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with Brantham, Lawford Manningtree & Mistley Volume 7 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2017
A View From the River by Philip Cunningham
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I spent some time chatting to one of the mums from the school gate recently, a woman I’ve admired from afar for some time as she always has the biggest smile. Of course she’s always surrounded by other mums, as happy, engaging people tend to be. I’ve imagined how wonderful her life must be, how much fun it would be to be her for a day, how lovely it must be to begin each and every day with delight, as surely she much do. Or so I imagined. As it turns out I was completely wrong. As we chatted and I learned a little more about this remarkable woman, I came to realise how lucky I am. Her life has been, and continues to be, challenging, even heartbreaking, in ways I never hope to experience. And yet she faces each and every day with a smile. I know I don’t, as no doubt my work colleagues can attest. It’s all relative you might say, but is it possible that I’ve simply developed a selfish streak and forgotten to appreciate what I do have? In Ireland I’d be called a me-feiner, someone who thinks only of themselves, the nastiest put down you can get on Irish soil. Have I adopted a less cheerful persona simply because it’s easier or, and this may be the crux of it, because it has become a bad habit. Now I don’t think I’m a miserable sod, but I do have a tendency to see the dark side first, which possibly explains my addiction to Leonard Cohen. Perhaps it’s a trait I’ve inherited, perhaps it’s cultural, perhaps it’s just who I am, but right now I’m determined to fight it. I know my worries won’t disappear overnight, but how I deal with them might make them easier to bear. My insecurities may be deeply embedded (I am 47 after all), but I’m keen to see how others react when I present a happier face to the world. I know we all have days when all we want to do is keep our heads down and do what we have to do without interruption or interference, but wouldn’t it be interesting to see how others react if you reach out, maybe starting tentatively with a smile. Let’s do this experiment together in 2017 and hope we all have a wonderful, happier, more fulfilling and smilier year. Happy New Year from my colleagues and I here a Mansion House Publishing.
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NEWS MANNINGTREE HIGH SCHOOL Year 10 technology students were recently challenged to work on an up-cycling project and build a mud kitchen for the toddlers at Little Pumpkins Pre-School in Bradfield. The brief was to build the mud kitchen in only four hours using old pallets and deliver it to the pre-school based at Bradfield Primary School. The students were supported by technology teacher Mr Baxter, who helped them to deliver the kitchen, which was immediately enjoyed by the children for their creative play. A representative from Bradfield’s Little Pumpkins said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Mr Baxter and the students of Manningtree High School agreed to take on the project of constructing a mud kitchen from pallets donated by GVZ Glasshouses Ltd. “We are a non-profit making organisation and currently the mud kitchens are fairly expensive to purchase from retailers, so watching the pennies is very important to us. But even more significant is the value of resources made by older children from the community for younger children of the community – it is simply priceless. “The purpose of the outdoor mud kitchen is to extend children’s learning through play, looking at new experiences and textures, inviting the children to whip up a pan of slop using natures own ingredients, sharing the experience with their peers and building relationships. We could not be more grateful to MHS and the students. Little Pumpkins children will have endless hours of fun with the new resource.”
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD IN MANNINGTREE
In Touch with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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Send editorial copy to: manningtree@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk
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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree, & Mistley is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with. . . ” series of magazines.
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Manningtree Methodist Church is one of the collecting centres for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Two-hundred-and-fifty-three boxes were blest on Sunday, November 13 as part of the Remembrance Day Service and on Thursday, November 17, members of Stour Valley Trefoil Guild and Manningtree Methodist Church loaded them on the start of their journey to Eastern Europe. Thanks to local organisations, families and friends for filling the boxes to bring joy to needy young people in many parts of the world. The gentleman who lost his wallet outside Tesco in Manningtree on Saturday, November 19 wishes to express his sincere thanks to the person who handed it in. It’s nice to know that there are still many around who are very honest. 3
NEWS CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE
MANNINGTREE TOWN COUNCIL The minutes of Manningtree Town Council meetings are available on their website, on the two town noticeboards (one at the Co-op Fiveways store and one beside the library) and at the clerk's office by appointment: 01206 390285
Practice update December 2016 Happy New Year On behalf of all practice staff, I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break and wish you a very happy 2017. With the New Year we must expect cold and icy weather. Please be careful on icy paths as a simple fall may mean a trip to A&E. Please also make full use of your pharmacy. Your local pharmacist can offer advice on a range of minor problems and often provide effective over-the-counter medication. They will tell you if they believe you should be seen by a GP. Please also look out for your neighbours. The elderly can be particularly vulnerable at this time of year. As well as slips in icy conditions, they may be cold or suffering from coughs and colds. Please keep an eye on them. Allied Health Professional Suffolk I’m pleased to announce that Allied Health Professionals Suffolk (AHPS) will hold clinics at East Bergholt Medical Centre on Thursdays from January 12. AHPS hold a number of musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy clinics around Suffolk. They see patients with a wide variety of conditions including those affecting muscles, bones and joints. The physiotherapist will assess each condition and agree with patients the most appropriate management of that condition which may include manual therapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, work related ergonomics advice and posture advice. Patients can self-refer to this NHS service. For more details please visit www.ahpsuffolk.co.uk or ring 03330 433966. Flu, Pneumococcal and Shingles Vaccinations We still have plenty of flu and pneumococcal vaccinations available. All eligible patients should have received a letter at the end of September. If you wish to make an appointment for a vaccination, or are uncertain whether you are eligible, our reception team can advise you. We have also written to patients who are eligible for a shingles vaccination. Patients are eligible if they were aged 70, 71, 72, 73 or 79 on September 1, 2016. This is a one-off vaccination and can be booked with one of our practices nurses. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) The practice switched over to the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) on November 22. We are now able to send electronic prescriptions for most (but not all) medication to the majority of pharmacies. You must have nominated a pharmacy for your prescription to be processed electronically. You can inform either the pharmacy or the practice, and change your nominated pharmacy at any time. Training Days A reminder that in 2017 the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Thursday, February 9; Wednesday, March 8; Wednesday, April 19. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.
