In Touch with Kesgrave - January 2016 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

In Touch with... The best place to publicise your community news or events Delivered FREE to your door!

In Touch

™© ™©

with Kesgrave & Rushmere

Volume 6 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2016

Image by Svetlana Sewell www.landmstudio.co.uk

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.

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

In Touch

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I have always loved New Year’s Day, even as a child when I’d watch The New Year's Concert by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on TV. Granted I was probably doing other things at the same time, but it would be on in the background and I loved the drama of it all. It felt like a fitting way to welcome in a new year and was also quite a private moment. My brothers were probably still in bed so it was usually me, my diary – and the vacuum cleaner! In those days in rural Ireland the male and female roles were clearly defined – the boys helped on the farm, I did the cleaning and the baking, but that’s a subject for another day! Cleaning is still part of my new year ritual and I can’t wait to get stuck in. Yes, I admit it, I like cleaning! I love that sense of satisfaction I get when I sit down to admire my handiwork, that oh so precious five minutes before it all falls apart again. I do become a bit of a tyrant when I go into cleaning mode so it’s best to stay out of my way (Daniel consider this your advance warning and if you don’t believe me, just ask mum!), but when it’s done I’m sweetness and light, as per usual! This year I have an extra incentive as I will be looking for something rather special. Last summer Jack found an old key when we were planting seeds with grandma. It is his most precious possession and he presents it to visitors and friends as such. We have mislaid it! I know it’s in the house somewhere but in none of the obvious places and I have (stupidly!) promised to find it. If I do turn out every toy box and every cupboard, as I plan to, surely it will reappear. If not I’m going to have a very sad little boy – and I’ll be a very guilty mummy. Wish me luck. I hope your new year begins with hope for the year ahead and that you too find joy in the small things.

Kesgrave In Touch &withRushmere In Touch with Kesgrave & Rushmere is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins We also publish Email:

01473 400380

kesgrave@intouchnews.co.uk ADVERTISING Email: 01473 400380 DISTRIBUTION Tree Martin Email: 01473 400380 PRINTING Colourplan Print Email: 01473 400379

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.

IN TOUCH WITH...

• Hadleigh NEW • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Bramford, Offton & Somersham • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton

NEWS ROPES DRIVE WEST TRAFFIC LIGHT SWITCH OFF PROVING A SUCCESS

Initial success of a trial that has seen the traffic lights on the A1214 roundabout at Ropes Drive West switched off has led to it being extended into the new year. So far, feedback from members of the public indicates that traffic is flowing more freely and drivers have been able to get into and out of Grange Farm. Therefore, the local county councillors and Kesgrave Town Council have agreed with Suffolk Highways to extend the trial ahead of making a final decision on the future of the junction. Local county councillor Robert Whiting said: “The trial is showing that since the lights on the roundabout have been turned off traffic flow in the area has improved greatly. It makes good sense that we continue with the trial into the new year to make absolutely certain that these initial benefits continue ahead of making a final decision on the future of the junction. I’d like to thank everyone who has given their views as part of the trial and to all road users who coped with the changes to the junction extremely well.” The 3,000 home Grange Farm Estate is accessed by two roundabouts on the A1214. Both roundabouts were originally signalised to ensure there would be times when the estate traffic had priority to exit the estate onto the A1214. However, in 2008 the then Kesgrave Town Council requested a similar trial at the A1214/Ropes Drive East roundabout to see if traffic would flow better without traffic lights. That trial confirmed this was the case and the traffic lights were removed. The trial has been jointly funded by Kesgrave Town Council and local county councillors Robert Whiting and Christopher Hudson via their locality budgets.

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 Here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help.

BUS NOTES It is pleasant to note that the new arrangement of Route 63 serving both Kesgrave localities is proving both reliable and popular. First seem to have found a workable, and I hope profitable, service network here which should bring permanence and consistent reliability. I continue to press First for all four of our local services to be shown in one timetable booklet, but they don’t extend me the courtesy of any replies.

IN TOUCH WITH...

© Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Kesgrave & Rushmere is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

FEBRUARY DEADLINE 10 JANUARY 2016 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

A BIG THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who supported the Rushmere Hub Winter Fayre in December. We raised £560 which will fund a new laptop and a DVD player for the adults with learning disabilities who attend the hub to enjoy.

NEWS BEAT THE POST-CHRISTMAS BLUES WITH HOME-START Have you had enough of those dark evenings in? HomeStart Suffolk: East Ipswich & Coastal are organising two events for you to come along to and shake off the postChristmas blues. QUIZ NIGHT Come along to a fun quiz at the Bell Inn, Kesgrave, on Sunday, January 31, 8pm start. Tickets will be £5 to include a light supper (a vegetarian option will be available). Teams of four. Our thanks go to Debbie McCallum at the Bell for hosting us for this evening. PUDDING NIGHT There will also be the chance to enjoy an evening sampling a variety of delicious home-made puddings with friends when we hold a Pudding Night at the Douglas Bader Pub on Thursday, February 11 at 7.30pm. There will be lots of different home-made puddings for you to try with a chance to vote for the best pud! Tickets will be £5 to allow you to sample these delights and a recipe booklet of all the puddings will also be available for you to purchase. Our thanks go to Margaret Barrett at the Douglas Bader for hosting this occasion. Tickets for both events are available from: Home-Start, 8a The Square, Martlesham Heath; 01473 621104; www.homestarteastsuffolk.org.uk All monies raised from these events will go to the charity Home-Start Suffolk: East Ipswich & Coastal who during this year will support more than 140 families in the East of Ipswich or Suffolk Coastal areas. These families will receive one to one or group support from trained volunteers because for them the pressures of family life have become too much to cope with alone this can be for a variety of reasons such as illness, disability, mental health problems, bereavement and multiple births.

KESGRAVE WI After quickly working through the business section of the meeting we started our Christmas celebrations with a visit from The Rev John Robinson, Thorpe Le Soken, Essex. The Rev Robinson is a retired Methodist minister who has a passion for collecting old music scores. His talk was entitled Christmas Songs from 1770-1970 (not ‘carols’ he was quick to tell us!). The Rev Robinson accompanied all of the songs on his electric organ, enabling us to sing along – some familiar, others not so! He gave a short history of each song and shared memories of his own Christmases, from his earliest days up to today. Many of us remember using the front parlour as a special treat on Christmas Day! We celebrated Christmas in style at our December meeting. The room was seasonally decorated by Muriel and hot mince pies and sausage rolls were served with a warming (non-alcoholic!) punch by the committee while we were entertained by our drama group, Kesgrave Singers and, of course, Olive – our resident poet. Proceedings were brought to a close with everyone joining in a selection of traditional Christmas songs and carols and our president, Monica Collins, wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Our first meeting of the new year is on Thursday, January 7 at 7.15pm in Kesgrave Community Centre when we will play Bag Beetle, a modern take on an old favourite! Visitors are very welcome to join us. For more information call our secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLORS: JANUARY 2016

Dear Resident, 2015 has been a very busy year for Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew. Noteworthy points have included: The completion of the footpath along The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, has made life much safer for residents and visitors on this dangerous stretch of road. This project was quickly followed with the construction of a footpath along Bent Lane to complete the route from Rushmere St Andrew Village to the bus route on Woodbridge Road. Furthermore, an additional short section of footpath has also been constructed to link the route across to the Baptist Chapel and Holly Lane.

