In Touch News with Shotley – June 2016

In Touch

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with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 6 • Issue No. 7 • JUNE 2016

Loving the outdoors at Chelmondiston Primary (see page 19)

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’ve gotten to know the lollipop lady outside Jack’s school quite well over the years. We have talked about her daughter, who is in high school, her son, who is in college, the fact that she’s been on a diet and her yellow coat is now far too big… Now you may wonder when we have time to chat and rather surprisingly it’s as we stand waiting for cars to stop each morning.

She holds her lollipop aloft, arm outstretched to prevent eager children from running across the road, and we wait, and wait, and wait as driver after driver pretends not to see us, gaze focused directly ahead, determined to get to somewhere awfully special (I assume). Occasionally they will wave as if to say “I acknowledge your existence but you must realise how incredibly busy and important I am so I’m going to ignore your request”. And we carry on waiting. Just the other morning a driver stopped, forcing the driver coming from the other direction to reluctantly (there are some words it’s rather easy to lip read!) to do the same thing. Just as the lollipop lady set off another car overtook one of the stopped cars, forcing her to jump back onto the footpath. What was he thinking? If the prospect of being 30 seconds late is so appalling then get up earlier or take a different route.

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

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

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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 EILEEN BUGG WINS COMMUNITY HERO AWARD Eileen Bugg from Shotley was among Babergh’s Community Achievement Award Winners recognised at the East of England Co-op building at Wherstead.

The Community Hero award recognises a person who has provided selfless service to a voluntary body or made a significant contribution to their community. Even at the age of 77 Eileen still goes out up to six days a week to collect litter from the streets at the top end of Shotley. This is something she has done for 15 years now, along with the many other things she does to make Shotley such a wonderful place to live.

Since moving to the village in 1989 Eileen has been involved with many community groups, organisations and fundraising committees. A regular church-goer, Eileen was a founding member of the Heritage 700 committee, which has raised more than £200,000 for repairs and improvements to St Mary’s Church.

Eileen was also instrumental in raising funds to build the new village hall, which is the centrepiece for village activities and home to nearly 40 groups and organisations. She was the committee secretary for 15 years and continues to help by cooking, helping with side shows and anything else that needs doing.

Eileen with Derek Davies and husband Norman

Only a serious operation curtailed Eileen’s activities with the lunch club, which she ran for almost 10 years. She started it in the old village hall, and continued it into the new hall and is the forerunner of the popular Soup-a-lunch.

A former member of the Women’s Institute, Eileen is involved in many activities for the over-60s. She started the whist drive, which still runs now 25 years later (see page 11), with freshly baked cakes made by others as part of Eileen’s legacy. After joining the Shotley Over 60s Social Club initially just as a member, she stepped up as others Eileen with Babergh Council Chairman Nick Ridley took ill and runs the club on alternate Thursdays. As well as baking cakes for this event (Wednesday afternoon and evenings in the Bugg household is full of the aroma of fresh baking) Eileen organises coach outings for members to attractions and events around the country.

All this is done with incredible modesty, for while Eileen steps forward to help in many things, she is happier fading into the background when it comes to the plaudits being handed out. She is extremely popular but happy to be overlooked and is usually more comfortable playing the strong supportive role.

Eileen has shown wonderful strength, fortitude and dedication throughout the years, never allowing illness or personal tragedy to hold her back from giving as much as she does, and has done for many years.

Shotley recently won Babergh and Suffolk village of the year accolades.

Eileen’s contribution over the past 35 years, like that of others, played a huge part in that.

They say behind every great man is an even greater woman, and Eileen’s husband Norman won this community award some year’s ago and other very deserving people have also been honoured, but Eileen has never got the recognition until now after being nominated by her district councillor Derek Davis.

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NEWS ORWELL WALK, SUNDAY JUNE 26 Raising funds for Holbrook & Shotley Surgery

HOLBROOK VILLAGE HALL FETE Holbrook Village Hall Fete will take place on the hall field on Saturday, June 1, starting at 2pm. Attractions include various stalls, BBQ, cream teas, ice creams, greasy pole, coconut shy, china smashing and dancing display. Also on the same day, the Quoits Club will be hosting the Butley Singles Competition from noon.

Local organisations are welcome to have a stall at the fete. Please contact David Rose on 328862. No commercial stalls allowed.

HOLBROOK GARDEN PARTY From 2.30pm on Sunday, June 12 there will be a party at Holbrook Village Hall to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. All residents of Holbrook are invited to join in the celebrations, please bring food to share with others. There will tea and coffee provided along with squash for the children. We hope to arrange games for the children.

Tables and chairs will be set up on the village hall green, but in the event of rain the party will go ahead in the hall.

GANGES 40-YEAR DEDICATION Nineteen-seventy-six will be remembered as one of the hottest summers in history, but markedly for many of us it was the last year that HMS Ganges was the home of Royal Navy training. To mark the closure of this proud establishment, HMS Ganges Museum is planning to mark the 40year milestone with a special collaboration with Shotley Peninsula.

The navy’s decision had a huge impact on many local people from as far as Ipswich and throughout the peninsula who worked at the base. Generations of families had a link with Ganges and many still have fond memories of the close affiliation.

We are looking for people’s memories of 1976, particularly anecdotes and stories from villagers and staff throughout the proud history of HMS Ganges.

Please send them to chairman@hmsgangesmuseum.org.uk or call 01473 787375 or email the chairman to learn more.

THE FUTURE OF SHOTLEY PIER There are so many beautiful parts of the Shotley Peninsula and new development can enhance that. However, there are also a couple of eyesores and sometimes that is when a community can get together and do something about it.

After showing some key figures from Babrergh District Council around the peninsula we were able to get a survey done on the 19th century pier opposite the Bristol Arms in Shotley Gate. There will now be public meeting to discuss the future of the pier and to see what people would like done and the feasibility of forming a community group to action any possible progress.

The meeting will be held at the Bristol Arms at 7pm on Tuesday, June 7.

If you would like any further details contact Derek Davis: 07824 167196 / derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk

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Colin Redmonds is a member of our community and a keen walker. He has agreed to participate in this year’s Orwell Walk, organised by The Rotary Club of Ipswich East, to raise money for surgery funds, which we are extremely grateful for. He will be walking 25 miles and at 83 years of age is likely to be the oldest participant.

The surgery buys much needed equipment, such as couches and chairs and others items that benefit our patients. Donations like this are a much needed source of income and provide a better service and environment for our patients.

Please sponsor Colin in his journey. Sponsor forms are in both Holbrook and Shotley Surgeries. Please give sponsor money to our reception team.

SPEEDING SHIPS V SPEEDING VEHICLES I have lived in the Chelmondiston/Pin Mill area for more than 40 years now, and on boats at Pin Mill up to 1998. We had arrived with a baby by boat from London intending to overwinter and then move on much further north the next summer.

The main feature of life at Pin Mill was and is, of course, the river which is wonderful, one of the interesting features being the river traffic. But that included a very large vehicle ferry. As we were to find, this was a serious problem on neap half tides. It displaced so much water that it would be drawn back a hundred yards, so beaching our large barge and would come rushing back like an angry tidal bore. This would throw our boat upstream, held back only by the mooring ropes I’d dug into the mud.

It was heart-stopping stuff because we wondered if the moorings would hold. Nightmare thoughts of our large vessel drifting out of control haunted us. Indeed we had one mooring pulled out during a blizzard and after the tide had receded there I was in the mud digging a three foot ‘T’ trench, covered on one side like a snowman, re-establishing the bulk of timber to which our mooring was attached, trying to beat the afternoon tide.

