In Touch
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with Martlesham Volume 9 • Issue No. 4 • MARCH 2019
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Ipswich & District Phtographic Society Exhibition, p13
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I hope you value the fact that we aim to produce a monthly magazine with a balance of advertising and editorial content, providing essential information about products and services we all require and supporting local business in doing so, while also providing relevant local news which enables residents to engage with the local community and keep in touch with local news and events. As editor I juggle this rather delicate balance very carefully and encourage readers to support the advertisers who enable Mansion House Publishing (MHP) to design, print and deliver the magazine every month and to support an enormous range of fundraising activities and charities. You’ll find quite a few in this edition and I hope you can support the efforts of those who make them happen. One which I’d like to highlight this month, and which we have made a commitment to support until the project has been completed, is The Blossom Appeal, a Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals charity set up to develop a £2.5 million Breast Centre at Ipswich Hospital. The new centre will bring all elements of breast care at Ipswich Hospital under one roof and provide an environment where patients can be imaged, biopsied where necessary, and see their clinician in one appointment without the need to get dressed and undressed several times. There will also be new dedicated clinics for men and young people. We’ll provide regular updates, promote fundraising events and let you know how you can help. Right now they are looking for people to open their gardens in 2019. All types and size of garden are welcome. You choose when to open. Simply ask visitors for a donation to view your garden and sell refreshments, plants or crafts to boost your fundraising. Register your garden at www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/opengardens or for more information contact: charity@esneft.nhs.uk / 0300 770 1369 To find out more about The Blossom Appeal please visit: www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/breast
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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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NEWS
MARTLESHAM VILLAGE FETE Save the date – Saturday, July 20 Work has started on organising this year’s fete, which we hope will be blessed with the same fine weather and success we had last year. We plan to have a range of entertainment for all, with stalls representing the local organisations which make Martlesham such a great place to live. In addition, we will have a multi-sport competition for young people to demonstrate their skills. By the time you read this we plan to have approached everyone who took part last year and some new groups as well, but if we have missed you out and you wish to take part please email as below. We are always looking for volunteers to join our working group to plan the day and for people to help out on the day itself. Please consider joining us, and send your details to the email address. Contact email: mvfete@gmail.com
HEADWAY SUFFOLK MARTLESHAM DEMENTIA GROUP Headway Suffolk runs a monthly social support group for people with dementia in Martlesham. It takes place every fourth Thursday of the month at St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift in Martlesham from 11.45am to 3.15pm. The person with dementia must be accompanied by a carer. The group partake in a variety of stimulating and engaging games and activities. It costs £6, which includes a fish and chip lunch and refreshments. The next group meeting is on Thursday, March 28. Find out more at: www.headwaysuffolk.org.uk/dementiamartlesham The group relies on the goodwill of volunteers to help in the kitchen, with preparations and tidying away, as well as engaging clients in discussion and with various activities, such as indoor games, cognitive exercises and singing. If you would like to make a referral or want to volunteer please contact, Maureen Howes: 01473 712225 / maureenhowes@headwaysuffolk.org.uk
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NEWS NEW ANGLE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE Entries have now been received for the fifth biennial New Angle Prize for Literature, awarded to celebrate and encourage excellence in the regional literature of East Anglia. The competition is organised by the Ipswich Institute and sponsored by Gotelee Solicitors and Scrutton Bland accountants. With a prize of £2,000 and £500 for the runner-up, the award is for recently published books of literary merit associated with or influenced by East Anglia. The judges for 2019 are: Julia Blackburn: Poet and author of fiction and non-fiction, Her most recent book, Threads, won the East Anglian Book of the Year Award in 2015 and the 2017 New Angle Prize. Julia lives in Suffolk and sometimes in Italy. Andrew Burton: Writer and teacher of playwriting and radio drama at University of Essex. Andrew has been on judging panels for playwriting and literature and also managed writer development programmes for Essex Book Festival. Amanda Hodgkinson: An award winning, internationally bestselling novelist, journalist and lecturer. Her novel 22 Britannia Road won the Waterstone Award for best debut novel and the New Angle Prize EADT Readers Award in 2013. Amanda grew up on the Blackwater estuary in Essex and now lectures in creative writing at University of Suffolk. Authors of the six short-listed books will attend a showcase book-reading event to be held at the Ipswich Institute on Wednesday, May 1 and prizewinners will be announced at a special awards dinner at Hintlesham Golf Club on Wednesday, July 3. Tickets for these events, which are open to non-members, are available from the Ipswich Institute. www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk / 01473 253992
IPSWICH SPORTS CLUB FOR THE DISABLED Ipswich Sports Club for the Disabled meets at Northgate Sports Centre every Tuesday between 7 and 9pm. Our wheelchair basketball section plays ablebodied teams such as the police, church groups, scouts, work groups and groups of friends. This year we find two of those groups are unable to make their allotted slots on more than six occasions If you run a youth group or are a group of workmates who would like to do something different, come and have a go. We would love to hear from you and we would supply the wheelchairs. For more information contact Alwyn Basford: 01473 624548 / alwyn.basford@sky.com
£7,000 DONATED TO LOCAL PROJECTS THROUGH TESCO’S BAGS OF HELP The Tesco Bags of Help programme supports local community projects by providing funding through the sale of 10p reusable bags for life. Customers are invited to vote for the project they most wish to support and the most popular cause gains the most funding. The winning cause from the last round of voting in the Martlesham branch was the East Anglia Children’s Hospice, which received £4,000 for community music therapy sessions, benefiting life-limited children and their families. In second place, receiving £2,000, was the British Red Cross, funding emergency welfare packs to be given to local people who have lost their homes through fire or flooding. Finally, Martlesham Parish Council received £1,000 to fund display panels on Martlesham Common to inform visitors of the history and wildlife on the heathland. The Bags of Help programme runs all year round and highlighted projects change every few months. New projects are invited to apply online to be considered for inclusion in the scheme at: www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp
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MARTLESHAM SURGERY PRACTICE & PATIENT GROUP (PPG) NEWS We were pleased to hear, at our February meeting, that patients can now book appointments in advance as well as on the day. Last year, when the practice was experiencing a shortage of doctors, it wasn’t possible to allocate appointment spaces in advance in case demand for urgent appointments on the day exceeded those that were left. However, now we have the full complement of two doctors throughout the week (Mon-Fri), half of all appointments are now reserved for one-the-day bookings and half can be booked ahead. How long you will need to wait for non-urgent appointments will depend on who you want to see as two of our doctors only work one day per week (Monday & Friday). If you are happy to see one of the other doctors, advance appointments should normally be available within one-two weeks. In order for this system to work for everyone, please let the reception staff know if your appointment can wait a few days. If you are interested in joining the PPG or would like to know more about what we do, please email MartPPG@gmx.com or leave your contact details with reception marked ‘FAO PPG’.
