paintings, all of which are for sale at realistic prices with nothing more than £25. The show is open from 10am-3pm with tea, coffee and homemade cakes available.

Also in October we look forward to the launch of Quay Time a joint project with Quay Street Church to provide an opportunity for anyone looking for company to get together and organise their own programme of activities and events. Watch out for details of this exciting new project.

Although we prioritise local community activities, sometimes events elsewhere in the world cannot be ignored. We support the Lions’ Clubs International Foundation, a unique disaster and emergency fund.

The foundation uses the international network of Lions’ Clubs to make emergency funds available close to the scene of natural disasters – most recently in Sierra Leone, India and Bangladesh and the Caribbean and South Eastern United States. Using the Lions network bypasses government bureaucracy and enables relief agencies such as the Red Cross to buy emergency supplies in neighbouring countries or states, speeding up the response and reducing transport costs.

Even when we busy, we recognise the importance of taking time for informal social events and we look forward to a fancy dress Halloween / Guy Fawkes Party.

For more about what we do or to get in touch, please see our redesigned website or call 0845 8332820 for a no obligation chat. www.woodbridgelions.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE PROBUS The September meeting at our new venue, Seckford Golf Club, was a success in spite of our scheduled speaker’s illness. Member Mike Rines ably stepped in to show us the huge range of businesses in Woodbridge, from world leaders Brafe Engineering and Cogent Technology to our famous violin shop, Webbs the ironmongers established 200 years ago and through some 25 independent businesses.

Sadly during the meeting, our centenarian member Jack Seagers was taken ill, but has made a full recovery and we look forward to his company at the next meeting, which will be on Monday, October 2 at Seckford Golf Club. Meeting at 12.15pm for a drink before lunch at 1pm, we will then have our speaker, Nicola Corbett, who will be giving us the latest update on EDF Energy’s Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station.

Retired or semi-retired, you are most welcome to join us as a guest and see if you like us; but do have a look at us on our website.

Just type in Woodbridge Probus Club and click on the first link you come to.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

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OUT & ABOUT

RAIN STOPS PLAY AT DEBEN ROTARY BUSK The Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben held its annual charity busk in the Thoroughfare on September 2. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the busk, which was originally run

by Woodbridge Round Table. Three of the original band members – Graham Mole, Dennis Bowron and Martin Kenyon – were on duty along with new members David Leney and Julian Taylor. All was going well until the heavens opened at about 1.30pm, at which point amplifiers and instruments were hastily packed away. Unfortunately this meant the busk had to be abandoned but not before £250 had been collected.

Our thanks once again go to Fat Face for allowing us to use their power supply, to Costa Coffee for providing shelter from the elements, and to the people of Woodbridge for their generosity.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre (Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY September 6 saw our first meeting of the new season and everyone agreed that the talk, by Mark Hill of Antiques Roadshow fame, was, in the words of our president, fantastic. Mark entertained and enlightened us with his exposition on Curves, Colours and Cool – An Introduction to Mid-Century Modern. This practical and inspirational lecture looked at furniture, ceramics, glass, lighting and metal ware, identifying key designs and designers, and examining the revolutionary design movements they began.

Our next talk, on Wednesday, October 4, will be given by Hugh Belsey, a former curator of Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury, and is entitled Sir Edwin Lutyens: Domesticating the Country House.

So why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm.

Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space.

Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.

For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

​WOODBRIDGE CAMERA CLUB EXHIBITION 2017 Our annual exhibition of members’ photographs attracted more than 270 visitors over three days, and we are grateful to everyone who came along and made such positive comments about the standard of work.

Our thanks go to the Mayor of Woodbridge, Clare Perkins, who not only agreed to open the exhibition for us, but also to make her selection of the best images from the 57 on display.

Our next meeting is on October 17 when John Field will be exploring the history of Ipswich Wet Dock and its impact on the town. John will follow the dock from its opening in 1842, covering its decline during the latter stages of the last century, and conclude by detailing the planning of the area to create arguably the most successful and exciting regeneration project between the Thames and the Humber. A must for all those interested in local history.

On November 21 Captain Peter Chapman Andrews RN Ret’d will share his memories of his time on both the Ark Royal and Britannia.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, October 16: The Rendlesham Project by Faye Minter Bede, an English monk writing in the eighth century, mentioned an East Anglian Royal settlement at Rendlesham. Is this royal settlement of the people buried at Sutton Hoo? Come along and find out.

Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavillon at 7.30pm, admission £2.50.

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First place went to Steve Mecrow for his image Abandoned (pictured), second to Sue Garrod for Silhouette at Sunrise, third to Sheila Fitzpatrick for From Outer Space, and fourth to Robin Garrod for Our Spanish Love Song.

A big thank you to the East of England Co-op and everyone who put their green tokens in our box at the local stores, which resulted in the Co-op donating £200 towards the exhibition. Woodbridge Quay Church is our usual venue on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. Guests are always welcome; members £2, guests £5.

For more information please visit www.woodbridgecameraclub.co.uk

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

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OUT & ABOUT CRAFTERS UNLIMITED

IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB

A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall from 7.30-10pm.

BRING OUT YOUR BRAS! Obviously not the ones that you are currently wearing, but how about those that are hiding at the back of your underwear drawer? Maybe they were an impulse buy or you got tired of them or they didn’t fit comfortably. If you could use the space we could use your bras!

Thursday, October 26: Basket Weave Christmas Card (Emma) Thursday, November 23: Beaded Snowflake and Candy Cane (Jill) and Christmas Party No meeting in December There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members.

New members are always welcome. For more details contact: Jill 01473 713534 / Emma 01787 373850

U3A WELCOMES MEMBERS OLD AND NEW We were joined by many visitors at our open day on September 1 who went on to become new members. We are delighted to have 2,000 members in well over 170 interest groups with new subjects in the pipeline.

Details of talks in our four campuses in Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Saxmundham are in the current member’s handbook (blue version) and I hope to update any changes in this column.

KESGRAVE COMMUNITY CENTRE Monday, October 30, 2pm: The Ipswich Charter Hangings

by Isobel Clover SALVATION ARMY HALL, FELIXSTOWE Thursday, November 2, 10.30am: An Afternoon with Joyce Grenfell

by Gillian Grinham MARKET HALL, SAXMUNDHAM Thursday, October 12, 2pm: A Year in the Life of Minsmere

by Alex Bass Thursday, November 9, 2pm: Women Can Fly

by Sally Dearman-Cummings Please remember to show your blue membership cards at talks. Visitors are invited to come to one talk before actually enrolling as a full member.

If it is your first visit please make yourself known to the campus coordinator so they can welcome you accordingly. Full details are also available at www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk or by telephoning our secretary on 03001 233913.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP, DIABETES UK Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 12 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH from 7-9pm. Our guest speaker will be Alison Byard, a Diabetes Specialist Dietician from Ipswich Hospital.

This is a social gathering of people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to share information on diabetes and to talk to other people in similar situations. Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee.

For further information please contact: 07547 513730 / dsgipswichduk@gmail.com (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

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We shall be in Sailmakers in Ipswich on Saturday, October 7 from 10am4pm to collect new or ‘gently used’ unwanted bras.

What are we going to do with them? They will go to a project which supports women and girls who have survived being trafficked and forced into the sex trade in Mozambique, El Salvador and Kenya. To escape from this horrendous experience they need a sustainable way of earning their own living. Every 100 bras that we collect will enable a woman to set up her own business selling second hand bras, which are a status symbol in these countries and command a good price.

It seems such a simple idea to us, but it can have amazing results.

Economic independence can give a woman back her self-esteem and self-confidence. As the project says ‘Empowerment gives women the opportunity to be who they were designed to be’ (freethegirls.org).

Somehow donating a bra feels a rather personal way of holding out a hand to another woman.

Soroptimists in Southend have collected 1,500 bras. Far be it from us to suggest that we are in competition with a sister club but with your help…

Please come and bring your contribution on October 7 – and tell your friends about it.

For more information please call our secretary, Joyce: 01394 615659

MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Our next event on Wednesday, October 4 will be a talk by Dr Bob Merrett from Woodbridge Museum. Dr Merret will be detailing the future plans for the new Woodbridge Museum as they move to their new building adjacent to the Tide Mill. We will hear about the facilities, exhibits and material that will be available for local history research.

The venue is Melton Chapel, The Street, Melton. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start. As ever all are welcome, members free, visitors £3.

