In Touch News with Ipswich East October 2018 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

In Touch ™ ™©©

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath Volume 7 • Issue No. 12 • OCTOBER 2018

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Every parent strives to raise optimistic, happy children and we do all sorts to give them the best start in life and to be there to support them when they need us, and possibly when they don’t. Of course they don’t always appreciate our efforts, but I like to remind Jack quite frequently (i.e. every morning as we walk to school) how fortunate he is and I’m slowly teaching him the value of money and the practice of saving for the things he wants (as opposed to getting everything immediately). In doing so I’ve come to realise how little self-restraint I have myself and admit it’s quite a few years since I’ve actually ‘saved’ to buy something I’ve spotted in a shop window. Nowadays I’m more likely to ‘stick’ it on a card, but the purchase is then laden with guilt and often hidden at the back the cupboard until I can pull it out and say “this old thing; I’ve had it for ages”! I miss the ‘old’ days when finally getting your hands on the thing you desired was enormously satisfying, but it may be difficult to convince an eight-year-old growing up in today’s throwaway society. I’m also keen to impress on him how important it is to support local shops and local tradespeople. Local businesses, local retail outlets and local employers are the lifeblood of community. They rely on our support and it’s in our best interests to provide it. A vibrant local economy ensures we can buy the things we want when we want them, find people to provide services when we need them, find work experience and Saturday jobs for our teenagers, sponsors for local events and jobs closer to home, but also generates a sense of hopefulness, confidence and pride which benefits us all and stimulates further investment and growth. I often write about how fortunate we are to live in this little corner of the world and have encouraged you to support local events, but as we gear up for winter and start to think about Christmas, take a look around your local ‘business’ community and I’m confident you won’t need to go very far to find everything you need. Every penny you spend with a local supplier or in a local shop is an investment in the future of your local economy and consequently in ‘community’ itself.

InTouch

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood&WarrenHeath

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins We also publish In Touch with... Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk •B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, 01473 400380 Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Send editorial copy to: Woolpit ipswicheast@intouchnews.co.uk •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations •C apel St Mary and photographs for publication. The publishers •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss. •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook Advertising •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk & Stratford St Mary 01473 400380 •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew Distribution •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley Tree Martin •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk •N eedham Market & The Creetings 01473 400380 •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Printing Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland 01473 400379 • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Disclaimer: Westerfield & Witnesham The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors •M elton & Woodbridge 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.

NEWS TALKING IN THE LIBRARY Local theatre company to tour local libraries in October QuirkHouse will be bringing their flagship play, Talking in the Library, to its natural home – the library – as part of a tour which also kicks off National Libraries Week in October. Written by award-winning playwright and novelist Jackie Carreira, Talking in the Library was QuirkHouse Theatre’s inaugural play in 2014. Since then, the play has been performed by companies around the UK and was voted runnerup in the Fringe Guru Audience Choice Awards at the Brighton Fringe Festival. Now, by popular demand, it’s back home in Suffolk and being performed in libraries. This time the company is performing to raise funds for local libraries and to promote the importance of literacy and the library service. QuirkHouse Theatre is generously donating all funds raised from ticket sales to the libraries. “Without public libraries,” Jackie says, “I know I wouldn’t be a writer today. I will always champion them whenever I can.” AJ Deane, actor and co-founder of QuirkHouse Theatre Company, will be reprising his role as Jay, and says: “We are delighted that this tour starts during National Libraries Week and are proud to be supporting them and the essential work they do in the community.” Melissa Matthews, Suffolk Libraries Arts Programmes Coordinator, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming the team at QuirkHouse to libraries and very grateful they are also helping to raise money to support the library service. “It’s a perfect way to launch National Libraries Week which is all about supporting libraries and showing people how important they are.” The tour visits Ipswich County Library on Thursday, October 11 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 and £5 for concessions and are available from the library. Libraries Week 2018 takes place from October 8-13 to celebrate the nation’s libraries. This year there is a focus on wellbeing and how libraries bring communities together, combat loneliness, provide a space for reading and creativity and support people with their mental health. Find out more at: www.librariesweek.org.uk

