In Touch with Ipswich East February 2020

In Touch

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with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath Volume 9 • Issue No. 4 • FEBRUARY 2020

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, p3

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

Have you noticed the days getting the teensiest bit longer? It’s barely perceptible but I’m sure the sky is a little bit brighter when I leave work than it was even a week ago. However, it can be a rather gloomy time of the year so this month I’ve set out to give you something to laugh at! I hope it works.

The Funniest Joke of The Fringe award was introduced 12 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe. The goal of finding the wittiest one-liners falls to an expert panel of 10 judges, comprising of the UK’s leading comedy critics. Last year’s winner was Swedish comedian Olaf Falafel. He took the title with the gag: “I keep randomly shouting out ‘Broccoli’ and ‘Cauliflower’ – I think I might have florets” Ten jokes made the 2019 shortlist. My favourites were: “Someone stole my antidepressants. Whoever they are, I hope they’re happy” Richard Stott “A cowboy asked me if I could help him round up 18 cows. I said, ‘Yes, of course.

That’s 20 cows’” Jake Lambert “A thesaurus is great. There’s no other word for it” Ross Smith “After learning six hours of basic semaphore, I was flagging” Richard Pulsford “To be or not to be a horse rider, that is Equestrian” Mark Simmons Here are a few others which made the shortlist over the years but failed to win: “I’m sure wherever my dad is; he’s looking down on us. He’s not dead, just very condescending.” Jack Whitehall “I like to imagine the guy who invented the umbrella was going to call it the ‘brella’. But he hesitated” Andy Field “I’ll tell you what’s unnatural in the eyes of God. Contact lenses.” Zoe Lyons They say humour is subjective and I know (or have been told) mine is somewhat ‘dark’, but you can’t deny the beautiful simplicity of each of the jokes highlighted here, and the talents behind them. Oh just one more…

“I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all change.” Ken Cheng

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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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 Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

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In Touch Titles • 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 •S hotley, 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 •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall

ROBIN HOOD & THE BABES IN THE WOODS While you may think panto season is well and truly over, the award-winning Company of Four Musical Theatre Society are busy rehearsing and putting the final touches to their traditional family pantomime. It will take place at The Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge during half term, from 15-22 February. With a 12 show run there’s still time to grab those tickets – but don’t leave it too late as their panto always sells out, especially the matinees!

This year the well-renowned company present their latest version of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods, an amalgamation of two traditional pantomimes. It’s a tale of two young children sent away to be looked after by Nurse Nellie who works for the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. When the sheriff, who is obsessed with money and power, finds out the babes are rich, he hatches a plan to capture them and steal their money, all the while trying to wed the beautiful Maid Marian!

Sadly, the sheriff hadn’t bargained for the stupidity of his guards, Ruff and Redy, or the heroic Robin Hood and his Merrie Mob of outlaws getting in the way of his plans. Olivia, a wise owl, will keep you up to date with the story throughout the show. This pantomime promises to be a fast paced, comical and colourful adventure not to be missed!

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods opens on Saturday 15 February and runs every day (apart from Monday 17) to Saturday 22. Performance times are 2pm and 6pm on weekends and 2.30pm and 7.30pm weekdays (no matinee Tuesday or Thursday). Tickets are available by calling the Box Office on 01394 382174.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods has something for everyone; music, laughter, fun and happiness – a fabulous treat for this coming February half term holiday.

Pictures by Charmian S Berry

DROP-IN WEDNESDAY If you’re feeling lonely or in need of a chat, join us at Drop-in Wednesday.

Our first meeting is in The Lantern Room at St Augustine’s Church on February 26 from 2-4pm. Refreshments will be served.

For further details contact Ann Boxall: 01473 728618

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Mon 10 February is the advertising and editorial deadline for the March edition

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT CALLING NATURE-LOVING VOLUNTEERS ActivGardens are calling on those who love getting close to nature in the great outdoors to join us on Monday afternoons for environmental conservation volunteering in our wild zone.

From April, when the bees start buzzing, you will also be able to get involved in beekeeping sessions at our community apiary.

We need help with maintaining and developing our wildflower meadow, dead-hedging, wildlife habitat, and other areas.

