In Touch with Kesgrave - October 2015 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 5 • Issue No. 12 • OCTOBER 2015

Image by Svetlana Sewell www.fotobay.co.uk 07971 850 910

Whole School Open Morning Saturday 3rd October 2015, 9.30am Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 14th October 2015, 7pm For further information please contact our Registrar on 01473 201034 admissions@ihs.gdst.net | www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk Comprehensive coach service across Essex and Suffolk

In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I was busily, and rather angrily, removing ice-pop wrappers from down the side of the sofa when I heard Jack say “Is that a real boy mum? Is he really dead?” Needless to say I turned rather quickly to discover that Jack was sitting on the floor watching the news. It was the horrific story of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old who drowned as his family tried to flee from Kobani to Europe. The image of his tiny body being carried from the beach was still on the screen, but at that moment it was the shock on Jack’s face which made me catch my breath. What was I to say? Jack often sits to watch the news with me and we have had some good discussions about elections, bank robberies and the like, but was this a subject I was prepared to deal with?

NEWS IPSWICH CAP CENTRE CELEBRATES ITS TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY Christians Against Poverty is a national charity that has been helping people out of debt for the past 19 years. CAP provides a free, long term debt support to anyone suffering with debt.

I sat beside him on the floor and we listened to the end of the report together. Aylan drowned after the boat ferrying him from the Turkish beach resort of Bodrum to the Greek island of Kos capsized, killing 12 passengers. Aylan’s five-year-old brother, Galip, and his mother, Rehan, were also among the dead. His father, Abdullah, was the only family member to survive. Aylan’s journey was supposed to end in sanctuary in Europe; instead it claimed his life.

Rushmere Christian Fellowship opened the Ipswich CAP Centre in October 2013 and helps people across Ipswich who are struggling with debt. There is a special service at Rushmere Christian Fellowship, St Alban’s School, Digby Road, Ipswich IP4 3NJ on Sunday, October 18, at 10.30am, to celebrate the two years the CAP Centre has been open in Ipswich.

I then tried to explain why Aylan and his family were in the boat, but the subject is just too big and too complicated for a five-year-old to digest. The image of Aylan, pictured face down in his red shirt and blue shorts, has shocked the world and highlighted the plight of desperate people caught in the gravest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Suddenly my token donation to ActionAid felt entirely insufficient so I abandoned the sofa and Jack and I went to the post office to make a donation. Jack donated the contents of his money box saying “this is for Aylan’s daddy”.

Jayne, Ipswich CAP Centre Manager, visits people in their own homes and CAP then produces a budget for the client and negotiates with their creditors. CAP will support the client until they are debt free. Jayne said: “It’s been a privilege to go and visit people and to bring hope into hopeless situations. No matter how dire their financial situation might seem, there is someone who can help. My hope is that anyone who is struggling with debt, who’s being kept awake at night with worry, will have the courage to phone CAP and that we will start to see their life transformed as they start their journey out of debt.”

We can learn a lot from children, not least how to be better humans.

CAP’s free phone number is 0800 328 0006 or visit: www.capuk.org

In Touch

with Kesgrave & Rushmere

In Touch with Kesgrave & Rushmere, is published by:

Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins We also publish In Touch with... Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk magazines in the following areas:-

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to:

kesgrave@intouchnews.co.uk

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

Advertising and Distribution: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JP Advertising: Sandra Osborne Email: sandra@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 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. Whilst 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.

Printing: Colourplan Print 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JP 01473 400379 Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

© 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 . . . town” series of magazines.

East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter Capel St Mary Sproughton & Burstall Claydon, Barham & Henley Bramford, Somersham & Offton Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham Stowmarket & Stowupland Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham 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 & Woolverstone Woodbridge & Melton

IN TOUCH WITH...

NOVEMBER DEADLINE

10 OCTOBER 2015

is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERTS AT ST ANDREW’S, RUSHMERE The autumn series of Sunday Afternoon Concerts at St Andrew’s Church, The Street, Rushmere St Andrew began on September 27 with an organ recital by Andrew Cantrill, organist at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. On October 4 we welcome back the extraordinarily talented young musician Yu Zhou Zhang whose piano recital at Rushmere on July 12 was simply stunning. Yu Zhou will play the violin (his main instrument!) for us, accompanied by John Stafford. The concert on October 11 will be given by Cambridge-based soprano Rachel Godsill, accompanied by Marie-Noelle Kendall. The last two concerts of the series are both special occasions. On October 18 the vocal ensemble Four Voices celebrate their 10th anniversary almost to the day, and the final concert on October 15, Rushmere’s Got Talent!, will be the 100th since the Sunday Afternoon Concerts began in October 2005. As the title suggests, it will showcase the hidden and not-so-hidden musical and artistic talents of the church community at St Andrew’s. Each concert starts at 3pm and lasts approximately an hour. Admission costs £5 (or £20 for all five concerts in the series) including delicious homemade refreshments. Under-18s are admitted free of charge. Full programme details can be found at: www.rushmerestandrews.wordpress.com/concerts

NEWS

MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLORS

Suffolk GCSE results rise More of Suffolk’s 16-year-olds achieved expected levels of GCSE attainment this year, it emerged last month. Provisional results collated in Suffolk suggest around a 4% rise in the number of students getting five or more A*-C grades, including English and Maths. It means that 56% of Suffolk’s Year-11s got the expected level of attainment. The validated figure for 2014 was 52%. Some schools have made significant gains on last year. For example: Kesgrave High School – 71% of students achieved five or more A*-C grades (including English and Maths), up 16% on last year; Copleston High School – 63% of students achieved five or more A*-C grades (including English and Maths), up 10% on last year. The results also saw a significant improvement for disadvantaged pupils – these are children looked after and pupils eligible for free school meals. The early results reported to SCC indicate 72% of schools have seen a rise in the attainment of pupils who are

disadvantaged. Schools that have made significant improvements in the attainment of disadvantaged pupils on last year include: Thomas Mills High School – up 20% on last year to 62%; Kesgrave High School – up 18% on last year to 46%; County Upper School – up 27% on last year to 54%. (NB: These figures are based on self-reported data from schools and academies to Suffolk County Council. The results are subject to validation by the Department for Education in the New Year). New vaccination programme launched to protect against meningitis This month, SCC’s Public Health team are welcoming the start of the new MenACWY vaccination programme that will offer teenagers protection against meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by four meningococcal strains including MenW. GPs will be inviting all teenagers aged 17

As the local county councillors for Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew, following the impromptu public meeting in the car park at Kesgrave Town Council during the summer, we stepped in to organise a public meeting that week to ensure residents were given the opportunity to express their concerns to those responsible and accountable for the situation which had been allowed to occur and continue for over four weeks. Reaction to the trauma caused by the illegal occupation, consequent mess and great distress caused were highlighted. The responsibility for planning and housing rests with Suffolk Coastal District Council as the Local Planning Authority under the Planning Policy for Travellers’ Sites 2012 and under the Housing Act 2004. However, we considered that it was such an important local issue that a proper public meeting should be held. This meeting was attended by county, district and town councillors, Suffolk Police, and the Leader of the District Council, Councillor Ray Herring, supported by council officers. SCDC is the local authority with housing responsibilities and is required to produce a Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment which is reviewed annually and includes: • Robust evidence base to identify a five year supply of specific and deliverable sites for Gypsies and Travellers • Identify broad locations for six to 10 years

and 18 (born between 01 September 1996 and 31 August 1997) for the vaccine. It’s important that anyone who plans to go to university this year gets vaccinated before they leave. This group is at increased risk of getting meningococcal disease, as many will be mixing closely with lots of new people at university, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria. As well as MenW, the vaccination also protects against other forms of the disease – meningococcal disease types A, C and Y – which can also be fatal or cause long term complications for those affected. This vaccine programme is being introduced in response to a growing increase in cases of a highly aggressive strain of meningococcal disease, group W. Cases of MenW have been increasing yearon-year in the UK, from 22 cases in 2009 to 117 in 2014. It is currently responsible for around a quarter of all laboratory-confirmed meningococcal cases in England. Best wishes, Councillors Christopher H Hudson and Robert Whiting

• Grant temporary planning permission to site requests, in the absence of a five-year supply It was established that the travellers were occupying district council owned land illegally and as incomplete papers were filed by SCDC with the courts there was consequential delay in the proceedings, which was followed by the travellers’ leaving the Kesgrave location before the legal action could continue. It was agreed that all statutory authorities must learn accordingly from these unfortunate events and protect hardworking residents and council taxpayers from illegal and unauthorised occupation. Retractable barriers will be erected in October to secure some of the green spaces in the Grange Farm area to prevent further illegal incursions by travellers at locations where access for emergency services and grounds maintenance staff is needed, together with fixed bollards provided where no access is needed. These bollards will provide a permanent obstruction to unauthorised vehicular access to the open spaces via the cycleways in that area. This work will be funded by Kesgrave Ward District Councillors from their community enabling budgets. County Councillors Christopher H Hudson and Robert Whiting

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE & DISTRICT HELP CENTRE Our coffee mornings are going very well with several new people dropping in for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. Some now come each week while others choose to pop in occasionally. If you are lonely why not come along and meet other residents in similar circumstances? You will be most welcome. Our coffee mornings are held every Thursday in Kesgrave Community Centre, 10am-noon. We have a small raffle each week and fish and chips fortnightly for those wishing to stay. Unfortunately it has been decided to sell our accessible bus. With so few volunteer drivers it’s no longer viable to finance this. Although we have tried many times over the past years it has been difficult to get new volunteers. There are many other groups with this problem. The possibility of getting a community transport scheme going has been mentioned at meetings, which no doubt will be discussed in the future.

AUCTION OF PROMISES

KESGRAVE SOCIAL CLUB What’s on in October: • We open the month with The A Team on Saturday 3. It’s sure to be a great night with this excellent band. • On Tuesday 6 we have our Heartbeat meeting. All welcome so come along, have a chat and a drink. • On Saturday 10 we have Travelling Light, and extend a welcome return to this wonderful artist, playing many favourites all night long. • Foxy Rock are with us on Sundays 11 and 25. Learn some new steps and then practise the night away.