www.manningtreetowncouncil.org.uk
MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL The full unapproved minutes of the meetings are displayed at the noticeboards near to the bus stop at Rigby Avenue and also outside Mistley Post Office in the High Street. The approved minutes can be accessed online at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings/ Forthcoming meetings in Mistley Village Hall Planning Committee on Thursdays, January 5 and 26 at 7.30pm Full Council on Monday, January 30 at 7.30pm
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Hello and Happy New Year, I do hope that everyone has had a fantastic Christmas and is looking forward to a happy and prosperous New Year. If you have received or purchased some fabulous gifts, now is the time to think about photographing and recording the model and serial numbers somewhere. The web site below is recommended. You can record just about everything of value, and you can update it when you buy new items or get rid of old items. Just a quick tip, when you photograph an item, put a ruler beside it so that the size can be assessed and use a colour photograph. This will help greatly if the item is lost or stolen. Use www.immobilise.com to record the make, model and serial numbers in case they go missing or are stolen so they can be returned to you when they are found. This web site is used by police nationally to check items found. Benefits of Registration •
Immobilise helps police identify the owners of recovered property thousands of times every day
•
Property updates you make are immediately available to the police nationally
•
Combat the sale of stolen gadgets and valuables; alert the secondhand trade and the publicly checkable stolen goods database CheckMEND if an item goes missing
•
Simplify insurance claims and police reports with certificates of ownership
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Great member offers from Immobilise’s numerous supporters, often helping support the free provision of Immobilise
Practice Manager Pete Keeble
If you need to obtain a Loss Report Number for insurance purposes please visit: www.reportmyloss.com/uk
LAWFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Remember you can now follow the Safer Neighbourhood Team at Hadleigh on Twitter @HadleighPolice.
You can read the council’s minutes on: •
www.essexinfo.net/lawford-parish-council
•
the parish council’s noticeboards
•
minutes can be collected from the Parish Office by prior arrangement as the offices are not open to the public
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Finally, from all officers and staff at Hadleigh Police Station we wish you a peaceful, prosperous New Year. For emergency calls 999 / non-emergency calls 101 Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk PCSO 3041 Stephen Cooper, Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station In Touch online:
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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OUT & ABOUT MANIFEST THEATRE
STOUR VALLEY ARTS AND MUSIC
Scrooge the Musical, another fabulous seasonal play under the direction of Kerry King, played to very near (at time of writing) full houses. A joy for all who attended.
Sunday, January 22 at 4pm: Clare Hammond (piano) at Constable Hall, East Bergholt
MANIFEST FILM NIGHT Friday, January 27: The Danish Girl, Cert 15 Award winning film starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander
Acclaimed as a pianist of “amazing power and panache” (The Telegraph), Clare Hammond is recognised for the virtuosity and authority of her performances and has developed a “reputation for brilliantly imaginative concert programmes” (BBC music magazine Rising Star). Recently she has played on Radio 3 and also played the younger version of Dame Maggie Smith’s character in the movie The Lady in the Van. Generously sponsored by Grier and Partners, East Bergholt
With support from his loving wife Gerda, artist Einar Wegener prepares to undergo one of the first sex-change operations. The Danish Girl received generally positive reviews from critics, particularly for its acting and sensitive handling of a difficult subject matter. Doors open for bar/refreshments at 7pm, film starts 7.45pm. Tickets on the door. Members £5 (add £2 for annual membership if not a member).
BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY BATS members are getting excited! Tickets for Little Shop of Horrors at Brantham Village Hall from February 14-19 at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 19, are now on sale. We all enjoy a musical and this is one of exceptional quality, written by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. A spoof science fiction about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a vicious, raunchy plant. With catchy songs, music provided by a live band, romance and an introduction to life on the backstreets, BATS aim to present a colourful, dazzling show with dancing and puppetry to bring the story to life. This scintillating show is suitable for all the family. Directed by John Hoskyns and Pippa Revell. Tickets (£8 / children £6) can be purchased online from www.ticketsource. co.uk or from Bakes and Blossoms, Acacia Court, Brantham (9.30am2pm). Enquiries to 07891 974844 (text or voicemail). There’s still time to help backstage; phone Angie on 01206 396674.
Programme: Jacquet de la Guerre, Suite no 6 in G major Beethoven, Sonata no 4 in E-flat major op 7 Ashton, Ornithology Faure, Nocturne no 8 in D-flat major op 84 no 8 Faure, Nocturne no 12 in E minor op 107 Stravinsky, Petrushka Suite The season continues with: Friday, February 10 at 8pm: Lecture by Dr Lois Oliver: Love and Loss: The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Art and Music at Constable Hall Sunday, February 26 at 4pm: Vanbrugh String Quartet at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Sunday, March 19 at 4pm: Kammerphilharmonie Europa at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Box office and information: www.svam.org.uk / 01206 298426
TEA & SUPPORT AT MISTLEY CHURCH HALL Tea & Support is a friendship and self-help group formed some three years ago for those who have been bereaved or are living alone. We meet on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month from 2-4pm in the Church Hall, New Road, Mistley. These meetings usually consist of a talk or activity followed by an opportunity to chat over tea and homemade cake. Several times a year we have an outing to somewhere local for either lunch or afternoon tea. As our numbers have increased we have needed to hire transport for these outings. To cover our costs we now ask our members for a donation of £1 per meeting attended. Our first meeting in 2017 will be on Wednesday, January 18 when Ted Beckwith, a new member, will challenge us with puzzles and other activities to keep our brains active. Ted is one of the driving forces behind a new Dementia Café to start in Foundry Court in the New Year. For further information please contact Joy or John Baker on 01206 391918 or Paskell’s on 01206 396709. The 2017 programme will be available shortly and copies can be obtained from Paskell’s, in St Mary & St Michael’s Church or from the church office (01206 392200).
EASTER ART SHOW Manningtree Methodist Church will be holding their annual Easter Art Show again this year. Any artist wishing to exhibit should contact Brian Cuthbertson: 01206 298635 / Briancuth@Supanet.co 6
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ADVERTORIAL
Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.
Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number
of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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Caring for children from 3 months to 11 years across 3 sites
Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am, 51 weeks a year St. Michael’s Preschool The Institute Rectory Lane Brantham CO11 1PZ Tel: 01206 391472 Ofsted Reg: EY449792
Brooklands Young Explorers Brooklands School Palfrey Heights Brantham CO11 1RX Tel: 07892 877743 Ofsted Reg: EY368548
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
East Bergholt Young Explorers Cherry Blossom Centre Hadleigh Road East Bergholt CO7 6QT Tel: 01206 298442 Ofsted Reg: EY494296
e: hayleyaherne@hotmail.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, January 14, 9am-12.30pm.
EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying. East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier. If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190. Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue. New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777
East Bergholt High School Sunday, February 26, 10am-noon Admission 50p, refreshments available, free car park Tables £5 in advance, £7.50 on the day Doors open 9am to set up ( 01206 298122
MY GREATEST ADVENTURE
HONEY POTS PATCHWORK & QUILTING
This is how Bear Grylls describes his Christian faith. He says that the hardest part of any challenge is taking the first step and encourages you to take this step by joining an Alpha course.
Little or no experience in patchwork and quilting? Ever thought that you might want to give it a try?
