In Touch with Westerfield - December 2015

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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 6 • Issue No. 1 • DECEMBER 2015

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Merry Christmas

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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.

NEWS SCOUT’S CHRISTMAS POST The 1st Westerfield Scout Group will be collecting Christmas cards for delivery in the IP1-IP5 areas of Ipswich including Kesgrave, Rushmere, Martlesham, Grundisburgh, Great and Little Bealings, Playford, Pinewood, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Barham.

Deliveries will also be made this year to Westerfield, Witnesham, Tuddenham and Henley.

We currently have permission for collection boxes to be placed in the following locations but look out for posters that may show some additional places.

1. Hollybank, Church Lane, Westerfield 2. The Railway Inn, Westerfield Road, Westerfield 3. The Swan Inn, Westerfield Road, Westerfield 4. Laurel Farm Garden Centre, Henley Road, Ipswich 5. Ipswich Sports Club, Henley Road 6. The Greyhound, Henley Road 7. Thomas Wolsey School, Defoe Road, Ipswich 8. The Fountain, The Street, Tuddenham, Ipswich 9. Witnesham School, High Road, Witnesham 10. The Barley Mow, Mow Hill, Witnesham 11. End of the Rainbow, Upper Street, Witnesham 12. Fynn Valley Golf Club, Witnesham, Ipswich 13. Swiss Farm, Farm Shop, Hemingstone Road, Ashbocking 14. Henley Community Centre

In Touch

with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham

In Touch with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

We also publish

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• Hadleigh NEW • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Bramford, Offton & Somersham • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham

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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.

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© 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 Kesgrave & Rushmere is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

IN TOUCH WITH...

15. 10 St Peters Close, Henley 16. Christchurch Veterinary Referrals, Tuddenham Road Business Centre, Tuddenham Road, Ipswich 17. Christchurch Veterinary Surgery, 49 Christchurch Street, Ipswich 18. St John’s CEVAP School, Victory Road, Ipswich 19. Kerseys Solicitors, 32 Lloyds Avenue, Ipswich 20. Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich 21. Seven Telematics Ltd, Cardinal Court, St Peters Street, Ipswich Collections start on November 25 with the last collection being made on December 9 so please post your cards by this time if you wish to take advantage of the 25p delivery charge, of which Westerfield Scouts will keep half with the other half going to the scout group which delivers the card. The money should be put into a separate sealed envelope/bag and placed in the collection box along with the cards.

Please support us by telling all your family and friends to use this service.

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

JANUARY DEADLINE 4 DECEMBER 2015 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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NEWS BAND OF BROTHERS On Saturday, October 24 a coach full of people from Ipswich and Felixstowe left for France, including eight from Witnesham. Their destination was Saint Omer, about 30 miles from Calais and the ideal base for the various trips planned for the following three days.

The Witnesham Band of Brothers

The main event was the following day, a 20-mile journey to Agincourt or, as the French prefer it, Azincourt. We arrived in Agincourt on Sunday morning, October 25, 600 years to the day that the battle of Agincourt took place, as made famous by the Shakespeare play Henry V. We were not disappointed: there were bands from England and France together with soldiers from both sides and people who had travelled from all over including many from the UK. There are many stories retelling the battle and they differ considerably. What is certain is that the English won a famous battle which was just one of many during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France.

The long bow has long been considered the main reason for victory. It was new and could reach the enemy long before the traditional bow and arrow. However, the French got bogged down as they attacked and the battle for them was a shambles with men and horses falling on top of each other and becoming easy pickings for the English.

The event has always been slightly tainted with the suggestion that Henry ordered his men to kill all the prisoners. However, again history may have got this slightly wrong. In those days the main reason for saving prisoners was not for honour or chivalry, it was for ransom with many of the nobles being able to swell their coffers by demanding heavy purses in return for the hand over of the captured. It is likely therefore that the prisoners were seen as a threat when the French regrouped and Henry took the decision to protect his army from a possible rebellion from the captured French. History tends to lead us to believe that the nobles refused to kill the prisoners and that the prisoners were slain by the archers. Again this says more about the loss of income rather than honourable noblemen and the leadership qualities of Henry V which Shakespeare does such a wonderful job of bringing over in his play.

So we left Azincourt with one of his many famous verses ringing in our ears: We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

The group also went on a cruise around the wetlands and a gintasting trip on the Monday, and finally went to the La Couple on the Tuesday. The visit to La Couple was to compare the methods of war between the Hundred Years’ War and the Second World War. La Couple was Hitler’s secret concrete bunker where the V2 rocket was being developed. A frightening glimpse of what might have been but nevertheless a very interesting and unforgettable experience.

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DID YOU KNOW VICTOR GILLINGS? Barbara Butler, author of A Very Ordinary Place: Swilland and Witnesham in Suffolk, received the following letter from Stuart Gillings: I have been reading your book with great interest. My parents bought a house in Witnesham, one of a four-property development on the vacant site of the former maltings opposite Street Farm, in the early 1960s, and lived there until 1983. They named the house Ystradfynn in memory of a Welsh valley, coincidentally also containing a River Fynn, where we spent many holidays. I don’t know whether or not the subsequent owners have retained that name. While we were digging the site to prepare the garden we excavated a millstone, which my father mounted on a concrete plinth in the front garden. I wonder whether it is still there.

My sister Isabel was married at St Mary’s in 1973. Of course we were familiar with Buster, and with Anne, and I was particularly pleased to read the heartfelt tribute to him in the final pages of your book. You have assembled a huge amount of material and must have devoted countless hours to the tasks associated with getting it into print. You deserve a great vote of thanks for collating and preserving such a detailed account of the life and history of the village, which would otherwise be so quickly dispersed or lost.

I have a question, which I hope you may be able to help me to answer. On page 273 of your book there is a list of names of returning service personnel to whom payments under the War Demobilisation Fund were made, including Victor Gillings. I don’t think my immediate family were aware that a (distant) relative of ours had lived in Witnesham prior to our arrival.

Is there anybody still living in Witnesham who remembers Victor and can tell me more?

I would like to help meet Stuart’s request. If anyone remembers Victor Gillings, please let me know.

Many thanks, Barbara, 01473 785067

Witnesham Baptist Church invites you to our

Carol Service on Sunday, December 20 at 10.30am Soup & mince pies will be served afterwards Also

Carol Singing on Tuesday, December 15 at 7.30pm at The Barley Mow

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NEWS ASHBOCKING NEWS In preparing my Ashbocking News article this month, I realised how fortunate I am to live in this community with so many people taking part in so many various activities.

