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with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market Volume 4 • Issue No. 6 • APRIL 2017
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR On a number of recent occasions I’ve been surprised by how people have reacted to fairly typical situations which would normally go relatively unnoticed or produce no more than a raised eyebrow. Just this morning I struggled to make room on a narrow road for a rather large car coming in the opposite direction. I pulled in as far as I could, trying not to go into the brook running alongside, but the other driver was incensed, waving his arms at me, his face ugly with anger. Thank goodness I couldn’t hear what he was saying. He got by a little slower than he obviously wanted, but I sat there for a moment in stunned silence. At the weekend I found myself queuing behind a man who gave a shop assistant a right telling off because she had given him the wrong change. He practically accused her of trying to steal 10p from him. I asked her if she was OK after he’d left and she shrugged it off as if it was a common occurrence, which I fear it might very well be.
NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE 2017 Arrangements are well under way for this year’s Swingin’ 60’s themed raft race and entries are slowly trickling in. Each year we look forward to the rafter’s interpretation of the theme as they decorate their raft and don their fancy dress. We are always looking for new entrants and regular competitors like the challenge of a different team to compete against. You will have the opportunity to race twice, a time trial to compete for the Tracey Cadman Challenge and the second against rafts who completed in a similar time to you. Also present will be stalls for local groups and organisations to fundraise, children’s attractions to keep the little ones entertained and food vendors in case you don’t want to bring a picnic.
We may all be feeling pressure just now not knowing how things will turn out (even the weather is disagreeable), but if we lose all self-restraint and can’t even treat those we meet in everyday life with respect I dread to think of the long-term impact. Thankfully we’re not there yet and I’ve had many more instances of people being helpful, kind, thoughtful and understanding in recent weeks (clearly evidenced in the pages of this magazine) than I’ve had of people being rude, judgemental and arrogant. Admittedly a little self-analysis may be necessary now and then, but I’m determined to offset rude drivers and hateful behaviour by doing the exact opposite.
Maybe you would like to advertise in our programme or become a sponsor.
By making a little extra effort to be kind to each other, I’m convinced we can make the world a little bit more pleasant for everyone. A smile, a polite ‘good morning’, a wave when another driver makes way (and especially when they don’t!), may initially have little impact on how others behave, but it can’t hurt.
For more information visit www.needhamraftrace.wordpress.com or find us on Facebook. Alternatively call either Robin or Julie on 01449 721430 or Debbie on 01449 722808
Happy Easter from everyone at Mansion House Publishing
Debbie Cadman, Chairman Needham Market Raft Race Committee
In Touch
Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market
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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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... • NEW Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
Make sure you clear your diary for the afternoon of Sunday, June 4. Fancy dress judging takes place at 1.30pm and races start at 2pm with a prize presentation at approximately 4pm. Parking at the car boot field is available at the cost of £1 a car which helps towards our insurance costs for the following year. This year’s event promises to be another great family day out, but make sure you get there early to secure your viewing position as it’s sure to get very busy.
We look forward to seeing you there
OPEN MORNING TO HELP THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS One in six people in the UK have a hearing problem and if you think this sounds familiar there hasn’t been a better time to have your hearing checked. Hearing tests and professional advice are being made available free of charge to encourage people to take that first step. Local hearing care specialists, The Hearing Care Centre, have a hearing centre at The Country Practice. They will be holding a free Hearing Care Open Morning between 9am and 1pm on Saturday, April 22. All services are available by appointment only. To book your appointment call The Hearing Care Centre on 0800 096 2637 or visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk
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MAY DEADLINE 20 APRIL 2017
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NEWS GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY To our dear family and friends on the occasion of our Golden Wedding Anniversary. We would like to thank you all so very much for the lovely gifts, flowers and your donations to St Elizabeth Hospice which amounted to £300. We would also like to thank Di and Steve and all the staff at Creeting House for a superb meal and for making our day so special. Thank you all once again, with love from Keith and Patsy Sturgeon
CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE MID SUFFOLK LINK Once again we are collecting clothes and medicines for the group who will arrive this year. If you can help with donations of good quality second hand clothing for ages six-13 we would be very grateful. All contributions are great appreciated and can be dropped into our charity shop in Needham Market or I am happy to arrange collection. Also required are basic medicines and for each child we try to collect the following items: Lemsip, decongestant capsules or drops, vapour rub, menthol nasal sticks, Immodium (or similar), menthol crystals, Sudacrem cream, oil of cloves or similar, digital thermometer, lip chap sticks, cold sore cream, Iglue mouth ulcer cream, paracetamol or ibuprofen tablets. On April 2 I will go to Belarus to visit the 18 children who will arrive on July 2 in our summer group. The fact that parents are willing to send their children to a strange country, to people they have never met, for a whole month demonstrates how vital these health recuperation visits are for the children and how grateful the parents are if their child is selected. At Christmas, many people joined our program to send a Christmas present to a disadvantaged child in Belarus. The following excerpts from two of the letters received shows just how much this meant to those who got a present: Dear Friends We got your parcel today (Feb 5). We were told it was coming for Christmas and we thought it had got lost! Thank you to everyone who took part in organising these parcels. Thank you for your attention and care. So long there are people like you out there in the world who are not indifferent to the problems of other people we keep our hope and faith! Let everything be good in your lives, we wish you all the luck, success and welfare you need. Be healthy and live long! With great respect, Natalia Kozhukhar Hello! Thank you so much for your wonderful Christmas presents! It was our first time of receiving a parcel. My children were very happy. They were playing, painting and trying on socks and a scarf the whole evening. The youngest even slept with the presents for a couple of days. Now with a pleasure and gratefulness I do my daughter’s ponytails with beautiful hair bands you gave her. We like everything you gave us! My son and daughter wear beautiful socks and use the nice stickers. We received the parcel on December 23, it was the birthday of my son Stepan, turned 6. My daughter Margarita is 8, but she is very ill. She is not able to walk, talk and eat by herself. She got paralysed when she was 2.5 years old. After 2 months of coma she lost many of her functions. But now she is getting a little better. With my very big thanks. Natasha