For further information contact: mlhs.sec@aol.com

QUIZ NIGHT AT WOODBRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB How about a fun night where you can exercise the brain cells? Then why not come along to our quiz night with quizmaster Stephen Foster from BBC Radio Suffolk which promises to be a very entertaining evening. It’s at Woodbridge Football Club on Friday, October 13, 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets are £5 per person in teams of six. Bring along your own food to share with your friends/team members. All drinks to be purchased from the bar. Tickets are available from: Home-Start, 8a The Square, Martlesham Heath / 01473 621104 / headoffice@homestartinsuffolk.org All monies raised from the event will go to the charity Home-Start in Suffolk who during this year will support more than 400 families throughout Suffolk. These families will receive one to one or group support from trained volunteers because for them the pressures of family life have become too much to cope with alone. This can be for a variety of reasons such as illness, disability, mental health problems, bereavement, isolation and multiple births.

In Touch online:

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OUT & ABOUT NEW HORIZONS

1ST RENDLESHAM SCOUTS – MOOT VI CAMP

New Horizons, the club for older people in the area, has had another great month with entertainment and outings. One of our favourite musical groups, the duo Past Times performed for us recently. The tunes from the 50s and 60s had everyone out of their chairs and dancing enthusiastically.

We also had another lovely day by the seaside at Felixstowe. Our visits to The Hut are always so enjoyable, with walks or wheelchair rides along the prom and fish and chips as a lunch option.

If you are 55 or over, why not come along and join us for a trial day of fun, friendship and activities, along with a delicious home-cooked two course meal? There are always a variety of activities on offer, and time to sit and chat with a cup of tea or coffee too. The cost for the day is £8 plus a small additional fee if you require transport.

New Horizons meets twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-2.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, 11 Market Hill, Woodbridge IP12 4LP. For more information and to make arrangements, please phone 07514 364752 and speak to one of our leaders.

SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST, WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP DISCOVERING SUFFOLK’S DORMICE There is a chance to find out about one of Suffolk’s smaller and rarer residents when Dr Simone Bullion, Senior Conservation Adviser with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, gives a talk on dormice at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, October 19 at 7.30pm.

MOOT Camp was held over the late summer bank holiday weekend at Bentwaters Airfield, Rendlesham.

Our Scouts along with over 800 other Scouts, Guides, Explorers, Senior Section and their leaders from all over Suffolk set up camp for five days of fun and activities. Thursday was spent hiking to Melton before swapping to the water and kayaking to Waldringfield.

Friday the Scouts cycled to Orford and spent the afternoon crabbing before returning to site ready for the MOOT opening ceremony and a disco in the evening. On Saturday and Sunday the Scouts had the choice of hundreds of activities during the daytime including abseiling, climbing wall, fencing, clay pigeon shooting, arts and crafts, backwoods cooking, dodgems, astro jet simulator, ferris wheel, human hungry hippos, caving, spider maze, air rifles, bungee trampolines, cascade slide, mini diggers, aerial runway and many, many more.

In the evenings there was further entertainment including Moot’s Got Talent, a movie theatre and even a live music gig on site. Monday morning was spent with all 829 young people competing on behalf of their sub camps in a giant It’s A Knockout activity playing games, having fun and generally getting wet and messy before cleaning themselves up and putting on their uniforms for the closing ceremony in the afternoon.

A fantastic five days was had by all from 1st Rendlesham and both the Scouts and leaders went home tired but happy to have been part of such a phenomenal event.

We currently have spaces for Cubs (8-10 years). Both Beavers (6-8 years) and Scouts (10-14 years) currently have a waiting list but we are always happy to hear from any child interested in joining any section of the troop. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via www.rendleshamscouts. org.uk on Facebook or alternatively via Keith Gleen, Acting Group Scout Leader: 07944 297184 / info@rendleshamscouts.org.uk

“This talk kicks off our autumn season of indoor talks,” said Phil Smith, chair of Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group, who have organised the talk. “I’m sure it is going to be fascinating to hear how the trust locate, monitor and conserve the small number of dormice populations we have here in the county.”

SUFFOLK SINGERS CHORAL WORKSHOP

“All are welcome at the talk, admission is £3 for adults with under 16s free,” continued Mr Smith. “As usual we will have a raffle during the evening and light refreshments will be served.”