In the last few months we have enjoyed a harvest barn dance with folk from Swilland, a Harvest Festival at Ashbocking All Saints Church, a fireworks, food and film evening on a local farm, and a Remembrance Service, again at our own church. In between times, for those not still involved in the daily grind of work, there have been several coffee mornings and some Bible study group gatherings. And all with no village hall!

It’s recently been reported to the PC that dog faeces has been seen left on the footpath along The Green. I’m sorry, but this is not acceptable.

Also, if you do own a strong dog that you might not be able to control should it be irritated by another dog, or some other incident, then for the safety of both dogs, adults and of course children, you must consider muzzling your dog and having the correct harness. It is our responsibility as dog owners.

The next report from Ashbocking will be due in January. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a good Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Liz Stegman

We all want to thank Catherine Beaumont for being the prime mover in all our activities, in conjunction with our parish councillors and a number of others who always step up to the mark and give of their time and their talents. Thank you all.

First World War Display

More than 100 parishioners stripped the willow to Inertia Reel at the Ashbocking and Swilland Harvest Barn Dance, and all enjoyed a twocourse meal delivered by people from both the churches of Ashbocking and Swilland. Special thanks to Linda and John Pollard and Pam Simmons from Ashbocking.

The well attended Harvest Festival at All Saints Church was a celebration of crops brought safely in, both on the farm, in the garden and on the allotment. We also celebrated our families, our work and our hobbies.

We would like to thank Helen Jay for teaching five parishioners how to ring the church bells; I understand further practise is required!

On November 7 we invited families with children, and folk who had helped in the many parish activities over the year, to attend a fireworks, food and film party at Manor Farm. All profits for the evening went towards the charity Talitha Koum and to the project for the community to provide benches, a picnic area, a community orchard and a kickabout area on the land at the end of Allotment Lane. Thanks to everyone who helped, particularly Tony and Jo Gilbert and Sharon Chenery. Special thanks to Andrew and David Gaught for allowing us all to enjoy ourselves ‘down on the farm’.

On November 8 many of us gathered together at All Saints Church to remember those who had lost their lives in conflicts and also to celebrate our community. Derek Pheasant set up an amazing display of memorabilia connected with the First World War, including details of the men who lost their lives and had close connections with the parish of Ashbocking.

The church looked stunning and our thanks go to Derek, Brenda, Linda, John and Linda, Kevin and Adine, and Duncan and Yvette.

Finally, it has come to the attention of the parish council that there have been a couple of dog incidents in the area of Allotment Lane over the last months. As a dog owner myself, I know how close we get to our own dogs; they become part of our families and give us their companionship, loyalty, and help keep us exercised too. Let’s not forget that they depend on us for their safety and we have responsibilities. It is now a legal requirement to pick up your own dog’s poo.

COURSES FOR FAMILY CARERS 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.

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

If you choose to have more than one dog, this is even more important.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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news SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM GROUPED PARISH COUNCIL Edited minutes from the meeting held on Wednesday, November 18 In attendance: Mrs Shaw, Mr Stanley, Dr Nicol, Mr Lightfoot, Mr Hindle, Mr Wilks, Mrs Camp, Mr Templeman, Mr Everett, Mr Rush, Mr Laughlin and Mr Darell-Brown.

County council report Councillor Whiting reported that GCSE results this year were higher than the national average and that he had been responsible for the traffic lights on the A1214 Tesco roundabout at Kesgrave being turned off as an experiment which has made a difference to traffic flow.

District council report Councillor Whiting stated that the debate concerning devolution is ongoing. There has been a call by the district for short term traveller sites.

Mr Rush attended the recent SCDC budget meeting. Councillor Whiting confirmed that Ipswich had agreed to accept 200 Syrian refugees as part of the national requirement and advised he would support the planning application for The Button, a small dwelling attached to The Moon and Mushroom Inn. The application deadline for the Capital Grants Scheme is December 4: contact Helen Johnson at Helen.Johnson@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or follow the online guidance for match funding towards the play area and village hall improvement costs. Councillor Whiting also confirmed there is still some funding left in the enabling budget.

Finance Current Account balance as at November 4: £14,573.25 Building Society balance: £7,980.62 Footpaths Gates have been installed on the footpath in Swilland near Newton Hall.

Planning Applications supported for: a barn conversion at Moat Farm, Swilland; Speed Style, Ashbocking, a change to configuration of parking bays in front of garage and opening hours; Witnesham Nursing home, slight reconfiguration of internal layout and extra staff accommodation; The Button, Swilland; Car Port, Swilland – this had already been constructed and retrospective permission was sought.

SHLAA A Preferred Site Allocations document has been sent to the Parish Council Planning Committee who have broadly discussed sites that are being proposed by the District Planning Authority as suitable for modest housing development. These include the land opposite the primary school of High Road and a brown field site at Street Farm. The land near the primary school it was felt needs reconfiguring to include the whole site to enable a cul-de-sac style development. The developer of the site north of Elm Cottage has asked for ideas for a name, Chestnut Rise or Elm Copse being a couple of suggestions, and Mr Hindle to discuss with developer.

Mr Darell-Brown asked about the consultation regarding building sites.

Mr Hindle is concerned about housing allocation locally and nationally.

It was discussed as to whether a parish plan was needed. Mr Hindle, Dr Nicol and Mr Darell-Brown were in favour of this but Mr Wilks questioned what purpose it would have when we already have a framework to work within. Mr Hindle felt that current process was land owner led. Mr Lightfoot and Mr Wilks felt that a parish plan would take a lot of time and costs a lot of money to prepare.

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Highways Pot holes mentioned at the last meeting have been attended to in Hall and Wash Lanes. Mr Everett reported that there was a SAVID meeting at the end of October. A document is being put together concerning further speed watch devices. Mr Rush mentioned the Acre Close surfacing and expressed concern that so much resource had been put into this when there are much worse areas that should have taken priority. He had contacted Highways who had advised that the work had been planned two years previously. Mr Rush had asked Councillor Whiting to report back the parish council’s concern that repairs of areas continue to be neglected and Mr Wilks suggested that it would be good to see what the county’s Highways plans were.

Playing field Management Committee Mr Stanley has been on a course regarding inspections of play equipment.

He reported that play areas must be inspected in their entirety on a regular basis in addition to the annual external inspection. There is no liability for the person(s) doing the inspection. Mr Stanley agreed to check both sites weekly in the summer months and fortnightly in the winter. The gate on the school play area does not shut properly.

Mr Rush confirmed that work needs to be done on the school play area, namely replacement of floor tiles under the slide and possibly repairs to climbing area. The equipment has been in place for 15 years and Mr Hindle wondered whether we should be more ambitious and look to expand the area as it is a well used area. Mr Rush confirmed three quotes had been obtained for repairs which now needed consideration outside of any longer term plans to expand the area which would need to be a separate project.