In the summer, the big public gatherings centred on the Travellers who descended upon Kesgrave and caused great concern amongst residents. We invoked public meetings, where national and local media attended, together with Suffolk Police, other local representatives and the leader of SCDC which is responsible for Traveller issues. This resulted in the provision and erection of special purpose-made bollards being put in place to prevent problems arising again. Special transit camps are now being sourced so that residents should not encounter a recurrence of this nightmare scenario.

Chestnut Pond, Rushmere St Andrew to be undertaken, with further modifications to be carried out in the future at this lowest point in the village where the water naturally collects. We have also progressed the design of major improvements to drainage at the Bell Lane/Main Road junction, together with the resolution of the ongoing drainage issues at the Bell Lane/Edmonton Close junction. Both of these schemes we hope to see delivered in early 2016 and we are attempting to secure further funding to address more of the many drainage issues across Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew.

Heavy rain caused further problems in 2015 and we secured additional funding for drainage problems in Rushmere St Andrew and Kesgrave to be addressed. This has enabled initial improvements in drainage problems close to

The trial turn-off of the traffic lights in Kesgrave has been a great success and we will be providing a further progress report on this topic in next month’s edition. We have commissioned, with a financial contribution from

Kesgrave Town Council, the design of a new pedestrian crossing island on the Main Road near Cambridge Road, which, if it proves acceptable to the town council, will contribute to better road safety provision. Hopefully, this work will be carried out in 2016. We have intervened in the siting of the matrix sign on the Woodbridge Road near Linksfield and are working to ensure the removal of this display board from this inappropriate positioning. 2016 will be an opportunity to carry on with further improvements within our division and we both would like to send you all our best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Regards and best wishes, County Councillors Christopher Hudson and Robert Whiting

In Touch

Will month

February 2016

Over two thirds of people in the UK do not have a will. Are you one of them? If you would like to take up the offer to make a Will for a donation to Age UK Suffolk please contact 01473 359911 to request the details of all participating solicitors, or email: maggie.james@ageuksuffolk.org

Alternatively, do visit our website: www.ageuksuffolk.org • Choose your solicitor • Make your donation to Age UK Suffolk • Write your Will with your chosen solicitor

In association with

Supported by Registered charity no. 1085900

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

11/15

OUT & ABOUT GOOD VALUE AT YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY MARKET ‘Market’ can conjure different images. What we mean is a place where local producers sell their home-grown, freshly picked or home-baked or hand-knitted or specially sewn, beaded or crocheted one-off bags, jewellery and brooches, original cards, delicious fresh chutney, jams, marmalades and honey, and eggs laid by free-range chickens that live within a few miles. Our cooks compete with suppliers who mass-produce thousands of cakes and biscuits in factories and send lorry-loads across the country – whose recipes are perfected by teams of scientists and economists. Our cooks buy flour from grain grown and milled in East Anglia, British butter, hedgerow and garden fruit and vegetables in season and eggs from their neighbours’ hens. Our cooks can make cakes and savouries to order to suit you and your family’s special dietary needs – gluten free, low fat or low sugar. You can meet our cooks, like Tina and Rita, and discuss what you want, buy it fresh or place an order. You can meet our preserve makers and decide which marmalade to try this week. You can meet our crafters, like Mary, Helen and Val, and choose a knitted jumper, brooch, bag or necklace to match your outfit or as a special gift. You can meet our butcher, Ian, and help the British Lop pig, a breed rarer than pandas, to survive by eating his sausages, bacon, burgers and ham – all half-price and delicious. Visit us and meet the makers at Kesgrave Market – Saturdays, 9.3011.30am, at Scout HQ, Twelve Acre Approach (near Tesco) – and at Martlesham Heath Market – behind the Douglas Bader pub on Tuesdays, 9.30-11.15am. There’s tea, coffee and eatables at both venues.

THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Have you ever been to an auction? Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt? If you do then put the date below in your diary. On Thursday, March 17 at 7.30pm, The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents an evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS talking about The Life and Work of an Auctioneer in St Michael’s Church

Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes, including Bargain Hunt and Flog It. There will be light refreshments, admission is £5. Further details from: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2016 Anglo Chinese Cultural Exchange (ACCE), an award winning local charity, proudly presents this year’s spectacular show to welcome the Chinese New Year 2016 at Ipswich Corn Exchange. Bring along the entire family to enjoy our loud and colourful celebrations. This year we have an amazing Chinese Lion Dance, martial arts, a Chinese dance group and other performers. There will also be local performers, including a couple of surprises! All funds raised and donated go towards keeping the ACCE charity running throughout the year, delivering their services and activities to everyone in our local community. Come along to enjoy the fun and to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Monkey.

We need more cooks, crafters and producers: would you like to join us? For more information please call Rita Jones on 01473 272276 or come and meet us. Find us on Facebook – Kesgrave and Martlesham Country Market

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET Did you know that one in four consumers skip breakfast? At Ipswich Country Market we are inviting you to ‘Shake Up Your Wake Up’ on Thursday, January 28 with a free tasting to celebrate Breakfast Week. We have fresh bread, marmalades, jams and local honey. You can taste, smell and buy fresh produce while supporting local producers.

Our marmalades contain vitamins and antioxidants from the fruit and peel. Did you know that it is thought that there are 20 times more antioxidants in 1g of marmalade than in your ordinary glass of orange juice? If you can’t wait for January 28 why not come and join us for bacon rolls when we re-open after Christmas on January 7?

If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, try our local honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy.

You will find us at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane from 10.15 until 11.30am. There is plenty of free parking and tea and coffee are available. We look forward to welcoming you.

As well as being a tasty start to the day, one of our many varieties of jam will contribute to your Vitamin C and iron intake.

For photos and regular updates find us on Facebook – just look for Ipswich Country Market.

In Touch

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

H K PUNC

SUFFOL

B OX I N

FIT ROSS

FIT G E NCE

MA AN OR GR RF PE

SS N EN T R E CE

G CLU

In Touch

OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE SINGERS In October, the Kesgrave Singers, a community choir, and Lirica, the MSC workplace choir, joined forces to put on a concert to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. They entertained around 250 people with a varied programme covering popular music, songs from the shows, and even some opera, and raised £1,600 for this worthwhile cause. All the singers are keen amateurs, singing for their own pleasure and to bring a bit of joy to other people.

KESGRAVE SOCIAL CLUB Wishing all members, supporters and guests a Happy New Year and looking forward to seeing you all again. We begin the new year with the Heartbeat meeting on Tuesday, January 5, at 7.30pm. If you have questions or need advice on heart surgery problems, come along to speak to people who are walking in your shoes. The Kesgrave Singers are always looking for new members, both men and women, so if you enjoy singing and would like to join our choir then come along to Kesgrave Scout Hall on Monday afternoons, 2-4pm, to give us a try.