No such problems now living in the centre of Chelmondiston. And being central one gets to meet so many people. Instead of the river the main feature is the main road and one of the features of that is a fair amount of speeding traffic. The effect is a different kind of stress to the ships, not least because of the frequency and yet suddenness of the impact each time. It creates a flight response, but without the ability to flee of course.

On the river we were able to communicate with the shipping company and were invited for a trip down river on the bridge, the result of which the captain understood our problems and we had no further problems, thankfully. But as each car has it’s own ‘captain’ this is not exactly possible.

If the Ganges development goes ahead, traffic levels will get far, far worse, including the nightmare of HGVs during an extended building period.

So I can only plea – please, please at least keep within 30mph. The gain from speeding is actually minimal (whatever it feels like), but the impact on residents is massive.

Andrew Sterling

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NEWS END OF YEAR REPORT TO THE PARISHES, ALTON WARD 2016

By Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer This has been an interesting year for us both, learning to fill our roles as quickly as possible. This report covers some of the more important matters dealt with at Babergh in the 2015/16 council year.

FINANCIAL & ORGANISATIONAL Devolution as an issue has developed from a Suffolk bid to first include Norfolk and then Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Many hold reservations and this not a ‘done deal’. It still requires consultation with the public and ratification by each council.

The 2016/17 budgets for all the councils resulted in an average 2.1% increase in Council Tax across the ward. Babergh increased its, small, part by 3.5% or £5, the maximum allowable. This had been frozen for some years though.

BDC’s Joint Strategic Plan has been updated. It is somewhat jargon laden and a little incomprehensible. We will report further on this through the year. This was approved at the Annual Meeting of BDC held on April 26 and should be available on the council website.

The same Annual Meeting appointed Peter Burgoyne as the new chairman of the council and Peter Beer as vice chairman. Six members have been appointed as members with special responsibilities to assist each of the six portfolio holders. The portfolios are in Housing Delivery, Business Growth, Community Capacity Building, Enabled Organisation, Assets & Investments and Environment.

A new post of deputy chief executive will be created as part of the ongoing Focused Management Review. This will also see considerable changes in Babergh/Mid Suffolk’s senior management structure.

Subsequent to the Annual Meeting, it was announced that the current chief executive, Charlie Adan, will be leaving within the next three months to take up a post as chief executive of Kingston upon Thames Borough Council.

HOUSING Babergh/Mid Suffolk have started to build the first new council houses in the area for roughly 30 years. The first of these has been handed over.

None of these are local to us, as yet.

A revised Tenancy Agreement has been approved and adopted for council properties. This is more in line with other tenancy agreements and provides for an initial five year period for new tenancies.

A Help to Buy scheme allows tenants to apply for £20,000 grants to get on the property ladder and free up much needed council housing.

Babergh have adopted CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) as its standard means of supplying infrastructure for developments and communities. This gives developers a clearer idea of costs and town and parish councils a 15% share with fewer restrictions on its spending. This will largely replace previous Section 106 agreements.

Neighbourhood Development Plans and Orders are being looked at by a number of parishes. These aim to provide communities with a stronger voice in the ‘Material Considerations’ of Planning Applications.

This may prove to be of greater significance if the current Housing and Planning Bill becomes law. A simplified two stage process of basic ‘In Principle’ and ‘Detail’ approach is proposed. The latter will be subject to ‘optional’ consultation. Should that option not be given the Neighbourhood Plans & Orders may be the only way for communities to influence planning decisions.

GROWTH & BUSINESS As a local approach to our tourism strategy, a free tourist magazine for the Shotley Peninsula will shortly be available. Councillor Derek Davis (Berners Ward) is editing and preparing this. Funding is by advertorial and BDC. We have been granted a Food Enterprise Zone. The Orwell FEZ will cover Jimmy’s Farm and Suffolk Food Hall and promote these and other local businesses.

Capital Grants are available to support village halls, community centres and shops and other local events. In 2015/16 £104,000 was allocated across Babergh. Please contact us or BDC to enquire.

BDC/MSDC are looking for ways to improve the experience of businesses with the councils. The Open for Business pilot scheme provides business account managers to act as a single point of contact for businesses for all their regulatory and service needs. This aims to provide a more proactive, pro-business and responsive experience for all existing and potential businesses. Both of us will be taking an active interest in this, hoping to see it rolled out to the full council area during the coming year.

GENERAL We have worked as a team within this ward since last Mays election with constant discussion of any local issues we become aware of. This will continue to be our approach to fulfil our responsibilities to you. We can be contacted as below.

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

INTRODUCING YOUR NEW SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Dear Readers, The new county policing model for Suffolk Police has been in operation since April 4. These changes have been made to the structure of local policing and the way in which we deliver our services to the public. There are now nine locality teams strategically located across the county who will work with partners to deal with local priorities.

Hadleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) is currently based at the police station in Hadleigh, however, we do cover a vast area of some 49 villages – From Hemingstone to the North, Brantham to the South, Nayland to the West and Shotley to the East.

The team Inspector Kevin Horton (covers whole of Ipswich West / Hadleigh) Sgt Gary Milbourne (covering Hadleigh and surrounding villages) PCs: Chris Garrod; Enise Bala; Di Porter; Sarah George PCSOs: Julia Bignell; Jo Adams; Denise Ford; Stephen Cooper

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SNTs will work with partner agencies to deliver local solutions to local problems, focusing on early intervention and prevention. Emergency calls will be responded to by response teams covering the whole area.

In next month’s article I will go into more depth about the way we will be working and useful information regarding contacting us about issues within your community.

But for now, can I just remind you that the police station front desk at Hadleigh is no longer open to members of the public. The closest one for us would be Ipswich – Museum Street.

For emergency calls 999, non-emergency calls 101 Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Until next month…

PCSO 3173 Julia Bignell, Hadleigh SNT, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD

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NEWS HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL Key points from the parish council meeting on April 18 Reade Field New swing seats have been fitted by the community caretaker. Maintenance on the zip wire would be organised from the suppliers. A positive meeting had been held with Holbrook Hornets FC about their use of the field.

Tesco Bags of Help Scheme The scheme is now open. It was agreed to apply for £12k and if successful to put this to one of the aspects of improvement on Reade Field.

Walkers are Welcome scheme It was agreed that the council was broadly supportive of the scheme but requires further information about the financial and practical commitment required before signing up to it.

Ipswich Road development Tree clearance work began in May and although a letter was sent to the clerk about this, it was on the day the work began. The tree work so far is in line with the plans agreed. Before the development proper can begin, there are a number of conditions that have to be met. The manager responsible at Babergh has sent an update on the progress of these and will continue to keep the clerk updated.

It was agreed that, in line with the advice given by BDC, unless the answers were to hand all complaints received would be referred direct to BDC rather than using the clerk as an intermediary. The website and noticeboards (and links to other social media) will be updated as information is received. Most of the enquiries received by the council so far have been regarding the affordable housing but there is no detail available yet.

One of the conditions that needs to be met is about the ongoing management of the open spaces including the interceptor pond, with BDC asking if HPC wishes to take it on. Councillor Page has sent a number of significant questions to BDC that will need to be answered before there is sufficient information for HPC to make a decision.

Full minutes can be found at: www.holbrook.onesuffolk.net Annual Parish Meeting The annual parish meeting took place on Wednesday, April 27 in the village hall. Many village organisations were represented, with displays of information and verbal reports made, including those made by District Councillor David Rose and County Councillor David Wood.

Mr Simon Lockyer, headmaster of the Royal Hospital School, together with the heads of school Isabelle Williams and Jamie Eaden, were presented with a Suffolk reed which represents the annual rent to the Greenwich Hospital Estates for the Reade Field.

