In Touch with Sproughton - December 2015

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In Touch

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with Burstall & Sproughton

Volume 6 • Issue No. 2 • DECEMBER 2015 © Svetlana Sewell www.landmstudio.co.uk

Merry Christmas

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In Touch online:

NEWS

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My son is remarkably indecisive and it’s not a trait he has inherited from me! He and I have attempted to write to Father Christmas on no less than eight occasions now and each list has been completely different save for a bouncy egg which has topped the list every time.

I kid you not! A bouncy egg is the thing he wants more than anything else. Basically it’s a egg shaped bouncy ball which costs about £1.50, but I suspect Jack will have hours of fun playing the same trick on us over and over again! Oh joy!

But despite the frustration of trying to force Jack to make a final decision I’m quietly pleased that he is so keen to have a simple, inexpensive gift.

I know Lego will make it onto the final list in one form or another and possibly some football ‘stuff’, but while Jack is still relatively immune to the power of advertising I clearly don’t need to overspend in order to have a happy five-year-old. Next year might be more difficult. I dread the day he asks for a mobile phone, but I’m going to copy my brother John and agree to Jack having a phone for his 14th birthday. I can hear you scoffing in disbelief, but John’s four teenagers still speak to him – when they’re not on their phones!

This is a wonderful time of the year with lots to do, places to go, things to buy and, if we are lucky, people to buy for. But spare a though for those who may not be so lucky. For some, Christmas amplifies their isolation and if Jack has taught me anything it’s that it doesn’t take much to bring a little joy. A smile, a conversation, maybe a mince pie and a cup of tea… Take a moment to consider whether there is someone in your local community who appears to be alone and how you might be able to give them a bouncy egg moment (not literally of course!).

Happy Christmas from all the team here at Mansion House Publishing.

It has been a joy to be part of your lives in 2015.

In Touch

SEND LOCAL CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR ONLY 25P For the 29th year running, Ipswich Scouts are running their Christmas post collection and delivery service. This service provides great value for money and also raises much needed funds to support young people in the local area.

We collect and deliver cards to all IP1-IP5 areas as well as: Rushmere, Kesgrave, Martlesham, Pinewood, Grundisburgh, Great and Little Bealings, Playford, Claydon, Great and Little Blakenham, Bramford and Sproughton. Last year we collected and delivered more than 112,000 cards.

Cards cost 25p each and will be collected between November 25 and December 9 for delivery before Christmas. All proceeds go to the 10 groups involved.

The local collection points are: Bramford Newsagent, The Street; Sproughton Community Shop.

Cards and correct payment should be put in a sealed bag and dropped off at either of the above collection points.

If you have any enquiries, please contact me: rhona.clement@gmail.com / 07967 094391 Rhona Clement, 4th Ipswich Assistant Scout Leader

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In Touch with Burstall & Sproughton is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to:

sproughton@intouchnews.co.uk

Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

Advertising and Distribution: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Advertising: Cameron Kerr Email: cameron@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 Disclaimer:

The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints.

Printing: Colourplan Print 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP 01473 400379 Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

© Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Burstall & Sproughton is published

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NEWS

Christmas Carols at the Wild Man, Sproughton

Come and sing carols with the community from our carol booklets, or perhaps play your own instruments in between as well.

There may even be time for Christmas poems and prose.

The Wild Man bar will be open as usual.

We meet in the lounge.

When: Sunday, December 6 from 7pm Who: Maggie and Stan from Suffolk Folk

Why? Because it’s good to celebrate Christmas together

For more details contact Jackie Sears: 01473 214125

GRANTS OF £20K AVAILABLE TO HELP COUNCIL TENANTS BUY THEIR OWN HOMES Council tenants who want to buy their own homes are being urged to apply for £20k grants to help them onto the property ladder.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils were successful in applying for funding from the government’s £84m Right-to-Buy Social Mobility Fund which was launched earlier this year. This two-year funding opportunity, called HomeOwn, is designed to help Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council tenants to move out of their existing rented accommodation and to buy a home that best suits their needs on the open market.

The scheme enables Babergh and Mid Suffolk to make one-off payments to council tenants of up to £20,000 as a cash incentive to buy a house for the first time – freeing up a council house for someone else in the process. Initially the scheme was offered to tenants living in one and twobed-homes. It has now been opened up to all eligible tenants regardless of the size of their current property.

A maximum of ten tenants from each council area can use the grants, but so far only one grant has been successfully applied for. Former council tenants Andrea Brown and Samuel Bennett are the first tenants to take advantage of the scheme. They moved into their new home in Needham, Norfolk, last month with their children Skye and Lewi.

Andrea said: “When we first started looking for a home to buy, we saw this bungalow and with the amount of mortgage we could borrow along with our savings we couldn’t quite afford to buy the property. Then, luckily for us, about a week later we read in the local newspaper about the HomeOwn scheme and the grant enabled us to buy a home we could only dream about before.

“The application form was extremely easy to fill in and we received a quick decision from Babergh and Mid Suffolk allowing us to have our own home and to free up a council house for someone in need.”

THE BROOK INN Customers of the community-owned Brook Inn in Washbrook are being urged to dig out their best Christmas jumpers for a festive quiz night on December 13.

Councillor Nick Gowrley, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “These grants are a great opportunity for our council tenants to be in a really good position to buy their own home. We all know how difficult it is for people to actually get a foot on the housing ladder so any assistance we are able to offer is fantastic.

Landlord Dave Clarke said prizes would be handed out to the quiz winners and the entrant with the most ‘festive’ sweater.

“Housing is a strategic priority for both councils. We need to free up council properties to help more people move off of the housing register so if you think may be able to do just that and eligible for one of these grants, then get in touch.”

He said: “It’s a bit of fun – we’ve all got a Christmas jumper hiding in the cupboard so this is a good chance to get it out and show it off for an evening. The best (or should I say worst) will win a prize with all the money raised from the event going to a charity of the winner’s choice.”

And Councillor Jennie Jenkins, Babergh’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, added: “Both councils are delighted that our first family to take advantage of these grants have bought their house and are now enjoying family life in their new home.

This Christmas period will be the first since major renovation work at the Brook Inn last January. The pub has earned a growing reputation for its gluten-free menu and in the summer won accreditation from Coeliac UK after a lengthy application process.

“I am so pleased that we were successful in gaining this government funding. Babergh and Mid Suffolk tenants can now have access to a choice of homes on the open market which they may otherwise have not been able to afford. Anyone who thinks they could take advantage of this offer should contact us immediately.”

As well as the quiz and Christmas jumper evening, the Brook Inn will hold a Christmas Carol evening on December 17 at 6pm and a pyjama party and karaoke celebration on New Year’s Eve, with the Christmas menu available throughout December.

To apply for the incentive, tenants will need to show that the purchase of a property on the open market will be a sustainable one, they must have a clear rent account for the past 12 months, be purchasing a property that meets their current housing needs (all of the household must move into the new property) and prove that they can re-pay a mortgage.