NEEDHAM CANINE CRECHE NOW OPEN Suffolk Canine Creche, part of the Canine Creche Group (EADT Archant Business Award winners 2016 for Customer Service) opened their new franchise site on Lion Barn Industrial Estate on Sunday, March 12. The bow-wow factor was at full pelt with more than 200 dogs attending with their respective owners, all enjoying the play rooms – Bow Wow Land and Agility Land – socialising and meeting fellow pupsters while owners enjoyed fizz and a cupcake. Founder Candace Rose commented: “We were thrilled at the level of interest on the day and bookings taken for temperament tests. The diary is full for the next two weeks and the response has been phenomenal.” The franchisee team for Needham is Julie and Arrin. They have been based at the mother ship for a few months where they have been fully trained to operate to exacting standards and have learnt industry specifics such as how to temperament test dogs to ensure their suitability, with safety always coming first. Candace says: “Our franchising project is very exciting. We intend to change the animal care industry for the better across the UK and we believe our awards and reputation demonstrate that we are the organisation to do so.” www.needhamcaninecreche.co.uk
NEEDHAM MARKET AND DISTRICT FAMILY CARERS GROUP We are a small group of carers who meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 11am-1pm in the Green Room at Needham Market Community Centre. We usually have a speaker or an activity and tea, coffee and cake. In February we visited Zelda at Viking Glass. Zelda gave us a very interesting talk about her work and one of our members was brave enough to have a go at cutting some glass! Our March meetings included Tai Chi on Tuesday 14 and the lovely Lauren will giving our nails a makeover on Tuesday 28. A date for your diary; take a break and pop in to our Easter Coffee Morning on Tuesday, April 11, 10.30am-12.30pm at Christchurch Halls. There will be tea, coffee and yummy cakes as well as a raffle and produce stall. On Tuesday, April 25 we welcome back Peter Banham with a talk entitled The History of Sayings. If you would like to know more about the group please contact Amanda on 07512 879408 or Vera on 01449 723424. We look forward to meeting new friends.
STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities in April Friday, April 7, 10am-noon: Coffee Morning Networking At Needham Market Community Centre
So little can mean so very much.
Friday, April 21, 6.45am: Networking Breakfast At our new summer venue, The Bistro, Stonham Barns
Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / 07771 550868
For further details and to book please visit: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk
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NEWS SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE SITE – GREAT BLAKENHAM The Peel People’s Cup The Peel People’s Cup, part of the Chartered Institution of Waste Management Sustainability and Resource Awards, is awarded annually to the best operating team of a permitted waste facility. The cup was introduced to recognise the vital role an operating team plays in the successful running of a waste facility and on November 3 the team at Suffolk energy-from-waste facility won the cup. Some of the key criteria the judges were looking for were how the site is supervised, the way the operating team works and local acceptability. The site feels it is a huge honour to be recognised as an exceptional operating team and we are thrilled to have won the award.
SnOasis PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA) In the autumn of last year, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16. Full details can be found on the Mid Suffolk District Council website at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning/snoasis It is important to be aware that this is not a renewal of the original planning approval for SnOasis, which remains in place. Reserved Matters cover the detail of such topics as design, appearance, transport, drainage, ecological mitigation and so forth. This means that your local council and residents are not being asked whether they want the development to go ahead. Instead, the developer will put forward their plans regarding, for example, the external appearance of the ski slope, and we will be asked for comments on that and similar matters. Claydon and Whitton, Barham, Bramford, Great Blakenham, Somersham and Little Blakenham Parish Councils and Needham Market Town Council, along with Nettlestead and Baylham Parish Meetings have now formally joined the Snoasis Parish Alliance, a group to work together to consider the details of the Snoasis Reserved Matters and to exert more influence than we can as individual organisations. Of course, individual councils will still be consulting with their residents and making their own responses to Mid Suffolk District Council, but we believe that sharing both expertise and the workload will benefit both councils and residents.
The operations manager and one of the shift managers accepted the award on behalf of the team at a ceremony held in London. Kitten rescue As part of the normal operations at site, bulky items are shredded before going through the energy from waste process. During one shredding session on an evening in January, a kitten was discovered among the waste. The operations staff came to her rescue! The animal was taken to the vet to be checked and subsequently has a home with SUEZ’s process engineer. Recruitment As part of the excellent succession planning put in place at the facility a number of employees have been successful in securing promotion at site. This has resulted in a couple of new recruits starting at the facility in the past few months. We welcomed a new operations technician and a senior operations technician, both of whom live locally and are currently undergoing a comprehensive induction. USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910
We had been informed that further information on Reserved Matters was due be supplied by the developer at the end of February. The SPA contacted MSDC Planning at the beginning of March to see if this had happened and were informed that an update would be posted on MSDC’s website “in due course”. By the time you are reading this article, the update may have appeared, but if it hasn’t, please keep checking the SnOasis section on the MSDC website. The SPA is committed to working with Mid Suffolk District Council to obtain the information that is necessary for councils to be able to make informed and constructive comments, so as soon as the details arrive, the SPA will begin work to scrutinise them. It is also intended that existing expertise amongst the councils will be used to analyse and comment on the vast amount of very detailed (and sometimes very technical) information that we are expecting the developer to provide. Work has already begun to plan for this. However, the continuing lack of the required information means that this process cannot begin, a situation which the SPA is finding very frustrating. A delay in receiving information means that, yet again, there isn’t much new to report this month. When more detail on Reserved Matters is received and the SPA begins to work on its response, our webpage (hosted on the Great Blakenham Parish Council website) will be regularly updated: www.greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net/snoasis-parish-alliance/ For further information, please email Janet Gobey, the clerk to the SPA: snoasispa@icloud.com Chairman Snoasis Parish Alliance Steve Plume
EVENTS AT ST JOHN THE BAPTIST We are pleased to announce the commencement of our popular produce stall and coffee morning starting on Saturday, May 6 outside the church from 9-11am selling homemade cakes, pies and preserves along with plants and books. We will also be serving refreshments in church from 9.30 until about 11.30am with all proceeds to church funds. The Ark on King William Street is available for hire for children’s parties, small family parties, meetings, talks and fundraising events with full kitchen facilities, a reasonable size hall with a stage and additional room for meetings. For prices and availability please call: 01473 721672
