In Touch
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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 6 • Issue No. 9 • JULY 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Sport is fiercely important in small town, rural Ireland. Every town and village has a team and every boy and girl plays hurling and/or Gaelic football at school, but it’s senior hurling which generates the real passion and rivalry, particularly at county level competing for the national title at Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). I still remember Galway winning the All-Ireland in 1980 and captain Joe Connolly’s acceptance speech is regarded as one of the best GAA moments ever. In an unscripted speech, Connolly claimed that day was like a spiritual re-awakening for a population that had been severely impacted by a famine in the 1800s and followed by mass emigration in the 1900s. He then passed the microphone to Galway player Joe McDonagh who solidified that day as being one of Galway’s best with a rendition of the song The West’s Awake. We celebrated for weeks, car horns blazing, flag waving… the sense of pride was palpable. It changed everything. On Monday, May 30 my little family and I went to see AFC Wimbledon play Plymouth Argyle in the League Two play-off final at Wembley. Daniel has supported Wimbledon FC since way back when and was one of many who objected to the Football Association’s decision to allow the team to be relocated to Milton Keynes in 2002, where they are now called Milton Keynes Dons. The fans formed AFC Wimbledon in 2003 and in its short history the club has been hugely successful. Having beaten Plymouth 2-0 they will play in League One with MK Dons next season. Close on 60,000 attended the Wembley game but the sense of togetherness and passion at the Wimbledon end took me back to 1980. Perhaps it’s the same at all games, but 30,000 fans singing “I can’t help falling in love with you” is right up there with McDonagh’s The West’s Awake and will stay with me for a long time. Belonging to something, being part of a community whether it’s local, regional or national, whether it’s sport or fundraising for the church roof, is profoundly satisfying – and good for the soul. Join in. You won’t regret it.
In Touch
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
NEWS SAVE THE DUKE Fancy 30% tax back (equivalent to 7% interest pa)? Make a four-year loan to this social enterprise and reap the benefit.
Dr Sarah Caston with Dr Dan Poulter MP and local supporters
If you are a regular In Touch reader, you’ll know something about the campaign to buy and re-open the doors of the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham. We have raised more than £210,000 through sale of shares – but that’s not all we have in the pot! Thanks to a new government scheme called SITR (Social Investment Tax Relief) we’ve already pulled in another £20,000 from lenders – and have some further promises. If you are in the fortunate position of having a lump sum of between £5,000 and £50,000 to lend for a four-year term, you may well be interested in joining in. The reason you might be interested is that, in a welcome twist of fate, the proverbial tax man will make it worth your while! That’s because lenders can receive 30% tax relief – yes, 30%. This is equivalent to 7% interest each year! “You’d be hard pressed to get such great returns from a bank or building society,” says Dr Sarah Caston, who started the Save the Duke campaign. “So if you decide to invest, you benefit financially – while you’re also doing a great service in helping re-open a beautiful historic pub.” Dr Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: “I am delighted to support the Save the Duke campaign in the endeavours to re-open this historic pub. The campaign has been a resounding success so far. With the innovative offer of buying shares in the Duke coupled with the pub becoming the first in East Anglia to be awarded tax relief from SITR, this surely cements a great future for the pub. “I am extremely supportive of this government’s initiative to recognise and help social enterprise schemes and wish the team all the very best in this new chapter for the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham.” Dr Poulter is teetotal and Dr Caston is pregnant so not drinking. As doctors they see nothing inconsistent with not drinking and being huge supporters of pubs. They are totally behind the notion of pub as the hub of the community and point out that pubs are just as much (if not more) about sociability, friendship and community as they are about beer and wine. “CAMRA has recently published research on pubs and sociability that demonstrates a real link between pubs and well-being,” says Sarah. “Just another reason – on top of the financial benefits – for investing.” To invest, call our treasurer Gerard Kroon on 01473 657178 or visit: www.savetheduke.net/loan
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AUGUST DEADLINE 10 JULY 2016 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy
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SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 Here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help.
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NEWS SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM
LITTLE BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
GARDENING
Little Blakenham Parish Council has two vacancies for councillors.
Once again the sumAmer approaches and from the sheds come the gardening paraphernalia – the mowers, strimmers, tools and compost. But have you thought about what would happen if they were stolen, the hassle of finding replacements and the money and time lost? Please security mark your tools and machinery with postcode/house number, make a record of model numbers and serial numbers and take photographs. If items are stolen the photos and serial numbers could help the police identify them if they are found. The police and insurance company will also need the details when you report it. When you go in for lunch or tea put tools away in your shed and lock it. I have seen very expensive strimmers, lawn mowers and hedge trimmers left on the footpath, and sheds wide open while the owner goes in for a break. Don’t think it will never happen to you, because it could.
What exactly does a parish councillor do?
