In Touch with Kesgrave - May 2016

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Volume 6 • Issue No. 7 • MAY 2016 Kesgrave Wedding Fayre at KMWCC, see page 10 © Bella-Looe Photography & Portraits

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Yesterday we had thunder, lightening, rain, hailstones… Today the most glorious spring day of the year so far. I think this is it! I can feel it in my bones. Summer is finally on the way. Time to get out the sun cream, to pack away the woolly jumpers and to open the doors and windows and let the fresh air in. At last!

It’s a busy, busy year with many extra events to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday in addition to annual fun days, galas, regattas, fairs and fetes. There isn’t a single weekend between now and the end of June when there isn’t at least one event every Saturday and Sunday and many more on Bank Holiday Mondays. I’m currently trying to organise a Star Wars birthday party for my six-year-old son and the kitchen table is covered in scrapped invitation cards (Jack was writing the names!), lists (food, games, shopping, goodie bags, decorations), recipes (Chewy Wookiee Cookies look particularly challenging!), and information about keeping rabbits! Don’t ask! This I have to do but those who plan, organise and promote local events often do so by choice and I can only imagine how much time and energy, never mind the blood, sweat and tears, they invest to bring it all together and pack it all away again.

I’m hoping at least 10 of Jack’s friends turn up, but at least I’ll know in advance and can plan accordingly. I may not need 16 inflatable lightsabers after all and I’ll probably be eating Obo-Wan Kabobies for a month, but I’m not sure I could cope with not knowing if anyone would turn up! Yet our valiant teams of local event organisers do it year after year, hoping the weather will play along, hoping their neighbours will roll up, hoping there will be a sufficient number of people to make all the effort worthwhile, hoping to raise a significant sum for the cause, whatever it may be.

Surely the least we can do is turn up. Let’s make the effort this year and we might all find new reasons to appreciate our local community.

Kesgrave In Touch &withRushmere In Touch with Kesgrave & Rushmere is published by:

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NEWS BUS NOTES FOR MAY Even before my comment last month that there were no changes to report, revised timings on the routes along Main Road were announced, and came into operation on March 27. I do apologise to anyone who was left waiting at a cold bus stop, but it is beyond my control. First have to give 56 days notice to the authorities when changing a timetable, but they make these known to the public only a few days in advance.

An important change in the booklets is that First have reverted to a single table for both Monday-Friday and Saturday times. These are highlighted in colours, but weirdly the Not Sats/Sats Only note is at the foot of the columns, not at the head, so the times need to be read carefully. Having Saturday times in a separate table, which we have enjoyed for the last few years, has ended.

The first buses to Ipswich are retimed by just a few minutes, but the 09.26 at Fentons Way is now 15 minutes later at 09.41, and the same re-timing applies to all later journeys, including those via Bell Lane school and Cambridge Road, until the early and late evening journeys, which are all retimed. An important, and unfortunate, change is that the first bus via Bell Lane School at 10.42 does not run on Saturdays. An utterly pointless exception, and what is more, the timetable allows no additional time for the run round this estate.

The re-timings are intended to improve punctuality, and I hope they do, but my first experiences have been mixed. The last bus to town from the high school is now at 20.04, a 64 rather than the 65B at 20.43, which SCC do not now subsidise.

Coming away from Ipswich, there is an additional Saturday morning bus via the Cambridge Road-Edmonton Close circuit to Woodbridge, at 09.20 in Cambridge Road. Otherwise, the same pattern of departures from Old Cattle Market at 05 and 35 minutes past the hour most of the day continues, except that oddly, the 13.35 starts at 13.30, just so that you can miss that bus. That is just the sort of annoying irregularity which bus companies need to prevent. Also, the last 65B bus to Main Road is now a 65 at 18.45 – after that, we are left with the 66 via Penzance Road.

The five journeys each way on the 65B on Sundays remain at the same times and there are no changes to the 66 via Penzance Road.

The new pocket timetable is colourful, with a clear map in the centre, but it still makes no mention of the 66, so we are still lumbered with looking at two booklets to check our local bus times.

Happy Wanderer

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

By the time you’ve read this magazine another child will have come into care.

IPSWICH HOSPITAL BAND CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY

In all likelihood you read faster than I give you credit for, but still recent statistics from the Fostering Network suggest that on average in the UK one child comes into care every 20 minutes.

Ipswich Hospital Band is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is holding a celebratory concert on Saturday, July 9 to mark the occasion.

Why?

We would particularly like to invite past conductors and band members, including those who have learnt to play as beginners in our training band, to celebrate with us at the concert which, as well as playing some of our favourite music, will be a trip down memory lane.

Past conductors and members are invited to join current members for a get together party after the concert. Tickets are £5 and will include concert admission and after party refreshments. Admission to the concert will be by ticket only.

We are hoping that many will come along to celebrate with us. To reserve a ticket please contact Betty Green: bgreen144@btinternet.com / 01473 725144

SOMERSHAM SUPPORT GROUP COFFEE MORNING

Coffee morning and sale on behalf of patients in Ipswich Hospital Saturday, June 25, 10am-noon, at Rushmere Church hall All welcome

KESGRAVE SOCIAL CLUB What’s on in May Congratulations to Sandy and everyone who was involved with the Air Ambulance Charity Night at the club on Saturday, March 26. What a fantastic night for Sandy to reach his total of £20,000 towards this much needed service. It was a great night and all at the club are proud to be involved.

My thanks to all the bands who gave their time for free, 4FS MCC for security, everyone who donated wonderful raffle prizes and KSC staff who managed to cope with it all.

Foxy Rock will be with us Sundays, May 1, 15 and 29. All welcome; come along to learn a few step and then practise for the rest of the evening.

For everything you need to know about heart surgery or procedures the Heartbeat meeting is on Tuesday, May 3. Come along and talk to someone who has been there and done that!

Rodders is back to entertain us on Saturday, May 7.

We have a quiz night on Wednesday, May 11. Bring a team and try your luck against the resident champions.

We have the fabulous Ultimate Everleys with us on Saturday, May 14.

We always have a great evening with these guys.

Mencap are holding their presentation night on Friday, May 20. The snug and snooker bars will be open to members.

Our country and western artist for May is the wonderful Kevin Barry.

It’s sure to be a packed hall so you know to get here early.

To finish the month we have Mean Eyed Katz in the main hall on Saturday, May 28. It’s the first visit for this group, but several members have recommended them so it’s sure to be just up our street.

If you haven’t renewed your membership recently please note that your membership will lapse at the end of May and you will need to rejoin and buy another share.

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The fact remains there are many reasons for a child to come into care: poverty, debt, homelessness, breakdown of relationships, war, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, ill mental health, sexual abuse – the list goes on.

The reasons are varied and as a result the needs of the children in care differ greatly. However, many of these children are looking to foster care to support them. The Fostering Network estimates that fostering services in England need to recruit approximately 7,600 foster carers this year to stand a chance of meeting this evergrowing demand.

“There is a massive shortfall of foster carers in this region,” says Eleanor Vanner, director of Eastern Fostering Services, an independent agency providing services in Essex and Suffolk. “People often don’t know why children can’t live with their birth families and labour under misconceptions around who can and can’t foster.”

Common themes are cited as barriers to fostering: being in full time employment, being a single parent, not owning your own home, being too young or too old, not fitting the mould. Eleanor says that very few applications to foster are rejected for any of these reasons: “Children come in all shapes and sizes and so should foster carers so that the differing needs of all children can be met.”

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit: www.easternfosteringservices.com

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET Ipswich Country Market is 32 years young this May, with two of our members having been there right from the start! Amazing dedication to their skills, the community and the market ethos!