Councillor Page, the parish council chairman, gave a report on the year’s activities and talked about the parish council’s aspiration to make significant improvements to the Reade Field and the pavilion. This will take a great deal of support from members of the community if grant applications are to be successful and volunteers to form a working group alongside members of the parish council would be very welcome.

The parish council had nominated David Rose in his role as chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee for a High Sheriff’s Award. David was presented with a certificate as he was commended in the Volunteer of the Year category for all the hard work that he had carried out over the last 30 years or so to improve and maintain the village hall.

Two very talented Year 10 students from Holbrook Academy, Chloe Lupton and Erin Radley, provided musical entertainment at the end of the formal meeting. They were supported by the head of music, Mr Scott McGlone.

Their performance was very well received by the audience who were impressed with the girls’ confidence and abilities.

If you are interested in helping with the Reade Field Improvement Project in any way, please contact the clerk.

Dog fouling around the village Unfortunately, the parish council continues to receive complaints about the amount of dog mess that is not being cleared up around the village, particularly on Reade Field near the children’s play area. Dog mess is the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets. Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant, it is dangerous. While rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis, a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness and seizures.

While many dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some who do not clean up after their pets. Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. If the case goes to court this could set the owner or person in charge of the animal back up to £1,000. The law even states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.

The parish council has installed and pays to maintain a large number of dog waste bins around the village – please use them.

Dog bins are located at: •Ipswich Road, just down The Cut •Ipswich Road, footpath entrance next to Garland Cottage •Church Hill, on Church Green opposite Hill Cottage •Fishponds Lane, near the footpath entrance •Five Acres, at the Hyams Lane end opposite the footpath to Alton Water •Heathfield Road, opposite the surgery •The Street, at the entrance to the community car park near the bowls club •Clifton Wood, opposite number 23 •Petticoat Lane, on the corner of the footpath to Denmark Gardens near sithe Cabin Club •Woodlands Road, in the layby next to St Marys •Harkstead Road, at the Lower Holbrook car park Questions or comments about parish council matters should be addressed in the first instance to the clerk, Mrs Ferial Rolfe: holbrookparishclerk@outlook.com / leave a message on 07999 583017

Stowe Veterinary Centre

Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre

Ipswich Veterinary Centre

The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery

The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery

54 Bury Road, Stowmarket

2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds

Scrivener Drive, Ipswich

Coddenham Road, Needham Market

Station Road, Elmswell

Tel: 01449 613 130

Tel: 01284 747 000

Tel: 01473 555 000

Tel: 01449 722 198

Tel: 01359 241 761

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NEWS HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY

REPORT FROM BERNERS WARD

Care Quality Commission

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS

We have received our report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following their visit on March 15 and are delighted that we have been rated ‘Good’ for every aspect of our service. A copy of the report will be available on our website soon. Thank you to all those who spoke to inspectors on the day or completed a comment card.

The Judicial Review launched by Woolverstone Parish Council and backed

by Freston Parish Council in an attempt to have the Ganges development planning decision quashed has been set for July 20/21 at the High Court in London.

Training days Our next training afternoons will be on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, September 15 when we will be shut from 1pm. There will be no training in July or August. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

Dementia fidget quilts The first batch of quilts has been sent to Ipswich Hospital and they were really pleased, indeed two were given to patients that afternoon and the relatives were really grateful. We now have plenty of wool and items to sew on if you’d like to get started so please ask at Holbrook and we can let you have a supply.

Zero tolerance A polite reminder that our staff and GPs should not be subjected to verbal abuse or aggressive behaviour. Repeated episodes will result in the patient receiving a warning letter and perhaps being removed from our list. We appreciate that situations can become frustrating at times but aggression and abuse will not help us to help you.

Restricted prescribing We have been advised by our Clinical Commissioning Group that we are no longer able to prescribe items that can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy, such as hay fever tablets and cough syrup. A full list of restricted items is displayed at both sites. Please do not ask us to prescribe these for you.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 Here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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

Babergh District Council is clearly confident the planning decision-making process was followed correctly, leading to the plan being passed by the committee by 13 votes to one.

That decision, made in March 2015, was the second time that an application to build 285 homes, retail and small industrial units, a care home and a small hostel/hotel aimed at walkers or cyclists, was passed at committee, with only two councillors voting against. I was not a district councillor when the decisions were made so clearly wasn’t on the committee, but I did speak in favour in my capacity as a former Ganges boy and trustee at the HMS Ganges Museum. My election campaign a year ago made it clear where I stood and I was duly elected with 778 votes.

My fellow district councillor also supports the Ganges development.

On balance I believe the benefits of the development on this brownfield site, along with the initial £1million guaranteed initial investment in our local infrastructure, including the roads, bus service, cycle path, education, healthcare, foot ferry and swimming pool, followed by a further £6million once the development is built and viable, far outweighs the downside.

There are concerns about an increase of traffic on the B1456, which is in need of improvement, something money from the S106 agreement paid by the developers, could help with.

The current state of the site dishonours the memory of the thousands of boys who left as men to serve in two world wars, the Falklands and many other actions with the Royal Navy. That may not be a planning consideration in itself, but a recent reunion of nearly 500 former Ganges boys underlined how they felt the site should be used for the good of the majority and help fulfil a dire housing need at national, county and indeed district level. Better to build on a brownfield site than pockets of land which could include AONB and conservation areas in the future if Ganges is not developed.

Rewarding Life as a councillor has been interesting and overall rewarding over the past year in being able to help many people and seeing the fabulous work others undertake in the various villages. This was highlighted at the Community Awards ceremony, held at Wherstead, where Shotley’s very own Eileen Bugg was among the winners. Eileen was there with husband Norman, another village stalwart, and walked up to collect her award to the tune of Walking on Sunshine – very apt.

Promoting the peninsula Part of my manifesto has been to help with sustainable growth and development of the peninsula and this month will see the publication of a tourism brochure aimed at attracting visitors to this beautiful part of Suffolk.

Filming has also taken place for a BBC documentary which will focus on the waterways so loved by Robert Ransome and the fascinating tales they elicit.

Get in touch Feel free to get in touch regarding any district council matters I may be able to help with. I endeavor to respond to all enquires as quickly as possible. derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk / 07824 167196

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700

To celebrate the Queen’s 90 birthday and her record long reign we are holding a cream tea afternoon on Saturday, June 11.

The hall is open at 3 for a 4pm tea. We plan to have a toast to round off the afternoon.

BINGO EVENING

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Children are invited to produce a crown for which every entry will receive a prize, and there will be a special prize for the best crown for every age.

Saturday, June 18 at Shotley Village Hall, 7 for 7.30pm.

SHOTLEY FLOWER FESTIVAL St Mary’s Church, Shotley Saturday, July 2, 10am-5pm

The cost of the cream tea is £2 to help cover costs. We will also be holding a draw. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, July 3, from noon onwards, finishing with Songs of Praise at 4pm

Our next auction is on Saturday, June 25 with doors opening at 8.30 for a 9.30am start.

Stalls, continuous refreshments, draw and much more!

We accept general household goods, tools, collectables and small items of furniture. It’s £1 to enter a lot into the auction. Lots can be delivered to the hall on Thursday, June 23 from 10amnoon and 2-7pm. Viewing of lots will be on Friday, June 24, 10am-noon and 2-7pm.

Entry to the hall on the day of the auction is free. Please note the minimum bid is £2.

To book lots contact Jim Catling (788499 / james.catling@yahoo.co.uk) or Norman Bugg (787358).

