In Touch News with Martlesham – June 2016

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with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham Volume 6 • Issue No. 7 • JUNE 2016

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’ve gotten to know the lollipop lady outside Jack’s school quite well over the years. We have talked about her daughter, who is in high school, her son, who is in college, the fact that she’s been on a diet and her yellow coat is now far too big… Now you may wonder when we have time to chat and rather surprisingly it’s as we stand waiting for cars to stop each morning. She holds her lollipop aloft, arm outstretched to prevent eager children from running across the road, and we wait, and wait, and wait as driver after driver pretends not to see us, gaze focused directly ahead, determined to get to somewhere awfully special (I assume). Occasionally they will wave as if to say “I acknowledge your existence but you must realise how incredibly busy and important I am so I’m going to ignore your request”. And we carry on waiting. Just the other morning a driver stopped, forcing the driver coming from the other direction to reluctantly (there are some words it’s rather easy to lip read!) to do the same thing.

Just as the lollipop lady set off another car overtook one of the stopped cars, forcing her to jump back onto the footpath. What was he thinking? If the prospect of being 30 seconds late is so appalling then get up earlier or take a different route.

If you are driving past a school please be sensible and respectful and let’s show those impressionable boys and girls waiting to cross how it should be done.

On the subject of responsibility, we just got two rabbits, yet unnamed but very cute. I’ve been telling Jack it’s his responsibility to look after them, stressing time and time again how important it is to make sure the hutch is properly closed. As we came downstairs this morning he shouted “the rabbits are running around the garden” – and so they were! And who was the last person to visit the hutch? Me!! By the time we got to school Jack had told eight people what I’d done, including the lollipop lady. My authority has been completely undermined, but I’ve come up with a way to make this work to my benefit. Clearly I’m not up to the task so Jack really has to take over in order to keep those rabbits safe!

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JULY DEADLINE 10 June 2016 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

NEWS VOLUNTEER NEEDED AT MARTLESHAM PAVILION Martlesham Pavilion is a busy and valuable asset for Martlesham which is managed by a management committee. We currently have a vacancy for a new member of the committee who is willing to take over responsibility for finance. This role used to be very hands-on, but we are in the process of appointing a bookkeeper to handle day-to-day transactions, so it needs someone willing to spend a few hours per month to maintain an overview of the finances and a few other tasks such as paying our employee once a month by bank transfer. Use of a computer will be needed to fulfil the role.

If you are interested please contact Aldwyn Jones for more information: chairmhpc@gmail.com

MARTLESHAM’S VERY OWN FAMILY CORGI HUNT Search for the Queen’s famous corgis to celebrate her 90th birthday. Only £1 to find the hidden corgis around the square to win a prize!

The forms will be available from 1st Martlesham Scouts stall on the green on Saturday, June 25 between 10am and 4pm.

Fun for all the family and all proceeds go to 1st Martlesham Scouts.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK MAY 2016 Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this year’s house-tohouse collection, and many thanks to all the wonderful volunteer collectors who made this possible. We have been busy counting the contents of all the envelopes and will let you know the final total as soon as we can.

We are sorry if we were unable to deliver or collect in your road this year.

If you wish to make a donation, cheques can be sent directly to: Christian Aid FREEPOST (no stamp or postcode required) or you can donate online at: www.caweek.org Together we are helping to tackle the root causes which keep so many people trapped in poverty in the world today. On their behalf, thank you.

Carolyn Smith and Martin Cottrell, 01473 625630

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

We can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. 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.

So call us today, we are here to help.

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL’S CONNECTING COMMUNITIES EVENT Revised rural transport tenders affecting several areas of Suffolk will be implemented on June 13. In order to explain the changes, there will be a public meeting at all district councils. In order to participate, SCC has asked interested people to contact them on the Suffolk On Board website so that they are aware of numbers: www.suffolkonboard.com The meeting for Suffolk Coastal DC is on Monday, June 6 at 10.30am at SCDC Council Chamber, Melton Hill, Woodbridge.

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NEWS DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN KELSO’S REPORT Update on planning application to build houses at Top Street Planning application DC/16/0682/out to build housing on the land adjacent to the railway bridge at Top Street has been withdrawn by the applicant so that a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) report can be produced by the applicant or their agents. Natural England has advised that further information in the form of a HRA is required to rule out a likely significant effect on the Deben Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA). They go on to say that there is potential for housing developments to generate increased recreational activity, particularly dog walking which can result in disturbance impact to designated bird species on designated sites.

Street light changes in Martlesham Residents will be aware that some street lighting within Martlesham owned

by Suffolk County Council has been switched off between midnight and 5.30am for some years. Suffolk Coastal has now decided to follow suit.

Therefore, from June most street lights, except those along the A12, and those requested by the police to be left on, will also be switched off during these hours.

Nominate your local heroes (see page 22) The Suffolk Coastal Business & Community Awards are now open for nominations. There are 13 awards designed to recognise the contributions, initiatives and successes of businesses, groups and individuals within the Suffolk Coastal District over the past 18 months. These awards give local people a unique opportunity to celebrate what is great about Suffolk Coastal and to recognise those people whose hard work and dedication makes this such a fantastic place to live and work. I know that there are businesses, clubs and individuals in Martlesham who go that extra mile to make a difference to our community.

People can enter the awards online at www.scbca.co.uk or request an entry form from Sarah Shinnie at Suffolk Coastal District Council on 01394 444652.

The deadline for entries is June 30.

If you wish to discuss any of the above matters or any other district council issues please contact me: john.kelso@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk / 01473 631682 John Kelso, district councillor Martlesham Ward

MARTLESHAM HEATH HOUSEHOLDERS LTD I am pleased to report that we have successfully registered the Northern Green as a village green. This affords some level of protection in law against development in the future. It’s a complex subject and if you are interested it’s worth googling village green status.

We are now starting to enter the fire season again, so please be careful with discarded cigarettes and matches. Also if you have youngsters please stress the dangers to them, in particular if there is a wind blowing they may not be able to outrun a heath fire. We have noticed a large amount for discarded rubbish in Birch Woods. I do know of several members who carry a carrier bag and collect waste when they see it and we would encourage all users of the wood to follow their example. Or better still don’t drop litter in the first place.

Again we are receiving complaints about people not picking up after their dogs on the Western Corridor. I think this may be as a result of letting dogs off the leads and not noticing what they are up to. Please can you keep an eye on your dogs and remember we have a lot of adders on the SSSI so it’s probably not a good idea to let your dog wander too far in any case.

Contact us: 01473 612207 / mhh@martlesham.org.uk www.martleshamheathhouseholdersltd.onesuffolk.net

MARTLESHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL All residents are welcome to come to our annual general meeting on Monday, June 20 at 7.30pm in the Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB. The meeting will include an open discussion for anybody to share their views or comments on Martlesham Community Council and how it can help community activities or projects within the parish.

For further information please contact the secretary, Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196

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MARTLESHAM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING A well-attended meeting on April 20 witnessed evidence of the parish council’s work and support for the Martlesham community.

Cheques were presented to the following groups that look after our environment and fellow residents: Greenways Project, Martlesham Conservation Group, Martlesham in Bloom, Home-Start Suffolk and Suffolk Accident Rescue Service.

Local organisations should check in the monthly magazines for details of when the next round of applications for grants opens in September. This was followed by a presentation by Sue Vincent on Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness.

The chairman thanked all those who volunteer to assist the parish council and all the other organisations which make Martlesham such a great place in which to live.

A wide range of displays and presentations enabled those present to appreciate the breadth of facilities and open spaces provided and maintained by the parish council and its working groups. This includes the recreation ground and Kronji’s Piece, four areas of play equipment, Martlesham Common, Felixstowe Road picnic site, Portal Woodlands and the Diamond Jubilee bike trails. Our land maintenance contract, litter picks and work days also help ensure a tidy and well-maintained environment.

