In Touch with Westerfield - January 2016 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 6 • Issue No. 2 • JANUARY 2016

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I have always loved New Year’s Day, even as a child when I’d watch The New Year's Concert by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on TV. Granted I was probably doing other things at the same time, but it would be on in the background and I loved the drama of it all. It felt like a fitting way to welcome in a new year and was also quite a private moment. My brothers were probably still in bed so it was usually me, my diary – and the vacuum cleaner! In those days in rural Ireland the male and female roles were clearly defined – the boys helped on the farm, I did the cleaning and the baking, but that’s a subject for another day! Cleaning is still part of my new year ritual and I can’t wait to get stuck in. Yes, I admit it, I like cleaning! I love that sense of satisfaction I get when I sit down to admire my handiwork, that oh so precious five minutes before it all falls apart again. I do become a bit of a tyrant when I go into cleaning mode so it’s best to stay out of my way (Daniel consider this your advance warning and if you don’t believe me, just ask mum!), but when it’s done I’m sweetness and light, as per usual! This year I have an extra incentive as I will be looking for something rather special. Last summer Jack found an old key when we were planting seeds with grandma. It is his most precious possession and he presents it to visitors and friends as such. We have mislaid it! I know it’s in the house somewhere but in none of the obvious places and I have (stupidly!) promised to find it. If I do turn out every toy box and every cupboard, as I plan to, surely it will reappear. If not I’m going to have a very sad little boy – and I’ll be a very guilty mummy. Wish me luck. I hope your new year begins with hope for the year ahead and that you too find joy in the small things.

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NEWS CRIPPS, CRIPPS AND CRIPPS Details about how you can take part will be announced in the new year, but the plan is to perform the play in late August/early September. The final decision will be made once the play is cast to fit in with those participating. There are seven main characters plus a couple of characters you only hear and never see.

Although still a work in progress, plans for next summer’s play by the Barley Players to be performed at the Le Panto Theatre on Manor Farm is coming along. Act one is now penned and act two has begun! However, what is clear is that a number of props and furniture will be required so with this in mind it’s time to start early requests for anyone who can help to come forward.

Last year’s sell out performances of The Ghost of Witnesham Hall were deemed to be slightly on the cool side for the audience as well as the actors and backstage crew which is why we have moved it to the summer but retaining a Christmas theme.

The play is set in the 1960s in an office, probably somewhere off Fenchurch Street in London, and the two acts are over the period of December 23 and 24. To make the setting as plausible as possible we are looking for desks, seats, phones, Dictaphones and typewriters from that period. So if you have any lying about in a shed, loft or a spare room can you let me know? We promise to look after anything you are prepared to lend us and you know it’s for a good cause.

Keep your eyes and ears firmly open for more details. Happy New Year to you all. Steve Henley Witnesham Village Recorder and Historian

with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham

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NEWS ASHBOCKING NEWS Hold the front page! Ashbocking Produce, Arts and Craft Show 2016 will be on September 17. Please put this date in your diary, iPad, iPhone or tablet immediately. Please don’t book a holiday then, visit relatives or go on a journey. Invite your friends and relatives to Ashbocking and show off your community and make them jealous! Everything that you enjoyed in 2014 will be on again, but this year we will be including a bar and maybe a very special musical treat. There will be additional show categories so now is the time to think about vegetable seeds and late flowers to grow. The categories will be published in the February edition of In Touch. It would be lovely to have a greater number of entries than last time so the organisers know that you really appreciate their efforts and to make the show fun and really successful for everyone. Back to the present. The speed limit committee met last month to consider our proposal to have a speed restriction on the B1078/B1077 crossroads. It was supported by our county councillor, our district councillor and the crime and police officer. Our proposal met a number of criteria. True, not the criteria relating to shops, petrol station, and housing, but it did meet the junction criteria and the collision criteria! Yes, you read correctly. The proposal did meet the collision criteria! What other criteria did it surely need to meet? I understand the decision is going to appeal – as Tim Passmore put it, ‘the gloves are off!’ It’s clear that there are many concerns regarding the safety of the whole

of the B1078 so I believe AECOM will be doing a complete survey of the road and the committee thought that making changes to one small area of the road was not appropriate at this time. Watch this space! The community land at the end of Allotment Lane has recently seen some action. The place where we plan to have a hard standing area for cars and a community orchard has been cut short to allow work and planting to be done more easily. Thanks to Steve Stegman and Robert Leggett for lending the machinery. We hope to start planting the community orchard in the New Year (weather permitting) and to lay a membrane and hard core for the car parking area in the spring. If you have any varieties of apple or other fruit trees that are your favourites, please do get in touch and give us their names. I hope those of you who live along The Green, Ashbocking, enjoyed the carol singing and were able to attend the Christmas Services at Ashbocking church. Special thanks to Catherine Beaumont for her ministering, her inspirations, energy and leadership throughout 2015 and to Linda and John Pollard, Linda Ellis, Brenda Mitchell, Kevin Balaam, Duncan and Evette Bray, for all their work supporting our church. Also many thanks to Jan Bates and Linda Pollard who created and delivered hampers from the folk of Ashbocking to senior citizens living alone in the parish. The Canon Cowell Trust and the Farmlands Trust along with some parish funds provided the finances. So 2016 looks like being a busy year in Ashbocking. I hope you will want to join in!

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. • January: No meeting • February 3: Gardens of Somerleyton Hall with Anna Outlaw (head gardener) Everyone is welcome. For further details contact: Barbara Bell, 01473 231411 Michele Doick, 01473 252330 Barry Reeve, 01473 251 843 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. • January 14: Cobbold All Over with Ann Day • February 11: Billie and Charlie Forgeries with Robert Halliday New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Kath Richards: 01473 217829 Pilates The classes are in the village hall, 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

Liz Stegman

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE Call 01473 353350 Here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help.

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SPRING 2016 AT THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE

The Last Five Years, an award winning musical from Jason Robert Brown and recently a major motion picture starring Anna Kendrick and Jordan Jamie, headlines the New Wolsey Theatre’s 15th birthday season.