AN EVENING OF OPEN VERSE All are welcome to join us at The Baker’s Arms in Harkstead for an evening of verse recital. Come along to listen or feel free to recite a poem, prose or folk song of your choice, or share your very own creation, followed by a delicious buffet.

2016 PROGRAMME Thursday, June 30: Busting Out All Over Thursday, July 28: Abundance Thursday, September 29: Mellow Fruitfulness

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Thursday, October 27: Witches & Wizards

We have tickets for the 2pm performance on Sunday, November 20.

Please contact Norman (787358) as early booking is advised.

Thursday, November 24: Earth, Wind, Fire & Water We meet at 7.30pm and break for the buffet at 8.30pm. £3 to cover buffet costs.

CHELPIN PLAYERS PRODUCER’S CHAT It seems a long time since I did any reporting for Chelpin Players. It is.

Our last production was Side Effects way back in November. The run away mobility scooter added to the ‘fun’ of it all, with Tracy hanging on for dear life as she teetered on the edge of the stage. An audience member rescued her and our leading man Ian continued in a very professional way by keeping in character and ignoring what was happening. Note on this – a risk assessment had been carried out. A ledge to prevent the scooter being driven off the front had been built into the stage, bur we hadn’t allowed for the fact that Tracy would use the scooter as an F1 vehicle on this particular night!

So what next? Well we decided not to do anything in April and to work with Ian on his play instead. September Avenue is the name of a group who have long since disbanded. We meet them, or the older version of them, backstage preparing for their reformation tour. Ian has written this as a docudrama. We hear what has happened to this group of people in the last 25 years. Very exciting as all the music the band ‘plays’ has been written specially for this play.

Dates for your diary as this is a must see: November 24, 25 and 26.

As I am chatting may I also add Chelpin Players would like to thank Chelpin Projects, Chelmondiston Parish Council and David Woods who kindly donated to our stage lighting fund. With their generous donations we were able to purchase our lighting rig, thank you.

As always, we welcome anyone who would like to be a part of this small but happy group.

Pat Lakey, 780358

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Thank you to everyone who helped and supported our latest jumble sale and made it a success.

If you missed this last sale, there will be another in October or November so please save all your goodies. If this is a problem we can collect before then.

Pam Rayment, 01473 310283

SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE Our next whist drives are on Thursdays, June 16 and 30 and July 14, all from 1.50-4pm.

For more information or if lifts are needed please contact Norman and Eileen, 787358.

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED Monday, June 6: Talk and demonstration on basketry Monday, July 4: Heartysoft clay (Janet) Other kits are available and samples of each month’s project are displayed the month before.

Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms. For more information contact Ann (01473 780298) or Jill (01473 713534).

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OUT & ABOUT

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Friday, July 1, 2.30pm: Memories of Summer Hop-picking in Kent with Barbara Faulkener at Holbrook Bowling Club / £4 including afternoon tea.

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

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

GIPPESWYK SINGERS’ SUMMER CONCERT

ST MICHAEL’S, MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone on Saturday, June 11, 9am-12.30pm, will have a Queen’s birthday theme.

A chance to buy a whole range of products from local people including fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat from Woody’s butchery, sausage rolls, pastries and cheese.

There is also an interesting range of handcrafted items such as jewellery, cards and crochet items and we may also have pottery and antiques.

Outside you will find a selection of plants and small trees for your garden.

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

CREAM TEA FOR THE QUEEN Chelmondiston WI invite you to a right royal cream tea on Wednesday, June 22 from 2pm. Just £3.50 per person.

It will be held in the gardens of 44 Collimer Close, Chelmondiston by kind permission of June.

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

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

Come along and enjoy a delightful summer evening of beautiful music. www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

BATS PRESENT HOLIDAY SNAP Brantham Amateur Theatrical Society presents Holiday Snap, a comedy

by Michael Pertwee and John Chapman, from Thursday, June 9 to Saturday 11 at Brantham Village Hall with performances at 7.30pm.

This tale of comic predicament and mistaken identity unfolds with real wit and style. A Portuguese time-share villa has been double-booked, but the company rep, the myopic tippler Commander ‘Chitto’ Chittenden, is in the dark. When Mary and Henry arrive shortly after Eve and Leslie, Chitto manages to remain unaware that there is more than one couple on the scene. Watch the confusion compound with the missing housekeeper and her husband.

Not sure if the Queen will be able to attend, but hope you will come and join us for a lovely afternoon, good company, a raffle and yummy eats!

CHATTISHAM OPEN GARDENS Sunday, June 19, 11am-5.30pm A great family day out with 14 gardens open in this friendly village.

Visit a wide range of types and ages of gardens including formal, natural and aquatic features. Attractions include plant sales, cakes, lunches, cream teas and a family competition.

Admission £4, accompanied children under 14 free. Tickets on the day.

All proceeds to Chattisham Church Restoration.

Location: three miles west of Ipswich, one mile south of the A1071 at Hintlesham / Sat Nav Ref IP8 3QE. For further information contact 01473 652359 / r.d.chase@uwclub.net or visit: www.hintleshamandchattisham.onesuffolk

How will the arrival of Henry’s mother-in-law cause even more problems?

Who is the real Sir Piers? Answer these questions by coming along to see this hilarious play.

Tickets are £7 and available from: Bakes & Blossoms Café at Acacia Court / 01206 396674 / 07891 974844 (text).

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY U3A

SHOTLEY WALKING CLUB

On Wednesday, May 11 Dr Roger Simpson BFA Calgary, MA Victoria and PhD Essex Universities, talked on John Constable – Man in a Landscape.

He asked that having seen The Hay Wain so often do we no longer see it at all? He also confirmed that Constable was one of the greatest religious painters that this country has ever produced.

Ten members enjoyed lunch at the King’s Head in Stutton on Sunday, May 8. Afterwards Alana and her dog joined us for a four-mile walk around the lovely village and part of Alton Water. What a glorious day we had. I have never seen so many people in boats, walking, cycling or just sunbathing and having picnics.

Meet the U3A Coffee Morning Friday, June 17

New faces are always welcome; it costs nothing to walk with us.

Members and potential new members are invited to join us at the Constable Hall on Friday, June 17 at 10am. The benefits of joining our U3A will be explained together with details of the many activities of the interest groups. The committee and interest group leaders will be present to answer your queries and light refreshments will be provided.

Our next walk is on June 12, a 3.5-mile walk around East Bergholt, Flatford and Dedham Vale which will start from the free car park at the rear of the Red Lion PH in East Bergholt at 2.30pm

On Wednesday, July 13 Brian Cornell, a former Thames lighterman on the River Thames, will talk on The Thames Watermen and Lightermen.

This promises to be an interesting first-hand account of the operating practices of the Port of London in the post-war era.

Give me a ring or just turn up on the day. I’m sure you will enjoy the walk.

Jill Nunn, 01473 787504

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 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 costs £12 a year and this entitles members to attend the meetings that take place 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, computer studies and gardens, churches and historic buildings visits. 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, & 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.

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

VILLAGE LINK CLUB Our next meeting will be on June 8 when our talk will be on the Galapagos Islands and dive presented by Lesley Krohn. This talk was originally programmed for May but was a late change due to the unavailability of the speaker.

Future talks this year will be: Wills, Inheritance Tax and Protecting Assets; Silver and Gemstones; The History of War Memorials; A Naval sailor’s life is a merry life in the 18th and 19th centuries – with music; Creative story writing – new book: 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 on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone village hall starting 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. After the August and February meetings, we normally hold a members’ lunch – funds permitting.

