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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead
Volume 6 • Issue No. 11 • SEPTEMBER 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’ve been particularly fortunate in recent months to find myself in parts of our local countryside I’ve never visited before, not always by choice thanks to roadworks, but I have been reminded anew just how beautiful this part of the country is. Time and time again I have discovered hidden gems, stunning views, beautiful country pubs, lovely farms and cafes and community shops selling fabulous local produce. Despite the fact that I’m from another country I don’t actually like travelling. The actual physical process of getting there, wherever it may be, is enough to put me off going. I’ve done the ‘sun holiday’ and it’s not for me. I don’t function in 38 degree heat and I don’t tan so what’s the point? When we travel abroad we embrace new things, we seek out new adventures and force ourselves to ‘make the most of every minute’, almost to the point of exhaustion. I’ve only tried (and loved) windsurfing in St Lucia but could easily do it regularly here at home. I’ve run into freezing seas in Portugal and Cape Cod (which I’ve pretended to enjoy because that’s what you do on holiday) but barely dip my toes in the North Sea which is 30 minutes from home (and a warm bath). I’ve walked to mountain tops in sweltering heat in Italy, but go everywhere by car in East Anglia. When we stay at home our free time is too easily absorbed by real life responsibilities, but imagine what we might discover if we were to focus the same sense of adventure to a day spent within 10, 20 or even 30 miles from home. The next time you find yourself at a loose end, stick a pin in the map or just take a road you haven’t taken before and allow yourself to enjoy whatever comes your way. This month my colleagues and I are supporting Macmillan’s Big Coffee Morning and welcome readers, contributors and advertisers to pop in for coffee and cake from Monday 26 to Friday, September 30. It would be lovely to meet you. I shall be making scones.
NEWS FOUR COMMUNITIES ACTION GROUP The Four Communities Action Group (4CAG) was created in 2010 by members of the churches of Barham, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Henley, Age UK (Suffolk) and interested members of the wider community. Its aim is to work together as four parishes to develop new activities and support networks, especially for those in need, and to provide spiritual support and encouragement with a view to enhancing the lives of all members of the community. The group currently supports five organisations: • 4Ever Young Men’s Group meeting at the Crown, Claydon on the third Wednesday of each month (see page 9) • Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club at the Parish Rooms, Great Blakenham on the first Friday of each month (see page 6) • Gipping Valley Art Society meets at the Parish Rooms, Great Blakenham every Tuesday afternoon • The Book Club is an informal group which meets at the Crown, Claydon on the last Thursday of the month • The Knitting Group is a relaxed and friendly group meeting at Alasdair Place, Claydon on the first Thursday of the month. Our aim is to increase awareness of these groups, plan future projects and also to attract like-minded people in the community to join us. The Crown at Claydon has always offered us a venue for some of our meetings, coffee and the chance to stay for a bite to eat afterwards, and we would like to thank the team there for their support. If you would like to know any more about our work, pop along to one of our activities or email: 4CAG@bigvax.co.uk We would love to hear from you.
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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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IN TOUCH WITH . . . • Hadleigh • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Woodbridge & Melton • 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
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SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE Staff at the Suffolk energyfrom-waste facility have been undergoing first aid and confined space training as part of an ongoing programme to improve their skills in every aspect of the job. The confined space training is particularly relevant during maintenance shut-downs, which in Suffolk are held twice a year in the autumn and spring. During these periods there are extra contractors on site, and the risk of someone getting trapped in a confined space is greatly increased. Many power stations hire in rescue teams for these periods, but in Suffolk it was decided it would be better to train our own staff, who would then have the skills year-round. Around 25 staff, including shift operators, the maintenance crew and day operatives have now undergone five days of training provided by Cleveland Fire Bridgade, including entry into and rescue from confined spaces and first aid. Cleveland were used as they also provide training at our sites in the Tees Valley. OPEN DAYS A further three open days, giving individuals living close to the site an opportunity to look round, were held over the summer. Group bookings, for between eight and 20 people can be made by calling Emily Pike: 01473 836812 USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060
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NEWS
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: AUGUST 2016 Park & Ride A couple of months ago there was a risk that the Park & Ride operator would have been given immediate notice that the scheme would close in order to meet this year’s budget reduction plans. If no viable alternative service was agreed, we would have just passed the closure date without further decision. After a call in to scrutiny, we sent the decision back and there have been improvements. There must now be a Memorandum of Understanding with bus operators before notice is served on the existing contract and if the Park and Ride services have to close you will be consulted again and a decision by cabinet will be required. Of course, an alternative would be to fund the existing subsidy. Scrutiny: Domestic Abuse We undertook a lengthy examination of Suffolk’s multi-agency response to domestic violence. PCC Tim Passmore, Detective Superintendent David Cutler, SCC Protecting Vulnerable People