In Touch News With Ipswich East August 2019 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

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with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath 01473 327596 orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk Volume 8 • Issue No. 10 • AUGUST 2019

Art Eat Festival, p12

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR When I roll out of bed in the morning I immediately head to the kitchen, put the kettle on and switch on the TV news. I like to know what’s happening in the world before my day begins, but it’s often quite depressing and sometimes makes me quite grumpy. By the time I get into the car to drive to work I need an antidote, which I usually find in music. However, earlier this week I switched on just in time to catch a programme on Radio 4 called The Pleasures of Brecht, a celebration of the simple joys in life and the story of Brecht’s much-loved poem that described them. Brecht’s poem, Vergnügungen, is a list of pleasures, moving from “the first look out of the window in the morning” via showering, swimming, the dog and “comfortable shoes” to “being friendly”. As I listened I began to consider the simple pleasures in my own day to day existence and my mood soon lifted. Predictably that first cup of tea topped the list, closely followed by my son’s face when I catch him watching something funny on TV. I also include a perfectly boiled egg, a free checkout at the supermarket, the smell of dinner cooking when I get in from work (rarely happens), discovering someone has emptied the dishwasher (never happens but I’m hoping my husband reads this), a perfectly chilled glass of white wine at the end of a productive day, chatting with friends, finding £5 I didn’t know I had, dark chocolate, an unexpected smile from anyone, running into a friend I haven’t seen for a while, finding the perfect pair of jeans, meeting someone who inspires me, hitting a deadline, new socks, clean windows, feeling included, cake… I could go on and on, but every day since I’ve identified new pleasures (and been forced to accept that I am a chocoholic) which I would probably have ignored if this hadn’t been on my mind. And that’s the point. We rarely take the time to appreciate the simple things in life but when we do we are likely to find much to be thankful for. I’m still going to watch the news, I want to be socially and politically aware, but I’m determined to acknowledge and appreciate the simple pleasures because it makes me happier. I hope you can make a list and that it gives you lots to be thankful for, especially when the news gets you down. I wonder how many lists begin with a perfect cup of tea!

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@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.

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In Touch Titles

NEWS

REASONABLY PRICED TRANSPORT IN YOUR COMMUNITY We urgently need volunteer drivers to keep our much-valued services operating. BSEVC Connecting Communities provides reasonably priced transport for those wishing to travel, and who for whatever reasons are unable to access public transport near their homes. Often in more rural locations public transport is so infrequent that it’s not possible to get to and from appointments, work or schools at the necessary times, or where there are bus stops and train stations they may not be within the passenger’s walking capacity. Our chief aims are to prevent people from becoming isolated in their homes and to offer them the opportunity to be independent, not totally reliant on their families and friends. All our services are available by just ringing our office in Stowmarket to book a journey. We have four fully accessible vehicles which cover Mid Suffolk and Ipswich/ Kesgrave areas. We also operate a community car service. Most of the cars used are owner drivers. We are totally reliant on volunteer drivers to keep our services running. With more volunteer drivers we can take more passengers to hospital appointments, clinical appointments, day centres, social clubs, shopping, and visiting relatives and friends. We have a number of care home and shop staff who rely on us to get them to and from work. We also have passengers who use us regularly to get to pick up points for public transport. The office staff in our Stowmarket base will be pleased to give more information on full fare structures and the registration procedure along with how to book journeys. Francesca, also in our Stowmarket office, will be so grateful to hear from any prospective volunteers and will be able to give you all the information you need to apply to join us.

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

We know from passengers’ comments that we provide a necessary, much loved and much valued service, and for us and our volunteers this is very rewarding and satisfying.

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

The group relies on the goodwill of volunteers to help in the kitchen, with preparations and tidying away, as well as engaging clients in discussion and with various activities, such as indoor games, cognitive exercises and singing.

Saturday 10 August is the advertising and editorial deadline for the September edition

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For all details please contact us at: bookings@bsevc.co.uk / 01449 614271

IPSWICH DEMENTIA GROUP Brain injury charity Headway Suffolk runs a monthly social support group for people living with dementia in Ipswich. It takes place every second Friday of the month at St Augustine’s Church, Bucklesham Road in Ipswich from 11.45am to 3.15pm. The person with dementia must be accompanied by a carer. The group partake in a variety of stimulating and engaging games and activities. It costs £6.50 per person, which includes a fish and chip lunch and refreshments. The remaining dates this year are Fridays 9 August, 13 September, 11 October, 8 November and 13 December. Find out more at: www.headwaysuffolk.org.uk/dementiaipswich Can you volunteer some time to help us?

If you would like to make a referral or want to volunteer, please contact Maureen Howes: 01473 712225 / maureenhowes@headwaysuffolk.org.uk

NEWS IPSWICH AND FELIXSTOWE DEATH CAFÉ A new Death Café, facilitated by Adele Chaplin, launched in Ipswich and Felixstowe in July. Death Café is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. Its objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. Adele explains: “Death Cafe is a wonderful space to allow people to explore their own attitudes and understanding of death. It’s not a counselling space, just somewhere where those who share a common interest in understanding death and making the most of life can come and share a cup of tea and a good slice of cake.

