In Touch News with Woodbridge – June 2016

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Volume 6 • Issue No. 2 •JUNE 2016

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June 22nd – July 9th The Hush House, Bentwaters, IP12 2TW 01473 211498 | www.easternangles.co.uk

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’m gotten to know the lollipop lady outside Jack’s school quite well over the years. We have talked about her daughter, who is in high school, her son, who is in college, the fact that she’s been on a diet and her yellow coat is now far too big… Now you may wonder when we have time to chat and rather surprisingly it’s as we stand waiting for cars to stop each morning. She holds her lollipop aloft, arm outstretched to prevent eager children from running across the road, and we wait, and wait, and wait as driver after driver pretends not to see us, gaze focused directly ahead, determined to get to somewhere awfully special (I assume). Occasionally they will wave as if to say “I acknowledge your existence but you must realise how incredibly busy and important I am so I’m going to ignore your request”. And we carry on waiting. Just the other morning a driver stopped, forcing the driver coming from the other direction to reluctantly (there are some words it’s rather easy to lip read!) to do the same thing. Just as the lollipop lady set off another car overtook one of the stopped cars, forcing her to jump back onto the footpath. What was he thinking? If the prospect of being 30 seconds late is so appalling then get up earlier or take a different route.

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

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

Melton In Touch &with Woodbridge In Touch with Melton & Woodbridge is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: woodbridge@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

ADVERTISING Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

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01473 400379 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. © 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 Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton Rural is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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NEWS QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PICNIC AND PARADE The Woodbridge Branch of The Royal British Legion is holding a Queen’s Birthday Parade and Picnic on Saturday, June 11, departing from the RBL Club in the Thoroughfare at 1.30pm and parading through the town to Elmhurst Park where the mayor of Woodbridge will present the Woodbridge Branch with the Freedom of the Town before the Queen’s birthday picnic from 2pm.

WOODBRIDGE CELEBRATES SHAKESPEARE 400 WITH FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS Woodbridge resident and literature enthusiast, Tim Cornford, is organising Woodbridge’s own celebration of Shakespeare this summer to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his death. Shakespeare-inspired drama, music and art will take place throughout June and July.

Wednesday, June 8, 7pm: A live broadcast of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s current production of Hamlet starring Paapa Essiedu and directed by Simon Godwin at The Riverside Theatre. Tickets £12.50 from: 01394 382174 / www.theriverside.co.uk Sunday, June 12, 7.30pm: A concert of music inspired by Shakespeare

by Kingfisher Sinfonietta at St Mary’s Church. Tickets £12/£10/£2 from Woodbridge Violins, 26 Market Hill, 01394 383150 or on the door.

Tuesday & Wednesday, June 28 & 29, 8pm: An open-air performance of Love’s Labour’s Lost on Woodbridge School Chapel Lawn. Bring a cushion, blanket or folding chair. If wet the play will move into the Seckford Theatre. Tickets free of charge from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/seckfordtheatre Thursday, July 28, 7pm: A talk by Mark Mitchels on Shakespeare’s Globe: A Groundling’s View at Woodbridge Library. To reserve a free place contact: 01394 446510 / Helen.Scrivener@suffolklibraries.co.uk Throughout June and July there is a free art exhibition at Woodbridge Library of pieces created during the art workshops running in May and June. There are still places available for the free art workshops which are open to all ages at Farlingaye High School on either Tuesday, June 7 or Tuesday, June 14, 5-7.30pm.

Places can be booked by emailing: thetherington@farlingaye.suffolk.sch.uk

Photo: Anthony Mather

There are also spaces available for the free drama workshops for 7-11 year olds (10am-12.30pm) and 12-13 year olds (1-3.30pm) on Saturday, July 16 at Farlingaye High. Students will work in groups to bring to life scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, culminating in brief presentations to parents. Places can be booked by emailing: rlansdowne@farlingaye.suffolk.sch.uk Tim Cornford, producer of the celebration, said: “Shakespeare’s work is core to Britain’s art and drama heritage and I hope through these community events and workshops we can help to develop the passion and appreciation in people of all ages. I am so very grateful to the Year 7 pupils at Farlingaye High School for designing the posters, to the rector and PCC of St Mary’s Church for the use of the church on Sunday, June 12, and to Suffolk Coastal District Council, Deben Decorative and Fine Arts Society and Woodbridge Society for their financial support.”

More information and booking contacts can be found at: www.choosewoodbridge.co.uk/events

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NEWS Free

Free

admission

admission

Woodbridge Tide Mill Trust held its annual general meeting on Friday, April 22. The Shire Hall was almost full, and among those attending were the patron of the tide mill, Michael Lord, the Lord Framlingham, and his wife Jenny. Tony Hubbard, past chairman of the trust and currently a vice patron, was also present, as was Geoff Holdcroft, deputy leader of Suffolk Coastal District Council, but representing Woodbridge Town Council.

Melton Village Fete 2016 25th June 11.00am – 3.00pm Melton Playing Fields IP12 1PD

Chairman of the trust, Nigel Barratt, presented the trustees’ annual report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2015, together with his chairman’s report. The highlight of the year was that the Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) restoration project has come to an end. The trust’s evaluation report on the project had been accepted. A letter received from HLF included the sentence: “Many congratulations on completing a successful Heritage Lottery Fund project.”

Stalls and Games Punch and Judy

Classic Cars

Donkey Rides

Chris the Clown

Bouncy Castle

Face Painting Archery Traditional Tea Tent Fire Engine Plus much, much more for all the family Music by Melton Folk

Food and drinks by Coach and Horses and barbeque Proceeds to Melton Primary School and St. Andrew’s Church, Melton

FAMILIES NEEDED TO HOST SPANISH STUDENTS A group of Spanish teenagers are coming to Woodbridge this summer and we are looking for families to host them.

The students, whose ages vary from 12 to 17 years, will be in Woodbridge from Monday, June 27 to Monday, July 25. As a host family you need to make the Spanish students feel very welcome in your home and immerse them in your family life.

You receive £115 per week to cover their food and board – for this you need to provide breakfast, a packed lunch and a hot evening meal.

Heather Carroll, who is coordinating the scheme this year and has hosted a Spanish student for the last two years, said: “It is immensely rewarding and a great opportunity to show off this fabulous part of the country to these students from Madrid.

“You don’t have to take them far but we found a few trips to the seaside, frisbee in the park, badminton in the back garden, a bowling trip and fish and chips on the beach were very well received!”

As part of the scheme, the teenagers have lessons in Woodbridge in the morning and activities in the afternoon. They have a trip on Wednesday each week and in previous years have visited Ipswich, Colchester, Cambridge and London. Host families need to drop them into Woodbridge each day at 9am and pick them up at 5pm.

If you would like to get involved with this excellent scheme please contact Heather: 01394 420659 / 07715 286932

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SUCCESSFUL HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND PROJECT COMPLETED

Nigel reported that more than 45,000 people had visited the tide mill since it had re-opened. This was more than double previous levels, with the best year at around 12,000 visitors. The project had been brought in under budget, leaving a small financial cushion to help take the mill forward. Nigel warned, though, that while the HLF funding had come to an end, the project continued. With a national heritage asset of this antiquity, continuing restoration, improvements and critical maintenance works are always essential.

