In Touch News with Bramford – July 2016

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with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Volume 6 • Issue No. 9 • JULY 2016

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Sport is fiercely important in small town, rural Ireland. Every town and village has a team and every boy and girl plays hurling and/or Gaelic football at school, but it’s senior hurling which generates the real passion and rivalry, particularly at county level competing for the national title at Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

I still remember Galway winning the All-Ireland in 1980 and captain Joe Connolly’s acceptance speech is regarded as one of the best GAA moments ever.

In an unscripted speech, Connolly claimed that day was like a spiritual re-awakening for a population that had been severely impacted by a famine in the 1800s and followed by mass emigration in the 1900s.

He then passed the microphone to Galway player Joe McDonagh who solidified that day as being one of Galway’s best with a rendition of the song The West’s Awake. We celebrated for weeks, car horns blazing, flag waving… the sense of pride was palpable. It changed everything.

On Monday, May 30 my little family and I went to see AFC Wimbledon play Plymouth Argyle in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Daniel has supported Wimbledon FC since way back when and was one of many who objected to the Football Association’s decision to allow the team to be relocated to Milton Keynes in 2002, where they are now called Milton Keynes Dons. The fans formed AFC Wimbledon in 2003 and in its short history the club has been hugely successful. Having beaten Plymouth 2-0 they will play in League One with MK Dons next season.

Close on 60,000 attended the Wembley game but the sense of togetherness and passion at the Wimbledon end took me back to 1980.

Perhaps it’s the same at all games, but 30,000 fans singing “I can’t help falling in love with you” is right up there with McDonagh’s The West’s Awake and will stay with me for a long time.

Belonging to something, being part of a community whether it’s local, regional or national, whether it’s sport or fundraising for the church roof, is profoundly satisfying – and good for the soul. Join in. You won’t regret it.

In Touch

2016 BRAMFORD

FUN DAY

SATURDAY

JULY 2ND

FROM 1:30PM AT BRAMFORD CHURCH

FUN

AND GAMES for all the family

Crazy Golf

Stalls & Crafts Competitions Bric-a-brac Raffle & Tombola

Dance Displays Live Music BBQ

Bouncy Castle Face Painting

Fundraising for St Marys Church, Bramford For more details or if you or your group would like to run a stall on the day please contact Caroline Wolton: 07919 993543 / Cags.Wolton@Btinternet.com

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: bramford@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints.

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IN TOUCH WITH . . .

• Hadleigh • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

AUGUST DEADLINE

© Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

10 JULY 2016 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS PLANT SALES AT ST MARY’S, BRAMFORD With an early start planned, Barry Earthy most promptly and kindly arrived to collect my assortment of surplus plants, a role he is very conversant with. His own plants had already been placed on the sales table.

BABERGH AND MID SUFFOLK OPEN FOR BUSINESS SURVEY We want to help businesses in our district grow and prosper. In order to do that we need to know more about you: where there are obstacles in your way and how you would like the council to use its powers and resources to help.

Tell us about your businesses and help us tailor our services and target our resources.

You can complete our Open for Business Survey online at: www.babergh.gov.uk/OpenBusinessSurvey www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/OpenBusinessSurvey Enter by July 31 and you’ll be entered into a draw to win up to £500!

For full details visit: www.babergh.gov.uk

By extreme good fortune our choice of plants was considerably broadened by the arrival of Olive and Herbert Godbold who most kindly donated a variety of plans from their beautiful garden at Thornbush Hall.

Additional support game from Stella and John who never cease unearthing interesting gems from their patch, not overlooking neighbours and friends who are constant supporters.

The weather on the day, although dry, was dominated by a cold northeasterly wind. Nonetheless we braved the elements. My thanks to Barry for his help with transport and assisting with sales. Further thanks are extended to all who kindly donated or purchased plants. The total proceeds of £72.60 were handed to the church treasurer though I believe that figure has been inflated by sales from Barry’s gate.

Heath permitting we will be back at the fete and flower show on July 2 and look forward to your generous support once again.

Dennis R Page

NEW WI AT SOMERSHAM Following on from a preliminary meeting in May and a follow up meeting in June it is hoped that by the time you read this we will be well on the way to forming a new WI in the village of Somersham.

The proposed new meetings will be on the third Monday of the month in Somersham Village Hall at 7.30pm, the July meeting being on July 18.

SCC CONNECTING COMMUNITIES DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT Suffolk County Council is revising its Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) provision for residents making journeys where scheduled bus and local train services do not exist. Commencing Monday, June 13 the present 17 rural Suffolk Links DRT areas will be replaced by a scheme based on the seven district council areas of Suffolk.

The organisation providing the service in Mid Suffolk is BSEVG and generally they will use nine seat vehicles. Where possible their aim will be to supplement fixed bus routes and local trains and thus some requests for non-disabled people transport will be based on a scheduled bus connection (e.g. a journey from Claydon to Creeting St Mary may be based on a pick up in Needham Market connecting out of and back into a service 88/89 bus journey). It’s not known how a request from, say, Barham to Coddenham would be treated where both places are on scheduled bus services although very indirect by a connection in Ipswich or Debenham. The decision will be made by the service co-ordinator.

Concessionary passes will not be valid for use on these services, but pass holders will be able to surrender their pass in exchange for an annual issue of vouchers worth £100. Adult fares for single journeys (no return fares) start at £2 for journeys up to five miles, scaling up to £4 for a journey between 15 and 20 miles.

The service will be provided from 07:00 until 19:00 Mondays to Saturdays.

Bookings can be made up to one week in advance by phoning 01449 614271 for Mid Suffolk residents.

At the presentation at Needham Market MSDC offices on June 8, County Councillor James Finch, SCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, assured the meeting that the new service would be closely monitored and adjustments would be made in the light of experience. He also emphasised that the service is available to all people regardless of age.

Barry Moore, Transport Representative, Claydon Parish Council 4

For further information, please contact the Suffolk East Federation on 01473 251632 or Liz on 01473 717830.

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY The Under 11 team at Claydon Football Club is sporting a new kit this season thanks to sponsorship from SUEZ, the company which runs the Suffolk energyfrom-waste facility.