Running from February 25 to March 11, The Last Five Years starts and ends with the beginning of a passionate love affair. Cathy’s story starts with the end of their relationship and follows their tale backwards to when she first fell in love with her young talented lover. Jamie’s story begins with their first passionate encounter and heads forward towards heartache. The unique style of storytelling and the infectious score makes this one of America’s best modern musicals. Songs include Moving Too Fast, If I Didn’t Believe in You and Goodbye Until Tomorrow.

Katie Birtill, who took the title role in Sweet Charity last autumn, stars with a talented live band to create Cathy and Jamie’s world as it crumbles and reforms around them. It will be directed by the New Wolsey Theatre’s artistic director Peter Rowe. Birmingham Repertory Theatre will present The Government Inspector, the first production in the Ramps on the Moon touring project, at the New Wolsey from April 6 to 15. Ramps on the Moon is a ground-breaking touring project that sets out to put more deaf and disabled people on our stages, in our audiences and our workforce. Bringing together seven major theatre companies, it will change the way theatre made by and for D/deaf and disabled people is seen. These companies, which include the New Wolsey Theatre, are committed to putting D/ deaf and disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their work and stimulating awareness of disability issues within arts and culture. Gogol’s satirical masterpiece is a hilarious riot of corruption, lies and greed that has lost none of its original bite. The mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a government inspector. His fear is well-founded as he has been somewhat lacking in his official duties. The hospital is a health hazard, the school is a war zone, the soldiers don’t have trousers to march in and he never quite got around to building that church! Directed by Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director Roxana Silbert, the production includes a creative use of audio description, captioning and British Sign Language.

For full details of the New Wolsey’s jam-packed spring season visit www.wolseytheatre.co.uk where you can also book or call the sales team on: 01473 295900 6

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OUT & ABOUT FOR GOOD HEALTH AND FITNESS TRY CHI KUNG! Would you like to… • Improve your posture, balance and joint mobility • Lower blood pressure and ease breathing • Relieve stress, tension and anxiety • Reduce headaches, backache and muscular pain • Combat depression and insomnia • Increase your energy levels • Get fit and healthy in a non-strenuous way If you can answer yes to any of these questions then the Chi Kung classes held at Westerfield Village Hall on Thursday evenings may be worth a try. Chi Kung is similar to Tai Chi but is easier to learn, combining gentle movement exercises with mindfulness, visualisation and meditation techniques. Chi Kung is a very gentle form of exercise originating in China that promotes the flow of Chi (vital energy) through the body. A typical class comprises exercises for stretching and mobilising the body and joints, breathing techniques, slow movement exercises, static postures, special walking methods and meditation. Chi Kung is essentially meditative and can have a powerful effect on mind and body yet it is a simple, clear, focused, practical way of getting fit. It’s wonderful for neck tension and back problems because it encourages good posture, plus it’s brilliant for gently increasing flexibility in joints. Not bad for something that will take as little as 10-15 minutes out of your day. For further details, a free taster session and to enrol, contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET Did you know that one in four consumers skip breakfast? At Ipswich Country Market we are inviting you to ‘Shake Up Your Wake Up’ on Thursday, January 28 with a free tasting to celebrate Breakfast Week. We have fresh bread, marmalades, jams and local honey. You can taste, smell and buy fresh produce while supporting local producers. If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, try our local honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy. As well as being a tasty start to the day, one of our many varieties of jam will contribute to your Vitamin C and iron intake. Our marmalades contain vitamins and antioxidants from the fruit and peel. Did you know that it is thought that there are 20 times more antioxidants in 1g of marmalade than in your ordinary glass of orange juice?

THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Have you ever been to an auction? Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt? If you do then put the date below in your diary. On Thursday, March 17 at 7.30pm, The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents an evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS talking about The Life and Work of an Auctioneer in St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes, including Bargain Hunt and Flog It. There will be light refreshments, admission is £5. Further details from: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

TRIANON MUSIC GROUP Music from Frozen in January concert programme Frozen, which tells the story of princess Elsa and her power to create ice and snow, won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Let It Go, and it is this song which will feature in Trianon’s January concert. Trianon Music Group – On the Bright Side takes place at Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday, January 9 at 7.30pm. It also celebrates the 40th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The programme includes music from Harry Potter, Gilbert and Sullivan, a medley from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and a moment of nostalgia with the theme tune from the BBC’s Top of the Form. There’s pre-concert busking in aid of Suffolk Mind and The Sunrise Appeal by the Ipswich Hospital Charity. For the children, there’s a fancy dress competition, so there really is something for all the family. Tickets (£9.50 / concessions from £8.50 / students and U16 from £5) purchased from Ipswich Entertainments will be subject to an additional £1 booking fee per ticket: www.ipswichregent.com / 01473 433100 Tickets can also be purchased from Trianon on 01394 283170 / 07876 787029 and from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre. For further details visit: www.tmg.org.uk You can also follow Trianon on Twitter @MusicTrianon

HENLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS OUR FIFTH AND BIGGEST PANTOMIME YET

If you can’t wait for January 28 why not come and join us for bacon rolls when we re-open after Christmas on January 7? You will find us at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane from 10.15 until 11.30am. There is plenty of free parking and tea and coffee are available. We look forward to welcoming you. For photos and regular updates find us on Facebook – just look for Ipswich Country Market.