There will be an opportunity to explore the adventure by attending the Alpha course which starts at Lawford Venture Centre at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 31. For more details or to enrol contact Lawford Church: 01206 392301 / office@lawfordchurch.co.uk Manningtree Church: 07436 398801 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk
Then come along and join a friendly group of like-minded people. We meet up every other Monday between 10am and 3pm at the Venture Centre. You will learn this wonderful craft and take pleasure in the joy of completing something wonderful. The art of patchwork began hundreds of years ago and is still enjoyed all over the world. I will teach you traditional and modern techniques in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Small and larger projects undertaken, all at your own pace. Guiding you from the very first vital steps (choosing your fabrics, cutting and piecing) right through to completing a family heirloom, and then showing off your work at the quilting exhibition which takes place once every two years at the Venture Centre. For more information contact Pauline: 07921 682057
STOUR CHORAL SOCIETY Rehearsals for our next concert begin again in Manningtree Methodist Church Hall on Monday, January 9 at 7.30pm. The concert in East Bergholt Parish Church will feature John Rutter’s Magnificat and Gabriel Faure’s Requiem. The society welcomes singers of all abilities so come and enjoy this attractive programme and a good sing. For more details visit: www.stourchoralsociety.co.uk
WEA EASTERN REGION A Brief Journey Through Film, a new series of WEA lectures, begins in Manningtree Methodist Church Hall on Monday January 9, 2.30-4pm. The nine lectures will cover early silent cinema to the great days of Hollywood and the digital revolution, international cinema and spectacle to the present day. The course includes looking at the greatest films ever made with some that you never knew existed. The tutor is Laurence Staig. For details contact Joyce Wrobel: 01206 547405 WEA lectures in Brantham Leisure Centre start on Tuesday, January 10 at 7pm. Tutor Ian McLachlan presents 1914-18 War Wings – The First World War Battle of the Air featuring East Anglia’s involvement and some exciting and remarkable stories. Full details from Penny Hynes: 01206 396376 Come for a taster (no charge) on the first night. For more information about the WEA in the Eastern Region please contact: 01223 417320 / eastern@wea.org.uk 8
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Fed up with hard water and lime scale? Then have a water softener fitted and save yourself money and time. Here in East Anglia we have some of the hardest water in Great Britain. The scale build up on shower screens and taps, that ring of scum in the basin, and limescale in kettles are some of the visible consequences of hard water. We have to resort to using large amounts of washing powder, conditioner, extra salts in the dish washer and expensive bathroom cleaning products to overcome the dreaded scale. In my professional capacity I’ve replaced countless appliances that should have had a longer service life. Scale blocks water ways in boilers and hot water pipes. Heating elements in hot water cylinders and electric showers get encrusted and fail. All these problems can be solved by fitting an ion exchange water softener. Laundered clothes will feel softer, after showering your skin will feel smoother, you’ll use far less detergents and the adverse effects on your plumbing system will start to reverse. If you would like to know more, give me a call. I’m happy to show you a simple 15 minute demonstration and provide an installation survey. A typical installation can be done in one day. Ring Nick Marno on 01206 337316 or 07896 054439 or email nickmarno@tiscali.co.uk
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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OUT & ABOUT MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
MANNINGTREE LOCAL HISTORY AND MUSEUM GROUP The speaker in November was local author, broadcaster and humorist Charlie Haylock who gave the group an amusing insight into the origins of surnames. Before 1066 there were no surnames. Hair colour, locations and nicknames helped to distinguish the person being spoken about. Warriors and leaders often had the names of fierce animals, such as boars and wolves added to their names. The Normans introduced hereditary surnames to Britain after the Conquest. The names were not initially popular with the masses, but had been accepted by the 17th century.
Our November evening with Barbie and Rusty Lindsay titled Indian Takeaway was less technical this time, concentrating more on everyday lives. An insight into that great, colourful and sometimes crowded country where friendly people live, work, worship, wash or merely exist. All captured with precision through Barbie’s ever busy lens. In the following week George Fossey introduced us to the adjustment of focussing settings and other useful tips in a new hands-on tuition session. Amid the ensuing chat we were able to put theory into practice with some table top photography, enjoyed by all present. The month concluded with a visit from Philip Shaw FRPS who introduced us to high dynamic range (HDR) photography, a technique enabling two or more images to be combined, each having a different exposure to show additional detail in otherwise very dark or bright areas. His talk entitled Low Light London included magnificent shots of familiar landmarks taken at the dead of night to avoid the distraction of too many tourists. Above is an example kindly made available by fellow enthusiast Owen Lucas. Our ongoing programme for the New Year includes a further eleven evenings, consisting of a range of talks, practical sessions, competitions and an audiovisual presentation. FUTURE MEETINGS January 12: Magic Lights with Ed Bacon January 26: Open Monochrome Competition / Judge: Alan Sarsby
The mix of languages in Britain (French, Viking, Anglo Saxon, Danish) meant that the pronunciation of letters and spelling of names varied greatly between regions. There was no Standard English up to and beyond Shakespeare’s time. Spellings of similar surnames varied greatly according to the abilities of the recorders of lists of names in parish records, wills, court rolls, magistrate courts and the like. The two volumes of the Domesday Book contained many early surnames. Surnames evolved gradually from four main sources: places, trades, nicknames and relationships. Before the talk Charlie had been given a long list of local surnames. He went through the list explaining the origins of each one. He said that he had never seen so many Huguenot names in one location before. He finished his talk with two amusing anecdotes about previous talks. During question time he took more names from the audience for further research. He will forward the results to the museum curator, Peter Gant. Charlie willingly signed copies of his many books which were on sale. Our next talk will be The Goodtime Girls of Colchester on January 25, presented by historian Dr Jane Pearson. Everyone welcome as usual, 7.30 for 7.45pm at the Methodist Church Hall. Members free, visitors £3.
VILLAGE LINK CLUB Simon Gallup will present a talk entitled Dedham, Lavenham and the Cloth Trade when we meet on January 11. Future talks will be: Chaplin of the Methodist Homes; Wolves, Dogs and Us; Easter Parade; The Building of Bury Tower.
