In Touch News with Shotley - August 2016

In Touch

™ ™ ©© ™©

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 6 • Issue No. 9 • AUGUST 2016

Cover Image of 1st Holbrook Brownies see page 17

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Of course I like working with my son Ben as it’s hard to get him round for Sunday dinner nowadays. I even managed to get my other son, Ross, back from university last summer to help paint the new showroom!

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My parents celebrated their golden anniversary in June and, as you do at times such as this, we have talked at length about the trials and tribulations they faced over the years, some good, some not so. I’m proud their marriage was rock solid throughout, even when faced with tough financial times on the farm, a variety of health challenges, a rather rebellious teenage daughter and, in recent years, the collapse of the Irish economy which has impacted on everyone in one way or another.

Married in 1966 and parents for the first time in 1967, my mum and dad showed remarkable resilience when it may have been easier to walk away. Back then when farm machinery was either unavailable or unaffordable, farming was not for the fainthearted, but they were a formidable team. Mum was the ultimate survivor. She baked, she sewed, she kept a garden, she helped on the farm, she managed the books… she did what had to be done to make ends meet and she and dad were totally committed to giving my brothers and I every opportunity they had been denied. They also knew how to have fun. My mum could turn a Sunday picnic in the garden into an unforgettable adventure. That said I don’t ever want to eat ox tongue sandwiches again as long as I live.

Our annual daytrip to Kinvarra beach and the annual pilgrimage to Knock were the highlights of summers spent in the garden and on the farm. Every year I bought red heart-shaped sun glasses in Kinvarra and one of those little toy camera picture viewers in Knock and I was the happiest little girl in the world.

My life is remarkable different to theirs, but I suspect my everyday worries are not entirely dissimilar. Making my own butter or knitting socks aren’t realistic money-saving options for me, but, thanks to my parents, I do have a ‘pull your socks up and get on with it’ approach to most things, and this I’m grateful for in these rather disconcerting political times.

In Touch

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone In Touch with Shotley, Pin Mill & Woolverstone 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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NEWS WORLD FAMOUS PSYCHIATRIST TO VISIT ESSEX On Wednesday, October 19 at 1pm Dr Norman Rosenthal, clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington DC and the first physician to diagnose and name Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and prescribe light therapy to treat it, will be giving a public talk at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH. There is no charge for entrance.

Recently Dr Rosenthal has published research on Botox therapy for alleviating depression and transcendental meditation (TM) for reducing anxiety and treating post traumatic stress disorder in US military personnel.

Dr Rosenthal is the author of Winter Blues and the best-selling book The Gift of Adversity. His latest book, Super Mind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life Through Transcendental Meditation, follows on from his previous bestselling book Transcendence. Super Mind draws on the experiences of people from all walks of life, including highly successful business people, directors and actors, including Ray Dalio, David Lynch and Hugh Jackman. Super Mind, which reached number one on the Washington Post bestsellers list, describes how TM helps people access expanded states of consciousness, thereby promoting personal growth and boosting performance. Rosenthal supports these observations with a survey of 600 TM practitioners.

TM can reduce anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and reduce the adverse effects of stress on the body, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke. Referring to the hundreds of peer-reviewed research studies on TM, Rosenthal notes: “In my 37 years as a practising psychiatrist, TM is one of the most potent nondrug treatments I have encountered. I recommend it frequently in my own clinical practice.”

In addition to speaking privately to doctors and academics in Essex, Dr Rosenthal will be speaking at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge University. The title of these talks is The Quest for Innovative Treatments in Psychiatry and Medicine: a Personal Perspective. Dr Rosenthal has published more than 200 scholarly papers. In Super Mind Dr Rosenthal compares and contrasts transcendence with mindfulness, illustrating how they differ in their technique and effect.

To book a place at the talk on October 19 visit: http://uk.tm.org/web/essex/introductory-talks

ST MARY’S FLOWER FESTIVAL A big thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s flower festival at St Mary’s, Shotley a success. More than £1,250 was raised. A list of the winners is displayed in church, but the first four were: 1

Food Hamper / 2149

Wendy Sadler

2

Cosmetics / 1210

Thelma Hunt

3

Whiskey / 3754

Dorothy Snell

4

Whiskey / 0894

Joan Kirk

SEPTEMBER DEADLINE 10 AUGUST 2016 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

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NEWS

CHELMONDISTON’S JUMBLE TRAIL Saturday, September 3, 11am- 3pm St Andrew’s Church is organising a jumble trail around the beautiful village of Chelmondiston.

Have a table top sale outside your house and visitors can follow the trail through the village.

COULD YOU MAKE A FIDGET QUILT? Fidget Quilts need to be lap size and can be made in material or wool with non-sharp items sewn on. These quilts help people with dementia, giving them something to feel and play with.

Holbrook and Shotley surgeries have been encouraging people to make these and two full boxes have been taken to the dementia ward at Ipswich Hospital. Suffolk Family Carers and Mothers’ Union would also like to help so that we can give theses to carers who are looking after someone at home or in residential or nursing homes.

Sell all your old clothes, toys, plants, bric-a-brac and handmade items.

A map will guide you through the village, browsing and shopping as we go.

Cake and tea at the church for a much needed rest and refreshment.

Let’s make this a real community event. If you would like to take part by having a stall for a small donation of £5/£10 (or to help) please contact Sally Letman: sallyjletman@gmail.com / 01473 780036

I have been asked to co-ordinate this and I have some wool if anyone would like to make one. Once made they can be dropped off at Holbrook or Shotley surgeries or to myself. Just give me a call on 01473 780084.

Shirley Bruce

ANOTHER FROM A LOCAL AUTHOR Hot off the press from a Shotley Peninsula author. Don’t let the title put you off.

This is a practical book to help all adults – grandparents, parents AND professionals who work with children who grieve.

SHOTLEY & ERWARTON JUBILEE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

The book is called Helping Children and Adolescents Think about Death, Dying and Bereavement. It is significant since children are interested in death for example that of a classroom pet and children grieve though other ways from adults those difficult deaths such as those of a person who is close to them.

The emotions of adolescents are different but important.

The 38th annual Flower and Vegetable Show takes place on Saturday, September 3 in the village hall. Exhibits must be in the hall by 10am for judging. Exhibits 20p.

The show opens at 2.30pm The £1 entry fee includes tea and biscuits (children free). Schedules available from Les Stebbings, 4 Orwell View Road and Norman Bugg, Mersing, The Street / 787358.

The book can be bought from Waterstones or at an author’s discount of £12 from me by emailing: marian.carter@btinternet.com Marian Carter

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR AT THURSFORD We have a few tickets left for this year’s Christmas show on Sunday, November 20. To book contact Norman on 787358.

We stopped to look at our favourite view It’s the little things that make a funeral special Here for you every hour of every day

0800 0744362

www.eastofengland.coop/funerals for your local funeral director

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NEWS HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoon will be on Thursday, September 15 when we will be shut from 1pm. There is no training in August. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

ANGLIAN WATER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study Thank you to the 99 patients who have signed up for this study. It’s not too late to join and follow up letters will be sent shortly. To reassure you, the searches were set up by the NDPS and imported into our system and we sent the letters directly. No information has been shared with NDPS by the practice. If you have any concerns about shared data, please ask for a copy of our Sharing Information Sheet or download one from our website.

