In Touch with Shotley October 2019

In Touch

™ ™ ©© ™©

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 9 • Issue No. 11 • October 2019

The beauty of autumn by Robert Dennis

Skiphire www.collins-skiphire.co.uk

For a fast, efficient & price friendly local service

01473 327596

orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk

2

In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR We live in interesting times, never knowing from one day to the next what’s going to happen. I’ve been fascinated by the House of Commons debates, not so much by the content of what’s being said, but by the sheer drama of it all. At times it’s calm and relatively reasoned, but when it’s not, it’s almost unbearable. Come what may, I do think it’s important to try to keep up with what’s happening, but I’d only just got my head around the ‘backstop’ when ‘proroguing’ became the lead news story. Perhaps it will be all over before the next edition is published.

Meanwhile many of us have been getting children back to school or off to college.

I was an emotional wreck on the morning I dropped Jack for his first day in Year 5. I don’t suppose I was the only mum who cried her way to work that day, but we quickly get back into the routine of it all and the summer holiday becomes a distant memory. In fact it’s shocking how quickly that happens! When Jack had to write about the best day of the summer, he wrote about the very last day when we had a couple of friends over to build a den and print initials on t-shirts using grated crayons. Admittedly we didn’t have a fancy holiday, but it seems he’d forgotten about all the lovely days out we had, our week in Ireland and all the clubs and camps he’d been to. Grating crayons won the day! Instructions available on request.

Jack is a bit of a mad scientist and I don’t think his grandpa or his dad will object if I say it’s in his blood. The number of weird and wonderful experiments we’d done recently, from avocado ice-cream that tastes like chocolate (it didn’t!) to slime made using liquid detergent and cornflour. And my least favourite, instant ice-cream in a bag. Oh it might sound like a great idea, but when you end up with vanilla flavoured ice all over the sofa, the walls and the ceiling it loses its appeal, even if it’s quite nice to eat what’s left. Still, he’s a useful distraction from more serious issues so I think I’ll keep him! Perhaps I should ask him to invent a Brexit solution!

If you’re looking for a distraction or an opportunity to get out and about, I think you’ll find it here, in addition to lots of essential drama-free (mostly) information about local developments.

NEWS SUFFOLK PUPIL NAMED YOUNG SAILOR OF THE YEAR Royal Hospital School pupil, Josie Ruffles (17) from Shotley Peninsula, has had an extraordinary year when it comes to her sailing accomplishments. As well as completing the Royal Ocean Racing Club 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race this year, like her brother Toby in 2017, she has been recognised by the East Anglian Offshore Racing Association who have named her the Young Sailor of the Year 2019, a very prestigious award.

The prize giving was supposed to be in Ostend, Belgium recently, following the final race of the season, the Buckley Goblets, which involved Josie and her father racing across the North Sea for the sixth time this year. Josie has also crossed the Irish Sea twice and undertaken around 2,000 miles of hard yacht racing, including winning the Wallis Cup in which she skippered the boat.

The final race proved tough with a force 6-7 wind and waves of four meters, but Josie battled on and completed it in nine hours. The forecast for the return on Saturday suggested even higher winds, so the presentations were postponed until the annual dinner in November, allowing the yachts to turn around quickly and head back to the UK. Sadly, the forecast was wrong, and the high winds hit the sailors in the middle of the North Sea, making it very rough with winds of over 40 knots.

Josie and her father experienced damage to their mainsail and Genoa sails, but managed to get home in 13 hours.

The prize of Young Sailor of the Year will be presented on November 9 at the Medway Yacht Club, where the dinner is being held, but it clashes with the RHS Trafalgar Evening, so, in Josie’s words, they are “going to have to make a plan”.

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.

Advertising

T: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk Distribution

Tree Martin: 01473 400380 E: tree@intouchnews.co.uk Printing

ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 E: steve@colourplan.co.uk Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the In Touch series of magazines.

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

BLOSSOM APPEAL The open garden at Little Oak, Shotley Gate in aid of the Ipswich Hospital Blossom Appeal was a great success.

Having been confronted with the larger than life ‘Blossom’ tree trunk clad in a very fetching bra and with long eyelashes and a bright red pouting mouth, visitors arrived smiling. The pop-up cake stall was very popular with both passing trade and guests and we ran out of cakes earlier than anticipated.

The garden was busy with people from 11am and there was much laughter and chat. The weather was perfect and allowed people to wander round the garden and sit on the benches to enjoy the views.

The team worked well to keep our guests supplied with tea, coffee, cake and ploughman’s lunches and we were delighted to send the sum of £1,072.20 to the Blossom Appeal.

Thank you so much to all who came to support the event.

Danielle & Allana

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Thurs 10 October is the advertising and editorial deadline for the November edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

3

NEWS

NOTICE FROM ANGLIAN WATER SERVICES TO HOLBROOK RESIDENTS We wrote to you at the start of the month explaining our intention to postpone our works. Since then, there have been recent bursts in the area and to address the impact this has had on the community, we have brought the scheme forward and will now be starting our work on 30 September.

The extra time between the original start date and now has allowed us to communicate further with the transport authority, first responders and the community. We will continue to keep the council updated so they can plan an amended transport timetable and routes if required.

Any changes will be displayed on Suffolk County Council and Ipswich buses websites from the end of October so please keep an eye on them.

What this means to you and your community To progress our scheme, we now plan to start work within Alton Water and on Hyams Lane at the same time. In order to complete our works safely, the below traffic management will be required.

Road Closure: Hyams Lane (junction of Church Lane to the junction of Hales Grove) – 30 September until 22 November Road Closure: Church Hill (between Hyams Lane and Back Hill) – 25 November until 13 December Road Closure: Primrose Hill (between Back Hill and Brooklyn House) – 16 December until 10 January Road Closure: Church Hill progressing into Ipswich Road in approx.

200m sections (junction of Hyams Lane north to Woodlands Road) – 13 January until 22 May 2020 Please note that the above dates and durations are subject to change and are dependent on progression of works. All traffic management will be taken down and works paused over the Christmas holidays.

Working Hours Our working hours will vary but we won’t start before 7.30am and always aim to be finished by 5.30pm. Where possible and necessary, we will work weekends to reduce customer impact and increase productivity.

To minimise the risk of interruption to you and your neighbours’ water supply, when we will carry out connections these will take place at night.

We prepare for these during the day so that noise disruption is also kept to a minimum.

Access Access to properties will be maintained at all times for residents who live within our working sections from one end of the closure or the other.

There may also be occasions where you might have to wait short periods whilst the team make this possible.

Keeping you informed We will be in touch again to explain the work in further detail nearer the time. We’ve also set up an In Your Area post where you’ll find details of where we’ll be working, along with all the other details you may want to know.

We’ll keep the post updated throughout the project so you can easily stay up to date on our progress. We recommend you sign up to receive alerts to stay up to date. Please visit: www.anglianwater.co.uk/yourarea In the meantime, if you have any queries, you can contact us on: 03457 145145

4

BURSTALL SHOW PRIZE WINNERS GO TO MOTO GP As part of their auction prize from this year’s Burstall Show, Rich Harvey and his wife Steph from Holbrook went to Silverstone on Thursday 22 August for the British MOTO GP. On the first day their personalised VIP guest passes included: • a personal tour of the TV compound where they were able to see behind the scenes of the TV production as well as spot a few famous faces • a personal viewing of the MOTO GP Tower of Champions Trophy which isn’t normally accessible to the public • a tour of the MOTO Paddock, where the teams have their hospitality areas, again spotting more famous faces On Saturday they brought their three children for the qualifying rounds and had access to a private box overlooking the pit lane. They were able to get incredibly close to the action and had a wonderful opportunity to get some fantastic close-up photos of the riders as they came into the pits. They were also shown on the ‘live’ TV programme which is something extra special.

