In Touch News with Woodbridge - June 2017

In Touch with...

The best place to advertise your business services Delivered FREE to your door!

In Touch

™© ™©

with Melton & Woodbridge

Volume 7 • Issue No. 2 • JUNE 2017

Skiphire www.collins-skiphire.co.uk

For a fast, efficient & price friendly local service

01728 832462

orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk

Only One Owner and Fully Air Conditioned,

by A Mather (page 10)

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

1

2

In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I heard an interesting term the other day, ‘world whelm’, defined as ‘crashing anxiety caused by a never-ending, nerve-fraying news feed’. Most of us will have experienced this at some point in recent months, but I hope we can provide a brief respite. I have my moments and occasionally despair when I watch the news, but as deadline day approaches and my inbox fills with emails from groups and individuals organising fundraising events or undertaking personal challenges to raise money for charity, I find comfort in knowing there are many, many, many good people doing good things every day of the week to help others.

So when ‘world whelm’ strikes, pick up your In Touch magazine to ease the anxiety and perhaps you’ll be inspired to do ‘your bit’. You don’t have to jump out of a plane! Just supporting others in their efforts, whether it’s a local event or a fundraising activity is worthy. And there’s nothing quite like the exhausted contentment you experience walking home from a local event. Somehow it makes ‘home’ a little bit more special. You’ll have no problem finding things to do or events to support this month. Your problem may be fitting it all in!

The list of activities and events at the library is longer than ever this month, if that’s even possible. See page 10 for full details, including a Dementia Awareness Drop-in on Tuesday, June 20.

Have you heard of Touchtennis? Check it out on page 13. It sounds like a lot of fun and I may even see you at the launch evening when you can try it for free.

As preparations continue for the King’s River celebrations in July, you might fancy taking part in Woodbridge Art Club’s community painting competition. Entries must be postcard size and any subject that you feel epitomises Woodbridge. See page 20 for details.

Melton In Touch &with Woodbridge 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

01473 400380 DISTRIBUTION Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 PRINTING Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

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 Melton & Woodbridge is published

by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

We also publish In Touch with...

• NEW Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary • Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton • Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Dedham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Baylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • Ipswich East • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Needham Market & The Creetings • Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone • Burstall & Sproughton • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham • Chattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon

In Touch with...

JULY DEADLINE 10 JUNE 2017

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

NEWS COUNCILLOR CLARE PERKINS ELECTED MAYOR OF WOODBRIDGE At the AGM of Woodbridge Town Council on Tuesday, May 9, Councillor Clare Perkins was elected Mayor of Woodbridge for the Civic Year 2017/18.

Clare has lived in Suffolk for over 30 years and now proudly calls the beautiful town of Woodbridge her home. Clare attended the London College of Fashion and Clothing Technology and following a three year course graduated in 1972 with a Diploma in Fashion. Following this she went on to work with Sir Norman Hartnell where she was privileged to work on many royal outfits and gain haute couture experience. In 1976 she and her late husband emigrated to Canada but upon returning in 1982 came to Woodbridge and fell in love in with the town. Due to her husband’s employment they lived in Sudbury, but she vowed to one day make Woodbridge her home. By chance, in 2005 she met James Lightfoot, a local solicitor and now chairman of Choose Woodbridge. They became engaged after a few years and moved into his parents’ house in Cumberland Street.

For many years Clare worked from home as a freelance bridal wear designer, but in 2008 formalised her design business and started Silk Rose, a specialist bespoke bridal design company which has gained a reputation for attention to detail and client satisfaction.

Clare also runs workshops to help those who like to gain confidence through sewing as passing on creative skills and knowledge is something Clare believes is very important as so many have vanished over the years.

She believes it is in our nature to make and create something whether it be through music, art, dance, stories, carpentry, pottery, weaving, spinning and so many more similar creative arts.

In 2015 Clare decided she wanted to give something back to Woodbridge so was thrilled to be elected as a town councillor. Due to being a creative person with a free spirit, it was a little outside of her comfort zone but she has enjoyed learning how best to serve the people of Woodbridge and appreciates the assistance given by her fellow councillors. Clare is enormously proud and honoured to have been elected the 2017 Mayor of Woodbridge and is looking forward to all that the year will bring and helping the members of the community.

Being of a creative nature Clare would like to use the arts as the theme to her mayoral year and will set up The Woodbridge Creative Arts Legacy Fund which will: 1. Help anyone to develop creative art who has the passion but not the necessary funds to do so For example an easel for painting, a violin to learn from, a sewing machine to use, a loom to weave, etc. Application forms will be available from the town council office.

2. Provide fulfillment through therapeutic creativity This will be achieved by helpers using their diverse skills and providing, for example, Knit and Nat sessions for elderly residents or taking a Creative Art Experience to their home. Alternatively Creative Art therapeutic workshops for any age can be arranged at a place agreed.

The deputy mayor for the Civic Year 2017/18 is Councillor David Mortimer.

3

NEWS GIN LOVERS RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY IN WOODBRIDGE A special tutored gin masterclass organised to help raise valuable funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has raised over £500.

Local award winning hearing care specialists, The Hearing Care Centre teamed up with Suffolk’s own Gin Lord, an enthusiast and connoisseur of all things gin, to hold an evening of appreciation for this much-loved spirit.

The event, hosted at Shire Hall in Woodbridge, took place on Thursday, April 27. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy five of the Gin Lord’s favourite gins, paired with tonics and a selection of nibbles. This was accompanied by a talk to help understand what gin actually is, its history, how it’s made and how to pick out key botanicals.

The charity gin masterclass received exceptional support from local businesses – Adnams, The Crown at Woodbridge, Happiness Store, The Angel, The Ramsholt Arms, as well as Fever-Tree, Britvic, Square Root London, Countryside Spirits, Haymans Gin, Sipsmith & Locksley Distilling Co. Ltd, all of which donated generous gin-themed items to the cause.

The Hearing Care Centre, which has 24 centres across Suffolk and Norfolk, is run by managing director Karen Finch, who said: “We are very thankful to the Gin Lord who donated his time to support this wonderful cause. It was a fabulous and very merry evening and I learnt so much about one of my favourite drinks!”

The company’s next charity fundraiser is one of Suffolk’s biggest quiz nights (see page 14) being held on Sunday, June 11 at Greshams Social Club in Ipswich. For tickets visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/quiz

WOODBRIDGE COMMUNITY HALL The trustees of Woodbridge Community Hall are looking for a trustee/ assistant treasurer to join them in managing a busy community hall and to shadow the treasurer in preparation for when he retires.

One evening committee meeting every two months plus five-eight hours a month flexibly from home. Must have some financial/IT experience and an interest in the Woodbridge community.

Further details from Robin Stroud: 01473 723573 / robin195860@yahoo.co.uk

WOODBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL MOURNS THE LOSS OF RUSSELL GEEN We published the following tribute in the May edition but with a typo in Russell’s surname for which we apologise to Mr Geen’s family and to Woodbridge Town Council.

Russell was born and lived in Woodbridge for most of his life and was known to many people in the town.

He was elected to the newly formed Woodbridge Town Council in 1976 and served for a period of 35 years, being re-elected every four years.

During his long service to Woodbridge, Russell was town mayor on three occasions, namely 1982/83, 1994/95 and 2004/05. He was chairman of a number of council committees and it is estimated over the years he attended many hundreds of meetings.

Furthermore, during each mayoral year, Russell would have attended more than 150 occasions, giving all of his time as a volunteer.Along with being a member of Woodbridge Town Council, he also served on Suffolk Coastal District Council for over 20 years and as chairman in 2000.

In 2001 Russell was recognised for his work. His neighbours wanted to acknowledge his commitment to the town and lobbied to have a road named after him, namely Russell Close.

Further recognition came Russell’s way in 2006 when the chairman of Suffolk Association of Local Councils, in association with the National Association of Local Councils, presented him with a 30-year certificate as a local councillor. He is still one of only a handful of Suffolk councillors who have been presented with this award.

Russell didn’t just devote his time to council work. He was also actively involved in other ways and was a member of many clubs, societies and organisations which have benefitted Woodbridge over the years.

Notably long time service to Woodbridge Community Council, Woodbridge in Bloom, St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s School, Woodbridge Festival and Woodbridge Museum to name a few.

Russell epitomised what is means to be a volunteer as he always freely offered his services for the good of Woodbridge over his long life. He will be very sorely missed by town council members and officers alike.

We stopped to look at our favourite view It’s the little things that make a funeral special Here for you every hour of every day

01394 648670

www.eastofengland.coop/funerals for your local funeral director

4

In Touch online:

Telephone: 07873 266409 OPE & S RATIN URR G OU IN IP S ND ING WICH ARE AS

YOU NEED A CARPET CLEANING

YOU NEED A GUTTER CLEARING We Offer A Professional Gutter Clearing Service

DIRTY CARPETS?

