In Touch with Gt Blakenham - October 2015

In Touch with...

The best place to advertise your business services Delivered FREE to your door!

In Touch

™© ™©

with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 5 • Issue No. 12 • OCTOBER 2015

Transport Theatre presents The Edge see page 20

2

In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I was busily, and rather angrily, removing ice-pop wrappers from down the side of the sofa when I heard Jack say “Is that a real boy mum? Is he really dead?” Needless to say I turned rather quickly to discover that Jack was sitting on the floor watching the news. It was the horrific story of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old who drowned as his family tried to flee from Kobani to Europe. The image of his tiny body being carried from the beach was still on the screen, but at that moment it was the shock on Jack’s face which made me catch my breath. What was I to say? Jack often sits to watch the news with me and we have had some good discussions about elections, bank robberies and the like, but was this a subject I was prepared to deal with?

I sat beside him on the floor and we listened to the end of the report together. Aylan drowned after the boat ferrying him from the Turkish beach resort of Bodrum to the Greek island of Kos capsized, killing 12 passengers. Aylan’s five-year-old brother, Galip, and his mother, Rehan, were also among the dead. His father, Abdullah, was the only family member to survive. Aylan’s journey was supposed to end in sanctuary in Europe; instead it claimed his life.

I then tried to explain why Aylan and his family were in the boat, but the subject is just too big and too complicated for a five-year-old to digest. The image of Aylan, pictured face down in his red shirt and blue shorts, has shocked the world and highlighted the plight of desperate people caught in the gravest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Suddenly my token donation to ActionAid felt entirely insufficient so I abandoned the sofa and Jack and I went to the post office to make a donation. Jack donated the contents of his money box saying “this is for Aylan’s daddy”.

We can learn a lot from children, not least how to be better humans.

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

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to:

blakenham@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.

Advertising and Distribution: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JP Advertising: Julie Mullett Email: julie@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 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.

Whilst 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.

Printing: Colourplan Print 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JP 01473 400379

Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk © 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 . . . town” series of magazines.

We also publish

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

• Stowmarket, Stowupland & Combs Ford • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Manningtree, Mistley & Lawford • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Woodbridge & Melton • Bramford, Somersham & Offton • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Martlesham • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton

NEWS GREAT BLAKENHAM VILLAGE HALL To say that the last few months have been easy wouldn’t be a true statement. I, like most, hadn’t taken on board just how much work Derek Lockwood did for the hall and recreation ground. I am really enjoying the role and, with the help of an active committee and new ideas, the intention is to improve the hall’s facilities with the aim of increasing its use by local people and clubs.

There are a number of clubs and activities running at the hall which are crying out for new members, many of which you may not be aware of. Some are held weekly while others are monthly: badminton, carpet bowls, football, parents and tots, country and western dances and, of course, cycle speedway. These are just few of the activities on your doorstep. With the help of the village hall website and a dedicated Facebook page we hope you will be increasingly aware of the activities going on and will feel like getting involved. Of course you don’t have to get involved, you might have some spare time just to help out now and again. What is your activity? Are you a group of friends who play cards or chess, or do you do judo and need to hire a good venue?

As I have said previously, my 33-year involvement with the village has mainly been with the cycle speedway club. Many of you are aware that we held the British individual championships over the bank holiday weekend. This was a fantastic weekend that got much newspaper and radio coverage. I do apologise to anyone who was unduly affected by the weekend, but this was the first time that all the different age categories have been held over one weekend with riders and spectators coming from all over the UK. If you did get a chance to see any racing I hope you enjoyed it.

The football season is well underway and currently there are three teams using the pitch. Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday mornings are the best times to take a stroll and watch some footy. Who knows, you might want to get involved.

During September we brought Wi-Fi to the hall; this was just the start of improving your involvement with activities in your village and Wi-Fi is one of those much-needed tools nowadays in this world of social media. We are making plans to have an 80s theme night to invite you to. Once a date has been fixed we will let you know with the aim for us getting to know each other better.

Please contact me on 07860 262112 to discuss any aspects of the village hall and recreation ground.

Terry Ashford

IN TOUCH WITH...

NOVEMBER DEADLINE 10 OCTOBER 2015

is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

3

NEWS COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT John Field’s report to Gipping Valley There were few formal meetings during August with many councillors on holiday, but the administration has been at work on a proposal for devolution of powers from Westminster to Suffolk.

Suffolk is one of four two-tier areas invited by the government to bid to run functions currently delivered by the government. In return, Suffolk would need to deliver agreed and improved outcomes without increasing costs.

The Suffolk Public Sector Leaders’ group, health, police, and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership have constructed the bid. They believe that by having more control over what goes on in the county, we can deliver better outcomes for all of Suffolk’s communities.

Local knowledge and expertise of councillors will lead to more effective decision-making on issues that affect Suffolk’s communities.

Summarising a 14-page document is difficult but I believe the essentials are: The bid proposes “a new public sector board, a simple development and continuance of the current Suffolk Public Sector Leaders Group”.

This would organise the efforts of the current local enterprise boards, county and district councils, health, police and perhaps the local employment and pensions service.

The leaders want: • More autonomy and certainty on funds such as New Homes Bonus • Devolution of funding and decision making for investment in a modern transport system with a secure future

• Devolved multi-year settlements for health, care and safety • The devolution of decision making over European structural funds • Further enterprise zones focused on agri-tech, food and drink and ICT and enhancement of the growth hub • Devolved responsibility for the apprenticeship grant and successor schemes • Freedom to establish a new local employment service which can deliver universal credit • First rights on government estates in Suffolk They promise: • 70,000 new homes by 2031 • 5,000 new apprenticeships by 2020 and a further 2,500 in Suffolk by 2025 • A radically different approach to local public service finances where greater local autonomy creates an environment that supports investment, is more sustainable and less reliant on central grants • To increase Suffolk’s total annual gross value added by a third to over £18billion by 2025 • To provide more effective and joined up planning so we can use assets to invest in growth and transformation • They would design a new local employment service that helps people to progress into work and reduces dependency on benefits • To invest in infrastructure to stimulate growth such as delivering on the commitment to 100% coverage of superfast broadband by 2020 Councils will agree these proposals across the county and, if all goes well, they will have been submitted to government on September 24.

If government accepts the bid, it will have an important impact on us all. I believe it looks rather light on a believable democratically controlled structure capable of driving the improvements promised. It also appears to confuse wishes, wants and intentions, but it will develop and I hope succeed.

