In Touch with Martlesham - October 2015

In Touch

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with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham

Volume 5 • Issue No. 12 • OCTOBER 2015

TRANSPORT THEATRE PRESENTS THE EDGE see page 11

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

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

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

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

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with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham

In Touch with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4JP

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NEWS BOXING LEGEND SET TO MEET SUFFOLK FANS Boxing legend Joe Calzaghe is coming to meet fans in Ipswich this month to share stories of his successes in the ring and on the dance floor!

Local promoter, Matt Brennan, who runs Suffolk Punch Boxing Club in Martlesham, in association with Lee Eaton of EBA Boxing, has invited Joe to treat fans to a fun filled night at Trinity Park, followed by a fantastic after party at Bears, Ipswich.

As a keen boxing enthusiast, Matt believes Joe’s incredible fight record speaks for itself and will prove a sure fire winner with sporting fans across the area.

An undefeated world champion, Joe has had 46 wins in as many fights and a total of 32 knock outs!

Matt said: “Joe was a legend in the ring and was a fantastic boxer to watch. His style of boxing was always entertaining and I know there will be many people who want to hear him recount stories about his many bouts and, of course, his time on Strictly Come Dancing.”

Joe himself is equally excited about meeting fans in East Anglia. He said: “This will be a great night and a good chance to meet my fans. It’s going to be very informal and the audience have every opportunity to ask questions.”

Tickets are still available for the event but are selling fast. Standard tickets cost £40 each. You can also purchase tickets which include a buffet and waitress service for £60.

The night with Joe Calzaghe takes place on Friday, October 2 at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Doors open at 6pm and the event starts at 7pm.

For tickets, please call Matt Brennan: 07789 263079 / 01473 623277

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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL New councillor We welcome Sylvia Howard as the newest member of the council; she has been co-opted to the Martlesham North ward where she also lives and works. This means we now have a ‘full house’ of 15 councillors.

Grants to local organisations in 2016 The parish council will be considering all applications for grants from local organisations in the autumn. If your group wishes to apply for a grant, please contact the clerk (details below) for an application form, to be completed and returned to the parish council by Monday, October 12. These grants are awarded for the financial year 2016/17 and will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting in April 2016. Any group with a project requiring parish council support/funding should also submit their project details and business plan by October 12 at the latest.

Working Party on Thursday, October 22 at the Recreation Ground, The Street As part of our ongoing management plan for the Recreation Ground, a working party will meet between 10am and 2pm. There will be lots of jobs to do for all abilities and ages, with the guidance of Neil Lister, Countryside Officer for Suffolk Coast & Heaths Project. If you would like more information, please contact the council office.

Highways issues The council regularly receives complaints/comments about parking, speeding, traffic issues, access for all users, vegetation obstructing footways, and the like. However, it has no direct responsibility for the majority of these issues and can only pass them on to the Suffolk County Council (SCC) Highways Department. Recently the parish council has tried to persuade SCC to provide dropped kerbs to improve wheelchair/ pushchair access on Beardmore Park between Pets at Home and Next, but excessive costs tied to an exclusive contract agreed by SCC have put this out of the question. SCC Highways does not readily have funds available for maintenance or improvements to the highways infrastructure.

Parish councils are being increasingly asked to fund projects themselves.

Martlesham Parish Council strongly feels that our local precept (council tax) should not be used for highways projects which are the responsibility of SCC and for which they receive your council tax. Nonetheless the parish council will continue to push SCC departments to take into account increasing concerns from local residents about the impact on the parish from traffic, particularly resulting from the success of the retail park area.

• Ongoing management of the Recreation Ground – input received from a meeting of the Recreation Ground & Kronji’s Piece Working Group which is made up of councillors, users and stakeholders.

• Review of condition of benches and noticeboards in the parish with a view to making improvements.

• Accounts for year ended 31 March 2015 approved by our external auditor, BDO, with no matters requiring attention.

• Inspection of trees on parish council land carried out by our tree warden.

Forthcoming meetings • Wednesday, October 7: Parish Council • Wednesday, October 14: Development Plans Committee • Wednesday, November 4: Parish Council 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, Woodbridge 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 to Friday excluding public holidays; please book an appointment in advance.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Can you spare any time to help us with the parish council’s annual maintenance of Martlesham Recreation Ground (near the Creek) on Thursday, October 22, 10am-2pm?

Please use SCC’s new highways tool at www.suffolk.gov.uk/report-a-highways-problem, write to eastarea@suffolk.gov.uk or call 0345 606 6171 to report issues.

Please clear up after your dog A reminder to clear up or face an £80 fine! Please look after our environment. Bagged dog waste may be put in any litter or dog bin, or taken home and put in your grey-lidded bin. Bagged dog waste must not be littered.

Noticeboards The council owns 12 noticeboards where details of our meetings and other events are posted. The boards are publicly available, but we do ask that notices are restricted to non-commercial local organisations. If you are unsure whether your sign qualifies, please ask the clerk for permission. Always remember to remove notices after the event and please do not use staples as these damage the boards!

What have we been doing recently?

• Bracken spraying on the Common, under the supervision of the Greenways Project. The reduction in bracken and increase of heather in just a few years is very pleasing. This is part of our management plan for the Common.

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The work party will be led by Neil Lister, Countryside Office at Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If you have any queries, please contact the council office: 01473 612632

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT AUCTION OF PROMISES Ever wanted to go along to an auction and take part in the fun of bidding?

Then why not come along to Home-Start Suffolk: East Ipswich & Coastal’s Auction of Promises at The Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge on Friday, October 16 at 7.30pm.

Lots will be many and varied to suit all ages, including a tour of Adnams Brewery, a sailing lesson with picnic lunch, a meerkat encounter, paintings by local artists, a play session at Snakes & Ladders, and many more.

The evening will be hosted by auctioneer James Neal and promises to be a night of fun and laughter while raising much needed funds.

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

All monies raised from the event will go to the charity Home-Start Suffolk: East Ipswich & Coastal who during this year will support more than 140 families in the East of Ipswich or Suffolk Coastal areas. These families will receive one to one or group support from trained volunteers because for them the pressures of family life have become too much to cope with alone this can be for a variety of reasons such as illness, disability, mental health problems, bereavement, isolation and multiple births.

MARTLESHAM HEATH HOUSEHOLDERS LTD We are looking at protecting the green in Heathfield against travellers with white wooden posts and would very much welcome comments on this from our members living in Heathfield.

I must remind all that MHHL has a blanket ban on metal detecting on any of its land.

All MHHL members should have received their maintenance charge letters by now – if not please contact us. Our preferred payment method is by bank transfer, but we have two maintenance collection

mornings available. These are: • Saturday, October 3 at the pavilion, 10am-noon • Saturday, October 10 at the pavilion, 10am-noon If you leave messages on the MHHL answerphone please leave a name and number so we can contact you if you want a response. Note this is not a manned number and it may take a day or so for you to get a response.