Later that afternoon, the children were taken into the paddock where they were able to collect lots of memorabilia.

Rich returned on Sunday for race day and again had use of the private pit lane box to watch one of the most exciting races of the season so far in which Andrea Dovizioso crashed over the fallen bike of Fabio Quartaroro and his Ducati Desmosedici burst into flames beside the track. The action continued with world champion Marc Marquez battling Alex Rins right up to the last second of the race when Rins crossed the finish line ahead of an astounded Marquez!

After enjoying the post-race podium celebrations, Richard thanked their host, Raj Kotecha of Vislink Technologies, for what he described as the best weekend ever!

On behalf of Burstall Village Hall Committee, I would also like to express our gratitude to Raj, who has recently moved to Burstall, for his extreme generosity and fantastic hospitality.

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.

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

In Touch online:

FREE* Georgia toilet & basin with every bathroom order

Bathing a problem? – we can help • Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Disabled Facilities Grants • Discounts for over 60s and EX Service personnel Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote

01473 206918 www.ahminstallations.co.uk Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details.

*

IPSWICH MR MISTY.pdf

1

06/04/2019

09:08

In touch 93 x 132.indd 5

01/09/2019 18:01 WE SPECIALISE IN DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS, CALL FOR YOUR FREE CHECK UP

I P S W I CH

M r M i s ty ‘Th e W i nd ow Doctor’ i s a f a m i ly run b us iness th a t p ri d e s i ts e lf i n e xce p ti ona l cus tom e r ca re.

W e p rom i s e e a s y s e rvi ce f rom s ta rt to fi ni s h .

DOES YOUR DOUBLE GLAZING STEAM UP? WE REPLACE JUST THE GLASS AND NOT THE FRAMES AT A FRACTION OFTHE COST FOR NEW WINDOWS

C

M

P RO BLE MS WE S O LV E

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

ELIMINATE WINDOW CONDESATION

SECONDARY GLAZING TO BLOCK OUT NOISE

BROKEN WINDOW PARTS

LOCKS

BROKEN GLASS

FAULTY HINGES

K

COMMON SUMMER TIME PROBLEM

LAWN MOWER STONE CHIPS & BROKEN GLASS

FREE PHONE : 0800 25 45 111 FOR YOUR FREE CHECKUP WWW.MRMISTY.CO.UK

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

5

NEWS SHOTLEY PIER UPDATE

DEATH CAFÉ AT THE COMPASSES

We are delighted to announce that work is starting at Shotley Pier as the group secured an investment of £144,868 from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in September, adding to the Coastal Revival Grant of £50,000 which was gained in the spring.

The Death Cafe meets at The Compasses in Holbrook for a lively time of discussion, information exchange and shared experiences around the subject of dying and death. Many find that this area of our lives, one that we will all face eventually, is often avoided in conversation because we don’t have enough information or understanding.

Renovation of the Land Bridge section will now start subject to weather conditions. At low tide it crosses sand, shingle and mud flats. At high tide, the Land Bridge has water lapping underneath it to the sea wall. Completion of this section will mean people will be able to walk on the pier, hopefully by spring 2020 depending on weather.

It’s a huge amount of work for volunteers, attending funding meetings and writing applications, gathering evidence – both historical information as well as evidence from the public that they want this project. We conducted more than 30 public consultation events where we asked people what they wanted from the pier project. The top three items which were mentioned over and over again by the public were: free access to walk on the pier without paying an entrance fee; shelter, so that the pier can be used all year round in all weather conditions; and celebration the Victorian heritage of the pier. The pier group is doing its best to achieve these goals.

Chairman John Davitt shared the delight of the volunteers by saying: “We feel so lucky to get this funding, which is a great expression of support for the development of the pier for the public to use once again after so many years.

We can’t wait to get on with the work!”

Why not come to our monthly coffee morning to chat to volunteers and hear the latest news? The next coffee morning dates are Wednesdays 2 October, 6 November and 7 December from 10.30am-noon at the Michelin-listed Red Lion, Main Road, Chelmondiston IP9 1DX.

SHOTLEY & ERWARTON JUBILEE COMMUNITY COUNCIL We held our 41st Flower and Vegetable Show on Saturday 7 September.

Twenty-two people brought almost 200 exhibits of a very good standard.

Class Winners Vegetables Fruit and Flowers Cookery Photography

Ian Palmer Ian Palmer Ian Palmer Les Stebbings

A big thank you to everyone who exhibited or helped to erect and dismantle tables, also those who worked behind the kitchen counter providing refreshments.

HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL Anglian Water Mains Water Work Anglian Water kindly attended the August parish council meeting, providing details on the planned works and taking questions from residents. They will be providing regular communications to the parish council, which will be shared via the website and social media.

Reade Field Lottery Fund The Holbrook Lottery has started again for its second year. If you’re interested in joining please contact the clerk. All funds raised will go towards the Reade Field Project.

In previous times people died at home and we grew up with dying and death as a normal part of our lives. Today our living mostly comes to an end in hospital or hospice and we seem to have ‘outsourced’ the process to the professionals, and yet it is one of our most significant and personal events.

The Death Café movement is worldwide and was founded in the UK in 2011

by Jon Underwood.

We meet every two months from 10.30am-noon on a Sunday morning. Tea or coffee is served at the bar, and we talk about anything to do with death or dying. There’s no agenda, no speakers, just us having an interesting chat. This is not a support group. We are comfortable talking about these matters and sharing with others our interest and experience.

If you are interested in joining us, maybe just to see what we are about, maybe to join the conversation or simply listen, here are some dates for your diary: 3 November, 5 January and 1 March.

For further information please contact Jane Gould: 01473 789777 / jane.gould@btinternet.com

SPECIALISTS IN THE BUSINESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS One of the things in life people value the most is having a roof over their head, and here at Next Generation Roofing we never underestimate the need that people have to feel safe and protected. This is why we put so much hard work into ensuring that we provide the most comprehensive roofing services Ipswich wide, as well as the surrounding areas of Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.

As a team of expert roofers, we only use the best quality materials in our work, but it isn’t only this that gives us such as excellent reputation, it’s our work ethic. No matter what amount of work is needed, we approach every job with the same care and attention to detail. All of our work is completed to the highest standard and we know that you’ll be happy with the result.

We quote for each job individually, based on your requirements, and offer a wide range of roofing products and services from minor repairs to replacements. We know that roofing doesn’t just stop at the actual roof, which is why we can provide fascias and guttering as well, all of the best quality, and we can help you chose something that will match the rest of your home.

Councillor Vacancy The parish council currently has one vacancy; in particular there is a need for representation from Lower Holbrook. If you are interested in applying, please contact the clerk for further information.

Here at Next Generation Roofing Specialists our team of roofers are proud of our strong reputation for quality and reliable roofing services and take our work as seriously as you take your home. We enjoy seeing our work finished to a high standard and look forward to your call.

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

Find out more by visiting: www.nextgeneration-roofing.co.uk Suffolk Office: 01473 833446 / Essex Office: 01206 827454 Mobile: 07896 787424 Email: enquiries@nextgeneration-roofing.co.uk

Future meeting dates are 21 October, 18 November and 16 December. www.holbrook.suffolk.cloud

6

In Touch online:

advertorial

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter.

A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed

double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems.

Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution‌ Just replace the glass!!

If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118.

We will send out our highly

experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee.

Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors.

Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Andy Kerridge and he services the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas.

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

7

8

In Touch online:

NEWS SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Hello from Pc Sarah George and Pc Diane Porter. We are both now in post at Hadleigh Police Station as engagement and link officers and look forward to meeting you all over the coming months.

Over the next few months we will be updating you on security, current crime trends and how to report crimes and offences. We get asked lots of questions and will make this month’s report from us more like guidance.