In presenting the results of the trust, Nigel reported that earnings from visitors, gifts and flour sales are providing the mill with a small but healthy annual surplus. He felt that this secures at least the medium term future of the mill. But future maintenance costs will inevitably be high, and as the tide mill had been gifted to the people of Woodbridge and the wider public, he warned that we must not become complacent and that “all of those involved in the mill have a responsibility to ensure its future is secured”. The meeting approved the accounts.

Nigel specifically mentioned all the active volunteers who put time and effort into the mill. The meeting was told that their numbers are growing and “are currently at 42 which is a tremendous achievement to boast about”. Nigel went on to tell them that he and the trust highly value their contributions as well as the resident wardens, and offered a “heartfelt thank you to all who give their time”.

But it wasn’t all formality; it was also a social get together for Friends of the Tide Mill and its volunteers. After the business meeting had finished, refreshments were enjoyed by all present.

• Also see Woodbridge Tide Mill Fundraising Concert on page 8.

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL’S CONNECTING COMMUNITIES EVENT Revised rural transport tenders affecting several areas of Suffolk will be implemented on June 13. In order to explain the changes, there will be a public meeting at all district councils. In order to participate, SCC has asked interested people to contact them on the Suffolk On Board website so that they are aware of numbers: www.suffolkonboard.com The meeting for Suffolk Coastal DC is on Monday, June 6 at 10.30am at SCDC Council Chamber, Melton Hill, Woodbridge.

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.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

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NEWS ​​RELAUNCH OF WOODBRIDGE FARMER’S MARKET Come along to Woodbridge Farmer’s Market at 9am on June 11. The market will be opened by our patron, the artist Michael Coulter.

The winner of our Children’s Drawing Competition will be announced, and there will be a raffle, music, special treats at our cafe and of course plenty of lovely food. Support local businesses and buy local, seasonal, delicious food.

Our markets are held on the second and fourth Saturday morning of every month so there will also be a market on June 28. Look out for the fish van just outside the main doors of the hall.

HONORARY FREEMAN OF WOODBRIDGE Do you know a man or woman who lives in the town or within three miles of the town boundary and has made an outstanding contribution to the life or name of Woodbridge?

If you do, they may be eligible to be awarded the title Honorary Freeman of Woodbridge. One nomination is sought to bring the final roll up to 12.

If you would like to make a nomination, please write to the Town Clerk, Shire Hall, Market Hill, Woodbridge IP12 4LP or email Chris@woodbridgesuffolk.gov.uk by Friday, June 10.

CONDITIONS Eligible • Nominated by their peers • Those who have given outstanding service to the town • Resident for 12 months prior to the day of nomination either in the town or within three miles of the boundary • Occupied land or premises for 12 months as owner or tenant either in the town or within three miles of the boundary • Has a principal place of work either in the town or within three miles of the boundary Not eligible • Serving town, district or county councillors or those who have been councillors in the past four years of date of nomination • Not heredity or nor familial Councillors will consider nominations confidentially at full town council meetings.

BINGO NIGHTS AT WOODBRIDGE TOWN FC

WOODBRIDGE REGATTA 2016: NOT LONG NOW!

This year’s Woodbridge Regatta and Riverside Fair is kindly sponsored by Woodbridge haart Estate agents. From noon on Sunday, June 26 all sorts of spectacles and activities take place on and off the water from the tide mill to Deben Yacht Club.

The event kicks off with Songs of Praise on the Tea Hut stage and finishes with the Woodbridge & District Lions Club Duck Dive at the Model Yacht Pond at 5.30pm. In between there will be a full programme of races on the river. The 2016 haart raft race organised by 1st Woodbridge Scout Group is a sell out this year and always a spectacle for the crowds.

The tide mill is offering free admission and people can take advantage of free boat trips up and down the river throughout the day. There will be face painting and games at the bandstand.

Live music will fill the air at various locations along the riverside including the Tea Hut and the Cruising Club.

Woodbridge Regatta is free for all to enjoy and there is free car parking at Suffolk Coastal District Council car park at Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU. Geoff Holdcroft, chairman of the regatta committee, said: “The programme for this year is being developed to ensure it has all of the usual action with some added freshness. The success and longevity of Woodbridge Regatta is a testament to various community groups working together. I thank everyone involved for helping us to put on what we hope will be another fabulous event.”

The latest information can be found at www.woodbridgeregattaassoc. onesuffolk.net and www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeRegatta

June 11 and 25 from 7.30pm. Just turn up or contact John for more information: 01394 385308 The hall is available free for parties, weddings and other events on Fridays and Saturdays in June/July 2016. Maximum capacity 120. Contact Richard Scott: 01394 385308/380187

SOMERSHAM SUPPORT GROUP COFFEE MORNING

Coffee morning and sale on behalf of patients in Ipswich Hospital on Saturday, June 25, 10am-noon, at Rushmere Church Hall.

All welcome.

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13/09/2015 21:05:39

OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE TIDE MILL FUNDRAISING CONCERT Woodbridge Tide Mill is a Grade I listed building and is a rare example of a tide mill whose water wheel still turns and is now one of only two tide mills in the country still producing stoneground wholemeal flour. The tide mill has stood on the banks of the River Deben for more than 800 years, with the earliest record of a tide mill on this site dating back to 1170.

Recently, due to the hard work and commitment of a band of volunteers under the leadership of a board of trustees, further protection and restoration work has brought it back into use, endowed with a new giant waterwheel and many fascinating exhibits that show what life was like for the miller, and indeed all the other people and creatures at the mill. Since then it has become one of the most valued and interesting attractions on the Suffolk coast.

The tide mill has a jam-packed schedule of published milling times on its website and shows when visitors can watch the historic water wheel in action and see the millers making flour, which you can then purchase in the gift shop. To avoid disappointment make sure you visit: www.woodbridgetidemill.org.uk The Friends of Woodbridge Tide Mill play an essential part in supporting the tide mill and are actively involved in raising much needed funds to keep the mill running and open for all to enjoy. The tide mill relies on the support of the surrounding community and we hope that you will

join us for our next major fundraiser, a summer concert at Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday, June 25 at 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm) with Quattro Amici (pictured), a quartet of professional classical vocalists covering a range of musical genres from opera and operetta to musical theatre and classical crossover.

Tickets are £12.50 including a glass of wine and canapés. Informal seating at tables, wine and soft drinks available.

Tickets are available from: the Tide Mill / Browsers Bookshop / anne.v.barratt@btinternet.com / 01394 382815

HOLLESLEY FETE AND FUN DOG SHOW Saturday, June 25, 12.30pm Hollesley Village Fete has established itself as a ‘must visit’ event in recent years.

Along with the usual stalls and side shows, the fete on Saturday, June 25 will include a judo display, a display of model boats from the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club, Suffolk Punch Trust with their Suffolk horse and Hollesley School Country Dance Team. There will also be a clothing stall selling brand new sample clothes.

A delicious barbecue will be available from 12.30pm and the bar will be provided by the Shepherd and Dog Pub. Live music will be provided by Hollesley Trumpets.

Traditional games including football challenges with the Sutton Heath Saxons, Kids Zone arranged by Rendlesham Scouts and smash the plates are all there for your entertainment along with teas and cake, coffee, squash and ice cream for your afternoon refreshment. Don’t forget to purchase your grand draw tickets for the chance to win £100 and many other fantastic prizes.

The dog show starts at 12.45pm with several fun classes and every dog will win a prize.

