In Touch News with Martlesham – May 2017

In Touch

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with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham Volume 7 • Issue No. 6 • MAY 2017

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MARTLESHAM HEATH CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS See page 4

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’m having guitar lessons at the moment. In fact it’s a family guitar lesson, though Jack seems to chit-chat most of the time which is more than a little annoying. I’m not naturally ‘musical’ and have no immediate plans to join a band, but decided to do this to give my brain a bit of a work-out. It’s proving to be a challenge. I spend so long trying to recall each chord I doubt if I’ll ever produce anything which resembles music, but it has been interesting to explore my mental back catalogue to find pieces I want to play (eventually).

Different types of music and different artists have accompanied me through various stages in my life. Johnny Cash was my first love, then Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, U2, The Stunning, The Pale, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Snow Patrol, Regina Spektor, Nick Cave, Ed Sheeran… and always Johnny Cash.

One song I go back to again and again is U2’s Stuck in a Moment. The following words have helped me through some difficult times: “And if the night runs over, And if the day won’t last, And if your way should falter, Along this stony pass, It’s just a moment, This time will pass” Another which reduces me to tears every time I play it, and I play it a lot, is Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt. His video is regarded as one of the saddest ever produced, but on their own the opening lyrics are, in my opinion, the most powerful description of loneliness I’ve ever encountered: “I hurt myself today, To see if I still feel, I focus on the pain, The only thing that’s real” Right now these lyrics make me sad for those who are alone with little or no prospect of human contact. The days may be longer and most of us are getting out and about, but not everyone. Spare a thought for those who are isolated through illness or age and consider what you might do to provide a distraction. In Save Myself, Ed Sheeran sings “...human beings are destined to radiate or drain…” Let’s try to radiate more than drain – and I promise to never, ever, ever play guitar in public.

In Touch

NEWS

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED AT IPSWICH HOSPITAL Could you listen and provide reassurance to a patient in the Accident & Emergency Department at Ipswich Hospital? Are you able to provide a cup of tea and a chat? This could be the role for you!

No one plans a trip to the emergency department; it can be scary and confusing. We are currently looking for caring volunteers to provide support within the Emergency Department (A&E). We currently have vacancies for three hours a week on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm.

We may have other days and times coming up in the future, so please do get in touch if you are interested. Full training will be provided and an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Following informal interview, successful applicants will be required to attend the three day foundation training programme in Ipswich on May 11, 18 and 25.

For more information about the role and the excellent training available please contact Service Coordinator Michelle House: 07843 144218 To apply online visit: www.redcross.org.uk

1ST MARTLESHAM SCOUTS Many thanks to all those who supported the recent quiz evening. Proceeds were £231 for Scout funds. Also thanks to admirals for their help and support.

with Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham

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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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 Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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MARTLESHAM HOLIDAY AT HOME 2017 Martlesham Holiday at Home 2017 is taking place from Monday, June 12 to Sunday, June 18. Holiday at Home is a holiday with a difference; a week of activities organised specially for the over 55s who live in Martlesham and the surrounding areas. An interesting programme has been arranged to include entertainment and outings plus lots of tea and cake. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet others and you are welcome to come to just one event or as many as interest you.

Programmes and booking forms are available in the foyer of St Michael’s Church, at The Runway Café and Martlesham Post Office.

For more information or programmes contact John and Ruth Mellen: 01473 805989

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NEWS

MH100 – MARTLESHAM HEATH CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Saturday, July 8 and Sunday 9 GET INVOLVED NOW If you had visited Martlesham Heath in the early 1900s, you would have seen rough heathland, a number of cottages and ancient tumuli or burial mounds.

This all changed on 16/17 January 1917 as the heath started to become what we have today. That’s when the Royal Flying Corps arrived from Upavon in Wiltshire to set up their research and development base. Flying continued non-stop. The RAF was formed on 1 April, 1918 and testing and development of over 500 different aircraft continued through the 20s and 30s, moving away in the Second World War when the airfield saw action in The Battle of Britain with RAF and American units, then restarting after the war and continuing until RAF site closure in 1963. Stories and pictures of this period gathered by Martlesham Heath Aviation Society are displayed in the Control Tower Museum.

The story continued with the arrival of The post office Research Laboratories from Dollis Hill in 1969 following a series of meetings in the area including with Ipswich Borough, even visiting Portman Road where they met Bobby Robson! The post office site evolved into BT Adastral Park and communications research and development continues, including the Innovation Martlesham hub comprising many companies and small enterprises.

Alongside, Martlesham Heath Village and Business Park grew, often reusing old RAF buildings. The new village plan won innovation and design awards and we continue to learn how the village evolved from residents.

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Martlesham Heath village has the most unusual evolution in East Anglia, something to be extremely proud of.

MH100 – celebrating 100 years of effort and endeavour – started in 2014 under the chairmanship of Peter Davies and with Bob Simpson as vice-chairman. It reaches a crescendo on July 8/9 in the centre of Martlesham Heath with a very special weekend.

We are delighted that many local organisations are already involved.

Funding and sponsorship continues. Involving local people and local schools is one of the key criteria of our Lottery Grant application and we haven’t been disappointed.

Are YOU involved? Don’t just sit there….

We intend to provide a tangible legacy from our efforts, telling the heath story and looking forward to the future. We will use modern multimedia techniques, supported by BT, local government, local primary schools, Kesgrave High School and The University of Suffolk. Look out for the

heritage spots soon to be established at places of historical interest around the village.

We are interviewing people involved in any way with the development of Martlesham Heath and looking for stories and photos which will add to our knowledge.

If you have anything to contribute, including time and help (the more people involved – the better for a great weekend), please contact me on publicity@mh100.org.uk or visit www.mhas.org.uk where you will find links to our active Facebook and Twitter pages.

More money is needed to ensure a spectacular celebration weekend, the biggest Martlesham Heath has ever seen. We have a donation box in Marks and Mann Estate Agents in the Square or go to My Donate at: www.mh100.org.uk If you wish to donate a larger amount or represent a firm or organisation, please email chair@mh100.org.uk so we can specifically acknowledge and manage your donation.

During the last three years that we have been working on this event, one thing remains the outstanding issue and that is the participation of you, the local residents. In order that this is the success that we would all like it to be, we do need your feedback and interest. We have visitors from the USA coming over especially for the event and to visit the place where their relatives or next of kin were based. We need to give them the warmest Suffolk and Martlesham Heath welcome that we possibly can. Some will never be able to return here, and many memories will be stirred by visiting the actual place where they flew from. To us it’s just a new village, but to them it is something more.

What we would like to see throughout the whole village is flags and bunting to celebrate this event at every house, maybe some USA flags as well. Let’s make it a place where we feel proud that we have had visitors from far afield and we can welcome them as we know we can. If anyone would like to make any other suggestions, please get in touch as soon as possible.