Please report any non-urgent crime, theft, retail theft, criminal damage, hate crime and traffic collisions to 101 or report online as this is the quickest way to get hold of us: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something Walk a New Path Suffolk Police are recruiting at the moment. If you are aged between 18 and 57 and fancy being a police officer, please view the application form at: https://tinyurl.com/y3hmafdl Police Connect A free messaging service connecting you to the very latest policing news in your area via email, telephone or text.

For further details visit www.suffolk.police.uk/services/police-connect and sign up for this free service. It’s a great way for the police to get urgent information out to you.

County Lines We are sure you have all heard of County Lines and this is something we need to be aware of. Vulnerable children and adults are being recruited as runners to transport drugs and cash all over the country. If you suspect someone is being abused in this way, please do the right thing and help them. You can report to Crimestoppers without giving your name and address: 0800 555 111 or online via their anonymous online form: https://tinyurl.com/y47qn5me Immobilise A free online property database that helps keeps property safe and reunites stolen items with their owners: https://tinyurl.com/y59h94n2 Bumblebee Auctions The national police website that sells lost or stolen items that can’t be reunited to their owners. It’s worth having a look, you may get yourself a bargain: https://tinyurl.com/y2dypskc Finally, if you would like to improve your motorcycle skills, Suffolk Police hold two-day workshops at Martlesham, both practical and theory. We have one workshop left this year on October 4 and 5. They cost £50 for the two days or £25 if you are aged 25 and under. For further details please email: saferider@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Keep safe and look after each other.

Kindest regards, Pc Sarah George and Pc Diane Porter

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS Ganges Ward (Shotley & Erwarton)

It has been an interesting and challenging few weeks in my role as Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and as a ward member dealing with very localised issues. These have included housing issues, missed bin collections, Council Tax and business rate enquiries, progressing the Ganges site, keeping on top of events at Gate Farm caravan park and securing the siting of life rings along the Shotley foreshore.

A little further afield saw me launching the Suffolk Silk Industry project, which includes an informative and interesting film and website as part of promoting the festival, and indeed the 250-year-old industry. Take a look for yourself at: www.sudburysilkstories.com Anyone with a teenager will understand the difficulties of keeping them active and engaged, so for us at Babergh to see 12 per cent of the under-17s in the district register for our free swims was a real buzz. More than 4,000 free swims were taken during the school holidays, which has encouraged us to try and expand the scheme. Not only is swimming a wonderful way to keep fit but it is a vital life skill.

Congratulations to our Village Hall Team Village halls are often the hubs of our communities and at Shotley we are blessed to have a facility which serves dozens of groups and organisations.

Therefore, it was a no-brainer for me to nominate Shotley Village Hall in the Suffolk Community awards in the category for Most Outstanding Village Hall or Community Building. Even so, for them to actually see off the exceptional competition and be named winners is quite an achievement. For me, it’s not about the building per se, although it has a kitchen, snooker room and large committee room in addition to the huge hall which plays hosts to pantomimes, plays, discos, Soup-a Lunch, carpet bowls and dozens of other events, and a large resurfaced car park serving the community, school and the ‘Outstanding’ Kidzone. It’s about the volunteers running the hall on a shoestring and our community which supports it so willingly. Well done to all involved for their much-deserved accolade, including £100 for the coffers and a prestigious trophy. While some may regard awards like this with disdain, or consider them egotistical, they actually help when it comes to asking fund providers for grants and, of course, it shows all the volunteers their efforts are appreciated.

Importance of our Working Groups Combining my district and parish councillors’ roles has enabled me to instigate the initial meetings of the Shotley & Erwarton Neighbourhood Development Plan and the Shotley Play Equipment working groups. Hopefully we will be able to report on our progress in the near future. Numbers are low so far, so if you are interested in knowing more, or perhaps getting involved in a tangible way, please get in touch.

Meanwhile, Babergh has confirmed it has a five-year land supply, which was confirmed when our planning team visited Shotley Village Hall and was part of the local plan consultation in mid-September, important when it comes to planning applications and appeals.

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?

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

Come along and enjoy a free cuppa and some friendly chat. #dontbeonyourown Meet Up Mondays Suffolk @meetupmondaysSu www.meetupmondays.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

HARKSTEAD PARISH COUNCIL WANTED We are looking for a local handyman to replace some bricks in the kicking wall on the Millennium Green.

We would also welcome seasonal help with cutting the green (from someone with their own mower as ours is on its way out), probably once a fortnight from April to the end of September next year.

Please contact Pam Tunbridge, the parish clerk, if you can help out: p.tunbridge250@gmailcom / 07880 713540] / 01473 613298

9

NEWS HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY GP and Staff Training Afternoons Our next training afternoons will be Thursday 10 October and Wednesday 6 November. The practice will be open for patients to come in to collect/ drop off prescriptions and book appointments/make enquiries at reception.

However, there will be no clinical staff on site and our telephone lines will be switched over to the out of hours’ service to allow for staff training. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

Flu Days We have been notified that our vaccines have been delayed again this year and we have now tentatively set our dates for our flu days. Due to the staggered delivery dates from the suppliers, these are:

On October 13 we will be attending the national Walkers are Welcome conference. This year the host town is Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria, right on the edge of the Lake District. It’s our chance to showcase the Shotley Peninsula with everything we have that makes us a fantastic place for walkers to visit.

We will have our walk leaflets to give out, and lots of photographs in and around Shotley to whet the appetite for future visitors.

We’ll do our best to help market the Shotley Peninsula as a must do walking destination for 2020 and beyond.

• Thursday 26 September, 2-6.30pm at Shotley (over-65s only) • Wednesday 2 October, 2-6.30pm at Holbrook (over-65s only) • Tuesday 15 October, 2-6.30pm at Holbrook (over-65s and at risk patients) • Thursday 24 October, 2-6.30pm at Shotley (over-65s and at risk patients) Please book these dates into your diary and we will keep you updated of any possible changes.

Reducing our Paper We are trying to reduce our paper production and to communicate with patients in different ways where we can. You can already book appointments, order medications and view your record online using the NHS App, but did you know we can also send you your annual check and flu vaccination invitations by email or text? If you would like this, please let us know your preferred method of contact.

Suffolk Warm Homes, Healthy People Scheme As you may be aware, we were involved with this project from the start and have had huge success for our patients with 34 patients being reviewed, two key safes fitted, five fully funded first time heating systems fitted, one cavity wall insulation and two loft insulations. The scheme has been extended and more funding secured so if you have need of fuel payments, draught proofing or help surviving the winter please contact 03456 037686 or visit: www.suffolk.gov.uk Practice Manager Julia Smith

Our stunning 2020 wall calendar is now on sale around the village. The calendar has pictures of many of our area’s best loved features, all of them photographed by locals. The front cover is an amazing aerial shot of the whole village taken from a drone hovering over the River Orwell. This view has changed hugely over the years, and will change yet again during the next decade. Please help us with our local fundraising and purchase a calendar; they are only £7 each and all of this money helps our group do great things in the community throughout the year.

Our latest campaign should help everyone and it’s a big step forward. As most of you know, we are active with the walks that we do around the village.

Sometimes we have as many as 50 people involved. Following the initiative taken by the Clare Town Walkers are Welcome group, we are looking to follow suit and purchase a portable defibrillator that we can carry with us, should we need to deal with any emergency. While the unit would be out with us for a few hours a month, for the most part it would be mounted in a cabinet on the wall of the Bristol Arms pub and available for anyone to use, day or night.

Hopefully funds can be found and we can soon have one available before the end of this year.