We meet twice monthly on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm at the St John’s Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. New members will be welcome to join the society or may attend initially as a visitor (£3). Please contact Margaret, our secretary, for more information: 01206 396958 / madps@post.com
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall at 10am. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Funds permitting, we hold a members’ lunch after the August and February meetings.
www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk
Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
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OUT & ABOUT BRANTHAM OVER SIXTIES CLUB If you are free on Tuesday afternoons, why not come and give us a try? We have a full and varied programme with interesting speakers, bingo and quiz afternoons and much more. There’s always plenty of time for a chat with a cup of tea, and a small raffle. We meet at Brantham Leisure Centre every Tuesday (except the first in the month) from 2.30-4.30pm. Transport can be arranged for members. January 10: New Year Get-together January 17: Paper Sculpture with Colin Hopper January 24: Lunch at the club followed by a quiz January 31: South African Panorama with Chris Parfitt
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY The society now takes a short break and our next meeting is on February 1 when Dr Peter Webb will talk about the artist David Hockney. His lecture is titled David Hockney: Art as Biography. Dr Webb has been a friend of David Hockney since the 1970s. Our 2017 programme is ready and looks great. It includes: March 1: Picasso, Man Ray & Max Ernst through the eyes of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose by Antony Penrose (their son) April 5: Hidden Canvasses: Street Art and the City by Doug Gillen
February 14: Fish and chip lunch followed by Knit and Natter
May 3: Sacred Silver in England: 500 Years of Change by Timothy Schroder
February 24: Quizzical, Barber Shop Quartet (ICENI)
June 7: AGM followed by Artists and Espionage: the Lawn Road Flats NW3: Modernist Living in mid-20th Century London by Deborah Lambert
February 28: Seafarers with Sister Marion Davy Visitors are always welcome and there is no age limit despite our title, so do pop in and give us a look. For more information please contact Jean Lace: 01206 396242
STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, November 9, Adrian Wright FRGS talked on Earth on Fire. Hawaiian larva oozes continuously while Krakatoa and Vesuvius have been dormant for decades, sometimes centuries, between cataclysmic events. This illustrative presentation examined volcanic variety, exploring reasons for such diversity.
Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months and we also organise interesting day visits. The wonderfully illustrated lectures are presented by national and international lecturers and start at 2.15pm (2pm arrival is advised). Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space. A £6 donation is asked. For more information contact Wendy Robbins: 07736 417347 / info@orwelldfas.org.uk www.orwelldfas.org.uk
While we did not have a speaker meeting in December our popular Christmas Lunch took place on Wednesday, December 7 in Constable Hall and was much enjoyed by members and their guests. On Wednesday, January 11, Dr Geoffrey Kay, former lecturer at Norwich School of Art and Anglia Ruskin University, will speak on Drugs, Sex and Death – the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In the mid-19th century a group of young artists began to sign their work with the initials PRB. For a short time gallery visitors baffled. What was it that united these artists and how did they determine the course of British art for the next 50 years? On Wednesday, February 8, Prof John Midwinter FRAE, FRS, formerly at BT and UCL, will speak on The Truth About Climate Change. His lecture will explore evidence that we are changing the climate of our planet, probably irreversibly, and this will be linked to a discussion of what this probably portends and why we should be very concerned. Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty may be contacted. We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December. www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
All the girls wore yellow, her favourite colour. It’s the little things that make a funeral special Here for you every hour of every day
01206 391855
for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals
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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB
RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN It’s time for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch!
Our December meetings started on Wednesday 7 with a Robin Finch presentation entitled Entertains, followed on Wednesday 21 with Paul Oliver overseeing the annual Christmas Quiz. Both meetings were much enjoyed by our members. We also held our popular Christmas meeting at The Venture Centre, Lawford on Sunday, December 11 when members and their guests enjoyed a tasty lunch. Our only January meeting will be on Wednesday, January 18 when Tom Tyler presents When Motoring Was Fun. On Wednesday, February 1 Peter Gant will talk on 100 Years of Postcards and on February 15 Dudley Chignell will present The Four Seasons in East Anglia. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665
GENTLE FITNESS EXERCISE CLASS Exercise class for mature ladies every Wednesday from 9.30-10.30am at Manningtree Methodist Church. Just £4 per session. For further information contact Maggie: 01255 502726
CAPEL COUNTRYSIDE CLUB We wish everyone a very Happy New Year and begin 2017 with our AGM and a talk on Suffolk waste and recycling on January 10. We meet in the lounge at Capel St Mary Methodist Church at 7.30pm. It would be good to have some new members to join us as we are only a small group and need support from some more people. Come as a visitor to give us a try. Our 2017 programme will be available at the AGM. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Despite his computer being down and therefore no slides being available, Matthew Cole from the Essex Wildlife Trust gave a spirited hour of information on the site at Fingringhoe. He described the work that takes place at different times of the year and how he, the warden, and his band of volunteers are encouraging all wild animals, birds and invertebrates there. The audience asked lots of questions, mostly about the birds already resident or visiting. It sounds like a visit over the winter will be well worthwhile. As usual we will not be holding a meeting in January. The first meeting of 2017 will take place on Thursday, February 16 at Ogilvie Hall at 7.30pm. This is the evening to sign on for the year, but you are welcome to come along for a chat and see if the programme interests you. Mr John Rowland will be our guest speaker. If you have any questions please telephone me, Liz, on: 01206 393580 14
photo by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Happy New Year from RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden. Some of the earliest bulbs are starting to push their noses up through the cold earth to remind us that we’ve turned the corner into the new year and that spring surely can’t be too far off. Our main event this month is the 2017 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. This is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey and this year, with a new extension into the Monday, it will take place over January 28, 29 and 30. The survey is now in its 38th year and with over half a million people regularly joining in, it helps the RSPB to monitor how our different species of garden birds are doing. It’s easy to take part. All you have to do is give up an hour sometime over the weekend to watch and count the birds in your garden or local park. Only count the birds that actually land, not those flying over, tell us the highest number of each bird species that you see at any one time – not the grand total that you see during the whole hour. When all the data is in, we will have a ‘snapshot’ of the birds visiting gardens across the UK at this time of year. Results last year showed another drop in sightings of species such as starlings and song thrushes, sadly continuing a trend that has seen the number of both species visiting gardens decline by over 80% since the first Birdwatch in 1979. There was some good news though – the long-tailed tit entered the Birdwatch top ten for the first time in eight years, with an increase in sightings of 44%. The RSPB is also interested to hear about other wildlife seen in gardens and green spaces, such as hedgehogs, grass snakes and stag beetles. You’re not likely to see these creatures in your garden at the end of January, but we’d like to know if any have been seen about in the last year. Our wildlife is struggling to survive. For example, we have possibly lost more than 50% of our hedgehog population over the last 50 years. By expanding the survey to include questions about other creatures, we will be able to monitor the distribution of other wildlife in our gardens, as well as the birds. Taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch is just one of the actions that you can take to help nature as part of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign. Why not also put up a nest box, create a pond or build a home for a hedgehog? You can find lots of ideas and create your own personal plan to give nature a home near you at: www.rspb.org.uk/myplan For your free Big Garden Birdwatch pack, text BIRD to 70030, or visit: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Flatford Wildlife Garden will be open to visitors on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday 29. Come along for more information about the survey and ideas for what more you can do to support our wonderful UK wildlife in your own garden. For details visit: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford Sharon Barker In Touch online:
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SCHOOLS / SPORT BROOKLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB
Following staff training in gymnastics with Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club, Brooklands’ Friends and Family (BFF) have added to our equipment with their purchase of two springboards. All our classes are taking part in gymnastics and are thrilled to now have regular use of vaulting equipment thanks to BFF.