Ever wanted to go along to an auction and take part in the fun of bidding? Then why not come along to Home-Start Suffolk: East Ipswich & Coastal’s Auction of Promises at The Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge on Friday, October 16 at 7.30pm.

• We have a quiz night on Wednesday 14; teams of four.

Lots will be many and varied to suit all ages, including a tour of Adnams Brewery, a sailing lesson with picnic lunch, a meerkat encounter, paintings by local artists, a play session at Snakes & Ladders, and many more. The evening will be hosted by auctioneer James Neal and promises to be a night of fun and laughter while raising much needed funds.

• Julie Dawn is our country and western artist on Saturday 17, a fabulous band bringing excellence to the hall.

So if you fancy coming along to place a bid or just to join in the fun register for your free entry at www.eventbrite.co.uk, call 01473 621104 or email: office@homestartcoastal.co.uk

• There is a race night on Friday 16; 50p a bet or be an owner and take a prize if your steed wins.

• On Saturday 24 we have Memphis Index to sing and entertain us, with dancing into the night. • Our final band is Infrared on Saturday 31, a well loved band so it’s sure to be a packed night

Please note all those wishing to attend must register in advance. All monies raised from the event 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, isolation and multiple births.

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.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership and join our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre and our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 20, starting at 7.15pm. The speaker will be Professor Tom Williamson of UEA who will talk about The Landscape of the Suffolk Sandlings. Tom gave us a brilliant lecture a few years ago on rabbit warrens. The November meeting is on Tuesday, November 17 when our speaker will be David Brown. David has recently been on a tour of China and will be sharing his experiences with us with an illustrated talk on some famous and less famous attractions, as well as all aspects of Chinese life, such as history culture, food and music. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £2 for each talk. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS YOU CAN TRUST 30 YEARS IN THE HOME IMPROVEMENT BUSINESS

Maintenance Services Maintenance

Highest Quality and Reliability Lowest Prices

FREE QUOTATION OFFERED TO ALL CUSTOMER ENQUIRIES, WITH NO OBLIGATION

PVC-U FASCIA AND GUTTERING

Gutters can accumulate a lot of debris, mostly leaves and twigs which will inevitably cause clogs and overflows. Standing water in the gutters can penetrate under the tiles and begin to rot your fascia and sub roofing in your home.

We clean gutters all from the safety of the ground using our gutter vacuum. An attached camera to the vacuum ensures a deep total clean.

FOR ALL ENQUIRES

PVC-U WINDOWS Prices start from £25 Includes materials

BRING YOUR OLD PVC-U WINDOWS BACK TO LIFE DON’T LET YOUR WINDOWS DETERIORATE, KEEP THEM LOOKING LIKE NEW

CONSERVATORY BEFORE

Overflowing gutters can cause damp, deterioration and damage to your home.

DISCOUNTED

WINDOW CLEANING

Prices start from £75 Includes materials

AFTER

TRANSFORM YOUR CONSERVATORY WITH OUR FULL CLEANING PACKAGES

BEFORE

AFTER

DON’T LET YOUR CONSERVATORY DETERIORATE, KEEP IT LOOKING LIKE NEW

PATIO Prices start from £65 Includes materials - sealing & sanding available at extra cost PATIO MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING SERVICE OUR HIGH PRESSURE WASHER SYSTEM WILL REMOVE WEEDS AND ENSURES YOUR PATIO LOOKS NEW AGAIN

Call us on 01473 720647 or 07415 580535

Unit 24 Brookhouse Business Park, Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0EF

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT SUFFOLK PHOENIX BRASS BUS NOTES I was most disappointed to find that First have failed to see the necessity of showing all of their services to Kesgrave and Martlesham in the same timetable book. Once again there are two books, both of different sizes and page layout. The first has on the cover 63-64-65 serving Woodbridge, Rendlesham and Saxmundham. Note no mention of the 66! That is to be found in a separate book which claims on the cover Serving Town Centre, Kesgrave, Grange Farm. The irony of this book is that the map, which has been updated with an August print date, shows the 63-64-65, but the timetable for those is in the other book. Tiny books, tiny minds, indeed. It was not as if the panjandrums at First were not aware of the dysfunction. I had made the case for all routes to be incorporated into the Ipswich area booklet well in advance of the date of the changes. Suffolk Phoenix Brass, a brass band based in Ipswich, is presenting a charity fundraising concert at Colchester Road Baptist Church, Ipswich IP4 4ST, on Saturday, October 24, starting at 7.30pm.

individuals to have a better understanding of their mental health and wellbeing, and to help them to be more resilient when life is difficult. Their vision is mental wellbeing for all.

The concert is free to attend with a collection/donations on behalf of two local charities which the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Glen Chisholm is supporting throughout his term of office:

The Sunrise Appeal by the Ipswich Hospital Charity

Suffolk MIND Suffolk Mind is committed to raising awareness and promoting good mental health and wellbeing throughout the county. They deliver a range of high quality mental health services to enable

Aimed at helping to deliver even better care for sick babies and children at Ipswich Hospital, the appeal wants to raise £100,000 to support its youngest patients. The concert will feature a range of music from traditional marches to music from musicals and films. Just turn up. We look forward to seeing you there.

RUSHMERE RUKUS A very big thank you to everyone who supported the recent fundraiser at Rushmere Community Hub and to all the helpers who gave up their afternoon. Special thanks to the band RUKUS, to Barry (a.k.a. Elvis) and our Zumba dancer Erin for generously giving their time for free, and to the community police for bringing a police car and tractor and the fire service for bringing the fire engine. Lastly, thank you to the Vulcan Riders and Parkeston MCC for displaying their bikes. We were very disappointed when Zoo-tastic and the hog-roast man didn’t show up but managed a quick oven cook BBQ so at least everyone got fed! A super afternoon, great feedback, everyone loved the band so hopefully we can organise a similar event next year. Our next fundraiser is our Winter Fayre on Saturday, November 21, 10.30am-2.30pm, at the hub on Humber Doucy Lane. Tables can now be reserved at £7 each. The hub is also now available for private hire at very reasonable rates. Please call 720488 or pop in to make a reservation. Trudie Larter

It is important to note that the 63 to 65 group now start from stand E at Old Cattle Market, quite separately from the 66. It was also disappointing to find that even in the second week of the new timetables, none of the bus-stop posters in Kesgrave had been updated, so the obsolete information still on display was meaningless. No doubt that explained the large numbers of disgruntled people left stranded at our local bus stops. Happy Wanderer

YOUR LOCAL COUNTY MARKET After some uncertainty over the future of Kesgrave Country Market I am pleased to inform all of our customers that the market will be continuing with a new manager. Ian Johnson, our fantastic butcher, has now taken over the reins. This means the market will be continuing, so it’s business as usual! So if you are looking for quality handcrafted jewellery, a shabby chic notepad holder, or a beautiful knitted cardigan for a little bundle of joy, then we are the place to come to! Need some quality meat, sausages, bacon, duck eggs…? Just pop in and talk to Ian, our butcher of free range meats. As well as all these gorgeous items we also offer a range of home cooked yummy treats. Sponge cakes, sausage rolls, pies... This is just a selection of what we make! We always have a wide selection of gluten and dairy free sweet and savoury treats and even provide vegan items on a regular basis. All our cooks will make specific items on request too. What more could you ask for? We are now coming into our busiest time of the year and we are keen to recruit more producers, so crafters, cooks and gardeners we are calling on you to join our friendly country market. Pop in and speak to either Ian, Rita or Sarah for more information. Kesgrave Country Market runs from 9.30-11.30am every Saturday at Kesgrave Scout Hut Martlesham Country Market runs from 9.15-11.15am every Tuesday at Martlesham Pavillion Sarah Arch, 01473 334956

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon): The following craft activities will take place during October. • Sunday, October 4: It’s National Badger Day on October 6. Make a badger to celebrate. • Sunday, October 11: The autumn leaves are changing colour and we’re making foxes using leaf shapes. • Sunday, October 18: The new Star Wars film is out soon! Make a paper bag Yoda puppet. • Sunday, October 25: It’s our Room on the Broom event today! Why not come along and design a witches’ hat? 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 These are 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?

THE VENUE FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND EVENTS ‘The centre works for the benefit of the community in achieving its aim of providing competitively priced, comfortable and up to date facilities for a host of community led activities in a safe environment.’ Christmas is coming early to Kesgrave! Are you an early Christmas shopper, or maybe you just enjoy shopping or fancy a night out with some friends! KWMCC have the perfect evening planned for you. How would you like to browse and buy from some of the loveliest Suffolk treats?

Tot Rock: 9.45-10.15am BabyBounce: 10.30-11am Sunday, October 25, 10am-noon, Room on the Broom event Two of the characters from the Room on the Broom book will be visiting the library to help us celebrate Halloween. Why not pop along and join in with our Halloween themed morning? Watch out for posters advertising the event!

Kesgrave Community Centre are teaming up with Age UK Suffolk to organise an exclusive shopping experience at the centre. You will be able to browse and buy from more than 40 exhibitors and even treat yourself to a mini pamper treatment, all in aid of Age UK Suffolk.

Cards for sale We now have a new range of cards for sale, as well as stamps. Why not pop in and have a look?

Tickets are now available for this exclusive upmarket shopping preview evening on Friday, October 30, 7-9.30pm. Tickets are just £7 and include a welcome drink, canapés, mini pamper treatment, a lifestyle magazine and a free goodie bag.

Maggie Lusher Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave Tel: 01473 626103

The event continues on Saturday, October 31, 10.30am-4.30pm, and is open to all for a £2 entry fee, making it the perfect opportunity for some early festive shopping.