LADIES BOX CLEVER TO RAISE THOUSANDS FOR CHARITY

Wednesday, January 6 is the first bingo session of the new year. If you want to join us come along at 7pm, register and learn the ropes. You need to be a member of the club, which can also be arranged. The 2016 Christmas Club is opening on Friday, January 8, 7.30-9pm. Save any amount, new members welcome. On Saturday, January 9 we present Memphis Index, a fantastic band playing all the hits we love. On Sundays, January 10 and 24 we have youth darts in the main hall and Foxy Rock dancing from 7.30pm, an opportunity to learn new steps and put them into practise.

A record number of female fighters stepped into the boxing ring recently at Trinity Park to raise funds for charity.

There is a quiz night on Wednesday, January 13, with teams of four and a prize for the best team.

Eight women signed up to take part in charitable bouts during a night of boxing called Temple of Boom, organised by GFP Promotions in Martlesham. They were joined by four white-collar female boxers.

To bring the month to a close we have a charity night on Saturday 30 with Bits and Pieces. Tickets £6 on behalf of Asking for Archie, food available, bring your our nibbles if preferred.

This is the seventh boxing show that GFP has organised involving fighters from both its own Suffolk Punch Boxing Club and the CrossFit gym alongside boxers from across the UK. And, more women than ever before took up the challenge on this occasion. Promoter and GFP owner Matt Brennan is delighted to see a rise in the popularity of boxing in the area. He said: “It’s great to see so much interest in boxing and our shows prove that it is not just a male sport. Some of our lady boxers have come so far and, despite being members of our CrossFit club, have never stepped inside a ring until very recently.” Inexperience proved no deterrent, with every boxer involved taking part in a 12-week training camp that involved sessions up to five times a week. And, those signing up for the next GFP boxing event can look forward to attending a special training camp being held in Marbella, Spain. As well as becoming fitter and leaner, Matt believes lots of first time fighters find training and competing is a fantastic stress buster and can help build confidence. It also allows those involved to raise lots of cash for charities close to their hearts. Matt added: “Our boxers raised over £4,500 at this event making the total raised for local and national charities in 2015 in excess of £15,000. This is an amazing achievement and I was overwhelmed by their commitment to raising funds for causes in which they really believe.”

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

On Saturday 23 we have Mr Toucan, a fabulous artist who always produces a great night.

Reminding members that their subs should be paid this month – see list in reception for the times when the secretary will be in the club.

TRIANON MUSIC GROUP Music from Frozen in January concert programme Frozen, which tells the story of princess Elsa and her power to create ice and snow, won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Let It Go, and it is this song which will feature in Trianon’s January concert. Trianon Music Group – On the Bright Side takes place at Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday, January 9 at 7.30pm. It also celebrates the 40th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The programme includes music from Harry Potter, Gilbert and Sullivan, a medley from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and a moment of nostalgia with the theme tune from the BBC’s Top of the Form. There’s

pre-concert busking in aid of Suffolk Mind and The Sunrise Appeal by the Ipswich Hospital Charity. For the children, there’s a fancy dress competition, so there really is something for all the family. Tickets (£9.50 / concessions from £8.50 / students and U16 from £5) purchased from Ipswich Entertainments will be subject to an additional £1 booking fee per ticket: www.ipswichregent.com / 01473 433100 Tickets can also be purchased from Trianon on 01394 283170 / 07876 787029 and from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre. For further details visit: www.tmg.org.uk You can also follow Trianon on Twitter @MusicTrianon

OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY NEWS Sunday Crafts, 10am-noon The following craft activities will take place during January. Sunday, January 3: It’s National Bird Day on January 5 so let’s make a bird puppet. Sunday, January 10: It’s still winter! Make your name into a snowman bookmark. Sunday, January 17: Monday, January 18 is National Winnie the Pooh Day. Make a plate Eeyore to celebrate. Sunday, January 24: Everyone loves the Minions. Make a 3D minion. Which character will you chose? Sunday, January 31: January 29 is National Puzzle Day. Make a puzzle monster. 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 : 9.45-10.15 am BabyBounce: 10.30-11am Story Time: every Friday in term time, 9.45-10.15am Kesgrave Library’s 10th Birthday Celebrations: Saturday, January 30, 11am-5pm We will be celebrating the library’s 10th birthday since it re-located to Kinsey House from the portacabin. Why not pop along during the day for some birthday cake to help us celebrate? There will be a free craft activity and free refreshments available. Members of the Library Community Group will be available to chat about how they help support the library. The group will also be launching their fundraising 100 Club for £1 per month. Harry Potter Book Night: Thursday, February 4, 6-8pm This evening will include free Harry Potter crafts, games and storytelling, as well as hot chocolate and marshmallows. Why not come along in fancy dress to help us celebrate?

THE VENUE FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND EVENTS The staff and trustees at Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! INDOOR TABLE TOP SALE Kesgrave Community Centre is holding an indoor table top sale on Saturday, February 20, 10.30am-2.30pm. Book a table and sell all those 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 a 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 tables must be pre-booked: £10 for a 6ft table / trade £15. Trade, charities and public are all welcome. For further details or to book a table please contact Jo Barker: 01473 612648 (Ext 21) / jo@kwmcc.co.uk

A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU! Get fit in 2016 with KWMCC, offering bite sized weekly exercise classes for just £2.50 per person. Why not treat yourself and you can be your fittest and healthiest self in 2016? Sessions are for just 30 minutes and aimed at improving your fitness and toning your body. Every Wednesday is Commit to Get Fit and Friday is Core Stability. Both sessions are from 9.15-9.45am in Kesgrave Sports Hall. The centre has a full programme of health and fitness activities that will be continuing throughout 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 on all activities and events or to book a function room at KWMCC, please contact the centre on 01473 612648 or visit: www.kwmcc.co.uk / Facebook

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

MARTLESHAM ART GROUP We are a small friendly group of people who currently meet in The Richards Rooms to paint together. Our meetings are held every Wednesday afternoon, 1.30-4pm, and we have a limited number of vacancies. Our sessions are not tutored, but we all gain from each other’s ideas and experience. We meet all year round with the exception of August and two weeks over the Christmas period. Payment is made on a six monthly basis or weekly if you prefer. If you would like to join us or want to know more please either call in and meet us one Wednesday afternoon or call Diane on 01473 659257.

In Touch

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

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

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

In Touch

OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia A very Happy New Year to you all, and thank you to all who supported us over the Christmas season by donating towards our chosen charities: East Suffolk Association for the Blind; Kim, You’ll Never Walk Alone supporting Kim Sale, a pupil from Kesgrave High School; and Ipswich Hospital Sunrise Appeal. We shall report the final amount raised in next month’s article. On January 2 our main band is taking part in a joint concert with Gippeswyk Singers at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath at 7.30pm.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF.

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.

Our next meeting on January 19 sees the return of the popular Mark Mitchels. His talk will be on the Duke of Wellington, ‘the man who saved the world’. On February 16 David Brown will be talking about China – The Land of the Dragon. This illustrated talk will focus on a number of famous and less famous attractions, both ancient and modern, as well as aspects of Chinese history and culture.

