In Touch
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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 6 • Issue No. 4 • FEBRUARY 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR We had a friend coming over to play last Saturday and I asked Jack if we should invite him to stay for dinner. “He loves Chinese,” my oh-so-quick sesame prawn toast loving son replied, so I said I’d send a message to his mum. “Is a message just a slow way of telling someone something?,” Jack asked and I must admit it would have been quicker and easier to pick the phone up and actually speak to Emma. Three texts later we knew Adam was staying for dinner, that he liked Spaghetti Bolognese and didn’t have any food allergies, so the answer to Jack’s question, at least in this circumstance, was probably YES. Information technology has transformed our lives for the better it so many, many ways, but nothing beats direct communication and social media can never replace actual physical, social contact. I’m reminded of a submission from Elaine Bamber in Washbrook which I’d like to share. I hope it gives you a giggle FACEBOOK FOR THE OLDER GENERATION For those of my generation who do not comprehend why Facebook exists! I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles. Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers by what I have eaten, how I am feeling at the moment, what I did the night before, what I will be doing later and with whom. I give them pictures of my family, my dog, of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving round town, having lunch and doing what everyone and everybody does every day. I also listen to their conversations and give them the ‘thumbs up’ and tell them that I like them. It works just like Facebook! I already have four people following me... two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist!
In Touch
with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead
In Touch with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
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IN TOUCH WITH . . .
• Hadleigh NEW • 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 • Bramford, Somersham & Offton • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton
NEWS ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY UPDATE Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility attracted more than 2,600 visitors in its first year and 99.5% said they were either happy or very happy with their visit. As well as seven open days, aimed primarily at those living very close to the site, the centre has hosted 37 school or children’s groups and 92 adult groups during the year. Visitors have come from right across the county and beyond, but over half of the visitors live in Mid Suffolk or Babergh. The feedback has been very positive, with local people welcoming the opportunity to learn more about the energy-from-waste process, as well as recycling and the need to produce more energy from renewable sources. One local resident commented: “Very informative. I feel a lot happier with the facility being here now as it has all been explained to me. Thank you.” A typical visit includes a presentation, a tour of the facility including the control room where the emissions monitoring information can be seen, and time in the visitor centre rooms. The chimney emissions monitoring information is also available on our website: www.suffolkefw.co.uk Before the site opened, Suffolk County Council set up a monitoring station close by to measure general air quality before, during and after construction. This information is available on the Green Suffolk website at: http://tinyurl.com/zd6jdlr USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SITA Trust: 01454 262910
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Coffee ‘n’ Cake networking: Friday, February 5, 10am-noon This month our hosts will be Suffolk FA, Bill Steward House, The Buntings, Stowmarket IP14 5GZ. Details are still being finalised so for updates please check the website or contact our secretary, Keely Taylor: 01449 770965 / 07711 186626 Networking Breakfast: Friday, February 19, 6.45am At Cedars Park Community Centre, Stowmarket You can book online at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk
IN TOUCH WITH...
MARCH DEADLINE 10 FEBRUARY 2016 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy
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NEWS SAVE THE DUKE UPDATE You’ll be pleased to hear that progress has not stopped. More than £190,000 was raised in just three months – and people are still buying shares, so the total is edging its way upwards. If you haven’t already joined in, it’s not too late, so please do. Just go on the website to invest or contact Gerard Kroon: 01473 657178 The fantastic support and encouragement from local communities has kept the committee going, ploughing through laborious tasks and layers of bureaucracy to get to the strong position we’re now in. We’re determined to make 2016 the year we get our pub back. The committee Having started the Save the Duke campaign, then tirelessly driven it forward over the last year – while also working as a doctor – Sarah Caston is stepping down as chair. She has made an invaluable contribution and been an inspirational leader and our sincere thanks are due to her. She will continue to sit on the committee and support the campaign going forward. We are pleased to announce James Batchelor-Wylam from Somersham as new chair. James runs a branch of the NFU/NFU Mutual in Lavenham and his business acumen will be of great use to the committee as we move to a new phase of the project with the purchase of the pub this year. Buying shares We are in constructive discussions with the pub’s owners about its purchase. In order to buy and operate the Duke of Marlborough a further £150,000 is needed. This can, and will (!), be raised. Other communities have done it – and so can we. But we need your help. •
If you are not already a shareholder, could you invest £250 or more?
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If you are a shareholder, would you be prepared to increase your current shareholding?
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Could you help us find more supporters – refer friends, colleagues or family who would consider buying shares?