AUTUMN PLANT SALE

“Whatever your interest, whether you are just curious, have a life limiting condition, have experienced a bereavement, or you just want to meet likeminded people, you will be welcome.”

Ipswich-based charity ActivLives is holding an autumn plant sale at Chantry Walled Garden, Chantry Park, Ipswich IP2 0BS on Thursday 12 September from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

The Death Café model was developed by Jon Underwood and Sue Barsky Reid, based on the ideas of Bernard Crettaz, and has spread quickly across Europe, North America and Australasia.

There will be a selection of bee- and butterfly-friendly perennial plants on offer, with a chance to look around this lovely walled site.

As of today, they have offered 8,738 Death Cafes in 65 countries since September 2011. If just 10 people came to each one, that would be 87,380 participants.

Tea, coffee and cakes will be available at Nursery Cottage, so join us for a cuppa and chat to find out more about what we do. We offer placements and volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. For more information, please contact Development Manager Susannah Robirosa: 07530 407302 / susannah@activlives.org.uk

Ipswich and Felixstowe Death Cafe runs on the first Monday of every month at Coffee Cat, Ipswich Town Hall from 10am-noon, and on the third Wednesday of every month at Cuppa, 81 High Road, Felixstowe, also from 10am-noon. For more information, visit:

Our current projects are:

www.facebook.com/ipswichandfelixstowedeathcafe

Grow Your Skills – building confidence and skills in young people transitioning from school/ college into work

www.theipswichcelebrant.co.uk/deathcafe

Carry On Gardening! – gardening activities for older people, including sessions for people living in residential care homes If you would like to book a bespoke visit or activity session, please contact Project Co-ordinator Lesley Hartley: 01473 345350 / lesley@activlives.org.uk For details of location and to find out more about our projects, please visit: www.activlives.org.uk/activgardens

ASSISTANT(S) NEEDED FOR LOCAL DISABILITY CHARITY No heavy work Tel: 01473 677054

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING Join us ar St John’s URC Hall, Cowper Street, Ipswich on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 8pm. For more information contact: Helen at howefamily96@yahoo.co.uk / 01473 717979 John at johnaadams1942@gmail.com / 01473 710406

ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Monday 14 October: RSPB – 70 years at Havergate Island by Steve Everett, volunteer guide, photographer and presenter for the RSPB at their Havergate Island and Minsmere Reserves. This talk will be held at 7.30pm in St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath with more details to follow in the September edition. For further information about this event and the music fund visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday 22 August, 7.15pm: Pip Wright presents I Read it in the Local Rag An entertaining romp through Suffolk and Norfolk Newspapers 1701-1900, reminding researchers of the sorts of stories that are hidden in the archives of local records offices. We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia We take a well-earned rest during August so our next event will be our 23rd birthday concert on Saturday 28 September. Please put this date in your diaries. Tickets for the concert will be available in September. More details next month. We would love to hear from new players, young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to have a go! If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument and would like to come along and meet us, please email join@martleshambrass.co.uk or use the contact details below. Publicity Officer Liz Howard: e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

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NEWS CELEBRATE LOCAL HARVEST AT COMMUNITY MARKET Our stalls will be bursting with freshly picked fruit, vegetables and plants grown at our community gardens as part of our produce market on Friday 11 October at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am to 12.30pm. There will also be a delicious selection of cakes and snacks made by young people from one of our partner schools, together with tea, coffee and other refreshments at the CRESS Café. ActivSheds will have plenty of items for sale to help wildlife through the winter, including insect hibernacula and hedgehog homes. Come and share the bounty, meet your neighbours, have a chat and treat yourself to a cuppa and cake. Feel free to wander round the community garden too! There is on-site parking and in surrounding roads. The CRESS Pavilion is fully accessible with a disabled toilet. The last CRESS Market of the year is the Christmas special on Friday 6 December. For more information, or if you would like to hold a stand or get involved, please contact ActivGardens Development Manager Susannah Robirosa: 07530 407302 / susannah@activlives.org.uk

FIRST NOVEL AWARDED EAST ANGLIAN LITERARY PRIZE Devoured (Propolis, May 2018), a stunning debut novel by theatre director Anna Mackmin, has claimed the £2,000 first prize in the biennial New Angle Prize for Literature. The award is given for a work in any genre published in the last two years and set in or influenced by the region of East Anglia. In the words of the judges, Devoured describes “an intriguing world where hippies, communes and childhood collide in a riotous story – managing dark themes with humour, tenderness and grace”. The runner-up (receiving a cheque for £500) was poet Esther Morgan for her collection The Wound Register (Bloodaxe Books, Mar 2018). Inspired by the Norfolk Regiment’s First World War Casualty Book, the poet’s East Anglian family history and her present life as a mother are woven into the poems. Melissa Harrison’s All Among the Barley (Bloomsbury, Aug 2018) won a special Readers’ Choice competition sponsored by Friends of Ipswich County Library. The other shortlisted books were The Great Level by Stella Tillyard (Chatto & Windus, Jul 2018), Low Country, Brexit on the Essex Coast, by Tom Bolton (Penned in the Margins, Oct 2018) and Self & I by Matthew De Abaitua (Eye Books, Mar 2018).