service leads and national charity SafeLives attended. There were a number of issues of concern despite a nationally recognised commitment to tackle all aspects of the problem. Perhaps most critical was the lack of a clear governance arrangement. The Health and Wellbeing Board’s membership includes most agencies involved in tackling domestic abuse, local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Suffolk Constabulary and the Voluntary Sector Congress. Therefore, we believe the board should take overall responsibility. One emerging difficulty is the reduction in the Supporting People budget that funds sheltered accommodation for the elderly, support for homeless young people and women’s refuges. We intend to make recommendations along these lines: • current county council expenditure on services to tackle domestic abuse should be brought together so as to maximise their benefits as a first step towards joint commissioning with other agencies • there should be a commitment to longer term funding for services to tackle domestic abuse, with the aim of aligning commissioning cycles with other agencies • the budget for services to tackle domestic abuse should be protected to provide greater stability for providers and facilitate improvements in service planning • if long term change in the prevalence and patterns of domestic abuse is to be achieved the behaviour of perpetrators must be tackled SafeLives is a source of very useful expertise and advice which we wish to see used to full effect, particularly Suffolk’s Action Plan which should reflect learning from other parts of the country Roads There have been many difficulties with the cutting of grass verges,
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particularly where the grass interferes with drivers’ view of other traffic. The verge-cutting schedule shows that in Mid Suffolk the first cut should have been in May. In June, people felt the length of the weeds was excessive and wanted action. Highways management commented: “Unfortunately there has been a delay to the commencement of the second cut due to complications with the single cut on the minor road network which has taken far longer than expected.” The second cut did start in the week commencing August 8. The problems come from the outsourcing of highways activity in the belief that contracting companies can deliver better value than in house teams. The practice appears less effective than the theory. As councillors, we have been constantly trying to explain the apparently disorganised results. County Highways really need to do better. District Council Work to complete a Memorandum of Understanding and make the Enterprise Zone at Stowmarket a reality is moving ahead. Mid Suffolk is working with the New Anglia LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), the county, the government and other districts. This zone and the associated Food Enterprise Zone will be an area where planning approval is simplified if proposals fit a Local Development Order that specifies the type and height of buildings for instance. Companies based in the zone can get the incentive of a five-year relief from business rates, quite a significant sum, up to a total of £275k. Planning The outline proposals to develop Blackacre Hill in Great Blakenham will have been to Mid Suffolk planning by the time you read this. It intends to have a variety of enterprises employing around 600 people in IT and logistics. If approved it will provide some of the employment infrastructure that must go with the housing developments proposals we have seen. It should also see work on Addison Way to repair the surface and deal with the drainage problems that deposit water on Bramford Road. Sheltered Housing Mid Suffolk and Babergh are reviewing their older persons housing provision. Some sheltered schemes are difficult to let as they are far from shops or medical facilities and have little public transport. St Peters Court and Cherryfields in Claydon and Bramford are always popular and full, but Mid Suffolk propose to ‘de-shelter’ (what a term) the bungalows. This is a proposal, not yet a plan and I hope residents will have made their views known at the consultation meetings. If you have queries please contact me: 01473 831306 / john.field@suffolk.gov.uk www.john.field@suffolk.libdems.org
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NEWS SAVE THE DUKE CAMPAIGN IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5
It is widely accepted that pubs play a crucial part in the social and economic life of local communities. That is why the national average of 21 pubs closing each week is so damaging, and why there are so many supporters of, and investors in, the Save the Duke campaign. More than £260,000 has been raised in the effort to buy and reopen this historic pub that had been offering hospitality for over 500 years before its doors closed some 18 months ago. The campaign is keen to highlight the importance of pubs to local agriculture, malting and brewing. Committee chairman James Batchelor Wylam (pictured), farmer and NFU Mutual representative, says: “The Duke of Marlborough lies in a fabulous barley-growing area and within a stone’s throw of what is probably the country’s leading hop-propagation farm. Malted barley and hops are the key ingredients of beer, Britain’s national drink, and one of Suffolk’s best local products. Re-opening the pub will contribute to the success of all these parts of the supply chain as well as providing a fantastic social hub.” Somersham’s farming families at Church Farm and Park Farm are donating some of their barley and Ingham’s Farm will be donating some hops for the creation of a special brew for the Save the Duke campaign. As James says: “We may use the beer to raise funds to buy the pub or if we can attract a few more investors in the near future, perhaps we’ll be using it for the Duke’s re-opening ceremony.” Shares are still available and not only will you become part owner of the Duke of Marlborough if you invest, you will also receive 30% tax relief on your investment providing you are a UK tax-payer. Check out the details at: www.savetheduke.net
MEET ‘N’ EAT LUNCH CLUB Meeting at noon on the first Friday of each month at the Parish Rooms in Great Blakenham. For only £4, we serve a light lunch (usually soup and a roll or a ploughman’s lunch) followed by homemade puddings with cream or custard and a cup of tea or coffee.