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ADVERTORIAL
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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number
of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
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NEWS MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLORS MIKE NORRIS & WENDY MARCHANT ANSWERS TO TOWN COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS At the last town council meeting the following questions were asked: Councillor Steve Phillips: “What will be the cost of ‘moth balling’ Mid Suffolk Offices when staff move to Endeavour House, Ipswich?” Councillor Martin Spurling: “Will the business tax for Mid Suffolk occupying a floor of Endeavour House have to be paid to Ipswich Borough Council?” Councillor Dawn Spurling: “Will Mid Suffolk be paying empty property council tax on the empty office building in Needham Market?” And I (Wendy) would like to ask: “How much rent will Mid Suffolk be paying SCC for the space they will occupy in Endeavour House?” Katherine Steel, Assistant Director Corporate Resources, had answered: “Hello Wendy, I’m afraid that we are not yet in a position to be able to answer these questions because the negotiations over our lease with Suffolk County Council have not been concluded and the proposals around the buildings that we are vacating will not be brought forward until around September this year and the chosen option will determine the costs incurred. Thank you.” We are very surprised at this answer. The town council generally commented on the item in County Councillor Julia Truelove’s written report relating to Civil Parking Enforcement where she stated: “SCC with district councils, but excluding Mid Suffolk and Babergh, now intend to take over CPE across the county. This may result in parking facilities in Needham Market having to be paid for.” I asked Mid Suffolk Officer Chris Fry, Assistant Director Environment & Projects, about this. He replied: “With the introduction of CPE comes the ability to consider on-street parking charges across the county. It was made quite clear in the reports that went to all authorities that the introduction of further on-street parking was the only way CPEW could break even. This will happen more in urban towns. My argument for Mid Suffolk and Babergh not taking responsibility for the management of CPE was partly based on the lack of opportunity for the introduction of paid on-street parking. There is so much on-street parking in and around Needham it is difficult to imagine where you would put paid on-street
parking and adequately enforce it. There is of course the possibility that it could occur along the high street, but if that just forces parking onto the side roads it would not be meeting the traffic management criteria.” We would strongly oppose the introduction of charging for on street parking in Needham Market. PLANNING FOR GROWTH On Friday, March 10, Planning Policy Officer Bill Newman gave a very thorough presentation on the government’s national planning policy framework, local councils’ local plan and town and parish council neighbourhood plans. The message coming from government is “Build more houses”. HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE This listed every ‘accident’ however minor, and trip or slip. Some instances involved the elderly in sheltered accommodation. I asked what happened when these were ‘de’ sheltered and there is no warden, but I was assured the elderly were to have personal safety alarms. A Health & Safety Action Plan and Management System is being put in place for the whole of both councils. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT 30 YEAR BUSINESS PLAN A special scrutiny meeting was called to look into this. The government has said local councils must reduce council house rent by 1% year on year. This will reduce the council’s revenue to use for maintenance or even build new council houses; it will help those working and not on benefits; it will reduce the government’s benefits bill for those on Housing Benefit. (In fact Mid Suffolk were proposing increasing council house rents, which we opposed.) There were questions about the length of time between one council house tenant leaving a house and the next moving in, and the loss of rent incurred. Mid Suffolk is trying to build new council houses, which are much in demand, to replace those lost, and has bought three redundant sites to do this. Mike Norris: mike.norris@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720871 Wendy Marchant: wendy.marchant@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720965
REPORT FROM KEITH WELHAM, MARCH 2017 District Councillor for Stowupland and Creeting St Peter Budget The budget for 2017/18 and the medium term financial strategy were agreed at the full council meeting in February. There is to be a 1.6% increase in council tax. This equates to an increase of 5p per week for a Band D property. Move of council offices Work is progressing with planning the move to Endeavour House. The physical move is scheduled to take place between mid-August and the end of September. Staff consultation is to take place from April 24 to July 20. It is hoped to have about 220 desks on one floor of Endeavour House, and there should be flexible working arrangements for most staff. New acquisitions MSDC have purchased Paddock House in Eye and Stowmarket Middle School site. It is hoped that these sites will be redeveloped as housing for local needs. MSDC are hoping to appoint a development agent within the next few months to progress both these schemes and any others.
between May and July. This could result in changes to many wards across Mid Suffolk. Affordable Housing delivery strategy The Executive Committee has agreed the introduction of a three-year rolling programme to deliver about 100 new affordable homes across the district. These homes will be built on land already owned or to be acquired by the district council. They will mainly be for rent at 80% of market rent. Some might be shared ownership where there is a need and a willingness to purchase. New Joint Local Plan Progress on preparation and delivery of the New Joint Local Plan has been delayed by the introduction of the Government Housing White Paper and the Suffolk Planning and Infrastructure Framework (SPIF). The gathering of the evidence base for the Local Plan is now complete and the draft plan will be published at the end of March. It is on target to be out for public consultation in July.
Electoral review MSDC have submitted their response to the Boundary Commission with a suggestion that the number of councillors should be reduced to 34. The Boundary Commission will meet in April and then make their recommendation.
Planning Applications in Stowupland No date has been set for committees to decide on either of the applications for housing development on Church Road, Stowupland, nor for the applications west of Thorney Green Road. I have requested that the application for a new dwelling on land adjacent to Pooles Farm be determined by committee and not by officer delegation.
There will then follow a consultation on the warding arrangements
Keith Welham / keithwelham48@aol.com / 01449 673185
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OUT & ABOUT THE REGAL IN APRIL With the Easter School Holidays upon us, we have a great selection of films for the little ones, and some other great movies for the slightly bigger ones! Kong: Skull Island Action starring Samuel L Jackson, Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston. King Kong is back, with a big budget and even bigger A-list cast! A team of scientists, soldiers and adventurers unites to explore an uncharted island in the Pacific. Cut off from everything, the team heads to the domain of the mighty Kong.