OUR SERVICES

SPOT AND STAIN REMOVAL CARPET PROTECTION VERY LOW MOISTURE CLEANING (VLM) LOW MOISTURE CLEANING (LMC) HOT WATER EXTRACTION (HWE) ENCAPSULATION CLEANING

01473 310648

We use the SKYVACâ„¢ INDUSTRIAL 85 The Worlds Most Powerful Free Standing Gutter Cleaning Machine 42FT Reach - Enabling the cleaning of the otherwise hard to reach Remote Camera - Ensure guttering is cleared and spot potential damage Powerful Suction - Completely clears even the most blocked guttering

BEFORE

AFTER

Call for a free Quotation www.youneedacarpetcleaning.com info@youneedacarpetcleaning.com Upholstery Cleaning Stain Protection Pest Infestation Fully Insured

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

Telephone: 07873 266409 / 01473 310648 Email: info@youneedacarpetcleaning.com Website: www.youneedacarpetcleaning.com We are based in Capel St Mary - Operating within a 20 mile radius

5

NEWS COUNCILLOR CAROLINE’S COLUMN So finally we’ve got some balmy weather. My daughter’s looking forward to the strawberries, plums and blackberries that we’ll be picking together and the things we make from them. She and I are very much together, poor soul, whether she likes it or not. She is nice to me about this, but it must be a dreadful burden to have your mother so very much in your life.

It’s nearly 17 years since the day she dropped like a stone as I baked her birthday cake and suddenly – just like that – she became someone needing care. I became one of the UK’s seven million family carers, and both of us lost control of our lives, careers, the way people looked at us, the lot.

Like most carers, I started out bewildered, unrecognising, waiting for things to return to ‘normal’ – a day that would never come. Indeed it was years before I realised I was a carer – and that as well as providing help I needed help myself.

Being a carer is hard. Being ‘on duty’ – responsible for keeping someone alive 168 hours a week, every week – is quite as dreadful as it sounds.

After a while you have difficulty with everything: working, sleeping, socialising, existing.

Worst of all, you become invisible. Your work as a carer takes place in isolation, and though invaluable, is not valued. In fact the government refuses to call it work (though the cost of replacing you if you fall ill suggests the reverse). You have no workmates. People forget about you, you lose your place in social plans, in activity groups, in parties. You may even get called a killjoy because you can’t leave the house!

So of course, you are lonely. And no, you don’t get used to it.

To make this worse, carers are often not seen as people in our own right, but are defined by the condition of the person we care for: carers for dementia, for ASD, for Parkinson’s, epilepsy, stroke, etc. Strange as our own problems are easily identifiable and universal: exhaustion, stress, loneliness. Charities set up initiatives to enable us to be ‘better carers’ while what is really needed is for society to be better to carers.

One in 10 people in the UK is a carer and the numbers are rising. There are several hundred in Woodbridge and Melton alone.

So this week, why not think if there’s someone – a friend, a neighbour – who has disappeared from your view and ask whether they are sitting alone at home with the person they love and care for.

And if they are, don’t say – as so many people have said to me over the years – “I won’t come round/phone/make contact because I know you are busy.” Why not invite yourself round for coffee and a chat? Bring a picnic and sit in the garden. Spread a little happiness! It will really be appreciated.

Support for carers can be found from Suffolk Family Carers: 01473 835477 / www.suffolkfamilycarers.org Caroline Page

WOODBRIDGE MAYOR’S REPORT FOR APRIL/MAY 2017 This is my final musing as mayor as my year has come to an end, passing so quickly. During the year we have been invited to a diverse range of events, both locally and across Suffolk. I have enjoyed the experience immensely and I count myself extremely fortunate to have had this opportunity to represent the town.

So what have we been up to in April? On April 6 we attended a reception organised by Mark Newton, chairman of SCDC, at the Suffolk Punch Trust in Hollesley. It included a tour of the museum with its vintage farm machinery and commercial vehicles that were all pulled by horses. The Suffolk Punch is a large horse, but very docile and we saw one having its mane plaited and another being fitted with a harness. If you haven’t been to this museum then I would encourage you to take in a visit.

My consort Una Mitchell attended the grand opening of the Alde Valley Spring Festival. There were many works of art on display, including some from Maggi Hambling who opened the festival. On Sunday, April 30 we visited Haverhill in West Suffolk for the Mayor’s Civic Service. We changed in a room at the back of the church and so our procession didn’t have far to walk.

My final event was opening Jules Button’s shop, The Emporium, with the actor Hugh Fraser cutting the ribbon. It’s good to see another shop opening in the Thoroughfare.

In the council chamber we continue to be busy. We completed the review of our committee rules, or standing orders, and as a result have introduced an agenda item where the public have a slot in the agenda when they may speak to the full council or committee on any topic they wish.

During my year as mayor I have sought to encourage the people and organisations of Woodbridge to work closely with the town council. This change in our rules goes some way to giving residents the chance to express their ideas and views directly to their elected councillors.

Following a financial review it was necessary to move the open market to an area owned by WTC, namely Market Hill Square. Clearly in the past this was where markets were held.

On the planning committee we had a large number of applications to consider. A couple were at Martlesham trading estate where we still oppose units that are designated for retail rather than commercial. We do this to try and help protect our high street shops and also encourage employment in the area.

A dog poop problem in Kingston Field was reported by a resident. We undertook a survey and the results showed the problem localised to one end of the field. We are considering more signs to remind dog owners of their responsibilities as well as seeing if our gardens contractor can help keep the field clear.

SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE

All the councillors enjoyed a visit to the Whisstocks development and went inside the buildings that the WTC will soon own and lease out to Woodbridge Museum and Woodbridge Riverside Trust.

CALL 01473 353350

We also went up onto the balcony of the future restaurant and enjoyed a magnificent view across the River Deben. What an added tourist attraction this development will prove to be for the area. We now need to sort out with the district council and others where these additional visitors will park!

We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.

So reader, thank you again for your time and interest in what I have been doing as your mayor.

Councillor Stephen Attwell, Ex-Mayor, Woodbridge Town Council

6

In Touch online:

ADVERTORIAL

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.

Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number

of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing

a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

Learn to play golf

Beginner courses

on offer across Suffolk Starting from £20 for 4 weeks Equipment will be provided.

All sessions taken by a PGA professional in a fun and social environment.

To find and book a course: visit getintogolf.org or call 0800 118 2766 www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

7

8

In Touch online:

NEWS HOME-START EVENTS

THE COUNTY CRUISE

BRIDGE DRIVE Do you play bridge? Would you like to spend a relaxed afternoon playing with others who also enjoy the game? If so, come along to a bridge afternoon at Waldringfield Village Hall on Wednesday, June 15, from 2-5pm. Tickets cost £7.50 and include a delicious cream tea.

Tickets, to be purchased in advance, are available from: Chris Bowles on 01394 382828 / Home-Start, 8a The Square, Martlesham Heath / 01473 621104 / www.homestarteastsuffolk.org.uk PUDDING NIGHT Would you like the chance to enjoy an evening sampling a variety of delicious home-made puddings with friends?

Home-Start Suffolk: East Ipswich & Coastal are holding a pudding night at The Douglas Bader, Martlesham Heath on Wednesday, June 14 at 7.30pm.

There will be lots of different home-made puddings for you to try with your chance to vote for the best pud! A recipe booklet of all the puddings will also be available for you to purchase.

Tickets for this evening are £5 and are available from: Home-Start, 8a The Square, Martlesham Heath / 01473 621104 / www.homestarteastsuffolk.org.uk All monies raised from these two events will go to the charity Home-Start who during this year will support over 150 families in the East of Ipswich or Suffolk Coastal areas.

These families will receive one to one or group support from trained volunteers because for them the pressures of family life have become too much to cope with alone this can be for a variety of reasons such as illness, disability, mental health problems, bereavement, isolation and multiple births.

JUST42 FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Sae Wylfing, Woodbridge Riverside Trust’s longboat, left Woodbridge waterfront and embarked on her cruise around the county in April and May. She was a major attraction at Sutton Hoo, Snape Maltings and Trinity Park where hundreds of schoolchildren took time to learn about the Anglo-Saxon heritage of our region.

Supported by Ealdfaeder re-enactors, there were opportunities to see authentic craft skills such as spinning and weaving, learning about writing runes, or turning quern stones to grind grain to make flour.

They heard about the use of herbs for curing ailments and the use of the longboat to carry heavy goods to and from market. Those who wanted to don helmets, see chain mail or the weapons of the day were not disappointed.

Her journey continued to Haughley Park on May 13-14 at the Weird and Wonderful Wood event. Now she is heading to the Suffolk Show ground to round off the month as we move into June.

ENJOY A CREAM TEA Come and enjoy a delicious homemade cream tea in the Suffolk countryside with live music by The C Strings. Tickets are only £10 with all the money going to help local children and young people. This will be held on Sunday, June 11 from 3-5pm in Burgh.

For tickets or further information contact Just42: 01394 380992 / info@just42.org.uk PLAY GOLF FOR JUST42 Join us from 4pm on Friday, June 9 at Seckford Golf Club to play eight holes and then enjoy a barbecue supper.

Tee off at 4pm then enjoy a delicious dinner. Enter competitions such as longest drive and nearest the pin.

Just £25 per player. Proceeds go to local youth and children’s work.