Route 5 MIP/5A MIP/5B MIP/5C MIP/5D MIP/5E MIP/5F MIP/5G MIP/5H MIP/5I MIP/5J MIP/5K
Town/village Location Time Sproughton Church Lane 9.10-9.25am Sproughton Wild Man 9.30-9.45am Bramford St Mary’s Close 9.50-10.05am Bramford Paper Mill Lane 10.10-10.25am Great Blakenham, Chequers 10.35-1055am Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park, 11-11.15am Baylham Post Box 11.25-11.45am Claydon Crown 11.55am-1pm Claydon Edinburgh Gardens 2.05-2.20pm Barham Bacon Road 2.25-3.50pm Bramford Packard Place 4-4.30pm
DATES: September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities for September
Friday, September 2, 10am-noon: Coffee ‘n’ Cake networking at Needham Market Community Centre Friday, September 16, 6.45am: Networking Breakfast at Stowmarket Golf Club Book online at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk Additional events Tuesday, September 20, 11.30am-2pm: Joint Suffolk Chamber lunch in the new conference area at Finborough Hall with guest speaker Richard Lister, provost and chief executive at University Campus Suffolk. Members’ rates for Stowmarket Chamber members. Friday, October 28: Quiz Night at Hillside Community Centre For further details please visit: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk
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.
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350
If you’re interested, plese contact Sue Broomfield (07890 512828) or Mike (07805 507497), or just come along on the first Friday of the month. You will be very welcome.
We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All the girls wore yellow, her favourite colour It’s the little things that make a funeral special
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Here for you every hour of every day
01473 232837
for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals
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OUT & ABOUT SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP
A Community Shop for the local community, run by the local community The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416 OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm Saturdays: 8am-1pm
GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL To all parishioners of Great Blakenham, There have been a few changes to your parish council recently so let me introduce the current council. Your chairman: Mr Steve Plume, 17 Gipping Road, Great Blakenham IP6 0JH / steveplume@me.com Your vice-chair: Mrs Karen Peters, 20 Chalk Hill Lane, Great Blakenham IP6 0NA / karengbpc@gmail.com Your councillors: Mr Joel Waller, 74 Plummers Dell, Great Blakenham IP6 0HW / j_waller2003@hotmail.com
Sunshine and warm weather meant that ice cream and cold drinks were best sellers over the last few weeks.
Mr Widge Bowman, 42 Chequers Rise, Great Blakenham IP6 0LT / widge.bowman@bryanhyde.co.uk
Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit were also quick to sell. We pride ourselves on having local produce in the shop and it’s a pleasure to know the producers who supply our goods. Bread, cakes, eggs, pies, meat and honey are all sourced locally. Most come from well within a 10-mile radius of the shop and so very much support our local economy, taste good and cut down on travel miles, thus helping the environment as well. Try our locally produced sausages – reported to be ‘the best ever’.
We can have seven parishioners on the parish council so have currently three vacancies. If you’d like to be part of a friendly team working on behalf of parishioners and the parish, feel free to come along to a meeting and introduce yourself or contact any of the team above for a chat. It could be more enjoyable than you think.
A kind donation of six chairs has given our coffee corner a feeling of luxury and the seating arrangements are very comfortable. We can now seat a good number of people at the tables and this works really well when we have the petrolheads afternoon once a month. It will also provide more room for visitors when we have tea and chat afternoons later in the year. Talking of petrolheads, a good number of people who enjoy motors and anything engine-driven gather for a cup of tea and an exchange of ideas and experiences on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month. Sometimes there is amotor-linked mystery object passed around to see if anyone knows what it is – always a good conversation piece. As you can see, there has been lots going on over the summer and summer has, of course, meant holidays. With many of our volunteers away at times, there were often big holes in the rota. So, a huge round of applause for all those who put in extra time to cover and help with the smooth running of the shop. New volunteers are always welcome – call in and see Lucy if you would like some information about volunteering. We’ve not seen so many students this year and really miss them. Any students with a bit of free time after studies or at weekends would be very welcome to help in the shop, which helps the community and gives work experience to put on that all important CV for the future. As mentioned, we always have fresh local goods in the shop as well as regular household items. We stock wine and local cider and also beer from a micro-brewery just down the road and take orders for cakes and bread which may sell out quickly. We offer a dry cleaning collection, a book exchange, newspapers and magazines to be ordered for collection at the shop and a delivery service for those with mobility problems. A fantastic shop manned and run by volunteers – come and have a look. Management team: Lucy Barrett, 831890; Terry Fordham, 831529; Jenny Hitchcock, 832060; Anne MacFadyen, 831288; Steve Woolhouse, 831080
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING A Macmillan Coffee Morning is being held in Baylham Village Hall on Friday, September 30 from 10am-noon. There will be cakes, jams and other produce, a tombola, raffle and nearly new clothes. Donations for the Macmillan charity will be welcome. For more details contact Wendy Garner: 01473 830615
