In Touch with Kesgrave - December 2015

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Volume 6 • Issue No. 2 • DECEMBER 2015 Image by Svetlana Sewell

Merry Christmas

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My son is remarkably indecisive and it’s not a trait he has inherited from me! He and I have attempted to write to Father Christmas on no less than eight occasions now and each list has been completely different save for a bouncy egg which has topped the list every time.

I kid you not! A bouncy egg is the thing he wants more than anything else. Basically it’s a egg shaped bouncy ball which costs about £1.50, but I suspect Jack will have hours of fun playing the same trick on us over and over again! Oh joy!

But despite the frustration of trying to force Jack to make a final decision I’m quietly pleased that he is so keen to have a simple, inexpensive gift.

I know Lego will make it onto the final list in one form or another and possibly some football ‘stuff’, but while Jack is still relatively immune to the power of advertising I clearly don’t need to overspend in order to have a happy five-year-old. Next year might be more difficult. I dread the day he asks for a mobile phone, but I’m going to copy my brother John and agree to Jack having a phone for his 14th birthday. I can hear you scoffing in disbelief, but John’s four teenagers still speak to him – when they’re not on their phones!

This is a wonderful time of the year with lots to do, places to go, things to buy and, if we are lucky, people to buy for. But spare a though for those who may not be so lucky. For some, Christmas amplifies their isolation and if Jack has taught me anything it’s that it doesn’t take much to bring a little joy. A smile, a conversation, maybe a mince pie and a cup of tea… Take a moment to consider whether there is someone in your local community who appears to be alone and how you might be able to give them a bouncy egg moment (not literally of course!).

Happy Christmas from all the team here at Mansion House Publishing.

It has been a joy to be part of your lives in 2015.

Kesgrave In Touch &withRushmere In Touch with Kesgrave & Rushmere is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to:

Kesgrave@intouchnews.co.uk

Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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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.

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NEWS

1st KESGRAVE SCOUT GROUP CHRISTMAS CARD COLLECTION Don’t forget that the Scouts Christmas card collection is now underway. We will be delivering to Kesgrave, Rushmere, Ipswich Borough and Martlesham (i.e. all postcodes IP1 to IP5 and some of the surrounding villages including Claydon, Barham, Gt Blakenham, Westerfield, Witnesham, Henley, Tuddenham, Grundisburgh, Playford and Bealings).

Postboxes are now available at many collection points across the area with local ones including: Krop & Co, Beech Road; Kesgrave Butchers, Penzance Road; House of Hair, Edmonton Road; 2nd Stop Charity Shop; Kesgrave Library; and Orwell Vets. The cost per card is 25p and the closing date is Wednesday, December 9. All profits are shared between the scout groups taking part in the ratio of the number of cards collected and delivered. For further information visit: www.scoutspostipswich.org.uk Celia Comber

PERMANENT BARRIERS NOW IN PLACE

Nine concrete bollards have been put in place at the main access points to green spaces off Pilborough Walk, Grange Farm, Kesgrave.

Following the unauthorised traveller encampment in the summer, the local Suffolk County Councillors and Suffolk Coastal District Council agreed to take the necessary steps to minimise the chance of the same situation arising in the future.

As an immediate measure, following the travellers moving on, Suffolk Coastal District Council put a number of temporary barriers in place, while orders were placed by Suffolk Highways for permanent bollards.

The bollards, funded by Suffolk Coastal District Council and facilitated by County Councillors Robert Whiting and Christopher Hudson, now means that vehicles will not be able to access the green space areas over the Pilborough Walk cycle route. Access for walkers and cyclists is unaffected.

Councillor Whiting said: “I am pleased that the purpose made permanent barriers are now in place. The impact of the unauthorised encampment on residents was significant so along with district council colleagues, I was clear we needed to take the necessary steps to stop the same circumstances arising again in the future.”

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NEWS MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLORS Further indication of improvement at Suffolk Schools The number of Suffolk schools, colleges and academies assessed as being in a good position to help their students achieve good or better learning has increased significantly.

Across the county, 108 schools have received a positive ‘Green’ rating, 31 more than in 2014 (equivalent to 11% improvement in top-rated schools). This year has also seen a significant reduction in the number of schools where there is concern that support may be needed to help ensure students achieve good results.

In 2015 a total of 83 schools were rated ‘Red’, down from 90 in the previous year (equivalent to a 3% improvement). The annual risk ratings conducted by SCC help improve education in several ways. These include identifying good practice in schools that can be shared with others, and schools that will benefit from support to secure rapid improvement in learning by pupils.

Suffolk’s five-year-olds overtake national average More five-year-olds in Suffolk are ‘school ready’ according to new figures published today by the Department for Education. With an 8% increase in the proportion of Suffolk children achieving a ‘good level of development’ at the end of Reception, this puts the county above the national average at age five. Nationally 66.3% of pupils achieved this level, with Suffolk pupils 1.3% above this at 67.6%. The ‘good level of development’ measure is the assessment of children at the end of Reception class or Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. Teachers

assess whether children are achieving the expected levels in literacy and maths, as well as in physical development, communication and language, and personal, social and emotional development.

Promoting a new vision for Ipswich Parents urged to have their say on school admissions consultation

SCC is seeking views on its proposed admissions policy for the 2017/18 school year, ensuring school places are offered to children in a fair way. The consultation runs until Monday, December 14. As part of this, the council is considering whether or not to include the children of staff employed by a school within the oversubscription criteria to give them some priority for school places. These criteria are used to rank applications when a school receives more applications than it has places available. There are different ways we could introduce this and your views are important to us.

Other proposals include minor changes to the Suffolk Co-ordinated Admission Scheme which sets out the details of our arrangements for the 2017/2018 school year and some amendments to the Fair Access Protocol which supports the admission of unplaced young people who live in Suffolk, especially the most vulnerable, so that they are offered a suitable place as quickly as possible. The governing bodies of voluntary aided, foundation, academies and free schools are responsible for admissions to their schools.

If you want to view the arrangements for these schools you should contact the school directly.

To view the consultation documents and to have your say on the proposals, please visit: www.suffolk.gov.uk/consultations

COURSES FOR FAMILY CARERS – FIND OUT MORE FOR FREE Suffolk Family Carers is a Suffolk wide organisation which aims to offer support and information to anyone caring for a friend, family member or neighbour with any kind of illness, disability or frailty. If you offer support, help or encouragement to a friend or family member who is unwell then you are a Family Carer and are able to access our free Caring with Confidence courses.

These courses provide information and tips on ways to confidently care for your friend or loved one. A variety of topics are covered such as effective communication to get your needs met, ways to manage your emotions and take better care of yourself, balancing caring with other commitments you may have, and looking at day to day challenges. We also have a wealth of

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Alternatively you can write to Georgina Beard, Suffolk County Council, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX or email: admissionsconsultation@suffolk.gov.uk

resources which may help with a variety of issues and concerns you face within your caring role.

If you care for someone with dementia you could also access our Caring for Dementia with Confidence course which is specifically designed for those caring for someone with dementia or memory loss. These sessions are not only a great way to gain useful information, but also give you the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation.

These sessions run regularly so to find out more about either Caring with Confidence or Caring for Dementia with Confidence please contact us: 01473 835446 / cwc@suffolkfamilycarers.org

A high-level Suffolk delegation travelled to London last month to promote a new vision for Ipswich. The group sought to attract investment and raise awareness of the significant opportunities for housing and employment growth in the Greater Ipswich area – with a particular focus on the Waterfront.

Public and private sectors came together via SCC, Ben Gummer MP, Ipswich Central, the Chamber of Commerce, New Anglia LEP, the borough council and University Campus Suffolk, to attend MIPIM (Marche International des Professionals d’Immobilier) and promote development opportunities in the town.

The show is the UK’s largest exhibition and conference for property professionals and will provide a market place for UK players and international investors to meet, discuss projects and opportunities and do business.

The Ipswich stand, focusing on a new Ipswich Vision, enabled visitors to the exhibition to find out more about the town. The stand included a rolling video showing an animated fly round of the Waterfront plus images around Ipswich.

An interactive screen allowed users to focus on individual sites and companies. A 20-page prospectus was also available to investors and developers.

Best wishes, Councillors Christopher H Hudson and Robert Whiting

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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

So call us today, we are here to help.

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT FESTIVE THEMED QUIZ NIGHT TO HELP LOCAL & NATIONAL CAUSES Award winning Ipswich company, The Hearing Care Centre is looking for your support with their forthcoming festive fundraiser to help raise money for two fantastic charitable causes.

The family run company which offers private hearing care across Suffolk and Norfolk, is again organising one of Suffolk’s biggest quiz events, this time in aid of Suffolk Rural Coffee Caravan Project and BBC Children in Need.

The event, which is the company’s 10 quiz fundraiser, is being held on Sunday, December 6 at 7pm at Greshams Sports and Social Club on Tuddenham Road, Ipswich. More than £13,000 has been raised for charitable causes to date. th

Karen Finch, MD of The Hearing Care Centre said: “Round up your friends, family or work colleagues for what will be a brilliant and inexpensive night out in the run up to Christmas. We always have well over 200 people attend so make sure you book your table early to avoid disappointment.”