YOUR LOCAL COUNTRY MARKET A little bit of love… Generosity, kindness, a delight in bringing a bit of light into other’s lives: is it catching? I took part in a FareShare fill-a-shopping-trolley scheme in a local supermarket before Christmas. People told me heart-warming stories about being part of their church’s cooking programme and about adventures delivering meals to people at home. One person put an armful of tins and packets into the trolley saying, “I needed this last year and I want to give back”. Of course there were a few who hadn’t time or didn’t want to know, but others filled the trolley in just a few hours and it went to those in need. A little bit goes a long way and kindness is free. After Valentine’s Day, there’s Mother’s Day on March 31, then the inevitable choc-fest that’s Easter. Hot cross buns are in the shops and chocolate eggs and bunnies have been there since Christmas, it seems. Simple delights like traditional simnel cakes, little nests of fluffy knitted chicks and jolly spring flowers remind me of my primary school projects. Our bakers and crafters have much higher standards than the six-year-old me and their produce can tingle just as many memories. Why not think about a special commission for your mum, a card, cake or lovely wooden bowl, beaded necklace or warm scarf? And why not get our bakers to cater for your Easter party or have little hand-made goodies in party bags for guests large and small. Our popular weekly Country Market is in Martlesham Heath Pavilion from 9-11.15am every Tuesday morning. Handmade, home-grown, artisanbaked… all locally produced, and now we offer card payments too. It couldn’t be simpler. Want to join us? We need more cooks and craftspeople. Call in or phone Margaret Gayfer: 01473 623849
GIRLGUIDING MARTLESHAM Currently we have one Rainbow Unit (ages 5-7), four Brownie Packs (ages 7-10), two Guide Companies (ages 10-14) and one Ranger Unit (ages 14-18) meeting around the parish. If you are interested in joining as a member or helping as a volunteer, contact chris.s.cooper@btinternet.com (Martlesham) or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested (HQ) Come join the fun and start your Guiding adventure today!
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NEWS MARTLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL Annual Parish Spring Clean/Litter Pick: Saturday, April 6 A bit earlier in the year than usual, please meet at 10am in the Parish Room on 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. Make a Change, Become a Local Councillor Martlesham Parish Council is calling on residents who are passionate about their community to stand in the local elections in May 2019. What do councillors do? Councillors are the champions of their community and give residents a voice on the decisions the council makes. Becoming a councillor will allow you to make a real difference in Martlesham. Your parish council looks after such things as public open spaces, like the Common and the Recreation Ground, play equipment and street furniture including noticeboards for the use of community groups. We work with other groups to carry out projects to enhance the area, such as litter picks and the village fete. We also provide support for local organisations through financial contributions and assisting with land maintenance, such as maintaining The Green. Furthermore, we represent the parish on planning matters (although final decisions are made by Suffolk Coastal District Council) and by responding to public consultations. This involves meetings with planners, developers and key commercial landowners and responding to planning applications plus associated appeals, referrals and inquiries. How much time must I commit? The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Local Councillor Census Survey found that councillors put aside, on average, three hours a week for council work. This often includes attending meetings, engaging with residents and speaking on behalf of the council to other bodies. Can I stand? There are only a few rules to stand for election. You must be: • A British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth, or the European Union • 18 years of age or older • An elector; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves (as owner or tenant); or work in the area the local council serves (as your principal or only place of work); or live within three miles of the local council boundary. How can I get involved? Contact the clerk as below to find out more or visit: www.nalc.gov.uk/elections Nomination papers will be available from March and each candidate is responsible for submitting their papers to the Suffolk Coastal Returning Officer by 3 April 2019. Full details on the elections are available at: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk Please note that the new East Suffolk Authority is also holding elections for district councillors on the same day as parish council elections.
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Annual Parish Meeting/Parish Council Grants The Annual Parish Meeting will take place this year on April 24 at 7.30pm in the Parish Room. Come along to find out what’s happening locally; put the date in your diary now! There will be more news about this next month. The council will present its grants for 2019/20 which have been awarded to the Citizens Advice Felixstowe & District, Greenways Countryside Project, Martlesham Conservation Group, Martlesham in Bloom, The Saplings and Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS). The council is supporting Citizens Advice because it regrets that Suffolk County Council is withdrawing its funding from local offices in the county by 50 per cent from April 2019 and completely from April 2020. The Felixstowe & District office serves Martlesham. Sizewell C – Have Your Say EDF Energy’s third stage public consultation for a new nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast is open until March 29. Full details of the proposals and how to respond can be found at: www.sizewellc.co.uk Suffolk Coastal Final Draft Local Plan By the time you read this, the deadline for this consultation will have passed and the parish council will have agreed its response. For information please refer to our website: http://martlesham.onesuffolk.net IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Suffolk School Travel Changes from September 2019 Suffolk County Council is implementing changes to its School Travel Policy taking effect from September 2019. Full details about SCC funded school travel, including additional arrangements for low income families and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can be found at: www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel Please remember: All parents with children eligible for funded travel need to opt in between March 1 and May 31 to receive or continue to receive transport. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Wednesday, March 6: Parish Council Wednesday, March 13: Recreation & Amenities Committee Wednesday, April 3: 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 / 01473 612632 clerk@martleshamcouncil.org.uk 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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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS
MARTLESHAM LADIES CLUB
Making music fun in East Anglia Everyone is welcome at our Annual General Meeting on Friday, March 8 at 7.45pm at St Michael’s Church Centre Martlesham Heath IP5 3SL. We will be reviewing the past year, and electing our new committee.
Fifteen ladies braved the ice and snow in January and enjoyed an interesting and moving talk by The Rev Mandy Reynolds who works as a Chaplin at Ipswich Hospital. Hopefully the weather will have improved for our next meetings.
We are holding our spring concert on Sunday, April 28 at 3pm, also in St Michael’s Church Centre. More details about this next month, but please put the date in your diary.