Dave Clarke added: “It’s been a great year for the Brook Inn and we’re going from strength to strength. We’d like to thank all our customers for their patronage and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

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For further information on this scheme – and to check eligibility – please contact Paulina Malinowska, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ Home Ownership Officer: paulina.malinowska@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 724753

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SPROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL REPORT The parish council’s last full council meeting was held on Wednesday, November 11. Draft minutes can be found at: www.sproughton. onesuffolk.net/parish-council and on the noticeboards on the village green (Lower Street) and Hadleigh Road.

loft as soon as all the turkey has finally been eaten! Celebrations extend into January, but no doubt Mr Tesco will start tempting us all with Valentine’s and Easter goodies before the Christmas edition of the Radio Times has been sent for recycling!

The next scheduled meeting of the council is on Wednesday, December 9 at 7.30pm in the Barley Room at Sproughton Tithe Barn, Lower Street. Agendas can be found on the council website and noticeboards. Meetings normally conclude by 9pm. Members of the public are always welcome to attend.

VISIT BY U3A (University of the 3rd Age) Sproughton Parish Council was approached by a U3A group with a particular interest in architecture who had arranged a visit to Suffolk ONE and asked if they could combine it with a visit to the Tithe Barn. This was agreed, and on the morning of November 18, a group of 22 students visited the barn where Simon Lavington and Doreen Bradbury gave them a very informative and professional presentation and discussion about the barn. The group enjoyed their visit and were very impressed with the barn and the community spirit in the village. They gave the council a donation of £60, and as Simon played a key role in the event, the council agreed to pass £30 on to the community shop. Grateful thanks to Doreen and Simon for facilitating and helping with this visit.

PARISH COUNCIL DRAFT BUDGET AND PRECEPT FOR 2016/17 It is at this time of the financial year that your council considers its spending plans and budget for the forthcoming year. The finance panel has produced a first draft of the budget and precept which would give the council a budget of £54,760 and precept (the Council Tax requirement) of £49,110, but due to variables not having yet been set by Babergh DC, final figures cannot yet be set. A precept of £49,110 would be a slight reduction on the current years figure of £49,573. Nick Ridley, our district councillor, advised that Babergh are likely to increase their 2016/17 Council Tax, but that it would not be more than 1.99%.

RECENT GRANTS AWARDED The parish council is able to issue grants to Sproughton organisations for support and benefit of residents. This is allowed under S137 of the Local Government Act, and the council responds to requests received. No new requests for grants had been received for consideration at the November meeting.

The council is currently working with Mrs June Webb to finalise an award of council grant for the provision of first aid training for village organisations and residents.

PROVISION OF A COMMUNITY DEFIBRILLATOR The matter of a defibrillator (medical device used in emergencies to deal with heart attack/ failures) that is located in the village for use by residents has been under discussion for some time; financing, training, location and maintenance have been issues for consideration. The British Heart Foundation are currently offering grants for the purchase of defibrillators including training. The council has agreed to apply to BHF for such a grant.

BABERGH CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION SERVICE Babergh have advised that the service will be available in Sproughton as in previous years.

Please take your ‘old’ tree to the village green (top of Lower Street, opposite the Wild Man) and leave it neatly stacked around the village sign. Babergh will arrange collection from 6.30am on Friday, January 15. Please remember that you can leave your decorations up until 12th night, which this Christmas falls on Tuesday, January 5 (it’s always the 5th by the way). There is no need to start packing things back up in the

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PROPOSED WOLSEY GRANGE DEVELOPMENT As In Touch goes to press, Babergh have announced that the planning application for this proposal (475 houses plus employment and school site) is to go before their Planning Committee on November 25, 2015. You will know the outcome of this when you read this item. The parish council had been told that amongst other things the highway issue was still being considered and was unresolved, and at its meeting on November 11 the council was advised that the planning application would likely be determined after Christmas. Less than a week later, the parish council was advised that the matter would be considered by Babergh Committee on Wednesday, November 25.

The parish council will make a robust presentation at the committee meeting recommending that the application be reused.

It appears that the planning process has been accelerated likely as a result of pressure from the applicant. As this piece is being written, preparations are being made by the fringe parishes to appear and speak at the committee meeting against the proposal. From the information available, it would appear that a number of critical issues of concern on highway and other areas have not been resolved, and that SCC and Babergh are proposing to allow these matters to be resolved at some later date. The development proposal appears to be being ‘railroaded’ through the planning process which could result in an unsound decision being made by Babergh Planning Committee.

More in the January edition of In Touch.

Areas of concern include: proposal is contrary to policy on traffic generation / impact on existing congestion and infrastructure, surface water drainage, impact on landscape, fauna/flora, scale of residential development (proposed numbers of houses is increasing), impact on

Chantry Vale Area / development precedent.

For more detail please visit: http://tinyurl.com/ opf5gy3 or https://planning.babergh.gov.uk/ online-applications 2016 BABERGH & MID SUFFOLK COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS This year’s awards are to include the Mid Suffolk area. Applications are being sought for a number of different categories. The four categories are Rising Star, Community Hero, Action in the Community and Outstanding Local Business. Nomination forms have to be submitted to Babergh / Mid Suffolk at Needham offices by noon on December 31. If you know of anyone, group or business, please let the clerk know. Details of the awards scheme can be found on Babergh’s website.

VACANCIES STILL EXIST FOR PARISH COUNCILLORS There are now eight councillor seats remaining vacant on the council.

Have you been thinking about joining, but remain hesitant or unsure, need to know more?

Take a look at the council website where you will find answers to the following questions: What is a parish council?

What powers do parish councils have?

What decisions do parish councils make?

How much time does it take up?

Who is eligible to stand for election and cooption?

To stand for election on a parish council a candidate must: • be a UK or commonwealth citizen, or • be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or • be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union • be a least 18 years old To be eligible to stand for an election for a particular parish a candidate must: • be an elector of the parish, or • for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or • during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or • for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary Still interested? Then contact the clerk, the chairman or any councillor. Contact details can be found on the council website.

Simon Curl, chairman: 747114 Sue Frankis, clerk: 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk Please call between 9am and 5pm weekdays only. In an emergency outside these hours you can contact the chairman.

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www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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NEWS SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY The Suffolk energy-from-waste facility has won Civil Engineering Project of the Year at this year’s British Construction Industry Awards, with judges describing the site as providing ‘an elegant solution’ to waste management.

MAGNIFICENT START TO SAVING THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH It’s not too late to buy shares, but you’re urged to do so soon

The CrowdfunderUK campaign to help save the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham has ended on a high with more than £185,000 of shares already bought – and there’s still an opportunity to join in.

The awards recognise outstanding achievement in building and civil engineering projects and aim to showcase and celebrate the best the British construction industry can offer. The Suffolk site won the award for schemes costing £10-50million.

“This is a fantastic achievement,” says Dr Sarah Caston who started the campaign, “and just goes to show how keen people are on re-opening the doors of the pub and turning it into a vibrant hub of the community – with a welcome for all. The challenge now is to push up the total raised so far so that an offer can be put in for the pub.”

Construction of the facility, a joint project between Suffolk County Council and SUEZ, started in January 2012, with Lagan Construction Group as the principal civil contractor. Their work was valued at £43million out of a total project cost of £180million.

The Duke of Marlborough closed because the owners retired, not because it was losing money. Campaigners are determined to make a success of it, ensuring a welcome for drinkers as well as diners. They are urging people to become hero investors – and if they can’t afford the £250 minimum shareholding, to make a donation. All contributions are welcome.

Work was completed on time and on budget, and with an excellent health and safety record – no-one had time off because of an accident at work during the full three years of construction.