ActivLives office can be reached on: 01473 345350

The judges for this year’s competition were Julia Blackburn, Andrew Burton and Amanda Hodgkinson and the competition prize-winners were announced at the New Angle Prize Awards on Wednesday 3 July at Hintlesham Golf Club.

SUFFOLK HERITAGE AVIATION GROUP

The competition, organised by the Ipswich Institute and sponsored by Gotelee Solicitors and Scrutton Bland accountants, is an important feature of the region’s literary calendar.

Foxhall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich Open from 11am-4pm every Sunday and bank holiday until October.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY

Come along and see our exhibition of the history of Suffolk aviation including a full size replica of Edith Cooks’ Bleriot and many other interesting exhibits. Tea room and picnic area, free admission and parking

Like most philatelic societies we are now on our summer recess and our next meeting is on Wednesday 18 September at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, off Ropes Lane, Kesgrave IP5 1JF, 7 for 7.30pm.

For further information contact Colin Durrant: 01473 677517 / colindurrant113@yahoo.com

We cover Ipswich and surrounding areas with members from Ipswich, Woodbridge, Rendlesham, Melton, Woolpit, Kesgrave and surrounding villages. All interests are catered for – GB stamps, old and new, Machin, foreign and Commonwealth, postal history and thematic. For more information please visit: www.ipswichphilatelic.uk

ICUSTEPS SUPPORT GROUP For critical care patients on the road to recovery We meet at Bluebird Lodge Community Hospital, 100 Mansbrook Boulevard, Ipswich IP3 9GJ from 6-8pm on: August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6 and December 4. For more information email outreach.event@ipswichhospital.nhs.uk or visit: www.icusteps.org

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, August 12: Duleep Singh – The Story of an Indian Prince in Rural Splendour at Elvedon in Suffolk by Stephen Govier The fascinating story of an Indian Sikh Prince living in splendour in a large Suffolk house, a story of pomp and ceremony with a tinge of sadness. How did he fit in with the British aristocracy, and what became of him? Meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our talks, which cover a broad spectrum of art, resume on September 4 following a short summer break. The door will open at 1.30pm on September 4 when tea, coffee and a 20th anniversary cake will be served. The AGM will start at 2pm and Anne Haworth, a lecturer at the V&A, will present a talk entitled Porcelain for the Chinese Emperors at 2.30pm. On October 2 Louise Schofield will talk about her archaeological adventures in Albania. We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. With the exception of September 4, meetings begin at 2.05pm and last about an hour, with refreshments available from 1.30pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have available space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 so please contact Wendy Robbins in advance to check if there is available space: 01394 823807 For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT Broke Hall WI Friday, September 13: Hats and the Art of Flower Making by Magdelaine Snowden Friday, October 11: How Our Language is Being Debased by Mike Rines Friday, November 8: AGM & Social

CHARITY EVENING WITH KEVIN BARRY

Friday, December 13: A Musical Evening with David and Karolyn Howlett

Saturday 3 August, doors open at 6.45pm with music from 8-11.15pm

We meet at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) on the second Friday of the month at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. For more information contact Sue (01473 414746) or Cynthia (01473 726068).

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY

Featuring country music from the fifties and sixties Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road IP5 1EE Large dance floor, club bar, hot and cold food, raffle (donations gratefully received) Tickets £7. For more information contact Carol: 07922 155181

PLAY QUIZGO Saturday 11 August from 7.30pm Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road IP5 1EE Maximum six per team, £2.50 each. Licenced bar, food available in the interval.

Wednesday 25 September: AGM, followed by The Shotley Pier Preservation Society, an illustrated talk by Sally Chicken We meet at 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park, visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments.

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U3A OPEN DAY: YOUR CHANCE TO FIND OUT MORE

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

East Suffolk U3A group takes a break over the summer, but comes back with a sparkling new programme of events in September.

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Friday 6 September, 10.30am-12.30pm: U3A Open Day The open day at Kesgrave Community Centre on Friday 6 September gives members and potential members the chance to see what’s on offer for the coming year.