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

Age UK Suffolk are a local, independent Suffolk based charity working with and for older people in Suffolk. Each year it costs more than £4 million to deliver their services, which reach more than 21,000 older people in Suffolk. Every penny raised in Suffolk stays in Suffolk to help local older people. For further information about the charity please visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/suffolk Tickets can be purchased for the preview evening by contacting Jo Barker at KWMCC: 01473 612648 (ext 21) / jo@kwmcc.co.uk If you would like further information on all activities and events or to book a function room at KWMCC, please call 01473 612648 or visit: www.kwmcc.co.uk

MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia The band celebrates its 19th birthday with a birthday concert on Saturday, October 10 at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath, starting at 7pm. Tickets (£3 / primary school children free) are available online, from 2nd Stop Charity Shop (next to Kesgrave Tesco) or from 07802 868924. All our bands will be performing and the concert will include the bandleaders’ awards to

players who have improved the most over the year. Please come along and help us celebrate – there will be birthday cake too! Our band welcomes new players young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to come and have a go! If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument

and feel that you would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below. Please be aware that we currently have a waiting list for beginner players. Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

In Touch online:

ÂŁ2 entry in aid of

Market The perfect Shopping experience

Browse and buy from the loveliest Suffolk treats

Saturday 31st October 2015 10.30am - 4.30pm

Venue: Kesgrave Community & Conference Centre, Twelve Acre approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF For further details, call 01473 353071 or 01473 612648 ext 21 Email jo.reeder@ageuksuffolk.org or jo@kwmcc.co.uk Age UK Suffolk Registered charity 1085900

07/15

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

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. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 online:

OUT & ABOUT THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Grant applications Applications for a grant are welcome from individuals and groups. Application forms should be submitted to the address below by January 1, 2016. Grants will generally be of up to £150 towards the cost of instruments, music, equipment and musical activities. Further information about grants and application forms can be found at: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk Alternatively call 01473 625196 or write to: The Roger David Burrows Music Fund, c/o The Burrows Family, 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3UG

ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE HARVEST FAIR St Elizabeth Hospice is hosting its first ever Harvest Fair on Saturday, October 10, 10am-4pm, at the hospice on Foxhall Road, Ipswich. The event takes place at the end of Hospice Care Week, an annual national campaign which raises awareness about hospice care and celebrates the incredible services hospices provide. The Harvest Fair will have a number of stalls selling autumnal crafts and goods, as well as a range of refreshments. There will also be car parking for visitors available at the hospice. Sarah Nicholl, retail and events coordinator for St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Following the success of the hospice’s Spring Fair in May, we have decided to host another seasonal fair, however this time the event will have a Harvest theme.

“Our Spring Fair launched our ‘Made with Love’ shop, which is now located in our day centre and has proved very popular, selling a range of lovely homemade goods from hospice patients, relatives and supporters.” If you are interested in holding a stall at St Elizabeth Hospice’s Harvest Fair please contact Sarah Nicholl: sarah.nicholl@ stelizabethhospice.org.uk St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent charity which provides vital care and support free of charge to more than 2,000 people living with a progressive illness and their families and carers in East Suffolk. The hospice costs millions of pounds a year to run and relies on fundraising events, donations and the income generated from its shops to meet the majority of these costs.

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED Crafters Unlimited is a craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light-hearted atmosphere with refreshments. We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month (except December) in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. Our next meeting is: Thursday, October 22: Ribbon Xmas Trees (Emma) There are always other projects available. New members always welcome. For more details contact Jill (713534) or Emma (01787 373850).

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

KESGRAVE YOUTH CLUB Kesgrave Youth Club is a great facility for the young people of our community. We run at the Millennium Jubilee Hall, Millennium Way, Grange Farm, Kesgrave IP5 2EN. The club is open every Thursday evening between 7.30 and 9.15pm during term time. Entry is £1 (free if it’s your first time). We offer a fun, friendly and safe environment for young people in Years 9 to 13. We also run a younger group for Years 7 and 8 called KYC Tuesday Project. This group is open from 7.30 to 9pm every Tuesday during term time and is also £1 per week. Years 7 and 8 attend alternate weeks starting with Year 8 on Tuesday, October 6. There are various facilities available including pool, badminton, table tennis, football, basketball, Wii games, music, computers and a tuck shop. The trained youth workers also provide activities based on the young people’s ideas and needs. For example: cooking, group work, crafts, planning trips out and everyday life skills. Appropriate information and guidance is also available. Young people can choose if they partake in activities or not. If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact lead youth workers Danielle Redden for Thursday night youth club (Years 9 to 13) on 07712 128408, or Andrew Galloway for Tuesday night youth club (Years 7 and 8) on 07481 425220. You can also find us on Facebook: /KYCTuesdayProject and /KesgraveYouthClub There is a young people’s drop in on Friday nights, 7.30-9.30pm, also held at the Millennium Jubilee Hall. The drop in is called HIVE and is for ages seven to 13. This is run by a separate organisation so please contact their lead worker, Stuart, on 07545 844109 or visit Facebook. com/hivekesgrave for further information. We hope you share this information with the young people of your family.

THE KESGRAVE SINGERS The Kesgrave Singers invite you to a charity concert at Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach on Saturday, October 17 at 7.30pm.

put on something larger to raise money for this good cause. The programme of popular music will also include poetry, guest soloists, a guest choir, Lirica, and a raffle.

The concert is in aid of the East Anglian Ambulance Service, a 365 day-a-year lifesaving service working across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Since the charity’s launch in 2000, the dedicated, highly skilled medical crews on specially equipped helicopters have helped to save the lives of hundreds of people unfortunate enough to be involved in accidents or medical emergencies in our region.

Lirica is the workplace choir for the Ipswich branch of Mediterranean Shipping Co. The company formed Lirica in January 2013 with the intention of provi ding staff with an opportunity to sing in an informal, relaxed and fun atmosphere.

The Kesgrave Singers consist of around 30 women and men who enjoy singing and entertaining. Although we usually perform for local care homes, we wanted to

We would be pleased if you would join us for an evening of entertainment. Tickets cost £5 each including tea, coffee and biscuits during the interval (children under 16 free) and are available from Michael Rayment on 01473 623486 or choir members. There may be some available on the door.

OUT & ABOUT LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT We have a busy autumn ahead! With the nights drawing in and leaves beginning to fall, thoughts turn to the Martlesham 10k which takes place on October 11. This year’s event will be even bigger with the addition of a 5k race alongside the Fun Run and the showpiece 10k. With runners looking for an end of season personal best, the races are always keenly contested. The Fun Run gives younger and less experienced runners the chance to enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie of a major competitive event. As well as being a major fundraiser, the event has grown over the years and has become a great family event for spectators and competitors alike. No description of the event would be complete without mention of the Pavilion cafe and the renowned homemade cakes! Indeed many people claim they come along for those alone. Our thanks to Richard Smith and Felixstowe Road Runners who once again will manage the races. For full details and entry forms visit: http://frr.org.uk/events-and-results-2/club-events/martlesham-10k As if this weren’t enough we will also be joining other Lions’ Clubs in South Suffolk to host a swimming gala for young people and adults with learning difficulties. It is always an enjoyable event. The enthusiasm of the swimmers has to be seen to be believed – the wide grins on their faces stay in place even under water. The social side isn’t neglected and we look forward to celebrating a certain Lion’s landmark birthday with an evening of traditional pub games.

MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Our grateful thanks to all of you who turned up to our open day on Sunday, September 6. It’s your support that enables us to keep alive the historic aviation connection with Martlesham and the local area. It’s impossible to estimate the number of folk who visit us because people are coming and going all day, but judging from the number of cars parked, not only in the designated parking area but also down Eagle Way, the open day really is a Funday, and has established itself as a most popular event. Everybody loves a flypast and the 1943 Douglas Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew low over us three times to much waving from the enthusiastic audience. We hope that we didn’t cause too much noise or disruption and thanks again to everyone for your support. Our meeting on Friday, September 4 was entitled The Aviation Art of Chris French. Chris is a member of The Guild of Aviation Artists and a professional painter in oils.

For more about who we are and what we do, please visit www.woodbridgelions.org.uk or call 0845 833 2820.

We were treated to an unusual, but highly entertaining evening by someone who is, to say the least, a brilliant painter, who paints mostly aviation scenes and who is in demand by military and civil bodies who commission him to produce his exceptional art. Our thanks to our honorary vice president Vicky Gunnell for arranging a fascinating evening. Vicky’s husband Mike is also a member of The Guild of Aviation Artists.

OVER THIRTIES AND OTHERS

Our next meeting is on Friday, October 2 and will feature an illustrated talk by the son of a Polish pilot who escaped from Poland at the start of the Second World War and served with two RAF squadrons and also with the Americans. A real adventure story and it promises to be another great evening.

The September date at The Farmhouse has been changed from September 26 to October 3. It will be the launch of Stoptober at the Farmhouse, and the entertainment will run from 9pm-midnight. The music will cover 60s, 70s and 80s, including MOR, rock, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, classic 60’s Soul, slowdance and more. If you are at a loose end on October 10, come along to the Rosary Conservative Club, Bramford Road, where Rodders will be performing. All welcome. Tickets are available for the football club supper/dance at Kesgrave High School on October 24. The music will be provided by my new band. At the time the organisers wanted the tickets printed, we didn’t have a name for the band, so I used the name of a previous band I was in back in the late 60s called Front Page News. I wanted to use an old name because the new band includes a person who was in our very first band together. In fact, we met at Kesgrave Secondary Modern School (Kesgrave High School) in 1959 and have stayed friends ever since. Having told many of our old followers of the new band, the consensus of opinion is we should resurrect the name of our very first band, Rod and the Solents, so that will be our name after October 24. Tickets can be obtained by calling 01473 624538 in advance and the cost is £11 including chick-n-chips. Dancing from 8-11.30pm.