Teams for the quiz can include between four and six members and entry is £4 per person (festive nibbles included). There will be cash prizes to be won for the top five teams, as well as a giant prize draw for which donations from local companies would be very much welcomed.

The charities being supported on the night help the youngest and eldest members in our society. The Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project delivers information and friendship across Suffolk. Information is power – and the charity befriends people and offers them access to the information they need to empower them. BBC Children in Need supplies grants to change the lives of disabled children and young people throughout the UK. To purchase tickets call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or for further information visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/quiz

OVERFLOWING BIN ON BIXLEY LANE

I am a conscientious dog walker/owner and always have at least three waste bags on my lead before we leave the house. Are the bins just not big enough for the purpose or is somebody not emptying them correctly? Bixley Farm is a very respectful area to live in. Let’s keep it that way. Don’t put the blame on naughty dog owners for this mess, though I admit there are many. We pay council tax for this clean up service, don’t we?

Margaret Upson

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DO YOU WANT TO FIND THE TRUE FESTIVE SPIRIT? Maybe in a rich, slow steeped Christmas cake or pudding, or a special festive preserve?

Are you looking for a unique, handcrafted gift that offers something different this year?

You’re not too late!

Ipswich Country Market at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane can provide all your festive needs. We are ready and waiting with a warm, truly festive welcome on Thursday mornings from 10.15 until 11.30am.

As well as our festive fayre we offer a wide range of handmade pickles and preserves, savoury and sweet baking, including gluten free items. Our crafts include practical sewing, fine beadwork and colourful knitwear and all producers of both food and craft are happy to make to order.

Our last market before Christmas is on Thursday, December 17 and we re-open again on January 7. So come and see what we have to offer before it’s too late!

GIPPESWYK SINGERS CONCERTS After a successful tour to Holland in the summer of 2014, the Gippeswyk Singers are setting off again in the summer of 2016, but this time in the UK. The choir are travelling to Yorkshire in June to Fountains Abbey, Harrogate and York to sing a delightful summer programme of English music entitled Forever England. Their tour concert will be repeated locally at the Salvation Army Citadel in Felixstowe on July 2, 2016.

Before then the Gippeswyk Singers, conducted by Geoff Lavery, are celebrating the festive season with a New Year Concert called What Sweeter Music on January 2 at 7.30pm in St Michael’s Church, Martlesham Heath with special guests Martlesham Brass. This will be a lovely programme of carols with the choir performing many of the beautiful choral arrangements of John Rutter, the nation’s favourite Christmas composer. Come and enjoy a spirited and uplifting evening of music with the choir, Martlesham Brass (led by Adam Cable), seasonal readings and congregational carols too.

Gippeswyk Singers are also presenting a spring concert featuring, amongst other choral pieces, the magnificent Nelson Mass, one of the most loved and well known choral works by Joseph Haydn, with four professional soloists on April 9, 2016 at St John’s Church, Felixstowe. This thrilling choral music has become known as a celebration of Lord Nelson’s victory over Napoleon in 1798 and moves from dark and dramatic, through peaceful contemplation to joyful jubilation with much sparkling vocal vitality from the soloists supported by the Gippeswyk Singers chorus and Andrew Cantrill, a nationally acclaimed organist.

An exciting and busy season for this accomplished and expressive chamber choir under the artistic musical direction of Geoff Lavery which will provide delightful music for performers and audience alike, with profits from the concerts going to support local Ipswich charities Got to Read and Home-Start. We hope to see you at one or all of our performances www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

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MIND, BODY & SPIRIT FESTIVAL IN WOODBRIDGE Life Arts is again providing a weekend packed with complementary therapies, spiritual guidance, health advice, meditation space, workshops and healing music, and raising money for the local branch of Oxfam Books with many fantastic prizes to be won in the grand raffle.

A range of therapies and taster treatments will be on offer including Myriad Healing Therapies with colour therapy, Healing Hands with aromatherapy, Amatsu Therapy with hands-on bodywork, Cambridge Wellness Clinic using homeopathy for chronic conditions, massage, acupuncture and reflexology.

Gifts will include Peruvian and Nepalese jewellery, essential oils and incense, raw and polished crystals and minerals, pagan, Wiccan and gothic crafts.

Consult with specialists, psychics and readers such as Channel 4’s psychic astrologer Demian Allan and psychic medium Melayne Stone. Discover the power of meditation free with Paul King in the empowered healing space known as the ‘Buddha Cave’, and if that’s not enough we have a book signing stall with Peggy Weber who’s highly successful book My Magic Lights will be exclusively discounted.

There will also be free workshops on subjects as diverse as What is Orgone Energy? and Amatsu Therapy, and don’t miss the Mediumship Demonstration by Colchester’s very own legendary international medium Maureen Flynn. The main stage will play host to demonstrations and performances from Gypsy Dreams and Mystic Bellydance, Diverse Roots, singer songwriter Helen Robinson and Suffolk legends Bards of the Heath, to name but a few.

Don’t leave without tasting the amazing hot, fresh food and home-made cakes from Jacob and Jacs caterers. Will you choose carrot cake, lemon drizzle or chocolate brownie?

Woodbridge Community Hall is wheelchair friendly.

Chris Cozens, who established Life Arts in 1998, has been organising Mind Body and Spirit events since 1999 and ensures all exhibitors are selected by merit, integrity, experience and professionalism.

For more information about this event please visit: www.lifearts.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE AND MARTLESHAM COUNTRY MARKETS Did you know there is a Saturday morning market with irresistible homebaked cakes and mouth-watering savouries at Kesgrave Scout HQ, 9.3011.30, and also on Tuesday mornings at Martlesham Pavilion, behind the Douglas Bader pub, 9.30-11.15am?

There’s tea, coffee and eatables at both venues at bargain prices and time for a quiet chat with friends or a nice sit down with a cake, biscuit or bacon butty.

Both venues have locally made jams, chutneys, honey and preserves for sale too, as well as lovely handmade bags, children’s knitted jumpers (just like granny knits), pretty beaded jewellery, special cards and stockingfillers for Christmas and little treats for birthdays. There’s also our famous butcher, Ian Johnston, with his half-price pork, sausages, bacon and hams on most Saturdays: you can’t beat his prices – and you save rare breed British Lop pigs into the bargain.

Meet the makers and order something really special. Make up a hamper for a friend or neighbour. We can supply cakes and orders for your party or special occasion too.

Don’t miss our last-minute Christmas Country Market on Wednesday, December 23, 9.30-11.30am!

We do need more cooks, crafters and producers: would you like to join us? Please call friendly Rita Jones on 01473 272276 for more information or come and meet us.

BALLROOM & LATIN REFRESHER CLASS There are still spaces for people keen to tidy up their dance skills in time for Christmas. At present, tidying your tango and foxtrot are the target.

Boost your Strictly skills on Wednesday evenings, 7-8pm, and do more than tap your toes to the music in future.

Contact M Mallows: 01473 729271 www.sidegatelanecommunitycentre.org.uk

RING IN CHRISTMAS WITH THE ORWELL SINGERS The Orwell Singers will be holding their Christmas concert entitled Ring in Christmas on Saturday, December 5 at 7.30pm at St Michael and All Angel’s Church, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Carols will range from the medieval Lullay my Liking to the modern day The Carol of the Refugee Children. There will also be singing of traditional carols for the audience to join in.

Entry at the door will be £8 for adults and 50p for accompanied children and will include sherry and mince pies. For more information please contact: 01473 635955 / d.sharman@btinternet.com

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KESGRAVE MARKET As Kesgrave Market continues into its fifth year, we would like to remind residents that the last market for 2015 is on Saturday, December 19, and will be ideal for produce for Christmas. Some of our stallholders are taking orders for collection nearer the time; if you would like further details, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

We then start to think about 2016 and our first market will be on Saturday, January 16. We would like to remind local charities that we still offer a free stall each month – if you are a local organisation that would like to take the opportunity to raise awareness please contact me for further details and availability.

If you are a local business and want to promote yourself (rather than actually sell goods) then you too could have a presence, and although we would charge a small fee, it’s still extremely good value for money and a great way to let the local community know what you have to offer.

For further information, or if you have any other questions regarding the market, please contact me at marketmanager@ kesgravetowncouncil.org.uk and so that our news and updates come to you, please ‘like’ our Facebook page – www.facebook. com/kesgravemarket – where we now have over 1,000 ‘likes’.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Market Manager Mandy Camilleri

MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia December is the busiest month of the year for Martlesham Brass. You will often find us playing Christmas carols outside supermarkets, both in Martlesham and Ipswich, raising money for the charities nominated by our band members.

Don’t forget to join us at 10am on Saturday, December 5 for Coffee and Carols at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath, when you can hear our intermediate band. There will be refreshments and cake and craft stalls; admission is free. On Monday, December 14 we will be playing for Carols in the Square at Martlesham Heath at 7pm.

Our Christmas concert is at 7pm on Saturday, December 19, also at St Michael’s Church Centre. Tickets are £3 (primary school children free). You can get your tickets by calling 07802 868924, at www.martleshambrass. co.uk or by visiting the 2nd Stop Charity Shop next to Tesco in Kesgrave.

This concert is often a sell-out so do get your tickets early!

Our band welcomes new players young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to come and have a go! If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument and feel that you would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below. Please be aware that we currently have a waiting list for beginner players.

Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY NEWS Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) The following Christmas craft activities will take place during December.

Sunday, December 6: We are making pop-up Christmas characters this week. Who will you make?

Sunday, December 13: Come along and make a Christmas Biff Bat. Sunday, December 20: Design a snowflake to decorate your window over the Christmas holidays.

Sunday, December 27: Make a special card to say thank you for your Christmas presents.

THE VENUE FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND EVENTS The staff and trustees at Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and they look forward to seeing you in 2016!

Up Market event raises funds for Age UK Suffolk

Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights. There’s no need to book – just turn up and have a go.

BookStart – every Thursday (term time only) Free activities for pre-school children and their parents or carers.

Why not come along and join Emma every Thursday for songs, rhymes and stories?

Tot Rock: 9.45-10.15am BabyBounce: 10.30-11am Story Time: every Friday morning, 9.45-10.15am This new activity is being funded by the Library Community Group.

Emma will be running this free story time session every Friday morning during term time for pre-school children and toddlers.

There will be a different story, songs and activities each week. Why not pop along and give it a go? No need to book, just come along.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Stamps Don’t forget that the library now sells first and second class stamps for all those Christmas cards that need sending this year!

Happy Birthday to Kesgrave Library In January 2016 it’s 10 years since Kesgrave Library moved into Kinsey House from the portacabin. Watch out for posters advertising our party and how we are going to celebrate!

Thank you The staff and community group at Kesgrave Library would like to thank all our customers for their valued support during 2015. We look forward to seeing you in 2016 and to organising more exciting events and activities.

Maggie Lusher, Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave Tel: 01473 626103 www.suffolklibraries.co.uk OPENING TIMES Tuesday 9am-noon, 2.30-5pm Wednesday 2.30-6pm Thursday 2.30-8pm Friday 9am-noon Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 10am-3pm

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More than 30 stalls featuring a host of homemade crafts, jewellery, cakes and pastries, textiles and beauty products were on sale at Kesgrave Community Centre for an Up Market Shopping Event.

The all day event organised by the centre and Age UK Suffolk was held on Saturday, October 31 with a special preview evening on the Friday night featuring live music, Prosecco and canapes.

The event raised more than £1,000 for the locally independent charity.

Indoor Table Top Sale: Saturday, February 20 Kesgrave Community Centre is holding an indoor table top sale on Saturday, February 20, 10.30am-2.30pm. Sell any unwanted items or come along and grab a bargain. Entry is £1 on the door for charity (Under 14s free), refreshments will be available along with a tombola and kid’s corner to keep the youngsters entertained.

The venue also offers plenty of free parking and disabled access, making it the perfect opportunity for you to browse and buy from a variety of stalls all in one place. All stalls must be pre-booked: £10 for a 6ft table / trade £15. Trade, charities and public are all welcome.

For further details or to book your space please contact Jo Barker: 01473 612648 (Ext 21) / jo@kwmcc.co.uk With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, the centre has a full programme of health and fitness activities that will continue up until the Christmas break and start again in January 2016. A full list of activities and events can be found on the Community Events Calendar or the Health & Fitness page at: www.kwmcc.co.uk Further events are being planned for 2016. If you would like further information or want to book a function room at KWMCC, please contact the centre on 01473 612648 or visit www.kwmcc. co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook.

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OUT & ABOUT SPRINGFIELD FOLLIES 2016 PANTOMIME: LITTLE RED ROBIN HOOD

THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND

It’s that time again, oh yes it is!

GRANT APPLICATIONS

Springfield Follies, established in 1948, proudly present Little Red Robin Hood, our 2016 panto mash up, at Kesgrave Community Centre on Saturday, January 30 at 2.30 and 7.30pm, on Friday, February 5 at 7.30pm and on Saturday, February 6 at 2.30 and 7.30pm. A fun filled show packed with singing, dancing and laughter for the whole family.

Applications for a grant are welcome from individuals and groups.

Application forms should be submitted to the address below by January 1, 2016. Grants will generally be of up to £150 towards the cost of instruments, music, equipment and musical activities.

Further information about grants and application forms can be found at: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

Tickets: adults £10, child £6, family (2A 2C) £28. Block bookings: one adult free for every 10 children.

Alternatively call 01473 625196 or write to: The Roger David Burrows Music Fund, c/o The Burrows Family, 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3UG

Tickets available from 01473 719089, tickets@springfieldfollies.org. uk, and 2nd Stop Charity Shop, Unit 5, Ropes Drive, Grange Farm, Kesgrave.

NEXT EVENT FOR YOUR DIARY

Support us and help raise money for local charities.

DECEMBER AT KESGRAVE SOCIAL CLUB The final month of the year and we have some great bands booked – especially for New Year’s and Christmas Eve. We have had a good year and want to thank all members and guests for their continued support and lovely comments.

On Tuesday 1 we have the Heartbeat meeting – all things heart related with chat, coffee, drinks and a speaker. All welcome to come along with questions or just looking for a little support from people who have been through all procedures.

On Friday 4 there is a private party in the main hall – members can use the snug and snooker bars.

Foxy Rock dancing is on Sundays 6 and 20: these classes are very popular so come along and join in the fun.

There is a quiz night on Wednesday 9 with teams of four. Come take on the resident experts!

Friday 11 is the fantastic Christmas draw. The first prize is £250 with other cash prizes plus great gifts, food hampers and drink. The 2016 Christmas Club will open on the same evening. Pay in (any amount) on Friday nights, 7.30-9pm. Take the strain off next year’s spending.

New members welcome.

On Saturday 12 we have Rodders and on Sunday 13 the Children’s Christmas Party, 2-5pm, with food, music, games and a visit from Santa with a small gift. Tickets are £5 and available now.

Our country and western artist on Saturday 19 is the fabulous Kevin Barry. Kevin will get us all in the Christmas spirit – he always provides an excellent evening’s entertainment.

Thursday 24 is Karrados: tickets only (members £5 / guests £10).

Call to reserve yours now. Doors open at 7.30pm with dancing until midnight. The kitchen will be open so come early for the best seats and have a meal before this great band hits the stage.

On New Year’s Eve we have the Glamtastics: tickets £10 members / £15 guests. Doors open at 7.30pm, dancing right through until 1am. Bring in the New Year with a bang with this premium group. The kitchen will be closed so bring enough food to see you through the night.

Wishing all members and staff, and everyone who helped us make it a good year, including the staff at In Touch, a Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year. We hope to see you all again in 2016.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Thursday, March 17, 7.30pm, St Michaels Church Centre, Martlesham Heath: a talk by Elizabeth Talbot MRICS, Auction Rooms Director at T W Gaze in Diss, Norfolk, who also appears on many television programmes. Further details to be published in the January 2016 issue or available from the Burrows family: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

Salvation Army NATIVITY FESTIVAL Would you like to take some time out during December?

Our Nativity Festival at The Priory Centre on Queens Way is an opportunity to see more than 100 different nativity scenes from around the world and to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, or just a quiet, unhurried space to unwind during the busy holiday season.

There will be a quiz to take part in, an activity table for children and craft and gift tables. Refreshments will also be available including hot drinks, soup, mince pies and gingerbread. Entry is free and you can take part in as much or little as you choose.

Opening times • Friday, December 11, 1.30-7pm • Saturday, December 12, 10am-3pm • Sunday, December 13, 1.30-4pm For further information please contact: 01473 710721 / ipswich.priory@salvationarmy. org.uk

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month (except December) in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. We are a craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light-hearted atmosphere with refreshments. Our next meetings are: Thursday, November 26: Snowmen plus Christmas Celebration Thursday, January 28: Zentangle (Emma) The monthly project list is now available and other projects are available.

New members always welcome. For more details contact Jill (01473 713534) or Emma (01787 373850).

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OUT & ABOUT

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, December 17, 7.30pm: The History of Harrods, an illustrated talk by Eve Regelous based on her unique insight as an event organiser at this world famous store.

NOTE NEW VENUE The Co-Op Education Centre – Pedestrian Entrance, 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW Car park entrance: Waterworks Street IP4 1JG Admission is £3 for members, £3.50 for non-members who are welcome and can join the society on the night if they wish.

Tickets are not required; just turn up and pay on the door.

For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

KESGRAVE CO-OPERATIVE WOMEN’S GUILD It was with great sadness that we heard of the intention to close the National Cooperative Women’s Guild. It was founded in 1883 to educate women in the principles and practises of co-operation and to work for the improvement of the status of women. Early guildswomen campaigned and achieved much. Maternity benefits were included in the 1911 National Insurance Act because of CWG pressure. At the same time the CWG also campaigned successfully for infant welfare facilities.

After the First World War the CWG actively campaigned for peace and introduced the White Peace Poppy in 1933. These are widely distributed today and working for world peace is an important part of guild policy.

Several of our members traveled to a meeting in Coventry where the vote was taken to close the National Guild on June 25, 2016. This does not however affect local guilds such as ours and we will continue with the same values and ideals that we have always held. There will be much to decide over the coming months.

In October an old friend of the guild gave us a talk on putting fuchsias to bed. Pat Mattheson gave us many tips for over wintering plants and plenty of ideas for winter containers.