NEEDHAM MARKET SOCIETY
John Wick Chapter 2 Action starring Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane. After returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life. Moonlight Drama starring Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali. Triple Oscar winning film by director Barry Jenkins. Chronicles the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young black man growing up in a rough neighbourhood of Miami. I, Daniel Blake Drama starring Dave Johns and Hayley Squires. In Ken Loach’s latest BAFTA winning film, a middle-aged carpenter who requires state welfare after suffering a heart attack is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario. Beauty & the Beast Family adventure starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans. Long awaited adaptation of the Disney fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love. The Boss Baby Family animation voiced by Lisa Kudrow and Alec Baldwin. A suit-wearing briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his seven-year-old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co. Logan Action starring Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stuart. In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X somewhere on the Mexican border. However, Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces. Get Out Thriller starring Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya. A young AfricanAmerican man visits his Caucasian girlfriend’s mysterious family estate. The Time of Their Lives Comedy drama starring Jackie Collins and Pauline Collins. A former Hollywood star enlists the help of a new friend in order to journey from London to France for her ex-lover’s funeral, with the various mishaps enroute making the trip unforgettable. We have two fantastic live streamed events from the National Theatre, with Tasmin Greig in Twelfth Night on April 6 and Daniel Radcliffe in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead on April 20. For a detailed schedule please contact 01449 612825 or visit: www.regalstowmarket.co.uk
STOWMARKET CHORALE SINGING DAY Stowmarket Chorale will be having a Singing Day of Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony at the United Reformed Church, Stowmarket IP14 1AD on Saturday, April 29, 10am-4pm. The day will be led by choir director Leslie Olive and the cost is £15 to include hire of music and buffet lunch. Contact: tickets@stowmarketchorale.org.uk / Lucy 01359 240676
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Hedgehogs in Danger by Paula Baker Wednesday, April 26 at 7.30pm In the Burton Room at Needham Market Community Centre All welcome, non-members £2 We had a wonderful talk on March 22 from Suffolk’s leading archaeologist, Dr Rhodri Gardner, about a number of digs in the locality and beyond, the information gleaned and the ‘finds’ uncovered. Our large audience learned that SFBs stands for Sunken Feature Buildings, a number of which are found on digs throughout Suffolk. The Anglo-Saxon Village at West Stow has a good number of reconstructed SFBs although it is hard to determine their exact use as they were often later used as rubbish dumps! However some interesting artefacts do come to light as at Mildenhall, a 7th century hanging bowl in Celtic style was unearthed, while at Barham, north of Church Lane, and Witnesham skeletons were found when SFBs were discovered. Both poor souls had been very badly knocked about. In complete contrast our next meeting on April 26 concerns the wellbeing of hedgehogs when Paula Baker from the Prickles Rescue Society is our speaker. For more information please contact Andrea: 01449 721056
STOWMARKET’S VERY OWN MAME Image by Peter Hawkes
There have been many outstanding roles for leading ladies in musical theatre, but few bigger than the charismatic personality of Mame. The first stage production in 1966 starred the legendary Angela Lansbury and she has since been followed on stage and screen by such stars as Lucille Ball, Gingers Rogers and Juliet Prowse.
Starring in the title role in SODS’ spring production of this sparkling musical comedy written by Simon Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, is Stowmarket’s own Meryl Bunce. Meryl won the coveted part in fiercely contested auditions and is looking forward to being on stage at Stowmarket’s Regal Theatre in May. “The show is packed with marvellous music, delightful dance and crackling comedy,” says Meryl. “We have a terrifically talented cast who are enjoying every moment of rehearsals. There are some memorable musical numbers including Bosom Buddies, We Need A Little Christmas, My Best Girl and, of course, the song almost everyone knows, Mame.” The show will run at Stowmarket’s Regal Theatre from Wednesday, May 10 to Sunday 13 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society’s productions frequently enjoy sell-out success so book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are on sale from The Regal Theatre: 01449 612825 / www.regalstowmarket.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT TUESDAY TOTS AT ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
A warm welcome to all babies and pre-school children along with their parents, grandparents or carers. The group takes place on Tuesday mornings in term time from 9.30-11am in The Ark in King William Street. The cost is £1 per family for each session and includes tea, coffee, fruit drinks and snacks. Lots of toys, crafts to try, singing with actions, and parents and carers are welcome to join in.