Thanks for your continued support. If you have any queries about the work of Shotley Open Spaces contact Geraint Pugh (g.pugh1@btinternet.com), Gary Richens (gary.richens.583@btinternet.com) or Tony Lawford-Randall (keyworker@hotmail.co.uk) Report by Gary Richens

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MARY MCLAREN Stour Ward

Mellowness, chilly nights and autumnal colours remind us that summer is over. I would like to thank all our farmers and agricultural businesses in Stour Ward for all their hard work while many of us were leisurely enjoying the sunshine. The harvest is complete and the time consuming preparation for next year’s crops is well underway. For many of you it’s a family effort and we are grateful for your combined hard work to provide us and others with high quality food supplies all the time.

Draft Joint Local Plan The period of consultation is now finished and the planning team reports that they are very grateful to everyone who contributed with comments and suggestions and that every comment will be reviewed and respected. The last time a similar survey was undertaken there were 140,000 responses to take into consideration and people’s views were used in the final published plan. So quite an arduous task ahead of the team!

Waste Bin Collection Babergh District Council would like to apologise to any residents who are still experiencing difficulties with their waste bin collection.

10

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee within BDC can review any process or action that is undertaken within Babergh District Council and report their findings to the council. As a member of that committee we will be reviewing the waste bin collection changes, outcomes and difficulties experienced by our residents.

Shotley Peninsula Tourism Action Group I was delighted to meet the group for the first time in September and was very impressed with all the hard work going on to encourage visitors from all over the world to visit our beautiful area and enjoy the various activities. Shotley Open Spaces have produced an informative leaflet about Shotley that is eagerly taken by all, especially young people. There are also some other well-produced local publications about our area.

Residents in Holbrook, Harkstead and Stutton are all very community minded and welcome groups and individuals to our AONB, so any ideas on how we could promote our own parishes, possibly using a similar template, are welcomed. Please direct them to me and I will re-direct to the action group.

Mary.Mclaren@babergh.gov.uk

In Touch online:

MATT FORD AND THE CHRIS INGHAM TRIO FEATURING THE RHS BIG BAND

FRI 8 NOVEMBER, 7PM PRE-CONCERT DRINKS FROM 6.30PM BURNS RECITAL HALL, ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH IP9 2RX

Matt Ford and the Chris Ingham Trio present an evening of swing and anecdote and will be joined - for part of the programme - by the RHS Big Band.

Full: £15 | Conc: £10 | U18: FREE Available from experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic 01206 573948 SPONSORED BY GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

11

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

12

In Touch online:

news / OUT & ABOUT BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JANE GOULD

WOOLVERSTONE PUNCH & PIE CHRISTMAS FAIR

Orwell Ward: Belstead, Chelmondiston, Freston, Tattingstone, Wherstead and Woolverstone As one of four Green councillors elected to Babergh District Council in May, I am having regular meetings with my three Green colleagues to discuss how we can raise the profile of environmental issues in all aspects of the council’s work.

Of the six parishes in my ward, Chelmondiston may shortly become the first to declare a climate and wildlife emergency. It has established a working party to decide how such a declaration can be translated into positive action at parish level.

Do you ever consider what happens to the contents of your black wheelie bin? In September I had the opportunity to find out when I joined a guided tour around the Energy From Waste (EfW) facility at Great Blakenham. I was favourably impressed. None of our black bin waste (averaging one tonne per household per year) is sent to landfill. It all goes to the EfW facility where it is incinerated and used to generate electricity for the national grid.

When combined with domestic waste from the rest of Suffolk, along with some from Norfolk and some ‘third party’ waste, the EfW facility generates enough energy to power 39,000 homes. Stringent measures are in place to remove pollutants from the resulting gases before they are released into the atmosphere. Even the bottom ash is put to good use in road construction after unburned metal has been removed from it and sold for scrap.

Incineration does, of course, produce greenhouse gases so it is always better to Reduce, Re-Use or Recycle, but some residual waste is inevitable. We were told during our tour that using the EfW facility to process our residual waste produces a 75,000 tonne per annum reduction in greenhouse gases when compared to landfill disposal.

Chelpin Players present

Saturday 30 November, 10am-3.30pm Christmas themed table tops and festive food and drinks in Berner’s Hall, Main Road, Woolverstone.

All are invited by the Friends of Woolverstone. Meet friends old and new, enjoy the festivities and shop for Christmas gifts.

Stallholders will be selling silver jewellery, cosmetics, woodcraft, Oriental hand-bags, purses and ornaments, Christmas cards and paintings.

Parking in hall car park with overflow parking nearby.

If you would like to book a table please contact Elspeth: ciskander@aol.com / 01473 780751

HARKSTEAD AUCTION Our popular twice-yearly auction will be held on Saturday 2 November in the village hall starting at 10am.

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 those of us with an eye for a bargain, it’s an opportunity to pick up collectors’ items.

Please put this date in your diary. If you would like more information or to book items in for sale, please contact Janet or David: 01473 328649 / harksteadauction@btinternet.com Lots are taken in between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday 31 October, but it’s essential to book in items for sale in advance as we will be limiting the number of lots. First come first served! No items can be accepted after 8pm on the Thursday.

The hall is open for viewing on Friday 1 November between 11am and 1pm and again from 4 to 8pm as well as from 9am on the day of the auction itself.

Entrance is free. We have excellent refreshments during the sale and there is ample free parking.

CHELPIN PLAYERS

Chelmondiston Village Hall on Thursday, Friday & Saturday

21st, 22nd & 23rd Nov 2019 Curtain up at 7.30 pm Tickets - £8 including supper

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Chelpin Players have spent their summer learning their lines and look forward to sharing the plot of Recipe for Murder by J.D. Robins with you at Chelmondiston Village Hall from November 21-23.

Research scientist David Lawson (John Revell) is not a well man. His sister Beattie (Tracy Newman) doesn’t thinks his wife Claire (Josie Tromans, who we welcome to the Chelpin gang) takes proper care of him. A new neighbour (Sandra Royce) begins to suspect that Claire might be guilty of more than just negligence!

Charge your glasses from 7pm for 7.30pm curtain. Tickets are £8 including a light supper.

13

OUT & ABOUT PENINSULAR PIX GENTS’ BREAKFAST Saturday 23 November, 9-11am at St Andrew’s Church Room, Chelmondiston I will be there from 9-11am and will happily cook for any gents who would like an English or continental breakfast with tea/coffee as required. Bring a friend or neighbour, or something to read. Come at a time to suit you and I will cook a fresh breakfast for you.

October’s film is Stan and Ollie, to be shown at 8pm on Thursday 3 October.

Nostalgia for times past is always rosier than it actually was thank goodness.

I remember an exasperated rotund Oliver Hardy fiddling with his tie and next to him, dear Stanley Laurel, surely an archetype model for LS Lowry’s matchstick men, his face crumpling before Ollie’s criticism. Loveable characters who made the many, many films I used to watch at Felixstowe ABC Cinema Saturday Morning Pictures, where in the early 1950s we schoolchildren ran amok for two hours. Happy days!

It would be great to know in advance if you will be joining us, but I am sure there will be places on the day. A donation of around £10 towards church funds would be appreciated.

Dilly Ridge: dilly@hildaridge.co.uk / 01473 780350

WORLD CRAFTS MARKET Holbrook Methodist Church 9.30am-4pm on Friday 25 October & 9.30am-noon on Saturday 26 Fairly traded colourful crafts and Fairtrade foods from around the world All day tea, coffee and cake, and a soup lunch on Friday.

Donations for refreshments will be given to Tear Fund.

PENINSULA DRAMA CLUB If you enjoy the company of others and want to come and play some gentle drama games without the need to ‘perform’, do come to our one-hour session on Wednesdays 9 October and 13 November between 4-5pm.

The film deals with a time when the golden days of the comedy pair have faded and they are touring Britain in later years. Steve Coogan’s and John C Reilly’s performances are second to none.