Surgery Fund Colin Redmonds undertook the Orwell Walk to raise money for the practice’s Surgery Fund on Sunday, June 26. Karen and I saw him off at 7am and hoped the rain would hold off. He raised more than £600 and money is still coming in so huge thanks to Colin for doing the walk on our behalf and to all those who kindly sponsored him.

Fidget quilts We have taken 15 fidget quilts to Shirley Bruce in Chelmondiston for distribution to local dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers. If you’d like more information, please ask for me at reception or see page 4.

Clarification about Saturday opening We open for pre-booked appointments and collection of repeat prescriptions on Saturday mornings from 8.30-10.30am. Although our receptionists are on duty the phone lines are switched to 111 so if you try to ring the practice you will get diverted.

Music in our waiting rooms We have now purchased an additional set of CDs to provide a greater variety of waiting room music. We provide the music to help with confidentiality and used to have a number of regular CDs, but this meant we had to have two licences (PRS and PPL) at each site costing around £800 a year. We have been trialling licence-free music, but only had a limited number of tracks so hope the additional tunes will help provide more variety.

Flu clinics Hopefully we will get some summer sunshine soon, but no doubt this will be quickly followed by our annual flu vaccination clinics. Watch this space next month for dates to save in your diary. Those over 65 will automatically be entitled to a free flu vaccination. Those under 65 with an eligible condition will receive a letter. Please register your mobile number with us so we can send you a text reminder too.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

Water is a valuable resource and despite what it feels like sometimes, we are in one of the driest regions of the UK. With that in mind, it is very important to ensure we keep our river water as clean as possible to meet the ever increasing drinking water needs of the region.

Alton Water Reservoir supplies more than 200,000 people around the Ipswich, Felixstowe and Shotley area with wholesome drinking water.

Anglian Water’s treatment works can treat up to 10 million gallons of water every day to the stringent drinking water standards set by our regulators.

A chemical that we find particularly difficult to treat is Metaldehyde, which is found in the most commonly used slug pellets. If Metaldehyde finds its way into water it can be very persistent and we have to dilute the water with other sources to bring levels down.

Over the last two years we have been working with local farmers to encourage the use of an alternative slug pellet ingredient called Ferric Phosphate, which isn’t an issue in water. Although agriculture covers three-quarters of East Anglia it is not the sole contributor of Metaldehyde in our watercourses. Ditches and drains connect to watercourses so it’s very important to consider your allotment and garden use of pesticides.

Ferric Phosphate pellets work just as well as Metaldehyde and stop slugs feeding straight away, sending them underground to die so you do not see the slug trails or slugs the next day. Ferric Phosphate based pellets are available at most garden centres so give them a try.

Gary Hodgetts, Catchment Advisor, Anglian Water 07802 856632 / ghodgetts@anglianwater.co.uk

SIGN UP AND GET CONNECTED WITH POLICE CONNECT Police Connect is a free messaging service connecting you to the very latest policing news for your area via email, text or phone.

Police Connect will provide you with localised information for a variety of situations, including emergency alerts, missing people appeals, crime reports, neighbourhood policing news and events.

To register, contact 101 and we will get a form to you or register online at: www.Suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect Suffolk Police supports the use of social media as a means of talking with and listening to the communities we serve. Our networks provide people with an alternative source of the latest information in real time, often accompanied by images or videos. Suffolk Police can also be found on Facebook, Google, Instagram and YouTube.

Officers in Hadleigh have recently joined social networking site Twitter and will be issuing regular updates about news, events, arrests and what’s happening in your neighbourhood. Follow us @HadleighPolice.

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The short updates, known as tweets, will give a better insight into police work and help build relationships alongside the day-to-day work carried out by officers. In addition to @SuffolkPolice, our main corporate account, we also have the district accounts providing information at local level, as well as some departmental accounts and personal ones of senior officers.

It is important to remember however that Twitter is not the place to report a crime or raise an issue you need to discuss in confidence: For non-emergency matters call 101.

In emergencies always dial 999.

Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: AUGUST 2016 DEVOLUTION FOR SUFFOLK (& NORFOLK?) If you’ve been following this in the papers you may have seen that all the councils in Suffolk have voted to remain in the process for now, but four in Norfolk have dropped out. With one of those being Norwich itself, it’s difficult to see how this can be made to work. Norwich and Ipswich had been specifically targeted for housing investment and I would imagine more changes will be required. The whole process has been rushed through to meet an election deadline of putting a mayor in place from next May. That rush has left some important matters like democracy, clarity, practicality and need unexamined.

The recent Chilcot report describes what happens (much more dangerously in that case) when these points are not properly considered.

It’s also possible that the whole idea will be reconsidered in the light of larger concerns and a leadership change at Westminster. Alternatively though, a consultation exercise starting now will take place and the matter forced through for a final decision from those councils still involved in October. That consultation may be taking the form of a survey from a polling company, so if you’re one of those contacted I’d suggest paying close attention to the wording of the questions. Tricksy, as somebody once said.

WHAT DOES A COUNCILLOR DO? PART 1: WARD & PARISHES I can only speak for myself here as we often have different responsibilities in council as a whole, but in the wards there should be a lot of common ground. Personally, I think the ward is the best bit of the job and where we can see some real results sometimes. Taking recent months as an example, this is a very rough list of the sort of thing we might be doing or dealing with.

Problem with an extension and getting planning permission for it,

problem with a planning application that a neighbour has made, street sign with the wrong name on it in the wrong place, need for residents parking sign, problem with business rates, changes made to discretionary housing benefit, help with rehousing and waiting list for housing, visiting local businesses (not just pubs), radio interview on planning and housing policy at 6.15am, speaking at planning committee as ward member on specific applications, dealing with the arrival of travellers and the subsequent clean up, fly tipping incidents, radio and TV interviews on strategic planning application, attending village functions (although I might be anyway), responding to a flash flood (boy, has it rained this year), Japanese Knotweed report, long grass obscuring highway, hedges and branches covering footpaths or roadway, rats causing problems and just going around keeping my eyes and ears open. There are limits to what we can do, but trying is always a start.

Every month I report to the parish council meetings on relevant Babergh activity and act as a liaison, and often an interpreter, a link over common concerns. We need to have a clear idea of the aims and objectives of both Babergh and the parishes and act as a bridge between them. So there are phone calls, emails and meetings where needed and you try to tie things together.

I don’t do surgeries as such. I’m here anyway, at the end of a phone, so I’ve taken to a roughly weekly ride around the village pubs, usually on a Sunday afternoon. Anybody who wants to can say hello or ask about something. I’m on a blue Claud Butler racing bike and there might be coloured socks as well. Feel free to come over and chat anytime.

Alastair McCraw: 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw and Harriet Steer (a joint open group) Harriet Steer: 07545 961629 / harriet.steer@babergh.gov.uk

OUR LOCAL MEN’S HEALTH CHARITY CHAPS is a men’s health charity dedicated to raising awareness of men’s health problems. Why? Because UK men’s health statistics are so poor in comparison to both women and our European neighbours across the whole spectrum of disease. Sixty-thousand UK men of working age die prematurely every year at a rate one and a half times that for women.

