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In Touch
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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 6 • Issue No. 10 • AUGUST 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
NEWS
My parents celebrated their golden anniversary in June and, as you do at times such as this, we have talked at length about the trials and tribulations they faced over the years, some good, some not so. I’m proud their marriage was rock solid throughout, even when faced with tough financial times on the farm, a variety of health challenges, a rather rebellious teenage daughter and, in recent years, the collapse of the Irish economy which has impacted on everyone in one way or another. Married in 1966 and parents for the first time in 1967, my mum and dad showed remarkable resilience when it may have been easier to walk away. Back then when farm machinery was either unavailable or unaffordable, farming was not for the fainthearted, but they were a formidable team. Mum was the ultimate survivor. She baked, she sewed, she kept a garden, she helped on the farm, she managed the books… she did what had to be done to make ends meet and she and dad were totally committed to giving my brothers and I every opportunity they had been denied. They also knew how to have fun. My mum could turn a Sunday picnic in the garden into an unforgettable adventure. That said I don’t ever want to eat ox tongue sandwiches again as long as I live. Our annual daytrip to Kinvarra beach and the annual pilgrimage to Knock were the highlights of summers spent in the garden and on the farm. Every year I bought red heart-shaped sun glasses in Kinvarra and one of those little toy camera picture viewers in Knock and I was the happiest little girl in the world. My life is remarkable different to theirs, but I suspect my everyday worries are not entirely dissimilar. Making my own butter or knitting socks aren’t realistic money-saving options for me, but, thanks to my parents, I do have a ‘pull your socks up and get on with it’ approach to most things, and this I’m grateful for in these rather disconcerting political times.
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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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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
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IN TOUCH WITH . . . • Hadleigh • 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
SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS During the summer holidays the children’s tennis club is holding camp mornings from 10am-1pm on: Tuesday, July 26; Thursday, July 28; Tuesday, August 2; Thursday, August 4. The coach has said these will be multi-sport camps with tennis playing a large part. Any child over the age of five may attend, whether they are regular club members or not. The cost will be £5 a session. All welcome. Please bring your own drinks for the morning.
RE-ORDERING ST PETER’S CHURCH, BAYLHAM As I am sure most of you know, over the last few years we have been planning to install a kitchen area and toilet in the north transept in the church, behind the organ. Well, we at St Peter’s PCC are pleased to let you know that we now have in place the funding to carry out the work which will start at the end of August or beginning of September and will last eight-10 weeks. The church will remain open during the work and hopefully all services will be held as normal. However, as you can imagine there will be workmen and trucks around the churchyard and they will be using the church car park. We will put up notices to say when the work will start so that any of you who use the car park will know when it is happening. Also there will be some digging in the churchyard for the drains and drainage so if you see that happening please do not be concerned. Thank you all very much for your help with our fundraising over the last couple of years and especially our thanks go to Wendy for all her hard work with filling in grant applications and obtaining grants from several grant giving bodies. Thank you very much to those who donated cakes and produce for the PCC to sell at Bramford Fete which raised more than £160. A successful event and one we hope to repeat next year. Churchwarden Hilary Ritchie Also see FRIENDS OF BAYLHAM CHURCH on page 13.
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NEWS COMMUNITY ACTION SUFFOLK SEARCHING FOR THE COUNTY’S MOST INSPIRING VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITIES Nominations are now open for the Community Action Suffolk Awards 2016 which recognise the volunteers, communities and young people making an impact on the lives of people in Suffolk. Nine awards will be presented to individuals and organisations in Suffolk, from Village Hall/Community Building of the Year to Most Inspiring Volunteer story. If you know of someone or an organisation making a real difference, you have until Friday, August 12 to make your nomination via the CAS website: www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/awards One of the 2015 winners was Youthbase from Stowmarket who won The Roddy Macleod award for Youth Club of the Year. They were nominated as an inclusive, volunteer-run youth club welcoming all young people from the age of nine. Several of the young people have behaviour issues and are struggling at home and at school, but through the support and the value the team place on them as individuals, there has been a real difference in their behaviour. The club does not make any charge for attendance as many of the families come from deprived areas and the club needs to be open to all. Beccles Lido won the Colonel Probert award for Community Initiative, as a project which involves the whole community. Suzanne Gibbons from Beccles Lido Limited said she accepted the award on behalf of the team, but it was also an award for the community of Beccles, many of whom have supported the project from the beginning: “It shows us that when the community feels passionate about something, then they all do their best to help where they can.” CAS Awards categories include The Anne Dunford OBE award for Youth Participation, The Roddy Macleod award for Youth Club of the Year, The Andrew Towers award for Young Person of the Year, The Colonel Probert award for Community Initiative, The Ian Campbell MBE award for Individual Initiative, The Village Hall/Community Building award, Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering, Event Organiser of the Year and Most Inspiring Volunteer story. Awards will be presented at CAS’s Annual Celebration event on October 18 at the Museum of East Anglian Life. Local businesses are welcome to sponsor a table at the event and can find out more by contacting: belinda.couldridge@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
SUFFOLK ENERGY FROM WASTE FACILITY Staff at the Suffolk energy-from-waste facility went all out to support the Rio Roadshow, a massive charity event which aims to raise £75,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Over five weeks the roadshow visited more than 130 SUEZ sites from Scotland to Cornwall with a giant truck kitted out as a mobile gym. At each site staff were encouraged to run, row and ride as many miles as they could in a bid to cover the 5,761 miles between London and Rio. While in Suffolk, staff clocked up an incredible 227 miles towards the overall target and managed to raise more than £500 through a mini Olympics competition, a cake sale and a mocktail bar. Their efforts were filmed by Anglia TV. The roadshow follows on from the Big Ride in 2014 when SUEZ staff raised nearly £50,000 for Macmillan. USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities for August For those who can’t face people and a full English at the crack of dawn, join us for Coffee ’n’ Cake Networking at Needham Market Community Centre on Friday, August 5, 10am-noon. Otherwise come along to our Networking Breakfast at Stowmarket Golf Club on Friday, August 19, at 6.45am. Book online at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk Dates for your diary Tuesday, September 20: Joint Suffolk and Stowmarket Chamber event Friday, October 28: Quiz Night at Hillside Community Centre Keep checking the website for further details on these events or to sign up for our e-newsletter: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk
SIGN UP AND GET CONNECTED WITH POLICE CONNECT Police Connect is a free messaging service connecting you to the very latest policing news for your area via email, text or phone. Police Connect will provide you with localised information for a variety of situations, including emergency alerts, missing people appeals, crime reports, neighbourhood policing news and events. To register, contact 101 and we will get a form to you or register online at: www.Suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect Suffolk Police supports the use of social media as a means of talking with and listening to the communities we serve. Our networks provide people with an alternative source of the latest information in real time, often accompanied by images or videos. Suffolk Police can also be found on Facebook, Google, Instagram and YouTube. Officers in Hadleigh have recently joined social networking site Twitter and will be issuing regular updates about news, events, arrests and what’s happening in your neighbourhood. Follow us @ HadleighPolice.