We also held our Harvest Supper. A delicious jacket potato with several fillings had been prepared by our catering committee; thanks must go to Christine and her helpers. We then had a variation on pass the parcel organised by Gloria which involved playing cards, parcels and members rushing round the hall. A very enjoyable evening.

Next meetings

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Our members have been out and about during the last month. Two represented our club at our federation conference, this year held in Glasgow and bringing together Soroptimists from across the world. Next year it will be in Malta.

Nearer to home, two of us had a thought provoking day at University Campus Suffolk for the launch of a report entitled Hear Me, Believe Me, Respect Me. This was based on a survey of adults who had been subjected to sexual abuse in childhood carried out by the university with the local charity Survivors in Transition.

It’s a bit frustrating that there has been so much attention focused on celebrity cases but so little public acknowledgement that most abuse is committed by family members or friends. The report highlighted the inadequacy of the support available to many survivors when, perhaps years later, they summon up the courage to tell someone what happened to them.

We always appreciate the chance to be involved with our local community and some of our members have been discussing links with UCS. As a start we are joining with students to mark White Ribbon Day, the movement set up by men to end violence against women.

December, of course, means Christmas. We’ll celebrate with a festive dinner. We usually contribute to a joint Christmas present and this year we shall be ‘twinning our toilet’ with a school toilet block in Africa – a simple but imaginative scheme run by Tearfund.

If you would like to know more about Soroptimism please contact Jackie on 01473 659314.

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

We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. There is no meeting in December, we have a Christmas mystery outing instead, but a date for your diary is January 19, 2016 at 7.15pm when the ever-popular Mark Mitchels will be talking on the Duke of Wellington. He transformed the fortunes of the British Army and played a major part in securing the abdication of Napoleon.

• December 8: Christmas Party • January 5: A fun evening of Bag Beetle. Please bring a paper bag with two items with the total value of £1.

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

Any ladies who would like to join us for an evening to find out more about the guild are very welcome and further information is also available from Mrs Gloria Everett: 01473 614991

For more information contact our membership secretary at membershipesnta@gmail.com or phone 01473 723761.

Alternatively visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

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THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE presents

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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE & DISTRICT HELP CENTRE Last month we went out for lunch instead of our usual coffee morning.

It was nice for us to have a meal in good company and the food was excellent.

We are looking forward to December when we have children from Cedarwood School come to do their Christmas nativity play. This is lovely and enjoyed immensely by both young and old. Later in the month is our Christmas lunch at Rushmere Golf Club, our 10th year with them.

We have had several new people come along to our weekly coffee mornings which are held every Thursday in Kesgrave Community Centre, 10-11.30am. If you would like a chat with several of our local residents you would be most welcome.

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our Christmas meeting will be on Wednesday, December 2 when Sarah Pearson will talk on The Art of Celebrating Christmas. Sarah has degrees in Art History and World Art Studies and has lectured at Reading University and UEA. Her talk will explore the various elements of Christmas in their artistic setting. To help foster the Christmas spirit, mulled wine and mince pies will be available beforehand.

Artges the gap Bri d

aN EXHIBITION BY THERONDA HOFFMAN WITH GUEST ARTISTS AND HER STUDENTS

plus warehouse sale and raffle/auction

November’s meeting featured Dr Susan Owens discussing Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and her role in art promotion, especially during the Second World War. This was a side of Queen Elizabeth we don’t often hear about. With many pictures, Susan explained how the Queen began buying and commissioning art and promoting contemporary British artists. Augustus John, Rex Whistler, Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, William Nicholson and John Piper all created works for her collection. A lovely talk, well received by all.

The rest of the season will feature a broad range of illustrated talks on subjects including the Duc du Berry, medieval Easter celebrations, the world of Grayson Perry, and much more.

We welcome new members. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? The wonderfully illustrated lectures last about an hour and are presented by national and international lecturers. We are a friendly group who meet on the first Wednesday of the month for nine lectures each year, and we also organise interesting day visits. Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space. A £5 donation is asked.

For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com For the latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

venue: kesgrave arts, 83 main road, kesgrave IP51AF SATURDAY 5TH – THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2015 WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS PREVIEW EVENING* 7.00PM, FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2015 to prebook*, please call theronda on: 01473 333553 or email: info@kesgravearts.co.uk

in aid of

Registered charity no. 1085900

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9/15

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE We would like to thank all of you who attended our annual Remembrance Service on Barrack Square on Sunday, November 8. It was really heartening to see that attendance was up substantially on recent years despite the miserable weather. The rain held off, but at least it was mild.

Our chairman, Martyn Cook, was the Parade Marshall and Bishop Jeremy Walsh took the service. Our new president, Mr Richard Barker, attended and our honorary vice president, Colonel Mark Ciero from the USAF, had flown over from Germany where he is now based.

The Felixstowe 356th ATC and the Kesgrave detachment of the army cadets provided an excellent contingent and together with the local scouts and guides represented the young generation. Once again the Felixstowe Salvation Army Band was in attendance.

Wing Commander Phil Nicholson, liaison officer from RAF Mildenhall represented the RAF and Colonel Mark Ciero the USAF. Inspector Stuart Weaver represented Suffolk Constabulary and Mr Richard Stains represented Martlesham Parish Council. The Royal British Legion, the RAFA association and the Suffolk branch of the Aircrew Association were all represented.

MARTLESHAM WI In December we meet a week earlier than usual, so our meeting will be on Friday, December 11 at 2.15pm in the Richards Room. We are planning a festive afternoon with seasonal readings, a lighthearted quiz and Margaret H’s homemade mince pies (by popular demand).

By that time we shall be welcoming our new president, Pat Brown having served for three years. She has done a super job.

At our annual meeting she was thanked by all the members for her excellent chairmanship and presented with a plant in appreciation of her efforts. She will be a hard act to follow. We shall also be looking forward to the New Year during which we will be celebrating the 70th birthday of Martlesham WI. We are always pleased to welcome prospective new members and visitors and this informal afternoon would be a good time to come along to check us out. You will be made very welcome. For more details please contact Anne Bennett: 01394 380110 Susan Cunliffe

The Iron Crows, a band of motorcyclists who tour round memorial services like ours and raise funds for the British Legion, were also in attendance. Mr Andy Hunt represented Industrious Ltd, and we are most grateful for their generous donation. Finally Mr Rod Caird from the Ipswich Piping Society provided a bagpipe salute.

Our grateful thanks for all who officiated and to all who turned up for this most important occasion.

SOCIETY NEWS We were entertained by two old friends of our society on Friday, November 6. Clive and Linda Denny run Vintage Fabrics, a company specialising in re-covering fabric flying surfaces of vintage aircraft and painting them. We had a full house to listen to Clive, who has been spending much of his time recently down at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar on the famous old Battle of Britain fighter station in Kent.

Clive is a display pilot and is qualified to fly various aircraft, including Spitfires and Hurricanes. The Biggin Hill Heritage hangar is currently home to several vintage aircraft in various stages of restoration.

Several video clips were shown, including the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary which was featured on television. Clive was one of the pilots on that day, when so many Spitfires and Hurricanes formed an impressive formation over southern England. A vote of thanks was given by Robert Dunnett.

Our next meeting is on Friday, December 4 at the Community Hall, Felixstowe Road as usual. Local historian and author Phil Hadwen will deliver an illustrated talk about two legendary women fliers of the 1930s, Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart.

Non-members are welcome for a payment of just ÂŁ3 at the door.

Meetings start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break.

Alan Powell, 01473 622458 www.mhas.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT OVER THIRTIES AND OTHER FUNCTIONS The supper/dance at Kesgrave High School on October 24 was well attended. The new band, to be known as Rod and The Solents, was very well received with some very positive feedback, so many thanks to those who attended and supported the fundraiser.

Coming up in December, the first public function I’m invited to perform at will be Kesgrave Social Club on Saturday, December 12, playing from 8-11.30pm as Rodders. Non-members are very welcome and just pay on the door.

The following week, on Saturday, December 19, Rodders will be at Fun at the Farmhouse, Grange Farm, Kesgrave, playing from 9pm until midnight. Come along for a fun night out with plenty of good drinking and dancing.

The next public performance for Rodders will be New Year’s Eve, again at the Farmhouse.

The entertainment will start somewhere between 9-10pm and go through until 1am. There will be no entry fee and Stuart and Karen invite you all to come along and welcome in the New Year. I really enjoyed playing there last New Year’s Eve, and I am really looking forward to this year.

At the moment, the next public function that Rod and The Solents are due to play at will be the football club’s Charity Valentine supper/dance at Kesgrave High School on Saturday, February 13.

Please make a note in your diary.

For those on my list, I will be in touch nearer the time. Anybody else interested in coming to any of the functions can call Keith on 01473 624538.

It just leaves us to wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and a better New Year.

Keith/Miles

KESGRAVE WI Our Annual General Meeting was held during our November meeting. Monica Collins was again elected as our president for 2016. Our committee for 2016 will include two new faces, Elayne Green and Angela Watson as treasurer. Monica thanked all retiring committee members for their support and hard work in recent years. Lyn Parker and Ann Barnes received thank you gifts for their services having served four years on the committee.

The overall winner of our monthly competitions for the past year was Pat Howell with Enid Castle taking second place and Shirley Kendall third.