The causes are well known: heart disease, smoking, cancers, diabetes, suicide and risk-taking behaviour to name but a few.

There are numerous health programmes devoted to women’s care, but few equivalent services exist for men, while men themselves remain largely unaware of health issues and reluctant to use the services that do exist. For instance, NHS health checks aimed at detecting the top seven causes of premature death are offered to men aged 40-74, yet less than 50% are actually taken up! Furthermore, although prostate cancer kills 11,000 UK men annually, there is no national screening programme and only 8% of UK men avail themselves of the PSA prostate cancer screening test available to them via the NHS. Our objective is to raise awareness on the premise that if a man knows what can go wrong, he at least will have the knowledge to make an informed choice as to whether to take preventative action.

Over the last five years CHAPS has run men’s health days, typically at football stadia, where we have provided free tests to men for aortic aneurysm screening, heart disease and stroke risk assessment, diabetes, skin cancer and prostate cancer screening.

At ITFC last October 138 men attended and we even had a team from the Medical Detection Dogs collecting urine samples from men having prostate checks to train their dogs to recognise prostate cancer. So far we know 11/94 prostate checks were abnormal and one man with an unknown aneurysm underwent potentially life-saving surgery within two weeks of the event. Another first on the day was a successful seminar, Mental Health in The Workplace, run by Suffolk User Forum, Suffolk Mind and Picasso HR.

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At our last event in Clacton in December an exceptionally high attendance thoroughly endorsed our raison d’être. For instance, 21 heart checks and eight prostate checks were abnormal while eight skin cancers were diagnosed. These results typify our activity and overall in 2015 we performed a total of 1,944 clinical tests for 814 men at eight major events.

We are concentrating our activity in Essex and Suffolk on the principle that ‘charity begins at home’ and in recognition that there are considerable local unmet health needs. Sadly we have all lost friends to preventable and curable diseases, but through local support at local events we can make a difference. We are therefore encouraging male orientated groups such as Rotary, Masons and Lions and employers of male workforces to commission us to provide smaller, private health check events for the members or employees. To fine out more, please check our website or contact us at: chris.booth@chaps.uk.com / info@chaps.uk.com / 07734 747854 This year’s event at Ipswich Town Football Club on Thursday, November 3 will offer the following health checks: • Aneurysm screening • Cardiovascular risk assessment – your risk of a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years • Diabetes screening • Skin cancer • Prostate • Physiotherapy, blood pressure and BMI checks The day is co-ordinated by CHAPS and the clinical services will be provided

by Onelife Suffolk, Ipswich Hospital, the Suffolk Nuffield Hospital, Day Lewis Pharmacy and the Co-op (hearing tests).

Clinical Director Chris Booth www.chaps.uk.com

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY ROSE BOWLS CLUB Table Top Sale and Car Boot Sale in Shotley Village Hall on Sunday, August 7 from 11am.

All stall £5. To book call: 01473 787358

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18: Holbrook Photographic Exhibition at the Methodist Chapel and All Saints Church. The closing date for entries is September 3. Entry forms available at: www.holbrooksociety.strikingly.com

MUSEUM OF EAST ANGLIAN LIFE

Friday, September 23 (subject to confirmation): Gardeners’ Question Time in the village hall at 7.30pm. We shall be asking for some questions in advance for our panel of experts, so if you find yourself stumped by a garden problem let us know.

Saturday, October 8: Harvest Dance at Holbrook Academy in conjunction with Holbrook Methodist Chapel and Friends of All Saints. Details to follow.

Saturday, November 26: Coach trip to Norwich, departing at 8.30am from The Compasses / £10

ST MICHAEL’S, MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, August 13, 9am-12.30pm.

A chance to buy a whole range of products from local people including fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee, and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

East Anglian Living History Fayre: Saturday, August 13 & Sunday 14 Suffolk’s Museum of the Year in 2015 has teamed up with local historical event specialists Black Knight Historical to deliver what promises to be the best all round historical event of the summer with the East Anglian Living History Fayre.

Ian Pycroft, owner of Black Knight, said: “This amazing event really will bring history alive! Visitors will be able to step back in time to meet ancestors all over the museum. The Women’s Land Army will be working the farm, as they did during the Second World War, ladies from the Women’s Institute will be knitting for the war effort, and the Home Guard will protect us all from German invasion!

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB

“All across the site, historical characters will delight and amaze you with their skills and knowledge. From Roman Legionaries to an audience with Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare through to Viking warriors, falconry, music and dance, gunpowder weapons demonstrations, lectures from top local authors and speakers, and much more!”

June draw winners

This special new event promises to be an unforgettable experience.

For information and enquiries contact: 01449 612229 enquiries@eastanglianlife.org.uk

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1

103

£25

Mrs S Catchope

2

037

£20

Mrs S George

3

100

£15

Ms C Higgs

4

009

£8

Mr R Higgs

5

142

£7

Mr R Cushing

New members are always welcome. To join the 700 Club, contact Norman on 787358. The cost is 31 a month which can be paid in three, six or 12 month instalments.

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY, ERWARTON AND DISTRICT RBL BRANCH NEWS

1st SHOTLEY SCOUTS

We attended the Jutland Ceremony at HMS Ganges Museum. The chairman was interviewed about the commemoration by BBC Radio Suffolk and also about the condition of the Ganges site and mast, but on this point he declined to give a Legion answer (the Legion is nonpolitical), aside from hoping something will happen soon. The Jutland Badges raised £57 for the Poppy Appeal. There are many left; please check the museum (£3 donation).

Ganges Anniversary We attended the 40th anniversary of the closure of HMS Ganges.

Another service will take place on October 28.

The Somme Commemoration We remembered those at the Somme with the chairman playing Reveille at 7.20am. Silence followed and the chairman gave the exact company orders for the Suffolk Regiment to advance, followed by the requisite whistle blasts to commence the advance at 7.30am. We stopped short of playing the Last Post as the battle didn’t finish until November 18, 1916 and this will take place at dusk on Friday, November 18 at the Naval Cemetery. Remembrance will be on November 13 at 10.30am. Somme Commemoration Badges are available from branches (£3 donation).

Flower Festival We took part in the local flower festival with a Somme wreath especially made for the event by our PAO. Community The branch is now involved with Legion telephone buddies, offering bereavement support and visits to ex-service persons, spouses and dependants upon request by telephone to the branch number in the village listing. Home and hospital visit buddies are welcome to volunteer through the branch (expenses covered).

Poppy Appeal & Wreaths The 2016 Poppy Fortnight runs from October 28 to Remembrance Sunday. Wreaths for family members can be ordered and special requests can be made to order. Organistions and schools can order too. Wreaths are available all year round.

Youth Community Service We are looking for youth organisations with time for community service to take part in poppy making this year. We have the parts – all you have to do is to put in the time.

Chairman Brian Ives For wreaths and badges contact: 01473 787168

Phil the Bag total I am pleased to announce the final grand total for our Phil the Bag collection was a record breaking £735. The group cannot thank everyone enough for their continued support with this fundraiser.