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We are currently advertising for a new clerk so hopefully by September we will have a new contact for you. In the meantime, if you wish to make a formal approach please email: pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk The parish council meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Parish Rooms on Stowmarket Road, beside the church on the corner of Mill Lane. We’re currently revamping the PC website. Each month you will find the agenda and agreed minutes from previous meetings at: www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net We would welcome any suggestions as to how we could keep in touch with the parish. Ideas such as Facebook and Twitter are areas we will be discussing in future meetings. We would like to reach those parishioners who are unable to join our meetings and offer more information pertinent to the parish. Recent areas of discussion mainly range from developments and infrastructure, but we would love to hear from you regarding issues that the parish council can help with. At the August meeting we will have discussed plans for cemetery expansion and how the PC manage Freedom of Information requests, reviewed the transparency code fund and other standing agenda items. We openly welcome any feedback; listening to you will help us shape our approach and engagement, irrespective of your idea or concern we’d love to hear from you. Thanks for reading, Great Blakenham PC
4 EVER YOUNG MEN’S CLUB The 4 Ever Young Men’s Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10.30am in the Crown at Claydon. We have a full timetable for the rest of the year. In September we are meeting Jan, a volunteer from Blue Cross. In October we will have a presentation from the Hearing Care Centre and in November Mark Page, our Police Community Support Officer, will join us. We’re already preparing for our December meeting – our annual Christmas lunch. The Crown at Claydon very kindly accomodates us and provides coffee for our meeting. Some of us stay for a spot of lunch afterwards. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month with the chance to sit and chat with old friends, meet new friends and learn of new interests and ideas. We’re always looking for members and speakers, so if you fit the bill (Forever Young) please come along to listen or talk (or both). For more information contact Mike Biddle on 07805 507497 or just turn up on the third Wednesday of the month – you will be very welcome.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS GT BLAKENHAM 200 CLUB
CLAYDON & BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES
Winning tickets for July 39 £25 Kerry Prentice 91 £15 Carole Edwards 158 £10 Hannah and Will Durrant 30 £10 Margaret Minns 144 £5 Will Farrell 229 £5 Tony and Jane Fitch
Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project which 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.
All money raised by your membership of the 200 Club goes toward the repair and preservation of St Mary’s Parish Church. Tickets are £1 a month, collected at the beginning of the year. You can join at any time. Please phone Marion on 01473 830915 if you would like the chance to win one of the monthly prizes and help maintain the beauty of our ancient church building.
HERITAGE OPEN DAY EVENT AT ORCHARD BARN
This month we meet on Thursdays, September 8 and 22, 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.
The Heritage Open Days event is being held during the second weekend of September this year, your chance to “explore local treasures of every age, style and function”. As part of that celebration Orchard Barn is opening its doors to visitors on Saturday, September 10, 2-4.30pm
This month we would like to wish a happy birthday to Noah.
During the afternoon there will be demonstrations of traditional building methods including wattle and daub, clay lump block and shingle making. At 2.30pm there will be a talk covering the history of the site, progress to date and our plans for the future. The recent successful crowd-funding campaign will no doubt get a mention!
For more information contact me, Michelle, on 01473 833788 or check our listing on Netmums.com
At 3.15pm a tour of the one-and-a-half acre site will begin, taking in the green woodworking area, the earth working area, the orchard, the vegetable plot with its Hugelkultur beds, the pond and, of course, the restored 17th century barn. There will also be refreshments and a raffle.
Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there.
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB July prize winners were: No 55: Colin Dawson – £21.60 No 64: Sue Chisnall – £10.80 No 46: Brian Amass – £3.60
For more details visit: www.orchardbarn.org.uk
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
PLANT HERITAGE SUFFOLK GROUP
CLAYDON MUMS ‘N’ TOTS GROUP
Marina Christopher presents a talk entitled Attracting Beneficial Wildlife to your Garden at Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ on Saturday, September 24 at 2.30pm.
Calling all mums, dads, grandparents and carers with children 0-4 years old. Are you looking for somewhere to entertain your children and make new friends at the same time?
Plant stalls will include rare and unusual plants and delicious refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission: free to members, £5 entrance fee for non-members. New members and non-members are most welcome
Claydon Mums ‘n’ Tots meet every Tuesday in term time from 1.15pm3pm in Claydon & Barham Village Hall. We charge just £1.50 a family (one adult and children) which includes a drink and a biscuit for both the adults and children. There is a great selection of toys and activities to stimulate the children and help them let off some steam.