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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)

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

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 restarting January 11 from 3.30pm. Contact Kelly Fear: 07799 130967 Tuesdays • Post office open at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Drop-in Café at Witnesham Baptist Church, 2-4pm • Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy: 785754 • Traditional Korean Martial Arts (Kuk Sool Won): regular weekly classes, for children aged six-13 years and possibly adults from Wednesday, January 6, 5-6pm. They will be run by KSN Joanne Mills. To learn more about this or to book a space please contact: 07940 950878 Thursdays • Post Office open at Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet bowls, 2pm. Contact: 785754 • Tai Chi Classes for beginners, 5.45pm, and the more experienced, 7.30pm. A new beginners’ class starts on February 4. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers meet in Witnesham Baptist Room, 9.15-11.15am. Resume on January 8. All are welcome. Contact Jean Pearson: 785478

• Pilates class, 10-11am (not January 8 or 15). Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Sewing classes: For information please contact Kim Shaw: 785678 IN JANUARY Wednesday 6 Traditional Martial Arts (Kuk Sool Won) weekly classes begin, 5pm Thursday 7 Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church room at 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin: 785138 Wednesday 14 WI meets at 7.30pm. Contact Gill Dunstan: 785638 Monday 18 Ashbocking Parish Council meeting at SWT HQ, 8pm Wednesday 20 • Friendship Club (open to all) meets for chiropody, quiz, a chat and refreshments, 2pm. Contact Heather Cade: 785464 • Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council meeting, 7.30pm Thursday 21 Mobile library visits Ashbocking at The Green, 12.25pm Thursday 28 • Mobile library visits in Witnesham at

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB The Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham, but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room on Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham. The cost per meeting is £1.50 and includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and a 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’s fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. On November 11 we had fun learning napkin folding in time for Christmas, and on November 25 a quiz afternoon courtesy of Brenda Cooper which really taxed the grey cells. Our last meeting for 2015 was on December 9 when we enjoyed some games and quizzes followed by afternoon tea and an exchange of gifts in a Secret Santa. We will start back again on Wednesday, January 13 with a social afternoon and will be pleased to welcome new members. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

Weyland Road (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 CALLING ALL SWILLAND RESIDENTS Copies of In Touch are available in the porch of Swilland church each month. This is always open for when you’re passing. Please make this widely known, pass your copy on to a neighbour or even take some for your immediate area. More can be made available if there is a greater demand. Please let me have details of your organisation’s event when you have a fixed date and I can include it in future editions. This will help to avoid clashes of dates for village activities. Heather Cade: 785464 / heather.cade@btinternet.com HELP URGENTLY REQUIRED Is there any adult who has time to help keep Witnesham Brownies unit running. We have already lost the Rainbow unit and it would be a shame if the Brownies also had to close. There is at present an enthusiastic group of girls who meet in term time at Witnesham Primary School from 5.30-6.45pm. For more information please call Elizabeth: 785567. It would be so encouraging for the Brownies if I could report in a future copy of In Touch that we have had offers of help.

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY The next meeting of the Ipswich branch of the Suffolk Family History Society is at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 28 in the Co-op Education Centre in Fore Street, Ipswich. The pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. In a talk entitled Can I see your papers?, Robin Durrell will explain how military-related documents and information can be used to help trace part of your family story. Bring along any family military documents, photos, details, or medals you have for examination and analysis. Admission is £2 a person for society members, £2.50 for nonmembers who are also warmly welcomed and can join the society on the night if they wish to do so. Tickets are not required – just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact H King: 01473 274300

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OUT & ABOUT ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM WOMEN’S INSTITUTE We look forward to a whole new year ahead with a variety of speakers and exciting events on the agenda. A walk is planned around Tostock in February, hopefully taking in a stop at Harvey’s Garden Plants. There will be a craft evening, garden party and birthday party, so lots of fun too. Visitors and new members are always welcome so come along on Wednesday, January 13, 7.30pm, when Phillip Roberts is speaking about everyday Tudor life.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF.

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB Our spring programme begins on Thursday, January 28 at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Doors open at 6.45 for a 7.15pm start. We meet every month on the fourth Thursday, except in August and December. In January Vicki Hease from Stowmarket will present a demonstration entitled That’s Not What It’s For! Vicki will create six arrangements during the evening which will be raffled after our refreshment break. If you are looking for a new club to join in 2016 why not come along and join us? We have a flower stall where you can buy all you need to create a flower arrangement. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome at all our meetings. The fee is £4 per meeting and the yearly subscription is £35. For further details contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com

WESTERFIELD AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

Our next meeting on January 19 sees the return of the popular Mark Mitchels. His talk will be on the Duke of Wellington, ‘the man who saved the world’. On February 16 David Brown will be talking about China – The Land of the Dragon. This illustrated talk will focus on a number of famous and less famous attractions, both ancient and modern, as well as aspects of Chinese history and culture.

Our club, based at Westerfield Village Hall, has just completed another year of fascinating talks, presentations, outings and visits, culminating on Wednesday, December 2 with our Christmas buffet and an engrossing talk on storm chasing by meteorologist, TV weatherman, Weatherquest director and self-confessed ‘weather geek’, Chris Bell.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; entrance fee £2 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

Chris is a charming Texan-born anglophile, now based in Norfolk and married to an English primary school teacher, who has been completely entranced by the weather since a child. After explaining some of the myriad ways Weatherquest gathers weather data, processes it and then disseminates forecasts to TV, newspapers, farmers, wind-farm engineers and many others (including a lady in London who holds quite large annual garden parties!), he went on to explain that he spends ‘holiday’ time in America with like-minded people taking part in his hobby.

Become a member in January and gain the full year’s benefit of membership. You will receive the January newsletter giving full details of the year’s excursions and future talks. For more information contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761. www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

OTLEY AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Meeting on the first Monday of each month at Otley Village Hall, Chapel Road, Otley, at 7.30pm. Invited speakers on a wide range of subjects. Monday, January 11: Maike Windhorst on Outdoor Vegetables Through All Four Seasons All welcome. Admission £1.50 members, £4 non-members, includes refreshments. Annual membership is £10. For more information contact: Alan Trevelyan, 07706 054630; Jenny Vince, 01473 738244; Issy Lincoln, 01473 890826

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Chris showed us incredible photographs and videos of storms in the making, massive cloud formations and tornadoes, explaining the conditions that cause and are the precursors of these great forces of nature. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 3 when Anna Outlaw, head gardener at Somerleyton Hall, will talk about the restoration work which she is overseeing. We have a full programme for 2016 with talks on many and varied subjects and some exciting visits planned too. If you are interested in joining us, you are very welcome to come along. Meetings open at 7.15 for a 7.30pm start. Non-members fee £4, which includes refreshments and a draw ticket. Free adjacent parking is available. For further information, please contact Barbara Bell (01473 231411), Barry Reeve (01473 251843) or Michele Doick (01473 252330).