Beaver sleepover The Beaver section were most excited when they were told they were going to camp at Hallowtrees Camp Site in July. The weather forecast was, you guessed it, rain. The eight Beavers and two Cubs were not downhearted though and had an enjoyable 26 hours. There was a thunderstorm on the Saturday night, but that was followed by a triple rainbow (every cloud has a silver lining, pun intended).

Calling all Coast Guards One Tuesday in July all sections had a fantastic watery evening, learning all about water safety. This may sound boring to you, but give the children a chance to throw rescue ropes, dress up and even volunteer one of the young leaders to be a ‘casualty’, this is a recipe for a fun packed evening.

May I thank all the coast guard team for their time and effort in not only sharing their expertise but for keeping the whole peninsula safe.

Time for a Rest We have now reached the end of the summer term so we are all having a rest over the summer holidays, but fear not we will be starting again on September 6 with another full and busy programme.

Leadership changes At our annual AGM and barbecue we said goodbye to two of the leaders in Beavers, one of whom is leaving us to start a new university course in Norwich and the other who has taken on the role of district commissioner for our local district (that is Shotley and 14 other groups).

This does present an opportunity for anyone who is thinking that they would like a new challenge as we are now looking for new Beaver leaders/assistant leaders. No previous experience or skills are required and training is provided.

Please note that this will not affect the Beavers; they will continue to run in September with our remaining leaders.

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Out & ABOUT SHOTLEY AND EWERTON WI

1st HOLBROOK BROWNIES

Our June meeting was well attended and Lyn congratulated everyone on their entries on behalf of Shotley & Erwarton WI at the Suffolk Show.

Although we weren’t awarded a first, Jo Lee’s flower arrangement came second – well done Jo – and other entries gained very creditable marks.

The day of the Holbrook Brownies outing to Bewilderwood in Norfolk finally arrived and we took 30 girls to have the most fantastic time. We were so lucky with the weather. Our coach driver went through torrential rain and flooded roads to get us there and when we arrived the sun shone.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS July 29: Barbecue at the village hall August 7: Rose Fete, when we will be holding our usual luxury hamper raffle and serving refreshments August 17: Day outing to Hever Castle, Kent. There are spaces on this outing, and it is open to anyone who would like to join us. Contact Lyn Higgs (788203) or Jo Lee (787311).

Master Chef David Ryan presented a demonstration of one pot cooking.

His dish was chicken and vegetable Moroccan tagine served with parsley and lemon couscous, which members were invited to sample. David gave us an interesting and humorous insight into his life as a chef, from age 16, in many top restaurants in England and France. Since retirement he now runs his own restaurant in Haughley, as well as running masterclasses.

David was thanked by June Lawford-Randall.

The competition for a one pot recipe was won by Lyn Howell. The evening ended with the giving out of birthday posies and the raffle was drawn.

Our next meeting is on September 21 when Jason Wiltshire will talk about farming and cheese. Why not come and join us? Visitors are always welcome.

SHOTLEY SOCIAL CLUB This month we meet on Thursdays, August 4 and 18, 1.50-4pm.

We now have a very healthy number of members and I can honestly say we are a very happy club. Members know they can come to me if they have ideas to make the club even more successful and that I will make every effort to do as they want.

On Tuesday, August 16 we are going to the Dad’s Army Museum at Thetford, then on to visit Bressingham. We leave Shotley at 9am, the price is £20. This outing is filling up nicely so if you are interested please contact Norman on 787358. Lifts are always available.

If you would like to come to the club but find it difficult to walk very far, we can always hire a wheelchair from the surgery and someone will wheel you to the village hall.

For information about the club or outings please contact Norman and Eileen on 787358.

SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE Our whist drives are in the village hall on Thursdays, August 11 and August 25, both 1.50-4pm.

We play 12 games of whist, then enjoy a break and refreshments (mostly homemade cakes) followed by 12 more games. My thanks to all the ladies who help with the refreshments. We give prizes for first, second and third, and a booby prize. If you would like to join us, please do so. Our members help when necessary and I thank them for helping me.

The amazing zip wires, enormous slides, tree houses and unbelievably challenging mazes, along with the Brownies’ infectious laughter, friendship and their magical games of fairies and witches, made it a very special and memorable day.

As we near the end of our summer term, six of our Brownies are already excitedly looking forward to the Suffolk Brownies three day holiday at Hautbois, while the Owls are already planning lots more fun and excitement for the autumn term.

If your daughter would like to join our Brownie pack, please contact Alison on 327665 or register your interest on Girlguiding.UK. We welcome girls between the ages of seven and 11.

Alison Swallow

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere, we meet on the first Monday of the month (excluding bank holidays when it’s the second Monday).

Monday, August 1: Book folding plus other projects with the committee Monday, September 5: AGM plus evening project Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) take place in Wherstead Village Hall. Contact Ann (01473 780298) or Jill (01473 713534).

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On July 6 Lewis Tyler talked to us about The River Gipping Trust and on July 20 David Brown presented a talk entitled The Land of the Dragon. Our popular summer lunch took place at the Venture Centre on Sunday, July 17.

No meetings take place in August and our speakers on September 7 and 21 are respectively Tom Hodgson with What the Papers Say and Francis Boardman with The Battle of Waterloo.

Our whist drive is the only surviving one on the peninsula now and we are very proud to have been going for more than 20 years. We must be doing something right.

Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost.

The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and to providing the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 10.30am.

Just turn up and you will be made very welcome. Lifts are available. For further information please contact Norman and Eileen on 787358.

For further details please contact our secretary Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665

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OUT & ABOUT 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. Our next meeting is on September 20 when our speaker will be Hugh Belsey, a renowned art historian who was curator of Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury for 23 years. He is a lecturer, book reviewer and a contributor to the TV programme Fake or Fortune. Hugh has travelled extensively throughout the world visiting galleries and unearthing many unexpected treasures. In his talk he will be sharing some of his discoveries, so it promises to be an interesting evening.

On October 18 architectural historian Dr Simon Bradley will be exploring the life and work of Sir Nikolaus Pevsner.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome for an entrance fee of £2. National Trust members/volunteers can join us at half the normal price (£4/£6 for a couple at the same address) for the rest of 2016. 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 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

CHELMONDISTON OVER 60s Our trip to Last Night of the Proms at the Spa Pavillion proved very popular with enthusiastic singing and flag waving.

On August 11 Vivo will entertain us from 2-4pm; everyone welcome.

The club sent a donation of £50 to St Elizabeth Hospice after Dulcie Miller’s funeral.

Come along and join us every Thursday in the village hall for tea and a chat.

Michele and Michael Rutherford, 01473 780718

CHELMONDISTON WI Pat, our president, thanked everyone for their help with our very successful cream tea (we were so lucky with the weather) held in June’s lovely garden which made a very satisfactory sum for our funds.

Future events include a BB Surprise August meeting, and then for our day out we are all going on a trip to Harwich on the new ferry which will obviously end with tea, cakes and fish and chips, as do all WI trips.

Pat reminded us that we are running a table top sale in the village hall on October 15. She has sold six tables already. If you would like to hire a stall please contact Pat on 780358. We shall all be baking madly for our WI stall, Cake Heaven.

Our speaker was Pauline Baker with Confessions of a Costume Designer.