We can be contacted at: mhh@martlesham.org.uk / 01473 612207

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GLORIOUS FIRST INTRODUCES NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR Ipswich Choral Society will introduce new music director, Robin Walker, at their autumn concert on November 14. The concert at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich will feature Poulenc’s Gloria, celebrating a Glorious First for Robin and the choir.

As well as the fresh and vibrant Gloria by Poulenc, the concert programme will feature choral works by Mozart (Laudate Dominum) and Mendelssohn (Lauda Sion). Ipswich Choral Society is delighted to be performing again with soprano soloist Julie Roberts, and their vice-president, John Cooper, accompanying on organ for these pieces.

New music director Robin is also a talented organist as well as choir master, and will be demonstrating his organ playing skills by performing Mendelssohn’s Organ Sonata VI. This Glorious First promises to be the start of an exciting new chapter for Ipswich Choral Society. A concert not to be missed!

Tickets (includes programme / £15 adults, £13 concessions, £5 children) are available from Ipswich Choral Society on 01473 738324 or Music World, Queen Street, Ipswich IP1 1SS. Interval refreshments available.

For further details visit: www.ipswichchoralsociety.org

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership and join our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

7.15pm. The speaker will be Professor Tom Williamson of UEA who will talk about The Landscape of the Suffolk Sandlings. Tom gave us a brilliant lecture a few years ago on rabbit warrens.

of China and will be sharing his experiences with us with an illustrated talk on some famous and less famous attractions, as well as all aspects of Chinese life, such as history culture, food and music.

We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre and our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 20, starting at

The November meeting is on Tuesday, November 17 when our speaker will be David Brown. David has recently been on a tour

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £2 for each talk. National Trust members/volunteers

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can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 / www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon): The following craft activities will take place during October.

• Sunday, October 4: It’s National Badger Day on October 6. Make a badger to celebrate.

• Sunday, October 11: The autumn leaves are changing colour and we’re making foxes using leaf shapes.

• Sunday, October 18: The new Star Wars film is out soon! Make a paper bag Yoda puppet.

• Sunday, October 25: It’s our Room on the Broom event today!

Why not come along and design a witches’ hat?

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

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

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

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

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

The Kesgrave Singers consist of around 30 women and men who enjoy singing and entertaining. Although we usually perform for local care homes, we wanted to put on something larger to raise money for this good cause. The programme of popular music will also include poetry, guest soloists, a guest choir, Lirica, and a raffle.

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

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

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

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

THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Grant applications Applications for a grant are welcome from individuals and groups. Application forms should be submitted to the address below by January 1, 2016.

Grants will generally be of up to £150 towards the cost of instruments, music, equipment and musical activities.

Further information about grants and application forms can be found at: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk Alternatively call 01473 625196 or write to: The Roger David Burrows Music Fund, c/o The Burrows Family, 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3UG

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

All our bands will be performing and the concert will include the bandleaders’ awards to

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players who have improved the most over the year. Please come along and help us celebrate – there will be birthday cake too!

Our band welcomes new players young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to come and have a go! If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument

and feel that you would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below. Please be aware that we currently have a waiting list for beginner players.

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

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OUT & ABOUT

TRANSPORT THEATRE PRESENTS THE EDGE New Wolsey Theatre, October 8-10

From October 8 to 10, Transport, the critically acclaimed Folkstone-based theatre company behind Invisible, 1001 Nights and Elegy will present a brand new devised production, The Edge, at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.

Inspired by real life narratives taken from the south coast of England and the Sundabans in India and developed in collaboration with leading lecturer in coastal oceanography Dr Ivan Haigh, The Edge is an extensive exploration of climate change and migration. Based on an encounter between two people from different cultures that encompasses myths from the sea, the history of human migration, the formation of rivers and seas, the piece has been devised and directed by Douglas Rintoul and the creative team behind Elegy.

A woman steps into the English Channel. A man is swept up by a great storm in West Bengal. Two decades later their children meet on a beach by an English town that’s been abandoned to the sea. She’s training to swim the Channel. He’s a climate change refugee.

Powerful and poetic, The Edge is a love story between two people from different continents and cultures, connected by weather patterns and the shared experience of a radically changing world.

Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director of Transport Theatre, was awarded the British Council Connections through Culture Award to visit the Sundarbans in West Bengal India where he worked with the Kolkata based theatre company Ranan, drawing real life narratives from an area directly on the frontline of climate change.

The company also worked with young adults in Folkestone, developing an audio and visual work exploring narratives from the Kent Coast. Combining this quantative research from two different continents, Rintoul’s production questions what it really means to live on the geographical edge and explores the universal issue of climate change.

Developed in collaboration with leading lecturer in coastal oceanography Dr Ivan Haigh, with music by award-winning composer Raymond Yiu, The Edge fuses text, movement, music and projection to transport its audience between continents, exploring the place where the sea meets the land.

To book call 01473 295900 or visit: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk www.keepingintouchwith.com/mar tlesham

YOUR LOCAL COUNTY MARKET After some uncertainty over the future of Kesgrave Country Market I am pleased to inform all of our customers that the market will be continuing with a new manager. Ian Johnson, our fantastic butcher, has now taken over the reins. This means the market will be continuing, so it’s business as usual!

So if you are looking for quality handcrafted jewellery, a shabby chic notepad holder, or a beautiful knitted cardigan for a little bundle of joy, then we are the place to come to!

Need some quality meat, sausages, bacon, duck eggs…? Just pop in and talk to Ian, our butcher of free range meats.

As well as all these gorgeous items we also offer a range of home cooked yummy treats. Sponge cakes, sausage rolls, pies... This is just a selection of what we make! We always have a wide selection of gluten and dairy free sweet and savoury treats and even provide vegan items on a regular basis. All our cooks will make specific items on request too. What more could you ask for?

We are now coming into our busiest time of the year and we are keen to recruit more producers, so crafters, cooks and gardeners we are calling on you to join our friendly country market. Pop in and speak to either Ian, Rita or Sarah for more information.

Kesgrave Country Market runs from 9.30-11.30am every Saturday at Kesgrave Scout Hut Martlesham Country Market runs from 9.15-11.15am every Tuesday at Martlesham Pavillion Sarah Arch, 01473 334956

RUSHMERE RUKUS A very big thank you to everyone who supported the recent fundraiser at Rushmere Community Hub and to all the helpers who gave up their afternoon. Special thanks to the band RUKUS, to Barry (a.k.a.

Elvis) and our Zumba dancer Erin for generously giving their time for free, and to the community police for bringing a police car and tractor and the fire service for bringing the fire engine.

