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with Brantham, Lawford Manningtree & Mistley Volume 6 • Issue No. 10 • AUGUST 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My parents celebrated their golden anniversary in June and, as you do at times such as this, we have talked at length about the trials and tribulations they faced over the years, some good, some not so. I’m proud their marriage was rock solid throughout, even when faced with tough financial times on the farm, a variety of health challenges, a rather rebellious teenage daughter and, in recent years, the collapse of the Irish economy which has impacted on everyone in one way or another. Married in 1966 and parents for the first time in 1967, my mum and dad showed remarkable resilience when it may have been easier to walk away. Back then when farm machinery was either unavailable or unaffordable, farming was not for the fainthearted, but they were a formidable team. Mum was the ultimate survivor. She baked, she sewed, she kept a garden, she helped on the farm, she managed the books… she did what had to be done to make ends meet and she and dad were totally committed to giving my brothers and I every opportunity they had been denied. They also knew how to have fun. My mum could turn a Sunday picnic in the garden into an unforgettable adventure. That said I don’t ever want to eat ox tongue sandwiches again as long as I live. Our annual daytrip to Kinvarra beach and the annual pilgrimage to Knock were the highlights of summers spent in the garden and on the farm. Every year I bought red heart-shaped sun glasses in Kinvarra and one of those little toy camera picture viewers in Knock and I was the happiest little girl in the world. My life is remarkable different to theirs, but I suspect my everyday worries are not entirely dissimilar. Making my own butter or knitting socks aren’t realistic money-saving options for me, but, thanks to my parents, I do have a ‘pull your socks up and get on with it’ approach to most things, and this I’m grateful for in these rather disconcerting political times.
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NEWS BRANTHAM’S ANNUAL MEGA CHARITY GARAGE SALE We would like to say a big thank you to everyone in the village who supported us with donations and contributions and helped make our latest garage sale, the last we will organise, a huge success. Over the last 13 years your support has been invaluable and each year we have done better, this year being no exception as to-date we have just topped £7,000 with a bit more still to come, well up on last year’s total. With the BBQ and WI refreshments, the two churches, garages open and the village hall tables, our publicity person got lots of people to Brantham from near and far. Mother Nature was kind to us, not too hot all day, then rain coming just after 1pm. We would like to thank our helpers and printers and those who loaned their garages for storage or made donations of items for sale and for the tombolas. Well done everyone. The money raised will be split with half going to St Elizabeth Hospice (the Carla Dawson Tribute Fund) and the other half will be divided between The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Woolverstone Wish at Ipswich Hospital Cancer Unit and Marie Curie, with smaller donations going to The Nepal Children’s Trust and the Brantham Village Hall Brick Appeal. This brings our grand total collected to over £43,000. Once again, we are pleased to have donated all the leftover items to Acorn Village at Mistley who made several trips to clear out our garages. Thank you so much Ronnie Dawson and Yvonne Amoss
WORLD FAMOUS PSYCHIATRIST TO VISIT ESSEX On Wednesday, October 19 at 1pm Dr Norman Rosenthal, clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington DC and the first physician to diagnose and name Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and prescribe light therapy to treat it, will be giving a public talk at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH. There is no charge for entrance. Recently Dr Rosenthal has published research on Botox therapy for alleviating depression and transcendental meditation (TM) for reducing anxiety and treating post traumatic stress disorder in US military personnel. Dr Rosenthal is the author of Winter Blues and the best-selling book The Gift of Adversity. His latest book, Super Mind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life Through Transcendental Meditation, follows on from his previous bestselling book Transcendence. Super Mind draws on the experiences of people from all walks of life, including highly successful business people, directors and actors, including Ray Dalio, David Lynch and Hugh Jackman. Super Mind, which reached number one on the Washington Post bestsellers list, describes how TM helps people access expanded states of consciousness, thereby promoting personal growth and boosting performance. Rosenthal supports these observations with a survey of 600 TM practitioners. TM can reduce anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and reduce the adverse effects of stress on the body, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke. Referring to the hundreds of peer-reviewed research studies on TM, Rosenthal notes: “In my 37 years as a practicing psychiatrist, TM is one of the most potent nondrug treatments I have encountered. I recommend it frequently in my own clinical practice.” In addition to speaking privately to doctors and academics in Essex, Dr Rosenthal will be speaking at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge University. The title of these talks is The Quest for Innovative Treatments in Psychiatry and Medicine: a Personal Perspective. Dr Rosenthal has published more than 200 scholarly papers. In Super Mind Dr Rosenthal compares and contrasts transcendence with mindfulness, illustrating how they differ in their technique and effect. To book a place at the talk on October 19 visit: http://uk.tm.org/web/essex/introductory-talks 3
NEWS NEPAL CHILDREN’S TRUST
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR HOME-START Home-Start in Mid and West Suffolk reaches out and supports parents who are struggling in their parenting role due to a variety of reasons. Volunteers are at the very heart of the service, connecting on a one-to-one basis with families, offering friendship and support.
The trust had a very successful AGM on July 5 at Bakes and Blossoms in Brantham. The chair, Maya Watling, reported on the work over the past year. Funding raised at last year’s Brantham Garage Sale had helped to fund a sewing school in Katmandu and to support a school in Ranipani which had been destroyed by an earthquake. For more information about this very worthwhile local charity contact Maya on 07508 430671.
Home-Start Volunteers offer their time and personal experience; most are parents or grandparents, foster parents or step parents. Full training and on-going support are given. Do you have two hours to spare each week? Do you have parenting experience? Do you want to give back to your community? Do you like to learn new things and meet new people? We have preparation courses starting soon. Find out more by contacting Maria: 01379 678552 / office@homestartmidsuffolk.org.uk
CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Patient Participation Group and Patient Feedback Over the last year there have been many changes at the practice. In addition to changes in the partnership and other staff, we have also changed our appointment system. Some changes take a while to have an impact on how the practice is perceived as some patients only occasionally have a need to visit the practice. However, we hope that our policy of always offering a same day face-to-face or telephone appointment is reassuring and patients understand they can contact us at any time of the day if they need access to a clinician. We want to continue to improve the service we offer and our interaction with patients is key to helping us understand what works well and where we can improve. I thought it may be useful to summarise how you can improve your interaction with the practice. Most importantly, please ensure we have up-to-date contact details for you, including home and mobile telephone numbers and an email address. You can update these via our website (click on ‘update contact details’ on the home page) or by filling in a form available from reception. This will enable us to send appointment confirmations, notifications of test results and other important information we feel you should be aware of. Note that your details are strictly confidential and will only be used for practice purposes. We are further developing our website to ensure that information you need is available. It contains PPG minutes and contact details, news items including regular practice updates, information on our appointment system, and the facilities to register as a new patient and provide feedback. Our aim is to improve the website over the coming months
to ensure it contains up-to-date and useful information. We will also be introducing a Twitter feed to inform patients of incidents, such as power cuts, or events such as flu clinics. The PPG has been operating for over a year now and we are lucky to have such an active PPG. We meet monthly and discuss the day to day operation of the practice, new developments and any problems which come to their attention. The PPG is also proactive in helping the practice address wider health issues. They recently organised a very successful presentation on diabetes by Dr Gerry Rayman, and will be organising further events in the year ahead. Their contact details can be found on the website and they welcome feedback on how the practice is performing. The PPG has provided feedback cards for patient use with collection boxes at Capel and East Bergholt. We also have Friends and Family Test feedback cards available, and patients can provide feedback via our website and on NHS Choices. We welcome all feedback, though we hope patients will tell us when they have had a good experience, not just when they have experienced a problem. Training Days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Thursday, September 15 and Wednesday, October 12. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day. Practice Manager Pete Keeble
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NEWS SIGN UP AND GET CONNECTED WITH POLICE CONNECT Police Connect is a free messaging service connecting you to the very latest policing news for your area via email, text or phone. Police Connect will provide you with localised information for a variety of situations, including emergency alerts, missing people appeals, crime reports, neighbourhood policing news and events. To register, contact 101 and we will get a form to you or register online at: www.Suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect Suffolk Police supports the use of social media as a means of talking with and listening to the communities we serve. Our networks provide people with an alternative source of the latest information in real time, often accompanied by images or videos. Suffolk Police can also be found on Facebook, Google, Instagram and YouTube. Officers in Hadleigh have recently joined social networking site Twitter and will be issuing regular updates about news, events, arrests and what’s happening in your neighbourhood. Follow us @HadleighPolice.