Meetings start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break. Non-members are welcome for a payment of just £3 at the door. Alan Powell: 01473 622458 www.mhas.org.uk

Sunday, October 18, 11am-4pm: a special visit by The Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club and members of East Anglian Practical Classics who will be bringing along their fascinating and wonderful vehicles for everyone to enjoy. Also, visit The Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum and underground bunker. Free admission but donations toward museum upkeep are welcomed. For more information call Howard King on 01473 274300 or visit: www.mhas.org.uk

Keith/Miles

In Touch online:

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Made2Measure Sliding Wardrobes has been established since 2010 and is East Anglia’s leading designer, manufacturer, installer and after care provider of sliding doors for homes and offices. If you’re thinking of new fitted wardrobes for your bedroom, extra office storage, more cupboards in your child’s playroom or want to maximise space in your cloakroom, then we are the company you’ve been searching for. Our team are ready to provide a truly bespoke service where nothing is off the shelf and everything is custom-built just for you, going above and beyond with exceptional quality products, exemplary service and a 15-year guarantee on everything we provide. With space in many modern homes at a premium, we are experts in helping you realise the space you have and how to make the very best use of it. In older properties such as barn conversions, farm houses or Victorian properties, ceilings and walls are often irregular and it can be hard to imagine how to make the best use of the space available. Our team are well-versed in working with you to achieve your dream bedroom and produce a fitted wardrobe system you will adore.

We use the latest technologies to ensure our doors glide effortlessly and open with the slightest touch. All our drawers and sliding doors come with soft-close mechanisms and we can offer motionsensitive LED rails and drawers, with lights that turn on section by section as they sense the movement of the doors. We are used to maximising space so you will never find any ‘dead’ space in Made2Measure fitted wardrobes. We can build pole-only wardrobes, install glass shelving, or provide pull-out organisers for ties, shoes, belts or trousers; whatever you want or need, we can help you make it a reality. When our installers arrive to start the build, they will treat your home with the utmost care. We use dust sheets to protect your carpets and furniture and dust extractors on our power tools to minimise mess. Once we’ve installed your fabulous fitted wardrobes, we make sure we shine and polish them, and ensure your room is clean and tidy. Then all you have to do is decide where to put everything! If you would like to find out more, please contact us on 01473 604 385 or visit: www.made2measurewardrobes.com

BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED BESPOKE WARDROBES

“

Our sliding wardrobes and other furniture we build all come with an impressive 15 year guarantee: because we believe that the high standards we deliver will stand the test of time.”

Craftmanship

Inﬁnite combinations

Smart storage

W W W. M A D E 2 M E A S U R E W A R D R O B E S . C O M www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

0 1 47 3 6 0 4 3 8 5 15

Advertise here for

ÂŁ45

a month

Please call 01473 400380 * price excludes VAT

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB

MARTLESHAM WI

We were delighted to welcome three new members to our first meeting of the new season.

Shimmon from The Body Shop will show some of her products so we can start our Christmas shopping. Isobel Clark will give a talk entitled For the Love of Books on October 29.

Nursing Round the World is the intriguing title of the talk by Margaret Woodley at our October meeting, a subject that should appeal to many people. This will be our second meeting as an afternoon WI, so do come along if this new time is good for you. We welcome visitors and prospective members at any of our meetings. The next meeting is on Friday, October 16 at 2pm in the Richards Room.

We are happy to welcome new members to our friendly informal evenings. Our meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the Richards Room. For more information contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768

By the time you read this we shall have enjoyed the Federation picnic at Glemham Hall, when we celebrate the WI’s official 100th birthday on WI Day. There will be lots to see and do and we just hope the weather is kind. Then we shall be looking forward to autumn events and the always interesting Which Resolution when we discuss the matters we would like debated at the AGM of the National Federation next June. The WI is an influential organisation and politicians take us lightly at their peril – remember Tony Blair when he underestimated us! Then there is an afternoon with Mark Mitchells, so a treat in store there – and carols at St Mary le Tower (sorry to mention Christmas so soon but this is a popular event and tickets need to be ordered early).

Jane Paley gave an amusing talk entitled What Do You Know About Tea? and followed this with a lighthearted quiz. We have three meetings planned for October. On October 1 Andy Malcolm will talk about the history of fish and chips. The Harvest Supper is on October 15 and Clare

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

The next meeting is on Monday, October 19 when Jo Caruth, senior project officer at Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, will present a talk entitled The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Lakenheath. Jo was very lucky to be part of the archaeological team that discovered a warrior, who is thought to have died about AD 500 at RAF Lakenheath in 1997 with a horse, bridle, sword and shield, complete with gilded bronze bridle fittings. Come along an here about this fascinating discovery. Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all. Kim Quinton

For more information contact our secretary, Anne: 01394 380110 Susan Cunliffe

EAST SUFFOLK EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our next meeting and lecture on October 7 will feature Stephen Taylor who will talk on Walter Richard Sickert, a very public and very private painter. Stephen Taylor is a professional painter specialising in landscapes. He exhibits extensively and lectures in colleges and universities. On a lovely September afternoon the society began the new season with a topical theme. In this the 200th anniversary year of the Battle of Waterloo, Peter Warwick gave a fascinating talk entitled The Art of Waterloo. This was a history lesson illustrated by wonderful art. Peter led us through the protagonists and the path of events, concluding with the great battle itself. A truly riveting talk and a great start to our season! This season will feature a broad range of illustrated talks to support all tastes, including lectures on the Duc du Berry, on medieval

Easter celebrations, on the Queen Mother and her art interests, on the world of Grayson Perry... and much more. We welcome new members. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? The wonderfully illustrated lectures last about an hour and are presented by national and international lecturers. We are a friendly group who meet on the first Wednesday of the month for nine lectures each year, and we also organise interesting day visits. Guests and non-members are also welcome, provided we have available space. A £5 donation is asked. For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com For the latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Are you interested in textiles? The East Suffolk branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild is a group of textile lovers who meet monthly at Rushmere Village Hall. Our meetings are a chance to spend time with like-minded folk, learning new skills, seeing demos and enjoying talks from well-known textile artists, and exchanging ideas and inspiration. We also hold workshops. Recent events include dyeing with discharge paste and creating texture effects using ice-wool fleece. Embroiderers and textile artists of all standards are most welcome. We are a friendly bunch and always keen to welcome new members. If you are tempted, why not come along for a taster evening? Our next meeting is our AGM and a talk by Jo Budd entitled MarkMaking Exploration at 1pm on Saturday, September 26 at Rushmere Village Hall. On Wednesday, October 14 at 7.30pm we present a textile quiz entitled A Taste of Suffolk. Contact Jennifer Scott: jen.m.scott@btinternet.com

OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE WI Our September meeting was once again a lively one. Our speaker, David Mitchell, a former tree officer with Mid Suffolk District Council, entertained, informed, amused and educated us on the veteran trees of Suffolk. His very informative talk was illustrated with some beautiful photos of some of the more important trees of Suffolk and their history. His enthusiasm was very infectious, leaving us all in no doubt as to the importance of protecting the veteran trees of Suffolk for future generations to enjoy. Lyn Parker gave the vote of thanks. Pat Howell won the competition to dress a paper doll with Doreen Chapman second. On September 16, 700 women converged on Glenham Hall for the Suffolk East WI Centenary Picnic. Can you imagine the amount of talking that went on and the number of Victoria sponges needed feed us all, let alone the size of the teapot required? Events in October include a craft day on Saturday, October 3 at the Scout Hut. We still have a few places left for this event (£10 for the day including lunch), an ideal way to see what the WI gets up to! For more details please contact Di (see below). Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 1 when our speaker, Andrew Woods, will talk about his rail journey through the Khyber Pass. Visitors are very welcome to join us. For more information contact our secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

SOROPTIMIST CLUB OF IPSWICH AND DISTRICT We started our autumn programme with a supper followed by a talk on personal safety for women. We don’t always have supper but usually divide our monthly meeting into two halves. – in the first half a speaker or a discussion, in the second what we call ‘business’. ‘Business’ might sound a bit off-putting until you look at what it covers. Our September agenda included planning a letter to local MPs about the proposed closure of the magistrates’ courts in Lowestoft and Bury; discussing widening the scope of the bursary which we offer to disadvantaged women who want to undertake some education or training; deciding on our club vote for the chair of a national committee. That last item is quite a significant pointer to how Soroptimism works. What matters is the voice of the individual members in their local club so we are frequently asked to send in our views and votes on things like policies, projects, campaigns and appointments to leadership roles. A system like ours is ambitious and could run the risk of becoming a bit bureaucratic, but there has been a lot of streamlining lately and modern communication technologies help. We recognise that individual members will give very different levels of commitment to our own projects and to the wider organisation. In particular we assure younger members, who are already juggling careers and family, that it is fine to come and enjoy the interest and friendship of the club and to do just as much or as little as they feel they can for the moment. Later on things will change. If you would like to know more about Soroptimism or visit one of our meetings please do contact Jackie: 01473 659314

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, October 22, at 7.30pm: Fred Feather invites us to join him as he goes Up My Family Tree, including such tales as how we found the North West Passage and held down the Northwest Frontier. NOTE NEW VENUE The Co-Op Education Centre – Pedestrian Entrance, 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW Car park entrance: Waterworks Street IP4 1JG Admission is £3 for members, £3.50 for non-members who are welcome and can join the society on the night if they wish. Tickets are not required; just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY FAMILY HISTORY FAIR Saturday, October 17, 10am-4pm University Campus Suffolk, The Waterfront Building, Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ FREE ADMISSION The theme: WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Featuring helpful forums, discussions and workshops. Other East Anglian family history societies, historical research organisations and commercial genealogical suppliers will be present. For more details contact: membership@suffolkfhs.org.uk / 01787 370598

ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE DEBEN COMEDY TONITE Tickets are still available for our charity concert at the Seckford Theatre on Saturday, October 17. The show, entitled Comedy Tonite, promises an evening of musical fun presented by Gordon Peters of Dad’s Army and One Foot In The Grave. Tickets are £15, with half the profits going to Woolverstone McMillan Centre at Ipswich Hospital, and are available on: 01473 620560 / 01394 386933 MEMORY CAFÉ Our Memory Cafe, run in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Woodbridge, continues to flourish. The cafe, which is for dementia sufferers and their carers, takes place at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of the month, and we welcome new visitors. Refreshments are provided free of charge and we have occasional musical entertainment.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

Trusted by local families since 1925 47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837 64 New Street Woodbridge 01394 385456 183 Hamilton Road Felixstowe 01394 583010 213 High Street 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.