Peter Davies, Chair MH100: chair@mh100.org.uk

MH100 PUBLIC MEETING – Monday, May 22 at 6pm – The Parish Council Room, Felixstowe Road IP12 4PB All those involved with or interested in the MH100 Celebrations are welcomed.

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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL MAJOR DEVELOPMENT TO THE LAND SOUTH AND EAST OF ADASTRAL PARK – THIS WILL AFFECT YOU & YOUR NEIGHBOURS Suffolk Coastal District Council’s (SCDC) consultation on the development of 2,000 homes started in April. Hopefully this will have already have come to your attention through the press. This is the information provided by SCDC at the time of writing: Planning Application DC/17/1435/OUT The consultation is due to commence on Wednesday, April 12 and is likely to run until Thursday, May 11 2017.

Description: Outline planning application for up to 2000 dwellings, an employment area of c0.6ha (use Class B1), primary local centre (comprising use Classes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, C3, D1 and D2), secondary centre (comprising possible use Classes A1, A3 and A4), a school, green infrastructure (including Suitable Accessible Natural Greenspace (SANGs), outdoor play areas, sports ground and allotments/community orchards), public footpaths and cycleways, vehicle accesses and associated infrastructure.

Applicant - Carlyle Lane Ltd and CEG All documents and updates will be published on this webpage by SCDC: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/adastral-park Woodbridge Library has a hard copy to view.

The parish council also has a hard copy and the following has been arranged: PUBLIC DISPLAY ON FRIDAY, MAY 5, 6-8pm, PARISH ROOM, FELIXSTOWE ROAD The parish council is holding an extra meeting to consider and agree its own response to the planning application: EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENT PLANS COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 7.30pm, PARISH ROOM, FELIXSTOWE ROAD This is a meeting held in public and you will be welcome to express your views and concerns to us in the public participation section of the meeting.

Please note that, as with all planning applications, the parish council is a consultee and it is the district council, as our planning authority, which makes the decisions. SCDC is aiming to determine the application by the end of July/early August. The land has already been identified for development in SCDC’s Local Plan which they adopted in July 2013 following widespread consultation and an independent public inspection. The parish council represented parishioners’ objections throughout that process, but was unsuccessful in having the site rejected for development. A Vision for Martlesham Parish up to 2031 has come out of the extensive ongoing work on a Martlesham Neighbourhood Plan. The council will seek to achieve some aspects of that vision through input into this planning application; working to maintain the existing quality of life valued by our parishioners whilst seeking new facilities which will not only meet the needs of the new community but serve that of the existing community too.

We urge parishioners to submit comments to SCDC on the planning application, please copy them to us too so we are fully aware of your issues.

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Saturday, May 13: Annual Litter Pick on The Common and surrounding areas Please meet at 10am in the Parish Room, Felixstowe Road. We normally clear litter until noon, but feel free to join in for as long or as little as you can. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Refreshments and equipment provided.

All ages welcome.

Use of community hall car park by R G Carter Projects Ltd R G Carter, a local builder, has been awarded the contract to build the units off Anson Road which includes a new Wickes. The parish council has agreed, with conditions, to allow them use of a section of the community hall car park during construction from April to October in order to avoid on-road parking by their employees and contractors, which would further disrupt the flow of traffic in this retail area. In return R G Carter will make a financial contribution or contribution in kind to the work of the parish council or a community project, to be mutually agreed between both parties. We have been given assurances that vehicle movements will be strictly supervised. The council has reserved the right to terminate the agreement with immediate effect in the event of complaints or inconvenience caused.

Diamond Jubilee Bike Trails A big thank you to SPARK (Sport and Recreation in Kesgrave) for the £300 grant to help with the maintenance of the Diamond Jubilee Bike Trails and their continued support for the site.

Government Housing Assistance If you are looking to buy your own home this website might be helpful: www.ownyourhome.gov.uk It’s the government’s portal detailing the different schemes to help those who wish to buy a home. It covers schemes for those with different incomes, circumstances and ages.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Wednesday, May 3: Annual Meeting of the Parish Council Wednesday, May 10: Extraordinary Development Plans Committee Please note that this has replaced the Recreation & Amenities Committee meeting; its business will be dealt with by the full council as necessary.

Wednesday, May 24: Finance & General Purposes Committee Wednesday, June 7: Parish Council All meetings start at 7.30pm in the Parish Room on Felixstowe Road and are open to the public who are welcome to ask questions or make comments to the council during the adjournment.

Contacting the council Clerk to Martlesham Parish Council, Parish Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham, Woodbridge IP12 4PB / clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk / 01473 612632 For latest news and events visit: www.martlesham.onesuffolk.net Parish Office opening times: 9am-noon, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, but please book an appointment in advance.

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NEWS JOHN KELSO’S DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT

YOUR LOCAL RAINBOWS & GUIDES NEED YOU!

URGENT NEWS: CEG PLANNING APPLICATION The planning application to build 2,000 properties adjacent to Adastral Park was received by Suffolk Coastal Planning Department on April 3. The application will be for outline planning consent so will only show a general layout for the site but should include positions for schools, highway alterations, access points and general infrastructure requirements. More information will be supplied when full planning permission will be required for the individual phases of the development.

Several Martlesham Units are currently looking for that special person to come and help them learn more about their world. Perhaps you could be the one to enable the unit to stay open and continue to offer all the exciting activities for their current and future young members.

Public consultation will have commenced on April 11 with a closing date of May 11. I have expressed my dismay to officers about the short timescale involved and the fact that the period will include the Easter Holiday and May Day. The officer advised me that the normal three week timescale was a legal requirement.

The parish council has called an extraordinary meeting of its planning committee which will take place at the parish council offices at Felixstowe Road on Wednesday, May 10 at 7.30pm to discuss and comment on this application. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Adults (18+) and young people (14+) alike can help our young members continue to experience their Guiding journey. Being a Guiding volunteer can help enhance your CV and count toward the service element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

No previous experience of Guiding is necessary, training is provided and a DBS check is required for all those over 18. If you can commit to one or two hours per week, we’d love to hear from you.

Jo Dixon, Suffolk Outreach Worker: jo.d@btinternet.com www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested Does your Mother Know what 1st Brightwell Guides and 1st Martlesham Heath Rangers have been up to?

Watch the Girlguiding Suffolk media sites and all will be revealed.

I have been advised by Suffolk Coastal that they intend to hold an Intermediate Planning Committee on May 30 which is to include a site visit. They hope to hold a special planning committee towards the end of July and the beginning of August to make the final decision.

Mama Mia, those Martlesham Brownies, Guides & Rangers are real Dancing Queens!

If you have access to the internet, the plans can be viewed and responded to at: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/adastral-park

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The plans are available to view at East Suffolk House, Riduna Park, Station Road, Melton or at Woodbridge Library. I have also booked the parish council room on Friday, May 5 between 6 and 8pm to allow residents to view the plans and to talk over any concerns they may have.