Enid Castle was presented with a certificate as the overall winner of the stoned fruit jam category at the WI Centenary Picnic Table Top Show in September which was held at Glenham Hall.

Monica reported that the WI craft day held on Saturday, October 1 had been a great success with 29 men and women enjoying a day devoted to learning new crafts – barge painting, Christmas fabric decorations, stitched cards and trinket boxes. In true WI style, lunch was a variety of homemade soups with rolls providing a social time to discuss progress being made with the crafts.

Our evening finished with bingo for pleasure – three games of intense concentration to win a selection of chocolate products!

Our next meeting is at 7.15pm on Thursday, December 3 at Kesgrave Community Centre when we will be holding our Christmas meeting. Our speaker for the night will be The Rev John Robinson who will entertain us with Christmas Songs from 1770 to 1970+, all helped along by traditional Christmas fayre! Visitors are very welcome to join us.

For more information call our secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB It’s time to wish all our members a Happy Christmas!

We have just one more meeting in 2015 – our Christmas Party on December 10. There will be a bring and share supper and musical entertainment with carol singing to get us all in the festive mood.

At our last meeting Simon and his guide dog Lennox were presented with a cheque for £700.50 which we have raised during the year. It will be used to buy special life-jackets for disabled members of the East Anglian Sailing Trust.

Looking forward to 2016, our first meeting is on January 7 when Sarah Waldock will show us how to make cards from scrap.

Make a New Year Resolution to do something different and join our friendly club. Meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the Richards Room. For more information contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768

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OUT & ABOUT KYSON PROBUS CLUB

ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE DEBEN

Kyson Probus Club met as usual in November at Ufford Park Hotel, Melton. After a friendly drink and hearty lunch we heard a talk

by Mr John White who has lived and worked at Bawdsey Ferry for most of his life, building boats for more than four decades as well as doing commercial fishing. He ran the Bawdsey Ferry for six years and for the past 20 years has been harbourmaster there.

He still runs river trips and told us that he has no intention of retiring! He talked about the many old characters he knew who lived in and around the ferry area and the hard lives that many endured. There was certainly poverty in those days, but also great camaraderie and humour which John relayed in abundance.

We were astonished to learn that there has been a ferry at Bawdsey since the 12th century which was one of many facts in an informative and highly amusing talk. Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable afternoon.

Our recent charity quiz at Waldringfield Golf Club was another success, with 16 teams competing and more than £750 being raised for various charities. The winners once again were the Flying Fischotters who were presented with a cheque for £200 which they donated to the Woolverstone Wish Appeal.

If you are a retired or semi-retired business or professional man and would like to spend a pleasant lunch once a month with friendly, like-minded folk, why not come along. For information about the cub, please call the secretary, Mr Ian McIvor: 01473 738866

Club members will be manning Santa’s sleigh around Martlesham Heath on four evenings in December and our Thoroughfare collection in Woodbridge will be on Saturday, December 12 when we will once again be supported by carol singers from Woodbridge Choral Society.

Tickets for our annual Christmas Carol Concert and Supper at Woodbridge School on Thursday, December 3 are selling well and we anticipate another excellent evening. As ever music will be provided by Martlesham Brass Band and the Woodbridge School Chamber Choir.

If you are interested in any of these events or would like to know more about Rotary please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933

LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT A busy November meeting at the Royal British Legion in Woodbridge saw us welcome three distinguished visitors. Richard Smith of Felixstowe Road Runners reviewed October’s Martlesham Heath 10k, 5k and Fun Run event.

The Lions’ Club charity fund will benefit to the tune of £3,170. Jo Revett, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser with The Papworth Trust, gave a very personal and heartfelt talk covering the history of the trust and its current work; we will be making a donation to the trust in appreciation for Jo’s presentation. Finally, our District Governor Chris Crick making an official visit to the club and carried out the pleasant duties of welcoming our latest new member, Bob Brown, and presenting a 15-year chevron to Lion Margot Wobey.

Planning and fundraising for the Christmas parcels project is well under way; the growing demand at food banks testifies that this project remains an important activity. A traditional part of our fundraising at this time of year is supporting Father Christmas on his trips around the streets of Woodbridge. Wednesday, December 16 will see us visit Newnham Avenue, Peterhouse Crescent, Pembroke Avenue, St Edmunds Close, Queens Avenue, Churchill Close and Clare Avenue. On Thursday 17, watch out for the jolly old gentleman in Warwick Avenue, Edwin Avenue, Barton Road, Collingwood Road, Beresford Drive, Bury Hill and Bury Hill Close.

Our thanks to everyone who has supported us at our various events throughout the year. May we wish everyone an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

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VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM “It’s changed my life” – the words of Dr Suzanna Constantinescu when reflecting on a week’s study visit to East Anglia.

The visit, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben supported by other local Rotary clubs, saw a team of professional specialists in children’s medicine and childcare from the Neamt county of Romania visit this area. They visited the paediatric departments of the Ipswich and Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals, and studied the support available to children with autism and their parents in the Ipswich area.

What made the biggest impact on the team was to see how our hospitals work to make children’s treatment less scary and their stay in hospital less traumatic. Our hospitals are made to be welcoming places, with play areas and toys – helping the children to be more receptive to their treatment. Parents are involved in their child’s treatment – something which doesn’t happen in Romania – and the team was impressed at how all this can aid a child’s recovery.

Volunteering was unknown in Romania during the Communist era and is still in its infancy. The team learned how volunteers can help overworked professional staff, and have plans on their return to mobilise their local communities.

The team marvelled at the multitude of ways in which charities and statutory bodies in Suffolk offer support to the parents of children with autism, and have taken lots of ideas for how to replicate that support back to Romania. Not least, they saw how we help parents to recognise that autism is an illness, not a cause of shame, and that children with autism are just like everyone else – just with special needs.

Woodbridge Deben offers its thanks to all the dedicated professional staff who welcomed the Romania team and shared their expertise. There are already plans to develop a longer-term relationship.

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OUT & ABOUT EAST SUFFOLK EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN Have you heard about U3A (University of the Third Age)?

Now is your chance to catch up on some of the things you wish you could have kept up with or tried (when you didn’t have time before).

No you don’t have to go back to school or have to do exams or win qualifications. U3A is run by and for retired and semi-retired people to try or expand on subjects and hobbies they may have had to miss due to past commitments.

Gay Macbeth (left) receiving the Daphne Wells Tropy from Jan Lovell (centre) and Jennifer Scott

Our recent AGM left no ‘red’ faces. We started by judging (by popular vote) for our newly re-instigated competition on just that theme. This year we had some wonderful entries from embroiderers of all standards, demonstrating it’s ideas as much as technique that counts. Voting was close but the Daphne Wells Trophy was awarded to Gay Macbeth for her wonderful piece of red felt.

After the official business we had a talk by Jo Budd on Stitch and Dye, followed the next day by a workshop along the same theme. Everyone came away hugely enthused by the new techniques she showed us and I am really looking forward to seeing members’ work inspired by what we learnt.

The guild has a varied programme of meetings, but much of the chatter at the next couple will no doubt be about our Capability Brown project.

We are collaborating on a series of wall hangings to be shown next year in Ickworth House. We’ve arranged things so stitchers of any and all standards can contribute, so if you fancy seeing your work on display to the public, or just like the idea of being part of a fun collaborative project, why not come along to our next meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday, December 9 at Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, and find out a bit more? Or contact jen.m.scott@btinternet.com for more details.

KESGRAVE ALLOTMENT & LEISURE GARDENING ASSOCIATION The year is coming to an end and the shortest day heralds the slow advance to the next growing season. It’s a time to reflect on our successes and on what went wrong with some crops. My strawberries were successful, so perhaps grow more fruit next season, and beans were prolific, but as lovely as home grown peas are there were too few produced for some reason!

But the saying goes ‘There is no failure in gardening, it’s down to the weather and the furry things!’

There is nothing to sow now, so it’s time to stay in the warm and look through seed catalogues and plan for next year.

As we approach Christmas, I will take satisfaction from sitting down for Christmas dinner eating some home-grown vegetables. Brussel sprouts should be ready in time, and parsnips and leeks are ready

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to be dug up. I hope the ground won’t be too hard!

Our AGM is held in January, where new members are welcome and where existing members renew membership and pay for the next year’s rent. It’s an opportunity to take over a plot as there are a few becoming available. We offer starter plots (for those who would like to try growing their own without over-committing themselves) or half and whole plots. If you are interested come along or contact Angela, our membership secretary, for further details: 01473 612283 / angsan.brown@yahoo.co.uk For more information about KALGA and the allotment, and the opportunity to join our forum, visit www.kesgrave-allotments.org.uk

U3A has more than 130 interest groups so there is bound to be a subject (or two) that will intrigue you. How about trying art, geology or carpet bowls? There are also lunch clubs and church or garden visits. All this for your initial membership of £12.50 per year.

Find out more by visiting one of our monthly meetings with speakers in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Saxmundham and Woodbridge. 2016 will be bringing a wide variety of talks in all four areas and the campus coordinators at each venue will be happy to tell you more about the East Suffolk Branch of U3A. The next Woodbridge meeting is at 10.30am on Monday, December 7 at Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge IP12 4AU and is entitled The Natural History of the Falkland Islands.

