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with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham Volume 7 • Issue No. 4 • MARCH 2017
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
NEWS ALICE GRANGE CARE HOME HOSTS VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT FAIR Volunteering in a care home or other local organisation can be one of the most rewarding ways to help improve our communities and the lives of others. To showcase the amazing work that volunteers do and to promote local volunteering opportunities, Alice Grange Care Home on Ropes Drive will be holding a volunteer recruitment fair on Saturday, April 22 in partnership with other organisations and charities that rely on volunteer support. The event takes place in support of National Volunteer Recognition Day and it felt timely that on this day we celebrate not only our wonderful team of volunteers but did what we could to make the role of the volunteer known. Any local group or charity that uses volunteer support is invited to have a stall to showcase the different ways people can volunteer in our community. Please make contact via kristy.smith@barchester.com or 01473 333551 if you would like the opportunity to have a stall and to talk to interested people about what you do and what you need by way of volunteering. Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity? Don’t know what you could do? Then this event is very much for you!
Chalkboard outside a small convenience store and bakery in Co Kerry. For once I’m going to let the picture do the talking! Happy shopping. Sharon
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In Touch with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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Come along and see what is available on your doorstep. We hope you will find an opportunity that feels great. It’s important to know that you don’t need a particular skill set to volunteer. Within our community there is a need for a great variety of skills and simply the gift of your time and company can go a really long way. Drivers, singers, befrienders and sorters, packers, walkers, knitters and cooks, chaperones, readers, nail painters and hand holders are all required and really do make such an important difference to the lives of those in need.
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350
IN TOUCH WITH . . .
We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Hadleigh • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Bramford, Offton & Somersham • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton
The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. Perhaps you have memory worries yourself or even a recent diagnosis and want someone to talk to. Maybe you have concerns about a loved one, or need support in your caring role. Perhaps it’s just information you are after, or a confidential chat with someone. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.
IN TOUCH WITH . . .
APRIL DEADLINE 10 MARCH 2017 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy
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NEWS
MH100 UPDATE By the time you read this the widely publicised public meeting about the MH100 (Martlesham Heath Centenary) celebrations will have taken place. If you missed the meeting or simply now want to get involved, please visit www.mh100.org.uk or go to our MH100 Facebook page or MH100 Twitter feed. We continue working towards the special weekend of July 8-9. Our organising committee meetings (event multimedia, legacy planning, publicity, event management) and the main steering committee welcome anyone to get involved. For meeting dates please visit the website or contact: secretary@mh100.org.uk / publicity@mh100.org.uk So what’s the latest news? You may already know that we will have a full size Spitfire and Hurricane fighters alongside the large stage we have booked. The Red Devils Parachute Display Team will also be dropping in and the highly acclaimed Brentwood Imperial Youth Band, will be performing on Sunday 9 (www.brentwoodyouthband.org.uk). There will be plenty of entertainment on stage throughout the weekend and an impressive display of vintage and veteran civilian and military vehicles on Sunday 9. Local schools, particularly Gorselands and Kesgrave High School, are really getting involved and other local organisations, including Martlesham Church of all Angels, Martlesham Scouts and Martlesham Brass, are in talks with us.
FREE COMPOSTING TRAINING FOR NEW MASTER COMPOSTER VOLUNTEERS Are you a keen gardener, would you like to learn a new skill or just want to do your bit to help the environment and others? Then don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our wonderful band of green fingered volunteers. Suffolk Master Composters are recruiting for new volunteers and are offering a free two-day training course at Stowmarket Community Centre in March. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience. You will learn everything you need to know about composting, how to share this knowledge with others as well as having lots of fun with other like-minded individuals. Sign up now for the free two-day training course. You must attend Day 1 and one of the Day 2 sessions. Day 1: Saturday, March 18 Day 2: Either Sunday, March 19 or Tuesday, March 21
We are working closely with The University of Suffolk and Suffolk New College on the multimedia and legacy part of this event. Interviews are already underway with veterans involved with all aspects of the development of the heath which will be posted on the legacy website we are creating.
In return for free training, access to display resources, travel expenses and on-going support, volunteers are asked to commit to 30 hours composting promotion through a wide range of activities such as attending events, visiting schools, writing articles or talking to community groups around the county.
Local businesses such as Duncan’s Bakery, Marks and Manns Estate Agents, Richard Pipe Engineering, Next, Drain Doctor and Barker Gotelee are just some of those helping us.
Find out more at www.greensuffolk.org or contact Craig Renton to book your place: 07736 950634 / mastercomposters@suffolk.gov.uk
Sponsorship continues with monies already pledged from BT Adastral Park and other local funding bodies.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HOSPICE’S NEW RETAIL CENTRE
Lastly, Phil Bull won the free MOT from Richard Pipe Engineering in our Christmas quiz. Why not get involved and volunteer with this major event?
St Elizabeth Hospice is opening a brand new retail centre in Martlesham and needs to recruit a team of volunteers to help when it opens. The hospice opened its first retail centre in Holywells Road, Ipswich, 18 months ago and it has proved so successful, the local charity has decided to open another one in Martlesham. The retail centre is expected to be very popular and will require a number of volunteers to help in a variety of roles. Patrick Otter, St Elizabeth Hospice’s retail area manager, said: “Following the opening of our hugely popular retail centre in town last year we have been eager to open another one in a community area for a while, and Martlesham is an ideal location for our second retail centre. “All our shops get very busy and we expect this new retail centre to have a constant flow of customers, so we need a number of capable volunteers to assist in the store. If you love vinyl, can spot an antique or love to organise, and want to help your local hospice, we’d love to hear from you.”
On Monday, January 16, Duncan and Sue Foulger of Duncan’s Bakery handed over one of their masterpieces, an impressive and delicious cake celebrating the centenary of the start of Martlesham Heath becoming what it is today. The date in 1917 was when the Royal Flying Corps arrived to set up their aircraft development and testing airfield. The presence of the R.F.C., which became the Royal Air Force, continued until 1963, even when the Americans were here during the Second World War. The cake was later cut at a special event in The Control Tower Museum by Peter Davies (pictured here with Sue and Duncan Foulger), chairman and founder of MH100, and Martyn Cook, chairman of Martlesham Heath Aviation Society, custodians of the flying story of the heath.