GLADMANS APPEAL I attended the public hearing into the appeal by Gladman to build 140 houses north of the railway line at Sandy Lane to Dukes Park which was held between March 21 and 28. A lot of time was spent by the barristers involved arguing as to whether or not the Local Plan was legal. If Gladman could prove that Suffolk Coastal did not have a five year land supply for house building then the Local Plan could be considered out of date and its policies would not apply.

I am hoping that the government inspector who chaired the enquiry will come to the conclusion that the appeal should not be granted and that Suffolk Coastal were correct in their decision to refuse this development. Hopefully the decision will have been reached by the time this article goes to press.

If you wish to discuss any of the above or any other district council matter please contact me at: john.kelso@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk / 01473 631682 John Kelso, District Councillor Martlesham Ward

Thank you to all who attended our AGM and paid the annual fee. Without this we would not be able to carry out much of what is done on the 240 odd acres we look after.

The question being asked at the moment is what is happening to the football pitch near Gorseland School. It is still very much in MYFC plans and once the problem of the moles is sorted things can move on.

MHHL have once again agreed to sponsor Martlesham in Bloom which always makes summer a very colourful affair around the shopping square.

Another CEG Exhibition is coming up where more details of the plans for Adastral Park will be on show. I’m sure many of us will want to attend and make our thoughts known to the developers so please keep an eye open for details in the local press and elsewhere.

Just a quick reminder that many of the current volunteers and directors of MHHL are long term helpers, all voluntary and meeting once a month to make sure all things Martlesham Heath are looked after in the best interests of the local residents. You don’t have to be qualified in anything, nor restricted on age, but we always welcome new faces who are willing to help, so if you can spare some time please get in contact.

01473 612207 / mhh@martlesham.org.uk http://martleshamheathhouseholdersltd.onesuffolk.net

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM HEATH COUNTRY MARKET – SPRING INTO ACTION! We need another baker and some gardeners, please. Do you know someone who would like to join our neighbourly market? You know we are a friendly and encouraging group and newcomers can come and see what we do – baking, biscuits, cakes and sweets, jam and preserve-making, wood-turning, beaded jewellery, some lovely original cards, painted tiles and flower pots, professionally finished stylish hats, fleecy scarves and gloves for the cooler spring days, hand-made bags of all shapes and sizes, aprons, knitted jumpers and toys, crochet-work to marvel at, decorative floral arrangements (lots of original gift ideas) – and find out how easy it is to join in. Our prices are keen and the quality is high. We make, bake, grow or paint everything we sell and use locally sourced ingredients or materials as much as possible.

(I won’t mention the melt-in-the-mouth quiches because I want one for my lunch!)

If you have time for a new venture or want a reason to practise your skills or hobby, call or come along and meet us to find out more. Cooks, we need you to make sweet treats and savouries for our hungry customers. Gardeners, why not sow a few extra seeds and bring your plants, flowers, vegetables and fruit to sell? We also attend outside events like the Suffolk Show (May 31-June 1), MH100 – a celebration of Martlesham Heath’s last 100 years (July 8-9 on the Main Green), and other local fêtes and shows. Perhaps we’ll see you there?

The Country Market is at Martlesham Pavilion every Tuesday morning from 9-11.15am and we also have a table at Saturday’s mid-monthly Kesgrave market at 1st Kesgrave Scout Hall.

To discuss and place special orders for food or crafts, phone Margaret Gayfer on 01473 623849. Commissions are welcome, too. Come and see us soon!

KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) The following craft activities will take place during May Sunday 7: Celebrate J. M. Barrie’s birthday with us and make a Peter Pan hat Sunday 14: We’re making the Tin Man from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz this week Sunday 21: It’s World Turtle Day on May 23; come and create a turtle herb planter Sunday 28: Ahoy me hearties! Why not join us and design a pirate’s treasure chest?

Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights. There’s no need to book – just turn up and have a go.

Every Thursday (term time only) • Tot Rock, 9.45-10.15am • BabyBounce, 10.30-11am Every Friday (term time only) • Story Time, 9.45-10.15am OTHER EVENTS IN MAY Wednesday, May 3: Knit and Natter at 2.30pm, £1 with tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

Thursday, May 4: Afternoon Book Group at 2.45pm. They are currently reading The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman.

Thursday, May 11: Evening Book Group at 7pm. They are currently reading A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale.

IT Help Sessions Currently fully booked until our July session. Please get in touch if you would like a place from July onwards.

100 Club Our community group has launched a 100 Club to help with fundraising.

For just £1 per month you could enter and have a chance of winning a cash prize, plus knowing you are supporting your local library. Watch out for posters and details about how to sign up or speak to a member of staff about an application form.

Kesgrave Library Community Group AGM If you are interested in joining the group or would like to be a friend to the library, why not pop along to our AGM on Wednesday, May 3 at 7pm and find out all about the group and what it has achieved in the last year? Everyone is welcome.

Donations wanted We hope to start a Lego Club after school one day a week. Do you have some Lego that is no longer used that you would be willing to donate to the library? If so, please pop in or call and speak to a member of staff.

Spring Cleaning If you are looking for a new home for good condition books – fiction, non-fiction or children’s – we are hoping to have a sale to raise money for our community group and the children’s events we put on free of charge each year. Please speak to staff about any donations. Thank you.

Maggie Lusher, Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave Tel: 01473 626103 www.suffolklibraries.co.uk OPENING TIMES Tuesday: 9am-noon, 2.30-5pm Wednesday: 2.30-6pm Thursday: 2.30-8pm Friday: 9am-noon Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 10am-3pm

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS

MIDGE’S CHARITY 65TH

Making music fun in East Anglia Everyone will be welcome at our spring concert on Saturday, May 20 at St Michael’s Church Centre at 7pm. Tickets are £3.50 (primary school children free) from our website, 2nd Stop Charity Shop (next to Kesgrave Tesco) or 07544 962205. Our special guest is Alan Fernie, a renowned brass band composer. As part of our 20th birthday celebrations, Alan was commissioned to compose a piece for the band, and The Sound of St Michael’s is now a band favourite. All our bands will be performing. There will be a raffle and refreshments available during the interval.

On Tuesday, May 16, I will be celebrating my 65th birthday at the Grinning Rat in St Helens Street, Ipswich. This is an invite to all my friends and anybody who just fancies an afternoon of music, drinking and dancing between 1 and 5pm.

We would love to hear from new players, young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to come and have a go. If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument and would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below.

Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm.

Thursday, May 25: Beaded Bookmark (Jill) There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members. New members are welcome.

For more details contact Jill (01473 713534) or Emma (01787 373850).

THE ORWELL SINGERS SUMMER CONCERT The Orwell Singers will be holding their summer concert on Saturday, June 3 at 7.30pm at St Michael and All Angel’s Church, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Admission at the door will be £8 for adults and free for accompanied children and will include light refreshments.

