In Touch News with Shotley March 2020

In Touch

™ ™ ©© ™©

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 10 • Issue No. 4 • MArch 2020

1st Shotley Scout Group, p14

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

Do you ever long for the days when you pulled up at a service station and waited for an assistant to come to your aid? This is just one example of a ‘social’ encounter which doesn’t exist anymore, replaced by self-service or technology.

RHS PUPILS BECOME PEN-PALS WITH ELDERLY ALUMNI

Of course, self-sufficiency is good in many, if not all, aspects of life, but the need for and the benefits of social contact are proven. Loneliness and isolation are rarely freely embraced and Facebook, Twitter and the like have become lifelines for many while the internet provides unparalleled access to... well, to just about everything. However, I find that spending time with ‘real’ people, chatting over coffee, brief conversations over a counter, a helpful assistant when you need to try on a different (invariably bigger) size, even a nod on a cold morning have all become more precious as a consequence.

Loneliness is one of the major issues faced by the elderly in today’s society.

Pupils from the Royal Hospital School decided to do something about this and have become pen-pals to scores of elderly people who are all former pupils.

I saw a poster in a coffee shop recently which made me smile: “I saw a man in a coffee shop the other day. He was just sitting there drinking coffee. He wasn’t on his phone or checking his emails. Just sitting there doing nothing like some crazy person!” Not so long ago this would have described most of us and I hope you occasionally find time to ‘just sit’, despite what others may think!

Traditionally, boarding school pupils used to write letters home to their family every Sunday before the days of emails and mobiles put pay to this method of communication. Following a visit to a 90-year-old former student, RHS realised encouraging him to reminisce about his school days had given him a huge boost as well as a genuine source of interest and inspiration to the pupils. Thanks to this visit, the Letter’s Home Scheme was created, and pupils of all ages began writing to alumni on milestone birthdays from 80 upwards.

It was the response from the alumni that surprised everyone, as RHS headmaster Simon Lockyer explains: “We began receiving back these lovely handwritten letters from our alumni.

They were filled with anecdotes about their schooldays and accompanied by much-cherished photographs. We also learnt facts about RHS that would have otherwise gone undocumented.”

We are fortunate to live in an age where access to just about everything we need, and lots more besides, is at our fingertips but we must never forget those who don’t have access or who may need our actual presence in their lives.

A message may be appreciated but a hug is everything.

Of course, this also applies to local business; without our support they simply can’t survive and where would we be without them. Now more than ever, we need to show some love to our high streets and to consider the carbon footprint of each and every purchase we make. Every face-to-face shopping experience helps us to stay connected with our local community and shopping locally ensures more of our money stays in the local community.

Of course, if you prefer to shop online or simply don’t have the means to get out and about, you can still choose to shop local by finding a local supplier online. As you’ll see in the following pages, most, if not, all of the businesses and service providers featured have an online presence.

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall

The pupils started writing regularly and soon an amazing pen-pal scheme was created. The pupils also make Christmas cards and special gifts to send to the older alumni who claim the letters have given them a new lease of life.

STUTTON THE MOVIE: A LOVE STORY Back in 2018 a local group calling themselves Stutton Presents started making a movie which has taken two years to complete. It has now been successful screened (see Shaun’s Shorts) to great acclaim. Many of you will know that Shaun himself is one of the stars, featuring in The Postman with the Perfect Knees. It lasts an hour and a quarter and is packed with songs, dance and original music .There’s a DVD and also a special programme which you can purchase (£4 each or £6 for both) at Stutton Community Shop.

Susan Hemmings

HOLBROOK VE DAY CELEBRATION There will be a VE Day celebration in Holbrook Village Hall on Friday 8 May at 6.30pm, a village celebration à la 1945 with a shared supper, a bar, music and entertainment.

Attendance is free but contributions to the shared supper will be appreciated.

Forties dress is optional but might be fun!

Donations on the night will be put to the Village Hall Improvement Fund.

Organised by Holbrook Society together with the village hall committee and Vivo, and with the support of the parish council.

The picture was taken at a Second World War party in Holbrook. Do you recognise anyone?

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Tuesday 10 March Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the April edition

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NEWS SHOTLEY BIG QUIZ

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

This year the cinema club won the title of Top Group of Shotley, narrowly beating Shotley & Erwarton Good Neighbours in the final which came down to a nail-biting shoot out. At least it was nail biting for the teams on the stage!

A women led, global, ecumenical movement

Ten teams took part this year and there was much good-natured banter.

Paul Catchpole won the pound in the bucket competition and left the hall £23 richer. Once again Norman did a magnificent job to produce a varied set of questions. Who has ever heard of the song Africa by Toto? I hadn’t even heard of Toto so was extremely thankful that one of my team had.

Friday 6 March, 2pm at St Andrew’s Church, Chelmondiston

We are so grateful to all those who turned out on a cold evening and helped raise £300 towards the maintenance of Shotley Church.

Our local service is prepared by Christine and Rachael. There will be refreshments and time to talk together afterwards in the Church Room.

Everyone is welcome and the service will finish in time to pick up from school.

Allana Baxter

Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk

Join this day of prayer prepared by women of Zimbabwe. They encourage us to reflect on the difficulties and unrest that have plagued their country over many years. They share the challenges they have met and the hopes they have for the future towards full reconciliation.

For information please contact Christine Ward: cmward1@btinternet.com Rachael Wainwright: rachaeljoyw@gmail.com www.wwdp.org.uk

VE DAY FETE IN CHELMONDISTON Join our village celebrations of 75 years of peace in Europe with a vintage fete on Pin Mill Common on Bank Holiday Friday 8 May from 1-5pm.

Live music from Ruby and the Bakelites and other special guests, plus swing boats, games, a barbecue and cream teas.

We are inviting community groups to hold their own stalls or games so please contact Penny Jones if you would like to take part: pennyjjones@btinternet.com

COMPETITION WINNER NAMES NEW BAR AND RESTAURANT When the new bar and restaurant at MDL’s Woolverstone Marina opens shortly, it will be called Loch & Quay, chosen following a competition to find a suitable name for the waterside eatery.

Facebook and Instagram followers, staff, friends, family and the wider marina community were asked to help, posting their suggestions on the social media pages or popping into the marina office to leave their entry.

Sixty-six potential new names were received, including cracking ideas such as The Hungry Sailor, Mainbrace Meals, River Retreats and the Bosun’s Locker.

Unsurprisingly, Eaty McFaceeat was amongst the suggestions, but also unsurprisingly, it didn’t make the shortlist.

The number of excellent entries made the final decision a tough one for the owner, but after much deliberation, Loch & Quay was chosen. “We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of the suggestions received, thank you to everyone who took part,” says owner, John Delaney. “Jon Cox, the restaurant manager, and I took some time going through the entries but finally decided on Loch & Quay as we really liked the play on words.”