We are part of a wider network of about 300 country markets across England, Wales and the Channel Islands which have been selling homemade baked goods, preserves, garden-grown fruit and vegetables, plants and handmade crafts for more than 90 years! Our producers pride themselves on keeping traditional home cooking, home growing and hand crafted items alive.

This month we will be coming together with other markets in East Suffolk for a special market at Orford Town Hall on Saturday, April 30, 9.30am4pm, and Sunday, May 1, 10am-3pm. This special market will showcase the talents of many more producers from the region and will be well worth the visit.

We will also be reaching out to meet the public at St Peters Church on the waterfront in Ipswich on Saturday, May 7 for the first of their monthly fairs where we will showcase a mixed selection of what our market has to offer.

You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page, Ipswich Country Market, and at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane. There is plenty of free parking, a warm welcome, and home baked refreshments too. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit so come and see what you’ve been missing!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the hall being used for elections there isn’t a market on Thursday, May 5, but we will be open on Friday, May 6 instead. We will be at Suffolk Show with other markets from East Suffolk on Thursday, June 2 so no market that day either, but do visit us at the show. We will be opposite the WI tent.

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NEWS MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLORS: APRIL 2016 £1bn devolution deal announced for East Anglia Following weeks of negotiation between central government, local councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships, a proposed deal worth in excess of £1bn for East Anglia has been announced by George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.

As part of the proposed deal, East Anglia would receive: • £900m (£30million per year for the next 30 years) to invest in infrastructure • £175m to invest in housing The proposed deal, which sets out a fundamentally different relationship between central government and local public services, was negotiated by leaders from councils across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the New Anglia and Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnerships.

The proposed deal reflects the fact that Suffolk and the rest of East Anglia deliver some significant economic benefits to UK PLC and beyond through agriculture, on and offshore energy and research and innovation in science and technology.

At this stage, it is important to be very clear that what has been published to date is not a ‘done deal’. It will require ratification by each of the local councils and the LEP boards.

• Responsibility for a new Key Route Network of local authority roads that will be managed and maintained by the combined authority on behalf of the mayor • Powers over strategic planning and housing, including £175m ringfenced funding to deliver an ambitious target of new homes The new East Anglia Combined Authority, working with the mayor, would receive the following powers: • Control of a new additional £30 million a year funding allocation over 30 years, to be invested to the East Anglia Single Investment Fund, to boost growth • Responsibility for chairing an area-based review of 16+ skills provision, the outcomes of which will be taken forward in line with the principles of the devolved arrangements, and devolved 19+ adult skills funding from 2018/19 • Joint responsibility with the government to co-design the new National Work and Health Programme designed to focus on those with a health condition or disability and the very long term unemployed This is the first proposed deal for East Anglia but, as has happened elsewhere in the country, the local authorities and LEPs are keen to negotiate further deals over the coming months and years.

The proposed deal document can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-anglia-devolution-deal

In addition to seeking further clarification on the specifics of the proposed deal, there will now also follow an extensive period of engagement over the coming months with local communities and businesses across the county, with feedback being used to inform the paper that each individual council will consider at their full council meetings over the summer.

New health campaign launched to keep Suffolk residents healthier and living longer

The proposed deal, if ratified by the relevant councils and LEP boards, would see decisions currently being made by government on such things as infrastructure, growth, employment and skills being made in East Anglia in the future.

Launched by Public Health England, One You aims to help adults avoid future diseases caused by modern day life by making changes to everyday habits. The new One You campaign will help Suffolk adults to move more, eat well, drink less and be smoke free. One You will also provide information on how people can reduce their stress levels and sleep better.

As is stands, the proposed deal will require the creation of a combined authority and directly elected mayor and it is proposed that the first mayoral elections would be in May 2017 alongside county council elections.

The directly elected mayor would act as chair to the East Anglia Combined Authority and would exercise the following powers and functions devolved from government: • Responsibility for a multi-year, consolidated and devolved local transport budget

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Suffolk people who look after their health in middle age could double their chances of being healthy by the time they reach 70; this is the main message of a new health campaign which kicked off earlier this month.

The campaign starts with a call to take part in a new online health quiz called How Are You, which provides personalised recommendations based on your results. It can also signpost people to tools and advice to take action where it’s most needed.

For more information and to take the How Are You online quiz, visit: www.healthysuffolk.org.uk County Councillors Christopher Hudson and Robert Whiting

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OUT & ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK KESGRAVE LIBRARY NEWS Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) • Sunday, May 1: May 4 is Star Wars Day. To celebrate, why not pop along and make R2D2?

• Sunday, May 8: It’s Sun Awareness Week from May 4-10 – design a colourful sun picture.

• Sunday, May 15: The Grand Prix season is well under way – create a 3D racing car.

• Sunday, May 22: It’s British Tomato Week – design a tomato puppet to celebrate.

• Sunday, May 29: Calling all Super Heroes. Superman is in the building – make a 3D Superman.

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 (term time only), 9.45-10.15am Why not pop along to see Emma and join in with the stories, songs, rhymes and activities? This session is funded by the Library’s Community Group.

We are all becoming increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining our mental as well as our physical health. According to Mind, a national organisation which provides advice and support for mental problems, one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year.

Mental Health Awareness week takes place from May 16-22 and during that week organisations will be offering information and activities about mental health. It’s a good time to reflect on whether there are steps we need to take to improve our own health.

According to the Mind website: “Yoga, in its most general sense, it is a spiritual practise designed to increase awareness and self-knowledge, so that you can be freed from old behaviour patterns. The exercises can lead to greater physical and mental freedom, and to greater control over the body and thought processes.”

A regular yoga practise includes physical stretching and strength exercises and you will also learn breathing and relaxation techniques, which can help you to maintain your physical and mental health. Yoga helps you to become aware of your breath and you will learn how to deepen and control it and this will encourage you to relax.

Classes take place at Martlesham Heath Pavilion on Wednesdays from 1.30pm-3pm. The cost is £7.10 per week with a £6.40 concessionary rate for over 60s.

If you’d like more information about yoga classes contact Angie Punaks: 01394 446054 / 07443 422263 / angie@erik.punaks.waitrose.com

Kesgrave Library Community Group AGM: Wednesday, May 4, 7pm If you are interested in joining the group or would like to be a friend to the library, why not pop along to our AGM and find out all about the group and what it has achieved in the last year? Everyone is welcome.

Health Watch Suffolk Thursday, May 5, 10-11.30am, for parents and carers attending Tot Rock and Baby Bounce and 2.30-3.30pm for all other customers.

Why not pop along and speak to your local representative about any issues you feel need addressing or any concerns you may have? This organisation is all about local people getting the best out of their local health and social care services.

Waveney Authors Group: Tuesday, May 24, 2.30pm Are you interested in publishing your own work? Do you write in your spare time? Why not pop along to this free event and meet some of the authors from this group and hear all about how to get your work published? If you would like to attend, please ring the library on the number below, to enable us to cater for numbers.

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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OUT & ABOUT YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY MARKET The same and yet so different!

I paid only £2.60 for this hammy, veggie, eggy, most quichey of quiches which had the lightest of pastry and was as fresh as could be. No doubt it’s possible to buy something called quiche cheaper from a supermarket, mass-produced in a factory and trucked to a local store to sit on a cold shelf for days. I know which I think is better value.

Quiches, cakes and biscuits, marmalades, preserves and jams (traditional and exotic) are on sale at the country market. Now there are fresh eggs, garden plants, herbs and seasonal vegetables, all at good prices. Where else can you talk to the baker, gardener or crafter about their produce?