Local football has changed a lot during the last few seasons with the main talking point being the lack of loyalty from players. This has led to more than 20 teams folding in the Suffolk and Ipswich League during the last five years. When I played in the local leagues (not too long ago), if you signed on for a club you made yourself available every week. Players stayed with one club a lot longer in those days and did not move from club to club which is what happens today.
Our next BFF project is creating a mud room, a room where the children can get changed into their forest suits or strip off when they get back covered in mud. It will also be a central place to store our Forest School and Beach School equipment with wellie racks, pegs to hang suits and photo boards of our children’s outdoor adventures. We also hope that the room will be multi-purpose for after school clubs such as football. It’s hard to recall the school without our woodland now. Over a short number of years we have successfully planted hundreds of trees. Each child has planted and labelled their own tree, from hazel, hawthorn, birch, apple and rowan to holly, and you will be able to join them in watching it grow as they go through the school. In Anti-Bullying Week we encouraged the children to consider all the different forms of bullying that take place. Our children have been learning about what to do if they experience bullying face to face or online. As part of our range of activities we have elected our new AntiBullying Champions and welcomed a visit from the NSPCC. Our AntiBullying Charter will soon be displayed prominently in our school hall, providing a helpful reminder to our children of what to do if they think they are being bullied. In the run up to Christmas we enjoyed the Early Years and Key Stage 1 Christmas production, Lights, Camel, Action!, and our Christmas workshops where the children worked alongside other classes to make Christmas woodland crafts. Christmas wouldn’t seem complete without our seasonal carol service at St Michael’s Church and all the children shared a Christmas story by candlelight at the end of term. As part of Santa’s reading mission at Brooklands, he dropped off a number of wrapped Christmas books under our tree in the school hall with instructions to unwrap one book a day until Christmas, which our Sea Turtles, Seals and Dolphins dutifully did. To check that no ‘shenanigans’ took place, Santa also placed a sea turtle, seal and dolphin in our tree to watch over the presents.
At our club we need to sign on at least 60 players every season just to be able to raise two sides on a Saturday afternoon. Despite this we recently had to call off a Reserve game after nine players called off and we were unable to field a team. Results this season have seen the First team struggle in the Senior Division and are at present just below half way in the league. However, after losing 4-1 to Coplestonians and 5-2 to Achilles they produced their best display of the season by beating Stowmarket Town who play in Division One of the Eastern Counties League 2-1 in the Suffolk Senior Cup thanks to goals from Gary Collins and a Stephen Morrison penalty. The lads are now just two games away from their third appearance in the final at Portman Road and play Leiston St Margarets at home on March 11. Our Reserves lost 2-1 at Wenhaston in the County Reserve Cup, then beat Trimley Red Devils 2-1 with goals from Oliver Blew and Harry Taylor. This was followed by a 2-1 defeat at Bacton United with Andy Wilshaw our scorer. Luke Morgans has been playing well in goal with Gideon Spencer and Oliver Miller putting in some good performances in defence and Joe Bigmore showing off his skills in midfield. Now yet another request for dog owners to clear up after their pets. Most do, but some don’t and the problem on the playing field seems to be getting worse with both adult and youth pitches being affected. Dog owners are fortunate to have somewhere in the village to be able to exercise their dogs, so I don’t think that it’s too much to ask them to clear up after them. Finally, recent winners of our 500 club are as follows: October: 1st Steve Oleary, 2nd Wiltshire Family, 3rd Nightingale Family
Happy New Year.
November: 1st Balamuhunthan Family, 2nd Toby King, 3rd Graham Palmer
Headteacher Christine Davy
BOB THE PLOUGHMAN
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB
CATHOLIC MASSES
November 100 Club Winners 1st Paul Lawrence (16) £100 2nd Amarjeet Mehmi (77) £50 3rd Rose Garwood (19) £50
Saturday at 6.30pm in St Mary and St Michael’s (Anglican) Church, New Road, Mistley CO11 1ER
There’s plenty of work going on behind the scenes to prepare for 2017 New players are always welcome; please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com
Sunday at 8.50am in St Mary’s (Anglican) Church, The Street, Ardleigh CO7 7LD Wednesday at 9.45am in St Mary and St Michael’s, Mistley, preceded by Morning Prayer
Mistley CC is a community club with strong traditions. Please come along and give us a look sometime.
All are welcome at these masses and anyone who wishes to learn about the Catholic Faith, or who wishes to talk to a priest, should have a word with the priest afterwards, or contact Fr Jon Ravensdale.
EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford and Ardleigh is served by the Parish of St John Payne, Greenstead, Colchester. The parish priest is Father Jon Ravensdale: 01206 870460 / sjpchurch@btinternet.com Also resident in the parish are Father Michael Rear (01206 392695) and Father Mathias Odigbo.
BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT AND BRANTHAM November was a mixed month for the First Team, with them registering one victory, one draw and two defeats, and thereby maintaining a mid-table position. The Reserves had a great month; three wins out of three in League A has taken them up to fourth place. The A Team advanced to the next round of the Club Colours Cup, but suffered two more defeats in League B and consequently have slipped to 10th place. FIXTURES 1st TEAM Senior Division Tue, Dec 27: Capel Plough (A) Mon, Jan 2: Coplestonians (H) Sat, Jan 7: Witnesham Wasps Bob Coleman Cup R3 (A) Sat, Jan 14: Westerfield Utd (A) Sat, Jan 21: Crane Sports (H) Sat, Feb 4: Henley Athletic (A) RESERVES League A Sat, Jan 14: Wenhaston Utd Res (H) Sat, Jan 28: Sporting ’87 Res (H) Sat, Feb 4: AFC Hoxne Res (H) A Team / League B Sat, Jan 7: Bacton United ’89 Res (A) Sat, Jan 14: Somersham Res Club Colours Cup (A) Sat, Jan 21: Coplestonians A (H) Sat, Jan 28; Stonham Aspal Res (A) Sat, Feb 4: Haughley Utd Res (H) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays are all potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime. Steve Butcher, secretary: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com 18
Saturday 31 11.30pm
New Year’s Eve Watchnight Communion, East Bergholt
JANUARY 2017 Sunday 1 10am
New Year’s Day Benefice Said BCP Communion, East Bergholt
Wednesday 4 9.30am
BCP Communion, East Bergholt
Sunday 8 8am 10am 11am
Epiphany BCP Communion, East Bergholt Communion, East Bergholt Family Service, Bentley
Sunday 15 8am 10am 11am
Epiphany 2 / Christian Unity BCP Communion, East Bergholt Pulpit Swap: Service of the Word with guest preacher Deacon Clive Brookes from the RC Church, East Bergholt Pulpit Swap: Communion with Methodist Guest Preacher, Bentley
Sunday 22 8am 10am 11am
Epiphany 3 BCP Communion, East Bergholt Choral Matins, East Bergholt Informal Service, Bentley
Saturday 28 9.45am Deanery Wedding Preparation Day, Bentley Sunday 29 8am 11am
Epiphany 4 BCP Communion (Healing), East Bergholt Benefice Communion (Healing), Bentley
FEBRUARY Wednesday 1 9.30am
BCP Communion, East Bergholt
Sunday 5 8am 10am
Candlemas BCP Communion, East Bergholt Benefice Communion, East Bergholt
Check the website for details. There is a BCP Communion every Sunday at 8am and Choral Matins is usually on the third Sunday. This service schedule may change without prior notice if needed. In Touch online:
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CHURCH NEWS MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH
LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB
Un-denominational / meeting at the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE (unless otherwise stated)
Minister: The Rev Crawford Logan, 01255 423640 Sunday Services: 10.15am each Sunday – we welcome visiting and outside preachers
Sunday Services: 3pm
Holy Communion Services: Please check date and times on the noticeboard outside the church.