County scrutiny Scrutiny of the follow-up of the Ofsted inspection of the council’s school improvement service produced a number of recommendations. Two important ones are: • That officers should provide the committee with regular updates of the action plan, with information in the 'Evidence of Impact' column showing the current status of, and any changes to, each of the actions in the plan.

• That officers provide the committee with information on the effectiveness to date of Raising the Bar, with details of the actual and planned expenditure, what parts of the initiative have been successful, or unsuccessful, and including details of utilisation of the challenge fund.

Scrutiny forward plan The next round of scrutiny of the Keir contract has been organised for October and we will be looking at the energy from waste programme at the same meeting.

If you have queries please contact me: 01473 831306 / john.field@suffolk.gov.uk www.john.field@suffolk.libdems.org

DAVID CARD, MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

Covering the parishes of Barking, Baylham, Darmsden, Nettlestead, Offton, Somersham and Willisham Follow up from previous newsletters The Baylham planning application was debated on Wednesday, September 9. I had asked that it be “called in” for committee decision. Following a full and open debate where all sides had the opportunity to state their case the committee decided to follow the officer’s recommendation and refuse permission.

Treasury management plan I have tabled a question for the September full council meeting that seeks clarification on the idea of making long term investments of up to £10million from reserves to provide a new income stream of some £250,000 per annum.

Food enterprise zones I have suggested that all local food businesses

4

be invited to a meeting to learn what this could mean for them.

The Save the Somersham Duke campaign has issued their prospectus inviting investors to help.

An emerging debate: Devolution of powers The Government’s Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill is being talked about. The bill makes provision for the public sector including local authorities to ‘bid’ to run functions currently delivered centrally by devolving powers to a more local level. While most attention has been given to the so-called Northern Powerhouse, other councils in other parts of the country have also been talking with government. This includes a consortium from Suffolk.

All Suffolk councils (district/borough and county) agreed to register a statement of interest as a starting point for future and more detailed discussions with ministers and civil servants. The areas being considered are education and skills, health, housing, and productivity and growth. It may be a couple of years before the work needed to plan for these devolved powers and responsibilities is agreed by central government and we see the changes begin to happen.

If you have any questions or require more information do let me know.

David Card: 01449 722267 / david.card@midsuffolk.gov.uk

In Touch online:

 



  

   

  







 

 







 

     









   





    



  

 













 





 

  



 



www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

 





  

 







 





5

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY The Suffolk energy-from-waste facility is preparing for its first annual shutdown since it began full operation last December.

Since then the facility has burnt around 196,500 tonnes of waste and in the process produced over 135,000 megawatt hours of electricity, 6,800 tonnes of metals, which have been recycled, and 52,700 tonnes of bottom ash, which is used as an aggregate for building projects.

Starting on Monday, October 26, the shutdown is expected to take just over three weeks, finishing on Tuesday, November 17. Work on the two lines will be staggered, so there will only be about four days (November 4-7) when both are off-line together.

This means household waste will continue to come to site throughout, although business waste will be diverted elsewhere so we can cope

with the reduced capacity of the plant.

During the shutdown all equipment will be thoroughly inspected, maintained and cleaned and around 50 extra contractors are expected on site. Parking for them has been arranged at the nearby Claydon Football Club, so there should be no extra congestion around the site and no other impact for local residents.

Useful contact numbers Site offices: 01473 839149 Site control room: 01473 836828 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SITA Trust: 01454 262910

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Call 01473 353350

We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. Perhaps you have memory worries yourself or even a recent diagnosis and want someone to talk to. Maybe you have concerns about a loved one, or need support in your caring role. Perhaps it’s just information you are after, or a confidential chat with someone. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.

So call us today, we are here to help.

Complimentary glass of Prosecco or fruit juice on arrival, threecourse set menu includes vegetarian and gluten-free (pizza) options.

Booking by October 14 please so we can give the restaurant numbers and menu choices.

For full details and to book please visit: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk Stowmarket Chamber - supporting businesses in the heart of Suffolk.

BAR-CLAY PLAYERS PRESENT ACTING UP!

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5

Acting Up!, a new comedy play by Hannah Carley, is brought to you

by Bar-Clay Players in association with Bar-Clay Music Makers.

Route 5

This play focuses on new girl Claire Rogers’ journey when, for the first time, she is put in charge of directing the local am-dram panto.

Through Claire’s eyes you will experience the highs, lows, laughs and definitely a few diva meltdowns as she tries to knock the members of the group into shape.

It’s a play that will have you laughing, wincing and even cringing, but in the end you will be willing them to do their best.

The play will be performed at Claydon and Barham Village Hall on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, starting at 7.45pm.

Tickets are £8; to reserve please email: webbfamily1@googlemail. com

6

Join us for a social evening at Prezzo, Stowmarket’s newest place to dine, on Wednesday, October 19 at 7pm. Friends and family are welcome.

Town/village

Location

Time

MIP/5A

Sproughton

Church Lane

0910 – 0925

MIP/5B

Sproughton

Wild Man

0930 – 0945

MIP/5C

Bramford

St Mary’s Close

0950 – 1005

MIP/5D

Bramford

Paper Mill Lane

1010 – 1025

MIP/5E

Great Blakenham Chequers

MIP/5F

Great Blakenham Blue Leighs

Mobile Home Park

1035 – 1055 1100 – 1115

MIP/5G

Baylham

Post Box

1125 – 1145

MIP/5H

Claydon

Crown

1155 – 1300

MIP/5I

Claydon

Edinburgh Gardens

1405 – 1420

MIP/5J

Claydon

Bacon Road

1425 – 1550

MIP/5K

Bramford

Packard Place

1600 – 1630

Seating will be arranged cabaret style to create a more relaxed atmosphere. Soft drinks and nibbles will be available, but please feel free to bring a bottle and your own snacks if preferred.

Calling every four weeks on Tuesdays:

For further information about this exciting production please ring Hannah or Linda: 01473 831954

2016: 19 January

2015: 27 October, 24 November, 22 December

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

7

Henley Christmas Villageth Fayre

Saturday 12 December 2015 9:00am to 4:30pm Many stalls & refreshments Santa’s Gro3o -­‐ Carol Singing Christmas Bouncy Castle Grand Charity Raffle

Henley Community Centre Contact email: henleychristmasfayre@gmail.com

HENLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS OUR FIFTH AND BIGGEST PANTOMIME YET

AT

Wri$en by Tom Hitchcock

HENLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE Fri 8th Jan (7:30pm) and Sat 9th Jan 2016 (2:30pm & 7:30pm) HOW TO BOOK TICKETS Email: henleyplayersboxoffice@gmail.com Box office open every Sunday from 3pm to 4:30pm (From November)

PRICES £7 Adults Concessions £4 £18 Family of 4

Trusted by local families since 1925

47 St Helen’s Street 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road 01473 232837 Meredith Greengrass Stowmarket 01449 612765

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.