SCHOOLS WITNESHAM AREA PRE-SCHOOL

The children made an advent calendar, Christmas cards and decorations in preparation for Christmas, learnt all about Thanksgiving and made a wonderful display.

The children took part in a musical nativity play at Framsden Baptist Church to celebrate the start of our Christmas celebrations.

From January the pre-school will be open for afternoon sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. On these days children are welcome all day (9am-3pm), which is two three-hour sessions. They should bring a lunch along with them. There will also be a lunch club available on these days until 1.30pm at an additional cost for children not staying for the afternoon session but wishing to extend their morning.

While the children were being changed into their costumes, the parents, relatives and friends of nursery browsed the stalls that had Christmas wreaths, mincemeat, and reindeer decorations all handmade by the children. A warming cuppa and mince pie added to the atmosphere of anticipation.

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

OTLEY UNDER FIVES

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust” Peter Pan by J M Barrie The magic, adventure and fun of Neverland captures the excitement the children felt in the run up to and during the Christmas period: performing in front of proud parents and friends in their very own Christmas play chosen by the children themselves; playing games at the annual Christmas party; craft making with Class One at Otley Primary School and meeting Father Christmas himself. The challenge now is to capture this excitement and carry it into 2016. Chelle, Angela and Tiffany are certainly up for the challenge with plenty of activities planned for the weeks ahead. A new focus this term is supporting the children in learning how to self

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY

dress, ensuring the children in our care have the life skills they need. With the deadline for school applications due this month the reality of ‘big school’ for the older children in our care seems ever closer. Resolutions are often a key feature of the New Year – often involving some kind of physical activity. The children at Otley Under Fives are well on their way to walk the distance from Otley to Legoland, a total of 125 miles.

There were shepherds with their lambs and an innkeeper with his lantern beside Joseph and Mary who laid her baby in the manger. With a wonderful backdrop of the stable with a donkey looking on, The Angel Gabriel said: “Don’t be afraid” and The Star held her tinsel star over the baby Jesus. The Three Kings… rather two kings and one queen this year… gave their presents to the baby – albeit wrapped in Spiderman paper. A whole row of angels with golden wings sat looking adorable on the front of the stage with all the parents looking in awe at their excellent behaviour. Singing all the nativity songs to well known nursery rhymes meant every child was able to sing and follow the actions. Rhythm sticks tapping out our way to Bethlehem, little night light candles shining as we sang This Little Light of Mine and then the full force of many sets of bells as we raised the roof to Jingle Bells. A rather magical start to the festive season. The nursery takes children from 18 months to school age so do please come and visit and see what we get up to. 01473 890950

This is the target they have set themselves as part of the Golden Mile initiative aimed at getting pupils active. We were delighted the East Anglian Daily Times covered the launch of the event in November, including a photograph of the children. 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: www.otleyunderfives.co.uk

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NOW RECRUITING SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Responsible for advertising sales, account management, business development and sales team and portfolio management for Mansion House Publishing, Colourplan Print, Boswell Office Supplies and Musical Marketing. The key tasks include: •

Responsible for managing and developing an experienced sales team, with a requirement to establish targets and objectives and to motivate staff, develop new business opportunities and revenue streams and to deliver projects successfully.

•

Working closely with the MD to devise and implement marketing strategies (including digital), increasing sales through marketing and reporting on marketing success.

Applicants must have several years of senior media sales experience, ideally within a publishing environment, a proven track record of hitting and exceeding sales targets and excellent experience of managing and motivating sales people. We are looking for a candidate who can deal professionally with high level clients. The ideal candidate will have experience of successfully developing large accounts and also experience of new business development. Furthermore, we would expect the candidate to have a desire to be a real leader in driving team success.

MAGAZINE DESIGNER / LAYOUT An experienced print and magazine designer / layout to join our small and very busy team. You will need to be skilled in page layout, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator with proven ability to make design judgements in relation to page layout and at least three years experience working in print or publishing design. You will need to work effectively and efficiently under pressure, have a keen eye for detail, natural creative flair and possess strong communication and teamwork skills.

For full details including how to apply please visit: www.grapevinelive.co.uk/category/jobs 14

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SCHOOLS / SPORTS HELMINGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL We enjoyed a busy autumn term which culminated in our Christmas shows. All classes have presented aspects of their work to parents in an assembly and both parents and children have produced some fabulous family projects. There have been a number of new things in school including a new canopy and sand pit that are much enjoyed by the children. All classes have been out on visits; Stars went to Foxburrow Farm, Moon went to Sandringham and Sun have been to Stansted Airport. All of these experiences have added to the work being done in school. We would love to have members of the community come a visit us; maybe you have climbed a mountain, visited other countries or can speak another language. Please just give our office a call. If you have children who will soon be school age or know someone who has, or have just moved into the area and are looking for school places, please come and visit us. admin@helmingham.suffolk.sch.uk / 01473 890267

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL December’s six-a-side indoor series tournament gave Ipswich Ravens another chance to pit themselves against the top volleyball clubs around Suffolk and beyond, and put the lessons we have been learning at our training sessions into practise. With a total of eight teams in Division 1 and six in Division 2 this was the biggest tournament yet, a clear sign that the sport is growing in popularity.

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Greetings guff lovers. As this is the new year edition I thought I would ask the old favourite Mystic Mick for his almanac predictions for the year. • January: Following his Davis Cup success Andy Murray is delighted to find out that Disney is making a cartoon of the event, less so when he discovers that Eeyore is playing his part. • February: The tennis club purchases a speed gun to test players serving speed. Nick is overjoyed to win, but the result is declared void when it’s discovered that a passing tortoise had erroneously been clocked as his tennis ball. • March: Graham is so despondent over Ipswich Town’s latest performance that he nails his season ticket to the Portman Road gates in protest, returning later after regretting his action he is dismayed to find someone has stolen the nail. • April: World Climate Conference issues a new warning on colder winters after Corrine is seen wearing a fleece with sleeves. • May: Home Secretary Theresa May is flattered that this month will be named after her and in future will be known as Useless.