HOUSE SECURITY Is your house secure? Have you shut all your windows and doors before going out, have you locked them? Many people don’t bother to shut their windows when they ‘just nip out to the shop’ or ‘just see if Jack next door has any’? This is one time your property is vulnerable. It only takes a thief a few seconds to see if the premises are empty and to pull out and empty all the drawers and cupboards. You may return home to utter chaos and the heartbreak of losing family items. Knowing a stranger has been through all your most private items is very upsetting. Here are a few pointers to protect your property • Fit good quality locks to doors, windows and sheds. • How about a camera? • Put up some lights for use at night and one to shine on your shed. • Fit an alarm and one for your shed too. • Mark all gardening equipment and electrical equipment. • Make note of model numbers and serial numbers and keep safe. • Photograph the items and any imperfections on the items. • Invest in a key safe and use it! • Photograph all jewellery in colour with a small ruler at side to show the size of item and approximate cost to replace each item and get this updated regularly. Remember these pointers will be of no use if you don’t shut and lock the doors and windows. Until next month, PCSO 3041Stephen Cooper, Hadleigh SNT, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD
As a councillor you can become a voice for your community and be involved in making decisions that have a real impact on the parish. Parish councils have a large range of powers and activities. Little Blakenham Parish Council is involved in planning consultations, environmental and highways issues. Among other things, it manages the village hall and the play area. Councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented. How much time does it take up? The parish council meets every two months for a full council meeting and occasionally there are other meetings to consider specific issues. Councillors require some time to read agendas and other paperwork and may also attend training courses. Being a parish councillor is a positive way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place to live. Am I qualified? There are a few rules. You must: •
Have lived or worked for more than 12 months in the parish of Little Blakenham
•
Be 18 years or older
•
Be a British citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union
If you would like to find out more, please contact the parish clerk, Janet Gobey: littleblakenhampc@outlook.com / 01473 833520
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities for July
For emergency calls 999 / non-emergency calls 101
Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
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, July 1, 10am-noon.
IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5
Or come along to our July Networking Breakfast at Cedars Park Community Centre on Friday, July 15, 6.45am.
Route 5 Town/village MIP/5A Sproughton MIP/5B Sproughton MIP/5C Bramford MIP/5D Bramford MIP/5E Great Blakenham MIP/5F Blue Leighs MIP/5G Baylham MIP/5H Claydon MIP/5I Claydon MIP/5J Barham MIP/5K Bramford
Location Church Lane Wild Man St Mary’s Close Paper Mill Lane Chequers Mobile Home Park Post Box Crown Edinburgh Gardens Bacon Road Packard Place
Time 9.10-9.25am 9.30-9.45am 9.50-10.05am 10.10-10.25am 10.35-1055am 11-11.15am 11.25-11.45am 11.55am-1pm 2.05-2.20pm 2.25-3.50pm 4-4.30pm
Of course, you’re welcome to come to both and you can book online at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk Additional events 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 sign up for our enewsletter via: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk
DATES: July 5, August 2, August 30, September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20
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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: JUNE 2016 COMMUNITY TRANSPORT: 01449 614271 The county re-letting of the contracts to provide community transport took effect on June 13. The aim is to reduce the subsidy dramatically as I have explained before. BSEVC, the operator who is taking over in Mid Suffolk and Ipswich, is to use smaller vehicles. This will make it easier to get volunteer drivers and be a better match to the numbers of passengers carried. There will still be vehicles able to carry people with wheelchairs. Fares are similar to those for scheduled buses. The down side is that services using these smaller vehicles cannot be registered and therefore concessionary bus passes can’t be used. The county administration’s efforts to ensure council tax does not rise will leave those who can least afford it facing higher costs for journeys to services like the doctors, hospital and the dentist. BSEVC will also arrange community cars for a wide variety of journeys. They will be driven by volunteers and will be available at £0.54 per mile with a booking charge of £1.20 per single journey. The driver will wait for 1.5 hours at your destination. We all hope that extra revenue from new services will let the operation continue and even grow, but I hope the extra revenue does not just come from ex-bus pass users. To book a trip to your final destination or to the nearest scheduled service contact: 01449 614271 / bookings@bsevc.co.uk PARK & RIDE Suffolk County Council is now working on the remaining two Park & Ride operations. The intention is to reduce the subsidy dramatically by making the service self-sustaining. No other administration has achieved that feat. The plan, which will be agreed by December, will replace the current express buses with adjusted current commercial bus routes. At London Road the number 13 will call at the park & ride and your parking ticket will let you travel at park & ride prices. If you get on further down the route you could use your bus pass. The service will take an additional eight minutes to reach the town centre, but will be more frequent. The route through to the hospital will require a change of bus. The intention is to reduce the size of the car parks letting the current spare places for commercial use, parking for other organisations perhaps. The critical issue will be whether drivers will use the new slower service rather than park in town. It is vital they do to reduce traffic congestion and the pollution it produces. PARKING AT BRAMFORD PRIMARY Bramford Primary, like most schools, is suffering increased parking problems. The number of out of catchment pupils is increasing and many busy parents and grandparents now take children to school by car. Expansion of activities before and after the core school day stretch the problem out for residents who suffer people parking on footways, their
As we walked through the bluebell woods, I thought he’d like this
drives and even turning on their property. I have asked Highways to make all Zig Zag markings enforceable by ensuring that the necessary notices giving the nature and time of restrictions are in place. They will also ensure that restrictions in turning and passing areas are adequate and enforceable. The school are looking at an increase in on-site parking to remove school and pre-school staff from the equation, but that will not be easy to fund until 106 money from new developments becomes available. They will however get valid and up to date costings. DEVOLUTION We will be debating the devolution proposals at MSDC on June 29 and at SCC on June 30, so by the time you read this the debate should be finished. The county sees the current offer as a beginning with a more distant opportunity to take control of a wider range of health services and integrate them with social care. The administration sees a need to assert financial discipline in the health service and considers it a vital prize to win. Would that solve the current problems of funding services for an ageing population or just lead to further privatisation? ROADS Most of the improvements I reported last month are underway. Work to resolve parking issues on Old Ipswich Road and Acton Road is progressing slowly, not helped by the staff reductions I reported last month. We have scheduled yet another scrutiny session to investigate progress on the wider lack of a service acceptable to councillors and residents. LEVEL CROSSINGS Network Rail are proposing closure of some pedestrian level crossings to aid the Ipswich in 60, Norwich in 90 programme. The two in my area are Stacpool, near the Baylham fishpond, and Broomfield between Mill Lane and the Sorrel Horse. Both footpaths have reasonably close alternative routes, but we need to expand the number of circular walking routes. Walking in the Gipping Valley is essential as a low cost exercise to improve health and quality of life. I will make local views known. DISTRICT COUNCIL Building a Sustainable Future events have been held at rather short notice. This will spread information and encourage thought about the need for the growth that is behind the Local Plan development. An initial view of the possible areas for development, the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), has just been published. This is far from a final set of decisions. They will be updated and a second call for sites undertaken. The plan (a 4.6 Mbyte download) is at: http://tinyurl.com/jdqcogl If you have queries please contact me: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk / 01473 831306 www.john.field@suffolk.libdems.org