To book your place call 01394 380992 or email: info@just42.org.uk

You can see her there and join in the unique activities that accompany her. You could join the longboat project itself and help her carry the community message further afield.

Her journey will continue on to other events and if you had a little spare time, you could be with her, enjoying the activity that always surrounds her by emailing Bryan at AngloSaxonsRus@Gmail.com or watching short videos of her activities at: www.WoodbridgeWaterfront.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

She has already booked her part in The Kings River musical performance, July 11-16 on the Woodbridge waterfront and in the Riverside Theatre (see page 16). Have you booked your ticket yet? Don’t miss out.

9

OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Chair based exercise classes Aimed at older people or those recovering from illness or injury, we are looking to run a series of weekly chair based exercise classes with Tai Chi and Qigong teacher Roy Wadland (Union of Tai Chi) and would like to gain a register of interest. The one hour sessions will focus on sitting Tai Chi, Qigong and meditation and will cost £3 per class. To put your name down or for more information, email: kellie.dimmock@suffolklibraries.co.uk June 1-30: ArtLib Exhibition of work by Anthony Mather Anthony spent 45 years as a commercial interior designer working all over the world. Having relocated to Suffolk in 2000, Anthony’s past interest in photography and painting was reawakened. Having now fully retired, and after a very informative and challenging four years’ membership of Ipswich and District Photographic Society, Anthony now has a wider appreciation for the natural delights and unique features of Suffolk, especially the nautical wrecks along the wonderful waterways of the Suffolk coastal regions. This is Anthony’s first solo exhibition, and hopefully the first of many!

Friday, June 2, 2-3pm: Friends of Woodbridge Library activities group meeting For more information please either come along, email Kellie Dimmock at kellie.dimmock@suffolklibraries.co.uk or phone the library on 01394 446510.

Saturday, June 3, 9am-5pm / Sunday, June 4, 10am-4pm: Sale of donated fiction

Costa Coffee book sale Costa Coffee on The Thoroughfare now have a book shelf selling donated fiction. All titles are 50p, and 100% of the money raised goes to support Woodbridge Library. Drink coffee while supporting your local library.

Friends of Woodbridge library goodies Show your support for your local library by carrying a cotton shopping bag bearing the Friends logo. It’s only £3. There is also a bookmark for £1.

Meeting room and display boards available for hire Community, charity, private groups: £10 per hour (minimum two hours) Commercial, statutory groups: £15 per hour (minimum two hours) Display boards: £10 per week Staffed table display in the main library: £10 per half day Free computer help and advice Contact the library to book a session or to find out more.

SNAP (Support & Advice Project) 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: Every Tuesday, 10am-noon Flagship: Help and advice every Tuesday, 10am-noon

Monday, June 5, 10.30am-12.30pm: Suffolk User Forum drop-in Independent mental health charity Suffolk User Forum is coming to several libraries in Suffolk to help support people with mental health issues to have their voices heard. You will be able to have a chat about any concerns you may have around mental health, whether for yourself, as a family carer, or as a friend/relative of a person who has a mental health illness.

Writers’ Workshop Meets once a month on Tuesdays at 5.30pm. Interested? To open doors to creative writing please email: jeannie@butterwicks.com

Mondays, June 5, 12, 19 & 26, 11.15am-12.45pm: Mindfulness and Meditation Learn to relax and unwind, to combat stress, anxiety and worry through the practices of mindfulness and meditation. Sessions are run on a drop-in basis. £10 per session. All welcome. Enquiries to: debrawoodbridge@gmail.com / 01394 450066

Knitting Club Every Friday at 2pm. For all types of knitters, expert to beginner, come and share your knowledge or pick up some tips.

Thursday, June 15, 7pm: Authors Sarah Armstrong & Stephen May in Conversation (see page 14) Monday, June 19, 7.30pm: In Conversation with Laura Barnett and Kathryn Williams Have you ever looked back on your life remembering the songs that you listened to at the time? Why did they matter so much to you? How significant are they now? What do they say about your life? In a novel called Greatest Hits, talented new writer Laura Barnett explores the life of a fictional singersongwriter through the music which defined her. In conceiving the story, Laura has worked with talented singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams. The songs in the book were produced as a companion CD. Tickets are available from the library and Browsers Bookshop. To book or for further information phone the library on 0194 446510 or Browsers Bookshop on 01394 388890.

Tuesday, June 20, 1-5pm: Patients’ Participation Group Open Day Little St John’s Street Surgery Patients’ Participation Group was formed in February 2013 with the aim of developing a positive and constructive relationship between patients, the practice and the community. It helps ensure that the practice remains accountable and responsive to the needs of its patients.

Saturday, June 24, 10.15-11.45pm: Talk on Resilience by Mia Philips Find out how to keep bouncing back in the face of life’s challenges. £5, pay on the door. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/SC3PC Saturday, June 24 – Saturday, July 1: Display by Woodbridge Horticultural Society Founded in 1852, the society is affiliated to The Royal Horticultural Society and Suffolk Horticultural & Produce Association. Its aim is to provide informative and entertaining presentations on a range of gardening topics. In addition, its programme of events includes outings to fine gardens and houses, coffee mornings in members’ gardens and sometimes a strawberry tea.

Book Group: meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm On June 1 we will discuss Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera.

Please come along if you have read this and want to join in the discussion.

Woodbridge Novelists: meets fortnightly on Wednesday mornings A reciprocal critiquing group for novel-writers who are working towards publication. For more details and contact information please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/woodbridgenovelists/home

10

Creative Writing for All Meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm. For more details contact: jeannie@butterwicks.com

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 visit: www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/1150 ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN 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: Kid’s Club Craft Activities June 4: Activity Sheet Fun June 11: Disguise Masks June 18: Activity Sheet Fun June 25: Detective Kit

In Touch online:

WOULD YOU LIKE TO: • Make improvements to your home?

• Give financial help to your children or grandchildren?

• Review your existing Equity Release arrangement?

• Treat yourself to a little extra luxury?

• Pay off debts?

• Have extra income?

Your local heating, plumbing & gas specialist.

We offer a wide range of services, including: • • • • • • • • •

Independent financial advice for Equity Release and lifetime mortgages.

Michael Hodgetts CeMAP CeRER T: 01473 730 999 E: mike@lighthouseplatinum.com 4 Constable Court, The Street, Belstead, Ipswich, IP8 3LY www.lighthouseplatinum.com

LIGHTHOUSEPLATINUM

Gas Boiler Installation, Service & Repair Oil Boiler Installation, Service & Repair Gas Safety Check & Landlord Certificates Full Bathroom Installation Full Heating Systems installed Pressurised Hot Water Systems Power Flushing All other Plumbing & Heating Services Renewable Energy (Biomass Boilers/Air Source/Heat Pumps)

Wealth Management Ltd Equity Release may involve a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan.

To understand the features and risks of an Equity Release scheme please ask for a personalised illustration. Equity Release may not be right for everyone. It may affect your entitlement to state benefits and will reduce the value of your estate. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or want your family to inherit it.

Lighthouse Platinum Wealth Management Ltd is an appointed representative of Lighthouse Advisory Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

01394 460187 | 07932 438155 info@jf-plumbing.co.uk | jasonfinbra@btinternet.com www.jf-plumbing.co.uk Essential Carpet Care April 2017.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2017 10:56 Page 1

Life | Land | Business

Whatever life brings we’re always there for you For your life, land and business, Barker Gotelee is here to help.

Our friendly, local solicitors are on hand to advise you on a host of legal matters, including buying and selling property, family breakdown, making a will or developing your business.

41 Barrack Sq, Martlesham, Ipswich IP5 3RF Free parking

Visit barkergotelee.co.uk or call 01473 611211 www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

Breathing new life into your wood floors…

XááxÇà|tÄ

Floor Care

Dust free wood floor sanding and restoration service Floor cleaning, sanding, Lacquering and oiling Affiliated with The Ultimate Floor Sanding Company™, Essential Floor Care is a highly professional organisation, which focuses on giving customers complete peace of mind – every time!

BEFORE

AFTER

Wood flooring maintenance plans tailored to suit your requirements.

Call us on 01473

314178 or 01394 300491

For every floor sanded, oiled or lacquered receive a free ‘clean and go’ kit* – quote ES2. *subject to terms and conditions

www.essentialfloorcare.com

11

Deben View, Woodbridge

- An alternative to residential care Orwell are the largest provider of Extra Care housing for older people in Suffolk. We offer specially designed accommodation across the County.

Live with us

Work with us

 Self contained apartments

 Professional qualifications

 We enable couples to stay

 Progression opportunities

together

 Specifically tailored care plans  A dedicated staff team on site 24/7

 Staff rewards and bonuses  Above living wage salary  Introduce a colleague scheme

 Integrated alarm call systems

 Free uniform

 Additional services—

 Employee awards

assistance with cleaning, laundry and shopping

 Car loans  Free DBS check

Please visit our website www.orwell-housing.co.uk for further information about current available apartments and job vacancies.