The short updates, known as tweets, will give a better insight into police work and help build relationships alongside the day-to-day work carried out by officers. In addition to @SuffolkPolice, our main corporate account, we also have the district accounts providing information at local level, as well as some departmental accounts and personal ones of senior officers. It is important to remember however that Twitter is not the place to report a crime or raise an issue you need to discuss in confidence: For non-emergency matters call 101. In emergencies always dial 999. Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL Edited extracts from the minutes of the annual meeting on June 27 The full unapproved minutes of the meetings are displayed at the noticeboards near to the bus stop at Rigby Avenue and also outside Mistley Post Office in the High Street. The approved minutes can be accessed online at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings Councillor Ian Rose A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect for the recent death of former parish councillor Ian Rose. Public Voice County Councillor Guglielmi provided reports from Essex County Council and Tendring District Council. Clerk’s Report Tendring District Council had confirmed that no electors had sought an election for the casual vacancy and that the parish council could now seek applications for co-option. Reports on meetings attended Councillor Birch provided a summary of the last meeting of Tendring Association of Local Councils. Councillor Fairhall reported that after several meetings and receiving legal advice, Tendring District Council’s Planning Committee had decided not to object to the appeal against non-determination of the planning application in respect of land south of Long Road. Apparently this was owing to the lack of a Local Plan and
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being unable to identify suitable sites, the Planning Committee agreed that as the adverse impacts did not outweigh the possible benefits of the development and approved the application. The chairman acknowledged the generosity of local sponsors and the help of those who had organised the Family Fun at the Furze event. At its peak approximately 1,000 people attended the event and feedback had been positive. The chairman and Councillor Carter had presented the children at Mistley Norman School and Little Lambs Pre-School with commemorative medals for the Queen’s 90th birthday. Planning The council agreed to make no comment to three planning applications and no objection to one other. Finance In addition to the regular finance items, the council agreed to pay half towards the cost of putting up a step to enable access at the village hall for the Kids Club, which would contribute the other half of the cost. Correspondence Permission was granted to Colchester Rovers Cycling Club to run a Cyclo Cross Event at Furze Hill on October 23. Dates of next meetings (all in the village hall) Planning Committee: Thursday, August 4 at 7.45pm Full Council: Monday, August 8 at 7.30pm Planning Committee: Thursday, August 25 at 7.45pm
LAWFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MANNINGTREE TOWN COUNCIL
You can read the council’s minutes on:
The minutes of Manningtree Town Council meetings are available on their website, on the two town noticeboards (one at the Coop Fiveways store and one beside the library) and at the clerk's office by appointment: 01206 390285
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www.essexinfo.net/lawford-parish-council
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on the parish council’s noticeboards
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minutes can be collected from the Parish Office by prior arrangement as the offices are not open to the public.
www.manningtreetowncouncil.org.uk
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NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: AUGUST 2016 DEVOLUTION FOR SUFFOLK (& NORFOLK?) If you’ve been following this in the papers you may have seen that all the councils in Suffolk have voted to remain in the process for now, but four in Norfolk have dropped out. With one of those being Norwich itself, it’s difficult to see how this can be made to work. Norwich and Ipswich had been specifically targeted for housing investment and I would imagine more changes will be required. The whole process has been rushed through to meet an election deadline of putting a mayor in place from next May. That rush has left some important matters like democracy, clarity, practicality and need unexamined. The recent Chilcot report describes what happens (much more dangerously in that case) when these points are not properly considered. It’s also possible that the whole idea will be reconsidered in the light of larger concerns and a leadership change at Westminster. Alternatively though, a consultation exercise starting now will take place and the matter forced through for a final decision from those councils still involved in October. That consultation may be taking the form of a survey from a polling company, so if you’re one of those contacted I’d suggest paying close attention to the wording of the questions. Tricksy, as somebody once said. WHAT DOES A COUNCILLOR DO? PART 1: WARD & PARISHES I can only speak for myself here as we often have different responsibilities in council as a whole, but in the wards there should be a lot of common ground. Personally, I think the ward is the best bit of the job and where we can see some real results sometimes. Taking recent months as an example, this is a very rough list of the sort of thing we might be doing or dealing with. Problem with an extension and getting planning permission for it,
problem with a planning application that a neighbour has made, street sign with the wrong name on it in the wrong place, need for residents parking sign, problem with business rates, changes made to discretionary housing benefit, help with rehousing and waiting list for housing, visiting local businesses (not just pubs), radio interview on planning and housing policy at 6.15am, speaking at planning committee as ward member on specific applications, dealing with the arrival of travellers and the subsequent clean up, fly tipping incidents, radio and TV interviews on strategic planning application, attending village functions (although I might be anyway), responding to a flash flood (boy, has it rained this year), Japanese Knotweed report, long grass obscuring highway, hedges and branches covering footpaths or roadway, rats causing problems and just going around keeping my eyes and ears open. There are limits to what we can do, but trying is always a start. Every month I report to the parish council meetings on relevant Babergh activity and act as a liaison, and often an interpreter, a link over common concerns. We need to have a clear idea of the aims and objectives of both Babergh and the parishes and act as a bridge between them. So there are phone calls, emails and meetings where needed and you try to tie things together. I don’t do surgeries as such. I’m here anyway, at the end of a phone, so I’ve taken to a roughly weekly ride around the village pubs, usually on a Sunday afternoon. Anybody who wants to can say hello or ask about something. I’m on a blue Claud Butler racing bike and there might be coloured socks as well. Feel free to come over and chat anytime. Alastair McCraw: 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw and Harriet Steer (a joint open group) Harriet Steer: 07545 961629 / harriet.steer@babergh.gov.uk
HAVE YOUR SAY ON TENDRING’S NEW LOCAL PLAN The final go ahead has been given for an eight-week public consultation to take place on Tendring’s Local Plan. The consultation on the Preferred Options Consultation Document ends on Thursday, September 8 at 5pm. Once implemented the new Local Plan will set out how planning applications should be determined, allocate land for housing, employment, retail, hotel and tourism development, open space and green infrastructure. It will also provide policies to protect the district’s heritage assets until 2033 and beyond. Tendring District Council (TDC) wants to engage with residents, local groups, businesses and statutory bodies during the production of the plan to ensure that it meets the changing needs and aspirations of the area.
be on hand to listen to any concerns or suggestions or to answer any questions people might have. Monday, August 22, 1.30-6.30pm: Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Manningtree CO11 2JE Tuesday, August 30, 2.30-6.30pm: Elmstead Community Centre, School Road, Elmstead Market CO7 7ET Consultation materials and representation forms can be downloaded from the council website and are available for viewing at local libraries. Comments must be received through written representation and not by any other means including petitions and voice mail.