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 note we currently have a waiting list for beginner players.

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

Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617

Become a member in January and gain the full year’s benefit of membership. You will receive the January newsletter giving full details of the year’s excursions and future talks.

www.martleshambrass.co.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 lighthearted atmosphere with refreshments. Our next meeting is: Thursday, January 28: Zentangle (Emma) The 2016 monthly projects list is now available and other projects are available. New members always welcome. For more details contact Jill (01473 713534) or Emma (01787 373850).

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY The next meeting of the Ipswich branch of the Suffolk Family History Society is at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 28 in the Co-op Education Centre in Fore Street, Ipswich. The pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. In a talk entitled Can I see your papers?, Robin Durrell will explain how military-related documents and information can be used to help trace part of your family story. Bring along any family military documents, photos, details, or medals you have for examination and analysis. Admission is £2 a person for society members, £2.50 for non-members who are also warmly welcomed and can join the society on the night if they wish to do so. Tickets are not required – just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

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

MARTLESHAM WI 2016 will be another important year for us as we shall be celebrating the 70th birthday of our WI, founded in the aftermath of the Second World War when life was difficult and rationing still applied. No doubt those early members were busy ‘making do and mending’. This year also heralds many new opportunities for us. Having changed in September to an afternoon WI we decided at the annual meeting by a substantial majority to change our venue to the pavilion on Martlesham Heath. This is for many reasons, not least the better facilities and the fact that a number of our members will be able to walk there. At our annual meeting Susan Cunliffe was elected as the new president, Pat Brown having served for the maximum of three years. She was presented with a small gift in recognition of her sterling service, as was Barbara Bown was has acted as treasurer for several years but has now moved from Martlesham. We were in difficulties as no-one was prepared to act as secretary until June Parkin, a new member, nobly offered to take on the role. We are very grateful to her – welcome June. Our first meeting of the new year will be a talk and demonstration of papercraft by our own multi-talented member, Maria Lestrange. Competition – favourite Christmas card. The meeting will be at 2.15pm on Friday, January 15 at the pavilion on the green, behind St Michael’s Church. Do come along and check us out, you will be most welcome. For more information contact Susan: 01394 381299

OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY The society takes its winter break now and our next meeting will be on February 3 when Shirley Smith will present a talk about the French royal the Duc du Berry and the famous Book of Hours he commissioned. Our Christmas meeting on a sunny December afternoon featured Dr Sarah Pearson who gave us an enchanting look at the historical origins of many of the elements we associate with Christmas. With wonderful art illustrations she spoke about the crib, ice and snow, Christmas food, the Christmas tree, the snowman, Christmas cards, the Christmas cracker and finally how St Nicholas morphed into Santa Claus. A delightful lecture at this time of year. We welcome new members. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? The wonderfully illustrated lectures start at 2.15pm (2pm arrival is advised), 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 nonmembers are welcome, provided we have available space. A £5 donation is asked. For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com

WOODBRIDGE MEMORY CAFÉ The Woodbridge Memory Café, run jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Woodbridge and Woodbridge Deben, supported by the ladies of Inner Wheel, has now been running for more than three years. The cafe, which is held at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of every month, is principally for dementia sufferers and their carers, although we welcome any elderly people who would appreciate some company in a convivial atmosphere. Hot drinks and homemade cakes are provided at no cost, and we also provide memorabilia, music and occasional live entertainment. We are keen to boost attendance at the café and extend a warm welcome to anyone who feels they would benefit from what we have to offer. Our next sessions are on Wednesdays, December 30 and January 27. If you would like further details please call Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933.

For the latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

KESGRAVE CO-OPERATIVE WOMEN’S GUILD On November 10 we all had a go at making jewellery with guidance from our speaker Marion Gibbons. She makes earrings, necklaces, bracelets with beautiful beads which can be made to measure. We learned how to make a bracelet or a bookmark and were able to buy some of the very reasonably priced items Marion had brought with her. She has a Facebook page under Beech Tree Jewellery and Gifts. Our meeting on November 24 was a special meeting to ask our members whether they wished to continue as a ladies group after the National Co-operative Guild closes in June. There was a resounding vote to carry on as we are and we will consider how the group will be run from June onwards.

ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE DEBEN Deben Rotary were delighted to welcome nine members of our newly formed satellite club in 2015. They are younger professional men and women who will bring a new range of skills and innovation to the club. One of their first ventures was a soup party at Hope Church in Ipswich in November. Satellite members produced a range of delicious homemade soups that were enjoyed by guests who then left donations. Ian Walters, the soup kitchens co-ordinator for the Ipswich churches, gave a talk on the work of the soup kitchens, and £450 was raised to support their work. If you would like to know more about our activities or about Rotary in general please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933

We enjoyed a superb Christmas lunch at Rushmere Golf Club. Thanks must go to the catering team who make us very welcome.

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB

Our Christmas party was held on December 8 with the usual seasonal food and fun and we looked forward to the new year’s full programme of activities.

A happy and healthy New Year to everyone.

• February 2: Ken Stone will entertain us with A Royal Year, an illustrated talk on a year with the House of Windsor. • February 16: Our speaker, Ted Wheatley, will take us travelling overland to India on a Vespa scooter. • March 1: We will hear about Henstead Exotic Garden near Beccles. This garden was made from scratch some 10 years ago and Andrew Brogan will tell us more about it. 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 Gloria Everett: 01473 614991

Our first meeting of 2016 is on January 7, when Sarah Waldock will show us how to make cards from scrap. On January 21 Terry Plummer will present a talk entitled The Elderly Driver and How to Maintain your Independence. In a rural area this will probably be of interest to some of our more senior members. Looking ahead to February 4, Rob Spray will tell us about Life Modelling. Make a New Year resolution to have some fun evenings out and join our friendly informal club. Meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the Richards Room. For more information contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768

In Touch

SPRING 2016 AT THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE

The Last Five Years, an award winning musical from Jason Robert Brown and recently a major motion picture starring Anna Kendrick and Jordan Jamie, headlines the New Wolsey Theatre’s 15th birthday season.

Running from February 25 to March 11, The Last Five Years starts and ends with the beginning of a passionate love affair. Cathy’s story starts with the end of their relationship and follows their tale backwards to when she first fell in love with her young talented lover. Jamie’s story begins with their first passionate encounter and heads forward towards heartache. The unique style of storytelling and the infectious score makes this one of America’s best modern musicals. Songs include Moving Too Fast, If I Didn’t Believe in You and Goodbye Until Tomorrow.

Katie Birtill, who took the title role in Sweet Charity last autumn, stars with a talented live band to create Cathy and Jamie’s world as it crumbles and reforms around them. It will be directed by the New Wolsey Theatre’s artistic director Peter Rowe. Birmingham Repertory Theatre will present The Government Inspector, the first production in the Ramps on the Moon touring project, at the New Wolsey from April 6 to 15. Ramps on the Moon is a ground-breaking touring project that sets out to put more deaf and disabled people on our stages, in our audiences and our workforce. Bringing together seven major theatre companies, it will change the way theatre made by and for D/deaf and disabled people is seen. These companies, which include the New Wolsey Theatre, are committed to putting D/deaf and disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their work and stimulating awareness of disability issues within arts and culture. Gogol’s satirical masterpiece is a hilarious riot of corruption, lies and greed that has lost none of its original bite. The mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a government inspector. His fear is well-founded as he has been somewhat lacking in his official duties. The hospital is a health hazard, the school is a war zone, the soldiers don’t have trousers to march in and he never quite got around to building that church! Directed by Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director Roxana Silbert, the production includes a creative use of audio description, captioning and British Sign Language.