FREE PROSTATE CANCER TESTS East Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support Group will be holding its sixth PSA test event for men between the ages of 45 and 75 at Greshams, Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, on Thursday, October 18 between 6.30 and 8.30pm. Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men but it can be successfully treated if detected in time. Eleven-thousand men die every year in the UK because their prostate cancer was detected too late. If there is a history of prostate cancer or breast cancer in your direct family blood line there is an increased possibility of you getting prostate cancer. A small blood sample will be taken from your arm by a trained phlebotomist. The sample will be analysed in an NHS laboratory and the urologist will write to you to explain your result and advise whether you should take further action. Although a free test, a donation on the night towards the costs of this event would be very much appreciated. The venue is sponsored by Greshams Ipswich.

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Last month’s cover image was incorrectly attributed and was in fact taken by Paul de Boos from East Ipswich Camera Club.

10 OCTOBER 2018

Sorry Paul. I hope our error won’t discourage you from submitting again. We shall take more care next time.

NOVEMBER DEADLINE

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT PROMOTIONS AT GOTELEE Leading Suffolk law firm Gotelee is delighted to announce the promotion of two of its solicitors to the position of associate. Chief Executive Officer Charles Rowett said Tracey Laflin and Kay Baker had been recognised by the firm for their outstanding work and commitment to client service. “Tracey and Kay’s promotions are testimony to their skill and expertise, and their dedication to providing the very best standards for their clients,” said Mr Rowett. Tracey Laflin (pictured top) specialises in residential conveyancing including freehold and leasehold property, buying and selling land for all purposes including new developments, remortgages and equity release, and she has built up an excellent reputation for helping clients buying new properties from local house builders in Suffolk and further afield in East Anglia. Kay Baker specialises in private client law, in particular tax planning and trusts, wills, and estates and probate, including contentious probate. She qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS). She is also a fully-accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and holds the SFE Older Client Care in Practice Award. Tracey and Kay’s promotions come at an exciting time for Gotelee, which has enjoyed a period of continued growth in recent years and now operates from offices in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Hadleigh and Woodbridge. www.gotelee.co.uk

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Way back in 1995 our club held a lunch to honour 20 special women nominated by people in Ipswich for their outstanding service to the community. Among them was Maureen Reynel who had started FIND, a charity to support Families in Need. We invited her to speak at our last meeting about the development of this work over almost 30 years and she gave us disturbing insights into the lives of fellow citizens in Ipswich suffering from poverty and dispossession. To hear that some families simply cannot afford sanitary protection for mothers and daughters really hit home and we made a collection of these items to donate to FIND. In February we had a quick celebration of the centenary of the granting of the vote to (some) women. We are returning to this theme this autumn. We have all been reading A Song of their Own, an impressively researched record by Joy Bounds of the women who fought for the vote in Ipswich. We shall discuss it at our coming supper meeting. Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes On a wider scale we are very excited about Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes, a major festival on October 6. Women’s groups from across Ipswich have come together to create this landmark event and we are delighted to have been involved in some of the planning and to be a modest sponsor. Some of us attended the recent launch which had a wonderful atmosphere.

AN EVENING OF MUSIC WITH STRICTLYCELLI The Ipswich & District Branch of Prison Fellowship present An Evening of Music with StrictlyCelli and Tenor Ian France. Saturday, November 3 at 7.30pm St Michael’s Church, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL / Entrance free Refreshments during the interval / Retiring collection for Angel Tree “Giving prisoners the opportunity to send a Christmas present to their children”

DEBEN FLOWER CLUB QUIZ NIGHT Deben Flower Club will be holding another one of their, now very popular quiz nights on Saturday, October 27 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU, 7 for 7.30pm. Once again this will be a light-hearted fun evening and will include a ploughman’s supper. Why not join in the fun and bring along a team of six? If you don’t have six people for your team you may be asked to share a table with other club members. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are £8 each including supper. Please bring your own drinks and glasses. For further information and tickets contact: 01394 411422 / wa@sandlings.co.uk