Pauline was a lively lady, and had obviously enjoyed every minute of her career. She regaled us with tales of her life which included working at Covent Garden and being able to watch rehearsals of most of the famous ballets while checking out her costumes. She worked for the BBC doing all sorts of costumes and travelling all over England and to Europe.

Memorable times were had filming in remote bits of Scotland (rain and more rain) and going to Vienna where she learnt how ambassadors shake lots of hands! They don’t! Her favourite task was distressing clothes to indicate wear during periods of time. She gave The Bill overalls to her local garage to wear for a few days – they were happy to oblige.

Our next meeting will be on August 9 in the village hall, and on August 16 we are off on our ferry trip.

September 9 sees us back in the hall for key fob craft and October 11 is A Glimpse of China with Carole Wheatley.

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OUT & ABOUT 1st SAMFORD VALLEY SCOUT GROUP (HOLBROOK) ‘Everyday Adventure’ is Scouting’s strapline and at Samford Valley we’ve done our best to live up to it over the past few weeks.

At the end of June our Beavers went to the District Sleepover and Funday at the Hallowtree campsite in Nacton. They did archery, went grass sledging, scampered over a rope bridge, abseiled and went gokarting. Since then, during their normal Wednesday meetings, they’ve taken part in a sports day, built sandcastles on Felixstowe beach and, along with the Cubs, eaten hot dogs cooked on a campfire.

Our Cubs, who are still running a pared down programme as we have yet to find a leader, have been up the climbing tower, again at Hallowtree, and have played ‘Human Football’ (think table football scaled up to human size) and toasted marshmallows over a fire.

Not to be outdone, our Scouts have been busy too. The first weekend in July saw them camping at Ramsholt, where they took part in two days of water activities. As well as yachting, kayaking, raft building, dinghy sailing and pulling, they were inducted into the mysteries of green field camping (i.e. the use of bucket toilets).

During their usual meetings they’ve had a go at making bows and arrows out of withies, they’ve learnt the art of camouflage and stalking, and they’ve been on a Wild Pig Chase across Ipswich. Armed with maps and a convoluted scoring system, their mission was to find as many pigs as possible in 90 minutes on the St Elizabeth Hospice’s Pigs Gone Wild trail.

And the first week in August will see our Scouts attending the Essex International Jamboree, along with over 8,000 Scouts and Guides from across the country and further afield. We’ve never been to such a big jamboree before, so we’re not quite sure what to expect, but we do know that our Scouts will experience the best that Scouting has to offer.

Our Young Leaders got a taste of what might be in store for our Scouts when they went to Gilwell24 in July. Gilwell is the UK headquarters of Scouting and ‘24’ refers to the 24 solid hours of activities that were on offer – sleeping strictly prohibited. They managed to cram in coracle building, high ropes, air rifle and pistol shooting, scuba diving, bag jumping, power kiting, a 4WD track, ninja warriors, laser tag and, from the sublime to the ridiculous, seed dibber making.

As you can see, Scouting has a lot to offer young people and we have plenty of young people – we just need the leaders to help make it happen. We really hope that our Cubs and Beavers will be able to stay in Scouting so that they can participate in all the activities the older sections provide. But we’re really struggling to find someone to help run our Cub Pack.

Could you do it? You don’t need any experience, you just need to be free on Wednesday evenings, have some time to spare for planning and preparation, and a sense of humour.

If this isn’t you, then perhaps it’s someone you know? Could you ask them?

If that’s a ‘yes’, then please get in touch with Alison on 327691 or via the contact form at: www.samfordvalley.suffolkscouts.org.uk

VILLAGE LINK CLUB Marianne Braime will present a talk on silver and gemstones on August 10.

This will be followed by a fish and chip lunch for club members.

Future talks this year: A Naval Sailor’s Life is a Merry Life (with music); Creative Story Writing; Pavements We Walk On; Nothing Like a Dame; Dedham, Lavenham and the Cloth Trade; Chaplin of the Methodist Homes; Wolves, Dogs and Us; Easter Parade; The Building of Bury Tower.

Meetings are held in Tattingstone Village Hall on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us.

Roger Felgate, 01473 311684

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STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, July 13 Brian Cornell, a former Thames lighterman on the River Thames, talked on The Thames Watermen and Lightermen.

This was a most interesting first-hand account of the operating practices of the Port of London in the post-war era.

We don’t have a speaker meeting in August but hold our popular summer dinner on Friday, August 5 at the Constable Hall.

On Wednesday, September 14 Dr John Ashdown-Hill FSA, FRHistS, historian, writer and lecturer will talk on The Mythology of Richard III. He will explore the traditional mythology and modern myths which have emerged since the discovery of his remains in 2012. Was he a usurper? How many did he kill? Who was really responsible for finding his remains?

We meet at the Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month (except August and December).

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and visits to gardens, churches and historic buildings.

In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust and have more than 230 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty may be contacted.

It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.

JOIN US Across our district, there are currently more than 200 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section members. We also have large numbers of girls on our waiting lists who would be able to join us if we had more adult volunteers on board.

The main section that makes up two thirds of all current waiting lists, and where leaders and helpers are mostly needed, is for the Rainbows. These are girls aged five and six.

Capel St Mary, Holbrook, East Bergholt and Brantham are where girls and helpers could benefit the most from taking part in games, crafts, badges, adventures and fun with lots of laughter.

Due to Rainbows being the youngest members of Girlguiding UK, they have safety ratios of five girls to every one leader and their units usually meet for an hour a week in term times, between 4.30-6pm (this is decided by each unit individually).

All helpers receive support from current Guiding members and have full access to a wide variety of resources and equipment to help them. If you are aged 14+ you can be a young leader, with leaders and unit helpers being 18+.

Please contact baberghandsamford@gmail.com for more information, or register your interest to join or to place your daughter or ward on a unit waiting list on the Girlguiding UK website by clicking on Join Us. We look forward to hear from you soon.

Heather McDonald, District Commissioner for Babergh and Samford District

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First Impressions Beauty Salon Gate Farm Road, Shotley Gate

Celebrating 16 years of serving the Shotley peninsula Your first choice for waxing and permanent hair removal, Shellac manicure and pedicure, Eve Taylor facials and massage, lash and brow treatments, Sienna X spray tanning.

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SUMMER FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN If you’re looking for something for the children to do during the long holidays that involves them being outside in the fresh air and engaging with nature in beautiful surroundings, look no further than RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden. Playing outside helps children to develop resilience, confidence and problem-solving skills. The RSPB also believes that it helps to nurture a feeling of connection with nature and hopefully a sense of responsibility about what happens to it in the future.

Here at the garden we are running family activities every day during the school holidays, with a programme that changes from week to week. Bug hunts, wormeries, nature trail challenges, making bird feeders, planting wildlife-friendly plants to take home and craft activities are all on the list.

No need to book, just turn up and join in. We open at 10.30am and the gates close at 4.30pm. There is a small charge that includes all activities available on the day, and there is a discount for RSPB members.

STUTTON PRIMARY SCHOOL I am delighted to have been appointed as headteacher at Stutton CEVC Primary School. My new post will begin in September, but I hope to be in the village over the summer, meeting people, visiting the church and doing some work in the school. I aim to build on the progress that has been started by the interim headteacher. I will also be looking to extend links with the local community, using the facilities around Alton Water and the beautiful countryside to our advantage.