For full details of the New Wolsey’s jam-packed spring season visit www.wolseytheatre.co.uk where you can also book or call the sales team on: 01473 295900 www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

OUT & ABOUT START THE NEW YEAR WITH A RESOLUTION YOU CAN KEEP! You can talk, can’t you? So what’s stopping you from speaking in public? Did you know that speaking in public is at the top of most people’s list of ten terrors? It needn’t be. You can learn to overcome your fears in a friendly positive atmosphere at Speak Easy. We are a small group of people of all ages and backgrounds. We all want to improve how we speak in public. The only way to do that is to practise regularly so we meet every fortnight. We offer plenty of opportunities to talk, to listen, to learn by doing it yourself and by listening to others. Make 2016 the year when you get that new job, persuade your boss to promote you, break your sales records, join that committee and voice your concerns, make the record-breaking fundraising phone call, give a talk to your work colleagues, speak at an important meeting or social activity… Yes, it’s possible: breathe in, start talking – not too fast, make eye contact, remember your prepared phrases. Speak Easy is part of Toastmasters International, a worldwide non-profit organisation with a great track record. Whether you want to practise for a special occasion or improve your confidence and techniques, we offer the opportunity and all for around £7.50 a month – with free refreshments. Why not come to our meetings free as a guest to find out more? We meet from 7-9.30pm at the Richards Room, Martlesham Community Hall, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB (behind Tesco). Our next meetings include a special open evening on January, 14 when guests are especially welcome, and a typical meeting on January 28. Find out more at www.speak-easy.org.uk, find us on Facebook and Twitter, or call Sonya Burrows: 07968 372563

WHY NOT MAKE U3A YOUR 2016 NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? How about signing up to join one of U3A’s 130 interest groups? Give 2016 a boost by refreshing one or more of your hobbies or talents or even learn something new. Outdoor pursuits like walking or visiting churches or architectural buildings can be cold in January, but the weather will get better throughout the year. Why not join a U3A lunch club or discussion group to warm up winter blues? Ipswich’s first talk for 2016 is at 2pm on Monday, January 25 by John Ashdown-Hill and is entitled The Mythology of Richard III. Was he really a usurper and villain? How was his skeleton discovered and why was he buried in an Anglican cathedral? Come along on January 25 to find some answers. The Ipswich U3A talks take place at Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acres Approach, Bell Lane, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The number 66 bus from Ipswich and Martlesham passes the centre every 15 minutes. Refreshments follow the meeting. Visitors are welcome and the campus co-ordinator will be delighted to give you more details of how to join U3A (the University of the Third Age), an organisation for retired and semi-retired people. For more information call 01473 273395 or visit: www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk

In Touch

OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Our meeting on Friday, December 4 was very well attended for an illustrated talk entitled The TSR2 Story. Chris Blundell is one of our members and was on the design team for the ill-fated TSR2, an aircraft which was intended to push the boundaries of bomber design and replace the V bomber force. Chris explained that politics got in the way from the early days when the Duncan Sandys white paper of 1957 demanded that the existing aeroplane manufacturers should merge. English Electric, who were designing the TSR2, merged with the Bristol Aircraft Company and Vickers Armstrong to form the British Aircraft Corporation. This was one of the factors, coupled with an uncertain delivery date, that increased the costs of designing such a futuristic aircraft to an amount that eventually led to its demise. A most fascinating talk delivered by one of the actual design team. A vote of thanks was given by Alan Smith. Our next talk is on Friday, January 8 at the Community Hall, Felixstowe Road as usual. Roger Kennell will deliver an illustrated talk entitled The Pilot Who Dropped in for Lunch, an intriguing story about a Great War airman with local connections and some surprises. Non-members are welcome for a payment of just £3 at the door. Meetings start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break. Alan Powell, 01473 622458 www.mhas.org.uk In conjunction with a lottery funded organisation, Eighth in the East, we invite you to a turkey busting walk!

PATHS INTO THE PAST MARTLESHAM HEATH AIRFIELD Sunday, January 3 at 10am Join us as we lead a walk through the historic airfield at Martlesham Heath, home to the 356th Fighter Group of the 8th USAAF during the Second World War. If you’re interested in landscape history, airfield archaeology, or just fancy the chance to have a walk in the unique urban landscape of this Second World War airfield, then this walk is for you. Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum will be open on the day for visitors. Please bring your own refreshments. Parking is at the museum, situated at the rear of Parkers Place (off Eagle Way), Martlesham Heath IP5 3UX Booking is recommended. To book please email: paths@nhscic.org Distance: 3½ miles. Terrain: easy. Cost: free. What to bring: outdoor shoes and clothing appropriate to the weather.

LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT 2015 ended with the now customary busy spell of collecting funds, buying groceries, then packing and distributing the Christmas parcels. The season's fundraising had a great boost with another successful art sale in November which raised £345. Our thanks to Kesgrave Art Club and to Quay Street Church. On the social side, our Christmas social provided an opportunity to relax amid the hectic seasonal activity, to share a few anecdotes and enjoy the spirit of friendship for which the Lions are renowned. Looking ahead to 2016, plans to mark the centenary of the Lions movement in 2017 (and the 35th anniversary of Woodbridge & District Lions Club) are gathering pace; watch for publicity on just how we plan to mark the occasions. January brings the annual quiz night for Lions' Clubs in South Suffolk. Can anyone challenge the clubs of Ipswich and Woodbridge who between them have won the trophy for the past 12 years? Looking at the achievements of the Lions internationally, nationally and locally over 2015 one phrase summed it up: "Wherever there is a need, there is a Lion." If you would like to help us or know of someone we can help, please get in touch for a no obligation chat on 0845 8332820 or via: www.woodbridgelions.org.uk

KALGA

Kesgrave Allotment and Leisure Gardening Association New Year: the time when we set ourselves new resolutions, and what better than to have an allotment to grow your own vegetables and help your fitness too. A study from the University of Westminster and Essex found that working an allotment for one session a week can have both physical and mental health benefits, resulting in significant improvements in self esteem and mood, as well as weight loss. Working an allotment gives people an opportunity to take part in a green exercise, in addition to promoting social interaction and an opportunity for healthy eating, all of which promote well being. Our AGM will take place on Wednesday, January 27, at Cedarwood School, Wilkinson Drive, starting at 7.30pm. New members are welcome, and existing members will be renewing membership and paying for the next year’s rent. It’s an opportunity to take over a plot as there are a few becoming available. If you are interested come along, or contact Angela, our membership secretary, for further details: 01473 612283 / angsan. brown@yahoo.co.uk We offer starter plots (for those who would like to try growing their own without over-committing themselves) or half and whole plots. For more information about KALGA and the allotment and an opportunity to join our forum visit: www.kesgrave-allotments.org.uk Jo Bennett