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The short updates, known as tweets, will give a better insight into police work and help build relationships alongside the day-to-day work carried out by officers. In addition to @SuffolkPolice, our main corporate account, we also have the district accounts providing information at local level, as well as some departmental accounts and personal ones of senior officers. It is important to remember however that Twitter is not the place to report a crime or raise an issue you need to discuss in confidence: For non-emergency matters call 101. In emergencies always dial 999. Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: JULY 2016 Park and Ride At the cabinet meeting in June, the member responsible for the Park and Ride systems withheld letters from the chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership and from the leader of Ipswich Borough. The letters gave qualified support for the changes if the county alters road layouts that cause delay. He felt his colleagues would be confused. At a call in to scrutiny, we sent the decision back and there have been improvements. The issue now will have to go back to cabinet if there is no viable alternative to the current scheme. It won’t just close. Our scrutiny of the library service investigated what has been a successful transition from local government organisation to a cooperative. We agreed that they should seek to improve the service and encourage more engagement with customers, communities and volunteers. The aim should not be one of managing decline. In addition, we believed that performance measures should not be just about book loans but take into account the wider benefits of libraries to the Suffolk community. This year’s budget cuts might well terminate the mobile library service. Expensive library vans need replacing. We believe we need proposals now, not when it’s too late to investigate options. For instance, it is possible that community transport could take people to the library rather than large vehicles bringing the library to the people? Devolution At both the county and the district, we debated the final devolution proposals. At the county, the debate was long and thorough, highlighting many views. Both councils decided that we should now move to public consultation, unlike a number of councils in Norfolk who decided devolution is not for them. Councillors and officers see this as a beginning, leading to opportunity to take control of a wider range of services including aspects of health and social care integration. A combined authority headed by an elected mayor would be in control. The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership that incorporates business leaders would support it. The mayor would have a deputy and a small but senior officer group. Much of the staff necessary to deliver on the mayors’ plans would come from the two county councils. The mayor would work with the leaders of the constituent authorities, the county, district and borough councils. Many of us are concerned that the mayor, elected by around 15% of the population, working with leaders from just the largest parties in constituent authorities, would represent only some 30% of the population. I fear that people’s belief that they are not represented and that their views don’t count will be confirmed. You can find the consultation at www.eastangliadevo.co.uk/consultation and it will still be open when you read this. Please make your views heard. The combined authority would manage various budgets. This would include £25m a year for 30 years from government to invest in infrastructure, economic growth and jobs. Norfolk and Suffolk would
receive £100m to invest in shared ownership housing and could use up to 15% of it for houses for social rent. Finally, £30m to Norwich and Ipswich over five years, that’s £3m a year each, about 30 houses, will be useful but hardly game changing for these two towns. Mayoral Development Corporations could be set up to help deliver the substantial schemes necessary to build 200,000 houses over the two counties by 2037. The combined authority would also receive a single budget for public transport guaranteed for four years, replacing the numerous annual budgets that government currently provides. This would provide certainty on funding that is currently not possible. Roads We appear to have had a spate of emergency road closures where communication to local people via the parish councils has been less than effective. This highlights my need to point out yet again to Highways just how inconvenient these events are: something I have done several times. I did check the notices that were sent out and they did get to the parish, the police, bus operators and education. Cabinet has agreed a new Highways Maintenance Operational Plan. This plan re-sets the defect intervention levels and requires more rapid response times. Things should improve! The Referendum This is not the place to re-run the debate or even to make my views known. However, I do feel that it made the need to communicate clear. Advised by ex-journalists to keep it simple, we tend to shout dramatic oversimplifications at each other. We need to produce a clear but concise overview of the issues needing decisions. We must aim to ensure people can understand quite complex issues in the time they have available. Few can afford to spend many hours searching for information and reading vast amounts of detail. A lesson to learn if we want to re-build faith in democracy. District Council We continue to get new proposals for housing and some for employment as developers try to fill the vacuum caused by the lack of a five-year housing supply. The proposal in Barham has expanded, but it is still very early in the planning process. The infrastructure offered to cope with shopping, community, medical and educational needs is very much exploratory. It shows the developers have recognised what will be needed and are discussing it with the community, but at this formative time, we must make local wishes known. There was some concern that emerging plans to extend Claydon Primary might be at risk, but that is not so. In the Early Years arena, I am pushing county to plan the provision in Great Blakenham, Claydon, Barham and Bramford. We must ensure we can give you all a clear view on the likely developments and get your views. 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 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
794 and the second prize by ticket number 889. Thanks to all who took part. It takes many people to keep the community shop such an active, lively and well-stocked facility for our local area. As well as our volunteers who work in the shop, we have the often unseen and unsung volunteers who do various jobs that need doing without praise or recognition and the management team who organise the daily running of the shop and make it appear all so easy. Thank you to all those committed people who do so much for our community, and also to the customers without whose support it could not happen. As you can see, we are most proud to have had our community shop working so well over the past four years. It has proved to be not only a superb asset selling everyday goods and groceries, much of it locally sourced, but also a great meeting place and social venue. We are also pleased to report that the finances are well-ordered and on an even keel. It is, of course, all down to our very much appreciated volunteers and customers. Congratulations to our Lucy who, with Tina and other friends and family, organised a well-attended jumble sale in aid of the church lighting fund. Many of our volunteers helped and there were delicious home-made cakes and teas and coffees on sale which made for a very happy social occasion as well as much needed funds for the church. This shows the commitment to our wider community as well as to the local shop by our volunteers. A stunning £600 plus was raised. Great stuff Lucy!