SHOTLEY SOCIAL CLUB (OVER 60s) Our next meetings are on Thursdays, June 9 and 23 and July 7, all from 1.50-4pm.

On June 22 we’re going to Dunwich for fish and chips and a ride around the countryside on our way home. We leave Shotley at 9.15am. For further information contact Norman on 787358.

We recently went to see Annie, a lovely show, and the youngsters in it were very good.

We report with sadness that our Emma has died. Although she had been in pain not once did she complain. She was a very good member and we will miss her very much.

For any information concerning the club, or if lifts are needed, contact Eileen and Norman, 787358.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On Wednesday, May 4 Grant Elliot presented the musical story The History of Jazz and on Wednesday, May 18 Harry Parsons gave a most interesting talk to us about The Building of the Millennium Tower at Bury St Edmunds.

On June 1 John Field will talk to us on Giles, The Cartoonist, and his adopted town and on June 15 John Tingey will talk about the great work undertaken by the RNLI. On July 6 Lewis Tyler will talk about The River Gipping Trust and David Brown will talk on The Land of the Dragon on July 20. Our popular Summer Lunch takes place at the Venture Centre on Sunday, July 17.

We meet at the convenient St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, be free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs, and involve members to a minimal cost.

The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other, and provide the opportunity for development of acquaintances.

New members are welcomed by Stour Valley Men’s Probus Club. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month in Manningtree at 10.30am. Please contact secretary Brian Rolfe on 01206 393665 for further details.

Roger Felgate, 01473 311684

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OUT & ABOUT CHELMONDISTON OVER 60S

1st HOLBROOK BROWNIES

Due to the local elections we were temporarily rehomed at the Chelmondiston Methodist Chapel Hall where we had a good turn out on a lovely afternoon. Thanks to the officials of the Methodist Church for their assistance on that day.

The first few weeks of the summer term have already seen the brownies enjoying lots of outdoor adventures. They designed and made creative miniature gardens, with water features, rockeries, flower beds and even washing lines. Another beautiful evening followed when our eldest brownies set a trail through Woolverstone Woods – apparently the mischievous Easter bunnies had hidden lots of eggs for the brownies to find and devour.

We have 10 tickets left for our trip to the Spa Felixstowe to see 90 Glorious Years of the Queen’s reign followed by a meal at the Shotley Shipwreck.

Including the coach the total cost is £20 a person. Phone us on 01473 780718 for further details if you would like to go.

VIVO will entertain us on August 11, a musical afternoon from 2-4pm.

We are planning a trip to Southend on Thursday, September 22, £5 only for the coach. Take a walk or a train ride along the pier, it’s the longest in Britain, or visit their modern shopping centre.

Mike and Michele Rutherford

1st SAMFORD VALLEY SCOUT GROUP (HOLBROOK) Our big news this month is our ongoing campaign to find a leader for our cub pack. John Fairhall, father of one of our cubs, has made a fantastic recruitment film for us (you can see it at: tinyurl.com/jmxdyko). It’s highly evocative of an evening well spent: campfires, wood smoke, tired, happy and slightly grubby children. I challenge you to watch the video and not feel a twinge of disappointment that you weren’t there too.

But behind it is a serious message: our pack provides all sorts of activities to local children that they’re not going to find outside scouting. And it’s in danger of closing because we can’t find enough adults locally to help run it. So, if you would like to do your bit towards children from Holbrook, Stutton, Tattingstone and Chelmo enjoying the sorts of adventures that you probably took for granted when you were little (campfires, cooking, hikes in the countryside, camping – you can imagine the sort of thing), please get in touch with us. You don’t need to have any experience of scouting; there are other leaders in the group who would be able to support you and there’s also a comprehensive training programme.

We are spreading our message far and wide (early birds will have heard Robert, one of our assistant leaders, talking about the pack on the BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast show in May), but we’re still hopeful that we’re going to find the right person right here on the peninsula.

‘Flexible volunteering’ is scouting’s watchword at the moment – you don’t need to be able to commit yourself to every meeting, even one meeting a month would be a great help.

So, what do we actually do in our meetings? Well, in May the emphasis in all sections was on navigating, with all the children working towards their Navigator badges. The beavers managed to find their way down to Holbrook Creek without getting lost, and the cubs (who are currently working through a pared down programme) learnt about four figure grid references while playing Battleships, while our scouts spent an evening hiking around the footpaths near Alton Water, taking part in mini challenges (first aid, knots, teamwork games) on the way.

And in June we’re all off camping: the cubs and scouts will be camping together at Boxford Spinney and our beavers will be taking part in the District Sleepover – a celebration of 30 years of scouting’s youngest section.

If you would like to get involved as an adult volunteer or you have a son or daughter who would like to join us, please phone Alison on 327691 or contact us via the form at: www.samfordvalley.suffolkscouts.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

The brownies also had an exciting evening feeding the pigs at Jimmy’s Farm, although judging by the ‘ahhhs’ from the girls it’s highly likely the cute little weaners received most of the feed. Shrieks of laughter followed when the girls turned their hands to sausage making. The enormous sausages looked amazing, though I’m not sure the flavouring they chose – sage, mint and cinnamon – would have gone down well.

Over the next few weeks the brownies will have great fun on the zip wires, roundabouts and spider climbing frame at Chantry Park, spend time den building and hunting out mini-beasts at Jimmy’s Farm, practise sledging at Suffolk Ski Centre and enjoy a barbecue and campfire songs, saving the octopus by completing many challenges. Perhaps the highlight of our summer term will be our day outing to the amazing outdoor adventure park, Bewilderwood in Norfolk. We have the full pack of 28 brownies going on our special coach.

We welcome all girls from the peninsula. So if you have a daughter between the ages of seven and 10 who would like to join in the fun, register on www.Girlguiding.UK or contact Alison: 01473 327665

CHELMONDISTON WI After the giving out of lots of posies for May birthdays our president, Pat, announced our speaker Brian Russell who gave us a fascinating talk on his many years as a toastmaster. After an inauspicious start, when a lady who had misread his advertisement rang him at 8.30am to arrange for him to mend her toaster, Brian has officiated at more than 600 weddings and many official events.

He met Tony Blair (who everyone had forgotten to tell where to stand, Brian helped out), several Royals, and many more of the great and famous. He really likes William Hague and Jasper Carrott, but thought Freddie Starr was very rude indeed. Some weddings were memorable for really naughty young pageboys (including one who tried to drive off in the wedding Rolls Royce) and weeping bridesmaids.

Future brides please note: these days the registrar will only wait 15 minutes if you are late because she/he probably has another ceremony lined up after yours.

Pat Mann then gave us the details of the two resolutions to go forward at the WI AGM in Brighton, where she will be our peninsula representative.

We are worrying about the serious problems of increasing dementia care, and trying to stop the problem of food waste by supermarkets and also private homes.

On June 14 Ted Wheatley will present a talk entitled Timbuktu or Bust, and our big cream tea is in June’s garden on June 22 (see page 13).

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SHOTLEY AND EWERTON WI

SHOTLEY GARDENING CLUB

The group meeting held recently at Chelmondiston WI was enjoyed by all who attended. A certificate marking our 90th birthday was accepted by Jill Nunn, our longest serving member.

We met on May 9 for a talk on spring and early summer colour in the garden by Graham Procter from Crown Nurseries. As usual Graham brought with him a lovely selection of plants and while talking about each one, showed us the possibilities of combining then in the garden.

Not only flowers, but also some very lovely leaf colour, sharp fresh lime greens with almost black purples, yellows and reds. There were some new varieties of old favourites, now benefitting from a resurgence of interest. Plants such as wiegela and broom, both of these with striking very dark red flowers. Simple, startlingly white candytuft, a compact cushion of a grey leaved white flowered hebe, and many more. As usual we were able to buy these after the talk. However I may also be heading out to Crown Nurseries sometime soon.