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

OUT & ABOUT ORWELL FLOWER CLUB Our spring programme begins on Thursday, January 28 at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Doors open at 6.45 for a 7.15pm start. We meet every month on the fourth Thursday, except in August and December. In January Vicki Hease from Stowmarket will present a demonstration entitled That’s Not What It’s For! Vicki will create six arrangements during the evening which will be raffled after our refreshment break. If you are looking for a new club to join in 2016 why not come along and join us? We have a flower stall where you can buy all you need to create a flower arrangement. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome at all our meetings. The fee is £4 per meeting and the yearly subscription is £35. For further details contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP A very happy and healthy new year to all. Why not make a New Year resolution to join us in the woods for fun activities in the fresh air? In autumn sunshine, last year’s Nature Watch meetings finished on November 1 when members studied nocturnal creatures and looked for their tracks around the woods. The meeting was in the morning so all the animals were safely tucked up in their beds but we found tracks, gnaw marks on the trees and poo among the leaves from where they had been. Later in the month the weather changed and the Nature Explorers worked through the drizzle to clear the education area, tidying up after the autumn leaves in order to reach reptile habitats and have a last titivate before the winter. Most explorers stayed on to join the main volunteer work party and they planted some lovely hazel saplings kindly donated by John and Margaret Forbes grown in their back garden. We look forward to watching the saplings grow. Diary dates • Saturday, January 23, 9-11am: Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds) • Saturday, January 23, 10am-noon: Volunteer work morning Nature Watch Club (5-11 year olds) starts again in April. New volunteers for the work party and members for Nature Watch Club and Nature Explorers are always welcome. For further information please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com / 01473 612632 or visit: pwcg.onesuffolk.net Chloe King, publicity officer and Nature Explorer

WESTERFIELD AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Our club, based at Westerfield Village Hall, has just completed another year of fascinating talks, presentations, outings and visits, culminating on Wednesday, December 2 with our Christmas buffet and an engrossing talk on storm chasing by meteorologist, TV weatherman, Weatherquest director and self-confessed ‘weather geek’, Chris Bell. Chris is a charming Texan-born anglophile, now based in Norfolk and married to an English primary school teacher, who has been completely entranced by the weather since a child. After explaining some of the myriad ways Weatherquest gathers weather data, processes it and then disseminates forecasts to TV, newspapers, farmers, wind-farm engineers and many others (including a lady in London who holds quite large annual garden parties!), he went on to explain that he spends ‘holiday’ time in America with like-minded people taking part in his hobby. Chris showed us incredible photographs and videos of storms in the making, massive cloud formations and tornadoes, explaining the conditions that cause and are the precursors of these great forces of nature. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 3 when Anna Outlaw, head gardener at Somerleyton Hall, will talk about the restoration work which she is overseeing. We have a full programme for 2016 with talks on many and varied subjects and some exciting visits planned too. If you are interested in joining us, you are very welcome to come along. Meetings open at 7.15 for a 7.30pm start. Non-members fee £4, which includes refreshments and a draw ticket. Free adjacent parking is available. For further information, please contact Barbara Bell (01473 231411), Barry Reeve (01473 251843) or Michele Doick (01473 252330).

DEBEN FLOWER CLUB Following our wonderful Christmas demonstration by Susan Phillips in November and a delicious Christmas meal from Steven Hambling in December, we are now looking forward to a new year of exciting floral demonstrations by some of the best demonstrators our area has to offer. Tuesday, January 12, 7.30pm at the church hall, Kirton A floral demonstration by Helen Bird from Marks Tey in Essex entitled This is My Way. Why not brighten a dull January evening by joining us for a lively and colourful floral demonstration. You will be assured of a warm welcome and the opportunity to win one of Helen’s beautiful arrangements in the raffle. Tea coffee and biscuits will be available after the demonstration. Visitors’ admission is £4.

In Touch

/gsconstructionsuffolk @construction_gs

EXTENSIONS | NEW BUILDS | KITCHENS | BATHROOMS RENOVATIONS | DESIGN & BUILD

TR NSFORM YOUR HOME We offer design and build services for you, from the initial sketches to the final construction.

t: 01394 461556 | e: sales@gsconstructionsuffolk.co.uk

www.gsconstructionsuffolk.co.uk Unit 845 Bentwaters Business Park, Rendlesham, Suffolk IP12 2TW www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

In Touch

SCHOOLS It’s the new year and we are back and ready for more fun! We hope all our children and their families had a wonderful Christmas and would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! We are now taking bookings for our February Half Term Holiday Club (February 15-19), where children can enjoy cooking, crafting activities and more! We have new children starting all the time, but we do have space in all of our rooms so please don’t hesitate if you would like to come visit us with your child. The Saplings is open Monday-Friday, 7.30am-6pm, for children ages three months to 11 years. We offer a baby room, pre-school, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club sessions, and a walking bus to Birchwood Primary School. For more information, please call our friendly team of dedicated and experienced staff on 01473 614753, email news@thesaplings. org.uk, or visit www.thesaplings.org.uk

HUMPTY DUMPTY PLAYGROUP Happy New Year!

OPEN MORNING AT GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL Thursday, January 7, 9.30-11am Do you have a child due to start Reception in September 2016? 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 to participate 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 only ask that you ring our school office to confirm your interest. Making our best better. Deben Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk IP5 3QR 01473 623790 / office@gorseland.net

START THE NEW YEAR AT BRIGHT STARS Would you like a fun start to your week? Mondays are not always people’s favourite day, but if you are a baby, toddler or pre-schooler who would like a cheerful start to your week we would love you to come along with your parents, grandparents and/or carers to join us 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, for example singing and Bible stories for children, plus crafts and games.

BEEP BEEP! WEEK at the end of 2015 was a great success. The children learnt about crossing the road safely and they used the pedestrian crossing. They made traffic light biscuits, played the ‘stop – go’ game, and Jeanette, our local Police Community Support Officer, paid us a visit. The children were able to sit in the police car and Jeanette talked to them about keeping bright at night and keeping safe. Thank you to everyone who helped us to raise £68 for BRAKE, the road safety charity.

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, but if you would like any further information feel free to telephone us on the phone numbers below. We look forward to welcoming you.

The children have lots of activities to look forward to this spring term; we will be taking part in the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch, Brenda the tooth hygienist will be coming in with ‘Bramble’ to talk about cleaning our teeth and healthy foods, and we will be celebrating The Year of the Monkey for Chinese New Year.

For further information please contact: Jennie Fidler, 07584 420729; Sonya and Maureen Burrows, 01473 625196; Sue Lambert, 01473 624130.

Playgroup re-opens on Tuesday, January 5. We are now open on Thursday afternoons, allowing us to offer children all day every day! Please follow us on Facebook where you can see the children engaged in 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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Our session dates for the spring term are: January 11, January 25, February 8, February 22 and March 14.