There was a lovely buzz and chatter from the community shop in July when we celebrated our fourth anniversary with customers and volunteers joining us for a cup of coffee and piece of cake. This was our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all who have supported the shop since its opening. New customers arrived and said what a wonderful shop and community we have here. Of special interest were the lovely roses on display outside. Barry, our flower provider, had engaged his dad, Stan, to come along and set up a stall. The wonderful aroma and colourful display attracted many customers. Thanks to all who helped with the coffee/tea making and washing up, and to all the volunteers and customers who came along to make it such a happy event. Our anniversary hamper raffle was won by ticket number
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A competition has been organised in which every child at Somersham school took part. The children were asked to do a drawing of the shop and the winner received a £5 voucher. Two other prizes were also awarded and all the drawings are on show in the shop for all to see. Well done to all our budding artists at the school. We hope you enjoyed doing the pictures as much as we enjoyed seeing them. So, as you can see we aim to be involved in all aspects of the community and if you haven’t volunteered yet and are thinking about it, come and join us and be part of the life in our lovely locality We always have fresh local goods in the shop including bread, cakes, meat, vegetables, pies and eggs, as well as household items. Other regular services include dry cleaning collection, coffee corner, book exchange, newspapers and magazines to be ordered for collection and a delivery service for those with mobility problems. We look forward to seeing you in the shop and to all contributing to a successful fifth year. Management team Lucy Barrett, 831890; Terry Fordham, 831529; Jenny Hitchcock, 832060; Anne MacFadyen, 831288; Steve Woolhouse, 831080.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SAVE THE DUKE As we head into summer the Save the Duke team are working on a big push to raise the final sums needed to make an offer on the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham. We are getting dangerously close! We are proud to announce the total raised, in both shares and loans, at the time of writing is more than £265,000. This figure is getting very close to the valuation we undertook last year and we are hopeful of attracting a few more investors to reach a point at which we can make an offer. Huge thanks to everyone who has helped make this happen so far. We will still need a further sum to get the pub open – to buy equipment and stock, cover the overheads and start paying staff. If you could spare a sum upward of £250 to buy shares, or £5,000 to loan to us over a four years period, now is the time to do your bit. Whether buying shares or lending us money, in both situations you can claim 30% of the value of your investment off your tax bill, subject to terms and conditions. We are happy to talk this through with anyone thinking of making an investment. Please call James on 07789 691434 for more information or visit: www. savetheduke.net FUNDRAISING EVENTS NEWS
Reel the night away at our Harvest Ceilidh at Church Farm, Somersham on Saturday, September 3, 7.30pm. Tickets (£15 adults / £7.50 under 18s / Under 5s free) include supper and are available from Somersham shop, Somersham Garage or Lucy on 01473 831042 (evenings only). See website for further details. All welcome.
Save the Duke was pleased to get a visit from Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett in May, pictured here outside the pub with James and Lucy Batchelor-Wylam and Councillor Anne Killett
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 in Claydon on the third Wednesday of each month (see page 13) • Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club at the Parish Rooms, Great Blakenham on the first Friday of each month (see page 14) • Gipping Valley Art Society meeting at the Parish Rooms, Great Blakenham every Tuesday afternoon • The Book Club is an informal group which meets at the Crown in 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
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OUR LOCAL MEN’S HEALTH CHARITY CHAPS is a men’s health charity dedicated to raising awareness of men’s health problems. Why? Because UK men’s health statistics are so poor in comparison to both women and our European neighbours across the whole spectrum of disease. Sixty-thousand UK men of working age die prematurely every year at a rate one and a half times that for women. The causes are well known: heart disease, smoking, cancers, diabetes, suicide and risk-taking behaviour to name but a few. There are numerous health programmes devoted to women’s care, but few equivalent services exist for men, while men themselves remain largely unaware of health issues and reluctant to use the services that do exist. For instance, NHS health checks aimed at detecting the top seven causes of premature death are offered to men aged 40-74, yet less than 50% are actually taken up! Furthermore, although prostate cancer kills 11,000 UK men annually, there is no national screening programme and only 8% of UK men avail themselves of the PSA prostate cancer screening test available to them via the NHS. Our objective is to raise awareness on the premise that if a man knows what can go wrong, he at least will have the knowledge to make an informed choice as to whether to take preventative action. Over the last five years CHAPS has run men’s health days, typically at football stadia, where we have provided free tests to men for aortic aneurysm screening, heart disease and stroke risk assessment, diabetes, skin cancer and prostate cancer screening. At ITFC last October 138 men attended and we even had a team from the Medical Detection Dogs collecting urine samples from men having prostate checks to train their dogs to recognise prostate cancer! So far we know 11/94 prostate checks were abnormal and one man with an unknown aneurysm underwent potentially life-saving surgery within two weeks of the event. Another first on the day was a successful seminar, Mental Health in The Workplace, run by Suffolk User Forum, Suffolk Mind and Picasso HR. At our last event in Clacton in December an exceptionally high attendance thoroughly endorsed our raison d’être. For instance, 21 heart checks and eight prostate checks were abnormal while eight skin cancers were diagnosed. These results typify our activity and overall in 2015 we performed a total of 1,944 clinical tests for 814 men at eight major events. We are concentrating our activity in Essex and Suffolk on the principle that ‘charity begins at home’ and in recognition that there are considerable local unmet health needs. Sadly we have all lost friends to preventable and curable diseases, but through local support at local events we can make a difference. We are therefore encouraging male orientated groups such as Rotary, Masons and Lions and employers of male workforces to commission us to provide smaller, private health check events for the members or employees. To fine out more, please check our website or contact us at: chris.booth@chaps.uk.com / info@chaps.uk.com / 07734 747854 This year’s event at Ipswich Town Football Club on Thursday, November 3 will offer the following health checks: • Aneurysm screening • Cardiovascular risk assessment – your risk of a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years • Diabetes screening • Skin cancer • Prostate • Physiotherapy, blood pressure and BMI checks The day is co-ordinated by CHAPS and the clinical services will be provided by Onelife Suffolk, Ipswich Hospital, the Suffolk Nuffield Hospital, Day Lewis Pharmacy and the Co-op (hearing tests). Clinical Director Chris Booth www.chaps.uk.com
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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB
Route 5 Town/village
Location
Time
MIP/5A Sproughton
Church Lane
9.10-9.25am
MIP/5B Sproughton
Wild Man
9.30-9.45am
MIP/5C Bramford
St Mary’s Close
9.50-10.05am
MIP/5D Bramford
Paper Mill Lane
10.10-10.25am
MIP/5E
Chequers
10.35-1055am
MIP/5F Great Blakenham
Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park
11-11.15am
MIP/5G Baylham
Post Box
11.25-11.45am
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 from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area behind the hall. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.