Neil Stock, chairman of TDC’s Local Plan Committee and the Leader of Tendring District Council, said that whether it is homes, open space for recreation or premises for business to thrive and prosper, the council needs to ensure that it has the right development coming forward in the right place. “The new Local Plan has to balance the need for land for development with the continued protection of the high quality environment that makes the Tendring District such an attractive place to live and work and visit,” he added. “Without an up-to-date Local Plan in place there is a greater risk of uncontrolled development and a lack of new supporting infrastructure.” The Local Plan will be finalised early next year and submitted to the government inspector for it to be publicly examined before the council can adopt it. As part of the consultation, public exhibitions (listed below) will be held during the consultation period and planning officers from the council will www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT VENTURE CENTRE, LAWFORD BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE PROPERTY MARKET So what has changed? Well, not a great deal... Whatever may or may not happen this is a new beginning for the UK and, despite what we hear in the news, during this transition many positive opportunities are likely to occur and it is far from a glance into the abyss which followed the 2008 financial crisis. A pause for breath in the property market is just as much to do with the longer-term surge in house prices to record levels, as it is of any “Leaving the European Union” effects. Since 2012 house price growth has been purely founded upon demand outstripping supply and we do not foresee that this will change. Yes the vote to leave and subsequent resignation of the prime minister has obviously caused an initial amount of uncertainty, but any fall in buyers is likely be matched by a fall in sellers. We may see a lower volume in transactions, but by no means is the ground going to fall out beneath us. In fact, the mortgage market is looking rosy. Banks now have a requirement to hold much more capital to maintain their liquidity and the Bank of England is likely to relax those requirements in tandem with an expected interest rate drop. The cost to banks for funding fixed rate deals is also falling so the availability of ‘cheap’ money is likely to continue, encouraging continued investment in the property market. Whilst the fear was that London prices would soften as investors took a ‘wait and see’ approach, our London associates have seen a surge in Chinese and Indian interest with Sterling at a 31 year low. We are yet to deal with any renegotiation of prices on agreed transactions or any aborted sales attributed to “Brexit fears”. Mortgage offers continue to be issued without quibble on price. Buyers continue to register with us and some have been looking for many months. Our well connected picturesque area has always attracted retirees and commuters from more affluent areas down the A12 corridor. Circumstances will always drive a desire to move. Our growing population, the availability of lending and the chronic housing shortage will continue to provide under-lying stability to the housing market. Taking a common sense approach by having a large deposit and not over extending yourself is good advice no matter what the market is like. Darryl Stanley and Tracy Churchwood, Company Directors of Essex Country and Village Homes, Manningtree
CONSTABLE SINGERS New members welcome. Would you like to come and join us? We meet at the Lambe School at 7pm on Thursdays, apart from the second Thursday when we meet at Holton Village Hall. No audition and you don’t have to read music as we sing along to CD backing tracks. Words are provided for popular songs and songs from the musicals. It’s just an evening of fun and enjoyment, and it’s widely acknowledged that singing reduces stress. We occasionally sing at sheltered and care homes and also hope to have a charity concert later in the year. Contact Yvonne (298428) or Mel (298628) for further details. 10
EVENTS IN AUGUST Tuesdays and Thursdays: Papworth Holiday Club, suitable for young people (11-19 years) with special needs. Variety of activities including craft and games, 10am-3pm at £5 a session. Please bring your own packed lunch. To book your place please contact Gayle: 07955 010069 / 0800 952 5000 Tuesday evenings: New evening yoga class, 6.30-7.30pm, £5 per session. This class is aimed at beginners and those with basic yoga skills. The class will focus on posture, relaxation, meditation and breathing techniques. For more information please contact Grace: 07486 398138 / grace42899@gmail.com Monday, August 1: Little Acorns demonstration of clairvoyance with Michael Williamson, 7.30-9pm. Doors open 7pm, admission £3.50. Monday, August 1: Blood Bay Sunday, August 7: Link Line, 2-4pm Wednesday, August 10: Lymphedema support group, 11am1pm. The North Essex Lymphoedema Support Group for all those people with lymphoedema and their carers, whether primary or secondary. The meetings are to bring people together as a means of support and to share information. Some meetings will have speakers. Further information from Linda McFadden: 01206 241338 / lindamcfadden203@btinternet.com Thursday, August 11: Singing 4 the Brain, 2-4pm Tuesday, August 16: Link Line Coffee, Chat and Cake, a time to meet up for a chat with light refreshments upstairs in the Ivell Suite, 10am-noon. Open to everybody. Sunday, August 21: Link Line, 2-4pm Monday, August 22: Local Planning Consultation, 1.30-6.30pm (see page 9) Monday, August 24: Blood Day REGULAR CLASSES Monday: Table tennis, Active 4 Life Keep Fit Tuesday: Papworth, choir, yoga Wednesday: Weight Watchers, body conditioning and pilates Thursday: Papworth, Slimming World Friday: Active 4 Life and pilates Saturday: Available for private hire Sunday: Fortnightly Link Line meetings and available for private hire Sunday: Key to Love Christina Fellowship every Sunday morning at 11am For further information on times and contact details visit: www.venturecentre2000.co.uk
ACORN VILLAGE Acorn Village Fun and Friendly Dog Show is back. Come and join in the fun on August 6 from 10am-3pm and help raise funds for adults with learning disabilities ensuring ‘Life is For Living’ for all. This year we have a selection of classic cars joining for the first time and our delightful judges from Highcliff Veterinary Surgery are returning once more. A huge thank you to them. Due to popular demand the wonderful Dog and Duck show is back again. We have the All Star Cheerleaders opening the classes at 10.50am, Kyra’s Castles inflatables, a barbecue, charity shop, coffee shop, furniture shed and charity sheds, as well as stalls dotted around so there should be something to keep everyone amused. DN Howells are sponsoring the rosettes and trophies once more so there should be some very happy pups and owners on the day. All dogs must keep their owners on leads as usual and ensure their owner is well behaved. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you on August 6.
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OUT & ABOUT ST MICHAEL’S, MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, August 13, 9am-12.30pm. A chance to buy a whole range of products from local people including fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items. Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee,
STOUR CHORAL SOCIETY Stour Choral Society ended its 45 years celebrations with a standing room only performance in Old Hall, East Bergholt with the children’s choir from Highfields and Lawford Primary Schools and Manningtree High School. Songs for Summer was based around the Sound of Music’s ever popular melodies, sung by the young and not so young, with a puppet theatre for the Lonely Goatherd. The society opened with three Shakespeare songs set to music by George Shearing and then joined with the children for Karl Jenkins’ Adiemus.
and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue. New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777
BRANTHAM COMMUNITY CHOIR Do you sing in the bath? Would you like to sing with others (not in your bathroom)? This was the idea Jackie Heywood had about three years ago when she wrote about starting a choir in Brantham. Things have moved on, we now have a band of singers who get together once a fortnight at the Methodist Church to enjoy themselves singing in unison (in theory). We even sing from sheet music (many just use it for the words). Although some of the lines and various shaped notes begin to make sense after a time. Some people are even asking us to sing! We recently put on an afternoon tea concert to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Two in fact – one in Brantham where we collected over £400 for the village hall disabled facilities’ fund and we inflicted ourselves on the Queen’s birthday party in Tattingstone, even after the locals had heard us sing at their fete. We would like a few more voices to join us, especially male voices, but more female voices would also be very welcome. Why not contact Jackie (392261) to find out about the next rehearsal and give us a try? We have been singing songs from the musicals, patriotic songs for the Queen’s birthday celebrations and members will soon be deciding what we should be tackling next. More modern songs seem to be favourite. We have some Scottish songs in our repertoire for Burns Night and later in the year we will be practising Christmas carols so that we can go carolling at local events and the local pubs. Derek
VILLAGE LINK CLUB Marianne Braime will present a talk on silver and gemstones on August 10. This will be followed by a fish and chip lunch for club members. Future talks this year: A Naval Sailor’s Life is a Merry Life (with music); Creative Story Writing; Pavements We Walk On; Nothing Like a Dame; Dedham, Lavenham and the Cloth Trade; Chaplin of the Methodist Homes; Wolves, Dogs and Us; Easter Parade; The Building of Bury Tower. Meetings are held in Tattingstone Village Hall on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us.
Manningtree High School vocal group sang On my Own from Les Miserables, Benedictus by Karl Jenkins and This is Gospel. Solos were added with Maybe This Time sung by Jessica Villiers and Anna Maria Hyman sang I Could Have Danced All Night. All this was accompanied by Duncan Archard, Stephen Smith, Alan Swift and Abi Holmes under the direction and training of Susie Hyman. This made a splendid evening of lively, enjoyable entertainment. Stour Choral Society will now enjoy a break and start their new season on Monday, September 5.