8

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT HENLEY PLAYERS Come along and have a go – it’s free!

We are delighted to present our fifth pantomime

HENLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS OUR FIFTH AND BIGGEST PANTOMIME YET

We practise on Sunday evenings throughout the winter, 7.30-9.30pm, from October 4 at Haughley Village Hall.

by Tom Hitchcock This year’sWri$en panto has been written by Tom Hitchcock HENLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE who lives locally in Barham.

It’s& 7:30pm) a traditional Fri 8th Jan (7:30pm) and Sat 9th Jan 2016 (2:30pm panto, but with a few HOW TO BOOK TICKETS ‘added’ twists, PRICES hence the £7 Adults title. £4 Email: henleyplayersboxoffice@gmail.com slightly different Concessions AT

Box office open every Sunday from 3pm to 4:30pm (From November)

Family of 4

We always need more dancers (female) and musicians (both sexes).

All you need is a basically good level of fitness. If you play a portable musical instrument come along.

To find out more call Gill (01449 673518) or Sharon (01449 676083). www.haughleyhoofers.org.uk

£18

Our auditions were held in late June and we are already well into rehearsals. We have recruited some new faces this year as well as our established panto cast members. This production is the biggest and most challenging the players have produced in our last five years and we know the set will be great as well as being different to previous years.

AUCTION OF PROMISES On Saturday, November 21 in aid of the roof repair fund for the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Needham Market.

Book your date – Friday, January 8, 7.30pm, or Saturday, January 9, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets (adults £7, concessions £4, family of four £17) are available at our box office every Sunday from 2.30-4pm, or email: henleyplayersboxoffice@gmail.com There will be a raffle, refreshments, ice cream and candy floss.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership and join our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

The evening starts at 7pm at The Limes Hotel, High Street, Needham Market, with a three-course meal and coffee being served from 7.30pm, followed by the Auction of Promises at 9pm. There will also be a raffle during the evening.

We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre and our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 20, starting at 7.15pm. The speaker will be Professor Tom Williamson of UEA who will talk about The Landscape of the Suffolk Sandlings. Tom gave us a brilliant lecture a few years ago on rabbit warrens.

Entrance by ticket only, sold in advance, at £18 per head. Tickets are available from Ann Levett (01449 721502) or from Paul’s Hardware Store, High Street, Needham Market. If you wish to place a preauction bid please contact Ann Levett (01449 721502 / ann.levett@ btinternet.com) for a list of the auction items and details of how to bid.

The November meeting is on Tuesday, November 17 when our speaker will be David Brown. David has recently been on a tour of China and will be sharing his experiences with us with an illustrated talk on some famous and less famous attractions, as well as all aspects of Chinese life, such as history culture, food and music.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £2 for each talk. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

For those who are unaware of the problems the church faces, the roof is leaking, which has resulted in wet rot and an infestation of death watch beetle. The PCC wish to ensure the repairs are carried out as soon as possible to ensure the community are able to continue access to this wonderful 15th century building. However the estimated cost of the roof repairs is £250,000 – hence this, amongst other, fundraising events.

The Limes Hotel is offering a special B&B rate of £75 per room for the night should anyone attending the auction wish to stay over. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to our roof fund this can be done online at: www.bt.com/mydonate Click on ‘Donate to charity – BTMyDonate’ then type Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Needham Market in the ‘search’ bar. If you are a UK tax payer please tick the Gift Aid box and the government will add an extra 25%.

9

10

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB The club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. Members pay £1.50 a meeting and this covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes.

Our workshop for September was entitled Everything's Hunkydory.

Members were given a goody bag of pictures and card produced by craft company Hunkydory and left to produce cards of their own design using the toppers they received.

Our remaining programme for 2015 is: October 5: Christmas Project November 2: Wreathed in Ribbon December 7: Christmas Party

GRAND CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Claydon and Barham Church’s Grand Christmas Bazaar in aid of the Church Fabric Fund is at 2pm on Saturday, November 14 in the high school hall, Church Lane, Claydon.

Lucky admission – adults 20p. There will be stalls with bargains galore including cakes, handicraft, tombola, raffles, pickles, jams, sweets, nextto-new household and toys, white elephant, books and jewellery. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine or a cup of tea.

Be there to meet Father Christmas. Quality gifts for only £1.50.

For further details and offers of help call: 01473 833014/784535

As usual I've left members guessing on the nature of the projects to come.

The year is passing by all too quickly and I am now putting together the programme for 2016, which will be the start of the 12th year I have been running the club. Where does the time go?

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 can’t accommodate children.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

BOOK SALE On Saturday, October 10, 11.30am-2pm, in St Mary’s Church Room, Ship Lane, Bramford, with hundreds of books from as little as 30p.

Refreshments will be available. Proceeds will go towards the upkeep of our historic church, St Mary the Virgin in Bramford.

CLAYDON AND BARHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE The summer holidays have come to an end, the children are all back at school and everyone is starting to turn on their heating, including us.

We have finally completed this stage of work on the community centre. It looks amazing – clean and tidy, much smarter and warmer than it was. It's now been properly insulated for noise abatement and against heat loss, with fantastic new walls, doors, windows and cladding. The new central heating system will reduce our overheads and help towards reducing our carbon footprint. This current round of works has been kindly funded by a generous donation from SITA. We have had lots of weddings over the summer months and we wish all of the happy couples good health, fortune and happiness and thank them for using the community centre for their receptions.

We are always pleased to welcome new members to the club. Membership is just £10 for over 18s or £5 for over 60s. Grab a membership form from the bar and enjoy reduced hall and event rates.

As the darker nights of autumn creep in, we have started hosting our second half of the year’s activities and live music events. Our Annual Beer Festival at the end of September saw a wide selection of real ales and ciders from local breweries being consumed, while a large

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

number of revellers also enjoyed the Friday night music of Stevie with his Rat Pack style.

There was a return from The Houseshakers on the Saturday night supplying hits from the 60s to present day. A fantastic weekend, and our thanks go to all of the staff and volunteers who helped run and organise everything. Our thanks go also to you our members and customers. We hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as we did.

Forthcoming events Friday, October 2: Black Katz – country/ rock/various. £5 open to members and non-members. Tickets available at the bar.

Organised by Mr Derek Chilvers. Raffle prize donations very much appreciated.