A new resolution has been put forward regarding the ‘Prevention of Food Waste by Supermarkets’. It was agreed that it should go ahead by a large majority of members. Lyn reminded us of the forthcoming dates in our calendar.

June 4

Birthday Party

July 8

Strawberry Evening

July 20

Evening trip to Police HQ Martlesham

July 29

Barbecue

August 17

Day outing to Hever Castle

Aided by videos, Barrie Powell, our local beekeeper, gave us an interesting talk on his absorbing hobby that he has been involved in for more than 60 years.

The competition of a photograph of a plant grown in a member’s garden was won by Shirley Sleight with a picture of a huge, stunning yucca in flower.

Our next meeting is on June 13 and we hope the weather will be fine as we plan to join Ian Peters for a guided walk round Golden Wood.

Members need to remember that this meeting will start outside the village hall at 7pm, not 7.30pm.

Bees are found on every continent except Antarctica. They go back millions of years, evolving to the bees we know today. Up until the 1800s, when sugar became available, honey was the only sweetener used by man. Bees’ principal use is in pollination. One third of human food supply depends on insect pollination. The bees forage for nectar and pollen from flowering plants, which they take back to the hive, the population of which consists of a queen bee, hundreds of drones, and thousands of workers.

An additional jaunt is planned for Saturday or Sunday, June 18 or 19 when we hope to go as a car sharing group to the open gardens of Grundisburgh, Culpho and Burgh.

Honey has many properties, including healing cuts, burns and even open wounds. Barrie brought a variety of products for us to try including mead, a delicious drink made from honey. Barrie was thanked by Barbara Kemp.

Wow, what a busy term so far! In addition to the children working very hard in all the key curriculum subjects, we have had some lovely extra curricula events, with plenty more to come.

Our competition for a honey cake (recipe provided) was judged by Barrie, and out of a record 15 entries, the winner was Lin Howell.

The children were enthralled by an afternoon visit of a puppeteer.

They also loved learning about how to care for the lambs brought into school by the local shepherdess and some were lucky enough to help feed the lambs.

The usual birthday posies and raffle concluded an enjoyable evening.

For further information call Jo (787311) or Lyn (788203).

EAST SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND Annika Rands will perform the best loved songs from across the decades at Shotley Village Hall on Saturday, July 2 at 7.30pm start. Tickets £7.50, bar available.

Tickets on sale at Shotley Village Store, The Rose Public House, Hollingsworths at Chelmondiston and from: 01473 788507 www.annikarands.co.uk

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB April draw winners 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

£25 £20 £15 £8 £7

110 114 106 144 079

Mrs J Houghton Mrs S Bruce Mr T Duffy Mrs S Ratcliffe Ms S Edwards

New members are always welcome. To join contact Norman on 787358.

The cost is £1 a month and can be paid quarterly, half yearly or annually.

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June Edwards

STUTTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

We are looking forward to hosting The Queen’s Birthday Tea Party at the school on Saturday, June 11 from 2-4pm as part of the village celebrations.

This is being organised by the PTA who are also organising a family camp and barbecue on the school field at the beginning of July.

Trips to Wimbledon Tennis Championships and an overnight stay on HMS Belfast are planned for June/July.

Learning about the Olympics is engaging the children and Stutton will be staging its very own Olympics at Sports Day towards the end of term. A trip to the Olympic Park for our KS2 children will round off their Olympic experience.

Following consultation with the children, we have been saving up for a new piece of equipment for our adventure playground and we are very excited to announce that a pirate ship has now been ordered and will be in place by the end of the term. We are grateful to the PTA who have been working hard to raise funds for this. We are also grateful to Councillor David Woods who, on a recent visit to the school, offered his support for the school generally and a contribution from his locality fund towards the new play equipment.

Finally, the children are enjoying taking part in The Daily Mile and lots of them entered the 2K race at the recent Alton Water Run. We are grateful to the organising committee for all the work which goes into making this event so successful and thanks also go to all our parents and extended family who helped, or participated, on the day. ad.stutton.p@talk21.com / 01473 328531

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SCHOOLS HOLBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL Children, teachers, Holbrook residents and people from further afield enjoyed an evening of entertainment, delicious food and inspirational speeches while raising money for a fantastic cause.

The children on Holbrook Primary School Council decided they would like to raise money to provide something for people who don’t have what we take for granted – clean drinking water. They invited Ipswich Jorna restaurant owner Mr Boshor Ali into school as he has connections in Bangladesh as part of his Al Tazid Foundation charity and asked him if he could arrange the installation of a water pump in an area where it would be most appreciated. He was delighted to do so.

The children were very excited to do something practical to help others. Three children in Year 3 – Verity Squirrell, Grace Robinson and Aliye Batkitar – were especially keen and began fundraising by having a colouring competition and lucky dip. They raised a staggering £110.

Another child, Nellie Neal, was sponsored by her grandma during a tennis rally and at 10p a hit managed to cost her poor grandmother more than £34!

To make up the rest of the £650 needed the school hosted a curry night in Holbrook Village Hall on Monday, April 25. More than 80 people filled the hall and through generous donations of raffle prizes and money, along with the price of the meal, a wonderful total of around £1,700 was raised.

The rest of the money will go to an eye clinic in Bangladesh that Mr Ali supports to provide eye care and help for some of the world’s poorest people.

This was the third time the school has hosted a charity curry event, each one bigger and more successful than the last. We look forward to seeing even more next time. Look out for the posters around the village.

ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL The Royal Hospital School is delighted to announce that two of their pupils, Jessica Watson and Joshua Mellors, both in their final year, were honoured with Diana Awards on Wednesday, April 27. They received their awards from TOWIE’s Ricky Rayment.

Inspirational young people from across the Eastern region were presented with a Diana Award as part of INSPIRE Series. These outstanding young people have invested a huge amount of energy and time to improve the lives of others and receive this award, in memory of Princess Diana and with the Prime Minister as patron, with pride.

Jessica was named the Diana Anti-Bullying Award Champion for young people who tackle bullying in their schools and communities. Jessica is a Peer Support Leader and in this role she has worked tirelessly to ensure that pupils feel safe, secure and happy. She trains other pupils to recognise signs of bullying and to support friends and colleagues across the year groups.

Joshua was awarded Diana Champion Volunteer for young people who give up their time to improve the lives of others. He has been involved in a whole range of volunteering activities over the seven years he has been at the school including involvement with the Woolverstone Project at Alton Water, a charity dedicated to providing sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.

Since 1999, the Diana Award has recognised more than 45,000 young people who have made a positive difference to the lives of others and their communities. The Diana Award believes that young people should be encouraged for their contributions to society, empowered to reach their full potential and they should be engaged in social action as early in life as possible.

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LOVING THE OUTDOORS AT CHELMONDISTON PRIMARY Our staff and children have developed a Forest School as a regular part of their routine. Once a week the classroom for Years 1 and 2 moves to Pin Mill woodland. Staff are now trained in the pioneering Forest School philosophy and they, along with the children and some willing volunteers, troop out of school every week in their wet weather gear (or sun hats) for an afternoon in the woods.

We all love hearing about children playing out of doors, getting them away from screens and taking in nature, and Chelmo School has worked hard to do this alongside the curriculum. The children clearly have a wonderful time and don’t have much of an idea that they are learning. “The best thing is the hot chocolate,” said one. “We don’t learn, we just play,” said another.