16 July – 3 September in all Essex Libraries Children will have a scrummdiddlyumptious time when they join The Big Friendly Read. As they read or share books of their choice they will collect Roald Dahl character cards and earn a medal and certificate. Children aged 10 and over can take part in a new activity called My Zine where they can create art inspired by a book. For more information go to www.essex.gov.uk/libraries
Roger Felgate, 01473 311684 www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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OUT & ABOUT AUGUST EVENTS AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH Manningtree Methodist Church is arranging a series of meetings in August when most of the groups booking the church premises are having a break.
EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Saturday, July 30: A special Fair Trade afternoon tea from 3-5pm and at 5pm an illustrated presentation by Helen Plummer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. Helen has made several world trips to meet and see Fair Trade production. Helen grew up in Mistley and Manningtree. Wednesday, August 3: Bible Study at 2.30pm, also Welcome Wednesday Tea & Chat Saturday, August 6, 7pm: Flower arranging demonstration by Toni with refreshments and a raffle in memory of the late Bob Woods Wednesday, August 10, 2.30pm: Nepal Children’s Charity and Welcome Wednesday Tea & Chat Wednesday, August 17, 2.30pm: The History of Lavender and Welcome Wednesday Tea & Chat Wednesday, August 24, 2.30pm: Essex Dialect Words and Welcome Wednesday Tea & Chat Wednesday, August 31: Monthly Midweek Service of Holy Communion led by The Rev Crawford Logan and Welcome Wednesday Tea & Chat Minister in charge: The Rev Eva Walker
East Bergholt High School Sunday, September 18 9.30am-noon Admission 50p Refreshments available Free Car Park PITCHES In advance: cars £5, with trailers £7, domestic vans £10 On the day: cars £6, with trailers £8, domestic vans £11 No traders Gates open 8.30am for sellers ( 01206 298122
01255 851179 / revevawalker@gmail.com
Brantham Leisure Centre, New Village, Manningtree. CO11 1RZ
Midday – 4pm
Entry by Donation
Fun for all the Family
SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST
BRANTHAM FAMILY FUN DAY
Visit from Essex Air Ambulance!!!
Bouncy Castles, Children’s Crafts and Entertainment Lots of different stalls Hot and Cold Food, Ice Cream and a Beer Tent An arena with many different displays
Raising Money for Essex Air Ambulance
FOR INFORMATION Contact Alice 07906828122 Alice_randell@yahoo.co.uk
NO Dogs Except Guide Dogs F
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OUT & ABOUT ROTARY CLUB OF MANNINGTREE STOUR VALLEY
MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
On Sunday, June 19, The Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley took part in the Essex stretch of Rotary Ride 2016, a sponsored relay cycle ride in aid of Prostate Cancer Research. Rotary Ride is a national initiative in which Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland host a range of cycle rides for all ages and abilities. With the excellent backing of the Manningtree Wheelers and the club’s support and involvement, the cyclists set of from Manningtree Station for the first leg to Dovercourt Leisure Centre.
Colin Daines with Rob Sharratt Colin Daines was delighted to become the new president of Manningtree Stour Valley Rotary Club at a special meeting of the club on June 30. Colin was congratulated by outgoing president Rob Sharratt who presented him with the Rotary chain of office. Colin said: “I am honoured to be leading this hardworking group of Rotarians over the next Rotary year. I will do my best to raise the profile of the club in the community and continue our great work in raising much needed funds for local and International charities.” As one of his last duties as president, Rob was proud to welcome Kostas Manousakis as a new member of the club. Kostas was introduced by David Taylor of the Colchester Rotary Club. The meeting was an informal evening with guests held at the home of Rob and Carol Sharratt. Carol served a delicious meal at tables set under a marquee in the garden.
STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On July 6 Lewis Tyler talked to us about The River Gipping Trust and on July 20 David Brown presented a talk entitled The Land of the Dragon. Our popular summer lunch took place at the Venture Centre on Sunday, July 17. No meetings take place in August and our speakers on September 7 and 21 are respectively Tom Hodgson with What the Papers Say and Francis Boardman with The Battle of Waterloo. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and to providing the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 10.30am. For further details please contact our secretary Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665 www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
Two of our members recently took part in the Chelmsford Photography Marathon. The challenge was to take 12 photographs in six hours with no editing allowed. They joined in with a large number of other enthusiasts and really enjoyed the experience. For details see: www.facebook.com/Chelmsfordphotomarathon Belonging to a local society can open the door to the wider world of photography. You don’t need to be an expert. Our group includes beginners, enthusiasts and highly skilled amateurs. There is always someone ready to share advice as we have photographers who have a wide range of interests and experience. We meet on Thursday evenings, twice monthly, at 7.30pm at the St Johns Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. From September to May our programme includes guest speakers, workshop evenings, field trips and competitions. We are affiliated to the PAGB (Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) through the EAF (East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies). At our first meeting on Thursday, September 8 we shall be pleased to welcome local photographer Ian Love with an illustrated talk entitled Red Elephant African Safari. For more information contact our secretary: 01206 396958 / madps@post.com www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY The society is now on summer holiday. Next season’s programme begins on September 7 with Tony Faber telling us about the history of his family publishing firm Faber & Faber through its cover designs and illustrations. The 2016-17 season looks really good with lectures on camouflage and British artists, fine cell work in British prisons, Georgian conjurers, David Hockney, Antony Penrose talking about his mother Lee Miller, street art, sacred silver and a spy story set in London. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months and we also organise interesting day visits. The wonderfully illustrated lectures are presented by national and international lecturers and start at 2.15pm (2pm arrival is advised). Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space. A £5 donation is asked. For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com www.orwelldfas.org.uk 17
OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY U3A
JOIN US
On Wednesday, July 13 Brian Cornell, a former Thames lighterman on the River Thames, talked on The Thames Watermen and Lightermen. This was a most interesting first-hand account of the operating practices of the Port of London in the post-war era.
Across our district, there are currently more than 200 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section members. We also have large numbers of girls on our waiting lists who would be able to join us if we had more adult volunteers on board.
We don’t have a speaker meeting in August but hold our popular summer dinner on Friday, August 5 at the Constable Hall.
The main section that makes up two thirds of all current waiting lists, and where leaders and helpers are mostly needed, is for the Rainbows. These are girls aged five and six.
On Wednesday, September 14 Dr John Ashdown-Hill FSA, FRHistS, historian, writer and lecturer will talk on The Mythology of Richard III. He will explore the traditional mythology and modern myths which have emerged since the discovery of his remains in 2012. Was he a usurper? How many did he kill? Who was really responsible for finding his remains? We meet at the Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month (except August and December). Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and visits to gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust and have more than 230 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www. stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty may be contacted. It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.
TEA & SUPPORT IN MISTLEY Tea & Support, the meeting place for those who have been bereaved or left living alone, is held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Church Hall, New Road, Mistley. Meetings are usually from 2-4pm, are free of charge and transport can be arranged. Come along to meet new friends in a safe, friendly environment. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, August 17, when we shall be taught some easy exercises by a professional tutor, a friend of one of our ladies, Chris Feather, herself a former exercise coach. For more details please contact the church office of St Mary’s & St Michael’s Church (01206 392200), Paskell’s of Manningtree (01206 396709) or Joy Baker (01206 391918). Copies of our 2016 programme are available from Paskell’s in Manningtree or from the church.