This portrayal of the creative marriage of two comic geniuses brings warmth, laughs and genuine nostalgic delight to the silver screen. The Rotten Tomatoes review gave the movie a 93 per cent thumbs up, though it also warns that there are people in the film who smoke cigarettes, so be prepared to be shocked.

I know I shall enjoy watching this one, though I shall miss not being on the balcony of the cinema at 10 years of age, pretending to retch on the kids below, wishing I had some cold custard to make it more believable.

It’s great for using your imagination and self expression while connecting with other people, but above all, it’s great fun!

In the open half of Woolverstone Church. See you there!

Susanna Bishop

FUNDRAISING CONCERT AT ST PETER’S CHURCH TRIMLEY ART AND CRAFT FAIR Painting, ceramics, jewellery, cards and more will be for sale, plus refreshments, at The Memorial Hall, High Road, Trimley St Martin (next door to Trimley Sports and Social Club) Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Free entry and free parking.

A great opportunity to purchase a unique gift or treat yourself to something special at very reasonable prices. See you there!

A concert of sacred music and readings from the time of Thomas Hardy featuring The Cavendish Consort and Choir St Peter’s Church, Stutton, Sunday 27 October at 6.30pm Retiring collection for Church Funds

PENINSULA POETRY GROUP Wednesday 11 September was as much chat and laughter as ever at our Peninsula Poetry Group. It was a lovely evening with great poems read, and written, on the theme of knitting. Surprisingly, we all came up with something on the subject with great memories thrown in by some. Thank you for your support, attendance and friendship, and thank you to Sarah at The Rose for making us so welcome.

In future we will meet at Shotley Village Hall, The Street, Shotley IP9 1LX. Look out for the next poster.

Everyone is welcome. You don`t have to be a writer, you can read whatever you have chosen or even just come along to listen and enjoy the poems and chat of our friendly group. Our next meeting is on October 9.

For more information contact: 01473 788320

14

In Touch online:

Don’t sit on the fence!

Choose a comfy chair Palermo

Dura

£159.95

Leather faced executive chair • Contemporary design • Stylish arms with silver trim • Silver nylon base with black trims • Double padded seat • Head rest • Lumbar support • Black leather faced

Sofia

£109.95

Modern materials and design make the Dura a favourite in the range • Durable, stylish and nylon backrest • Breathable air-mesh upholstered seat • Hard wearing fixed armrests included • Chrome 5 star base with matching gas lift • Lock/tilt mechanism with eight tension adjustment • Available in a range of colours

£149.95

Adjustable lumbar operator chair • Pneumatic lumbar pad • Adjustable nylon arms • 2 lever mechanism • Black nylon base • Padded arms • Waterfall seat

Luna 2

£69.95

Shaped padding for day-long support and comfort • Large waterfall seat and contoured back • Adjustable back height • Heavy duty • 2 lever model – back tilt and height adjustment • EN1335 certificated • Gas lift tested up to 150kg

Finish options

Blue (B)

Black (K)

Telephone 01473 212000

To order or for more information please call officesupplies@boswellos.co.uk www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk 01473 212000 www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

15

RIVER VIEWS AT OPEN GARDEN

• CCTV • Smart Home • Smart Blinds & Shutters • TV • Audio Installations GB Connect can provide the best and latest digital technology for your home or business, installed with a professional service.

We are experts in installing a range of entertainment, audio, security products, and more.

Get in touch to see how we can help T: 01206 971 729 W: gb-connect.co.uk

16

Association For Audio Visual Professionals

In Touch online:

Out & ABOUT HOLBROOK VILLAGE WALK Come for a village walk with the Friends of All Saints Church on Sunday 20 October.

Bring your dog – lots of doggie prizes!

Meet at 1.45pm for a warming drink. The walk should take about an hour, finishing at The Swan.

Tickets £5 per dog and family. Tickets on the day or book ahead by calling: 01473 328814/328940/327379

WINTER JUMBLE SALE

CHELMONDISTON WI The August get-together was a great success. Wot no Cake, a large group of very happy ukulele players, entertained us with a selection of songs that we could join in with. A huge amount of cake was then available for them to enjoy. They deserved every crumb.

Next came the SEFWI Centenary celebrations which we joined in with on Tuesday 3 September at Trinity Park. Our ladies helped to provide 200 filled and decorated jars of all shapes and sizes. We locked Caroline Giles in her shed to decorate for those of us who are not crafty. For some ladies, filling jars became an obsession. Not just jam and pickles, but also some surprises for all ages with scratch cards, seeds, bulbs and craft items for children. A magnificent spread for our Jarbola. It was a long and tiring day, but great to spend it with good friends.

Clear the Clutter – Bag a Bargain Saturday 26 October from 2pm at Bentley Village Hall If you have anything you wish to donate, please bring it along to the hall from 9am on the day or telephone Pam (01473 310283) or Aimée (01473 311311) to arrange collection.

The hall will be open from 2pm. Tea and coffee will also be available.

We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support.

On September 10 Amanda Haskell introduced her chair exercise classes which help to build strength and coordination. Sitting down exercise! Suits me!

On October 8 I suspect we will be a bit more agile. Mike Garland of the Suffolk Morris Men will show us a few ‘moves’ and tell us about the origins of the Morris dance.

18 October, 7.30pm at Holbrook Bowls Club: A Question of Identity by Janet Dann Janet has a background in theatre. This entertaining talk takes a look at how we see ourselves and others and provides some food for thought on the subject. No need to book.

30 November: Shopping trip from Holbrook to Norwich by coach: £11. Book your seat with Joy Squirrell on 01473 327304.

Also look out for Holbrook’s 2020 calendar featuring photographs from the 2019 Holbrook Photographic Competition – on sale soon!

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On October 2 David Prynn will talk of China, Past and Present and two weeks later on October 16 Cherry Mullins will present Confessions of a Tour Manager.

Andy Malcolm will talk about the good work undertaken by The Fishermen’s Mission on November 6 and on November 20 Sara Waterston of local Hunnable Funeral Directors will talk on The Humourist Side of Funerals.

Our speaker on December 4 is Simon Gallop with The Unknown Constable Country and we end the year with our popular annual Christmas quiz.

It’s rumoured that there are some valuable prizes to be won on this occasion!

Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB, 10 for 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

As always, visitors are welcome. The evening always ends with a good cuppa and wonderful cake!

Our monthly meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, 7 for a 7.30pm start.

SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE Shotley Whist Drive has been running for more than 20 years and is now the only one on the peninsula.

My thanks to all who attend; we have players from Ipswich and Holbrook and from the towns around Shotley.

Our whist drives for October are on Thursdays 3, 17 and 31, all 1.50-4pm.

For lifts or information please contact Norman and Eileen: 01473 787358

SHOTLEY SOCIAL CLUB (OVER 60s) Our next meetings are on Thursdays 10 and 24 October and November 7, all 1.50-4pm.

All our outings for this year have finished. We are now trying to sort out outings for next year, mainly with very little walking.

We have our concert in the village hall from 2-4pm on Thursday 24 October, when we will a lovely couple to entertain us. We will have orange juice, sherry, red and white wine when you arrive. At half time there will be tea, coffee, mince pies and sausage rolls. The only expense will be the draw – £1 for a strip of draw tickets.

This afternoon is open to all in the village, or those who come on our outings.

Come and enjoy yourself.

For information contact Norman and Eileen: 01473 787358

17

OUT & ABOUT HOLBROOK GUIDES LOOK FORWARD TO AUTUMN 1 Holbrook Guide Unit is celebrating as it now has two qualified Guide Leaders. st

SHOTLEY & ERWARTON WI On a Wednesday morning in August, a convoy of cars carrying WI members set out across the countryside to follow the windmill trail created by members across Suffolk East Federation to celebrate its centenary. We saw 15 windmills that day, including our own in Shotley Village Hall. Only 44 more to go!