Remember the weekly Tuesday market at Martlesham Pavilion, behind the Douglas Bader pub, from 9.15-11.15am. Kesgrave Country Market continues at the Community Market, 9am-12.30pm, at Scout H/Q, Twelve Acre Approach IP5 1JF, with locally made crafts and home-baked goodies every third Saturday of the month. Refreshments are available at both venues.

Make a trip to Orford where all East Suffolk country markets have been invited to show their produce and crafts in a special bank holiday weekend market at Orford Town Hall from 9.30-4pm on Saturday, April 30 and from 10am-3pm on Sunday, May 1. Pick up some delicious hand baked treats, savoury and sweet, local honey, jams, marmalade, chutneys and preserves, plants, fresh fish and locally reared meat. Don’t forget the crafts too, all made locally by our talented crafters. What better excuse do you need?

KESGRAVE WEDDING FAYRE

© Bella-Looe Photography & Portraits

I bought a freshly baked blue cheese, ham and broccoli quiche as a treat from the last Martlesham Heath Country Market. It was meant for our supper but it barely made it home for lunch! Delays made me hungry so I had a nibble, then another, then some more. My husband had barely one slice and he agreed it was irresistible, too!

Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre (KWMCC) is holding a Spring Wedding Fayre in association with Let’s Party on Sunday, May 8, 11am-3pm.

Having seen an increase in weddings being held at the venue, KMWCC is the perfect place for local wedding suppliers to offer their expertise and advice all in one place.

With over 25 wedding experts exhibiting, you will be able to talk to florists, bespoke caterers, the photographers who can capture those special moments just for you and everyone else that you could possibly need to help plan and organise your special day.

The fayre will also be supporting St Elizabeth Hospice with a tombola and the opportunity for one lucky couple to win a dream wedding in aid of the hospice.

Entry is free and on arrival all brides-to-be will receive a glass of Prosecco, a goody bag and entry into a free prize draw to win some fabulous prizes.

So whether you are looking for inspiration for your wedding day or just want to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything, there’s no better place to be than at the Kesgrave Wedding Fayre on Sunday, May 8.

For all enquiries, to arrange a viewing or to book a function room at the centre, please contact 01473 612648 or visit: www.kwmcc.co.uk

Find us on Facebook for all the latest information.

Margaret Gayfer, 01473 623849

THE ORWELL SINGERS SUMMER CONCERT

MARTLESHAM BRASS

The Orwell Singers Summer Concert is a month earlier than usual on Saturday, June 4 at 7.30pm at St Michael and All Angel’s Church, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL.

Making music fun in East Anglia Everyone is welcome at our spring concert on Saturday, May 21 at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath at 7pm. Tickets (£3.50 / primary school children free) are available at www.martleshambrass. co.uk, from the Second Stop Charity Shop (next to Kesgrave Tesco) or 07802 868924. All our bands will be performing and there will be a raffle and refreshments available during the interval.

We are pleased to be able to re-open our waiting list to all 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 using the contact details below.

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

GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 7, 9am-noon In Deben and Gayfer Avenues Bargains galore!

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This year’s guest is Mary Armitage, playing the saxophone, accompanied on the piano by her father, Jonathan. The theme for this year’s concert will be a musical pot-pourri. There will be a salute to the Queen’s 90th year with Edward German’s Long Live Elizabeth. This will be followed by music from the four regions of the British Isles. The first half will finish with some lively pieces from Vivaldi’s Gloria. The second half will feature songs by the Beatles and some of the choir’s favourite pieces.

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

SPRINGFIELD FOLLIES EUROVISION VARIETY SHOW 2016 Springfield Follies presents a fun filled show of singing, dancing and fun for all the family on Saturday, June 11 at 7.30pm and Saturday, June 18 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. Tickets, which include a drink and Eurovision cake, are £8 for adults, £5 for children and £24 for a family (two adults and two children) and are available on 01473 719089 and at The Second Stop Charity Shop, Unit 5, Ropes Drive, Kesgrave.

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OUT & ABOUT SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERTS AT ST ANDREW’S

DO YOU REMEMBER THE 1940S? To conclude the town’s weekend celebrating The Queen’s 90th birthday, SPARK is sponsoring a 1940s dance at Kesgrave Social Club on Sunday, June 12, starting at 7.30pm.

Period dress is optional but it would be great to see some of you in 1940s style dress and/or uniforms (remember the GIs?). Tickets are only £3 and limited in number so buy yours early. We hope to include a short optional 1940s jitterbug lesson during the evening. The very reasonably priced club bar will be available, but do remember to bring your own food rations for the evening.

Tickets are available from the Second Stop Charity Shop or direct from the social club.

GIANT QUIZ NIGHT RETURNS FOR 2016 Details of one the most popular trivia events in Ipswich have just been released.

The Hearing Care Centre, which offers private hearing care across Suffolk and Norfolk, is again organising one of Ipswich’s biggest quiz events to help raise money for their chosen charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The event is being held at Greshams Sports and Social Club on Tuddenham Road on Sunday, May 15 and your support is needed to make it a fantastic night.

This is the eleventh trivia fundraiser organised by the company, attracting more than 200 people each time, who in turn have helped to raise more than £14,800. Teams for the quiz can include four to six members, entry is £4 (nibbles included) and there are great prizes for teams who come in the top five places.

Karen Finch, managing director of The Hearing Care Centre, said: “Our quizzes are becoming more and more popular every time we have one.

Put simply, they are a great night out with friends and family, for not a lot of money, and what’s even better is that it’s all for charity. We have set ourselves a target of £10,000 for 2016 so we can sponsor our very own hearing dog puppy and follow its journey through to being placed with a deaf recipient.”

The Hearing Care Centre is also looking for local companies to either sponsor individual quiz rounds for a donation of £30 or to donate items for their prize draw.

To purchase tickets call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or for further information visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/quiz

THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Our evening with Elizabeth Talbot who spoke about the life and work of an auctioneer on Thursday, March 17 was very successful. An enthusiastic audience heard all about her career and work with interesting anecdotes and many questions. Thank you to all who supported this event.

Future events will be advertised in local media and online at www. rogerdavidburrows.co.uk where you can also find further details about the fund. Alternatively contact the Burrows family on 01473 625196.

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The spring series of Sunday Afternoon Concerts at St Andrew’s Church, The Street, Rushmere St Andrew continues on May 1 with a recital by William Baldry, organist of St Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich. In honour of the Queen’s 90th birthday, William’s programme will include Walton’s Crown Imperial, alongside works by Widor, Bridge, Vaughan Williams, Sibelius, Saint-Saëns and others.

On May 8 soprano Yula Andrews, baritone Alan Loader and pianist Paul Dawson will be giving a Songs from the Shows concert featuring music

by Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Frederick Loewe and Kurt Weill. The series concludes on May 15 with a concert showcasing the talents of students from Ipswich School’s Britten Faculty of Music.

All three concerts start at 3pm and last approximately an hour. Admission is £6 (including delicious homemade refreshments), with under 18s free. Full programme details can be found at: www.rushmerestandrews. wordpress.com/concerts

LEARN TO DANCE ARGENTINE TANGO Argentine Tango is an elegant, evocative, social dance which is becoming more and more popular. It’s a dance that is suitable for all ages, is fun to learn and helps to develop good posture, balance and musical awareness. Suffolk Tango is starting its new 10-week beginner course on Monday, June 6 at The Richards Room at Martlesham Heath Community Centre (just behind the 24hr Tesco on the A12).

The course is designed to give a gentle introduction to the techniques of the dance and to allow a confident progression from classroom to dance floor. Prior booking is essential to ensure a balance of leaders and followers, but you don’t need to book with a partner because we always change partners during the class. The classes will be taught by Richard and Mandy of Woodbridge who have been dancing and teaching tango for many years and enjoy being able to pass on their knowledge and love of the dance to others.