Adults £20, under 19s free. Includes all music, expert tuition and tea and coffee all day with delicious afternoon cakes. Please bring a packed lunch. Free public performance at 4.30pm. To reserve a place or for more information contact: 01379 788143 / bvankoningsveld1@btinternet.com

For more information, please contact: swtwoodbridge@outlook.com / 01473 625630

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Gloria by John Rutter, directed by Claire Weston, assisted by John Hutchings and Chris Milton, Sunday, October 22 at Framlingham College, 9.30am-5pm.

Online booking available at: www.suffolksingers.co.uk

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY

WOODBRIDGE WI

The new season started in September with a really entertaining evening with Bill Gibb talking about the stamps of Nevis and British Virgin Islands.

Unfortunately in the days since this talk the Islands have been devastated by the hurricane and are in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Members organise and run the June meeting which allows the hardworking committee a chance to sit back and relax. Our speaker gave a flavour of life during the Second World War and Rosemary Manning, our link delegate, reported on the national AGM including voting numbers for resolutions, both of which were passed.

October brings two more talks from visiting speakers. On October 4 Bernard Mabbett will present a talk entitled Around the World to St Helena and will talk about the islands association with the Boar War. On October 18 we have two speakers and displays – Pat Adams talking about Norway and Allen Boyce talking about Greece, two countries I’m sure many of us will have visited for holidays.

Membership gives access to all the talks and displays and also to a circulating packet that allows you to buy material from other members and vendors from your own home. Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, 7 for 7.30pm, visitors welcome.

For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904

DANCE FOLKUS RETURNS TO MELTON Dance Folkus returns to its original site for Friday, October 6 and will be meeting at 7.30pm in the Burness Parish Rooms in Melton. The change is for one month only and is as a result of a double booking at Woodbridge Community Hall. The hall is quite a bit smaller, so numbers attending will be limited to a maximum of around 60 people. Dancers are advised to book their places to ensure entry as we had more than 70 dancers at our last event.

The Dance Folkus Come All Ye band will be providing the music and Helen Howe will be calling at this more intimate and friendly venue. The song spot guests will be Keith and Mary-Jane Tyrrell. As local musicians, they have played on the East Anglian music scene for many years in bands such as Feels Like Rain, Bells Reaper, The Lucys, News of the Victory, The Kesh and Hare’s Breath. Their spot at Dance Folkus will be more restrained than in their folk-rock days and we look forward to a great acoustic performance.

On November 3 we have a special event with The Valiant Dance Band and the excellent nationally known caller Barry Goodman. There will also be a rapper dance spot from Horham Old School Rapper. This event will be open to families and promises to be one of the highlights of the year.

On the first Friday in December, how about planning a very different Christmas party by coming to a Dance Folkus ceilidh? It’s a great mixer event for work colleagues.

Tickets at the door are £6, but there is a £1 discount for booking in advance by email (no payment needed) and students are half price. To book contact: Dancefolkus@aol.com www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeDanceFolkus2916

Christmas treats!

Suffolk Show proved, yet again, that ‘the‘ watering hole was the WI marquee with our members donating cakes and volunteering for kitchen duty as well as creating items for display. We attended the Playford Group event which held a touch of ‘Royalty’ and was an informative evening with good food and excellent company. Belinda Grey invited us to her beautiful garden and following a tour of the stunning artwork displayed there hosted a wonderful cream tea prepared by Belinda and her mother Shirley Temple. A new members coffee morning was hosted by our president and offered an opportunity for introductions to be made and new contacts noted – not always possible in the bustle and activity of the monthly meeting. Happily we have welcomed a number of new members over past months.

July saw us transported back to the 18th century by Sheila Harrison, a Woodbridge member, who gave us a glimpse into the lives of folk living in the village of Weston Longville. This made us all reflect on how lucky we are not to have endured such a hard existence. Grateful thanks were offered to the Co-operative Society for their generous donation of 12 months supply of free teabags to be used during our monthly meetings.

Disaster threatened our annual August garden party when the rain came down like stair rods – however, the wonderful hospitably of Jan McIntyre saved the day and we all happily invaded her lovely home where the party went with a swing and copious amounts of delicious food was consumed. A number of us accepted the kind invitation to join Leiston WI on an outing to TipTree Jams that proved interesting and tasty.