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT U3A NEW SEASON LAUNCHED

2015 VINTAGE AND CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY

The new programme of meetings and activities for U3A (University of the Third Age) members was launched at the Re-Freshers Fair held at the beginning of September. Members were able to sign up to join any of the 130 interest groups ranging from garden visits and French conversation to climate change and local history. There were plenty of visitors, many of whom joined after seeing how much was on offer, including a programme of monthly meetings at Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Saxmundham and Felixstowe, with speakers on a range of topics. Visitors wanting to know more about U3A, the unique organisation for retired people who share their knowledge and experience, are very welcome to attend one of the meetings.

October heralds the end of another season at the Suffolk Aviation Heritage Museum (Former WT Station on Foxhall Road), highlighted once again by the autumn Vintage and Classic Vehicle Day to be held on Sunday 11. Among the usual array of stunningly restored cars, tractors and military vehicles, this year will see the welcome return of Pete Route’s superb collection of classic speedway bikes and equipment, a must for anyone who has enjoyed the thrills of the nearby Foxhall Stadium over the decades.

The Ipswich season starts on Monday, October 26 at Kesgrave Community Centre, Bell Lane, Kesgrave IP5 1JF with a talk by Katie Ward entitled Greed, Sex and Death – Art in the Dutch Golden Age which will explore the hidden messages in the works of Vermeer, Rembrandt and their contemporaries. To find out more visit www.u3aineastsuffolk.org.uk or contact the secretary on 01473 273395.

The ever developing aviation museum will be open as usual throughout the day, including the adjoining tea shop, with additional outside refreshments also available. Admission is £3.50 for adults, £1.50 concessions, and 50p for under 16s, with pre-school children free. Gates are open to the public between 10am and 4pm. Participation of exhibits is subject to weather and serviceability. Andy Taylor

LIFE IS ABOUT OVERCOMING CHALLENGES What’s on your bucket list, the list of achievements and challenges you feel you must do one day? I’ve recently ticked off one of mine and I felt a real boost. It took five years and a lot of practise and preparation and, with the help of friends, I did it at the first attempt. And I have the certificate to prove it. (Not every challenge takes that long! It all depends on you and your goals.)

Speaking in public is on many people’s list of challenges. Speaking with confidence is a useful skill whatever your age or background. On the phone, to a group of friends, to your boss and work colleagues or to a club meeting or charity fundraising event, perhaps at an important time like a close friend’s or relative’s wedding.

want to improve your speaking style, make technical presentations more memorable, sales meetings more punchy or after-dinner talks more entertaining? Ask your boss for a raise (and get it)? Persuade your friends to support a charity? Even talking on the phone is more satisfying when you get to the point and keep calls brief when time is at a premium.

Do you have a go? Do you ever feel that you could do it better? Do you

What makes you a better speaker is regular practise and constructive

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB Susan Horne from Gt Baddow presented a beautiful demonstration entitled All About Flowers at our September meeting, the first meeting of the autumn session. Crystal Dyball from Norwich will present a demonstration entitled Floral Passion on October 22. The 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. Visitors are welcome to all our meetings for a fee of just £4. The annual subscription is £35. Meetings start at 7.15pm, but the doors open at 6.45pm to give you a chance to browse at our sales table where you can purchase all you need to create a flower arrangement. You can also buy your raffle tickets for the arrangements the demonstrator creates during the evening after having had a cup of tea or coffee and chatted to the members. For further details contact Delcie Corbett: gil.corbett@bntinternet.com / 01473 623371

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

feedback, and there is nowhere better to practise than Speak Easy at Martlesham, your friendly local speakers’ club. We meet from 7-9.30pm on alternate Thursdays: October 8 and 22 and November 5 are our next dates. Everyone is welcome. Come free as a guest. To find our more visit www.speakeasy.org.uk, Facebook or Twitter, or call 07968 372563. Sonya Burrows

SUFFOLK ORCHID SOCIETY If you would like to join us on October 28 you will be most welcome. The speaker will be Malcolm Perry who will be speaking about Orchids of South East Asia. Malcolm usually brings good quality unusual orchids for sale. Please note the next meeting will be on November 18, which is not the last Wednesday in November. We are a friendly group of amateur orchid growers of varying expertise. We usually have outside speakers to our meetings, many of whom bring orchids for sale, but also have a varied programme of social events including outings and an annual garden party or picnic. At each meeting members bring plants that they have in flower for a display table and there is always a chance for orchid chat over a drink and biscuit. Our meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month, (except in July, August and December) at St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham IP5 3UY, and start at 7.30pm. The annual subscription is £10, payable after your first meeting. Contact Jenny Gage: 01473 822569 / roystongage@btinternet.com

OUT & ABOUT DEBEN FLOWER CLUB The first meeting of the club’s new season was held on Tuesday, September 8. Our demonstrator, Jan Law, assisted by her husband Ken, gave us a colourful demonstration entitled Proud to be British. Jan worked her way through British history, portraying well known figures and events. Grace Darling was interpreted using a lovely piece of driftwood reminiscent of a wave and blue and white flowers representing the sea, The Great Fire of London with fiery red and orange roses and carnations, the British Museum, Glynbourne, and a beautiful basket of spray roses for Chelsea Flower Show. Her finale was a red white and

blue arrangement to represent our Union Flag. Jan used some interesting and unusual flowers along with beautiful foliage from her garden and allotment. Seven lucky members won the arrangements in the raffle and all enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 13 at 7.30pm in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU, when Margot Cooper from Wanstead London will present a demonstration entitled Floral Friends. Visitors are always welcome for just £4. If you would like directions or further information please email: wa@sandlings.co.uk

On September 7 members, husbands and friends boarded a coach and made our way to lunch at the Dark Horse in Stowlangtoft for our annual outing. It really was in the wilds, but with careful planning from our tour organisers we arrived on time and were greeted by our host, Paul. We had a very enjoyable lunch in beautiful surroundings and all agreed that we had really found a ‘dark horse’!

After lunch we travelled on to Fullers Mill Garden at West Stow and again we were met by our host, Bernard Tickner, a 91-years-young gentleman who has spent the last 50 years creating his most wonderful garden. We were able to walk around the seven acre grounds and he was pleased to join us and tell us many fascinating stories of how and where he had obtained the plants. After a very welcome cup of tea and a slice of delicious homemade cake we again joined the coach and made our way home. The weather was very kind to us and it was a very splendid day. On September 14, Alan Smith presented a demonstration entitled September Song. Our next meeting is at 2pm on Monday, October 12 when Ann Bell from Dunmow will present a demonstration entitled From Me to You. Ann is no stranger to our club and I know we will be in for a great afternoon.

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP

Ipswich Flower Club meets on the second Monday of the month (excluding January) at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, from 2-4pm. We are a flower club of all ages with a common love of flowers and flower arranging. We are affiliated to NAFAS and have a demonstrator each month as well as a monthly practise class.

The group enjoyed a lovely break over the summer holidays but were glad to get back to work on September 19. Nature Explorers are planning to catch the fish in the pond either by netting or electro-fishing. It should be a fun session. We would ask that local residents do not use the pond to dispose of unwanted fish as this can be damaging to the ecosystem of the pond.

IPSWICH FLOWER CLUB

If you would like to join us, please just turn up and you will be made most welcome. If you have any queries or would like further information, please telephone Sylvia on (719893) or Angie (210956). Pond Maintenance by S Corley

We would like to express our thanks to Claire Cable for her donation of wildlife books for the Nature Watch and Nature Explorers clubs. Our members will have lots of fun referring to these books and should learn a thing or two at the same time. The bird and bat boxes in the woods are gradually rotting and also being attached by woodpeckers. We are replacing the wooden bird boxes with recycled plastic as both the woodpeckers and squirrels don’t like this material and will stay away from it, which should hopefully solve the problem and also mean the boxes are around for a long time in the future. We are replacing the bat boxes with woodcrete as this is more durable and should last for much longer. If you know of any funds to support this cause we would be very grateful as it would mean the project could be finished much sooner, which would in turn help our birds and bats.

KALGA: KESGRAVE ALLOTMENT & LEISURE GARDENING ASSOCIATION Autumn is looming and unfortunately the days are becoming shorter, so less time to get all of those jobs done on the allotment. But it’s been a good summer for vegetables, and since we have had lots of rain, vegetables have put on much more growth. I may not have had quite the courgette glut that I had last year, but have made up for it with runner beans, and picking them fresh and young avoids them becoming stringy! It’s the time when we try to preserve our veg for as long as possible, so I have been busy hanging my onions up in the garage, freezing beans and making pickle. Red onion relish has been good, but wow, fresh onions make your eyes stream!

Dates for the diary: • Volunteer work morning: Sunday, October 18, 10am-noon • Nature Watch Club (ages five-11): Sunday, October 25, 9-11am • Nature Explorers (ages 11-18): Saturday, November 21, 9-11am

If you are still interested in taking up a plot, don’t be put off with autumn approaching as it’s a good time to dig the soil over and prepare your plot for the next season. If you are interested in joining us please contact Angela, our membership secretary, for further details: 01473 612283 / angsan.brown@yahoo.co.uk

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

We have a few starter plots (for those who would like to try growing their own without over-committing themselves) available, as well as a few half and whole plots.

Sam Alexander PWCG committee (youth member)

You’ll find more information and an opportunity to join our forum at: www.kesgrave-allotments.org.uk

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE

Each club president nominates a charity which she wishes to support during her year of office. Our president, Kay Hirst, disclosed that four years ago her life was saved by an ambulance and, knowing from personal experience the importance of first responders, this year she has chosen to support the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), a charity providing a helicopter emergency service for the people of East Anglia.