Suffolk Tango was started by a small group of enthusiastic dancers of Argentine Tango about 10 years ago. Having expanded, it has now developed into a not-for-profit group run by volunteers. The group organises regular courses and classes taught by both our own local teachers and by world-class guest teachers. Social dances are held regularly at The Manor Ballroom, Pump and Grind Ipswich and Stratford St Andrew and they attract tangueros from all over East Anglia. We are holding our 10th anniversary ball this year – details online.

If you want to know more and to join this thriving community contact Lorraine@suffolktango.co.uk, Mandy on 077666 94618 or visit www.

SuffolkTango.org.uk where you can see more details about the dance, the classes and other events.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, May 24: Transport related presentations by members of the Norfolk Railway Society Meeting at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, 7 for 7.30pm. Visitors £3.50 admission at door including refreshments For further details call: 01473 414746/422145

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OUT & ABOUT CRAFTERS UNLIMITED

SUFFOLK AVIATION HERITAGE GROUP

A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a lighthearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet from 7.30-10pm on the fourth Thursday of each month (except December) at Rushmere Village Hall.

Our next meetings are:

Easter weekend marked a transition from a very busy close season for Suffolk Aviation Heritage Museum to the start of an equally busy open season ahead.

Thursday, April 28: Needle Felting (Emma) Thursday, May 26: AGM plus Magic Pull Card Please note that there is no meeting in June because the hall is needed for Euro voting.

Other projects are available.

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

KESGRAVE WI Jason Salisbury, our April speaker, gave a very amusing and enjoyable talk about Suffolk Gold Cheese. Jason and his wife have worked incredibly hard over recent years to build up a very successful local business situated on the A140 at Creeting. Not only did he talk about his products, but came well supplied with samples and goods to buy.

His cool box was empty when he left!

The competition, judged by Jason, to make six cheese straws from a standard recipe was won by Monica, second Shirley Kendall and third Wendy Randall.

The business part of the evening was very full with planning for our various trips out and Suffolk Show competition entries, besides early discussion on the proposed Resolutions being put forward at the National AGM in June. This year they are: better provision for dementia patients when they need to stay in hospital and secondly to prevent food waste.

Details were given out about our various social events: Scrabble, walking, craft and indoor bowls.

Saturday, June 11 will see the ladies of Kesgrave WI keeping up our tradition – supporting the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations by running the refreshment and cake stall at the Millennium Hall! We look forward to seeing and serving you with our homemade cakes.

Our next meeting is at 7.15pm on Thursday, May 5 at Cambridge Road Baptist Church due to the community centre being used for local elections, and visitors are very welcome to join us.

If you require any information please call the secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB We have two meetings planned for May. On May 12 Paula Juster is giving a talk entitled The Dump and Recycling – just in time for spring cleaning – and on May 26 Liza Jones will show us all how to be savvy shoppers.

The final meeting of the season will be the AGM on June 9.

Plans are well under way for our Coffee Morning on Saturday, June 25.

Proceeds will be donated to our chosen charity, the Felixstowe Mencap Saturday Morning Drop-in Centre.

All ladies are most welcome to our meetings which 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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Since 2014, when an invaluable roof repair grant from Sport and Recreation in Kesgrave (SPARK), enabled development to get back into full swing the museum project has continued to move on apace. In 2015 an equally invaluable direct works grant from BuzCom Ltd provided long overdue mains electricity supply to the museum building; and with it came the very real possibility of completing the original museum project by early 2017, after 12 years and more than 40,000 voluntary man-hours.

With the small team of volunteers fully committed to the task in hand, it was decided to rethink the museum’s events programme for 2016, with the result that both the spring and summer shows have been discontinued for the foreseeable future. These have been replaced by two additional car boot sales, making five in all for the season. Public response to the sales’ traditional format, with a strict no-trading policy and relaxed set up time for sellers, has been very encouraging and the museum hopes to develop the sales into a regular feature in the coming years.

The next Traditional Car Boot Sale is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, with pitches open to sellers from 8.30am, at £5 for cars, £7 for vans and £2 for towed trailers. Buyers’ access will be strictly from 9.30am at 50p, with school age going free. Details of upcoming sales can also be found at: www.suffolkaviationheritage.org.uk The museum tea shop will be open as usual on Sundays and bank holidays throughout the season and is available to all, whether visiting the museum or perhaps just dropping in for a cup of tea or coffee while out walking.

Andy Taylor

THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE DEBEN Members of the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben and other local rotary clubs support the Woolverstone Project which provides sailing opportunities for disabled people. The project, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, operates all year round at Alton Water and during the summer months at Woolverstone Marina.

At Alton Water a fleet of Access dinghies provide safe sailing for people with all manner of disabilities, and Challenger trimarans give a more exciting experience to the more adventurous sailors. At Woolverstone Marina the project has larger boats which are used to take sailors out on the River Orwell. The fleet will soon be enhanced by the arrival of a new Wheely Boat, which allows wheelchair bound sailors to be taken on board in their wheelchairs.

We hope to have the new boat in time for an official launch on June 25 at Woolverstone – further details to follow. The project always welcomes offers of support, either financial or in the form of volunteering. If you are interested please visit: www.woolverstoneproject.org.uk A reminder that Woodbridge Memory Cafe, run by the Woodbridge Rotary Clubs and Inner Wheel, will be holding the next sessions at Woodbridge Football Club on April 25 and May 25. The café is free of charge and welcomes dementia sufferers and their carers from 10.30am to noon.

If you would like any more information about the Memory Cafe or the Woolverstone Project please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933.

In Touch online:

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OUT & ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE WALKING FOR CHARITY As part of the 2016 Suffolk Walking Festival, The Rotary Club of Woodbridge is organising three charity walks over the end of May Bank Holiday. Each walk will raise money for a different charity that the club supports. This year’s Suffolk Walking Festival is a bit special as it officially launches Suffolk’s Year of Walking, which runs from May 2016 until the end of the walking festival in 2017.

The first walk is on May 29 and is the longest. Registration is from 9-11am. Starting from Woodbridge Railway Station this walk follows the River Deben to Waldringfield and then on to the mouth of the river at Felixstowe Ferry. Using the passenger ferry to cross to Bawdsey Quay, the walk initially follows the coast path before going through Bawdsey and then Alderton and finally to Ramsholt to rejoin the river. Following the river path, the walk then travels beside the Deben to reach Sutton Hoo. The final stage of the walk crosses the Deben at Wilford Bridge before returning along the river path to the start. Called The Deben Marathon, the entrance fee for this walk raises money for the Woolverstone Macmillan Appeal, for which the club has already raised On March 18 we were given a talk

by Richard Scott informing us of the history of Woodbridge Town Association Football Club and how it started playing a tough form of football called ‘camping’ in 1874. He talked about the significant changes the football club has seen over the last 142 years, surviving two world wars and all the changes that football has gone through to become what it is to day. Woodbridge Town Football Club will soon face more changes as they will need to find a new venue within the next two years when the lease on their current ground comes to an end. Keen to stay local and accessible to their dedicated fans, the hunt is on to find a suitable alternative. After many questions a vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Bertie Hirst.

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Tobias Capwell will present a talk entitled Heroes of the Ancient Past: Renaissance Knighthood and the Art of the Classical World at our next meeting on Wednesday, May 4. Tobias is curator of arms and armour at the Wallace Collection in London.