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Volunteer roles will include serving customers, using the till, merchandising and stock preparation for new and donated goods, driving the vans, creating appealing displays, and helping with administration. The store will open in spring 2017 and will sell a range of good quality secondhand items including furniture, clothes, accessories, homeware, DVDs, vinyl, books and more. You can find out more at our volunteering information event on Saturday, March 11, 9am-12.30pm at Martlesham Heath Pavillion. If you would like to apply to volunteer in the new retail centre or for more information, please visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/volunteer or contact: volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk / 01473 707939
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NEWS ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE USED STAMPS/COINS APPEAL Thank you to everyone who saved their used stamps over Christmas and posted them through my letterbox. A big thank you also goes to the generous people who donated their childhood stamp albums. I recently took a bulging car boot full of bags of stamps to the hospice. The stamps will be sorted by volunteers and sold online to raise money. The special stamps and albums will be auctioned separately. I thought you might be interested to know how much money is made from the sale of stamps so I made enquiries at the hospice. The fundraising manager has had a look at the figures for 2016 and up to the end of the year the total raised was £3,843.49. How amazing, and all from stamps which would otherwise be binned. So you can see how important every single contribution is. Please continue to support the hospice throughout the year by posting used stamps and old British/foreign coins through my door, or if it’s more convenient, at our nearest library on Grange Farm. Thank you all and keep up the great work. Bev Read, 15 Demesne Gardens, Martlesham Heath01473 622721
JOHN KELSO’S DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT Proposed new Aldi store A planning application has now been received to build an Aldi store on the vacant land adjacent to the bowling alley on Gloster Road. While I am open to the idea of developing an Aldi store within Martlesham, I do have serious reservations and concerns regarding the location of such a store at this busy junction close to the A12 BT roundabout. If you wish to comment on this planning application please email D.C.admin@eastsuffolk.gov.uk quoting reference number DC/17/0055/FUL. Adastral Park 2,000 home development Hopefully many of you will have visited the exhibitions held by CEG, the new developers for the Adastral Park site. If you couldn’t make the exhibitions further information is available at: www.adastralparkdevelopment.co.uk The latest information that I have received is that a planning application is due to be received by Suffolk Coastal in March or early April. A three to five week public consultation will then take place during April and May with the application likely to go before the planning committee in late summer. Gladman Development The planning application to build 140 new homes on land north of the railway line and adjacent to Dukes Park was refused by Suffolk Coastal. However, Gladman have appealed to the government planning inspectorate to get this decision overturned. The public enquiry to be overseen by a government inspector is to begin at 10am on March 21 at East Suffolk House, Riduna Park, Station Road, Melton, and could take up to six days. Interested parties and members of the public will be allowed to attend. I would suggest that anyone who wishes to attend should give advance notice to Adine Schrankel, the planning officer dealing with appeals, who can be contacted at: 01394 444507 / adine.schrankel@eastsuffolk.gov.uk If you wish to discuss any of the above topics or any other district council matters, please contact me: john.kelso@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk / 01473 631682
SNOWFLAKE BALL IN MAY? With the British weather as it is, it wouldn’t be unheard of to see snow in May. Local charity Home-Start can (unlike most weather reporters) guarantee it. Home-Start will be hosting their second annual Snowflake Ball at Kesgrave Hall, Milsoms on Friday, May 19. Attendees will once again be dancing along to the band Soul Kitchen and after an arrival drink, will enjoy a sumptuous three-course dinner and a variety of entertainment. During the evening there will be the chance to win some amazing prizes and to bid on our silent auction. There is also the opportunity to be involved with a variety of sponsorship packages available to local businesses and prizes needed for the evening’s activities. So why a Snowflake Ball? The snowflake represents the unique, fragile and vulnerable nature of the children and families we support. Home-Start supports families for whom the pressures of family life have become too great to cope with alone; this can be for many differing reasons such as bereavement, physical and mental health problems. Families are matched with a trained volunteer who supports them on a weekly basis enabling them to grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children, improve their health and wellbeing and widen their links locally. If you would like to find out more or to purchase tickets (£55) contact Home-Start at office@homestartcoastal.co.uk / 01473 621104 or visit: www.homestarteastsuffolk.org.uk
MARTLESHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Thank you to all those who responded to our consultation which ran for 10 weeks until the end of January. In total we had 100 responses. The vast majority of these came from residents, with the remainder from other councils, developers, landowners and government bodies. The quality and quantity of the responses from residents shows the deep interest we all share in protecting what we have for the future. Such a solid response will go a long way to ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of the plan once it is finally made. By the time you read this, work will be well advanced on incorporating your comments into a revised plan, upon which all residents will be entitled to vote before it comes into force. Some responses expressed unhappiness that many of the problems facing the parish (e.g. existing parking problems) were not dealt with in the plan, but were ‘relegated’ to the end as ‘Non-Policy Actions’. We should have explained more clearly that the neighbourhood plan itself deals with how future developments should be dealt with; existing problems need a different remedy. As a separate issue, individuals and groups which make up the community need to find ways of tackling these existing problems.
A NIGHT FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE Kesgrave Social Club on Saturday, March 25 Featuring The Martells with special guests More Than Soul and the return of the fantastic Skittlez MC for the evening THE FOZ / Mr Stephen Foster from BBC Radio Suffolk Drive Time Big raffle / food available if required Tickets (£10 each / only 250 available) from: Tessa Hawes 01473 610212 / Ed Cuffe 01473 405672 Kesgrave Social Club 01473 622128
John Kelso, District Councillor Martlesham Ward
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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL New housing development to the land south and east of Adastral Park CEG is the company managing the new development of 2,000 dwellings, having bought the land from BT last year. You will hopefully be aware that they have been consulting on the masterplan which should ultimately dictate what the development will look like. CEG hopes to submit a planning application which includes the masterplan and parameter plans, with detailed design and access statements, by the end of March/April. The parish council has formed an Adastral Park Working Group and we are being invited to meetings with CEG, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Suffolk County Council and will endeavour to promote the vision of Martlesham which has come out through the Martlesham Neighbourhood Plan process. If you haven’t managed to get along to any of the exhibitions held by CEG, you can view their plans so far and make comments at: www.adastralparkdevelopment.co.uk Please note that they are also consulting on wider highways issues, such as non-motorist connectivity on the retail park and rat running along Felixstowe Road. Lamb Barn Hill footway, Main Road The long awaited works to improve the width of the Lamb Barn Hill footway finally began in February with the installation of a revetment (slab embankment). It is hoped that the problem of the spring, which means there is usually water running down the footway and road, will also be resolved. The works were prompted by continual complaints to the parish council and Suffolk County Council at how difficult it is to use the footway with a pushchair or wheelchair due to the encroaching embankment. The project is being funded by Suffolk County Council Highways, County Councillor Patricia O’Brien and the parish council. Unfortunately, due to a clash of schedules with the mini roundabout mentioned below, work had to cease until March 13 and we are advised that SCC hopes it will then be completed by March 27 at the latest. East Anglia ONE Offshore Windfarm Work on the creation of a new mini-roundabout at Top Street, Martlesham, (reported last month) was delayed during February but
hopefully this will be well under way now. For more information please visit: www.spreastanglia.com Martlesham Common Nature Reserve In February we carried out the second phase of work to remove sycamore trees along Main Road. Selected trees had to be felled for safety reasons. A loose hedge of native species is to be planted in their place. Martlesham Common – Wildlife Survey of Flora and Fauna Martlesham in Bloom is arranging for the wildlife on Martlesham Common to be surveyed to help the parish council with their management of the common. Please see MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM on page 20 for further details of how you can help. Annual Playground Inspections Our annual independent playground inspections have been completed. It was very pleasing to note that no high priority remedial work was identified. This is largely due to the work of our volunteer inspectors who check the play areas on a regular basis and report any problems or defects to the parish office so repairs can be carried out. Huge thanks to our volunteers. Forthcoming meetings Wednesday, March 1: Parish Council Wednesday, March 8: Recreation & Amenities Committee Wednesday, April 5: Parish Council All meetings start at 7.30pm in the Parish Room on 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, Woodbridge IP12 4PB / clerkmartleshamcouncil.org.uk / 01473 612632 / For latest news and events visit: www.martlesham.onesuffolk.net Parish office opening times: 9am-noon, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, but please book an appointment in advance.