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET British, delicious and local to you As we move into October and mark the end of British summertime our garden produce is coming to an end, but we always have a wide variety of genuinely home-baked goods and preserves, home-produced craft items, plus homegrown seasonal flowers and plants. Cakes and preserve recipes have often been passed down through the generations, so you won’t find anything like them in your local supermarket. Our producers are of all ages and from all walks of life, but they are all passionate about offering the best quality local produce. All products sold at Ipswich Country Market are made by the members themselves in their own kitchens, grown in their own gardens or crafted in their own homes. With half term this month, why not bring the younger members of your family along for a treat? You will find a warm welcome and a real community atmosphere. We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.1511.30am 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. You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page (Ipswich Country Market) and at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk. Country Markets also have a national website at: www.country-markets.co.uk

TRIANON BRASS ENSEMBLE AND SINGERS Trianon Brass Ensemble and Singers will be giving a concert of entertaining classics at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 13 at the Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House (Friars Street IP1 1TD) in aid of the Meeting House Restoration Fund. Tickets are £8 which includes a glass of wine (or alternative) and are available by ringing 07763 668038. The Meeting House was built in 1699 and is a beautiful example of an early non-conformist chapel. Following an extensive survey by our property manager Phil Chatfield, we have learned of the serious need for restoration work requiring a £500,000 investment. The Heritage at Risk section of Historic England has agreed that we are eligible to apply for a major grant to help fund this, but we will also need to raise further money and this concert is our next fundraiser. We hold services here every Sunday at 10.45am and are an active congregation and involved in our community too. If you need further information, feel free to contact Tessa Forsdike: 01473 728498 / tessa@tessajordan.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT GIPPESWYK SINGERS

clo FUNDRAISING CONCERT

Gippeswyk Singers enjoyed a weekend of hot sunny weather on their summer concert tour to the West Country in June which saw them warmly welcomed at the Frome Festival and also performing at the beautiful St Michael’s Without in Bath. Lovely weather for sightseeing and a wonderful time travelling and singing together made for a memorable trip to Somerset.

Earlier this year we celebrated 100 years of the Royal Navy. It is fitting therefore that the Armed Forces Charity, SSAFA, is marking this anniversary year with a concert given by the local Community Light Orchestra.

Rehearsals are now underway for a New Year Concert with Martlesham Brass on Sunday, January 6 which will include Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Once Christmas is over the choir will be focused with great anticipation on preparing a spring concert at Snape Maltings.

Better known as the CLO, the popular orchestra, under the baton of Roger Jones, will be playing a varied programme including Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Suppé’s Poet and Peasant overture, a march by former musical director Barry Salmon and a medley based on Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities by local composers and orchestra members Carolyn Goates and Chandra Grover. Guest soloist is Brendan Bennett, pictured, a young violinist who plays with Suffolk Youth Orchestra.

Conductor Geoff Lavery is the musical director of three Suffolk choirs which are working in collaboration to present Verdi’s Requiem at Snape Maltings Concert Hall on Saturday, May 11.

The concert is at St John’s Church on Cauldwell Hall Road at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 17. A retiring collection will be in aid of SSAFA. Organisers of the charity will be available during the evening with more information about their work and how support through help and donations has helped the Forces’ families.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB

Beccles Choral Society and Phoenix Singers will be joining Gippeswyk Singers and the Lambeth Orchestra for what will be a special highlight on Suffolk’s musical calendar next year. Tickets are already selling and are available from choir members and from Snape Maltings Box Office. Gippeswyk Singers support local charities with their concerts so do come along and hear a delightfully expressive chamber choir and give a boost to some worthy local causes. For further information please visit: www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