Fundraising manager Nigel Donkin told club

members that the service was launched in 2000 following Frankie Dettori’s accident at Newmarket. Today it operates two hightech helicopters serving the four counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and from May 2013 became the first air ambulance in the country to attend emergency incidents during the hours of darkness. The service provides a team of highly trained critical care paramedics and doctors who provide a lifesaving capability on scene. Such high-tech equipment and personnel does not come cheap at approximately £8.6million per year with each mission costing on average £2,800,

HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL & AFTER SCHOOL CLUB We have been getting to know the new children and their families and have been drawing some lovely self-portraits. As autumn approaches we will be looking at the seasonal changes and exploring our surroundings. We are looking forward to welcoming grandparents into pre-school during Grandparent’s Week so that they can join in the fun! We will be looking at Diwali, the festival of light. We will be making paper lanterns and trying some traditional cooking. Heathlands is a well-established, committee-run pre-school situated in the grounds of Broke Hall Community Primary School. We can offer funded places for eligible two-year-olds and for all other children the term after their thrid birthday. We can offer any mix of morning sessions, lunch-club or afternoon sessions dependent upon availability and run term time. A breakfast club and afterschool club are also available. For further details please visit: www.heathlandspreschool.co.uk We are always happy for prospective families to visit the setting and we have some places available in the autumn term (September 2015) and beyond. Please contact deputy manager Lynda Khedimallah or administrator Julie Bedford on 01473 417517 to discuss your queries or arrange a visit.

including £200 per hour for fuel alone. The service receives no regular government funding and is financed through corporate sponsorship, an EAAA Lottery, legacies, donations, collections, events and community fundraising. To support this vital service Inner Wheel are holding a fashion show featuring Adam’s Apple and Country Casuals on Wednesday, November 11 at Woodbridge Football Club, Fynn Road, 2.30-4.30pm. Tickets are £7 to include refreshments and are available from Daphne Rayment (01473 623486) or Hamilton Smith, Church Street, Woodbridge.

MARTLESHAM BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Calling all Babies and Toddlers! Are you fed up playing with the same old building blocks? Bored of the same old picture books? Do you and your teddies need a breaK? Well look no further – Martlesham Baby and Toddler Group are meeting every Wednesday and Friday in Martlesham Heath Pavilion for fun, games and toys you’ve never seen before. Your grown up can have tea, coffee and biscuits – which should keep them quiet – and you get to play, uninterrupted, from 9.30 until 11.30am! During October we will be celebrating autumn with a visit from a photographer, just in time for Christmas presents and our end of term Halloween party. There will be fundraising raffles, a spooky lucky dip and some tasty devilish delights for sale! So come and see us every Wednesday and Friday and don’t forget to bring your grown up! We look forward to seeing you very soon. mhbabyandtoddlergroup@yahoo.co.uk or find us Facebook and Nemums.co.uk Sam Whitehouse

AUTUMN AT BRIGHT STARS As we head into autumn the sun may not shine as often as during the summer months, but if you are a baby, toddler or pre-schooler who would like to brighten up your week why not come along to Bright Stars? We meet at 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term time at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL, and welcome all pre-school age children to

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

come along with their parents and/or carers.

We will look forward to welcoming you!

Each session is full of fun children’s activities and worship. For example we do crafts of all kinds, singing, storytelling and play games. The half-hour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to chat and play until approximately noon.

The session dates for the autumn term 2015 are: October 12, November 9 and 23 and December 14.

Why not come and visit us this autumn? You are welcome to just turn up on the day or feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

Jennie Fidler, 07584 420729 Sonya & Maureen Burrows, 01473 625196 Sue Lambert, 01473 624130

For further information please contact one of the Bright Stars team:

SCHOOLS HUMPTY DUMPTY PLAYGROUP Run, run, as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the...

differentiated to support each child’s learning and ability. Dates for your diary:

Through the first half of autumnterm we are focusing on children’s favourite books such as The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Riding Hood, Going on a Bear Hunt and, of course, The Gingerbread Man! Each week the children have focused on one of the books, engaging in fun activities supporting their literacy, maths and imaginative play. Please follow us on Facebook where you can see the children engaged in play activities, and our newsletter to read about the books we will be covering which are linked to our ‘phonic letter of the week’. At Humpty Dumpty Playgroup, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum through implementing fun and engaging activities both child-initiated and adult-led. All activities are

We hope you all had a wonderful summer! A great big welcome to the new starters in all our rooms and groups, welcome back to all our returners and good luck to those who moved up to ‘big school’! During September our preschoolers will have two main topics to learn about. The first one we have chosen is hospitals and the second will be space. Both topics are things the children have shown an interest in and we are looking forward to teaching them more. We will also be going on autumn walks to enjoy the colour changing season. Our after school clubbers will be enjoying outdoor games while the evenings are still light. After a busy day at school we allow the children to be as creative and busy or as quiet and peaceful as they want to be. Our littlest learners from our baby room, The Seedlings, will be busy in the September sunshine in our garden and will also be enjoying the autumn season.

• Tempest Photography will be in the setting on Friday, October 9, 9.30am-1pm. These make fantastic Christmas presents for the family. This is open to all children and families as well as children and families at the playgroup. • Half-term: Monday, October 26 to Friday 30. 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

We currently have vacancies in all our rooms, including spaces for funded two and three-year olds. Don’t forget your child’s funded sessions can be used across our opening hours and ‘stretched’ across holiday club too. We are now taking bookings for our half-term holiday club, Monday, October 26 to Friday 30, with lots of Halloween-themed activities lined up, including a fancy-dress party. The Saplings is open Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6pm, for children aged three months to 11 years. We offer term-time and year-round care, with a baby room, preschool, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club sessions, and a ‘walking bus’ to Birchwood Primary School. For further information on all our term-time sessions, or holiday club bookings, please call our friendly team of dedicated and experienced staff on 01473 614753, email news@thesaplings.org.uk or visit: www.thesaplings.org.uk

In Touch online:

SPORTS IPSWICH WANDERERS FC Wanderers are still forging ahead in both the FA Cup and the FA Vase, both of which culminate in Wembley Finals. A 2-1 win at Ryman League club Barkingside was enough to take us through to the next round of the FA Cup. That gave us our big game at home to Canvey Island in September. Perhaps we have done some giantkilling and progressed to the next round! In the FA Vase we brushed aside London Bari scoring seven goals with keeper Jack Spurling keeping a clean sheet. Glenn Read has assembled a strong squad and, in September, added strikers Ben Deacon and Ben Golding. With midfielder Jack Severy and defender Dan Hitching returning from injury a good run in the Eastern Counties League Premier Division looks possible. Attendances at The Doucy are up this season… that’s more people to enjoy all the stadium improvements as well as some fine football. The Under 18s, sponsored by Topps Tiles, are currently undefeated in their league and were narrowly edged out of the FA Youth Cup by Needham Market. They play home games on Tuesday evenings.

The Wanderers Beer Festival returns from October 16-18. Friday 16 will be a quiz night and the festival continues on the Saturday with live music from local band Cool Remedy. Forthcoming games include:

KESGRAVE BOWLS CLUB The season is now all but over and it has been a very successful one for our club. Our Monday evening Green team and our Wednesday evening Blue team finished top of their divisions, which means promotion for both. The Monday evening Blue team came second and the other teams finished around midway so well done to all the captains and their teams.

• Wednesday, September 30: Home v Long Melford (KO 7.45pm) ECL

Our Peggy Mead pairs resulted in the winners being Jim Forsdike and Joe Campus and the runners-up were Joyce Fisher and Rick Calver.

• Saturday, October 3: Home v Clapton (KO 3pm) FA Vase

Our open triples tournament was again a huge success and was won by Joe Campus and his team, second D Barber’s team, with Marty Milbourne’s team coming in third. Well done to everyone.

• Wednesday, October 14: Home v Whitton United (KO 7.45pm) ECL Cup • Saturday, October 17: Home v Saffron Walden Town (KO 3pm) ECL Details of matches and all club news can be found at: www.pitchero. com/clubs/ipswichwanderers There are many and various sponsorship options at Ipswich Wanderers. Enquiries about sponsorship opportunities at The Doucy should be made to 07734 321259. Admission prices will be £6 for adults, £3 for concessions. Bar, hot food, programme, club shop, free car parking… Entrance in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere. Keith Lloyd

Huge thanks go to Muriel Cook for all the hard work she put in to organise the catering and thanks also to all her helpers, especially Maureen Mills and Sally Cook who tirelessly worked to ensure there were always refreshments available to the players. Many thanks also to Sheila Knott and Paul Girling for helping and also keeping the scores for all the games. Thanks also to Gwyneth and John Gorham for selling the tickets for the raffle and for the bottle of whiskey. Without all these people, the tournament would not take place. Please make a note in your diaries for our AGM which is on Wednesday, October 28 in the Bowls Pavilion, 6.45 for 7pm sharp. If you would like to come to our annual dinner/presentation at Rushmere Golf Club on Friday, December 4, please get in touch. John Gilson of Rushmere St Andrew recently gave me a record book of the old Kesgrave British Legion Bowls Club dated 1939 to 1941. Apparently it belonged to his father and he thought he would give it to me for safekeeping. Thanks to John and if there is anyone who can throw some light on anything connected to the old bowls club, especially where it was situated, please contact me. Joyce, 01473 626075

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL Throughout the summer season Ipswich Ravens have been hosting free volleyball sessions every Saturday afternoon in Christchurch Park. The sessions have been terrifically popular with no less than 23 adults and 18 children getting a taste of volleyball for the first time, completely free. If you missed them, where were you? You missed all the fun! Meanwhile several of our more experienced players also attended outdoor volleyball tournaments across East Anglia, in places as far a field as Clacton, Lowestoft and Cambridge, in addition to the new weekly beach format tournament being held at Copleston School Ipswich. We also entered two teams in the Suffolk Open held in Stowmarket. Both teams performed well with the A team finishing fourth out of seven in Division 1, and the B team finishing a surprise seventh out of 21 in quite a strong Division 2. But with the start of autumn we are now turning our attention to the indoor season, where we will once again be holding weekly sessions of playing and coaching at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. These take place every Saturday from 2-4pm. If you are interested in giving them a try,

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

whether as a complete beginner or an experienced player, now is the ideal time to join the players who started during the summer and have found out for themselves that volleyball is great fun, and really good exercise too. Ipswich Ravens welcomes male and female players, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from nine upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them highly enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, visit www.ipswichravens.org.uk or call/text 07508 351875.