The council’s role includes representing the views of residents on planning and traffic matters. Further displays and brief talks highlighted the current issues facing us: the BT development, applications for further house building and the dangers in the uncontrolled growth of the retail area.

The evening concluded with refreshments and an opportunity to mix with neighbours and to give views on developments and the planning policies coming out of the neighbourhood plan.

A full report of the parish council’s activities and finances will be published shortly. Meanwhile visit our website for details of council activities: www.martlesham.onesuffolk.net Mike Irwin, Martlesham Parish Council Chairman

YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY MARKET No added ingredients when you buy from the Country Market Do you read the ingredients on the food you buy? Preservatives are used by food manufacturers to prolong shelf-life, enhance colour and flavour and to maintain the consistency and texture of their products. Mmm, butylated hydroxyanisole, yummy! Dyes, sweeteners, thickeners, flavour improvers and fat substitutes are all stuffed into innocent-looking packaged pies, cakes, bread and prepared meals with apparent gay abandon. Don’t worry, these added ingredients, many of which are transported from the other side of the world, are all tested on rats, and they have to be ingested in large quantities by humans to have serious ill-effects!

Or you can buy delicious locally baked cakes and savouries made by the Country Market’s clever cooks. The short list of ingredients for Margaret Gayfer’s irresistible quiche reads something like: flour, eggs, butter, milk, blue cheese and broccoli. Wan Sung’s fire-lighting hot chilli jam contains peppers, Scotch bonnet chillies, sugar, root ginger, tomatoes and red wine vinegar. Our great gardeners don’t use pesticides; their locally grown vegetables and plants are produced in accordance with the Country Market’s strict guidelines. Local chickens lay our eggs and local bees make our honey. Eating local honey is believed by many people to help them avoid allergies from pollen in the same area: true or not, our honey is pure and delicious.

If you go to the Suffolk Show, look our for the Country Market stand with all those mouth-watering baked treats, as well as lovely crafts, bags, knitwear and charming jewellery. Otherwise you can find us at Martlesham Heath Pavilion every Tuesday morning from 9.15-11.15am and at the community market at Kesgrave Scout Hut on the third Saturday of each month from 9-11.30am.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL Become a councillor It was with regret that our councillor Sylvia Howard has recently resigned due to personal reasons. We are therefore seeking a new councillor. This is your opportunity to help improve your community and lend your voice and life experiences to help protect your community in these challenging times. No matter what your background or employment status everyone has valuable views that count and would add to the community’s voice.

How much work will it be?

The more time and energy you put in the greater the rewards, but it’s up to you how active you are. Every council is unique. We look after open spaces, footpaths, play areas, bus shelters, litter and dog dirt bins, organise practical working parties, respond to planning applications and consultations and liaise with the principal authorities and local organisations. We face major challenges regarding development in our parish and neighbourhood planning. Please look at our website to find out more.

Will I be paid?

Councillors cannot be paid and do not receive any allowances but they may claim reasonable expenses.

What do I do next?

Please contact the clerk for more information and also to check whether you are eligible to become a councillor. Please come along to a meeting and find out what we’re like.

Parish council appointments The council made the following appointments from among its members at the annual parish council meeting in May: Chairman – Mike Irwin; vice-chairman – Wally Welch; development plans committee chairman – Leo Brome; finance and general purposes chairman – Laurence Burrows; recreation and amenities chairman – Wally Welch.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Reporting The Suffolk Coastal Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership has appointed an Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator to tackle the problems caused by ASB. SCDC has an online ASB Reporting Form so that incidents can be recorded and information shared. Please go to www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/ communitysafety/anti-social for more information. If the incident is criminal, information will be forwarded to the police.

If you are a victim of anti-social behaviour you can contact Suffolk Coastal’s Community Safety Team for help and advice: 01394 444763 / csp@eastsuffolk.gov.uk East Suffolk Line Walks The East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership has developed an excellent free booklet on country and coastal walks from railway stations in East Suffolk which is available to download at: www.suffolkonboard.com/trains/eastsuffolk-line-walks Message from UK Power Networks In the event of an emergency, whether a power cut, issue with their equipment or even roadworks, UK Power Networks feel it is important that people (especially vulnerable residents) have easy access to their emergency contact details. They run a free Priority Services Register (PSR) for those who may need more support in the event of a power cut: www.ukpowernetworks. co.uk/internet/en/power-cuts/priority-services-during-a-power-cut/ Every resident over the age of 60 is eligible to join the register, as well as residents with a disability, who are blind or visually impaired, are chronically sick, dependent on medical equipment, or have young babies.

What have we been doing recently?

• Clean for The Queen litter pick on May 21; at the time of going to press this has not yet taken place. We hope to report back in July.

• New direction signs for the Diamond Jubilee bike trails and playspace.

Pre-planning application consultations The council is sometimes consulted by developers in advance of a planning application being submitted. Members of the council will meet with them in order to find out more about their proposals, but under no circumstances will the council express an opinion of support of objection until it has had a chance to study a full planning application.

• As part of our management plan for The Common, a Greenways Project work party created a dead hedge by Mill Farmhouse using the brash from the tree work completed last winter. They were able to create habitats for insects, in particular stag beetles, a species that has been recorded on the site in the past and which is declining in numbers across the UK.

The parish council is a statutory consultee for Martlesham planning applications but Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC) makes decisions as the local planning authority. Their decisions are made on the basis of the planning application complying with planning policies. This council gives an opinion based upon: • Residents’ representations on the application • Views expressed in surveys conducted for the neighbourhood plan • Site visits by our councillors • Local knowledge • Occasionally pre-application meetings with developers

Forthcoming meetings Wednesday, June 1: Annual Parish Council meeting Wednesday, June 8: Development Plans Committee Wednesday, July 6: Parish Council

Our comments must be made on the basis of the planning application complying with SCDC planning policies.

Please ensure that any comments you make on plans always go to SCDC, but do copy them to us so that we can take them into account for our response.

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• Risk assessment for the recreation ground.

All meetings start at 7.30pm in the Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, and are open to the public, who are welcome to ask questions or make comments to the council during the adjournment.

Contacting the council Clerk to Martlesham Parish Council, Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB / 01473 612632 / clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk For the latest news and events visit: www.martlesham.onesuffolk.net Parish office opening times: 9am-noon, Monday-Friday, excluding public holidays, but please book an appointment in advance.

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In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia Hopefully the sun will be shining in June as Martlesham Brass are busy playing at school fetes and sports days!

We would love to hear from 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 using the contact details below.

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

KESGRAVE LIBRARY NEWS Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) Sunday, June 5: Create a 3D octopus Sunday, June 12: Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19. Why not pop along and make a ‘Number 1 Dad’ badge?

Sunday, June 19: June 21 is International Surf Day. Design a surf board to celebrate.

Sunday, June 26: June 20-26 is National Insect Week. Make a colourful 3D caterpillar.

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

BookStart – every Thursday (term time only) Free activities for pre-school children and their parents or carers. Why not come along and join Emma every Thursday for songs, rhymes and stories?

Tot Rock: 9.45-10.15am BabyBounce: 10.30-11am Story Time – every Friday morning (term time only), 9.45-10.15am Why not pop along to see Emma and join in with the stories, songs, rhymes and activities? This session is funded by the library’s community group.

Volunteers needed for the Summer Reading Challenge Are you interested in volunteering to help the staff at Kesgrave Library run this year’s Summer Reading Challenge? This year’s there is The Big Friendly Read and celebrates Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday. The challenge runs all through the summer holidays for primary school aged children.