Our First team were without regular captain Chris Giles and this gave two of our recent recruits the opportunity to make their debuts in Division 1. We began with an excellent win against eventual winners Diss and finished overall third with three wins from five games.

• June: Bramford Tennis Club players prepare for Wimbledon. I cannot participate as my Uncle Bulgaria costume needs letting out and my litter-picking tool is broken.

DIVISION 1 RESULTS Ipswich Ravens 20-15 Diss; Ipswich II 20-17 Ipswich Ravens; Stowmarket II 16-20 Ipswich Ravens; Ipswich Ravens 18-20 Norwich Towers; Ipswich Ravens 20-11 Bury Bobcats.

• July: Holiday chaos averted at UK airports as baggage handlers vote for a go slow, thus ensuring their speed increases in time for the rush.

DIV 1 Diss Ipswich II Ipswich Ravens Ipswich I Norwich Towers Bury Bobcats Stowmarket III

Wins 4 4 3 3 2 1 0

Pts For 95 86 95 95 73 65 73

Pts Agst 65 77 82 82 93 93 100

• August: Clive and Lorna enter the Tour de France. Sensationally they lead throughout the first day until the route passes the first vineyard offering tastings. • September: C4's Time Team features the tennis club in a televised dig when Saxon groats are found on the field. Graham ruins it by finding that they had fallen out of his wallet.

Later in Division 2 we were able to give a first tournament experience to two of our new juniors as part of an eight-player squad. They fitted into the team well and contributed creditable performances, helping us towards two victories out of three games, also finishing third overall.

• October: Nick hits a clean ace! An extra terrestrial alien race land in Washington and takes over the USA. Delete whichever sounds more unlikely!

DIVISION 2 RESULTS SCC Seagulls 3-20 Ravens II; Bury Bobcats II 20-6 Ravens II; Alexanders Dragons 16-20 Ravens II.

• November: Alex Neil sensationally quits Norwich City with them top of the Premiership to take up a new career as Gollum in the next Lord of the Rings movie.

Why not start the new year by giving volleyball a try yourself? It’s a lively team sport, it will help with your fitness and coordination, and it’s a lot more fun than going to the gym.

• December: Oxford archaeologists discover a copy of Mick Russ' monthly guff jokes believed to date from 250BC. They were dated forensically from the whiskers on them.

Ipswich Ravens hold club practise sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. We are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 11 upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

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No space for joke of the month (I have taken pity on you all). I wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope you keep reading (it has to improve at some point). Mick Russ

ON THE GRAPEVINE

QUESTIONS ON CASH

with Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb

Sue from Woodbridge asks: “My husband and I have a whole of life insurance policy with Scottish Provident with a sum assured of £80,000 payable if either of us dies. For the last 10 years we have paid a premium of just over £29 a month, but they have just written to us to say that following a 10 year review, this will increase to £66 a month. My husband says there is no point in looking around for a better deal, as we are 10 years older than we were when we took the policy out, so all insurance companies will charge about the same premium for that level of cover. Is that true?” Not necessarily Sue. If you do some shopping around before you accept the increase, you could save yourselves a lot of money. A whole of life policy runs until you die or until you cancel the policy. At outset the insurance company calculates how much they need to charge you in order to provide a set level of cover if you die. This calculation is based upon your age, health, lifestyle, and your job, as all these factors will influence the risk. Unless you have a policy with guaranteed or fixed premiums, most whole of life policies are reviewed after 10 years, and again every five years after that. Your husband is right to say that the premium will cost you more now because you are 10 years older, but it’s definitely worth shopping around

for a better deal. Not all companies apply the same rates for a new policy as they do for an existing policy after it has been in force for a few years. A few months ago I saw a couple who had a whole of life plan with Aviva with a sum assured of £70,000. At the 10-year review point, Aviva wrote to them to tell them that the premium would increase from £24.31 a month to £114.51 if they wished to maintain the same level of cover. That was an increase of 375%! I did some shopping around and found them a similar whole of life policy with Canada Life International with the same sum assured. The premium for this plan was £32.60 a month, which was again guaranteed for another initial period of 10 years. Obviously, these clients will face another potential premium increase after 10 years have elapsed, but switching the policy means they will have saved over £9,800 in premiums over that 10-year period for the same level of cover. 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 opinions and views in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position and requirements. Plumb Financial Services is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK Our children and grandchildren deserve the very best start in life and it is our responsibility to provide them with the skills that they need to be successful. A new year is a good time to reflect on our achievements of the last few months and look forward to the challenges ahead, and I am very pleased that at the end of last year I was successful in helping to persuade the government to reform the current unfair school funding formula. We are very lucky in our part of Suffolk to have many high quality headteachers and schools. However, when it comes to funding, schools in Suffolk have historically received lower levels of funding compared to other local authorities. The 10 best funded areas in England on average received grants of £6,297 per pupil last year, compared with an average of just £4,208 per pupil in the 10 most poorly funded areas. In Suffolk, we have received only £4,362 per pupil, and this needs to change. Different levels of schools with similar and unfair and is calculation which

funding for individual pupil needs is arbitrary based on a historical is open to political

manipulation. Currently, schools that are similar but in different parts of the country can receive very different levels of financial support, despite educating children with the same needs. I have had many meetings with our headteachers and governors in Suffolk who have long acknowledged that the existing funding formula is unfair to rural counties like Suffolk. I believe that the funding of schools should be fairer and more transparent, enabling schools to meet the needs of their pupils, and at a time of spending restraint it is more important than ever that funding is allocated based on pupil need. Extra resources should clearly follow those pupils who might need extra help and support, such as pupils from poorer backgrounds. Our current system falls well short of this. The distribution of funding is not fair, and that’s why I am pleased to have played a role in helping it to change. For some time now I have been pushing the government to deliver a fairer school funding formula as a member of the f40 group, which represents a group of the lowest funded education authorities in England where government-set cash allocations for primary and secondary pupils are the lowest in the country. F40 has been campaigning since 1996 to change the way the government allocates funding to local authorities and schools with the support of MPs, councillors, education