Lastly, thank you to the Vulcan Riders and Parkeston MCC for displaying their bikes. We were very disappointed when Zoo-tastic and the hog-roast man didn’t show up but managed a quick oven cook BBQ so at least everyone got fed! A super afternoon, great feedback, everyone loved the band so hopefully we can organise a similar event next year.

Our next fundraiser is our Winter Fayre on Saturday, November 21, 10.30am-2.30pm, at the hub on Humber Doucy Lane. Tables can now be reserved at £7 each.

The hub is also now available for private hire at very reasonable rates. Please call 720488 or pop in to make a reservation.

Trudie Larter

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OUT & ABOUT LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT We have a busy autumn ahead!

With the nights drawing in and leaves beginning to fall, thoughts turn to the Martlesham 10k which takes place on October 11.

This year’s event will be even bigger with the addition of a 5k race alongside the Fun Run and the showpiece 10k. With runners looking for an end of season personal best, the races are always keenly contested. The Fun Run gives younger and less experienced runners the chance to enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie of a major competitive event. As well as being a major fundraiser, the event has grown over the years and has become a great family event for spectators and competitors alike.

No description of the event would be complete without mention of the Pavilion cafe and the renowned homemade cakes! Indeed many people claim they come along for those alone.

Our thanks to Richard Smith and Felixstowe Road Runners who once again will manage the races. For full details and entry forms visit: http://frr.org.uk/events-and-results-2/club-events/martlesham-10k As if this weren’t enough we will also be joining other Lions’ Clubs in South Suffolk to host a swimming gala for young people and adults with learning difficulties. It is always an enjoyable event. The enthusiasm of the swimmers has to be seen to be believed – the wide grins on their faces stay in place even under water. The social side isn’t neglected and we look forward to celebrating a certain Lion’s landmark birthday with an evening of traditional pub games.

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

OVER THIRTIES AND OTHERS The September date at The Farmhouse has been changed from September 26 to October 3. It will be the launch of Stoptober at the Farmhouse, and the entertainment will run from 9pm-midnight.

The music will cover 60s, 70s and 80s, including MOR, rock, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, classic 60’s Soul, slowdance and more.

If you are at a loose end on October 10, come along to the Rosary Conservative Club, Bramford Road, where Rodders will be performing. All welcome.

Tickets are available for the football club supper/dance at Kesgrave High School on October 24. The music will be provided by my new band. At the time the organisers wanted the tickets printed, we didn’t have a name for the band, so I used the name of a previous band I was in back in the late 60s called Front Page News. I wanted to use an old name because the new band includes a person who was in our very first band together. In fact, we met at Kesgrave Secondary Modern School (Kesgrave High School) in 1959 and have stayed friends ever since. Having told many of our old followers of the new band, the consensus of opinion is we should resurrect the name of our very first band, Rod and the Solents, so that will be our name after October 24.

Tickets can be obtained by calling 01473 624538 in advance and the cost is £11 including chick-n-chips. Dancing from 8-11.30pm.

MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Our grateful thanks to all of you who turned up to our open day on Sunday, September 6. It’s your support that enables us to keep alive the historic aviation connection with Martlesham and the local area.

It’s impossible to estimate the number of folk who visit us because people are coming and going all day, but judging from the number of cars parked, not only in the designated parking area but also down Eagle Way, the open day really is a Funday, and has established itself as a most popular event.

Everybody loves a flypast and the 1943 Douglas Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew low over us three times to much waving from the enthusiastic audience.

We hope that we didn’t cause too much noise or disruption and thanks again to everyone for your support.

Our meeting on Friday, September 4 was entitled The Aviation Art of Chris French. Chris is a member of The Guild of Aviation Artists and a professional painter in oils.

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

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

Meetings start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break. Non-members are welcome for a payment of just £3 at the door.

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

Sunday, October 18, 11am-4pm: a special visit by The Suffolk Vehicle Enthusiasts Club and members of East Anglian Practical Classics who will be bringing along their fascinating and wonderful vehicles for everyone to enjoy.

Also, visit The Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum and underground bunker.

Free admission but donations toward museum upkeep are welcomed.

For more information call Howard King on 01473 274300 or visit: www.mhas.org.uk

Keith/Miles

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB

MARTLESHAM WI

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

Shimmon from The Body Shop will show some of her products so we can start our Christmas shopping.

Isobel Clark will give a talk entitled For the Love of Books on October 29.

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

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

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

Jane Paley gave an amusing talk entitled What Do You Know About Tea? and followed this with a lighthearted quiz.

We have three meetings planned for October. On October 1 Andy Malcolm will talk about the history of fish and chips. The Harvest Supper is on October 15 and Clare

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

The next meeting is on Monday, October 19 when Jo Caruth, senior project officer at Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, will present a talk entitled The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Lakenheath.

Jo was very lucky to be part of the archaeological team that discovered a warrior, who is thought to have died about AD 500 at RAF Lakenheath in 1997 with a horse, bridle, sword and shield, complete with gilded bronze bridle fittings. Come along an here about this fascinating discovery.

Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm.

Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

Kim Quinton

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our next meeting and lecture on October 7 will feature Stephen Taylor who will talk on Walter Richard Sickert, a very public and very private painter. Stephen Taylor is a professional painter specialising in landscapes. He exhibits extensively and lectures in colleges and universities.

On a lovely September afternoon the society began the new season with a topical theme. In this the 200th anniversary year of the Battle of Waterloo, Peter Warwick gave a fascinating talk entitled The Art of Waterloo. This was a history lesson illustrated by wonderful art. Peter led us through the protagonists and the path of events, concluding with the great battle itself. A truly riveting talk and a great start to our season!

This season will feature a broad range of illustrated talks to support all tastes, including lectures on the Duc du Berry, on medieval

Easter celebrations, on the Queen Mother and her art interests, on the world of Grayson Perry... and much more.

We welcome new members. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? The wonderfully illustrated lectures last about an hour and are presented by national and international lecturers. We are a friendly group who meet on the first Wednesday of the month for nine lectures each year, and we also organise interesting day visits.

Guests and non-members are also welcome, provided we have available space. A £5 donation is asked.

For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com For the latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/mar tlesham

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

WOOLLY WONDERS Martlesham’s newest knitting group now meets at the Runway Cafe, Martlesham Heath every other Thursday, 10am-noon. In October we meet on Thursdays 1 and 15.

You are welcome to join us whatever your skill level, and if you’d like to learn to knit we can teach you.

We are so grateful to the two ladies who recently donated wool. We use this to make teddies for refugee children and those in countries affected by war. We are also supporting Age UK Suffolk while some members of the group plough on with their own projects.