For those who don’t know us, we are a craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments. We meet at Rushmere Village Hall from 7.30-10pm on the fourth Thursday of each month. August 22: Paper Folding September 26: Christmas Shaker Cards October 24: Knitted Lace Crackers and Wreathes November 28: Crystal and Beaded Angels New members are always welcome. For more details contact Emma: 01787 373850

IPSWICH TRANSPORT SOCIETY Monday 16 September: RAF Bentwaters & Woodbridge Bases 1943 – 1993 plus Bentwaters Cold War Museum by Bob Hale Monday 21 October: To China for Steam by Alan Denny Monday 18 November: The Variety of Traction on the Wherry Lines from the 1980s to the Present Day by Al Pulford Monday 20 January: Grey’s Coaches from Ely – 70+ years of Service, from the Beginning by Richard Grey Monday 17 February: Annual General Meeting followed A 1982 Summer in New York (Shipping) by Ron Davies Monday 16 March: Bahamas Locomotive Society – The Story So Far by John Hillier Monday 20 April: City of Norwich Aviation Museum – The Collection & the Story by Trevor Eady All meetings take place at Greenfinch Church Hall, Greenfinch Avenue, Ipswich at 7.30pm. Refreshments available.

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U3A is aimed at older people who want to get as much as possible out of life. There are no entry qualifications and no barriers to joining. All U3A asks is that you come along with an open mind, be prepared to join in and contribute to one or more of the many activities on offer. And the range of activities is huge, with everything from walking to knitting, astronomy to Spanish, Scrabble to Shakespeare. Starting again in the middle of September, U3A has lined up a variety of speakers, presenting topics on a wide range of topics including the perennial favourites of history, science, travels and art. U3A promises a warm welcome to existing and potential members. Membership details are available online or you can call the membership secretary on 0300 123 3913. www.a3aeastsuffolk.org.uk

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Join us on the last Wednesday every month (excluding July & August) for a three-course lunch followed by an interesting speaker and a prize raffle. On the second Wednesday we meet for coffee and a chat. In July and August, and at Christmas, our wives, partners and friends are invited to join us. They also accompany us to theatres, shows, musicals and trips to places of interest in East Anglia and beyond. Why not come and meet other gentlemen, all retired or semi-retired and from a wide range of careers, interests and backgrounds? Our objective is to provide fellowship for members and their families. Prospective new members are always welcome and there is no requirement to have belonged to any other organisation previously. If you wish to join us, as a guest initially, or require further details, please contact our secretary, Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130 / secretary.ipswichprobus@gmail.com

OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET Do you appreciate good home cooking and like to shop locally? Then why not shop at Ipswich Country Market for a great selection of hand baked, grown and crafted goods? Why not try our savoury bakes served with unique tasty chutney? Maybe you like homemade jam, marmalade or local honey? We also sell a variety of cakes. Each week our gardeners have flowers and freshly picked vegetables. Soft fruits are now available and some are being turned into new season jam by our cooks, all free of artificial additives. You may also be interested to know that we sell local free range eggs from hens, ducks and bantams and you can order these along with many other items in advance, to collect when you need them. Our crafters also offer variety; we have practical items from aprons to peg bags, knitted items and gift items like beaded jewellery. We offer unique handmade cards and gift bags or boxes and don’t forget we are also happy to take your individual orders. We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane IP4 3PB. We have plenty of free parking and home baked refreshments with a free tea or coffee on your first visit. We also have bacon rolls on offer on the first Thursday of the month. A warm welcome awaits customers old and new – we look forward to welcoming you soon. Find out more at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk Facebook: Ipswich Country Market

SUFFOLK INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY Wednesday 11 September: Motoring Heritage Structures by Thomas Pinner Wednesday 9 October: Martlesham Heath Airfield by Howard King Wednesday 13 November: Annual General Meeting followed by Bygones & Tools from a Personal Collection by Keith Hillman Wednesday 11 December: Reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon Ship by Paul Constantine Wednesday 8 January: The Trinity House (Lighthouse) Story by Capt Karl Lumbers Wednesday 12 February: Colchester Tramways by Peter Jones Wednesday 11 March: The British Xylonite Company – The First 50 Years by Richard Truswell Wednesday 8 April: The Waveney Valley Railway by Peter Metcalf All meetings take place at Ipswich Transport Museum, Cobham Road, Ipswich, starting at 7.30pm.

FREE FLOWER ARRANGING TASTER DAY On Saturday 14 September, Ipswich Flower Club is holding a free workshop with Adele Kent at St Augustine’s Church Hall from 10am to 3pm. You will make two flower arrangements with a break for a packed lunch. If you would like more details or to book a place, please phone Stella: 01473 711946 We would also like to invite you to our next meeting on 9 September when our demonstrator will be Clarrisa Harris presenting Memories of Summer. The meeting starts at 2pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road. There is a visitor fee of £5. You will be warmly welcomed if you just turn up, or for more information please contact Janet: 01473 415749

I hope everyone’s been enjoying strawberries as much as me over the summer. I had a huge crop and made loads of jam, but sadly none of it set! Never mind – it’s still yummy.

Ipswich Flower Club meets regularly on the second Monday afternoon of the month. We also have six Friday afternoon workshops during the year which are suitable for all standards.