MARTLESHAM HEATH HOUSEHOLDERS LTD The AGM is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7 in Martlesham Pavilion at 8pm. You will have received an annual report by now. Thank you for the membership fees that have already been received. It’s worth noting that cheques cost 60p to bank so please use bank transfer if at all possible. The collection is a major undertaking and prompt payment helps reduce the amount of time the volunteer directors and committee have to spend on this task. Please note that those still in arrears are not eligible to vote at the AGM.
We have been performing tree maintenance in various locations around Martlesham Heath. The path from the windsock to the SSSI has been widened to prevent pedestrians walking in the ruts created by various machines used in maintaining the SSSI Do think about your involvement in MHHL and if you are interested in preserving our local environment contact us via: 01473 612207 / mhh@martlesham.org.uk http://martleshamheathhouseholdersltd.onesuffolk.net
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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia Everyone is welcome to our AGM at 7.30pm on Friday, March 10 in St Michael’s Church Centre when we will be reviewing the past year and electing new committee members for the coming year. 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 would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below. Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk
KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) The following craft activities will take place during March. Sunday 5: We’re going up, up and away in our Dr Seuss inspired hot air balloons. Sunday 12: Have you heard of Neil the Puffin? He has lots of adventures with Polly in their stories. Come along and make a puffin with us. Sunday 19: It’s World Meteorological Day on March 23 and we will be creating weather clocks to celebrate. Sunday 26: Make fingerprint flowers for someone special this Mother’s Day. Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights. There’s no need to book – just turn up and have a go. Every Thursday (term time only)
MARTLESHAM HEATH COUNTRY MARKET: MORE THAN MARMALADE I visited one of the country market cooks recently and her house had a lovely warm marmalade scent which went nicely with a cup of tea and a homemade biscuit on a cold morning. Oh, I love marmalade and if you do too, don’t delay to claim your supply from the Country Market because it is quickly whisked off the shelves by those in the know. There are six or more different marmalades as well as a selection of jams, preserves and savoury spreads all at very reasonable prices. Hot chilli jam spread on cheese on toast is a secret I am happy to share with you. Fruit jam with plain yogurt is a refreshing snack or sweet course: sometimes simple treats fill the gap. Did you know that you can order gluten-free cakes and bakes if you don’t see exactly what you want? Other preferences can also be catered for – come and meet our friendly award-winning cooks and find out what they can do. Savoury dishes, quiches and soups are there for the taking, for one person or more, and while you’re there, take a look at the lovingly crafted knitwear, gorgeous crochet-work, charming treen and must-hold wooden items that make unusual gifts, with a choice of artist’s cards and jolly hats, mitts and gloves that help to keep out the cold. The Country Market is at Martlesham Pavilion every Tuesday morning from 9-11.15am. Contact Margaret Gayfer on 01473 623849 to discuss and place any special order. We also have a table at Saturday’s mid-monthly market at 1st Kesgrave Scout Hall.
• Tot Rock: 9.45-10.15am • BabyBounce: 10.30-11am Every Friday (term time only) • Story Time: 9.45-10.15am OTHER LIBRARY EVENTS FOR MARCH Wednesday, March 1, 2.30pm: Knit and Natter, £1 with tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Thursday, March 2 2.45pm: Afternoon Book Group, currently reading Two Brothers by Ben Elton. 7pm: Adult Colouring, £2 with tea, coffee, biscuits and all equipment provided. Thursday, March 16, 7pm: Evening Book Group, currently reading Entry Island by Peter May. IT Help Sessions: Saturday, March 25, 10am-1pm If you would like some help with your iPad, smart phone, tablet, eBook or computer, or need some general guidance using the internet and computers, please book one of our half-hour slots. Body Shop Party: Thursday, March 2, 7pm The library is holding a Body Shop Party to help raise funds. Why not pop along and get organised for Mother’s Day? If you are unable to attend, orders can be left with staff before the event. Used stamps/coins Raising funds for St Elizabeth’s Hospice. Just bring along your used stamps and old coins and hand in to staff. It’s as easy as that!
Come and see us soon!
New Card Range Why note pop along and look at our new range of cards?
THE MASQUE PLAYERS PRESENT J.B PRIESTLEY’S WHEN WE ARE MARRIED
100 Club Our community group is launching a 100 Club to help with fundraising. For just £1 per month you could enter and have a chance of winning a cash prize plus knowing you are supporting your local library. Watch out for posters and details about how to sign up.
Set in the early 1900s, a group of three couples, old friends and all married on the same day in the same chapel, gather at the Helliwells’ home to celebrate their silver anniversary. When they discover that they are not legally married, each couple initially reacts with proper Victorian horror (what will the neighbours think?) and then find themselves re-evaluating their marriages. Hovering closely over the proceedings is the Yorkshire Argus’ alcoholsoaked photographer, keen to record the evening’s events for posterity, and a wickedly destructive housekeeper who is hoping to use the couples’ mortification to her own advantage. Playing at Kesgrave Community Centre from Wednesday, March 29 to Saturday, April 1 at 7.45pm, tickets (£9 / £8 concessions) can be reserved via www.masqueplayers.com / 01473 725633 and will be available on the door.
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Maggie Lusher, Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave Tel: 01473 626103 www.suffolklibraries.co.uk OPENING TIMES Tuesday: 9am-noon, 2.30-5pm Wednesday: 2.30-6pm Thursday: 2.30-8pm Friday: 9am-noon Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 10am-3pm
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OUT & ABOUT ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND
FOLKERCISE WITH PROPER ENGLISH AT WOODBRIDGE COMMUNITY HALL
Have you ever been to an auction?
The February dance at Melton was a great success with more than 70 people attending.
Have you ever wondered about the story behind antiques through history and in modern life? Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt? If you do, we are sure you will enjoy the following event. The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents by popular demand another evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS when she will talk about Antiques in Context. Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Flog It. Join us at St Michaels Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL on Monday, March 6 at 7.30pm. Light refreshments, admission £6. The venue is fully accessible and there is free adjacent parking. Further details from the Burrows family: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk
IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO A FREE PIE TASTING?