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All donations (however small) are also very welcome
Loaning big lump sums – great new scheme with attractive payback In order to buy the pub as soon as possible, we need to borrow money. If you have £5,000 to £50,000 to invest for a period of four years and if your tax liabilities are over £3,000 a year, then you may well want to benefit from a fantastic new scheme. The government’s Social Investment Tax Relief should enable you to reclaim 30% of your loan against your tax bill. The end result is equivalent to a whacking 7% a year interest – and your loan returned in full after four years. The good news is that the loans will cost the pub nothing: the benefit to savers comes direct from the taxman. We’re in the process of registering with HMRC for the scheme, and are seeking expressions of interest. Please email marlboroughsomersham@gmail.com or call James on 01473 831042 if you’d like to get involved or to know more about it. BASH IN THE BARN 2: Fundraising event on March 19 Put March 19 in your diaries for Bash in the Barn 2. More details to follow – our Facebook page is a good way to keep abreast of latest news: www.facebook.com/marlboroughsomersham Follow us on Twitter: @helpsavetheduke
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FARMHOUSE FIVE FOR FEMALES We are proud to announce a new running event in the local area. On March 6 (Mother’s Day) there will be a multi-terrain five mile running event for females called the Farmhouse Five for Females. The event will start and finish at the lovely Lux Farm, Ipswich IP5 1DA and will follow the fabulous footpaths into Rushmere village and along the beautiful Fynn Valley to Playford, then back to the farm. The aim is to support women of all abilities running and to encourage women to explore the glorious countryside on a supported and accessible off-road route. As it’s taking place on Mother’s Day, the event will be really family friendly and we hope partners and children will come and support. All runners aged 15 years and over welcome. The race is a proud supporter of Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign and proceeds from every participant’s entry fee will be donated to Plan UK’s Girls Fund. For more information and to enter please visit: www.farmhousefive.co.uk
DAVID CARD, MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Covering the parishes of Barking, Baylham, Darmsden, Nettlestead, Offton, Somersham and Willisham District Councillor ‘one off’ £5,000 Community Locality Award By the time you read this I will have decided how to allocate the award between the applications received: • Somersham Community Shop • Somersham Tennis Club • Somersham Duke Community Pub • Somersham Play area equipment • Somersham/Offton Link magazine • Barking Village Hall • Offton/Willisham Village Hall playground • Baylham Church toilet • Suffolk Cruse Bereavement Care • Needham Market Parish church Community Infrastructure Levy A decision is expected to be taken at a special meeting of full council in January 2016. Community Led Planning Rather than adopt the more complicated Neighbourhood Plan, MSDC have now introduced a simpler Community Led Planning scheme. Let me know if you require a copy of the guidance. Devolution of Powers Debate The government’s Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill continues to be worked up behind the scenes. Suffolk, Norfolk and now Cambridgeshire are working up yet another ‘joint bid’. MSDC Medium Term Financial Strategy Details on financial plans are contained in papers released by officials which acknowledge “the need to live within our means”. I welcome this approach but would add that we need to understand what we must do as against what we volunteer to do. Babergh and Mid Suffolk office accommodation How much and where office space is needed will be an important topic for debate in 2016. A community consultation will be undertaken before any final decision is taken. For further information contact David Card: 01449 722267 / david.card@midsuffolk.gov.uk
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Stowe Veterinary Centre
Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre
Ipswich Veterinary Centre
The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery
The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery
54 Bury Road, Stowmarket
2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds
Scrivener Drive, Ipswich
Coddenham Road, Needham Market
Station Road, Elmswell
Tel: 01449 613 130
Tel: 01284 747 000
Tel: 01473 555 000
Tel: 01449 722 198
Tel: 01359 241 761
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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT John Field’s Report to Gipping Valley: January 2015 Local Government Financial News The county and district now know their settlements for the next four years and both have suffered rather more than they expected. The county will receive £4million more next year than it estimated, then £4, £6 and £8million less over the next three years. Overall, the reduction from now will be £41.9million by 2019/20. The estimate is that inflation will cost an additional £8 million and demographic change £5.2 million per year, which all makes it difficult or impossible to maintain services for the vulnerable and the rest of us. I will report the proposed budget actions when the administration reveals its revised proposals.
SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP
The district core budget will lose £730k government grant next year and another £1 million over the next three years. This will be replaced from the £2.6million New Homes Bonus which will drop to about £1.8 million over the period. There will still be £8.4million of Transformation Funds available for investment in 2016/17.
The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416
The government ruling that rents must no longer rise by CPI plus 1% but now must fall by 1% in cash terms will challenge the district’s housing revenue account. This change is good for residents but takes a substantial sum from the finance for continued building of new and replacement council houses.
A Happy 2016 to all our customers and volunteers. We look forward to seeing everybody in the shop in the coming year. Many thanks to all the volunteers who gave of their time to keep the shop open over the Christmas and New Year period, your efforts were much appreciated.