KYSON PROBUS CLUB Kyson Probus Club met for its usual monthly meeting at 12.30pm on Monday, September 14 at the Ufford Park Hotel. After a convivial drink and lunch we heard a fascinating talk by two officers from the Army Air Corps at Wattisham. They covered operations at the airfield and the remarkable Apache helicopter which they fly. Both pilots had completed operational tours in Afghanistan and gained our admiration for their modesty and bravery in their actions in the war. We felt very privileged to have them visit us between exercises: they had recently returned from a spell in northern England and are soon to depart for a detachment overseas.

Overall, it was an extremely informative and enjoyable afternoon.

Would you like to meet like-minded, similar aged people in the local area? The Kyson Probus Club provides a forum for retired or semi-retired business or professional men in a friendly setting.

We meet on the second Monday of each month, 12.30 for 1pm, at the Ufford Park Hotel where we have a drink followed by lunch and a speaker. The meetings usually finish by around 3pm.

Why not come along and enjoy a convivial few hours and meet some new and interesting people?

For futher information, please call the secretary, Mr Ian McIvor: 01473 738866

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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE WI Our September meeting was once again a lively one. Our speaker, David Mitchell, a former tree officer with Mid Suffolk District Council, entertained, informed, amused and educated us on the veteran trees of Suffolk. His very informative talk was illustrated with some beautiful photos of some of the more important trees of Suffolk and their history. His enthusiasm was very infectious, leaving us all in no doubt as to the importance of protecting the veteran trees of Suffolk for future generations to enjoy. Lyn Parker gave the vote of thanks. Pat Howell won the competition to dress a paper doll with Doreen Chapman second.

On September 16, 700 women converged on Glenham Hall for the Suffolk East WI Centenary Picnic. Can you imagine the amount of talking that went on and the number of Victoria sponges needed feed us all, let alone the size of the teapot required?

Events in October include a craft day on Saturday, October 3 at the Scout Hut. We still have a few places left for this event (£10 for the day including lunch), an ideal way to see what the WI gets up to! For more details please contact Di (see below).

Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 1 when our speaker, Andrew Woods, will talk about his rail journey through the Khyber Pass. Visitors are very welcome to join us. For more information contact our secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

SOROPTIMIST CLUB OF IPSWICH AND DISTRICT We started our autumn programme with a supper followed by a talk on personal safety for women. We don’t always have supper but usually divide our monthly meeting into two halves.

– in the first half a speaker or a discussion, in the second what we call ‘business’.

‘Business’ might sound a bit off-putting until you look at what it covers. Our September agenda included planning a letter to local MPs about the proposed closure of the magistrates’ courts in Lowestoft and Bury; discussing widening the scope of the bursary which we offer to disadvantaged women who want to undertake some education or training; deciding on our club vote for the chair of a national committee.

That last item is quite a significant pointer to how Soroptimism works. What matters is the voice of the individual members in their local club so we are frequently asked to send in our views and votes on things like policies, projects, campaigns and appointments to leadership roles. A system like ours is ambitious and could run the risk of becoming a bit bureaucratic, but there has been a lot of streamlining lately and modern communication technologies help.

We recognise that individual members will give very different levels of commitment to our own projects and to the wider organisation. In particular we assure younger members, who are already juggling careers and family, that it is fine to come and enjoy the interest and friendship of the club and to do just as much or as little as they feel they can for the moment. Later on things will change.

If you would like to know more about Soroptimism or visit one of our meetings please do contact Jackie: 01473 659314

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IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, October 22, at 7.30pm: Fred Feather invites us to join him as he goes Up My Family Tree, including such tales as how we found the North West Passage and held down the Northwest Frontier.

NOTE NEW VENUE The Co-Op Education Centre – Pedestrian Entrance, 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW Car park entrance: Waterworks Street IP4 1JG Admission is £3 for members, £3.50 for non-members who are welcome and can join the society on the night if they wish. Tickets are not required; just turn up and pay on the door.

For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY FAMILY HISTORY FAIR Saturday, October 17, 10am-4pm University Campus Suffolk, The Waterfront Building, Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ FREE ADMISSION The theme: WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Featuring helpful forums, discussions and workshops.

Other East Anglian family history societies, historical research organisations and commercial genealogical suppliers will be present.

For more details contact: membership@suffolkfhs.org.uk / 01787 370598

ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE DEBEN COMEDY TONITE Tickets are still available for our charity concert at the Seckford Theatre on Saturday, October 17.

The show, entitled Comedy Tonite, promises an evening of musical fun presented by Gordon Peters of Dad’s Army and One Foot In The Grave.

Tickets are £15, with half the profits going to Woolverstone McMillan Centre at Ipswich Hospital, and are available on: 01473 620560 / 01394 386933 MEMORY CAFÉ Our Memory Cafe, run in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Woodbridge, continues to flourish. The cafe, which is for dementia sufferers and their carers, takes place at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of the month, and we welcome new visitors. Refreshments are provided free of charge and we have occasional musical entertainment.

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OUT & ABOUT U3A NEW SEASON LAUNCHED

GROWING GUIDING... MARTLESHAM! We currently have spaces available at Guides (girls aged 10-14) and Brownies (girls aged eight-10) in Martlesham. As a Brownie and Guide you will make new friends, enjoy learning new skills, take part in adventures and most importantly of all, HAVE FUN!!

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

In the last year Martlesham Guides have been on camp, cooked on wood fires, abseiled, zorbed, go karted, sung round a campfire, danced Bollywood style, eaten loads of chocolate and much, much more. If your daughter is interested in joining the largest youth organisation for young women in the UK or you wish to find out more about Girlguiding, please contact us.

The Ipswich season starts on Monday, October 26 at Kesgrave Community Centre, Bell Lane, Kesgrave IP5 1JF with a talk by Katie Ward entitled Greed, Sex and Death – Art in the Dutch Golden Age which will explore the hidden messages in the works of Vermeer, Rembrandt and their contemporaries.

Chris: chris.s.cooper@btinternet.com Jo: jo.d@btinternet.com Or visit: www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested

To find out more visit www.u3aineastsuffolk.org.uk or contact the secretary on 01473 273395.

2015 VINTAGE AND CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY October heralds the end of another season at the Suffolk Aviation Heritage Museum (Former WT Station on Foxhall Road), highlighted once again by the autumn Vintage and Classic Vehicle Day to be held on Sunday 11.

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED Crafters Unlimited is a craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light-hearted atmosphere with refreshments. We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month (except December) in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. Our next meeting is:

Among the usual array of stunningly restored cars, tractors and military vehicles, this year will see the welcome return of Pete Route’s superb collection of classic speedway bikes and equipment, a must for anyone who has enjoyed the thrills of the nearby Foxhall Stadium over the decades.

Thursday, October 22: Ribbon Xmas Trees (Emma) There are always other projects available.

The ever developing aviation museum will be open as usual throughout the day, including the adjoining tea shop, with additional outside refreshments also available.