Next up was the SEFWI Centenary Celebrations at Trinity Park. All seated around picnic tables covered in yellow tablecloths with an array of scrumptious food, our ladies did us proud. We drew the attention of BBC Radio Suffolk who dubbed us ‘the party table’ and interviewed our president, June Edwards.

Leanne Castle and Leanne Kenny have recently completed their qualifications and celebrated with their Guides prior to the summer holidays.

The stalls held an eclectic mix, from woodwork, ceramics, linen, food and wool to dog food. All this in addition to a fashion show, music hall and a choir, made the event a perfect celebrating of 100 years of WI Suffolk East.

“The Unit has had a brilliant year so far, and with a further five girls on the waiting list it will continue to be a busy and fun-packed few months,” commented Leanne. “This autumn we have Alton Water Cycle Hire giving us hands-on bike maintenance tuition, a broadcaster will share their top tips for making engaging podcasts and vlogs and we are visiting Salon Under the Bridge at Suffolk Food Hall to learn about hair care and styling ideas.”

Antonia Hockton was our speaker in September. She trained in sculpture at Lincoln Cathedral and then worked at Norte Dame Poitiers. Now she specialises in repairs, copies and bespoke stone artefacts. She told us about her latest work, a stone altarpiece based on the River of Life which is a passage out of Revelations. This now hangs in St George’s Church, Great Bromley, Essex.

The Guide Leaders meet each term to discuss activity ideas and like to mix up the sessions with a variety of activities, interest badge ‘tasters’ and new skills and experiences for their Guides to try.

Our next meeting is on October 16 when we have Zentangle Drawing with Alison Mayston. Our AGM is on November 20, 7.15 for 7.30pm in Shotley Village Hall.

Leanne continued: “We have invited a ceramicist to share her clay skills with us and Rebecca from The Pink Shed Beauty Salon will demonstrate how we can best care for our skin and ideas on how to apply natural looking makeup.

If you’re interested please come along, or for more information contact our secretary, Jo Lee: 01473 787311

“We appreciate local businesspeople spending time sharing their expertise and introducing our Guides to new concepts and ideas. To help cover the costs we incur, Holbrook Guides will have a pop-up gift stall selling candles at various Christmas fairs on the peninsula over the next few months. We invite visitors to buy and support us.”

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB August Draw Winners 1: C Page (139) £25 2: L Catling (113) £20 3: J Stafford (117) £15 4: D Nottage (74) £5 5: P de Boltz (118) £5 New members are always welcome. To join contact Norman on 01473 787358.

The cost of £1 a month can be paid at three, six or 12 month intervals.

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club which meets on the first Monday of the month (except for bank holidays when it’s the following Monday). Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms. Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

In September we enjoyed a very successful and jolly AGM for our 10 year anniversary celebration with refreshments and cake. Most members made a very pretty lava beaded bracelet and some finished their felt puffins.

Monday 7 October: Jill will show us how to use Knitting Lace Monday 4 November: Honeycomb Greeting Card

STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday 9 October, Jenny Gibbs will talk to us on An Englishwoman’s Life in Rural Turkey. Her stories capture a simple, serene, pastoral way of life in a Turkish mountain village unchanged for centuries, from the day she first arrived there 25 years ago to today.

On November 13 Magistrate Graham Higgins will talk of Tales From The Bench. He will look at our legal heritage, particularly the part played by Suffolk. He will relate how the role of magistrates and local events have played a part in this history and will bring us up to date with an opportunity to decide how a defendant should be sentenced by briefly outlining a case. He will also include some of his unusual experiences on the bench.

We have Christmas lunch instead of a meeting in December and this year it’s being held on Wednesday 11 December at the Ipswich Best Western Hotel, Copdock IP8 3JD. This is always a very popular event so an early reservation is advised.

We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month.

Each month The Coffee Grinders meet at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SD from 10am to noon. This meeting especially welcomes new members and gives all members the opportunity to meet the activity group leaders and the committee while enjoying a cup of coffee. The next meeting is on Friday 25 October.

Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

18

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

19

20

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT ST MARY’S CHURCH, SHOTLEY Our September draw was very well supported, thank you to all who contributed.

The first three prize winners were: 1: £25 – Rufus Newman 2: Cosmetics Hamper – Peter and Margaret de Boltz 3: Bottle of Whisky – Eric and Marion Roberts

CHELMONDISTON SOCIAL CLUB (OVER 60s) We have three events before the end of the year.

October 10: St Mary’s Holbrook will give us a talk on all the social occasions we can join in.

November 14: What No Cake ukulele group will entertain us with their special kind of performance.

ALTON BELLES WI

December 12: Christmas meal at The Compasses. More information to follow.

In September we enjoyed an excellent talk on the making of ballet shoes by our president, Tamzin Howell. Just as it takes a huge amount of work to make an olive edible, so too does it take time and expertise to get dancers on their toes.

We always welcome new members, so please join us for tea/cake and a chat on a Thursday between 2 and 4pm. The darker days during winter can be long and lonely, so if you are feeling low, why not look in?

The October meeting gives us a question and answer session to tease out those knotty problems when Vicky, our local hairdresser, and another hairdresser from BJ’s in Bentley join us. I have been going to BJs for 18 years and can testify that Vicky has loads of experience. Come and join in.

We will meet at Tattingstone Village Hall on Thursday 17 October at 7.30pm. All welcome.

For information contact Annette Kilworth (01394 547634), Jane (tatt.pc@gmail.com) or Tamzin (01394 328670).

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

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.

Our next meeting is on October 15 when Russell Bowes will give a talk entitled Digging For Victory. As the title suggests, the talk will concentrate on the Second World War years when gardens, great and small, public and private, were transformed into food gardens. Russell will be looking at the role played by the Land Girls who helped put food on the tables of the nation.

He will also explore the advice, including propaganda, given to gardeners, both in print and via the radio.

On November 19 Peter Lawrence will entertain us with a talk on timber framed buildings in Suffolk and Essex.

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Michele and Michael Rutherford: 01473 780718

ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY We celebrated our 20th anniversary on September 4. We also welcomed Anne Haworth, our first guest speaker following the summer break, who provided a beautifully illustrated talk on Porcelain for the Chinese Emperors.

Our talks cover a broad spectrum of art and are delivered within a relaxed and welcoming environment. The next talk is on October 2 when we look forward to welcoming back Louise Schofield with Archaeological Adventures in Albania. On November 6 Daniel Snowman is our guest speaker, the subject being The Hitler Emigrés; Their Impact on British Artistic and Cultural Life.

We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Meetings begin at 2.15pm 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

SHOTLEY GARDENING CLUB We moved our July meeting into August this year as we had decided to use our annual RHS Garden visit to coincide with Hyde Hall’s Flower Show.

After an anxious few weeks in which we found ourselves wondering if we should cancel the outing because we couldn’t fill even the smaller coach, we repeated our invitation to non-members in In Touch and, at almost the last minute, we had a waiting list for the larger coach. Thank you In Touch.

The day exceeded our expectations. There were so many growers, nurseries, single plant species and specialists, I found a Heuchera that I have been searching for three years at ‘Heucheramania’ – who knew that there were so many? There were also artisans, tool suppliers, crafters and food providers, including Pimms and crepes. All this and free access to the RHS Garden, if you had time for it! Members and guests enjoyed it so much that we are going again next year – watch this space!

Our second August meeting was our members’ cream tea, this year in John’s summer house in case it rained. Thank you John and Dawn.

I need to thank all those who supported our stall at Shotley Fun Day in July, particularly Leon Petterson who donated so much of his lovely pottery for us to sell (we are lucky that his mum’s a member).