At our April meeting lecturer Dr Sam Newton took us into pre-Christian England to show how the calendar was designed to highlight agricultural life and the importance of the seasons. Much of this was incorporated into the Christian calendar and linked to the great Christian feasts of Easter and Christmas. Dr Newton’s enthusiasm for the Anglo-Saxon period is infectious and he entertained the audience with poetry and music on the lyre.

Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months and we also organise interesting day visits. The wonderfully illustrated lectures which are presented by national and international lecturers start at 2.15pm, but a 2pm arrival is advised. 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. www.orwelldfas.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

a large amount of money. This objective of the appeal is to build a stateof-the art cancer centre in partnership with Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust for people affected by cancer in the county.

The two other walks take place on May 30. The first is called Around Woodbridge, with registration from 9am-1pm at Woodbridge Railway Station, and is in aid of the Hollesley Riding for the Disabled. The walk starts at Woodbridge Station and follows the river, then over Kyson Hill to Broomsheath, down to Ipswich Road, over the road and up the hill to Warren Hill Cemetery, down to Fen Meadows to Seckford Street, up the 100 Steps and through Leek Hill Wood to Melton Playing Fields, through the lanes back to the river at Melton Boatyard, then along the river path back to Woodbridge Station.

The second walk on May 30 is called Woodbridge Stroll and Quiz. This short walk is in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind and follows the byways of Woodbridge, passing various points of interest along the way.

The entrance fee for all the walks is £5 for adults and £1 for under 18s and students. For further details please visit: http://tinyurl.com/hagprge On Thursday, March 31 David Phelan presented a talk on the history of St Audry’s Mental Hospital, the changes it went through, the living conditions of the patients and how they were treated. The site and buildings of St Audry’s were formerly those of a House of Industry and Accommodation, or workhouse, from (l-r) President Nigel Barratt, 1765 to 1827. It became the Suffolk David Phelan and County Asylum in 1827 and later Rotarian Ron Whitaker the Suffolk District Asylum. In 1916 it changed its name to St Audry’s Hospital for Mental Diseases and finally became part of the East Suffolk Health Authority, finally closing in 1993.

U3A TALKS IN MAY AND JUNE University of the Third Age (U3A) talks shortly come to the end of the current academic year. While some groups carry on throughout the summer, after June talks will recommence in the autumn. Watch this space! So far in 2016 we have welcomed many new members to the talks and seeking to join U3A groups which now number over 150. We wish you all well for the, hopefully, nice summer sun and will welcome old and new members back in September.

Kesgrave U3A talks take place at 2pm in Kesgrave Community Centre. The number 66 bus from Ipswich and Martlesham passes the centre every 20 minutes. Refreshments follow the meeting.

On Monday, May 23 Shirley Sampson will be giving advice and ideas on Gardening for Wildlife with particular reference to Flatford Mill Garden.

There are no talks arranged in June or for the summer season in Felixstowe, Kesgrave or Saxmundham, but members and visitors are welcome at Woodbridge on June 6 when David Cleveland will be showing clips from the East Anglian Film Archive about life in East Suffolk from the 1930s to the 1960s featuring farming ways, wartime activities, changing transport, industry and home life. Please bring your membership card if you aren’t able to get to this venue regularly. This talk takes place at Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge IP12 4AU at 10.30am, with refreshments available from 10am.

For more information please speak to the campus co-ordinators at the talks, call 03001 233913 or visit: www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

QUESTIONS ON CASH

With independent financial advisor Nick Plumb

MARTLESHAM WI If you are looking for a WI that meets in the afternoon, rather than the evening, or if you are looking for a smaller group where it’s easy to get to know one another and make friends, then Martlesham WI could well be the one for you.

A platform for investment success?

Allan from Ipswich wrote to me to ask about investment platforms.

He asked: “Our financial adviser is suggesting that my wife and I should move our existing investments onto a platform with Novia. We have ISAs with different companies and Investment Bonds with Aviva and Prudential. Surely we would be better to keep these spread between several different companies rather than having all our eggs in the same basket?”

We usually meet on the third Friday of the month for a convivial get together, with competitions, a secondhand book table and interesting and amusing speakers, followed by refreshments.

Outside of this, we have a monthly lunch club where we try out various local hostelries and have several outings planned for this year, although we’d love more suggestions. Plus, its our 70th birthday in August so our party planner hats are very much on!

Investment platforms have become very popular in the last few years, for a number of reasons. Primarily, the main attraction of these platforms is investment choice. An investment platform will usually offer access to a range of investment wrappers, such as ISAs, collective investments, bonds and pensions, within which investors will have access to hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of individual investment funds and, in particular, to managed portfolios where a professional fund manager actively manages a portfolio of investments for you in line with your chosen risk profile.

No single fund manager will ever be top in all investment sectors and most fund managers have a specialist area in which they are known to have particular knowledge or ability. That is where a ‘portfolio’ manager will come into their own, as they can pick the very best investment managers and funds from each sector, thus giving you access to a wide choice of the best funds, rather than a range of funds that are ‘jack of all trades but master of none’.

You can also save money on charges by using a platform, particularly when you have older investments with high ongoing management charges, or if you currently have your ISAs with a lot of different fund managers. For example, in the case of Novia, our clients can access their platform for just 0.40% per annum with no initial charges deducted when you invest.

Most platform managers will also have negotiated discounted initial and ongoing charges with many top fund managers, so you can often end up paying less to access those funds through the Novia platform than you would by investing direct with the individual fund or portfolio managers.

Having all your investments on a platform is not really a case of ‘having all your eggs in the same basket’, as the platform manager would not actually hold your money. Your investments would actually be held by each of the fund or portfolio managers that your money would be invested with, so your exposure to any one company will be greatly reduced as your investments are likely to be spread across several different investment managers and funds.

A final benefit of using a platform is simplicity and ease of access to information. Although you can hold many different investments on the same platform, you will receive just one statement from the platform provider, showing all your individual investments and their values. You can also access your account online at any time and get up-to-date investment valuations in between your usual statement dates, arrange a withdrawal or income payment, and even conduct investment fund switches if you wish to.

All in all, a platform can be a good way to simplify your current investment arrangements, and reduce your ongoing charges.

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.

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Our next meeting is on Friday, May 20, 2.15-4.15pm, at Martlesham Heath Pavilion, next to St Michael’s Church. As this will be our Resolutions meeting, when we have input into the many causes that the WI take up at national level, we won’t have a guest speaker.

If you would like to try us out you would be made very welcome.

Please either just turn up on the day or give us a call if you’d like further details.

June Parkin, 01473 625382 / Susan Cunliffe, 01394 382199

SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE! Terrified of public speaking? Wedding speeches and speaking at special occasions, formal or informal, need not be an ordeal to be dreaded for months. Truly.

Let Speak Easy at Martlesham show you how to prepare and to start your speech on an attention-grabbing note, develop your theme and say what you want to say, use humour (where it’s appropriate), get your message across and finish with a memorable sentence – to loud applause.

We are a small friendly group and we support each other to practise and develop our skills and speak in public with confidence and competence. Anyone can do it. Come as a guest, free, and find out how to beat the tongue-tying terror. We can also help the more confident to hone their skills.

We meet every other Thursday evening from 7-9.30pm and our next meetings are on May 5 and 19 and June 2. The cost is less than £5 a meeting with free refreshments. Find us at the Richards Room at Martlesham Community Hall IP12 4PB, on Facebook, at www.speak-easy. org.uk or call Sonya Burrows for more information: 07968 372563

ORWELL PROBUS CLUB

We meet at Rushmere Golf Club on the second Thursday of each month for lunch, usually followed by a speaker.

What is Probus?