Proceeds from the day will be divided between various village groups and the church.

CITY & GUILDS STITCHED TEXTILES GRADUATE SHOW 2016 Saturday, June 25 & Sunday 26, 10am-5pm Wickham Market Village Hall (IP13 0HE) hosts this annual exhibition to celebrate the achievements of the latest City & Guilds students. The work on show represents the culmination of two years of study in patchwork, quilting and machine embroidery.

There will be an exhibition by Out of the Fold and traders include Art Van Go, Eye Fabric Shop and Creative Stitch Suffolk. Sales table, tombola, raffle and refreshments, entrance £2.

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CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere.

We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm. Our next meeting is: Thursday, May 26: AGM plus magic pull card There is no meeting in June because the hall is needed for EURO voting.

New members always welcome. For more details contact Jill (01473 713534) or Emma (01787 373850).

In Touch online:

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CARING COMMUNITIES

Mills Meadow care home

Rio carnival party Join the residents and team at Mills Meadow as we open our doors to celebrate Care Home Open Day. Free Saturday 18th June, 11am - 4pm event What is Care Home Open Day? It’s a national annual event where care homes open their doors to the local community to showcase the great work they do as well as what it’s like to live in a care home.

What’s on at Mills Meadow?

• Meet the team and find out what we get up to every day • Carnival music, dancing, stalls, games, barbecue between 12 noon and 2pm, ice cream stall and much more • Our day club next door will also be open for you to look around Everyone’s welcome, it’s free - pop in at any time.

For more information about the open days, our care home or day club, please call us on 01728 885564 Mills Meadow, Fore Street, Framlingham IP13 9DF careuk.com/mills-meadow 10

OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Throughout June and July the library will be used to exhibit artworks created at a number of art workshops held at Farlingaye High School.

Saturday, June 4, 9am-5pm & Sunday, June 5, 10am-4pm: Friends of Woodbridge Library sale of donated non-fiction books.

Tuesday, June 7, 2-3pm: Illustrated talk by David Phelan on the history of St Audry’s entitled Workhouse to Asylum 1794-1993.

Tickets are £5 with profits going to the Friends of Woodbridge Library. Booking is essential either via the library (01394 446510) or via David Phelan himself (01394 388030).

Open Book Club Friday, June 10, 6-7pm: Discussing Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera Friday, June 24, 6-7pm: Discussing The Secret to Not Drowning by Colette Snowden Saturdays, June 11 & 25, 1-4pm: Writing Workshop Want to write a book and get it published but don’t know how? Come along to our writing workshop and find out. For more details and/or to book your place, contact 07815 807337 / info@getwriting.co.uk or visit: www.getwriting.co.uk

Saturday, June 18, 9-11am: Caroline Page, County Councillor for Woodbridge, will be holding her surgery.

June 1-30: ArtLib Portraits by Tim Brown, a local artist who works from real life and photographic sources using pencil, charcoal, gouache and pastel.

Mondays, June 6, 20 & 27, 11.15am-12.45pm: Mindfulness and Meditation Learn to relax and unwind, to combat stress, anxiety and worry through the practise of mindfulness and meditation. Sessions are run on a drop-in basis. £10 per session. All very welcome.

Enquiries: debrawoodbridge@gmail.com / 01394 450066 Booked Out This month we will be discussing the six titles chosen as this year’s Brave New Reads. If you’d like to get involved, come on the show and talk about a book or film you’ve borrowed, or have a suggestion for a future theme, please contact the library or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Book Group: meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm On Thursday, June 2 we will be discussing Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon. Please come along if you have read this title and would like to join in the discussion.

Borrow an eReader!

You can now borrow an eReader for up to three weeks from Woodbridge Library and access our collection of over 7,000 eBooks. Please see

a member of staff or call us on 01394 446510 for more details or to make an appointment to borrow.

Free computer help and advice Contact the library to book a session or to find out more.

SNAP (Support & Advice Project) A SNAP support worker will be available every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10am-noon for advice on all housing related issues, rent payments, arrears, budgeting and benefit changes.

Citizens Advice Bureau Someone from the CAB is available for help and advice every Tuesday, 10am-noon.

Flagship Someone from Flagship is available for help and advice every Tuesday, 10am-noon.

The Friends of Woodbridge Library If you’re enthusiastic about libraries, would enjoy helping to organise library events and are willing to help with our fundraising activities, please ask a member of staff for more details.

Writers’ Workshop Meets once a month on Tuesdays at 5.30pm.

Interested? Please email jeannie@butterwicks. com to open doors to creative writing.

Creative Writing for All: meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm. For more details contact: jeannie@butterwicks.com Knitting Club Every Friday at 2pm. For all types of knitters, expert to beginner, come and share your knowledge or pick up some tips.

Drawing Group Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 10am. Each month this group explores a different aspect of drawing. No experience necessary but numbers are limited and this group is currently full. A voluntary contribution of £2 goes towards the Friends of Woodbridge Library.

Arts and Crafts Group Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10am. Enables older people and their carers to take part in activities such as collage, card making, printing and modelling.

Play Reading Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm. Come to listen or join in for an afternoon of light-hearted drama, comedy or mystery. All welcome.

Games Club Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm. Now includes dominoes. Improve your vocabulary and exercise your mind muscles with Scrabble or practise strategy or balance with dominoes.

Woodbridge Area Gamers Meets on the second Saturday of each month from 1-5pm in the library Meeting Room. This group plays modern strategy board games (Carcassonne, Powergrid, Caylus, 7 Wonders, Hey! That’s My Fish, Blokus and many more).

For more information contact nigel@foden. me.uk / 07740 173091 or see details on: www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/1150 ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN Please note there will be no Baby Bounce, Tot Rock or Rhyme & Storytime sessions on Fridays, June 10 and 17. On these dates it will be Stay & Play only.

Every Wednesday 10.30-10.50am: Bookstart Baby Bounce – soothing songs and gentle nursery rhymes for babies and their grown-ups.

11.15-11.45am: Bookstart Tot Rock Rhyme and Rhythm – music, songs and action rhymes for toddlers with their parents and carers.

Every Friday 10.30-11am: Bookstart Story and Rhyme Time Stories and more for young children accompanied by an adult.

Every Sunday 10.30am-noon: Kids’ Club Craft Activities

HASKETON TRADITIONAL JAZZ AND BARBECUE The 20th annual traditional jazz and barbecue event in support of Hasketon Parish Church takes place on Sunday, June 26. Held in the garden of Shrubbery Farm, Hasketon IP13 6HR, this will be Gordon and Molly’s last time to host the event, but the standard will be as high as usual.

The French Quarter All Stars is an outstanding traditional New Orleans style band which last entertained at this event in 2007 and continue to be much enjoyed in jazz clubs around the country.

The event runs from 12.30-4pm as usual, serving a sumptuous three piece barbecue with salads and puddings to follow, all included in the £15 ticket. Pay bar and ice creams also available.

For more details contact: 01394 383106

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OUT & ABOUT CRIME WRITER’S LIFE IN SUFFOLK

RENDLESHAM SHOW

The American crime-writer Patricia Highsmith is probably best known for her psychological thriller The Talented Mr Ripley, but she wrote 22 novels altogether and hundreds of short stories. For three years, from 1964 until 1967, she lived in the tiny village of Earl Soham, Suffolk.