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Here for you every hour of every day call our 24 hour careline on
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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; Saturday, 8am-1pm We celebrate the fourth anniversary of our Community Shop at our Coffee Morning on Saturday July 2, 10am-12.30pm, when you are invited to come and have a piece of cake and a drink to help us celebrate and to say ‘thank you ‘ to all our volunteers and customers without whom our local shop would not be possible. By supporting our local community shop either as a volunteer or customer, we are not only helping our own locality to be a vibrant living and thriving community, we are also supporting our local producers and the Suffolk economy. We sell local fresh produce and so support our local farmers, bakers, butchers, cake makers, brewers, and much more. Local buying also supports the environment by using fewer transport miles, so there are many good reasons for shopping locally. The shop is a central hub for the area where people meet up with those they already know and also get to know new people. News of events happening in the villages is passed on and so creates interest and visitors to social occasions. One new community project taking place in the shop is Petrolheads. It’s especially for those interested in all things motor-
SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY The Under 11 team at Claydon Football Club is sporting a new kit this season thanks to sponsorship from SUEZ, the company which runs the Suffolk energy-from-waste facility. The club, which is based close to the site, has been extremely helpful in the past, providing extra parking when we have needed it, both for our official opening last July and for our routine shut-downs when we have lots of extra contractors on site, but nowhere for them to park. So when one of the club’s coaches approached us for sponsorship, we were very happy to help. The team played in their new kit for the first time in May. Earlier this year the club also received £60,000 from the SITA Trust to refurbish the club house and changing rooms. The trust distributes money donated by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, but is completely separate and has its own board which decides which projects to support. Funding is available for projects within a three-mile radius of the Suffolk energy-from-waste site and applications can be made online. There are two further funding rounds this year and the deadlines are July 25 and October 3. SUEZ and Suffolk County Council were jointly nominated as ‘client of the year’ in this year’s AJ100 awards organised by the Architects’ Journal. Grimshaw, who designed our building, put us forward in recognition of our commitment to good architectural design – something which is often missing in industrial buildings. USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149
driven. If you fancy chatting with likeminded people over a cuppa come along on the first Wednesday of the month from 2-4pm and meet up with others in the coffee corner. We still intend to open on Sunday mornings for a few hours as we try to accommodate the wishes of people who are working during the week and not about during our normal opening hours. Or those who fancy a fresh egg for breakfast and the newspaper to read, but for this we need volunteers to cover that time. If you are interested in helping out and getting to know people locally but have commitments during the week, this may be an opportunity to get involved. We would hope to have a team of at least eight people so that would mean just three hours a month for each volunteer. If this is of interest to you, please get in touch with a committee member and we will see if this is something we can get off the ground. We like to support the younger members of our area by inviting them to be volunteers during the holidays or at weekends. This gives work and life experience which is good for putting on CVs and gives valuable insight into the world of work. If you, or somebody you know, is thinking of volunteering, either for personal interest or to gain experience then come along to the shop or telephone one of the committee members below and we will be very happy to see you. We look forward to a successful fifth year of operating and helping to make our village and locality a great place in which to live. Management Team: Lucy Barrett, 831890; Terry Fordham, 831529; Jenny Hitchcock, 832060; Peter Jousiffe, 833577; Anne MacFadyen, 831288; Steve Woolhouse, 831080
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 12) • Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club at the Parish Rooms, Great Blakenham on the first Friday of each month (see page 12) • Gipping Valley Art Society meets at the Parish Rooms, Great Blakenham every Tuesday afternoon • The Book Club, an informal group which meets at the Crown, Claydon on the last Thursday of the month • The Knitting Group, 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.
To book a visit: 01473 836812
If you would like to know any more about our work, pop along to one of our activities or email: 4CAG@bigvax.co.uk
Environment Agency: 0800 807060
We would love to hear from you.
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OUT & ABOUT HENLEY PLAYERS We have just closed our very successful production of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by Stewart Auty. It was well received and we had positive feedback by all. We have some key dates to share with you for 2016. Sunday, June 26: AGM, barbecue and pantomime first read through, noon – all welcome Sunday, July 17: Pantomime auditions, 11am – please email us for information Sunday, September 4: Pantomime rehearsals start, noon Friday, October 21: Henley Quiz night, 7.30pm – tickets available soon Friday, December 9: Physic Night with Ryan Gooding, 7.30pm – tickets available soon Friday, January 6: Henley pantomime, 7.30pm – tickets from August 1 Saturday, January 7: Henley pantomime, 2.30pm and 7.30pm – tickets from August 1 Friday, February 24: Murder Mystery Night and three-course meal, 7.30pm Email us for more information: henleypanto2012@gmail.com
BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS If you are interested in being part of Bar-Clay Music Makers’ next production, Goldie Locks and Some Other Guys, please make a note of two important diary dates. The read-through will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 6 in Claydon Village Hall and auditions will be held in the village hall a week later (July 13) in two sessions: youngsters at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm. If you’re not sure about being part of the show (on stage or behind the scenes), why not come along to the read-through and find out more? Rehearsals start in September for the panto in January 2017 and everyone is welcome. If you can’t make the read-through but would like to ask questions or register an interest (no commitment), please contact Vera on 836972.