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

Admission is £3.50 for adults, £1.50 concessions, and 50p for under 16s, with pre-school children free. Gates are open to the public between 10am and 4pm.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE

Participation of exhibits is subject to weather and serviceability.

Andy Taylor

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

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?

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Fundraising manager Nigel Donkin told club members that the service was launched in 2000 following Frankie Dettori’s accident at Newmarket.

Today it operates two high-tech helicopters serving the four counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and from May 2013 became the first air ambulance in the country to attend emergency incidents during the hours of darkness. The service provides a team of highly trained critical care paramedics and doctors who provide a lifesaving capability on scene. Such high-tech equipment and personnel does not come cheap at approximately £8.6million per year with each mission costing on average £2,800, including £200 per hour for fuel alone.

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

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OUT & ABOUT DEBEN FLOWER CLUB The first meeting of the club’s new season was held on Tuesday, September 8. Our demonstrator, Jan Law, assisted by her husband Ken, gave us a colourful demonstration entitled Proud to be British.

Jan worked her way through British history, portraying well known figures and events. Grace Darling was interpreted using a lovely piece of driftwood reminiscent of a wave and blue and white flowers representing the sea, The Great Fire of London with fiery red and orange roses and carnations, the British Museum, Glynbourne, and a beautiful basket of spray roses for Chelsea Flower Show. Her finale was a red white and blue arrangement to represent our Union

Flag. Jan used some interesting and unusual flowers along with beautiful foliage from her garden and allotment. Seven lucky members won the arrangements in the raffle and all enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 13 at 7.30pm in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU, when Margot Cooper from Wanstead London will present a demonstration entitled Floral Friends.

Visitors are always welcome for just £4. If you would like directions or further information please email: wa@sandlings.co.uk

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

After lunch we travelled on to Fullers Mill Garden at West Stow and again we were met by our host, Bernard Tickner, a 91-years-young gentleman who has spent the last 50 years creating his most wonderful garden. We were able to walk around the seven acre grounds and he was pleased to join us and tell us many fascinating stories of how and where he had obtained the plants. After a very welcome cup of tea and a slice of delicious homemade cake we again joined the coach and made our way home. The weather was very kind to us and it was a very splendid day.

On September 14, Alan Smith presented a demonstration entitled September Song.

Our next meeting is at 2pm on Monday, October 12 when Ann Bell from Dunmow will present a demonstration entitled From Me to You. Ann is no stranger to our club and I know we will be in for a great afternoon.

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP

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

The group enjoyed a lovely break over the summer holidays but were glad to get back to work on September 19.

Nature Explorers are planning to catch the fish in the pond either by netting or electro-fishing. It should be a fun session. We would ask that local residents do not use the pond to dispose of unwanted fish as this can be damaging to the ecosystem of the pond.

IPSWICH FLOWER CLUB

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

Pond Maintenance by S Corley

We would like to express our thanks to Claire Cable for her donation of wildlife books for the Nature Watch and Nature Explorers clubs. Our members will have lots of fun referring to these books and should learn a thing or two at the same time.

The bird and bat boxes in the woods are gradually rotting and also being attached by woodpeckers. We are replacing the wooden bird boxes with recycled plastic as both the woodpeckers and squirrels don’t like this material and will stay away from it, which should hopefully solve the problem and also mean the boxes are around for a long time in the future.

We are replacing the bat boxes with woodcrete as this is more durable and should last for much longer. If you know of any funds to support this cause we would be very grateful as it would mean the project could be finished much sooner, which would in turn help our birds and bats.

KALGA: KESGRAVE ALLOTMENT & LEISURE GARDENING ASSOCIATION Autumn is looming and unfortunately the days are becoming shorter, so less time to get all of those jobs done on the allotment. But it’s been a good summer for vegetables, and since we have had lots of rain, vegetables have put on much more growth. I may not have had quite the courgette glut that I had last year, but have made up for it with runner beans, and picking them fresh and young avoids them becoming stringy!

It’s the time when we try to preserve our veg for as long as possible, so I have been busy hanging my onions up in the garage, freezing beans and making pickle. Red onion relish has been good, but wow, fresh onions make your eyes stream!

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

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

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

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

Sam Alexander PWCG committee (youth member)

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

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SUFFOLK ORCHID SOCIETY If you would like to join us on October 28 you will be most welcome. The speaker will be Malcolm Perry who will be speaking about Orchids of South East Asia. Malcolm usually brings good quality unusual orchids for sale.

Please note the next meeting will be on November 18, which is not the last Wednesday in November.

We are a friendly group of amateur orchid growers of varying expertise.

We usually have outside speakers to our meetings, many of whom bring orchids for sale, but also have a varied programme of social events including outings and an annual garden party or picnic.

At each meeting members bring plants that they have in flower for a display table and there is always a chance for orchid chat over a drink and biscuit. Our meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month, (except in July, August and December) at St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham IP5 3UY, and start at 7.30pm. The annual subscription is £10, payable after your first meeting.

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB Susan Horne from Gt Baddow presented a beautiful demonstration entitled All About Flowers at our September meeting, the first meeting of the autumn session.

Crystal Dyball from Norwich will present a demonstration entitled Floral Passion on October 22.

The Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, except August and December, at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Visitors are welcome to all our meetings for a fee of just £4. The annual subscription is £35.

Meetings start at 7.15pm, but the doors open at 6.45pm to give you a chance to browse at our sales table where you can purchase all you need to create a flower arrangement. You can also buy your raffle tickets for the arrangements the demonstrator creates during the evening after having had a cup of tea or coffee and chatted to the members.

For further details contact Delcie Corbett: gil.corbett@bntinternet.com / 01473 623371

Contact Jenny Gage: 01473 822569 / roystongage@btinternet.com

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

come along with their parents and/or carers.

We will look forward to welcoming you!

Each session is full of fun children’s activities and worship. For example we do crafts of all kinds, singing, storytelling and play games.

The half-hour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to chat and play until approximately noon.

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

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

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

We hope you all had a wonderful summer!

A great big welcome to the new starters in all our rooms and groups, welcome back to all our returners and good luck to those who moved up to ‘big school’!

During September our pre-schoolers will have two main topics to learn about. The first one we have chosen is hospitals and the second will be space. Both topics are things the children have shown an interest in and we are looking forward to teaching them more. We will also be going on autumn walks to enjoy the colour changing season. Our after school clubbers will be enjoying outdoor games while the evenings are still light.

After a busy day at school we allow the children to be as creative and busy or as quiet and peaceful as they want to be. Our littlest learners from our baby room, The Seedlings, will be busy in the September sunshine in our garden and will also be enjoying the autumn season.