Our groups continue each month – with two book clubs, a luncheon group and words and music, who also organise theatre outings. Our meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month in the Methodist Church octagon and visitors are assured of a warm welcome.

BRIGHT STARS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times from 10.30am-noon.

Ages 0-5 are welcome to come along to Bright Stars for a fun start to the week with their parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers.

Autumn term dates: October 9, November 13 & 27 and December 11 You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings, just turn up, no need to let us know in advance. We look forward to seeing you.

For further information contact Sonya & Maureen: 01473 625196

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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS A big welcome to our new parents and children, and to those returning for another year. The children are getting back into their routines and finding their feet. We shall be looking at colours and how we can change them by mixing. As the seasons begin to change we will be looking at and talking about the things we see, noting changes in the colours of falling leaves, collecting natural treasures such as pine cones and conkers on autumn woodland walks and using them in our learning.

At Martlesham Playschool our two week summer holiday club was a great success, paving the way for our exciting big change: we are now open all year round! If you’re looking for all year round or term time only childcare for your two to five year olds, give us a call for more details.

Kesgrave Playschool remains open during term time only, but you can spread your 15 or 30 funded hours over more than one setting, as well as pay for extra sessions.

At both Martlesham Playschool and Kesgrave Playschool we take children from two years. We follow the Early Years curriculum through implementing fun and engaging activities, both child initiated and adult led.

Follow us on Facebook for up-to-date information, or call Martlesham Playschool on 01473 625986, Kesgrave Playschool on 07746 907060 and book a visit. We look forward to seeing you.

WOODBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The first meeting of the autumn saw members gather at Woodbridge Community Hall to hear Helen Worvill from Four Seasons Plants. Helen intrigued members from the start by laying out two small gardens on the floor of the hall. Her aim was to demonstrate how to plant up a small area to provide colour and interest for the whole year.

She began with a three by one metre shady garden into which she put winter flowering honeysuckle to provide flowers and scent for most of the winter. This was followed by winter flowering box and variegated Euonymus Emerald Gaiety. Viola ‘Freckles’ brought blue flowers in the spring while Brunnera provided ground cover and small flowers similar to forget-me-knot in the summer.

In her two by two metre hot garden she used Mahonia and Euonymus as part of her winter colour plan while the more unusual Azara is well suited to a wall or fence for spring flowering. Geums and rock roses provide vibrant colour in the summer time while Verbena and Rudbeckia are ideal for the later flowering period. Pheasant grass is ideal for texture and all year round colour Helen suggested it was much better to fill your garden with plants and remove some if they became too dense rather than have bare soil where the weeds could grow.

The next meeting is at the Shire Hall on Market Hill on October 12 when Ian Limmer of Peter Beales will present a talk entitled Getting the Best Out of Roses.

DEBEN FLOWER CLUB Wendy Munnion from Maldon Essex will present a demonstration entitled Tempus Fugit on Tuesday, October 10 at 7.30pm in Kirton Church Hall. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available after the demonstration and Wendy’s arrangements will be raffled.

Visitors are always welcome at £4. For directions or further information email: wa@sandlings.co.uk QUIZ NIGHT Deben Flower Club is holding another of their, now very popular quiz nights on Saturday, October 14 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU, 7 for 7.30pm. Once again this will be a light-hearted fun evening and will include a ploughman’s supper.

Wednesday, October 18, 10am-noon, St Mary’s Church Centre, 11 Market Hill, Woodbridge All of us will have experienced the death of a loved one and experienced the pain of grief first hand or in supporting others close to us. For a long time our society has somehow conspired to silence talk about death or about dying; it has been a closed subject which many are frightened to broach but long to talk about. The Church of England and people in our diocese have begun to tackle the silence many of us experience around us by offering ‘Gravetalk’ sessions where people of all faiths or none can talk very naturally and freely in small groups about many aspects of death and dying and funerals.

At a session you sit in small groups and prompted by questions provided on a set of cards, you talk together. You are free to share personal thoughts and feelings, ask questions and draw on your own life experience, whatever is comfortable for you.

A facilitator looks after each small table and everyone’s views and feelings are respected and valued. Lots of tea, coffee and cake help as well.

Everyone is welcome. If you want to talk to someone about ‘GraveTalk’ please contact St Mary’s Parish Office on 01394 388820 and you will be put in touch with one of the organisers.