The proceeds from right to buy sales can form 30% of the cost of replacement homes but the remaining 70% must come from surplus rent income, grants that we may win from government and borrowing. The rent reductions make a hole in the total and a major checking exercise is in progress. Devolution It is a bit hard to get excited by devolution. Does it matter to you? Will you get better and more efficient services? Does it matter who rules you as long as they take notice of your views and are good at it? The Enabling Bill is certainly progressing through parliament with the last minute addition of some significant powers to allow the government to overcome resistance from local authorities. We will be examining progress in Scrutiny on February 10 asking, among other things, why is it important that Suffolk pursues devolution, what are the advantages, what are the potential benefits to the people of Suffolk and what does it seek to achieve in terms of outcomes? Broadband The plan for the next nine months includes Chapel Lane, Great Blakenham (80 premises) and Claydon Business Park (75), which leaves a few remote villages like Baylham where I live. Houses in Bramford Development of 130 houses north of Acton Road has received outline planning permission. Infrastructure development gets £79k for pre-school, £962k for education, £28k for libraries and £66k for highways. Open space and social infrastructure should receive £725k, much of which will go to the village. However, we must remember a lot can change even at this stage. Houses in Great Blakenham There is a scheme proposed to develop the area of Great Blakenham between Chequers Rise and the allotments and by the time you read this a public exhibition will have been held. Yet another large development proposed in a village that has expanded dramatically and is feeling the strain. The contributions for infrastructure to support such a development would be similar to that above except that the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is likely to be operational by the time the developer makes a planning application. That would provide a certain non-negotiable sum which would depend on the floor area of the houses and would exclude any affordable dwellings. At some £10k per house, there would be perhaps £1m available. If you have queries please contact me at: 01473 831306 / john.field@suffolk.gov.uk www.john.field@suffolk.libdems.org
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A community shop for the local community and run by the local community.
Congratulations to all who put in such fantastic work keeping the shop manned and running over the last year in this really worthwhile community project. Our Tea and Chat afternoons continue and we have two more to go in 2016 – Wednesday, February 24 and Wednesday, March 30, both 2-4pm. Come along for a hot drink, a piece of cake and a chance to meet up with others for a chat during the cold weather. Our community shop is an excellent facility for providing a heart to the local community and a place to meet up with other people, and of course the main purpose of the shop which is to provide our customers with good quality, reasonably priced, produce. Have you noticed that we now sell wine, cider and beer? All very reasonably priced and we stock some local beers as well, some brewed very nearby. Come and have a look and see what our local industries are producing. Perhaps we should put the word ‘farm’ before the ‘shop’ in our name as we have lots of local produce on sale. We have an excellent range of fresh local produce – eggs, bread, pies, cakes and more. These goods can also be pre-ordered so that you can be sure that what you require is there. We also have frozen foods and a whole range of other household goods. Please come in – we’d be very pleased to see you. Volunteering in the shop is an excellent way to meet new people and learn new skills. It’s also an excellent way to gain work experience to put on CVs for anybody wishing to join the world of work. So, if you are a student with time to spare during holidays or at weekends, a Duke of Edinburgh Award candidate looking for a volunteer placement, a homeworker, newly retired, or just think you would like to help out in any way, for however short a time, please come to the shop and let us know. Our services include: • Coffee corner • Book exchange • Dry-cleaning service • Newspapers and magazines ordered for collection at the shop • Ordering for bread, pies, meat, and other items • Village diary so as to ensure events don’t clash • Delivery service for those with mobility problems Management team: Lucy Barrett, 831890; Terry Fordham, 831529; Jenny Hitchcock, 832060; Peter Jousiffe, 833577; Anne MacFadyen, 831288; Steve Woolhouse, 831080.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT EAST ANGLIA POTATO DAY 2016
Potato Day Poem by Buddy Lawrence from Harwich, a first time visitor 2015
The next visit to our link village of Challain-la-Potherie in the Loire Valley area of France will be on the first May Bank Holiday of the year, from Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2.
It only happens once a year. It’s called Potato Day. You go into a big marquee, and out there on display, there’s boxes placed on tables, and inside them they hold, A myriad of seed potatoes there’s one called Yukon Gold.
This will be the 16th year of our link between our villages and many long-standing friendships have been made over the years. Each year we have new people travelling with us who then go on to make new friends themselves, both in France and locally.
The whole thing is well-organised you have to queue in line, and wait until they open up. It starts at half-past nine.
We travel by comfortable coach from Somersham to Challain where we stay with host families and all our accommodation, food and entertainment is provided. There is always a good mix of English and French on these occasions and language does not present a problem. We welcome people from our surrounding villages to join with us. The cost is the price of the coach divided by all who go along, so the more who go the less cost.
Then in like ants, swarm connoisseurs, and amateurs as well, each looking for their favourites, and maybe - who can tell? They’ll find something that’s different, they didn’t know about. Varieties they thought long gone; they’re still there, have no doubt. The volunteers who run the day, some regular, some new, will still be there at next year’s day, and hope to see you, too.
SOMERSHAM/CHALLAIN-LA-POTHERIE VILLAGE LINK
It’s a fantastic group of people who go from our local villages and we’d love to have new people of all ages, either individuals or families, join our next trip. Over the time we have been going to Challain we have had all ages, the youngest being three years old and the oldest 80, and everybody in between. So if you’d like to know more please contact one of the following: Gill Fordham, 831529 / David Haughton, 831511 Janet Hodge, 832296 / Pat Woolhouse, 831080
PUDDING EVENING AT BAYLHAM VILLAGE HALL Friday, March 18 at 7.30pm
Try a selection of homemade puddings. Bring your own drink. Tickets £6. Please book in advance from Wendy (830615) or Petrova (831134).