You can enjoy spotting wildlife and birds from our bird hide and, on special occasions, enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation around the campfire.

Sessions will run on Mondays from 1.30-3.30pm (a little earlier in winter when the light is fading).

This opportunity is funded by the Postcode Local Trust – a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

It is part of our Bee Amazed project which provides opportunities for people living in urban areas to get involved in beekeeping, learning about the environment, and taking part in conservation volunteering in their local area.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact our project officer Bev Baker: 01473 345350 / beverly@activlives.org.uk

MARTLESHAM BRASS Making Music Fun in East Anglia Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to our Christmas carolling collections. The grand total raised was £2,112.79, which will be divided between our three chosen charities: Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, Evelina London Children’s Healthcare and Footsteps Walking With You. 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.

Instruments are provided as part of your membership subscription (currently £1.40 per week).

Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF IN FREE LEARNING SCHEME Grow Your Future, a new project designed to help people develop skills and confidence launched at ActivGardens on January 23.

IPSWICH GANG SHOW 2020 A variety show performed by Scouts, Guides, Rangers, Explorers, Cubs, Brownies and Leaders to empower young people to make a positive contribution to society through performance.

Performing at Great School Theatre, Ivry Street, Ipswich from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 April at 7.15pm, plus a matinee at 2.15pm on Saturday 11.

Tickets available online at www.ipswichgangshow.org.uk, at Craftability on St Lawrence Street, and from 01473 561004

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 next date the group meet is on Friday 14 February.

Find out more at: www.headwaysuffolk.org.uk/dementiaipswich Can you volunteer some time to help us?

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.

Grow Your Future is a free learning and work experience programme at ActivLives’ community gardens for adults and young people aged 16+ who face barriers to work and/or a disadvantage in the jobs market. There is no upper age limit but people of retirement age should be aiming to enter employment on completion of the course.

The 12-week courses will develop practical skills alongside transferable skills such as communication, planning and organisation, in the development of confidence, self-esteem and aspirations – opening social/ work opportunities, and helping people move on into further learning, volunteering and employment.

The programmes is for people of all ages and abilities, including: long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, young people not in employment, education or training (NEET), people aged 50+, socially isolated, carers, lone parents, homeless, people with mental health problems, people with learning disability, people with chaotic home life, refugees and asylum seekers.

The friendly group sessions will cover not only gardening and horticulture, but woodworking/ basic construction at ActivSheds, environmental conservation and beekeeping (optional), developing products for sale/ mini-enterprise as part of our community markets and events.

The courses will also promote good physical and mental health, social inclusion and personal empowerment.

The programme is funded by the European Social Fund and administered by LIFT Community Grants ‘Local Investment in Learning Paths to Work’.

If you would like to make a referral or want to volunteer, please contact Maureen Howes:

If you would like to find out more, please contact project manager Susannah Robirosa at ActivLives: 01473 345350 / susannah@activlives.org.uk

01473 712225 / maureenhowes@headwaysuffolk.org.uk

The first 12-week course starts on Monday 3 February.

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OUT & ABOUT LOVE YOUR HEARING February is a month where love is in the air and one local audiology company is encouraging the public to truly connect with their loved ones by taking action against hearing loss.

ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY We are delighted to confirm that our new season of talks will commence on Wednesday 5 February. Our talks cover a broad spectrum of art and are delivered within a relaxed and welcoming environment. If any of the talks interest you and you would like to know more, please come and meet us. We are always happy to welcome new people.

The guest speaker on February 5 is Aliki Braine. Her talk is titled Same Old Same New. Aliki questions whether old masters help us understand modern works. Her resumé includes her role as associate director for the University of the Arts London. She regularly exhibits her photographic work internationally.

The Hearing Care Centre offers award winning hearing care services from 27 centres across East Anglia. They are encouraging those living in the local area to hear to their full potential this February by holding two Hearing Care Days at Two Rivers Medical Centre between 9am and 5pm on Tuesday 18 and Friday 21 February.

During the event, the company’s expert team will be providing free hearing assessments (usually £30), along with complimentary professional advice about your hearing test results and possible solutions that could help improve your hearing. All services are available by appointment only.