The new programme at Ogilvie Hall commences on Saturday, February 4.
Bible Study on the first Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm in the Committee Room, Holy Communion at 2.30pm on the fourth Wednesday, activities with tea and coffee on the second and third Wednesdays. Sunday, January 1: Songs of Praise, 10.15am Sunday, January 8: Annual Covenant Service led by The Rev Crawford Logan, 10.15am Sunday, January 22: Churches Together in Foundry Court, Colchester Road, Manningtree, 10.30am ALSO MEETING ON OUR PREMISES Monday
Saturday, January 7: No Café/Oasis event this month. Sunday, January 8: New Year Invitation Service conducted by our pastor Tuesday, January 17: Monthly Coffee, Cake and Chat Meeting Point at the Venture Centre, 10am-noon. Transport available from Manningtree and Mistley. Friday, January 20: Prayer Meeting at The Venture Centre, 10am (note change of venue) Sunday, January 22: Worship and Witness Service with visiting team ministry For pastoral visits, further information and bookings, contact: 01206 272064 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk We warmly welcome people of all ages.
Workers Education Association, 2.30pm Stour Choral Society, 7.30pm, September to June Tuesday Co-op Women’s Guild, 7.15pm Wednesday Gentle Fitness Class, 9.15am Art Painting Group, 10am-noon Manningtree & District Chess Club, 7.30pm Museum & History Group (bi-monthly), 7.30pm Thursday
KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and love is Jesus COME AND JOIN US IN OUR NEW FELLOWSHIP – EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Hear the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with our lively worship and service. Refreshments served afterwards. Every Sunday morning at 11am in The Ivell Suite at Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE. If you or someone you know needs prayer for anything, please contact us. David and Rosie Rhule
Cheerleading followed by Zumba, 5pm
07787 572977 / 01206 397533 info@thekeytoloveministries.co.uk www.thekeytoloveministries.co.uk
Treasurer: Mr Gordon King. Church bookings: David Shearmur, 01206 395263
ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAWFORD Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Simon Heron, 01206 392659 Services for January 2017 Sunday 1
No service at Lawford
10.30am United Benefice Service at Great Bromley Sunday 8
8am
Holy Communion BCP
10am
Family Service
6.30pm Evensong
Sunday 15
8am
Holy Communion BCP
10am
Holy Communion
6.30pm Café Church
Sunday 22
8am
No 10am service at Lawford
Holy Communion BCP
10.30am Manningtree Together United Service at Ironside Walk Sunday 29
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER International and Interdenominational On Friday, March 3, Britain will join a worldwide network of Christians who prayerfully focus on the life and needs of women in a chosen country. This year it’s the Philippines. This area’s service will be held at 10.30am at St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield. The theme was chosen by the Philippines and is Am I Being Unfair to You?. That and more about the Philippines will be explored in the service. Everyone is welcome to attend
8am
Holy Communion BCP
For further information about the service, please contact Fontaine Woods: 01255 870411
10am
United Benefice Service at Lawford
www.wwdp.org.uk
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CHURCH NEWS BRANTHAM AND CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES DONE AND UNDONE! This article is written as we are getting our decorations out, but will be read as we are preparing to pack them away for another year, another ‘to do’ we can tick off the list. Looking back over last year, I hope you can recognise things you have done and have done well. I expect there may be some outstanding things you hoped to complete in 2016, but are carrying over to 2017. Others you might choose to abandon. Probably for many of us there may be some regret for things we did or said in 2016 that were wrong, selfish or hurtful. There may be people we let down by failure to do something. For some of us that regret or failure may lead us to feel ashamed or guilty, and we don’t feel comfortable in the company of people we have let down or hurt. Many people carry heavy burdens of guilt and shame. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. God did what had been predicted by some of the Old Testament prophets (particularly Isaiah and Micah) some 600 years before – God sent his son, the birth of the Messiah, a Saviour for the world. Several ticks on God’s to do list! Thirty years later Jesus began his ministry, miracles were performed, healings received, life changing teaching – more prophecies fulfilled. Three years later Jesus was crucified on a cross, again predicted by the prophets in some amazing detail. Indeed the final words of Jesus as he died on the cross were: “It is finished”. God had completed his plan of salvation for the world. All that is left is for us to recognise our need and ask for that plan to be put into effect in our lives. The regret, the guilt and the shame of actions of last year cannot be undone. We either allow it to be a burden we carry or we bring it to Jesus and ask for the burden to be lifted and receive forgiveness of sins. In January we hold special services called Covenant Services (schedule below) where we agree with God we have made mistakes and carry guilt. His agreement is that the death of his son on the cross pays the price of forgiveness for that wrongdoing and lifts the burden of guilt. January 1, 10.45am: Chelmondiston, Main Road IP9 1DZ January 8, 10.30am: Capel, The Street IP9 2EF January 15, 9.45am: Elmsett, Hadleigh Road IP7 6ND January 22, 10am: Holbrook, The Street IP9 2PZ January 29, 11am: Brantham, Gravel Pit Lane CO11 1NY You are welcome to come to any of these services, but if you are unsure, do feel free to contact me by whatever means you are able. Jesus has done all that is needed for the burden to be lifted. The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Brantham and Capel Methodist Churches, 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT BRANTHAM METHODIST Sunday 1 11am Sunday 8 11am Sunday 15 11am Sunday 22 3pm Sunday 29 11am
Worship with Mr Chris Jowett Worship with Mr Colin Westren Worship with Mrs Maralyn Bambridge United Service with Rev Andrew Sankey – Week of Prayer Covenant Service with Rev Andrew Sankey