Expect a flavour of life in this remote British outpost, including the unique habitats of the islands and aspects of the landscape, spring flowers, mammals and birds. The talk will be given by Anne Kell.

For information on all dates, subjects and venues please visit www. u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk or contact the secretary on 01473 273395.

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP With the leaves falling and trees moving into their winter dormancy state, the volunteers have been cutting back the hedge along Kesgrave Main Road. It’s amazing to see how well the trees and shrubs respond to the pruning back each year by accelerating the growth at the lower levels to thicken the natural barrier against road noise and intruders.

Thankfully we have had steady stream of new members joining and moving on to Nature Explorers and beyond. Chloe King and Sam Alexander joined Nature Watch at its start when they were five/six years old and are now members of our committee. How time flies! On that note with another year gone, we hope you all have a restful Christmas and New Year.

Nature Watch members met on Halloween weekend to find out about creatures that come out in the night – not supernatural creatures, but rather real woodlands creatures such as bats, owls and badgers to name a few. The lesson was during the day so we didn’t actually see any animals, only signs that they had been around, such as gnaw marks in tree bark, foraging holes in the ground and, of course, poo!

Dates for the diary:

Keeping to the scary theme, this meeting marked the completion of the 10th year of Nature Watch.

• Sunday, December 20, 10am-noon: Volunteer work morning • Saturday, January 23, 9-11am: Nature Explorers (11-18yrs old) Nature Watch (five-11yrs old), starts again in spring 2016.

New volunteers are always welcome. For further information please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com / 01473 612632 or visit: www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net

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Feel right at home with Alice Grange Care Home

From expert care to delicious home-cooked food and engaging activities, our staff pride themselves on making everyone we care for at Alice Grange feel at home. It’s all part of the first-class care and support that we provide to the people of Suffolk.

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If you would like a tour of our home or just need some friendly advice, please call us on:

01473 333 551

St Isidores, Ropes Drive, Kesgrave, IP5 2GA www.barchester.com

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SCHOOLS

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We are not part of the national Co-operative Funeralcare chain based in Manchester.

HUMPTY DUMPTY PLAYGROUP Firstly, we would like to say a big thank you to Richard for coming into the setting with his ‘hearing’ dog Daisy. The children were fascinated at how Daisy is effectively Richard’s ears, communicating when the doorbell rings or if the fire alarm is going off by getting Richard’s attention with his paw and lying down. The children listened carefully and copied Richard when communicating through sign language.

with presents for all the children as they have all been so good this year.

The children shall be extremely busy with lots of exciting activities leading up to the Christmas holidays. We shall be holding a BEEP BEEP! week and dressing up in bright colours, learning about road safety, being visited by the local police and raising money for BRAKE, the road safety charity.

Sally, Wendy, Sharon, Laura and Gemma would like to wish all our children and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As Christmas is fast approaching, the children will be busy creating their Christmas wish list for Santa and posting them, making Christmas decorations and yummy food, and of course, going to the Christmas Party. We’ve sent Santa his party invitation and he has said he is happy to come along

From January 2016, the playgroup shall be opening on Thursday afternoons. This now means we are open all day, every day.

Playgroup re-opens on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.

Please follow us on Facebook where you can see the children engaged in play and other activities.

We are registered for children from the age of two years onwards.

Please feel free to come in and meet our friendly Early Years team and pick up a registration form.

We are situated inside Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach. Contact us on 07837 154081 during term time or manager Sally Cutts on 01473 625998.

Wendy Payne

THREE BEARS PLAYGROUP and staff in our doctor’s surgery, gave injections and measured temperatures. Thank you to Harry for letting us draw round him and then mark and label his bones!

The children enjoyed coming in their dressing gowns and bringing their favourite books to share at special group story times. We read to our teddies and made jam sandwiches to eat for snack.

We have explored lights and sounds inside our new sensory tent. We danced firework moves to our percussion band. We welcomed Anisha who came to tell us how her family celebrates Diwali.

Thank you to Nurse Julie for coming to talk to us about keeping well over winter. Dressed as doctors and nurses, we bandaged toys

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We are having Christmas fun making print cards, plate trees and clay stars. We have written letters to Father Christmas and invited him to our Christmas Party on December 17.

Three Bears finishes on Friday, December 18 for Christmas and returns on Monday, January 4.

If you would like to add your child to our waiting list please return a completed registration form to playgroup. Forms can be downloaded from www.threebearsplaygroup.org.uk, requested by emailing threebearsplaygroup@ btconnect.com or collected from the playgroup on Wilkinson Drive.

In Touch online:

SCHOOLS MARTLESHAM BABY AND TODDLER GROUP

GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Hello from Martlesham Baby and Toddler Group, an informal group who meet every Wednesday and Friday in Martlesham Pavilion for fun, games and songs. We are there from 9.30 until 11.30am and there’s plenty of tea, coffee and the all important biscuits to keep you going!

Do you have a child due to start Reception in September 2016?

We would like to say a very BIG thank you to Sadie of Big Fish Photography who came along to take some wonderful pictures of our members during November. She has kindly ensured that the prints will be ready for Christmas presents.

There will be lots going on at our Christmas Party this year, with the usual party games and fundraising, our renowned cake sale and, of course, a visit from the man himself! Even though Father Christmas is extremely busy in December he has confirmed he will visit both party sessions on December 9 and 11 and for just £1 your child will be able to meet Father Christmas, let him know what they would like for Christmas and receive a small gift.

We have had a brilliant year with lots of new friends joining us, and fantastic support from old friends and new. We have made enough funds to continue for another year so thank you everyone who has helped us along the way in 2015. We will break for Christmas on December 11 until January 6, 2016. If you care for a baby, toddler or pre-schooler and would like some friendly faces and fun please join us in 2016.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you very soon.

Please visit www.martleshambabyandtoddlers.co.uk or contact us on: mhbabyandtoddlergroup@yahoo.co.uk Sam Whitehouse

Christmas is coming and our pre-schoolers will be decorating the nursery, singing Christmas songs, dressing up in the Christmas Nativity Play and having fun and games at our Christmas Party. After School Club members will be busy creating Christmas cards and decorations for us to use and to take home.

Our Cracking Christmas Fair is on Saturday, December 5, 10amnoon. Get into the Christmas spirit and join us in our winter wonderland for festive crafts, gift ideas, mince pies and more.

We are now taking bookings for our Christmas Holiday Club (December 21 to 23) and we will then be closed until we return for the new year on Monday, January 4.

We currently have vacancies in all our rooms, including spaces for funded two and three-year olds. Don’t forget your child’s funded sessions can be used across our opening hours and ‘stretched’ across holiday club too.

The Saplings is open MondayFriday, 7.30am-6pm, for children aged three months to 11 years.

We offer term-time and yearround care, with a baby room, pre-school, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club sessions and a ‘walking bus’ to Birchwood Primary School.

For further information on all our term-time sessions, or holiday club bookings, please call our friendly team of dedicated and experienced staff on 01473 614753, email news@ thesaplings.org.uk or visit: www.thesaplings.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

OPEN MORNING INVITATION Thursday, January 7: 9.30-11am

Our open afternoons in October were extremely popular. We would now like to offer an additional date and warmly invite you to come and visit our Reception classes in action. You will have the chance to meet the staff and enjoy the opportunity of participating in a variety of activities with your child(ren).

Please come along and stay for as long or as short a time as you like.

We would only ask that you ring our school office to confirm your interest.

FACILITIES FOR HIRE Gorseland School is lucky to have some excellent facilities in the form of a multi-use games area (MUGA), large Astroturf pitch, playground and large indoor hall. These facilities are available for the benefit of the general public on week day evenings and throughout school holidays for a very competitive fee. The facilities are currently used for after school clubs, sporting groups, Scout and Guiding groups, fitness classes and other one off events. Weekly, monthly or ad hoc bookings are all welcomed. Parking is available on site. For further information or to make a booking please contact the school.

Deben Avenue, Martlesham Heath IP5 3QR 01473 623790 / office@gorseland.net

CHRISTMAS AT BRIGHT STARS Inviting all babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their parents and/or carers to come along and enjoy the Christmas story at Bright Stars. We meet 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term time at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Each session is full of fun children’s activities and worship. We enjoy doing crafts, singing, storytelling and games.The half hour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to chat and play until approximately noon. Why not come and visit us? You are welcome to just turn up on the day or feel free to give us a ring if you have any questions.

We will look forward to welcoming you!

The remaining session date for the autumn term is December 14. Spring term dates will be published in the January edition.

For further information please contact one of the Bright Stars team: Jennie Fidler, 07584 420729 Sonya & Maureen Burrows, 01473 625196 Sue Lambert, 01473 624130

HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT US? Do you have a child born between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012? Are planning to make an application for a primary school place?

Heath School on Bell Lane in Kesgrave is a large, friendly school with excellent facilities.

If you would like to visit the school, meet the headteacher, Mrs Bowditch, and have a tour of the school, you would be very welcome. Please call the school on 01473 622806 to make an appointment.

We look forward to meeting you.

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SPORTS IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL

IPSWICH WANDERERS FC

The volleyball season is now in full swing with two tournaments last month, both with a big presence from a growing Ipswich Ravens club.