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

We currently have vacancies in all our rooms, including spaces for funded two and three-year olds. Don’t forget your child’s funded sessions can be used across our opening hours and ‘stretched’ across holiday club too.

We are now taking bookings for our half-term holiday club, Monday, October 26 to Friday 30, with lots of Halloween-themed activities lined up, including a fancy-dress party.

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

For further information on all our term-time sessions, or holiday club bookings, please call our friendly team of dedicated and experienced staff on 01473 614753, email news@thesaplings.org.uk or visit: www.thesaplings.org.uk

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SCHOOLS / SPORTS MARTLESHAM BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Calling all Babies and Toddlers!

Are you fed up playing with the same old building blocks? Bored of the same old picture books?

Do you and your teddies need a breaK? Well look no further – Martlesham Baby and Toddler Group are meeting every Wednesday and Friday in Martlesham Heath Pavilion for fun, games and toys you’ve never seen before. Your grown up can have tea, coffee and biscuits – which should keep them quiet – and you get to play, uninterrupted, from 9.30 until 11.30am!

CALLING ALL MUMS…

During October we will be celebrating autumn with a visit from a photographer, just in time for Christmas presents and our end of term Halloween party.

There will be fundraising raffles, a spooky lucky dip and some tasty devilish delights for sale!

So come and see us every Wednesday and Friday and don’t forget to bring your grown up! We look forward to seeing you very soon. mhbabyandtoddlergroup@yahoo. co.uk or find us Facebook and Nemums.co.uk

The October meeting of Martlesham Mums Club will be held at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath on Tuesday, October 6 between 12.45 and 2.30pm.

All mums, grans and carers with babies and toddlers are invited to join us for lunch which will be served about 1pm. This will be followed by a presentation from Rugbytots, the UK’s first rugbyspecific play programme for young children. Rugbytots is designed to develop children’s motor skills and confidence while having fun in a team environment. Why not come along to find out more?

The Drinks and Dribbles Baby Cafe will meet at St Michael’s Church Centre on Thursdays, October 1 and 15 between 10am and noon.

This is a drop-in cafe for mums, grans and carers with babies and toddlers. We offer refreshments, friendship and toys. A warm welcome awaits.

For more information about Mums’ Club or Drinks and Dribbles please contact Sue: 01473 624130

Sam Whitehouse

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL Throughout the summer season Ipswich Ravens have been hosting free volleyball sessions every Saturday afternoon in Christchurch Park. The sessions have been terrifically popular with no less than 23 adults and 18 children getting a taste of volleyball for the first time, completely free. If you missed them, where were you? You missed all the fun!

Meanwhile several of our more experienced players also attended outdoor volleyball tournaments across East Anglia, in places as far a field as Clacton, Lowestoft and Cambridge, in addition to the new weekly beach format tournament being held at Copleston School Ipswich. We also entered two teams in the Suffolk Open held in Stowmarket. Both teams performed well with the A team finishing fourth out of seven in Division 1, and the B team finishing a surprise seventh out of 21 in quite a strong Division 2.

But with the start of autumn we are now turning our attention to the indoor season, where we will once again be holding weekly sessions of playing and coaching at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. These take place every Saturday from 2-4pm. If you are interested in giving them a try, whether as a complete beginner or an experienced player, now is the ideal time to join the players who started during the summer and have found out for themselves that volleyball is great fun, and really good exercise too.

Ipswich Ravens welcomes male and female players, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from nine upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them highly enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, visit www.ipswichravens.org.uk or call/text 07508 351875.

BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR AT WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB The season winds to a close and the last drive took place on Sunday, September 13, after which the green was ‘put to bed’. Greenkeeper Malcom Ord and his band of volunteers apply their magic in order that we have a green worthy of the club next season.

It’s been a strange season what with the cold spring, the wet summer and the early appearance of autumn. A season more for reflection than complete satisfaction. There have, of course, been high points: the visit of The Royal Household Bowls Club, our ladies triple team representing the county at national Level. The successful President’s Day and finals weekend also spring to mind. Mention too must be made of Trish Webber who substituted for an indisposed Pam Jackson at the national championship. The ladies were defeated at the

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knockout stage of the tournament. Our picture shows them ‘enjoying’ the invigorating climate of Skegness!

A little worrying is the closure of so many municipal greens as councils struggle with decreasing budgets. This means exposure to the game is more limited and will lead to even fewer people taking up the sport. At Woodbridge we offer discounts for younger players joining and we could do with a few more taking advantage of this. There are openings at all levels with a good mix of league games and social bowling.

Details of membership can be found at: www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk Or contact me, Anthony Bynom, at: malfrazy@yahoo.com

l-r: Trish Webber, Maggie Page and Kathy James, by Maria Lestrange

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ON THE GRAPEVINE

QUESTIONS ON CASH

with Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb

Are you Active or Passive?

Anne from Great Blakenham asks: “I keep seeing articles about passive ‘tracker’ funds and actively managed funds. Is active fund management better than passive fund management, and what’s the difference?”

One of the most fundamental and enduring debates within the world of investments is over the issue of whether active fund management is better than passive fund management.

Passive fund managers buy and hold portfolios that are designed to replicate the market, or part of it. By buying each stock in an index, or a broad representation of the stocks in an index, passive managers generally deliver returns that match their index, so in theory at least there will be no nasty surprises. A passive fund might track a particular sector, such as the FTSE 100 or the FTSE 250, or it might be the benchmark for a particular asset class, such as corporate bonds or property, or it might just track an asset, like precious metals or other natural resources.

Passive investing advocates argue that markets are efficient - that is, that the market takes into account all the available information about any particular security and prices it accordingly. So they believe there is little room to take advantage of mis-pricing because prices already reflect true value.

However, the proponents of active management argue that the market is not completely efficient, allowing smart investment managers to beat the market. Active managers seek to build portfolios that outperform a market benchmark, usually through a combination of stock selection and market timing. In some years, some active managers will succeed in outperforming their benchmark, while others will fail. A small number do beat the market on a regular basis.

At Plumb Financial Services, we believe that holding a combination of both active and passive managed funds will provide the best opportunity for longer-term investment growth.

We offer our clients a range of model portfolios that usually contain Multi-Asset or Multi-Manager funds. The portfolios are usually split 50/50 between a passive fund and an active fund within that investor’s given risk profile. Each fund will typically contain up to 20 other individual funds within it, giving the investor access to around 40 funds in an economical format. Although they will be invested in just two main funds, their portfolio will actually contain a wide spread of investment assets spread over several geographic areas, providing diversity and reducing volatility.

No single fund manager is the top performer in all investment sectors and most fund managers have their specialist sectors or a sector in which they are known to have particular knowledge or ability. That is where the Multi-Manager and Multi-Asset funds come into their own, as the fund manager can cherry pick the best funds and assets for his or her portfolio.