This pioneering approach to children’s primary school education has been developing quietly in the UK over the last three decades, and now has really taken on some energy at Chelmondiston.

Two of our staff have been trained and are now qualified Forest School practitioners.

Apart from enjoying the environment, learning what is out there in nature, and getting some good old fashioned fresh air, Forest School is all about allowing children time and space to be creative, imaginative, and to learn how to solve their own problems. Today’s child is shielded from lots of risky situations, and allowing them the freedom to make some decisions themselves has proven benefits.

One visitor remarked: “I was greeted by some confident, polite and enthusiastic children who were keen to show me around their forest school area. I was shown a bug habitat that the children have made.” One child remarked that: “I know squirrels love the woods, because I sometimes see them, and also because of the evidence of chewed pine cones.” She then proceeded to find one for the visitor.

When our interim headteacher visited the Forest School site to be shown around by the children, some of the boys invited her to inspect their den. They explained how it was made, and how they had to work as a team and listen to each other to build it. The children have all made magic wands and adopted special names for when they are at Forest School. There is plenty to learn out there – mud painting, den building, tree climbing, nature hunts and landscape sculpture. There is no danger of Chelmo kids been out of touch with the natural world, or their natural selves.

It is testing their fitness, strength and teamwork too. Left to their own devices children can play with anything and the forest is the perfect natural playground.

Forest School is all about nurturing the children’s development through the use of natural resources and the great outdoors. These are targets that all schools are required to meet, but Forest School at Chelmo achieves this end while providing our kids with lifelong skills and memories.

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SCHOOLS / SPORT BENTLEY CEVC PRIMARY SCHOOL

NEPTUNE SAILING

Hooray, summer is finally here and at Bentley CEVC Primary School, we are making the most of it. Learning and fun go hand in hand and we have been taking part in a host of practical activities to support our topic work and beyond.

All of our youth groups started in April, with many new members. Tuesday evening is especially busy and we are being very well supported by a group of young assistant instructors, hoping to complete their qualification Youth group briefing this season. Wednesday evening has been growing steadily, but we still have places available. We have been pleased to expand our work with Ipswich High School for Girls and Holbrook Academy who come along for afternoon sessions, filling much of our diary.

We are so incredibly proud of our Year 5 and 6 pupils. The Year 6 pupils conducted themselves magnificently throughout the whole of the SATs process and no matter what the outcome, we can say hand on heart that every single one of them tried their very best and gave it their all. Well done. The Year 5 and 6 netball team competed in the pyramid netball competition at East Bergholt High School, going up against teams from much bigger schools but demonstrating what a tight knit group they are.

Year 5 also had a series of assessments while the Year 6 pupils sat their tests and equally gave it their best. They have shown a confidence and determination that will put them in good stead for moving up to the final year of primary in September.

Adventurous explorers from Adders class ventured out into the grounds for a special Forest Schools day, making wattle and daub from straw (kindly donated by the White family) and mud to enhance their practical understanding of life in the Anglo-Saxon period. This topic has now been completed and Adders class are now working on the human body and how to keep healthy. When the dental team came in to talk about how diet affects your health and your teeth, they brought with them disclosing tablets that show how well we really brush our teeth; we had great fun with huge purple grins in class for the afternoon but learnt some really important things about dental hygiene along the way.

Wolves class have been just as hands on this term with their topic on butterflies. They have had caterpillars in class that have now turned into chrysalises and we are eagerly awaiting the hatching of our own beautiful butterflies. They have been looking at ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ colours, blending colours and creating wonderful butterfly pictures using a variety of techniques.

The whole school took part in a special Ascension Day where we were again supported by The Rev Don Mehen from St Mary’s Church, Bentley, and Craig Whale from Bentley Baptist Church. The children took part in a range of activities including putting the order of the events leading up to the Ascension in order, making and decorating crosses and making sculptures from paper cups and cotton wool of Jesus ascending into heaven. We all learnt a great deal from the day and we can’t wait to put all the children’s work on display in the school hall.

We are very excited to share with you that we are taking on an additional part time teacher from September 2016 with the growing number of pupils here at Bentley, particularly at the lower end of the school. Miss Becca Wilding has previous experience of teaching children in Reception and KS1 and is very excited about joining our school team. The interviews for this post were supported by three of our children, Nathan, Charlie and Dylan, who were extremely professional in their approach. Not only did they have fantastic questions but they were also able to follow up answers with additional questions too. Some super skills that will support them well into future life. Well done boys.

We have been asked by some families locally about the wrap around care we provide here at Bentley so we thought it worth sharing with you some of the things we do. Our breakfast club runs every morning from 8am and provides a host of activities for the children attending; games mornings, homework catch-up, Wii Sports mornings and art sessions to name but a few. Next term they are even offering a special Forensic Crime Lab club on Friday mornings. After school care is provided by Copdock After School Club who have cars that come and collect the children to take them back to their site next to Copdock Primary School. Our aim is to make coming to our school as accessible as possible to our families and to ensure each child is given every opportunity to thrive.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that the new school website is now up and running. The next time you are surfing, please take a few minutes to have a look round the site, you can find us at www.bentley.suffolk.sch.uk

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So far, the weather during the early season has been reasonable, except for a short snow storm – the only time we have seen youngsters attempt to make snowballs while de-rigging boats!

We have run successful dinghy instructor (five days) and powerboat (two days) courses, with more planned. We were pleased to be supported by students from Chelmondiston Primary School who volunteered to be ‘guinea pigs’ for our instructor candidates during the Easter break. They clearly enjoyed their two days with us.

For adults wanting to try sailing we have a number of courses planned over several weekends in June.

Our courses could be of interest to both new sailors as well as sailors wanting to add tidal endorsements to their existing RYA qualifications.

Our new Wayfarers have finally joined the fleet and are now ready to be launched. They make a great addition to the fleet and we hope to continue to update as funds become available. At the moment we have a Topper Vibe dinghy on trial and this seems to be well received.

SUPPORT NEPTUNE SAILING We always need more help and would be especially pleased to hear from senior instructors, instructors or volunteers who would like to work with us.

LEARN TO SAIL ON THE RIVER ORWELL WITH NEPTUNE SAILING Evening Youth Groups for all abilities (10-18 Years) Summer Holiday courses for young people Adult sailing, powerboat and safety boat courses There are still plenty of spaces on courses planned throughout the year.

We can be flexible and adapt to suit your requirements. For further information visit: www.neptunesailing.org.uk John Barnard, who owned shipyards on the banks of the Orwell, won an order from the navy to build warships including a 74-gun vessel, the Hampshire, which was built in 1740 on John’s Ness opposite Freston Tower. A ship of this size required 3,000 Suffolk oak trees and the full order for 26 ships required 320,000 tonnes of oak. This led to the demise of ‘oaken Suffolk’ which Queen Elizabeth I had found so pleasing but suitable oak was exhausted before the order had been fulfilled.

SHOTLEY ROSE BOWLS CLUB The green is now open and our first league games played.

Fixture lists are available from Norman, 787358. Also use this number if you wish to have a trial game.

In Touch online:

SPORT / CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Go down to the river now and you will see the moorings starting to fill up. Our Dutch friends have been and gone, taking part in the Royal Ocean Racing Club North Sea Race which started off Harwich. As I write this, the sun is shining and the wind is gentle. For me, ideal sailing conditions, for our English and Dutch competitors perhaps a bit tame, but they will get a nice tan.

Meanwhile, we gave the sailing season a good start with our Fitting Out Supper and will shortly be opening the club to anyone who would like to see what the club and sailing is all about, as well as a chance to admire the artistic talents of some of our members.