My speciality yellow courgettes also went crazy and I bagged (literally!) over 2kgs of broad beans. However, my ‘over winter’ onions just wouldn’t grow so I ate them as roasted mini onions and pickled some to, so at least they weren’t wasted. Not a bad year for me so far! Tips for August Water as often as you can (obviously); this really is the dry season. Feed tomato plants and sweetcorn. Pick runner beans which should continue on into the autumn, lift your potatoes and onions and store them carefully, take up strawberry runners and pot them for new plants next year – some people suggest you renew them every three years and some say continue for five years. Carry out repeat sowings for lettuce and radishes. Harvest soft fruit, thin down apples and pears to one or two fruit per cluster and prune fruit trees by the end of the month and ensure branches don’t cross each other. A lot of people seem to have got the ‘Grow Your Own’ bug in recent months so all of our plots are currently taken. However, we’re happy to hold a waiting list so do contact our membership secretary, Angela Brown: 01473 612283 / membership@kesgrave-allotments.org.uk Sally Peckham

IPSWICH RSPB LOCAL GROUP Ipswich RSPB Local Group is now looking forward to its autumn programme. Indoor meetings recommence in September with Costa Rica Explored with Ian Barthorpe, RSPB Minsmere Visitor Experience Officer who will be well known to many. Talks take place on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in Rushmere St Andrews Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere IP5 1DH. You don’t need to be a member of either the national organisation or local group to attend. The attendance fee, which includes refreshments, is £5 for non-members and £2.50/£2.30 for members of the local group. Under-18s (who must be accompanied) are free. Walks, which are free, continue with Wrabness EWT and Holywells Park. Walks are expertly led and there is always someone willing to help those less experience with bird identification. Details of all walks including date, time, meeting place (we always use map references to avoid confusion) and suitable clothing can be found by contacting us in any of the ways set out below. For further information: 01394 809236 / www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich Twitter: @IpswichRSPB Facebook: RSPB Ipswich Local Group

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ON THE GRAPEVINE ART EAT FESTIVAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED Art Eat is a two-day visual art and street food festival celebrating all things creative and delicious with taste, sight and sound sensations all along the elegant Ipswich Waterfront. This large festival with art, food and community at heart will be a vibrant, colourful, tasty, fun-packed and feel-good weekend taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. The festival is free to everyone and opening times are: Saturday 21 September, 11am-7.30pm and Sunday 22 September, noon-7.30pm. Enjoy two days of music with a spectacular line-up, a major exhibition at DanceEast, a big Art Fair full of creative talent, a Cake Art Competition and 16 free art workshops, all of this on top of delicious street food, craft markets and four major urban art projects for Ipswich Town.

EVEWRIGHT has been working in partnership with Ipswich Council for Racial Equality and residents of a local prison to design and paint a mural funded by Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund. Community muralist Zoe Power led nine workshops with six charities to gather ideas and inspirations for a new visual landmark celebrating the spirit of Ipswich, and Instagram art star Artful Skecha worked with women and children at Guru Nanak Gurdwara to design a mural in homage to prominent Suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. All three murals will be appearing between July and August on prominent sites around Ipswich Waterfront.

A two day Art, Print & Craft Fair will take place in the expansive ground floor foyer of the University of Suffolk. This will be a spectacular display of artists and crafters (including work by Amelia Potter, pictured above left) with 50 selected artists from Norwich, Chelmsford and London as well as local areas.

Festival Co-Director Iona Hodgson says: “We are incredibly proud to be bringing so much high caliber art into Ipswich town, working with some incredible British artists such as EVEWRIGHT (London, pictured above), John O’Connor (Suffolk), Artful Skecha (Essex), Zoe Power (Bristol, pictured below) and Cydney Barrows (Essex). We have also been working hard for the past two years to harness as much brilliant local creative talent as possible to be involved in the festival from art fair participants through to the music and performance programmes.”

Highlights of the festival’s music programme include locally based international artists gracing the stage at Global Village provided by Ipswich Community Media and BBC Radio Suffolk, as well as live sets from local upand-coming music-makers and wordsmiths supported by promoters 5011, Arts La’Olam and Claudia Ortiz: A.N.G, Get on the Soapbox, Slow King, Darien Prophecy, Anna Mudeka, Ragged String Band, Piers the Poet, Nqobile Khoza and uplifting DJ sessions from Susanita (IO Radio), Tallulah Goodtimes, Skippa J (Missile Sound), Bopper Ranking (Freedom Sounds) and Daniel Lee Harvey, among many others. Community music and workshops will be provided by the incredible array of groups in our area: Chinese drums from ACCE, Wooden Roots African drums, Big Sing, Suffolk Soul Singers, Ipswich Reggae Choir, Suffolk Samba Band, Samboomba and Group A from Snape Maltings. At least three vibrant community murals will be appearing around the Waterfront in advance of the festival. Celebrated Black-British visual artist

We also have a major exhibition at Jerwood Dance House by the celebrated local contemporary figurative sculptor John O’Connor (Angel in Bronze pictured above right). This exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday 21 September to Thursday 26 September.