“Whatever you can afford to chip in, you will be helping create a fabulous asset, a vibrant hub,” says Sarah. “A great place to eat, drink and socialise, whether for coffee in the morning, lunch in the middle of the day or dinner or drinks in the evening.

Since becoming fully-operational at the beginning of December last year, the site has met or exceeded every target for putting Suffolk’s waste to good use. It had its first major shut-down for maintenance and cleaning at the end of October into early November this year.

“By investing in shares, you will become part-owner of a picturesque rural pub with centuries of history, and a future full of promise. You will be helping ensure that 500 years of hospitality doesn’t come to an end under this generation.”

Useful contact numbers Site offices: 01473 839149 Site control room: 01473 836828 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SITA Trust: 01454 262910

Anyone putting capital into shares should, as a UK taxpayer, be entitled to 30% tax relief on their investment. Also, once the pub is making enough, the aim is to pay interest to shareholders at two per cent above bank rate. Additional benefits will come in the form of rewards and special offers. You can find out more at: www.savetheduke.net

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350

There are four community-owned pubs in Suffolk: the Sorrel Horse in Shottisham; the Case is Altered in Bentley the Punchbowl in Battisford; and the Brook in Washbrook. David Westley, who led the fundraising campaign for the Case is Altered says: “The whole process of raising the money took longer than anticipated. We had to keep reminding people to buy shares.

We are 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. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. Perhaps you have memory worries yourself or even a recent diagnosis and want someone to talk to. Maybe you have concerns about a loved one, or need support in your caring role. Perhaps it’s just information you are after, or a confidential chat with someone. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.

So call us today, we are here to help.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

“Yet here we are now with a thriving village pub at the very heart of our community. It’s a social hub used by people in our area – and further afield. It’s brilliant to have it up and running, busy and successful!

“Our message to everyone who cares about the Duke of Marlborough is to keep going, to refuse to give up. You’ve made a magnificent start – and you will get there. We did. Best of luck.”

You can pay for shares by cheque or BACS. You’ll need to fill in a sharepurchase form which is available on the website, as a magazine insert or can be sent to you on request.

For information, please contact Save the Duke treasurer Gerard Kroon: grdkroon@gmail.com / 01473 657178

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NEWS SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY SHOP: Something for everyone Let’s start by reviewing the Halloween Disco, which the shop sponsored.

What a marvellous evening it was. Andy the DJ was very tuned in to the needs of a family party, the children were brilliantly got up to look like every imaginable ghosty or ghouly, and the parents were pretty ghastly as well. The barn is the perfect place for the children to racket about and to keep safe. The food went down a treat, and the drink seemed quite acceptable too.

On the financial side, it was Mr Micawber who said: “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen, nineteen and six, result happiness.”

With barn hire fees, VAT on alcohol sales and the disco we knew from the outset that it would be difficult to make a profit out of the evening, but the result was happiness, and by just about the same margin as Micawber’s.

We are committed to holding the same event next year, and hope to be a bit smarter financially.

And now to one of our Christmas specials – our bespoke hampers are becoming ever more popular, and as I write we have already had a couple of orders. Bespoke means just that, so you can put in anything you choose.

But what about putting in a Genr8 card as well? See www.genr8card.com for a gift that will keep on giving the whole year round. Or a tea towel boasting Suffolk dialect phrases? Last year a local business used the hampers as a thank you to business contacts, and we included a mug with the company logo. Think about it – a bespoke hamper can answer all your Christmas present needs. We can even have a Christmas cake made to order from Daphne’s Cakes.

Our second Christmas special relates to meat for the Christmas Day feast.

There’s still just time to order a capon, goose, plain bronze or black turkey, or any other joint that takes your fancy. This is locally reared meat which hasn’t travelled the world. Orders can be quite detailed, e.g. boned and diced pork shoulder for the hand-raised pies, or green gammon boned or on the bone for you to turn into delicious ham.

On a more prosaic note, we have recently had dealings with a new wholesaler, from whom we have been able to source a wider range of cleaning products such as carbon fibre sponges which are marvellous for

cleaning windows without chemicals, some useful household items like kettle descaler, and a wider range of proprietary medicines to include vitamin tablets.

So it only remains for all the members of the shop team to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and for me to thank all the members of the shop team for their unstinting constant and loyal support throughout the years. Sproughton Shop is going from strength to strength and that doesn’t happen without a great deal of generous investment of time given to our community for free.

Rosalind Lavington www.sproughtoncommunityshop.co.uk / 01473 747768 Christmas opening times Christmas Eve 7.45am-1pm Christmas Day Boxing Day Sunday 27 10am-1pm Monday 28 10am-1pm Tuesday 29 10am-1pm Wednesday 30 10am-1pm Thursday 31 10am-1pm New Year’s Day Saturday, January 2 Sunday, January 3 10am-1pm Monday, January 4 7.45am-5pm

half day closed closed half day half day half day half day half day closed closed for stock take half day business as usual

Date for your 2016 diary: Saturday, February 20, local food fair in the barn.

From Monday, November 23 we will have a collection box for donated nonperishable food items at Sproughton Community Shop. Donations will go to Ipswich Soup Kitchen for the homeless people of Ipswich.

An alternative drop point is Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Fred Olsen House, Whitehouse Road, Ipswich IP1 5LL for the attention of Emma Louise Scrivener or collection can be arranged by emailing: kirstieshanks@icloud.com

GOD’S KITCHEL CAKES This is an old Suffolk recipe for a custom going back at least 400 years.

It is surmised to have even survived the Norman Conquest, and was mentioned by Chaucer in his Summoner’s Tale.

Clearly a tradition up and down the East Anglian coast and down into Essex, kitchels were thrown out to the children of Harwich by the mayor, and in Aldeburgh it was bad luck if they weren’t ordered and eaten by midnight on New Year’s Eve. They were originally made and given by godparents to their godchildren, who asked for their blessing and a kitchel during the Twelve Days of Christmas – from Christmas to Epiphany, the observance of the arrival of the three magi on January 6. Kitchels originally had three sides, symbolic of the Holy Trinity.

All ingredients are available in Sproughton Community Shop, located in the 16th century Tithe Barn on Lower Street. I extend my very best wishes to every Sproughtonian child and godparent, and God’s blessing to each and every person during this season of love, joy, and giving. Enjoy!

Mary Bright Basan Questions or comments? Email: ms.bb@talktalk.net

1 lb of puff pastry 2oz/ 50g butter 8oz/ 225g currants 2oz / 50g cut mixed peel 2oz / 50g ground almonds ½tsp cinnamon ½tsp nutmeg Caster sugar (for the top) Filling Soften the butter and mix in the currants, peel, almonds, and spices.

(A little orange zest wouldn’t go amiss, but that is optional) Instructions Roll out half the pastry thinly into a square. Spread the filling over the pastry. Dampen the edges and cover with the other half of the pastry, then press the edges together to seal, and cut away any sloppy edges.

Mark the pastry (but do not cut through) into 2 inch / 5cm squares. Put on a greased baking sheet, and bake for about 25 minutes at 230° / Gas Mark 8. While still hot, sprinkle castor sugar on top. Divide along the marked squares.

“Remember those children whose parents be poor, which hunger, yet dare not to crave at thy door.”