Holding both active and passive portfolios will give the individual investor a balance between the passive and active positions, both of which are constantly managed to suit the identified risk profile of the investor at all times. We believe that this gives an investor the best opportunity to benefit from both styles of fund management within their identified risk profile, thus increasing the chances of better returns over the longer-term.

In other words, having a ‘bit of both’ is probably the best investment strategy.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or call Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s opinions and views in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position and requirements. Plumb Financial Services is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

LITERACY BOOST FOR SUFFOLK LIBRARIES Suffolk Libraries is aiming to increase the positive impact that the county’s library service has on children’s literacy thanks to the arrival of a new member of staff who will be working directly with schools.

Matt Shenton has joined Suffolk Libraries as the new Literacy Ambassador – a post funded from a successful bid to the Foyle Foundation.

Matt will work with schools and other organisations to promote the benefits of library use and with an aim for all Year-7 children across the county to have their own library card. Matt will also be visiting schools and working with other organisations to develop the benefits

Matt said: “I’m thrilled about taking up this new position. I believe the library service can make a big impact on children’s literacy and I think that by working together with schools and other organisations we can help to ensure that every child and young person is reaching their potential and I’m looking forward to focusing on helping children who could benefit more from being a member of the library service.”

Suffolk Libraries’ Literacy Project has been funded by a grant of £30,000 from the Foyle Foundation which is an independent grant-making trust which awards funding to charitable organisations

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involved with arts and learning. Matt has joined Suffolk Libraries from the Four Dwellings Academy in Quinton, Birmingham where he was School Librarian and Head of Key Stage 3.

SUFFOLK LIBRARIES EXPANDS eLIBRARY TO INCLUDE MAGAZINES

Suffolk Libraries customers can now access free downloadable electronic magazines as well as eBooks, eAudio books and music.

Anyone with a Suffolk Libraries card can now access the Zinio service which provides access to a range of popular downloadable magazines including: BBC Good Food, BBC Music, BBC Top Gear, Amateur Gardening, Elle, Empire, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Mojo, Q, Men’s Health and Women’s Health.

You can download and read magazines on a computer or there is also an app. All you need to log in and access the service is a library card number. Customers can download as many magazines as they can fit onto their device and keep them for as long as they want.

You can set up an account via www.rbdigital.com/Suffolk/service/zinio/landing or by visiting: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE We are a charity set up to help bereaved people to understand their grief and cope with their loss.

We provide information, one to one support and offer advice, education and training services. We also have a specialist children and young people team.

If you would like to volunteer to support bereaved people, help on our area committee or with public-

ity and fundraising please contact us.

For help or information please telephone your local branch.

Ipswich: 01473 230888 Suffolk Coastal: 01394 670770 West Suffolk: 01284 767674 www.cruse.org.uk / www.suffolkcruse.co.uk

HEALTH TEAMS IN SUFFOLK LAUNCH NEW CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES APP

Councillor Tony Goldson and Dr Mark Shenton with health visitors and parents and children from Acorn Children Centre

Public Health Suffolk and Suffolk’s clinical commissioning groups have launched a comprehensive guide to common childhood illnesses aimed at parents and carers. The new childhood illnesses booklet and app will provide a helpful information package during times when they may need a bit of extra help or advice.

The free booklet, The Guide: Common Childhood Illnesses and Wellbeing in Suffolk, contains information on wellbeing, common illnesses and how to keep children safe and healthy. It also provides advice on when to consult the GP or health visitor and information on common illnesses such as chickenpox, colds, sore throats and ear infections.

Suffolk residents can also download and view the information on their phones and tablets via the App Store and Googleplay by searching Suffolk Child Health.

Councillor Tony Goldson, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member

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for Health, said: “We’re very pleased that this handy tool will provide parents with vital information on many illnesses which can treated at home or by over the counter medicine. A child’s health and wellbeing is one of the most important things to a parent, and can also be their biggest worry.

“This guide is a fantastic idea that gives people an opportunity to learn more about their child’s health and to give advice on certain situations that could cause panic. As well as illnesses it also gives tips on healthy eating and breastfeeding and general tips to give Suffolk’s young people a healthy start to life.”

As well as a booklet, the information is available to view online in a downloadable form on www. healthysuffolk.org.uk to be used by everyone, including children’s centres, health visitors and other healthcare professionals.

ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE CONNECTING CARE

October 4-11 marks Hospice Care Week, a national campaign to help raise awareness and celebrate the work of local hospices, like St Elizabeth Hospice, improving life for people living with a progressive illness.

The theme for this year’s Hospice Care Week is Connecting Care and throughout the week St Elizabeth Hospice will be telling people about the innovative ways in which they connect with local people, including through community engagement work.

They will also highlight examples of their compassionate and personalised care, connecting with people wherever they are.

Mark Millar, St Elizabeth Hospice’s acting chief executive, said: “Hospice Care Week is a big week for us as it gives us the perfect opportunity to really shout about the work we do and raise awareness of the breadth of services we offer, not only for patients, but for families, carers and health professionals too.

We connect with a variety of people including those in schools, groups and businesses throughout the local community.

“A lot of people have misconceptions about what hospice care is and this national week allows us and other hospices across the country to educate and inform people about what hospice care really is and dispel some of the common myths.”

Five myths dispelled: 1. Hospices are not just a place people go to die. Patients can come to a hospice for outpatient appointments, day care, therapy, pain relief respite, as well as for end-of-life care 2. Hospice care is not just a building. Around 80% of St Elizabeth Hospice’s patients are cared for at home or in the community. The hospice centres its care around an individual’s needs which means offering specialist support wherever it is required 3. Hospices don’t just care for people with cancer. St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people living with any progressive illness, such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, heart, lung and kidney disease, as well as cancer 4. Anyone from the age of 14 upwards can be cared for by St Elizabeth Hospice – the hospice is currently developing its young adult service, working with young patients aged 14-30 to improve their care to meet the needs of younger people 5. Hospices are not scary or sad places. They are a happy place filled with laughter where people are supported to live the rest of their lives as fully as possible To get involved read the local paper, visit the St Elizabeth Hospice website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Keep up to date with what they’re doing during Hospice Care Week and learn more about the amazing care and support they give to local people – and how you can help.

Visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk or find them on Facebook by searching for St Elizabeth Hospice, and on Twitter @ StElizabethHosp

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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK SMOKERS URGED TO SIGN UP TO STOPTOBER

With data showing that 18.5% of Suffolk residents are smokers, Public Health England is urging local residents and smokers from the area to sign up to Stoptober – the country’s 28 day mass quit attempt from Public Health England – to receive support and encouragement every step of the way from some of the nation’s top comedians.

And to stand an even better chance of quitting, Suffolk residents are encouraged to sign up with their friends, family and colleagues, as evidence reveals that this type of ‘social quitting’ can dramatically improve people’s chances of successfully stopping.