Our AGM was held on Monday 9 September. The business was concluded swiftly and was followed by lively reminiscences and discussions accompanied by tea, coffee and cake. The programme for the coming year was discussed and will be ready for publishing by the next meeting.

If you would like to join us or even come along and sample one of our meetings, look out for the programme next month or contact June Edwards (787422) or Karen Smith (787731) in the meantime.

21

ON THE GRAPEVINE PERSONAL FINANCE WITH NICK PLUMB Do you value your life?

Most people take out insurance for their home contents and their buildings and have motor insurance to protect their cars. Some people even have insurance for their pets, but more than 60 per cent of the people I meet as a financial adviser do not have enough life insurance in place to properly protect their family if they die prematurely.

Unfortunately, life insurance is one of those products that the majority of people don’t have just when it is needed most. And if you don’t have it when you need it – it’s already too late to do anything about it.

Taking out life insurance is something that many people are quite unsure about, typically prompting questions like; “How much cover do I need?”, “How long do I need it for?” and “How much will it cost?”.

The following is intended to answer some of the questions you may have, and will hopefully persuade you to contact a financial adviser to review your own insurance arrangements sooner rather than later.

Do I need life insurance?

If you have an outstanding mortgage or if you have dependent children, you need life insurance. It’s that simple.

If you bring an income into the household, or if you care for children who are financially dependent upon you, then there will be a financial cost to your family if you die. If the main ‘bread winner’ dies, their salary will have to be replaced. If the partner who cares for your children dies, their duties will have to be taken up by someone who will need to be paid for their services, so that their partner can continue to work and earn.

If you have an outstanding mortgage, having insurance that pays off the mortgage will not only ensure that your family will have a roof over their heads, but will also save your spouse or partner the cost of monthly mortgage repayments – usually one of your biggest financial commitments each month.

How much will it cost?

The cost of life insurance depends on two factors: How much cover you need, and how long you want the cover to last for. Factors such as your age, sex, occupation, health condition and whether you smoke or not are all taken into account when calculating how much your insurance

will cost. This is called the ‘underwriting’ process. The important thing to remember is that it need not cost the earth and getting a quote costs nothing.

How much life cover do I need?

If you’re the main breadwinner, you will obviously want to maintain your family’s lifestyle so that they do not encounter any financial hardship.

If you care for children or other dependents, then your partner will need to provide cash for professionals to take over your role. As a guide, the figure should be enough to replace around 80 per cent of your net earnings (you will be entitled to some state benefits) or at least £20,000 for professional child care each year.

How long for?

I would normally recommend family protection lasts until the youngest child is aged 21 years, which ensures that your children will have the opportunity to go through university and will reach financial independence. For a mortgage, you should protect the whole of the outstanding term of the loan.

Where do I buy it from?

To ensure you get the very best deal, you should always take independent financial advice when buying life insurance. Never trust a bank or building society to give you the best deal on your life insurance or mortgage protection, unless their adviser is independent and has searched the entire marketplace for you.

Banks and building societies are usually tied to one company or a small group of companies, and that means that they rarely offer the best premium rates for life insurance.

Take my Insurance Challenge and save yourself some cash today!

If you have a life insurance policy or mortgage protection policy that was arranged for you by your bank or building society, or by an adviser tied to one company, I am confident that in at least 90 per cent of cases, I will be able to find you a policy that offers the same or better benefits for a lower monthly cost.

Just give me a call or e-mail me with the policy details (the amount of cover, policy term, and premium, and your date of birth and smoking status) and I will call you back with a free no-obligation quote.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services.

Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, BaylhamIP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301.

Nick’s answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice.

Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position.

22

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

23

Sport / Schools EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC As August ended, the season kicked off with games for the First Team and the A Team. The First Team lost their opening fixture and the A Team drew, but it’s early days. Our new goals have been installed in time for the first home game for the First Team on September 7.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

The 2019 season has been very busy with numbers again increased from the previous year.

First Team / Senior Division Sep 28: Bildeston Rangers (A) Oct 5: Claydon (H) Oct 12: Benhall St Mary (A) Oct 19: Bramford Utd (A) Nov 2: Leiston St Margarets (H) Reserves / League A Sep 28: Cockfield Utd Res (H) Oct 5: Leiston St Margarets Res (SSRC) (A) Oct 12: Achilles Res (H) Oct 19: Sporting 87 Res (H) Oct 26: Claydon Res (A) A Team / League C Sep 28: Leiston St Margarets Res (H) Oct 5: Capel Plough Res (A) Oct 12: Ransomes Sports Res (H) Oct 26: Coplestonians A (H) Fixtures subject to change; to confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Sponsorship We would like to thank our sponsors for this season: Riverside Taxis Manningtree, Marquis, Bergholt Travel, G & C Timber & Joinery Ltd, Primus and Kitchen Worktops Online.

If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts and banners or boards on match days are all potential for exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation.

The dinghy instructor course was again full with a very high pass rate. The number of adult sailing courses increased from last year with additional courses added in September. Powerboat courses have been running all year and these were expanded with additional courses in September and October.

The number attending Neptune Youth was down (evenings) so we need to further promote these as they are a pathway from total novice to instructor (minimum age 10 years). They also cover the skills for other awards, such as DofE and Scouts, and promote team building and communication skills. The youth open courses in the summer were very well supported.

Although next year seems a long way away, we have to plan to take our fleet off the water, carry out maintenance and store ready for the new season.

If you would like to enrol in an activity next year, it will help us plan if we find this out as early as possible. This is especially important for potential instructor course students as pre-assessment (sailing skills) and powerboat and first aid courses must be attended to qualify. These will be planned early in the season.

Ladies and Juniors We are looking for ladies and boys and girls of all ages to join us as we look for the club to grow. If you are interested please contact David George: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com Events Saturday 28 September: General Knowledge and Sporting Quiz at the Pavilion on Gandish Road.

This upcoming season is the 125th anniversary of the club and there will be special events to mark this momentous achievement. We want to get in touch with as many former players and officials as possible.

Please let us have your details by replying to the secretary or on our Facebook page.

The FIFA tournament will be repeated and is open to all-comers so keep an eye out for the next one. It is also anticipated that the darts tournament will become a regular event open to all, so look out for the next event in January 2020.

EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. We are always on the lookout for people who can help the club as committee members, either on the playing side or just in the background.

Facebook: Ease Bergholt United Football Club Instagram: east_bergholt_united_fc Twitter: @EBUFC1 Steve Butcher (Secretary): stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

We are very excited to start the new autumn term, getting back into a routine and meeting our new starters. The children have lots to look forward to fun within the new play areas which were created over the summer holidays.

The care and maintenance of the playgroup building and grounds all take time to keep it looking its best. This is currently done through committee members and staff volunteering their time on an as and when basis. We would be extremely grateful to have some extra pairs of hands to cut the grass, weed the flower beds, paint the fences and sweep up leaves. If you feel you can give your time to help keep the grounds tidy and clean, we would love to hear from you. Just one to two hours a week can make all the difference.

The playgroup is also looking for new committee members who can play an active part in fundraising, decision making and bringing new ideas to the setting. If you like to bake a cake, organise events, get creative with posters, letter drop, carry out gardening and DIY duties we need you! For more information on this please contact Becky Fox: 07500 018672 The playgroup still has space for new children wishing to attend. Lavinia can answer any queries or questions that you may have relating to new starters or the work of the playgroup in general. Please call 01473 780948 or email: chelmoplaygroup@yahoo.co.uk Chairperson Becky Fox

24

In Touch online:

schools / CHURCH NEWS STUTTON TODDLER & BABY GROUP Meets every Tuesday at Stutton Community Hall from 9.30-11.30am, including school holidays. Children and babies up to five years old – new faces and families can join us for a free taster session.