The club, which is based close to the site, has been extremely helpful in the past, providing extra parking when we have needed it, both for our official opening last July and for our routine shut-downs when we have lots of extra contractors on site, but nowhere for them to park. So when one of the club’s coaches approached us for sponsorship, we were very happy to help. The team played in their new kit for the first time in May. Earlier this year the club also received £60,000 from the SITA Trust to refurbish the club house and changing rooms. The trust distributes money donated by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, but is completely separate and has its own board which decides which projects to support.

Funding is available for projects within a three-mile radius of the Suffolk energy-from-waste site and applications can be made online. There are two further funding rounds this year and the deadlines are July 25 and October 3.

SUEZ and Suffolk County Council were jointly nominated as ‘client of the year’ in this year’s AJ100 awards organised by the Architects’ Journal.

Grimshaw, who designed our building, put us forward in recognition of our commitment to good architectural design – something which is often missing in industrial buildings.

USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: JUNE 2016 COMMUNITY TRANSPORT: 01449 614271 The county re-letting of the contracts to provide community transport took effect on June 13. The aim is to reduce the subsidy dramatically as I have explained before.

BSEVC, the operator who is taking over in Mid Suffolk and Ipswich, is to use smaller vehicles. This will make it easier to get volunteer drivers and be a better match to the numbers of passengers carried. There will still be vehicles able to carry people with wheelchairs. Fares are similar to those for scheduled buses.

The down side is that services using these smaller vehicles cannot be registered and therefore concessionary bus passes can’t be used. The county administration’s efforts to ensure council tax does not rise will leave those who can least afford it facing higher costs for journeys to services like the doctors, hospital and the dentist.

BSEVC will also arrange community cars for a wide variety of journeys.

They will be driven by volunteers and will be available at £0.54 per mile with a booking charge of £1.20 per single journey. The driver will wait for 1.5 hours at your destination.

We all hope that extra revenue from new services will let the operation continue and even grow, but I hope the extra revenue does not just come from ex-bus pass users.

To book a trip to your final destination or to the nearest scheduled service contact: 01449 614271 / bookings@bsevc.co.uk PARK & RIDE Suffolk County Council is now working on the remaining two Park & Ride operations. The intention is to reduce the subsidy dramatically by making the service self-sustaining. No other administration has achieved that feat.

The plan, which will be agreed by December, will replace the current express buses with adjusted current commercial bus routes. At London Road the number 13 will call at the park & ride and your parking ticket will let you travel at park & ride prices. If you get on further down the route you could use your bus pass. The service will take an additional eight minutes to reach the town centre, but will be more frequent. The route through to the hospital will require a change of bus.

The intention is to reduce the size of the car parks letting the current spare places for commercial use, parking for other organisations perhaps.

The critical issue will be whether drivers will use the new slower service rather than park in town. It is vital they do to reduce traffic congestion and the pollution it produces.

PARKING AT BRAMFORD PRIMARY Bramford Primary, like most schools, is suffering increased parking problems. The number of out of catchment pupils is increasing and many busy parents and grandparents now take children to school by car.

Expansion of activities before and after the core school day stretch the problem out for residents who suffer people parking on footways, their drives and even turning on their property.

I have asked Highways to make all Zig Zag markings enforceable by ensuring that the necessary notices giving the nature and time of restrictions are in place. They will also ensure that restrictions in turning and passing areas are adequate and enforceable.

The school are looking at an increase in on-site parking to remove school and pre-school staff from the equation, but that will not be easy to fund until 106 money from new developments becomes available. They will however get valid and up to date costings.

DEVOLUTION We will be debating the devolution proposals at MSDC on June 29 and at SCC on June 30, so by the time you read this the debate should be finished.

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The county sees the current offer as a beginning with a more distant opportunity to take control of a wider range of health services and integrate them with social care. The administration sees a need to assert financial discipline in the health service and considers it a vital prize to win. Would that solve the current problems of funding services for an ageing population or just lead to further privatisation?

ROADS Most of the improvements I reported last month are underway. Work to resolve parking issues on Old Ipswich Road and Acton Road is progressing slowly, not helped by the staff reductions I reported last month.

We have scheduled yet another scrutiny session to investigate progress on the wider lack of a service acceptable to councillors and residents.

LEVEL CROSSINGS Network Rail are proposing closure of some pedestrian level crossings to aid the Ipswich in 60, Norwich in 90 programme. The two in my area are Stacpool, near the Baylham fishpond, and Broomfield between Mill Lane and the Sorrel Horse. Both footpaths have reasonably close alternative routes, but we need to expand the number of circular walking routes.

Walking in the Gipping Valley is essential as a low cost exercise to improve health and quality of life. I will make local views known.

DISTRICT COUNCIL Building a Sustainable Future events have been held at rather short notice. This will spread information and encourage thought about the need for the growth that is behind the Local Plan development.

An initial view of the possible areas for development, the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), has just been published.

This is far from a final set of decisions. They will be updated and a second call for sites undertaken.

The plan (a 4.6 Mbyte download) is at: http://tinyurl.com/jdqcogl If you have queries please contact me: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk / 01473 831306 www.john.field@suffolk.libdems.org

SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB By the time you read this we shall have had our first outing of the year.

On Monday, June 13, ten members will have attended 90 Glorious Years at the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe. Ten members not wishing to attend will have had a lunch at the Wild Man in Sproughton on Wednesday, June 15.

One member will have missed out, having been abroad on holiday.

Members’ reactions to the show will be reported in next month’s article, hopefully together with details of further outings.

Our current membership is 21, two members having returned to the fold.

Enjoy the summer. By the time you read these notes the days will be getting shorter again!

John Bates

BRAMFORD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP By special request our speaker this month is Nick Sign who will be telling us about the American Revolution – not local but definitely history!

We will meet in the Church Room at 7.30pm as usual on Thursday, July 14.

Visitors are welcome (£3).

In Touch online:

You are invited to our

Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ 01473 556 900

Free Advice Surgery Powers of Attorney Probate

Wills Court of Protection

Join us for tea, coffee, cake and a chat about your legal affairs

We’ll be at: Claydon Village Hall

8 Norwich Road, Claydon, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 0DF

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

15th July 2016 10am - 12.30pm

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NEWS SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM GARDENING Once again the summer approaches and from the sheds come the gardening paraphernalia – the mowers, strimmers, tools and compost. But have you thought about what would happen if they were stolen, the hassle of finding replacements and the money and time lost?