Probus clubs provide an opportunity for active retired or semi-retired gentlemen to attend regular meetings and enjoy the camaraderie of likeminded people who appreciate similar interests. Some Probus clubs are for men only, as we are, others are for ladies and some mixed. We have social events, the next being our Summer Garden Party in August, outings and holidays which, of course, includes spouses, partners and friends.

If you think Orwell Probus Club could be for you, please contact our secretary, Graham Balfe, for further details: 01473 729012 / grahambalfe@tiscali.co.uk

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY The community hall was once more full to capacity to enjoy an illustrated talk given by a lady pilot with an interesting story to tell. Diana Patten was accompanied by her husband and their Jack Russell!

The daughter of a test pilot and engineer, Diana has aviation in her blood.

Her aeronautical adventures include taking part in the Kings Cup Air Race, a prestigious air race for light aircraft. Diana has owned several light aircraft, from Austers to Cessnas, and showed many projected images of some of the flying escapades she has been involved in during her long flying career, including flying around Africa in a light aircraft.

WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB Now that spring is here, the Woodbridge Lions are becoming much more active.

Our first monthly car boot of the year is on Sunday, April 24 in Budgens Car Park. Hopefully we will be holding them on the last Sunday of each month, but please keep a eye out for our advertising signs or contact Pat on 01473 614728 for further information.

Diana was the prime mover in the establishment of a thriving aerodrome in Kent. Headcorn is now a popular centre for private aircraft, skydiving and motor sports. She is an enthusiastic supporter for the charity Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, named after the reconstructive pioneer surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe. A vote of thanks was given by our chairman, Martyn Cook.

On Monday, May 2 we are helping out at what we are sure will be another very enjoyable Woodbridge Horse Show and on Saturday, May 7 we are holding yet another fantastic art show and sale in Quay Church on Quay Street, 10am-3.30pm. All paintings are by local artists and may be purchased. Please pop in and see us. Entry is free and coffee, tea and cakes are available for your enjoyment.

Our next meeting is on Friday, May 6 will be the occasion of our AGM, followed by a DVD with an aviation theme. New members are welcome for a payment of just £3. All meetings start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break.

On Sunday, May 1 we are helping with the Woodbridge Shufflers Road Race and of course we are also preparing to sell ducks in the Thoroughfare so you will be able to enter a duck in the Great Duck Dive which takes place at the end of Woodbridge Regatta Day on June 26.

Our Control Tower Museum is now open on Sunday afternoons from 2-5pm. Amazingly Martlesham Heath was once the second most important aviation research centre after the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. We have a great story to tell and it will make for a great afternoon for the family.

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

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY The next meeting of Martlesham History Society is on Monday, June 13 when Mark Mower will present a talk entitled Zepplins over Suffolk.

Did you know that a Zepplin bombed Martlesham in 1917? If not then come along and find out more about the remarkable story of the destruction of a German airship over East Anglia in 1917.

Meetings are held at the Pavilion on Martlesham Heath at 7.30pm.

The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

Kim Quinton

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, May 26, 7.30pm: What are Weavers, Higglers and Moze Makers? by Michael Holland These trades and others are based on a document by a parish overseer in Halstead for the 1831 census detailing names, addresses and obscure occupations. You may come across some of these and other strange occupations during your family tree researches. New family history researchers (including non-members) are welcomed to attend. This talk follows our brief branch AGM. We meet at The Co-op Education Centre, 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW. The pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street and the car park entrance is on Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £3 for society members and £3.50 for non-members who are warmly welcomed.

For more information contact Howard King: 01473 274300

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WOODBRIDGE INNER WHEEL In April we were entertained with a talk by Peppy Barlow, Canny Dunthorne and Barbara Walker. Having not ridden a horse for many years, they decided to return to the saddle for a six-day ride around Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of southern France to visit the castles built by the Cathars. The Cathars inhabited this area until about the 12th century, believing in total equality of all people, women and men, rich and poor.

Having been given their horses and equipment, and with their luggage transported for them each day, the intrepid trio set off armed with maps, compass and instructions. The area is beautiful, with woods, meadows, hills, plus boulders and rivers. All these had to be navigated before stopping each night in a friendly farmhouse or gite. The castles were stunning to see, but unfortunately our trio sometimes arrived too late to go inside. The instructions were not always very clear so there were a few unintended detours! However, after six days and about 200 kilometres, they arrived back at Carcassonne, having enjoyed the experience so much they have decided to return.

After a most enjoyable talk a vote of thanks was given by Sharon Proctor.

For information about Woodbridge Inner Wheel please visit: www.woodbridgeinnerwheel.org.uk

FLORAL DEMONSTRATION Deben Flower Club’s next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 10 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. David Thompson, a well-known and very popular national demonstrator from Chelmsford, will present a demonstration entitled Serendipity.

David is a keen competitor at national competitions and a NAFAS national floral demonstrator. He also runs fun and informative workshops.

Visitors are assured of a warm welcome for just £4 payable on the night. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available after the demonstration.

All David’s floral designs will be raffled at the end of the evening.

For further information please contact: 01394 411422

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OUT & ABOUT PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP

WESTERFIELD & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

In March, the Nature Explorers started a wildlife survey of the area for the planned education classroom to ensure that it would be situated without unduly imposing on resident organisms. We split into groups and checked for animal droppings, insect habitats and other evidence.

We found signs of moles, a fox and a muntjac having been in the area, and because we were disturbing the soil we were visited by lots of robins looking for either a late breakfast or an early lunch of worms and grubs.

The area will be surveyed over several months to get an accurate picture of the wildlife in the area.

Well, we certainly got off to a good start at our first meeting of 2016 in February. Our speaker was Anna Outlaw, head gardener at Somerleyton Hall Gardens. Anna gave us a talk and slide show presentation about her career and the work taking place at Somerleyton Hall Gardens. Our summer outing will be to Henstead Exotic Gardens (we had a talk by the owner Andrew Brogan last year) and Somerleyton Hall so that we can see for ourselves all the work that has been undertaken by these inspirational gardeners.

It was such a cold day that, to stay warm, the Explorers were glad to then help the main volunteer work party, so a win-win solution! The work party continued clearing the southern tumulus of brambles, nettles and branches.

The PWCG Annual General Meeting was held later in the month. The new committee members were voted in, with all the existing members being returned. Sam Cork was awarded Nature Explorer of the Year 2016 for his contribution to conservation within the parish of Martlesham. He was presented with The Powling Cup by the Sam Cork receiving the Powling Cup chairman of Martlesham Parish Council, Mike Irwin. Finally, from Mike Irwin, by D Sweeting Richard Staines gave a fascinating and entertaining talk on his experiences surveying Martlesham Heath’s butterflies, which was much appreciated by the attendees.

For more details of the group’s events, and to check for date changes, please visit http://pwcg.onesuffolk.net/ or join our members’ Facebook group by messaging Duncan Sweeting.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sunday, May 15, 9-11am: Nature Watch Club for ages 5-11; meet at the Control Tower. Booking essential; please email: pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com Saturday, May, 21, 10am-noon: Volunteer Work Morning. All welcome, no need to book, meet at the education area.

Saturday, May 21, 9-11am: Nature Explorers for ages 11-18; meet at the education area. Booking essential; please email: pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com Chloe King, Publicity Officer and Nature Explorer

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB We held our AGM on April 28 and welcomed our new chairman, Jan Treadaway. We are now looking forward to the year ahead.

Our next meeting is on May 28 when Ann Colby from Norwich will present a demonstration entitled All The Good Things. This will be a friendly meeting and visitors are welcome to join us.

Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month (except August and December) at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Demonstrations start at 7.15pm, but the doors open by 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales table and to buy raffle

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In March we were entertained by Bob Booker, the proprietor of Ladybird Nurseries at Snape. We were told the story and shown slides of the nursery right from its inception, when Bob was but a child! He brought along a lovely selection of plants for our members to purchase.