Registered office: Crane Hill Lodge 325 London Road, Ipswich IP2 0BE Tel: 0345 60 100 30

12

Together we make a difference

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT

HOLLESLEY FETE AND FUN DOG SHOW Saturday June 24, 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 24 will include a display of model boats from the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club, Suffolk Punch Trust with a Suffolk horse in hand, kid goats for you to stroke, coconut shy, bouncy castle and music from Hollesley Trumpets.

A delicious barbecue will be available from 12.30pm and the bar will be provided by the Shepherd and Dog. Tea, coffee, squash, ice cream and cakes will be available all afternoon in the hall.

Don’t forget to purchase your grand draw tickets for the chance to win £100 and many other fantastic prizes.

EASY TO PICK UP – BUT YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN! Woodbridge Tennis Club is proud to launch Touchtennis at Kingston Playing Fields.

2. Cutest Puppy 3. Waggiest Tail 4. Best Rescue Dog 5. Prettiest Pouch (Female) 6. Most Handsome (Male) 7. Best in Show Proceeds from the day will be divided between various village groups and projects.

TOP FESTIVAL CALLER AT DANCE FOLKUS IN JUNE

Our resident Dance Folkus Come All Ye band will be providing the music so if you fancy playing along with the band do contact us.

Several of our regulars try mixing their evening by playing some of the tunes and joining in with some of the dances.

Who’s it for? ​​​Adults aged 16 to 106 What are the benefits?​ Have fun and keep fit at the same time!

Training requirements?​None!

Cost? ​​​​£5 per session When?​​​​Thursdays 7-8.30pm TOUCHTENNIS LAUNCH EVENING Come and join the fun for free on Thursday, June 1, 7-8.30pm, at Woodbridge Tennis Club, Kingston Playing Fields. Rackets and balls provided. To reserve your place contact Jon Mansfield: 07796 366032 Head coach Jon Mansfield says: “I’m really excited with this launch, because playing mini-tennis is one of the most enjoyable parts of coaching! All players who sign up will receive a world ranking, and as they play more they will be able to improve this ranking!

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

1. Golden Oldie

At our next dance at Woodbridge Community Centre on Friday, June 2, London based caller Sheena Masson will be in charge.

Sheena is a nationally known caller featured at many festivals with the country’s top barn dance bands. She is also an excellent concertina player and has been in a number of ceilidh bands including Stomp and Stocai.

The closest thing to 5-a-side for tennis, Touchtennis is a highly addictive, fun and exciting, fast moving version of mini tennis.

Players instantly feel competent due to the game’s characteristics.

“Touchtennis is big news and has been picked up

by Sky Sports. People actually compete and can earn proper prize money!”

The dog show starts at 12.45pm with the following fun classes, and every dog will win a prize:

The song spot will be local duo Bill Johnston and Sheila Darling (Bill ‘n’ Sheila). They play melodeon, concertina, guitar, fiddle and mandolin. Bill plays in Bards of the Heath, but as a duo they perform an eclectic mix so we will have to wait and see what their song choice is.

The May dance was a great success with more than 90 people attending. Pretty Grim Border Morris side performed an entertaining and dynamic dance spot. They made a striking (almost frightening) sight wielding heavy, long sticks while dressed in purple and black and wearing masks. Our caller, Helen Howe, wove together a varied evening of enjoyable dances.

So, why not come along for some frolicking fun at Woodbridge Community Centre from 7.30pm on June 2? Tickets at the door are £6 and there should be plenty of room if you decide to attend at the last minute. However, there is a £1 discount for booking in advance by email (no payment needed) and students are half price. For further information about joining the band or the dance if required contact Rob at: 01473 610951 / dancefolkus@aol.com There is also a Facebook page if you wish to investigate further: www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeDanceFolkus2916

Photos by Stan Baston

13

OUT & ABOUT GIANT QUIZ NIGHT RETURNS FOR 2017 Regarded as one of the region’s biggest trivia events, local family run hearing specialists, The Hearing Care Centre announces the return of their Charity Quiz Night.

The event, which is the company’s thirteenth quiz fundraiser, is being held on Sunday, June 11 at 7pm at Greshams Ipswich on Tuddenham Road. Teams can include between four and six members and entry is only £5 with nibbles included.

Thanks to generous support from local businesses, there are cash prizes to be won for the top five teams, as well as a giant prize draw. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Hearing Care Centre’s chosen charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

AUTHORS SARAH ARMSTRONG & STEPHEN MAY IN CONVERSATION Thursday, June 15 at Woodbridge Library The Devil in the Snow, Sarah’s second novel, came out in February.

Stronger than Skin, Stephen’s fourth, was issued in March. Both authors are now under the wing of Sandstone Press, publishers of Rosy Thornton’s Sandlands which has been shortlisted for the 2017 New Angle Prize for Literature.

Doors open at 7pm, event starts at 7.30pm. Admission is free, but if possible please reserve a seat in advance by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk Refreshments will be provided by Friends of Woodbridge Library. This is a Suffolk Book League event: www.sbl.org.uk

DEMENTIA

AWARENESS DROP-IN EVENT

TUESDAY 20 JUNE 2017 WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY 2.00pm - 5.00pm FREE Tea and Coffee ● Come and meet the professionals ● Organised by the Patient Participation Group on behalf of Dr Gary Taylor and Partners, 7 Little St John’s Street Surgery

Karen Finch, Managing Director at The Hearing Care Centre, is a specialist in looking after patients with hearing difficulties. She expressed: “Hearing Dogs give many deaf people confidence, independence and companionship.

“The wonderful support we have received from the local community and our patients at our previous quizzes has been astonishing. To date, this annual event has helped raise almost £20,000. Join us for a great evening out with friends and family, all helping an excellent cause.”

With an expected attendance of well over 200 people, organisers are advising interested teams to book early to avoid disappointment. To book tickets call 01473 230330 or visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/quiz

TAIZE WORKSHOP, TEA AND SERVICE We have the latest music from the Taize Community to learn and you are welcome to come and learn it with us at 3pm on Sunday, June 25 in St Michael’s Church, Woolverstone.

We expect the singing to be thirsty work so we break for tea and cake and sandwiches at 4pm and will Photo courtesy of S Harris have the 45 minute service at 4.30pm. The service will include some familiar Taize music as well as the exciting new material.

You are welcome to join us for the whole afternoon or any part of it that suits you. It would help us for catering to have a rough idea of numbers so if you are coming please either ring Jane Gould on 01473 780777 or email: jane.gould@btinternet.com If you are unfamiliar with the style of worship that the Taize Community offers you can hear some clips on Youtube.

BRING AND BUY CAKE AND COFFEE MORNING In Aid of Dementia Research at 12 Fynn Road, Woodbridge IP12 4LS on Saturday, July 15, 10am-2pm.

Sue’s mum died in November 2013 from Vascular Dementia. Last year we raised well over £350 for Dementia Research at our coffee morning which brings our ongoing total to almost £1,500.

Please come along again and support us this year, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of cake, and of course good company.

Supported by NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group

Please bring cakes with you so that we may sell them to raise even more money.

Alzheimer’s Society – Leading the fight against dementia

14

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

15

OUT & ABOUT THE KING’S RIVER – A UNIQUE MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE

ST MARY’S HOSTS WOODBRIDGE CHAMBER CONCERTS

The countdown to The King’s River performance has begun. It is a unique story written by Sylvia Fairley telling the tale of Sutton Hoo from Anglo Saxon times until the discovery of the buried treasure in 1939. Performances will be taking place over five consecutive days from Tuesday, July 11 to Saturday 15 (matinee).

The tenth season of Woodbridge Chamber Concerts has been playing to enthusiastic audiences at St Mary’s Church. The season has featured three concerts performed by young musicians, and organisers had to overcome the challenge of finding a replacement musician at the eleventh hour for the concert on May 6.

Unusually, part one of the show is being staged in the open air on the waterfront in Woodbridge and part two involves the audience moving inside to the Riverside Theatre.

This movement of the audience during a single performance is one reason why the experience can truly be called unique.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go direct to the Riverside Theatre or visit: www.thekingsriver.co.uk Local singer Julian Illman plays King Raedwald and Kathryn Bryant plays Mrs Brown, two of the leading roles. Zoe Todd is Raedwald’s Cwaen (that’s Anglo-Saxon for Queen) as well as Mrs Pretty. The river itself plays an important part as a narrator and this is covered by Matthew Boyd. See these people and read their full biographies, together with others linked to the event, on the website under The King’s River Story.

They will be supported by nearly 40 local schoolchildren, more than 40 adult singers and an orchestra made up of local adults and children directed by Andrew Tidmarsh and Andrew Leach, the choirmaster for Woodbridge Choral Society. Together they will create a colour-sound spectacular that will be remembered for many years to come.

The King’s River music has been specially written by Jana Rowland for Woodbridge Riverside Trust to celebrate the regeneration of the old Whisstocks boatyard site.

It has captured the imagination and support of the local community and businesses, Barretts of Woodbridge, Anglia Drain Doctor, F W Properties, SCDC and local private donors, plus it has been awarded Arts Council funding.

Look out for more information around Woodbridge and please buy your tickets from www.thekingsriver.co.uk or the Riverside Theatre. Tickets are selling fast.

ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Our next fundraising event on Saturday, June 10, 2-4.30pm, is the sale of pictures and cards by local artist Sonya E Burrows as well as plants and books with live music throughout the afternoon at The Richards Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB.

Michael Foyle (violin) The concert, which featured sonatas and Somi Kim (piano)

by Beethoven, Brahms and Franck, was due to feature the talented Polish violist Marta Kowalczyk, but she had to pull out within two weeks of the due date. Fortunately concert organiser John Treadway was able to secure the services of Michael Foyle, who was recommended by the Park Lane Group, an organisation which promotes young professional artists.

John Treadway notes: “From the beginning of the rehearsal, I realised that it was going to be an outstanding concert. His rapport with the accompanist and his deep knowledge of the music shone through.

Those privileged (a word I do not use lightly) to hear this concert were enthralled. In the interval, there were already those asking when they would be coming back and one even said, ‘Being here is like attending the Wigmore Hall’. I replied, ‘That’s not surprising, these two have performed there too!’”

Michael was accompanied by Somi Kim on piano, with what Classical Source described as ‘simply superb commitment, musicianship and technical command’.

With the acoustics in St Mary’s also of the highest standard, the concert was a resounding success, and Woodbridge has been benefiting from a musical feast throughout May. Also featured as part of the series has been the Artesian Quartet, playing a mixture of Haydn, Beethoven and Smetana, and the final concert serving up a treat with the Alke Quartet, featuring Bryony Gibson-Cornish on viola and Lisa Maria Cooper on horn, playing a mixture of Mozart and Mendelssohn.

HASKETON’S JAZZ PICNIC Taking a new slant on a well-established event that supports Hasketon Parish Church, the Traditional Jazz Barbecue has morphed into a Bring Your Own Picnic (BYOP for short). The jazz will come from Mike Barry and the Uptown Gang making a return appearance complete with the Brolly Parade so bring your colourful brollies.

We look forward to seeing you at Shrubbery Farm, Hasketon on Sunday, June 25 from 12.30-4pm. Tickets are £12 from 01394 383106 or 01473 735579. Drinks will be available to purchase.

MUGATHON The potters of Woodbridge Art Club are busy creating mugs to provide a bit of fun for the coming spring bank holiday. Some classic, some mighty weird, all will be on display in the club gallery in Tide Mill Way throughout the weekend of Saturday, May 27 to Monday 29, 10am-5pm. Visitors are invited to drop a coin into the mug they like best.

All welcome, entrance is free. Light refreshments available. The venue is fully accessible with plenty of free parking.

There will be the usual range of other pots, bowls, platters, vases and ornamental items from the pretty to the bizarre.

For further details of the Roger David Burrows Music Fund contact the Burrows family on 01473 625196 or visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

A photo of the winning mug will be posted in one of the club windows so you can see which one won.

16

In Touch online:

CAMERON MATTHEWS - FOR THE MANY NOT THE FEW

VOTE LABOUR ON 8 JUNE FOR A FAIRER BRITAIN I am a Suffolk local. I was raised in my home town of Felixstowe. I now work as a frontline firefighter and as with my job, my driving principle in standing as your parliamentary candidate is to help people.

Vote for me and I will work tirelessly to make Suffolk and Britain a fairer place. Together, we will: • • • • • •

Invest in our NHS: provide better pay for nurses, overhaul IT systems, end the A&E crisis Save education: restore school funding, abolish tuition fees Safeguard elderly members of our communities: reinvest in social care, provide quality pensions Protect workers: provide a 20 point plan for workers, end zero hours contracts, £10 minimum wage Revive British business: invest in infrastructure via Regional Investment Banks Housing: commit to building affordable housing for local people

Cameron Matthews

Suffolk Coastal Labour Candidate

VOTE LABOUR ON 8 JUNE - VOTE CAMERON MATTHEWS FOR SUFFOLK COASTAL

ONLY LABOUR WORKS FOR THE MANY NOT THE FEW

Promoted by Terry Hodgson on behalf of Cameron Matthews both of 27, King George’s Avenue, Leiston IP16 4JX. Printed by Mansion House Publishing, 14-20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

17

18

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE DEBEN Woodbridge Memory Café, run by the Rotary Clubs of Woodbridge and Woodbridge Deben assisted by Woodbridge Inner Wheel, continues to flourish. The café, which welcomes people with all forms of memory loss and their carers, takes place on the last Wednesday of every month from 10.30-noon at Woodbridge Football Club.

Deben Rotary are running a golf day in conjunction with St Audrys Golf Club on Thursday, July 27. The event will be in a greensomes format, with teams of four in two pairs playing for the Marie Hunt Shield and individual prizes.

Entry is £20 per player and proceeds will go to Riding for the Disabled and local Rotary supported charities.

For further details please contact Rotarian Peter Rowbottom on 01473 626376 or visit: www.debenrotary.org.uk

THE LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT Our summer season opened with some unseasonal weather – high winds and rain – as we assisted with stewarding and litter picking at Woodbridge Horse Show.

More litter picking, followed by a pub meal, is planned for June and the spectacular Duck Dive at Woodbridge Regatta.

In the background, we have been working on a new look website which will feature a wider range of information about the Lions Club of Woodbridge & District and its activities, as well as the national and international Lions movement.

The end of June marks the end of the Lions’ year. Our established team of John Wood (president), Roy Benton (secretary) and Ian Gander (treasurer) will continue in office into 2017/18, with Roy Benton also taking on the role of vice-president.

For a no-obligation chat about the Lions, please: 08458 332820

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE On April 26 we hosted the district international rally, held to raise awareness of overseas charities. It was very well attended and began with an inspiring talk by Association International Service Chairman Ann Acaster on international service and her recent visit to Nepal.

Our guest speaker was Luke Simon, founder of School in a Bag which is our district’s chosen charity. Finally, Les Potter spoke about the International Aid Trust which distributes our donations of knitted goods and other items to countries where the people are far less privileged than us.

Still on an international theme, at our May meeting members enjoyed an illustrated talk by President Lesley Deas’ son Christian and his wife Sarah about their trip to South East Asia.

After travelling on the Trans Siberian Railway through Russia to China, they visited Mongolia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia, often having ‘home stays’, living with a family and experiencing their lifestyle. The evening gave us a real insight into life in South East Asia, a life very different from our own.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Timothy Schroder presented a talk titled Sacred Silver in England: 500 Years of Change at our May meeting. Timothy is a specialist in silver and has written several books on the subject. He took us through the history of church silver from medieval days to the present, explaining how most of the beautifully ornate medieval silver was destroyed and replaced by a more austere Elizabethan and Puritan style.

The Victorians re-introduced a more decorative style and present day church silver is equally beautiful. With many fine illustrations of church plate through the ages this was a most enjoyable and interesting talk.

Our meeting on June 7 will be our last of the present season. The talk at 2.15pm has the intriguing title Artists and Espionage: The Lawn Road Flats NW3: Modernist Living in Mid-20th Century. London. Guest lecturer Deborah Lambert will explain all. The lecture will be preceded at 1.45pm by a short AGM which is for members only.

So why not become a member and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. The meeting lasts about an hour with tea and coffee available up until 2pm. Guests and non-members, are welcome provided we have available space.

Exceptionally popular lectures will have a guests/visitor limit of 20 so please contact Wendy Robbins before the day on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.

For latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE PROBUS Our second meeting at Martlesham Leisure Centre will be on Monday, June 5. Last month Howard Davies gave a wonderfully entertaining talk on his 40 years in education. June’s talk is by member Jim Colthup about his experiences working on the Apollo programme and the moon landing in 1969.

We meet at noon for a drink before lunch and a chance to meet other members. Lunch at 1pm is taken at small tables. Drawing a number before lunch, you will usually sit next to someone new. We are semiretired or retired men from a variety of careers and jobs.

You are very welcome to come as a guest and if you like us to join the club. Our chairman, Roger Seager (07759 134682), or our vice-chair, Ray Hooper (ray.hooper@btinternet.com), will be happy to hear from you if you would like to give us a try.

We hope to be back home at Waldringfield Golf Club in July which has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment.

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Writer and historian James Hayward will present a talk titled Shingle Street Invasion at our next meeting on Monday, June 12.

A Second World War mystery over a ‘failed Nazi invasion’ at a remote beach in Suffolk may have been manufactured by Britain’s head of propaganda. Burn the Sea is the definitive account of the origin, circulation and astonishing longevity of the myth of the ‘invasion that failed’ in 1940, as well as its remarkable revival in 1992 around the Suffolk fishing hamlet of Shingle Street.

Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and newcomers are always welcome.

Kim Quinton

19

OUT & ABOUT PAINT A POSTCARD FOR NEW WOODBRIDGE COMPETITION A great community painting competition, open to everyone, is being organised by Woodbridge Art Club to coincide with the King’s River celebrations in July at the new Whisstocks development site.

If you haven’t touched a paintbrush since you left school, now is your chance to discover that hidden talent! There is a section for novices as well as one for regular painters, and one for under 16s.

Paintings must be postcard size – 6”x 4” – in any medium and style and can be any subject that you feel epitomises Woodbridge or the surrounding area. You can enter as many paintings as you like at £1 each.