CRESS MARKET: friday, october 5

Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired business gentlemen. The primary objective is to provide fellowship between members and to share similar interests in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We meet monthly at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects. In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us. If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: 01473 274898 / probus174@gmail.com

KESGRAVE ALLOTMENT & LEISURE GARDENERS ASSOCIATION I’m pleased to report we were blessed with warm sunny weather for our Allotment Open Day on September 9 where a good number of people attended to share lunch, stories and tips, and we all voted for the best full size and half-size plots and (for the first time) best scarecrow. The weather is now most definitely autumnal with morning mists and a nip in the air, but there’s still enough light to pop to the plot in the evenings if you have time. But when the clocks go back at the end of the month, some allotmenteers will be relegated to weekend gardening. Thankfully there should be less to do over the winter months so it balances out! With Hallowe’en very close by, hopefully there are some prize pumpkin specimens to carve. Main crop potatoes should also all be dug up now – certainly by the end of the month. You may also still have beans, onions, celeriac and carrots to harvest, and possibly some early leeks. This month you can sow over-winter onions, broad beans, hardy peas and garlic, and also plant our spring cabbage and rhubarb crowns. There’s probably still a bit of tidying and weeding that needs doing before the winter – plenty of weeds still on my plot anyway – so I hope to get it ship-shape before November.

If you like eating local, you’ll love our community market! Young people from local schools will be serving a delicious selection of cakes and snacks they have made themselves as part of the community garden’s produce market on Friday, October 5 at the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE, from 10am-12.30pm. Meanwhile, our stalls will bursting with freshly picked fruit and vegetables grown at our gardens which offer a range of opportunities, including beekeeping and construction, to people of all ages and abilities. You may even be early enough to pick up a jar of our autumn honey – the last crop until next spring. So come and share the bounty, meet your neighbours, have a chat, and treat yourself to a cuppa and homemade cake. ActivSheds has had a makeover. Our members have been hard at it building an extension and planning areas for people with disabilities to come and enjoy carpentry and construction, with funding from Suffolk Community Foundation. Please come to see the difference it has made. There is parking on site 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, December 7. We will take a break in November to give us time to prepare.

We have one or two plots left if you’re interested in taking one on – could even be a lovely Christmas present for someone! Contact our membership secretary, Angela Brown: membership@kesgrave-allotments.org.uk /

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

Sally Peckham

ActivLives can be reached on: 01473 345350

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OUT & ABOUT TUNES FOR TRIPS IN AID OF AFIA

ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND

Did you manage to get away from it all this summer? Maybe you enjoyed a traditional fortnight’s holiday with the family, or perhaps you spent days out exploring the beautiful East Anglian coast. However you spent your time, I hope you returned refreshed.

On Wednesday, October 17 at 7.30pm The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents a talk by Russell Stowe entitled Woodbridge Violins – Nearly 30 Years at 7.30pm at St Michaels Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath.

For many people holidays and days out are a mere dream, but the Mothers’ Union charity AFIA (Away From It All) is able to provide breaks, days out and activities for disadvantaged and vulnerable families. The costs are met in various ways – from Mothers’ Union branches, fundraising events and grants from local agencies. On Saturday, November 17 members of Trianon Music Group will be performing at St Andrew’s Church in Rushmere and the proceeds will go to AFIA. The concert will feature singers and brass players from the group performing a selection of light classical and popular music. Tickets are priced at £7.50 each and are available from Music World in Ipswich or Mary Odam: 01473 614456 / tickets@odam.org This will be the final Trianon concert of 2018 (see page 8 for details of their concert on October 13). Next year they will be celebrating their 60th anniversary so please look out for details of the 2019 season. Please come and support both the performers and AFIA. I hope you return home refreshed!