We currently have spaces available for September 2016, so please let any interested parents or carers know to apply through Suffolk County Council Admissions.

I look forward to starting in Stutton and your ongoing support of one of our local primary schools.

Jo Kidby

If you haven’t visited us for a while, you’ll find that some new features have been added to the garden since last year. In among the lushly filled beds and borders you’ll find new additions to the family trail, such as log piles to rummage in, a child-sized nest box, a wonderful living willow tunnel to race through and a joyous roly-poly hill to roll down. So, all this set in the peaceful surroundings of the garden that slopes gently down towards the Stour, with plenty of places to picnic, means that there’s something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you.

For more details, please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/Flatford

HOLBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL Holbrook Primary School once again celebrated another fantastic year of tennis at their annual celebration tennis assembly.

The school won the Sue Fulcher Cup for the Top Individual School from the Schools Tennis Association and were highly commended at the Suffolk LTA Awards for Tennis in Education this year.

At least half of the pupils from the whole school received a certificate that morning for playing tennis or learning tennis skills. Holbrook Tennis Club coaches Richard and Tori gave up their time to award all the certificates and this just reinforces our strong school-club link.

After the assembly parents were full of praise for all the children and were astonished at just how many pupils take part in tennis all the year round and how we encourage everybody to participate whatever their ability.

Thank you to everybody who helped make this happen.

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SCHOOLS BENTLEY CEVC PRIMARY SCHOOL SUMMER FETE Thank you to everyone who supported the PTA summer fete. We were very lucky with the weather with just a couple of showers towards the end of the proceedings. The children performed the Zumba dance they had been practicing at school to open the event and thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with lots of activities including tug of war and hay bale rolling.

Thanks to the support of our families and the community, the PTA are pleased to announce that the fete made a total of £1,582.79. Thank you and well done to everyone involved.

NEW ARRIVAL The children and staff alike are very excited about the newest member of the Bentley Primary School family. Limpy, one of our chickens, has successfully hatched a chick.

As the father is called Fluffy, the chick is currently being called Flump. Flump hatched on the Friday evening before the summer fete and appears to be doing well. Our sincere thanks to the Coopers who have lent us a run and house at very short notice for this unexpected arrival. The Coopers have a long history with the school and their continued support is very much appreciated.

SPORTS DAY Sports Day 2016 was a resounding success.

We didn’t get drenched and the events, new and old, proved very popular. We even had a record number of participants for the ladies and gentlemen’s races and the very cute toddler race. We are all so proud of the children in our school, every single one of them gave it their all in every event they took part in. The scores were the closest they have been for many years and congratulations go to the red team who just pipped the yellows to the post to become this year’s winners. Well done to everyone.

DOGS ON THE SCHOOL FIELD The only downside to sports day was that we found dog poo on the school field right near where some of the events were set to take place.

We would respectfully remind everybody in the community that dogs are not permitted on the school field in the interest of the children’s safety and wellbeing. Thank you in anticipation for your cooperation in this matter.

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GRANT RECEIVED We are very pleased to confirm that we have received a grant from Councillor Gordon Jones for Hi-Vis vests and reflectors for the pupils.

Councillor Jones visited us a couple of months ago to have a look round our wonderful little school and to talk about future plans. He was particularly interested in the local visits that we take part in and the school’s commitment to the environment. To help with our plans to introduce more walking to school weeks and hopefully a ‘walking bus’ he has kindly donated some money from his locality budget. We would like to thank Councillor Jones for his support.

PLEASUREWOOD HILLS In recognition of all their hard work, pupils in Years 5 and 6 were taken on a trip to Pleasurewood Hills this term. There were plenty of shrieks and laughter and our pupils represented themselves and the school very positively. This annual event is heavily subsidised by the PTA to lessen the cost to parents and we would like to thank them for their contribution again this year and all the other trips they have contributed to over the school year. The PTA are an extremely hard working group of people but need more members to share the load. Please speak to one of the existing members if you can spare your time and support. Thank you.

EXCITING PLANS The end of the school year is always busy and this year has been no exception. The upper end of the school, Years 4 to 6, is planning an exciting trip to parliament and other sights in London, including Westminster Abbey. This is a massive undertaking as we are taking all pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 from both here at Bentley and also Copdock Primary. Not to be outdone, the rest of the pupils from both schools will be heading to the beach at Felixstowe for the day. These trips are just two of a number of exciting trips and events that have been taking place this term and come at the end of an exceedingly good year for the school – with a strong Ofsted inspection and SIAMS inspection (inspection for church schools) and our numbers swelling. We look back on the year with a huge smile and a well done to all the children, families, community members and staff who make this school such a special place.

FINAL FAREWELLS Of course, the school would be nothing without our wonderful, hardworking and caring pupils and at this time of year, we find ourselves saying a teary farewell to our Year 6 pupils as they prepare to transition to high school. Olaf, Tommy, Remmi and Ruben have all contributed to our successes this year and we wish them all the very best as they take their next step in their education. We hope Bentley will always hold a special place in your memories.

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SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE PIN MILL SAILING CLUB

SIZZLING SUMMER OF SPORT AT BRANTHAM LEISURE CENTRE Anglia Sports Management are running a packed programme of sport and activity every weekday during the summer holidays.

Everything from coached football to kangoo boots, multi sports to dance, dodgeball to tag-rugby and water fights with the coaches.

You can book half or full days and there’s even an early-drop off for busy parents, and all at amazingly good value for money.

View the full programme and book online at: www.angliasportsmanagement.com

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Photo courtesy of Rick Kirkup

At the AGM in June Martin Peck was elected as the new chairman to succeed Tony Moss.

This is what the club is all about – a cruise to a distant destination (well, Brightlingsea at least) then fish and chips washed down with a glass or two sitting in the cockpit with fellow sailors. Several more cruises have been put in the diary, culminating in the club regatta, an event open to all sailors, taking place on September 10.

Pre-season training got under way on July 4 at Gandish Road. New players always welcome. The new season gets under way in August.

Our shore based programme enjoyed the highlight of the year – a gypsy themed glamorous evening with food and entertainment including music, tarot card reading and dog racing.

For more action and entertainment visit: www.pmsc.org.uk / Facebook: PMSCSocial

Events currently scheduled include a quiz night in September and a race night in November.

We are always looking for people who can help the club as a committee member, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background.

If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays offer exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation.

Steve Butcher, stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER NICK PLUMB ON THE EU EXIT VOTE So, just over half of us (and it was close) have decided that it is time for Britain to leave the EU. But now that the voting is over, a new Tory prime minister has been appointed, and Labour seem intent on ousting their leader, how is that exit vote actually going to impact upon your investments and pensions?

To be completely honest, I admit I guessed wrong. When asked before the vote what would happen if we voted to leave, I predicted that there would be a significant slump in the FTSE and other markets, which would probably last for several weeks, although I did say that I did not think there would be another recession.

In fact, markets did react negatively on the Friday following the news of an exit vote. The referendum result prompted the pound to initially fall seven per cent against the dollar and the FTSE 100 fell by more than four per cent on that Friday morning.