Managing Director and founder of The Hearing Care Centre, Karen Finch, said: “Hearing loss not only impacts an individual’s quality of life-it can also put strain and stress on relationships. Hearing aids can help you to become fully present in conversations with your loved ones and truly connect with them by sharing quality time together. The first step towards this is simply booking a hearing assessment.”

To book an appointment call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or for more information visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET February at Ipswich Country Market means new Seville orange marmalade. Our cooks also have many other unusual varieties of marmalade, jams and pickles to tempt you with that are not available in the shops and all have been made locally in their own homes with no added artificial ingredients.

Would you like to join us as a member of our cooperative? Maybe you have dug your vegetable plot but don’t know what you will do with your surplus crop? Have you started a new craft or hobby and need an outlet for it? Do you enjoy cooking and would like to get together with like-minded people and find an appreciative audience for your bakes?

Why not come along and chat to the producers? You can also just be a social member and come along to help us while enjoying the company.

You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page – Ipswich Country Market – or at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane IP4 3PB. There is plenty of free parking, a warm welcome, and home baked refreshments too. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit, so come and see what we can tempt you with.

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

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The guest speaker on Wednesday 4 March is Shawn Kholucy. Shawn explores the driving force behind the architect and designer R R Ashbee and is talk is titled R R Ashbee – What Made Him Do It. We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Meetings begin at 2pm and last about an hour, with refreshments available from 1.30-2pm. 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

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday 27 February: Suffolk Windmills – Past, Present and Future by Chris Hullicoop of Suffolk Mills Group Suffolk has had hundreds of windmills but where were they, what is visible today and what does the future hold for them?

We meet at 7.15pm 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

SPEAK EASY AT MARTLESHAM One place where you are sure of a warm welcome during the cold winter months is Speak Easy at Martlesham Speakers’ Club. Members of all ages and all walks of life come to enjoy evenings of speaking to improve their skills and confidence within a friendly, sociable and encouraging atmosphere. Each meeting provides opportunities for members to take on roles and give short speeches as well as enjoying the huge variety of subjects they hear about in speeches during the evening.

If you are 18 years or over and would like to improve your confidence, public speaking or leadership skills (both formally and informally), why not come along to Speak Easy at Martlesham Speakers’ Club yourself?

Meetings are held on alternate Thursdays, 7/7.15-9.30pm at The Richards Room, Martlesham Community Hall, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB (behind Tesco) The next Speak Easy at Martlesham meetings in 2020 are February 6 and 20 and March 5 and 19; subsequent dates continue fortnightly.

For further information please contact Margaret Stanway: 07979 373934 / president@speak-easy.org.uk Or visit: www.speak-easy.org.uk / Facebook: SpeakEasyMartlesham

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OUT & ABOUT 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

IPSWICH & DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY The first meeting of 2020 was held at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Hall on Wednesday 15 January. The meeting featured a local dealer, Roger Swindells, who brought along a vast amount of his stock for us to peruse and purchase. His stock covers the entire world, but especially GB. He also had a standing display of one of his many thematic collections.

This month’s meeting will return to Cedarwood Primary School on Wednesday 5 February from 7.30-10pm, where our members will show some of their own collections. Refreshments will be available, so why not come and join us?

Information can be found online or by contacting our secretary, Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com www.ipswichphilatelic.uk

HISTORY AND HAUNTINGS: U3A’S FEBRUARY’S PROGRAMME As the new year gets underway, U3A members are braving the winter weather to attend speaker meetings on topics ranging from the story of Crystal Palace and the Great Exhibition, the development of the English language to the history of afternoon tea!

U3A is aimed at older people who want to get as much as possible out of life.

There are no entry qualifications, no barriers to joining and lots of activities to get involved in. New members are welcome.

Monday 27 January, 2-4pm at Kesgrave Community Centre Suffolk Ghosts and Hauntings: A stimulating selection of ghost stories, haunted houses and frightening apparitions. Presented by Robert Halliday.

Thursday 6 February, 10.30am-12.30pm at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall The U3A Story: How it all started. Presented by Leslie Stringer.