Capel St Mary, Holbrook, East Bergholt and Brantham are where girls and helpers could benefit the most from taking part in games, crafts, badges, adventures and fun with lots of laughter. Due to Rainbows being the youngest members of Girlguiding UK, they have safety ratios of five girls to every one leader and their units usually meet for an hour a week in term times, between 4.30-6pm (this is decided by each unit individually). All helpers receive support from current Guiding members and have full access to a wide variety of resources and equipment to help them. If you are aged 14+ you can be a young leader, with leaders and unit helpers being 18+. Please contact baberghandsamford@gmail.com for more information, or register your interest to join or to place your daughter or ward on a unit waiting list on the Girlguiding UK website by clicking on Join Us. We look forward to hear from you soon. Heather McDonald, District Commissioner for Babergh and Samford District
BRANTHAM OVER SIXTIES CLUB On June 14, Barry O’Connell, who uses a wheelchair, accompanied by Guy, his canine partner, showed us how his very clever dog helps him manage his life, helping him to dress and picking up and fetching things for him among many other helpful jobs. It was wonderful to see that a dog could be trained to do so much to make Barry’s life a bit easier. We enjoyed a strawberry cream tea and a quiz on June 21. Members were thanked for making scones and shopping for strawberries and all that goes with them and Pauline for laying on the quiz and doing most of the work. A very scrumptious afternoon. On June 28 Pat South paid us her annual visit and made three beautiful flower arrangements which she donated to the raffle. Three lucky members went home very happy. She also entertained with her usual chit chat about every subject under the sun. We always enjoy her visits, and I’m sure she will be booked for next year Dates for the diary Tuesday, August 16: Annual fundraiser with a ploughman’s lunch at 1pm, followed from 2.30pm with a bring ‘n’ buy, a cake stall and competitions at 20p a go. Tuesday, September 13: Colchester Castle with Yasmine Somers Tuesday, September 20: Quiz Tuesday, September 27: Norwegian Coastal Voyage with Chris Parfitt Tuesday, October 11: The Rise and Fall of the Colchester Good Time Girls (1855-1895) by Dr Jane Pearson Tuesday, October 18: Bingo Tuesday, October 25: When The Clock Strikes Twelve with Barbara Faulkner Meetings are on Tuesday afternoons in Brantham Leisure Centre, 2.30-4.30pm. Visitors are always welcome, and we would love to have some more members. Further details from Mrs Jean Lace: 01206 396242
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Mon
Seated Exercise Counselling with Hannah
Tue
Farmers Market 9.30am - 12.30pm Beautician 9.30am Complementary practitioner 12.30pm Relaxation and meditation 7pm
1.30pm 9am
Wed Podiatry Belly Dancing Choir Wednesday Paper Craft (last Wednesday of month) Thur Massage Therapist Hearing Aid Specialist Fri
9am 7 - 8pm 1pm 1.30pm
10am Alternative weeks
Tai Chi Computers for the Terrified
1pm 1.30pm
Foundry Court Community Centre Colchester Road, Manningtree
01206 397283
www.foundrycourt.co.uk
Physio and Acupuncturist available on Monday and Friday afternoons - appointments required. Venue available for hire for parties, wakes and anniversaries - all occasions considered. For more details or to make an appointment please contact Carole on 397283
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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OUT & ABOUT THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION EAST BERGHOLT AND BRANTHAM BRANCH The Royal British Legion would like to thank all those who participated in any way to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. The recent publication of the Chilcot report into the Iraq War reminds us that British and Commonwealth members of the Armed Forces are in harm’s way every day of every year. This means the work of the Royal British Legion is ongoing and while we thank you for your past support, please help us now in any way that you can. Simple membership of the local branch helps the organisation maintain a local structure and presence. The Poppy Appeal is nearly upon us, when collectors and your contributions can make a great deal of difference in supporting our work. The commitment and service of our Armed Forces past and present should not be underestimated. With your help we can make a difference and express our support and thanks for their efforts. Thank you. Hon Secretary John Hinton
TRANSITION STOUR VALLEY We have a wonderful set of evening adventures for 11-16 years olds starting late August, linking local creatives up with local kids. We have foraging walks with a cook-up (parents allowed on that one), making clay ovens, foraging and cooking indoors with Jess Noy, traditional building skills and lots more. See Digging and Delving in the Dedham Vale at: www.apricotcentre.co.uk Our annual Apple Day event is at Flatford Mill RSPB Garden on September 25, 11am-2.30pm. It’s a free event, you can bring a bag of your own apples to press, ask Andrew Tann to identify unknown varieties from you garden or simply taste some unusual local apples and drink some freshly pressed apple juice. See Apple Day on www.apricotcentre.co.uk or call 01206 230425. Local organic vegetables from Bennison Farm are delivered to Lawford areas weekly for only £11 per week. Contact Danny on: info@bennisonfarm.co.uk
LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Robert Gould of Colchester Wine Society was the speaker at the last meeting. He has won many awards this year in both national and local competitions for his various wines. It is possible to use a good variety of both fruit and vegetables from our gardens and hedgerows. Elderflowers, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries and sloes are all good for winemaking and a small amount of grape concentrate helps to enhance the flavour. Members enjoyed a wine tasting evening with samples supplied by Robert and a buffet arranged by the committee. Barbara Faulker will present a talk entitled Hop Picking at Horseman Den on Thursday, August 18. A gentle reminder that the autumn show will take place on September 3 so please check you have the date in your diary. Looking forward to seeing you.
SUMMER FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN If you’re looking for something for the children to do during the long holidays that involves them being outside in the fresh air and engaging with nature in beautiful surroundings, look no further than RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden. Playing outside helps children to develop resilience, confidence and problem-solving skills. The RSPB also believes that it helps to nurture a feeling of connection with nature and hopefully a sense of responsibility about what happens to it in the future. Here at the garden we are running family activities every day during the school holidays, with a programme that changes from week to week. Bug hunts, wormeries, nature trail challenges, making bird feeders, planting wildlife-friendly plants to take home and craft activities are all on the list. No need to book, just turn up and join in. We open at 10.30am and the gates close at 4.30pm. There is a small charge that includes all activities available on the day, and there is a discount for RSPB members.
Photo by Sharon Barker If you haven’t visited us for a while, you’ll find that some new features have been added to the garden since last year. In among the lushly filled beds and borders you’ll find new additions to the family trail, such as log piles to rummage in, a child-sized nest box, a wonderful living willow tunnel to race through and a joyous roly-poly hill to roll down. So, all this set in the peaceful surroundings of the garden that slopes gently down towards the Stour, with plenty of places to picnic, means that there’s something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you. For more details, please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/Flatford www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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SCHOOLS / SPORT BROOKLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
EAST BERGHOLT TENNIS CLUB
Here at Brooklands we like to recognise and reward good behaviour and over the years we have established a number of effective ways of doing this. Using a traffic light system children can get into ‘Sparkly Green’ by behaving extra well. Our ‘Raffle’ is our way of celebrating children staying in green for the whole week and the child whose name is selected at random gets to choose a prize from our prize wall.