The winning entry was submitted by Daniel Webb. “I’ve never won anything before and I am very excited about visiting a restaurant that I’ve named,” comments Daniel. “My parents used to moor their boat at Woolverstone and I remember spending many weekends there, as a wee boy, catching jellyfish.”

Daniel will receive a complimentary dinner for two, including a bottle of wine, at the restaurant that will bear the name he proposed.

This new restaurant at Woolverstone Marina is the third to open in the last year across the MDL Marinas network, with another due to launch very soon.

Why not treat yourself to a nice meal with a view?

Spring isn’t far off and at last the birds are wakening up (and wakening us up) with their lovely morning song. Blue tits, long tailed tits, blackbirds, robins, dunnock, chiffchaff, whitethroat and blackcap warblers are all local to our area. It’s so important to look after our hedgerows and remaining wild spaces to help keep their nesting sites safe and secure. These spaces are fast disappearing as various housing and other developments swallow them up.

While the trees and hedgerows have been free from leaves over winter, we can see the amount of litter that needs to be removed. To help with this we will be supporting the Walkers are Welcome National LitterPick on one day between March 23 and 29. This event will involve most of the accredited Walkers are Welcome locations in the UK (Shotley, Clare and Eye in Suffolk).

Keep your eyes open for the day we are doing this in Shotley and please lend us a hand for an hour or two if you can. We are intending to clear litter from our most popular circular walks featured in the Shotley Explorer Guide. The date of the litter pick will be published on our website and various local Facebook pages.

Our monthly health walk is on Wednesday 18 March, 11.30am from the Bristol Arms. You are invited to join us and travel using Shanks’s Pony (Kucyk Shanksa for our Polish friends). It’s a gentle stroll for an hour or so for all ages, great for fresh air and good company. We walk around Shotley Marina by the River Orwell and through Ganges Wood to the River Stour. Please join us if you can. We do this as part of OneLife Suffolk and have trained walk leaders – you are in good hands!

Marsh Lane down to Shotley Marina will be getting its usual spring haircut this month so keep a look out for our crew in their hi-vis vests.

We do check for any nesting birds beforehand and avoid disturbing them at all costs.

If you want information about the work of Shotley Open Spaces visit our website or contact Geraint Pugh (g.pugh1@btinternet.com), Gary Richens (gary.richens.583@btinternet.com) or Tony LawfordRandall (keyworker@hotmail.co.uk).

Report by Gary Richens www.shotleyopenspaces.co.uk

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

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NEWS SHOTLEY PARISH COUNCIL GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEMES A HELPING HAND WHEN NEEDED The Shotley Peninsula Good Neighbour Schemes are an important support network in our villages. They are run by volunteers under the umbrella of Community Action Suffolk. They can be contacted for assistance over a range of activities, including shopping, pet care, trips to hospitals and surgeries and collecting prescriptions. We are supported by parish councils and voluntary donations.

All volunteers have been DBS and reference checked and are simply people in the community who don’t mind being asked for a helping hand. The contact phone is held by a rota of volunteers who ask volunteers in turn if they are free to help with a particular task.

It’s only February but Shotley Parish Council has been extremely busy with various projects.

The Play Areas Working Group led by Councillor Craig Mills is looking at new play equipment provision for Lloyd Road and Kingsland and is in a very good financial position with just over £62,000 in earmarked reserves. More volunteers are needed to help with the various stages of the project so if you are a parent, grandparent or young adult wishing to represent your age group, or just someone keen to help, we would love to hear from you.

The Neighbourhood Plan Working Group is also making progress and an initial (recoverable) budget of £10,000 has been set for the first phase.

We are delighted to continue to support various groups and projects in our parish and so far this year we have already:

It is for all to use – all of us at some point are glad to be able to call on a neighbour for help.

• Sponsored half of the cost of a VE Day celebratory outing in May for Shotley and Erwarton Social Club

Please contact the Good Neighbour Scheme for your village: Chelmondiston and Pin Mill: 780408 Harkstead and Lower Holbrook: 328326 Shotley and Erwarton: 07799 873881 Stutton Support Network: 327753 Tattingstone: 07895 052086

• Granted £200 towards the costs of the VE Day events being organised by the Shotley, Chelmondiston and Erwarton Anniversaries Committee • Supported the work of the SPS CIC with the provision of materials for shoreline footpath repairs • Provided litter picking equipment for Shotley Primary School in support of their litter clearance activities • Agreed to support the Walkers are Welcome national litter pick event with the loan of the necessary equipment

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

• Match-funded the Shotley Orchard Project to the tune of £240

• Agreed to loan our grass cutting equipment to help with the maintenance During the last month I have been out and about delivering of the St Mary’s Church grounds school presentations about careers in the police and internet safety. It’s important for all for us to consider online safety. • Continued to sponsor Shotley and Erwarton Social Club meetings at the It’s not just young people who can get into difficulty online village hall and there are many scams still going on around us. Many of Finances you may have received emails using your email address but if your name With regards to our financial position, we approved the budget for 2020-2021 isn’t used, it’s probably a scam. If it doesn’t seem right it probably isn’t. (receipts for the period were projected at £81,851 and payments £90,523).

Tell your friends and family if you think you have been the victim of a The precept was set at £63,991, which gives the parish a Council Tax Band D scam or if you suspect a scam and call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline amount of £84.80. This is an increase of three percent on 2019/20, which is expected to be lower than all other local authorities. for practical advice: 0808 223 1133 The Police and Parish Forum dates are set out below. Please take this opportunity to come along and ask any questions.

Wednesday 22 April: Hadleigh Swimming Pool / AGM Wednesday 17 June: Claydon & Barham Village Hall Wednesday 12 August: Hintlesham Community Centre Wednesday 14 October: Chelmondiston Village Hall Wednesday 9 December: Brantham Sports Centre Sign up to Police Connect and you’ll always know what’s going on in your own community. This is a free messaging service connecting you to the very latest policing news for your area via email or text. You can register online at Suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect or pick up a leaflet from your local police station.

I will be dropping into Paddy & Scott’s (inside the Co-op on Hadleigh High Street) on Wednesday 11 March from about 10am until 2pm. Please come and see me.

You can report a number of non-urgent crimes online at: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us Call the police on 101 to report non-urgent crimes and concerns which do not require an emergency response. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Community Engagement Officer PC 287 Sarah George

Planning ahead We plan to have a beach clean event in April after the Easter break (details to follow).

We have written to SCC Highways and asked for the road markings between the primary school and Bristol Hill to be repainted as they are very faded or non-existent in places.

We will continue to carry out minor repairs and cut back the overgrowth within the Heritage Park so it’s ready for the spring/summer seasons.

We will continue to clear the footpath between the school and East View Terrace to ensure pedestrian safety on that route to school.