If you’ve read about Orchard Barn before and wondered what goes on there, now is your chance to find out. Our address is Orchard Barn, Bildeston Road, Ringshall (south of Mill Road, Battisford) IP14 2LY.
www.suffolkplantheritage.com
Claydon High School
‘Ofsted Good’
The Headteacher, governors, staff and students warmly welcome you to our
Church Lane, Claydon, Suffolk, IP6 0EG Tel: 01473 836110
Open Evening
Wednesday 5th October 2016 6.30pm Come along and experience our superb facilities and resources, talk to our staff and students as they proudly showcase their work
The evening will begin at 6.30pm with a speech from the Headteacher at 6.35pm
For further details, please contact the School Reception on 01473 836110 or email: info@claydonhigh.com
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Each week we have a different theme at our arts and crafts table where the children can make and create something amazing to take home and show the family. We always end our session with a sing-a-long. We will meet on September 13, 20 and 27 and new faces are always welcome. So why not come along, have a cuppa and meet some people in your area. We look forward to seeing you and your little ones soon. Could You Run This Group? Since Georgie Bolton stepped down from successfully running Claydon Mums ‘n’ Tots for many years, the group has been kept going by a small group of volunteer mums. However, it would really benefit from having a committed individual to take charge of the group, make it their own and lead it into the future. All that would be required from you is a little spare time, a love of children and some fresh new ideas for weekly activities. Parents are always on hand to help out at the sessions each week. If you are interested in finding out more about what’s involved in running the group then please contact Julie Cook or drop in to one of our sessions: juliet.cook@ymail.com
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SPORT BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB
CLAYDON FC
We have entered a men’s team in the midweek floodlit league (once the team return from their pre-season cold weather familiarisation at the Antarctic research base). For those ultras in the club for whom that is not enough, we also have three pairs entered in the Sunday morning tennis (before the pub) league, proof that memories are short. What was I saying?
Harrod UK present Claydon FC with new goal posts Harrod UK ran a competion earlier this year to find the saddest goal posts in Suffolk and Claydon FC submitted a picture of their senior training goals. These were picked as one of the saddest and we were rewarded with some fantastic new portable goals from Harrod UK.
The summer league season is now but history. Our men’s team finished in the middle of the league having won four and lost four of their matches, before going on holiday to Middlesex, Middlesborough and the Middle East presumably. We are thinking of asking Kate Middleton for Royal Patronage next season.
The club are extremely grateful to the team for these new goals and they will be used by all senior ages at the club (U13+) for many years to come.
Greetings guff lovers. With the wall to wall coverage on TV, and the associated Rio related articles in the media, such as how to learn to Samba and Zika virus warning signs, it’s hard not to suffer from Latin America overload at the moment. One sure fire way to banish all thoughts of Copacabana beach is to ponder the start of the winter league season... (Sorry, I had to stop for a moment to go and get a hot drink and a duvet.)
The courts are looking pristine after their cleaning and it makes it much easier to maintain the opposition ball was out if you can see the lines. Clearly it also allows you to argue more vigorously that your shot was in at the other end. No such problems for Nick whose shots usually clear the fence, so no doubts there then. I watched him serve four balls from a new tin into the rough behind the courts. After unsuccessfully trying to find them he gave up and opened another new tin and promptly did the same thing. I asked him why he didn’t use some old balls. He replied that he never gets any!
Claydon FC Summer Coaching Course
The playing field committee have taken on concerns regarding possible unfortunate events by installing a defibrillator in the sports club. This will be very handy as the last time Graham bought a round in the bar several of us needed oxygen from the shock. Joke of the Month A well dressed gentleman was on his way into the local pub when he saw an old pensioner fishing in a large puddle in the road outside the door. “Poor old chap,” thought the man and invited the old boy in for a drink. As the pensioner sat sipping his pint the man thought he would humour him and asked: “Have you caught many today?” The old boy sipped a bit more beer and said: “You’re the sixth.” More guff next month, Mick Russ
GIPPING VALLEY BOWLS CLUB We are now three quarters of the way through our 2016 season. Our three teams are currently struggling a little in the Samford League, but our Tuesday afternoon B Team and Ipswich & District A Team are currently in promotion positions in their respective leagues. Our new players have all been a great asset to the club this year and we hope they have enjoyed our company and their games. Inter club competitions for the singles, pairs and triples are in full flow to get through to finals day in September. We had a fantastic time at the local gala when we took along some of our fun day games. More than 100 people had a go and the highest scores for a junior and adult were given a small prize. Many thanks to the members of the club who helped with this on a very hot and humid day, especially friends and relatives of members Jackie, Des, Susan and Amy. Thanks also to Claydon Carpet Bowls for loaning us some of their smaller woods. One of our longest serving members, Vera Hurricks, passed away recently. Vera and her late husband Gordon took on many duties in running our club and she will be sadly missed by everyone, as was seen from the large numbers of bowlers who attended her funeral.