If you are interested, please speak to a member of staff who will explain what the reading challenge entails and the process involved to become a volunteer.

Kesgrave Family Fun Weekend: Saturday, June 11, 11am-3pm Kesgrave Library is taking part in the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Why not pop along to the Millennium Sports Ground and visit us?

In conjunction with SPARKS, we have crowns and birthday balloons to design and make. We are also running a competition for the best designed crowns with fantastic prizes for the winners. We will also have information about how to join the library and all the services we now offer.

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO FIND AT IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET? We are a cooperative market that sells genuinely home produced foods, plants and crafts.

Our gardeners have fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables, plants and cut flowers.

Country markets are famous for their homemade preserves, traditionally made with real fruit. You will also find local honey from local bees.

Our cooks produce real cooking without preservatives: quiche, sausage rolls, meat pies and other individual meals. They bake genuinely homemade cookies, scones, flapjacks, bread, fruit pies, cakes and more, including a selection of gluten free items. You can place orders in advance too for collection as you require.

Our local crafters are very skilled and have a wide range of items on offer including imaginative beadwork, beautiful bags, practical sewn items, cross stitch greeting cards, sun hats in all sizes and every kind of knitwear and are happy to make items to your individual requirements.

This month we will be coming together with other markets in East Suffolk for the Suffolk Show, so there won’t be a market on Thursday, June 2 (or at all during that week). Do come and say hello if you are at the Suffolk Show.

We will be opposite the WI tent. Come early for savoury bakes as they always sell fast!

And there isn’t a market on June 23 due to national voting so the market will be on Friday 24 instead.

We will also once again be at St Peters Church on Ipswich waterfront on Saturday, June 4 for the second of their monthly craft and gift fairs where we will showcase a mixed selection of what our market has to offer, with crafts, baking, preserves and pickles. So if you can’t make our normal Thursday market you can come and see us there.

You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page and at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk We, are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane. Free parking, a warm welcome, and home baked refreshments await you with a free tea or coffee on your first visit. Do come and see us soon!

THE ORWELL SINGERS SUMMER CONCERT Saturday, June 4 at 7.30pm at St Michael and All Angel’s Church, Martlesham Heath with guest performer Mary Armitage on saxophone, accompanied on the piano by her father, Jonathan.

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

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

​​RELAUNCH OF WOODBRIDGE FARMER’S MARKET Come along to Woodbridge Farmer’s Market at 9am on June 11 when the market will be opened by our patron, the artist Michael Coulter. The winner of our children’s drawing competition will be announced, and there will be a raffle, music, special treats at our cafe and of course plenty of lovely food. Support local businesses and buy local, seasonal, delicious food.

Our markets are held on the second and fourth Saturday morning of every month so there will also be a market on June 28. Look out for the fish van just outside the main doors of the hall.

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OUT & ABOUT GIPPESWYK SINGERS’ SUMMER CONCERT

IPSWICH HOSPITAL BAND 40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Saturday, July 9 at 7pm at St Peter’s by the Waterfront If you, or someone you know who was a past member, would like you to join us at this celebration tickets are £8 and available from: 40@ipswichhospitalband.org / 01473 225269 We look forward to hearing from you.

Gippeswyk Singers will perform a lovely programme of English choral music ranging from 16th century madrigals to the present day, including a popular music hall medley, at the Salvation Army Citadel in Felixstowe at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 2. The accompanist will be Jane Van Tilborg.

Tickets are £10 with profits going to support local charities Got to Read and Home-Start. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance from Phil Speirs, 2 Treetops, Felixstowe IP11 9ER (please send a SAE with a cheque payable to ‘Gippeswyk Singers’).

SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY MALE VOICE CHOIR Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir (SCMVC) is opening a new chapter in its 48-year history in the appointment of Steven Blomfield as their new musical director. In a sequence of events which chairman Dougie Paine said “could not have been scripted”, Steven has taken over from Colin Edgar BEM who was the choir’s musical director for 46 years.

Come along and enjoy a delightful summer evening of beautiful music.

Refreshments available. www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

POP CHORUS FUNDRAISING CONCERT FOR ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE Contemporary local choir Pop Chorus are delighted to announce that they have become community partners with St Elizabeth Hospice.

Over the coming months and years, the choir hopes to raise lots of money towards this very valuable service, starting on Sunday, July 10 at 7.30pm with a fundraising concert at the Seckford Theatre in Woodbridge. More than 100 singers will be taking to the stage to perform songs from The Beatles to Beyoncé, arranged in glorious harmony by their director, Yula Andrews.

The Suffolk-based feel-good singing groups are for adults of all abilities, unashamedly singing great pop songs in harmony to backing tracks.

There’s no audition and members don’t need to read music or have any experience. With evening groups in Framlingham and Ipswich and a daytime choir in Kesgrave, members come from all walks of life and are a very friendly and warm bunch of people!

For concert tickets and more information about Pop Chorus contact sing@popchorus.org / 07788 585441 or visit: www.popchorus.org For more information about St Elizabeth Hospice visit: stelizabethhospice.org.uk

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When Colin, a former teacher at Kesgrave High School, retired the choir began their search for a new musical director. Many years earlier Colin had inspired a love of music in one of his pupils, a young Steven Blomfield. Steven went on to study music theatre at Mountview Academy and music at Colchester Institute, returning to Suffolk to take up his own career as a music teacher. Steven had always felt a great debt of gratitude to Colin and he decided to seek him out just to say thank you. He remembered Colin often talking about his involvement with a male voice choir. Through the SCMVC website he tracked Colin down. It was then he learnt the choir were seeking a new MD. He needed little persuading to accept the role. He has said: “I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to take over from Colin and carry on the proud traditions of the Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir.”

Under Steven’s leadership the choir is once again buzzing and looking for new members. Members of the choir are drawn from male serving or retired police officers, serving or retired support staff or people who are just happy to be a friend of the Suffolk Constabulary and support the choir. No previous experience of singing or music is required, and no one is auditioned. Everyone can sing and it’s never too late to learn.

If you think you would enjoy singing and would like to try, we are holding a Come Sing with Us afternoon on Saturday, June 4, starting at 2pm at High Hall, Kesgrave Scout Hall, Twelve Acre Approach IP5 1JF. New comers will be given the opportunity to listen to the choir practising and to join in themselves.

If you are interested in joining but can’t make it on June 4 please contact our secretary, Stephen Wade, for more information: 01449 672600 / scmvc@scwade.eclipse.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB COFFEE MORNING Saturday, June 25, 10am-noon At 14 Gayfer Avenue, Kesgrave

Admission £1, includes tea or coffee and cake Various stalls, cakes, plants, books, raffle In aid of Felixstowe Mencap Saturday Morning Drop-in Centre

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY On Monday, June 13, Mark Mower will present a talk entitled Zeppelins over Suffolk.

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

Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion at 7.30pm. The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY We held our AGM on Friday, May 5. Our chairman, Martyn Cook, delivered another upbeat report to a good attendance of members. He thanked all those who contribute their time and efforts to ensure a successful society and all the members. Unfortunately membership has fallen to 250 from a previous high of 300, but judging from the attendances at our monthly meetings enthusiasm remains high.

Our next meeting is on Friday, June 3 and features an illustrated talk by Mr Peter Roe, who will be flying over from Canada. Peter is the author of the book series Pigs Might Fly. His talk will be about the lives and achievements of the earliest aviation pioneers in the period up to the Great War. For more information visit: www.mhas.org.uk Meetings start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break. Non-members are welcome for a payment of just £4 at the door.