MIP/5H Claydon
Crown
11.55am-1pm
MIP/5I
Claydon
Edinburgh Gardens
2.05-2.20pm
MIP/5J
Barham
Bacon Road
2.25-3.50pm
MIP/5K
Bramford
Packard Place
4-4.30pm
Great Blakenham
DATES: August 2, August 30, September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20
FRIENDS OF BAYLHAM CHURCH There will be a pub games night at the village hall on Friday, September 30, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6 to include a supper. Please bring your own drinks and glasses. To book contact Wendy: 01473 832885
OPEN DAY AT BLUE CROSS ANIMAL REHOMING CENTRE There will be an open day at the new Blue Cross Animal Rehoming Centre, Bourne Hill, Wherstead IP2 8NQ on Saturday, August 27, noon-4pm. This an opportunity to see behind the scenes of a working animal rehoming centre. As well as refreshments there will be various stalls. Entry is free but donations will be gratefully received.
For our second meeting in June we had a strawberry tea party with red, white and blue outfits optional. July 27, or last meeting before our summer break, will be a social afternoon including quiz time with Brenda Cooper. We will start back again on September 14 with our AGM and our new programme will follow in due course. We would be pleased to welcome new members, but if you would just like to come to one of the talks there is no obligation to become a member so do come and join us Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB
Further information can be obtained from Ian Hendry, vice-chairman of the events and fundraising committee: 01449 767747
The club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. Members pay £2 a meeting and this covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes.
4 EVER YOUNG MEN’S CLUB
Our workshop meeting for July was entitled Butterflies and Flowers and made good use of some crafting supplies donated to the club by a former member. While cardmaking was predominant, members were encouraged to think of other ideas such as home décor items.
Our AGM in June passed without incident. We got the formal bit over very quickly and concentrated on what we’re going to do in the next 12 months. I’m working on a number of ideas for trips out to local venues and have already booked a number of guest speakers 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 Ltd and Mark Page, our Police Community Support Officer, will visit in November. The Crown at Claydon very kindly accomodates us and provides coffee for our meetings. Some of us often stay for a spot of lunch afterwards. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 10.30am 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 please come along to listen or talk (or both). Contact Mike Biddle on 07805 507497 for more information or just turn up on the third Wednesday of the month. You will be very welcome.
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Our programme for the remainder of 2016 is below but I give no clues as to the project. August 15: Always Need Storage September 5: Lovely in Lace October 3: New Baubles, Mind the Furniture November 7: Getting Ready for Christmas December 5: Christmas Party There is currently room for new members so if you are interested in joining us please get in touch. Although the club is all ladies at present gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome, but I cannot accommodate children. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS MEET ‘N’ EAT LUNCH CLUB
BRAMFORD ART GROUP
The Meet’n’Eat Lunch Club meet at noon on the first Friday of each month at the Parish Rooms in Great Blakenham. We now have to charge £4, but for that 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.
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.
In addition, we offer the chance to sit and chat with old friends, make new friends, play a game of bingo and have a bit of fun. If you’re interested, contact Sue Broomfield on 07890 512828, Mike Biddle on 07805 507497, or just come along on the first Friday of the month – you will be very welcome.
IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Suffolk based author Sheila Wright will present a really useful talk for amateur genealogists entitled Tact and Diplomacy in Family Research on Thursday, July 28 at 7.30pm at the Co-op Education Centre. The pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard: 01473 274300
HERITAGE OPEN AFTERNOON AT ORCHARD BARN Orchard Barn is a living history project where we use natural building materials (earth and trees) and a traditional approach to construction. Subsoil has been used as a building material throughout the world for centuries. In mid Suffolk there are still many houses and farm buildings constructed from clay lump. Building with earth is part of our heritage. At Orchard Barn we have all the materials we need directly under our feet to build a wall and we like to keep fit naturally. It’s a great combination that’s lots of fun. Just recently we have been making clay lump blocks for our new craft room. We start the process with a spade. Currently we are improving drainage of a ditch and ‘harvesting’ the clay as we go. Then we tread chopped straw in until mixed well. Clay lump mix is tamped down into a wooden mould, then turned out and dried in the sun for three-four weeks. A simple, but effective heritage building practice that is making a comeback – one spade full at a time.
We meet every Wednesday from 10am to 12.30pm; the cost is currently £10 a month, so just £2.50 a session. For further details please contact Ann Woolnough on 01473 743794 or come along and meet us any Wednesday after 10am.
CLAYDON AND BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES 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. We don’t meet in August, but I look forward to seeing you all on September 8. 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 is 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 Tilly, Leo, Addison-Rose and Emily. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. For more information contact me on 01473 833788 or check our listing on Netmums.com. Michelle
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB May prizewinners
OPEN AFTERNOON If you would like to see how we make clay lump blocks or wattle and daub, then come to our open afternoon between 2-4.30pm on Saturday, September 10. It’s part of the national campaign to show the rich and diverse heritage of our buildings. During the afternoon we will be doing a presentation about the restoration of Orchard Barn, a Community Interest Company run project that has involved more than 1,600 people in the use of local trees and earth. Come and see what we have achieved and how.