Our Dance Folkus event on March 3 moves to a new venue and gives us lots more room for dancing. Great transport links and extensive nearby parking make Woodbridge Community Hall easy to access, so bring friends and relatives – even your children – to join in the frolicsome fun. Some people have commented that coming to our dances could contribute to improving fitness. So get some ‘Folkercise’ and come and dance to our special guests East Anglian based band Proper English and caller Jocelyn Armitage. The band has performed locally at FolkEast and Ceilidhs on the Move and is booked for this year’s Sidmouth Festival week in Devon. Jocelyn will be travelling up from East London to call for this event. There will be a special song spot by the excellent Suffolk band Tin River who have been making a name for themselves at local concerts and festivals. This event will also be open to families with younger children. Tickets are £6 at the door, but there is a discount for people (particularly students and children) if places are booked by email in advance (no payment required). Contact: Dancefolkus@aol.com Our Friday, April 7 is back in Melton Burness Rooms. For one month only, our resident caller, Helen Howe, will be teaching the dances. Dance Folkus Come All Ye band will be playing. We welcome new instrumental players to join in (book in advance please). Jack Vaughan (Darsham Jack), a local singer with some great amusing songs and a high voice, will be entertaining us in the song spot. Please book by email for discounted entry (advance payment is not needed). Tickets at the door are £5. For more information contact Rob: 01473 610951
This month we are especially focused on pies! March 6-12 is British Pie Week and we would like to invite you to a free pie tasting on March 9. Apparently 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month and 79% of people say they are willing to pay more for a homemade one, so why not come along to our market and try one of ours? We have steak & kidney pie which contains 40% steak and kidney. Our pork pies contain 30% locally reared pork with sausage meat, bacon and homemade pork stock. We also have cottage pie and Cornish pasties. Gluten-free fruit pies are also available. All our pastry is made from scratch and we never use artificial additives. We are more than happy to tell you what’s in our food; in fact we are proud to do so. You can ask us what’s in our recipes, whether you want to check for food allergens or know how something is made. All items can be ordered in advance so that you never need to be disappointed or without your favourite food. We also have a full range of crafts on offer, all created by members of our cooperative and locally made. You can buy a traditionally made item that harks back to an era when we all had time to make our own and skills were passed down the generations. You can keep up to date with the market on our Facebook page – Ipswich Country Market – or at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane. There is plenty of free parking, a warm welcome, home baked refreshments and free tea or coffee on your first visit.
WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET Woodbridge Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturdays, March 11 and 25, 9am-12.30pm at Woodbridge Community Hall. Admission is free. We have a wide selection of seasonal, local food and a friendly cafe. Hope to see you there.
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OUT & ABOUT EXCITING COLLABORATIONS FOR MENDELSSOHN’S ELIJAH
IPSWICH & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION
A live concert is the culmination of hours of rehearsals which audience members are blissfully unaware of when enjoying the performance. An exciting collaboration between two long established Ipswich societies will highlight the work involved in ICS performing at Christchurch Mansion, staging a very special concert at by Matthew Clarke of Ipswich & District Snape Maltings Concert Hall on Photographic Society Saturday, April 29 at 7.30pm.
Ipswich and District Photographic Society (IDPS) is holding its annual exhibition of prints and projected images in Ipswich Town Hall in March.
Ipswich Choral Society has begun work on Mendelssohn’s Elijah with rehearsals being caught on camera by members of Ipswich and District Photographic Society. Add the oldest choral society in the world to this collaboration and there’s the making of a very special experience indeed. Halifax Choral Society celebrates its 200th anniversary this year and will be performing with Ipswich Choral Society at the Snape concert and in Halifax on March 19. Members from Ipswich and District Photographic Society will travel to Yorkshire with Ipswich Choral Society to capture the pre-concert rehearsal and the concert itself at The Victoria Theatre in Halifax. These photographs and rehearsal photos taken in Ipswich will be exhibited at Snape Malting Concert Hall on April 29. Tickets are available direct from ICS members or Snape Maltings Box Office: 01728 687110 / www.snapemaltings.co.uk
MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY In another full house we were treated to a most enjoyable evening at our monthly meeting on Friday, February 3. Our Honorary Vice President, Air Commodore Mike Bettell, OBE (retd) was accompanied by his wife and gave an illustrated talk entitled I Learned about Flying from Mistakes and Mishaps In The Air. Mike joined the Royal Air Force at the tender age of 18 and retired 37 years later. His first posting was to RAF Leeming to learn to fly the Jet Provost. Then on to RAF Valley to fly the Gnat trainer before flying the Hunter at RAF Chivenor and then the English Electric Lightning at Coltishall and Wattisham for five years. Mike also flew the American Phantom. Various stories of terrifying incidents were related along the way. The first when he was young and inexperienced and had a compass failing in a Jet Provost, a dirty windscreen on approach into the sun, landing in fog and a seat with an electric lift fault which caused him to be trapped beneath the cockpit canopy. All these incidents and more were told in his humorous way, but at the time they were obviously dangerous and potentially lethal. The ability to act rationally and quickly instead of panicking is clearly an essential quality for a pilot. A vote of thanks was given by our vice chairman, Robert Dunnett. On Friday, March 3 Peter Hart, the oral historian at the Imperial War Museum, will present a talk, entitled Bloody April – The Slaughter in the Skies Over Arras-April 1917. This talk is particularly appropriate because it is 100 years since the opening of an airfield at Martlesham for the Royal Flying Corps, an event which will be celebrated by an ambitious two-day event on Martlesham Green on July 8/9. All meetings are held in the community hall on Felixstowe Road and start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break. Non-members are welcome for a payment of just £4 at the door. Alan Powell, 01473 622458
It’s a Pigs Life – Matthew Clarke
We are a long established, friendly club with members of all photographic abilities, from beginner to very experienced. We have a full and varied programme from September to May which includes competitions and guest speakers. We also hold practical evenings once a month and four times a year we have ‘digital imaging’ days, which are held on Sundays. If you would like to join us, or just want further information, please visit: www.idps.org.uk/index.html ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PRINTS AND PROJECTED IMAGES Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cornhill, Ipswich IP1 1DH Tuesday, March 7 to Saturday, March 18 Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm / closing at 4pm on March 18 ADMISSION FREE
SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Spend an evening with Iain Sinclair, one of Britain’s foremost writers on London. Iain Sinclair has been described as a “documentarist, film maker, poet, flaneur, metropolitan prophet and urban shaman, keeper of lost cultures and futurologist”. Recent work has been described as “an ambitious and elaborate literary recuperation of the so-called occultist psychogeography of London” and includes the non-fiction London Orbital. His most recent book, My Favourite London Devils, is described on his ‘official unofficial’ website as a “delirious gathering of some writers, living and dead who haunt Iain Sinclair and who inform his own London books”. Iain will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute Reading Room (15 Tavern Street) on Wednesday, March 22 as part of Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events. Doors open at 7pm with the event starting at 7.30pm. The entrance fee is £4 for league members and £8 for non-members. Students are free on production of a valid student card. Tickets can be paid for on the door, but if you want to book in advance please email: enquire@sbl.org.uk For further information about Suffolk Book League, including the benefits of membership, visit: www.sbl.org.uk
WOOLLIE WONDERS If you are a knitter or would like to learn, why not join us on Thursdays, March 2, 16 and 30? We meet at The Runway Café next to St Michaels Church from 10am-noon.
www.mhas.org.uk
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WORKING WITH YOU FOR LIFE, LAND AND BUSINESS Enter the Barker Gotelee offices and you’ll immediately find yourself in a comfortable and inviting environment, feeling at ease and ready to talk confidently with the approachable solicitors and their teams.