In collaboration with the amazing Suffolk’s own Outrageous Cake Company, Art Eat will also host a Cake Art Competition open to all Ipswich residents which will be held at Quay Place on Saturday 21 September. This unique and fun display of Ipswich’s very own ‘Cake Art” will be open to the public from 10am-3.30pm. Judging can also be witnessed and starts at 3pm. From 4-4.45pm there will be a Cake Art Procession along the site of the festival, starting outside DanceEast and finishing at Cult Cafe at approximately 4.30pm for the grand finale, Let Them Eat Cake. As part of this event on Saturday only, Norfolk based Cookie Kitchen will be offering novelty gingerbread decoration workshops for all ages from 10.30am-2.30pm at Quay Place. There will be more than 20 free participatory art and music workshops happening over festival weekend so there’s no excuse to not come down and take part. Other attractions will include a fun fair, outdoor bars, 35 delicious street-food traders and a weekend guaranteed to be full of smiles and wonder. Join us on social media and online to keep up to date with all the news. If you are interested in getting involved and volunteering for the festival please sign up via: www.arteatfestival.com

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ON THE GRAPEVINE EMMAUS SUFFOLK LAUNCHES ITS FIRST MAJOR FUNDRAISING APPEAL Emmaus Suffolk, the local charity that provides mental health and practical support to some of the region’s most vulnerable and socially isolated people, including those who are long-term unemployed or whose homelessness is hidden (e.g. living in vehicles or “sofa surfing” with friends), has launched its major fundraising event for 2019. The Big Climb will take place on Friday 27 September at Avid Indoor Climbing, Bermuda Road, Ipswich. It will involve a day of fun team activities ideal for local organisations and businesses, competing against one another in a series of fundraising, problem-solving and indoor climbing (bouldering) challenges. No prior experience of climbing is needed and it’s suitable for non-sporty folk too. Up to 30 teams of five people can take part. The money raised will help Emmaus Suffolk to support their clients (called companions) in getting their lives back on track. The charity provides education (including employment training) and meaningful work opportunities, plus a supportive place to meet, a café, free bathroom and laundry facilities and help with finding accommodation. All the services provided by the charity are designed to relieve the emotional distress of poverty, often because of discrimination or abuse that can be directed at unemployed people and those who are homeless. Emmaus Suffolk helps companions to develop their life and work skills, in order to gain future employment and maintain their sense of self-worth and dignity.

set sail for an island adventure this summer Nature lovers young and old can discover more about Suffolk’s only island this summer with the RSPB’s annual Havergate Adventure being held from 10-12 August. Run by the RSPB Woodbridge Local Group, the Havergate Adventure offers an amazing opportunity for people to come and explore Havergate Island, its lagoons and salt marshes and encounter some of the wildlife that calls it home. Now in its 31st year, the adventure starts with an exhilarating 20-minute boat journey from Orford Quay to the island. Once ashore, visitors explore the island alongside an RSPB volunteer guide who will be on hand to help spot them some of the birds, animals and insects living on Havergate including the avocet – best known as the bird featured in the RSPB logo. To make sure visitors don’t miss any hidden treasures, binoculars are available to hire for free on the day. At the end of the adventure, visitors can buy homemade cakes, snacks and refreshments to enjoy along with a well-earned sit down, before heading back over the water to Orford. This fun and fascinating wildlife event will be taking place on Saturday 10, Sunday 11 and Monday 12 August, with guided tours leaving every half hour from 9.30am until 1.30pm from Orford Quay. Advance bookings only and tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s. To book your tickets visit: www.rspb.org.uk/havergateisland Picture credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)

WHERE ON EARTH ARE YOU? Suffolk Libraries are asking this question for their space-themed Summer Reading Challenge, which started on July 20. The campaign, using the hashtag #SLWhereOnEarth, encourages social media users to post selfies of themselves reading books over the summer, no matter where they are in the world. Claire Staddon, Chief Executive of Emmaus Suffolk, said: “Everyone needs a leg up at some stage in their life. Most of us are lucky to have family or friends who can support us if we face a knockback, but not everyone does. Emmaus Suffolk offers companions a supportive team and a place to go where you can feel at home and valued, take a shower, do your laundry and eat, have your voice heard and learn new skills through meaningful volunteer work, all of which help to plan your next steps and get yourself back on track. “Funds raised at The Big Climb will help us to support the increasing number of long term unemployed and homeless adults in Suffolk who are facing poverty and distress. My family were already fans of Avid Indoor Climbing and we find their venue a similarly happy, uplifting and positive space. I was thrilled when Lindsay Barker, Director of the bouldering centre, offered to host our first “The Big Climb” event there. I was delighted also that Scrutton Bland generously offered to sponsor the event as part of their firm’s 100th anniversary celebrations.” Speaking about the event, Tim Mulley, Senior Partner at Scrutton Bland said: “It’s appropriate in Scrutton Bland’s centenary year that we are working with Emmaus Suffolk to support them as they work to help members of our local community. The Big Climb is a great way to encourage team building and problem solving, and if Scrutton Bland and the other teams involved can also help to raise awareness of Emmaus Suffolk’s fantastic work, then that’s an added bonus. I’d encourage everyone to ‘be a bit boulder’ and come along to The Big Climb.” To find out more about The Big Climb and what will happen on the day, go to https://emmaussuffolk.echoleft.com/charity-events/the-big-climb The photo shows (left to right), Claire Staddon, CEO of Emmaus Suffolk with Tim Mulley, Partner of Scrutton Bland and Lindsay Barker, Director of Avid Indoor Climbing. Photographer: Helen Oldfield, Affinity PR.