CHARITY OPEN GARDENS AT OTLEY HALL We are delighted to support two charities again this year by donating all admission fees from Wednesday Open Gardens on June 29 to Headway Suffolk and on August 3 to Community First Responders. The gardens are open from 11am-5pm both days and entry is £3. Our popular licensed cafe will be open for lunches and afternoon teas. Please come and support the valuable work these two charities carry out in our local community. For information on both charities visit: www.headwaysuffolk.org.uk / www.eastamb.nhs.uk
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CLAYDON & BARHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE Church Lane, Claydon, IP6 0EG The club had a full range of events in June, some organised by the community centre and other private events and bookings. The hall, lounge and Compton Room have seen a steady increase in bookings. FUTURE EVENTS Wednesday, July 6: A psychic evening with Ryan Gooding. Playgroup fundraising event, not organised by CBCC. Saturday, July 9: GALA DAY In the evening we present The Preservatives, a free event, all you need are your dancing shoes: www.thepreservatives.co.uk We have a wide and varied range of draft and bottled ales, ciders and lagers. Guinness and mild are also available and our premium larger, San Miguel, is now on tap. We have pints of bitter starting from just £2.50 and lager from just £2.90. www.candbcc.com / 01473 831805 Facebook: Claydon Community Centre
DOGGY DAY AT GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH ROOM Saturday, July 16, 10am-3pm A new event for the village will take place on Saturday, July 16 – a day devoted to dogs and the goodies they like, toys they might like to play with, and practical things like winter coats and nutrition advice. Quintons pet supplies will be there as well as dog treats specialists and groomers, a mobile dog wash and a local artist doing doggy portraits. This event is supported by Guide Dogs for the Blind. There will be competitions for the waggiest tail (11-11.30am), cutest puppy (1-1.30pm), and best behaved dog (2-2.30pm). There will also be a doggie tombola and raffle with prizes for your pet. Special dog cards will be available to buy. A safe outside area will be available for well-behaved dogs to be left while owners look around. Refreshments will be available all day, including morning tea, coffee and cakes, light lunches and afternoon tea and scones. If you are interested in having a stall or attending this fun event, please contact Wendy Hooper: 07710 508792 / wendydhooper@gmail.com Any monies raised will go towards the upkeep of St Mary’s Church.
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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH ROOM
GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB
Hire rates for Great Blakenham Parish Room are very reasonable.
The club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. Members pay £2 per meeting and this covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes.
The main hall is approximately 42ft long and 19.5ft wide (13 x 8 mtrs) and is able to hold 100 people, or 60 if seated. It is ideal for meetings, small parties and gatherings and can be hired between 9am and 11pm. The kitchen is fully equipped with a fridge, oven, microwave oven, electric kettles, crockery and cutlery, perfect for making hot drinks and snacks. There is a car park and small, grassed area with patio, to the rear of the hall. For details of our fees, conditions of hire and to book please contact Paul or Jane Corbett: 01473 830201
ENPOINTE SCHOOL OF DANCING
The Enpointe School of Dancing recently had their disco presentation at Great Blakenham Village Hall where the pupils were presented with their exam certificates. The pupils took various levels of ballet exams under the United Teachers of Dance examination board and I’m very pleased to announce that they all were successful, resulting in a continuing 100% success rate for the school. We would like to say a very big congratulations to all the pupils; we are very proud of all of their achievements. The hard work isn’t over though as preparations now start for The Princess and the Frog which will be performed at Henley Community Centre in May 2017. For more details please contact Kelly Fear: 07799 130967
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Our workshop meeting for May was entitled Fly Away Peter, Fly Away Paul and involved both card making and sewing. Templates and materials were given to sew our little hanging birds which can be just one or a whole string and used as ornaments or perhaps filled with lavender for wardrobes or as mobiles perhaps with a bell attached. Another template and card and papers were given for the birdhouses though they can also be expanded to make 3D birdhouses. Our workshop for June, Cats and Dogs, was origami instructions for both and cards were made. A very relaxing activitiy in the hot weather we had on the day.