The theme of the concert will be Musical Memories where the choir will sing their favourite songs from their repertoire over the past 20 years. For more information please contact: 01473 635955 / d.sharman@btinternet.com

PRETTY GRIM AT DANCE FOLKUS IN MAY Not a description of how our next evening dance at Woodbridge Community Hall will transpire, but more of an announcement.

Pretty Grim Border Morris side will be performing an entertaining dance spot at our ceilidh on May 5 from 7.30pm. They meet at Blaxhall each month and regularly dance in the local area. They have recently performed at the hugely successful Halesworth Foolish Day of Dance and are regulars at FolkEast. They make a striking sight, dancing dressed in purple and black and wearing masks.

Our first Friday monthly dances have now moved permanently to Woodbridge Community Hall. We benefit from a spacious dance area, ample parking area and easy local transport links. Why not come along and enjoy a dance or come and play in the band? As a result of the extra space, we are now encouraging more local musicians to join the band. We have a list of the tunes we play and internet links to them if you want to access the music. You could always have a combined night out and do some dancing and some playing.

Tickets at the door are £6 and there should be plenty of room if you decide to attend at the last minute. However, there is a £1 discount for booking in advance by email (no payment needed) and students are half price. Contact: Dancefolkus@aol.com For further information about joining the band or the evening ‘barn dance’ contact Rob: 01473 610951

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

The venue is on the 66 bus route from Martlesham/Kesgrave. Curt n Rod will be supplying the entertainment, mainly playing songs from the 60s, but covering the 50s to the 90s. There is no charge, but there will be a charity box if anybody wishes to donate to St Elizabeth Hospice. I look forward to seeing you there.

Midge, 01473 621035

IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET Ipswich Country Market is 33 years young this May, and two of our members have been baking right from the start! Originally we were called a Women’s Institute market and our skills are based on those traditions and high standards. Imagine how good our produce is with all that experience.

We are part of a wider network of about 300 Country Markets across England, Wales and the Channel Islands which have been selling homemade baked goods, preserves, garden-grown fruit and vegetables, plants and handmade crafts for more than 90 years. Our producers pride themselves on keeping traditional home cooking, home growing and hand crafted items alive.

You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page: Ipswich Country Market. Country Markets also have a national website at: www.country-markets.co.uk We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane. There is plenty of free parking, a warm welcome, and home baked refreshments too. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit so come and see what you’ve been missing.

PLEASE NOTE: No markets on Thursday, May 4 due to the hall being used for elections or on Thursday, June 1 as we will be at the Suffolk Show with other markets from East Suffolk. Do come and say hello if you are there! We will be opposite the WI tent, Blue 320 nearest to the Foxhall Road entrance. You can buy our baking, preserves and crafts and we will happily hold your items so that you don’t have to carry them around the show all day.

Don’t worry lovers of bacon rolls, although these are usually available for just £1 on the first Thursday of the month, when we’re not open we will serve them on the second Thursday instead!

IPSWICH EPILEPSY GROUP QUIZ The Ipswich Epilepsy Group is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers who either have epilepsy or know someone with epilepsy. We support people in Ipswich and the surrounding areas and offer social events such as family bowling, meals out and day trips. We also have a help line run by group members to offer advice, information or just be there to listen to people in difficult times. We offer a large range of free hire books, DVDs and information fact sheets and provide advice and training about Epilepsy. We also offer financial support helping with aids, adaptations and assistance technology where possible.

Our new website is regularly updated with new information: www.ipswichepilepsy.org.uk One of our annual fundraising events is a quiz night which this year is on Friday, May 12 at Westgate Ward Social Club, 74 Victoria Street, Ipswich IP1 2JX from 7pm. This is a fun evening for teams of up to six people. Entry is £6, including a buffet and licensed bar. We also hold a raffle during the evening.

If you would like to come and join us please contact 01473 461407 to reserve a table. We look forward to seeing you there.

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OUT & ABOUT ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Our next fundraising event is on Saturday, June 10 from 2-4.30pm in The Richards Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB. Pictures, plants, books and cards will be on sale with live music during the afternoon.

All welcome, entrance is free and light refreshments will be available.

The venue is fully accessible with plenty of free parking.

For further details of the Roger David Burrows Music Fund contact the Burrows family on 01473 625196 or visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Writer and historian James Hayward will present a talk titled Shingle Street Invasion at our next meeting on Monday, June 12.

A Second World War mystery over a ‘failed Nazi invasion’ at a remote beach in Suffolk may have been manufactured by Britain’s head of propaganda.

Burn the Sea is the definitive account of the origin, circulation and astonishing longevity of the myth of the ‘invasion that failed’ in 1940, as well as its remarkable revival in 1992 around the Suffolk fishing hamlet of Shingle Street.

Meetings are held at The Pavilion on Martlesham Heath and start at 8pm. Admission is £2.50 and newcomers are always welcome.

Kim Quinton

WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays, May 13 and 27 from 9am-12.30pm at Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road.

Please come and support your local farmers’ market. We sell a great range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, goat’s cheese, pies, pasties, marmalade, preserves and pickles, fudge and various treats.

We also have a friendly cafe. Our food is produced in small quantities with good quality ingredients by people who really care about what they do.

We are a trusted and much-loved market but we cannot survive on fresh air – if you want us to survive, come along and support us!

To receive our e-newsletter please contact Cordelia: woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Spend an evening with Claudia Myatt, writer, painter and illustrator.

Claudia Myatt lives afloat an elderly tugboat near Woodbridge. Her portfolio consists of a monthly cartoon in Practical Boat Owner alongside numerous sailing-themed illustrated books.

Claudia will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute Reading Room (15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA) on Thursday, May 11 as part of the Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events. Doors open at 7pm. Event starts at 7.30pm.

General admission is £8 with students free. To reserve tickets email: tickets@sbl.org.uk www.sbl.org.uk

MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY The subject of our meeting on Friday, April 7 was Pistol Packing Momma – The Story of a Parham B17 Flying Fortress. A DVD was introduced by Tim Brett from Parham Air Museum. Tim was accompanied by his wife Gillian and began by telling the audience that the 390th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Parham between July 1943 and the end of the war in Europe.

He read excerpt from letters written by crew members. They gave a flavour of desperately dangerous days. The DVD was then shown and it depicted most vividly the horrors of daylight attacks over heavily defend Germany. Only five days after the 390th Bomb Group became operational it was ordered to attack the heavily defended Messerschmitt aircraft complex at Regensburg. This was a shuttle mission, with the bombers landing at bases in North Africa. In October of that year they attacked the ball bearing factory at Scheinfurt in one of the bloodiest missions of the war. For both of these missions the group received the Distinguished Unit Citation. In over 300 missions, they dropped more than 19,000 tons of bombs. They lost 176 aircraft and 714 airmen were killed in action.

Parham Airfield Museum is open from 11am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from now until the last Sunday in October. A vote of thanks was given by our vice-president, Robert Dunnett.