First the Ravens hosted their own four-a-side open tournament and attracted top teams from all around Suffolk to their home territory at St Alban’s High School. With a good number of new players this year who have no previous tournament experience, Ravens decided to enter three of their own teams, each with a mix of experienced and new players. In an enjoyable competition all three teams performed creditably, with the best performance coming from Ravens A who finished fifth overall.

Next up was the monthly six-a-side tournament hosted by Ipswich VC at Maidenhall Sports Centre. For the first time Ravens were able to enter three teams in the competition, with no less than seven players making their debuts for the club. Two of the teams played in Division 2 and performed admirably against more experienced opposition from Ipswich and Bury. Aside from two wins against SCC Seagulls, the pick of the results was a narrow 20-19 defeat against Bury. In Division 1, Ravens were tantalisingly close to an overall tournament win with three wins and two very narrow defeats. It gave a big boost to our confidence and incentive to try that little bit harder next month.

DIVISION 1 RESULTS: Ipswich II 20-19 Ipswich Ravens Ipswich Ravens 20-19 Ipswich III Ipswich Ravens 20-17 Bury Bobcats Ipswich I 15-20 Ipswich Ravens Stowmarket III 20-19 Ipswich Ravens DIVISION 1 TABLE Wins Ipswich II Diss Ipswich Ravens Stowmarket II Stowmarket III Bury Bobcats Ipswich I Ipswich III

Pts For Pts Against 4 99 4 98 3 98 3 88 2 95 2 92 1 81 1 65

83 76 91 96 97 77 98 8

The first Ipswich Wanderers Partnership Day will now be held at our Humber Doucy Lane ground in January.

Participants will be given lunch, information about sponsorship options and will also be able to enjoy prematch hospitality before watching a scheduled home game. If you are interested in joining us on our free Partnership Day please contact 07734 321259. There are many and varied opportunities for individual and corporate sponsorship at The Doucy. Please ask. We are an ambitious club and we welcome anyone who wishes to share in bringing great football to this area.

The 1st Team may be cup specialists but the Under 18s are proudly sitting at the top of their league. Kevin Baker’s side play at home on alternate Tuesdays, kick-off at 7.45pm. Four young players from our Under 13s served as ball-boys in recent FA Vase games. We thank them for their assistance. Ipswich Wanderers youth teams begin at Under 7s and play through to Under 16s. We hope that many of these young players will one day grace our 1st Team.

The 1st Team, under the management of Glenn Read, have taken another big stride toward a Wembley Final by knocking Hoddesdon Town out of the FA Vase First Round Proper. Summer signing Tom Bradlaugh scored both the Wanderers goals in a 2-1 win. The Wanderers’ reward was a home tie against Cricklewood Wanderers of the Middlesex League. If we have won that match the next round is on December 12 when we are scheduled to play Newmarket Town in the Eastern Counties League.

Up-and-coming games include: • Saturday, November 28: Home v Fakenham Town (KO 3pm) • Saturday, December 5: Away v Thetford Town (KO 3pm) • Saturday, December 12: Home v Newmarket Town (KO 3pm) * • Saturday, December 19: Away v Long Melford (KO 3pm) • Saturday, December 26: Home v Brantham Athletic (KO 11am) • Saturday, January 2: Away v Whitton United (KO 3pm) *subject to FA Vase result Off the field, the Wanderers Beer Festival in October was a big success with supporters enjoying eight guest real ales and live music by Kesgravebased band Cool Remedy. The last Friday of each month sees the Wanderers Bingo in the clubhouse, eyes down at 8pm.

Ipswich Ravens hold club practise sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. We are actively seeking new members and welcome anyone, male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from nine upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness.

Admission to 1st Team games is £6 for adults, £3 concessions with bar, hot food, programme, golden goal, club shop and free car parking. Entrance in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere.

If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

Keith Lloyd

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For details of matches and all club news visit: www.pitchero.com/clubs/ipswichwanderers

In Touch online:

SPORTS / on the grapevine KESGRAVE CRICKET CLUB Since our last report we have continued to celebrate our successes on the field in 2015. At the end of October we held our junior awards presentation and quiz night to recognise the efforts of all our young cricketers as well as congratulating the individual winners of the batting, bowling, fielding and coach’s awards in each age group.

Details of our individual winners can be found at www.kesgrave. play-cricket.com. As ever, the event was very well attended by players, family and friends. A big thank you to all who supported and helped to arrange the awards night – and many congratulations to all our young cricketers.

Here is some important news for all our existing juniors and anyone interested in playing cricket in any of our junior age groups next year.

From the first week in January we will begin our winter junior coaching sessions on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm in the sports centre at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre. Each of our age groups will have four coaching sessions as follows: Under 11s: January 5, 12 & 19 and March 16 Under 13s: January 26, February 2 & 9 and March 23 Under 15s: February 16 & 23 and March 2 & 9 Our coaches will be emailing all our current players before Christmas to invite them to training. We would be delighted also to invite anyone new to the club or indeed new to cricket to join these sessions. If you are interested, please contact our junior coordinator Steve Worne on stevieworne400@hotmail.com or speak to any officer of the club.

QUESTIONS ON CASH Clive and Lisa from Blakenham ask: “We have around £120,000 in an offshore investment bond with Canada Life International in the Isle of Man. Will this money form part of our estate for inheritance tax when we die, or is offshore money exempt from all UK taxes?”

Unfortunately, although your offshore investment is income tax efficient, it is not inheritance tax efficient. The investment will form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes when you die.

As you are both UK resident and domiciled, your beneficiaries will pay UK inheritance tax on all of your worldwide assets – not just those you own on the UK mainland. However, they will only pay inheritance tax on assets which exceed the value of the current combined nil rate band of £625,000 (being two allowances of £325,000 as you are a married couple and have transferable Nil Rate Bands).

If you do not require access to the capital held within your offshore investment, and only require access to the income, you should consider talking to Canada Life International about moving the money into a Discounted Gift Trust, as this could provide significant inheritance tax savings, whilst still providing a regular income for you ongoing.

Sam from Needham Market asks: “I have a with-profits

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Whether you are already playing in one of our age groups, not yet involved with our club, or new to cricket and wanting to have a go, these coaching sessions are a great way to learn more about our wonderful game in a fun and friendly environment.

In October we held our annual club golf event at Seckford Golf Club.

After a hearty cooked breakfast in the clubhouse we all had an enjoyable round despite the soggy conditions. Andy Thompson was our individual winner, with Mike Worne joining Andy in the team award. Certain handicaps will definitely be slashed before we meet again which will hopefully be before the start of next season.

And finally… are you looking for the perfect Christmas present for the cricket-mad person in your life? Or do you want to update your own cricket gear? If so, help is at hand. Until January 4 we are offering a 10% discount on our club branded playing, training and casual clothing, as well as significant discounts on new equipment such as bats, pads, gloves and helmets. For details please visit www.kesgrave.play-cricket. com and click on the ‘Buy KCC kit online now’ link on the home page.

On behalf of the club, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2016.

Knight Watchman

with Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb investment with Phoenix – formerly Royal Sun Alliance – which currently has large penalties if I try to get my money out. What is the significance of this policy being almost 10 years old next month?”

The significance of the 10th anniversary could be that you can get your money out without having to pay a penalty. Many with-profits investment providers offered a penalty-free withdrawal of capital on the tenth anniversary of the policy. In the current climate of encashment penalties and market value adjustments or MVA’s for with-profits policyholders, this could be a valuable lifeline for you.

Check your policy documents carefully – if your policy has this option, give written notice to Phoenix that you intend to exercise that option. In my opinion, you would be wise to get your money out of this under-performing with-profits fund without any MVA penalty whilst you have the opportunity to do so.

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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on the grapevine MAKING THINGS POSSIBLE Some of you may have heard of a very worthwhile charity called REMAP. For those who haven’t please allow me to do a quick introduction.

REMAP is an established national charity which designs, makes or adapts equipment for adults and children with disabilities. Every year REMAP helps about 4,000 UK individuals in this way, helping them to lead more fulfilling and independent lives.

All clients are fully consulted about their needs. A piece of equipment is then designed and made to solve their specific problem. Some devices are made from scratch – others are modifications or attachments to standard products. Sometimes it may only be advice that is required.

All of this is achieved by a network of some 1,000 volunteers organised into about 80 local panels across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

REMAP volunteers are professional engineers, craftspeople, technicians, healthcare professionals and skilled helpers as well as DIY enthusiasts.

You may think that companies already exist to help people with disabilities

and you would be correct. However, the difference is that REMAP is not a commercial organisation and is not in competition with them. More importantly, our volunteers will determine a solution for the very specific need of the individual which cannot be satisfied by any current product that may exist. Also by working closely with the client and their family or their support service the needs can be better understood and targeted.

We welcome referrals from individuals, carers or health professionals and we always welcome inquiries from individuals who are willing to volunteer some of their time to help us achieve our aims.

Finally, we never ask for payment and our services are free to the user.

We do however welcome voluntary donations to cover costs of materials.

To make an immediate donation, please text REMP33 followed by the amount (for example – £10) to 70700. An SMS to the value of your donation will be billed to your mobile account. To donate online, please go to our JustGiving page. Our registered charity number is 1137666. You can make a single or regular donation. A monthly donation of £10 with Gift Aid would enable us to help two people every year.