For your local and parish council news, formal notifications, events and local contacts please visit: www.shotley.onesuffolk.net Parish Clerk D Bedwell parish.clerk@shotleyparishcouncil.org / 01473 788248

HARKSTEAD FARMERS’ MARKET The market has continued to run with fresh locally grown micro salads, fresh meat, veg, cakes, local honey, pasties, sausage rolls, bread and some craft stalls. Come pop in and see what’s there.

It’s open in Harkstead Village Hall from 9am-noon on 14 March, 18 April, 16 May and 20 June.

E: CEOipwesthadleigh@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

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CHARITY GALA CONCERT

SATURDAY 21 MARCH, 7PM

FEATURING: ALEX BAKER, TENOR | CHAPEL CHOIR | CHAMBER CHOIR MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP | SCHOOL ORCHESTRA | CONCERT BAND BIG BAND | MUSICIANS FROM MANNINGTREE HIGH SCHOOL

Full: £10 | Conc: £7 | U18: FREE 01206 573948 | experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic All proceeds raised will go to the Suffolk Community Foundation.

CHAPEL, ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH, IP9 2RX Kindly sponsored by MansionHousePublishing 8

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NEWS / out & about BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS Ganges Ward (Shotley & Erwarton)

HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL New Councillors The parish council would like to welcome two new councillors – Robert Allinson and Roy Fisk – who will be joining from the February meeting.

One of the most rewarding things about living on the Shotley peninsula is the fabulous views provided by Mother Nature every day, no matter the weather. We are blessed with her amazing array of wildlife, birdlife and a wide variety of rare species of insects, flora and fauna.

Reade Field Lottery Fund If you’re interested in joining the lottery, please contact the clerk. All funds raised will go towards the Reade Field Project.

I consider myself very fortunate to represent the tip of the peninsula, which is part of the nationally recognised Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a body for which I’m the Babergh representative.

The work they do is incredibly important and recognised nationally.

Future meetings: 16 March, 20 April and 18 May

Ganges ward also has Sites of Scientific Interest, is a European-recognised Ramsar site, and has a zone owned and protected by the RSPB. We work closely with other expert bodies, not least Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Bat Conservation Trust and Natural England.

However, it’s not enough for local authorities to sign up with all these bodies, and then just pay lip service to the aims and ambitions.

Collectively and individually, councillors and officers have a duty to abide, not just to the letter of the law, but also heed the advice given by dedicated experts from these groups and organisations. It is irresponsible for anyone to not only ignore advice and cause huge damage to sites teeming with birdlife and endangered species by masquerading under a community project (however laudable their original idea may be), then mislead the public with less than factual statements after being challenged for causing environmental damage by destroying important scrub or woodland.

Babergh recently adopted the Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (Rams) which collects payments from developers to ensure informative signage where necessary, wardens or rangers, and better manage car parking in certain areas. This includes educating ramblers, dog walkers and visitors to our beaches and marshes in order to mitigate the unintentional harm, disruption and damage they may cause, especially those who allow their dogs off their lead to ‘playfully’ chase birds.

Sorry if all that sounds a bit of a lecture but I have been appalled at the shameless behaviour of a parish council and certain individuals of late.

I’m also concerned that not enough respect is being shown to our woods, foreshores and special areas. That could be because we aren’t getting the message across effectively enough, something we need to work on.

I have not even started on sheep worrying or other aspects of the country code, or hare-coursing and fox hunting. More on that to come.

If you witness any sort of ecological vandalism or suspected criminal activity around our countryside please contact Suffolk Police Rural Crimes team either on 101, or 999 if you see a crime in progress.

For more detailed information and useful advice please visit: www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org www.bats.org.uk www.babergh.gov.uk/environment

Full minutes of all meetings are available on the parish website or by contacting the clerk at: holbrookparishclerk@outlook.com / 07999 583017

www.holbrook.suffolk.cloud

HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Self-referrals There are a number of community clinics that patients can self-refer into.

This will save a GP appointment and also save your time. Information is given straight to the clinic who can ask further questions to ascertain the nature of your issue and give appropriate guidance and help. Often our GPs have to refer via these pathways so it really is quicker for you to contact them directly.

Suffolk Wellbeing: www.wellbeingnands.co.uk / 0300 1231503 Suffolk Podiatry: www.podiatryreferrals.co.uk / 01473 275257 Physio: www.physioselfrefer.co.uk / 03330 433966 GP and Staff Training Afternoons Our next training afternoon is Wednesday 4 March. The practice will be open for patients to come in to collect/drop off prescriptions and book appointments/make enquiries. However, there will be no clinical staff on site and our telephone lines will be switched to the out of hours service. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

Two site practice The practice has two sites and it’s not always easy to find cover at short notice for a GP who is off sick or on leave. On occasion it may be necessary to redirect our patients to appointments at one site or the other to cope with demand. Reception and dispensary will remain open as normal but you may be asked to attend a different site to the one you rang. We endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum but would ask for your understanding in this.

Your medication dispensed at your GP practice Every time you use your practice’s dispensary you make a vital contribution to the local economy. Income from dispensing helps to pay for additional consultations, jobs for your dispensing team, extended surgery opening hours, free dosette boxes, extra clinical staff and community phlebotomy.

If you have previously collected medication from other pharmacies, please ask us to change back to the surgery and we will be pleased to do so.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please contact me at: derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk / 07824 167196 My Facebook page is: Derek Davis – Independent Councillor Shotley Rose, every Tuesday from 11.30am-1pm Do you feel like the weekend has dragged?

PENINSULA POETRY

Are you fed up with your own company or new to the area?

Wednesday 11 March, 7pm at Shotley Village Hall.

Come along and enjoy a free cuppa and some friendly chat.

This month’s theme is education/school.

#dontbeonyourown Meet Up Mondays Suffolk @meetupmondaysSu www.meetupmondays.org.uk

Just £3 with hot drinks and snacks provided.

Contact Sharon on 07526 409625.

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Out & about HARKSTEAD AUCTION Please note change of date!

Our popular twice-yearly auction will be held on Saturday 11 April in the village hall from 10am. Due to a clash of dates we have had to amend the date from that previously published.

If you haven’t been before, this is an enjoyable and profitable way to recycle those household goods that are too good to throw away and make a few pounds yourself – the best form of recycling. For buyers and collectors it’s an opportunity to pick up a bargain.

Please put the date in your diary and for more information or to book items in for sale, please contact Janet or David: 01473 328649 / harksteadauction@btinternet.com Lots will be taken in between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday 9 April. However, it is essential to book items in for sale in advance as we do have to limit the number of lots. No items can be accepted after 8pm on Thursday 9.

The hall is open for viewing from 11am-1pm and 4-8pm on Friday 10 April, as well as from 9am on the day of the auction itself.

Entrance is free with excellent refreshments and ample free parking.