W&DGC members with Doris Erith, Beyond the Wall trustee and helper and Elizabeth Gingall, one of the students Also in March, four members of the club made a visit to Thornham Magna to deliver a gift from our members to Beyond the Wall, a charitable project based on the Thornham Estate. The charity works primarily with young people between 16 and 25 with mixed disabilities who face barriers to learning and living in the community. They learn confidence and self-esteem, along with skills to unlock future opportunities for them in mainstream education, sheltered volunteering or employment.

When asked if there was anything they would particularly find useful, the answer was a vegetable trug. While there, we were shown the work that the students carry out within the walled garden, growing, planting, propagating, pruning and so much more. We were so pleased to be able to support this worthwhile organisation and trust the trug will prove very useful to them.

Our April meeting was a thoroughly enjoyable presentation by David Coop of Westland Horticulture about finding the right plant food now that the weather has improved enough for us to get onto our gardens and a follow-up from a talk last year on compost.

Our next meeting on Wednesday, May 4, 7.15 for a 7.30pm start, is a presentation by Trimley Herbs. Visitors are very welcome. The £4 entrance includes refreshments and a draw ticket and there is ample free parking in the adjacent car park to Westerfield Village Hall.

tickets for the arrangements created in the demonstration. The annual subscription, due at the AGM in April, is £37 and visitors are always welcome at £4 per meeting.

Our open meeting is on Thursday, October 27 at Kesgrave Community Centre when John Chennell, a national demonstrator from Wellingborough, will present Autumnal Equinox. Tickets will be £15 to include a light buffet and fruit punch. We welcome members and non-members, friends and families For further details please contact our secretary, Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS KESGRAVE ALLOTMENT & LEISURE GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS

May is always looked forward to as the first month of summer, but it also marks the end of spring and is a busy time on the allotment.

During the February half term the children took part in Bob a Job Week and were kept very busy helping out with lots of jobs around the house. They managed to raise a fantastic £452 which has been added to the money raised at Christmas and already we have been able to purchase four high quality bikes, five steering poles and some lace boards, all of which help strengthen the children’s muscles. We have also filled four containers with soil and purchased the plants ready to create a small garden area at the Kesgrave setting. The children have really enjoyed the new purchases, so thank you for all your continuous support.

Beans, sweetcorn, courgettes and squashes can be sown in pots or trays under glass, ready for planting out next month. Lettuce, radish, spinach, turnips and beetroot can be sown directly into the soil for summer use.

It’s time to put up poles for runner beans, hoping for no further strong winds, and the promise of strawberries as straw is needed underneath the developing fruits.

Our next fundraising event is the Twilight Walk on Thursday, April 21, and after that we shall be concentrating on making our annual Funday the fantastic event it always is. The date for your diary is Saturday, June 18.

Please look out for more details nearer the time.

Join our friendly group of allotment holders to enjoy a fantastic and rewarding way to keep fit, release stress and experience the satisfaction of harvesting your own produce. Full and half plots are available; contact Angela, our membership secretary: 01473 612283 / angsan.brown@yahoo.co.uk For more information about KALGA and the allotment, and the opportunity to join our forum, please visit: www.kesgrave-allotments.org.uk Jo Bennett

SUMMER AT BRIGHT STARS We look forward to seeing all pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies who enjoy having fun at Bright Stars along with their parents, grandparents and/or carers! Each of our sessions is full of fun activities, for example singing and Bible stories for children, plus crafts and games.

While September seems a long way off, if you are thinking about a place for your child at either of our settings then due to increasing demand you may wish to start enquiring soon. We already have a growing waiting list and like to offer as much parental choice as possible.

Should you wish to find out about either of our settings please contact us on the numbers below and any one of our fantastic staff will be happy to help.

Charlotte, play manager Martlesham Playschool: Gorseland School, Deben Avenue, Martlesham IP5 3QR / 01473 625986 Kesgrave Playschool: Millennium Jubilee Hall, Millennium Way, Kesgrave IP5 2EN / 07746 907060

HUMPTY DUMPTY PLAYGROUP We are extremely pleased to announce that Ofsted gave us the grading of ‘GOOD’ in March 2016. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.

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. 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 at any of the sessions, but if you would like any further information feel free to contact us on the phone numbers below. We look forward to welcoming you!

Over the first half of the summer term we will be busy planting vegetables and flowers in our garden, and closely watching our caterpillars turn into butterflies.

Our remaining session dates for the summer term are May 9 and 23, June 13 and 27 and July 11.

Half-term week is Monday, May 30 to Friday, June 3.

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

Hedgehog Nursery at Gorseland Primary School Hedgehogs is now open!

Our nursery offers funded places for three and four year olds along with a breakfast club from 7.30am and after school care until 6pm.

If you would like to come and meet our nursery teacher, Mrs Florey, and visit Hedgehog Nursery, please contact our school office: 01473 623790 / office@gorseland.net

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

We are registered to take children aged two to five years old.

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.

MAY AT TOYS ‘N’ NOISE Toys ‘n’ Noise is a lovely group for babies and pre-schoolers and their mums or carers that meets every Thursday in term-time at Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, from 1.45-3pm.

However, the hall is being used as a polling station on Thursday, May 5.

If we got out the climbing frame and the paints and started roaring around the garden on the ride-ons, it may not go down too well!

For more information visit: www.rcfchurch.org.uk

In Touch online:

SPORT KESGRAVE & NORTHGATE KARATE CLUB The competition held on Sunday, February 21 at Northgate Sports Centre had a great turn out and medal haul from our club members.

Chloe Campbell won silver in the individual kata while Thomas Humphries and Daisy Hopwood both came away with a bronze.

In the team kata, it was a Northgate and Kesgrave first, second and third.

Dylan Barnes and Jack Rowland came first; Dylan then went on to take third in the kumite. Sophie Swann and Amelia Clow came second while Lola Blofeld and Chloe Campbell came away with the bronze medals.

In the Japanese kata, Lily Melton came first and Harry Whitmore second.

Oscar and Ruby Hunt took home bronze and gold medals respectively for their efforts in kumite. Callum Evans won a gold while his sister Tayler won a silver in kumite and black belt Teliah Turner fought well to get a silver medal in the kumite.

Ruby Hunt was fighting again on Sunday, March 6, this time at the KSE9 Championships, and came away with a silver trophy. Well done to brother Oz, and Tayler and Callum Evans who also competed but weren’t placed on this occasion.

A date for your diaries is the Yamaguchi Goju Kai Kata Competition on Sunday, May 15 – open to all ages. There are no entries on the day so if you are thinking of attending please email Claire Martin by Wednesday, April 27: claire@northgate-karate.co.uk Finally, the Red Dragons Grading in February (pictured) was of a very high standard. Special mention goes to Akshar Bezgone as the Most Improved Student for 2015.

As always, become a Facebook friend or check out the club website for the latest information on class times and locations or for further information about the club.

Eleanor Legg

KESGRAVE CRICKET CLUB Twice a week the winter thorough, Here stood I to keep the goal: Football then was fighting sorrow, For the young man’s soul.

Now in Maytime to the wicket, Out I march with bat and pad: See the son of grief at cricket, Trying to be glad.

A.E. Housman, A Shropshire Lad, 1896 The start of the cricket season often brings these lines by A. E. Housman to my mind. Housman’s poetry reflects a pessimism – even a fatalism – about life, but he tells us how playing sport can banish these demons, if only temporarily.