BERNSTEIN CENTENARY CELEBRATION Following on from their First World War Centenary concerts earlier in the year, Ipswich Choral Society mark another centenary, the birth of Leonard Bernstein. The Bernstein Centenary Celebration will be held on October 20 at St Mary-le-Tower Church. Leonard Bernstein (25 August 1918 – 14 October 1990) was a world renowned musician, conductor and composer. He served as music director of the New York Philharmonic and conducted the world’s major orchestras. The finale of the concert will be a performance of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, originally commissioned by the Very Reverend Walter Hussey for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival. Another highlight will be discovering more about Leonard Bernstein with Ipswich Choral Society President Cem Mansur who will give a talk during the interval. Cem studied with Bernstein at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute and has since gone on to work with major orchestras and opera houses across the world. Ipswich Choral Society will also be performing settings of two psalms, The Voice of Melody and Idols by British-French-Israeli composer Nimrod Borenstein, whose music is widely performed throughout Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra recently performed the world premiere of his second Cello Concerto. The concert programme will feature other works by Bernstein and a collection of choral works by Sergei Rachmaninov, Eric Whitacre and Stevie Wishart among others. A retiring collection will be made after the concert for Ipswich Choral Society’s nominated charity for 2018, Diabetes UK, Ipswich & District Support Group. Their goal is to provide support and advice to people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as their family and friends. Tickets (£15 / U16s and Students £5) are available from ICS members and 01473 625208 / www.ipswichchoralsociety.org/events

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING Think you might enjoy it? Then come along to St John’s URC Hall, Cowper Street, Ipswich on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 8pm. For more information contact Helen: howefamily96@yahoo.co.uk / 01473 717979 John: johnaadams1942@gmail.com / 01473 710406

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Russell started at the Newark School of Violin Making, learning about the construction of instruments and their restoration. He then worked for a violin shop in the Midlands for five years, running their workshop. Russell left in 1991 to start Woodbridge Violins and has become widely known to professional players, teachers and students of all ages and ability. He expertly repairs and restores instruments and bows on site in his workshop as well as supplying quality violins, violas, cellos and bows. Admission £5 at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle. The venue is fully accessible and there is adjacent free parking Profit from the evening will be going to The Roger David Burrows Music Fund which was set up in 2012 in memory of Roger David Burrows (1980-2012) by his family. With this music fund we are offering small grants to groups or individuals which we hope will inspire all abilities, adults and children, in music making. Information about The Roger David Burrows Music Fund will be available on the evening or you can visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Suffolk Book League welcomes author David Hayden on Monday, October 8 at Ipswich Institute Reading Room, 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA. David has appeared in a number of literary and poetry journals, and has been shortlisted for the 25th Raidió Teilifís Éireann Francis MacManus Short Story Prize. Born in Dublin, he is currently based in Norwich. His recently published Darker With the Lights On is a collection of short stories described as “strange, uncomfortable fables of memory, metamorphosis, time, dissociation and death”. Doors open at 7pm and the event will start at 7.30pm. The cost for Suffolk Book League members is £4 and £8 for non-members. Students get in free with ID. To avoid disappointment on the door, seats can be reserved by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk. Tickets for reserved seats must be collected by 7.15pm. Cash payment required on arrival.

MARTLESHAM BRASS We hope everyone enjoyed our birthday concert on September 29 and we congratulate all our members who received awards on the evening. October is a quiet month for the band, a chance to prepare for a busy November and December when we have lots of events coming up, details of which will be published in next month’s edition. 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 come and 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 contact us via the website or use the contact details below. Publicity Officer Liz Howard: e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, October 15: How well do you know Ipswich? by Elizabeth Serpell Come along and check you knowledge of the county town. You may find out something new! All meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, October 24: Ensignbus Heritage Vehicles, an illustrated talk by Steve Newman Wednesday, November 28: Richard Garrett, Past, Present & Future, an illustrated talk by Stuart Hines We meet at7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park, visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments.

LEUKAEMIA CHARITY DANCE

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

Once again this year, Liz and Peter Woodmass are organising a grand ball on Friday, October 19, 7.30pm-midnight, at The Orwell Hotel, Felixstowe in aid of Leukaemia Research / Bloodwise.