On March 14 June Eaton will demonstrate how to make hats and fascinators and members will be able to try for themselves under her expert tuition.
Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to 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.
On March 28 Nick Barber will describe his work as an auctioneer and bring some items to value. Looking forward to next month, on April 11 we are having an Easter Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper.
www.martleshambrass.co.uk
All ladies are very welcome at our meetings which are held on alternate Thursday evenings at 7.15pm in the Richards Room. To find out more ring Doreen Boar: 01473 622768
WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKETS
ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND
Publicity Officer Liz Howard: e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617
This month’s markets will be held on March 9 and 23 at Woodbridge Community Hall from 9am to 12.30pm. Wonderpost Compost, which is home-produced in the Suffolk countryside, will be joining us for the start of the growing season. They sell fertiliser and soil improver as well as compost. Our regulars include: Newbourne Farm fresh vegetables, High House with their apples and own apple juice (maybe rhubarb too), Sutton Hoo free range chicken, Wild Meat Company, Doodle Donuts with a range of flavours, some of which are vegan, Pinewood Catering with a range of bakes including quiches, cake and cheese biscuits, Quince Tree with preserves, pickles, marmalade and fudge, Best Farm with ethically reared lamb and beef (they now accept payments by card and have great discounts if buying in bulk), Old Felixstowe Brewing Company with an array of beers and an increasing stock of ingenious and delicious items made with spent grain, Artizan bread and pasties. On Saturday 9 we’ll also have Leaping Hare preserves, samosas and sausage rolls, plus Not Just Tarts with individual cakes and bakes, some of which are gluten free. All our stallholders are based in Suffolk, all produce in small quantities and all with care and attention. Shop Local!
Monday, March 11: A New View Down the River Deben Valley – Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon Archaeology along the East Anglia One Cable Route Over the last two years archaeologist Andy Peachey has been working on the East Anglia One cable route. He will talk about the amazing and unexpected finds discovered during this work, some close to Martlesham, including an exciting array of new settlement evidence and artefacts that may coincide with the earliest settlements and agriculture in the region approximately 4,000 years BC, some of which were featured on BBC4’s Digging for Britain last year and in the local press. This fascinating talk will be on Monday, March 11, 7.30pm at St Michaels Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. The venue is fully accessible with adjacent free parking. Light refreshments will be available. For further information about this event and the music fund please contact the Burrows family on 01473 625196 or visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk
SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, March 28 at 7.15pm: A Suffolk Bevin Boy
woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com
THE MASQUE PLAYERS This thriller from the Queen of Crime is set on a foggy estate in Wales and opens as a stranger walks into the house to find the owner murdered and his wife standing with a gun in hand by the body. The guest decides to help and hatches a plan to shift the blame away from the wife and onto a possible intruder. The police find clues that lead to many possible suspects and twists before the real culprit is finally revealed. Come and see The Masque Players latest production at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.30pm each evening from Wednesday 27 to Saturday, March 30.
Barbara Mcelroy tells the story of her father who, with thousands of others, expected to go into the forces but was instead conscripted by ballot to go down the mines in the Second World War, no excuses allowed. The talk looks at the reasons for the schedule, the conditions down the mines and subsequent problems. We meet at the Co-op Education Centre. 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. Just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk Picture published with permission from the Imperial War Museum
WOOLLY WONDERS Martlesham’s premier knitters can be found every Thursday knitting and chatting between 10am and noon at The Runway Cafe next to St Michael’s Church. We’ve recently featured in the Ipswich Star and are expecting a visit from an M.E.P and Age UK Suffolk this month.
Tickets (£9) can be reserved by calling 01473 725633
www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham
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OUT & ABOUT KESGRAVE LIBRARY Sunday Crafts (10am-noon) The following craft activities will take place during March. • Sunday 3: Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! We’re going to the moon! Pop along and create a rocket bookmark, so you never lose your page again. • Sunday 10: It’s 30 years since We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury was published. Make a teddy bear decoration to celebrate the anniversary of this amazing book. • Sunday 17: It’s St Patrick’s Day today. Create a Leprechaun to celebrate. • Sunday 24: Next Sunday is Mother’s Day. Design a card to give to someone special. • Sunday 31: It’s nearly April. Make an April showers picture. What colour will your umbrella be? Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights. There’s no need to book – just turn up and have a go. BookStart: Every Thursday (including holidays), Tot Rock: 9.45-10.15am / BabyBounce: 10.30-11am Story Time Every Friday morning (term time only), 9.45-10.15am. This session combines stories and rhymes. All welcome. Why not pop along? OTHER LIBRARY EVENTS IN MARCH Lego Club: Every Tuesday in term time, 3.45-4.45pm. Parents must stay with under eights. The themes this month are: Tuesday 5: Pets, Tuesday 12: Birds, Tuesday 19: Rockets, Tuesday 26: Vehicles. No need to book. Just pop along! This is a free activity. Knit and Natter: Wednesdays 6 & 20, 2.30pm, Just £1 with tea/coffee provided. Welcome to all new members. Afternoon Book Group: Thursday 7, 2.45pm. Currently reading The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. Evening Book Group: Thursday 28, 7pm. Currently reading The Little Paris Book Shop by Nina George. If you are interested in joining any of the groups, please ring or speak to a member of staff
IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY Our last meeting was a member’s display evening where members brought along items to display from their own collections. As usual it turned out to be very entertaining. We were treated to exhibits of early fiscal stamps and informed how they were made and where the money raised went – to finance the ten year war with France. We were also shown some very early penny blacks on covers from our local area and some Channel Island issues from the Second World War. April is a busy month as we have Richard Hall talking about Apartheid & Cape of Good Hope on Wednesday 3 and our annual auction is at Cedarwood School on April 17 with viewing from 5pm and the auction starting at 6.45pm. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy more stamps or to start a collection. On Saturday 27 we have our Stamp Fair at Kesgrave Community Centre from 10am to 4pm. At this event we are also hosting STAMPESSEX which will give you the opportunity to buy and sell stamps from a number of dealers and also to view the spring competition entries from across Essex and South Suffolk. This event is a great opportunity to find out more about philately/stamp collecting. For further information contact Mike Smith, michaelsmith1949@gmail.com/ 01473 403904 / www.ipswichphilatelic.uk