The Control Tower museum is now open every Sunday from 2-5pm. There is much to see and our volunteers are on hand to talk to visitors. The museum is situated at the rear of Parkers Place (off Eagle Way), Martlesham Heath IP5 3UX. Admission is free.

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

SUFFOLK AVIATION HERITAGE MUSEUM

Image by Ian Pope Group

Kim Quinton

HOW TO SPEAK SO PEOPLE LISTEN Wedding speeches, phone calls, dinner parties, meeting your partner’s parents, advising a new work colleague, taking your pet to the vet, explaining to your new boss, chairing a meeting, launching a product, reading a bedtime story, telling a good joke: these are all situations where speaking with confidence, humour, understanding, authority, sympathy, distinction, sincerity, enthusiasm, clearly and positively gets the right message across.

The best speeches are short and memorable, often using humour to help communicate their key points. TED speeches – those from the world famous Technology, Education, Design conferences – are only 18 minutes long yet they pack in powerful life-changing ideas and inspire people from all backgrounds to challenge themselves, develop their skills and work towards being more satisfied with what they achieve in their lives.

Speak Easy at Martlesham is a friendly supportive group which holds fortnightly meetings where we practise speaking. What do we talk about?

We talk about anything and everything: it’s how we speak, tell, describe, explain, present, persuade that’s important.

If you’re giving speeches all the time come along to Speak Easy and find out what makes a good speech great, how to touch an audience’s heart and practise speaking so people listen.

This month we meet on Thursdays 2, 16 and 30 at the Richards Room, Martlesham Community Centre, near Woodbridge, IP12 4PB. Find us on Facebook and at www.speak-easy.org.uk or call Sonya Burrows for more information: 07968 372563

SOMERSHAM SUPPORT GROUP COFFEE MORNING

The administrating charity of Suffolk Aviation Heritage Museum on Foxhall Road has received an offer from site owners Grainger Plc to purchase a 125 year leasehold on the former RAF/USAF communications base.

Suffolk Aviation Heritage Group is currently nearing the end of a year long feasibility study into a scheme that could potentially see all extant buildings on the site utilised within an expanded museum project, including an aviation related education centre in the current museum building and an exhibition and public hire venue.

The site itself includes an extremely rare pre-war RAF Wireless Telegraphy building, only discovered when the charity took up residence in 2005. This was the hub of a series of buildings erected on the site up to the late 1980s which, collectively, represent a unique surviving aspect of Cold War history.

The site project would also provide floor space to enable the museum to collect and display a limited number of aircraft. Currently, under the museum’s own strict collecting policy, aircraft can only be collected if facility exists to display them indoors.

The project study, which has included exploratory discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund, is currently awaiting pre-planning advice from Suffolk Coastal District Council and, subject to outcome, it is hoped that a dedicated major fundraising campaign will be launched in the summer.

Saturday, June 25, 10am-noon, at Rushmere Church hall

TRADITIONAL CAR BOOT SALES PROVING POPULAR The next traditional car boot sale is on Sunday, June 26 and, as always, is open to genuine car booters and fundraising groups. The sale opens to sellers from 8.30am and to buyers from 9.30am. For further details visit: www.suffolkaviationheritage.org.uk

All welcome

Andy Taylor

Coffee morning and sale on behalf of patients in Ipswich Hospital

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB We have just one more evening meeting planned for this season. On June 9 we will hold our AGM which will be followed by nibbles and possibly one of our infamous quizzes.

On Thursday, June 16 we are meeting for afternoon tea at Arlington’s in Ipswich.

Preparations are well in hand for our charity coffee morning on Saturday, June 26 in aid of Felixstowe Mencap Saturday Drop-in Centre for children and young adults. It will be held at 14 Gayfer Avenue, Kesgrave (off Dobbs Lane) from 10am-noon. Admission is £1 which includes coffee or tea and a cake.

There will be a variety of stalls including a raffle so please come along and support this worthwhile cause. Any donations for stalls will be very welcome.

Our meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the Richards Room. For further information contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768 Also see COFFEE MORNING on page 13.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE A coffee morning with bring and buy sale held at the home of our vice president, Lesley Deas, raised £101 towards this year’s Inner Wheel chosen International charity, School in a Bag, an initiative run by the Piers Simon Appeal. Each Inner Wheel club has received a small bear wearing a red rucksack and the idea is to fill it with £1 coins. Each rucksack holds 30 £1 coins which will fund two schoolbags, red rucksacks filled with stationery learning resources and eating utensils for poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster affected children around the world to enable them to go to school. More than 60,000 of these rucksacks have already been distributed throughout South America, Africa and Asia to great effect.

At our May meeting Joyce Kimber gave members and their guests a fascinating insight into the history of codes, ciphers and enigmas, beginning with the first known coded messages sent by the Greeks in 480BC. During her illustrated talk she described the origins of code words used during the Second World War and the history behind messages and secret work carried out at Bletchley Park. She also explained some of the simpler methods of decoding messages with club members and their guests participating in working these out.

ORWELL PROBUS CLUB We meet at Rushmere Golf Club on the second Thursday of each month for lunch followed by a speaker. Our speaker’s subject in June is Motoring for Seniors.

What is Probus?

Probus clubs provide an opportunity for active retired or semi-retired gentlemen to attend regular meetings and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people with similar interests. Some Probus clubs are for men only, as we are, others are for ladies and some mixed. We have social events, outings, the last being a very interesting visit to Greene King Brewery at Bury St Edmunds, and holidays which, of course, include spouses, partners and friends.

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

WOOLLY WONDERS Woolly Wonders meet to knit in The Runway coffee shop next to St Michael’s, Martlesham Heath.

On June 9 and 23, 10am-noon, we will be busy putting up the red, white and blue bunting to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

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U3A WELCOMES THE SUMMER SUN U3A talks will be missed by members and visitors alike for the next few months, apart from Woodbridge on June 6. The campus co-ordinators would like to wish you a happy summer break and look forward to seeing you again when the talks recommence in September.

U3A members are reminded that our Annual General Meeting takes place at 2pm on Monday, June 13 at Kesgrave Community Centre. Please remember to bring your green membership card on the day.

The other date for your diary is our open day on the morning of Friday, September 2, again at Kesgrave Community Centre. We also hope to see many of our newly interested guests and visitors there to learn about some of the great variety of groups and subjects U3A can offer for the coming academic year.

On Monday, June 6 the last talk of the season will take place at Woodbridge Community Hall at 10.30am. Refreshments will be available from 10am.

David Cleveland will be showing a selection of clips from the East Anglian Film Archive featuring life in East Suffolk from the 1930s to the 1960s including farming ways, wartime activities, changing transport, industry and home life.

If you would like more information on The University of the Third Age please visit www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk or telephone the secretary on 03001 233913.

KESGRAVE WI Our May meeting in Cambridge Road Baptist Church was very well attended. Wendy Jary, our WI advisor, and Jo Thompson from Ipswich Afternoon WI joined us for the evening to take part in discussing the resolutions that will be voted on at the WI National AGM in Brighton early in June.

Our monthly competition was a flower arrangement in an egg cup.

It’s amazing what you can do with such a small vase! In first place was Sandra Pell, second Lyn Parker and third Angela Watson.

After coffee we enjoyed a new experience. Amateur auctioneer Alan Porter joined us and invited us to bid for a variety of small unwanted items donated by members. His lively sense of humour and additional comments about some of the items on offer caused a lot of amusement!

Saturday, June 11 will see the ladies of Kesgrave WI keeping up our tradition, supporting Kesgrave Town Council’s Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations by running the refreshment and cake stall at the Millennium Hall. We look forward to seeing and serving you with our homemade cakes. Delcie Corbett, one of our members and well known in local flower clubs, will be holding two flower arranging demonstrations on that day as part of the celebrations.