Recreation Area New seat has been installed and area continues to be popular.

Village Hall A report from Mr Elmy read out by Mrs Shaw confirmed that three quotes for electrical improvements to heating had been obtained and urged the parish council to put money aside to assist with funding. Mr Rush confirmed that money is put aside each year and that contributions have been made toward the car park and the electrical works previously and were likely to budget further funding next year again. Mr Rush also suggested that the guttering around the village hall appears to be full of leaves and may cause problems later on with blocked drains unless they are cleared. It was suggested that a business plan needs to be submitted to the parish council by the Village Hall Management Committee to cover some of the works necessary in the coming years which would help when budget setting. Mr Rush would provide Mr Elmy with the contacts for all the grant sources mentioned by Councillor Whiting.

Allotments Number 5 is currently vacant and needs to be advertised in In Touch. It was agreed to keep the rent at the current rate. Proposed by Mrs Camp and seconded by Mr Hindle.

Community Group Mrs Camp outlined the following events were planned: Music Festival on November 28 with the funds raised going toward Prostate Cancer UK. In June next year the Barley Mow will be holding a celebration event for the Queen’s 90th birthday and a flower show has been scheduled for June 9.

Clerk: Mrs Sarah-Jayne Bailey, 38 Weyland Road, Witnesham IP6 9ET swill-witpc@outlook.com / 07719 176917

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Trusted by local families since 1925 364 Foxhall Road Ipswich 01473 728445 47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837 139 Main Road Kesgrave 01473 860030 64 New Street Woodbridge 01394 385456

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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OUT & ABOUT WESTERFIELD CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS Westerfield Bowls Club The club has more than 50 members who enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September. Our teams compete in local leagues as well as playing friendly games against other clubs.

For further information contact Owen Williams: 01473 213234 Village coffee mornings Coffee mornings are held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome.

Westerfield and District Gardening Club The gardening club meets at Westerfield Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month, starting at 7.15pm.

• December 2: Storm Chasing with Chris Bell from Weatherquest • January: No meeting Everyone is welcome. For further details contact: Barbara Bell, 01473 231411 / Michele Doick, 01473 252330 / Barry Reeve, 01473 251843 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts The 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the village hall as its headquarters the group consists of: Beaver Colony Thursday, 5.45-6.45pm Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Acting Leader: Jenny Kent, 01473 435711 / jennyk.kent@ntlworld.com Cub Pack Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years.

Cub Pack Leader: Joan Gibson, 01473 785510 / joan_gibson785@yahoo.co.uk Scout Troop Friday, 6.50-9pm Boys and girls, 10½-14 years.

Scout Troup Leader: Peter Runnacles, 01473 785298 / peter@runnacles.plus.com There is capacity for more members so call in on the relevant evening and speak to one of the leaders or visit: www.westerfieldscouts.org.uk Westerfield WI Lively meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the village hall with different speakers on a variety of topics.

The membership is 42 at present.

• December 10: Christmas party with entertainment.

• January 14: Information regarding speaker and topic not available at present.

New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Jean Scruby (01473 221153) or Vera Hayes (01473 410369).

Pilates The classes are in the village hall on Mondays, 10.45-11.45am or noon-1pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. £6.50 in advance/£7.50 drop-in. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Please note that there is now an online calendar for more information or to check availability of the village hall. For more information visit: www.westerfield-village.co.uk

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DO YOU WANT TO FIND THE TRUE FESTIVE SPIRIT? Maybe in a rich, slow steeped Christmas cake or pudding, or a special festive preserve?

Are you looking for a unique, handcrafted gift that offers something different this year?

You’re not too late!

Ipswich Country Market at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane can provide all your festive needs. We are ready and waiting with a warm, truly festive welcome on Thursday mornings from 10.15 until 11.30am.

As well as our festive fayre we offer a wide range of handmade pickles and preserves, savoury and sweet baking, including gluten free items.

Our crafts include practical sewing, fine beadwork and colourful knitwear and all producers of both food and craft are happy to make to order.

Our last market before Christmas is on Thursday, December 17 and we re-open again on January 7. So come and see what we have to offer before it’s too late!

NOVEMBER THE FIFTH Once again the Barley Mow stepped in to provide the community with a firework display. It was a wet night but the car park was yet again full of local people pleased to support the efforts of Les and Kevin who put on a wonderful display to keep this long running village event going.

I can report that all I heard was praise and thanks from all those who attended. Well done Les Osborne. Hopefully, Les will see more of you during the year. Local pubs need local support to keep going and Witnesham would be a sadder place without our local pub.

As Joni Mitchell wrote: “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.”

Steve Henley

THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND GRANT APPLICATIONS Applications for a grant are welcome from individuals and groups.

Application forms should be submitted to the address below by January 1, 2016. Grants will generally be of up to £150 towards the cost of instruments, music, equipment and musical activities. Further information about grants and application forms can be found at: www. rogerdavidburrows.co.uk Alternatively call 01473 625196 or write to: The Roger David Burrows Music Fund, c/o The Burrows Family, 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3UG NEXT EVENT FOR YOUR DIARY Thursday, March 17, 7.30pm, St Michaels Church Centre, Martlesham Heath: a talk by Elizabeth Talbot MRICS, Auction Rooms Director at T W Gaze in Diss, Norfolk, who also appears on many television programmes.

Further details to be published in the January 2016 issue or available from the Burrows family: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

KYSON PROBUS CLUB MAKE A DIFFERENCE: SUFFOLK SINGERS’ FUNDRAISING CONCERT Cancer kills more young people than any other illness in the UK. For a teenager with cancer, life can be one of isolation, loneliness and fear and the Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity dedicated to improving their lives and chances of survival.

The Suffolk Singers are fronting a fundraising concert on Saturday, January 23 entitled Make a Difference and they invite you to take time out during the long, dark days post Christmas to help put some light into the life of young cancer sufferers.

The evening will be hosted by wonderfully dynamic music director Claire Weston with a varied programme of easy listening music to suit all tastes, ranging from light gospel to Simon and Garfunkel.

They are especially delighted to be joined in the evening’s entertainment

by The Blue Notes, a vibrant teenage jazz trio. The Suffolk Singers will be accompanied on this occasion by another brilliant local lad, Harrison Cole.

The concert is in Woodbridge Community Centre at 7.30pm and has informal table seating to include a light supper of savoury and sweet refreshments. It’s a ‘bring your own drinks’ evening. The Suffolk Singers’ last fundraiser in 2014 for Teenage Cancer Trust was a complete sell out so advance booking is strongly recommended. Tickets are £12.50 and available from Browsers Bookshop and Woodbridge Violins in Woodbridge, as well as by phoning 01473 635525.