Thomas Tusser: A Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandry, 1570

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5

Town/village

Location

Time

MIP/5A

Sproughton

Church Lane

0910 – 0925

MIP/5B

Sproughton

Wild Man

0930 – 0945

MIP/5C

Bramford

St Mary’s Close

0950 – 1005

MIP/5D

Bramford

Paper Mill Lane

1010 – 1025

MIP/5E

Great Blakenham Chequers

MIP/5F

Great Blakenham Blue Leighs

1035 – 1055

Mobile Home Park

1100 – 1115

MIP/5G

Post Box

1125 – 1145

Baylham

MIP/5H

Claydon

Crown

1155 – 1300

MIP/5I

Claydon

Edinburgh Gardens

1405 – 1420

MIP/5J

Claydon

Bacon Road

1425 – 1550

MIP/5K

Bramford

Packard Place

1600 – 1630

Calling every four weeks on Tuesdays: December 22 and January 19

THE BURSTALL BOOK SALE AND COFFEE MORNING

The Great Burstall Book Sale on October 31 was a huge success and raised £200 for Bumblebee Children’s Charity in Burstall Lane. Lesley would like to thank all those who attended and bought lots of books. She hopes to run another sale in the spring.

Alongside the book sale Burstall WI members launched their oral history project by inviting a number of ex-Burstall villagers to a coffee morning.

The Burstall village archive was on display which stimulated people’s memories and as a result names were put to some of the faces in the old photographs.

Everybody seemed to enjoy the opportunity to get together with old friends and neighbours, but most rewarding of all is that the WI has now made contact with people who are happy to have their memories recorded for posterity.

Thank you to all those who attended and helped – it was a very successful morning.

COUNTRYSIDE WALKS The ramblers headed for Newbourne for the Tuesday walk in October and enjoyed the sunshine on the high open parts of the land and the dappled shade around the stream. The leaves of the trees and bushes were changing colour.

The next walk will be on Sunday, December 13, meeting at Faerland at 2.15pm. The midweek walk is on Tuesday, December 22, meeting at the church at 10am, and it will be fairly local.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Saint Mary’s Church, All Saints Road, Creeting St Mary Saturday, December 5, 10am-5pm Sunday, December 6, 11am-4pm Crafts, draw, refreshments, teas/cakes and warming soup lunches in the vestry on both days. On Sunday there will be a performance by the Needham Market Skylarks Choir at 3pm, followed by a closing service at 4pm. Entrance: adults £1 / children free.

IN AID OF THE CHURCH ROOF FUND

HI DE HI ACTOR CELEBRATES CONSTABLE COUNTRY WITH NEW DVD A former Hi De Hi actor turned film maker is set to release a DVD celebrating the charm of Constable Country and the local area.

David Webb, who with his brother Tony played the twin Yellowcoats in the popular BBC comedy series, has spent the last three years making A Journey through Constable Country… and Around.

From the Dedham Vale to the Stour Estuary and from Roman Colchester to medieval Lavenham the video explores towns and villages John Constable would have known and loved and which inspired him to create some of England’s best loved paintings.

David, who grew up in Mistley, hopes that his video will appeal not just to the many tourists who visit, but to local people keen to know more about the area in which they live. A Journey through Constable Country… and Around is presented by his daughter and TV journalist, Victoria Lampard.

The DVD, priced at £14.99, is available from Co-op stores as well as local tourist centres and independent shops. It can also be obtained directly from David who can be contacted at: webb.springbank@btinternet.com

A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS With Hadleigh Choral Society at St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh on Saturday, December 12 at 6.30pm.

Come and listen. Come and sing! Join us for mulled wine and refreshments.

Free admission. Retiring collection for St Elizabeth’s Hospice.

AKENHAM CARPENTRY & JOINERY Fitted kitchens, bedrooms, offices, windows, doors, staircases etc in any timber • Kitchen fitting service available on your own units • All interior and exterior carpentry • Competitive rates

NO VAT

Mobile: 07790 370030 Email: dalewatts@btinternet.com 12

OUT & ABOUT SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB I think most of the club notices for Christmas and the New Year have already been covered, but I hope to include the normal annual details of the club in the January issue.

Please save your used postage stamps over Christmas and pass direct

HADLEIGH COMMUNITY CHOIR’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2015 Hadleigh Community Choir presents its annual Christmas Concert at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 12 in Hadleigh United Reformed Church, Market Place, Hadleigh. Tickets (£8) are now on sale from Keith Avis Newsagents and The Idler bookshop in Hadleigh High Street.

The choir will be singing a mix of popular carols and seasonal music, with additional performances by choir soloists and a first appearance from some of the children in our newly formed junior choir. By popular demand we will again be inviting our audience to join in a Christmas carol sing-along (words will be provided).

After the concert everybody is welcome to the ‘afterglow’ with mulled wine or soft drinks, mince pies and other festive fare, all included in the ticket price (catering by Simon and Ros from Smugglers Catering). There will also be an opportunity to enter our now famous and popular prize gift draws. All proceeds after expenses will go the Sarah Thompson’s charity Christmas dinner.

The evening will be a unique mix of festive music, all carefully selected by our musical director Simon Thompson to make the event as enjoyable as possible.

For more information contact Peter: 01473 824033

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB The Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not only in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham from 2-4pm. The cost per meeting is £1.50 and includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea.

The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers public house and it has its own parking area behind the hall. It is fully accessible and has disabled facilities within.

At our meeting on October 28 we enjoyed a social afternoon playing games such as Rummycub, Kan-U-Go, Ludo and Snakes and Ladders.

It had been a long time since many of us had played these games and proved most enjoyable. We also had a small bring and buy of items that may be useful for Christmas presents.

Our last meeting for 2015 is the Christmas party on December 9.

This will be a social afternoon with afternoon tea and games, and everyone contributing a ‘plate’. Details to be agreed nearer the time.

We will start back again on Wednesday, January 13, and will be pleased to welcome new members.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

to Betty Game, or any club member, in aid of charity. Please also leave a small margin around each stamp when cutting from the envelope.

The chairman, committee and members wish all readers a Happy Christmas and a joyful 2016. Keep warm and keep smiling.

MID SUFFOLK AXIS Daytime club for adults with physical and/or sensory disabilities With the holidays approaching everyone will soon be in a panic to do their Christmas shopping. Most people will drive to their nearest town, race around the crowded shops, and maybe even come away with a present or two.

For an adult with a physical and/or sensory disability the mad rush is even more challenging. Imagine you are in a wheelchair and dependent on public transport: not only must you wait in the cold, but most buses only have one suitable seat. If this seat is taken you have no choice but to wait, with no guarantee of a seat on the next bus either.

Once you get to the shops, aisles can be too narrow and parts of shops completely inaccessible. With an aging population these are problems that more and more of us will soon be facing.

Here at Mid Suffolk Axis we are helping to tackle such issues. Every Christmas we take our members on a Christmas shopping trip to a disabled friendly shopping centre and their only worry is what presents to buy!

We are a social and active club for adults with physical/sensory disabilities and this is just one example of life at Axis. As a user led organisation we like to get out into the local community and enjoy new experiences. As part of our mystery tours, members recently watched a fantastic play at St Felix Independent School in Southwold, as well as enjoying a trip to visit local chocolatier The Chocolate Lady.