THEATRE COACH TRIP TO LONDON A coach outing from Shotley peninsula to see Waitress at The Adelphi Theatre in Covent Garden will take place on Thursday 11 June. We will depart around midday for a 7.30pm performance. You will have some free time in the West End between arrival and the start of the show. Coach and theatre is £60 with pick-ups in Chelmondiston, Holbrook and other villages as needed.

If you would like to join us please contact: jane.gould@btinternet.com / 01473 780777 Any money made will be given to Blind Veterans UK.

EASTERN ANGLES AT HARKSTEAD VILLAGE HALL We are pleased to welcome Eastern Angles back to Harkstead on Thursday 16 April at 7.30pm on this year’s spring tour of the East of England.

This production, Red Skies by Ivan Cutting, is a fictional meeting of two famous local East Coast authors, Arthur Ransome and George Orwell, around the time of the Second World War. Seventy years on from Orwell’s death, this is a comic, clever and, at times, personal play that probes behind the façade of the two authors to find the secrets that both inspired and haunted them.

Sounds interesting!

Tickets £11 from Eastern Angles Box Office: 01473 211498

PENINSULAR PIX Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen star in The Good Liar, which we present at Tattingstone Village Hall at 8pm on Thursday 5 March. Roy is a conman who meets wealthy Betty and goes into action, managing to get himself into her life with ease. The only trouble is, the oldest destroyer-of-plans in the book comes to thwart him: LOVE. Here’s a couple of oldies, thinking that the creek dried up long ago, when hey, the snows melt on the mountains and water starts to gush along the gulley. (Not a bad metaphor for an old hack, eh?) It’s not as simple as that though, for this is a mystery thriller with lots of dramatic twists and turns as the pair vie to outcon each other.

The audience rating for Rotten Tomatoes is 85 percent to the good. The critics scored it a little less (and what do they know, they’re all cynical misanthropes – I know, I’ve got the t-shirt). Come and join us in watching Helen and Ian battle it out. It’s a doozy.

Garry Kilworth

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ENSURING YOUR RTA CLAIM DOESN’T HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD No matter how serious, road traffic accidents (RTAs) are always distressing experiences. 2018 alone saw over 165,000 casualties of all severities resulting from RTAs. If you are a victim of an RTA, you could have a case for compensation.

To assist you ahead of any claim, there are important steps you should take / pieces of evidence that you should gather if possible.

Immediately following an accident, if possible, the first steps you should take include: • Get the details of all those involved: For vehicles, this includes registration numbers, the make, model and colour of the vehicles involved.

For people, obtain their phone numbers, addresses and insurance details. Also, be sure to write a description of the person involved and who you believe to be responsible for the RTA.

• Seek medical attention – even if you are feeling ok, it is important to get checked over.

• If possible, take photographs of the accident location, the vehicles involved and the damage caused.

•

Contact the police and report the incident – while they may not always be required to attend the accident, if any person refuses to provide their details at the scene, you must report them to the police.

• If you are the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident, inform your insurer at the earliest opportunity.

• Get the details of any witnesses including their telephone numbers – and their own accounts of what happened – they could back up your claim.

• Keep your own record of the incident – this can include writing down what happened and taking photos of any injuries sustained.

• Keep records of all expenses that you may have incurred as a result of the incident and any injuries sustained – for example, loss of earnings, travel expenses and any medication costs.

If your property or vehicle has been damaged as a result of an RTA, or you’ve been injured, then you can make a claim.

Personal injury and loss claims following an RTA come in two parts: 1. Compensation for the pain and suffering sustained as a result of the accident.

2. Compensation for any financial losses flowing from that accident and injury – this could come in the form of the cost of vehicle repairs, medication and treatment costs or loss of earnings due to injuries sustained.

It is important therefore that, if possible, you capture as much information about the accident, injuries and losses sustained so that if you do wish to make a claim at a later date, the evidence and information that you need is already to hand to assist in the progression of your claim as quickly as possible.

For more information or advice on how to make a claim, get in touch with Prettys’ Personal Injury team. Contact Louise Plant by calling 01473 298293 or email: lplant@prettys.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT THE ASTONISHING STORY OF MARY ALICE BERNERS Come along to an illustrated talk concerning the truly astonishing life and times of Mary Alice Berners, eldest daughter of Charles Hugh Berners who was Squire at Woolverstone Hall between 1891 and 1919. Her story has fascinated me for four years and is of quite extraordinary colour, breadth and interest, spanning the British Empire at its height and yet so local to ourselves.

Glimpse through a window on to part of our peninsula history.

Join me at Berners Hall, Main Road, Woolverstone IP9 1AR on Friday 27 March at 7.30pm. Entry is £6 with a glass of wine (or other refreshment) included with the ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at Orwell Stores in Chelmondiston or direct from me at: simonrpearce@gmx.co.uk / 01473 780009 Supporting the Friends of Woolverstone.

Simon Pearce

STOUR VALLEY ARTS & MUSIC

CHELPIN PLAYERS No Dinner for Sinners, a comedy by Edward Taylor, is now in rehearsal and will run at Chelmondiston Village Hall from Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 April with performances at 7.30pm.

Jim (John), a stockbroker, has to entertain his boss and his wife (Sam and Ian) to dinner. Unfortunately, they strongly disapprove of unmarried couples co-habiting so Jim asks his girlfriend Helen (Sandra) to pose as his wife. Oh dear! Wrong move! Turning to his little black book his exes are no help either.

Who can he turn to for help?

Hilarious disaster reigns supreme as Jim tries to save his job by trading lies and wives almost as quickly as Bill is trading shares.

Tickets (£8 including supper) on the door.

SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL Our first auction of the year is on Saturday 14 March from 9.30am.

Lots must be booked in advance with Jim Catling (01473 788499 / jimcatling@icloud.com) or Norman Bugg (01473 787358).

Lots cost £1 to enter and can be brought to the hall between 10am and 6pm on Thursday 12 March, and at other times by arrangement.

Viewing takes place on Friday 13 March from 10am-6pm when programmes will be available. The hall opens at 8.30am on Saturday for further viewing and refreshments. The first lot goes under the hammer at 9.30am and the minimum bid is £2.

Carducci String Quartet Sunday 8 March, 4pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt CO7 6TG Borodin, Quartet no 2 in D major Shostakovich, Quartet op 108 no 7 Beethoven, Quartet op 59 no 3 Razumovsky We are pleased to welcome back this internationally renowned, UK based Anglo-Irish quartet. They were founded by the present members in 1997 and have won numerous awards in competitions and for recordings. They recently performed a selection of Beethoven Quartets for the Beethoven 250 Festival at the Barbican.

Generously supported by Birkett Long Solicitors.

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB January draw winners 1: Mrs K Blunt (106) £25 2: Mrs C Colman (127) £20 3: Mrs M de Boltz (119) £15 4: Mrs P Anderson (54) £5 5: Miss Y Lock (122) £5 New members are always very welcome in the 700 Club. To join contact Norman on 01473 787358. Membership costs £1 a month and can be paid at intervals of three, six or 12 months.