Life | Land | Business
One of the leading legal establishments in Suffolk, Barker Gotelee has always strived to keep pace with the changing landscape of the law whilst truly differentiating itself with a customer-centric approach. Based in Martlesham, Barker Gotelee offers a wide range of legal services, spanning life, land and business throughout East Anglia. The firm is made up of a number of specialist teams, dealing with family law, property, private client matters, business services, and agriculture and farming. Each of these teams takes the same customer-focused approach, whether assistance is needed for an individual or for a business or commercial concern. The clear and sound legal advice that is offered, coupled with individual support and guidance, has allowed Barker Gotelee to build an enviable reputation for gaining the best outcomes for clients. James Skellorn is the Senior Partner and one of the founding members of Barker Gotelee. Talking of the firm’s customer first approach, he said: “At Barker Gotelee we place a great emphasis on offering a unique service to each of our customers. “Whether you come to us with a personal issue or a business concern, we take the time to understand your situation and concerns, so that we can deliver the most suitable support in the best timescales possible.”
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Whatever life brings we’re always there for you For your life, land and business, Barker Gotelee is here to help. Our friendly, local solicitors are on hand to advise you on a host of legal matters, including buying and selling property, family breakdown, making a will or developing your business. 41 Barrack Sq, Martlesham, Ipswich IP5 3RF Free parking
Visit barkergotelee.co.uk or call 01473 611211 15
OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB
1ST MARTLESHAM SCOUTS
We have three meetings planned for this month. Mr Hughes will make a very welcome return to tell us more about his life in special education on March 2. On March 16 Gemma will tell us about the wonderful work of St Elizabeth Hospice and on March 30 David Morton will give a talk entitled The Wonder of Light.
FUNDRAISING GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ Saturday, March 18, 6.45 for a 7pm start at the Scout Hut, The Drift, Martlesham Heath.
Looking ahead to next month, on April 13 we are holding a fashion show which will be presented by Edinburgh Woollen Mill. They will bring a selection of clothes which will be modelled by some of our members. Ladies will be able to buy their favourite items during the evening.
If you can rustle up a team of family, friends, neighbours or work colleagues, please contact Rachel to book your table: Rachel.pennick@btinternet.com / 01473 610437
Do join us for interesting evenings in friendly company. Meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.15pm in the Richards Room. To find out more contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768
MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY John Griffiths present a talk entitled Ipswich Airport Remembered on Monday, April 10. Aviation started in the Ipswich area in 1912, but the first airfield wasn’t created until 1927, followed by the Nacton Heath airfield in 1930. Civil aviation flourished there until its takeover by the RAF for the duration of the war. It was thereafter used for flights to the continent and as a centre for private flying. The sad end came in 1996 with development for housing. Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion at 7.30pm. The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all. Kim Quinton
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Maximum of six in a team and the cost is £7 each, including fish and chips. Bring your own drinks.
GET AHEAD AT WORK Trying to advance your career? Already managing people? Want to be more confident giving those work presentations? If you step up to be a supervisor, manager or professional (or want to), formal training in management skills isn’t always available. We can give you a headstart by helping you become a more effective communicator and developing your leadership skills along the way. Let Speak Easy at Martlesham, your friendly neighbourhood speakers’ club, help you improve your speaking and leadership in 2017. Speak Easy is a Toastmasters International club. We meet every Thursday fortnight at the Richards Room in Martlesham. Our meetings are structured to include impromptu speaking, formal speaking and evaluation. For further details please call 07968 372563 or visit: www.speak-easy.org.uk Speak Easy at Martlesham is all about learning to speak in a friendly, encouraging and enjoyable environment. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Stowe Veterinary Centre
Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre
Ipswich Veterinary Centre
The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery
The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery
54 Bury Road, Stowmarket
2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds
Scrivener Drive, Ipswich
Coddenham Road, Needham Market
Station Road, Elmswell
Tel: 01449 613 130
Tel: 01284 747 000
Tel: 01473 555 000
Tel: 01449 722 198
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OUT & ABOUT Join us at Highfield Road Centre (26 Highfield Road, Ipswich IP1 6DA) on alternative Tuesdays and Thursdays for entertainment (crafts, flower arranging, games, music and much more) and home cooked meals for a small charge.
KESGRAVE WI At February’s meeting well-known local journalist Lynne Mortimer entertained us with tales of her life in journalism. Lynne has written for the Evening Star for many years and can be heard on BBC Radio Suffolk regularly reviewing forthcoming TV programme, often with forthright comments. The competition for a printing error was won by Jenny Salmon with a misspelling on a menu, second Doreen Roderick and third Di Chilver. Kesgrave WI have a busy social calendar planned for 2017 with Suffolk East WI AGM at Trinity Park in March, a spring quiz, Suffolk Show competition, a day trip to Wroxham Broad with a boat trip and our annual day at The Hut at Felixstowe just a few. Discussions are now taking place in preparation for Kesgrave WI’s 90th birthday celebrations in October 2017. If any past members are interested in joining us on this occasion or have any photos they could lend us please contact Di Chilver (details as below). Our next meeting is at Kesgrave Community Centre at 7.15pm on Thursday, March 2. Our speaker will be Claire Mucklestone from Bourne Garden Centre. Visitors are very welcome to join us. For further information please call the secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415
Subsidised taxis to and from home can be arranged. Contact: David 01473 677054 / Rosemary 01474 311049 New members very welcome.