We pride ourselves on the atmosphere of our club. Whether we are enjoying one of our regular trips or simply taking pleasure in each others company, we are always having a laugh. In this sense Axis is similar to being part of a sports club, social group or going for a meal with friends.

Every session members catch up with a cup of tea, take part in the day’s activity, and enjoy one of two freshly cooked meals from our very own trained chef. (Or the “damn good cook” as one of our member’s recently described her!)

As one of the few charities in Suffolk that accepts any adult with a physical/sensory disability we have a diverse membership: our members range from 30 to 70+ (we accept anyone over 18) and members also have a variety of backgrounds, including teaching, finance and floristry.

There are of course a number of reasons why people are attracted to Axis, but the main reason our members enjoy themselves so much are the friendships they make.

So if you are an adult with a physical/sensory disability, or if you know anyone interested in joining a vibrant and friendly club, please contact Axis today. We would love to hear from you.

Call Axis today on 01379 678703 or email us at: midsuffolkaxis@outlook.com

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SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL The children are all getting into the festive spirit with lots of activities going on. They are enjoying lots of Christmas themed activities as well as practising their singing for their Christmas concert. They are all getting really excited for December 2015 and looking forward to a well-earned break.

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Our carol concert will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 4pm and our Christmas party is on Wednesday, December 16, 4-6pm.

We are also holding a Christmas Fayre on Saturday, December 12, 11am-2pm. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to attend. There will be lots to do with stalls, raffles, refreshments and also a chance to visit Father Christmas!

If you would like more information regarding any of the above events or just to find out more about Claydon Pre-school please contact the administrator Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool. co.uk We are now sorting applications for children to come and join us in January 2016 for the spring term. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, 9am-3.30pm, during term time. Children can start from the age of two until they go to Reception. Session fees are £9.60 and we offer a lunch club (noon-12.30pm) for £1.60. We are happy to accept Childcare Vouchers and we offer two year funded places for any eligible children. We also run a holiday club in the Easter and summer holidays for ages two to eight – further information can be obtained by contacting the administrator.

THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE presents

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SCHOOLS / SPORT CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL Our annual WOW Week took place at the end of October and was action-packed, exciting and very rewarding for all year groups.

Year 7 had a fabulous time at camp (despite some wet weather), taking part in adventurous activities such as the high ropes and assault course as well as art, science and drama activities, all designed to build confidence and encourage creativity, curiosity and collaboration.

Years 8-10 certainly wowed us all with their talent, fresh ideas and commitment to their enterprise tournament. Students were split into 25 teams and tasked to choose one of four ordinary household objects and create and present a marketing campaign, including producing a leaflet, poster and billboard as well as a filmed TV commercial and recorded radio advert plus jingle. Guest judges and speakers from the world of media and advertising were invited in to support the event and choose an overall winner of the prestigious WOW Week Cup. I would like to say a big thank you to Town 102 FM, Mansion House Publishing, Archant, Banbury Howard, Suffolk One, I.E.M. and the school’s governing body for their help.

Year 11 demonstrated great maturity and focus, impressing our business guests and the outside agencies they visited during WOW Week, preparing them for the next step of their education/training.

They spent a day at a college/sixth form of their choice, a day at the Suffolk Skills Show held at Trinity Park and a day in school listening to talks from guest speakers and completing application forms and CVs in preparation for a Learning About Work Day on Wednesday, December 9.

Well done to everyone for their positivity and hard work over the three days. I am pleased that Claydon High School can develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning and I hope to be able to provide more stimulating experiences beyond the classroom that engage, excite and challenge students.

Now that the weather has turned and we are moving swiftly into the festive season, I hope you will be able to join us at our Christmas concert, Once Upon a Christmas, on Tuesday, December 8, 7pm at the Church of St Mary and St Peter in Barham (tickets on sale at the school). Our talented students are busy preparing some wonderful instrumental, vocal and poetry pieces, interspersed with traditional congregational carols, all performed in the backdrop of the beautifully decorated church.

GCSE drama students are busy rehearsing for their Christmas panto which will be toured round the local residential care homes and watched in school by our feeder primary schools. Selected music students are also rehearsing for a singing event at Snape Maltings Concert Hall which will be broadcast live across the world. Claydon High School will join around 800 students from other schools in Suffolk for the performances. The rest of the school is busy creating fabulous Christmas hampers which will be donated to a local charity for the homeless.

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, then please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Thursday, December 17. To book a place, please telephone my PA, Mrs J Pedersen: 01473 836110 Finally, I would like to thank staff, parents/carers, governors and the wider community for their support this term and wish everyone a Happy Christmas. I look forward to keeping you updated with all our news in the New Year.

The winning team, Trigger Can, pictured with the WOW Week trophy

Sarah Skinner, headteacher

YOGA

Classes with Adrienne Marriott at Burstall Village Hall I am starting a new yoga class at the village hall on Tuesday evenings from 7-8.30pm. If you live in Burstall or surrounding areas and would like to join us, please ring me on 01473 743568 or 07818 406481.

Many studies have shown that yoga can benefit health; it has the potential to improve balance and concentration, increase flexibility and muscular strength and to help people to unwind and relax.

Through the use of special breathing techniques (pranayama) we can learn to use the breath both to energise and to relax the body.

I have taught yoga in Suffolk for the last 13 years, am qualified with the British Wheel of Yoga and have special qualifications in teaching

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

yoga for lower back pain and in teaching yoga nidra (yoga relaxation techniques). Whatever your level of fitness you should be able to enjoy the benefits of yoga as I adapt postures to accommodate different levels of fitness and flexibility. Yoga postures are either practised in a ‘stand-alone’ fashion to develop muscular strength or combined with other postures in yoga flows. All my yoga sessions finish with a relaxation period where we bring awareness to the body and the breath and we visualise ourselves in uplifting situations.

The cost for each one-and-a-half hour session will be £7.50. Whether you are a beginner or a practised yoga student do come and join us – I look forward to hearing from you.

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PLAYING FIELD NEWS Firstly, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all playing-field users and supporters. Your feedback over the last year has always been welcome, and I’ve even acted on some of it – my annual charity Movember Moustache has been removed!

On a serious note though, I wanted to reflect on the achievements of the Playing Field Management Committee (PFMC) over the last year, and do some forecasting about the future…

A year of embedding change We’ve done quite a lot of administration this year – fairly mundane stuff you might say, but essential if the playing field is to hold its own against external audit, and be run on a modern basis going forward.

We’ve completed an insurance review, which will provide many long term cost reduction and protection benefits – essential for any public space, particularly when it’s selffinanced.

The sports clubs now have licenses to occupy (really a sort of lease agreement, but one which keeps to the terms of the playing field trust deed). This is a vital component, not just for the management committee, but also for the clubs should they ever need to apply for grants in their own right.

The Sports and Social Club has approved a set of amended rules, which essentially ties it back to the PFMC (from where it split a few years ago). This has enabled the PFMC to again start opening the clubhouse up to non-sports club Sproughton residents once a month. As any visitor will tell you, the facilities are pretty basic at the moment (visit the loo at your own risk), but you have to start somewhere.

Remember – it’s normally the second Saturday in the month if you want to visit.

We’ve also continued momentum delivering on the things people can actually see – such as the new benches and litterbin for example. By the way, the artwork the Sproughton school children did for the benches is currently with the graffiti artist for assessment. I think we’ve secured some funding, so with any luck some of the designs will be transferred to the benches before all the children have grown up and left school.