Our next meeting on Friday, May 5 is our AGM. This will be followed by a DVD about the development of radar at Bawdsey. Aircraft from RAF Martlesham were deployed by the boffins at Bawdsey, particularly in the early experiments of airborne radar.

Meetings are held at the community hall on Felixstowe Road and start at 7.30pm with a tea/coffee break. Non-members are welcome for a payment of just £4 at the door.

Our Control Tower museum is open from 2-5pm every Sunday until the end of October. www.mhas.org.uk

MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB We have two meetings planned for May. On Thursday, May 11, John Read will give a talk entitled Wales the Red Dragon and the Tillworth Teg and on May 25 Dan Wheales will tell us about herbs and herbal remedies with a demonstration, tasting and an opportunity to buy.

1ST MARTLESHAM SCOUTS Were you a Cub or a Scout in Martlesham in the 1980s or 90s? Or a Beaver in 2000?

The last evening meeting of the season is our AGM on June 8. Our coffee morning to raise money for our chosen charity, the Motor Neurone Disease, will be held on Saturday, June 17 at 14 Gayfer Avenue from 10am-noon. There will be various stalls, a raffle and competitions. We are planning to meet and to go out to lunch sometime during the summer.

We would be pleased to hear from anyone who has ever been part of the 1st Martlesham Scout Group for an exhibition as part of MH100 weekend.

Meetings are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.15pm in the Richards Room. To find out more contact Doreen Boar: 01473 622768

Please contact us via the Scout website or by phoning Rachel on 01473 610437.

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It’d be good to display items such as photos and uniforms and to hear your reminiscences.

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OUT & ABOUT

KESGRAVE WI Our April meeting was again very well attended. We now have 60 members but are always pleased to welcome visitors joining us with a view to becoming members.

Three visitors joined us to enjoy a most interesting and informative illustrated talk titled Ipswich Past, Present and Future by John Norman, chair of The Ipswich Society. His talk covered the history of Ipswich from earliest time until the present day with a look into the future. Did you know that Ipswich is the oldest continually inhabited town in England on record? John’s knowledge of Ipswich is immense – we all learnt something about Ipswich that we didn’t know before – even having the new computerised traffic light system, which is actually switched on and working, explained in simple terms.

Graphically produced images of what the new bridge across the river could look like, the proposed plans for the Cornhill and the once proposed Westgate shopping centre for the old Civic Centre area caused much discussion.

The competition for a photograph of an Ipswich building was won by Doreen Roderick, with Sandra Pell second and Wendy Randall third.

During our business session Delcie reported on the Federation Annual Meeting at Trinity Park in March which was attended by 14 Kesgrave members. It was an excellent day with a variety of speakers including: Roger Fern, Mayor of Ipswich, talking on dementia; a representative from the Co-op who spoke of their aim to be become dementia friendly shops; volunteer reading in primary school; Judith Shallow, The Lady High Sheriff of Suffolk, outlining her year in office; Suffolk Wildlife Trust; Moira Hammond talking about the work of the ACW; and Mark Horton from the BBC Coast programme.

A team of six members had attended the Federation Spring Quiz, coming a very respectable fourth place overall. Details were given for two of our day outings along with information about the Suffolk Show WI competitions.

Due to local elections our next meeting is in the conservatory at Kesgrave Community Centre at 7.15pm on Thursday, May 4.

Our speaker will be Sacha Tiller talking about wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Visitors are very welcome to join us. If you require any information please call the secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415

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OUT & ABOUT SUMMER AND BEYOND WITH THE U3A As members already know, the U3A committee doesn’t rest on its laurels during the summer. Plans are being made in all departments to ensure everything is ready for discussion at our AGM on June 12 when we hope U3A members will join us at Kesgrave Community Centre at 2pm.

There are still some talks to educate and inspire members and visitors before the summer break. Please remember if you are a visitor you are very welcome to attend one of the talks before applying to become a full member.

The campus coordinator or volunteers at each venue will be delighted to give further details of applying for membership on the day.

Salvation Army Hall, Felixstowe at 10.30am Thursday, May 4: The Greatest Show Not on Earth – From Eclipses to Distant Black Holes by Paul Whiting Market Hall, Saxmundham at 2pm Thursday, May 11: Building the Tower of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, an account by the construction team leader Horry Parsons Kesgrave Community Centre at 2pm Monday, May 22: Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown: Landscape, Art and Dame Nature, a talk by Dr Twigs Way regarding the life and work of England’s greatest gardener Woodbridge Community Hall at 2.30pm Monday, June 5: Miss Savidge Moves Her House by Christine Adams, the fascinating story of a woman who literally moved her house to Norfolk Talks will recommence in September and details will be available after the AGM on our website or by telephoning our secretary on 03001 233913. If you would like further details on becoming a member please use either the website or telephone this number. www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our April meeting demonstrated the wisdom of having reserve lecturers!

Our scheduled lecturer couldn’t get back from the continent in time, so our resourceful programme secretaries found a replacement at short notice.

Rosalind Whitehouse talked to us about Cover Ups – History hidden within Paintings and Exploring what is meant by ’Authentic’. Rosalind is a freelance conservator of paintings and she gave us a wonderful talk, based on her own experiences, of what can be found behind the dirt, the overpainting and the heavy varnishings on oil paintings. A fascinating lecture and a worthy replacement.

On Wednesday, May 3, Timothy Schroder will tell us all about Sacred Silver in England: 500 Years of Change. Timothy is a specialist in silver and has written several books on the subject.

So why not become a member and enjoy good company and an interesting talk? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Meeting begins at 2.05pm and last about an hour. Tea and coffee are available up until 2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have available space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a guests/visitor limit of 20 so please contact Wendy Robbins before the day on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.

For the latest events and news visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

WOOLLY WONDERS This month the Woolly Wonders will meet from 10am-noon on Thursdays 11 and 25. You’ll find us in The Runway Café next to St Michael’s.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

WEDDING SPEECH? The wedding season is with us. You’ve been asked to give a wedding speech. Of course you want to do your best, but how about using it to ‘kick-start’ further public speaking?

Local community organisations like the WI, the U3A and many others are always looking for interesting speakers and it’s a chance for you to share your enthusiasm for your hobby or interest with a wider audience.

What’s the next step then?

Let Speak Easy at Martlesham, your friendly neighbourhood speakers’ club, help you improve your public speaking in 2017.

Speak Easy is a Toastmasters International club (www.toastmasters. org). TI has spent over 90 years devising and refining the best ways for us all to develop our public speaking. Improving your public speaking also boosts your confidence and puts you on the track to becoming a better leader. Toastmasters recognises this. There are leadership projects and opportunities, as well as the speaking projects, within its educational ’tracks’.

The tracks are all supported by books and other materials that guide and challenge you. It’s always up to you how far and how fast you progress.

We meet every Thursday fortnight at the Richards Room in Martlesham (alongside Felixstowe Road, behind the Tesco superstore). Our meetings are structured to include impromptu speaking, formal speaking and evaluation. Evaluation is a vital part of how Toastmasters’ clubs operate.