A Massive THANKYOU from Henley Parish Council
Henley Christmas Village Craft Fayre We raised over £1,100 for our two children's chari?es Well done to everybody who helped & supported
Our Next Christmas Fayre is Saturday 3rd December 2016 www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham
Mr Lawrence kindly submitted this poem in 2015 and we think it sums up potato day brilliantly. For any potential potato growers who haven’t been before, this years’ East Anglia Potato Day is being held on Saturday, February 13 at MidSuffolk Showground, Stonham Barns, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket IP14 6AT (on the A1120 approximately two miles from the A140), from 9.30am-1.30pm. There is a small admission charge of £1.50. For a list of the varieties expected visit: www.eapd.btck.com As well as seed potatoes (sold per tubor) we have various stallholders including refreshments, secondhand tools, seedswap, King Seeds, Rougham Nurseries, chip tasting and lots more. 2016 will be our 21st year and is organised by Suffolk Organic Group, Norfolk Organic Gardeners and Ipswich Organic Gardeners Group and we look forward to seeing everyone again in February.
SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY The society’s next meeting is on Thursday, February 25 at 7.30pm in the Co-op Education Centre when John Field will present Giles in Ipswich. The pedestrian Entrance is at 11 Fore Street and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Cartoonist Carl Giles lived for many years at Witnesham and had a studio in central Ipswich which overlooks the place where Giles’ Grandma statue now stands. There are many references to Ipswich in Carl Giles Cartoons... if you know where to look. He had a fascinating and sometimes rather off-beat life, including being an official cartoonist war artist. Come along and find out more. Admission is £2 each for society members, £2.50 for non-members who are also warmly welcomed – you can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required – just turn up and pay on the door. New family history researchers (including non-members) are welcomed to this event – perhaps we can help you with your researches? For more information on this event and about the branch, call H King: 01473 274300
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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB From February 1 we will meet every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. Members pay £2 a meeting and this covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Our programme for 2016 is below, but I give no clues as to the project! February 1 March 7 April 4 May 16 June 6 July 4 August 15 September 5 October 3 November 7 December 5
Relax It’s a Gift Just a Note Fly Away Peter, Fly Away Paul Cats and Dogs Butterflies and Flowers Always Need Storage Lovely in Lace New Baubles, Mind the Furniture Getting Ready for Christmas Christmas Party
There is currently room for new members so if you are interested in joining us please get in touch. Although the club is all ladies at present gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome, but unfortunately I cannot accommodate children. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
BRAMFORD ART GROUP We have now moved into the Loraine Victory Hall and at present we are able to invite more budding artists and beginners to join our group. We meet on Wednesdays morning between 10am and noon; the cost is currently £8 a month. For further details please contact Ann Woolnough on 01473 743794 or come along and meet us any Wednesday after 10am.
PLANT HERITAGE SUFFOLK GROUP Plant Heritage Suffolk Group warmly invites you to a talk on The Narcissus (pre-1930 daffodils) Plant Collection by Duncan Donald on Saturday, February 20 at 2.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall, IP14 4BQ. Duncan’s extensive experience includes being curator at Chelsea Physic Garden, head of gardens with Scottish National Trust, and internal plant registrar for the RHS. In addition, he has developed Croft 16 Daffodils, an outlet for surplus pre 1930s daffodils, a national collection of which is shared by Duncan and his wife. There will be a plant stall including rare and unusual plants and delicious refreshments available for purchase. Admission is free to members and £5 for non-members. No need to book. New members and non-members are most welcome. Contact: Margaret Palmer, 01206 299832 www.suffolkplantheritage.com
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STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB The last meeting in 2015 was a talk given by Jane Goodall ARPS entitled The Beautiful Light. Jane gave a wonderful talk and showed us many of her fantastic landscape photographs. She gave us a lot of practical tips about shooting landscapes and tips to ensure personal comfort when going out to shoot them – eat before you go, take snacks and don’t get hungry, take a warm hat, take Wellingtons, take a small torch if going out at night. She maintained that if you are not hungry, cold or wet then you can concentrate on your photography. Words of wisdom, indeed. Next meetings February 8: Ray Giffin Tankard for Wildlife: Judge Phil Chatfield February 22: Talk entitled Speed and Action by Roger Hance March 14: Open Competition (4): Judge Dennis Lumkin LRPS New members are always very welcome. All you need is a camera, any camera, and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30 start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us? For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB The Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area behind the hall. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. Our meetings for February and March are: February 10: Social afternoon February 24: Chocolate! March 9: Social afternoon March 23: Mr Lewis Tyler of the River Gipping Trust will give a presentation entitled Rebuilding History - Baylham Lock and Sluice Visitors and new members are always welcome so do come and join us. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
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The East of England Co-op has been your local funeral service for 90 years. We are not part of the national Co-operative Funeralcare chain based in Manchester.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS 4 EVER YOUNG MEN’S CLUB The 4 Ever Young Men’s Club meets at 10.30am on the third Wednesday of the month at The Crown in Claydon. We often have a guest speaker for an hour or so, along with a chance to sit and chat with old friends, meet new friends and learn of new interests and ideas. The Crown very kindly accommodates us and provides coffee for our meeting, and some of us often stay for a spot of lunch afterwards. If you would like to join us, contact Mike Biddle on 07805 507497 or just come along on the third Wednesday of the month – you will be very welcome.