Situated behind the playing fields in Gandish Road, we welcome new members of all ages and abilities. The club has three all-weather floodlit courts and teams take part in inter-club friendlies with men’s, ladies and mixed league teams. Two professional coaches offer group and individual coaching sessions for children and adults. Under the auspices of the North East Essex Tennis Academy (NEET), the club provides a high performance, tiered, group training programme for juniors (ages four to 16) more details of which are available at: www.neetacademy.co.uk
This year our Early Years and Year 4 pupils and their parents have been trialing Class DoJo to help recognise good behaviour and keep parents informed on their child’s participation, behaviour and teamwork. It has proved so successful that from September we will be rolling Class DoJo out across the school and I will be letting you know more about this soon. As part of our efforts to work towards identifying further ways in which we can improve our partnership involvement with parents, Brooklands is currently working towards the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA). The LPPA is a national award that provides a framework through which schools can deliver effective parental engagement and we are thrilled to be working towards this standard. I could not fail to be delighted with this year’s Year 1 phonics screening tests where we achieved 20% higher than last year’s national figure with a total of 97% reaching the expected standard. Our children have been really enjoying their outdoor swimming pool. They are benefiting greatly from Rose Cross’s help and guidance. As a Level 2 Qualified swimming instructor, Rose has been supporting our teachers by the pool to help develop our children’s swimming skills. I am delighted to announce that Brooklands has been awarded the BIG Award for excellence in bullying intervention. Adrienne Katz, co-director of BIG remarked on the school’s strong and clear anti-bullying strategy and our ability to use innovative ideas, pupil participation and an emphasis on equality. We are proud to include this mark among our awards. Information on how Brooklands manages bullying is available on our website along with our Anti-Bullying Charter. Best wishes, Christine Davy, headteacher
MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB June 100 Club Winners 1st £100 / No 12 Robin Mills 2nd £50 / No 68 Micehlle Evers 3rd £45 / No 18 Paul Hutton UPCOMING FIXTURES Cricket Week The annual MCC Cricket Week will take place between Monday 15 and Friday 19 August. There will be plenty going on, with the focus on the juniors on Monday and adult matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Lunches will be available on Tuesday and Friday. Why not come along and enjoy some cricket, and maybe a drink at our picturesque New Road ground? SATURDAY CRICKET Date 1st Team / Two Counties Div 1 Sat 6 Aug Haverhill (A) Sat 13 Aug Halstead (A) Sat 20 Aug Copford (A) Sat 27 Aug Braintree (H) Sat 3 Sep Coggeshall (A) Date Sat 6 Aug Sat 13 Aug Sat 20 Aug Sat 27 Aug Sat 3 Sep 22
2nd Team / Two Counties Div 3 Halstead II (A) Brightlingsea (H) Tuddenham (H) Coggeshall II (A) Kelvedon & Feering (H)
Weather permitting, club night is on Tuesday from 7.30-10pm and all members are welcome. Current membership subscriptions (allowing free use of the courts until 10pm every day) are: adults £50 or £90 per couple, juniors (under 18) £15, students £25, plus special offers for family membership. If you would like to know more please contact the following: Pete Richmond: 07932 815201 / richmondtennis@hotmail.co.uk Paul Lake, secretary: 01206 396556 / 55paullake@gmail.com
EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB At the AGM in June Martin Peck was elected as the new chairman to succeed Tony Moss. Pre-season training got under way on July 4 at Gandish Road. New players always welcome. The new season gets under way in August. Events currently scheduled include a quiz night in September and a race night in November. We are always looking for people who can help the club as a committee member, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays offer exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. Steve Butcher, stevebutcher55@btinternet.com Date Sat 6 Aug Sat 13 Aug Sat 20 Aug Sat 27 Aug
3rd Team / Two Counties Div 9 East Harwich &Dovercourt III (A) St Margarets II (H) Yoxford II (A) Kesgrave II H)
For more information and results please visit: http://twocounties.com SUNDAY AND MIDWEEK CRICKET Date NECL and National Village Competition Sun 7 Aug Elmstead (A) Sun 14 Aug Colchester & E Essex (A) Sun 21 Aug Colchester & E Essex (H) Mon 29 Aug North Essex T20 Finals Day Sun 4 Sep Eight Ash Green (H) Date Sun 14 Aug Sun 28 Aug Sun 4 Sep
Div C TEAM Two Counties Div C Copford (A) Frinton (H) Brightlingsea (A)
LADIES CRICKET Date Sun 7 Aug Sun 14 Aug Sun 21 Aug Fri 26 Aug Sun 28 Aug
Ladies Two Counties Maldon T20 (H) Bury ST Edmunds T20 (H) Battisford T20 (H) Battisford T20 (A) MCC (H) Felixstowe T20 (A)
New players are always welcome, please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com Mistley CC is a community club with strong traditions. Please come along and give us a look sometime.
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS SIZZLING SUMMER OF SPORT AT BRANTHAM LEISURE CENTRE Anglia Sports Management are running a packed programme of sport and activity every weekday during the summer holidays. Everything from coached football to kangoo boots, multi sports to dance, dodgeball to tag-rugby and water fights with the coaches. You can book half or full days and there’s even an early-drop off for busy parents, and all at amazingly good value for money. View the full programme and book online at: www.angliasportsmanagement.com
ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAWFORD Priest-in-charge: The Rev Simon Heron, 01206 392659 Services for August Sunday 7 8am
Holy Communion BCP
8.45am Prayer Breakfast 10am
Holy Communion
Sunday 14 8am
Holy Communion BCP
10am
Family Service
6.30pm No Evening Service Sunday 21 8am
Holy Communion BCP
10am
Holy Communion
6.30pm No Evening Service Sunday 28
CAPEL AND BRANTHAM METHODIST CHURCHES HOPE FOR OUR NATION Last month I spoke about the need for reconciliation and healing after the results of the football and the referendum would be known. Briefly the football had an inspirational and spirited performance by the Welsh team. The dismal failure of the English team has already cost the job of the manager, and I expect there will be more recriminations. Success in other sports has been welcome. All this is marginal in comparison to the ugly and disturbing mood in the nation after the referendum vote. In the referendum campaign, language was at times vicious and unacceptable and things said have left a slow acting poison in people’s minds that will be difficult to deal with, and both sides in the campaign bear some responsibility. Few are really happy with the result. A significant number of voters on the leave side now regret voting that way as some of the promises of Brexit have now been dismissed as mistakes or lies. The leaders of Brexit had made no real plans for the future – not expecting to win – and are now stepping back from the front line. The remain voters are angry, not just because of the lies, but also that the campaign became a personal battle between two factions of the Conservative party. This led to the majority support from Labour, Lib Dems and the Scottish National Party being side-lined. The contrast in voting behaviour of the young and the old leaves the young feeling penalised. British society normally copes with robust discussions without breakdown in relationships. A spirit of tolerance and politeness has underlined society for years. The referendum and its aftermath has shown that is a very thin veneer with many cracks allowing the poison of racism, discrimination and victimisation of groups to seep out and appear acceptable. It is not acceptable and the Methodist Conference meeting in London in July calls on us to:
8am
Holy Communion BCP
10am
Morning Worship
Ordinary people like us may feel unable to make an impact on the national scene, but we can make a difference at the local level and that is where it needs to start, sometimes in our own families. We can have discussion and disagreement without using vicious, hurtful and hateful language. We need to ensure a root of bitterness is not allowed to grow. We all need to stop and think about the words we use and what impact they have on the hearer and those to whom they may be repeated. Let us be those who offer hope and reconciliation and offer an optimistic view of how Britain can develop and still play a role on the world scene. The Rev Andrew Sankey Minister at Capel and Brantham Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST Sunday 7
10.30am Worship with Rev David Thompson 6.30pm Prayer Stations
Sunday 14
10.30am Worship with Rev Chris Jowett
Sunday 21
10.30am Worship with Rev Andrew Docherty
Sunday 28 10.30am Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey 7.30pm United Prayer Time at Methodist Church AT BRANTHAM METHODIST Sunday 7 11am
Worship and Communion with Rev Michael Cassidy
Sunday 14
11am
Worship with Mr Harry Chicken
Sunday 21
11am
Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols
Sunday 28 11am
Worship and Communion with Rev Derek Grimshaw
FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & SONG AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST CHURCH
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Challenge racism and discrimination
A variety of styles of music and song, 6.45pm followed by refreshments
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Not to demonise or leave vulnerable the foreigner, the immigrant and the refugees in danger of victimisation
Sunday, July 31
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Work for the common good of the whole community
Sunday, August 14 The Masson Family – singing the old favourites
•
Hear the voices of the marginalised and alienated and offer real hope and healing for the future www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
Peninsula Singers – a local choral group
Sunday, August 7 Elmsett Fellowship Brass Band Sunday, August 21 Mary Sagar – singing Christian Country and Gospel Sunday, August 28 Male Voice Choir – a local group 25
CHURCH NEWS SERVICES FOR AUGUST Sunday, August 7 10.30am Joint Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm An all-age Anglican Church, meeting in St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley and St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield As we head into August, we’re looking to dial back on our work and move into a period of rest. A lot of our usual groups will likely stop over the summer, so please do check with individual group or activity organisers or the church office if you’re not sure. We’re going to be using this time to explore Spiritual Disciplines, so if you are interested in solitude, silence, simplicity, Sabbath, service, study or the sacrament, look out for more information in church, on the website and Facebook page, or contact the church office.
Evening Prayer at Bradfield
Sunday, August 14 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield 11am
VJ Day Remembrance Service at Manningtree War Memorial
6pm
Evening Prayer at Mistley
Sunday, August 21 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley 6pm
Quiet Communion at Bradfield
We will be holding Café Church again this month. This is church, but not as you know it! It’s the most informal service that we hold, gathering around tables for food and drink, children’s work, discussions, time to listen, things to watch, and lots of other ways to connect and find out more. We’ll be looking at the spiritual disciple of silence.
Sunday, August 28
We will be holding the St Lawrence Gift Weekend over August 13-14. If you would like to give to the mission and ministry of Bradfield Church, please come along or contact the church office to find out more.
*Treasure Seekers is our children’s programme for ages three plus.
From August 15-19 we’ll be helping our friends at Bradfield Methodist Church to run the Bradfield Holiday Club, open to kids aged five-11. Please contact the church office or Bradfield Methodist Church for more information.
Contact Information
Please do join us for any and all of these services and events, and don’t forget to check the website and publications in and around the churches for more information and events. If you’d like to get weekly up-to-date information of what’s going on in the benefice, please email the office (see below) and ask to receive the weekly email.
8am
Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley
10.30am Café Church with Treasure Seekers at Mistley 10.30am Morning Prayer at Bradfield All services are at St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley (CO11 1ER) or St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield (CO11 2US) unless otherwise stated. Vicar: The Rev Christine Hills, 01206 392200 Associate Minister: The Rev John Brien, 01206 397549 Curate: The Rev Claire Scargill, 01206 395417 Church Office: The Rectory, 21 Malthouse Road, Mistley CO11 1BY 01206 392200 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.facebook.com/ManningtreeBenefice
MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB Built in 1807, Oldest Methodist Church in Essex and Suffolk Contact: 01206 393114 (answer phone) Sunday Services: 10.15am each Sunday and we welcome visiting and outside preachers. Holy Communion Services: please check dates and times on the noticeboard outside the church. Bible Study: First Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm in the Committee Room with Holy Communion at 2.30pm on the fourth Wednesday. Also meeting on our premises Monday Workers’ Educational Association, 2.30pm / autumn and spring for nine lectures September to May, Stour Choral Society, 7.30pm Tuesday Co-op Women’s Guild, 7.15pm Wednesday Gentle Fitness Class, 9.15am Art Painting Group, 10am-noon Manningtree & District Chess Club, 7.30pm Museum & History Group (bi-monthly), 7.30pm Thursday Cheerleading followed by Zumba, 5pm 26
Manningtree Methodist Church and the Tendring Circuit welcomed The Rev Curtis Goforth, his wife Jennifer and family from the Francis Asbury Methodist Memorial Church in North Carolina. Curtis is on a Francis Asbury trail as part of the international celebrations and was visiting the West Midlands where the Asbury story began. The picture shows the hall in Manningtree Methodist Church with The Rev Derek Lang, his wife Mary and other church members welcoming Curtis in front of the display of the church’s annual activities. The visit to England was a short stay starting at Manningtree where Curtis was the minister for 10 months as part of his training for the ministry. AUGUST EVENTS AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH / Page 14 Treasurer: Mr Gordon King Church bookings: David Shearmur, 01206 395263
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CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For all up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk The weekly newsletter is displayed in the cabinet at the front door. SERVICES FOR AUGUST Sunday 7 / 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am
Mass
Tuesday 9 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am
Mass
Sunday 14 / The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary 9am
Mass
Tuesday 16 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am
Mass
Sunday 21 / 21 Sunday in Ordinary Time st
9am
Mass / Children’s Liturgy
Tuesday 23 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am
Mass
Sunday 28 / 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am
Mass
reinforced our commitment to reduce, recycle and reuse – the three essential Rs. Linked to the need to care for the environment are the attitudes we have and our behaviour towards our fellow human beings, near and far away. In many instances it is the poor who suffer because of our throw away culture and unsustainable life-styles. This is not to ignore problems of political ineptitude in some countries. Happily the UK is still committed to a figure of 0.7% of GDP spending on overseas aid. All of us know from experience that lending a hand, contributing and sharing, increases resources and gets things done at all levels of human society. The multitude of the earth’s life forms and the beauty of the natural environment should give us a sense of awe and mystery which can introduce thoughts of a creator. Events and Diary Dates The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, July 24 when three lucky winners shared £132. The club has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are very welcome and the summer newsletter that includes an application form can be found at the rear of the church. Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for parish room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, August 25. Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are being asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice.
Tuesday 30
Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital
9.30am Morning Prayer
Father Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital. Please phone (01473 726701) him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services.
10am
Mass
Catholic Commentary The recent first anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si (On Care for our Common Home) was a reminder for all of us, Catholic or otherwise, to take action and care for our shared planet. Earlier this year at Holy Family, we ran some study sessions on the document which
LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Un-denominational / meeting at the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE (unless otherwise stated) Sunday Services: 3pm Saturday, August 6 at the Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street Our popular monthly Café Oasis Coffee Morning event, 9.30-11.45am Sunday, August 7: Divine Worship (including Holy Communion) conducted by our pastor Tuesday, August 16: Monthly Coffee, Cake & Chat Meeting Point (in the Irwell Suite), 10am-noon Wednesday, August 17: Church and wider fellowship minibus coastal visit including restaurant lunch Friday, August 19: Prayer Meeting at Honeycroft, Waldegrave Way, 10am Sunday, August 21: Fellowship Service with visiting witness team
All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services. It’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic faith are always welcome. Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.
KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and love is Jesus COME AND JOIN US IN OUR NEW FELLOWSHIP – EVERYONE IS WELCOME Hear the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with our lively worship and service. Refreshments served afterwards. Every Sunday morning at 11am in The Ivell Suite at Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE. If you or someone you know needs prayer for anything, please contact us. David and Rosie Rhule 07787 572977 / 01206 397533 / info@thekeytoloveministries.co.uk www.thekeytoloveministries.co.uk
Wednesday August 24: Coach excursion to Faversham and Herne Bay For pastoral visits, further information and bookings, contact: 01206 272064 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk We warmly welcome people of all ages. www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT AND BRANTHAM Sunday, July 31 8am 10am AUGUST SERVICES
Trinity 10 / Holiday Rota BCP Communion with Healing, East Bergholt Wedding Festival Benefice Communion and baptism of Evelyn Ackerley, East Bergholt
Sunday 7 8am 11am Friday 12 2pm Sunday 14 8am 10am Friday 19 2pm Sunday 21 8am 11am Sunday 28 8am 10am 1pm
Trinity 11 / Holiday Rota BCP Communion with Healing, East Bergholt Benefice Communion, Brantham Wedding of Carlie Ludlow and Marcus Gibbon, East Bergholt Trinity 12 BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion, East Bergholt Wedding of Nicola Newbery and Ashley Bowdler, Brantham Trinity 13 BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion and baptism of Alfred Mandell, Matilda Cooper and her baby brother Jack Parsons, Brantham Trinity 14 BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion, East Bergholt Wedding of Rachel Bull and Michael Hart, Brantham
SEPTEMBER SERVICES Sunday 4 Trinity 15 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Benefice Communion, East Bergholt Wednesday 7 9.30am BCP Communion, East Bergholt During the summer holidays the main service alternates between 10am in East Bergholt and 11am at Brantham. Check the website for details. This service schedule may change without prior notice if needed.