Our monthly gathering (first Tuesday of the month) of retired professional and business persons in March included a talk from retired teacher David Griffith, providing an in-depth insight into his experiences in education. Probus meetings aren’t just an opportunity to hear interested talks. Time is made prior to the presentation for members to meet and greet each other along with tea/coffee and a biscuit. Every quarter, a luncheon is arranged for members and guests, together with a number of visits to places of interest in the UK, all detailed below. 2017 PROGRAMME April 4: AGM plus talk by Oliver Miller from Bishop & Miller Auctioneers May 2: Chemistry & Everyday Living by Derek Palgrave May 16: Trip to Langham Dome an North Norfolk Railway June 6: Suffolk Accident & Rescue Service (SARS) by Bernie Nunn July 11: Visit to the Cabinet War Rooms, London July 14: Summer Lunch at Needham Market Community Centre August 1: Open Meeting (plus auctioneers TBC) September 5: The Fleet Air Arm by Keith Pybus October 3: Stowmarket Gun Cotton Explosion by Sue & Steve Williams October 9-13: Visit to Bournemouth with trips to Portsmouth Dockyard, Beaulieu Motor Museum and hopefully the RNLI HQ, staying in the Durley Dean Hotel & Spa October 20: Autumn Lunch at The Lodge, Suffolk Leisure Centre November 7: The Queen Bee by Alan Seagar December 8: Christmas Lunch at Needham Market Community Centre Annual membership in 2016 was £12. All trips are costed out to breakeven and a good deal is negotiated by a member of the committee. Our monthly meetings are held at the RBL Club on Tavern Street, Stowmarket from 10.30am-noon. New members are very welcome and encouraged. Please contact David Robson or any other member for details: daviderobson@gmail.com
MENDLESHAM STREET FAYRE Why not visit Mendlesham Street Fayre on Monday, May 1? There will be something for everyone, young and old. Old Market Street will be closed to traffic and full of stalls with crafts, tombola, jewellery, books and wonderful plants at bargain prices. Entertainment includes the Samboomba band, Stowmarket Boys Brigade Band, Stacks of Sax, East Suffolk Morris Men, children’s entertainer The Tricky Twister, Gypsy Dreams exotic dancers, birds of prey, the Mendlesham Armoury, Bygone Farm Vehicles, a bouncy castle, an art and craft show, hog roast and a free car park. Bridie the Tea Lady on Stilts from Britain’s Got Talent will also be joining us. The fayre will open at 10.30am and end at 5pm. The May Princess Procession will start at noon. Admission for adults is £3, under 16s free. Money raised goes towards village projects and organisations. Stall bookings are now being taken. To book please contact: Angela 01449 766483 / angiepickup@btinternet.com Julie 01449 766006 / neil.williams38@btinternet.com
DEBENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Jazz lovers in the heart of Suffolk are in for at treat in Debenham in May when the town’s first ever jazz festival takes place at the Community Centre over three days from Friday, May 5. Opening the festival at 7pm on Friday, May 5 are four top class musicians – they are Gary Potter, Ben Holder, Nils Solberg and Andy Crowdy. Dixie Mix then take to the stage at 8.30pm. On Saturday, May 6 John Parker 3’s Company will start proceedings at noon, followed by Rosie Val and The Cambridge Jazz Company at 1.30pm, while The Anglia Allstar Jazz Band brings the afternoon to a close. Colin Bowden’s New Orleans Jazz soothes us gently into Saturday evening with the day being rounded off by Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends playing Basin Street to Basie. Sunday’s activities start off in The Angel Pub with Spats Langham’s Hot Fingers will play on at noon. Back at the community centre at 2pm and John Petter’s Sounds of Benny Goodman grace the stage followed by Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band. Then, rounding off an excellent weekend will be the effervescent Nicola Farnon and her musicians. For full detail contact organiser Bob Kerr at bob@debenhamjazz.co.uk or visit: www.debenhamjazz.co.uk
AN INVITATION TO ALL MEN On Tuesday, May 2 the Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir is inviting all men who love to sing to its open rehearsal at Stowupland Village Hall, 3 Church Road, Stowupland, Stowmarket IP14 4BG commencing at 7pm. Formed in April 1968, the Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir has built a reputation and tradition for music to entertain a wide variety of audiences. One of its main purposes is helping local communities and charitable organisations by assisting them in their fundraising while representing the constabulary. The choir, who normally rehearse at Martlesham Police Headquarters, is pleased to recruit and welcome members from all walks of life, with or without a connection to the constabulary, to continue its social function and charitable work. No auditions and reading music is not essential. For more details contact the choir secretary Stephen Wade: 01449 672600 / scmvc@scwade.eclipse.co.uk
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01449 797518
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Woolpit Nurseries_Bury Golf Club_200x138mm_PRINT.pdf 1 15/12/2016 10:02:38
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Old Stowmarket Road, Woolpit, Suffolk, IP30 9QS
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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT STOWMARKET GOLF CENTRE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Stowmarket Golf Centre opened in May 2007 and is about to celebrate its 10th birthday.
Our AGM was held on March 4 and officers were elected to continue our mission into 2017. Our earliest objective will be to source a new supply of plants for the containers due to the closure of Oak Hill Nursery. Alternatives are being considered and we are sure that wherever they come from they will enhance the town. Working parties in the sensory garden and the cemetery continue throughout March. We again plan to run the High Street competition for the best outside floral display; more information at a later date. Other fundraising activities will be organised and we thank businesses for their support. A Facebook page will be coming, so watch out for it! If you care about the appearance of the town and think you could contribute in any way (you don’t have to be a horticultural expert), please join us at our next meeting on April 29 in the Green Room at the community centre at 10am. We look forward to seeing you.
NEEDHAM MARKET AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Our AGM was held on February 2 and a committee was elected to continue the society into the next year. This meeting was preceded by an entertaining talk titled Origins of Sayings by Mr Barham. We learned where the common sayings that we use every day have their origins. In March, Alan Watson visited with a talk on chrysanthemums. He showed us how they are overwintered, how to grow cuttings and how the plants transferred to their final positions. He grows a huge number of plants in order to obtain a few that are good enough to enter about three shows in a year. The next meeting on April 6 will be Floral Designing with Pauline Squirrell, followed in May by Willow Plant Supports with Jo Hammond. An afternoon trip to Ousden House on April 20 is filling up. Meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the community centre. We have varied, interesting and entertaining speakers, refreshments and a bring-and-buy plant stall. We also organise coach trips and evening visits to local places of interest. If you are interested, just turn up at one of the meetings or visit: www.nmdhs.onesuffolk.net
NEEDHAM MARKET FC CHARITY GOLF DAY Friday, May 26, Hintlesham Golf Club
• £160 entry for teams of four • £100 Green Sponsorship • 18 hole stableford individual competition • Team competition • Charity auction and raffle For further details please contact Mark Easlea: 07795 456502 / m.easlea@sky.com Closing date for entries is Monday, May 15 with limited availability. Raising funds for Over The Rainbow Children’s Charity.