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Leon Paternoster, Head of Digital & Marketing for Suffolk Libraries, said: “You can read anything, anywhere for the Summer Reading Challenge, including eBooks and eAudio, no matter where you are in Suffolk, or the world! For parents and carers, #SLWhereOnEarth gives children something fun to do over the long break, while keeping up their reading levels. They can also pick up or download a book themselves from the library or our website.” This social media campaign is inspired by Suffolk Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Challenge, in which the theme this year is Space Chase, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/src

Music in Felixstowe presents (Reg Charity 1166786)

FREE EVENT

roms on the

rom

FELIXSTOWE SPA GARDENS SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST FROM 1.30pm

v Percussion Workshops v Music Workshops for Children v Stringfillies European Folk v Champagne String Quartet v Andi Hopgood v Rosalind Harniess v Guest Solo Performers v Felixstowe Community Choir Special Guests - Rock Band Jora the Fortuneteller Evening concert of Film Music from 7.30pm

FELIXSTOWE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA 15

ON THE GRAPEVINE

FREE TASTER SESSIONS AT HOLYWELLS BOWLING CLUB Every Tuesday evening at 6.30pm (weather permitting) Open to all ages, male and female, novice or experienced. Just wear reasonably flat shoes (no heels). The club is situated inside Holywells Park. Enter via the Cliff Lane entrance and follow the signposts. Bowls provided.

BLUE CROSS HOME DIRECT Finding loving homes for loved pets Giving up a pet is a tough decision for any owner, but peoples’ circumstances can change so quickly and for a variety of reasons. Blue Cross knows that leaving a family home and coming to a rehoming centre can be a difficult time for owners and their pets, but there’s another way that the charity can help people to find loving new homes for their pet, and that’s with their Home Direct service. Home Direct gives owners who need to find a new home for their pet the opportunity to keep them until Blue Cross can find a new owner, instead of bringing them into one of the charity’s rehoming centres. This saves the pet the stress of staying in kennels as they’ll go straight from one loving home to another. It also frees up more space at Blue Cross’s rehoming centres and with the charity’s pet fosterers, allowing them to take in more pets that have no other home to go to, for example stray, abandoned or neglected pets. The team at Blue Cross carries out a full assessment of the pet, as they do with all pets they rehome, before creating a rehoming profile for the pet. The pet and their profile is then promoted alongside all our other pets on the rehoming section of the Blue Cross website. When a potential new owner applies for the pet, and the team at Blue Cross thinks they will be a good match, they arrange for them to visit the pet at their home or for the pet to come to one of the charity’s rehoming centres for an introduction. The team will ensure everything goes smoothly and if the match goes well, the pet will be rehomed to their new home. Blue Cross, which has rehoming centres and animal hospitals across the country, rehomes dogs, cats, small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and horses through its Home Direct scheme. Clare Williamson, centre manager at Blue Cross Suffolk in Wherstead, said: “Blue Cross is about helping pets and their owners throughout their life in whatever ways we can. “We know how much pets can change a person’s life – we get lovely updates every day from people who have taken on pets from us – and it’s great for us to think we have helped to change theirs and the pet’s life. Sadly we know that life changes can mean a person can sadly no longer look after their pet. “We’re here to help and support people who have had to make the difficult decision to rehome their pet and have done the best thing for them by coming to us for help to find a loving new home. “We help people to rehome their pets for all sorts of different reasons. For example people’s financial situation may have changed and they can no longer afford to keep their pet or they are moving into accommodation where they can’t take their pet with them such as a care home.” For more details on the Blue Cross Home Direct scheme or to find out more about the charity or the pets currently looking for homes visit: www.bluecross.org.uk