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NEW FOR MARCH 2019 Sofa Storytime: Monday 11, 10-11am. These sessions are designed for parents and to read a variety of books and afterwards, to allow children to interact and play while you have a coffee and a chat. IT Drop-In Sessions: Monday 18 at noon. Are you having problems getting your CV sorted or do you need help setting up an email address to apply for jobs online? Library staff are holding an IT drop-in session to help. Just pop along on this date and speak to the staff. MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Mornings: Fourth Monday morning of the month from 10am. This group is an opportunity to meet others, chat and offer each other support. Leaflets offering advice will be available. Coffee, tea and biscuits will also be provided. Donating Books: Having a spring clean and have too many books at home? We are currently looking for good condition books to be donated to the library. We have two shelves in Tesco’s where we sell our donated books on to raise money for the library. Please speak to staff if have some books you would like to donate. COMING IN APRIL Adult Colouring: Every Tuesday morning from 9am-noon. All materials provided. Just pop along and relax. £1 with tea/coffee and biscuits provided. No need to book, just pop along. Elmer the Elephant Afternoon: Tuesday, April 9, 2.30-4.30pm. We will be having a visit from Elmer the Elephant! Look out for posters advertising this event. Maggie Lusher Kesgrave Library Manager, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave 01473 626103 / www.suffolklibraries.co.uk NORMAL OPENING TIMES Monday: 9am-noon Tuesday: 9am-noon, 2.30-5pm Wednesday: 2.30-6pm Thursday: 2.30-8pm Friday: 9am-noon & 2.30-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 10am-3pm
GETTING BRIDGE PLAYED IN SCHOOLS Ipswich and Kesgrave Bridge Club (I&K) has taken its first steps into junior Bridge by visiting local primary schools as part of our strategy to get more people playing the game in our area. In December, members of I&K ran an afternoon Bridge session with pupils in Years 5 and 6 at Elmsett Primary School where pupils learnt the basics of the game from counting points, following suit and winning tricks in partnership. At a more local level, Heath Primary School has started a Thursday afternoon Bridge Club (supported by I&K). The club is open to Key Stage 2 students and has been well received by the school and pupils alike. Already, pupils are learning about leads, signals and card combinations. The club also featured on the Heath News website where students were interviewed about what they had learned. It just goes to prove you are never too young or old to learn Bridge! If you are a Bridge player and want to know more about the various ways we look to help our members improve their game, or just want to know more about us, please visit our website or contact us at: greencj06@hotmail.co.uk / www.bridgewebs.com/ipswich
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If you’re searching for a venue to hold a party, celebration or charity fundraising night, then Ipswich School Sports Centre in Rushmere may be just the place you’re looking for.
Planning a party?
Lounge and bar available to hir e at Ipswich School Sports Centre, Rushmere
Phone for more details
01473 272525 www.keepingintouchwith.com/martlesham
The centre has a newly refurbished bar and lounge which can be hired for events. With tables and chairs, comfortable low chairs and a goodsized dance floor, your hire also includes the use of the bar where you can buy drinks served by our staff - so you can concentrate on being the perfect host! Whilst some venues may insist on you using their own caterers, at Ipswich School Sports Centre you can bring your own food with you to serve to your guests, which can make it a much cheaper option for your party night. Of course, the centre is happy to suggest catering and disco companies if you don’t know where to start. The bar serves a range of drinks including real ale, premium lager, Aspalls cider and a range of flavoured gins. The lounge can accommodate up to 120 guests, depending on the event. There is also a large car park on site. In the summer months, there is a balcony where you can sit and enjoy some fresh air; indeed the centre has three astroturf pitches, tennis courts and a grass area as well, so can be hired for a company fun-day or bigger event. The hire cost for the lounge is just £150 on a Friday or Saturday night and even better – if you are hiring facilities for a charity fundraising event, it will cost just £50. Other prices do sometimes apply, depending on the length of time the lounge is booked for, so if you have a different requirement, you can contact the centre where staff will be happy to discuss what you need. For more information please call Mandy at Ipswich School Sports Centre on 01473 272525 or email mlc@ipswich.school. She will be delighted to show you around the centre, and discuss the arrangements for your event.
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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION Ipswich & District PS stages its 2019 Annual Exhibition in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Cornhill Ipswich IP1 1DH from Tuesday 5 to Saturday, March 16, 10am-5pm each day (closed Sundays and Monday, March 11 and at 4pm on Saturday 16). Entrance is free and visitors are very welcome. There will be prize draw for visitors to win a framed image of their choice. Nearly 300 prints and 250 digital images (on wide screen TV) will be on display covering a wide range of genres including monochrome and colour, landscape, pictorial, creative, record, photojournalism, sport, record, portraiture and natural history. In all some 40 members of the society will have their work exhibited. The exhibition is always independently selected. This year, from around 1,000 entries, the prints where selected by Chris Palmer FRPS EFIAP DPAGB APAGB and the projected digital images by Ian Wilson ARPS. IDPS has an impressive collection of silverware to be presented for the best image in each of the genres. The trophies and awards will be presented by the Worshipful the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Riley at the society’s annual awards dinner at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club. This will include the Mayor’s Cup for the image selected personally by the mayor as the Best in Exhibition at a preview on Tuesday, March 5 at 3.30pm. IDPS continues to be one of the largest photographic societies in East Anglia and one of the leading photographic clubs in the country. The society meets at Burlington Baptist Church Centre, London Road, Ipswich IP1 2EZ. Meetings are on Mondays at 7.30pm. For further information visit www.idps.org.uk and for membership enquiries email: membership@idps.org.uk The IDPS programme includes lectures, competitions and practical meetings including evenings when new members can get help and advice. IDPS particularly welcomes new members whatever their photographic experience. Exhibition Secretary David Robinson ARPS
BROKE HALL WI We meet at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) on the second Friday of the month at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. We also have monthly clubs, walks, meals out, darts, crafts, theatre trips, outing and visits. Friday, March 8: Pearly Kings and Queens by Gerry Baxter Friday, April 12: A Lighthearted Look at the Changing Face of Funerals For more information contact Sue (01473 414746) or Cynthia (01473 726068)
DEBEN ROTARY SEEKS YOUNG LEADERS The Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben is seeking a young person between the ages of 18 and 26 who would be interested in being sponsored to attend a national youth leadership training scheme. The East Anglian course will run at Graffham Water between August 31 and September 7.