Bob Barnett

DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK Should we legalise cannabis? Over the last few months a new system has been introduced to allow members of the public to petition parliament by e-petition. Under this new system a petition with more than 100,000 electronic signatures may be put forward for debate in the House of Commons and I was recently pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to one of these parliamentary debates on the controversial subject of the legalisation of cannabis, which was put forward by Paul Flynn MP. As an NHS doctor working in mental health, I am unable to support the legalisation of cannabis not only because of my medical experience but also on the evidence evaluated by the Royal College of Psychiatrists which outlines both the mental and physical health problems associated with cannabis use. Although there is currently a de facto decriminalisation of the possession of cannabis in many parts of the country, the legalisation of cannabis is a very different matter to decriminalisation as legalisation would provide a legitimacy to the supply of a substance which we know to be physically and mentally harmful.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has made clear the strong link between cannabis use and poor mental health, especially in young people. For example, a study of 1,600 Australian school-children aged 14 to 15 found that children who use cannabis regularly have a significantly higher risk of

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depression than non-users. Adolescents who used cannabis daily were five times more likely to develop depression and anxiety in later life.

There is also growing evidence of a link between cannabis and physical health problems. New research has found that the cannabis plant contains cancer causing materials that can damage peoples’ lungs.

In this country we have long taken measures to discourage cigarette smoking and it would be inconsistent to legalise the supply of cannabis given the increasing evidence of the harm it causes to physical health.

However, an important issue that I raised in the debate is the growing evidence from around the world which supports the use of cannabis and cannabis products in the treatment of people with chronic pain and its medicinal use for palliative care. I believe that there is a case to review the law to better facilitate the research and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, but this is quite a different matter to supporting the legalisation of the drug.

I valued the opportunity to bring my medical knowledge and experience to bear in this important Parliamentary debate, and it is important to remember that most countries in the world have not legalised cannabis.

I remain unconvinced that legalising the supply of, and access to, a substance that is harmful to both physical and mental health would be a good thing for people in Suffolk or for this country.

Dr Dan Poulter MP in the House of Commons Chamber In other news and as many of you may already know, I held another resident’s meeting in Rushmere to update residents on the progress that has been made in addressing the continuing flooding issues in the Chestnut Pond area of the village. I was pleased at the work that has been carried out by Anglian Water and the commitment

by Suffolk County Council to continue to examine how to reduce surface water during periods of heavy rainfall, and I shall shortly be writing to residents to let them know the outcome of the meeting.

I should like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a harmonious and healthy New Year.

For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com

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on the grapevine GO WACKY IN WOOL FOR THE HOSPICE THIS CHRISTMAS

BE BRAVE AND TAKE A DIP THIS CHRISTMAS Are you brave enough to take a dip in the cold North Sea this Christmas morning for a good cause?

Join St Elizabeth Hospice and hundreds of other hospice supporters for the annual Christmas Day Dip – what better way to begin the festivities!

Every year around 400 people start their holiday celebrations on Felixstowe beach and at 10am when the horn sounds they run into the freezing sea to raise money for the local hospice.

Joanne Rodger, St Elizabeth Hospice’s events and challenges fundraiser, said: “The Christmas Day Dip is in its 12th year and it’s still such a popular event. It’s a tradition now for families and friends to come down to the beach on Christmas morning and join together to take a dip or watch from pier as their loved ones run into the cold sea.

“There’s always such a great atmosphere at the event, not only with the hundreds of people taking part, but with the thousands who turn out to watch. A lot of people do it in memory of their loved ones who were cared for by the hospice, and all the sponsorship money raised from the event goes towards improving life for local people living with a progressive illness.”

L-R: Isabelle (aged 6), Jessica, Amelie (aged 2) and Oliver (aged 5) Prosser

St Elizabeth Hospice is urging friends, colleagues and classmates to go wacky in wool this December.

The charity is holding its first ever Christmas Jumper Week between December 14 and 18 and is asking local businesses, schools and groups to don their craziest knit and do their bit for their local hospice.

Organisations choose a day during the week and on their nominated Christmas Jumper Day, everyone has to wear their silliest sweater and donate £2 to St Elizabeth Hospice.

Felicity Rook, St Elizabeth Hospice’s head of fundraising, said: “Christmas jumpers have become such a popular phenomenon in recent years, nearly everybody has a festive top, and Christmas Jumper Week is a great excuse to get yours out and wear it to work, school or wherever.

“Holding a Christmas Jumper Day is sure to get you in the festive spirit in the run up to

Christmas and is an easy and fun way to raise vital funds for your local hospice and help ensure nobody has to face their illness alone this Christmas.”

Throughout the week the hospice will be offering prizes for the best, craziest and most outrageous jumpers through their Facebook and Twitter pages, so if you want to get involved, make sure you like and follow the hospice’s social media channels for your chance to win some great giveaways.

To find out more or to request your Christmas Jumper Week festive fundraising pack, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org. uk/jumperweek or call 01473 723600 or email fundraising@ stelizabethhospice.org.uk

The event was launched in November with the help of Disney’s Frozen characters, Elsa and Olaf.

Miss Rodger added: “We get a lot of people dressing up to take part. We see all sorts, from people dressed as turkeys and Christmas trees, to others in their penguin onesies or even a mankini! This year we were joined by Olaf and Elsa to launch the event – and we attracted quite a bit of attention as Olaf lay on the sand, draped in tinsel. We expect to see quite a few Frozen characters on Christmas morning ready to run into the sea.”

Anyone from the age of 13 upwards can take part for just £5, or £10 with a T-shirt.

You can register in advance at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ events or on the day from 8.30am on Felixstowe beach, opposite Manning’s Amusements.

If you would like to donate £2, just text JUMPER to 70300. Every pound you donate will help make a difference to the lives of local people living with a progressive illness such as cancer, motor neurone disease or heart failure.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

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CHURCH NEWS

the

ARK church

Declaring God’s Way - Sharing His Love

December and New Year’s Eve bring an ending and a new beginning. The winter season with its cold, dark weather turns our heads to the need for both warmth and light. It’s a time to celebrate and the church will have a pre-Christmas service at 11.30am on December 20 which is always full of fun and fellowship, a Christmas Day Service at 11am just for an hour and also a Watch Night Service on Thursday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) from 10pm until just after midnight. Please feel free to join us for any or all of those services.

How time flies! Here we are, well into autumn and thinking about Christmas already. We had a busy time at RBC once the summer months were over, starting with our Harvest Festival Service which went very well, with lots of produce on display. All the items were then sent to FIND, a Christian charity which helps those families who are less fortunate and need that extra bit of help. We also took part in the Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child appeal again this year.

Join us on Sunday mornings at 11.30am (Café & Children’s Church at 10.30am), Wednesday Bible Study at 8pm or Young People’s Night at 7.30pm on alternate Fridays. We also have Pray Stations on Tuesdays at 6.30am and 6.30pm and Thursdays at 6.30am and 7pm.

Our Sunday Services are at 10.45am and 6.30pm.

Find the Ark Church at Wolsey House, The Drift, Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9QR. We can also be found online at www.arkipswich.co.uk, Facebook/@arkofthelord, Twitter/@arkipswich or email: arkipswichuk@gmail.com (our newsletter is available via free subscription).

Our annual Gift Service this year is on Sunday, December 6 at the morning service. The gifts will be going to FIND as last year.

Other activities: • FFaF Children’s Club for school Years 2-6 each Monday, 6.15-7.30pm • Senior Citizens’ Friendship hour at 2.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month • Art & Craft Club each Wednesday at 7pm • Luncheon Club at 12.30pm each Thursday • Meeting Point Coffee Morning on the fourth Saturday of each month,10.30am-noon CHRISTMAS SERVICES

As the saying goes, ‘Out of the mouth of babes...’

When I arrived at my godchild’s home at half term she was very indignant over something the head of school had said. It seems that some children were playing a very suspect game during break which the head had come upon. The children were rounded up and told off. That was OK with my godchild, but what wasn’t OK was that the headteacher wouldn’t pray “because the place was now too dirty to bring Jesus in.”

I was rather surprised by the head’s answer as there is no place too dirty to bring Jesus in, after all He is the only one who can properly clear up life’s messes. All we have to do is ask Him. New Life Community Church meets on Sunday morning at 10.30am at Heath Primary School, Bell Lane, Kesgrave.

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Sunday, December 13

10.45am, Morning Worship

4.30pm, Tea

5.30pm, Family Service

Sunday, December 20

10.45am, Morning Worship

5.30pm, Carols by Candlelight – earlier time to encourage families to attend. Followed by tea and biscuits.

Thursday, December 24

6pm, Carols by the Pond followed by hot drinks and mince pies.

Friday, December 25

10.45am, All-Age Family Worship

Sunday, December 27 10.45am, Morning Worship with Communion

No evening service We look forward to welcoming you to all or some of these services.

As we celebrate Christmas in our different ways, we remember that we are celebrating God sending his son into the world.

The fellowship at Rushmere Baptist Church send to you all our greetings for a Peaceful and Joyful Christmas time.

Minister: The Rev Heather Marsden Secretary: Mrs Jean Cutting Church telephone number: 01473 721455

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