Thursday 13 February, 2-4pm at Saxmundham Market Hall Crystal Palace and the Great Exhibition: An account of the design and building of Crystal Palace, a description of the exhibits and the importance of the exhibition. Presented by Dr Geoffrey Kay. Monday 24 February, 2-4pm at Kesgrave Community Centre The History of Spoken English: An in-depth look at how our English language came into being, from the Angles, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. Presented

by Charlie Haylock.

Thursday 5 March, 10.30am-12.30pm at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall Everything Stops for Tea: A history of tea and a look at favourite afternoon tea destinations across East Anglia. Presented by Eve Regelous.

For membership details visit: www.a3aeastsuffolk.org.uk Occasionally U3A may have to make last minute changes so please see the website for up to date information.

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OUT & ABOUT EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION

BROKE HALL WI Friday 14 February: The Amazing Story of a Suffolk Gypsy by Pip Wright Friday 13 March: Pearly Kings and Queens by Gerry Baxter 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 Wednesday 26 February: Moving Abnormal Loads (R Norman Transport) by Steve Huggins

If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

Our next meeting is on February 18 when Brian Dyes will give a talk on Ipswich Transport Museum. Brian is a past chairman of the museum and was one of the founder members over 50 years ago. Nowadays he looks after the photographic collection as well as giving talks and guided tours to visitors. This is a must for all bygone transport enthusiasts.

On March 17 Richard Symes will give a talk on Dunwich Heath and its colourful history over the last 300 years, from being dug up, burnt, smugglers to poets – it all happened at Dunwich Heath.

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre IP5 1JF at 7.15pm. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members and volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

IPSWICH TRANSPORT SOCIETY

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761

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.

Monday 17 February: Annual General Meeting followed A 1982 Summer in New York (Shipping) by Ron Davies

www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

Monday 16 March: Bahamas Locomotive Society – The Story So Far by John Hillier

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

Monday 20 April: City of Norwich Aviation Museum – The Collection & the Story by Trevor Eady

Monday 10 February: The Treasure of Ipswich by John Field Did you know that Ipswich is full of architectural treasures of historical importance? If not, come along and find out about the town’s mediaeval churches, mansions and halls, its important legacy of Victorian buildings, nationally and locally listed buildings and the many features and artefacts of local, national (and even some of international) importance.

All meetings take place at Greenfinch Church Hall, Greenfinch Avenue, Ipswich at 7.30pm. Refreshments available.

SUFFOLK INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY

Meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm.

Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

Wednesday 12 February: Colchester Tramways by Peter Jones All meetings take place at Ipswich Transport Museum, Cobham Road, Ipswich, starting at 7.30pm.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB We have money on our mind – and we want to ask your help!

What we are thinking about is our Educational Bursary Fund. This offers small grants to women whose lives have been overshadowed by a traumatic experience, but who, with the support of one of the local organisations with whom we partner, have worked through the pain and damage and are now ready to start out on a new life.

Hopefully the coldest weather is now behind us (although all in all it has been a mild winter) and the days are definitely starting to lengthen. However, it’ll be a good couple of months before my tortoise is coaxed out of hibernation.

I notice at our allotment site several plot holders have started digging over the soil ready for planting and, as the ground should start to warm up from the middle to end of the month, that means sowing can begin for a few vegetables. Peas and broad beans can be planted as can spring onions and early varieties of lettuce and carrots. February is also the best month to plant shallots and garlic. You could also try planting parsnips too.

I’ve still got a few leeks to harvest on my own plot and also some reasonably sized sprouts, which sadly didn’t make the grade for Christmas dinner! They taste amazing sliced and fried with garlic and some bacon.

Recently we have made several grants, ranging from buying a laptop for a woman setting off to university to study law to funding some training for another wanting to set up an online business selling the glamorous lingerie which she designs and makes herself. It is a real privilege, and a humbling one, to be able to offer some small help to such courageous women.

As usual this is the time to apply general fertiliser to the whole of your vegetable/allotment plot if possible, but specifically to fruit trees and bushes.

Now is the time to trim soft fruit bushes too, remembering to trim the darker old shoots of blackcurrants down to soil level. Late fruiting raspberries should be trimmed down as low as possible, whereas the summer varieties need to be trimmed to 6ft to encourage side shoots.