Our next meeting is at 7.15pm on Thursday, June 2 at Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach. Visitors are very welcome to join us. If you need further information please contact our secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere. We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. Our next meeting is: Thursday, May 26: AGM plus magic pull card There is no meeting June because the hall is needed for EURO voting.

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

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY The society has its final meeting of the season on Wednesday, June 1. The society AGM will start at 1.45pm, preceeding a talk by Oliver Everett entitled George IV – the Greatest Royal Collector of Art. Oliver is Emeritus Librarian at the Royal Library in Windsor Castle.

On a warm May afternoon the meeting heard from Tobias Capwell, Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection. With many beautiful illustrations Tobias showed how the great Italian Renaissance artists like Donatello portrayed knights like St George in a style resembling Roman and Classical heroes. Tobias is an expert on medieval armour and he illustrated the many details of this ‘heroic-style armour’ seen clearly on many medieval tapestries, paintings and sculptures. A very interesting and informative lecture.

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. A 2pm arrival is advised.

Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space.

A £5 donation is asked.

For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com www.orwelldfas.org.uk

MARTLESHAM HARD OF HEARING GROUP An independent social group for people with any type of hearing loss.

Partners and hearing dogs welcome.

Our group meets on the first Thursday of the month at Martlesham Pavilion, 10.30am-noon. We charge £3.50 per session and frequently have a speaker. This year we have had everything from a local historian speaking to us about Prettys corset making in Ipswich to running a bed and breakfast in Colchester, as well as a lady who told us about her trip to Iceland (the country not the shop!).

We always have time to chat over coffee/tea and biscuits. We are very sociable and always welcome new people to the group. The pavilion has an excellent hearing loop and a lady voluntarily text types so even people with the most sever hearing loss don’t feel left out, something lots of people with hearing loss suffer. There is also free parking.

Why not give us a try – we would love to see you?

TRANSITION AT DEBEN ROTARY The guest speakers at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben were Jane Healey and Carol Steptoe of Transition Woodbridge. The aims of this organisation are to strengthen the local economy, reduce the cost of living and prepare for a less oil-dependent future. To further these aims they have planted fruit trees and bushes in locations in Woodbridge and the public will be able to enjoy the fruits of them in due course.

KESGRAVE FRIENDSHIP CLUB We have had some enjoyable meetings this year. Peter King provided musical entertainment in March and in April Charlie Haylock present a humorous talk entitled An Eccentric Look at Suffolk. Charlie is a well-known local author who presents a programme on BBC Radio Suffolk and creates a weekly cartoon for the EADT. We are a friendly and welcoming club that meets on the first and third Tuesday afternoons each month at KWMCC to enjoy a varied programme. If you would like more information or are interested in joining please contact Sue Theobald on 01473 620709. We welcome members from Kesgrave and the surrounding area.

We are still urgently seeking a secretary to help us organise our programme.

If you are interested in this position please contact Sue. We should like to take this opportunity to express our grateful thanks to SPARK for their support and financial contribution which assists us greatly.

Dee Knights, treasurer

Deben Rotary is pleased to be able to assist in this enterprise by taking responsibility on an occasional basis for watering the trees and bushes.

President Ian O’Brien Baker thanked the ladies for their talk and presented them with a cheque to assist in their endeavours. The club was also pleased to be able to donate £300 to Just 42 to asist with their Holiday Club at Kyson School.

WOODBRIDGE AND DISTRICT LIONS

The Memory Cafe at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of every month continues to flourish and we were delighted to welcome some new guests to our April session. The next sessions are on Wednesdays, May 25 and June 29 from 10.30am-noon.

At last it looks as though summer is on its way so we can look forward to some outdoor activities.

For more details of the Memory Cafe or Rotary in general please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933

On Saturdays, June 18 and 25 we will be on duty on Woodbridge Thoroughfare where we hope you will select your chosen duck for just £1. The purchased ducks will then go into the Big Duck Dive which takes place in the boating lake at the end of Regatta Day (see page 20), a sight not to be missed. Fantastic cash prizes will be awarded to the first three ducks selected from the lake.

We are also involved with the running of Regatta Day on Sunday, June 26.

Hopefully this be another very enjoyable day full of many different attractions.

Unfortunately, until further notice, we are unable to continue with our car boot sales which we have held on the last Sunday of each month for several years in Woodbridge.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Our next event, a coach excursion to the Great Western Society at Didcot, is on Saturday, July 9, departing from Ipswich Transport Museum at 8am. The total cost is £40 which includes coach travel, entrance to Didcot and a two-course early evening meal. For further details visit: www.idhts.co.uk This excursion is open to non-members but must be booked in advance.

Contact Pat Caddick (01473 402152) or Martyn Hunt (01473 422145).

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OUT & ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE £200 to the runnng cost of the Bloodrunners On Friday, April 15 The Rotary Club of Woodbridge presented a cheque for £200 towards the running costs of the volunteer motorbike riders who supply blood to hospitals in Suffolk and the surrounding areas at night.

Father Christmas still presents gifts in April The Rotary Club of Woodbridge donated £2,400 to East Anglia Children’s Hospice and £2,400 to RDA Riding for the Disabled (Hollesley Branch), all of which was raised by Father Christmas when he appeared at Notcutts in Woodbridge in December.

RDA Hollesley branch has to raise £34,000 a year to be able to give disabled children and adults the pleasure and confidence that riding restores, in addition to helping their muscular health. Included in the cost is the rent of 20 acres and feed for 18 horses plus vets fees. RDA Hollesley has been established for 22 years, but have to find a new location in the next year.

RDA members Viv Sadler, Moya Ludington, Carol Salter and Darren Brook from Notcutts

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP

Photo by John Cooper

April’s conservation group meeting saw the continuation of work on the Tumulus to maintain its status as an English Heritage monument. This included the clearance of brambles, nettles and branches as well as the transfer of this debris in preparation for a dead hedge that will eventually define a new direction of the pathway to avoid eroding the historic burial mound further.

While undergoing our work in the woods a grey squirrel has been regularly seen in our box designed for tawny owls. Since their introduction from North America in the late 1800s, grey squirrels have displaced the native red squirrel across most of England and Wales, although not Ireland and Scotland.

Our Nature Watch Club met in April to learn about larger mammals such as deer and badgers. We also trapped some smaller mammals; bank voles, wood mice and a common shrew.

KESGRAVE ALLOTMENT & LEISURE GARDENERS ASSOCIATION We regularly feature what to sow, plant and protect at our allotment garden site in Playford Lane, but have you wondered about the origin of the allotment?

We know that man changed from hunter to cultivator many thousands of years ago and the Bible describes acts of sowing and parables of stony ground, so tending the land is nothing new. The earliest allocations of land were often acts of charity aimed at alleviating hunger and poverty. The church frequently allotted land for parishioners to cultivate in the middle ages, and this still happens even to this day.

However, these ancient traditions of allowing people to cultivate common land have continually been eroded by the rich and powerful. Landowners from Norman times commenced enclosing ‘their’ lands and effectively dismantled well established local economies and dispossessed a whole rural class of people leading to poverty, starvation and death.

In 1649 a group of hungry victims led by Gerrard Winstanley took control of land in a mass protest, planting beans, parsnips, carrots and wheat, insisting they had a ‘right to dig’. This lead to an uprising with peasants and locals taking control and reworking Common Land. Clearly the governments of the day saw things differently. However, the Digger Movement, aided by powerful moral support, eventually won through after a prolonged period of discontent.