When you evaluate someone else speaking you not only help them, you also – through empathy and understanding – help your own speaking. It’s very cost effective way to learn as well Even if you’re not giving a wedding speech, we’ll still be very pleased to see you!

For further details please call 07968 372563 or select Contact Us from the main menu at www.speak-easy.org.uk. Or just want turn up at a meeting; you’ll find dates and directions online.

Speak Easy at Martlesham is all about learning to speak in a friendly, encouraging and enjoyable environment. We look forward to meeting you soon.

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, April 27 at 7.30pm: Frances Saltmarsh presents Fig Leaves, Farthingales and Fichus, a fascinating and entertaining introduction to costume evolution with some real examples for you to examine. This talk follows our brief branch AGM. We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door.

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

IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY On April 5 we held our annual auction which contained 575 lots of very good material. We sold over £2,000 worth to members of our club, members of other clubs in East Anglia and members of the public. The commission we made from these sales will help us to pay for our speakers for the next season starting in September.

Our last meeting of the current season is on June 7 which is the AGM followed by a bourse and a quiz. Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, 7 for 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. For further information contact the secretary, Mike Smith: 01473 403904

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OUT & ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE On Friday, March 17 we received a very interesting talk from Olive Quinton, the founder of Lofty Heights. Olive had one of those inspirational moments that led her to start up this social enterprise to provide employment and training opportunities for young people disadvantaged through poor education attainment, longterm unemployment or risk of homelessness. Once trained – and with supervision – they provide loft emptying, de-cluttering services for vulnerable people in the community so that they can have warmer, safer, cosier homes. Lofty Heights work closely with family members, support workers and housing associations and take great care to protect all important items such as documents, photographs, medals, letters and jewellery. Items of personal importance are gathered and safely stored in a memory box. Lofty Heights is a not-for-profit organisation, but do have to charge to cover their costs.

You can find out more about Lofty Height at: www.lofty-heights.org On Friday, March 24 we hosted Alan Wheeler and Anna-Karien Drost of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

The Air Ambulance started operating in 2001, covering Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. In 2007 a second helicopter, Anglia Two, was added and the area extended to cover Bedfordshire. The helicopters operate seven days a week, 365 days a year. The service has been based at Cambridge since 2015 and additional premises were opened in Norwich in 2016. The service is now operated with fully night capable and larger H145 helicopters capable of reaching anywhere in the area within 25 minutes and carry enough fuel to fly for over two hours with a range of nearly 335 miles. The cost of operating the service is £3,500 per mission and totals £400,000 per month met entirely by the weekly lottery, donations, street or store collections and events.

Find out more at: www.eaaa.org.uk

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 16 when Anthony Cobbold will talk about one of Suffolk’s best known families, the Cobbolds, and their contribution to Suffolk life. Anthony founded the Cobbold Family Trust which seeks to collect and preserve archival material and artefacts relating to the family. Anthony will be delving into the family history, which, as we will see, consists of more than beer and football.

WOODBRIDGE INNER WHEEL GETS QUIZZICAL A very successful quiz night on March 17 raised £1,010 for the Stroke Working Age Group Suffolk. This charity supports young people who have suffered a stroke and whose lives are changed completely as a result. A team from the group took part in the quiz and were thrilled at the amount of money raised.

At our April meeting, members learned about the origins of Aldeburgh Carnival, which began in the 19th century as an addition to the regatta. Judy Gowen, a long-time member of the organising committee, spoke about how in the 1950s there was a long procession of floats and many stalls but by the 1960s, due to lack of money and the growing popularity of package holidays, it had become much smaller. However, by the 1980s it was thriving again and now raises about £10,000 per year for the local community.

Woodbridge Inner Wheel continues to support both local and international charities, and this month we have donated £75 to the East Africa Crisis Appeal.

TOP EXPERTS IN TINNITUS AND HEARING LOSS SPEAK IN IPSWICH The Hearing Care Centre recently organised an informative event with leading experts from the world of ‘all things ears’ for an exclusive event in Ipswich. Designed to educate attendees about the help and support available, the Suffolk Hearing Care and Tinnitus Show on Monday, April 3 proved extremely popular with more than 140 guests attending.

The Hearing Care Centre, which has 23 centres across Suffolk and Norfolk, managed to secure the time of some of Attendees with an expert the country’s most sought after experts on from Sensing Change tinnitus and hearing loss. Professor David Baguley gave attendees a better understanding about what tinnitus is, how it affects us and where researchers are at in their quest to find a solution to the problem. Suffolk’s own ENT specialist, Mr Mahmoud Salam shared his knowledge on conditions that affect the ear in adults.

In the UK, hearing loss affects one in six people (over 11 million people) and this climbs to one in three people aged over 60 years. Sadly, people wait on average 10 years to address their hearing loss, which impacts significantly on their general health and wellbeing. Tinnitus (noises heard inside the head) also affects around 10% of the UK population and research has shown that a high proportion of tinnitus sufferers also experience hearing loss.

This is our last meeting until September 19 when the subject will be the Garretts of Leiston. Further details will be published in the September issue.

Karen Finch, managing director and senior audiologist at The Hearing Care Centre, also talked at the event. She said: “I’m delighted to have been able to put this event together for the people of Suffolk. It allowed those effected to come and find out information without the pressure of going into a clinic room. The event provided a platform where guests were able to learn about some of latest hearing technology that is helping thousands of patients with both hearing loss and tinnitus.”

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

The event also hosted an exhibition where attendees were able to find out about local hearing care and tinnitus support groups, assistive products, complementary therapies, removal of earwax, hearing loss charities and more.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761

If you are affected by hearing loss and tinnitus, request further information from The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk

www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY

PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP

Wednesday, May 24, 7pm: Time Flies at The Old Warden – The Story of the Shuttleworth Collection, illustrated talk by Alan Reed

On March 18 the Nature Explorers completed adding posts for the new nature, pond and historic walks (the waymarker symbols for these walks will be added soon). Afterwards they joined the working party in cutting back the hedges and litter picking where needed along the outskirts of the woodlands by the A1214.

We meet at 7pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via the rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee.

Details from: 01473 414746/422145 www.idhts.co.uk

The volunteers were then treated to a close-up view of a badger that was rescued from a garden in the local area. It was a young male badger kicked out of the sett by his mother which is a natural part of their growth cycle.

DIABETES UK, IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting is at 7pm on Thursday, June 8 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. The main speakers will be Dr Zoe Waller on her work on the genetics of diabetes and Martin Hoskins from Silver Lining Estate Planning Ltd, who are sponsoring the evening, will give a short talk on estate planning, power of attorney and wills.

This is a social gathering of people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to share information on diabetes and to talk to others in similar situations.

Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee.