No. 39: Ann Gardiner, £21.90
For more information visit www.orchardbarn.org.uk 01473 658193 / 07766 054042. New volunteers always welcome.
For an entry form please contact Nadine Harrison: 01473 831857 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk
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No. 25: Bridget Wyatt, £10.95 No. 57: Emma Harman, £3.65 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.
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SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL The summer term has been an exhausting but fun-packed end to the year.
Finally in June, Years 5 and 6 ended their Ancient Greek history theme with a dramatic performance of Greece Goes to Pieces where a selection of Greek stories depicted on pots were performed. Well done to the actors, singers, stage hands and technical crew. Summer term sports round-up The summer term is always a busy time for sports. During May, we entered the School Games Key Steps gymnastics competition and were delighted to be awarded the silver position. Good luck to all participants in the finals. Year 3 PE lessons saw Sam Moss come in to teach dance. This culminated in an impressive dance performance to parents at the end of the month. Finally in May, the Year 5/6 girls’ football team started their first matches in the IPSSA league. May 2016 Both Year 4 classes spent two days at Minsmere, with a night at Blaxhall Youth Hostel. Linked to their learning in science, they enjoyed exploring a range of habitats at the nature reserve. They also enjoyed being away from home for the first time as a class and had a night walk in the countryside to the pit. Years 5 and 6 were visited by a Greek warrior who shared with them his knowledge of warring city states, the birth of democracy and Greek legends. Pupils were involved in a range of interesting activities to learn about the Ancient Greeks.
Meanwhile, pupils who attended Mars, Venus and Pluto clubs decorated and planted donated wellington boots for The Great Suffolk Wellington Hunt. The activity was organised by Recycle Suffolk and the colourful creations were sold at the Suffolk Waste Partnerships stand at the Suffolk Show, raising £337 for EACH. June 2016 Year 6 spent a morning at Crucial Crew, a personal safety education programme for ages 10 and 11. They experienced a series of real-life scenarios related to personal safety in an interactive and exciting way. Year 5 were inspired to read by a visit from author Jo Franklin who came to talk about her writing and books. Year 2 enjoyed an active morning at Piper’s Vale gymnastics club where they had fun doing gymnastics and karate.
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Moving on to June and July, the children practised and prepared for our School Games Day. They researched different countries, looking at the differences in culture and festivals. They then made flags to represent what they had learnt and displayed them at the Key Stage 2 School Games Days. The children showed great sportsmanship and determination and represented the Olympic values throughout the events (despite the drizzle for Key Stage 2). Congratulations to the Orang-utans who were the overall winners. During our School Games Day, we also celebrated the fact that 60% of Key Stage 2 children had participated in extra-curricular sports activities. Those children who had represented the school in the School Games competitions received a Claydon Primary School Sports Performer wristband. Year 6 took part in the School Games cricket tournament, winning gold and progressing to the next round and the county finals. Years 5 and 6 represented the school in swimming at the School Games where all the children took second or third place in their races with Jensen Wagstaff winning gold for the backstroke. Year 6 represented Norway at Quadkids where they took part in running, jumping and throwing. They finished 37th out of 64 schools and had an enjoyable afternoon. Well done to everyone who participated in a School Games competition throughout the year and thank you to those who made it possible and who came along to support the children. Fond farewells With the end of term fast approaching, we look forward to sharing leaving celebrations with Year 6 and we wish them well as they move on to their high schools. In addition, we hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in September.
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SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL As you read this article we are all busy enjoying the summer holidays. However, the last few weeks of term were once again action packed, full of trips, events, productions and, of course, learning.
and friendly school. Staff involved in the day were extremely impressed with the positive attitudes and enthusiasm shown by all students and we look forward to them joining us in the autumn. Year 5 students from our feeder primary school joined us on Tuesday, July 12 for an arts festival. Students were split into groups and took part in drama, dance, music and art based activities all designed around the theme of the sea.
I really must start by saying congratulations to the extremely talented cast and crew who transformed the school into Rydell High and took us back to 1950s America with a fantastic production of Grease on July 4 and 5. With high energy, humour, great choreography and all the well known and loved songs, the students did the school proud with outstanding vocals and strong performances all round. My thanks go to everyone involved including performers, back stage crew, front-of-house, staff and parents/carers for their support during a very demanding rehearsal schedule. It really was a fantastic show. On Thursday, July 7, 150 Year 6 students joined us for an induction day to prepare them for the start of high school in September. Despite a few anxious faces in the morning, students soon settled into their activities, taking part in specially designed maths, geography, art, PE and French lessons throughout the day. By break time it was clear that many students had made new friends and are excited to be joining our warm
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL We are all really grateful for our well-earned break and are going to enjoy what sun we can get! It will be really exciting in September to say hello to all our new starters. There are still a few spaces available so if you are interested in joining us please speak to the administrator or send us an email. Our open event was really successful and a big thank you to everyone who was involved, either helping out or just coming to look around. Summer Holiday Club There are still spaces available for some days. Please call us on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 9am and 3.30pm if you would like to book a day. The club’s for ages two-to-eight and will run until September 1. It’s £20 for a full day (bring a packed lunch) and
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The afternoon of July 18 saw the school’s annual Headteacher’s Praise Tea Party which is held in order to celebrate those students who have been awarded four or more Headteacher Awards on their school reports and those who have 100% attendance throughout the year. I am delighted that a huge number of students were eligible for invitations. On the same evening the PE department hosted a Sports Award Evening. Celebrations got off to a brilliant start with certificates awarded to students in Years 7-10 for Endeavour, Excellence and Team Sports with the awards culminating in a trophy for Claydon High School’s Sports Personality of the Year. The winner of this special award was nominated and voted for by students in a secret ballot. It was a lovely evening celebrating so many individual and team sporting achievements across the year. On July 20, 28 Year 9 students took part in a residential, three day Battlefield Tour of Ypres and The Somme. Travelling by coach and ferry, students visited the key battlefield sites of the First World War in Belgium and France to mark the centenary and to pay their respects. Students stayed at The Poppies School Hotel in Ypres and while there took part in the Last Post Ceremony held at the Menin Gate, where two students laid a wreath on behalf of Claydon High School at this famous memorial for the soldiers who have no known grave. In other areas of the school we have had a trip to the Globe Theatre in London with Year 7 English students, KS3 students travelled to the market town of Boulogne in France for a day to practise their language skills and do some shopping, selected Year 9 science students visited the Big Bang Fair in Newmarket, the PE department held its most successful Sports Day with three school records (held since the early 1990s) being broken by one student, and Year 10 students experienced the exciting world of work on their work experience placement. I would like take this opportunity to thank colleagues who will be leaving Claydon High School for pastures new come September and welcome new teachers who will be joining us for what I hope is another very successful year. If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please contact my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term. Mrs S Skinner, Headteacher