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The summer coaching course held on July 28/29 was well attended this year with 24 players enjoying two days of coaching, fun and games at the club’s Blue Circle ground. The club would like to thank all the parents and players who supported the event and also the coaches and volunteers who gave up their time to run this event. We look forward to next year when we will do it all again, bigger and better than before. New U7 and U8 pitch The new pitch at Blue Circle is starting to take shape. A working party raked it flat on July 31 and Parkers Pitches are coming in shortly to run their stone burying machine over it to remove all the stones before they then seed the whole area. We are hopeful that we can start using this pitch around the first week of October. The club would like to thank all the volunteers who raked and removed top stones from the pitch as well as Claydon and Whiton Parish Council for the grant that has made this pitch possible. Further funds from the Summer Coaching Course have allowed us to get Parkers Pitches in to stone bury. Claydon U11 Tigers – Sponsor Wanted The Claydon Under 11 Tigers are looking for a local sponsor for one or both of our kits. If you are interested in getting your logo onto our kit please contact Simon: sime@claydon-fc.co.uk / 07903 398460
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CHURCH NEWS CHRISTO REDENTOR, RIO 2016 I stayed up late the other night to watch the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Because it’s in Brazil the show started at midnight and finished at 4am so I didn’t manage to watch the whole performance, but from what I did see it was certainly an impressive feat. The amount of work, preparation, training and rehearsal to put together such a spectacular show is immense. Likewise, the athletes competing in the Olympics train hard, day in day out, for four years to prepare for that brief moment where they give their all in the hope of attaining the highest prize, the Gold medal. It may surprise you to know that the Olympics are mentioned in the Bible. Since the first century the games would take place every four years in Greece. The apostle Paul mentions them in his letter to the church in Corinth (also in Greece). He states: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25) His point is that although this life may have lots of good things to partake in that are indeed worthwhile, it would be foolish to pursue all that this world has to offer at the expense of preparing for your eternal security. He went on to reinforce his point when writing a letter to his friend Timothy, who was a young pastor at a church in Ephesus. He said: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8) Standing above all the intense effort that goes on at the Olympics, and overlooking all that happens in the city of Rio is the statue of ChristoRedentor – Christ the Redeemer. The statue stands with open arms, overlooking both the poorest favelas and the most opulent mansions, a symbol of his calling and welcome to all who will come to him for redemption and salvation. The Bible says that none can earn or work their way to heaven by good works. We are all sinners in need of a saviour. The good news is that Jesus has completed the task for us already, run the race, lived a perfect life, taken our sin upon himself, and he now lives to intercede for us before his father. His arms are open to you. Jesus is the ultimate hope of redemption for each of us as individuals and also for the broken world in which we live. SERVICES Sundays: 10.45am at Great Blakenham (including Sunday Club for children); 6.30pm at Mickfield Wednesday: 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 contact: info@blakenhambaptist.org.uk / 01449 720357 www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk
ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREAT BLAKENHAM Priest-in-charge: The Rev Carl Melville (date of commencement to be announced) Churchwarden: Wendy Hooper, 01473 846642 New Priest-in-Charge We are delighted and excited to announce that the new Priest-inCharge for our church grouping with Claydon and Barham, Henley and Great Blakenham is The Reverend Carl Melville. Carl is presently assistant curate in the Bradfield St Clare, Bradfield St George with Little Whelnetham, Cockfield, Felsham and Gedding benefice. Please pray for Carl as he takes up this new position. Further details to follow. Community Coffee Morning The next Community Coffee Morning will be on Saturday, September 10 from 10am-noon in the Parish Room. Come and join us for coffee and homemade cakes and a chat. Doggy Day A big thank you to everyone who helped organise, run the stalls, serve refreshments and supported our first Doggy Day event which was held on July 16. The fun dog competitions were well received and the winners liked their prizes and rosettes. The weather was very kind to us and all the dogs and humans who attended had a great time. We raised £80 for church funds. Look out for the date for next year’s Doggy Day. Harvest Supper and Harvest Festival We will be holding a Harvest Supper in the Parish Room on Saturday, September 24 at 6pm. The supper will consist of jacket potatoes with a selection of toppings and salad, as well as a homemade dessert and coffee. Tickets cost £5 and can be obtained from Wendy Hooper (01473 846642) or Jane Corbett (01473 830201). Our Harvest Festival Service will be on Sunday, September 25 at 10am in St Mary’s Church. Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Cycle Ride The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Cycle Ride will take place on Saturday, September 10 and the church will be open between 9am and 5pm to greet riders and provide much-needed refreshments. Do you enjoy cycling? Would you like to take part in the cycle ride and raise money for your local church? Please contact a member of the PCC for more information. Festival of Wreaths and Angels We will be holding a special Festival of Wreaths and Angels from November 25-27, 10am-4pm each day. The wreaths and angels will be on display in the church and entry is free. In addition, we will be offering refreshments in the Parish Room as well as holding a raffle. The weekend will come to a close with a Carol Service on Sunday, November 27 at 4pm. If you are able to support this event by either providing a wreath or an angel, sponsoring a display, providing a raffle prize, advertising in our programme or giving a donation, please contact Wendy Hooper (01473 846642) or Jane Corbett (01473 830201). SEPTEMBER SERVICES September 11: Holy Communion Service, 11.15am September 25: Harvest Festival, 10am OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY October 8: Community Coffee Morning, 10am-noon October 9: Holy Communion Service, 11.15am October 23: Family Service, 10am November 13: Service of Remembrance, 10.45am All are welcome to join us for the above services and for refreshments after the 10am services. Service times are also advertised by the outside noticeboard with a brightly coloured banner.