Meeting at Old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree Will this summer bring you happiness? It’s great to enjoy a summer break. The long hot days, the glorious sunshine, perhaps a holiday to enjoy. That’s what August is all about isn’t it? However, are you worried about the economy? The pound seems to be forever on the slide, shares are also falling. Does wealth bring happiness? There are many examples of wealth, fame and fortune bringing everything except happiness. People, it seems, are never satisfied. Is it human nature to want more and more? Does greed take over? Well, Jesus has something to say about all this. He knows our hearts. He knows our desires. He knows, as many famous film stars, footballers and celebs find out, money does not bring happiness, but its own problems. As the Beatles said, “money can’t buy me love!” Come and hear what Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount. Come and find out what Jesus said about how to discover real happiness and joy. You’ll receive a warm welcome at our public worship services each Sunday www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
RAMBLING RECTOR What a mess! The banner along the wall saying “Your racist vote has….!” left me feeling more desolate than I have been in years. I was grateful it wasn’t up for very long. By the time this magazine is published who knows what will have happened in our political system where party leaders are now falling left and right and, if the papers are to be believed, skullduggery and conspiracy are rife. By publication date Paddington Bear, clutching a red top bottle of marmalade, may have taken on the leadership of the Labour Party. Speaking as a migrant who came to this country to escape the awful violence of my own, I am feeling extremely unsettled. My family are here on Dutch passports and contributing hugely to the medical profession, educational system and economy of the country. They are, in short, doing their bit. I am now a British citizen and proud to be so, but what will happen to them once the dust has settled and Brexit takes effect? If repatriation were to be enforced in this deanery there would be three benefices without rectors. Our history teacher was a passionate believer in democracy. “Look at parliament in London,” she used to say, “if you want to see good democratic practice.” One of the principles of democracy is that the people are given the chance to speak and if they do so in a clear majority, that is the will of the people. Of course the weakness of the system is evident when the will of the people is not a clear majority. Then things become muddled and difficult. However, the referendum result was clear and we all, like it or not, have to get on with it without name calling and finger wagging, which is very damaging to communities and individuals. It was perfectly possible for a person to vote Leave on economic grounds without being racist, and to vote Remain without approving of all things Brussels. The apostle Paul spent much of his time writing to churches that were disagreeing with one another. To the Galatians he wrote: “Now that Christ Jesus has come, we are no longer imprisoned but are children of God through faith. We are clothed with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. “ God give us the grace to make this spiritual reality a practical reality in the way that we behave to one another. The Lord be with you, The Rev Steph ADVANCE NOTICE There will be a special service at St Mary’s, East Bergholt celebrating the work of Guide Dogs for the Blind at 3pm on October 16. All dogs welcome, whether guide dogs or not.
at 10.30am and again in the evening at 6.30pm. Services last between 60 and 90 minutes and refreshments follow the morning service. Key notes for August Holiday Bible Club 9am-12.30pm, August 8-12 at Highfields Primary School. Do your children need an activity week during the long summer break? Why not send them to our Holiday Bible Club? It’s fun, there are plenty of activities and it great way to make new friends. All based around the life of Joseph whose story is recorded in the Bible Book of Genesis. Monday Madness! Our weekly Youth Work will be taking a break for the Summer. Trinity TOTS (pre-school plus carers), KOGS (KS 1 & 2) and BRiaN Reloaded, (11-18s) will all return on September 12. Monday 5 will have a different programme. The Meeting Place also takes a break for August and returns with a trip to Layer Marney Towers on Wednesdy, September 7, early departure time of 1pm. (Usually 3pm on the first Tuesday). For the latest information on these or any of our activities call Pastor Gaius on 01206 393745 or visit: www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk 29
ON THE GRAPEVINE FROM THE ARCHIVES A VIEW OF MISTLEY PARK & MISTLEY PLACE When the early Ordinance Survey maps were made, the cartographers had a problem finding space for a reference to the ruins of St Mary’s Church that once stood between the two ‘Mistley towers’. As the plot was too small, they inserted the reference over the road in the small woodland, originally known as Church Plantation. As a result some think of this as the site of the original church and in turn the graveyard where Matthew Hopkins is buried. Hopkins however would never have stood on Hopping Bridge as we see it, or used the ‘pond’ behind it to swim his witches. All came long after his time, nice story though this makes. When the lord of the manor Richard Rigby and his son developed Mistley Hall up on the hill in the 18th century, the lower parkland was opened up to improve the panorama over the river on advice from Horace Walpole. It required little clearing as a large part was reclaimed marshland, drained many years before by a dyke that doubled as a causeway. At one time this was known as The Strand, later renamed ‘The Walls’. Robert Adam was commissioned to make further improvements and the ornate bridge he designed replaced an earlier wooden one known as Hopton Bridge. It doubled up as a dam to create an ornamental lake. His design for an adjoining summer house was never constructed. The original church was built by Rigby in 1735 and Adam’s Towers added in 1776. To enhance his views Rigby took down hedges, replacing them with hidden Kentish fences or Ha Ha’s, needed to manage the livestock which kept the parkland lush, though a large part was later laid out as lawns and mown by a team of gardeners. Cricket was a new sport in his younger years and Rigby was keen enough to set out space in front of the house to play. He was also keen on bowls.
The main track-way from Mistley Hall came straight down the hill. The camber can still be seen running through the modern cricket pitch, joining The Walls on the Manningtree side of Hopping Bridge. To give more privacy, Rigby later inserted a ‘new’ public road starting at Lodges Corner by the Clacton road. This went straight down to The Walls, forming a junction close to the edge of Manningtree town.
The manor passed down the Rigby family but was eventually carved up and sold off in 1844. Mistley Hall was demolished, leaving just the old laundry and some of the stabling. The biggest scar was the railway which cut the park virtually in half 10 years later. The old road to the hall initially had its own level crossing, superseded by the new Church Lane, constructed a little further to the east. The up coming ‘Norman’ family had already built Mistley Place against the Manningtree boundary in the small triangle of land created by Rigby’s ‘new’ road. The main entrance was where Kiln Lane now joins The Walls and the house stood across the new footpath running up to New Road. They bought the rest of the lower park and in turn had the road diverted to its current course, putting in the bend at the bottom of the hill to create more space around the house. They laid out their own fine and elaborate gardens, designed by Capability Brown, with a maze at the Towers end, a fountain at the other and a secondary entrance onto New Road, watched over by a small but elegant lodge. The lake was kept up with two island features and a boat house. A circular walkway was created around the grounds with a private crossing over the stream alongside Hopping Bridge, known locally as the ‘China’ bridge.
For the 1847 sailing regatta the park was ‘thrown open to pleasureseekers, who formed their picnics under the shade of the fine old trees, or indulged in the pastime of cricket’. The family later gave over lands on the other side of the road for both the new church (built in 1880), the church hall, the laying field and separate cricket and bowls clubs. At the height of the First World War Mistley Place was sold to the Jackson family who moved their preparatory school for boys up from Dovercourt due to fear of invasion. During the Second World War it was used to billet Polish airmen. It was later sold to Brooks Maltings, but plans to convert the house to offices were never realised and it was pulled down in about 1968, leaving just the lodge and Dormy house, a later addition to the school. The modern house then built behind The Walls, slightly further to the east, was appropriately called Lower Park. During the days of the Rigbys, the beauty of the parkland is well recorded, including its use as a pleasure garden. One early visitor described it as ‘a garden of unsurpassed beauty, with a green velvet lawn sweeping towards a line of tall trees, beside a wide expanse of water’. These included rare trees, specially imported. A well travelled Frenchmen who visited when the hall was at its best said he had not seen an English garden coming anywhere near to the beauty of the gardens and parklands. He particularly commented on its neatness and careful management. While the vista from Mistley Hall was designed and constructed for the Lord of the Manor, the views in the opposite direction, up the hill from the The Walls, have always been there for all to enjoy. Philip Cunningham, Manningtree Museum & Local History Group
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