The golf centre’s ethos has remained constant throughout its 10 years: we strive to provide an affordable, challenging, friendly and sociable activity for all the local community to enjoy a wonderful sport. I think it’s fair to say we have deliberately aimed away from traditional golf club life by simplifying the rules, making golf quicker, dropping the dress code and continuing to bring in new golfers. Stowmarket Golf Centre boasts a diverse membership of 350 reflecting all corners of society. Our golf course is nine holes averaging 150 yards in length and takes around 60-90 minutes to play, making it accessible to everyone. For those just starting out, beginners’ coaching on the golf driving range is a safe place to start out. To promote the important community feel we run daily groups starting at 9.30am with a 45-minute lesson with a pro on the driving range followed by a ‘ball in a bucket’ system of pairing everyone up for their nine holes. On return players enjoy a hot drink and an hour’s chatting. The groups allow golfers the chance to experience all forms of golf, to improve and to make new golfing friends. We also run a varied programme of social activities such as night golf, bonfire golf and other fun team formats that mix people together. Our efforts have seen us work in several different groups including junior golf where we have been the venue for Suffolk’s School Games Finals. Our partnerships include family days with local swimming clubs and corporate days with local business. Our work was recognised through a national award for a new initiative aimed at girls golf called Girls Allowed, a successful project that encouraged girls to golf following on from a series of school visits with several local middle schools. Many of these girls still play today. We intend to continue growing our numbers with a new Welcome to Golf beginners’ project starting in May with six weeks coaching, six weeks free golf course membership, free equipment, coffee and cake and lots and lots of laughs. Anyone tempted please give Duncan a call on 01449 737090 or visit: www.stowmarketgolfcentre.co.uk
SOMERSHAM TENNIS CLUB CHILDREN’S TENNIS RESTARTS APRIL 20 We are again being supported by the Lawn Tennis Association for our children’s clubs with Toby as our coach. Ages fourfive up eight years old will play from 5.306.15pm and over eights from 6.15-7pm. These ages are only a rough guide as it depends on the individual child’s ability as to which group they belong in. The tennis courts are in the far corner of the playing field, opposite the phone box on the main road. A car park is available at the Princes Gardens entrance. The cost is £2.50 per child per session. New children welcome. For further details contact Mrs PA Pearson: 16 Princes Gardens, Lower Somersham IP8 4PF / 01473 831436
Registered charity no. 1163971
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SPORT SCORPION ACADEMY AND UFKKWA ASSOCIATION Three juniors and nine seniors recently attended a blackbelt grading at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre. Students were attempting 1st dan up to 4th dan master blackbelt levels and after an incredibly hard four hour exam the following were awarded their new ranks: Lilirose Catling Fell – 1st dan blackbelt in universal karate Samuel Corsie – 1st dan blackbelt in universal karate Matthew Daly – 2nd dan blackbelt in universal karate Beverley Bullett – 1st dan blackbelt in kickboxing Mel Wlamsley – 2nd dan blackbelt in kickboxing Josh Smith – 1st dan blackbelt in kickboxing Will Ribbons – 2nd dan blackbelt in kickboxing Mike Oglesby – 2nd dan blackbelt in kickboxing Kieran James – 2nd dan blackbelt in kickboxing Jack Hickson – 1st dan blackbelt in kickboxing Rob Bird – 3rd dan blackbelt in kickboxing Master Stuart Usher – 4th dan blackbelt in kickboxing Prior to the exam the kickboxers had to complete a 10 mile run and everyone had to complete a 100/200 exam paper depending upon their grade. To pass and earn a blackbelt takes many years of training, research, seminar attendance, competing in sparring tournaments, shedding lots of blood, sweat and tears and ultimately being tested on your physical, mental and spiritual capabilities. The blackbelt exam panel consisted of five high grade blackbelts who between them have many years of training, fighting, teaching and knowledge. It must be mentioned that all of the blackbelt panel took part in the actual exam, thus demonstrating that the best form of leadership is by example. Chief examiners were: Senior Master Andy Lewis – 5th dan blackbelt Master Hannah Povah – 4th dan blackbelt Coach Dave Fell – 3rd dan blackbelt Coach Peter Izzard – 3rd dan blackbelt Grandmaster Mark JR Trent – 8th dan blackbelt All grades issued by Scorpion Martial Arts Academy and the UFKKWA (Universal Freestyle Karate Kickboxing Worldwide Association) are fully recognised by more than 160 worldwide martial arts organisations in over 20 countries. Several Scorpion muay thai fighters were invited by Kickstart Martial Arts of Needham Market to attend a sparring training session. A great evening of fighting and excellent sportsmanship was demonstrated by everyone. Head fight coaches master Steve Gill, Alex Welham and Master Mark JR Trent were so impressed by the skills and friendship that another sparring session is to organised very soon. Scorpion K1 fighter Josh Trent fought at the Contenders cage fight show at Norwich Showground. Josh was fighting against a tough and experienced opponent, but his incredibly hard training routine under the strict guidance of Scorpion fight coach Master Steve Gill and dad/Grandmaster Mark JR Trent paid off seeing him completely dominate and win every round. A huge thank you to all the Scorpion supporters who made plenty of noise. A great evening and a great win.
AIKIDO INSTRUCTOR TRAINING It must have caught me when my guard was down. Sensei Sion emailed me with news of a British Aikido Board approved instructor course at Woodford Green. It’s a place I know well so, ‘Yes’ I thought, it might be fun, useful even. The course was a two-day session split between the classroom (day one) and the dojo (day two). There were about 20 students with a good mix of age and affiliation and some faces I recognised from previous events. Ann and Steve, our instructors, are both very experienced martial artists and had the course planned to a tee. It is in the physical nature of martial arts to include some level of risk, but all practitioners are entitled to enjoy those hazards in a safe, controlled environment. Day one laid the ground rules for ensuring that environment as well as guiding the class through legal and practical aspects of wearing the ‘instructor’ hat. It was a pleasure to duck and weave, throw and roll for an entire day and a great credit to Ann and Steve that time flew by. Planning and scheduling was already well advanced when I enrolled as a late entrant, so It was toward the end of day one that I wished I had read the introductory paperwork more carefully. It would have told me to arrive at the course clutching a lesson plan and other notes to be used for guidance on day two and as a submission to the course tutors. There aren’t many empty tables in London pubs on a Saturday night, but I did manage to find a space to do my homework. As it happens I am also writing this with a beer at my elbow. I was apprehensive about day two, the practical, but it turned out to be very enjoyable. All the students were to individually run a short aikido session for the others. It was a daunting prospect. My worries were happily baseless. All of us were in the same boat and there to learn from the course instructors and each other. It was a really good atmosphere. Whatever lesson plan students might have started with was quickly thrown into touch by various carefully engineered events and mishaps designed as a part of the learning process. It was a good day, and both informative and fun. At the end of the day the BAB had 20 newly qualified instructors ready to be launched on the dojos of the world. Many thanks to Ann and Steve for an enjoyable weekend. Chris For anyone interested in trying aikido, beginners are always welcome. Classes run from 7pm on Sundays or 8.15pm on Thursdays at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre. For more information, please email aikido@precepts.co.uk or visit: www.satomikai.co.uk
STOWMARKERS JUNIOR NETBALL CLUB So Easter will soon be upon us and to most of us that means fluffy bunnies, hot cross buns and yummy chocolate, but every year Stowmarkers Juniors runs a little competition to see who wins the big Easter egg giveaway. At each of our sessions (Wednesdays and Saturdays) leading up to the Easter break, each player is given a raffle ticket. At the end of the session one ticket gets chosen by an independent person and the player with the winning ticket wins a huge Easter egg. The club is always keen to come up with different ideas to engage with the children and this is one way of making a session more fun. The players tend to work harder too knowing they may be in with a chance of winning such Jess with the Golden Egg from an enormous prize.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Scorpion Academy offers all new members one month of free training. Martial arts styles offered are universal karate, kickboxing and muay thai. Ten classes run throughout the week and separate junior and senior classes ensure that you receive the very best in tuition and training.