Saturday, October 3: Tricks of the Trade provide an evening of entertainment in aid of Papworth Hospital’s charitable trust. Organised

by Mr Colin Dedman. Tickets available at the club; £5 open to members and non-members.

Any donations including raffle prizes gratefully appreciated.

Friday, October 15: Hot Tramp, £1 members and £3 guests. We welcome this fresh, local, vibrant young band who bring an original blues and rock and roll style to the club. They performed on the Ed Sheeran Stage at Ipswich Music Day in July and at the Bullstock Music Festival in Colchester on September 12.

Friday, October 30: Halloween Family Disco.

This is free event for all and a chance to wear your scary costumes.

Saturday, November 14: Live music will be performed by The Harley Street Band. This very popular band has been operating in West Suffolk and Cambridge and has a large following. The evening will be a dance frenzy.

These guys cover a wide range of material so we are sure there will be something for everyone. Songs range from the 60s such as Mack the Knife, Mustang Sally and Dock of the Bay, the 70s Waterloo and I Hear You Knocking, the 80s A Town Called Malice and Living on a Prayer, the 90s Livin La Vida Loca, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Angels through to the 00s with Sex Bomb, Bad Day, Valerie, Have a Nice Day and many more.

Saturday, November 21, 10am-2pm: Craft and Gift Fair. Stallholders should contact us via www.candbcc.co.uk or call 01473 831805.

Limited availability. Our main hall and members’ lounge will host a number of stalls offering a variety of crafts and gifts. We have already received a good number of booking forms and fees from stallholders. Profits from the day will help support the ongoing and continued development of the community centre. Free to enter, come and grab some special or unusual Christmas gifts. www.candbcc.co.uk / 01473 831805

11

OUT & ABOUT ST PETER’S 60 PLUS CLUB, CLAYDON

GREAT BLAKENHAM WI

Are you perhaps a little bored, lonely and wanting more company? If so, why not consider joining us at St Peter’s 60 Plus Club. We have recently celebrated our sixth anniversary during which time we have enjoyed many interesting events and outings.

The last time our WI met was for our August summer party. It was a good success with a nice selection of food being supplied by our members, and some picture quizzes to stretch our brains. There was one of me as a twoyear-old and I was shocked that somebody actually guessed it, seeing that I have gone from a cute little girl to the white-haired, bespectacled person that the passage of time has changed me into. It was good fun though.

We meet at 2pm every Thursday afternoon at St Peter’s Court, Station Road, Claydon, a group of residents from the local community and the sheltered accommodation. We have a varied and interesting two hours of chat and entertainment.

If you enjoy a fun game of indoor bowls, cards, outings for lunch once a month, a selection of good speakers (including musicians and singalongs), an annual outing (destination chosen by members) or just a really good chat, why not consider joining us? We have a wide variety of members who all get on well together, and laughter is one of our biggest entertainments.

We also had a guest from another WI who gave an excellent presentation (often funny) of her day out in London for the WI Centenary at the Royal Albert Hall in the presence of our Queen.

New members are always welcome at our meetings in the Parish Rooms (opposite the Chequers) on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.

We celebrate Easter, Wimbledon, and harvest-time with a tea to suit the occasion. At Christmas we go out for a meal and have a party at the club when each member receives a present. This year we are looking forward to being entertained by the Constable Choir.

Our calendar for the coming months is October 13: Pippa Moss talking on The Amish and their Quilts November 10: Annual meeting followed by Reg Barton talking on his lighter times of working in a crematorium December 9: Party time again

The membership fee is £5 a year and members pay £1 a week which includes tea and biscuits – and cake when we celebrate a member’s birthday.

For more information please contact me, Margaret: 01473 836442 / maday46@btinternet.com

For more information please contact Maureen Thurkettle (839032) or Martin Redbond (831645).

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 and includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and a raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea.

The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House. It has its own parking area behind the hall and it’s fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.

Our programme for the remainder of 2015 is: September 23: Social afternoon featuring Quiztime with Sandra.

October 14: Members to bring along their oldest or most favourite item and tell a little of its history and what it means to them. The idea is to get everyone talking and stir a few memories about the changes we have seen in our lifetime.

October 28: Social afternoon and bingo plus Christmas bring and buy. Items in excellent condition, still packaged, which would make a suitable Christmas present may be brought in to sell. Members to indicate on an easily removable label the price they would like. In return 10% of all monies taken to go to club funds.

November 11: Napkin Folding for Christmas, with everyone having a go at different designs.

November 25: Social afternoon featuring Quiztime with Brenda.

December 9: Christmas party. Social afternoon with afternoon tea and games, everyone to contribute a ‘plate’. Details to be agreed nearer the time.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

12

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, October 22, at 7.30pm: Fred Feather invites us to join him as he goes Up My Family Tree, including such tales as how we found the North West Passage and held down the Northwest Frontier.

NOTE NEW VENUE The Co-Op Education Centre – Pedestrian Entrance, 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW Car park entrance: Waterworks Street IP4 1JG Admission is £3 for members, £3.50 for non-members who are welcome and can join the society on the night if they wish. Tickets are not required; just turn up and pay on the door.

For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY FAMILY HISTORY FAIR Saturday, October 17, 10am-4pm University Campus Suffolk, The Waterfront Building, Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ FREE ADMISSION The theme: WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Featuring helpful forums, discussions and workshops.

Other East Anglian family history societies, historical research organisations and commercial genealogical suppliers will be present.

For more details contact: membership@suffolkfhs.org.uk / 01787 370598

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

13

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Made2Measure Sliding Wardrobes has been established since 2010 and is East Anglia’s leading designer, manufacturer, installer and after care provider of sliding doors for homes and offices. If you’re thinking of new fitted wardrobes for your bedroom, extra office storage, more cupboards in your child’s playroom or want to maximise space in your cloakroom, then we are the company you’ve been searching for. Our team are ready to provide a truly bespoke service where nothing is off the shelf and everything is custom-built just for you, going above and beyond with exceptional quality products, exemplary service and a 15-year guarantee on everything we provide.

With space in many modern homes at a premium, we are experts in helping you realise the space you have and how to make the very best use of it. In older properties such as barn conversions, farm houses or Victorian properties, ceilings and walls are often irregular and it can be hard to imagine how to make the best use of the space available. Our team are well-versed in working with you to achieve your dream bedroom and produce a fitted wardrobe system you will adore.

We use the latest technologies to ensure our doors glide effortlessly and open with the slightest touch. All our drawers and sliding doors come with soft-close mechanisms and we can offer motionsensitive LED rails and drawers, with lights that turn on section by section as they sense the movement of the doors.