Research shows that smokers are two thirds (67%) more likely to quit when their spouse stops smoking, and a third more likely to quit when a close friend (36%) or someone they work with (34%) stops. The data also shows that individuals are much more likely (61%) to smoke if their partner or a close friend smokes – showing the powerful influence that people’s social networks have on their own smoking behaviour.

This is backed up by a study of smokers in Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States which shows that the fewer smoking friends someone has, the more likely they are to succeed in a quit attempt.

This year, Stoptober will be providing quitters with a personal touch from some of the nation’s leading comedians – Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert, Al Murray and Shappi Khorsandi. Messages of support and encouragement will be sent straight to quitters’ phones and emails throughout October.

Over a quarter of a million people across the country signed up to Stoptober last year with more than half making it to 28 days. This year it is expected the campaign will welcome the millionth sign up. By stopping smoking for 28 days you

are five times more likely to stop for good.

Councillor Tony Goldson, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Health said: “Around 18.5% of Suffolk residents smoke and I would urge each and every one to sign up to Stoptober today. Quitting smoking can be really difficult, especially on your own, which is why it is great that this year’s campaign is encouraging you to sign up with someone else to further enhancing your chances of a successfully quitting.”

Signing up to Stoptober will provide you with a range of free support tools including online support and a mobile phone app. Suffolk’s stop smoking services provide a wealth of support including one to one and group sessions and nicotine replacement products to kick start your quit attempt. Contact Live Well on 01473 229292 and start your journey towards a healthier, happier and wealthier smoke free you today.

Rhod Gilbert who is supporting this year’s campaign says: “I smoked for about 25 years and probably spent 23 of those trying to quit, trying everything you can think of to kick the habit. I know firsthand that it can be hard to find the motivation to quit, but Stoptober is the perfect time to give it a go.

Not only will you be joining thousands of others taking part, you’ll also have exclusive support from myself, Bill Bailey, Shappi Khorsandi and the Pub Landlord, as well as access to lots of other help along the way. My advice to those taking on Stoptober would be to take the 28 days one day at a time.”

By signing up to Stoptober, participants can choose from a range of free support tools including daily emails and text messages from the comedians throughout the 28 day quit attempt as well as a mobile phone app which includes lots more tips and advice – all of which have shown to increase the chances of staying smokefree.

To sign up to the nation’s biggest mass quit attempt, search Stoptober online or visit: www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober

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LIFE IS ABOUT OVERCOMING CHALLENGES What’s on your bucket list, the list of achievements and challenges you feel you must do one day?

I’ve recently ticked off one of mine and I felt a real boost. It took five years and a lot of practise and preparation and, with the help of friends, I did it at the first attempt.

And I have the certificate to prove it. (Not every challenge takes that long! It all depends on you and your goals.)

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

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

Do you want to improve your

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

What makes you a better speaker is regular practise and constructive feedback, and there is nowhere better to practise than Speak Easy at Martlesham, your friendly local speakers’ club. We meet from 7-9.30pm on alternate Thursdays: October 8 and 22 and November 5 are our next dates. Everyone is welcome. Come free as a guest.

To find our more visit www.speakeasy.org.uk, Facebook or Twitter, or call 07968 372563.

Sonya Burrows

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHUCRH NEWS CITIZENS ADVICE WARNS ABOUT ‘BOGUS SELF-EMPLOYMENT’ Citizens Advice says that people working for themselves could be bogusly self-employed, meaning workers miss out on holiday pay, government loses tax revenue and responsible businesses could be undercut.

In its new report, Neither One Thing Nor The Other, Citizens Advice reveals as many as 460,000 people could be ‘bogusly self-employed’ meaning workers miss out on holiday and have to pay extra National Insurance. The report also finds that bogus self-employment could cost the government up to £314m a year in lost tax and employer national insurance contributions.

Employers who want to do right by their staff can also lose out as firms forcing people into self-employment means the savings they make puts them at a competitive advantage to their rivals.

A combination of factors including work hours set by the employer, using the business’ equipment and having tax deducted from their pay by their employer could mean an individual should be an employee rather than self-employed.

Carol Eagles, manager at Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice said: “For many people in Suffolk self-employment is a fulfilling career choice. But Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice is concerned that some people are being forced into working for themselves, when in fact they have the right to be a regular employee and the benefits this brings. This can have a negative impact on workers and their income, as well as on local businesses who do right by their staff. If you are worried about your employment status or your rights at work then you can get in touch with Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice for help and support.”

The research also identifies specific financial losses felt by the bogusly self-employed and the government: • An average of over £1,200 per worker per year is lost in holiday pay.

• People pay an extra £61 per year in National Insurance that they would not pay were they classified as employed.

• The loss of employer National Insurance contributions costs the government over £300 per person per year.

As part of Citizens Advice’s self-employment campaign it is calling on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to use the government review into self-employment to address key issues including: • Clarity and consistency around the definition of self-employment.

• Support for people looking to save for retirement.

• Pay for parental leave.

Government departments, including the HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions, have different definitions of self-employment, making it hard for workers and businesses to be clear about employee status.

The only way to prove employee status and secure the rights this provides is to go to an employment tribunal, a lengthy process which many cannot afford since fees were introduced in 2013. Last year research from Citizens Advice showed seven in 10 potentially successful cases are not pursued by people at employment tribunals.

The local CAB is at 19 Tower Street, Ipswich IP1 3BE, 01473 219777. The bureau can also be contacted at: www.ipswichcab.org.uk

THOUGHTS FROM YOUR PARISH CHURCHES It’s a long time since we were in Uganda, but I still remember the children carrying water. Every day after school they would have to go down to the village pump and carry home a large and heavy plastic can of water, usually on their heads. I often think of them when I run the tap – so much of our water goes straight down the drain. Would we waste so much if we had to carry it home on our heads, every day?

At least their water was clean, pumped from a deep well. In many other places people have to collect their water from the local river, often seriously polluted and disease-ridden. In that part of Uganda, YWAM (Youth With A Mission) was engaged on a programme of installing or refurbishing pumps in every village, and teaching the local people how to look after them.

Many years ago, Al Gore, who was almost elected US President in 2000, wrote about climate and the world’s resources. The future’s most pressing problem, he said, would be water. How can we ensure that there is enough clean water to meet the needs of an ever-growing world population? In many parts of the world, that problem is already with us, made worse not only by droughts, but also by floods which often contaminate water supplies.

As we celebrate and give thanks for the Harvest at this time of year, we should be very thankful for fresh water. At St Michael’s, our Junior Church collects donations for WaterAid, which works to improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in many parts of the world. This work deserves all the support we can give it.

Jeremy Walsh

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For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505 To advertise in this section, which appears in 16 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

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