BROKE HALL WI

This is always a great occasion with dancing to the talented duo Liqueur. A delicious fork buffet will be served with coffee and an excellent tombola with a multitude of exciting prizes to be won.

We would be pleased to meet any new ladies who would like to come and see what we do and maybe join in. 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. We also have monthly clubs, walks, meals out, darts, crafts, theatre trips, outing and visits. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Friday, October 12: Climate Change by Professor John Midwinter Friday, November 9: AGM Friday, December 14: Medieval Poetry (but not as we know it) by Richard Langridge For more information contact Sue (01473 414746) or Cynthia (01473 726068).

IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY

Tickets at £28 (to include the buffet) are available from Liz Woodmass: 01394 448226 Please come and support Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research / Bloodwise while enjoying a great evening.

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, October 25, 7.15pm: John Sutton presents Hidden Presences at Ipswich’s Ancient House; the King and the Maid There is even more to this building that we have often walked past, visited and admired than you perhaps realise. Come along and hear a fascinating tale researched by John. 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.

Our new season continues with two more visiting speakers. On October 17 we welcome Malcolm Roberts with a display and talk about transatlantic mail, followed on November 7 when Bill Gibb visits again to entertain us with his presentation of British Post Offices in Latin America.

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.

These are two very good presentations which will enable us to learn more out how mail was/is handled.

For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave at 7.30pm and visitors are welcome. For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com

ANNUAL HISTORY FAIR

ROTARY & CHARITIES IN PARTNERSHIP The Rotary Club of Ipswich celebrated the work that they undertake with community groups and charities by holding an awards night at the Holiday Inn. All grant recipients also received an attractive plaque as recognition of the special partnerships which have developed.

1918 – BACK TO THE FUTURE is the theme of Suffolk Family History Society’s Annual Fair on Saturday, October 27 at the University of Suffolk (Waterside Building, 19 Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QP) from 10am-4pm. A lot will be said soon about the centenary of The Great War ceasefire at 11am on November 11, 1918. At that time, while most celebrated, many mourned tragic losses and suffered the scars, privations and the damaging aftermath of the war. Their war over, the surviving men returned to a country changed forever. Many families were decimated. Women, many doing men’s work and keeping the country going, were replaced by returning men. The wounded, many suffering appalling injuries and shellshock, needed to be cared for and food was in short supply. The country was battered, and a devastating worldwide flu epidemic further decimated the survivors and others. This fair, our third at this location, addresses these issues and others, helping researchers to understand what our ancestors went through here in Suffolk.

District Governor David Simpson is pictured presenting a plaque to Patsy Cisse-Johnson and Diana Porter from Fresh Start, New Beginnings. It was enlightening to guests and members to recognise the scale of the work that is done year-on-year and how many charities have benefitted from the club’s help. A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all. For more details about the club please visit: www.ipswichrotary.org.uk

There are two keynote talks, plus more than 20 stalls, stands and displays – many centred upon the theme mentioned while others will cover general family history research. Free help and advice with online facilities will be available throughout the day to help beginners and experienced researchers alike. Free entry with parking available nearby. For more information visit www.suffolkfhs.org.uk or email: publicity@suffolkfhs.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS FAMILY FIRST – WHO ARE WE? Family First is a Christian charity which enables families to develop their capacity in supporting themselves and finding solutions to the challenges that impact their lives. We are committed to working with, serving and relating to all people in our community and are keen to ensure that our services are accessible to any families regardless of race, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation or marital status. We offer support to vulnerable and struggling families with children up to the age of 18 who have been through, or are still facing difficult situations equipping and empowering them with the skills that they need to make changes and move out of chaotic and dysfunctional lifestyles. As a registered charity we have a board of trustees, members of which have a wide range of skills and experience in public and private sector. Our focus is very much on helping families to help themselves. We provide a family coordinator who acts a key worker for the family. They complete an initial assessment and identify goals with the family. They also liaise with other agencies and signpost to other services. They monitor the family’s progress at three monthly reviews. The family coordinator also supervises the work of the family volunteer. Family volunteers visit weekly to support the family to achieve their goals. They will encourage the family to make small, achievable changes to enable them to reach the desired outcome. This can include linking them to local community groups which can act as a support network. How can you help? • Pray for us. You are welcome to join our monthly prayer meetings or just include us in your regular prayers. • Can you or anyone you know spare an hour a week to be a volunteer with us? • Are you able to support us financially? You can do this by regular giving either through the Giving tab on our website, using MyDonate or contacting our office for the Giving form. You can help raise sponsorship for an event or offer to become part of our fundraising team. If you would like to be involved in any way or just want to know more about us we would love to hear from you. Contact Sarah Stapleton: 07936 008199 / info@familyfirst-uk.org Facebook @Family First Ipswich / www.family-first.org