Due to its great success and growth over the past two years, Rendlesham Show is now an annual event. This year’s show is on Saturday, June 11 from 11am-4pm at Jubilee Park, Rendlesham IP12 2GT.

In a stunning, unsettling and intriguing new novel called The Crime Writer, Jill Dawson imagines this period in Highsmith’s life, cleverly melding together biographical details and various elements from the plots of Highsmith’s novels, as well as offering her own perception of this rather dark, eccentric and obsessive character.

Jill has written eight other novels, many of them revisiting the lives of real people and real events.

She’s written about the poet Rupert Brooke and the murderer Edith Thompson, as well as the abduction of a child on the fens and the past lives of the donor and recipient involved in a heart transplant.

Entry is free and the show boasts something for everyone, from a baby/ toddler play zone to a bouncy castle that will take adults, from a petting farm to a drumming workshop. The fun dog show and the fun fair are firm favourites too, but new for this year are a climbing wall and Punch & Judy.

As well as every village organisation being involved, providing entertainment and stalls, many local businesses, incuding Stokes Sauces, Kidz Kupboard and Jars of Clay, will be present with some of the 35 stalls, such as Yum Yum Tree Fudge and Jamberry Nails, coming from further afield.

No show would be complete without the barbecue, bar and ice cream, but there are also some other wonderful food outlets including WoknRoll and Wood Fired Pizza.

Sounds like fun? The organisers look forward to seeing you there!

For more information contact: admin@rendleshampc.org.uk

Jill is an engaging speaker who talks about writing and the subjects of her books with passion and energy.

Her handling of the various devices used in The Crime Writer is fascinating, and Patricia Highsmith’s life was astonishing.

Did you know she was obsessed with snails and used to carry them around with her?

The event takes place on Tuesday, June 14 at the beautiful Woodhall Manor, which is on the B1038 out of Woodbridge. The entrance is on the right as you leave the village of Sutton, from Woodbridge, and you’ll find a small sign on the side of the road. We will have exclusive use of the house and grounds.

Tickets are £8 and need to be reserved in advance. Once you’ve secured your place, you can arrive at any time from 6pm to enjoy a summer’s evening wandering the grounds or taking drinks on the terrace before Jill speaks at 7pm. The bar will be open before and after the event.

It promises to be a very special and memorable evening.

Call in to Browsers Bookshop for tickets, or phone 01394 388890.

TUESDAY EVENING BINGO Bingo every Tuesday evening from 7.45pm at the Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge. Run by Action Medical Research.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

Photo by Mike Stevenson

GET COMPOSTING! Suffolk Master Composter volunteers will be holding free workshops across Suffolk over the next few months to help beginners start making their own compost at home. As a thank you, attendees will also get a free home compost bin delivered to their home to help them on their composting adventure!

Composting at home is a good for your pocket because it avoids trips to the garden centre and great for the environment because it uses your organic waste to make nutritious compost, ready to go back on your garden. It’s also really easy to do with the help and advice of Suffolk’s Master Composters.

The workshops are ideal for those who have never tried composting before, or those who have tried but given up. Getting started can be a bit confusing so that’s where Master Composter Volunteers can help.

They are a friendly bunch, full of top tips and they’ll soon have you composting at home like a professional! Come along and discover the best recipe for great compost, how to compost weeds and even how to avoid unwelcome pests.

Local Master Composter volunteer Judith will be holding a workshop at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, June 30, 7-9pm.

The Beginners Composting Workshops are available on a first come first served basis to all Suffolk residents and you can book your place by either visiting www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk or by calling Suffolk County Council on 0345 066 067. You will also find other dates across Suffolk.

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OUT & ABOUT MUSIC AND CONVERSATION WITH NOVELIST VERONICA HENRY What better way to spend a summer’s evening than sipping a glass of sparkling wine, listening to beautiful music, and being surrounded by books?

Woodbridge’s thriving independent bookshop, Browsers, is opening its doors on Friday, June 24 for a delightful evening of music and conversation with best-selling novelist Veronica Henry. Veronica has set her latest story in a bookshop.

“I like to write about places where I would like to be,” she says. “And for book lovers there’s nothing more pleasurable than going into a bookshop.”

In this beautifully packaged book, How to Find Love in a Bookshop, Veronica tells the story of Emilia, grieving her father’s death but also trying to save the failing business he left her. It’s a much-loved, but not commercially driven, bookshop in a small market town. As Emilia decides what to do next, she gets to know the local people – how their lives have been touched by the shop, her father’s recommendations, and the books they love.

Veronica has first-hand experience of bookshops, not just as a customer and visiting author but also having worked in Foyles bookshop in London as a student. She moved on to the production team for The Archers before writing scripts for popular TV dramas such as Heartbeat and Holby City. She started writing fiction in 2000.

Veronica will be visiting Woodbridge to talk about her love of books, of reading and of bookshops, and she is a warm and entertaining speaker.

Arrive any time after 7pm to receive a glass of Prosecco and listen to the beautiful music performed by a trio of cellists led by violin restorer Jonathan Evans from Woodbridge Violin Shop, just like a scene from the bookshop in the novel.

Veronica will start speaking at 7.30pm for about an hour, and then everyone can have their copies of How to Find Love in a Bookshop individually signed. For this lovely, fun evening, tickets need to be reserved in advance. They are priced at £15 to include a copy of the book.

Call in to Browsers Bookshop, 60 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AL or phone 01394 388890.

POP CHORUS FUNDRAISING CONCERT FOR ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE Contemporary local choir Pop Chorus are delighted to announce that they have become community partners with St Elizabeth Hospice.

Over the coming months and years, the choir hopes to raise lots of money towards this very valuable service, starting on Sunday, July 10 at 7.30pm with a fundraising concert at the Seckford Theatre in Woodbridge.

More than 100 singers will be taking to the stage to perform songs from The Beatles to Beyoncé, arranged in glorious harmony by their director, Yula Andrews.

The Suffolk-based feel-good singing groups are for adults of all abilities, unashamedly singing great pop songs in harmony to backing tracks.

There’s no audition and members don’t need to read music or have any experience.

With evening groups in Framlingham and Ipswich and a daytime choir in Kesgrave, members come from all walks of life and are a very friendly and warm bunch of people!

For concert tickets and more information about Pop Chorus contact sing@popchorus.org / 07788 585441 or visit: www.popchorus.org For more information about St Elizabeth Hospice visit: stelizabethhospice.org.uk

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE A coffee morning with bring and buy sale held at the home of our vice president, Lesley Deas, raised £101 towards this year’s Inner Wheel chosen International charity, School in a Bag, an initiative run by the Piers Simon Appeal.

Each Inner Wheel club has received a small bear wearing a red rucksack and the idea is to fill it with £1 coins.

Each rucksack holds 30 £1 coins which will fund two schoolbags, red rucksacks filled with stationery learning resources and eating utensils for poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster affected children around the world to enable them to go to school.

More than 60,000 of these rucksacks have already been distributed throughout South America, Africa and Asia to great effect.

At our May meeting Joyce Kimber gave members and their guests a fascinating insight into the history of codes, ciphers and enigmas, beginning with the first known coded messages sent by the Greeks in 480BC. During her illustrated talk she described the origins of code words used during the Second World War and the history behind messages and secret work carried out at Bletchley Park.

She also explained some of the simpler methods of decoding messages with club members and their guests participating in working these out.