Please security mark your tools and machinery with postcode/house number, make a record of model numbers and serial numbers and take photographs. If items are stolen the photos and serial numbers could help the police identify them if they are found. The police and insurance company will also need the details when you report it.

When you go in for lunch or tea put the tools away in your shed and lock it! I have seen very expensive strimmers, lawn mowers and hedge trimmers just left on the footpath, and sheds wide open while the owner has gone in for break. Don’t think it will never happen to you, because it could.

HOUSE SECURITY Is your house secure? Have you shut all your windows and doors before going out, have you locked them? Many people don’t bother to shut their windows when they ‘just nip out to the shop’ or ‘just see if Jack next door has any’? This is just one time your property is vulnerable. It only takes a thief a few seconds to see if the premises are empty and topull out and empty all the drawers and cupboards. You may return home to utter chaos and the heartbreak of losing family items. Knowing a stranger has been through all your most private items is very upsetting. Always shut and lock doors and windows and lock them too if possible.

Here are a few pointers to protect your property • Fit good quality locks to doors, windows and sheds.

• How about a camera?

• Put up some lights for use at night and one to shine on your shed.

• Fit an alarm and one for your shed too.

• Mark all gardening equipment and electrical equipment.

• Make note of model numbers and serial numbers and keep safe.

• Photograph the items and any imperfections on the items.

• Invest in a key safe and use it!

• Photograph all jewellery in colour with a small ruler at side to show the size of item and approximate cost to replace each item and get this updated regularly.

Remember these pointers will be of no use if you don’t shut and lock the doors and windows.

Until next month, PCSO 3041Stephen Cooper, Hadleigh SNT, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD For emergency calls 999 / non-emergency calls 101

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE As the 2016 group arrival is imminent we would like to say a very big thank you to all of our supporters who have helped make this year’s visit possible.

Many people have dropped donations into our charity shop but haven’t left their contact details so I haven’t been able to thank them personally. If you prefer to remain anonymous then of course we respect this, but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge how grateful we are for your contributions.

Without all the clothing, shoes, toys and medicines donated by the local community we would find ourselves in the position of so many other Links that have had to cut the number of children in the group due to insufficient funding. We do try to give as much support as possible to the children, their families at home and also the host families who take the children into their homes for the whole month. Yes, the main purpose of the children’s visit is for health recuperation, but how brilliant is it that we can also give them memories to take home that will last a lifetime!

It is very, very unlikely that any of the children who come in the group will ever leave Belarus again, let alone come back to England.

Occasionally a child is fortunate enough to receive an invitation for a private visit, but with the increasing cost of air fares and visas the number of these invitations falls each year.

The day after the children arrive we hold a clothing party for them, a very important event as having arrived with only the clothes they are wearing the children will be able to choose clothing for themselves and any siblings at home. The children don’t mind that the clothing is second-hand. It’s amazing to see the look on their faces when they see all the clothes on display and know that they can choose whatever they want.

As this is an ongoing program we are always happy to continue to receive donations of clothing for the children throughout the year. Any age is appreciated as we not only provide clothing to the children when they visit, but also to their brothers and sisters at home, plus other children who, for various reasons, are unable to be included in the program. We currently support families in Belarus with children age from birth to 17 years of age.

We are always grateful for your support and hope it may continue long into the future.

Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / 07771 550868

Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

As we walked through the bluebell woods, I thought he’d like this

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NEWS SAVE THE DUKE

SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP A Community Shop for the local community, run by the local community

The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416 Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm; Saturday, 8am-1pm

Dr Sarah Caston with Dr Dan Poulter MP and local supporters Fancy 30% tax back (equivalent to 7% interest pa)? Make a four-year loan to this social enterprise and reap the benefit.

If you are a regular In Touch reader, you’ll know something about the campaign to buy and re-open the doors of the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham. We have raised more than £210,000 through sale of shares – but that’s not all we have in the pot!

Thanks to a new government scheme called SITR (Social Investment Tax Relief) we’ve already pulled in another £20,000 from lenders – and have some further promises. If you are in the fortunate position of having a lump sum of between £5,000 and £50,000 to lend for a four-year term, you may well be interested in joining in.

The reason you might be interested is that, in a welcome twist of fate, the proverbial tax man will make it worth your while! That’s because lenders can receive 30% tax relief – yes, 30%. This is equivalent to 7% interest each year!

“You’d be hard pressed to get such great returns from a bank or building society,” says Dr Sarah Caston, who started the Save the Duke campaign. “So if you decide to invest, you benefit financially – while you’re also doing a great service in helping re-open a beautiful historic pub.”

Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: “I am delighted to support the Save the Duke campaign in the endeavours to re-open this historic pub. The campaign has been a resounding success so far. With the innovative offer of buying shares in the Duke coupled with the pub becoming the first in East Anglia to be awarded tax relief from SITR, this surely cements a great future for the pub.

“I am extremely supportive of this government’s initiative to recognise and help social enterprise schemes and wish the team all the very best in this new chapter for the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham.”

Dr Poulter is teetotal and Dr Caston is pregnant so not drinking.

As doctors they see nothing inconsistent with not drinking and being huge supporters of pubs. They are totally behind the notion of pub as the hub of the community and point out that pubs are just as much (if not more) about sociability, friendship and community as they are about beer and wine.

“CAMRA has recently published research on pubs and sociability that demonstrates a real link between pubs and well-being,” says Sarah. “Just another reason – on top of the financial benefits – for investing.”

To invest, call our treasurer Gerard Kroon on 01473 657178 or visit: www.savetheduke.net/loan www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

We celebrate the fourth anniversary of our Community Shop at our Coffee Morning on Saturday July 2, 10am-12.30pm, when you are invited to come and have a piece of cake and a drink to help us celebrate and to say ‘thank you ‘ to all our volunteers and customers without whom our local shop would not be possible.

By supporting our local community shop either as a volunteer or customer, we are not only helping our own locality to be a vibrant living and thriving community, we are also supporting our local producers and the Suffolk economy. We sell local fresh produce and so support our local farmers, bakers, butchers, cake makers, brewers, and much more. Local buying also supports the environment by using fewer transport miles, so there are many good reasons for shopping locally.

The shop is a central hub for the area where people meet up with those they already know and also get to know new people. News of events happening in the villages is passed on and so creates interest and visitors to social occasions. One new community project taking place in the shop is Petrolheads. It’s especially for those interested in all things motordriven. If you fancy chatting with likeminded people over a cuppa come along on the first Wednesday of the month from 2-4pm and meet up with others in the coffee corner.