Well, whether you take Housman’s view of life or a more optimistic one, we can all agree that love of sport, either playing or spectating, can bless our lives. And falling in love with any sport early in life can bring life-long happiness, even if, like Housman, you find that happiness is only a temporary relief from the woes of everyday life.

Cricket, more than most sports, engenders this life-long love from an early age. And so it is at Kesgrave Cricket Club. After hard work at indoor practise over the winter our young cricketers are now able to get outdoors in our weekly Sunday morning training sessions. The sight of dozens of young people across our junior age groups so clearly enjoying themselves, and beginning that journey in cricket that so often leads to life-long love for the game, gladdens the heart of this correspondent, himself a middle-aged cricketer coming to end of his

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

KESGRAVE KESTRELS FOOTBALL CLUB As we write in early April we are entering the last few weeks of this season and as you read this the season will be virtually completed. Our Saturday First Team lie second in SIL Division 4 with three games left to play, just behind Woolverstone United. The team had a 4-2 home win over Cockfield United Reserves. Then an earlier 3-1 home victory over Woolverstone was reversed in March, allowing them to move ahead to the top of the table. Our Saturday Reserves have already finished their league games, finishing strongly with four wins in five games and 16 goals. The Sunday team finished their season with a 3-3 draw against Westbourne Warriors Reserves. The Vets had a single 3-2 home defeat to Bacton during March and still have four league games left to play in their season.

Our Saturday U17s played Walsham Le Willows U18s in the semi-final of the Under 18 Suffolk FA County Cup at Ufford Sports ground at the end of March, but lost to the older and more experienced team. However a great experience and day out for the lads (and for the team mascots) to get this far. The team were also unfortunate to finish tied second in their league cup competition but lost out advancing to the finals on fewer goals scored. The Sunday U16s continue to lead Division 1 with two wins and one draw in March; they take on Thetford Town in the cup final on April 24 with the opportunity to repeat the league and cup double of our Under 16s last season. Good luck to the boys.

We have received an invitation from Suffolk FA and Ipswich Town to provide the ball boys for the final home game of the season against MK Dons on Saturday, April 30 at Portman Road. We will have a squad of around 14 boys and girls from our Under 15, 16 and 18 squads on duty supporting this; a great opportunity for the players and club and our thanks to Suffolk FA and Ipswich Town for arranging this. Let’s hope it’s a great final home game for the team too!

For the up-to-date team news and events please visit: www.kesgravekestrelsfc.co.uk David Hall, secretary, 01473 620562

useful playing days.“Trying to be glad”? No, gladness comes easily on Sunday mornings at Twelve Acre Approach. Each of our junior age groups will soon be embarking on their Suffolk Junior Cricket League matches. Details of these junior fixtures will soon be released and accessible at: www.kesgrave.play-cricket.com.

Meanwhile our three senior teams are beginning their new league seasons. Print deadlines prevent us from providing you with match reports on each team’s first fixtures, but I will be catching up with news of our early season form in the next issue.

One thing in Housman’s poem that no longer rings quite true is the clean break between football in winter and cricket in summer. The football and cricket seasons now cross over in late-spring and late-summer, with football being played through both the first and last month of the cricket season. Old cricketers like me bemoan the encroaching into our season of football, not least because many of our young cricketers play both sports and are torn between the two. It is true that the football season begins earlier and ends later than it used to, but the cricket season does too. In Housman’s time cricket started in May, we now start in mid-April. The reason for both sports extending their seasons, certainly at our local level, is to accommodate the number of games available to be played. And that opportunity for Kesgrave’s young people of fall in love with either sport is something to celebrate this month.

Knight Watchman

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS IPSWICH WANDERERS FC

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Our Partnership Day will be on Saturday, April 30, our final home game of this season. There will be a complimentary lunch and presentation in the new clubhouse for present and future sponsors and local business partners. If you or your business are interested in joining the Ipswich Wanderers Partnership, please get in touch with the chairman (07734 321259 / k.lloyd94@btinternet.com) and come along on the day to find out more. You will have free admission to the match with high-flying Godmanchester Rovers!

We are a small church that meets in Kesgrave. We have been meeting here for four years this June and we have taken the decision to change our name, to rebrand.

The match will be followed by the club’s presentation evening. Which players will scoop the awards? Which player will be voted Player of the Season by our supporters?

Since the magnificent last nine FA Vase run, the 1st Team have struggled to get a win, but Glenn Read’s team will be looking forward to a fresh campaign in the Premier Division next season. Under 18 star Kieran Driver has made his 1st Team debut recently and we expect him to have a bright future at Wanderers. Meanwhile, Kevin Baker’s Under 18s are in second place in the Thurlow Nunn Central Division and should finish runners-up.

For club news visit: www.pitchero.com/clubs/ipswichwanderers

We are now going to be called The Boiler House (Kesgrave). Why have we decided to do this? As Christians we believe that names are very important. In the Bible, several well-known characters had their names changed by God. The most famous in the New Testament being Saul whose name was changed to Paul or, in the Old Testament, Abram whose name was changed to Abraham. In both these instances, the change of name was significant because it heralded a change of destiny or mission for them.

We believe that God has prompted us to change our name so that we can be seen to be a place where prayer and seeking God’s presence are vital to us as a church in the community. We will still meet in the same place, but we will have a new name, a new logo and a new website.

We are just as friendly as ever and we warmly welcome all visitors to our Sunday celebrations at Heath Primary School, Bell Lane, Kesgrave at 10.30am.

Remaining home fixtures are: Wednesday, April 27: League v Hadleigh United (KO 7.45pm) Saturday, April 30: League v Godmanchester Rovers (3pm) Admission to 1st Team games is £6 for adults, £3 concession. Bar, refreshments, programme, golden goal, club shop, free car parking…

Entrance in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere.

Declaring God’s Way - Sharing His Love

We invite families to join us for our next Messy Church event, Hannah’s Story, on Saturday, May 14, 2-4.30pm.

Messy Church is a different way for families with young children to meet up, spend time together and experience faith. It’s full of life and chatter.

The afternoon begins with creative time with a choice of crafts and games and is followed by a celebration time involving action songs, a Bible story and prayer. Finally we have a meal together.

the

ARK church

A member of our church is training for a charity boxing match and has put a lot of time and effort into preparing himself for the event. Sometimes life can feel like you’ve done ten rounds with Mike Tyson, but we have to fight on even if we feel out-matched. We cannot run away from what life throws at us, but by just stepping in the ring you are a winner and with Jesus at your side the bout is all yours!

Join us on Sunday mornings at 11.30am (Café & Children’s Church at 10.30am), for Wednesday Bible Study at 8pm, Young People’s Night on alternate Fridays from 7.30pm and prayer sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, both am and pm. 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 Get in touch with us via: www.arkipswich.co.uk / Facebook arkofthelord Twitter @arkipswich / arkipswichuk@gmail.com Our monthly e-newsletter is available via free subscription.

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All families with children age 0-12 are welcome. There’s no need to book, just come along! Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and children all welcome. There will be paint and glue, so best not to wear smart clothes! Visit our website for more information or contact Val Dufour: 01473 431757 / val@du4.org Other Messy Church dates for 2016 are: July 9 – Fishing with Jesus; September 10 – Harvest; November 12 – Light.

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, School Years 3-6 The Tribe, 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, 2.30pm on the second Wednesday

Art and Crafts Club, every Wednesday at 7pm Thursday

Luncheon Club at 12.30pm

Friday

Prayer Meeting from 6.30-8pm at the church

Saturday Meeting Point Coffee Morning, 10.30am-noon, on the fourth Saturday of each month Minister: The Rev Heather Marsden Secretary: Mrs Jean Cutting Church: 01473 721455

In Touch online:

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