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OUT & ABOUT TRANSITION AT DEBEN ROTARY The guest speakers at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben were Jane Healey and Carol Steptoe of Transition Woodbridge.

The aims of this organisation are to strengthen the local economy, reduce the cost of living and prepare for a less oil-dependent future. To further these aims they have planted fruit trees and bushes in locations in Woodbridge and the public will be able to enjoy the fruits of them in due course.

Deben Rotary is pleased to be able to assist in this enterprise by taking responsibility on an occasional basis for watering the trees and bushes.

President Ian O’Brien Baker thanked the ladies for their talk and presented them with a cheque to assist in their endeavours. The club was also pleased to be able to donate £300 to Just 42 to asist with their Holiday Club at Kyson School.

The Memory Cafe at Woodbridge Football Club on the last Wednesday of every month continues to flourish and we were delighted to welcome some new guests to our April session. The next sessions are on Wednesdays, May 25 and June 29 from 10.30am-noon.

For more details of the Memory Cafe or Rotary in general please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon: 01394 386933

WOODBRIDGE AND DISTRICT LIONS

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

At last it looks as though summer is on its way so we can look forward to some outdoor activities.

On Monday, June 13, Mark Mower will present a talk entitled Zeppelins over Suffolk.

On Saturdays, June 18 and 25 we will be on duty on Woodbridge Thoroughfare where we hope you will select your chosen duck for just £1.

Did you know that a Zeppelin bombed Martlesham in 1917? If not then come along and find out more about the remarkable story of the destruction of a German airship over East Anglia in 1917.

The purchased ducks will then go into the Big Duck Dive which takes place in the boating lake at the end of Regatta Day, a sight not to be missed (see page 6).

Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion at 7.30pm. The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

Fantastic cash prizes will be awarded to the first three ducks selected from the lake.

We are also involved with the running of Regatta Day on Sunday, June 26. Hopefully this be another very enjoyable day full of many different attractions.

Unfortunately, until further notice, we are unable to continue with our car boot sales which we have held on the last Sunday of each month for several years in Woodbridge.

WOODBRIDGE 41 CLUB The 41 Club is an organisation for former members of Round Table, and many members of Woodbridge 41 Club are former members of Woodbridge Round Table. At our recent AGM Martin Bennett succeeded Phil Bailey as chairman. Martin thanked the club officers for their work in the previous year and looked forward to another successful year, particularly with the charity card shop.

The shop has been run by Round Table and the 41 Club for years, and has been in the capable hands of club member Roger Parker since 1993.

Since 1993 sales at the shop, which opens every year in November, have exceeded £828,000 and benefited charities ranging from the RNLI to CLIC Sargent and many others both national and local.

Recently the shop has been located in St Mary’s House on Market Hill but would benefit from a more central location and we would welcome any offer of the use of a premises on or near the Thoroughfare in November and December.

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U3A WELCOMES THE SUMMER SUN U3A talks will be missed by members and visitors alike for the next few months, apart from Woodbridge on June 6.

The campus co-ordinators would like to wish you a happy summer break and look forward to seeing you again when the talks recommence in September.

U3A members are reminded that our Annual General Meeting takes place at 2pm on Monday, June 13 at Kesgrave Community Centre. Please remember to bring your green membership card on the day.

The other date for your diary is our open day on the morning of Friday, September 2, again at Kesgrave Community Centre. We also hope to see many of our newly interested guests and visitors there to learn about some of the great variety of groups and subjects U3A can offer for the coming academic year.

On Monday, June 6 the last talk of the season will take place at Woodbridge Community Hall at 10.30am. Refreshments will be available from 10am.

David Cleveland will be showing a selection of clips from the East Anglian Film Archive featuring life in East Suffolk from the 1930s to the 1960s including farming ways, wartime activities, changing transport, industry and home life.

If you would like more information on The University of the Third Age please visit www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk or telephone the secretary on 03001 233913.

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OUT & ABOUT MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE

Wednesday, May 4 was perhaps one of the few afternoon meetings we shall have but it was an extremely enjoyable one thanks to Val Christman and Claude Hitching, both descendants of James Pulham, or his associates, of the Woodbridge firm of Lockwood and Pulham.

In his vote of thanks our chairman said: “We are grateful to you for coming all the way from Northamptonshire to tell us such an interesting tale.

“Not only did we hear of the great things done by a local entrepreneur and inventor, but also the fascinating twists and turns that an apparently simple piece of personal research can lead to.

“In this case, a bit of family history research has led to the re-creation of the history of an important British business whose records had been destroyed in the Second World War. “I hope it has inspired some of us to wonder where that bit of research we were always meaning to do might lead, what unexpected connections, contacts and friendships might we find?”

We met in the church which we found both comfortable and airy and, after the beautifully illustrated talk, went to the church room for tea and chat.

This innovation appeared to be popular with both our members and visitors many of whom were themselves Pulham descendants. We look forward to seeing them often in future when we resume our normal evening time.

Details of our next meetings on June 1 and July 6 will be published by email and on posters nearer the dates. Both will be evening meetings.

£200 to the runnng cost of the Bloodrunners On Friday, April 15 The Rotary Club of Woodbridge presented a cheque for £200 towards the running costs of the volunteer motorbike riders who supply blood to hospitals in Suffolk and the surrounding areas at night.

For general information about MLHS please contact: geof@butterwicks.com

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY The society has its final meeting of the season on Wednesday, June 1.

The society AGM will start at 1.45pm, preceeding a talk by Oliver Everett entitled George IV – the Greatest Royal Collector of Art. Oliver is Emeritus Librarian at the Royal Library in Windsor Castle.

On a warm May afternoon the meeting heard from Tobias Capwell, Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection. With many beautiful illustrations Tobias showed how the great Italian Renaissance artists like Donatello portrayed knights like St George in a style resembling Roman and Classical heroes.

Tobias is an expert on medieval armour and he illustrated the many details of this ‘heroic-style armour’ seen clearly on many medieval tapestries, paintings and sculptures. A very interesting and informative lecture. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk?

We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months and we also organise interesting day visits.

The wonderfully illustrated lectures are presented by national and international lecturers and start at 2.15pm. A 2pm arrival is advised.

Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space.

A £5 donation is asked.

For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com www.orwelldfas.org.uk

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RDA members Viv Sadler and Moya Ludington with Carol Salter and Darren Brook from Notcutts Father Christmas still presents gifts in April The Rotary Club of Woodbridge donated £2,400 to East Anglia Children’s Hospice and £2,400 to RDA Riding for the Disabled (Hollesley Branch), all of which was raised by Father Christmas when he appeared at Notcutts in Woodbridge in December.

RDA Hollesley branch has to raise £34,000 a year to be able to give disabled children and adults the pleasure and confidence that riding restores, in addition to helping their muscular health.

Included in the cost is the rent of 20 acres and feed for 18 horses plus vets fees.

RDA Hollesley has been established for 22 years, but have to find a new location in the next year.

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY WOODBRIDGE GROUP WILDLIFE THEMED WALKS FOR JUNE Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group invite you get out into the local countryside with a couple of wildlife themed walks to enjoy during June.

On Saturday, June 18 at 2pm there will be a walk at the Bromeswell Green Reserve near Melton. Led by Stephen Massey, this will be a chance to identify the wild flowers found on this reserve. Meet and park at TM 296504 (in Common Lane, Bromeswell). Participants are advised to wear strong footwear, and binoculars may be useful.