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

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Kyson Probus Club met as usual in November at Ufford Park Hotel, Melton. After a friendly drink and hearty lunch we heard a talk by Mr John White who has lived and worked at Bawdsey Ferry for most of his life, building boats for more than four decades as well as doing commercial fishing. He ran the Bawdsey Ferry for six years and for the past 20 years has been harbourmaster there. He still runs river trips and told us that he has no intention of retiring! He talked about the many old characters he knew who lived in and around the ferry area and the hard lives that many endured. There was certainly poverty in those days, but also great camaraderie and humour which John relayed in abundance. We were astonished to learn that there has been a ferry at Bawdsey since the 12th century which was one of many facts in an informative and highly amusing talk. Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable afternoon.

If you are a retired or semi-retired business or professional man and would like to spend a pleasant lunch once a month with friendly, like-minded folk, why not come along. For information about the cub, please call the secretary, Mr Ian McIvor: 01473 738866

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Our members have been out and about during the last month. Two represented our club at our federation conference, this year held in Glasgow and bringing together Soroptimists from across the world. Next year it will be in Malta.

Nearer to home, two of us had a thought provoking day at University Campus Suffolk for the launch of a report entitled Hear Me, Believe Me, Respect Me. This was based on a survey of adults who had been subjected to sexual abuse in childhood carried out by the university with the local charity Survivors in Transition.

It’s a bit frustrating that there has been so much attention focused on celebrity cases but so little public acknowledgement that most abuse is committed by family members or friends. The report highlighted the inadequacy of the support available to many survivors when, perhaps years later, they summon up the courage to tell someone what happened to them.

We always appreciate the chance to be involved with our local community and some of our members have been discussing links with UCS. As a start we are joining with students to mark White Ribbon Day, the movement set up by men to end violence against women.

December, of course, means Christmas. We’ll celebrate with a festive dinner. We usually contribute to a joint Christmas present and this year we shall be ‘twinning our toilet’ with a school toilet block in Africa – a simple but imaginative scheme run by Tearfund.

If you would like to know more about Soroptimism please contact Jackie on 01473 659314.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

SPECIALIST SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS MOBILITY OR DISABILITY REQUIREMENTS Looking after a family member with a severe illness or disability can be one of the most challenging things we tackle in our lifetime. We want our love and dedication never to waiver, to ensure we’re making those closest to us feel comfortable in their time of need. Through all our support though, it’s supremely important that the right facilities and solutions are readily and reliably available, that the needs and necessities of both carer and patient are taken care of, allowing us to properly focus on the day to day welfare of those in need; and that is what we here at AGA Mobility Systems are all about.

Started by Lee Thrower in 2003, AGA is a company kindled and brought to life by first hand experience. When Lee experienced the true extent of the difficulties of caring for an ill family member, he realised something had to be done to ensure those in his position had access to the utilities they needed. AGA Mobility Systems was born, dedicated to providing specialist solutions for every individual who has mobility or disability requirements. A family-run, personable company, AGA strive to imbue patients with a new level of independence, through dignified and easy-to-use solutions.

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.

As of December 2015, our brand new online shop will go live, ensuring you have immediate, round-the-clock access to our responsive and speedy ordering system. No matter the products or utilities you’re in need of, or the time of day, they are now just a click away. We offer free nationwide delivery on purchases over £50, and a free regional delivery and assembly service on certain larger items as well. With home visits and demonstrations, chair assessments, equipment hire, and expert help and advice available on all our products, give us a call today on 01449 720809 and speak to our friendly, knowledgeable team to find out more. Alternatively, point your browser to our new online portal at www.agamobilitysystems.co.uk or come visit us at our showroom today!

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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND AND ASHBOCKING Events take place in Witnesham Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

Booking Clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 785798 WEEKLY EVENTS: Mondays • Dance classes in term time only from 3.30pm. Contact Kelly Fear: 07799 130967 Tuesdays • Post Office open at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Drop in Cafe at Witnesham Baptist Church (not December 29), 2-4pm.

• Witnesham Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm (not December 29, restart January 5).

Contact Peter Elmy: 785754 Thursdays • Post Office open at Baptist Church, 9am12.30pm • Carpet bowls, 2pm (not December 24 or 31, restart January 7). Contact: 785754 • Tai Chi Classes for beginners at 5.45pm, and the more experienced at 7.30pm (not on December 24 or 31). Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers meet in Witnesham Baptist Room, 9.15-11.15am (except December 25, January 1, resume January 8). All are welcome. Contact Jean Pearson: 785478 • Pilates class, 10-11am (not on December 25, January 1, 8 or 15). Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com IN DECEMBER Thursday 3 • Mobile Library at Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.50-10.20am), at Swilland M&M (10.25-10.40am), and at Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am) • Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm

Saturday 5 Witnesham Nursing Home Christmas Fayre at the home organised by the Friends to raise funds for extra activities for the residents.

Christmas stall, tombola, draw, games, mulled wine and mince pies, 2.30-4pm.

Wednesday 9 WI Christmas Party, 7.30pm Thursday 10 Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm Saturday 12 Swilland Church Christmas Draw from noon.

Cake and gift stalls, filled rolls , mince pies, etc.

The draw will take place at 1pm.

Tuesday 15 Members of the Baptist Church will be singing carols at the Barley Mow from 7.30pm. All welcome.

Wednesday 16 You are invited to join St Mary’s church members, Village Voices and others carol singing at Witnesham Nursing Home, 6pm, and later at the Moon and Mushroom from 8pm.

Christmas appeal from Families in Need Thank you to those who have already donated goods in response to my article last month about FIND’s Christmas Appeal.

Below are the details again if you would like to be involved this year.

Last year we packed and distributed more than 1,000 Christmas boxes containing food for several days and special Christmas fayre such as Christmas cakes or logs, special biscuits and sweets. We also gave individual gifts to about 1,500 children and around 600 adults.

As well as food for meals over the Christmas

Saturday 19 Mums and Toddlers Christmas Party in the afternoon Sunday 20 • Carols by Daylight at Witnesham Baptist Church, 10.30am, followed by soup and mince pies • Carols by Candlelight at St Mary’s Church, 6.30pm, followed by refreshments Thursday 31 Mobile Library at Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.50-10.20am), at Swilland M&M (10.2510.40am), and at Sunset Cottage (10.4510.55am) ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES: Sewing classes: For information please contact Kim Shaw: 785678 Traditional Korean Martial Arts (KUK SOOOL WON) It is planned to offer regular classes for children aged six to 13 years, and possibly adults, from Wednesday, January 6, 5-6pm, if there is sufficient interest. They would be run by KSN Joanne Mills. To learn more about this or to book a space please contact: 07940 950878

period and individual gifts for the recipients we try to provide some festive food such as tins of biscuits, Christmas cakes, chocolate logs or similar or chocolates.