AT CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST Sunday 1 10.30am Worship with Mrs Carole Almond Sunday 8 10.30am Covenant Service with Rev Andrew Sankey 6.30pm Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 15 10.30am Worship with Mr Stephen Walker Sunday 22 10.30am Worship with Mr Brian Loader 6.30pm Week of Prayer – Rev Andrew Sankey Saturday 28 3.30pm Messy Church Sunday 29 10.30am Worship with Mr Ben Shepherd www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
An all-age Anglican Church meeting in St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley and St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield Our services are back to just about their normal pattern for January, but with a special service on Sunday, January 22 for Christian Unity, where we’ll be meeting with other Christians from the local area at Foundry Court. Please join us if you can. We are also going to be involved in running an Alpha Course this year, starting on Tuesday, January 31 at 7.30pm at Lawford Venture Centre. Please see MY GREATEST ADVENTURE on page 8 for more information or visit: www.alpha.org The church office should have moved by the time you read this. We have office-hours phone numbers and emergency contacts (see below for details) and hope that everything will be running as smoothly as possible. If you want to know more please check out the website or Facebook page which should have the most up-to-date information (see below). If you’d like to receive our weekly email update simply email the office (see below). Services for January 2017 January 1 10.30am Joint New Year Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers (TBC)* at Mistley No evening service for New Year’s Day January 8 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm Evening Prayer at Mistley January 15 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley January 22 8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley 10.30am Churches Together Service at Foundry Court with children’s activities No other services this morning in the Benefice January 29 10.30am Joint Café Church with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield *Treasure Seekers is our children’s programme for ages 3+ All services are at St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley (CO11 1ER) or St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield (CO11 2US) unless otherwise stated. Contact Information: If you have any personal or pastoral needs, or need to get in contact urgently, please contact The Rev John Brien or The Rev Claire Scargill (see below). For all other enquiries to do with services, events, activities, resources and buildings in the Benefice, including weddings, baptisms and funerals, please contact the church office. If you need to visit or post anything to the office, please contact us. Church Office: Available at least 10am-1pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 07436 398801 / 01206 392200 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.facebook.com/ManningtreeBenefice Associate Minister: The Rev John Brien: 01206 397549 / brienfamily@btinternet.com Curate: The Rev Claire Scargill: 01206 395417 / revclairescargill@gmail.com 21
CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For all up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk The weekly newsletter is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door. Services for January 2017 Sunday 1 Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother Of God 9am Mass Tuesday 3 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 8 The Epiphany of The Lord 9am Mass Tuesday 10 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 15 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 17 9.30 Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 22 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 24 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 29 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 31 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Catholic Commentary Many people make resolutions at the start of a New Year and it can be difficult to consider what they should be. So a review of Pope Francis’ Top
Meeting at Old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree What a journey we are on at this time! Brexit, US President-elect Trump and all sorts of other votes have happened and will happen that can change the direction of travel of nations and pan-national organisations. We live in momentous times!
10 Secrets To Happiness can provide many ideas: 1) Live and let live; 2) Be giving of yourself to others; 3) Proceed calmly in life; 4) A healthy sense of leisure; 5) Sundays should be holidays; 6) Create dignified jobs for young people; 7) Respect and take care of nature; 8) Stop being negative; 9) Don’t proselytise – respect others’ beliefs; 10) Work for peace. Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, December 18 when three lucky winners shared £142. The next draw takes place on Sunday, January 22. The club has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Our Christmas Hamper Raffle, supported by donations from parishioners, was drawn on Sunday, December 11 and three lucky winners won a hamper. Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR, 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for the parish room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, January 26. The parish are planning an Epiphany lunch on Thursday, January 5 at The Ipswich Hotel (formerly The Cameo), Old London Road, Copdock IP8 3JD. This lunch will follow 11.30am mass at St Mark’s. Further details, including an opportunity to sign up to join this popular parish event, may be found at the back of church. Supporting our local Hospice Parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice. Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Fr Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital (01473 726701). Please phone him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services. All are very welcome at Holy Family, Brantham All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services. It’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic Faith are always welcome. Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.
You’ll receive a warm welcome at our public worship services each Sunday at 10.30am and again in the evening at 6.30pm. Services last between 60 and 90 minutes and refreshments follow the morning service. KEY NOTES FOR JANUARY Monday 9, 4.30-6pm: All Age Prayer Session
Journeys can be boring and regular – like a commute, or interesting and challenging – say a holiday or special event. Just sometimes journeys can be momentous and life-changing – a brush with death or a kiss that speaks volumes.