Then on Friday, June 24 at 9.15pm, the group will be visiting Blaxhall Heath and Common, hoping to see and hear nightjars.

Phil Smith, chair of the SWT Woodbridge Group said: “As darkness falls we will wander across the heath, looking and listening for signs of the nightjar. This fascinating bird is a summer visitor to this reserve and I hope we will be lucky enough to catch sight of the bird. The walk should also give the chance to see glow worms.”

The Blaxhall Heath walk starts at the Sandgalls car park (TM 382559) and will last approximately one hour. Participants are advised to use insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear.

Admission to both walks is free, with donations to Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed. For more details contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com

WOODBRIDGE ART CLUB On June 25 and 26, the regatta weekend, the art club is mounting a craft exhibition showing the work of some of our multi-talented members who don’t just paint or pot.

Some of the crafts we expect to display are spinning, weaving, felting, metal work, decorative woodwork and a variety of crafts in different materials. It will run alongside the regular exhibition of painting, pottery and lace. There has just been a change over of paintings so there will be plenty of new things to browse around in the coming weeks.

Luci Skinner of Woottens Nursery in Whenhaston presented all you ever needed to know about auriculas to members and guests on May 12 at Woodbridge Community Hall. Woottons have been growing auriculas for the last 25 years, propagating 75% of the plants they produce on the nursey. They also grow large numbers of pelargoniums and irises.

Auriculas were originally bred from cowslips and primroses which grow in alpine conditions so they tolerate hot, dry and cold conditions, but are not happy when waterlogged. The Flemish weavers who documented over 1,500 types of flower brought many auriculas to northern England in the 17th century.

By the 1850s auricula growers were using ‘theatres’ to show off their blooms to best effect. The best growing medium for the plants is a mixture of 50% peat, 25% loam and 25% grit. Members were able to get their hands dirty by feeling examples of the best material to use. Luci recommended wool compost as an alternative to peat for the amateur gardener. Breeding new varieties of auricula is not difficult and for the enthusiastic gardener is well worth trying.

The next meeting of the horticultural society is on June 9 when Ben Potterton of Blacksmiths Nursery will present a talk entitled Plants for Shade. The competition will be a vase of roses.

SUTTON OPEN GARDENS

As well as the usual selection of original greetings cards we now have a rack of unframed paintings where you may find a bargain.

Follow the balloon trail and visit the Open Gardens in Sutton on Sunday, June 26 from noon-5pm. The programme is on sale at the Memorial Hall, Sutton IP12 3JQ. Admittance to gardens is £2 a person.

The gallery is open every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday from 10am till 5pm. Look forward to seeing you there.

There will be 10 gardens open to the public and each garden open will display a bunch of balloons. Cream teas will be served from 3pm.

HOW TO SPEAK SO PEOPLE LISTEN Wedding speeches, phone calls, dinner parties, meeting your partner’s parents, advising a new work colleague, taking your pet to the vet, explaining to your new boss, chairing a meeting, launching a product, reading a bed-time story or telling a good joke.

These are all situations where speaking with confidence, humour, understanding, authority, sympathy, distinction, sincerity, enthusiasm, clearly and positively gets the right message across.

The best speeches are short and memorable, often using humour to help communicate their key points.

TED speeches – those from the world famous Technology, Education, Design conferences – are only 18 minutes long yet they pack in powerful life-changing ideas and inspire people from all backgrounds to challenge

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themselves, develop their skills and work towards being more satisfied with what they achieve in their lives.

Speak Easy at Martlesham is a friendly supportive group which holds fortnightly meetings where we practise speaking.

What do we talk about? We talk about anything and everything: it’s how we speak, tell, describe, explain, present, persuade that’s important.

If you’re giving speeches all the time come along to Speak Easy and find out what makes a good speech great, how to touch an audience’s heart and practise speaking so people listen. This month we meet on Thursdays 2, 16 and 30 at the Richards Room, Martlesham Community Centre, near Woodbridge, IP12 4PB. Find us on Facebook and at www.speak-easy.org. uk or call Sonya Burrows for more information: 07968 372563

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS WOODBRIDGE FLOWER CLUB

FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL

Our chairman, Rosemary Digby, extended a warm welcome to demonstrator Vickie Hease and also to our members and guests. Vickie had chosen the title Alfresco Summer for her demonstration and her first arrangement depicted a barbecue.

Farlingaye High School has been nationally recognised for its exceptional 2015 performance by the Schools, Students and Teachers network (SSAT).

She used a variety of orange and yellow flowers to give the idea of flames and iris leaves were curled at the top to look like swirls of smoke.

The second arrangement was based on the idea of a tropical sandy beach.

Vickie used fatsia leaves at the base to look like palm leaves and then added pittosporum and bergenia leaves. In the centre she placed a column of shell pink antirrhinum. Below this were pink lisianthus and pink oriental lilies. To give movement and texture to the design Vickie used plaited bear grass.

Another arrangement was in a picnic hamper, and while doing this Vickie told us of the many picnics she had with her family on the beach.

Not sandwiches but beef stew prepared on a primus stove with tinned fruit for pudding!

Vickie said that she spent many happy days playing in the meadows near her childhood home in Kent and her design for this used twigs to depict the hedges. White lilac and white genista were added to the design with some beautiful yellow gerberas used to depict buttercups.

The club also had a competition for an arrangement in a box. We were delighted to have 15 entries and the winner was Lavinia Smith.

The afternoon finished with refreshments and Vickie was thanked for an interesting and informative demonstration and for her wonderful arrangements, which were then used for raffle prizes.

BRIGHT STARS All pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies are welcome to come and join us at Bright Stars, along with their parents, grandparents and/or carers.

Each of our sessions is full of fun activities, for example singing and Bible stories for children, plus crafts and games.

We meet 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term time at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. The half-hour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to chat and play until approximately noon.

The remaining session dates for the summer term are June 13 and 27 and July 11.

For further information please contact: Jennie Fidler, 07584 420729 / Sonya & Maureen Burrows, 01473 625196 / Sue Lambert, 01473 624130

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Educational Outcomes data analysis from SSAT has shown that Farlingaye High School is in the top 10% of non-selective schools nationally for high average grades achieved by students and the top 10% nationally for progress made by pupils between their Key Stage 2 results at primary school and their Key Sstage 4 results.

The school’s SSAT Educational Outcomes awards will be presented at a regional celebration event held to draw attention to the work of highachieving, improving and innovating schools and teachers.

Sue Williamson, chief executive of SSAT, said: “It’s my great pleasure to commend Farlingaye High School on their excellent 2015 performance, and to have the opportunity to highlight and share their great work at the SSAT Educational Outcomes celebration evening. I have the privilege of visiting a lot of schools and I am always impressed by the creativity of teachers in engaging and inspiring their students.

“I hope that SSAT’s Educational Outcomes awards will highlight the professionalism, commitment and hard work of the leaders, teachers and students at Farlingaye High School. Recognising and sharing successes like this is at the heart of SSAT’s mission, so I’m delighted to congratulate Farlingaye High School on their achievement.”

Sue Hargadon, headteacher, added: “We are delighted with this recognition, especially with the award related to the progress our students made. We know last year’s exam results were fabulous, reflecting a wonderful hard-working year group, and this officially confirms that we add considerable value to how our students do.”