MEET ‘N’ EAT LUNCH CLUB We meet at noon on the first Friday of each month at the Parish Rooms in Great Blakenham. For only £3.50 we serve a selection of soups with a bread roll, home made puddings with cream or custard and a cup of tea or coffee. In addition, we offer the chance to sit and chat with old friends, make new friends, play a game of bingo and have a bit of fun. If you’re interested in joining us, telephone Sue Broomfield on 07890 512828 or Mike Biddle on 07805 507497, or just come along on the first Friday of the month – you will be very welcome.
PHOENIX TREES AT ORCHARD BARN At Orchard Barn we aim not to waste anything, so when we needed to move a mass of wellrotted, organic debris from one part of the site we had to find a good home for it. In the orchard were a couple of phoenix trees, apple trees that probably blew over in the gales of October 1987 and continued to grow, which needed weed suppression to give them a chance to thrive. Lots of old newspaper was soaked in a tub of water and then laid several sheets thick over an area around each tree. The debris was then piled on top. Not only will the newspaper prevent all but the most persistent weeds from seeing daylight, but the debris will add to the nutrients in the soil around each tree. We hope that by piling the debris up around the fallen trunks new growth (roots and shoots) will be encouraged. If you’d like to see our fruit trees why don’t you pay us a visit? Come along any Wednesday (we are south west of Mill Road, Battisford), visit www.orchardbarn.org.uk or call 01473 658193.
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CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL We have had a busy start to term with Year 11 students returning to their internal mock exam results. These practise papers are a key indicator to students in helping them get ready for the first real exam on May 3. Revision really starts in earnest now, supported by a Friday night and Saturday GCSE Boot Camp trip to the Essex Outdoors Centre on Mersea Island. This overnight stay includes revision in English and mathematics on Friday night, followed the next morning by a hearty cooked breakfast to help the students face some outdoor challenges on Saturday, such as the climbing wall and assault course as well as working in a classroom to learn more about how to revise. Our aim is that students leave tired and muddy, but with 101 revision strategies! We continue to celebrate our students’ successes both inside and outside of school and some fantastic performances have come from Robert Welham in karting, Minty Bloss in pony racing, Charlie Johnson in cycle speedway and Amie Philpot in swimming, to name but a few. While we cannot offer these types of activities in school, our P.E. Department are always looking at different ways to challenge and enthuse students about sport and have recently introduced a StreetGolf after-school club. StreetGolf is a fun and engaging golfing activity designed by StreetGames and The Golf Foundation with the help of young people. The StreetGolf format aims to bring golf to young people, regardless of their access to traditional facilities and is ideal for use in an urban or inner city environment. Young people are encouraged to make innovative use of everyday equipment to make sessions different, challenging and enjoyable. Our small but dedicated team has had the opportunity to represent the Eastern Region in the National StreetGolf Finals in Wolverhampton and also qualified for the Super 6 Games finals back in July. The chief executive of the Golf Foundation, Brendan Pyle, came to visit the school in December to observe and speak to the students taking part in this successful club, which is supported by Sam Foster, golf professional at Bramford Golf Centre. Brendan has produced a very interesting case study which can be viewed at: www.golffoundation.org We have two very exciting trips abroad for our language and art students this month, one to Paris and one to Salamanca in northwest Spain. Students will visit key tourist sites to practise their language skills in a real-life context as well as absorbing the different cultures. In other areas of the school, Year 9 students will be choosing what subject options to study at GCSE, Year 11 art students will visit the Tate Gallery in London and, to finish the month, music students will be taking part in a rock band workshop with visiting local band, Underline the Sky.
OPEN MORNING If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The date of the next one is Wednesday, February 24. Please telephone Mrs J Pedersen, the headteacher’s PA, to book a place: 01473 836110 Mrs S Skinner, headteacher
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SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Well, the start of the year is passing really quickly and the children have settled back in really well. We have also got some new children who joined us for this term. We are all hoping for some nice sunny weather so that everyone can enjoy the garden. There are lots of fun activities for the children to enjoy coming up soon, and parents may want to start thinking about the design for their children’s Easter bonnets for the Easter show next month (Tuesday, March 22). Further details will be issued nearer the time. 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 (noon-12.30pm) for £1.60.
CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL We were delighted to welcome everyone back after the Christmas break, but before we become fully immersed in 2016, we wanted to share with you some of the highlights of December as the winter term drew to a close and we celebrated Christmas. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 entertained their families with their nativity performance, The Magical Christmas Jigsaw. At the dress rehearsal, we welcomed guests from Baylham Care Home and Year 2 visited Barham Care Home to sing some songs to the residents.
We are happy to accept childcare vouchers and we offer two year funded places for any eligible children. We also run a holiday club in the Easter and summer holidays for two to eight year olds – further information can be obtained by contacting the administrator.