£12 for either a morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (12.30-3.30pm) session. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am-3.30pm during term time. Children can start from the age of two until they go to Reception. Session fees are £9.60 and we offer a lunchclub (noon-12.30pm) for £1.60. We are happy to accept childcare vouchers and we offer two-year funded places for any eligible children. We also run a holiday club at Easter and in the summer holidays for two to eight year olds – further information can be obtained by contacting the administrator. For information regarding any of the above events or just to find out more about Claydon Pre-school, please contact the administrator, Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk
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SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE BRAMFORDTENNIS CLUB Greetings guff lovers, After the customary humiliating exit for the England football team at the Euro championships you could be forgiven for assuming that all of our sportsmen are as woeful as Roy’s boys. In tennis at the moment it certainly isn’t the case that abject failure is a given, particularly with our men’s team who are blazing a trail in the summer league (by blazing a trail I mean they have “won a few and lost a couple” to quote Graham). There is also a certain Mr Murray who, should he win Wimbledon, will once again become British – and revert to Scots in the event of a defeat. It is important to ensure that you always have the correct kit when you play tennis and the decision by our team to bring snorkels and flippers along to matches has undoubtedly helped with the results given the monsoon like-conditions so far this summer. In one of the matches last week Graham was given the choice of ends after winning the toss and elected to start in the shallow end. Unlike Wimbledon, we don’t have a roof over the courts so it is tricky playing a double handed backhand while holding a brolly. The season usually starts to wind down in July as holidays (and trench foot) start to impact upon availability. Then just around the corner is the start of the winter and floodlit leagues. One of the quirks of the winter Sunday morning league is that the conditions, particularly early in October, can be better than June / July. The benefit for me is that the pub is open after the game, although the rumour that I will play badly so that we can finish in time for opening is false. Any of my tennis partners will tell you I always play that way. More than once it has been said that I play better after being in the local hostelry. Just time for Joke of the Month: A man and his father were out fishing together. The man told his father that he was thinking of divorcing his wife. When his father asked why he replied that she hadn’t spoken to him in over six months. The man’s father took a long slow sip of beer and then said: “You need to reconsider it son, women like that don’t grow on trees you know!” More guff next month, Mick Russ
FESTIVAL OF CLASSIC & SPORTS CARS The annual Festival of Classic and Sports Cars will take place at Helmingham Hall on Sunday, August 7. Held in association with Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiast’s Club (SVEC), this year’s event is the biggest yet and will showcase more than 800 cars representing the last 100 years of motoring history. It will also raise money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), a charity which gives support to families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions. Set in the grounds of the stunning 15th century moated Helmingham Hall with its Grade I listed gardens, the backdrop for the festival could not be more beautiful. The garden will be open and visitors are invited to wander through the fragrant rose garden, pause a while on the stunning parterre and explore the kitchen garden with its overflowing borders and tunnels of ornamental vegetables. The festival is a highlight in the Helmingham Hall calendar of events and attracted more than 7,000 visitors in 2015, raising £5,500 for The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich. This is very much a family day out and there are plenty of activities planned for children. There will be mini Land Rovers for them to drive, fairground stalls, birds of prey demonstrations and other events in the main entertainment ring. There will also be over 40 craft and trade stalls and plenty of refreshment choices ranging from pies to Pimms, to homemade cakes and other delicacies with an international flavour from around the world. Folk singers The Broadside Boys, The Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band and Itchy Feet will provide musical entertainment and the Chocks Away dance troupe will be demonstrating their jive, swing and lindy hop skills. The Festival of Classic and Sports Cars is on Sunday, August 7 from 10am to 5pm and admission is £9 for adults, £4 for children and £22 for a family of four. Tickets are available on the gate (cash only) or in advance via the Helmingham Hall website. www.helmingham.co.uk.
PICTURE: ©Mark Ward Media
NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Since I last wrote we have had to endure a great deal of rain which has resulted in more matches than normal being postponed. Hopefully we are now in a period of more settled weather and the greens will dry out and speed up. Our teams are having some success this season with the Tuesday A team challenging for top spot with eight wins in 10 matches, Tuesday B are recovering from a slow start winning their last two games by seven points to zero. With eight wins from 11 matches the Wednesday team are also in a challenging position in their league. Our Thursday night ‘development’ team is doing ok and providing our new bowlers with an introduction to league bowling. We have also progressed to the semi-finals of the Marie Curie with two very good wins so far.
competition with club members making up teams representing the club president, John Holloway, and the club captain, Alastair Bailie. The competition was a win for the captain’s team by three rinks to one. Congratulations to them. This was followed by a tea for players, partners and invited guests provided by our president. A big thank to John from us all. Notice to members: We are holding a Triples Competition on Sunday, August 28 with a barbecue. Get your names on the list as soon as possible so that a schedule can be worked out and a good time can be had by all. Pat Hadden, 01743 831308 / Alistair Bailie, 01449 720759
Wednesday roll-up (social) bowling at 2pm is still popular and offers bowling, tea/coffee and biscuits for 30p, so if you fancy a go you will be made most welcome. If you wish to speak to someone, contact numbers are listed below. Presidents Day was held on Sunday, July 10. This is a ‘friendly’
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ON THE GRAPEVINE DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK EU Referendum Column They say a week is a long time in politics and that has certainly rung true over recent weeks. With the EU Referendum having now taken place, the entire country has just gone through perhaps the biggest ever democratic exercise in our recent history with an almost unprecedented turnout of over 33 million people all taking their chance to vote and have their say on Britain’s future. It was an incredibly closely contested campaign and while I and my colleagues in Suffolk voted to remain as part of the EU, the wider electorate voted to leave the EU. This is the democratic right of the people and we now must find a way, regardless of our political persuasion, to respect the will of the voters and work together to deliver the future that the people of my constituency and Britain as a whole have voted for. Although the vote has been taken, there is no immediate short term change in our circumstances, no sudden changes to travel arrangements for UK citizens or their ability to move around the EU. Sometimes fear of the unknown is often far worse than the reality; in this case, I believe that we have a great opportunity here to go forwards and shout about all that is great here in Britain. In Suffolk, especially within my own constituency, we have much to be very proud of.