ON THE GRAPEVINE KESGRAVE CRICKET CLUB The business end of the 2015 season continues to provide mixed results for Kesgrave’s three senior teams. The 1st XI began August in second place in the Two Counties Division 5, but a dreadful run of four consecutive defeats ended any promotion hopes. The lack of availability of several senior players due to holidays and other commitments has been the primary reason for this dip in form, though the team has continued to fight hard with diminished resources. The poor defeat at Bury St Edmunds at the beginning of the month (see last edition) was followed by a five-wicket home defeat to Nacton with Kesgrave unable to defend a solid total of 185/7 (Mike Worne 89, Paul Kendrick 44). Next came a trip to Harwich & Dovercourt where we were unable to chase the home team’s 212/7, finishing on 102/9. But the most significant result came the following week at home to promotion rivals Wivenhoe.

KCC scored 199/9 (Ben Colver 80, Danny McCall 46) and our ‘death’ bowling was on top until Wivenhoe surprisingly scored 20 from the last two overs to win the match. Victory at home to Great Bromley saved us from a full month of defeats – KCC 230/6 (Mike Worne 98) v 132/9 (Sam Colver 3/44) – and kept promotion a mathematical possibility. However, that possibility was snuffed out by defeat away to the expected winners of the division, Walsham Le Willows. KCC made 141 (Danny McCall 51) but lost by five wickets (Andy Thompson 3/19). A report on our final league game will appear in next month’s edition. The Bank Holiday weekend saw the Sunday 1st team compete in the Suffolk Alliance Cup final v Brantham CC at Easton. KCC won the toss and batted first. Tom Piddington was lost in the first over and scoring was difficult against a very strong opening attack. Mike

KESGRAVE KESTRELS FOOTBALL CLUB Our senior section season is now underway with all teams playing from early September; youth leagues started mid-September. The Saturday Firsts started their campaign with a 2-1 home win over Stonham Aspal and the Reserves with a 0-0 draw away at Sutton Heath. The Sunday league team have struggled early on with three league defeats away from home (but with improving performances) and are seeking players and a coach to further strengthen their squad and performance. Anyone interested please contact the adult section secretary Jason Logan. The Vets team are now a settled squad and have started their campaign with two wins, including an away 4-2 win at Ipswich Valley Rangers. We would like to thank our sponsors for their continuing support. We particularly welcome and thank Tesco Kesgrave as new sponsor for our Under 16 Girl’s squad, MLM Consulting Engineers and Personal Trainer Magazine

as new sponsors of our Under 9 squad and GB Group supporting our Under 10s. We will shortly be launching an Early Years Foundation Stage group for Reception class children turning five this school year. The group will be running on Saturday mornings at 11.30am. This will feed into Little Kestrels at Under 6. We are planning a launch event in mid-October and for the group to start from November. If you are interested in enrolling or would like further information please contact our secretary or check our website.

Worne however batted with great care and made an impressive 60 – the standout score in our innings – supported by 22 from Danny McCall. 135/7 was an under-par total but was potentially defendable if KCC could take early wickets. Sadly these were not forthcoming and despite excellent spells by Connor Betts and Adie Gale, Brantham got home by the convincing margin of nine wickets. The team has the chance to banish those cup final demons though. One win from our last two league games should bring the Section A title to Kesgrave. Watch out for next month’s edition to find out how we get on! Our Sunday 2nd team finished a season of might-have-beens with two convincing home wins. Section D winners Shotley Peninsula were crushed by 104 runs – KCC 144 (Ted Colver 48no) v 40 all out (Mano Mishra 4/9, Adie Gale 3/12) – and Worlingworth were beaten by 46 runs, captain Nathan Young scoring 64no in KCC’s 176/7

with Ted Colver (3/19) and John Cooper (3/22) leading the bowling in Worlingworth’s 130 all out. Unfortunately our planned President’s XI v Chairman’s XI match and BBQ on Bank Holiday Monday fell foul of the weather. A select band of Kesgrave stalwarts watched the rain fall and shared stories with some welcome visiting former players. We hope to try again next season. Knight Watchman

ASSURED VEHICLE SERVICES 33b Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich IP4 4QD

Tel: 01473 727857 Mob: 07979502589 Specialists for Vauxhall Vehicle Service All makes & models MOT Repairs Electrical & Fault Diagnosis Free Collection/Delivery Loan Cars Available Contact: David Brown

Our next football fun holiday camp will run on Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday 28, again booking details for this are on our website. For more information about the club, our events and opportunities within teams please visit www. kesgravekestrelsfc.co.uk or contact our secretary: secretary@ kesgravekestrelsfc.co.uk / 01473 620562 David Hall, secretary

In Touch online:

ADVERTISING FEATURE Now is the time to plan ahead Taking control of your future and planning ahead for your funeral gives you the opportunity to share your ideas on how you would like to be remembered, and how your life should be celebrated. It can also provide you with the comfort of knowing your family won’t be faced with financial strain and worries in the future, making planning ahead for your funeral all the more worthwhile. East of England Co-op Funeral Services has been trusted by local families since 1925 to provide excellent levels of service, care and reassurance when helping to create unique and personalised tributes.

By combining their knowledge and experience they have created five pre-payment funeral plans for you to choose from. Alternatively, a member of their team can help you create an entirely bespoke plan, so you can rest assured that every last detail will be just as you wish so you can get on with enjoying life. Clearly priced, and with no hidden costs, their plans allow you to pay for your funeral in full now, or in manageable monthly payments over a time that suits you. All of their funeral plans are completely inflation proof, so by planning ahead you pay today’s price no matter how much costs may rise in the future. If you are a member of the East of England Co-op you can also collect dividend points on your pre-payment plan, which you can use visiting new places, treating yourself or doing things with friends and family.

Find out more about East of England Co-op pre-payment funeral plans, or order a brochure, by visiting eastofengland.coop/funerals. Alternatively, you can contact your local funeral branch who can also arrange a home visit for you. Your local East of England Co-op funeral branches are: 47 St Helen’s Street, Ipswich, 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road, Ipswich, 01473 232837 64 New Street, Woodbridge, 01394 385456

✁

Plan for the future today... with our pre-payment funeral plans

£100 off

with this voucher

To order a brochure and find out more, call our funeral plan advice line on 0800 0744361* or visit your local funeral branch. my

co-op

As a member you can earn dividend points on your funeral plan. Not a member yet? You can join in store or online at www.eastofengland.coop/joinus

Valid for the purchase of East of England Co-op funeral plans taken out before 31/12/15. Terms and conditions apply ask in store for details. *Free from a landline, mobile charges can vary.

ITOCT15

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

ON THE GRAPEVINE DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK IT’S TIME TO BACK GREENER AND CHEAPER HOME ENERGY SUPPLIERS The energy sector has been radically transformed over the past 30 years. Britain’s national and regional energy monopolies of the 1980s have been replaced with an energy market. But an energy market is only valuable if it empowers the people it serves – its customers. In recent years, energy prices have been rising faster than inflation, and this has put the operations of energy companies under ever greater scrutiny. Consumer engagement in the energy market has been historically and stubbornly low, mainly as a result of highly complex energy tariffs and a lack of energy pricing transparency – a lack of transparency which has even infiltrated many price comparison websites which purport to champion consumer rights. The ‘big six’ energy companies and the sector regulator Ofgem have been slow to respond to tackle these problems. As a result, there is much to be done to restore consumer confidence, and to reinvigorate the energy market and bring genuinely good deals and lower prices to energy customers. As MPs we have to deal with a lot of email campaigns. We try our best to respond to them but when hundreds of identical emails hit your inbox it can be time consuming and tiresome particularly for our overworked parliamentary staff. Mass email campaigns can be destructive in their use of extreme and emotive language; too often irritating us rather than persuade us to act. So I was pleasantly surprised when I heard about a campaign launched last week by 38 Degrees. Alongside a consumer collective called The

Big Deal they have launched The Clean Energy Switch, the first ever mass switch to clean energy. By using the collective bargaining power of thousands of people they aim to negotiate a great deal for clean energy with green energy companies, thereby making green energy affordable for millions of families. There’s no doubt there is public support for this initiative. Polling shows that the vast majority of people want to go green as long as it doesn’t cost them any more than what they pay now. And 45,000 people signed up to the Clean Energy Switch within just 48 hours. Leaving aside whether or not cuts to the renewables industry in recent months are right or wrong, this campaign should be commended. It’s a bottom-up, constructive approach. It’s not calling for government to do something to deal with a problem but rather it’s taking action to do something itself by empowering the energy consumer through the power of collective bargaining. This is a consumer-led free market movement, and mass movements of custom have a lot of power to change the market in a positive way. 38 Degrees and The Big Deal should be praised for such a constructive and positive approach. It’s for all these reasons that I’m publicly backing the Clean Energy Switch and am urging my constituents to sign up and get behind it too to help the environment and save money on their energy bills at the same time. For more information visit: www.thebigdeal.com

CITIZENS ADVICE WARNS ABOUT ‘BOGUS SELF-EMPLOYMENT’ Citizens Advice says that people working for themselves could be bogusly self-employed, meaning workers miss out on holiday pay, government loses tax revenue and responsible businesses could be undercut. In its new report, Neither One Thing Nor The Other, Citizens Advice reveals as many as 460,000 people could be ‘bogusly self-employed’ meaning workers miss out on holiday and have to pay extra National Insurance. The report also finds that bogus self-employment could cost the government up to £314m a year in lost tax and employer national insurance contributions. Employers who want to do right by their staff can also lose out as firms forcing people into self-employment means the savings they make puts them at a competitive advantage to their rivals. A combination of factors including work hours set by the employer, using the business’ equipment and having tax deducted from their pay by their employer could mean an individual should be an employee rather than self-employed. Carol Eagles, manager at Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice said: “For many people in Suffolk self-employment is a fulfilling career choice. But Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice is concerned that some people are being forced into working for themselves, when in fact they have the right to be a regular employee and the benefits this brings. This can have a negative impact on workers and their income, as well as on local businesses who do right by their staff. If you are worried about your employment status or your rights at work then you can get in touch with Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice for help and support.”