We still intend to open on Sunday mornings for a few hours as we try to accommodate the wishes of people who are working during the week and not about during our normal opening hours. Or those who fancy a fresh egg for breakfast and the newspaper to read, but for this we need volunteers to cover that time. If you are interested in helping out and getting to know people locally but have commitments during the week, this may be an opportunity to get involved. We would hope to have a team of at least eight people so that would mean just three hours a month for each volunteer. If this is of interest to you, please get in touch with a committee member and we will see if this is something we can get off the ground.

We like to support the younger members of our area by inviting them to be volunteers during the holidays or at weekends. This gives work and life experience which is good for putting on CVs and gives valuable insight into the world of work. If you, or somebody you know, is thinking of volunteering, either for personal interest or to gain experience then come along to the shop or telephone one of the committee members below and we will be very happy to see you.

We look forward to a successful fifth year of operating and helping to make our village and locality a great place in which to live.

Management Team: Lucy Barrett, 831890; Terry Fordham, 831529; Jenny Hitchcock, 832060; Peter Jousiffe, 833577; Anne MacFadyen, 831288; Steve Woolhouse, 831080

BRAMFORD WI Our next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Monday, July 11 at the Woodward’s Gardens in Coddenham.

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OUT & ABOUT CLAYDON & BARHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE

SCARECROW WORKSHOP

Church Lane, Claydon, IP6 0EG

FREE FUN DAY FOR THE FAMILY – Children must be accompanied by an adult

The club had a full range of events in June, some organised by the community centre and other private events and bookings. The hall, lounge and Compton Room have seen a steady increase in bookings.

FUTURE EVENTS Wednesday, July 6: A psychic evening with Ryan Gooding. Playgroup fundraising event, not organised by CBCC. Saturday, July 9: GALA DAY In the evening we present The Preservatives, a free event, all you need are your dancing shoes: www.thepreservatives.co.uk

Burstall Village Hall on Sunday, July 10, 10am-4pm

Come and make a scarecrow to enter into Burstall Flower Show which is on Saturday, August 6.

There is a class for family entry so come along and make one at our workshop. We will provide papier-mache heads if you need them. You will need to bring any clothing and accessories for your scarecrow.

Suggestions for clothing are: leggings, tights or trousers (child’s size) and old sweaters, tops or a dress for a lady scarecrow. Stuffing in the form of hay will be available. This is a free workshop, just bring a packed lunch or a picnic if it’s fine. Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be provided.

We have a wide and varied range of draft and bottled ales, ciders and lagers. Guinness and mild are also available and our premium larger, San Miguel, is now on tap. We have pints of bitter starting from just £2.50 and lager from just £2.90.

We hope that every scarecrow will be entered into Burstall Show.

Schedules will be available on the day.

www.candbcc.com / 01473 831805

Booking is essential as numbers will be limited. Please contact Ann: 01473 652262 / ann.burchnall@gmail.com

Facebook: Claydon Community Centre

PATRONAL-TIDE FLOWER FESTIVAL ST PETER’S CHURCH, COPDOCK Friday, July 1 to Sunday 3 Friday 1: Light refreshments and entertainment, 7pm Saturday 2: Church open, 10am-6pm Sunday 3: 10am Service with the Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich Church open from noon-6pm

If the weather is fine on the day of the show we hope to parade the scarecrows on the lawn in front of the village hall.

BRAMFORD CRAFT & CHATTER GROUP As usual we will only have one morning session in July and August, so our next get-together will be on Tuesday, July 12 in the Loraine Victory Hall from 9.30am to noon as usual. Hope to see you then.

EVERYBODY MOST WELCOME

ST MICHAEL’S, MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, July 9, 9am-12.30pm.

A chance to buy a whole range of products from local people including fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat from Woody’s butchery, sausage rolls, pastries and cheese.

There is also an interesting range of handcrafted items such as jewellery, cards and crochet items and we may also have pottery and antiques.

Outside you will find a selection of plants and small trees for your garden.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee, a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN More members mean we can be even better than we are already!

Would you still like to join Upbeat Contemporary Choir Bildeston?

Do you love to sing? Join in on Monday evenings at Bildeston Primary School from 7-9pm.

For more information contact Andrea on 01449 740601 or a.king00@btinternet.com or find us on Facebook.

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The very best, natural healthy sleep…guaranteed

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  

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 

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WOOLSAFE APPROVED TECHNICIANS CARE FOR YOUR CARPETS SAFELY We are delighted to announce that three of our experienced technicians have qualified to Woolsafe standards for the safest, no risk cleaning and care for your carpets. In fact we now have more qualified Woolsafe fibre care technicians than any other company in the country.

Have you ever questioned whether your carpets, rugs or soft furnishings should be cleaned? Many do and are normally persuaded it’s not worth it. But the answer is yes! They should be cleaned, but having the correct type of cleaning is the key factor to ensure the right results are achieved.

A carpet cleaner is a carpet cleaner, right? No, wrong. We all believe that if something looks cleaner then it is cleaner, but when we look into it a bit deeper, we find some interesting answers.

The most popular fibre used in carpets in the UK is wool. Wool is extremely good at hiding soil and responds extreme well to cleaning. However it is also extremely delicate. 95% of carpet cleaners in the UK are trained using American systems, but the carpets are mainly manmade synthetics. When they clean a wool fibre in the UK, it looks good until a few weeks later it starts to attract dirt quickly, feels course and gritty, spills become stains and the appearance is poor. Our Woolsafe approved technicians are trained and qualified to clean wool to the highest British standards, ensuring that the delicate fibres are not damaged in any way.

With the correct tailored cleaning processes, we can ensure that the fibres are maintained and cleaned to extend the life and keep the luxurious appearance that wool deserves.

If you have any questions regarding care for your home or business contact us for free advice and a no-obligation quote.

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB

If you are interested in being part of Bar-Clay Music Makers’ next production, Goldie Locks and Some Other Guys, please make a note of two important diary dates. The read-through will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 6 in Claydon Village Hall and auditions will be held in the village hall a week later (July 13) in two sessions: youngsters at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area behind the hall. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.

If you’re not sure about being part of the show (on stage or behind the scenes), why not come along to the read-through and find out more?