Mondays 16, 23 & 30: Monday Madness, our weekly youth work
As we go into the New Year there is one man’s journey that includes all these aspects, and we will be following in His footsteps – Walking the Gospel Road with Him, starting on January 10 at Trinity Free Church and continuing most Sundays until Easter. Why not come and decide for yourself if His journey is one you would like to walk too? We are.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday w/b 15 & 29: Home Groups, Bible Study and Prayer
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4.30-6pm: KOGS (KS 1 & 2), crafts, games, tea and Bible Stories
•
6.30-8pm: BRiaN Reloaded (11-18s), serious Bible Study with serious fun thrown in
For the latest information on these or any of our activities visit: www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk In Touch online:
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Stowe Veterinary Centre
Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre
Ipswich Veterinary Centre
The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery
The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery
54 Bury Road, Stowmarket
2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds
Scrivener Drive, Ipswich
Coddenham Road, Needham Market
Station Road, Elmswell
Tel: 01449 613 130
Tel: 01284 747 000
Tel: 01473 555 000
Tel: 01449 722 198
Tel: 01359 241 761
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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK YOUTH OFFENDING SERVICE RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD Suffolk Youth Offending Service (SYOS) has been awarded an Evidence Based Practice Award for their Enhanced Triage programme at this year’s National Youth Justice Convention. The award ceremony, hosted on November 29 by the Youth Justice Board, recognises and promotes effective practice in working with young people. The award comes in recognition of the youth triage and diversion programme which was piloted in Suffolk in 2015. SYOS delivered the programme in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary to divert young offenders (aged between 10 and 18) away from the youth justice system, whilst also delivering interventions to address the underlying causes of their offending. The joint approach allows young people and their families to be visited at home within 48 hours of a referral being made, meaning that a decision and appropriate work with the family could begin very quickly after the initial police contact. The aims of Suffolk’s triage and diversion programme are: •
To reduce the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system
•
To reduce re-offending rates
•
Provide earlier and more effective engagement with victims and increased levels of victim satisfaction
•
Avoid additional cost to the youth justice system
Young people diverted as part of the programme do not receive a formal outcome for the offence committed (for example a caution or court outcome), but instead voluntarily engage with a planned programme to address their offending. This work often includes support for parents and access to a variety of other services to ensure that the young person is receiving the available support, such as education or training and appropriate health services. In 2016 SYOS achieved the Restorative Service Quality Mark from the Restorative Justice Council, an independent assessment that the service delivers safe and effective restorative justice practice. Analysis of the pilot carried out by the Centre for Justice Innovation, evidenced that over six months, in the north of the county, there was a net benefit of 57k. Councillor Gordon Jones, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for
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Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “I am thrilled that Suffolk Youth Offending Service has received this award in recognition of their stellar work with the youth triage and diversion programme. Working in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary has meant that SYOS and police officers have been able to make joint decisions about the best outcomes for the young people they work with. This has ultimately sped up the process, allowing young people to be referred and assessed much quicker than before. “Since 2013/14 Suffolk has seen an almost continuous reduction in the number of young people entering the youth justice system for the first time. We have seen a 28% reduction over the last year and Suffolk has consistently achieved a lower rate than the national average. We are confident that this figure will continue to drop, following the success of this partnership.” Sergeant Darren Oxbrow who leads the project at Suffolk Police, said: “I am delighted that the work of youth triage and diversion programme has been Youth Offending Officer Vicki Grice recognised by the Youth Justice Board. Our work with the Youth Offending Service has enabled us to provide outcomes that are more dynamic and effective when dealing with young people who are involved in low level crime. “Early intervention is often the key in stopping lives spiralling in the wrong direction. Understanding that children and young people can make mistakes but that this needn’t blight their future opportunities is central to this project. We are mindful that any interventions are proportionate and appropriate to the crime. “By giving young people the opportunity to choose again, to make better supported choices, future re-offending really can be prevented, enabling young people to continue to pursue their goals and aspirations. The programme offers better outcomes for the suspect, improves victim satisfaction and ultimately reduces re-offending. Something we should all be proud of.” More information about the work that SYOS do and details of who to contact if you have concerns about a young person’s behaviour or risk can be found at: www.suffolkyos.co.uk
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ON THE GRAPEVINE FROM THE ARCHIVES The Manningtree Bridges and Hermit of Cattawade Like me, you may have thought there are just two bridges over the River Stour at Manningtree. If so where is the ‘middle’ bridge? It crops up in several places in the historic record. ‘Middlebridge’ creek also appears on modern maps of the estuary as it flows past the town. The most famous reference to a ‘middle’ bridge is to be found in a statement given as part of Matthew Hopkins’ investigation of so called witches in March 1645. Richard Edwards was a wealthy Manningtree brewer who was tormented by the elderly widow Elizabeth Clarke. As well as turning batches of Edwards’ beer bad, she asked her spirit to meet him at the ‘Middle Bridge’ on his return from a night out in Bergholt. The plan was to scare his horse so he might be ‘thrown down and never rise again’. In the event he did rise again and lived to make a statement to Hopkins confirming what had happened that night on the bridge, though denying actually coming off his horse. He was also prosecuted by magistrates that same year for supplying beer to an unlicensed ale house in the town, much to the grievance of the local minister. All a very different attitude from his upstanding father who had generously donated land to Manningtree church in 1633. For her part Elizabeth Clarke was hung for witchery.
Aerial photographs taken by Ida McMaster in 1976 and 1990 show the course of an early southerly meander in the estuary, sweeping across Stoney Field in Lawford, close to the railway line. It may well have surrounded the Bronze Age burial site in the fields between the two tributaries before silting up. The remnants of this lost arm of the river now flow out under the A137 road in what is only a small culvert, lined with rushes and known as Hall Fleet.
Bridge is now, it being named after the colour of the previous six arched bridge. The crossing at the other end can be dated even further back, linked to Wimer de Cattiwade in 1256 when Henry III gave him a five-year respite from serving as a knight in order to carry out his duties as warden of the bridges of ‘Cattiwade’. The same year the Bishop of Norwich, Walter de Suffield, gave one Mark to help repair the bridge. This would have been a wooden construction, possibly only wide enough for pedestrians as horses could have forded a great depth. The construction of the long causeway across the marshes was just as important and just as expensive to maintain. There were no civic authorities at that time so it fell to local land owners and those using the bridge to fund all the required works. In about 1285 the Rector of Bergholt acquired lands whose income was used for the upkeep of the bridge and the construction of a chapel and associated buildings. The chapel was to be used for religious services and prayers for all those who gave money for the bridge, such as Ralph de Braham who provided it with an endowment out of his estate.
By the time of Edward III, around 1350, Roger de Kenton is keeper of the bridge and a grant of a plot of land 100 feet long by the causeway is being requested in order to build another chapel, this one in honour of the Virgin Mary, in which services were to be held every day, forever, for the King and all the benefactors of the bridge and causeway. Things did not go according to plan as by early 1359 the chapel was not to be seen, but a hermit was. This was Brother John atte Welle who, along with John Canes of Brantham, was now keeper of the bridge and causeway between ‘Cattiwade and Manytre’. The setting up of a hermitage for a bridge, ferry, lighthouse or other public work was common in an age before local government and a natural extension of monastic life. Religious houses also had access to the specialist architectural and building skills needed. Long distant travel was rare, so a blessing before setting out was essential, particularly when crossing water and definitely before setting foot on Brother John’s rickety bridge! As well as the ongoing works, the hermit still needed money to build the chapel. So with John Canes he asked for the King’s permission to seek alms and donations, without which they could not raise the money required. It was likely that the hermit also had to generate or beg for money just to keep his own body and soul together.
This would have joined up with Wignall Brook flowing out at the bottom of Cox’s Hill, the exact route now lost under the engineering work for the Victorian railway station and pond to supply water needed for the steam trains. Further down it would have joined Middle Creek somewhere near the railway bridge at the end of the Strand. This lost third bridge means the ‘middle’ bridge was where the White 26
The costs of the bridge were relentless and just after Richard Edwards was trotting across them, the Essex Court was shelling out £105 for repairs with another £250 in 1680. The ‘Cataway’ bridge was still made of timber when Daniel Defoe crossed it during his 1722 tour and in 1774 Essex justices considered the estimate for rebuilding it far too high. In 1791 they examined the costs in detail, but despite all this, high tides again caused extensive damage in 1796. The later three arched, brick build construction we see today has faired better, though no longer carries traffic, while the spiritually troubled Middle Bridge has been replaced several times. Philip Cunningham, Manningtree Museum & Local History Group In Touch online:
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