The club is also working hard to prepare for this year’s Stowmarket Carnival. Costume details have been given out already and materials are being gathered. We look forward to taking part in this wonderful event.
www.scorpionacademy.co.uk www.ufkka.org.uk
Remember, if your child would like to join our club, you can contact us via our club website: www.netballclubstowmarkers.wordpress.com
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Our winter socials are going well. January 20 was extremely successful thanks to the Stowmarket Strummers ukulele band who were warmly applauded. February saw our annual Big Quiz which was keenly contested as usual with Hunkydory the winners. Homemade soup and mixed fruit crumble provided by Pat Goodrum was very well received. Non-members are always welcome at our socials. See contact details below. The outdoor season is fast approaching and our dedicated green team are now hard at work ensuring the green is in the best possible condition. The opening drive will be on Saturday, April 22 (or Sunday, April 23 if weather conditions are too bad on the Saturday) starting at 2pm.
FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS BEGINNERS’ COURSE New people are always welcome to join in our Modern Arnis classes, but starting on May 2 we plan to run a special beginners’ course at Stowupland Sports Centre. Arnis (also known as Eskrima and Kali) is the national sport and traditional martial art of the Philippines that emphasises weapon-based fighting with sticks, blades and various improvised weapons. In recent years, Filipino Martial Arts have become more widely known through its use in major Hollywood films like The Bourne Identity and the Bond films. Although, as in most Filipino Martial Arts, much emphasis is put on weapons, Modern Arnis also includes hand-to-hand techniques, joint locks, grappling and weapon disarming techniques.
Our first outdoor social will be the Friends and Family barbecue on Sunday, May 14, starting at 2pm. There will be a President’s Day competition again this year as well club competitions. The dates will be published later. MEET AND GREET DAYS Based at Crowley Park, NMBC is calling all you non-bowlers to attend our Meet and Greet days on Saturdays, April 22 and 29 at 10.30am. Please come along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Bowls and basic instruction will be provided and if you just want to watch and chat that’s fine. Although bowls is an ideal sport for the active older person, remember ‘YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO BOWL’. Contact: Pat Hadden 01743 831308 / Alistair Bailie 01449 720759
STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB As I write, the news has just come in that Andy Murray has won his first title in Dubia, traditionally a Federer stronghold. After a disappointing outing in Melbourne this will be a huge tonic for Murray as he launches onto the clay court season very soon with the French Open next on the list of highlights. Federer probably isn’t too worried about his early season form having beaten the odds, and Rafael Nadal, in the Australian Open final. Whether or not we will see Federer, Nadal plus Venus and Serena Williams in any more finals remains to be seen, but as great champions it would be a huge loss to the game if they were to slip down the rankings. Our own great champions have been competing very hard in the winter league and by now all the fixtures have been completed. I try to see every home pair and gauge how well they have done and, so far, everything is looking rather good. So, hopefully all our home pairs have either been promoted or gained enough points to secure their current division for next season. Well done to everyone for turning out two out of three weekends to represent the club in very cold conditions. The men’s winter team have also performed extremely well with possibly a clean sweep of wins against other Suffolk clubs. The home matches have usually been played on Monday nights and it’s been superb to see established pairings getting some additional match practise and keeping sharp for the summer matches. On the coaching front we have Easter Camp coming up early in April. If you haven’t had a poster through your primary school then get in touch with me and I’ll sort it out. Places are limited, as ever, so the sooner you send in the reply slip the better. With conflicting forecasts of either a big freeze over spring or a heat wave we’ll just have to keep everything crossed that the weather stays kind for us once the dome is taken down. This usually happens in early April and the sun is bound to shine. If you’d like any more information on the club or coaching, seniors or juniors, cardio or tennis classes, then contact me and we’ll get you started. See you on court! Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com
www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham
As well as keeping the classes varied and interesting, this blend makes Modern Arnis a particularly useful tool for modern-day self-defence. An introductory course like this is the ideal way to start. Not only does it mean that the lessons are tailored specifically towards new people, but also starting as part of a group of like-minded fresh faces is always a great help. The course runs for four consecutive Tuesdays from 7-8.30pm and cost just £15. This includes WAKO GB membership and insurance for a full year, so if you fall in love with the art like we did, you can simply continue by paying for classes with no additional joining fee. The course is open to anyone aged 18+, whether a complete beginner or students from other arts looking to supplement their existing skills. Places will need to be limited for space and safety, so anyone interested in the course can book by contacting Eric on ericamada@hotmail.com, calling 07915 834199, or visiting: www.modernarnis.uk
HOME WORSHIP Ann Devereaux from Christchurch lead our Home Worship in March telling us about the two patron saints who we commemorate in March – St David, Patron Saint of Wales on March 1, and St Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland on March 17. St David was born in the sixth century of noble stock. He was highly regarded for his kindness and compassion to others; he emphasised hard work, abstinence from alcohol and unnecessary speech. He introduced the leek as a symbol of Wales, with the leaf being used to identify the Welsh in Battle. He urged: “Be faithful in the little things.” St Patrick was actually born in Cornwall in 390. At 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. After six years he escaped and went to France and the continent, and eventually returned to Ireland where he evangelised the people of the land by walking all over the island, gently bringing men and women to the knowledge of Christ, as their bishop. He particularly emphasized the Trinity. In April, Ann will tell us about St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland, and St George, Patron Saint of England. Home Worship meets at 10am on the first Monday morning of the month at 137 High Street, Needham Market. All welcome. This is an outreach group. After worship, we have tea, coffee and a friendly chat. Wendy Marchant