MARTLESHAM ART GROUP We are a small friendly group of people who currently meet in The Richards Rooms, Martlesham to paint together. Our meetings are held every Wednesday afternoon from 1.30-4pm and, at present, we have a limited number of vacancies. Our sessions are not tutored, but we gain from each others ideas and experience. We meet all year round with the exception of August and around two or three weeks over the Christmas/ New Year period. Payment is made on a six monthly basis or weekly if you prefer. If you would like to join us or want to know more please either call in and meet us one Wednesday afternoon or ring Diane on 01473 659257.
SPRING PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON PIONEERS As we head towards spring, U3A members in East Suffolk can look forward to a varied and interesting range of topics to stimulate and excite the brain cells! The programme is wide ranging, as always, and includes talks about pioneering individuals like explorer Mary Kingsley, Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and plant hunter Joseph Hooker. Thursday, March 4, 10.30am at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall Field Marshall Earl Haig: Lion or Donkey? by John Lilley An examination of the facts surrounding a rather controversial First World War leader Thursday, March 14, 2pm at Saxmundham Market Hall Meet Mary Kingsley by Louise Reed The life of an explorer who travelled alone in the 1890s to West Africa Friday, March 15, 10.30am at Woodbridge Community Hall Perils of a Plant Hunter by Geoff Hales Joseph Hooker’s career as a plant hunter in the Antarctic and the jungles of Sikkim Monday, March 25, 2pm at Kesgrave Community Centre Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and her Circle by Jennifer Jones The story of a pioneering doctor and other enterprising women of her time Thursday, April 4, 10.30am at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall The Shipping Forecast by Tony Diamond Thursday, April 11, 2pm at Saxmundham Market Hall Being a Woman Racing Driver and Racing at Le Mans by Celia Stevens U3A promises a warm welcome to existing and potential members. All details of membership are available on the website. Alternatively call the membership secretary on 0300 123 3913. Occasionally U3A may have to make last minute changes so please see the website for the most up-to-date information: www.a3aeastsuffolk.org.uk
The Rotary Young Leadership Awards scheme, known as RYLA, is now in its 24th year and is a seven-day intensive fully residential course. It is run by professional tutors, instructors and lecturers and is designed to develop qualities of self-confidence, leadership, teamwork and communication. These skills are developed through a range of physical activities, team building exercises and business projects. Candidates receive certificates of attendance and continuous professional development detailing the week and hours spent on each discipline. The course is open to young people from any background, either in employment or job seeking. If you are interested in this opportunity, or are an employer who has an employee you think may benefit from it, please contact Rotarian Monty Guest at: rmguest74@gmail.com / 01473 625838 For more information about RYLA visit: www.district1080.ryla.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT CAMBRIDGE BAND STUMPY OAK AT DANCE FOLKUS
MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY
We are excited to announce that Cambridge band Stumpy Oak are playing as a guest band for the barn dance/ceilidh at Woodbridge Community Hall on Friday, March 1, starting at 7.30pm.
Sarah is a volunteer at Sutton Hoo. Using a combination of slides, commentary and replica objects she will cover information about the site, some of the more influential characters in its history, its links with neighbouring sites and the specifics of the excavations carried out during the 20th century, revealing previously unknown details about the Anglo-Saxon period. There will also be an opportunity to hear about the project to develop the site during the winter of 2018-19 to further visitors’ knowledge and understanding of this extraordinary necropolis.
Stumpy Oak is a young, exciting, vibrant band who play fiddle, accordion, guitar, flute, concertina and bodhran. They play English and Celtic traditional music in a lively style and are popular at weddings, parties, balls, festivals and functions throughout the UK. They have played at many folk festivals and their band members Barry Watson, Erin Brown and Daren Biddle are well known in their own right through membership of various other bands. Their caller, Sarah Petts will navigate the dancers through this lively evening. Check them out at: www.stumpyoak.co.uk The taster song spot will feature the well-known local Suffolk group Harbour Lights Trio. They play a variety of instruments including concertinas, cello, banjo, melodeon, guitar and harmonica. They sing light-hearted, mainly East Anglian, traditional and music hall songs. They have performed at many festivals, concerts, folk clubs and local events. They recently released their first CD, Good Company. A key member of the group is Alvar Smith, a retired gamekeeper, whose stories and strong Suffolk accent always prove popular This dance is likely to be well attended so advance booking is recommended. New dancers wanting to attend can book a discounted place by emailing Dancefolkus@aol.com (no payment in advance) or you can simply come along on the night (entry £7). Students or children are £3 at the door. Telephone Rob on 01473 610951 if you need further information. Visitors to Woodbridge and new first-time dancers are always very welcome to attend our dances at Woodbridge Community Hall in Station Road IP12 4AU.
IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, March 28: Zeppelin Raids Over East Anglia by Ian Mclachlan Wednesday, April 24: The Steam Tug by Janet Hall We meet at 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park. visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments. 01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk
RANSOMES & RAPIER ANNUAL REUNION Sunday, March 31 at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE All ex-employees, families and friends are welcomed from 12.30 to 5pm. Come and see fascinating artefacts, documents and videos and meet up with old friends at a really enjoyable event. See what new stories and pictures have surfaced. Food and drinks will be available to buy at very reasonable cost. Admission is only £2.50. For more information contact: 07910 659219 / derek@dclarke.me.uk
Monday, April 8: Sutton Hoo by Sally Sibley
Meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.
WOODBRIDGE & DISTRICT LIONS Woodbridge Lions Club will be running a number of community and fundraising events over the coming months. Our monthly Quay Time sessions enable people to meet over tea (or coffee) and cakes to enjoy each other’s company. These afternoons may feature quizzes, board games or visiting speakers and offer an opportunity to arrange social activities throughout the year. Sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month in Woodbridge Quay Church, which is fully accessible. Transport can be provided for anyone who may otherwise have difficulty attending. For details, please call Lion Stella Benton on 01728 561379 or visit: www.woodbridgelions.org.uk Future fundraising events coming up are a charity Pig Race night on Saturday, May 11 and another of our popular Art Show and Sales on Saturday, May 18. Pop these dates in your diary and watch out for further details and announcements about these events here and on our website over the coming months.