Farsighted landowners realised healthy labourers were loyal and content if they had a source of good food, so they provided plots for cultivation and sometimes even the seed. It took 200 years, but in 1845 the General Enclosure Act was passed making the provision of allotments for the working poor mandatory throughout Britain.

You don’t have to be a peasant to apply for an allotment, you can contact Angela our secretary for that (01473 612283). We are a lovely bunch of people willing to share ideas and help you get started.

Email angsan.brown@yahoo.co.uk or visit: www.kesgrave-allotments.org.uk Free

Free

admission

admission

Melton Village Fete 2016 25th June 11.00am – 3.00pm Melton Playing Fields IP12 1PD

For more details of the group’s events or to check for date changes, please email pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com or join our members’ Facebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting.

Dates for your diary Volunteer Work Mornings (all welcome, no need to book): Sunday, June 19, 10am-noon. Meet at the education area.

Nature Explorers (11 to 18 year olds): Saturday, July 16, 9-11am. Meet at the education area. Booking essential at: pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com Nature Watch Club (5 to 11 year olds): Sunday, June 26, 9-11am. Meet at the control tower. Booking essential at: pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com Glow Worm Survey and Bat walk: Friday, June 24, 9.15-10.30pm approx. Meet at the Martlesham Heath Control Tower with warm clothes and a torch. Subject to weather.

Stalls and Games Punch and Judy

Classic Cars

Donkey Rides

Chris the Clown

Bouncy Castle

Face Painting Archery Traditional Tea Tent Fire Engine Plus much, much more for all the family Music by Melton Folk

Food and drinks by Coach and Horses and barbeque Proceeds to Melton Primary School and St. Andrew’s Church, Melton

George Pennick, Nature Explorer

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In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM

THE SAPLINGS

Martlesham in Bloom would like to make a record of gardens and other attractive or interesting areas in the Parish of Martlesham as we will not be running a garden competitions this year.

At this time of year we take every opportunity to be outside. The children are still loving the mud kitchen which is developing all the time. We are learning about insects and the different ways they help us. This theme will run through the baby room, and the babies will be involved in sensory play and tasting new foods. The summer theme and all the activities will also run through from pre-school to after-school club, allowing all of the children to get involved.

We will then have a display of the photographs in the autumn. If you would like to take part please send photograph(s) of your garden and/or attractive/ interesting areas in the parish to the address below with your name plus where and when the photograph(s) was taken written on the back.

We look forward to seeing your pictures and if you would like any further details on the above or any other Martlesham in Bloom activity please contact: J Maureen Burrows, secretary, 01473 625196 / 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath IP5 3UG

After the half term we will be starting our Rising 5s for the children who will be leaving us in September. This is a brilliant way to prepare them for the classroom and the exciting adventure ahead.

MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS

The Saplings is open Monday-Friday, 7.30am-6pm, for children aged three months to 11 years, offering term-time and year-round care, with a baby room and pre-school, breakfast club, after-school club and holiday club and a ‘walking bus’ to Birchwood Primary School.

Children and parents at our Martlesham setting will soon be travelling by coach to visit Ipswich Museum and Christchurch Park while those at our Kesgrave setting will explore Rendlesham Forest.

It will then be time for our annual funday on Saturday, July 4, 1-4pm. This year it will be held on the Millennium Field, Grange Farm and we will of course be using our Kesgrave setting as a base. We will have the usual bouncy castle, BBQ, craft stalls and children’s pocket money stalls, including a fantastic coconut shy! Please come along and bring your friends and family for a great afternoon supporting a local charity run playschool.

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

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

CALLING ALL MUMS… At our June meeting Martlesham Mums’ Club will join with many other people in the country to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. All mums, grans and carers with babies and toddlers are invited to dress in red, white and blue and join us for a celebratory lunch followed by ‘regal’ craft activities and a chance to chat while your little ones play.

A warm welcome awaits at the meeting which will be held at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath on Tuesday, June 7, 12.45-2.30pm.

The Drinks and Dribbles Baby Cafe will be open in St Michael’s Church Centre on Thursdays, June 2 and 16, 10am-noon. This is a drop-in for mums, grans and carers with babies and toddlers. We offer refreshments, friendship and toys. Why not join us?

BRIGHT STARS All pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies are welcome to come and join us at Bright Stars, along with their parents, grandparents and/or carers. Each of our sessions is full of fun activities, for example singing and Bible stories for children, plus crafts and games.

We meet 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term time at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. The halfhour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to chat and play until approximately noon. The remaining session dates for the summer term are June 13 and 27 and July 11.

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

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Following on from our open day on May 21, we welcome parents and children to visit us and meet the staff. We have space in all rooms and always welcome new faces.

For more information, please contact: 01473 614753 / news@thesaplings.org.uk

BIRCHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL SUMMER FAIR Birchwood Primary School Parents, Teachers and Friends Association will be holding our popular Summer Fair on Saturday, June 25, noon-3pm, at the school in Valiant Road, Martlesham Heath.

Come along and join us for traditional fairground attractions including the coconut shy and hoopla, bouncy castle, megaslide, and the Whoopee Dipper children’s ride. We’ll have exciting demonstrations from the school’s hip hop dancers and Macmillan Martial Arts as well as vehicles on show, a visit from the country market and chances to win fantastic prizes in our mega-raffle, hamper tombola and 50/50 draw. Treat yourself with burgers and hot dogs from the barbecue, ice cream, candy floss, tea and cakes. We look forward to seeing you there.

GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL Right Royal Sunday Fun Day celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday Sunday, June 12, noon-3pm An event for the whole family. Bring along your picnic blankets and chairs and enjoy music, singing, dancing and magic, and a special entertainment area for children. There will be hot and cold food available, and lots of other side stalls too. Please come along and join in the fun!

HEDGEHOG NURSERY This half term we have welcomed new families and have been watching new friendships forming. Thinking about spring and new life, we have focused on the life cycle of a butterfly and a frog. The children enjoyed learning the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar and tasting different fruits from the story.

We visit the school library weekly and listen to a story told to us by the librarian. The children love using the computer to issue books to take home and share with their families. We found some ‘frog facts’ by using non-fiction books which the children know are information books, not stories. The children take part in weekly PE lessons which are great fun. Changing for PE can take as long as the lesson itself! This half term we have focussed on our listening skills and learning new games.

Next half term we look forward to the Foundation Stage Sports Morning where Nursery and Reception classes join together, visitors coming to Nursery, supporting the transition to school and our settling in sessions for new children starting in September.

Mrs J Florey, Nursery Lead Teacher Hedgehog Nursery is open Monday-Friday, 7.30am-6pm, for three- and fouryear-olds. If you would like more information please visit www.gorseland.net or contact the school office on 01473 623790.

In Touch online:

SPORT DEBEN YACHT CLUB Despite the chilly start the sailing season kicked off with the Spring Points races. Beginners and improvers training courses have proved popular thanks to our very experienced training team led

by Steve Scholey. This year the team have been boosted with the recruitment of more enthusiastic assistant trainers keen to learn teach people to sail.

KESGRAVE & NORTHGATE KARATE NEWS It has been an incredibly busy couple of months for Kesgrave, Northgate and Associated Clubs.

At the EKF Nationals at Ponds Ford in Sheffield on the weekend of April 16/17, Georgie Lawson won gold in individual and open weight making her a six times consecutive English champion! Oscar Hunt won silver in team with Brandon Hodgson and James bronze in 14-15 individual open weight and silver in -70 weight category. Thanks to Chris Stott and Paul Harris for coaching them.

A successful quiz organised by Tony Wilman at the yacht club on Saturday, April 23 raised £290 for the RNLI. Everyone enjoyed the quiz and the delicious fish and chip supper. This was the first of our charity events which are held throughout the season. The next one will be a coffee morning in aid of the British Heart Foundation on Thursday, June 16, 10am-noon. We hope that as many people as possible will come along to give their support.