We are used to maximising space so you will never find any ‘dead’ space in Made2Measure fitted wardrobes. We can build pole-only wardrobes, install glass shelving, or provide pull-out organisers for ties, shoes, belts or trousers; whatever you want or need, we can help you make it a reality.

When our installers arrive to start the build, they will treat your home with the utmost care. We use dust sheets to protect your carpets and furniture and dust extractors on our power tools to minimise mess. Once we’ve installed your fabulous fitted wardrobes, we make sure we shine and polish them, and ensure your room is clean and tidy. Then all you have to do is decide where to put everything!

If you would like to find out more, please contact us on 01473 604 385 or visit: www.made2measurewardrobes.com

BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED BESPOKE WARDROBES

“

Our sliding wardrobes and other furniture we build all come with an impressive 15 year guarantee: because we believe that the high standards we deliver will stand the test of time.”

Craftmanship

Infinite combinations

Smart storage

W W W. M A D E 2 M E A S U R E W A R D R O B E S . C O M 14

0 1 47 3 6 0 4 3 8 5 In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT PLANT HERITAGE SUFFOLK GROUP STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Stowmarket & District Camera Club is a small, active and long established club for those interested in photography. We currently have around 25 members with a wide range of abilities, ages, backgrounds and photographic interests, and we are keen to welcome new members.

You don’t have to be an expert photographer! All you need is an interest in photography and a camera. Our members use DSLRs, compacts and bridge cameras. Our aim is to encourage you to develop your interest and skills, as well as to provide a place to meet a range of friendly people who share your interest.

Our next meeting on Monday, October 12 will be a workshop entitled Composition Beyond the Thirds led by Alan Sarsby Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Mondays of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us?

For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net

Michael Perry, Thompson and Morgan’s new product development manager, presents a talk entitled New, Different and Unusual Plants on Saturday, October 24, at 2.30pm, at Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ. Plant stalls will include rare and unusual plants. Delicious refreshments available for purchase.

Admission: free to members / non-members £5. New members and nonmembers are most welcome www.suffolkplantheritage.com Local contact: Margaret Palmer, 01206 299832

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.

BY-WASH AT PIPPS FORD LOCK TO BE REINSTATED The River Gipping Trust now has all the necessary permissions for work to commence on reinstating the original bywash around the lock at Pipps Ford. This has involved many in-depth meetings, discussions and considerable assistance from the Environment Agency. Work is already underway and once completed The mini-digger is seen here will enable the lock to be drained and helping to re-install a coping stone at the head of the lock inspected for further restoration to take place as needed. at Pipps Ford To assist in this work the River Gipping Trust has received a substantial donation from the Inland Waterways Association Ipswich Branch. This

has enabled the purchase of a Kubota mini excavator which is already at work at Pipps Ford.

We also acknowledge the help of the landowners, the Greatrix family, both in facilitating the work which will eventually lead to the full restoration of the lock, and in providing a substantial donation towards the cost of the digger.

The site can be seen from the Gipping Towpath in the Baylam area, and visitors are always welcome on working party days, which take place each Wednesday and the second Saturday of each month. New volunteers are also always welcome. For further details of the ongoing restoration of the river, please visit: www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk

WATTLE BE THE FUTURE FOR ORCHARD BARN? Over the past two or three months several new volunteers have joined the regulars at Orchard Barn. And as we all know, many hands make light work. We have also had a number of donations of tools and materials, for which we are always very grateful.

Recently we’ve had exercise and fun in creating lots of daub needed in the construction of our new rest area, a communal shelter for volunteers that will be much appreciated during break times in very cold or inclement weather.

Daub is a combination of clay,

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

hoggin (subsoil), straw and water, trodden and rolled into a blended mixture. The clay needed in the daub mix has been harvested from our own ditch, thus improving drainage as well.

Wattle on the roof, consisting of last year’s hazel coppice material, has the daub applied to it and then pantiles are laid on top to provide a watertight and insulated roof as the photo shows.

If you’d like to get muddy then join us when daub is being applied to the walls sometime soon. We are SW of Mill Road, Battisford. www.orchardbarn.org.uk / 01473 658193

15

SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL I would like to start this article by congratulating last year’s Year 11 students on a fantastic set of GCSE results.

Sixty-nine per cent of students achieved 5 GCSEs A*-C including English and maths, a 7% increase on last year. The English pass rate was a fantastic 78% A*-C, with 83% of students making expected progress, and the maths pass rate was excellent at 80%, with 76% achieving expected progress.

Pupil Premium and SEN students all performed significantly above the national average and we had particularly strong performances in sciences and many other subjects including art, music, drama, PE, leisure and tourism and child development.

I am delighted that this dedication to learning throughout the past five years has been rewarded collectively with our best ever result.

As well as celebrating exam results, I would also like to pay tribute to the contribution these students made to school life in sport, music, drama, art and the many other areas of achievement and creativity in which they excelled. I wish them all the very best with the next stage of their education and training.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers for their fantastic support and to highlight the hard work and commitment of all the teachers, staff, governors and wider community who has contributed to our success this year and helped students on their journey.

Moving forward to this new academic year, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new staff and Year 7 students and their parents/carers. We have had a very busy start to the autumn term and I am delighted at how well our new students have settled in.

Starting high school can be an exciting but nervous time, so it is pleasing to see how brilliantly they have adapted to the big changes in their school day and environment.

Year 11 students are particularly busy with planned trips for several departments including business studies, geography, physics, textiles and history. Business studies students will visit Colchester Zoo to look at how their organisation is structured and physics students will be travelling to Cavendish Laboratories at the University of Cambridge to see the Physics at Work exhibition. This exhibition includes interactive demonstrations in a working laboratory and aims to show the many and varied ways in which physics is used in the real world and to stimulate interest and encourage participation.

As I write this article, staff are busy planning for WOW Week at the end of October. This will be three days of specially-designed activities for each year group. Year 7 will be camping at Mersea Outdoor Centre, taking part in various team-building activities such as orienteering and rocket building. Years 8-10 will participate in an Enterprise Challenge Cup Tournament. This will focus on creating an entrepreneurial spirit, developing leadership skills and accelerating employability skills. Year 11 students will spend a day at a college, sixth form or university, work with the YMCA on activities in school and will finish the week with a trip to Trinity Park for the Suffolk Skills Show. I will let you know how they all get on in the December edition.

Finally, I would like to inform prospective parents and carers of our open evening on Wednesday, October 7. I would be delighted to welcome you into our school to experience our superb facilities and resources and to talk to our staff and students as they proudly showcase their work. The evening will begin at 6.30pm with a presentation at 6.35pm.