You can obtain entry forms with further details from Woodbridge Art Club, 15 Tide Mill Way, IP12 1BY (open weekends 10am-5pm) or from various local libraries.

All entries will be on show at the club on Sunday, July 16 when prizes will be presented to the winners.

In the meantime the club’s summer exhibition of paintings, pots and lace continues every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday from 10am5pm. All are welcome to come in and browse.

NOT ALL U3A GROUPS AND MEMBERS TAKE A BREAK FOR SUMMER Many U3A groups continue throughout the warmer weather, but if you are making your own plans with partners, families and friends or for holidays here or abroad, the committee, group leaders/contacts and publicity team all wish you a sunny summer.

The last talk in the spring season takes place at Woodbridge Community Hall at 2.30pm on Monday, June 5, when Christine Adams presents Miss Savidge Moves Her House, the fascinating story of a woman who literally moved her house to Norfolk.

We hope U3A members will join us at Kesgrave Community Centre on Monday, June 12 at 2pm for our Annual General Meeting.

For old, new and prospective members, the next important date is Friday, September 1 when we host our annual open day at Kesgrave Community Hall, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Talks in our four campuses will re commence later in September and further details will be available after the AGM from: www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk / 03001 233913

20

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT

1ST RENDLESHAM SCOUT GROUP The annual Scout census has recently been released and despite a record number of adult volunteers both here in Suffolk and nationally there are still currently 51,000 children in the UK on the waiting list to join Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Despite being over 100 years old, Scouting is more relevant today than it ever has been, with children spending an increasing amount of time indoors and in front of screens. Scouting allows them not only to get outdoors, but also to learn skills and make friendships that will last a lifetime.

This summer Scouts from 1RSG will be rock climbing, abseiling and hiking in the Peak District, kayaking at Deben Watersports Centre, camping (a lot), sailing a 49 foot Oyster sail training yacht, raft racing at Woodbridge Regatta, playing wide games in Rendlesham Forest, air rifle shooting, learning first aid, survival skills, electronics, fire lighting, shelter building, and then joining over 800 other Scouts and Guides from the whole of Suffolk for a huge activities camp over August Bank Holiday weekend at Bentwaters Airfield.

To make all of these things happen takes volunteers and to get those 51,000 children off the waiting list would require just one extra volunteer for every Scout group in the UK. Here in Deben District we have amazing Scout groups doing amazing things for our young people; 1st Kesgrave, 1st Woodbridge, 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts, 1st Framlingham, 1st Martlesham, 1st Saxmundham, 1st Deben Valley, 1st Otley, 1st Grundisburgh, 1st Westerfield, 1st Leiston and, of course, 1st Rendlesham, all of whom would welcome anyone wishing to volunteer to help them.

As an example of what Scouting gives back to its volunteers, the photo above is from our recent Suffolk Scouts Mountain Team weekend in the Peak District. As beautiful as the view is, the drop below was very intimidating, especially when you are 13 years old and it’s windy. This Scout was up on that cliff for quite a long time and the more he thought about it and the more he looked down, the more nervous he became, to the point where his Scout Leader thought there was no way he was going to abseil down.

However, the CMAT instructors were amazingly patient and with enough time and reassurance they got him over the edge and down to the bottom. By the time he had got to the bottom all fear had

long since been forgotten, replaced with his trademark ear-to-ear smile. Being able to share in that sense of achievement with a young person makes Scouting a fantastically rewarding volunteering opportunity.

As well as the Scout groups themselves, we also need people to assist with administration roles within the district, also anyone who has experience or wishes to be involved in sailing as we also have Adventures Offshore, the Scout sail training charity based in Ipswich. So whatever time you have to spare and whatever you wish to offer we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Acting Group Scout Leader Keith Gleen: 07944 297184 / info@rendleshamscouts.org.uk MEMBERSHIP At 1st Rendlesham we currently have spaces for Cubs (8-10 years).

Beavers (6-8 years) and Scouts (10-14 years) currently have waiting lists but we are always happy to hear from any child interested in joining any section of the troop, or indeed any group in Deben District.

So please don’t hesitate to contact Keith or to visit: www.rendleshamscouts.org.uk / Facebook

NEW HORIZONS By popular demand, New Horizons, the club for older people in the area, is expanding. Beginning on August 7, we will be open on Mondays as well as our usual Thursdays to serve our members in the local community.

Our days go as follows: after arriving to a welcoming cup (or two) of coffee or tea with biscuits, many of the members join in with activities such as art, Scrabble, dominos or a game of cards. Some just enjoy a good chat; alternatively they might chose to read the newspapers or a magazine. Several appreciate the opportunity to ask volunteer shoppers to purchase something they need. Anyone who wishes can also join in with the armchair exercises which are fun as well as beneficial.

A definite highlight of the day is the delicious home-cooked two-course meal followed by more coffee or tea. And after lunch, we have another activity which might be crafts, a film, a slide show or a quiz.

In a change to our usual routine, we are lucky to have a day out by the seaside this month. Our leader managed to secure a date at The Hut on Felixstowe’s prom. Members and volunteers alike enjoy our days there

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

with walks (or rides in a wheelchair) along the front and, of course, the possibility of fish and chips for lunch.

If you have a few hours free, please consider becoming a volunteer.

Drivers are especially needed to pick members up within a five-mile radius of Woodbridge and take them to St Mary’s Hall around 9.45am; then pick them up at 2.30pm and take them home.

Transport is organised on a rota for when it suits you, and you would be reimbursed for mileage to cover your costs. Our members are so appreciative of your help; it really is a pleasure to assist them. Please phone the number below to find out more.

New Horizons meets weekly on Thursdays (twice weekly beginning in August) from 10am-2.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, 11 Market Hill, Woodbridge. The cost for the day is £8 with a small additional fee if you require transport. People over the age of 55 are warmly invited to come along and join us. For more information and to make arrangements, please phone 07514 364752 and speak to one of our leaders.

21

OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE WI The past three months have proved hectic for Woodbridge WI with a variety of speakers, outings and events to keep us busy.

SEFWI AGM proved as interesting and entertaining as ever. The National Spring Clean event saw a group of us out and about picking litter, filling an amazing number of black bags. It’s hard work and so disappointing that people continue to drop rubbish in our lovely town.

Travel counsellor Gayle Chase was our March speaker, giving a fascinating insight into her role of providing a tailor-made holiday service, organising the trip from start to finish. A number of members have already taken up her offer. The production of Red Shoes in Norwich was wonderful.

April proved very busy with involvement in a number of events. Woodbridge on Show in the community hall was an opportunity to meet the public and to raise the profile of the WI. We recruited three new members.

We joined Bucklesham WI and celebrated their 89th birthday and we were pleased to accept a kind invitation to attend the annual Woodbridge Civic Service held in St Mary’s, followed by a delicious tea.

Linda Leigh and Jean Clarke visited Denman. Jean was the lucky winner of our bursary and both thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Once again we supported Lighthouse Women’s Refuge, delivering much needed toiletries and undies generously donated by our members.

At the ACWW walk on April 29, Deben and Woodbridge WI members met up in Elmhurst Park and then walked through town and along the Deben, wearing our T-shirts and waving our flags to raise awareness of this worthwhile organisation.

In April, Hattie Bennet, founder of Music in Felixstowe, entertained us with her cello and her many adventures with it. The May meeting was our opportunity to discuss and vote on resolutions to go forward to our national AGM in June. Following the vote we held a fundraising sale of scarves and handbags – you can never have too many of either.

Grove Court residential home members invited us along to a coffee morning and we met up with a number of residents who had been WI members in the past – an enjoyable event.

The two book groups continue to meet up each month, as do the Words and Music group who recently enjoyed a visit to the New Wolsey Theatre.

MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY On May 3 we had a very informative and well attended talk by Geoffrey Barfoot, sharing his extensive knowledge from his career as an auctioneer and centre manager at Campsea Ashe Auction Centre.

Our next event is on Wednesday, June 7, and our chairman, Robert Blake, will be guiding a ‘virtual tour’ of Melton Corner in the village centre, describing the buildings and their history by way of an illustrated talk.

After a short refreshment break, this will be followed by the society AGM. This meeting will be a 7pm start with doors open at 6.30pm.

Looking ahead, on Wednesday, July 5, Patrick Taylor will be giving an illustrated talk titled Turnpikes and Tollgates, charting the location and history of these important local commercial gateways. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Both events will be held at Melton Chapel, The Street, Melton. As ever, all are welcome with members free, visitors £3. For further details email: mlhs.sec@aol.com

22

WOODBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY On May 11, in a talk titled James Lye and his Fuchsias, Kristopher Harper explained how his passion for fuchsias first came about. His grandfather, who was a keen gardener, sparked his interest at the age of nine. In 2009 Kristopher erected his first greenhouse and began to search for growers who had collections of old varieties they would be prepared to share with him. He soon became aware that many of the old varieties which were bred in Victorian times came from Clyffe Hall, the garden of Hon. Mrs Louisa Hay in Market Lavington, Wiltshire.