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Important Notice for Patients Registered at Needham Market Country Practice
FLU CLINIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2016 If you are over 65, or have any of the following:- heart condition, asthma, COPD, kidney disease, diabetes, are pregnant, have a lowered immunity, have had a stroke or are a carer for someone else – you are entitled to a free Patients will NOT receive a letter asking them to come in. The clinic for your area will be held on Tuesday 11th October 2016 AT GREAT BLAKENHAM VILLAGE HALL BETWEEN 9 – 11.30AM ASHBOCKING, BARHAM, BAYLHAM, CLAYDON, CODDENHAM, CROWFIELD, EARL STONHAM, FORWARD GREEN, GOSBECK, GREAT BLAKENHAM, HEMINGSTONE, HENLEY, LITTLE STONHAM, PETTAUGH, STONHAM ASPAL, STONHAM PARVA, WATTISHAM If you are in one of the groups mentioned and are Needham Market Country Practice on 01449 720666 where information on further clinic dates can be obtained.
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CHURCH NEWS CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET
Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev John Boardman (Methodist): 01787 372738 Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am, including crèche and Sunday Club Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: Monday 9.30-11am (term time) For mums and toddlers, 12 months to four years. Contact Hannah: 07969 482360 Scrabble Club: Monday 2-4pm New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Women’s Fellowship: Second Wednesday 2.30-3.30pm Contact Linda Hills: 01449 721258 Christians Together Ecumenical Group: Thursday, 10am Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon Always with a selection of cakes for sale. OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Monday, 7-9pm Children’s Musical Theatre: Tuesday, 4-6pm. Contact Faye: 01449 722354 Karate: Wednesday; juniors 6.30-7.30pm / adults 7.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm (term time) Self Defence: Thursday, 8-10pm Hall lettings: 07851 742847 Church contact: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk How can it be September already? Before you know it the Christmas decorations will be up and we won’t be able to move for glitter, tinsel and Christmas trees! Many people will be celebrating Harvest Festivals during the month, and these are increasingly seen as an opportunity to provide food for those in need, with many charities benefiting from the generosity of others. And that’s a good thing, however people need food all year round which is why charities such as Stowmarket Foodbank and Christian Aid along with others really need help for 12 months of the year.
At Christchurch we regularly support charities, and have recently chosen our local charity for the next two years. It is an Ipswich based project called Talitha Koum whose mission is to reach out with love, compassion and practical support to women struggling with addictions. They are creating a purpose built residential, rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Ipswich for women recovering from addictions, primarily but not exclusively drug and alcohol addictions: www.talithakoum.org.uk When you visit events such as our coffee mornings or the Christmas Festival and put donations in the pots, you too will be helping to support this charity, so thank you in anticipation. Our Harvest Festival Service will be on Sunday, September 25 and will be one of our cafe style mornings. If you’ve not been before, please know you are very welcome – but make sure you are there around 10.20am for a cup of tea or coffee before the service starts. Finally, I’d like to wish all children, parents and teachers a smooth and happy start to the new academic year, with special thoughts for those who will be venturing away to university for the first time. In the words of a ninth century blessing: May your life in this world be a happy one May the sun be warm and may the skies be blue May each storm that comes your way, Clear the air for a brighter day May the saints and Saviour watch over you. The Rev Mary Playford CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL This year Christchurch is planning something different on December 2, 3 and 4. We would like to fill our church with a Christmas display and we are inviting individuals, families, groups and businesses to take part. There will be display areas for Marvellous Mangers (Nativity/Crib Scenes), Stupendous Stars (Stars), Holy Heralds (Angels) and Tremendous Trees (unusual representations of Christmas trees, no taller than 60cms). We will also have a children’s corner where children can draw and display their own Christmas pictures, look at books or listen to a storyteller. Refreshments will be available for you to sit and enjoy amongst the displays. If you have, or can make, cribs, stars, angels or trees that fit our categories above and you would like to enter them in our Christmas Festival (no entry fee), please contact Sheila Norris for more details: 01449 720871 / sheila_norris@hotmail.co.uk