June is an exciting month for the club. Our very popular Try Sailing Day will be held on Saturday 4 starting at 10am. Children and adults who had never sailed before will have the opportunity to give sailing a go for free. We are very fortunate to have such a lovely river on our door step, so do come along and find out just how easy it is to get out on the water and do some sailing.

This will be followed by Woodbridge Regatta (see page 20) on Sunday, June 26 when the club will be holding a series of races including the over 35s race, ladies race, Junior Cup and Regatta Yacht Race, so plenty for spectators to see. What better place to watch the action than the clubhouse deck while enjoying a cup of tea and delicious homemade cake.

For more information about events and how to join go to: www.debenyachtclub.co.uk

Sunday, April 24 saw the team at Tilbury in Essex for the SRK Open Karate Competition. Well done to everyone who fought. Special commendation went to Sienna Lawton who won her first fight, but lost her second to an experienced fighter who went on to win gold. Her reverse punch is excellent and will win her many fights in the future. Matt Standring deserved silver, but went out on hantei to the winner in the first round.

WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB

Temuri Turner fought well but came across the European silver medalist in the first round while Tayler Evans came second to the world number seven and landed some fabulous reverse punches on her way to the final.

Callum Evans, Ruby Hunt and Sophia Standring fought well but struggled with either difficult decisions or tough opponents but overall, Northgate held their own. Thanks to Justin Hunt for the report and all his support to the team.

Then the May Bank Holiday weekend saw excitement of a different sort with a large party of club members and their families travelling to Arras, France to train with Roger Menant and his amazing squad at the RC Arras KaratéDo. The group studied three different Japanese katas – Kanku-Dai, Jitté and Unsu – and attempted to apply the bunkai over three training sessions on the Saturday and Sunday. There was also a visit to the caves beneath the town and an aperitif in the town hall afterwards.

It was an amazing experience not only for those who trained but also for all the families and friends who came to support and help make the weekend so enjoyable. The club would like to thank the team who spent time and effort making the trip not just possible but run so smoothly – Bill Williams, Gilliam Wreford, Rik Barnes, Matt Standring and Chris Clow. We would also like to thank our club sponsors who so generously subsidised the trip: I.S Electrical, M+C Diesel Services and Chris Clow.

Meanwhile, back in Weston Super Mare on Sunday, May 1, there was a bronze medal for Oscar Hunt and teammates Brandon Hodgson and Ethan Day in the boys 13-15 year old team category at the WKU Karate Championship.

That is definitely all I can fit in so apologies if your news didn’t make it this time. Check out the new website or the Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest news and class timings.

The green door opened and the season started. The green looked lush, so with white shirts laundered, grey trousers and skirts newly pressed, hopes ran high. The opening drive on April 17 and reality struck, especially for those who, like me, hadn’t been busy on the indoor rinks over the winter.

Yes, techniques were found to be a little rusty. However, help was at hand with coach Viv Sheppard’s well-attended practise afternoon on April 19 and Trevor Kirby’s practise session on April 21. Now all that’s needed is a brilliant summer and a few good results.

Open day on the morning of May 7 saw some glorious weather and a dozen or so people came to see what the club had to offer. Some were completely new to the game while others were newcomers to the area looking to continue their participation in the sport and one or two were returning to the sport after a break. All were made welcome and it’s hoped that most will become regular members.

Fast forward to June 12 when HM The Queen’s official birthday celebrations take place. Woodbridge Bowls club intends to recognise the occasion with a bowls bonanza at the club with games and competitions to highlight the skills of the club membership.

We are also fortunate to have a new sponsor. Cumberland Fish Bar, 2 Cumberland Street Woodbridge has agreed to sponsor the club for the current season. We thank them for their support.

Eleanor Legg

Don’t forget, you can find out more about the club at www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk or contact me, Anthony Bynom, at: malfrazy@yahoo.com

www.northgate-karate.co.uk

Look forward to hearing from you.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

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ON THE GRAPEVINE WOODBRIDGE TIDE MILL FUNDRAISING CONCERT Woodbridge Tide Mill is a Grade I listed building and is a rare example of a whose water wheel still turns and is now one of only two tide mills in the country still producing stoneground wholemeal flour. The tide mill has stood on the banks of the River Deben for more than 800 years, with the earliest record of a tide mill on this site dating back to 1170.

Recently, due to the hard work and commitment of a band of volunteers under the leadership of a board of trustees, further protection and restoration work has brought it back into use, endowed with a new giant waterwheel and many fascinating exhibits that show what life was like for the miller, and indeed all the other people and creatures at the mill. Since then it has become one of the most valued and interesting attractions on the Suffolk coast.

WOODBRIDGE REGATTA 2016: NOT LONG NOW!

The tide mill has a jam-packed schedule of published milling times on its website and shows when visitors can watch the historic water wheel in action and see the millers making flour, which you can then purchase in the gift shop. To avoid disappointment make sure you visit: www.woodbridgetidemill.org.uk

This year’s Woodbridge Regatta and Riverside Fair is kindly sponsored

by Woodbridge haart Estate agents. From noon on Sunday, June 26 all sorts of spectacles and activities take place on and off the water from the tide mill to Deben Yacht Club.

The event kicks off with Songs of Praise on the Tea Hut stage and finishes with the Woodbridge & District Lions Club Duck Dive at the Model Yacht Pond at 5.30pm. In between there will be a full programme of races on the river. The 2016 haart raft race organised by 1st Woodbridge Scout Group is a sell out this year and always a spectacle for the crowds.

The tide mill is offering free admission and people can take advantage of free boat trips up and down the river throughout the day. There will be face painting and games at the bandstand.

Live music will fill the air at various locations along the riverside including the Tea Hut and the Cruising Club.

Woodbridge Regatta is free for all to enjoy and there is free car parking at Suffolk Coastal District Council car park at Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU. Geoff Holdcroft, chairman of the regatta committee, said: “The programme for this year is being developed to ensure it has all of the usual action with some added freshness. The success and longevity of Woodbridge Regatta is a testament to various community groups working together. I thank everyone involved for helping us to put on what we hope will be another fabulous event.”

The latest information can be found at www.woodbridgeregattaassoc.onesuffolk.net and www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeRegatta

The Friends of Woodbridge Tide Mill play an essential part in supporting the tide mill and are actively involved in raising much needed funds to keep the mill running and open for all to enjoy. The tide mill relies on the support of the surrounding community and we hope that you will join us for our next major fundraiser, a summer concert at Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday, June 25 at 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm) with Quattro Amici (pictured), a quartet of professional classical vocalists covering a range of musical genres from opera and operetta to musical theatre and classical crossover.

Tickets are £12.50 including a glass of wine and canapés. Informal seating at tables, wine and soft drinks available.

Tickets are available from: the Tide Mill / Browsers Bookshop / anne.v.barratt@btinternet.com / 01394 382815

GET COMPOSTING! Suffolk Master Composter volunteers will be holding free workshops across Suffolk over the next few months to help beginners start making their own compost at home. As a thank you, attendees will also get a free home compost bin delivered to their home to help them on their composting adventure!

Composting at home is a good for your pocket because it avoids trips to the garden centre and great for the environment because it uses your organic waste to make nutritious compost, ready to go back on your garden. It’s also really easy to do with the help and advice of Suffolk’s Master Composters.

The workshops are ideal for those who have never tried composting before, or those who have tried but given up. Getting started can be a bit confusing so that’s where Master Composter Volunteers can help. They are a friendly bunch, full of top tips and they’ll soon have you composting at home like a professional! Come along and discover the best recipe for great compost, how to compost weeds and even how to avoid unwelcome pests.