With our growing specialist technologies, such as telecommunications, the energy sector and life sciences, our booming food and drink industry, world-renowned agricultural sector and tourism offering, our next generation of young people have an exceptionally exciting future ahead. In fact, I would go one step further and say that Suffolk is vital in not only supporting and contributing to the UK’s vibrant economy, but we are already leading the way in many areas and remain perfectly placed to grow and prosper due to our excellent geographical links and educational offering. In Suffolk we already have an excellent track record of working collaboratively and innovatively and I strongly believe that we have the resilience and expertise to rise to this new challenge. I see the coming months as a time for reflection and great opportunity, a time where we can consider what we want for our future and how we can ensure that we are in pole position to get the very best outcome. So despite the result of the Referendum not being my preferred choice, I would like to see the result turned into a positive. We all have a role to play in restoring calm and stability and I believe, that through working inclusively and collaboratively, we really can be confident of a bright new future. For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com
INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER NICK PLUMB ON THE EU EXIT VOTE So, just over half of us (and it was close) have decided that it is time for Britain to leave the EU. But now that the voting is over, a new Tory prime minister has been appointed, and Labour seem intent on ousting their leader, how is that exit vote actually going to impact upon your investments and pensions? To be completely honest, I admit I guessed wrong. When asked before the vote what would happen if we voted to leave, I predicted that there would be a significant slump in the FTSE and other markets, which would probably last for several weeks, although I did say that I did not think there would be another recession. In fact, markets did react negatively on the Friday following the news of an exit vote. The referendum result prompted the pound to initially fall seven per cent against the dollar and the FTSE 100 fell by more than four per cent on that Friday morning. However, although the pound is still weak in comparison to the dollar and the euro, the markets have recovered and this week the FTSE 100 surged to above 6500 for the first time in a year. We are definitely entering a period of uncertainty. Currency, stock and bond markets are probably going to be extremely volatile in the days and perhaps weeks to come. However, most financial advisers, Plumb Financial Services included, are stressing the need to not take snap decisions without first taking advice and considering all options. In our opinion, it’s a case of not panicking in the shortterm and sticking to the longer-term plan for your investments and pensions. Any market drop is likely to be a short-term position rather than the start of another descent into a deep recession as some would have had us believe before the referendum. Sure, it might get tough for a while in the months to come, but that won’t last forever.
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For example, after hitting its lowest point of under 3,500 points during the last financial crisis in March 2009, the FTSE 100 had already pulled back by more than 60 per cent just a year later. The true impact of this EU exit vote won’t be measured in five days or five weeks, but probably in more like five years. If markets do drop back, investors with strong cash positions could actually find opportunities by investing while funds are low in value. Investment sage Warren Buffet is an advocate of the ‘buy low and sell high’ investment strategy, and although simple – it works. Panicking and cashing in investments and moving into cash after a large fall is never a good idea. The smartest investors make most money, not by ‘second guessing’ the markets, but simply by sitting tight over the longer-term. Those who remain calm, while others around them panic and sell while markets are low, generally fair well and enjoy better returns over the longer-term. We believe that having a well diversified investment portfolio, preferably managed in accordance with an identified risk profile that the client is comfortable with, is the best long-term strategy for successful investing, regardless of any political events that may impact upon that position in the short-term. That’s why we are not panicking, and why we are continuing to take a longer-term view. To over-use the popular second world war saying, our advice to our clients is: “Keep calm and carry on!” Or as Corporal Jones of Dad’s Army would say: “Don’t panic Captain Mainwaring!” Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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CHURCH NEWS LOVE OR JUSTICE? There is a story told about a man who was from a loving family, but he had fallen in with the wrong crowd. He had become dependant on drugs and alcohol, and after many misdemeanours he was eventually arrested on numerous counts of shoplifting.
ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREAT BLAKENHAM Priest-in-charge: Position currently vacant Churchwarden: Wendy Hooper, 01473 846642
Because it wasn’t his first offence, when he was found guilty the judge determined that he had the choice of either a £5,000 fine or two months in prison. The man had no money to pay the fine so a guard approached him to take him to a cell. What happened next surprised everyone. The judge took off his gown, stepped down from his platform and wrote a cheque for £5,000. He handed it to the man who gratefully took it and paid the fine. The judge then reached out his hand to the man and welcomed him back to his own house to clean him up and offer him a meal. It was later discovered that the criminal was his own son. While this is just a story and I understand that the justice system doesn’t actually work like that, the story paints a similar picture of what God offers to do for us. If there are two things primarily true about God they are that he is loving and he is just. He loves you, he always has. He cannot love you more and will not love you less. He loves you and he is just. He always renders a just verdict. Those two things put him in an interesting situation when it comes to us, because every one of us has broken his laws. We are guilty before him. So which would win out? His love, which would want to let us off freely, or his justice, which demands a penalty be paid? The Bible declares that we are in fact guilty and says that sin earns us a death penalty, so God, being both loving and just, took that upon himself He stepped down from heaven and died to pay it with his own life. He offers his life on our behalf. Just like the judge/father did in the story with the cheque, he stands before you and says: “I’ll take the blame for every wrong thing you’ve ever done, and give you credit, for my perfect life. All you need to do is accept it.” We see in the gospel accounts that Jesus had no time for the religious leaders and people who were sinless in their own eyes. He said that he “came to seek and to save the lost”. He spent his time with thieves, prostitutes and the rejects of society. He didn’t despise them for their sins and poor choices, rather he loved them and lifted them out of them to give them freedom and a fresh start. He has done the same for me, and he continues to do so every time I fail. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 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
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Community Coffee Morning The Community Coffee Morning on August 13 has been cancelled as it is holiday season, but the coffee mornings will resume on Saturday, September 10 from 10am-noon in the Parish Room. We look forward to seeing you there. Fete A big thank you to everyone who helped organise, and to those who supported our traditional village fete on June 18. Despite the wet weather, a fantastic £232 was raised for church funds. Harvest Supper and Harvest Festival We will be holding a Harvest Supper in the Parish Room on 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 are £5 and can be obtained from Wendy Hooper (01473 846642) or Jane Corbett (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 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 Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Sponsored 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 to 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 (846642) or Jane Corbett( 830201). August services at St Mary’s Church August 14: Morning Prayer Service, 10am August 28: Holy Communion Service, 11.15am Other dates for your diary September 10: Community Coffee Morning September 11: Holy Communion Service at 11.15am September 24: Harvest Supper, 6pm September 25: Harvest Festival, 10am 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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CHURCH NEWS
ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar 01473 748914 / stmarybramford@aol.com Assistant Curate: The Rev Julian Fennel, 01473 833250 www.stmarybramford.co.uk 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. AUGUST SERVICES Thursday 4 3pm United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 7 8am 10am 6pm
Trinity 11 Holy Communion, Little Blakenham Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing, Bramford Evening Prayer for Rogation, Baylham
Sunday 14 8am 10am
Trinity 12 Holy Communion, Bramford Parish Communion, Nettlestead
Sunday 21 10am 10am
Trinity 13 Holy Communion, Bramford Holy Communion, Baylham
Sunday 28 10am
Trinity 14 Parish Communion, Bramford
Dear Friends As I write this we are still recovering from the village fun day, and the last ‘parachuting bear’ has come down from the church roof. Actually it was a CBeebies character called Woolly, a large multicoloured spider who goes on adventures. We told the family who had been looking for him that he had been on an adventure with the gargoyles on the church roof. I think he deserves the fun day award for bravery! The fun day was a wonderful success, and at the time of writing we have raised a little over £2,000 for church funds. Thank you so much to everybody who was involved from the church and the community, especially Caroline Walton who yet again co-ordinated things with great energy. Fun days, fetes and fundraising events are a necessary part of our life as a church, one of our must popular this year has been the coffee mornings started earlier this year. They have proved surprisingly popular, with homemade cakes and, occasionally, bacon rolls. Our coffee mornings are taking a break during August, but will resume in September. They are a great chance to meet people and have a coffee and a chat. If you are new to the village, or if you feel in need of some companionship, come to the next one in September and get to know us. There is usually a member of the ministry team available to talk to. Our one piece of news is that The Rev Pat Wright, our Self Supporting Minister, retired at the end of July. She will be given a licence so that
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she can still take services if she wishes to, but she will no longer be an official part of the ministry team. We hope that she will continue to minister in the village as she feels able to and will keep up her long association with the church. I am on holiday for most of August, but The Rev Julian Fennell, our curate, will be available to answer any queries, and you will find his telephone number at the top of the page. Blessings to you all, Jenny Coffee Morning Please note that there will not be one in August, as it’s the holiday season, but this popular event will resume again in September PARISH REGISTERS Baptism June 5 Finley Thomas Brill, Bramford Henry David Newstead, Bramford May they grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Weddings June 10 Matthew Reese and Claire Fitzmaurice, Baylham May they grow in their love for each other. Funerals June 23 June 29 June 30
Iris Pontet, Baylham Care Centre / Ipswich Crematorium David Mayhew, St Mary’s Bramford Frank Burton, Ipswich Crematorium
We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers. Cleaning Rota: C Thacker and W McGinty Flower Rota: August 6 – W McGinty; August 13 – Wedding; August 20 – H Hart; August 27 – Wedding. Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church July 20: In memory of Patricia Brown on her birthday August 15: In memory of Maria Whight 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 is good share the reading of Scripture with Christians – both Catholic and Protestant – across the world. August 7 Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Trinity 11 Hebrews 11: 1-3,8-16
Green Luke 12: 32-40
August 14 Isaiah 5: 1-7
Trinity 12 Jeremiah 23:23-29
Green Luke 12:49-56
August 21 Jeremiah 1:4-10
Trinity 13 Hebrews 12:18-29
Green Luke13: 10-17
August 28 Jeremiah 2:4-13
Trinity 14 Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16
Green Luke 14:1, 7-14
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CHURCH NEWS CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP
as we were encouraged to think about broken relationships which needed healing.
Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798
But it’s not enough to think symbolically about real, almost tangible hurt and pain caused by the situation the country finds itself in. Not when each one of us has the potential to do something positive. It may require nothing more than a smile, a friendly hello or an enquiry after someone’s wellbeing.
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
I’m sure you have heard the phrases ‘Love your neighbour’ and ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ (or as Charles Kingsley put it The Water Babies by naming one of his characters Mrs Do-AsYou-Would-Be-Done-By). Those are all pretty good mottos for life. I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer; it will be soon be time for the Rio Olympics and for the new football season to start – let’s hope for good things. The Rev Mary Playford
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
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.
Hall lettings: 07851 742847 Church contact: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk I’m writing this in the wake of the Referendum result and in the midst of what seems to be utter political turmoil. To cap it all England have just exited the Euro 2016 Championships. As an Andy Murray fan I await the Wimbledon Championships with immense trepidation. I think perhaps it’s time to come clean and confess that puppy training has contained the command ‘Leave’ in abundance – perhaps I’m responsible for all the departures. Hopefully by the time you read this, the way forward in political and national terms will be clearer with bridges being constructed so that dialogue and reconciliation can take place, rather than walls being built which will create division. During the Sunday service here at Christchurch the other week we were invited to place a Lego brick in a broken down building in an attempt to reconstruct and repair it. This was a symbolic gesture
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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, please contact Sheila Norris for more details: sheila_norris@hotmail.co.uk / 01449 720871
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