Our programme for the remainder of 2016 is below but I give no clues as to the project. July 4: Butterflies and Flowers 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 unfortunately I can’t accommodate children. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area behind the hall. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. In May we were entertained by Mrs Jane Paley with her lighthearted talk and quiz What Do You Know About Tea? It transpired not too much, but the afternoon was most interesting and we were able to aid the work of the charity Our Special Friends with our donation. At our first meeting in June Paul Warne, one of our new members, talked about his life as a wood carver, both as a college tutor and as a hobby. He brought along some wonderful examples of his work for us all to admire and explained a little about the various woods he uses and the commissions he has undertaken. Our second meeting in June featured another part in our occasional series A Walk Down Memory Lane coupled with a strawberry tea party with red white and blue outfits optional. Our meetings for the next few months are: July 13: Mrs Pauline Walker on The History of the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company July 27: Our last meeting before our summer break will be a social afternoon including quiz time with Brenda Cooper
PMR – GCA SUPPORT GROUP EAST ANGLIA The next meeting of the Polymyalgia Rheumatica – Giant Cell Arteritis Support Group will be held on Thursday, July 7 at Needham Market Community Centre. The meeting begins at 10.30am with refreshments and time for sufferers to speak together. This will be followed by a speaker from the Yellow Card Scheme which is vital in helping the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitor the safety of all healthcare products in the UK to ensure they are acceptably safe for patients and users. It is hoped that café meet-ups which will be held on a regular basis and spread around East Anglia will be announced very soon, making it easier with less travelling for people to meet on an informal basis. The support group is very valuable to those who suffer from this disease who often feel isolated and forgotten. www.pmrgca.co.uk/group-pages/east-anglia
4 EVER YOUNG MEN’S CLUB Our meeting in May was a general discussion about musical instruments, with one or two members bringing along guitars. Some interesting discussions took place and although it wasn’t possible to put on a proper performance at The Crown that morning, we may have some ideas for the future.
Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
The Crown at Claydon very kindly accomodates us and provides coffee for our meeting, and some of us often stay for a spot of lunch afterwards. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 10.30am and often have a guest speaker for an hour or so, along with a chance to sit and chat with old friends, meet new friends and learn of new interests and ideas. We’re always looking for members and speakers, so please come along to listen or talk (or both).
IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
By the time this is published, we will have had our AGM, but I would encourage anyone who fits the bill (Forever Young) to come along and see what we do.
We will start back again on September 14 with our AGM. We would be pleased to welcome anyone who would like to come to one of the talks. There is no obligation to become a member, so do come and join us.
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.
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.
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.
Our June meeting celebrated the Queen’s 90th birthday. After the usual choice of soup, we enjoyed our cup of tea and homemade chocolate cake, strawberry gateau, cup cakes and scones with jam and cream, all created by Margaret, Ginny, Fran and Joyce.
For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300.
GREAT BLAKENHAM 200 CLUB These are the winning tickets for June 185 £25 Bob Little 145 £15 Carol Scales 199 £10 Rosemary Longdon 280 £10 Ron Battley 197 £5 Kate Wyman 56 £5 Derek Ramsay 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.
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MEET ‘N’ EAT LUNCH CLUB
We meet at noon on the first Friday of each month in 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. 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, telephone 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.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS MP JO CHURCHILL VISITS ORCHARD BARN On Friday, May 27 the sun shone and the birds sang. It was a great day for a VIP visit to Orchard Barn and we were delighted to show MP Jo Churchill the work of more than 1,600 trainees and volunteers. Jo was with us for an hour and a half during which time we were able to show her the progress we are making constructing our new craft room using local trees in the round. Jo had a go at using a draw knife to make a peg and watched as Calvin debarked an elm log in preparation for use as a roof rafter. We were able to show Jo some of the benches we’ve made using green wood. The back of this bench is a piece of Cherry Plum from our orchard. The visit was attended by parish councillors from four adjacent parishes and 30 volunteers and trainees. It was great way to mark the success of the project and discuss plans to expand the range of traditional and natural building courses we offer. As a reminder of our slow and sustainable building project we gave Jo a snail paperweight (made from slate and hazel by OBee volunteers). Thank you for visiting, Jo, it was a pleasure to meet you. Visitors are welcome any Wednesday (other days by prior arrangement). We are SW of Mill Road, Battisford. www.orchardbarn.org.uk / 01473 658193
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL Hasn’t the term just flown by? We can’t believe that the end of the pre-school year is just a few weeks away now. We would like to wish all our leavers a very fond farewell as they move on to their next stage of education. We are also now preparating for the new starters to come and join us in September – we are really looking forward to meeting them. Don’t forget there is still time to get involved in our upcoming events. Open event If you are interested in sending your child to Claydon Pre-school and would like to come and have a look around, we are holding an open day event from 4-6pm on Thursday, July 7. Just come along, everyone is welcome. We look forward to meeting you all. Ryan Gooding Physic Night On Wednesday, July 6 from 7.30pm at Claydon and Barham Community Centre. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from the pre-school or the community centre. Please feel free to contact the administrator if you would like further information. Summer Holiday Club We will once again be running our summer holiday club on each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-3.30pm for children aged two to eight years old. This will run from July 26 until September 1. Prices are £20 for a full day (bring a packed lunch) and £12 for either a morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (12.30-3.30pm) session. If you wish to find out more or want to book spaces please contact the administrator – details below. Don’t forget to get your applications in now for places in September 2016.
CLAYDON MUMS ‘N’ TOTS GROUP 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? Claydon Mums ‘n’ Tots meet every Tuesday in term time from 1.153pm in Claydon and Barham Village Hall. We charge just £1.50 a family (one adult plus 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. Each week we have a different theme at our arts and crafts table where the children can create something amazing to take home and show the family. We always end our session with a sing-a-long.
The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am-3.30pm during term time. Children can start from the age of two until they go to Reception. Session fees are £9.60 and we offer a lunchclub (noon12.30pm) for £1.60. We are happy to accept childcare vouchers and we offer two-year funded places for any eligible children. 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
We will meet on July 5, 12 and 19 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.
CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB
Could you run this group?
No. 28: Karin Nash – £21.90
Since Georgie Bolton stepped down from successfully running Claydon Mum’s ‘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.
No. 55: Colin Dawson – £10.95
If you are interested in finding out more about what’s involved in running the group please contact Julie Cook at juliet.cook@ymail.com or drop in to one of our sessions.