This was where James Lye was head gardener and from 1853 until the 1900s he perused his passion for fuchsias, producing over 50 varieties, many of which are still in cultivation today. He was well known as an exhibitor at flower and horticultural shows were he won prizes and medals for his plants.

Fuchsia growing hints from Kristopher included pruning in October or the spring, but not during the winter, and if you have enough space in the greenhouse, standard fuchsias in pots should be laid on their side to prevent tip die back. Fuchsias are quite happy in plastic pots and given quarter strength liquid plant food every time they are watered.

The next meeting in Woodbridge Community Hall is at 7.30pm on June 8 when David Ward will give a talk titled The History of the Beth Chatto Gardens. The competition is for three perfect roses.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB We don’t think that any other club can have a more beautiful home than ours. Every second Wednesday of the month we meet in the Adam Room of the Archdeacon’s House, now the Ipswich and Suffolk Club. We seized the opportunity to hire a room when the then gentlemen’s club decided to admit the other half of the human race!

Of course our projects and activities take us out and about to very varied places. In February we ran an event at the university with talks about the latest research into the abuse of women in Suffolk. At the other end of the scale we have just booked a stall at Sproughton Village Fete on June 25 to raise money for our children’s project in Africa (plus another mystery attraction!). Our team regularly waves a flag for Soroptimism at local quizzes – a bit of a risk as coming too low on the results board might not be the most positive advert!

Obviously getting ourselves better known is just a by-product of our real work to improve the lives of women. We have got so much out of being members ourselves that we just want other women with similar hopes and concerns to know about Soroptimism and perhaps consider joining us.

On the other hand we love meeting others who have chosen different ways of working towards the same goals. Our next speaker is Kat Gosling of the Teapot Project, who we met at our university event.

We’re looking forward to learning more about her imaginative project, and hoping she just might bring some of her lemon drizzle cake! It’s encouraging to realise that we are part of a whole network of women working for change.

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST, WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP

FARLINGAYE CELEBRATES FOOD WITH THE JAMIE OLIVER EDUCATION SESSION

We invite you get out into the local countryside with a couple of wildlife themed walks to enjoy during June.

On Saturday, June 17 at 10.30am, there will be a chance to learn about the fascinating Sizewell Belts nature reserve when the warden, Dayne West, leads a guided walk around the reserve. Numbers are limited for this walk and booking is essential. Participants are advised to wear strong footwear, and binoculars may be useful. Dogs are not allowed on this walk. To book contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com On Friday, June 23 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 from the car park (TM 382565) just off the B1069 and will last for approximately one hour. Participants are advised to use insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. It’s not necessary to book for this walk.

Admission to both walks is free, with donations to Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed.

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who would like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm.

Thursday, June 22: Felted Case (Emma) Thursday July 27: Book Folding (Emma) There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members.

New members are always welcome. For more details contact: Jill 01473 713534 / Emma 01787 373850

SUMMER TERM Babies and toddlers up to five years old, come and join us at Bright Stars for a fun start to your week with your parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers.

We meet at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL from 10.30am to noon on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times. These mornings are free and usually involve singing, games, making crafts to take home and telling stories from the Bible for the first half hour. We then have refreshments when the adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon.

Our dates for this term are June 12 and 26 and July 10. You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings If you would like further information please contact: Jennie Fidler 07584 420729 / Sonya & Maureen Burrows 01473 625196 / Sue Lambert 01473 624130

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

Farlingaye High School is celebrating good, fresh, real food with its annual Jamie Oliver Food Education Session.

The school hosted a cookery morning for Year 8 students run by Luke Bailey from The Crown and Castle in Orford. On Thursday, May 11, Luke, an ambassador for Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, taught the technology students to prepare food using the Food Revolution manifesto that children should learn to cook healthy meals.

This year Luke was accompanied by Callie-Anne Gavazzi, a chef from South Africa who has her own cookery show, Callie-Anne Cooks: Into the Wild. She has taken cookery back to basics at the luxury safari camp that she manages. Her five star restaurant standard food is cooked in the wild in a wood fired oven or a gas stove.

In a highly informative and fun session, they showed the students how to make fresh pasta and cook it with mussels.

They also made delicious salads from local ingredients and discussed food sustainability. The dessert was a melt in the middle chocolate sponge.

Everyone had the chance to try the different dishes.

For more information about Callie-Anne go to: www.itvchoice.za.com/highlights/callie-anne-cooks-into-the-wild

FLOWER FESTIVAL AT ALL SAINTS All Saints Church, Sutton will be holding their Flower Festival on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June. The theme will be Women of Influence and there will be 17 beautiful arrangements depicting ladies from history from the 1400s to the present day, including ladies from royalty, authors, from the medical world and many more.

Visitors to the church will be able to enjoy the flowers and the music over the two day period.

The church will be open for viewing on both days from 10am-6pm. Light refreshments will be served both on Saturday and Sunday. The festival will end with a Flower Festival Songs of Praise at 6.30pm on the Sunday.

23

SPORT DEBEN YACHT CLUB Despite the chilly start, the sailing season kicked off as usual with the Spring Points races. Sail training courses for beginners and improvers have also proved popular thanks to our very experienced training team led by Steve Scholey. The team has again been boosted with the recruitment of more enthusiastic assistant trainers keen to learn about teaching people to sail.

The club hosts a number of charity events each year. The first this year, organised by Christine Holden, on May 6 raised £760 in aid of the Samaritans. This month we have a coffee morning in aid of the Disability Advice Services between 10am and noon on Wednesday, June 14 and the usual Macmillan Coffee Morning is on Friday, September 29. 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 Sunday, June 25 between 11.30am and 2pm. Children and adults who have never sailed before will have the opportunity to give sailing a go for free. Members of the club will be on hand to accompany those interested on the club’s own boats. We are very fortunate to have such a lovely river on our doorstep, so do come along and find out just how easy it is to get out on the water and do some sailing.

On July 15 and 16, the club holds its own Junior Regatta and a series of other races including the over-35s race, ladies race, Junior Cup and Regatta Yacht Race a part of Woodbridge Regatta. So there will be plenty for spectators to see. What better place to see the action than the clubhouse deck while enjoying a cup of tea and home-made cake!

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

WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB On Saturday, May 6 the club opened its famous green door at Tiles Green, Elmhurst Park and invited members of the public to come and try their hand at the sport. On a dry but cloudy morning, 18 members of the public accepted this invitation. Not everybody was persuaded to try their luck, but 16 wanted to learn this new skill. Soon coach Viv Sheppard, ably assisted by Derek Howard and Mike Webber, were guiding the beginners through the intricacies of forehand and backhand bias, jacks, mats and rinks while other club members were fielding the odd wood or two that had gone astray or placing jacks on more accessible spots.

The atmosphere was very friendly and several people expressed their intention to take up membership, knowing that they would be made most welcome. Indeed, one lady said that everybody she had met from the club greeted her with a smile and she felt it was a most happy club.

Thanks for that comment.

I would also like to thank all members who made the morning go so smoothly, making teas and coffees as well as putting up a fine display of cakes. Other members provided a selection of spring plants for sale. All in all, it was one of our more successful open mornings.

Don’t worry if you missed it, the club’s membership list is still open.

Details can be found at: www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk / Facebook We also run a club night from 7pm on most Thursday evenings throughout the season and we would be pleased to welcome new members then.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Anthony Bynom

24

CELEBRATIONS AT WOODBRIDGE’S MINI RUGBY WARRIOR AWARDS The younger players from Woodbridge Rugby Club’s Youth Section – the Minis – and their parents were out in force in glorious sunshine on Sunday, April 30 at Woodbridge Rugby Club. Their older club members, the Youth Squads, were competing at the Road to Rio 7s festival where the U16s won their group and the U15s won the plate.

As is traditional this last Sunday of the season was a fun-filled morning of Young Warriors and parents running relay races together with challenges along the way, tug-of-war competitions and touch rugby games. Before retiring for the summer recess, all age groups celebrated player, coach and parent contributions during an awards ceremony, rewarding the achievements of the boy and girl players. Cups and medals were awarded for individual and team achievements.

Junior chairman Alex Brigginshaw paid tribute to the hard-working coaches and supportive parents. He said: “We are now a big operation with so many boys and girls out each week and that only works smoothly and safely with huge commitment from all in our community helping out.”

The Woodbridge Junior Warriors played a strong part in propelling the club to one of its best seasons on record. The Colts are in three finals, winning the first, the Eastern Counties Cup, but losing out on Bank Holiday Monday to Brentwood in an exciting National Colts Cup competition final. Just the LV= Cup to go in the next fortnight.

This underpinned strong league positions for the men and women’s 1XVs, both fifth, and the club’s Wheelchair Warriors improving league performances at wheelchair rugby. The 1XV also won the Suffolk Club for the second time in succession.

BEALINGS CARPET BOWLS CLUB Bealings Carpet Bowls Club is a friendly club looking for new members to bowl socially on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.

We supply all the equipment and will help you with bowling, so why not come along and give it a try? You might enjoy it and make some new friends.