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF at 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on March 19 when Nick Collinson, general manager for East Suffolk National Trust, will talk about the National Trust properties in East Suffolk. He will be placing particular emphasis on Sutton Hoo where major changes across the site have transformed the way in which the stories of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time are presented to the public. The meeting will be preceded by a short AGM. On April 16 an ambassador from Trinity House will talk about the lighthouses around our coast. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary at: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
MARTLESHAM HEATH AVIATION SOCIETY Friday, March 1, 7.30-10pm: Andy White presents Old Spooky An RAF armourer’s tale about Phantom Phixing, from the early ’mud moovin’ days to the RAF Museum at Hendon, told from an engineer’s perspective. Andy served for 14 years on RAF Phantoms in the UK and the Falkland Islands. His service covered the early ground attack era to the air defence role. We meet at Martlesham Heath Community Centre on Felixstowe Road. Admission on arrival is £3 for members and £4 for non-members. 01473 274300 / www.mhas.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY In a change to our previously published program, on Wednesday, March 6, we are delighted to welcome Christopher Garibaldi as our guest speaker. His subject is Treasures of the Turf; The Fine and Decorative Arts of Horse Racing. On April 3 our guest speaker is Simon Inglis with a talk entitled Beer and Skittles. The talks throughout the year cover a broad spectrum of art. If this is something which appeals to you please come and meet us. We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing promptly at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins before the day on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
KESGRAVE WI The speaker at our February meeting was Wendy Smith, a Wimbledon line judge. Wendy has attended the prestigious tennis championships for nearly 30 years, often officiating on centre court! We learned about how to become a line judge, what their job entails and how technology has been introduced into their work – from pen and paper to tablet! She revealed some of the long standing traditions that line judges have to follow – the precise wearing of their £2,000 uniform, what can be worn with what and how it must be carried if not actually being worn, and the strategic placing of the Robinsons Barely water bottles under the umpires chair to ensure the label is easily seen by the media. Her all-time favourite tennis star is Federer – a real gentleman – considerate, polite to all. Wendy judged the competition, Your Own Sporting Achievement. Doreen Roderick was first, Elayne Green second and Sue Hilling third. As usual Kesgrave WI has a full programme of events during the coming year, including the Annual General Meeting for East Suffolk WIs in early March celebrating their 100th year at Trinity Park. Also Suffolk Show competitions, a craft day, Kesgrave Fun Day, a visit to The Hut at Felixstowe and Christmas Lunch, the monthly Scrabble evening, walks and a craft group along with all the various monthly speakers Our next meeting is at Kesgrave Community Centre at 7.15pm on Thursday, March 7 when we will be having a cookery demonstration by one of the members. Visitors are very welcome to join us. If you require information please call the secretary, Di Chilver: 01473 611415
INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE District Chairman Linda Fellas joined us at our February meeting. Linda first joined Inner Wheel when her husband became a Rotarian. She later took a break to study sociology at university, followed by full-time work before re-joining after retirement. Linda was presented with a cheque for her chosen charity, Asperger’s East Anglia, which provides help and support people living with Asperger’s as for their families. The club was also very pleased to welcome a new member, Lynda Pearce, pictured receiving her badge from Linda Fellas. Members have been busy fundraising; a collection of unwanted trinkets and jewellery is to be sent to Jessie’s Fund along with a £50 donation, and a soup lunch held on Inner Wheel Day raised £122 for Shelterbox. Our next event will be our quiz night on March 8, followed by an afternoon tea on April 1. For more information, visit: www.woodbridgeinnerwheel.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH FLOWER CLUB WELCOMES NATIONAL DEMONSTRATORS We would like to invite you to our meeting on March 11 when David Thomson, an experienced NAFAS demonstrator, presents Flowers My Way. The meeting starts at 2pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road. The cost for visitors is £5 which includes tea and biscuits. You will be warmly welcomed if you just turn up, but for more information please contact Janet: 01473 415749 The flower club meets regularly on the second Monday afternoon of the month. We also have six Friday afternoon workshops during the year which are suitable for all standards of flower arrangers. The workshop on March 29 will be a cascade arrangement and will be tutored by Anne Bell, a NAFAS demonstrator and teacher. A cascade arrangement is made in a tall container with plant material flowing down one side. If you are interested in the workshop, which will cost £12, please contact Stella: 01473 711946
ANOTHER TASTE OF FLOWER ARRANGING Deben Flower Club is offering you the opportunity to learn the wonderful skill of flower arranging at another of our very popular free workshops on Saturday, March 30 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. This will be a fun and relaxed day and you will learn how to arrange a spring basket and make a unique decoration to attach to a wine bottle, giving your gift an attractive and individual touch. No experience is needed and our expert tutor will guide you step by step throughout the day. All you will need to do is bring along your flowers and a basket. There will be floral foam, dishes and the bottle arrangement holder available to purchase on the day should you not have them already. The cost of all three would be approximately £5. Tea and coffee will be available but you will need to bring a packed lunch. The class will run from 10/10.30am to approximately 3pm. Booking is essential and full instructions and a list of required flowers with directions will be sent when you book your place. We hope this unique offer will then inspire you to join Deben Flower Club and learn more. The club meets in Kirton Church Hall on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm. Visitors are always welcome to come along and see what we do. If you are interested in booking or would like more information, please contact Wendy: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422
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PORTAL WOODLANDS CONSERVATION GROUP Many thanks to all volunteers who helped clear the perimeter track at January’s work morning. It’s a job that never ends, but is certainly well appreciated by users of the woods. Looking back and seeing the progress we’ve made is incredibly satisfying (even when you consider that before too long the leaves and mulch will have returned and the whole process will need doing again!). Keeping the track clear has always been a priority to ensure the most used part of the woods remains accessible and safe to use, but also to ensure a tangible remnant of the area’s wartime history remains visible to those coming through the woods to observe and reflect on. The Nature Explorers used the weekend to progress our project to create a bat habitat from an underground bunker used as an air raid shelter for those who served on the airfield. It should be noted though that there is No Unauthorised Access to the area that surrounds the bunker (the Education Area) and so unfortunately it can only be observed from the adjacent path. DATES FOR THE DIARY Volunteer Work Morning (all ages): Saturday, March 16, 10am-noon. Meet at the Education Area. Tools, training and light refreshments provided. All welcome; no need to book. Nature Explorers (11-18 year olds): Saturday, March 16, 9-11am. Please book a place via our email below. Nature Watch Club (ages 5-11): 2019 dates to be confirmed. New volunteers of all ages and abilities are always welcome. No experience needed. For further information, please contact us on 01473 612632 pwcg.martlesham@gmail.com, visit our website or join our members’ Facebook Group by messaging Duncan Sweeting. George Pennick / Photo by S Corley www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net
SUFFOLK ORCHID SOCIETY Suffolk Orchid Society will be holding its spring show on Saturday, March 30 at St Michael’s Church Centre, (near Douglas Bader Public House), Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL, between 10am and 4pm. In addition to a magnificent display of our member’s orchids there will be first class orchids for sale, re-potting demonstrations and advice on the cultivation of orchids including solving problems that may be encountered in their care. Refreshments including light lunches will be available during the day. Admission is £1.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS ORWELL FLOWER CLUB
CRAFTERS UNLIMITED
On January 24 we had a return visit from Debbie Buckle from Kirton. Debbie is a florist and her arrangements were really lovely and so different. Her flowers were of a very high standard and the evening was a great success. Her knowledge about flowers is amazing and the whole evening was enjoyed by all who attended.