If you are unable to attend the open evening, or if you would like to visit the school and see us in action during the day, please telephone my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term. The next one is on Friday, October 9.

Mrs S Skinner, headteacher

We have lots of events and activities organised for this half term.

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL We are pleased to let parents and future parents know that Claydon Pre-school was inspected by Ofsted in June this year and we have been awarded a ‘Good’ grading.

The children have all settled into the new term really well and are enjoying lots of new toys that have been purchased over the summer holidays. They are starting to do lots of preparation for Halloween and are looking forward to their small break for the half-term.

We have our photographer coming in on Saturday, October 17 from 9am and have limited spaces for anyone who is interested in coming along. There is a £2.50 sitting fee at the time of booking to confirm your time slot. Please contact the administrator on the number below if you are interested.

16

The pre-school is open 10 sessions a week from 9am-3.30pm, with a lunch and nursery pick-up from Claydon Primary School offered every day. We take children from two to five years, providing a stimulating environment to enable them to develop to their full potential, and supporting them as they make their first steps into education. Contact us if you are interested in putting your child’s name down for a space.

For any information regarding the pre-school, or about our holiday clubs which run at Easter and through the summer holidays for two to eight year olds, please contact our administrator Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk www.claydonpreschool.co.uk / Facebook

In Touch online:

ADVERTISING FEATURE Now is the time to plan ahead Taking control of your future and planning ahead for your funeral gives you the opportunity to share your ideas on how you would like to be remembered, and how your life should be celebrated. It can also provide you with the comfort of knowing your family won’t be faced with financial strain and worries in the future, making planning ahead for your funeral all the more worthwhile.

East of England Co-op Funeral Services has been trusted by local families since 1925 to provide excellent levels of service, care and reassurance when helping to create unique and personalised tributes.

By combining their knowledge and experience they have created five pre-payment funeral plans for you to choose from. Alternatively, a member of their team can help you create an entirely bespoke plan, so you can rest assured that every last detail will be just as you wish so you can get on with enjoying life.

Clearly priced, and with no hidden costs, their plans allow you to pay for your funeral in full now, or in manageable monthly payments over a time that suits you. All of their funeral plans are completely inflation proof, so by planning ahead you pay today’s price no matter how much costs may rise in the future.

If you are a member of the East of England Co-op you can also collect dividend points on your pre-payment plan, which you can use visiting new places, treating yourself or doing things with friends and family.

Find out more about East of England Co-op pre-payment funeral plans, or order a brochure, by visiting eastofengland.coop/funerals.

Alternatively, you can contact your local funeral branch who can also arrange a home visit for you.

Your local East of England Co-op funeral branches are: 47 St Helens Street, Ipswich, 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road, Ipswich, 01473 232837

✁

Plan for the future today... with our pre-payment funeral plans

£100 off

with this voucher

To order a brochure and find out more, call our funeral plan advice line on 0800 0744361* or visit your local funeral branch. my

co-op

As a member you can earn dividend points on your funeral plan. Not a member yet?

You can join in store or online at www.eastofengland.coop/joinus

Valid for the purchase of East of England Co-op funeral plans taken out before 31/12/15. Terms and conditions apply ask in store for details. *Free from a landline, mobile charges can vary.

ITOCT15

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

17

SCHOOLS / SPORT

CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL CLAYDON AND BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES We are very proud to tell you about the results that our pupils achieved at the end of the summer term.

At the end of Reception, our five-year-olds are assessed and this year 83% of the children achieved a ‘good level of development’, which is well above the 2014 national figure of 78%.

At the end of Key Stage One, our seven-year-olds are assessed in reading, writing, maths and science. For the third year running, the percentage of our pupils achieving the expected and above expected levels are all above the national figures.

At the end of Key Stage Two, our 11-year-olds are again assessed in reading, writing, maths and science and they take the national tests, known as SATS. We are especially proud of the progress that our pupils had made from age seven. In writing, 98% made expected progress and 59% made better than expected progress. In reading, 94% made expected progress and 31% made better than expected progress. In maths, 98% made expected progress and 48% made better than expected progress.

Congratulations to our pupils, staff and parents/carers.

The end of term also saw us celebrating the immense commitment to the school made by Mrs Kerrison and Mr Simmonds who had each taught at the school for at least 25 years but were retiring from their teaching posts. On behalf of the community, we would like to say thank you and wish them every success in their future challenges.

Miss M Ashcroft, headteacher

Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project that has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 24 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 October 1 and 15, 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.

This month we would like to wish a happy birthday to Sophie, Henry and Ned who all celebrate in October.

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

fysysssy

We would like to ‘kick off’ our new school year by saying a big thank you to everyone who came along to the school summer fete. We hope that you had lots of fun, enjoyed the refreshments and with your support we raised £2,500, which is a fantastic amount and will benefit the school immensely.

CLAYDON FC ARE HOLDING A FAMILY HORSE RACING NIGHT

We would also like to welcome the new children and parents who are joining the school this year and hope that you will enjoy taking part (and perhaps helping) at the events we run throughout the year. We have lots of fundraising events coming up over the next term, which we hope you will continue to enjoy and support:

SATURDAY 17th October

October 22: Snap, Crackle, Bang A fun filled evening of games, arts and crafts and food for all the family in the village hall. Open to everyone.

November 7: Family photographs by Rob Sambrook Photography (by appointment only – www.robsambrookphotography.com) November 27: Psychic Night with Stephanie Carr in the village hall. Adults only.

We are always collecting: All supermarket ‘schools’ tokens. These can either be sent in via the children or dropped off at reception Remember: Join our Facebook group ‘Friends of Somersham School (FOSS)’ to keep up to date with our events Email: fossnet1@gmail.com

18

Claydon FC Video Race Night

AT CLAYDON COMMUNITY CENTRE 7.30 TILL LATE JUMBO SAUSAGE & CHIPS SUPPER ADULTS £6 Children (U12s) £4 Please note this is ticket only

For tickets call 07796 785961 In Touch online:

NEED LEAFLETS DISTRIBUTED IN YOUR LOCAL AREA? We can provide leaflet distribution with this magazine for only ÂŁ50 per 1000 leaflets

Call 01473 400380 for more details www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

19

SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Greetings guff lovers.

As the last of the empty bottles of summer season league winners’ champagne is cleared away (not by us, but trust me, somewhere they are) our thoughts turn to the winter league just around the corner, usually followed by a sense of foreboding such as Arctic adventurers might have prior to their expeditions.