Local Master Composter volunteer Judith will be holding a workshop at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, June 30, 7-9pm.

The Beginners Composting Workshops are available on a first come first served basis to all Suffolk residents and you can book your place by either visiting www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk or by calling Suffolk County Council on 0345 066 067. You will also find other dates across Suffolk.

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In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE

HOLLESLEY FETE AND FUN DOG SHOW Saturday, June 25, 12.30pm Hollesley Village Fete has established itself as a ‘must visit’ event in recent years.

Along with the usual stalls and side shows, the fete on Saturday, June 25 will include a judo display, a display of model boats from the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club, Suffolk Punch Trust with their Suffolk horse and Hollesley School Country Dance Team. There will also be a clothing stall selling brand new sample clothes.

A delicious barbecue will be available from 12.30pm and the bar will be provided by the Shepherd and Dog Pub. Live music will be provided by Hollesley Trumpets.

Traditional games including football challenges with the Sutton Heath Saxons, Kids Zone arranged by Rendlesham Scouts and smash the plates are all there for your entertainment along with teas and cake, coffee, squash and ice cream for your afternoon refreshment. Don’t forget to purchase your grand draw tickets for the chance to win £100 and many other fantastic prizes.

The dog show starts at 12.45pm with several fun classes and every dog will win a prize.

Proceeds from the day will be divided between various village groups and the church.

RENDLESHAM SHOW Due to its great success and growth over the past two years, Rendlesham Show is now an annual event. This year’s show is on Saturday, June 11 from 11am-4pm at Jubilee Park, Rendlesham IP12 2GT. Entry is free and the show boasts something for everyone, from a baby/ toddler play zone to a bouncy castle that will take adults, from a petting farm to a drumming workshop. The fun dog show and the fun fair are firm favourites too, but new for this year are a climbing wall and Punch & Judy.

WOODBRIDGE GROUP WILDLIFE THEMED WALKS FOR JUNE

As well as every village organisation being involved, providing entertainment and stalls, many local businesses, incuding Stokes Sauces, Kidz Kupboard and Jars of Clay, will be present with some of the 35 stalls, such as Yum Yum Tree Fudge and Jamberry Nails, coming from further afield.

No show would be complete without the barbecue, bar and ice cream, but there are also some other wonderful food outlets including WoknRoll and Wood Fired Pizza.

Sounds like fun? The organisers look forward to seeing you there!

For more information contact: admin@rendleshampc.org.uk

Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group invite you get out into the local countryside with a couple of wildlife themed walks to enjoy during June.

On Saturday, June 18 at 2pm there will be a walk at the Bromeswell Green Reserve near Melton. Led by Stephen Massey, this will be a chance to identify the wild flowers found on this reserve. Meet and park at TM 296504 (in Common Lane, Bromeswell). Participants are advised to wear strong footwear, and binoculars may be useful.

Then on Friday, June 24 at 9.15pm, the group will be visiting Blaxhall Heath and Common, hoping to see and hear nightjars.

Phil Smith, chair of the SWT Woodbridge Group said: “As darkness falls we will wander across the heath, looking and listening for signs of the nightjar.

This fascinating bird is a summer visitor to this reserve and I hope we will be lucky enough to catch sight of the bird. The walk should also give the chance to see glow worms.”

The Blaxhall Heath walk starts at the Sandgalls car park (TM 382559) and will last approximately one hour. Participants are advised to use insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear.

Admission to both walks is free, with donations to Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed.

Photo by Mike Stevenson

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

For more details contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com

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CHURCH NEWS SUFFOLK COASTAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AWARDS Nominations for the 2016 Suffolk Coastal Business and Community Awards opened on April 15. There are 13 awards designed to recognise the contributions, initiatives and successes of businesses, groups and individuals within the Suffolk Coastal District over the past 18 months.

You can enter the awards online at www.scbca.co.uk or request an entry form from Sarah Shinnie at Suffolk Coastal District Council on 01394 444652. The deadline for entries is June 30. The winners will be announced at a black tie awards dinner at The Hanger, Kesgrave Hall on September 15.

Sponsors for 2016 include Adnams, EDF Energy, EB Carpets, Melton Day Nursery, Places for People Leisure, The Local Strategic Partnership, The Suffolk Coast DMO, Ufford Park and Suffolk Coastal District Council. Town 102 and The Beach are also supporting as 2016 media partners.

Councillor TJ Haworth-Culf, Suffolk Coastal District Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for customers, communities and leisure, said: “The business and community awards have gone from strength to strength since they were launched. It gives local people a unique opportunity to celebrate what is great about Suffolk Coastal and to recognise those people who hard work and dedication makes this such a fantastic place to live and work. We all know businesses, clubs and individuals who just go that extra mile to make a difference in the community. Now is your chance to say thank you by ensuring their commitment is recognised by nominating them for an award.”

The full list of awards and sponsors is as follows: New Business of the Year sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council Business Growth Award sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council Services to the Community (group) sponsored by EDF Energy Services to the Community (individual) sponsored by Place for People Innovation sponsored by the Local Strategic Partnership Charity Champion sponsored by EB Carpets Felixstowe People Development sponsored by Melton Day Nursery Health & Wellbeing sponsored by Ufford Park Encouraging Tourism sponsored by The Suffolk Coast DMO Customer Focus Award sponsored by Bruisyard Hall Team of the Year sponsored by Trade Supply Windows Limited Great & Green Award Club of the Year

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BRIGHTWELL CHURCH Like most churches Brightwell will be celebrating the 90th birthday of the Queen on the weekend of June 11 and 12. The church will be open for visitors each day from 10am-5pm for refreshments and our usual friendly chat.

We are due to ring the bell from 11am to noon on Saturday 11. If you would like to take a turn on the rope please ask either of the churchwardens or let me know.

The weekend will conclude with Songs of Praise on Sunday 12 at 6.30pm instead of our usual celebration for our Patronal Festival at the end of June.

Meanwhile, the Men in Sheds will be out and about on Thursdays, June 9, 23 and 30. Please note that the arrangements for the outings will be made according to weather predictions so it will be necessary to contact myself or any member for information. The visits are to Leiston Longshop Museum, a trip on the Regardless from Orford and a visit for photography at the new Spa and seafront gardens at Felixstowe. We welcome any man who would like to join us as a prospective member on any of these trips. We have recently welcomed three new members and as ever our fellowship is growing rapidly.

Geoff Lambert, PCC secretary: 01473 624130 / brightwellchurch@btinternet.com

ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH A new start?

As I write I am surrounded by boxes as we are in the process of moving in.

I’m struggling to find anything I want, even things we have unpacked are in a new place which will need to be learned, and I can’t find my shoes. Yet the excitement is there. A new home, a new community, a new start. Soon the transition will pass, the routine will come, and I will have different shoes, should I need them. I am excited about this new role as vicar of the benefice of Martlesham and Brightwell.

I’m reminded of Saint Paul. He went from absolute surety, through a time of change, to a new and exciting phase of his life. Paul’s mission in life was to persecute Christians in the newly forming church, just after Jesus died and rose again. His life changed when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and he discovered the joy and freedom of a life lived with God, one where his past was forgiven and he could live as a new, free person.

Perhaps you too are hoping for a fresh start, a chance to escape the worries and problems of the past, maybe one that doesn’t involve moving house and losing your shoes. Jesus offers that fresh start to all – whatever has gone before. If you want to investigate further, or just chat, please do contact me: toby@martleshamcofe.org.uk / 01473 612659 The Rev Toby Tate Previously I gave out an email address that had broken, sorry if you tried it and got no response. This one does work.

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