KESGRAVE & DISTRICT FRIENDSHIP CLUB We had some enjoyable meetings last year, culminating with an excellent Christmas Lunch at The Shipwreck in Shotley, and we have a full programme of entertainment planned for 2017. We are a friendly and welcoming club who meet on the first and third Tuesday afternoons each month at KWMCC and welcome members from Kesgrave and the surrounding area. If you would like more information or are interested in joining, please contact Mrs Sue Theobald: 01473 620709 We are urgently seeking a secretary who would be supported by our committee members to help organise our programme. If you are interested in this position please contact Sue on the number above. Dee Knights
MARCH BRINGS CHANCES FOR NEW BEGINNINGS Members of the University of the Third Age in East Suffolk have already dusted off their walking and gardening boots ready to challenge themselves and get going for a new season of outdoor activities. If you are a U3A member you will know that groups don’t close their doors when March winds blow because there are always plans to make for the next meeting or outing. You don’t have to be physically active to make U3A friends as there are also indoor groups for reading, writing, poetry or pastimes including Mah Jong, Scrabble and cards, in fact something for everyone. Plus of course the talks in our four campuses where visitors as well as members are welcome to attend one of the interesting talks before applying to become a full member. The campus coordinator or volunteers at each venue will be available to give further details of applying for membership on the day. Kesgrave Community Centre • Monday, March 27, 2pm: The Colonial Service and the Path to Independence – How Northern Rhodesia became Zambia by Anthony Shur Saxmundham Market Hall • Thursday, March 9, 2pm: The Globe Theatre by Mark Mitchels
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY At our February meeting a full hall heard a wonderful talk from Dr Peter Webb about his friend the Bradford artist David Hockney. As well as detailing the amazing career of the artist with many colourful illustrations of his work, Dr Webb also added a series of anecdotes of his meetings and experiences with Hockney. It was a truly fascinating and enjoyable lecture. Next month promises to be another gem. On March 1 Antony Penrose will talk on Picasso, Man Ray and Max Ernst through the eyes of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose. Antony is the son of photographer Lee Miller and artist Roland Penrose and, as a boy, had personal experiences of these three great figures of 20th century art. 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 £6 donation is asked. For more information contact Wendy Robbins: 07736 417347 / info@orwelldfas.org.uk
• Thursday, April 13, 2pm: The Brave Men of Suffolk in the First World War by Dave Empson
www.orwelldfas.org.uk
Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall • Thursday, March 2, 10.30am: The talk given by John Midwinter at Saxmundham last year on the impact of climate change
CRAFTERS UNLIMITED
• Thursday, April 6, 10.30am: A Year in the Life, looking back at a 25-year career as a theatrical agent by Eve Regelous Woodbridge Community Hall • No meeting in March • Monday, April 3, 2.30pm: Giles and Ipswich, the life of the famous cartoonist by John Field
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A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light-hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. Thursday, March 23: Butterfly Banner (Emma) There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members. New members are always welcome. For more details contact: Jill 01473 713534 / Emma 01787 373850
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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY
Thursday, March 23 at 7.30pm: Stephen Govier presents a fascinating talk on the De La Pole Family, Dukes of Suffolk, a very influential family who rose from lowly origins as wool merchants in Hull to the highest echelons of late 15th century society. De la Poles were also involved in The War of the Roses and one was even a pretender to the throne at one point. The De La Poles are probably best known in Suffolk for their links in the Wingfield area, but come along and be surprised!
Wednesday, March 22, 7pm: The Midland Railway Society and Stainer Pacifics
We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: http://suffolkfhs.org.uk
IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY At our last meeting we enjoyed a talk from Jeremy Gaskell about the treaty ports in China, both British and Foreign, as European countries tried to influence and gain trade from the Chinese. The French, German, Russian and Japanese, as well as the British, were represented in these ports, one of which was 500 miles up the Yangtze River. On March 1 Norman Emeny will present Astronomy & Archaeology and on March 15 we have a member’s competition where members can show up to 10 sheets on any subject of their choice. On April 5 we will be holding our annual auction where we sell stamps and philatelic material. There will be approximately 450 lots to bid for; viewing is on the evening from about 4pm, with the auction starting at 6.45pm sharp. Put the date in your diary if you would like to improve your collection or start a new hobby. Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, 7 for 7.30pm. Visitors welcome.
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Our members live all around the area but we share an interest in what is happening in our county town. In January we learned a lot from our very entertaining speakers about Ipswich Citizens Advice Bureau. They gave us a picture of the different people who come to them and of the types of issues that they seek help with. We were impressed by the detail and reliability of the information which their national system provides for their advisers and the respect and empathy which we sensed in their approach to their clients. Volunteers play a valued role in many aspects of their work. February was focussed on our conference at the University of Suffolk in celebration of Lighthouse’s 40th anniversary. As In Touch’s submission deadline is the actual day of our event, we can only say that we have everything crossed! We are very much looking forward to our regular monthly meeting on March 8 when Abby Grace from Suffolk Refugee Support will speak about experiences of the Syrian refugees in Ipswich over the past year. This is such an important topic for all of us locally that we wonder if other women would like to come and hear her. You would be most welcome. Please call Jackie on 01473 659314 for directions or for more information about Soroptimism.
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We meet at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee. Details from: 01473 414746/422145 www.idhts.co.uk
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.15pm. On March 21 Paul Forecast, the new regional director for the East of England National Trust, will be setting out his plans for the next 10 years and, in particular, how the trust will play a more active role in saving nature. The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. On April 25 Horry Parsons will be talking about the construction of the Millennium Tower at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, featuring the installation of the vaulted ceiling. Horry is a very entertaining speaker, as many will remember, and this should be another interesting talk. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary (membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761) or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
DO YOU WISH TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOUR COMMUNITY? OPEN EVENING Monday, March 13, 7.30-9.30pm Martlesham Heath Pavilion IP5 3UY Come and see what your local Rotary Club does in the Martlesham, Kesgrave, Melton and Woodbridge areas: • Serving the community • Involvement in international projects • Assisting other organisations through our networking • Welcoming people in the local area to meet and make new friendships Do you need our help? Would you like to join us in these activities? Come along to our informal open evening, join us in a drink and nibbles, see a short presentation and exhibition of current and prospective activities and chat to our members and friends. Just turn up on the night or contact us for further information. www.debenrotary.org
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OUT & ABOUT LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT One of the strengths of the Lions’ organisation is that it allows individual clubs to operate at a local level, but gives the opportunity to join with others regionally, nationally and internationally. As examples, the Lions Club of Woodbridge & District has: agreed to support a local course in Makaton, a sign language designed for children with special needs; contributed to a project lead by the New Century Lions Club to mark the 2017 centenary of the Lions movement which will provide raised garden beds in a centre for disadvantaged people in Ipswich; contributed to the Lions Clubs International Foundation’s Sight Savers programme. Formerly known as Sight First, this programme is on target to save or restore sight for one million people worldwide. For more about the Lions Club of Woodbridge & District, or Lions International, please visit www.woodbridgelions.org.uk or for an informal chat, without obligation, please call 0845 8332820.
CODING FOR CODGERS We’ve just built a traffic light controller which involved a PICAXE computer, leds, lego blocks and the control program we wrote. It handles a crossroads and a cross now light. The next project will be to write a program to solve Sudoku puzzles. Why don’t you come see what we get up to? No experience necessary – this does not involve serious training, it’s just for fun. We meet from 10am-noon on Friday mornings in The Runway Café at Martlesham Heath. For details of the next meeting please visit: www.CodingForCodgers.co.uk If you are interested, please contact me for further information or just turn up at The Runway. Ken Odam: Ken@CodingForCodgers.co.uk
BRIGHTWELL UKULELES It is pleasing to be able to report that we have now reached capacity at 22 members, but at the same time it’s a pity that we have to create a waiting list. If you would still like to join please get in touch with me so that we can let you know if and when we have a vacancy.
BIRCHWOOD CAR BOOT SALE
All members are now working hard on a concert programme for performances later in the year a fair undertaking for us all. However, we remain calm and light hearted, if a little sore fingered.
Please see the school office for the Car Boot Sale form if you wish to sell.
Saturday, May 20, 10am-noon Set up from 9am, £5 per car, no traders Tables to hire – available on request. Cheques made payable to Birchwood Primary School PTFA.