THREE BEARS PLAYGROUP We wish all our families a Happy New Year. We ended the year with the children’s Christmas party and a big thank you to the fundraising group for organising this. The entertainers really engaged the children and did a fantastic job. Now the cold weather is here, the children have been busy making a ski lodge with a snowy roof, icicles and a cosy fire inside. We have practised putting our gloves on and doing up our coats while singing Here we go round the Mulberry Bush. The children have also constructed an igloo and have used their magnetic rods for fishing. 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.

SPORTS IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL

IPSWICH WANDERERS FC

December’s six-a-side indoor series tournament gave Ipswich Ravens another chance to pit themselves against the top volleyball clubs around Suffolk and beyond, and put the lessons we have been learning at our training sessions into practise. With a total of eight teams in Division 1 and six in Division 2 this was the biggest tournament yet, a clear sign that the sport is growing in popularity.

While Kevin Baker’s Under 18s sit proudly at the top of their Thurlow Nunn League Central Division, the First team is still playing catch-up in the ECL Premier Division. Games in hand do not often bring maximum points, but too often this season we have given away a lead and settled for a point. In spite of this, supporters have been encouraged by our superb cup runs and the club is still optimistic of success. A key match was the tough away tie at Edgware Town in the FA Vase. If we have won it, the next round will be played in January. We are also still progressing in the League Cup.

Our First team were without regular captain Chris Giles and this gave two of our recent recruits the opportunity to make their debuts in Division 1. We began with an excellent win against eventual winners Diss and finished overall third with three wins from five games. DIVISION 1 RESULTS Ipswich Ravens 20-15 Diss; Ipswich II 20-17 Ipswich Ravens; Stowmarket II 16-20 Ipswich Ravens; Ipswich Ravens 18-20 Norwich Towers; Ipswich Ravens 20-11 Bury Bobcats. DIV 1 Diss Ipswich II Ipswich Ravens Ipswich I Norwich Towers Bury Bobcats Stowmarket III

Wins 4 4 3 3 2 1 0

Pts For 95 86 95 95 73 65 73

Pts Agst 65 77 82 82 93 93 100

Later in Division 2 we were able to give a first tournament experience to two of our new juniors as part of an eight-player squad. They fitted into the team well and contributed creditable performances, helping us towards two victories out of three games, also finishing third overall. DIVISION 2 RESULTS SCC Seagulls 3-20 Ravens II; Bury Bobcats II 20-6 Ravens II; Alexanders Dragons 16-20 Ravens II. Why not start the new year by giving volleyball a try yourself? It’s a lively team sport, it will help with your fitness and coordination, and it’s a lot more fun than going to the gym. Ipswich Ravens hold club practise sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. We are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 11 upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

Glenn Read has signed Connor Ward from Needham on loan and Connor made his debut as sub at Clacton in early December. That was the game that saw the welcome return of full-back Shane Wardley after a very long absence through injury. The club has formally applied for promotion to Step 4 football. We are signalling that we aspire to move up when we have the extra facilities in place and when the team finish in a promotion place. This is part of a three-year plan to move Wanderers forward. Provisional steps have also been made to introduce a football academy at Humber Doucy Lane and more on this will be revealed later. Up-and-coming games include: • Saturday, December 26: League Home v Brantham Athletic (KO 11am) • Saturday, January 2: League Away v Whitton United (KO 3pm) • Saturday, January 9: League Home v Stanway United (KO 3pm) or *FA Vase • Wednesday, January 20: League Cup QF Home v Norwich United (KO 7.45) • Saturday, January 30: Home v Felixstowe & Walton (KO 3pm) Off the field, we enjoyed bumper bingo and race nights in November and news of future events will be revealed on the club website. For details of matches and all club news visit: www.pitchero.com/clubs/ipswichwanderers Admission prices for First team games are £6 for adults, £3 for concessions. There is a bar, hot food, programme, golden goal, club shop, free car parking with the entrance in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere. Keith Lloyd

In Touch

Trusted by local families since 1925 139 Main Road Kesgrave 01473 860030

283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837

47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242

310 Nacton Road Ipswich 01473 860040

364 Foxhall Road Ipswich 01473 728445

64 New Street Woodbridge 01394 385456 183 Hamilton Road Felixstowe 01394 583010 213 High Street Walton, Felixstowe 01394 670100

The East of England Co-op has been your local funeral service for 90 years. We are not part of the national Co-operative Funeralcare chain based in Manchester.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

ON THE GRAPEVINE

QUESTIONS ON CASH

with Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb

Sue from Woodbridge asks: “My husband and I have a whole of life insurance policy with Scottish Provident with a sum assured of £80,000 payable if either of us dies. For the last 10 years we have paid a premium of just over £29 a month, but they have just written to us to say that following a 10 year review, this will increase to £66 a month. My husband says there is no point in looking around for a better deal, as we are 10 years older than we were when we took the policy out, so all insurance companies will charge about the same premium for that level of cover. Is that true?” Not necessarily Sue. If you do some shopping around before you accept the increase, you could save yourselves a lot of money. A whole of life policy runs until you die or until you cancel the policy. At outset the insurance company calculates how much they need to charge you in order to provide a set level of cover if you die. This calculation is based upon your age, health, lifestyle, and your job, as all these factors will influence the risk. Unless you have a policy with guaranteed or fixed premiums, most whole of life policies are reviewed after 10 years, and again every five years after that. Your husband is right to say that the premium will cost you more now because you are 10 years older, but it’s definitely worth shopping around for a better deal. Not all companies apply the same rates for a new policy as they do for an existing policy after it has been in force for a few years.

A few months ago I saw a couple who had a whole of life plan with Aviva with a sum assured of £70,000. At the 10-year review point, Aviva wrote to them to tell them that the premium would increase from £24.31 a month to £114.51 if they wished to maintain the same level of cover. That was an increase of 375%! I did some shopping around and found them a similar whole of life policy with Canada Life International with the same sum assured. The premium for this plan was £32.60 a month, which was again guaranteed for another initial period of 10 years. Obviously, these clients will face another potential premium increase after 10 years have elapsed, but switching the policy means they will have saved over £9,800 in premiums over that 10-year period for the same level of cover. 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 opinions and views 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 and requirements. Plumb Financial Services is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK Our children and grandchildren deserve the very best start in life and it is our responsibility to provide them with the skills that they need to be successful. A new year is a good time to reflect on our achievements of the last few months and look forward to the challenges ahead, and I am very pleased that at the end of last year I was successful in helping to persuade the government to reform the current unfair school funding formula. We are very lucky in our part of Suffolk to have many high quality headteachers and schools. However, when it comes to funding, schools in Suffolk have historically received lower levels of funding compared to other local authorities. The 10 best funded areas in England on average received grants of £6,297 per pupil last year, compared with an average of just £4,208 per pupil in the 10 most poorly funded areas. In Suffolk, we have received only £4,362 per pupil, and this needs to change. Different levels of funding for individual schools with similar pupil needs is arbitrary and unfair and is based on a historical calculation which is open to political manipulation. Currently, schools that are similar but in different parts of the country can receive very different levels of financial support, despite educating children with

the same needs. I have had many meetings with our headteachers and governors in Suffolk who have long acknowledged that the existing funding formula is unfair to rural counties like Suffolk. I believe that the funding of schools should be fairer and more transparent, enabling schools to meet the needs of their pupils, and at a time of spending restraint it is more important than ever that funding is allocated based on pupil need. Extra resources should clearly follow those pupils who might need extra help and support, such as pupils from poorer backgrounds. Our current system falls well short of this. The distribution of funding is not fair, and that’s why I am pleased to have played a role in helping it to change. For some time now I have been pushing the government to deliver a fairer school funding formula as a member of the f40 group, which represents a group of the lowest funded education authorities in England where government-set cash allocations for primary and secondary pupils are the lowest in the country. F40 has been campaigning since 1996 to change the way the government allocates funding to local authorities and schools with the support of MPs, councillors, education directors, governors, headteachers, parents and teaching union representatives. For