For further information please contact: dsgipswich@gmail.com / 07547 513730 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

MARTLESHAM IN BLOOM Martlesham Common – Wildlife Survey of Flora and Fauna Martlesham in Bloom is arranging for the wildlife on Martlesham Common (including the flora and fauna) to be surveyed to help the parish council with their management of the Common. One of the aims of Martlesham in Bloom is to help improve the environmental quality and biodiversity of the parish and the results of this survey will also help with these aims.

Martlesham Common is the area of land between the A12, Mill Heath, Felixstowe Road and Tesco and is designated as a County Wildlife Site. It is well used by many residents for walking, dog walking or simply to get from one part of Martlesham to another and we would like to encourage anybody to help with this survey. The survey is to include sitings of any flora or fauna throughout the year and we will be producing a simple form for anyone who is interested to help with this survey to record what they see on each visit.

Several volunteers have already offered to help and more will be welcome.

Anybody who is interested in helping please contact: martleshaminbloom@gmail.com / J Maureen Burrows 01473 625196

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DEBEN FLOWER CLUB QUIZ NIGHT Deben Flower Club will be holding a quiz night on Saturday, May 20 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU, 7 for 7.30pm.

Once again this will be a light-hearted fun evening and will include a ploughman’s supper.

Why not join in the fun and bring along a team of six? If you don’t have six people for your team you may be asked to share a table with other club members.

Tickets need to be purchased in advance and are £8 each including supper.

Please bring your own drinks and glasses.

For further information and tickets contact: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

Nature Explorers Award Winner,

by D Sweeting

At our AGM on April 3, the Nature Explorer of the Year was announced as Chloe King who was presented with The Powling Cup, which now has a new plinth crafted by John Geary out of a piece of sweet chestnut from the woods. The new committee was appointed and Duncan Sweeting gave a presentation on the history of the PWCG and Portal Woods.

DATES FOR THE DIARY Volunteer Work Morning: Saturday, May 20, 10am-noon Meet at the Education Area. Tools, training and light refreshments provided.

All ages welcome; no need to book.

Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds): Saturday, May 20, 9am-11am Nature Watch Club: Dates to be advised Contact us at pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com / 01473 612632, visit www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net or join our member’s Facebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting.

Sam Cork, Nature Explorer and Young Volunteer

HEDGEHOG NURSERY AT GORSELAND SCHOOL The term began with settling in new children and helping them to develop confidence, make friends and learn the rules and routines at our setting.

We are delighted that the warmer weather has arrived and the children are enjoying lots of outdoor learning experiences. We are focusing on lifecycles and have been observing frogspawn and watching caterpillars grow and change. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is our stimulus for lots of learning – counting, days of the week, growing, new language, cooking, tasting different foods and storytelling to name a few!

Hedgehog Nursery invites you to ‘stay and play’ at our open mornings on Tuesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 4, both from 9.30-10.30am. If you are unable to make these mornings, please contact us to make alternative arrangements. We will be offering 30 hours of funding to eligible families from September 2017.

Mrs Jen Florey

CALLING ALL MUMS...

Martlesham Mums’ Club will meet in St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath on Tuesday, May 2 from 12.45-2.30pm. This will be a ‘chomp and chat’ meeting where we all get a chance to have a nice lunch and a good chat. All mums, dads, grans, granddads and carers with babies and toddlers are invited to come along.

For more information contact Lindsay: 07828 559026

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SCHOOLS / SPORT MARTLESHAM OUTDOOR BOWLS THE SAPLINGS Spring has finally arrived and the sun has finally started to shine! As this is such a lovely time of year we will be doing lots of exploring and making the most of being outside. We will be having fun making spring related crafts and planting. The children will get to take part in some nature walks and will be exploring our mud kitchen.

This theme will run through the baby room, pre-school and after school club so all of the children coming to us will be able to enjoy the activities.

We have spaces in all our rooms and funded two and three year olds can use their funded sessions throughout our opening hours and ‘stretch’ funding across holiday club.

The Saplings is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm for children aged three months to 11 years, offering term-time and year-round care, with a baby room and pre-school, breakfast club, after school club and holiday club and a ‘walking bus’ to and from Birchwood Primary School.

For more information, please contact: news@thesaplings.org.uk / 01473 614753 www.thesaplings.org.uk / Facebook

SUMMER TERM AT BRIGHT STARS If you are a baby, toddler or pre-schooler who would like a fun start to your week we would love you to come along with your parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers to join us at Bright Stars. We are an informal and friendly group who meet at 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term time at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. The half hour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to play until approximately noon, while the adults enjoy a chat!

Why not come and visit us? You are welcome to just turn up on the day, but if you would like any further information please contact us on the numbers below. We look forward to welcoming you!

Our session dates for the summer term 2017 are May 8 and 22, June 12 and 26 and July 10.

For further information please contact: Jennie Fidler 07584 420729; Sonya & Maureen Burrows 01473 625196; Sue Lambert 01473 624130

By the time you read this, we will have had our opening drive and be well into the new season. Thanks to the dedicated team of members who have worked throughout the year to get it ready, the green is in very good condition.

Hopefully the weather will have been kind to us!

We are an active club playing in four different leagues as well as playing friendly matches with other clubs. We have rollups and social bowling during the week and on Saturdays where there is opportunity to get to know other members in a friendly, relaxed setting, learn the game and practise bowling skills.

We are holding an open afternoon on Saturday, May 13 from 2-5pm for anyone who would like to try their hand at bowls.

Refreshments will be provided.

For those who aren’t sure where the bowls club is, we are situated in the Recreation Ground in The Street, Martlesham. You’ll find the address and a map online.

We welcome new members, with or without experience, so if you are interested, please visit our website for more information or contact our secretary: 01473 622598 / mary.drake@talktalk.net www.martleshambowlsclub.com

WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB The green door swings open on another season.

What a busy time of year spring is as we throw off the fug of winter and the early sunshine highlights all the little faults that winter light has so conveniently camouflaged. Our bowls club is no exception. Having kept the green going in the winter, greenkeeper Malcolm Ord and his band of volunteers spring into action with mowers, edgers and spreaders.

The clubhouse and machine shed have been given a fresh coat of preservative and one or two members who hadn’t had the best of winters wondered whether a coating of the same would do them some good!

In the wider community, the club took part in the recent Woodbridge on Show event in the community hall. This gave local organisations a chance to put themselves in front of a wider public.

BIRCHWOOD CAR BOOT SALE Saturday, May 20, 10am-noon Set up from 9am, £5 per car, no traders Please see the school office for the Car Boot Sale form if you wish to sell.

Tables to hire – available on request. Cheques made payable to Birchwood Primary School PTFA.

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OPEN MORNING We are holding an open morning on Saturday, May 6 at Tiles Green, Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge. Both new and experienced bowlers will be welcome to come and check out the club and its facilities between 10am and noon. Viv Sheppard, our qualified coach, will be on hand to introduce newcomers to the game and teach the basic skills. Flat shoes (no heels) should be worn so that there is no damage to the green. Established members will also be on hand to answer any questions about the club and its ethos of sport and sportsmanship. In addition to bowling a few woods there will be refreshments available.

