In Touch News with Needham – June 2016

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with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market Volume 3 • Issue No. 8 • JUNE 2016

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Raising money for

Strawberry Fayre 18th June 2016

Creeting St Mary | Suffolk ww.aldercarrfarm.co.uk

A fun-packed day for all the family.

Over 30 craft and food stalls, a

10am - 5pm

mobile zoo, dog agility, pony rides, dog shows and... so much more!

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’ve gotten to know the lollipop lady outside Jack’s school quite well over the years. We have talked about her daughter, who is in high school, her son, who is in college, the fact that she’s been on a diet and her yellow coat is now far too big… Now you may wonder when we have time to chat and rather surprisingly it’s as we stand waiting for cars to stop each morning. She holds her lollipop aloft, arm outstretched to prevent eager children from running across the road, and we wait, and wait, and wait as driver after driver pretends not to see us, gaze focused directly ahead, determined to get to somewhere awfully special (I assume). Occasionally they will wave as if to say “I acknowledge your existence but you must realise how incredibly busy and important I am so I’m going to ignore your request”. And we carry on waiting. Just the other morning a driver stopped, forcing the driver coming from the other direction to reluctantly (there are some words it’s rather easy to lip read!) to do the same thing. Just as the lollipop lady set off another car overtook one of the stopped cars, forcing her to jump back onto the footpath. What was he thinking? If the prospect of being 30 seconds late is so appalling then get up earlier or take a different route.

If you are driving past a school please be sensible and respectful and let’s show those impressionable boys and girls waiting to cross how it should be done.

On the subject of responsibility, we just got two rabbits, yet unnamed but very cute. I’ve been telling Jack it’s his responsibility to look after them, stressing time and time again how important it is to make sure the hutch is properly closed. As we came downstairs this morning he shouted “the rabbits are running around the garden” – and so they were! And who was the last person to visit the hutch? Me!! By the time we got to school Jack had told eight people what I’d done, including the lollipop lady. My authority has been completely undermined, but I’ve come up with a way to make this work to my benefit. Clearly I’m not up to the task so Jack really has to take over in order to keep those rabbits safe!

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Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market

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NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE It’s nearly here! The 15th annual raft race.

Make sure the date is in your diary – Sunday, June 12 from 1.30pm.

It’s a day to bring the family to Needham Lake with a picnic or why not get a burger, hot dog, toastie or jacket potato? How about a cake or doughnut for dessert? Ice cream anyone?

The day isn’t just about cheering on the rafts as they race for pole position, or about the below the belt commentary! It’s not even about all the laughing you will do when the teams fall off or try to get back on.

It’s about community. A day when we can all get together and support the people and businesses who have put in the time and effort to build their raft and interpret this year’s theme, Movie Madness, many of whom are using it as an opportunity to fundraise. A day for our local organisations and charities to have a stall and try and raise some much needed funds.

A day when we cheer on the rafts when they compete for the fastest lap time in the heats to win the Tracey Cadman Challenge, and then on to the coveted first prize trophy, or is that the prize for best raft and team?!

Pauline Manders will again be with us selling her new book and has again donated copies for our winners.

There is still time to enter: you only need a team of four (over 16/£16) and a homemade raft. Find us on facebook or visit www.needhamraftrace.wordpress.com and get the forms sent to us.

Don’t be shy, it doesn’t take long to build and the fun you will have will make it worthwhile.

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: needham@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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SUMMER CRAFT FAIR Needham Market Community Council’s summer craft fair is on Sunday, June 12 in Needham Market Community Centre.

It will take place from 10am to 4pm and as usual we will have a good variety of crafts on display. As well as the old favourites this year we have some new talent showing their crafts. You are sure to find something either for yourself or something different as a gift. There will be refreshments available, ample parking and free admission.

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NEWS LUCY’S LONDON MARATHON JOURNEY A huge undertaking. A challenge.

Turning a negative situation into a positive for others and myself. The Virgin London Marathon 2016.

I trained hard and stuck to an intensive training schedule, and it paid off on the day. I completed the 26.2 miles in four hours 33 minutes and raised £2,500 for the Critical Care Unit at Ipswich Hospital and £3,000 for the NSPCC – so far.

I traveled up on the Ipswich Jaffa coach with my brother Marcus Catlin and many amazing runners. The atmosphere and trepidation was starting to build even at 6am. On arrival I got my running shoes and my NSPCC running vest and number ready and prepared myself for the huge challenge I was about to begin. As I joined the other runners on the start line the atmosphere was electric, and I along with 37,000 other runners were poised ready to run our socks off. The countdown began and we all clapped and cheered as we started off.

I set into a steady pace, my breathing was good and I was feeling okay.

I was running past a rhino, fireman, even Jesus made an appearance, and the Rhino came past me again along with a dinosaur and camel!

The spectators and family along the route were amazing and cheered me on. The thought of my dad, friends whom I have lost, my family and the money raised provided huge motivation. Knowing the support received from friends, customers of Lucy Jane Flowers in Debenham, my son Hayden’s football team, Claydon FC, and the wonderful donations received including Tesco’s from Stowmarket who donated more than £100 worth of food, Hamilton Smith, Riverhills, Arcade Tavern, Fred Olsen, Highland Motors, the list is endless, meant that every mile I completed my legs were spurred still further on.

The finishing line was nearing and the last few miles were proving difficult.

I kept my breathing under control and although my legs felt tired I was nearly there. Thoughts of my dear friend Helen (in whose memory I was running) moved me further on. Finishing and crossing the line was simply amazing. I was hit by tiredness and elation and was very emotional, but I had succeeded.