In terms of the general look of the field, the ground maintenance undertaken by Community Payback is a vital playing field management tool. We rely on their good will for the work they do, so it does no harm to acknowledge here their excellent job.

Yes, we still have some bugbears to sort out, such as replacing the fire damaged bin and stamping out dog fouling (not literally), but all in all it’s been a year of many successes.

We have a real team spirit developing – we all have talents that make the committee work well.

Another year of opportunities to come We continue to recruit new trustees to bolster the management committee – which in the current environment is no mean feat.

It’s worth remembering that none of the achievements I’ve talked about here can be delivered without the support of the trustees (and friends and families) giving up their time and resource for free, so massive thanks to them all – both for what they’ve done already and what they’ll get involved in next year.

The potential re-development of the changing

room facilities and outside toilets will probably be the main focus for next year. The outline scope has started to take a (very) high level shape. This is a massive project that will take some time and a lot of support to deliver, but upgrading the facilities to an appropriate standard for the village is something worthwhile to aim for.

Sproughton club update The last Super Saturday of 2015 will be December 12, where the club will open from 7pm. We will be holding another quiz night – it’s an 8.30pm start, with teams of around four.

Even if you don’t like quizzes please feel free to drop in and see what it’s all about anyway – you’re more than welcome. The last couple of Super Saturdays have been really busy and a great laugh. And if you’d like to help run the bar then please come on down – I’d be especially pleased to see you.

Advanced notice: There will be no Super Saturday in January. Sometimes we all need a bit of a break. Normal service will be resumed on Saturday, February 13.

Volunteers The playing field is run by Sproughton residents for the benefit of Sproughton by way of the Playing Field Management Committee – who are the registered trustees of the Playing Field Trust. We are always on the look-out for new members – you’d be very welcome if you’d like to join us. The only condition is that you’re a Sproughton resident. If you’re interested in joining this relaxed and friendly group, please give me a call.

Damian Lavington, chairman PFMC, 01473 809512

SPROUGHTON SPORTS FC With the winter fast approaching both out teams are still doing fairly well in their games. On October 3 our First 11 travelled to Boxford and recorded a good 4-1 win with goals coming from Craig Parry, Calvin Laws, Nick Tigges and Mikey Sneddon. The following week away at old foes Barham we inflicted their first league defeat for nearly two seasons in a close 3-2 victory, our scorers being Calvin Laws, Mikey Sneddon and Ronaldo Wright.

On October 17 we suffered a poor 4-0 defeat at home to Cedars Park after losing our keeper mid-game. On October 24, making the long journey to higher opposition Sporting 87 of Bury, we won a very close match 3-2 with scorers being Jamie Brittain and Ronaldo Wright who was back to his best with two.

The last match in October saw us host Bartons with a depleted squad and lose 3-0 in a poor performance with stand-in keeper Andy Roche being the man of the match.

After losing 3-1 against a very strong Ufford Sports (scorer Keith Brett) on October 3, our Reserves had a brilliant month. On October 12 at Cedars

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Park we won 5-1, the goals coming from Jamie Basham (2), Dan Hall, Kyle Page and Keith Phairs.

At new club Adastral FC the following week we found ourselves 3-1 down at 70 minutes against a very good side, but in a rousing comeback we scored three times to take the points in a 4-3 win with goals from Keith Brett, Kyle Page and two from Dan Hall. On October 24 at home to Chantry Grasshoppers we recorded another good win (6-3) with two goals from Kyle Page, and one each from Keith Phairs, Leon Studd, Jamie Basham and Shaun O' Leary. The last game in the month saw us go to old friends Kesgrave Kestrels, again winning out, with Kyle Page scoring four goals and Jamie Basham getting one in.

We only have three games in December due to the Christmas break with the First team playing away to Tattingstone on December 5 in the Bob Coleman Cup and the Reserves at home to Stage Event Security.

Our Christmas Draw is on Saturday, December 19, weather permitting.

G Studd, 747017

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The bespoke, state-of-the-art AGA Mobility Systems showroom was launched three years ago, and is still the only showroom in Suffolk with three fully functional, full size stair lifts available for you to come and try. With three comprehensively equipped wet rooms and level access showers on display as well, alongside an expansive array of mobility scooters, rise and recline chairs, profiling beds, rollators, wheelchairs and everyday living aids, we can show you just how your home can be revolutionised through these products, making every day life that much easier. We are based in Needham Market (Lion Barn Industrial Estate), there is ample free parking and the easily accessible showroom is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

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www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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ON THE GRAPEVINE

MAKING THINGS POSSIBLE Some of you may have heard of a very worthwhile charity called REMAP. For those who haven’t please allow me to do a quick introduction.

REMAP is an established national charity which designs, makes or adapts equipment for adults and children with disabilities. Every year REMAP helps about 4,000 UK individuals in this way, helping them to lead more fulfilling and independent lives.

All clients are fully consulted about their needs. A piece of equipment is then designed and made to solve their specific problem. Some devices are made from scratch – others are modifications or attachments to standard products. Sometimes it may only be advice that is required.

All of this is achieved by a network of some 1,000 volunteers organised into about 80 local panels across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. REMAP volunteers are professional engineers, craftspeople, technicians, healthcare professionals and skilled helpers as well as DIY enthusiasts.

You may think that companies already exist to help people with disabilities and you would be correct. However, the difference is that

QUESTIONS ON CASH Clive and Lisa from Blakenham ask: “We have around £120,000 in an offshore investment bond with Canada Life International in the Isle of Man. Will this money form part of our estate for inheritance tax when we die, or is offshore money exempt from all UK taxes?”

Unfortunately, although your offshore investment is income tax efficient, it is not inheritance tax efficient. The investment will form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes when you die.

As you are both UK resident and domiciled, your beneficiaries will pay UK inheritance tax on all of your worldwide assets – not just those you own on the UK mainland. However, they will only pay inheritance tax on assets which exceed the value of the current combined nil rate band of £625,000 (being two allowances of £325,000 as you are a married couple and have transferable Nil Rate Bands).

If you do not require access to the capital held within your offshore investment, and only require access to the income, you should consider talking to Canada Life International about moving the money into a Discounted Gift Trust, as this could provide significant inheritance tax savings, whilst still providing a regular income for you ongoing.

Sam from Needham Market asks: “I have a with-profits investment

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REMAP is not a commercial organisation and is not in competition with them. More importantly, our volunteers will determine a solution for the very specific need of the individual which cannot be satisfied by any current product that may exist. Also by working closely with the client and their family or their support service the needs can be better understood and targeted.

We welcome referrals from individuals, carers or health professionals and we always welcome inquiries from individuals who are willing to volunteer some of their time to help us achieve our aims.

Finally, we never ask for payment and our services are free to the user. We do however welcome voluntary donations to cover costs of materials. To make an immediate donation, please text REMP33 followed by the amount (for example – £10) to 70700. An SMS to the value of your donation will be billed to your mobile account. To donate online, please go to our JustGiving page. Our registered charity number is 1137666. You can make a single or regular donation. A monthly donation of £10 with Gift Aid would enable us to help two people every year.

Bob Barnett

with Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb with Phoenix – formerly Royal Sun Alliance – which currently has large penalties if I try to get my money out. What is the significance of this policy being almost 10 years old next month?”