If you feel able to donate any of these items I would be pleased to receive them or to arrange to collect them by December 7 at the latest. This will enable us to complete the packing and get the food boxes and gifts distributed.

If you would like more details please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Heather Cade, FIND committee member, 5 Coopers Close, Witnesham / 785464

HENLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS OUR FIFTH AND BIGGEST PANTOMIME YET

WITNESHAM BOXING DAY WALK This year’s walk will be from the Lower Recreation Ground car park, Witnesham.

AT

Wri$en by Tom Hitchcock

HENLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE Fri 8th Jan (7:30pm) and Sat 9th Jan 2016 (2:30pm & 7:30pm) HOW TO BOOK TICKETS Email: henleyplayersboxoffice@gmail.com Box office open every Sunday from 3pm to 4:30pm (From November)

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PRICES £7 Adults Concessions £4 £18 Family of 4

As usual it will start at 11am and last about 90 minutes. Please ensure suitable footwear is worn.

Jerry Hindle: 01473 785669

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out & about IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

FESTIVE THEMED QUIZ NIGHT TO HELP LOCAL & NATIONAL CAUSES

Thursday, December 17, 7.30pm: The History of Harrods, an illustrated talk by Eve Regelous based on her unique insight as an event organiser at this world famous store.

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

For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM WI How fortunate we were to enjoy the November walk in Woodbridge while the rain held off and the temperature remained balmy.

December’s meeting offers something completely different for our entertainment and Christmas celebration. We look forward to meeting Ashley Cole and his ukulele.

If you’re thinking about giving WI a try, then come along to the December meeting on Wednesday, December 9 at 7.30pm.

Award winning Ipswich company, The Hearing Care Centre is looking for your support with their forthcoming festive fundraiser to help raise money for two fantastic charitable causes.

The family run company which offers private hearing care across Suffolk and Norfolk, is again organising one of Suffolk’s biggest quiz events, this time in aid of Suffolk Rural Coffee Caravan Project and BBC Children in Need.

The event, which is the company’s 10th quiz fundraiser, is being held on Sunday, December 6 at 7pm at Greshams Sports and Social Club on Tuddenham Road, Ipswich.

More than £13,000 has been raised for charitable causes to date.

Karen Finch, MD of The Hearing Care Centre said: “Round up your friends, family or work colleagues for what will be a brilliant and inexpensive night out in the run up to Christmas. We always have well over 200 people attend so make sure you book your table early to

avoid disappointment.”

Teams for the quiz can include between four and six members and entry is £4 per person (festive nibbles included). There will be cash prizes to be won for the top five teams, as well as a giant prize draw for which donations from local companies would be very much welcomed.

The charities being supported on the night help the youngest and eldest members in our society. The Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project delivers information and friendship across Suffolk.

Information is power – and the charity befriends people and offers them access to the information they need to empower them. BBC Children in Need supplies grants to change the lives of disabled children and young people throughout the UK. To purchase tickets call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or for further information visit: www.hearingcarecentre. co.uk/quiz

PLANT HERITAGE SUFFOLK GROUP Saturday, January 23, 2.30pm, at Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ: Bulbs at Kew by Kit Strange Kit looks after the extensive bulb collection at Kew, maintains the collection in the Davies Alpine House and exhibits for events at Kew and UK colleges. She has travelled widely in the course of her career.

Plant stalls will include rare and unusual plants. Delicious refreshments available for purchase. Admission: free to members, non-members £5. No need to book. New members and non-members are most welcome.

Local contact: Margaret Palmer, 01206 299832 www.suffolkplantheritage.com

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SCHOOLS

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY, HELMINGHAM The children are enjoying the autumn/winter weather by putting on their waterproof clothing (provided by nursery) to explore and have fun in the nursery garden. Snakes and insects in among the woodpile, scooping up leaves in wheelbarrows, playing with the farm and tractors and dropping conkers down tubing all encourage their holistic development.

We are getting ready for Christmas by singing our nativity songs and trying on the costumes. Who will be a king, who will be an angel?

Our performance takes place early in December and we are warmly welcomed to Framsden Baptist Church. This is an ideal location where we are able to offer refreshments as well as opportunities to see photos of the children in action, purchase gifts they have made and celebrate

their singing and instrument playing.

We round off with our Christmas party at The Coach House, Helmingham Hall, by kind invitation of Lady Tollemache (our patron).

Much excitement as children look for Rudolf among the many reindeer they see as they drive up the driveway. Kev’s disco keeps us entertained and Father Christmas makes an appearance too.

We are now looking towards the new term in 2016 and have lots of things planned so if you are interested please drop in our see us or call us on 01473 890950.

We are also looking for a cleaner to work one hour a day, late afternoon or evening, five days a week (term time only). Please call if interested.

OTLEY UNDER FIVES The Night before Christmas is a much-loved favourite Christmas story.

The sense of anticipation and excitement in the line “while visions of sugarplums danced in their (the children’s) heads” is electric.

The children at Otley Under Fives eagerly await the celebrations. Father Christmas himself will visit the group in December and the children will join Class 1 at Otley Primary School for a Christmas craft get together.

The Christmas play, always an opportunity to celebrate the children’s achievements with family and friends, is in rehearsal.

The children continue to be out and about. The treasures gathered during walks around the village have transformed the setting into an autumnal wonderland with an array of reds, oranges and yellows on the walls.

Gllittery firework and Catherine wheel pictures complete the picture.

Although a small pre-school, we continually strive to provide the highest level of care and learning development while keeping up to date with current initiatives. This term we were thrilled to be selected

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to participate in the Golden Mile, a health and physical activity initiative which will see those in the school setting receive specialist training on keeping active.

Otley Under Fives is hosting an evening of wreath making with a local florist on December 8 at Otley Village Hall – mulled wine and mince pies will be served. An end of term Christmas Party will be held for the children on December 18.

For more information about Otley Under Fives, to arrange a visit and free trial session or to talk to a member of the team please call 07789 468853, visit our Facebook page or visit: www.otleyunderfives.co.uk From all of the staff, children and parents at Otley Under Fives: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

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SCHOOLS / SPORTS

WITNESHAM AREA PRE-SCHOOL This term the children are learning about construction. As well as decorating the noticeboard with self-portraits we have looked at tools and the difference between nails and screws and building materials.

To celebrate Halloween they made spiders and their webs.

This helped the children’s fine motor skills when making the spider’s legs and used their counting skills and artistic flair for the spiders and their webs.

From January 2016 the pre-school will be open for afternoon sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays until 3pm. There will also be a lunch club available on these days at an additional cost for children not staying for the afternoon session but wishing to extend their morning.