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Why not join in the fun and bring along a team of six? If you don’t have six people for your team you may be asked to share a table with other club members. Tickets are £8 each including supper and must be purchased in advance. Please bring your own drinks and glasses. For further information and tickets: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422

WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB Yet another season draws to a close. It’s said that as one grows older time passes more quickly. It certainly appears so this year. It seems that no sooner had I got my woods out from their winter storage than it was time to put them away again. Talking of time, or perhaps time management, the powers that be in charge of the various aspects of bowls in the county might want to ask themselves why the season, which starts off in late April early May, is so concentrated on the initial few months yet peters out in late July or early August, leaving August and the first two weeks in September without competitive games? They may reply that the light starts to fade as summer progresses and that could affect matches. However, the obvious way out of this is to move some matches to afternoon starts. After all, in my experience, a large portion of players are retired and have no work commitments.

My woods go away for the winter, but some bowlers may opt for the indoor rinks and I wish them a successful season. I prefer to play on a living surface with the sun, when it shines, on my back and a thirst brought about by my efforts on the green.

See you all next season, Anthony Bynom

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SPORT WOODBRIDGE TENNIS CLUB

MELTON BOWLS CLUB

WTC is ageless: it fosters young stars of the future and some old ones of the past, like Sam (Emeritus Professor Shuster), whose 90th birthday we celebrated on August 24. Sam has been a member of the club for many years and, despite Photo by Simon Robertson-Young his age, still plays in club sessions three times a week. He says: “Sport is a great way to stay fit and healthy; especially tennis, because as you run less you have to use your mind more”.

The Invitation Happy Haddock Triples Tournament produced one of the closest contests for several years with only four points separating the top five teams. The winners were Don Baldock, Maurice Page and Martin Milbourne who finished two points ahead of Peter Moyes, Michael Blackman and Derick Sharpe with Richard Parker, Ann and George Hickinbothan a further half point behind taking third spot.

Sam, who used to be a medical professor, says: “Staying physically and mentally fit is the best way to stay young and healthy; you’ll soon find youngsters tell you act your age instead of looking it. You’ll find you enjoy life more and can continue independently, and if you lose the weight you support you’ll be able to lose the sticks that support you. And keeping the score at tennis, and making sure others keep it too, keeps your mind alive. Woodbridge has a superb tennis club and it’s very social and friendly. I’d encourage more people to join – all ages, from the very young to nonagenarians like me, for whom tennis makes 90 feel like 70.” (Plug from chairman – adult membership is half price for the first year – £60) Some 30 members of the club joined in Sam’s birthday party. It began with a free-for-all, fun tournament (arranged by Adrian Yates) followed by a lunch beautifully prepared by Jeremy Nears, owner of the Pavilion Cafe and, of course, a birthday cake, kindly made by Claire Russell.

Sam gave a few words of thanks and said he wished more oldies would join WTC, and that they’d find it much better than just passing time by day and water by night!

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This popular event, sponsored

by Darrell Howard, now in its 17th year, attracted a full entry of 72 bowlers and Melton’s bowls green was, as usual, in excellent condition with play of the highest standard. With one game remaining for each team, only five of the 24 teams were unbeaten and in contention to take the trophy. Richard Parker’s triple on 43 points held a single point lead over the team led by Don Baldock with the triple of Darrell Howard a further three points adrift. The teams of P Moyes on 38 points and L Keeley on 36 points were also unbeaten.

Parker’s triple only managed a draw in their last game against P Carter and finished with 51.5 points, just enough for third spot. Baldock’s team had a good last game picking up 14 points against B Ling to establish an unbeatable lead with 54 points and leaving the rest to fight for the minor places. Moyes team had an excellent win in their last game against D Lennard, carding a very good total of 52 points, which would have normally been enough to win but had to settle for second on this occasion. Both Howard and Keeley had good wins in their last games against I Saunders and T Wilkins respectively but just failed to get into the top three places.

Darrell Howard is pictured presenting the winner’s trophy to Don Baldock, Maurice Page and Martin Milbourne.

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SPORT WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB

DEBEN YACHT CLUB

A record 80 members attended the annual club barbecue on August Bank Holiday which in itself is not sensational, but this time we were blessed with the hottest bank holiday Monday for 50 years and they were able to sit outside in the sunshine.