Rehearsals start in September for the panto in January 2017 and everyone is welcome. If you can’t make the read-through but would like to ask questions or register an interest (no commitment), please contact Vera on 836972.

HENLEY PLAYERS We have just closed our very successful production of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by Stewart Auty. It was well received and we had positive feedback by all.

We now have some key dates to share with you for 2016.

Sunday, June 26: AGM, barbecue and pantomime first read through, noon – all welcome Sunday, July 17: Pantomime auditions, 11am – please email us for information Sunday, September 4: Pantomime rehearsals start, noon Friday, October 21: Henley Quiz night, 7.30pm – tickets available soon Friday, December 9: Physic Night with Ryan Gooding, 7.30pm – tickets available soon Friday, January 6: Henley pantomime, 7.30pm – tickets from August 1 Saturday, January 7: Henley pantomime, 2.30pm and 7.30pm – tickets from August 1 Friday, February 24: Murder Mystery Night and three-course meal, 7.30pm For more information email: henleypanto2012@gmail.com

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5

Town/village

Location

Time

MIP/5A

Sproughton

Church Lane

9.10-9.25am

MIP/5B

Sproughton

Wild Man

9.30-9.45am

MIP/5C

Bramford

St Mary’s Close

9.50-10.05am

MIP/5D

Bramford

Paper Mill Lane

10.10-10.25am

MIP/5E

Great Blakenham

Chequers

10.35-1055am

MIP/5F

Blue Leighs

Mobile Home Park

11-11.15am

MIP/5G

Baylham

Post Box

11.25-11.45am

MIP/5H

Claydon

Crown

11.55am-1pm

MIP/5I

Claydon

Edinburgh Gardens

2.05-2.20pm

MIP/5J

Barham

Bacon Road

2.25-3.50pm

MIP/5K

Bramford

Packard Place

4-4.30pm

DATES: July 5, August 2, August 30, September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20 www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

In May we were entertained by Mrs Jane Paley with her lighthearted talk and quiz What Do You Know About Tea? It transpired not too much, but the afternoon was most interesting and we were able to aid the work of the charity Our Special Friends with our donation.

At our first meeting in June Paul Warne, one of our new members, talked about his life as a wood carver, both as a college tutor and as a hobby. He brought along some wonderful examples of his work for us all to admire and explained a little about the various woods he uses and the commissions he has undertaken. Our second meeting in June featured another part in our occasional series A Walk Down Memory Lane coupled with a strawberry tea party with red white and blue outfits optional.

Our meetings for the next few months are: July 13: Mrs Pauline Walker on The History of the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company July 27: Our last meeting before our summer break will be a social afternoon including quiz time with Brenda Cooper We will start back again on September 14 with our AGM. We would be pleased to welcome anyone who would like to come to one of the talks. There is no obligation to become a member, so do come and join us.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

ST MARY’S CHURCH GATHERING Every third Tuesday in the month, 2.30-4pm, in the Church Room.

Do come and join us; we will be very pleased to see you.

If transport is required please contact Janet: 741331

1ST BRAMFORD SCOUT GROUP

On the weekend of June 10, 1st Bramford Scout Group held its Annual Family Camp at Hallowtree Campsite. Forty-one families joined in the fun and enjoying activities such as archery, rifle shooting, karting, climbing, abseiling, backwoods cooking, campfire singing and much more. It was a fantastic weekend which also included celebrating the Queen’s birthday in true style.

Thanks to Group Scout Leader Claire Bickers for all her hard work organising the events and all the other leaders and helpers who made the event possible.

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SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Hasn’t the term just flown by? We can’t believe that the end of the pre-school year is just a few weeks away now. We would like to wish all our leavers a very fond farewell as they move on to their next stage of education. We are also now preparing for the new starters to join us in September – we are really looking forward to meeting them.

aged two to eight years old. This will run from July 26 until September 1. Prices are £20 for a full day (bring a packed lunch) and £12 for either a morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (12.30-3.30pm) session. If you wish to find out more or want to book spaces please contact the administrator – details below.

There’s still time to get involved in upcoming events.

The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am-3.30pm during term time. Children can start from the age of two until they go to Reception. Session fees are £9.60 and we offer a lunchclub (noon12.30pm) for £1.60. We are happy to accept childcare vouchers and we offer two-year funded places for any eligible children.

Open event If you are interested in sending your child to Claydon Pre-school and would like to come and have a look around, we are holding an open day event from 4-6pm on Thursday, July 7. Just come along, everyone is welcome. We look forward to meeting you all.

Ryan Gooding Physic Night On Wednesday, July 6 from 7.30pm at Claydon and Barham Community Centre. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from the pre-school or the community centre. Please feel free to contact the administrator if you would like further information.

Summer Holiday Club We will once again be running our summer holiday club on each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-3.30pm for children

We also run a holiday club at Easter and in the summer holidays for two to eight year olds – further information can be obtained by contacting the administrator.

For information regarding any of the above events or just to find out more about Claydon Pre-school, please contact the administrator, Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk Don’t forget to get your applications in now for places in September 2016.

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL As another academic year comes to a close, there’s just time to catch up on what has been happening at Claydon High School and what we can look forward to in the last few weeks of term.

Year 11 students have now left school and while it’s sad to see them go, I am very proud of their successes and achievements, both personal and academic, over the last five years and I wish them all the very best for the future.

The Arts Faculty has been busy this term with their annual sponsored fancy dress Fun Run raising an incredible £2,866 which will go towards equipment and resources. They also held a GCSE Art Exhibition on June 20, showcasing some fantastic artistic talent and a very successful Sports Day on June 28.

PE students visited Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey to see the professionals and celebrities teeing off, and our Year 9 band, Fifth Dimension, was invited along to the club to perform at the celebrity award ceremony.

This was a unique and nerve wracking experience for them, but they did themselves proud with a stunning performance.

Food and Business students enjoyed a trip to the Food and Farming Fair at Hollow Trees Farm, where, supported by more than 50 farming professionals, they had the chance to explore this industry as a career choice. English students visited the Globe Theatre in London to watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

INDUCTION EVENTS We provide a wide range of transition activities for all our feeder primary schools which enable students (predominantly from Years 3-6) to get to know Claydon High School staff and explore our exciting school facilities, as well as making new friends before they join us in Year 7. On Wednesday, July 6, Year 6 parents/carers are invited to an induction evening to meet staff, hear how they can be involved with the school and to discuss any concerns. Year 6 students will then attend an induction day on July 7 where they will enjoy lessons, be introduced to some of their teachers and make new friends in their form groups. Year 7 is a special year for the young people who join us and we want to make sure they are happy, confident and prepared for this next exciting stage of their education.