directors, governors, headteachers, parents and teaching union representatives. For Suffolk, reforming the formula will mean an addition £178.06 for each and every pupil in Suffolk. In October last year I called on Prime Minister David Cameron to deliver fairer funding for schools in rural Suffolk in a letter signed by 111 f40 MPs from all political parties representing poorly funded local councils. I was delighted when the chancellor, George Osborne, announced in his Autumn Statement on November 25 that the government has accepted our fairer funding formula proposal. I then presented the petition on behalf of schools and pupils in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich to parliament. I am delighted that 362 people signed the petition in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich and I am enormously grateful to everybody who has taken the time to get involved. This effort underlines how much people want to see a fairer deal for our children and grandchildren and I will continue to push for the best deal possible for our pupils in Suffolk. I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2016. For more information please visit: www.drdanielpoulter.com

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ON THE GRAPEVINE WELCOME BACK SPA PAVILION! HELLO GOOD OLD DAYS!

MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION TO WRITE YOUR WILL IN 2016

It’s very exciting that the glorious jewel of a building, Felixstowe’s Spa Pavilion positioned on the seafront of this stunning Suffolk coastline, has just re-opened to thrill and titillate us all with quality entertainment. Bravo to the team and their hard work! Encore to the future of live shows!

Age UK Suffolk is organising a Will Month during February 2016 and have invited solicitors in Suffolk to offer a free will writing service for a donation to the charity. The scheme in association with the East Anglian Daily Times aims to raise awareness of the importance of making a will.

In recognition of the Spa Pavilion’s heritage and fascinating history we take you back in time to the date of this iconic venue’s opening in 1909 and present a dazzling display of variety in the style of the Victorian Music Hall. A quintessentially British afternoon of nostalgia, re-creating the precise format of this hugely popular form of entertainment both back in the day at the Spa, and later on the BBC, with the show The Good Old Days. This was famously hosted on TV by Mr Leonard Sachs and attracted an audience of 10 million viewers at its peak.

Over two thirds of people in the UK do not have a will! As a new year approaches there has never been a better time to make sure you are prepared for the future.

Mainstream music’s veteran entertainer Mr Leo Shavers expertly assumes the role of Worthy Chairman, and brings to you a brand new show in homage to the Spa Pavilion entitled The Good Old Days of Music Hall on February 25 at 2.15pm. Sit back and revel in the cream of variety entertainers from around the globe while taking a step into the eccentric, eclectic and enthralling world of Victorian Theatreland! To book call 01394 284962 or visit: www.spapavilion.net The Spa Pavilion, Undercliff Road, Felixstowe IP11 2DX

Older people are living longer and care needs, lasting power of attorney, second marriages, extended families, civil partnerships, funeral costs, inheritance tax all need to be addressed. Planning for later life is essential and making a will is so important to avoid many complications and extra costs and to ensure your beneficiaries are protected and you will have peace of mind knowing your wishes will be fulfilled. A basic single or mirror will is being offered for a suggested donation to Age UK Suffolk and the following solicitors are taking part: Goodwin Cowley Solicitors, Fosters Solicitors, Atkins Thomson Solicitors, Gross & Co Solicitors, Jackamans Solicitors, Norton Peskett Solicitors, Petersfields LLP Solicitors, Ellisons Solicitors, Watkins Stewart & Ross Solicitors, Christchurch Solicitors LLP, Michael Smith & Co Solicitors, Bates Wells & Braithwaite Solicitors, Blocks Solicitors, Haywards Solicitors and Fairweather Stephenson & Co Solicitors. Age UK Suffolk rely on legacies and donations, particularly as they are suffering major cuts in funding from statutory sources and will need to fundraise for almost 75% of the cos ts of its services in the future. For more information contact Maggie James – 01473 359911 / maggie. james@ageuksuffolk.org – or visit: www.ageuksuffolk.org

Community Buying at CAS Ltd

Will month

February 2016

Want to save money on the cost of your heating oil? So do we!

Over two thirds of people in the UK do not have a will. Are you one of them? If you would like to take up the offer to make a Will for a donation to Age UK Suffolk please contact 01473 359911 to request the details of all participating solicitors, or email: maggie.james@ageuksuffolk.org

Alternatively, do visit our website: www.ageuksuffolk.org

Join our new community-based countywide oil buying syndicate and see how easy it is

Community Buying at CAS Ltd Tel: 01473 345400 Email: oil@communitybuying.org.uk www.communitybuying.org.uk

• Choose your solicitor • Make your donation to Age UK Suffolk • Write your Will with your chosen solicitor

In association with

Community Buying at CAS Ltd, reg. no. 04794467, is a subsidiary of Community Action Suffolk, a charity working to strengthen and champion commmunities across the County. Registered office: Brightspace, 160 Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0HH Community Action Suffolk Registered Office as above. Registered Charity Number: 1150501. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England. Number 08316345

Supported by Registered charity no. 1085900

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11/15

ON THE GRAPEVINE TREATING HEARING LOSS CAN HELP KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS By Karen Finch, audiologist and managing director of The Hearing Care Centre

Every New Year brings with it a sense of renewal. For many, this renewal may include New Year’s resolutions pledging that the next year will prove better than the last. The challenge is not making these resolutions, but making sure they don’t melt away with the snow as winter turns to spring.

need to make new friends and experience new adventures in the coming year. Have you always wanted to volunteer with an organisation or join a club but have been too self-conscious about your hearing loss? Don’t let apprehension and worry keep you from meeting new people and enjoying all the sights and sounds that the world has to offer.