Every week we get creative with crafts such as painting, drawing and themed art. Toy cars, animals and trains are a firm favourite as well as whizzing around the hall on the ride on toys. Whooshing down the slide, crawling through the tunnel and catching bubbles also offers lots of fun. Singing on the stage and storytime also offers a chance for the children to express themselves and use their imaginations.

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

Each session is £3 per family, including a healthy snack for the little ones and tea, coffee and a biscuit for the parents and carers.

We are a small, friendly group of mums, dads, grandparents and carers who look forward to meeting you very soon.

Becky Fox

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Paul Vincent 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR OCTOBER Sunday 6 9am

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

Tuesday 8 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 13 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 15 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 20 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 22 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 27 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 29 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 29 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass The weekly newsletter, with all the parish mass times, is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door of the church.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY We have said farewell and big thank you to our parish priest, Fr Peter Raj, who has moved to another Ipswich parish after just one year at St Marks with Holy Family, Brantham. He’s a popular priest who has scarcely had time to settle in, but it’s hardly surprising in these times of fewer vocations to the priesthood and parish clustering. We welcome Fr Paul Vincent and in the announcement from Bishop Alan Hopes we were promised two priests from the Carmelite Order with the possibility of even a third member to form a small Carmelite community at the presbytery in Ipswich. We were also reminded how a small community of Franciscans ran our parish a few decades ago.

The British Social Attitudes Survey including a battery of religious questions was published recently. The headlines showed a continuous decline in the number of Britons identifying as Christian; 38 per cent this time, down from 66 per cent in 1983. ‘No religion’ is now the default setting at 52 per cent. Those who are dismayed at this decline may well take comfort from other findings from the Theos Think Tank that regularly publishes research papers to stimulate debate about the place of religion in society. A surprising statistic on its website shows the world as 80 per cent religious, predicted to rise to 90 per cent by 2050. Why are we in this country disengaging with Christianity?

EVENTS AND DIARY DATES The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday 22 September at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £165 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday 13 October. 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 and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am to noon. We are raising funds for the new carpet in the Parish Room and all are very welcome to join us. The next event will be on Thursday 31 October.

25

CHURCH NEWS CHELMONDISION & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES Have you every planned a trip or a holiday? You’ve got the brochures out, searched the website and seen wonderful pictures of your chosen destination. In your mind you can anticipate the beauty, the luxury, the relaxation, the fun and the activities. In the days or weeks before you make the trip, these pictures are imprinted on your memory. We can easily forget what the process of getting there involves: packing, travelling, queuing, security checks, baggage carousels, transfers and different languages. When we do arrive at the destination, the pictures in the brochure might have been misleading, taken with wide angle lens, the beach may not be so close, there are other developments crowding your place. Even if the place is exactly as the pictures portrayed, your mind remembers something you forgot to do before you left, or a project planned for the future that you start to worry about. Or you have a migraine developing after the travel, or are sleep deprived because of a different time zone, or you are bitten by an insect, or aches or pains make themselves noticed. If we are staying with a spouse or a friend, we are irritated by them or an old feud, or disagreement comes to the surface. The joy of anticipation is thwarted by the realisation that you have inadvertently bought yourself to this destination.

When we were at home, we could blame our moods on the weather, or the politics of the day, or the pressure of work or family commitments. We assumed azure skies, palm beaches, luxury hotels would bring happiness, but we bring our emotional and psychological baggage with us. We need to be understood, loved and respected. If we have been hurt, rejected or are holding resentment we may struggle, blue skies or not.

It’s always good to try to keep relationships with family and friends good, but there is something even deeper than that. Our relationship with the created order and the creator. To know that we are loved by God, to keep that relationship right. That’s a tall order, for all of us have messed up and God knows even if no one else does. In Jesus Christ there is the offer of forgiveness, because Jesus died on a cross to pay the penalty for my sin. Jesus offers us “peace with God”, he wants to restore joy in our lives, he wants us to live life to the full. God hasn’t offered a life free from trouble or suffering, but he has offered his peace in our hearts in the midst of trouble. He has offered the hope of eternal life, of heaven. I have great anticipation of that ultimate destination, but I still have many destinations on the journey that keep me full of anticipation.

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel, Chelmondision & Holbrook Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Sunday 6 10.45am Worship with Mr Chris Finbow

6.15pm Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 13 10.45am Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey

6.15pm Worship with Mr Martin Ellis Sunday 20 10.45am Worship with Mrs Vickie Vallow

6.15pm Worship with Rev Diane Smith Sunday 27 10.45am Worship with Mr Harry Chicken

6.15pm Worship with Rev Michael Allen Friday 1 Nov 3.30pm Messy Church AT HOLBROOK METHODIST HCT (Holbrook Churches Together) Tea and Chat: Mondays 2.30-4pm (HCT) Home Groups: Second & fourth Tuesdays at 7.30pm Saturday 5 10-11.30am Coffee Morning Sunday 6 10am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 13 10am Communion with Rev Ian Gardner Sunday 20 10am Family Friendly Worship with Dr Liz Cope Friday 25 3.30pm Messy Church Sunday 27 10am Worship with Mr David Welbourn

6.30pm Something Different – Rev Andrew Sankey Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in October For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live (HCT) contact Gerald Laws: geraldolaws@aol.com / 01473 328507

26

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE, OCTOBER 2019 St Peter’s, Stutton Sunday 6 10.30am Worship for All at Stutton School Sunday 13 9.30am Holy Communion, The Rev Jenny Sunday 20 9.30am Holy Communion, The Rev Jenny Sunday 27 6.30pm Performance of Choral Evensong, Toby Parr All Saints, Holbrook Sunday 6 3pm Sunday 13 10am Weds 16 3pm Sunday 20 10am Sunday 27 9.30am

Harvest Tea Matins Comfort Corner Informal Service Holy Communion, The Rev Jenny

St Mary’s, Wherstead Sunday 6 No Service Sunday 13 11am Holy Communion, The Rev Jenny Sunday 20 No Service Sunday 27 11am Informal Service St Peter’s, Freston Sunday 6 11am Harvest Service Sunday 13 No Service Sunday 20 11am Holy Communion, The Rev Jenny Sunday 27 No Service St Michael’s, Woolverstone Sunday 6 10am BCP Communion, The Rev Jenny

11am Café Church Sunday 13 11am Worship the Woolverstone Way Sunday 20 11am Morning Prayer Sunday 27 11am Holy Communion, The Rev David Newton Please check the Two Rivers Facebook page for changes to services.

SHORELINE BENEFICE, OCTOBER 2019 St Andrew’s, Chelmondiston Sunday 6 9.15am Holy Communion with Harkstead,

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Tuesday 8 10am Tuesday Midweek Communion,

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 13 9.15am Harvest Festival & Family Communion, Rev T Crosbie Sunday 20 11am Benefice Holy Communion, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 27 9.30am All-Age Family Worship, Mrs C Ward St Mary’s, Erwarton Sunday 6 4pm Celtic Evening Prayer, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 13 11am Family Service, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 20 11am Benefice Holy Communion (CW),

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 27 10.45am Holy Communion with Shotley, Rev T Crosbie St Mary’s, Harkstead Sunday 6 9.15am Holy Communion with Chelmondiston,

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 13 9.30am Family Service & Baptism, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 20 11am Benefice Holy Communion (CW),

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 27 9.30am Holy Communion, Rev T Crosbie St Mary’s, Shotley Sunday 6 10.45am Family@ShotleyChurch – Harvest, Mr A Coulson Sunday 13 10.45am Holy Communion, Rev T Crosbie Sunday 20 11am Benefice Holy Communion (CW),

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 27 10.45am Holy Communion with Erwarton, Rev T Crosbie Please check church website and noticeboards for any changes to services.

In Touch online:

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

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

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

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

27