Kammerphilharmonie Europa Sunday 29 March, 4pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt CO7 6TG Vivaldi, Concerto in G minor FX no 21 Ponchielli, Trumpet Concerto in F major Suk, Serenade for Strings op 6 J S Bach, Violin Concerto in E major BWV 1042 Rachmaninov, Vocalise Elgar, Serenade for strings op 20 Returning by popular request and bringing their virtuoso trumpeter and violinist, this small section of a larger German based orchestra consists of musicians from all over Europe performing much-loved chamber music repertoire.

Generously supported by Grier & Partners, East Bergholt.

Tickets (£15, students £7.50, under-16s free) can be booked online or from 01206 298426. www.svam.org.uk

SOCIAL SEW-AND-SO’S The group continues to meet in the Harkstead Village Hall with the next few dates being 7 and 28 March, 2 May and 6 June. The doors open at 9am for you to pop in when you are ready and for as long as you like. All crafts are welcome.

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SHOTLEY & ERWARTON WI January started with an outing by our newly formed cinema club to see Little Women. Later in the month we saw The Personal History of David Copperfield.

At our WI meeting, members of Suffolk County Council talked about a scheme to teach basic cookery to adults and children. This was followed by a member from Onelife Suffolk talking about dieting.

In the same month we had our 96th birthday party. The theme was black and white and our committee members cooked hot meals and a variety of desserts. We had great fun with good company.

Our next meeting is in Shotley Village Hall on Wednesday 18 March at 7.15pm.

Kate Osbourne will be talking about Beach Bonkers and telling us about some of the interesting things you can find on the beach.

We always welcome non-members; do give us a try. Come as a guest to start with. We don’t all have bus passes as you can join from age 18.

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY OVER 60s SOCIAL CLUB Shotley Peninsula Branch This month we meet on Friday 6 March at 2pm at St Andrew’s Church for the World Day of Prayer service which has been prepared by women of Zimbabwe.

It’s jointly planned and led with Rachael Wainwright of the Methodist Church.

Everyone is warmly welcomed to join in the singing and prayer, and the tea and cakes afterwards. Please come along.

We meet every other Thursday (12 and 26 March) from 1.50-4pm in the village hall. The club is doing very well at present and I’m very pleased that everyone helps each other and is so friendly. I felt a bit poorly for a little while but the members just got on with things. I would like to thank them all.

For further information please ring Norman and Eileen: 01473 787358

We are back in St Andrew’s Church Room on Wednesday 1 April at 2pm when Andrea Skevington will be our speaker. Andrea, who lives in Suffolk with her family, writes for both adults and children and explores faith through creative writing workshops, Bible Study groups and her Reader ministry.

Her recent publication is Jesus said, ‘I am’. The title encourages readers to consider finding life in the everyday.

Christine Ward: 01473 780621

1st SHOTLEY SCOUT GROUP

1st HOLBROOK SCOUT GROUP

Beavers battle it out The Beavers were introduced to a new sport when they had a karate session.

They were each given a karate belt to wear and were led in some warm-up exercises by experienced members. This was followed by some karate moves led by one of our young leaders.

Beavers, Cubs & Scouts

As promised, pictures of a couple of the finished models from our Beaver build challenge.

Urgent appeal on behalf of the Cubs and Beavers The Cub Pack and Beaver Colony are in desperate need of adults to assist in running the groups. Without help both groups are in danger of folding in the very near future.

First, a couple of corrections to last month’s report. The Cub Leader should have read Jed Stone, not Jed Cooper, and the jumble sale will be in May, at the same time as the garage sale on Sunday 10.

If you are willing and able to assist on meeting nights or even want to become a leader yourself, please contact Tiffany (Beavers) or Jed (Cubs) through me at adriangarnham53@gmail.com and I will forward your details on to them.

Both groups meet for an hour and a half at Stutton Primary School on Wednesday evenings during term time.

Assisted by young leader Ollie Martin, Adrian Garnham took 11 Scouts to the annual winter camp at Gilwell, headquarters of the Scout Association.

Changes were made to the arrival area this year, meaning that all vehicles had to enter via the one-way system. This did cause a delay in getting to the drop-off point for all participants. Thanks to Darren Cooper who towed the group trailer, it was a lot easier to get all the kit on site.

Cubs chow challenge The Cubs were set their very own bush tucker trials, trying numerous food delights from pickled gherkins to fish, olives and lychees. We aren’t so mean as to make them eat any grubs or bugs, but the lychees did look a little bit like slimy eyeballs. The Cubs really took on the challenge and each made an attempt to try everything on offer, so well done Cubs.

Scouts sky high The Scouts had an interesting experience when given the task to make a kite for national Kite Flying Day. They were given paper, sellotape, garden sticks, plastic bags and string. We have had a lot of wind recently so hopefully they’ve had a chance to fly their kites.

We have had some good news in the Scout section and would like to welcome Jay to our leadership team. If you think that you could offer your time or skills to one of our sections, please contact Janet for more information: 01473 787416 Lastly, a heads up for our penny mile which this year is being held on Saturday 16 May, starting at 10am in the layby near Shotley Garage. If you have any pennies please bring them along on the day or contact Jane who will be happy to collect them.

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The field we were allocated was waterlogged and very soon turned to a sea of mud, but no one complained, even when they were trying to put up their tents. Once everything was up and the kit stowed, the Scouts were sent off to start their weekend of fun and games, returning at midnight once the amusements had shut for the night.

Rising early on Saturday morning and after a good breakfast, they were once again let loose to explore and take part in the activities on site, briefly returning for lunch before disappearing once again. When the daytime activities closed for the day, dinner was served and then the night-time activities started and ran until midnight again. Most of the Scouts were so exhausted that they were actually back by 11pm and in bed by midnight.

Sunday morning was spent packing away and reloading the trailer once breakfast was done, before heading off to spend the last couple of hours catching up on the last of the activities before the parents arrived.

A big thank you goes out to Simon Lockyer for collecting the trailer and bringing it back to our storage area. Our only mishap was the destruction of our gazebo (which we used as a kitchen) when the site got hit by a microburst of wind that blew it 50m away.

Hearing from the parents that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend made it all worthwhile, even though we did have to suffer by eating outside for most of it.

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OUT & ABOUT Looking after you and your family...

Our private client team offers individuals a high level of personal service, tailored to your needs, ensuring you have peace of mind.

Wills and Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate Disputes

Probate and Estates Court of Protection Financial Planning

Contact us today to make an appointment: enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com www.ellisonssolicitors.com

01473 556900 Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ

Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED Monday 2 March: Felt Lavender Bouquet with Debbie Monday 6 April: Mosaic Coaster (Committee) Monday 4 May: Watercolour Picture with Debbie and Jill We meet at Wherstead Village Hall at 7.30pm and new members are always welcome.

Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

PEACE GLASS CRAFTERS (PGC) STAINED GLASS CLUB PGC is a club of friendly ‘glassers’, named after a respected tutor who taught many of the original members. We share an interest and enjoyment of creating art from sheet glass of all colours and textures.

As a group we support each other by sharing ideas, knowledge and experience. Projects include panels, windows, clocks, suncatchers, lamps, Christmas decorations, 3D items and more. The garden scenes panel pictured was donated to Ipswich Hospital and is on display there. Each PGC member completed one of the six-inch squares.

For more images of our finished work please visit our Facebook page.

The club is mainly for ‘tiffany’ (copper foil) glass work but there are occasions where a member decides to make a leaded piece. We have our own equipment (mainly grinders and soldering irons) plus a few consumables for use on club nights.

We are always keen to welcome new members. Having attended workshops or classes previously, people who come to the club have some experience in the main stained glass techniques, including glass cutting, grinding, foiling and soldering.

We meet at Felixstowe Academy on Thursday evenings during term time. The fees are currently £35 per term and there are three terms per year. If you are interested in joining us please contact the secretary on 01473 625782.

Facebook: Peace Glass Crafters

ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our talks cover a broad spectrum of art and are delivered within a relaxed and welcoming environment. If you would like to know more, please come and meet us. We are always happy to welcome new people.

On February 5 contemporary photographer and lecturer Aliki Braine presented a lively talk which prompted an equally lively question and answer session.

The guest speaker on Wednesday 4 March is Shawn Kholucy. Shawn explores the driving force behind the architect and designer R R Ashbee in a talk titled R R Ashbee – What Made Him Do It. On April 1 Jennifer ToynbeeHolmes will talk about The Holland Park Circle, Victorian painters, sculptors and architects living in Holland Park.

We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Meetings begin at 2pm and last about an hour, with refreshments available from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have available space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 so please contact Wendy Robbins in advance to check if there is available space: 01394 823807 For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE

ST MARY’S CHURCH BINGO

We meet every other Thursday in the village hall from 1.50-4pm. Our upcoming meetings are on Thursdays 5 and 19 March and 2 April.

Our first bingo evening of the year is in Shotley Village Hall on Saturday 4 April. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Everyone is welcome.

We have been running for many years and our whist drive is now the only one on the peninsula. Please come to join us.

The dates for the rest of 2020 are May 2 and 30, June 27, July 25 and September 5.

For more information contact Norman and Eileen: 01473 787358

EAST SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND An independent and voluntary charitable organisation promoting the welfare of blind and visually impaired people in East Suffolk since 1914.

Membership is free. We also hold a social on the last Wednesday of every month at Stutton Community Hall from 2-4pm when we provide entertainment, afternoon tea and a raffle, and twice a year we have a lunch at a local hotel.

If you would like to join us, contact Ian, our community support worker, for more information: 01473 788380 We are always in need of volunteer drivers to assist us with our monthly social event. If interested please contact Barbara McDonald: 01473 328907

VILLAGE LINK Alex Bass will present a talk on Suffolk Wildlife and Landscapes at our next meeting in Tattingstone Village Hall on Wednesday 11 March at 10am.

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.

On March 17 Richard Symes will give a talk on Dunwich Heath. Over the last 300 years the heath has had a varied and colourful history. It has been the site of brandy and tobacco smuggling and trawlermen cleared mines to keep vital supply lines open during the Great War. More recently, the heath was used for military exercises to prepare for the Normandy landings, in particular how to breach enemy defences. The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. On April 21 Mark Beesley, a local artist and historian, will give a talk on East Anglian artists. The talk will feature both the well-known and lesser known local artists.

We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members and 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.

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

Our aim is to bring communities together and over the years we have attracted members from many villages, men and women of various ages.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am to noon. Former and new members are welcome, either as visitors or members.

Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262

SHOTLEY GARDENING CLUB For our February meeting we decided to throw caution to the winds to risk an outing. After an anxious time when we thought we would have to cancel because we couldn’t fill the coach, we found ourselves asking for a slightly bigger one. Friends and relatives joined us to visit Anglesey Abbey to see the snowdrops and the Winter Garden. We were so lucky. It was a perfect early spring day, the sun shone, the skies were blue and there was no wind.

There were snowdrops and hellebores, scarlet and golden stemmed cornus, scented winter box and honeysuckle. The Winter Garden is an immersive experience of colour and scent. The path curves slowly revealing the garden, at each turn a new delight and ending, of course, at those glorious white barked birches.

CHELMO HORTICULTURE SOCIETY At our recent AGM, Enid outlined some hard facts: unless members step forward to fill important posts, the club could well fold at the end of the year.

To carry on we need a chairperson and a secretary.

Jo has agreed to stand in as chair and Linda has agreed to continue as secretary until a permanent replacement is found. Lucy has agreed to be show secretary and Alan will continue as treasurer.

Enid was presented with a beautiful bouquet for her long service as chair and we then had a grand cheese and wine buffet.

If you didn’t attend please remember that subs are now due. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

Alan Storey

HOLBROOK & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB We meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 1.30-3.30pm in Holbrook Village Hall, The Street, Holbrook IP4 2PZ. Guest flower demonstrator, raffle and refreshments available.

We were booked on a guided walk to visit the areas of the garden off limits to other visitors and were introduced to the multitude of new and developing snowdrops in the trial areas. Who knew there were so many variations?

Some with thin petals like helicopter blades, some with yellow centres, big ones, tall ones, fat ones, tiny ones, singles and doubles.

On Monday 9 March Darren Lerigo will present a talk about gardening and water entitled Diluted.

For a free afternoon of fun and flowers, cut out and present this voucher.

We meet every second Monday at 7.30pm at Shotley Village Hall unless otherwise notified. Visitors are welcome to join us, for our talks and our trips.

June Edwards

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Sport SHOTLEY ROSE BOWLS CLUB

HOLBROOK BOWLS CLUB

Representatives from Shotley Rose Bowls Club attended last month’s Suffolk Bowls dinner and dance. A great time was had by all with good food, music and company.

We will open the green for the 2020 season after Easter and once again welcome any new members. Informal practice bowls can easily be arranged by contacting chairman Derek (01473 327505) or captain Peter (01473 780525).

It was also an opportunity to attend the presentation of the over 55s pairs trophy to Andrew Coulson and Simon Whitney and the Millennium Cup runners-up trophy to club captain Martin Stiff. These were great achievements for such a small club which also had members in semi-finals and second and third rounds of competitions.

We still have a small and friendly indoor bowls section, meeting on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm. Just give us a visit.

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC 2020 has started well for the 1st team with three wins and a draw, scoring 13 goals alone the way. By so doing they have maintained their upward path and now find themselves in fourth place in the SIL Senior Division.