Coming up in June, we have a morning ramble with our canine members, a cruise to Brightlingsea and our main social summer event, a gypsy ceilidh.

We are looking forward to a great season both on and off the water. Watch this space for more action and entertainment. www.pmsc.org.uk / Facebook: PMSCSocial

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE ST PETER’S, STUTTON June 5 8am Holy Communion

10.30am Worship for All at

Stutton Primary School June 12 9.30am Holy Communion June 19 9.30am Holy Communion June 26 11am Informal Service ALL SAINTS, HOLBROOK June 5 9.30am June 12 9.30am June 19 8am

9.30am June 26 9.30am

Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Informal Service Holy Communion

ST MARY’S, WHERSTEAD June 5 No Service June 12 11am Holy Communion June 19 No Service June 26 11am Morning Prayer ST PETER’S, FRESTON June 5 11am Matins June 12 No Service June 19 11am Holy Communion June 26 No Service ST MICHAEL’S, WOOLVERSTONE May 29 11am Benefice Service in St Michael’s

Theme: Growing in God, Growing in Prayer June 5 11am Café Church Saturday, June 11, 9-12.30pm: St Michael’s Market June 12 11am Worship the Woolverstone Way June 19 11am Morning Prayer June 26 11am Holy Communion

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

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 up to date information please visit www.stmarksparish.org.uk. The weekly newsletter is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door.

SERVICES FOR JUNE Sunday 5 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 7 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 12 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 14 9.20am

Eucharistic Adoration 10am

Mass Sunday 19 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass: Children’s Liturgy Tuesday 21 9.30am

Morning Prayer 10am

Mass Sunday 26 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 28 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Catholic Commentary Catholics have been urged by their bishops to reflect carefully when casting their vote in the referendum. We must think of the future generations and the consequences not only for the United Kingdom but for Europe and the world. They say three things are essential: prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit; listening to/reading both sides of the debate; exercising our vote with a view to the common good of all.

Of course the church is not telling Catholics how to vote, so the bishops’ statement should not fuel the old prejudice that we do as our priests tell us.

In the statement we are reminded how the European project has been shaped by the ideals of peace, subsidiary and solidarity. In the Treaty of Rome trade was harnessed to peace and we can recall how the nations of Europe recovered from the war and grew in prosperity. Now again we need to think how to promote justice and peace. Our focus should be on the human person, not reduced to economic pros and cons. Christians hold dear the dignity of the human person, of all people, around inalienable values and in the face of every issue we should ask how this dignity can be served in Europe and beyond.

Diary dates Every last Thursday of the month a bring and buy coffee morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am to noon. We are raising funds for the Parish Room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, June 30.

Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are being asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas, and to 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 Fr Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital (01473 726701).

Please contact him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services.

All are very welcome at Holy Family, Brantham All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services. It is 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 HOW DO YOU MAKE DECISIONS? Have you ever been invited to walk across hot coals? How did you decide whether to do it or not? As I arrived at a venue for a motivational talk there was a huge fire burning outside the venue. The speaker said we could, if we chose, walk across the hot burning coals, with the flames leaping five or six metres into the air. Most people’s reaction was no-way would they walk through that! By the time we got outside it was dusk, the flames were dying down and the coals had become glowing embers. They laid the burning coals to form a long glowing carpet, two metres wide about 70mm deep. At intervals there was a person preparing you to walk across these hot coals with bare feet. By the time I got to the front of the queue, I had seen many people cross and appear unscathed the other side. I was glad not to be the first – it gave me the confidence as others had done it and now I have the certificate to prove that I did it. It felt great!

When someone is willing to lead it makes it easier for others to have the courage to follow. As a nation, we have a decision to make in the referendum this month. How are you going to make that decision? I still think that many of us are unsure, we don’t know all the facts and both sides are interpreting the facts and the potential outcomes in a particular way to support their view. This leaves us not knowing quite what to believe. It could well be you respect a particular person who is on one side or the other of the debate and you are willing to follow their leadership. That’s fine, but remember leaders can be fallible and there are positive and negative points on both sides. I certainly wouldn’t want to lead you astray by suggesting you vote one way or the other, and Jesus, whom I follow, doesn’t make any clear directive. He has given us minds to think through these issues and also principles which have impact on how to live in community. We are to care for widows and orphans, to care for the homeless, to look to the interests of others and not just ourselves – to love and to serve one another.

When I got to the carpet of hot embers, it was tempting to turn away. I made the decision to cross. The feeling of achievement was wonderful. As a church we are sometimes making difficult decisions, about employment, buildings, relationships. We sometimes have to take a step of faith.

Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we make mistakes and we learn lessons. Jesus made decision to go to Jerusalem, knowing this would lead to his death. His disciples followed as they had learned to trust Jesus. The outcome seemed disastrous, but it was life transforming for those disciples and for the world. Jesus didn’t promise that if you believe in him all your troubles will disappear. However he did promise to be with us every step of the way, not simply by our side, but leading the way, one step beyond us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR MAJESTY A Birthday Celebration Service will be held at Capel St Mary Methodist Church on Sunday, June 12 at 6.30pm, followed by refreshments including a birthday cake.

Free copies of a 64-page book entitled The Servant Queen and the King She Serves will be available. I’ve given hundreds of copies of this book away, and just placed my fourth order. If you can’t get to the service and would like a copy, contact me and I’ll drop a copy in next time I’m in your area.

AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Sunday 5 10.45am Worship with Mr Harry Chicken

6.15pm Communion with The Rev Sankey Sunday 12 10.45am Worship with The Rev Ayden

6.15pm Worship with Mr William Glasse Sunday 19 10.45am Communion with The Rev Sankey

6.15pm Worship with Deacon Georgina Brookes Sunday 26 10.45am Worship with Mr David Welbourn

6.15pm Worship with The Rev Grimshaw AT HOLBROOK METHODIST HCT: Holbrook Churches Together Mondays, 2.30-4pm: Tea and chat (HCT) Saturday 4 10-11.30am Coffee Morning Sunday 5 10am Worship with Mr Chris Finbow Tuesday 7 7.30pm Fellowship Group at Chapel Thursday 9 2pm Fellowship Group at 16 Ipswich Road Sunday 12 10am Family worship with The Rev Sankey

(Church Anniversary) Wednesday 15 11am-4pm Knit In with soup lunch (HCT) Friday 17 9am Tiddlers / 10am Family Live /

3.30pm Messy Church (HCT) Sunday 19 10am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham Tuesday 21 7.30pm Fellowship Group at Chapel Thursday 23 2pm Fellowship Group at 16 Ipswich Road Sunday 26 10am Worship with Rev David Keeble

6.30pm Something Different with

The Rev Andrew Sankey (HCT) Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in June.

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

The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Chelmondiston and Holbrook Methodist Churches, 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07726 299968

SHORELINE BENEFICE ST ANDREW’S, CHELMONDISTON June 5

9.15am Holy Communion

June 12 9.15am Holy Communion June 19 9.15am Holy Communion June 26 9.30am Family Service ST MARY’S, ERWARTON June 5

5pm

Songs of Praise

June 12 11am

Holy Communion

June 19 11am

Holy Communion

June 26 11am

Family Service

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ST MARY’S, HARKSTEAD June 5

9.30am Holy Communion

June 12 9.30am Morning Prayer June 19 9.30am Holy Communion June 26 9.30am Holy Communion ST MARY’S, SHOTLEY June 5

10.45am Worship for All

June 12 10.45am Holy Communion June 19 10.45am Worship For All (Pet Service) June 26 10.45am Holy Communion Please check on the website or the church noticeboards for any change to the service times and places.

In Touch online:

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