Year 3 led a carol concert at Barham Church. They sang a mix of traditional and modern Christmas songs, played hand-bells and recorders and read poems. After the concert, everyone enjoyed eating the mince pies that they had made.
If you would like more 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
Musicians from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 entertained members of our community at a carol service at Great Blakenham Baptist Church.
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB December prize-winners were: No 11: Sophie Last, £20.70 No 51: Laura Payne, £10.35 No 43: John Harrison, £3.45 New members are welcome at any time. Entry is just £1 a month and the draw takes place on the last Friday of each month from September through to July. The more entries we get the greater the prize money and all money raised is used to enhance the lives of our children within the pre-school. For an entry form please contact Nadine Harrison: 01473 831857 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk
CLAYDON AND BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES
Nursery children successfully performed their Christmas songs on the stage to their parents and grandparents. Then they enjoyed a play session in the nursery and a special Christmas snack. We look forward to keeping you up to date with the many planned visits, trips and events that so greatly enhance the pupils’ learning, but most of all we look forward to sharing the children’s achievements and successes throughout 2016.
Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project that has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 25 years. We welcome mums, dads, carers and grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five. Entry is just £1.50 a family. This month we meet on February 11 and 25, 9.30-11.30am, in Claydon and Barham Village Hall. At our regular sessions we welcome anyone with babies or children under five for imaginative play, storytime, songtime and lots of fun. Families can enjoy a different craft activity with a theme where children can be creative and try out different materials to produce an individual masterpiece. Playdough and all sorts of toys that encourage children’s imaginative play and physical and social development are available. We also share songtime for a bit of noise! For parents/carers it’s a good opportunity to meet others with pre-school children or babies. There is also a prize draw for the children. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there. For more information contact me on 01473 833788 or check our listing on: netmums.com Michelle
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SCHOOLS / SPORT HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL
BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB
We wish everyone a Happy New Year and extend a warm welcome to all the new children and their families who are starting with us – we are sure that you will all enjoy your time with us.
Greetings guff lovers. Now that the dust has settled after Christmas (the only time of the year where you lose lots of pounds and still gain half a stone) it’s traditionally a time to show the liver some mercy and try to regain some semblance of your normal body shape. I have decided to embark on a fitness regime, although I realised I had let things slip a bit when I was forced to have a 10 minute recovery cool down after bending to tie my laces up!
We are looking forward to the term ahead, but what a busy end of term we had. The children were busy making Christmas cards, bags, decorations and calendars, not forgetting reindeer food for that special visitor on Christmas Eve. On top of all the gluing, painting, sticking and glitter, we had our end of term nativity play. Having been closed for a few days due to severe staff illness the week before the nativity, we were a little down on practise time. That said, the children sang (what words they could remember) beautifully and we had a fun and enjoyable morning singing to the parents. In early December we had a visit to Easton Farm Park to see Father Christmas and to take part in a nativity play with real live animals. It was a great morning, enjoyed by both the children and parents who attended. Please don’t forget we are registered with www.easyfundraising.org.uk where online stores such as Amazon will donate a percentage back to us at no extra cost to you. When you next order online please consider going through this site to help us raise funds. There is further information on the board outside the pre-school. We are a small rural pre-school situated in the light and airy Boughton Room within Henley Community Centre which is less than a 10 minute drive from Ipswich town centre (straight out on Henley Road). There is a large car park on site making drop off and collection of your child a safer and easier experience. We have grant-funded and paid sessions available for two to five year olds. Lunch club is also available (noon to 1pm). You don’t need to live in the Henley School catchment area to come and play with us – we have children from Ipswich, Claydon, Needham Market and other surrounding areas. If you would like to come and join in the fun, please ring 01473 833848 during session time any weekday morning and Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons before 3pm. Out of hours, or if you wish to leave us a message, please ring the pre-school mobile on 07979 468467 or visit: www.henleypreschool.co.uk Carol and the team
Talking of fitness problems brings sad news of Corinne’s latest mishap on the courts. Her impression of Bambi on Ice resulted in a serious hamstring tear, bringing an overnight stay in hospital and a convalescence that will take several weeks. This meant no tennis and the cancellation of her planned Christmas Day swim in the sea at Felixstowe (I offered to call round and switch her boiler off so that she could still get the same effect when bathing – my eye is healing nicely now the swelling is diminishing). Sadly this, and other injuries and withdrawals, means that the ladies now have only three available players to raise a team of four making it necessary, regrettably, to withdraw from the league for the remainder of this winter season. We wish Corinne (and our other walking wounded) a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them back in action in time for the summer season. Better news and luck for the men’s winter league, with Adam and Matt’s team and Nick and Graham picking up points steadily. A good sign of Nick’s form is the fact that his racquets are unscathed, showing that they haven’t been thrown around too much, and Graham is now off of his anti-depressants. The AGM is in March and the committee is testing the integrity of their electronic tags in readiness for their removal once they are off the committee (some chance). This year’s event could prove to be more challenging than usual and I will be the on-the-spot reporter (I must get some acne cream). If that doesn’t hold your interest I don’t know what will! Mick Russ
DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK I should like to wish you a happy New Year and a peaceful and healthy 2016. At the start of a new year is always helpful to reflect on priorities for the year ahead and I should like to tell you some of mine. In parliament I am looking forward to continuing in my role as a member of the Energy and Climate Change Committee and playing my part in achieving a balanced energy policy and innovative future energy system for our country. I shall also vigorously support the government’s long-term approach to climate targets and to promote renewable and clean energy. I was delighted to be elected recently as co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health and shall be contributing my experience as an NHS doctor to help to build on the achievements of this influential group in working to improve healthcare for the benefit of patients both in the UK and elsewhere. One of my main priorities this year is to highlight the need for better mental health provision and a fairer deal for mental health funding to support the dedicated NHS staff that care for mental health patients. Another of my priorities is to do my best to promote employment,
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particularly for young people. We have come a long way in creating employment for young people in Suffolk – there were only 90 claimants aged 18-24 in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich in November 2015 which was 65 people lower than the previous year. But there is still more to do and I should like to see more young people doing vocational courses and apprenticeships. As co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on carers I am determined to do all I can to support carers not only in Suffolk but also across the country. There are more than seven million unpaid carers in the UK and this will increase enormously during the next decade when the people needing care are expected to increase by 50%. Carers play an enormously important role in many peoples’ lives and are often the unsung heroes of our community. This year I should like to highlight the role of young carers and how important it is to help to identify them and give them the practical and emotional support that they need to ensure that they enjoy their lives and achieve just like their peers. I am looking forward to meeting the challenges of the year ahead and shall be reporting back regularly in this column. For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com
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CHURCH NEWS ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREAT BLAKENHAM
A CONVERSATION FROM WITHIN In a mother’s womb were twin babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied: “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.” “Nonsense,” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?” The second said: “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat using our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.” The first replied: “That is absurd! Walking is impossible, and eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies our nutrition, provides our oxygen and gets rid of our waste. It takes care of everything we need and the umbilical cord is so short that life after delivery is to be logically excluded.” The second insisted: “Well I think there is something after this life and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.” The first replied: “Nonsense. And moreover if there is life, why has no one ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life. It takes us nowhere and we will cease to exist once we pass on from here.” “Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but perhaps we will meet mum there.” The first replied: “Mum? You actually believe in mum? That’s laughable. If mum exists then where is she now?” The second said: “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of her. It is in her that we live. Without her this world would not and could not exist.” Said the first: “Well I don’t see her, so it is only logical that she doesn’t exist.” To which the second replied: “Sometimes, when you’re still, and if you focus and really listen, you can perceive her presence, and you can hear her loving voice, calling gently from above.” The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way towards him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’. Acts 17: 24-28 SERVICES Sundays: 10.45am at Great Blakenham (including Sunday Club for children); 6.30pm at Mickfield. Wednesday: Fortnightly women’s meeting, 2.30pm; fortnightly prayer and Bible study, 10am. Friday: Action Bible Club, meeting at the church, 6.30-7.30pm – games, crafts and stories for ages five to 12. For more information email info@blakenhambaptist.org.uk / call 01449 720357 / or visit: www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk
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Priest-in-charge: position currently vacant Churchwardens Judith Williams, 01473 832423 / Jane Corbett, 01473 830201
THANK YOU
A big thank you to everyone who donated non-perishable food items at our carol service on December 20 for the Homeless Families Unit. It was much appreciated by those that received it.
CAROL SINGING
A small group spent an hour carol singing around the village on Saturday, December 19, ending with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie in the church. Unfortunately due to double glazing and noise from televisions, I think many were unaware that any carol singing had taken place. If you enjoy singing, why not join us this year and help us make our voices heard.
MAUNDY THURSDAY SUPPER
We will be having a Maundy Thursday Supper in the parish room on Thursday, March 24 at 6.30pm, before a service in the church at 7.30pm. To assist with catering please contact Jane Corbett on 830201 if you would like to join us for supper.
ST GEORGE’S DAY
We will be holding a St George’s Day event on the evening of April 23 in the parish room. Further details about the event will follow in the March edition of In Touch.
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING
The next community coffee morning in the parish room will be on Saturday, February 13 from 10am-noon and will have a Valentine’s Day theme. Come and join us for coffee, homemade cake and a chat. All welcome. Community coffee mornings are held in the parish room on the second Saturday of each month.
INTERREGNUM
We have now been without a priest in charge for the past six months and at the time of writing the PCCs from the three parishes (Gt Blakenham, Claydon & Barham and Henley) will be preparing for their final consultation meeting with Bishop Martin Seeley on January 12. It is hoped that active recruitment of a new priest can begin after this meeting, but it is likely to be a minimum of six months before a new priest-in-charge is in post. Please pray that the right person will be called to serve here and to lead us into the future. A big thank you goes to the unpaid ministry team, churchwardens and others from all three churches for the fantastic job they have done and continue to do on behalf of the churches in our benefice. When a new priest arrives they will find a group of churches that are in good heart and ready to move forward under his/her leadership.