However, the reverse is true for the Reserves with only one victory to date in 2020. That record has been mirrored by the A Team.

The autumn and winter work has continued on our green and the generous rainfall is a real benefit. We are hoping to see more grass cover and an everimproving true surface. Repairs have been done to the clubhouse which now has new doors. It is hoped a working party or two will see a little more decorating completed before the season opens in May. Please come and join us. Shotley Rose Bowls Club would love to see more people turning up for a game. We are a very welcoming crowd and will happily support anyone who wishes to play.

See you next season, I hope.

Club Captain Martin Stiff: 07970 203951

We are currently planning our 2020 sailing year and allocating dates to our activities which you’ll find online. We are small enough to be able to change or add additional activities as they are identified dependent on interest.

Neptune Youth Groups There will be three separate groups running for ages 10 plus on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings for 10 weeks from 6-8.30pm, commencing W/C 28 April with a break for school holidays. The groups cover all levels and are popular as a route to instructor status for older students. They promote team building, decision making and communication skills.

Instructor Course This five-day course is planned for early July. Applicants must pass a sailing skills pre-assessment approved by an RYA coach. Neptune can arrange this and offer the chance to practice the skills required. Also required is a powerboat level two course and a RYA first aid course, which can also be done at Neptune, Visit the website for information about power boat and safety boat courses, junior summer courses, adult sailing courses, the assistant instructor course (a good course to complete prior to the instructor course as it provides the opportunity to understand the approach and methods used) and opportunities for school groups, Scouts and other organisations.

We always need helpers and instructors, especially senior instructors. If you would like to become involved please contact us via our website.

The ladies’ team have had another good season and have made the semi-final of the Homestore UK Suffolk Women’s Cup. They will play Brett Vale at Hadleigh Utd on Sunday 15 March.

FIXTURES 1 Team: Senior Division 29 Feb: Bildeston Rangers (H) 7 Mar: Cranes Sports (H) 21 Mar: Westerfield Utd (A) 28 Mar: Coplestonians (H) 4 Apr: Claydon (A) st

Reserves: League A 29 Feb: Claydon Res (A) 7 Mar: Bacton Utd 89 Res (A) 21 Mar: Claydon Res (H) 28 Mar: Old Newton Utd Res (A) 4 Apr: Cockfield Utd Res (A) A Team: League C 7 Mar: Benhall St Mary Res (A) 14 Mar: Kirton Athletic Res (H) 21 Mar: Sporting 87 A (H) 28 Mar: Wenhaston Utd Res (A) 4 Apr: Capel Plough Res (H) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 The FIFA tournament will be held on March 7 and is open to all-comers.

Check our social media feeds for details.

125th Anniversary This season marks the 125th anniversary of the club and there will be special events to mark this momentous achievement. There will be day of football with matches featuring past and present Bergholt teams as well as ladies and juniors. This will be held on Sunday 12 April (Easter Sunday) at Gandish Road and there will also be a BBQ, bar, raffle and auction. Keep in touch for more details.

Steve Butcher, secretary: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com Facebook: East Bergholt United Football Club Instagram: east_bergholt_united_fc Twitter: @EBUFC1

www.neptunesailing.org.uk

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CHURCH NEWS

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB

Parish Priest: Fr Paul Vincent OCD Assistant Priest: Fr Bineesh Elenjikkal OCD 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR MARCH 2020 Sunday 1 9am

1st Sunday of Lent Mass

Tuesday 3 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Sunday 8 9am

2 Sunday of Lent Mass nd

Tuesday 10 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 15 3rd Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 17 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 22 4th Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 24 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 29 5th Sunday of Lent 9am Mass Tuesday 31 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door.

Catholic Commentary As China has confirmed it will enforce new restrictions on religious groups, organisations, meetings and other related events starting in the past month, Pope Francis has urged the world to let the light of Christmas remain and pierce the ‘darkness in human hearts’ that leads to religious persecution, social injustice, armed conflicts and fear of migrants.

He said “There is darkness in personal, family and social relationships but the light of Christ is greater”. Francis singled out the persecution of Christians by militant groups, asking God to console those who suffer for their faith.

The Pope continued to defend refugees and migrants whom he said “hoped for a dignified life but instead find themselves before walls of indifference”. He concluded by saying that while there were many huge problems in the world, people could make a difference in their own communities as a start to correct injustices.

Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday 23 February at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £166 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday 29 March. The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv & Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am to noon. We are raising funds for our centenary celebration on 15 August this year. All are very welcome to join us; the next event is on Thursday 26 March.

The Sick & Homebound Fr Bineesh Elanjikkal is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital, assisted

by Deacon Clive Brooks (01206 396319). Please be aware that for reasons of patient confidentiality, the NHS will not inform the chaplains of any Catholics admitted to hospital. Unless you or your relatives inform the chaplain, you will not be visited by a priest or any other member of the chaplaincy team. Please let Fr Paul Vincent know of anyone who is ill at home or housebound, so that they may receive appropriate pastoral care. Both Fr Paul and Fr Bineesh can be contacted on 01206 684963.

THE PENINSULA BAPTIST CHURCH Pin Mill Road, Chelmondiston IP9 1JE

We invite you to join us on Sunday morning at 10.30am.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Contact Dave Kelland: 01473 788441 / 07970 312705

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Church News CHELMONDISTON & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES Mistaken identity “Have you given a talk on cottage gardens in a village near Cambridge recently?,” I was asked by a colleague in a phone call. Some friends of his had been at this talk and he thought the speaker, Andrew Sankey, might have been me. A couple of years ago, several people in this area saw a report in a local magazine of this same person speaking at a horticultural club and thought that I was moon-lighting, as if I had time to fit in a second job!).

I discovered he was a landscape gardener so I told those who knew me that it couldn’t possibly be me – just look at my garden!

Some of you may have known namesakes for a long time, but mine is a relatively unusual name and so it has only recently happened with me. I note that in London there is another Andrew Sankey, an orthopaedic surgeon. No one has mistaken me for him, but I was once mistaken for a registrar when I did a late evening visit to a hospital ward to see a patient who was a member of my church. For a moment, I toyed with the idea of going with the mistaken identity, but thought better of it and quickly informed her that I wasn’t the medic she had called for but was simply offering a pastoral visit.

There is a case of mistaken identity in the Bible. Jacob was looking for a wife and he loved the younger daughter of Laban, Rachel. His father-in-law insisted on seven years work for Rachel to be his wife and once completed, staged a banquet. After the banquet, Laban brought his elder daughter, Leah, to Jacob and it wasn’t until the morning that Jacob realised he had been deceived.