Those (fool)hardy souls who venture out on a crystal clear night when the mercury is falling faster than an England innings deserve respect, perhaps not for the quality of their tennis but more for the fact that they are managing to hit the ball at all while doing an impression of Bambi on ice. The Eskimos are reputed to have 50 words for snow, but I have more than 50 different excuses for missing a shot – and that’s in good weather.

So while I commend them all for their efforts, I have no wish to join them given my advanced years and preference for being able to feel my fingers and toes while engaged in exercise, preferring instead a nice warm hostelry while engaged in weightlifting (a pint is normally the weight I prefer).

Winter leagues usually start around late September/early October, and the results can vary, with the temperature/clothing ratio having an effect on mobility (it would be interesting to see if said mobility increased if everyone had to wear a T-shirt and shorts in January). This winter will see the ladies stepping up to the plate (usually the one with biscuits on) and entering a side in the floodlit league again. Well done to all concerned who volunteer to play, and if you are unsure as to how cold it is then look to our Radio Suffolk celebrity Corrinne: if it’s above freezing point she will be in her customary T-shirt. When she turns up to play in a sweatshirt the Met Office normally sends out a red weather warning.

TRANSPORT THEATRE PRESENTS

THE EDGE

New Wolsey Theatre, October 8-10 From October 8 to 10, Transport, the critically acclaimed Folkstonebased theatre company behind Invisible, 1001 Nights and Elegy will present a brand new devised production, The Edge, at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.

Inspired by real life narratives taken from the south coast of England and the Sundabans in India and developed in collaboration with leading lecturer in coastal oceanography Dr Ivan Haigh, The Edge is an extensive exploration of climate change and migration.

Based on an encounter between two people from different cultures that encompasses myths from the sea, the history of human migration, the formation of rivers and seas, the piece has been devised and directed by Douglas Rintoul and the creative team behind Elegy.

No such problems for Nick as he is usually partnering me throughout the winter, thus ensuring that he gets to cover 99% of the doubles court. Nick (or “Yours!” as I usually call him on court) values these games as fitness tune ups. At least I think that is what he said – the oxygen mask kept muffling his words, and that’s why I let him buy the drinks afterwards as I view it as a coaching fee.

A woman steps into the English Channel. A man is swept up by a great storm in West Bengal. Two decades later their children meet on a beach by an English town that’s been abandoned to the sea. She’s training to swim the Channel. He’s a climate change refugee.

To join our merry band of tennis stalwarts contact our treasurer, Clive Jones: 01473 464589 / bramfordtc@outlook.com

Powerful and poetic, The Edge is a love story between two people from different continents and cultures, connected by weather patterns and the shared experience of a radically changing world. Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director of Transport Theatre, was awarded the British Council Connections through Culture Award to visit the Sundarbans in West Bengal India where he worked with the Kolkata based theatre company Ranan, drawing real life narratives from an area directly on the frontline of climate change.

JOKE OF THE MONTH A man sees the neighbours’ young daughter digging a large hole in her back garden.

When he enquires why, she tells him that she is burying her dead goldfish.

“Why dig such a large hole for a goldfish?” asked the man.

“Because it’s inside your cat!” came the reply.

More guff next month, Mick Russ

WANT TO DO SOME EXERCISE OVER THE WINTER MONTHS? Why not try Badminton?

Claydon & District Badminton Club is a social badminton club which meets on Mondays from 7 to 9pm during school term time in Claydon High School Sports Hall.

Although we are a popular club we have some space and you would be very welcome. If you fancy a game and you want to find out about us why not drop by any Monday night? Our season started in September.

For more information please contact Don Golding: 01473 747596 / don.golding@btinternet.com

20

The company also worked with young adults in Folkestone, developing an audio and visual work exploring narratives from the Kent Coast. Combining this quantative research from two different continents, Rintoul’s production questions what it really means to live on the geographical edge and explores the universal issue of climate change.

Developed in collaboration with leading lecturer in coastal oceanography Dr Ivan Haigh, with music by award-winning composer Raymond Yiu, The Edge fuses text, movement, music and projection to transport its audience between continents, exploring the place where the sea meets the land.

To book call 01473 295900 or visit: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREAT BLAKENHAM

Churchwardens: Jane Corbett, 01473 830201; Judith Williams, 01473 832423 CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL / November 27-29

The church will be open for visitors from 10am to 4pm each day.

There will be refreshments available from 10am to 4pm in the Parish Room with soup and a roll available between noon and 2pm If you able to support this event by decorating a tree, sponsoring a tree, providing a raffle prize or advertising in our programme, please contact Jane or Paul Corbett: 01473 830201 All money raised will go towards the work and ministry of the church.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE In the Parish Room from 10am to noon on Saturday, November 28.

If you would like a table at this event, please contact Jane or Paul Corbett: 01473 830201

SERVICES IN OCTOBER

October 11: Parish Communion, 11.15am October 25: Parish Communion, 11.15am DATES FOR YOUR DIARY November 8: Remembrance Sunday Service, 10.45am We are pleased that Archdeacon David Jenkins will be joining us for this very important service.

November 22: Family Service, 10am

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING & PRODUCE SALE Saturday, October 10, 10am-2pm Great Blakenham Parish Room Do you have an abundance of fruit and vegetables from your allotment or garden?

If so, why not come along to our coffee morning and produce sale to sell what you have?

During the lunchtime period soup and a roll will be available from noon-2pm ALL WELCOME

PAT Testing Are you able to carry out PAT Testing? We are looking for someone to PAT test Christmas tree lights for our Christmas Tree Festival. If you can help, please contact Jane or Paul Corbett: 01473 830201

HARVEST SUPPER

A big thank you to everyone who attended our Harvest Supper on September 26. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

A big thank you to everyone who donated food items for the Homeless Families Unit (West Villa). The gifts were much appreciated by those who received them.

THE OBLIVIOUS SPIDER AT HARVEST There was once a spider that lived in a cornfield.

He was a fairly large spider and he had spun a beautiful web between the corn stalks. He got fat eating all the flies that got caught in his web.

He liked his home and planned to stay there for the rest of his life. One day the spider caught a little fly in his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the fly said: “If you let me go I will tell you something important that will save your life.” The spider paused for a moment and listened because he was amused.

“You better get out of this cornfield,” the little fly said. “The harvest is coming!” The spider smiled and said: “What is this harvest you are talking about? I think you are just making it up.” But the little fly said: “Oh no, it is true. The owner of this field is coming to harvest it soon.

All the stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered up. You will be killed by the giant machines if you don’t move to safety.”

The spider said: “I don’t believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down corn. How can you prove this?” The little fly continued: “Just look at the corn. See how it is all planted in neat straight rows? It proves this field was intentionally planned out by a farmer.” The spider laughed and mockingly said: “The field has always been this way, and it has nothing to do with a designer. Corn always grows this way.