I had prepared for so long for this day and I did it. A huge achievement, a fantastic amount of money raised and I loved every minute of it.

I really want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped, supported and donated since January as without you I would not have been able to achieve what I have.

Lucy Ransome I will find out in October if I am running the Marathon again. I can’t wait, and for all of you who feel that you could do it, it’s definitely worth every moment.

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL’S CONNECTING COMMUNITIES EVENT Revised rural transport tenders affecting several areas of Suffolk will be implemented on June 13. In order to explain the changes, there will be a public meeting at all district councils. In order to participate, SCC has asked interested people to contact them on the Suffolk On Board website so that they are aware of numbers: www.suffolkonboard.com The meeting for Mid Suffolk District Council residents will be held in the Dove Room, MSDC offices, 131 High Street, Needham Market starting at 10.30am on Wednesday, June 8 and is expected to last about one hour.

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FARM STRAWBERRY FAYRE IN AID OF GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND This year the team at Alder Carr Farm are very pleased to be supporting and raising money for The Guide Dogs for the Blind, a very worthy charity which gives life changing opportunities for blind and partially sighted people of all ages.

“Every year at Alder Carr we choose a local charity to work alongside and help raise awareness for, and of course, raise some much-needed funds,” said Barry Sheldrake, farm manager.

This year’s Strawberry Fayre is on Saturday, June 18 and it promises to be a fun-packed day with over 30 craft and food stalls, pony rides, tractor trailer rides, Zootastic, a mobile petting zoo, and much more.

The day is very dog friendly with a pet grooming stall, a have-a-go dog agility course, locally made dog treats and a fun dog show.

As their main charity event, all the proceeds from this fayre will go to the guide dogs. Over the course of the year Alder Carr is hoping to raise over £3,000. “If we can manage this with the help of all our customers, it would be fantastic. We would be able to name a puppy that would start training the following year,” said Annette Attwood, organiser of the Strawberry Fayre.

If you’d like to support this worthwhile charity, pop down to Alder Carr Farm on Saturday, June 18 from 10am to 5pm.

SUFFOLK ENERGY FROM WASTE FACILITY Staffing Five staff have recently left, or handed in their notice, and this has led to new job opportunities on site.

John Tatton, one of the original staff recruited in 2012, has been promoted from technical engineer to maintenance manager.

Other positions to be filled, either through internal promotion or new candidates, include: two shift managers; technical engineer, assistant maintenance manager, mechanical technician, operations technician and day operative.

Interviews for some of these have already been held, but others are yet to be advertised. All job opportunities are listed at: www.sita.co.uk Shut-down The spring shut-down, to allow for routine maintenance and cleaning, was completed slightly ahead of schedule. There were no major issues and everything ran smoothly. Extra staff needed on site during the shutdown parked at the nearby football club, and shuttle-buses brought them to site. The next shut-down will be in November.

Landscaping The meadow at the front of the site and the banks of the pond will shortly be re-seeded to create a haven for wildlife. Unfortunately, the original seeding had not established before sections had to be dug up because of a leak in a water pipe, which has now been mended.

USEFUL NUMBERS Site offices: 01473 839149 To book a visit: 01473 836812 Environment Agency: 0800 807060

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NEWS MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLORS CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE MIKE NORRIS & WENDY MARCHANT NEW LEADER FOR MID SUFFOLK Councillor Nick Gowrley is the new Leader of Mid Suffolk. Councillor Gowrley previously worked for Mid Suffolk as Corporate Manager from 1988 until his retirement in 2012.

FIRST NEW COUNCIL HOUSE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS The first tenants picked up their key for their new council house in Thurston on April 26. This is the first of 65 new council homes to be built

by Mid Suffolk across the district.

RECYCLE YOUR OLD CLOTHES Following the previous textile bank provider going into liquidation in 2015 we now have a fully serviced network of textile banks in operation.

Last year (2015/16) we were able to provide funding of £35,000 to community groups and charitable organisations through our bring site recycling credit scheme.

GARDEN WASTE SERVICE Mid Suffolk now has more than 12,000 homes using its garden waste service, equalling the number of customers in Babergh. Mid Suffolk has collected over 5,000 tonnes of garden waste during 2015/16.

HOME COMPOSTING CAMPAIGN Working with the Suffolk Waste Partnership we have launched a campaign promoting home composting across the county.

During the first week of the promotion more than 1,700 home composting bins have been purchased across the county, 379 of them in Mid Suffolk.

MID SUFFOLK COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Congratulations to Cath Williams, Ros Freeman and Sam Deane who received a Mid Suffolk Community Achievement Award for the splendid work they have done with Needham Market Internet Cafe. Tom Barker also needs a mention as it was his initiative which originally got the cafe up and running.

The cafe started its journey in November 2004 when the town identified an Internet cafe as the number one priority for young people. Following lots of hard work in consulting the community, pulling together a willing team of volunteers, forming the Community Interest Company (CIC) and raising sufficient funds, Needham Market Internet Cafe CIC opened its doors in September 2007.

This service has evolved from its initial role as a simple Internet cafe to become much more of a community asset. It has been particularly popular with young people who have been fully involved in its growth.

They chose the colour scheme when it was decorated, have been part of creating the rules of use, advised on equipment and have been part of funding applications to provide equipment.

The cafe has more than 100 young people on its regular users list, but many more use the facilities. Between 40 and 50 young people visit the cafe each day, sometimes as many as 75.

As well as a hub for young people, the cafe also runs silver surfer sessions in association with Age UK, a regular job club and offers the building out for uses such as a regular knitting club and Minecraft club for families with autistic children.

Over the past year the project has benefited from over £300,000 worth of volunteer time. With the Internet cafe being such a success amongst the young people from the town it provides an essential meeting point for all who attend.

Time is now marching on and we are very busy preparing for the arrival of the main group of children at the beginning of July this year.

We now have all the children’s ages and sizes so can be more accurate in the clothing we are collecting for them. We have one eight-year-old child who is very small for her age at only 1.22m tall, a few tall and slim eight and nine year olds, many at the regular size for their age but some up to 1.41m tall and some children who are bigger than average size for their age. So, if you have any good quality second-hand clothing you can donate we would be very grateful. In particular we are looking for good winter coats, leggings and elasticated waist skirts, plus the usual T-shirts and tops. In particular we would like to be able to provide a swimsuit for each child. We only have two boys coming this year, one aged eight who is a big boy and needs clothing sized for 9/11yrs and one boy of nine of average size. Our host families provide a great deal for the children during their visit so everything we can provide can only help to keep the costs down for them.

We do buy a new pair of trainers for all the children, but in an effort to allow them to take them home in the best condition possible we also aim to give each child a pair of good quality second hand trainers to be used for messy activities. We currently need two pairs boys size 3/4, and for girls three pairs size 1/2, four pairs size 2/3 and two pairs size 4.

Any donations can be dropped for my attention to the charity shop in Needham Market, open Tuesday to Saturday.

We have received many donations of the simple medicines that we give to the children to take home to their families. If you would like to contribute to the medicine collection or any of the other items we need for the children you can contact me by phone or email and I will be happy to send a list. Alternatively, if you can’t get to us but would still like to support the children we have now set up a specific justgiving page for this purpose: www.justgiving.com/chernobylmidsuffolk Elizabeth Parker, 01449 760343 / enquiries@ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Regular networking opportunities

• For those who can’t face people and a full English at silly o’clock, try coffee ‘n’ cake networking on Friday, June 3, 10am-noon, at Needham Market Community Centre.

• Otherwise come along to our next networking breakfast on Friday, June 17, 6.45am at Cedars Park Community Centre.

This month we have an extra event, another in our popular Learn, Laugh & Loiter series of business seminars. Customer Service – More than just Smiling is on Monday, June 27, registration at 6pm for a 6.30pm start/9.30pm finish, at Stowmarket Golf Club.

True customer service is much more than just smiling. Create the competitive edge for your business! Learn how customer service increases loyalty in your existing customers and attracts new customers. Get out of the discount rat race and use customer service to safeguard your prices by creating extraordinary value.

Very well done to all concerned.

Prepare to challenge and be challenged as we work through a case study designed to bring success to a small business which is just ticking over, and has been for quite a while! £15 for members of Stowmarket Chamber, £20 for non-members. Hot supper included!

Mike Norris: mike.norris@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720871 Wendy Marchant: marchant@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720965

For further details on these events or to sign up for our e-newsletter visit: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT OPEN GARDENS IN AID OF ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE

NEEDHAM MARKET LIBRARY OPEN DAY AND STORYTELLER SESSIONS

Creeting Hills, Creeting St Mary, Saturday, June 25, 10.30am-4.30pm

Needham Market Library is holding an open day on Saturday, June 18 to showcase its services to local people.

Renowned storyteller Marion Leeper will be at the library providing two storytelling sessions from 10.30am. Marion’s playful, interactive stories are perfect for all the family, from adults to the very young.

From 12.30pm there will be a chance to find out more about the free digital services available from the library including eBooks, eAudio books, eMagazines and downloadable music. In the afternoon there will also be a number of children’s crafts activities.

For further information/updates please visit: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

Three very different gardens within easy walking distance: a plantsman’s garden, a cottage garden and a large garden in a farm setting.

Tickets £4 for admission to all gardens. Children under 16 free and dogs on leads welcome.

Teas, coffees and light refreshments available throughout the day.

Gardens and parking signposted from Creeting St Mary. Postcode in Creeting Hills: IP6 8PX.

bRAVO THEATRE WORKSHOPS After all the rehearsing, the hard work paid off. Fifty students set off early on May 7 to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall with a long but amazing day ahead of them. Normally major celebrities from around the world tread the boards at the Royal Albert Hall, but for this one night bRAVO Theatre Workshops were debuting.

PRODUCE STALL AND COFFEE MORNINGS The Parish Church of St John The Baptist Saturdays, June 4 and July 2, outside the church from 9am onwards.

Selling homemade cakes, pies and preserves along with plants and books.

All proceeds to church funds.

We will be serving refreshments in the church from 9.30-11.30am with proceeds going to the Roof Restoration Fund.

While singing along and enjoying the London sights, the cast were getting their hair and make up done. On arrival at 11am they were shown to their dressing room. bRAVO had dressing room number one and the famous John Lewis Green room, we were so lucky.

After final touches to makeup, hair and costumes they performed the dress rehearsal on the 70ft by 50ft arena space. Normally bRAVO are used to a stage with one front, but here they had to perform to a 360 degree audience. Dancing in a round didn’t put these youngsters off though. Adrenaline and nerves were aplenty, but even the stage crew and producers couldn’t believe their energy and enthusiasm. Their smiles were infectious. After a well deserved rest and a bite to eat, the show went up in front of 5,272 members of the paying public.

As the bRAVO performers were waiting to be introduced by the West End Star Charlotte Gooch, the youngest of the troupe (aged six) was heard to say: “Anna my heart is beating really fast, I’m so excited.”

The final number ended with a fantastic standing ovation and the students got back to their dressing room ecstatic, with a few happy tears being shed and many announcements of “that was the best time of my life”. They skipped their way back on the coach with memories that will never ever leave them. bRAVO principal, Anna Damigella, said: “It was the best day of our lives!

We all had such a blast, I am so proud of each and every one of them.

They blew myself and the audience away.”

No rest for bRAVO though they are straight into rehearsals for a show at Ipswich Regent on June 25 and July 9.

If you would like to enjoy the fun at bRAVO, they are putting on a summer school where they will be doing their own adaptation of Disney’s Hercules. This is open to everyone aged six to 18, so if you think of yourself as a Hercules or a sassy muse contact Anna for more information: 01449 675395 / bravotw@hotmail.com

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So whether you are coming to buy your produce or just visiting the High Street, why not pop along and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a piece – or two – of cake.

Also see THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST on page 18 for other Roof Restoration Fund fundraising events.

FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM OF EAST ANGLIAN LIFE The Friends of the Museum of East Anglian Life were established in 1966, a year before the museum itself was established in Stowmarket.

Over the years the Friends have been involved with the museum in numerous ways. In the early days they arranged the museum’s events and ran the tea room.

They have also raised funds for special projects at the museum, ranging from repairs to Abbot’s Hall Barn to the purchase of books for the library, organising events such as lecture suppers, involving themselves in museum activities and, of course, with the Friend’s shop.

To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, the Friends will be holding a Bangers ‘n’ Beer evening in the barn on Friday, July 1, 7 for 7.30pm, with a bar selling a beer brewed especially for the event. We will also be having a quiz and raffle.

Tickets will be on sale in the Tourist Information Centre (£5 per member on production of a current membership card and £7.50 for nonmembers) from Tuesday, May 24.

For further information contact: library@eastanglianlife.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

Christchurch Knit for Peace group has just sent two more boxes packed with knitted items to the headquarters of Knit for Peace in London.

Knit for Peace is a charity which distributes up to 100,000 knitted items a year to the places where they are most needed. It regularly distributes to hospitals, women’s refuges, refugee drop-in centres, prisons, community groups and hospices as well as to developing countries.

The Christchurch Knit for Peace group of 15 knitters meets once a month to knit and natter and then go home and carry on knitting until our next meeting! The two boxes we have just sent to London contained: 24 jumpers, 19 hats, seven scarves, six pairs of mittens, two ponchos, two waistcoats, one shawl, four blankets and 16 soft toys.

SODS SHOWCASE CELEBRATES THE REGAL’S 80th BIRTHDAY As part of the Regal Theatre’s 80th Birthday celebrations, a troupe of Stowmarket Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society performers will present a gala SODS Showcase for one night only on Sunday, June 12 at 7.30pm.

Travelling back in time over the last eight decades the talented cast will bring you a variety of well-known song and dance numbers from a plethora of shows.

Picture: By Peter Hawkes

KNIT FOR PEACE 2016

Saturday, June 11 and Sunday 12

The enjoyment begins with some of younger members performing the recent hit When I Grow Up from Matilda, then moves back through the years with songs from current musicals, such as West End and Broadway bestsellers Wicked and Les Miserables, to timeless classics including The Sound of Music, Carousel and South Pacific.

Come and join in the festival fun: two days of art exhibitions, demonstrations, children’s activities and painting, entertainment, music, food and drink!

There are also comedy sketches and a sing-a-long Second World War medley to be rounded off with a spectacular show business finale, all accompanied by our live four piece band directed by SODS’ very own Nigel Ramsden.

You can walk around the village on an artists’ trail (11am-5pm), visiting the open studios of 18 local painters, sculptors, glass artists, potters and photographers, visit the Suffolk Art Society show in the church, tour exhibitions in the historic medieval Guildhall and Little Hall and watch art and craft demonstrations in the Market Place.

The evening also includes the performance of an hilarious Alan Ayckbourn one act play. Watch as Gosforth’s Fete, planned with military precision, unravels before his eyes due, in part, to the weather but also to a rather unfortunate set of circumstances brought about by his own previous misconduct!

We would like to thank all those who have kindly donated wool and knitted items.

For more information contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 / sheila-norris@hotmail.co.uk

LAVENHAM ART FESTIVAL

Bring your children along as there’s lot for them to do and see: they can join in handson painting and budding artists activities, watch demonstrations of screen printing and printmaking, and, perhaps the highlight of the weekend, watch as sculptor Kate Denton (whose work is pictured) makes a life-size sculpture of a live animal. Last time it was a Shetland pony but this year’s subject is still under wraps!

You can design and make jewellery, guided

by Sudbury jeweller Jonathan Lambert, watch spinners, weavers and potters in action and enjoy live music, a summer drinks bar and a hog roast.

Local amateur artists’ work will also be on show and there will be a wonderful exhibition of children’s paintings with a royal theme and prizes for best entries.

For more information visit: www.lovelavenham.co.uk

A FEAST FOR SORE EYES! Come and visit our delightful country gardens on Saturday, June 11, noon-5pm, enjoy a cuppa and homemade scones in the village hall Where? Earl Stonham near Stowupland on the A1120: IP14 5HJ Entry fee: £5 for up to four people from the village hall

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You are promised an evening of music and laughter not to be missed.

Tickets (£12 / £10 concessions) are on sale now from the Regal Box Office: 01449 612825 / www.regalstowmarket.co.uk

A RIGHT ROYAL STREET FAYRE The Friends of the Church of Preston St Mary present A Right Royal Street Fayre to celebrate the official 90th birthday of Her Majesty The Queen on Saturday, June 11, 10.30am-5pm This exciting Royal-themed event will be along the High Street, which will be closed to traffic, and around the award-winning Six Bells village pub and gardens.

The Right Royal Street Fayre will be a family fun-packed day with activities for all ages. There will be a wide range of merchandise, food and products, artisan gifts, garden products, home wares, fashion and toys among the many stalls, a programme with a 90 guineas prize draw, free entry and parking.

Entertainment will include live music, Morris Dancers, a bouncy Windsor Castle, donkey rides, game of ‘Thrones”, Dress-Like-A-Royal Competition, Regal Raffle, Egg & Silver Spoon Race and other “Royal’ novelty attractions.

To keep visitors well fed and watered there will be a BBQ, a Pimm’s tent, Royal-teas and refreshments, while the Six Bells will be offering a full range of drinks and food.

The aim is to provide a whole fun-packed day for the family to enjoy and celebrate our Queen’s 90th.

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www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham

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STOWMARKET’S LOCAL PRINTER

Polstead Press

Design & Print 01449 677500 sales@polsteadpress.co.uk www.polsteadpress.co.uk

STOWMARKET’S LOCAL PRINTER

5A THE MALTINGS, STOWUPLAND ROAD, STOWMARKET, IP14 5AG

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Discounts available to those with Stowmartian bags!

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OUT & ABOUT CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AT TAYLOR’S FLOORING AND FURNITURE

THE MUSEUM OF EAST ANGLIAN LIFE

Taylor’s Flooring and Furniture on The Charles Industrial Estate is celebrating 40 years of business this June by holding the biggest sale in the company’s history.

Established as Neville Taylor Carpets by partners Neville and Jackie Taylor in 1976, the business was originally located in a single story building on the edge of the old Thurlow Nunn yard in Bury Street, Stowmarket.

In the years that followed, the company went from strength to strength, gaining a loyal customer base and a reputation for providing an excellent service and variety of carpets.

Due to an increase in trade, it became evident that larger premises were needed. In 1988, the decision was made to move the business to a purpose built retail unit on the newly constructed Charles Industrial Estate on Stowupland Road.

The new premises brought new sales staff and carpet fitters to the company and gave the opportunity to provide the largest choice of floor coverings that Stowmarket had ever seen with the benefit of buying in bulk from carpet manufacturers both in the United Kingdom and abroad. This offered the customer additional savings and exceptional value for money.

The family aspect to the business grew even stronger in 1993 when Neville and Jackie were joined by their son Nik who learnt the retail side of the company as well as training as a qualified carpet fitter and estimator.

Following a successful career of over 40 years in the carpet trade, Neville Taylor announced his retirement in 2009 which coincided with Nik Taylor becoming a partner in the business alongside Jackie and the company was re-branded as Taylors Flooring and Furniture.

Now in 2016 the business has been trading for 40 years and is not only the longest serving and leading flooring retailer in the area, but is proud to boast the largest choice of rolls of carpet and vinyl flooring in the whole of Suffolk. This milestone gives the opportunity to thank past, present and future customers by offering huge savings on hundreds of rolls and room sized remnants as well as vinyl flooring, beds and mattresses.

MUSIC IN THE GARDENS AT HELMINGHAM HALL With The Three Chordettes and Chocks Away For Dancing Sunday, June 19: gardens open from noon, music and dancing from 4pm The Three Chordettes are a three-piece female vocal group that sing swing and jazz hits. They are made up of Lisa Roberts, Sarah Probert and Sarah Hitchcock. Sarah Hitchcock has tirelessly dictated the fine harmonies of The Andrews Sisters, while the group have worked together to bring to you many styles for any occasion. Chocks Away For Dancing are regulars at Helmingham and bring vintage music and dancing with style. You cannot fail to want to get up and join them!

Bring a chair, blanket, enjoy a picnic or take advantage of our house barbecue and bar. Delight in a relaxing evening in the enchanting gardens.

Admission for adults is £7, children £3.50. Picnics can be pre-ordered from The Coach House Tearooms. barbecue and bar available on the day. Tickets can be booked online or purchased on the day.

StowBlues, Saturday, June 11 StowBlues celebrates its sixth year with an all-star line-up, bringing its annual dose of Americana blues to Stowmarket.

Organised in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk, the Museum of East Anglian Life has joined with Mike Rushmore, a familiar face in the East Anglian Blues scene, to announce a top line up of bands from across the region and beyond.

With music from The Super Things, Goofa Dust, Hot Tramp, Delta Groove, Back Porch, Blues Situation, The Makeshifts and Joel Fisk and the Breakdown, as well as an acoustic session from Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective, There’s something for everyone to enjoy whether you’re a hardcore blues lover or just a fan of great live music.

With onsite catering from The Osier cafe as well as a CAMRA bar, stocked to the brim with real ales, ciders, lagers and wines all within the grounds of the Museum of East Anglian Life, the perfect location for a day of music and entertainment.

Spring Bird Walk, Sunday June 12 We are fortunate to have a collection of different habitats on our estate and pleased to offer the chance to take part in a guided bird walk of the site.

From the woodlands to the lake on the rear of Abbot’s Hall at one end through the centre of the site where the House Martins nest along the Boby building down to the Mill Pond and finally along the marvellous river nature trail walk of the river Rattlesden. Added to which there are fielded areas too.

The walk will be guided by staff, volunteers from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the volunteers who perform the bird surveys. Tickets are available from Stowmarket Tourist Information Centre or from our website and are priced as follows: £5 per adult, £10 a family of two adults/two children, £1 per child. The evening will run from 6-8pm.

HULLABALOO ANTICS! Saturday, July 9, 1-5pm, at Earl Stonham Recreation Ground

Helmingham Hall Gardens, Helmingham, Stowmarket IP14 6EF

Free entry to our Family Fun Day with classic cars, steam and traction models, children’s activities, wellie-throwing, live band and drama spectacular, dog agility demo and have-a-go! Also plant stalls, lots to eat and drink, fab draw prizes and loads of fun!

www.helmingham.com

See you there!

www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB The Colin Stubly shield was won this year by Roy Fidler with his portrait of Panrucker RN (top) and the audio visual winner was Geoff Chapman with Motor Cycles.

The next competition was for the Cyril and Mary Hall Salver for the best print on the night and this was won by Brian Payne for Small, Medium, Large (second).

The Len Backhouse trophy for the best PDI on the night was won by John Pattison with Trust. George Buxton had a tough job judging the entries this year as the standard was so high.

The AGM was held on May 9 and most of the committee members remain to serve another year.

Our club is affiliated to the East Anglian Federation (EAF) and each year an exhibition of photographs submitted by members of all the clubs in East Anglia is held.

To be accepted for the exhibition the photographs are reviewed by a rigorous panel of judges; the standard is very high so competition is tough!

Two of our members had images accepted: Roy Ward for Sunset at Coniston and The Printer (third) and Roy Fidler for Dare Devil Flyer (bottom).

This is a big achievement and we are very proud of them both!

NEXT MEETINGS June 13: Club night, EAF Exhibition DVD June 27: End of season photo shoot at Hadleigh New members are always very welcome at the club. All you need is a camera and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras.

Regular meetings are held at 7.30pm at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us?

For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net

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NEEDHAM MARKET AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY In April, members enjoyed an informative talk by Sarah Cook on Cedric Morris irises. She holds the national collection, and she showed us photos of many of those in her charge. They are many and varied, easy to grow and are a great addition to the garden. We also learned something of the life of the artist himself.

Our social evening was in May, when members got together to have a chat, play some games and have wine, tea and cakes.

On June 2 the speaker will be Janet Buist on salvias and July 7 will be Bernard Revans on pelargoniums.

Looking further ahead to the September question and answer evening with Karen Kenny, Andrew Tokeley and Barry Gayton, written questions should be submitted at the July meeting. We are now looking forward to our summer trips, these being Horringer Hill House, Ousden House Gardens and Savill Gardens.

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 the website: www.nmdhs.onesuffolk.net

NEEDHAM IN BLOOM As I write this, it is a perfect May morning that you just want to bottle and dip into during the dull days of November. The buds on the trees are bursting and the blossom is out. The town is beginning to put on its summer finery.

By the time you read this, the High Street tubs will have been planted up with the summer bedding, and the permanent planters will have been given a tidy up. The town council is unable to help with the watering this year, so we thank any individuals who will help us with this task.

New members will be welcomed, so if you would like to help keep your town looking good, please contact Vera on 723424.

MID SUFFOLK VIDEO CAMERA CLUB Our March meeting was a tour of the SITA energy-from-waste facility at Great Blakenham. Members enjoyed the visit and Emily Pike took them around and answered questions. The facility takes in about 269,000 tons of waste a year and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members were fascinated by the slick operation and wondered why more counties are not involved in such a facility.

In May Alan Ames presented a talk on the history of home film making and how editing was done. He discussed early cine cameras, one of which was a wind up, and the sound of the mechanism unwinding could be heard when filming. He also explained how expensive film was and we looked at how sound was added via a clumsy tape recording machine. We were shown how bits of film were attached and edited. Looking at our own small video cameras and the ease of computer editing we realised how far the home cine industry had advanced in 50 years.

Also in May local actor Mark Finbow shared hints on acting when we do our club films.

We welcome new members into our progressive, friendly club.

We meet at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month at Hill Side, Stowmarket IP14 2BD. Contact membership secretary Ann Evans on 01728 861566. There are no meetings in January, July and August.

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SCHOOLS HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL

CREETING PRIMARY SCHOOL

Summer is now well and truly upon us, and the children are making the most of the warm weather and getting out in the garden. We are donning our sun hats and glasses, slapping on the sun-cream and enjoying free play and tending to our little garden patch in which the children planted flowers and vegetables in the spring. We have also started practising our sports day, ranging from the classic running races, to egg and spoon and bean-bag on the head races.

This year we celebrate 30 years of Henley Pre-school and our anniversary is being embraced by the village with Henley Flower Festival inviting us to create a display within the church. Our church display will be made up of smaller displays all created by the children themselves, so June will be a busy month preparing, making, sticking and arranging.

Henley Flower Festival is on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26 at St Peter’s Church, Henley. Please come along, support the festival (there are really some magnificent arrangements), the village and the pre-school and enjoy the children’s work.

We are a small rural pre-school situated in the light and airy Boughton Room within Henley Community Centre which is less than a 10 minute drive from Ipswich town centre (straight out on Henley Road). There is a large car park on site making drop off and collection of your child a safer and easier experience.

We have sessions available for both grant-funded and paid sessions for two to five year olds. Lunch club is also available (noon-1 pm). You don’t need to live in the Henley School catchment area to come and play with us – we have children from Ipswich, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Needham Market and other surrounding areas. If you would like to come and join in the fun, please ring 01473 833848 during session time any weekday morning and Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons before 3pm.

Out of hours, or if you wish to leave us a message, please ring the pre-school mobile on 07979 468467.

Carol and the team www.henleypreschool.co.uk

TUESDAY TOTS GROUP

The children have all been busy taking tests this term, including SAT’s which have had a lot of publicity recently. We are very proud of our children who took it all in their stride and did their best, despite the tests being particularly challenging this year. We thank the staff, who helped to make the week as stress free as possible, starting each morning by making toast for all the pupils!