However, although the pound is still weak in comparison to the dollar and the euro, the markets have recovered and this week the FTSE 100 surged to above 6500 for the first time in a year.

We are definitely entering a period of uncertainty. Currency, stock and bond markets are probably going to be extremely volatile in the days and perhaps weeks to come. However, most financial advisers, Plumb Financial Services included, are stressing the need to not take snap decisions without first taking advice and considering all options. In our opinion, it’s a case of not panicking in the short-term and sticking to the longer-term plan for your investments and pensions.

Any market drop is likely to be a short-term position rather than the start of another descent into a deep recession as some would have had us believe before the referendum. Sure, it might get tough for a while in the months to come, but that won’t last forever.

For example, after hitting its lowest point of under 3,500 points during the last financial crisis in March 2009, the FTSE 100 had

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already pulled back by more than 60 per cent just a year later.

The true impact of this EU exit vote won’t be measured in five days or five weeks, but probably in more like five years. If markets do drop back, investors with strong cash positions could actually find opportunities by investing while funds are low in value. Investment sage Warren Buffet is an advocate of the ‘buy low and sell high’ investment strategy, and although simple – it works. Panicking and cashing in investments and moving into cash after a large fall is never a good idea.

The smartest investors make most money, not by ‘second guessing’ the markets, but simply by sitting tight over the longer-term. Those who remain calm, while others around them panic and sell while markets are low, generally fair well and enjoy better returns over the longer-term.

We believe that having a well diversified investment portfolio, preferably managed in accordance with an identified risk profile that the client is comfortable with, is the best long-term strategy for successful investing, regardless of any political events that may impact upon that position in the short-term. That’s why we are not panicking, and why we are continuing to take a longer-term view.

To over-use the popular second world war saying, our advice to our clients is: “Keep calm and carry on!” Or as Corporal Jones of Dad’s Army would say: “Don’t panic Captain Mainwaring!”

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 telephone Nick on 01473 830301.

Nick’s answers to reader’s questions 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. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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ON THE GRAPEVINE PENINSULAR PIX NEWS With July’s two films firmly under our belt, we now take our annual break in the month of August, when traditionally the Pen Pix team take a wellearned rest from showing brilliant films to even more brilliant audiences.

During the past year we have had some real blockbusters that have seen Tattingstone Village Hall bursting at the seams with our regular patrons and, I’m happy to say, many new customers.

When we return in September why don’t you give us a try and enjoy a great night out? Pen Pix is not just about seeing a film, it’s a social night out with a film and a glass of wine, all from as little as £4. Up to 120 people a month can’t be wrong.

When we return in September it will be our annual event in aid of our nominated charity, The Ipswich Diabetes Centre. Over the past four years we have collected more than £1,000 for the charity with our Peter Ward Memorial Movie. I will give more information in next month’s article on what film we will be showing and what Peter Ward means to us at Pen Pix. We, the team at Pen Pix, really hope that all of you have a very enjoyable summer with your families, whatever you are doing. Thank you to everybody who has supported us over the last 11 years, and we hope to provide you with entertainment over the next 11 years and further.

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday, November 26 in aid of Tattingstone Church

HEALTHWATCH SUFFOLK Healthwatch Suffolk makes sure that your voice is heard to improve health (NHS) and social care services in Suffolk.

Its annual report for 2015/16 shows the difference that has been made throughout the year for people using services in the county.

Healthwatch Suffolk continued to raise its profile in the county in 2015/16, reaching more people for their views than ever before. It launched a new website for obtaining views from people and well over 3,000 people have already rated their care. It also completed high profile research projects including innovative work with hospitals to listen to the needs of mums and birthing partners who had accessed maternity services.

A number of notable outcomes are highlighted, including the following examples: • Ipswich Hospital revised its policy to allow birthing partners to stay with mum overnight so that they might provide much needed support with baby care and emotional wellbeing.

• It visited seven care homes to talk to residents about their care and treatment. Recommendations were made which have led to a good number of improvements in services.

• It influenced the decision to slow down the implementation of new domiciliary care services in the county so that people could have more time to make better decisions about how they wanted their care to be delivered.

• West Suffolk Hospital improved support and information for carers and implemented actions to address concerns about poorly coordinated care for patients at the end of life.

Travel by coach from Tattingstone to Bath Anticipated departure 7am and return by 10pm Seats £39 Trip is dependent upon sufficient numbers booking If you wish to book please email: lyn_tomlinson@btinternet.com

OPEN DAY AT BLUE CROSS ANIMAL REHOMING CENTRE There will be an open day at the new Blue Cross Animal Rehoming Centre, Bourne Hill, Wherstead IP2 8NQ on Saturday, August 27, noon-4pm.

This an opportunity to see behind the scenes of a working animal rehoming centre.

As well as refreshments there will be various stalls. Entry is free but donations will be gratefully received.

Further information can be obtained from Ian Hendry, vice-chairman of the events and fundraising committee: 01449 767747

24

• Ipswich Hospital took action to address negative feedback about the way it had treated a patient with end term cancer.

• The Care Quality Commission worked closely with Healthwatch Suffolk to hear the views of local people when inspecting local services.

Andy Yacoub, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Suffolk, said: “We have been pleased with the impact we have made throughout the year. We have achieved some very definite outcomes that will improve the experience of people accessing our local services and we have seen continued support from our local communities for which we are grateful. It is with the strength of public voice behind us that we can make the greatest impact on shaping, influencing and improving local care.”

For more information about Healthwatch Suffolk, its current projects and most recent outcomes, please visit www. healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk where you can download a copy of the annual report or take a few moment to watch the supporting video. You can also use the website to share your experiences of health and social care services in the county so that they can be used to shape local services now and for the future.

In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS EBONY’S BLOG: LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE

SHORELINE BENEFICE

Well, it’s August and our clients are resting. I’m thankful to report that with 11 horses and ponies here this summer a noble band of volunteers keeps coming along to poo pick and care for the live animals and see that all is well. But me and Babs? We are behind closed doors so I can’t report on much this month.

August 7

9.15am

Holy Communion

August 14

9.15am

Holy Communion

August 21

9.15am

Holy Communion

August 28

9.30am

Family Service

ST ANDREW’S, CHELMONDISTON

What better person to share the page with me than HRH the Princess Royal? Did you know that Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, and RDA (that’s us) has launched a new charity initiative? In preparation for RDA’s 50th anniversary in 2019, Wooden Spoon has pledged to help the RDA fund a team of horses across the UK. RDA is experiencing a growing demand for services among older children and needs to increase the number of bigger horses (my sort of size you see) at its centres.

Wooden Spoon aims to help fill this gap.

ST MARY’S, ERWARTON

HRH, The Princess Royal, who is Royal Patron of both charities said: “I am particularly pleased as this exciting initiative combines two of my big passions, horses and rugby. Both pastimes offer a great deal to young people from all walks of life which makes the Wooden Spoon and Riding for The Disabled partnership all the more important.”