At the last meeting we tried the introduction of a bass line to some of our items which seemed to work well, giving a solid basis to our rhythm. One or two light percussion instruments may creep in later. If you would like to try contact me at brightukes@btinternet.com / 01473 624130 / or visit: www.facebook.com/groups/235900156864383 Geoff Lambert
THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE Sizewell C Head of External Affairs Tom McGarry and Site Manager Matt Elliott were the guest speakers at Woodbridge Rotary Club on January 26. All present were given the Stage 2 Pre-Application Consultation Summary Document for the proposed Nuclear Development – Sizewell C. Tom gave an excellent overview of the current position regarding the development and covered all aspects following the key changes since the Stage 1 consultation. This included detailed information about the layout of the site, accommodation for the workforce, rail links, sea transport, northern and southern park and ride sites, lorry movement and the proposed development of the A12 and B1122. Matt then gave more detailed information about the proposed construction and the many environmental considerations being given to the main development site. Many questions were asked by the members and were satisfactorily answered by both representatives from Sizewell C. A vote of thanks was given by Rotary President Bertie Hirst, pictured (l-r) with Tom McGarry, Matt Elliott and Rotarian Ron Whitaker
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OUT & ABOUT INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE The Inner Wheel Club meets once a month and continues to support a variety of local, national and international charities. Many members donated their first new £5 note to Beat (formerly the Eating Disorders Association) and some of us will be walking in silly socks on March 3 to promote awareness of this worthy cause. At our monthly meetings we continue to collect donations of foodstuffs for Lighthouse Women’s Refuge and postage stamps for Oxfam. In December members filled 13 shoeboxes with small gifts for Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child. Our charity quiz night will be held on Friday, March 17 at Woodbridge Community Hall, with proceeds going to the Stroke Working Age Group, Suffolk. Teams of four to six people can be entered at a cost of £6 per person. For more information or to enter a team please contact Deidre Griffin: 01473 612049 / tandd@griffin3373.fsnet.co.uk
DIABETES UK IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP The next open meeting is on Thursday, March 9 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH at 7pm. The main speaker will be Caroline Sager, a HQ officer from Diabetes UK, and Martin from Silver Lining Estate Planning Ltd, who is sponsoring the evening, will give a short talk on estate planning, power of attorney and wills. This is a social gathering of people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to share information on diabetes and to talk to other people in similar situations. Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee.
MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM Everybody is welcome to our AGM where you will hear about our activities during the past year and can share your ideas of what we do in the forthcoming year. It’s on Tuesday, April 18 at 7.30pm in the Parish Room, Felixstowe Road IP12 4PB. Martlesham Common – Survey of Flora and Fauna Martlesham in Bloom is arranging for the wildlife on Martlesham Common (including the flora and fauna) to be surveyed to help the parish council with its management. One of the aims of Martlesham in Bloom is to help improve the environmental quality and biodiversity of the parish and the results of this survey will also help with these aims. Martlesham Common is the area of land between the A12, Mill Heath, Felixstowe Road and Tesco and is designated as a County Wildlife Site. It is well used by many residents for walking, dog walking or simply to get from one part of Martlesham to another, and we would like to encourage everybody to help with this survey. The survey is to include sitings of any flora or fauna throughout the year and we will be producing a simple form for anyone who is interested to help to record what they see on each visit. If you are interested in helping please contact the secretary (details below). Our next event On Monday, April 24 at 7.30pm, Susanna Davies of Katie’s Garden will present a talk entitled A Year Around the Nursery at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. There will be light refreshments and a raffle, admission £4 at the door. The venue is fully accessible and there is adjacent free parking. For further details or if you would like to help with Martlesham in Bloom activities please contact our secretary J Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
ORWELL FLOWER CLUB
www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org
We welcomed Susan Horne from Gt Baddow with a demonstration entitled Pick a Colour, any Colour on February 23. Susan can always be relied upon to give a most entertaining demonstration, her flowers are always of the highest standard and she always has interesting tales to tell the members.
ADVANCE NOTICE: Easter Fair at Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre on Sunday, April 2, 11am-3pm, with stalls, cakes, face painting, toys and much more.
We are now looking forward to our next meeting on March 23 when Jennie Baker from Harlestone presents Chosen for You. This will be a return visit from Jennie and I’m sure she will give us an entertaining evening.
For further information please contact: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com / 07547 513730
WILDLIFE OF SHINGLE STREET Bawdsey Bird Club annual illustrated talk This year’s public illustrated talk will be given by Jeremy Mynott and takes place in Sutton Memorial Hall, Old Post Office Lane, Sutton, Nr Woodbridge IP12 3JQ on Saturday, March 25 at 7.30pm. Jeremy is a resident of Shingle Street who has published and broadcast widely on the natural world, especially on birds. He led a survey of the wildlife of Shingle Street which is summarised in his 2016 booklet, Knowing your Place: Wildlife in Shingle Street. Who could be better equipped to deliver this talk than someone living amongst the wonderful diversity of flora and fauna this unique area has to offer? Jeremy’s stunning photographs and amazing enthusiasm for nature conservation and study will enhance what promises to be an evening not to be missed. Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be available during the interval.
Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Our demonstration starts at 7.15pm, but the doors open at 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales table and buy raffle tickets for the displays created in the demonstration and raffled at the close of the meeting. Annual subscriptions, due at the AGM in April, are £40 and visitors are always welcome at £5 per meeting. For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com
SUFFOLK ORCHID SOCIETY Suffolk Orchid Society will be holding its spring show on Saturday, March 25 at St Michael’s Church Centre (near Douglas Bader Public House), Martlesham Heath IP5 3UY, between 10am and 4pm.
Admission is £3 for adults, under 18’s £1.50 and there is ample free parking.
In addition to a magnificent display of our member’s orchids there will be first class orchids for sale, re-potting demonstrations and advice on the cultivation of orchids including solving problems that may be encountered in their care.
For directions and further information please contact: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422
Refreshments including light lunches will be available during the day. Admission £1.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP
MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS
The working party and Nature Explorers cleared more of the southern tumulus in January and completed the new path to divert walkers and cyclists around this burial mound. To do this we cleared a strip of land next to the edge of the tumulus, removing plant life like By S Corley stinging nettles and their roots before levelling and raking the surface. We then built a dead hedge to encourage use of the new path, digging deep enough into the ground to position the wooden posts. After that we filled in the space between the posts with smaller logs and branches. The conservation group use dead hedging as it is very eco-friendly and creates a habitat for wildlife.
During January the children spent time learning about the animals around them.
We would like to encourage the use of our new path and request that everyone stays off the mound to prevent any erosion so that we can gain English Heritage approval and protection for the woods from development. The group is keen to preserve the history of the woodland as well as to encourage wildlife and improve access to the woods.
The children at our Kesgrave setting had a fantastic time visiting Pets at Home. They travelled on the bus and watched as the animal cages were cleaned out. The children were then invited for a snack at Tesco’s and even spent some time in the bakery section before travelling back to playschool on the bus. They have enjoyed inviting their own pets into the setting as well as creating their own vet’s role play area. The children at our Martlesham setting have spent time making bird feeders and have taken part in the RSPB’s Garden Bird Watch. They have also thought about the winter and how we need to stay warm, creating their own clothes shop role play area where they have been able to try on and buy appropriate clothing. As a playschool we continue to support and develop children’s learning through play, making it exciting and relevant. We are currently looking into the 30 hour government plan to fund children and shall be sending out questionnaires to families. We look forward to hearing from those who are eligible and wish to take this up. Charlotte, play manager
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Martlesham Playschool: Gorseland School, Deben Avenue, Martlesham IP5 3QR / 01473 625986
Saturday, March 18, 10am-noon: Volunteer Work Morning (all ages). Meet at the Education Area. Tools, training and light refreshments will be provided. No need to book.