For more information, opening hours and contact details please email contact@witnesham-preschool.co.uk or visit: www.witnesham-preschool.co.uk

WITNESHAM WASPS U14s NEED NEW PLAYERS Witnesham Wasps Under 14 Blacks are looking for new players to help build their friendly squad. They are currently in the South Suffolk Youth League Division 1 and play their games on Saturday mornings. They train from 7-8pm on Tuesdays at Ormiston Academy, and their home ground is Inspire, off Lindbergh Road, Ipswich.

Anyone looking to progress their football from the divisions below or looking for a team can just pop along to training or contact manager Geoff Leeks: 07718 086340

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Christmas greetings guff lovers. The run up to the festive bun fight that passes for Christmas is usually marked by the media doom mongers splashing headlines about how the NHS will break under the strain of the expected rush to A&E, so it is perhaps fortunate that no reporters were present for our ladies match vs. Woodbridge when from all accounts the courts resembled the opening scenes from Saving Private Ryan.

First Ann decided that suffering a rather bad ankle sprain in the first game would not affect her mobility (having partnered her it is difficult to disagree) and decided to play on, which in turn meant extended aftermatch application of frozen peas, resulting in a rather magnificent bit of bruising. Now that she knows what it looks like I suspect a tattoo will not be her gift of choice this Yuletide.

Not to be outdone, Corrine then suffered a face injury (which to add insult was self inflicted) that ended up with the courts and Corrine looking like a scene from a Hammer Horror! Fortunately no lasting damage was done and Corrine is probably back on her bike in customary winter kit of a tee shirt and cut offs (sleeveless fleece if the temp drops into the minus). Unsurprisingly given the sequence of events, the match was lost, even though some of the opposition probably needed counselling afterwards, but more importantly no permanent damage was done and I have already contacted BUPA who are thinking of sponsoring our next match. I have also given the blood transfusion service advance notice of our two fixtures before Christmas.

I have had my share of injuries including a rather nasty one when

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Graham's wallet fell out of his sports bag and landed heavily on my foot. Luckily I was wearing a sturdy pair of tennis shoes that prevented a fracture, though the bruising was extensive (and in the pattern of several £50 notes). Nick is very familiar with a lot of injuries, though in his case they are usually caused to passers-by or their dogs who are the unsuspecting recipients of a blow from a miss-hit serve. They normally calm down when I point out that it was obviously an accident as he very rarely hits anything he aims for.

Just time for a festive joke of the month.

A man goes into a large toy store at Christmas and buys the biggest train set on display.

The assistant starts to wrap it and says: "I am sure your son will love this."

The man pauses and then says: "You're right, I had better have another one!"

If you would like to find out more about our club please contact the treasurer, Clive Jones: 01473 464589 / bramfordtc@outlook.com I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

More guff next month, Mick Russ

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SPORT SUFFOLK TAI CHI We have new classes starting in Henley and Witnesham.

There was a Tai Chi class at Henley Community Hall for many years until the previous Tai Chi organisation ceased. Some of our class members have now revived this very popular class and venue and the first class will be on Thursday, January 7 at 2pm.

A new beginners class will also start at Witnesham Village Hall on Church Lane on Thursday, February 4 at 5.45pm.

If you are interested in any of our classes please contact Ray and Dawn Norris (01394 383076) or visit: www.suffolktaichiacademy.uk The Suffolk Tai Chi Academy formed in April 2013 to allow interested people low cost access to Tai Chi instruction as an exercise and relaxation form without any religious influence.

We have grown beyond our expectations. Over the last twoand-a-half years we have grown from one class in Ufford with eight members and are about to progress to 10 classes with nine instructors.

Health and fitness to most people means how fast or far they can run or how heavy a weight can be lifted, or winning a sports match. But Tai Chi is health and fitness through flexibility, improved circulation, healthier internal organs, improved posture and balance, calmness and a lessening of work stress.

We have classes in Ipswich, Ufford and Southwold with new classes to open in January at Henley, Witnesham and Sudbourne.

We now have nine instructors and encourage our members to freely exchange knowledge and experience in class to help others with their Tai Chi. Our classes are designed with the community in mind.

Class fees are minimal. They cover hall hire, insurance and instructor travel costs. This makes our Tai Chi easily accessible to all. The remaining balance is donated to charity.

A typical beginner class meets weekly and lasts for one hour.

An improver class usually comprises of one hour of Tai Chi, followed by a social break for refreshment then a further 30 minutes of Tai Chi practise.

For full details visit: www.suffolktaichiacademy.uk

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL The volleyball season is now in full swing with two tournaments last month, both with a big presence from a growing Ipswich Ravens club.

First the Ravens hosted their own four-a-side open tournament and attracted top teams from all around Suffolk to their home territory at St Alban’s High School. With a good number of new players this year who have no previous tournament experience, Ravens decided to enter three of their own teams, each with a mix of experienced and new players. In an enjoyable competition all three teams performed creditably, with the best performance coming from Ravens A who finished fifth overall.

Next up was the monthly six-a-side tournament hosted by Ipswich VC at Maidenhall Sports Centre. For the first time Ravens were able to enter three teams in the competition, with no less than seven players making their debuts for the club. Two of the teams played in Division 2 and performed admirably against more experienced opposition from Ipswich and Bury. Aside from two wins against SCC Seagulls, the pick of the results was a narrow 20-19 defeat against Bury. In Division 1, Ravens were tantalisingly close to an overall tournament win with three wins and two very narrow defeats. It gave a big boost to our confidence and incentive to try that little bit harder next month.

DIVISION 1 RESULTS: Ipswich II 20-19 Ipswich Ravens Ipswich Ravens 20-19 Ipswich III Ipswich Ravens 20-17 Bury Bobcats Ipswich I 15-20 Ipswich Ravens Stowmarket III 20-19 Ipswich Ravens DIVISION 1 TABLE Wins Ipswich II Diss Ipswich Ravens Stowmarket II Stowmarket III Bury Bobcats Ipswich I Ipswich III

Pts For Pts Against 4 99 4 98 3 98 3 88 2 95 2 92 1 81 1 65

83 76 91 96 97 77 98 8

Ipswich Ravens hold club practise sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. We are actively seeking new members and welcome anyone, male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from nine upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness.

If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

£25

Advertise for

*

a month

Please call 01473 400380 * excludes VAT

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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.

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

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 twoyear 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 two-bed-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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

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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on the grapevine DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK Should we legalise cannabis? Over the last few months a new system has been introduced to allow members of the public to petition parliament by e-petition. Under this new system a petition with more than 100,000 electronic signatures may be put forward for debate in the House of Commons and I was recently pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to one of these parliamentary debates on the controversial subject of the legalisation of cannabis, which was put forward by Paul Flynn MP.