August 7

11am

Matins

August 14

11am

Holy Communion

August 21

11am

Holy Communion

August 28

11am

Family Service

St MARY’S, HARKSTEAD August 7

9.30am

Holy Communion

August 14

9.30am

Morning Prayer

August 21

9.30am

Holy Communion

August 28

9.30am

Holy Communion

ST MARY’S, SHOTLEY August 7

10.45am

Worship for All

August 14

10.45am

Holy Communion

Good for you M’am. I know nothing of rugby myself but lots of my helpers and riders talk about it so it must be exciting.

August 21

10.45am

Worship For All

We start up again on September 5 and the first event is our long distance ride on Sunday, September 11. See you then.

August 28

10.45am

Holy Communion

Please check on the website or the church noticeboards for any change to the service times and places.

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For all up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk The weekly newsletter is displayed in the cabinet at the front door.

SERVICES FOR AUGUST Sunday 7 / 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 9 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 14 / The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary 9am Mass Tuesday 16 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 21 / 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass / Children’s Liturgy Tuesday 23 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 28 / 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 30 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Catholic Commentary The recent first anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si (On Care for our Common Home) was a reminder for all of us, Catholic or otherwise, to take action and care for our shared planet. Earlier this year at Holy Family, we ran some study sessions on the document which reinforced our

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

commitment to reduce, recycle and reuse – the three essential Rs. Linked to the need to care for the environment are the attitudes we have and our behaviour towards our fellow human beings, near and far away. In many instances it is the poor who suffer because of our throw away culture and unsustainable life-styles. This is not to ignore problems of political ineptitude in some countries. Happily the UK is still committed to a figure of 0.7% of GDP spending on overseas aid. All of us know from experience that lending a hand, contributing and sharing, increases resources and gets things done at all levels of human society.

The multitude of the earth’s life forms and the beauty of the natural environment should give us a sense of awe and mystery which can introduce thoughts of a creator.

Events and Diary Dates The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, July 24 when three lucky winners shared £132. The club has grown from strength to strength since its launch.

New members are very welcome and the summer newsletter that includes an application form can be found at the rear of the church.

Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for parish room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, August 25.

Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are being asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice.

Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Father Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital. Please phone (01473 726701) him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services.

All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services. It’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic faith are always welcome.

Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.

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CHURCH NEWS CHELMONDISTON AND HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES HOPE FOR OUR NATION Last month I spoke about the need for reconciliation and healing after the results of the football and the referendum would be known. Briefly the football had an inspirational and spirited performance by the Welsh team. The dismal failure of the English team has already cost the job of the manager, and I expect there will be more recriminations. Success in other sports has been welcome.

All this is marginal in comparison to the ugly and disturbing mood in the nation after the referendum vote. In the referendum campaign, language was at times vicious and unacceptable and things said have left a slow acting poison in people’s minds that will be difficult to deal with, and both sides in the campaign bear some responsibility. Few are really happy with the result. A significant number of voters on the leave side now regret voting that way as some of the promises of Brexit have now been dismissed as mistakes or lies. The leaders of Brexit had made no real plans for the future – not expecting to win – and are now stepping back from the front line. The remain voters are angry, not just because of the lies, but also that the campaign became a personal battle between two factions of the Conservative party. This led to the majority support from Labour, Lib Dems and the Scottish National Party being side-lined. The contrast in voting behaviour of the young and the old leaves the young feeling penalised.

British society normally copes with robust discussions without breakdown in relationships. A spirit of tolerance and politeness has underlined society for years. The referendum and its aftermath has shown that is a very thin veneer with many cracks allowing the poison of racism, discrimination and victimisation of groups to seep out and appear acceptable. It is not acceptable and the Methodist Conference meeting in London in July calls on us to:

think about the words we use and what impact they have on the hearer and those to whom they may be repeated. Let us be those who offer hope and reconciliation and offer an optimistic view of how Britain can develop and still play a role on the world scene.

The Rev Andrew Sankey Minister at Capel and Brantham Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Sunday 7 10.45am Worship with Mr Colin Westren Sunday 14

10.45am Worship arranged locally

Sunday 21

10.45am Worship with Mr Paul Walker

Sunday 28 10.45am Worship and Communion with

Rev Michael Allen FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & SONG AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST CHURCH A variety of styles of music and song at 6.15pm Sunday, July 31

Peninsula Singers – a local choral group

Sunday, August 7 Elmsett Fellowship Brass Band Sunday, August 14 The Masson Family – singing the old favourites Sunday, August 21 Mary Sagar – singing Christian Country and Gospel Sunday, August 28 Male Voice Choir – a local group

•

Challenge racism and discrimination

AT HOLBROOK METHODIST What’s on in August (HCT Holbrook Churches Together)

•

Not to demonise or leave vulnerable the foreigner, the immigrant and the refugees in danger of victimisation

Mondays, 2.30-4pm: Tea and Chat (HCT) Sunday 7 10am Worship with Mr Geoff Wilson

•

Work for the common good of the whole community

•

Hear the voices of the marginalised and alienated and offer real hope and healing for the future

Ordinary people like us may feel unable to make an impact on the national scene, but we can make a difference at the local level and that is where it needs to start, sometimes in our own families. We can have discussion and disagreement without using vicious, hurtful and hateful language. We need to ensure a root of bitterness is not allowed to grow. We all need to stop and

Sunday 14 10am

Worship and Communion with Rev Michael Ayden

Sunday 21

10am

Worship with Mr Brian Loader

Sunday 28

10am

Worship with Mrs Diane Sawyer

Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in August.

For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live, contact Alicia Holmes: ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE ST PETER’S, STUTTON August 7

8am

Holy Communion

August 21

No Service

August 28

Morning Prayer

11am

August 14

9.30am Holy Communion

ST PETER’S, FRESTON

August 21

9.30am Holy Communion

August 7

August 28

11am

11am

Matins

August 14

No Service

ALL SAINTS, HOLBROOK

August 21

Holy Communion

August 7

9.30am Holy Communion

August 28

August 14

9.30am Matins

ST MICHAEL’S, WOOLVERSTONE August 7

Informal Service

11am

No Service

August 21

8am

9.30am Informal Service

August 13, Monthly Market, 9am-12.30pm

August 28

9.30am Holy Communion

August 14

11am

Worship the Woolverstone Way

Holy Communion

11am

Café Church

August 21

11am

Morning prayer

August 7

No Service

August 28

11am

Holy Communion

August 14

Holy Communion

September 4

11am

Café Church

ST MARY’S, WHERSTEAD

26

11am

In Touch online:

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27

ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL HOLBROOK CHORAL SOCIETY

E R

A

U R

C E R

G

N I T

I

!

Have you ever sat in the audience during a performance of Handel's 'Messiah' and thought, 'I wish I was singing'?

Have you ever listened to Mozart's 'Requiem' and wondered 'wow, where could I sing that'?

Well, search no more!

Holbrook Choral Society are a friendly, sociable group of people who enjoy singing and making music together. You can be assured of a warm welcome - all you need to do is turn up to rehearsals at the Royal Hospital School Music School on Monday evenings. The first rehearsal back after the summer holidays is Monday 19 September at 7.30pm.

Previous experience of singing is useful, but we welcome beginners. We have all levels of ability in the choir - so don't feel intimidated if you want to just turn up and have a go!

WE DO NOT AUDITION NEW MEMBERS!

For more information please contact the Music School music@royalhospitalschool.org or 01473 326222