Textiles Workshop for Woolverstone Ward Talented Year 8 and 9 art students at Farlingaye High School tool part in workshops to provide artwork for the Woolverstone Wing at Ipswich Hospital. They spent the day creating mixed media textile squares based on themes of ‘my favourite things’ and ‘home’ along with messages of comfort and hope.

Students created their imagery using batik, stitch, print, feltmaking and photography techniques. They were lucky to be joined by local artist Samantha Barnes, who inspired the students with her work and shared her printing expertise. The finished pieces will be displayed in Ipswich Hospital and lovingly stitched lap quilts will be presented to the new Woolverstone cancer treatment wing.

Ella Double, a Year 9 participant, said “It was a very good experience for me, I learned a lot of new things, and it was nice to meet an experienced artist.”

Maia Sivaraj, also Year 9, commented “I hope my work gives people courage, happiness and hope for the future. Everybody deserves that.”

The workshop was part of an ongoing collaboration between Farlingaye’s Creative Arts Department and the Woolverstone Wing. Farlingaye students provide artwork for the area on a regular basis and the school raises money for the Woolverstone Wish charity to refurbish the wing in Ipswich Hospital.

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SPORT WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB

DEBEN YACHT CLUB

The weather was warm and sunny for the first real outing of the season and a record entry of almost 30 boats took full advantage for the Deben Discovery Cruise.

Despite the chilly start the sailing season kicked off with the Spring Points races. Beginners and improvers training courses have proved popular thanks to our very experienced training team led by Steve Scholey.

This year the team have been boosted with the recruitment of more enthusiastic assistant trainers keen to learn to teach people to sail.

One purpose of this cruise is to discover any changes to the entrance channel into the river and ‘shakedown’ any gremlins that might have got into the boat over the winter. The main concern this year was that the channel was narrower and shallower then previously and entry would be difficult, but in the event it was simply a matter of using the new chart together with the tide tables and following the buoys and all of the boats made it without problem.

The timed passage out to the Washington buoy and back was hampered by very light breezes from an unhelpful direction, but five boats did make it there and back and the fastest passage was made by John Crowe in Expeditious, who in the absence of a cup was awarded a suitable mug.

On returning to the Deben boats continued up to Waldringfield where Mark and Emma Barton of Waldringfield Boatyard managed to find a space for us to have a barbecue despite being busy finishing and launching boats. The cruise was organised by John and Jackie Maxwell who directed events from the shore as their boat wasn’t ready in time.

It certainly ran smoothly and this way of running events could catch on.

The weather was not so kind for the annual model boat challenge between the club and Woodbridge Model Boat Club. This was again won by the modellers in the form of Liz Cannon who braved rain and a cold wind to shoot to the front, but Liz is also a member of the Cruising Club and perhaps in future stricter qualifying requirements will need to be applied!

Flood protection work along the river walk is proceeding and a new opening has been cut into the wall to give access to the clubhouse. This will eventually be fitted with a watertight gate and remain a permanent feature making the approach more welcoming and user friendly, particularly for the disabled.

It is hoped that the work will be completed before the regatta on June 26 so that access from the town quay end of the river walk can be reinstated.

For details of club activities together with membership information visit: www.woodbridgecruisingclub.org

MELTON BOWLS CLUB A memorial bench dedicated to the memory of Michael Daniels has been installed at Melton Bowls Club. Michael, who died two years ago, was a local Melton resident and had been a member of the bowls club for more than 30 years.

The bench was presented to Melton Bowls Club president Gavin Abbott by Michael’s Jenny Daniels and Gavin wife Jenny and her family at the opening Abbott with members of Jenny’s family day of the club’s 2016 season.

JUNIOR COACHING Melton Bowls Club have introduced a junior coaching session every Saturday from 9.30-11am.

The session is not just for Melton members but open to all juniors, both experienced bowlers and beginners.

Coaching and tuition is available to all and parents are encouraged to participate. Anybody interested can just turn up or for more information contact Derrick Sharpe: 07788 722144

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A successful quiz organised by Tony Wilman at the yacht club on Saturday, April 23 raised £290 for the RNLI. Everyone enjoyed the quiz and the delicious fish and chip supper. This was the first of our charity events which are held throughout the season.

The next one will be a coffee morning in aid of the British Heart Foundation on Thursday, June 16, 10am-noon. We hope that as many people as possible will come along to give their support.

June is an exciting month for the club. Our very popular Try Sailing Day will be held on Saturday 4 from 10am. Children and adults who had never sailed before will have the opportunity to give sailing a go for free. We are very fortunate to have such a lovely river on our door step, so do come along and find out just how easy it is to get out on the water and do some sailing.

This will be followed by Woodbridge Regatta on Sunday, June 26 when the club will be holding a series of races including the over 35s race, ladies race, Junior Cup and Regatta Yacht Race, so plenty for spectators to see. What better place to watch the action than the clubhouse deck while enjoying a cup of tea and delicious homemade cake.

For more information about events and how to join go to: www.debenyachtclub.co.uk

WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB The Green Door opened and the season started. The green looked lush, so with white shirts laundered, grey trousers and skirts newly pressed, hopes ran high.

The opening drive on April 17 and reality struck, especially for those who, like me, hadn’t been busy on the indoor rinks over the winter. Yes, techniques were found to be a little rusty. However, help was at hand with coach Viv Sheppard’s well-attended practice afternoon on April 19 and Trevor Kirby’s practice session on April 21. Now all that’s needed is a brilliant summer and a few good results.

Open Day on the morning of May 7 saw some glorious weather and a dozen or so people came to see what the club had to offer. Some were completely new to the game while others were newcomers to the area looking to continue their participation in the sport and one or two were returning to the sport after a break. All were made welcome and it’s hoped that most will become regular members.

Fast forward to June 12 when HM The Queen’s official birthday celebrations take place. Woodbridge Bowls Club intends to recognise the occasion with a bowls bonanza at the club with games and competitions to highlight members’ skills.

We are also fortunate to have a new sponsor. Cumberland Fish Bar, 2 Cumberland Street, Woodbridge has agreed to sponsor the club for the current season. We thank them for their support.

Don’t forget, you can find out more about Woodbridge Bowls Club at www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk or contact me, Anthony Bynom, at: malfrazy@yahoo.com Look forward to hearing from you.

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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK COASTAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AWARDS Nominations for the 2016 Suffolk Coastal Business and Community Awards opened on April 15. There are 13 awards designed to recognise the contributions, initiatives and successes of businesses, groups and individuals within the Suffolk Coastal District over the past 18 months.

You can enter the awards online at www.scbca.co.uk or request an entry form from Sarah Shinnie at Suffolk Coastal District Council on 01394 444652. The deadline for entries is June 30. The winners will be announced at a black tie awards dinner at The Hanger, Kesgrave Hall on September 15.

Sponsors for 2016 include Adnams, EDF Energy, EB Carpets, Melton Day Nursery, Places for People Leisure, The Local Strategic Partnership, The Suffolk Coast DMO, Ufford Park and Suffolk Coastal District Council. Town 102 and The Beach are also supporting as 2016 media partners.