Happy New Year to all our crafting members past and present.
For our February meeting we will have Kate Stangaad from Essex with The Sound of Bow Bells. In September we will be holding an open meeting when we will be meeting at Kesgrave Community Hall, Bell Lane, Kesgrave. We hold an open meeting every three years. This year Lee Berrall from Northampton will be the demonstrator. Tickets will be £18 to include a buffet before the meeting and there will be various stalls for you to browse at. Tickets will be available from March and can be obtained from Delcie Corbett, details below. We look forward to seeing you and many visitors. Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, except at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew. Demonstrations start at 7.15pm but the doors open by 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales tables and buy raffle tickets for the arrangement created in the demonstrations. The £40 annual subscription is due on March 31. Visitors are always welcome at £5 per meeting. For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com www.nafas.org.uk/clubs/orwell-flower-club
BAWDSEY BIRD CLUB ANNUAL ILLUSTRATED TALK This year’s public illustrated talk, Saving Our Suffolk Swifts, will be given by Edward Jackson and takes place in Sutton Memorial Hall, Old Post Office Lane, Sutton, Nr Woodbridge IP12 3JQ on Saturday, March 30 at 7.30pm. Our Swifts are in real trouble! Across the UK, we’ve lost over half of these iconic birds of summer in just over 20 years. Join Edward from the Save Our Suffolk Swifts project for an informative and inspiring evening. You’ll learn about Swift life stories, the reasons for the rapid population declines and most importantly what we can all do to help these amazing birds by recording and protecting existing nest sites and installing nest boxes to create new ones. Edward’s amazing enthusiasm for, and knowledge of how best to protect and encourage our Swifts to nest in Suffolk will enhance what promises to be an evening not to be missed, so why not join us? Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be available during the interval.
Crafters Unlimited is 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 from 7.30-10pm. Thursday February 28: Rolling Penny Card (Emma) Thursday March 28: Yo Yo Chicks Thursday, April 25: 5D Diamond Pictures Thursday, May 30: Tic Tac Boxes New members are always welcome. For more details contact Emma: 01787 373850
HEDGEHOG NURSERY AT GORSELAND PRIMARY SCHOOL A deliciously icy spell enabled us to explore what happens when we heat up ice or make water cold. We used our warm hands to make handprints all over different surfaces, experimented with painting on the snow and ice, and built miniature snow people (we still have a mini one living in the nursery freezer!). The Hedgehogs enjoyed making up stories for animals that are found in the polar lands and finding out facts about them when we visited the non-fiction section of our library. Hedgehogs enjoy weekly woodland activities in our own special forest. They explore the woodland with their senses and join in with a wide variety of activities. These include making treasure strings, story strips, swinging in the hammock, spinning on the rope swing, climbing trees, looking for wildlife with magnifying glasses, weaving and lashing sticks together, making bird feeders and making their own binoculars, to mention just a few! We warmly welcome families from our community to come and visit and we have the following two open events in April: Thursday, April 25, 10-11am Tuesday, April 30, 1.30-2.30pm Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the school office to arrange a visit. Nursery Lead Teacher Mrs T Haig Hedgehog Nursery is open Monday-Friday, 7.30am-6pm for three and four year olds. If you would like more information please or contact the school office on 01473 623790 or visit: www.gorseland.net
Admission is £3 for adults and £1.50 for under-18s. There is ample free parking. For directions and further information please contact: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422
QUIZ NIGHT AT BIRCHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL Birchwood PTFA have organised an exciting quiz night to be held on Friday, March 15 at Birchwood Primary School, Valiant Road, Martlesham Heath IP5 3SP. The fun will start at 7pm with the opportunity to buy charity raffle tickets. The quiz will begin at 7.30pm. The quiz fee is £5 per person and teams can have up to six players. Please bring your own drinks, nibbles (no nuts please) and expert brains! To book a table and purchase tickets in advance please email Teresa at: ptfa@birchwood.suffolk.sch.uk
Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children with parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times from 10.30am-noon at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Sessions are free and usually based on a theme. They normally include singing, games, crafts and Bible stories. We started the spring term with the Wise Men and made colourful crowns to wear. Other sessions included creating pictures of ourselves and doing songs and stories with lots of actions to join in with. After each session we have refreshments, when the adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon.
Donations for the raffle welcome.
The next session dates are March 11 and 25. You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings; just turn up, no need to let us know in advance.
This event has been specifically organised to raise funds fundraising for outdoor all-weather play equipment.