It’s been like this for all of my life and for all of my parents and their parents lives as well.”

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

The fly went on to explain: “Oh no! This field belongs to the owner who planted it, and the harvest is coming soon.”

The spider grinned and said to the little fly: “I don’t believe you,” and then the spider ate the fly for his lunch.

A few days later, the spider was laughing about the story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself: “A harvest! What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my days and nothing has ever disturbed me. I have been here since I was born, and I’ll be here for the rest of my life; nothing is ever going to change in this field. Life is sweet, and I have it made.”

The next day was a beautiful sunny hot day in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and there was a pleasant breeze in the air. That afternoon as the spider was about to take a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could hear a great roar in the distance and he said to himself: “I wonder what that could be.”

The spider in the story heard of the coming harvest but didn’t believe what he had been told. Had he done so he no doubt would have moved out of the field to a place of safety. Is it possible you have heard the good news of Jesus, that through his death, burial and being brought back to life we can turn to God and have forgiveness of sin and have not yet

believed? Just as the fly warned the spider that giant machines would soon be coming to harvest the field in which he lived so to the Bible tell us that Jesus, who was taken up into heaven following his resurrection, will one day return to this world in which we live.

If you would like to know more you would be welcome to join us at any of our services.

Michael Lawrence 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, 2pm.

Friday: Action Bible Club, meet by Great Blakenham Village Hall, 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

21

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

As usual we are actively supporting a local cause, the homeless families unit, and will be putting notices up in our churches about what we need to be collected between harvest and Christmas – the HFU is also there for refugees and immigrants as required.

www.stmarybramford.co.uk

Please check porch notices for any changes.

I would ask you to spare some thought and prayer for those affected by this crisis – many of them are ordinary folk like us, hardworking, family people who need help. Whatever you think about immigration, it is really hard not to be moved by pictures of people trying to walk to safety. We need to do what we can to help, give to the relevant charities, donate clothing and food, campaign on their behalf, even, if asked, take someone in. We will let you know what we are doing as a church.

October 1 3pm

Blessings to you all, Jenny

Morning Prayer at Bramford: 8.30am Monday to Friday Wednesday morning Communion Services: 9.30am at the vicarage, unless advised otherwise.

United Service at Cherryfields

October 4 10am 11am

6.30pm

Trinity 18 Parish Communion Bramford Harvest Festival Communion, Lt Blakenham followed by a bring and share lunch Harvest Festival Baylham

October 8 7.15pm

Jigsaw evening

Church Room

October 10 11am-2pm

Book Sale

Church Room

October 11 8am 10am 5pm

Trinity 19 Holy Communion Parish Communion & joint PCC 5 o’clock Service

Bramford Nettlestead Church Room

October 13 11am

Communion by extension

Baylham Care Centre

October 14 7.30pm

Healing Service

Methodist Church

October 18 10am 10am

Trinity 20 Parish Communion Parish Communion

Bramford Baylham

October 24 10am-noon

Coffee Morning

Church Room

October 25 8am 10am 10am

Last Sunday of Trinity Bible Sunday/Dedication Sunday Holy Communion Bramford Family Worship with Baptism Bramford Morning Prayer Nettlestead

Dear Friends I hope that all of you managed to have a good summer. John and I managed to have a relaxing time in Norfolk spending time with family. The only down side was reading about the lead thefts from churches up there. Little did I know that I would come home to find that lead was also being stolen from churches in Suffolk.

As I write this (beginning of September) we are aware that St Mary’s Bramford could well be targeted. Mercifully it is the only church in our group with any amount of lead, but we are doing what we can to try to deter the thieves. I suspect that the crisis will have passed by the time this is published, but please keep vigilant, many of our buildings are quite remote, and it can take some time for damage to be discovered. Please keep an eye out on your local church, they are after all community buildings.

Something else which is in the news at the moment is the refugee crisis.

There has been a great deal of discussion about whether we should accept asylum seekers, and this crisis will not go away. I know that the situation is complicated and raises many strong emotions, but as a church we will be doing what we can to help out. We will begin by donating our harvest collection to aid charities.

22

Coffee Morning: October 24 is our coffee/tea morning in the Church Room, Bramford, 10am-noon.

Jigsaw Evening: Come along for a fun evening, 7.15pm for a prompt 7.30 start. This is an evening where we make up teams to see who can complete a jigsaw the quickest – but you don’t need to be competitive to enjoy the evening. Tea and biscuits served in the interval – all for a mere £3 each.

Parish Registers Baptism August 9 August 16 August 23

Mark Arthur Ellis and Brodie Flynn Ellis, Nettlestead Sophia Grace Hallatt, Bramford Poppy-Mae Kathleen Flowers, Bramford

May they grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. Funerals August 18 August 21 August 24 August 28

Blanche Elizabeth Sherman, Bramford

Burial of ashes, Sylvia Wilding, Bramford

Burial of ashes, Blanche Elizabeth Sherman, Bramford Bill Stoddart, Bramford

We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers.

Weddings August 15 August 29

Robyn Jones and Claire Louise Johnson, Baylham Gavin James Wood and Emma Lucy Stewart, Bramford

May they grow in their love for each other.

Floodlighting of the spire of St Mary’s Church October 7 In memory of Amy Fillis on her birthday If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 a week.

Cleaning rota: J Sillett Flower rota: October 17 and 24, R Steward 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.

October 4 Job 1:1; 2:1-10

18 Sunday after Trinity Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Green Mark 10:2-16

October 11 19 Sunday after Trinity Job 23:1-9:16-17 Hebrews 4:12-16

Green Mark 10:17-31

October 18

Isaiah 53:4-12

20 Sunday after Trinity Luke the Evangelist Hebrews 5:1-10

Red

October 25 Isaiah 28:14-16

Last after Trinity Eph 2:19-end

Green John 15:17-end

Mark 10:35-45

In Touch online:

YOUR LOCAL SERVICES

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA • FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll,VAT and bookkeeping services • Personable and professional advice tailored to your individual needs • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies

Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: marchconsulting@fsmail.net

MID-SUFFOLK FENCING

SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY TIMBER FENCING

SUPPLY • ERECT • REPAIR

TIMBER & STEEL GATES DECKING PATIOS WOODEN BRIDGES FREE ESTIMATES 31 Alexander Drive, Needham Market IP6 8XG

www.midsuffolkfencing.co.uk

YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT

GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work

For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505 To advertise in this section, which appears in 16 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

23

24

In Touch online: