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Volume 6 • Issue No. 12 • OCTOBER 2016
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Jack wanted to hold a roadside cake sale to raise money for charity, but couldn’t decide who to donate the money to. Old people were his first choice so I suggested Age UK Suffolk. Then he decided it should go to people who don’t have a place to live so we decided on Shelter. Next it was to help people with cancer so we added Cancer Research UK to the list. We sat there for an hour or so with our little picnic table, offering free squash with every purchase and the option to buy a copy of Jack’s Little Blue Book of Bits and Bones, drawings of some of the many odd bits Jack has picked up on scavenger hunts in the woods and compiled into a book with grandpa’s help. My son definitely has a generous soul, but in this instance I think book sales was his main objective. He did sell three copies and we raised £4 for each of our chosen charities, so not a bad result overall. The best part was meeting people. Most of our customers were walking past but one lovely couple stopped in their car to see what we were up to and purchased four buns and a copy of the book. Turns out they have just moved into the house three doors up and this was their first opportunity, and ours, to meet. I dread to think how long it would have taken otherwise. Everyone seems so busy these days, racing from one appointment to another. I feel like I’m juggling all the time and rarely feel satisfied that I’ve done any one thing as well as I’d have liked. Time with extended family and neighbours, to get involved in community events or to volunteer in any capacity, seems impossible, but thank goodness so many people manage to conquer this balancing act. Those who do are the ones who collect for charity, who volunteer at schools and libraries, who organise fundraising events, who take part in all sorts of fundraising activities, who share themselves with others who may not be able to get out and about so easily. Where would we be without these angels? My paltry £12 split three ways is no more than a token effort which I’m unlikely to repeat in a hurry, but in the coming months we will have several opportunities to support the efforts of others dedicated to raising money for one cause or another. So don’t drive by. Stick your hand in your pocket and throw a few coins in the pot, and if you’re not in a hurry take a moment to chat.
In Touch
with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley
In Touch with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree, & Mistley is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with. . . ” series of magazines.
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IN TOUCH WITH . . .
• Hadleigh • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Bramford, Offton & Somersham • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton
NEWS
PLEASE JOIN US FOR MISTLEY’S AUTUMN LITTER PICK-UP SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Between 10am and noon Meet at Furze Hill Car Park Equipment to be provided but please wear sensible shoes and gloves. All welcome, including children (accompanied by parents) and dogs! Complimentary tea, coffee and cake for participants afterwards. Please sign up by contacting the parish clerk: 01206 395696 / mistleypc@btinternet.com
NEW(ISH) FIRM ON THE BLOCK We’d like to introduce you to an accountancy practice that may appear new at first, but has some history behind it. Local to Manningtree, Small Business Services (Accounting) Limited, known as SBS, has been around since the 1970s predominately providing bookkeeping services and management accounts to businesses of all sizes. The business began to grow in the 1990s when owner and founder Martin Woodward expanded the services provided by SBS to include software training (largely in Microsoft Excel and the popular accounting software package Sage). Martin soon became recognised as an expert in both of these software products. In 2010 Martin’s daughter Sarah joined the business to handle the bookkeeping and payroll services. Having been taught by an expert, the pupil soon became the master and Sarah is now the ‘go to’ person with regard to Sage queries for both staff and clients. Recently, Martin’s son Gary also joined the firm. With 17 years’ experience in practice behind him and an ACCA qualification to his name exciting times lay ahead for SBS. With Gary on board the firm can now offer the preparation of final accounts in addition to all their other services. If you’re interested in contacting the team, please see our advert below.
IN TOUCH WITH . . .
NOVEMBER DEADLINE 10 OCTOBER 2016
is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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NEWS
WE’VE CHANGED OUR NAME! A big hello from Mid and North Essex Mind, your local mental health charity. You might’ve once known us as either Colchester Mind or Mid Essex Mind. The two charities have now come together and our new name is Mid and North Essex Mind. Our new name describes the area we now cover a bit better – Colchester, Tendring, Maldon, Braintree and Chelmsford districts. We believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. We’re here for you. Today. Now. Whether you’re stressed, depressed or in crisis. We work with children from the age of five and adults of all ages. Some people use our services for only a little while and others might need help for longer. We provide a number of services across Essex for adults, including counselling, practical support around things like debt, job seeking and housing and peer support groups, as well as a number of different services for children and young people who are experiencing poor emotional wellbeing. We are connected to the national charity Mind, but we are an independent charity which means we have to raise our own money to help children and adults in our local area. We don’t get funding from the national charity. We’ve got a brand new website at www.mnessexmind.org with lots of useful information to help you and lots of ways you can help us. You can also call us, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 01206 764600.
COLCHESTER AND TENDRING OPEN STUDIOS 2016 The 16th annual artists’ Open Studios ends the first weekend in October and artists in Manningtree, Mistley and Ardleigh welcome you to their studios to view their work on October 1 and 2.
Highfields Primary School in Lawford, Manningtree has had a recent Ofsted inspection and been judged OUTSTANDING. Headteacher Hilary Cook expressed her delight that all the commitment, hard work and energy that everyone has put into Highfields have been fully recognised. Quotes from the report include: “Outstanding Leadership at all levels ensures the school provides OUTSTANDING education.” “Pupils make OUTSTANDING starting points.”
progress
from
their
individual
“Compassion is one of the key values of the school. This underpins the way that adults approach their duty of care and is a distinctive feature of relationships at Highfields.” “The Early Years provision is OUTSTANDING. Children get off to a flying start at Highfields Primary School.” The headteacher went on to explain: “Our belief that only the best would do has made Highfields into the great school we know.” And now it’s official. See opposite for details of the Prospective Parents Meeting on November 2.
FLU DAY FOR PATIENTS OF RIVERSIDE HEALTH CENTRE Saturday, October 8, 8.30-11.50am Riverside Health Centre, Station Road, Manningtree All patients over 65, all children two-four years old and any patient who has diabetes, heart, liver or kidney disease, respiratory disease, neurological disease or a weak immune system. Also, pregnant women and carers. By appointment or walk in. We regret we will not be able to vaccinate any patients who do not meet the above criteria.
On Saturday in Manningtree, Michael Checketts is showing work of scenes of the Stour, mostly in oil. The studio is behind 14 York Street, CO11 1DD. On Sunday in Mistley, Niall Craig is showing hand-made, hardwood furniture. The workshop is on Mistley Quay, High Street, Tributory by Michael Checketts CO11 1HB. Mother Studios at The Old Maltings, Station Road, Ardleigh CO7 7RT will be open both days with painting, ceramics and multi-media on display. To download the brochure and find further details of the other artists showing across the Tendring and Colchester area visit: www.colchesteropenstudios.org Watch out also in local shops and the library for the catalogue being published to accompany the event. 4
In Touch online:
HIGHFIELDS PRIMARY SCHOOL “Judged OUTSTANDING by Ofsted July 2016”
Prospective Parents Meeting Is your child due to start school in September 2017? If the answer is YES, then you are invited to attend our meeting on
Wednesday 2 November 2016 at 7.30pm Our school has: The Early Years provision is OUTSTANDING. Children get off to a flying start at Highfields Primary School. Pupils make OUTSTANDING progress from their individual starting points. Excellent induction arrangements. Exemplary behaviour and excellent attendance. Promoting the children’s personal, social and emotional development as well as their academic achievement. Modern, purpose built building with spacious classrooms set in a superb location. ●
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HIGHFIELDS PRIMARY SCHOOL COLCHESTER ROAD, LAWFORD CO11 2BN Telephone 01206 392223
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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NEWS SPECIAL FILM NIGHT AT THE MANIFEST
MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL The full unapproved minutes of the meetings are displayed at the noticeboards near to the bus stop at Rigby Avenue and also outside Mistley Post Office in the High Street. The approved minutes can be accessed online at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings Dates of next meetings, all in the village hall Planning Committee: Thursdays, October 6 and 27 and November 17 at 7.45pm Full Council: Mondays, September 26 and November 7 at 7.30pm
Manningtree and District Frankenberg Partnership wishes to thank the Manifest Theatre for enabling them to host a special screening of Good Bye Lenin!, the award winning German comedy/drama.
Al so see MISTLEY’S AUTUMN LITTER PICK-UP on page 3.
A charming and engaging story of an East Berlin family struggling to cope with the changing world as their way of life is challenged. An entertaining, heartfelt, thought-provoking film delivered with great humour. Rating PG15. Everyone welcome. Showing at the Manifest Theatre, Oxford Road, Manningtree CO11 1BP on Friday, October 21. Doors open at 7pm. Bar available. Film showing at 7.45pm. Tickets available on the night at £5. Non Manifest members will need to join at £2 additional cost which provides annual membership to all their productions.
MANNINGTREE TOWN COUNCIL The minutes of Manningtree Town Council meetings are available on their website, on the two town noticeboards (one at the Co-op Fiveways store and one beside the library) and at the clerk's office by appointment: 01206 390285 www.manningtreetowncouncil.org.uk
BRANTHAM PARISH COUNCIL The next meeting will take place on October 5. Come along to find out what your parish council is up to and to raise any questions/concerns. You can find out more about Brantham Parish Council at: www.brantham.onesuffolk.net The site includes copies of recent parish council meeting minutes, details of upcoming events and other items of local interest. The parish council meets on the first Wednesday of every month (except August) in Brantham Village Hall at 7.30pm. The public are welcome to attend. You can contact the parish clerk on: 07702 490212 / clerk@branthamparishcouncil.co.uk You can also follow Brantham Parish Council on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BranthamParishCouncil
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on the parish council’s noticeboards
Parish Clerk Surgeries Brantham Parish Clerk holds monthly surgery sessions at Bake and Blossoms café so that parishioners and others can meet her, ask questions, raise concerns or even just have a chat and a cake. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know your parish clerk and chat through all those local issues that have been bothering you.
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minutes can be collected from the Parish Office by prior arrangement as the offices are not open to the public
The dates of the next parish clerk surgeries, all 10am-noon, are October 12, November 9 and December 14.
LAWFORD PARISH COUNCIL You can read the council’s minutes on: • www.essexinfo.net/lawford-parish-council
All the girls wore yellow, her favourite colour It’s the little things that make a funeral special
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Here for you every hour of every day
01206 391855
for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals In Touch online:
ADVERTORIAL
Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.
Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number
of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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NEWS CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE Helping the practice to help you Pressures on the NHS are reported on daily in the media; overspend, hospital closures, A&E waiting times. Your GP practice is a critical component of the NHS and increasing demand and pressure on funding affects us as well. We have finite resources so therefore need to work as efficiently as possible. As we head into autumn we know that demand will increase. We continually work to improve the efficiency of the practice and you can help us by bearing in mind following guidelines: •
If you require repeat medication, let us know well in advance and allow three working days before collection.
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Nominate a pharmacy so that from November your prescriptions can be sent quickly and electronically to a pharmacy of your choice.
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Use your pharmacist. They can offer excellent advice and provide over-the-counter medication which your GP cannot prescribe. If your pharmacist believes you need to see a GP they will tell you.
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Use NHS Choices. The website contains extensive help on a wide range of medical conditions and offers advice on what you can do to help yourself and when you need to seek help from a GP.
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Tell our receptionist the nature of you problem. They may be able to resolve it without you having to come to the practice (e.g. medication issues) and they can advise on the most appropriate clinician to see (GP, nurse practitioner, nurse, pharmacist). Remember that we will never turn a patient away who needs to speak to a doctor. If our on-the-day appointments are fully booked, one of our doctors will phone you back to discuss your problem and see you in person if necessary.
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Phone later in the day if you need test results. If a result is abnormal and or action is required then you will be contacted by the practice. We don’t contact patients when no further action is required.
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Please bear with us! Some days are very busy, especially Mondays and Fridays. If you can’t get through on the phone then try later. You will always be able to speak to a doctor if necessary.
Annual flu clinics Our annual flu clinics will be on the following dates: East Bergholt Medical Centre: Tuesday, October 11, 2-7pm Capel St Mary Surgery: Thursday, October 20, 2-7pm All eligible patients will receive a letter by the end of September inviting them to attend on one of the above days. Patients may attend either clinic, irrespective of where they live, and no appointment is needed. Training days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Wednesday, October 12; Thursday, November 17; Wednesday, December 14. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day. Practice Manager Pete Keeble 8
CONSTABLE COUNTRY PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP Dicky Ticker? Talk on October 5 at 7.30pm Following the very successful talk on diabetes we have arranged a second talk by cardiologist Dr Nick Robinson. This topic was suggested in feedback from the first event. The talk will be on October 5 in the Methodist Church in The Street, Capel St Mary (near the shopping precinct). Refreshments will be served from 7pm with the talk at 7.30pm. All welcome. We will also give you a brief report on our first 15 months in operation as a PPG. More volunteer drivers please Thanks to all those who have volunteered to drive patients from Capel, Wenham, Bentley and Copdock and Washbrook to the surgeries at Capel and East Bergholt. We don’t currently have any drivers from Bentley and just one from Copdock and Washbrook. It would be very helpful if we had some drivers based in those villages. If you can help please email us at constablecountryppg@gmail.com or phone Dr Frank Wells on 01473 730101 or Chris Yule on 01473 310992. A reminder also that there is a well-established volunteer driver scheme for people who live in East Bergholt or Brantham. If you need transport to the surgery just let the receptionist know. Complaints, comments and compliments Please do make use of the comments cards in both surgeries. We will do our best to get a resolution to any problems. We also pass on any compliments. Or you can email us at constablecountryppg@gmail.com or phone me on 01473 311384 Kathy Pollard
sAVING FOR A RAINY DAY AT MANNINGTREE SAVINGS & LOAN CLUB Part of Colchester Credit Union at The Hub, 1 The Lane, Manningtree (next to the Mogul Restaurant) every Friday morning, 10am-noon Most would agree that to save regularly is a good thing, whether you are on a tight budget or not. With even small savings behind you comes a bit of peace of mind. To save is very useful when it comes to planning for Christmas or a holiday, but savings can be a lifeline when suddenly the car needs an urgent repair or the washing machine has broken down. Your local credit union, the Manningtree Savings and Loan Club, is a great place for regular savings. Your money is safe, like in any bank, but it is run by volunteers, not by bankers taking a big bonus. At The Hub you can set up an account, pay in cash or withdraw it and once you are a regular saver, you can apply for a loan. And if you cannot get to The Hub, you can arrange to save by standing order, organise withdrawals by cheque or direct into another bank account. And you can manage it all by phone or email. To find out more, simply drop into The Hub on any Friday morning or you can call our main office in Colchester 10am-noon any weekday, except Wednesday, on 01206 798823. Of course, at the same time as the credit union, there is our regular allage drop-in for chat, coffee and, if you like, a more in-depth conversation. All services at The Hub are offered by local churches for all members of the community. In Touch online:
It’s Autumn Gardening Time! Garden, Home & Gift
You’ll find everything you need for your garden at Blenheim
Home grown winter pansies, violas and mini-cyclamen
Ready planted hanging baskets & patio pots
Large range of Autumn planting bulbs
Bromley Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex CO7 7SF - 01206 870605 Discover more about us at www.blenheimgardencentre.co.uk
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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NEWS ARDLEIGH SURGERY NEWS
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM
I am writing this while the sun is shining, Great Britain is doing remarkably well in the Olympics and it’s 24 degrees. It seems slightly odd then to be talking about the flu season, which is rapidly approaching, because in most peoples’ mind flu is a winter illness. However, for the practice, the planning for our flu campaign started much earlier, with the orders being placed in January this year and the detailed plans being formulated in August.
HALLOWEEN At this time of year many families choose to celebrate/participate in Halloween activities, while others do not. It’s not anyone’s place to judge who does and who does not. However, it is important that everyone respects each other’s viewpoints. So may we request that those of you who will be, or who have family members who will be, participating in activities such as trick or treat, to please do so in a manner that you would, or they would, like their family members to be treated?
For those of you who qualify for a free flu vaccination, please contact the surgery and we will be able to book you into one of our clinics. The jab is free for all those 65 and over (in fact it’s also free for those who are 64, but will be 65 between September 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017) and in addition to those who have certain chronic conditions such as diabetes or COPD whatever age. If you are in any doubt as to your availability, please speak to the receptionists who will be able to advise you. If you aren’t eligible for a free jab, many of the pharmacies and supermarkets offer a private vaccination which last year ranged from £8-£10. Like last year, we will be immunising two, three and four-year-olds against flu with the nasal spray and we will write to parents as soon as the centrally supplied NHS vaccine becomes available. Some primary school children may well receive the nasal spray immunisation at school. While writing about the flu vaccine, it seems a good idea to remind you of other vaccines available to you free from the surgery. Pneumovax is used to protect patients in the same group as those eligible for the flu vaccination against pneumonia, which is a serious illness for the elderly and those with other conditions. Unlike the flu jab, which is given every year, the pneumovax is a ‘one off’ in most cases. The NHS introduced the shingles vaccination three years ago and this is an extremely effective vaccine against what can be a horribly painful condition. As you will be aware from my comments in the past, the NHS does like to complicate things and this vaccine is available from September 2 for those who were born from 2.9.1943 to 1.9.1946 or from 2.9.1937 up to your 80th birthday. This is also a one off vaccination. Childhood vaccinations are a worry for most parents. I can still remember how anxious I was when I took my twins for their first vaccinations, even though it was nearly 21 years ago! The majority of immunisations they receive have been around for many years and many of those becoming parents now will have received these immunisations themselves as children. If you have any concerns about these immunisations or would like to see the full programme, information is available from http://tinyurl.com/kdppkba or by speaking to our clinicians. Teenagers are not known for liking vaccinations, but the immunisations given to this particular group has seen an increase in recent years. In Year 9, this group will be offered a booster vaccination covering tetanus, diphtheria and polio and will also be offered the Meningitis ACWY, and girls will be offered the HPV (Human Papillovirus) vaccination in Year 7. In addition to these routine, free programmes, the practice also offers a range of travel vaccinations for those of you seeking some winter sun. Please contact the practice for details. Practice Manager Stephanie Durrant
NEPAL CHILDREN’S TRUST CAKE SALE The Nepal Children’s Trust is holding a cake sale at Bakes and Blossoms in Brantham on Saturday, October 1 at 10am. Please come and support this event and find out more about the work of this local charity supporting children in need in Nepal.
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Would you or your family like to have eggs and flour thrown at your windows or houses? Would you like your elderly grandparents, many of whom live alone, to have people repeatedly knocking at their door after dark? Or running across their gardens, jumping out and scaring them, banging on their windows and being a general nuisance? If the answer is No, then don’t do it to other people’s houses. Likewise, don’t go to houses that are not showing that they are participating in the festival. Only go to houses that are your family or friends, where people have decorated their houses for Halloween, or those who you know wish to participate. Above all though, have a safe and enjoyable time however you decide to spend it. PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST VEHICLE CRIME The majority of vehicle crime is the result of criminals seeing opportunities and taking advantage of temptation. You can take simple steps to secure your vehicle and make it less attractive to the criminal element. Keep your keys on you at all times, even when leaving the car as it only takes a few seconds for someone to jump into and drive off with your vehicle. Never leave your personal belongings on display, i.e. on seats or foot wells. This includes handbags and coats. Lock the doors and close the windows of your vehicle whenever you leave it, especially when paying for fuel at a petrol station as it only takes a few seconds for someone to reach in and grab your valuables or drive off with your car. Park your car in a well-lit area, ideally which can be seen by many people from various buildings and windows. If you are unfortunate enough to become a victim of crime, there are ways of increasing your chances of getting your property. Please log on and create an account at www.immobilise.com which is a free property registration service and a very powerful tool in the fight against crime. We would encourage you to register your valuable and identifiable possessions on this website. Please remember to include make, model and serial numbers where possible as without these it will be next to impossible to identify your cordless drill, ipod or laptop from another. Until next month, PCSO 3173 Julia Bignell, Hadleigh SNT, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD For emergency calls 999 / non-emergency calls 101
LAWFORD SURGERY FLU CLINICS 2016 Call 01206 392617 from 9am to 6.30pm to book an appointment in one of our clinics: Wednesday, September 21, noon-3pm Monday, October 10, 4-6pm If you are unable to attend the specific clinic times please call us and we will do our best to arrange an appointment which is convenient for you. Drum Clinics: Dispenser Reviews of Medicine Usage Clinics These clinics are led by our registered dispensing technician who will answer any questions you may have regarding the usage of your medication. She will go through each of your items giving you the opportunity to ask any questions. The clinics are held in the surgery from 2-4pm every Tuesday afternoon. For more information or to book an appointment please call the surgery and speak to our reception team. In Touch online:
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT MISTLEY VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chairperson’s report to the 2016 AGM After the excitement of our major building work last year, we spent the first half of the year settling in to our new, expanded village hall, finishing off the bits and pieces from the building work and planning what to do next. The building work has been a great success and has attracted a wider range of bookings than the old hall. We feel we now have a much better facility to offer the local community. To enquire about hiring, both one-off and long term, contact us on 01206 398164. Re-designing the lounge and being able to close off the bar has made the lounge into a very useful smaller hall, and not just for meetings. A new local choir practises here regularly. And it’s an excellent venue for displays and exhibitions. Several developers have exhibited their proposals and it has been used for council consultations and as the polling station for Mistley village. Another useful new feature is the public toilet we found room for in the extension. We run it in partnership with the parish council and it is currently opened, closed and cleaned by TDC contractors. It can’t be available all hours of the day and night, but we felt that with so many visitors to Furze Hills woods, many of them dog walkers, and so many mums with children using the playground, it was essential to provide a public loo. We have had many grateful thanks for it. Refurbishment of the toilet facilities in the main hall could not be included in the main works but with support from the parish council and a grant for Essex County Council they have been completely overhauled and renovated. I think you’ll find that they are a great improvement and are really fit for purpose. Financially the village hall is on a sound basis, especially since we have got the gas board to bill us correctly after problems with readings when the meter was replaced. This means we can ensure that the hall is maintained to a good standard. To that end we will be needing a new cleaner to do a couple of mornings a week as Anne has had to give up. Many thanks to her for her help. Maybe we could work the cleaning of the hall in with someone to take on the work for the public toilet. If you know of someone who wants this part-time work they should contact us on 01206 398164. We would also like to thank Sharon and Jamie Robinson for rescuing our Facebook page and updating it. This is still a work in progress, but if you want to find us and follow us on Facebook there we are. Another improvement is coming soon. Manningtree First Responders are going to put a defibrillator in the hall and several of the kid’s club staff, volunteers from the management committee and regular users of the hall will be trained in its use. When they are trained, the defibrillator will be placed in the table cupboard in the lobby. Let’s hope we don’t have to use it, but it will be very reassuring to know that it is there.
BUMPER BOOK SALE Saturday, November 12 at Manningtree Methodist Church, South Street, 10am-2pm A wide and varied selection of good quality books which are keenly priced will be available on the day so why not pop along and pick up some pre Christmas bargains?
EVENTS AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH Friday, September 30, 7.30pm: Concert by Spectrum with supporting act Phil and Jemma. Tickets £6 from 07867 546484 or on the door. Friday, October 14, 7pm: Christian Aid Quiz with quiz master Brian Cuthbertson. Teams of up to eight, £5 per head. Nibbles provided. Please bring own drinks and snacks. To book call 07867 546484. Saturday, November 12, 10am-2pm: Bumper Book Sale Saturday, November 19, 10am-2pm: Autumn Fair
NOVEMBER JUMBLE SALE Clear The Clutter – Bag A Bargain! Saturday, November 26 from 2pm at Bentley Village Hall If you have anything you wish to donate to our fundraising sale, please bring it along to the hall from 9am on the day or contact Pam (01473 310283) or Aimée (01473 311311) to arrange collection. The hall will be open from 2pm. Tea and coffee will be available. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support.
HADLEIGH CHORAL SOCIETY Saturday, November 19, 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh Dvorak: Mass in D Dvorak: Te Deum Janace: Otce nas (Our Father), orch. Phelps, sung in Czech Smetana Overture The Bartered Bride – Performed by Colchester Symphony Orchestra
To finish here is a story that shows how well the parish council and the hall can work together to do some real good. Last summer King Edwards School in Chelmsford was running a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award course that involved camping out. The venue they were going to use got taken over by travellers and they were desperate. We were able to come to their rescue with camping on Furze Hills and opening the facilities of the village hall. We didn’t charge them as it was an emergency. They had a wonderful time here and we hope that they might come again. Iris Peacock www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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OUT & ABOUT OCTOBER AT VENTURE CENTRE 2000
MANIFEST FILM NIGHTS
Sunday 2: Link Line, 2-4pm
Due to unforeseen problems, the film which was to be shown on October 21 will now be moved forward to November 18.
Monday 3: Little Acorns, demonstration of clairvoyance with Val Perrott, 7.30-9pm. Doors open 7pm, admission £3.50.
Saturday 8: Suffolk Poultry Show. Contact Colin Sussams: 01440 731860
The World’s Fastest Indian is the story of New Zealander Burt Munro who spent years rebuilding a 1920 Indian motorcycle which helped him set the land speed world record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. Rating: PG
Monday 10: Lymphedema Support Group, 7-9pm. Contact Linda McFadden: 01206 241338
December 12: Laurel & Hardy, children’s’ film afternoon, 2.30pm. Children £1, accompanying adults free (£2 Manifest membership required)
Thursday 13: Singing 4 The Brain, 2-4pm
Also see SPECIAL FILM NIGHT AT THE MANIFEST on page 6.
Saturday 15:
DEATH AT THE SHANGRI LA BY ROGER LEE
Wednesday 5: Stour Valley Flower Club, demonstrator Kathy Stargard
Sound Therapy Interactive Workshop, 2-6pm, £45, booking necessary. Healing Sound Journey, 7-9pm, £12, booking necessary. Sunday 16: Link Line, 2-4pm Tuesday 18: Link Line Coffee, Chat and Cake, a time when people can meet up for a chat with light refreshments, 10am-noon. Open to everybody. Saturday 22: Halloween Craft Fair in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 10.30am-4pm. Thirty craft stalls, face painting, trick or treat, inspirational Christmas gifts. Free entry, free parking, refreshments, homemade cakes. Contact: 01206 396868 / louisejoplin@btinternet.com
Murder mystery evening organised by the Friends of St Lawrence Church and presented by local actors at Bradfield Community Centre (CO11 2UU) on Saturday, October 15. Cash bar from 7pm for prompt start at 7.30pm. Supper included. Tickets £12 (in advance please) from Norma Barrow: 01255 870681 / norma.barrow@keme.co.uk
Thursday 27: Singing 4 The Brain, 2-4pm Saturday 29: Colchester Poultry Show. Contact Nicki Firth: 01359 230448 REGULAR CLASSES Monday: Table tennis, quilters, patchwork quilters, Active 4 Life keep fit, Beavers Tuesday: Yoga (am/pm), art classes, Emperor Theatre Arts, choir, Cubs Wednesday: Weight Watchers (am/pm), body conditioning, pilates (beginners and improvers), art classes, Brownies, Guides, Rangers Thursday: Upholstery, Jo Jingles, Baby Ballet, Slimming World, Brownies Friday: Active 4 Life and pilates, Little Squigglers, Boogie Shoes, Rainbows, Scouts Saturday: Available for private hire Sunday: Key to Love Christian Fellowship every Sunday morning at 11am and fortnightly Link Line meetings. Monthly meeting of Little Acorns, Stour Valley Flower Club, Lymphedema Support Group and Link Line Coffee, Chat and Cake. Available for private hire.
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HALLOWEEN CRAFT FAIR IN AID OF THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY The local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is holding a Craft Fair on Saturday, October 22 between 10.30am- 4pm at the Lawford Venture Centre, Manningtree to raise funds to support local people who are affected by MS, a neurological condition that affects around 100,000 people in the UK. Thirty local crafters will be selling a wide range of unusual crafts including shabby-chic homewares, jewellery, cards and even decorated gourds. Sample locally-made apple juice, enjoy a cup of tea and a bacon roll or a home-made cake and get inspiration for that perfect Christmas gift, while your children have their faces painted and enjoy the trick or treat stall – they may even meet a witch or two. There’s something for everyone. Free entry and free parking. For more information contact: 01206 396868 / louisejoplin@btinternet.com
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Capel St Mary CEVC Primary School (Charity No: 1092557)
Nearly New Sale Saturday 15th October 1:30 – 3:00pm Capel Community Church
Days Road, Capel St Mary GOOD QUALITY ITEMS ONLY Maternity Clothes, Baby Equipment, Clothes (aged 0-11 years), Toys, Books and Games 50p Entrance fee (children free) For more details or to order a seller’s pack, please contact either: Lisa 01473 312248 or Jo 01473 730771
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OUT & ABOUT ACORN VILLAGE Adults with learning disabilities are busy practicing their talents ready to show the world on the October 14 and 15 at Acorn Village. Get your tickets from the Creative Craft Centre: 01206 394124 (ext: 242) / info@acornvillages.com We have just released a new book, The Green Family, telling the story of our leading founders with 100% of proceeds going to help adults with learning disabilities. Pick up a copy from us for just £6 or email the above address. The Christmas Market and The Magical Land will be on Saturday, November 19. With pirates, fairies and mermaids it looks to be another spectacular demonstration of the talent of our residents and the Creative Craft Centre.
STOUR VALLEY ARTS AND MUSIC Sunday, October 9 at 4pm: Calder String Quartet at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Benjamin Jacobson (violin), Andrew Bulbrook (violin), Jonathan Moerschel (viola) and Eric Byers (cello) will perform Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor op 10, Hillborg’s Kongsgaard Variations and Beethoven’s String Quartet no 8 in E minor op 59 no 2. Sunday, November 20 at 4pm: Alison Rose (soprano) and James Cheung (piano) at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt. This concert is supported by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. Programme: Strauss, Mädchenblumen op 22 Grieg, Sechs Lieder op 48 Rossini, La Regata Veneziana Britten, On this Island Op 11 De Falla, Popular Spanish Song An outstanding young soprano at the start of her career, Alison won the 2015 Maggie Teyt Recital Prize. She has just completed a year at the prestigious National Opera Studio at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is a National Opera Studio Young Artist for the 2015/2016 season where she is sponsored by the Glyndebourne New Generation Programme. She is a member of The Countess of Munster Musical Trust Recital Scheme and is an Oxford Lieder Young Artist. James Cheung, recently featured as a ‘new face’ in The Telegraph, has worked with some of the most exciting artists today. He is a chamber musician and accompanist, specialising in working with singers. Past performances include festivals in Aldeburgh, the City of London, the Endellion, Chichester and Aix en Provence. He has also performed across Europe and Asia. The season continues with: Sunday, January 22 at 4pm: Clare Hammond (piano) at Constable Hall, East Bergholt Friday, February 10 at 8pm: Lecture by Dr Lois Oliver: Love and Loss: The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Art and Music, at Constable Hall, East Bergholt Sunday, February 26 at 4pm: Vanbrugh String Quartet at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Sunday, March 19 at 4pm: Kammerphilharmonie Europa at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Box office and information: www.svam.org.uk / 01206 298426 www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
ENGALYNX: CHANGING LIVES OF RWANDAN ORPHANS Engalynx has worked to help the orphans and widows of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide since 1998. Funded entirely by voluntary contributions, Engalynx continues to raise awareness of the plight of orphaned children in Rwanda and to bring practical aid. At noon on Saturday, October 1, Engalynx presents a fundraising concert featuring Frank James with a buffet lunch at St Mary’s Church, New Road, Mistley. Tickets are now available at £7.50. Frank trained as a pianist and organist at Winchester Cathedral, then as music scholar at Sherborne School in Dorset where he became an Associate of the Royal College of Music while in Sixth Form. Having been encouraged to read for a ‘proper degree’ at Oxford along with playing a lot of music, he taught in a variety of schools before going freelance as a musician. He travelled widely, playing a variety of music, from classical to pop to jazz, before returning to teaching, becoming Head of Sixth Form at Scarborough College and organist/choirmaster at the parish church, St Mary’s. Having enjoyed his return to the classroom, he went freelance once again as a musician and continues to play and teach. For full details contact Maralyn Bambridge: 01206 393022 / maralyn.bambridge@yahoo.com www.engalynx.org.uk
ACCLAIMED PIANIST TO PLAY CHARITY CONCERT World renowned pianist Christian Blackshaw will perform his one and only concert at Snape Maltings in 2016 on Friday, October 14, entirely and exclusively to raise money for Ormiston Families, the East of England’s leading family charity. A deeply passionate and sensitive performer, Christian Blackshaw is celebrated for his incomparable performances. His playing combines tremendous emotional depth with great understanding and, in the words of one London critic, “sheer musicality and humanity”. Pianist magazine, reviewing his performance of Schubert’s great B Flat Sonata D.960 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, wrote that the work “has become the calling card of many a pianist wishing to declare themselves a musician’s musician and Blackshaw most certainly belongs to this category”. Recent notable appearances include South Bank International Piano Series, Berliner Philharmoniker, Tokyo, Montreal, Aldeburgh Festival, Bamberg Symphony, RAI National Symphony and Mariinsky Orchestra with Valery Gergiev. At Snape Maltings Christian Blackshaw will perform Mozart’s Piano Sonata in A minor K. 310 together with piano works by Schubert, Liszt and Chopin. Proceeds from the recital will be used to support Ormiston Families’ work providing services to support children, young people and their families, helping to improve their life chances. Ormiston Families’ work includes support for those affected by abuse and those struggling with mental health issues, providing children’s visits across the region’s prisons, operating children’s centres and support for parents through a range of parenting courses. Identifying and responding to the needs of children, whatever challenges they face, the charity’s vision is of a world in which every child will be loved, nurtured and valued. Christian has very kindly donated the recital to Ormiston Families so the full cost of each ticket goes to the charity. To book tickets please visit: www.tickets.aldeburgh.co.uk/Online/2016-autumn-christian-blackshaw 17
OUT & ABOUT BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY
ROTARY CLUB OF MANNINGTREE STOUR VALLEY
Would you like to be involved in the next BATS production, the brilliant, catchy, moving tale of man versus plant that is Little Shop of Horrors?
The club collected 107 sleeping bags left on the site of the V Festival, Chelmsford and donated them to the needs of folk in the Clacton and Jaywick areas. The picture below shows them awaiting collection in the Methodist Hall, Manningtree by the various church and charity agencies.
Are you a singer, dancer, actor? Fancy yourself on the technical side of things? If so, we would love to hear from you.
We also collected several hundred chairs to be resold for charity. Thanks to all who helped for this splendid collection.
The show will run from Tuesday 14 to Saturday, February 18, 2017. Rehearsals start in October. If you want to know more please contact our musical director John: 07739 899414 / john@tarnwhitehorseroad.co.uk
MISTLEY DEATH CAFÉ An afternoon of tea, cake, and conversation on Monday, October 24, 4-6pm, at Mistley Quay Tea House. What is a Death Café? People often find it hard to talk about death. Death Cafes aim to create an environment where talking about death is natural and comfortable. “To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their finite lives” A Death Café is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, with no intention of leading participants to any particular conclusion, product or course of action. If you would like to join the conversation on October 24 contact Holly and Michelle: jackcs582@gmail.com Space is limited so book early. Entry is free and tea, coffee and cake will be available to buy. For more information about the Death Café movement visit: www.deathcafe.com
ST MICHAEL’S, MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, September 8, 9am-12.30pm. A chance to buy a whole range of products from local people including fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items. East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier. If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190. Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee, and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue. New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777
MANNINGTREE FREEMASONS Our new website shows details of all our Essex lodges, where we meet and what we do, with many photographs and detail of charitable works. Have a look, you will be surprised at the amount of information on it: www.essexfreemasons.net On September 1 we launched Festival 2022, a six year effort to raise more than £5 million pounds which will be deposited with the Masonic Charitable Foundation for distribution amongst our own and nonMasonic charities. Expectations are that we will exceed this target as Essex Freemasons raised more than £5.5 million at the last festival. The two local lodges, Mistley Lodge and Dedham Vale Lodge, who meet monthly at their building in South Street, Manningtree have supported more than 20 charities in the past 12 months while thoroughly enjoying themselves in doing so. Plans for this year include several dinners called Ladies’ Nights, BBQs and a mystery tour at the end of October. By the time this is published, Dedham Vale Lodge will have held their Ladies’ Night at the Holiday Inn in Colchester with some 80 persons present. The installation of their new master for the year followed with a visit for the occasion from the Provincial Grand Master for Essex.
VILLAGE LINK CLUB Philip Lyons will present a talk with music entitled A Naval Sailor’s Life is a Merry Life in the 18th and 19th Centuries on October 12. Future talks this year: Creative Story Writing; Pavements We Walk On; Nothing Like a Dame; Dedham, Lavenham and the Cloth Trade; Chaplin of the Methodist Homes; Wolves, Dogs and Us; Easter Parade; The Building of Bury Tower. Meetings are held in Tattingstone Village Hall on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
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UPTURN IN DEMAND FOR MEDIATION AS UNHAPPY COUPLES SEEK DISPUTE RESOLUTION As September dawned, dispute resolution specialists in Colchester were getting ready for an upturn in demand as disillusioned couples start the painful process of separation, determined to avoid court room confrontation. Experts working for Essex Mediation say their experience of recent years backs up brand new research from the USA which indicates family holidays can be bad for strained relationships. “Holidays often fail to live up to expectations, and that’s one reason we see an increase in demand for our specialist family mediators in September. We’ve long known the postChristmas period provokes unhappy couples to move on, but our experience of recent years backs up the idea of a post-summer surge too,” says managing director Louise Hornagold. Essex Mediation is part of the National Family Mediation (NFM) network, the organisation behind BBC2’s recent ground-breaking documentary series Mr Vs Mrs: Call The Mediator. NFM’s chief executive Jane Robey says it has been a year of rising demand for mediators, with the ‘traditional’ January spike being built on in June by the TV show. “A key law change in 2014, making it compulsory for separating couples to consider mediation before they can apply for a court order, has helped raise awareness that there are alternative ways to settle disputes over parenting, property and money,” said Jane. “Word of mouth is a powerful tool, and together with the TV show and other factors, the message is getting through that family mediation is cheaper, quicker and less stressful than a courtroom battle with your ex.” To find out more contact Essex Mediation at 01245 492200 / info@essexmediation.co.uk or visit www.essexmediation.co.uk Legal Aid is still available for a mediated separation.
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OUT & ABOUT MANSION HOUSE GROUP: MEETING LOCAL BUSINESS NEEDS EVERY DAY Every month here at Mansion House Publishing we produce 17 In Touch with… magazines (see list on page 3), each one specific to a geographic region, jam-packed with local content which, I’m sure you will agree, is both informative and useful. More than 60,000 magazines are distributed free to homes and businesses across the region every month, a daunting task we achieve in partnership with Colourplan Print. Mansion House Publishing and Colourplan Print, together with Musical Marketing and Boswell Office Supplies, form the Mansion House Group. Based in Ipswich but delivering right across the region, the companies in the Mansion House Group can meet all of your print and stationery needs and work with you to grow your customer base by advertising in a range of publications including In Touch with…, Grapevine and a range of quarterly CAMRA magazines. Colourplan Print has been in business for more than 25 years and has earned it’s reputation for quality and reliability through hard work and a commitment to exceeding clients’ expectations. In addition to competitive pricing you get the benefit of many years experience and attention to detail which is second to none. Boswell Office Supplies, the newest member of the Mansion House Group, has been a market leader in this extremely competitive sector for more than 160 years. This and the fact that the company has a long list of established customers, put Boswell Office Supplies in an extremely powerful negotiating position when it comes to purchasing stationery on clients’ behalf, as Sales Manager Jon Emerson explains. “In the many years we have been purchasing office products we have developed valuable relationships with all the major stationery suppliers. This enables us to secure best prices and we are able to pass considerable savings on to clients.” Musical Marketing is the company behind Grapevine, the region’s most comprehensive and longest serving entertainment guide. In addition to
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its regular editorial content, Grapevine lists over 1,000 live entertainment events each month and Musical Marketing also produce the region’s definitive online resource for live performance in every conceivable genre: www.GrapevineLIVE.co.uk Right now you may be thinking about producing 2017 calendars as a gift for your customers. A branded calendar is the perfect way to promote your company for a whole year and Colourplan Print has a range of templates for wall calendars, desk calendars and desk pads where your logo and contact details can be incorporated to produce a branded corporate gift for you to give to your clients. Using Colourplan’s standard artwork templates these products are competitively priced. If you order 300 Combination Desk/Wall Calendars they will only be 69p each (plus VAT). One side shows 12 months to view for wall hanging, or you can fold it to show six months on each side of a desk calendar. Samples are available on request. Perhaps you’d prefer an A3 Wall Calendar where you can insert pictures of your products or landscapes, or A3 Desk Pads that everyone scribbles and doodles all over! Find out more by contacting: info@colourplan.co.uk / 01473 400379 Of course, many clients still prefer a conventional diary with leather finish and gold corners. Boswell Office Supplies have an extensive range for 2017, both pocket size and desk diaries. To choose and place your order go to: www.boswell.co.uk One call to the Mansion House Group opens the door to a range of services and products every business needs, all available in one handy place. So whether you need to place a print order, want to purchase office supplies or want to discuss how you can promote your business through any or all of our titles, give us a call today and find out just how easy it can be.
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OUT & ABOUT MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
HONEY POTS PATCHWORK SEWING BEE An introduction into the wonderful world of patchwork and quilting. We are a friendly group of like-minded people who meet up every other Monday at the Venture Centre, Lawford between 10am and 3pm. You will learn traditional and modern techniques in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Both small and large projects undertaken; I will guide you right the way through to completing your family heirloom. For more information contact me on 07921 682057 or visit: www.paulinehoneypots.co.uk
BRANTHAM OVER SIXTIES CLUB Our ploughman’s lunch and fundraising afternoon on August 16 was a success and enjoyed by all. Pauline Hammond was thanked for doing the shopping, and most of the preparation, but others helped and were duly thanked too. At our opening meeting in September local photographer Ian Love took us on a 4,000 km African Safari. Rare shots of the wild and wonderful and some GoPro action footage left us on the edge of our seats. Using modern equipment, shot with a single 18-300mm Nikon lens and largely unedited, Ian’s work demonstrated the simple beauty of accurate traditional photography. Future meetings October 3: No meeting at Manningtree but members will be taking part in a competition with other local clubs hosted by Harwich & Dovercourt Camera Club at the Cliff Hotel, Dovercourt
Dates for the diary October 11: The Rise and Fall of the Colchester Good Time Girls 1855-1895 by Dr Jane Pearson October 18: Bingo October 25: When The Clock Strikes 12 by Mrs Barbara Faulkner November 8: The Work of the Magistrate’s Court by Nick Childers November 15: Scats Drive
October 13: Wildlife Photography with Liz Cutting ARPS, DPAGB, BFE5
November 22: Christmas Table Centre/Decoration (a la Blue Peter!), members’ participation
October 27: Humorous Photos Competition, judge George Buxton
November 29: The Palace in Knightsbridge by Eve Regelous
We meet on Thursday evenings, twice monthly, at 7.30pm at St Johns Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. New members are welcome to join or may attend initially as a visitor (£3).
December 6: Festive Social Afternoon (small quiz)
Please contact our secretary, Margaret, for more information: 01206 396958 / madps@post.com
December 20: Christmas Lunch
www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk
MANNINGTREE ROTARY CLUB MURDER MYSTERY EVENING Scream, laugh and enjoy an evening of murder mystery like you have never experienced before. Join us for an evening of murder mystery and mayhem as Rotary Radio Broadcasting bring you Fifty Shades of Grain, a cereal killing! Who did it? Can you solve the crime or just die of laughter? All proceeds will go to the Rotary End Polio Campaign with one lucky ticket holder winning a Purple for Polio Teddy Bear.
December 13: Seasonal Songs and Ballads with David Padwick
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY We had our first meeting of the 2016-17 season on a hot and humid Wednesday, September 7. The guest lecturer was Toby Faber who recounted the history of his renowned family publishing firm Faber & Faber through its illustrations, covers and designs. We heard a veritable who’s who of modern British literature and poetry all with amazing book covers designed by talented artists. TS Eliot, WH Auden, Ezra Pound, William Golding, Ted Hughes and PD James all published their work with Faber & Faber. Toby’s pride in his family firm was clear to see. A great start to our new season. Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months and we also organise interesting day visits. The wonderfully illustrated lectures are presented by national and international lecturers and start at 2.15pm (2pm arrival is advised). Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space. A £6 donation is asked. For more information contact Wendy Robbins: 07736 417347 / info@orwelldfas.org.uk
See page 16 for booking details. www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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OUT & ABOUT STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Tom Hodgson presented a talk entitled What the Papers Say on Wednesday, September 7 and Francis Boardman returned on September 21 to present The Battle of Waterloo. Both events proved popular with our members October speakers Wednesday 5: Natural History of Bats by Anne and Dennis Kell Wednesday 19: Wallace & Edward by David Ablewhite November speakers Wednesday 2: Mid Suffolk Light Railway by John Stark Wednesday 16: Senior Fraud with Homestead Senior Care Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665
STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, September 14, historian, writer and lecturer Dr John Ashdown-Hill FSA, FRHistS spoke on The Mythology of Richard III. He explored the traditional mythology and modern myths which have emerged since the discovery of his remains in 2012. Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking, computer studies and visits to gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust and have more than 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty may be contacted. After our AGM on Wednesday, October 12, Andrew Phillips OBE (Lord Phillips of Sudbury) will talk on Life in The House of Lords. He will give his views on the House of Lords as an institution and will add some reminiscences from his 17 years there. On Wednesday, November 9, Adrian Wright FRGS will talk on Earth on Fire. Hawaiian larva oozes continuously while Krakatoa and Vesuvius have been dormant for decades, sometimes centuries, between cataclysmic events. This illustrated talk examines volcanic variety, exploring reasons for such diversity. We don’t have a speaker meeting in December, but our popular Christmas Lunch will take place on Wednesday, December 7 in the Constable Hall. We meet at The Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December. It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today! 22
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Stowe Veterinary Centre
Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre
Ipswich Veterinary Centre
The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery
The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery
54 Bury Road, Stowmarket
2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds
Scrivener Drive, Ipswich
Coddenham Road, Needham Market
Station Road, Elmswell
Tel: 01449 613 130
Tel: 01284 747 000
Tel: 01473 555 000
Tel: 01449 722 198
Tel: 01359 241 761
SIXTH FORM
OPEN EVENING Tuesday 1 November 6.30pm For more information or to book a personal visit, please contact our admissions team.
01394 615041 admissions@woodbridgeschool.org.uk www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree INTouch.indd 1
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In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS AUTUMN AT RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN As the days shorten, the temperature drops and the central heating button starts to beckon, it can be easy to forget about what’s happening out in the garden, but life goes on out there as autumn progresses and the wildlife is as busy as ever. The insects will have an easier time of it if we provide some late nectar and pollen sources in the form of late-flowering plants such as sedums, asters and Michaelmas daisies. Many insects overwinter, some going on to provide food for hungry birds in springtime. Our butterfly numbers, of Peacocks and Red Admirals for example, have been very low this year, possibly because of the long and heavy rains during June, so it’s very important that the latest broods that did manage Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) to emerge late in the summer have the chance to feed well before hiding away for the winter in nooks and crannies around the garden or in our sheds. These butterflies will be laying eggs when they appear again with the return of the warm weather, so we need them in good condition to boost numbers again next year. Crab apples, holly berries and rose hips will all be appreciated by birds and small mammals too, and here at Flatford Wildlife Garden we’ll also be leaving plenty of flower and grass seed heads in the borders for their winter supplies. But before the garden is completely given over to them for the colder months, we have the October half-term holidays to enjoy! From Monday, October 24 until Sunday, October 30, we will have family activities with an autumn theme available every day. Sowing tree seeds, investigating life among the leaf litter and nature trails are just some of the activities planned, so do bring your family along to Flatford Wildlife Garden to take part. There’s no need to book and you’ll receive a warm welcome. We also have lots of information to share about how to make gardens more wildlife friendly. Rain or shine, we’ll be there. For full details visit: www.rspb.org.uk/Flatford
TEA & SUPPORT IN MISTLEY Tea & Support, the meeting place for those who have been bereaved or left living alone, is held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Church Hall, New Road, Mistley. Meetings are usually from 2-4pm and transport can be arranged. Please note: current members have agreed to each give a donation of £1 at every meeting they attend which will go towards the cost of transport for our outings. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, October 19 when we will be welcoming a speaker from the charity Emmaus which gives opportunities to those previously homeless. Emmaus began in France in the 1940s and now has offices and shops internationally. Come along to meet new friends in a safe, friendly environment. For more details please contact the church office of St Mary’s & St Michael’s Church (01206 392200), Paskell’s of Manningtree (01206 396709) or Joy Baker (01206 391918). Copies of our 2016 programme are available from Paskell’s in Manningtree or from the church. ADVANCE NOTICE: TEA & BRASS CHRISTMAS CONCERT We are pleased to announce that there will be a special one-off Tea & Brass Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 20 at the Church Hall from 2-4pm. Classic Brass will be playing Christmas music, some of which we will be able to sing to. We will also, as usual, be offering a special Christmas afternoon tea. To cover our costs, there will be a nominal charge of £2 per person and tickets will be issued for this event. Please contact Joy or John Baker (01206 391918) to book your place as we will only have 50 tickets available. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Relaxed and Friendly Mondays During Term Time 09:30 - 11:30 Brantham Village Hall
If you have some spare time available and would be interested in volunteering with us, do get in touch for information about the range of roles available. For more details contact Visitor Experience Officer Sharon Barker: 01206 391153 / sharon.barker@rspb.org.uk
LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A large audience enjoyed the August speaker’s nostalgic account of hop picking in Kent. Years ago thousands of Londoners, mostly women and children from the East End, took special overnight trains to Kent for the hop picking season which lasted about six weeks. Many returned to the same farm each year and the same little hut. It was a little extra money, fresh air and perhaps their only holiday, and Barbara Faulker made it sound like fun. She was only about seven when she last went so it was perhaps not as romantic as it sounded. Nowadays it is all mechanised and hop pickers are not needed.
£1.50 per family including a well earned cuppa for grown ups and a healthy snack for the kids Come and join us and meet other local mummies, daddies, grandparents & carers
The autumn show was again well attended and of a very high standard. Congratulations to all the entrants and especially the winners. Ogilvie Hall always looks splendid when filled with the best dahlias, chrysanthemums and other flowers grown by members.
Every third Monday of the month we are joined by the Hadleigh Health Visitors for your local Baby Clinic
On October 20 we will welcome Sarah Cook to give us a talk on Sir Cedric Morris, artist, iris breeder and plantsman. Do join us if you can.
Contact Charlotte on 07858 891217 for more information
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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SCHOOLS / SPORT BROOKLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
A new term has begun and our children have been settling into their new classes following their summer break.
The 2016/17 season started slowly for the First Team. They opened with a midweek defeat at Ipswich Exiles and suffered a further reverse at Felixstowe, but they opened their account on the first Saturday in September with a win against Haughley Utd. Also on that day, the Reserves started their campaign with a trip to Framlingham. They were pleased to return with all three points to get their season off to a good start. The A Team started their season on September 10.
Similar to previous years, each of our classes choose their class names and this year they have chosen sea creatures as a theme. These have been rich and varied with the children choosing: sea turtles, seals, dolphins, sea otters, starfish, narwhals and puffer fish. To accompany their class name each of their classrooms also has features and decorations linked to their sea creature. As a result, each class has a range of books about their chosen sea creature as well as soft toys.
UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st TEAM Senior Division Sat, Sept 24: Grundisburgh (A) Over the last few weeks I have been getting to know our new children, Sat, Oct 1: Leiston St Margarets (H) the sea turtles. Tiddles, their soft toy sea turtle, will be having lots of Sat, Oct 8: TBC adventures over the year as our children take him home with them and Sat, Oct 15: TBC capture his adventures in photographs and stories. Sat, Oct 22: Coplestonians (A) It is with great delight that I can share our Key Stage 2 results. This is Sat, Oct 29: Achilles (H) a reflection of the continued hard work by all those involved with the Reserves League A school. A huge congratulations to all those who worked so hard to achieve Sat, Sept 24: Cornard Utd Res, Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup (A) some amazing SATs results. As you will see below these results show just Sat, Oct 1: Coplestonians Res (A) how well our children are achieving. Sat, Oct 8: Wenhaston Utd Res (A) Sat, Oct 15: Westerfield Utd Res (H) National School Sat, Oct 22: Grundisburgh Res (H) Achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics Sat, Oct 29: Felixstowe Harpers Utd Res (A) 76% 53% A Team League B Achieving the expected standard in reading Sat, Sept 24: Trimley Red Devils Res (H) 83% 66% Sat, Oct 1: Bramford Utd Res (H) Sat, Oct 8: TBC Suffolk Primary Cup Achieving the expected standard in writing Sat, Oct 22: Bacton Utd 89 Res (H) 86% 74% Sat, Oct 29: Capel Plough Res (A) Achieving the expected standard in mathematics 93% 70% Fixtures subject to change. To confirm visit: Achieving the expected standard in grammar, punctuation and spelling http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 93% 72% SCHEDULED EVENTS Average scaled score in reading Saturday, October 8: 2016 Quiz Night 105 103 All are welcome to enter a team; please contact the secretary if you would like to come along. Average scaled score in mathematics Saturday, November 12: Race Night, provisional date 106 103 Average scaled score in grammar, punctuation and spelling 107 104
Brooklands has recently achieved the SAPERE Bronze Award in recognition of its success in the development of philosophy practice across the school. I will be holding an information evening for parents of children due to start school in September 2017 on Wednesday, November 23 at 6pm. If anyone wishes to attend please don’t hesitate to contact the school for details. Headteacher Christine Davy
STUTTON SEALS PLAYGROUP We provide a friendly, stimulating environment for up to 20 children aged two to four. We run every weekday morning during term time at the Ark, a purpose built centre in the school grounds of Stutton Primary School. You are welcome to make an appointment to look around at any time. We hold open mornings every term, as well as taster sessions. For more information or to make an appointment call Penny Hynes: 01473 328090 The Ark at Stutton Primary School, Holbrook Road, Stutton IP9 2RY 26
We are always looking for people who can help the club as a committee member, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays offer potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime. Steve Butcher, stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB This season our village football club will be running 13 sides, one more then last season. We now have nine youth sides with ages from seven to 17 as well as four adult sides which includes an over 35 team who play in the Veteran League. Our Saturday First team started training in early July in preparation for the new season and after scoring 16 goals in four friendly matches started the league season with a 3-1 win against Westerfield United with goals from Chris Wall, Michael Sneddon and Lloyd Dodsworth. It is now 18 years since the team reached the Senior Division where they have played since 1998. They have been given a home draw in the Suffolk Senior Cup and will play Kirkley and Pakefield Reserves on October 15. The Saturday Reserves lost their first league game at home to Benhall St Mary 2-1 after Andy Wilshaw had given us the lead. Club captain Miles Donovan played well in midfield with Aaron Whitman having a good game in defence. Notices advertising our home games are displayed at the clubhouse on the playing field and on the Suffolk and Ipswich website. BOB THE PLOUGHMAN In Touch online:
Mon
Seated Exercise Counselling with Hannah
Tue
Farmers Market 9.30am - 12.30pm Beautician 9.30am Complementary practitioner 12.30pm Relaxation and meditation 7pm
1.30pm 9am
Wed Podiatry Belly Dancing Choir Wednesday Paper Craft (last Wednesday of month) Thur Massage Therapist Hearing Aid Specialist Fri
9am 7 - 8pm 1pm 1.30pm
10am Alternative weeks
Tai Chi Computers for the Terrified
1pm 1.30pm
Foundry Court Community Centre Colchester Road, Manningtree
01206 397283
www.foundrycourt.co.uk
Physio and Acupuncturist available on Monday and Friday afternoons - appointments required. Venue available for hire for parties, wakes and anniversaries - all occasions considered. For more details or to make an appointment please contact Carole on 397283
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS EAST BERGHOLT TENNIS CLUB
ST MARY’S CHURCH, LAWFORD
East Bergholt Tennis Club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities on its three all-weather floodlit courts located behind the playing fields at Gandish Road, East Bergholt. Whether you are a complete beginner, coming back into the game after a number of years off, or a regular player there is something in it for you with individual and group coaching sessions and regular league matches available. In addition, from 7.30pm on Tuesday evenings there is a club night where all members are welcome.
Priest-in-charge: The Rev Simon Heron, 01206 392659
Membership subscriptions (allowing free use of the courts until 10pm every day) are: adults £50 or £90 per couple; juniors (under 18) £15; students £25; plus special offers for family membership. Rates are reduced if starting part of the way through the season, which starts on April 1 each year. If you would like to know more please contact the following: Pete Richmond, chairman/coach: 07932 815201 / richmondtennis@hotmail.co.uk Paul Lake, secretary: 01206 396556 / 55paullake@gmail.com
MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB August 100 Club Winners 1st £100: Martin Barlow, 47 2nd £50: Paul Hutton, 18 3rd £45: Paul Garwood, 7 The season has almost concluded at the time of writing. The club has had a good season and the captains can all take great pride from what they achieved and for all their hard work in ensuring that all fixtures were fulfilled, with no little success. It was very pleasing to see the number of youngsters making real progress throughout the season. This is a source of much optimism. However, there was a very sour note to end on. The club was victim of a senseless and very destructive burglary on the night of Sunday, September 4. The membership rallied round, but many feel personally violated. This was one of many attacks on clubs in the area in recent times and something surely needs to be done to address the problem. If anyone has information that can help bring the culprits to justice they are urged to contact the police. New players are always welcome; please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com Mistley CC is a community club with strong traditions. Please come along and give us a look sometime.
CATHOLIC MASSES Saturday at 6.30pm in St Mary and St Michael’s (Anglican) Church, New Road, Mistley CO11 1ER Sunday at 8.50am in St Mary’s (Anglican) Church, The Street, Ardleigh CO7 7LD Wednesday at 9.45am in St Mary and St Michael’s, Mistley, preceded by Morning Prayer All are welcome at these masses and anyone who wishes to learn about the Catholic Faith, or who wishes to talk to a priest, should have a word with the priest afterwards, or contact Fr Jon Ravensdale. Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford and Ardleigh is served by the Parish of St John Payne, Greenstead, Colchester. The Parish Priest is Father Jon Ravensdale: 01206 870460 / sjpchurch@btinternet.com Also resident in the parish are Father Michael Rear (01206 392695) and Father Mathias Odigbo. 28
Services for October Sunday 2 8am 8.45am 10am
Holy Communion BCP Prayer Breakfast Holy Communion
Sunday 9 8am 10am 6.30pm
Holy Communion BCP Family Service Evensong
Sunday 16 8am 10am 6.30pm
Holy Communion BCP Holy Communion Café Church
Sunday 23 8am 10am
Holy Communion BCP Morning Worship
Sunday 30 8am 10.30am 4pm
Holy Communion BCP United Benefice Service Bereavement Service
MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB Minister: The Rev Eva Walker Contact: 01206 393114 (answer phone) Sunday Services: 10.15am each Sunday and we welcome visiting and outside preachers October 2: The Rev David Hughes October 9: Mr Ray Sawyer from Ipswich October 16: The Rev John Allison October 23: The Rev Christopher Woods October 30: Barbara Fookes Wednesday, October 5, 2.30pm: Bible Study, Looking at the Psalms Wednesday, October 12, 2.30pm: Exploring the Bible, the start of a new series with the Rev Alec Potter Wednesday October 19, 2.30pm: Exploring the Bible 2 Wednesday, October 26, 2.30pm: Monthly midweek service of Holy Communion led by The Rev Crawford Logan ALSO MEETING ON OUR PREMISES Monday Workers’ Educational Association, 2.30pm / autumn and spring for nine lectures September to June, Stour Choral Society, 7.30pm Tuesday Co-op Women’s Guild, 7.15pm Wednesday Gentle Fitness Class, 9.15am Art Painting Group, 10am-noon Manningtree & District Chess Club, 7.30pm Museum & History Group (bi-monthly), 7.30pm Thursday Cheerleading followed by Zumba, 5pm Treasurer: Mr Gordon King Church bookings: David Shearmur, 01206 395263 Also see EVENTS AT MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH on page 13. In Touch online:
CHURCH NEWS MANNINGTREE BENEFICE We’re heading into autumn and with it is coming a new season for the life of our Benefice. The Rev Chris Hills will be retiring at the end of October and we will be joining together on All Saints’ Day (Sunday, October 30) to celebrate together, to give thanks for everything that Chris and Geoff have been to us and that we have been to them, and to send them off with our love and support. Please come along if you can. We would really value your prayers for Chris and Geoff as they leave, and for the rest of us as we prepare for a vacancy and to welcome a new vicar. There’s a lot of work to do and many decisions to make, but above all we want to make sure that we’re doing what God would have us do. Please also note that following Chris’ retirement, the church office might have to move out of its current base in the rectory, and is likely to be closed for at least a week in November. Please look out for information on office hours and contact details in the next edition of In Touch, and please bear with us as we try to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. For your diaries, we will once again be holding a Light a Candle service (Saturday, November 5) with our friends from Paskells, to remember and give thanks for loved ones who are no longer with us, including opportunities to light a candle in their memory and to have their names read aloud. Everyone is welcome to this service so please invite family, friends and neighbours if they would find this helpful. There will be more information next month. Please do join us for any and all of these services and events, and don’t forget to check the website and publications in and around the churches for more information and events. If you’d like to get weekly up-to-date information of what’s going on in the Benefice, please email the office (see below) and ask to receive the weekly email. Services for October October 2 10.30am Joint Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers*at Mistley 6pm Evening Prayer at Bradfield
BRANTHAM AND CAPEL METHODIST CHURCHES BUSY IS THE NEW HAPPY I heard an expression on the radio yesterday that “Busy is the New Happy!” Googling the phrase, I found an article written two years ago by Aashima Singh with that title arguing for the truth of the phrase. I could see her point, it makes us feel important and necessary and it even makes relaxation time more rewarding. Last month I wrote from a “busy” trip to the street children in Bolivia. It was followed by five days at a retreat centre and five days slowing down on the Leeds to Liverpool canal. But I’m back to the busy again and love it. Rob Bell said: “Busy is a drug that a lot of people are addicted to.” I’ve been trying to meet up for a coffee with a friend for eight months now, but we’ve both been too busy (or crazy busy). For me it’s five churches, activities, Messy Church, Bible Studies, coffee mornings, youth, prayer meetings, parish nursing, outreach, community involvement, Sunday worship, visiting, funerals, baptisms, weddings, several colleagues, hundreds of volunteers and well over 1,000 people with whom we are in direct contact. I love my job, but I need to be aware of busy-ness crowding out the important. As we slowed down to 3mph on the canal, there was more time to reflect on where life is going, time for family, time with God. I know I am not a good example of getting my priorities on the use of my time right. A church leader once said the busier I am, the more time I need in prayer. I know that for me it is sometimes the other way around – prayer times can be cut the busier I am. Everyone’s priorities will be different, the work/life balance will be different. I believe one thing we all need is to stop frenetic activity, to be still and know that God is with us. A few moments each day will bring peace into our lives and give direction, fulfilment and happiness in our busy-ness.
October 9 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield Evening Prayer at Mistley 6pm
Rev Andrew Sankey
October 16 10.15am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield Methodist Church 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley 6pm Quiet Communion at Bradfield
AT BRANTHAM METHODIST
Minister at Brantham and Capel Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 Sunday 2 4pm
United Harvest Service at Holy Family Church
Sunday 9
11am
Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols
October 23 Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley 8am 10.30am Café Church with Treasure Seekers at Mistley 10.30am Morning Prayer at Bradfield
Sunday 16
11am
Worship with Mr Harry Chicken
Sunday 23
11am
Worship with Prof David Welbourn
Sunday 30
11am
Worship with Mrs Heather Bentley
October 30, All Saints’ Day 10.30am Celebration and Thanksgiving with Treasure Seekers at Bradfield Farewell Service for The Rev Chris Hills
AT CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST Sunday 2
10.30am Worship with Mr Joshua Hunt
6.30pm Prayer
Sunday 9
10.30am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsha
6.30pm Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey
Contact Information Vicar: The Rev Christine Hills, 01206 392200 Associate Minister: The Rev John Brien, 01206 397549 Curate: The Rev Claire Scargill, 01206 395417 Church Office: The Rectory, 21 Malthouse Road, Mistley CO11 1BY 01206 392200 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk
Sunday 16
10.30am Worship with Mr Stephen Carr
www.manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.facebook.com/ManningtreeBenefice
Sunday 30
*Treasure Seekers is our children’s programme for ages 3+ All services are at St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley (CO11 1ER) or St Lawrence’s Church, Bradfield (CO11 2US) unless otherwise stated.
www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
Sunday 23 10.30am Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey 7.30pm United Prayer Time at Capel Community Church 10.30am Worship with Mr Rodney Cook 29
CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT & BRANTHAM OCTOBER
on a Wednesday, I also officiate at the weekly lunchtime communion. It is always a pleasure and a privilege.
Sunday 2
Harvest
8am
BCPCommunion
10am
Family Service with collection for Manningtree Foodbank East Bergholt
11am
Family Service with collection for Manningtree Foodbank Brantham
4pm
Ecumenical Harvest
Wednesday 5
9.30am
BCP Communion
Sunday 9
Trinity 20
8am
BCP Communion
East Bergholt
10am
Communion
East Bergholt
East Bergholt
Brantham East Bergholt
11am Baptism of Daniella Herholdt and Beth McCarthy Brantham
There is currently a Lego model of the cathedral being built as a fundraiser. They expect it will take three years and require 300,000 bricks. The figure of the dean is already standing in the chancel holding a chalice that remarkably resembles a football trophy. Once completed the tower will stand four feet high. During the day there was a constant stream of young families coming to play Lego. Having Coco with me is always an easy conversation starter. One woman approached saying, “Please may I have a stroke?” and when I patted her shoulder she laughed (fortunately). During the afternoon a courteous black Labrador came in with his owner on a lead and began the tour of the cathedral just as the acting director of music began organ practice for Evensong. An unearthly wailing filled the air. As the choir were not yet present we had to look elsewhere for the source. After 10 minutes of this, the noise ceased and I suppose the owner had beat a rapid retreat through another exit, or maybe the two purposeful vergers had something to do with it. Coco mercifully did not join in, though she quivered from head to foot. It would make my life impossible if she decided to become the rector’s singing dog.
Sunday 16
Trinity 21
8am
BCP Communion
East Bergholt
10am
Family service
East Bergholt
11am
Communion
Brantham
3pm
Service celebrating the work of Guide Dogs for the Blind. All dogs welcome. East Bergholt
There was one man who said: “This is a beautiful building, but I am sorry I am not religious.” Lots of people feel the same, they can appreciate the surroundings but not the meaning. Some of course feel like the Labrador and want to howl at anything church. Whichever category you fall into, you are very welcome to come again. God can be found unexpectedly.
Sunday 23
Bible Sunday
The Rev Steph
8am
BCP Communion (Healing)
East Bergholt
10am
Choral Matins (Healing)
East Bergholt
11am
Informal Service
Brantham
Sunday 30
All Saints’
8am
BCP Communion
East Bergholt
11am
Benefice Communion
Brantham
3.30pm
All Souls’
East Bergholt
NOVEMBER Wednesday 2
All Souls’
9.30am
BCP Communion
Sunday 6
Three before Advent
8am
BCP Communion
East Bergholt East Bergholt
10am Benefice Communion with Bishop Martin Seeley East Bergholt Check the website for details. This service schedule may change without prior notice if needed. www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk ADVANCE NOTICE On December 18 there will not be a service at East Bergholt at 10am. The Festive Carol Service will be at 3pm that day. RAMBLING RECTOR Three times a year I am duty chaplain at the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds. This gives me the chance to dress up in my Canon’s cassock with its red buttons and cincture (red cummerband) in which I feel, and probably look, like Humpty Dumpty. The duty chaplain is there to listen, to chat to people and to pray with them if they wish for this ministry. If I am there 30
AN INVITATION At the end of October, the church celebrates All Saints’ and the next day All Souls’ – the commemoration of the Faithful Departed. There will be an opportunity for anyone who has lost someone they love, either recently or long ago, to remember them especially in a simple service at St Mary’s in East Bergholt at 3.30pm on Sunday, October 30. There will be three ways for remembering. A bowl will be placed at the back of both St Mary’s and St Michael’s from Sunday, October 23 and removed after the morning service on Sunday, October 30. Please write the names of those you remember before God on the paper provided and place the paper in the bowl. (The names of those for whom we have conducted services in the last year will be read out from our records so you don’t need to write these down unless you wish to.) During the All Souls’ Service at St Mary’s, East Bergholt the bowl with all the names will be brought up and placed gently on the altar at the beginning of the service. These names will not be read out; they will be silently offered to God. Secondly there will be an opportunity to light a candle during the service. A lit candle is a symbol both of God’s presence with us and of our prayers offered to him. Thirdly the names of those on our records who have died during the last year will be read aloud. Please accept this invitation to the All Souls’ Service, a special time of remembering. You don’t need to reply to this invitation, and anyone who wishes to come is most welcome on the day. The Lord be with you, The Rev Steph Continued over... In Touch online:
CHURCH NEWS A service celebrating the work of Guide Dogs for the Blind will be held at St Mary’s East Bergholt on Sunday, October 16 at 3pm. Well behaved owners and their pet dogs are most welcome. Some of Coco’s class of January 2016 will also be attending. The short service will be followed by refreshments. There will be a retiring collection for the work of Guide Dogs for the Blind. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY The Remembrance Sunday Services take place on November 13 at 10am at St Mary’s East Bergholt and 10.45am at St Michael’s Brantham. For those more comfortable with a shorter service, there will be an Act of Remembrance at 11am at St Mary’s East Bergholt on November 11. ALPHA 272,000 people attended Alpha in the UK last year. Alpha is an opportunity to informally explore the meaning of life and think about the basics of the Christian Faith through talks and discussions. Each evening will start with a simple supper. Meeting from 7.15-9.15pm on Tuesday evenings from October 4 for eight weeks at East Bergholt Primary School. Booking essential. Contact The Rev Matthew Ling: 07486 449625 / revmatthewling@gmail.com
Meeting at old St Michael’s School on Trinity Road, Manningtree FISHING Summer has gone and we’re now into autumn, but did you notice how many children carried fishing nets this summer? Some would go looking for crabs, others would scour the shoreline, the estuary and the sea as they searched for tiddlers. When some of us were young, we would cast our small nets, full of hope, into the streams and rivers thinking we might catch the odd minnow. Sometimes we failed to catch anything... other than the odd boot. Living in this area of the country, many of us can trace our ancestry back to a fishing family. Perhaps our ancestors harvested the sea, catching and selling big fish. At times, they might have caught nothing and their families might have gone hungry. Things were pretty much the same in Biblical times. Simon had worked hard all night. He was tired and hungry. He’d caught nothing. Should he let down his nets just one more time? Or should he go home and sleep? Simon obeyed Jesus and caught more fish than he could ever have imagined. Jesus is still alive and active today. Do come to Trinity and find out what Jesus can mean to you today. You’ll receive a warm welcome at our public worship services each Sunday at 10.30am (with an all-age programme) and again in the evening at 6.30pm. Services last between 60 and 90 minutes and refreshments follow the morning service. KEY NOTES FOR OCTOBER Mondays 3, 10, 17 & 31: Monday Madness!, our weekly youth work 1.15-2.30pm: Trinity TOTS (pre-school plus carers) Play, good company, refreshments, music and a Bible Story. 4.30-6pm: KOGS (KS 1 & 2) Craft, games, tea and Bible Stories (Children’s University Learning Destination). This month: What’s in the Bible with Buck Denver. www.keepingintouchwith.com/manningtree
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT ST MICHAEL’S BRANTHAM Sunday October 2, 11am The church will be beautifully decorated and is always open during the day. Cash donations only are requested this year for Manningtree Foodbank who will use them to assist families pay heating bills, respite care and children’s trips. On the afternoon of October 2 the Ecumenical Harvest Festival takes place in Holy Family Catholic Church, Brantham at 4pm. All welcome.
MISSING JUG Thank you to the kind person who donated a jug to replace the one which had hung near the tap in St Michael’s Churchyard for more than 30 years for use by people tending graves, but we would still like the old one back. If you have taken it home by mistake we would be very pleased to see it hanging on its hook again with no questions asked.
6.30-8pm: BRiaN Reloaded (ages 11-18) Serious Bible Study with some serious fun thrown in. Tuesday 4: Meeting Place A fascinating talk and a delicious tea. This month: Bygones, Mr Eric Ward on interesting items from the past. On Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday w/b October 2, 16 & 30: Home Groups Bible study and prayer For the latest information on these or any of our activities visit: www.trinity-manningtree.org.uk A LIGHT PARTY Trinity Free Church, Monday, October 31, 4.30-6.30pm Want an alternative to Halloween? Then join us at Kingdom Quest where we need knights, kings, queens and princesses of all ages to join us for a medieval adventure. Come and explore the Kingdom, meet royal knights, rescue lost sheep and discover how Jesus is always with us, no matter what we have to face. For more information please contact Ruth Cross – 07918 050830 / youthwork@trinity-manningtree.org.uk – or leave a message at 01206 393745. STARS, SPARKLES AND FIRELIGHT Bloomfields Farm, Saturday, November 5 Why not join us for an event that is sure to go off with a bang? It’s crackers but not rocket science and it will be an explosive evening. Mark and Claire Heasman with the BRiaN Young People’s Group from Trinity Free Church are hosting our fantastic firework party which will be on November 5 at Bloomfields Farm, Wick Lane, Ardleigh CO7 7RF. The fire will be lit at 6pm and the fireworks at 6.45pm. Drinks will be available at cost price, but the rest is free on the night with a suggested donation of £4 per person or £15 for a family which includes one hot dog per person. For more information please contact Claire Heasman – on 07865 580625 / claireheasman@gmail.com – or leave a message at 01206 393745. 31
CHURCH NEWS
KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and love is Jesus COME AND JOIN US IN OUR NEW FELLOWSHIP – EVERYONE IS WELCOME Hear the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with our lively worship and service. Refreshments served afterwards. Every Sunday morning at 11am in The Ivell Suite at Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE. If you or someone you know needs prayer for anything, please contact us. David and Rosie Rhule 07787 572977 / 01206 397533 / info@thekeytoloveministries.co.uk www.thekeytoloveministries.co.uk
LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Un-denominational – meeting at the Venture Centre, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 2JE (unless otherwise stated) Sunday Services: 3pm Saturday, October 1 at the Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street Our popular monthly Cafe Oasis coffee morning event, 9.30-11.45am, also incorporating out annual vehicle support event and gift day. Once again we invite you to come along and support this important event in support of the operation of our mini-bus services. Sunday, October 2: Divine Worship including Holy Communion conducted by our pastor Sunday, October 16: Harvest Thanksgiving Tuesday, October 18: Coffee, Cake and Chat in the Ivell Suite, 10amnoon. Everything is free, including transport Friday, October 21: Prayer Meeting at Honeycroft, Waldegrave Way, 10am Thursday, October 27: Special afternoon autumn tour with cream tea at the Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street Ask for details. Sunday, October 30: Outreach Service with visiting witness team For pastoral visits, further information and bookings, contact: 01206 272064 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk
HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB
Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith, 180 Hawthorn Drive Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Services for October 2016 Sunday 2 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass 9am Tuesday 4 9.30am Morning Prayer Mass 10am Sunday 9 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 11 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 16 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass / Children’s Liturgy 9am Tuesday 18 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 23 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 25 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 30 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Catholic Commentary Following his Laudato Si’ encyclical, Pope Francis declared September 1 as a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Orthodox Christians have had such a day for many years. The pope’s initiative has been take up by a number of groups including the Global Catholic Climate Movement. The canonisation mass for Mother Teresa took place in Rome on September 4. St Teresa of Kolkata died on September 5, 1997 and was regarded as a living saint for her work in ministering to the sick and dying in some of the world’s poorest neighbourhoods. She founded the Missionaries of Charity which now numbers 4,500 nuns worldwide. Catholics have always remembered 32
and venerated martyrs and exemplary Christians – the saints who have preceded us into Christ’s Kingdom. Their special days of remembrance are listed in the church’s calendar and are associated with the daily office said by priests, religious and laity. Nowadays people can have the daily office on their laptops, smart phones or tablet devices (www.universalis.com) and when a saint is remembered there will be a few short paragraphs on their life providing inspiration for Christian living.
Events & Diary Dates We were pleased to play host to those participating in the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride on Saturday, September 10 and offer them liquid refreshments to help sustain them on their journey. The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, September 18 when three lucky winners shared £139. The club has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the summer newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk On Tuesday, September 20 a well attended Day of Recollection took place at Holy Family Church led by Fr Tony Rogers. An Ecumenical Harvest Service will be hosted by Holy Family Brantham on Sunday, October 2. All are most welcome to join us and enjoy light refreshments afterwards. Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for the Parish Room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, October 27. Supporting our local hospice Parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps and to place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local Hospice. Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Fr Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital (01473 726701). Please contact him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services. All are very welcome at Holy Family, Brantham It’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic Faith are always welcome. Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic. In Touch online:
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ON THE GRAPEVINE FROM THE ARCHIVES 170 YEARS AGO – THE RAILWAY THAT NEVER STOPPED AT MANNINGTREE It was only really by accident that the expanding rail network came through Lawford, giving birth to Manningtree Station. One of the early private schemes proposed a route from Colchester to Ipswich taking the line across the Stour Valley on a large viaduct at Flatford, missing the town completely.
Construction of the Ipswich line was completed at considerable speed with a large workforce of ‘navvies’ brought in, particularly for the work on the Brantham cutting and the new road bridge that straddled it. Materials arrived by barge at Cattawade where two wooden bridges over the river were completed by the end of 1845, much cheaper than the original brick viaducts proposed at Flatford. The height of the embankment through Lawford meant an additional iron girder bridge could easily be constructed next to the level crossing to allow ordinary traffic to avoid the railway’s gates. The Eastern Union Railways faced delays in trying to buy the steam engines it needed and had acquired only three in time for the planned opening. One purchased a few months later was named The Stour. New carriages and wagons were also bought at considerable cost.
Of more consequence were the competing interests of Ipswich and Harwich. The original proposal was for a link right through Ipswich to Norwich but by 1843, due to the high cost and engineering problems, the Eastern Counties Railways line had only just reached Colchester. It looked for a while that it would go no further and the company only ever bought land running just two miles north out of town towards Ardleigh. Ipswich had just seen a large quayside development and significant investment in a new ‘wet’ dock, vying with Harwich as the principal port in the area. A railway link to London was therefore seen as vital to Suffolk businessmen. Meanwhile a survey was undertaken and plans drawn up for an extension of the Eastern Counties line to Harwich, running out of Colchester on the land already purchased, turning east just before Ardleigh on a straight line through Horsley Cross Street. This more direct route would have had less engineering challenges as it ran down the flat Tendring plateau towards Harwich. It would have run through the southern part of Mistley Manor which had been inherited by Lord Rivers, who was at that point trying to sell the estate. He objected to the route running through Margerum’s wood (adjacent to Skiphatch Lane in Horsely Cross Street) as he thought it might spoil the shooting. It would also have left no reason for the line to come to close to the town as Eastern Counties were also proposing a line to Bury St Edmunds via Hadleigh and there was a competing scheme to Norwich going via Cambridge. Led by John Chevallier Cobbold of the brewing family in Ipswich, a rival company was conceived called the Eastern Union Railway. Based on a design and cost estimates from engineer Peter Bruff, legislation was put before Parliament proposing an alternative route to Harwich from a junction on the main line to Ipswich at Lawford. Manningtree eventually woke up to the advantages of the new scheme and joined in with a petition to parliament in favour of the new plans in 1844. The owners of Brantham Hall were less than keen and the scheme nearly faltered given their objections, with a compromise based on a diversion further round the hall through a deep cutting, one of a number of engineering challenges which to this day still require considerable maintenance. The Eastern Counties Railway Company also objected to the extension of the end of their line, but was overruled in the House of Lords. The complicated relationship between the two adjoining railway companies remained fraught and at one time the Eastern Counties blocked through trains before they reached Colchester. Some services also required passengers to change trains. 34
There was a formal opening of the line between Ipswich and Colchester, with much fanfare, followed by the first Eastern Union passenger services in the summer of 1846. The timetable started with an early morning mail train departing Manningtree at 2.15am. The first ‘quick’ commuter service left for London at 8.30am. This called at most stations, including one at Ardleigh, arriving two and a half hours later at 11am. Four more trains followed, the last leaving at 5.30pm in the afternoon. There were six departures to choose from in the other direction, with the mail train being the last to leave London at 8.30pm, arriving home at 11.19pm. There were three classes of carriage to choose from plus one ‘Parliamentary’ service available each day as required by a government act of 1844 to help the ‘poor’ travel in carriages protected from the weather. A first class day return cost just under a pound, third class was seven shillings and six pence, and a seat in a Parliamentary carriage was fixed at no more than a penny a mile, not much less that the third-class fare. Apart from the mail train there were just two trains each way on Sundays. Passengers were advised to arrive five minutes before the trains were due to depart. A temporary link from the new station to Harwich was provided once a day by horse drawn carriage. Horses and even private carriages could be accommodated on the trains, with passengers allowed to ride in their own carriages for a second-class fare and their grooms in a horse box as third class passengers. As the trains were only running at about 25-30mph, none of this created any great health and safety concerns at the time, though speeds did increase as a result of more powerful steam engines being developed. Cheaper excursions were run to promote the new line and were very popular, with a trip to Ipswich and back costing only one shilling for a second-class ticket. The first bridges over the river were replaced in 1851 and in 1904 were in turn replaced by iron and steel structures. Rather than a link to the Manningtree port, a new quay on the start of the Stour navigation at Cattawade was planned. A siding, wharf, warehouse, turntable and (crane) machinery were all built a year or so later but did not prove economic. Both companies were later amalgamated and became part of the Great Eastern Railway Company. It was some years later that the branch line to Harwich was completed and, while avoiding Margerum’s wood, instead went right through Mistley Park, with major sidings to the quay in Mistley which got its own station, while Manningtree residents did not even get a small ‘Halt’ as the line ran round through the top of the town. For further reading see Manningtree Station: David Cleveland 2007. Also Hugh Moffat, 1987: East Anglia’s First Railways. Philip Cunningham, Manningtree Museum & Local History Group In Touch online:
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