For further information please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
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SCHOOLS / SPORT HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL NURSERY Wow, I can’t believe it is nearly half term already. The children have been busy learning about machines and robots this half term. They created two giant junk box robots out of the recycled materials that they collected as part of our Planet Protection topic, and then they made their own mini-bots and designed their own machines in the robot tinker shop. We also had a surprise visit from Elmer which has given us inspiration to design our own Elmer elephants for the St. Elizabeth’s Hospice Learning Parade. We have also had lots of fun reading different versions of the traditional tale The Three Little Pigs, which linked nicely with our Chinese New Year – The Year of the Pig – celebrations. As part of our celebrations, we printed Chinese blossoms on wall hangings, played with five spice play dough, built the Great Wall of China from Duplo and used chopsticks to collect lucky coins from the water tray of rice. We were also able to link our weekly cooking activity to Chinese New Year: the children made Chinese spring rolls, which involved cutting a selection of seven vegetables including bean sprouts, pepper and ginger before mixing with Chinese spices, egg noodles and soy sauce and rolling in filo pastry. Nursery Open Morning: Wednesday, March 6, 9.30am Although our school nursery is full at the moment, we are now accepting applications and allocating places for September 2019. If you would like to find out more about our fantastic, teacher-led school nursery, and see us in action, come along to our open morning. If you can’t make this date or time, then don’t worry. You can call the school office on 01473 622806 and arrange an appointment for a guided tour at a time that is convenient to you. Nursery Teacher Helen Whatley
DEBEN YACHT CLUB Club activities continue even with boats put away for the winter months. We kicked off the talks programme with an adventure story set in the summer of 1939, just before the outbreak of war. Julia Jones told her father’s account of how he was unexpectantly invited on a sailing holiday to the Baltic. But did the cruise have an ulterior motive? The sense of mystery gripped the audience and led to a lively question and answer session. The story has been published by Julia in a book called The Cruise of the Naromis. The next club talk, given by members Lawrence and Lorna Baker about their work with the oil industry, will be on Thursday, March 21. The walks programme has also kicked off with walks to Ufford and Waldringfield. Both were well supported by members and dogs. The walks give members a chance to get some exercise on Saturday mornings, have a chat and share a pub meal. The next one will be on March 16 at Shottisham. Although there is club racing in the winter, some determined members take their boats to Alton Water and join in the Frostbite Series sponsored by Foxes Chandlery. Weather conditions have varied wildly over the weeks with some days so windy that they were virtually unsailable and others almost windless. In spite of the cold weather, the series attracts sailors from a number of sailing clubs including the Royal Harwich, Waldringfield, Brightlingsea, Harwich, Shotley and Orford. DYC Commodore Graham Seabrook with crew Charlotte Norrbom sailing a Laser Vago, have had some good results and Ben Alexander with crew Elspeth Orme sailing a RS200 were pleased to get a first in a race in February against very strong competition. With as many as 60 boats taking part on a Sunday morning, it gives our sailors a great opportunity to socialise with other club members as well as having some great racing.
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MARTLESHAM CARPET BOWLS We have made an excellent start to 2019, winning our first three matches, but we are still second in our division, with Bramford retaining the top spot. However, we have three games in hand, so hope to be back on top by the time you read this. The rest of the season promises to be much tougher, as all of our remaining fixtures are away. In the Club Singles competitions we now know who most of the semi-finalists are, and most of the semi-finals should be played by the end of February. The Cub Triples competition will be held on Sunday, February 17, with six teams entered. The results will be in next month’s magazine. We still have a few vacancies at the club and would welcome new members. We meet on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 1.30 to 4.30pm and Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 10pm at the Community Hall in Old Felixstowe Road, behind Tesco. Just turn up or you can ring our secretary, Ian Hunt on 01473 611947, especially if you plan to come along on a Tuesday evening as there may be a league match. The club provides all of the necessary equipment. Why not give us a try? Doug Benger
KESGRAVE & NORTHGATE KARATE NEWS The club has kicked 2019 off to a flying start! On Sunday, January 13, five club members travelled to Leicester Arena to compete in the EKF Kyu Grade National Championships. Chloe Campbell, Jessica Etherington, Amelia Clow, Dylan Barnes and Callum Evans represented the club at the first national championships of 2019. In her first national championship, Chloe didn’t medal but gained valuable experience. Dylan performed really well and achieved a bronze medal in 14-15 year old boys Kata. Amelia and Jessica found themselves in the awkward position of meeting each other in the final! Jessica had to settle for second place this time, meaning Amelia is the new EKF Kyu Grade National Kata Champion (14-15 year old girls). Callum Evans also found himself in a national championships final, having to fight for the Team Kumite gold medal. Unfortunately the team were just out-scored, but still left Callum with a fantastic silver medal. It was then off to Germany for the Hamburg Open on February 2, where club member and instructor Georgie Lawson came away with gold in the under-21 open weight Kumite and silver in the -61kg Kumite. Fantastic results! From 7pm on Friday, April 5 we are holding our Family Race Night at Kesgrave Social Club on Edmonton Road. The event is open to the public so do come along and join us for an entertaining evening and a chance to win some races and fantastic prizes. Tickets can be purchased on the door or in advance from the karate club. Please email sharonmbuckley@hotmail.com or visit our Facebook page @northgatekarate for further information. We are a family friendly Karate club and welcome new members. Karate is a great way to make new friends and there are always rewarding opportunities available. Regular practice has continual benefits, both physical and mental. It increases fitness/stamina, strength/tone, flexibility, balance, self-confidence, self-control, mental awareness and co-ordination. We offer a free trial lesson, so why not come along and give Karate a go? For details of the various classes we hold for both adults and children in Kesgrave and Ipswich, as well as other locations in Suffolk. Contact us at: admin@northgate-karate.co.uk / 01473 622707 www.northgate-karate.co.uk
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CHURCH NEWS I am come to calm your fears: I am come to console you in the absence of bright days, and to reassure you of their return. The Snowdrop – Consolation by Bishop Keble 1792-1886 One of the joys of my job is to work in beautiful surroundings. St Mary’s Church, Martlesham, is a great building and has been standing above Martlesham Creek for hundreds of years. If you want a peaceful walk, stroll through the churchyard, visit the church and, if you’re feeling energetic, carry on into Woodbridge alongside the river. Sadly, over the past months I have spent a little too much time in the churchyard, gathering with people to say goodbye to their loved ones. But I am always struck by the beauty of the place, especially at this time of year when the ground is carpeted by snowdrops. Despite the cold weather, despite the sad occasions – and especially on the rare times when the sun shines – there is a peace there, and a reminder of hope as you gaze over the sea of white flowers. To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380
Jesus spoke of hope and reminded us that God cares for us, even when life is a challenge. He reminded us that the beauty of the natural world is a sign of God caring for us. Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance, but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? Luke 12:27 – 28 Snowdrops remind us that winter will end, that spring is coming. Hope still exists, and God loves us all, even when times are dark and hard. May you find peace today in the love of God, beauty in the natural world, and maybe even some exercise as you stroll around the churchyard. The Rev Toby Tate: toby@martleshamcofe.org.uk
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