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION 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. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on October 16 when Ben Cowell, Director General of the Historic Houses Association, will be giving us a talk on the country houses of Essex. The county has a rich variety of country seats and Ben will be explaining why Essex established itself as a popular place for establishing these houses. In an illustrated talk he will explore their history and how their varying fortunes have fared over the years. On November 27 Hugh Belsey, a former curator of Gainsborough’s House, will be describing his work in making a catalogue of the great artist’s works. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

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HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL RECEPTION OPEN MORNING The window for application to Reception in September 2019 is now open and Heath Primary School will be holding an open morning for prospective parents on Tuesday, October 16 at 9.30am. Heath School offers a broad and rich curriculum with a particular focus on outdoor learning. We are lucky to have extensive grounds that include a dedicated Forest School area and a separate wildlife area featuring a pond with dipping platform. We are also proud of our school garden that includes an orchard, allotment and chicken enclosure. At Heath, we have a dedicated team of highly-skilled and experienced Reception teachers and a committed team of support staff who work together to ensure that every child has the best possible start to school life. 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 in our area. For more information, or to obtain an application form, please contact the school office on 01473 622806. If you are unable to attend the open morning, please call to arrange an appointment for a guided tour at a time that is convenient to you. Co-Head Teachers Sue Bowditch and David Whatley

MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS At Kesgrave Playschool we have started the autumn term by looking at our favourite things. So we have had fun learning with Peppa Pig, PJ Masks and Charlie and Lola. We’ve mixed paints and other media to make our favourite colours, and created a pet shop in the role play area which sells our favourite pets! We have also started our book share with parents which allows parents to join us for a story and to share and borrow our beautiful books. Looking forward to much more fun and learning. At Martlesham Playschool we were busy over the summer in our holiday club, going on lots of outings, being pirates and princesses, baking and lots more, and we will have more holiday activities for October half term. We have introduced our Little Explorers club, an opportunity for the children to go out and explore the world around them with lots of fun activities such as tree rubbing and tents in the woods. Please check our Facebook page for all our up-to-date information. Our Annual General Meeting takes place at Martlesham Playschool on Wednesday, October 17 at 7.30pm. We would urge all our parents and carers to support us at this important meeting. We still have some spaces left for this and future terms and we welcome you to come and look round. Our dedicated team and small numbers ensure that your child will have excellent opportunities to learn and grow with us. Call us at Kesgrave Playschool on 07746 907060 to arrange a visit or go to our Facebook page: martleshamandkesgraveplayschools At Martlesham we offer all year round places. Call us on 01473 625986 or go to our Facebook page: martleshamplayschool www.mandkplayschools.co.uk

SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL

BIXLEY FARM CHURCH AT TOWER HALL SUNDAY@4

All of the children have settled back into pre-school life smoothly and have enjoyed telling us their tales about their adventures during the summer holidays. We formally welcome all the new children and the families who have joined both the pre-school and out-of-school club in September and look forward to learning with you all.

We marked our first year as a church at BF in early September with a shared tea, barbecue, fun and games. The weather was fantastic so we all sat out on tables enjoying the food prepared by people from the three church congregations. This was followed by our 4pm service where we were reminded of our calling to serve the community.