Contact Richard Green: 01473 255317

In Touch online:

SPORT WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB

FREE VOLLEYBALL SESSIONS Volleyball is loads of fun and a very friendly game. It’s the only highenergy, no-contact mixed team sport you can play indoors and outdoors, whatever your ability. It’s energetic enough to help with your fitness, but without placing high demands on your body, and good teamwork is important as well as individual skill.

This summer is the perfect time to give volleyball a go and find out why it’s one of the top three most-played sports in the world. The sport is thriving in Suffolk with clubs in Ipswich and Stowmarket with members of mixed abilities, male and female, and all ages from teenagers to their grandparents.

The cruise programme started with the traditional match against Woodbridge Model Boat Club and in accordance with tradition the modellers won. This year was ‘freestyle’ so a wide variety of designs were launched, mostly based on plastic bottles and sporting colourful sails cut from plastic shopping bags. Although the wind was feeble the boats were light and some competitive speeds were obtained despite not having hydrofoil keels. The faster boats progressed through the heats to the grand final, accompanied by all the razzmatazz associated with the America’s Cup until finally Keith Wright claimed the title with Mark Richardson, the club cruise captain, runner-up. Appropriately their prizes were in bottles. With calm water returning to the boat pond, crews and spectators retired to the clubhouse for a sausage and mash lunch and a few celebratory pints.

The clubs will all give a warm welcome to prospective new players whether experienced or complete beginners, and this summer you can go along to join a session and play some friendly games at a park near you.

Ipswich Ravens and Ipswich Volleyball Club play in Christchurch Park (near the Westerfield Road entrance) on Saturday afternoons, while Stowmarket VC play on the Recreation Ground on Tuesday and Sunday evenings. All sessions are subject to weather and other fixtures.

The great thing is – all sessions are completely free.

The clubs are happy to accommodate people who want to play either competitively or just at a recreational level. All sessions are organised by qualified coaches who also give playing advice to each individual. So why not go along and take a look? If you like what you see please introduce yourself and you will be very welcome to participate in a session under no obligation.

To find out more, visit: www.suffolkvolleyball.org.uk

If you’ve been along the River Walk recently you may have noticed that the gardening fairies had been busy in the new gardens setting a variety of plants in a bed of shingle and driftwood to reflect the entrance to the River Deben. There was a worry that the ground was too wet, but at the time of writing the forecasters are more concerned about a lack of rainfall over the winter and are speculating about a summer drought.

Eternal pessimists!

During the winter months club members have been occupying their time in pursuits other than sailing. Ever popular are the fortnightly walks organised by different people under the supervision of Ruth Metzits. They follow a well-trodden path around local beauty spots, terminating at a pub for lunch. After several years Ruth is handing over the administrative reins to Neil Brooks who is a regular walker and will no doubt bring some fresh ideas to the party.

The ‘caravannerds’ and ‘campervannerds’ are less well organised, but still manage to meet up from time to time to enjoy the outdoor life without worrying over the uncertainties of wind and tide which sailing presents.

The last trip to Battle gave the opportunity to visit Sissinghurst Castle and the site of our least glorious moment against our neighbours. Rumours that the fields are now a garlic farm proved unfounded!

MELTON BOWLS CLUB Melton Bowls Club has replaced their bowls equipment shed with the help of a grant from Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Enabling Communities Fund. Councillor Jim Bidwell assisted the club in obtaining the grant for their well-used sporting facility in Melton. The shed was provided by D Sharp Landscapes with removal of the old shed and erection of the new one undertaken by club members.

Here we see District Councillor Jim Bidwell being thanked by club president Gavin Abbott.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

But now the sailing season has arrived and these secondary interests will be left on dry land for the next few months. The first proper cruise will be to determine the riddle of the sands at the entrance to the River Deben. Every year the sand and shingle is shifted by gales and there was thought that a new entrance would be formed this year on the Bawdesy side and indeed many of the fishing boats are already using this channel.

However, the old channel is still navigable and new charts have been produced which are essential reading before attempting exit or entry as depths are much reduced and the positions of the market buoys have been adjusted.

For further information about the club visit: www.woodbridgecruisingclub.org

25

ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser, Nick Plumb

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE LAUNCHED WITH APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS Suffolk Libraries is launching this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and appealing for volunteers to help inspire thousands of children to get reading this summer.

The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays and helps to get three quarters of a million children into libraries across the country. The number of children taking part in Suffolk has been increasing every year since 2013.

It’s a fun way of encouraging children to keep reading during the holidays and is produced by the Reading Agency and delivered by libraries. The theme for 2017 is Animal Agents and a whole host of clever creatures has been created, ready to solve all kinds of crimes. The animal characters have been brought to life by Tony Ross, illustrator of the Horrid Henry series.

The idea is for young children to read six library books of their choice and collect special stickers and other incentives along the way. A key part of the campaign is encouraging children to visit the library and speak to someone about the books they’ve read.

The role of volunteers is vital to the success of the Summer Reading Challenge and it’s a chance to really make a difference to children’s reading and literacy skills. You just need to be able to come to the library for an hour or two every week during the holidays.

Anyone interested can contact their local library or register online via: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/src Krystal Vittles, Suffolk Libraries Development Manager and Children’s Lead, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a very important campaign for us. Children’s reading can dip during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure and every year it seems to get more popular in Suffolk’s Libraries. Although it doesn’t start until July, the role of volunteers is vital so we’re always keen to get people on board as early as we can. It’s a great opportunity to get some experience working with children, it’s very rewarding and is something people of all ages can get involved with.”

The Summer Reading Challenge will be running in all the county’s libraries and this year children coming to the new Suffolk Libraries Local sessions in Shotley, Red Lodge and Moreton Hall (which is due to launch in May) can take part too.

In 2016, 8,260 children signed up to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge in Suffolk supported by hundreds of volunteers.

There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to choose books freely and independently and is endorsed by parents, teachers and the Department for Education.

For more information visit: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

26

Jeanette from Ixworth asks: “I read with interest an article that you published on a financial advice website, where you indicated how it is possible for a married couple to save inheritance tax by having an Interest in Possession Trust drafted in their wills. My husband passed away just over a year ago and we did not do this with our wills before he died. Is there anything I can do now to save the potential inheritance tax that my children will face?”

A classic example of using an Interest in Possession (IPDI) Trust is that of a married couple, who want to reduce inheritance tax for their children. Under the will of the first partner to die an IPDI Trust is created, allowing the surviving spouse the trust income for life but preserving the trust capital for the children. When the surviving spouse dies the trust ceases and the capital will then pass to the children. The surviving spouse would be the ‘life tenant’ and the children would be the ‘remaindermen’ of the trust.

Although the trust assets do not actually belong to the life tenant, for inheritance tax purposes, they would be treated as if they owned them.

Thus, when the ‘life tenant’ dies, the assets of the IPDI are aggregated to their estate and inheritance tax is due on the whole amount (minus any Nil Rate Band allowances).

However, the IPDI buys the surviving spouse and the wider family another two or seven years. The trustees of the IPDI trust can either elect to invest the assets of the trust into assets that qualify for Business Property Relief (BPR) or they can make gifts into other trusts or absolute gifts of capital to the remaindermen.

If the trustees invested into BPR qualifying investments, the life tenant could take an income from the investments for life, but the capital value of those assets would be outside the inheritance tax regime after just two years. Thus, on the death of the life tenant after two years, the assets of the trust would pass to the remaindermen with no inheritance tax being due.

The good news for you Jeanette is that there is still a window of opportunity for you to take advantage of an IPDI Trust for your inheritance tax planning. Believe it or not, you can effectively ‘turn time back’ to a point before the death of your husband and re-make his will to include an Interest in Possession Trust, as if he had done this himself. This process is called a Deed of Variation. Providing all the beneficiaries are in agreement, it can be effected within two years of the date of death of your late husband. A notional will takes this process a stage further, allowing you to create a will for someone who died without one. Again, this must be done within two years of the date of their death.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, The Old Police House, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham IP6 8JP, email nick at nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone him 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 and without obligation initial consultation to discuss their own position and requirements.

Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In Touch online:

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

MID-SUFFOLK FENCING

SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY TIMBER FENCING

SUPPLY • ERECT • REPAIR

TIMBER & STEEL GATES DECKING PATIOS WOODEN BRIDGES FREE ESTIMATES 31 Alexander Drive, Needham Market IP6 8XG

www.midsuffolkfencing.co.uk

YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT

GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work

F.A.O - Club Secretaries:

CLUB-NIGHT ESSENTIALS Bingo Flyers: £2.80 per book Bingo 10 page: £25.50 per pack Pub/Football Cards: 20p each Prices ex-VAT - collect from Reception:

14-20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP

01473 400379 sales@colourplan.co.uk

For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

www.keepingintouchwith.com/woodbridge

27

EXTENSIONS | NEW BUILDS | KITCHENS | BATHROOMS RENOVATIONS | DESIGN & BUILD We offer design and build services for you, from the initial sketches to the final construction.

01394 461556

part of the

group

sales@gsconstructionsuffolk.co.uk www.gsconstructionsuffolk.co.uk

WE HAVE MOVED, OUR NEW ADDRESS IS: Unit 52 Martlesham Creek Industrial Estate, Sandy Lane, Martlesham, IP12 4SD