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CHURCH NEWS NEEDHAM MARKET EVANGELICAL CHURCH A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH Some time ago, an Australian newspaper reported the story of an elderly grandfather who flashed his headlights at six motorists on a motorway because he thought they were driving the wrong way. Grandpa ended up having his car keys confiscated by the police! Even longer ago, there was a very wicked king who had a very wicked wife. They were religious people, whose religion involved them in all manner of wicked practices. One day a preacher came to see the king, who accused the preacher of being a troublemaker! Even longer ago still, a very great king stole another man’s wife and when she became pregnant, murdered her husband to cover up his crime. It appears the king was able to live with himself quite happily until a preacher came and told him a story about a rich man who stole from a poor man to provide a meal for a visitor. The king was enraged by the story, until he realised the point of the story was against himself. Let’s come back to the present. Interesting, isn’t it, how we find it much easier to think of ourselves as being in the right, rather than admit we’ve got things wrong? But as grandpa and the kings referred to above had to learn, personal opinion is not a reliable guide to what is true or right. Neither, for that matter, is the opinion of the majority. We need a surer guide if we are not to make a shipwreck of our lives. Peter Kinley
SPECIAL DATES IN APRIL Tuesday, April 4: Missionary Meeting, 7.30pm We look forward to a return visit from Volodia Kostyshyn from Ternopil, Ukraine. Volodia is a pastor in Ternopil. He and his wife, Oksana, have a disabled son and this circumstance has opened a door for Volodia and the church to minister to other families in similar circumstances. Volodia is supported by the European Mission Fellowship based in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. Sunday, April 16: Easter Sunday Services at 10.30am and 6.30pm REGULAR MEETINGS Sunday Services: 10.30am and 6.30pm Bible Study and Prayer Meetings: Tuesdays at 7.30pm All very welcome. For further information, if you require transport or would like a home visit, please contact Peter: 01394 271645 / phone or text on 07570 558072 / peterkinley60@gmail.com www.needhamchurch.org.uk
CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev Rita Carr (Methodist): 01449 612619 Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am, including crèche and Sunday Club Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: For mums and toddlers 12 months to four years Monday 9.30-11am (term time). Contact Hannah: 07969 482360 Scrabble Club: Monday, 2-4pm New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Women’s Fellowship: Second Wednesday, 2.30-3.30pm Contact Linda Hills: 01449 721258 Christians Together Ecumenical Group: Thursday, 10am Room 4, Christchurch. Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon, with a selection of cakes for sale OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Monday 7-9pm Moosical Fun for your Little One: Sing, dance and play for 0-5s on Tuesday mornings during term time. Contact: suzi@moo-music.co.uk / 07944 033723 Karate: Wednesdays – juniors 6.30-7.30pm (term time) / adults 7.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm
HALL LETTINGS There are spaces available for hire. To arrange a visit to view or for further information contact: 078517 42847 CHURCH CONTACT Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 April looks like it’s going to be a busy month if the notifications on my kitchen calendar are anything to go by. It starts with that old favourite, April Fools’ Day. There are then a succession of feasts and festivals ending with ANZAC Day (Australia & New Zealand) on April 25. In between there are Hindu Festivals for the gods Rama and Hanuman, the Jewish Passover, Canadian ‘Tartan’ Day and St George’s Day. And of course, in the middle of the month there is the Easter Weekend – Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Some of these special days will have more significance to you than others. Personally I always enjoy trying to play an April Fools’ joke on family and friends – for years my daughter would leap out of bed to vainly look for the ‘white horses’, or ‘camels’ in the garden! Some people may consider the belief that Jesus rising from the dead is akin to an April Fools’ prank, but contemporary eye witness accounts and years of history compel many of us to consider this event to be true. Truth seems to be a fluid concept in these days of ‘Fake News’ but the death and resurrection of Jesus are central to the Christian faith, and in my opinion and that of millions of others, stand up to scrutiny. On Easter Sunday we shall once more place a flower covered cross on the forecourt of Christchurch as our witness to the new life declared by the empty tomb and risen Jesus. Our Sunday services are open to everyone, with activities for children also running during the morning. If you are curious about this ‘Good News’ we talk about, do please come in and find out more.
Brownies: Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm (term time)
Whatever festival or celebration you partake in this month, may you find joy and peace.
www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk
Reverend Mary Playford
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call John Burch: 07870 347486
Tel: 01449 721441
MID-SUFFOLK FENCING
SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY TIMBER FENCING
SUPPLY • ERECT • REPAIR
TIMBER & STEEL GATES DECKING PATIOS WOODEN BRIDGES FREE ESTIMATES 31 Alexander Drive, Needham Market IP6 8XG
www.midsuffolkfencing.co.uk
YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT
GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work
For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505 To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380
www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham
19
HUGE RANGE IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
RELAUNCH WEEKEND Friday 5th - Sunday 7th May
Come and see our completely refurbished showrooms SOFAS FROM £399
CARPETS
A range of accessories for your home
from £5.99/metre
VINYLS
from £7.99/metre
BEDS Singles from £79, Doubles from £110 MATTRESSES Singles from £50, Doubles from £89 SILENT NIGHT MATTRESSES Singles from £99
CHARRINGTONS FURNISHINGS
Everything for your home
www.charringtonsfurniturewarehouse.co.uk charringtonsfurniturewarehouse@gmail.com 01449 675845 Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5pm; Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Charringtons Yard, Stowmarket, IP14 1EQ (near the train station / the old coal yard)