The research also identifies specific financial losses felt by the bogusly self-employed and the government: • An average of over £1,200 per worker per year is lost in holiday pay. • People pay an extra £61 per year in National Insurance that they would not pay were they classified as employed. • The loss of employer National Insurance contributions costs the government over £300 per person per year. As part of Citizens Advice’s self-employment campaign it is calling on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to use the government review into self-employment to address key issues including: • Clarity and consistency around the definition of self-employment. • Support for people looking to save for retirement. • Pay for parental leave. Government departments, including the HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions, have different definitions of self-employment, making it hard for workers and businesses to be clear about employee status. The only way to prove employee status and secure the rights this provides is to go to an employment tribunal, a lengthy process which many cannot afford since fees were introduced in 2013. Last year research from Citizens Advice showed seven in 10 potentially successful cases are not pursued by people at employment tribunals. The local CAB is at 19 Tower Street, Ipswich IP1 3BE, 01473 219777. The bureau can also be contacted at: www.ipswichcab.org.uk

In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE

QUESTIONS ON CASH

with Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb

Are you Active or Passive? Anne from Great Blakenham asks: “I keep seeing articles about passive ‘tracker’ funds and actively managed funds. Is active fund management better than passive fund management, and what’s the difference?” One of the most fundamental and enduring debates within the world of investments is over the issue of whether active fund management is better than passive fund management. Passive fund managers buy and hold portfolios that are designed to replicate the market, or part of it. By buying each stock in an index, or a broad representation of the stocks in an index, passive managers generally deliver returns that match their index, so in theory at least there will be no nasty surprises. A passive fund might track a particular sector, such as the FTSE 100 or the FTSE 250, or it might be the benchmark for a particular asset class, such as corporate bonds or property, or it might just track an asset, like precious metals or other natural resources. Passive investing advocates argue that markets are efficient - that is, that the market takes into account all the available information about any particular security and prices it accordingly. So they believe there is little room to take advantage of mis-pricing because prices already reflect true value. However, the proponents of active management argue that the market is not completely efficient, allowing smart investment managers to beat the market. Active managers seek to build portfolios that outperform a market benchmark, usually through a combination of stock selection and market timing. In some years, some active managers will succeed in outperforming their benchmark, while others will fail. A small number do beat the market on a regular basis. At Plumb Financial Services, we believe that holding a combination of both active and passive managed funds will provide the best opportunity for longer-term investment growth.

We offer our clients a range of model portfolios that usually contain Multi-Asset or Multi-Manager funds. The portfolios are usually split 50/50 between a passive fund and an active fund within that investor’s given risk profile. Each fund will typically contain up to 20 other individual funds within it, giving the investor access to around 40 funds in an economical format. Although they will be invested in just two main funds, their portfolio will actually contain a wide spread of investment assets spread over several geographic areas, providing diversity and reducing volatility. No single fund manager is the top performer in all investment sectors and most fund managers have their specialist sectors or a sector in which they are known to have particular knowledge or ability. That is where the Multi-Manager and Multi-Asset funds come into their own, as the fund manager can cherry pick the best funds and assets for his or her portfolio. Holding both active and passive portfolios will give the individual investor a balance between the passive and active positions, both of which are constantly managed to suit the identified risk profile of the investor at all times. We believe that this gives an investor the best opportunity to benefit from both styles of fund management within their identified risk profile, thus increasing the chances of better returns over the longer-term. In other words, having a ‘bit of both’ is probably the best investment strategy. 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 call 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.

LITERACY BOOST FOR SUFFOLK LIBRARIES Suffolk Libraries is aiming to increase the positive impact that the county’s library service has on children’s literacy thanks to the arrival of a new member of staff who will be working directly with schools. Matt Shenton has joined Suffolk Libraries as the new Literacy Ambassador – a post funded from a successful bid to the Foyle Foundation. Matt will work with schools and other organisations to promote the benefits of library use and with an aim for all Year-7 children across the county to have their own library card. Matt will also be visiting schools and working with other organisations to develop the benefits Matt said: “I’m thrilled about taking up this new position. I believe the library service can make a big impact on children’s literacy and I think that by working together with schools and other organisations we can help to ensure that every child and young person is reaching their potential and I’m looking forward to focusing on helping children who could benefit more from being a member of the library service.” Suffolk Libraries’ Literacy Project has been funded by a grant of £30,000 from the Foyle Foundation which is an independent grantmaking trust which awards funding to charitable organisations

www.keepingintouchwith.com/kesgrave

involved with arts and learning. Matt has joined Suffolk Libraries from the Four Dwellings Academy in Quinton, Birmingham where he was School Librarian and Head of Key Stage 3. SUFFOLK LIBRARIES EXPANDS eLIBRARY TO INCLUDE MAGAZINES Suffolk Libraries customers can now access free downloadable electronic magazines as well as eBooks, eAudio books and music. Anyone with a Suffolk Libraries card can now access the Zinio service which provides access to a range of popular downloadable magazines including: BBC Good Food, BBC Music, BBC Top Gear, Amateur Gardening, Elle, Empire, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Mojo, Q, Men’s Health and Women’s Health. You can download and read magazines on a computer or there is also an app. All you need to log in and access the service is a library card number. Customers can download as many magazines as they can fit onto their device and keep them for as long as they want. You can set up an account via www.rbdigital.com/Suffolk/service/ zinio/landing or by visiting: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

ON THE GRAPEVINE

CHURCH NEWS

Mark Goucher & Mark Rubinstein present P.G. Wodehouse’s JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE

Declaring God’s Way - Sharing His Love By the time you read this, all our activities will be in full swing following the summer break.

After one year in the West End and two successful tours, the award-winning hit comedy Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense returns to UK theatres including the New Wolsey Theatre from Tuesday, October 13 to Saturday 17. Winning Best New Comedy at the 2014 Olivier Awards, the charmingly incompetent Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves are brought to life in this highly acclaimed comedy by brothers Robert and David Goodale. Based on and adapted from the established literary works of P.G. Wodehouse. Perfect Nonsense has starred Stephen Mangan, Matthew Macfadyen, Robert Webb, John Gordon-Sinclair, Mark Heap and James Lance. When a country house weekend takes a turn for the worse, Bertie Wooster is unwittingly called on to play matchmaker and also to steal a silver cow creamer from Totleigh Towers. Naturally, the ever dependable Jeeves is there to prevent Bertie from making a fool of himself in front of a cast of Wodehouse’s finest characters. Enjoy an evening of raucous comedy in the company of Gussie Fink-Nottle, Madeline Bassett, Sir Watkin Bassett, Dahlia Travers, Roderick Spode and Constable Oates! WWWWW

FFaF – the Monday evening club for School Years 2-6 – commenced on Monday, September 6 and is held every Monday evening from 6.15-7.30pm. Several parents enquired about this at the summer holiday club, so we hope that the children will be able to attend and will enjoy the activities on offer. Lots of fun and crafts to suit you all! The luncheon club for older friends from the village started on Thursday, September 10, as did the usual Wednesday evening art and craft group. The Alpha Group starts on Thursday, October 1, 7-9.30pm, following the ‘taster’ session which was held on September 24. Alpha is a non-pressured, fun and informative course. It’s a place to share your thoughts and explore the meaning of life. It’s tailored for all – non-Christians who are searching for answers, new Christians seeking guidance as they grow in faith, and mature Christians seeking spiritual refreshment. Why not give it a

try? For more information, please contact the co-ordinator, Rob Foster: 01473 624373 / rob.foster387@btinternet.com Our Harvest Festival Service is on Sunday, October 4 and all are welcome to share with us as we give thanks to God for the good harvest we enjoy year by year. Our Sunday Services are at 10.45am and 6.30pm. Other activities: • FFaF Children’s Club for school Years 2-6 each Monday, 6.15-7.30pm • Senior Citizens’ Friendship hour at 2.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month • Art & Craft Club each Wednesday at 7pm • Luncheon Club at 12.30pm each Thursday • Meeting Point Coffee Morning on the fourth Saturday of each month, 10.30am-noon Minister: The Rev Heather Marsden Church telephone number: 01473 721455 www.rushmerebaptist.org.uk

“Devour every last drop of this Wooster sauce with relish” Tim Walker, Daily Telegraph WWWW

“P.G. Wodehouse would have loved this production” Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph WWWW

“An inventive evening of bonkers comedy” Quentin Letts, Daily Mail “Laugh out loud funny, Perfect Nonsense is the comedy of the year!” Original Director – Sean Foley Perfect Nonsense is produced by Mark Goucher and Mark Rubinstein. To book call 01473 2959000 or visit: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Recently I bought a key tag which said ‘When there is great love there are always miracles’. At New Life Community Church we are being brought to a better understanding of this statement – we are practising loving one another in a Godly manner as the Bible requires of us and are trusting to see miracles continue to happen. It’s a great adventure and a great challenge! Come and join us at Heath Primary School any Sunday at 10.30am. You will be made very welcome. www.nlcc-ipswich.org.uk

In Touch online:

YOUR LOCAL SERVICES

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

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

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

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: marchconsulting@fsmail.net

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