Fortunately beer stocks were high in anticipation of Maritime Woodbridge (alas cancelled) and so noone went thirsty and the wide array of salads ensured that no-one went hungry either.

The club is delighted one of our cadets, Sean Woodard (pictured on the podium by Simon McIlaine), won the Topper 4.2 World Championships held at Loctudy, France in July. The competition attracted 215 youngsters from around the world, including more than 40 from China and strong contingents from GBR and Ireland.

On the sailing front Mark Richardson led an eventful cruise to the Blackwater which attracted 15 boats, quite a flotilla. Things got off to a poor start on arrival at Brightlingsea in the pouring rain, but being used to water we dripped our way ashore for a couple of pints and an Indian meal courtesy of the harbourmaster’s water taxi service. Next day a planned picnic had to be modified, but that was the signal for the weather to improve and we arrived at Heybridge the following day in warm sunshine.

Locking into the Chelmer Canal provided entertainment for the patrons of the adjoining beer garden, but was generally accomplished without any serious problems. The return journey took us past the old Radio Caroline anchored in the River Blackwater, bringing the odd tear to the eyes of some old Tony Blackburn fans, and on to West Mersea where we picked up mooring buoys, eventually! A day ashore to stretch legs enabled a visit to the renowned seafood restaurants which the town proudly offers before drifting down the Wallet on the following day back to home ports.

At the time of writing, eight boats are preparing for a cruise to northern France with a close eye on the weather. Future trips to Europe could well be affected by the outcome of the Brexit negotiations and it’s possible that we might go back to the old days of flying a ‘Q’ flag on entry into a foreign port with its attendant laborious customs formalities. At the present rate of progress this could be some way off but the situation is being closely followed.

The glistening spider’s webs in the boats’ rigging and the shortening hours of daylight signal the approaching end of the cruising season, However, plans are now well advanced for the winter social programme.

As well as club functions, the newly redecorated clubhouse is used for day/evening classes run by outside organisations and for RYA training.

There are still places available on the training courses and also dates are available for hire of the clubhouse for suitable classes. For further details visit: www.woodbridgecruisingclub.org

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Racing was held over five days, with three races each day, and there were excellent sailing conditions every day. There were 55 boats in the 4.2 fleet for the lighter weight sailors, and Sean made an excellent start to the week, scoring two seconds and four firsts over the first two days, faltering slightly in the stronger mid-week winds, but under real pressure on the final day he scored another second and another first to clinch the overall victory by the slimmest possible margin.

Sean, aged 14, has been racing from the age of 10, but moved in to the Topper class only a year ago, making great progress through a winter of RYA Squad coaching, and regularly competing nationally in Topper events, many of which attract 150 to 180 sailors each weekend. When not competing around the country, Sean sails at Deben Yacht Club and Waldringfield Sailing Club.

Another member who has been doing really well in his Topper in the 5.3 fleet is Euan Harris. Euan took part in a Topper national event at Lowestoft and finished 19th out of 133 boats which was a good recovery because after the first day he was lying 60th. At Grafham Water he finished 15th out of 150 boats and at Weymouth 13th of 124.He finished 16th in the Topper National Series overall and was second youth so that is very pleasing. He is now moving up to a Laser Radial.

After three courses teaching people to sail this year it’s been great to see several beginners teaming up and taking club boats out to gain confidence together. We’ve got some more youngsters going but also quite a few adults have got started. The flotillas and lazy sailing have been popular all summer and there has been lots of good racing.

Our annual club regatta in August was well attended with 27 boats competing. After a wet start, the weather turned fine, with some great races and some fun shore-based activities. The fast handicap was won

by James and Liz Wells in their Merlin Rocket, who had travelled all the way from Plymouth to take part. The Feva fleet was won by Ben and Jemima Alexander from DYC and the Topper fleet by Trish Hopkins from Waldringfield SC. The winner in the yachts fleet was Roger and Diana Hanes from DYC. A member who had never raced before decided to sign up for the week and won the prize for Best New Helm. Well done Jack Nelson-Tunks. We hope this might encourage more people to race; it’s a lot of fun. There was a jovial, friendly atmosphere all week and a lovely barbecue on Saturday night.

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