On July 12 we look forward to welcoming 130 Year 5 students to the school for a Primary Arts Festival. The students will be split into eight 16

groups and take part in drama, dance, PE, music and art based activities all designed around the theme of The Sea. Lunch will be provided and they will be ably assisted throughout the day by selected Year 10 students. In the afternoon, the whole year group will come together in the main hall to showcase the creative skills they have learnt.

While we look forward to Year 6 students joining us, our Year 10 students are busy preparing to visit Suffolk One on a taster day before spending the penultimate week of term on work experience placements.

Students have organised their own approved placements, ranging from vets, hairdressers, travel agents, banks and pre-schools to Essex Police Firearms Department, the Met Office and KPMG at Canary Wharf in London.

A good work experience placement can provide a valuable insight into a different environment, helping students to clarify career aspirations so they can think about what they want to do and the qualifications they will potentially need. It can open doors and also provide concrete evidence of interest in a particular career to both university admissions officers and future employers. We wish all Year 10s the best of luck for an enjoyable and productive week.

We still have many events to look forward to before we break up, such as Grease on July 4 and 5 (there’s still time to get your tickets), the Community Tea Party, Praise Tea Party and Sports Award Evening.

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please contact my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term.

Headteacher Mrs S Skinner

In Touch online:

BRAMFORD ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Entertainment for July www.bramfordrblclub.co.uk Tel: (01473) 745198 or join us on Facebook

Sat 2

Ritchie Monroe

Sat 9

Shane and The Karrados

Thurs 14 Country and Western with Brian Mann Sat 16

Shadoogie

Sat 23

Jimbob

Wed 27

Karaoke

Thurs 28 Bingo Sat 30

Disco

Bingo every Sunday night from 8pm.

As well as a snooker room and pretty outside seating area we now have hot drinks available at the bar, so come and join us for coffee or beer. www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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In Touch online:

SPORT BRAMFORD BOWLS CLUB It has been a busy month since my last report and thankfully at the time of writing summer has at last appeared.

The first round of the men’s BE Double Fours was played against California BC on May 22. The rink of Ray Paternoster, David Thompson, Andy Roberts and John Sharman won by three shots, but unfortunately the other rink of Christian Barber, Allen Davey, Roy Prentice and Steve Zarkos went down by six shots, making a total loss of three shots on the game. Very bad luck, but so close.

The second round of the BE Norton Cup was played on May 29 against Bungay BC (one rink home, one rink away). Unfortunately we couldn’t replicate the success we had in the first round and the away rink of Ray Prentice, Mel Milne, Andy Roberts and John Sharman unfortunately lost 9-18. However, the home rink of Mike O’Shea, Jason Smith, Roy Prentice and Steve Zarkos produced a ‘thriller in Manila’. The game was nip and tuck throughout with some excellent bowling from both sides and the resulting draw of 20-20 was perhaps indicative of the game.

The ladies played the first round of the BE Top Team county competition against a combined team from Margaret Catchpole and Holywells on June 1. It was played in overcast and windy conditions with rain threatening (a usual occurrence this season so far). The two-wood singles as usual was the first rink to finish, and was a close game throughout, but unfortunately Jean Taylor came a ‘close second’ finishing 13-16. Janet Paternoster fared better in the four-wood singles, having led from the start finishing with a very good 21-11 win. This meant the scores were level at this point. However, the triples’ rink of Ann Thaine, Jo Whiting and Stella Utteridge stormed away, finishing with an impressive score of 30-7. Likewise the pairs’ rink of Joyce Thompson and Mary Saunders were always ahead and finished with a score of 31-5. The only rink to suffer was the fours rink with Linda Fairs, Zoe Rowland-Barnard, Diana Wolton and Rachelle Barber playing against a very strong Holywells set and they finished up 11-17. We play Ipswich Ladies BC in the next round.

The second round of the Federation Junior Cup was played on June 3 against Norbridge BC. This was a close game for the first half with Bramford ahead by three shots. However, in the second half Norbridge pulled back and went ahead and we lost by 21 shots overall.

The first round of the BE Bert Edwards Cup was played on June 4 against Margaret Catchpole BC. It was a close game throughout and going into the 21st end we were in the lead by five shots. However, the wheels came off at that point and we lost a three, two and a one on the last end over

BRAMFORD UNITED Our annual presentation evening took place on Saturday, May 28.

This was a well attended event held in the clubhouse. A buffet was provided along with an excellent barbecue with thanks going to Paul Waspe, assisted by Kick and Sam Booth, who gave up their time on the evening to do the ‘cooking’. Someone else was supposed to provide a barbecue to assist but after two a half minutes of cooking their gas cylinder ran out!

In his address to the nation chairman John Parker thanked the committee for their hard work throughout the season. Thanks also to both managers and all the players for their commitment during the season.

In his summary of the season, First team manager Adam Waspe said it had been a tough season, but we finished one place higher than last term with a fourth place position. Had we not lost at least three matches we should have won, third place or even runners-up could have been the outcome.

Reserve team manager David Downes, in his first season at the club, www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

the three rinks and lost overall by just one shot. How disappointing is that!

The first round of the BE Quinton Bowl was played at Framlingham BC on June 5 and we fared better in this one. The rink of Mike O’Shea, Arthur Read, Mel Milne and Steve Zarkos finished with a score of 25-16. The rink of Richard Hughes, Ray Paternoster, Terry Griffin and John Sharman 2517, Christian Barber, Tony Turner, Les Smith and Andy Roberts 18-19 and Allen Davey, Colin Mortimer, Martin Barber and Roy Prentice finished up 16-25. We finished up winning by seven shots. The next round will be against Marlborough BC on a neutral green in whites.

The ladies entered the BE Hadleigh Cup county competition for the first time this year and had to play Lowestoft Rail BC on June 8. It turned out to be a very successful day, played in lovely sunny weather. All three rinks were always ahead, and the rinks of Jean Taylor, Linda Fairs, Diana Wolton and Janet Paternoster finished 25-10, Joyce Thompson, Ann Thaine, Ruby Rudge and Mary Saunders finished 28-9. However the rink of Zoe Barnard-Rowland, Maureen Higgins, Jo Whiting and Stella Utteridge had a slight scare as the opposition pulled back to within one shot on the 15th end. However, they kept their heads, finishing with a score of 20-16. Very well done everybody.