This term the pre-school children are exploring what makes a superhero and talking about well-known superheroes. We are discussing the real-life super heroes such as firemen, doctors and police and are hoping to have visits from these occupations during the term. We held a successful Macmillan Coffee Morning at the end of September and are very grateful for your support for this worthy cause. Plenty of cake was enjoyed by all! We are looking forward to a walk with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to the local heath in the middle of October to explore the changes in the autumn season. We are also hoping to have a visit from some hedgehogs in the very near future. Our next open evening is planned for November 6 at 7.30pm. This is a great chance for prospective parents to come in and see what we have to offer. If you are interested in attending, please telephone us on 01473 417517 and speak to Monika or Julie to book your place. Heathlands is a well-established, committee-run preschool 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. A breakfast and after-school clubs are also available. We are pleased to accept applications for a place for terms starting January 2019 and beyond.

It also was an opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us make it through the year. We are especially thankful for the use of Tower Hall and the facilities it offers for such events. But church is more than just meetings on Sundays. Little Lambs, our parent and toddler group, has resumed after the summer break. It has been going well with more than 20 sets of parents, grandparents and childminders frequently attending. Many have commented on the warm welcome they have received. These sessions run from 9.15-11am every Friday in term time at Tower Hall for a nominal £1 per family. If you would like any other details please contact Emma Allinson: families@mie.org.uk In addition to our Sunday services and Little Lambs, we also have a fortnightly midweek home-group in Foxwood Crescent. This is an opportunity to study the Bible together, pray for each other and get to know people a little better. This term we are studying a book on how as Christians we can experience God’s guidance in our lives; whether in routine matters or in the more serious decisions we all need to make at some point in our lives. While we can read and inform ourselves on most matters, there are issues that need greater discernment and wisdom. Just knowing facts and information cannot give a sense of peace and reassurance that we often desire when making major decisions. We also meet for a time of prayer at Tower Hall on the first Thursday of the month at 7pm and 8pm (two 45-minute sessions). If you have anything or anyone you wish to pray for, we are there for you. You just need to turn up for either of these sessions or contact us using the details below. As always, everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday for our regular weekly service at Tower Hall from 4-5pm. There are opportunities to speak to clergy or other members of the church, with time for personal prayer at the end. Holy Communion is celebrated every other Sunday. Bixley Farm Church (CofE) was initiated by St John’s, Cauldwell Hall Road and St Andrew’s, Britannia Road (collectively called Mission Ipswich East). For further information / questions visit www.mie.org/bixley or contact: office@mie.org.uk / 01473 270978

This month we are looking at what joy means. It’s a good feeling or emotion. It’s not an idea or decision you make and it transcends our thinking in as much as it goes beyond our thought patterns. Emotion is instant, immediate and unbidden. It comes from a power outside ourselves. When we do something wrong we feel a sense of guilt but, despite this, as Christians we know that a power beyond us has forgiven that wrong or sin. Where does this emotion come from? We believe it comes from the ‘soul’ or that something that makes us who we are. It is somehow within us but not of the body, a beyond-ness of our being. This is where true joy comes from. Joy is more than pleasure or happiness because they come from bodily experiences. When our bodies move they do so without right or wrong of themselves until we decide to do something with them such as to hit or hug someone. We know that the Holy Spirit, which is God given, helps and motivates us in our day to day lives so we deal correctly with what we go through. It is what is seen when we realise just what the sacrifice of the cross has done in reconnecting us with God, who desires a relationship with His people, all of them. When we get close to God there is a newness, a peace and a joy. As we look into God’s heart of love towards us we find sweetness and refreshment. And that is an offer that is open to everyone. If you want to find out more then we’ll see you on Sunday! Join us on Sunday mornings at 11.30am (Café 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, on Facebook and on Twitter @arkipswich or online at: www.arkipswich.co.uk

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