Laban then insisted on another seven years to work for Rachel. Perhaps we feel sorry for Jacob being so outrageously duped on his wedding day. Perhaps it was a bit of restorative justice by Laban because Jacob had deceived his father years earlier by dressing up as his elder brother Esau (with the help of his mother) and stealing the family birth right. (You’ll find the story in Genesis Chapters 27-30) There is an old proverb that says “Do as you would be done by”. As Jacob deceived his father and had stolen from his brother, so his father-in-law does the same thing to him. If we spin a web of deceit, the chances are we will end up getting caught in it ourselves. We are accountable for our actions in this life as well as the next.

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Chelmondiston, Holbrook & Capel Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Sunday 1 10.45am Worship with Rev Michael Allen

6.15pm Worship – Local Arrangement Sunday 8 10.45am Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey

6.15pm Worship with Mr William Glasse Sunday 15 10.45am Worship with Mrs Margaret Brock

6.15pm Worship with Rev Joan Pell Sunday 22 10.45am Worship – Local Arrangement

6.15pm Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 29 10.45am Worship with Mr Roger Theobold

6.15pm Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey AT HOLBROOK METHODIST HCT: Holbrook Churches Together Tea and Chat: Mondays, 2.30-4pm (HCT) Home Groups: Second & third Tuesdays at 7.30pm Sunday 1 10am Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey

6.30pm Lent Group 1 with Rev Andrew Sankey Friday 6 3.30pm Messy Church (HCT) Sunday 8 10am Worship with Rev Jo Jacobs

6.30pm Lent Group 2 with Rev Jenny Saggar Sunday 15 10am Family Friendly Worship with Mrs Heather Bentley

6.30pm Lent Group 3 with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 22 10am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham Sunday 29 10am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey

6.30pm Lent Group 4 with Rev Jenny Saggar Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in March.

For more information about Messy Church and Tiddlers (HCT) contact Gerald Laws: geraldolaws@aol.com / 01473 328507

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CHURCH NEWS SHORELINE BENEFICE Please check the website and noticeboards for any changes.

St Andrew’s, Chelmondiston Sunday 1 9.15am Holy Communion, The Rev T Crosbie Sunday 8 9.15am Holy Communion, The Rev D Newton Tuesday 10 10am Tuesday Midweek Communion* Sunday 15 9.30am Service at Harkstead Sunday 22 9.30am Mothering Sunday Service with Harkstead,

Mrs C Ward Sunday 29 10.45am Benefice Service at Shotley* St Mary’s, Erwarton Sunday 1 4pm Celtic Evening Prayer * Sunday 8 11am Family Service* Sunday 15 10.45am Service at Shotley Sunday 22 11am Holy Communion* Sunday 29 10.45am Benefice Service at Shotley

St Mary’s, Harkstead Sunday 1 9.30am Holy Communion* Sunday 8 9.30am Celtic Prayer* Sunday 15 9.30am Holy Communion with St Andrew’s* Sunday 22 9.30am Service at Chelmondiston Sunday 29 10.45am Benefice Service at Shotley St Mary’s, Shotley Sunday 1 10.45am Family@ShotleyChurch, Mr A Coulson Sunday 8 11am Service at Erwarton Sunday 15 10.45am Holy Communion with Harkstead,

The Rev Canon C Chapman Sunday 22 10.45am Worship for All, Mr A Coulson Sunday 29 10.45am Benefice Service of Holy Communion* * The Rev Canon L Oosterhof

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE As we enter March we begin to turn our thoughts towards Easter. Our Lent groups have just started – we will have two sessions a week, one at Holbrook Methodist Church at 6.30pm each Sunday evening (except for Mothering Sunday), and one at 2pm on Wednesday afternoon at the Rectory in Holbrook. We are focusing on Stephen Cottrell’s book The Nail, which takes us on a journey towards the crucifixion through the personal experiences of the characters involved. It’s a great chance to reflect on our faith and where we sit in the story, and to prepare ourselves for Holy Week and Easter.

Anybody from the Two Rivers Benefice is welcome to attend either session.

You don’t have to be a church member, or know anything about the bible or faith to join in.

Lent can feel like quite a severe time in the church year but it’s not just about giving things up. I often find myself taking things on. This year I have joined the Church of England’s Live Lent initiative. Through the downloadable app, the church sends short daily readings and reflections which I have found really helpful in the past. They take about five minutes and are genuinely thought provoking. One other idea is to buy a food item a day for the local food bank, or to do something positive for someone different each day.

If you would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact me.

Blessings, Jenny 01473 327951 / 07733 195866 / rector2rivers@outlook.com The Rectory, 15 Denmark Gardens Holbrook IP9 2BG St Peter’s, Stutton Sunday 1 10.30am Sunday 8 9.30am Saturday 14 Noon-1pm Sunday 15 9.30am Wed 18 2.30pm Sunday 22 11am Wed 26 2.30pm Sunday 29 11am

Noon

Worship for All at Stutton School Holy Communion* Soup Lunch Holy Communion* Prayer Group, Oak House Informal Service with Baptism* Comfort Corner, Annette Steggles Benefice Holy Communion at Freston* Bring & Share Lunch

All Saints, Holbrook Sunday 1 11am Sunday 1 4pm Sunday 8 10am Sunday 15 10am Wed 18 3pm

Baptism – The Rev Jenny Afternoon Tea Matins, Cynthia Anderson Informal Service, Annette Steggles Comfort Corner at Cynthia Anderson, 8 Gifford Close IP9 2TR

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Sunday 22 9.30am Sunday 29 11am

Noon St Mary’s, Wherstead Sunday 1 No Service Sunday 8 11am Sunday 15 No Service Sunday 22 11am

Sunday 29 11am

Noon St Peter’s Freston Sunday 1 11am Sunday 8 No Service Sunday 15 11am Sunday 22 No Service Sunday 29 11am

Noon Fridays 9am

Holy Communion* Benefice Holy Communion at Freston* Bring & Share Lunch

Holy Communion* Informal Service for Mothering Sunday, Annette Steggles Benefice Holy Communion at Freston* Bring & Share lunch Matins, Malcolm Farman Holy Communion* Benefice Holy Communion* Bring & Share Lunch Please ring Malcolm Farman each week to confirm: 01473 677050

St Michael’s, Woolverstone Sunday 1 9.30am BCP Communion, The Rev Jenny & Duncan Myatt

11am Café@Church, Duncan Myatt Sunday 8 11am Worship Service, Duncan Myatt Sunday 15 11am Morning Prayer, Duncan Myatt

Noon APCM Sunday 22 11am Holy Communion Sunday 29 11am Benefice Holy Communion at Freston*

Noon Bring & Share Lunch * The Rev Jenny Care Home Services Oak House: 10.30am on Monday 2 March St Mary’s: 2.30pm on Monday 2 March Family and friends of residents’ welcome.

Lent Group at Holbrook Methodist Hall Every Sunday (except for March 22) at 6.30pm Lent Group at The Rectory Every Wednesday from March 4 to April 1 at 2pm

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