Some of our ladies were selected to play for Suffolk in the first round of the BE Johns Trophy national competition against Leicestershire on June 4. They were Rachelle Barber, Janet Paternoster, Stella Utteridge and Zoe Barnard-Rowland. This proved a most exciting day as Suffolk finished up winning four of the six rinks.

Janet Paternoster and Stella Utteridge were also selected to play for Suffolk in the BE Walker Cup national competition, when they played Northamptonshire. It was a close game throughout and Suffolk’s Katherine Rednall drew with her last wood on her rink to force an extra end. Suffolk were down at the head on the extra end when Sue Bernard bowled her last wood and picked up the jack for a score of two. The opposing skip could not do anything about it and so Suffolk came out the victors.

At the time of writing most of our teams are languishing in the bottom half of their respective Ipswich and District Federation leagues. However, our stars at the moment are the ‘D’ Team who are currently top, as is our Samford afternoon ‘A’ team. Well done. In the Stowmarket league we are third. In the BE leagues the mixed triples are third and the men’s triples are fourth.

Never mind – it’s early in the season and things will change I am sure!

Mary Saunders

thanked his players as well for their loyalty and commitment which saw several players playing together for the first time. Their efforts in this team building season saw them finish in a creditable mid-table spot.

AWARDS First Team Manager’s Player: Jamie Cowan Players’ Player & Supporters Player: Dan Colthorpe Leading Goal Scorer: Paul Dodsworth Reserve Team Manager’s Player: Darren Moles Players’ Player: Nick Bretherton Leading Goal Scorer: Chris Humphrys Paul Dodsworth was also presented with a special award. After a long career in local football he has hung up his boots, but all is not lost in our case as he will be assistant manager to Adam Waspe next season.

On the subject of next season, the First team have three friendlies lined up: home to Brantham United on July 30, away to AFC Sudbury Res on Thursday August 11, and home to Bacton on Saturday, August 13. The Reserves are without friendlies at present, but would respectfully suggest keeping an eye on our website where all fixtures are posted.

Hopefully next month the league fixtures will be available.

Brammie 19

SPORT BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB

SPROUGHTON TENNIS CLUB

Greetings guff lovers. With all the furore over performance enhancing drugs and their increasing use by sportsmen, I am pleased to report that I have been given a clean bill of health from the tennis authorities following their recent investigation into my performances. After video analysis of my game they have concluded that no amount of artificial stimulants could improve my performance to the point where I may possibly beat an opponent unfairly, so that was a weight off of my mind.

I was just relieved that they didn’t test for the presence of Adnams Ghost Ship in the blood samples.

Not much to report this month (as if you didn’t know already), with the summer league yet to start and most of the players recovering from winter leagues injuries – usually frostbite – we have taken the lull in activity to indulge in some court maintenance, steam cleaning the surfaces to make them safer after the wet winter algae growth. We usually repair the fences too as they get damaged from having to climb over to find Nick’s serves in the long grass, and we had the added bonus of having one of the balls we thought he had lost after a particularly high lob returned to us from Tim Peake in the Space Station.

By the time this report has appeared in In Touch we will have begun the summer league season, although a good indicator of how we are faring may be gauged by the amount of tennis rackets thrown over the fences in frustration. Dog walkers may benefit if they have an Ebay account as there is usually a good secondhand value on tennis rackets before Wimbledon starts.

Joke of the Month Two bird watchers were out in the woods when a giant grizzly bear appeared at the top of a hill and with a ferocious roar immediately ran down towards them. One of the men took a pair of trainers out of his backpack and started to put them on. “Are you mad?” asked the other man, “You can’t outrun a bear.” “I don’t have to outrun the bear,”said the man tying up his trainer laces, “I just have to outrun you.”

Our recent open day was a great success. We were lucky with the weather and many juniors had their first taste of tennis. Right now we are offering all new members, young and old, half-price membership.

Our courts have been resurfaced and are playing really well.

If you are interested in joining please visit www.sproughtontennis.co.uk or contact John Tallent on: 01473 402307

SPROUGHTON BOWLS CLUB

More guff next month, Mick Russ

SPROUGHTON SPORTS FC We have now finished another season with our awards being held on FA Cup Final Day, May 21.

Reserve winners Manager’s Award: Darren Finch Top Scorers: In joint first were Jamie Basham and Kyle Page Players’ Player: The ever popular Dean Smy

It’s only six weeks since our green opening ceremony which was carried out by Ipswich Mayor Glen Chisholm in dull, cold and wet conditions. Here we see him casting the first bowl of the season, closely watched by club president David Biggs.

First Team winners Manager’s Award: Nick Tigges Top Scorer: Nick Tigges Players’ Player: Steve Crane

In that time the 10 league teams that represent the club have all been busy with fixtures across Suffolk. Results can be found on our website.

A special award was made to loyal player Leon Studd marking 25 years service to the club.

Could we ask people to keep off, and to keep their dogs off, the reseeded goal areas which have recently been completed at the expense of the football section? Our thanks go to Keit, Dean, Darryl and Rochey who helped Terry do this.

We have also been competing in various county cup competitions as a club and individually with varying degrees of success.

The club also runs several open tournaments on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons. Winners of the first two of these were Geoff Pratt and Sam Saunders who won the Sunday Open on May 22, and Barry Smith and partner who won the Tuesday Open on May 24.

If any local lads would like to join us in summer training when it starts please email georginastudd@aool.com or call 01473 747017 for dates.

There are matches at Sproughton on most nights of the week, please feel free to come and watch. Who knows it may inspire you to take up the game. We are always looking to increase our membership and playing strength.

G Studd

Fixtures and details can be found at: www.sproughtonbowlsclub.com

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In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev John Boardman (Methodist): 01787 372738 Hall lettings: 07851 742847 Church contact: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am, including crèche and Sunday Club Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: Monday 9.30-11am (term time) For mums and toddlers, 12 months to four years.

Contact Hannah: 07969 482360 Scrabble Club: Monday 2-4pm New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Women’s Fellowship: Second Wednesday 2.30-3.30pm Contact Linda Hills: 01449 721258 Christians Together Ecumenical Group: Thursday, 10am Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon Always with a selection of cakes for sale.

OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Monday, 7-9pm Children’s Musical Theatre: Tuesday, 4-6pm. Contact Faye: 01449 722354 Karate: Wednesday; juniors 6.30-7.30pm / adults 7.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm (term time) Self Defence: Thursday, 8-10pm ALL ARE WELCOME! I often go away on holiday in July, and had tentatively planned to do so again this year. However, I have a new little companion in the form of Martha, a Cairn terrier puppy. She is (mostly) delightful, but not old enough to undertake a fortnight’s walking and sightseeing, yet still too young to go to kennels – so I’ll be having a ‘staycation’.

It must be nearly 20 years since I last had a puppy and I had forgotten just how much hard work they are! It’s not dissimilar to having a toddler, what with ‘potty training’, trying to ensure the house is ‘safe’ and trying to establish behaviour boundaries! But she’s lovely and means I have every excuse to go out for walks – we like Needham Lake!

Having responsibility for a dog, and indeed for a child, is simultaneously wonderful and daunting. Building up a relationship of trust and love takes time, with ups and downs. When Martha disobeys me it’s frustrating, but I know that I must still love and care for her, encouraging her to make the right ‘decision’ next time – even though this is likely to be based on bribery with food! But when she gets it right we are both happy – I smile and she wags her tail.

At Christchurch recently we have been looking at a book called Meditations in the Garden which has focussed on the first book of the Bible and in particular the story of Creation. In the part of the story about Adam and Eve there’s an episode when they disobey instructions from God and things go wrong. It causes a rift in the relationship they have with God. So, as Martha and I build our relationship on trust, affection and dog biscuits, I’m reminded that God wants us to rebuild our relationships with him – relationships established on faith, trust and love, but no dog biscuits!

Do say hello to us if you see us around the lake.

Rev Mary Playford www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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CHURCH NEWS ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar 01473 748914 / Stmarybramford@aol.com Assistant Curate: The Rev Julian Fennel, 01473 833250 www.stmarybramford.co.uk Wednesday morning quiet reflective Communion Service: 9.30am at the vicarage, unless otherwise advised.

July 3 Trinity 6 8am Holy Communion Little Blakenham 10am Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing, Bramford 6pm Evening Prayer BCP Baylham July 7 3pm United Service Cherryfields July 10 Trinity 7 8am Holy Communion Bramford 10am Parish Communion Nettlestead 5pm Five O’clock Service Bramford July 12 11am Communion from Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre July 13 7.30pm Healing Service Methodist Church July 17 10am 10am July 19 2.30pm 5pm July 24 8am 10am 10am July 30 10am July 31 10am

Trinity 8 Holy Communion Holy Communion

Bramford Baylham

The Gathering Time4You /*New* Trinity 9 Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer (CW)

Church Room Bramford

Coffee Morning

Bramford Church Room

Bramford Bramford Nettlestead

Group Communion and Baptism, Bramford

Dear Friends This year seems to be going incredibly quickly. We have been busy with weddings, baptisms, special services, celebrations of the Queen’s birthday, and now we are in church fete season, which is always a joy.

Bramford Fun Fay is on July 2, and as I write we are beginning to make preparations to the area round the church room. Other parishes have plenty going on too, watch out for their publicity.

These fetes and fun days are great occasions for getting out and talking to people, and of course we have a lot of fun and hopefully make a little money on the way through. Fundraising for our churches is really important as we survive on what we bring in each year, and all four parishes have wonderful, historical medieval buildings to support.

We also need people to give their time and energy as there are a lot of jobs to be done in a church community, from church cleaning, through building maintenance right the way up to running the services. Many of those who help us on the practical side of things are not regular churchgoers. This has always been the case, and we really value that input from people who love our buildings. If you would like to help us out in any practical way, please ring the your parish churchwarden to chat about what we need.

Gloria Baxter, one of our long term helpers at Bramford, has recently retired as Sacristan. The Sacristan is the person who helps set up for communion and keeps the church linen in order. Gloria has served the church faithfully in this way for many years, and we thank her for all her efforts.

This means we need a new Sacristan, or a team who can help by setting up for communion each Sunday morning – full training will be given. If 22

you feel this is something you could help out with occasionally, please contact either myself, Julian or Stewart McGinty and we will be happy to let you know what it entails.

In the meantime, if the weather today is anything to go by, we are going to be in for a good summer, enjoy!

Blessings to you all, Jenny PARISH REGISTERS Baptisms May 22: Luella Maece June 5: Henry Newstead June 5: Finley Brill May they grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Weddings May 7: Shaun McLellan and Stephany Pennock, Bramford May 14: Luke Harrison and Natasha Saunderson-Copping, Bramford June 10: Matthew Thomas and Claire Fitzmaurice, Baylham May they grow in their love for each other.

Funerals May 13: Ivan Fisher June 2: Brian Harold Goodwin We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers.

Cleaning Rota: H & P Hart Flower Rota: July 2 S Heath / 9 & 16 S Alderton / 23 & 30 D Heasley Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church June 1: To celebrate the 91st birthday of June Andrews June: In memory of Bill Barrett If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week.

It was great to have a visit from The Rev Holly Gloff (pictured left) from St Michael’s Raleigh, North Carolina, in June. She is a long term friend of Rev Jenny’s. She brought greetings from St Michael’s and memorably preached at both the 10am and noon Baptism Services at St Mary’s on June 5. Holly is used to congregations of around 600, and loves experiencing our lovely medieval churches and small welcoming congregations. I am sure we will see her again when she is next in the UK. Lectionary Bible Readings for our Sunday Worship are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to share the reading of Scripture with Christians – both Catholic and Protestant –­ across the world.

July 3 2 Kings 5:1-14

Trinity 6 Gal. 6:7-16

Green Luke 10:16-20

Trinity 7

Green

Col. 1:1-14

Luke 10:25-37

Trinity 8

Green

Col. 1:15-28

Luke 10:38-end

Trinity 9

Green

Hos. 1:2-10

Col. 2:6-15

Luke 11:1-13

July 31 Hos. 11:1-11

Trinity 10 Col. 3:1-11

Green Luke 12:13-21

July 10 Amos 7:7-end July 17 Amos 8:1-12 July 24

In Touch online:

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