Suffolk, reforming the formula will mean an addition £178.06 for each and every pupil in Suffolk. In October last year I called on Prime Minister David Cameron to deliver fairer funding for schools in rural Suffolk in a letter signed by 111 f40 MPs from all political parties representing poorly funded local councils. I was delighted when the chancellor, George Osborne, announced in his Autumn Statement on November 25 that the government has accepted our fairer funding formula proposal. I then presented the petition on behalf of schools and pupils in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich to parliament. I am delighted that 362 people signed the petition in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich and I am enormously grateful to everybody who has taken the time to get involved. This effort underlines how much people want to see a fairer deal for our children and grandchildren and I will continue to push for the best deal possible for our pupils in Suffolk. I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2016. For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com

In Touch

Report your changes

Are you claiming Ring in the changes Have you or someone in your household had a change of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support?

NOW RECRUITING

Are you claiming circumstances? Benefit and/or Council Tax You can Housing report your changes over the telephone or online Support? Its quick and easy - Tell us now!

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER

Have you or someone in your house Someone has moved in or out of hold had a change of your home

Responsible for advertising sales, account management, business development and sales team and portfolio management for Mansion House Publishing, Colourplan Print, Boswell Office Supplies and Musical Marketing. The key tasks include: •

Responsible for managing and developing an experienced sales team, with a requirement to establish targets and objectives and to motivate staff, develop new business opportunities and revenue streams and to deliver projects successfully.

Telephone 01394



a change of employer



an increase in hours worked



a change to childcare payments



an increase in private pension



an increase in savings

444838 to speak to our benefits team or report your www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

change online -

•

Working closely with the MD to devise and implement marketing strategies (including digital), increasing sales through marketing and reporting on marketing success.

Applicants must have several years of senior media sales experience, ideally within a publishing environment, a proven track record of hitting and exceeding sales targets and excellent experience of managing and motivating sales people. We are looking for a candidate who can deal professionally with high level clients. The ideal candidate will have experience of successfully developing large accounts and also experience of new business development. Furthermore, we would expect the candidate to have a desire to be a real leader in driving team success.

MAGAZINE DESIGNER / LAYOUT An experienced print and magazine designer / layout to join our small and very busy team. You will need to be skilled in page layout, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator with proven ability to make design judgements in relation to page layout and at least three years experience working in print or publishing design. You will need to work effectively and efficiently under pressure, have a keen eye for detail, natural creative flair and possess strong communication and teamwork skills.

For full details including how to apply please visit: www.grapevinelive.co.uk/category/jobs www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Community Buying at CAS Ltd

Want to save money on the cost of your heating oil? So do we! Join our new community-based countywide oil buying syndicate and see how easy it is

Community Buying at CAS Ltd Tel: 01473 345400 Email: oil@communitybuying.org.uk www.communitybuying.org.uk

Community Buying at CAS Ltd, reg. no. 04794467, is a subsidiary of Community Action Suffolk, a charity working to strengthen and champion commmunities across the County. Registered office: Brightspace, 160 Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0HH Community Action Suffolk Registered Office as above. Registered Charity Number: 1150501. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England. Number 08316345

CHURCH NEWS

the

Declaring God’s Way - Sharing His Love We do hope that you all had a happy Christmas and that you were able to share the celebrations with friends and family. Now we are starting another year and the fellowship at Rushmere Baptist Church pray that 2016 will be a peaceful New Year for you all. Our first Messy Church event will be on Saturday, January 9, 2-4.30pm. The times spent together with parents/carers and children have been very popular during 2015 so we have decided to arrange a Messy Church event more frequently this year. We hope that you will continue to support this and enjoy the fun and laughter together. Our church anniversary services will be on Sunday, January 24. The speaker for the day will be our regional minister, The Rev Simon Goddard. Our usual services and events are as follows: Sunday

Morning Service at 10.45am Crèche for the very young Friends of God (FOG) for age three to School Year 2 Mustard Seeds for School Years 3-6 The Tribe for School Years 7 and above Evening Service at 6.30pm

Monday

FFaF Children’s Club for School Years 3-6 , 6.15-7.30pm

Wednesday

Senior Citizens’ Friendship Hour at 2.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month Art & Crafts Club every Wednesday at 7pm

Thursday

Luncheon Club at 12.30pm

Friday

Prayer Meeting at 8pm at the church

Saturday

Meeting Point Coffee Morning, 10.30am-noon, on the fourth Saturday of each month

ARK church

It’s a new year full of fresh possibilities and so we would like to welcome you to come and join us as we show our appreciation to the God of hope. The vision of the Ark Church is to know and share God’s story with our neighbours and the nations.

Our desire is to be a place where the un-churched, the formerly churched, and those who are interested to learn more about God can connect with new friends, learn about God and his plan, and grow together spiritually. The Ark Church is a church passionate about God and his plan for men and women. We are a family of imperfect people seeking to learn and to grow in our knowledge of God, one another, and his plan for ourselves and for the world. Join us on Sunday mornings at 11.30am (café and Children’s Church at 10.30am), Wednesday Bible Study at 8pm or Young People’s Night on alternate Fridays from 7.30pm. We also run Care For The Family courses dealing with parenting, pre-marriage and marriage. The Ark Church, Wolsey House, The Drift, Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9QR. Find us online at: www.arkipswich.co.uk / Facebook: arkofthelord / Twitter: @arkipswich or email: arkipswichuk@gmail.com (our newsletter is available via free subscription)

WE ARE RECRUITING! Join Headway Suffolk - one of the UK's largest brain injury specialists

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR Minister: The Rev Heather Marsden Secretary: Mrs Jean Cutting Church: 01473 721455

Community Support Workers Required To support clients with rehabilitation at home and in the community with time to deliver quality care

Good rates of pay | Pension Scheme | Training Paid mileage, time travel & expenses Career progression | Flexible working hours

New Life Community Church meets on Sunday morning at 10.30am at Heath Primary School, Bell Lane, Kesgrave.

Tel: 01473 712225 Email CV: nicolacooper@headwaysuffolk.org.uk www.headwaysuffolk.org.uk/recruitment In Touch

YOUR LOCAL SERVICES

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

Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk

MID-SUFFOLK FENCING

SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY TIMBER FENCING

SUPPLY • ERECT • REPAIR

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

www.midsuffolkfencing.co.uk

YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT

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

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