FEBRUARY SERVICES
Family Service with a Valentine’s Day theme: Sunday, February 14, 10am Join us for coffee and a chat after the 10am service. Communion Service: Sunday, February 28, 11.15am
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY March 12 March 13 March 24 March 27 April 9 April 10 April 23 April 24
Community Coffee Morning Family Service, 10am Maundy Thursday Supper in the parish room, 6.30pm Maundy Thursday Service, 7.30pm Easter Day Communion Service, 10am Community Coffee Morning Morning Prayer, 10am St George’s Day event in the parish room – more details to follow next month Family Service, 10am
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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 Assistant Priest: The Rev Pat Wright www.stmarybramford.co.uk Morning Prayer at Bramford: 8.30am Monday to Friday Wednesday morning quiet reflective Communion Service: 9.30am at the vicarage, unless otherwise advised, followed by coffee in the church at 10am where a member of the clergy will be will be available for a chat – all are welcome. Please check porch notices for any changes. February 4 3pm
February 9 11am
Communion with Reserved Sacrament
We have already received a number of welcome donations, for which we thank those of you who have contributed. We hope though to put on a number of fundraising activities, and of course our coffee mornings will still be happening. These have proved really popular; it’s a chance to chat and to enjoy homemade cakes and a cup of coffee. As well as bring and buy, books, cakes and preserves are on sale. We look forward to seeing you there. A member of the clergy team is always there and available to chat. In December we introduced Prayer for Healing to the first Communion Service of each month at Bramford. This has been well received and is proving popular. We will also be offering Prayer for Healing at the Ash Wednesday Service at 7pm on February 10 at St Mary’s Bramford. Please don’t hesitate to contact The Rev Julian or myself to find out more. Blessings to you all, Jenny
United Service at Cherryfields
February 7 / Sunday before lent 8am Parish Communion 10am Parish Communion with healing 6pm Evening Prayer
On more mundane matters, just to keep you updated, things are coming along nicely with the heating problems in the church and the wiring difficulties. Although neither will be finished quickly, we hope to be both safe and warm by the autumn. All of this is proving expensive, so any help that you can give us with fundraising will be very gratefully received.
Little Blakenham Bramford Baylham Baylham Care Home
February 10 / Ash Wednesday 9.30am Communion for Ash Wednesday Vicarage 7pm Communion with Ashes & Healing Bramford
FUNDRAISING At the end of last year we managed to raise the following through the efforts of members of the congregation: the wreaths made £279, the bazaar made £217.83, the Christmas festival made £457.69 and the coffee mornings in the region of £125. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and also to those who supported these events. PARISH REGISTERS Funerals December 30: Patricia Brown January 5: Wendy Wellum January 14: Margory Paul
February 14 / 1st Sunday of Lent 8am Holy Communion 10am Parish Communion 5pm 5 O’clock service
Bramford Nettlestead Bramford
February 16 2.30pm
Bramford
Christmas & New Year: In memory of Walter Carmen from wife Mary and family
February 17 7pm Lent Group 1
Vicarage
January 17: In memory of Philip Stewart on what would have been his 70th Birthday
February 21 / 2nd Sunday of Lent 10am Parish Communion 10am Parish Communion
Bramford Baylham
February 24 7pm
Bramford Vicarage
Gathering in the Church Room
Lent Group 2
February 27 10am-noon Coffee morning
Church Room
February 28 / 3rd Sunday of Lent 8am Holy Communion 10am Family Worship
Bramford Bramford
Dear Friends I am writing this at the beginning of January, with the Christmas chocolates still hanging around and stray bits of wrapping paper appearing from under the sofa. As you read this we will be looking at the beginning of Lent, as Easter is early this year. Ash Wednesday is on February 10, and we begin our traditional Lent Course on February 17. This year we are focusing on prayer. The Lent courses are open to anyone, so if you are interested please don’t hesitate to talk to either myself or The Rev Julian, and we can tell you a little more (no religious experience necessary!). Prayer is an important part our spiritual lives, whichever faith or denomination we are. It allows us to top up our spiritual batteries, keep up communication with God and reflect on what we should be doing in our lives. All of us need to practise and to learn more, and the great thing is that there is no right or wrong way to do it.
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We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers. Floodlighting of the spire of St Mary’s Church
January 25: In memory of Ronald Brown on his 90th Birthday, and dear Patricia who has joined him If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week. Cleaning rota: S & W McGinty LECTIONARY Bible Readings for our Sunday Worship are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It’s good to share the reading of Scripture with Christians – both Catholic and Protestant – across the world. February 7
Sunday before Lent Green Ex 34:29-35 Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] 2 Cor. 3:12 - 4:2
February 10
Ash Wednesday Purple Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Is 58:1-12 Matt. 6:1-6 or John 8: 1- 11 2 Cor. 5:20b - 6:10
February 14 Lent 1 Purple Deut. 26:1-11 Luke 4:1-13 Rom. 10:8b – 13 February 21 Lent 2 Purple Gen. 15:1-12, 17-18 Luke 13:31-35 Phil 3:17 - 4:1 February 28
Lent 3 Isa. 55:1-9 Cor. 10:1-13
Purple Luke 13:1-9
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