EACH CHIEF EXECUTIVE GRAHAM BUTLAND ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT The long-serving and much respected Chief Executive of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Graham Butland, has announced his plan to retire. Graham joined EACH in 2003 and under his leadership the charity has become one of the leading children’s hospice organisations in the UK, with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge choosing it as one of her first royal patronages. Among the most notable points of Graham’s time in charge is the £3 million fundraising appeal for and subsequent building of The Treehouse, EACH’s hospice in Ipswich. The work was completed in 2011 and meant a great increase in the provision of support on offer to children, young people and families in Suffolk and East Essex. A similar appeal to raise £10 million has been running in Norfolk since 2014. That is now nearing completion and another new hospice, the nook, is expected to open in the coming months. The building will transform children’s palliative care for the county. All the while, EACH has continued delivering vital care and support in Cambridgeshire and West Essex, with its Milton hospice celebrating its 30th anniversary next month. Graham said: “To have had the opportunity to lead EACH through a period of massive change and development in providing care and support for children and young people with palliative care needs has been a huge privilege. I’ve been blessed to have the most dedicated workforce of any organisation in the region. In addition, the help and support EACH receives from its army of volunteers has been tremendous. “Finally, none of this would have been possible without the people and businesses of East Anglia who have so generously contributed to the costs of providing our much-needed services.” Graham will continue in his role until 31 October to see through the completion of the nook and allow trustees time to find his successor. John Pickering, EACH Chair of Trustees, said: “During Graham’s tenure, he has transformed EACH from a relatively small organisation to the high-profile regional charity it is today. He has also masterminded the delivery of two vital new hospices. “On behalf of EACH, I would like to thank Graham for his many years of dedicated service and wish him well in his retirement.” Before joining EACH Graham held senior posts in HM Customs & Excise, The Department of Health and the NHS. Graham is currently Leader of Braintree District Council and also a member of Essex County Council. He is a former Football League referee.

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SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL What a busy summer term it has been! Our Summer Fair was a great success and enjoyed by all. Thanks to everyone for their donations and helping out to make this day special.

EARLY YEARS AT HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL Outdoor Learning in the Early Years What a fantastic year it’s been for our Early Years! Lot of people, including our wonderful Parents and Friends Association, have been working really hard to further improve the outdoor area for our Early Years children. With a large space to work with and some great resources already in place, including sandpits, mud kitchens, a willow tunnel and a range of outdoor apparatus, the children already had a fabulous space to play and learn in. However, as part of a whole-school drive to continue to improve the outdoor learning provision, we have been able to find funding to invest in further equipment for the Early Years outdoor area. Our children have enjoyed being able to ride around our brand-new race circuit on our new trikes and bikes. They have further developed their social play with our new large wooden vehicle-themed wooded role-play equipment, which includes a car, caravan and boat. The lovely summer weather that we have enjoyed recently has also provided the children with the opportunity to explore and interact with our new cascading water trough.

The children have been enjoying being outside in the warmer weather and watching our flowers bloom and our crops fruit, as well as exploring the wildlife we have in the garden. The children have been exploring the new electronic whiteboard that we have had installed and have been producing some lovely drawings and mark making. We have been preparing our older children for their journey into primary school with visits to their new schools and visits from new teachers. We had an amazing and emotional graduation ceremony and the children shared with us their plans for their futures and performed some special songs. We would like to send our very best wishes to all the children and their parents moving onto primary school. We look forward to welcoming our new children and their families in September and would like to wish everyone a fantastic summer holiday. Heathlands is a well-established, committee-run pre-school situated in the grounds of Broke Hall Community Primary School. We can offer funded places for eligible two year olds and for all other children the term after their third birthday. Breakfast and afterschool clubs are also available, although spaces are very limited. We are pleased to accept applications for a place for terms starting January 2020 and beyond. Please contact us on: 01473 417517

Reception Intake 2020 We will be holding a Reception open morning on Tuesday 1 October at 9.30am for parents/carers and children who will be due to start Reception in September 2020. For more information, or to obtain an application form, please contact the school office on 01473 622806. If you would like to look around the school, please call to arrange an appointment for a guided tour at a time that is convenient to you. You can also use website which is a great source of information for prospective parents/carers. www.heathprimary.co.uk

AUTUMN TERM AT BRIGHT STARS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children with parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times from 10.30am-noon at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Sessions are free and usually based on a theme. They normally include singing, games, crafts and Bible stories. After each session we have refreshments, when the adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon. The autumn term dates are September 9 and 23, October 14 and 28, November 11 and 25 and December 9. Just turn up, there’s no need to let us know in advance. For further information please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196

DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com 18

August is the time for holidays and the Ark is no different. During this month we will be suspending our normal activities to give our members time to spend with their families, hopefully enjoying the sun and doing social stuff together. Family is very important to us and we know that it is to God too, as it was the one of the first things instituted when we were created. For us at the Ark it’s always God first, family next and church after that. With that in mind throughout the month there will be no adult or children’s Sunday School at 10.30am and also no evening services except Communion on 4 August at 6.30pm. Normal morning services will still begin at 11.30am. Then everything will return to usual on 15 September. This will give our teachers a break and time to look at new curriculums for the coming year. We will also be having barbecues and picnics, weather permitting, both at church and over in Felixstowe at Landguard Fort Beach. More details can be found on our website below. We are a very family-oriented church and our goal is to bring more people in to know the love that God has for them. Want to know more then maybe we’ll see on Sunday. Join us on Sunday mornings at 11.30am (Adult Sunday School and Children’s Church, 10.30am) at The Ark Church, The Drift, Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9QR. You can contact us via email at: arkipswichuk@gmail.com We can also be found on Facebook and on Twitter @arkipswich or online at www.arkipswich.co.uk where you’ll find latest updates on our ‘What’s Happening at the Ark’ page.

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