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May prize winners
No. 31: Ann Gardiner – £3.65 New members are welcome at any time. Entry is just £1 per 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
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SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL As another academic year comes to a close, there’s just time to catch up on what has been happening at Claydon High School and what we can look forward to in the last few weeks of term.
new friends in their form groups. Year 7 is a special year for the young people who join us and we want to make sure they are happy, confident and prepared for this next exciting stage of their education.
Year 11 students have now left school and while it’s sad to see them go, I am very proud of their successes and achievements, both personal and academic, over the last five years and I wish them all the very best for the future.
On July 12 we look forward to welcoming 130 Year 5 students to the school for a Primary Arts Festival. The students will be split into eight groups and take part in drama, dance, PE, music and art based activities all designed around the theme of The Sea. Lunch will be provided and they will be ably assisted throughout the day by selected Year 10 students. In the afternoon, the whole year group will come together in the main hall to showcase the creative skills they have learnt.
The Arts Faculty has been busy this term with their annual sponsored fancy dress Fun Run raising an incredible £2,866 which will go towards equipment and resources. They also held a GCSE Art Exhibition on June 20, showcasing some fantastic artistic talent and a very successful Sports Day on June 28. PE students visited Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey to see the professionals and celebrities teeing off, and our Year 9 band, Fifth Dimension, was invited along to the club to perform at the celebrity award ceremony. This was a unique and nerve wracking experience for them, but they did themselves proud with a stunning performance. Food and Business students enjoyed a trip to the Food and Farming Fair at Hollow Trees Farm, where, supported by more than 50 farming professionals, they had the chance to explore this industry as a career choice. English students visited the Globe Theatre in London to watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream. INDUCTION EVENTS We provide a wide range of transition activities for all our feeder primary schools which enable students (predominantly from Years 3-6) to get to know Claydon High School staff and explore our exciting school facilities, as well as making new friends before they join us in Year 7. On Wednesday, July 6, Year 6 parents/carers are invited to an induction evening to meet staff, hear how they can be involved with the school and to discuss any concerns. Year 6 students will then attend an induction day on July 7 where they will enjoy lessons, be introduced to some of their teachers and make
CLAYDON & BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 25 years. We welcome mums, dads, carers and grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five. Entry is just £1.50 a family. This month we meet on July 7 and 21 from 9.30-11.30am in Claydon and Barham Village Hall. Our Teddy Bears’ picnic is on July 21 so don’t forget your Teddy! At our regular sessions we welcome anyone with babies or children under five for imaginative play, storytime, songtime and lots of fun.
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While we look forward to Year 6 students joining us, our Year 10 students are busy preparing to visit Suffolk One on a taster day before spending the penultimate week of term on work experience placements. Students have organised their own approved placements, ranging from vets, hairdressers, travel agents, banks and pre-schools to Essex Police Firearms Department, the Met Office and KPMG at Canary Wharf in London. A good work experience placement can provide a valuable insight into a different environment, helping students to clarify career aspirations so they can think about what they want to do and the qualifications they will potentially need. It can open doors and also provide concrete evidence of interest in a particular career to both university admissions officers and future employers. We wish all Year 10s the best of luck for an enjoyable and productive week. We still have many events to look forward to before we break up, such as Grease on July 4 and 5 (there’s still time to get your tickets!), the Community Tea Party (see page 14), Praise Tea Party and Sports Award Evening. If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please contact my PA, Mrs J Pedersen, on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term. Headteacher Mrs S Skinner 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 Joseph. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there. For more information contact Michelle on 01473 833788 or check our listing on Netmums.com
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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS
PACK MORE INTO YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS WITH SUFFOLK MUSEUMS Looking for last minute holiday ideas? Suffolk museums have got you and your family covered! Throughout the school summer holidays (July 22 to August 31), museums across the county will offer a jam-packed line-up of exciting events, activities, workshops and trails for the whole family to enjoy together. From arts and crafts to archeological digs, science workshops to giant craft fairs, amazing collections and discovery trails galore there’s something for everyone to enjoy in museums this summer. Highlights include the range of family fun days, from live music and train rides at Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum to amazing living history events at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village or swing dancing and spitfires at the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum. Budding scientists can take part in hands-on experiments at The Long Shop Museum’s Workshop Wednesdays or release their inner archaeologist and unearth real finds at Dunwich Museum’s Dig Dunwich event. Creative activities can be found at Ipswich Museum’s regular Art Skills workshops or the Museum of East Anglian Life’s popular Mud, Bugs and Baking sessions. Or why not check out the all new Summer Discovery Club at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, the National Horseracing Museum and Gainsborough’s House? This three-day creative arts and crafts club for children aged seven-11 will explore each museum’s unique collections with a chance to complete an Arts Award Discover Level. Most museums and activities are either low-cost or absolutely free. Many sites offer free parking, locally sourced refreshments or a chance to unwind with a family picnic in the sun. To download your free Summer in Suffolk Museums event program please visit: www.suffolkmuseums.org Or, to keep up to date with all the latest information and family-friendly event news, like our Facebook page at: summerinsuffolkmuseums.com
DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK I recently attended the State Opening of Parliament and one aspect of H.M. the Queen’s Speech which held a particular resonance for me was the announcement around the Digital Economy Bill. As well as nationally, here in Suffolk this bill will help to improve the necessary infrastructure for business and will assist in ensuring that Suffolk really is fit to compete at the forefront of the global economy. Perhaps most notably, the bill has committed to ensuring that every household across the country has a legal right to a fast broadband connection. This means that superfast broadband is no longer seen as a luxury and is now seen as an essential, for both businesses and individual households. I welcome this announcement particularly as I am continuing to work closely with Suffolk County Council to ensure a speedier rollout of superfast broadband. Broadband speeds are something which a great many of us, particularly those in urban locations, take for granted. However, effective broadband speeds are absolutely essential to all of us – whether for children accessing valuable research for their studies, professionals looking to deliver more collaborative public services across the county, or businesses looking to grow and expand and boost the Suffolk economy. Growth in the economy is vital for all, not least to a rural county such as Suffolk. The bill also promises new laws to assist telecommunications providers in building the vital infrastructure needed to enable not only faster broadband speeds, but also better and more effective mobile networks. Again, this is welcome news for Suffolk. As a rural county, I am all too aware of the frustrations around lack of mobile coverage and so-called ‘not spots’. Finally, the bill will allow consumers to apply for automatic compensation when things go wrong with their broadband service provider. This means that consumers and businesses will now have a right to receive automatic compensation when services have been disrupted by problems with their service provider. Having received a number of letters and emails around this specific issue, I am sure that this will be welcome news also. I am hopeful that the Digital Services Bill will soon ensure that superfast broadband is available to all as standard, but that it will also enable greater flexibility in contracts between consumers and service providers. For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com
EPIC EXPLORERS Throughout the centuries, brave explorers have fearlessly traveled the globe and beyond to discover new lands, people, animal species, riches and glory. Ferdinand Magellan of Portugal proved the world is round with his mission to sail around the world. His fellow countryman Vasco da Gama commanded the first European ship around the southern tip of Africa to reach India by sea. Norseman Leif Eriksson is regarded as the first European to reach North America, nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus, who is credited with discovering the ‘New World’ of the Americas. Juan Ponce de León scoured Puerto Rico and Florida in his quest for the fountain of youth. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark blazed new trails during their Corps of Discovery Expedition across the western half of the United States. Traveling to new heights of discovery were mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the peak of Mount Everest, and US astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the moon. These intrepid explorers and more have made an indelible mark on human history. Source: www.biography.com From August 22-26, 1.45-4pm, we will run a Holiday Bible Club called EPIC Explorers for five-11 year olds at Great Blakenham Baptist Church where we will explore the life of Jesus. Places are limited, so if you would
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like to be involved in this year’s expedition you will need to call or text Anna to book your place: 07984 298800 After over 100 years the fortnightly women’s meeting will come to an end on July 6 and we will be starting something new in the autumn. These might include a coffee morning and The Hot Chocolate Bar for high school students after school. So watch this space as we go exploring over the summer. 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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CHURCH NEWS ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar 01473 748914 / Stmarybramford@aol.com Assistant Curate: The Rev Julian Fennel, 01473 833250 www.stmarybramford.co.uk Wednesday morning quiet reflective Communion Service: 9.30am at the vicarage, unless otherwise advised. July 3 Trinity 6 8am Holy Communion Little Blakenham 10am Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing, Bramford 6pm Evening Prayer BCP Baylham July 7 3pm United Service Cherryfields July 10 Trinity 7 8am Holy Communion Bramford 10am Parish Communion Nettlestead 5pm Five O’clock Service Bramford July 12 11am Communion from Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre July 13 7.30pm Healing Service Methodist Church July 17 10am 10am July 19 2.30pm 5pm July 24 8am 10am 10am July 30 10am July 31 10am
Trinity 8 Holy Communion Holy Communion
Bramford Baylham
The Gathering Time4You /*New* Trinity 9 Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer (CW)
Church Room Bramford Bramford Bramford Nettlestead
Coffee Morning
Bramford Church Room
Group Communion and Baptism, Bramford
Dear Friends This year seems to be going incredibly quickly. We have been busy with weddings, baptisms, special services, celebrations of the Queen’s birthday, and now we are in church fete season, which is always a joy. Bramford Fun Fay is on July 2, and as I write we are beginning to make preparations to the area round the church room. Other parishes have plenty going on too, watch out for their publicity. These fetes and fun days are great occasions for getting out and talking to people, and of course we have a lot of fun and hopefully make a little money on the way through. Fundraising for our churches is really important as we survive on what we bring in each year, and all four parishes have wonderful, historical medieval buildings to support. We also need people to give their time and energy as there are a lot of jobs to be done in a church community, from church cleaning, through building maintenance right the way up to running the services. Many of those who help us on the practical side of things are not regular churchgoers. This has always been the case, and we really value that input from people who love our buildings. If you would like to help us out in any practical way, please ring the your parish churchwarden to chat about what we need. Gloria Baxter, one of our long term helpers at Bramford, has recently retired as Sacristan. The Sacristan is the person who helps set up for communion and keeps the church linen in order. Gloria has served the church faithfully in this way for many years, and we thank her for all her efforts. This means we need a new Sacristan, or a team who can help by setting up for communion each Sunday morning – full training will be given. If