For membership details please visit: www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk / Facebook

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SPORT IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL

KESGRAVE & NORTHGATE KARATE NEWS Kesgrave, Northgate and Associated Club members have been hard at work during the past month attending a number of competitions. Most recently, there was the 1St CHKA Open competition in Hornchurch on Sunday, April 2. Harry Whitmore won a bronze medal and Lilly Melton and Emma Buckley both took home silver medals, all in the Japanese individual kata. Lauren Berry took home gold in the individual kata.

There was also a gold medal for Ruby Hunt in Kumite in the age 10 to 11 -35kg category.

The EKKA Eastern Counties competition was held at Northgate Sports Centre on Sunday, March 12. Tayler Evans won gold and Ruby Hunt won silver, both in kumite categories. There was a huge haul of medals in the kata categories. Emma Buckley and Lilly Melton took home a bronze in team pairs as did Harry Whitmore and Lauren Berry. Thomas Humphries and Sofia Standring won silver medals for their paired kata and Amelia Clow and Sophie Swann won gold. In individual kata, both Harry Whitmore and Chloe Campbell won bronze medals and Sophie Swann won silver.

Well done to all the competitors in both competitions and a big thank you to all the coaches who attended for their invaluable support. Also thank you to our club sponsors Ipswich Audi, M+C Diesel, I.S. Electrical and Chris Clow for their continued support.

With the summer approaching, attention turns to our outdoor activities. We will once again be running open friendly volleyball games every Saturday in Christchurch Park from 2-4pm (weather permitting). These sessions are completely free and open to anyone who wants to play, whether experienced or beginner, adult or junior, male or female.

The sessions are run by our qualified coaches who will give help and advice to anyone who needs it to get started. If you have ever been tempted to give volleyball a try this is a perfect opportunity, just come along on any Saturday afternoon wearing normal outdoor sports kit. You can bring a friend or relative if you wish.

As well as regular classes throughout the week and kumite class on Friday nights, fitness training sessions start on Sunday, April 30. This is open to members and non-members alike and you can test your level of fitness on Sunday mornings from 10.30-11am at Northgate Sports Centre prior to the main class. There are different levels so you can start with gentle Level 1 (10 shuttle runs in one minute followed by 10 press ups, 10 sit ups and 10 sprint squat thrusts) up to Level 5 (which is 80 shuttle runs in eight minutes, 50 press ups, 50 sit ups and 50 sprint squat thrusts). You can practise as much as you like in the hall and only pay for the test when you are ready. The test will cost £5 with all proceeds going towards club funds to help with competition entries.

If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

And finally, huge congratulations to our newest black belt, Matt Standring, who achieved his First Dan on March 26. Well done for all your hard work and perseverance Matt, you’re an inspiration to us all!

In Division 2 we were delighted to be able to enter both a ladies team and a junior team. Our women had impressive wins against Suffolk University and our own juniors, and defeats against Stingers and Fil Suffolk. Meanwhile our juniors pushed hard in their losses against Stingers, Suffolk Uni, and our women, and finished with a comfortable win against a new Bury juniors side.

There are a number of competitions in April and May so we look forward to reporting further club successes next month.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham

This last month saw the final tournament in the six-a-side indoor volleyball series at Maidenhall Sports Centre which started in October. It was another excellent tournament for Ravens and we were able to enter three teams for the first time thanks to the steady growth of the club throughout the season.

In Division 1 our First team finished in a highly commendable second place with wins against Stowmarket II, Diss, and Ipswich, and a defeat against the overall winners Stowmarket III.

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ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb answers your questions Colin, Graham and David from Great Blakenham ask: “We are partners in a small but successful engineering business. We have no formal arrangements in place in the event of one of us dying, and we are unsure how to protect the business and ensure that the other partners could carry on if that happened to any one of us. What do you suggest?”

When one of the partners or shareholders in a business dies, it is important that the surviving owners can continue trading, and keep control of the business. If you are a partner or shareholder, you will probably have two concerns: that the business you have worked hard to build will be able to carry on successfully if one of your partners dies, and that your family will get the full value of your share of that business if you die before your partners.

This process can actually be put into place using a partnership protection strategy. That’s a special legal ‘buy out’ agreement linked to some basic life insurance policies. The most flexible option is for each of you to arrange an insurance policy covering your own life, written in trust for the other business owners, or, if there are only three of you, you can each have a policy, which covers the life of the other business owners. That way, when one of you dies, the others receive the funds, and can use them to buy the share of the deceased partner from his family.

You will then need to draw up an agreement, the partnership agreement

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or ‘Business Will’, to ensure that your wishes are carried out. This will require the assistance of your solicitor. You could have a Double Option agreement, where the partners have the right to buy your share and your family has a right to ask them to buy, or a Single Option agreement (often used for critical illness claims) so you can ask the other business owners to buy your share, but they cannot force you to sell.

Having the correct agreement in place can also mean that the assets are potentially eligible for Business Property Relief and therefore not liable to Inheritance Tax. If you would rather transfer the assets into a trust rather than be paid directly to your estate, a separate ‘Bypass Trust’ can also be arranged to accommodate your requirements. Good legal advice from a specialist business lawyer is essential when setting up such a partnership protection arrangement.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services of Baylham in Suffolk. The information within this column is provided only as a general guide and does not constitute personal financial advice. If you would like to take advantage of a complimentary meeting to talk over your options for your own investments or financial planning you can contact Nick by email at nick@plumbfs.co.uk or by calling the office on 01473 830301.

Plumb Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

WILLS MONTH RETURNS FOR ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE Throughout May, you can make or amend your will at local solicitors for a discounted cost in return for a suggested donation to St Elizabeth Hospice.

The local charity’s Wills Month coincides with Dying Matters Awareness Week which runs from May 8-14. The theme for 2017 is asking the question ‘What can you do?’ and one key thing you can do to prepare for the future is to make a will, ensuring that the people and charities you care about are looked after in the future.

Pauline Donkin, Individual Giving Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We are hugely grateful to the local solicitors and will writers offering their time free of charge to support the hospice. Last year our Wills Month was highly popular and raised more than £11,000, which equates to almost 600 nursing hours and means we can provide vital care for our patients and their families at a time when they need us most.”

The suggested donations for each of these are as follows: for a single will £115, a mirror or double will £150 and a codicil £50. If you would like to make your will in return for a donation to St Elizabeth Hospice, please choose from the list of local solicitors and will writers who have signed up to take part, and contact them to book an appointment between May 1 and 31: Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Solicitors taking part in Ipswich and Kesgrave are: Attwells, Bates Wells & Braithwaite, Blocks, Christchurch, Michael Smith & Co, Prettys, Watkins Stewart & Ross, Barker Gotelee, Ross Coates and Will Plans Ltd.

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For more information and how to contact the solicitors and will writers, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/willsmonth, call 01473 707960 or email: fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

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