Our Junior Road Safety Officers, Isabella and Ellie, organised a Brightness Day to raise awareness of being seen when walking or cycling along the road; there are no footpaths in some parts of Creeting St Mary so we all need to be safe. Everyone came to school dressed in very bright outfits – Mrs Spall had to put on her sunglasses as she was dazzled by the brightness!

Congratulations to our chess team who took part in the Delancey Megafinals at Woodbridge School and to Mohammed who qualified for the Gigafinal in Manchester later this year.

We are very proud of the Tag Rugby Team who achieved a creditable fifth place in the Suffolk County Finals recently. We were matched against much bigger schools and missed the play-off for third place by one try.

The children have been busy making a display for the art exhibition at St Edmundsbury Cathedral later this term and some decorated wellies for the Suffolk Show in June. Also in June we are planning a fantastic Royal Tea Party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday in style.

There’s never a dull moment at Creeting School!

St John the Baptist Church, Needham Market A warm welcome to all babies and pre-school children along with their parents, grandparents or carers on Tuesday mornings in term time from 9.30 to 11am in the ARK in King William Street.

The cost is £1 per family for each session which includes tea/coffee, fruit drinks and snacks.

Lots of toys, crafts to try, singing with actions, all of which parents/carers are welcome to join in.

JIGSAW PRE-SCHOOL Jigsaw Pre-school at Needham Market is now open from 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday in term time, and we currently have spaces for children aged two years up to school age.

We are very lucky to occupy a purpose-built building with a spacious, open plan classroom area with lots of wonderful resources. We are also extremely lucky to have a large outdoor/garden area.

Government funding of 15 hours a week is available for two (subject to criteria), three and four year olds.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham

Come along and meet Rosemary, Sharon, Emily, Laura and Heidi, and see what we can offer you and your child. We look forward to hearing from you, and welcoming you and your child to Jigsaw Pre-school (Sproughton) at Needham Market.

01449 722717 (Needham) / 01473 745716 (Sproughton) info@jigsawsproughton.org.uk The Drift, School Street, Needham Market IP6 8BB

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS SCORPION MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Hello again from NNBC. As I write the outdoor season is two weeks old and there couldn’t have been a bigger contrast in the weather. The first week commencing April 25 was bitterly cold with a hailstorm causing the abandonment of our Tuesday afternoon B team game at Mendlesham, while the second week saw blue skies and much higher temperatures.

With the recent success of the Scorpion interclub tournaments in universal karate, grappling, mma, muay thai and kickboxing the next tournaments have been booked for the end of June.

The tournaments are a great way to demonstrate one’s fighting skills and techniques without risk of injury due to the well controlled rounds of fighting by the referees, all of whom have much experience themselves in fighting.

One of the things that makes the Scorpion Academy slightly different from many other martial arts clubs is the insistence that all blackbelts and instructors take part to demonstrate their own skills and to lead by example.

The academy has many more events running throughout the year including coloured belt and blackbelt exams, seminars, charity races, tournaments, endurance races and kids lazer hunt events.

We have had mixed fortunes for our league teams. Monday A Team one win, one loss. Monday B have yet to start their season. Tuesday A have had two wins, Tuesday B one win, one loss.

Wednesday two wins and Thursday one loss.

Sunday, May 8 saw a very enjoyable friendly against Dovercourt at Needham, resulting in a win for Dovercourt.

Our ‘meet and greet’ mornings were a great success resulting in seven new members. If you didn’t attend but are interesting in talking up bowls see the contact details below. We hope to have more ‘meet the greet’ days later in the season.

Club secretary Pat Hadden: 01473 831308 Alistair Bailie: 01449 720759

STOWMARKERS NETBALL CLUB

Scorpion Academy is very proud to teach fitness, self defence, mma, muay thai, kickboxing and universal karate, and has been doing so for the last 26 years. If you require realistic self defence, then the universal karate syllabus places a very strong emphasis on techniques that work should the need ever arise. Special training sessions in fitness or self defence can be arranged for one to one or small groups if required.

We are actively looking for potential local businesses to help with sponsorship. Any funding would be put to great use buying equipment for our very large junior student base and in return we will promote your business.

Is summer here at last? We had a wonderful training session last night outside in the sunshine. In fact we were all in such good spirits that our warm up was actually a relay race, which was incredibly fun. A lot of the players participate in other sports so it was fun to try something different incorporating team work, accurate baton passing and speed from the relay into the game of netball. The skills that you learn in most sports can easily be transferred to any other game so as a club we like to mix things up as it keeps the training sessions interesting. Maybe next week we will try tennis.

We are still looking for players to join us so if you would like to give netball a try then please get in touch via our website or our Stowmarkers Netball Club Facebook page. www.stowmarkers-netball-club.co.uk

Please visit our websites or Facebook pages for further information or call Mark JR Trent on 07708 644162.

NEEDHAM MARKET EVANGELICAL CHURCH

STOWMARKET TOWN YOUTH FC

SPECIAL DATE IN JUNE

With the 2025/16 season complete, some our teams have been celebrating success on the pitch. Our Under-9 Wasps did very well in their league, qualifying for the trophy final. Despite being beaten in the final by Bury Town they made their managers and parents proud.

Tuesday, June 7: Missionary Meeting Visit of Simon Percy representing Pastor Training International, 7.30pm

Our Under-12s have finished season two as Division 2 champions, winning seven of their nine games.

Sunday services: 10.30am and 6.30pm

The Under-13 Hornets celebrated winning Division 1 in seasons one and two, topping that off by winning the Vase too! They now travel to Leicester at the end of June for the National Finals!