BRAMFORD METHODIST CHURCH Sunday Worship: 10.30am September 4: Mr B Loader September 11: The Rev G Baalham, 143rd Church Anniversary Service; also at 6.30pm The Rev G Baalham (United Service) September 18: Mr C Finbow September 25: Prof D Welbourn Families @ 4: 4-6pm on September 25 (a very informal get-together – come and go as you please – with tea provided) September 1: United Service at Cherryfields with Mr C Westren, 3pm September 17: Coffee Morning at Cherryfields, 10-11am
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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 Morning Prayer at Bramford: Monday to Friday, 8.30am Quiet Reflective Communion Service: Wednesday at the vicarage, 9.30am Please check porch notices for any changes. www.stmarybramford.co.uk SEPTEMBER SERVICES Thursday 1 3pm United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 4 8am 10am 6pm
Trinity 15 Holy Communion, Lt Blakenham Holy Communion with Bramford / Prayer for Healing Evening Prayer for Rogation, Baylham
Sunday 11 Trinity 16 8am Holy Communion, Bramford 10am Parish Communion, Nettlestead 5pm 5 O’clock Service, David & Goliath, Parish Room 6.30pm 143rd Methodist Anniversary Service, Methodist Church Tuesday 13 11am Communion from Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre Wednesday 14 7.30pm
Healing Service, Methodist Church
Sunday 18 10am 10am 3pm
Trinity 17 Holy Communion, Bramford Holy Communion, Baylham Harvest Festival, Nettlestead
Saturday 24 10am
Coffee Morning, Church Room
Sunday 25 10am United Parishes Harvest Communion, Bramford 3.30pm Harvest Songs of Praise, Bramford School Harvest Service, date and time to be confirmed. Dear friends September is here again. It’s a time I, as an ex teacher, associate with new starts. I am just back from holiday, the schools are going back to work and we are beginning to prepare for the last few months of this year. It is always a busy time, a time with lots of services to invite others to. We are beginning with Harvest Festivals in all our churches and at the school, and as usual we will be running a harvest appeal. Watch this space for details. Last year the goods we collected really went to help out those in need in our own area. We then move on to All Souls and on to the season of Remembrance in November, and swiftly on to Christmas. I hate to use the C word so early, but it is always good to look forward. I am hoping that when this comes through your door we will be well on the way to finishing the re-ordering at St Peter’s, Baylham, but as I write a Crypt has been found under the area we are hoping to convert into a toilet and servery and it looks as if things are about to get complicated! If we don’t finish when we promised, please bear with us. Sometimes our wonderful ancient buildings throw up surprises of their own.
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It is an odd fact that many churches have crypts underneath them. They may be large or small, but some of our buildings have quite large voids underneath which have become lost in the mists of time. These were often places where wealthy families buried their loved ones, in niches which were sealed up. Unfortunately we have had to seal the crypt up for safety reasons, and it will rest safely under the floor of the new toilet and servery, but I hope we will be able to ensure that the history and some of the photos we have taken are documented for future generations. I really hope that we will be able to announce a celebration service at Baylham so that we can bless the new facilities, and thank all those who have been involved in planning, building and problem solving! Again, watch this space, as soon as we have a date we will let everybody know. On a sadder note, during late July/August there was some vandalism in some of our church yards. Please keep up your vigilance, pop into your local church yard and enjoy the peace and quiet. It will deter those who wish to harm these wonderful resources. Blessings to you all. Jenny Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Bike and Stride Saturday, September 10, 9am-5pm Pease may I ask, once again, for the help of all you cyclists and walkers. Our churches are all in need of funding to help keep them open, especially those which have had lead stolen from their roofs. Saturday 10 is the date that churches are open from 9am until 5pm to visit. Sponsorship forms can be obtained from the church noticeboard or from me, Janet Jackaman, Maytime, Leggatt Drive, Bramford / 01473 744655. Many thanks. PARISH REGISTERS Baptism Sunday, July 31: Arlo Jack Hollands May he grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Cleaning Rota: V Mather and K Orvis Flower Rota: Sept 3 & 10 V Mather / Sept 24 Harvest Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church August 1 in memory of Christopher Bradshaw on his 66th birthday August 5 in memory of Margaret Driver’s birthday August 29 in memory of Sue Cave on her birthday If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week 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. September 4 Jer. 18:1-11
Trinity 15 Phil. 1-21
Green Luke 14:25-33
September 11 Jer. 4:11-12, 22-28
Trinity 16 Exod. 32:7-14
Green Luke 15:1-10
September 18 Jer. 8:18-9:4
Trinity 17 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Green Luke16:1-13
Trinity 18 1 Timothy 6:6-19
Green Luke 16:19-31
September 25 Jer. 32:1-3a & 6-15
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