Councillor TJ Haworth-Culf, Suffolk Coastal District Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for customers, communities and leisure, said: “The business and community awards have gone from strength to strength since they were launched. It gives local people a unique opportunity to celebrate what is great about Suffolk Coastal and to recognise those people who hard work and dedication makes this such a fantastic place to live and work. We all know businesses, clubs and individuals who just go that extra mile to make a difference in the community. Now is your chance to say thank you by ensuring their commitment is recognised by nominating them for an award.”

The full list of awards and sponsors is as follows: • New Business of the Year sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council • Business Growth Award sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council • Services to the Community (group) sponsored by EDF Energy • Services to the Community (individual) sponsored by Place for People • Innovation sponsored by the Local Strategic Partnership • Charity Champion sponsored by EB Carpets Felixstowe • People Development sponsored by Melton Day Nursery • Health & Wellbeing sponsored by Ufford Park • Encouraging Tourism sponsored by The Suffolk Coast DMO • Customer Focus Award sponsored by Bruisyard Hall • Team of the Year sponsored by Trade Supply Windows Limited • Great & Green Award • Club of the Year

VOLUNTEERS’ VITAL ROLE FOR HOSPICE Currently St Helena Hospice has approximately 800 volunteers of all ages giving their time to support the hospice in lots of different ways, whether on a regular basis or every so often to help at events for example.

All of its volunteers play a vital part in the work that it does, and as its services expand, so does it need its volunteer team to. Volunteering is a great way to increase confidence and make new friends, learn new skills, gain experience in a work environment and most importantly make a difference. By donating your precious time and valuable skills you could save the hospice money which it can use to support patients and their families and carers.

The hospice recently spoke to Bev Adams, one of its volunteers who works on the reception desk at its Inpatient Unit, Myland Hall, about what she would say to someone thinking about volunteering: “Do it. You would get so much satisfaction and you would know you’re helping to support people in your community. Those few hours from your day could make a huge difference to someone else’s.”

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer for St Helena Hospice like Bev please contact the volunteer team: 01206 931466 / volunteer@sthelenahospice.org.uk For all current volunteer and paid roles visit: sthelenahospice.org.uk/vacancies

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS QUESTIONS ON CASH

ST ANDREW’S, MELTON

A platform for investment success?

Last month I reported on Angela and Kevin Connolly’s Rim2Rim trip in the Grand Canyon which raised £1,250 in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Regretfully I identified the recipient, Paul Ashton, as Patrick Ashton, his late father. I offer my sincere apologies for this error and for any upset caused.

With independent financial advisor Nick Plumb

Allan from Ipswich wrote to me to ask about investment platforms. He asked: “Our financial adviser is suggesting that my wife and I should move our existing investments onto a platform with Novia. We have ISAs with different companies and Investment Bonds with Aviva and Prudential. Surely we would be better to keep these spread between several different companies rather than having all our eggs in the same basket?”

Investment platforms have become very popular in the last few years, for a number of reasons. Primarily, the main attraction of these platforms is investment choice. An investment platform will usually offer access to a range of investment wrappers, such as ISAs, collective investments, bonds and pensions, within which investors will have access to hundreds and in some cases, thousands of individual investment funds, and in particular, to managed portfolios, where a professional fund manager actively manages a portfolio of investments for you in line with your chosen risk profile.

No single fund manager will ever be top in all investment sectors and most fund managers have a specialist area in which they are known to have particular knowledge or ability. That is where a ‘portfolio’ manager will come into their own, as they can pick the very best investment managers and funds from each sector, thus giving you as an investor access to a wide choice of the best funds, rather than a range of funds that are ‘jack of all trades but master of none’.

You can also save money on charges by using a platform, particularly when you have older investments with high ongoing management charges, or if you currently have your ISAs with a lot of different fund managers. For example, in the case of Novia, our clients can access their platform for just 0.40% per annum with no initial charges deducted when you invest.

Most platform managers will also have negotiated discounted initial and ongoing charges with many top fund managers, so you can often end up paying less to access those funds through the Novia platform than you would by investing direct with the individual fund or portfolio managers.

Having all your investments on a platform is not really a case of ‘having all your eggs in the same basket’, as the platform manager would not actually hold your money. Your investments would actually be held by each of the fund or portfolio managers that your money would be invested with, so your exposure to any one company will be greatly reduced as your investments are likely to be spread across several different investment managers and funds.

A final benefit of using a platform is simplicity and ease of access to information. Although you can hold many different investments on the same platform, you will receive just one statement from the platform provider, showing all your individual investments and their values. You can also access your account online at any time and get up-to-date investment valuations in between your usual statement dates, arrange a withdrawal or income payment, and even conduct investment fund switches if you wish to.

All in all, a platform can be a good way to simplify your current investment arrangements, and reduce your ongoing charges.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301.

Nick’s answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice.

Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position.

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Messy Church becomes ever more popular and in April we had some 50 parents and children. What is Messy Church? An all age worship, but we particularly try to make it relevant for families, whatever your family might be. Most of the children are primary school age and younger, but we also welcome ages 11+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The families take part in craft, baking and other activities related to our monthly theme. We then share a short worship time in church led by The Rev Paul Hambling before enjoying a meal together with our families and friends. Pasta bake, spag bolognese, rolls and salad, ice cream and sponge pudding are just some of the foods we have had on the menu.

Our next Messy Church is on Saturday, June 11 from 11am-1pm and our theme is water. On Saturday, July 9 we shall have a family picnic and games. If you would like to come to Messy Church please contact: moira.davies@ymail.com At our AGM in April we elected Peter Rose and Rob Champkin as our churchwardens for 2016 and to see them officially installed we went to All Saints Hollesley where Archdeacon Ian gave them their charge and preached one of his entertaining and inspiring sermons, a lovely service attended by all the wardens and incumbents of the Woodbridge Deanery with some splendid refreshments afterwards.

On Sunday, June 5 at 3pm, Martelsham Brass and the St Elizabeth Hospice choir will be in concert at St Andrew’s Church. It’s in aid of the hospice and will be followed by a strawberry tea and a raffle. Tickets are £5 and available from Angela Connolly (01394 383003) or at the door.

Saturday, June 25 from 11am-3pm is our popular Melton Village Fete (see page 4) in aid of St Andrew’s and Melton Primary School. This time we have an even bigger variety of attractions from archery to classic cars, Punch and Judy, Chris the clown, a bouncy castle, and a whole variety of stalls and games.

There will be food and drink from the Coach and Horses, a tea tent, plants and flowers, a huge raffle and some yummy cakes. Music is from the Melton Folk and there will be a special performance by the Deben Players. Do bring the family, a wonderful time is guaranteed.

In his letter this month, Paul asks the question: “What is church – is there a point to it?” A question asked by many. An on-the-spot answer, “To proclaim the Kingdom of God” might be retorted to by “What does that even mean?”. We seem to live in a time where ‘being the church’ is not trendy and the church seems not to have such an important part in peoples lives.

People often ask why I think that is. I don’t know the answer, but what I do know is that the church will always be there for people – for you. The church has perhaps been seen as a place of dogma and as inflexible and judgemental. What I would like to see is church being a place where all are welcome, where we show and tell everyone that Jesus loves them unconditionally.

At St Andrew’s Melton, you will find a welcome and hospitality and a place where you are welcome to discover something of God’s love.

So if you have never been or haven’t been for a while, why not come along and join one of our services at 8am or 9.30am on a Sunday or to one of our quieter weekday services? Your parish church is here for you.

Jim Colthup www.standrewsmelton.org.uk

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27

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