The significance of the 10th anniversary could be that you can get your money out without having to pay a penalty. Many with-profits investment providers offered a penalty-free withdrawal of capital on the tenth anniversary of the policy. In the current climate of encashment penalties and market value adjustments or MVA’s for with-profits policyholders, this could be a valuable lifeline for you.

Check your policy documents carefully – if your policy has this option, give written notice to Phoenix that you intend to exercise that option.

In my opinion, you would be wise to get your money out of this under-performing with-profits fund without any MVA penalty whilst you have the opportunity to do so.

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 GO WACKY IN WOOL FOR THE HOSPICE THIS CHRISTMAS

BE BRAVE AND TAKE A DIP THIS CHRISTMAS Are you brave enough to take a dip in the cold North Sea this Christmas morning for a good cause?

Join St Elizabeth Hospice and hundreds of other hospice supporters for the annual Christmas Day Dip – what better way to begin the festivities!

Every year around 400 people start their holiday celebrations on Felixstowe beach and at 10am when the horn sounds they run into the freezing sea to raise money for the local hospice.

Joanne Rodger, St Elizabeth Hospice’s events and challenges fundraiser, said: “The Christmas Day Dip is in its 12th year and it’s still such a popular event. It’s a tradition now for families and friends to come down to the beach on Christmas morning and join together to take a dip or watch from pier as their loved ones run into the cold sea.

“There’s always such a great atmosphere at the event, not only with the hundreds of people taking part, but with the thousands who turn out to watch. A lot of people do it in memory of their loved ones who were cared for by the hospice, and all the sponsorship money raised from the event goes towards improving life for local people living with a progressive illness.”

L-R: Isabelle (aged 6), Jessica, Amelie (aged 2) and Oliver (aged 5) Prosser

St Elizabeth Hospice is urging friends, colleagues and classmates to go wacky in wool this December.

The charity is holding its first ever Christmas Jumper Week between December 14 and 18 and is asking local businesses, schools and groups to don their craziest knit and do their bit for their local hospice.

Organisations choose a day during the week and on their nominated Christmas Jumper Day, everyone has to wear their silliest sweater and donate £2 to St Elizabeth Hospice.

Felicity Rook, St Elizabeth Hospice’s head of fundraising, said: “Christmas jumpers have become such a popular phenomenon in recent years, nearly everybody has a festive top, and Christmas Jumper Week is a great excuse to get yours out and wear it to work, school or wherever.

“Holding a Christmas Jumper Day is sure to get you in the festive spirit in the run up to

Christmas and is an easy and fun way to raise vital funds for your local hospice and help ensure nobody has to face their illness alone this Christmas.”

Throughout the week the hospice will be offering prizes for the best, craziest and most outrageous jumpers through their Facebook and Twitter pages, so if you want to get involved, make sure you like and follow the hospice’s social media channels for your chance to win some great giveaways.

To find out more or to request your Christmas Jumper Week festive fundraising pack, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org. uk/jumperweek or call 01473 723600 or email fundraising@ stelizabethhospice.org.uk

The event was launched in November with the help of Disney’s Frozen characters, Elsa and Olaf.

Miss Rodger added: “We get a lot of people dressing up to take part. We see all sorts, from people dressed as turkeys and Christmas trees, to others in their penguin onesies or even a mankini! This year we were joined by Olaf and Elsa to launch the event – and we attracted quite a bit of attention as Olaf lay on the sand, draped in tinsel. We expect to see quite a few Frozen characters on Christmas morning ready to run into the sea.”

Anyone from the age of 13 upwards can take part for just £5, or £10 with a T-shirt.

You can register in advance at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ events or on the day from 8.30am on Felixstowe beach, opposite Manning’s Amusements.

If you would like to donate £2, just text JUMPER to 70300. Every pound you donate will help make a difference to the lives of local people living with a progressive illness such as cancer, motor neurone disease or heart failure.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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ON THE GRAPEVINE COURSES FOR FAMILY CARERS – FIND OUT MORE FOR FREE Suffolk Family Carers is a Suffolk wide organisation which aims to offer support and information to anyone caring for a friend, family member or neighbour with any kind of illness, disability or frailty.

If you offer support, help or encouragement to a friend or family member who is unwell then you are a Family Carer and are able to access our free Caring with Confidence courses.

These courses provide information and tips on ways to confidently care for your friend or loved one. A variety of topics are covered such as effective communication to get your needs met, ways to manage your emotions and take better care of yourself, balancing caring with other commitments you may have, and looking at day to day challenges. We also have a wealth of resources which may help with a variety of issues and concerns you face within your caring role. Â If you care for someone with dementia you could also access our Caring for Dementia with Confidence course which is specifically designed for those caring for someone with dementia or memory loss. These sessions are not only a great way to gain useful information, but also give you the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation.

These sessions run regularly so to find out more about either Caring with Confidence or Caring for Dementia with Confidence please contact us: 01473 835446 / cwc@suffolkfamilycarers.org

Christmas & New Year

Waste & Recycling Collection Schedule 2015/16 BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

IMPORTANT CHANGES

Due to the bank holidays during the Christmas and New Year period it has been necessary to amend the usual collection schedules. Please see below for your revised collection days.

Please ensure your bins are presented by 06.30am on the day of collection.

Usual Collection Day Monday 21 December 2015 Tuesday 22 December 2015 Wednesday 23 December 2015 Thursday 24 December 2015 Friday 25 December 2015 Monday 28 December 2015 Tuesday 29 December 2015 Wednesday 30 December 2015 Thursday 31 December 2015 Friday 1 January 2016 Monday 4 January 2016 Tuesday 5 January 2016 Wednesday 6 January 2016 Thursday 7 January 2016 Friday 8 January 2016 Recycling collection this week

Revised Collection Day No Change No Change No Change No Change Monday 28 December 2015 Tuesday 29 December 2015 Wednesday 30 December 2015 Thursday 31 December 2015 Saturday 2 January 2016 Monday 4 January 2016 Tuesday 5 January 2016 Wednesday 6 January 2016 Thursday 7 January 2016 Friday 8 January 2016 Saturday 9 January 2016 Rubbish collection this week

All brown bin collections are suspended for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period. Please check www.babergh.gov.uk for details.

From Monday 11th January normal waste and recycling collections resume

Waste Helpline: 01449 778678

Trusted by local families since 1925 47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837 364 Foxhall Road Ipswich 01473 728445 Meredith Greengrass 9 Marriotts Walk Stowmarket 01449 612765

The East of England Co-op has been your local funeral service for 90 years.

We are not part of the national Co-operative Funeralcare chain based in Manchester.

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YOUR LOCAL SERVICES

March Accounting & Taxation Services

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Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk

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

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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE

Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook & Belstead and Bentley with Tattingstone

Copdock and Washbrook Christmas Market: December 5 in the church room, in support of St Peter’s Church Copdock Heritage Trust, 2-4pm Bentley carols and mulled wine: December 10, Bentley Village Hall, 7.30pm

For parish queries please contact:

Carol Services, December 20

The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton, Ipswich IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674

Bentley, 10am Sproughton, 6pm Burstall, 4.30pm Tattingstone, 6pm Belstead, 6pm Copdock, 6pm

Benefice administrator Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07713863023

Dear Friends Every now and again David and I do something very impulsive. This summer we bought an eight-week-old brown Labrador puppy. To put this in context we already have a beautiful, if neurotic, rough collie called Storm, and four very contented rescue cats.