However, an important issue that I raised in the debate is the growing evidence from around the world which supports the use of cannabis and cannabis products in the treatment of people with chronic pain and its medicinal use for palliative care. I believe that there is a case to review the law to better facilitate the research and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, but this is quite a different matter to supporting the legalisation of the drug.

As an NHS doctor working in mental health, I am unable to support the legalisation of cannabis not only because of my medical experience but also on the evidence evaluated by the Royal College of Psychiatrists which outlines both the mental and physical health problems associated with cannabis use. Although there is currently a de facto decriminalisation of the possession of cannabis in many parts of the country, the legalisation of cannabis is a very different matter to decriminalisation as legalisation would provide a legitimacy to the supply of a substance which we know to be physically and mentally harmful.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has made clear the strong link between cannabis use and poor mental health, especially in young people. For example, a study of 1,600 Australian school-children aged 14 to 15 found that children who use cannabis regularly have a significantly higher risk of depression than non-users. Adolescents who used cannabis daily were five times more likely to develop depression and anxiety in later life.

There is also growing evidence of a link between cannabis and physical health problems. New research has found that the cannabis plant contains cancer causing materials that can damage peoples’ lungs. In this country we have long taken measures to discourage cigarette smoking and it would be inconsistent to legalise the supply of cannabis given the increasing evidence of the harm it causes to physical health.

Dr Dan Poulter MP in the House of Commons Chamber I valued the opportunity to bring my medical knowledge and experience to bear in this important Parliamentary debate, and it is important to remember that most countries in the world have not legalised cannabis. I remain unconvinced that legalising the supply of, and access to, a substance that is harmful to both physical and mental health would be a good thing for people in Suffolk or for this country.

For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com

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 REMAP

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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

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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

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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.

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on the grapevine / church news THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INVESTING: FIVE TOP TIPS Investing your own hard-earned cash, or that which you have been fortunate enough to have received unexpectedly, can be a very psychologically and emotionally demanding experience. Here are five useful tips for making sure your emotions don’t take control of your investments: 1. Know Thyself Recognise your emotions and the way they sway your decisions. It’s often the investors least aware of their emotions who are most swayed by them.

2. Understand Emotions You can’t eliminate your emotions, but you can understand and manage them. This can help you

avoid bad decisions based on emotional responses.

3. Write Things Down By recording your investment goal and time horizon, you can always refer to a longterm plan when making investment decisions. If you decide to change strategy (such as by exiting early after a market downturn) write yourself a letter explaining your reasons for doing so and why the original strategy is no longer valid. Then take time to read your letter critically and check your motives.

You may find that your desire to change strategy may be driven less by any real change in the market situation than the unpleasant emotions

provoked by a setback.

4. Only Engage When You’re in Control With modern technology, it’s now possible to monitor your investments 24/7. Use this power wisely, markets can be volatile and close monitoring can lead to emotions taking over from your long-term strategy.

5. Plan Ahead When planning your investment goals, take your emotional resilience into account in your attitude to risk.

It may be true that investing in more volatile assets provides the potential for better returns, especially

if you have a long-term investment horizon and don’t need quick access to your capital. However, you also need to sleep at night.

If weathering periods of high market volatility creates too much anxiety, you might exit your investment too early and at an unfavourable point.

Should you feel you need further help making your own money work more effectively for you, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Russell Wiles Dip PFS, Independent Financial Adviser True Potential Wealth Management (FCA Reg No 529810) russellwiles@tpllp.com / 07718 492820 / 01473 225662

WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482 Secretary: Anne Camp, 3 Acre Close, Witnesham IP6 9EU / 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday.

• Sunday, December 6 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Croft • Sunday, December 13 Morning Worship with Mr Ted Jack • Sunday, December 20 Carol Service at 10.30am, followed by soup and mince pies • Friday, December 25 Christmas Day Service at 10.30am • Sunday, December 27 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew • Sunday January 3 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew EVENTS Every Tuesday: Drop-in Café, 2-4pm. Everyone is welcome to call in for tea, cakes and friendship. Combine a visit to the post office with a cup of tea.

Every Friday: Babies and Toddlers group, 9.15-11.15am (not December 25 or January 1).

Contact Jean: 01473 785478 Saturday, December 19: Babies and Toddlers Christmas Party Monday, December 7: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, noon-2pm. Delicious lunch and good company. Contact Karen: 01473 251787

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

Tuesday, December 1, 7.30pm: TBD – Informal topical discussion group. All welcome.

Wednesday, December 9: Prayer Fellowship, 2pm Thursdays, December 3 and 17: Centrepoint, 10.30am Wednesday, December 23: Bible Study, 2pm Tuesday, December 15, 7.30pm: Carol singing at The Barley Mow. All welcome to join us.

The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory.

This seems to have been a year of surveys. Two have been completed looking at Faith and Social Action and the Church. It was at the beginning of the year that The Cinnamon Network did an audit of Faith and Social Action in Suffolk Coastal District. Among their conclusions were that the total number of projects is 128, with nearly 12,000 beneficiaries of these projects, while only 38 are paid staff but there are 941 volunteers. Although these figures included other faith groups, the majority I understand were within the church – who says church is redundant?

A more recent survey that has been reported in the press shows a perhaps less favourable picture. While any survey is limited by the number of people responding, this latest one asked question about who Jesus was/is – 30% think he is a spiritual leader or prophet; and while 60% think he was a real historical person, one in four 18-34 year olds think Jesus was a

mythical or fictional character. However, 21% think he is God. Out of the survey 57% said they were Christian, but only 9% are active in as much they go to church, pray and read the Bible regularly.

So as we come up to Christmas please note that Jesus was a real historical person – not just because the Bible says so but other nonreligious historical records show he lived and was a noted influence both locally in Israel and across the world. His birth was extraordinary in as much that his mum was a virgin; she had not had sex with any man but had conceived through God’s spirit. So, along with the 21%, Jesus was and is God because although he was killed he rose up from the dead; he was resurrected and then returned to heaven where he currently resides until he returns in a glorious manner so that all people alive at the time will see him wherever they are in the world.

The invite this Christmas is not only to join in present sharing and carol singing but to rejoice in the birth of this historical person who is God and to think seriously about letting him influence your life by trusting and following him for the rest of your life.

Pastor Andrew Witnesham Baptist Church invites all to celebrate Christmas with carol singing at The Barley Mow on Tuesday, December 15 from 7.30pm, and then on Sunday, December 20 at our 10.30am Carol Service followed by coffee and mince pies.

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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING December – a traditional month It certainly is. In December traditions threaten to take over our lives.