Now our fund needs a serious top up. We are starting our fundraising effort with a quiz at Seckford Golf Club on April 1. Please book the date now and tell your friends. We would so appreciate your support.

If you’d like to take on an allotment plot at our Playford Lane site in time for spring planting, please contact our membership secretary, Angela Brown: 01473 612283 / membership@kesgrave-allotments.org.uk

For more information please contact Joyce: 01394 615659

Sally Peckham

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL IPSWICH DIABETES UK SUPPORT GROUP We are a local group offering support and advice to people living with diabetes, their families, partners or carers. We provide you with a safe, social forum to discuss diabetes and its effects and to meet people in a similar position and get support.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 13 February at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road IP3 8TH from 7-9pm. It is free to attend. Refreshments will be available.

For further information contact: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com / 07547 513730 (Mon-Fri 9-5pm) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB Our next meeting is on Thursday 27 February at Tower Hall, 5 Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Our demonstrator for the evening is Debbie Buckles from Felixstowe and the title of her demonstration is Colours of the Rainbow.

The demonstration commences at 7.15pm and Debbie will do six flower arrangements where we learn about flowers and foliage alongside a very interesting talk.

You will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win one of the fabulous arrangements at the end of the evening. Debbie has some very innovative ideas and uses some interesting containers for her arrangements.

Visitors are welcome at a cost of £5. We also have a fundraising stall (this month we have craft, cookery and flower arranging books for sale) and a small flower arranging supplies stall. Refreshments are served around 9pm and the raffle takes place immediately afterwards.

If you would like to find out more or would like to become a member of the club, please contact one of the following: Janet Dye: 01473 601750 / janet.dye@ntlworld.com Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com

DEBEN FLOWER CLUB MEMBERS’ EVENING The next meeting is on Tuesday 11 February at 7.30pm in the Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. The evening will take the form of a demonstration by club members. This will be an informal event with members and visitors having the opportunity to move around the hall and ask questions of those producing the arrangements.

Tea and coffee will be available and there will also be a raffle of the flower arrangements.

Visitors (£5) are always assured of a warm welcome. Please telephone 01394 411422 if you would like further information.

MARTLESHAM CARPET BOWLS Unfortunately, we had two away matches postponed in November and didn’t have any matches in December, so our league position is the best way to determine our situation in the First Division. Due to one team withdrawing, only one team will be relegated this year instead of two.

Overall the top teams have several county players, so we are not in a position to seriously challenge them. At the other end of the league table, there are five teams within nine points of each other. At the end of the year we had 24 points from six games, while the bottom team had 20 points from eight games.

Vic Harrup

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

We extend a warm welcome to all the children and their families who started with us in late January. The children are settling in well and are enjoying all the fun at Heathlands, learning new skills and exploring their new surroundings.

Our children have been enjoying telling us about their festive holidays and how they celebrated with their families. They have been learning about winter and looking at the wonders of the arctic. Great fun has been had in our indoor igloo!

The children have been enjoying The Tiger Who Came to Tea, talking about the story and role playing to bring the story to life.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day we are holding a Loved Ones lunch to enable parents/carers to come into the setting and have lunch together with their child. We will also be supporting Comic Relief in March.

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 limited. We are pleased to accept applications for terms starting September 2020 and beyond. Please contact us on 01473 417517.

HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL NURSERY Nursery Open Morning Our school nursery is almost full at the moment, and there are only a few sessions still available. However, we are now accepting applications and allocating places for September 2020. So if you would like to find out more about our fantastic, teacher-led school nursery and see us in action, we are holding an open morning on Wednesday 4 March at 9.30am.

During the morning, you will be able to meet myself and the rest of our dedicated team of highly-skilled and experienced support staff. You will also be able to spend time exploring our fantastic facilities, both inside and outside. We are lucky to have extensive grounds that include a dedicated Forest Schools area and a separate wildlife area featuring a pond with dipping platform. We are also very proud of our school garden that includes an orchard, allotment and an enclosure for our chickens, ducks and rabbits.

For those who require childcare outside of the school day, our popular before and after school club, Jigsaw, is available. There are also a number of reputable childminders our area.