Some common resolutions might include reducing stress levels, staying in touch more regularly with family and friends, and being more socially involved. For those who struggle with hearing loss, keeping these and other perennial resolutions may prove challenging. Here are a few examples of how treating your hearing loss in the New Year can help you achieve your resolutions and improve your life.

Starting a new hobby Starting a new hobby, whether by yourself or in a group setting, can be both challenging and entertaining. If you would like to learn how to play a new instrument and want to better hear the notes, or if you are taking a class at your local college and want to be able to contribute to the discussion without feeling nervous, having the confidence to address your hearing issues can lead to new talents and friends.

Reducing stress Staying stress free in the New Year may seem like an insurmountable task, but we can all do a few things to make sure stress doesn’t dominate our lives. Hearing-related stress can present itself in everyday situations with the potential to significantly increase your overall stress level. If you have become nervous to speak up when clarifying what was said in a conversation, or avoid loud places for fear of being cut from the conversation, it may be time to address your hearing issues. Finding a solution could help you reduce some of your daily stress. Staying in touch with family and friends Staying connected with family and friends is difficult whether loved ones are spread across the country or live just around the corner. If keeping in touch with the important people in your life tops your list of resolutions, addressing your hearing concerns may be a step in the right direction. Being able to communicate with family and friends without worrying about what was said by a loved one over the phone, on Skype, or faceto-face is of the utmost importance. Not only does it put your mind at ease, it makes conversations with loved ones that much easier. Branching out Hearing loss may hinder you from branching out and meeting new people. If you are nervous to extend your social circle because of your hearing loss, addressing the issue in the New Year could be the push you

Taking action If any of the above scenarios resonate with you, your hearing loss could be a barrier to accomplishing your resolutions. It may be time to add another resolution to the list: book a hearing assessment. Seeking help, advice and ultimately treating your hearing loss will benefit not only your physical health but your mental and social health as well. Placing priority on your hearing health will not only help you to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, but will give you a renewed confidence in your hearing and social life. Invest in your hearing. Invest in yourself. Karen Finch is the Managing Director and lead audiologist at The Hearing Care Centre in Ipswich. The multi-award winning, family-run company has 20 centres across Suffolk and Norfolk.

To encourage those affected by this article to take the first step, Karen and her team have organised a series of special open day events at their practice in Ipswich between Wednesday, January 27 and Friday 29. They are offering free hearing assessments and professional advice in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. To book an appointment please call 01473 230330.

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS COUNCIL TAX SCAM Fraudsters have been phoning victims telling them that they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and are entitled to a rebate. They normally say that this rebate should be worth about £7,000. Once the victim is convinced, the fraudster tells them that in order to receive the rebate they will need to pay an administration fee in advance. The payment they ask for varies between £60-£350. The victim provides the details and makes the payment, but then is no longer able to make contact with the person they spoke to on the phone. When they phone their council about the rebate and the fact that they are in the wrong tax bracket, the council will confirm that they know nothing about it and that they have been contacted by fraudsters.

PROTECT YOURSELF Never respond to unsolicited phone calls. Your local council won’t ever phone out-of-the-blue to discuss a council tax rebate. If you receive a call of this nature, put the phone down straight away. No legitimate organisation will ask you to pay in advance in order to receive money, so never give them your card details. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line as fraudsters sometimes keep the line open. Then call your bank or card issuer to report the fraud. Where it is possible use a different phone line to make the phone call.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online or by telephone: www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud / 0300 123 2040

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, January 3 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Croft • Sunday, January 10 Morning Worship with Mr David Willson • Sunday, January 17 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Croft • Sunday, January 24 Morning Worship with Pastor Andrew Croft • Sunday, January 31 United Service 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 January 1). Contact Jean: 01473 785478 • Monday: There will be no Munch Bunch Lunch Club this month • Tuesday, January 5, 7.30pm: TBD – Informal topical discussion group. All welcome. • Wednesday, January 13: Prayer Fellowship, 2pm • Thursdays, January 7 and 21: Centrepoint, 10.30am • Wednesday, January 27: Bible Study, 2pm • Saturday, January 30: Messy Church, 10am1pm, with free lunch The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory. Another New Year begins, and it may be that you are asking what will it bring? Will violence

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around the world in its various forms be any less? Will poverty here and around the world be any less? Will homelessness here be any less? What about climate change? In many ways they are rather gloomy questions to begin the year. Perhaps you already know some of the things that are planned for the year; a holiday booked, a wedding planned, a baby due or a move to another house or job. These are things much better to centre on, something positive. The reality of life is that all these things are part of life for all or many of us. The news on the telly or in the press is more often than not quite depressing and good news is not reported much. Yet there is an abundance of good news around; locally many are involved in voluntary work that brings light and happiness to many people’s lives; people are extremely generous in supporting numerous charities both locally and globally. Internationally known people, like Mark Zuckerberg who is planning to donate 99% of his Facebook share over his life time to a variety of worthy causes and to inspire or assist others, step out to promote different aspects of well being around the world. The joy of watching children play and laugh at the silliest things or helping each other. Life will continue through the year and in part it will be as we make it. Daily decisions affect our tomorrows. Having just celebrated Christmas – the birth of the Son of God, I’m reminded that Jesus is not only the bringer of good news but is himself good news. Knowing him and trusting him and trying to follow his ways fills me with good news each day and gives me peace of mind for the now and hope for the future. While things around falter or verge on disaster I am assured that God is still in overall control even while he allows mankind to go its own way. I believe that we need to share time with each

other to understand God’s ways, to encourage each other to trust in Jesus and go on to be generous to each other. To help in this we are opening up our church every Tuesday evening to be able to meet with each other in an informal way to talk about world events and local issues that affect us, relating them to what the Bible teaches us, looking into the Bible for inspiration to live differently and spending time praying for each other. These evenings will be every Tuesday starting this month from 7.30pm and are open to anyone who would like to join us – those of Christian faith or of no faith at all. I’d love to see you. Pastor Andrew

MESSY CHURCH Calling all children, their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and all other young-at-heart members of our community. St Mary’s Church, Witnesham and Witnesham Baptist Church invite you all to join us for Messy Church on Saturday, January 30 at Witnesham Baptist Church. The activities begin at 10am and include craft, games, singing, stories and lunch, finishing at 1pm. Everyone, whatever your age, is welcome, but we do ask that children are accompanied please. There will be something to appeal to all with plenty of choice of activities. There is no cost. Those of you who have been before for our ‘Messy’ events know what fun it is, so we hope you will all come again and bring your friends and neighbours. Please save this date, January 30. We look forward to seeing you.

CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Doing one thing at a time – more or less! Happy New Year to you all. I expect, like me, you may have made some New Year resolutions. I used to think that it was a bad idea to tell friends or family what I had resolved to do differently, give up, change or take on in case they teased me or expected too much of me. More often now I do disclose my good intention in the hope that others may help me stick to it. So in 2016 I intend to spend more time in the present moment – this may mean noticing the world around me more, the red berries against the bright blue winter sky, practising daily silent prayer or Christian mindfulness or just doing one thing purposefully at a time instead of trying to do two or three things simultaneously and then dropping one item, losing another, forgetting why I went to a room and then answering the phone. I know that spending time in the present moment or ‘saying “Yes” to

God’s now’ is hugely enriching. The welsh poet and priest, RS Thomas, advises that life isn’t about ‘hurrying on to a receding future’ or ‘hankering after an imagined past’ but stepping aside to enjoy the moment. If we consciously still ourselves and are silent before God we can find his peace and love. Similarly when we can enjoy each day for what it brings, appreciating its opportunities and blessings, I think we will find the year ahead fulfilling. That won’t always be easy but, as a Sanskrit poem puts it ‘For yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is but a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope; look well therefore to this day.’ It’s easy to give up on our New Year resolutions so I’m going to cut out the poem below, laminate it and keep it in the kitchen where I often try to do two or three things at once. Perhaps you can keep it as a reminder too. The Rev Jane Hall

Take time to THINK… it is the source of power. Take time to PLAY… it is the secret of perpetual youth. Take time to READ… it is the fountain of wisdom. Take time to PRAY… it is the greatest power on earth. Take time to LOVE and BE LOVED… it is a God-given privilege. Take time to BE FRIENDLY… it is the road to happiness. Take time to LAUGH… it is the music of the soul. Take time to GIVE… it is too short a day to be selfish. Take time to WORK… it is the price of success. Take time to DO CHARITY… it is the key to heaven. SUNDAY SERVICES January 3 Swilland, Holy Communion, 9.30am January 10 Ashbocking, Family Service, 11am January 17 Swilland, Family Service, 11am WHAT’S ON January 8 Reader Support Group in the Upper Room, Grundisburgh, 2pm January 11 Otley and District Gardening Club, Otley Village Hall with guest speaker Maike Windhorst on Outdoor Vegetables Through All Four Seasons.

January 14 Tiddlywinks toddler and pre-school group meets in the Upper Room, Grundisburgh, 2.30pm January 19 Bible Book Club – a small group for those of faith, agnostics and atheists interested in the historical context of Christian literature, 10.30am. We are discussing The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels. Please let us know if you would like to join us: paulwiffen222@btinternet.com / 01473 738474 January 23 Wedding Preparation for couples getting married in 2016, Upper Room, Grundisburgh, 10am

January 25 Swilland Men’s Group meeting at the Moon and Mushroom, 6.30pm. Please contact Brian Williams for numbers wanting supper: 01473 785726 / bfwdent@ btinternet.com January 28 • Hasketon Community Lunch, 12.15pm • Tiddlywinks toddler and preschool group meets in the Upper Room, Grundisburgh, 2.30pm FROM THE RECTOR A new year brings the opportunities for new initiatives for us in the Carlford Benefice. Across our eight parishes there has been discussion of how we as a church take our life in God forward – seeking direction in what we do. As a benefice we have identified that we need to focus on communication – how we present the life of the church and our faith in God to the wider community – as well as how we communicate with each other within the benefice. We have set up a HUB group with representatives from our parishes under the age of 60 to meet with the ministry team members to be a forum for discussion and discernment as we seek to do God’s work. Each of our parishes has identified the specific emphases. Ashbocking • To go on an away day with Swilland parishioners and explore what being a Companion Church means and to deepen our faith together. Boulge • To create a prayer corner with a book for prayer requests • To go on pilgrimage to the cathedral Burgh • To focus on finding a churchwarden Clopton • To extend the number of people who visit and who are being visited • Flower Festival – involving more people from the village with preparation/teas etc • To hold a village picnic at Pear Tree Farm with games for children

Grundisburgh • To find a communications officer • To develop a programme of social events • To explore holiday club possibilities Hasketon • A continuing focus on pastoral care and home/hospital visiting • Prayer requests made easier with a prayer box and/or book clearly available • Communication Otley • Focus on growing in numbers during the coming year • Big Lunch event for the Queen’s 90th birthday on June 11/12 Swilland • To create a prayer corner, with a book and noticeboard for prayer requests • To go on an away day with Ashbocking and explore what being a Companion Church means These tasks are not just for PCC or Ministry Team members – they are tasks for all of us to engage in as we share and live our faith wherever we find ourselves. Love and prayers for us all in 2016, Clare MEN’S GROUP The next meeting is on Monday, January 25 at the Moon and Mushroom at 6.30pm. The speaker on this occasion for all you ardent students of history is Peter T Wright with a talk entitled The Battle of the Barents Sea. Please contact Brian Williams for numbers wanting supper: 01473 785726 / bfwdent@btinternet.com FANCY A COFFEE? • Grundisburgh Parish Rooms: Saturday, January 2, 10.30amnoon, and then Wednesday, January 6, 10.15-11.30am • Ashbocking: Friday, January 8 at the home of Sue and Mike Surridge of 9 Nelson Close, Ashbocking IP6 9NL, 10.30amnoon • Clopton: Wednesday, January 20 at the village hall, 10am-noon • Otley: Thursday, January 28 at the home of Peter and Rose Rogerson, 10.30am-noon

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