Another team bringing silverware are our Under-15 Hornets. They won the Under-15 Knock-out Cup and hope to retain their Division 1 title! Finally, our Under-16s finished the Division 2 season and Vase as runners-up, a great way for the team to end their final season together.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham

REGULAR MEETINGS

Bible Study and Prayer Meeting: Tuesdays at 7.30pm All very welcome.

For further information, if you require transport, or you would like a home visit, please contact Peter: 01394 271645 / 07570 558072 / peterkinley60@gmail.com www.needhamchurch.org.uk

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CHURCH NEWS CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET

Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP I have recently come back from holiday, a spring break in the Derbyshire Peak District. I had hoped to see lots of little lambs and to be able to go on many long walks.

Well, I did see lambs, but no tiny ones, and I did walk, but quite frankly the weather wasn’t desperately inspiring (that’s my excuse!).

However, it was a pleasant break, a change of scenery, and an opportunity to have some ‘down time’, so all in all it can go down as a good holiday.

I guess we are coming up to the main holiday season with June, July and August being prime ‘getaway’ months. Some of you will stay in the UK and others will venture aboard hoping for guaranteed sunshine and heat. Some will want an energetic, action packed holiday, while others will want to relax and unwind after months of exhausting work.

If you are going away then perhaps you relish the thought of spending time with your family, or maybe you are of an age when the children have left home and you are looking forward to a less hectic break. And of course some will not be travelling and are planning a ‘staycation’, going out for day trips in the beautiful Suffolk countryside with all its many attractions.

a week to kick off your shoes and relax.

Do you recall the story in the first book of the Bible, the account of God creating the world?

In it we read that after all the busyness, God looked at everything he had made, was pleased with it, so on the seventh day he stopped working and had a rest!

Getting the balance between work and rest is very important, so I hope you all will be able to have a break over the summer – turn the phone off, leave the laptop behind and enjoy yourselves!

The Rev Mary Playford Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev John Boardman (Methodist): 01787 372738 Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am, including crèche and Sunday Club Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS

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 Contact Ann Devereux: 01449 721575 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon Always with a selection of cakes for sale.

OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Monday, 7-9pm Children’s Musical Theatre: Tuesday, 4-6pm.

Contact Faye: 01449 722354 Karate: Wednesday; juniors 6.30-7.30pm / adults 7.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday, 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday, 6.30-7.30pm (term time) Self Defence: Thursday, 8-10pm Hall lettings: 07851 742847 Church contact: Ann Devereux, 01449 721575

It’s important to schedule a time of rest into your calendar – whether it’s for an annual holiday, a long weekend away, or simply a day

Tiddlers: Monday 9.30-11am (term time) For mums and toddlers, 12 months to four years.

Contact Hannah: 07969 482360

HOME WORSHIP

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

As Christian Aid week was in May a speaker from Christian Aid led our Home Worship.

On Saturday, May 6 we welcomed the Jubilee Ladies Choir who sang a variety of musical numbers. Those present enjoyed the evening which included a couple of performances on the cello by Rebecca Welham.

Chris Wilkes showed a DVD of the work which Christian Aid does with partnership organisations in Bengladash in flood vunerable areas, by providing a family with a cow, which will provide milk, and manure to enrich the soil so that they can grow vegetables. We read Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan, and sang the hymn When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there?

In Needham Market Kate Dines and Dr Ian Flowers organised a house-to-house collection which usually raises several thousands during Christian Aid week.

Home Worship on Monday, June 6 will be led

by Linda Hills, an elder from Christchurch, and will be followed by a ‘Bring and Share’ finger buffet, and draw – so please bring a draw prize.

Any money raised will be shared between the churches represented.

Home Worship always meets at 10am on the first Monday morning of the month at 137 High Street, Needham Market, and all are welcome to this outreach group.

Wendy Marchant

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We would like to thank the ladies, their conductor Simon Welham and accompanist Calvin Goymer for a very entertaining evening. The evening raised £300 for the Roof Restoration Fund.

In case you are wondering, to date we have raised c£100,00 towards the now £325,000 we require to start essential work to save the roof. This has come by our own fundraising and gallant work by our fundraising team submitting applications for funding.

This is in addition to paying our annual parish share which for 2015 amounted to £51,175. We are in the process of submitting an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund which requires us ‘jumping through many hoops’ and ‘ticking endless boxes’, so watch this space.

www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk

summer concert in the church with tickets (£5 / children free) in aid of the roof fund. There will be a raffle in aid of the charity Possibilities.

Words & Music Evening in The Ark Friday, June 24 at 7.30pm Please come and support the second Words & Music evening presented by a group of friends from within the church and beyond.

The event will be in aid of the Roof Restoration Fund and tickets will be £5, to include light refreshments. It is intended to have a raffle and prizes for this would be much appreciated.

Following along the lines of the similar event in 2014, the evening will include a variety of short items designed to appeal to differing tastes.

These will range from Shakespeare to David Bowie and Pam Ayres.

FUTURE EVENTS

There will be traditional and contemporary poetry and prose, plus a mixture of songs performed by individual participants. In addition, cast members will come together for some nonsense poetry by Spike Milligan and an extract from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Skylarks Summer Concert Sunday, June 19 at 4pm The Skylarks youngsters are holding their

Tickets can be purchased in advance from Michael Turner on 07788 110457. They will also be available on the door.

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YOUR LOCAL SERVICES

March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA

• FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll, Auto Enrolment,VAT, Self Assessment, and full accounting service • Personable and professional tailored support • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies

Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk

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

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YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

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

Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

To advertise in this section, which appears in 17 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

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