I had seen the photo of Daisy and her three sisters that morning when surfing the internet on my day off. I emailed it to David expecting the usual joke and rebuff about us having plenty of animals already. I still got that email, but when he finished work he telephoned me to ask me to book to meet the puppies.

No preparation, no long discussions, just a sudden rash decision to grow our family by one. And so we became the proud owners of Daisy. Having brought her home one of us then had to dash to the shop for puppy supplies as we were not in the least prepared for our new arrival.

Three months on and she has brought nothing but pure joy and rather interesting ministry meetings. We have all fallen in love with her (well perhaps not so much the cats who cannot communicate their lack of enthusiasm for some rough play and ear chewing), but certainly the rest of the family including Storm who now has a very enthusiastic buddy.

Lack of preparation doesn’t always work out so well. Most of the time careful ground work can make all the difference to whether something has an enjoyable, good and successful outcome or not.

Christmas takes a lot of preparation. Buying and wrapping presents, writing and sending cards, putting up decorations, buying extra food and lots of planning.

In the midst of all this rushing around we are also called to prepare our hearts spiritually to come before Jesus with child-like wonder and recognise afresh the awe and wonder of the Christian message. It is a time to put aside cynicism and self-reliance so we may experience the joy and wonder of the season. Christmas is a time to receive the gift of Jesus anew, but also to share that gift with others.

Advent provides a chance for self-reflection. A time before we get to Christmas to look at ways we can shine as lights in the world and share the message of love, joy, peace and hope that the birth of Jesus brought to the world. It is an opportunity for each one of us to reflect the light of Christ in a dark world by going that bit extra to help anyone who may be living in darkness around us.

Advent is such a beautiful church season that can so easily be lost in the busyness of Christmas preparation. Ironic, given its spiritual purpose. It takes real determination to attend to Advent spirituality within our own hearts and lives. But it is worth it.

Sproughton Burns Night: January 23 in the church hall, 7.30pm FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals Simon Peck, Sproughton Joan Bird, Sproughton Evelyn Twinn, Copdock DIARY DATES DECEMBER 2 3

5 8 10 12 13 16 20

Bentley Home Communions, 19 The Link, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Bentley Coffee and Company, 10-11.30am Copdock and Washbrook Christmas Market, church room, 2-4pm Ministry meeting Bentley carols and mulled wine in Bentley Village Hall, 7.30pm Sproughton monthly market, 10am Copdock Nativity Service Copdock Home Communions, 18 Charlottes, Washbrook, 10am Bentley Carol Service, 10am Sproughton Carol Service, 6.30pm Burstall Carol Service, 4.30pm Tattingstone Carol Service, 6pm Belstead Carol Service, 6pm Copdock Carol Service, 6pm

JANUARY 6

7

7 9 16 20 21 23 27

Bentley Home Communions, 10am Clergy meeting, The Rectory, 10am Readers’ meeting, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Bentley Coffee and Company, 10am Sproughton monthly market, 10am Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm Copdock Home Communions 10am Ministry meeting, 7.30pm Sproughton Burns Night, 7.30pm Burstall approval of accounts

SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE DECEMBER 6 8am 9.30am 10am 10am 10am 11am

Copdock Burstall Bentley Copdock Tattingstone Sproughton

Holy Communion Holy Communion Christingle Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion

Love and prayers, The Rev Annette

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CHURCH NEWS DECEMBER 13 9.15am 9.30am 10am 10am 6pm

Sproughton Burstall Copdock Bentley Tattingstone

Croissant Church Christingle Nativity Holy Communion Evensong

DECEMBER 20 10am 10am 10am 11am 4.30pm 4.30pm 6pm 6pm 6.30pm

Belstead Copdock Bentley Sproughton Burstall Belstead Copdock Tattingstone Sproughton

Holy Communion Simply Sunday Carol Service Holy Communion Carol Service Carol Service Carol Service Carol Service Carol Service

DECEMBER 24 3pm 3pm 4pm 11.30pm 11.30pm 11.30pm

Christmas Eve Bentley Crib Service Sproughton Crib Service Tattingstone Crib and Christingle Service Copdock Midnight Mass Sproughton Midnight Mass Tattingstone Midnight Mass

DECEMBER 25 9.30am 10am 11am

Christmas Day Burstall Bentley Sproughton

Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion

DECEMBER 27 10am

Belstead

JANUARY 3 8am 9.30am 10am 10am 10am 11am

Copdock Burstall Bentley Copdock Tattingstone Sproughton

JANUARY 10 9.15am 9.30am 10am 10am 6pm

Sproughton (Church Hall) Croissant Church Burstall Family Service Copdock Holy Communion Bentley Holy Communion Tattingstone Evensong

Benefice Communion

Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion

Church letters and copy for the December edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by December 4 please: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com

CHURCH FLOWERS We will be decorating the church for Christmas on Friday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 10am-1pm on both days, and we will be pleased to have as much help with this as possible. There is a list of places to decorate in the church porch. We look forward to your help in this relaxing work.

VILLAGE CONTACTS LIST Details for organisations and activities in Sproughton Allotments

Sue Frankis (clerk) 01473 463852

Parish Council Chairman

Simon Curl

01473 747114

Almshouses (Cooper Trust)

Ken Sheppard

01473 743122

Parochial Church Council

Jan Hart (sec)

01473 740434

Badminton Club

June Jackaman Jean Mardon

01473 745246 01473 461568

Playing Field Management Committee Damian Lavington 01473 809512 Lunch Club

Sheri Walne

01473 602717

Burial Ground

Sue Frankis (clerk) 01473 463852

Quilters

Julie Hodges

01473 226004

Bowls Club Chairman

Mike Snell

01473 748848

Ramblers

Doreen Bradbury

01473 210008

Brownies

Debra Last

01473 741773

Gwen Moore

01473 740629

Carpet Bowls Club

Bob Jones

01473 744093

Reading Room and Caretaker’s House Charity

Children’s Play Area

Sue Frankis (clerk) 01473 463852

Senior Citizens Club

John Bates

01473 743476

Church Hall Booking

Jill Quadling

Sports & Social Club

Mrs G Studd

01473 747017

01473 464336

Community Shop

Rosalind Lavington 01473 747768

Sproughton CEVC Primary School

Karen Read (head) 01473 742182

Craft Group

Julie Hodges

01473 226004

Sproughton Transport Panel

Vic Durrant

01473 232799

Football Club

Mrs G Studd

01473 747017

Suffolk Guides

June Webb

01473 742778

Footpath Warden

Sue Frankis (clerk) 01473 463852

Tennis Club

John Tallent

01473 402307

Jigsaw Pre-school

Rosemary Laflin

Tithe Barn Bookings

Sue Frankis

01473 463852

Millennium Green Trust

Ken Seager 01473 741410 07578 552324 / keseager@sky.com

Tower Captain (church bells)

Ralph Earey

01473 743812

Tree Warden

Sue Frankis (clerk) 01473 463852

Mother and Toddler

Sam Pateman-Gee 01473 464595

Village History Recorder

Doreen Bradbury

Parish Council

Sue Frankis (clerk) 01473 463852

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

01473 745716

01473 210008

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