Advent, Christmas and New Year’s Eve each has its own, as do families, churches and villages. We change them at our peril and worry about doing them properly. Yet how often do we stop to ask how old they are or where and how they originated, let alone why we follow them, often slavishly? Does it matter?

There were probably celebrations to mark the winter solstice long before Jesus was born, including the midwinter feast of Yule in Scandinavia. The Roman calendar put the solstice on December 25; the feast of Saturnalia was a few days before and then that of Kalendae at the turn of the year. The first Christian emperor, Constantine, seems to have adopted December 25 in around 354 as the official day to celebrate the birth of the son in an attempt to divert his people from celebrating the birth of the sun.

Google will tell you more about the origins of pantomimes, crackers, wassailing, carolling, mistletoe, holly, ivy, the tree, cards, presents and St Nicholas, and the large part played by the Victorians (Charles Dickens in particular) in shaping what many of us regard as our traditional Christmas season. After a bit of research it soon becomes obvious that finding the ‘true spirit of Christmas’ (as adverts often claim to have done) is difficult, because it has always been caught up in a mix of cultural, political and religious traditions. The stress caused by trying to follow them is now becoming a tradition in itself.

Some of the ‘happiest’ Christmases I can remember (and what exactly do we mean when we give someone a traditional ‘Happy Christmas’?) have been spent away from home doing things differently. The surroundings of Jesus’ birth were far from traditional for his family, but we can detect in Mary and Joseph a sense of wonder that was far deeper because everything was so different. Perhaps during the ordeal of their journey to Bethlehem, they had done some of the things that became traditional in Advent – contemplative waiting and preparing their hearts and minds – a tradition that we now often ignore.

Contemplate on this: It’s only 57 years since Christmas Day became a public holiday in Scotland It’s only 112 years since the first Advent Calendar was published (in Germany)

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It’s s only 135 years since Edward Benson instigated the ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ It’s only some 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus the human race has only existed a few hundred thousand years It’s some 13 billion years since Big Bang before that was the Word – the Christ My tradition in December is to stand outside gazing up at the starlit nightsky, reflecting on its immensity and my insignificance. I can’t answer the ‘how’ or the ‘why’, but there’s no need. It is enough just to marvel and give thanks that Christ, the one who exists before all things and in whom all things are held together, somehow lives in me and in you.

James Hall SUNDAY SERVICES December 6 Swilland, Holy Communion, 9.30am December 20 Swilland, Carol Services, 11am and 4pm December 25 Swilland, Family Service 9.30am Ashbocking, Holy Communion, 10.30am WHAT’S ON December 1 Coffee and Crafts, Shrubbery Farm, Hasketon, 10am-noon. Bring your own project or share.

December 2 • Bible Study Group, 4 The Cottages, Ashley Grange, Ashbocking, 10am-noon • Clopton Craft and Chat Morning at the village hall, 10am-1pm • SWAPSHOP, Grundisburgh Parish Room, 10.15-11.30am December 4 UPBEAT Concert in Grundisburgh Church raising money for The Alzheimer’s Society and Great Ormond Street Hospital, 7.30pm December 5 Otley Christmas Draw and Coffee Morning, Otley Village Hall, 10.30am December 7 Otley and District Gardening Club, Otley Village Hall, 7.30pm. With mince pies and speaker Matthew Tanton-Brown on The Fragrant Garden.

December 10 • Hasketon Community Lunch Club Christmas Dinner, 12.15 for 12.30pm. Cost £6 a head for a two-course lunch plus coffee and mince pies.

• Tiddlywinks Toddler Group meets in the Upper Room at 2.30pm December 11 • Reader Support Group, The Upper Room, 9am • Otley School Carol Service in Otley Church, 1.30pm December 12 • Burgh Coffee Morning at Burgh Schoolroom, 10.30am-noon • Swilland Christmas Draw, Witnesham Village Hall, 1pm.

Soup, filled rolls and mince pies will be served from noon. There will be a cake and preserve, book and gift stall.

• Thanksgiving Service for Ollie and Alfie Birch, Grundisburgh Church, 1pm December 14 • Knit and Stitch, Burgh Schoolroom, 10.30am-12.30pm.

All welcome. Help/Tuition available • Beyond Alpha, meet in Upper Room, Grundisburgh, 10.30am • Benefice Prayer Group meets in the Upper Room, 5pm • Swilland and Ashbocking carol singing rehearsal at Swilland Church, 7.30pm December 16 • Bible Study Group, 4 The Cottages, Ashley Grange, Ashbocking, 10am-noon • Carlford Benefice Group, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 2.30pm • Carol Singing at Otley Village Hall with FFY and refreshments, 6-8pm December 17 Grundisburgh School Carol Service in Grundisburgh Church, 6pm December 18 Swilland carol singing at Swilland Water Tower, 6pm, and Ashbocking carol singing starting at the Crockery Barn entrance, 6pm December 22 Messy Church at Warren’s Farm, 10-11.30am FROM THE RECTOR Like so many of you, I guess this year, among all our other Christmas greetings and cheer, our thoughts and prayers will also be with those thousands of people across Europe

and the Middle East who have fled from their homes in search of safety.

They are not known to us by name, but we cannot say we do not know them.

The message of God’s love as revealed in the Christmas story is needed evermore increasingly in our fractured and fragile world. Jesus knew the plight of the refugee, what it was to have to flee the land of his birth. The birth of Jesus is God’s statement of solidarity with the people of the world, all humanity.

God has come among us, God walks this earth, and invites us to journey with him, in solidarity with the hurting people of our planet.

Please hold the displaced people of the world in your prayers amid the busyness of Christmas.

My love and prayers for all of you and thanks for all you do in his name.

Clare CHRISTMAS EVENTS Carol Singing rehearsal: Swilland and Ashbocking rehearsal at Swilland Church, December 14, 7.30pm Carol Singing, December 18: Carol singing through the villages, both ending up at carolling in the Moon and Mushroom with the revellers in the pub to raise the roof again.

Swilland – 6pm at the Water Tower; Ashbocking – 6pm Crockery Barn.

All welcome, especially children.

Carol Service: Ashbocking Church, Sunday, December 20, 4pm Christmas Day Service with Scratch Nativity: Come as a character in the nativity or use one of our costumes on the morning, Ashbocking Church, 10.30am FANCY A COFFEE? Grundisburgh Parish Rooms: Wednesday, December 2, 10.1511.30am and then Saturday 5, 10.30am-noon Ashbocking: Friday, December 4 at the home of Nel and Rex Peries, Chez Onze, The Green, Ashbocking, 10.30am-noon Otley: Please note that there is no coffee morning this month.

Clopton: Wednesday, December 16 at the village hall, 10am-noon

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