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you feel this is something you could help out with occasionally, please contact either myself, Julian or Stewart McGinty and we will be happy to let you know what it entails. In the meantime, if the weather today is anything to go by, we are going to be in for a good summer, enjoy! Blessings to you all, Jenny PARISH REGISTERS Baptisms May 22: Luella Maece June 5: Henry Newstead June 5: Finley Brill May they grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Weddings May 7: Shaun McLellan and Stephany Pennock, Bramford May 14: Luke Harrison and Natasha Saunderson-Copping, Bramford June 10: Matthew Thomas and Claire Fitzmaurice, Baylham May they grow in their love for each other. Funerals May 13: Ivan Fisher June 2: Brian Harold Goodwin We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers. Cleaning Rota: H & P Hart Flower Rota: July 2 S Heath / 9 & 16 S Alderton / 23 & 30 D Heasley Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church June 1: To celebrate the 91st birthday of June Andrews June: In memory of Bill Barrett If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week. It was great to have a visit from The Rev Holly Gloff (pictured left) from St Michael’s Raleigh, North Carolina, in June. She is a long term friend of Rev Jenny’s. She brought greetings from St Michael’s and memorably preached at both the 10am and noon Baptism Services at St Mary’s on June 5. Holly is used to congregations of around 600, and loves experiencing our lovely medieval churches and small welcoming congregations. I am sure we will see her again when she is next in the UK. Lectionary Bible Readings for our Sunday Worship are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to share the reading of Scripture with Christians – both Catholic and Protestant – across the world. July 3 2 Kings 5:1-14
Trinity 6 Gal. 6:7-16
Green Luke 10:16-20
Trinity 7
Green
Col. 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
Trinity 8
Green
Col. 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-end
Trinity 9
Green
Hos. 1:2-10
Col. 2:6-15
Luke 11:1-13
July 31 Hos. 11:1-11
Trinity 10 Col. 3:1-11
Green Luke 12:13-21
July 10 Amos 7:7-end July 17 Amos 8:1-12 July 24
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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 Hall lettings: 07851 742847 Church contact: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am, including crèche and Sunday Club Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: Monday 9.30-11am (term time) For mums and toddlers, 12 months to four years. Contact Hannah: 07969 482360 Scrabble Club: Monday 2-4pm New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Women’s Fellowship: Second Wednesday 2.30-3.30pm Contact Linda Hills: 01449 721258 Christians Together Ecumenical Group: Thursday, 10am Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon Always with a selection of cakes for sale. OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Monday, 7-9pm Children’s Musical Theatre: Tuesday, 4-6pm. Contact Faye: 01449 722354 Karate: Wednesday; juniors 6.30-7.30pm / adults 7.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm (term time) Self Defence: Thursday, 8-10pm ALL ARE WELCOME! I often go away on holiday in July, and had tentatively planned to do so again this year. However, I have a new little companion in the form of Martha, a Cairn terrier puppy. She is (mostly) delightful, but not old enough to undertake a fortnight’s walking and sightseeing, yet still too young to go to kennels – so I’ll be having a ‘staycation’. It must be nearly 20 years since I last had a puppy and I had forgotten just how much hard work they are! It’s not dissimilar to having a toddler, what with ‘potty training’, trying to ensure the house is ‘safe’ and trying to establish behaviour boundaries! But she’s lovely and means I have every excuse to go out for walks – we like Needham Lake! Having responsibility for a dog, and indeed for a child, is simultaneously wonderful and daunting. Building up a relationship of trust and love takes time, with ups and downs. When Martha disobeys me it’s frustrating, but I know that I must still love and care for her, encouraging her to make the right ‘decision’ next time – even though this is likely to be based on bribery with food! But when she gets it right we are both happy – I smile and she wags her tail. At Christchurch recently we have been looking at a book called Meditations in the Garden which has focussed on the first book of the Bible and in particular the story of Creation. In the part of the story about Adam and Eve there’s an episode when they disobey instructions from God and things go wrong. It causes a rift in the relationship they have with God. So, as Martha and I build our relationship on trust, affection and dog biscuits, I’m reminded that God wants us to rebuild our relationships with him – relationships established on faith, trust and love, but no dog biscuits! Do say hello to us if you see us around the lake. Rev Mary Playford
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ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREAT BLAKENHAM Priest-in-charge: Position currently vacant Churchwardens: Wendy Hooper, 01473 846642 Jane Corbett, 01473 830201 Community Coffee Morning The next community coffee morning will be in the Parish Room on Saturday, July 9 from 10am-noon. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us for a drink, homemade cake and a chat. We hold a community coffee morning in the Parish Room on the second Saturday of each month. Doggy Day Join us for this new event at Great Blakenham Parish Room and garden on Saturday, July 16, 10am-3pm. (Please see page 10) Priest Vacancy Following the unsuccessful interview process in April, the vacancy is now being advertised again in the Church Times and on the diocesan website. The closing date for applications was June 24 and, as long as we get applicants, the interviews will be on July 18 and 19. Please remember those who are involved in the selection process in your prayers. Harvest We will be holding a Harvest Supper in the Parish Room on September 24 and our Harvest Festival will be on Sunday, September 25 at 10am. More details will follow next month. 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 Jane Corbett for further information: 01473 830201 Festival of Angels and Wreaths We are planning a special Christmas festival weekend from November 25 to 27 and our theme this year is angels and wreaths. If you would like to sponsor a display, please contact Jane Corbett: 01473 830201 During the festival weekend, the church will be open for visitors from 10am-4pm each day and refreshments will be available in the Parish Room. More details to follow next month. JULY SERVICES July 10: Holy Communion Service, 11.15am July 24: Family Service, 10am July 31: Benefice Communion Service, 10am Coffee and homemade cake are available after 10am services. Everyone is welcome to join us at any of our church services. OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY July 9: Community Coffee Morning July 16: Doggy Day (see page 10) August 13: Community Coffee Morning August 14: Morning Prayer Service, 10am August 28: Holy Communion Service, 11.15am
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