Don’t worry if you can’t make this date or time. You can call the school office on 01473 622806 and arrange an appointment for a guided tour at a time that is convenient to you.

Nursery Teacher Helen Whatley

SPRING 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 Monday 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 spring season dates are 10 and 24 February and 9 and 23 March.

Just turn up, there’s no need to let us know in advance.

For further information please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196

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CHURCH NEWS / ON THE GRAPEVINE BIXLEY FARM CHURCH AT TOWER HALL What is your most memorable verse in the Bible? It might be John 3.16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life – one of the best known, spotted even in the football World Cup. Other well-known ones are 1 Corinthians 13, on the nature of love, and often used at weddings, and the more dramatic, “In the beginning was the Word…” found in John 1:1” and often read at Christmas time. While we all have familiar of favourite passages, we can miss much of what the Bible has to say about all our lives if we only ever read these.

There is so much more. For example, reading through the Book of Job (one of the longest books in the Bible), one can get so much about coping with suffering – something that all of us can readily identify with – or about the importance of seeking wisdom and learning from the Book of Proverb, and our place in the Universe, beautifully expressed in Psalm 8.

This year all three congregations in MIE are reading through the entire Bible, with additional study sessions to help us understand the more difficult or obscure parts which we will also be reading.

We also ran a short course in January called Hope Explored, looking at why Jesus is the only ultimate hope in a troubled world. If you would like to find out more, please consider joining us at any of our publicised events or via email or phone. Regular events include Little Lambs, our parent and toddler group every Friday in term time at 9.15am at Tower Hall, midweek home groups and prayer meetings and our regular Sunday@4 worship service at 4pm in Tower Hall. All these are open to anyone to come along. You will be most welcome and we always have time for a cup of tea and chat.

For further information/questions on any of the above call 01473 270978 or visit: www.mie.org/bixley, email office@mie.org.uk

QUESTIONS ON CASH

With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb Alan from Diss is concerned about his role as a trustee. He writes: “My father left a significant sum of money in trust for the benefit of my son, who will inherit in four years time at age 21. My uncle, who was joint trustee with my aunt, died last year and I was appointed as a replacement trustee. I am concerned that the money is invested in shares. Do we have the right to cash these in and invest the money elsewhere?”

As a trustee, you have a difficult and often thankless role. Although you don’t own the trust assets, you have to look after them as if they were your own. The Trustee Act 2000 states that trustees must show due care and diligence in the management of trust assets. When dealing with large sums of cash, it is essential that trustees take professional advice on investing the money. The traditional approach of just slapping everything into a portfolio of stocks and shares is not really an acceptable investment strategy.

Tax efficiency is a very important consideration for trustees. The dividends produced from stocks and shares held in a trust fund attract income tax at the trustee rate, which is currently 45 percent. There are much more tax efficient investments available for trust money, such as single premium investment bonds. These are particularly trustfriendly investments where regular withdrawals of the capital can be taken within certain limits to produce an ‘income’ for the beneficiaries without any immediate payment of tax. If you ignore these investments in favour of less tax efficient options, you must be able to show good reasons why.

You also have a responsibility to meet regularly to review the trust and to take professional guidance on the management of any assets.

If it is a discretionary trust, you should be able to demonstrate that you have exercised your discretion in making decisions and that you regularly review those decisions. Examples might be how the income from the trust is distributed and who receives it. Minutes of all the trustee meetings should be kept in writing.

Generally speaking, unless you have experience and professional qualifications, DIY investment management is not a good idea. Unless the trust assets are being actively managed by a financial adviser or discretionary fund manager, you may not be able to demonstrate that they are being professionally managed. That could again leave you open to allegations of negligence or even breach of trust. In this case, the beneficiary is your son, so it is unlikely that this will happen, but you should still take care and make sure you are protected.

I would recommend that you and your aunt should seek the advice of an independent financial adviser, who has experience of advising trustees and management of trustee investments.

He or she could review the current investment arrangements and offer some guidance on re-investment and ongoing management of the trust assets within more tax efficient investment wrappers.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s comments and 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 on their own situation should contact Nick to arrange a no-obligation complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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