Kesgrave Playschool: Millennium Jubilee Hall, Millennium Way, Kesgrave IP5 2EN / 07746 907060
Saturday, March 18, 9-11am: Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds), booking essential. Monday, April 3: Annual General Meeting Please contact us if you are interested in becoming more involved in the management of Portal Woods. Nature Watch Club: Starts again in the spring. New volunteers are always welcome, all ages and abilities. For further information please contact us at pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com / 01473 612632, visit www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net or join our members’ Facebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting. Sam Cork, Nature Explorer and Young Volunteer
Email: mplayschool@btinternet.com
CALLING ALL MUMS… Martlesham Mums’ Club will meet in St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath on Tuesday, March 7, 12.45-2.30pm. At this meeting we will be celebrating the 17th anniversary of the formation of the club with a birthday party. Party food including birthday cake will be served at 1pm. This will be followed by party games, party music and a few party surprises! All mums, dads, grans and carers with babies and toddlers are invited to join us for this special occasion. If you have never been to Mums’ Club before why not give it a try? We would love to see you. Due to the school Easter holidays there will be no Mums’ Club in April. We meet again on Tuesday, May 2.
MARTLESHAM HEATH BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Martlesham Baby and Toddler group is a warm and friendly group run by mums. We hold sessions every Wednesday and Friday morning from 9.3011.30am in the Pavilion on Martlesham Heath.
For more information please contact Sue: 01473 624130
EASTER AT BRIGHT STARS
Our tots have had lots of fun over the winter, enjoying our new toys and welcoming our new session leaders Sam and Kerry. This term we are introducing Crafty Friday on the last Friday of every month when we will have a craft table set up where your children can enjoy making a simple craft or picture. We have lots of ideas already but if you would like to contribute or have an idea please let us know.
Soon we will be finding out about Easter, with singing, Bible stories, games and crafts. If you are a baby, toddler or pre-schooler who would like a fun start to your week we would love you to come along with family and/or carers to join us at Bright Stars. We are a friendly group who meet from 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in term time at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath.
During March we will have a super Pamper Hamper raffle where you could win a luxury Mother’s Day hamper, plus our famous Easter Egg Party on March 29 and 31. Come along and join the fun.
The free half hour sessions are followed by refreshments and a chance to play until noon. You are welcome to turn up on the day, but if you would like further information please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you.
We have an informal, friendly atmosphere and there’s always a lovely sing song before more tea. We’d love to see you there!
Our remaining dates for the spring term are March 13 and 27.
mhbabyandtoddlergroup@yahoo.co.uk / Facebook
www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham
Jennie Fidler: 07584 420729 / Sonya & Maureen Burrow: 01473 625196 / Sue Lambert: 01473 624130
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SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS HEDGEHOG NURSERY AT GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
MARTLESHAM BOWLS CLUB
We enjoyed learning about the history of Martlesham Heath and thinking about the changes that have taken place over the last 100 years. The children were very good at identifying areas that they visit in Martlesham and recognised some of the shops from photographs.
Members have been busy during the winter months preparing for the coming season which begins on April 22. We are an active club playing in four different leagues as well as friendly matches. We have roll ups and social bowling during the week and at weekends, which gives people an opportunity to get to know other members in a relaxed setting, learn the game and practise bowling skills.
We responded to the interests of the children by learning about moving house. Many of the children had experiences to share, which linked well with moving furniture ready for the decorating team to start over half term! We now have a fresh, new look.
We are holding an open afternoon on Saturday, May 13 where you can come along and try your hand at bowls. Refreshments will be provided. We welcome new members with or without experience so if you are interested contact the secretary: 01473 622598 / mary.drake@talktalk.net
During our phonic sessions we identified sounds that we hear around our house and played a listening game to see if we could guess the sounds without seeing a picture. This was very good fun as some sounds were similar.
www.martleshambowlsclub.com
We came back after half term ready to read some traditional tales including The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and The Three Bears. We had a lot of fun playing with puppets and learning to retell some stories. This month, we are looking forward to celebrating World Book Day and dressing up as our favourite book characters! Mrs Jen Florey
KESGRAVE & NORTHGATE KARATE NEWS Tayler Evans made the step up from representing her club to representing her association at the EKF National Kyu Grade Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield on Sunday, January 15. This was the fifth Kyu Grade National Championships and marks the first major national level competition of 2017. This event was established by the English Karate Federation as a ‘stepping-stone’ to the full National Championships held in April. Both events contribute to the selection process of the English National Karate Team so all competitors have added incentive to perform. Tayler did not disappoint as she picked up a bronze medal in the cadet girl’s individual kumite as well as a gold medal in the cadet girl’s team kumite. This is her best performance to date at a national competition as a result of her dedication to training.
PREPARING FOR EASTER Three months into 2017 and I wonder how your New Year’s resolutions are going. Are you more motivated, thinner, healthier, and so on, or did they pass unnoticed once January started properly? It is so easy to make plans, filled with good intentions, that end up going nowhere. Modern life means that we are constantly bombarded with new information and keeping up with all we hope to do can be a struggle. We can suddenly find that three months have gone by and we have nothing to show for our hopes and dreams. Actually, life has always been quite full and struggling to keep up with good things is not new. In the book of Exodus we read of how God rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. If you read the narrative, there are stories of plagues and even the sea drying up in order that they could flee the Egyptians. And yet, despite all this, the people drifted away, filling their lives with stuff, rather than God. And so, there were festivals set up to help them remember. By celebrating together, they recalled their intentions to keep God at the heart of all they did. This month the church remembers and prepares for Easter – we call this season Lent. Although the way it has been remembered has changed over time, the idea is to prepare ourselves for the great celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. It’s a time to look back over our lives and ensure that we have not filled our lives with stuff, and busyness, rather than with God. Can I encourage you to look at your own lives this Lent, to see if you are prepared for Easter and if you have replaced God for busyness? And also, to look at the world beyond your door and see how you can make a positive difference – and hopefully one that will last longer than the average New Year’s resolution. The Rev Toby Tate 01473 612659 / toby@martlshamcofe.org.uk
Georgie Lawson attended her first international of 2017 on Saturday, January 14 in Estonia. This was part of her preparation for the European Championships to be held in Bulgaria in February where she represents her country for the third time. The standard was really high with international teams from Sweden, Finland and Latvia to name but a few. Georgina attended the competition without a coach, which was a big ask, but managed to fight her way to the gold tactically and physically and was over the moon with the result. This was another fantastic result for Georgie, massive congratulations to her. We are also delighted to say that Ipswich Audi is now a club sponsor along with M+C Diesel, IS Electricals and Chris Clow. A huge thank you to all our sponsors who help our club members realise their goals. Eleanor Legg
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